Broken & Hunted

by Charissa Dufour

  Jack nodded again. “The fact is we have to split up the potential targets. Our amazing engineering crew has requested to stay on board and continue repairs. Vance, I suggest you stay here, but it is up to you. Thus far, you have not be target, but that could change.”

  Vance nodded. “I’ll stay and cook for those staying behind.”

  “Thank you.” Jack gave him a smile. “I want Reese to stay behind to guard the ship and the crew remaining on board. I will be taking the embryos to MGC with Calen, Randal, and Blaine.”

  “What about Bit?” demanded Blaine.

  Bit tensed, her eyes going up to Jack. What does he intend to do with me?

  “Bit is going with Oden. I’ve already discussed a plan with Oden to take her underground, so to spe—”

  “No!” snapped Blaine, rising to his feet. “She has to stay with me.”

  “That’s not an option. I need you with—”

  Blaine wrestled his way past those sitting on the same bench, knocking Forrest to the ground in his effort to get to Bit. She took a step back, trying to put the captain between her and the man pushing his way toward her. Various crew members stood, but each one had faced Blaine in the practice ring. They knew what he could do, and their fear stopped them. Blaine shoved them aside easily. Finally, young Jeremiah, barely up from his sick bed, planted his feet in front of the raging giant.

  “Leave her alone,” the young engineer said.

  Blaine didn’t hesitate as he swung his arm, arching it in a way to take Jeremiah off his feet in one swift move. Bit let out a cry, afraid for the young lad more than surprised by Blaine’s move. With his sudden violence came the other men’s resolve to act. Randal was on his feet in seconds, ready to take his second-in-command to the floor, but an over-zealous Calen stepped in his way.

  Calen gave Blaine a quick jab, aiming for the taller man’s jaw, but Blaine easily dodged the attack, brushing Calen’s arm aside and landing a punch to Calen’s side. Calen arched his back in pain.

  Jack pushed Bit back toward the door to the galley, prepared to be the last line of defense if the other men didn’t get the ragging bull subdued.

  What’s happened to him? her mind screamed as she watched Blaine send Calen sprawling across the glossy floor of the mess hall, knocking two other crew members off their feet at the same time.

  Randal stepped forward with ease, his weight on the balls of his feet. Though Randal was more than twenty years older than Blaine, he was still in peak performance, his muscles long and hard from years of work and training.

  This time, Blaine moved first. With lightning speed and a flick of his wrist, a knife appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Bit gasped, afraid someone would really get hurt in the end. Blaine brought the knife down, but Randal was already there, blocking the downward swing with both of his forearms. He twisted Blaine’s arm around, nearly pulling it from its socket while simultaneously dislodging the knife from his fingers.

  To Bit’s astonishment, Debby jumped forward, a syringe in hand. Without breaking a sweat, she flipped Blaine’s shirt up, danced around behind him as he struggled against Randal’s grapple, jerked his pants down a bit, and plunged the syringe into his backside.

  Within seconds Blaine’s efforts became feeble, and slowly he sunk to the floor, unconscious.

  “What was in that syringe?” Oden asked from the sideline.

  “Ketamine. It’s a pretty outdated drug. I’m surprised you guys still have any, but it knocks someone unconscious in seconds. They used to use it on horses.” She glanced at Jack. “I started keeping a syringe on me when I noticed Blaine acting so strange.”

  “Is he going to be okay?” Bit asked.

  “Totally fine. He’ll wake in a few hours.”

  Jack let out a long sigh. “Good idea, Debby. I knew something was bothering him…I just never…”

  “He’s very off,” began Randal when it became clear that Jack had finished speaking. “I never should have been able to take him down that fast. Not at my age. We need to get Bit away before he comes to.”

  Jack nodded. “Bit, Oden is going to take you someplace safe while we get the embryos delivered. Debby, I’ll need you to show me how to use those injections. I’m having Nathyn here take you some place safe, too. I can’t risk your safety while I take the embryos to MGC. Nathyn is well-train—”

  “Like hell you’re just going to dump me with some guy.”

