by Stone, Piper
“I’m doing exactly what is required. You of all people should know that. Wars we can no longer win. Our planet no longer able to grow fruit and vegetables. Even on these damn outposts, there is no adequate way we can protect ourselves,” I answered languidly before taking a sip of my drink. As the warm liquid slid down the back of my throat, I closed my eyes, imagining the various accolades that would be given. “And you will address me with the respect that I deserve!”
“Why, yes, sir, Major General O’Rourke,” he hissed between clenched teeth.
Sighing, I was tired of the bickering.
“That’s exactly why the Habitable Units are so vital to the human race. We are or were doing good work here, until you embarked on this vendetta against the Volkodans. You and I have talked about this on several occasions. You need to get back to the geological mining aspect of your job,” the colonel insisted.
“Yes, we talked. Only I didn’t give a shit about hunting for rocks that might or might not allow Earth to produce fuel. It’s a longshot at best. Besides, I know exactly what I’m doing. We won’t have to worry about the Volkodans much longer.”
The shock and awe factor were truly delicious.
“Jesus Christ, Sampson. You plan on killing them.”
“As I just said, I’m doing what is necessary to keep this outpost safe. That is one of the primary rules.” I took a deep breath, tapping my fingers on my desk.
“They have no intentions of harming us. Believe me, we’ve checked every inch of their ship, including all their weapons. If they’d wanted to destroy this planet, even in their weakened state, they could have done so.”
Who the fuck was he to tell me what I already knew?
“Besides, you found everything you need. Just... let this shit go,” he continued, shaking his head. “This isn’t going to change what we know to be inevitable, not unless you turn your full attention back to mining.”
“Inevitable. Do you mean the continued reduction of our natural food supply? Or perhaps the demise of plant life and animal life, smothered by one-thousand-degree ocean water heated by volcanic ash? Or are you talking humans being reduced to nothing more than murderous cannibals, the taste for flesh and blood the only thing keeping them going?”
He clenched his jaw, glaring at me. “Christ. Cannibalism is not going to happen!” Looking away, his next words were mumbled under his breath. “At least not in our lifetime.”
“I suggest you learn your place, Colonel. I am in charge here and from what I remember, you were quite eager to sign onto this project,” I barked, immediately yanking back my nasty tone. He was nothing but a peon and I was in one hell of a vile mood.
The sound of his heavy boots stomping on the cold tile as he approached merely pissed me off. He had absolutely no control over the situation.
Or over me.
“I signed onto a project in order to provide security while research of this alien race occurred, not to provide extermination services. I assure you, this isn’t what the president or the council expected,” he insisted, now standing only a few inches from my desk.
My single mistake had been allowing the upper echelon of our governmental society in on the knowledge the Volkodans had crash-landed. I’d been weak, likely drunk on my own power, eager to tell a woman I’d once considered a friend of my findings. While President Michaelson had been initially apprehensive, she’d seemed eager to work on the project, even approving some additional manpower. As long as I followed protocol. Hell, she’d praised me for the early reports. Now I knew she was prepared to betray me, like so many others. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
I concentrated on the sweeping effects of the ceiling fan, the heat of the day more intense than normal. My beloved Earth was failing rapidly, a solid eighty percent of usable resources now coming from the outposts. I was no fool. Finding inhabitable locations had become essential. Once the Atlantis Gramar had been discovered, the various inhabitable planets confirmed, colonies had been established, regaining the ability to provide a certain quality of life. While every outpost varied in conditions, the majority were still treacherous. The outpost where I’d laid stakes several years before was no exception, the heat and humidity almost unbearable.
“And I don’t give a shit what the worthless president expected, Colonel Withers. I’m running the show up here. I was in charge of the extraterrestrial program for five years. Five fucking years of waiting around like some bobble-head doll just in case ET landed.”
“That was before, Major General,” he said with a decided gleam in his eyes.
Before. I slammed my hand on the desk, immediately attempting to rein in my rage. Before I’d lost my shit. Before I’d been forced to stay in a freaking padded room. Yes, before...
“As I was saying. I’m the only man who was and still is able to help the outposts as well as Earth avoid an intergalactic war. Or did you forget about my accomplishments? Did you even think about the fact that there might be another weapon that you haven’t located, Colonel?” My breathing remained ragged, stars floating in front of my eyes.
His smug look was followed by a shake of his head. “You’re still fucking mad. President Michaelson was a fool to allow you to come here.”
I laughed, tugging a cigar from my right-hand drawer. In my mind, today was a cause for celebration. I eased the glass onto my desk, sliding the ashtray closer in a deliberate manner. As I wrapped my hand around the cutter, the colonel’s eyes fell toward the piece. “I’ve been considered many things throughout my career. Ruthless. Superior. Perhaps brutal, but mad is the least of my concerns.” I took my time snipping the end of the Cuban cigar then rolled it under my nose as I inhaled. The fragrance was undeniably sensational. The disgust in his scattered breathing was insubordinate behavior, but I’d already lost too many men to deceit and treachery.
Perhaps I could still use the colonel’s attributes.
For now.
