“I’m faring better than you are, Liam. You heard the alert call from Gwen. She will likely need me, especially since Malachi is worse than useless at the moment,” Ania said, pulling on soiled clothes too. “But this is absolutely the last time I put on these clothes. I didn’t bother with hygiene straps during the last crisis and these clothes are now totally unacceptable.”
Synar laughed. “I guess the honeymoon is over.”
Ania adjusted her top. “What does that mean?”
The question made him smile at his mate even though he was probably going to end up killing someone shortly. His temper had frayed to a very, very short fuse.
“It means that we’re working too much and not getting enough time together. I want to hold my mate and try to hear my children’s heartbeats inside her. Is that too much to ask? I do my job just like any other male. I deserve a break now and again.”
“Indeed,” Ania exclaimed loudly, doing her best impression of Dorian as they headed out of their quarters. Her mate laughed roughly and it made her smile. “I know I don’t sound much like him, but I’m sure I have the sarcastic inflection of disbelief down pat.”
“No wonder Dorian and I are such good friends. I’m the only being on the ship who doesn’t mock his speech.”
***
“Boca? Where are we going? You heard Gwen. There’s a level three alert going on. Liam—I mean—Synar is going to be calling me any moment. I’m not hearing him well these days,” Malachi said.
“Do you know where the captain is?” Boca demanded.
Malachi paused and closed his eyes. “Thankfully I do. Synar and Ania are both on the bridge.”
“Then you have time. Now stop talking and hurry,” she said.
“That’s what Angel said when Meen showed up. What do you know, Boca?” Malachi groused.
“I know nothing of the alert, but I trust Gwen. I trust all the officers on this ship. I’m always on level three alert, so my actions remain the same.”
Malachi rolled his eyes at the touchy Sumerian who had been harassing him for most of the sleep cycle. She had opted to stay in Medical while Chiang got some rest.
His thoughts flew to Angel inside Meen. Was she resting? He remembered those years alone inside Ania. He had been bored with nothing to do and no hope of it changing.
“Why are we in the galley, Boca? My host body has no appetite. It hasn’t been able to eat since Angel went inside Meen. Are you hungry? You could have just ordered food sent to the doctor’s quarters. Chef’s staff would have been glad to accommodate you. What’s the good of having galley stewards if you can’t order them around?”
“Stop talking,” Boca ordered. “We’re not here for food. We’re here for a life lesson. Evidently I am to be your teacher for this one.”
“I don’t understand,” Malachi said.
“You’re depressed. You think your precious emissary is avoiding you because Synar made you kill all Meen’s warriors,” Boca declared.
“Well, I can’t really blame her if is she is. I once made her cry because I told her I couldn’t remember how many lives I’d taken. She has never intentionally killed anyone,” Malachi said roughly, studying his hands. “What kind of being am I to feel no remorse? I just hurt a little for some and then move on to the next killing. I admit thinking about these things has caused me to be less functional in some ways.”
“Less functional? It’s called depression, Malachi. And what you’re having is a personal epiphany about the effects of using your power. It happens to new recruits all the time. Slaggika, it happens to all warriors now and again.”
Malachi snorted. “New recruits? You’re comparing me to a new recruit? That’s almost funny.”
Boca pulled open a door to a food storage area, rubbing her arms as she shivered. “Leave it open behind you. We won’t be in here long.”
“Why are we touring the galley’s cold block in the middle of a code three alert?” Malachi asked, truly confused.
“It’s got more than food in it at the moment,” Boca said.
Malachi sighed as he saw dead bodies hanging from hooks. “You put Meen’s warriors in here. Synar asked me not to turn them to dust. It’s his fault so much organic matter is left to contend with.”
“They’re not the only ones here,” Boca said, pointing to another area where two bodies were lying side-by-side. “That’s the Norblade female Meen killed. The other is Ensign Vetin.”
