by Keri Kruspe
Kasdeja twittered in distress, her fingers waving and weaving as she spoke. “Yes, the poor dear. They found her body abandoned in a most disreputable place. The cause of death has been labeled undetermined.”
U’unk gave a convincing frown. “What a shame.” Tight muscles relaxed. “She appears to have been a lovely female.” The unbidden image of him snapping her neck loosened the tension in his body.
“She was a traitor to the Zerin people.” Aine’s tone was terse.
“Oh, how so?” U’unk raised the opposite eyebrow and leaned forward to show his eagerness in the conversation.
“This female was instrumental in the kidnapping and selling of human women from the merchant ship, the StarChance, to the Friebbigh.”
“Really? How unfortunate.” U’unk leaned back and twined his fingers together over his flat belly. “And how could she accomplish that? Don’t tell me she was able to board the vessel, take any humans she wanted before leaving without anyone being alerted?” He gave a small tsk with a shake of his head. “One might logically conclude the security on that ship must have been less than standard.”
“Actually, she was one of the crew.” Tuhon lowered his leg and leaned forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. His neon-blue eyes blazed. “Apparently she’d been able to confiscate more than one shipment of humans for the slave trade.”
“By the Sacred Goddess.” U’unk visibly shook to show sympathy. “Those poor females. Is anything being done to recover them?”
“Yes, yes.” Kasdeja’s hands fluttered. “All is being done to find those poor souls. But what we need to know from you, Chancellor U’unk, is your relationship with the deceased female.”
“Me?” U’unk raised both eyebrows. “I assure you, I’ve never met the female.” He tilted his head slightly in the holovid’s direction. “Why would you think I have?”
“Right now it is important to delve into this incident from all aspects.” Aine’s answer was vague. “However, it is our duty to follow any and all leads when treason is involved.” The elderly statesman leaned back, his billowing black robe settling around him.
“Quite right,” the Chancellor agreed. “It seems you should be investigating the crew of the StarChance instead of coming here uninvited to see me.” He let anger bleed through his tone. “I assume there is nothing substantial to confront me with, so I believe it is time to end this meeting.” He stood.
“Look, U’unk…” Tuhon began before Aine waved a hand in his direction.
The three stood while facing the Chancellor with intense stares of their own.
“We appreciate your time, Chancellor.” Aine gave a small bow of respect, which the others echoed.
In unison, they turned to leave.
“Be assured.” U’unk cleared his throat. “If there is anything you need from my office, do not hesitate to contact my equerry, Fritjof. He will be more than happy to assist you.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Kasdeja replied in a singsong voice, her waving motions subdued. “We will be in touch as is appropriate.”
U’unk stared at the doorway long after the doors closed behind them. He contemplated his next move. The bitter taste of urgency coated his tongue. After carefully analyzing various scenarios, it became clear it was time for personal action. It seemed it was too late to rely on others to do what was necessary.
“Fritjof,” he barked to the room’s internal communication. “Ready my personal ship.” The doorway to his office opened as the Erkek entered and stopped.
The putrid mixture of his natural body orders added to the clash of colors of his willowy skin in the harsh light of the room. A trace of maliciousness shone out of the small triangles of his orange pupils nestled in a sea of blackness.
The fool at least lowered into a respectable bow.
“Yes, sire.” The insubordinate spoke to the floor. “Any other instructions you wish to impart?”
U’unk ignored the simpleton’s blatant emotions. He gathered several computer crystals with the vital information he’d need to proceed with his long-term goals. He called up a program in his ODVU and activated the elimination virus he’d created to wipe the computer system clean. A quick glance around the room and he was satisfied he would leave nothing for others to use against him.
However, two problems needed immediate attention. One, he would see to personally, but the other he’d give to the semi-competent equerry. The fool was more than capable of disposing that loose end.
“Yes.” He towered in front of the prone Erkek. “Dispose of the Runihura female currently undergoing reconstructive surgery in the medipod.” He nudged his employee with a steel-booted toe. “Let no one see you do this. Understand?”
