Faith and the Fighter

by Honey Phillips

  The next period passed in a confused blur. She drifted in and out of consciousness, vaguely aware of Athtar’s constant presence. He brought her cool water to drink and washed her down when she was burning up with fever. When she was cold, he gathered her close to him. A few times she was aware enough to see how worried he looked as he urged her to take a sip of water or the broth he’d made from the emergency rations.

  During one of her periods of consciousness, she woke up to find Athtar looking across at the cave entrance. His face was drawn and tired and as she watched, he rubbed his hand across his eyes.

  “Athtar?” Her voice was weak and shaky.

  “Faith.” He looked down at her immediately, and she could see the relief in his expression. “Thank the stars, you’re awake. I think the storm is dying down.”

  “How—” Her voice cracked, and he helped her into a sitting position before handing a cup filled with more broth. Her hands shook so much that he had to hold it for her, but she took a few sips and felt better.

  “How long have I been sick?”

  “Two fucking days,” he said, his voice strained.

  Two days? She forced herself to focus. “The drug should be taking effect. We need to get back to the lab tomorrow.”

  “I don’t give a shit about the lab. You have a fucking broken ankle and you’ve been fucking unconscious for two fucking days. As soon as fucking Studoc returns, we’re getting the fuck out of here.”

  “We can’t do that. We have a job to do first,” she said, trying to make her still shaky voice as firm as possible.

  “Fuck woman, is there any circumstance under which you won’t fucking argue with me?”

  “No.”

  A reluctant grin spread across his face before he bent down and kissed her gently. Her eyelids were already closing but as she was drifting off to sleep, she could have sworn that he whispered that he loved her.

  The next time she woke, Athtar wasn’t actually holding her. He had left her curled by the small heater and he was standing at the entrance with his outer clothes on.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered. Her voice was still weak, but it no longer seemed as uncertain.

  “Thank fuck you’re awake. The storm has stopped. I want to go out and signal Studoc.”

  “We can't leave.”

  “I know. I gathered that from our last conversation. Do you remember it?” He had an odd look on his face and she suddenly remembered that she’d thought he had told her that he loved her. She really wanted to know if that was true and figure out what it meant, but this was not the place for that conversation. Instead, she took the coward’s way out. “Parts of it.”

  Was that relief or disappointment that crossed his face? She just couldn’t tell, especially since he immediately changed the subject.

  “I didn’t want to leave you without telling you I was going, but I’m not sure how long this break will last. Will you be all right on your own?”

  “Yes, I think I’m fine. I feel weak as a kitten, but my head is clear.”

  “Then I’m going to leave. I’ll be back as quick as I can, baby.”

  “I know you will.”

  He took the one stride over to her and bent down to kiss her. Again, there was something in his kiss—desperation? sorrow? —that she couldn’t read, even though he was as passionate as ever. “I won’t be gone long,” he said again.

  “I’ll be right here waiting for you,” she promised.

  Once he left, she tried to go back to sleep but her mind was working again now. Had he really said he loved her? And if he had, why hadn’t he repeated it? She couldn’t help but remember the times he’d told her that he never wanted to be tied down. And what difference did it make to her? She had to get back to Earth. Didn’t she? She had just started thinking about other possibilities when a shadow crossed the entrance to the cave.

  “That was fast. What could you possibly have forgotten?” she laughed. She fumbled for her glasses before she looked up, but Athtar hadn’t entered the cave. Instead, Squad Leader Njkall was standing there, his massive furred body looking even larger in the small space, and his fangs and claws on full display.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Faith stared at the Hothian guard, her first reaction complete panic. She scrabbled back against the wall of the cave.

  “You can’t take me back.”

  “Dr. Whittaker.” Njkall shook his head. As always, the deep, pleasant voice took her by surprise; she always expected him to growl. He shook his head. “I should have known it was you. I never truly believed that you died in the storm.”

  “Wh-what are you doing here?”

  “We were tracking an incoming signal not long before the storm began. I decided to patrol and see if anything remained after the storm.”

  “You can track ships like that?”

  He actually laughed, a deep rumble. “Of course. We’re not as primitive as you seem to think.”

  She could feel her cheeks heat, and not from fever.

  “I don’t think that at all. I just never saw any tracking on the lab computers.”

  “You wouldn’t have. My people do our own tracking. We don’t like unannounced visitors.”

  Was it her imagination, or did that sound like a threat?

  “Do you know what they’re doing in the lab?” she asked quickly.

  “No, and I don’t care to know. We have an arrangement with Dr. Skevyk. A very lucrative arrangement.” He shook his head again. “I don’t wish to take you back. I did not approve of how you were treated. But I can’t let you go free, either. You should have stayed missing.”

  “I had to come back. I found out what they were doing with our research. Njkall, they are creating a weapon that can destroy planets.” She held her breath, waiting for his reaction. To her astonishment, he threw back his head and laughed, revealing even more of his fangs in the process.

  “Who told you that fairy tale? It’s impossible.”

  “It’s not impossible. And now that I know what they are intending to do, I can see how it was done using my research. That’s why I have to stop it.”

