by S. E. Smith
Jo’s mouth opened as she heard Ricki’s muttered curse. She glanced over at River and Star who were hiding their amusement behind their hands. She couldn’t help but silently mouth ‘snail mail’ to them causing all of them to burst out into laughter.
Ristéard frowned as he looked at the three women. “What is so funny?” He demanded with a dark scowl on his face causing all three girls to laugh even harder.
Chapter 26
Manota sat back in the specially designed seats. He pretended to be focused as the last of the clowns and Marvin and Martin bowed dramatically and disappeared behind the flaps of the huge Big Top. The moment they shut the flap the sensors connected, turning on the defense system. No one else would be able to enter the area as an invisible shield descended over the top reaching down to the posts that had been installed over the last week.
Manota, along with Jazin and Jarmen, had modified the shield so that it created a barrier. If anyone tried to walk through it from either side, they would be knocked backwards. He had Jarmen set up an exception to the programming, only those with human DNA, Armet or Kev would be allowed to exit. He did not want to take a chance of any humans becoming trapped should they need to escape. He had explained it carefully to Walter and Ricki who had warned the humans that should they need to leave they would be able to and for them to seek safety among inhabitants of the city.
He breathed in a deep breath as the lights went out, leaving the area in darkness except for the narrow beams in the center of the arena. The seats under them moved silently backwards and a new set rose in front of them. He gripped the side as it swayed gently before coming to a halt. The moment it did, a black curtain descended cutting off his view of the inside of the Big Top. He moved quickly, jumping down off the stands and turning to wrap his hands around Jo’s narrow waist to help her down.
He held her for a moment, suspended against his body. “Be safe,” he murmured before he brushed a kiss across her lips and set her down.
“I will,” she whispered as he turned and hurried off.
She turned when she felt River touch her arm. “I’m scared too,” River said. “But I so want to kick this guy’s ass all the way back to the dinosaurs.”
Jo gave a tearful giggle before she turned to look at Star. “Looks like I’m the one who is the crybaby,” she said, embarrassed.
Star grinned. “It’s nice to know I get it from my big sister,” she teased before her smile disappeared. “Showtime!”
Jo looked at her sister’s small hand that she held out. She put her hand over. Drawing in a deep breath, she smiled.
“Showtime!” She said looking at River.
“Showtime!” River responded covering their hands with her own. “Let’s go kick some ass!”
Jo nodded. She led the way through the maze of backdrops and curtains until she reached the dressing rooms set up for the female performers. She quickly pulled off the blue gown. Underneath, she wore a brilliant red leotard. She changed her shoes into the soft performing slippers that she used. She quickly adjusted the mask she would wear to help conceal her identify.
“Are you girls ready?” Tami asked looking at each of her daughters, pausing on River’s swollen stomach. “You remember what you are to do?
River rolled her eyes. “Yes, stay on the ground, do not get in the way, and absolutely DO NOT go into labor until after the battle. Or did you mean, what I’m really supposed to do? Distract everyone with my amazing knife throwing skills,” she replied dryly.
Tami’s soft peal of laughter filled the air. “If it helps, Alan was just as protective. You’ll go on first. You are the bird in the cage.”
“A plump bird in the cage,” River muttered as she rubbed her swollen stomach before she pulled her own mask down and adjusted the blue wig that covered her own dark hair.
According to the healer, she could have the baby any day. The gestation period on Kassis was slightly less than on Earth. She felt like she was ready to pop. They could hear Walter’s introduction coming to an end as all around him, old video and shadows showed the history of the circus.
“You’re on, sweethearts. Your dad and I will be there for you,” Tami said as she patted the feathers in her hair and adjusted her own mask one last time. “Let’s go.”
River climbed into the cage. Several of the clowns covered it. Suzy grinned and winked before she pulled the last bit down. River’s eyes moved to the floor of the golden cage. Neatly laid out were dozens of lined fabric storage cases with every kind of knife and throwing star known to her.