Fritjof nodded his green-and-orange mottled bald head. “Yes sire, I understand perfectly. Your will be done.”
Satisfied the Erkek would do as he was told, U’unk left the room without giving the simpering idiot another thought. The Chancellor lengthened his strides to the inner bowels of the space station, down to an area long forgotten except by him. Here the luxurious rooms and hallways gave way to an appearance of a natural planetary cave, complete with dirt, insects, and a stale musty odor. U’unk came to a metallic door at the end of the short corridor that only he used.
His prize captive was inside. His twin, T’terlok.
U’unk had made sure time forgot the male when he’d had him erased from Zerin records. He waved a hand across the scanner on the right side of the heavy door. It opened to let him into the moist, warm air. For the first time in decades, he made sure the doorway stayed open behind him.
“Time to go, Lok.” U’unk informed the male lying on the cot with an arm over his eyes and one leg up and bent at the knee.
“Are you going to finally kill me?” Lok’s muffled voice rumbled out of a throat rarely used.
“No.” U’unk’s answer was terse. Maybe later he’d examine why he couldn’t bring himself to give them what they both wanted and end his twin’s miserable existence. When the time came, he wouldn’t hesitate to act. But not until then.
“Get up.” U’unk pulled the lean arm away from the dual-emerald eyes he’d coveted his whole life. “We have to leave.”
Those green orbs squinted and glared at him. “You’re taking me out of here?” Suspicion creased Lok’s forehead and tightened his full lips.
“Yes.” U’unk let the impatience bleed in his tone as he replied. “We have to go now.”
Lok sat up, his long black braid liberally sprinkled with the butterscotch of age pooled on the cot next to him. “And you’re not taking me out to kill me?” Those knowing eyes narrowed.
“I already told you, it’s not your time to die just yet.” The fool had to get up. They had to leave before the Triad learned of his plans. By his calculations, they had a narrow space of time before his activities were either monitored or restricted.
The other male slowly moved his thin frame from the small cot. It was possible he moved thus because of pain or age, or maybe he didn’t trust U’unk.
Smart male…his twin wasn’t stupid. He used to be a very trusting individual. It had been a flaw U’unk made sure he took care of.
“Where are we going?” Lok stood straight and stared his brother in the eye. “And why the urgency?”
U’unk allowed a small smile as he grabbed his twin’s elbow. “Does it really matter?”
Lok stumbled. “I guess not.” With a jerk, he pulled his elbow out of U’unk’s grip as if he didn’t want physical contact between them.
That was appropriate as far as U’unk was concerned. He himself loathed physical contact with others unless he initiated it during sexual activity. Touching his twin was the last thing he wanted to do.
They made it in record time to his waiting vessel. After they entered the small space jumper, U’unk made a split decision. He gestured to the chair next to him. He’d allow his twin to sit in the copilot’s seat instead of putting him in the holding cell.
&n
bsp; With a disbelieving stare, Lok flopped into the offered seat without a word.
U’unk glanced at his brother after entering the needed coordinates. “Ready for a field trip?” For once, the smile he gave his brother was naturally warm.
Lok continued his silence with a frown and a raised eyebrow.
“Good,” U’unk said with his hands on the cold metal of the piloting bar. “Next stop…the barbaric planet Earth. There lies the key I need to destroy the Federation Consortium once and for all.”
Chapter Three
KI
Every nerve in Ki’s body stilled before he erupted into motion.
“Elemi, cloaking maneuvers immediately!” he barked. How could anyone catch Elemi off guard?
“Yes, darling!” The breathless voice of Elemi screeched.
The force of the ship as it rolled to the side had Ki gripping the table with tight knuckles. Good to see Sherri did the same.
The cup of dark beverage she’d been drinking flew off and crashed into the nearest wall. It left a starburst of brown liquid with an aromatic, sharp smell.
Sherri squealed and held on.
