“You’re going to kill me then?”
“Unless you come with me,” he said.
“I still don’t understand how you got away.” Besides stalling for time I really did want to know.
“Plan B,” he said, and reached out his hand.
Chapter 19
Kenix’s ship was about the size of a bus. Not even close to the size of Baynar’s. We were both strapped into bucket seats at the front, looking out upon the stars. Once I’d given him my hand, we’d disappeared, only to reappear on board the little craft. He’d hurried to buckle us both in and then we zoomed away. Earth went from being a huge blue ball, to a tiny speck in the distant sky.
I didn’t know what was real anymore. But if we were on our way to Ayres, I didn’t care. Kenix gripped the control arm of the ship, steering like a pro. We danced around asteroids and whizzing comets that flew through space like projectiles bent on battering us.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” I finally asked. He showed no inkling of my concerns.
Instead of answering me, he dug into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small mechanism. He turned it on and it blinked. Then he aimed what appeared to be a laser pointer directly into my eye.
Though it burned, I could not turn away. It caught and held me making me cry out in fear. “What the hell?” Moments later it was over. Kenix switched it off and returned it to his pocket.
“It’s on now.”
Asshole. I assumed he meant my tracker. “How long till we’re there?” I shut my eyes and waited for the burning sensation to pass. I didn’t feel any different from when the tracker was off. I wasn’t sure how the thing worked, but I hoped to hell Kenix would be able to find Ayres with it.
“Not long. Oro was declared champion and taken back on board with his female. The mother ship has returned to Calixtus, so we don’t have to worry about avoiding it.”
“And how long till they figure out you’ve escaped?”
“Already have. I’m a wanted man.”
Fantastic.
“So what is Plan B? Ayres didn’t elaborate.”
“With good reason. You had to be believable in order for it to work,” Kenix said. “Once Ayres knew the game was rigged he sent me a signal.”
“He did? How?”
“The tournament is viewed by everyone. Even on Drone. We had a code word between us. If everything went to shit—and it did—he would say it.”
“Into the viewer bubble?”
He looked confused for a moment, then nodded. “I had an escape plan already in place when Ayres told me how he intended to play for my release. Invoking my plan would have me on the run forever. He thought his way was better. And it would have been, except...”
“Except the game was rigged,” I said.
“Yeah. I suspected as much. Many of us did.”
I digested this information for a bit. “So him getting hurt was part of the plan?”
“Yes. But it wasn’t supposed to go down the way it did. That little bitch could have ruined the whole thing.”
“So Ayres wanted all of Calixtus to see he was out of the game. Then they’d focus on Oro and the little bitch.”
“They were the favorites to win. Baynar had high stakes in this game.”
“So how did I end up back on Earth? Why not leave me to rot on Taleon?” I asked.
“Throughout the eundin—year—those viewer bubbles allow us to tune in to see how the losers fare. Baynar couldn’t take the chance you’d say anything incriminating.”
“So he beamed me home?”
“Up to the ship first. Then put you on a craft like this one, taking you closer to Earth. Then he beamed you home. You would have been out of it the entire time.”
“Why not just arrange a little accident for me on Taleon?”
Kenix actually laughed. “And kill off the little tigress? Are you kidding me? They loved you on Calixtus. The way you grabbed Ayres’ weapon and went after Oro. You’re a bloody hero to them.”
Really? So I had done it after all. But I was still confused. “If they loved me, then why did Baynar send me home?”
We both dipped to our left as Kenix skirted around a huge boulder. “They took a poll on what to do with you. The majority of Calixtus wanted you to be allowed to play again. So, just as Oro was about to decapitate you, Baynar intervened. He must have sensed a ratings jump. He froze Oro, you, and the bitch. Then he polled the viewers. Hence, you’re alive. To tell you the truth, it was the most exciting thing we’d ever seen a pathetic Earth girl do.”
“Gee, thanks.” Then another thought struck me. “What about the guys who came on board with me? Jack and Danny?”
