Deadly Star, page 2
“Of course not, but I think with sufficient rage, I can fight for a life. Yours in this example.”
Na’ith pressed his knuckles to her temple, and he jerked his hand away. “You should be cautious. The plan in her head is not elegant, but your mother would need to be notified.”
Y’kak blinked. “How?”
“She will lunge for the weapon on the lieutenant’s belt, grab the weapon next to him, shoot you while they recover, jump on you, and continue firing until they pull her away.” He grinned. “She wasn’t sure of the colour of our blood, so she guessed it was green and sparkly. It is quite the image. Here is the funny thing; it was a casual thought.”
Y’kak looked at Nova with slow blinks. “I see. And we want to let this creature near the overseer?”
“It is his request. I think she can handle him.”
“You mean he can handle her.”
Na’ith grinned. “We will see.”
Nova cleared her throat, tucking her hands in her sleeves again. “Commander, it is nice to meet you.”
Y’kak laughed. “Yes, it seems it is.”
They walked in a large group through the ship. She saw the dining area and the workout area that was rather empty. Na’ith pointed at a hallway marked with black and gold bars. “That is the area of particular interest to you. You can schedule simulation time from your quarters.”
“My quarters?”
“Yes, as the consort presumptive, you are to be housed in the overseer’s quarters. A wardrobe has been arranged and loaded onboard.”
“Is there anything with leggings?”
“You will have to go through the catalogue.” He chuckled.
“I can do that. I am rather tired though. I will do it when I wake up in twenty hours or so.”
Y’kak asked, “Twenty hours? I thought only the Recanth slept that long.”
Na’ith snorted. “Not even we sleep that long in a row. We prefer opportunistic naps.”
Nova was frank. “I have been awake for three station days. I thought I could fool the assessor, but the moron believed the initial reports, and he continued scanning me until he found me out.”
Y’kak huffed a soft laugh. “You tried to outthink an assessor?”
She grimaced. “Not my finest hours, and the lack of sleep made it work for just about an hour. The examiner looked like he wanted to boot me out of an airlock.”
The men who could hear her laughed.
She finally arrived at the overseer’s quarters, and her body was screaming at her for a nap. There was an attendant assigned to her room that she was introduced to, but she didn’t care. That was the best-looking bed she had ever seen. The moment she was alone, the dress came off, and she crawled into the bed, pulling a sheet over her and falling asleep. She could smell something interesting, and it wove its way into her dreams. Hot dreams.
Chapter Two
Heboren watched the woman in his bed slowly twist and writhe in her sleep. He looked up from his monitor, and one of his siblings asked, “Something interesting?”
“A new acquisition.”
“I would say. You look fiercely hungry and concerned at the same time. A new consort?”
“Yes. I am going to meet her as soon as we are done here.”
His sister leaned over. “Oh, her hair is yellow. That will be amusing. She’s like one of your Recanth. Easy to spot. You scented your sheets?”
He chuckled. “Yes. She seems... responsive.”
“Wait. Seems? Oh, you said you hadn’t met her. Is she safe?”
“She’s safe. The captain will be giving me daily updates as well as any events of note.” He smiled slowly. “She already has pilot qualifications. She is one of the new species.”
“The ones that Mero’s station is taking care of?”
“Yes.”
“They looked interesting. How are the males?” She grinned.
“You will have to find your own research on them. I focused on a female and gave the station my specific frequency. They found her.” He chuckled. He had gotten a few assessors onto the surface, and the one named Theedo was getting a bonus as soon as Heboren was able to confirm his consort responded as well as he had hoped. The other assessors had been asked to just look for those who showed signs of being companion class for general Hmrain use.
“Hmm. I hate doing my own research. That is why I have my people. But, perhaps due to the nature of things, I should seek one out who matches my needs. Right?”
“Choose the gender you wish as a companion and provide the education station with your frequency.” He chuckled. “And then pay the assessors for the work. After that, wait.”
“I hate waiting.”
“I am aware, but you will have to. Of course, there is also the possibility that one of our siblings has them on their worlds or that a match has been bonded out to another world or station. Get the education station to work for you. That is what it is there for. Or ask Mero to share his records.”
She snorted.
Heboren grinned and then turned back to the meeting to pledge some of his people to the new station that was being built. Both species were excellent at sniffing out exceptions to the standard biology of any new creatures they came across. He had already gotten confirmation from the two command officers of the warship assigned to pick up his consort. His candidate smelled like she was in heat. That was a very good start. He saw the minimized corner of his tablet and watched the restless sleep of his consort.
Mero cleared his throat, his mate in his lap. “Well, Heboren, if you will contribute more to the conversation than the image of your Terran, we can conclude and all go home.”
Heboren removed the image of Nova from the projection screen that had been activated for his turn to speak. “Apologies. I can offer thirty of each of my native species for security for a period of three hundred standard days, commencing two weeks from my arrival on Hebor.”
Mero nodded. “I wonder how much more we can ask for? I think that Heboren is in that delightfully delicate phase between acquiring and claiming.”
