The Scientist's Price (Warriors Book 1)

by L P Peace

  Something jumped over the Raqhan and charged towards Kadian.

  He saw the dark, shadowy skin and black tendrils of a Damik before the creature launched himself out through the gaping holes in the wall. The alien jumped once more, shooting fifteen fenth in the air and aiming the sharp claws of his hands and feet at Kadian.

  Forcing himself to move, Kadian scrambled away from the creature but couldn’t stand before the male landed in front of him. Kadian swung his weapon, but the Damik slapped it out of his hand with casual grace.

  ‘Shouldn’t you be swinging around the rainforests of your home?’ Kadian said, moving back. Still, the Damik closed the distance. ‘Aren’t your people opposed to violence?’

  ‘I am not my people.’ Once again, the Damik leapt, allowing Kadian to pull his sword and place it in the alien’s path.

  A flash of fear was replaced by anger as the Damik used its foot to grab at Kadian’s sword arm, pinning it and his sword to the ground.

  ‘That wasn’t supposed to happen,’ Kadian growled.

  ‘If my employer didn’t want you alive, I would take great pleasure in killing you now.’

  Onager wanted him alive?

  Behind the Damik, Rorak turned and aimed his weapon at the creature. ‘I’m going to enjoy watching you die now,’ Kadian barked.

  Rorak fired, and the Damik let out a sharp sigh. The force of the impact forced him to take a step, releasing Kadian’s hand. He raised his sword and pushed it through the Damik’s gut, twisting and turning the blade through the creature’s ribcage and towards his heart.

  When the Damik fell, it slumped atop Kadian, pinning him as three more guards ran from the house, forcing Rorak to reorient and hold them back.

  ‘This… is not… how this is… supposed… to go!’

  The vrokking Damik was heavy, compressing Kadian’s lungs and forcing him to take half-breaths. Moving slowly and inching the weight of the Damik off him, he managed to get hold of one of his guns and fired upon the new arrivals. None of them was Onager, he noted.

  If nothing else, the Damik made effective cover, even if it meant Kadian’s head was swimming from the lack of oxygen and his shots were less than helpful. He continued firing, laying down a barrage that allowed Rorak to take more discerning aims. He took each of them out cleanly, then waited, using the back of the car as cover.

  ‘A little help here?’

  Rorak looked at him, then the door, then back. Finally, he walked over to him and dragged the Damik off Kadian.

  ‘You should really try not being such a burden,’ Rorak quipped.

  ‘I’m trying,’ Kadian responded, taking deep breaths as he forced himself to his feet. He felt his thigh pull against the missing muscle and hissed out at the cramping pain that spread across his leg. The painkiller was wearing off, and the running had really vrokked up his thigh, but he knew it would. He thought he’d be sitting in a hut right now, letting it relax with the female he loved in his arms before they escaped this planet forever. Instead, they’d taken her, forcing him to break into the sadistic vrok’s mansion to rescue her. For that alone, they all had to die.

  ‘Any more?’

  ‘Several. They’ve built up a barricade in the vestibule and are waiting for us to come to them.’ Rorak nodded towards several expensive-looking wooden tables, which had large holes splintering them. There were still smaller splinters raining down from the ceiling. What had he missed?

  ‘Ah, actual strategy. Let’s not keep them waiting.’ Kadian motioned for Rorak to take the right while he approached the satisfyingly colossal hole in the front façade of the building from the left.

  With his back to the wall, Kadian took a look inside. The tops of their heads peaked out from behind the wood. They were mostly Myardahl, but he saw an Iladal and even a Taorin, though they rarely ventured outside their own space.

  Rorak had a wry grin on his face; it almost looked humorous.

  They were hiding behind small wooden tables. Badly! Aiming at the purple pointy ears of the Taorin, Kadian lowered his sights and fired.

  He watched the Taorin’s body fly out from behind the table and lay motionless on the ground.

  Panic rose behind the flimsy cover, but Kadian’s attention was already on the first of the three explosives he had. He activated the first, then threw it, watching it disappear behind one of the middle tables.

  ‘RUN!’

  Several aliens stood, but the timer was very short. The explosive went off and several bodies flew through the air. Kadian and Rorak stepped through the door and opened fire on anything moving. None of the guards got a shot off.