He watched every move as I finally lit my cigar, leaning back as I took three luxurious puffs. “Sampson, I’ve known you for years. You took great pride in what you did for our country. You pledged an oath to our military and to our government. I understand you went through a tough time. I get it. What you’ve been able to accomplish on Bellenia has been nothing short of outstanding. The minerals you were responsible for detecting brilliant. So, I ask you again. Why are you doing this?”
“This?” I asked in retort. “If you mean ensuring that Earth won’t be invaded by the Volkodans, then my answer is because I’m a patriot. I did take an oath, Colonel, to protect our kind and I intend on doing that.”
Colonel Withers glanced out the window at the lush tropical environment, several beads of sweat sliding down both sides of his face. If there was anything I hated, it was a man who broke under pressure.
“They came to us in peace, needing our help and nothing more. One day, we might be asking aliens for help if everything keeps going the same way. You know how dangerous some of the outposts are, deaths increasing from vicious beasts, let alone the strange illnesses that have been detected,” he said quietly. He knew better than to piss me off. I’d eliminated several ‘issues’ over the course of the last few days, soldiers who had no stomach for the vital work that still needed to be done.
I had to give him credit. His explosive temper was well known, his control at this moment unexpected. “And you honestly expect anyone to believe that bullshit, Grady?” Screw the formalities. I didn’t care how many stars he had after his name. I was now the one in charge. “These monsters came to our planet under the guise of seeking help. During the course of several months, they’ve learned our language, indulged in our limited supply of food and drink, even embraced our culture. In other words, they know our secrets given the weakness of so many humans, some of which were under your command. They want what they can’t have. The same precious minerals that do indeed belong to Earth.”
“Minerals? That’s bullshit. They only used what we gave them in order to repa
ir their damn craft. My God, Sampson. Is that what you need to tell yourself in order to sabotage them?”
“Trust me!” I snapped. “They have a hidden agenda.”
He leaned over the desk, smacking his curled knuckles, his mouth twisting in anger. “Killing them is one thing. If what I heard from one of my men is accurate, what you’re about to do is... disgusting.”
“Your men. Interesting.” I shifted back and forth in my seat. There were reasons for every decision I made. I should be exalted in my loyalty to the human race instead of treated as little more than the same kind of beast I knew the aliens to be. “We have an opportunity to be the sole reason for the survival of Earth, allowing us great accolades and power, even the ability to rule this and other galaxies. Did you forget the very notion excited you barely six months ago, Colonel?”
“Rule galaxies?” He eased back, laughing. “You don’t understand the capabilities of what you’ve stolen from the Volkodans or the importance to their planet. They will retaliate.”
“Not if we imprison their prince.”
“Don’t you think they’ve already contacted Tretonia by now?”
I smiled, taking another puff of my cigar. “Not possible. I made certain of that from day one. I’m no fool, Colonel.”
Another sigh was followed by a glib expression crossing his face. “You won’t be able to get away with this. I’ve spent time with the Volkodan prince. He is much more powerful than you understand.”
I studied the colonel’s face and knew he believed he still had control. That wasn’t entirely unusual given the circumstances. “He and his warriors will accept his imprisonment into the very pods meant to provide a safe environment.”
He laughed, walking toward the bar located in the corner of the room. My bar to be exact. I allowed him to feel secure, studying him as he poured more than a finger of my prized liquor. “He and his warriors will escape without issue,” he said in a defiant tone as he turned to face me. “And they will destroy you and you know what? I’m not certain I’ll mind.”
The man was goading me. I rapped my fingers on the desk, almost giddy from the plans I’d already laid into motion. “The majority will be dead within the first thirty days.”
His eyes opened wide, the horror as he understood my message exciting the hell out of me. “The pods. You tampered with them.”
I leaned back in my chair, twisting back and forth as I gazed at the swirling fan. “Yyyeeesss...”
“My God. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Absolutely nothing. I have the power to change our future.”
“The prince isn’t fooled so easily, Sampson. He will come after you.”
“Well, he will have reason to stay in his tomb.” I laughed again, the magnificence of my plan intoxicating in every manner.
As if on cue, the lilting sounds of her voice penetrated the open window. Inhaling, I could almost gather the scent of her delicious perfume.
“What are you doing? Leave me alone! Where are you taking me?” the beautiful but gullible girl hissed. I was able to hear the struggle as the soldiers dragged her away and I had to admit, I enjoyed every moment.
The colonel turned his head, storming closer to the window. “Wait a minute. You’re considering using one of the interns? They don’t know a thing about the projects, nor should they. They have a job to do.”
“You’re right. They do. They do what is told to them.”
His eyes darted back and forth across mine. “Jesus. You’re using her to try and breed. Why the hell would you do that? The president is already aware the project hasn’t been successful.”
“You didn’t hear the disappointment in President Michaelson’s voice. She relied on us. You know our... protocol that must be followed.”
“Fuck the protocol! The president would never condone what you’re about to do. Never. She’s not the monster you are. They’re young women, Sampson, in the prime of their lives. They are highly educated, their incredible skills able to provide the entire human race with much more than being used as breeding stock. They didn’t sign up for this. You’re not... That’s insane.” He stared outside, a moment of recognition settling in.
