by Wells, Juno
The Traj were vicious. They preferred trying to pick off her fighters one by one. They wore some kind of camouflage and were nearly impossible to see. It took close to two hours of pounding the pavement to ensure their sector was clear of the enemy.
Grace got word on her com that the Queen was pinned down in the city center. Her battle group was taking heavy fire. Grace’s team loaded up and dropped down on the outskirts of the skirmish within twenty minutes. The battle was still raging. Grace pulled sniper rifles out of the shuttle. “Take to the rooftops. Shoot any Traj you can get a lock on. We need to buy Belanna’s unit room to maneuver.”
They stared at her, unmoving. It hit her that Bradon has instructed them to stay with her. She waved away their concern. “We have an opportunity to grab some glory and save the life of your Warrior Queen. Are you actually going to turn that down to babysit a fighter like me who doesn’t even need it?”
They all reluctantly took position and began sniping every Traj in sight. It was like shooting fish in a barrel at the fair. Soon the Queen’s forces were moving again, and then tracking down the Traj deserters was all that was left to do.
Grace gathered up her team, and before she could get turned around, Bradon touched down. They went in search of her crew craft and found the shattered remains of one of the small shuttles from Eden Twelve. A quick scan revealed that the missing crew member was not present when it was fired upon.
Grace scratched her head, trying to figure out where to go next. Bradon’s hand landed on her shoulder. “Perhaps your crew member left the area when the fighting began. Our warriors will conduct a planet-wide scan for her once this mission is concluded.”
Grace had noticed that they were still rounding up the enemy, putting out fires and trying to calm the local civilians. That was the problem with war. The cleanup often took longer than the battle.
“Eden Twelve will be here soon. I know my captain won’t give up until we find our person.” Truth be told, Grace was worried that she might have been abducted. If they came for women, it would make sense that took her and left units behind hoping to secure the precious metals which were mined on this planet. Running one hand through her sweaty blue locks, she knew there was nothing more to be done at the moment. Pursuing the Traj would fall to the captain and Commander West because they had manpower, weapons, and ships.
Bradon pulled her to his chest and tucked her head under his chin. “I can see how worried you are for your crew, but we can do nothing more at the moment.”
“I’m just frustrated because I was so sure we’d find her.”
“Come, let us get you cleaned.”
“I’m a hot sweaty mess. It’s nice of you to notice.”
He stared down into her eyes. “I notice everything to do with you, Grace.”
“Same here, big guy.”
They headed back to Bradon’s flagship and he began running through the scans from the Traj vessels again. He suddenly stopped and blew up an image. It looked like a shimmering shape against the dark background of space. It meant nothing to Grace.
Braden’s fingers flew over the console, as he shot information to Eden Twelve in an encrypted message. “I think it is a cloaked ship. The Traj are very tech savvy. Word has reached our ears that some of them have access to cloaking technology. If they decrease their speed, it is said they are even undetectable by scans. I think your crew member was taken away on that ship prior to or during the attack.”
“All I know is she wouldn’t have gone with our enemy willingly.”
Bradon responded quietly. “Of course not. She is being certainly being held against her will.”
“Captain Drake is closer than we are. He’ll track them down. I trust him to never leave a crew member behind.”
“For her sake, I hope what you say is true.”
10 Gift From the Gods
Braden
Walking into his quarters on the Davarian flagship was a hollow victory. His priests swarmed him in a gentle reminder of his circumstance. Though the battle against the Traj had been won and they had a solid lead on finding the missing human, the sun was cresting over the horizon on Davaria and that meant their time together was officially up.
Bradon cursed the immutable structure of his life as a Regent. The next twenty years had already been roughly planned out. He could look at his schedule and know where he was to be and what he was to be doing on any given day. Barring unknown factors such as attacks on their territory, his entire future was set in stone, and there was no room for him to claim a mate or spend more time with the pretty human. His heart shattered into a thousand pieces in his chest as he turned his back on her and kneeled at his tiny shrine.
Unable to look at her, he spoke. “It is morning on Davaria Prime, Grace. Our time is over. Thank you for a thrilling Awakening Night. It was composed of romance, conflict and unimaginable pleasure, in essence a reminder of what I’m sacrificing my existence to protect.”
He heard her gasp, clearly trying to wrap her head around the abrupt about face he was forced to take. Her voice turned cold. “So, I’m getting dismissed. Is that how it is?”
Balling one fist over his chest, he pressed, trying to relieve the pressure that had settled there. Explaining felt like the fates adding insult to injury. “I only get one night. Regents belong to the people more assuredly than any other national treasure. We are not free to do our own bidding. If that were the case Queen Belanna and The Great Saban could be together for more than two lunar cycles every forty solars.”
“I don’t accept that.”
Secretly thrilled at her words, he couldn’t give in to her. Not ever. “My duty comes before all else. Being with you and pretending otherwise for one glorious day was… precious. Goodbye, Grace Phelps. I wish you love, peace, and happiness for all the days of your life.”
