Jo's Journey (11 page)

Jo glanced down at the laser sword she still clutched in her right hand as if in a daze. She looked at Walter, Nema, Ricki and all of her other friends. Marvin, Martin, Tony, and the rest of the circus crew quickly gathered around to see what was going on. She frowned when she didn’t see her parents mixed in with the rest of the crew.

“
Where are my mom and dad?” She asked, looking wildly around the group. “Where are my parents?”

“
I saw them leave earlier,” Katarina said quietly. “They said something about going to the training room to work with some of the warriors.”

Jo looked down as Walter reached up and gripped her hand.
“When one of our family is in need, all will answer the call,” he said quietly before turning to look at the crew. “You heard me! Get your asses in gear. We are under attack. Let’s show these bastards they better not mess with us.”

A loud roar echoed as each member of the circus yelled out in support. Soon, they were scattering to gather their tools of the trade. Sunny came up to Jo and smiled as she handed her the staff that she excelled at using.

“It’s the double bladed one you use,” Sunny said with a nervous smile. “I’m going to work with Marcus. Stan is going to feed us updates from the ship’s communications. He is also going to see if he can hack into the pirate ships and shut them down.”

“
I need to find my parents,” Jo whispered looking at Walter yelling out orders. “I need to make sure they are safe.”

“
Go, but take Katarina with you,” Sunny said. “She’ll bring some company to help watch your back.”

Jo looked at the tall Siberian who grinned at her.
“Sasha will be happy to have something to play with,” Katarina said in a husky, accented voice. “She has been getting restless lately.”

Jo smiled weakly at Katarina. Sasha was a four year old white tiger that Katarina had saved from a bankrupt zoo when she was a cub. Katarina had two tigers, four young lions and an ocelot that everyone knew she considered to be her children.

“Just make sure she doesn’t sink her claws into me. I’d like to keep my skin intact,” Jo responded.

Katarina threw her head back and laughed.
“I have control over my babies,” she said with a wink. “When I want to.”

“
Let’s go then,” Jo said briskly. “There are only fifty warriors on this warship. I don’t know how many pirates there are.”

“
Stan said there are three ships with approximately two hundred men on board from what he was able to get from the conversations flowing back and forth between K’tar and Manota,” Jade said breathlessly as she joined them. She reached over and pulled the laser sword from Jo’s right hand. “Sweet!” She said with a low whistle as she pressed the button. “Walter told me that I’m with you guys.”

“
Stay behind Sasha,” Katarina said as she opened the door to her camper. “Mushie - Nugget, come little ones.”

Jade pressed her back to the camper as a large male tiger weighing in at over four hundred pounds jumped down from the doorway. It was followed by a small, sleek spotted cat. The last one to come out was a white tiger that stretched in the doorway before
slowly jumping down to the floor. Her soft, padded paws barely making a sound as she landed.

“
Nice house pets,” Jade said with a touch of awe and a lot of fear. “I hope to hell they are house broken.”

Katarina smiled devilishly.
“Sometimes,” she said with a grin before she turned and made a sharp command in Russian.

“
What did you tell them?” Jade asked, holding the retracted laser sword in front of her.

Katarina turned to glance at Jade before she replied.
“Dinnertime,” she said before she took off after her three pets and Jo.

Jade stared after the dark haired Russian beauty before she let an unamused laugh escape.
“Dinnertime,” she muttered before she followed her and Jo. “Cute. Real cute.”

*.*.*

“Give me a report,” Manota called out as he came onto the bridge.

“
The engines are offline,” K’tar gritted out as he worked at the controls. “Kev said it was sabotage. A small explosive was placed in the coolant equipment panel. It destroyed the panel, knocking the engines offline as the system reads it as a coolant leak. Kev is working with Banner to bypass the panel. There are three pirate ships moving in. Shields are holding but won’t stop them from boarding. I’m detecting at least ten troop transports heading our way.”

“
Are the defense systems activated?” Manota said watching as additional shuttles departed from two of the huge ships.

K
’tar shook his head. “Offline as well. Whoever sabotaged engineering has been a busy traitor,” he bit out. “I’m running a background search on every member of the crew. Do you think it is possible it could have been one of the members of the circus?”

