by S. E. Smith
Harden had been working for Tillman’s corporation. He had delivered materials, supposedly mining equipment and basic defense weapons, to the mining colonies along the outer rims. Those were the ones the Alluthan’s attacked. Yet, there had only been the one Mothership. It had been destroyed and the remaining items collected by the Confederation’s top scientists to study. Everything Gracie knew had been recorded. He knew because he had tapped into the Confederation’s computer database and downloaded everything they had discovered.
His eyes flickered to where Skeeter had been. He frowned as his eyes searched for her. He turned when he heard her soft laughter coming from the room behind them.
“I need your promise you will keep her safe until I return,” Krac muttered under his breath as Skeeter stepped out onto the balcony.
“I gave her that promise long before I give it to you,” Bulldog replied. “I would start on Pryus. The parts store held more than Violet Jefe.”
“How do you know that?” Krac asked in surprise.
“Because you are not the only unusual male that was created in the labs. Another of your kind was searching for something there as well according to my sources,” Bulldog murmured before he stepped forward with a wide grin and pulled Skeeter into his arms for another hug.
Krac watched as the Triterian asked Skeeter about the new sculpture she had designed. His own heart warmed when her eyes kept searching out him even as his mind ran through the data pouring through it. He nodded and his lips curved up at the corners when her shy smile of relief sent a flush of happiness to her cheeks that he and her father had talked and not tried to kill each other.
Chapter 25
“Why? Why can’t I go with you?” Skeeter asked in frustration the next morning as they stood next to his sleek starship that had been readied for departure. “I can help.”
“You faint at the sight of blood. If things work out the way I suspect, there will be a lot of it,” Krac reminded her.
“But… what if you need help?” She asked worriedly. “What if you get hurt?”
Krac paused at the sound of fear and worry in her voice. It was taking every ounce of his self-control to leave her here. Her safety meant more to him than his own fear of leaving her. She would be safe here with Bulldog. She would be in danger as long as she was with him, especially if what Bulldog told him proved correct.
He had no idea that others of his kind had survived. He had been under the impression that all other models had been destroyed by the scientists at the labs before Anastasia’s team could rescue them. His mind swept over his conversation early this morning with Roarrk and Anastasia. Another attempt had been made on her life. She had been wounded but refused to let it stop her.
“They are getting desperate. This attack happened in broad daylight in the center of town,” Roarrk growled.
“Anastasia, what do you know about the other Alluthan clones at the facilities you raided? Do you know if any others of my kind were freed?” Krac demanded.
Anastasia bit her lip before staring him in the eye. Her face was bruised and dark circles under her eyes highlighted her exhaustion. It took several moments before she finally answered him.
“Yes,” she answered softly. “There are others.”
“Why wasn’t I told?” He demanded coldly.
“Krac,” Roarrk warned.
“No, Roarrk. He deserves to know. I take full responsibility,” she replied softly before turning back to Krac. “There were a total of five Allbreeds that we know of that survived. Six, now, if what Bulldog told you is true. You and four others were rescued. At first, we weren’t sure if you could link with the others. It was decided it was best to keep you isolated from each other to see. Two of the Allbreed escaped shortly after they were separated. We believe they could link together and communicate with each other. Their escapes were very well coordinated and it is believed they are together.”
“And the other two?” He asked stiffly. “What became of them?”
“One was killed when he attacked several of the scientists. The other… the other was moved to an isolated facility where she could live in a safe environment.”
“She?!” Krac whispered in disbelief. “A female?”
Anastasia sighed and leaned back against Roarrk as he wrapped his arm around her. “Yes. From the little we could find out, she was considered a surprise to those at the facility. As far as we can tell, there was never any record of the Alluthans having female offspring. The research showed that all attempts to clone a female had failed until Section A was created.”
“What about this sixth one?” He demanded. “How was he not discovered?”
“He must have either been taken from the facility before it was destroyed or…” Her voice faded for a moment as her eyes darkened. “Or… there was a cover up by one of my teams.”
“Find out which it was. I am headed back to Pryus to see if I can find out what he was looking for,” Krac replied.
“Be careful,” Anastasia whispered. “I would never hurt you, Krac, not intentionally. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this information before.”
Krac could see the sincerity in Anastasia’s eyes, but it still burned that she did not trust him, even after he had pledged to protect her and her family. He nodded stiffly before signing off. He had a lot to do before he left. One of which was making sure a certain curvy redhead was kept safe until his return.
He turned when he felt her hand on his arm. A low groan escaped him at the worry in her eyes. He pulled her into his arms and held her close to his heart. His eyes closed as the warmth spread through him. He never expected to find a female to call his own.
He had a better appreciation for Kordon’s rage when he kidnapped Gracie. In all honesty, he admired Kordon’s restraint in not trying to kill him for putting his mate in such danger. The thought of someone considering Skeeter collateral damage sent piercing waves of pain through him. Bulldog was right. She brought color to his world.
“I will return as soon as I can,” he promised in a husky voice. “Stay with your father. I will come for you when my mission is over.”
“But… what if you don’t come back?” She whispered.
