Triumphant (Battle Born Book 14)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “She would consider that a compliment,” Sedrik warned.

  “It was meant as one.”

  “We’re out of options, Sedrik,” Letos said. “Can you arrange a meeting with him?”

  Using his name made this a personal favor, not an order, but Sedrik still felt uncomfortable. “It’s a waste of time.”

  “That’s not the issue,” Garin stressed. “Will you do it?”

  “I’ll ask my mother to contact Arton, but there is no guarantee he’ll respond. The Outcasts are blatantly stealing hundreds of females. Do you really think my displeasure will dissuade them?”

  “We need to know why.” Garin persisted. “They’re targeting the sacred bonding grounds. Is it possible they’ve gotten their hands on the transformation protocols?”

  “It takes more than the protocols,” Haven reminded. “They would need the formula too.”

  Sedrik shook his head. “Every drop of the formula is meticulously inventoried. There is no way the Outcasts have the formula.”

  “But launching their own transformation program could be their eventual goal,” Letos said.

  “I’ve tried everything to entice Kage Razel into responding to my coms,” Garin explained. “He has no interest in communication with us.”

  “Arton will likely be the same,” Sedrik warned. He and his older brother had been estranged for years. In fact, Arton no longer considered himself a Lux. That was why he’d taken on the moniker of Heretic.

  “Even if he’d give you some idea of what they’re up to, the conversation will be worth it.” Garin took a deep breath and said firmly, “We need you to try.”

  “I’ll com my mother as soon as we end this transmission.”

  “Good.” Garin reached for his subdermal implant on the inside of his forearm, but Haven stopped him.

  “I’m serious about Rebecca,” she stressed. “Don’t underestimate the power of the pull. We all know how pointless it is to resist nature’s plan. None of us are mated to the sort of person we would have chosen for ourselves. Yet each is bonded with exactly the person we needed most.”

  “I’m not the one resisting,” he admitted with a sigh.

  “Understood. Just don’t give up.” She encouraged him with a gentle smile, then Garin ended the transmission.

  Chapter Seven

  Rebecca spun toward the door as she heard the portal slide open. Sedrik hadn’t only abandoned her to the frustration twisting through her mind, he’d locked her in his quarters like a disobedient child. She inhaled, preparing to let him have it, but her visitor wasn’t Sedrik. A dark-haired woman entered, human if her appearance could be trusted.

  “Hi. I’m Lily. Do you mind if I join you?”

  Lily wore a gray-blue lab coat over a dark skirt and classic white dress shirt. Her sharp cheekbones and long black hair revealed an Asian parent, while her light blue eyes indicated the other was likely European. She was taller than average and still her willowy form swam within the fullness of the lab coat. Was she trying to downplay the fact that she was female? Or was that simply the smallest size to be found on a Rodyte military base?

  “The son of a bitch locked me in,” Rebecca replied, “so I have nothing better to do.” Lily stayed near the door, obviously as uncomfortable with the situation as Rebecca. “I’d offer you a drink, but I have no idea where they’re kept. The only useful thing I’ve found so far is the bathroom.”

  The spacious suite reminded Rebecca of a high-end hotel. It was open and elegant, making it easy to forget she was floating in outer space. The main living area was defined by the furniture groupings. A dining room table and chairs had been arranged nearest the door to the bedroom, with a seating area and workstation at the other end of the oblong room.

  “General Lux said you haven’t eaten since yesterday.” Lily finally moved away from the door, but she still looked tense and uncertain. “I can operate the nutri-gen. Would you like something to eat?”

  Rebecca started to decline, but her stomach growled, contradicting her stubbornness. “That would be great.”

  Lily led her to the device inset in the wall near the dining room. The machine looked like a microwave oven with the door removed, and there didn’t appear to be any controls. “In-room selection is pretty limited, but I don’t think General Lux wants you out and about.”

  “Which is strange because he keeps insisting I’m not a prisoner,” she muttered more or less to herself.

  “It’s for your own protection.”

