Fighting Lory (English Edition) (Lords Of Arr'Carthian 2)

by Cathy McAllister

  “No problem. If you need help again, you know where to find me,” said Zola, taking the cheque.

  “Come on,” Lory said to Charly, once Zola had gone. The sooner we’re in the spaceport the better. I don’t think they’re likely to search for us there. It’ll never occur to them that we’ve managed to get into such a high-security area.”

  The two guards, members of the Black Guard that controlled all galactic spaceports, were heavily armed. That had assumed an inscrutable dead-pan expression, but Lory could see desire flash in their eyes as she approached in the low-cut dress. She had assumed an arrogant and yet seductive smile and that did not go unnoticed. The larger of the two guards moved his eyes slowly up and down her body and she hoped that she had not laid it on too thickly. She did not want the man to think he could get it on with her here somewhere.

  She quickly pulled her false ID and the papers for her supposed slave out of the leather purse attached to her belt. The guard took the documents and checked them thoroughly. Lory grew a little anxious. What if he noticed that the photo had been substituted? Moross had assured her that no one would be able to tell, but who knew how much one could trust an alien forger? She knew such people on earth all too well and one often could not trust them an inch.

  After what felt like ages the guard returned the documents, giving her a sensuous smile.

  “Have a pleasant stay, Lady Kirikyla. You have free access to the whole port. I recommend, however, that you go directly to the blue section. The main streets are well guarded but if you should venture into the side streets something could happen to you,” he said in a deep voice and she nodded in what she hoped was an arrogant way, as befitted her role.

  “Thank you for the advice. I have no intention of wandering around in any dirty alleys, anyway.”

  Without glancing at her supposed slave she stepped past the guards. She knew that Charly would follow her, as agreed. In order to keep up appearances Charly had to act like her slave and that also meant that she had to walk one step behind Lory.

  Once another checkpoint lay behind them, so that they could enter the blue sector that was reserved for the wealthy travelers, Lory stopped in a quiet side street and turned to Charly.

  “First we need to find lodgings then we need someone who can take us home. As no one here will know our planet, that could take some time. Somehow we need to find out where our earth is from this perspective. They must have star charts. If we could find our solar system then we’ve won. At least we know how far away we are time-wise. We needed a month to get here. A captain must be able to work something out with this information.”

  “I hope so,” replied Charly. “I’ll be happy once I’m back in New York. I would never have thought that I would miss the stench of the big city so much.”

  “We’re agreed on that. I feel the same. I’ll be glad to finally leave this filthy desert planet behind. Come on! Let’s get on and find ourselves a hotel.”

  They walked along the street, past expensive shops, until they came to a park with trees that created shade. Lory was already hot and sticky and so decided that it was right to have a brief rest here.

  “Come on, let’s have a short rest,” she said, turning to Charly, and they entered the park. She sat down on the grass under a tree with wide-spreading branches. Charly dropped onto the ground, too.

  “This bloody dress is much too hot,” she moaned. “I could deal with a neckline like your dress has. No air is getting to my skin. I’m sweating like a bloody animal.”

  “It’s no better for me, believe me. Everything’s sticking to me already.”

  Charly looked around.

  “At the other end of the park there it looks as if there are several hotels. We should try there,” she said, and Lory followed her gaze.

  “Yes, let’s do that,” agreed Lory. We can walk along the alley there. There we’ll be in shade almost the whole way.”

  Chapter 3

  Y-Quadrant

  On board the Cordelia

  22nd day of the month of Jakus in the year 7067

  Federation Time

  Kordan was standing on the bridge, staring out into the far reaches of the universe. They were on their way to Xevus3, a desert planet in the Kanavirius system. He had a mission to fulfil. He was to rescue two young women who were somewhere in Betzlawk, the capital of Xevus3. The two young women had escaped from slave traders and were now in an unfamiliar environment without protection and penniless. Kordan hoped to be able to find them before anything happened to them. They had already spent far too long fending for themselves and the journey would take him another week. That meant that the women will have been on the run for three weeks. Kordan’s heart sank as the hopelessness of his mission became clear to him.

  “Damn it!” he groaned, thumping the railing.

  “General,” said Bardo, a member of the crew, beside him.

  “I want this baby to fly as fast as we can risk. Increase the engines to level three and reduce the supply to the decks we’re not using.”

  “Aye. I’ll pass on the command right away,” said Bardo, saluting before he left.

  “Damn it,” murmured Kordan again, his eyes firmly fixed on the void before him.

  Kanavirius System, Xevus3

  Blue Sector, Spaceport, Betzlawk

  27th day of the month of Jakus in the year 7067

  Federation Time

  “I’m going to go mad if we don’t find someone to take us home soon,” said Lory irritably, stomping through the spacious hotel suite that they had rented.

  Charly was sprawling on the couch, sucking on a sweet that she had bought in the morning at one of the numerous shops in the lobby.

  “You’re completely chilled,” groaned Lory, irritated. “Doesn’t it bother you at all that we’ve been stuck here for nearly three weeks?”

