By the time Kotto reached his quarters, his hand had stopped throbbing and he felt like a complete ass. It had been years since he’d lost control like that, maybe decades since he’d allowed anyone or anything to outwardly upset him. The only thing a Rodyte soldier controlled completely was his reaction to stimuli. Surrendering control to anyone else, even inadvertently, was the ultimate weakness. He would not let it to happen again.
He seldom spoke of his past and seeing the events through Raina’s eyes had made everything that much worse. Then adding insult to injury, she’d misunderstood the purpose for his story. He hadn’t been justifying his father’s actions. Kotto was the first to admit his father was a monster. He’d wanted Raina to understand the horrors surrounding the battle born, hoped she’d see why they needed to escape, or better yet dismantle the existing system. The last thing in the world Kotto wanted to do was defend the actions of his father.
The door to his quarters verified his identity then parted for him. Raina stood at the viewport as she had before, but this time she didn’t turn around. “I’m sorry I lost my temper. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She did face him then. A long skirt and baggy sweater enveloped her completely, hiding any clue to her true shape. Heelless slip-ons adorned her feet, well-worn and unadorned. Was she going out of her way to make herself less appealing or did she honestly not care about outward appearances? Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail that reached the middle of her back. The color, however, was lovely, deep brown with just a hint of fire. Her thick-lashed eyes shared the reddish-brown color and her lips were lush and delicately bowed. He couldn’t wait to discover if they felt as soft as they looked.
“Is your hand all right?” She made a bland gesture toward his hand, but her gaze locked with his.
“It wasn’t serious.” He moved toward her slowly, feeling predatory and restless. Despite assuring Ashley that he wanted Raina as his employee not his mate, his interest was intensely personal. He was fascinated by Raina. He wanted to peel back her protective layers and ignite her inner fire. “I think the details in my story gave you the wrong impression. I, in no way, approve of the practice of war brides.” So why didn’t he set Raina free?
“You’re as much a victim as your mother.”
He tensed. The last thing he wanted anyone to perceive him as was a victim. He’d been wronged, that fact was undeniable. He’d been abandoned and abused, but the adversity made him strong, it focused his hatred and defined his purpose in life. Before he could clarify his position, she slowly licked her lips and his objections scattered. All he could think about was her.
Though her steps were smaller, her movements slower, she inched toward him as well. “I should have realized you were just trying to make sure I understood how your father thought, that you weren’t trying to justify his actions.”
They stood near the center of the room. She was close enough to touch, but Kotto kept his hands at his sides, unwilling to send her scurrying into the corner again. “My father might have been twisted by circumstances beyond his control, but his actions were inexcusable.”
“What happened when…” She sighed and dragged her gaze away from his face. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
He placed his hand on her upper arm and she looked at him again. “You didn’t open this door. I did. Obviously, the memories are painful, but there really was a point to all the unpleasantness.” Not wanting her to slow him with questions, he hurried through the rest of the tale. “Father told his captive her life would be forfeit if she delivered another boy.”
“But the sex of the child is determined by the male’s chromosomes. At least that’s how it works in humans.”
He shrugged. Unable to stop touching her, he pushed his hand up to her shoulder then let it slide slowly to her elbow. “I’m a soldier. Genetics is far beyond my field of expertise.”
“Were you her final pregnancy?”
He nodded, his throat too tight to speak.
“And did he keep his word?”
Again he nodded, but he swallowed past the tightness in his throat. “My father didn’t make idle threats. My mother’s heart mysteriously stopped beating two days after my birth. He was off-world at the time so there was no investigation. He sold me to the RPDF when I was three. Keyran was already there. I was told my father had been killed by a Bilarrian, most likely an enraged father, when I was seven. I never thought of him again.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. No, I’m sorry that you never really had a father.”
All he saw in her eyes was pity and hesitation, so he reluctantly lowered his arm. “My story is not unusual. The vast majority of battle born sons are forced into labor camps or they serve in the RPDF.”
“What is the RPDF?”
