He scowled. “Any sign of the woman?”
“No sir,” several voices answered.
More men had gathered around him, looking to Robards for orders. For the moment, Robards was at a loss. Walker being taken hostage was an unforeseen wrinkle.
The tactical officer and Chase had planned to unload the weak captain at their first opportunity. Walker volunteering to fight should have given them the added advantage of using him as a martyr. Robards had been delighted that Walker had dove headfirst into fighting. It had put the younger man out of range of his blaster, but Robards had figured on a shot from the Kalquorians to finish Walker off. The captain had stampeded the enemy in a suicidal rush that should have gotten him killed.
That had apparently not happened, and Robards ground his teeth in frustration. It would have been so much better for there to be a dead body to infuriate the men with. However if the Kalqs made Walker a hostage, that might give him and Chase more trouble than they’d bargained for.
Robards marched over to the computer bank. “Fuck chasing them for the moment. What I want to do is get the ship’s commands back online and re-establish control on the bridge. Set up guard around that hatch to make sure none of those bastards doubles back to take potshots at us. The rest of you, make sure all these on the floor are dead. If you find a live Kalq, kill it. Engineering crew, help me get this ship back online.”
He’d let Chase worry over what to do about Walker being taken prisoner. Command fell to the first officer anyway, so he could deal with this unforeseen occurrence. Robards had his own concerns.
With the confused engineering staff hovering at his shoulders, some asking about food and medical care, Robards punched commands into the main system. “Damn it, we’ve got a major situation! Unless you’re dying, get on a fucking computer and re-establish helm and nav control now!”
There was a little grumbling, which Robards normally would not have tolerated. However, the computer he worked on refused to comply with all his attempts to regain control over the ship’s heading and speed. The damned thing was completely offline except for the security links he’d established to get past the buffers. None of that was useful in allowing anyone to fly the battlecruiser.
His heart sinking, Robards and a couple of engineers fought the computers for a few minutes, trying to find a way into the helm and nav controls. Nothing worked. Then three of the computers suddenly switched off. They refused to power back up.
An engineering lieutenant yelled as his fingers flew over the console in front of him. “There’s a virus in the system, knocking everything out. I’m shutting down the computers that still work before the entire thing is compromised!”
Robards stepped back as the humming console silenced and all the vids blinked off. The lieutenant turned to him. “Sorry, sir. You’re going to have to get some techs in here to clean the system out. If we power back up with the mess the Kalqs left, we could lose all ship’s systems including life support.”
Robards wanted to throttle the man, simply because he was convenient and telling him shit he didn’t want to hear. However, it wasn’t the lieutenant’s fault. Attacking him would not win Robards any followers either.
Fighting with everything he had for control over the screaming rage unleashing in his head, Robards said, “Get this damned thing up and running again. Do whatever it takes; haul in whoever has the least bit of knowledge that will fix this mess.”
“Yes sir.”
Robards stepped away from the console before he could give in to the urge to tear it apart. He looked over engineering, at all the dead bodies, at the open hatch through which his enemies had escaped, and at the dark and useless computer console.
They’d gotten to the heart of the battlecruiser only to discover it had been torn out. He’d failed and the Holy Leader would not be pleased. Unless they managed to get the ship back online, Browning Copeland would turn his back on them. If he ever heard the name Alec Robards, it would be attached to failure, undeserving of praise.
Robards gave in to the dismal fury choking him and screamed at the dark entrance to the maintenance tunnels that mocked him. “You fucking freak Kalqs! Damn you!”
* * * *
Elisa gasped with shock when Captain Walker followed the arriving Nobeks out of the maintenance tunnel. A small rivulet of blood ran from his left temple to his jaw, and the shoulder of his uniform was shredded, showing more bloodied flesh. He blinked with dazed confusion as he gained the better-lit cargo bay, as if not quite sure where he was.
Elisa’s amazement almost eclipsed the enormous relief she felt to see Oret emerge behind the captain. Had Walker not been there, she would have flung herself into the Nobek’s arms.
