by Candace Sams
Aigean looked them over more carefully. “Am I to understand the two of you are basically strangers, and you’ve agreed to jointly display your sexual prowess … while Condorians watch? Or am I misinterpreting the situation?”
“That’s correct,” Soldar told her. “As it happens, Lyra is somewhat familiar with hacking into computer systems and might be able to use your communications console to intercept messages coming from your ship’s private rooms. I realize that your com room is compromised, but our cover might give us access. We’d need your assistance with that.”
“All this poses a monumental change in plans,” Aigean mused, as she began to pace back and forth in front of them. As she walked she pushed up the sleeves of her long gown. “I have been promising my … clients … something unusual. Something that will amaze them,” she stated bitterly. “If I don’t give them what they want soon … my employees’ lives may be forfeit.”
“How did you get away from your vessel without being noticed or monitored?” Lyra asked suspiciously. “Why isn’t there a contingent of Condorian war guards with you?”
Aigean stopped pacing and stood in front of them. “Everyone who isn’t an employee or on guard duty has been imbibing drugs and alcohol for weeks. The enemy wants more and more. And because of their addictions, they stay virtually out of touch with reality. All they know is that I’ve left with but one employee and one surface transport craft with only enough fuel to traverse a short distance. This hardly poses any concern for them. Besides, they think I’m here to pick up a new male toy for the Condorian admiral … a contemptuous lout who has been quite demanding concerning his needs. I received permission to pick you up from a small convoy of entertainers headed toward another Condorian pleasure haven somewhere in this sector. That is the story concerning your arrival in this area. Fortunately, there seems to be a mutual agreement between Condorian hierarchies to maintain living standards, and keeping quiet about who else in this sector is doing the same.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “Condorian officers don’t ask when it comes to the transport of spoils of war. The admiral aboard my ship seems to be particularly feared. He gets his choice of booty first.”
Lyra’s eyes narrowed. “That explains how you got here without guards. It also offers a good cover for how we happen to be on the planet. But it doesn’t explain how you manage to keep supplies coming?”
Soldar knew his new partner wasn’t convinced of Aigean’s claims to help allies. He’d already had a conversation with Lyra concerning how the Condorian elite would make sure their needs were met even before their underlings, but he said nothing. Lyra’s interrogation gave him a chance to watch Aigean carefully.
Aigean glared back at Lyra, but answered slowly and in a way that seemed unrehearsed.
“Had the Condorian smugglers not just raided a law enforcement blockade around Korid Prime I’d be running low on all kinds of supplies,” she responded. “As I’ve said, those smugglers made sure the Condorians on my ship got first pick of everything. Thankfully, whether by legal means or not, the problems concerning food, water, supplies, drugs, and alcohol have been addressed. As to you two and whatever meager skill you may possess with communication systems … it might be possible to get one or both of you on the bridge. But only if you are convincing in your behavior and only so long as the admiral thinks he is in complete control. His ego and addictions are such that this poses less of a problem than one might imagine.”
“And you’re sure your employees aren’t going to turn us in to save their hides?” Lyra persisted.
“My employees have been through more than you can possibly imagine, young woman! They do not even have the benefit of escaping through use of drugs or alcohol. They must be clear-headed at all times. Having maintained such sobriety is how information began to flow from drunken barbarians to us, and to the allied fleet. In my guest’s current celebratory state, my movements are barely scrutinized. The enemy knows I would not run from my ship, my crew, and my friends.” She suddenly stepped closer to Lyra and began a closer inspection. “Let me look at you, girl.”
Lyra glanced between the Elderian woman and Soldar. “What?”
“Oh, for the love of Beydor’s Moons, turn around and let me get a good look at you!”
Lyra hesitantly did as she was asked.
“With some work, you might do,” Aigean advised, then turned her attention on Soldar. “And you, Craetorian. Let me get a look at you as well.”
Unused to being perused in such a way, Soldar was about to balk, but the bluish woman stood her ground and glared at him until he complied. After he turned for her perusal, their new hostess slowly nodded.
“I have something in mind,” she said as she tapped one cheek with her long, red-tipped index finger. Unfortunately, you’ll have to leave the weapons behind. The Condorians have installed equipment on my ship that will detect laser devices. Even members of their own units don’t patrol my vessel while armed. Their commanding officer feels that doing so might give battle-weary veterans an excuse to discharge arms when intoxicated,” she confirmed. “Their admiral came here for peace and quiet. He wants no headaches that an ensuing fight among his own men might cause.”
“Too bad,” Lyra muttered. “I’d pay to see them kill each other.”
“You must realize something about the man who now runs my ship,” Aigean countered. “He is crafty. Do not underestimate his intelligence. He has many warrior friends aboard the Venus. They are his eyes and ears.” The older woman paced a bit more before speaking again. “It’s to our advantage that his contingent believes my people incapable of such audacity as planting spies aboard his current haven. I have bartered an uneasy truce with him even when he killed several of my employees he perceived as spies. For this reason I’ve ordered my crew to cater to his every whim. His total complacency and delight in his latest victory makes our situation easier,” she instructed, “but you’ll still be watched. The boarding guards could search you for contraband. They’ll most certainly take any personal belongings. Nothing you carry or your bodies can be considered private unless you capture the enemy admiral’s particular interest and protection. Do you understand?”