  Jack squared off with his girlfriend. “He’s not just ‘some guy’. He is one of my security officers and is extremely well-trained. He also has contacts throughout the city. He will keep you safe until this is all over. It is in your best interests, and it is NOT up for negotiations. Period.”

  Jack turned back to look at the rest of the crew “We’ll all meet back at the ship on Tuesday, 1900 hours. I want everyone checking in with Reese at 0800 and 2000 via comm.-for-hire. That understood?”

  The various groups nodded.

  “Good. Grab what gear we have here on the ship. Bit and Oden, grab your gear and go. Our team will wait ‘till you’ve cleared Olympus Mons before we bring Blaine around.”

  Bit glanced down at the drooling man sprawled out across the floor. “You’ll find out what’s wrong with him?”

  Jack nodded.

  “This isn’t his fault,” she said, her eyes sweeping across the crew. “Don’t forget that. Someone is doing this to him.”

  She saw the doubt and anger in their eyes. They weren’t ready to believe her.

  Twenty minutes later, Bit and Oden waved goodbye to the crew of the Lenore, the captain and Randal’s warnings still ringing in their ears. They weaved through the weekday mob filling Ward Port, slowly making their way toward the port-to-land transport company that still had seats available, arriving just in time to board.

  “That was lucky,” Oden said as they settled into their seats.

  Bit refrained from responding as she worked to arrange the various buckles of her elaborate harness. Her jaw ached as she clenched her teeth together in anticipation. Her ribs were already hurting as the medication wore off. The ride down to the surface, like all the other trips before, was going to hurt, and the longer she spent in pain, the harder it was for her to cope with the torture. Now the anticipation was nearly as bad as the pain itself.

  Oden withdrew the bottle of pills Debby had handed him. “Take one.”

  Bit shook her head. Visions of her as a hormonal flirt danced through her head. She couldn’t ruin her friendship with Oden as she had with Blaine. What if Oden turned into an overbearing jerk like Blaine?

  “Why not?” asked Oden.

  “I don’t need to. I’m okay.”

  “You’re lying to me. And being damn stubborn about it.”

  “I’m fine, Oden.”

  “No, you’re not. The least you can do you is show me the respect of a friend by not lying to me.” He tucked the bottle back into one of the many pockets of his jacket, yanking the zipper shut.

  Bit considered his words, not appreciating the way they stung her pride. The transport rumbled to life and pulled gently away from the dock. Within a few minutes the turbulence of reentry bounced and jostled the ship until sweat beaded on her forehead and began to roll down her face. Bit winced with each spring, her breath catching in her chest.

  At last, the ride smoothed out as they eased into the lower levels of the atmosphere. A pathetic whimper escaped her lips as she tried to breathe again. The man sitting across the alley from her glanced her way before staring resolutely at the seat in front of him. Bit ignored him as she worked to accept the pain and move past it.

  “Bi-it,” Oden growled. “Either take the medication or explain to me why you don’t want to.”

  “I’ll t-take some to help me sleep tonight. Okay?”

  Oden shook his head. “Not good enough. You’re in pain now. Explain.”

  “I make a fool of myself when I take them.”

  Bit glanced away, her cheeks flaming red with embarrassment. She co
uld feel Oden’s eyes on her, and fresh tears pricking her tired eyes. The words were spoken, she couldn’t take them back.

  “Oh dammit, Bit,” Oden said in a soft whisper as he turned in his seat as far as his restraints would allow. “We all get a little extra loopy when on pain meds this strong.”

  “But when I took them last time—for my arm,” she held out her scarred arm, “I said some things to Blaine, and now look at how he’s acting.”

  Oden let out a long sigh. “Whatever you said… and no you don’t have to tell me, but whatever you said to Blaine did not make him act like a crazy person.”

  Bit glanced up at Oden.

  “Something is wrong with Blaine, and Jack will figure that out. But you need to take the pain meds so that your body can relax and have a chance to heal. And I won’t hold any silly things you say against you, no matter how tempted I might be,” he added with a playful grin. “Now please, take the meds before I have to force them down your throat.”

