by Nena Duran
There was only one person who could answer his questions. It would mean a delay in plans, but Briq decided it’d be worth it. The old one was one of the few non-Pendo’rahns familiar with true mates. He’d contact the Fy’kul after speaking with Mol.
The Fy’kul was staffed by the one of the best scientific minds the Glaxians had to offer. It was the most advanced research ship in the twin galaxies. The crew on board was the best in their respective fields. Their gly-urq was the most sophisticated credits could buy. They didn’t accept payment, which went against their beliefs. Briq knew they could help Mor’u.
After exiting the decon unit, Briq called Xy. He owed his friend for offering his home to them. Xy didn’t feel comfortable around his people.
Galadonians were cold beings who had sex once in their lifetime. For the most part they pretty much ignored each other. They didn’t have males and females like others. They had no visible genitals. During reproduction stage some of them developed a penis, others a womb which disappeared later. Until then they were pretty much androgynous.
The Kreeh-nosh had changed Xy. He was now a full male with a raging libido. Galadonians considered his friend polluted, yet he faced rejection to help him.
“Briq, is everything all right? Have you finished the job already?”
“I didn’t. Something came up. I’m on my way to Quiinlyx. I’ll explain later. How’s Mor’u?”
“Her vitals are weak but stable according to the medic.”
“I’m forever in your debt for protecting and caring for her.”
“Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll remind you for the rest of your life.”
“I’ll treat you to the best Trac’xian surrogates credits can buy after I return.”
“I’ll hold you to that. It’s hard hitting on someone colder than the planet.”
There was nothing else to do until he reached his destination. After stopping at the supply room for a protein drink, he headed to his quarters. He’d never noticed how lonely he was until now. Her absence hurt more than any torture the Kreeh-nosh had put him through. Briq didn’t mind, because with her, he felt more alive than he’d ever been, even before his capture. She was his life.
“You have a saved holovid message,” the A.I. announced as he walked in. “Do you wish to play it?”
Strange. He didn’t remember saving anything recently. “A.I., who’s the vid from?” He was always careful with all his communications, saving only vital information. In his line of work the less he kept the less evidence there was against him.
“Xy,” replied the A.I., leaving him with more questions. He’d just spoken to him. Unless there was something wrong with Mor’u and he was afraid to tell.
“Play it.” Briq smiled when her image came to life. “A.I., change parameters to full display.” He wanted to see her as she was in real life, not a smaller compressed image.
“Umm…Xy…where’s the camera?”
“Just speak. The holovid is recording. Just speak from your heart.” Xy’s voice came from somewhere in the room. When had this been recorded? He recognized the cruiser’s command center. It must’ve been shortly before arriving at Galadonia.
“Okay, here goes… Briq, my champion, I wanted to leave this message in case something happens to me. I’ve always known my life would be a brief one. I accepted my fate a long time ago. I just wanted you to know how much I love you. This is so weird.”
She’d smiled, a beautiful smile full of mischief. Briq took all of her in—her big green eyes and mass of shiny red hair cascading down her back. His heart tightened as he remembered how sweet it smelled.
“Saying those words and really, really meaning them. You see, for years I was trapped in a very bad relationship. I never knew how beautiful true love could be. On my planet when people say love at first sight they usually refer to physical attraction. They fall in and out of love so many times. Not that you’re not handsome….you are…obviously, very much so. When I looked into your eyes back at the pit, something in me came alive. It felt as if I were transported to a magical kingdom from one of my father’s tales. The way you moved, the way you fought those things was so brave. You were my avenging angel, my champion coming to rescue me from the monsters. I knew you…my soul recognized you…as if it were waiting for you to come. Please be safe. I can’t wait to be in your arms again. But if by chance I don’t make it, thank you for showing me a glimmer of true love. Be happy, my champion. Find someone to love. Don’t look back. Don’t be sad. Always remember you deserve to be loved. You’re good and decent. No one can take your brave, generous heart away from you. Not even you.” She sang a beautiful song about eternal love.