“Rodyte Planetary Defense Force,” he clarified. “It is your army, navy, air force and marines all rolled into one.
Her jaw dropped and horror filled her eyes. “He sold you to the military when you were three? That can’t possibly be legal. What is the Rodyte equivalent of Child Protective Services?”
Finally, she was starting to understand. “The battle born don’t have the same rights and protections as pureblood Rodyte children. As I said, we’re a commodity, an underclass. We’re the forsaken, a useless byproduct of our fathers’ quest for power.”
She started to say something then stopped and turned back toward the window.
He caught her hand, preventing her retreat. She looked at him but didn’t speak. “How can I respond to your objections if you keep running away?”
Anger sparked deep in her gaze and she raised her chin. “I’m not running away. I don’t like being rude. I was taught not to say anything if I have nothing nice to say.”
Slowly, he pulled her toward him. “Those are excuses. You’re afraid of me and you don’t need to be.” After a meaningful pause, he added, “I don’t want you to be.”
A reluctant smile spread across her lips and her gaze dropped to his mouth. “You can’t command someone not to be afraid of you. It just makes you more intimidating.”
He lightly cupped her chin and guided her gaze back to his. “I vowed to protect you with my life. Rodyte vows are literal. If any harm comes to you while you’re under my protection, my life is forfeit.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “I don’t want my actions to endanger you.”
His thumb sneaked up and teased her lower lip. “Why? Are you planning something reckless?” Much to his surprise she didn’t flinch away from his touch or resist his light hold on her hand. Was it possible their attraction was mutual? Intrigued by the possibility, he shifted his hand to the small of her back and eased her even closer. “I don’t want you to feel powerless. The vow was meant to ease your fears, allow you to relax and enjoy this adventure.”
She had to tilt her head way back to maintain eye contact, but she didn’t pull away. “I appreciate the offer, but I’d feel more comfortable if I weren’t responsible for your life.”
Rather than argue the point, he changed the subject. “What were you about to say before you turned away?”
She took a step back and positioned her head at a more natural angle. It also took her just out of reach. “I understand that you’re not your father, but there are similarities between your aspirations. The battle born were created by the previous generations’ ‘quest for power’ and now you’ve launched a power quest of your own. I’m concerned that human females will become ‘the forsaken’ in this new drama.”
“It’s a valid point and the only way I can reassure you is by earning your trust.” Desperate to touch her again, he clasped his hands behind his back. Shoving her up against the nearest wall and kissing her senseless might awaken her desire, but it would definitely not help her trust him. Unfortunately, he knew what would. “Trust can never be established as long as you’re my prisoner, so I officially release you. As soon as we’ve finished this conversation, I’ll have you streamed to your lab or wherever you’d like to go.”
Her brows drew together and confusion clouded her gaze. His offer had obviously surprised her. “Will you simply kidnap someone else if I refuse to help you?”
“You know the answer or you wouldn’t ask the question.” He watched her closely, carefully analyzing every expression, the subtlest gesture. She kept smoothing down her skirt and fiddling with her sleeve, yet her gaze gravitated toward his mouth. She appeared mildly suspicious, yet intrigued. One thing was certain. The sizzling awareness that had been tormenting him was affecting her. In fact, it seemed to be the cause of her nervousness, not genuine fear. “I have mission objectives and a very tight timeline. I was really hoping to convince you to work with me.”
“I still have a lot of questions.”
“I’m here to answer them.”
She hesitated, but didn’t retreat. “This has nothing to do with the project so if you’d rather not answer, I understand.”
“Go on.” He encouraged her with a smile.
“Is your harbinger brother still alive? Have you ever made contact with him?”
Wanting to create a more relaxed environment, he turned toward the sitting area. “That’s a long and even sadder story.” He sat on one end of the sofa and was pleased when she joined him rather than isolating herself in one of the chairs. “I think we’ve spent enough time in the past for one night. Let’s talk about something else.”
“All right.” She looked anything but relaxed. Her hands were folded in her lap and her knees pressed together. “May I ask a few questions about the future?”
