Security held their aim steady and crept forward. Their blue uniforms blurred in a sluggish pace, alternating with choppy jerks of fast-forward movement.
A ground transport rushed into the hangar. The door slid open. Birk backed up, dragging Erynn with him. Staser fire flashed through the air. One of Birk’s men went down, the side of his face gone. The air reeked of ozone, smoke, burned flesh, and blood.
Erynn’s head swam. The stench of death turned her stomach. Her breathing was uneven and fast. Anger flared, thawing the ice of fear. She pushed more effort into freeing herself.
Birk adjusted his hand around the staser and punched the side of her face.
Jaer’s roar of rage reached her before the scene grayed and went black.
Sound emptied from her ears with a low, droning hiss.
Chapter 5
JAER RAN FOR ERYNN. FROM his peripheral vision, he watched Tiar and Cale make a dive to get to her also. Birk’s men charged forward. Jaer grabbed the first one to come at him by the collar of his light-blue security uniform and tossed him aside. A second man wearing a gray jumpsuit rammed Jaer, holding him. Staser fire flared. Jaer watched helpless as Birk pulled Erynn into the transport and Marris climbed in over her. They sped away, the door sliding shut with a loud crack.
Jaer’s body coiled to react, and he stiffened. He pushed his hand up between their compressed bodies, fingers grasping the man’s throat, and squeezed.
The man pushed. His arms tightened around Jaer’s chest.
Jaer didn’t give. He held his position, increasing his grip, and drove into the shove, ignoring the crush of the stocky man’s strong hold.
Erynn, they have Erynn.
“No!” Jaer yelled. The single word split the air with force. Jaer heaved his opponent upward, both of them groaning with effort.
The man tried to jerk away, sputtering and kicking, but his feet barely touched the floor.
Jaer glared into the man’s reddening face and recognized fear.
Yes, you will die.
The man grabbed Jaer’s wrist with one hand in an attempt to loosen the choking hold. His other hand dropped to his holstered weapon, fumbled a moment, and pulled the staser free.
With a fluid motion, Jaer turned him, encircling his neck from behind. “Nice try,” Jaer snarled.
The man’s hand holding the staser came back, aiming at Jaer’s face. The weapon wobbled, dipped, and rose. He squeezed the trigger. A wild shot burst into the air above Jaer.
Bringing his other hand around, Jaer covered the man’s chin and yanked.
With a loud snap, the man went limp, his breath escaping in a hiss. Released, he fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.
“That’s for Erynn.” Jaer ran to the open hangar door and out onto the scramble pad.
The transport raced around the far end of the building, sunlight glinting off the rear window.
Erynn was gone.
Jaer turned back. He wouldn’t catch up to them on foot.
The battle over, Brayton’s security team methodically searched each body for weapons and information while ensuring that Birk’s men were either dead or detained. Others tended to the wounded, calling for hovercraft to evacuate the seriously injured. Brayton surveyed the ruin, cradling his arm, his face pale, eyes wide.
Jaer strode forward, grabbed Brayton by the front of his jacket, and lifted him. Clustered medals decorating the left breast of Brayton’s jacket snapped loose and clattered to the floor. Jaer’s voice echoed through the large space above the turmoil of the scene. “Explain to me again, Brayton, why I was not allowed to carry a weapon.”
Brayton pulled at Jaer’s hand. “Let me go,” he croaked.
Jaer released him with a shove, and Brayton stumbled backward.
“General Athru, control your people.” Brayton winced and covered the wound on his upper arm. Fresh blood dripped around his fingers.
“Why?” Cale glared at Brayton. “Because of your incompetence, we walked into an ambush and Erynn Yager has been taken hostage.”
Tiar brushed at a rip in his black tunic. Blood tinged the torn edges. He moved next to Jaer. “The transport should be easy to monitor.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Brayton seethed. “They’ll never leave the base. Security is on this.”
“Those were your people, Brayton,” Cale spat. “You’ve been compromised. We can’t trust you.” He nodded to Tiar. “Get Captain Tiar the monitoring signature of that transport. Now! The captain and I are taking Interceptors. They’ll try to get Erynn away from Korin.”