  Rebecca stopped just short of rolling her eyes. “Sedrik must not be a very good commander if he’s worried about his men harming an unarmed woman.”

  Lily looked at her as she explained, “General Lux isn’t worried that they’ll harm you. Rodyte males are protective of females. They’re also horribly possessive. If they think, or heaven forbid sense, that you’re a potential mate, the situation could become violent fast.”

  “I don’t understand. Why would they turn violent?”

  Lily slipped her hands into the pockets of her lab coat, looking mildly annoyed. “What would happen if you threw a shiny red apple into a crowd of starving men?”

  “They’d trample each other trying to get to it.” Rebecca sighed, starting to understand their concern.

  “Or beat each other senseless trying to control the apple long enough to devour it,” Lily suggested. “To Rodyte males, you’re the shiniest apple of them all.”

  “I get it. No wandering around unescorted.” Rebecca’s stomach growled again, reminding her of Lily’s offer. “So show me how this thing works. What did you call it?”

  “Nutri-gen. It’s short for nutrition generator.” Lily waved her hand in front of the device and a grid of intersecting light beams appeared at the top right corner. “They call this the control matrix. Most of their technology uses a combination of finger movements and verbal commands.” Her hand dipped and swayed as she navigated the menus displayed on the top surface of the nutri-gen. “There are only a few human entrées, sandwiches, pizza, hamburgers, that sort of thing.”

  Rebecca laughed and shook her head. “I’m on a space station somewhere beyond the moon and I’m still stuck with fast food? What do you eat?”

  “I’ve tried all sorts of things. Rodyte cuisine is painfully spicy. Food from Bilarri is really bland, but then most of them don’t bother eating anymore. They just exchange energy.”

  “Bilarri is another planet, I take it?”

  “Yes. It’s in the same star system as Rodymia.” Lily looked at the nutri-gen meaningfully, then back at Rebecca. “What would you like?”

  “What’s your favorite alien dish?” Rebecca persisted. Her first taste of food in outer space was definitely not going to be a cheeseburger.

  “Dolaxino. It’s spicy/sweet, sort of like a stir-fry. It’s from Ontariese. That’s the third planet in the Rodyte star system. Let me see if it’s available in-room.” She navigated through several submenus, then nodded. “It’s available.”

  “Good. I’ll try that.”

  Lily placed the order then pulled her hand out of the matrix and let the device do the rest. “I ordered Bilarrian blood wine. It’s a little early for alcohol, but it’s really good.”

  “I’ll just sip it, I promise.”

  The overly dramatic vow made Lily smile. “From what little General Lux told me, it sounded like you’ve earned a drink—or two.”

  The steaming meal and a carafe of vivid red wine appeared on a tray inside the compartment, complete with dishes and flatware. Rebecca reached inside and picked up the tray. “Feel free to make yourself something.”

  “I already ate, but thanks.”

  They moved to the dining room and sat facing each other. Rebecca had so many questions. She wasn’t sure where to start. Why was a human female on board a battle born ship, seemingly of her own free will? Had Lily volunteered to mate with one of the soldiers? Rather than asking a bunch of personal questions, Rebecca tried an indirect approach. “What’s with the
lab coat? Are you a doctor or something?” Sedrik had to have authorized this visit, which meant there was a reason Lily was here. Sedrik never did anything without a reason. Their time together, and the memory transfer, had taught her that much.

  “I am a physician, but my specialty is genetics.”

  Rebecca froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. If Lily’s field of expertise was genetics, she was likely part of the transformation program. Why would a human willingly participate in a program that exploited other humans? It was the worst sort of betrayal.

  Before Rebecca could decide if she wanted to confront Lily or not, Lily said, “When you’re finished eating, I need to give you a couple of injections.”

  Rebecca quickly took a bite before she asked, “What sort of injections?”

  “One is a vaccination cocktail that will protect you from a wide range of diseases. It will also eradicate anything you’re carrying, which protects the crew. That one is mandatory. The second is optional, though I highly recommend it. The injection contains a cluster of com-bots, or microscopic communications nanites.”

