by L P Peace
Olivia was watching him carefully. Her chin resting against her hand which laid on his chest. Kadian wrapped one of the loose curls on her head around a finger, fascinated by how soft it was.
‘My team was sent to infiltrate the ship, recover the radiant and sabotage the engine. Everything went perfect. That should have told me something big was going to go wrong. No plan ever survives contact with the enemy, but this one went by the book.’
A look of concern had fallen over Olivia’s features. She kissed his chest and returned her attention to him.
‘We got back on our ship, but one of the Cithian crewmembers had made it aboard. He sabotaged our engine, and the ship crashed onto the planet. Three of our team and the Cithian died on impact.’
Kadian gritted his teeth as the faces of his dead teammates flashed through his mind.
‘We had to abandon the ship when the sand… the sand swallowed it. We lost another teammate. When we got to safety, we couldn’t even tell where our ship had crashed. There was some debris, but it was like the ship was never there.’
‘I’m so sorry, Kadian,’ Olivia whispered.
Kadian stroked his knuckles over Olivia’s cheek, finding comfort in her softness and heat.
‘Caprius is mostly desert. It was so hot there. Water was scarce. We mostly survived on these insects. They carried water reserves in their bodies. We had to pick them from their carapace and eat them alive.’
Olivia’s arms squeezed him, even as her small body shivered against him.
‘We used the equipment we had on us to create a comm strong enough to send out a distress signal. But it still took several cycles for anyone to find us. Two more of our teammates died in the interim.’
Kadian let out a shaky breath. ‘By the time we got word of a rescue, there were six of us left, out of a team of twelve. We were lucky that many of us survived.’
‘Kadian,’ Olivia whispered, her brow furrowed.
‘But the team that came for us weren’t there to rescue us. They were there to rescue the radiant and we were witnesses, and they couldn’t afford for us to live.’
‘What did you do?’
‘Tanir got the other four teammates to safety, while I ran with the radiant to divert their attention. They caught up to me and…’ Kadian gestured to his thigh. ‘Their leader stabbed me in the thigh. Tanir arrived and took them out with the only weapon we had left. He dragged me back to the others, then went out in search of the other team’s ship. By the time we got to a facility that could treat me, I’d developed a serious infection and most of the muscle had rotted away.’
‘Oh, Kadian.’ Olivia moved up the bed and wrapped herself around him. Kadian wrapped his arms around her and turned to inhale her scent. ‘What happened after that?’ She withdrew a little, settling next to him. Her eyes met his, and she waited patiently for him to finish the story. Kadian watched her for a moment, half her body rested atop his, her head on the makeshift pillow inith away.
‘The ship’s records showed the team sent to retrieve us had taken a bribe to sell the radiant to the Enhari. We were all offered honourable discharge with compensation. All of us took it.’ Kadian let out a breath heavy with emotion. ‘I took a job in the radiant lab where the Goedan found us.’
Olivia reached out and stroked Kadian’s cheek. He took her hand in his and pressed her palm to his lips.
‘As terrible as those times were, as much as I wish my teammates alive, there is nothing else I would change.’ He looked at Olivia. ‘If I hadn’t been invalided out, if the Goedan hadn’t taken me and Makios and Rhona hadn’t rescued us, Rhona would never have been able to ask me to go to Earth. I would never have met you. I wouldn’t be with you in this place.’ Kadian kissed her palm again and again. ‘I am grateful to be here, with you.’
His eyes met hers once again and they watched each other for a moment. Then Olivia crossed the space between them, and they made love once again.
Throughout the night, they slept, talked, and made love. By the time the town around them was coming to life, Olivia was burrowed into Kadian's side, breathing deeply.
Kadian had slept a little and planned. Tanir would be arriving sometime this rote. Hopefully, with a bit of backup.
Kadian would need to go somewhere away from this place to speak to Tanir without endangering the community.
Tonight, Kadian would get Olivia off of the Myardahl homeworld, and nothing would stop him.
