“Now why would you go and say such a horrible thing like that?” Riot said, feigning indignation. “I don’t think I want to be your friend. And if that’s all you want to tell me, I have better things to do with my time.”
Riot turned on her heel to leave the room.
“I’m coming for you Warrant Officer Riot!” The Zenoth’s screaming voice followed her out of the room. “I’m coming for you!”
27
“I was hoping that conversation would be more helpful,” Jaroth said in the meeting room the Admiral, Riot, and Rippa had been shown to after Riot’s talk with Alveric.
The foursome sat in the same chamber as before when Riot’s team had first arrived on the Dreadnaught.
“I think he gave us everything we needed to know.” Admiral Tricon looked to Riot. “Wouldn’t you say?”
Riot understood exactly what the admiral was referring to. The Karnayers’ need to intimidate and play mind games had tipped his hand. Yes, he wanted Riot dead, but he wanted her to suffer first. He also mentioned his brother again.
“He’ll attack Hoydren,” Riot said, as matter of factly as if she had read the headline from a holographic report. “It frees his brother, deals a blow to our alliance, and at the same time, he’ll finish his brother’s mission of capturing the dragons and turning them into weapons.”
The admiral nodded along with Riot’s words.
Rippa and Jaroth looked on with in part confusion, part respect, and part awe.
“You got all of that from the conversation you had?” Rippa asked.
“She’s right,” Admiral Tricon said, standing up from his chair. “I’m going to contact the Grovothe chain of command and see what I can do about solidifying an alliance with both Earth and Hoydren. If I can do that, I can get permission to move the Dreadnaught into a defensive position above Hoydren.”
“Getting a decree to allow a new race, much less two races, into the Grovothe alliance could take months.” Jaroth scratched the underside of his jaw.
“I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen as quick as possible, but we have to respect the process,” Admiral Tricon said, this last part directed more to Rippa than anyone else. “Major, I know you're yearning for a fight, and trust me, so am I, but we have to play by the rules.”
“I understand, sir.” Rippa looked over to Riot with a question in her eyes. “Much like Ketrick is the emissary for the Trilords, I request to be the Grovothe emissary to Earth. I can act as a go-between as the alliance is solidified between our two races.”
Riot’s eyebrows rose as if they had a mind of their own. She didn’t hate the idea of Rippa traveling with them, but it was anything but expected. The Grovothe major had only just begun to warm up to Ketrick. Before this conversation, Riot wasn’t even sure how Rippa felt about her.
“If Warrant Officer Riot is willing to take you on board, I don’t see a reason I should stop you.” Admiral Tricon looked over to Riot with questioning eyes. “Captain, if you need time to consider Major Gunna’s request, I understand.”
“She can come,” Riot blurted out so fast, it sounded like one word. “I’ve seen her fight. I know what she stands for. That’s enough for me.”
Rippa didn’t say a word, but her face was worth a thousand thank yous. Her eyes were bright, the corners of her mouth twitched as she tried to hold back her smile.
“Well then, it sounds like we all have work that needs to be done.” Admiral Tricon stood from his seat. “If we’re right, there’s another battle on the horizon. We need to prepare.”
Riot returned to the Valkyrie in a haze. Exhaustion wasn’t even the right word anymore. She had forced her brain and body to the point of autopilot. She could go on for hours on end this way. Lucky for her, she wouldn’t have to. The promise of sleep was within reach.
Riot walked up the open cargo bay doors, only to be greeted by a red-eyed but smiling Doctor Miller. She had also changed out of her armor, into her uniform. Her blonde hair fell behind her in a curtain, her black-framed glasses slid down her nose.
“Vet’s going to be okay.” Doctor Miller hugged herself as if she knew hugging Riot was out of the question and this was her consolation prize. “He’s awake now. Wang and Rizzo are with him.”
Riot felt a tension in her shoulders she hadn’t known she was holding, disappear. Her shoulders literally fell an inch on either side of her neck. “That’s great news, thanks Bub—Doctor Miller.”
“What’s with calling me by my actual name? I was getting used to you calling me Bubbles or Cupcake or Sunshine.” Doctor Miller raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” Riot looked confused, her weary mind trying to sift through the conversation. “It’s just I used those names when I really didn’t care abou—”
“Oh, I get it,” Doctor Miller said, smiling. “I understand those are just pet names now to show how much you care about me. I’m cool with it.”
Deborah Miller extended a closed fist for Riot to pound.
“Yeah … right…” Riot said, smacking Doctor Miller with a closed fist. “It’s because I liked you from the start, that’s why I called you all those names, Sunshine.”
“Yeah, ouch.” Doctor Miller flexed her hand and shook the fist Riot had just stricken. “Before you go, see Vet. I reported in to the Bulwark. I told the General what happened, and that we would be returning soon.”
“Great, thanks.” Riot walked past Doctor Miller and made her way to the med bay. How Wang and Rizzo were still on their feet was a testament to how strong their bond was. They couldn’t sleep knowing their brother had just made it out of the woods and was finally awake. On the battlefield or on the ship, they had to be by each others’ sides.
