Trian's Spark

by T. Cobbin

  Dread filled Amelia’s heart. How many more Lesh could Zoe take on before they were overcome? But this time it wasn’t blue, four-armed aliens who stood at the open doorway. As Zoe pounded the pole into the Lesh’s stomach again, Trian and a group of Gracians looked at her in stunned amazement.

  * * * *

  Trian and his team ran down the Lesh ship’s hallway, stunning and fighting any Lesh that stood in their way. They’d covered two floors so far and still hadn’t found the human females. His heart beat so fast in his chest, his energy built with every step.

  As they rounded a corner sounds of a conflict as well as a woman’s grunt could be heard. Three doors opened as his team passed them to reveal nothing but empty rooms. As the fourth door opened, Trian stood stunned, watching a small female with a silver pole belting the shit out of two tall, four-armed, blue aliens. He was even more shocked to see three other Lesh lying unconscious on the floor.

  “Don’t just stand there, bozos. Help!” Zoe shouted at them.

  Trian’s team rushed forward. In a matter of moments five Lesh lay strewn at their feet. He spotted Amelia’s ashen face as she sat against a bench. She looked like she was in pain. His ran over to her and sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms. She cried out as he cupped her head to his chest. As he pulled away to look down at her, he felt then saw her blood on his hand. She suddenly slumped to her side in his arms.

  “Amelia? Amelia, talk to me, me unum,” he begged.

  But her beautiful green eyes stayed closed.

  “Basup,” he barked into his comm. “Basup?” he shouted again.

  Nothing. Silence.

  “Frinx. We can’t zap back if we don’t know the ship is close enough to do it.” He swore, looking up toward his men. He watched Fortua try to contact his ship and receive the same silence.

  “We need to get to the ship’s bridge. They must have some kind of blocking device. It’s either that or one of us risking a zap back?” Fortua said.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Trian replied, annoyed. “I won’t risk any of your lives for that, not even yours,” he snarled.

  He glanced down at his unaware mate. Getting to the Lesh’s ship’s bridge would be a struggle, even without holding her. But to leave her behind… Trian couldn’t do that. He raised his head, seeking out Zoe. His protective instincts rose to tell him to guard the woman as much as his spark, but he’d seen her hold her own.

  “We take the females with us.” Placing one arm under Amelia’s legs and the other at her back, Trian stood, clutching her to his chest. She looked like she was sleeping. Peaceful. Raising his gaze, he stared at each of his men. “Surround the female and protect her.” His eyes met Zoe’s as a tirade left her mouth.

  “You overgrown, pompous, male ego loaded arseholes. Who do you think you are? I come from a society of equals. I’ve just pummeled three Lesh down, and you saw me about to take out two more.” She placed a hand on her hips, her face turning a rather red shade.

  “I… We know you can fight.” He placated the female. “We’ve just witnessed it. But the pole you hold in your hand may be too long for the small corridors we must get through. Plus, it is our way to protect our females. Zoe, please, I ask you to trust us. The reason I asked my men to protect you was not because I don’t think you’re capable of doing it yourself.”

  She frowned and then glanced down at the pole she held. To Trian’s relief she nodded. “Fine. But I’m keeping this,” she said, thumping the pole on the floor.

  Trian glanced once more at his men. “Our goal is to reach the bridge. We need to contact either the Hanja or the Gemorph.”

  Each male slapped a fist over his heat. “Pagna ut vivet,” they said together.

  Trian stepped over the fallen Lesh and followed Fortua, his men, and Zoe into the small corridor toward the lift.

  Not once did Amelia stir in Trian’s arms as the group made their way toward the bridge of the Lesh ship. As they walked down the corridors, fighting the Lesh they strayed upon, Trian constantly kept his finger over her iungo, feeding her energy. Feeling her steady pulse with another of his fingers fed him hope she was still alive. With her head resting on his arm, he could feel her blood crusting in her long hair. He knew even for Gracians that didn’t bleed, head wounds could be fatal, for these small female humans that bled, he wondered if the possibility of death was even stronger. Glancing down at his spark, Trian wanted her to open her eyes so he could see her beautiful green eyes once more.

