Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance)
Page 48
“Clones are seen as replaceable. If I remember correctly, it was what enabled us to win against the insects all those years ago. Though many lost their lives, we just manufactured more in overwhelming numbers.”
Something fired to life in her chest when he stated clones were replaceable. Grasping his handsome face in her hands, she stated emphatically, “You aren’t replaceable. Don’t ever think otherwise.”
Instead of a chaste kiss on the cheek, she gave him a heated one on the lips. Within seconds, he took over the kiss and she discovered that his reserved continence didn’t extend to a romantic situation. Sliding his hand down her back to grasp her buttocks, he easily lifted her into his arms. Then it was all tongues and passion, leaving her head spinning. Before she could stop herself, her fingers sifted through his hair, pulling him closer as she practically climbed his beautiful body.
After what seemed like ages, he pulled back. Resting his forehead against hers, he murmured huskily, “Being intimate with you is like nothing I could have imagined.”
“I hardly know you, but I feel closer to you than any other man I’ve ever known.”
“Do you know how you can be certain that we’ll be victorious in this battle?”
Shaking her head, she waited for him to speak.
Cupping her face with his calloused hand, he whispered, “Because I have something precious to protect and that something is you.”
Swallowing down her emotions, Keiko nuzzled her face against his neck. “I can’t believe I’m here in your arms, feeling the things I’m feeling. I never thought…”
Words failed her, but she was certain he understood. He was her man, because he understood how she felt. Today, that was enough to get by on.
Chapter 10
~ Shar Jalon ~
Keiko’s Music Mix Ten
Converging on the cloning unit proved to be a useless endeavor. By the time they arrived, the clones were dead; they’d used the equipment to expedite the maturation of the eggs, and the equipment which had been held in storage to create a lab on the Sylon home world was missing.
Lar, as the chief medical officer of the Shardon fleet, realized right away the implications of what they saw. “It’s bad news all the way around, sir. The insectoids now have access to cloning technology, which they’ve already adapted to their own purposes.”
“What is the real impact of the enemy gaining access to our technology?”
Looking down briefly, the physician swallowed hard. “From what I can determine from the equipment they left behind, our technology has been adapted to make it possible for them to breed more quickly and efficiently. My best guess is that it will increase their breeding by a factor of ten.”
Keiko gasped aloud at the horrific news. “You mean they’ll be able to breed ten times faster?”
One jerk of his shoulder towards the mess the insectoids left behind, he responded tightly, “They began by gestating their eggs inside still-living clones. I assume this was done because our bodies are nutrient dense and particularly rich in trace minerals that would strengthen their exoskeleton. They quickly moved on to gestating eggs in our cloning tanks where they were able to replicate them quickly, increase the mineral content, and expedite the maturation process.”
Another clone walked up with a handheld device in his hand. “Sir, you’ll want to see this.”
Shar Jalon nodded. “What is it, Jacob?”
“They aren’t just on this ship, sir. I disconnected their jamming device and discovered there was a simultaneous attack on all three of the remaining vessels left to support us in monitoring the aftereffects of the temporal anomaly.”
“Can you get a reading on life signs?”
“Yes. Life signs are nominal, sir. We have over thirty groups of clones who have joined together to create impromptu fighting units on this vessel. Systematically closing off bulkheads and isolating the insectoids in certain parts of the ship was apparently the preferred strategy to limit their movement and buy time for you to create a unified plan of attack. Therefore, our losses are minimal.”
Shar Jalon stared at his crew member for a brief second before responding. “This is standard operating procedure for battle-trained clones.”
“Yes, sir. Unfortunately, the Krylon and Candorian ship didn’t fare quite so well. A scan of the Krylon vessel reveals almost a total loss of life…”
“I wouldn’t bet my ship on that, Jacob.” Flicking a switch on his belt, he phased out of sight. Shar Jalon watched his eager clone hold up the device in his hand for a brief second before a sly smile curved his lips.
“I’m not picking up any life signs emanating from your position when the cloaking device is activated.”
Switching off the device, he quickly explained, “The device is a gift from our new Krylonian allies. They have blessed us with over a thousand units, which I’d planned to distribute over the next few days.” Smiling slightly, he looked from one to the other of his crew. “I’d thought experimenting with them might prove to be an interesting diversion during our down time in this sector of space.”
Jacob snapped the handheld unit closed. “Instead, we can consider it a field test.”
Shar Jalon couldn’t help the feeling of pride that caught him in the chest as he looked at his eager and capable crew. “What of the Candorians?”
Jacob shook his head slightly. “I keep getting strange sporadic readings on them. The readings seem to be compacted in a few cubic meters in multiple places throughout their freighters. It makes no sense.”
“They were originally an aquatic species; therefore, their ships are equipped with huge encasements filled with water. Their water is like nothing I have seen before, in terms of color and movement. Perhaps it has minerals or enzymes which interfere with our scanning technology. My best guess is they’re concentrating as many of their people as possible in the tanks, especially if the insectoids are reluctant to venture into the strange substance.”
