by M. K. Eidem
• • • • • •
Jen stood shaded from Pontus's blazing sun by the building as she chatted to Mac and they watched the Fenton approach the landing field.
"What's going on with you, Jen?" Mac asked.
"What?" Jen's gaze switched from the transport to Mac. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been really quiet over the last few days and… distant. Have I done something to upset you?"
"What?" Jen's eyes widened in shock. "No! Of course not, Mac!"
"Then what is it?"
"I…" Jen saw the hurt in Mac's eyes, and that had never been Jen's intention when she hadn't told Mac about going to the mine. She just hadn't wanted to stir up any bad memories. But now she realized she was also selfish. She and Mac had talked about and shared everything since they'd been taken. Why she wasn't sharing this, she didn't know. Well, that was an untruth. She knew why. Mac had Nikhil now, someone else to share things with, so she'd kept this to herself. Oh, childish. Glancing around to make sure no one else was listening, she told her. "I went back to the mine."
"What?!!" Mac's exclamation had heads turning their way, especially Nikhil's.
"Shhh," Jen admonished, looking around. "I don't think Treyvon wants anyone else to know we went there."
"Treyvon?" While the intensity of her voice didn't change, Mac did lower her volume so only Jen could hear her.
"I mean, General Rayner," Jen corrected, blushing slightly.
"Right, of course, you did." Mac's eyes narrowed. "Now tell me why the hell you would go back to that place and why the fuck would Rayner agree to take you there?!!"
"He didn't want to… take me I mean, but I pretty much demanded to go."
"Why?"
"I needed to say goodbye to Todd."
"Oh, Jen." Mac wrapped an arm around Jen's waist giving her a supportive hug.
"I know. I know it must seem stupid…"
"No, it doesn't. You never really got to say goodbye to him. Everything happened so fast. Todd was killed, you were injured and had to recover, and then the Kaliszians suddenly appeared and hustled you out of the mine."
"So you understand why I had to go back."
"Yes, I just don't understand why you didn't feel like you could tell me."
"It was just so… hard," Jen shot her a pleading look. "Harder than I thought it would be, and you are getting on so well with Nikhil that I didn't want to bring up any bad memories."
"I am doing well, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten, Jen. I still have nightmares, and sometimes I wake up screaming. Nikhil hates that all he can do is hold me and let me cry."
"You didn't tell me that," Jen frowned down at her, “you were having nightmares."
"What good would it do?" Mac gave her a sad half smile. "Seems we were both trying to protect the other."
"Yea."
"So seeing Todd was harder than you thought."
"Not seeing him was," Jen whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"His body wasn't there."
"But…"
"Treyvon said that a Pontus ground storm consumed it. That is what happens to anything caught out in one."
"It is. Nikhil told me about them, and how deadly they can be. He made me vow I would never go outside the walls of this compound."
"They're that bad?"
"Yes, and it’s not just the blowing sand that's dangerous, but the substance it carries called alme. If you inhale too much, it affects your breathing and can kill you. It's why whenever they leave here, they make sure they have their survival shirt."
"Survival shirt?"
"It’s the covering I wore after we were rescued."
"You mean that skintight black turtleneck mini dress?"
"It wasn't a mini dress!" Mac denied. "It was only a couple inches above my knees!"
"But it was skintight."
"I… yeah it was," Mac blushed, "but that's because the material conforms to the body of whoever is wearing it. It has to do that so sand and alme can't get in."
"It can't destroy the shirt?"
"No. What you're calling a 'turtleneck' is material that they pull up, covering their mouth and nose from the front and their head and forehead from the back, leaving only their eyes exposed as it seals tight against their skin."
"Like a ski mask?"
"Pretty much. They then put on a special pair of goggles to protect their eyes and hunker down to wait out the storm. It's kind of cute, in a minions sort of way, except they're not yellow, but are covered in muscles, and are a whole lot sexier."
