Cornering Carmen

by S. E. Smith

  “She is in good hands, my friend,” Ha’ven said quietly. “Let us find the information that we came for so you can be reunited with her.”

  “I swear on my life, Ha’ven,” Creon muttered darkly. “When I find my uncle, I am going to gut him. He has caused too much grief to be given even the privilege of a warrior’s death.”

  “I agree. But first, we must find Vox,” Ha’ven gently reminded his friend. “You have to admit it will be a lot of fun watching Vox’s face when we rescue his sorry ass.”

  Creon grunted, fighting the urge to charge through the crowd after his mate. “Let us finish this. I want to take my mate somewhere I know she will be safe.”

  Creon turned and strode off, blending into the crowded streets. He would find Devnar first. He was a Toluskin, a thick-hided beast with two legs and four arms. Devnar owned a parts and recovery business dealing in legal and illegal equipment. Anyone who needed a part for their transport went through him. He dealt with a few honest freighter captains, a couple of honest military personnel, and a lot of dishonest ones, not to mention the wide assortment of space pirates who visited the Spaceport. He also never forgot a conversation or a face which made him better than any holovid feed.

  He moved through the crowded streets easily as most patrons took one look at him and gave him plenty of room. He kept one hand on the short sword on his hip and the other on the laser pistol gripped tightly in his hand. His long black hair was tied back at his nape. He wore the typical uniform of black leather pants and vest with a black undershirt. He had several knives hidden around his body including two in each low cut boot. This was a world he was very familiar with and he knew better than to let his guard down.

  Turning down a narrow alley, he glanced at a couple of Marastin Dow, a slim, purple species that were known space pirates. They followed no star system's rules. Their own world was a deadly maze of murderers, thieves and cutthroats. Their young were taught early that life was either kill or be killed. In fact, the males and females were given the same training in the art of piracy. He had been to their world several times and had no desire to ever go again.

  Creon ignored them knowing they were more of a scavenger and would never attack a full grown Valdier dragon warrior unless they were in a large group. They preferred sneaking up on their opponents and slitting their throats. He turned down several more alleys before he came back out onto a larger thoroughfare near the lesser kept docking berths.

  He paused to look around carefully. He knew he was being followed. He could feel it and so could his dragon. It was pacing back and forth in agitation.

  I feel it too, my friend, he said silently. Patience, they will show themselves soon enough.

  I kill, his dragon snarled angrily.

  Only after we get the information we want, Creon assured his more temperamental self.

  He pushed through the partially opened door listening as a chime sounded to let Devnar know he had company. The huge round body of the Toluskin had to turn sideways to get through the back door of the small shop. The shop was dimly lit but that was not a problem for Creon as he called his dragon to the surface. His eyes narrowed into long slits and glowed a dark, rich gold.

  “You know, I could get good credits for those eyes of yours,” Devnar snorted out.

  “Credits are of no use to a dead man, Devnar,” Creon replied as a return greeting.

  Devnar’s deep laugh caused his whole body to move. The dark orange and gray leathery skin rippled as he crept closer to the narrow counter separating the front from the back. He leaned two of his arms on the counter while keeping the other two hidden below the scarred surface of it.

  “What can old Devnar do for a Valdier dragon prince?” Devnar snorted out in a thick accented voice. “You ever want to join the fight rings, I can get you some good opponents. I could do 60/40 with you. Best offer I’ve ever made to anyone.”

  “The first thing you can do is raise your other two arms up above the counter before I remove the ones resting on it. I have no desire to harm you, my old friend, but I have little patience right now,” Creon said, pulling his short sword out of its sheath part way.

  Devnar snorted several times but slowly raised his other two arms, resting all four on the counter. “Now you know old Devnar knows better than to mess with you. I owe you a life debt,” he responded leaning heavily against the counter. “You tell Devnar what you want and I’ll get it for you.”

  “You owe me three life debts, you old thief,” Creon grunted out, moving closer. “I don’t need parts, I need information. I know if anyone talked you would hear about it.”

