Chapter Seven

Two days later, Alex was told to gather all of his things as he wouldn’t be coming back to D zone. His heart lurched. He’d been planning on seeing Sienna later, but he couldn’t say that. Was that why they were moving him? He doubted the guard assigned to supervise the move would know, but no information was volunteered about his relocation. For all he knew it was to somewhere no one would ever find him again. He just hoped this was Lopez’s doing, not Zane’s.

The prison guard waited as he placed his clothing, toiletries and books into a bag, then he was taken through to C zone—but not to the classrooms he was used to. Instead, he ended up in a lower level that seemed to be made up of accommodation.

Lopez was there, along with 1168, the dam engineer.

“New room. Remember the number.” Lopez jerked his thumb at the number on the door.

“This is your new home until we land. You’ve both been seconded to the Engineering Corps. One fuck-up and you’re back to D zone. Clear?”

“Clear, Sir,” both prisoners said.

“You’re still cons, but senior cons.” Lopez smiled. “You report to me—no one else.” He looked pointedly at Alex. “If anyone tries to say otherwise please ask them to speak with Colonel Everett.”

Alex nodded. Everett was running the Field Engineers. And more importantly, he outranked Lieutenant Zane.

Lopez handed him three patches. “For your uniforms. Get them sewn on so I can inspect them tomorrow. The changes have been made to your file already.”

How was he going to get the patches sewn on? He looked at them again. He’d made it into the Engineering Corps. He might still be a con, but he was out of the prison. He closed his eyes. He was in the same zone as Sienna.

While he might be on a spaceship, for a moment he felt as though the sun had broken through the heavy smog clouds on Earth, and was shining on his life. A rare golden day.

“I don’t like to see grown men cry, or fall to their knees in gratitude, so stow your stuff and get to class.” He stopped Alex before he could enter the room. “You almost didn’t make it across because of your time in the Rounds. Getting stabbed helped your case, but all eyes are on you. You so much as make a fist, and …” Lopez made a slicing gesture across his neck.

They still thought he was trouble. Zane had come very close to taking away the one thing he wanted most … at least, until he’d met Sienna. Now he just had to keep a hold on her. “Got it, Sir. I appreciate it, Sir.”

“Just fucking stow your shit and prove you have the brains to be here. It ain’t going to be a picnic on Solitaire no matter where you live,” said Lopez, like a man who’d never been worried that the roof over his head was going to come down with the next storm.

After a day of classes, and getting lost twice, Alex finally got to enjoy his new room. It was just like Sienna’s. Two beds, a small desk and a bathroom with a door. How many other empty modules were there on the ship? Or were they slowly being emptied, having originally been used for storage. That was probably more like it. Twelve months of food took up a lot of space.

But he realized they had probably planned to create prison foremen. The classes were a way for them to work out who was going to be useful and who was going to be trouble. He was thankful with every breath that he’d made it across.

He lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling, even though he knew he should be studying. He had work to catch up on. Then there were the patches to sew on. A small sewing kit had been issued to him and he received a piece of fresh fruit every fifth day. A promotion, a payrise and a better room. Would they still lock him in at night?

The wound on his chest itched as it healed. He wanted to see Sienna, but he hadn’t noted her room number—he’d been rather sidetracked at the time. Would she know that he’d been moved? What was the point of having this if he couldn’t share it with her?

His heart hammered, but he knew the answer. It was important to him because it was part of his plan. Sienna had never been part of his plan, but he wanted her to be. And he had no idea how to get a message to her.

A message flashed on Sienna’s portacomp. Lieutenant Zane wanted to see her in his office. Shit. What had she done wrong this time? But she suspected it wasn’t about her. Had Zane realized that Alex had been moved? When he hadn’t come in to see her, she’d checked his file to make sure the stitches hadn’t ruptured and that there hadn’t been another attempt to kill him. The truth had shocked her. The relocation had happened fast, and she wondered what was going on.

The door to Zane’s office was open when she got there, and the other desk was vacant. Zane sat behind his desk, studying his portacomp. There were some papers on his desk. He looked less than thrilled, but then, he generally looked like he was annoyed with the world for underperforming.

