Gigi (20 page)

“I assure you, my lord, no one here will fight you. We’re but victims ourselves. It would benefit both of us if you hear me out.”

“Who are you?” She looked frail, her neck barely supporting the weight of the collar. “Why should I believe anything coming from a Kreeh-nosh? Your people have no honor.”

“Because we have more in common than you think.”

“What could we possibly have in common?” he asked contemptuously.

“My name is Ha’rrra. I’m a servant of the mother creator. She foretold the arrival of the fallen warrior.”

“I don’t know what you speak of. I’ll give you five minutes to surrender or die. Your choice.” Prophecies and religion weren’t really his area of expertise.

“As I said, we’ll not fight you. There’s something you must listen to.” Ha’rrra waved her hand, activating the comm system. Briq fell to his knees, the beast roaring in agony.

“Mor’u,” it screamed, hearing his beloved’s voice filter through the lair. “What have you done to her?”

“We’ve done nothing to her. It’s a recording we found. The voice is being used to control the warriors and their overlord.”

“T’zaal must be using Mor’u’s voice as a weapon to gain power.”

“Yes, my lord. If you’d hear me out, I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned. I only ask that you help my breeders escape this colony. We’re formally requesting sanctuary.”

* * * *

Gaal’ya had to escape, make her way to a non-Protectorate planet and lay low. Things had gotten out of hand after she’d tried to improve T’zaal’s program, but it’d backfired. He’d asked her to monitor the comm system and make the adjustments on his program as needed. Instead, she’d decided to remap everything in order to gain control of the colony for her own benefit.

T’zaal didn’t trust his own people, because he wasn’t a true overlord. His status in the colony was of a low-ranking scientist. He didn’t trust her either, but he thought she had no other choice. When his colony detected two Protectorate ships heading their way, T’zaal had panicked. They weren’t supposed to be following this soon, which meant someone had transmitted the holovid sooner. The ships were closing in fast. He decided to leave the colonies behind and take Mah’yanna to the badlands.

After he’d confided the secret of his power, Gaal’ya hadn’t hesitated in betraying him. She’d tried to reconfigure the program to make all the Kreeh-nosh follow her instead. With the colony under her control, the House of Pran-kril would pay for all the humiliation she’d suffered.

She’d studied the program. It used sound waves to keep the warriors docile. The vibrations gave them a feeling of sexual euphoria. It was important to modulate and switch sound patterns frequently or the warriors would become immune to it.

Gaal’ya discovered how the sounds were produced after a thorough analysis. She found the original recordings used to make the mind control program. The sounds and vibrations were just songs like the chants of T’ae. She tried to use her voice to reproduce them, but lacked the range to do it.

Where had T’zaal found such a rare creature? She’d never heard such sounds. Sometimes after listening to them she’d cried. Goddess…to possess and harness such power. She was going to find T’zaal and use the new program on him. She’d make him tell her where this creature was.

Something went terribly wrong two days ago. She’d found a way to increase the intensity of the sounds to make them last longer. The problem was the carrier wave needed was more than the implants could handle. Gaal’ya decided to use the ship’s commlink to disperse it. That had been her biggest mistake. T’zaal had neglected to tell her about the breeders and their caretakers on board. They weren’t under the program’s influence.

Her modifications on the program had turned the warriors’ sexual impulses to violence when they’d tried to reach them. Each one viewed the other as a potential rival, and the fights began. It escalated from there pretty quickly into an all-out riot.

 She now attempted to escape in a pod she’d found hidden in the main cargo bay. Gaal’ya was almost home free when the doors opened. Zu’thro ran in, screeching at her as he waved a pulse weapon.

“Step away from the pod, Pendo’rahn whore. I don’t know what you’ve done, but because of you the males are killing each other.”

“Why aren’t you affected by it?”

“I’m stronger than all this colony’s males combined. Do you think I didn’t suspect something was wrong from the beginning?”

“It’s not too late, Zu’thro. I’ll tell you everything if you help me. There’s still time to fix it. Without me it’ll get worse.”

She hated to ask for help, especially from someone like him, but she wasn’t ready to die. Her revenge against the Pran-krils consumed her every thought. Nothing was going to get in her way. If she had to join forces with this creature, so be it.

“Can you make me immune to the sound? I recognize its value as a weapon, but only if it doesn’t affect me. Are Pendo’rahns immune?”