  ‘Stay here and cover me,’ Kadian called.

  Rorak nodded, and Kadian headed to the office. It was empty. He quickly checked all of the first-floor rooms, but it was abandoned. Returning to Rorak, they turned their attention to the second floor.

  They climbed the stairs and stood, observing the halls in front of them. There were two, one leading to each wing of the mansion. From where he was standing, four doors stood in the wing where Onager had brought Kadian. Kadian felt sure that Olivia was there right now, and the urge to go to her was almost overwhelming, but she was counting on him and that meant he had to be smart. Rorak held their position while Kadian confirmed the four rooms were empty. He returned to Rorak, and they looked down the hall. Everything seemed normal, but they needed to be slow and sure.

  In the distance, Kadian could hear sirens approaching.

  ‘That forces our hand somewhat,’ Rorak said.

  ‘Can you hold this corner, keep them off until I have Olivia?’

  Rorak nodded. ‘Give me an explosive. I’ll bring down the stairs and give them no way to get up to us.’

  Kadian handed the second most powerful explosive to Rorak, keeping the most powerful for the visual cue for Tanir. ‘Do it.’

  Almost as an afterthought, Kadian took out the comm he still hadn’t disposed of and switched it on. Myardahl law enforcement already knew where he was, and Tanir needed a way to track him.

  Turning, Kadian walked down the hall. In front of him, the door to the room opened and the Inadiine stepped out. Kadian forced himself into a run, even as the Inadiine drew his swords to greet him.

  Sidestepping the first strike, Kadian drew his own blade and parried the second. The Inadiine took a couple of steps back, his eyes moving over Kadian as he planned his next attack.

  Striking first, Kadian managed to push the Inadiine back down the hall several steps before he turned the tables. The Inadiine was good with two blades but only as good as Kadian with one. Still, he managed to keep Kadian on the defensive, driving him back from the door.

  All Kadian needed to do was force one sword from his hand. The Inadiine was no match for Kadian with one sword. But it would mean taking a hit.

  Hissing in anticipation of pain, Kadian stabbed at one hand, allowing the other attack through.

  His blade connected, jarring against bone even as the other sword pierced his side. Though it was deflected off a rib.

  Kadian’s attack severed tendons, and the Inadiine’s hand opened, his sword dropping to the floor. Swinging his sword in a wide arc, Kadian’s blade cut through the Inadiine’s throat.

  His blue eyes widened in shock, and he took three steps back before dropping to the floor and landing next to his sword.

  Behind him, an explosion rocked the house.

  ‘Got it,’ Rorak called.

  Kadian didn't acknowledge Rorak. He knew he didn't need it. They were soldiers, and they were on task.

  Crossing the floor, he pushed the door open into darkness. He hit the light switch and turned.

  Olivia was hanging from an A-frame, her feet barely touching the floor. She closed her eyes, squinting against the light. At some point, someone had gagged her.

  Crossing the room, Kadian spotted a key for the cuffs hanging off a hook on the side of the frame. He snagged it and, using his body to brace her, he unchained her and held her against him. />
  Her wrists were bruised and bleeding. As Olivia’s body was released from the stress position, her muscles seized and she cried out in agony from behind the gag.

  'Stretch!' he ordered. 'Stretch them or they'll cramp worse. Stand on your heels and stretch your calves out.'

  Olivia followed his orders, stretching her legs.

  'Now your arms and shoulders.' His voice was gentler this time. He looked down at her and saw the pain contorting her features, but she continued, stretching her arms and rounding her back to work her tortured back and shoulder muscles.

  Kadian peeled the tape from her mouth, careful of her tender lips and skin. 'Where is Onager?'

  'He went to the roof. He didn't expect you to come with this much force. He has a flyer there.'

  Kadian nodded. Either Onager was already gone, or he’d see him there. If Onager was gone, he knew people who could track him down. Once Kadian was sure Olivia was safe on the Tessan homeworld, he would take a short break while he killed the vrok. Either way, it would be over soon.

  ‘How are your muscles?’

  ‘They hurt like a son of a bitch! But I'm good to go.’

  ‘Stay behind me. Stay with me. Move when I move. Do as I say.’

