by K C Luck
"True," Shaun agreed. "He is either very brave or very stupid." Nat smirked. From what she knew of space pirates in general, they were more likely very stupid. The fact a set of them decided to invade planet Elivib airspace was a perfect example. Everyone knew, even though it was sparsely inhabited, it was a well-patrolled area due to its extensive petroleum fields. Frankly, Nat could not figure out why the pirates would venture there at all. But we made them pay for it, she thought. Two ships down and a third almost in her sights. He’s a tricky one though. This pirate ship was faster than the other two and clearly had a more experienced pilot. He had evaded sightlock twice already, but now Nat knew she had him. The craft was headed for a canyon, which Nat remembered had a lot of challenging, blind curves. He will be forced to slow down and when he does, it will be goodbye to another piece of space filth.
“He’s headed for the canyon,” Shaun said over the comm link. Nat knew he could see everything a little better than she could from the elevated position of his co-pilot seat behind her. After four years together, she trusted his eyes completely, but this time she was way ahead of him.
“I’m already on it,” Nat said. “He’s toast now.” The comm link clicked like Shaun was about to respond, but there was a pause.
“Nat, you sure about this?” he finally asked. “Kind of hard to see in there.” Nat grinned. Shaun, always the cautious one, she thought.
“This will only take a second,” she answered and watched the small space pirate ship slip into the mouth of the canyon. Nat accelerated and followed him in. She had been in the canyon a dozen times before, but it was still challenging. Rocky outcroppings and dangerous overhangs threatened to wreck any passing craft. Not too many other Ranger pilots would fly there, but Nat loved it. It tested her skills to a new level. I’m a better pilot for it, she thought. And it is coming in handy now. The brake lights on the pirate spaceship flashed ahead of her. With a smirk, Nat grabbed the control of her ship's laser cannon and turned on the locking device. It beeped as it looked for the target. Slowly it narrowed in and Nat waited for the welcome sound of the lock alarm. Just a few more seconds. The two ships raced around another curve and all of Nat’s focus was on the pirate in front of her.
"Nat!" Shaun yelled into the comm link. "Abort! Jesus, abort. It's a trap." Looking up, Nat saw he was right. A huge pirate starship, bigger than any she had ever seen, was hovering among the rocks. Hidden from view by the walls of the canyon, it was waiting for them. Nat instinctively jerked their ship up to try and clear the canyon, but she was too late. The pirate's spacecraft fired and the blast hit them. Suddenly, phosphorus fire was everywhere and she could hear Shaun screaming.
Nat screamed with him.
“Nat,” she heard Catherine calling. “Nat, please wake up!” Shaking her head, Nat tried to orient herself. There was no fire and she was not in the hospital. Instead, she could feel warm hands brushing the tears from her face. She opened her eyes and saw Catherine’s concerned face looking at her. “Nat. Baby,” Catherine said softly. “You’re safe. It’s okay.” Nat felt her heart surge with relief and something else. Feeling Catherine against her, with her hands holding her face, Nat realized she felt the last thing she wanted. She was falling in love. With a sob, Nat let the sadness of everything overwhelm her. As she stopped fighting it and started to cry, Catherine wrapped her arms around her and held her tight.
CHAPTER 16
CATHERINE
Catherine held Nat's head in her lap and stroked her hair while the woman slept. Catherine had never felt such tenderness toward any person. They had talked through much of the night about Nat's dream and her horrible accident. Nat finally confessed the survivor's guilt she carried over her Ranger co-pilot's death. Shaun was a close friend, with a family and big dreams of moving up within the Rangers. Nat blamed herself relentlessly for what happened to him, even though she had been cleared of all responsibility for the event. It was a space pirate trap, pure and simple. Nat did not agree.
While Catherine listened, her heart hurting when she saw the pain in Nat's eyes, much of the real Nat was revealed layer by layer. The Space Rangers were her whole life, and she felt she owed them for saving her in a way. Growing up a lesbian in a small town and never fitting in because of her tomboy look, it was only the dream of being a Ranger someday that kept her going. When she realized it was girls she was attracted to, Nat decided leaving the planet and making a career with the Space Rangers was her destiny. She never regretted it, until her cockiness resulted in the death of someone who trusted her. "I will never forgive myself," Nat said and, not knowing what else to say, Catherine had kept quiet and simply continued to hold her. Finally, Nat fell back asleep.
