Degorsk was the only person who had ever made Lidon laugh out loud.
He switched on the vid monitor. "We found this on the moon Europa." An image of a transparent containment dome, housing several structures, filled the wall behind him. His audience's collective intake of breath wafted through the room.
"A secret base," Tranis said. His eyes were avid on the image.
Lidon addressed the assembled group, which included First Officer Simdow and Security Lieutenant Commander Osopa. "It's only about one thousand meters in circumference, not nearly large enough to be a military base."
"Is there any indication of what they're using it for?"
Osopa answered, his voice steady despite the excitement Lidon knew the young man felt. "We're not picking up anything besides a few buildings and agri-fields."
Lidon enhanced the picture to show the small-scale farm located at one end of the dome. The dome was on the dark side of Europa, and a dimmed bank of lighting grids surrounded the crops, no doubt to give the illusion of daylight when turned on.
Degorsk drummed his fingers against the tabletop. "It looks like a colony where they're growing most of their own food. Could the transport be dropping off supplies?"
Tranis shook his head. "I doubt a man of General Hamilton's stature would be acting as a courier. He's using a transport of that type to escape notice of his comings and goings."
"None of the Earth defectors have mentioned this base?"
"There's no information on this outpost in any of our intelligence. Not one single hint of its existence."
Simdow pursed his lips in consideration. "A top secret facility that's too small for any functional use. It's strange."
Lidon said, "Unless the bulk of it is underground. We won't be able to tell without scanning from directly overhead."
Tranis leaned back in his chair. "Is your team ready to take that ship?"
Lidon looked at Osopa, who sat straight up as he addressed the captain. "As soon as we're within range, the boarding party will begin our approach."
Lidon grinned with a born predator's delight at the younger Nobek's obvious eagerness. How he wished he could be part of the boarding party! "Once the team has infiltrated the Earther transport, they'll disable their weapons and communications. Captain Tranis, you'll have that ship, General Hamilton, and Earth's security grid before this work shift is over."
* * * *
Cassidy woke in the black void of the vent, having fallen asleep after pleasuring herself to two climaxes. She'd slept in the tight confines before. The vent was no less comfortable than the iron bed in her cell with its granite-hard mattress.
The reader had gone dark, letting her know she'd slept at least an hour this time. Cassidy couldn't remember the last time she'd slept an entire night through. Maybe she never had.
As sinful as masturbation was, its aftermath helped her find elusive slumber. Rest was every bit as much a temptation as the pleasure her touch afforded.
She could tell she was really awake, the kind of awake that might keep her eyes staring wide open for hours and leave her head pounding with a migraine for the entire day. Her hands were still buried in her panties, still in contact with the avid flesh of her sex. Another orgasm might give her an additional hour, maybe even two, of sleep.
"Forgive me for my sin," she whispered as her fingers explored her soft, secret folds. "Not for wickedness this time, Heavenly Father. Only to get rest so I may serve You better."
Sex with herself in service to God. Now there was a novel approach to damnation.
The petals of her nether regions were soon slick with honey. She imagined a man, much bigger than herself and naked, crouched over her as she pleasured herself. The hot iron of his dark devil flesh touched her intimate parts, ready to join his body to hers.
She paused, one index finger settled over her opening. Did she dare commit this last transgression of penetration? Was it any worse than any of her previous caresses?
If I'm discovered, it won't make any difference whether I've entered myself or not. My hands will be cut off, my sex branded and burned. The punishment will be the same.
She wanted to know how it felt. Locked away in the convent, she'd never be touched by another person.
She pressed her finger gently against her secret opening. The tip slipped in, eased by the thick juices seeping from her core. Heat radiated, inviting her to explore her own inner regions. Cassidy's finger dared another fraction of an inch.
A harsh buzzing splintered the darkness, and Cassidy scrambled wildly to the vent opening, bursting into her dimly lit cell.
Her tiny bed was right below, and she crashed onto its hard surface, already reaching for the vent cover lying on the thin pillow. Hefting the cold rectangle of metal, she shoved it into place over the shaft opening, wincing at the high squeal of metal scraping metal. The moment it was in place she jumped from the bed and ran the single step to her habit hanging on the wall peg. Her nightgown flew into the air, and she jerked on the sleeveless shift of her underdress, followed by the white dress of the convent aspirant. Despite its voluminous folds, it failed to conceal her generous curves.
She gathered her long, thick hair in a wad at the nape of her neck, holding it in place just long enough to stuff it into her head scarf. She grabbed a pair of socks from the shelf next to the wall peg, and after hanging her nightgown, she sat on the edge of the bed and yanked her socks on.
The buzzer blared again, and she shot to her feet with a little shriek. She quickly smoothed the sheet and scratchy gray blanket that covered her bed. With one last look around, she assured herself nothing was out of place in her cell.
Besides the bed, peg and shelf, there was only a wooden chair, too uncomfortable to be sat on for long. Her clunky black shoes sat before it, but she didn't put them on. She'd rehearsed the eventuality she'd be surprised from the vent many times in her mind, and a tiny flare of satisfaction warmed her breast.
