Alien, Awakening

by Sandra Harris

  Hers and the captives’.

  Fear and adrenaline crashed against her determination to not let go. She steeled her mind. The lever shifted, dropping down to the quarter position.

  Yes!

  Her body swung back like a pendulum. She glanced over her shoulder and down. Clear water still poured into the pool, but the savage draw of current had, if not ceased, at least dramatically lessened.

  She’d done it!

  Her body swayed to a gentle halt and she hung limp, except for the extreme and resolute grip she had on the lever. She silently congratulated herself on beating the odds.

  “Kathryn! What are you doing?”

  Uh-oh.

  ~ ~ ~

  T’Hargen could not contain the angry glare, driven by fear for her, as he stared up Kathryn. She peered down under her armpit at him. Her head cocked to one side.

  “You beat them off?” she asked.

  “We forced them to withdraw to an area where Masterframe could incarcerate and incapacitate them.”

  “More on the way?”

  “Yes. Masterframe is doing what she can to delay them and facilitate our escape.” His fingers twitched, pitballs, his heart twitched, knowing the injuries she could have sustained. “Kathryn”—for the love of the Lady Sylph, get down now!—“will you please cease hanging there and come down?” This instant!

  “TL—”

  “Is delighted to be able to provide assistance to the captives with his flotation device. They are safe, for the moment.” He held out his arms. “Now please come down.”

  Her lips twisted. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, T’Hargen. I weigh a bit, and with the fall . . . I’m sure TL could help. His thrusters are very strong.”

  As are mine, light of my life, and one day I’m going to show you just how strong. “Don’t you trust me, Kathryn?”

  She stared at him for a moment. “Alright, but if you strain something, don’t blame me.”

  A sensual, rueful shudder flowed over him. I’ve been straining something since the moment I accepted you are mine, my durve.

  He firmed his stance and tightened his shoulders. “Ready when you are.”

  “Okay.” She lifted her head. “On three, two, one.”

  Kathryn, his everything, dropped towards him. Protective passion pumped strength into his muscles. g’Nel, it felt like even his soul reached out to catch her, to keep her safe.

  She fell into his arms. He bent his knees to absorb the force of her fall then held her wet, warm weight close to his chest. For a second, he closed his eyes in profound gratitude he had the strength and ability to meet her needs. Then anger at actions that could have seen her harmed mingled with relief that she hadn’t been. The urge to kiss her into submission, to— But they were pressed for time.

  “I can’t leave you alone for a moment,” he muttered. When we get home I’m locking you up.

  She leaned back from where she clutched his chest. “I beg your pardon?”

  “About what?”

  One elegant eyebrow rose. “Your intention to lock me up?”

  I said that aloud? He studied her face. She didn’t seem overly concerned by the comment.

  “We will discuss the matter at home, Kathryn.” He lowered her to the ground. “Now, let us measure the extent of the survivors’ fitness, and, as Sandrea would say, make like shepherds and get the flock out of here.”

  As they strode to the edge of the pool, the gushing water cut off. Loud, hollow silence filled the chamber. Eight wretched humans clung to Drone’s bright orange flotation bladder. T’Hargen gave them a closer study. No, not wretched. Yes, they’d been abused, lived through a despicable experience, but the light in their eyes hadn’t been quenched. Indeed in the lone male it burned with the hunger of retribution.

  “What the hell is that?”

  He took no offense at one of the women’s belligerent exclamation as she stared at him, and opened his mouth to reassure her, but without the benefit of a translator implant she wouldn’t—

  “I know you’ve been through an extremely traumatic experience.” Kathryn’s understanding tone held a steel fibre of reproof. “But I’ll thank you to refer to T’Hargen as he, not a what. Without him, this rescue would be doomed.” He couldn’t stop his chest from puffing out at her championing. “While I admire your spunk, a negative attitude isn’t going to get us out of here.”

  The woman did not reply, but her gaze roved over him with suspicion and speculation.

  “On that subject,” the male said, “how are we getting out of here? We’ve seen a good number of these aliens.” The male’s glance slid to him and the human gave him a slight nod. “The other ones.”

  T’Hargen bent and held out a hand. The male eyed it for a half-second then grasped it. The strength of his hold impressed him. No, this man was far from daunted.

  “This is T’Hargen,” Kathryn said. “He can understand you, but you won’t understand him.”

  The human braced his feet against the wall of the pool and T’Hargen levered him out. The man nodded. “Thanks. I’m Jacob.”

  T’Hargen crouched and offered a hand towards the women. One swam immediately to him. He grasped her gently under the arms and stood, depositing her carefully on the floor and ensuring her steadiness before releasing her. Water dripped from her face and eyelashes and a small smile curved her lips.

  “Thank you, T-T’H—”

  “T’Hargen.”

  “Thank you, T’Hargen.”

  He inclined his head towards her and crouched, hoping this example would inspire confidence in the others. Jacob kneeled beside him and waved the others over.

  “Come on. We have to get cracking.”

  The women exchanged glances.

