Flames of Arousal

by Kerce, Ruth D.

  Torque puffed out a heavy breath. When she’d struck him, Tara’s eyes had clearly revealed her feelings. He felt like shit. He shouldn’t have taken out his grief on her. He walked up behind her seat and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Tara. I didn’t mean what I said. I just need to be certain.”

  “It’s not like I haven’t heard it before, Torque. From plenty of other people.” Her back stiffened as she worked.

  Yes. He knew people often labeled Tara’s strong will and decisiveness as coldhearted or bitchy. She wasn’t really like that. Deep down, she had a very fragile heart. Everything else was just her way of protecting it. He moved to the side of her chair and crouched down. “Forgive me, sister. I love you with every breath inside me.”

  He squeezed her hand.

  Her breath visibly hitched, and a tear slid down her cheek. She squeezed his hand back. “I know. I love you, too. I’m sorry I hit you.”

  Her tender admission touched his heart. A grin crossed his face. “At least I know you can still take care of yourself. You haven’t gone soft.” After she’d been stripped of her Security Chief position, she’d stopped training as much, and he’d worried about her defensive skills waning. But that slap contained quite some power behind it.

  “Me, soft?” She snorted. “Right. Now how about we get back to work? I’ll send another team to the lift area. We’ll find something. If not, we’ll assume Brianna got out before the lift started its free fall and is still in the Lair somewhere, but cut off from us.

  One way or another, we’ll find her.”

  Standing from his crouch, he nodded. “Sounds good. Keep me informed.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Dome of Marid

  “What the hell is going on?” Daegal bellowed to the Top Commander. He plopped down in his command chair, feeling drained. Just when he was about to celebrate their victory at hand Xylon began to slip through his fingers. This couldn’t be happening!

  Not after all the years he’d put into the planning. All Xylon Warriors must die!

  The Top Commander relayed the bad news. “Marid’s weapons, as well as the Sand Moon’s, are offline. Communication is almost completely down. All systems, backups included, seem to have gone crazy.”

  “Crazy?” Daegal arched an eyebrow. “Is that your technical assessment?”

  Frustration built to an explosive level. He felt like ripping someone’s head off and almost reached out to do just that. “What’s causing it?” With the backup systems out, they were now in quite a precarious situation.

  “Massive computer viruses are attacking all Marid-designed databases and control files. I haven’t heard from the other Banishment Zones, but I’m assuming the systems on all our outposts are also in failure, because we’re not getting any readings from them. The Sand Moon got off a message right before the communication grid locked up, saying all but a few of their controls have been affected.”

  Daegal scratched his chin. Viruses. That meant someone had infiltrated their main computer system. An Agent gone bad, or the Lair at work? He didn’t take much time wondering. This stunt reeked of Warrior stench. “What’s the specific origin? And can it be blocked?”

  “I don’t know on either count. We haven’t been able to pin it down…yet. We are back-tracing to find out what station was used to transmit the code.”

  “Repair time?”

  “Also unknown. Every time we access another area, we run into more destructive code sequences.”

  “What do you know? And what’s this do to our takeover of Xylon?” If Marid lost momentum now, his followers would lose confidence in his ability to lead them, and he might have massive defections. He couldn’t allow that. They must be victorious over Xylon. If they weren’t, and he couldn’t fulfill the rest of his plan, he would die, and everything he’d worked for over the years would be for naught.

  “Foot troops will continue to attack. Most of Marid’s fleet fighters will disengage.

  Their systems are fed by our computers. All but hand-controlled weapons will be down. Computer targeting is down, too. The viruses are transferring from the surface systems throughout the fighter fleets at a tremendous speed. Some of our more experienced pilots will probably stay to their heading. They’re trained to target by sight for just such malfunctions, but we won’t be anywhere near full force.”

  “Is the Lair doing this?” Daegal asked, voicing his suspicions.

