Simdow had never seen anything as abysmally cold and contrived as this Europa colony. He couldn’t imagine anyone living here and maintaining sanity.
His eyes lit on his Imdiko, who waited for him a few feet away. Vadef’s beautiful smiling face made Simdow’s misgivings ease, and the Dramok grinned as he hurried to his clanmate.
Vadef hugged Simdow in greeting, letting him know the Imdiko was off duty. The affectionate Vadef was not restrained when protocol allowed. It was part of what made him so precious to Simdow.
The Dramok returned the embrace and kept his arm around the smaller man’s shoulders. The slight body next to his was quivering in excitement. His Imdiko was excited to have him here, and it made Simdow feel good.
“Did you give up on me showing up?” he teased.
Vadef laughed and nodded. “Almost. I was beginning to think we’d have to bring her to you.”
Simdow sighed. “The captain has his hands full with his new Matara and interrogating General Hamilton. I thought I’d never get off that bridge.”
Vadef led him towards the hideous rectangular structures. Simdow tried not to look too much at his surroundings. By the ancestors, even the patches of lawn were squared off. He glanced up and saw the banks of lights that gave a sense of day on the perpetually dark side of Jupiter’s moon. At least the points of illumination were round.
Vadef asked, “Did you get a chance to go over the file?”
“I did. She’s stunning, Vadef. Katherine Archer. Am I pronouncing it correctly?”
Vadef frowned. “I thought it might be Kather-Ine. I could be wrong. Earther names seem to follow no particular rationale when it comes to pronunciation.” He gave Simdow a worried look. “Miv is still on duty. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet, so I don’t know if he’s even aware she’s been held for us. He’s posted as a guard in the room where she’s being kept, however. I don’t think that’s an accident, judging from how he looked at her when we captured her.”
They chuckled. “Which building?” Simdow asked.
“That one, on the end.”
Simdow looked where Vadef pointed to their right. They were nearly to the building he indicated.
The Dramok winced again. “Ancestors, what a hideous place to live. Even a cramped spyship is better than this – this uniformity. Nature should not be made to look so unnatural.” Vadef nodded and headed for the doors to the building. “This building houses a dining area, and most of the clannable Mataras are being held in here. No doubt we’ll be less than welcome when we go in.”
“No doubt.” That caused a little twinge of concern in Simdow’s chest. The Matara Captain Tranis had claimed was apparently resisting his clan for all she was worth. Then again, she was the captured general’s granddaughter, so perhaps she was more stubborn than the other women would be.
Simdow was mostly keyed up with anticipation rather than trepidation. He was more than ready to meet his potential lifemate. His heart raced with excitement as he readied to be face to face with the woman who might soon join his clan.
With Vadef at his side, Simdow entered the colony’s dining room. His eyes widened to see the women clustered together in tight knots.
He’d seen females before, of course. The barren Matara on Kalquor who had unofficially adopted him as her own had been the sole example of women of his own species; however, there had been plenty of the feminine gender to be had on Dantovonian brothels. All alien species except Kalquorian and Earther had been available for myriad carnal delights. Yet these women he looked at now were startlingly similar to his own race. They were shorter, smaller, and of differing colors, but still remarkably like him. And there were so many of them!
His gaze swept over the dozens of frightened faces that turned to stare at him, but he couldn’t seem to locate the pretty blonde Vadef had sent him a picture of. He did see Miv watching him. His Nobek’s face showed unmistakable relief, his tight jaw easing as he nodded to his clan leader.
Simdow and Vadef walked over to Miv. The other guards the first officer passed issued slight bows, acknowledging his rank. He gave brief nods in return.
He looked up at Miv, who stood a good five inches taller than himself. Vadef made him feel like a behemoth, but their Nobek reminded Simdow he was only average height for his species.
He shook his shaggy, shoulder-length mane of hair back and twitched a grin at Miv. “My Nobek, it seems you have the best duty of them all, guarding these pretties.”