“I dunno. If Baynar wanted everything all squared away with you on Earth, he probably returned them as well. It wouldn’t have been long before you were put back in the nut house.”
“But, how can I play again? I’m not a...virgin.”
“Keeping you in the nut house under strict monitoring would ensure you didn’t fool around. You wouldn’t be a virgin, but there wasn’t any fear of you getting pregnant.”
“So, he’d just keep me on ice till they found another warrior for me to play the game with next year?” I asked.
“Yeah, and you can imagine the betting war over you. Baynar would stand to gain another fortune in raffling you off.”
Holy crap! “I don’t know about you, but I would love to blow the lid off that prick’s double dealing.”
“What you do with your life after we get Ayres is your business. I, for one, have a price on my head. I intend to move to the other side of the galaxy.”
Ayres had said Kenix was all about saving his own ass.
“How do you know they won’t be waiting for you on Taleon?” I asked.
“I don’t. Ayres risked a lot for me. I can’t leave him there to rot.” At least he had some sense of loyalty.
Hours later, I estimated, we finally breached the atmosphere of Taleon. We kept low, hoping to stay off any radar that might be monitoring the surface. Kenix guided the ship to the outer edge of the snowy mountains, and with my guidance, landed in a clearing in the forest, near where I’d last seen Ayres alive. When we hurried to the location, all we saw was blood on the forest floor.
“He’s gone,” I cried in despair.
“We’ll find him. He couldn’t have gone far.”
We began to walk. Kenix held the laser device in his hand and every so often he’d wave it by my head. He seemed to be able to monitor what direction to go by reading the slow or rapid light patterns that blinked on and off on the mechanism.
Even if he hadn’t been able to follow the tracker, we probably could have followed Ayres by the trail he’d left on the forest floor. It appeared he’d dragged himself for quite some time. Then the tracks became two solid footprints in the soft mud.
“It looks like he got up,” I said, hope encompassing me.
“Or someone carried him,” Kenix said.
The trail zigzagged all over the place, coming out by the green field, then going back again into the forest. Night was falling and I grew antsy. “Shit. Where the hell is he?” Just then, ahead in the distance, we spotted a smooth rock incline. There appeared to be a cave carved into the face.
“There,” Kenix said. We rushed over and Kenix shone a hand light into the interior. Both of us saw the form lying prone on the dirt floor.
“Ayres!” I barreled forward and knelt at his side. Kenix was right behind me, soon kneeling down as well. Before we knew what was happening, a barred gate slammed down over the opening of the cave, trapping us inside.
Chapter 20
A blinding flash of light lit up the cave. Seconds later, all three of us were beamed aboard an awaiting ship circling planet Taleon. Baynar, reclined in a chair, his hands steepled beneath his chin, grinned at us like a Cheshire cat.
“Well, look what we have here,” he drawled.
Kenix leaped to his feet. “What the hell is this?”
Baynar spread out his hands. “Why, my personal ship, of course. You couldn’t expect me to bring you aboard the Lariton?” I guess he meant his bigger ship. “I knew you would return. In fact, I counted on it.” He looked at me. “It’s unfortunate you were dragged back into this after all the trouble I went to having you set into place on Earth. I hadn’t planned on Kenix going after you.” He shook his head. “Well, no matter. What’s done is done. It won’t change anything.”
“Why are we here?” Kenix demanded.
“Because I have need of you. Both of you,” he nodded at Kenix and I.
All my attention was riveted on Ayres. He breathed, albeit just barely. “I don’t know what you want, but whatever it is, I’ll do it, if you’ll help him.”
“There’s a smart girl,” Baynar cheered.
“Give it up. It’s only a matter of time before Calixtus figures out what a lying bastard you are,” Kenix snapped.
“Temper, temper.” Baynar waved his finger. “That kind of attitude won’t see me extending any generosity at all.”