  Devnar nodded. “What information do you need? There is much talk going on. This have anything to do with the disappearance of a certain hot-headed, stubborn cat prince?”

  Creon’s lips twisted at Devnar’s description of Vox. “You aren’t still upset with him, are you? He did save your life from that Bovdean assassin.”

  “Yeah, he did but I’ve got cat claws across my ass from him grabbing me and pulling me under that damn shuttle. The misses wasn’t happy with me. She thought I had been to the pleasure house and got caught by a Sarafin Warrior working over his woman. Took me almost a month to get her to quit throwing things at me,” Devnar snorted out angrily.

  Creon shrugged. “Be thankful it was your ass he grabbed and not something else. What have you heard?”

  “I heard your uncle has decided he wants control of the Valdier star system, preferably without the current royals alive, that is except for a beautiful Valdier princess. I never heard the name but he did say something about she should have been his instead of his brother’s mate. I am assuming you will know who he was talking about?” Devnar asked, rubbing two of his hands together while one of the others scratched his ass.

  “You heard this from him directly?” Creon asked staring into the beady black eyes.

  One hand came up to rub the back of his thick neck. “Well, not exactly from him. I heard it from a man who was talking to another man who was working on a ship that heard a couple of the crewmen on board the Mortar, one of the warships your uncle is known to use, talking about it,” he responded with a shrug.

  Creon fought the urge to grind his teeth together in frustration. “What else did you hear?”

  “The Mortar was taking a hot headed prince and two of his men to the Antrox mining asteroid between the Quillar moons of Bosca and Dorland. They were going to have the Antrox work him until they sent notice that he was to be terminated. They were giving the damn insects three times the credits just to keep him,” Devnar grinned, if you could call the twist of his thick lips one. “I heard he killed three of the security force members guarding him before they knocked his ass out again. The captain ordered him and his men to be kept sedated until they were turned over to the Antrox. I bet his furry ass is royally pissed!” Devnar’s belly rolled again. “Do you get it? Furry royal ass! Damn, sometimes I’m good.”

  Creon shook his head in disgust at the Toluskin’s obvious enjoyment of Vox’s situation. “Have you heard anything else?” He asked, ready to be done with the Toluskin and get back to the ship.

  “Just for you to watch your back, dragon,” Devnar said, suddenly very serious. “Your uncle has a new weapon the crew was bragging about that can kill a Valdier warrior, his dragon, and his symbiot. That is a weapon a hundred star systems would pay a king’s treasure of credits for.”

  “Have you heard what the weapon is?” Creon asked tersely.

  Devnar was shaking his head. “Nope, the bastard is keeping it close to his chest. The crew doesn’t even know what it is, just that it works.”

  “Thank you, my friend,” Creon said turning to leave. “You only owe me two life debts. Your help is appreciated. Watch your own back until this is settled,” he added with caution before he turned back toward the door again.

  Devnar called out as Creon reached the doorway. “You just tell that damn cat shifter that my debt to him is paid. I would rather owe you
than him.”

  Creon nodded his head in agreement before he walked out of the door. He turned the opposite way from which he came. He wanted to know who was following him and he wanted answers to what his uncle was up to next. He strode down the crowded street, stepping off a narrow walkway before ducking into a covered doorway. His eyes scanned the crowd focusing in on a dark green and brown scaled reptilian species often hired for their skills as an assassin.

  There! His dragon hissed out in anger.

  You know what to do, my friend, Creon muttered darkly.

  Yes! His dragon growled out licking his lips in anticipation.

  Chapter 16Carmen grinned at the merchant who was trying to catch her attention with a large collection of brightly colored beads. She laughed when he put his small hands together as if begging for her to come shop at his stand. She kept her eyes scanning the crowds and stands in the marketplace. One of the older warriors who worked in the food service area on board the Horizon had become friends with Cal and he promised to escort Cal and Mel to the market so they could meet up.