His human elbowed him in the ribs, and he chuckled. “Fine, pet. Heboren, your terms are acceptable, and you will receive the new seeds and saplings in one hundred twenty days.”
Heboren waited until he heard the words, “Council adjourned.”
He walked to the window and launched himself, his wings beating hard. His shuttle was waiting, and a few of his brethren were passing him, glancing at him. He cursed and picked up speed, notifying his shuttle crew to get things squared away and warmed up. Other Hmrain had seen his little treasure, and if he wasn’t mistaken, they were trying to beat him to his prize. Abducting consorts wasn’t unheard of, and if Nova wasn’t keyed to him, she was fair game.
He had better get his ass in the air and head home. It would be quite the fight to beat some of the other ships. Fortunately, his long-range vessel was fast. It would have to be. He really wanted to meet his consort.
* * * *
Nova grinned at the new program that had her flipping and spinning in the strange pod. She giggled as the other vessels moved with their tethers. Vessels that were firing into the simulation surrounded her, and her pod was the hub for information and feedback. She had tried one of the attack vessels, but the hub was a lot more her speed. They did the work; she just did the processing. She was having the time of her life.
The unit called time and eased to a halt. She remained still as the harness released her, and she staggered forward. It was strange to go from being whirling and feeling weightless to walking on the hardened soles of her bodysuit.
She left the unit and headed to the gym to work out. Her bodyguards formed up around her, and La’thet asked, “How was today’s simulation?”
“I really enjoy that pod. It moves so fast, and when it starts flipping around, I just want to giggle the whole time.”
Ke’vath snorted and shook his canine head lightly. “It figures that you would enjoy it. You have peculiar tastes, Mistress.”
“I have a strange set of experiences. Moving like that is a relief.” She was with her honour guard of six. They set up in the machines around her and worked out as she did, spotting her when necessary.
She was pressing nearly her own body weight, and Ke’vath was spotting for her when she heard English spoken.
“Oh, my god. Is that the cannibal?”
Nova’s arms wavered, and Ke’vath caught the bar as she sat up. “Not anymore.” She kept her voice calm and spoke in Hmrain common. “I haven’t needed to eat another biped in months.”
La’thet looked at her in surprise, but then he grinned. He was easily impressed. Her guards had read her file. They already knew.
The gaggle of women were being led around on a tour or possibly for exercise. The woman speaking had the same shade of hair that Nova had, and she was wearing her pretty gown proudly.
“Oh, did they sell your bond to entertain the troops?” The woman snorted. “Figures.”
She was sticking to English.
“Well, currently, I am regaining the body condition I lost during my survival. After that, we will see whose bed I end up in. I like the one I am in now.”
Ke’vath snorted.
Nova smiled. “What are your plans for your future?”
“I am going to find the oldest, wealthiest male I can and wrap him around my little finger. It’s what my family always does.”
“Ah. Tradition. I have one question. Why are you speaking English?”
The girls giggled amongst each other. They all were in their twenties, but Nova felt so old just looking at them. They had weathered the disaster in a gated community with hoarded resources.
Their leader sneered, “These beasts can’t understand us. We have insulted them, asked questions in English, and none of them even flinch. We have privacy at full volume.”
Nova started giggling as every crewman and a few women turned to look at them. “You are mistaken. The Hmrain that owns this ship had all personnel given four common Terran languages. Oh, and some of them have psychic abilities. Ah, and you are under the mistaken idea that these men and women are the help? They are the two species that you will be bonded to. You might want to get to know them, but I am sure that if you are insistent, they can hook you up with an old, fat noble. Only nobility can work on the overseer’s vessel, after all.”
The girls blinked and gasped when their escort said in clear English, “My great-uncle is old and looking for a mate. You might suit him. He has a fondness for gold.” It was impressive around the extended canines. His pronunciation was perfect.
It had taken Nova two days to figure out that she was on a version of the bachelorette when it came to the two dozen-plus women who were on board. The Recanth and Havorth on the vessel were the best of the best, fit and charming. They had also been given the languages for a reason.
The blonde stepped back in surprise. “You can understand me?”
He cocked his head and nodded. “While your observations of my physique have been interesting, your assessment of my cock has been rather insulting. I believe some of the others you have observed and discussed also wish to have words with you and sneer at your bald little body.”
Nova covered her mouth as the ladies looked shocked. A few others also discussed their critiques from the clique, and Nova saw a woman in the back, a little older with an amused twist to her lips. She knew. It was obvious that she knew and had just remained silent.
The woman winked at Nova while the other women were being addressed by the crew that they had insulted.
Ke’vath asked, “What next?”
“Lunch? I am rather peckish.”
“We will bring you food, and you can get dressed and continue your education. The overseer is on the way, and we should make contact in a few days.”
She stumbled, and La’thet caught her. “Forgot he was coming?”
She blushed and pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Rephrase please.”
Her guards laughed.
