The crunch of small rocks under their boots and the low wail of far-off sirens were the only sounds that accompanied them as they walked. After several paces, a new sound caused Torque to look up. A formation of flyers passed overhead. Earth jets he assumed from the design. They would prove of little help against the sting fighters and even the sting-m monitoring ships, though they could take out Egesa foot soldiers if they spotted them and had the ability to fire on ground targets.
Sam took the lead with Brianna close by his side. Leila followed behind, carrying the medical case with the vials and an AMD testing unit—a machine that quickly tests the effects of certain compounds on DNA types and detects deadly flaws in serum and other compositions. Torque trailed behind her. Out here, in this place that felt so deserted, the impact of just how alone they were in this fight hit him hard. If they didn’t get backup from their warriors soon… He again glanced at the sting-m ships overhead.
“How much farther?” Leila asked.
“Around that hill,” Sam said. “We’ll come to a gate and a check point. We’ll be able to get a Jeep—a ride—to the facility from there.”
“Will they just let us in?” Brianna glanced up and frowned. When several ships changed position right above them, she settled her hand close to her weapon.
Torque did the same. Sting-m vessels had never carried weapons, only strong shielding, but that didn’t mean the Egesa hadn’t modified the crafts. Better to stay prepared and alert.
“I’ll have clearance. I’ll be able to get us in.”
“And what if you can’t?” Torque spoke up from behind. The facility was bound to be locked up tight, given the alien threat. They could force themselves in if there weren’t too many guards at this supposed gate. Their weapons would be more powerful than whatever the humans had. But if they weren’t welcomed, being inside still wouldn’t do them much good unless they could find their Earth contact quickly. Otherwise they’d end up in a bloody and possibly deadly battle, which was not the objective.
“Let’s deal in positives, Torque,” Brianna replied before Sam could answer.
Torque snorted. Yeah, why bother with a backup plan when they could wing it? Well, he had his backup plan. He suspected Brianna did too, according to Lair Regulation #120. Or was it #126? He never had been any good at memorizing the rules. She was too good of a commander to go into a situation unprepared. She was just trying to keep everyone calm.
They cleared the hill and up ahead he saw fencing. A gravel road led to a large gate. There appeared to be a small structure on the other side with at least one man inside. Another man stood outside with a weapon that looked similar to a surge rifle, though Torque doubted it was that powerful. The fencing stretched between one hill and what appeared to be the side of another hill, with a larger mountain rising up behind that. He checked the sides of the two hills and saw a camera on each end. Two vehicles sat just beyond the security check area.
The man with the rifle spotted them and said something to the other man who came out of the structure and squinted at them. “Hold up. That’s close enough. This is a restricted facility.”
Briggs raised his hand. “I’m Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Briggs, United States Air Force. We’re here to see Jaeda Spargo. We’re expected.”
The soldier eyed Briggs suspiciously. Torque understood why. Though he wore a flight suit, it was Xylon and didn’t display his Earth rank.
“This facility has been locked down. No one in or out.”
“This is a matter of international security.”
The young soldier hesitated and appeared unsure about what he wanted to do. “Step forward, Colonel. The rest of you stay back.” He looked down at an electronic handheld device. “You’re not on any of my security listings.”
“Call it in. We have important information about the invasion.”
The soldier’s eyes narrowed as he punched in a number and waited. He glanced up at the ships in the sky, then his wary gaze returned to the group and he studied each one. “What’s in that case?”
“Medical supplies,” Leila answered. “I’m a he—a doctor.”
“We’ll need to inspect that. Whether you’re permitted inside or not, we’ll have to scan all of you for weapons before you leave this area. We’ll be confiscating any arms found.”
“Like hell,” Torque muttered. He discreetly slid the disruptor from his belt into his jacket. The jacket’s shield would prevent a scanner from picking up the weapon. As long as they weren’t physically searched, he’d be able to hold onto it.
Brianna casually walked back toward him. He stepped forward to block the soldiers’ view of her as she did the same, securing her weapon. He also knew that Leila carried a pain inducer. Class 3 Xylon Warriors weren’t officially issued weapons but most who were mission-cleared kept something hidden on them for emergencies.
“Stop moving around!” the guard with the rifle warned.
Brianna turned and raised her hands submissively. “Sorry.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “Stay sharp.”
Torque nodded.
“I’m going to need a retina scan, Colonel,” the first guard said.
A wop-wop-wop sound overhead caught their attention. A helicopter, Torque thought that’s what the humans called them.
When two more guards rushed around a wall of rocks and headed toward them with their weapons drawn, Torque stiffened. He felt Brianna do the same and Leila backed up a couple of feet.
Sam raised his hand. “It’s all right. Everyone stay calm.”
The guard’s handheld device beeped. “Yes,” he answered above the din of the chopper. “There are three others with him. Yes, ma’am.” He hooked the device to his jacket. “Open the gate,” he said to one of the other guards. “They’re cleared.”
The helicopter rose and disappeared toward the back of the mountain.
Torque relaxed a bit but remained on alert. Apparently Sam did have some clout with someone on the inside. The guards took their pictures and retina scans and ran another scanning device over their clothing. Torque recognized the relieved looks on everyone’s faces, including the guards, when the device didn’t detect any weapons.