  Bit hesitated a moment before opening her hand. Oden gave her a smile as he unscrewed the lid and placed a pill in her outstretched hand. He retrieved a small bottle from yet another pocket in his cargo pants and handed it over. She took the pill, drinking half the contents of the bottle. Oden finished it off and tucked the empty bottle back into the pocket of his trousers.

  Just as the medication began to take effect, melting her body into the seat of the transport, the ship began to slow for its landing on the Olympus Mons Landing Platform. She was fully ready to drift into a pleasant slumber by the time the landing platforms docking arm stretched out to link with the ship.

  Oden nudged her before he began to undo her straps. She blinked a few times, becoming aware of her surroundings in time for him to haul her to her feet. Oden slipped her arm through his and guided her out of the cramped transport ship and into the busy corridor of the landing platform.

  “You still with me?”

  “I told you izs was a bad idea,” she said, slurring her words.

  Oden smiled. “Yes, you did.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “We’re going to swing by Tilly’s condo and see if we can sneak up there to get you some clothing, then we’re going someplace safe.”

  “Clean clothing,” Bit purred as she leaned heavily into Oden’s arm.

  “Only if it’s safe.”

  “It’ll be fi-ine.”

  “Uh-huh. I’m kinda regretting giving you that pill.”

  “I’ve oooonly juss begun!”

  Oden rolled his eyes playfully as he dragged her along. “But are you hurting?”

  “Naaah!”

  “Then I told you so.”

  “Pfft.”

  “Excellent come back, as always,” he said.

  They reached the large atrium covered in an enormous glass dome. Bit looked up and admired the way the fading sunlight glinted off the triangle panes of glass. They hurried into the enormous elevator with half the atrium’s occupants and took the long ride down to the open platform. Oden hurried her across the platform to the train terminal where they stopped at a kiosk. He put a weird chip into the terminal, poked some buttons, and out popped two little blue cards.

  “Okay, Bit, I need you to focus.”

  She swayed on her feet and gave him a big smile. “Focus. Check.”

  “Right. This card,” he held up the blue card, “can be used on any of the trains around the city. You just swipe it at the turnstile on your way into the terminal. Jack used to do this for you, but you need to do this for yourself now, just in case we get split up.”

  Oden stopped to examine her eyes.

  “You’re not getting any of this.”

  Bit swayed toward him, nearly falling into his chest. He caught her shoulders and stabilized her.

  “Blue thing. Turmsmrrrle. Got it.” She gave him a thumbs up.

  “C’mon.”

  Oden dragged her on to the turnstile and swiped them both in. He took her blue card and carefully tucked it into the interior pocket of her stained crew jacket before pulling the zipper closed.

  “Watccch the hansss, misser.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said with a playful smile.

  They stumbled onto the light rail train and took their seats. A few minutes later they got off at Jack’s neighborhood. Oden dragged her up against his side, growing suddenly serious as he focused on their surroundings.

  Bit tried to focus her mind and remember why they needed to be serious, but the medication coursing through her system made it impossible. Bit happily watched him scan their surroundings as he pulled her into the neighborhood, finally stopping at a building that looked familiar, despite the crime tape surrounding the main entrance. Signs directed them to a side entrance where they entered. They found the elevator and took it up to the forty-second floor.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Oden adjusted his grip on Bit’s hand and pulled her out of the elevator. Thanks to the drugs coursing through her bloodstream, she was enjoying the shine on the metallic hand railing. He pulled her away, flinching at the way he must have been pulling on her injured rib cage—not that she could feel any of it.

  She gave him a lopsided smile and followed him out of the elevator.

  Maybe half a pill next time, he thought to himself as they swayed their way down the hall to Tilly’s condo. Oden stopped at the corner, peering around it just to be certain. The way was clear, and they moved to the doorway. Using the key Jack had given him, he opened the door and hauled Bit in behind him, locking the door just to be sure.

  “Go pack you’re clothing,” he said, nudging her toward Lexi’s room as his eyes took in the mess of the main room.

