RESURRECTION (RIBUS 7, #5)

by Shae Mills

  There he sat in one of the large chairs by the fire, his legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles, drink in hand. “Terig?” she whispered.

  Somewhat perplexed by his lack of response, she closed the door behind her and moved to the side of the bed. There she sat down stiffly on the edge. “I’m so sorry that this situation is even an issue, as unforeseen the circumstances are. I know that despite my discomfort and your... professionalism, the prospect of...” She winced. “I’m just sorry.”

  He shook his head, his gaze never leaving the dancing flames. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

  Chelan looked down. “But... the temptation...”

  “Aye, there is that. But I will not take what is not mine.” And he threw back the drink and stood to pour another.

  Chelan moved to his side and stilled his arm. “No more Scotch,” she whispered. “We need to talk about your situation here, that of your abject isolation.”

  He looked down at her as he shrugged out of her grip and poured his drink. “My decisions regarding my chosen lifestyle are mine alone. It’s what I’m comfortable with.”

  “You know that’s not true. I feel... I can tell that there are stirrings that I have awakened. There’s only so much work and war you can immerse yourself in before needs... feelings...”

  “I no longer wish to feel,” he muttered, and he threw the drink back.

  “Yes, you do.”

  His jaw worked into hard lines. “No, I don’t.”

  Chelan took the glass from his hand and stared at him directly. “You need to deal with this aspect of your life. You need companionship. You need to feel love. You need to feel another human’s touch.”

  “So you’re my therapist now, are you?”

  “It doesn’t take a therapist to know when a man needs a woman in his life.”

  “I’m too busy for a woman.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Terig’s eyes opened wide. “So what do you suppose I should do?”

  “Go back to Earth. Maybe even rekindle something with Kip. Hell, I don’t know. There are lots of women there that would leap at the kind of adventure only you could supply. Knowing what I know now, if you landed in my lap, I would take you up on your offer to travel the galaxy in a heartbeat.”

  “You would come with me here, to live your life on a foreign planet?”

  “Hell yes! All the excitement, the opportunities, the technology...” Chelan paused, remembering the first time she realized she was actually on a ship in space, and her heart danced. “Terig, really, you did a disservice to Kip and yourself. If the two of you meant as much to one another as you say, she probably would have jumped at the opportunity both to be with you and to embark on this whole wondrous journey with you. All in all, I think you should seriously consider taking a trip back to the old home planet and baring your soul. Make your offer.”

  Terig stared down at the empty glass in her hand, and then looked into her bright eyes. “You may have a point there, my Lady. I guess in some ways I was only looking out for myself. Denying her the option of being with me relieved me of the heartbreak if she turned me down.”

  Chelan smiled. “And how has that been working for you?”

  Terig laughed. “Not very bloody well!”

  Chelan felt all warm and content. “Then, my Lord, I suggest you begin making plans and looking forward to the possibility of not only a bright future, but one where your heart and home are full, and your loneliness is abolished. Nothing Kip can say can make your isolation any worse. Take the chance and see what comes of it.”

  Terig nodded, and then moved to a chair and sat down. He beckoned to Chelan to join him and waited for her to get comfortable. Then his smile waned a bit. “There is a complication to be considered, though.”

  “And that is?”

  “Leeman.”

  Chelan frowned. “Hmm... You fear hurting her?”

  Terig sighed. “There’s no longer anything romantic in my heart for her, but I know that’s not the case with her. And we’re the best of friends. To bring another woman here would break her heart.”

  Chelan looked down for a moment, thinking carefully before speaking. “I understand completely, and you’re right, Leeman would likely be devastated.” She glanced into Terig’s eyes, his intensity driving her forward. “But the situation as it stands now is also untenable for her. She spends as much time with you as possible, probably with the dreams that one day, you will get over your aversions, and come around to her. As long as she has that hope, she will be forever bound to you out of desperation. I’m not trying to make light of anything here, nor am I trying to be callous, but if you bring Kip back with you, it forces Leeman to confront the fact that you will never be hers completely. That severs the romantic yearnings—a painful process, yes, but then she will seek out a new love interest, and one day be fully satisfied and content.”