His beautiful new potential mate spoke up, “On Earth, they never went into the water. A few of the insectoids had long straw-like suckers but they preferred blood to water.”
Jacob spoke again, “That isn’t all, sir. Most of the insectoids have loaded themselves and the equipment onto the shuttles and life pods.” Sighing, Jacob dropped the final bit of horrific information on them. “Their trajectory suggests they’re heading for a huge planet about three parsecs from our current location. Though the civilization hasn’t yet attained the capacity for intergalactic space travel, they number in the billions.”
“Our priorities are as follows. Get the computer system back on line so we can effectively track the enemy. I suspect both our allies are having trouble holding their own against the insectoids. Since we’re apparently the most capable, we’ll scourge our ship of the remaining insectoids and render immediate assistance. Starting with the Candorian vessel is advisable because they have women and children on board. After we liberate our Candorian brothers, we converge on the Krylon ship.”
Keiko moved closer to him and he wrapped an arm around her again. “When we’re three strong again, we’ll load the fastest ship with warriors and armaments then we take the fight straight to the enemy.”
“Understood, sir. I found the manifest containing the shielding devices. Might I suggest we make our way there first?”
Shar Jalon nodded to the young clone. “Excellent suggestion, Jacob. Once the computer is back on line, I also want you to send out a repeating priority notification to all species in this sector. Include scenes from the cloning chambers along with all relevant information on the creatures.”
Turning to Keiko, he spoke somberly, “The Shardon are now at war. I’d request that you and Miss Madison remain inside our ranks as we battle the creatures. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don’t allow yourself to be caught in the crossfire, particularly in confined spaces. Our warriors will resort to blades when other weapons fail and I wish you to stay out of the path of…”
Hearing she’d been in danger from the bloodthirsty beasts her entire life left Shar Jalon feeling emotional. Cupping his large hand over her delicate counterpart, he spoke harshly, “I refuse to allow you to continue to live in fear. Like my ancestors of old, I’ll scourge the verse of this threat, no matter the costs.”
“I once bemoaned not having the Shardon in my timeline to help us in our fight with the insectoids. Now, I find myself wishing you were all in a faraway place of safety. I don’t know why but the thought of losing even one Shardon life kills me.”
Shar Jalon felt her warm hand against his cheek as the meaning of her words settled on him. “You should know that in all the known verse, clones are considered expendable. We are on the front lines of every fight. We’re easily replaced by newly cloned soldiers.”
He could see the shock registering on her face, however she whispered only one word, “Why?”
Unable to control his emotions, he responded harshly, “I have often wondered that as well. I can only assume that because our fallen are replaced with clones that are similar in appearance, most species see us as interchangeable. We can create a new clone in record time, so few grieve the loss of our kind.”
Keiko’s eyes sought out Madison, who stood in front of her physician with his arms wrapped around her. After a brief unspoken exchange, Madison nodded. As she squirmed more deeply into her husband’s embrace, his hands cupped her slightly rounded belly in a gesture that was both possessive and protective. When her eyes turned back to him, they were filled with anger.
“Not anymore, Shar. From now on, our men take only their share of frontline positions.”
“It’s not that easy, my princess.”
“Don’t my princess me. This stops now.”
“Each member of the alliance provides something unique. The Candorians provide supplies and quick, efficient transportation of goods and people. They have freighters capable of creating jump ports through space. The Krylon share advanced technology and space on the Sylon home world for our people. The Shardon bring only well-trained warriors who love a good fight. It’s who we are.”
There was a brief pause before she stepped back out of his reach. “You aren’t a worthy leader of your people or a desirable mate if you value the lives of your warriors so little.”
Shock tore through Shar Jalon at the harsh words spoken by the woman he was intent on making his own. “You ask me to change what has always been?”
“I’ve seen this whole situation play out before, Shar. On Earth, the insectoids picked off one warrior after another until none of note were left. I’ll not stand by and watch tens of thousands of clones die, simply because this is the role other species have relegated to the Shardon.”
Suddenly, Shar Jalon found a smile curving his lips. His new love had shown him the one true path and he wasn’t too proud to take it. “Your words in defense of our kind mark you out as a compassionate person. I’ll agree to your demands until we can speak with the council of elders on the Shardon home world.”
“I think, I could actually love you.”
Feeling his lips curve into a warm smile, he replied, “On some level, I think you already do."
Rather than disagree with his words, his beautiful new love stepped towards him. Pushing herself up onto her tiptoes, she kissed him on the chin. By all rights, it was all she could reach without climbing his huge body. Bending down, he gave her access to his lips, half-expecting her to be too embarrassed to kiss him in front of the others. She jumped at the chance. Twining her hands in his hair, she kissed him and lingered in his arms.
Chapter 11
~ Keiko ~
Keiko’s Music Mix Eleven
Watching the Shardon clones work their way through the ship gave Keiko a totally new understanding of their abilities as warriors. Their form of fighting involved a certain fluidity of motion that was breathtakingly beautiful to behold. Even being trained by her brother in various soft-style martial arts hadn’t prepared her for seeing a Shardon warrior in action. Their fighting style was a merging of form and function, creating a ruthlessly efficient killing machine.