“I still need to search that medical case, ma’am.”
Leila handed it over. “Please be careful. Don’t break any of the vials.”
“Vials?” The guard hesitated. “Contagion?”
“Serum.”
He nodded, but Torque could see his discomfort as the young man looked inside. He couldn’t have been a soldier for long. He looked too baby-faced. He should be out chasing ass instead of involved in this shit.
After a few moments, the soldier seemed satisfied and two guards escorted them down a dirt road toward two vehicles. They split up and rode for several minutes, until Torque saw another entry built into the side of the mountain. That must be the actual facility.
They stopped and were escorted through a large steel door where a new set of guards took over, scanned them again for weapons and logged them into their computer system. Nobody said anything more than they had to. They all were just taking in everything that was happening.
Torque studied the entrances, exits, number of guards, computer system access and video surveillance. He saw Brianna doing the same. The only person who seemed at ease was Sam, but even he remained quiet for the most part and Torque wondered if the man was more on edge than he looked.
People were rushing everywhere and tension could be felt in the air. The Egesa would continue to escalate their attacks until the planet surrendered. They would destroy all military and tracking facilities and seats of government to plunge the planet into chaos. They’d deploy their foot soldiers to kill any militia-type groups, including any pockets of Xylon Warriors they found. Then they’d terrorize and enslave the remaining population. Torque saw the concerned look on Brianna’s face. She was thinking it as well. They might already be too late.
A guard took them to a holding area with seats and a few tables
. Some machines that looked to contain edibles stood in the back. “Wait here.” He closed the door.
Torque heard a lock click. Another delay. “How long are they going to hold us here, Briggs?”
“I have no idea.”
“Wonderful.” Torque kicked the leg of a chair. He wandered around the room. No other exits existed. Not a window, not even a vent large enough to fit through.
“We’re being observed,” Leila said, looking up at a dome above their heads. She set the medical case on one of the tables.
Sam looked up. “I imagine they’re listening too so don’t say more than you want anyone to hear.”
Torque snorted. The humans didn’t actually think their hidden surveillance system was fooling anyone, did they? He could take that out in a heartbeat if he wanted to. And if the humans kept them waiting too long, he might actually do it. That would get somebody in here.
* * * * *
Underground, Planet Xylon
Tara savored the small amount of food Pitch shared with her. They couldn’t survive down here much longer without more supplies. “Pitch and I should be the ones to scout around, find supplies and a way out or a safer location. Alexa, you and Josella should stay here with the babies.”
“What happens to us if you two don’t make it back?” Alexa asked, a worried look on her face. “I think we should all stay together.”
“Normally I’d agree.” Pitch took a sip of water from his supply bottle. “But it would be too difficult with the triplets.”
“Pitch and I could go,” Josella said. “That way Tara would be here with Alexa if anything happened, like the Def’mal showing up.”
Tara shook her head. “You’ll slow Pitch down. We don’t need further delays.”
Josella visibly stiffened.
“I’m just being practical.”
Josella raised her chin a notch. “I survived on the Sand Moon by myself. Not many women can say that. Just because I’m quiet and like to stay in the background, it doesn’t mean that I’m not capable or knowledgeable.”
Pitch patted her hand. “Josella and I will go. We’re a good team and she knows how to get out of tight situations. It’s decided.”
“Just like that?” Tara asked, taking a sip from a bottle that Alexa had given her.
“I’m ranking officer. It’s done.”
Tara hesitated then nodded. She still hadn’t gotten used to being busted down in rank. She used to give orders to Pitch. Now it was the other way around. But she’d abide with his wishes. It actually wasn’t such a bad idea. Braden would want her to protect his mate and children. “Do you have an extra weapon to leave with me?”
Pitch smiled. “Of course.” He reached down into his boot and pulled out an electro-zapper. “Not as good as a disruptor but it’ll get the job done.”
Tara took the weapon. Barely better than a pain inducer, but it didn’t need direct skin contact to work. She and Torque used to kill dung-rats with them on Xylon, so at least she knew how to get the best out of it. “Thanks.”
She told Pitch everything she’d learned while down here, which wasn’t much, and then she watched him and Josella go on their way. She moved closer to Alexa. “I guess it’s been the babies that I was hearing before we found each other.”
Alexa’s eyes widened. “You heard them? I’ve been trying to keep them quiet.”
“I couldn’t really identify the sound. It must have traveled through those vents.” She pointed upward.
“Do you think the Def’mal heard them?”
“Probably. We need to stay alert. It’s a danger staying in one place like this. But moving around with the babies is problematic too. I don’t understand why Laszlo would send you here instead of the repair station unless he didn’t care about your safety.”
“Laszlo wouldn’t put us in danger. Not purposely.”
“Given what’s happened, I’m not so sure about that.”
“Um, there’s something that you need to know…” Alexa shifted and seemed to be searching for her words.
Tara wondered what was up now. And she did wonder about Laszlo’s motives, no matter what Alexa believed. The man was much too secretive for her liking and always had been. “What?”