Grace was apparently not willing to give up quite so easily. “So, if I want a second date, what? I hang around for the next twenty years, and then wait for you to sleep for forty more years, then show up at your Awakening Celebration? Is that what needs to happen for me to see you again?”
“Yes. You will be over a hundred by then. If you come, I will choose you.”
“Then I would only get one glorious day?”
“Yes, that is the way of it.”
When she next spoke, her voice cracked with emotion. “So, no goodbye kiss or anything?”
“If I were to kiss you in the light of day, it would be acknowledging a personal relationship with you. I don’t get personal time, so how can I have personal relationships?”
“So this is honestly the end?”
Forcing himself to stay strong, he lied to the one woman he cared for above all others. “You should focus on making a life for yourself. I wish you happiness.”
“Again, I refuse to accept this. You had better turn your pompous ass around and help me figure out another option.”
A soft male voice that wasn’t Bradon’s spoke. His intrusive priest, Ralon, clarified. “Our regents are gifted with special holidays throughout the year. During these celebrations they are encourage to choose female company for varying amounts of time.”
Grace’s voice cleared. “Tell me.”
“We have the spring Festival of Iod in three lunar cycles. It is a three-day celebration in which females volunteer to serve the Regent in whatever manner he sees fit. Three lunar cycles after that, there is the…”
Grace interrupted, “Are all the celebrations three months apart?”
“Yes.”
“Each time he chooses?”
“Yes.”
“Are there rules that preclude him from choosing the same partner?”
“No.”
“Good. Then you will add my name to the top of the list of volunteers for each celebration.”
Ralon’s tone was one of utmost respect. “Of course, my lady.”
Sitting with his back to them during the whole exchange, Bradon felt his heart hammer a pounding drumbea
t. Was this what it felt like to be claimed by a female? The determination and hope in her voice touched his soul. It made his body throb with desire for her.
Grace stated flippantly on the way out the door. “See you in three lunars, Bradon the Stubborn.”
He turned to look at the door as soon as he heard it close behind her. Hope bloomed in his chest. It felt like a spring vine twisting through his torso. It was a sweet agony he wouldn’t trade for anything in the entire verse.
Ralon, as always, offered his opinion. “If you don’t mind my saying so, sir, you’re being difficult. She cares about you…she may even be falling in love with you. You are doing everything you can to kill that love off, before it even has a chance to grow. We both know you have no right to cast aside the gifts bestowed on you by the gods.”
Bradon thought about the priest’s words for a brief moment, then rose to his feet, and headed out the door. He caught up with Grace boarding her family shuttle. She saw him coming, and her expression darkened. She probably thought he was going to forbid her from coming to the next celebration. He knew he should, but that was the furthest thing from his mind.
Instead he hauled her into his arms, and his lips found hers before she could object. As always, she melted into his touch. He whispered against her ear. “I’m sorry about being so abrupt. My soul was aching from the thought of not seeing you again. I know this is not going to end up with us living happily ever after, but I want to see you again. Maybe, I will grow stronger and be able to let you go, like I should. Right now, I need you. If you come to the Iod celebration, I will choose you. Just do me one favor. Don’t show up with another male’s scent upon you, it would drive me insane.”
Grace pulled him down for another long leisurely kiss. “Trust me to keep you in my heart. You don’t need to worry about me taking up with other men.”
Bradon felt terribly conflicted. “I don’t know how I can have such strong emotions for you after just one day.”
Grace took a deep cleansing breath before answering him. “It was a long day.” She giggled, “Also, I am pretty alluring for a mouthy human.”
“Stop making that cute sound. By the gods, you human women are so adorable. You can squirm your way right into a male’s heart, with so little effort.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of an argument for avoiding us.”
Bradon brought her hand to his lips and kissed her where Davarian females would have an eroto-pad. If he was trying to be cute and sexy, it worked. She kissed him again.
He murmured, “That thought of avoiding you causes me more pain than I can bear, little Earthling. I look forward to seeing you at the celebration for Iod. We’ll have three whole days together.”
“I’ll be there. Now get out of here, before I decide to take you with me.”
Bradon slowly stepped back, until he was off the shuttle.
She peered over his shoulder to the priests standing behind him. “Take good care of him.”
They bowed their heads in understanding. Her words warmed his soul. Grace turned around and took her seat. Bradon backed up until the shuttle door closed and the dark metal object was receding into the clouds.
Grace
Grace settled down in the co-pilot’s seat. Rick was piloting, and she couldn’t help but tease him a bit. “How did you get stuck with transporting me to the ship? Did you draw the short straw?”
He grinned. “Nope. I volunteered.”
“Umm, shopping for the Mrs. while you’re down here?”
He deadpanned back, “That’s why I like you, Grace. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
Laughing, she asked, “What did you get her?”
“Oh, I got her Davarian cloth, the fancy kind, Davarian silk, wool and all kinds.”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice that baby bump. I’m guessing you got her cloth for making nice baby things.”
