Sexual Memory [Dark Colony 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Elle Saint James

  Watching for the best time to show himself or simply fire this pistol, William looked over at Jeremy, who watched the newcomers carefully, but he also palmed the remote for the turret gun. William saw Jeremy’s nimble thumb operating the controls from across the clearing apparently by feel. Impressive.

  The weapon on top of the shuttle moved silently into position to fire again.

  The gaunt man saw the brief movement, shouting, “Wait. Don’t shoot!”

  Jeremy pushed the button and the white beam came out of the turret gun again, but this time it split into twin shafts of light, hitting the precise center of the two gun-toting guards’ chests. They slumped to the ground, soundlessly falling in a heap next to Lord Harcourt’s man.

  “So sorry,” Jeremy said, not sounding very remorseful at all. “Too late.”

  “You didn’t have to do that,” the slender man said with a sigh.

  It didn’t look like he had a weapon, but William didn’t want to take any chances. He exited his hidden place, quickly pushing the barrel of his newly acquired laser pistol at the man’s temple. “Why not?” he asked curtly. “What are you doing here with armed guards?”

  “I came to warn you that Bergeron was not your friend, and that you shouldn’t trust him. He has a deal with Lord Harcourt.” The man’s gaze fell on Bergeron’s unconscious form by the door of the shuttle. His expression softened, as if he suddenly realized they’d figured it out for themselves and his time had been wasted.

  Jeremy rolled his eyes, looking rather like a spell of sarcasm was about to erupt. “Well, thanks so much, but we’d pretty much figured that out when he plopped himself down at Lord Harcourt’s dining table earlier and announced that his association with the premier slaver had been a year and a half long.” The scorn he heard from Jeremy mirrored William’s own feelings. He pressed the gun more firmly to the man’s thin flesh.

  “Lord Harcourt used him—like he uses everyone—to get what he wanted,” he murmured.

  “Oh? And what did he want?” William asked, pressing the pistol even harder into the man’s face.

  Seemingly undaunted by the threat or the pressure on his head from William’s gun, he answered, “He wanted more beautiful women for his various DMR videos, and also more experienced fighting men who could only be found outside of District Six. He’d already exhausted his indigenous supply a year ago.”

  Angelica pushed out a loud breath, exhibiting a look that seemed to say, “Ah. Ha!”

  William lowered his weapon, pressing it into the man’s cheek, asking, “Why should we believe anything you say—” He paused briefly, adding, “I don’t even know your name.”

  The man smiled sedately. “My name is Gamblar.” Interesting. So Gamblar, not gambler, as William had originally thought.

  “Oh? And how long have you been at his lordship’s elbow, Gamblar?” Jeremy asked.

  “Since Lord Harcourt arrived here a half a decade ago to take over.” He then turned his full attention to William, ignoring the gun pointed at his head. “We’ve spoken privately before one or two times, haven’t we, William? However, it was through a stone wall in your gladiator quarters.”

  William traded a suspicious look with Jeremy, and asked, “What were you doing down in the gladiator quarters?”

  Gamblar’s pinched smile returned. “The first time, I was directed by Lord Harcourt to discover if you remembered who you were.”

  William’s limited memory went back to the second conversation. “I remember. The second time you asked me about the other gladiator, Vidarr? Why?”

  “That time, I’ll admit, was for myself. And the answer to your question is that I wanted to nudge you in the direction of the Den of Iniquity instead of the Gladiator arena.”

  William raised the gun he held to Gamblar’s head. “Because…?”

  He huffed. “Because I wanted you to live. When Lord Harcourt found out who you were, he tried to orchestrate a fight between you and Vidarr with the expectation that you’d be killed.”

  William’s eyes narrowed as if in confusion. “Again, why did you want me alive?”

  Gamblar pushed out a long breath. “Because I discovered your true identity. Also, your family has stepped up their already exhaustive search for you. It was only a matter of time before they discovered that you were in District Six and here on this planet.