  Terig frowned. “Aye, I suppose you’re right. I do feel for the woman knowing that she’s hoping for all that I cannot bring myself to give. But when she’s here, she seems so happy and buoyed. I’ve never been able to even contemplate causing her further pain in any manner.”

  Chelan stared at the man. “You share many traits with the Iceanean men.”

  “How so?”

  “You are first a warrior bred, yet you’re in tune with your heart, able to have empathy for others you care for.”

  Terig smiled. “Maybe a little too much empathy, it seems. And as for being a warrior, I can’t compare to the Iceanean men, or to their women, for that matter. Centuries of breeding among them have produced beings so dichotomous in their thinking that they’re indeed two separate creatures on and off the battlefield. I’ve never been able to separate my two lives as completely as they do.”

  “Well, that is what makes them the Empire’s most effective killing machines, I suppose. Korba has made no secret of his ability to snuff out the lives of men, women, and children. I have been around the Warlords and their officers enough to know that every one of the fighting elite are cold-blooded killers when need be. Yet every one of them seems to be able to wall it all off—what we on Earth would consider pathological psychotic tendencies.”

  She squirmed as she reflected. “I’ve seen it in all their eyes during my relations, my sexual relations, with them. They’re predators first, and the only thing that has kept them from killing me at times is their higher-ordered thought processes. I think that’s actually what makes them so efficient and deadly. Just as they can control their metabolisms, they can compartmentalize their brutality and control their thoughts, even the most basal among those. When they step onto the battlefield, they will themselves to unleash the violence, actually dampening their control mechanisms until the kill is complete. Only then do they bring themselves out of what’s almost a deranged state, so that they can restore the calm within.”

  Terig rubbed at this beard as he studied her. “And you’ve felt this aggression sexually, firsthand?”

  Chelan nodded slowly. “Many times. I can trigger basal animalistic tendencies easily, compulsions to pursue and maim or kill that seem to have exceedingly low set points. I think their cognitive ability to turn their killing instinct on and off is compromised by sexual tension and drive. But again, superior thought processes prevail. On Earth, such men commit rape, and the struggling victim stirs them to a fevered pitch which they choose not to control, or are unable to. The way the Iceanean man has been bred and trained, for the most part, he can disconnect and remain in control, though at times barely.”

  “That’s fascinating indeed. And you’re right about the social conditioning too. They’re a nation that value their women as much as themselves, so the whole subordination issue, or the flagrant disrespect that governs much of Earth society, doesn’t come into play at all.”

  “True. So when you take a race of men with such complex cerebral qualities and pair that with a highly structured egalitarian society, you get a being that is both brut
al on the battlefield, when so conditioned, and equally passionate on the home front with their women. All that combined allows them to be able to separate and call on whichever personality trait is necessary to get the task done most efficiently and to the satisfaction of them all, be it taking lives or giving love.”

  A small grin traversed Terig’s lips. “The Iceaneans are not a shy culture. I have witnessed acts of sexuality between them numerous times, the women just as aggressive as the men. But somehow I get the feeling that you spark something in them that they’ve never experienced before, something that gives them a sexual experience far beyond what they’ve ever had with their women.”

  Chelan willed herself not to blush. “Well, as I said, it seems that sexual aggression and their innate desire to pursue and kill are entwined. In war or any other situation, there isn’t a creature out there that wishes to be raped, and the Iceanean men have no desire to rape, both because they can separate the sexual from the violence, and because their culture has such strong moral guidelines pertaining to this...” She cleared her throat, suddenly shy about explaining further.

  Terig leaned forward, forearms on his thighs, his intense gaze causing her to shrink from him. His voice was deep and low. “And what, pray tell, did you discover, inadvertently?”

