by evil wind
The light hurt his eyes, sent jagged bursts of pain through his head. He tried to turn away from it, but found he could not.
"K'lon jui stah," he whispered. "Ogen."
"What did he say?” Lares asked.
"It's Chalean,” Khiershon said. His face was lined with sweat as he struggled to keep his bloodsire still.
“He asked us to please let him die."
"The hell with that!” Lares snarled and thrust his face almost nose to no se with his friend's. “Cree! You listen to me, you, insignificant Ry-Chalean dog! You will cease such prattle and be a man or I will whip your lily white ass! Do you hear me?"
Cree's body was shuddering and his eyes were glazed, wounded, filled with an unimaginable pain that brought black-tinged tears to his eyes. His ears were oozing black blood and beads of dark sweat stood out on his straining face.
"Be a man, you little twit!” Lares snarled at him. “Or lose your woman to Kahn.” He glanced over at Tylan. “'Tis your choice!"
"Left ear drum rupture,” Dorrie said and tears flowed from her eyes.
Everyone there flinched as Cree threw his head back and howled piteously, his neck convulsing as he arched his body off the bed. His limbs went rigid for a long moment and then he collapsed, his head falling to one side as the pain—or hopefully the med—had taken its toll.
"You need to put him in an E.S.U. and keep him out all the way to Terra,” Dorrie told Caitlin. “His heart can't take much more of this."
"He won't die,” Khiershon said. “Heart attacks won't..."
"Shut up!” Dorrie shouted. “I know he won't die, Reaper, but he will suffer, and I don't want to see that any more!"
Tylan caught Dorrie as her knees gave way under her and swung her up in his arms. She was clinging to him like a lost child and was crying just as hysterically as one. Her body was shivering with her grief.
"She's right,” Renata told Caitlin. “He was in an E.S.U. almost all the way from Terra to the Vex. It's the only way to keep him comfortable."
"All right,” Caitlin said, arming away the sweat that had gathered on her own brow. “We'll put him completely out while we finish loading everything on the StarRaider."
Khiershon let go of Cree's ankles and reached out to put a hand to his wife's shoulder. “You need some rest, too, milady,” he said.
"When he's been seen to,” she said.
"I've a bit of good news for you, Cait,” Iyan said as he came into the room. “Wellmeyer has decided to stay on Serenia."
Cait nodded. “That will save me from strangling the bastard,” she said of the former captain of the Medivac ship the Orion.
"Just wanted you to know we've about got everything loaded into the cargo hold and are bringing on the extra containment cells and E.S.U.s.” He glanced down at the man on the bed. “By the gods, Khier,” he said. “It's like looking at a slightly older version of you.” He shuddered. “That is a very unsettling thought."
Khiershon turned his attention to the doorway where eleven sets of eyes were gathered out in the corridor—all of them striving to see what was happening in the room. “You men go on over to the Ailith and get settled. We'll bring the Prime over on a gurney. I don't want to take a chance of transporting him in this condition."
"We'll walk with you,” Taegin stated. The way he'd made his statement left no room for discussion.
"With the exception of you three ladies and our female Reaper, all the other women are already on board the Ailith,” Iyan said. “And that includes the Diabolusian woman. I don't want to rush you but we really should get going. There's been a solitary ship to leave Rysalia Prime and it is headed this way. I'd just as soon be on the other side of the wormhole by the time it reaches Serenia."
"All right,” Tylan said. “Find us a gurney and let's move sleeping beauty just in case that's his fan club coming to visit."
With Kamerone Cree strapped securely to the gurney Khiershon, Tylan, Lares, and Iyan carried between them, Caitlin and Dorrie leading the way with Renata and Danielle behind the gurney and the other Reapers walking in twos bringing up the rear, the Prime Reaper was carried toward the first docking harness and the huge StarRaider that sat humming powerfully in its slip.
As they passed, workers on the dock stopped what they were doing and those who wore caps and hats quickly doffed them out of respect for the unconscious man being taken aboard the Ailith .
