Dominic's Star

by Michael Mandrake

  Dominic bit his lip and dropped his head. “Um, I… I don’t know of that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why? You claimed me remember?”

  “Doesn’t make a difference. My people hate G-Force. I believe you staying there will bring undue attention on me and my cavern.”

  Renard nodded. “Okay, well, where should we go once you tell these folks to fuck off?”

  “Megiddo, until things get settled. Once I face off with the powers that be, I’ll probably have to sell my cavern. My position is already a wash, so…” Dominic shrugged and released a ragged breath. He swallowed hard, truly terrified of how his fellow Gocarians would treat him once he returned.

  “Baby bear?”

  Dominic looked up at Renard. “I know what I said, but the more I think about it, I do. My people can be vicious to those that go against Gocarian rule. Look how they’re treating me because of what my dad did? Now they’ll just say like father, like son.”

  “I get it, but… I’ll be there for you. We’ll be there for each other. I know it won’t be easy, but it’s what we want, right? To be together, able to build our own family?”

  “Yes. And… I still want that, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m scared shitless.” Dominic leaned on Renard’s shoulders for comfort and warmth.

  “I know, baby, but I’m telling you it’ll work itself out.”

  “When did you become so positive?”

  “When you claimed me and made the commitment to be together. Before you I didn’t have a plan for the future other than spending the rest of my existence being G-Force and hoping in bed with anyone willing to take me on. Now, my outlook is different. I’m actually looking forward to being your mate and raising a family.”

  Dominic moved and peered into his lover’s brown eyes. No question he’d seen the change in Renard and was happy he was part of the reason for it. Dominic smiled. “Me too… although, I gotta say, I’m not ready to have children right away.” He laughed.

  Renard nodded. “Oh, same here. Once we get settled on whatever planet—”

  “Unas.” Dominic interjected.

  “Maybe.” Renard laughed.

  Dominic playfully smacked his arm. “No, no, you promised me.”

  “I said we’d go back. I didn’t say we’d live there.”

  “It’s on the list, though.”

  “It is, but it’s so fucking far away. Coming back to the other side of the solar system would be a bitch.”

  “Why would it matter? Once we’re ostracized by our clans, is there any reason to come back here?”

  Renard shrugged. “You might be right, but we’ve got so many options to choose from before settling on just Unas.”

  “While that might be true, no one else has better food, views, or hospitality than that place.”

  “I agree.” Renard curled his arms around Dominic and kissed his cheek. “Maybe since we’re saying kids are in the future, we’ll go back and spend a couple of cycles fucking each other’s brains out, then start a family. How about that?”

  “Now that…” Dominic pointed up at him, grinning. “That’s the right idea.”

  Renard returned the smile and kissed his cheek. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

  “Captain Renard, there are enemies in the area. I repeat, enemies in the area.” Baal’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker startling them both.

  “Fuck! Who the hell could that be?” Dominic asked.

  “Must be the Ferolax, since we’re passing through their territory.” Renard quickly got up and ran out of the dormitory.

  Dominic dropped his head, knowing a possibility of being chased in the air was inevitable. Now, he wondered if this heap Renard loved so much was prepared to square off against enemy fighter crafts.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Renard

  The trip back to Damascus wouldn’t be easy, but Renard had a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t have to put his beloved Baal through the rigors of avoiding Ferolax warriors shooting him down.

  Why now?

  Just when he’d resigned himself to being a normal joe and family man, he had to play hero again. This time, it was a race to save him and Dominic from being shot down.

  “Baal, engage left lasers, pick up altitude to avoid impact.”

  “Altitude rising at 40,000 feet. Engaging left lasers.” Baal repeated back.

  Renard glanced at the dials going haywire while he tried avoiding the Ferolax’s attack. He gripped the level, shifting the craft up higher, as a green beam soared through space, only missing the spacecraft by mere feet.

  “Shit. How many fighters in the area?”

  “Four, Captain.”