  “And what specifically will the com-bots do to me?”

  “Their primary purpose is to enable you to understand and speak Rodyte. However, they are also the foundation for other communication technologies, such as the identification transceiver, which is known as an ident-chip, and integrated audio-coms.”

  Rebecca felt her eyes widen and relaxed her expression. “I’m definitely not ready for an army of nanobots marching through my body, but being able to understand Rodyte would be a definite benefit. Are you sure the nanites are safe for humans?”

  “I was injected shortly after I arrived and there have been no ill effects.”

  She’d never been a fan of needles and now she felt like a storm cloud was hovering over her head. “Can you just do the injections now? I’d rather get it over with.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have waited until you’d eaten to bring it up.”

  “No worries. I’d just rather relax and enjoy my food and that’s not going to happen until after you do this.”

  Lily nodded, looking suitably guilty. She withdrew two slender cylinders from the pocket of her lab coat and approached Rebecca. Pushing up the sleeve of Rebecca’s T-shirt, Lily administered the first injection in Rebecca’s upper arm.

  “What? No alcohol scrub?” The injection was fast and nearly painless.

  “The tip of the injector emits a cleansing pulse, so alcohol prep is no longer necessary.”

  “Nifty,” she muttered as Lily lifted a section of Rebecca’s hair, exposing the skin behind her ear.

  “This one stings, but the discomfort fades quickly.”

  That was all the warning Rebecca got before Lily activated the injector. The sting was sharp enough to make Rebecca gasp, but true to Lily’s description, the pain receded nearly as fast as it had formed.

  “All done.” Lily tossed both injectors into a compartment near the nuetri-gen and returned to her seat at the table.

  Glad to put the experience behind her, Rebecca enjoyed several bites of the exotic food before she blurted, “Are you part of the transformation program?” It wasn’t exactly an accusation, but her tone was a bit sharper than she’d intended.

  “I work alongside the Rodyte scientists to make sure they don’t forget that the female volunteers are more than just ‘test subjects’.”

  After pausing long enough to clear her mouth, Rebecca asked, “Are you bonded to one of those brutes?” All she had to do was close her eyes to remember what it felt like to be overwhelmed and helpless beneath a Rodyte male. So why did the memory make her tingle rather than cringe? She was such a hypocrite.

  “I didn’t come here to participate in the program. I came to safeguard the volunteers.”

  Rebecca licked her lips, trying to look relaxed even though her instincts warned her to beware. “You make it sound very noble, but it’s a little hard to believe. What do you get out of this?”

  “I’ve been able to access Rodyte technology and scientific principles humans are only starting to explore. Look around you.” Her gesture indicated more than just the luxurious living room. “Aren’t you fascinated by all they know and can do?”

  As promised, the Dolaxino was spicy, sweet and delicious. Rebecca had yet to try the wine. She was too engrossed in the conversation to fully appreciate the new experience. “If this program is so wonderful, why aren’t you participating? I’ve always thought the best leaders lead by example.”

  Lily squared her shoulders and looked unflinchingly into Rebecca’s eyes. “I submitted an application, but I was rejected. I’m not compatible with any of the battle born.”

  That wasn’t the answer Rebecca expected and it made her feel petty and mean. She was pissed off at Sedrik and taking it out on Lily. That wasn’t fair. She set down her fork, wiped her mouth with the napkin that had been folded under the silverware. “I’m sorry. Was there someone special you hoped to match?”

  “May I?” Lily motioned toward the wine. After Rebecca nodded, Lily quickly filled the two glasses and lifted one to her lips. “His name is Jakkin, but he’s happily bonded with someone else now. I’m trying hard to let it go.”

  “Isn’t that going to be hard while you’re still here, surrounded by the situation that brought you two together?” As her irritation faded, Rebecca noticed the vulnerability in Lily’s eyes. And the sadness.

