Tae: Talonian Warriors (A Sci-fi Alien Weredragon Romance)

by Celeste Raye

  He was still swinging his sword, though all his bullets and explosives were gone. A man's voice shouted, "Urim stop! There are no more." His anger and pain still raging, Urim turned in circles. His chest was heaving and his head pounding. Twenty or so colonists and warriors remained standing. All were bleeding from wounds, himself included. He knew this was just a lull in the storm. The Pura had hundreds more of their androids in reserve to take the place of the broken ones. Urim had not been able to take out the computers. Continuing to fight was futile and stupid. He announced, "Retreat to the ship. All who remain alive must board it and go home. We can no longer hold back the enemy. We have lost."

  Milisarians were streaming into the encampment from all directions. Those able to walk were carrying or dragging the wounded. There were knights who had lost arms and eyes. Colonists were badly burned from the explosives. Urim was bleeding from laser cuts and a bullet wound in his leg. He had held back the pain during battle by focusing on his anger. Now, he was feeling every injury. Those who could, washed off the blood and dirt before they sought out Josephine's aid. Urim immersed himself in the pure, cold water numbing the pain momentarily. He wanted the comfort of Josephine's arms. When he had kissed her goodbye that morning, he had not expected to return alive.

  The knights were shouting for Urim. He didn't want to rise from the freezing water. It would be so much simpler to just float away and forget everything. The death of his comrades and the destruction of the planet weighed heavily on his mind. He rose wearily to answer the call of his men. He would uphold his duty despite his lagging spirits. If the androids were invading, he would face them alone if necessary, allowing the others to escape in the ship.

  Only his men were in the clearing. He didn't understand why the knights were shouting at him. "What is wrong? You should be retrieving everything from camp and boarding the ship. The wounded can be tended as we fly home. There is nothing left here for us. Heed my words. We must go before the androids return."

  A colonist, with blood running from his ear and dragging his leg, approached. He said, "The nurse is not aboard. We went to the infirmary for help, but she is gone. There are knights slaughtered on the floor. The remaining patients are in pain. There has been no one to care for them in hours. The guards lie dead inside the ship's doorway. The patients keep repeating that he took her."

  Urim bellowed, "No! She was supposed to be safe in the ship. I promised her that she would be protected! I must find out what happened." He turned to dash into the ship in order to question the eyewitnesses. "Care for your wounds the best you are able. There are bandages and medication in the infirmary."

  Urim sadly stepped over the dead bodies of his knights. He would mourn them later. The living needed him now. He tried to ask questions of the patients, but they could not focus. Their pain was too great. Josephine had kept a written record of each man's injuries and the medications they were to be given. The dosage for the pain medication was there also. Urim carefully drew out the correct amount for every man, including the ones who had followed him inside. As their pain eased, they explained, "The leader of the Pura came. He had an android with him. He spoke inside our minds, though his lips never moved. He wanted Josephine. Some of the knights tried to fight. The android cut them down. He would have killed us all if she had not gone without protest. She is to be executed as a traitor."

  Urim's roar shook the walls. He could not lose her. He knew that Ixia was using her to lure him in. It would give the Pura leader pleasure to make him watch Josephine die, and then have Urim executed as well. The alien was small and intelligent, but he had a cruel, vindictive streak to go with it. Walking into a trap, even when you knew it existed, was a foolish thing to do. The correct thing to do, as the Milisarian commander on this mission, was to leave Josephine and take his remaining people home. He could not do it.

  Josephine

  Ixia herded Josephine, hands tied behind her back, through the blood and bones of the Milisarians to his hovercraft. She stopped several times to throw up from the horrible sights and smells. The Pura leader showed his disdain for her weakness by pointing out the heads of warriors she recognized, men she had treated for cuts and bruises. It was like he wanted to twist a knife in her gut. Ixia shoved her over and over, often causing her to fall in the bloody mess. He would then yank her up by her long hair. Tears streamed unchecked down her face, but she made no sound.