  “Impossible. We’ve shut down too many of their systems for them to have the power to do something like this directly from their facility. Though they’ve changed their codes and stabilized their systems, they haven’t reestablished enough control yet for the Lair to affect such destruction. We still have their base codes, so our decryptors will be able to decipher the new coding scheme they switched to as soon as their key method is uncovered. Then we’ll shut them down again. The infiltration has to be coming from someplace else. A direct uplink to our main system is needed to cause this type of massive system failure. They can’t come at us from the outside, Daegal.

  Everything is locked down. It’s definitely an inside job.”

  An inside job. Yes. And he had a feeling he knew the traitor. But he’d explore all avenues just to cover any other possibilities. “Keep on it. And once communications are reestablished see what Frost knows, if anything, about all this.”

  * * * * *

  Sand Moon

  “Halah and Kam are gone,” Rave told Frost. “Materialized out, according to the Egesa security team we sent after them.”

  “How? Did they get access to some of our transport-connectors?”

  “None have been reported missing, but the system is down, so we can’t check the usage stats.” Rave held up a collar. “This was found just outside one of the control rooms. It’s Halah’s. I remember the number.”

  “Damn it!” Frost paced back and forth in her quarters. “They should have been guarded more closely. I assigned an Agent to watch them, but he must have bolted when the alarm sounded.”

  “I’ve already spoken to him. He was found sprawled out in a side corridor. An Egesa injured him in some sort of personal dispute.”

  “An Egesa? Stupid creatures! I hate those ugly things. Where’d Kam and Halah go?

  What’s your guess, Rave? The moon’s prison security force?”

  “Doubtful. Though supposedly an independent zone, too many of our people work there. They’d never trust those officials to aid them. Since we never found Kam’s ship, and Halah’s ship isn’t functional, I would assume they’re back aboard Kam’s orbiter, either somewhere on the surface or already off-moon.”

  “If they’re still on the surface, can we stop them from taking off?”

  “Before reporting to you, I alerted the moon’s prison security of an illegally-docked ship taking off. They said nothing unauthorized was showing on their computers—the ones that are still working anyhow. With the war, they have an increase of ships incoming and outgoing with deliveries. They said they can’t stop all of them to double-check for falsified authorization. They don’t have the manpower.”

  Frost stopped pacing and stared at Rave. “So you think Kam established false e-papers for landing and takeoff rights?”

  “He has the knowledge. It’s what I would have done. Otherwise, the moon’s security force never would have allowed him to land. Either he logged forged authorization, or he somehow blocked the prison’s tracking signals. Halah tried doing the same, but her block contained a glitch, which is how I spotted her location. Kam has proven more clever, it seems.”

  Frowning, Frost began to pace again. She’d obviously underestimated Kam. From what she remembered of him from years ago, and from the information Daegal gave her, she’d assumed he would be easy to control—unlike his Class 1 associates. “Do you think he and Halah are behind the computer chaos?”

  “It’s possible. He knows codes. She knows weapons. What’s our next move? Should we kill Kam?
” Rave ran her fingers over the remote device that controlled the implant in his throat.

  “No.” She stopped in front of Rave and confiscated the device, placing it in the bodice of her outfit, so Rave wouldn’t be tempted to use it. “He’s still more useful alive.

  His death won’t help us any. And I don’t want to waste the control over him that we’ve established. We’re going to need him later.” Unfortunately, their control currently had limits. The tracking and listening devices Frost had instructed the surgeon to implant in Kam, at the same time as the Sonic device, were malfunctioning. Once able to remotely repair though, the Warrior wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

  From now on, she’d rely more heavily on the woman in front of her. Rave’s knowledge of the Warriors had proven more extensive than her current sources—or, at least, Rave was more willing to share the knowledge. She didn’t trust the woman completely, but no matter, for she knew how to play both sides to her advantage. “This must remain between us, Rave. Daegal is not to know that Kam and Halah are gone.”