“I can modify your neuro implant with a dampening program. I don’t think anyone is immune to the sounds. The key is how it affects different species. They’re like the chants at T’ae, but more powerful. I don’t know how T’zaal obtained them or who’s doing it.”

Gaal’ya gained access to the pod just before Zu’thro reached her side. She flinched as he grabbed her with his clawed hand and flung her across the room. Pain exploded after her head hit the pod’s door. Blood flowed down her back from a deep gash in her scalp. She tried to get up, but a wave of dizziness forced her back down. Darkness was closing in around her, but then she heard his voice.

How did he get here so soon? Damned self-righteous ass, always sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.

“Stop, I’m placing you in custody for crimes against the Protectorate. Surrender now or there’ll be no mercy.”

“Frackk, you son of a heqriu’l beast, I’d rather be dead than back in prison.” Zu’thro screeched and discharged his pulse weapon.

 Well, she didn’t care. She hoped they killed each other once and for all. She twisted sideways and tumbled inside the pod before she initiated the emergency eject sequence. The last thing she saw was the look of surprise on the jid’rahal’s face as her pod cleared the bay doors.

* * * *

Zaaq-niq scarcely had time to grasp what had happened, but it was too late. Once again he’d underestimated Gaal’ya. She was as treacherous as her father. It didn’t matter now. He’d put a bounty on her head. Pretty soon all the scum in the twin galaxies would be looking for her.

 “Jid’rahal, it’s time we settle our old score. I wanted to kill your mate, but now I hear you have little ones. Their souls will be mine as well,” Zu’thro said.

“Not today, not ever. I claim the right of toq’ma’lal for crimes committed against the Protectorate and my mate.”

Zaaq-niq spat and held up his ro’traal to signal his challenge. His warriors arrived just in time to witness his claim. They stood back and secured the perimeter. None of them would interfere, because the right of vengeance was a sacred ritual. Once the challenge was issued, it must be carried out to the death.

Zu’thro charged, then reared his front legs up, trying to knock Zaaq-niq off balance. He was prepared for him. He twisted away at the last minute and brought his ro’traal up. The blade found the soft spot under his nemesis’ shell. The loud screech fueled Zaaq-niq’s need for combat.

Zu’thro’s pulse weapon rattled loudly across the room. He staggered back, holding the soft spot in the middle of his body. Zaaq-niq got out of the way just in time, avoiding a heavy cargo container. He lost sight of the Kreeh-nosh once he jumped up. A searing pain sent him crashing to his knees. Zu’thro’s sharp-tipped leg had speared his thigh.

The pain radiating from it was unbearable. He was about to pass out. An image flickered deep in his mind. Slowly it took shape until he could see them. It was a memory of his mate and children playing on top him, laughing. It was his favorite one he always carried with him. All of them huddled together on the huge platform.
Come back to us, giant.

Out of nowhere a jolt of strength coursed through him. He tightened his grip on the ro’traal and swung the blade, severing the limb embedded in his thigh. Zu’thro lost his balance, then crashed to the floor next to him. Zaaq-niq stood and grabbed the blade with both hands before he brought it down and cut off the Kreeh-noshian’s head.

“Drac’yaa, dra’lyaa, dra’ehn! In the name of the goddess, swift justice was met.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ha’rrra

Briq struggled against the beast, trying to regain his composure. The breeder named Ha’rrra played Mor’u’s voice over the comm. She claimed to be a servant of the mother creator and requested sanctuary. He couldn’t help but noticed how weak she looked. No one had ever seen a Kreeh-noshian female before to his knowledge. They were a mystery even to those claiming to be their allies.

The creature before him didn’t resemble a Kreeh-nosh, except for the fact she was an insect. Her shell was luminescent with tones of purples and yellows. She had a smaller jaw with soft bristles. Three silver eyes looked intently at him.

“Please hear me out, my lord, and you’ll understand why you’re part of what was once foretold.”

“What happened on this ship? Can you explain it? Why are most of your warriors dead?”

“Very well, I’ll tell you everything that transpired the best I can. I only ask to speak with you and the jid’rahal. As a show of goodwill, I’ll come to your ship under heavy guard. You may secure me as you see fit until I plead my case. As you can see, we’re already collared. The rest I’ll leave up to you. Are we in agreement?”

