Read Depths Of Desire XW5 for Free Online Page A

ice, added more layers of protection than even the Lair once had and
security remained tight. But even when fully functional, the Ice Moon’s base
wasn’t nearly as powerful as the Lair had been. Still, it was the only lifeline
the warriors had. After the destruction of Xylon, all off-world warriors who
had been able to do so had headed here to regroup.
    Unfortunately many had died in the attempt
to reach their people, for the base and surrounding areas hadn’t been untouched
and difficulties mounted. The residual energy from the blast that leveled Xylon
had taken out most of the electronic equipment throughout the system—including
the fuel regenerators, internal comm devices and many of the high-level
computers. The electromagnetic interference associated with the old technology
of the PowerIIRad bomb had fucked with everything.
    They were slowly getting things back online,
though significant delays plagued them. The systems that actually were
functioning remained woefully unstable at the moment. All the equipment had to
be repaired or reset and they’d be dealing with the atmospheric anomalies for
quite some time.
    During the attack, Xylon’s shielding had
crumbled and the Ice Moon’s shielding had been severely compromised. As such,
many of the fighters and rescue ships sent to Xylon right after the attack
hadn’t made it back due to the EMPs and solar radiation in the atmosphere. The
levels were now decreasing but it was too late for those they’d already lost.
    Marid’s shielding must have been far
heavier than their intelligence had indicated, otherwise Daegal’s Dome would be
suffering the same effects. Or maybe it was and Daegal didn’t care, since he
was now headed for Earth. Given that a spy had been planted right on their own
council, there was no telling what the truth was or how much their knowledge
base had been compromised and corrupted over the years. One traitor had ultimately
led to their destruction. Or maybe it had been their own arrogance in thinking
that they were too powerful to be defeated.
    He had to wonder how the other moons were
faring. Only sporadic reports had come in due to the downed communications
grid. The summaries he’d received hadn’t sounded good. Even contacting their
allies was proving to be a chore. He worried about Tamara and Sunevia who
relied heavily on Xylon for protection. For now, all the planets and moons in
the system were on their own.
    He stood in front of a set of large screens
positioned in midair over a console in his temporary quarters, looking at more
data than he could digest at a glance. Even though the base was almost fully
staffed, he felt strangely alone. He missed his mate, his children. He wouldn’t
be able to relax until they were safely back at his side.
    For safety reasons, because they hadn’t had
enough fire power on their escape ship and hadn’t known what they’d find as
they headed toward the Ice Moon, Alexa and the babies had materialized from
Xylon to Quadrant Port XST—the abandoned repair station orbiting the planet.
They weren’t far and had a survival pack with them. Due to lack of space aboard
the ship they’d used to reach the Ice Moon, Warrior Pitch Pantera and Josella Shirota
had also materialized over to the station, which made Braden feel more at ease.
His family wouldn’t be alone.
    Though Quadrant Port XST was enemy free, it
had its problems, which was why it had been abandoned. No supplies or
communications existed there now and it was barely maintaining orbit. Oxygen
and automatic temperature regulation had remained functional however. As long
as everyone was rescued soon, they’d be fine.
    Even though delayed longer than
anticipated, he’d finally been able to send a small squadron of fighters, with
Erik in charge, to retrieve them. If any Egesa ships got in their way, his
family would be well protected.
    He was trying to get an update now. He
couldn’t directly communicate with Erik at the moment. Not by voice.