  This time Chelan did blush. “Well, when they’re with me, I’m not the enemy. They desire me sexually, but if I trigger their predatory side by struggling, or fleeing, something Iceanean women never do... well... the outcome expressed via their behavior is explosive.”

  Terig’s eyes widened. “I bet it would be.” He paused. “Undoubtedly, with their size and strength, the situation could be more than simply explosive. I shudder to think what could happen to you.”

  Chelan felt a tremor go through her as she remembered the first time she ever struggled against Dar while in his care. The look in his eyes had chilled her to the bone, and his warning had been blunt. She risked bodily harm, or worse. “Uh, well, yes, I’ve been warned, and thus far, all has been well.” She ran a hand through her hair as she contained a sudden burst of nervousness. “Iceanean women like to be taken aggressively, and they give as good as they take. Apparently, what I do to inflame my lovers, the men have never experienced. It is most effective.”

  Terig laughed heartily. “I bet it has been. And thank the stars for self-control refined to a pinnacle!”

  “That’s for sure. I was lucky to survive each time I tried it with one of my men.” Talon lanced through her thoughts, but there was no way she was going to discuss her encounter with him. “But I know now not to try it with anyone less controlled than the Warlords.”

  Terig’s brows rose. “I guess not. I’m also well aware of the Iceanean male’s sexual size. A less controlled male in the deranged state you described would tear you to pieces, my Lady.”

  Chelan winced. “No doubt there.”

  Terig went to speak, but a sound drew his attention and he stood quickly.

  Chelan rose beside him. “What was that?” she asked.

  “It’s an alert that can be heard throughout the castle. It informs me of incoming messages in the control center. I must attend, and I should take you with me. It’s quite likely Korba.”

  Chelan nodded and followed him as he strode briskly into the control room. She peered around him as he hit a communications switch, and instantly, Korba appeared.

  Terig nodded to him. “My Lord, we speak again so soon?”

  Korba smiled. “We do, dear friend.” Then his eyes lit on Chelan in silent appraisal. “My Lady. I trust you are well?”

  Chelan stepped out from behind Terig and smiled warmly. “I am, my Lord, and so far without having to inconvenience Lord Terig.”

  Korba chuckled. “Ah, yes, well, I doubt Lord Terig would find it an inconvenience.”

  Chelan glowered at her mate. “Maybe not, but I do not plan to find out if I can help it.”

  Terig glanced between the two. “I shall defuse the situation by being honest. No, I would not find it an inconvenience in the least. As a more than normal man, I am sure I would find accommodating my Lady in such a manner both a privilege and a pleasure.” He chuckled at the wide eyes Chelan had for him. Then he glanced back at Korba. “However, my Lordship, we both know about our Lady’s shyness, so unless she comes to me in dire need, I will not press my services upon her.”

  Chelan looked at Korba smugly but was surprised to see him assessing her critically.

  He spoke sternly. “If she puts herself in jeopardy by waiting until she is in ‘dire’ need, I will come there myself to tan her ass. Shyness, after being in our care for almost two decades, is no longer an issue... I hope.” And he glared at her.

  “You are most right, Sire,” she shot back. And with one smooth motion she shed Terig’s shirt, standing before both men stark naked. “As you can observe, there are no swellings, no lumps, bumps, or red areas of infection. I am doing fine of my own accord.”

  Korba continued to look her over, taking advantage of her unexpected forthrightness to scrutinize her breasts and assess the truthfulness of her words. Terig, on the other hand, was having a bit of trouble keeping his composure.

  Chelan frowned at them both as she slid back into the shirt. Then she looked up at Terig. “I am sorry if my bout of brazenness has startled or offended you”—she glared back at Korba—“but my mate needed the reassurance, and he needs to keep his attention focused on, first, our children and, second, our ship. The last thing I need is him coming here to tan my ass. Although, come to think of it, having him lay his hands on me in any manner right about now I would welcome.” And she crossed her arms over her chest, an impish grin upon her face.