“I’m not sure how many I’ll be able to answer until you’ve signed the contract, but I’ll tell you what I can.”
“You said nothing will be forced on the human females. Do you intend to deal with each woman directly or are you negotiating with a specific government?”
“I’m not the person who will make those decisions. Our primary purpose right now is recon. We’re gathering information so the higher ups can make those determinations. I will say that our faith in any government is basically nonexistent, so we’ll deal with the individual females as long as possible.”
“But you said there’s an outpost inside the moon. How is that possible without the involvement of at least one Earth government?”
He tried not to sound condescending as he explained, “We can easily shield ourselves from humans. Your people hadn’t even left the planet when the outpost was built. The rest is rather amusing actually and it’s more or less public knowledge so it doesn’t require the nondisclosure agreement.”
She actually smiled and soft color spread across her cheeks. “Oh do tell. I think we could both use a little amusement right now.”
“Lunar 9 was fully staffed by 1970. We found the ‘space race’ between the United States and Russia fascinating and wanted a front row seat at the finish line.” He extended his arm along the top of the cushions, aching to touch her yet knowing she wasn’t yet ready for intimacy.
“What does fully staffed mean? How many people can Lunar 9 accommodate?”
He shook his head. “I can’t give you specifics without the contract.”
“Fine. Let me hear the amusing part.”
“In December of 1972 one of your astronauts discovered a utility entrance to the outpost. The intrepid fellow actually snapped several pictures of one of our ships before we caught him misbehaving.”
“Misbehaving? It was the astronauts’ job to explore the moon.”
He chuckled. “That’s the amusing part. Our best lawyers studied human laws before the outpost was approved by the crown. They prepared documents to protect our interests in a variety of situations. We made contact with the United States, so we used legal precedents known as ‘eminent domain’ and ‘adverse possession’ to stake a legal claim on Earth’s moon. The astronaut was told to leave and make sure no one from Earth ever landed on our moon again.”
“Oh my God, that would have been during the Apollo 17 mission. Everyone knows something happened, but no one is willing to admit what really took place.” She shook her head with a distracted smile. “The conspiracy junkies would have a field day with this story.” Her gaze cleared and she looked into his eyes. “Rodymia owns the moon? That’s too funny.”
Relieved that she saw the humor in it, he began to relax. “Hostilities back home escalated and the outpost was closed about ten years later. Resources were needed elsewhere. Still, our ownership has remained unchallenged for more than forty years, which only strengthens our claim. Even if one of Earth’s governments objected to our being there now, I doubt there is anything they could do about it. We have every right to occupy our property.”
She fell silent for a moment, clearly lost in thought. “This is cruel and you know it. You’ve told me just enough to make me really curious about the rest.”
Which had been his intention from the start. He was close to success, he could sense it. Careful to keep his tone light, he said, “We’re only asking for six months and your discretion. In return, you’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge far beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed possible. What do you have to lose?”
She hesitated again, so he didn’t push her. She’d either agree or he’d have to let her go. There was nothing more he could tell her, at least nothing she was ready to hear. He knew where she lived and she would be well guarded until curiosity changed her mind.
“What happens if I have the protein marker?”
He knew she had the marker, knew because biological compatibility was the only logical explanation for his undeniable need to claim her. He’d known females more beautiful than Raina, yet none of them had filled him with this primal hunger. He chose his words carefully, not wanting to lose the ground he’d gained over the last ten minutes. “Then all of this becomes personal. You won’t just be advocating for human females. You’ll be a potential mate for one of the battle born.”
She sucked in a breath then released it slowly through her mouth, but her expression was too conflicted to decipher. “I’m not good with surprises. How do we find out one way or the other?”
He could just tell her what he sensed, but she was a scientist. She wouldn’t believe him until she saw empirical evidence. “Simple blood test.” He activated a comlink to the infirmary.
“Miss me already?” Irron asked in Rodyte.
