by C. J. Barry
"As opposed to losing you which would kill me all at once?” Anger flashed in her eyes.
Powerful satisfaction warmed him. “I didn't think you cared."
Cidra clenched her fists and stared back at the floor. “Just because I lost my nerve on the dance floor doesn't mean I don't care.” Then she drilled him with a stern look. “And don't try to change the subject."
"If I only could,” he muttered, but secretly, he was ecstatic. The warrior had re-emerged. Now all he had to do was point her toward the battlefield.
"What about the Kin-sha and Syrus’ last wish? What about your father's name and your family's honor and Barrios? Not to mention the millions who died on Dakru. Don't they figure into the equation?"
Her jaw tightened. She looked away but not before he saw the impact of his words. There was more at stake here than all the points he'd brought up. Her very sanity was on the line. And his. For the first time he realized how much he needed her. He pushed forward, driven by one thought: to keep her tied to him as long as possible. For that, he was prepared to fight dirty.
"Whoever did this it still out there, free to terrorize other worlds. They proved they can kill without conscience and not leave a trace. They're good, Cidra, deadly, fast, and dangerous. I, for one, want them neutralized."
She struggled for an out. “It's been ten years. Maybe they aren't even around anymore."
"There's only one way to find out."
She took a deep breath. “All right, but we'll be careful. Very, very careful. No unnecessary chances. And from now on, you don't make a move without me. Deal?"
He suppressed a triumphant grin, his world in order once again. “Deal."
* * * *
Barrios’ bulky form filled the doorway of Grey's office, casting a long shadow across its occupants. Grey, Cidra, and Decker turned to him in unison from their positions around the holo deck table. Decker nodded a greeting and returned to laying in a program for the holo deck.
Cidra smiled at her old friend. He was the last crew member to board Calíbre before their scheduled departure for Saurel. Barrios looked happier than Cidra had ever seen him.
"About time you got here. How's Rosa?” Cidra asked. It was a gratuitous question. The sparkle in his eyes said it all.
Barrios beamed. “She's just fine.” He hitched his head toward Grey. “And she's been worried sick over you, Stone. I can see why. You look like death."
Grey smiled grimly. “You should have seen me two days ago."
Between the Triox and Cidra's care he felt much better than he looked. And with the way Cidra had been eyeing him lately, he felt invincible. She watched his every move, painstakingly tracking his recovery. He had the distinct feeling she was keeping her distance until he healed. He had more motivation than he knew what to do with.
"You missed all the excitement,” Grey drawled, prompting a grimace from Cidra.
"I'll say. Anyone we know?” Barrios frowned.
Grey barely nodded. “Remember the ambush over Avion?"
Barrios grunted and shook his head. “Persistent bunch, huh?"
"You have no idea,” Grey muttered.
"I think I'll head to the galley and start the evening meal,” Barrios said with enthusiasm and disappeared.
Decker spoke up. “Here we go. Program loaded and executing."
On impulse, Grey reached for Cidra's hand under the table. He slid his fingers through hers, linking them together. She glanced at him in surprise, but he was completely focused on the holo deck rising from the center of the table. The grid fluttered and filled with a full-dimensional star map of the galaxy. Frame after frame, the holo image zoomed down to a specific sector. Then an opaque cylindrical cone materialized horizontally, overlaying the sector.
"It's a cone,” Cidra observed, her eyes glued to the image. It started at one tiny point and ballooned into a three-dimensional wedge that continued to the edge of the star map.
"Correct.” Decker tapped keys and gave the computer verbal instructions. “I integrated the precise coordinates of the Galena's battle scene into the actual star charts."
"So the Galena is the small, starting point,” Cidra noted.
"Right again,” Decker acknowledged. “Then I calculated the exact position of the Galena's landing bay doors when the transport escaped. The white area represents all possible vector paths of the transport. It starts out small, expanding over greater distances. Therefore, the cone shape.” Decker grinned. “And before you ask, yes. You are looking at the galaxy as it appeared on the day of the attack."
Grey said, “Everything within that cone is a possible target. We are lucky the transport was pointing at the outer spiral arm of the galaxy and not through the galactic nucleus. Makes the job easier."
Cidra noted with dismay the massive target area displayed. It extended out into infinity since they had no way of knowing where the transport dropped out of hyperspace. The task of picking through thousands upon thousands of systems one by one seemed indomitable.
Decker must have sensed her despair. “Don't worry, we'll narrow it down."
Grey concurred. “He's right. Now we play a game of elimination and see who survives the cuts. You'll see.” He glanced at Decker. “Are you ready?"
Decker nodded.
Grey's eyes gleamed. “First cut, all systems without red giant suns and white or gray planets."
Realization dawned on Cidra as some areas in the ghostly wedge turned black. He was using the information in the note from Syrus’ box written by the original transport crew. She turned to say something to Grey and inhaled sharply. He looked like a hunter, his eyes piercing and his full attention on the quarry.
"Out of those left, keep only the systems where the red giant and the planet would be visible together with the naked eye.” His eyes narrowed.
Decker worked feverishly and more systems blacked out.