What am I going to do with her? Catherine wondered as she looked at Nat's face, which was finally relaxing as the tears dried on her cheeks. Even while the woman spoke of the accident, it was evident her devotion to the Space Rangers was strong. Catherine was no fool and sensed it was this loyalty which was what had Nat so undecided about their relationship. The woman was torn, and Catherine hated putting her through the torture. "I won't make you choose," Catherine whispered and realized she meant it. As much as it made her hurt all over to think of a future without Nat, Catherine resolved to never stand in her way. When they landed tomorrow, Catherine was determined to stay strong when the goodbyes came, knowing she could weep as her heart broke later. Tears slipped down her cheek as she thought of it, and Nat, as if sensing Catherine's pain, opened her eyes.
"Hey," she said. Catherine gave her a weak smile.
"Hey back," she said and lowered down to kiss Nat's lips. Although the touch set off a hint of passion within her, Catherine pushed it away, wanting only to convey the tenderness she felt. In a way, it was a kiss goodbye already. Nat pulled herself up to a sitting position and took Catherine's face in her hands.
"Are you crying?" she asked. Catherine shook her head.
"No," she lied. Nat looked only half convinced but leaned in to rest her forehead against Catherine's.
"Thank you," Nat whispered.
"For what?" Catherine asked softly.
"Holding me while I cried," she answered. "No one has ever done that. You, and only you." Catherine had to blink away more tears. She swallowed hard. There were no easy words to say and only a tap at the bedroom door saved her from having to confess the decision which was in her heart. Nat frowned and looked toward the sound. "Come in," Nat said. Frederick poked in his shiny, metal head.
"So sorry to wake you, Captain," he said. "But we've received a mayday call from a stalled ship." Suddenly Nat was all business.
"Are we the closest vessel?" she asked.
"Seems we are," he replied. Nat looked at Catherine.
"I'm sorry, but spacetime law requires us to respond and at least do a fly-by." Catherine nodded realizing this was the perfect example of how important duty was to Nat.
"Of course," Catherine said and could see Nat search her face, clearly sensing something was not quite right.
"Are we okay?" she asked. Catherine nodded and Nat hesitated as if knowing Catherine was not being honest.
“Really. Just go,” Catherine said. Nat nodded.
“Okay. This won’t take long. Then we can talk,” Nat said. Catherine nodded again and watched as she climbed out of the bed.
CATHERINE COULD SIT in the spare seat at the edge of the cockpit and watch Nat pilot the ship all day. With the controls in her strong, capable hands, she exuded confidence. Catherine found it incredibly sexy and she wondered just how long it would take to respond to the distress call and how hard it would be to lure Nat back to the bedroom. The thought made her blush. She was feeling so bold now that their time was quickly growing shorter. If they only had a day and a night, Catherine wanted to relish every moment. Having Nat touch her so magically again would help lessen the sadness in her heart, at least for a little while. Glancing over, Nat caught Catherine thinking of just how she would talk Nat into doing things. Apparently, hints of pas
sion were on her face, because Nat raised her eyebrows with surprise. Catherine giggled and put her hands to her hot cheeks. "What are you thinking?" Nat asked with a sly smile. Taking a deep breath, Catherine decided to be bold as hell. If she did not get Nat much longer, there was no time to play games.
"I'm thinking I hope we can take a shower soon," she said and bit her lip as she waited for Nat's response. A moment of doubt suddenly made her stomach ache. What if I have this all wrong and she isn’t interested anymore? Catherine thought. She knew in a moment there was no need to worry. Hunger jumped straight to Nat's eyes and she grinned.
"I promise to make this quick," she said with a husky voice. "In fact, I have a visual on the stalled craft now." Catherine glanced out the window and saw an older spaceship. It was not as bad as her ED-90, but it was close. "No wonder they broke down," Nat said. "That NT line of ships is notorious for trouble." Catherine saw Nat press the comm link. "This is the Avalon Mercury to the NT-397. Do you copy?" There was no response. Nat turned to a different channel and tried again. Still, no answer and Nat pulled them closer. Frederick came to the door of the cockpit.