  Harvey saw them before Carmen did. The huge gold symbiot bounced up to Mel, circling the boy over and over before sitting down so he could bend down and rub on him. The boy kept his head down and a huge hat covered his head. Carmen still hadn’t seen Mel’s face. The boy was extremely shy. He never came close when she came to visit preferring to stay with the small Pactor that he was caring for or hidden in the maze of huge crates stored in the repair bay. She didn’t know who was more surprised, her or Cree and Calo, when their two symbiots suddenly rushed to the boy who was kneeling down. Both symbiots brushed up against him, pushing for some of the attention he was giving to Harvey. She watched as the boy, who kept his head tilted down, rubbed his hands up and down both symbiots affectionately.

  “Carmen, it is good to see you,” Cal said with a wide grin and a soft southern drawl, drawing her attention back to him. “Zuk has been showing us around. We left the ship as soon as it docked so we could get a few things Mel and I needed. Have you eaten? Zuk was saying there is a good place not far from here.”

  “No. We’ve been exploring. Isn’t this just totally mind blowing? I mean, I saw alien movies back home but to see them in real life is like… so different than I was expecting!” Carmen said as she watched several creatures that were obviously women walk by them staring at her with just as much interest as she was staring at them.

  “If you permit me, my lady, it would be a pleasure to escort you, Cal, and Mel to grab a bite to eat,” Zuk said politely making sure he had Cree and Calo’s permission as well.

  “Thank you, Zuk,” Carmen replied, looking over to where Mel was still kneeling with the three symbiots surrounding him. “Cal, do you think Mel would mind if we joined you?”

  Cal turned to look hesitantly down at his grandson before he turned back and stared at the two men behind Carmen. “Yeah, Mel will be fine. Just make sure that those two stay back or it might spook him. He doesn’t like being out here and is jumpy as hell as it is. Maybe your gold friends there can sit with him. They seem to have a calming effect on the boy.”

  Carmen smiled in understanding. “That would be fine,” Carmen replied in relief.

  The small group moved slowly through the marketplace, down the street and finally up two levels. Mel followed behind them all with Harvey and the twin Werecats by his side. He made sure to keep a wide berth of Cree and Calo who kept turning around and frowning back at him when he dragged his feet too much. Carmen felt sorry for the boy. The huge hat and obvious over-large clothes overwhelmed his small figure.

  “Cal, has Mel has always been this way?” Carmen asked quietly, not wanting the boy to hear her.

  “Naw, just since we were taken,” he replied gruffly. “It’s been especially hard on him. Being taken away from his world at such a young age. The only thing he found comfort in is taking care of those damn mine creatures.”

  “Maybe I can talk to Creon about taking you back to Earth,” Carmen said hesitantly. “I can’t promise anything but he might agree when all this is over to return you and your grandson. If not, you are both welcome on Valdier. It is truly an incredible world and I’m sure you would be welcomed.”

  Cal looked back at Mel who was falling further behind again. He started when he saw Calo walk toward his grandson. He frowned when he saw Mel jerk back until Harvey and Calo and Cree’s symbiots surrounded him protectively. Calo said something quietly to Mel before turning sharply with an angry expression on his normally cheerful face and marched back to stand behind Carmen in stiff silence.

  “We would appreciate anything you can do,” Cal said sadly. “Mel and I both will never forget your kindness,” he added looking at Mel one last time before following Zuk into the small eating establishment he had told them about.

  They were seated at a large rectangular table near the door of the small bar. It reminded Carmen of some of the open Cantina’s back home in Mexico. There was a circular bar in the center of the room. All different types of creatures sat drinking and eating around it, as well as, around the widely spaced tables. Carmen puzzled at first why the tables were so far apart until she saw the barmaids moving around taking orders and serving drinks. The smallest one had to be almost four feet wide and six feet tall. They each wore sheer scarves over what looked like a two piece that barely covered their multiple breasts and lower region. They were had a dark, scaly red skin with long, green hair. Their faces were flattened with only two small slits where their nose was, no lips to speak of, and tiny black eyes.

