by ML Guida
Tash: A Scifi Romance
Bears of Aria
ML Guida
Buffalo Mountain Press
Copyright © 2019 by M L Guida
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Dear Reader
About the Author
Also by ML Guida
1
“Finbar, this court binds you over for trial. You are charged with abandoning half your crew on the planet Sutois and then erasing the remainder of the crew’s memory with the Telsa Sifter to cover up your crime. Trial will be set one month from today on planet Dryke. A selected representative from different planets will make-up a panel that will decide your fate. May the Shades have mercy on your evil soul.” Judge Marley’s cruel voice dashed all of Tash’s hopes.
Marley was a Lion from the planet Dryke, and only believed in hard, cold, facts. The Drykians were loyal, just, and regal. Many of them were placed in high positions within the Confederation. If the other panel representatives were like Marley, Tash’s father was doomed.
The Lion narrowed his golden eyes and slammed his gavel down hard on the bench. Tash winced and his heart stopped.
Forget changing Marley’s decision without hard core evidence. Tash couldn’t believe this was happening. Not to his dad. Finbar wasn’t a yellow-bellied cur. He was a hero.
Behind Tash, people murmured, their words echoing off the titanium walls.
“Good.”
“He’s a damn murderer.”
“A damn coward. I hope they fry his ass.”
Tash clenched the wooden chair’s armrests, and he gritted his teeth. His body shook with anger and guilt. His gut hardened.
Six months ago, he had commanded the ship Intrepid and it had crashed on that cursed planet. Most of his crew had suffered the same fate as his father’s. Nightmares still haunted Tash. He should have been able to save his crew. He was the damn captain. Ever since, he’d questioned his ability to command.
His mom had wanted to be at the trial, but she’d suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital. His dad was her whole world. She was a gentle bear, and this blasted trial could kill her. In less than a month, he could be facing losing both parents.
Tash swore under his breath. Things were getting worse and worse for his dad.
The bailiff motioned toward the audience. “Please, all rise.”
His face grim, Judge Marley climbed down the wooden bench and headed out of the courtroom. His long shaggy hair flared over his broad shoulders. Above the doorway, there was a golden sign engraved with seven planets that was the symbol of the Confederation. For the first time, Tash questioned the Confederation’s integrity.
His dad wasn’t a coward. He couldn’t be. No captain would have willingly left his crew to die.
The skin across his chest tightened. He was no different than his father. Because of him, Arians had died on Sutois. He could still hear their screams.
But that didn’t excuse what his brother Vaughn had done, or his youngest brother Rye taking Vaughn’s side.
They were on the opposite side of the courtroom from him. Tash hadn’t spoken to either one of them since their dad had been handed over to the United Planet Confederation for treason, thanks to Vaughn. He’d found the evidence and had given it to the Authorities. His dad had been stripped of his admiral rank and now was on trial for his life.
Tash vowed not to let his dad be executed. Guilt choked Tash’s dry throat. If they convicted his dad, would he be next?
His shoulders slumped. It was his fault his crew had died. Maybe like his dad, he should be convicted, his rank stripped, branded a traitor.
Tash hurried over to his father before he was led back to his cell. His father’s usual haughtiness was gone. Heavy bags were underneath his green eyes and deep wrinkles had been etched into his face. He looked like he’d lost at least fifty pounds since he’d been imprisoned.
“Dad, I promise I won’t let you down.”
Tash glared at Vaughn, daring him to approach them.
Vaughn and Rye wisely stayed where they were and talked in hush whispers.
Dad clutched Tash’s arm. “Don’t waste your career on me, Tash. It’s not worth it. There’s no way you can prove my innocence. I’ve told you this. Let it go.” His arrogant voice relieved some of Tash’s stress. His father hadn’t sounded like himself for weeks.
“No, I don’t believe that. There’s got to be something I can do to reverse the Telsa Sifter’s effects. I’m not going to let you go down for this, Dad, I swear.”
Two burly security Bears stood on either side of Tash’s dad. One of them said, “Time to return to your cell, Finbar.”
Tash dropped his arm.
His father sighed. “How’s your mother?”
“She’s doing fine.” At least he hoped she was.
Tears glistened in his dad’s eyes. “Good.” He brushed the wetness off his face. “When you see her, will you tell her that I love her?”
Tash nodded. “Of course. But you can tell her yourself.”
“If something happens to me…” His voice broke. “Take care of her.”
Tash ignored the sadness and fear threatening to rip his insides apart. He put on his stern captain’s face and braced his shoulders. “I will. You know I will.”
“Good.” His father sighed and hung his head.
He shuffled out of the courtroom, a broken Arian.
“Tash,” the last voice he wanted to hear.
Tash stiffened. Anger bubbled inside him, and his bear threatened to burst out. “I suggest you stay away from me, Vaughn.” He didn’t bother to hide the hate and resentment in his voice.
