The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2

by Elizabeth Price

  “We have Mercaun in custody. What would you have me do with him?” he asked, too calm for so much chaos.

  A shocked grin appeared in Sedom's eyes. “The captain? Great. Um... send all of the prisoners to holding and then I’ll let Rosanheer and Zion deal with him. Let them have fun extracting information from him about this damn base we keep hearing about,” Sedom ordered. “I'll be in the cargo bay attempting to help.”

  Evolanc flew by, but quickly turned when she saw Sedom. “Sortec! We've got injured. There's no way that the five of us can help all of them. Please...” Two men, carrying a stretcher, blocked Evolanc for a moment. “Call the Braum and have him send help.”

  It took a moment to register what Evolanc said. She nodded. “Good idea.” Sedom rushed back to her quarters and to her com station. “Number, number... what's that stupid... ah!” She tapped in the number of Jasper's home. A woman's face appeared, giving the normal greeting. “The Braum, it's an emergency.”

  Seconds later Jasper's face appeared on the screen. “Sedom? Everything okay?”

  “Jasper! You...” Sedom called in a rush of air.

  “What did I do now?” Jasper asked, readying himself for another verbal assault.

  “I need your help. Send as many medical personnel as you can spare, immediately,” she said out of breath.

  Jasper nodded excited from Sedom’s excitement. “Of course, right away. What happened?” he asked. His eyes were looking down as he typed in the information.

  “We took down a Marisheio starship over Matrador. My team managed to rescue over two-thousand slaves. My staff isn't equipped to handle the casualties,” she explained.

  “I have two science ships in your area. I'm sending them now. Expect them in a few of your hours.”

  “I owe you,” she called in a rush, knowing she had the skip the normal chit-chat they usually engaged in.

  “Yes, you do. Sedom… congratulations.”

  Sedom grinned. “Thanks, Jasper. Talk to you soon.” She cut off the transmission and ran for the door.

  Outside her unit, she was met by three of her new guards. It was a love-hate situation when it came to her guards. She liked them, but she hated being followed. At the same time, even she had to admit she had become rusty to recognizing danger, especially in Gathow. Outside the city, she was always on alert, but inside the city, she let her guard down way too many times for her comfort.

  “Where’s the excitement?” she asked Tremble.

  The woman pointed the way to the cargo hold near the ship bay. Sedom hurried inside the cargo bay, now filled with slaves. Many were lying on cots and even more lying on the ground. Cidele ran passed without acknowledging Sedom. Zion did the same, only he paused to shoot a scowl at her.

  “You happy now?” Zion called sarcastically.

  “Very!” she called back. She continued down a row of injured. Her hand was grasped by a Clove-Windrit mix woman.

  “My crew... is my crew okay?” she asked in gulping breaths. A long piece of metal was protruding from her left shoulder.

  “You are the captain of the Elnek?” Sedom asked concerned, her finger tapping her pistol in its holster on her hip. Didn’t they have the captain in custody already?

  The woman shook her head, tears running down her cheeks from the pain of her shoulder. “The Almon... it’s a transport ship. We were transporting orphans to the Tador sector. My ship...” she seethed, slamming her fist into the cot, “was captured two days ago,” she said in one long breath, “trying to leave this system.”

  When Sedom looked into the woman's eyes, she saw only pain and concern. “What is your name, Captain?” she asked.

  “Sallris Cembre,” she cried out.

  Carefully, as to not cause her any more discomfort, Sedom rested her hand over the woman's wound. She gently examined it, making certain it was an injury she could heal.

  “Well, Captain Cembre, that's a nasty wound. I'll fix it for you and you can check on your crew yourself,” Sedom offered. The woman nodded, not caring how Sedom healed her as long as the metal was out of her shoulder.

  With tender fingers, Sedom moved the skin and muscle away from the metal. The woman screamed out, holding onto Sedom's shoulder. Sedom eased the shard from her shoulder, then promptly covered it with her hands to keep it from bleeding out. A burst of energy flowed through Sedom's hands, healing the wound.

  Zion watched Sedom from across the room, his eyes growing wide with panic. “Sortec!” he called, rushing to Sedom as her knees buckled. She collapsed into Zion's arms.

