Degorsk knelt next to one tiny form, the smallest of the females. "This has to be a child."
Tranis bent for a closer look. The girl's smooth face was a deeper brown than his own skin, her black hair a fuzzy cap on her diminutive head. A slightly bigger girl of similar coloring, her features almost identical, lay nearby.
"Yes, Doctor. There are a significant number of immature girls in this wing. Preliminary scans suggest that with the exception of this one, they are still physically capable of breeding." Osopa grimaced, his expression an indication of how repugnant he found his own report.
Degorsk pulled a similar face. "Only if you have no conscience." He shuddered and cupped his palm around the child's cheek in a gesture usually reserved for a father and daughter. He stood.
Lidon snarled, "No one can be that desperate."
"I'd rather we die out than go that route," Tranis agreed. "The little ones are off limits." He followed Osopa through a connecting hall to the next wing, where more females lay unconscious. "Keep the young girls with the elder women. How many mature Mataras capable of childbearing does that leave?"
"Almost 120," Osopa said, his voice lifting with restrained glee. "There's a squad of Nobeks still sweeping the rest of the compound. Their team leader located the main computer containing the convent records, so we'll have an accounting of the population shortly."
"Excellent. Confirm the ages of every female. I don't want anyone younger than Earth's legal marriage age clanned."
Tranis looked over the nuns, his mind boggling at the sight of so many females similar to his own species. No wonder it was theorized Earthers and Kalquorians had common ancestry. The size difference aside, the likeness between their peoples astounded him.
He scanned the faces of the women closest to him, not seeing the one he searched for. To Lidon he said, "Let the seven clans of our ship choose their Mataras in order of seniority. The rest of the women are to begin re-education under Degorsk's direction." He allowed himself to smirk at his Imdiko. "I'm sure you'll have no lack of volunteers among the unclanned crew to teach these Mataras what they need to know."
"As long as the Nobeks listen to my staff, all are welcome." Degorsk's grin was just as lecherous.
"They'll listen and obey," Lidon vowed. "If any of them gives you trouble, I want to know immediately."
Tranis wandered down the hall, still searching the women's faces. "Commander Lidon, as soon as you get to a long distance communications station, send a message to the attack fleet concerning what we've found here. We'll need a transport to transfer the unclanned Mataras to Kalquor. And have General Hamilton placed in containment."
"Yes, Captain. You three, use the Earther shuttle and take these two prisoners to our ship."
Degorsk walked down the hall at Tranis' side, pausing here and there to study the women's faces. "If the clans select Mataras in order of seniority, that gives us first choice."
"Still hating your rank?"
"Did I say that? I must have been temporarily insane. Struck dumb I suppose by the sight of a pretty, white-skinned Earther, all soft and rounded and running from us."
"Who do you think I'm looking for right now?" Tranis turned to call to Osopa, who was huddled in conversation with Lidon. "Where is the girl we saw outside?"
"We haven't found her." He reddened. "I looked for her myself."
Lidon studied his clanmates and allowed one corner of his mouth to turn up. "My apologies, Osopa, but your clan will have to choose someone else. It seems my Dramok and Imdiko have made their selection."
Tranis couldn't help but grin back. "Only if our Nobek is in agreement."
"Oh absolutely. Anyone who can elude my staff is worthy of my interest."
"In that case, I want the girl found as soon as possible."
* * * *
Cassidy snuck a peek at her grandfather as he was led away by three Kalquorians, marveling anew at how small and helpless he looked next to the aliens. Her powerful, terrifying grandfather rendered impotent! It was unimaginable. And though she didn't wish being captured by Earth's sworn enemy on anyone, she felt a mean kind of satisfaction to see him bullied for a change.
Her gaze returned to the apparent leader of the Kalquorians, standing just below the vent opening she peered from. She shivered. He and his companion with the long, thick braid were handsome, a surprise considering the monsters his kind were reputed to be. She wondered what it would be like to stroke his wavy black hair. Her naughty mind went to the picture in The Kama Sutra of the man taking his woman from behind, and a stab of desire shot through her womb. Imagining the muscled, dark alien mounting her in such a fashion made her lower regions clench.