"Perhaps we can establish a visual?" he suggested. Nat nodded.
"I'm bringing us around now," she answered. As she did, Catherine saw a flicker of movement out the windshield. It was off to the left, and she leaned forward to look.
"Nat, what's that? Another ship responding?" she asked. Nat looked and then Catherine saw her face pale. "What? What's wrong?" Catherine asked, looking again. Whatever the ship was, it was moving at them fast. Immediately, Nat jerked on the controls and Catherine, with Frederick beside her, was almost knocked to the floor.
"Hang on," Nat said. "That is a space pirate ship coming and the distress call was sent to lure us in." Catherine felt panic climb up her spine. Everyone knew there was a slight risk of pirates along these routes, but it seemed so impossible to be happening now after Nat's dream.
Like it is fate, she thought. "Can you outrun them?" Catherine asked. Nat nodded.
"I think so. We got a good jump thanks to your quick eyes," she responded. "I just need to—" Her words cut off and Catherine turned to look out the windshield again. What she saw made her heart nearly stop. Two more small fighter pirate crafts were descending. The Avalon Mercury was caught between them and the larger one coming. "Frederick, what evasion maneuvers are built into this ship?" Nat asked quietly. Frederick looked frazzled, and Nat had to snap her fingers to get his attention. "Frederick!"
"I'm sorry, Captain, but the Avalon Mercury 3370 is not equipped with any defensive mechanism," he said. "It is built for luxury and speed, not battle." Catherine saw Nat grit her teeth.
"Catherine, I want you to hide," Nat said. "Depending on how many there are—" Catherine shook her head.
"No, I will not. We face this together," she said. Nat turned to her, clearly ready to argue when the comm link squawked.
"Hello there, Avalon Mercury. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with today?" said a man's voice. Nat turned to the comm link and prepared to press the button when Frederick held out a hand.
"Captain, wait!" he said. "Do not identify yourself as a Space Ranger to them." Nat looked at him and Catherine could see she was conflicted. Suddenly, Catherine knew their horrible situation just got worse.
"They kill Space Rangers, don't they?" she said almost choking on the words.
"Unless we kill them first," Nat answered boldly. "And I won't hide from these bastards." She pressed the comm link to respond. Before Nat could say a word, Catherine threw herself across the cockpit console and put her mouth to the comm link. There was no way she would let Nat sacrifice herself.
"This is Catherine Porter," she said trying to sound confident and perturbed instead of scared half to death. "Who is this? And what do you want?"
There was a pause and then a chuckle. "Well, now, aren't you a sassy one, Ms. Porter," replied the voice. "But since you asked, you can call me Rog. Now, I don't suppose you're the owner of that fine vessel?" Catherine's mind raced and she felt Nat's hand on her arm, trying to pull her back. She had no doubt the woman wanted Catherine to stop so she could throw herself on her sword to somehow save them. Screw that, Catherine thought and racked her brain for an idea. She knew little about space pirates other than they captured ships and held passengers for ransom. Maybe that is all they want now? Taking a deep breath, Catherine went for it. “No,” she said. “Actually, my dad owns it. Senator Porter? Ring a bell?”
“What are you doing?” Catherine suddenly heard Nat whisper into her ear. “And who is Senator Porter?” Catherine waved her away.
“I know what I’m doing,” she whispered back. Or at least I hope so, she thought. There really was a Senator Porter on Prospo. She was teased about it in high school, but she had no idea if he had a daughter or, if he did, how long it would take the pirates to figure out she was not the same girl. Finally, the comm link clicked again.
"Seems this is my lucky day then," Rog, the pirate said. "Who else you got on there with you?" Catherine turned to look at Nat before answering. She did not look happy about the turn of events, yet there was respect in her eyes as well. Seeing it, Catherine actually smiled a little, which seemed crazy under the circumstances, but maybe this was a chance to show Nat there was more to her than only a naïve eighteen-year-old.
"There is the ship's droid," she answered and held Nat's eyes. "And I have my bodyguard with me."
