by Reagan Woods
“You’re only using one cane,” Balcar commented, joining her.
“If I plan my movements accordingly, one is all I need,” she said proudly. Glancing up at him, she took note of the lines of stress around his eyes.
“Actually, I wanted to talk with you about your progress. That’s why I came in early.”
He waited until she joined him at the table, letting the quiet drag out.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” he cleared his throat uneasily.
Oh, no, here it comes.
“I have to send you back to the surface. I’m sorry.”
Willa’s heart sank to her feet. She’d hoped for more time to learn and study and dream far, far away from what promised to be cramped and squalid conditions on Earth.
Survival wasn’t the issue. She’d gone toe-to-toe against Mother Nature, one hundred percent alone, before. Make no mistake, Mother Nature was a vicious bitch, but humans in captivity were worse. She didn’t want to go back to institutional life, back to being one short step above an animal.
“Is there nothing I can do to stay?”
She refused to beg.
But if she didn’t ask, she’d never know.
“The Doranos liaisons insist that all Earthers be on the surface,” Balcar said, a hint of bitterness creeping into his words.
Obviously, he didn’t like the situation any more than she did. Perhaps there was more yet that he hoped to learn from her?
“Are you certain you’ve collected en –“ A loud buzz from the decontamination chamber splintered the air, and they both rose, startled, to their feet.
Willa grabbed her cane and followed Balcar to the semi-transparent door that locked tight when someone was entering or leaving the hall-like chamber. The blue and red flashes of sanitizing energy outlined a mountain of a warrior. For it had to be a warrior, though she couldn’t see many details. His silhouette was much bigger than Balcar’s, and the shadowy figure fairly bristled with muscles…
She knew the Corian scientists were, technically, warriors, but she’d never been able to imagine Balcar as one of the fierce males she’d met on the surface. He was too kind, too gentle. Or so she’d thought.
Now, he stood a few feet from the door, a fierce glow in his bronze metallic eyes, looking like he could do some damage. In fact, he looked like he’d enjoy it.
Reaching back, he gently shoved her in the direction of her little room.
“Go, lock yourself in,” he commanded in a tone she’d never heard him use before. “I told Dorit I’d send you down. If he sent someone up to collect you…Just go, Willa,” he urged.
Chapter Five
“What is the meaning of this, Vank?” Balcar barked, not at all his usual welcoming self.
“Balcar, friend, stand down.” Vank kept his tone easy, but his eyes shot the doctor a warning glare. “Sorry for setting off the alarm,” he apologized. “I’m in a hurry and tried to rush the decontamination.”
“Have you come to retrieve Willa?” The scientist growled the question, shoving the long sleeves of his tunic up his forearms, baring clenched fists.
“No,” Vank said patiently. “I brought a possible new team member up from the Toronto work camp.”
Balcar narrowed his gaze skeptically, and Vank had to chuckle.
“When we spoke before, you indicated that you were analyzing some data and could use the help of an Earther with a scientific background,” Vank reminded.
“I did,” Balcar responded guardedly.
The little Earther, Priya, stood very still in Vank’s shadow. He could feel the misgiving radiating off her in waves. From the corner of his eye, he saw her peer slowly around at the uncharacteristically aggressive Balcar. She retreated quietly behind Vank.
“Balcar, Brother Warrior, Honored Scientist, please meet Priya of Earth.” Vank stepped away from Priya, and she stood uncertainly on the threshold.
Balcar’s tan-and-brown complexion paled significantly, his jaw going slack. A glazed heat flashed in his eyes.
Vank couldn’t blame the other male for his visceral reaction to Priya. She really was quite lovely in a very non-Corian way. Tall for an Earth female, she stood just under six-feet. Her long, dark hair, woven into a no-nonsense braid and pinned to the back of her head, gleamed in the light. Honey brown skin stretched a little too tightly over her high cheek bones, a reminder of the horrendous conditions the surviving Earthers had endured. Intelligent brown eyes held steady in her oval face, and, so far, she’d been the epitome of calm. She would be a perfect fit for Balcar’s needs.