“Shut the door, Corporal.”

“Sir.” She closed the door, dread swelling in her gut and making her wish she hadn’t eaten dinner.

“I see you’ve put in a request for three months work at the hospital.”

“Yes, Sir. I need it as part of my training.” He knew that—it was all on the form. She held her breath. The training was the first step toward changing over. There was a big difference between being a medic and doctor.

“Hmm. I can see that you are studying. Looks like you’ve been making full use of the classes on offer. Are you planning on becoming a doctor or something?” He almost laughed as he spoke.

“That would be my hope, Sir. Unity will need—”

“I don’t care what you think Unity will need. You’re a slum dweller trying to get a free education out of this trip. News flash, Corporal. This expedition isn’t here to further your career. Your request for on-the-job training is denied. Remember who you are and where you’re from.”

Rage and shame bubbled up. She was more than the place she’d been born. How could a prick like Zane be in charge of her future? Her training had been approved by the Medical Officer. The infantry was only here to guard the prisoners. A prison guard wasn’t much use to the colony if that was all they could do. Zane wasn’t much use … did he realize that?

Extra training was the one good thing about being on this trip. It wasn’t just about finding ways to pass the time so people didn’t get bored. It was also about giving the colony the best start possible. At first the extra study hadn’t been easy, but she knew she wasn’t stupid, she’d just lacked opportunity on Earth, and with every assessment she passed, her confidence grew. Now she enjoyed the study, and she wanted to be more than a prison medic. She drew in a breath and slowly released it. Zane didn’t have the power to veto her training, but he could stop her from getting the experience necessary—which was almost the same thing.

“Sir, my training has been approved by the Medical Officer.” She’d passed the preliminary assessments and all her work was up to standard. But this wasn’t about her … Alex was out of Zane’s reach. Now that he was no longer fighting in the Rounds, Zane couldn’t arrange for a prisoner to attack him, keeping his own hands clean. Zane was desperately trying to keep her under control—she was the one that got away. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. This wasn’t the time to smile—Zane still had all the power.

“But you are under my command, and you’d better behave. Your lover may be out of the prison, but he’s in my territory now. It would be so easy for him to take something that would leave him vulnerable.” Zane picked up his glass of water and took a sip. “I hear there is a terrible drug onboard.”

Sexmeth. Sienna thought of the skinny guy who’d come to see her at the med station.

“Leave Alex—” She knew using his name was a mistake the moment it left her mouth.

“Oh, you use his name, that’s so cute. Do as you’re told and I’m sure Alex will be just fine.”

“And if I start seeing someone else? Are you going to threaten everyone I sleep with?”

Zane gave a lazy shrug. “Until I get tired of it, yes. Don’t you ever wonder how we ended up on the same ship? I made sure of it. I want to make sure you suffer as much as possible, because it’s your fault I’m here. If you’d kept your mouth shut, we’d both still be on Earth.”

And I’d be dead. Sienna refrained from speaking.

“So, any plans you make, I will break. Any time you step forward, I will push you back. I have that power and I intend to use it. I am not allowing you to leave your posting. You can read all the books you want, but without hospital training you won’t advance. This is not a discussion, Corporal. You are dismissed.”

There were other people who were training to be medics who needed the on-the-job experience, who could take her place in the prison. The whole idea was that the twelve months of travel time be used to train people up. Even the prisoners were getting a chance to acquire much-needed skills, including everything from basket weaving to making clothing, cooking and construction.

“Why can’t you just move on and leave me alone?” There were so many people on the ship—they didn’t need to see each other.

Zane glared at her. “Are you trying to order me around? Would you like me to suspend all your training and put you on a warning for insubordination?”

She didn’t move. She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t enrage him. If she was going to play against Zane she had to be smart. She knew his weaknesses and how he worked. It was best not to say anything, to let him think he had her cornered and cowed, just how he liked his women.

“No, Sir.” She forced the words out, then stepped back.

Zane stood up. “Of course, we could always come to some arrangement.”

Sienna took several steps back and opened the door. She was gone before she had to listen to the rest of what he was going to say.