Her captain’s arrival kept her from performing such an act, however. Walker’s gaze fell on her and he stopped short despite Oret prodding him forward. Then Walker ran to grasp her by the upper arms, his gentle, handsome face hinting at a smile.
The captain almost sounded as if he sobbed when he said, “Elisa, thank God you’re all right. You are all right, aren’t you?”
Touched that he’d been so worried for her, Elisa said, “Yes, Captain. I’ve been treated very well.”
At her back, Miragin said, “You’ve been injured, Walker. Medic?”
An Imdiko wearing what Elisa had discovered to be a medical badge hurried forward. He examined Walker as Oret and three other Nobeks stood over the Earther captain, guarding him.
“Near-miss blaster wounds,” Oret informed the medic. He sketched a bow to Zemos as the Dramok joined them. “I thought he might make a good hostage, Captain.”
Walker snorted and shook his head. “You thought wrong. The first officer and tactical commander are in charge. I’m only a figurehead. I think they were planning on making me a martyr, in fact.”
Oret’s brow rose. “You fought quite violently for someone at odds with his crew. Like a man with nothing left to lose?”
Walker gave the other Earther in the room a rueful smile. “My only hope was to rescue Elisa and get us to a shuttle.”
Elisa blinked at him. “Captain?”
“The Holy Leader told me to kill you for having been ruined by our enemies. How could I do that? None of this is your fault.” Walker’s gentle smile dropped off as he looked to Zemos. “I’m no good to you. You might as well finish me. I only ask you make it quick and that you keep Elisa safe.”
Before Zemos could respond, Oret spoke in an insulted tone. “She is to be part of our clan. Her safety is my greatest priority.”
Walker gave his captors a horrified look. “Keeping her for your lusts is not keeping her safe! Zemos, you are not an animal. I can’t believe a man of your integrity would do such a thing!”
Elisa felt a stab of pity for him, and that decided her once and for all to openly declare her intentions. “Captain Walker, they’re not taking me as their Matara against my will.”
She sensed Zemos, Miragin, and Oret react to her statement. However, it was Walker’s face that she watched. His undisguised shock made her want to cringe, but she managed not to. Her decision was made, and she would live or die by it now.
In a quiet voice, Elisa told Walker, “I’m sorry, especially since you risked yourself to save me. I am grateful to you with all my heart for making me a priority, Captain, but there’s nothing left for me where Earth is concerned. Earth is gone. I want to be Clan Zemos’ Matara. I love them, and there’s nothing more to say about the matter.”
Despite believing all she said, despite the delighted smiles growing on her clan’s faces, Elisa still felt a profound sense of betrayal. The guilt crowded in tight, especially as Walker stood silently, the nonplussed expression refusing to leave his face. She couldn’t imagine what he thought of her. She didn’t want to know the terrible things that must be running through his mind right now.
Before Walker could begin to shout condemnations and accusations at her, Elisa turned her back on him and walked away.
She had gotten
halfway across the cargo bay when Zemos’ voice stopped her. “That was very brave of you to confront him like that, Elisa.”
She turned to find him and Miragin right behind her. Oret and the Nobeks guarding Captain Walker were leading the him to a far corner. The Earther man looked shockingly small and defenseless next to the Kalquorians, so much so that it made her heart ache.
Elisa’s voice sounded deflated to her own ears. “Brave? I’ve been sentenced to death. What choice do I have but to go with you?”
Miragin had looked happy, but a crestfallen expression chased that emotion away. “Then you do not actually want to be with us? You only said it to defy Walker?”
She reached out and took his hand. “No. That’s not true; I do want to be with your clan. You three are everything to me, Miragin. I had already chosen you before Oret brought him here.”
Zemos clasped her other hand. “I cannot imagine the pain you suffer right now. That I am any part of it troubles me.”
Elisa sighed. “You didn’t ask to be here. Neither did I. But here we are, and I’m not sorry.”
“I’m glad to hear you say so. I’m not sorry either.”