Her voice was powerful. He’d never heard such wonderful sounds before. Pendo’rahs had music, but they were limited to military or religious. Her song was different. It didn’t have the monotone characteristic of a chant. It wasn’t harsh like a military battle song. Her melody was pure, her voice rich and comforting. The anguish he felt at the thought of never seeing her again was lessened by it.
“You’ll not die, Mor’u. Not while I have one last breath in my body.”
Chapter Six
Rag’mar
After depositing the very loud and feisty female in the back, Briq opened a commlink with Dru-lah. He found some protein packets in his bag and dissolved two in a bowl of warm water. It thickened into a gooey paste.
“Incoming transmission, captain.”
“Put it through for my ears only, A.I.” Briq redirected it to his ear commlink.
“My brother, it’s good to hear from you again. Thank you for the valuable intel. What can I do for you?” Dru-lah asked.
“I have her with me. Meet me at the coordinates I’m transmitting. I don’t have to tell you to come alone.”
No further explanation was needed, both knew who she was. Their communication was on a secured channel, but even the most secured ones were jumped by techno pirates or Protectorate patrols. Briq couldn’t risk being found before turning her over to his friend.
He ended the transmission and headed back were he’d left her. She was still there, sitting with a peaceful look on her face. Seeing her like this brought deep yearnings to the surface. At rest, she was so beautiful with a sensual smile. She reminded him of Mor’u. How he missed her. As soon as Dru-lah retrieved his guest, Briq would get back to her.
“I brought you some nourishment. It’s not much, but it’ll help you keep up your strength.” Not sure what she liked or even if she was hungry, he offered her some protein paste. She took the bowl, sniffing it suspiciously, then quickly devouring all the contents.
How could a female talk that much? All he asked was if she came from Earth. She wouldn’t tell him anything until he told her Mor’u’s story. After that she just opened up and talked until exhaustion won her over.
Amada gave him her solemn pinky-swear she would keep everything secret. The jid’rahal was very fortunate. His mate was brave, sometimes even reckless. He was going to miss her sharp tongue and dry wit. He even had a few new words no one knew…hijo de puta topping the list.
“Incoming transmission on a secure channel,” the A.I. chimed in.
“Open channel.”
“This is the shuttle, Ly-shra, requesting permission to dock, captain.” It was Dru-lah, right on time.
“Permission granted, my friend. I see the Protectorate upgraded their shuttles.”
“No, it’s the jid’rahal’s personal one. I just borrowed it.”
“Well now, it’s just the right price for the return of a kidnapped mate.”
Dru-lah grinned, transferring all command codes over. They knew the supreme commander would do anything to get her back.
“I have to ask how you found her. We’ve been looking all over, unsuccessfully.”
“Remember Fael?” Dru-lah nodded “He took her and the holovid to Quiinlyx for a private auction.”
“The holovid? I thought you gave me Gaal’ya’s only copy.”
&
nbsp; “Frackking bastard betrayed me. I should’ve known better.” Briq recounted what had happened since he’d asked Fael to break the encryption code on the vid. Smelly bottom dweller had made a copy.
“Did he tell you how he was able to get past Pendo’rah’s finest?” Dru-lah asked nonchalantly.
Briq had a feeling he already knew the answer. “Paralytic nerve agent. He had a stash from a smuggling job he was doing.”
According to Fael, kidnapping her was a stroke of luck. It looked as if he’d become obsessed with Amada after watching the vid. Opportunity and a canister of the stuff had given him the idea. Slimy rat hadn’t even had a plan when he’d followed them to the clothier. He’d just been peeping through the air vent, sick depraved bastard.
“How did you ended up at Quiinlyx? I thought you were on your way to the badlands?” Dru-lah asked, looking directly into his eyes.
Briq knew better. His friend wanted to make sure he’d had nothing to do with the kidnapping. He didn’t resent him. He’d do the same in his place.
He decided to come clean. Now wasn’t the time for lies. While watching the recording, he’d recognized the brands around the couple’s neck. He’d gone to the planet in search of Mol because the old one had lived in Pendo’rah a long time ago.
