The Marine's Queen

by Susan Kelley

  “And did you?”

  “There was nothing to report. At first. Then we landed on some little moon, I can’t remember its name, and encountered heavily armed pirates. The bandits had killed all the miners and their families. Joe’s men drove them out with little trouble except one of the marines was wounded.”

  Webb absently rubbed his throat before continuing. “I wasn’t sure the marine could be helped. He’d taken a heated slug to the chest. One of his lungs was punctured, lots of blood in his thoracic cavity. I made a decision that spared my life that day.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I decided to do everything I could to save that man. I disobeyed my orders and worked for hours. Fortunately, my skills prevailed over death that day.”

  “And how did that spare your life?”

  “I didn’t realize it until I’d saved three more of the marines what had killed my predecessors. It was Joe.”

  Callie gasped.

  Webb didn’t look pleased by her shock. “You see, my orders were to dispatch any of the marines that had serious injuries. Despite the small fortune used to create them, the very people who did also feared the marines. They didn’t want any of them sitting around with time to think about their place in the world. What if they realized they were being used like disposable weapons? What if they figured out how easily they might take over the military, or perhaps even stage a coup of the ruling body they fought for?”

  “By the Father.” Callie knew the Council often used harsh tactics, but this was beastly. “They ordered you to euthanize them?”

  Webb nodded. “If they couldn’t walk back to our transport, I was to not only kill them, but I was supplied with special chemicals to cause rapid deterioration of the body so no one could steal their genetic codes.”

  “But you didn’t do that.”

  “I couldn’t. I studied to be a doctor to preserve life not destroy it. It doesn’t matter to me how that life is conceived. I lied to my superior and helped the unit hide and protect their wounded until they could recover.”

  “And if you hadn’t?”

  “Joe would have killed me like he did the other doctors who had less ethics.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  “No.” Webb laughed, a lightness returning to his face. “Joe never tells me anything. Tar told me after I saved him when he should have been left behind.”

  “I can’t picture Joe….”

  “Joe did it. Don’t even think he wouldn’t. Just because these guys are picking fruit and building houses doesn’t mean they’re not killers. I’ve seen every one of them slice through their enemies without mercy or remorse.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Callie whispered, caught by the doctor’s passion.

  “I see what’s happening between your women and my marines.”

  “Your marines?” Callie’s earlier resentment returned.

  “Mine. At least as far as their health. What’s your plan?”

  “Nothing nefarious.”

  “Really?”

  “Doctor, we’re stuck here, perhaps forever. We need to make the best of it as we can.”

  Webb nodded as if she’d said what he expected. “So since there’s no other sperm available, you’ll use what’s at hand, so to speak.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” His crudeness was uncalled for.

  “As their physician, I had some access to the classified files on the marines. They’ve been kept from all contact with civilians. They were never allowed to visit the same whore twice, and except for Joe, they seldom even interacted with other military personnel.”

  “Sounds very lonely.”

  Webb shrugged. “It was all they knew. Until they met you they had never seen a child up close. But like all the other characteristics gathered up to create them, they seemed to have an innate sense of honor.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “They were practically brainwashed to protect and serve no matter the cost in life to them. Duty. Duty and war. Now look what you’ve done to them.”

  “We’ve given them something better.”

  “Better! And when you leave? You will leave if help arrives, won’t you, Queen of Giroux?”

  “I must.”

  “Did Joe tell you they can’t go with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you’ll give them a taste of life and love. You’ll let them hold your children, take care of you and make sure you survive until rescued,” Webb jeered. “Then you’ll fly away and leave them behind. But you’re just making the best of things. What are they? A fall back plan in case your help doesn’t arrive until you’re past your childbearing years? You need an heir? Which one did you pick to donate his sperm? Better choose Joe. He’s in charge because he was judged their best overall product.”

  “Stop!” Callie stood and gave him her back.

  “You’re not much different from the ones who gave them orders before. Tell me, are they as effective as lovers as they were as soldiers?”

  She spun back to face him. “Watch it, doctor. The marines aren’t the only dangerous ones on this planet.”

  Webb snorted. “Don’t threaten me, Callie Adell. You don’t know what I’ve been through in the last two years.”

  “It seems you’re threatening me.” Callie’s head pounded. Everything had seemed so clear when she’d talked to Yalo a few moments ago.

  Webb sighed and his voice softened. “I didn’t intend to. I wanted to make sure you understood what you’re doing to these men. I’ve been to hell with them, Callie. I’ve watched them bury twenty-two of their comrades. They may not completely trust me, but I trust them. They’d give their lives to protect me … protect you. You don’t have to buy that protection with your bodies.”

  “We’re not whores,” Callie snarled.

  “No, you’re not. And they’re not machines. They’re flesh and blood men who are going to be devastated when you leave them.”

  * * * *

  Joe wondered at Callie’s silence. Usually, she spent the dinner hour making plans for the next day and giving orders to everyone. Tonight she ate slowly and spoke only when a question was directed at her.

  “We brought back the last of the fuel cells,” Vin said.

  “We’ve finished making the explosive powder,” Roz reported.