The holographic images of D’zia and Lora stayed in place as the table appeared to intersect through their torsos. “Get back with us as soon as you can.” D’zia waved a hand and their images dissolved.
“Elemi, status report.” Ki braced when another quick jerk tried to throw him across the room. “Initiate safety cocoon in the dining prep area for Sherri and me.”
Elemi activated transparent safe bubbles that held them in their seats.
He glanced over and made sure Sherri was okay.
With wide eyes, she gave him a curt nod.
“Main engine offline.” Elemi’s voice regained her normal soft tone. “I have evaded the disintegration array and am currently invisible to them.”
“By the father of everything, how did they surprise you?” Ki slammed a fist on the table.
“Unknown.” For once, the ship’s sultry voice had a pitch of steel. “Running diagnostics as we speak.”
As the ship spoke, Ki observed Sherri. He blinked in astonishment.
Instead of the dark brown irises she usually had, her eyes were now white except for the red, thin slit that reached from top to bottom.
The worst was the malicious sneer that crossed her normally plump, tempting lips.
Acting on instinct, he bellowed. “Elemi, contain Sherri until further notice!”
“With pleasure,” came the gleeful reply.
“Hey… what do you think you’re doing?” Sherri’s face became hard as she struggled within the cocoon that held her prisoner. “Let me go!”
“No.” He wasn’t going to argue with the entity that had taken her over. “Elemi, release me.” Now that the ship had stopped its pitch, Ki walked toward the human female. His heart shuddered as her beautiful face twisted into something ugly.
At first, she sneered back before her face relaxed. “Okay, you found me out.” A deep voice came out of her delicate mouth. “Now, what?”
“Now, nothing.” Ki crossed his arms. “Elemi put her in stasis and restrain her in the lower level.” Numb, he watched his female dissolve. He continued to stare at the empty seat long after she was gone. Yes, it was possible Sherri was his female. He’d denied that fact for a long time. When he’d first seen her as a captive in Maynwaring’s holding cell, he blamed his intense reaction on a long spell of abstinence. It had been an unusual move on the pirate’s part, trying to entice him into doing something other than what they initially agreed, using her as bait.
As if a human female could somehow tempt him to go against his moral code.
The slave planet FiPan, three weeks prior
Ki hated FiPan. Just the thought of coming back to this disgusting planet went against every vow he’d ever made to himself. When his friend and prince, Qay, needed his help, he didn’t hesitate, even though he had to deal with the lead gangster, Maynwaring. When the negotiations turned sour, the Dread Pirate tried to trap Qay into being indentured to him. Ki would never allow that to happen, so he interceded and took the debt as his own. He’d never let his friend be trapped into doing whatever illegal “task” Maynwaring wanted to be done. Ki had more experience in dealing with the criminal and he had no qualms about doing the pirate’s bidding.
Ki concentrated on his surroundings. Danka shit, he’d forgotten how depressing this place was. Even so, his recollection didn’t come close to the reality surrounding him. The buildings he passed were as gloomy as the heavy air. Most of the structures were only one or two stories high with no visible means of structural support. Broken doors, windows, and roofs did not deter inhabitants from taking possession of the coveted shelters. Eerie eyes stared from the shadows as he strode by.
He kept his pace long and hard, each footfall echoing confidence through the dusky twilight. To avoid the odors that seeped through the cloth mask, Ki breathed through his mouth. A myriad of body oders layered around him…feces and urine mixed with angst and despair. Beneath his feet, debris and small pebbles crunched as he walked alongside a shallow ribbon of liquid running down the middle of the cobbled road. Trash and debris swirled around in the rancid air, floating in wispy dust devils.
One hand rested on his blaster while the other was free to grab the laser katana strapped to his back. He scanned back and forth in an automatic reflex, cataloging and analyzing everything around him.
Now that he found himself back on FiPan, he muttered curses under his breath at the pirate with each step. Maynwaring couldn’t have picked a worse time to call in his demand, just as he and Qay got Aimee away from the Chancellor’s palace. It didn’t feel right to abandon Qay and D’zia at this critical time in their efforts to stop Chancellor U’unk. But what choice did he have? Once Ki gave his word, nothing stopped him from completing his promises.