Malachi stared at both. “The Norblade female was going to die soon, but getting blasted by a laser was a sad end. Vetin’s was a useless death. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I often wonder what the Creators do with beings like him. I hope he finds happiness in his next life.”
Sighing at Malachi’s philosophical musings, Boca swept her arm in the other direction toward Meen’s crew. “If you hadn’t done this, more than just these two innocent beings would have died. As it was, Karr was seriously injured. So was the Allurean. They only live because of your actions—yours and Synar’s. Meen was going to kill to get what he wanted. Killing was in his intentions far more than it is in yours these days. The truth is here in this room if you can see it. You have changed, demon.”
Malachi thought about what she was saying. “Ania has taught me the value of redemption. I only killed these warriors because Synar ordered it done. If I could have disabled their weapons, it might have allowed our crew the opportunity to overcome them. They would have been held accountable without the need for death. Ania has taught me that. I understand that in this instance it was a risk Liam could not take.”
Boca nodded. “That’s precisely what I’m saying. Many crew members on this ship are way worse than you. I offered to chop up the warrior’s bodies and dispose of them in the recycler. Synar wouldn’t let me do that any more than he let you turn them into dust. I abhor death, but I do not turn from it when it is in front of me.”
Malachi laughed at Boca’s genuine disappointment about Synar’s orders. “We’re going to have to get you some counseling for those vicious tendencies. I don’t want to one day find myself sewing Chiang’s appendages back on after he’s made you mad.”
Boca snorted. “Control myself is a constant struggle. I don’t think Chiang understands how angry I am. The resentment I feel is endless and without hope of being satisfied.”
Malachi thought about the darkness he lived in and how often regret ate holes in it. He hadn’t exactly worked out a peaceful co-existence in his mist form, so how could he judge anyone’s corporeal struggles?
“Satisfaction can be large or small, and come in many forms. Maybe your anger is just part of your healing process. Maybe you will feel it until it is all released,” he suggested.
“Maybe,” Boca said, nodding even though she didn’t think he was accurate. She watched Malachi looking around and made herself be patient until he spoke.
“I think I really am better now,” he finally said. “Thank you, Boca.”
Boca nodded, rubbing her arms hard. “Good. I’m glad you are capable of reason. Now let’s get out of here. Slaggika, it’s cold in here.”
***
Synar had called his senior officers and they were lined up behind the vacuum shield watching not one, but two more Peace Alliance shuttles land in the Guardian’s dock area.
“Perhaps we should be flattered they sent four Guardian level warships after us,” Ania said. She didn’t smile at the shocked gazes swinging in her direction. But she wanted to.
Gwen snorted. “Stand down and wait until we get there. They told us to fucking ‘stand down’, like we were being the problem. One of their shit-faced generals nearly blew us up, but we’re the ones who they come after. They need to get their heads out of their asses.”
“Maybe I didn’t word my report well enough,” Synar said, pretending to himself that he wasn’t able to hear Gwen’s complaining.
“Did you ask Dre to run the Earth English spell-check before you pushed send? I’ve heard of wh
ole ships getting demerits for their officers not following language protocol in their reports,” Dorian said, grinning at his now grinning friend.
“Sanctimonious bastards. Who gives a flying fuck if ‘traitor’ is spelled wrong in a stupid report?”
Gwen’s vicious swearing finally prompted a full belly laugh from Chiang. Dorian smiled at the Greggor for being the one to crack first.
When the vacuum shield lifted, the group collectively sighed and moved forward to meet High Ambassador Jilco who was descending the ramp in front of a slower moving General Anx.
Synar glanced at Ania to see if she was having any reaction to the general who had seemed quite enamored of her. All he saw was trepidation and distrust as his mate’s gaze lighted briefly on Anx before shifting quickly to glare at Jilco. That was all the reality check he needed.
“Greetings, High Ambassador,” Synar said.
“Is my daughter well?” Jilco asked.
