COLOSSUS_Departure [Book 2]

by Terry Frost

  “Colossus has become part of an Alliance with two races we have been fortunate to call friends. One is the Daakie, which I think most of you already know about, and the other are the Aborians. We have joined our forces so we can hunt them down and do our best to eliminate them so we don’t have to live in fear of them attacking us or anyone for that matter in the future.”

  “When do you think we can begin searching for our new world again, Admiral?” a man in the crowd asked.

  “I’m as anxious as you are, sir. The Armada has hit the Hive hard over the last two weeks and as soon as we can get some additional help, we hope to find another large group of Hive and eliminate them too. But to answer your question, I honestly don’t know. But you must believe me when I tell you I will find us all a new home.”

  Cheers went up and a man further down the bar asked, “Several of us want to know more about the Aborians. Is it true they are like the mythical Amazon warriors told about in storybooks back on Earth? You know, a race of female warriors.”

  “Totally true, my good man. I must say they are the fiercest women I’ve ever run across. They fight as good as any man but a hell of a lot prettier.”

  The crowd laughed at their commander’s words. Then a fairly young lady raised her hand like a young college student would do, and asked Admiral Allen a question that had been on every Colossian’s minds.

  “Many of us were told if we ever do find a new homeworld it could take longer than most of us on Colossus now would live to see it. All of us were broken hearted when the beautiful planet was suddenly taken from us.

  “It seems there is always something on every planet with conditions just perfect for Human life, that stops them from being considered. Do you believe that is going to remain the norm, Admiral?”

  “I’m your Commander and I refuse to, as they say, blow smoke. So I’ll give you my honest opinion. Yes, that will probably be the norm, but I will also tell you, we will find a new homeworld for our kind.

  “And here is the single reason I feel that way. Ever since I became interested in space travel way back when I was only a first-year student at the Junior Aerospace Acadamy back on Earth, I have been told the chance of finding intelligent life in our known universe is extremely possible.

  “The problem with achieving the goal of discovering an intelligent race was going to be the vastness of the universe. Many of my years in space academies were involved with propulsion systems.

  “In other words, we had to find a solution for much faster travel in space. Then one day we discovered the technology that allows us to move at speeds which are faster than light, which is known in astrophysics as FTL.

  “Now I want to give you a thought if I may. We discovered the most important component needed for mankind to travel to the stars while looking for intelligent life and a new world to colonize for the spread of our kind throughout the universe.

  “Don’t you find it absolutely amazing that after only a few short years of travel we have discovered six intelligent races? All of them friendly with the exception of the Hive. So I leave you to ponder about this. Doesn’t it seem amazing to you, that if after such a short time since we left our Solar System, we have found intelligent life living on five new worlds and we have only scratched the surface of the Milky Way Galaxy?

  Now, I have to report back to the bridge, but do your commander a favor. Go about your business as you usually do and remember one thing. I will do all that is within my power to find you, and the rest of our people, a new homeworld, period.”

  The bar erupted in cheers and applause for their commander. They were loud enough that security came running as Allen was shaking hands while working his way out of the crowd. He saw the security team and held up his hand and said, “Everything is fine here, gentlemen. I came down to visit with these fine people.”

  The security team escorted the admiral to the lift and the sergeant in charge said, “Admiral, you know it is against protocol for the Commander of this ship to wander around in public areas without an escort.”

  “Sorry about that, Sergeant. I’ll make a note of it and have a serious discussion with Admiral Allen about that very thing.” The sergeant didn’t find the Admiral’s comment too funny because he knew there was a reason for the protocol.

  ****

  Later in the evening, and sitting around having a few drinks in the pilot's lounge while off duty, was Jak, Mikal, Kenner, and Brik. The subject of conversation had been about the battle with the Hive for most of the evening. But then the subject of the Aborians came up and the conversation turned from battling to their interest in the hot female warriors.

  “I’m sitting here thinking about all the times in flight school back on Mars when myself and several other pilots had a few drinks and started talking about women. Boy, oh, boy, if my old classmates could see the Aborians they would shit a brick. Not referring to me of course,” Brik said, which made the men laugh.

  “Yeah, Kenner, why don’t to tell Mikal and Brik about your experience during our first visit to Planet Abor,” Jak asked as he snickered.

  Kenner immediately turned a light shade of red and shot darts at Jak with his eyes. “Very funny, Jak. I was wondering when you were going let the cat out of the bag.”

  “Come on, Kenner. What cat?” Mikal asked.

  Kenner told them about being paraded around on a stage with many hungry female eyes looking at him with nothing on but a jockstrap. The guys just ballyhooed after listening to Kenner’s rendition of his embarrassing experience.

  “Yeah, go ahead and hee haw. You better hope when we get to Abor, you don’t get paraded around in front of a bunch of horny women,” Kenner said.

  “Hell yes, I hope that will be the case. I have a powerful weapon in my shorts that will tame any feline,” Brik bragged.

  “Why don’t you tell all of us about what you did when you disappeared for most of the day with Empress Katin, Jak? I saw how she was eating you alive with her eyes. Boys, I’ll tell you something about those Aborian females. They seem to have some serious powers of seduction and I mean serious,” Kenner said.

