THE TA’E’SHA CHRONICLES:
DAUGHTERS OF TERRA
Theolyn Boese
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* * * * *
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The Ta’e’sha Chronicles: Daughters of Terra
Theolyn Boese
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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www.loose-id.com
Copyright © January 2007 by Theolyn Boese
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.
ISBN 978-1-59632-385-8
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader
Printed in the United States of America
Editor: Crystal Esau
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Dedication
For Steve (Squab!), without whom this book would never have been finished. He was my biggest cheerleader/ass kicker. I needed both. Also, in loving memory of Kimberly Powell, killed by a hit and run driver in July 2006. I miss you, wench.
Prologue
More than eleven thousand years ago ...
Ten figures joined hands, heads bowed in supplication. Five perfectly matched pairs, each pair created in shades of gray, red, black, white and aquamarine. Thigh length hair writhed around their bodies as if it had a life of its own. They released hands with their neighbors.
The five women met in the center of the circle they had formed, clasped hands again and raised their voices in a trilling, wordless croon. Their faces were beautiful enough to make the greatest artist weep. Graceful necks smoothed to gently curving shoulders and proudly arched breasts. Perfect hourglass waists flowed into full hips that graduated to the scales of fantastical fish tails. Each woman’s body appeared in varying shades of the same colors.
The men moved behind the women with a flick of their own tails. They hovered protectively and rested their hands on the shoulders of the woman in front of them. Their deeper voices added a vibrating rasp that supported the women’s lighter tones. Each powerful, masculine form radiated strength and purpose. Wide of chest and narrow of hip, they matched the shading of the woman before them perfectly, as if each pair had been carved from the same gem.
As one, the song ended, their voices stilled.
Moments later they spoke. “Great One, We beseech Thee, hear Us, please.” Their voices echoed and twined together.
After a brief pause, Byasuen spoke, “The waters of Earth no longer cradle Our children in comforting arms.” Her white hair twined with that of the man behind her.
Kashka continued without pause, “We can no longer protect Our children from war and hatred.”
A single tear slid from Iliria’s eye. “We can no longer heal Our children’s wounds, for the very waters burn them.”
“We cannot succor the souls of Our children, they do not wish for rebirth,” Shaysha whispered mournfully.
Ecoha squeezed Byasuen’s shoulders reassuringly. “Our children’s children are born dead or deformed, unable to breathe the polluted waters.”
“The human men steal Our daughters, burn away their gills with hot knives so they may not return to the sea and sell them as concubines,” Vosh growled out angrily.
Mo’aton rested his forehead on the crown of his mate’s head. “Sickness spreads, and with it a despair that cannot be cured.”
Solune drew a deep breath. “Our children’s souls cry and cannot be comforted, many of Our children take their lives early, in that despair.”
As one they spoke again, “Great One, We have failed in the trust You have placed in Us. Do with Us as You will, but, please, take mercy on Our children. Give them refuge; succor them, as We cannot. They are beloved to Us.”
Minutes passed in silence. They waited, hoped.
“Ahh, My children ...” A sexless voice came from the darkness. It teased and caressed them like a playful wind. “You have not failed Me. Nor have You ever failed Your children. Truly, You would give all, Your very souls, to care for and protect them. Would that all of My children shared Your love.” A light glowed in the center of their circle, its colors flowing and changing without pause.
“Gather Your children to You, all that will come. I will see that they are safe, that You may continue to teach and love them. In twelve days You shall have refuge.” The voice caressed each of them again and then the light faded.
The ten Gods and Goddesses of the People of The Sea sagged in relief, tears of hope and joy streaming down Their faces. Their children would be safe.
Chapter One
Present day ...
Dark eyes stared blankly at the screen showing the never-ending scurry of human life on their pitiful mud ball of a planet. “Filthy beasts. They are so complacent in their own sense of superiority. Everything they touch is infected by their puffed up sense of self worth and then begins to decay. They destroy without thought and feel that everything belongs to them to do with as they see fit. Is this the answer to everyone’s prayers? These hairy little monsters?” A malevolent smile graced perfectly formed lips. “I’ll make my people understand. We must not let these foul humans infect us as they have everything else they have come in contact with. Our children will not be born of men mating with barely sentient animals!”
* * * * *
“She’s perfect,” Kyrin murmured softly, watching the delicate brunette hurry along the sidewalk. “Have you finished logging her yet? I want her brought aboard within the week.” He glanced down at the screen that listed all the information gathered about their target. It showed her medical history, career and social life, and list of debts, as well as a catalog of all items in her home.