"Wouldn't this amuse the shit out of him?” Paegan Thorne quipped as he and Alexi Noll watched their former leader being carried up the gangway into the Ailith .
"What?” Noll asked.
"This,” Paegan said, sweeping a hand around him to indicate those who were standing in quiet respect.
“How many times do you reckon people scattered out of his way when they saw him coming? Man, they would shimmy down bolt holes rather that even come into contact with him and here they are all watching and showing deference to him."
"Don't you think he deserves it?” Noll asked.
"Hell, yes, he deserves it,” Paegan said. “It's just that if he could see this, he'd be so fucking embarrassed."
"Reapers don't get embarrassed,” Tealson Hesar said from his place on the other side of the gangway.
"Ours does,” Paegan disagreed.
"Ours does a lot of things other Reapers don't,” Noll observed. He watched the younger Reapers disappearing into the Ailith . “Let's just hope he'll be able to keep that new batch in check once we get to Terra."
Chapter Twenty-Four
Raphaella was annoyed when people began swarming onto the ship she had staked her claim upon but as soon as she saw Khiershon carrying the litter holding the Prime Reaper her face softened. She rushed forward, ignoring Caitlin.
"Are you well, Khiershon?” she asked.
"You and I will talk later, wench,” Khiershon said, giving her a steady look. “For now, make sure everyone who will be accompanying us is on board. A ship has left Rysalia Prime and we need to leave them in the dust."
Glancing down at the man on the gurney, Raphaella's attention snapped back to the handsome face and held. “He looks just like you!” she said and the wheels could be seen cycling in her brain. She put out a hand to touch the unconscious man.
"No,” Khiershon snapped. “I look just like him and don't even think about laying your hands on him. He is well taken and the men with me with beat you to the ground if you so much as dare to cause my father trouble!"
"You've got that right,” Tylan snapped as he moved past Raphaella and pushed her out of the way.
Caitlin turned her head and looked back—catching the Amazeen's eye and smirking. “You just can't seem to catch your own Reaper, can you, Raphie?” she laughed.
"That's enough, Cait,” Khiershon chastised his lady. “Do what I told you, Raphaella."
Stomping her foot with pique, Raphaella spun around and started after the gurney. It as at that moment someone stumbled against her for she had walked right into that person's path. Hissing like a cornered ghoret, she twisted around to berate the person who dared to put hands on her body to keep from falling. “Get your filthy hands...” she began then her furious eyes met the eyes of the one behind her and she stilled.
"You walked into my path, wench,” Ghrian Tohre complained. “Watch where you put those gods-be-damned big feet of yours.” He started past her but found his arm caught in a none-too gentle grip. He pointedly looked down at her hand delaying him then up into her wide eyes. “What's your problem?"
Not only was the man glaring at her taller and more muscular than Khiershon Cree, he was far more handsome with jet black hair that was so wavy it looked as though the wind was constantly tousling it.
His eyes were a deep golden color framed by long dark lashes that any woman would kill to possess and his mouth bore full lips bracketed by the only goatee she'd ever seen on a man. To the left side of his mouth was a mole that was begging to be kissed.
"You are mine ,” she said through clenched teeth and
then pulled him fiercely to her. She slid a hand up to imprison his head then brought his face toward hers, capturing his mouth with a kiss at which his fellow Reaper's gawked. After kissing him thoroughly, she pulled back and flicked the tip of her tongue over the mole that so captivated her. “There. Now, it's official."
Everyone on the docking station ramp way was staring at the spectacle. The men carrying the gurney had looked back at her words and had stopped to see what she was about. No one made a sound as the Reaper and the Amazeen squared off.
"That Reaper's a goner,” Iyan pronounced when Tohre jerked back from the kiss and ran the back of his hand over his mouth to wipe off her touch.
"Wench, what the hell do you think you're doing?” Ghrian exploded, putting up a hand to scrub at his mole.
"Claiming you,” Raphaella said and linked her arm through his. “Come, Reaper, and let me fuck what little brains you possess from your handsome head."