  “Understood. I’ll inform security. It shouldn’t be a problem since most communication is offline right now. And with the computer problems, if he does find out, we can plead ignorance or malfunction.”

  She eyed Rave, needing to know a timeline. “How long does Daegal have? Do you have any idea?”

  “Not long, I’m told, if he doesn’t get the necessary serum. Though no exacts are available. I do think between your connections and mine—”

  “Don’t become too self-assured, Rave.” An uncomfortable feeling fluttered up Frost’s back. She’d learned over the years to trust that feeling. “Is it possible we’re being used?” Their contact might be playing both sides, too. Only a fool trusted his partners completely.

  “Of course. Just like we’re doing the using. It all comes down to who’s cleverer in the end, Frost.”

  Yes. She studied Rave, whose grin looked a little too broad for her liking. But the woman’s words were true. And Frost intended to be the cleverest of them all.

  * * * * *

  Forests of Xylon

  On the data screen in front of him, Erik studied the readings streaming in. “Looks like Kam and Halah did it. Many of Marid’s fighters are moving off. Their fleet-based weapons system appears to be offline. They’ll have to target by sight only. Most of their pilots aren’t trained for that, but luckily ours are. Hopefully, Marid’s tech people won’t figure out how to reset everything until our Warriors can reestablish a strong hold on the system. Brianna should be reading all this in the Lair. She’ll move on it.”

  Laszlo frowned, and then huffed out a large breath. “She’s not reading it, Erik.

  Unfortunately. There’s been an unexpected development.”

  Erik turned toward him. “What now?” They already stood knee-deep in shit. They didn’t need anything else going wrong. He glanced toward their inner communications system. Braden had left earlier to be with Alexa. Erik didn’t want to call him back unless it was absolutely necessary. Braden’s mind and presence should be with his mate right now. His gaze shifted back to Laszlo. “Are you going to answer me?” he asked when the man offered no further information. With each passing minute, Erik’s impatience grew, along with the sudden pounding in his head.

  Laszlo still didn’t answer, but reached over and pushed a button.

  The air in the corner shimmered and one by one, two people appeared.

  Erik immediately recognized the woman. “Brianna?” He couldn’t believe she was here. Damn it. Who the hell was left to run the Lair now? One of them would have to materialize back over. And once again he determined that person should be him. It made the most sense, given their circumstances. He still had the working transport-connectors. They remained hidden safely in his assigned quarters. He had the go-ahead, though earlier Braden had told him not to act until they’d had another chance to talk about some new developments.

  He’d rather go with Laszlo’s support. But if he had to work against Laszlo’s orders, he would. As soon as he got the chance.

  Erik didn’t recognize the man standing beside Brianna. He looked a little off balance. Not that Erik was surprised. With everything going on, he felt a bit off balance himself.

  “Erik?” Brianna’s gaze locked with his, then darted across the room, her eyes widening when she spotted Laszlo. After the shock of seeing him eased from her face, she spoke. “What’s going on? Where the hell are we?”

  “Colonel Briggs?” Laszlo asked.

  “Yes, sir,” the man answered, still looking off-center, but attempting to hide it.

  Erik studied the stranger. Colonel? What the hell? Now he really itched for answers.

  Ignoring the exchange, and with a welcoming look in her eyes, Brianna approached him. She touched his arm. “Good to see you, Erik. Is Leila here, too?”

  He patted her hand. “She sure is. As well as a couple of other people you might be interested in.”

  “Oh?”

  “Brianna?”

  She turned toward the deep, male voice. Her breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard. “Braden?” she choked out. “Oh, Braden! You’re alive!” She ran into his arms and held on tightly. “It’s so good to see you.”

  While Braden whispered a few words to his sister, Erik watched the reaction of the man who had materialized into the room with her. His eyes had narrowed when she ran to Braden, and Erik could actually feel the tension in the room increase. Interesting.