  “What can we do? We have to wait for a suitable opportunity and in the meantime at least we have a roof over our heads and something to eat. We couldn’t be in a better position.”

  “But I want to leave this damn planet,” said Lory, irritably. “I’ve had enough of having my food served to me by chicks with six arms or lifts being opened for me by guys with eyes wobbling about on antennae eight inches above their heads like on snails!”

  Charly giggled.

  “I just think it’s a pity that we can’t tell anyone at home about it. They’d lock us up straight away. If only I had my iPhone with me I’d take photos.”

  Lory snorted.

  “I’m going to the bar now to indulge myself in a few drinks, then I might feel better. Are you coming with me?”

  Charly looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

  “As your slave?”

  “Oh! I forgot. OK, should I bring something back for you?”

  “If you can get hold of more of these sweets. This stuff is divine.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. See you later.”

  She left the suite and took the lift down to the third floor where the bar and restaurant were. It was still early in the evening, so there were just two men sitting at a table in the corner and the bar was completely empty. Lory took a seat and ordered a drink from the waitress, who looked like a member of the Simpson Family with her yellow skin and greenish-blue hair.

  The cocktail, made from a type of rum with a shot of sweet liqueur and fruit juice, was quite strong. After just one glass she could fully feel the effect of the alcohol. That was, of course, the reason she was here. She wanted to ease her anxiety with alcohol. But she must take care. She had already gone through a time when she had drowned her sorrows in alcohol and she had actually given up drinking since then, but this waiting around without results was killing her. She was not made for a life of luxury and she found her role as a slave owner harder as each day passed. With Charly she had reached a sort of truce and they had almost become friends. Even though they were very different they got along amazingly well. But it was driving her mad the way she could just sit around idly
with nothing bothering her. They had called on various pilots and no one seemed interested in flying the two women to earth. Only one had offered to, but on the condition that they shared his cabin with him during the flight. Lory and Charly had declined graciously. For both of them it was out of the question for them to use their bodies as a means of payment, and most definitely not to a man with a face like a pig and who was as hirsute as a gorilla. At that very thought Lory trembled again.

  “So alone,” a pleasantly rough voice pulled her from her thoughts.

  Lory turned and saw a tall, good-looking man with short, black hair and silver-grey eyes. He looked so human that, against her better judgement, she hoped he had come from earth as she had.

  “You can keep me company,” she replied cheekily. Who knew? – perhaps he could be of assistance to her. It would not be wrong to flirt with him a little, and anyway, he was the first person that she had met on this damn planet who did not remind her, through his appearance, that she was light years away from home.

  “How could I refuse such an invitation?” he said with his sexy, rough voice and he sat down on the stool next to her. “May I get you a drink?”

  Lory turned the empty cocktail glass between her fingers and shrugged.

  “As chance would have it my glass has just become empty, as you can see.”

  “What can I get you? A sundown?”

  “Yes, I’ll have another of those.”

  The man ordered two sundowns and turned to Lory again. His silvery eyes looked at her calmly and a sensuous smile played at the corner of his mouth.

  “My name is Ellyod. Ellyod Allegrass.”

  “Lory. Lory Andersson.”

  “What brings you here, Lory Andersson? Are you traveling alone?”

  “I … umm, no, I have my frie… my slave with me. We’re waiting to get a passage to our planet. Until now we’ve had no success. I fear that our planet lies somewhat beyond the routes that are generally flown here.”

  “And where exactly is that, my dear? Perhaps I can be of assistance to you. I have a ship and at the moment I’m available. I can fly you anywhere.”

  “I have no idea what the coordinates of our planet are. We came here, so to speak, by mistake and I only know that it’s about a month’s journey away from here. I would recognize the solar system on a star chart. At least I hope so.”

  “It would be an honor for me to take you to your destination. I have things to do here for a few days and could fly in four days’ time at the earliest. Would that be OK?”

  “That would be really very helpful. Thank you. You’re a gift from Heaven.”

  Ellyod laughed.

  “No one has ever called me that.” He winked and Lory smiled at him.

  “My companion and I will gladly accept your friendly offer. Name your price and I will arrange for you to receive the credits immediately.”

  “Absolutely not. I cannot take credits from a lady in distress. It is my duty to help you. And I do it gladly. It’s a welcome change. You’re even doing me a favor. But unfortunately I must leave now. I have another engagement. I’ll see you soon, Lory Andersson.”

  “Yes. And thank you for your kind offer.”

  “You’re welcome. I wish you a pleasant night.”

  Once the man had left the bar Lory knocked back her cocktail and was about to pay for her first drink when the waitress informed her that Mr Allegrass had already paid for everything. Shrugging, Lory turned and left the bar. She needed to tell Charly the great news. She would be amazed. Lory could hardly believe her luck. At last they would leave this place. With this prospect she could even enjoy the next few days at the spaceport.

  Kanavirius System, Xevus3

  On the streets of Betzlawk

  30th day of the month of Jakus in the year 7067

  Federation Time

  “Damn it!“ groaned Kordan indignantly. “We’ve been wandering around here for two days and have no idea as to the whereabouts of the two women.”

