City Of Tears

by Cyndi Friberg

  “How are you going to play this?” Lyrik asked Krysta.

  “I’m going to wait until all hell breaks loose then I’ll stand on the concourse and watch the show.” She shrugged. “We’re one of a dozen shuttles arriving right now. I have a legitimate reason for being here so Cyrus can kiss my ass.”

  “You tell him.” Dro Tar laughed.

  “I’m not sure Trey would appreciate the suggestion,” Lyrik said with a grin.

  The shuttle glided to a stop, perfectly centered in the tiny landing bay. Lyrik launched the post-trip routine and unfastened his safety restraints. “Shall we?”

  They moved to the middle of the shuttle. Krysta extended her arms and closed her eyes, moving slowly toward the aft until she found a location she liked. “This will connect with the main cargo bay.”

  “Perfect,” Lyrik said. “We can take the lift directly to the bridge.” He turned to Dro Tar. “Signal the others. We’re a go.”

  Waves of Mystic energy radiated off Krysta as she formed the transport conduit. Saebin’s sensory inputs hummed. Sporadic signals darted through her body. She tuned them out, focusing entirely on her role in the mission. Concentrating the energy pulses into a shimmering vortex, Krysta breached the shuttle’s hull and drilled into the Gale.

  She widened her stance and shifted the position of her arms, sending the Mystic stream into the larger ship at a different angle. Beads of sweat broke out on her brow and her hands began to tremble. “I’m through,” Krysta panted. “Go now. I can’t hold this for long.”

  Dro Tar stepped beneath the opening and the conduit transported her onto the other ship. Lyrik thanked Krysta for her assistance then stepped under the conduit.

  “We have much still to say to each other,” Saebin said in a hurried rush. “I’ll contact you soon.” Krysta could only nod. Her features were tense and strained with her effort to maintain the portal. The conduit deposited Saebin in the main cargo bay of the Gale. She gasped, extending her arms as she adjusted to the sudden change in position. It had been like sliding up a recreation chute.

  “Let’s go.” Lyrik nodded toward the lift, his weapon drawn and ready.

  “Hermlin’s team is on board,” Dro Tar reported. “The first two guards were subdued without incident.”

  They took the lift to the bridge, carefully flanking the door so they wouldn’t be vulnerable as the panel slid opened. Dro Tar steadied her gun with both hands, her gaze narrowed and watchful.

  “Drop your weapons!”

  Lyrik ignored the order and fired at the nearest guard. Dro Tar ducked, avoiding a colorful burst from the second guard. Without stepping off the lift, Saebin sent out a powerful mental pulse. The guards dropped to the floor in hapless sprawls—and so did Dro Tar.

  “Damn. I didn’t mean to turn her off.”

  “You did good. We couldn’t risk their setting off—” Lights flashed and sirens wailed in the maintenance bay. “An alarm. Hermlin, report. What is your status?” Lyrik rushed across the bridge and activated the main control console. “Can you rouse Dro Tar or does it have to wear off?”

  “I’ll try.” Kneeling beside the other woman, Saebin eased into her mind.

  “Anything?” Lyrik raced between two consoles, his anxiety mounting. “I really need her if we’re going to pull this off.”

  The lift buzzed so Saebin dragged Dro Tar clear of the doorway. “Someone just activated the lift. Check and make sure it was one of us.”

  “Hermlin, who’s in the lift? Copy. The guards are secured in the brig. Hermlin’s on his way up.”

  “I can’t rouse her. I’m sorry.”

  “Then come here. My arms aren’t long enough to reach both stations.” She hurried to his side. A chair was positioned in front of the console. He stepped back and let her slide in. “I have it all set to go. As soon as I tell you, slide your thumb along here and push in on this.” His fingers hovered above the controls as he demonstrated what he needed her to do.

  “Got it.”

  “All right. Wait for my signal.” He sat in the other chair, his fingers flying across the controls with obvious urgency.

  Three men emerged from the lift, all panting and agitated. “They’ve got us tethered, sir,” one of the men announced.