“I will,” he vowed, tilting her head so he could brush his lips along hers. “I have something worth coming back for.”
Skeeter’s lips twitched as she tenderly touched his face. “You’d better or I’ll come find you and shoot your ass for making me.”
Krac chuckled. “That would be very painful,” he teased.
Skeeter’s eyes grew serious as she stared up at him. “Just be careful.”
“I will. Visit with your father. He missed you as well,” Krac said, reluctantly releasing her.
“I’m still in shock you two didn’t try to kill each other,” she murmured as he bent to pick up a small pack off the ground next to him. “Especially when you told him you were sleeping where I did. I’ve never seen him turn that dark a red before.”
Krac laughed again and shook his head. He had thought for sure that the huge Triterian was about to attack him as well, but instead he just muttered something unintelligible under his breath. He was sure Bulldog had refrained from attacking because of Skeeter. She had been sitting across from her father with a huge, happy grin on her face.
“Are you ready to leave?” Bulldog asked dryly from behind them. “I thought you were in a hurry. I’ve already approved your clearance to take off.”
Skeeter shook her head and sighed in reproach. “Daddy.”
Krac nodded to Bulldog when he folded his six arms across his chest and glared at him. From the glaring frown and the impatience in the Triterian’s voice, it was obvious he had not been forgiven for sleeping with his daughter. He shrugged his broad shoulders. It may take time but Bulldog was going to have to learn that he was no longer the only male in Skeeter’s life.
“Keep her safe,” he growled, brushing a hard, possessive kiss across her mouth. “I love you,” he whispered as he brushed a
nother kiss near her ear before he turned and walked over to the sleek starship.
Skeeter stood still, her eyes wide as she fought back tears. She wrapped her arms tightly around her waist as she watched the silver ship rise off the ground and turn before it quickly gained altitude and disappeared.
She leaned back against her dad when he protectively wrapped his arms around her. She let her head drop back against his chest and released a sad sigh. Her eyes briefly closed before she opened them with a glitter of determination.
She still had cargo to deliver. If there was one way to cope with fear it was by keeping busy. Tila had taught her that. She would spend a few days with her dad before she finished her original run to Newport.
“So, tell me how Tila is doing,” Bulldog said, turning her back toward his private transport. “Is she ready for me to kill Artemis yet so I can bring her back home?”
Skeeter turned and rose up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. “Not yet,” she responded, linking her arm through two of his and squeezing his hand, letting him know she knew he was trying to distract her. “Did you really tear off some of Lucas’ fingers?”
“Would I do something like that?” Bulldog asked, trying to look innocent.
He released a contented sigh as Skeeter’s infectious laughter rang through the air. Perhaps I won’t have to kill the male after all. She is glowing with happiness, he thought with satisfaction. My very, very beautiful little girl has found her mate.
Chapter 26
Pryus Spaceport: Lower Level
“What have you discovered?” The raspy voice on the other side of the vidcom asked. “Did you find what I sent you for?”
Section L stared back at the cloaked figure with cold, emotionless eyes. “It is not here,” he responded.
“It has to be! Search again. Pius said the contact gave it to him,” the voice snapped. “I need that item!”
“Pius is dead. The shop was secured, but the item was taken before his death,” Section L replied.
Silence met his words before the voice spoke again. “Was it the assassin?”
“No,” Section L stated. “I was able to access the lower section security vidcoms. I know who took the item. Do you wish for me to retrieve it?”
“Yes,” the raspy voice said. “Terminate whoever took it. Leave no trace.”
“Affirmative,” Section L replied. “I will contact you when I have the item.”
“Don’t fail or you will not be the only one terminated,” the voice warned before the vidcom went blank.
Section L stared at the dark screen in his hand before carefully sliding it back into his pocket. Only when the device was safely tucked away did he release the control he tried desperately to maintain. It was vital that he retain the unemotional mask, especially when he was reminded of what could happen if he failed, but each threat made it more difficult.
He shook the dust off of his fist as he pulled it from the wall next to him. His eyes swept the cluttered area. He had seen several things in the vidcom that he kept to himself. Soon, he would return with the item and when he did… when he did, he would end the control the Leader had over him once and for all.
Pulling the hood of his cloak over his head, he exited the dark building. He paused briefly to connect with the security vidcom. A satisfied smile curled his lips as he opened his eyes.
The Leader was not the only one with a plan, Section L thought as he disappeared down the dark alley.
*.*.*
Two weeks later, Krac stood in the same place that he had been when he was searching for Violet. Dust and clutter littered the area worse than it had before. His eyes narrowed on the wall behind the counter.
He gingerly stepped over the items that had been tossed aside, more than likely by the Spaceport authorities during their ‘investigation’. He stared at the newly formed hole for several seconds before he turned to see what else had been disturbed. He retrieved the image of the small store from his memory banks and scanned it for additional changes.
His eyes swept over the store carefully. He paused on the area near the wall where a row of shelves were. The imprint of fresh prints in the dust captured his attention. He stepped over to the wall. On the third shelf, the outline of four fingers were clearly visible. There were no fingerprints. Whoever had placed their hand on the shelf had been wearing gloves.