“No, you mustn’t do this, Lady Ha’rrra.” A younger female stepped forward and took hold of Harrra’s arm. “Please allow me to take your place. The breeders need you. We can’t survive without your guidance.”

“It’s for the best, my child. The song of life will be our freedom. The balance will be restored once again.” She turned back to Briq, and asked, “Are we in agreement? Do I have your word?”

“You have it. Warriors, prepare the prisoner for transport.”

* * * *

Briq met up with Zaaq-niq at Rag’mar’s med bay. His brother had sustained a deep wound to his thigh while fighting Zu’thro. He sat waist deep in gly-urq while having a holovid conference with Dru-lah.

“Did I miss anything? Where’s Mah’yanna?”

“I was about to tell Dru-lah just now. As you know I went to the cargo bay to find our sister. She wasn’t there. Instead I found Gaal’ya arguing with Zu’thro. He attacked me. I claimed the right of swift justice. We battle and I killed him. Gaal’ya used an escape pod and got away.”

Briq noticed a flicker of despair in Dru-lah’s eyes at the mention of Gaal’ya’s name, but it faded quickly. Maybe he’d imagined it. He was tired.

“How about you, Briq? Did you find her?” Dru-lah’s voice shook with emotion.

Briq’s anger mounted, thinking his sister could be at the pits by now. It didn’t matter. He’d kill everyone in his way. He would get his sister back alive. He only prayed she’d be emotionally strong to endure what was to come. T’zaal was evil personified.

 “No, there was no sign of her at the breeders’ lair. My warriors swept the place and found no trace of her. I left some behind to do a more detailed search. According to Rag’mar, no other Pendo’rahn was in the colony.”

“Is that it? Are we going to turn around and leave her behind?”

“Dru-lah, Brother, you know we’d never leave our sister behind. We must face the fact that by now she must be at the badlands.” He didn’t say out loud how terrible the conditions at the pit were. He didn’t want to cause his friend more pain. “T’zaal is waiting for Gigi and me there. I’ll not risk Mor’u’s life, but I’m willing to give mine for them. We can take the
Rag’mar
since isn’t part of the Protectorate. The
Q’alor II
and the
Toq’ma’lal
can’t enter the badlands without violating several treaties.”

“I can’t let you do that, my friend. I know the badlands and the pit just as well if no better than you. You have a branded mate who’s expecting younglings now. Your duty lies with them. It’ll be better if I go with First Commander Dru-lah to the badlands,” Xy said.

“I agree with Xy, my lords. Your mates will suffer excruciatingly if something happens to you both. With permission, Jid’rahal, I formally request to go with the first commander and Xy to the badlands.”

Both Xy and O’frahm offered to go with Dru-lah. Xy loved Mor’u like a brother since spending time as T’zaal’s prisoners. Gigi had agreed to record her voice to keep Xy alive. She’d nursed his wounds and sang to him. O’frahm was Amada and the triplet’s personal guard. Briq knew the warriors would die to protect them.

“Are you both sure you want to do this? I don’t have to tell you what to expect at the badlands, Xy. T’zaal will be enraged when he finds out Gigi isn’t with you. He wants her more than anything.” He knew their answer, but honor demanded he ask the question.

“We’re sure, Lord Briq. Xy and I made a pact to protect our ladies at any cost. Jid’rahal, sir, please tell lady Amada if I die, it was with honor. Thank her for teaching me the moves, popcorn and movie night,” O’frahm said, trying to keep his voice devoid of emotion.

“Briq, you’re a frackking bastard with the temper of a heqriu’l beast. I consider you my brother and best friend,” Xy said. “I’m doing this not only for you but for Lady Gigi. Tell her if I die, it was for something that mattered to me. My death would be more fulfilling than my life ever was. Thank her for her tenderness while caring for me.”

“Thank you, my brothers,” Dru-lah said. “I couldn’t ask for better warriors on this mission. Zaaq-niq, Briq, we’re more than friends. When your father accepted me into the House of Pran-kril, I’d lost my own family, but gained so much more. The first time I saw Mah’yanna, she took my breath away. Her skills as a warrior and her generosity stole my heart. If I don’t survive, tell everyone I gave my life without hesitation for hers. Our burden as warriors is to love our women, knowing they can’t return our passion. I know if she could, she would have. We made a promise to each other that we’d become permanent mates during her first k’lyaa. It’s a promise I hope to keep.”