They could use the same abandoned tower to be picked up. Tanir didn't need to land the ship; he was a talented pilot. He could easily lower it enough that Kadian would be able to get Olivia and himself safely on board.
The comm he had wasn't encrypted, and while he could encrypt it, he didn't have the technology on him to do that. If the transmission was picked up—and Kadian had to assume they were looking for it—then the comm transmission could easily be hacked and his location pinpointed. From there, they'd only need to track the signal to catch them. It was the only reason Kadian hadn't yet used it.
He thought about the Vonidon’s shop. Doubtless, it was currently a crime scene. With the damage Kadian had done to him, the Myardahl must have been in a medical facility.
But if he could go back while no one was there, he could encrypt the comm, pick up a couple of spares and look at what else the Vonidon had. He'd seen a couple of weapons when he was in there, though he hadn't been able to get a good look due to his concern for Olivia.
He looked down at her.
It was real; she was here. It was better than he'd ever imagined. Kadian still couldn't believe Olivia was really his.
The shop was too much of a risk. If he went there, there was the possibility of being discovered by Myardahl law enforcement. He would do nothing to endanger Olivia.
He would contact Tanir, then dump the comm. He'd move Olivia to the tower for pick up only when it was near time to meet Tanir.
It was a simple plan. A million things could go wrong, but Kadian would make it work, and he knew Tanir would too.
Somebody cleared their throat outside of the hut.
Kadian extracted himself from a still sleeping Olivia and walked to the door. 'Yes.'
'It’s Vyan.’
Kadian opened the broken door and stepped out.
‘Tassian wants to see you both. He’ll have breakfast waiting.’
Kadian nodded. ‘Olivia thought he might. I need some warm water first, for her. Where can I—’
‘I’ll get it. You take care of her. I’ll be right back.’
Kadian was surprised by the Aavani’s simple act of kindness. When he looked around the town, he realised that this place was built on such acts of kindness. Kadian found he admired them.
‘Thank you.’
He stepped back into the small hut and saw Olivia curled up, her eyes moving under her lids, her body relaxed. He walked to the bed, lying next to her, his face parallel with hers as he stroked her cheek.
‘Olivia,’ he said the word gently, like a prayer.
Her eyes opened almost immediately. Her hazelnut skin reddened slightly, and a shy smile gently curved her full lips.
‘Vrok! I love you so much.’ The words burst from him.
Smiling, she touched his face. ‘I love you so much too.’
‘How are you feeling this morning?’
‘A little sore,’ Olivia said, a grin on her face. ‘But in a nice way.’
‘I hurt you?’ Kadian felt a flash of concern.
‘No. It’s just that I’ve never had a night like that before. I think it’s mostly muscle soreness from all of my…’ She suddenly went shy, reluctant to finish the sentence; at the same time, she was giggling.
Kadian moved closer to her, chuckling. ‘Well, you know, muscles get stronger with continued use.’
Olivia hid her face in his chest, her laughter increasing. ‘I don’t want to know where you’re going with this!’
Kadian stroked Olivia’s back. She relaxed against him and they waited for the Aa
vani to return.
When the water came, Kadian insisted on giving Olivia a wash. When her body was clean, he cleansed himself before tackling the evidence of their lovemaking. They dressed and Olivia led the way to Tassian’s place.
Olivia still remembered the first time she’d walked through this camp. There had been four other humans in the crowd. Humans didn’t often end up on the Myardahl market due to their rarity. Looking at the scars the others carried, she was glad for that and grateful she’d been freed before she could end up like them.
The community here ran in a way that was beneficial to all involved. Everyone helped out. Either as lookouts, scavengers, or help around the town. Everyone involved in the community ate. Carim and Olivia weren’t allowed to take resources because they hadn’t helped out. They were more interested in looking for opportunities to escape. They were allowed access to abandoned huts, but they couldn’t eat unless Tassian allowed it. It was harsh but fair, and both Carim and Olivia had accepted that.
