RESURRECTION (RIBUS 7, #5)

by Shae Mills

  Korba rose over her and impaled her glistening valley. His hands surrounded her buttocks as he took her as hard as he dared.

  Chelan clenched the arms of the chair as she watched him thrust into her. His penis, thick and swollen with his desire, was coated with her liquid silk. Seeing his masculine power inside her, feeling him stretch and fill her, was beyond paradise.

  She touched her own breasts, taking her nipples between her fingers and rolling them. She came again, her inner walls squeezing him so hard it almost hurt. Then she reached for his long hair and pulled him to her.

  His hands held her face as he continued to thrust... and he took her lips just as aggressively. She moaned into his mouth, and then she yanked his head back. “They missed all this!” she cried... and he came within her.

  Korba sank into her one last time, burying himself as deep as she could possibly take him. Then he melded to her, his face buried in her satin hair. “I left you with them,” he breathed. “But they missed all.”

  As he started to recover, her hands whispered down his back, over his buttocks and back up, sending warm ripples of satisfaction over and throughout his being. “And now it is all mine,” he whispered reverently. “Every luscious bit of you... is all mine...” And he finally relaxed.

  THEY HAD REMAINED TOGETHER, making love over and over until the afternoon was upon them. Then they cleansed one another and returned to the Command Center. There, Korba called up a large schematic depicting a massive star system.

  He smiled at Chelan as he offered her a chair, and they both sat. “This is the Taunton Cluster,” he began. “It is a relatively nondescript collection of solar systems, all with average stars, and quite a few terrestrial planets. None of them are out of the ordinary other than that, for some reason, just about all those planets are sprinkled with Zenatropium deposits.”

  “And the inhabitants?” she asked. “Do we have any up-to-date information on them?”

  “The Telesians have contacted the most recent traders, and delved into the databases of some previous cultures that interacted with them. They are definitely of human origins, exceedingly aggressive as mentioned before, but still relatively primitive by Imperial standards. Actually, quite a few cultures have had encounters with them, but none of them were ever by our Empire, or by anyone affiliated with us. And since it is on record that they had nothing of value, no deals were ever struck in the past and no goods were ever offered by either Empire. Plus, by all reports, both old and recent, they prefer their own company and have never reached out to anyone for anything.”

  “These deposits, they are not very extensive, though, is that correct?”

  “Correct, but then, since we thought they were of no value anyway, no one has looked for other deposits there, or anywhere else in the galaxy, for that matter.”

  Chelan suddenly straightened. “Could Talon have exploited this element and we just missed it?”

  Korba sat back. “Where did that notion come from?”

  “On Earth, he made it to me through all of Dar’s men. Dar’s elite had already managed to take out Fremma’s men, so they were the indisputable best. So for them to be eradicated like they were, all sensors avoided... maybe Talon’s forces were cloaked.”

  Korba became very still, recounting his conversation with Dar just after Chelan was captured. At that moment in time, he had not known the entire situation regarding Dar and Fremma’s men, but he remembered his own words to Dar as clearly as if he had just spoken them. “Not even all the forces Fremma left in place managed to protect her. They should have been able to at least see them coming, but Talon made it to the planet completely undetected, like some cloaked demon. I don’t understand where this technology is coming from, and neither do the Telesians.”

  Korba sat back and stared at Chelan. “I think you may have just hit on something of monumental proportions.”

  “Then you think it is a possibility?”

  Korba rubbed his jaw. “I do. The pieces fit. But the known deposits are small, so if Talon had access to them, there is no way he could have outfitted his entire fleet. However, he could have constructed the infrastructure for what few special forces he needed for tactical advantage, to be used for his most important missions, like your acquisition.”

  “Is there any way we can discover if this is so? Did we take any of his ships?”

  “No, his forces were destroyed on all fronts. There are bombed-out hulks out there, destroyed battleships just like RIBUS 7, but we know none of them were cloaked. They were far too large to be anyhow. They did have very effective shielding technology that was new to us, but no cloaking abilities. We had no problem finding them.”

  Chelan smiled. “Then I guess when we arrive at the Taunton Cluster, we will do some detective work there. Talon and his men would not have done the mining, so they would have had to have the local inhabitants procure the Zenatropium for them. Someone on one of those planets has to know the story, one way or another.”

  Korba nodded. “Indeed. The plot thickens, my Lady.” Then he smiled and reached for her, drawing her into his lap. “And you are an amazing woman. To have made that connection... I am impressed.”

  Chelan surrounded his neck with her arms and stared into his eyes. “Does that mean you will keep me for a while yet?”

  Korba laughed. “Forever, my Lady. Forever.”

  Chapter 29

  AS RIBUS 1 APPROACHED her destination, Terig stood in the Command Center with Yanis and Salinger, all three men staring at the incoming data. Korba stepped up to them and addressed Terig. “Your analysis thus far?”

  “All of this has been through the reconnaissance labs, and they all agree. The planet Rake looks like the best place to start. As far as we can tell, it has the largest source of the material.”