  He frowned. “This is a theory that you have developed?”

  “No. The… people who are helping me said that it already happened to one planet. I think he called it Sardor.”

  The laughter left him immediately. “Sardor? That was the result of this type of weapon?”

  “Yes. And this new one will be more powerful and much faster,” she said miserably. “At least in part because of my work. Can’t you see I have to stop it?”

  There was an odd clicking sound and she suddenly realize it was because he was tapping his claws together. His very long claws.

  “How do you plan to do that?” he asked finally.

  “Have you noticed that everyone in the lab is getting weaker?”

  He frowned. “There is a bout of food poisoning going around. My people are largely unaffected.”

  Her heart sank. If the guards weren’t affected by the drug, there was a good chance they wouldn’t be affected by the gas, either. They had little hope of infiltrating the lab unless the guards were unconscious.

  “They aren’t sick. It’s a drug I gave them,” she said.

  “How?” He held up a hand before she could decide how to respond. “Never mind. So you’re going to swoop in and take this weapon for yourself?”

  “No. I’m going to destroy it—the weapon, the data, everything.”

  “And what of the other scientists? They have this knowledge in their heads.”

  “Parts of it, perhaps, but not all. I’m going to tell them the truth and give them an option. Abandon the project or die.” Put like that, it seemed terribly harsh and she couldn’t help thinking of Grabon’s words again. She just didn’t know that she had a choice except to be ruthless.

  “You’re tougher than I expected, Dr. Whittaker,” Njkall said approvingly.

  “You’re not going to try and talk me out of it?”

>   “No.” He stepped further into the cave and settled down on his haunches. His fur gave off a not unpleasant musky fragrance. “You present me with somewhat of a moral dilemma. We do have an arrangement with Dr. Skevyk. Our understanding at that time was that this was purely a research facility. However, a weapon of this nature is an abomination. What’s more, it endangers the safety of everyone on Hothrest.”

  “I’m not asking you to help me,” she said quickly. “But if you will just stay out of my way, I promise you I’ll take care of it.”

  His claws clicked. “If we are still employed by him, we cannot permit him to be harmed.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, but he held up his hand again.

  “I said if we were still employed.”

  “What are you going to do? Are you going to quit?” she asked eagerly.

  “No. I’m going to ask him the nature of the project.”

  “But he’ll lie to you.”

  “If he does, then we have grounds for breaking our employment contract. And if he does tell us the truth—” A frightening smile crossed his face, baring all of his teeth. “If he does, then we have grounds for breaking the contract due to the danger involved.”

  She would have laughed at the ingenuity of his solution if she hadn’t been so relieved. “Really? Thank you, Njkall.”

  “I am not doing this for you, Dr. Whittaker, although of course I am relieved that I no longer have to resolve the issue of what to do with you.”

  Sagging back against the rock, she gave him a tremulous smile. Now that they had reached an agreement, the stress of the conversation and the weakness from her illness were telling on her. Njkall surveyed her, glowing blue eyes intent on her face.

  “You do not appear to be yourself.”

  “I hurt my ankle and I have been sick for the past few days.”

  He dug into the pouch attached to the belt that was his only clothing and produced a small packet of powder. Taking the broth that Athtar had left warming on the tiny heater, he added a pinch of the powder before stirring it with a long claw and then handing it to her.

  “Drink this.”

  She peered doubtfully at the rather disgusting blue liquid that resulted. She didn’t want to offend him, but she wasn’t enthusiastic about the prospect of drinking it. “Um. What is it?”

  “It is sothiti. Our atmosphere can be dangerous if one is injured. Sothiti is used to reduce fever and aid in healing.”

  “For your body chemistry,” she pointed out.

  “You are correct,” he said, with that frightening grin. “However, we trade it very successfully at Port Eyeja. It will work for you.”

  After a cautious sip, she relaxed. It was nowhere near as disgusting as it looked and instead, had a pleasant herbal taste.

  “What is this made from?”

  “It is a small parasite that grows inside the intestines of certain cave fish,” he said, and she choked. That didn’t sound very… appetizing. She gave the cup a doubtful glance, but it was almost gone so she shrugged ruefully and finished it.

  “Did your people historically live in caves?” she asked.

  “We still do. It is easier to control the temperatures and much of our food grows there. We have other settlements, of course, but a residence in one of the ancestral caves is considered highly desirable.”

  Fascinated, she started asking him additional questions about the types of plants and animals found in the caves. They were deep in a discussion about the effect of darkness on some of the rarer forms of cave fish when Athtar reappeared. A low growl filled the space, sounding much more feral than any noise she’d ever heard from Njkall.

  “Get the fuck away from her.”

  Njkall whirled so quickly he appeared to blur and crouched, claws out, in front of Faith. There was barely room in the small space for the two men, let alone Faith, but she tried to scramble to her feet and get between them.

  “Stop, Athtar. He’s a friend.”

  Her words didn’t help. He snarled louder and tried to reach around Njkall to get to her. Njkall swiped at Athtar and she cried out as three streaks of blood appeared on his arm, shockingly red against his blue skin. The two of them were face to face, teeth bared, both growling.