Manota started to shake his head before he remembered that the two Mimes had been in engineering earlier. He remembered thinking there was something strange about the two of them back on Earth. It was hard to believe they could have caused this type of destruction without being seen but he couldn
’t rule it out.

“
It’s possible,” Manota replied grimly. “Continue your search of the crew. Sound the alert, level five.”

“
Yes sir,” K’tar said turning and pressing the alert to warn the crew they were about to be boarded by hostile forces. “What of our passengers?” He asked gruffly, thinking of the tiny human female named Sunny.

“
Post two warriors to the entrance and seal the level,” Manota instructed.

Frustration and rage curled his stomach as he thought of what would happen to the females aboard if the pirates were successful in taking over the warship. He could not spare any more warriors. They were outnumbered and whoever had sabotaged engineering and their defense systems was still on the loose. He knew K
’tar would only send in warriors that he felt confident would protect their human passengers.

“
I want those bastards dead,” Manota said. “K’tar, you have the bridge. Keep it secure at all cost.”

“
Yes sir,” K’tar said, standing and moving to the commander’s chair.

Manota nodded and took all but one other warrior with him. He opened a side panel next to the door. Inside the panel were close-range laser pistols and small laser swords. These were designed for fighting in the narrow corridors and smaller spaces. He handed several out before taking two of the laser pistols and two small laser swords. With a nod to K
’tar, Manota stepped off the bridge. He gave the command to seal the doors once the last warrior had passed through. No one but him, Kev or K’tar could now access the bridge short of a large explosive charge. He knew K’tar would give the self-destruct sequence before he let the
Seeker
be taken.

“
No prisoners,” Manota told the young warriors. “Protection of the humans is a priority.”

“
Yes sir,” Jai said quietly, thinking of the beautiful olive skinned female named Mattie. “No one will harm them.”

“
The first breach has occurred on Level 18,” K’tar’s voice came out over his comlink. “Sensors are picking up thirty heat signatures. Additional breaches are imminent on Levels 4 and 6.”

Manota cursed. The storage bays were on Level 4. The bridge was on Level 20. He would have to fight his way down to Jo.

“Get the defense system up, Kev,” Manota barked out. “We have company and I don’t want any more of those bastards on my ship!”

“
Working on it,” Kev replied grimly. “I think we found our traitor, or what’s left of him. Banner should have the coolant panel by-passed in twenty minutes or less. The weapons will be back online in five minutes.”

“
K’tar, did you get that?” Manota asked.

Manota opened an emergency hatch at the end of the corridor and slid down to the lower level. The lifts deactivated when the alarms sounded. He ignored the flashing red lights as he pressed his hand to the panel to open the hatch to the lower level. Jai and two other warriors followed close behind him.

Manota stepped out into the corridor. He nodded to the three men. He motioned for Jai to come with him while the other two secured the level they were on. Striding down the corridor to the next emergency hatch, he opened it and slid down. He nodded to Jai as he palmed the sensor. The door opened silently. He nodded grimly at Jai before he slipped through the opening. Jai sealed the panel behind him. They would move in a two man formation. Both men could hear the sound of fighting further down the corridor. Taking off at a run, both rounded the corner to find five Kassisan warriors battling with ten of the pirates.

Manota snarled when he saw they were a mixture of Tearnats, Drakas and Killians. He saw one of his men stumble as he took a laser sword across his upper thigh. The man fell sideways but continued to try to fight. Manota let out a roar and burst forth firing his laser pistol at the head of the Draka who had struck the warrior. Even as the Draka fell another took his place. His men were forced back, the injured warrior overwhelmed as a Tearnat cut a slice across his throat.