  “There was even talk at the most recent Galactic Federation of Planets meeting of altering the already stringent hands-off policy that exists for the Forbidden Zone. I was fearful that if it was learned how you came to be in District Six, while Lord Harcourt would certainly forfeit a hefty price, the rest of us living here would also pay undeservedly. He’s rash and foolish with regard to the districts outside of this one, ignoring any possible retaliation from his actions. So I wanted to ensure you were gone safely back to your home, and not risking your life continually in the gladiator arena when other options were available.”

  Jeremy moved closer, pushing buttons on the remote in his palm. A red dot appeared on Gamblar’s chest. “How do you know all of that?”

  He smiled again. “I manage communications on this planet. I know quite a bit. For example, I even know that you’re a listed as renegade because of what you’ve done to find your woman.” He gestured to Angelica.

  Jeremy and William traded pointed looks again. It wasn’t a stretch to believe that Jeremy had skirted any number of laws to be here currently. William sent a heartfelt look of gratitude his way.

  Gamblar then added, “So if you’d rather stay in District Six instead of facing what you will when you return across the border, Mr. Cahill, I’ll happily make a place for you here.”

  “Gosh, thanks so much for your generous offer of slavery in perpetuity, but no thanks.” He rolled his eyes again. “I’ll take my chances outside of District Six.”

  William moved his weapon back to Gamblar’s temple, wanting the man to know his future depended solely on his good grace.

  “So you know who I am?” William asked.

  Gamblar stared at him without speaking as if fearful of being the one to break the news to him. His eyes widened, but he said nothing.

  “Do you know who I am?” William turned and asked Jeremy. He shook his head and shrugged. “Sorry. I don’t know who you really are beyond William the gladiator, although now that I think about it, you do seem familiar.”

  He looked over at Angelica. She also shrugged, but her smile was comforting.

  A new voice from the direction of the trail said, “I know exactly who you are. Greetings to Prince Roghan of the planet Hydrock, and fourth in line to inherit the kingdom there.”

  Soundlessly, and amazingly, Vidarr and Sapphire entered the clearing.

  William stared at Vidarr. “How long have you known about my identity?”

  The man with the braided golden beard shrugged. “Since we fought in the arena together.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t think the knowledge would do you any good. We were all stuck here. Plus, it’s not like I had any current events of your life. I’ve been here almost a year. There was still no way to leave this god forsaken planet until Jeremy Cahill showed up with his amazing cloaked ship and hidden shuttle to whisk us all to freedom.”

  Jeremy crossed his arms, looking rather proud of himself. “How did you know I could get us off the planet?”

  “Beyond the fact that you signaled to me that I could trust you?” He huffed as if the answer was obvious. “You’re a military man. We’ve served together. Plus, I also heard about the small shuttle you landed in the gladiator arena, so I expected that you’d have a plan to get away. And I was right. Both in the knowledge that you would succeed, and in trusting you to have a plan to free us all.”

  Vidarr turned to Lord Harcourt’s right hand and asked, “What are you doing here, Gamblar?”

  “Trying to ensure that Bergeron didn’t ruin my plans.”

  “Your plans?”

 
Gamblar straightened his thin countenance as if finding his backbone after years without it. “I’ll be taking Lord Harcourt’s place once the other Districts rise up, condemn him for his blatant kidnapping schemes along the Forbidden Zone’s borders, and promptly remove him from power.”

  “Let me guess, he’s been doing this for a about a year and a half,” Jeremy said, looking back at a still unconscious Bergeron.

  “Actually closer to three years, although he has stepped the process up in the past two years. Harcourt was always pompous, but sending secret raiders like Bergeron out to lead unsuspecting ships across the line was always going to bring unwanted attention to our private district. I warned him, of course, but in this regard, as in many others, he refused to listen. It was only a matter of time before the other districts rose up and created a plan to make it stop.”

  Vidarr said, “I hope you don’t expect us to leave Bergeron behind with you. I’ll have to insist that he goes with us to face justice on our side of the border.”