Gaining access to the old one meant earning the trust of his son, Kol. He owned a disreputable gaming den in the lawless district. Briq had taken a job as his bodyguard. It was then Fael had come in carrying what he’d claimed was the jid’rahal’s female. Thanks to Mol’s quick thinking, they were able to rescued Amada.
“You should’ve seen her, Dru-lah. She used my pulse weapon and blasted Fael’s arm right off. She’s a worthy mate for the jid’rahal.” He pitied the supreme commander. His mate wasn’t one to be trifled with.
“I’m curious. What did the old man tell you about the brand?”
“They’re real. How can it be? The last recorded branded couple was about two thousand years ago.”
“I don’t have to ask you to keep it a secret.” Dru-lah explained how Amada was taken from her planet. No one had known she was on board until Ounna had discovered her underneath one of the beasts. The supreme commander claimed her to keep her safe. The brand around their necks took everyone by surprise. “You know what could happened if news of this reaches the wrong ears.”
“You have my word.” Briq nodded, a spark of hope starting in his chest. What if…
* * * *
The state-of-the-art Pendo’rahn shuttle offered Briq a sense of ease for the first time in years. He hoped Amada and the jid’rahal enjoyed all the happiness he’d found with Mor’u. Farewell, Amada, until we meet again.
Things were going to be different from now on. He could feel it. With this new cutting-edge shuttle, he’d reach Galadonia in half the time. It was an impressive piece of engineering with a fully-loaded weapon system and a triple shielded hull. The A.I. was so advanced some would argue it was alive.
They’d even had their first argument when it insisted its name was Ly-shra. Briq was used to just calling the things A.I. Every time he tried to give a command, it ignored him. The aggravating thing would only answer to Ly-shra. Who the frackk named a shuttle after a tiny bird?
An agreement was reached between them. The A.I. approved the name change, and Briq promised to leave its systems alone. Conceited piece of junk really believed it was real. When he messed with the systems and codes it quickly changed its tune. Who’s the boss now? he thought smugly.
Briq decided to explore the Rag’mar. Now that was a fitting name. It was a hybrid between a shuttle and a cruiser. Roomy with a cargo bay, a smuggler would kill a dozen Kreeh-noshians for it. He almost felt guilty for the way he’d acquired it, but his need outweighed the jid’rahal’s. The warrior could afford to buy a hundred more.
After satisfying his curiosity, he returned to his new quarters carrying a small chest containing his personal belongings. He reached inside and pulled out a vial of the inhibitor. He frowned, trying to remember the last time he’d dosed. How long since my last rage? Briq sat on his platform and closed his eyes.
Has it been that long? His last full-blown rage had been the same day he’d rescued Mor’u at the pit. Concern for her health prevented his mind from noticing anything else. His heart raced furiously at the implication. Being with her somehow suppressed his aggression. He’d found true peace the day he’d met her. The memory of what they shared gave him a feeling of pleasure he’d never reached with the inhibitor.
How long will it last? rasped the tormenting voice inside. How long until you break down and hurt her? No, he was stronger than that. Do it now before it’s too late, before the beast awakens. It’ll tear her to pieces. He couldn’t take the chance. His love for her guided his hand, one drop, then another.
Briq sat up, disoriented as a bright light shone directly on his face. What the frackk? The commlink blared. The alarm settings were too loud. He didn’t remember setting an alarm.
“Sorry to interrupt your sleep cycle. We’re orbiting Galadonia. You have an incoming transmission from the planet.”
If he didn’t know any better, he could’ve sworn the stupid thing mocked him. “This is the Rag’mar.” He growled at the comm.
“Um, yes…is that you, Briq?”
“Medic Kru, why are you calling me?” Briq sprang off the sleep platform fully awake now. “Where’s Xy? Has something happened to Gigi?”
“There’s no time to explain. Someone might be listening. I’m transmitting an encoded message he left in my care. Xy asked me to deliver it to you personally when you showed up.”
