To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings)

by Tracy St. John

  The doctor gave him a lopsided smile and shrugged. “I don’t blame you.” He pretended to brighten. “Unless the guilt will get me something nice. A week’s vacation on Dantovon perhaps? A few days in one of Ler’s brothels with a pretty locked in a suspension field might make up for some—”

  Lidon’s growl cut him off. The Nobek had been in a Dantovonian playroom a time or two. The abrupt vision of putting a few sex toys to use on Degorsk had an immediate effect on him. He was suddenly very, very hard.

  Tranis rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Degorsk, you know better than to arouse a pissed-off Nobek. Are you trying to get hurt?”

  Degorsk’s voice was barely above a whisper, and he stood very still under the weight of Lidon’s gaze. “I’m shutting up now. Captain’s orders be damned.”

  Lidon recovered a measure of his equanimity. “See? Piras was wrong about you. Sometimes you do show a little sense.”

  Tranis took a deep breath. “Let’s get over to the docks. I want to see what we can do to keep these colonists alive if the destroyer fails to stop whatever is coming.”

  Lidon grabbed Degorsk’s wrist and yanked the reluctant Imdiko along as he followed Tranis. He was ready to do his job, but he couldn’t quite shake the idea of Degorsk caught helpless in a suspension field, unable to move as Lidon took out his aggressive lust on him.

  It was a slightly better fantasy than the one of beating the fuck out of Piras.

  * * * *

  Tranis strode purposefully into the hangar with Lidon and Degorsk right behind him. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was grateful to Degorsk for the bit of amusement he had afforded him. The Imdiko curing Lidon’s fury by getting the fierce Nobek aroused had allowed Tranis to get control of his own anger. The Imdiko’s humor had a good use after all. The first officer was all business now, ready to take what little command he had over the situation.

  Governor Artmak was overseeing the furiously working colonists and Tranis’ small group of security left behind by Piras. He noted their entrance and ran up to them. “The shuttles will be cramped, but everyone will fit in, including your team. We can be ready to evacuate in six hours.”

  Tranis looked over the operation, shaking his head at the disorganization of it. People were bumping into each other, loading, unloading, and reloading the vehicles in a mass of confusion. “Make it three.”

  Artmak’s brows knit together. “Three hours?”

  “The defense station is seven hours away, and it went silent nearly an hour ago. Three hours is the minimum amount of time it will take the shuttles to get to an orbiting distance most sensors can’t detect.”

  The governor protested, “That’s not nearly enough time. Besides, if an attack comes we have the underground storage units.”

  Lidon watched the colonists load shuttles with a critical eye. He shook his head. “The units are a better option than being on the surface when a battle drone arrives, but I wouldn’t trust my people’s lives to them. Everyone needs to evacuate.”

  Tranis spied one shuttle sitting in a corner, the one no one was bothering to pack. The oblong-shaped craft looked older than the rest, and it had taken some damage to judge from the crimped metal hull.

  He said, “Three hours, Governor. That’s all I can give you. Meanwhile, I’ll take a look at your damaged shuttle and see if it can be made to fly in that amount of time. We may be stuck in orbit for hours.” Or days, if Piras doesn’t come back and we have to wait on the fleet to rescue us, he thought dismally. “The extra space will be most welcome, especially with my Nobek crew. They don’t do well in tight spaces.”

  Artmak didn’t look happy but he conceded to Tranis. “All right, three hours. I’ll let our foremen know.”

  He hurried off. Tranis scowled at the confusion surrounding him. Even a small colony on the supposedly safest border of the Empire should be better rehearsed for emergency evacuation. It looked like the men were trying to bring half the colony onto the shuttles with them.

  Lidon shook his head, and Tranis looked to see what the Nobek was glaring at. The medical crew had arrived with large pieces of machinery.

  Lidon asked, “Do they really need all of that, Degorsk?”

  The doctor snorted. “They’re proud of their state-of-the-art toys. I’ll talk to them and get them to pare it down to the bare essentials. Get a boat ready for the ocean of tears about to be spilled.” He dashed off.

