Lion

by Jessie Rose Case

  She moved to join Lion and his troop leaders. Already seeing men slipping away into the darkness, the pilots and their seconds guarding the ships. Other’s setting up a perimeter. Lion pulled a data pad for her. He and his men didn’t need it they could visualise it everything over their shared neuro nets and internal computers. It was efficient and quiet. They didn’t need to talk.

  He watched her as she took in the information. His system told him he was concerned for her. He was also scenting her more. Every molecule sticking to his own system. Blending. Welcoming her with every bit of his Cyborg being. Those with him would be able to scent her anger. It was coming off her in waves. Pilar was no stranger to giving orders. Even one’s that were difficult to make for most humans. Taking a life. It was a hard line to cross, to kill someone, but she’d given the order with ease. That told him several things; she was tough and had no problem dealing with a treat as it should be dealt with. And she cared for her people. She was more than just angry. Not just about the takeover but how her people had been treated. But it didn’t make her any less human. If she did something she’d regret….. Confirmation pinged on his net that the security damping field was in place.

  “A security field is around us. If no one is looking for it, they won’t see it and can’t hear us if trying to. Four, have your men meet us here,” he pointed to the vid screen. Pilar knew the area. South of the mines. “Small force, one that won’t be missed. We’ll take intel on what we’re facing. Then go in.” Four glazed over communicating with his Cyborgs. “I’ve sent an advanced troop. They are going to scout a five-mile radius from here forward, taking out anything they find. Hopefully no one will miss them.”

  Pilar was anxious to get this show on the road, but something was holding her back. If Benito and Jorge were working together here, Paul and Xian in orbit, then there could be more than just the four of them involved. It had been dogging her since she’d heard the news that Benito was involved. He was a good manipulator. She should know. He could talk the talk. No problem about that. But he wasn’t one of life’s chancers. He backed the safe bet, the winning one. For him to have made the move, he had to have the numbers to take her. Jorge was more direct. A hammer. He could be equally persuasive. The itch at the back of her neck wouldn’t stop. She had a feeling they were all involved. Even so, if Benito and Jorge had increased their men, it wouldn’t be enough to take her people. So who did that leave? The other 3 Captains? That wouldn’t be enough either. Unless there was an outside force….

  “I think we’re facing more than just Benito and Jorge. They are both very good at what they do. You don’t survive long out here by underestimating your competition. They’d not made a move until enough people were unhappy with me and then waited for the opportunity to press it home once I was gone. Even with all that, just the four groups wouldn’t be enough to take me. They’d know I’d bring in my Cyborgs and wipe the field. So, that begs the question, who else is involved and what do they have that makes them think they can win?”

  She was thinking like a Cyborg... Lion expected the years with her own had rubbed off. He’d already come to that conclusion.

  “How many men would the four of them normally have?”

  “At a push, on ships and here about 60 each if they stripped their ships and brought in everyone. If all the other contractors Captains joined them, it could be as many as 600. But some of those ships are still out in the trading lanes and not back yet. At least a quarter will be gone. So 400 at most, unless they’ve bought in mercenaries. I would. They could easily have paid for more and brought in other Captains who aren’t so happy either.” She looked at Four and Five. “600 Would be a challenge to my men, as good as they are but not undoable.” She turned back to Lion. “They’ll use guerrilla tactics. Hit and run. Try and ambush. Take out as many as they can without direct contact. They’re not stupid enough to come at me head on. But more worrying, the itch at the back of my neck tells me we might be dealing with something else. Something more. I’m wondering if they’ve been stupid enough to involve the Scourge.”

  He looked at Four and Five. “What do you have on them?” They both glazed over and information started to flow. It was a local term. Used to describe a large group of mainly human men. Multiple ships. More than 50 as Pilar had told him but intel suggested to greater numbers out there and groups had started working together. They were the worst of human kind. They relied on this world providing them with resources in this sector and took plenty with them, so had kept their involvement to a minimum. Elsewhere, they raided, took slaves and stole what they could. Pilar’s father had placed conditions on visiting their world. Minimal numbers. No partying. Location of goods and transactions was isolated to the Dead Zone. If they wanted it, they did what they were told. They paid, they left. With a heavy contingency of Cyborgs on hand just in case. Her father had thought they might be behind the attempted kidnapping of Pilar, but he had no firm evidence and never made the mistake of taking what they said as righteous. He knew better. If they could get a foothold on his world, they’d be no getting rid of them and his daughter would be at their mercy.

  Lion continued to filter the information in the background of his programming. He agreed with her. There was a strong likelihood they might have been contacted to come early. An un-unexpected welcome party waiting for her when she returned. Her Cyborgs, nowhere to be found. It was logical that they’d have plans for them too.

  “I agree,” he turned to his commanders. “That changes things. Contact the ship, I want full space scans, alert the Admiral we may have found our Pirates. All team’s, take a sector and report back. We need more intel before moving. We’ll hold for 24hrs.” The troop commanders moved off. “We have a rendezvous to keep with your men at the mine. We’ll take that.” The female nodded. “Four and Five take point. Keep in contact. Quietly. We’re not here. Yet.” They gave a nod and started out.