“Yes, sir. We can bring her in at any time. It’s estimated that all of her paperwork can be completed within twenty-four hours of pick up. She does not have any family living, so that’s one complication we won’t have to deal with this time. The letter of resignation for her place of employment has been prepared, also we have all her outstanding debts and
the lease on her apartment ready to be paid,” said the tall, slender, man on his left. His pale green hair swished against his back in the long tail he had it bound in as he turned to make a note on his holoreader. “Would you like us to begin the transfer and collection of her belongings? She will be working for the next six hours.”
Kyrin nodded thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. “Yes, bring her in after she finishes work. Start the paperwork and money transactions.” He smiled slowly. “I want this one; have her marked as soon as she arrives. Tell the medics I’ll be down after the preliminary examination is completed. I’ll give them my wishes then.”
Whist blinked in surprise. “Of course, sir. I’ll begin immediately, and congratulations, sir.” He grinned, with a pleased look on his thin face. “Would you like her belongings sent to your quarters after decon, or shall we prepare rooms for her?”
“Expand my quarters into the family set next to mine and place them there. Seal the hall entrance and have one added off the living area. Have her music and entertainment articles downloaded into my computer, but bring her novels. She has an intriguing collection. The living area in the second set of rooms can be converted into a library. Make sure that there are three extra bedrooms available after the addition is completed. I’ll be in my office if I am needed.” Standing, he strode gracefully to the door. He paused and turned. “Oh, and Whist? I get half of whatever you won!” Kyrin winked before striding out.
Kyrin was well aware of the betting pool among several members of his staff. It was a common belief that he would not ever mate with a female, but intended to remain with only his lover, Daeshen. His decision to select a female mate would have the entire ship buzzing with gossip within the next few hours.
* * * * *
Sighing, Kyrin threw himself into his chair and propped his booted feet on the edge of his desk. Rubbing the back of his neck he contemplated the decision he and his lover, Daeshen, had made. His hair flowed smoothly out of the tight braid he kept it in and rippled gently.
“Computer, show subject Conner, Theadora.” He studied the image that appeared and rotated slowly over the top of his desk. Her body was delicately muscled with small breasts and full hips. Long, wavy, hair swayed gently to the tops of her thighs. A long fringe of bangs brushed the heavy lashes that framed dark gray, wide set eyes. His fingers itched to touch that hair; would it be as soft as it looked? He had never thought human hair was particularly interesting, despite the comments he’d overheard from some of his mated crew. How could it be that intriguing? It wasn’t like his race’s hair, which was in fact slender muscles that could move with a thought. Human hair simply hung there. Hers, however, seemed different. It was a deep, rich red-black that glittered with jewel tones in the sunlight. Maybe that’s what was so intriguing. He’d never seen hair that shade before. Ta’e’shian hair was rarely so dark.
He eyed the firm, almost stubborn set of her jaw and smiled inwardly. This one is strong; she’ll be able to adjust to her new life.
He shuddered, thinking about some of the first women who had been taken. Several had tried to kill themselves. The medics had quickly learned to sedate newcomers and implant modified versions of the crew cerebcoms before beginning their procedures.
There were still four women in stasis that could not be allowed to revive. Every time they had awakened they began screaming hysterically the moment they laid eyes on one of his people. Thus far the medics had not been able to pinpoint what the cause of their fear was. All of the women had seemed to accept their new lives easily. Then, suddenly, they began to have unexplained panic attacks. By rights the subliminal messages given to the women when they were first brought aboard the ship should have taken effect long ago and calmed any fears they had.
He regretted the necessity of taking these women. His leaders justified it to themselves by saying that the planet they were being taken from was in danger of being overpopulated. But, then, they were not the ones who had to see the despair, fear and anger that his crew dealt with.
Ten solar years ago a virus struck his home planet. It had spread through the population like a foul wind. Everyone who was exposed sickened from it. Anyone who was already ill, or weakened, died of the fever. Finally, the cause was isolated and a vaccine was found.
It was too late, though.
Soon after it was discovered that the same fever had left the female population barren. The only fertile females left were those who had been off-planet at the time of the outbreak, which was a very small part of their female population.
