The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2

by Elizabeth Price

  “Interesting, Chadon,” Tremble remarked.

  ***

  Later that night, Danstu didn’t bother knocking on Sedom’s door when he arrived at her unit. He knew she’d be waiting for him. He entered he unit, finding her sitting at her dining room table, once again surrounded by computer pads. To her left, there sat two stacks, eight computer pads each, along with several hand-written files and a glass of wine.

  She glanced up at him. “Section four-seven-nodda is clean and clear for Cidele’s redecorating team. The last orbs are repainting now. Dranium’s team has repaired factories six and four and is in the process of repairing factory one. I have two teams working through the night producing furniture. This should improve productivity levels considerably and keep Cidele from whining. I know she can cause quite a headache.”

  Danstu sank tiredly into a seat, taking up her hand-written reports first. They were written in Celibec, but it didn’t seem to affect his reading. It was her way of testing him. She knew he spoke Celibec, and now she knew he could read it as well.

  “You were listening to our conversation?” he asked, as if accusing her.

  Sedom sat back, watching Danstu with blank eyes. “I have to admit, I found it quite entertaining when Zion learned I gave you a higher security clearance.” She handed him another computer pad. “I’ve given the top eight access privileges. Once I’m use to our team, I’ll start granting more access. For now, you can come and go as you like, as long as you log where you’re going and for how long. The Corin is your ship to use, but due to its’ size it must remain docked on the moon. Also, you must clear two pilots to take you anywhere with an additional four wingmen and two fighters. I don’t want a repeat of what happened the other day. It’s a pain to fix damaged ships considering I don’t have the factories running yet to make new parts,” she mentioned, grinning meekly to show her concern. “Besides, it’s been mentioned that you know too much and I can’t have you falling into enemy hands.”

  “Understandable. I honestly would greatly appreciate it. The prospect of becoming a Marisheio POW doesn’t hold much appeal for me. Would it be acceptable to ask for flight lessons?” he asked.

  Sedom snapped her fingers and then pointed to him. “That’s an excellent idea. I’ll arrange lessons for you and for any other ship you might have need to fly. I also want you trained on how to use some of our weapons. They can be a bit tricky.”

  “A weapon might be a good idea. I don’t have one anymore,” Danstu mentioned.

  She nodded, standing. “I’ve been looking over the information the orbs gathered on our new staff and these sixteen…” she handed him yet another computer pad. She continued walking into her main office, near the front door, “…I want on the bridge,” she returned with a pistol. “I especially want the three listed at the top.” She handed him the pistol. “This is yours. I trust you know how to use it.” She paused to take a deep breath. “And yes, you do have my attention and my favor. Keep up the good work.”

  “Glad to hear, Chadon.” He took the pistol, tucking it into the waistband of his slacks. Seeing him tuck the pistol into his pants caused Sedom to cringe. “As you might have heard, I have six-hundred more recruits arriving in a few days. Many are pilots. I hope this pleases you,” he mentioned as he began gathering up the information Sedom gave him. As he leaned over, the pistol fell out of his pants, crashing onto the table. Instantly he dropped the computer pads, nearly spilling the wine over the pistol.

  “Stop!” Sedom yelled, forcing him away from the table. Danstu stepped back, his hands raised. She carefully picked up the pistol, examining it. She pointed to three buttons on the side. “If these three buttons are pushed at the same time, it will cause the pistol to overload and explode. Be more careful!” she warned as she handed it back to him.

  “I’m sorry, Chadon. It’s been a long day.” He took the pistol from her again. “I will look these over in my office and we’ll talk tomorrow.” He started for the door.

  Before he could leave, Sedom called him back. “Danstu, it’s been brought to my attention you haven’t slept in several days.” She walked over to her cabinet, removing a holster and handed it to him. “I don’t know about the Crehail, but I know for most species sleep is necessary.”

  Danstu took the holster. “So I’ve been told.” He removed his new pistol, sliding it into its holster. “Nice, thank you.”

