Discovery

by KD Jones

  They orbited the Colonial Planet and Teagan was anxious to get on some solid ground. Several times they’d had to boost the Morinian transport’s systems to keep it going. It really was on its last legs and was ready to die.

  “Why are we having them stop so far out from the planet?” she asked, standing next to LemAN on the command bridge.

  “Their transport is nearly useless. We can’t let it orbit the planet. It could get caught up in the planet’s gravitational pull and crash, causing damage or even fatalities. We’ll begin to ship the Morinians down with our shuttles, the few they have left, and Leader LarIS is sending some of their shuttles.”

  “Okay. When do we leave? I’ve always wanted to visit the Colonial Planet.”

  “I can’t convince you to remain here?”

  “Nope, I want to go. Besides, I need to help Lieutenant ComEY with setting Leader LarIS up with the decloaking program and satellite dishes.”

  He didn’t look happy about it but didn’t try to argue with her. “How long will that take?”

  “A few hours for the program but I want to make sure that the satellite dishes are up and running properly. It could take them one to two days to get it done.”

  “That will give us enough time to get the Morinians settled in the mountain village. We will be leaving in the next hour.”

  “Oh, let me go back for a few things. Do you want me to pack anything for you?”

  He looked surprised at her offer. “Yes, a couple of uniforms would be much appreciated.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you in the docking bay in an hour.” She leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips before leaving.

  *****

  LemAN stared after her, still stunned that she’d offered to do something as simple as pack for him. She never pressured him for anything but just seemed to give him acceptance and understanding. He couldn’t ask for a better mate.

  “The Goddess blessed you with that one,” BorIS commented next to him.

  “She has and I am eternally grateful. Teagan is amazing—better than I deserve.”

  “That’s not true. You’re a good male, one of the best, and deserve happiness,” BorIS said with conviction.

  LemAN felt heat rise to his cheeks as he looked around and noticed some of the other warriors were nodding in agreement. He cleared his throat. “Second Commander BorIS, you will destroy the Morinian transport once we have relocated its crew.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Get me Leader LarIS on communications and send it to my ready room.”

  He left, feeling so many emotions he didn’t want the others to see. LemAN had hidden his pain when his mate and young died. He pushed it down and worked to give himself something to do. He dedicated his life to serving his people. Never had he believed he would have another chance at life with a mate and possibly a family. The thought of Teagan breeding left him sucker punched. By the time he got to his ready room he was perspiring. His comm link beeped.

  “This is Commander LemAN.”

  “Sir, we have Leader LarIS on the line.”

  “Connect us.”

  A few seconds later, Colonial Planet Leader LarIS’s image came up on his monitor.

  “Leader LarIS, we are preparing to shuttle the Morinians in the next hour.”

  “Very good. Prime Leader RendEL has sent some supplies and a few of their medics and Earth medics to assist.”

  “Good…that’s good.” LemAN wiped the sweat from his forehead. His thoughts were swirling with images of Teagan rounded with his young. He felt fear that he could lose her as he had lost his first mate.

  “Commander LemAN, do you know of my abilities?” Leader LarIS asked.

  “I’m sorry. Your abilities?”

  “I can read thoughts if I am close enough or a person is less guarded.”

  “I don’t understand what that has to do with the Morinians.”

  “I may be stepping over a personal line, but I can read your distress regarding your mate. I have a mate from Earth and she is due to deliver our second young. I understand the concern you have.”

  LemAN was slightly embarrassed but also relieved that there was someone who might understand a little of what he was going through. “I lost my first mate to childbirth. I don’t want to risk Teagan.”

  “We are more compatible breeding-wise with Earth females. It’s the reason your leader brought them to Katiera to begin with. Have our medics and the Earth medics do a physical to verify her health. Most importantly, talk to your mate. Let her know your concerns. A young is a precious result of your love for one another. Don’t let your fears keep you from experiencing that joy.”

  “Thank you, Leader LarIS.”

  “We will expect you in an hour at the specified location.”

  “I am curious why you didn’t have us meet you at the prime city or directly at the village.”

  “There may still be purist rebels or sympathizers here and I am trying to keep them in the dark about bringing the Morinians here.”

  A rebel uprising among the three nations occurred within the last few years over Earth females mixing with Katierans. Threats were made and Earth females had even been attacked. Purist rebels on the Colonial Planet bombed the Prime Building, injuring Leader LarIS’s mate.

  “The purist rebels would completely go insane over us aiding the Morinians. It wouldn’t matter to them that these are mostly females and young. Their hatred is for anything different.”

  “I’ve used my abilities as much as possible to scan those in the prime city, but there could be those living on the outskirts that find a way to block me. I do have my limitations.”

  “Have security increased on the surface and I’ll have the security upped on the shuttles.”

  “Agreed. Looking forward to meeting you in person.”

  He ended communications. The things that LarIS had said really hit home for him. He didn’t want to waste one single moment with Teagan. He stood and left with determined strides.

  When he opened the door to their quarters she looked up in surprise. “Is it time already? I was trying to hurry.”

  He walked over to her and took her lovely face in his large hands. “I love you, Teagan.”

