we—would stop him if he tried to send a fully armed fleet toward Earth. After I refused to be a part of Earth’s enslavement, I knew he would eventually try to immobilize us so he could use whatever humans he needed and in whatever way. But I never believed he would break the Pact of Salvation and completely annihilate Xylon in this way. His waning strength has made him desperate to take action before it’s too late.”
So now the truth of why Xylon was destroyed had been told. Brianna glanced at Alexa, wondering what her thoughts might be. No matter the reason for the annihilation, their home was still gone. And now, soon, Alexa’s home planet might be changed forever if they were too late to stop Daegal and his forces.
“Multiple injections into the cortex area will be needed each day to fully restore our strength and longevity. Whether Daegal plans to kill those humans he uses by completely draining them or simply take a small amount from numerous subjects each day, I do not know. I suspect the former, simply because the latter would take too much time and effort and be an inefficient procedure. I think he will store the fluid and return with it to Marid. With the number of humans on Earth, he can afford to discard those used up bodies for many years to come. Once he sets up the extraction operation, he can leave corps of Agents to run the program from Earth to make sure the shipments stay on schedule.”
“Son of a bitch!” Briggs interrupted. “I wasn’t told any of this. Was our military even informed?”
“At the highest levels. The Egesa plan to enslave Earth is true, as I informed the officials I spoke with. However, any specifics beyond that were only related to the uppermost leaders to avoid additional panic.”
“Like who?”
“Sorry. That’s confidential…for now.”
“That’s bullshit!” Briggs shouted, coming halfway out of his seat.
Brianna nudged his leg and he glanced over at her briefly. She knew backing down went against his grain. But he did it anyway, relaxing his stance. Still, the tension rose to a high point in the room. She had to admit, like Briggs, she saw no reason for Laszlo to keep his Earth contacts a secret. Unless…maybe the U.S. wasn’t one of those informed.
Very possible.
Slowly, Briggs sat back down. “I’m frustrated as hell about all this. We can’t just sit here and let it happen. So what’s next? How do we stop Daegal from here? Can we?”
“We do have two orbiters with us down here,” Laszlo answered calmly. “One short range and one long range.”
“They won’t do us any good,” Braden said. “All of us can’t fit into both of them. We can’t open the launch area without flooding this chamber with the poisonous gases from up top, which would kill whoever was left behind.”
“You and Torque need to figure out a way. I’m thinking we might be able to utilize the decontamination room for protection. Some sort of control would have to be rigged on the inside to open and close the lockdown mechanisms. Check into it. Consider it a priority. Erik and Halah, you need to make certain the orbiters are in working order, armed and properly supplied.”
“Even if we do figure a way out of here,” Pitch began, “we don’t have the numbers needed to stop Daegal. You’ve said that yourself.”
“We’ll combine our forces with as many subbase forces as we can gather. We’ll use the element of surprise to gain a foothold. Then if we can get Earth’s men initiated, we might be able to regain control.”
Brianna agreed they had to try. With help from Earth’s military—if they could truly get the males protected—maybe they could stop an abomination from occurring.
“Brianna, Leila, Kam and I will get Briggs initiated and perfect the formula we’ll need to use on Earth,” Laszlo continued. “Pitch?”
“Yes.”
“I want you beside Alexa and the babies at all times, protecting them, especially since Braden will need to be elsewhere a lot of the time. I will supply you with a working disruptor.”
“You think there’s a danger? Even down here?” Alexa asked with wide eyes. Her hand gripped Braden’s.
“We don’t want to take a chance on anyone, specifically the Egesa or one of Daegal’s Agents, somehow locating this underground chamber and materializing in from an orbiter to check it out,” Laszlo explained. “Even deep underground, our energy usage might register on someone’s monitor, if their detector is powerful enough. We can’t make any assumptions of safety. Even now.”
“Can we dematerialize up to a Xylon orbiter?” she asked. “I’ve seen the rescue ships on the monitors.”
“Not without being in contact with them to make sure the orbiter maintains its coordinates,” Braden explained. “It would be almost certain suicide.” His lips grazed her temple. “Don’t worry. We’re going to keep the babies safe. We’ll keep all of us safe.”
“Who are your assigned crew members for the orbiters going to be?” Brianna asked.
“I’ll announce those specifics later. If we can’t get these other primary assignments completed, there will be no reason to proceed.”
“Can you at least give us a preliminary on the headings for the orbiters?” Erik asked. “It’ll help us know how to supply and arm the ships.”
“Yes of course. The long-range orbiter will head directly to Earth and set up military operations. While there, you’ll need to get hand weapons and vid-com devices from our resident Warriors. As well as any other equipment you might need, like transport-connectors. The short-range orbiter will try to reach our outpost on the Ice Moon. While there, arrangements for fleet Warriors to head toward Earth and meet up with our coalition will be made, provided long-range orbiters are available. Rescue orbiters will be scheduled to return to Xylon to evacuate whoever is remaining in this chamber. Now, let’s get to work.”
