The Last True Female (Lexie) (by Sylvia Vance) novel Chapter 97

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He needed to get Lexie out of here fast and lose Nelson before they got caught.

Through the glass of the escape pod, Cristia gritted his teeth and shifted out of his beast form, returning to human shape.

In the next instant, he deployed his mecha, enveloping the escape pod and swiftly transferring Lexie into the cockpit.

After securing Lexie, Cristia launched the escape pod as a decoy to draw Nelson’s attention.

Meanwhile, he took Lexie and hid behind a cluster of asteroids, waiting until it was safe enough to make their

move.

But they had to hurry.

His wounds were getting worse–he was barely holding on. He had to get Lexie to the safest place before he went down.

As Cristia and Lexie hid behind a safe asteroid, just like he expected, Prince Nelson’s battleship went after the escape pod.

If he were healed up, taking out a battleship–or even the whole Aetherion Federation–wouldn’t even be a challenge.

But not now.

He couldn’t risk Lexie’s life just to show off. He had to get her out of here safely before he went down.

Once the Aetherion Federation battleship was out of sight, Cristia glanced back at Lexie, who was lying behind him, and gave a low command to his mecha.

“Ares, scan for the nearest habitable planet. We need to land ASAP,” he said.

“Master, the closest planet is Bolrasai Planet. It has breathable air and water, and there are no hostile forces detected right now.

“One thing though–the climate on Bolrasai Planet is pretty cold, so we’ll need to bundle up,” the mecha’s Al. Ares, added quickly.

“That place is way too cold. Lexie can’t survive that. Ares, find another planet–one that’s actually safe, Cristia snapped.

His face was tense, worry and resolve flashing in his eyes. No way he’d let anything happen to Lexie, especially not in a place like that.

“Master, I’ve found another habitable planet–it’s called Aeris Planet.

“The climate’s nice, there’s plenty of natural resources, and I’m not picking up any threats right now.

15:51 Tue, Jan 20

Chapter 97

“There are monsoons, but nothing that’ll hurt us,” Ares reported again.

Cristia gave a small nod, hope sparked in his eyes.

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“Set course for Aeris Planet right now. Lexie needs to be settled somewhere safe, ASAP,” he said, urgency clear in his voice.

Time was running out for Lexie. Only by finding a safe haven fast could he get her out of harm’s way.

“But master. Aeris Planet is someone’s private territory. We’re not allowed to land there unless the owner lets us,” Ares wamed

“Doesn’t matter. Lexie’s safety comes first. Head for Aeris Planet, now. And step on it,” Cristia snapped, not taking no for an answer.

“Yes, master.

With Cristia’s order, Ares kicked into high gear and rocketed toward Aeris Planet.

Just like Ares said, Aeris Planet was someone’s private turf. If they tried landing without permission, they’d definitely have some problems.

But Cristia couldn’t care less about that.

His mecha. Ares, wasn’t just some ordinary machine. Even if he wasn’t piloting, it had a mind of its own.

Honestly, it was more like his best friend and battle buddy than just a mecha.

Ares activated its cloaking ability and slipped right past Aeris Planet’s defenses, sneaking through all the security without a sound and heading straight for the safe zone.

Along the way, Ares showed off its incredible skills–no matter how tricky the terrain or how sudden the obstacles, nothing could slow it down.

After arriving at the spot Cristia had picked out, he forced himself to scan the surroundings one last time. barely holding himself together. Once he was sure Lexie was safe and there was no threat nearby, only then did he finally let himself breathe a little easier.

*Ares, from now on, I’m adding Lex’s genetic profile to your system. From this moment, you protect her just like you protect me. Nothing can happen to her–ever.”

Cristia’s voice was tight with urgency as he continued, “Listen, if I go down, you keep Lex safe. No one touches her, no matter what. Promise me.”

“Yes, master‘

As soon as Ares answered, Cristia’s strength finally gave out.

His body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground. The instant he hit the floor, he shifted back into his beast form, curling up softly right beside Lexie.

15:51 Tue, Jan 20

Chapter 97

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As soon as Cristia collapsed, Tumblebeast–normally shrunken down–swelled back to its full size right then.

It gave a gentle roll across the ground, scooping Lexie and Cristia onto its back, then did a little spin.

You couldn’t see its face, but from the way it acted, it was clearly waiting for Ares to tell it what to do next.

“There’s a natural cave up ahead, about a thousand meters away. I’ve already scanned the area–it’s totally safe, no threats at all,” Ares reported.

“Tumblebeast, come with me. We’ll let them rest there,” Ares instructed.

At Ares’s words, Tumblebeast just followed along behind, carrying Lexie and Cristia as it made its way toward

the cave.

When they got to the cave Ares had picked out, Ares gave it a quick sweep for safety and tidied up the place. Then it turned to Tumblebeast and said in its usual robotic tone.

“Tumblebeast, set them down. Let them rest here for a while.”

But this time, Tumblebeast didn’t do as told. Its round body instantly flattened out like a giant pancake, still carrying Lexie and Cristia as it flopped down on the ground.

On closer look, even in its sprawled posture, it had maintained a stance ready either to defend or to flee at

any moment.

Seeing the beast act like that, Ares scanned it with its optical sensors. It watched for a while before finally speaking in its usual robotic tone.

“Tumblebeast, you’ve gotten way smarter these past seven days. Sure, you’re a beast, but you’re way sharper than most out there.

“I can tell by the way you’re always on guard–you’re super cautious about everything around you. That’s something only intelligent life does to protect itself.

“Looks like you’re worried I’ll hurt your people, so you’re keeping them close, huh? Is that it, Tumblebeast?”

Ares’s voice softened just a little, like it was really trying to connect and understand what Tumblebeast was feeling.

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