  Lion contacted his team over his neuro net. With me. Silent recon.

  A chorus of ‘Affirmatives’ came over his net as they moved out. It was time to say hello.

  ***

  They were making allowances for her. She knew they could move much faster. Run for miles faster than humans and still take on a fight at the end of it. They were moving at her speed. The realisation that she was holding them back didn’t sit well. They could be going so much quicker without her...

  “I’m holding you back.” She blurted as she ran on.

  Lion turned to her. “No. We need to go slower, and your people will need to see you.”

  The hours dragged on as she kept up the pace. Stopping an hour in to give her a short break, taking one more 10 minutes from their objective. Lion sent scouts with Four and Five to report back on the meeting point. Signalling his infiltration Cyborg over his neuro net, to check for any electronic signals within a five-mile radius.

  Negative.

  While they waited for the others to come back, he passed Pilar some water. He could tell by her skin and scent she was dehydrated. She took the bottle without question and downed several mouthfuls. Some escaped and dribbled down her chin and landed on her chest. Lion had the irrational thought to follow the water with his mouth.

  He pushed it away focusing on the female herself. She didn’t move as quietly as a Cyborg, but it was close. She’d been trained well by her men. It was unlikely that a human at any distance would hear her at all. Her all black outfit blended into the night. He knew it for what it was. High grade mesh that would stop most things from killing her. She’d come prepared for anything…. Two laser guns. One strapped to each leg. Several knives about her person. One in her boot, her belt, on her back. She was here to fight if she had too. Lion believed it was likely she would. He was getting reports in over his neuro net from his scouts. It didn’t look good.

  She wasn’t wrong. His men had picked up on plenty of company. It looked like her numbers had been about right. He watched the vid’s being sent to him while he continued to get to his own o
bjective. There were a large number of ships on the ground. His men were recording conversations and sending them to him. Picking up electronic signals and commands. Together, it was all making a clear picture. One of his men made it to the Trading Post without being seen. Waited until the office was empty and recorded or downloaded everything he could find, then made his way back out. Lion knew he’d have to show that to Pilar. She’d know what it meant.

  Information from his own scouts and Four and Five filtered into his brain. The meeting area was clear. He gave the nod to his men then turned to her. “Ready?” he asked. She nodded. He gave the signal to move out.

  Pilar looked at the sky as she ran steadily with them. It looked to be about four hours to dawn. It was going to be tight if they were going to get back before sunrise. Lion stopped her several yards back in the thicket. Ahead, was their reception committee. He gave the signal to Four and Five over his neuro net.

  Go.

  Both rose from their hidden positions and moved slowly forward scanning the area. As they neared, Pilar saw those on guard around the circle not move but those inside it, turned towards them. With relief she recognised them. Twelve, Twenty-Four and Thirty-Seven. They’d mixed it up. She blew out the breath she’d been holding. Her boys…

  Four and Five stopped just clear of the tree line. “Glasses?” she asked. Someone handed her a pair. Pilar looked on and saw those facing her glazing over. Seven wasn’t with them. That bothered her. They were communicating with Four and Five. They blinked and their eyes cleared. Four turned towards her and gave the signal to come forward. Pilar didn’t hesitate and moved. Her trust in her men complete.

  She exited the treeline and walked straight to her men. Lion went with her. A couple of the men looked worst than cuts and bruises. “Bloody hell.” She reached for each one and checked them over. “Anyone else injured and don’t tell me cuts and bruises?” she clenched her teeth. They needed to stop protecting her. They looked from her to Lion and back again.

  Twelve spoke. “We’re fine Pilar. They turned the heat up last night. Been some explosions at the mine. Keeping us busy.”

  “We lose anyone?”

  “We have injured. I’m sorry Pilar some humans died.”

  “Fuck.” She’d kill Benito herself for this. “Where’s Seven?”

  “Lost an arm saving a kid. Coming here would have compromised him.”

  She nodded. “How bad are the mines?”

  “They’re secure. Once we knew how far this had gone, we responded. Put in a perimeter. Only Cyborgs within two miles. We were told to stand down. We told um to fuck off. We expect them to try again anytime now.”

  She held in her temper. “You seen the Captains working this?”

  They all nodded. “Most of them. Guess they didn’t like the last round of legit moves you made. I’ve given the updated intel to Four and Five. Most are staying in town.”

  Pilar nodded. “Tomorrow night. We’re gonna hit them hard. Have a skeleton crew on the mines high profile, business as usual, in case they’re watching somehow.” He nodded. “You need anything?” she asked.

  “Payback.”

  Pilar smiled. “Wait for the signal. We’ll have a new meeting point for you, then we go for town and take it back.”

  It hadn’t been easy to walk away from her men. She’d walked the perimeter with Lion and spoken with each one. She knew going to the mine now would have only put them all in danger and possibly given them away. Tomorrow would come soon enough….