"Cute?" Jen's gaze went to Nikhil standing on the other side of the field. She couldn't see him as a minion. Minions were short, soft, and cuddly. All the things Nikhil wasn't. What Mac was describing was more like a Ninja Warrior and that she could see Nikhil being. "So now Nikhil is sweet and cute? Does he know this?"
"Oh be quiet." Mac smiled giving her a playful shove.
"So when did you see Nikhil wearing his survival shirt?"
"The other night when that storm suddenly came in. We were in our quarters, and he was telling me about the storms, so I asked him to show me. I couldn't believe that something that I wore could possibly fit him, but boy did it."
"I take it you liked it on him."
"I liked tying him up with it better."
Mac said it so quietly that Jen was sure she hadn’t heard her right, but the half dreamy, completely satisfied look that crossed Mac's face told a different story.
"He let you tie him up?!!" Jen hissed the words, but apparently, it was still loud enough to have Nikhil's head turning from Treyvon to them.
"I wouldn't say he let me," Mac whispered back smirking, her eyes sparkling. "I'm good with knots, very good. Quick too."
Jen's mouth dropped open.
"You see, while survival shirts aren't hard to put on, they don't come off as easily. Nikhil was pulling it up over his head, and it got all twisted up. I started helping him… then got a better idea."
"Better?" Jen choked out.
"Yeah. You see I've never really gotten to explore much of Nikhil's body. He always manages to distract me before I get as far as I want."
"You poor thing," Jen said without an ounce of pity in her voice.
"I know, right?" Mac grinned at her. "So anyway, I tied a knot in his shirt, hooked it under the bed, and then started to explore."
"And he just let you?"
"Well, not at first. My guy is an alpha after all. But then I explained to him what I wanted to do and why, so he agreed."
"He agreed?"
"Uh-huh, at least until he couldn't take it anymore and broke free."
"Broke free… I thought you said the shirt was indestructible."
"Oh, the shirt is. The bedframe I hooked it to isn't."
Jen felt her eyes bug out. "You broke the bed?!!"
"Oh yeah, and it was… amazing."
"Mackenzie, are you alright?"
Nikhil's husky question had both women jumping to find Nikhil standing right behind them.
"Oh, hi, baby," Mac tried to sound innocent even as she was furiously blushing. "What's wrong?"
"You seem… agitated." His True Mate bead had brushed the bare skin of his shoulder as he'd spoken with his General and the rush of her arousal had him immediately moving toward her.
"Oh. No, Jen and I were just talking."
"About survival shirts." Jen's addition had Mac elbowing her in the side and Nikhil's eyes narrowing in speculation.
Before he could say more, the roar of the Fenton's engines had Nikhil stepping protectively in front of them blocking the sand it stirred up. When it finally settled, he looked to Mac.
"I need to return to my duties, but when I am done," his eyes glowed a little brighter, "we will go back to our quarters so I can demonstrate more uses of my survival shirt."
"I can hardly wait," Mac whispered breathlessly, her gaze on Nikhil's tight ass as he walked away.
"Damn, Mac," Jen whispered ou
t of the side of her mouth, "I think I'm jealous."
"You should be," Mac replied, anticipation filling her eyes as they turned to Jen. "If we don't show up for Last Meal, don't worry."
• • • • • •
Luol still didn't know why Treyvon had ordered him here. If no one was injured, then he needed to be in Medical. He hadn't been able to reach Maysa for three days now, and he was beginning to worry. It wasn't uncommon for them to not be able to communicate, but that was normally when he was out on patrol. Not when he was stationed on a planet.
As the dust finally settled, the ramp from the Fenton lowered. He watched as Warriors moved to begin the unloading process, only to pause, then start to part. He frowned as he realized the Warriors were parting for a cloaked figure walking down the ramp. When the figure reached the ground, the hood was lowered and…
"Maysa!" he called out, running across the field to her.
• • • • • •
Jen and Mac watched in stunned amazement as the cloaked figure lowered its hood, and a stunning female was revealed. For that was what she had to be, a Kaliszian, what with the long dark hair running down the center of her head and the glowing lavender eyes.
"Maysa!"
Their heads turned as one as they watched as Luol rushed across the field to his Ashe.