The other alien looked absolutely scrumptious as well. Not only was he handsome and muscled too, but his leaner face wore an easy smile, a sharp contrast to the seriousness of his bearded companion. She wondered how he would look with all that hair unbound. Another image shot through her mind; the gently smiling Kalquorian crouched over her, his hair a curtain concealing their combined nakedness.
A third alien soundlessly joined them, startling Cassidy. He limped, but she still hadn't heard his approach.
Gosh, are they all so gorgeous? Although something about that one scares me. He looks like he could kill with his bare hands and not think twice about it.
The third muttered with his companions in their growling, staccato language. Despite the sense of danger Cassidy got from him, she still couldn't keep her lustful thoughts away. He was included in her new mental catalog of sexual positions with aliens. The Kalquorian version of The Kama Sutra teased her senses even as she trembled in fear.
While the three conversed, other Kalquorians collected some of the unconscious nuns, carefully cradling the women in their arms and carrying them towards the end of the hall. Cassidy watched the men disappear into the infirmary.
The leader and his companions clapped each other on the shoulders, drawing her attention once more. The lean one with the long braid hurried toward the infirmary where the nuns were being taken. The leader left the dorm with long, purposeful strides. The limper stayed behind, watching the other Kalquorians gather nuns for a few moments. He suddenly spoke loudly in a deep, rich tone that made Cassidy shiver. The command in his voice was clear.
The others moved faster until they were dark blurs flashing up and down the hall. Cassidy's eyes widened in shock to see how quickly the huge creatures moved. She gasped.
The limper looked up at the vent as if he heard the intake of breath. His bluish-purple gaze met hers, and Cassidy's heart nearly stopped.
A slow grin spread over his face. "There you are," he said in English.
He jumped at the vent, whatever made him limp no obstacle to his leaping prowess. Cassidy emitted a little scream and scrambled backwards as the vent cover was yanked off in a screech of metal.
She crawled frantically for the main shaft, hearing a growling chuckle behind her as the Kalquorian entered the vent. Her head scarf caught on the overhang of the smaller conduit as she clambered into it. The scarf tugged free, but Cassidy paid it no mind. Only escape mattered, and she scrambled down the tight confines as fast as her hands and knees could carry her.
Not hearing pursuit, she paused to dart a glance over her shoulder. The Kalquorian stared at her from the wider shaft several feet behind. Too large to follow her any further, he could only watch as she fled.
In the dim light, she saw the glint of his teeth as he smiled at her, seemingly amused rather than angry she'd slipped out of his clutches. He held her head scarf in his fist and raised it to his nose. She heard him inhale.
"I will have you, my little Matara. You may be sure of that."
She was startled to hear him speak her language with only the barest slurring accent. Cassidy licked her lips as the full import of what he'd said struck her. I will have you.
He'd called her Matara. The Kalquorian word for childbearer. The man's race was supposedly dying out, and Earther women were the only com
patible species they could breed with. Cassidy had no doubt the Kalquorians were on Europa just for that reason.
Was this alien planning to force himself on her? The predatory glint in his eyes made her feel small, like a mouse trapped in a corner by a cat. Cassidy forced herself to look at him full in the face. She had a feeling showing fear to this man would be a very big mistake. She fought to keep her voice steady. "Leave me alone. Go away."
"Such a beautiful girl should never be alone. It's shameful you poor women have been locked away in this place. You're being kept from pleasures to which you're entitled."
She sat down and looked at the dark silhouette of his head and shoulders, unsure what compelled her to remain near enough to talk to him. Maybe it was the rich baritone of his voice and how it seemed to roll within her belly. "What do you want from me?"
His chuckle washed over her, so deep she felt it in her bones. "From you personally? That's easily answered. I want to show you what nature intended a man and woman do together."
