Zulien knew Letang remained calm in the fiercest of battles, and his tense demeanor, more than anything else, let Zulien know he considered this a crisis. There was a tightening in his groin as he recognized an instinctual fear for his mate. “Then we must consider they heard the entire transmission and know we are to procure an Ancient. Sound the readiness alert and get the Isotant on a secure communication channel.”
“Major Taliquant has the crew on alert already, Commander.” The two men were walking quickly to the bridge. “He has also sequestered the mates to quarters.”
Zulien silently thanked the gods for Tali’s foresight, and trying to sound unattached, he asked, “What are the chances the vessel has locked onto Isotant?”
Letang understood the Commander’s fears. “I do not feel that is the case, Commander, because they have not changed course to intercept her. They appear to be tracking us,” Letang replied as they walked onto the bridge.
“Nemiste, change our heading five degrees and slow down. Keep a close watch whether the rogue vessel continues to track us. Perhaps, we will get lucky and be far enough out of range that they miss the procurement ship. Letang, have you hailed the Isotant?”
“Yes, sir. Ballion has gone in search of Commander Ethram.”
When Ethram appeared on the screen, they discussed the mystery ship. “We are making a slight change of course, but will remain within range should they veer in your direction. This means we must delay the rendezvous. Can you complete the procurement safely with my mate on board?”
Eyes shot towards the Commander at the question. Another procurement? Of course the battleship would aid such an important quest, even if the Commander’s own mate had not been on board the vessel.
“Yes, Commander. I keep a scanner on board and it can separate the beacons, but it will take a little longer.”
“You have to have contact with the woman to use that. How are you going to narrow your search?” Zulien could not help glancing at Taliquant. Luckily, all eyes were on Ethram.
“The Celestial’s scent is strong, and I should be able to track to the location I procured her from.” Ethram was already cloaking. “You mentioned that the second woman should have been close to her?”
“She would have been a close companion for many years,” Zulien affirmed.
Taliquant stared at Zulien. For him to be advising the procurer, reeked of the telltale signs of his mother’s visions. An involuntary thought shot through his system. Please let it be mine.
“It is possible I already know who she is. Your mate lived in an isolated structure with a friend, and when I planted the will to disburse her goods she transferred everything to the other young woman.” Ethram checked the scanner and reached out a hand to snag the Minoc. “Ballion, sit down,” he ordered.
The Minoc had been pacing the bridge. Ballion was overwhelmed with the thought of going back to the outer world so close to its impending destruction. He would be caring for the four mates, one an Ancient no less, while his Commander was on planet. Add to that the threatening, mysterious vessel approaching… it was too much. He did as Ethram ordered, but could not control the jerking, whiplash movements of his antennae.
Ethram noticed his apprentice’s distress and he employed the surefire cure to settle him down. “Think of the boon, Ballion. We will have procured two warriors’ mates, rescued under extreme measures, and I am sure we will be promoted.”
The mention of the impending riches collected for the two mates worked, and Ballion’s antennae slowly stroked his rough green chin, comforting the agitated man. “You can count on me, Commander.”
“I want you to keep the secure communication line open with the Quillant. Commander Zulien will issue orders to you in my absence.”
Zulien heard Ethram’s order. Minocs were nervous little men, and Zulien tried to reassure him. “You will be fine, Ballion. Your ship carries my mate, so trust me, we will be close enough to intercept should the vessel change directions and head towards your location.”
Ballion’s nerves settled a bit as he listened to the calm, deep voice of the warrior. “Thank you, Commander Zulien. I await your orders, sir.”
Ethram placed his hands on Ballion’s shoulders and looked into his slitted yellow eyes. “You will be fine, son, and I will return quickly. I have no wish to be swallowed with that polluted planet.”
“Good luck, Commander Ethram.” Ballion turned back to the communication screen, anxiously waiting for the warrior’s instructions and his Commander’s return.
Ethram had no problem finding the cabin. Unfortunately, if was afternoon, and the woman was not in the structure. He appeared in town, and his sensors brought him back to the shop where he had first located Miranda. Something led him to her display, and the scanner blinked a light blue. Yes, yes, but I already have her, he thought.
He left the store and walked past other shops, checking his scanner and becoming frantic as no response lit up the panel. It was possible the woman had moved on when her friend had disappeared. He crossed the street, and at the second shop he thought he noticed the tiniest blip on the screen. He entered and saw the display of Miranda’s soaps and candles on a shelf by the register. As he approached, the blue light began to pulse, and his hopes fell. Another false signal.
“They’re homemade and the last of their kind, I am afraid. My friend made them.”
Ethram turned to look at the owner of the wistful voice. It was her, thank the stars; short, dark, spiky hair, green eyes and all.