His exasperation was almost perfect in my mind. “You see, Colonel Withers, these beasts are truly primal. I spent a significant amount of time learning from them while they grasped at every aspect of human life they could enjoy. They hunger more than man. They are much more brutal than man. And they mate, their needs and desires truly remarkable in every manner. Soon, the prince will become the perfect prisoner, allowing me to continue my work. I feel certain the mating will occur. The girl is... special.”
“Mating? Your work?” he asked, a horrified look crossing his face. “The Volkodans aren’t animals. The prince isn’t going to follow your orders. You know exactly how he feels about this.”
“Hmmm...” I rolled the tip of my finger around the rim of the glass. Yes, Draziak had referred to himself as the prince of his people. That made what I was about to do that much more enjoyable. “He isn’t going to have a choice. Then again, the drug he was given earlier this morning will elevate his primal urges. He will need to feast.”
“Feast? God, Sampson. You are a sick man. You have no way of knowing whether this... beast will tear her apart given his level of hostility.” His voice was rattled, just another aspect that amused me.
“And if he does then I’ll have my answer as to at least one of their intentions, thereby ending the project altogether. I’d be labeled a hero for continuing the safety of the human race. And the president and her great council will be looked upon as the monsters. Isn’t that correct, Colonel?” I smiled seeing the expression on his face. He truly didn’t understand the bigger picture.
The colonel took a swig of his drink, his hand shaking, and all I could think about was the significant waste of good liquor. “But she’s your—”
“She’s merely a student, an intern required to follow our rules, no matter what is expected of them,” I interrupted. “You seem to forget that they were brought here, pushed above all the other applicants because of my influence and on my dime.”
“Now, I know why,” the colonel hissed.
I shrugged, taking another puff of my cigar, marveling in the taste. “She also signed a waiver like every other intern. She’s well aware of the danger in coming here. You must remember that she is very loyal.” Yes, she was extremely devoted in every way. One day, she would even thank me for this great honor.
“But this is... disgusting,” he hissed.
“Maybe so. I’m not just the monster you accuse me of being. She will be allowed to forget the incident, as long as everything goes according to plan. She can live out her life as a promising geologist, even returning to Earth at least for a period of time.”
“Jesus. Christ. You are drunk on your own ruthless power. I will not stand for this,” he snapped, half tossing his glass onto the bar. “I’m going to tell the president everything and I assure you that within one hour, you and this blasphemous operation will be shut down. And I doubt you’ll be allowed to remain here.”
I admired his conviction. The colonel was exceptional in every aspect of battle and leadership. He’d been assigned to work with me by the president of the United States herself. While he’d been stringent on handling the aliens during their... incarceration, I’d seen over a month before he’d become far too sympathetic.
And I certainly couldn’t have that on my watch.
I opened my drawer, sliding the weapon onto my lap. I so enjoyed the feel of cold, hard steel in my hand. The gun was one of the finest in my collection. “Unfortunately, Colonel, I simply can’t allow you to do that.”
The single shot was all I needed, his body dropping instantly. I’d been well trained over my military career, a specialized marksman. I’d received several of the highest honors during my stint. I chuckled as I twisted the primitive weapon in my hand, preferring old-fashioned bullets to laser beams any day. I
sat back, mulling over my next objectives for a few minutes.
Satisfied and even eager, I pressed my hand over the communication system, contacting my assistant. “Sasha. If you’ll do me a favor and ask the cleaning crew to get into my office right away. I have an... animal to be disposed of.”
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir,” Sasha answered.
I adored her southern twang almost as much as her sweet pussy as she exploded into my mouth.
“Is Ms. Caruso finally contained?” I walked closer to the window, gazing out at the beautiful waterfall. I had to admit, the turquoise waters of the lagoon were a wonderful backdrop. Maybe I’d even take a swim later in the day. At least Bellenia had foliage, even though the mountains and caves were treacherous in every way. Many of the outposts were cold and barren, forcing the colonies to remain inside their quarters. Yes, I was a lucky man.
This time she hesitated and I growled my admonishment. The girl would receive punishment later, severe and unrestrained.
“Um. Yes, sir. She’s prepared.”
“Excellent.” I eased into a standing position, taking another sip of my drink. I was looking forward to the afternoon’s show.
Chapter Four
Draziak
Hours later
“You are our destiny, my son, our only hope. You are a survivor. Find the Quantum Unit. Save our people.”
My father’s words lingered in my mind, his tone riddled with sadness. A survivor.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
The sound reverberated in my mind, an instinctual knowledge of danger. Shifting, my entire body felt sluggish as if I’d been drugged. Even my mind was foggy, unable to decipher exactly what I was hearing.
But I sensed the presence of a true enemy.
I tried desperately to free myself from the mental tethering, a prison of some kind that I could make no sense of. I was so tired, more so than I’d ever been, my body refusing to react as I required it to do.
Survivor...
I snarled, barely able to lift my head. Even attempting to move my arms was futile, my body in a weakened state. I blinked several times in an endeavor to shake the fog, but all I could see were shadows all around me, even though I heard the sound of voices.