Grey continued his instructions. “Good. It's probably safe to eliminate systems with unusual characteristics that the crew of the transport didn't mention. Additional visible planets or moons, nebulas, asteroid belts."
Decker said, “I'm also removing any systems with volatile or destructive natural forces."
Cidra's hope soared as isolated pockets of white became distinct. She squeezed his hand.
Grey's eyes never left the display. “Better. Now eliminate systems with advanced civilizations capable of space travel. They would have detected the transport and either rescued or destroyed it."
Grey smiled at the greatly diminished search area and turned to Decker. “That's more like it. Load the remaining possibilities on a micropad. I'll take a look at them in my quarters.” He released Cidra's hand, stood up and stretched his healing body.
"That's it?” Cidra asked and glanced back at the holo image. “But look at all the systems left. How do you know which one it is? Don't we have to check them out? Don't we have to...” Her next question was cut off by a sizzling kiss that blanked her mind.
When she opened her eyes, Grey was smiling down at her. “You'll have to trust me, Cidra."
He straightened, took the micropad from a clearly amused Decker and walked out of the office.
Cidra stared in his wake, the kiss still burned on her lips. She wanted to jump up and run after him. Wanted another kiss more than her next breath.
She suddenly realized that Decker was still grinning at her.
Rising on shaky knees, she told him, “I'll be in my quarters if you need me.” She paused. “On second thought, I'll be in the lounge. I think I need a drink."
* * * *
Commander Plass stood ramrod straight outside Tausek's quarters, staring at the door. He'd lost track of how long he'd been there and didn't care. He dreaded his impending task. Dreaded the answers to the questions he had. Answers that could shatter his steady, routine world.
Yet duty called as it always did and he stepped forward into the door's activation field. The interior lay flooded in red like a bloodbath. Plass
shivered, he'd seen enough blood to last him a lifetime, many lifetimes.
Tausek stood in his customary position by the bank of windows viewing the crimson sunset as Plass approached him. The corvits watched him come to a halt with morbid interest.
"I expected you yesterday, Commander."
Plass frowned. The icy greeting did not bode well for the tone of the meeting.
"Yes. Our sources on Avion had a difficult time gathering information,” he answered succinctly, determined to push this encounter along as quickly as possible. “Apparently, Syrus Almazan was well-liked and well-protected. However, the information is guaranteed reliable. Cidra Faulkner left with a man by the name of Grey Stone. He is a successful treasure hunter and most likely a Kin-sha since he was reported to have resided with Almazan for some time."
Tausek kept his back to Plass. “Did your reliable sources tell you where they are now?"
Plass winced at the acerbity. “A search has been launched beginning with his home base planet of Vaasa. I expect to locate them shortly."
"Find her and kill her, Commander. I don't care how you do it or who you take with her."
"I understand, sir.” Plass nodded and braced himself. “I also have information on the security breach into our primary information systems. I am told it was an unorthodox method originating from Stone's ship."
Tausek didn't respond.
Plass continued, choosing his words carefully. “I have no idea why they would be interested in the Avion shipment negotiations."
"Neither do I, Commander.” Tausek's voice sounded slightly off.
Plass pursued his course. “As you requested, I have personally reviewed those records myself. The only incident in that time frame was a strike on a refugee ship per your orders. The official records appear incomplete. Do you recall anything unusual about that incident?"
"I have reviewed those records, Commander. They are complete. The action was routine and necessary at the time,” Tausek answered abruptly.
"Of course, sir."
A painful silence descended as Plass wrestled with his next move.
Unexpectedly, Tausek spoke first. “Under the circumstances, I think you should personally handle the elimination of Cidra Faulkner."
The Commander shifted uneasily. “I am."
"I want you to be present to identify her body and deliver it in time for the annual Celebration.” Tausek words hung in the air as thick as blood.
Plass narrowed his eyes. “But my duties here?"
"Can be handled by Lieutenant Stoll,” Tausek cut in.
Unable to think, Plass simply stared at Tausek's back. “As you wish."
"I wish,” Tausek answered tightly. “Dismissed."
Plass departed with the distinct feeling that he was being dismissed—permanently. It was evident he had crossed the line and would pay for his curiosity with his position or worse. It was the latter that motivated him. Before that happened, he'd make sure he found out exactly what happened ten years ago.
CHAPTER TEN
Cidra watched the planet of Saurel fill the K12's viewport as they approached. It dangled in black space as if suspended by an invisible string, girdled and attended by nine smaller moons. As planets went, it offered little in the way of aesthetics, lacking significant relief from a monotony of gray. Even as the K12 drew closer to the surface, the terrain remained flat and barren, all but dead.
Few lifeforms could withstand the broiling heat induced by the planet's twin suns. Saurel and its tiny moons were destined to bake in a tight, vertical looping orbit, pawns in the gravitational battle between the dueling stars.
The race who inhabited this scorched, desolate world did so for a singular reason: consistent underground temperatures. The Saurel race had outgrown their original home planet and founded a new home here. With the twin suns heat evenly distributed over the entire planet, the rock beneath maintained an unvarying, unwavering warmth. The planet was custom-made to regulate the volatile body temperatures of the Saurelians and protect their fragile skin from sunlight. Below the planet face, they thrived.
