Harem Ship Saga MEGA BUNDLE: Complete 12-Volume Series

by S. L. Hadley

  The cell’s lock snapped with an almost underwhelming click, followed by a much more expected creak as the locksmith pulled it open. The officer entered slowly and it was only then that he reached up to remove his helmet.

  To Kitty’s surprise, it was not a man, but rather a woman perhaps five years her senior. The woman’s jet black hair was cut short and drawn back into an efficient ponytail but, otherwise, her features were unremarkable. She eyed Kitty curiously for a second then flashed what approximated for a polite smile.

  “Senior Petty Officer Ojala,” the woman said. “Navy Special Response. You’re safe now.”

  Kitty froze and nearly dropped her blanket a second time. She’d spent so many years avoiding the Navy that she’d never once expected to be rescued by it.

  “You’re with the Navy?” she said, incredulous. “How is that possible?”

  Ojala’s mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Easy enough. A recruiter got me at seventeen.”

  The quip came so naturally that Kitty almost blushed to be on the receiving end. She shook her head, glancing at Lio.

  “No, I mean… what are you doing here?”

  “Following orders,” Ojala said, simply. She turned to the locksmith, now standing patiently beside the open cell door, and gestured him—or perhaps her—away. “Maybe someone’s looking out for you. Anyway, I’m sure my CO would like to speak with you.”

  “What about DeWitt?” Kitty demanded, tensing as soon as the thought occurred to her. “Is he—?”

  “Captain Desafort will handle all of that,” Ojala interrupted, folding her arms impatiently. The pose rattled the lasrifle slung across her chest, squashing Kitty’s desire to argue.

  Kitty glanced to where she’d left her discarded clothes. Her first instinct was to go and retrieve them but she soon thought better of it. They’d been locked up for a month and apart from a handful of hasty, soap-free washings in the cell’s shower, the garments were utterly filthy.

  “Do you… have some clean clothes?” she asked, bothered by the sense of poverty the question gave her.

  Ojala laughed suddenly, startling her. The Petty Officer’s smile was earnest this time and Kitty couldn’t help but notice a certain flicker of her eyes in Lio’s direction. The Arsalian was still naked, apart from the hands folded casually in front of him.

  “I’m sure we can find some,” Ojala said. “Now, follow me, please.”

  Still grinning, she turned and marched for the door. Kitty followed after, sharing a look at Lio who followed a half-step behind.

  “Checkmate?” she whispered.

  He chuckled, playfully swatting her backside through the blanket.

  “Kibitz,” he corrected.

  ***

  The man was a psyker.

  Kitty knew from the second she laid eyes on him, even before she noticed the small, purple and gold emblem on his lapels. That was reason enough to be cautious, though not to justify the hatred she felt at his smug, perceptive smile. That had a different source, one she was only too eager to voice the moment the door shut behind her.

  “Where the hell is Lio?” she demanded, folding her arms.

  The man reclined, folding his arms across his stomach as he looked at her. Kitty glared back at him, wishing the conference room was not so bare. With nothing to draw her gaze, there was nothing to distract her from the skin-crawling sensation as the man studied her—no doubt rampaging through her memories already.

  “Your partner is safe,” he assured her in a too-smooth voice. “You have my word he’s not going to be harmed in any way. It’s just Navy policy to conduct these interviews one-on-one.”

  “Let me guess, it makes it easier to keep thoughts straight?”

  The man chuckled once and then shrugged.

  “Probably,” he admitted. “But it makes no difference. Won’t you sit? The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you can be reunited.”

  Kitty gritted her teeth and briefly considered refusing. But what was the point, really? The man could read her mind just as easily if she was standing. And there was a grain of truth to what he’d said.

  Of course, she had no way of knowing he wasn’t psychically nudging her to draw that very conclusion.

  Fucking psykers.

  Kitty sat, keeping her arms folded. She crossed her legs a second later, cursing the way the dress hiked its way past her knees. When Ojala had said they’d find clothing for her, she’d assumed they meant a spare uniform or some plain, featureless work linens. Instead, the only thing her size they’d had aboard the FNS Vigilant had been a silky, almost scandalous dress belonging to one of the ship’s lieutenants. It was almost as uncomfortable as walking around naked.

