Glad to hear it.
Vox felt his father starting to withdraw. Before you go, I have a favor to ask.
You mean other than remaining on Earth.
Responding to his father’s jibes was a waste of energy. Vox had learned that lesson long ago. There has been an unusual development on Lunar Nine. They discovered a terraformed cave beneath their hydroponics farm. As if that weren’t strange enough, they also discovered some sort of portal hidden in the cave. There’s no record of either in any Rodyte database. They asked if I’d check with the Symposium and see if they know anything about it.
You want me to contact Drakkin?
Doubtlessly, he’d be reminded of this indulgence at a later time. His father never granted favors without expecting something in return. If you don’t mind.
I’ll take care of it.
Thank you. By the way, most of Lunar Nine knows about the cave, but only a chosen few know about the portal.
An understandable precaution. I’ll be discreet.
When his father slipped away this time, Vox let him go.
Once his father took on a task, things usually moved fast. One or more of the feeders would soon be on their way to Stargazer Ranch, which meant he needed to find a ride back to Earth. Teleporting was too much of a risk until he was fully recovered. The realization filled him with frustration. He’d yet to claim his mate and already obligations were pulling them apart.
* * * * *
“What’d you find out?” Rex kept his voice low, but made no effort to hide his activities from the constant flow of pedestrians passing in front of the Marauder. He stood on the gangway leading to the departure concourse of Lunar Nine. A constant buzz of activity surrounded him. Ships of every size and configuration now crowded the small spaceport. Cargo droids and automated carts zipped wares to and from the ships, while passengers and crewmembers rushed around oblivious to their surroundings. He’d found that people seldom paid attention to conversations taking place in plain sight. Besides, privacy was almost nonexistent aboard a ship as small as the Marauder.
Xorran, a longtime friend and newest member of Rex’s crew, followed his example. “Information about the Outcasts is seriously hard to come by. They’re secretive as shit and everyone’s afraid of them.”
Rex had been after Xorran to join the crew of the Marauder for years, but Xorran’s high rank within the Rodyte military made him harder to recruit than most. Then Xorran’s commanding officer ordered him to murder a member of the Triad, the ultimate authority on Rodymia, in cold blood, and Xorran chose defection over dishonor.
“But,” Rex prompted. Xorran was creative and resourceful, and he never gave up, which was why Rex had asked him to check into the Outcasts. Rex hadn’t actually agreed to help Kage Razel. Kage made an offer and Rex stated his terms. The contract had yet to be executed.
“But,” Xorran’s lips curved into a lazy smile. “Once I left Lunar Nine, people lightened up and became more talkative. One of the dancers at Club Norax had all sorts of interesting things to say about the mysterious Outcasts.”
“Club Norax is still open?” He glanced at Xorran then away, wanting their conversation to appear casual. “I thought the owner disappeared.”
“She did, but with that many customers clamoring for service, it was inevitable that someone take over.”
“Fair enough. What’d the dancer tell you?”
“There are multiple Outcast encampments, but their headquarters is in Telluride, Colorado.”
Rex was unfamiliar with the location, but it would be simple enough to find out more about it. A basic data search of Earth’s internet should do the trick. “Go on.”
“One of her customers claimed that there are at least a thousand Outcasts either already on Earth or headed this way.”
The number surprised Rex. Rumors in their star system estimated the Outcasts’ number at three times that or more. Had Kage split his forces, or had he done a damn good job of keeping the truth obscured? “And Razel’s interaction with the battle born? Did the dancer know any of the specifics?”
Xorran shook his head, causing a few strands of his black hair to droop across his forehead. Like so many of the battle born, military life was all Xorran knew. His stern features and muscular body reflected the demanding lifestyle. “She rattled off all sorts of gossip, but the one tidbit I knew you’d find interesting was that Kage’s second-in-command is a freaking harbinger.”
Rex stilled, absorbing the information without an outward reaction. A gasp or profane outburst would draw attention to their conversation, and everyone must believe this was just a casual chat.
Apparently, interpreting the silence as disapproval, Xorran’s voice took on a hint of defensiveness. “You told me to find out what I could about the Outcasts, but the entire outpost is buzzing about some terraformed cave. I found it curious, so I dug deeper. It took some doing, but one of the techs from the hydroponics lab told me they’d found a portal.”
“Portal?” Rex quickly refocused his mind. “What sort of portal.”
“Interdimensional,” he said dramatically. “Most of the tech’s story was ridiculous, but I think the leaders really have found some sort of gateway to another dimension. No one seems to know the details, but something is going on down there.”
“What do they intend to do with this gateway?”
“No clue.” He shrugged. “Just thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks, and good work.”
Xorran accepted the praise with a quick nod, then climbed aboard the ship.
Rex wasn’t sure he believed the portal nonsense. He’d ask around himself to see what he could find out, but the information about Kage was more pressing, and more discouraging. If Kage had access to a harbinger, then why did he need a spy? It didn’t make sense. Apparently Kage had some twisted reason for wanting Rex to spy for him, but Rex couldn’t even imagine what it was.