Chapter Six
Underground
He set aside his pelt jacket. The air in the cave had grown heavy. Or maybe the heaviness came from his own thoughts and feelings. He studied the monitor in front of him, double-checking the settings to make sure of the accuracy displayed on the screen and that he was reading everything correctly. He needed to be certain before relaying any further details.
The system was old and contained a few glitches that he suspected were due to the Clan’s lack of knowledge about the complete workings of the equipment more than any real problem with the electronics. The system had been cannibalized from a downed and abandoned orbiter years ago. They had repaired what they could and learned much in the process. He turned a knob, hoping to clear the static.
Yes. Better. There. He saw definite activity registering on the far side of the planet, beneath the surface. Amazing. He never would have believed it possible.
The door scraped open behind him.
He did not need to turn to know who it was. He had already alerted the others and had expected an appearance. They would want an update. “I have picked up increased activity in one of the auxiliary underground shelters,” he said, knowing the question was coming.
“Where?”
“Where the thickest of the forests used to stand, at the base of what was once Red Mountain.” The bastards had destroyed everything in their need for supremacy, even the land. Perhaps they had gotten what they deserved. Unfortunately, they were not the only victims in their senseless war. The Clans had stashed a bounty of food and water throughout the years, for emergencies and times of famine, but even that would not last forever. He feared greatly for the people and their survival if the planet could not regenerate its natural resources quickly. “In one of the oldest and deepest facilities.”
“You believe there are survivors?”
“Undoubtedly. Manual systems are showing power.” Those systems could not have engaged on their own. Whoever was down there had to have been ensconced in the shelter for a while, given the planet’s present situation. He should have picked up their presence before now. But he had allowed himself to become too distracted. Even here on duty, his cock throbbed, needing—
“Do you want some of our fighters sent to investigate?”
The question pulled his attention back to the matter at hand. He needed to stay focused. For now. Later there would be time for pleasures of the flesh. He hesitated in answering. Until forced to face the situation, he had avoided thinking of this possibility arising and what his reaction would be. “No. Leave them to their toils.”
“What if they seek her?”
His jaw clenched. He rolled his shoulders and forced himself to remain calm. “It is unlikely. They cannot get to her, for they cannot survive on the surface as we can. They are trapped in their hole of advanced science. They will die there.”
“They might have atmospheric suits and equipment.”
“No others have attempted a search and recovery operation on foot and we have seen plenty of rescue orbiters. It is still too dangerous for them, even with protection.”
“Perhaps you are right. But there will come a time soon when that will change and it will not be so dangerous anymore. Eventually, they will come.”
He turned abruptly, anger building inside him, for he did not want to acknowledge the truth of those words. “If they do come, they will find nothing but the Clans. The rest of their people are gone. We will post extra sentries to keep watch. She remains with us!”
After a moment of silence, his companion replied, “Of course. I will see that it is done. Another problem might exist, however. Physically, she will survive. But she has yet to see herself. If our healing elements, added to her own, do not work, she might end up taking her own life. We have seen it before, even in those less…damaged. The others are concerned.”
“No!” He shook his head, refusing to accept the tragic words. “She would not give up like that. She is strong. She will live,” he whispered, turning back to the monitor. He barely heard the sigh behind him or the door scraping closed, which once again left him alone with his turbulent thoughts and emotions.
The others cared about her survival for selfish reasons only. He knew. Hell, he supposed he did too. But his reasons were completely the opposite of theirs.
He had not expected to feel anything but hatred for the woman—one of the planet’s elite. Instead, he felt so much more. If she did recover, the others would demand her torture and enslavement. They blamed Xylon’s upper echelon for many things. She would be used to bargain for their needs.
He was not so certain their anger served a real purpose anymore. The sins of those who had lived before them could not be changed. They had survived many generations without direct help from the Xylons. Counting on any help from the few who might have survived did not bode well in his mind.
Whatever happened, she would be in danger. Even given his high position in the groups, he did not know if he could protect her from the Clans’ wrath and planned manipulations. Things would have been so much easier if he had not allowed her to touch his heart.
With a growl of frustration, he flipped off the monitor to conserve power. The fingers of his left hand curled into a fist. “She will live. I shall see to it. And I shall never allow anyone to harm her.”
He turned and touched the cool rock wall, knowing she lay on a mat on the other side, awaiting his return. “That is my vow—the promise I give to you, Tar’a. On my life.”
And if she wanted to leave him to find her own people again? He shook his head, his heart clenching. He did not know if he could ever be strong enough to let her go.
* * * * *
Planet Xylon
Auxiliary Underground Shelter
His mouth dry and his palms feeling a bit moist, Briggs stood in the middle of the conference room. Now that the meeting was over and everyone had gone, he finally had a quiet moment alone to think. There had been a lot of surprising and shocking information to absorb from the briefing. Some of which he hadn’t entirely understood.