Ghrian Tohre was so shocked by her words, so completely at a loss to act he could only look helplessly at his bloodkin as the tall woman drew him past them and into the belly of the StarRaider. He caught Kaelen Cree's eyes. “This sucks,” he told Kaelan.
"I do that, too,” Raphaella assured him as they disappeared into the craft.
The last anyone saw of Ghrian Tohre for the rest of the day was a huge grin.
Kaelan slowly turned wide eyes to Comyn Coure and the grin that began tugging at his expressive mouth made Coure yowl with laughter. The two Reapers hurried into the Ailith jostling one another like the teenage boys they were.
* * * *
Akkadia Kahmal had a problem and she hated to express it to those who were making the final preparations for leaving Corinth. All supplies, extra E.S.U.s and eight extra Con Cells had been loaded onto the Ailith and quarters had been assigned. Extra fuel, the Triso and Sustenance from both the Pantera and the Alluvia had been loaded into the cargo hold. Work assignments had been split among the crews of the ships that would now be just one crew. Goodbyes had been said to the new captain of the Pantera and to the Juggernaut —the Necromanian ship—and all was in readiness. Now was not the time to bring up her problem yet it had to be done. She'd already hastily discussed it with her Amazeen crew and they'd all agreed she had no choice but to act.
"Admiral,” she said, finding Tylan Kahn with Captain Elena Vargas. She ignored the way the Diabolusian warrioress glared at her interruption. “May I speak with you in private?"
"What you have to say to my previsto, you can to me!” Elena snarled.
"Your intended?” Kahmal said. “Congratulations, Admiral. You work fast."
Tylan blushed. “Well, we haven't really discussed...."
"I have a request,” Kahmal said, sensing the Diabolusian woman about to interrupt again and time was of the essence. “One I know will put a burden on this mission but in good conscience I can do no other."
Tylan's brows drew together. “That being what, Major?"
Kahmal lifted her chin. “I can not leave the breeders on my farm at the mercy of my Sisters. I would like permission to take the Alluvia and go after them, bring them with us. Most are Terran men..."
"What?” Caitlin said. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop as she passed but hearing that brought her up sharply.
"There are nine of them that are Terran, two Serenians, and three Viragonians,” Kahmal said. “As soon as it is learned that I have betrayed Amazeen, they—along with all my property—will go on the auction block. I have been good to my breeders and...."
"How long will it take you to go to Amazeen and bring them back?” Tylan asked. His face showed his acute worry.
"Two hours there and two hours back,” Kahmal replied. When the Diabolusian woman would have protested, the Amazeen held up a hand. “But I can rendezvous with you at the Vex and that will shave off an hour."
"She can't leave those men on Amazeen, Admiral,” Caitlin said. “Those are my people she's talking about.” She narrowed her eyes. “Are there other Terran men being held captive on Amazeen?"
Kahmal shook her head. “Not that I know of,” she replied. “I was the only one willing to take them when they were put up for auction the first time around."
"Are there young half-Terran boys who...?” Caitlin began.
"No male zygotes are allowed to take root in Amazeen bellies, Healer,” she said. “On that score you have nothing to worry about."
The former head of the Rysalian Fleet Command flinched. He remembered all too well the Rysalians not allowing female zygotes to live. “Go, then,” Tylan said. “We'll meet you on the Vex but if that Rysalian Prime ship gets too close, we're going to hightail it through the wormhole and you'll have to meet us on Terra. Understood?"
Kahmal nodded, relieved. “Understood!” She hurried away.
"This could be catastrophic,” Elena told Tylan.
"We just have to pray it won't be,” Tylan replied.
* * * *
Lares stood at the vid-com screen and watched the Necromanian ship carrying Zainabu out of his life for good. He hadn't given much thought to the woman who had been his J'Bai since Joining with Beryla—the love of his life—so he was surprised to feel a tug at his heart as Prince Kamau took Zainabu back to Necroman. "Did you get a chance to speak with your nephew?” Tylan asked. He swiveled his head around to watch as Kamerone Cree was being laid into one of the Extended Sleep Units—the E.S.U.