"Did you know she was coming?" Jen asked Mac, her gaze staying on the now embracing couple.
"No, and by the looks of it neither did Luol."
Jen's gaze went to Treyvon standing next to Nikhil and caught just the slightest hint of satisfaction on his face before it disappeared and he realized that he had allowed this to happen.
"Looks like you'll be cooking for one more tonight," Mac said pulling Jen's gaze back to her.
"It does." Jen smiled at the thought. She loved cooking. The more, the merrier. "I guess I'd better go see what they brought then get back to the kitchen."
It was something Jen had started doing since she had taken over the preparation of Last Meal. When the resupply ship arrived, she inspected what it carried so she could direct them to where they needed to be stored when they were brought to the kitchen.
"I'll go with you," Mac immediately said, following Jen as she moved toward the Fenton.
"I thought you were going to be busy this afternoon," Jen teased back.
"Nikhil is on duty until Last Meal, so I might as well help you out until he's done because after that…" Mac smirked at her. "I don't think you'll be seeing me until morning."
• • • • • •
"Maysa, what are you doing here?" Luol demanded, pulling his Ashe into his arms.
"I missed you, too," she said reaching up. She grabbed Luol's braids and pulled his mouth down to hers for a deep kiss.
Ignoring the Warriors around him, Luol's arms tightened, and he lifted her off her feet returning the kiss. Goddess, he had missed her. Finally breaking off the kiss, he asked again.
"What are you doing here, Maysa? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I've been going out of my mind when you didn't answer my comms." He set her on her feet and pulled back slightly. "How were you able to be granted passage on the Fenton?"
"I simply spoke with the Emperor and explained to him how I was needed here, and he agreed."
"The Emperor!" Luol choked out. "You talked with the Emperor?!!"
"Well, who else was going to give me permission to come to Pontus?"
"Why? Why would you want to come here?" he demanded.
"You mean besides wanting to see my Dasho?!!" Maysa didn't raise her voice, but still every Warrior around them stilled. "A Dasho I haven't seen in nearly six moon cycles? A Dasho that is now stationed on a planet, a safe planet, with an established base."
"Maysa…"
"Those are good reasons. Reasons any other Ashe might have given the Emperor in the past when they wanted to see their Dasho, but the Emperor has heard those all before. What?" she asked at her Dasho's shocked look. "Do you really think we Ashes just wait to be informed when we can see our Dasho again?"
"I…"
"We don't, but that isn't why the Emperor granted my request and allowed me to come here. He allowed me to come because I informed him that there were females here that he was neglecting."
"Neglecting?" That soft growl came from Nikhil, and both of them turned to see an enraged Squad Leader next to them.
Luol immediately stepped between his Ashe and Nikhil even though Nikhil was much larger and stronger than him.
"Nikhil, what's wrong?" Mac put a hand on his tense bicep.
"Luol thinks I have been neglecting you," Nikhil growled.
"My Dasho did not say that. I did!" Maysa tried to step forward, but Luol's arm swung out stopping her. "And I didn't say you were neglecting your Ashe and True Mate. I said the Emperor was neglecting the Earth females the Goddess put in his care."
"Of course, you don't neglect me, Nikhil." Mac pulled on Nikhil's arm until he was facing her. "Goddess! No one has ever taken better care of me than you do. Could never care for me as well as you do." Her words seemed to calm him.
"I am sorry, Squad Leader Nikhil," Maysa's hand on Luol's arm had relaxed slightly. "I never meant to make you think I was questioning how you cared for your True Mate. My Luol has informed me of just how well you do and of how strong your feelings are for her." Her words finished calming the mighty Warrior. "But that does not mean she and the other female, Jennifer, have not been neglected by only being allowed to deal with Kaliszian males. There are things you do not know or understand, and can't explain the way a female can to another female. Not even you, my Dasho." Maysa gave Luol a tender look.
Maysa looked from Nikhil to the small female so fearlessly gripping his massive bicep.
"You must be Mackenzie," Maysa said.