“I see," Rog said. "Is he going to be a problem? This bodyguard?" Catherine raised an eyebrow at Nat and waited. After a moment, Nat shook her head. Catherine did not believe it for a second, knowing the warrior in Nat would try to have them escape the instant there was an opportunity, but hopefully, the ruse would buy them some time.
"She will not be a problem. So, what happens next?" Catherine snapped impatiently. There was another chuckle over the comm link.
"I can tell I'm going to like you, Catherine Porter," Rog said. "And what happens next is I will be sending over a couple folks in a shuttle. They'll say howdy and take over your ship, while you come visit me. How's that sound?" Catherine felt the panic in her start to flare up, but she took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. In for a dime, in for a dollar, she thought. It was another of her father’s favorite sayings and Catherine knew this was no time to be timid now.
“Sounds repulsive, frankly,” Catherine replied. “But I’ll have Frederick our butler throw together a pitcher of margaritas. We can make it a party.” This time a roar of laughter came over the link.
“Prepare to be boarded, Ms. Porter,” Rog said. “And don’t think about trying anything tricky. As charming as you are, I will not hesitate to blow your ship to pieces.” The comm link clicked off and Catherine hoped she had not just made the mistake of her life.
CHAPTER 17
NAT
Nat had never been so impressed by someone's quick thinking and guts than she was with Catherine. The girl shocked the hell out of her when she jumped on the comm link and started spinning a tale of being a senator's daughter. And she did it all to protect me, Nat thought. She considered what would have happened if Catherine had not stopped her from telling the pirates she was a Space Ranger and the image was not a pretty picture. There were rumors within the corps about Rangers who were captured by pirates and torture was putting it mildly. The fact Nat was a female no doubt would have made it worse. Now she just had to find a way for them to escape before the truth came out. And I will find a way. To save Catherine even if I can’t save myself. Nat knew she would do anything to keep the woman from harm.
"Well, that was quite creative, Ms. Porter," Frederick said. "Am I truly making a pitcher of margaritas?"
"I'd rather you find us the biggest knives in the galley, Frederick," Nat answered before Catherine could. Catherine shook her head and put her hands on Nat's arms to look in her face.
"No," she said. "Promise me no violence unless there is no choice. Maybe we can talk our way out of this." Nat p
aused as she considered the beautiful young woman's face and then sighed. It was not her nature to be passive and being taken captive went against her training, but the pleading look in Catherine's eyes made her nod in agreement.
"I will be patient," Nat said as she put her arms around Catherine. "But if it looks like anyone is going to hurt you, then all bets are off."
"I know," Catherine said and leaned in to kiss Nat on the lips. Nat expected it to be tender and soft, but instead, there was a possessiveness behind it. A passion and Nat pulled her closer, realizing there was a tiger inside Catherine Nat never expected. Nat pressed her mouth harder to Catherine's, suddenly hungry for her in the midst of all the uncertainty. With a gasp, Catherine pulled back. "I'll never let them hurt you, Nat," she said. "Never." Nat was about to explain Catherine needed to focus on saving herself when the sound of the pirate shuttle attaching to the airlock brought harsh reality back to the moment. “Okay,” Catherine said. “Showtime everyone.”
"Stay behind me," Nat insisted but Catherine shook her head.
"No, I want them to know we are not intimidated. I'm a spoiled senator's daughter, and you work for me. Remember that," she said. "Now, let's go meet them at the door." Again, Nat was a little shocked at the power behind Catherine's words. She meant business and Nat decided to let her run with it. For now, she thought. As they approached the exit door, there were more noises at the airlock and then a click. A light over the door turned green and then it slid open to reveal two pirates. One was a burly man with a severely pockmarked face. The other was a woman. Her black hair was cut almost razor short and her dark almond-shaped eyes were cold as ice. Of the two, she appeared to be by far the most dangerous. Nat looked them over from head to toe in an instant. Precisely like others she saw and battled in the past. An absurd mixture of modern armored space uniforms and leather pirate garb modeled after ancient pictures. Those plasma guns they are carrying aren’t ancient though. The pair were armed to the teeth with knives and short swords as well. Already Nat was trying to figure out how she could disarm one of them and then remembered the threat over the comm link. Any trouble and the Avalon Mercury would be destroyed. Nat took a deep breath to try and relax. Patience, she told herself.