  Lidon looked to Tranis. “I’ll see to security, make sure everything is kept on schedule. We’ll get this group organized.”

  Tranis nodded. “Good. When you’re ready, join me at that busted shuttle.”

  They separated. Tranis hurried to the dented shuttle and looked it over.

  He frowned as he inspected the damage. On the surface, it didn’t seem like there was enough to keep the vehicle grounded. Though used mainly for planet-based transportation, Kalquorian shuttles were made to withstand the stresses of entering planet atmospheres, as well as a few blasts from enemy craft. This one wasn’t pretty by any means, but he didn’t see any real reason why it shouldn’t fly.

  Tranis ducked beneath it and opened the engine compartment. “There’s your problem,” he growled, looking at the machinery. The crash had apparently knocked a few things out of kilter. It required some re-wiring and a few parts replaced. Some components were corroded as well. Half an hour’s work would have it up and running again, unless something in the cockpit had been damaged. A quick look assured him that nothing in the command controls looked out of place.

  Tranis quickly got to work. As disorganized as the colonists were at packing to evacuate, they at least kept their maintenance and repair area in good shape. He easily found the wires and components he needed, everything but one modulator for the solar cell feeds. However, there were plenty of pieces that made it possible for him to mock up a temporary solution, one that would get the craft into orbit and back onto the ground. It was a simple fix, all the way around.

  After making every adjustment he could see needed to be done, Tranis started the shuttle up and grinned to hear only a slight, intermittent chop marring its steady hum. Lovely. He shut it down again and went back to the underside of the vehicle.

  He closed up the engine compartment and opened the hatch next to it. He’d decided it would be a good idea to check on the defense buffering system, just in case it would be needed. One eyebrow raised as he noted it was quite a bit more than what he had expected to find.

  Tranis stepped out from beneath the shuttle and looked down the bay. Lidon and his team had organized things much better, he saw. Now people were moving with clear purpose. Degorsk had the medical teams under his thumb as well, overseeing things with patient control.

  Tranis saw the man he needed right away, standing at the next shuttle closest over. Apparently, Artmak had taken cues from Lidon and Degorsk, keeping things under his supervision moving at a determined pace.

  Tranis called out, “Governor!”

  Artmak jerked a look over his shoulder and trotted over. “Yes, Commander? You know, now that Commander Lidon has given us direction, I think we’ll be able to meet your three-hour timetable with no problem.”

  “Excellent.” Tranis indicated the vehicle he’d been working on. “This shuttle. Was it ever employed on our borders with Bi’is space?”

  Artmak looked it over. “You know, I believe it was. My acquisitions administrator would know for sure. It is an older model.”

  “It had salt corrosion. We have a couple of mining colonies on moons with large oceans on that border. It would help if I knew for sure.”

  “I’ll check for you.” He spoke into his portable com. “Osnib, where did you get the heavy-class shuttle from?”

  After a little back and forth, Tranis had the confirmation he sought. He sent Artmak back to his duties with gratitude.

  The shuttle’s defensive buffer was graded for Class III attacks because of the occasional hostilities Kalquor encountered with the Bi’isils. Tranis’ thought
s churned with excitement, and he hurried to the bay’s stores of components.

  He thought he had everything he needed for the crazy idea that had sprung to mind the moment he’d gotten a look into the buffering system. He wasn’t an absolute expert in weapons operations, but he had the man who was.

  The first officer hurried back to the shuttle, opening up his com as he went. “Commander Tranis to Commander Lidon.”

  “Lidon here, sir.”

  “If you’re not too busy, I need you to have a look at this shuttle. I need a second opinion as well as another pair of hands.”

  “On my way.”

  Tranis rounded the shuttle and saw Lidon moving across the bay floor. As the Nobek trotted towards him, the brace making him move awkwardly, Tranis tried to contain his excitement. More than anything, he wanted to prove to Piras he’d made a mistake in leaving the young first officer behind. He thought with Lidon’s help, he might be able to make that happen.

  The Nobek reached him in a matter of moments. “What’s wrong, Commander?”

