by Cook, M. L.
Felidian Warriors
Relentless Pursuit
By M.L. Cook
This is a work of fiction. There are no huge spaceships hovering above the earth, plotting our demise. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Although, I don’t think there’s any danger of an invasion by giant lizardmen or a rescue planned by descendants of large cats. So, I think it’s fairly safe to assume this entire book is a product of my imagination
Dedication:
Sometimes I find myself touching on issues that are difficult to handle. I don’t want anyone to think I’m downplaying the seriousness of any of them. These are real life issues, with one being cancer. I’m sure that most lives have been touched by the devastation cause by such a cruel disease. Mine, included. Last November I lost a beloved aunt. My heart goes out to everyone who is struggling with this terrible disease.
Social media has brought people together who never would have met otherwise. I’m eternally grateful for all of them. While writing this book, one woman who has become so very important to me comes to mind. You know who you are. Thank you for being the wonderful person you are!
There’s a character in this book that I was struggling to come up with a name for. When my grandson insisted that I didn’t use his name… well I just had to. Here’s a shout out to Wyatt Perry. I love you so much. That’s why you’re in so many books written by me and Niki Bright.
The main character in the book is named after someone very close to me. Plus, she shares some similarities. However, while writing it, I had an epiphany. While trying to describe the character to my friend, I paused, then said, “Oh, my goodness! She’s you!” Cyn, whatever would I do without you?
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Books by M.L. Cook
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The Adventures of Lok’Toria
The Princess Finds a Pet
The Pet Finds a Boy
The Boy Finds a Crown
Fury Rises:
First Oracle
Felidian Warriors:
New Dawn
Dawn of Inception
Forging an Alliance
Relentless Pursuit
Almost Forever
The Mists of Stone Lake
Mirror Image
Dark Intentions
Tenth Stem
Previously:
For those who haven’t read the first books, or the ones who have forgotten what happened, here’s a brief recap:
In the beginning we met the sisters, Brooke, and Aubree Carter, who were separated when Aubree was kidnaped by a race of aliens known as Terrapians.
The Terrapians, who are descended from reptiles, are tall, hairless beings with green to brown, scaley skin. Savage creatures whose only goal is to take what they can, while destroying all who stand in their way. They roam the universe looking for inhabitable planets. Once found, they’ll decimate the current population, enslaving its inhabitants, then harvest their resources, and eventually leave the world nothing but a shell of what it once was.
While held captive, Aubree discovered that humans weren’t the only race held by the Terrapians. Locked in cages like her own, she discovers two aliens of a different nature, the Felidians.
The Felidians are an honorable race descended from large felines. Their world was also attacked by the same ones that have now set upon the Earth. However, as a more advanced society, the Terrapians discovered they were matched in both strength and power. They departed Felidia, but not before leaving behind a path of destruction, taking with them their hope for the future. The Terrapians swept through cities, taking every female they encountered, of childbearing years, killing the ones left behind. Now the Felidians search the galaxies for the savage race, in hopes of preventing other worlds from suffering the same fate.
Dante Balliol is heir to the throne, and leader of The Coalition for Unity and Peace. The Coalition is a confederation of planets brought together under the same goals and purpose. They are dedicated to sharing resources, helping those who struggle, and maintaining peace and equality.
His younger brother, Seth is charged with maintaining the vast forces of not only their home world, but of the Coalition, as well. As head of security, Seth is never far from Dante’s side.
While pursuing the Terrapians, the brothers stopped at a neutral space station to pick up supplies. Caught unaware, the brothers were captured by the very ones they seek.
Now the Terrapians have come to Earth. They’ve laid waste to every major city, killing billions. The few who were fortunate enough to survive the attack were hunted. If found they’ll be thrown into camps where they’ll be forced to harvest resources for the Terrapians. Those who can’t or won’t work, are killed. All but the few unfortunate souls who have been taken for something much more horrendous.
After captured, Aubree manages to take down one of the guards and free the other prisoners, including the two brothers. Before arriving on Earth, the Felidian princes find themselves separated. One is rescued by Brooke, the other finds himself battling alongside Aubree. Now, after finally being reunited, they are preparing to aid the humans in whatever capacity they can.
Along the way, their small group found other survivors to add to their ranks. They traveled to a farm owned by Brooke’s best friend, Jannette Caldwell. They’ve fortified the farm, turning it into a small garrison. Along the way they’ve picked up two Terrapians, Aquino and Tiana. Aquino is part of the rising rebellion. He’s joined a group of those who wish to bring an end to their reign of terror, while seeking a better life for their people.
After Aubree killed Tiana’s mate, Tiana was taken to Earth. Travis Walker was chosen to guard the pregnant female. Through a series of ups and downs, Travis and Tiana were able to overcome the obstacles from their pasts and begin a future together. Tiana’s baby, Quence Danaer was welcomed into the world with a little help from Travis.