  Sedom rested her hands on his shoulders, shocking him at first. “Go back to your quarters, take the night off and sleep. This is a direct order. I better not see any commands coming from you for the next seven hours or I’ll have you confined to your quarters. Now thanks to you, I have the man-power to act on my threats. I don’t want you making a stupid mistake. That’s my job,” she stated.

  “One last thing,” he began, not wanting to mention it, but he felt there was a need. “It was brought to my attention that one of the Crowell’s citizens was removed from the city,” he motioned.

  “He was being insubordinate to me,” she said.

  Danstu took in a deep breath as he began. “Once he was evicted, he went directly to the Marisheio for the reward. We’re going to need a better way of evicting those who don’t follow the rules,” he mentioned.

  Sedom’s expression fell. I messed up? She remained silent for a long moment, unable to form words. “Uh… how bad is the damage?”

  Danstu shrugged. “I sent a security team to handle it. We’ll know more within the hour. The fact we haven’t been attacked yet is a good sign,” he joked without meaning to.

  “In the future, I’ll send them to a holding cell on level three. I do ap—“

  Danstu raised a quick hand, forcing her to stop her words. “I’m here so you never have to say that. We check each other,” he said with a grin.

  Sedom closed her eyes, holding back her frustration with herself. “And apparently save each other…” she grumbled. She pointed a stern finger into his chest, seeing him waver. “Get to your bed, now!” she ordered.

  He nodded slowly. “I suppose that would be a good idea.” With that, he left without touching his wine.

  Sedom took his wine glass, sniffing it. The smell was divine. “Garric,” she called. He peeked around the corner from the living room. “Taste.”

  He took the glass, sniffing it. Hesitatingly, he took a sip. “Exceptional year.”

  “One of our best. He didn’t touch it,” she mentioned.

  “Rumors say he’s worked with the Windrit. I doubt you’ll ever see him drink,” he mentioned.

  Sedom sat back, waiting for an explanation. When no explanation was returned, she asked, “Why?”

  “Why? Well, wine weakens the defenses. After all his training, he won’t allow himself to be compromised by his superiors. He’s the kind of man who’d kill himself if he was ever caught,” he explained. “Your Nom’kel listened to your prayers,” he mentioned as he cleaned the unit.

  Sedom raised an amused eyebrow. “Good to know. How the hell did I end up with him?”

  ***

  Within his quarters, Danstu collapsed on his freshly made bed. He couldn’t remember making it, but he was grateful that it was. Though he was too exhausted to even pull back the covers or take off his shoes.

  Some time later, a knock came to his front door. He woke abruptly with a snort. “Who is it?” he called out, his face smothered in his pillow.

  Moments later a shadowy image of Rosanheer appeared in the doorway of his bedroom. “Forgive the intrusion. We have a distress call from the surface. Sortec is unavailable. We need to know if we should investigate.”

  “Investigate,” Danstu grumbled into his pillow.

  “Right away, sir,” Rosanheer said, hurrying out of the unit.

  “Hold up,” Danstu called out. “Let me change. I’ll be right there,” he said.

  He pulled himself out of bed, glancing over at the com unit in his room for the time. “Well, at least I managed five hours,” he muttered to himself. He rushed into the re
stroom, gave himself a quick towel bath, tossed on a fresh shirt and hurried after Rosanheer, who was waiting in the hall.

  “Did you get any sleep?” Rosanheer asked, with concern. He didn’t have to read the man’s thoughts to know how exhausted he was.

  Danstu shrugged as he yawned. “I managed a few hours. It’s enough sleep to know my mind is back in the driver’s seat. How did your mission go?” he asked.

  A sneer pulled at the corners of Rosanheer’s lips. “It’s been taken care of. Beyond that, I won’t bother you with the details,” he said with a grimace.

  “He’s dead?” Danstu asked.

  Rosanheer grunted. “If not, he will be soon,” he returned cryptically.

  “Fine. You do your job how you feel fit as long as it gets done.” Danstu sighed deeply, attempting to keep himself from asking the grizzly details. “Where’s Sortec?”

  “In her tower with Tremble, but the orbs won’t allow anyone near her,” Rosanheer explained.

