by Mikayla Lane
Finally feeling a little more normal and calmer, she slowly opened her eyes and was grateful when they focused. The closely cropped blonde-haired head lying a foot from her really didn’t surprise her. She’d half expected the body to be his since he’d been shot when she was, and with a lot more darts. It was still a small shock to feel his large body so close to hers.
She immediately remembered hearing Brak call him a Valendran. Somehow she managed to run into an outpost survivor; one of her father’s people. She only met two of them in all her years since they agreed to separate hundreds of years ago for the sake of their survival. The Relian’s had hunted them relentlessly since they had discovered that they had survived the crash. As tall and muscular as the men were it was very hard to hide among the shorter, smaller human men making it easy for the Relian’s to hear about a large group of them.
Her father had told her and her siblings the stories of their people since they were very small. However, it still surprised her to see a real Valendran, not a hybrid male like her brother. Shaking off her curiosity, she slowly sat up, testing the drug’s hold on her movements.
When she knew the slight shakiness wouldn’t stop her from moving around she slid off the side of the mattress, trying not to disrupt the large man.
Glancing down, she grimaced at the very large hospital gown she was wearing and immediately missed her panties and underwear, growing angry at the thought of Brak removing her clothes or seeing her naked. Stalking around the heavy Plexiglas room she pressed against the edges of the door, ignoring the multitude of cameras that she’d seen all over the damn place.
“It’s no use. I tried earlier.” Dare whipped around at the deep rumble of the voice coming from behind her.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Dare watched him grin sheepishly as he swayed into a standing position, obviously still affected by the drugs. For some reason, it made her feel better about still feeling the effects as well.
“There are no cracks that I could find and this…” he said reaching up to push on the ventilation grill above his head, “this is secured far too well, and it’s too small.”
Dare just stared at the huge man who now seemed to take up most of the already small room; his height easily allowing him to reach the top of the ceiling.
“I’m Balduen Skardard. I’m part of the Tact Team from the ship Adaria, commanded by Scaden Torenson.” Dare stared mutely at the massive hand he held out to her as if to shake. What the hell did he just say?
Balduen looked confused before it dawned on him that she must not know what she is, or of their people. Perhaps she’d been abandoned or separated from her parents at a young age.
“Again, I must apologize. I seem to be doing this all wrong. Do you know who you are?” He asked as kindly as he could, wondering where the confident woman who killed four Relian’s had gone, and if she were in shock.
Dare stared at him a moment, trying to process what he was saying. Her father never said anything about a ship called Adaria; or on the other hand, a Scaden Torenson for that matter.
“Who the fuck are you and where did you come from?” Dare demanded angrily as she put herself in a defensive position in the corner of the room making sure the mattress was between them.
Balduen realized that he’d better slow this down really fast since he didn’t want a physical confrontation with her, and he certainly didn’t want her afraid of him. He backed slowly to the opposite side of the room, keeping his hands up the whole time to try to alleviate her worry.
“Our ship Adaria was patrolling this quadrant when we received an ancient distress signal that we followed to this planet. We found one of our crew members that we had thought dead, from an outpost we’d had on the nearby planet called Mars.” He paused for a moment to make sure he had her attention. When he knew that he did, he continued.
“The rest should probably be said in a more private setting. However, I’m sure you realize that we have not only found one of our own, we’ve found one of the children. We are trying to find and help as many as we can, which is why I followed you. I thought you were either a hybrid or a gifted.” He explained, glancing at the cameras around the room and wondering where their hosts were and why they hadn’t come in yet.
Dare followed his gaze to the various cameras placed outside of their cell and knew why he was hesitant to say more. Nodding her head at his suggestion of keeping things to only what the enemy most likely already knew, she walked over to him holding out her hand, hoping she wasn’t making a major mistake.
“I’m Dare, daughter of Banatar Demetrios.” His large hand engulfed her small one as he gently shook her hand before reluctantly letting go of her.
“I remember the name from the list. He was a science officer wasn’t he?” Balduen asked her casually, trying to keep her at ease.
“Yes, he was. How long… never mind. Don’t answer that. The less we say, the safer everyone else stays.” Dare said after walking closer to him and whispering to him with her head bowed so that the cameras couldn’t catch her lips moving.
Realizing what she was saying, Balduen readily agreed and nodded his head slightly.
“But we can talk about the things that the assholes do know. Like how they’re going to die painfully when I get out of here.” Dare said angrily, spinning around to glare at the cameras by the door.
“It will do no good to antagonize them.” Balduen gently placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. When she stared blankly at it, he let it slide off, enjoying the feel of the soft skin of her neck.
“It would do a lot of good if that piece of shit Brak was in my hands right now. Don’t!” Dare held up her hand to stop him when he started to speak.
“I know! Just give me a minute.” She added trying to calm her anger. This was the worst thing that could ever happen to any of them. This was what they feared, what their nightmares were about; being captive by their enemy.