  Terig nodded to his Commander. “Aye, she can be feisty. While we are on the topic of ass tanning, may I be granted permission to administer such a thing if she gets out of hand here?”

  Chelan gasped.

  Korba’s lip quirked. “Ah, so has she tried your patience already, my Lord?”

  Terig’s shoulders slumped a bit. “Well, in truth, not entirely as of yet. But I can see where it may happen.”

  Korba tipped his head to Terig. “Then you have my permission.”

  Chelan placed her hands on her hips. “What the hell?! Who sent me here in the first place, knowing full well I could be stranded? And for that matter, no one should be looking to administer anything to me. Both of you clods should be working full time on getting that bombed-out hulk on her feet. I am more than capable of entertaining myself here, without interference from either of you.”

  Korba chuckled. “I am afraid she is right, and hence the nature of my call.”

  Terig straightened. “Yes, my Lord. What is it that you require?”

  Korba ground his jaw. “It seems we have found an anomaly on the ship.”

  Chapter 23

  TERIG AND CHELAN STARED at the Emperor, but Terig spoke first. “An anomaly?”

  Korba nodded. “As soon as this bloody storm ends, I need you on board RIBUS 7.”

  Terig’s eyes narrowed. “Since you are contacting me about this, I am going to assume you are referring to something structural. I sent you and the Telesians every one of the metallurgical reports on all the critical areas undergoing repairs. Is there something wrong with the data?”

  “No, there is nothing wrong with the data. Those reports are flawless. The anomaly was found on the ship in a different area, just by chance. It was initially discovered in a sector of low priority, so its discovery was delayed.”

  Terig tensed, Chelan’s conversation with him crowding into his head. “What kind of anomaly?”

  “It is inside some of the metal tube casings used for the transportation systems. The extent of it has yet to be fully ascertained. I have a crew working around the clock on the situation, but you need to see it for yourself.”

  Terig furrowed his brow. “Tell me more.” And he offered Chelan a chair as he took one himself.

  Korba entered some codes into his console, an
d a rotating 3-D picture sprang to life in front of him. Terig transferred the display to a separate monitor in his control room and began studying it.

  Korba spoke. “This is a schematic of the transportation system, a small portion of it.”

  Terig nodded.

  “You will note the highlighted segments?”

  Terig looked to him, “Yes. What do they represent?”

  “Areas of concern. As it turned out, some crew members were in one of the main transport bays about to start repairs. One of the cutting tools was misbehaving, so a workman took it to test it on a part of the transport tubing in another area. When he began to cut that tubing with the laser, the metal demonstrated some peculiar properties.”

  Terig sat back, his brow furrowed. “Like what?”

  “It appeared to be a lot denser and harder than the alloys normally used. And as the laser cut it, the edge glowed orange rather than red.”

  “And all problems with the cutting tool itself were ruled out, I assume, including its calibration?”

  “Yes. A properly functioning laser was brought in, and the same issue presented itself.”

  Terig nodded to the schematic. “And this diagram shows what precisely?”

  “I have sent technicians in with a simple density detectors. They mapped out the areas on the tubes containing the alloy in the immediate vicinity. This schematic shows all the locations thus discovered containing the adulterated material. However, it pinpoints locations only, and does not represent the full extent or the concentration of the alloy. That has yet to be ascertained.”

  Terig nodded. “What do the Telesians say?”

  “The alloy was never used in the original construction of RIBUS 7.”

  Chelan felt her heartbeat quickening.

  Terig pointed. “Where do these branches lead?”

  Korba highlighted further portions of the display. “This branch is to the central transport hangar. And this one leads to the main fore galley. This one passes around the personal Command Center; this one, through some of the crew’s quarters. And the final one goes to a small training hall. That is what we have found so far. Crews are checking the rest of the ship as they progress with repairs, looking for more.”