  “Yes, Jak. I’m very interested to hear how you spent the day with the Aborian Empress. Kenner told me she is one of the most beautiful creatures he has ever laid eyes on. So tell us how the strong Colonel Jak Hammer resisted her alluring qualities,” Mikal said, as he put his elbows on the table, locked his fingers together while resting his chin on them and stared at Jak.

  “ I would love to sit here and tell you what you want to hear. I really would, but a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”

  “Well, we at least got you to tell that you at least kissed the ruler of Abor,” Brik said.

  If you only knew guys. I don’t think I could even describe the seductive power Katin has over me. And sitting here now I can feel her calling me back. We must not be that far away as her allure is getting stronger the closer we get to Abor. I’m finding myself somewhat aroused.

  Chapter 46

  Planet Abor began to loom large out of Command Central’s viewing window. From space, it closely resembled Earth with it’s blue and white color. The main difference between the two planets was Abor had large patches of dark green that spread around the Aborian homeworld.

  Once in orbit of Abor, High Mage Cina sent out a communication to the Daakie commanders and asked them to follow her Predators down to the surface. Next, she contacted Admiral Allen and asked if he would like to teleport to her ship or would he rather take one of Colossus’s shuttles or transports.

  Allen wasn’t about to teleport over to her ship because secretly he was nervous to be alone with the High Mage even though he would never admit it to anyone. So he told her he wanted to bring a few members of his staff along with him to meet Empress Katin, so he would be taking one of Colossus’s larger shuttles down to the planet.

  On board, the USC Colossus’s shuttle was Admiral Allen, Vice Admiral Petrov, General Dubois, Colonel Hammer, Commodore Jeeves, Dr. Stavens, and Dr. P
iner. Allen wanted Dr. Piner along so she could give him a read on any possible secret agendas the Aborian Empress might have.

  Before long everyone was standing a few levels higher than the floor housing the continuous construction of new Predators. The long line of ships being constructed was quite impressive. General Dubois thought the Aborians have the right idea about continually building up their Navy. It would’ve been grand if the USC had the same mindset years ago. I do give them credit for their efforts to have begun constructing another Colossus type ship though.

  With everyone present, High Mage Cina instructed the group to follow her to what she called the Great Hall. It was a large reception and major event area in a stadium setting with an open balcony with several stone steps up to where Empress Katin was sitting on her throne with two warriors standing on either side of her.

  Sitting on the floor just below her feet were six beautiful young females about ten years of age. The empress whispered something and the girls stood up, bowed their heads then walked to the empress’s right and out of sight of the visitors standing below.

  The empress was dressed in an aqua-blue flowing gown that had a tall blue collar trimmed in white and encrusted with diamonds. The collar stood behind her head like a spread out, hand-held fan. Any man on any world that saw this empress would be mesmerized because of her enchanting beauty.

  Empress Katin’s eyes locked onto Colonel Hammer and for a fleeting second or two Jak felt as if he was in a trance. Standing to the left of Admiral Allen was Dr. Piner and to his right was Dr. Stavens.

  Looking straight ahead without any signal she was whispering to the admiral, Dr. Piner said, “Admiral, it seems that and this is more than a women’s intuition, Empress Katin has a strong attraction for our good, Colonel.”

  Piner looked down the line and spotted Jak, then turned to face forward and said, “And by the looks of it, Colonel Hammer seems to be under the empress’s spell.”

  Allen turned to look at Jak, then thought holy hell, Colonel, you ever heard of playing hard to get?Never let a woman see you staring at her or she will have the upper hand on you.

  Daakie Buresq Maalik had seen the empress’s stare at Jak once before and thought here we go again. The stare between the two lovers from different worlds lasted uncomfortably long. But everyone was instructed to not speak to the empress unless spoken to.

  Finally, she spoke: “Welcome to Abor. Friends of my warriors. My acute senses tell me that you are the brave Admiral Allen. Is this so?”

  “Yes, Empress Katin, I am Admiral Allen, and it is my honor to finally meet the one true ruler of so many handsome and battle worthy Aborian warriors.”

  “Yes, they are, and what you said pleases me greatly. I have laid plans for all of you this evening to join me for our evening meal and afterward a discussion about the next phase of the mission Elimination Hive. I am with great anticipation looking forward to meeting all of you so I can better get a sense of who you are.

  “High Mage Cina, approach please.”

  Cina walked up the few steps and kneeled in front of Katin and bowed her head and said, “I pray I have pleased you, my beloved Empress.”

  “Oh, you have my Warrior Chief, more than you could possibly know (meaning bringing her lover back with her). Rise, Cina.” The High Mage stood up, followed by the Empress. Cina stepped aside as Katin took a step in front and looked briefly at her visitors.

  “I require a few moments with my Warrior Chief, so if you would be so kind as to excuse us. And while you wait for this evening’s meal, I’ll have my lovely Mogan, to escort you to your rooms for the evening,” Katin said as she waved Mogan to come forward from a place she was standing behind the group of visitors.

  During the aforementioned taking place, Dr. Stavens had been in a virtual staring contest with the High Mage. Victoria had looked away several times but each time she looked back at Cina, she was continuing to stare at her.

