by Cheree Alsop
“Dish up whatever you’d like,” a rotund woman with a kind smile invited. “We’ve plenty where that came from.”
“Thank you, Temla,” Devren replied. “You are too kind.”
“It’s nice to have you boys back for a visit,” Temla told him. “And a fight like that reminds our people what it means to be a community.” She winked at Liora, who found herself staring. “We were born fighting; we come out of these things stronger.”
She handed Liora a plate and a set of utensils. Liora followed Devren down the table where men and women dished legumes in mouth-watering sauces, stewed meats, and a variety of cheeses onto their plates. A few of the citizens who served them wouldn’t meet Liora’s gaze, though others surprised her.
“Where’d you learn to fight like that?” Sveth asked as he ladled soup into a bowl and handed it to her.
“You could be our own private army,” his friend with an arm in a sling said.
“Seriously,” Sveth continued. “Maybe you’re what we need to get the volts past the Scavs.”
“Tariq mentioned the problems you’ve been having. We’ll fly with you as far as the Maffei Two Galaxy,” Devren told him.
Gratitude filled the faces around them.
“Really, Dev? That’s great!” Sveth said. “That’s only a click from Gaulded Two Zero Five. We should be fine after that.”
“Thank Tariq. It was his plan,” Devren replied as the men followed them to the table.
“What was my plan?” Tariq asked. He held Liora’s gaze.
She looked away.
“Liora, sit with us!” Officer Shathryn said. The Kratos exterior analytical specialist scooted over to make room for her at the other end of the table.
Grateful for the chance to get away from the men for a while, Liora joined them.
“How have you been?” Officer O’Tule asked. “Captain Devren said he sent you and Tariq on a mission. We had no idea when we’d run into you again.”
“There’s been way too much testosterone on the Kratos with you gone,” Shathryn continued. She paused and stared at Granson’s backside when he walked past. “Although I’m liking the levels of testosterone here on Verdan,” she said with an approving nod. “Maybe we can stay put for a while.”
“We’re shipping out in the morning,” Devren told them.
“You take away all the fun,” Shathryn replied.
“Don’t mind her,” O’Tule told Liora. “She’s just upset the Colonel hasn’t been back in contact with us.”
“That’s right,” Shathryn said with a nod. “Cute and with stars. Can’t get much better than that.”
“Except for the fact that he’s put our faces out to the mercenaries,” Officer Straham replied. “How you can crush on him after that is beyond me.”
Liora could have sworn the older officer’s hair was even grayer than the last time she had seen him. The worry lines around the eyes of the late Captain Metis’ second in command had definitely deepened.
“Who I like is my own business,” Shathryn replied.
An older woman with long pale hair walked up to the table.
“Did I hear that you’re going to escort our volts to the Gaulded?” the woman asked.
“Hello, Consul Blairia,” Devren said, rising to his feet. “You heard correctly. We’re happy to help out.”
The consul wrapped Devren in a big hug. “I knew you boys would be back.”
She motioned for Tariq to stand. He did so with a reluctant smile and she grabbed him in the hug as well.
“We’ve missed both you boys. I told everyone there was no way you could leave Echo for good. Now you’ve come back to help.” She let them go and stepped back. “We sure appreciate it.”
“We’re happy to help,” Tariq told her. “Our ship is your ship.”
Consul Blairia grinned. “And our home is your home. Just see that you come back more often, you hear?”
“We hear,” Devren replied. “We’ve already promised my mother the same thing.”
The consul nodded. “Then she’ll see to it that you do. Glad to hear it.”
“Are introductions too much to ask?” Shathryn asked from their place further down the table.
Devren waved toward them. “Consul Blairia, meet Officer Shathryn, Officer O’Tule, and Officer Day. The worried-looking one across from them is Officer Straham.”
The consul crossed to their seats. “Pleased to meet you.” She gave Officer Straham a warm smile. “And I remember you from when Devren’s father used to visit. My condolences for your loss.”
“Yours as well,” Officer Straham said. There was a touch of red to his cheeks when he shook the consul’s hand. “It’s good to be remembered.”
“Yours is a face I wouldn’t soon forget. Handsome ages well,” Consul Blairia replied. She turned away and left the officer staring after her.
“Officer Day, is it?” the consul asked.
Liora stood. “Yes, Consul. Thank you for your hospitality.”
The consul looked her up and down with a no-nonsense expression. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ms. Day. It seems many of our citizens are a bit afraid of your abilities.”
At that moment, the felis Liora had saved padded out of the jungle and walked straight to her side. Silence fell over the entire assembly. The felis nudged Liora’s hand and when she pet its head, its rumbling purr filled the air.
The consul had drawn her gun at the felis’ appearance. Several of the closest humans had done so as well. Liora glanced at the head of the table. Devren’s gun was out and half-raised in case he needed to use it. Tariq’s weapon was still in its holster and there was a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I thought perhaps they had over exaggerated the details,” Consul Blairia said, her words quiet to avoid startling the animal. “I see they were telling the truth.”
She stood there for a moment as though debating what course of action to take. To Liora’s relief, the consul slid the gun back in her holster.
She held out a hand toward the felis. “May I?” she asked.