Raina couldn’t hear the doctor so Kotto responded verbally as well as mentally. “Do you have time to check Raina for the protein marker? She’d like to eliminate the unknown.”
“I’ll be right up.” The infirmary was one level down, so it shouldn’t take Irron long to arrive.
“Were you still talking to me?” She looked bewildered and Kotto realized he must have been speaking Rodyte. “I didn’t understand any of that.”
“Sorry. I just asked Dr. Irron if he had time to test your blood. He’s on his way.”
She nodded in response to his statement then asked, “Are all the battle born telepathic?”
“Some are true telepaths, but most, like me, have communication implants. Sort of like your cell phone only we don’t have to worry about running off without them.”
“And how many of the battle born are single?”
It was a logical question, considering the situation and still he found it annoying. The only potential mate she needed to think about was him. That wasn’t fair. She had no idea how any of this worked or that he was intensely attracted to her. He forced back the possessive impulse and provided the information. “A few have found mates among other cultures, but most Rodyte females will not bond with a mixed-blood male. Even though we’re stronger and live longer than pureblood males, we’re considered beneath them.”
“What about battle born females? Do they deal with the same stigma?”
He shook his head. “Their ‘tainted blood’ is overlooked as long as they can manipulate magic.”
She crossed her legs then uncrossed them, nervous energy vibrating the air around her. “It seems so strange for a society with this sort of technology,” she motioned the ship surrounding them, “to be obsessed with magic.”
“It’s not an obsession. It’s instinct. Why do the salmon on your world swim upstream for hundreds of miles just to spawn? It might seem irrational to an onlooker, a dangerous waste of energy, but the impulse is too strong to ignore.”
“Dr. Irron to see you, sir,” the computer interrupted, drawing his gaze toward the door.
“Visitor approved.”
The door parted and Irron strolled into the room. He looked at Raina and smiled. “So you’re ready to join the party?”
“Or not,” she stressed. “I just need to know for sure.”
“Not a problem. This just takes a second.” He held an extractor in one hand and a mobile sample analyzer in the other. “Can you push up your sleeve, please?”
She held out her arm and pushed up her sleeve. Irron sprayed the bend of her elbow with a disinfectant mist then extracted a sample of her blood. She hissed, but held still. “That stung.”
“Scanners have decreased the need for blood samples, but when blood is necessary, it still has to pass through skin.” Irron attached the extractor to the analyzer and entered several commands using a holographic keypad. “Are we hoping for a yes or no?”
“I haven’t decided yet.” Raina crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes wide and uncertain.
Irron glanced at Kotto, but looked back at Raina as he said, “It’s positive. Has the commander explained what that means?”
Raina nodded, her expression unchanged.
“Thank you,” Kotto said, anxious to have Raina to himself again.
Irron chuckled, clearly understanding that he’d been dismissed. “If you have any questions, Commander Tarr knows how to contact me.”
Raina nodded again and the doctor departed. She looked at the sofa, but remained standing. “As I see it, there are two separate issues and participating in one doesn’t obligate me to participate in the other.”
“Actually there are three issues.” He moved toward her and she backed up. With a heavy sigh, he halted his approach with several steps still between them. “The outpost gardens, your grandmother’s journals, and your compatibility with the battle born.”
“I’m not giving you the journals until I understand your plans for Earth and you can’t explain the details unless I sign the contract, so those two issues are interwoven.”
He’d rather deal with her argumentativeness than her fear, so he didn’t contradict her conclusion. “Have you decided whether or not to sign the contract?”
“You know I’m intrigued, but I need some time alone—in the privacy of my own home—to make my final decision.”
“I’ll give you until morning.”
“Absolutely not.” She put her hands on her hips as color rose across her cheeks. “I need at least a week to decide something this important.”
“Day after tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I will send Ashley for your answer. If you aren’t going to do this, I need to find someone who will. I can’t afford to lose an entire week while you make up your mind.”
