“But Tark is fine, right? He’ll be back?” she asked.
“Any mission is dangerous, Suki. Tark will do his best to come back to you safely, but I won’t lie to you and guarantee that he’ll come back.”
She bit her lip and gave him a nod, then moved further down the corridor. She was nearing the bridge when alarms started blaring. Suki pressed herself to the wall and stared, wide-eyed, not knowing what it meant or where she should go. Booted steps ran toward her and she turned in time to see Norkov rushing in her direction. He didn’t stop, didn’t hesitate, just scooped her up as he ran. When they reached the command center, he deposited her onto a chair and sealed the room.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Norkov, why are the alarms going off?”
“Breach,” he said. “The bastard who owns this place had security and we didn’t detect them. Must have camouflaged their heat readouts somehow.”
“And the men who went into the brothel?” she asked.
“I don’t know, Suki. I lost communication with them seconds before the alarms went off. I’m glad I found you quickly. If you’d been in your quarters, it would have been much harder to reach you in time.”
“Wh-what do you mean you lost communications? Are they…” She swallowed hard. “Are they dead?”
“No.” He frowned. “I don’t think so. It’s probably a safety precaution. Or maybe the signal was scrambled by the owner of the brothel. If he has a security team, he likely has other measures in place. We underestimated him.”
There was noise outside the door -- it sounded like blasts of some sort. Norkov grimaced and turned to the controls, tapping on the keys until a view of the area outside the sealed door appeared on the screen. Large orange aliens with multiple arms and bald heads were trying to open the door while one at the back fired on someone further down the hall.
“Can they get in here?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. They shouldn’t be able to, but the doors have never been tested against a Terok before. They’re typically muscle for hire, but I’ve never seen one on this sector before,” Norkov said.
Another sound went off, making Suki tense as Norkov started cursing. “A ship is docking on our other side and coming aboard. We could possibly fight off the Teroks, but it looks like four more life-forms just came on board.”
“How many Teroks are there? Just the ones we can see?”
“The four we can see plus three others. Wait.” Norkov narrowed his eyes as he stared at something she couldn’t interpret. A bunch of dots moving on the screen made no sense to her, but the cyborg seemed to know what it meant. “The beings from the ship are attacking the Teroks. They’re helping us.”
He sounded a little dumbfounded, which didn’t make Suki feel any better about the situation. Were they helping because they were good, or were they just wanting the ship to themselves? When one of them came into view on the large screen she gasped. He looked like the cyborgs except his hair was black and his skin was a deeper shade of purple, and she didn’t see any cybernetic parts.
“A Zelthranite?” Norkov asked, his eyes going wide. “We were told they were extinct.”
“What’s a Zelthranite?” she asked.
“Our ancestors. Or part of them. My world, the one we came from before Xpashta, once held a life form that was pure white with blue hair. A ship of Zelthranites crash-landed there and mated with the natives. Zelranians, my people, today are a paler shade than the Zelthranites and have blue hair. Only those who were part of the Cy-Con program have white hair,” Norkov said. “I’ve never studied the inside of a Zelthranite so I’m uncertain if we have the same internal organs. In looks, we’re very similar aside from our coloring. For a while, we heard rumors of Zelthranites in another galaxy, then our government told us they were extinct. It seems they lied about yet another thing.”
The Zelthranite was joined by another like him, and they took out the Teroks outside the door. Norkov paused a moment, then pressed the button to unlock the doors. He stepped out to greet the Zelthranites and Suki hovered in the doorway, wanting to see and hear everything without being in the middle of it. Unknown aliens, ancestors or not, still made her nervous. She was still adjusting to the cyborgs and she’d been with them for days.
The Zelthranite who seemed to be in charge, cocked his head as he studied Norkov, and then two more of his people joined them.
“I’ve heard rumors of cyborgs,” the leader said. “Never met one.”
“I was part of the Zelranian Cy-Con program,” Norkov said, “as were all of my shipmates.”