  ***

  Intel reports were coming in thick and fast. One over laying the other. Lion pushed them on the trail back. Daylight was coming and they needed to be in the security field and hidden when the sun came up. They’d only just made it in time. At the point of being ten clicks out, he’d picked Pilar up and they’d gone at Cyborg speed the rest of the way. She didn’t argue. She’d pushed herself as much as he had dared let her. Four and Five had escorted her to her rooms, given her food and let her sleep. While he waited on his teams coming in one after the other. They all went in search of food and rested as he went over the information they now had.

  It looked more like a mini invasion than just a takeover. And there was disquiet in the invasion camp. More than one argument was recorded between several groups. People weren’t happy. The new guard had made promises. Promises they weren’t keeping.

  Unexpected new people had arrived, throwing that off balance. Throwing their weight about to. Fights had broken out. People hurt. There was a new leader in town and people were fearful for what that might mean. Too many new faces were never a good thing. There was a similar story, things were changing and not for the better.

  Captured conversations between the new leaders hadn’t been much better. Some had made decision’s without consulting others. Rivalry and revenge were rife. The place was falling into chaos.

  Downloaded information from Pilar’s business told him how much of a take over was going on. All her people were gone. Removed from working in the business. It’s what happened when new people came in. They didn’t trust the old guard. They’d tried to access her accounts and failed. Someone quick of the mark had isolated her communications and personal records, including her funds. Lion wondered if that was Ben. He seemed loyal to Pilar.

  It was going to take some time to sort out that mess. But first, they needed to get rid of the rot.

  The day passed quickly. He met with each of his teams and went over the intel personally until alerted by the ships computer that Pilar was up and showering in the late afternoon. Needing to talk to her, he picked up a tray and headed to her rooms. He knocked and waited. The door opened with the sweet smell that was all Pilar. Rich deep aromas that told of her heritage and all uniquely her.

  “Hay, that for me?” she grinned. She was clothed with hair and skin still damp.

  He gave her a sharp nod. “Where do you want it?”

  Pilar waved at the table. “There’s great. I’m starving. I was going to replicate but this is so much better. Thanks.”

  Whatever was under that cover smelt delicious. Lion put the tray down and she wasted no time sitting and uncovering all that tasty food beneath. Picking up the knife and fork, she dug in.

  After a few bites, she felt better. “So, where are we?” she asked around another mouthful.

  “I’ve put it all together. Its available via vid screen. You can watch while you eat.”

  She waved her empty fork in its direction. “Good, play it.”

  He did. Connecting with the ship he gave the order to display the file he’d cut together with all the intel for her to look at. As it started, he moved to the replicator and ordered two sin brandy’s. The kind she liked. He had a feeling she was going to need it.

  ***

  She’d finished eating some time ago. Several times, she’d told the vid to stop, back up and re-play. Some she found difficult to believe and asked for supporting evidence. She was shown it. And asked for a number of close ups on pictures and video. It told a complete story.

  She sat back and asked it to play a second time without interruptions. It was compelling.

  Sipping her brandy she turned to Lion who was sitting on her bed. “Well that’s worse than I’d hoped.” The Scourge were here and were taking over or tying to, from everyone else. And they weren’t subtle about it either. She’d warned them they would try, and they’d ignored her. Now they’d got a food hold and it would be harder to get rid of them.

  “We got enough men to deal with this?” she asked him.

  “We’re Cyborg. Four, five, six to one are not impossible odds. If we can take them out in batches. Catch as many as possible by surprise. It won’t be difficult.”

  “Reinforcements?” she couldn’t help but ask.

  “Too long.” As she’d guessed. It was likely a lot of hers and his people were going to get hurt in the next 24hrs.

  “Maybe we should wait until reinforcements arrive?”

  He shook his head slightly.
“It would lose the element of surprise. It’s more likely they will find us somehow and it will be harder. Deadlier.” It brought all her feelings to the fore. She might never get a chance with him. “You’ll stay here. The guards will protect you. If we fail, they’ll make a run for the ship and wait for the Empire to arrive and strike back.”

  Pilar frowned. “Fuck that. You’re talking like we’re facing defeat.”

  “No, I’m planning for every outcome. I don’t want you hurt or worse.”

  Pilar cocked her head at him and smiled. “Worried for me?”

  “My logic tells me I shouldn’t be. My emotions are still turned off but, they are bleeding through and compromising my functionality.”

  “Getting to you am I?”

  Lion nodded. “From the first moment I saw you.”

  Pilar put down her drink and came towards him. Straddling him she took his brandy and placed in on the table by the bed.

  “I think we’ve waited long enough don’t you?” she asked him.

  “You’ve been drinking female.” His hands moved to her thighs.

  “We both have but I’m not compromised. I know what I want.”

  Pilar leaned in and kissed him. For a second, she was the only one involved, then Lion exploded and joined her. Within seconds she was stripped and under him. His own clothes disappearing as quickly as her own. Lion was all over her. Touching and feeling, tasting and kissing. Exploring every part of her body. It took her a moment to catch up. Pure delight and excitement hit her. Her own passions flew to the surface as she relished the feel of him surrounding her.