  “Come on, girls, you’re slower than a wet week. T’Hargen here is on our side.”

  In an unspoken, almost unanimous decision, the women released Drone and splashed forwards. In very little time all seven females stood dripping and shivering in a tight huddle behind the male. T’Hargen wished there was more he could do for them.

  Drone reconfigured and rose into the air.

  “TL, can you speak directly to these people?”

  Possessive pride for Kathryn’s authoritative command expanded. He could only imagine the fear that rode her, being this deep within enemy territory, having to endure such close contact with them again, but she’d obviously given this very situation some thought.

  “If I must.” A petulant tone underscored Drone’s warble.

  “Why?”

  “It’s icky.”

  Icky?

  T’Hargen cast a glance at the survivors. They seemed . . . confused. To be expected in the circumstances, but their expression did not reveal having been in receipt of Drone’s communication.

  “I thought you cared for the descendants?” Kathryn queried.

  “I do.”

  “But?”

  “They are not you.”

  Agreed!

  “Oh.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Kat ran an assessing gaze over the group. “Is anyone injured? Can you run? Walk?”

  “To get out of here, we’ll run,” the one with spunk replied.

  “Count on it,” Jacob agreed.

  The other women nodded. Kat glanced at their bare feet. Yes, she’d done the same. At least she’d eventually been able to filch a pair of boots after her initial escape. Her feet still flinched at the idea of going anywhere without protection. She turned to T’Hargen and pushed his comments about ‘home’ to the back of her mind. Again.

  Home. He’d said that like it was a shared thing. A warm flush of hope sprang through her. And I so want it to be.

  “We’re good to go,” she said.<
br />
  Laser in hand, T’Hargen turned to TL hovering at the doorway.

  “Drone?”

  “We must hurry, the tresp—”

  An all too near rumble boomed through the air. The ground shook beneath their feet.

  “Drone?”

  “They . . . they . . .”

  His lasers burned white hot. Another layer of anxiety and alarm tried to smother the breath in her chest.

  Now what?

  “Calm down, TL, what’s happened?”

  “Masterframe had to destroy part of the structure to prevent the trespassers from reaching us. It was our principal means of our escape.”

  “What is our alternative route?” T’Hargen barked.

  “We must empty the pool and use the drain as a conduit to access a teleportation dais. From there she will transfer us to the planetary teleporter.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me. “Well that’s a really bad idea.”

  T’Hargen cursed vehemently under his breath and she was somewhat glad the others couldn’t understand him.

  “Something wrong?” Jacob asked.

  Then again . . .

  “We’re in touch with another party who’s guiding us and we’ve run into a difficulty.”

  T’Hargen’s gaze ran over the huddled survivors. “Not good enough, Drone.” His lips formed a straight line. Her faith in him eased the tension threatening to snap her muscles. He’d been in tight situations before. He’d get them out.

  T’Hargen’s gaze darted around the room, no doubt seeking inspiration. His lips parted and he murmured something too soft for her to hear.

  “Sorry?” she asked.

  His eyes focused on her.

  “How did the Bluthen enter the tower?”

  What tower? Oh! “TL?”

  “Teleportation.”

  “Is the telepad that accesses the towers the same as that dais of which Masterframe spoke?” T’Hargen barked.

  “No, they are not. One of them is near and easily accessible.”

  The gory memory of a dead, decomposed Bluthen loomed in her mind. “Why didn’t Masterframe suggest it? Is it safe for us to use?”

  “Masterframe lost contact with the tower after a trespasser force-teleported and triggered a security protocol. She was unaware that the internals of the tower are now exposed. It is safe for the descendants, but—”

  Safe for the descendants? Dread stole through her like encroaching ice.

  “Why didn’t you inform her?” T’Hargen muttered.

  “I haven’t had time to relate every detail,” TL replied irritably. “Besides—”

  “TL, will T’Hargen be harmed by the teleportation?”

  Chapter 10

  A moment of silence rang with ominous intensity.

  “That is what I was about to establish. Masterframe could send a signal to re-programme the tower to accept DNA construction alternative to the descendants, but she could not confirm receipt of the instruction. He could be killed.”

  No! No, I’m not going to lose him. Dread punched a hole so wide in Kat’s heart the truth shone through. I don’t just want to love him, I already do. I’ve just been too afraid to admit it. She grimaced at her cowardice. Well no more. She gritted her teeth and relished the blazing determination rising in her.

  “Right,” she said, “we get Jacob and the women to the telepad, then we go down the drain—”

  “No!”

  “No!”

  For the moment, she ignored TL’s trilling rejection and gave T’Hargen an adamant stare. “I’m not leaving you. TL needs to protect the group and guide them back to New Earth.”

  T’Hargen slashed a hand through the air. “No. You will guide the group to New Earth with Drone’s assistance.”

  He strode past her, as if that was the end of the discussion—got news for you, buster—then climbed the ladder, threw the lever to open the drain, and returned.

  “Where to, Drone?”

  “The control room.”