  Danstu cupped his hands around his face to clear the sleep from his eyes. “I’ll handle it, but let Zion know he can override her commands as our chief of security,” he sniffled.

  “He can? Well, that would be helpful. I’ll let him know. His head’s been buried in that manual she gave him since we returned,” Rosanheer mentioned.

  Danstu stood, following Rosanheer out into his living room. “Maybe Sortec will want to stretch her legs. She’s been acting like she’s been cooped up too long. Maybe she can take her aggression out on someone other than me for once.” Danstu pointed out.

  Rosanheer nodded, amused by Danstu’s statement. “You’re learning her. That’s good.”

  SIXTEEN

  “Intruder alert,” called one of the orbs from the top step.

  “Authorization Nar-nity-sanka,” Danstu called out to the orbs as he walked up the stairs.

  “Chisarel,” Tremble acknowledged as Danstu approached the top of the lookout tower.

  Sedom glanced over her shoulder to the orb. “Let him pass,” she called out. She watched as he walked over to her. His eyes still looked bloodshot and his cheeks sunken, but he did look more rested. “I thought I ordered you to sleep seven hours.”

  He nodded, grinning slightly. “I managed to sleep for five. I’ll catch the other two on the next time around. Chadon, we have a distress signal from a small passenger ship. The Marisheio have shot it down and it has crash-landed in the forest. Rosanheer is requesting permission to investigate,” Danstu mentioned.

  Sedom stared at Danstu for a long moment as if his words made little sense to her ears. “Distress signal? Do you think there's a chance we'll reach them before the Marisheio?” she asked amused.

  Danstu didn't flinch. “I didn't think there was a chance a child could have rescued an entire city from a swarm of Marisheio soldiers. There are always possibilities and I don’t want to discount any of them.”

  Sedom rushed Danstu against the railing, pinning him there with a sharp elbow to his Adam's apple. “Call me a child again, I dare you. The next time you do, I will personally throw your body over the side.”

  “Chadon!” Tremble called out with concern. “Chadon, you need him. I’d suggest you not kill him… yet.” she called low.

  Although he couldn't breathe, Danstu never once removed his eyes from hers. “No… offense meant,” he gasped.

  She removed her hold letting Danstu breathe. She glared over at Tremble, finally turning away to hide her frustration. “So I do,” she grumbled. “Okay, where are they?”

  Danstu hunched over trying to regain his breath. Instead of telling her he gave her a computer pad with all the information. Sedom grabbed the pad, nodding her appreciation.

  “If you insist on being my assistant... then you're going to have to learn a few things. For one, never call me a child.” She glanced over to Tremble, making it known she was speaking to her as well. “I stopped being a child the day I killed my first Marisheio,” she explained. “Not that you would know, considering my looks are deceiving, but you know now. Let this be your only warning.”

  “I understand,” Danstu returned. “Would you like me to come with you?”

  Sedom nodded as she glanced over the report. “Find Zion and Rosanheer. It might be good for you to join us.” she decided as they continued to walk. She glanced back to Tremble, who was walking behind her. “Gather your team. We’re going hunting,” she called back to Tremble.

  “Yes, Chadon,” Tremble called back. She whistled for one of the orbs to take her place, than hurried off down the stairs.

  Danstu felt to his waistband, realizing he left his pistol behind. “I left my weapon back in my quarters,” he mentioned, slightly ashamed.

  Sedom removed her pistol from her side holster, handing it to him. “Borrow this, for now. Never leave your quarters without it again,” she warned. He nodded his appreciation. “I’ll meet the group at the tunnels shortly.”

  Danstu continued on, leaving Sedom to return to her quarters. Now he had the hard job of finding Rosanheer and Zion. Where would the two warriors be in the middle of the day? How he wished the coms were back online. Then he thought-- it was the middle of the day. The men were probably eating in the cafeteria. When he arrived at the cafeteria, he was pleasantly surprised to find both the men were eating mid-meal together.

  He hurried over to the men, stirring them both from their conversation. Zion glanced up from his noodles, slurping up his last noodle. “We were just talking about you,” he admitted.