She stood before her closed door and quickly wiped her sweating hands on her dress before pressing the button that unlocked and slid it open. Light spilled in from the hallway, illuminating the figure that stood waiting on the other side of the door. Cassidy's mouth dropped open in shock as she recognized the bald man before her.
"Grandfather!"
General Patrick Hamilton, resplendent as always in his olive green uniform, inclined his head in greeting, the rest of his whip-thin body ramrod straight. "Hello Cassidy. I'm sorry to have wakened you at such an hour." His eyes narrowed as he looked her over and his lips thinned in a disapproving line. "Why are you out of breath?"
Cassidy's hand went to her head scarf, assuring her it was in place with none of her hair showing. "I thought I'd overslept. I rushed to dress and straighten my room."
His mouth quirked slightly, a concession to humor. "You forgot your shoes."
Cassidy's guts loosened a fraction, and she looked down at her feet in feigned surprise. "I'm sorry for my appearance, Grandfather. I guess I'm muddled from waking so suddenly."
"No apology necessary. Put your shoes on and join me in the chapel." He smiled, but it wasn't for her. He looked like a man who'd just won an argument. "I have wonderful news for you."
Without waiting for her obedient "Yes sir" he marched down the hall towards the dorm exit.
Cassidy sagged in relief. The plan had worked, and on no less than her observant grandfather. Smug satisfaction warmed her racing heart.
But what in the names of Jesus, Mohammed and Moses was he doing here?
She hurriedly put on her shoes. She knew better than to keep the general waiting.
?
Chapter Two
Tranis stepped onto the Earther transport's bridge and fought off a satisfied smile. The sudden appearance of the spy ship when it de-cloaked had sufficiently distracted the enemy vessel. The Earthers failed to detect the small group of spacesuited Kalquorians that gathered outside the shuttle bay. Lidon's young infiltration team had made short work of findin
g the correct frequency to force open the bay's doors. Once the group of Nobeks had invaded, they'd quickly gotten to the weapons and communications controls, knocking them out before the ship's captain even knew the enemy was on board. Overwhelmed, the Earthers surrendered unconditionally.
Lidon immediately went to a computer station and wired an interface. With Degorsk at his side, Tranis stepped up to Osopa and clapped him on the shoulder in congratulations. The team leader grinned for an instant before recovering his professionalism. He bowed.
"Here is the captain of this ship, Captain Tranis. His name is Biggers."
Two Nobeks escorted the Earther captain forward to stand before Tranis. Biggers was gray-haired and paunchy, his pale face suffused with hectic red blotches. An average-sized male Earther, he stood chest high to Tranis.
"I must protest this attack, Kalquorian. We're a supply ship bringing goods to the Europa colony. We're not military."
He spoke English, one of eight Earther languages Tranis had learned. North American accent, he thought.
"You're carrying military," Tranis said. He looked at the assembled prisoners kneeling in a group in the middle of the bridge. They all looked frightened as well as obscenely small and defenseless. It was hard to believe these were the creatures finishing the job of driving his people to their doom. There were only a dozen on the bridge, another 45 now being guarded in a storage bay. The number of Earthers was no match for his 26 Nobek warriors. He could almost pity them. "Where is General Hamilton?"
To his credit, Captain Biggers didn't flinch. "There are no military personnel on board this ship."
"Was he on the shuttle that went to the colony on Europa?"
"This is a supply ship."
Tranis stepped to one side. "Degorsk."
The Imdiko loomed over Biggers, his hands moving in a blur. The Earther suddenly gasped, clutching one side of his neck. The Nobeks guarding him kept him from falling backwards.
"What did you just do?"
Degorsk returned to Tranis' side. "The drug I injected you with will not harm you. It will help you cooperate."
"I'm just a courier. I know nothing!"
Lidon called for Tranis' attention. "Captain, there is no subterranean chamber beneath that installation. What's on the surface beneath the containment dome is the entirety of the base."
Tranis turned back to Biggers. Degorsk was waving a scanner in front of the now trembling Earther. "Is he ready?"
"The drug has taken hold." He frowned at the scanner.
"Is there a problem?"
"Elevated heart rate, but it's probably the stress of the situation and fear of what he might reveal. I'll monitor him."
In English Tranis asked the Earther, "Captain Biggers, are you transporting General Patrick Hamilton?"
The hectic splotches on his face deepened. Between clenched teeth he muttered, "Yes."
"Where is the general now?"
"At the convent on Europa." He gasped with effort.
"So he was on board the shuttle that left this ship?"
"Yes."
"Who else?"
"Just the pilot."
"What kind of facility is a convent?"
Biggers' face was nearly purple as he fought to not answer, but the words grated out anyway. "It's where nuns live and worship."
"Nuns?" Tranis shot a questioning look at Degorsk who shrugged.
"I've never heard of those." The scanner beeped, and the medic scowled at it. "Captain Biggers, relax. Take deep breaths."
"What are nuns?" Tranis prodded Biggers.
The Earther shuddered. His breath wheezed. "Women who have given their lives to the Church."
Tranis' heart thumped with sudden excitement. Lidon was suddenly at his side, his eyes sharp. "Women? How many women?"
