Karac: Kaldar Warriors #1 (11 page)

He was brought out of his thoughts as the vehicle pulled up into the shuttle.  His mate opened the door on the other side and slipped out without so much as a glance in his direction.  Growling, he thrust his door open and strode to her side.  She was looking around as she followed some of the other warriors to the passenger bay.  Totally ignoring him.  Fine, he could give her a little space.  She was on the ship and couldn’t go anywhere else.  They could talk once they got back to their quarters on the main ship.  He turned to Calzen who hung back with him.  Karac frowned at the look Calzen had on his face.

“What are you smirking about?”  Karac demanded. 

“You’re mate is going to make life interesting.”  Calzen laughed as he clapped Karac on the shoulder. 

“To say the least.”  Karac mumbled, turning to watch her disappear around the corner.  Not liking her out of his sight, he motioned Calzen to walk with him.  The cargo bay door sealed behind them as they made their way to the passenger bay. 

“Congratulations, I’m glad you finally found her.”  Calzen continued. 

“After six months of searching.”  Karac said irritated. 

“Don’t forget there are other warriors that have yet to find their mates too.”

“I know.  I should feel privileged to have found her.  I know you are still looking for yours.”

“Don’t remind me.”  Calzen grumbled.

“Can you feel her any more now that we are on the planet?”

“No, it isn’t any stronger.”  Calzen admitted. 

“Mine didn’t either, but looking into her eyes for the first time was the best moment of my life.”  He looked ahead at Ashley who was slowly making her way around the control room, observing all the interfaces.  His warriors were careful to maneuver around her and keep their distance.  Calzen was quiet for a minute before commenting.

“I know I mentioned before that I felt something when we first arrived to this planet, but it is faint now.  Almost non-existent.”  Calzen replied quietly.  Karac turned back to his friend and cupped his shoulder. 

“You’ll find her.  I know you will.”  Calzen nodded in return before moving forward.  He watched Calzen take a seat on the side, away from the controls.  He stowed Ashley’s bag of personal belongings under his seat.  Calzen was more of a weapons expert than a pilot, although all the warriors had some flight training.  Karac glanced around the passenger bay and found the rest of the warriors were seated or at their stations.  His mate was the only one still standing, wandering around the controls.  He walked over to the two empty seats that allowed a view out the front, all the while watching Ashley who had a quizzical expression on her face as she tried to make out the controls.

“Ashley, if you would,” Karac motioned to the two seats when she looked back at him.  He watched her look around and noticed everyone else was seated.  She quickly walked over to him, not touching him of course, and sat down.  A five point harness automatically slithered over her curves and fastened securely. 

“This thing is going to let me go later, right?”  Ashley asked nervously pulling at the unresponsive straps lying innocently against her.

“It will retract after we dock and are cleared to leave the shuttle.”  Karac sat next to her and his own harness slipped over his chest.  He looked to the pilot who was waiting for the all clear.  “Ready when you are.”

“Yes sir.”  The pilot nodded and started the takeoff procedure.  Karac looked back to Ashley who had gone a shade paler as the engine started. 

“You all right?”  Karac winced, knowing what kind of response he was going to get. 

“No, I’m not all right.”  Ashley replied heatedly.  Karac didn’t think she would continue but after a few seconds she added, “You should know that I get motion sickness really easy.  It doesn’t help that I was already nervous about this whole situation to begin with.”

“Well, try not to think about it.”  Karac was at a loss for words.  His mate got motion sickness?  The Kaldarhns flew everywhere.  He’d never heard of anyone being sick before.  “We should be docked in twenty minutes or so.”

“You can travel that fast?”  Ashley looked at him in surprise. 

“Yes.”  A slight smile graced his lips in response. 

“Don’t you have to worry about the change in air pressure or something?”

“No, our ships are engineered to maintain the optimum pressure for its passengers.”

“What about what the ship is made out of?  Won’t that buckle under the pressure?”

“We have been traveling space for centuries and have perfected the thickness and material needed for traveling through different pressures.  You are completely safe with us.”  The sudden lift had both Karac and Ashley looking up and out of the front view screen.  This process wasn’t new to Karac so he returned his attention to Ashley.  She seemed to be getting over her initial paleness, since the takeoff and flight was smooth, and was now watching in fascination as the ship lifted off the surface and pointed toward the sky. 

“I’m going into space,” Karac heard her mumble.  “I can’t believe I’m actually going into space.”  She probably thought no one could hear her but with their hypersensitive hearing, none of the warriors had any issues discerning every word. 

“We should be leaving the atmosphere soon, then we will turn and you should get a good view of your Earth.”  Karac commented.  Ashley didn’t acknowledge him but did try to sit up straighter to have a better view.  He watched as the blue faded into black and the ship turned to show the dome of Earth.  He heard Ashley catch her breath and had to smile to himself.  Her look of awe was all the encouragement he needed that things would eventually work out in the end. 