  “Hopefully all good. Uh, we have a situation up top. There’s a downed ship in the forest,” he pointed to Rosanheer who was already nodding. “Sortec wants us to join her and investigate.”

  “And here I thought she was getting soft,” Rosanheer laughed. “I’m glad she sees sense.”

  Both men moved their plates away and hurried out the door after Danstu. “She invited you to come?” Zion asked Danstu. He grunted. “She’s warming up to you. Stay behind me and I’ll watch your back. She doesn’t know just how rusty you are in the field.”

  “I didn’t think I was all that rusty,” Danstu said, slightly hurt by Zion’s words.

  Rosanheer patted his shoulder. “Hey, don’t let it get to you. Not everyone is a born warrior.”

  “He’s going to die,” Zion coughed.

  “Thanks,” Danstu sneered back. “I have no idea why she wants me to come. Five seconds earlier she had me in a choke-hold. Next I know she handed me her pistol.” Danstu grumbled.

  “That’s Sortec,” Zion laughed. “She probably just wants to see what you can do in the field. She’s testing you. She’s still not quite sure of you yet.”

  By the time they reached the tunnels, Sedom was already waiting. She was adjusting a new pistol that she had grabbed from her quarters. “Ready?” she called to them.

  Behind them, seven other men and Tremble stood, dressed in black uniforms. On the right sleeves of their jackets they wore a symbol of a crescent moon inside a full moon. Zion went through each of their names quickly. “And you know Tremble. This is your new security team. So even if you go off on one of your half-cocked insanity trips, we’re ready.”

  “Chadon,” each of the men nodded to her.

  Sedom was speechless. Each of the group looked well trained and fearless. She watched Tremble again for a long moment, really looking at her. Other than having the woman follow her around, she really didn’t pay too close of attention to her. Tremble stared back, not backing down.

  “Very well then. Let’s go hunting,” Sedom ordered with a wave of her hand for the group to follow.

  “Half-cocked insanity trips?” Tremble asked, beside Sedom.

  Sedom chuckled. “I’ve been known to make some rather--“

  “Stupid,” Zion coughed.

  “Eccentric battle decisions,” Sedom growled back, glaring at Zion. She was glad he was a mind-reader because she wanted him to know just how she felt. “Tremble?” Sedom asked the woman beside her.

  She
glanced down at Sedom, smirking. “Yes, Chadon.”

  “I just realized, are you Human?” Sedom questioned.

  “Mixed blood, Chadon. My grandfather was Human,” she returned low. “Those serving the Underground tend to mix it up a bit,” she explained.

  Everyone raised their weapons, listening to the forest around them. A bolt of light smacked a tree near Sedom’s face. Tremble grabbed Sedom, forcing her against a tall boulder. Three more volleys of fire hit the trees around them, sending everyone in the group scurrying for cover.

  “Hey boys, looks like we have a good ol’ fire fight,” Tremble called out. She popped up, shooting towards the forest. She ducked down just as several shots shattered through the trees surrounding them, breaking off large chunks of wood.

  “Where is the ship?” Sedom called out over the pistol fire.

  A very robust Zalmin man pointed off into the distance where a plum of smoke rose up into the sky. “Surround and conquer,” she thought to herself. If they needed to reach the downed ship with hostiles present, she would have to figure out a way to get around the hostiles. She motioned for three of her men to go one way, the other three to go the opposite and for three orbs each to follow them. She then motioned for Zion and Tremble to follow her right behind her. When it came to Danstu, she pointed for him to remain where he was sitting.

  The two groups split off as Sedom, Tremble and Zion drew their fire. Danstu popped up, shooting his pistol into the forest. Sedom looked over to him just as a shot rung out in his direction. She quickly pounced on top of him, but not soon enough.

  “Son-of-a…” he cried out.

  Sedom crawled off of him, looking for his wound.

  “He hit?” Zion called out.

  Sedom felt to his shoulder to a small blood trail. “Minor,” she called back. “I order you to stay down. There’s no sense in both of us getting killed.”

  “Hey, Sortec,” Zion called several feet away from behind a tree. “When I told you we’d talk about dying next week, I didn’t really mean it,” he joked.