Over time, Jannette was able to get past her own hatred of the Terrapians. After getting to know the timid, Tiana, she took her under her wing and taught her how to stand up for herself. Not only that, but she’d also allowed Aquino into her small circle of friends. Well, maybe they were a wee bit more than friends.
Chapter One
Jannette sat in the intersection where Scatterfield split off, watching her best friend drive away. While Jannette took most of their group of survivors out to her farm, Brooke and Dante were planning to stay in town. Brooke’s little sister, Aubree, was captured the first day the aliens attacked.
Aubree had managed to escape, along with several other women. But Dante’s brother, Seth, had the brilliant idea of separating them into two ships. Which, in Jannette’s opinion was idiotic. But as luck would have it, Brooke had found the downed ship, along with several survivors. Smiling, Jannette watched as more women than she’d thought could fit, poured out of the car. Then not even a minute later, Jannette watched as a dark green alien slid out of the back seat. Paralyzed by the shock of seeing one of them in their midst, Jannette reached for her gun. Brooke grabbed her arm and pleaded with her to have mercy, after all, the female was pregnant. Wide-eyed, Jannette stared at her friend, then shouted, “Oh, hell no!” Before she had a chance to act, the female was immediately surrounded by the other survivors.
When it came time to move on, that’s when Jannette insisted the alien and her guard ride in their car. Just because she’d let the female live, didn’t mean she wouldn’t keep a close eye on he
r. After adjusting her rearview mirror again, she gave the alien in the back seat one more hate filled glare. Then returning her focus to the highway, Jannette steered the car north, away from the devastation that was once Anderson. If all went well, they would be driving through the small town of Alexandria within fifteen minutes. Looking over at her passenger, she inquired, “Do you think Alex will be as bad as Anderson?” Jannette knew that it was less than an hour’s drive to her farm, but she had a feeling it would take a whole lot longer.
Since leaving Anderson, Stacy had been silently staring out the window at the passing scenery. Without looking away from, what Jannette was sure she’d seen a thousand times, Stacy shrugged. They rode on in silence for a few minutes before Stacy finally turned her attention back to Jannette. “Why didn’t you want Lacey and Macie to ride with you? I mean, why us?” She waved her hand toward the back seat, “You insisted the Terrapian ride in this car, and I don’t think it’s because you’re concerned with her welfare, either.”
Jannette wasn’t about to take the bait. Instead, she decided to answer the first question, and hope to distract Stacy long enough to forget the other. “I like the girls. Have you noticed that you never see one without the other? Do you think it’s because they were kidnapped together, or because they were friends before?”
Instead of answering, Stacy continued to glare at Jannette.
Jannette knew she wasn’t fooling the other woman, but she wasn’t about to admit it. Continuing her observations on two of the youngest members of their group, she noted, “Yeah, probably not. The two of them couldn’t be more different. I would be willing to bet that Macie’s been in trouble more than a few times, and I think Lacey picked up on that.” Jannette laughed, “Did you notice how Lacey tried to put some distance between them? But just like a lost puppy, Macie wouldn’t leave her side.”
Jannette got quiet when she realized just how similar the two girls were to her and Brooke. Like Macie, Jannette had been in trouble more times than she wanted to admit. However, Macie, unlike Jannette, didn’t have the same positive influence she’d enjoyed with Brooke and her family while growing up. Jannette realized that Lacey was to Macie what Brooke had been to Jannette. Nodding to herself, she continued, “You know, I think that little girl needs us more than even she knows.”
Stacy’s answering question told Jannette she’d spoken her thoughts aloud, “Who, Macie?”
Jannette could feel the blush creeping across her cheeks like a big ugly red stain. Playing it off, she responded, “Yes, her. I mean obviously, unlike Macie, Lacey’s got her shit together. I’ll bet she had her future all planned out…” Jannette’s voice faded as the reality hit her.
Stacy snorted, “Feel like an ass yet? Yes, she did have her future planned out. She was going to be a doctor.”
Jannette wiped away a stray tear that had somehow escaped her tough facade. “Touché.”
Jannette flinched when Stacy laid a hand on her arm, “I’m sorry. That was mean. I agree. But maybe both of them need us now. I would be willing to bet that those girls watched their families get slaughtered.”
Jannette gasped, “Oh, no! How…,” she shook her head. Jannette remembered what it was like as a child watching your mother dying. She wasn’t sure which was worse. To witness your family die in an instant. Or to helplessly watch, day after day, for over a year while cancer slowly takes from you everything that was once a vital part of your life.
Swallowing a sob, she mumbled, “How do you cope with something like that?” She determined then that she would keep both girls close to her, at least until they were strong enough to stand on their own.
In an almost inaudible voice, Stacy murmured, “You just do.” Then, after clearing her throat, Stacy repeated her unanswered question from earlier, “Again, why not them? Why us?”
Jannette didn’t miss the other woman’s subtle glance toward the back seat. Stacy obviously knew the answer to her own question. But Jannette wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of being right. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, Jannette focused her glare on the highway while contemplating her answer. Then, after a few minutes, she decided to give her the half-truth she’d reasoned out, “Brooke asked me to keep an eye on the alien.” Jannette gritted her teeth, “After all, she’s pregnant.”