"I don't know exactly. A couple hundred, perhaps."
Biggers shuddered again. One fat-fingered hand clutched at his chest. He whooped air, and his eyes rolled over white. Degorsk grabbed him by the shoulders a moment before the Earther's knees unhinged. Tranis' elation gave way to concern, and he helped his Imdiko lower the now unconscious man to the floor. "What's wrong?"
"His heart has stopped." Degorsk dropped the scanner and pressed the palm of one hand on Biggers' still chest. He pushed down, eased up, pushed down, and eased up with one hand while prepping a stimulant injection with the other.
Tranis watched helplessly while the medic worked on the Earther captain. Six years of clanship wasn't a long time, but it was enough that he could read the expression in Degorsk's eyes. After a few minutes, the Imdiko sat back, defeat slumping his shoulders.
"He's gone."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. Initial scans indicated Captain Biggers didn't have any heart condition."
"Was it the drug?"
"The truth-telling compound I used was developed specifically for Earthers so they wouldn't be harmed during interrogation. I need to run tests on him."
Tranis considered. "Analysis will have to wait. I want you and all medical personnel on that moon with us when we go down."
"I can't sanction using the drug on General Hamilton until I know it didn't kill Biggers."
"Understood. There are females to be collected though, and their welfare is paramount. If any are injured in the takedown, I want your entire team there."
Tranis stood. Lidon's clap on his shoulder nearly knocked him back down. "Capturing General Hamilton and dozens of Mataras to bear our children all in one fell swoop. You've outdone yourself, my Dramok."
Even though his heart felt heavy for the dead man lying at his feet, Tranis couldn't help the thrill that raced through his being. Females! Perhaps even a Matara to claim for his own clan.
Only consideration for the Earther crew's loss kept a triumphant smile from stretching across his face.
* * * *
Cassidy entered the chapel. Her grandfather sat on the bench closest to the altar, his bald head gleaming in the soft colors of the stained light glass and altar candles. She hurried forward.
She kneeled before the altar and the mammoth symbol of her religion that hovered behind it. "The emblem of great religious perversion" one illicit book in her collection claimed. "The North American bloc's final insult to the world it has consumed."
At the center of the icon was a six-pointed star representing the former Jewish faith. Radiating from it were four bars, the cross of Christianity. Topping the brushed gold figure was a crescent moon with a five-pointed star perched on its lower tip for Islam.
Cassidy knew from her reading that Earth's other major religions at the time of Unification had been destroyed, or at least driven underground, during the Great Purge. Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese traditionalists, the Sikhs, Baha'i and too many others to remember…all gone in the name of the one true religion.
She'd read the heathen texts and wept for the loss of the people who'd believed in them. The mass executions of those who refused to convert had gone on for well over a decade. They had trusted in their faiths and paid for it with their lives. The deaths had numbered over two billion. It didn't matter the purge had taken place long before her birth. The thought of so many lives lost still broke her heart.
Cassidy's intelligence warred constantly with her belief. She wasn't blind to the atrocities performed by her government in the name of God. She'd read the Christian Bible, the Jewish Talmud and the Muslim Qur'an and knew how far her religion had strayed from its origins. Still, every sin she indulged in weighed heavily on her. She could feel the black smears on her soul, damning her to everlasting Hell.
She rose from the ground and stood before her grandfather. He looked at her with quiet approval.
"Here you are and quite presentable. Sit down." He patted the bench's molded plastic next to him.
"Thank you, Grandfather." Cassidy sat, putting a foot of space between them. She kept her head lowered to cover her fear and loathing of the man. He'd like the fear. He'd punish her for the loathing.
"Well, I think."
"You're not sure?"
"'Look not for praise nor give it; only God, who knows what lies in our hearts, knows who is deserving of accolades'," Cassidy quoted.
She heard the smile in his response. "Very good. It's no wonder the Mother Superior is pleased. She believes you have the calling."
So that was what he was here for, to tell her she was to be left on this rock for the rest of her days, her life swallowed in the mundane existence of a Europan nun. Part of her rebelled, wanting her to scream her refusal. She'd already lost three years of her life to this place! Her hands actually clenched for a moment before she remembered the insanity of such an act. General Patrick Hamilton was a powerful man, and she was a mere woman. His word was law.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She would not beg him to release her from this purgatory. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. There was another way out of this. There had to be.
To the general she said, "If it is God's will, it is mine." She wondered at the lack of emotion in her voice.
Her grandfather sighed. "You are the last of my bloodline, Cassidy. If you take the vows, it will die with you. I don't wish to be selfish, so I have prayed hard on this matter, and I believe God has shown me the way. I do not think you are meant to be a nun."
Relief washed over her in a tidal wave. She closed her eyes as dizziness threatened. "You know best, Grandfather."
"I'm glad you think so. I've come to take you home."
Cassidy wanted to scream for joy. Instead, she meekly said, "Thank you." Inside she turned cartwheels.
"That's only half the surprise. You're getting married."
She straightened, surprise making her bold enough to look into his pleased face. "Married?"
Alien Conquest Page 2