“You’re not taking my fighters, Athru. My people…” Brayton glanced around the hangar. His mouth opened and closed.
“Beirig din,” Cale cursed, spinning on Brayton. “Do you want to tell the commanding general his daughter is gone? Taken by members of your security team?”
Brayton’s face burned red and he glared at Cale. “Get them flight suits and helmets,” he bellowed.
Jaer turned away and made his way through the crowd. Alarms blared. People hurried to their duty stations. The ship that he, Cale, and Tiar arrived in the day before wasn’t a fighter, but it had weapons.
An alien enemy has taken Erynn from me. No, from us.
Jaer understood he must stop thinking about Erynn this way. His circumstances didn’t allow him any hope of something close developing between them. Nor would she consider him more than a colleague. He was an ordinary man, nothing special, branded by his past, by unwise choices in his life.
He was Fayn, leader of the Anbas Warriors of Arranon. His vow to never commit to another relationship drove him to excel, to become the youngest Fayn in history. This was Jaer’s atonement. He would give his all in service to the Anbas and take the occasional consolation in the arms of a virtual stranger. Simple, no emotion involved. Love didn’t fit into his equation.
Then why does my heart insist upon unlocking its prison bars to this hope? Everything about Erynn—her expressive ice-blue eyes, the way her dark-red hair curls around her face, how her smile lights up a room—calls to me and melts my resistance. Her touch has warmed emotions frozen for many years—emotions I thought dead and buried.
Jaer shook his head. Erynn had powers and abilities that set her apart and made her unreachable. She deserved better than him. He accepted her greater purpose. She had her destiny. He had his—to protect her, to the end. He would die defending her. Jaer pulled his thoughts back and focused. He did a quick inspection of the outside of the ship. Inside he accessed the computer and ran a system’s test. The small craft checked out, ready to fly. The alien enemy must have been sure of their plan to assassinate Cale before he left Korin.
Jaer smiled. He’d gained an insight into this enemy’s weakness—overconfidence. They would underestimate Arranon, and her people, too.
Chapter 6
ERYNN WOKE IN SMALL INCREMENTS, aware of the soft whir of an engine humming at the edge of her consciousness. Her heavy eyelids fluttered and opened. The distorted interior of the transport wavered, the black seatbacks blurring into the gray door panels. Closing her eyes, she made a mental assessment from the top of her head to her toes. Everything worked properly. No pain, except for the sting under her right eye. She reached her hand up with a jerky motion, touching the spot on her cheek, and winced.
Hit? Yes. He hit me. The jerk.
Birk’s voice sounded distant behind the soft buzzing in her ears. “We need to lose the vehicles behind us, Captain Pak. Find a busy area in the city. This vehicle’s signature is traceable. We need a new one.”
“You’ll never make it off the base,” Erynn said in a slurred but certain tone. She rolled her head and glared in the direction of Birk’s voice. Her vision cleared. She was slumped between Birk and Marris in the back of the transport.
“We already have.” Birk laughed, arrogant and loud. His strong, square jaw tightened. He stared at her, black pupils wide against the almost colorless irises.
Erynn pushed upright. The sudden move
ment caused a sharp pain to knife through her head. She sucked in a breath. The city streamed by outside the tinted window. “How did you…?” She glanced at Marris in his blue security uniform, and then at Birk in his tan flight suit. She remembered the scene in the hangar, the men in Korin’s military uniforms drawing on their team members. The question she was about to ask wasn’t significant. Others were more fundamental.
How long? How many?
Birk pushed her against the back of the seat. “Relax. Make this easy for both of us.” He glared toward the driver. “Find us a new vehicle, Pak,” Birk repeated, more insistent.
“You mean steal,” Erynn accused still confident this would end soon with Birk in custody, or better—dead.
Marris narrowed his dark-blue eyes and glanced over her to Birk. “Feisty, isn’t she? Must be the red hair.” He chuckled. “I told you she was trouble.”