Priya, stepped fully into the lab, apparently convinced Balcar wasn’t going to attack. She nodded a cautious greeting at Balcar.
“Welcome to the Hope, Priya.” The friendly expression the geneticist normally wore was back, but he looked bemused.
“Despite a lack of formal training, Priya seems to have had much success in treating her fellow Earthers’ ailments,” Vank said by way of qualification. “I thought she might meet your needs. In fact, with your approval, I will speak with the General about it.”
“If you’re willing to vouch for her, that’s enough for me,” Balcar agreed quickly. “Please forgive my surprise, Commander,” he apologized belatedly. “I was roused quite early this morning with a demand that the Earther I’m studying be brought back to Earth post-haste. I’m afraid I’ve been slower to comply than expected. I believed you were here to collect her.”
The recall of Earthers to the overcrowded camps was news to Vank. “Karvik received orders from the General to send this Willa to the surface?”
“No, Commander. Dorit’s assistant, Shirok, com’d me a few hours ago, adamant that Will be handed over,” Balcar said.
“I think you should com Karvik and ask him to clarify these orders with General Darvan,” Vank advised. “Dorit and Shirok have no authority over Warriors.”
His warriors had warned him that the Doranos at the work camps were behaving as if they, rather than General Darvan, had ultimate dominion over Earth and the Earthers. Maybe he’d pop down and have another look around before he went to present the General with his new captive.
“That’s settled then.” Vank pulled Priya’s meagre belongings out of his pack and handed them to her. “Balcar, why don’t we introduce Priya to Willa. Then I’d like to discuss a few things with you in private, if you don’t mind?”
∞ ∞ ∞
Willa sat staring awkwardly at Priya across the tall break room table, searching for something to say to the older woman. Her brain drew a big, ole’ goose egg on topics for innocuous conversation.
The rapid turn of events had thrown her for a loop. Moments ago, she’d been certain she was about to be bodily removed from the premises by the fierce warrior who’d invaded the lab. Now, that didn’t seem to be the case.
“How long have you been here?” Priya asked, breaking up their silent staring contest.
“I’m not sure exactly. Several months now. What about you?” Willa answered cautiously, not want to give too much information.
Eventually she’d go back to the surface, either today or at some point in the future, and she didn’t want anyone to know how much she owed Balcar, how loyal she’d become to him. Their relationship was much like what she’d imagined having a brother would be like. Her powers of sisterly observation told Willa that Priya fascinated Blacar.
“I was in the Toronto work camp until this morning,” Priya answered. “Things were bad there but slowly getting better. The pale aliens, have you met any of them? The Doranos?”
“I’m familiar with them,” Willa replied tightly, shivering. “None of the Doranos on the ship have access to this area.”
“A few of them are creepy but some are quite nice.” Priya must have seen Willa’s aversion. “Anyway, they arrived and things started to improve. We had clean water, better housing, that kind of thing. The Corians, the warriors like Vank.” She gestured to the eight-foot alien they could see through the clear wall into
Balcar’s office. “Pulled out, leaving the Doranos completely in charge. We had very few medical supplies and people were getting sick left and right. They transferred a lot of the younger girls out to other camps immediately, apparently afraid they’d get sick and die. I’m not sure what all those people will do now that I’m not there...”
Willa resolved to make Balcar aware of the situation. She didn’t want to be among the Earthers on the surface, but that didn’t mean she wanted them to suffer.
“Are you a doctor?”
“I was in med school when the war broke out.”
Maybe Priya would be able to answer some of the questions Balcar had posed. Willa felt bad that she was unable to answer, she could sense that Balcar’s frustration was mounting.
“I’m sure you’ll fit right in here.” She tried to make Priya feel better, having gleaned that she was here to stay. “Let me give you the grand tour.”
“I’d like that,” Priya replied softly. “Thank you.”