  Their enemy had done a thorough job searching the condo, yet again.

  Bit wandered toward the small hallway leading to the bedrooms. She reached the first doorway and veered off course, her unsteady steps leading her into the kitchen. Oden turned away from the scattered pile of books to find her shoulder-deep into the refrigerator, humming off key and swaying her backside.

  A smile played at his lips as he rolled his eyes and joined her in the kitchen. He tapped her on the shoulder and she emerged from the fridge, a half-eaten doughnut protruding from her mouth, jelly dripping down her chin.

  “This doesn’t look like packing.”

  Bit finished taking her bite and pushed the food to the side of her mouth. “Aam packing my mouff,” she said with a sheepish grin.

  Oden tried his best to look annoyed as he closed the fridge and ushered her out of the kitchen. “We can’t stay here long. Please hurry.”

  Bit stuffed the rest of the doughnut into her mouth, ignoring the jelly entirely as she shuffled on to Lexi’s room. Oden grabbed a rag and wetted it under the flow of cold water in the sink. He joined her in Lexi’s room, finding her settled on the bottom bunk.

  “Bi-iiit,” Oden growled, pretending to be angry.

  She scrambled to her feet and faked industry until he caught her arm and used the rag to clean her face. “Whrrt?” she mumbled under the rag.

  “You have jelly all over your face.”

  “Oh.”

  “Now pack,” he ordered as he tossed the rag into the hallway.

  The entire condo was a disaster. Tilly wouldn’t notice one jelly-stained rag lying on the floor. Bit looked around the teenager’s room, slowly picking out clothing, most of which came from the top bunk or the trunk positioned at the foot of the bunkbeds.

  Oden couldn’t help but notice the difference in the clothing she selected and the clothing that stayed behind. Bit’s clothing, while a step up from the cast-offs of the crew, were drab compared to the ostentatious outfits of the vibrant teenager. Bit’s new clothing tended to be black, navy blue, or olive green—dark and less likely to stand out.

  In their current situation, Oden felt a wave of thankfulness that Bit didn’t want to stand out.

  Finally, Bit grabbed the pillow case Jack had loaned her.

  “We can do better t
han that,” Oden said as he opened Lexi’s closet.

  “No, I don’t wanna to take her stumf.”

  “She won’t mind. I’ve known Lexi for nearly four years now. Trust me.”

  Just to be certain, Oden grabbed the smallest, most worn-looking backpack from the bottom of her closet and opened it up. At the bottom he found a pair of smelly sneakers. He pulled them out and tossed them back into the closet, further proving that this was a forgotten, unused backpack. Oden hated asking Bit to put her new-to-her clothing in the smelly bag, but it was still a step up from a pillow case.

  He held it open for her, and she willingly dumped her bundle of fabric into the backpack. With the bag slung over his shoulder, he followed her into the bathroom where she grabbed her small bag of necessities and tossed it into the backpack. She zipped the bag up and tried to take it off his shoulders.

  “I don’t think so. Your ribs don’t need the weight. I can handle both backpacks. Let’s go.”

  Bit stumbled toward the door, a pout on her lips. Oden considered making her some espresso before they left, but wasn’t sure if caffeine would help his situation or not. Coffee might help the medication work its way out of her system faster, or it might just produce a hyperactive high woman.

  Oden decided not to try it and ushered her out of the condo after checking the hallway. They made their way down to the street and back onto the train, Oden keeping an ever-watchful eye on their surroundings while his mind considered Bit’s earlier confession.

  What did she say to Blaine earlier? It must have been something intimate if she thought his over-protectiveness was caused by it.

  Oden tried to quiet his worries. Bit’s romantic life wasn’t his concern. She was a person in need of someone, anyone who would just be a friend to her, with no interest in anything else, and no matter how much he found her attractive, he would be that friend.

  Oden fiddled with the ring on his lower lip as the train eased into motion. Unlike the other men in the crew, he knew what it was like to be battered and ostracized. Bit’s trauma, whatever it entailed, would not be cured by a loving boyfriend or a romp in the sack.