by KD Jones
“Baby what’s wrong?” He gently took the gun out of her hand while holding her to him.
She was panting with adrenaline and blood flow. “It’s Taylor, he’s with the resistance rebels. He pretended to be Shawn to get me here.”
“Where is that asshole?” Jared looked around. Kyle and several more warriors came out.
“He’s over there! I knocked him out or maybe I killed him. I don’t know.” She pulled on Jared when he made like he was going to go after Taylor. “Wait, he’s not what’s important right now. I think the resistance rebels plan to attack Maggie somehow.”
“What makes you say that?” Kyle asked.
“He said I was just the distraction that the real target was up there.” She pointed to the roof like Taylor had.
“We have security there, the only humans on board are Maggie, Rachel, Mrs. Gordon, and Thomas.” Kyle told her.
“I heard that some of the resistance rebels had Drastan weapons. The gun I took was Drastan. How did they get those? Someone, Drastan, had to have provided it. That means…” She couldn’t finish the statement; she didn’t have to.
Kyle hit his communicator. “Liam, something is about to go down up there on the command ship. Get them to a secure area and surround them with warriors that you trust completely. Have the ship on lockdown and all warriors report to the combat commander. Scan the ship for personnel moving around, and for explosives.”
“Do you need help?” Liam’s voice echoed through the communicator.
Kyle’s second in commanded whispered in his ear. “No. The extra warriors you sent me just arrived. We’ll take these assholes out.” Kyle ended communications.
Jared held her in his arms and rubbed her back. “Did he hurt you?”
“No.” She turned her head and watched two of the warriors drag a still unconscious Taylor forward throwing him on the ground.
“Where is Quinn?” Jared asked putting Lily behind him.
“He said that Quinn and the others were being held further down the tunnel. I think they ambushed them.”
“Alright, we’re going to send a team in after them.” Kyle began pointing to warrior he wanted.
“Wait, they might kill Quinn and the others if they see you coming. You need to turn the tables on them, catch them off guard.”
“How do we do that?” Kyle asked interested.
“Taylor needs to take me through the tunnels.”
Chapter 24
“Hell no!” Jared growled out.
“Are you seriously thinking that having this asshole take you to the resistance rebels hide out, would catch them off guard?” Kyle questioned ignoring Jared’s glare.
“They are expecting Taylor dressed in Quin’s uniform to be bringing me.”
“No.” Jared shook his head already, knowing what she was going to say.
“What if we have someone else in Quin’s uniform lead me through the tunnels? They won’t know that it isn’t Taylor and they’ll let us pass.”
“No way am I letting you do something so dangerous.” Jared crossed his arms over his chest.
Lily would overlook him saying he wouldn’t let her do something. She could see how worried he was, it showed on his face. He loved her so much. She walked up to him and touched his face with her palms easing the worry lines. Kyle cleared his throat and motioned for everyone to give them a little privacy.
“I love you, Jared. I love that you are protective and that you worry, but I worry about you too, and I can do this. I took Taylor out. I survived a nuclear disaster and raised my son in the worst possible conditions. I’m stronger than you think. I can do this.”
He sighed. “Not alone, you won’t ever have to do anything alone ever again. Kyle!”
Kyle turned their way. “Yeah, what’s the plan?”
“Get me Quin’s uniform, I’ll go in with Lily.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? It’s been awhile since you’ve been active duty as a warrior.”
Jared stood to his full height, which was a couple inches taller than Kyle. “I’ve been a warrior longer than you’ve been walking. I’m the one that taught you and Liam how to fight hand to hand.”
“Fine.” He motioned his warriors to undress Taylor. They used special cuffs to secure his wrists behind his back. “Where should we put him?”
The tribe leader Heather spoke up. “Oh I’ve got the perfect place. We call it the hole.”
“Why?” Kyle asked curiously.
“Because it’s basically a hole in the ground about fifteen feet deep. The only way out is for someone to throw you a rope. We’ll put him in there until you are ready to take him with you.”
“Thanks.” Kyle turned to Jared as he was putting the helmet on. “The helmet has a camera and a built in communicator. Look everywhere around you so we can get an idea of the number of resistance rebels we are dealing with and where the hostages are being kept. If you can keep Lily close to the other hostages, you can provide them cover while we make our move. If things get bad, you take Lily and get the hell out of there. I won’t put up with arguments on that.” Kyle was forceful in giving his orders.
Lily was impressed; she could tell that Jared was too. Lily frowned. “Didn’t Quinn have his helmet on?”
Kyle shook his head. “He had it attached to his uniform built with the communicator and camera turned off. I’m always getting on him about that.”
Jared looked at her. “Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath. “Yes.”
She was scared as hell, but she knew that Jared would do everything they could to keep her safe. She would do everything she could to keep him safe too, because she couldn’t imagine her life without him.
*****
Jared wanted to grab his weapon, but he didn’t. It went against everything he had ever learned as a warrior, but he didn’t want to approach the resistance rebels and make them suspicious. The man, Taylor Kent, wouldn’t think he’d have to use his weapon on his return, so he held Lily’s arm making it appear like he was pulling her with him and they loosely attached a bandage cloth over her mouth.