  “No. I don’t want him here. You can do with him what you will. However, at this delicate juncture in my plans to takeover, I can’t help you once you leave the planet. Not yet, anyway. I’m assuming your shuttle has the ability to cloak.”

  “Let’s say yes, just for fun,” Jeremy said.

  Gamblar nodded. “Excellent. You’ll need to remain hidden until you are completely across the District Six border. This is imperative.”

  “What difference does it make? I thought you were taking over.” William was certainly interested in the conversation regarding the eminent changes for this planet, but selfishly, he also wanted to discuss his own personal issues, like the family stepping up plans to find him. Was his wife a part of the search?

  Gamblar nodded. “I am taking over, but not quite yet. There are certain things that must be in place before I can assume the leadership role here.”

  “Such as?”

  Gamblar looked at Vidarr. “Vidarr and Sapphire must be gone along with William and Parisa. Lord Harcourt must lose the bulk of his premier money makers. Then he will promptly scout more boldly for new gladiators and Den of Iniquity participants.

  “The Galactic Federation of Planets has been working on a plan in secret for months. I’ve seen more than one classified message detailing plans. There is a trap being prepared, and once it’s sprung, Harcourt’s oppressive rule on this planet will be over and our locals will be well be rid of him. Afterward, I will be left in charge to monitor this area and also the border control fleet of ships.”

  “What makes you better than Lord Harcourt?” Jeremy asked.

  “I’m originally from this planet. The indigenous people still make up the majority of this world, and they would like to continue to be left alone from interference of the other districts.”

  “What about the kidnappings? Will you continue that practice?” Vidarr asked.

  “Of course not. We never wanted to do that.” He pushed out a long breath of seeming frustration. “Our traditions and practices in this district have remained the same for a hundred years. Since after the war ended. Until Lord Harcourt took over five years ago and inserted himself. He brought his considerable resources onto this planet. And to be fair, he left our traditions in place for almost a whole year before apparently becoming bored with them. At that time, Harcourt began demanding more money and more power and more excitement in the gladiator arenas.

  “Nothing was ever enough.

  “He eventually killed off every single one of our premiere gladiators when he instituted mortal combat instead of a simple knock out to win in the arena. Shortly after that happened, the border kidnappings started. Before he was in charge, the other districts and planetary bodies left us alone to our unique traditions and ways.

  “There’s always been an unspoken agreement with the rest of the districts that if any vessel should cross over the Forbidden Zone border, they would be held interminably. Before Lord Harcourt took over, if any ship was somehow disabled, the border control ships would push their vessel back over the line and out of our air space. Shortly after he took over, Lord Harcourt infused the District Six Border Control ranks with his own lackeys. They fill key leadership roles, and that benevolent practice was promptly discontinued. Any ship over the line, disabled or not, stayed in District Six.

  “While it is true that our small planet enjoys traditional gladiator battles—and have since even before the war—with only a few exceptions we kept to ourselves. Lord Harcourt has never been completely satisfied with traditions. He forever wanted more and more and more. And thus his merry band of secret raiders were created to bring ships across the line purposefully. Ships carrying men who would be good gladiators, and women who would be popular during the making of the films in the Den of Iniquity. Another practice I’m not fond of having in our world.”

  Jeremy glanced over at Bergeron, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. “How many more raiders are out there like him?”

  Gamblar shrugged. “It’s hard to say. Only Lord Harcourt knows for certain. I’m not privy to everything he does. At this point, we can only deal as best as we can with what comes along.”

  He looked over his shoulder in the direction of the gladiator arena. He looked down at his feet. The guards he’d brought were still down for the count. He then nodded at them all individually. “It’s time you were all gone. Remember, do not de-cloak your ship until you are well past the District Six border. Unlike Lord Harcourt, I have no power or sway over the Border Control ships, at least not yet. And I will not be able to help you if you are recaptured. Trust me when I tell you that Lord Harcourt’s wrath will be substantial if he gets you under his power again.