The two men smiled at her. Elisa felt the warmth of their regard and wrapped it around her heart like a blanket. She was theirs. How long she would remain so depended on how long they could hold out.
Elisa tried to sound as courageous as Zemos gave her credit for as she asked, “Now what? Do we just hang around here waiting to live or die?”
Zemos chuffed a laugh. “I prefer to give fate a helping hand. I am going to speak to Captain Walker and see what more I can find out from him. He is as threatened as we are, so perhaps we can convince him to help.”
Elisa glanced over at the prisoner and his guards. The Nobeks stood around watching Walker, who did nothing but stand in one spot, staring at the floor. Damn it, he looked like a child without presents on Christmas. She’d never seen anyone look so lost.
She told Zemos, “I doubt you’ll get anything out of him. He’s a good man and one who has been betrayed, but he is courageous and dedicated. He will not turn his back on his own.”
Elisa winced at her statement. She knew full well which side of that coin she fell on. Miragin hugged her, his face burrowing against the top of her head to kiss her comfortingly.
The Imdiko told her, “There is no doubt about Walker’s integrity. There is a time to give up a bad fight, however. Perhaps Walker will figure that out as you have.”
Elisa looked up into the handsome face. Miragin’s gentle beauty gave her something to smile about. “Unlike me, he doesn’t have much to look forward to.”
Zemos squeezed the hand he still held. “If Kalquor catches him, he will have much to answer for. However, I agree that there is a lot about Joseph Walker that begs some forgiveness. His determination to help the crewmember he thought weakest, for instance.” The Dramok looked at Walker, and his gaze softened with compassion. “I will not forget that he did such to save the woman I love. If he survives all this to go to trial, I will speak in his defense.”
“He’s not the only good captain here,” Elisa told Zemos. Her heart throbbed at his assertion of love and that he would testify on Walker’s behalf.
Zemos smiled at her before heading for the corner where the Earther captain stood surrounded by Nobek guards.
* * * *
Zemos couldn’t help the elation he felt despite the dire situation they were all in. Elisa had chosen to go with his clan. She was, for all intents and purposes, his Matara now, though it would probably be a good idea to insist on a formal declaration.
Mine. My lifemate. Now all I have to do is get us out of here alive.
The Dramok’s eyes narrowed as he neared Walker, Oret, and the complement of guards standing over the Earther captain. He really did like his enemy. Even with little experience as a leader and a much-diminished crew, Walker had managed to attack and overcome his destroyer. That alone warranted Zemos’ respect, even if his foe hadn’t turned out to be a genuinely decent person.
Walker was a good man, and it would make pushing him around distasteful. With his crew and clan’s survival in the balance, however, Zemos was more than willing to be an asshole.
He stood over the hunched Earther, giving Walker his most dangerous stare. Loading his tone with threat, Zemos said, “You and I are going to have a conversation, Captain Walker, and you will answer my questions. I already know all about your Holy Leader surviving Armageddon. I know that he is working with the Basma and Bi’is to subvert the Empire.”
Walker shuddered, but he drew himself up and glared up at Zemos, looking him right in the eyes. “I will not speak. I will not betray my people.”
Zemos gave him a cruel smirk. “Even though they’ve betrayed you? You will stand with those who have sentenced you and an innocent woman to death?”
“Not every one of them has done so. There are good people on this ship, people as trapped by the circumstances as Elisa is.”
“And as you are.” Seeing his confrontational attitude was only getting the Earther to dig in his heels, Zemos switched tactics. He tried a kinder, fatherly tone. “Why not work with us, Joseph? You have nothing left to lose and your life to gain. Let me help you.”
Walker dropped his gaze. “I can’t. My duty is all I have left.”
Zemos knew the man would give up nothing willingly. So be it. He looked at Oret and spoke in Kalquorian so Walker wouldn’t know what was coming. “I need him to talk but I don’t want him harmed. Not in front of her.”
Oret nodded. “The bite?”
“It works a bit differently on Earthers than on us, but it may be enough.”
One of the Nobeks guarding Walker named Almon offered a quick bow to Zemos. “I will do it, Captain.”