Soldar glanced at Lyra. His new partner frowned. The implication was that they were sexually expendable, just as he’d surmised.
But something in him had changed since meeting her. Some protective instinct deeply embedded in his core was integrating Lyra’s fears.
He knew, with every cell in his body, that he’d never let anyone rape her. She personified all he held dear — all he’d never see or love again. She was courageous, spirited, and lovely. And even if his emotions were amplified by the situation, the truth was that he could never see a woman — any woman — hurt. It wasn’t in him.
He’d asked her to come along while denying feelings in this regard. He’d tried to see her as just another soldier. But she was and always had been a woman before being a soldier.
He now realized his mistake in not leaving her in that cave. She might have starved or died of thirst. But she’d have died as an allied fighter. Now Aigean and one of her employees knew of Lyra’s existence. If tortured for any reason, they’d talk about her presence to save themselves. No one could withstand Condorian interrogation for long. And Lyra’s presence was a gambit that could be used to delay agony or even death.
“You’ll need to know where the enemy stores their weapons,” Aigean continued. “Their lasers are located in the ship’s lowest storage bay. I’m not allowed in that area any longer, and my people tell me the passageways are guarded in shifts. That compartment is only unlocked when the Condorians leave to rejoin their units and their personal arms are released back to them.”
She glanced at them both for a long moment. “If you two can get over your militaristic bearing and act as if you’re who and what you purport to be, we may have a covert operation that could gar
ner information. Indeed … before you transmit the location of the Venus and … Creator willing … eliminate the parasites who’ve taken over my ship … you could gain access to highly classified Condorian strategy.”
She took a deep breath and briefly clasped her hands in front of her. “Before the Allies are finally defeated, we may yet strike a critical blow for our cause. We must make the attempt. We must never give up!” she vehemently asserted as she curled her fingers into fists. “We might succeed if you follow my instructions.”
Soldar gazed at Lyra. Her face was a mask. He couldn’t tell what her real thoughts were at that exact moment, but it didn’t matter. He’d put her into this. Now he must see her through it. “Let’s do this,” he responded.
Aigean nodded and glanced behind her. “Though a female wasn’t expected, I believe we can contrive a plausible story for the change.” She looked them over once more. “I have working knowledge of where the enemy has traversed and what neutral, English-speaking world where you might have originated,” she added as she glanced at Lyra. “There’s obviously no hiding the race from which Soldar hails. As to the language you may use, many of my own people speak English fluently. Maintaining that tongue is of no consequence. In fact, my staff notes that some of the enemy prefers having sexual relations with anyone from outlying Earth colonies.”
Soldar snorted. “They like to gloat. If it’s during sex with prostitutes from conquered planets, all the better. It’s typical of Condorian enmity.”
“Indeed!” Aigean nodded. “This is why having a Craetorian aboard will cause no particular problem. In fact, your presence will greatly peak the admiral’s libido.”
“No offence,” Lyra blurted in obvious irritation, “but I just don’t see how Soldar won’t be tortured, then beheaded. I’m not sure whose bright idea it was to send someone from his world, and without even trying to alter his features. Language may not be the problem, but his planet of origin sure as hell is!” She faced Soldar and glared up at him. “I’m going to say what I’ve thought all along, whether you like it or not, sir.”
Soldar opened his mouth to defend Aigean’s claim, but Lyra was actually angry now. She even reverted back to his title as evidence of her outrage and disbelief concerning this entire plan.
“Colonel … you’ve got allied warrior written all over you. I’ve heard it said that Condorians would peel the skins off Craetorians killed on the front lines. It’s rumored they’ve even taken body parts as trophies. Every allied soldier knows that Craetorians seem to be heavily targeted by the enemy. We haven’t figured out why except for the ferocity with which your people are known to fight — ”
“That’s enough, Sergeant!” he commanded sternly. “I don’t need to justify my presence. The explanation you were given is sufficient and all you need to know.” He stared pointedly at Aigean so she wouldn’t inadvertently say more. Elderians were among the few races that knew a dark secret he wasn’t obliged to share. Lyra was speaking out of fear. But her instincts were uncanny. If she lived much longer, she might find out exactly how and why his presence aboard the Venus was necessary.
Aigean lifted one brow and slightly tilted her head in Soldar’s direction.
In that moment he knew the older woman had understood his desire to keep certain subjects closed.
Aigean then faced Lyra squarely. “I can assure you, girl … the Condorians will accept Soldar and you aboard the Venus if your acting is credible. After all, my entire crew hails from all allied worlds. The enemy knows my contacts for hiring new prostitutes would be the same contacts I’ve always used. Had the Condorian admiral not believed I’d deliver entertainment, from any source, he’d have blown the Venus out of the sky when he first encountered her. But that’s not what he intended for us. At least, not yet. Unfortunately, we are all alive at his whim.”
“Why do I not believe you?” Lyra muttered.
Aigean merely looked away.