“We need to talk.”
Tash whirled around, forcing himself to keep his arms pressed to his side. “No, we don’t.”
Vaughn didn’t back down. His green eyes looked tired and his skin was tight as if he’d hadn’t been sleeping well. He had a stubbled beard where usually he kept his chin clean shaven. His brown hair was pulled back into a bun. Something his mate had shown him how to wear.
“Tash, please,” Vaughn pleaded.
Tash went to brush past him, but his younger brother, Rye, blocked his path. He was slightly smaller than Tash and his hair was black like their mother’s, but unlike her gentle nature, he had a red-hot temper.
“You need to listen, Tash.” Determination echoed in Rye’s voice.
Tash’s heart thumped faster. A sensation of increased strength pulsed through him and blood pumped between his ears. His muscles bulked up and he narrowed his eyes. “I suggest you get out of my way, little brother.”
Courtroom attendees glanced nervously their way, and the bailiffs approached quietly.
Tash moved around him, but Rye slipped in front of him again.
“We found out something that might help Dad.” Rye stretched out his arms as if to cage Tash.
Not a wise thing to do.
Tash growled.
Fear flashed in Rye’s eyes, but he held his post.
Vaughn st
ood on the other side of Tash. “Listen to me, Tash. I think I found a way to retrieve the crew’s memory.” Vaughn spit out his words faster than going into ultra-speed.
Tash stopped and sucked in deep breaths, trying to push his Bear back.
Vaughn ran his hand through his hair, messing up his bun. “I’ve been doing research and I’ve found something.”
Tash gritted his teeth. “What?”
“You need a psychic.”
“This is what your damn research turned up? A psychic? We don’t have any psychics on Aria.” He shoved Rye hard. “Get out of my way.”
Rye shoved him back. “Don’t push me.”
But his warning failed to stop the rage brewing inside Tash. The walls closed in on him. Heat surged through him, and his clothes stuck to his skin. He couldn’t breathe. He needed air. He needed to get out of this suffocating courtroom.
“No, wait.” Vaughn grabbed his arm. “You need to listen to me.”
Tash swung and smashed his fist into Vaughn’s mouth, lifting him up into the air and flattening him onto his back.
Rye shoved him again and snarled. “Leave him alone, you idiot.”
Tash lunged, but the bailiffs raced over and seized both of his arms. One of them growled, “This is a courtroom. You brawl outside, not in here.”
Tash’s cheeks burned, and he panted hard. He pulled, but he wasn’t strong enough to take on two security Bears.
Vaughn sat up, rubbing his jaw. Blood trickled down the side of his mouth. “You need to listen to me, Tash. I can prove it.”
Tash narrowed his eyes. “How?”
“On the Intrepid.”
“If you would stop being pig-headed, you’d find out he’s telling the truth,” Rye grumbled. “I’ve seen it.”
“Will you please listen to me?” Vaughn’s insistent voice broke through his anger. “I might have found a way to save Dad.”
Tash looked between his two brothers. So far, all of his leads had been false. More of his decisions that had gone awry.
“Fine, show me. And you better not be sending me down a false path.” He glanced at his two escorts. “Next time, you won’t have security Bears to save your ass.”
Less than an hour later, Tash, Vaughn, and Rye were back on the Intrepid.
Tash crossed his arms over his chest. “Show me, this damn evidence.”
Vaughn’s lip was swollen and he’d a small cut. Tash didn’t care. It felt damn good slamming his fist into his brother’s jaw after he had betrayed their father.
“It’s in my quarters.”
Rye followed quietly behind them, but first he cast a scowl at Tash that would have frighten a snarling taamot.
Tash ignored him, trying desperately to keep his promise to himself that he wouldn’t rip his two brothers apart. Beating the crap out of his brothers would have broken his mother’s already wounded heart. She didn’t deserve any more pain.
In Vaughn’s quarters, Tash frowned. Old books, files, and notebooks were thrown around the room. Vaughn usually kept his quarters neat and orderly.
“Excuse the mess,” Vaughn murmured. He hurried over to a dusty book and grabbed it. “This is in ancient Aamari.”
The first Arian Bears used the Aamari language, but it was no longer used, because it was more grunts and growls than words.
Tash raised his eyebrow. “And what does it say?”
“According to this book, the original Arians had discovered psychics on Earth and learned they were powerful enough to bring back memories and read minds.”
Tash struggled to keep his anger under control. He took deep breaths and clenched his fists. He was one step away of pounding the crap out of his brother, but he was the captain. Captains didn’t go around beating the crap out of their little brothers.
“So, you’re saying a psychic on Earth is the answer to our problem?” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Vaughn’s cheeks turned red. “Yes, I am.”
Tash rubbed his eyebrow. “A huh.”
“Listen, Tash. Earth has all kinds of psychics. We need to find one that has reality perception.”