  Olivia nodded. ‘Yes, sir.’

  He turned to leave, to get her from this terrible place, but her hand pulled on his, stopping him. He turned.

  'I knew you'd come,' she smiled.

  As though there was ever a choice!

  Stepping back to her, he pulled her close and kissed her. It was a gentle touch of the lips. A promise of more to come. A promise that nothing could ever divide them. As he broke the kiss, he looked down into her hazel eyes. ‘Always.’

  Kadian took out the small knife he'd taken from the shop and slipped it into Olivia's hand. 'Don’t be afraid to use it. I will endeavour to ensure you never have to, but don’t be afraid if it comes to it.’

  Olivia’s brows pinched, but she nodded. ‘I will.’

  ‘Are we going?’ Rorak called into the room.

  ‘On our way.’

  ‘Good, because I’ve driven them back, but they’re regrouping.’

  Ignoring Rorak, Kadian turned back to Olivia. ‘Ready.’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  Kadian led the way into the hall. ‘This is Rorak. He’s helping. Rorak, Olivia.’

  Rorak turned to Kadian. ‘How do we get onto the roof?’

  Kadian looked at Olivia who was looking at the body of the Inadiine. He squeezed her hand and she turned to him, smiling reassuringly.

  ‘This way,’ Olivia said, pulling on Kadian’s arm and moving towards the door at the end of the hall. ‘Falmon’s flyer is kept on the roof.’

  ‘He may be up there,’ Kadian warned her. ‘Stay between Rorak and me. Rorak,’ he looked at the Bolsen, ‘keep her between us. If Onager is up there, I will take care of him.’

  ‘Wait!’ Rorak grabbed the two swords next to the dead Inadiine. ‘You want one of these. I can only use one.’

  Kadian considered for a moment before nodding. Rorak passed him the second sword, and Kadian slipped it in his scabbard.

  They walked down the hall towards the door, Olivia between Kadian and Rorak.

  ‘Both of you stay here. Rorak, cover Olivia.’

  As Kadian moved down the hall, Rorak stood in front of Olivia, covering her from view.

  Moving towards the door, Kadian stood with his back to it and slowly reached out to open it.

  A chirp sounded on his comm.

  ‘Vrok!’ Getting it out, he saw an incoming call from Tanir. ‘What?’ he snapped, seeing Tanir’s face projected above the comm.

  ‘Where’s the signal? Wait, what’s wrong? Where are you?’

  ‘The Myardahl captured Olivia. I am rescuing her.’

  ‘What? Olivia! Oh my god! Is she okay?’

  The human who appeared next to Tanir had pale skin and dark eyes, which had a turn to them that Kadian recognised as indicating southeast Asian ancestry.

  ‘Olivia? Olivia?’

  ‘Mona? I’m okay,’ Olivia called down the hall.

  ‘Olivia is with us. But I need to get her out of this house. Myardahl law enforcement are moving towards us.’

  ‘We’re on the way. I’ve got your signal. What happened to keeping the comm off?’

  ‘Not the time!’

  ‘Fine. We’ll be there in a handful of metri!’ Tanir said.

  ‘Good. I’m ready to get the vrok off this planet,’ Kadian said.

  ‘Make sure your slave friends are ready too. I have quite a surprise planned to divert attention from them.’

  ‘Your diversion is the signal,’ Kadian said. Tanir nodded his understanding. ‘Thank you, friend.’

  Tanir nodded again as the comm went dark.

  He looked at the door. If someone were listening, they’d be expecting him to delay a moment while he recovered his nerve.

  Holding his sword at the ready, he pulled the door open.

  Nothing.

  Looking at Rorak, Kadian indicated they should join him. He led the way up the stairs and opened the door beyond.

  They emerged from a small tower on the corner of one roof. There, standing next to a zaki, Onager grinned his nightmarish grin.

  ‘Seems my staff are useless.’

  ‘Seems,’ Kadian agreed. Kadian slipped the spare sword out of his scabbard and threw it down in front of the Myardahl.

  ‘I don’t need that to kill you,’ Onager snarled and launched himself at Kadian.

  Falmon Onager moved so quickly Olivia almost yelped. She managed to keep the noise in, not wanting to distract Kadian as he met the Myardahl halfway.