  “Take these two to the brig then hold on tight. It’s going to be interesting for a while.”

  The man who had spoken remained on the bridge as the other two dragged the unconscious guards into the lift. “Is Dro Tar wounded? What can I do?”

  “She’ll be fine but secure her for takeoff. I’m going to have to break free of the tether.”

  Without argument, the man lifted Dro Tar into a nearby seat and secured her with safety restraints.

  “Hermlin, take over weapons. Saebin, strap in.”

  Saebin fastened the safety restraints and waited for Lyrik’s signal. The floor vibrated and a low rumble drowned out everything else.

  “Cease and desist or we will open fire!” A sharp male voice cut through the den.

  “Sure you will,” Lyrik muttered. “Come on, Trey.”

  “Is Director dar Aune going to override their controls?” Hermlin asked.

  “That’s the plan, but he should have cut through by now.”

  “You’ll tear the ship apart if you continue with this foolishness,” Cyrus snapped over general com.

  Saebin stiffened. His voice was all too familiar. She’d been hearing it for months. Constructing a detailed image of the overlord, she directed a Mystic compulsion deep into his mind.

  Saebin, tell them to abort. You’ll have to make a run for it in my shuttle. They’ve got Trey locked out.

  She ignored Krysta’s frantic urging and reinforced her Mystic transmission. She visualized Cyrus, manipulating him like a puppet. Channeling energy through her implant’s amplifier, she “spoke” to his mind. Release the tether, she commanded, and he obeyed. Authorize our departure.

  “What the hell.” Lyrik looked at her. “They just cleared us to launch.” His expression was equal parts disbelief and awe. “Did you do this?”

  She smiled. “I told you shutting people off wasn’t my only trick.”

  * * *

  Pern folded his hands on his flat belly, his eyes narrowed and intense. “Is this technology only effective with Ontarian Mystics or can it be adjusted to accommodate any frequency range?”

  The question made Ensley’s mouth go dry. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally drained. With subtle threats and glib ultimatums, Jaden had kept her on task, compelling her to drive herself harder than she’d ever attempted before. They had refined her design, accomplishing more in one day than she had managed in three months on her own.

  “My research was greatly limited by my situation.”

  Pern waved away her response with an impatient snarl. “How did you first discover that Mystic energy resonates within a consistent frequency range?”

  She had sent him a complete background report on the project. Hadn’t he bothered to open the file? Burying her hands in the pockets of her lab coat, she explained, “Our team of scientists was attempting to reproduce and intensify the abilities common among Ontarian Mystics. During the course of our study, we discovered that there was an energy spike whenever one of these abilities manifested. The stronger the ability the more powerful the spike.”

  “And this spike of energy always resonated within the specified frequency range?”

  “Yes. The original test subjects all had close genetic ties. I was concerned that this genetic similarity might account for the consistency. But since coming to Ontariese, I’ve been able to establish that it was not a genetic anomaly. All Ontarian Mystics utilize energy that resonates within this frequency range.”

  “Which brings us back to my original question. If the frequency range of other Mystics can be identified, will your technology affect other races?”

  “It’s my hypothesis that this pattern will be found in all Mystic beings. The actual range may vary, but I belie
ve we will find a consistent pattern within each race. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to test my hypothesis. I’ve only had access to Ontarian Mystics.”

  Pern’s gaze swept the length of her body then he glanced at Jaden. The other man stood a step back from her, silent and watchful.

  “I’m sorry, sir.” Ensley licked her lips as tension mounted within her. “I’m not sure I understand how these questions pertain to my device. Firestones are indigenous to Ontariese. To my knowledge they don’t exist anywhere else.”

  “Being able to charge firestones without the assistance of an Ontarian Mystic is appealing and potentially lucrative, but you must know I’m interested in more than this one device. There are numerous applications for your theory.”

  As Dr. Hydran had discovered. Once Mystic power could be replicated, it could also be exploited. The Rodytes were ambitious. Their influence spread farther from their homeworld every day. She’d expected them to find other, more destructive uses for her technology, but she’d hoped she wouldn’t be directly involved in the development.

