by S. E. Smith
Adalard and Bahadur grinned. “Chasing the girls with us.”
Ha’ven couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “It was a hell of a lot more fun than what Salvin was teaching,” he admitted before he sobered. “Bahadur, what information do you have?”
Bahadur touched the vidcom and changed it to a cross-section of Razzine. “Razzine is made from an old Antrox mining base. The Spaceport was built around it. Kejon has a hidden base located on the other side. In sight of everyone who arrives on Razzine but out of sight as it was located on the unused side of the Spaceport. This is what made it so damn hard to find. No one questioned the ships coming and going,” he pointed out. “The Antrox dug tunnels on top of tunnels. I had to dig deep into their database to find the schematics for this one. Luckily, they are organized bastards. I’ve spent the last three days following one of Kejon’s known associates. I would have lost him if not for this map.”
Ha’ven leaned forward staring at where Bahadur had tapped. The enlarged diagram showed the maze of tunnels. Bahadur highlighted the ones that lead into and out of a lower section. His eyes followed it to the remains of an old control room.
“We need to get in there before Kejon arrives,” Adalard commented. “I don’t think he is just going to leave it unprotected for us.”
“I’ll take care of his security system,” Arrow said. “I can get through any lock or security. That is one of the gifts the Goddess gave me.”
“What are some of the others besides being a pain in the ass and a know-it-all?” Adalard asked with a wicked grin.
“I’m a better lover than you,” Arrow said standing up.
“In your dreams,” Adalard retorted back with a laugh.
“Not according to Niria, Traya, and Doray,” Arrow said as he walked out of the conference room.
“What the…” Adalard staring at his brother.
“Aren’t those your current lovers?” Bahadur asked. “Too bad, old man. Looks like Arrow sampled them recently,” he added as he walked by, slapping Adalard on the shoulder in sympathy.
“Come on,” Ha’ven said. “Just remember you can’t kill him. Mother wouldn’t like it.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t say anything about me not beating the shit out of him,” Adalard grumbled under his breath.
Chapter 24
Emma looked around her in wonder. Her eyes moved to the ceiling, only the ceiling was a brilliant view of the universe. Nebulas in all their magnificent colors lay before her. She thought she had never seen so many stars when she was on the moon but what she was seeing now stole her breath.
“It is beautiful,” a warm, husky voice said from behind her.
Emma turned, startled. “Yes,” she stuttered. “Yes, it is.”
Emma studied the beautiful creature as it approached her. The figure shimmered, as if made up of gold and diamond dust. A figure became more defined until Emma was able to make out the shape of a tall, elegant woman. Her flowing gold hair matched the shimmering gown she wore. Emma tilted her head and looked up at the woman when she came to a stop in front of her.
“Where am I?” Emma asked softly. “Who are you? Am I dead?”
*.*.*
Aikaterina studied the tiny female standing in front of her. Strength, compassion and a gentleness radiated from her. A satisfied smile curved her lips. She had chosen well. This species continued to amaze her with their hidden attributes. She may have to revisit their world.
She had sent the touch of her own blood that would give life to the girl’s planet long ago. It had taken billions of years but time was of no consequence to her kind.
Aikaterina was considered a Goddess to those who looked at her. She did not consider herself one based on their beliefs. She simply was…
Her kind traveled through the different star systems, looking for planets with the potential for life. If a world was ready, she would leave a part of herself in the hopes it would grow and nurture life.
She moved with the universes, as much as part of them as the galaxies that made them up. At times, she was moved by a species enough to stop and to interact with it. It is what gave her the substance she needed to continue. The recent birth of a Valdier child had pulled her back to this solar system. But, it was the species that made up the worlds that kept her here.
Aikaterina raised her hand and ran it over the heavens. A ripple effect caused the Nebulae to change slightly and additional stars to form. She paused her hand next to a small dot and touched it. A close up image of a Spaceport built into an asteroid appeared.
“I have been called many things by many species,” Aikaterina replied. “Here, I go by Aikaterina. I have brought you to a place where you would feel safe.” She looked with a mischievous smile at Emma. “And no, you are not dead. That would be an incredible waste and very devastating to the one who has joined with you.”
Emma looked from Aikaterina to the image of the asteroid. She stepped closer frowning when she saw a warship docked to one of the long arms extending from it. She reached up to trace the unusual words on the side and gasped when she suddenly found herself standing inside it.
Men worked at different stations. Some called out to others while others focused on the instruments in front of them. She turned her head when a door opened to one side. Her eyes widened and she gasped as she recognized one of the men coming out of the room.
“Ha’ven,” she breathed, stepping forward and reaching out.
“He cannot see or hear you here,” Aikaterina replied looking at the tall male as he talked quietly with another.
“What is happening?” Emma demanded watching as he walked past her.
“He and the others prepare to come for you,” Aikaterina. “One of his kind has not made a good choice in his use of the gift I have given him. It is up to your male to correct that.”
Emma glanced at the shimmering figure. “Why don’t you take care of Kejon? If you gave him the power couldn’t you take it away from him?”