Chapter Six
“Got a situation I need some help with.” Vank’s face popped onto the hovering anti-grav screen next to Tiron’s work station.
“Hello, to you, too,” Tiron replied drily, pushing another screen with his ship’s ration reports away, relieved to have momentary distraction from the tedium.
He hadn’t heard from Vank for the last several rotations, but the time off-ship had obviously refreshed him. Wrapped up in his own thoughts, Tiron hadn’t noticed how tired Vank was during their last meeting aboard the Trident. The spark of mischief, long missing from Vank’s eyes, was back. With a vengeance.
“First…” Vank ignored Tiron’s curmudgeonly attitude. “I need to know if you’ve committed to Beandra.”
“Not yet.” Tiron cracked his neck and rolled his broad shoulders, annoyed by the mere mention of the female. She’d been hounding his mother for his answer night and day. His mother, in turn, pestered him. Tiron had made up his mind that he would not create life with an opportunistic viper like Beandra. He was fine with passing on the duty of fathering heirs to his brother, Giaon. Now he had to figure out how to communicate that effectively to his family.
“Why do you ask?”
“Balcar’s got an Earther female he’s been treating. She’s well enough to return to the surface but doesn’t wish to go.”
“I don’t follow.” Tiron wished Vank would get to the point. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“Darvan granted warriors of merit, worthy males, the Right to Claim the Earth females,” Vank relayed excitedly. “Who among us has given up more for the CGA than you?”
Tiron digested this news silently.
“You could claim the Earther from Balcar and not have to bond with Beandra. In fact, your family might be more receptive to you abdicating your birthright if they knew you would not be alone,” Vank pointed out, his tone mildly impatient. “But I wouldn’t go that far just yet.”
“I see how this could benefit me,” Tiron acknowledged. “Beandra wouldn’t bother with me if I already had a female in my care, but Balcar is a friend and also a worthy male. Why doesn’t he claim this Earther?”
“Balcar cares about Willa, that’s her name, like a sister.” Vank leaned towards the screen conspiratorially. “And he’s found another Earther that he finds… suitable.”
“You mean you found an Earther who wouldn’t make demands on Balcar, someone who won’t care that he works constantly,” Tiron surmised.
“As the Earthers say, six of one is half-a-dozen of another.” Vank shrugged carelessly.
Tiron didn’t understand the reference but took his meaning. This Willa must be someone Balcar found too old, or unattractive. But living with a homely female who wanted to be on-ship, even if she wasn’t clamoring to be with Tiron personally, was still preferable to dealing with Beandra. Besides, Tiron knew he wasn’t going to win any beauty contests.
“What treatment required her to go to the Hope?” Tiron knew it must have been a serious ailment to merit full-time care.
“Her DNA was damaged, causing one of her hip-joints to wither, rendering the whole leg a liability. She survived in spite of the odds,” Vank said admiringly. “Balcar has repaired and replaced her DNA, but, since she refused radical corrective measures, it will be years before she has full use of the limb.”
“This was not an injury incurred in their war, then. Interesting.” Tiron knew that damaged individuals often didn’t survive conflict the likes of which Earth had endured. His respect for the unknown Willa’s resourcefulness rose several notches.
“She’s a remarkable female,” Vank’s sentiment echoed his own thoughts.
“And she’s agreed to this claiming?” Tiron couldn’t help but question her motivation. Why was she willing to make a life-changing decision like this without at least meeting him first?
“Not yet, but she will. Normally, I’d suggest that you and Willa meet to hash out the details, but we haven’t enough time. Balcar is under heavy scrutiny for sheltering two alien females,” Vank explained quickly, a note of urgency entering his voice. “Go to the Hope and determine if she’s suitable. I’m standing by on the Victory, now, waiting to meet with Darvan. Signal me as soon as you decide you want to petition for her. I’ll make sure your application is first in the queue for approval.”
