Craving: A SciFi Alien Mail Order Bride Romance (TerraMates Book 8)

by Lisa Lace

  Kai thought about Oakland's revelation. "Even so, it's something the Similcue won't expect. Prepare your ships."

  "You've got to be kidding me." Oakland looked incredulous that Kai had the audacity to issue him an order.

  "Please," said Jenn. "We need every advantage to fight against the Similcue."

  Oakland sighed. "Okay. I'll tell our ships about your plan, and we'll see what we can do."

  "Thank you," said Jenn.

  "Follow me." Sevit extended his hand and ushered Oakland out the room. As he departed, Sevit looked over his shoulder, letting his gaze linger on Jenn before it drifted to Kai, finally giving him a naughty smile.

  "Get going," Kai growled. "My sindare and I have more things to discuss in private."

  "I'm sure you do." Kai snorted as the door slammed shut.

  Finally given the opportunity to dress herself, Jenn stuck her feet through the ankles of the pantaloons and held up the garment, looking for a way to secure it around her waist.

  "Let me help you." He stepped behind the desk and pulled some tabs on either side of her waist. The pants automatically adjusted themselves to Jenn's size.

  "You sure know your way around a woman's pantaloons."

  "It is familiar territory to an Anquesh warrior like myself," he replied casually.

  "You have a lot of experience, then?"

  "Don't worry, sindare. I'll always like yours best. You're all set now." He gave her a swat on her ass.

  "Hey!" she protested. "So what precisely do you like best? Territory? Or pantaloons?"

  He put his arms around her. "Both. Thank you." He rested his forehead against hers. "I noticed you wrapped Oakland around your finger."

  "Momma always told me you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Kai kept his arm around Jenn, holding her tightly while he studied the battle board. He was proud that she had stood up to Oakland and declared her intent to honor the treaty. Sevit looked at her differently now, too. She had earned his respect and Sevit would defend her if anyone from Anquera spoke about her inappropriately. His sindare had the right instincts. Jenn had done her part getting the Earth commander to fight with them. Kai's part was to win the battle.

  He ordered the computer to display the magnetic fields surrounding the planets in the solar system. The battle board lit up, showing lines of color surrounding the planets and their rings. He slowly traced the magnetic lines of solar flares from the sun.

  The magnetic distribution of the solar system gave information about where the enemy ships could safely move. Although it was possible to make inter-solar jumps, no pilot would want to direct their spaceship too close to a planet or through a flare. The first would send them careening into the atmosphere. The second would burn them to a crisp. Kai made notations on the holographic battle board by tracing his fingers through the fields, crossing out areas the enemy couldn't travel.

  There was only one place for them to hide.

  "Do you see it?" said Kai.

  "Yes, Commander."

  "I don't see anything," said Jenn.

  "Look here, behind our second moon," Kai said. "They have to be hiding on the far side. The third moon will shield them from solar flares, and the first moon conceals their position."

  "I think you're right, Commander. It's the only place that makes sense. If they tried to jump through the other magnetic fields, their ships would be destroyed."

  "Can you explain it in English to an Earth girl?"

  "All star drives generate magnetic fields. It's similar what you encounter on a planet."

  "You mean like when you put two magnets next to each other? Depending on their positions, they stick together, or they repel one another."

  "That's correct, depending on the alignment of electrons in the magnetic field. In fact, the ship's propulsion is created through interaction with a magnetic pole."

  "So if they're not here, they're going to blow themselves up?"

  "If you want to be inelegant about it, yes. The Earth ships should approach the dark side of the moon and project their false holographic ships below the Similcue. We'll come over the top of the moon and trap them between us. Relay the orders to the battle group. Coordinate with the captains and assign them approach vectors."

  Jenn was staring intently at the board. "Are you sure this is going to work?"

  But before Kai could answer, the communications officer began speaking.

  We're receiving a communication from the palace. It's from Emperor Warrel."