Rage poured through Manota as he fought. He pressed against the large Tearnat, ignoring the pirate’s snarling. He pressed his laser pistol against the thick thigh and fired three rapid shots. Bellows of rage filled the corridor over the loud shouts of the other warriors. As the large reptilian fell back, Manota swung the laser sword in his other hand savagely across the male’s throat. The creature’s head snapped back as the cut almost severed it from the light green shoulders. Manota heard Kev’s voice as he told K’tar the weapons were back online and to blow the hell out of the pirate ships. The warship rocked violently as the
Seeker
fired on the ship closest to it. Shockwaves buffeted the warship but the shields held. The pirates must have realized they had lost their advantage as they froze for a split second. Manota reached out, bracing his arm as another shockwave jolted the
Seeker
. A dark menacing smile curled his lips as he stared back into the suddenly panic- stricken looks of those who realized they were the ones now trapped.

“
Time to die,” Manota snarled out.

He rushed into the few pirates who were a little slower to realize what was happening. The others were already scrambling trying to get back to the transport that was docked with the
Seeker
in the hopes of escaping before they were left behind. Manota knew it was already too late. He listened as more of his men reported blowing connections to the shuttles docked on this level and four others. The only one still attached was the one on Level 4.

Fear for his mate drove Manota to be even more ruthless as he cut a path through the remaining pirates. He had to get to her. Something deep inside him told him she was in trouble.

Jo followed behind Sasha and Mushie. Nugget walked beside Katarina. Jade followed up the rear. Both tigers froze suddenly as if they were a statue captured in motion. It was amazing watching how they could be trotting one moment and frozen like stone the next. Katarina paused as well, watching – waiting. The tigers took a slow step forward.

Jo looked at Katarina who was staring intently at the two tigers, her right hand gently stroking the smaller spotted leopard at her side. If she didn’t know better, she would swear the large cat trainer was communicating with them. Jo moved into position when she saw Katarina’s shoulders stiffen. A moment later, five huge alien males rounded the corner of the corridor.

Jo recognized two Tearnats immediately. Their multi-shaded color scales, elongated head, and long tail were burned into her memory from when she and Star were captured back at the cabin. These were not the same as Madas and Gril. Her two friends might be Tearnats but they didn
’t have the same savage, menacing look as these two. The other males Jo did not recognize. One was a molted, red-skinned alien with yellow eyes while the other two were a very pale color with dark gray eyes and long ash white dreadlocks that hung down their backs. All five men stopped in surprise when they saw the three women.

“
Females!” The molted red-skinned male growled out in a low voice. “There was no mention of there being females on board.”

“
I claim the dark haired one in front,” one of the pale males grinned.

“
I’ll take the other one,” his partner replied with a lecherous smile.

“
I guess we get the light haired one,” the molted red skinned alien told the two Tearnats with a sharp-tooth grin. “I get her first as you two will tear her apart.”

Jo raised her eyebrow as she looked at the ugly bastard who was grinning at her.
“I’ll see you in hell first, asshole,” she growled out. “Katarina?”

Katarina grinned as her hand went
to the long whip she had wound up at her waist. She let the long length unfurl until it lay like a serpent running down her leg. She nodded to Jo and Jade before she growled out in a low voice to the two larger tigers that were still frozen.

“
Sacha, Mushie, убить!”
Sasha, Mushie, kill!
She ordered in Russian at the same time as she pulled the whip back and snapped it at the men.

The two tigers burst into action as if released from a spell holding them captive. The huge Tearnats cursed loudly as the tigers
charged at them. They raised their arms in unison to fire at the big cats. Katarina snapped the whip again. The tip wound around one of the pistols and she jerked it out of the Tearnat’s hand at the same time as Sasha hit him with the speed of a train hitting a car sitting on the tracks. The force of the blow knocked the huge male off his feet and into the two pale men standing slightly behind him.

Jade reacted as the other Tearnat raised his arm. She pulled her nine millimeter semi-automatic from behind her and opened fire. The first two bullets thudded against the huge Tearnat
’s chest before harmlessly bouncing off. It was enough of a distraction that Mushie was able to attack him.

“
What the fuck?” Jade muttered as she stared in disbelief.

“
You have to aim for their head,” Jo yelled out.

She needed to protect Katarina who was trying to help Sasha. The white tiger was raking at the huge Tearnat who had his tail wrapped around her. He used his powerful legs to throw the huge cat off of him. Sasha hit the wall with a resounding thud before lying still.

