Free Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1) by Stephanie West Page A

populated areas of the coastlines across the entire planet." Said the big eyed baldy.
    That didn't sound good. Who were the Morbo and why were they swarming Earth?
    "The damage from the meteors have already affected the planet wide temperature by several degrees." Baldy followed up.
    That's not good either. It had supposedly been a meteor strike that caused the dinosaurs to go extinct.
    "Numbers show that the cataclysmic event won't do long term damage. Unfortunately the Morbo seem to be very interested in this planet." Mantis stated.
    "That's because we've driven them from every other viable quadrant." Viper said as he shook his head. "It is a shame!"
    "My people were aware of this planet, we should've been better prepared for this." Baldy replied.
    "Yeah buddy we're aware of you too! Sort of." Hope silently retorted.
    "I assume you've discussed which colonies are the most viable." Viper inquired.
    "That has been a problem. This species isn't as hardy or advanced as the other species we've retrieved. Most of the colonies are unsuitable for one reason or another."
    Hope felt insulted by the cat man's comment.
    "We think that Anguis Minor would be the most viable option."
    "I see." Viper said as he considered what they said. "You realize we are already accommodating half of the new colonies in our system."
    "Yes but it is also well protected, which will be important considering the human's needs. We'd be willing to send forces and supplies to defray the burden." Birdman quickly followed up.
    "And since I wasn't here you have all conveniently made this agreement already." Viper replied with one eyebrow raised.
    The others looked hesitant but nodded.
    Viper looked at Hope and seemed to consider something his green eyes flashing.
    Hope had had enough of them talking about her people and her future as if she wasn't even there. She smacked her hand on the table.
    "Are you serious!" Hope hollered, and all eyes turned to her. "You've abducted my people and now you're farming us out like cattle. What the hell gives you the right? I want to know what is going on and I want to know NOW!" Hope growled at Viper and the rest of the table.
    "I haven't had time to explain what's going on to her." Viper told the table.
    "Why is the female not in hibernation?" Big-eyed baldy asked.
    "Can't you see the Prognatus has marked her." Cat man stated.
    "Marked me? Did he mean the bite on my shoulder?" Hope silently wondered as she eyed the feline.
    "Hope, we have not abducted your people. We are rescuing as many as we can. A series of meteors brought a terrible virus-like creature to your planet. We call them the Morbo. In a matter of months there will be nothing left of your people." Viper explained. "I am sorry." He said sadly.
    Hope's mouth hung open in shock and horror. She was devastated and confused all at the same time. Could she trust what Viper was telling her? If the aliens were rescuing humans why had she been treated so roughly? Hope's thoughts flew to her friends and family. She wondered if they were on any of the ships they talked about.
    She appreciated being rescued, if that truly was the case, but at the same time it rankled to have no choice in her future. The aliens knocked her people out and relocated them, like they were some sort of mindless beast on an episode of Animal Planet.
    "So you plan to take us to some strange new planet?! Did you think that maybe we might like to have a say in that?" Hope retorted.
    "Yes Hope, but our experience from rescuing other isolated species is that you are too overwhelmed to make the decisions required in time to escape the Morbo." Viper tried to reason with Hope.
    He had a valid point but Hope was still pissed so she crossed her arms across her chest defiantly.
    "I like this female, she is spunky!" The mantis commented. "Are all human females like you?"
    Hope looked at the buggy creature as she considered her question.
    "I guess so."
    "They are a female dominated species." Viper leaned down and