Zorroc: Feline Predators of Ganz

by Lil Gibson

  Never had Nadia seen anything like him and stared in open wonder and curiosity. His hair, a similar shade to her brother's, curled in loose flowing waves past his shoulders. His skin looked dark and weather worn with lines like crows feet accenting his eyes with a scar dissecting his left eyebrow extending into his hairline. He had hair on his face, something she had never seen first hand. It covered his jaw and chin and circled his mouth, calling attention to sensually masculine lips. A beard, she suddenly remembered, they called it a beard, and she wanted to touch it to see if it felt as coarse as it looked. He was a mountain of a male, taller than Prolinc and broader than Zorroc and he looked dark and foreboding, like a cloud about to storm. His eyes, an unsettling black, had a thin silver ring surrounding his pupils, the only relief from pure perilous temptation.

  Maybe she should run.

  Maybe she should call for Jaffers.

  Maybe she should touch his beard.

  The choice, however, was taken from her when he firmly but gently grasped her shoulders and moved her backward until he had her pinned between himself and the inner entranceway wall. Both surfaces felt equally hard but where the wall held no warmth, he radiated enough to scorch her. He began to assault her lips with his. His beard, teasing her cheeks and chin, felt course but soft like silken fibers and contrasted with the lush feel of his lips devouring hers. His tongue ran along the seam of her closed lips causing her to sigh…and giving him access to her mouth. His tongue plundered its depths, challenging hers to a duel before sucking it right into his mouth. She groaned helplessly, seeking more contact with their bodies, wanting to give him all of her.

  She had never been kissed before but took to it like a bird to flight. His hands moved to her rib cage spread so his thumbs could press firmly into her budded nipples. She screamed her arousal. He rasped into her hair, demanding her identity.

  "Nadia, I am Nadia," she groaned helplessly.

  "You belong to me now, Nadia, who do I see to buy you?" he countered.

  Her wings swiftly disappeared and became fins as the freezing waters of Ganz drenched her out of her soaring stupor.

  She bit his lower lip and shrieked angrily as her knee came up and greeted his groin. He roared and threw himself away from her. "I am Nadia, sister to Zorroc, of the House of Ra, Leader to Gattonia," she wheezed in confused rage. What had happened? It had been her very first kiss and he mistook her for a spreader for many. Shame warred with fury as she summoned Jaffers and informed him of a visitor and then fled down the hall.

  Cat undressed wearily and glanced at the time. Two in the morning, boy was she bushed. Greeting the dignitaries, getting them settled and then entertaining them had taken a great deal of her energy. Why had Nadia failed to make an appearance? She could have used her help. She placed her hands on her abdomen silently asking her baby how it fared. "He is happy and content, my cream. Now go to sleep," Zorroc mindspoke, and she did.

  The plan was simple, straightforward, and hopefully comprehensive enough to guarantee an end to further visits from their enemy. The meeting lasted through the night and resumed the next afternoon before adjourning that evening. There had been remarkably few squabbles, with all parties wanting to maintain the current face of Ganz and end the virulent practices of the Dargons.

  The people of Gattonia, though expecting the invasion, were unprepared for the enormity of the Dargon force. Hundreds of large ships blotted out the sun and hovered over the capital of Ra like a sinister plague, making it appear evening instead of early afternoon. The ships, diamond-shaped and in tight diamond formation had what looked like swarms of locusts buzzing around them. The Dargons had contacted all four provinces twelve hours before with ultimatums. They warned Nefar, Kerr and Tena not to interfere in the taking of Gattonia and they advised Gattonia to surrender, offering safe conduct off the planet. No one acknowledged the communiqués for obvious reasons; the other three provinces recognized they would be next if they allowed Gattonia to fall and Gattonia knew that the chances of being allowed safe conduct off the planet to fight another day amounted to nil. They would no doubt be gassed and slaughtered like sheep. Most importantly, the four provinces wanted to hide their unity from the enemy, an essential element to their plan.

