“The portal would destroy them if they’re exposed in any case. It’s a violent passage.”
Selena stopped to view a worker assembling a weapon that looked familiar to her. The crossbow-type construction was finely wrought, artistic even, with flowing lines and decorative embellishments. “Nice. I’ve wanted to try archery, but never got around to it. Hand carved from wood, no less. This is beautiful.”
The worker beamed to be complimented so effusively. “Thank you. It’s a special order I’m trying to get it done before I have to assist on your project.”
Selena wandered on, resuming her train of thought. “The explosive has to arrive before the saucer, far enough ahead to take out the access.”
Tidem reminded her, “At a distance where the ship isn’t damaged, but reverses course when the waves from the blast hit it. We’ve already got some idea of how that would work out.”
“The explosive therefore has to be outside of the saucer. Yet it can’t travel outside the saucer, because it’s a mechanism requiring power in order to detonate at a specific, predetermined instant.” She stopped and swiveled to face Tidem. “What are those pod exteriors constructed of, that they can withstand the portal?”
“A mix of metal alloy and polymer strands made of organic and fabricated materials. A particular mix and thickness are required. I’ve already thought of that to coat an explosive. The trouble is that too little of a covering, even the slightest bit, will degrade within seconds inside the passage. Too much, as in the minimum amount needed for the pod’s hull, would keep the explosion contained within the explosive’s casing.”
“Hmm. Talk about your pinpoint measurements. If we had just enough tolerance for it to reach the other side’s access, or at least close enough to destroy it—a few seconds. But the ship has to reverse course and get the hell out of Dodge before the blast, so it doesn’t arrive at the access.”
“The explosive must gain the access in advance of the pod.”
“And it can’t be powered.” Arga echoed the billionth recitation of the facts.
Selena scowled. She made another circuit of the room as she struggled with the problem. When she arrived at the crossbow maker’s table again, she stopped. “Manual. The delivery system has to be manual, something that sends the bomb ahead of the saucer. Something on the order of this crossbow. Or a catapult. Or a slingshot.”
Tidem’s eyes widened with understanding. He rushed back to his computer. “If we can design a mechanism with the right amount of elastic energy to send it out at the needed velocity—”
Selena hurried over to join him. “I suggest a separate chamber built onto the ship, so the craft itself isn’t compromised—”
“Right. Something simple, that can be easily installed because time might be a factor. And a trigger that can be set off within the pod.”
“Maybe with a transmission receiver that can communicate via the existing control panel, operated by someone at the hive.”
“Yes!”
“Any chance I can be brought into the loop? Short version, if you’ve got it,” Arga remarked drily.
Selena grinned at him. “We may have come up with a delivery system, big man.”
In fact, she was sure of it. She could see it in her mind’s eye, and it was obvious Tidem did as well. He was already designing it faster than she could follow.
* * * *
The captured Monsudan hive closest to Yitrow was a treasure trove of the race’s technology. Even though plummeting resources had meant the insectile race had stalled in their scientific pursuits, the strides they’d made were well beyond Risnarish advancements. Once the warriors of Yitrow had destroyed the enemies in their lair, the scientists had moved in, plundering the hive for its wealth of engineering and equipment.
Also busy within the warren of tunnels were rescuers and medical staff. Hundreds of abduction victims, both Risnarish and Earthling, had been stored in suspended animation. These unfortunates had suffered horrific biological experimentation by the Monsuda and their robotic drones, some for over a century. The Risnarish were coping with the task of restoring the experimental subjects to their former lives.
With the hive in use for study and recovery, it had been necessary for the Yitrow warriors to build a mockup version in order to prepare for the war. The simulated hive was where they trained. Other villages had built their own hive mockups to train for the worldwide effort to exterminate their ancient enemy.
An attack simulation was underway when Arga arrived to check on his troops’ status. He stood back with the coordinators, including Yitrow’s head of security, Bej. “How is it looking?”