  Finally, after a long, hard slog, Trian and his men stood near a door that they assumed was the bridge. His men were covered in blue gunk and various cuts and bruises from the fallen Lesh they had left behind. Even Zoe, who’d been mostly protected, showed a tiredness in her movements. She had a long gash above her eye that was bleeding, leaving blood smeared over her face. It might not have been the Lesh’s fault the two human women were on their ship, but Trian knew if the Lesh had found the women, they would have been sold as slaves. Again, anger rose inside him at the thought that one of his men had zapped these two females to the Lesh ship. He vowed to find that male and make him pay.

  “Ready?” Fortua asked.

  Each man stood straight even though their eyes and energy gave off a weariness about them. With a look toward his unaware spark, Trian knew he had to hand her over to another. He hadn’t been in the fray to the bridge and knew although he’d been feeding his power to Amelia, he wasn’t as tired as some of his men. It had been a long, hard battle to the bridge so far. The Lesh had kept coming.

  Turning to his long-time rival, who looked the worse of them all, he asked, “Fortua, will you hold my spark?”

  Fortua’s eyes quickly showed his surprise before he held himself in check. He slid his dagger and stunner into their sheaths then held his arms out. “I’ll guard her with my life.”

  Trian swallowed, placing a kiss on his mate’s warm forehead before handing her over. His heart beat faster as nausea rose at the sight of Amelia in another male’s arms. Blanking his features, he turned his attention to Zoe.

  “Will you guard Fortua at the back?” Trian knew asking Zoe to stay behind with Fortua would just cause an argument, so thinking fast, he decided to ask her to guard Fortua instead, hoping she’d fall for it.

  Zoe’s right eyebrow rose. “You think I’m stupid?”

  Nope, that didn’t work, he thought with a mental smirk. Admiration for these human females rose each time he learned something new about them. These women were not like his own—sheltered, soft, and weak if a fight was to ensue. They wouldn’t be seen dead raising a hand in a brawl.

  “Fucking staying behind to guard him.” Zoe snorted and pointed toward Fortua.

  “Would you at least stay with him?” Trian asked, hoping desperately she’d say yes. But again, hope faded at keeping the woman safe.

  “Fuck off,” she snarled. “You go in, I go in. I can take care of myself. If I die, it was meant to be.” Zoe stuck her chin out defiantly.

  “Okay,” Trian acquiesced. “But let us go in first,” he ordered. Trian turned to his men. “Ready?” he asked.

  Each man nodded, readying their weapons. With one last glance at his mate, Trian stepped toward the bridge doors and watched them open.

  It would seem the Lesh were expecting the Gracians because as the door opened to show the bridge, twelve Lesh stood waiting for them with their weapons drawn. Trian dropped to his knees and fired six shots off in various directions. He watched from the corner of his eyes as two of his men, one on either side of him, each killed a Lesh. Zoe aided Eon on his right by using her pole to knock one of the Lesh’s gun out of his hand. Trian wasn’t sure if he should damn the woman for not staying back or hold her in regard being she knew what she was doing. Shots were fired to and fro, but gradually, Trian made his way, followed by his men, to the center of the bridge until only one Lesh remained. The male dropped his gun and held all four hands in the air.

  Chapter 18

  “I surren
der,” the Lesh said, his face paling.

  “Are you the captain of this ship?” Trian asked.

  The Lesh shook his head and pointed with a finger still held in the air to a body that lay dead to his right.

  Trian shrugged. “Looks like you are now. What’s your name, Captain?” he asked, an idea beginning to form.

  “Koma.”

  “Well, Captain Koma,” Trian said, enunciating captain again. “I might let you live… If you do just one thing for me.”

  Koma nodded vigorously as blue gunk, which Trian could only assume was sweat, began to pour down his face.

  “I will only tell you one more time, Lesh. This planet is protected. If any of your kind decide to enter this space again, I will kill each and every one. Understand?”

  Koma nodded quickly.

  “As you are well aware, there are three Gracian ship in this vicinity, and more will be joining us. Make sure that is known,” Trian said.

  Again, the Lesh nodded.

