Fenton watched the men watch Dani. They respected her, trusted her. She had more to risk than any man here, her position in the militia already secured. She could lose her lover, her mother, and her future, but she believed in them enough to be here anyway. She believed in them, and her actions backed up her convictions.
“Now, I am turning your instruction over to Fenton. He was a soldier on his world.”
All eyes fixed on him. He nodded once to Dani, then stepped forward. “Once a soldier, always a soldier.”
“Not on Daton Five,” a large man crowed from the left. “You’re a breeder, just like us.”
A few nervous chuckles moved across the crowd. Though he hadn’t planned on a demonstration, one couldn’t hurt. Slowly he turned and made his way through the crowd until he stood toe-to-toe with the man who’d spoken. “Are you addressing me?”
Dark eyes narrowed. “Yeah, what of it?”
Keeping his posture loose, Fenton stared the other man down. “You will address me as Commander Fenton or sir. Understood?”
“What if we don’t?”
The insolent words had barely left his lips when Fenton’s leg whirled out. With a quick spin, he took the other man down like a felled tree then planted his boot on his chest.
“Then we’ll have a problem. What’s your name?”
“Ev.” The man struggled but couldn’t dislodge the boot on his solar plexus.
Fenton leaned down. “Do we have a problem, Ev?”
Those eyes met his again. “No, sir.”
Fenton nodded once, then raised his voice to address the crowd. “Alright, everyone. Learn from Ev’s mistake. You will respect the chain of command. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” The words were fired back at him in a chorus.
Though he was pleased, he was careful not to let it show. Releasing Ev, he helped the other man regain his feet. “The first thing you need to learn is how to move like soldiers. You are strong but clumsy. Brute strength is almost worthless on a battlefield if you don’t know how to move. No wasted motion, every muscle strong, but fluid and intentional.”
Hopping up on a flat rock, he demonstrated some balance poses, flowing from one form to the next. He stopped and stared down at them. “What are you wasting time for? Let’s move.”
He demonstrated again and the men followed him. Their successes varied greatly, but after twenty minutes, all had the forms memorized, if not perfected.
“Practice these exercises whenever you can. It will increase your stamina.”
“Never had any complaints there,” a man in the back hollered. A few others laughed nervously, but most waited to see what Fenton would do.
“Do you think this is a joke? Do you think I’d rather be standing here sweating in this dank cave with you than at home with my woman? I’m doing this so we don’t all die. And that’s what will happen if you don’t shut your damn mouth and learn how to defend your village.”
Only the sound of water dripping broke the silence.
“Now pair up. We’re going to practice grappling and throws.”
Over the next few hours Fenton moved between pairs, adjusting stances, giving pointers and, in a few instances, praise. The thud of big bodies hitting the floor, along with male grunts of pain and frustration, filled the space. They worked tirelessly, falling into line faster than he could have hoped. They knew the risks, knew what was at stake, and they were determined to succeed.
“You know what’s out there,” he told one of the younger males who had lost against every opponent he’d been pitted against. “You think the helcats are going to give you a breather?”
“No, sir.” The boy wheezed and lunged again. There was a dull thump as his opponent flipped him, but he got up faster, circled. He’d be bruised to hell by morning, the hard cave floor completely unyielding. Fenton actually preferred it that way.
“Wait for your opening. Keep out of range until you see it. Remember to move your feet, not just your shoulders. A helcat can cut you off at the knees as easily as at the neck. Both will render you useless, and I have no room for useless.”
The boy charged again, this time ducking his opponent’s fist by feigning right and taking the other man to the ground with a center strike. The bigger man tapped out.
“Excellent.” Fenton clapped the young man on the shoulder. “What’s your name?”
“Dav.” The boy had big hazel eyes, very similar in shape and color to Alison’s.
“I like your courage, Dav. Practice your forms and you’ll be unstoppable.”
Dav looked down at his gaunt frame. “I’m not as big as some of these guys.”
“Neither are the patrollers, yet they are in charge. Why do you think that is?”
“The chem whips?” Dav asked.
“Partly. But more so because they’ve been taught how to assess a situation, neutralize threats.”
“That’s right.” Dani joined their conversation. “And we were taught how to do it, Dav. It’s a skill, and skills can be learned, mastered. Learn how to use your body, and it will be your ultimate weapon.”
The boy flushed a brilliant red. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I think he has a crush on you,” Kel teased.
“Do you blame him?” Dani raised an eye.
“No,” the big man whispered. “I’ve had a crush on you since the moment I first saw you.”
They shared a look so intimate, Fenton actually felt heat creeping up his neck. He thought of Alison, waiting for him back at the hut all warm and soft, and he had to turn away to keep from humiliating himself with his budding erection.
“Wait,” Dani called out to him and he looked over his shoulder at her, discreetly adjusting himself before he turned to face her.
She jogged to his side. “I might be able to procure some weapons for them to practice with, if you think they are ready.”
Fenton thought it over. “Some, like Kel, are. Others need to build their confidence and awareness before I would feel secure arming them.”
“We could split them into two groups. I could do weapons training with the advanced students while you continue your work here.”