Ashley

Seeing the Earth from space was a sight I was never going to forget.  The pictures that NASA had did not do it justice.  The Earth looked just like a marble.  A big, glassy, blue, green, and brown marble was all I could see as we slowly turned.  Eventually, we pulled up and I could see the black nothingness of space with a smattering of stars light-years away.  This was going to be so different than anything else I had ever experienced in my life.  I just hoped I could figure out a way back home. 

Slowly, a silver, metallic ship came into view.  Compared to the size of the Earth, the ship looked massive.  I looked to Karac who was still watching my every move.

“How many people are on the ship?”

“At last count, there were 436 unmated warriors, 72 mated, and 3 unmated females.  Totaling 515 souls on board.”

“Do you categorize everyone according to their relationship status?”  I asked. 

“In our society, it is a high honor to be mated.  Not many are, so those warriors who are unmated consider it a great honor to protect the females.”  He nodded around to the warriors around us. 

“So that’s why I have to have a guard?  Because I’m a female?”

“That and my rank.”  Karac commented offhandedly with a shrug.  Like it was no big deal to have someone following me around 24/7. 

“Calzen,” I pointed back to the other warriors sitting around us, “mentioned that you were a leader.  What kind of leader?”

“We will discuss that when we reach our quarters.”  There was finality about that statement that told me I wasn’t going to get anywhere if I kept asking questions about that.  Still, the significance of “our quarters” was a bit concerning. 

“I still don’t understand why we have to share a room.”

“Mated pairs share the same living quarters.”

“We aren’t mated.  At least by my definition of the word.”

“Technically, no, we are not mated.  However, I can and will decide what precautions need to be made to maintain your safety.  One of them is us living in the same space.  I need to be there to protect you.”

“And I don’t get a say in any of this?”

“Not when it comes to your safety.”  He responded with an unyielding face.  I glared at him.  While I appreciated someone looking out for me, I did not enjoy my choices being taken from me.  I chose to ignore him as we approached the ship.  I looked away and watched the proceedings on how to land a shuttle.  Not that I was absorbing much from behind the pilot. 

A bay opened and our shuttle glided into the small space.  As soon as the shuttle landed, I could hear the huge bay doors seal behind us.  Looking out the front view screen, I could see the ship’s interior silver walls, with pipes running up and down.  Two hallways led off into the interior of the ship behind solid doors with a small window.  Nothing, so far, looked too alien.  I was startled when the harness decided it was safe to let me go.  I watched as it slowly retracted into the seat.  Free to move around, I stood up and off to the side as the other warriors gathered a few bags, along with my belongings, and headed to the back of the ship.  I glanced back at Karac who was waiting for me to move forward. 
Well, it was now or never.
  I took a fortifying breath and followed the warriors out. 

The bay was about twice the size of the shuttle.  I noticed that some of the warriors were exiting to the right, while four others, including Calzen, who still had my bag, and the one called Darrok, with the medical wand, waited for us to the left.  I felt Karac raise his hand to put at the small of my back but I really couldn’t deal with him touching me right now.  Not with all the uncertainty I was facing.  I also didn’t want him thinking that I was caving into this whole idea that we were mates.  I took a large step forward and continued toward the other warriors who stepped to the side to let me pass.  I only took two steps beyond the bay doors into the hallway before Karac snatched my hand and was walking beside me.  I looked down at our clasped hands in surprise before looking up at him.  I was about to tug my hand away when he shook his head.  He leaned down and whispered to my ear.

“We need to show solidarity when we are in public.  You can berate me all you want in private, but out here, you must allow me to at least hold your hand.”  He paused for a brief second before adding, “Agreed?”  He pulled back for my answer.  I glanced around and noticed a few curious warriors glancing our way down the hall at our party.  If he was a leader, I could understand him wanting to not show any kind of weakness.  Who knows, it could be something that could play to my advantage in the future.  Looking back at Karac, I nodded in agreement…for now. 

“Thank you.”  He brought my hand up to his lips for a quick kiss before all of us continued down the hallway.  I didn’t dwell on the tingling sensation left behind by his lips.  It felt like a relatively short walk before we turned down another hallway.  The entrance to this hallway was guarded by two warriors and each saluted Karac as we walked by.  I glanced over my shoulder as we passed them and saw that they both returned to their statue-like pose once we passed.  I looked down the empty hallway with confusion.

“Where is everyone?”

“This is my personal wing.  Only I, you, or someone by personal invitation are allowed this direction, excluding my personal guards of course.”

“So you have guards too?”

“Yes, diplomacy dictates that I not wear weapons to most gatherings so I must depend upon my warriors if need be.”  Karac turned to a door halfway down and opened it before continuing.  “Usually I would only require two guards.  But now with you, Calzen, my head of security, has selected eight other warriors.  You have seen six of them.”