  The Dargons would not attack at present, the show of force over the capitol intended only to frighten and intimidate. The attack would follow later.

  Gattonia had been productive since the Dargon attack almost two years before. Along with the latest development of the vaccine for FIS, new environ suit materials had been developed and tested for every virus, agent and mist known to them, right down to fire acid. Next, they reinstated headgear and sealed the suits only allowing filtered air to circulate within. Special nourishment pouches attached to tubing could be ingested by mouth. Of course, the suits were only needed when leaving the security of designated shelters throughout Gattonia. The massive undertaking expended indescribable amounts of currency, labor, and time, but the resulting accomplishment meant a safer place for the people of Gattonia. They had also created a multi-galaxy-knowledge-share in an effort to ensure the safety of other civilizations against viral warfare.

  The invasion began in earnest the next morning. Carried out without a sound, the Dargons, flying in flocks without benefit of a ship, dispatched the virus in time-delayed canisters to avoid self-contamination. They would not have been detected except for the atmoscreening and sonic devices that sounded a warning of foreign agents or matter not native to their atmosphere, registering from each sector of Gattonia. As the sun rose, an eerie silence pervaded. Civilians were asked to remain in protective quarters and maintain COM silence except for emergencies. Updates and information broadcasted non-stop through the IVVS and everyone stayed glued to them. Cat thought the quiet, low keyed reporting of events and instructions, by the news announcers, sounded like a blow-by-blow account of a golf tournament. Biotechs, Technos, and Engineers were asked to report to the main lab to begin work analyzing the active properties in the new contaminant. Cat, knowing Angel would be a member of that group, experienced paralyzing fear for her friend and her unborn child.

  * * *

  "They kicked me off my team and sent me here, where I am to remain, until further notice. I was ordered, officially ordered!" Angel fumed, discarding her headpiece and peeling off the environ-suit before continuing.

  She had arrived, escorted by two militia, minutes before to the shelter in the House of Ra where an overjoyed melee consisting of the aunts, Cat and Dee fought to bestow hugs and greetings. "I know Carpov was behind this and if he thinks to camouflage his cowardice behind the Science Head I will have his head. I didn't even have the opportunity to talk to him about it. I am perfectly healthy and the precautions we take to avoid contamination are rigorous to the extreme. No one in the department has been infected since I've been there; it's perfectly safe."

  "But there's always a first time, Angel,” Dee advised. “And you’d be the first to acknowledge it under other circumstances. Whether Carpov is behind it or not doesn't change the fact that they want you protected in case something goes wrong. And I for one am happy and relieved about it, now we won't have to constantly worry about you," Dee entreated unflinchingly, enveloping her friend in a warm hug of greeting.

  "You would side with him against your best friend?" she railed at both of them.

  "In this case, yes. What's the point in saving Gattonia if it means losing the women with unborn children, of which you are one?" Cat asked simply. "We've seen so little of you since our adventure began and if things cascade into disaster we won't have much time left; so can't we use this as a reprieve to catch up with one another and revel in the moment of being together again?"

  "Well," she smiled wickedly, "you are my friends so I will forgive your defection to the other side this once, but I won't forgive Carpov! If I stew then he stews, and just because my stew will be a lot more fun than his stew will not play a part in it."

  The science teams isolated the proper
ties of the virus within hours. It was not complicated, just lethal. Unprotected people would have fallen sick within twenty-four hours and died within the week. Though quick acting and deadly, it would remain active no longer than forty-eight hours after exposure to the air; then it would lose potency and die out. The Dargons, tired of toying and torturing, decided to go for the jugular and end things quickly. Gattonia would play possum and let them believe their objectives met. It had been risky, allowing the Dargons to lay in the virus, threatening the mass destruction of his people, but Zorroc had great faith in his Scientists and they had assured him that with the proper equipment and preparation, everyone would stay safe. The gamble had paid off. So far, no casualties could be directly attributed to this latest misting. Now the trap they had laid so meticulously could go forward. They would wait for the Dargons to come and inspect their handy work—and fly right into an ambush.