  Korba looked at Salinger. “Are we scheduled to send out any more sorties?”

  “No, my Lord. All the ships you sent out ahead of our arrival have completed their scans. All the data is here.”

  Korba nodded and then looked at Yanis. “A few of our fighters made low runs over what look like manufacturing facilities. Oddly, there do not appear to be any aboveground settlements of much significance. I have my suspicions that what pockets of civilization do reside there exist for the most part underground, or may be shielded. I spoke to the Telesians last night again, and they confirm an extremely hostile culture with no inclinations toward negotiations on any level, at least not by choice. I want to deal with these people personally, but I am not going to waste my time on an initial unproductive contact. I need you to arrange a massive security contingent. We are going to blitz the main facility, find those in charge, and get more than a few things sorted out quickly. I am not going to be held hostage by any haggling. As far as I am concerned, this whole star system is now ours. If any of the indigenous people have any trouble with that, then they are gone. If I have to purge each and every planet of all life, I will do so.”

  Yanis nodded. “No problem. I trust all our officers are at the ready?”

  Korba nodded. “RIBUS 1 will be in position by this evening. When dawn is upon the target area on Rake, we pay them a personal visit. Speak to Tannis about any remaining details pertaining to the operation and add your men to the contingent.”

  Yanis nodded and took his leave. Korba looked at Terig. “After the initial contact is made and the area secured, you will accompany me.”

  Terig nodded.

  Then Korba looked at Salinger. “I want you available if I have any information to relay. I want the entire reconnaissance department at full capacity with fighters at the ready. I do not know if I will need additional scans for deposits, or more likely for combatants, but I want future sweeps instantly available if need be. I will have the planet covered for the most part, but the majority of my fighters will be at high altitude looking for incoming threats.”

  Salinger spoke. “From what I understand, there are still only primitive interplanetary conveyances.”

&nbs
p; “True. But I trust nothing. If Talon did deal with these people in some manner, then who knows what he supplied them with in exchange for their ore. Obviously, if he was here, he did not simply take what he wanted, as the indigenous people still exist. They must have cooperated with him on some level. Mind you, they would have had little choice in the matter. Anyway, once RIBUS 1 is strategically placed, we will have defensive sorties flying the entire star system for the duration of our stay. If all goes as planned, we will be fine. If not, I want you ready at a moment’s notice.”

  Salinger nodded. “All is a go from my end, my Lord.” And the officer bowed and left.

  Korba looked at Terig. “It is completely organized.”

  “It certainly is, my Lord.”

  “Did you speak to Shabizar?”

  “I did. He and his team are ready.”

  Korba glanced back to where Chelan was sitting quietly on the stairs, watching all the last-minute arrangements. “My Lady. Do you have any questions or concerns?”

  She stood and approached the two men. “No. I have been listening in on every aspect of this over the time it has taken us to travel here, and everything seems to be covered, and then covered some more. In addition, I am impressed that you thought to bring Shabby and the Centurions along.”

  Korba smiled. “The terrain for kilometers around our target area is perfect for them if we need to move quickly on foot. If these people are indeed underground, covering the area via the Centurions in the rugged portions will be most efficient. We do know there are some encampments farther out from our goal, but they are small and of no threat. But they still should be explored, and if we are to be thought of as at least a little diplomatic in nature, thereby being able to extract some information peacefully, then approaching these settlements via Centurion will probably be better received than arriving by fighters.”

  Chelan noticed right away that Terig looked nervous. “What is it that has you bothered?”

  “The cloaking ability of the Zenatropium. Incoming combatants from other planets, mainly.”

  Korba spoke. “That is definitely a concern, but over the last couple of weeks, every centimeter of every planet has been meticulously mapped and entered into our computer system. Fighters in orbit over all the planets will have sensors set for any motion or distortions. The instant anything larger than a child disrupts anything on the ground, which will have to happen if anything is launched, the computers here will send out an instantaneous alert along with the precise coordinates of the disruption.”

  Terig gave a small smile. “That is a relief, but my main concern is of anything coming at us from outside the star system.”

  “We are on our guard, and you are right, that would be the bigger threat. Despite this system being vast, it is cohesive. I doubt they have the advancement to travel much beyond their borders, or the need. Having said that, I would be a fool to discount that possibility. But again, personnel are stationed strategically at the peripheries and have been for quite some time. There too, the planetary systems have been mapped. Lone fighters may be able to circumvent our sentries, but any sizable contingent will show up as a distortion.”

  Terig nodded. “Any idea when you and I leave?”

  “The moment Rake is secure. And in all seriousness, I do not expect anything but a possible minor initial skirmish on that planet, and most of that will be at the main settlement. Compared to the planetary systems I have dealt with over my decades at the helm of RIBUS 7, this is akin to swatting an insect. All I have put in place, in my estimation, has been overkill.” And he glanced at Chelan.

  She smiled. “Normally I would admonish you for being overprotective, but our children are on board, so I am more than appreciative.”

  Korba nodded. “So, tonight, everyone needs to sleep well. Tomorrow and beyond could be busy.”