“Oh Suzy, you are truly amazing,” River murmured as she felt the cage beginning to move.
“I know,” Suzy replied. “Curly never lets me forget it. Just keep yourself safe.”
“You too,” River whispered before she became silent, kneeling in the center of the cage.
The clowns followed the covered cage as it was pulled out into the center by a set of Shetland ponies. The small horses were decorated up with a rainbow of different color feathers woven into their manes. Nema drove the small wagon. She was dressed as a tiny toy soldier. She drove around the center ring once as the clowns juggled, did magic tricks, and chased each other. Once she had completed one full circle, she steered the wagon to the very center where a hook with Star standing at the end descended from the center.
As soon as the hook touched the top of the cage, Star – dressed as a beautiful green and silver bird with dark green hair bent and attached it to the center hoop. As Nema drove the wagon away, the clowns grabbed the bottom of the cloth and pulled it away to reveal River, dressed as a brilliant blue bird kneeling in the golden cage which began to rise. As soon as it started rising, a long length of material fell from the ceiling. Star jumped, wrapping the length around her body and began climbing. When she was about twenty-five feet from the top, Jo swung out and snatched her off the length of silvery cloth which quickly disappeared into the ceiling as they soared back and forth. The show had begun…
*.*.*
Tai Tek sat three seats up from the floor of the center ring. His eyes moved back and forth between the performance and the Royal family sitting almost directly across from him. All their eyes were turned to watch the aerialist. His eyes narrowed when he saw the huge Grand Ruler of Elipdios glance over in his direction. The male seemed to be looking at the two women beside him more than at him. He had heard the bastard had a taste for females. Unfortunately, two of the assassins he had hired to kill him in his sleep had already failed. He had killed the women as brutally as he had the males he had hired.
Tai Tek had no regrets except for the fact that he would have liked to have watched how the huge warrior killed. There was something about watching a woman taking her last breath as he was fucking her that turned him on. His preferences did not lean toward women, he just enjoyed the release. He had kept true feelings for one male and one male only – until the little bitch had killed him. Tai Tek’s eyes moved to the tiny human female sitting next to Lord Jazin. He wanted her alive. He would prefer to have them both alive but he knew after Lord Jazin’s rescue from his prison fortress he was unlikely to get another chance to kill him. But the female, that was a different story. He watched how the young royal put his arm protectively around her, drawing her closer.
Yes, he thought savagely. Listening to her scream as I kill her will help heal the pain of my own loss.
He leaned over to the hard female closest to him. “I want the small female alive. You can knock her out, just don’t kill her. I want that pleasure for my own,” he ordered quietly.
“Yes sir,” the dark blue female responded.
He looked at the other one. “Do you think you can kill the Grand Ruler or do I need to get one of the other warriors to do it?”
The other blue female tossed her mane of burnt orange hair over her shoulder before responding. “I can kill them all,” she sneered. “I want double the credits to kill him though.”
“Double?” Tai Tek growled out with a frown.
Sharp teeth glistened briefly before her lips firmed. “For the insult,” she hissed out.
“Just kill him. You won’t get a thing if you are dead,” Tai Tek snapped out under his breath.
“Tell the men to get ready. As soon as the final performance ends, cut them down,” he told the man who had replaced his former Captain of the Guard.
“What of the others?” The male asked looking at the other audience members sitting around them.
Tai Tek glanced dismissively at the colorfully dressed men and women sitting around them. It looked like some of the local merchants were enjoying the new variety of species Lord Manota had returned with. His lips pulled back in distaste as his eyes settled on one particularly ugly human female who grinned at him and blew a kiss before hiding behind a small fan with a look of amusement.
Tai Tek looked away. “Kill them as well. You can take the human females if you want for the men as a bonus,” he said in disgust.