  Tranis jerked his chin towards the shuttle. “I’ve got an idea. This old shuttle was originally outfitted for assignment on the Bi’is border. It’s got enhanced defenses.”

  Lidon tilted his head and folded his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”

  “If we configure the buffering system with the colony’s orbiting defense shields, tie it in, then route the plasma blast banks into the whole system—”

  Lidon’s eyes went wide. “Any attack on the defense grid would result in a strengthening of the weapon and feeding it back onto the attacker.” The weapons commander ran to look at the buffering mechanics of the vehicle.

  Tranis hurried to his side. “Will it work?”

  He waited as Lidon studied the workings of the system, his heart hammering. Finally, the Nobek turned to him. A fierce grin spread over his face. “If this shuttle were any older, it wouldn’t because of the upgraded system ties. This hunk of scrap is just recent enough to link in with the colony defense satellites. You do realize we’ll have to manually pilot it into position, don’t you?”

  “I figured.” Tranis cocked an eyebrow. “We? It only takes one pilot.”

  Lidon’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think of ordering me to evacuate with the others, because I won’t. My career is already fucked up enough by Piras without adding a charge of insubordination to the list.”

  Tranis had to laugh. “I’m glad to have you, Lidon. Shall we get to work putting this mess together?”

  “By all means.”

  It was easier said than done. Nearly the entire defensive shielding array had to be pulled from the shuttle, parts replaced, the system reconfigured. They knelt on the bay floor, sweating as their efforts made the heat climb. After a few minutes Lidon stripped off the top of his formsuit. Tranis snorted, thinking that while the Nobek looked good he also looked unprofessional. Five minutes later he was barechested too. It was just too damned hot.

  “My, my. Aren’t you two a sight?”

  The pair looked up from their work to see Degorsk standing nearby, openly leering at the way perspiration gleamed off their skin.

  Tranis shook his head but grinned as he wrestled with attaching a reluctant component. “Like what you see, Doctor?”

  “Well, it’s nicer than a bunch of fields of grain. I have a sudden urge to lick all that—”

  He abruptly silenced himself, and Tranis looked up again to see Governor Artmak heading their way.

  As the Dramok drew near he reported, “All shuttles are prepared. We’re close to your deadline, Commander.” He looked doubtfully at the machinery lying between Lidon and Tranis. “Is this shuttle going to fly?”

  “It will, but it won’t be with the evacuation. We have a plan that may save the colony itself if it comes under attack, Governor.”

  Artmak gave him a hopeful smile. “That would be a gift. A lot of hard work went into this effort.”

  “You may commence the evacuation. Weapons Commander Lidon and I will stay behind to put my plan into place.”

  “As you will, Commander.”

  Degorsk scowled as Artmak hurried off. “Your plan wouldn’t mean putting life and limb in jeopardy, would it, Tranis?”

  “Only mine and Lidon’s. Everyone else should be safe.”

  The Imdiko didn’t look one bit reassured. “It’s just a bunch of damned fields of grains and vegetables. What are you doing putting yourselves in danger like this?”

  Lidon gave him a steady gaze. “It’s not just a farming colony, Degorsk. It’s the Empire’s borders. Pieces of that have already fallen, leaving us vulnerable. Not to mention a lot of people dead.”

  “And one crappy shuttle is going to save Wetor? You must be insane.”

  Tranis’ tone was mild. “Thank you for your faith. I suggest you go find a shuttle to evacuate on.”

  Degorsk simply stood there, glaring stubbornly at them. Tranis had the idea he wouldn’t budge from that spot, that he would remain rooted there, arguing until they were forced to leave him behind or take him along. The strange, protective urge he’d felt before towards the Imdiko rose again, making his voice sharp. “That was not a request, Doctor. Get going.”

  A stubborn look settled over Degorsk’s face. “If you can stupidly risk your lives, why can’t I?”

  Lidon stood up and marched over to the Imdiko. They were the same height, but the threatening attitude made the Nobek seem to loom over the other man. He growled, “Degorsk, take that gorgeous ass of yours and put it in a shuttle, or I’ll beat it to a nice shade of purple and put it on one myself.”

