by Piper Stone
I clung onto him as the clanging started again, even hard thump pushing my nerves closer to the edge. As the four Zatan soldiers appeared in front of the bars, I hissed. The sight of their massive bodies, protruding horns, and the same sickeningly bluish skin that seemed to glow even in the dim lighting was disgusting.
Bringing back another round of nasty memories.
Xander pushed me behind him, standing at his full height, a beast ready for a fight.
“What the hell are we doing here?” Xander demanded.
I refused to be pushed aside, moving to his right, a harsh glare pointed in their direction.
One of the Zatans sneered, his eyes roaming up and down the length of me. “Move back, prisoners.”
“Not going to happen,” Xander retorted, taking a step forward.
“Then you will be punished.” The first alien pointed toward the locking system, a direct command to one of the others. Even the lock was old-fashioned, the alien forced to use a key.
“Stay behind me,” Xander said through clenched teeth.
The door was finally kicked open, all four of the creatures charging inside.
“You will drop to your knees now, Cryton,” the first alien snapped, pointing to the floor.
“Over my dead body,” Xander sneered.
A whip was produced, the fourth alien uncurling and cracking the thick leather tail against the stone. Within two seconds, the Zatan had shifted it over his head, prepared to issue a significant strike against Xander.
But my own personal gladiator was far too quick, able to snag the end of the whip, yanking with just enough force the Zatan was pitched forward. Xander lunged, able to grab the alien around the neck, his other hand able to control the thin leather.
Grinning, Xander took several long strides backwards, motioning with his head for me to trail behind him. “Now, unless you want your buddy’s neck snapped, I suggest you drop your weapons, back out of here and leave the door open. I’m not going to ask you more than once.”
The barbaric growls all three aliens emitted were battle worthy and they crouched lower, every one of them reaching for their weapon.
“Get the fuck away or he’s dead!” Xander yelled. “I’m serious.”
The rumble rolling through the corridor just outside the opening was thunderous. Xander squeezed his arm, cutting off the alien’s air supply.
The Zatans had no intention of leaving.
The cracking sound and the power of the whip as the leather unfurled, hurling through the air and catching two of the Zatans was impressive. As the two men crumpled, the third yanked his weapon into position.
Additional rumbles occurred then a blur of activity as six or seven people flooded the cell, adding to the rage and chaos.
Every one of them was human.
I was thrown, shaken to my very core. I walked closer, weaving my way around Xander, although still keeping my distance. They were all much older, although in what appeared to be excellent health and in good shape. Six were men, only one female and they all carried weapons similar to that of the Zatans.
“Enough!” a booming voice managed to reverberate over the melee and instantly the Zatan warriors ceased what they were doing. He walked through the center of the crowd, his eyes darting from Xander to me, tilting his head as he gazed up and down.
I was in a state of shock, seeing the same face, the same soft features that I remembered from all those years ago. How could it be? How could this have happened? I could barely breathe, my mind reeling with possibilities.
With the whip in midair, Xander snarled as he shifted in the direction of the interference, issuing a primal roar. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Enough, Lieutenant Aska. These guards were not here to hurt you. Let go of him. I assure you that you will be safe here.” The very human male seemed amused, finally glaring at the three Zatans. “I see you didn’t follow my directions.”
The three Zatans backed away, shoving their weapons into their uniforms.
“Safe? You call this shit safe?” Xander demanded.
The human walked closer until he was only a foot away. “I apologize for their actions. They were told to bring you here and nothing more. You are our guests. Now, if you will be so kind as to remove your arm from Shakdar’s throat, that would be helpful.”
I shifted further around Xander, allowing my fingers to sweep across his back in reassurance. “I think it’s all right, Xander.”
Xander snarled before letting go, still keeping the bullwhip in his hand.
The human lifted a single eyebrow, a smile curling on his lip. “Very well, Lieutenant. I can understand why you don’t trust me.”
“How the hell do you know my name?” Xander demanded.
“Because they’ve been expecting us, haven’t you?” I asked the human directly, daring to inch even closer.
He merely smiled, his eyes twinkling.
“You’re obviously working with the Zatan king in an effort to solve an issue. The Zatans were well aware that Xander could be the only male capable of getting the real prize across the difficult Wild, able to locate the facility and hopefully the journal you either accidentally or purposely left behind.”
“The prize?” he asked, his smile widening.
“That prize would be me, your daughter. Xander, allow me to introduce my father, Dr. Thomas Garens. I see you’ve been planning this for a very long time.”
* * *
“Is my mother also alive?” I heard the demanding tone in my voice but as we walked down myriad corridors, my father showing off the various locations with such pride, I was sickened.
“Sadly, she succumbed to an illness that I could not cure,” he said in a quiet voice. I’d known he had loved her, would do anything for her.
“When?” The gnawing pit in my stomach was increasing.
“Almost four years ago. I know she would have been so proud of the woman you’ve become. I’ve kept tabs on you.”