  Her lack of response to his cruelty fueled his anger. He slapped her face once, just to remind her that he was in control. Blood squirted from the lip she split with the slap. She spit it at him. He used the android's laser to open a cut on her leg, laughing when she finally screamed in pain. He forced her into the hovercraft and took her back to the Pura spaceship.

  Josephine gazed longingly at her metal tent. The Pura crewman pushed her past it and up the ramp of the ship. She left a trail of blood down the winding halls, past the infirmary, and was stopped in front a narrow door. The crewman opened the door with a swipe of his hand, shoving her into darkness. Her head hit the wall, making her see stars. She slid to the floor. The room must be a storage compartment, she realized. With her back against one wall, she had to keep her knees bent with her feet flat on the floor. Her shoulders barely fit between the side walls. The darkness was so complete; she couldn't see her fingers when she held them in front of her face. How long would Ixia keep her here before the execution? Would anyone save her? Was Urim still alive? Her throbbing head swirled with questions. The cut on her leg was sure to become infected from the gore covering her body. Was that what Ixia wanted? Did he wish her to suffer from fever and chills before he put her out of her misery?

  Josephine rested her head on her knees and waited in the darkness. No sounds reached her, and no one came to get her. She had no way to tell how much time was passing, so she gave in to her depression and fell asleep. In her dreams, she could escape her fear and the smell of blood. It was a far better place to pass the hours while she waited for death.

  Bright light awoke her and burned her eyes. The door to her tiny prison was open. She was jerked to her feet and screamed out as her injured leg gave way. Uncaring hands dragged her down the hall. She saw pity in the eyes of her former patients when she passed the infirmary. They reached out as if to stop her captor, but quickly drew back their hands. They couldn't defy their own kind for a human.

  A circle of land was cleared beside the water, near where the bonfire had been. In the center, two battlebot arms were stuck in the ground like posts. Between them was the large case that had once contained her medical equipment. A Milisarian sword leaned against it. This was the sight for Josephine's execution. Too weak and heartsick to fight, she allowed her arms to be spread out and her wrists tied to the robot arms.

  Ixia's evil voice entered her head, "You will suffer the pain of the damned before you die. You betrayed me for the giant. I want him to come and watch you die, and then I will execute him too. Your screams will bring him and those he commands. None will leave. I will finish my plans despite your interference. I cannot allow any planet to know what really happened here."

  Josephine remained defiant. She replied, "Urim will not come for me. It would be suicide. He is a better leader than you. He will take his knights and leave. Their lives are far more important than mine."

  Ixia said, "We shall soon see." The first laser blast hit her back, slicing a shallow cut across it. She could not hold back her scream, though she valiantly tried. In her mind, she beseeched Urim to stay away from harm and go home to Milisaria.

  Chapter 15

  Urim

  Urim commanded, "Clear the camp. Make sure all who remain alive are on board the ship. Prepare to leave for Milisaria. If I have not returned by daybreak, leave me. I must try to save Josephine."

  A voice of reason came from amidst his knights, "Urim, it is a trap. You must not go."

  He replied, "Yes, it is meant to be a trap. Yet, I cannot leave without trying to save her. She risked her life more than onc
e to warn us of the Pura's plans. She has saved the lives of many of our troops. I will not forsake her now."

  "You cannot go alone. I will join you," he heard from among the men. "I will as well," another voice yelled. More added their affirmations of help.

  Urim was proud of the knights, but he replied, “I cannot ask that of you. We have lost too many Milisarians already, and most of you are injured. Take care of your wounds and go home to your families."

  "You did not ask," they said. "We volunteered."

  The remaining colonists stayed with the ship to prepare it for departure and care for the injured. The mighty Milisarian Knights, though weak and wounded, willingly followed Urim into one more battle. He devised a plan as they hurried through the shortcut to Josephine's hidden cove. Ixia would be surprised.