  She smiled and he could swear the room lit up with the radiance. “I love you, too.”

  “I swear to protect you and our young with all that I am.”

  She gasped then giggled. “Is there something I should know? Am I pregnant?”

  “You could be.”

  “LemAN, I am on birth control. I have been since I started dating as a teenager. I have several months’ worth of birth control with me so unless I stop taking it, I shouldn’t get pregnant.”

  “Does that work with Katieran seed? I thought ours was pretty strong.”

  She smiled at him. “I can check with the medics. The point is I understand your worry over me getting pregnant so I don’t mind taking the birth control until we are ready.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want a young with you. The idea of you growing round is so appealing, but I worry. I can’t lose you.”

  “I know. I feel the same about you, too. We’ll take this one day at a time, okay?”

  He nodded then leaned down and kissed her.

  “Tell me again,” she whispered.

  He smiled. “I love you, Teagan.”

  “If only we had time, I would demand you show me how much.”

  He groaned and leaned his forehead against hers. “We definitely do not have time. Leader LarIS is waiting on us.”

  “Well then, help me finish this up so we can leave. I have to admit I’m looking forward to being on land again.”

  “After relocating the Morinians we will head back to Katiera. I want to show you my world.”

  “I want that, too.”

  Chapter 20

  Colonial Planet

  “Keep your eyes open for trouble,” LemAN ordered his warriors as they left the shuttle. Teagan walked behind him per his insistence. She w
ouldn’t argue with him since it was security and her safety, along with that of the others, that he was worried about.

  This was Teagan’s first glimpse of the Colonial Planet. It was lush with greenery and vegetation. The spot they landed in reminded her of the way Earth’s tropical forests used to be before pollution contaminated their natural resources.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “It is,” LemAN agreed.

  A loud animal cry somewhere close by had her jumping in place. “What the hell was that?”

  “A bamboosa,” a male said from the left of her.

  She turned to watch as a very attractive red-haired man stepped forward to clasp forearms with LemAN.

  “Nice to finally meet you in person, Commander LemAN.”

  “It is an honor, Leader LarIS.” Leman greeted him and turned to introduce Teagan. He reached out his hand to her and she took it. “Teagan White, my mate, this is Colonial Planet Leader LarIS.”

  She smiled shyly. “Nice to meet you.” She didn’t clasp forearms because LemAN wouldn’t let go of her hand. Was he jealous?

  “He’s extremely protective of you, Miss White. Clasping forearms is more for warriors anyway. Usually a male greeting a female would kiss her hand.”

  LemAN growled out, “You won’t be touching her.”

  LarIS laughed. “Be at ease, Commander. I am happily mated, as you know.”

  Suddenly it occurred to her that she hadn’t spoken out loud but LarIS had answered her unspoken question.

  LarIS looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. “That’s because I have the ability to read minds.”

  “Really? Wow, that’s incredible. I have so many questions—”

  LemAN cleared his throat. “You can ask them later. I need to introduce the Morinians.”

  “Right. Later, then.”

  LarIS smiled. “I look forward to introducing you to my mate. She is also from Earth.”

  “Cool.” Teagan stepped back as the Morinian council, leader, and commander all approached suspiciously.

  LemAN motioned them over and made the introductions. LarIS greeted them and spent a moment studying Commander Kayley then he turned to LemAN.

  “You can assure the other leaders that these people have hidden nothing. They are who they say they are, enemy to the Morins, just as we all are.” He turned to face the Morinians. “You are welcome here on the Colonial Planet for as long as you would like to be.”

  Leader Lidia spoke. “We thank you for your kindness, but we will only stay as long as it takes to find a suitable planet for us. I don’t want to cause disruption among your people, and ours need time to finally feel safe and establish our own home.”

  LarIS nodded. “I understand completely. Have your people remain in the shuttles. We have our own shuttles that will direct you because the location of the village is to be kept completely secret for the safety of our people who live there.”

  “We understand.” Lidia turned with her council and started walking back to the shuttle but Commander Kayley was staring off at a crop of trees.

  LarIS also stared in that direction. He turned to LemAN. “We have shooters in the trees. They’re not my warriors.”

  LemAN pulled Teagan behind him and motioned his warriors to take defensive positions. Teagan tried to peer around his tall body. Her heart beat faster and her palms were sweaty. What was happening?

  “Teagan, when I tell you to, run for the shuttle. Don’t stop until you are safely inside.”

  “What about you?” They were all exposed in the clear area surrounded by shrubbery and trees. Talk about sitting ducks.

  “I’ll be right behind you.”

  She glared at his back, not believing for one minute he would run when his people and innocent bystanders were in danger. However, her arguing would not help the matter. She needed to get out of the way so he could do what he needed to do.

  “Okay.”

  LarIS held up his hand and counted down from five…four…three…two…

  “Now, Teagan! Run!”

  She turned and sprinted for the shuttle, wishing that she took working out more seriously. Teagan was more a thinker than a bodybuilder. She glanced back as she heard whizzing sounds. Laser gun blasts came from the trees and the warriors returned fire. The Morinian council made it safely to their shuttle but Commander Kayley remained, firing her own weapon.