  Renard shifted the lever again. “All right, we’re gonna play a game of catch me if you can. Pick up speed for me, as high as you can go. Their ships are just as slow as they are.”

  “Yes, Captain. Picking up speed at 3000 MPH. Please make sure your belt is fastened.” Baal said aloud.

  “Oh, it is. Do your thing, baby.” Renard gritted his teeth and blinked, shifting the lever again, before holding it steady.

  “Renard! Anything I can do?” Dominic slid into the seat and strapped himself in.

  Renard didn’t turn to face him. “Not really baby bear. Hang tight.”

  “Aw come on. I know how to fly crafts and shoot guns. Lemme help!’ Dominic placed one of the headsets on.

  Renard glanced at him quickly then back at the controls. No question it would be a help to him to have Dominic shooting form the right while he steered the ship. Although Renard held on to a few doubts, he had to let them go for both of their sakes. “Okay, baby. I’ll give you access to the guns. Baal? Engage the board for co-pilot Dominic, please. Guns only.” Renard added.

  “Engaging guns for co-captain Dominic.”

  Dominic laughed. “Still don’t trust me, huh?” He pressed one yellow button.

  “I do, but I’m the captain of this ship.” Renard winked at him, then turned his attention to the Ferolax crafts coming at them full speed. “Pick up altitude, Baal!”

  “Altitude rising at another 40,000 feet.”

  Renard steadied his hand, and released a ragged breath, trying to keep calm. These fuckers weren’t letting up that easily, but he wished they would so he could relax. He shifted the lever in the opposite direction to change speeds. There were still two Ferolax on their tail, and probably more, but they wouldn’t be able to take them all out with the ships main lasers.

  Dominic pressed the buttons, shooting as they rose higher. One hit another craft, making it burst into flames and spiraling into space.

  “Well, shit, maybe you do know what you’re doing!”

  “Hey! Rangers do a little fighting too. I know how to fly this craft!” Dominic turned around in the chair, shooting another laser, getting rid of one of the crafts on the side.

  “Captain Renard, two ships remain. I repeat, two enemy ships remain.”

  “I got em in my sights, Captain. You fly, I shoot!” Dominic barked, turning around in the chair once again.

  “Target found.”

  The incessant beeping made Renard glanced over his shoulder.

  Dominic had activated one of the missiles, he only used on an actual planet. “What’s that gonna do, babe?”

  “Take care of both. Just keep the speed up. If I know anything about enemies, they keep other crafts laying low. This will take out quite a few if there are truly more surrounding us.”

  “Got’cha.” Renard didn’t have time to question Dominic’s idea. It sounded logical, he just hoped it wouldn’t do any damage to his ship. They were still too far away from home to have any mishaps. With no allies in the area and bounty hunters on their tail, finding someone to help them would be a difficult task within itself.

  “Baal, fire at target!” Dominic barked, then pressed the green button. “Shift up again, babe. We need to be as far away from this as possible.

  A loud explosion occurred. The ship shook violently, and the lights
flickered on and off, making Renard nervous.

  “Well damn. How many was that?”

  “Captain Renard, six enemy ships destroyed. No other crafts detected.”

  Renard released a sigh of relief and closed his eyes a second. “Damn, babe you were right.”

  “Of course, I was. Baal, any damage to the ship’s defense systems?” Dominic pressed a couple more buttons making the lasers disengage.

  “From what I can access, there is no damage, co-captain Dominic.”

  “Baal, please stay at this altitude, take charge of the craft.” Renard said, leaning back.

  “Yes, sir. Taking control of aircraft. Now in autopilot.”

  Dominic removed the headset and placed it back on the side. “How did I do, Captain?”

  “You did… fuck, you did great.” Renard smiled and opened his arms inviting Dominic to sit.

  Dominic got up and took his place on Renard’s lap. “Damn that was hella scary.”

  “You didn’t look scared at all.” Renard pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

  “Oh, believe me, I was. I’d tried that trick with my fighter ship once and it um, kinda backfired. I ended up taking out two of our own at the same time.” Dominic grimaced and dropped his head.