  Josephine's screams could be heard from the cove. Urim ran as fast as his bullet wound allowed. His knights knocked him to the ground saying, "You must follow your plan. He is making her scream to lure you in. Do not let her pain be for naught. Control your anger and fear." Urim knew in his heart that they were right, but her screams were ripping him apart. Under control once more, he asked to be let up and his warriors complied.

  The knights divided into pairs and quietly began executing Urim's plan. They had ripped lasers off the arms of the useless androids that littered the mountainside. They snuck up behind Ixia's protective army and used the weapons to cut the androids in half, leaving their circuitry dangling. Hundreds fell before the Pura in the front realized what was happening and began to use the controllers to fight back.

  Urim saw Josephine hanging limp between the battlebot arms. He left the battle and made his way through the camp to free her. Ixia spied him coming. He commanded the android to stop the lashing of her back and slam her head onto the medical case. The android was lifting the Milisarian sword to behead Josephine when Urim attacked. He used his own sword to strike at the one in the android’s hands, effectively stopping its downward movement. Before Ixia could give it a new command, Urim swung his sword around and the controller flew through the air. Ixia ran from Urim's rage and sought protection behind his mechanical army.

  Josephine's unconscious body was lifted into Urim's powerful arms. He let out a shrill whistle, signaling victory and retreat. The knights backed away and continued fighting until it became clear that the androids were not following. They turned and began to run for their ship.

  Ixia commanded his crew to send the androids after the Milisarians. They climbed into the hovercraft and started the march toward the enemy’s encampment.

  Knowing it was foolish to stop and confront the metal army, the knights continued to run, dodging laser blasts and bullets. They bravely carried on despite lungs that felt like they would burst and excruciating pain from old and new injuries. All through the night, never resting or complaining, they ran. If they did not reach the ship by daybreak, it would leave without them. Faster than the androids, they made some headway and no longer needed to dodge the weapons.

  Urim carried Josephine every inch of the way. He refused to share his burden. She opened her eyes only once, but he did not think she saw him. Her heartbeat was steady against his heaving chest. It gave him hope that she would survive.

  The sun rose as the knights crested the final mountain. They feared the ship would be gone when they reached camp. The ramp was closing as the clearing came into sight. It was disheartening to know they had almost made it. A shout from inside the ship caused the ramp to lower. Someone had seen them coming. The warriors were ushered inside, just as the androids arrived. The spaceship took off, with the ramp still dangling, amid laser blasts that would leave scars on its sides, commemorating the war against the Pura.

  Urim laid his burden on the softest bed he could find. He could finally take the time to assess the damage. Josephine's lip was swollen and bloody, and her cheek was black and blue from Ixia's slap. The cut in her leg oozed from an infection. The five fresh laser cuts across her back were shallow, meant to give pain and yet keep her awake. Urim guessed she had lost consciousness to escape the torture. He prayed Ixia would get his just reward either from Milisaria or Earth. He lovingly cleansed her wounds, injected pain medication, and then tended to his own problems. The bullet had gone completely through his leg, saving him from having to dig it out. He showered to wash away the blood and dirt, wrapped his leg with a clean bandage, and entered the command center to face his crew.

  Everyone had at least one bandaged part. He counted the number here and added it to the number of those in the infirmary. Only half the ones who had left Milisaria would be returning alive. Thankfully, none had died during the rescue of Josephine. He could never have forgiven himself for that. He addressed the men, "I commend you for your courage. You all fought valiantly, whether you be knight or colonist. I regret sending you into battle and will take full responsibility for our losses when we reach home. Those we left behind died with honor. Their names will be added to those in the cargo hold. Funeral pyres will burn for all even though we have no bodies for some. I ask for your help to make the list. I dare not miss a name. Thank you for standing with me, though not all of my decisions were sound. Josephine cannot help us with our wounds. She has not awakened. We must do our best without her. Shifts will be short to allow for rest. Only a small crew is needed to fly our ship. I will take the first four-hour shift. I require only two men to aid me. All others are dismissed."