  “Stop it, both of you.” She finally managed to work her way around Njkall and tried to slip between them, but her ankle twisted and she cried out in pain. Athtar immediately switched his attention to her and lifted her into his arms. She clung to him, partially from the relief of seeing him, but also to prevent any more fighting. Njkall calmed and stepped back the single pace allowed by the small cave. He looked at the two of them, then inclined his head.

  “You do not belong here, Elginar,” he said calmly. “However, since I see that Dr. Whittaker is your mate, I will make an allowance for your behavior and not kill you. This time.”

  “You could fucking try,” Athtar growled. “I’ve fought your kind before.”

  Njkall’s nails clicked. “Where was that, I wonder?”

  “What fucking difference does it make?”

  Njkall hesitated. “As you know, my kind rarely leave our planet. I had a… friend who left many years ago. I have often wondered what happened to him.”

  Athtar scowled and she poked him. Finally, he shrugged. “A fight pit on Sigrast. He lost, but it was not a death match. He was alive when I left him.”

  “Defeated by a naked skin.” Njkall shook his head. “How far he fell after he left.”

  “We were the last two fighters,” Athtar said, then bared his teeth in what could have been a smile. “But I was better.”

  Despite an unexpected feeling of pride, she rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’re both great fighters.” Ignoring Athtar’s growl when she said both, she continued. “Athtar, Njkall is going to speak to Skevyk to see if they are in violation of the contract.”

  “So?”

  “If they are in violation, the Hothian guards will leave. Then we only have to deal with the scientists, although the Kaisarian guards will still be there.”

  Njkall and Athtar both made a derogatory sound.

  “They are not true fighters,” Njkall said. “They would rather trust their god than their skills.” He looked at Faith. “They are also suffering from this mysterious food poisoning that is sweeping the complex.”

  Relieved that at least that part of her plan was working, she smiled up at Athtar. “See, everything is fine.”

  “Everything is not fucking fine. You’re still fucking injured. And what if your fever comes back?” A shadow crossed his face. “I can’t handle that again.”

  “I have given her sothiti,” Njkall said. “She will be fine.”

  “Sothiti?” Athtar raised his brows, then gave Njkall a curt nod. “Thank you.”

  “You’ve heard of it?” she asked.

  “Fuck yeah. It’s a very profitable trade item but it’s not easy to get hold of.”

  “I will return to the facility,” Njkall said. “My guards will depart tonight. I would suggest that just before sunrise would be the best time for you to return.” He looked at Athtar. “If you wish to return to your ship until then, it will be permitted, as will your return to the lab tonight. However, no other transportation is authorized. Are we clear?”

  “Yeah, I got it.”

  The guard gave him a thoughtful look. “I wish that we could have met on the field of battle. I think you would find that I am not easy to defeat.”

  “Yeah? The more they fucking talk, the easier they are to defeat.”

  Njkall made an odd sound that Faith decided was a laugh and dipped his head. “Perhaps you are correct. However, unless you wish to find out, do not return to this place. You are, of course, welcome to continue trading at Port Eyeja.” He maneuvered around Athtar and disappeared through the entrance.

  Athtar immediately pulled her closer. “Gods, baby. I about had a fucking heart attack when I walked in and saw him here. They’re fucking vicious bastards.”

  “But you
could take him.” She smiled up at him. “You said you did before.”

  “Yeah, but that was one of the hardest fucking battles I ever fought. You just fucking stay away from them, do you hear me?”

  She was tempted to point out that Njkall had been the one to find her, but he was looking seriously concerned, so for once she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded quietly. He looked both relieved and skeptical, but he bent his head and kissed her until she was clinging to him. She could feel her body responding but she was still too exhausted to be able to do anything about it. Athtar raised his head and smiled down at her flushed face.

  “That’s better. Those were the longest fucking forty-eight hours of my life.”

  “I only remember a little of it,” she said, wondering again about what she’d thought she heard, but he didn’t respond to the hint. With a muted sigh, she changed the subject. “Did you get in touch with the ship?”

  “Yes, Studoc is on his way with Grabon. And don’t make that face. I want him to look at your fucking ankle as soon as possible and see if he can figure out why you ran that fever.”

  “He’ll probably just poison me,” she said grumpily.

  Athtar growled. “Don’t fucking joke about something like that. He would never harm you.”

  “No, I know.” She sighed. “I’m used to people not liking me, but I know he’s your friend.”

  “Why the fuck wouldn’t anyone like you? You’re fucking brilliant and fucking beautiful.”

  “You’re the only one who has ever thought I’m beautiful.” And the only one whose opinion about it mattered to her. “And most people aren’t fond of smart, geeky women who never know how to say the right thing.” She shrugged. “I just never fit in that well.”

  “Then they were a bunch of fucking idiots. Why the fuck would you want to go back to that?”

  Put like that, it didn’t sound very appealing to her, either. “What else would I do?” she asked and held her breath. A flash of something that looked like longing crossed his face, but he only shook his head.

  “Let’s worry about that after we get off this fucking planet.”

  Chapter Sixteen