  “Storage?” Joe asked. They’d used the antiquated powder a few times before, and that taught them to respect how volatile the stuff could be.

  “We dug a tunnel on the south ridge,” Roz assured him.

  Kam stood up carefully, baby Sally balanced on his shoulder and asleep in that boneless fashion she had. “I’ll put her down, Riba.”

  Riba jumped up, hurrying around the large marine to open the door. They wouldn’t be back.

  Tar had guard duty. Worry about their security nagged at Joe. They’d made the old fashioned explosives because their ammunitions wouldn’t last forever.

  Forever. Joe stole a glance at Callie. She stared at the closed door and then turned her thoughtful gaze toward him.

  “Could I speak with you alone, please?”

  Joe nodded. He held the door for her, noting only about an hour remained before the sun set and the temperatures plunged.

  Callie strode toward the boark pens, walking without purpose with her hands intertwined behind her back. She spun to face him. “Is it as you feared? Are my women being cruel to your men?”

  It wasn’t the question he expected. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Everything you said was correct. I wanted to tell you that none of us intended to hurt you.”

  He had no response, afraid to say the wrong thing.

  After a long moment, she continued. “Why can’t you leave with us if we’re rescued? Tell me what happened that had you branded as criminals.”

  It didn’t matter if she knew. “We disobeyed an order and they convicted us of treasonous acts against the Galactic Council. We were sentenced to death in the mines of t
he Nye moon.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Our last mission was to clean out a pirate’s nest in the Sason System. When we reconnoitered the target, we found the only people there were civilians. They’d been stranded after having flight problems on their ship. We reported back and were told to neutralize the illegal settlers.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “No. We refused.”

  “Can’t you get some of those people to testify for you?”

  “The regiment of regulars that took us into custody completed the mission in our place.”

  “Spirit Father!”

  Joe didn’t think a spirit had anything to do with it.

  “Couldn’t Webb speak for you?”

  “He was convicted along with us.”

  “How did you get away?”

  “Their courts weren’t prepared for keeping us prisoner. We escaped their guards and made it to our ship. But our ship was hit by laser fire and only Roz’s piloting skills allowed us to flee and make it to this out of the way world.”

  “So they think you’re dead?”

  “Nobody has come looking for us.”

  “I’m surprised at you.”

  Joe replayed their conversation in his mind. He’d thought he was getting better at talking with the civilians. His men all seemed to have less trouble than he did. Of course, he had the most difficulty when Callie spoke with him.

  Callie set her hands on her hips. “You’re living here safe and out of danger. Webb told me your duty to protect civilians was everything to you. Yet here you hide, doing little more than existing. While you escape your unjust punishment, all those people you were created to serve are being mistreated, slaughtered and sometimes enslaved by those you should be hunting.”

  Joe stepped back when the Queen of Giroux closed the distance between them.

  One of her long delicate fingers poked him in the chest. “I can’t believe you’re cowards. Why won’t you go back and fight?”

  Joe wrapped her hand in his so she couldn’t poke him again. He believed the odd emotion heating his skin was embarrassment. “Callie, we can’t fight them. We’re trained to hunt and kill. How can we defeat these politicians when I can’t comprehend the meaning of your words most of the time?”

  Callie smiled. Joe sensed fate wrapping its tendrils around his neck.

  She twisted her fingers around and grasped his hand. “What if someone experienced in the ways of diplomacy and political intrigue helped you? Would you return to face down your accusers?”

  * * * *

  Callie watched expressions come and go across Joe’s face. Had she really thought him stone-faced when they first met? Wariness, surprise and comprehension.

  He shook his head. “It would be too dangerous to help us. Escaped convicts can be killed on sight.”

  “They wouldn’t dare if you were with me.” Callie watched his eyes widen. Had she shocked him so much?

  He leaped back from her and shouted loud enough to stop her heart. “To arms!”

  The other marines spilled out of various buildings while Joe raced back to the main barracks. He was inside for only the space of a few breaths before running back outside fully outfitted with numerous weapons.

  “White defense!” Joe ordered the others. He called over his shoulder as he sprinted toward the path leading to the west. “Callie, get everyone in the main building.”

  Callie watched him go and noticed for the first time a slowly falling flare from that direction.

  “Let’s get inside,” Yalo said from behind her.

  Callie nodded, her heart thumping wildly.

  Vin and Mak flew after Joe. Kam and Roz herded Callie’s people toward the sturdy building.

  Callie walked backward, watching the marines running up the slope. Just before Joe reached the top, he slid to a stop and pulled one of the weapons he’d slung over his back.

  A wave of black rolled over the hill like a tide of oil on the white sand. Joe opened fire, lighting the darkening sky with colorful bursts of orange and red light. The black inundation broke around him, faltering and splitting in spots.

  Vin and Mak started firing before they reached Joe, helping turn the wave. To Callie’s horror, Joe’s weapon sputtered and failed. He tossed it down and pulled a smaller gun from his belt.

  A small creature from the black wave leaped at Joe’s chest. Vin fired at it, his laser igniting the beast so close to Joe, Callie thought the flames would engulf him also.