  Renard raised an eyebrow. “Wow. What did your people say?”

  “They loved my idea. Us Gocarians don’t feel a lot of sympathy, even in death.”

  “And they accuse us stone-faces of having no feelings.” Renard laughed.

  “Yeah. Which is why they’ll accost me for not getting away from the Hunartheon or from you.”

  Renard nodded. “Is that why you weren’t upset?”

  Dominic shrugged. “Yes. My people truly don’t do empathy or feel sorry for themselves. They feel being tortured and escaping from enemies should be worn like a badge of honor.”

  “Well, that’s fucked up. There’s nothing wrong with showing you’re hurt.”

  Dominic shook his head then leaned on Renard. “Well, they feel it shows weakness, which is why… and I hope you don’t get upset, I need to go to Gocara alone and deal with them myself.”

  Renard shrugged Dominic off and glared at him. “Why? I can speak on your behalf, so they won’t put you in prison. Plus, you claimed me remember?”

  Dominic’s brows furrowed. “I know but I’ve gotta do this alone. You being there will only make this worse! ‘Sides, they won’t listen to you. Remember that they hate the G-Force? It won’t do any good for you to plead my case, so we might as well save ourselves the headache.”

  “But what happens if they make you serve time?”

  “If so, it won’t be long. We can appeal. I’m hoping I won’t have to do any if I plead guilty to breaking rules.”

  “But you just said your people have no empathy, so if that’s the case, they’ll make you do time.”

  Dominic frowned. “I’m trying to keep a positive outlook, like you Renard, and you just ruined it!”

  “I’m not! I’m stating fact! How will you get out of it? What will you say to stop them from putting you in jail?”

  “I… I dunno. I thought maybe I can lie a little, but…”

  “Lie about what?” Renard cut him off, glaring at his lover. He was ready to spit fire if Dominic was about to say what he thought he’d say.

  “Um… maybe that I was kidnapped by you, just to get em off my back.” Dominic grimaced and got up from Renard’s lap.

  “I knew it! You’re gonna lie!”

  “Yes, just to get out of trouble. That’s all! Once everything clears, we’ll be a family.”

  “So, let me get this straight. You want me to hide on Megiddo while you make nice with those assholes on your planet. You’re gonna lie about being kidnapped, hope the jerks won’t throw you in prison and ditch the key, then if you’re not locked away, meet up with me once the smoke clears.”

  “Yes. I… I thought that would work best.”

  Renard smacked the hand rests of his chair and got up, standing directly in front of him. If he weren’t falling so hard for this guy, he’d ring his neck. “Only to make me look worse.”

  “Who cares? They’ll never like you anyway.” Dominic threw up his hands.

  “What if we can’t live on Megiddo, huh? I mean, honestly, without jobs, and very little credits, we won’t be able to leave right away. Or did you forget that we needed money to survive?”

  “I didn’t, but we’re going back to Unas, remember?” Dominic stared at him.

  “It’ll take a ship and money to get there, both of which I might not have. I’ve got savings but taking Baal from the G-Force will cost me and arm and an asshole. Not to mention, I owe Whimpsy for the damages that incurred while I rescued you!”

  “Oh, so that’s what this is? The money you have to pay back? It’s my fault?” Dominic barked, not backing down from Renard.

  Renard half chuckled. “Well shit, babe, it kind of is. Which is why you should at least give me the satisfaction of not further smearing my name through the mud even with an enemy planet.”

  “Then how the hell do you want me to handle this, huh? I mean…” Dominic pushed his hand through his hair and gripped it. “My people need a sensational story to keep me out of jail.”

  “Then think of one that doesn’t drag me through the mud!”

  “Ugh! Again, they won’t like you no matter what! So why should you care? Just… forget it for right now!” Dominic screamed, stomping from the cockpit. “I’m going to eat!”