“You popping those stay-awake pills, Wang?” Riot asked, only half teasing. “I don’t know if I should be pissed or ask for some myself.”
“If by ‘stay awake pills,’ you mean minor dosages of epinephrine, then yes,” Wang said, smiling.
The look on Riot’s face must have said exactly what was on her mind, because Rizzo immediately shook his head and signed the words, He’s teasing.
“He’d better be,” Riot said, giving Wang a sideways look. “Although I’d be lying if I said minor dosages of epinephrine didn’t sound like a good time.”
Riot focused on Vet, who was sitting up in the bed. Dressed in a hospital-type gown, he was covered with a white sheet from the waist down, his constant scowl firmly in place, his one good eye looking from Wang to Riot.
“What’s the good word, Vet?” Riot stood next to Rizzo, opposite Wang. “You going to pull through?”
“You know me,” Vet said with a sideways grin. The fact that the scowl never left his face would have made it difficult for someone who didn’t know him that well to tell if he was happy or mad. Riot did know him that well.
“Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of,” Riot said, looking over to Wang. “How’s his noggin?”
“Everything’s checking out, but I’ll keep him under observation.” Wang pointed to Vet’s head. “My best guess at this point is that when his head was cracked, there was severe head trauma. He was knocked unconscious and the nanites went to work. He snapped out of his coma when he was completely healed. But that’s only a working theory for now.”
Riot folded her arms over her chest, looking at each of her brothers. The idea of feeling some kind of emotion like joy washed over her, but was dismissed just as quickly. There was no time for celebration. Not now, not when the final fight still loomed so close.
“You guys did great out there,” Riot said, settling for a language she and all Marines shared when things were going to get emotional. “Besides Vet, I mean. Ketrick carried him over his shoulder half the time, and Cupcake watched over him the other half.”
Vet cracked a wider grin.
“Seriously,” Wang said, pointing to one of his eyes. “Vet you need to get it together, despite the fact you only have one eye. That excuse only gets
you so far.”
Look who’s talking, Rizzo signed, raising his eyebrows at Wang. When the Zenoth made that final push, I swear I heard a small child scream over the comms.
“What?” Wang shook his head in confusion. “It’s called a war cry.”
Sounded like a constipated kid trying to push one out, Rizzo signed with a shrug. For real, though.
Riot, Vet, and Wang all burst into laughter. Their level of exhaustion made Rizzo’s joke even funnier. It was good to laugh; it was great to laugh. For those brief moments safe with her family, Riot was happy.
“I do not mean to be the one to break up the merriment,” Evonne’s ethereal voice sounded over the ship’s speakers, “however, there is an altercation in the cargo bay I think you should be made aware of, Captain.”
Riot wiped away tears from laughing so hard. “What is it, Evonne?”
“Perhaps you should go and see.” Evonne hesitated. “I do not know how to describe it.”
“Well, that’s a first,” Riot said out loud, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go see what’s happening now.”
Riot left the med bay with Rizzo, Wang, and even Vet, who refused to be left behind. As soon as they exited the room, they could hear the shouting.
“No, absolutely not!” Ketrick yelled at someone. “This has to be some kind of horrible mistake. Your place is here with your people.”
“I’m about to castrate you if you don’t move,” Rippa growled in return. “Check with your captain. She told me I could come.”
“Well, there’s been some kind of mistake, or perhaps you misheard her. Both of you are extremely weary from slaying Zenoth all day.”
“Nope, no mistake. Now move aside, giant, or I’ll move you myself.”
“Guys, we should probably just tone it down for a moment.” Doctor Miller’s voice reached them. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t we just sit down and—”
“No,” both Ketrick and Rippa said at once.
Riot and the others reached the cargo hold just in time. Ketrick and Rippa looked like they were going to start trading blows.
“Wow, wow, wow.” Riot extended both hands, trying to diffuse the situation. “Ketrick, Major Gunna is going to be joining us as an emissary from the Grovothe.”
“I’m sorry, I thought I just heard you say she’s coming with us,” Ketrick said, turning his red eyes to Riot. “I must be more fatigued than I thought.”
Riot took the opportunity to address her entire crew. “I was going to call a meeting and tell everyone, but this seems as good a time as any. Major Gunna will be coming with us while the Grovothe work out the official details of our alliance with them and their alliance with the Trilords, once we all meet.”
“See?” Rippa said to Ketrick as she waved over a team of Grovothe engineers who were carting a brand-new mech unit toward the cargo bay ramp. “Now, get out of the way, Red Eyes, I need to stow my unit.”
Ketrick took a deep breath and moved to the side where a horse-sized Vikta was curled up in a ball. The white dragon watched the conversation with amused eyes.
“You were no help, by the way,” Ketrick muttered to Vikta. “You could have done something. I don’t know, blocked her way in, or stood by my side. Well, I’m happy you think her red hair looks nice.”