Synar nodded. “Yes. Kefira is well. The ship on the other hand seems to be programmed to self-destruct when the implant in Meen’s heart stops sending a signal. We found that out when he almost died. I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that, would you?”
“No,” Jilco said, frowning. “We only recently discovered Meen’s duplicity. I’m still shocked he intended to abduct the Allurean and keep her for himself. I’m not sure how he talked his warriors into going along with his plans. Where are they?”
“Dead. All dead,” Synar said flatly. “Along with one of my engineers and a Norblade female we were intending to test.”
“And the Allurean?” Jilco asked.
“Meen killed her after he realized he wasn’t getting away. She was so advanced in age that Medical couldn’t fuse her broken spine back. After she passed, her body decomposed so rapidly that we had to destroy what was left of it. The decomposition was so gross, I didn’t think to ask them to save skin or blood samples. We estimated her age at over one hundred fifty Earth years. What information we got from her was all in my report.”
Synar watched as the ambassador sighed in disappointment and exchanged a look with Anx. It was amazing how effortless lying could be with the proper motivation. It was satisfying to see them brooding but accepting every word he said. Time for a change of tactics, though.
“Why did you tell us to stand down?” Synar demanded. He directed the question to Anx and glared as the general pulled himself to attention to answer.
“It was a precaution, Captain Synar. When High Ambassador Jilco alerted us, General Zorn tracked Meen’s ship. When you reported the Allurean’s death, we feared it was a ruse. Meen could have been controlling you and your crew. He was quite capable of doing that,” Anx replied.
“You pissed off my commander, General Anx. Don’t do that again. Next question, why did you come in two shuttles?”
Anx sighed. “We weren’t sure how many prisoners would be returning with us and a couple civilians insisted on coming to see you.”
Synar watched the Orza male lift his wrist com to his mouth.
“It’s secure enough. Send them out now,” Anx ordered.
Synar turned toward the other shuttle as the ramp lowered. A levitating transport chair descended with a bruised and battered Ralak on it. Behind him Zella followed slowly. To the best of his knowledge, his mother had never left the planet before. He walked to them in shock.
“Greetings, Ralak,” Synar said.
“I’d bow my head, Liam, but frankly my neck hurts too much. Meen crushed some of the bones in it,” Ralak said.
“I’m sorry for your pain. We’ll get some of our healers to work on it. Your discretion saved us, Ralak. Meen didn’t know Malachi was here,” Synar said.
“Then I will bear my suffering with pride,” Ralak said. His gaze wandered to where the Peace Alliance officials talked with others of Liam’s crew. “How can you trust any of them after what happened?”
“I can’t,” Synar said firmly, his gaze following Ralak’s to watch Jilco chatting with Dorian and Ania. “Unfortunately, I still work for them, or at least for the same organization as they do. I’m hoping some of them still have good intentions. My belief in my employers is a bit shaken at the moment.”
“I thought you left Norblade because you hated politics,” Ralak teased.
Synar snorted at the older male’s dig. “You got me there, Ralak.”
His gaze moved then to the female who hadn’t spoken yet. He bowed his head. “Greetings, Zella. Welcome to my ship.”
“I have accepted Ralak’s mating offer, Liam. I came only because it is my place to accompany him, especially since he is so badly injured,” Zella said.
“Of course,” Synar said, turning away before she could see the small wounds in his spirit that her words created. He avoided Ralak’s sympathetic gaze as he spoke. “Are you two staying or returning to Norblade immediately?”
“General Anx said we would be here for at least one sleep cycle while they spoke to you and your crew about what happened. I may have to spend most of my time in Medical, but perhaps you can see to it that Zella gets a room,” Ralak said.
“We have many rooms available because I haven’t gotten the Guardian 13 completely staffed. The food is excellent. Do make sure you try some of Chef’s cooking while you’re here,” Synar said. “I need to get back to the High Ambassador and see what they are planning for us.”
“Be well, Liam,” Ralak said.
Synar bowed his head. “I remain well because of you. Thank you for your service to me and my crew.”