Birk frowned. “I can handle her. I’ve taken on tiegens bigger than she is.” He glared down at her. “She puts up a good fight, though.” Birk flexed his arm and winced.
Pak turned down one street after another, maneuvering through the heavy traffic, and managed to elude the pursuing vehicles.
Temporary. We’ll be found. Soon.
They stopped outside the rear of a commercial building in a large parking area.
“Watch her,” Birk ordered Marris before climbing out of the transport.
Erynn studied Birk. He moved his tall, muscular build with ease, comfortable with his body.
Birk surveyed the location before taking a thin metal object out of his pocket and using the device to open a transport. He slid inside. The vehicle came to life with a soft whir.
Whoever they are, they came prepared, but for what purpose?
Marris grabbed Erynn’s arm, pulling her from one transport and pushing her toward the new one, a weapon tucked between them.
Trying to run would be foolish and unnecessary.
“My father will track you down no matter what you do.”
Marris grunted. “Sure he will.” He shoved her. “Keep moving.”
Erynn again sat between Birk and Marris. She considered slowing time, but the brief moment allowed her wouldn’t be enough to get away. In the time it took her to recharge, they would be on her. She could manipulate the electromagnetic field—give them all a good shock. Satisfying, but not sufficient to do any damage. She would probably find herself unconscious for her effort. As far as a hint of her future, nothing came to her. Erynn had read enough of their emotions to close her awareness. She didn’t need, or want to know anymore of what was in their twisted minds.
What good are my abilities if they can’t help me now, when I need assistance the most?
Pak guided the transport out of the city toward some low hills. They approached a small landing field with a single hangar. The area appeared abandoned. Erynn believed they still needed to call for an extraction, for a ship to come and get them.
It’ll never happen. Dad will make sure they don’t get away. He always wins.
The transport rolled into the hangar and stopped. Marris got out, pistol staser drawn, and surveyed the unlighted area. Pak’s shorter form joined him.
Erynn’s eyes adjusted to the murky shadows. A vessel took shape, tucked in the rear of the dim space.
They already have transportation. This. Changes. Everything.
A large alien ship made from a gray-white metal stood out against dark shadows. Protruding weapons angled out where the nose tapered to about three meters at the front. Small ports providing access to wiring and the mechanisms for the ship textured the rounded sides and the rear section’s twelve-meter circumference.
Before alarm found a grip and clung to the deepest recesses of her brain, movement in the back of the building demanded her attention. A slight man in a shiny silver suit advanced from a dark corner. He floated ghostlike, his features solidifying out of the gloom.
Erynn recognized him—Senator Drake’s aide. She had seen him numerous times standing behind the popular senator during vid-casts. Understanding dawned. This operation went deep.
How many? This infiltration was widespread. Not good. But not hopeless.
Birk exited the transport, jerking Erynn with him.
The Senator’s aide moved forward. “Major Birk, you found the extraction point.” He greeted Birk with a smile and frowned at Erynn. His narrow eyes were set deep in their sockets.
Erynn started to speak. Birk yanked her hard, making her head spin. She tried to pull free of his grasp. He glared down at her, his fingers digging painfully into her arm. She stared back at him, anger dulling the ache. Erynn’s jaw clenched. Her teeth ground with an unpleasant grating.
Birk smirked at her before his gaze returned to the aide. “I was told of you.”
The aide’s pleasant countenance returned. His pale lips thinned when he smiled. “You’d be wise to make a hasty retreat. How unfortunate your mission to kill Athru failed, Major.” He gestured with both arms toward the open hatch of the ship.
Birk glared at him. “Doesn’t matter.” He dragged Erynn up the ramp.
She kicked out, trying to wrench free.
If I get on this ship, and they get away…
Her mind refused to finish the unpleasant conclusion.
Birk avoided her kicks and slid behind her. He grabbed her around the waist, lifted, and carried her into the ship.
Erynn pulled at his arms. They remained locked. She threw her head back with all her strength, hoping for the sound of crushing bone.
He dodged her assault, his nose intact.
