by S. E. Smith
Ristéard stood to one side as they entered. The moment Star walked by him, he reached out to touch her hair. She turned when she felt the slight tug on her hair but relaxed when she saw he was looking at the strands he had gathered with a fascinated expression. She was used to people doing the same thing when the circus used to tour Asia and parts of the Middle East. Jazin carefully pulled Star away but the Grand Ruler wasn’t finished with his analysis of her hair. He followed them into the room touching the silky wave repeatedly until Jazin reached out and gripped his wrist. A member of Ristéard’s elite guard stepped forward at the violation to his ruler. Ristéard studied Jazin’s taunt face for a moment before he flicked his hand, dismissing his guards. Ristéard tilted his head ever so slightly to let Jazin know he understood silent warning before he walked over to where Ajaska, Torak, and River sat at the end of the table. Jazin placed his hand protectively on Star’s lower back and guided her away from the huge blue leader toward the two couches where Gril and Madas sat.
“What did you think of Ristéard?” She asked quietly as she sat down on the plush couch.
A low rumble escaped Jazin before he could stop it as his gaze flickered to the Elpidios ruler who was speaking intensely with his father. What did he think of the Grand Ruler? He was seriously thinking of killing the bastard! That was what he was thinking. Ristéard had taken every opportunity he could to touch Star’s soft hair as they came in.
The bastard didn’t even tried to make it appear as if it was an accident. After the fifth time his hand reached out to touch a strand, Jazin had enough and gripped his wrist in warning. He had finally moved to sit next to Ajaska but his eyes kept returning to Star’s hair.
“She is a very unique female, is she not?” Ajaska asked Ristéard when he saw the male’s eyes drift back to where his little daughter sat on the couch with her mate.
“My apologies,” Ristéard murmured with a slight twist to his lips at the understatement. “I have never seen this color before and find it fascinating. Is it common among their species?”
River giggled as she heard the quietly spoken words and responded for Ajaska who looked to her for guidance. “It is fairly common. We have all different color hair. While mine is a dark brown, Star and Jo have an almost white-blond. Our friend Ricki has blond hair too but it is more of a honey blond. Others have black or red hair. Even those can vary greatly. The way you were reacting reminded me of the time we were in Turkey. Star, Jo, and Ricki almost didn’t make it out of Istanbul. Do you remember that, Star?”
Star laughed as she nodded her head. “Ricki ended up buying head scarves for all of us so we could get out of the market without being mugged or kidnapped. The people that live in that area have dark hair like you so when they saw us it was like sending up a flashing light saying ‘foreigners!’.”
“There is a third female? She is the a warrior like yourself?” Ristéard asked with an intense look of interest in his eyes.
“Lady Jo is my son Manota’s mate,” Ajaska said in quiet warning at the interest that flashed through Ristéard’s eyes.
“Who is this Ricki?” Ristéard asked cautiously as a feeling of unease began to grow deep inside him.
“Ricki is the Empress of Organization!” River laughed. “If you need something done, have a challenge that seems impossible to conquer or need to find something she is the one who can do it.”
“That is an understatement!” Star said with a shake of her head. “If you need a miracle she is the one to pull it off for you. I’ve never seen anyone accomplish some of the things she has with just a few taps of her fingers. She is pure magic.”
“I hope we get to spend some time with her once she gets here,” River said. “But, knowing Ricki, she’ll spend the next six months researching every law and by-law in the known star systems to see what she needs to do to ease things for everyone else.”
Ristéard listened as the two unusual females talked for a short time about some of the ‘miracles’ this Ricki had accomplished. His mind filtered through their conversation picking out key elements. From what he could gather this female was renowned for her abilities to get items no one else could and she could handle situations others found impossible. His eyes flickered back over the two women again, noting their unusual beauty and grace. He felt his body stir with desire at the idea of having a female of his own with white hair. Perhaps it was time to add another female to his house. He wondered if they came in a larger size.
Ristéard observed the way the young Kassisan lord tightened his hold on the tiny female. While he found the tiny, light haired female fascinating she did not stir his blood sexually. She was too small. He would be afraid of breaking her. He shook his head and turned his attention back to matters at hand. The past two hours had been very insightful. He did not like to learn he was being manipulated. He would send his own men to find the Kassisan male who thought to use him for his own gain. It was not often that he could be fooled. His concern for his people had clouded the reservations he had at the male’s promises.
“You are in agreement to supply the necessary crystals we need then?” Ristéard asked focusing back on Ajaska and Torak who had been discussing the best way to handle the increased need for the energy crystals.
“Yes.” Ajaska nodded. “Torak will return to Kassis and make the necessary arrangements. We should be apply to supply you with the first shipment within three weeks’ time.”
“In the meantime, we have some reserves on board two of our warships that can be transported down to help out. Our scientists have successfully replicated the crystals. I can organize a team of researchers to come to Elpidios with your permission,” Torak added.
Ristéard looked from father to son. He could see no signs of deceit on their faces or in their voices, only genuine concern. It had been so long since he had felt like he could trust another he was reluctant to believe it possible there were others out in the star system with a code of honor that matched his own.