As soon as he had some time in a private location, he intended to document everything as best as he could remember for later review and transmission back to Earth. At first he’d thought this room would be perfect but people had been in and out and he knew some of the others would be returning soon. Besides—he glanced up into the corners—the room was monitored. He’d tried to enter one night after everyone had gone to sleep but the door had been locked. Just as well, he supposed, considering the surveillance system.
As he studied his surroundings, he suddenly realized just how white this particular room was. Not an important observation, but the excessive brightness reminded him of the decontamination room. Laszlo’s suggestion of using that room as a safety area for those remaining behind, after the rest of them took off in the orbiters, seemed a good idea. If the controls could be worked out.
Good and bad memories flickered through his head as he remembered his time in that room, when he and Brianna had been detained there together. He’d wanted to fuck her something fierce. She’d punched him a good one instead. A smile tugged at his lips.
He noted the changes around him. The table and chairs in the room had been shoved up against one wall right after the meeting ended and before everyone dispersed. Colorful pillows and bedding from one or more of the private bedrooms, he assumed, had been moved in and scattered on the floor. A few thin mats had also been moved in. He frowned at the still uncomfortable-looking setup. Not a den of lust, for sure, but at least less sterile. Sort of.
Laszlo had said this would need to be the location for the Initiation, since the room contained full video and sound equipment. They would need a record of the proceedings for future reference. He would have rather been in one of the personal quarters on a bed, in private with Brianna and whoever else needed to be in attendance.
Someplace with a more romantic atmosphere.
If he got the chance, he’d speak with Laszlo about it. If the chemicals they intended to use on him affected a person’s brain, as he’d been told, certainly atmosphere or anything else that also affected one’s perception and emotions would be important.
Anything to improve the outcome of the rite. They all needed this to succeed.
Besides, he didn’t enjoy being treated like some fucking lab experiment. Though he knew that’s essentially what he was. He wondered if he’d even be able to get his cock up and hard enough to go through with this. He wasn’t some sex machine that could be switched on and off at will, regardless of his reputation back on Earth.
He let out a small chuckle.
Okay, maybe the sex part wasn’t the problem. He could fuck some woman for the cause, even in front of others. But, somehow, that woman being Brianna bothered him.
Not because he didn’t want her, but because he did. Because she wasn’t just some pussy to him. His attraction to her was more than physical.
He spotted a small table in one corner with an array of strange-looking equipment on it, along with a gray case and a few bottles of something. Laszlo had placed the objects there earlier.
The case brought back memories of their first attempt to initiate him in the Lair. His instability, his raging sexual need, until somehow his body had compensated and the feeling had waned.
A failure in their eyes. A success in his. Or so he had thought at the time.
He definitely needed to jack off. He’d been so sexually pent-up lately. But when he remembered them wanting to perform anal sex on him with some sort of dildo they’d kept in a case similar to the one on the table now, it dampened his desire. He’d refused to allow them to fuck him in the ass. He would do so again if they made another attempt. He intended to retain some control over what happened to his body.
As far as he understood, from what Laszlo had told him in private, they needed to extract his semen after the special chemicals were introduced into his body via an injection. Then they’d attempt to make some sort of serum, or whatever he’d called it, that they’d use to inject Earth’s military men. Faster than putting each and every one of them through the rite itself. It sounded like a reasonable
plan. His ass shouldn’t be a factor.
* * * * *
Brianna headed toward the far end of the shelter to meet with Braden. He, Alexa and the babies had been given one of the private rooms down here. Perfect for a secure meeting, since the private quarters weren’t monitored. Though her entry would be recorded by the corridor surveillance system for anyone curious enough to check the vid archives. She couldn’t see any corridor monitors but she knew they were there. Not that a visit to her brother should arouse suspicion.
Once again sexual feelings tugged at her. Not as powerful as before but still distracting. What was going on with her body? She stopped and leaned against the corridor wall. Nobody was around that she could see or hear. One hand drifted between her legs and her fingers massaged her cunt. The fingers of her other hand pinched and pulled at one of her nipples through the uniform. “Mmm.” She rubbed her back against the wall as her fingers pressed even deeper into her pussy. She needed relief, if only a bit.
Her light touches weren’t nearly enough though. She needed skin against skin.
Hell, she needed a nice, wet tongue and a big, hard cock fucking her. Both at the same time, preferably.
She remembered the monitors. Damn. After adjusting her uniform, she pushed away from the wall and continued down the corridor. Relief would have to wait for later.
After the meeting in the conference room, she overheard Alexa planning to take the triplets to medical for Leila to look over. Leila had said she would meet her there as soon as she could get away from Laszlo. The checkups were a daily routine and quite necessary to watch for any abnormalities in the babies that might arise from Alexa’s Earth physiology. After what they’d been told about Super-breeder side effects, she was certain that Alexa and Braden both felt additional concerns.
With her and the babies gone, now was the perfect opportunity to have a bit of alone time with her twin. If he’d stayed behind. Stopping in front of Braden’s door, she buzzed for entry.
Ecstasy Bound Page 8