A thrill ran through her body. "I'm engaged to be married. I will do those things with my husband under the blessing of holy matrimony." Or was Colonel Tucker too old for such things? Cassidy's face flushed hotly. She was discussing intimate relations with an alien male. Surely that ranked as a sin.
"Tell me your name."
His invitation caught her off guard. "Why?"
"It's only your name I ask. It's not as if Earth will lose the war if you give it to me."
She considered. "Cassidy."
"Cassidy," he repeated, tasting it. The way he said it made things down below clench. She licked her lips unconsciously, held by his intent stare. He was beyond handsome. He was hypnotically riveting.
"What's yours?"
"Lidon."
"Why do you limp?"
"An old injury, nothing of consequence. Come closer, Cassidy."
"I'm not stupid. I'm not going to let you capture me."
"I will catch you eventually." His grin gave her the chills. "In fact, catching you just became my priority."
Warm terror rolled through her belly. She did not want to be the focus of this man. "Why? You have the others. Why can't you leave me alone?"
"I do not want the others. I want you, with your pretty white skin and soft, curving body. I want to feel you beneath me as I take you."
"Take me where?"
He laughed. His amusement rolled over her, embraced her with its warmth. There was no hint of meanness in the sound. "You are of age but still such an innocent child. I wish to make love to you, Cassidy, and rid you of all those prudish repressions your leaders have burdened you with."
Oh my God. She thought being entwined with Lidon in a few of the poses from The Kama Sutra. Her sex clenched in response, and her voice wavered as she answered. "You would damn me to hell with your lust. I will not lay with an alien. It's disgusting."
"One man's evil is another's paradise." Lidon sounded as if he quoted someone else's words. "I can tell you're not disgusted. I smell your interest."
Cassidy's face burned with embarrassment. Could he really smell her arousal from several feet away? She had to get away from him. "I'm leaving now."
"Imagine my naked body lying on yours while I kiss you deeply."
She stared at him in shock. He actually spoke of carnal acts! "Stop it."
"My sex, thick and hard, pressing into yours, filling your flesh."
"You're an animal. Shut up." She tried to sound offended, but her voice was too breathy. Even to her own ears, Cassidy's words sounded more like invitation than repudiation. The images he gave her had her heart drumming like thunder.
"Moving in and out of you, taking you gently at first, then harder and harder until you scream with pleasure. You've not known rapture until you've felt yourself joined with a man, my pet."
Her breath came in gasps, and her panties clung damply to her aching sex. "I'm leaving," she repeated.
"No, Cassidy. Come to me. Let me show you how good it feels to be with me."
She wanted to. She wanted to crawl to the dark, deadly Kalquorian, let him pull her out of the vent, carry her to her cell, lay her on her narrow bed, and do all the things he'd described. The man was dangerous in more ways than she'd imagined. She had never known such an overwhelming urge to surrender to someone, an urge she dared not give in to.
She pushed back a heavy tress that had fallen over her face. "You can't have me."
"Let me kiss you all over. Let me taste your mouth, your breasts, and your warm, wet sex."
She had to leave. The temptation to surrender to his seduction was becoming alarmingly hard to resist. She was only a woman, after all, a naturally wanton creature. Like Eve, she would be easily led astray by this evil man.
"Goodbye, Lidon." She turned her back on him.
"For now, my sweet Cassidy. We will meet again, and I'll do all I've described and much, much more. That's a promise."
She crept away into the darkness. His deep laughter followed her into the gloom.
Chapter Three
Tranis stepped into the tiny room where Lidon and Degorsk awaited him. Degorsk sat on the iron frame bed fingering a white cloth while Lidon leaned against one wall, looking at a flat black tablet with an illuminated vid screen.
Tranis looked around the stark quarters, his head almost to the ceiling. The Earther women were diminutive, but even for them such sleeping arrangements must be cramped. "So this is where our escapee sleeps."
"Not terribly comfortable," Lidon said. "She doesn't spend a lot of time in here. It appears little Cassidy Hamilton has been using the vent shafts for quite some time."