His head jerked around when he felt a slender hand lightly touch his. “The Houses of Kassis will not let you or your people down,” River said with a comforting smile. “It was hard for me to trust as well. They will stand beside you.”
His dark silver eyes stared deeply into the dark blue ones of the pale-skinned female. For a moment, he was lost in their depths. He could almost see something in the swirling colors. He jerked back to the present when she withdrew her hand and nodded his head as he stood up.
“You are welcome to enjoy the hospitality of the palace. I have several meetings scheduled that I need to attend. I will make arrangements for the necessary supply ships to leave within the next few days. I would like to tour the Crystal Replication Plant you spoke of personally. I will contact you shortly with the arrangements,” Ristéard stated with a quiet authority that conveyed the meeting was over.
Everyone rose from where they were sitting. Both Torak and Jazin slid their arms protectively around their mates. Ristéard turned and took a step toward Jazin and Star. Before Jazin could stop him, the Grand Ruler reached out to touch Star’s hair one last time with a twisted smile.
“Unusual,” he murmured before he let it go and left without another word.
Star laughed when she saw Jazin’s expression. He looked for all the world like he would like to kick the huge, blue guy’s ass. She squeezed his fingers to let him know he didn’t have a thing to worry about before they followed the others out of the room.
Chapter 17
Three days later they were heading to a distant Spaceport on the outer rim of the Tearnat star system. Out of the dozen warships, only three remained. The Blue Star, Jazin’s warship and two of the Tearnat warships. Gril and Madas had departed on the other Tearnat warship after Gril had received a report that there was an small uprising of rebels on his home planet. Torak and River had returned to Kassis while Ajaska took another ship to the Dramentic star system when the Alliance council reported a disturbance on the outer edge of their system. Ajaska
’s heated curses could be heard as he made arrangements to leave. He took six warships with him to subdue the conflict. The last remaining Kassis warship developed engine problems and was currently still in orbit around Elpidios until the repairs could be completed.
Star frowned as she thought of all the events that just suddenly seemed to explode all at once. She wasn’t the only one thought that either. She had listened in before the others left that it was very unusual for the Dramentic star system to have issues but a mining asteroid had been under attack. The Dramentians were a passive society who were known for their negotiating skills, not their fighting ability. That was one reason they relied heavily on the Alliance for protection. The last head chancellor of the Alliance was from the Dramentic star system. Trolis had killed him. It was during that incident that Star, Jo, and River met Jazin, Torak, and later Manota.
Jazin had been in meetings on and off for the last three days. She walked over to the replicator and programmed it for a cup of hot tea. She was just turning back to her comfy spot by the viewport to read some more when the door sounded letting her know someone was requesting permission to enter. Star was surprised since she wasn’t expecting anyone. She set her cup down on the small table next to the door and waved her hand over the panel. The door slid open to reveal two men she had never seen before. One was slightly shorter than the other. The taller man wore the standard uniform of security while the shorter one wore the maintenance uniform. Star was surprised to see a small repair cart behind them.
“Jazin’s not in right now,” Star said looking at them with a smile. “I can request his location if you would like. Is something broken?”
“A repair order came in for your replicator,” the shorter man said.
Star turned her head and looked at the replicator she had just used. “It is working fine. I just used it,” she said turning to look at both men again with a frown.
“A work order was submitted and I have to look at,” the man insisted.
Star stepped back as a funny feeling turned her stomach. “I’ll call Jazin and see if he was having problems with it,” she said turning to reach for the comlink she hadn’t put on since she was still in the cabin.
“That won’t be necessary,” the taller man said raising his arm and firing.
Both men watched as Star jerked forward knocking the cup off the table. Her fingers curled as the shock moved through her body, clenching her muscles before darkness settled around her. The taller man entered, picking up the cup and placing it in the cleansing unit while the other man pushed the cart inside the cabin. Within minutes, they were heading down the long corridor. They only had minutes to get the body of the female in position. Every three days, liquid waste was flushed out of the ship. This time there would be a solid mass going with it.
*.*.*
Jazin rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. He had been receiving reports from all over and had conferenced with his father, brother, Gril, and the Commander of the warship they had left behind at Elpidios. His father discovered the mining asteroid had been destroyed. There was nothing left of it except some chunks of metallic fragments. Whoever was responsible was long gone by the time they reached it. Gril discovered the group of rebels were nothing more than a small group of young Tearnats that had been promised extra credits and time with some females if they caused a disruption. He was interrogating them separately but the stories were all the same. Three older Tearnat males came to their villages with the promises of wealth and women. In exchange all they had to do was pretend to cause an uprising. They had all been told it was to help with a military training. Gril was ready to slap every single one of them into the military for some real training!
The commander of the warship left at Elpidios couldn’t understand how the circuit boards had received water damage. The only way was if they had been sabotaged on purpose. He was reviewing the crew roster to see who had access to that level. The only thing that appeared to be going right was on his home planet. Torak had arrived just in time. He had gone to one of their largest Crystal Replication Plants. During a tour of the facility he had observed several workers acting strangely. He had his elite guards stop and search the men. Enough explosives to disable the plant and kill an untold number of workers was discovered. The men had resisted and two of the three were killed. The last one was gravely wounded. Torak ordered all plants to undergo lockdown and be searched thoroughly. All workers were to be reviewed as well. Once the worker who was injured recovered enough to speak, Torak said he would find out what other terrorist acts were planned.
