Shifting Cargo (A Shift in Space Book 1)

by Danielle Forrest

  They left the hard dirt pad, slipping between two buildings with brown walls and a green roof. She wanted to touch it. The walls looked textured. What’s it feel like? Her hand twitched at her side, but she resisted. A soldier walked only a foot away.

  Better not.

  Turning to face front again, she frowned, her heart jumping in her chest.

  Where’s Zee?

  She looked around, but didn’t see him anywhere. All she saw were Ateles in black cloth uniforms. They blended together until Ellie couldn’t tell them apart. Where was he? Where did he go? She wanted to ask someone, but she didn’t even see the fierce one, and the men with rifles just scared the crap out of her.

  Her breathing became more ragged as they marched her along.

  Where are they taking me?

  She wanted to tell them she’d changed her mind, that she just wanted to go back to her ship, but her voice wouldn’t work. Did they even know Uso? Could she even speak with them? She looked for an out, but she didn’t see one. Around her, identical brown buildings stretched on in every direction, their curved walls creating an optical illusion that warped depth perception.

  Her lower jaw quivered as her alarm grew.

  What did I get myself into?

  She should have stayed on the ship. What was she thinking? Now, she was surrounded by men with weapons, and she didn’t think they were escorting her anywhere good. From the body language, she felt like they were marching her to the Great Pit of Carkoon.

  I want to go home. Except, where the hell was home? Earth? Hardly. She thought of her friends, of Zee. Hell, she even thought of Angus for all he drove her nuts. Any of them could be home to her, but no place had ever felt like it.

  But maybe that was the point. Maybe home wasn’t a place. Maybe it was a feeling, like the feeling of being safe and surrounded by people who care about you.

  Maybe that’s what home is.

  At that moment, she just wanted to find Zee and run into his arms, let his heat and strength relax her. This wasn’t like negotiating a cargo run, where you went in prepared. You planned the meeting location, the crowd, even the wording you would use. You went in knowing you had outs.

  Ellie didn’t feel prepared right now. She didn’t know where she was, wasn’t armed, had lost her only ally, and didn’t see any outs.

  I’m so screwed.

  She looked behind her, back where her ship should be, but she couldn’t see it anymore. They must have turned a corner without her noticing. With the curve of the walls, it would be easy enough not to notice. Could she even make her way back to the ship if she lost these guys?

  Behind her, some of the men spoke, making her jump. She didn’t understand their words, making it all the more terrifying. She wanted to yell at them, demand they explain themselves, but fear kept her lips sealed.

  Where were they taking her?

  Zee looked over his shoulder, his neck twinging at the sharp twisting motion. They’d dropped him off in a small room with no windows, a single desk and chair, and one console on the wall. He sat and dialed up his commanding officer.

  The older male’s visage popped up on the display, metal cybernetic patches speaking to his tours of combat and the prices he’d paid for them. “Aktat Zee. Why are you reporting in? Where is your katun?”

  Zee sat taller, pushing the image of his dead unit from his mind. “The rest of my unit is dead, sir. We were surrounded and outnumbered. With your permission, sir, here is the data we collected on the planet. It is vital that we act immediately on this intel. I would also request your permission to share this with the Ezzaruh governors.”

  He pulled out the device, plugging it into the universal adapter on the console. Moments later, his superior glanced down, going over the information with rapid twitches of his eyes. “Hmm.”

  Zee waited him out. Minutes dragged on. He was unbearably conscious of how each moment could reduce Ezzaruh’s chances in the coming fight.

  Come on…

  The older soldier looked up. “Anything additional to report?”

  He nodded. “Yes, sir. With the assistance of a cargo ship captain, I was able to leave the planet and temporarily disable the enemy fleet. But sir, we don’t know how long it will last. I suggest decisive action. I doubt the colony’s security forces could handle such a threat.”