“NO!” Katarina cried out, rushing to her beloved pet.

“
You sorry ass son-of-a-bitch,” Jade growled out in fury.

Jo watched out of the corner of her eye as Jade walked forward emptying her handgun into the Tearnat who was getting up. This time she aimed for his head. Three shots hit him; one in the left eye, one between the eyes, and the last one went through his jaw. He fell backwards, unmoving.

“I like a woman with fire,” the pale alien said as he stood up from where he was crouching when he saw that Jade’s weapon no longer fired. “You will keep me entertained as my pet.”

Jo watched as the red-skinned alien jumped over the dead Tearnat. She was pretty sure the other Tearnat was dead or would soon be. Mushie had him by the neck and was holding him. The huge lizard
’s legs and tail were still moving but the movements were jerky - clumsy.

“
Katarina, look out behind you,” Jo called out even as she turned toward the red-skinned alien walking toward her with a grin.

Jo twirled the staff in her hand. She didn
’t extend it as there wasn’t room in the narrow corridor. At the moment, it was the same size as the baton twirlers in high school use. She pressed the button releasing the sharp blades. Moving into a defensive stance, she glared coldly at the alien male. She was getting tired of these assholes messing with her friends and family. She still needed to find her parents and she wasn’t about to let some red-mottled beetle stop her.

“
Back off,” she demanded as he took another step closer.

“
Now I have you all to myself,” he grinned nastily. “I look forward to fucking you. I have never had your species before.”

Jo sneered at the ugly creature as he came almost within reach. She blocked out Katarina and Jade for the moment, hoping they could handle the other two males. She backed up slowly. She wanted to draw the male further away from her friends. She didn
’t want to take a chance of hurting them. It also would make the male think she was afraid which she was deep down. She was terrified but there was also a burning fury building inside her.

So much had happened over the last few months. It all began with her decision to return to the circus and their kidnapping and traveling to a strange new world, almost losing River and Star and falling in love with Manota had stretched her orderly life beyond her comfort zone. The emotions of burning fear that she had buried under the iron control that she always maintained over her emotions disappeared at the triumphant look on alien male
’s face. All the fear erupted as hot fury. Her body trembled as she waited that last second until she felt like she could release it without hurting anyone but the male stalking her.

“
You are mine,” he grinned as he reached out to grab her.

“
Wrong choice, you bastard,” Jo hissed as she erupted into action.

His startled yelp of pain only fueled her fury. She attacked with cold, calculated moves. She twirled the staff, the sharp edges a blur as she struck again and again. Blood splattered the walls and her as she sliced into his leathery flesh. The male roared in pain as she sliced a long thin path across his arms. Jo gritted her teeth when he countered her attacks with his own long, curved blades. She blocked a downward slice while bowing back away when he came up with his other hand from underneath. Kicking out, she caught him in the groin. Unfortunately, it was a glancing blow that did little more than made him take a step back.

Fearing he would surge forward, she took the offensive and jabbed the staff as if it was a spear. She shook as she felt the blade go deep into the flesh of his side. A cry burst from her lips as he swung his beefy arm around. The blade cut through her thin shirt along her left side. She could feel the warmth of blood as it soaked her shirt. She bit her lip and kicked out.

“
Bitch! You are going to die a long, slow death,” the male snarled at her as he grabbed the staff as she held it up to block another blow.

Jo gripped the center of the staff with both hands and fell backwards bringing the huge male with her. She tucked her legs up under her, placing both of her feet firmly in the center of his stomach as he came down on top of her. She used the momentum of the fall and her legs to throw him over her. The move stunned the male giving her time to roll back onto her feet. She swayed and resisted the urge to grab her side that was throbbing horribly.

Jo looked down in shock. The male had a long laser sword sticking out of the center of his chest. She looked up, swaying dangerously to gaze at the man who had come to her aid.

“
Daddy,” Jo whispered, as her legs gave out under her.

“
Jo,” Tami Strauss cried out, wrapping her arm around her daughter’s waist. “Alan! Help me.”