  The House of Ra had been designated as battle headquarters. The main level south wing normally used for balls and banquets and to accommodate mass quantities of guests, had been taken over for planning, communication, strategy sessions, and defense. An endless stream of equipment had been installed to make this possible; even the roof above was utilized to ensure the safety and defense of Ra. The lower level had been sealed to protect against outside contaminants. It housed the family, militia, and guards along with food, clothing and supplies. The only two exits located on that floor had two inside guards at each panel twenty-four hours a day with more posted outside.

  The household staff occupied one of the two apartments while the family shared the other.

  Catarina, Nadia, the aunts, Dee, Angel, and the kittens, which now resembled teen-aged kitty terrorists, crammed into the small space. With the addition of Spooka and occasionally Zorroc and Prolinc, privacy proved impossible.

  Their apartment did, however contain the hidden entrance into the caverns.

  Therefore, when Zorroc could get away, he and Cat stayed there together in a sizable and well-lit nook that gave them relative privacy. Zorroc had stocked it with mats, comforters and a private reserve of Cat's favorite foods and drink. She also used it to get away and be alone from time to time. Prolinc commandeered a similar spot for him and Dee.

  Even with the safety of the environ suits, Cat was forbidden to leave the lower level until the air had cleared. She and Dee, suffering from cabin fever, joined by Angel, often disappeared into the caverns to lauch slumber parties, telling stories and giggling long into the night. Forty-eight hours after the misting, Nadia, the aunts, and Angel, while not allowed to leave the complex, could at least ascend to the main level and occupy their chambers. When the all clear sounded some twenty hours later, Dee and Cat raced each other to the main level and relative freedom.

  "I was not meant to live the life of a mole," Dee gasped as she reached the entrance panel just before Cat, both bursting into the corridor like two swimmers breaking the surface of a lake after being under water too long.

  "It would have been more polite to let me go first, after all there are two of me," Cat panted, holding her stomach.

  "Sorry, it's every fetus for himself, he should have kicked you into a faster gear."

  "Well, never let it be said that he holds a grudge, we saved you a lovely suite just down from Angel's; let's get cleaned up then go in search of our guys. This is the first time in over three days we'll get to see them in daylight."

  They entered the Strat-room feeling clean and refreshed, and spotted Zorroc and Prolinc hunched over a table with a dozen others talking quietly and studying a large screen filled with lines, numbers, icons and a large circle.

  Cat fought her tears welling unbidden, blaming raging pregnancy hormones for her lack of control. But she’d missed Zorroc terribly, having seen him for a total of four hours in three days—and they could all be dead soon if things didn't go according to plan.

  He turned slowly and crossed to her then led her back to the group crowding the table. "I have missed you too," he mindspoke as he placed her in front of him and surrounded her with a hand splayed on her abdomen, an arm circling her above the waist and his chin on her head. Cat tensed, sure there had to be something improper about this public display of intimacy but since no one gave her a second glance she decided to relax.

  The viral gas developed by Gattonia would only be used in the heart of the capitol. They did not want to chance contaminating their neighbors and they had a limited supply of the agent. That meant drawing the Dargons into a hundred-nid square invisible net to the heart of Ra.

  "We have heard from Arisi. The Dargon's Mobil Space Station remains stationary at fifteen hundred Kromians from Ganz and from the COMs the Mespers have monitored, they intend to stay there through the taking of Gattonia," Sycor reported.

  "Did they have information as to why the attack has not yet commenced?" asked Zorroc.

  "Apparently, they are leery of attacking too soon for fear of being felled by their own virus," Sycor replied with an amused grunt. "Your plan is working better than anticipated."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  "You are being unfair, Zorroc called it exactly right. The fact that the Dargons have not yet attacked lends proof of his sound recommendations," Rosik pursued, not sure why it became suddenly so important to bring Sherem around to his point of view.

  "So he got lucky, he still remains a pampered, spoiled, ineffectual boy who was handed his power instead of earning it," Sherem fired back not willing to give ground when sure of his position.