“Please!” I cried. “Kenix, shut up.” My eyes fastened imploringly on Baynar. “Can you help him?”
“For you, certainly,” he said. He reached across to a small steel table and pushed a button. Two men hustled in and loaded Ayres onto a stretcher then whisked him from the room. I stood up and wrung my hands helplessly. If I had to deal with the devil himself to help Ayres, I wouldn’t hesitate.
“So where do I figure into this plan of yours?” Kenix asked. “I assume I must be important, otherwise I’d be dead by now.”
“Very astute,” Baynar said. He gestured to a couple of chairs across from him. Warily, we sat down.
Baynar grilled me with a stare. “As I’m sure he’s already told you, you’ve become quite a favorite on Calixtus. I have to admit, seeing you in action was the most exciting thing...”
I held up a hand. “I know, for such a pathetic Earth female.”
He laughed.
“Kenix told me you wanted me to play again next year. That you planned to raffle me off to the highest bidder,” I said.
“Yes, and no. The rules of the tournament say nothing about an Earth female playing the game twice. It’s never happened before. They do say, however, that once a warrior begins the game, he cannot compete more than once—whether he’s won or not. Once I reveal that Ayres is alive, the population will cry out for you to be allowed to enter with him. Pity that it cannot be allowed. The ratings would’ve been astronomical.”
“So you do plan to raffle me off?”
“On the contrary. Kenix here provides a fantastic alternative. Though he’s not Ayres, he’s the next best thing. And this time, the roles will be reversed. Kenix will be playing for Ayres’ life.”
“You’re a sick son of a bitch,” Kenix growled.
Baynar continued despite the outburst. “Ayres will take your place on Drone—keeping him safe and sound, and assuring you will not flee the galaxy,” he said to Kenix.
“And what made you think I would have just gone along with this?” If Ayres’ life didn’t hang in the balance I never would have agreed, no matter what they did to me.
Baynar smirked. “Before the game began, I would have told you Ayres was alive, and he was counting on your compliance. It was plain for everyone to see how much you love Ayres. You’ll do it for him.” He directed his stare to Kenix. “You both will.” Then he rubbed his hands together in glee. “Calixtus will be watching you two very carefully. Ayres’ faithful brother, and his loving Earth girl thrown together in unimaginable circumstances. I wonder what will happen between you two?” He leered at me suggestively.
“You really are a sick son of a bitch,” I said. He would have let me mourn Ayres for an entire year if Kenix hadn’t come for me. Not to mention leaving me to question my sanity all that time.
“Right now my personal physician is working to mend your precious Ayres. I’m sure he’ll soon be well enough to face Drone. In the meantime, I’ll allow you to bid him farewell. Then after Ayres is deposited safely, I’ll see you back to Earth.”
“And what do you plan to do with me?” Kenix asked.
“You will return to Calixtus, where I can keep an eye on you. I can’t have you rallying your rebel rousers and breaking Ayres out of Drone. How the devil did you manage to escape?”
Kenix’s smile was chilling. “We all have our little secrets.”
Baynar rose. “If you’ll come with me, you can say your goodbyes.”
We got to our feet and followed Baynar out the door. He led us down a few short passageways and then through a door into what appeared to be the physician’s room. Ayres lay on a steel bed covered by a blanket. I rushed to his side and gently took his hand. Kenix came over and stood at the other side of the table.
“Ayres? Can you hear me?” He looked so pale. I still feared he was gone.
“He’s asleep,” a man said coming up to stand near me.
“Will he be all right?” I asked, assuming he was the physician.
He was kindly looking and he actually smiled at me. “He’ll be fine.”
Kenix and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Ayres’ eyes suddenly began to flutter and his grip on my hand tightened. He coughed and then opened his eyes. “Amanda?”
I beamed at him. “Yes. It’s me. And look, Kenix is here too.”
Ayres peered at his brother and smiled. “You’re free.” Then his eyes focused on Baynar who’d moved closer to the table. “Dammit.”