  As the group began to follow the beautiful Mogan, Victoria said to Arvin, “For some reason, I’m under the impression the High Mage does not like me very much.”

  “Why do you say that?” Arvin asked.

  “Call it female intuition or whatever you want to call it, but I’m telling you she would like to do me harm. You have been with her more than anyone. Would you have a clue as to why she has taken such a negative interest in me?”

  “Absolutely none, Victoria, Arvin said, then thought I knew Cina was going to be trouble for me because of her powers of seduction she used on me the other day. I don’t know how she knows I have feelings for Victoria but she does, and her intentions to have me might be dangerous for Vicky.

  Everyone had been taken to their predesignated guest rooms but Dr. Stavens. Mogan closed the door as Commodore Jeeves stepped in and said, “Please follow me, Dr. Stavens. High Mage Cina has chosen a special room for you.”

  “Why would she reserve a room especially for me? I have never spoken to the High Mage?”

  “I do not know the answer to your inquiry, Doctor. I’m just following the orders of my High Mage.”

  Mogan took Victoria to the end of the long hall and they turned left and went past several more rooms, finally stopping midway. Mogan opened the door and said, “You will be notified when it is time to come to this evening’s meal.” Victoria stepped into the spacious room and Mogan shut the door behind her.

  Victoria gave Mogan time leave the area when she opened the door and took a peek out into the hall. When it seemed as if she was in the clear, she hurried back to the room she had seen Arvin go into and gave the door a quiet knock.

  Arvin opened the door and said, “What are you doing here, Victoria? We can’t be seen together in our rooms.”

  She stepped inside and said, “Quick, shut the door.”

  Arvin could tell she was visibly shaken and walked up to her and put his hands on her arms and said, “What’s wrong? You seem to be upset.”

  “I am, Arvin. That Mogan female took me all the way to the end of the hall and then we turned to the left and finally stopped at a room she said High Mage Cina had reserved just for me. My room is far away from the rest of you. Why the hell did she reserve a room for just me? I want to know right now what is it you're not telling me about you and the High Mage?”

  “It’s difficult to explain, Victoria. These Aborians have extremely strong powers of what I call allurement, or maybe its powers of seduction. Back on the High Mage’s Predator, all commanders were summoned to her ship for an important meeting in regard to our initial engagement with the Hive at the location of the two dark worlds.

  “After the conclusion of the meeting, everyone began leaving the meeting room to return to their respective ships. I was the next to last one to exit and she asked if she could have a private word with me. I stepped aside to allow Burseq Maalik to pass me and when he was gone she grabbed my arm and turned me with my back to the wall and pushed me against the wall.

  “If that wasn’t strange behavior from her, the next thing she did was to lean into me while pressing her body against mine and began to smell my neck, and I swear I heard her purring like a damn cat.”

  “What happened next? Did you sleep with her?”

  “What kind of question is that, Vicky? Hell no I didn’t sleep with her. But before releasing me she said something like, “your pheremones are strong and powerful and they excite me, Admiral. I’m looking forward to you spending some private time with me back on Abor,” or something like that.”

  “Private time my butt. Don’t you see? That battle whore wants you for herself and I’m in the way. Now I understand why she looks at me so hatefully and I’m afraid she aims to remove me from the equation. What the hell am I suppose to do, Arvin? I love you but I’m not strong enough to be challenged in a combat for ownership of your affections. She would kick my ass in a heartbeat.”

  “You are not going to fight with a battle-hardened Aborian Warrior. I am going to have to speak to Empress Katin and ask her to tell the
High Mage to back off. Meanwhile, I don’t want you alone in that room.”

  Allen took Victoria by the hand and took her out to the hall and down to Dr. Piner’s room and knocked on her door. Morgan opened the door and started to say something, but Allen walked in with Victoria in hand and pushed past her and ordered her to shut the door.

  It was easy to tell something was up, so Morgan asked, “What’s going on, Admiral?”

  Allen explained everything to Dr. Piner, and she asked them to sit down for a minute, and when they sat down she said, “I’m quite sure the High Mage has imprinted on you, Admiral.”

  “Imprinted. What the hell does imprinted mean?” he asked.

  “The story of imprinting goes back for thousands of years, Admiral. It is a known state of mind that presents itself during the ancient rituals of male and female bonding. In some societies, males were the only ones to imprint upon their chosen life mates. But from what I have gathered about the Aborian females, they are the ones that do the imprinting.

  “I haven’t had enough time to study the female warriors but I have a good sense they would fight to the death to have their chosen mate. That would not be good for you, Victoria.”

  “Well, damn it to hell. There is not going to be any damn cat fighting on my behalf. Morgan, can Victoria stay here with you? I don’t want any of the damn Aborians to show up at her door and whisk her away to some forsaken battle arena.

  “The problem is, I want to talk to the empress to put an end to anything before it starts, but Cina hasn’t actually done anything other than reserve a special room for you, Victoria. I’m ordering both of you stay in this room and keep the door locked until I come for you? Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” they both said. Then Victoria said, “But what about my things. They are in that room and I’m not going after them.”