Kage had given him the mysterious call switch so Rex could contact him. Kage hadn’t explained how it worked, and Rex didn’t really care. He just hoped it would summon Kage without giving either of them away to the rebels.
* * * * *
“So what do you think of our humble outpost?”
Emily looked at Dakar and smiled. It was hard not to smile when she looked at the handsome Rodyte. He was friendly and charming, had patiently answered her myriad questions, and still she couldn’t get Vox’s image out of her mind. “I find the outpost anything but humble. I’m dazzled by the technology and moved by the rebel cause. In other words, I can’t wait to get started on our first exposé.”
Lexie cheered and hugged Emily so tightly she could hardly breathe.
“I knew you’d come around,” Lexie said when she finally stepped back. “Everyone does as soon as they see this place.”
After visiting a clinic on one of the ships so Emily could receive vaccinations and translator nanites, they’d spent the next four hours wandering from zone to zone inside the outpost. Dakar stayed close and kept a watchful eye over their surroundings, but he didn’t participate in any of the interviews. Emily spoke with several of the people Lexie had prearranged, but Emily also spoke with random crewmembers and merchants, ensuring that she wasn’t being led to a forgone conclusion. Lexie held back and honored Emily’s process, apparently wanting her to feel comfortable with her decision.
“Kaden said you run security for the outpost.” The only person left that Emily hadn’t yet interviewed was Dakar himself. “What are the main security concerns? Everyone I’ve seen so far has been focused on their tasks. It’s obvious the outpost is run by the military.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
He flashed another charming smile and Emily wondered again why she wasn’t attracted to him. In fact most of the Rodytes were handsome by Earth standards, and still she couldn’t get one bothersome Bilarrian out of her mind.
“It’s an observation,” she clarified. “When and why do the battle born misbeh
ave?”
“There are four bars and three restaurants that serve alcohol on the commerce tiers. Combine an intoxicant and boredom and any situation can become unruly. There have also been accusations of shoplifting and destruction of property.”
“So you break up fights and arrest thieves. Have there been any more serious crimes since the outpost reopened? Any dangers the potential brides need to know about?”
“You sound hopeful.” He looked at Lexie and asked, “Is she always this bloodthirsty?”
Lexie laughed. “Not always, but she does have a dark side I try to avoid.”
They’d worked their way back around to the commerce tiers, which was where the tour had begun.
“You have to remember that the real fun hasn’t started yet,” Dakar reminded. “Once the potential mates start arriving, I expect all sorts of disruptions to arise.”
“How will that work? How many females do you plan to recruit? Will there be some sort of screening process before they’re shuttled up here. There are a lot of people who will volunteer for anything just to visit the moon.”
“They’ve already thought of that,” Lexie assured. “Let’s go to one of the restaurants and I’ll explain the process.”
Dakar escorted them to the restaurant’s entrance, but didn’t go inside. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a few minutes and check on my men. The teams are still new. I need to stay on top of them.”
“Of course.” Lexie waved him onward. “We’ll be fine. Take as long as you need.”
“This is really silly,” Emily muttered as Dakar walked away. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
Lexie just smiled and hooked her arm through Emily’s. “It doesn’t do any good to complain about it. They aren’t going to change the rules.”
A smiling hostess led them to a table in the back corner of the restaurant. Her basic shape, even her features appeared human, but her skin had a faint green cast that reminded Emily she wasn’t on Earth.
“I hope this is acceptable,” the hostess said in an urgent whisper. “You’re causing enough of a stir as it is. Shouldn’t you have an escort?”
“Senior Enforcer Lux will return momentarily,” Lexie assured. “That should settle them down.”
Emily looked around and found the hostess’s concern was justified. The dining room was filled with large muscular males, most in uniform, and every one of them was staring at Lexie and her. “Good lord, don’t these guys ever get shore leave? You’d think they’d never seen a woman before.”
“Many battle born soldiers spend their entire adult lives aboard one ship or another,” the hostess told her. “We might be the first females some of these guys have ever seen. This rebellion was a long time coming. We’re all glad it’s finally here.” She shook away her troubled thoughts and recaptured her smile. “So what would you like to drink?”
Lexie told her to bring something Emily didn’t recognize.
“They don’t offer anything made on Earth yet. You’ll have to trust me.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Emily reminded. “So tell me about the transformation program. When does it officially begin?”
“They’ve been accepting applications for several weeks now, but that’s as far as they’ve gotten.”
Emily knew AG Nox had released a series of recordings explaining why the battle born had come to Earth, but she was under the impression that the actual program had yet to begin. “They aren’t getting any volunteers?”
“They’ve gotten thousands, but only two passed the automated screening and both were disqualified by the psych evaluation.”
“Crazies and criminals?”
Lexie’s response was interrupted by the hostess returning with their drinks. “Your waitress will be with you shortly.”
“Thanks,” Lexie said, but immediately returned her attention to Emily. “Our job is to expand awareness of the program and attract a better class of volunteers.”
“Have you watched AG Nox’s messages?”
Lexie nodded and released a sigh. “The man might be an amazing military leader, but his messages were dry as dust, made the entire thing sound like a science experiment.”