Simdow’s address to him as a clanmate rather than a lower-ranking crewmember allowed Miv to respond informally. The Nobek grimaced. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you, my Dramok?”
Simdow cocked his head. He rarely saw Miv look upset. The expression on his face was as fierce as usual, but there was definitely unhappiness in his eyes and the tight set of his mouth.
Restraining the urge to put a comforting hand on Miv’s shoulder, Simdow asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
“They’re frightened, my Dramok. They cry. They call us monsters.”
Vadef’s face paled. “It’s been explained to them that they’ll be taken care of, hasn’t it? That we won’t hurt them?”
Miv snapped a sharp nod. “As best we can manage, but they don’t wish to hear it.”
Simdow’s excitement faded quickly. “They are prisoners who are being taken from the lives they know. We should have expected this.” He could have punched his own head. Had he really hoped the women would respond any other way?
Vadef bit his lip. “Oh no. What of the one we’ve chosen? Kather-Ine?”
Miv blinked. “She said her name was Sisterkatherine.”
“Katherine. Like you said, Simdow.” Vadef hurried to explain. “‘Sister’ is her rank, my Nobek. She’s a kind of religious leader among the women, if I understand it correctly. She’s third in command of this colony. The one called Mother Superior is the ultimate authority here.”
“Oh.”
Simdow was more interested in Miv’s earlier statement. “She spoke to you? You’ve talked to her directly?”
Miv nodded. “She has many questions. I don’t know how to make her understand she’s safe with us.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I’ve left her alone since she first approached me because I’m afraid I can’t explain the situation well enough to make her feel better. I’m sorry, my Dramok.”
Simdow gave him a half-smile. “You’ve done fine. There’s probably very little anyone could say to any of them to ease their fears right now. Who’s in charge here?”
Miv nodded to a Nobek lieutenant who stood a few feet away. The other man watched them and nodded respect at Simdow’s notice.
The lieutenant said, “I’ve already received word Nobek Miv is off duty to attend his Matara upon your arrival, Commander.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Simdow turned back to his clanmates. “Well, my Nobek and Imdiko, let’s see what we can do to give Matara Katherine a sense of relief. Miv, which one—?”
“She’s in the center of that group.”
Miv nodded at the largest cluster of white-gowned women. They stared and whispered in fearful voices as they realized they were the center of the trio’s attention.
At last Simdow saw her. That tiny face surrounded by foaming golden curls was just as afraid as the rest, but unlike those surrounding her Katherine displayed determination and even a sense of fight. By the ancestors, she was magnificent. Simdow swallowed. Was this beauty really to be his?
Miv muttered in his ear, “They may resist. They were very upset when one of their number was claimed, Katherine in particular. She tried to fight her way to Subcommander Osopa’s clan when they claimed their Matara.”
Simdow regarded his Nobek with surprise. “She fought?”
A hint of a smile gentled the fierce visage. “She is a brave one. I see no mean spirit in her, yet she is willing to defend others as best she can with all she has.”
“A fellow warrior and protector,” the Dramok said, return
ing Miv’s almost-smile.
Simdow again looked to the Nobek in charge, who nodded. The lieutenant called to the other guards, “Men, do your best to look like – Imdikos. Commander Simdow is ready to claim his lifebringer. We don’t want the Mataras scared any worse than they already are if possible.”
The Nobeks glanced uncertainly at each other, and Simdow had to restrain a laugh. The feral breed would follow their orders or die trying, but for them to look like the sweet–faced Imdikos was asking a lot.
Many looked at Vadef, searching his open face. Simdow sensed a tremor in his clanmate’s body, as if the Imdiko was holding in laughter of his own. His smile at everyone was quite gentle, however.
The small man told them, “Like this, warriors. Think of these women as your mothers. Put that feeling into your expressions.”
That got through, softening the young, wild faces better than anything Simdow could have come up with. He patted his Imdiko on the back for the marvelous suggestion.
“Approach her slowly,” he told his clanmates. He took a step towards the group surrounding Katherine.