  "Emperor," Kai said sadly, shaking his head. "Put him on the screen." He escorted Jenn to the center of the bridge.

  Warrel had chosen to communicate from the conference room behind the throne. It was the safest room in the palace.

  "Commander, I order you to stand down immediately. We have made an agreement with the Similcue." Kai watched a Similcue ambassador move into view of the camera.

  "The promise of one of these dishonorable wretches is worthless. They follow a similar pattern whenever they plan to annihilate a civilization. They make promises they don't intend to keep, and the next thing you know, they stab you in the back."

  Kai couldn't believe he was having this conversation. How to defend against other alien races was something a first-year Academy cadet would know. The problem was, Warrel never attended the Academy.

  "Your words border on insubordination. It's bad enough that you're contemplating treason, but I see you have my fiancee at your side.

  "About that," said Jenn. "The wedding's off. I've spent my life looking for a man who wants to keep me happy, not keeping me prisoner."

  A few officers aboard the Ruvien chuckled while Warrel's face grew red.

  "You will not refuse me, human."

  "You had your chance to impress me with your fighting ability and frankly, your Highness, you did not. I'm choosing to go with the original agreement between our people."

  "That agreement is no longer in place," Warrel growled.

  "Let's be clear about what you're saying. You have no intention of fulfilling the treaty?" Warrel shook his head. "I'm not an expert on Anquera, but tell me something, Kai. Isn't that considered dishonorable? Your Highness, if you have no intention of fulfilling your end of the bargain, we have no need to satisfy ours. It's goodbye for us, Warrel. Better luck next time."

  Kai made a hand motion to cut off the communication. Warrel's face faded from the screen as he sputtered over Jenn's monolog.

  Jenn looked up at Kai. "I didn't go too far, did I? He looked terribly angry."

  "I'm not going to worry about that until my court-martial. We've lost the element of surprise. Send a message to the remaining ships. It's time for us to move."

  The Ruvien and the other ships of the Anquesh fleet made a jump to the second moon in the system. The ships spread out in an arc and slowly moved over the north pole of the moon.

  Jenn breathed in sharply when she saw the scene below the Ruvien. Beneath the Similcue ships were seven United Earth Alliance vessels, like pieces on a three-dimensional chess board.

  "Are those the holograms? I can't believe they look real to our eyes and the ship's computers."

  In front of them, the Similcue ships fired at the holograms. The shots passed harmlessly through the images.

  "The Similcue spacecraft are unable to fire right now while their weapons recharge. We have an opportunity as long as we can move fast enough. Jam their signals. All ships, engage the enemy!"

  The Similcue ships were caught in an attack from all sides, receiving blasts from both the United Earth Alliance ships and the Anquesh. A few enemy vessels on the outside of the formation were quickly disabled, but those in the middle had more time to react and used the outer ships as shields. Some moved away to avoid the destruction and others returned fire.

  "We've disabled five of the enemy ships. Two Earth ships are critically damaged. Sir, we just lost another spacecraft. It's a total loss. The Similcue spa
cecraft in our vicinity are surrounding us."

  "Stay calm and engage the closest ship in one-on-one combat," commanded Kai. "Don't let up, and don't be afraid."

  Jenn didn't need a viewscreen to see the fighting any longer. Flashes of laser fire illuminated the bridge like lightning across the night sky. Suddenly, an enemy shot found its target and the Ruvien started shaking. The bridge shifted into a scene of controlled chaos. Different voices reported on damaged sections, shield strength, and casualty estimates.

  Kai released Jenn, calling out orders to fire the Ruvien's weapons. The ship vibrated again. Jenn watched a green Similcue ship grow larger as it filled the main viewscreen. It was approaching at a dangerous speed.

  "I think they intend to ram us, Commander."

  "Brace for impact."

  The Ruvien lurched as the two ships collided. A workstation exploded, starting a fire that threatened to spread around the bridge.