“Anneliese Thompson Bolep is a harsh taskmaster, but her guidance is nothing short of inspired,” Bej told him. “You can see the improvements from one simulation to the next.”
Arga bit his lips together to hide the smile that wanted to spring forth. It amused him to hear an Earthling woman referred to as a bolep, the title of an enforcer. Then he wondered at the flash of humor. Anneliese was a proven warrior, both on Risnar and Earth. He had no reason, other than his preconceived notions of femininity, to take the matter lightly. Earthling women challenged Risnarish men at every level.
Particularly the Earthling he’d left at the armament guild.
He put aside the unbidden vision of Selena, naked and shouting with orgasm, from his mind’s eye. Instead, he concentrated on the video feed of Risnarish battling other Risnarish, who posed as drones and Monsuda, in the tunnels beneath his feet. They used imitation weaponry and sensors that indicated when they’d been “killed”.
A voice speaking in Earthling—English—crackled over the audio system. Arga’s in-ear translator interpreted Anneliese’s words. “We have the portal room. Time of takeover has elapsed. System, report.”
The smoother but equally female speech of the planetwide computer program, referred to as the system, responded immediately. “Hive not secured. Lowest tunnels remain at risk. Fifty-two percent drones and seventy-one percent Monsuda estimated still alive. Risnarish casualties, twenty-seven percent.”
“Another improvement,” Bej beamed.
“Excellent. I’m heading down to talk to Anneliese.”
Arga entered the tunnels. Anneliese’s orders echoed through the passages via the speakers set high in the walls. “Squad commanders, review the simulation with your men. We reset and go again in thirty minutes. I want that lower level secured and casualties down to twenty percent! We’re better than this, people.”
Arga reached the mockup of the portal chamber a couple minutes after her announcement. It was laid out identical to the genuine thing, with a vast space nearly half the size of Yitrow’s main temple. A massive metal ring representing the portal access bisected it. Anneliese stood a few feet in front of the ring, muttering over her CPP with a furrowed brow. Arga knew that look. As hard as Anneliese was on the warriors, she was more so on herself.
“You gained control over the portal chamber within the timeframe we set. That’s an achievement,” he congratulated her.
She smiled up at him, though the expression was forced. “It’s getting there. Pushing for speed has upped our losses, unfortunately.”
“We’ll figure it out. How are the other villages doing?”
“The latest reports are on par with ours. Having the system update strategies and results in real time is going a long way to keeping us in sync.”
“Excellent news.”
“How about you? Any news with Boom-Boom making the Earth accesses go boom-boom?”
“She and Tidem believe they’re on to something. I left them discussing transmission frequencies, hull tolerances, and crossbows.” Just that fast, Selena was in his mind again. He was grateful she had her clothes on for this visualization. Instead, he saw the expression on her face as she worked with Tidem. Giving the guildmaster her rapt attention, her gaze intense, anticipatory tension singing through her frame.
So alive and fierce. And smart, rattling off ide
as too complicated for Arga to keep up with. He’d not credited her obvious intelligence because of the rowdier aspects of her personality. She was something else.
“Crossbows. Uh huh. That’s what’s making you breath fast?” Anneliese’s teasing tone interrupted the image in his brain.
He snapped to attention. “She—they think they have a mechanism that’ll transport the explosives to the Earth accesses while keeping the pods intact.”
“I told you Boom-Boom would make things happen.”
“She does that.” His ears flattened when he heard how the words came out.
“We’re different from your women. It’s clear you noticed that.”
Arga sighed. What was the point in denying anything when Anneliese already knew? “Much different.”
“Maybe Risnar will be stuck with four of us?”
“Only if Selena meets someone open to it.” No hesitation where that was concerned.
“Oh, I got you. No love at first, uh—” her eyebrows moved up and down.
“We were curious. We explored, and that is all. Nothing like what happened to you and Nex. Or Kren and Jeannie.”