In the inner worlds, it was considered proper for a young woman to be procured for her mate, and celebrations were held to commemorate her leaving. The outer worlds, blissfully ignorant of the advanced civilizations, would find it a mystery, perhaps even an unsettling event if such a disappearance occurred. Ordinarily, Ethram would have researched the proper way to handle this. However, this was not an ordinary situation. He glanced at the scanner, and even without physical contact, it pulsed a steady red. His fingers flew over the gene panel, and it read: ‘Taliquant’. Ethram made a mental note to question Zulien further on this.
“Are you all right?” the woman asked. She thought he looked a little pale. Of course, the black wizard cloak did not help.
“You are Miranda’s friend?” Ethram approached her, holding out his hand.
“You know Miranda? Have you seen her? She disappeared about a week ago without a word.” For the first time in days, there was hope in Tempest’s sad eyes.
“I am going to take you to her,” Ethram smiled. The woman stepped back suspiciously, just before his hand grasped hers.
“Where is she?” Tempest was getting an odd feeling about this old guy, and her mind filled with thoughts of kidnapping.
“She is fine.” He again held out his hand. “I am Ethram." He prided himself on procuring mates as gently as possible, but this one was being difficult and he was running out of time. If she did not take his hand willingly, Ethram decided he would grab her.
Tempest’s automatic response was to shake hands, and that was the last thing she remembered.
The shop stood abandoned, as did the cabin in the woods. Police made a half-assed effort to look for the two unusual women, but no one reported them missing or seemed to care what had happened to them.
One year later, the property in the woods had been sold. The planet was swallowed before the new owners moved in.
CHAPTER III
Ethram returned with Tempest softly snoring against his chest, and a slight line of drool running down her chin from her open mouth. Her spiked hair flattened on the side resting against him, making the tufts still protruding from her skull look even wilder.
Ballion had expected another Celestial, not this feral creature his Commander had procured, and he stared in disbelief. “Are you sure she is the one? Her bloodline must have completely thinned. She does not resemble Commander Zulien’s mate at all. Perhaps, there is a mistake.” His little legs pumped madly to match Ethram’s strides as he trudged down the hall towards M
iranda’s sleeping chamber.
“Yes,” Ethram sighed wearily. “I assure you, she is much more presentable when she is awake.” He had Ballion place another pallet in the room, because they did not have time to properly prepare and honor Taliquant’s mate and this was the best they could manage. He laid the young woman on the cot and attached her probes and wand. It took only a minute for the enhancers to have her core emit the proper clenching response to the warrior’s profile. Satisfied she was being comforted by her mate, he checked on Miranda and then slipped out of the room.
Ethram noted Ballion’s concern. “She has aptly been named Tempest, and Major Taliquant will have his hands full taming her. She is far more primitive than the Celestial.” Ethram rubbed his temples. “My head is spinning with these unexpected procurements. First an Ancient, now a primitive from the outer worlds? I hope this is not to become the way of it. The inner worlds are challenge enough to search for mates. If the outer worlds are going to produce them, the Magistrates will have to double our numbers.”
Ballion’s antennae stroked his chin as he thought about this. It could mean he would have his own vessel sooner than he had planned.
“I see your mind working, Ballion. Consider this: the Magistrates may decide it is the new Commanders they can risk to the outer worlds.” Ethram sat at the communications portal.
Ballion’s antennae jerked, as even the idea of commanding a ship into unknown space among the primitives petrified him. “Surely they would see the wisdom in sending the more seasoned Commanders into the new territory?”
Ethram was distracted while he studied the star chart. “I am not certain they would risk that. These are the only two mates I have ever heard of being discovered in the vastness.” He glanced at his apprentice. “They would most likely keep us in the inner worlds where there is a predictable outcome to the search.” He turned his attention back to the screen. “What has been happening since I have been gone?”
“The mystery vessel continues to track the Quillant, and the battleship is making a wide arc and should be headed back this way soon. I have heard the warriors’ hailing signal, but the other ship still has not responded,” Ballion reported.
“What a waste of time, I hope somebody makes a move soon. We have mates to deliver and boon to collect,” Ethram declared.
A few minutes later, the rogue vessel shot sideways, predicting the battleship’s course and attempting to cut across the arc. The Quillant continued its path, not changing position to engage.
Ethram and Ballion watched the star chart, fascinated and more than a little anxious at being so close to the impending fight. Zulien’s deep voice boomed through the bridge. “Ethram, stay where you are. I think I have figured out their plan. They mean to take out the Quillant and leave you and the Ancient unprotected. I think they have known your position all along.”
“We do have some weapons on board, Commander. We are trained in defense. Is there anything you would like us to do to assist you?” Ethram offered.
Ballion’s antennae roamed nervously. He was no warrior. By the stars, what was his Commander doing? He calmed considerably with Zulien’s reply.
“Thank you, but no, Ethram. Have you procured the other mate?”
“Yes, she rests safely beside the Celestial. You are certain you do not want our assistance?” Ethram confirmed.