Why did you think you’d never come back here? Haven’t you ever heard the wonderful human saying, ‘never say never’? Grirryrth gave an unsolicited snarky comment in his normal lazy rhythm as he continued. Maybe one of these days you’ll learn it isn’t wise to pigeonhole yourself in absolutes. You and I both know it ends up biting you in the ass in the end.
Oh, awake, are we? Ki retorted to his longtime companion in an internal dialogue. I’d begun to think you’d sleep for another couple of decades. Lazy beast.
Yeah? The humans have another great saying…‘bite me’. The reptilian snort was unmistakable. If you ever did anything interesting, I might bother to stay awake rather than be bored to death watching you. The statement ended with a loud yawn.
Ignoring his Solaherra companion, Ki tracked a sudden movement. There, a few measurements to the right, he sighted the creeping of a small, anthropoid as it slithered by. The back legs moved as the front knuckles of his long arms dragged on the ground. Ki kept it in his sights until the creature ambled into a black doorway several feet away. He wasn’t familiar with the species, so hard to tell if it was sentient. A long time ago, he’d learned to never assume a species wasn’t intelligent unless proven otherwise.
Ki yearned for someone worthy to come out and challenge him. He was carrying around too much pent-up tension, and a knock-down, bloody fight would be just the thing he needed.
Grirryrth was of the same mindset. Yeah, I dare ya to come and get us…cowards. Ki had a vision of the Solaherra licking his chops in anticipation, which was a nice trick since Grirryrth wasn’t in corporeal form.
Ki bared his teeth under his mask and clenched his fists. There weren’t any takers. He had to admit the population of the objectionable slave planet was smarter than their reputations claimed. Everyone they encountered gave him one quick look before running away with fearful, backward glances. Ki had to stop himself from pursuing the fleeing puntnejis.
Maybe he shouldn’t have dressed to frighten the locals. His all-black, one-piece battlesuit not only housed his Solaherra companion, but it also made them both impervious to any known weapon. Of cou
rse, it could be the balaclava covering his head and face, with only his eyes visible. Might be the long, black leather coat he had over his formsuit that scared them off. The material billowed when he walked, displaying his wide variety of deadly weapons.
A fearful Erkek youngling crossed his path before scurrying off into a narrow alley.
As he watched the child, a brief pang squeezed his heart. The twinge of regret of having no offspring came and went. He’d never have a child of his own, one that would repeat the same mistakes he’d made. Besides, even if he wanted to, it’s not as if there were any females in his life to make that happen.
It would happen if you’d put some effort into finding your TrueBond. You’re not getting any younger, you know.
Grirryrth’s unhelpful advice stabbed at the constant guilt Ki carried. When he’d vowed never to have any children, he condemned his dragon counterpart to a premature death. No child meant Grirryrth would die with him and not be passed to the next generation. It was a decision Grirryrth vehemently disagreed with.
With years of ingrained practice, Ki disregarded the symbiont to concentrate on the upcoming encounter with the pirate. With a grunt, he hoped Maynwaring’s demand would not take up too much of his time. With stress tight as a vise around his neck and shoulders, it was too bad he and Grirryrth hadn’t gotten a chance to bash in some heads before reaching the crime lord’s headquarters.
All too soon, he stood at the large, metal entrance to the pirate lair.
The weak light over the door tried to give the impression the area was vulnerable. After a scanner rolled over him, the rusted metal doors creaked open.
Anticipation sizzled down his spine. With hyper-awareness, he walked through the doorway. One of the pirate’s sexbots greeted him.
Humanoid female in appearance, this one was a bright metallic-pink with three neon-pink eyes that blinked in unison. Her deep-red areolas poked hard and high on her three breasts through a silky see-through sarong. Her bald head gleamed under the struggling light while her long legs tapered above five-inch stiletto heels.