“Our people will find us Dare.”
“If my father doesn’t find us first, I will destroy this place myself and walk out of here. Mark my words Broke; you’ll be one of the first to go.” Dare glared at the camera behind the desk and chair, near the door. For some reason, she felt that was the camera she could look directly into, and she flashed her fiercest challenging face at it almost growling in fury at her captors.
Balduen wasn’t sure if it was part of her abilities or not, but he watched her body literally vibrate in anger in front of him. It wasn’t too much, not enough to be caught by the technology of the camera’s around them, but he could not only see it; he could feel it as well.
As calmly as he could, he walked up behind her and drew her away from the door. Turning her around in his arms, he held her tightly as she put up a false show of fighting him before allowing him to help her calm down. Not daring to break the spell by speaking he kept his mouth shut and just held her until her tremors stopped, and she pulled away.
Unable to hide the blush she knew was spreading across her face, Dare kept her face down as she spoke. “Thanks… yeah just thanks.”
Balduen watched in admiration as the strong woman walked proudly back to the wall and began searching for a weakness. She was afraid; he knew it. After seeing what the Relian’s had done to Cari and what she said had happened to the girl Jess that they were hoping to save, he could well understand her fear. He was afraid for her as well. They treated these poor, fragile women no differently than they did their warriors who had been captured. Except for the women, it was worse, because of the rapes.
To his shock, his beast rose within him swiftly denying that they would allow anything to happen to the female. Mine, it whispered through his head. What the hell? Before he could think about his beast’s reaction, the door to the basement opened, and he turned to face whoever was entering.
Dare was already standing battle ready when the short stocky man entered behind the Relian called Brak, with a much shorter, largely rounded woman following the small man.<
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Brak walked cockily up to Dare and smirked, “You couldn’t destroy anything if you tried, and you’ve finally been leashed like a bitch should be.”
Dare jumped up faster than Balduen believed was possible and smacked both of her fists against the clear wall between her and Brak causing him to jump back in fear.
Dare laughed heartily at his cowardly reaction, “Just wait Broke, soon you’ll be very broken. Permanently.”
Finding his courage Brak started storming to the door of the cell, and Balduen lunged to put himself between Dare and the door before the booming voice stopped everyone.
“Enough! Brak, get the hell out of here! Now!” The short man’s voice echoed loudly through the cellar, his vocal ability surprising for a man his size.
Brak stared at Dare for a long moment, his eyes promising vengeance for a lot more than just the scar on his face and getting embarrassed here. Balduen could tell right away that whatever history was between Dare and Brak; it was going to end with one of them dead. Yes, him, his beast whispered through his mind. Balduen agreed with his beast; that bastard would not touch her if he could stop it.
Balduen relaxed only slightly when Brak finally turned and stormed to the door. However, instead of leaving like he was told he stationed himself in front of it. The short man only shook his head and stood behind the desk, the woman behind him, off to the side.
“Now that I have your attention, we can move on. I’m Dr. Jose Camarasa, and this is my assistant Lucretia Moore.” The man walked bravely up to the wall where Dare was standing, just far enough away so he wouldn’t have to crane his neck to speak to her.
“I understand you are Darennia Demetrios, daughter of an original Valendran and what you call a 'gifted' woman. I saw on Brak’s body camera’s that your gift of telekinesis is quite well-developed and impressive. I would like to learn more about it, but we’ll save that until our primary goal is accomplished.” The man ignored Dare’s snort of disgust and continued.
“I’m aware of the previous methods that they have used to subdue your kind and keep you captive. However, I would like for our relationship to be the exact opposite of those barbaric conditions. I will afford you every courtesy, other than release, for your cooperation in these little experiments that must be conducted.”
“I can assure you they will not be painful, and I will try to ensure you are under as little stress as possible.” The man paused as if waiting for their reaction. It didn’t take long for Dare to give him what he was looking for.
Balduen watched as Dare acted on the very same rage he was feeling from the doctor’s speech. She exploded against the side of the wall; she pounded her fists and kicked out with her feet so violently Balduen was becoming concerned that she would harm herself.
“I will give you one warning. You either release me now or die later!” Dare screamed the threat and meant every word she said. One way or another, even if it meant her own life, she was going to kill this son of a bitch; and the fat bitch smirking at her from the chair behind the desk.
Balduen had to admit; her courage and capacity for violence were damn intimidating and the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. However, it seemed only to irritate the short man.
“I had hoped to be able to reason with you, but planned on this as well. You have been fitted with a drug-delivery device similar to a birth control implant. Until you decide to be cooperative you will be calmed.” The words had no sooner been spoken when Dare felt a rush of something flood her system. Feeling dizzy immediately, she stumbled towards Balduen, who stared at her for a moment before rushing towards her, catching her in his arms as she collapsed.
