There's no hope of rescue. This is it. Welcome home, now make the best of it. Or don't. Your choice.
The suns beat down mercilessly as we march. Despite his size, Shidan has an easier time moving across the sand than Mark or I do. He outweighs both of us together but his body is made for this. He spreads his wings, uses his tail as a guide and runs across the sand like Legolas across snow. Mark and I have to fight for every forward step. It's exhausting and Mark is having an even rougher time of it.
"Wait," he pants, hands on his knees.
He takes out another water bottle and downs it. Sweat is pouring out of him as fast as he can drink. He takes salt and potassium pills but it won't be enough. It will keep him functioning but barely. He'll have a heat stroke before long. Stupid idiot.
Looking back, we're out of sight of the city. Dunes of sand block off any sight of the dome.
"You shouldn't be out here," I observe.
"No choice," he says, then downs more water.
"Why not?"
Shidan moves next to me and the flapping of his wings makes a nice breeze. Mark looks over my shoulder at Shidan then back at me.
"We need to be sure," he says.
"Sure of what?"
"That we're not being left out," he says, leaning his head back and pouring water across his face.
"Out of what? Shit say what you mean man. It's like pulling teeth to figure out what you're saying!"
Mark rubs his face then shakes his head, flinging droplets of water across me. It's disgusting so I step back and bump into Shidan. Shidan's strong hands close on my arms and hold me upright. I pull out of his grip, giving him a quick glare over my shoulder.
"Look, it's obvious that there are two camps of survivors. Those who embrace the aliens and want to interbreed with them and those of us who remember our greater mission. Our job is to find and populate a planet. For humans. We don't want to be left out of the planning. We want to fulfill our obligation to our ancestors."
"But the mission is dead," I say. "We crashed, we're here, not where we're supposed to be. Our target was an uninhabited planet terraformed and ready for our arrival. That's gone and we're here. This is it. We'll never see that planet."
"You don't know that," he says petulantly. "And it doesn't change our obligation. We are the hope of the human race. It's our duty to make sure that humans survive."
"As opposed to?"
He looks at Shidan. "We want to make sure we survive. I want a family, kids, and a life that is better than this for them," he says.
I want to be angry at him. I want to hate him or tell Shidan to beat him up or something. I want to be but I'm not and I don't. He's scared. It's obvious. He wants a family and kids and his fear is palpable because all of that is slipping away and he can't do anything about it.
"Just-" I raise and lower my hands trying to find words for my feelings. "Screw it, let's get going."
He shrugs and we resume our march. I stop after a while and dig down into the sand while directing Mark and Shidan to do the same twenty feet to either side. We work our way towards each other until we find the tube and realign ourselves along its apparent path.
I'm running out of water. This is the stupidest idea ever. I'm marching towards something that may not even exist. Or more likely it's already destroyed or rotted away. Or I won't have any idea what to do with it when I find it. Dumb, but I keep on marching. I'm running out of ideas and right now this is the best I can do.
Mark is weaving as he walks, wandering further off to one side but he keeps moving. I feel bad for him. I remember what it was like before I took epis. The constant headache, the desire to sleep, every muscle in my body hurt. Dehydration is a slow, secret killer you don't even realize is destroying you. I may not be able to leave Tajss because I have to take epis regularly but at least I'm not suffering, not like I know Mark is.
"Mark!" I yell as he stumbles along heading for some bright orange flowers.
He spins around and looks my way then waves, still weaving.
"These are pretty," he says, pointing at the colorful blooms.
He gets closer to the flowers then some kind of cloudy-mist bursts from the plant. Mark's face changes going from miserable and beet red to a broad smile and wide eyes. He points up into the sky and cries something that sounds joyous.
"They've come!" he says, jumping up and down with his arms up waving wildly.
I run. I don't know what's going on but there's nothing on this hell hole that isn't out to kill you. The loose sand pulls my feet down with each step.
"MARK!" I yell.
Slow, too slow.
"Amara, no!" Shidan yells from behind but I ignore him.
