Free Cosmos' Promise: Cosmos' Gateway Book 4 by S.E. Smith

defenses are failing,” he said quietly.
    Teriff reared back in surprise. “Those defenses are some of the best on our world! How could they fail?” He asked knowing that Brock, Lan and Mak had all helped with the development of the systems.
    “A traitor from within,” Bullet said, standing straight. “Fifteen of the warriors are from my clan. One of my warriors infiltrated the fortress earlier this morning in an attempt to rescue one of the women inside.”
    “Who?” Teriff demanded.
    Bullet flushed but he never took his eyes from Teriff’s blazing glare. “My younger sister, Vita,” he replied quietly. “She was unaware that others had been planning to attack the fortress. A group of warriors, working together from each of our clans, convinced my younger sister she could rescue our older sister who had been sent there three years before. Darain has reached the age of thirty with no bond mate. She was taken there to protect her after several warriors tried to bond with her against her will. Vita was to go through her first bonding ceremony in a few months. She swore that she would never accept a mate as long as her older sister was without.”
    “Good for her!” A feminine voice from behind Teriff crowed. “She should have a right to decide and so should her sister! It is barbaric to send them to a prison just because they haven’t fallen in love. I can’t believe you think human males are so bad when you guys have just as many issues!”
    Teriff groaned silently as the five men in front of him glanced down at the small face peeking out from behind him. Tilly Bell’s determined face showed she was not done. All five men watched in amazement as the tiny figure ducked under Teriff’s outstretched arm as he tried to stop her from being seen.
    “RITA2 darling,” Tilly called out. “Do you have any information about what is going on at that dreadful place?”
    “As the fortress’ security system goes down I am able to guide the sensors further into it. I can see that at least two of the girls there are trying to kick some ass. The men are trying to break into the sealed level where the other women are. I have to tell you Tilly, they have a pretty good security system going. I think you and Cosmos might need to take a look at it. It is almost as adaptive as I am. Oh!” RITA2’s voice suddenly faded.
    “RITA2…. Honey? Are you there?” Tilly asked anxiously.
    “Oh my,” RITA2 responded in a hushed voice. “I think I’m in love! DAR just zapped me.”
    “DAR?” Tilly asked.
    “Defense, Armament, and Response system,” RITA2 breathed out. “He is an AI programming system just like me and he just gave me a jolt to let me know that he was there, the bad boy. Mm, I think I might just need to kidnap his little coding.”
    “Oh my,” Tilly said looking up at Teriff before looking at Angus who was shaking his head.
    “Oh shit!” Teriff growled out as he felt the situation growing worse by the minute.
     

Chapter 8
    Cosmos stood near the edge of the water looking out at the breaking swells. Garrett was behind him, changing into another one of the prototype suits. Garrett was one of his most trusted men and probably one of his deadliest. The man had no background, no fingerprints, nothing. It was as if he was a ghost. Cosmos knew that came from his time in the French Foreign Legion. A tattoo on his arm was the only mark that distinguished that Garrett had a life before. He had called to inform Cosmos that he and Lan, the Prime palace’s head of security, had recovered Helene Baskov less than an hour before Cosmos planned to leave. She was seriously injured when the van she was being transported in crashed and rolled into a river. Lan had transported her to Baade for immediate medical attention.
    “I’m coming with you,” Garrett had told Cosmos in a tone that said there would be no arguing after he had relayed the information. “I’ve seen how strong and fast those bastards are. You need