“Are you okay? Can you breathe?”
She nodded and touched his hand on her arm reassuringly. They both froze when they heard footsteps approach.
“It’s about time you showed up.” Two men appeared carrying guns. They eyed Lily up and down making Jared want to tear their eyes out. “Wow, she’s gorgeous. If I had known how hot she was I would have gone after her myself. Any chance you’d share her?”
“No.” Jared growled out. Thankfully the helmet muffled his voice a little disguising it.
“Pity. Well, bring her this way, we need to get moving when shit hits the fan.”
“Where’s Collins?” Jared asked. Lily had told him Kent gave her the resistance rebel leader’s last name, but wouldn’t say his first name. He was hoping if they could catch the rebel leader it would end most of their problems.
“You know he doesn’t do things himself, he always stays where there are witnesses to see him. Can’t have his dome leader kicking him out too soon.”
They entered an open area where a subcar was sitting half on the rails and half off. There were about ten other humans sitting around a fire. One of the men was a Drastan that he recognized as one of the warriors they had brought with them from the command ship. There were traitors among their own people; he now had visual confirmation. He glanced at the subcar and noted that there were two more men standing guard.
“Stick her in the subcar with the other hostages. We’ll kill them all, and leave the Drastan traitor wounded so he can return to the command ship and spy some more. We need to move soon before the next round of bombs goes off.”
“Are we sure it’s going to strike the right people?” Jared asked trying to get more information.
“The bitch is going to go into early labor and when she gets to their little hospital area, it’s going to go up in flames. The other is—why are you asking so many questions?”
“I just want to make sure I put my neck out for the right reasons. Let me take her to the subcar.” Jared quickly walked away feeling the other man staring at him. He hit his communicator button on the side of the helmet.
“Kyle, did you get that? There are at least thirteen men that I could see. Lt. Ozar is one of our traitors. There’s a bomb in one of the mediko facilities. Notify Liam to keep Maggie away. Ask for Mediko Tanner to care for her, he is the only one I trust right now.”
“Got it, just lay low and don’t draw any attention to yourself. We’ll be there in less than two minutes.” Kyle told him. They ended communications.
Jared nodded at the guards at the subcar and helped Lily climb on board. They noted bruises on Quinn and the others. So far all of them were alive. That was a relief.
“Go ahead and untie them with this.” He handed Lily a knife from his boot. “I’ll keep watch to make sure the guards don’t come on board. Is there any other way out of this thing?”
Lily knelt down next to Corey and cut his bindings. “Sometimes there’s an emergency exit door or window.”
Corey removed the cloth on his mouth. “I think I saw an emergency window near the back.”
“Take Lily and the others and use the emergency exit to get out of the subcar. I don’t want any of you around when Kyle comes with back up.”
Quinn walked up to him, “I’m sorry, they took me by surprise.”
“It’s okay Quin, they had Lt. Ozar giving them inside information which made it easy to ambush you. It could have happened to anyone. Go help the others get to safety.”
“I’m not leaving you Jared.” Quinn took a firm stance.
“I’m not leaving you either.” Lily folded her arms over her chest.
Jared rolled his eyes. He loved them both, but they were stubborn as hell. “Fine, we’ll all go with the others to a safer distance.” He motioned for them to move ahead. Quinn climbed out the emergency window and Jared helped hand Lily down to him. Corey and the others were waiting just ahead.
They all ducked when they heard gunfire and explosions close by, making some of the rooftop of the tunnel crumble down.
“Go—run!” Jared motioned for Corey and Quinn to take Lily with them. Jared was running behind them when someone tackled him from behind. He shoved back bucking the other man off of him. He had managed to rip off Jared’s helmet.
“I knew it. I knew you talked weird.” It was the man that had greeted them earlier.
“You were easy to fool.” Jared taunted him jumping to his feet. The two men circled each other. The other man threw a few punches, but only landed one which; didn’t do anything but piss Jared off.
“That’s all you got?”
“Rot you alien bastard!” The man charged Jared but he moved to the left at the last moment, making his attacker miss and stumble past him. Jared turned and kicked the man’s calf causing him fall to the ground. One punch to the back of the head and the man was out.
“Damn, I had no idea you could do that. I mean, you always bragged you could take a man down in less than one minute, but I thought you were joking.” Quinn commented shaking his head.
“I’m a medico, but I trained as a warrior. I know the body and where to strike to cause the most damage.”
“Jared!” Lily broke free from Corey’s grasp and ran toward him throwing her into his arms.
“I’m fine. Why aren’t you further away from here?”
“Kyle gave the all clear. They were able to surprise the resistance rebels and take them down quickly.”
“So it’s over?” Jared asked Quinn, kissing Lily’s forehead.
She shook her head. “No, it’s not over yet. What’s happening on the command ship?”
“Let’s find out.” Jared hit his communicator.
Lily was on pins and needles as she sat next to Jared on the flight back to the command ship. The scan of the ship had found four bombs, two at the main medic facilities, one at the docking bay, and one in Commander Devlon’s quarters.
“How did they get these explosives set up without anyone knowing?” Lily asked as she leaned her cheek against Jared’s chest.