Olivia knocked on the fabric covering of Tassian’s hut.
‘Come.’
She led the way inside.
‘You’re an Amaran!’ Kadian’s voice was laced with shock.
Olivia looked from one to the other, then walked over to an empty seat next to the table and sat.
Tassian nodded. ‘I am.’
‘The Amarans have strict laws. Your people aren’t allowed to be sold into slavery. Even the IGC respects that. Adalan especially.’
A sad smile appeared on Tassian’s face. ‘There are whole slave markets who care nothing for these things,’ he said. ‘I was kidnapped from an Amaran colony world on the border of our space by criminals posing as traders, and I was not the only Amaran they took.’
Kadian seemed to have rooted to the spot as he stared at the Amaran in shock. ‘I was taken from my world by Goedan,’ he said finally. ‘Kept in a facility for three solars where other Dynexium engineers and I were forced to refine radiant for them.’
Tassian indicated the vacant seat next to Olivia. Kadian seemed to notice for the first time that she wasn’t by his side and crossed the room. ‘I had no idea IGC member worlds were doing things as well. They are breaking the convention.’
‘They don’t seem to care.’ Tassian took a pot of something and placed it on the table between them. There were bowls in front of them, and Tassian served them each a bowl of the morning meal. It was really just a continuance of the evening meal and every meal before that. ‘When I was a slave, my master took me to public gatherings of the leaders of this world. They saw me. They coveted me. They knew my presence was illegal and were amused when I brought it up.’
Beside her, Kadian was radiating rage.
‘I have a ship that I’m intending on leaving behind,’ Kadian said. ‘If my allies and I cause a distraction over the port, your people could take it and leave.’
‘How many would it take?’ Tassian asked.
‘About thirty, if they don’t mind sleeping on the floor and they can bring their own provisions. It’s one and a half rote’s travel to Protectorate space from here. I’ll contact the people I know there, and they’ll pick you up.’
‘That’s no good,’ Tassian said. ‘The Protectorate are about to get IGC membership if they haven’t got it already. I can’t. I won’t have them sending slave races back for the sake of those of us who are here illegally.’
Kadian glanced at Olivia. He took her hand in his. ‘You don’t need to worry about that.’ Kadian squeezed her hand as he told Tassian everything that had happened at IGC.
‘To avoid being forced to hand them over, Thanesh withdrew his membership application,’ Kadian finished.
Tassian looked from Kadian to Olivia, concern and empathy in his eyes. ‘As long as my people are safe.’
‘Will you be going with them?’
Tassian shook his head. ‘No. My place is here. Helping my people.’
‘If there are other Amarans here, you’ll want them among those who leave. Once your Ilan finds out your people are being taken and sold… Especially if they have stories like yours.’
Tassian considered for a moment. ‘There are three here. One is an Adala. They are female, but Adalan. Unlike a female of our race, they don’t require an Adalan to bear children. They are extremely rare on my world and her story is horrifying. Casrie also knows my story, as well as I know hers.’
‘We’ll make sure Casrie gets to your Ilan,’ Kadian promised.
For the next hour, they ate while Kadian, Olivia and Tassian discussed Kadian’s ship.
‘I want you to sleep while I’m gone.’ Kadian looked down at Olivia’s face as he held her close. ‘Tonight is going to be long and stressful. I want you to be rested.’
They had returned to the small hut to be alone for a few moments while Avyn got ready to escort Kadian back to the abandoned section of the city.
‘What about you?’
‘I will sleep when you are off this planet and safe in Protectorate space.’ Kadian traced the lines of her face with his eyes. She was everything, and the thought of being separated from her while he contacted Tanir filled him with cold dread. But this community had never been found and he could move much quicker and arrange to have their rescue arrive much sooner if he left her here. ‘From what Avyn has said, we will be gone for a few hacri. Sleep for a while, but be ready to leave when I get back.’