"And you must be Maysa," Mac replied, a smile breaking across her face. "You are as beautiful as Luol told me you were."
"And you are as tiny."
Before anyone knew it, the two females were in each other's arms, hugging and chattering away the way females always seemed to, at least to males.
"Thank you so much for the coverings you sent for Jen and me. Oh God, Jen." Mac spun around to find Jen standing just behind Nikhil. Treyvon having moved protectively behind her although Mac didn't think Jen realized it. Quickly she motioned to Jen. "Jen, come meet Maysa."
Jen slowly and carefully moved toward Maysa, and while she stood tall, she did her best to keep the scarred side of her face away from her.
"Hello, Maysa. It’s a pleasure to meet you," Jen said. "Thank you for the coverings you sent."
Maysa could admit to herself that she was shocked by Jen's appearance, even after everything Luol had told her. But none of that stopped her from immediately wrapping her arms around the female that while taller than Mackenzie seemed even more fragile.
"Hello, Jen. Is it alright if I call you Jen? Luol told me your full name is Jennifer."
"Jen is fine." Jen tentatively hugged her back.
"Then Jen it is." Maysa leaned back to smile at her. "We all have so much to talk about, and I've brought more coverings along with many other things I'm sure these males never thought you might require. No offense intended, Squad Leader," Maysa quickly said looking behind Jen.
"I'm sure Nikhil didn't take it that way." Mac sent Nikhil a look that said he'd better agree with her then asked sweetly. "Did you, Nikhil?"
"Of course not, my Mackenzie," Nikhil quickly replied. He may not have been a Dasho or True Mate for long, but he had quickly learned that there were times when it was best if he just agreed with his Mackenzie.
"Thank you, Squad Leader." Maysa bowed her head slightly, a knowing gleam in her eye. "Maybe we could go somewhere and talk? Get to know each other?"
"I'm sorry, Maysa, but I have to get back to the kitchen and finish preparing Last Meal. But I'm sure Mac would love to talk to you," Jen told her.
"I would," Mac quickly agreed, "but I need to help you with the supplies and Las
t Meal."
"I can handle it, Mac."
"I know you can, but I told you I would help and I'm going to. Besides," she shot a teasing look from Maysa to Luol. "I think Luol would like some time alone with his Ashe after being parted for so long."
"Maybe they can investigate the many uses of the survival shirt."
"Survival shirt?" Maysa’s question had Jen and Mac laughing.
Chapter Seventeen
Mac watched from a corner of the kitchen as Jen directed the much larger Kaliszian Warriors to put the supplies where she wanted. They seemed to realize that here Jen was the General and they obeyed her without hesitation.
Soon all the supplies were put away, and the Warriors departed, all but Gulzar.
"I have never seen so many supplies before," Gulzar told her in an awed voice. “Some I do not even recognize."
"That's because the Emperor is coming."
"What?!!" Gulzar and Mac said in unison.
"You didn't know?" Jen's gaze went from Mac to Gulzar. "Treyvon hasn't informed anyone else of this yet?"
"No," Gulzar was the one who answered.
"Oh, well he's coming. Tomorrow, as a matter of fact. So we need to get started on the fresh stock if we're going to serve him the best Beast Stew and biscuits he's ever tasted."
"It will be, as it will be the first time he has ever eaten it."
"Well that's supportive," Mac muttered glaring at Gulzar.
"I was just speaking truth." Gulzar frowned at Mac.
"It's all right, Jen." Jen saw her friend open her mouth to argue. "Gulzar's right, but that doesn't mean we still can't make sure it's the best he ever will taste. Now let’s get to work."
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as the three worked together not only prepping for tomorrow's meal but also finishing up for tonight's. Tonight, Jen was serving her Kaliszian version of Salisbury Steak but with sliced meat instead of ground. Now that they'd been resupplied, she would be able to make mashed tatws and mushroom gravy to go over them. All that was left to do now was to wait for the meat to finish cooking.
"That's it until it’s time to serve." She looked to Gulzar and Mac. "Want to take a walk?"