  “Sit, Captain.” Trian motioned with his gun to what he assumed was the captain’s chair.

  Koma sat but still held his hands up.

  Zoe stood beside the Lesh and poked him in the chest with the end of her silver pole. “Yeah, dirtbag, you fucking come back and I’ll shove this pole where the sun doesn’t shine. Capiche?”

  Trian tried so hard to hold back his grin but failed when he saw the wide-eyed, startled look that the Lesh had on his face. He bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to taste blood, finally managing to wipe the smile off his face. “Eon, get us comms to the Gemorph,” he ordered.

  Knowing the male would follow his order, Trian walked back to the bridge door where Fortua stood holding Amelia. He didn’t waste a second more as he lifted his mate into his arms and against his chest. She was still so quiet and pale, and Trian didn’t like it one bit.

  “Sir, we have comms,” Eon said, pressing a button.

  Relief flooded Trian seeing Iryano’s face fill the bridge’s chrono screen.

  “You done having fun?” Iryano asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

  “How close are you?” Trian asked.

  “Close enough for you to zap home.”

  “Meet me in medical,” Trian ordered. Turning, he glanced once more toward the Lesh. “Heed my words, don’t come back.” With that, Trian turned to Fortua who was standing close to Zoe. “You able to zap with a passenger?”

  “Oh, fuck no,” Zoe screamed, spinning around to face the captain. “Don’t you touch me. You dare lay a hand on me and you’ll never rub one out with that hand again,” she shouted. “Take me back on a shuttle or something.”

  Fortua viewed her in bewilderment. “Rub one out?” he questioned, his face the picture of confusion Trian was sure echoed his own.

  “Wank yourself, you dumbarse.”

  Fortua raised a hand toward Zoe as if to grab her.

  “Don’t you dare.” She shook her head. “One of you has already fucking zapped me here, and it made me sick. When I see him I’m going to—”

  Fortua smirked, but his eyes held an unsaid apology. He quickly placed a hand on Zoe’s waist and was gone. Trian followed, knowing his men wouldn’t be far behind him.

  * * * *

  Amelia heard voices whispering through the darkness until gradually they became voices she could distinguish. She heard Zoe ranting in the background in between retching.

  “You fucking jerk…” Retch. “You stupid dumbarse.” Retch. “Your fucking balls are going to be your new pair of tonsils once I’m done here.”

  Through the fogginess in Amelia’s brain, she wondered what was making Zoe sick. And who was she ranting at? Slowly, thoughts about herself crept in. Why was there a cannon ball rolling around in her head? Why was it so dark? Why couldn’t she see? You have your eyes closed, that’s why, dumbarse! She chastised herself for being so stupid.

  Amelia opened her eyes to see the dimly lit ceiling she recognized as the Gemorph’s sickbay. She was on the Gemorph? How had she gotten there? She gazed around and settled on the worried eyes of her mate who was sitting beside her bed. At the sight of him, relief flooded her system.

  “I’m so glad to see you,” she croaked out through her dry throat. Tears blurred her vision.

  “Shush now, me unum. You are home and safe.” Trian cupped her face with his warm hands and stroked a stray tear off her cheek. “Hover.” Trian twisted his head to call the medic who immediately appeared at his side.

  “Greetings, Amelia. It’s good to see you awake. How are you feeling?” he asked while running a scanner over her head.

  “Thirsty,” she replied. Her throat felt like the Sahara Desert. “And my head feels like it’s going to burst.”

  Amelia had no idea where Trian got a glass of water from, but he gently placed it in her hands. He slid his arm under her head and raised her off the bed so she could drink. The feel of the liquid passing through her dry throat was a blessing. She relished every single drop. Trian took the empty glass from her, then helped her lay back down. Just that small amount of movement had taken all her energy. Trian entwined his fingers with hers.

  “Am I okay to give you some pain relief, Amelia?” Hover asked, bending slightly over her so she could see him clearly.

  “Yes, please.” She almost begged. She felt the device at her neck, and as the button was pressed, her pain drifted away.

  “When can I take her back to our cabin?” Trian asked Hover.