The leader’s eyes narrowed as he studied Norkov more intensely.
“I’m Ryx. Are there others like you inside the brothel? We only detected three life-forms on board, aside from the Teroks. You and your female, and the med tech.”
“Suki isn’t mine,” Norkov said. At the gleam in Ryx’s eyes, he quickly amended his statement. “But she is mated to my crewmate, Tark, who is inside the brothel. We heard of human females inside and came to rescue them.”
“And return them to Earth?” Ryx asked. “Or do you hold them hostage and force-mate them?”
Suki gasped and felt the blood drain from her face. “No! They would never force themselves on a woman! I don’t care if you did save us. Don’t you ever speak of them like that again!”
Ryx’s lips twitched in amusement. “I see. Very well, fierce female. I apologize for offending you.”
“We don’t know how to reach Earth,” Norkov admitted. “We were going to take the females to our planet. Only three of our males are mated and we hoped they might bond with someone. But we would never force them to choose a male. They would be free and their every need would be met.”
“Every need but going home?” Ryx asked, his eyebrow raised. “Earth isn’t difficult to find.”
Suki blinked. “You’re a Terran, aren’t you? But Norkov called you a Zelthranite.”
“To humans, we are Terrans. We hoped to appear less threatening if we used a term familiar to your people. Anyone who mates with us is told the truth,” Ryx said.
“They’re the Terrans you mentioned that had a Bride program on Earth?” Norkov asked, turning to face her. “You’re certain?”
She nodded.
“Our people stopped birthing females,” Ryx said. “We made an arrangement with Earth’s government. We pay the females who consider mating with one of our kind. They’re paid a fee, then travel to our world at no cost, and if they don’t find a match within a certain amount of time, they’re sent home. They keep the money. There’s an application process.”
“Could the cyborgs join the program?” Suki asked. “If they’re part Zelthranite, it makes them your people too, doesn’t it?”
Ryx didn’t say anything for a moment. “It’s something to discuss with the council. I’ll bring it up to Chief Councilor Borgoz at the first opportunity. How would we reach your people?”
“We’re on Xpashta,” Norkov said. “One of our Commanders is in the brothel. He joined the mission, even though the Commanders typically stay on our world. You could always speak with him.”
“Then let’s get your cyborgs back to your ship,” Ryx said, turning away.
Norkov looked down at Suki and she could tell he was about to tell her to stay behind. She shook her head and straightened her spine.
“I’m not staying here while you go after Tark,” she said. “He’s my mate and I should be there in case he’s hurt. He saved me, and now it’s my turn to help him.”
Ryx snorted and muttered something about females not knowing their place. Suki narrowed her eyes at him.
“My name is Malin. I’m a crew member of the Pryxus and I would be honored to help keep an eye on your human female,” said one of the Zelthranites, stepping forward. “My mate is no longer living, but I know she would want me to protect one of her fellow humans.”
“You were mated to a human?” Suki asked, moving closer to him.
“Yes. She was o
ne of the first in the Bride Program with Earth. Such a sweet female, but very headstrong. She insisted on accompanying me on a mission. It didn’t end well and she perished,” Malin said.
“I’m so sorry,” Suki said, reaching a hand toward him.
He gripped her hand a moment before releasing her. “Thank you.”
“This is Suki,” Norkov said. “I’m Norkov, and the medic you saved is Querrill. We appreciate your assistance.”
“Let’s go save your mate,” Malin said to Suki.
“If she gets captured, Tark will tear you apart,” Norkov muttered. “She should remain on board.”
“Not dealt with many human females, have you?” Malin asked in amusement. “Telling them what to do never works in your favor. I’ll risk the wrath of your Tark if it gives her peace of mind to search for her mate. My Winnie was the same. So fierce and loyal.”
Malin stuck by Suki’s side as they left the Mystic7 and entered the brothel. The first thing she noticed was blood, or what appeared to be blood. It was spattered across the walls and soaking into the carpeted floors, in a variety of colors. Her hand went to her mouth to fight back the bile. Malin helped her through the corridors and when they came to a downed cyborg, she openly sobbed. It wasn’t Tark or the Commander.