Fenton nodded. “Sounds good. Should we meet again tomorrow night?”
A small scuffling noise from the mouth of the cave drew his notice. Craning his neck, he peered around the corner but didn’t see anyone. Probably a bat or some other cave-dwelling creature. The patrollers wouldn’t lurk, but rather charge in bashing skulls as they went.
“I’m not sure that’s wise. We don’t want to rouse any suspicions.”
Del understood her concerns and voiced his own. “We don’t know how much time we’ve got either. If we’re discovered it all comes crumbling down. I don’t know how much longer I can lie to Alison. She deserves better from me.”
Alison grit her teeth. She wanted to storm in there and smash his handsome face. She sure as hell did deserve better than a cheating, no-good, scum-sucking, phase-splitting jackass who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.
If you don’t want to be called a breeder, then don’t act like one!
Seeing Fenton with Dani was difficult enough, but it was the fact he had an obvious hard-on, in spite of the room full of men told her everything she needed to know. She considered storming in there, handing Ari over to him, and spitting on the little man-stealing patroller bitch.
But she had to be careful. Dani was next in line and she’d spent too much time shoring up her position with Gwella to do something rash and get herself banished. Right now she needed to get away, clear her head so she could think. So many things didn’t add up. Like, why was there a cavern full of men here? What did they have to do with Del’s affair? She’d arrived late, having lost her way in the tunnels and having to backtrack. The breeders looked sweaty, but she had no idea what they’d been doing to get that way.
Carefully, she moved away from the entrance to the cave as Del turned to address the men. She wanted to hear what he was saying, but s
he had a feeling they’d be leaving soon and the last thing she wanted was to get caught. The only thing going for her was the fact that she knew about Del and Dani but they didn’t know she did. If they busted her, all bets were off.
Ari fussed, clearly uncomfortable after spending so much time in the harness. “I’m sorry, sweet baby,” she crooned softly. Looking up, she saw a fork in the tunnel ahead. Crap, had that been there before? Her eyesight sucked in this kind of dark, and the small, glowing bioluminescent from Ari’s carrier barely made enough light to see five feet ahead. Which way was the way out?
Taking a deep breath, she picked left. Though she hoped she’d made the correct turn, there was no way to be sure. Her guts churned with anxiety. Maybe she better go back.
The image of Del and Dani, the beautiful, competent warriors, made her push onward. The hard-soled slippers she wore slid on some wet rock, and she steadied herself before falling on her ass. Gotta be more careful.
The air was damp and cold, seeming to cut right through her clothes. Ari’s fussing turned to wailing as she struggled to free herself from the carrier.
Unwilling to continue on listening to the little one scream, Alison stopped and sat on a large, flat rock.
“Ssshhh, it’s okay.” She took the baby out of the carrier and tried to comfort her.
Red-faced, Ari went stiff as a board, her mouth open, tears rolling down her cheeks. No amount of rocking or singing could calm her. Alison put her over her shoulder, tried to rub her back in a soothing motion, willing the little one to calm down. A brief moment of silence and then Ari emptied the contents of her stomach all down Alison’s back. She’d made herself sick.
Ignoring the mess, Alison laid her out on her carrier and placed her chilled palms against the baby’s forehead. Her skin felt hot to the touch.
With a jolt, Alison realized how selfish she’d been. Ari was sick and she had no idea what was wrong with her or how to help her. Several unmarked vials were stowed inside her carrier pack, but with no labels, Alison didn’t know what they did or if they could help the baby.
To hell with her shattered pride. Picking Ari up, she promised her she’d only be in the carrier for a little while longer, which didn’t faze the screaming child one bit. Carefully, she strapped the little girl in and donned the pack before retracing her steps.
Disorientation grew as she walked farther and farther, with no sign of the tunnel she’d taken. With so little visibility, she couldn’t keep track of landmarks.
Ari’s caterwauling should have caught someone’s notice by now. She stopped, tried to listen for the sound of voices, but beside the baby’s angry diatribe, there was nothing.
They were lost.
20
Fenton frowned when he saw the fire in their living quarters had burned down to embers. Maybe she was in pain again. Guilt flayed him for leaving her to cope with his niece by herself when she was already hurting. He couldn’t make out either Alison or Ari amidst the mounded-up pillows. “Alison? Is everything all right?”
No answer. He listened but didn’t hear any sounds of breathing. Heart pounding in his chest, he stalked forward, calling her name again.
The place was empty.
Adrenaline spiked as he whirled around looking for a note or data pad, looking for an explanation as to where they’d gone. Nothing. Had Gwella found out about his part in Dani’s underground army? Perhaps she’d taken his females as hostages. Ari’s pack was missing, which meant they had time to prepare for their departure.
He considered alerting Dani, but dismissed the idea, instead charging toward the empress’s lair. Best not to jump to conclusions. Alison and Gwella had a friendship of sorts, and if anything was wrong, she would have turned to the empress for help.
His keen night vision aided him in following the path through the tree-farmed woods to Gwella’s doorstep. Patrollers were stationed at the corners of the porch, and both moved to block his path. “What’s your business here, breeder?”