  Almost.

  “And, the sooner you can get back to wearing your own clothes,” he said, masking a smile.

  Kitty didn’t even borrow trying to bite back her snarl.

  “Stay out of my head,” she snapped, murderous.

  “I wasn’t!” The man laughed, raising his hands defensively. “I swear, Miss Black. That was just a joke. I apologize; I was only trying to lighten the mood.”

  Kitty said nothing but continued to glare at the man. A small part of her almost hoped he was spying on her thoughts, if only to witness a few creative ways she wanted to kill him.

  “In all seriousness, however, I assume you know who I am and why you’re here?”

  Donning an innocent expression, Kitty gave an exaggerated shrug. Petty, sure, but she was entitled to it. Rather than rising to her provocation, however, the man merely sighed.

  “Captain Thomas Desafort of the FNS Vigilant. I’m on loan from Naval Intelligence. And, yes, as you’ve obviously noted, I’m an Empath.”

  “Psyker,” Kitty muttered, rejecting the euphemism.

  At last, the Captain’s patience seemed to wear thin. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly and when he spoke, it was almost a shade too polite.

  “As you please, Miss Black. My real interest is who you are and how you found yourself locked in Carl DeWitt’s basement.”

  Grudgingly, Kitty told him. Not the whole story, of course. But there was little point in refusing outright. She explained her dealings with both DeWitt and Satoshi, emphasizing the way in which she’d bought and rescued dozens of slaves over the years, and the fallout that had ensued. There were a few details she glossed over—the precise nature of her relationship with the crew, for instance. And the unapproved surgeries she’d financed on the more rambunctious members. But, if Desafort noticed the omissions, he gave no outward sign of it.

  In fact, by the end of her tale, his expression had softened to one of pleasant surprise, if not outright admiration.

  “I have to admit,” he said, cocking his head with a bemused smile. “I’m rather surprised, Miss Black. For someone in your position and, if you’ll excuse my saying so, your upbringing to live your life in such a way… it’s unexpected, is all. I’d be curious to hear the story of what set you on such a path.”

  Gritting her teeth, Kitty fought the urge to lash out. It was agonizingly personal to share as much as she had. Even during their time in DeWitt’s prison, she hadn’t even told Lio half of what she’d shared with Desafort. Which made it all the more difficult to wear the patient smile she now aimed his way.

  “I’m sure you would,” she said, in a warning tone that made it clear she had no intention of doing so. “But…”

  “But, after everything that’s happened, I’m sure you’re tired,” Desafort said. He rose and, by some unseen signal, the guard at the door opened it from the outside.

  Psykers.

  “Quite,” Kitty said. She tried not to show her agitation as she stood as well, smoothing her uncomfortable dress along the way.

  “Understandable. I assume you’re comfortable sharing a room with your partner?”

  “Quite.”

  “Then I’ll ensure he joins you as soon as his interview is complete. We should make port at Norfolk Eight-Five in a few days. Assuming ev
erything checks out, I’m sure you’ll be free to go.”

  “And my crew?”

  Desafort nodded deferentially, his plastic smile returning as he ushered her into the custody of a waiting adjutant.

  “I’ll have a message sent. Assuming they’re in range, they may even reach Norfolk before us. You’re lucky to have such good friends, Miss Kitty.”

  Something about the way he said the word set her on edge. It implied a hint of violation, just enough to spark her anger. She started to turn, intending a biting reply, but the door was already closing and the adjutant was gently but insistently guiding her away. Gritting her teeth, she allowed herself to be ushered toward a tiny, spare cabin—the same she’d used to change into the dress she currently wore.

  Only once she was alone, door closed, and her mind presumably safe from the psyker’s invasive reach, did she let out a shaky, terrified breath.

  “Quite,” she muttered, yet again.

  ***

  Kitty sat on the cabin’s drop-down chair, watching Lio sleep. The Arsalian was shirtless, lying on his back, and snoring softly. They’d hardly spoken to one another since he’d returned from the interrogation.