  “The transformation program didn’t bring us together. Jakkin broke into my lab on Earth, bleeding profusely from a knife wound. I was drawn to him from the start, but it was obvious he didn’t feel the same. I didn’t find out that he was Rodyte until years later when he made contact with me again.”

  Rebecca finally tried the wine. As with Lily’s other suggestions, it was enjoyable. “Then it was this Jakkin that recruited you?”

  “Yes. I’d hoped his interest was personal, but it wasn’t. They needed a human geneticist and I happened to fit the bill. Jakkin is head over heels in love with his mate.” Lily’s tone was wistful, filled with unrequited longing. “Still, the program is incredible. What they’re doing is years, perhaps decades ahead of anything happening on Earth.”

  “I understand why the males risk their lives by allowing their DNA to be manipulated, but why would any female consider allowing them to screw with her genetics?”

  “Doubling your lifespan, becoming immune to most known diseases, becoming physically stronger and more resilient, none of that appeals to you?”

  Rebecca had heard the sales pitch before. She’d watched the videos and read testimonials. However, she’d considered it all rebel propaganda. No one really knows what went on aboard those ships. The female volunteers never seemed interested in returning to Earth. “You’re saying it’s true? Everything they promise in those videos is real?”

  “Each person responds differently, but the claims are legitimate. The volunteers’ lifespans are extended and they are significantly healthier than before.”

  She’d been sneaking bites while Lily responded, but the conversation grew more interesting than the food. “Why do none of the volunteers ever return to Earth?”

  “Who told you that? Many, if not most, of the volunteers have been back to Earth for one reason or another.”

  “But they don’t stay,” Rebecca objected. She picked up her wineglass and pushed the tray away.

  “Why would they? They’re now part of a technologically advanced society that interacts with other species, other star systems. After a few weeks up here, Earth feels primitive.”

  If it weren’t for alien technology, she’d still be a terrified captive of James Dayton. It was a fact that wasn’t lost on Rebecca. She was quickly running out of objections. “So how does it work? I know they’re given an injection that causes their DNA to mutate. But how does a biological mutation suddenly impart metaphysical knowledge to a human? Humans aren’t telepathic and very few are legitimately psychic, so how are they suddenly able to release the
magic inside their Rodyte mates?”

  Lily smiled, blue eyes sparkling with amusement. “I know you think you have me, but the answer is quite surprising. Each female that has undergone transformation reported the presence of a sort of spiritual guide. This entity communicates with them in a variety of ways, but each volunteer claims that they wouldn’t have been able to free their mate’s magic if it weren’t for the Ghost Guide.”

  “Ghost Guide?” Rebecca laughed. “Is that what they call this mysterious entity?” She put factious emphasis on the phrase.

  “The title is a recent development, but the entity has been with us from the start.”

  How could Lily recite this nonsense with a straight face? She was a highly educated scientist. There was no point arguing with lunacy, so Rebecca digressed. “Are all of the males like Sedrik? Overbearing and irrationally stubborn?”

  Lily’s eyes continued to sparkle. “Rodyte males are more aggressive, more focused than most human males, but I’ve only found one irrational.”

  “Sedrik?”

  This time she laughed. “No. General Lux has been nothing but kind to me. I meant my direct supervisor, Dr. Mintell. Now, he’s an irrational egotist.”

  “Then why do you stay?”

  “Because I’ve learned more in the weeks I’ve been here than in all the years that went before. Dr. Mintell might be lacking in personality, but he’s brilliant and extremely accomplished. I don’t like him, but I respect and admire him.”

  “I bet he’s not trying to get you into bed every time you turn around,” Rebecca grumbled as she refilled her glass.

  “With General Lux, I’m not sure I’d mind. I happen to find him extremely appealing.”

  “You’re welcome to him.” Even as the words left her mouth, Rebecca felt the strangest disquiet, a restless sort of anger that rolled through her senses like thunder.

  “I can’t give him what he needs,” Lily said emphatically. “We’re not genetically compatible. Has General Lux explained what that means to a Rodyte? Their physiology is different than a human’s.”