“We can easily improve the delivery. Our exposés will definitely help and I know a PR firm that caters to unusual clients. But I’m still worried about the message. No matter how we dress this up, it’s a mail-order bride scheme. Most human females don’t aspire to be wives and mothers anymore.”
Lexie bristled at the summation. “But it’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity to interact with other species, to learn about their cultures and benefit from their technology. Bonding with a Rodyte male also doubles the lifespan of most humans and makes the human faster, stronger, and healthier than they were before the joining.”
Emily stilled and trepidation crashed over her in icy waves. “They told you this or you’ve experienced it? Dear God, Lexie. Are you already bonded with Kaden? You just met the man!”
Lexie leaned in and lowered her voice, likely hoping Emily would do the same. “He’s not a man. He’s a Rodyte male. I told you things move fast with Rodytes.”
“But you’re not Rodyte. How could you let… Do the pheromones you mentioned earlier mute your inhibitions? The Lexie I know would never let this happen.”
“The Lexie you knew had never felt real love before,” Lexie countered. “Kaden is amazing. He makes me happier than I ever dared to hope of being.” She shook her head and looked away. “It’s something you have to experience to understand.”
Emily just shook her head, disbelief and worry knitting her brow. “They brainwashed you.”
Before Lexie could respond to the accusation the waitress approached the table. Emily sat quietly while Lexie ordered for both of them. Silent tension overcame them long after the waitress left. Emily just stared at Lexie, and Lexie tried in vain to find a way to explain.
“I am not brainwashed.” Lexie finally broke the silence. “Being with a Rodyte is not like being with a human. When we join it’s so much more than physical. I can sense his thoughts and feelings. There is no lying, no pretending. It’s impossible to deceive your partner.”
The past pulled at Emily with insidious strength. She never thought about Matthew, refused to allow his memory to affect her present in any way. At least that was what she told herself. But the fantasy world Lexie described contrasted so starkly with Emily’s experience of love that she felt shriveled and forgotten.
“Men lie,” she whispered. “They always lie.”
Lexie reached across the table and grabbed one of Emily’s hands. Emily snatched it away. “Rodyte males can’t lie to you once the bond is formed. It’s physically impossible.” After a slight hesitation, she added, “I think it’s the same with Bilarrians.”
“It doesn’t matter if it is or not.” Emily furiously blinked back tears. Hope, longing and frustration twisted through her with such overwhelming force that she could barely contain the emotions. “Vox needs so much more than I could ever give him. It’s not fair to… He deserves better.”
Another loud sigh escaped Lexie as she continued in a tight, even voice. “These men are not human, Em. They can have sex with anyone they desire, but finding a mate, being able to form the sort of bond Kaden and I have, is rare and wonderful. If Vox had found a genetically compatible female before now, he would likely be mated already.”
“Before now?” Emily scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve seen the way Vox looks at you, how protective he became as soon as he met you. You’re his mate, or you could be if you allow him to court you.”
Emily shook her head, even as images filled her mind. She remembered his patient smile and the smoldering hunger that never seemed to leave his eyes. “It’s not possible.”
Lexie simply ignored her denial. “You’re special to him, important. You can give him things no other female can.”
“I don’t think I can, even if I wanted to.”
A hint of challenge rippled through her tone now and Emily looked into her eyes. “I don’t know.” She licked her lips and felt heat crawl across her skin. Vox’s image intensified in her mind. “Maybe.”
Lexie broke out in a beaming smile. “Why don’t we all have dinner together, me and Kaden, and you and Vox. If you give him the slightest encouragement, he’ll do the rest. You’ll see.”
More than a decade of pain held her back, robbing her of words, but she managed a hesitant nod.
“Give me a sec. I’ll contact Kaden and see if he can keep Vox from heading back to Earth.” Lexie’s eyes went vacant for a moment, then her excited expression fell. “Damn it.” She came out of the trance with a sigh and looked at Emily. “We’re too late. Kaden isn’t sure where Vox went, but he’s gone.”
Emily accepted the news with another nod, but inside she was dying. The fragile flicker of hope sputtered out plunging her soul into darkness once again.
Chapter Six
“You better have a damn good reason for summoning me,” Kage muttered as he released his holographic disguise and returned his features to normal. “A spy’s value vanishes as soon as anyone connects him with his handler.”
“I have two very good reasons,” Rex countered, refusing to be bullied by a self-appointed “overlord”. Kage was an outlaw, same as Rex.
Kage pulled off his heavy synth-leather gauntlets and draped them over one brawny shoulder. “I’m listening.”
“I have information I believe will interest you, but I need to know why I should entrust it to someone who’s lying to me?”
“What did I lie about?” Rather than angry, he sounded amused, which annoyed the hells out of Rex.
“You blamed your need for a spy on Raylon’s mate, a female harbinger. Now I find out your second-in-command is also a harbinger. So why do you need me?” Kage grinned and Rex wanted to punch him in the face. “I’m serious. If you have continual access to a psychic, why am I risking my ass?”
Kage just waved away his concern. “What did you find out?”
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