That brought terrified screams from the females, and Simdow and his clanmates immediately halted.
“Hold a moment,” Simdow said. In the Earther language English he called gently, “Matara Katherine? I am the first officer and wish to speak to you. It is my understanding you hold the highest rank of the women in this room. If you will come to me, none of these others will be bothered at this time.”
That brought fearful chatter among the women, but the lovely blonde shushed them as she stood. “It’s all right. I will talk to him and you will pray.”
Katherine faced Simdow. She was taller than the other women who stood with her and clung to her billowing sleeves, but her face indicated she was so very slight. As undersized as Vadef was at only slightly over six feet, he still had a small height advantage over Katherine and he was definitely around a hundred pounds heavier. Simdow thought of how badly the war had gone for his people and experienced a jolt of disbelief. The Earther race was so small to be doing so much damage to their Kalquorian enemies.
The Dramok noted the minute tremble that shivered Katherine’s frame. Yet her expression was resolute. Simdow was impressed that one this tiny could be so brave.
She spoke. Her voice was high and light with an undertone of huskiness. It was also remarkably steady given the terror she must be feeling. “I am Sister Katherine, Kalquorian. What guarantee can you offer that the rest of these women will not be harmed?”
Simdow’s heart stuttered to have her large blue eyes gazing on his face. To hear her words directed at him. He bowed deeply to her and saw from the corners of his eyes his clanmates do the same. “None of the members of the colony are in danger of physical harm from us, Matara. Any man who endangers an Earther female’s life will answer to me and my Nobek clanmate.”
Katherine’s gaze flickered to Miv for an instant. Simdow was well aware of how imposing his warrior clanmate was, as well as how protective of women. While Katherine could not know the depth of Miv’s determination to keep females safe, she obviously discerned that part of his character. She nodded and started forward.
Hands of the other women clutched at her as she walked through their number. There were sobs and calls of “God keep you,” “be careful,” and “may the prophets walk with you.”
Simdow watched the ethereal creature move towards him. Her huge garment billowed over her, hiding her body. Her foaming hair was a curled flood around her pale face.
Was this really his clan’s lifebringer? Was he truly so fortunate?
She at last stood before him, looking up to search his face. She even sounded angry with him, as if chastising a child rather than a man who loomed tall above her. “One of the women was taken from here, First Officer. Three of your men took her away. Where is she?”
Simdow answered her truthfully. “The young woman you speak of was clanned, Matara. Female prisoners of war are subject to being made part of our family groups.”
Her lush lips thinned in anger, but her eyes blinked hard, as if to keep tears back. “Those men took her away to rape her then? Is that what you’re telling me?”
Simdow’s heart lurched, and it took a lot of control to hold Katherine’s gaze and not check on Miv. “Rape? Matara, we will do all in our power to make the mating as pleasurable as possible—”
The Earther would not be deterred. “But it is rape. You capture us and expect us to have your children. You want to breed, so you are making us slaves for that purpose.”
Simdow did jerk away from that accusing glare to exchange horrified stares with Vadef and Miv. His Nobek actually seemed to have shrunken into himself, something the proud warrior never did.
How was he supposed to answer Katherine’s accusations? Especially when from her viewpoint, she was absolutely correct? She was being forced to join a clan for the purposes of breeding. It didn’t matter to her that the Kalquorians worshipped their lifebringers, and that their clans revolved around the care and happiness of Mataras. She and the others were being taken against their will, to be coerced into bringing a new generation to the nearly extinct Empire.
Like most Kalquorian men, Simdow wanted a lifelong female mate to serve. Yet, this was definitely not how he wanted to gain the fourth member of his clan. How could he make Katherine understand the depth of devotion his clan was ready to show her? That if they were compatible, she would be their heart and soul?
Sounding uncertain to his own ears, Simdow told her, “It is – perhaps it is more complicated than you think. It is not as ugly as that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I am your captive, correct?”