  “Fine! I’ll… I’ll just sit here until you come up with a better plan!” Renard yelled at him and fell back in the chair.

  Dominic’s growl reverberated through the ship, making it tremble slightly. That was nothing compared to the roar he released not too long after, which made Baal tilt to the side.

  “I need you to shift back into a human. Your weight will wear her down!”

  “Aaarrrgghhh…”

  Renard sighed and leaned back in his chair knowing this would be an unpleasant trip back to Damascus.

  Just how would he convince Dominic that lying would bring on more trouble than he could handle?

  Dominic

  “That man!”

  Dominic stomped back and forth after eating what was left of the food in the fridge. Although he was sure there was food for his beloved stone face in reserves, the way he was feeling right now, he almost didn’t care.

  Not the right attitude to have towards your new mate, but that was the least of Dominic’s concerns for now.

  Once Dominic got his fill, he changed back to human form and left the refractory for the dormitory. He wasn’t sure if Renard would join him or not, but in all honestly, he didn’t want him to. Not when both were still mad as hell and would probably end up fighting then having make up sex. A good idea if they were stationary, but on a ship flying through space at lightening speeds? Not so much.

  In his mind, the argument Renard put up was a moot point. No matter what Dominic said, he wouldn’t be able to keep Renard’s name in good standing with his people. He truly didn’t think Renard would be so worked up, especially since he’d be shunned by his father and G-Force, but Dominic supposed Renard cared more about his good name than Dominic staying out of prison.

  What now?

  Dominic leaned back on the bed, hoping something would come to him. He had no better ideas to save his ass and Renard’s name because his people could give a shit. It was bad enough they hated G-Force, especially the gargoyles which was why Dominic doing it alone was still the best idea. Hopefully after they’d had time apart, Renard would see that.

  “Baby bear?”

  Dominic looked up at Renard but didn’t say anything. He placed his hands on his knees, eyeing the hot man he was in love with and wanted to kill at the same time.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I…” Renard stayed inside the doorway, jabbing his hands in his pockets. “You were right. I shouldn’t care. Anything to keep you out of jail is what you should do.”

&n
bsp; Dominic flashed a wry grin. “Good. And, you’ve got a point about the money. I…I’ve got some saved and I’ll make sure to send it your way to pay Whimpsy back.”

  “No, you don’t have to. I’ve got plenty. Just save it for our new home when we figure out where we’ll live.”

  “On Unas?” Dominic perked up at that.

  Renard snorted. “There you go with that Unas shit again.”

  “What? You promised?” Dominic patted the empty space next to him.

  Renard moved from the doorway and bounced on the bed, yanking Dominic in for a hug. “I know I did, but it’s not the only place in the universe.”

  Dominic placed his hand on his chest dragging his fingers through the curly strands peeking out from under his shirt. “Yeah, but… I wanna go back right away. I’ll help you get a newer faster ship for us to get there. Not saying I don’t love this old girl like you do but we need something a little smaller, faster, and more hi-tech.”

  “I’ve got a newer ship waiting on me on Damascus, but once I resign, I don’t think my father will let me have it.”

  “Why?”

  Renard squeezed Dominic’s shoulder then turned to face him. “Did you hear what I said? I won’t be part of G-Force, so my entitlement runs out.”

  Dominic sighed. “Gotcha. Well, my ship Yancey is mine, but I can’t go long distances with him. Maybe we can find someone to update Baal a little.”

  Renard grabbed Dominic’s hands and brought them to his lips, kissing them both. “That’s what I was thinking. Once I pay Whimpsy back, I was going to talk with him.”

  Dominic peered into Renard’s eyes, loving the hint of gray surrounding his brown irises. All that mattered is they were talking again, but in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but want to ask him the all-important question. They hadn’t approached the subject, but since the night in Unas when Dominic said it and Renard didn’t say it back, he wondered how Renard felt. As much as he wanted to inquire, he left it alone for now.

  “You don’t think he’ll stay mad at you?”