Aikaterina shook her head. “I do not interfere in the course a species has chosen. Well, not often,” she added so softly Emma almost missed it.
“What do you mean? Not often,” Emma asked.
Aikaterina chuckled as she moved alongside Emma. “I felt the shift in power and knew that another from the line of the one I chose long ago carried the ability to harness the powers I gave,” she explained. “I was feeling very generous at the time, perhaps a little too generous. For each gift I gave, I created a need within each species for balance. It was important for the power to be shared by another who would be in harmony with their chosen mate. You are the balance to yours. I was not expecting so much power to come from such a young species.”
Emma sighed in frustration. “What power? I don’t have any power.”
“But you do, little one,” Aikaterina said touching Emma’s cheek. “Your warrior cried out for you and your heart answered his cry. You are Ha’ven’s Song, the only one who can calm the darkness in him. You do not fear that darkness but embrace it. Only the one who can balance that darkness with light could do that.”
Emma’s eyes glistened with tears. She understood what Aikaterina was saying. When she was with Ha’ven she could feel the music inside. He made her want to dance on the clouds and sing to the heavens. He opened her heart and filled her life with warmth and joy and in his arms she felt strong and safe.
“Do you think he feels any less?” Aikaterina asked tenderly. “He cannot do this alone. He needs you, little one. He needs your love and your strength.”
“What should I do?” Emma asked suddenly frightened of losing Ha’ven.
“Go back,” Aikaterina whispered as she and the warship they were on started to fade. “Stand by him, hold him, balance him… love him.”
Emma nodded silently. She looked one last time at the strong determined face of the man she had come to love. She was no longer afraid. She had not traveled this far, gone through so much just to hide. She would not only stand at his side, she wou
ld fight beside him.
Emma closed her eyes. She concentrated on the Marastin Dow warship and where she had left her body. She was no longer afraid of the light.
*.*.*
“Praise the Goddess,” a female voice whispered when she saw Emma’s eyes flutter open. “I thought you were dead.”
Emma blinked at the bright light. The female muttered to someone behind her and the lights dimmed. Emma gazed around the room, puzzled before everything came flooding back to her. She looked down and discovered she was covered by a thin blanket.
“Where…,” she licked her dry lips. “Where am I?”
“In the medical bay,” the female replied. “I am Medic Reddick. That Curizan… Kejon brought your body here almost two hours ago. He stated you just collapsed. We thought he might have…” her voice faded as she looked at the male behind her.
“We were concerned he had harmed you,” Captain Tylis finished.
Emma shook her head. “I think he was going to but I… left before he could do anything,” she answered, struggling to sit up. “I have to get to the asteroid.”
Marus frowned. “How did you know that was where we were going?”
Emma looked up in surprise. “Aikaterina told me. My mate is there.”
The female drew in a startled gasp and stared at Emma as if she had just grown another head. Marus gave her a warning glance before he stared in disbelief at Emma. Whatever she had said had shocked both of them from their expressions.
“You… spoke to Aikaterina? You… saw her?” Marus hesitantly asked.
“Yes to both questions,” Emma replied.
“Captain,” Reddick began, rising out of her seat.
“Not a word, Medic,” Marus ordered sternly, shooting her a warning. “What did she say to you?”
“She said I was his balance,” Emma said looking up with a look of hope and excitement. “She said I was his song.”
Marus wasn’t sure what that meant but he knew one thing; he would protect the tiny female with his life. She had been chosen by the Goddess herself. He had no doubt about it. He needed to get her onto the Spaceport and away from Kejon.
“If Kejon asks about her tell him there has been no change,” Marus ordered before reaching for Emma. “You will do exactly what I say.”
Emma nodded. “What about you? Won’t he hurt you for helping me?” She asked as he pulled her out of Medical.
“He can try,” Marus muttered before turning and speaking quietly to several men standing outside the door. “How far are we from Razzine?”
“We will be ready to dock within the hour,” one of the men replied.
“Kejon will be coming for the female,” Marus replied. “Stall him,” he ordered as he turned to another. “Get two service suits out and readied. I want clearance from the Spaceport for orbital repairs. Make sure a mobile service bike is readied as well. Ensign Marks, have our friend on the Spaceport ready for my arrival on Level 2.”
“Yes sir,” the young male said, saluting.
“Let’s go,” Marus said grimly.
“Where are we going?” Emma asked as she hurried after him.
“Have you ever space walked before?” He asked her.
Emma stopped, her mouth hanging open at his words. Marus took that to mean ‘no’. He grimly bit back the colorful expletive he wanted to say and instead focused on what needed to be done.
The last thing I need now is one very angry Curizan prince on my ass, Marus thought as he stepped into the lift and ordered it to the service level. I’ll be lucky to make it out of this alive.
Chapter 25
“Sir, we are receiving an incoming message,” one of the Ensigns assigned to communications called out.
“Patch it through,” Ha’ven answered as he checked the laser pistol in his hand.
“This is Captain Marus Tylis of the Marastin Dow warship, Traitor’s Run,” a deep voice echoed through.
Ha’ven paused and straightened. “This is Ha’ven Ha’darra. You have my mate,” he growled out.