The male grinned as his eyes swept over an especially well built female with a dark mane of hair hanging down her back. She was standing next to several large containers on wheels. Every once in a while, her hand would disappear under the cover of one of them before reappearing. He wanted that one in his bed.
*.*.*
“How many are there?” Manota asked Kev as he pulled the belt containing his weapons on.
“Over a hundred in all. There are sixty inside, another forty surrounding the tent. We have eighty inside plus the humans,” Kev said watching Tai Tek on the screen he had set up.
“Jarmen, have you heard from Dakar?” Jazin asked looking over at his friend.
“Yes, the attack on the Spaceport was cut short. It would appear the Grand Ruler had some re-enforcements of his own on hand. I have been editing the messages being sent to Tai Tek. He believes the attack was successful. By the way, a Captain Mena asked Dakar to tell Lord Ajaska hello. I am assuming your father is familiar with the Captain.”
Ajaska flushed and muttered a curse about youthful indiscretions. “What of his men that landed?” Ajaska asked Jarmen with a fierce scowl.
“Lord Gril and our additional forces are moving into position. Only the hundred or so warriors currently in the compound are a threat,” Jarmen said with a slight frown as if he was receiving information he was not happy with.
“Jar,” Jazin repeated.
“Yes Jazin,” Jarmen said with a jerk of his head, his eyes glowing a deep dark red.
“Are you okay?” Jazin asked, concerned for his friend.
“There is a problem with one of the humans. I must go help her,” Jarmen said turning. “I will continue to monitor the situation.”
Manota glanced at Jazin who was watching as Jarmen disappeared into the darkness. “Do you think he is alright?”
Jazin looked at his older brother and gave a brief nod. “Yes, he wouldn’t leave unless it was important.”
“Kev, what of the other star systems?” Torak asked sharply.
“Reports are coming in that their attacks have started. There is fierce fighting but the rebels are outnumbered. The hidden bases are being overtaken as we speak. Techs have been sent in to retrieve as much information as possible before it is destroyed.”
“Gentlemen,” Marcus said coming up behind them. “I hate to interrupt you but the last act is about to begin. I need you in position for this to work.”
Torak looked around, a low curse escaping as he realized that Ristéard was missing. He looked at Manota who shrugged his shoulders as if to say it wasn’t his turn to watch the huge blue ruler. They would have no choice but to continue without him.
“I hope that big blue bastard doesn’t get himself killed,” Ajaska muttered. “It would play hell on our diplomatic mission.”
“I just hope he doesn’t get the rest of us killed,” Manota muttered as he stepped up to the ladder leading up to the top of the tent.
Chapter 27
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Walter called out from the center of the ring. “For tonight’s final presentation, you will be taken to the magical realm of Isla, home of the Elves who battled for Middle Earth. This realm has only been seen by a few, gifted with the power to open the door between our world and theirs! Tonight, Marcus the Magnificent will open the portal between our two worlds and a few chosen warriors will be granted access to journey to meet the great ruler, Queen Shakari the Strong.”
The lights moved around in the circle, as if searching for Marcus. Suddenly, a stream of purple smoke swirled through the tent. It flew over the heads of those in the stands, causing them to jerk their heads lower as it moved. It paused over Tai Tek before it darted over to the center of the ring and exploded into the floor in a shower of sparks. When it cleared, Marcus was standing in the center – his arms stretched out over his head. A dark purple cloak covered his body and a darker purple turban with a large ruby in the center of it swirled with color.
Kev Mul Kar was following the performance on the monitors. He glanced at the human male called Stan and grinned. The guy was sitting back with a small ancient looking remote of some kind between his hands. His finger and thumb controlling the flight of the small remote controlled device he had created.
“Sweet,” Kev said with an appreciation of the man’s skills. “What else can that thing do?”
Stan grinned and blew out a bubble. “You would be amazed my friend. I have seen things no man should see with these little babies.”
Kev turned his eyes back to the screen. “Bill did a great job with the explosives. They completely covered Marcus’ entrance.”