Olivia nodded. Her hazel eyes were filled with reluctance, and Kadian felt the same in his heart.
‘I will be back as soon as I can, my Olivia. I promise.’
They kissed, and Kadian marvelled anew that she was his. He rejoiced in the feel of her in his arms.
There was the awkward knocking scratch at the entrance to the hut. Kadian broke the kiss and smiled at Olivia.
‘Kadian?’ Avyn called.
‘I’ll be there in a moment,’ he called, then turned his attention back to his mate. ‘I’ll be back soon.’ He kissed her again, feeling the heat of her lips on his. When Kadian walked away, he felt like he was leaving a very real part of himself behind.
Avyn was waiting outside with three other tunnel rats, as Olivia called them.
An Anadar stood beside Avyn, watching Kadian. He was a warrior, according to the tattoos on his face. Kadian reviewed what he knew about the Anadar people. They favoured a natural world over civilisation despite being an advanced species. They were arboreal, so they lived in treetop communities. As such, they had grasping feet that were as dexterous as their hands and prehensile tails. This male was pale red, which darkened to crimson and darker on his extremities, including his tail. He had dark crimson hair that fell down past his shoulders—the tattoos marking him as a warrior were etched in gold into his skin.
The Ualhan studied Kadian coolly as their eyes connected. There was something wrong with this male. Kadian could sense it to his core. His black eyes were cold, lacking any kind of emotion. His white skin, with black markings, was perfect as though untouched by any Myardahl hand. Kadian was relieved that he was going with them. Otherwise, he’d have brought Olivia. This male was more dangerous to her than the risk of getting caught.
An older Bolsen male rounded up the party. The male was muscled, powerful and radiated aggression.
They were all dressed in dark clothes and carrying weapons, many of them makeshift. When Kadian got to the Protectorate, they would have a conversation about equipping these people properly.
‘Ready?’
Kadian confirmed with a curt nod.
‘Let’s go.’
Turning to the door, Olivia’s eyes met his. Kadian took her in for one long moment, then broke into a run to follow the four males.
In less than a metri, they were across the vast space and into the tunnels.
Kadian felt his thigh twinging as their footsteps reverberated down the long passageways. But though one thigh was weaker than the other, he was able to keep up with little issue. Still, Kadian knew his muscles would be burning and spasmi
ng by the time they got off Myardahl. That was okay, though, as long as they were off.
Grates from the city overhead shone small patches of light into the darkness around them. As they approached their destination, the light angles changed as the sun moved across the sky. They had been running for hacri. By the time Kadian got back to Olivia, the sun would be setting on yet another rote. Was that the third or fourth since Kadian had been here?
By the time his comrades slowed, Kadian’s thigh was aching and the muscles around the missing area of flesh were twitching. Letting Vyan lead the way, Kadian followed the group to a large round access cover. A ladder led up to an accessway and Vyan climbed, listening for movement above.
‘We’re good,’ he said with a nod before pushing at the cover.
One by one, they climbed out onto the streets of the abandoned city.
‘Where do you want to do this?’ Vyan asked. He was looking around at the abandoned street with a frown.
Kadian took his comm out and tried it, but the tall buildings seemed to be blocking his signal. Letting out a sigh of impatience, he looked at the buildings surrounding them. He just needed to be high enough to get a signal out. But how high would that be?
He spotted an old apartment block. It was built in steps and the roof of each level had an overgrown garden sitting atop it. ‘There.’
Avyn led the way up the street until they came to a junction, then right. They ran up the road several hundred fenth and entered the building from the broken entranceway.
There was no power to the building, and Kadian would not have trusted a lift had one been available. So instead, the five males found the stairs and began climbing.
The Bolsen male with shining dark blue teardrop markings on his face went scouting up ahead.
‘Found the first rooftop!’ he shouted down after a few metri had passed.
Ignoring the burning pain in his thigh, Kadian kept going up. They reached the rooftop and, stepping foot into a small jungle, he checked the signal.