He dropped his hand. “Reality perception?”
Vaughn kept pointing to the page as if Tash could read ancient Aamari. “It’s the ability to perceive reality, allowing them to sense the whole truth no matter how hidden.”
Tash gestured toward the book. “And you know where to find this supposed psychic?”
“Actually, I do.” He stood straighter.
Tash let loose a large heavy sigh. “How did you find this supposed psychic?”
“According to my research, I needed not just to find any psychic, but a psychic powerful enough to undo what the Telsa Sifter has done.”
Tash pinched his lips together tightly. “How do you know this psychic can restore the crew’s memory after the Telsa Sifter deleted it?”
Vaughn cleared his throat. “Because I programmed the scanner to find a psychic that met the computer’s qualifications to override the Telsa Sifter. Not only would the psychic have the reality perception ability, but she would need to have telepathy.”
Tash’s bared his teeth. “What the hell is telepathy?”
Vaughn’s muscles looked tense, and his face was flushed. “Telepathy is the ability to read someone’s thoughts and communicate with them mentally or affect their thoughts. She would have to be able to transmit information from one mind to another and to retrieve information from another mind.”
Tash raised his eyebrow. “She?”
Vaughn nodded. “Her name is Scarlett Fox. I have the coordinates of where she lives.”
“So, you think this psychic is going to agree to help us.”
Vaughn’s ears turned red. “No,” he drew out the word. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Rye frowned and stared down at his boots.
“So, you’re saying I’m going to have to bloody kidnap the wench?”
Vaughn straightened his books and notebooks on his desk. “Yes.”
Tash stared at his two brothers. His choices were nil. Every lead he’d followed on Aria ended badly. He couldn’t do anything right.
“Give Grod the coordinates to Earth. We leave immediately. I’ll retrieve the psychic alone.” His strong voice hid the turmoil crawling up his tight throat.
Rye frowned. “Don’t you think we should have a landing party?”
Tash shook his head. “We don’t want to frighten this psychic. We want her to want to help us. Not try and force her. If she’s as powerful as you think she is, what do you think she could do if she felt threatened?”
Vaughn and Rye looked nervously at each other.
Rye shrugged. “I guess we didn’t think of that.”
Tash glared. “That’s why I’m the captain. Return to both of your posts.” He turned on his heels and headed out of Vaughn’s quarters.
But how long would he remain captain? Maybe he should get out before his decisions killed someone else.
He headed for the bridge, not looking behind to see if Vaughn followed. Vaughn was the first science officer and Rye was head of engineering. If he’d had his way, he would have Vaughn assigned to another ship, but their leader, Czar Konan, had other ideas.
Tash’s scalp prickled and chills crept down his spine. What if Vaughn brought evidence against him? He’d suffer the same fate as his father.
He stepped in the elevator. “Bridge.”
The elevator swooshed and the double doors opened up onto the bridge. This is where he felt at home, but ever since Sutois, he’d been second guessing his command. Unlike his accused father, he fought desperately to save his crew. But those efforts had been useless.
Navigator Grod whirled around on his chair. “Coordinates to Earth have been programmed, Captain.”
“Take her out, Helmsman.” Tash sat in the command chair that fit him like a glove. He liked the feel of leather and the controls at his fingertips. If he was de-commissioned, he’d just be another washe
d-up bear like his father. Being captain of a starship had been his dream since he was a cub, and he’d worked too damn hard to lose it now.
The Helmsman Inry nodded. “Plotting a course for Earth, Captain.”
“Good.” Tash leaned back in his chair.
The doors opened. Vaughn walked onto the bridge and took a position as first science officer. Tash met his hesitant gaze then swirled his chair to face the viewing screen. He hated to admit it, but his brother was the best first science officer in the fleet. That didn’t change anything between them.
Vaughn stood beside him.
Tash stared at the viewing screen. “Your plan better work. I don’t want to be going down a worm hole.”
“You’re not. My plan will. All the evidence points to the psychic having the ability to retrieve their memories.” His voice sounded confident, but Tash could hear a slight tremor.
Tash grunted and folded his arms. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Time was running out. Was he making another mistake like he had on Sutois? What if he was making the wrong decision?
A wrong decision would condemn his dad to die.
2
Scarlett Fox drew on everything she had to stop the tingles rolling over her–taking deep breaths, concentrating on the people talking, smelling the brewing coffee. But the hairs on the back of her neck and her arms stood straight up.
No No No
She wanted to be normal, but the vision was coming––coming to make her different.
Coldness frosted her heart, sending ice shooting through her veins. Scarlett dug her nails into the leather armrest.
“Miss, are you all right?”
Tremors rippled through Scarlett, making her teeth chatter. She wanted to answer the concerned waitress, but she couldn’t see her. Couldn’t see the cozy coffee house.