  On screen, the man scratched his chin, his claws scraping against the metal at the edges of his cheek. “No, they couldn’t.” He nodded. “I will coordinate a fleet to meet the enemy head on. Aktat, deliver this information to the colony governors post haste.”

  He saluted. “Aye, sir.”

  “Dismissed.”

  The screen went dead.

  Ellie gasped as she was pushed inside a room with a single table and a couple chairs. The door slammed behind her. A skylight cast the only illumination.

  She rushed to the door, grabbing the lever handle, but it didn’t budge. “Fuckers!”

  They’d locked her in!

  Her heart raced in her chest. Why did they do that? She wasn’t a threat. Did they think she was? What were they going to do with her?

  Her hand trembled on the handle, and she pulled it away, holding it tighter to her chest as she took in deep, ragged breaths.

  Calm down.

  Just calm down.

  Panicking wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  She chewed her lip and started to pace, shoving the wooden chairs aside when they got in her way. Where was Zee? Surely, he couldn’t know they’d locked her in here.

  She froze. Or maybe they’d locked Zee up, too? Maybe they didn’t trust anyone, even their own kind. She stared back at the door, the variegated brown surface giving nothing away. “Why?”

  It made no sense to her, but at least her fear had abated. There were no large men looming over her with guns, no strange buildings reminding her of how out of place she was. This room, by contrast, was almost familiar. Though the walls had no corners, the space didn’t feel completely alien. The table and chairs were both made of wood, with smooth edges like all the rest of the aesthetics here. The walls were a gentle tan that brightened the room but fit well with the earthy atmosphere of the colony.

  All in all, while she was undoubtedly trapped, nothing threatened her here in her little jail cell.

  And someone will come for me, eventually.

  She took comfort in the lack of food, water, or facilities. The room was not intended to hold prisoners. This was temporary. Maybe it was like customs, and they simply wanted to ask her questions like her purpose in visiting and if she’d brought any food to the planet.

  Ellie chuckled at the errant thought. It didn’t seem terribly likely.

  But then, why did they lock the door?

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Jerunt Axt rubbed his chin, intrigued by the “cargo ship captain” Aktat Zee had mentioned. His other hand rested against the sleek black surface of his desk before dropping to his display, tapping a triangular symbol at the top. His finger dragged over the dark surface, selecting the options required to organize the fleet.

  How did Zee and his “captain” immobilize an entire fleet of ships with just a cargo ship? It seemed impossible. His hand paused, distracted from his task. He shook his head. Many cargo ships had weapons and shielding. It was essential to protect themselves from the less savory members of the universe, but he’d never heard of any capable of that.

  He scoffed, angry at himself for getting distracted, and mashed the screen, determined to get this task done. At the final screen, he pressed his hand against the smooth surface and it flashed green, confirming his credentials.

  Axt leaned back in his well-padded chair, the high headrest gentle on his old neck injury. He shivered, remembering the feeling so many years ago when he lay on a battlefield injured. His own blood had pooled on the dark ground as his body failed to respond to his command; cold, numb, and lifeless. Thank Sweet Atala he would never have to experience that again, his rank as Jerunt keeping him ou
t of the field.

  A message popped up on his display, confirming his orders had been sent.

  He leaned harder into his chair, his hand returning to his chin.

  How did they do it?

  How did they stop those ships?

  His mind ran in circles, running permutations and scenarios, determined to figure it out.

  Zee stepped out of the communications room. Katun Efla waited just outside the door. “Take me to the governors.”

  Efla’s face darkened as he pushed off the wall. He opened his mouth, probably to berate him, but Zee cut him off, holding up his hand.

  “I have important information from command regarding the security of this colony.”

  Efla’s mouth snapped shut, and he nodded without making a sound. He turned and marched off, not checking if Zee followed. Zee didn’t care. They needed to prepare. In his mind, he ran through scenarios, but he always fell a bit short of the solutions for each. He was a soldier, after all, not an officer.

  I wish Ellie were here.