“Right again.” He cut a glance in her direction, catching her eye. “You’re on a roll today, but I have something serious to discuss with you.”
“What’s up?”
“The missing crew person is Emma.”
Grace jerked upright in her seat. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t know who it was. Do we have more information on her whereabouts?”
“I’m afraid not. Your guy, Bradon the Wise, uncovered the best intel so far.”
“I saw the outline of that cloaked ship. It’s looked really small.”
“The captain’s saying she left on a Traj transport of some kind. They believe it’s a midrange trade vessel rather than one of their military vessels.”
“I have a copy of the scans from the Traj vessels. We could go over them and see if we can find anything they missed.” It was meager offering meant to bolster his spirits because there was very little chance the command crew missed anything pertinent.
“I already had a look. I also talked around the city center today. I found out that the ship she left on wasn’t registered, even with the Traj. You’d think their own traders would be registered in their system.”
Rubbing her chin, Grace mused out loud. “Not if they were pirates or operating outside the laws set down by the Traj.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Maybe Emma caught a ride out when the Traj military made a crumpled mess out of her shuttle.”
Grace felt bad about stating the obvious, “I know you’re determined to find your wife’s sister, but her being taken by pirates doesn’t increase the probability of that happening.”
“You should have let me have my ray of sunshine on that one, Grace.”
Reaching out to wrap one arm around his shoulders, she vowed. “We’ll turn over every rock in this sector if we have to find her. In case you haven’t heard, I have well-positioned friends on the Davarian home world.”
“Yeah, we all saw you hooking up with that religious dude on the video feeds. Of all the guys to get a hard-on for, why did you pick a priest? You ain’t never gonna get laid that way.”
Grace laughed and gave him a good slap on the shoulder. “Don’t go insulting my hot new alien boyfriend.”
“So. You did get laid?”
Her shoulders sagged as she realized that Rick’s version of getting laid meant full-on sex and that didn’t quite happen, what with all the arguing and having a glorious battle with the Traj. “We’re taking things slow.”
Rick snorted a laugh. “Leave it to you to pick a freakin’ priest. You’re going to hell for defiling that poor man. You know that, right?”
As they lifted off, Grace grumped, “He’s not that kind of priest. Give me a little credit, why don’t ya?”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s so great about him?”
“He’s smart and funny and I just like spending time with him.”
“Well, since he’s a priest, it’s clearly not the sex.”
“You’re being a smart ass.” Maybe Grace had been hanging around with Davarians too much but she couldn’t resist tormenting him a little in return. “Do we need to begin a conversation about what that sweet little Ima Jean sees in you?”
His hand tightened on the controls. “Now, just leave my Ima Jean outta this.”
Raising one eyebrow, Grace folded her arms over her chest, giving him the stink eye.
“Fine. I won’t comment on the fancy pants your priest parades around in, if you button up about my Ima Jean.”
Anger fired in Grace’s gut. “That hot priest is the ruler of worlds. You gotta know he’s expected to dress for the occasion.”
Rick sped up when they broke through the planet’s atmosphere. “I know that should impress me more than it does.”
Dropping all pretense of playing fair, Grace shot back, “I was convinced Ima Jean married you because she felt sorry for your stupid ass. If she weren’t pregnant with your child, I wouldn’t even believe she had sex with you at all.”
Cursing under his breath, Rick struggled to get his irritation under control. “That’s it. We’re even. I
don’t want to hear another word about my wife pass your lips.”
“Deal.”
Rick grumbled, “I know you’re lying about Ima Jean anyways. She told me you talked me up to her.”
Grinning, Grace sealed her lips.
“Thanks for that by the way.”
“If I were still talking about Ima Jean, I’d say the two of you are a perfect match.”
“I hope everything works out between you and your fancy-pants priest.”
“Yeah, me too. I really like him.”
11 Testy Pirate
Grace
“Are you certain this is the space pirate we’re looking for?”
Rick spun around from the console and nodded. “The heat signature is the same as the one Bradon sent us. The guy is half Traj and half some other species. He was pretty frank with the captain about not harboring any loyalty for the Traj. He claims they killed his mother for mating out of species.”
“That could be a load of crap.”
“I don’t think it is. He’s the one who first alerted the Davarians that their settlement was under attack. They were jamming all the frequencies. His ship being camouflaged allowed him to get far enough away to send a message.”
“He’s really coming here to talk with us?”
“Why wouldn’t he? If he’s got nothing to hide.”
Pressing her lips together, Grace rolled the situation around in her mind. “I definitely want to have a word with him.”
“The captain’s ruled him out as a suspect but since Emma’s family, he said I could talk to the pirate if I want to. He made me promise to be nice.”
Grace didn’t find that difficult to believe. “The captain is trying to establish an alliance with the Davarians. The last thing he needs is for us to piss off the hero who alerted them of the attack on their outpost.”
“Agreed. He’s docking now. They’re going to escort him to conference room twenty-seven. That’s the one nearest the landing bay.”
“Let’s get moving before the captain comes to his senses.”