I was almost horrified. The look Xander gave me was a warning. There were things going on here that we’d yet to discover, new dangers that would threaten our well-being. Hell, our lives. “Tabs. With your sister?”
“Only early on. I found that she simply couldn’t be trusted any longer.”
“My God, this was a game to you all those years ago. Do you have any idea what I endured living with her, accepting her harshness, knowing that she hated me?” My angry words reverberated throughout the space.
He stopped briefly, lifting his arm as if to touch me then jerking back. No, he did not have that right. Not now.
Maybe not ever.
“You have no idea how difficult these years have been, for both your mother and me. We wanted to bring you with us, but we weren’t able to,” he said with tears in his eyes.
For some reason, his reaction sickened me. “So instead you watched me suffer. How nice of you, Father.”
He sighed and continued walking, his actions stiffer than before. “We have spent a great deal of time preparing this facility, making certain that everyone has their own space.”
Xander snorted. “While men and women of different species remain prisoners in a disgusting cell, fed garbage once a day. How fitting.”
“Do not test me, Lieutenant!” my father snapped. “There are things that are out of my control.”
So my father was the big man in charge. That was interesting given he’d never gravitated toward being in charge of either his department or anything else. My mother even ran the household.
My father smoothed down his shirt, taking a deep breath. “We have over one thousand members living here with additional space for others.”
“Jesus Christ,” Xander huffed. “This plan has been in motion for decades, long before my people were asked to come and help Earth.”
“I do not know the circumstances of your arrival on Earth, Lieutenant,” he answered.
I wasn’t certain I could believe my father.
“Given the rather
crude state of this planet, it doesn’t have all the natural resources to create a compound of this magnitude.” I studied his reaction and the way he glanced at his companions.
“That is true. There were several settlements established by not only from the United States but several other countries from Earth. There were several cargo ships sent here, their contents providing much of what you see.” My father swept his arm out, absolutely glowing with pride. “Men and women much more adept at building were also a part of the crew. They are responsible for the various compounds that exist.”
“And what happened to these crewmembers, Dr. Garens? I was under the assumption that there have been horrific accidents killing everyone on board ships preparing to leave. At least that’s what I heard from several humans kept as prisoners for a monstrous king.” Xander smiled.
“You are right. The caustic chemicals in the atmosphere had a damaging effect on the fuel used to bring the ships to this planet. Sadly, that wasn’t determined until after several tragedies had occurred.”
Xander snorted. “Hence the green goo used for the generator within the laboratory.”
My father smiled in admiration. “Exactly. That was one of our finest discoveries. Unfortunately, many of our people were captured by the Zatans.”
“How long ago did this great city begin, Father?”
“Almost ten years. In that period of time, the majority of this has been built. We feel very blessed.”
“And the various ships carrying all this here?” Xander asked.
“Unfortunately, none survived. Between the atmospheric issues and the Zatans, they were all destroyed or at least incapacitated.”
I could see Xander’s mind churning.
We walked in silence for a few minutes.
The facility was built surprisingly well, much different than the barracks-like atmosphere of the laboratory. There was even natural light coming into every room. We were led down a series of corridors, enabling us to see several groups of people, surprisingly including women and children. I was taken aback by the laughter and frivolity, even passing by what appeared to be a school of some sort. Everything was bright and airy, very organized and functional.
And everyone seemed happy.
“I can tell you have many questions, daughter,” my father said as he walked beside me, his arms positioned behind his back, his gait steady and in no particular hurry.
“Absolutely and we can start with why the hell did you have me kidnapped?”
He sighed, taking his time to answer. “That is a complicated situation and not one that can be explained in a short amount of time. Rest assured that it was absolutely necessary.”
“That’s bullshit. You and your team have been working with the Zatans all along, planning various abductions.” Xander’s voice continued to hold clear agitation.
My father finally stopped, turning to face him. “I could make the same accusations about you, Lieutenant. It would seem you and your people were working with the government on various products including providing anything believed to be needed by the Zatan race. Is that not true?”
Xander closed the distance until they were nose to nose. “The job of my envoy was to provide advice and military assistance based on concerns raised by several members of various governments on your planet. They were afraid of being attacked by aliens, which is exactly what’s going to happen. If you’ve spent so much time identifying my records, then you are also aware that the very reason I was tossed on this godforsaken shithole of a planet is because I had started exposing what was going on. Forced abductions. Corrupt members of various governments lying to their own people. Unfortunately, not only was I stopped just prior to hitting send to a reporter I’d spent a great deal of time with, I found out later than he was murdered for his participation. So now, I will ask the question. What are you doing working for the Zatan race and King Rajah?”
The tension was palpable, the information both interesting and damning. Xander had only provided some of the details. Then again, his point was well taken.
“We have plenty of time to go deeper into our particular mission. What you need to know is that there are people on this planet who are thriving, determined to live out a life far removed from the politics and murder on Earth. We are only one of several compounds.”