Krac stared at the prints for a moment, trying to see what had held the male’s attention. His eyes scanned the shelf when a small object, carefully placed near the wall, caught his attention. He reached into the shadows and wrapped his fingers around the small, black part. He turned it in his hand and frowned. A shiver of unease washed through him as he stared at the navigation module.
A low curse burst from his lips as he saw a touch of yellow paint on one side. A vision of the Lulu Belle’s console, creatively color coded, flooded his mind, even as Froget’s words echoed with it.
“I don’t know why she wants to be a freighter captain. She can’t pilot one worth a damn. That’s why she’s got all the buttons color coded, it’s to help remind her what they are supposed to do.”
“Lulu Belle, what have you gotten yourself into now,” he whispered, clenching the part in his hand. He focused on the comlink in his ear. “Bulldog!” He growled in a low, not completely steady voice. “Tell me you have Skeeter with you.”
*.*.*
Skeeter leaned back and looked at the wall with a sad smile. She and Manny, her new temporary co-pilot, were on their way back to Sallas after dropping off her cargo on Newport. She had decided before the trip that it was time to be honest with her dad and tell him that she wasn’t a very good freighter captain. What she really wanted to do was focus on her art.
She and Bulldog had talked well into the night shortly after Krac had left. She didn’t know why she thought it would be so hard to tell him or why she feared he would be disappointed. A small smile curved her lips as she thought back to their conversation.
*.*.*
“Why didn’t you tell me you knew all along?” She had asked as she sat snuggled up on the couch in his office.
“You have been decorating our home since you arrived with pictures and things you have made,” Bulldog had responded with a smile. “I know because I have every single one you have created. I have always been very proud of your talent. I just wanted you to know where you would be happiest.”
“So, you aren’t disappointed if I focus on my art? I already have several pieces in some of the galleries on Newport, Gallus and even Pryus.”
Of course, he had been thrilled. It was only later as she lay sleepless in her bed that felt empty without Krac’s warm body against hers, that she laughed at herself for being so stupid. It was ridiculous to think that her dad didn’t know about her gallery showings. He knew everything about everything. Still, having his support and acceptance meant the world to her.
*.*.*
That this was her last trip on the Lulu Belle made the time even more bittersweet as she stared at her newest painting. She sank down into the chair and stared at the wall in Froget’s old cabin. The painting of him was so real, she felt like she could reach out and touch him. A single tear coursed down her face as she remembered the first morning after he had started as her co-pilot. He had come up to the bridge in a very grumpy mood. When she asked him what was wrong, he had exploded, saying he hadn’t slept all night because he kept trying to eat the damn red and black bugs that were all over his walls.
“My tongue is so sore I can barely talk straight,” he had mumbled.
She wiped at the second tear that fell and chuckled. He hadn’t been lying. His tongue had hung out of the side of his mouth for almost two weeks before he stopped trying to eat them.
Now, he sat in the middle of a small field. The sun was shining down on him and dozens of the little red and black bugs snuggled up close to him as he smiled back at her.
“Thank you, my dear, dear friend,” Skeeter whispered, sadly. “I’ll never for
get you.”
“Skeeter,” Manny’s voice called from the doorway.
Skeeter glanced over and smiled at the elderly Chibear. He wasn’t much taller than Froget but instead of having smooth skin, he was covered in a soft gray fur. Manny had worked for her dad for years as a freighter pilot before retiring to care for the gardens at their home. Bulldog insisted that if she was going to finish her delivery she needed to have an experienced co-pilot. Manny agreed to go with her as it gave him a chance to see his daughter and her mate who owned a shop on Newport.
“Yes, Manny?” She said, standing and wiping at her damp cheeks.
“There is something strange going on with your navigation system,” he said with a frown. “Strange star charts keep popping up and there are symbols I’ve never seen before. I don’t recognize any of them. I ran a diagnostic to see if it was defective, but everything came back showing it was working properly.”
Skeeter sighed. This was a part of being a freighter captain that she wasn’t going to miss at all. She bent and gathered up her paint and brushes. She would need to clean them before she could take a look at what Manny was talking about.
“Are we still heading for Sallas?” She asked as she stepped out into the corridor. “Is the malfunction causing a problem?”
“Yes, we are still on course for Sallas. It isn’t so much a malfunction. It is just I’ve never in all my eighty years as a pilot seen the star systems it is showing and the translators can’t decipher the code,” Manny complained, walking slowly beside her toward the galley. “I’ve been to just about every known star system at least once. These are some I’ve never even heard of.”
“I’ll have daddy’s maintenance crew take a look at it when we get back to Sallas,” Skeeter said with a shrugged. “This is a replacement module I picked up. Our old one was fried. I found this one on Pryus and Frog... Froget was able to modify it so it would work.”
Manny nodded before jumping when an alarm suddenly sounded. Skeeter froze for a moment, trying to remember what Krac had told her about the alarms. This one was different from the one that sounded when she hit something. A moment later, the alarm stopped. She quickly laid the brushes she had cleaned on the towel next to the sink before grabbing another one to dry her hands.