  Ellie. Where was she? He opened his mouth to ask, but Efla was almost out of sight. Zee had slowed as he thought.

  Apparently, I can’t think and walk at the same time.

  He chuckled to himself and broke into a jog to catch up. They stepped out into the light of day, the earthy tones soothing, even if he preferred darker colors and night. The light was dim, the cloud cover filtering the UV light that would otherwise seer his brain.

  “Katun,” he said as he jogged up to Efla’s side.

  Efla glared over at him. “What?”

  “Where is Ellie?”

  “Who?”

  “Ellie. The alien female I arrived with.”

  Efla scowled, and Zee’s gut sank. What did they do? “She is being held.”

  “What the hacht for?” he yelled, stepping in front of the officer. His fingers twitched, wanting to extend his claws, but he resisted. This man still outranked him. He couldn’t forget that. He deserved respect, if nothing else.

  Efla frowned. “She does not have a permit to land here.”

  Zee growled. “You authorized her landing! She came here under military orders, for crying out loud!”

  Efla crossed his arms. “She’s not military.”

  That wasn’t the point…

  Hacht respect. He grabbed the front of the man’s uniform, the soft material dragging him off his feet by his armpits. “Release her now!”

  The officer lifted his arms. One could think he was unfazed by the threat, but a trace of fear whispered at the edges of his eyes. “I don’t have the authority.”

  “Who does?” Zee leaned into his face, his expression promising death.

  “Head of Planetary Security or the governors.”

  Zee dropped him. Efla fell, his knees giving out, planting him on all fours on the ground. He tilted his head up at an angle impossible for all but their species, glaring at Zee. He stood, straightening with an audible crack, and turned his back on Zee as he continued in the direction they’d been going before Zee stopped him.

  Zee smirked, not having to say another word. He would cut up the governors sliver by sliver if that was what it took to get Ellie released.

  Zee craned his neck up, feeling a slight twinge as the back of his skull met his neck. While the rest of the colony felt earthy and one with nature, the governors’ building decidedly did not. Though it held to the same color scheme, it soared over the other buildings. The surface was complex and robust with grand arcs throughout.

  He shook his head at the countless windows covering each side and the intricate carvings in the walls that became visible as they approached. What use did anyone have in such excess?

  He thought back to his own home, a tiny apartment in a plain building made of metal and glass. The exterior slanted to allow the rains to flow gently over its walls. Inside, he had the bare essentials, the undecorated space embarrassing now that he thought of Ellie seeing it.

  She’ll never see it. Why would she?

  His mood soured. Why did he have to keep doing this to himself? They had no future. Why couldn’t he let it go?

  But he didn’t want to let it go. He wanted her in his life. He just couldn’t figure out how to pull it off.

  The wind howled around the governors’ building, jarring him out of his thoughts. He stopped momentarily at the doors, getting accustomed to the steady force, before Efla pulled open two intricately etched black glass doors. Zee caught the right door before it closed and followed him inside.

  The interior was much like the exterior. Carved walls, fancy furniture, and entirely too much excess. He kept his opinion to himself as he walked through the halls.

  “Through here,” Efla said as he opened a door to a conference room.

  Zee nodded and stepped through, turning around to face the officer.

  “I’ll collect the governors. It should take a few minutes.”

  Translation: Be prepared to wait.

  Zee nodded, and Efla walked away, the door drifting closed behind him.

  He was alone with his thoughts once more. Not the safest place to be at the moment. He thought of Ellie. Where was she? Was she okay? Were they treating her well?

  He shook his head and started to make a circuit around the table, clicking his claws against the wooden chair backs. As the wait dragged on, his speed increased, and it took more and more effort not to worry about Ellie.

  Finally, the doors opened, letting in three anemic-looking Ateles in brightly colored garb. The two men stuck out their chests, filled with their own self-importance, while the sole woman slinked across the room like a jungle predator ready to pounce.