  Sedom grabbed hold of Zion's arm, steadying her wobbling legs. “I'm okay,” she groaned.

  Sallris Cembre felt to her arm, amazed that Sedom had healed her. She promptly helped Zion hold Sedom upright. “Chadon Sortec, I presume?” she asked. Sedom nodded. “You probably shouldn’t have done that, but thank you.”

  “Go… go tend to your crew,” Sedom squeaked.

  “Is she going to be alright?” Sallris asked Zion. He nodded, motioning for her to leave.

  “Damn reckless girl. You can't jeopardize your life like that. We need a strong leader!” he reprimanded in his native language. He tapped a com control on his wrist that resembled a wrist-watch. “Danstu, I need your help down here. Sortec is about to pass out.”

  Sedom blinked, looking at the wrist com. “Those are new.”

  “Thank Danstu for not listening to you about the tech warehouse,” Zion said, his voice fading with her eyesight.

  Some time later she woke on her sofa back in her own quarters. From her point of view, she could see Danstu's shadow as he worked at the dining table. Slowly she sat up, cupping her aching head. It was a simple fix, something she practiced many times. Why did it cause her to lose so much energy?

  Garric rounded the corner, a cup of tea in hand. “She's awake,” he announced to Danstu. He continued to Sedom's side, handing her the cup of tea. “How are you feeling? You were out for quite a while.”

  “I’d ask the same. When were you released?” she asked.

  “Just before we attacked. Danstu,” he called.

  Sedom took the tea. “I'm not sure what happened. It was a simple arm wound. I’ve healed plenty of them in the past.”

  “From a Dellimex,” Danstu spoke up from the doorway. “Captain Cembre is a Windrit color. She drained your power without meaning to. She was quite concerned for your welfare.”

  “But... she's Clove, no?” Sedom asked, even more confused.

  Garric patted Sedom's shoulder. “We don't discriminate with our slaves. Her father was Clove, mother a blue Windrit. She’s quite a known rebel to the Marisheio. She’s been wanted for years.”

  Sedom sipped her tea, nodding. “Wow, a celebrity. I should be honored she knocked me on my rear. So where are we now?”

  “In Gathow,” Garric said. Sedom shoved him back playfully.

  Danstu grinned at Garric's remark. “The Dormin arrived with extra medical staff. We took over ninety prisoners and rescued eighteen-hundred plus, including the crew and the cargo of the Almon. I'm not sure what you want to do with them all. We're waiting for your orders.”

  Sedom felt to her aching forehead. “Um… what are your thoughts?” she asked Danstu, her mind too fuzzy to think straight.

  Danstu handed Sedom a computer pad. Her eyes read over the blurring words and she nodded. “Looks good. I'll let you handle the preparations. And when this is all over, our priority is now to hire more medical staff,” she mentioned. Danstu agreed, then left. Sedom sat back on the sofa, sighing deeply. “I'm not sure whose running the Tasgool, me or Danstu?”

  “As I see it, he is. But it doesn't matter as long as you’re getting results,” Garric said. “I have to admit, that boy is amazing. If the Marisheio had employed him, Gathow would have been found long ago and there would be no war.”

  “A little too amazing,” Sedom spoke in a distant whisper. “I’m still not convinced he’s not a spy,” she admitted to Garric.

  “A spy?”
Garric laughed. “Even my people aren’t that good.” A frown appeared on Garric’s lips as he turned to the com station. He disappeared into the other room to investigate. “Sortec, com.”

  She pulled herself off the sofa and practically crawled to her com station. Jasper was waiting for her to respond. “Sedom!”

  She melted back in her seat. “Ah, not now, I have a headache,” she grumbled.

  “Is everyone okay in Gathow?” Jasper asked.

  Sedom nodded. “As far as I know. I had a run-in with… what was she called again?” she asked Garric, who was busying himself straightening up.

  “Dellimex,” Garric answered.

  “A Dellimex. I healed her shoulder and she sapped all my energy. I've just been briefed. Your people are here.” She felt to her woozy head. “Seriously, a Dellimex?” she asked Garric.