“Yes, I do,” the male responded with a heavy sigh. “A fact that will probably get me killed – more than once if that was possible,” he added gruffly.
“Where are you?” Ha’ven growled out.
“Ha’ven?” Emma’s soft voice suddenly echoed through the room. “Oh Ha’ven, this is incredible! I never dreamed I would get a chance to be an astronaut! This is unbelievable.”
“Where. Are. You?” Ha’ven asked again even as his stomach sank.
“We’re riding around outside the Spaceport,” Emma replied.
“Why do you have my mate outside the protection of your warship or the Spaceport?” Ha’ven asked with barely restrained rage.
“I’m trying to save her,” Marus retorted. “We’re heading for Level Two Service Bay Four B. I would appreciate it if you take your fight with that Curizan devil that has commandeered my warship somewhere else. I have my own battles to fight without getting between the two of you.”
Ha’ven raised his eyebrow at the Marastin Dow’s passionate statement. He looked at Adalard who shrugged his shoulders. His gaze moved to Bahadur who folded his arms in indifference.
“I’ve heard rumors there is an uprising with the Marastin Dows who do not agree with the way their world is being ruled. There is talk of a revolution to overthrow the government and establish one that wants a more peaceful society.”
“It is more than talk,” Marus replied coldly. “We dock in fifteen minutes. I am not sure how long it will take Kejon to discover that I have taken his prize away from him. I don’t expect it to be long.”
“I think he may have figured it out unless you were expecting someone else to come with us,” Emma’s frightened voice echoed.
Ha’ven heard Macus’ curse at the same time as their connection was cut. Turning on his heel, he pushed through Adalard and Arrow. His only focus was getting to the Level Two Service Bay. He had a traitor to kill.
*.*.*
“Are you alright?” Marus asked Emma who clung to his waist as tightly as the oxygen pack on his back allowed.
“Yes,” she panted. “Will we make it before he catches up to us?”
“Yes,” Marus tightly responded as a new plan came into his mind. “It will be close. I will do what I can to stop him. When we get close to the entrance, I am going to release the service bike. It will crash into the service bay triggering the automatic shutdown. The doors will seal. You’ll only have a few seconds to make it through the opening.”
“What happens if I don’t make it?” Emma asked in a trembling voice.
“You’ll be trapped outside,” Marus responded grimly.
“What about you? Where will you be?” She asked.
“I’m going to stop Kejon if I can,” he muttered.
“Wait!” Emma started to protest but Marus already had her arm grasped firmly in his.
She screamed as he kicked away from the service bike as they neared the entrance to the service bay. The doors were beginning to lower for their arrival. She watched as the service bike continued forward, colliding with the huge metal doors. Flashing lights on the outside of the doors flared as it detected the impact. The doors ground to a stop before they began rising again. They continued floating toward the doors.
Emma’s eyes widened in terror as she noticed the rapidly shrinking space between the doors. Marus bumped against the doors. She saw him scramble to grab a service ladder.
“I’m going to push you through. When the doors close the bay will fill with oxygen. Get out of your suit and get the hell out of the bay. My man inside will guide you to the main Level. Lose yourself in the crowd,” he ordered as he pulled her closer.
“What are you going to do?” She asked as held her.
“Try not to get myself killed,” he growled as he pushed her quickly through the narrow space.
Emma floated upside down for a moment as she tumbled through the doors. She barely had time to catch a glimpse of the Marastin D
ow captain before she felt herself falling to the floor below. She hit the floor hard and fell backwards. She rolled onto her knees just as another figure rushed toward her.
Hands grabbed her helmet and twisted it. A moment later a grim purple face was revealed. The male didn’t speak. He quickly loosened the straps holding her suit on so he could pull it over her head.
“Come on,” he ordered.
Emma stumbled over the bottom of the suit as he pulled her behind him. She bit her lip at the pain in her left ankle. She had landed hard on it and it burned.
“Captain Tylis said…” she began as she was pushed into a narrow lift.
“I know what he said,” the male grunted out. “Push the top button and disappear into the crowds of the Spaceport. I hope you are worth it. He is one of our finest commanders. If he dies, thousands of others may die as well.”
Emma didn’t say another word. The man’s eyes glowed with anger as he glared at her. He reached in and slapped his hand over the button before stepping back again. Emma leaned back as the door closed and the lift rose at a sickening speed.
Ha’ven, Emma whispered silently.
I will meet you when the lift opens, Ha’ven replied. We need to draw Kejon out. It is time to end this.
Emma lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. She refused to cry. Raising her head as the lift began to slow, she tumbled out of it as the doors opened and straight into Ha’ven’s strong arms. Her arms wound instinctively around his neck and she pressed her face into his neck breathing in his familiar scent.
“I knew you would come for me,” she whispered. “I love you.”
Ha’ven’s body trembled as he held her close. His arms were wrapped as tightly around her as he could without crushing her. He never wanted to be separated from her again.
“I swear I have come closer to losing my sanity since I met you than ever before,” he grounded out harshly. He pulled back so he could stare down into her beautiful blue eyes. “You drive me crazy.”