Ralak bowed as best he could, but the pain would not allow him full acknowledgement. He turned to the female at his side and noted that her eyes dimmed at the sight of her son walking away. “Your pride is the only thing in the way of your healing. It wouldn’t have harmed your tongue to say you were happy he still lived.”
Zella turned to the male who was offering her a better life than she had currently. She had accepted that he would exercise his rights to her body in exchange, but she refused to let him dictate the morality of her personal thoughts. “I will not lie about my feelings, Ralak. Not even if you order me to.”
“You are lucky I am a patient male and believe in redemption,” Ralak said.
“Well, I don’t believe in it. I’m a realist,” Zella said. “Let’s make our way to Medical. I can see you’re having great pain.”
Ralak snorted. The worst pain he suffered was knowing his compassion for the female he intended to mate might never be returned. He had to console himself that at least he was getting a worthy son out of the deal.
Chapter 26
Karr heard voices talking near him, but he was reluctant to open his eyes. Everyone was just going to avoid his real questions so why should he bother trying to communicate? Sleep at least allowed him to temporarily forget his concerns.
The monitoring bracelet Synar had personally put on him had kept him confined to Medical more than his wound had. If he’d gone exploring, Karr had no doubt he would have ended up in a holding cell. In fact, he still wasn’t sure his captain didn’t intend for him to end up there as soon as he was well enough.
“Karr’s wound is healing, but he sleeps too much. Chiang and I agree he is depressed,” Boca said.
“Are you sure my presence here will help?”
“I don’t know. You said you wanted something productive to do. If you can get Karr out of Medical and back to work, that will be a good start. I heard we’re still short-handed in Engineering. Karr can wear his monitoring bracelet there. No one believes he’s going to escape Synar’s wrath anyway,” Boca declared.
Karr opened one eye at hearing a new voice arguing with Boca. An ensign he’d never seen before stood by the bristling Sumerian at the bottom of his medical table. The perky young female’s uniform was strictly regulation, though the way she filled it was impressive. She had short silver hair and light blue eyes. When something Boca said caused her to smile, it transformed her pale face. Her eyes crinkled at the corne
rs. Her non-regulation earrings jingled pleasantly as she laughed in response.
Karr opened the other eye to get a better look at her. He realized that her presence meant Synar had tried to keep his word about hiring more female officers. His guilt over wronging his captain doubled.
“I don’t have much medical training. Captain Synar said I was to be trained as records keeper. I rather think I’d like that position,” she said.
Karr watched Boca nod in agreement.
“Aye, you probably will. I appreciate that you came to help in Medical until your training starts. Chiang and I need some uninterrupted rest. You can start by changing the bandage on Karr’s shoulder. Apply healing salve to the wound before you cover it with the skin bandage. You said you had learned basic care.”
“Yes. It wasn’t so much learning as it was a matter of my own survival,” she replied.
“Whatever,” Boca said, shrugging. “I see he’s awake now. Let me know if you need any help dealing with him.”
Karr stretched, felt the burn in his damaged shoulder, and winced. The young female walked to him as he pushed to a sitting position. Up close he read Ensign Morphius on her ID tag.
“That wound looks very painful,” she said. “Let me get you some medication and then we’ll do the bandage.”
Turning away from him, Karr watched her graceful walk to a nearby stand containing his meds. Her trim figure seemed too perfect for the bleak trousers and shirt she was forced to wear. Her vibrancy practically demanded the earrings just to offset the drab gray uniform. He saw her pick up a pressure syringe and smile when she saw it was what she needed.
When she came back to him, she leaned across his chest to his other shoulder and depressed it in the location that was safest for him.
Karr’s gaze narrowed on her. “You smell like flowers.”
Her eyebrows raised high at his statement. Karr decided it made her look like she was a wide-eyed child. How young was she? If he was a rebellious mid-growth, the female facing him was an infant in comparison. How in Helios did she get to be an ensign at her age?
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