  “Watch out, Teagan!” Lt. ComEY shouted from the entrance of the shuttle.

  She had gotten distracted and tripped over a really large rock, falling down to the ground hard. Her hands went out to try to catch herself but she still ended up hitting her face. Damn, that was going to leave a bruise. When she tried to stand up, her ankle wouldn’t hold her. She’d either broken or sprained it.

  “Fuck!”

  “Teagan!” LemAN called out.

  She looked up to see some stranger in gray running toward her with his laser blaster drawn. He was going to shoot her and, at the distance he was closing in on her, she wouldn’t survive the shot.

  Teagan did the only thing she could do with death imminent. She said a quick prayer to her God. Then she prayed to Leman’s. “Goddess KatieRI, watch over my LemAN.”

  Something moving to her right caught her attention. She turned just as a large body jumped in front of her. She wasn’t hit by the blaster but the body protecting her was. There was a whirlwind of noise as the warriors took control and the purist rebels were taken down. None of that mattered as she realized who it was that had taken the blast to protect her. She rolled the body over to his back.

  “LemAN! No!” He was covered in blood from getting hit on his side. He was still breathing, though, thank God. He looked up at her.

  “Are you…okay?”

  She was crying. “Yes, but you’re not, you big idiot! Why did you do that?”

  “Had…to…protect. Love you.”

  “I love you, too.” His eyes shut and she freaked out. “Don’t you dare die on me, LemAN! Do you hear me? I won’t have it!”

  “So…bossy.”

  “You better believe it!” She looked around, grateful that LarIS and the other warriors had the situation under control. “I need a medic!”

  Lt. ComEY limped up to her. “Are you injured, Teagan?”

  “No, but LemAN is hit. I can’t get the bleeding to stop.”

  “Let me help. I’m a medic.” A Morinian woman knelt down next to her.

  Teagan watched as the woman pulled out what looked like a medical scope, except it was curved and black instead of straight and silver.

  “I can stop the bleeding until nanos are injected that can repair him internally. He should be placed in an unconscious state while that is happening to prevent him from suffering pain.” The woman reached inside her pouch, pulled out a gel, and applied it to his wound then wrapped it with bandages. “That should hold him until he can be moved. Moving him will cause his bleeding to start again.”

  “Thank you…”

  “Medic Claudia. My mother is Leader Lidia.”

  “Thank you, Claudia.”

  “I’m going to go help the other injured warriors.”

  She looked up and noticed that ComEY was watching the Morinian medic with interest. She hoped he would find love one day like she had with LemAN. Everyone should know that kind of love.

  “Am I going to die?” LemAN asked in a pain-filled voice.

  “Not today.”

  “I need to help with the purist rebels.”

  “We have that under control, Commander. Rest now,” ComEY reassured him.

  “That sounds like a good idea. Teagan?”

  “I’ll be here when you wake up. Promise.” He was out before she even finished talking. She couldn’t stop herself from checking his pulse. It beat strong and steady. He was alive, and that was all that mattered.

  Chapter 21

  The suns were bright today as he lay on the sandy shores of Katiera. He heard his name and turned. Two figures were approaching him, a female
and a small young who was holding her hand.

  “You need to wake now, LemAN,” the woman said as her image became clearer.

  “LoraLI?”

  “You can’t remain here with us.”

  He was confused as he looked from her to the little boy who was maybe five years old with light brown hair and eyes so familiar because they were his eyes, too. “LormAN?”

  The little boy smiled and pointed at him. “Father.”

  LoraLI smiled at the boy. “Yes.”

  He heard someone else calling his name from a distance. The voice was so familiar to him it pulled at his heart.

  “Go now, LemAN, and live a full and happy life with your true bond mate.”

  He reached out for her but that voice calling him was Teagan’s. She needed him. “Teagan.”

  *****

  “Three days! I’ve been unconscious for three days?” LemAN yelled at the medics on board the Horizen. He tried to sit up but Teagan and the medics gently pushed him back down.

  One of the medics responded to him. “Easy, Commander. The nanos are still working to repair all the damage. We had to keep you unconscious for most of it. You started bleeding out as the shuttle docked, and could have died. You would have died on the Colonial Planet if it had not been for the Morinian medic who stopped the bleeding.”

  “Morinian medic? What about the attackers? Who were they?”

  Second Commander BorIS answered. “Purist rebels and their sympathizers. Half are dead and we believe we have captured the rest. Leader LarIS and Commander AshOR are interrogating them as we speak.”

  “I need to be there to question them.”

  “The hell you do! You almost died, twice! You will sit here and let the medics heal you or…I’m going to get really pissed off!” Teagan was trembling by the time she finished yelling at him.

  The other males took a step back from Teagan, unused to her anger. LemAN merely smiled up at her. “So bossy. Isn’t she amazing?”

  BorIS looked at the medics with concern. “Are you sure he suffered no head injury?”

  Teagan snorted and laughed, easing the tension in the room. She gave BorIS a glare. “I can’t wait for you to fall in love.”