Nathan pushed his weight against the side of the metal cage holding him, trying to find a way to escape.
"It's no use." New York sighed behind him. "They've got you strapped down like a monkey in a cage."
"I don't appreciate that analogy, sweetheart."
New York winced at the venom in his voice. "I'm sorry. I did try to warn you. I told you to leave."
"Leave and leave you here in this hell. Out of the question!" He snarled, ramming the dock again. This time the ropes slackened, just a bit but it was enough. The new management on board also got a good toss and Nathan felt some measure of satisfaction. He got a stinging swat to the side.
"Quit that!" The man snarled.
"Not on your life you cowardly son of a bitch!" Nathan spat back and rammed the dock again. The man fell overboard and got mooshed between Nathan's hull and the dock. "Serves you right." The ship snorted. He turned his attention back to New York. "I want out of here. You with me?" He asked.
"Nathan, it's impossible." New York whispered.
"No it isn't!" He replied. "I've been doing the impossible for months now."
"If you can promise we can get out of this hell hole and put a dent in Granderson's operation, then yes!" She growled.
Nathan nodded and turned his attention back to the commotion on his bridge. Quincy had been shot and the doc was doing what he could to help. Nathan bit back his whimper of worry, determined not to give these men any excuse to find leverage over him.
The men were yelling about the primordial which they required to make the cure. "Dr. Scott is pregnant. We can use the stem cells from her unborn child to make a strand."
That was the last straw for Nathan. He reared up in the cage, nearly flipping as his mooring lines groaned under the strain. "If you dare even touch her." He snarled. "I'll give you the longest, most painful death there is!"
"Ooh someone's protective." The lead man sneered.
"Her baby, the stem cells won't give you the cure you're looking for." Nathan growled.
"No and why would that be hmm?"
"Because..." Nathan began but paused as he caught the gaze of his mate. The betrayal and hurt in New York's eyes told him she knew. She knew what he had done.
"Because the child's a hybrid." He growled. "It's only half human. I'm it's biological father."
The man growled and gave Nathan a good smack, causing the warship to drop back down, slamming his side into the cage.
"I want that primordial strain and I want it now!" The man roared.
Panting, Nathan gazed up at New York. "It only took you the end of the world to find someone else?" She asked him. "Without knowing for certain if I was dead."
"New York, I-I'm sorry." He whispered.
She looked away, head bowed. She refused to even meet his gaze.
Shouting brought Nathan back to the commotion inside him.
The men were shouting at the injured Quincy. "Where is it?!" The lead man demanded.
"I-I told you. I don't know." Quincy groaned.
"But I do." New York but in.
Nathan sent her a questioning look. No way could she know anything. She blinked at him but said nothing.
"New York?" The men turned to her, weapons raised.
New York glanced at her mate, a silent message in her eyes. "Be ready to run."And that's when Nathan understood. "New York, no! You can't do this! Just give them what they want!" He cried.
New York ignored him and turned her attention back to the men.
"Where is it, New York?" The lead man asked, weapon raised to shoot her brains out.
New York hesitated, her eyes closing briefly. Deep within her missile bay, a charge was set.
"I'm sorry, Nathan. I love you." She whispered.
"New York..." Nathan began.
"You'll never find it!" New York snarled to the man and the charge detonated.
New York was killed in an instant, erupting in a ball of flame. Nathan cowered as debris rained down, the lock on his cage becoming damaged to the point where he could break free. And break free he did, rushing out to find the remains of his mate sinking to the bottom of the harbor.
"New York." He whispered, his voice full of grief. "What have you done?"