“Hey, no problem. Not every romp turns into happily ever after.” Anneliese shrugged and perused her CPP again, apparently done with the conversation.
Unfortunately, Arga’s mouth hadn’t gotten the same message. It kept talking. “Exactly. I don’t get the idea she’s comfortable here anyhow, so she won’t want to stay. Certainly not with me. I’m sure of that.”
“Whatever you say, Arga.” Anneliese didn’t look up at him, but a devilish smirk pulled at her lips. “Didn’t you tell me Velia and Jape started out that way? Not in any hurry to settle down with each other?”
Arga refused to answer. Especially since the truth of it was that Jape and Velia had begun completely at odds. Constantly fighting, distrustful, refusing to acknowledge the merit in each other.
They somehow ended up bonded, nonetheless.
Anneliese switched her CPP to standby. “Listen, I’ve got to go over this last round with the guys. Are you in for this evaluation?”
“Absolutely.” Arga relaxed, glad to talk about something—anything—that had nothing to do with Selena.
Chapter Six
A week passed, and Selena thought with the exception of basic training, she’d never worked so hard. Fortunately, she loved working with Tidem. He possessed a quick mind and plenty of patience. Heaven knew he needed it, because he was usually several steps ahead of her as they labored over the project.
Tidem never made her feel foolish. In fact, he praised her far more than she deserved. His attitude encouraged her to learn as much as possible about the Risnarish and Monsudan technology before her. She often showed up early at the guild to study specifications and plans. She wanted to impress the elder who’d become a mentor to her.
She managed to fit in a little fun once she’d grown comfortable on Risnar. Not the same kind of fun she’d had with Arga, sadly enough. Selena was disappointed he hadn’t come around since her first full day on the planet, but she understood his absence. He was prepping for war, and Thompson had said he had his hands full with all the duties placed upon him.
Too bad; she wouldn’t have minded another taste of that particular striped hunk of yumminess. Somehow, no one else held the same appeal for her. She snickered at the thought she might have become choosy in her old age. Arga had been that damned good in bed. It was hard to imagine anyone else matching such an incredible performance.
There had been plenty to like about Arga beyond the sex factor. He’d treated her with respect, not making Selena feel she had to prove anything to him. In her experience, men didn’t often offer immediate regard to a woman who dared to enter their realms of war and destruction. Yet Arga had never showed an instant of condescension.
She missed not seeing more of him.
Fortunately, there were other distractions when it was time to kick back and have a few laughs. Yitrow at night was lively, and the market squares were chant-free. She had an account for her stay on the planet, and the brew she’d developed a fondness for was cheap and plentiful.
The day came for fun and work, all rolled up in a single event. Selena, along with an Earthling engineer named Velia and nearly a dozen Risnarish, hid inside a reinforced bunker located in an area devoid of any life. The system translated the desert waste’s name as Bad Lands. Quite appropriate, given Tidem’s explanation that the monumental gray dunes were spreading in all directions as the surrounding ecosystems failed. The area they were in had once been Risnar’s thickest forest, until the Monsuda’s predations had wiped it away.
“Ignition in ten…nine…eight…” The system’s bland, eternally unimpressed voice performed the countdown that echoed in the metal-reinforced chamber.
Selena licked her lips with nervous anticipation as she watched a viewscreen that covered the entire wall of the bunker. It depicted three massive portal ring structures, along with partial walls they were embedded in. The thick, silvery metal loops rose over the levelled dusty landscape, over which swirls of sand danced in mini-cyclones. Bad Lands, indeed.
As the shortest of the group, Selena and dark-haired Velia stood in front of the taller Risnarish for the best view. The two women wore activated containment belts despite the soundness of the bunker Velia herself had engineered. The Risnarish had armored their skin in anticipation of the coming blast.
“…two…one…zero.”
Beneath the foremost ring, a brilliant flash of red, tangerine, and gold sent the powdery gray dirt pluming into the air. More dust and smoke rose in billowing clouds hundreds of feet upward, boiling over the shaking ring, along with the tumbling rock walls that had braced it. The familiar thunder of destruction filled the room, though the blackening swirl of fog obscured their view of the devastation.