  Carmen knew she was staring and had to force her eyes back to the images on the table. “If you wish to order anything just touch the image,” Zuk said with a smile. “If you are not sure what something is I can help you.”

  Cree looked down at the far end of the table where Mel sat. He frowned when he saw the twin bands of gold peeking out from around the boy’s slender wrists briefly before he pulled his jacket down over his hands again.

  “What do you want to eat boy?” He called out harshly.

  Mel’s dark green eyes peeked up at him briefly before he lowered his head again and slumped in his seat, as if he was trying to disappear into it. Cree’s jaw clenched and he looked at his brother who was staring in stony silence at Mel. Cree shook his head briefly at his brother when he turned to look at him.

  “I’ll order for Mel,” Cal said briskly. “The boy doesn’t eat much.”

  “He needs to eat more,” Calo bit out gruffly. “He is too small for his age as it is. How will he become a strong warrior if he doesn’t start eating. Maybe Cree and I can work with him on developing his strength and fighting skills.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Cal responded. “Carmen is going to ask her mate if he will return us to our world. Mel will be fine the way he is once we get home.”

  Both men turned to glare at Carmen before they looked down angrily. “Perhaps that’s for the best,” Calo finally said in a quiet tone. “If you don’t mind, I am not hungry. I will patrol the area outside,” he added, standing up.

  Cree stood as well. “I will take the back. We will leave our symbiots with you. If you need anything, just call out. We will be close.”

  Carmen frowned at the two brothers as they quickly left the bar. She glanced down and was surprised when she saw Mel’s eyes following the men. She was definitely missing something but she couldn’t quite figure it out. She was about to say something when one of the servers appeared with their food. She looked down at the breads, cheeses, and fruits in relief. She recognized many of them from the warship and Valdier.

  She looked up when she heard Zuk chuckle. “I didn’t think you would care for some of the more traditional fare of the residents here,” he said pointing to his own dish that looked like a combination of cooked worms and strips of a mauve meat.

  Carmen pressed a hand to her stomach as it suddenly rolled in distress. “I need to visit the little girl’s room,” she whispered, turning pale.

>   Cal looked at Carmen in concern. “Are you feeling okay?” He asked anxiously.

  “I’m fine,” she choked out. “Bathroom?”

  Zuk pointed toward a narrow corridor. Carmen threw him a grateful, if shaky, smile before hurrying off to the bathroom. She sighed in relief when she saw an emblem she recognized from her studies and pushed the door open. She made it to the toilet just in time as her stomach rebelled. She braced her hands on the wall until she felt like she had expelled everything that was going to come out. She shakily wiped a hand across her mouth as she straightened up. The light went over the bowl of the toilet and the contents disappeared. She stumbled over to the device on the wall and waved her hands in front of it. Another light appeared and swipe over her hands. She just needed something for her mouth now. Taking a chance, she leaned forward and opened her mouth in front of the light sensor. Sure enough, the light focused on her mouth, cleansing it. With relief, Carmen opened the door only to find herself facing two slender, purple females standing outside the door. One of them sprayed something in her face. Carmen vaguely felt the other one grabbing her as she began to collapse. Her first thought was a sense of disbelief that this could be happening before she sent out a brief call for help as darkness descended on her.

  *.*.*

  Zuk and Cal were talking quietly when Harvey suddenly shifted into the shape of a Werecat and hissed loudly in distress. The two creatures sitting next to Mel immediately moved in closer and began shimmering in a variety of colors as they sensed the danger that Harvey had reacted to. Zuk ordered Cal to stay with Mel as he stood quickly, yelling out for Cree and Calo.

  Harvey was moving through the tables, ignoring the curses as he knocked several over, spilling food and drink everywhere. He moved rapidly toward the corridor where Carmen had disappeared down. He paused as he froze to scent the air around the door, his loud sound of distress was so high-pitched, glass shattered.