  Chelan wrung her hands, catching the attention of both men. “Uh, I already know the instantaneous answer to this, but before you blow up, maybe just consider my request?”

  Terig immediately took a step back when he observed Korba’s eyes frost over.

  The Warlord stared at her. “I can tell already I am not going to like this.”

  Chelan placed a hand on her hip and brushed her hair back. “See, now, you are already getting off on the wrong foot here, and you do not even know what I am going to ask.”

  “I think the ‘blowing up’ part kind of gave it away.”

  Terig cleared his throat. “I should leave and—”

  “Stay,” Korba addressed curtly. Then he focused back on Chelan. “You are going to request that you accompany us to the planet, right?”

  Terig’s eyes widened, but he remained quiet.

  Chelan placed both her hands on her hips. “Good call. I see you manage to anticipate everything.”

  A low rumble emanated from the Warlord. “I know my mate. And you have also anticipated things accurately. The answer is no.”

  Chelan sighed. “It seems I also anticipated accurately the fact that you are not going to allow the time to think this through.”

  “There is nothing to think through. The children are here. They need you.”

  “That is about the most sexist comment I have ever heard from an Iceanean warrior. They need you just as much, if not more. If you were following a truly logical course, you would remain on board and let Terig do his job, which, I will point out, he is more than competent to do.”

  Terig’s brows rose. “She does have a valid point.”

  Korba threw Terig a threatening glance. Then he looked back at Chelan. “The leaders of the people on Rake are my main pursuit. I need to be able to talk to them in person, watch them, and ascertain their truthfulness when it comes to their dealings with Talon, if indeed they had any.”

  “And you are the only warrior versed in the art of detecting subtle body language betrayals?” she challenged.

  Korba took a step toward her, and Terig took the chance he would not be killed. He moved in front of Korba and blocked the giant man. “Look, I know where this argument is going and—”

  “It is not an argument!” Korba barked. “It is my dictate that she stay here and out of harm’s way.”

  Terig straightened, braced for more confrontation. “Well, since I do a lot of diplomatic work, I actually see this from another angle.”

  “Which is?”

  Chelan spoke. “Yes, which is?”

  Terig took a step out of the way of Korba and turned to look at them both. “These people we are about to deal with, all indications are they are violent toward intruders—”

  “Which is exactly why she should stay here,” Korba interrupted.

  Terig sighed. “Sire, please, let me finish.”

  Korba seemed to hesitate, then he nodded to the man. “Continue.”

  “First, there is going to be the initial sweep by our warriors, and hopefully things are peaceful for the most part. But it is obvious that this culture has in the past become used to being hit aggressively, or they would not react thusly. So once our troops are in there and the way is paved for us, it may be beneficial from a diplomatic point of view to have Chelan by your side.”

  “How so?” asked Korba.

  “It is simple, actually. If she is with you, you appear less threatening and more willing to negotiate.”

  “You are assuming two things: one, that I intend to negotiate, and two, that these people and their culture hold women in some regard, thus influencing their opinions of the whole situation.”

  “I have no idea what the place of their women is in their society, but having your family with you, your mate, indicates a degree of trust on your side.”

  “I trust no one.”

  Terig frowned. “I understand that, my Lord. But with what you have put into place thus far, and with what will happen at dawn tomorrow, do you really think there is a threat to Chelan?”

  “I will never take any chances with her. I have lost her twice before, one time most brutally to a man I
considered my best friend. I will not lose her again!”

  Terig glanced down for a moment. Then he looked at Korba. “Once again, I understand, my Lord. But you are putting yourself down there, willing to absorb whatever threat may come. And yes, I understand your capabilities as a warrior, but my point is, how would Chelan feel if she lost you again, for the third time?”

  Korba went to speak, but instead he held his tongue.

  Chelan spotted a subtle tremor go through the unshakable Warlord, and her heart clenched. She glanced at Terig. “I thank you for your attempt to assist me, sir. But it is time I speak with Korba alone. Would you please excuse us?”

  Terig bowed deeply to her. “Of course, my Lady.” Then he bowed to the inert Warlord and left.

  Chelan watched the man go. Then she focused on Korba. “I had not thought about what Terig said, about the diplomatic end of things. I wanted to go simply for the adventure and to be by your side. We agreed long ago that we would live or die beside one another, and although I have no intention of dying any time soon, Terig is right. I do not want to be stuck up here with you down there... exposed.”

  “I will be covered by one of the largest contingencies of warriors ever deployed for such a low-risk mission in the history of the Empire.”

  Chelan smiled. “You just summed it up, didn’t you? You are abiding by our agreement. If there was a risk to you, you would not go there, both because of your importance and because of me.”

  “That is all true. But having you right there by my side could affect my judgment. We have also spoken of that. Even if it is a trivial matter to me, there are some things I may hesitate in doing because you are with me.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like slitting the throat of anyone who threatens either you or me.”

  Chelan stepped up to him and hugged him. “If I recall, you gutted Talon in front of me.”

  Korba grunted. “That was unavoidable, and highly regrettable, I might add.”