“Including those using forced labor?” Xander threw out.
“Laborers are a necessity in any environment,” my father countered.
“God freaking...” Xander didn’t finish his sentence, but his rage continued to increase.
“You created the garden,” I said absently. “What about the creatures we’ve seen? They are dangerous.”
“The garden is one of many and the creatures that you mention are no more harmful than bears or wolves on Earth. They have their natural food supply. As long as they aren’t provoked, they aren’t an issue. You must have provoked them.” My father locked eyes with Xander once again.
“That was my fault, Father, and Xander saved my life more than once. I owe him everything, including choosing me.”
His smile was a clear indication that everything had been planned down to the letter. I was incensed even though I was elated my father was alive. However, no amount of childhood memories could alter the fact that I’d been sold to the Zatans for a price and for a reason.
“I can see you’re fond of him, Katarina.” My father finally backed away, giving Xander a nod of respect.
“Katarina was correct in her assumptions. We were forced together, a connection created in a laboratory. The only way to ensure that I would make the correct selection.” Xander lifted his hand as if to strike him.
I heard the sound of weapons being drawn and moved between them. “There’s no need for violence. We’re all working on the same side. Isn’t that right, Father?”
“Of course. Well, I’m certain you’d enjoy taking a shower and a change of clothes. We will have a celebration in your honor.” My father stepped around Xander, taking several long strides and stopping outside a door, his hand sweeping over the console.
“Where are our things?” Xander demanded.
My father gave him a wry smile, although there was something odd on his expression as well as the others. “You’ll get them back in time.”
“Time. What the hell are you really doing, Thomas? What game is being played?” Xander once again bristled.
“This is no game, Lieutenant. This is about saving lives.” My father’s anger was fully evident, his nostrils flaring.
“You have the journal,” I interjected without looking in my father’s eyes. Xander and I needed time to process. Starting an argument wasn’t in our best interest.
“Yes, and we are all very grateful that you were able to retrieve and successfully find the passageway.”
“At the price of Zatan life, likely at the cost of others.” I tipped my head, glaring at him.
“I’m sorry?” he asked, his gaze shifting back and forth.
This wasn’t the man I remembered as a child, honorable in every manner. He was a stranger to me, someone who’d sold his soul. I could only imagine the reason why. “The horrible disfiguring experiments you performed on live subjects. Was that a necessity or simply by choice?” I spat out the words, noticing immediately just how uncomfortable the entire group seemed to be.
“I’m sorry. I’m not certain of what you are talking about,” my father said, only this time, the tone in his voice had changed, now holding fear.
“One of them was still alive. You left him there with the others to burn to death, Father, only you failed at destroying all the evidence. That poor creature lived, suffering for months, maybe years while you languished in this posh environment. And all for what? Creating a better life for yourself? Money? Power? What did the great Zatan king promise you and your people?”
I felt Xander’s hand on my arm, could tell I’d further angered my father.
Instead of responding or lashing out, he took a step back, smil
ing. “As I said before. All in good time. I took the liberty of providing necessities for both of you and I assumed that you wanted to be together given you are mated.”
As Xander moved closer, I could feel his anger increasing. We had been watched or my father was working directly with the king. Either way, my skin began to crawl.
“Yes, we are mated, but not because of some drug,” Xander stated in his usual dominating fashion.
“Very well,” my father said with disdain. “Please dress appropriately for dinner given this is a true celebration. You have a suite meant for a family at your disposal. Someone will come to escort you to dinner at seven. Please make yourself at home.”
Appropriately. There was nothing about this that I could deem proper.
Every member of the welcome team nodded, giving a slight bow before walking away, leaving both Xander and me speechless.
I’d been dismissed, as if my questions and concerns simply didn’t matter. Anger rolled through every cell and muscle, more so than the rage I’d felt being held captive. What dirty little secrets were yet to be exposed?
Chapter Fifteen
Katarina
A cold chill slithered into every cell in my body and as soon as the door slid closed, I jumped inadvertently. While the compound was absolute paradise in comparison to the Wild, everything was far too surreal, as if these people were living in a glass cage, on view for the Zatan king. If that were true, why would the Zatan guards be treated merely as hired servants or worse?
Maybe to keep the peace.
Maybe in exchange for services rendered.
The possibilities were as endless as they were ugly.
I walked further into the room, knowing that Xander was watching my every move. He was just as discontented as I was, perhaps even more so, anger furrowing just below the surface.
The suite was beautiful, much like the rest of the compound, only adding to my fury. I hadn’t known what to anticipate with my emotions should I find that my father was indeed alive. This wasn’t what I expected in the least. Maybe the exhaustion had finally broken through, taking a part of the strong woman I’d been forced to be my entire life. Or maybe I couldn’t get past the realization that my father wasn’t unlike every other monster in the universe.