“Agreed.” She slipped her hands into the pockets of her skirt and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Now, about the protein marker. Just because I’m more likely to survive the transformation than a full-blooded human doesn’t mean I have any interest in being transformed. I’m not in the market for a mate. My life is fine just the way it is.”
“Your work is so fulfilling, you require nothing more? You have no interest in sharing your life with another or watching as your child explores each new discovery?”
“I didn’t say that. I might consider getting married someday, but I’m certainly not ready right now.”
“What’s holding you back?”
Her chin came up and she averted her gaze. “My personal life is none of your business.”
“I disagree.” He crept forward. “You represent hope for men who have never felt the emotion before. They won’t be able to leave you alone.”
She looked at him with panic in her eyes. “I don’t want that kind of attention. I’m not good in social situations.”
He smiled though he wasn’t sure how to soothe her. Would the Rodyte concept of mating make things easier for her or terrify her even more. “Rodytes approach courtship far differently than humans do. The idea of dating is confusing to us. A Rodyte couple either has chemistry or they don’t, and scent is all that’s required to make that determination. At least for the male.”
“Scent? Rodytes can smell their mates?”
“That’s a bit too simplistic. If a couple is biologically compatible, the female’s scent triggers a reaction in the male. Then his touch triggers an equal response in her. It’s either there or it’s not. There’s no point in games or deception.”
“Does the male ever feel the attraction but the female doesn’t or vice versa?”
“Occasionally, but much more often the attraction is mutual.”
Her tongue peeked out to wet her lower lip and his gaze narrowed on her mouth. “What sort of reaction are you talking about?”
“He feels restless and anxious, aggressive toward other males. He’ll pursue her, do everything in his power to convince her that he’s strong enough to protect and provide for her. It’s elemental, instinctual. Like those salmon, the couple is drawn together by a force they can’t control, have no desire to control. There are no one-night-stands, no weekend hookups. Rodytes bond for life.”
“Do Rodytes only have sex with their bonded mate?”
“Sex is so much more intense with their bonded mate that infidelity is barely a temptation. But don’t confuse sex and bonding. They are two very different things. Rodytes who have yet to find their mate enjoy sex every bit as much as humans.”
“And the transformation only takes place when the couple bonds?” She still sounded uncertain.
“Correct.”
“Then there might not be anyone on this ship that reacts like that to me.” Her chest rose and fell, breathes fast and shallow. Was she afraid or turned on by what he was describing?
“Come here.” He held out his hand. If she wanted to make an educated decision, she needed all the facts.
“Why?”
“I’m trying very hard to be patient with you. If you make me come get you, we’ll do this my way.”
Her throat moved as she swallowed with difficulty. “We’ll do what your way?”
“Come here or you’ll find out.”
She licked her lips again and his control snapped. He closed the distance between them with two long strides and pulled her into his arms. Bending low enough to reach her mouth was awkward, so he slid her up his body. His lips covered hers, pressing, learning her texture. Her eyes were tightly shut, her arms trapped between them. She remained tense and still, not struggling, yet not responding.
“Open for me, Raina.” He whispered the words against her mouth then teased the seam of her lips with the tip of his tongue. “Let me in.”
“Why are you doing this?” Her tone was breathy and shaken. She didn’t open her eyes.
“You know why. Now kiss me, so we can see if you feel it too.”
She tugged her arms free and pushed against his chest, her eyes finally opening. “I’m not going to mate with you, so it doesn’t matter what I feel.”
“Ah.” He nipped her bottom lip, enjoying the tantalizing press of her soft breasts against his chest. “You already feel it, don’t you?” He brushed his lips back and forth across hers. “I still want to kiss you.”
“And I want to go home.”
“Kiss me and I’ll set you free.”
She arched away from him, which only pressed her pelvis more intimately against his erection. “You already promised to set me free.”
“I said I’d let you go as soon as our conversation is over. The conversation ends as soon as you kiss me.”
“Fine.” She sighed then took his face between her hands and placed her mouth against his.