Her heart skipped. This man, Birk, was too strong, obviously well trained in hand-to-hand combat. Her father could stop this, though.
Couldn’t he?
This would end here, now, on Korin.
Wouldn’t it?
Birk threw her into a seat, holding her with one powerful arm while he secured the restraints. Her ribs threatened to snap under the pressure. When he released her, bright white points swarmed before her eyes. She willed herself back from the brink. The constraints were tight. Drawing a breath was difficult. Her lungs hitched, trying to take in air.
I will not panic.
She called on her military instruction that began with her dad’s teachings when she was a child.
Perform to the level you’ve been trained.
The spasms of her chest muscles eased.
Marris buckled into the first seat in the pilots’ compartment. Pak took the second. The two men prepared the ship for takeoff. Engines powered and the drone built into a roar.
Birk strapped in next to Erynn, cocked his head, and stared at her. A smile touched his lips.
Erynn glowered at him. She wanted to strike out and hurt him—a temporary fix for her anger and fear. Birk would bind her hands and gag her.
Don’t give him a reason. Save it for a better time.
She needed to stay unencumbered. The opportunity for retaliation would come. This wasn’t over yet.
Marris pulled back on the throttle. The ship hovered. With smooth acceleration, the craft defied the strength of Korin’s gravity and shot out the open hangar door.
Chapter 7
FIVE INTERCEPTORS RACED TOWARD THEM out of puffy white clouds, scattering the condensed vapor into thin shapeless trails. A brief smile expanded on Erynn’s face before she regained her vacant expression.
Pak cut the ship to the right, avoiding laser fire. “Major, how did they find us?” His lips stretched across his teeth in a grimace. He pulled the controls back and the ship climbed, nearly vertical. He pushed the throttle to the maximum limit. The engines whined a protest. They gained a little distance on the attacking fighters.
Bolts of white-hot fire exploded around them in bright bursts of energy. Erynn averted her eyes even though she wanted to keep watching. The ship jerked and bounced. The Interceptor’s pilots were making well-placed hits.
“It’s Cale Athru,” Birk growled. “It’s always Athru. There�
�s something about him…” His gaze snapped to Erynn. He frowned before returning his attention out the front panels of the ship. “Intensify rear shields,” he ordered.
Cale? And Captain Tiar? But who else? Brayton would have fighters in the air. Can Brayton’s pilots be trusted?
An alarm sounded in the small interior of the cabin. Pak groaned, turning his short, thick neck to Birk. “Sir, we’ve lost the rear shields.” He scowled each time the ship rocked with another hit.
Birk braced himself against the seat. The ship continued to pitch. “Get us out of here.” The constant laser blasts created a flashing strobe in the air.
Marris flipped several switches and turned his attention to a console on the right.
He’s taking the ship into light speed. No. No, I can’t leave. Dad?
Erynn gripped the seat arms. She tried to breathe. A gasp caught in her constricted throat.
Marris turned controls and toggled another switch. The view of space blurred outside the forward panels, but with no sensation of speed. After only a brief interval, the ship bucked, shuddered, and the stars refocused into sharp points of light.
What happened? The ship was unable to maintain light speed?
A rush of adrenaline made her heartbeat throb behind her eyes.
“Major, I can’t cycle to light speed,” Marris shouted over the blaring alarms. “The engines are damaged.”
“Captain, can you make repairs if we land on Arranon?” Birk called over the shrill, screaming siren. He steadied himself when the ship lurched forward, caught by Arranon’s gravitational draw.
We’re going down whether he can fix the engines or not. Cale and Tiar will follow. This is their world—Jaer’s world.
Her heart eased its clenching hold. She recalled Jaer’s powerful image and his protective behavior toward her. Warmth built in her chest, flowing up her neck and into her face.
A pull tugged at her—not like the one that wrenched at the ship—forcing her attention to the present. The sensation wrapped around her and tightened. Bright points of red, yellow, and orange swirled before her eyes. A sweet, spicy fragrance filled the cabin. A word called by thousands of voices in unison shrieked through her mind.
Storm of Arranon Page 4