Sienna moved though C zone. She knew Alex’s room number, and she was sure Zane did too. But there were too many people here who’d see too much. Here, beyond the reach of the prison guards, Zane didn’t have manpower. He was a grunt—an officer, but a grunt. But then, sexmeth didn’t require brute force. It required sneakiness—and Zane was plenty sneaky.

The door to Alex’s room was open, but there was no one in there.

“There’s a push-up competition in the rec room for the new interns—push-up until you puke,” a young sergeant said as he walked past.

Could guys not be happy at the gym? Did it have to be a competition? “You’re not competing?”

He shook his head. “Tore a ligament or something last time. Had to wear a sling for a few weeks, and now I have to rest.”

“At least you’re doing as you’re told.” If Alex was competing, he would rupture his stitches. She hoped he was smarter than that.

The man smiled at her. “Haven’t seen you down here before.”

“I’ve come to see someone.”

The smile fell away. “Of course you have … well, if it doesn’t work out, you know where to find me.” His smile reappeared, and he winked.

Sienna moved away toward the rec room. This whole area was Engineering Corps, and it was easy to tell. There were building plans stuck to the walls, images of rocks and lakes and rivers on Solitaire, and even layouts for the new town that would be established. She paused to look at what would become home. The modules they were currently sleeping in would be their first houses. After that there were plans for satellite villages closer to the farming land. Areas had been set aside for industry, such as clothing production.

There were no factories, though, and she had no idea how everyone was going to adapt to living without the things they took for granted. She wasn’t looking forward to the sock-knitting class. She had no idea how to knit. And yet everyone would need socks, and they had to come from somewhere. Were there civilians busy knitting? How much fiber had they taken from Earth?

Who was going to make her underwear? The unease and nerves were back, twisting her gut and making her heart beat too hard.

Living on Solitaire was going to be different to the brochure. But she knew that from her medical studies. They weren’t focused on the latest machines, but on basic skills, basic medications. Unity was already researching the pharmaceutical benefits of many of Solitaire’s native plants. That didn’t stop Sienna from thinking they were all going to die an early and unpleasant death there.

She closed her eyes and counted slowly to ten.

Was she the only person on the ship who was freaking out about the idea of living on Solitaire? As she tried to contain her panic, she heard footsteps drew closer. “It’s awesome isn’t it?” Alex said quietly.

Sienna opened her eyes. “It’s very well-planned.” Her gaze skimmed over him. He wasn’t sweating as though he’d just done hundreds of push-ups. “Not doing the comp?”

The corners of his lips turned up. “Not this time.” He touched his chest, but the wound was hidden by his clothes.

“But you’re expected to, once you get better.” She knew how these things worked.

Alex nodded. “I wasn’t sure you’d know where I was.”

“I did some digging. When you didn’t come in I was … worried.” She couldn’t hide that from him. She brushed her fingers over the engineering patch on his sleeve. “Nice work.”

“Probably saved my life.”

There was no doubt about it. But she wasn’t going to tell Alex that Zane was still gunning for her. He didn’t need that worry—there was nothing he could do. But she did need to warn him that he wasn’t entirely safe, even here.

People walked past them, most glancing their way.

“Did you want to see my room?”

“Not today.” She just wanted to be with him. “Did you want to get a drink in the mess?” She was willing to bet he wasn’t allowed in the bar. There would be conditions on his relocation.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I just thought you might want to sit down somewhere quiet.”

Sienna looked at him for a moment. This was no longer just about sex. She knew that, but she didn’t know how far she wanted to take it. Was Alex busy planning a future? “What if this doesn’t work?”

“Then it doesn’t work. I never married on Earth because I didn’t have anything. My job was dangerous, the pay was slightly above starving and I didn’t want a family. Maybe I should have. But if I had, I wouldn’t have met you, and you’re making me wonder if I should reconsider my bachelor status.”

She kept the surprise off her face. Prisoners couldn’t marry until they were free, unless they had very special approval. He had four years to serve on Solitaire. Would they still be alive in four years? Her gaze flicked to the maps.