  Zee stood at attention, but masking his disgust took a great deal of effort. “Before we begin, I need you to release the cargo ship captain you’re detaining.”

  They each froze in place, bristling at him giving demands.

  He glared, refusing to back down.

  The female moved first, her body slithering like she intended to sneak up on him. “I wasn’t aware we were detaining anyone.”

  At the doorway, Efla spoke up. “Aktat Zee arrived with an alien female who is currently being detained in Planetary Security Headquarters.”

  She frowned, her expression puckering her lips. It probably got her lots of attention, but it just turned Zee off. She turned inquisitively to Zee, who gave nothing away, then faced the others. “Very well, release her and bring her here.” She waved her painted claws toward the door and turned back to him. “Now, didn’t you bring us here for a reason?” She looked petulant as she spoke.

  Zee stood at attention once more. “Yes. There is an imminent threat to the colony. A fleet of ships waits just outside your atmosphere. The military received intel that the fleet intends to attack.”

  “Really,” she said, doubt in her voice.

  A male governor with hair dyed bright red nodded behind her. “I received notice from the military that they’re sending a fleet, and Planetary Security informed me moments ago of a mass of unknown ships detected in the solar system.”

  The three nodded, seeming completely unconcerned about the danger.

  Zee cleared his throat. “Have you received an ETA for the military’s forces yet?”

  “No, only a notice that they’re being mobilized,” the redhead said.

  “Then we’ll have to assume reinforcements won’t arrive on time. What are your contingency plans for an invasion?”

  “Contingency plans?” the woman whined.

  None. They have none.

  The redhead spoke up. “Our security forces are not equipped to handle an invasion on this level. We have to rely on the military.”

  Zee frowned.

  Hacht.

  The door opened, Efla and Ellie spilling into the room. “Zee!” Ellie said, her face beaming, which just gutted him. Why hadn’t he noticed they were apart sooner?

  “Should she even be here?” the third governor said with disdain.

  “S
he’s the only reason we have any warning whatsoever about this attack. She risked her life to give us more time.” He looked over at her, surprised to find her standing right next to him. He had to crane his neck down just to look her in the eye. She looked pleased.

  “What do you mean?” the redhead said.

  Ellie looked up at him, then spoke. “My ship’s primary weapon temporarily knocked out the ships’ systems.” She sighed, facing the governors. “Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing how temporary it will be. It’s not designed for this.”

  The redhead jerked, looking down at his wrist where a watch much like Ellie’s sat. “Just received an update from military command. ETA is four horus.”

  Zee frowned. Ellie bumped his arm, and he looked down.

  She looked worried. “Will they arrive in time?” she whispered. “What if they don’t?”

  Zee gripped her hand to reassure her and turned back to the governors. “We need to create an action plan and prepare for the possibility that we might need to hold off the enemy forces until the military arrives.”

  The governors nodded hesitantly.

  Zee nodded back to them, still holding Ellie’s hand, almost afraid to let her go. “With your permission, I’ll coordinate with your security forces.” He felt uneasy. He wasn’t the right person for the job, but there was no one else. With a deep breath, he stood straighter, determined not to let his uncertainty show.

  “I’ll meet you there,” the redhead said, a new steely determination in his eyes that rose him up in Zee’s esteem.

  Zee nodded and saluted, watching them leave.

  After everything that had happened, Ellie fully expected security to ban her from entering with Zee, but they didn’t even bat an eye at her presence. The security headquarters was large, filled with tech and people, and hectic. Around her, personnel planned for the worst, although she got the feeling they trusted in the military to arrive on time to save them.

  She wasn’t that optimistic.

  Ellie felt disconnected from her surroundings as she waited for the attack that could end her life. While the governors had deigned to speak in Usan in front of her, the security personnel did not. She frowned, her head bobbing back and forth as Zee convened with someone high up in the chain of command. He wore a black uniform that, in spite of the multitude of decorations suggesting his accomplishments, made him look soft by comparison, like a child playing dress up.