“Sanz,” Norkov said softly, kneeling beside him. “He’s alive, but barely.”
“Your Querrill was damaged and may not be able to heal him. There’s a med pod on our ship, if you think it would work on a cyborg,” Ryx said.
“I know Sanz would prefer the risk of it not working to dying,” Norkov said.
“I’ll take him,” one of the Zelthranites said.
“Thank you, Zaryl,” said Ryx.
The Zelthranite lifted the cyborg without issue and carried him back in the direction of the ship. The floating brothel shifted under their feet and Suki grabbed onto Malin for support. He kept her from falling into the gore on the floor and walls. Several doors opened and frightened females peered out. One was human, and Ryx quickly pulled her from the room, passing her to Malin. She gave Suki a fearful look, but she tried to assure the woman she was safe.
“They won’t hurt you,” Suki told her. “My name’s Suki and I’m mated to one of the cyborgs.”
“Rayne,” she said.
“They’re here to save you,” Suki said.
Two more human females were found, and they hovered in the back near Suki and Malin. It would be smart to get them out of the brothel, but Suki refused to leave without Tark, and Malin refused to leave without Suki. They neared the back of the brothel where the whimpers and cries of women could be heard, along with a deeper voice that Suki instantly recognized.
“Tark!” she cried, trying to rush forward.
“No!” Norkov threw out an arm to hold her back. “We don’t know the situation in that room, Suki. I can’t permit you to enter and place yourself in danger.”
Malin nodded. “He’s right. Stay here while they secure the space.”
The cyborgs and Zelthranites entered the room and Suki cried out as she heard the blasts of their weapons, fearing that her mate would die. She clung to Malin until Ryx stepped into the hall and motioned her forward.
“Your male is injured, but he’s alive,” Ryx said. “We’ve contained the owner of the brothel.”
Suki rushed past him, running straight for Tark. She was nearly there, when a hiss at such a pitch that it deafened her filled the air. Suki froze, clamping her hands over her ears and slammed her eyes shut, willing the horrible sound to go away. Her eyes flew open as she was yanked off balance.
“Such a pretty female,” the hissing voice said. “If you wish her to live, you won’t follow.”
Suki stared at Tark, saw the determination in his eyes and knew he would come for her. She glanced at the alien holding her captive and wished she hadn’t. Slime dripped from his face, the bulbous shape a grotesque green. The rest of his body was nearly too slender and covered in black leather. The claw-tipped hand held her tightly as he dragged her from her mate and through a section of the brothel she hadn’t yet seen.
“Deprive me of my livelihood, ruin my females, kill my guards. I’ll keep you as payment,” the alien said in his hissing voice. “Start a new brothel far from here.”
Suki wanted to fight, to scream, to do something… but she worried if she broke free, the alien would try to kill her. If she were alive, then at least there was a chance Tark could save her. She’d deal with whatever happened, survive at any cost.
As long as Tark was alive, and so was she, then there was hope.
Chapter Seven
“You permitted my mate to enter the brothel,” Tark said, trying to contain his fury. Suki would have been safe if she hadn’t left the Mystic7. Instead, Norkov and the Zelthranites had allowed her to leave the ship, and now she’d been taken. He’d spent the past few hours in a med pod on board the Pryxus, his wounds too severe to heal on their own. Minor things healed quickly, but the slaver had gotten the drop on him and done his best to kill Tark. Now they’d lost valuable time in getting to Suki.
“’Permitted’ isn’t the correct word,” Norkov said. “She was determined to find you. The med pod on board our vessel couldn’t handle the severity of your injuries. Placing you in the one on the Pryxus was our only hope. It was my suggestion we wait until you were healed to pursue your Suki. Two ships remaining together while keeping up with the slaver might have proven difficult. The Pryxus and Mystic7 are different class vessels.”