  "Jenn, you need to get to my office."

  "I'm not going without you."

  "It's a secure area, triple-reinforced with a self-contained breathing system. You'll be safe there. I can't work if I'm distracted."

  Jenn didn't want to leave Kai. She looked at him, eyes filled with tears and disbelief on her beautiful face. Reluctantly, she started to move to safety.

  In front of her, one of the officers fell to the deck. His workstation was burning in an uncontrolled fire. Kai rushed to move him to a secure location, but as he picked up the body, a sickening squeal filled the bridge. A girder started to fall from the ceiling, starting a rain of plastic debris in the bridge.

  He couldn't get out of the way in time.

  "Kai!" Jenn yelled.

  The thick metal beam fell on top of Kai and pain seared his shoulder. He found himself trapped beneath an immovable weight as flames from the workstation licked at the legs of his uniform, burning him. Kai couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, and he was being burned alive.

  The last thing he heard was Jenn's voice calling to him. "I'll get you out!"

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The world swirled around Kai in a cycle of light and dark. Thoughts came with difficulty and far too slowly to be coherent. Pain was his constant companion though some moments hurt more than others. He was vaguely aware of people moving around him, but he had no idea who they were.

  At any rate, it didn't matter. In his more lucid moments, he could remember that he lost a great battle. The Ruvien's bridge was destroyed in flames while he did nothing, trapped helplessly under a fallen beam. Men under his command died in excruciating ways. Some must be prisoners of an enemy who had no concept of honor.

  For the first time in Kai's life, he had failed. At this moment, Anquera lay in ruins. His mother was dead. His stepfather was dead, and an idiot sat on the throne.

  And Jenn, his sindare? Even if she were alive, she deserved better than a failed warrior.

  Raspy sounds came from his raw throat. He was trying to say one thing. "Kill me now."

  The noise that came out of his throat was barely recognizable as an intelligent language.

  "Doctor!" called a female voice. "I think he's finally awake."

  "Commander? Don't try to speak. I had to insert a breathing tube in your throat. Can you move your fingers?"

  With effort and a lot of pain, Kai moved the index finger on his right hand.

  "Great. Tap once if you understand what I'm saying."

  Tap.

  "Excellent. You've suffered burns on your legs and arms. Your right thigh bone and hip were fractured. Fire control extinguished the flames eventually, but there was still a lot of damage. We have your arms and legs wrapped in a unique material that will accelerate the healing from the burns. I've turned off the machine. We'll get the tube out of you in a few minutes."

  Kai impatiently tapped his fingers.

  "Give it a few minutes. Sevit is around somewhere. Do you want to tap with him?"

  Tap.

  "I'll get him. In the meantime, Jennifer Carden is here to keep you company."

  Frantic tapping.

  "No? I don't understand. I assure you, she's been by your side the entire time."

  Tap tap. Kai didn't want her to see him like this. Weak.

  "Yes, Kai," Jenn crooned. "I've been here, watching you tap like a madman. I'm not going to leave you."

  Kai looked straight to the ceiling. He didn't want to be humiliated further by having his sindare see him like this.

  Helpless. Broken. Defeated.

  "Commander," said Sevit. "The Ruvien is concealed inside one of the craters of the first moon. We've gone undetected until now, but we think it's because our fleet managed to destroy most of the Similcue ships. The remaining fleet ships are in orbit around the fourth planet while we complete repairs. Rescue operations have started, taking people from critically damaged ships and redeploying them on vessels with less structural damage."

  "How many died?" Jenn interjected.

  "I'm afraid the casualty count was high. We lost several hundred men, most from the Ruvien. The Similcue ship which rammed into us also tore a hole in our hull. A cascade of problems started after that incident, including venting of the internal atmosphere and an electrical system overload. We're almost ready to start moving again. Should I have us meet the other ships?"

  Tap.

  "Good. If you'll excuse me, I have some things to check on. I'll be back."