“Thank you. I’m opening a secure channel. You’re clear for transmission.”
“Briq? Please don’t judge us too harshly,” Medic Kru said before uploading the message.
“Briq, my friend…time is limited.” Xy’s holographic image was projected into the middle of the room. “We’re under attack…by T’zaal. He claims Gigi belongs to him. The council of elders agreed to hand her over in exchange for a ceasefire. Security is on its way to take her. I’m going too. I promise to keep her safe. Briq…if it comes to…I promise she’ll not suffer. I’m sending his message too. Maybe you can find a clue. May the goddess guide you.”
* * * *
Xy woke up to the earsplitting sound of the SCUD alarm. The A.I. broadcasted a warning in all channels.
“Attention, red alert. We are under attack by the Kreeh-nosh. Evacuation procedures are now in effect. Repeat, we are under attack…” He muted the alarm by waving the holoscreen on.
“This is security control. Please stay in your assigned SCUD. We’re sending a team to take you into custody.”
“What’s going on? Why are you taking me into custody?”
“The Kreeh-nosh demand the return of the female you brought back. They’ll cease their attack if we comply.”
“Are you going to hand over a defenseless female to these barbarians?” Xy asked, refusing to believe his people would stoop so low. “Do you really think they’ll keep their word?” While they weren’t the most welcoming race, he hoped they were still good. He was wrong. They chose to sacrifice an innocent rather than fight.
“That’s not for us to question. The elders agree to the terms. You mustn’t resist. Allow us access to the female.”
Xy only had enough time to record an encoded message before the security team arrived. He didn’t resist them, fearing for Gigi’s life. She wouldn’t be alone, because he chose to go with her. Only a weakling would leave the delicate female at the hands of their enemy. He really was an outcast.
* * * *
Briq was furious at Galadonia’s lack of compassion. How could they turn one of their own and a defenseless female over to the Kreeh-nosh? “Rag’mar, open fire on their communications satellites.”
“I am afraid I cannot do that. Protectorate law prohibits unprovoked attacks.”
“Override.”
“On what grounds?”
“Prot
ectorate law states any planet conducting business or diplomatic agreements with the Kreeh-nosh shall be deemed as an enemy combatant. Galadonia just entered into an agreement with the Kreeh-nosh for a cease fire. They also turned over two innocent individuals.”
“Analyzing… You are correct. I have reviewed transmissions coming from the planet. They reached an agreement with our enemy. Weapons armed and ready.”
“Fire.” The destruction of the satellites brought a small consolation. Let those bastards simmer for a while.
Rag’mar detected a trace of a Kreeh-nosh energy signature. It was faint and dispersing quickly. There were too many variables to get an accurate reading. He spent the next few weeks stopping at every two-bit spaceport and gaming den, trying to get a lead on the scientist.
During his last stop, a G’lur itinerant worker told him the public transport he’d been traveling on had been attacked by Kreeh-nosh. He’d barely escaped with his life, but others hadn’t been as lucky. Buying passage on another transport plus giving him some extra credits was the least Briq could do for the poor fellow. Thanks to him Briq knew T’zaal’s heading—the edge of the galaxy.
Fear for Mor’u drove him back to the inhibitor. He’d increased the dose and frequency just to be able to function. Briq didn’t care. He needed a clear head. He removed a vial from the case and applied two drops into each eye. Rest didn’t come easy this time. When it did, it was riddled with images of Mor’u at the hands of T’zaal. The proximity alarm woke him from a trouble sleep.
“Warning, a Kreeh-noshian ship two hundred thousand miles ahead.”
“Rag’mar, have we been detected?”
“Negative. I activated a scattering field before reaching minimum distance to our final destination. Their sensors will not be able to read us.”
“What’s the extent of your capabilities?”
“I am a fully assimilated artificial intelligence programmed to learn and expand my databanks. I can make trillions of calculations simultaneously. My primary goal is to preserve the life of those on board. My hull is made of reinforce—”