“Sir … something’s wrong! I don’t like this,” Lyra continued.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, none of us likes it!” he responded. “And quit using my rank to address me. We won’t last five minutes if you can’t get your mouth under control.”
Lyra glared at him but finally shut up. His insult was unintended. A battle-seasoned warrior shouldn’t be spoken to in such a way, but he had to get her mind on the ruse they were to play and off his being Craetorian.
Aigean sighed heavily and continued. “At least some luck is with you. There are no listening devices on the Venus. The admiral takes a dim view of his sexual liaisons being monitored. Political rivals on his home world would use such recordings to ruin him. Indeed, many aboard the Venus are keeping the spoils of war for themselves, and not paying off old debts back home. As always, if Condorians aren’t fighting everyone else, they still fight among themselves.” She straightened her sleeves and cast her gaze toward the surrounding area. “Should they decide to install any kind of surveillance equipment or change their behavior in any way, my crew will inform you.”
“Your crew knows about this plan? All of them?” Soldar asked in amazement.
“They must. Their job is to protect you as a means of helping defeat the enemy among us … an enemy who has already killed their families and friends. Had any wanted to betray you, the deed would have already been done. You may live to see your worlds again … for however long they exist … if you guard your actions and mind my words.”
Soldar and Lyra moved closer to her and listened intently for the next hour.
• • •
As the Venus came into view, Lyra took the Elderian woman’s last warning to heart and tried to paste on a bored expression. She’d memorized her part of the cover story Aigean quickly formed. As their new comrade had explained, the gargantuan vessel that housed over a thousand pleasure seekers and five-hundred employees — including sexual attendants — had been designed in an elliptical, flattened shape for a reason. The outer hull of the ship wasn’t meant for speed or looks, but for what its interior could house. This one, painted what the light reflected as flat, battleship gray, appeared as innocuous as any vessel could be. But it was still many times larger than any pleasure ship Lyra had visited on shore leave.
This particular enterprise, as their new host clarified, produced a vast amount of wealth for Aigean and her staff — or at least it had before the Condorians arrived. Lyra still had a difficult time believing any Condorian, leader or otherwise, wouldn’t kill Aigean’s people on contact. Perhaps the only real thing holding them in check was the fact that they’d get no sex at all, except with each other, if the ship didn’t exist. But it was a very weak compromise Aigean must have maneuvered. It couldn’t hold forever.
As the hovercraft entered into one of the docking bays, it took everything she had to keep from gawking like a tourist. Even the entry area was resplendent with houseplants and hanging tapestries. Impeccably uniformed men and women scurried about with professional bearing that reminded her of a colony of ants. All seemed to accomplish their tasks with efficiency. There were no overseers barking commands or shouts or yelling of any kind. Everyone went about their chores silently. Doing so would presumably draw attention no one wanted with Condorians on board.
One bright spot in the craziness of the operation was that there was color everywhere. This particular ship, like all of them in its class, was equipped with full spectrum lighting. The lights were dim, but still displayed true hues. For the first time since landing on Reisen Four, Lyra saw the rich, royal shades of artwork, and the various robed uniforms she surmised were to denote each employee’s rank or specific occupation. She could even feel the cool, re-circulation of fresh air.
In her wildest dreams, she could never have afforded even one night on such a luxurious craft. Its outward appearance didn’t do it justice, just as Aigean claimed. She stepped off the hovercraft and onto the red carpet
of another world. Her less-than-perfect appearance made her edgy, but there was nothing to be done about it. Aigean hadn’t known when she could slip away from the ship to find them in the barrens. Providing them with clothing that was too much like what was already being sported by other employees was suspicious. They were supposed to be brand new employees who’d just arrived.
The best she and Soldar could hope for was to get to their room before too many Condorian patrons saw them and trouble started.
Some of the staff covertly nodded then quickly looked the other way as she and Soldar walked by with their mistress. Certainly Aigean wouldn’t have personally brought every new client or employee aboard. Not when her presence would be necessary to manage such a large enterprise. Lyra knew talk amongst the employees would spread — she and the Craetorian were the expected spies. All the Condorians had been told was that a new sexual plaything was aboard. That was to have been Soldar. The news would now have to be extended to include her.
Unfortunately, Aigean hadn’t had time to design — and circulate — plans around a male-female voyeur act and come up with cover stories all in the same half hour it had taken to get to the ship. Everything considered, there’d be a lot of dramatization she and Soldar would have to engage. She just prayed that some Condorian didn’t suspect them.
• • •
As they rounded an interior corner of a red, silk-lined passageway, Soldar felt his senses fully engage. He heard voices coming from the other direction and knew, before he caught sight of them, that a group of Condorians was near. The smell gave them away.
A foul, unclean race, the louts apparently hadn’t availed themselves of the showers or bathing areas on the ship. Hope that he and Lyra could get to their rooms before being seen was gone. He saw Aigean stop and hesitate in the passageway. From the anxious expression on her face, the Elderian was at an impasse as to how to explain what was to be her newest sex act’s lackluster, unannounced, grimy appearance. If she provided the best entertainment, how was she to explain their dinginess? He, too, was at a loss for words. But they’d have to pass the Condorians, one way or the other. The next few moments could be their last.
