Kringl (Rescued by the Alien)

Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

J oy paced the bridge of the alien ship, her nerves frayed as she waited for Kringl's return. The pings and clangs of the crew working on repairs did little to soothe her growing anxiety. She found her gaze constantly drawn to the wide glass overlooking the icy expanse as she searched for any sign of the blue-skinned prince and his crew mates among the twinkling lights of the village.

Kringl's first officer glanced at her. He had not been the most welcoming aboard, and she suspected he still didn’t like the idea of her hitching a ride. Finally, he let out a resigned sigh. "You needn't worry. Prince Kringl is a tested warrior. We're returning from a mission where he brokered peace with many planets, some of them hostile. He's more formidable than the natives of this world.”

Joy wrung her hands. He didn’t understand. It wouldn’t be a battle of force or strength. Not where the village leader was concerned.

She swallowed hard. “You don’t understand. Velsnickel will do anything to keep from being discovered. If he thinks you will leave and reveal his presence, he will ensure you don’t leave."

Zaan's brows lifted, but not in alarm. It was clear he still did not understand the threat.

Before Joy could try to convince him that his prince and crew were in danger every moment they remained on the planet, quick footsteps tapped on the metal floor behind them. Joy's pulse leapt, but she quickly realized the steps were too light to belong to Kringl. A small figure burst onto the bridge, panting heavily.

"Tami!" Guilt washed over Joy. In all the excitement, she'd completely forgotten about leaving the girl as a lookout in the cold. "I'm so sorry, I—"

Tami held up a hand, shaking her head. "No time," she gasped. "I got bored watching the ship, so I went to spy on the celebration instead."

Joy’s heart hammered. “And…?”

Tami made a face. “Why does it always have to be the same meal every night? Even Velsnickel must be getting tired of that food.”

"Tami, focus," Joy urged. "What did you see?"

The girl's expression grew serious. "That big alien who left the ship was with some more blue guys. I saw him sitting at a table. But then he seemed to fall asleep or collapse. They carried him away."

Joy’s blood went cold. Kringl had not collapsed without help from the elves. That much she knew. “Where did they take him?”

Tami shrugged. “Dunno.”

Zaan, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "Prince Kringl would never stay away if he had promised to return to the ship, and he would never fall asleep during an alien encounter.”

"He must have been sedated," Joy said, her voice tight with fear. "And probably thrown into the village's version of a jail."

Tami's eyes went wide. "The ice huts?"

Joy only pressed her lips together. The ice huts—crude structures carved into the ice at the edge of the village—were the leader’s preferred method of dealing with troublemakers. She'd heard whispers of the bone-chilling cold that seeped into one's very soul, of the disorienting darkness that made hours feel like days.

She turned to Zaan, determination replacing her fear. Kringl had offered her sanctuary and escape. She couldn’t leave him to languish in a frozen prison. “We can’t let him stay there.”

The first officer's expression hardened. "Agreed. But we can't go in blindly. We need a plan."

Joy started to pace again. "The elves will be on high alert after taking Kringl. They’ll expect you to come after him. We'll need a distraction."

Tami bounced on her tiptoes. "I can help with that!"

Joy hesitated, torn between protecting the girl and utilizing her knowledge of the village and ability to slip in and out of small places "Tami, it could be dangerous..."

"I know this place better than anyone," Tami insisted. "And I'm small. I can sneak around without being noticed. You know I can.”

Joy let loose a sigh. The girl would be an asset, but could she live with herself if anything happened? Was Kringl’s rescue—and subsequently her escape—worth sacrificing her friend?

Zaan shifted his gaze between the two humans.

"Okay, Tami.,” Joy finally said, “but you have to promise to be careful."

The girl nodded solemnly. "I promise."

Joy wasn’t sure if the girl truly understood the risk, but she also knew she’d have a hard time keeping her from joining in, even if she said no. “We'll need weapons and enough of a team to transport him back here quickly if he's incapacitated."

Zaan nodded. "I'll gather what we need and brief a small team. We'll move out as soon as possible."

As the first officer strode away to make preparations, Joy knelt down to Tami's level. "I need you to tell me everything you know about the elves who patrol the ice huts and any weaknesses we might be able to exploit."

The girl hesitated.

“I know you know, Tami. I’m not the only one you follow. You sneak around everywhere in the village.”

Tami bobbled her head back and forth as if admitting that what Joy had said was true. “But I like following you the most.”

“Thanks.” Joy wasn’t sure if that was a compliment, but she decided not to overthink it. “Now tell me everything you know.”

As Tami recounted details about the village's security, Joy’s confidence grew. The elves had no idea they’d been observed so keenly. Tami knew everything about their shifts, which guards fell asleep on duty, and which ones were most alert. With this knowledge, they had a real chance at breaking out Kringl.

She shook off any fear about getting caught herself. She might not be a warrior princess or a suitable match for the alien prince, but she was done being a helpless captive. She was more than ready to fight back and end the twisted hold Velsnickel had on the village.

The real celebration would come when they finally escaped the frozen world and left Velsnickel's false cheer behind forever.

When Tami had told her all the details they needed to outsmart the elves, Joy stood and patted her friend’s shoulder. “They never should have underestimated you.”

Tami’s chest puffed with pride. “Or you.”

Zaan reappeared at the entrance to the bridge with a group of crew mates behind him. “Are you ready?”

Joy met Tami’s gaze and they both grinned and nodded. They were more than ready.