Tranis started. "Hamilton?"
"The general's very own granddaughter, according to the convent records."
"That must be why he's here," Degorsk opined. He sniffed the cloth he held, and Tranis noticed the Imdiko's aroused state. The medic grinned at Tranis' stern expression. "This covered her hair. She lost it when Lidon chased her."
Lidon cleared his throat. "General Hamilton placed Cassidy here three years ago, interrupting her schooling to do so. They don't offer formal academic instruction at this convent beyond basic reading and arithmetic, which Cassidy could already manage. Apparently the Earthers consider it a waste of time to educate nuns."
"But she's of age?"
"Legal for marriage by Earther standards for over a year now." Lidon peered at whatever was on the tablet's viewscreen. "Young, but physically ready for breeding and emotionally capable as well, judging from what I've seen. I found a cache of food and this just inside the vent shaft." He handed the tablet to Tranis.
The Dramok captain nearly dropped it in shock. Artwork depicting two Earthers copulating was displayed on the screen. "Are you sure this was hers? Most Earthers wouldn't dare possess such material. The punishments for these offenses are severe on their planet."
"It carries her scent. For an Earther girl pursuing religious studies her choice of reading is shocking, but not surprising. 'If you would make a man desire a thing, tell him he cannot ever possess it,'" Lidon quoted.
Tranis sniffed the tablet, taking in the aroma of salty musk. He went as hard as Degorsk. "How good to know she's already tempted by her body's natural urges. That should make seducing her easier once she's caught. Have you set the tracking sensors?"
Lidon pulled a locator from his belt and consulted the readout. "I'm monitoring her movements at all times. She's keeping to the shafts where we can't follow for now."
Degorsk stood and stretched as best he could in the claustrophobic chamber. "She'll come out sooner or later to eat, especially since you confiscated her stash of edibles."
"Their kitchen is in another building. Hunger and thirst will eventually force her to chance a run for it."
Tranis changed the topic. Addressing Degorsk, he said, "I realize your resources are stretched thin what with so many Mataras to re-educate, but I need to know when I can interrogate the general."
"I've got a couple
technicians autopsying the transport's captain. We should have results later today."
A high-pitched scream traveled through the vent shaft, the cry distant. All three men looked at the covered opening.
"The Mataras are waking," Lidon observed, his voice dry.
Degorsk tossed Tranis the head cloth and moved towards the open doorway. "They won't scream for very long. At least not in fear," he amended with a smirk.
"What protocol are you using for their re-education?" Tranis wanted to know. He took in a breath from the head covering Cassidy had so recently worn. A clean, sweet scent assaulted his senses. Lidon grinned as Tranis sighed. The erection that had been calming was back in full force.
Degorsk paused in the doorway. "The first order of business involves behavior modification techniques employing a system of reward and punishment. Also some mild brainwashing; we'll disrupt their sleep patterns and feeding schedules, keeping them confused and doubting their own senses. The next step will be making them utterly dependent on us, followed by intense therapy to give them a sense of self-worth."
Lidon nodded. "Tear them down and rebuild them."
The medical officer grimaced. "There's not much to tear down. Earther women have the worst self images of any beings in the known universe. Their religion keeps them subservient to a ridiculous degree."
Lidon suddenly took a deep breath. "She's here. Can you smell her?"
Tranis went alert but displayed no outward sign of overt vigilance. Keeping his voice conversational he said, "I can hear her."
Tiny whispers of sound came from the vent overhead. A hint of a drawn breath, the surreptitious trace of movement.
Leaning against the doorway, his eyes cast towards the floor, Degorsk added, "I hear her too. She's coming close."
Lidon consulted his locator. "Close indeed. I see you, little Earther. She's probably looking for her food stash."
"Can you catch her?" Tranis asked.
He was disappointed to see the Nobek shake his head. "By the time I get that cover off and climb in there, she'll be back in the main shaft. I think she knows we're here. She's not taking any chances of getting too near after our earlier encounter."
Alien Conquest Page 4