Jo vaguely felt her mom and dad
’s arms as they guided her over to the side of the corridor. She slid down the wall suddenly feeling very shaky. She looked over to where Jade stood over the dead body of one of the pale bastards. A laser sword sticking all the way through his body from stomach to back. Katarina was kneeling next to Sasha, rubbing her hands loving over the soft fur of the large tiger. The smaller ocelot and Mushie were dragging the body of the other pale male away from their mistress. Both male cats were very protective of both of the females.

“
Jo, honey, let me look at your side,” she heard her mother say.

Things blurred in and out of focus for a moment before she shook her head to clear it. She needed to get up. Her side was burning like a son-of-a-bitch but she refused to let it stop her.

“I’m fine,” she gritted out. “We have to get back to the storage bay. There are probably more pirates.”

S
he pushed up against the wall in determination, leaning heavily on her mom and dad for a moment as the world spun for a second. She nodded to them as she straightened. Bending gingerly, she picked up her staff.

“
Katarina, get them out of here,” Jo ordered through gritted teeth. “Mom, you and dad follow behind Katarina. The cats can sense the pirates.”

“
Honey, your side,” her mom started to protest, looking worriedly at the blood coating Jo.

Jo gave her mom a strained smile.
“Not all of it is mine,” she replied softly before turning to look at her dad who was glancing back and forth. “Thanks for saving me, dad. I’m sorry I got you guys in this mess.”

Alan Strauss glanced at his oldest daughter, his expression softening.
“There are pricks no matter where you go in the universe,” Alan said gruffly. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world if it meant being with you, your mom, and your sister.”

Jo just nodded, pushing away from the wall.
“Let’s get back to the storage area before we get more company.”

The small group moved back the way Jo, Katarina, and Jade had traveled a short time ago. They paused when they heard the sound of unfamiliar voices coming toward them. Sasha and Mushie quickly took out the two pirates that came out of a side corridor, startling them.

They had just rounded the last corridor leading to the storage bay when they encountered more. Two Kassisan warriors were locked in battle with four pirates outside the doors. The small group surged forward, Jo cutting down one pirate who turned as she approached. Katarina had wrapped her whip around another pirate’s neck, pulling him off his feet where Sasha and Mushie made quick work of him. Alan moved forward as one of the warriors stumbled back from a blow he received, stopping the blade that would have ended the warrior’s life with his own. Jade was helping the other warrior. Soon, the corridor was quiet once again.

“
Alan!” Tami cried out in fear as Jo swayed briefly before she collapsed.

Alan rushed forward to where Jo lay unconscious. One of the warriors moved forward as well. Tami was peeling Jo
’s blood soaked shirt from her side. A long gash ran just under her ribcage. What worried Tami was the long red tentacles beginning to branch out from it.

“
What is that?” Tami asked as she tried to rip a portion of Jo’s shirt away so she could use it to stem the blood.

“
Poison,” the warrior said with a dark curse. He looked up at Alan and Tami. “How long ago was she wounded?”

“
I… ten minutes,” Tami whispered looking from the warrior to her husband. “Maybe a little longer.”

The warrior called out over his shoulder to the other warrior who nodded. The second warrior spoke quickly into his comlink. The grim look on the face of the warrior scared Tami.

“You said it was poison. Do you have a cure?” Alan asked harshly.

“
Yes,” the warrior said with a nod as he looked grimly at the human male who had saved his life. “But it has to be given within thirty minutes or less for it to work.”

“
Where is the antidote?” Alan asked.

“
Medical, Level 6,” the warrior said grimly. “There is intense fighting between here and there. There are not enough warriors to make sure you get there safely.”

“
Like hell there isn’t,” a gruff voice said from behind them. “Marvin, Martin, get the crew together. We have to create a clean path to Medical,” Walter yelled out. “Now!”

Marvin and Martin, their faces clean of the face paint, nodded and spoke quietly to Suzy and Curly. Suzy turned and whistled loudly. In seconds, a group of forty circus members stood around them.

“Let’s go,” Martin said in a smooth, slightly accented voice. “We will take the lead. The clowns will surround Jo. Shakira and Adam will follow. Katarina, you and your cats will stay and help protect the others with Marcus.”