  The two had been embroiled in a spirited discussion for some time debating the merits and faults of Zorroc and his leadership abilities. Boredom, the underlying force of their conflict, guided their debate. The Dargons had been quiet now for a week following the misting, causing unrest between the starships wanting confrontation not complacency. Sherem had taken the position that Zorroc was not fit to rule because of his inexperience in battle and honing that only years in the field could provide. Rosik sighted that the current strategy had been put into place primarily by Zorroc and with the contention that, to date, it had worked better than anyone could have anticipated. The proof, he pointed out, resided in the results.

  "You say pampered and spoiled; let me propose the following scenario. A boy at the age of fifteen is faced with the fact that his father is dying, having already lost his mother only two years before. As a result, although just barely past puberty, he begins assuming the responsibilities of running an empire, in support of his father. At the age of seventeen, while we freely cavorted, garnering sexual exploitations and stretching our warrior wings, Zorroc assumed responsibility for running an entire province, working with a council who had been in power for more years than he had been alive. Add to that, the responsibility of raising a baby girl. We, my friend, had the opportunity to grow up; Zorroc was not afforded that luxury. And so I would ask you to reevaluate your suppositions," he challenged while pouring both himself and Sherem another shot of Jive.

  "You never voiced your support before, what happened to change your mind?"

  Rosik shrugged and admitted, "The Miramid picked up a distress call from his party some months back when they had been ambushed by the Dargons on their way back from earth. It turned out a traitor on the High Council set a trap for Zorroc and his mate. Zorroc proved astute, clear headed and had a surprising lack of ego for one in his position and I have grown to admire his poise and selfless dedication to his people."

  Sherem mulled over his answer for a minute while savoring the superior Jive that Rosik had provided. "Why do you think the Dargons targeted Gattonia?"

  "Maybe we were perceived as the weak link of the four provinces. It is their usual method when overtaking a planet; however, in this case they miscalculated and will pay dearly if the Miramid has anything to say about it."

  "Tell me about the sister," Sherem yawned and scratched his beard, changing the subject abruptly. "Nadia, is that what she is called?"

  "Yes, but there is not much to tell. Sh
e is young and beautiful and Zorroc guards her like a sphinx. His childhood may have been stolen from him but he protects his sister's fiercely. If anyone is spoiled and pampered, my friend, it is she."

  Sherem grunted and prepared to continue his probe into Zorroc's sister when the alarms sounded the long awaited attack on Gattonia.

  Weeks before the Dargons entered the air space of Ganz, all Pods, Starships and Cruisers slowly slipped from Gattonia and positioned themselves across the other three provinces. Part of Zorroc's plan was to let the Dargons enter Gattonia unmolested and then follow with their own ships slowly forcing them toward Ra. Civilians were told to remain in underground shelters for their protection and to maintain the possum ruse. Ground forces in all locations prepared to go on the offensive, supported by incoming air power. Their off-world allies would neutralize the Dargon's Mobil Space Station when signaled by the House of Ra. They wanted the fighting force of the enemy trapped and unable to retreat to defend their station. Timing remained the most intricate part of their plan.

  The Dargons descended into Gattonia with confidence and the arrogant assumption they would find a crippled and dying population. It took them little time to realize their true situation. Their sonics showed incoming ships from all directions, surrounding them, and their efforts to break through the closing grid proved impossible. They were being blown out of the sky systematically by both ground and air forces. They were neatly trapped.

  Considering the alternatives available, ground deployment of their troops to go hand to hand with the Gattonians won out over an air confrontation. They would lose. This held several advantages. One—although the Gattonians moved with more agility, they did not have the advantage of being able to fly, giving the Dargons superior mobility. Two—the Gattonian air force would be less likely to fire on them for fear of hitting their own forces. Three—the Dargons had no such weakness; it did not matter whether they forfeited their own warriors while blasting the Gattonians, so long as they exterminated the enemy and won the battle.