Kotto enjoyed the tentative press of her lips over his for a moment then took control of the kiss. He walked to the nearest chair and sat down with her straddling his lap. Her hands shifted to his shoulders as he cupped the back of her head with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist. His tongue teased its way past her lips and she surrendered with a soft groan.
Tilting her head to one side, she opened for him, allowing him to explore at will. He stroked the underside of her lips and curled his tongue around hers. Her taste flowed through him, combining with her scent until his head spun and his fingers tingled. He wanted her naked and arching beneath him, needed the snug embrace of her willing body. But he had to go slowly, give her time to adjust to everything he’d thrown at her.
With absolute reluctance, he eased his tongue out of her mouth and separated their lips. His honor required that he make the situation clear. “There could be others with whom you’re compatible, but our compatibility is undeniable.”
She scrambled off his lap and smoothed down her skirt, looking flushed and adorable. “I haven’t even decided if I’m going to help you with the outpost. Until I do, the rest is moot.”
Nothing was gained by arguing with her now so he said, “I’m a man of my word. Where would you like to be taken?”
“I took the Metro in this morning, so I guess just take me home.”
“What’s the Metro?”
“The subway, underground train system.”
He nodded as he pushed to his feet. “Ashley will visit you on the morning after next. I hope you’ll agree to help us. You could be invaluable to our cause.” Even if she refused, she was a potential mate. No, she was his potential mate. Whether Raina liked it or not, their interactions had just begun.
Standing at the master control console aboard the Relentless, Akim Farmon let the events of the previous day percolate through his mind. Even with the most powerful hyperdrives Rodymia had ever produced, it took twenty-six hours to return to Earth. Quinton knew Akim was racing the rebels toward a common goal. Wasting the better part of three days was inexcusable. And Quinton’s tantrum was irrelevant. Scratch that. Quinton was irrelevant. The crown stirate was weak and malleable. Watching him bend and twist with each new influence had motivated Akim to leave the palace in the first place. He would not serve someone he didn’t respect and Quinton was unworthy of esteem.
Javin Aidentar, on the other hand, had built the Integration Guild into the most powerful force in the star system. If he chose to step out of the shadows many, perhaps most, of Rodymia would accept him as crown stirate. But that wasn’t Javin’s style. He preferred his privacy, his secrecy, leaving everyone to wonder if he was involved in each event or not. And the mystique surrounding his guild made him even more powerful. Only those chosen by the Integration Guild ever understood how it worked, so everyone was afraid to cross them.
Akim shook away the distracting thoughts and focused on his mission. Rodyte politics would always be a tangled web over which he had no control. Crippling the rebellion was his job and he intended to complete the task so well and with such flare that no one on Rodymia would be able to disregard his importance. That included Pyre Sterling! Why in all of creation had she waited so long to issue her warning? He couldn’t change past events, but he could make damn sure she didn’t find out about them.
“What’s our specific destination, Commander?” Fyran, his first officer, asked from beside the navigation console. The navigator was new. Akim trusted the lad’s abilities, but he seemed a bit skittish. “All you said when we departed was Earth.”
“Outpost LA. We’ve put off maintenance as long as we dare. The ship deserves some attention before we resume the hunt.”
“Yes, sir.” Fyran seemed pleased by the decision and he watched the young navigator to make sure he entered the coordinates accurately.
The outpost, which was hidden in the ocean off the coast of Los Angeles, was one of the first Rodyte outposts established on Earth. It had been in operation for just over one hundred years and was surprisingly comfortable for an underwater complex. Rodytes had been visiting Earth much longer, but only in the past century had humans progressed to the point that they warranted in-depth study.
“Will everyone be allowed shore leave?” Fyran asked as he moved to Akim’s side. “Some of these men haven’t been ashore in three years.”
That had to be an exaggeration. The Relentless hadn’t been in service that long. Still, extended deployments with little or no off duty time was the norm for battle born soldiers. “I’ll check with the outpost commander, but I believe we’re allowed thirty at a time.”
“And how long will the maintenance take?”
“Three days at the most, so we’ll have to prioritize and cycle through as many men as we can.”