Mark looks up at me still smiling. "Amara, its home, we made it! They came for us! We're being rescued."
I'm close enough now to see he's in the middle of a small field of the bright orange flowers. Thick, brown vines run between them lying across the sand. The flowers tremble and my gut sinks. Something will happen, I know it. I could really use my nerdtastic botanist friends right about now.
"Mark, damn it, get out of there!"
"It's okay," he says. "I'm just going to… lie down here a minute. They'll carry me to the ships."
Damn it. I shouldn't have let him get so far away. It was my bright idea to spread us out so we could have a better chance of catching sight of any machinery. I'm sinking halfway up my calf with each forward step. I hear Shidan's wings flap as he comes closer but I'm not waiting for him, I've got to get to Mark.
Mark has a fixed smile on his face and his eyes are on the sky. The vines, as thick as my forearm, crawl up his legs, wrapping around him.
"MARK!" I scream so loud it feels like my throat tears.
He doesn't look my way or react to the sound of my voice. He's lost in some world of his own. I don't know what's happening. The vines are climbing up his legs, reaching his waist. He's standing there with a stupid, empty grin on his face as they encircle him. The flowers tremble, all of them, the entire field as if they're one organism.
Then Mark screams. Its blood-curdling, filled with pain and agony, as they wrap around his chest. He doesn't struggle though, just screams with that god-awful vacant smile on his face. I stumble up to him and grab one vine that's wrapped his chest, pulling with everything I've got. As I peel it back blood drips. Son of a bitch it's drinking him!
I look over my shoulder to yell for Shidan. He's a short distance away still coming closer. He's yelling something then the air fills with mist that goes up my nose causing a burning sensation. The burning races right into my brain and then I'm tired. So, so tired. I turn a slow circle as the desert wavers then fades away.
"Stancher!" Lieutenant Daniels barks.
"Yes sir!" I come to attention.
"You've made it," he says. Pride swells as the men to either side of me groan. "Rest of you pasty-ass, dog-face, stick-jockeys pay attention. Stancher here can teach all of you something. She didn't just beat you, she blew you all out of the water."
He walks over to stand in front of me then places the Top Flight Wings on my uniform.
"Now take a nap Stancher," he orders. "You're on deck next so get yourself ready. You've set a high bar. Don't you let me down!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" I salute.
"Dismissed!" he barks.
The men and I fall out. They glower at me then four of them walk over led by my nemesis, Tomas Draker.
"So, Stancher," Tomas says, standing in front of me.
The other three circle around. A quick glance and I know there's no one to help. There never is. I'm on my own, like always.
"What favors did you give the old man for this one?" Draker asks, his voice soft and vile.
The men with him snicker, muttering. One of them shoulders into me knocking me off my balance. I stand up straight again and meet Draker's gaze.
"Back off Draker," I say.
"Back off?" he asks. "Back off of what. No woman can do what you do, hell most men ca
n't do what you're claiming you did. The G's of that maneuver would black out anyone. I know you've rigged the machines somehow. That's why you're always hanging with the mech grubs isn't it? Cozy up to them and they rig the readouts for you."
"I'll take you on any time Draker."
"Sure Stancher, I want to be the one who shows up the Captain's pet," he barks. "Besides, aren't you tired? You look tired. You can't keep your eyes open."
I am tired. So damn tired but never too tired to put this punk piece of shit in his place. "I can out fly you with one hand tied behind my seat."
He snorts and turns his back. The men with him disperse.
"Whatever Stancher," he says. "I know you cheated. I'll figure out how sooner or later."
Something behind him catches my eye. It's out of place here on the flight deck. A big man with wings. No wait, he has scales and he's staring at me. Whatever, I don't need anyone, human or alien. They're all the same. He looks like a dragon and there's something sexy about him though. Weird.
"I don't cheat Draker," I bark.
"No one," Draker says, whirling around on me, "and I mean no one, can do what you say you did. I'm on to your game and I'm not the only one."