  Tranis rose and joined him in intimidating Degorsk, who was trying not to cringe and not quite succeeding. “No, Weapons Commander. It’s my turn to wear that ass out, which I’ll do anyway at my earliest convenience for him not immediately obeying an order. Your only choice in the matter, Degorsk, is whether I do it right now in front of everyone here, or if I do it later in the privacy of my quarters.”

  Degorsk hunched a little under their combined glares, his expression frightened and angry. A spicy scent tinged the mere inches that separated the men. A quick glance told Tranis that the Imdiko was just as aroused as they were.

  We’re going to have to find something other than beatings to punish this one. He likes it a little too much. The thought made Tranis harder than ever.

  Degorsk’s lips compressed into a straight line. He turned around and stormed away with another word.

  Tranis and Lidon exchanged a look. The first officer let one side of his mouth twist up in a wry grin. “You picked yourself a stubborn one, Nobek.”

  Lidon didn’t smile, but there was amusement in his voice. “Yes, and extremely disrespectful, to boot. I’m going to have to buy quite the inventory of disciplinary instruments.”

  He did grin then and got back to work. Tranis joined him, not bothering to hide his arousal at the thought of Degorsk’s ass writhing beneath Lidon’s excellent discipline.

  Chapter 9

  Degorsk stomped away from the two jerks he had somehow let himself become entangled with. Stupid damned Nobek and Dramok. Did they really think he could fly off in a shuttle, remaining safe while they courted death? Sure, he had no skills that would help whatever ridiculous scheme they were up to, but he also couldn’t stand to wait long, silent hours wondering if they still lived.

  He slowed his furious march as he neared the other shuttles everyone else was boarding. He stared at open hatches accepting lines of men who were escaping the colony. If he got on one, it would be cramped quarters, with everyone nearly shoulder to shoulder. Yet he’d still be alone. Again.

  Lidon. Tranis. Those assholes had made it so Degorsk couldn’t bear to be without them. Knowing he’d fallen for the young Dramok as well as Lidon was an unhappy surprise, and the doctor cursed his stupid heart for doing it. Yet there it was, impossible to ignore. He was in love with a man twenty years his junior, along with the Nobek he’d done everything in his power to
stay away from.

  Fuck.

  He looked back at them, their dark heads bent close together as they worked like fiends to get that sorry ass wreck of a shuttle operational. So they could go get themselves killed.

  A lump formed in his throat. He couldn’t do this again. He simply couldn’t.

  Degorsk turned and headed for the medical carts loaded with the machines he’d fought loudly with the medical staff to leave behind. He walked around them, as if looking for something that couldn’t be abandoned after all. After assuring himself no one was paying attention, he ducked down behind them.

  Using those and other carts for cover, Degorsk managed to sneak out of the bay with no one the wiser. Once outside, the Imdiko looked around, taking in his surroundings. He needed somewhere to hide until the last shuttle took off and left him behind. The nearest building was only a few steps away, and he went in.

  It only took a quick glance to know this was the dockmaster’s office. No one else was inside, but three of the computers had been left running on the half dozen desks in the middle of the room. Vids scrolled readouts of atmospheric conditions, reports from orbiting satellites, and shipping schedules.

  It was as good a place to wait out the evacuation as any, Degorsk decided. He’d know exactly when the last shuttle left. Then he would join Lidon and Tranis and be in very big trouble.

  Tranis had already promised to beat him for insubordination. Now Degorsk had disobeyed a direct order. There would be hell to pay from both men for his defiance.

  He sighed and patted his own rear with sympathy. “My poor ass. I won’t sit for a month.”

  Degorsk dropped into a chair at one of the desks, enjoying his unbeaten, pristine butt for possibly the last time. He had no illusions how profound the punishment would be and he winced in anticipation of it. Still, better to have a broken ass than a broken heart again.

  Half an hour passed. Degorsk watched shuttles fly off on the vid, disappearing into the sky. Three had gone, leaving only one on the launching pad now. He could hear its engines cycling up. He grinned. In moments, Lidon and Tranis would be stuck with him.