  ‘Stay back.’ Rorak swept Olivia behind him as the two males darted across the roof. He used himself as a barrier between her and them, moving her away even as Falmon attempted to drive the fight towards her.

  But Kadian wasn’t letting Falmon have it all his own way. The Myardahl used his clawed fingers to swipe at him as Kadian used the reach of his sword to keep him back, alternating between defensive blocks and attacking blows. Cuts opened up across Falmon’s bared torso and blood the colour of seaweed pulsed out of the wounds.

  Falmon’s lipless mouth was, once more, drawn back over his sharp teeth, and the more injuries he sustained, the uglier the look on his face grew. Finally, losing his temper, he charged at Kadian.

  Kadian was provoking Falmon with small, painful cuts, purposefully weakening him and making him angry. When Falmon charged, Kadian stepped back and kicked, pushing the Myardahl several feet across the rooftop. He followed him, moving as fast as Falmon, and kicked again and again. Kadian turned, his eyes calculating the distance he’d just put between Falmon and Olivia before his eyes found her for the briefest moment. Kadian turned back to face the Myardahl as Falmon regained his footing.

  The whole ugly thing began again, but now Falmon was less controlled. As he became less controlled, however, he became more brutal.

  Still, Kadian kept up with him, blow for blow. If he could get the other sword, he’d have an advantage over Falmon.

  ‘Rorak! He needs the other sword.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘He can dual wield. He needs the other sword.’

  Rorak shook his head. ‘I will not leave you undefended.’

  ‘There’s you and Kadian between me and him. I’m okay. But if he gets an advantage on Kadian, Kadian might be seriously injured and then it’s just you.’

  ‘Argh! Gavoch!’ Rorak ran towards the sword.

  The Myardahl moved and kicked out, hitting Kadian in his bad thigh. Kadian dropped to the ground. Though he was up a moment later, Falmon was already halfway across the rooftop so fast even Rorak didn’t notice him until Falmon slashed out, swiping at his face.

  Olivia screamed and tried to run, but Falmon grabbed her and placed her between him and Kadian.

  ‘SHE IS MINE. I PAID FOR HER. SHE’S MINE.’

  ‘I am going to kill you.’ Kadian’s voice
was a dark promise.

  There was a strange hissing noise, and Olivia realised Falmon was laughing. ‘You will have to kill her first.’

  All thought had abandoned Olivia. She was surrounded by Falmon. Felt her body encompassed by him and her fear of him stopped her from being able to reason. She looked up at Kadian and found his eyes locked on hers. His smile told Olivia everything she needed to know. Kadian would never let Falmon leave this rooftop alive. He would never allow any harm to come to her. Olivia returned the smile, and the fog of fear lifted from her.

  Reaching into her pocket, she took hold of the small knife Kadian had given her just a few minutes before.

  ‘You will never leave this rooftop alive if you harm her.’

  Olivia looked up and realised Kadian was covering for her movements, for the small noise as she unclipped the sheath and felt—rather than heard—the slight snick of the knife leaving the sheath.

  ‘But I am willing to negotiate for your life.’ Kadian continued his ruse.

  Slipping her hand out of her pocket and looking into Kadian’s eyes for courage, Olivia struck.

  A howl erupted from the Myardahl as his grip loosened. At the same time, Kadian was grabbing her and pulling her out of his grasp.

  Kadian grabbed the Myardahl and pushed him towards the door of the tower. Down the stairs, Olivia saw the door below opening and people crowding to get up the narrow staircase.

  Kadian turned, pulling Olivia into his arms, holding her tight.

  A powerful explosion pushed them away from Falmon and across the roof of the house. Olivia couldn’t stop the scream as they were cast into a tumble, spinning across the rooftop several times. Olivia landed on top of Kadian, the wind knocked out of her. Desperate to catch her breath, she looked up at the collapsed tower across the roof. She saw Rorak sit up, clutching the side of his head.

  Almost instantly, she became aware that beneath her, Kadian wasn’t moving.

  Turning, she found him lying on his back, his eyes closed. Ginger blood ran down his face, and there was blood beneath him, spreading over the pebble-dashed roof.