“Human females are not to be underestimated,” Malin said. The Zelthranite smiled sadly. “My mate was the same as your Suki. It got her killed in the end, but I couldn’t have contained her if I’d tried. Not without breaking her spirit.”
“That’s supposed to be comforting?” Tark asked. “I refuse to lose my mate, to let her die because none of you could restrain her. There’s no way that slaver is going to let her go. He’ll keep her, use her, and kill her if she disobeys. Or sell her to someone who’s even worse than him.”
Malin placed a hand on Tark’s shoulder. “Your Suki is strong-willed. I don’t know the circumstances by which she came to be so far from Earth, but I’m going to guess she was captured and sold. I know she wanted to help you and refused to stay behind when she thought you needed her. She has a fighting spirit and will hold on until you can reach her.”
“Any news yet on the slaver?” Tark asked Pendrik.
“Whatever ship he used to leave was moving fast. Or it was before it vanished. It left this sector,” Penrik said pointing to the screen, “and if I had to guess, hit a black hole. We’re approaching the area now where the vessel disappeared. Hopefully, we can find your Suki from there.”
“Are the Zelthranites still with us?” Tark asked.
Malin snorted. “Ryx give up the chance to fight some slaver scum? Not likely. He’ll be stuck to your ass unless you move too slow. Then he’ll pull ahead and lead the way. My crew will be with you all the way, which is why they left me on board the Mystic7. To give you the reassurance that you had aid in retrieving your female.”
“I can’t believe we found five human females at the brothel,” Norkov said.
“Don’t get too excited. Ryx didn’t seem all that thrilled over the females going home with us,” Tark said. “Since the Zelthranites have an agreement with Earth, he may insist on returning them to their world.”
“You’re technically part Zelthranite,” Malin said. “I don’t see why they couldn’t be considered potential brides for your people, if they agree. And if you compensate their families.”
“I’ve already touched base with the other Commanders on Xpashta,” Warver said. “They’re arranging housing for females and some sort of… what did Shaylee call it? Orientation to alien living. Yes, those were her words.”
The ship came to a halt and Tark stared at the oddly colored patch of space, like it didn’t quite belong. It didn’t look the same as a black hole, but was similar enough to give him pause.
“What is that?”
Everyone in the command center moved closer to the screen. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t a black hole, not with the way the light around it flickered now and then. Pendrik punched in some buttons and a readout popped up. Tark’s eyebrows rose as he looked over the words on the screen, certain he must be seeing things. Such a thing wasn’t possible. Was it?
“We’re being pulled in,” Pendrik said. “There’s a magnetic force drawing us closer.”
“Fuck,” Malin said. “It’s a MECO. I know of them, but haven’t seen one. Similar to a black hole and yet not.”
“Everyone hold on,” Warver said. “The ship is picking up speed. It looks like the Zelthranites are being pulled along in our wake.”
Tark braced his feet. The ship shook and vibrated around them before spinning. The gravitational field on board went out, leaving them floating in the command center as the Mystic7 rocketed forward, gaining momentum. It was hard to tell how much time passed before they were spit out on the other end, Tark and the others crashing to the metal floor as the gravity reactivated.
“Well that was fun,” Malin said, then groaned as he sat up.
“The Pryxus came through as well,” Pendrik said.
Tark pointed to a ship in the distance. “Is that the slaver?”
Pendrik tapped on the controls and then nodded. “Yes, that’s the vessel we were tracking. But there’s only one life form on board. Systems show it’s not human.”
Tark’s heart rate elevated, the chips in his brain unable to regulate the organ when his mate was missing. He gripped the nearest seat and nearly ripped it in half. Where was his Suki? How had the slaver disposed of her so quickly if he appeared so close? From what he could see from the screen, there wasn’t a planet within reach of their current location. Not one the slaver could have landed on, dumped his sweet Suki, then gained enough speed to have this much distance between their ships.
Saved by the Cyborg Page 7