Though he didn’t want to have to explain himself, a lash from a chem whip would slow him down more. Dropping to one knee, he bowed his head in a show of respect. “Please, my females are missing. Does the empress know where they are?”
“What’s going on?” Swathed in a blanket, Gwella stepped over her threshold.
“Forgive the interruption, Empress. This breeder says his females are missing.”
Gwella waved the patrollers off. “Alison’s missing?”
Her reaction appeared genuinely concerned. “Yes, Empress, and Ari as well.”
“How long?”
“I am uncertain. The fire had almost gone out completely by the time I returned.” He ducked his head, hoping she wouldn’t ask where he’d been. It was one thing to keep her in the dark about his and Dani’s actions, but another entirely to lie to her face.
Luck was on his side because Gwella turned to address the patrollers. “Go to Alison’s domicile and search for signs of a struggle.”
“There were none, Empress,” Fenton offered.
She eyed him shrewdly, then waved the patrollers off. “Follow my orders.”
“Gwella?” A large, hulking shadow lurked in the doorway. “What’s the matter?”
“Alison’s breeder is here. He says she’s missing, along with her young.”
Still on his knees, Fenton tuned them out. Where could Alison have gone if not here? His blood chilled as he considered that the assassin had come for her, waited until she was alone with his helpless niece, and spirited them both away. Regardless of her dislike of him, he needed to tell Gwella about that possibility.
“Empress, forgive me but there’s something you need to know.”
She held up a hand to silence him, and he turned his head as the patroller she sent returned.
“It is as he said, Empress. No signs of a struggle and her clothes and the supplies for the child have been packed.”
Gwella glared down at him. “Why would she have left? Were you fighting?”
“No.” They’d actually been getting along better than ever, or so he’d believed. They talked openly and honestly, shared thoughts and feelings. She’d seemed contented, at least until right before he’d left. Though her no sex edict might have been wise, he couldn’t help responding to her, his body aware of hers on a primal level. He recalled her puzzlement over his going out, the stunned look on her face. She’d been curious about where he intended to go. Had she followed him? He recalled the disturbance he’d heard at the end of the training session and consequently dismissed. If it had been Alison, why wouldn’t she have made herself known?
The more he thought about the events of the evening, the more sense it made. Alison didn’t leave her fate up to chance. She was smart and she would have known he kept something from her. He winced as he realized the vastness of his mistake. By not informing her of his plans, he might have inadvertently put her in danger.
Meanwhile, Gwella was barking orders to her breeder and the patrollers. “Call a meeting in the town square. We need every able-bodied person to help in the search effort. Double-check at the gates and make sure she didn’t leave the compound.”
The patroller ran off and he got to his feet.
“We should check the tunnels and caves,” Fenton spoke up, his worry for Alison and Ari overriding his customary caution. “She may have thought to escape that way.”
“How do you know about the tunnels?” The empress glowered at him.
“Dani informed me.” He held her gaze, unwilling to back down with everything he held dear at stake. “She discussed strategy with me earlier this morning.”
“My daughter knows better than to go to a male for advice. Especially an alien male,” Gwella spat.
“She is not burdened by your prejudice, Empress. Ask her if you don’t believe me.”
“Insolent breeder!” The remaining patroller backhanded him. His head hardly moved, but the blow would undoubtedly leave a sizable bruise. “How dare you overstep your role!”<
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“Enough!” The big man moved forward. “My love, this will not help your friend. He knows her better than anyone, and if he says to check the tunnels, I say we should follow his advice.”
Gwella’s eyes shot daggers at him but she nodded. “Fine. But this is not over, breeder. Your disrespect will not be tolerated. And if any harm comes to Alison, I swear I will hold you responsible.”
Bowing his head, he closed his eyes, listening as she gave out orders for a few breeders and patrollers to accompany him into the tunnels. If either Alison or Ari were hurt, her loathing would be nothing compared to his self-inflicted wrath.
Ari finally quieted when she fell into a fitful sleep. Exhausted, Alison closed her eyes and leaned her head back against a rock, holding the baby to her chest for warmth. How could she have been so damn stupid, so selfish? She might as well have asked Gwella to open the gates and feed them both to the helcats. At least that would be a fast death, instead of slowly dying from exposure.
No matter how tired she was, staying here wasn’t a good plan. Better to stumble around in the dark and hope she came across the way out than to sit here and freeze. Her beautiful clothes were grubby and in no way adequate for the chilly tunnels. She had nothing to ignite a fire for either torch or light.
With a groan, she rose to her feet, ignoring her stiff muscles and various aches and pains. Forward. Or backward. Either way the exertion would help keep her warm rather than sitting on the cold stone floor.
The knowledge that she was going to die was secondary to the thought that she’d hand-delivered Ari’s death sentence. Probably Del’s too. He’d devoted his life to his niece’s care. If Ari died, Alison could easily envision him crawling through the hole in the redwood fortress and out to face a helcat with his bare hands.
His magnificent body would be torn in two, ripped to shreds by one of those monsters. The picture still etched in her mind from the death of the other patroller. And as he breathed his last, he would curse himself for not being strong or capable enough to save his niece.
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