Private residences, businesses, factories, schools were hewed from the bedrock beneath the scalded surface—a world connected with tunnels and shuttles. The Saurelians developed the technologies they needed to forge and support their enterprises. Their very existence was an engineering marvel and so were the unrivaled fighter ships they produced. Ships that could shift the balance of supremacy, guarantee outcomes, and reign in absolute terror.
Still, Cidra suppressed a shudder when she looked at the planet. To say the Saurelians were a male-dominated society would be an understatement. Females were looked upon as little more than slaves and servants, granted negligible rights and freedoms. Only when they married and bore offspring were they considered of any value.
"You're quiet.” Grey interrupted her thoughts as he sat comfortably at the helm of the K12.
She slanted him a meaningful glance. “Just wondering how many brilliant minds had been wasted because they happened to be in female bodies."
Grey raised an eyebrow. “I assume we are talking about Saurelians."
"You assume correctly,” she said. Cidra leaned back in the co-pilot seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “How do you feel about Saurelians and their male-dominated nation?"
He eyed her with the same respect he'd give a loaded laser pistol. “I think it's the way they run their society."
"Coward."
She said it with a smile and he chuckled. “That's right, but since we are on the subject,” he spun his seat around to face her, “are you familiar with the roles we need to play on Saurel?"
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You're going to enjoy this, aren't you?"
He gave a mock look of shock. “Having you at my absolute beck and call? Serving my meals? Obeying my every wish without question?” He shook his head solemnly, but the smile remained. “No, I won't enjoy that at all."
"I could strangle you."
His laugh filled the small cabin. “Don't worry, I won't get used to it.” Then he turned serious. “But it is necessary if we want to get any information from Bohr."
Cidra sighed deeply. “Yes, it is. I'll do my part. It's just that I have a problem with virtual slavery in any form."
He nodded. “So do I. Let's hope Decker located the right Saurelian seller of those fighters. I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to."
As they made their final approach, a massive, protective cover dilated open and exposed the landing bay pit. Saurel was dotted with thousands of such circular covers. They served as a defensive strategy and an environmental necessity. The covers were virtually indestructible and immune to attack. They could also be tightly sealed to preserve Saurel's supply of manufactured oxygen underground and were a critical part of Saurel's survival. No self-respecting spacecraft or living being could survive the blazing temperature of the surface.
Under Grey's expert hand, the K12 descended and landed with a thump. Overhead, the cover contracted shut, plunging the landing bay in darkness. A bank of lights flashed red and a steady hissing sound denoted the replenishment of oxygen in the landing bay. Slowly the hissing stopped. The lights flashed green and then off. Oxygen levels had stabilized to acceptable levels.
It took Cidra several minutes to adjust to the dim lighting. The large, circular landing bay was earthen and empty. Several large entrances were carved into the smooth walls and softly illuminated. Markings on the walls were unreadable in the faint light.
"Apparently, they don't want to waste energy.” Grey struggled to discern his surroundings. When his eyes had adjusted fully, he stood up and headed for the rear hatch. “They should be waiting for us at the main entrance of the bay. Let's get on with it.” He shot a pleased look over his shoulder. “And don't forget. Try to look like you worship the ground I walk on."
She rose to follow him and let out a dramatic sigh. “The sacrifices I make for Avion. I'll suffer through it."
&nbs
p; He laughed. “Maybe you'll get a commendation."
Then he spun around and pulled her into his arms. “There's one more thing.” His mouth descended over hers with all the pent-up passion he'd stored up over the past few days. Cidra threw her arms around his neck. Her fingers slid up his neck and into his hair, gently pulling him closer.
Heat roared through him. Her immediate response momentarily dazed him. He had been expecting hesitation, uncertainty. She gave him neither. Instead, she met his desire equally, fueling an already wild fire. He knew if they continued, he'd take her right here in the K12. Grey broke off the kiss, breathing like he'd just run for this life and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Cidra.” He couldn't think of another word for a few moments.
Under tenuous control at best, he raised his hands to cup her face and gazed into the clear blue of her eyes. “Saurelians have a very sensitive sense of smell. That's to let our host know that you belong to me."
Cidra searched his face. “And that's the only reason?"
"No, but it'll have to do for now. We can't keep our hosts waiting.” He dropped his hands to his sides, but there was resolute promise in his eyes and undisguised hunger in his body.
"Then lead the way, Captain,” she said with a sudden smile. “It's a nice view from back here."
* * * *
Cidra's first impression of Bohr was that the man had huge feet. She stood behind and beside Grey with her eyes lowered in customary fashion while he introduced himself to Bohr. The women were ignored until Bohr's blunt introduction.
"This is my mate, Sil. She will provide you with anything you require.” He hissed through his teeth. He addressed Grey. “You may introduce me to this female."
Cidra felt Grey tense beside her.
"This is Cidra. My mate."
The message was unmistakable. Apparently, Bohr didn't hear it. The Saurelian stepped up and abruptly lifted Cidra's face with a scaly finger under her chin.
Grey bit off every word, “She is unavailable."