Survivor Skills

by S. E. Smith

  “We were separated when they started firing on us,” Roan grimly replied.

  Neither of them spoke while they continued to dig away at the debris. Time slowed as Sergi’s desperation grew. He knew that survival could potentially come down to seconds for the woman he had fallen in love with. Pushing a large block of ice to the side, his heart pounded when he saw the tips of La’Rue’s fingers.

  “Roan, I found her,” Sergi urgently called.

  It took both of them to move another huge block of ice that had fallen over her, wedging her between two large boulders. It was that bridging slab of ice that had saved her from being crushed beneath all the other debris. He worked on clearing the chunks of ice from her chest while Roan freed her legs.

  Sergi could feel his fingers tremble when he touched them to her neck. Her skin felt like ice. Unsure if he felt a pulse, he leaned his head down and pressed his cheek against her chest. He felt the faint, telltale movement. Sitting back, he gently ran his hands down over her head, neck, shoulders, and chest; checking for injuries.

  “I don’t think her legs are broken,” Roan said.

  Sergi looked at the blood coating the palm of his hand where he had run it over her head. She had a head injury, but he couldn’t tell how severe it was. He carefully slid his arms beneath her shoulders and knees before slowly rising to his feet.

  “She has medical equipment on the freighter. Do you know how to use it?” Sergi asked as he turned away.

  “Yes,” Roan replied, bending to pick up La’Rue’s staff.

  Sergi turned and carefully worked his way over the debris field. Roan steadied him when he started to lose his balance on some loose ice. He nodded his appreciation.

  Julia must have seen them coming from the upper turret because she met them at the platform. Sergi ignored the Plateauan fighters still flying overhead. He strode up the platform past Julia, across the cargo bay and to the small room used for medical services. He started to turn for a thermal blanket. But, Julia was already standing silently behind him, holding out one of the thin blankets.

  “I’m concerned about the gash behind her left ear,” Sergi said, gently turning La’Rue’s head to the side.

  “Let me clean the wound,” Julia said, stepping forward.

  “I will run the scans to make sure there is no internal swelling,” Roan added.

  Sergi nodded and stepped back. While he had medical training, it was nowhere near as advanced as that of Julia. He turned when he heard an alarm. Roan paused, holding the scanner in his hand and looked at him.

  “I will see what is happening,” Sergi reluctantly said, turning to leave the room.

  He strode down the corridor to the cockpit. A quick look at the scanner’s display showed him that a larger ship was approaching. He slid into the cockpit and readied the auto-cannons. They were down to fifty percent power. The shields were down to twenty.

  “Star Runner this is the Tracer,” a deep voice greeted.

  Sergi released a long relieved breath. “Hutu, this is Sergi. We are in need of emergency medical assistance,” he said.

  “Affirmative, Sergi. A medical team is being deployed,” Hutu informed him.

  Sergi closed his eyes, bent his head, and did something he hadn’t done since he was a child – he prayed.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Plateau:

  Sergi looked up from the report he’d been reviewing when he heard a soft knock on the door. He placed the report down on the bedside table and rose from the chair he had drawn up next to the bed. A quick glance at La’Rue’s peaceful face told him she was still asleep. The doctors onboard the larger Gallant warship had told him that they had given La’Rue a powerful sedative to allow her body time to heal fully.

  He walked over to the door and opened it. A smile softened the frown on his face. Opening the door farther, he motioned for Julia to enter. She stepped inside, her eyes immediately going to the bed.

  “Is she…?” she started to ask with a worried expression.

  Sergi smiled. “The doctors from Hutu’s warship and here on Plateau have assured me that she will be fine. There was some swelling, but they said all the scans came back showing no brain damage,” he murmured. “Would you like a drink?”

  Julia shook her head and looked around. She lifted a hand toward the open balcony door. He nodded and followed her when she stepped outside. They both walked over to the railing to look out across the incredible view.

  “It is beautiful here,” Julia commented before she stopped and began to worry her bottom lip.

  “What is it? Have Ash and Kella reported in yet?” Sergi demanded, turning to lean against the railing so he was facing her.

  Julia shook her head. “No, nothing yet,” she replied in a faint, distracted voice.

  “What is bothering you?” he gently probed.

  She lifted a hand and waved it outward. “This… That…. Everything,” she admitted, turning to look at him with a troubled expression. “When my father… when my father first photographed the gateway I never expected anything like this. This world, the technology, waking up and….”

  “Waking up in an alien world in the middle of a civil war and being mistaken for some prophesied knight?” he finished with a sardonic smile.

  Julia nodded. “Hutu has imprisoned Roan,” she confided, looking up at him.

  Sergi lifted an eyebrow. “Roan is a Legion general,” he reminded her.

  “I know,” she replied with a loud sigh, turning to look out at the view again. “It’s just… complicated.”

  “For the safety of the Gallant Order, it is probably for the best, at least temporarily” Sergi suggested.

  Julia shrugged her delicate shoulders. “Did the doctors say how long La’Rue would sleep?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “A day or two, then they would check on her again if she does not wake up on her own,” he replied.