“Your cargo is far too valuable and your weapons would not stand a chance against them. I still do not know if they mean to collect the Ancient or destroy her.” Zulien squinted in concentration. “Did you get a further reading on the planet? Do you have any idea how long it has?”
“It will be soon, though probably not for another year.” Ethram had upped his timeline of when the planet would be swallowed, based on readings from the scanner.
“It is hot though, right?” Zulien confirmed.
“Yes, I felt my lungs burning. I think that is why my initial estimation was off,” Ethram admitted.
Zulien thought for a minute. “Ethram, if they mean to destroy the Ancient, they may break off from our challenge once they realize they are losing. If this was meant to be a suicide mission to destroy her, they would not have to be gentle on their approach to you. The Quillant will most likely annihilate the rogue long before it can get close, but I think I would like to secure the odds."
Ethram sat forward. “What do you have in mind, Commander?“
“We are not going to wait for them to attack. We are going after them. As soon as you sense the battle, swing your vessel behind the planet while we keep them distracted. Being in the outer worlds they will be disoriented, and even if they break free and try to run they will only have a vague idea of your location. The heat from the planet should camouflage your position.” Zulien was pleased with the extra measure of protection he could provide his mate.
“I had no chance to categorize the primitive’s advances. They have a few devices close to their atmosphere, and two of them are armed with minor weapons. To be safe, we will hide behind the fourth planet. It is uninhabited.” Ethram began to plot the new course, and looked up at the screen. “Commander, do you wish me to make the announcement now?”
“Yes,” Zulien agreed. “I do not need the warriors’ minds compromised, and they already know something besides this attack is going on.”
Ethram did not have time for his usual formal announcement when presenting a warrior with news of his mate. These men often waited centuries in hope their mate would be procured, and to hurry through the proclamation seemed unfair. Due to the circumstances, he felt he had no choice. “Major Taliquant, your mate rests beside the Celestial aboard our vessel.”
Taliquant felt like he had been kicked in the stomach by an arragon. Dazed, he asked, “Zule?”
“It is true. It was the vision my mother relayed to me while we discussed my mate. I am pleased for you, Tali. It is right that our mates have also formed a bond, and it will make it easier for them to adjust to their new lives.” Zulien’s relief that his friend’s mate had been procured was visible on his face.
“Commander Ethram, she is safe?” Taliquant needed the reassurance.
“Quite safe, Taliquant, and I intend to see to it she remains that way. Are we ready, Zulien?” Ethram waved Ballion towards the navigation area.
“We will contact you on this channel when it is safe to return to the inner worlds. This should not take long,” Zulien replied.
“We await the attack.” Ethram looked at the other warrior. “Taliquant, her name is Tempest, and I think you will find her quite challenging,” Ethram chuckled. He knew Taliquant was wondering if his mate was Celestial as well, and he did not want to tell him his young woman was an outer world primitive just yet. It might distract him during the attack.
“Stations. Taliquant, Redemis and Versheron force them towards the Quillant. Do not engage until they fire on you,” Zulien ordered.
The warriors dashed to their crafts and began a wide circle to position themselves behind the rogue vessel. The ship continued its course designed to intercept the Quillant. The Battleship tried one last time to hail the vessel, and was surprised to receive a reply.
“Warriors of Quillant,” began the nasal whining speech.
“Debayluths,” Zulien muttered. “I should have guessed. You are out of your usual territories.”
The pirate ignored him. “You will not aid the procurement vessel. Even your Magistrates will support our decision to remove the threat of an Ancient.”
Zulien laughed. “Yes, I am sure the Magistrates will take into consideration the decision of a bunch of thieves and marauders.”
“You think only the Celestial have visions? It was our wizards who told us of this discovery,” the creature whined.
“Were they also kind enough to tell you to plan your demise?” Zulien baited. He wanted to give the three warriors time to get into position behind the pirate craft. One thing you could count on with the self-important Debayluths was that their pride and misplaced arrogan
ce overshadowed any sense of strategy. All you had to do was ask and they could not wait to divulge their ‘foolproof’ battle plans.
“Our mission is to weaken you. Two other ships are within a day’s travel and will finish you off. The procurement vessel can not outrun both of them.” The insane creature sounded pleased to convey the news.
Letang scanned the star charts and made a discreet call to the Battleship Quistar. He scribbled a note on his wrist pad and smiled as he showed it to Zulien.
It was next to impossible to keep a straight face as Zulien said to the pirate Commander, “Your visionary wizards were not on the Blaytard by any chance… or perhaps the Dishton?”
The Debayluth’s pink eyes widened. He was sure he had not divulged the names of the other vessels, and he decided to try to throw the warrior off balance. “Why would you suggest such a thing?”
Zulien knew he had the upper hand. “Of course not. They have visions. Certainly they would not have boarded the two vessels knowing they were to be destroyed by the Battleship Quistar in Starquist Four.”
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