The men with him glare at me but that's not the worst of it. Looking around the flight deck my entire crew is watching. None of them are sticking up for me. Every single one of them is looking at me with resentment in their eyes. Shame and anger burn hot inside then my cheeks are flushing and I'm even more pissed that they can see I'm bothered. I didn't cheat, damn it. I want to scream it but that will just make me look weak. I can't go on the defensive so I go offensive.
"Anytime you think you're man enough you grub," I bark at Draker. "I'll take on you or anyone you care to put forward. I earned my damn wings."
The dragon man smiles and nods at the far side of the flight deck. What the hell is he doing here? Do we allow aliens on the ship?
"You wouldn't dare," Draker laughs.
"Try me!" I yell. "You scared? Afraid I'll show you up? Put your money where your mouth is."
He blanches and I know I'm on the right track. Even the guys with him are looking at him now, putting the pressure on him to meet my challenge.
"Fine!" he barks, but his voice quavers.
It's not much but I don't miss it. He's scared because he knows he doesn't have the goods to out fly me.
The man dragon is yelling something. What is he saying? Oh, that's my name. How does the dragon-man know my name? The lights flicker and everything goes dark before lighting up. I fight to suppress a yawn.
I'm tired. So, so tired…
Chapter Six
Shidan
The vines of the ioza wrap around her legs, reaching her middle before I can close the distance between us. It was stupid to spread out so far. I should have known better. I don't know what I was thinking allowing her to be such a distance from me outside the dome. Running across the sand as fast as I can I see she's deep in the throes of the ioza's hallucinogen.
She's saying something I can't make out. Mark has fallen over to the ground and she is leaning as I reach her, the vines pulling her down so it can engulf her. Once that's happened I don't know if I'll be able to save her. Drawing my lochaber, a long staff with a metal sword end, I run, whirling it into ready. Once I'm close enough I leap into the air, spread my wings wide, and glide past the outer roots of the ioza and land close to Amara.
Swinging my lochaber with one hand I grab her with my free arm. The blade swings below her body hitting into the thick vines of the ioza. The blade contacts and cuts part way in then sends a numbing vibration up my arm. My grip on the lochaber spasms but I can't let go, through will alone I maintain my grip. The ioza reacts to the attack filling the air with its spores. Surrounded by them I close my protective lenses over my eyes and refuse to breathe.
One handed I work the lochaber free of the vines and swing it towards them again but the ioza knows of me now. Vines entwine my feet, forcing me to keep stepping to avoid being trapped while I work to free her. It throws off my center and keeps me from bringing my full strength to bear. I strike once more but again fail to cut through. A vine wraps around my left foot pulling hard to the ground.
Desperation swells. I swing again and cut through some of the vines but more are racing to take their place. The flowers are vibrating as the plant realizes it's under a full attack. Amara is quiet and out. The situation grows more serious with each passing moment. I have to get her away before it's too late.
An idea comes full fledged, crazy, but it's the only chance I have. I let her go, grab my lochaber with both hands, bend in half at my waist, then swing with everything I have at the vines holding her up. The lochaber slices through with my full strength. Fresh vines race up to replace them but I exhale a ball of fire as soon as the lochaber severed them. The vines react by pulling back from my flames.
I grab Amara before she can drop to the ground, spread my wings, and run. Vines wrap my left foot stopping me in place with a jerk. Amara slips in my arms and I scrabble to hold on to her before she falls. The vines are resuming their attack. I can't breathe fire again, I have no air left. I'm light-headed from needing to breathe but I can't. If I inhale the spores, then I'll fall into the hallucinations too.
I shift her to one arm pulling her up so she's resting over my shoulder. Taking my lochaber in my other hand I lean forward, pulling against the restraining vine then swing backward and free my foot. A careful dance from foot to foot and I'm free of most of them. Moving Amara back into my arms I spread my wings and run until I'm sure I'm clear of the plant's reach.
The ioza has settled, hiding most of its vines under the sand as if nothing happened. The only ones in sight have wrapped Mark from head to toe. There's nothing I can do to save him. If I go back in there, we'll both be dead and I'm sure he's already gone. The ioza survives off the blood of creatures unfortunate enough to fall into its reach.