  “I cannot believe that no one has seen them in all these weeks,” replied his cousin Amano, just as frustrated.

  “Let’s try here before returning to the hotel. We could have a drink here and question the waitress a little.”

  “Yes, that sounds good. I could handle a drink. Or two.” Amano slapped Kordan on the shoulder. “Come on! What are we waiting for?”

  They entered the bar and sat down at a table near the counter. A waitress came to their table with a cloth and washed the sticky tabletop half-heartedly.

  “What can I bring you?”

  “Bring us two double blacks and something to eat.”

  “We have taki from the barbecue, mosule with bread or baked shanika.”

  “I’ll have the taki,” said Amano.

  “Me, too. Bring us two takis and some bread, as well.”

  “Right away,” said the waitress, disappearing.

  A little later she returned with the drinks and placed the glasses on the table in front of Kordan and Amano.

  “May we ask you something? We’ll pay you well if you can help us out,” Kordan made a move before the waitress could disappear again.

  “Ask away!”

  We’re looking for two young women. One has long, dark hair and blue eyes, the other has red hair and green eyes. They’re both very pretty and look like women of my race, only maybe a little shorter. They don’t know this place particularly well. We’re here to help them.”

  “There were two women here who could fit your description. Two or three weeks ago. They had a gold Tik-card and didn’t know how to use it. They also wanted me to falsify ID for them. I took them to a friend who does that sort of thing. Since then I haven’t seen them again. I only know that they wanted to get to the spaceport.”

  Amano whistled.

  “A gold Tik-card. I wonder how they got hold of that.”

  The waitress shrugged her shoulders.

  “Of no interest to me. I was paid well for my work. They gave me a thousand credits.”

  “We’ll pay you equally well,” said Kordan, pulling out his wallet. He counted out a thousand credits onto the table that swiftly disappeared into the waitress’s pocket.

  “I’ll bring you your food,” she said, and left.

  “What do you think?” asked Amano, looking at Kordan.

  “I tell you, it’s them. That’s why we haven’t found them here anywhere. There at the spaceport – the last place I’d have looked. These two women are sharper than I would have expected. A gold Tik-card. Respect! They’ll definitely be living a life of luxury with that, and I was worried that they’d be starving.”

  Amano laughed.

  “But I’m relieved. It’s better for them to be living in luxury than lying dead in a back yard here somewhere.”

  “Yes, you’re right. I’m glad, too. I only hope that they haven’t left Xevus3 yet, otherwise it’ll get complicated for us.”

  ***

  “I can’t believe we’re going to leave this damn planet tomorrow morning,” said Lory, looking out of the window.

  “Me, neither,” agreed Charly. “I don’t know what to do first when I get back home. I only hope I’ve still got my flat and everything. How long have we been away now?”

  “More than two months, and by the time we get there another month, so we’ll have been away for more than a quarter of a year. I have no idea how we’re going to explain that to anyone, either. As far as what’s happened with my flat and my things – my job – no idea. We’ll see. We’ll think up something during the journey home.”

  Someone started banging at the door. Lory and Charly looked at one another and shrugged.

  “I’ll take a look,” said Charly, going to the door to look through the view hole.

  “There are two huge guys outside the door. Both built like brick shit-houses and one of them has the icy-cold stare of a killer. I don’t think these are good guys. What shall we do?” whispered Charly.

  Lory went to the door, too, an
d looked through the view hole. The two men really did look like natural-born Mafiosi, if you overlooked the fact that one of them was blond.

  “Who is it?” asked Lory.

  “We need to speak with you. We’ve come to fetch you.”

  “To fetch us? But we’re not flying until tomorrow morning. Are you part of the crew?”

  “Yes. We’re part of the crew,” confirmed the man at the door.

  “And I’m supposed to believe that, sucker,” Lory murmured. “These men aren’t with Ellyod, I’d bet my return ticket on that. Go and hide somewhere. If I’m not able to deal with them, stay in your hiding place until morning. At least one of us must make it back to earth.”

  “But I can’t abandon you,” Charly disagreed.

  “Babe, these two are probably dangerous. You’ve told me your story and you don’t want something as bad as that to happen to you again. I’m tough. Either I’ll kill these men or I’ll die. That’s my job. But you won’t handle this. Believe me. No one wants you to play the heroine here, so go and hide well. Go!”

  Charly hugged her briefly and firmly before running into the bedroom to hide. Lory walked slowly back into the lounge where there was a little open-plan kitchen. She put three knives into her belt and held one in her hand, ready for the fight. Because she was sure there was going to be one.

  “But I don’t want to speak with you,” she called out to the men at the door. “Go away!”

  “We’ll been sent to fetch you,” the other man called out.

  “Yes, that much I believe. By these slave dealers, I bet,” she murmured. Out loud she said: “I don’t care whether you’ve been sent. I won’t go anywhere with you!”

  “We want to help you.”

  “Yes, and my uncle’s the emperor of China,” she called out derisively. “Get lost or you’ll regret it. I’ll kill you if you enter.”

  “Open the door. We only want to talk. Open up!”