“What are you doing to her?” Balduen demanded angrily, checking to make sure she was still breathing.
The doctor studied Balduen curiously for a moment before answering.
“She has been rendered unconscious for a moment and has not been harmed. If she does not agree to comply, she will continue to be subdued.”
The doctor watched in silent contemplation while Balduen gently carried Dare’s unconscious form to the bed and laid her down tenderly. He covered her slight body with the blanket before brushing a lock of her silky hair back from her face, then turned to face the man who’d drugged her.
“If you do anything to hurt her, I will tear you apart limb from limb and that will be the nicest thing I do to everyone in this place.” Balduen growled so low that Brak had to strain to hear him, and he started towards the cell before the doctor put up a hand to stop him.
“You’ll be dead before you can even think about it. Then it’s going to be just me and your pretty little friend.” Brak replied with a hateful gleam in his eye.
Balduen lunged at the wall of the cell in the same way that Dare had earlier, with the same result of Brak jumping back in fear before he caught himself.
Turning red with rage Brak headed towards the cell one more time, before the doctor turned to face him.
“Our plans have changed. I will be using him in the experiment as well. If you touch one of them, I will inform Grai T’Alq that you are impeding the progress of my experiments. Is that understood?” For such a small man, Jose could be quite menacing, and Brak nodded his head as he backed away from him.
“You’re working for the Relian leader’s son? What are you planning to do to her? What experiments?” Balduen demanded, fearing more for Dare now that he knew that the leader’s son was in command of this. He attempted to calm his beasts’ fury at the thought of them harming the tough and beautiful warrior female long enough to find out what they were planning. And stop it.
“Technically, I work for Kalai T’Alq. His son was ordered to oversee things here on the planet.” Jose had no qualms about sharing information with the alien; confident that they would never be able to divulge that information to anyone else.
So the Relian leader’s son was here on the planet. Balduen filed that information away for later, wondering briefly if he was at this location. Wherever here was, he thought before the doctor continued.
“As for the experiments, they would be completely painless. Don’t misunderstand me; I don’t expect you to be happy about this. In fact, I expect you to be angry, as anyone would be. However, for the sake of your lives, I would like to have your cooperation. I can and will guarantee your safety for many, many years to come if you comply."
Balduen’s mind was racing with fear, fury and the worst of all… helplessness to protect the female. Staring at the small monster in front of him casually he growled as his beast roared with rage in his head. “What experiments?” He asked through gritted teeth.
“I’m sure you are aware that the Relian’s have been interbred so prolifically with other species in an attempt to breed their unique gifts and abilities into their own race, that they have almost completely destroyed their original race. They, like your people are looking for the survival of their race.”
“Women like Dare, are unique, as you know. I believe that there is a way to breed the two and will attempt to do so with Dare.” The doctor paused, fully expecting Balduen to interrupt. He didn’t have to wait long; although even he was startled by the man’s rage as he literally shook the cell walls.
Using the remote in his pocket, he pressed a button and watched as Balduen immediately began to calm down. He only wanted the man calm, not passed out and let go of the button. Somehow he felt that this man would not only be what made the experiment succeed, but he felt he was much more level-headed than the female.
He was betting that the tender and careful way he tended to and tried to protect the female, would lead him to realize cooperation was his best chance at keeping her physically unharmed and alive.
Balduen could feel the drug seep into his veins and tried to fight it, but was overcome with a sense of calmness and lethargy. He knew he’d been drugged like Dare had been and moved to sit on the floor with his butt on the corner of the mattress facing the door and waited to pass out like Dare had.
He st
ared at the small monster who was now bravely standing right up against the clear wall. The monster who wanted to try to force Dare to carry the baby of the animals that hunted and tortured her kind. He couldn’t imagine how she was going to react when she found out. By the One, what the hell was he going to do?
“I know that this is not something either of you want; however, I think when your alternative is torture and death you would want to ensure she lives.” The monster casually said as if speaking of the weather. Balduen was surprised at how easily this human was willing to do unspeakable things to a helpless female. The callousness sickened him.
“Go to hell! I will never willingly assist you in raping her!” The fact that he seemed to grit that out calmly made his beast rage inside. He wanted to rip the wall down with his bare hands and begin tearing the man limb from limb as he’d promised earlier, but was unable to raise a fist.
“No, no you misunderstand me! I have no intention of letting any of them touch her. We have the ability to do it artificially. In fact, I believe it would be better if she had no contact with any of them throughout the process.” The doctor felt sure that the stress and fear were what helped prevent the unusual pairings to have ever produced up to this point; that and the brutality generally displayed by the Relian’s. He knew that a truly natural conception could never occur between the two species.
“What the hell do you expect from me?” Balduen growled; the tone of his growls the only way to express his fury with the drug coursing through him. Although, his beast was having no problem raging in his head. He couldn’t remember ever hearing his beast so clearly and so often as he had since he woke up.