There was tightness around her eyes that belied her calm demeanor. Asking to pet a creature known for killing humans was definitely beyond her comfort zone; Liora gave the consul credit for bravery.
She held out her hand for Blairia’s while keeping her other on the felis’ head. The cat’s purr slowed when Liora drew the consul’s hand over to hers. She watched the felis’ movements still. The big cat’s muscles tightened. Liora’s free hand strayed to her knife in case she needed to defend the consul.
She pushed a feeling of calm toward the big cat as soon as Blairia’s hand was on its head. The felis’ purr paused for a moment, then resumed. Consul Blairia smiled and a sigh of relief was heard throughout the gathering. Citizens chuckled at each other and a few others rose to pet the cat.
Liora stepped back to let them pass. She continued to push a feeling of calm and contentment toward the animal to keep it from being overwhelmed by all of the people eager to touch the species they had grown up fearing. To her relief, the felis eventually closed its eyes and appeared to enjoy the attention as much as those from Echo were to give it.
Liora heard familiar footsteps come up behind her.
“I saw your hand by your knife,” Tariq said quietly.
She glanced back at him. “I had to be sure.”
“Would you have killed it?”
Liora was quiet for a moment before she said, “If I had to.”
Commotion ran through the Echo citizens. Liora followed their gazes to where several other felises peered from the jungle. A few took hesitant steps toward their comrade. Liora pushed comforting feelings toward them as well. The animals responded by coming into the clearing.
Consul Blairia reached out a hand and the first stretched its head forward to be petted. Liora couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
Tariq watched her, his expression unreadable. “I feel you pushing at them.”
Surprised, she looked at him. “You aren’t supposed to. I’m directing it at the felis.”
“I feel it just the same.” Tariq looked unsettled. “I’m just not sure how to feel about it.”
His words made Liora’s chest tighten; her smile faded. “I’ll try to be more careful.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Tariq, come with us,” Devren came up with Sveth and Granson behind him. “Since we’re flying out in the morning, the guys want to strategize about the best path to the Maffei Two Galaxy.”
“The Scavs seem to guess every path we plan to take,” Sveth said. “It’s going to take some serious flying to get past their lookouts.”
Tariq gave a reluctant nod. “Count me in.”
He glanced at Liora. She pretended to be occupied by petting one of the younger felis that rubbed against her leg. She couldn’t decide if it was relief or regret that filled her when he finally followed the others to the Metis’ house.
Chapter 10
“Let me come with you. I can fight, and I can’t stand it here anymore.”
The whisper brought Liora out of her fitful sleep. She was grateful to have been freed from the haunting images of the slain Coalition officers following her in her dream through Echo’s jungle with ever-reaching hands. She sat up slowly and listened for what had awoken her. Her shoulder ached. She cradled her right hand in her lap to ease the pressure.
“I can be helpful,” Kiari’s voice pleaded near the window. “I can shoot; you know I can. And I could help you in your medical bay. I’ve been careful to learn everything Mama taught me so that I can be an asset to your ship.”
“It’s not my ship.” Tariq replied, his voice low. “It’s your brother’s.”
“He’s not going to mind….” Kiari began.
“Kiari, he’s the captain. I’m not going to go against him.”
“He hasn’t said no,” she pointed out.
“And he hasn’t said yes,” Tariq replied. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Tariq…” Kiari sounded heartbroken. “I’m so tired of Echo. It’s so small. I want to see the Macrocosm. I need to leave this galaxy. Please!”
“It’s not a good idea.”
Liora heard Tariq begin to walk away in the darkness. His quiet footsteps were becoming as familiar to her as breathing.
“But I love you.”
Liora’s heart slowed.
Tariq’s footsteps paused. The grass shifted when he turned around.
“What did you say?” Tariq’s voice was soft.
The sound of Kiari moving toward him reached Liora’s ears.
“I love you, Tariq,” she repeated. “I’ve loved you since we were young and I used to follow you and Dev on your adventures in the jungle. I always volunteered to carry your medical bag, remember? It was just so I could be close to you.”
She paused and the silence pressed against Liora’s ears.
When Kiari spoke again, her voice cracked slightly. “Then you left, and you were gone for years. I told myself you would come back. When one of Dad’s letters mentioned that you had gotten married, I was devastated. I tried to move on, but you owned my heart, so I waited.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry you lost Dannan and Lissy, I really am. I could be there for you. I wouldn’t try to take Dannan’s place. I would just be a comfort.”
“Kiari.” Tariq’s voice was tight.
“Hear me out,” Kiari replied. “I’ve waited this long. I’m not going to let you leave without me because I don’t know how much longer I can wait and keep my sanity. I need you.”
“Kiari, I don’t—”
“Yes, you do,” Kiari cut him off. “You need love in your life, Tariq. I’ve seen the haunted look in your eyes, and I’ve noticed that your hand is never far from your gun. You’ve seen things that have scarred you. You need sanity in your life and the assurance that somebody understands. I can be that person for you.”
Sharp pain made Liora suck in a breath. She realized she had her fingers clenched into fists so tight the wound across the back of her hand was tearing open again. She forced her fingers to relax and stood. She didn’t want to look out the window, but she couldn’t keep herself from doing it anyway.