  She nodded and turned back to face the bedroom. “I’m glad you and Ash and Josh made it. I hope Ash and Kella can find Mei.

  I… I almost forgot to tell you that I spoke with Roanna. She is the leader of the Plateauans. She said there was the possibility that there might still be another functioning gateway in existence. She is going to research their archives. If there is, there might be a way to return to Earth,” she said.

  Sergi nodded, but didn’t say anything. He already knew deep down that he would never return to Earth, even if there was a way to do so. His life was here now, in this world with his La’Rue. He fit in here.

  “Roanna wants to meet with us when La’Rue wakes. She says it is important,” Julia quietly added as she opened the door.

  “Once La’Rue wakes, I will meet with Roanna,” he promised. “And, Julia, ….”

  Julia turned to look at him. He could see the worry in her eyes. He could also see the concern.

  “If you need help, let me know,” he added with a wink.

  A smile played at the corner of her mouth. “I will. Thank you, Sergi,” Julia quietly replied.

  “Anytime, my friend, anytime,” he said.

  Sergi watched as Julia walked down the corridor. He closed the door when she turned the corner. Turning back around, a tender, relieved smile curved his lips.

  “You have awakened, my sleeping beauty,” he murmured with a growing smile.

  “So, are we busting out the Legion general?” La’Rue asked.

  Sergi threw his head back and laughed. Walking over to the bed, he climbed onto it and pulled La’Rue into his arms. He held her tightly against his body and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. A shudder ran through him when she ran her hand over his arm and rested her cheek against his chest.

  “Remind me to whip your ass later for scaring me,” he murmured.

  La’Rue chuckled and rubbed her cheek against him. “Only if I get to whip yours first for doing the same,” she retorted.

  “Deal,” he murmured, closing his eyes in contentment.

  Three days later, S
ergi walked beside La’Rue, Julia, and Hutu up to the tall, imposing cathedral built to record the history of the star systems. They paused when Hutu came to a stop and stared up at the statue of Jemar de Rola and his young son, Jesup.

  Sergi could sense Hutu’s deep grief at the senseless loss of life. They began walking again when Roanna appeared at the top of the steps. Hutu bowed deeply to the tall, regal woman. Sergi bowed his head as well.

  “Rise great Knight of the Gallant,” Roanna requested. Her tone was welcoming to the dark red skinned warrior.

  Roanna turned her attention to Sergi, La’Rue, and Julia. She beckoned them to step closer.

  “I am so glad to see you are well, child,” Roanna said to La’Rue.

  “Thank you. I’m sorry about your grandson being locked up,” she said, unable to think of anything else to say.

  Roanna chuckled ruefully. “Yes, I have expressed my disappointment as well,” she replied, shooting a look at Hutu before she focused again on La’Rue.

  “Your mother was a much valued member of the Knights of the Gallant Order. I know that you will be as well,” Roanna said.

  Sergi wrapped his arm around La’Rue’s waist when she quietly thanked Roanna and stepped back. Roanna turned her attention to Julia next. He frowned when Roanna raised her hand as if to touch Julia’s hair only to skim her hand over the air a few inches from Julia.

  “You are a very special woman, Julia Marksdale. You remind me of my daughter,” Roanna quietly murmured.

  Julia’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry for what happened to your husband, Roanna. I never meant any harm to come to him,” she responded in a voice filled with tears and grief.

  Roanna shook her head and took a deep breath, her own eyes filled with the unfathomable grief that could only come from losing the source of a lifetime of love. “Calstar’s time to journey on had come. He would wish you to have this, Ancient Knight. This belonged to my husband and would have passed down to our daughter if she had chosen to accept it. Now, it belongs to you,” Roanna said, holding out a silver cylinder.

  Sergi’s eyes widened when he realized that Roanna was giving Julia a staff of the Gallant Order. Julia looked down at the cylinder in confusion before she looked up at Roanna’s twinkling eyes.

  “I know someone who knows how to use it and would love to show you,” the older woman said with a surprisingly mischievous wink.

  Julia’s lips twitched. “I’ll remember that,” she promised, stepping back when Roanna turned to look at Sergi.

  “For you, Ancient Knight,” Roanna said in a formal tone. “I give to you my staff in gratitude for your help in saving my grandson’s life. The Ancient Knights of the Gallant live, and with them lives the hope for a new world.”

  Roanna turned to face Hutu once more. “We Plateauans will stand by the Order of the Gallant. You have my pledge, General Hutu.”

  “Thank you, Roanna. The Gallant Order needs the support, strength and technology of the Plateauan people,” Hutu stated, bowing his head in respect once more.

  “They also need the knowledge and insight my grandson can provide, General Hutu. I suggest you take that into consideration as well,” Roanna quietly replied before she turned and calmly walked away.

  “I agree,” Sergi told Hutu with a grin.

  “So do I,” La’Rue said, lifting her chin and looking at Hutu.

  “I do, too,” Julia added with a sigh. “So, will you release Roan now?”

  Hutu crossed his massive arms and returned Julia’s heated look. “No,” he responded with a stubborn grunt.

  “You know we’ll just have to break him out,” La’Rue said, looking at Hutu with a grin.