“That’s what we have to find out. We’re going to have to look at everyone who has access to the areas, and those who would have access to explosives.” Jared told her.
“I bet Dad is pissed about his quarters being set up like that. He doesn’t allow anyone but family in his place.” Kyle commented.
That wasn’t true. Jared remembered seeing Tinley visiting his father. She would also have access to the med facility without suspicion, but how did she get her hands on explosives? He hit his communicator. “Liam, I think I know one person who may have been involved—Tinley Lazar. I’m serious, keep her under surveillance for now, she might lead to those who accessed the explosives.
“You really think Sugar Lips Tinley could do such a thing?” Kyle asked.
“She’s a real bitch, I wouldn’t put it past her.” Lily commented drawing looks from all the men. She ignored them and looked at Jared. “How’s Maggie?”
Jared looked down at his hand held computer. “Mediko Tanner has been sending me her stats. Her dilation has shot up faster than we were expecting. He also found traces of a drug we use to force an at-risk-labor to move it forward. It was never on the program for Maggie to receive, her pregnancy was a normal time frame.”
“That Mediko bitch gave her an injection I bet. She would be the only other person who had access to Maggie and could do it without you or Liam suspecting anything.”
Jared nodded his head. “I can’t believe she would do such a thing.”
“She hates me, and all earthlings. She wants us gone. She rubbed it in my face that you two were together.”
“We weren’t—”
“I know that now, but it really hurt me and that’s what she wanted.”
“I could see her getting jealous, but she has always been a dedicated mediko. For her to put a patient at risk is unfathomable.”
“Don’t forget her putting a bomb in your Dad’s quarters.” She reminded him.
“Dad will going to go crazy on her ass. He doesn’t handle betrayal very well.” Kyle commented.
“Where did they put Thomas?”
“He’s with Mrs. Gordon, Rachel, Maggie and Liam in the training area. It’s the safest part of the ship and since it’s on lockdown, very few people will be allowed in. They have a couple of medikos there for Maggie and warriors guarding inside and out. We’ll head straight there when we dock.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I won’t let anything happen to my family.
She knew he meant it and he already saw her and Thomas as his family. She gave him a half-hearted smile. “I know. I love you.”
“I love you.”
“Please stop with all this touchy-feely crap!” Quinn groaned, getting up and moving closer to where some of the injured tribe members were laying.
Those who were injured by the explosive in the tunnel needed more treatment so they were bringing them up along with their tribe leader. She couldn’t help but notice how Quinn paid special attention to one young woman with blonde hair, but the girl ignored him whenever he spoke to her.
“Do we know the girl’s name?” Lily asked curiously.
Jared shook his head. “Heather said that she isn’t a part of their tribe, but she shows up from time to time to trade or to scavenge for things.”
“I think your cousin is growing attached.”
Jared snorted. “It would serve him right to find a mate that keeps him on his toes.”
“Is she coming with us to the training facility?”
“No, they’re going to a med facility that has been cleared of and pronounced safe. There will be guards to watch over them.”
Lily looked one more time at the unconscious girl. She would have to check on her when they reach the command ship. Her mothering instinct was in full force.
“We’re docking.” Kyle called out.
C
hapter 25
“Momma!” Thomas yelled out as soon as she stepped through the doors of the training facility. He ran and threw himself in her arms making her stumble back a few steps.
“Hey baby, how are you?”
“Great! Uncle Liam is showing me some warrior moves and guess what!”
“What?”
“Aunt Maggie is having a baby.”
“I know honey, she’s pregnant.”
“No, I mean right now.”
Lily looked at Jared. “Maggie…”
Jared took off to the other side of the room where Maggie was laying on the floor. “How far along?”
Lily carried Thomas over to where Mrs. Gordon was waiting. “Could you take Thomas while I see if I can help?”
“Of course. Thomas is going to show me how to do a triple puzzle.”
“It’s three-dimensional puzzle.”
Lily left them and went back over to Maggie. Liam had her head in his lap and Rachel was on one side of her holding her hand. Lily took the opposite side and picked up her clammy hand.
“Hey honey, you know you’re not supposed to have this baby until I’ve arrived, right?”
“We were waiting on you.” Maggie tried to laugh but she had a contraction. “Something’s wrong Lily, I feel it.”
Lily looked up into Jared’s eyes, and he looked seriously concerned. “The baby hasn’t had time to move into the right position to be delivered.”
“So we need to do a C-Section, right?” Lily asked.
“C-Section, if that is cutting across here to remove the baby safely, then yes that’s what we need to do. This isn’t the ideal place. What supplies did you bring?”
“I didn’t have a lot of notice to grab much, just the basics. Anesthesia shot, bandages, and a handheld monitor.” Mediko Tanner told him.
“Quinn!” Jared yelled out in a slightly panicked voice.
“Yeah.”
“I need you to go to med facility and retrieve a laser cutter.”
“I don’t know what that is, or where it’s at.” Quinn protested, looking a little unsettled.
“I do.” Lily offered.
Jared shook his head. She knew this was hard for him to let her put herself in danger. She crossed her arms over her chest prepared to argue with him.