  Jasper nodded several times, a meager grin on his thick lips. “Good… very good. The galaxy's abuzz over what you did. You’ve made a name for yourself today. Congratulations,” he said.

  Sedom closed her eyes, relieved that their first real mission went well. “And so it begins. I’ll celebrate when I know for certain that the Marisheio have given up all hope of building a base here. Until then, I’ll be waiting.”

  Garric peeked into the room, handing Sedom a wrist com in such a way that the Braum wouldn’t see him. “You’re being summoned,” he explained.

  Sedom held up the com. “Busy, busy. I’ll call back later. Thanks again,” she said then ended their link. She examined the communicator, unsure how to use it. Garric pointed to a small button on the side. “Sortec,” she spoke into the com.

  “This is Noral. Chadon, when you have a moment, could you come to the ship bay?” he asked.

  Sedom nodded. “I’ll be right there,” she returned. She sighed deeply, trying to determine if she had enough energy.

  “Would you like me to send for your guards?” Garric asked.

  She nodded. “Send for Tremble,” she ordered. She knew Zion was correct. With so many in Gathow now, she needed to keep up appearances and not come across as weak. With her security, if she started to falter, they could remove her from the scene quickly and hopefully without being noticed.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Lolum glanced up from talking to one of the injured, his eyes tense on Sedom. He pointed to her. “Guard her. Make sure no one comes near her,” he told a man dressed in a black uniform, standing by his left side.

  Sedom suddenly found herself surrounded by four more men and two orbs.

  “Sir, I assure you the Chadon—“ Tremble argued.

  Sedom hurried over to Lolum, her jaw clenched. “What the hell, Lolum? What's with the babysitters? I already have five guards. I don’t need a swarm. If anything, it brings more attention to me.”

  Lolum patted the injured man's shoulder, then went to Sedom. “We now have a functioning city. As our leader, you need to be protected, especially from yourself. I'm making it my job to see you're safe,” Lolum grumbled back.

  “And I made it Zion’s. If he thinks Tremble and her men are enough, then they’re enough. Send these other men somewhere they can be helpful,” Sedom demanded, but in a voice only Lolum could hear.

  He took her by the arm, leading her out of sight. “Sortec, understand reason here. Gathow's in chaos. We don't know who's who yet. Some of the slaves may be Marisheio in disguise and vice versa. We need you safe and unharmed if we're going to pull off a rebellion.”

  “I understand, but we’re short on men as it is. Let them help sort it out. As for me, what can I do?” Sedom asked, breathing deep to settle her frustration.

  Lolum squeezed her shoulder, now understanding her reasoning. “Nod your head, go back to your quarters and let us handle this. If we need you, we'll come to you. Not the other way around. You're our leader, it's time you start acting like one and delegate responsibilities to others.”

  “Dr. Noral called for me. Do you know why?” she asked overly calm.

  Lolum had to take a moment to think. “Oh, Captain Cembre is doing fine. She was asking to see you,” he mentioned.

  Sedom stepped away, looking into the cargo bay. Many were still left, but it did look like the situation was under control. “Okay, fine. Have Captain Cembre join me in my quarters.”

  “I’ll have someone escort her there now,” he offered. “As for you four, help Dr. Noral,” he called to the four guards he sent to help guard Sedom. “Go!” Lolum demanded low, waving her away.

  Sedom backed up until she nearly stumbled into Tremble, who reached to her shoulder to stop her. “I’m too important to help,” she mumbled to Tremble.

  “He doesn’t want you to help and ending up like before,” Tremble mentioned low.

  Sedom sighed deep then motioned with a nod to return to her quarters. “Hope you all are enjoying the view,” Sedom joked. No one commented.

  Safely back in her quarters, Sedom stared at her book without reading. How was she going to lead the Tasgool if everyone was doing her job for her? What did her grandmother do? She remembered her making decisions, talking to people, even healing citizens when there was time. But she couldn't heal people like her grandmother, barely made decisions, and wasn't allowed to talk to people. Was it because of her age? Because she was the last Narkoy? What was it?