“I’m glad to see you recovered, Ayres. Calixtus will rejoice,” Baynar said.
“You can’t send him to Drone. He’s too weak. They’ll eat him alive,” Kenix said.
Ayres stared at his brother, confused. “Drone? What do you mean?”
Baynar came closer to the table. “He’ll be kept in isolation until he’s stronger. Besides, no one would want to damage the prize of the next tournament.”
Ayres tried to rise, but the physician gently pushed him back down. “Take it easy,” he told him. “You’ll only hurt your recovery.”
“What the hell is going on?” Ayres demanded.
Baynar quickly filled Ayres in on his plans for all of us—leaving out the part of my little heroics. All the while Ayres’ face grew grimmer. “Bastard,” he said.
“Say your goodbyes,” Baynar snapped. “You have five eudn.” He turned and left the room.
I took it to mean we had five minutes. Not much time.
“What happened on Taleon after I fell?” Ayres asked me.
I felt as if this was all my fault. If I hadn’t been so enraged and taken off after Oro and Lissa, this wouldn’t be happening. “I took your scythe and went after them,” I admitted.
“You what?” demanded Ayres. “I told you to protect yourself with it. Not to seek revenge.”
“I was so mad. Oro was fine—everything Lissa said was a lie. I saw them strolling across the field toward the Safe Zone and I couldn’t let them get away with it.”
Ayres closed his eyes. “What did you do?”
“I knocked her down and waited for Oro to come at me. I didn’t kill her.”
“Before Oro could get to her, Baynar intervened,” Kenix said. “He sent her back to Earth, and then hatched this little plan to have us play for your life. Calixtus went wild over Amanda. Baynar expects the ratings to skyrocket next year.”
“So I’m to go to Drone, and Amanda will return to Earth. And you?” Ayres asked.
“Baynar wants me on Calixtus where he can keep watch on me. He’s worried I’ll try to break you out of Drone.”
“Even if you did, he’d just use Amanda’s implant to track me down.”
Damn the stupid piece of technology in my brain.
“He’ll be putting one in me next, I suppose,” Kenix said.
“You guys didn’t have a Plan C, by chance?” I asked hopefully.
“No. Plan B was to have me break out of Drone—no easy task—and then
come for Ayres on Taleon. Everyone would think him dead anyway, so they wouldn’t ask any questions.”
What about me? How did I figure into their plan?
Ayres squeezed my hand. “You would have come with us,” he said, reading my mind. “You are mine.”
I gulped. His determined stare pierced right through me.
Mine?
Was that a good thing, or a bad thing?
Chapter 21
Our five minutes were up. It was time to say goodbye. Despite Kenix and the physician’s presence, I bent and gave Ayres a lingering kiss on the lips. I couldn’t believe we’d be forced to spend a year apart. And then I’d be forced to play that hellish game again, without him by my side. At least I knew he was alive.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
I couldn’t stand the guilt. “If it weren’t for me, you guys would be free.”
“No. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead,” Ayres said.
“It’s true. Without your tracker, I may not have found him till it was too late,” Kenix said. I knew he was being kind. He probably hadn’t needed my help at all. I had the feeling he’d brought me along to save him and Ayres a trip later. With this thing in my head the authority on Calixtus would no doubt have used me to track them both, figuring they’d be together. Kenix needed to make sure I was no threat to them—one way or another.
“I shouldn’t have let my guard down,” Ayres said.
“Don’t worry. I got her for you.” Even though she was probably living it up right now, with Oro.
“Keep your head down on Drone. Don’t make any enemies, and watch your back,” Kenix told him. They grasped forearms in a warrior’s farewell.
“Don’t worry,” the physician said. “He’ll make a full recovery.” He seemed a nice enough guy. I wondered how he’d wound up working for Baynar.
“Please be careful,” I said.
“I will,” Ayres promised. “You too.” He looked at his brother. “And you.”
Survivor Planet Series 2-Book Box Set Page 11