Fyran nodded, his excitement deflating as he learned the limitations of their stay. “Six groups of thirty would give each group twelve hours away from the ship.”
“If it takes the full three days,” Akim objected. “I’d like to be out of there sooner. Thanks to Quinton, we’re already playing catchup.”
Fyran’s expression grew grim as he recalculated. “Eight-hour shifts would cycle through in two days rather than three. I’m sure the men will be grateful for whatever we can give them.”
“If some need a little extra time, I’ll leave that up to you.”
“I’ll work out a rotation and warn the outpost commander that we’re headed his way.”
“Very good.” Fyran turned to leave the command center, but Akim stopped him. “Make sure you’re on the rotation as well. I know how long it’s been since you blew off some steam.”
Fyran accepted the order with a grateful smile. “Thank you, sir.”
Every ship in the Rodyte fleet was staffed predominately by battle born soldiers. Akim had requested that all of his officers be full-blooded Rodyte and for the most part his request had been granted. Fyran was one of the few exceptions. Surprisingly, the man had proven to be an asset rather than a liability. He was smart and competent, and the others liked him, which was more important than Akim cared to admit. If Fyran told the crew to do something, they did it. While each order Akim issued was resisted, perhaps not openly. Still, he could sense resentment rippling through the ranks of his battle born crew. Their growing hostility was one of the reasons Akim needed to complete his mission as quickly as possible. His crew needed to see the utter futility of this ridiculous rebellion.
Two hours later Akim warned the crew to brace for impact. He gave the signal and the navigator dove the ship directly into the Pacific Ocean. The Relentless was undetectable to human technology and the slight distortion left by the covert field generator was only visible to those familiar with the phenomenon. Even the massive displacement created by the ship’s impact was generally dismissed as rogue waves. Humans only saw what they wanted to see. It was a fact that made places like Outpost LA possible.
The sprawling complex included six large domes that were connected by transparent tubes. The arrangement reminded Akim of a rodent habitat he’d seen as a child. With a staff of one hundred and fifteen, the outpost was part science station, part maintenance facility, and part military base. Ships from numerous star systems docked here to take on supplies or make repairs that couldn’t be undertaken in space. There were a variety of leisure emporiums and numerous pleasure dens. With live pleasure givers, as well as simulators and pleasure-bots, it was easy to understand why the destination was so popular.
The Relentless docked and the first group was allowed to disembark before Akim left the ship as well. Akim left Fyran in charge and promised to relieve him as soon as possible. It was obvious from his first officer’s smirk that Fyran thought he was going to enjoy the amenities for himself. Akim’s purpose was less pleasant, but infinitely more important.
In the heart of the pleasure dome, Club Norax made no attempt to disguise the brutal sorts of pleasure offered within its walls. When Akim trained the club’s owner fifteen years before, he’d thought he was teaching her how to conduct an effective interrogation. “Lady M” had something else in mind. She’d quickly become the most popular dominatrix on Rodymia and earned enough capital to open an establishment where she was free to live without interference from anyone. They’d reconnected three years ago and Akim trusted her implicitly.
The doorman motioned him inside without comment and Akim made his way toward the back corner of the compact building. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Milanni—Lady M to her customers—looked more like a human housewife than a shrewd entrepreneur, except for the short, spiky hair, which was tipped in green to match the rings in her dark eyes.
She noticed him standing in the doorway to her office and motioned him toward the chair arranged beside her desk. “Did you enjoy your royal spanking?” she asked with a cheeky grin.
“As you’re well aware, I enjoy giving spankings not receiving them.”
She deactivated the holodisplay, which appeared to be some sort of clothing catalogue. “Well, your pet is safe and sound, as I promised.”
Akim nodded. “Did she cause you any trouble?”
Milanni shook her head, making the green tip on each spike shimmer. “She spent the first two days in the regenerator, and she’s barely spoken since.” The friendliness suddenly left her face and her gaze turned cold. “If someone worked over one of my girls like that, I’d slit their throat.”