  “Oh, I like that idea,” Julia commented, looking at the staff in her hands with a frown. “I wonder if I should have told Roanna that I’m not a very good soldier.”

  Sergi snorted. “After the way you put Coleridge Landais on the ground, I would disagree with that statement,” he muttered in disagreement.

  Hutu turned to Julia and frowned. “You put General Landais on the ground?” he exclaimed with a tone of disbelief.

  Julia looked at Hutu. “He was being a perfect ass,” she replied with an inelegant sniff and a shrug of her shoulders.

  Sergi’s lips twitched when he saw the huge Torrian’s mouth drop open. Julia gave Sergi a surreptitious wink before she turned and started to walk away. Sergi chuckled when Hutu took off after the very prim and proper Dr. Julia Marksdale. He couldn’t help but wonder what other things Mei had taught Julia during the eighteen months they were journeying in space.

  “I need to work on my freighter,” La’Rue said, watching the other two walk away.

  “Roanna has had a crew working on it day and night since it was brought here. I have a feeling that there may be some ancient technology involved,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  “Sergi, what do you think will happen now?” she quietly asked.

  He stared out across the bridge attaching them to the other floating islands which extended far in the distance. He could see people, young and old, peacefully going about their daily lives. He wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but he knew that he would do everything in his power to use his skills not only to survive, but to forge a different life in this strange, but amazing new world.

  “I don’t know, dusha moya,” he finally admitted, looking down at her with a warm, tender expression. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her still healing palm. “But whatever happens, we’ll find out together.”

  Epilogue

  Legion Battle Cruiser: Deep Space between Plateau and Tesla Terra

  “I told you what would happen if you failed me, Coleridge,” Andri said with a savage expression.

  Coleridge returned his half-brother’s heated look with an icy one of his own. He had not been able to avoid dealing with Andri any longer. Sitting back in his seat, he remained silent as his brother continued to disparage him and express his utter dissatisfaction at this latest outcome.

  “You are weak. You should have killed Roan when you first sensed that he was questioning our plans. If he joins the rebels, we will have a fierce opponent who knows more about the Legion than anyone. He must be stopped, at any cost,” Andri snapped.

  “I am well aware of what Roan is capable of doing, Andri. I also know his weaknesses. I have not failed you or the Legion’s cause. Roan will pay for his treason and I will bring you an Ancient Knight. This is a setback, brother, not a defeat,” Coleridge countered smoothly.

  “It had better not be, half-brother,” Andri replied, emphasizing the last word before he ended the transmission.

  Coleridge rose from his seat. Walking over to the window, he stood gazing out, lost in thought. He turned when the door chimed.

  “Enter,” he ordered.

  “You requested my presence, sir,” Commander Manta said, standing at attention.

  “Yes, Commander. I read through your bio. You were raised on Turbinta,” Coleridge stated.

  He didn’t miss the way Manta’s mouth tightened before he answered.

  “Yes, General Landais. I would like to point out that I was never officially trained with a Turbintan Master,” Manta clarified in return.

  Coleridge walked over to the man who he had unexpectedly promoted. He studied the man’s calm expression and the faint markings trailing from the man’s forehead.

  “Which parent came from Tesla Terra?” he inquired.

  “My mother, sir,” Manta answered. “My father was a Turbintan.”

  Coleridge walked around his desk. “I have a special mission for you. It will require your unofficial training on Turbinta to complete,” he stated in a cold voice.

  Manta looked at him now with an intense, but curious expression. A satisfied smile curved Coleridge’s lips. To fight deceit, you sometimes had to use deceit. He was not above using an assassin.

  To be continued:

  Honor Bound: Project Gliese 581g Book 4….


  When the Legion forces strike back at the Gallant Order, Julia Marksdale finds herself caught in a cat and mouse game between two lethal Legion generals.

  Read on for samples!

  Magic, new worlds, and epic love in the many series of S.E. Smith…

  Sample of The Sea Witch’s Redemption

  Synopsis:

  She expected to die saving her world…

  Gabe Lightfoot and his best friend, Kane Field, have stood side by side through thick and thin. Brothers by circumstance, they have seen the darker side of life, and lived to remember it. When Gabe rescues a wounded woman in the waters off the coast of Oregon, they have no idea what’s in store for them…

  Read on for three full chapters of The Sea Witch’s Redemption!

  Prologue

  Centuries Ago:

  Magna lay on the soft sand in the secluded cove that she, along with her cousin, and their best friend had found and claimed as their private fortress when they were younger. She released a contented sigh and stared up at the stars. It was truly a magical night. A warm breeze swirled around her, and she dug her fingers into the sand.

  “Do you ever wonder if there is anyone else in the world besides us, Orion?” she asked, letting the sand trickle through her fingers

  “I don’t know. I suppose so,” he murmured.

  Orion gazed morosely out over the water. She turned her head to look at his frowning face.

  “Lighten up, cousin. You are thinking too hard about the future again,” she teased, tossing a handful of sand onto his leg. “Accept that you’ll be king of all of this and be done with it. There is nothing else you can do,” she advised with a wave of her hands.

  “I hope it is not for a very long time,” he said with a grimace.