  The medic chuckled. “Not quite yet, Captain. She has a small fracture to her skull and a concussion.” Hover turned his attention to her. “You hit your head quite hard, but with our medication you should be okay by tomorrow. All you have to do is rest.” He patted a hand on her shoulder and turned his attention back to Trian. “Do we know who took them yet, sir?”

  Trian shook his head. Hover grumbled something and left. Amelia watched the doctor walk across the room to attend to Zoe. Seeing Fortua standing beside her friend had something in her brain urging it to remember something important. But no matter how much Amelia tried, she couldn’t do it.

  Trian’s finger running over the lines between her eyes had her gaze shifting to him. He looked so worried. “What causes this frown?” he asked.

  “I can’t seem to remember much about what happened,” she admitted as yet again she tried to dig through the fogginess of her brain to recall the events. Closing her eyes, she shifted through the murkiness. “I remember hiding in the bathroom and hearing two Lesh in the hallway. They were talking about…” Amelia fought to remember. Gradually, a small amount of the dark lifted. “Sick. Zoe vomited, and they were talking about it… Hang on, why did Zoe puke?” she asked herself. “Oh yeah, some wanker zapped us to the Lesh ship.”

  Amelia snapped her eyes open to look across the room toward Zoe, who was lying on a medical bed. Her face was pale, but she was calm and quiet, now wrapped underneath a silver blanket.

  “Is she okay?” Amelia asked.

  “Who? Zoe?” Trian followed her stare. “Yes, she’s fine. She has a few bumps and bruises, along with a gash to her head, but she’ll recover. I’ve never seen a female fight as well as she did. And even when we zapped home and she was being ill, Fortua received her wrath. To be honest, it was quite amusing to watch,” Trian mused. “I have never seen Fortua so…so taken with another person. I would even go as far as admitting I saw admiration for your friend on his face.” Trian’s swirling eyes met Amelia’s. “He hasn’t left her side since.”

  Amelia looked across the room toward the tall male. As Zoe lay quietly, Fortua did indeed gaze at her with a look of wonderment. He had always seemed like he didn’t give a shit. Had made her shiver with slight disgust at the way he viewed the human women. As he watched over Zoe now… Amelia could see a change in him. She guessed his attitude toward all her ladies would be drastically different from now on. She had no idea what Zoe had done, but Amelia would have to thank her later.

  Trian’s hand disappeared f
rom her face and he sat up straight. “Trian here.”

  She looked up at her man. His handsome features that had looked at her with worry were now back to being captain of the ship as he answered his comm.

  “Thank you. Please inform Frimm I will update him as soon as I know. Are we back in position?” Trian paused as he listened to whoever was talking to him. “Trian out,” he barked.

  Amelia wanted to ask who that was and what was going on but wasn’t sure she’d get an answer.

  Trian stared at her intently for a few moments before asking, “Do you know who zapped you to the Lesh ship, Amelia?”

  Amelia again tried to dig through her murky brain for a face. A male or female who might have zapped them. The only thing she could dig up was pain. It lashed through her skull the more she tried to search for the memory.

  “Amelia, stop,” Trian ordered. “Hover!”

  Amelia heard Trian shout for the medic, but still she tried to find that damn face that eluded her. Her vision began to fade, and she closed her eyes. She clutched Trian’s hand fiercely, adamant she would remember if she kept trying.

  Panic and frustration set in. She found it hard to breathe, and her skin turned clammy as nausea rose in her throat. What if he or she came for her again? Would she end up back on a Lesh ship and become a slave for ever more? She’d never get to see Trian again.

  She continued to search her mind for the illusive memory. She needed to know, she needed to find out. Something touched her neck, and she heard a small swoosh. Snapping her eyes open, she met Hover’s concerned gaze.

  “Sleep, Amelia. You will feel better when you awake.”

  No! No, she didn’t want to sleep. She couldn’t protect herself if she did. She wanted to cry out in anger as sleep pulled her under. Suddenly, the memory she’d wanted to see, the face of the man who’d taken her appeared. But she couldn’t make her mouth or tongue move to tell Trian, who still held her hand. She drifted off to nothingness, scared to death of what she might find when she awoke.

  * * * *

  “She will be out for a few hours, sir.”