  “Callie, please get inside.” Roz tugged on her elbow. “Now.”

  Yalo took her other arm and pulled her toward the door.

  Callie resisted until she assured herself Joe was still firing at the mass. Then she turned and ran with others, daring a look over her shoulder. “What are they, Roz?”

  “We don’t have a name for it.” Roz pushed her in the door. “They’re some kind of giant rodent, and they’ll eat anything in their path.”

  He closed the door and joined Kam somewhere outside. Webb urged the women to climb up into the small loft. They tossed the things stored there to the floor and crowded around the small lookouts cut into the lumber.

  Glory cried softly against her mother’s shoulder. Callie fought her own tears. The deepening twilight gave the scene outside a surreal quality, like a light show at a carnival.

  “Spirit Father, protect them,” Riba prayed. Sally fussed and mewled as if feeling the fear swirling in the loft.

  “Pray for Tar,” Webb whispered.

  The barracks vibrated as the black death neared. They could hear Kam and Roz firing from their positions outside. Callie could discern individual animals now. They looked like thigh-high rats. Their tails were short and hairless, their snouts long and pointed. Sharp fangs overlapped each other in front and their eyes reflected red in the flash of laser-powered weapons.

  Hellish squeaks and squeals came from the wounded and dying rodents. The boarks roared, but whether in fright or challenge, Callie couldn’t tell.

  The stench of blood and burning flesh and hair drifted in the peep holes, but none of the women pulled away.

  “I can’t see Mak,” Acacia said, her voice quivering with fear as it hadn’t done even when they’d thought themselves doomed in their crashed ship.

  “They’re attacking the rear of the herd,” Yalo said.

  Callie strained to see through the wisps of smoke rising from smoldering carcasses. A few of the rats tried to break away, but the marines shot them as they did. The men pushed them into an ever tightening circle of slaughter.

  “Ladies,” Webb said. “I think it’s safe to go down. The bites of these animals are foul. We’ll need to treat some wounds.”

  The doctor gave them efficient instructions, keeping them busy as the sounds from outside slowly quieted. Webb’s eyes wandered to the door, but he warned them not to open it. “Sometimes they lurk in dark places and wait to pounce. Joe will make sure they got them all before he opens that door.”

  Glory and Sally slept on Callie’s bed while they all waited. The children mumbled and tossed in their restless sleep. The disruption of their peaceful paradise reminded everyone of their vulnerability and the dangers of this alien world.

  After another hour passed, Kam opened the door and slipped inside. He closed it firmly and leaned his back against the wall. His tired gaze searched for Riba first. “All clear.”

  Nobody relaxed.

  “Where’s everyone else?” Callie asked.

  A large gash seeped blood from Kam’s left forearm, though he didn’t seem to notice. His large, gloved hands clutched his activated weapon across his chest.

  “Let me take a look at your arm, Kam,” Webb said quietly. “Give Yalo the gun and sit down here.”

  Kam obeyed, still looking a bit dazed. He handed off the weapon and shuffled over to the bench Webb pointed to. Only then did they all see the larger wound across his back.

  By the time they removed Kam’s gloves and shirt, blood puddled
on the floor beneath the bench. A tinge of gray showed through the marine’s tanned face, but not so much as a sigh escaped him.

  “Where are the others?” Callie asked again as she handed the hot fortified drink to Kam that Webb had had them prepare. She couldn’t help but imagine Joe’s body covered with gaping wounds like Kam’s.

  “They went to find Tar.”

  “All of them?” Yalo asked.

  Kam nodded slowly. “In case they have to carry him.”

  No one said anything for a long moment.

  “Is anyone else injured?” Grace finally asked. She sat on the bed with Glory who was watching Webb clean Kam’s wound.

  “Roz is fine,” Kam answered.

  “And Vin?” Yalo asked, her face turning red.

  “Nothing vital.”

  “Mak?” Acacia asked.

  “They never touched him.”

  Silence filled the room again except for an occasional soft curse from Webb as he scrubbed at the edges of the ragged wound.

  What about Joe? Callie wanted to scream, but to ask was to admit to all how much she cared. The other women stared at her with questions in their eyes, and Webb looked away from Kam long enough to give her a dark glance. Even little Glory frowned at her.

  Only Kam didn’t turn his gaze to her. His eyes were closed and his lips pressed tight together in a grimace.

  Her mouth dry, her throat tight, Callie tried to speak. Only a barely audible croak emerged from her mouth. She swallowed and tried again. “Is Joe…?”

  Kam still didn’t open his eyes. “I don’t know. He took off ahead of the others so he’s well enough to run.”

  Webb sprinkled a powder on Kam’s open wound. The marine’s posture stiffened, and his eyes popped open.

  “Joe always feels so responsible for the men,” Webb said without looking up.

  Callie understood Joe’s feelings more than the others ever could.

  “Why did they attack?” Acacia asked.

  “We’ve only seen them twice before,” Webb answered. “They don’t live on this area we’ve claimed. We believe they live west of here at another fertile area. They’re ravenous when they arrive in a massive swarm across the sands. Perhaps when their population reaches a certain point they try to migrate to a new habitat.”