“It’s all in the illusion, man. You just need to distract and give the audience what they ‘think’ they want to see. Watch what Marcus does next,” Stan said nodding toward the monitor. “See that Tai Tek guy’s face. He is focused on Marcus’ hands and body movements. Now watch as Marcus turns the glass Marvin and Martin brought out. The guy never saw the wires as the cloth comes down. He ‘sees’ what Marcus wants him to see. Just like he wants to see the Royal family sitting in the bleachers across from him. Cameras, lighting, and a little video and you have a group of people sitting who aren’t really there.”
Kev nodded watching as Stan moved the camera just a touch to make it look like Manota was talking to Jo when in reality, Manota was taking up a position to take out Tai Tek from above. Jazin was moving into position across from him next to Tami and Alan. Torak was moving in from the left side. Ajaska was taking care of the intruders outside the tent with the Grand Ruler – hopefully.
“Looks like the guys outside are dropping like flies,” Stan said, blowing another bubble. “Uh-oh, ouch. This is going to hurt.”
Kev turned to look at Stan’s screen. “What happened? Why did you say uh-oh?”
Stan looked briefly over his shoulder at Kev. “Katarina brought out the big guns. She has the lions out. Mane and Tye. Those two are pissy on a good day. How she keeps control of those damn cats never ceases to amaze me.”
Kev watched as a tall, willowy woman walked out into the light and smiled at Tai Tek’s Captain of the Guard who had slipped out a few minutes earlier. The woman tilted her head and shook it. The huge ugly bastard must have said something the woman didn’t like because the smile faded from her face to be replaced with a narrow-eyed look. The Captain of the Guard took another step toward the woman. Out of the corner of the screen, Kev saw a dark shape move with a quick burst of speed. The man’s scream was cut short as a huge, powerful animal sunk its powerful teeth into the male’s neck.
“Yep, that had to hurt,” Stan said switching to another screen. “Looks like your blue guy has been busy. Does that look like blood to you?”
Kev was too busy watching as the huge beast dragged the body of Tai Tek’s main man into the shadows. “How does she control those beasts?” Kev asked suddenly worried about his men.
Stan shrugged. “Damned if I know. I swear she can talk to them. Hey, it looks like Tony’s got Myrtle helping out,” he said with
a grin. “You have ten tons of elephant step on you and you know you are having a bad day.”
Kev just glanced at Stan before he focused back on his own task. He was to monitor everything. Alert the others if there was a problem and get the women out if it starts looking bad. At the rate it was going, he was going to be watching the entire battle from behind a vidcom with a guy who spent way too much time and even more enjoyment attached to one.
“Don’t you want to be out there?” Kev asked irritated that he was missing out.
Stan looked at Kev like he was out of his mind. “Are you kidding me? A guy could get killed out there! Hell, a guy did just get killed. No man, give me a console, a keyboard and a remote and I can control the world safely from this little room.”
“Where is the fun in that?” Kev muttered under his breath.
Kev watched two human females take out another male. A curse tore from him when the delicate features of Jade Ryan was illuminated. He was out of his chair before he realized it.
“Hey! Where you going, man? The action is just starting,” Stan asked as Kev ripped open the door to the control room.
“To have some fun. Monitor the transmissions and warn the others if needed,” Kev growled out before he slipped out of the room.
Stan shrugged as he watched Ajaska kill two more men. “Whatever floats your boat, dude. I’m having as much fun as I can handle from here.” He entered a few commands and tapped into the communications that Kev had been listening to. His eyes widened as he listened to the battle going on in space. A wicked smile curled his lips as he added a few more lines and opened their video feeds. “Piece of cake,” he chuckled, picking up one of his prized stash of potato chips and soda. “Look out, dude. Damn, you should have gone the other way, man. You’re dead now,” Stan muttered as he pulled his gum out and stuck it on the edge of the monitor before popping some chips into his mouth.
Chapter 28