“There are no promises where we’re going.”

“I know.” He placed his hand on her lower back. “But having someone to share the experience with would mean a lot.”

She looked at the plan of the settlement again, but didn’t take anything in. Instead, she thought about the kind of life she might have with Alex. What would happen if they lived together? They’d end up with kids. Was it fair to have kids so far from home? She realized she was still thinking of Earth as home. Solitaire was home now. She had to stop looking backward, but the future was so uncertain it left her paralyzed. “It scares the hell out of me.”

“It makes me kind of excited. We get to try again—fresh slate.”

That wasn’t entirely true. “But we’re still using the same chalk, the same board, and the same letters.” People like Zane would still be there. Others would want divisions, some arbitrary line to prove that they were better than everyone else. And people like her and Alex would still be forced to obey.

The orders had never chafed before, but then, they hadn’t interfered with her life so closely. Now her job bled across everything. If she wanted to progress she needed to go around Zane. He wasn’t going to like it. Would he take it out on Alex again?

Was it fair to keep putting Alex at risk? She should walk away, but she didn’t want to. It wasn’t fair that she had to give up what she wanted. What else would Zane take?

She already knew the answer. Everything. He’d keep shrinking the boundaries until she couldn’t move. Until she ended up with his hands around her throat again.

Her breath caught. She couldn’t live like that.

“What’s wrong?” Alex frowned.

“Nothing. Just be careful. There’s a dangerous drug on board.”

“I know.” He looked more closely at her. “Is something going on?”

She shook her head. “Yes, but I don’t want to involve you further.”

“You’re in trouble for seeing me.”

She closed her eyes, unable to answer.

Alex kissed her cheek. She turned her head to catch his lips, needing to taste him one more time. Alex was becoming a constant in her life. Calm and stable, no matter what was going on. His arms slid around her and she let herself be drawn closer, needing his strength. She’d never needed anyone before.

But where Zane had tried to take away her free will and control her, Alex was there for her, offering nothing but support.

“The women on Earth don’t know what they’ve lost.” She knew exactly what she’d be losing.

“I don’t care about them.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to my room?” His hands slid to her butt and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I think you’re just using me for sex,” she said with a grin. While that might have been true once, it wasn’t anymore.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. That clearly wasn’t what he wanted to hear from her, but she wasn’t ready to say anything else. Revealing how she felt would make her vulnerable, and she didn’t like that feeling at all. Even though she liked the way his arms felt around her, and the way he kissed her, there was still too much between them. Zane was still between them. He was a threat that couldn’t be erased.

She should never have let her heart get involved with Alex.

“I want more than that, Sienna.” He let her go, then tugged at his yellow shirt. “I know it’s not easy, and I know you probably get a dozen better offers every day, but I like you—probably more than I have the right to.”

She did get offers, but most weren’t serious—at least, she hoped they weren’t—and she’d accepted none. Those men hadn’t interested her the way Alex did. She had to start trusting someone, instead of expecting to be screwed over. “As long as we are together, you’ll be a target.”

“I get that. But that’s not a reason for us not to be together.”

No, but there are plenty of others. She didn’t say anything.

“Unless you’ve had enough.”

She hadn’t had enough of Alex, but as long as she was with someone, it would draw Zane’s attention. Things hadn’t started unraveling until she’d started sleeping with Alex.

Alex shook his head. “I might be the one in yellow, but you’re much more a prisoner than I am, because you let yourself be locked up.”

Zane was her commanding officer. What else was she supposed to do? “So did you. You chose to be here.”

“Yeah, I did. And I’d do it again. But you aren’t making choices, you’re running scared.”

Maybe if his lover had tried to choke him to death, he’d be more cautious too. Or if he’d seen the effects of sexmeth firsthand … If Zane really wanted to get to her, he would, and he’d take Alex down in the process.

“What would you have me do?”

Alex didn’t answer. He knew as well as she did that there was nothing she could do.

“I’ll see you round.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

He didn’t even try to call her back. That cut the deepest.

If what they had was worth saving, someone should be fighting for it. But neither of them was. Perhaps they’d be better off apart.