  Ensley shoved back her flicker of hesitation. She could have blended with the population on Ontariese, lived out the rest of her life in peaceful mediocrity. An ordinary life had never appealed to Ensley and it never would.

  “The possible applications are dazzling.” She curved her mouth into a soft smile as she lowered her gaze. “I look forward to exploring them for you.”

  After a short pause, Pern asked, “Jaden, is she as responsive as she is intelligent?”

  “I have yet to find out.”

  She could hear amusement in Jaden’s tone. He had yet to find out? Was the opportunity a forgone conclusion? She kept her gaze on the floor. This was a turning point. Jaden knew enough about her design to continue on without her. She couldn’t risk displeasing them now.

  The thought of submitting to Pern had hovered at the back of her mind, keeping her body burning as she frantically worked to fulfill his expectations. Jaden was physically appealing but she would much rather be with Pern.

  “She makes me want to rut and I can’t figure out why,” Pern went on as if she weren’t standing there. “She isn’t beautiful. Her body is barely average. Is there something unique in your scent?”

  Oh god, let him explore his curiosity! It had been months since she’d had a real lover. There’d been plenty of opportunity on Ontariese, but she’d needed to keep a low profile. Simulators couldn’t carry tales.

  Don’t appear too eager or this will be your first and last opportunity to pleasure a Stirate. He likes a bit of resistance in his females.

  Jaden’s advice caught her by surprise but her soft gasp was perfect. She licked her lips again and glanced at Pern. “Sir, I thought we understood each other. I’m here to—”

  “You’re here to do whatever I command.”

  Jaden moved up behind her and pulled her arms behind her back.

  “I’m not a whore.” Her objection sounded sharp and sincere while heat cascaded through her body. “This is not why I agreed to board your ship.”

  “Women are more easily enjoyed when they are silent.” Pern relaxed in his chair, the blue ring in his dark eyes glowing.

  Momentarily releasing her arms, Jaden slipped off her lab coat and reached for the fastenings at the back of her skirt.

  “No. I want her to do it. Lift your skirt, female, and remove your undergarments.”

  If you refuse, he will hurt you, but it will drive him wild with desire.

  She straightened her shoulders and shook her head. “If you want my panties off, you’ll have to take them off yourself.” Her heart hammered in her chest. Her nipples had formed tight, tingling points. Could Pern distinguish desire from fear?

  “I can smell your musk. I know you want me. Why do you continue to pretend?”

  “I don’t know you.” She understood the game. Half the fun was in the chase. It was imperative she not give in too soon. “My body may…respond to certain stimuli, but I don’t want this.”

  He pushed back his chair and stood, moving around his desk with predatory grace. “Really?” Jaden wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. “Pleasure or pain?”

  “What? I don’t understand.”

  “I am aroused by either,” Pern informed her. “Which do you prefer?”

  “I prefer to be released. This need not go any further.”

  Both men laughed.

  “We’ve not yet begun,” Pern said. “Force goes more naturally with pain. If you want pleasure, take off your panties and lie down on my desk.”

  She hesitated.

  He won’t ask again. Unless you enjoy pain, do as he says.

  She tried to look over her shoulder but Jaden’s hold was firm. “I can’t do this.” Uncertainty eroded her calm. If it were one man or the other, she could accept her role, but this was too much. “I’m not a whore!”

  Pern leered at her, his incandescent gaze moving boldly over her body. “You are a whore. You just haven’t accepted it yet.”

  Insulted by Pern’s nonchalance, she struggled against Jaden’s restraining arm.

  “If you’re hungry, you will beg food from the crew.” Pern’s eyes narrowed and his voice turned cold. “When you’re ready to sleep, you must convince someone to share his bed. What do you have to barter except your body? We already have your design.”

  “I’ll…sleep in the lab.”

  “The lab belongs to Jaden.”

  With a violent twist, she tore free of Jaden’s hold. A slow, cruel smile parted his lips. Had he done this intentionally? He’d encouraged her to resist!