  Urim took over the helm, and two of the older knights stayed with him. The others divided shifts among themselves and went to their quarters. All was quiet as the spaceship sped toward Milisaria. Urim had time to contemplate his mistakes. Should he have left the planet without a fight? No, it would have changed the Milisarians reputation and others would attack their planet. His mistake was in waiting too late. If he had destroyed the Pura immediately, the androids would never have come. His other mistake was in leading a rescue party to save Josephine. A knight was not supposed to let emotions rule his decisions. If he could go back in time, would he change the decision or do the same? He knew his decision would be the same. He could not lose Josephine.

  Urim's shift ended. He went to the infirmary to see if anyone needed tending and to get fresh bandages for himself and Josephine. Colonists were there, using Josephine's notes to care for the wounded. He thanked them for their service and wearily made his way to her bed. The cuts on her back were doing well, but the one on her leg was swollen and turning dark. He reopened the gash. Putrid liquid bubbled out. He washed it away, time after time, until none remained. He poured a cleansing medication on it that he had taken from the infirmary. It boiled in the wound and Josephine moaned. He was glad she was not awake to feel the full amount of pain. He wrapped it in clean bandages and crawled into bed beside her. He fell asleep instantly. The nightmare was replaced by a dream filled with hope.

  Urim awoke covered in sweat. I was so hot he wondered if the climate control on the ship was damaged. He checked on Josephine and realized the heat was emanating from her. She was burning up with fever. Milisaria was still a day away. He had to find a way to help her. He ripped away the bandage on her leg. The swelling had doubled, and the leg was purple. He hurried to the infirmary and began searching the shelves. There had to be something that would stop the infection. In her bag, he found syringes and a liquid vial of penicillin. Her notes said she had given it to the Pura to keep them from getting an infection. If it worked to keep infection away, would it also work to stop it? He had to try. Josephine was close in size to a Pura, so he would use the same dosage. He enlisted the help of a colonist to clean her wound again. A knife had to be used to open the skin and drain the nasty mess inside. The colonist suggested cleansing it every hour. Urim agreed. He would leave the ship in the hands of his knights and tend only to Josephine.

  For the next twenty-four hours, Urim only slept in half-hour stretches. He took the other half hour between cleansing Josephine's wound to see that his fellow Milisarians were healing, take a s
hower, or make sure the ship was on course to reach home. He wiped Josephine's burning body with cold, wet cloths, hoping to ease the heat. She was no worse, but no better either. When the four moons first appeared in the window, she still had not woken. He worried that she had lost the will to fight when Ixia had strung her between the posts.

  Sitting on the bed, he talked to her, "I wish you were awake. I had hoped to show you the beauty of the four moons hanging over the green seas of Milisaria. It is a glorious sight to behold. We will reach my home soon. I will ask that you be processed as a refugee and allowed to remain. King Siefer is a reasonable man, and his wife is human like you. I doubt he will turn you away. If you choose to go back to Earth, it may take some time. You will have to wait until we journey there to trade. In the meantime, I will show you our world. You will not need the extra oxygen or the rubber suit. You can walk freely in our green sea and sit in the meadows of flowers. Would you like that? Please, Josephine, fight for us. Do not give in to this illness. Alexis, Valeri, and Rixi will care for you, but they will need you to want to live. Wake up. We are landing."

  Josephine's eyes opened. They were filled with a feverish light, but she recognized Urim. A groan escaped her dry lips, and she murmured, "Water please." He gave her a small sip and brushed her hair from her face. It was soaked. Her fever had broken, though he knew it could rise again.

  Urim told her, "You are safe. We have arrived on Milisaria. I promise that no one here will cause you harm. You will be in good hands. Alexis and Valeri will have the knowledge to make you well. I did my best, but you need much more. I must leave you in their care for a while. The king and Nabvan will demand a full report of the war."