Kneeling next to Amara I look her over for anything that needs immediate treatment. She's feverish, sweaty, and shivering despite the heat. Damn. I don't know how her body will handle the spores. A strong Zmaj can survive them but would need rest and nutrition. A human? There is no choice but for me to get her back to the city as fast as possible. Someone there will help her.
Gathering her into my arms I turn and run. She's light and I can't deny it's a pleasure to feel her close. How long I have dreamed of this but never under such circumstances. The moment I saw her outside the dome so many cycles ago I knew. The longing, driving, deep down desire awakened as soon as I laid eyes on her. I had to have her. She was the one. I walked over the dunes heading for the shimmer that turned out to be the city's dome and there she was. The sun kissed her, outlining her with a halo of light.
She didn't see me at first. I remember still how stunned I was to see her there. She was so strange, exotic, and attractive. She lacked everything a woman should have, but every lack made her only more perfect. It wasn't a lack; it was different. She was something beyond anything I could have imagined. My experience with non-Zmaj was limited and none of the ones I'd seen looked anything like her.
She had no scales but that wasn't the thing. The swell of her chest pulled my eyes to it. A Zmaj female has protective plates but Amara did not. Her chest swelled, filling her shirt and created an enticing curve that flowed down to her hips. Her hips were wider than most Zmaj females. An enticing design. She had no tail or wings! That alone was enough to stun me.
Even now her hair tickles along my side as I run. It bounces almost as if it has a life of its own. I run as fast as I can and it dances in the breeze. She's soft. So, so soft. I've only touched her in momentary passing, enough to know her skin is soft but holding her! There is a softness to her legs, her hips, her side. All seem soft and gentle. Yet I know she is as tough as the scales of any Zmaj.
She must be all right, has to be. I will save her.
She is my treasure whether she accepts this yet or not. I am worthy and I
will prove it to her. My devotion will not waver. Now though, focus. Push away thoughts of the future, of the past, focus in the now. One foot in front of another. My wings mustn't stop working. The sand wants to pull me in, slow me down, but I will not weaken.
We've come far from Drakonov, the city. Over half a day's journey. I left my supplies where I dropped them when I ran to save her so I have no water. Exhaustion threatens my muscles but I will not give in. I will not fail her. She is my lyutik. I will see her through this trial. Bowing my head I run, leaning in. I bound, using my wings to carry me forward and my tail to keep myself from losing balance. My muscles tremble, aching with exertion, but my will keeps my flesh from giving in.
The suns set casting long shadows across the dunes. Amara convulses in my arms. I have to slow down to make sure I don't drop her as her body struggles against whatever she is dreaming. She moans and cries out then stiffens and quiets. Hold on my lyutik. We are not far.
Every step is hard. My legs are heavy, my wings hurt, every beat is a screaming, shooting sensation that burns through my chest. My arms quiver with exhaustion but I don't let myself slow. I will save her. Somehow. I'm climbing a dune that seems to go forever. Her breathing has become even and steady. That's good, I hope. I have to let the muscles of my wings rest so I fold them in. Carrying her along with my weight causes me to sink into the sand. Every step is struggle but I push through it. Reaching the top, the glimmer of the city dome is in the distance.
Hope wars with the sinking in my stomach. It's far, much farther than I hoped. Bowing my head I dig deep into my resolve. I heft Amara up to a better position and take a moment to look at her. Her dry, cracked lips mutter. She's bright red and feverish. Feeling bold I kiss her forehead.
"Hang in lyutik, we are almost home," I whisper.
I run. Digging deep I find reserves of strength I didn't know were in me. Coming down the dune I pick up speed. I spread my wings with a pop and use my forward momentum to leap and glide giving my other muscles much needed respite. I'm running as soon as my feet hit the ground. One step after another. I climb another dune and repeat the pattern coming down the far side. As I land after a long glide the ground beneath me rumbles.
Dragon's Love: A SciFi Alien Baby Romance (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 3) Page 5