  Danstu handed her another computer pad. She looked it over and sighed in frustration. “Money. I thought we settled this already? What about those brother’s you hired?”

  “I’ve been informed that there are six bins they can’t access,” he stated. “It’s something I’ve been meaning to bring up.”

  She sighed deeply, lifting her rear out of her seat. “Yes, I know. Is there a way we can skip those bins?” she asked seriously.

  Danstu leaned against the chair next to her. “Depends. Why, if you’d permit me to ask?”

  “You know, I haven’t a clue how much money I have, but I know I have quite a lot. I also know that some of the stones I have should never be sold.” Sedom smirked. She stood waving Danstu to follow her to the storage room. She climbed the stairs down to her storage room and opened the door. “Lights.”

  The lights illuminated the room, filling Danstu's vision with billions of firestones. “I thought they had cleared this out?” Danstu asked, unfazed by the sight of so many firestones.

  Sedom took up a large, blue stone and handed it to Danstu. “What planet do you want to buy?” she asked seriously. “No, they started a few days ago with one container. The container had a hundred-thousand stones in it. It will take them about a month to go through and catalog them all. This,” she waved her hands, motioning around the room, “will keep them busy for years.”

  Danstu allowed a smirky grin to form. He handed the stone back to Sedom. “And the locked cabinets?” he asked.

  Sedom pressed her finger to a scanner on one of the cabinet doors. The door opened to reveal a brilliant pure white firestone about the size of her head. “This remains here,” she explained. Seconds later, three orbs rushed into the storage room. She raised her hand, demanding the orbs back away.

  “The significance?” Danstu asked.

  “This is the power source for Gathow. There are only six of them left. They’re very fragile and very powerful. It’s not something you really want to drop,” she explained. She closed the cabinet door, allowing the orbs to return to their patrols.

  “Good to know. I’ll inform the brothers to leave those bins alone. But are you sure we should be housing them here?” he asked.

  Sedom crossed her arms. “Yes, for now. Danstu… what are you getting out of this relationship? You don’t seem like a person doing this for revenge, nor do you seem greedy for money or you would have grabbed as many of these stones as you could and left.”

  Danstu took another smaller red stone, examining it. “Perhaps I should,” he joked. He tossed the stone back into the bin. “Satisfaction on multiple levels. I feel that I’m needed here.”

  “Why?” Sedom asked, almo
st accusing.

  Danstu stared back at Sedom. “It brings me pleasure working with the Tasgool, much how chasing clouds once brought you pleasure.”

  She grimaced, blushing slightly. “Did everyone at the party know?” she asked. Danstu nodded, grinning. “Damn, that's going to be my curse forever.” She exited the storage room. “Mind you, I wasn't late. The Ambassador's ship--”

  Danstu waved Sedom's comment aside. “I'm giving you a hard time. You were a different person then. You've grown up since that’s obvious.” He followed Sedom back upstairs. “It’s nice to see that you and the Marnet ended up as friends. There were concerns.”

  She nodded. “He helps… keep me sane. I’m not sure how we’re going to talk now that he’s returning home,” she admitted. “We never discussed your compensation,” Sedom mentioned.

  “Two-hundred. It’s the same as you pay Lolum, Qilo and my uncle to run this place. It seemed only fair.” He paused, allowing her to enter her quarters first.

  “Technically no, you should be paid more. You are second in command of Gathow,” she pointed out. “Which means you’re probably going to need the same security as I have,” she mentioned.

  “Let’s hold off for now,” he pleaded.

  The sound of a woman clearing her throat made both turn to look down the stairs. Captain Cembre stepped into view. “I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, but I was told to report here.”

  Danstu motioned for the woman to follow them inside.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Sedom asked. The woman frowned. Not hearing a response, Sedom turned to her.

  “Tea would be fine,” Cembre returned.

  Danstu did a quick visual scan of the woman then nodded. “Sortec, will you be okay by yourself or would you like me to remain?” he asked in Celibec.

  Sedom shooed him out the door as she ordered Cembre's tea. A cup of tea materialized on the food replicator. “I'm used to doing things on my own.” She handed the tea to Cembre then motioned to the living room.