  “Do you want a bed slave, Jaden? Or shall I offer her to the crew?”

  “That depends.” He paused dramatically. “I like my bed slaves willing and eager.”

  “But Ensley is not a whore.” Pern grasped her shoulders and urged her toward the younger man. “Offer your body to Jaden. Demonstrate your willingness.”

  She glared up into Jaden’s smug face as she gritted her teeth. How masterfully he’d manipulated her. This wasn’t how it was supposed to work. Stubbornness surged with dangerous intensity. Pern hadn’t offered his protection as she planned. He’d offered her to Jaden!

  Jaden leaned closer, his nose nearly touch hers. “I’m waiting.”

  Hating him, knowing he’d bested her, she longed to refuse, to turn her face away or slap him. Her breasts heaved and her belly tightened. How could she have misjudged them so completely?

  She licked her lips as tension made her tremble. “I offer my body.” Her resentment grew with each word.

  “Willingly?” Jaden challenged. “You will submit to me willingly?”

  “I will submit.”

  Pern’s hands slid down her arms and he turned her to face him. Their gazes locked as he assessed her face. For just an instant the bright blue ringing his pupils vanished, and the entire surface swirled like ink. Deep within her being longing stirred, stealing her breath and making her whimper. He tenderly cupped her cheek, his touch achingly familiar. Then the sapphire rings reappeared and his brow furrowed. He lowered his hand and stepped back.

  “Next time accept your role and you will know true pleasure.” A note of confusion remained in Pern’s tone.

  It had happened again. Had he felt the bittersweet stirring? She searched his gaze, hoping for some hint of recognition, but all tenderness was gone.

  “Take your slave from my office,” Pern muttered. “I have work to do.”

  Chapter Eight

  “So what does it do?” Saebin asked as Lyrik entered the aft lounge. She sat across a minrell table from Dro Tar. Apparently, Dro Tar had been teaching her how to play the holographic game.

  “Nothing as interesting as we expected,” he muttered, disappointed by what they had learned.

  He’d hardly seen Saebin since boarding the Gale. Eluding a search party had monopolized his time for the first few hours and he’d spent the rest of the day with Hermlin analyz
ing the mysterious modification. How could he miss her so badly in less than a day? Even as he was inundated with tasks, her image remained in his mind.

  So much had happened so fast. He wanted to spend time with her, assure himself she was adjusting to these rapid-fire changes. Had she experienced any more power surges? How long had she been in the suit? Affection softened his fierce protectiveness and heat spread through his chest.

  Besides, they had other worlds to explore. Oral Stimulation World and Mutual Gratification World and…

  He cleared his throat and offered a more detailed explanation. “The shields make us undetectable to conventional scanners but they were designed so the ship could still be tracked by our military. The modification simply scrambles the tracker signal. No one can detect us now.”

  “That sucks,” Dro Tar grumbled. “We can’t manufacture interdimensional portals or morph the shape of the ship?”

  He laughed. “Is that what you two predicted?”

  “That’s what she was hoping,” Saebin corrected. “The real question is why does the overlord want a ship that’s undetectable to his own people?”

  “For the same reason he wants you fully operational.” Dro Tar crossed her legs and made a bland gesture toward Saebin. “Whatever he’s into has nothing to do with the Joint Council.” Saebin glanced at him. She’d said the same thing the night before. “When do I get a demonstration of your armor?”

  “The next time you piss her off.”

  Dro Tar made a face at him and pushed to her feet. “What’s the plan now that we’ve got ourselves an invisible ride?”

  “We need to dump the guards then arrange a meeting with the High Queen.”

  Dro Tar whistled. “You’re going to turn in your old man?”

  His gaze drifted to Saebin as he said, “He’s left me no choice.” Even if he hadn’t developed feelings for his father’s victim, what Cyrus was doing was wrong. High Queen Charlotte had to know.

  “I’ll go see if I can help with the guards.” Dro Tar bound from the lounge.