“Detonation confirmed. The target has been destroyed.”
Despite the system’s reassurance, no one moved. Selena didn’t think they even breathed as the dust and smoke began to settle, debris drifting lazily down to the dead earth below. Seconds later, it was clear that the experiment was indeed a success. The fake portal access was reduced to tangled rubble.
Selena and Velia joined in the men’s cheers, while Elder Notlin and the yellow-skinned engineer Salno consented to smiles. Eager to verify the triumph, Selena, Tidem, Velia, Salno and Nex went over the reports the system provided.
“It worked! Look at these numbers on blast range and strength, Tidem. We don’t have to worry so much about the explosive going off at the moment it emerges from the passage.”
Velia corroborated her assessment. “Even if the explosive ends up several feet beyond the ring, as long as it’s in the chamber, it will take out the Earth access easily.”
“It’s an incredible demonstration of your skill with explosives, Selena and Guildmaster Tidem.” Salno’s tone was almost offhand.
“Don’t knock us over with the enthusiasm.” Selena frowned.
Velia cracked up. “For Salno, that’s the equivalent of setting off fireworks. Trust me, she’s impressed—and that is a feat in and of itself.”
Salno shook her head, as if to say, what shall I do with these Earthlings? But she patted Selena on the back, so it must have been all right.
“Most promising.” Notlin was as lowkey as the other Risnarish woman, but she wore an overtly pleased expression.
Selena glanced at Arga, for some reason needing his approval too. He looked better than she remembered, and her pulse quickened. He beamed at her and even applauded. She smiled so hard, her cheeks hurt.
I have a crush. Thirty-one going on thirteen. Ain’t I just the cutest thang with my lil ol’ pitty-patty heart?
She snorted at herself and announced, “On to the next test.”
One at a time, she and Tidem blew up the remaining two rings, again with perfect results. Fairly dancing in his glee, accepting the accolades of the onlookers, Tidem ordered, “System, send the specs for these
explosives to the other villages.”
As ever, the rush that came from annihilating things faded quickly. Despite her attempt to bask in the moment, Selena couldn’t keep from saying, “Now on to perfecting that delivery system.”
“Tomorrow. It’s late.” Tidem placed his hand on his chest in a salute to Selena. She returned it.
“Remind me to teach you how to high-five. Days such as this warrant it.” The goddess of destruction beamed at her new friends. “You know what? Forget the high fives. This calls for a celebration. Let’s all go out for brew and some good eats!”
Nex, Velia, and Tidem laughed in agreement. They immediately began to debate the merits of various places to dine and drink.
Notlin drifted close to Arga. In a low voice, she said, “If our Earthling friend is determined to indulge in ale again, I’d feel better if you chaperoned. She loses control easily.”
Arga stiffened. He’d been keeping his distance from Selena since their tryst, leaving her to work while he concentrated on running drills with Anneliese. Though he’d sometimes roamed past the dome assigned to the explosives expert—perfectly understandable since she was more or less along the way between the temple and his own dome—he’d avoided her. The frequency at which Selena interrupted his thoughts assured him he was right to do so.
It hadn’t kept him from hearing about the wild night she’d had earlier in the week. Property damage had been involved, resulting in a public apology from Selena. The forgiving people of Yitrow had absolved her of wrongdoing, witnesses adding it to the list of favorite anecdotes. An Earthling stripping naked, crashing through a band and breaking their instruments to sing along (no doubt in dirty limericks) was a tale to be shared again and again.
Had Arga been present for the festivities, he’d have stopped her from running amuck. He’d have slung the little firecracker over his shoulder when she became too feisty and taken her home. And then—well, that was the very reason he’d kept his distance. The and then portion of what he wanted to happen, he wanted too much. If she had the same inclinations, he doubted he could stand against her.
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