“What of the other two?”  I followed Karac into what looked like a sitting room.  There was a desk, two couches and recliners, as well a large window looking out into space.  I couldn’t help but walk to the window and gaze at the distant stars. 

“One was injured during training this morning and will be recuperating for the time being.  The other was required on the ship for recon.”  Karac’s statement had me turning back toward him.  I saw that only Calzen and Darrok had entered the room with us, the other two remained outside the door.  He handed my bag to Karac, who nodded at him, before turning in my direction and regarded me seriously.

“Welcome aboard, Ashley.  I am pleased Karac has found you, his mate.  You will be well-cared for, respected, and will want for nothing.  I am Calzen, this is Darrok.”  He motioned to the other warrior beside him.  “As Karac mentioned, I am the head of security and all of your guards report to me.  I will be your guard from time to time but if you should need anything, just ask one of the guards.”

“And how am I supposed to do that if they apparently can’t talk to me without your approval?”  I asked turning toward Karac.  He frowned before answering. 

“I will instruct your guards they are free to talk to you after you have initiated conversation.”  He looked to Calzen before continuing.  “See that they are all informed.”

“Yes, Karac.”  Calzen nodded before looking to Darrok, who stepped forward and looked at me.

“Welcome, Ashley.  I am Darrok, the head of communications and technology.  You will also see me from time to time as I visit with Karac.  If you should require anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, both of you.  I appreciate the warm welcome.”  I smiled softly at both of them.  My fight wasn’t with them and I wasn’t going to burn bridges in case I could use their help later.  Calzen cleared his throat. 

“My warriors will be stationed in the hall should you need anything.  Goodnight.”  He bowed respectfully to both me and Karac before shutting the door behind him and Darrok.  The guards that were in the hall were supposedly for my protection, or imprisonment?  I decided that was a battle for another time.  With Calzen and Darrok gone, that left me and Karac alone. 

“Come, I will show you around.”  He strode to a door I hadn’t noticed across the room and I couldn’t help my curiosity as I followed him.  The door led into a well-appointed bedroom.  The massive bed took up most of the space with two dresser-looking things on either side. 

“The bureau on the right holds my things, you can have the one on the left.”  Karac motioned toward the dresser he mentioned as he set my bag on that side of the bed.  “Let me show you the cleansing room.”  He strode to his side of the room and through another door.  Nervous, I followed a few steps behind.  The ‘cleansing room,’ or bathroom, seemed simple enough.  Standard equipment that I could see so it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out in the morning.  I backed out into the bedroom as Karac followed me.  He looked at me in concern as he noted my hesitation.

Glancing at the bed then back to me, he said, “I’ll give you the bed tonight.  I know this has been a lot for you but I will answer all your questions.”  I opened my mouth to ask, but he cut me off.  “Tomorrow.  Tonight you need your rest.  It is past midnight your time and I have a feeling it is going to be a long day tomorrow.”

“Ok, I guess I could use some sleep.”  I agreed as I stifled a yawn.  Karac chuckled as he stepped forward.  Before I realized what he was doing, he enclosed me in his arms, pulled me flush with him, and laid his head on top of mine.  The gesture was so unexpected but felt so…right.  I couldn’t stop my actions as I relaxed into his embrace and laid my head on his shoulder.  He was so warm and his strength felt so comforting. 

“Thank you for coming with me tonight, Ashley.  I know I was demanding but I needed to have you someplace safe.  Where I could watch over you.”

“You promise to answer all my questions tomorrow?”  I mumbled into his shirt. 

“Yes, of course.”  He whispered above me. 

“And my parents?  I can talk to them in the morning?  They will be worried sick by then.  I’m sure they already know and will be up all night.”

“I’ll send a message right away confirming a time in the morning to speak with them.  I promised I wouldn’t keep you from your family.  I always keep my word.”

“Ok,” I sighed, pulling back.  I stepped away and Karac’s arms dropped from around me.  A sudden chill crept up my skin causing me to rub my arms.  I looked back at Karac before asking, “I’ll see you in the morning, then?”

“Yes, I’ll be right outside if you should need anything.”

“Ok.  Um…Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Ashley.”  He gazed at me for a few seconds longer before turning and closing the door after him.  Alone in the room, I felt drained.  I didn’t know if sleep was going to come, but I had to try at least.  I grabbed my bag that Calzen had packed and rummage through it until I found something decent to wear to bed.  I quickly changed clothes and threw my old ones back in the bag.  I hadn’t decided yet if unpacking was such a good idea.  With any luck, I’d be homebound in a few days.  Sighing, I crawled into the massive bed that was so soft I could get lost in it.  I didn’t even remember my head hitting the pillow.