Tariq was kissing Kiari. Their shadows were unmistakable against the glow of the grass and the jungle trees beyond. Tariq’s hands held Kiari’s waist and her arms were wrapped around his neck.
Emotions surged through Liora with such abruptness she could barely breathe. She shoved them down, grabbed her knife sheath from where she had hung it on the chair near her bed, and left the room.
She needed something, anything, to break her mind away from what she had seen. The image of Tariq and Kiari kissing replayed over and over in her thoughts, tormenting her, driving her on.
There was one thing that drove all thought from the mind of a Damaclan, but Liora didn’t have anything to kill. She had fought those who followed Devren to Verdan, and there were no more enemies left upon whom to vent her rage.
Liora had to settle for a weak replacement. When she stalked through the kitchen, she grabbed two rags from Mrs. Metis’ basket near the stove. Liora pushed the outer door open and crossed the glowing grass.
She had no way of knowing what hour it was. The dark sky on the internally lit planet looked the same no matter what hour of day or night. All she knew was that any hope of sleeping had faded completely with the sight outside her window. The Gull would leave with or without Kiari; the decision would be made by the captain of the ship. Liora had to make sure she was in a mindset to accept whichever happened.
She wrapped the rags around her hands and tied them at her wrists. Taking extra care to make sure the bandages across her palm were snug, Liora raised her hands and glared at the side of the Calypsan’s Tin Sparrow.
Her first punch left a dent in the hull. Liora ducked and jabbed, landing a second punch in the same place as the first. She ducked, spun, and backhanded the hull. Liora sucked in a breath at the jolt of pain that ran through her right shoulder. She clenched her jaw and hit the hull again, conscious not to spare her injured limb.
Liora fell into a training cadence. She ducked, spun, and hit with the precision and strength of a lifetime of battles. It was the way she had kept herself sane in Malivian’s steel cage, and it was the way she had survived Obruo’s fierce upbringing. Pain wasn’t an obstacle; pain was an annoyance to push past. If her hand or arm hurt, she couldn’t feel it.
Relief came from the numb, repeating pattern locked into her muscle memory. She battered the side of the Tin Sparrow, and relished the impact to her knuckles, the way her body responded with a hook and an undercut before she ducked and bobbed away from her imaginary foe. She blocked with an elbow, swept behind her with a foot, and jabbed the metal hull before bouncing back to start the cadence again.
Liora lost all track of time. Sweat made her shirt stick to her back. While she didn’t hit the hull with full force, she slammed it hard enough to remind her knuckles what it felt like to fight. The numbness felt good; it felt normal. The new life she had stepped into when Devren freed her from the cage on the Osprey Kirkos was confusing and filled with choices she had never had to make. Training reminded her that she was in control. Nobody would ever keep her in a cage again. She was in charge of her own destiny.
The voice in the back of her mind whispered that she was the soulless one; she was the girl who would end it all.
“Liora?”
Liora spun with her hands up, her mind still caught in the vestiges of the training cadence. She could tear apart whoever had interrupted her. She was in control.
“Whoa, girl. It’s alright.”
Tariq’s voice broke through the red haze. Liora dropped her hands and let the fight fade from her body.
“Are you okay?” Tariq watched her, his expression uncertain.
Liora nodded. Her heart thundered in her chest and her breath came in a rush, but for the first time since they had landed on Verdan, she fel
t like herself again.
“I went to your room, but you weren’t there.” Tariq gave the Sparrow’s hull a meaningful look. “You apparently had important things going on.”
“So did you,” Liora replied.
She turned away from Tariq’s questioning look and concentrated on removing the rags from her knuckles. Her hands shook slightly from the intense impact and her fingers had a hard time untying the knots.
“Let me help you.”
He took her right hand in his, but Liora pulled her fingers free.
“I can do it myself.”
Tariq crossed his arms and gave her a searching look.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Liora concentrated on untying the bandages. She gave up using her fingers and tried to work the knots free with her teeth.
“I know I left after I kissed you,” Tariq said with regret in his voice. “When Kiari knocked, I couldn’t think, let alone figure out what the right thing to do was. You throw me off balance, Liora. I don’t know my right hand from my left when I’m with you. It’s unsettling.”
Silence followed his words. Liora finally had to admit that she had no chance of untying the knots and she held out a hand to him. He accepted it with a small half-smile and began to untie them with deft fingers.
“You were right to go with her.” The words were hard to say, but Liora knew that if Kiari was joining the Kratos crew, she had to accept the fact now before it created a rift in Devren’s team.
Tariq’s fingers stopped and he held the partially-untied bandage in both hands. His gaze slowly lifted to Liora’s face.
“You think I should be with Kiari?” His tone was level.
Liora swallowed against the knot in her throat. “I think you make a good couple.”
Tariq watched her for a moment before turning back to the knots. He got the one free for her left hand and unwrapped it. His movements were abrupt and rough whereas a moment before they had been almost too gentle for Liora to bear.
“I guess given your life experiences, I should trust your ability to judge who is the best fit for me,” Tariq said with irritation in his voice.