“You need rest, my friend,” Jar said coming to stand next to where Jazin was standing watching the men below him on the bridge.
“Soon,” Jazin responded. “How far are we to where Dakar thinks Tai Tek may have taken refuge?”
“Another two days,” Jar said quietly. “I am concerned with the things that have been occurring. An analysis of the events suggest they are just a distraction for something else. I have run each through several different scenarios. Only one comes up with a higher than normal percentage of acceptability.”
Jazin shook his head, looking down tiredly before his lips curved in a small smile at his unusual friend. “What outcome is that?”
Jar looked at Jazin with a frown. “That it is a distraction to limit the number of warships available is obvious but the second is to perhaps take something without it being know.”
Jazin looked at his friend with a thoughtful look. He was about to ask him what he thought someone would take when the Blue Star rocked violent. Alarms blared as the lights flickered. Red emergency lights came on. A second wave hit the warship tilting it upward on the port side briefly before the stabilizers kicked in. Jazin grabbed the railing around the upper level of the bridge. Jar did the same. Both men reached out to grab a warrior who reached for the railing but missed as the second wave hit. The male was thrown up and over, his body falling to the level below with a sickening thump. Jar held onto the back of Jazin’s vest when he almost went over the railing after the male as he grabbed for him.
Shouts and moans echoed throughout the bridge as calls to extinguish the small fires and those thrown around that could still move struggled to their feet. Jazin looked at Jar who nodded to him and focused. Jar’s amber eyes glowed and he began speaking rapidly.
“One of the Tearnat’s warships exploded. Our shields are holding but the blast sent shockwaves through space. The other Tearnat ship was closer and it has received severe damage. Hull integrity has been compromised on the Tearnat warship on decks eight, twelve, and fifteen. Evacuation is underway. Implosion of the warship is probable. The Blue Star’s hull is undamaged. The engines are off-line due to the shockwave. Minor damage on decks one, five, six, ten, eleven, twenty, and twenty-two. Unknown number of causalities or injuries at this time. Emergency response teams have been activated and medical teams have been deployed. I would recommend moving eight point four-five kilometers away from the Tearnat ship to reduce further damage,” Jar said as the amber light in his eyes slowly returned to normal.
“Star,” Jazin muttered as he fought between his responsibility to his warship and to his mate.
“I will go check on her,” Jar said as he released his grip on the railing. “I will let you know immediately.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Jazin said with a nod. “Tell her I would have come myself but I have to make sure the ship is safe first.”
“I will,” Jar said as he stepped closer to the door. It didn’t open at first. Jar gripped it at the seam and pulled it open as if he was tearing paper from a box.
Jazin looked down at the men moving down below him. Two warriors were removing the body of the man who fell. The crew members who could were working on repairing the equipment at their stations while others were helping those who were injured. Jazin ordered the alarms off. Lights began to flicker back on as the emergency teams worked to restore order. Jazin ordered the comlink repaired as soon as possible. They needed
to rescue as many Tearnats as they could before the second warship disintegrated.
*.*.*
Jar worked his way down to deck four. Along the way he passed several injured warriors. He paused long enough to record their location and submitted it to the emergency medical team closest to them. He was not hampered by the limitation of the communication’s systems as he could by-pass it and patch directly into the warship’s computer system. That was how he contacted Dakar and Armet.
“How long before you are able to get the systems back online?” Jar asked as he patched into their comlink.
“Us?” Dakar growled out. “You’re the one with the computer brain. Why don’t you just fix the damn thing?”
“I am good but I am not that good,” Jar said seriously. “I will begin bringing what systems I can online but I do not want to override my own systems.”
“We are in the landing bay. Two of the shuttles broke loose and slammed into another. It is going to take a while to get the equipment we need to pull them off the one,” Armet cursed.
Jar paused for a moment before he pushed open the door to the emergency hatch leading to the lower level. “Was the Tearnat starship damaged?”
“It sustained some minor damage when the front end of one of the shuttles hit it,” Armet said. “It will take a few hours to repair but it should be fine.”
Jar grabbed the handrails on each side of the ladder leading down and slid down to the next level. “Very well. I am checking on Jazin’s little warrior.”
“Gods,” Armet cursed again. “I didn’t even think about her. Fine Captain of the Guard I am,” he said in disgust. “I’m on my way up.”
“I will inform her,” Jar said signing off.
He walked down the corridor noticing it was empty. That was not unusual as this level contained the living quarters of some of the officers and several relaxation lounges for the crew. He stopped in front of the door to Jazin and Star’s living quarters unsure of the protocol of asking for admittance when there was no automatic alert. He raised his hand and knocked loudly several times. When he didn’t receive an answer, he became concerned that perhaps the little warrior had been knocked unconscious or hurt badly.