  Braden apparently noticed the man, too, for he pulled away from Brianna and eyed the stranger. “Who’s this?”

  “Colonel Samuel Briggs,” the man answered.

  “Colonel?” Braden repeated, his eyes narrowing. “You’re from Earth?”

  “That’s right. And you all are…”

  Erik didn’t much like the man’s forwardness. Typical Earth attitude of jumping in with both feet, instead of studying the situation first.

  With a tentative smile, Brianna took over the introductions. “This is my brother, Braden Koll. The one with the scowl is Erik Rhodes, and that’s Laszlo in the chair. Good to see you’re still with us, Laszlo.”

  “Thank you, my dear.” He nodded.

  Erik noticed Briggs had relaxed when Brianna said “brother”, but then he tensed again, when she introduced Laszlo.

  “You’re Laszlo?” Briggs asked.

  “That’s right. Say nothing right now, Colonel. We will talk.”

  Erik didn’t like the sound of that. And he could tell Braden didn’t either. This Earth man definitely knew something that Laszlo didn’t want revealed. Later, he’d try to get the man alone and…

  “Brianna,” Laszlo said, drawing the woman’s attention back to him. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

  “Well, it certainly wasn’t my idea. And I still don’t know where here is.” She glanced around the control room.

  “We’re in one of Laszlo’s underground security chambers in the forest on Xylon,”

  Braden informed her.

  “Ah.” She nodded. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised you’re behind all this, Laszlo.

  I’m assuming this has something to do with Briggs, otherwise he and I wouldn’t here. I read a little about the special project ACE—”

  “How did you end up with Briggs?” he quickly interrupted her, his voice rising to drown hers out.

  Special project? ACE? Erik wondered what that meant. A possible alliance between Earth and Xylon perhaps? Though that didn’t seem likely. Earth wasn’t advanced enough. The Council had been adamant about not allowing Earth’s society to know about the more advanced systems yet. Or at least to not have absolute proof. Up until now Xylon had worked hard to enforce the Resolution of Separation, with only a few glitches here and there. Many of Earth’s reported UFOs had been a Marid or Xylon or other system ship that had gotten too close or didn’t cloak properly.

  “She was in the lift with me,�
� Briggs supplied.

  “Lift?” Braden asked. “Someone needs to start explaining. And in much more detail.”

  Before Brianna could do so Laszlo cut in. “Did Tara initiate the Colonel as scheduled?”

  Brianna looked from her brother to Laszlo. “Um, no. There was a problem.”

  A frown furrowed Laszlo’s forehead. “He needs to be initiated. Soon.”

  “Wait,” Braden interrupted. “Initiated? Why? We don’t initiate Earth men. Is he part Xylon? What the hell is going on, Laszlo?”

  Erik would like to know the same thing. If he were better with data files, he’d break into Laszlo’s private records. He figured that would be the only way to really find out the truth. This was one time he missed Torque, and the man’s skills at file infiltration.

  “He has no Xylon blood,” Laszlo answered. “And for now, you don’t really need to know—”

  “Braden,” a voice on the speaker interrupted.

  With an irritated look, Braden walked over to the comm panel and flipped a switch.

  “What is it, Leila?”

  “There’s a development with Alexa. You’d better get down here.”

  Braden fell silent and his face turned white. Almost tripping over his own feet, and without another word or a look at the others, he rushed out.

  Erik fought the urge to follow. But he needed to make sure the Lair was secure. “So who’s in charge in the Lair now, Laszlo?”

  Laszlo looked over at Brianna in inquiry.

  “Torque will take over,” she told them. “But we should contact him and let him know what’s going on.”

  “We can’t,” Erik responded. “The Lair’s authenticator is still down and we’re operating on a separate grid down here.”

  “A separate grid?” Brianna frowned. “Lovely.”

  “Also, Torque’s not authorized for command,” Erik continued, knowing now was the time to speak up. “So we really need to send me back over there. While there’s still time to do something.”