Riot sidled up next to Ketrick. “It thought you and the major were warming up to each other.”
“I respect her as a warrior, but I don’t want to be stuck on a space ship with her,” Ketrick said, though he must have heard his own voice in his head. “I’m sorry. You’re the Warrant Officer, and I do understand the need for allies.”
“You’ll get used to each other,” Riot said, watching as the others helped Rippa make space and maneuver her mech unit into the cargo bay. “We’ll need as many allies as we can get in the days to come.”
Vet turned his back to them as he moved a container of supplies to make more room. When he leaned over, his hospital like gown opened in the back, revealing his bare ass.
Riot wasn’t the only one to witness the full moon. Everyone burst into laughter, even the arguing Rippa and Ketrick. In that moment, Riot knew that, come what may, this was the crew to handle the job. They would find a way to survive whatever the future brought.
End Book Two
About the Authors
Jonathan Yanez
Jonathan Yanez is the author of over a dozen fantasy and science fiction novels. His works include; The Elite Series, The Nephilim Chronicles, Thrive, Bad Land and The DeCadia Code. He has been both traditionally and independently published with his works being adapted into; ebook, print, audiobook and even optioned for film.
Although writing has been and will always be his main love, physical exercise comes in at a close second. When he's not writing his next novel that more than likely includes some kind of zombie, superhero, angel or alternative steampunk universe he enjoys running with his dogs and working out at the gym.
His hobbies include archery, mud runs, collecting the skulls of his enemies and baking cupcakes. He lives in Southern California with his wife and three pets where he stays highly caffeinated 24/7
http://www.jonathan-yanez.com
https://twitter.com/JonathanAYanez
http://www.facebook.com/JonathanYanezAuthor
Justin Sloan
After serving five years in Marine Corps Signals Intelligence, Justin studied fiction at the Johns Hopkins MA in writing program and screenwriting at UCLA. He went on to work in games and screenwriting, where he has optioned several screenplays and written on such games as Game of Thrones and Tales from the Borderlands.
Justin has presented on writing at the Austin Film Festival, San Francisco Writers Conference, the San Diego State Writers Conference, Gen Con, and more. You can hear his interviews with authors on the Creative Writing Career podcast.
His books are available in audio and print editions, and he has sold Turkish and French rights to several of his series, with the Blade of the Sea series being published under Hachette Publishing Group (under the shared penname with PT Hylton of Jesse Nethermind).
Justin loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit http://www.justinsloanauthor.com/seppukarian to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!
www.JustinSloanAuthor.com
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Author Notes
Jonathan Yanez
Well, well, well, look who decided to stick around for the after party. I’m so glad you did! I was going to write you this message a few hours ago and decided I needed a nap first. Someone thought it would be a good idea to crank out these books, while still personal training at the gym and modeling and on top of that thought he could potty train his year and a half year old little space Marine all at the same time. By someone I’m talking about me. I tried to do all of that. Yeah, didn’t end so well. It all went a lot smoother in my head then in real life. I have a problem with telling myself, “How hard could it be?”
The answer to that question is really pooping hard. Josephine, my beautiful daughter, just isn’t ready yet. We tried an approach that was supposed to have her potty trained in two to three days. Sounds too good to be true right? That’s because it is!
For the last three days I’ve been writing, around taking her to the potty every fifteen minutes. Yeah, you heard that right, every fifteen minutes. I have an alarm on my phone with a puppy barking to remind us. The crazy thing is that she actually doesn’t mind going to the potty with daddy. When she hears the alarm goes off she smiles and we both race to the bathroom. I sit her on the toilet then we just stare at each other smiling like a couple of lunatics.
Next comes the part where she tells me she’s all done without having peed or pooped. Enter the scene where I read to her on the toilet to try and ge
t her to stay on a few more seconds and try.
Inevitably she’s persistent that she’s all done and we wash her hands. She loves this part as much as playing with a new toy. She splashes and giggles and it’s like talking someone off a ledge to try and get her to turn the water off and leave the bathroom.
Minutes later she’s standing in a puddle of her own pee in the family room or if I’m really lucky I get a few brown nuggets in random places like the kitchen or her room. Any who we go back to the toilet and start the process all over again. Today is day three and today I called a break to this madness.
Taking her to the potty every fifteen minutes means by ten thirty AM we had visited the toilet twelve times. She hadn’t gone one in the potty and instead peed twice on the floor. For my own sanity we’re taking a break. I haven’t given up yet, never give up. However, I think it’s time to recess our strategy and consider that the tiny space Marine needs more time or a different tactic to drop her excrement in the potty.
Wow, I feel a lot better just talking about this to someone. Thank you for listening. And I have great news! Even as I’m writing this message to include in the back of book two in the War Wolves series I’m just finishing book three! I should have it edited and along the road to publication in the next day or two.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the ride thus far and what’s more have decided to read the author notes at the end of the books. I’m grateful to have friends and readers like you. Some would use the word “lucky” here but if you haven’t guessed from reading m books I don’t believe in luck.
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