He fought back his frustration. She was the second female to threaten him over Chandar’s treatment in as many days. If the harbinger wasn’t so strong-willed, such abuse wouldn’t be necessary. Rather than explain the details leading up to Chandar’s injuries, he simply said, “Someone beat you to it. Chandar’s abuser no longer draws breath.” She didn’t need to know Akim’s brother had indulged his brutality with Akim’s permission. Milanni’s only response was a tense nod. “Did she regenerate completely? Were her memories left intact?”
“I’m not sure.” Milanni pushed back from her desk and stood. “My healer was so infuriated by the little harbinger’s condition that she’s refusing to speak with me either. Is it important?”
“Not really. I was just curious.” If Chandar’s memory hadn’t been wiped, he’d have to deal with it on the ship. If Pyre found out all of the things her daughter had endured, he’d die a slow and agonizing death. Of that he had no doubt.
Milanni led him to one of the rooms upstairs. Each was small though well-equipped, which had made ensuring Chandar’s cooperation easier. Milanni unlocked the door with an old-fashioned key and motioned him inside. Chandar lay on her side in the middle of the bed, dressed in a simple white nightgown. She looked like a virgin sacrifice, stoically awaiting her fate. He shook his head and moved to the foot of the bed.
“Chandar, it’s time to go.” She just lay there, staring at the wall. “Is she sedated?”
“She’s been like that since yesterday.” The angry gleam returned to Milanni’s gaze. “She won’t eat. We had to force water down her throat. You’ve got your work cut out for you, old man. Better hope you don’t need her visons for a while. There’s a cloak in the closet.” She triggered the release mechanism on Chandar’s collar, which was chained to the wall, then turned and left without a backward glance.
Akim moved to the side of the bed and lightly touched her shoulder. Nothing happened. This wasn’t good. Chandar always jerked away from his lightest touch. “Chandar.” He carefully shook her. Her eyes were open, but she was completely unresponsive. “Enough! It’s time to go.”
He pulled/dragged her off the bed and was ridiculously relieved when her legs supported her. Her face remained expressionless, eyes vacant. Had the useless healer wiped her mind completely? He turned her toward him and shook her harder. “Chandar!” He shouted right in her face and she didn’t so much as blink.
Was this an act? The clever bitch could be waiting until he took her out of the club to make her escape. It wouldn’t be all that hard in this bustling outpost. He wouldn’t put anything past her. Not taking any chances, he contacted his ship. “Is the bio-stream engine still on line?”
“Yes, sir,” Fyran responded. “Is there a problem?”
“Chandar isn’t feeling well. Stream us to her cabin.”
“Do you mean your cabin, sir?” There was a wealth of meaning behind the simple question. Rumors had been flying ever since he allowed Chandar to sleep across the hall from him. He had always been extremely picky about who he allowed near his harbinger. The crew was fervently hoping that was about to change.
“No. The cabin directly across from mine, but she is still off limits. Is that understood?”
“Of course, sir.”
He pulled Chandar closer and wrapped his arm around her waist. She didn’t struggle or pull away, which made Akim even more uncomfortable. They materialized in the designated cabin and Akim pushed her to arm’s length. “It’s all right now. You’re home.”
Life sparked within her silver-ringed eyes. Loathing gradually animated her features and she shoved him back so hard he nearly lost his footing. “This has never been, nor will it ever be, my home.”
Thank the gods! He’d never been so relieved to hear belligerence.
She moved to the bed like an automaton and sat with her hands folded in her lap. Her features fell back into an expressionless mask, but he wasn’t fooled. This was just another way of defying him. She obviously remembered that she hated him. He needed to determine which, or if any, of her memories had been scrubbed. Luckily, he’d chosen a physician for the crew who had extensive experience with memory manipulation.
“Eat something or I’ll have you force-fed.” He tossed the directive over his shoulder as he reached the door.
“Fuck off and die.” Even spoken in a hushed monotone, the words had never sounded sweeter.