"I did not wish to speak with that jackal,” Lares grumbled. “I might well have snapped his worthless neck like a dry twig.” He sniffed. “Nor did I deign to say farewell to the woman who betrayed me."
Tylan sighed. “Taborn, if there was any betraying, you were the one who started it by Joining with Beryla. For once in your life own up to the decisions you made."
Lares glared at Kahn. “Who is to say which of us betrayed the other first, you slimy eel? I was in prison for many years before my friend extracted McGregor and me. Zainabu could well have been cuckolding me even then!"
Shaking his head at the man's obstinacy, Tylan folded his arms and just looked at Taborn. “If it soothes your conscience to believe that then so be it, Taborn. You are the one who is moping here at the window, though. I don't believe your Necromanian warrioress is."
Drawing himself up, Lares’ eyes narrowed dangerously. “I am not moping, you son of a worm!"
Tylan's own dark eyes narrowed. “We'll talk about your propensity to insult me when we're back on Terra,” he said.
"Count on it,” Lares snapped and stalked off, his muscular shoulders hunched.
"Admiral?"
Tylan turned around and headed for Dorrie who was standing at Cree's E.S.U. “Aye, milady?"
"We are about to close the lid on the E.S.U. He's half-awake still and has been mumbling. I've heard your name a few times. Do you want to speak to him before we put him out?"
Tylan looked down at the face of the only man he truly considered to be his friend and was concerned with the lines that had formed on Kamerone Cree's face. The lines would smooth out—the parasite would see to it—but for now they gave mute evidence of the strain and the agony the Reaper was experiencing. He put a hand on Cree's shoulder.
"We'll be heading out in just a few minutes, Captain,” he said, giving back the rank he had taken from the Reaper long ago. “When next you wake, we'll be behind the Terran moon and you will be but a heartbeat away from your Bridget."
Cree moaned as though he had heard the words, but he did not move.
"Sleep tight, Reaper,” Tylan said. “We've got your back.” He looked up at Dorrie and nodded. He stepped back to allow her to close the lid on the E.S.U., sealing Cree in.
Dorrie locked the lid and stood with the palm of her hand on the plexi lid as the vital signs on the readout beside the unit began to take Cree into deep hibernation by stilling his heart, ceasing the flow of blood, maintaining his life, but—more importantly—stopping the savage pain eating at him.
"We're ready to roll out, Admiral,” Khiersh
on said.
"We've got your back, Kam,” Tylan repeated then turned away from the E.S.U. “And we're on our way home."
The Ailith had to wait until the Alluvia was out of the tunnel and banking its way to Amazeen to retrieve Kahmal's breeders before it could begin its journey.
* * * *
"Are any of you close to Transition?” Khiershon asked his bloodkin at a meeting the next morning as the Ailith sped toward Montyne Vex and its meeting with the Alluvia . "I am,” Killian Kiel answered. “I should go on into a con cell now, I guess."
"Me, too,” Rylan admitted. “I'm about three days away as is Braiden."
"I Transitioned to take care of that traitor who would have torched the Prime,” Danielle said, “so that will screw up my cycle. I wasn't close to my regular time, though."
"We'll keep watch on you, little one,” Comyn Coure told her with a smile.
"Aye, little sister,” Kaelan agreed. “We'll take care of you."
"I am pleased none of you wish to be out for this journey, but I will caution you to rest as much as you can,” Khiershon said. “Admiral Kahn and I have spoken at length and we believe you should all be indoctrinated thoroughly on what to expect once we arrive on Terra so you'll fit right in. The Prime not having done so caused him untold grief so we hope to prevent that from happening with you. There is much data in the computer banks and we also have additional disklettes on each of you that I suggest you view."
"Disklettes on us?” Kaelan repeated.
"The disklettes pertain to how you were chosen, the names of your birth mothers, etc. You might find such information useful and you might not. Personally, I intend to study those tapes at length to learn all I can about what makes me, me."