  Desafort could call it whatever he liked, but they both knew the truth. If either one of them had said—or thought—the wrong thing, there would be no walking away once they reached their destination. Nor had the psyker let slip anything about DeWitt or his men. Hopefully, that would change once they arrived. But, until she knew their fate it was impossible to rest easy.

  Hence, she was still awake while Lio slept soundly. It was one of the many burdens of leadership.

  Plus, there was something else that had been nagging at her. A mere suspicion so far, but growing more and more troubling each day.

  Silently, casting a cautious look in Lio’s direction, Kitty crept to the door. It opened silently, even more so than the Feronia’s doors had, and she slipped out into the hall. The Vigilant had a crew of several hundred, but it was still a ship. Which meant the very first thing she’d done when they came aboard was begin sizing it up—memorizing its predictable layout and possible escape routes.

  Perched on the balls of her feet, Kitty set off at a trot toward the officers’ cabins.

  Though she feared she might encounter someone along the way, the halls were remarkably clear. It was, perhaps, the first spot of luck she’d had in weeks. Being rescued by the Navy didn’t count since she still didn’t know if it would prove a blessing or a curse.

  Kitty hadn’t caught the name of the Lieutenant whose dress she’d borrowed, but there were only four cabins labeled with the appropriate rank. She went to the second from the right and knocked softly. There was no response.

  Just as she was about to abandon her mission and return to her quarters, however, the door swung open to reveal a young woman in a disheveled, hastily donned uniform. She gawped at Kitty, frozen except for her eyes. From her expression, it was obvious she was struggling to decide whether or not she was allowed to be there—and whether or not to raise the alarm.

  “I just have a question,” Kitty said, softly.

  The Lieutenant hesitated, but then nodded encouragingly.

  Kitty asked her.

  The woman’s eyes went wide the moment Kitty spoke and, for a moment, Kitty feared she would change her mind about the alarm. But then, almost reluctantly, an embarrassed smile spread across her face and she gave another small nod. She vanished back into her cabin, returning a moment later with a small, unmarked box in her hand. Glancing both ways down the hall, she tucked it into Kitty’s hands.

  “You didn’t get this from me,” she whispered. “Hide it when you’re done.”

  “Thank you,” Kitty said. A thought occurred to her and she bit her lip, words coming haltingly. “And thank you, for… letting me borrow the dress. You’ve got good tastes.”

  The Lieutenant grinned, closing her door until she was watching Kitty through a mere crack.

  “It looks good on you,” she said. “Good luck!”

  The door shut. Kitty stared at it for a few seconds then turned on her heel. But not toward her cabin.

  Instead, she made her way to the head.

  Dire Consequences

  Harem Ship Saga

  Volume Eleven

  By S. L. Hadley

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  The psyker had kept his word.

  Pleased as she was by it, Kitty couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised as she walked through the doors of the Admiralty. She tried to catch Lio’s eye to see if he felt the same, but the Arsalian’s attention was instead fixed on the many uniformed men coming and going. Their escort, the same lieutenant whose dress Kitty had borrowed, offered a brief, dismissive wave as they reached the main thoroughfare and turned on her heel.

  Kitty turned after her, intending to catch the woman’s arm to thank her, but by then she’d disappeared into the throng of officers and attaches.

  “Kitty?” Lio said, touching her lightly on the shoulder. “Everything okay?”

  “I didn’t give her dress back,” Kitty said, still peering through the crowd.

  Lio laughed quietly, leading her aside so as to not block the flow of human traffic.

  “Just return it once we get in touch with Nita,” he said. “Can’t have you wandering Norfolk naked, can we?”

  “I wanted to thank her,” Kitty murmured, ignoring him. She continued to crane her neck, but the lieutenant was long gone. Why had she been in such a hurry? Surely Desafort would be the one responsible for reporting DeWitt’s fate? Despite his friendly demeanor, the psyker hadn’t struck her as a particularly humble man.

  However, he apparently was a man of his word—in more ways than one.

  “Kitty!” a voice cried, practically a screech.