Their council members immediately ordered a search for a compatible species. It was found in a tiny backward planet known as Earth by its inhabitants. Five ships were dispatched to collect females as mates for the crewmembers and passengers. The unmated female crewmembers were asked to allow their eggs to be harvested during the journey so that they could be donated to the now barren women on Ta’e for in-vitro-fertilization.
It was the council’s hope that this would increase the number of full-blooded Ta’e’shian children born. The hospitals on Ta’e were trying to calculate how many eggs were needed and which woman’s eggs could go where. The information would be needed when the children reached the age to have children of their own to prevent marriages to people of the same family line.
Leaning forward, Kyrin cleared the floating image and called up what seemed to be a never-ending list of things requiring his attention. No matter how advanced computers seem to get it never seems to cut down on clerical work. He grumbled silently to himself.
* * * * *
Thea glanced quickly down at her watch and noted with relief she only had five minutes to go before she could head home and put her feet up. Juggling the plates in her hands she neatly slid them in front of the two men sitting in a booth. “Can I get you anything else?”
One of the men eyed her and leered. “Yeah, how about your phone number?”
Sighing inwardly, she plastered a smile on her face and rattled off the number to the local animal shelter.
The man’s eyes bulged. “Can I borrow your pencil?”
Grinning a bit, she handed it over and repeated the number for him.
Taking her pencil back she wove her way through the tables toward the kitchen and slipped into the backroom to grab her things and clock out for the day. She rolled her shoulders to stretch the muscles before reaching back to untie her apron. Tossing the dirty clothing into the hamper and grabbing her coat and purse, she prepared to make her escape.
“Hey, Thea, taking off?” Sharon, the evening shift waitress, peeked into the room with a friendly smile. She was the classic personification of a truck stop waitress and proud of it. Bleached blond hair was teased within an inch of its life and a danger to any ceiling fans in the vicinity. Blue eye shadow applied as a solid, glittering, mass across her eyelids and a wad of gum stuck firmly in her teeth completed today’s ensemble.
“Yeah, I’ve got a date with a glass of wine and a Gerard Butler movie.” Thea grinned.
“Well, better hurry, the boss is in one of those moods. He’s been back in his office humming and combing what’s left of his hair. I think he’s gonna hit on you again.”
Thea groaned and slipped her coat on, edging for the door. Her manager was overweight, balding and convinced he was conceived as a blessing to womankind. He was also convinced that said womankind was far too stupid to understand their good fortune. “You didn’t see me leave.” She waved her hand in front of Sharon. “These are not the droids you are looking for!”
Sharon giggled softly, watching Thea creep exaggeratedly toward the door. “Nut.” She grabbed a couple plates and headed back to the dining room, shaking her head.
Quickly walking the four blocks to her apartment Thea decided what she wanted for dinner. Tacos sound good, but not exactly wine food. Ahh, what the hell, not like anyone is eating with me who’ll care.
After stepping inside the building she punched the button for the elevator, absently noticing t
he tall man who came in right behind her. Rocky road ice cream later, who cares what my hips look like? She stepped inside the elevator and pressed the button for her floor. The stranger slipped in and stood quietly behind her. Digging in her purse for her keys she did not notice how close he was till he spoke.
“Excuse me, miss.”
Looking up, she blinked at the small canister being held in front of her nose. Edging back, she opened her mouth to scream just as a fine mist sprayed her face. Instinctively drawing in a startled breath she stumbled backward, colliding with the wall as her knees gave out. She was aware of his catching her. Dimly, she heard him say something about a subject being captured as her vision blurred and she fell into darkness.
* * * * *
“Subject captured, Whist. Damn, the captain got himself a pretty one! Is her home cleaned out?” Maren lifted the unconscious woman easily into his arms as he strode from the elevator toward her apartment.
“Yeah, you clear to bring her in?” Whist replied.
“Yes, heading back now.”
Maren strode into the apartment and carried the woman to the window, where his transport waited on the balcony. He secured her upright in a cargo web before settling in the chair in front of the controls. Carefully, he activated the transport and edged it up and out of the balcony before heading back to the ship. Once the controls were set he turned and eyed the woman. We’re almost at full capacity now, just a few more women. He ignored the faint twinge of guilt he felt about ripping these women from their lives. Resolutely, he turned his attention to the controls.
Chapter Two
Kyrin groaned softly and rolled over as his cereb chimed softly again, notifying him that he was needed in medical. Slipping from the bed, he quietly dressed in the dark. A soft grumble came from the bed and he looked up, smiling.
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