Zemos arched an eyebrow. Almon was a scarred veteran of many battles, one of his best fighters when it came to face-to-face combat. He was always on the front lines and ready to tear his enemies apart. No doubt he was more than happy to exact some retribution on a man who had dared to capture him.
The captain told Almon, “As I said, I will not have him hurt.”
The tough Nobek’s lips twitched. It was an approximation of a smile, something that rarely had leave to visit his handsome but creased face. “No sir. Captain Walker once stopped his men when he came upon them beating me in the cell block. He stayed on hand while I was treated for my injuries. He made sure I was taken care of properly, though the Earther medics were not happy to do so.”
The other guards nodded their agreement. They must have witnessed the incident. Zemos managed to keep the surprise from his expression. It wasn’t that Walker had made sure Almon had been healed that shocked him; it was the warmth in the hardass Nobek’s tone as he spoke of their prisoner. Almon was volunteering to perform the bite not to gain revenge, but to make sure Joseph wasn’t harmed.
Oret made the decision quickly. He told the other guards, “Shield our actions from the Matara’s view.”
The other three men moved around Walker, their big bodies blocking the sightline between him and Elisa. Almon remained behind him. Struck by the activity, the Earther captain looked at Zemos with concern. “What is this?”
One of Almon’s beefy arms wrapped around Walker’s torso, pinning his arms against his body. The other big-knuckled hand grasped the startled Earther’s head, pulling it to one side and stretching his neck. Almon’s head darted down, fangs flashing. His mouth latched onto Joseph’s neck and he bit. The Earther gasped.
Not wanting his prisoner to cry out and upset Elisa, Zemos was quick to say, “The pain is only momentary, Captain Walker. Don’t struggle. I’d rather Nobek Almon’s fangs not rip your neck open.”
Walker’s wide eyes stared at Zemos, his expression terrified and his body tense as Almon’s bite fed intoxicating venom into his system. More than ever, Joseph looked impossibly young and childlike, especially with the massive Nobek holding him. Zemos ignored the stab of sympathy he felt for the fr
ightened man.
Walker relaxed as the toxin took hold. His face eased, becoming softer, and then drifted into a dreamy euphoria. He even looked happy, his body going lax in Almon’s grip. As he succumbed to the intoxicant, Zemos noticed something else going on with Walker. He exchanged a look with Oret.
His Nobek arched an eyebrow at him. “Just as we’ve suspected. With Earther men, that doesn’t happen unless the interest is already there. It would get him in a lot of trouble if his fellow Earthers knew about it.”
Zemos blew out a heavy breath. “It would get him killed in a most horrible fashion. Imagine having to live a lie all this time just to remain alive.” He scowled at Walker, whose eyes were fluttering as he went deep into the euphoric influence of the bite. “I hate feeling sorry for so many of them after all the damage they’ve done. It would be so much easier if I could hate him.”
Oret shook his head. “He’s had enough, Almon. Any more and he’ll be unconscious.”
Almon disengaged the bite, letting his fangs fold back to the roof of his mouth. He continued to hold Joseph, keeping the captain’s swaying body upright. The Earther’s eyes were glazed, and he looked at the men surrounding him with confusion for a moment. Then he shuddered and let his head drop so that he stared at the floor.
Zemos bent a little so that he spoke almost directly in Walker’s ear. “You are going to answer my questions, Walker. Do you understand?”
Walker’s head lolled so that he could see Zemos. Noticing how close his Kalquorian counterpart was to him, he shrank back, pressing against Almon. He apparently felt something he hadn’t expected. Walker gasped and jerked in the Nobek’s arms, but he had nowhere to go.
His tone desperate, Walker moaned, “I can’t tell you anything. Even if you hurt me I won’t speak.”
“Sometimes pleasure serves more than pain.” Zemos went directly for what he believed to be the other man’s greatest fear. “You are aroused and surrounded by men. While the bite serves pleasure, it doesn’t change your natural inclinations, Joseph. Despite your laws and beliefs, you prefer men, don’t you?”
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