  Kitty spun, nearly toppling a nearby Commodore in the process. The man glared at her, but Kitty never even noticed. She was too busy racing down the steps.

  Kitty leapt into the powerful embrace at the same instant as Nita. The collision was hard enough to make her chest ache, but she hardly felt it over her joy as the slender woman wrapped her arms around Kitty’s shoulders.

  “You’re safe!” Nita sobbed, laughing through her tears. “You’re alive! I knew it! I knew you would be!”

  Kitty tried to speak but found she couldn’t. Her throat burned and her eyes stung so she settled for burying her face against Nita’s collar as they rocked slowly from side to side. She couldn’t even bring herself to care that they were in public, no doubt watched by hundreds of passersby. Nita was safe and free and here.

  It was enough to make Kitty feel that everything would be all right. Even her shock of two nights earlier seemed insignificant compared to the pure, instinctive feeling.

  “I’m safe,” she whispered, finally. Nita’s arms were still locked around her so she lifted her head to whisper in the woman’s ear. Her hand cradled the back of her head, running her fingers through her hair over and over. “I knew you could do it.”

  “What are you talking about?” Nita said, drawing back. She didn’t seem to want to let the hug end and gripped Kitty’s forearms as if for dear life. A shadow of something settled over her face.

  Grinning, Kitty jerked her head toward the Admiralty building.

  “That was you, wasn’t it?” she said. “You told the Navy where to find us.”

  “You’re not mad, are you?”

  Kitty nearly choked in disbelief before her laugh erupted.

  “Mad?” she gasped. “Why the hell would I be mad? You probably saved my life! And Lio’s too!”

  “Damn straight,” Lio interjected, stepping closer. He kissed his palm and laid it gently atop Nita’s brow. “If I had to win one more game of chess, I might’ve killed myself from boredom.”

  Kitty shoved him aside with her hip and shook her head in disbelief.

  “Why would I be mad?” she asked again.

&
nbsp; “Well, I wasn’t sure,” Nita said, voice going soft. Her smile grew conflicted then faded entirely. “I know you and DeWitt were close. But after everything that happened…”

  “He’s dead, isn’t he?” Kitty said. Her smile turned grim but pointedly remained.

  Nita’s eyebrows shot up and she nodded slowly. “You didn’t know?”

  “They didn’t tell us much. I assumed though.”

  “Yeah. It was…” Nita grimaced, looking uncomfortable. “There’s holos all over the Net. Been some violence, too. Syndicate put out a bounty on anyone involved. The Vigilant… and us, too.”

  “Oh,” Kitty said.

  That explained it then. The lieutenant hadn’t lingered because she couldn’t. Though Kitty doubted anyone would be foolish enough to take a shot at the Admiralty itself, mere proximity was dangerous enough. They might very well end up dispersing the crew of the Vigilant to other ships.

  So,” Nita said, shuffling her feet and donning an ironic smile. “Sorry. Welcome home?”

  Sighing, Kitty drew Nita into another enthusiastic embrace. She kissed the woman’s cheek, then pressed their brows together.

  “Don’t you apologize for that,” she whispered. “Not ever. I’m the one who should be apologizing for bringing you into this mess.”

  This time it was Nita who sighed. Then she laughed.

  “Are you kidding?” she teased. “This is the most fun I’ve had in years!”

  Kitty’s smile widened.

  “Day ain’t over yet.”

  ***

  They’d docked the Feronia as close to the naval base as possible. Closer—technically—since the unexpected contact from Captain Desafort had allowed Nita to land on a restricted dock reserved for contractors and important civilians.

  Kitty had almost made it aboard when an enthusiastic shout echoed out the open loading door, followed by a stampede. The crew raced toward her, sweeping her up in uncharacteristically passionate embraces and passing her from person to person like a newborn being shown off to admiring onlookers. Overjoyed though she was to see them, at least initially, the routine soon became tiresome. Just before she protested, however, Lio stepped in. He made a show of overreacting to his somewhat less ecstatic homecoming, earning friendly laughter and providing a chance for Kitty to slip free of the clustered bodies.