“I’ll take a short-range flier over there now.” Tiron didn’t give himself time to get nervous or second-guess Vank’s plan.
If Willa found him hideous and couldn’t stand the idea of living with him, then she could return to Earth. He’d make it clear this was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more, and let her make the final decision.
∞ ∞ ∞
Willa stared numbly across the break room table at Balcar. It was late in the evening and the other lab techs and scientists were off-duty for the remainder of the ship’s cycle. Some of the lab techs had taken Priya to the commissary for last meal. Willa hadn’t thought anything of it when Balcar stayed behind to speak with her, he often did just that.
But tonight was different, she’d gotten what she hoped for. Kind of. Balcar had found an opportunity for her to stay out of the work camps on Earth.
In her wildest imaginings, she couldn’t have conjured something like this. Today, right now, in fact, she’d make a decision. Either she would interview with one Commander Tiron Rion for a position on his ship, or she would go back to Earth indefinitely.
“What exactly would I be doing on the Trident that I can’t do here?”
She’d glimpsed the CORANOS battleship out the Hope’s viewing screen. The Trident seemed to hover over Earth ominously. It resembled a giant, black stingray one might expect to see in the oceans of the planet.
The Hope, an innocuous, cucumber-shaped research vessel housed a large city of scientifically trained warriors but carried relatively few weapons. She felt secure on the Hope and didn’t want to leave the safety of the lab to live on a battleship.
“We have laws that govern how we must treat conquered races,” Balcar began apologetically, not really answering her question. “Now that you are healthy, I either have to return you to Earth or find a warrior willing to… host you, uhhh, in his quarters.”
“Like you’ve hosted me here?”
“No…,” he said slowly. “If I had taken you to my quarters every night, insisted that you sleep next to me and take your meals with me, then it would be a similar situation.”
Willa felt heat rush to her face and her heart began to thrum loudly in her ears. Surely Balcar wasn’t about to hand her over to be some alien’s sex slave, right?
“Willa.” Balcar reached across the table to grasp her hands reassuringly. “I would not put you into the hands of a male whom I do not trust to take care of you. Tiron is honorable. In fact, he’s a hero. You will be safe with him.”
She liked Balcar and couldn’t see him deliberately endangering her. But she didn’t know this Tiron. What if he wasn’t all that Balcar said?
Wil
la’s lungs felt as though she were suffocating when the decontaminator began to hum.
“That should be him now.” Balcar tugged her to her feet and handed over her canes.
He gently propelled her from the break room, wisely standing between her and the entrance to her little cubby-hole. The giant Corians moved quickly for such large people, and she knew running to hide behind a locked door would be a wasted effort. Not that she hadn’t considered it.
She stood, petrified, staring at the semi-transparent door to the decontamination chamber for the second time that day. This time, there was a different kind of dread knotting her stomach. There would be no reprieve from banishment now. This alien had to like her enough to want to “protect” her, whatever that meant. And, if she wanted to stay off of Earth, she needed to determine what price she was willing to pay for that shield. Quickly.
Commander Tiron’s shadowed form wasn’t nearly as imposing as Commander Vank’s had been. He appeared a few inches shorter and much leaner. But there was something about the utter stillness of his body as he waited through the decontamination cycle that made the hairs on the back of Willa’s neck stand up. Her mind shouted that on the other side of that barrier was danger with a capital D.
When at last the door slid open, Willa found herself pinned in place by a predatory golden stare. She could have sworn she tasted her own terror on her tongue. The Commander cut a demonic figure in his all black Warrior uniform. Half of his face and both hands exhibited twisted, pinkish-white scars that twined and puckered across his dark brown and tan skin like something out of a nightmare. On the affected side, his mouth pulled and twisted in a permanent grimace.
He prowled into the room and exchanged words with Balcar, never taking his eyes from hers, not giving her the chance to shake off the disconcerting effects of his piercing gaze. His conversation with Balcar was so much background noise to the heavy gallop of her beating heart.
Chapter Seven