  TL led them back down the corridor. The tramp of her and T’Hargen’s boots mingled with the slap of the survivors’ bare feet against the floor. She kept an eye on their features, ready to offer aid at the first sign of a mental or physical stumble. Supporting each other with clasped hands, the women remained as stoic as Jacob, apparently willing to grab this chance of freedom with both hands and fight for it.

  They dashed down the curving corridor and into the control room. Kat sprang over the inert Bluthen. Frightened gasps behind her pricked her conscience. She halted and turned. The women stared at the crumpled bodies.

  “Sorry. I should have warned you.”

  Spunk lifted her gaze to hers. “No problem,” she said and stepped over the bodies like so much detritus. “Best sight we’ve seen in ages, apart from you guys.”

  The woman who had trusted T’Hargen to lift her from the pool without encouragement followed while the others sidled around the prostrate forms. TL guided them to the rear of the room. A narrow doorway materialised onto a compact compartment.

  Tight space. T’Hargen would have to concertina himself to get in there.

  Jacob drew to a halt by her side, the women bunched behind him. T’Hargen stuck his head inside the teleportation cubicle then turned to TL.

  “Singular transport?” he asked.

  “Affirmative.”

  “You are certain they will be safe?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Any chance we can risk two at a time?” she asked.

  “Masterframe confirms that providing everyone remains calm, the transport will be successful. That includes the human male.”

  Jacob grinned. “I’m not about to go bug nutty on anyone.”

  T’Hargen turned to him. “Jacob?” he prompted, his Angrigan accent lengthening the name.

  “If you’re asking if I’m willing to go first, you’re darn tootin’.” He turned to the women. “Emily?”

  T’Hargen’s admirer, fearful hope lighting her solemn face, stepped forwards and clasped Jacob’s hand. T’Hargen handed the man the mono-rope.

  “Kathryn, if you will?”

  “Yes, of course.” She turned to Jacob. “The tower to which you’re teleporting has a hole exploded in the side. You’ll need this to reach the ground safely.”

  He took the rope with a grave nod then cast a quick glance into the cubicle. “This is the teleporter?”

  “It is.”

  “Like Star Trek?”

  “Kind of.”

  “And what was all that about T’Hargen not bein’ able to transport safely?”

  Time is of the essence here, Jacob. “The teleporter doesn’t recognise him as friendly. That’s how the tower got a hole blown in it. A Bluthen transported without clearance.”

  He riffled the rope through his fingers. “But we’ll be identified as friendly?”

  “Correct.”

  “Should I stay an—”

  “No, I need you to help get the others to safety.”

  Jacob nodded and offered a hand to T’Hargen.

  “Thank you. I hope to see you again.”

  He stepped into the cubicle, his shoulders hunched against the narrow confines. Emily walked into his embrace and he clasped her close, her head rested on his chest. He winked at the women.

  “See you on the other side, girls.”

  The circular pad beneath their feet glowed pale blue and a fiery ribbon of light snaked up and spiralled around them. The next moment they vanished. Kat turned to the women.

  “Who’s next?”

  Spunk stepped forwards.

  “What guarantee do we have it’s safe?”

  Kat eyed her. “None. Do you wa
nt to remain here?”

  One of the other women brushed past them and stepped into the cubicle. Her gaze sought T’Hargen’s. “Thank you.”

  Spunk shrugged then joined her, and a moment later they were gone. The exodus continued until only Kat remained with T’Hargen and TL. Anger, fear, and desperation boiled within her at the decision fate had forced upon her.

  “Kathryn, you can’t leave these people to find their own way back,” T’Hargen murmured.

  She compressed her lips. “I know.” Her chest felt like meat hooks had sunk into her flesh and were slowly tearing her apart from the inside out. “I don’t want to leave you.” Hot tears pricked her eyes and she held her breath against the despairing sobs fighting to break free. “TL, you stay with T’Hargen.”

  “But—”

  “No buts,” she growled at her friend then speared an adamant look at T’Hargen. “Nor from you.”

  He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. “I will come to you.”

  She closed her eyes and pushed into the warmth of his hand. Her feelings for him broke from her heart and surged free. She glared at him, then leaned forwards and planted a fierce kiss on his lips. She poured all her love, all her fear that she might lose him, into it. She pressed into him, gripped his shoulders, then shoved herself away from him, because if she didn’t, she might simply cling to him and never let go.

  Maintaining eye contact, she stepped onto the telepad. “You’d better. Don’t make me endure losing another man I love.”

  ~ ~ ~

  T’Hargen stared at the empty space where Kathryn had stood just a moment before.

  She loves me?

  Unbelievably deep happiness surged through him then he grimaced. Like g’Nel’s fool, he’d let the opportunity to share his feelings with her slip away. If he needed any further encouragement to find a way from here, that was it.

  Kathryn loved him. He loved her.

  The promise of incomparable joy shone before him. A shudder trembled from the floor up his legs, and though Kathryn’s declaration rocked his world, he was pretty sure that wasn’t the cause. He turned to Drone.