  “He only let you go because he expected you to get lost in the wilderness, realize there was no escape, and be forced to come back and beg for a home in one of the arenas. He’s already planned a scouting party for tomorrow to retrieve you. He expects you’ll be dehydrated, desperate, and in no position to refuse whatever he offers to welcome you back to one of his money-making arenas. It’s happened before.”

  “There’s not a chance of that happening,” Jeremy said. “But thanks for the warning,” he added, motioning to the shuttle door. “All right, everyone who’s going, get onboard.”

  The shuttle had seats enough to carry eight people. There were swivel chairs mounted along either side of the interior walls directly behind the captain’s and copilot’s seats, and a narrow aisle separating them. At the back of the craft were several built-in cabinets and drawers, likely containing needed supplies.

  William wondered if there was a medical kit with any pain medication. His head had begun to ache on the long walk out here. Probably withdrawal from the cut flowers. Currently the pounding was becoming difficult to ignore. He glanced at Angelica, noticing she also had a pained look on her face.

  Jeremy got in the left side captain’s seat. He motioned for Angelica to co-pilot, but she seated herself behind him. “Can anyone else co-pilot with Jeremy? My head is throbbing to the point my eyes don’t want to stay open. I’d be useless.”

  William said, “Mine aches, too. Besides, I don’t remember if I know how to pilot a ship like this.” He seated himself next to Angelica, rubbing his temples, trying to alleviate the pain with pressure to his temples. It wasn’t working.

  Jeremy swiveled his captain’s chair around to Angelica. “What’s up with the two of you?”

  Angelica said, “We believe that the fresh-cut flowers kept in our room daily were laced with drugs. If we were away from it for any length of time, our heads would ache like an unfulfilled addiction.”

  William remembered what he’d done to Angelica that first time after being in the battle arena with Vidarr.

  “I can help the two of you.” Vidarr slid the pack he carried off his shoulder. “Once I disable the pain management device installed in your brain, the headache will fade…eventually.”

  William brightened. “How long will it take?”

  He
shrugged. “It’s different for each person.” He looked sidewise at Sapphire.

  She said, “It took me quite a lot longer than Vidarr.” Sapphire took the pack from his hands, their fingers lingering as it passed to her. “I’ll treat them, you can co-pilot. I know you’re dying to.” Vidarr kissed her mouth, stared at her lovingly for two seconds, and then promptly turned, easing his large body into the front seat on the shuttle’s right side, next to Jeremy.

  Sapphire smiled at him in the same way that William had always smiled at Angelica before each battle in the ring. Before he knew her true identity. The look was conspiratorial. Like they were a team, fighting for each other and for their greater good against all enemies. He missed that a little bit. Then something else occurred to him. Your family has stepped up their already exhaustive search for you.

  William felt the sudden need to distance himself from Angelica. He truly needed to discover who comprised the “family” searching for him. Prince Roghan? The name didn’t even feel familiar deep down.

  “Now that you’ve told me my name is not William, but instead Prince Roghan of the planet Hydrock—and trust me, I’ll have a plethora of questions all about me once we’re safely away—how is it that I still don’t remember a single detail of my history?”

  Sapphire glanced at the back of Vidarr’s shaved head. “Our limited understanding is that you must also meet and speak to someone you knew very well in your former world in order to spark your past memories back to life. And often it takes more than just a single conversation.”

  “But if Vidarr knows me—”

  Vidarr turned his head and looked over one shoulder, cutting off what William was about to say. “I only know of you. I merely recognized you from the many publications you’ve appeared in over time. We’ve never met in person before the gladiator arena.” He then laughed, darkly. “In truth, you and I didn’t exactly travel in the same circles in our former lives. Besides, the someone you know can’t be an acquaintance. It must be a close family member, a close coworker, or someone you see on a regular basis. The technology used in the manufactured fresh-cut flowers and their scent is not an exact science in many ways, but a powerful tool for the control of slaves. This was something else that Lord Harcourt brought with him to the Slavers district.”