  Kai tried to turned his head, but found his movement limited by the wires and tubes.

  "He's a good man," said Jenn. "He's been concerned about you."

  Tap tap.

  "You're tired. Get some sleep. Go ahead. I'll wait right here with you."

  Tap tap. Kai had a feeling Jenn couldn't understand his message.

  The doctor returned to Kai's bed. "Let's get that tube out."

  Jenn couldn't remember ever being so glad to see a person regain consciousness. It was hard for her to see Kai wrapped in bandages and a breathing tube in his mouth. It made her feel helpless. She had seen wounded combatants before, of course, but this was different to her.

  It was Kai.

  She looked around the medical bay, which was now nearly empty. For the past few days, there had been a constant flow of Anquesh soldiers with different injuries. Some had burns, and others had broken bones. None had anything close to the extensive injuries of the Anquesh commander, and he was the only one still recovering.

  Kai coughed after the doctor removed the breathing tube.

  "Would you like some water?" Jenn held a cup to his lips.

  "No," Kai rasped. "Leave me."

  She pulled back, confused by the way he was responding to her. She supposed she could cut Kai some slack. He had a horrible experience. His burns must be painful. She'd seen similar injuries working with Earth soldiers and heard their tales of unrelenting pain. No painkillers could relieve the agony. But I thought my presence would comfort him.

  "Is something the matter?"

  "You shouldn't be here."

  "The doctor said it was okay for you to have visitors."

  He turned his head away. "That's not what I meant."

  "What did you mean, then?"

  "Go! I'll make sure someone brings you back to one of the Earth ships."

  "I don't understand what you're saying."

  "I'm saying you should leave and go back to your people. There is no longer a need for you to be with me."

  She stared at him blankly. "Kai, you've had a bad experience, but that doesn't mean you need to make a hasty decision."

  "We've all had a bad experience. Leave me, Jenn. It's best for everyone this way."

  Anger welled up in Jenn's heart. Perhaps she shouldn't have these feelings about an injured alien, but his words cut deeply. She was beginning to believe his feelings for her might be authentic. It had taken a long time for her to think there might be a future for them, and he had decided to send her away.

  Why would he do anything differently? She was just a bar
gaining piece, one that was apparently no longer needed by Anquera.

  "If that's what you want, that's what you'll get." She turned and fled from the medical bay, tears stinging her eyes. She ran down the halls, not knowing where she was going, or why. The ship looked empty. Everyone was busy making repairs.

  Jenn slowly stopped. Running through the ship wouldn't do her any good. She would have to wait until someone came along. Then she could ask them to get Sevit for her. She didn't know how long that would take, but she knew one thing for sure. She would never speak to Kai again.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Jenn made her way to the bridge. The crew looked up when the human entered, unspoken questions in their eyes.

  She couldn't take the stares. Her face burned, and her heart was in shambles. Jenn was one breath away from bursting into tears. She rushed through the bridge into Kai's office, which was the only place she knew how to reach. From here, she could ask Sevit to arrange her transport to the Earth command ship.

  She sat in the big chair behind Kai's desk and put her head in her hands. When did everything go wrong? Back on Earth, when she married Anton instead of tossing the cheating liar out on his ass. At the time, she didn't know about his deception. Jenn had allowed her stupid trusting heart to let Anton spin illusive dreams as he tickled her ears, telling her what she wanted to hear.

  Her heart had led her astray once again when she began to fall for the Anquesh warrior. Kai had turned on her too, just like Anton. She wondered why it so important to her for this warrior to desire her? It wasn't like being an alien bride was her idea in the first place. She never expected Kai to choose her. Jenn never wanted to leave Earth. In a few short weeks, her life had been turned upside-down.

  There were brief moments when Kai made Jenn feel like he genuinely cared about her. Sometimes the look in his eyes told her that he wanted her more than anything in the universe. Maybe those moments were what kept her going.