Jannette’s rage surfaced again. Those people had no problem killing a pregnant human female, so why should Jannette feel guilty about wanting to kill one of theirs? Every time she so much as thought about the alien, much less looked at her, all she could see was the shocked expression of the dying young mother while she tried in vain to save her child.
The first house they were dragged into was the home of a young couple, who were expecting their first child. Upon seeing the pregnant woman, tall, green, and ugly pulled a long blade from his belt. After nudging his buddy, he laughed, then said, “Watch this.”
Jannette was helpless to do anything other than watch as the blade sliced cleanly through the woman’s abdomen.
After collapsing on the floor, a look of horrified shock crossed the woman’s face, immediately followed by her anguished screams.
What happened next would stay with Jannette forever.
The woman cupped her hands over the gaping wound, attempting to shove back inside what had fallen out. When that failed, the mother curled around a tiny, perfectly formed baby, that was much too small to ever survive.
Jannette got caught up in her thoughts, along with the deep hatred she felt for the Terrapians. Instead of doing what she was supposed to, like watching the road, Jannette found her attention focused on the woman in the backseat.
“Eyes on the road,” Stacy yelled and lurched across the console. Before Jannette could react, Stacy grabbed the steering wheel and jerked the car away from a gaping hole that stretched across half the highway.
If it hadn’t been for Stacy’s quick reflexes, they’d probably be nothing more than roadkill. Glancing at the other woman, she gave her an embarrassed grin, “I guess that answers the question about everything outside Anderson. I can’t wait to see what Alexandria looks like.” When Jannette heard Stacy’s gasp, she amended, “Not that I’m hoping for anything bad. I’m just saying… Yeah. I think I’ll stop talking now.” Chastising herself, Jannette wondered when she’d become a nervous talker. Shrugging it off, she decided maybe Aubree was rubbing off on her.
Thoughts of her best friend’s little sister brought with it a load of worry. The Terrapians had shot Dante’s ship, causing it to crash on Earth. What if they’d done the same to the one carrying Aubree? Did Jannette dare to hope that the other ship would be just as lucky? She couldn’t imagine a world without Aubree. Although she was no bigger than a minute, her huge personality more than made up for her small size.
As they drove around potholes and jagged asphalt, Jannette realized the devastation reached far beyond Anderson’s boundaries. Every place of business along the highway had been reduced to rubble. She could see where their laser beams had swept across the road in their haste to take out as many buildings as they could. Letting up on the accelerator, Jannette decided to err on the side of caution. If it took a few days to make the thirty-mile trip, so be it. At least they’d get there in one piece.
Stacy finally broke the uncomfortable silence. “So, what’s your deal?”
“Deal?” Jannette glanced away from the road just long enough to look at the other woman, along with a quick peek into the back seat.
“Seriously? Do you really think I haven’t noticed the glares you’ve been shooting into the back seat? You know, if looks could kill…” Stacy cocked her head, studied Jannette a moment then asked, “Is it Travis or the Terrapian you have it in for? I heard about how you almost shot him after his car rammed into Brooke’s on Scatterfield.” She was now drumming the fingers of one hand on the door’s arm rest, while the other hammered away on the center console.
Jannette squinted down at Stacy’s hand. There was only so much she could put up with, an
d this was pushing it way past her limits. Balling up her fist, she was just getting ready to smash the offending hand when the drumming stopped.
“Sorry. Nervous habit,” Stacy chuckled.
Jannette continued to watch the road while she thought about her answer. She’d never been one to mince words, so why should she start now? The world had already gone to shit, so who needed social niceties? Certainly not her. “The Terrapian, of course.” She glanced at Stacy, then asked, “You were with them, weren’t you? I mean the ones who were kidnapped.”
Stacy visibly stiffened, then turning back to Jannette, she snapped, “Yes. What of it?”
Jannette winced, realizing she’d certainly hit a nerve on that one. Again, she glanced in the mirror. Then, unsatisfied with her inability to clearly see what was happening in the back seat, she reached up to adjust it again. When she felt the car lurch to the side, she jerked the wheel away from the large hole where the road dropped down about ten feet. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “Since you were there, you surely know what kind of people they are.”
Instead of answering right away, Stacy just glared at Jannette, then hissed, “Pull over.”
Jannette was shocked when she heard the vehemence in the other woman’s voice. For just a moment, she’d believed they’d gotten over their disagreements. But then, Jannette really was never very good at understanding subtle nuances.
Grinning at the thought of finding a woman like herself, she decided right then this was someone she could be friends with. After all, there was nothing she loved more than a person that said what they meant, instead of spitting out nice words to keep the peace.
After glancing at Stacy, Jannette didn’t have a clue as to why the woman wanted her to stop. Well, she wasn’t positive, anyway. However, she did have a pretty good idea. The second the car stopped; Stacy’s door flew open. She then ran around and jerked on Jannette’s door.