Moving as a group, the two women were surrounded by warriors, making Keiko feel like they were twin nuclei, safely ensconced in a cell membrane. Their laser rifles quickly nailed everything moving. Even in areas too narrow for a proper formation, the warriors walked with a laser pistol in each hand. Effortlessly shooting from both hands, left her with the distinct impression they were ambidextrous. Grasping her laser pistol in both hands, she never had the need to shoot.
They lost a few men in the battles that took place on the Shardon vessel, but many were injuries. Lar had enlisted her and Madison to assist with the smaller injuries. Their tissue regeneration devices were nothing short of amazing. Each device emitted a wide band of flashing, which when held at the correct distance from the wound, knitted the skin safety back together again. It was much better than the tissue regenerators she seen before.
Keiko noticed that Shar didn’t slow down for much. She got the feeling he was only sitting still for the dermal regeneration process to make her happy.
“You like me doting on you, don’t you, big guy?”
Sneaking a look sideways at her, he merely grunted. “I’m aware that human females prefer males with unmarked skin. Since the venom is damaging to my skin, it pleases me that you’re repairing the damage.”
“Next time, move faster and you won’t get hit by it.” He almost smiled at her gentle teasing. On a more serious note, she added, “Seeing you damaged causes me pain.”
Turning to look at her, his expression turned heated. “You care for my wellbeing? You shouldn’t grow attached to me right now. Fighting is precarious.”
“You must survive; you’re meant to lead your people.”
“And?”
Since he was practically devouring her with his eyes, she decided to come clean.
“I believe that you’re meant to become my mate. You’ll have daughters who look to your example to know what men are supposed to be and sons who look to you as their role model. Therefore, you must not die.”
“The thought of having a loving mate and children to hold seems like a faraway dream for one such as myself.”
“We aren’t so very different, Shar. In my timeline, females vastly outnumber males. All the men have multiple wives. I never dared hope to have a man all to myself, especially not someone as wonderful as you. That faraway dream you mentioned is now the dream of two people instead of one. We’re the captains of our own destiny. It’s up to us to make our dreams come true.”
Something she said must have lit a fire inside Shar Jalon. Before she realized he reached for her, she found herself in his lap. He sealed his lips over hers in a breathtaking kiss that left her clamoring for more. Someone cleared his throat and they tore their lips from each other.
Jacob stood, waiting patiently for Shar Jalon’s attention. “You asked me to alert you the moment our computer system was back on line.”
Standing, the clone leader walked towards a small cluster of his men. “Yes.”
“We’ve got the entire system back on line including a little bonus.”
“What kind of bonus?”
Rather than answering, Jacob spoke to the ship.
“Computer, please acknowledge voice commands from all clones and the two human females.”
“Input users acknowledged, effective immediately. Clone command infrastructure, acknowledge prioritization of safety for one Keiko Imaswasha, Japanese imperial princess circa Earth 2079. Also, Madison Sagan, mate of Lar Shalon and mother of their unborn child. The mothers must be protected.”
Shar Jalon shook his head in disbelief. The AI had survived and was apparently intent on continuing its preoccupation with protecting females of all types. �
�Acknowledge priorities. Next item of business is elimination of hostile insectoids. Confirm understanding and compliance?”
“Acceptance and compliance acknowledged. Enhanced scanning of this sector reveals a total of two hundred and nine insectoids, broken into thirteen different classifications. Nine remain aboard this vessel, one hundred and fifty-seven are engaged in battle aboard the Candorian vessel and the remainder are aboard the Krylon vessel. One ship has broken orbit and will be out of weapons range in one point three seconds. Do you wish the ship to fire upon the vessel?”
Panicking, he responded immediately, “Yes. Fire at will and eliminate the enemy vessel.”
Shar became aware that the ship was firing rear laser guided torpedoes. Turning slightly, he saw Keiko beaming up at him, clearly pleased that the AI had survived.
“Can we keep him, Dad?”
Madison laughed. “The poor man has no idea what you’re talking about.”
The AI spoke again in his toneless voice, “Enemy vessel eliminated. Next command, sir?”
“Bring us up alongside the Candorian vessel and attach all our docking rings to their starboard port.” Turning to Jacob, he gave him a level stare. “Work on wrestling control of our ship from the AI. I’ll not trust the lives of my crew and new bride to a total stranger.”
Ignoring Keiko’s frown, he addressed his crew, “We’ll unload the bulk of our warriors onto the vessel. After regrouping, we push forward, scourging the enemy as we liberate our Candorian brothers. Everyone needs to wear a cloaking device. They might end up being the deciding factor in this battle.”
“Keiko and Madison will remain aboard our vessel along with Lar. The injured will be taken to them for medical attention.” Turning to her, Shar Jalon’s voice became firm. Glancing at Keiko, she sighed. “I’m aware of your first rule of courting, but you’re needed in the…”
She stated hastily, holding up both hands in a gesture of deference. “I understand.”