She was tucked into her quarters, and her butler—Hu’oth—bullied her into the shower, his lush tail flicking with irritation. “Mistress, you should not leave without notifying me.”
“You knew where I was. I have three embedded trackers.”
He sniffled. “It isn’t the same. Now, have your shower and then take a hot soak. I will give you a massage, and you can eat.”
“Can’t I shower, eat, and then bathe?” She peeled off her bodysuit.
“You will stay in for the rest of the day and work on your Hebor etiquette?”
She made a face. “Yes.”
“Then, yes.” His muzzle was flecked with grey, his pointed ears were black with white streaks, and the rest of his body was grey. Or at least all the parts she could see. He was wearing the sleeveless bodysuit that the crew wore, and part of his ruff was bound in a small braid.
He took the bodysuit from her and walked off to the refresher. She took a quick shower and let him help her into the robe she was expected to wear.
“So, food?”
He nodded and went to the dispenser unit. A tray was waiting, and she settled at the table while he set it in front of her. She got excited when she saw the dessert but went through the other dishes first. When the meat was finished and the bread and vegetables were gone, she ate the fruit that popped and fizzed on her tongue. The Hebor had been told that sweets were the way into the hearts of the Terrans as they hadn’t been able to have fresh fruit in years.
Nova sipped at her tumbler of water and said, “So, is this a punishment? Having to tidy up after me all the time.”
Hu’oth chuckled. “It is a privilege. You are no burden if that is what you are worried about. When we reach our world, you will be surrounded by my people at all times, and you need to be aware of what that feels like. Our senses do not leave any room for concealment when it comes to issues of self or intimacy.”
“So, that is why I have to shower with the door open?”
“Heboren will descend on you like an autumn firestorm. There will be no part of you unexamined by the time he has completed your orientation.”
She drank the last of her water in one draught. “Why do I keep forgetting about that?”
He chuckled. “Take your bath. The water is ready.”
Nova got up and walked over to the pool, untying her robe and letting it slip. It was caught and whisked away. She was getting used to being naked. She never thought that would happen. Hu’oth had her itinerary, and everything would get done, no matter how much she tried to weasel out of it.
The ship shuddered, and Nova sat up. “What was that?”
“That was an impact.” Hu’oth came in from his private quarters and brought up the displays from outside the ship. “We are under attack.”
“What do we do?”
“You are to sit here and remain secure.”
She started to pace and whined in frustration. “I don’t want to wait.”
The ship deployed fighters, and the attackers began to fall back, but there were a lot of them.
“Where’s the hub? They should have the hub with them.”
Hu’oth looked at her. “No one pilots the hub. It is nauseating.”
She looked back at him. “I can pilot it.”
“Absolutely not.”
She grabbed her bodysuit and pulled it on. “You are not the boss of me.”
“No, but he isn’t here, and when he finds out, he will not be happy about it.”
“Well, he isn’t here, and I can deal with disaster later. It’s kind of my thing. Now, how do I find the launch bay with the hub?”
He sighed and opened the door, speaking to the guard. The man was startled but nodded.
She bound her hair in a clip and walked to the door, “Let’s go. Fast as we can.”
He looked at her and nodded. “I will go at your pace, mistress.”
“Fine. Let’s run.” She and her guards started running. It took eight agonizing minutes, and the ship rocked again and again. When they reached a locker room with a Hmrain five over the only tube with something in it, she asked, “How do I trigger it?”
“Stand on the platform and pull the handles. It will drop you into the pod.”
She settled on the huge footpads, turned to face the outer room, and pulled the handles. “Wish me luck.”
The floor dropped out from under her, and she fell down a tube with the hand grips and foot pads as her only support. She wanted to scream as darkness covered her and held her in a grip, and then she landed in the pod and was able to cross the floor and settle in the seat. Bands bound her to the seat, adjusting for her size, and then she gripped the controls while triggering the chute that would drop her out of the ship. Small rockets on the pod moved her down and out of the ship, but once she was out, the lights of her component warriors were bright on her console and display, and she cruised toward the battle.
She had done it. She was flying!
Chapter Three
Nova watched as the pod took control of the fighting units, collecting the six it needed. Her coms lit up with confusion, but as the energy tethers linked the seven ships together, the shouting stopped, and the firing started.
She heard a grunt. “Pod, you had better know what you are doing.”
Nova muttered, “I fucking hope so. Let’s go.” She kept her eyes on the displays and listened to the reports as their deadly star began to spin as it took out the attackers.
She moved the star into attack positions and skipped them around the battle zone. As soon as all ships within reach were taken care of, they were on to the next batch.
Hours passed, and Nova was exhausted when there were no more attacking vessels left.
“Get us home, pod.”
She directed them back to the ship, but an alert went off as they began to move. “Incoming.”
Pilot one said, “It’s the Wandering Star. The overseer is back.”
“Oh, shit.” She had to get back, shower, and be appropriately dressed when she met the Hmrain. Right now, she was covered in sweat and dressed in a bodysuit that she had to negotiate for, for two days.