“We found out something major after the attack on Xylon. It seems that Laszlo, well, he’s both my father and Kam’s.”
Tara sat dumbfounded. Her translator must be acting up. “Father?” She shook her head. “No. Kam’s father is a Xylon Warrior, whereabouts unknown. And you’re—”
A shuffling sound caught their attention. Tara saw Alexa stiffen. She put a finger to her own lips, telling Alexa to stay quiet. Tara stood up and gripped the electro-zapper securely. It could just be Pitch or Josella coming back, but if so, certainly they would have called out or signaled her in some way. No other sounds reached her ears. But she knew she hadn’t imagined it, for Alexa had heard it too. She moved forward slowly, extinguishing the lights to help conceal their presence. When she heard movement behind her, she glanced back as the last of the light faded. Alexa was heading deeper into the cave where the babies were. Good.
Another slight shuffling sound. Tara froze. Boots against pebbles on the ground? She pressed herself along the cave wall, then ducked and peered through the entrance. Nothing. She slipped through as quietly as possible, staying close to the wall of the cave. Whoever it was, she would lure them away, then double back. When a shadow passed by before she expected, her heart jumped. Shit. She froze, not daring to move and she barely breathed.
He hadn’t seen her and a sense of relief washed through her. Until he stopped. She saw him visibly tense. Or maybe she felt his tension. It was too dark without a light stick to see much of anything. He knew she was there. She’d bet on it. Possibly her scent. The Def’mal had keen senses. But then he continued forward and she breathed normally again.
Cautiously, she turned toward the other pathway. She’d make a noise and get him headed down the next entry. He was too close for comfort and she intended to make certain he kept going. She wouldn’t terminate him unless forced into it. She’d have to hit him directly in the eye for a lethal shot to penetrate the brain.
A hand suddenly clamped over her mouth from behind and an arm circled her waist. What? No way could he have gotten behind her. The realization hit her hard. There’s two of them! She tried to cry out or make any kind of a sound of distress so Alexa would know to stay hidden but the Def’mal held her too tightly. She had to fight and hope that Alexa was smart enough not to try to help.
When his grip loosened just slightly, she jerked her head backward, catching him on the chin. He grunted and his hold on her slipped. She turned enough to get him off balance and flipped him over her shoulder. Where was the other one? The caves had turned quiet. Almost too quiet.
As she strained to hear movement, her attention returned to the downed Def’mal. He lay motionless on the ground. She didn’t know if he had hit his head and was out or if he was just disoriented. Either way, she had no choice now but to finish the job. It was too dangerous to leave him alive. She pointed the electro-zapper at his head, aiming for his right pupil as best as she could in the shadows.
A beam of light hit her, blinding her for a moment. The second Def’mal! He kicked her hand, sending the weapon flying.
“Ow!” She lunged forward to tackle her attacker and managed to knock him on his butt. She heard him curse as he dropped the light. She scrambled for her weapon but he got to it first.
“Stand down, woman,” he said. “We are not here to hurt you.”
She recognized the voice. It was the Def’mal who had saved her. He grabbed the light and adjusted the beam until their whole area lit up in a soft glow. She scooted back against the rocks, now trapped between him and the body of the other one.
He sat resting his arms on his knees and chuckled. “You are a fighter.”
“I’m a warrior,” she said with pride and defiance, stiffening her spine. She eyed him warily. His primitive look
shook her confidence and memories. He seemed much more feral than she’d recalled.
His eyes widened slightly. “Ah, so we understand each other’s words now. Interesting.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at his companion. “You did not kill him, did you?”
She shrugged as she studied him. He was clad in animal-pelt leggings. No shirt covered his broad chest. His hair hung low past his muscular shoulders, but appeared clean. Both his chest and face were shadowed with a sprinkling of hair as were his forearms. Just enough to make him look wild and dangerous. He wore a pair of boots—a hard-looking material she didn’t recognize—that were the same color as his leggings.
He pushed himself to his feet. He nudged the downed man who groaned and moved slightly. “Wake up.” The Def’mal stared down at her. “The Egesa are up top. We believe they have come to take over what is left of the planet.”
Everything inside Tara wanted to scream out a protest. What had happened to all the off-world warriors? Certainly someone remained to fight for their home.
“I see the thoughts in your eyes, Tara. Your warriors have not kept your home protected.”
His words angered her even though they did mirror her thoughts. If even one warrior remained alive, they would return to Xylon and fight. If not now, then soon. She believed that with all her heart.
Loyalty to Xylon was something that a true warrior never took lightly. But then she thought of all those who had defected during the uprisings, those who had joined with Daegal as highbred assassins and hadn’t returned to Xylon when given the chance. What had happened to her people over the generations? Was it possible that they had been responsible for their own downfall?
Laszlo, with all his power, hadn’t even been able to prevent it. Maybe a new leader was needed. Someone who could restore Xylon to its former greatness.
Something in the Def’mal’s eyes changed and a troubled expression filled his gaze. “You think too much, Tara. You must live for the moment, for in the end, nobody may be able to save you. Remember, little one, trust only yourself. Enemies are everywhere.”
Depths Of Desire XW5 Page 8