His answer ground out between his teeth. “Yes.”
“I will be expected to join a Kalquorian clan and give them children. I am given no choice in the matter. Do I have the facts right on that?”
Damn it, she wasn’t going to let this go. “In a matter of speaking, but to call it rape—”
Her eyes suddenly widened, and she interrupted him. “Are you the ones I will have to be with? Are you my owners?”
Simdow shook his head violently. “Not owners. Your clan. We would be your clan.”
“And these other women will be forced to join clans as well?”
Simdow drew a deep breath. No matter how he put it, there was no getting around the facts. “Yes. They will join clans.”
“What about the children?” Katherine shot a glance at Miv, who stared furiously at the floor between them. “He says the little girls will be spared.”
Simdow jerked. She thought his people would harm younglings? The thought made him ill. “Of course they will be left alone. All females under Earther legal age for marriage, and thus sexual relations, are to be left here unharmed and untouched.” He stared at her. “The thought of clanning children is abhorrent, Matara. We ourselves do not clan until the age of 25, unless we have gained parental permission to do so at a younger age.”
She blinked at him, as if surprised. Her stern expression eased just a touch. In a softer tone than she’d used before, Katherine told him, “I want to see them. I want to see my little ones.”
Simdow hesitated. He wasn’t sure he should allow it.
Katherine stepped closer to him. All the coldness in her face fled, and her big blue eyes beseeched him. The look on her face threatened to unhinge his knees. No one had ever given him such a pleading, heartbreaking look.
He was shocked anew when her tiny hands wrapped around his. She was touching him. She stood close enough for him to feel her warmth. To smell the sweet, clean scent of her. Simdow stared, his mind washed clean of everything but the lovely face peering up at him.
Her voice implored him, filling his ears with entreaty. “I need to see them, First Officer. I need to know my girls are all right. Please. They are like my own children to me.” Her voice caught on the next statement she uttered. “I’ll submit to whatever you want, but let me see my girls.”
&nb
sp; Simdow’s chest throbbed at her desperate concern. Her devotion to the younglings was as obvious as if he’d felt it himself. He wondered, if he settled her nerves over the welfare of the little ones would she look upon him and his clan with less dislike? Would letting her see the girls show how he placed her in the highest of regard?
It was an opportunity he didn’t dare pass up. “We will take you to visit the young ones.”
Katherine’s eyes closed with relief. Her hands tightened on his for a moment before releasing their tender grip. “Thank you.”
Before he could respond, she turned back to the other women who waited and watched in silent fear. She told them, “I am going with these men to visit the younger aspirants. Be brave, all of you. Remember, no matter what happens, you are in the care of God. Keep praying that he sees fit to deliver us all.”
There were murmurs of tearful support. Simdow saw how the women looked to Katherine, the hope she put on their faces. He suddenly felt terrible for their fates. He knew the clans on his ship were made up of good men. For the rest of the women not claimed by them, only those clans passing rigorous standards back on Kalquor would be allowed to claim them. Still, it had to be frightening for these women to be made mates to men they didn’t know. Simdow sent a silent plea to the ancestors that the clans receiving these women would be patient and kind.
After a few encouraging words, Katherine gave Simdow her attention once more. “All right. I am ready to go with you to see the children.”
Simdow nodded. He cupped her elbow in his palm, not knowing if she would allow him such familiarity. When Katherine didn’t pull away, he nearly sighed in relief. Vadef walked on the other side of her, and Miv followed close behind them. They left the room with the greatest hope a clan could imagine; in the company of a potential Matara.
Simdow watched the beautiful Earther move at his side with poise and grace despite the terror she no doubt felt. While all women were special, he had no doubt this was the best of them all. A woman others looked to. A woman who put others ahead of her own welfare. Who faced the unknown without hesitation.
Simdow suddenly worried he might not be Dramok enough for such a female. How could he hope to win the heart of one such as her? His mind scrambled for a way to impress this woman with the ultimate kindness of his intentions.
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