Gigi (8 page)

“The holovid? I thought you gave me Gaal’ya’s only copy.”

“Frackking bastard betrayed me. I should’ve known better.” Briq recounted what had happened since he’d asked Fael to break the encryption code on the vid. Smelly bottom dweller had made a copy.

“Did he tell you how he was able to get past Pendo’rah’s finest?” Dru-lah asked nonchalantly.

Briq had a feeling he already knew the answer. “Paralytic nerve agent. He had a stash from a smuggling job he was doing.”

According to Fael, kidnapping her was a stroke of luck. It looked as if he’d become obsessed with Amada after watching the vid. Opportunity and a canister of the stuff had given him the idea. Slimy rat hadn’t even had a plan when he’d followed them to the clothier. He’d just been peeping through the air vent, sick depraved bastard.

“How did you ended up at Quiinlyx? I thought you were on your way to the badlands?” Dru-lah asked, looking directly into his eyes.

Briq knew better. His friend wanted to make sure he’d had nothing to do with the kidnapping. He didn’t resent him. He’d do the same in his place.

He decided to come clean. Now wasn’t the time for lies. While watching the recording, he’d recognized the brands around the couple’s neck. He’d gone to the planet in search of Mol because the old one had lived in Pendo’rah a long time ago.

Gaining access to the old one meant earning the trust of his son, Kol. He owned a disreputable gaming den in the lawless district. Briq had taken a job as his bodyguard. It was then Fael had come in carrying what he’d claimed was the jid’rahal’s female. Thanks to Mol’s quick thinking, they were able to rescued Amada.

“You should’ve seen her, Dru-lah. She used my pulse weapon and blasted Fael’s arm right off. She’s a worthy mate for the jid’rahal.” He pitied the supreme commander. His mate wasn’t one to be trifled with.

“I’m curious. What did the old man tell you about the brand?”

“They’re real. How can it be? The last recorded branded couple was about two thousand years ago.”

“I don’t have to ask you to keep it a secret.” Dru-lah explained how Amada was taken from her planet. No one had known she was on board until Ounna had discovered her underneath one of the beasts. The supreme commander claimed her to keep her safe. The brand around their necks took everyone by surprise. “You know what could happened if news of this reaches the wrong ears.”

“You have my word.” Briq nodded, a spark of hope starting in his chest. What if…

* * * *

The state-of-the-art Pendo’rahn shuttle offered Briq a sense of ease for the first time in years. He hoped Amada and the jid’rahal enjoyed all the happiness he’d found with Mor’u.
Farewell, Amada, until we meet again.

Things were going to be different from now on. He could feel it. With this new cutting-edge shuttle, he’d reach Galadonia in half the time. It was an impressive piece of engineering with a fully-loaded weapon system and a triple shielded hull. The A.I. was so advanced some would argue it was alive.

They’d even had their first argument when it insisted its name was Ly-shra. Briq was used to just calling the things A.I. Every time he tried to give a command, it ignored him. The aggravating thing would only answer to Ly-shra. Who the frackk named a shuttle after a tiny bird?

An agreement was reached between them. The A.I. approved the name change, and Briq promised to leave its systems alone. Conceited piece of junk really believed it was real. When he messed with the systems and codes it quickly changed its tune.
Who’s the boss now?
he thought smugly.

Briq decided to explore the
Rag’mar
. Now that was a fitting name. It was a hybrid between a shuttle and a cruiser. Roomy with a cargo bay, a smuggler would kill a dozen Kreeh-noshians for it. He almost felt guilty for the way he’d acquired it, but his need outweighed the jid’rahal’s. The warrior could afford to buy a hundred more.

After satisfying his curiosity, he returned to his new quarters carrying a small chest containing his personal belongings. He reached inside and pulled out a vial of the inhibitor. He frowned, trying to remember the last time he’d dosed.
How long since my last rage?
Briq sat on his platform and closed his eyes.

Has it been that long?
His last full-blown rage had been the same day he’d rescued Mor’u at the pit. Concern for her health prevented his mind from noticing anything else. His heart raced furiously at the implication. Being with her somehow suppressed his aggression. He’d found true peace the day he’d met her. The memory of what they shared gave him a feeling of pleasure he’d never reached with the inhibitor.

How long will it last?
rasped the tormenting voice inside
. How long until you break down and hurt her?
No, he was stronger than that.
Do it now before it’s too late, before the beast awakens. It’ll tear her to pieces.
He couldn’t take the chance. His love for her guided his hand, one drop, then another.

Briq sat up, disoriented as a bright light shone directly on his face. What the frackk? The commlink blared. The alarm settings were too loud. He didn’t remember setting an alarm.

“Sorry to interrupt your sleep cycle. We’re orbiting Galadonia. You have an incoming transmission from the planet.”

If he didn’t know any better, he could’ve sworn the stupid thing mocked him. “This is the
Rag’mar
.” He growled at the comm.

“Um, yes…is that you, Briq?”

“Medic Kru, why are you calling me?” Briq sprang off the sleep platform fully awake now. “Where’s Xy? Has something happened to Gigi?”

“There’s no time to explain. Someone might be listening. I’m transmitting an encoded message he left in my care. Xy asked me to deliver it to you personally when you showed up.”

“Thank you. I’m opening a secure channel. You’re clear for transmission.”

“Briq? Please don’t judge us too harshly,” Medic Kru said before uploading the message.

“Briq, my friend…time is limited.” Xy’s holographic image was projected into the middle of the room. “We’re under attack…by T’zaal. He claims Gigi belongs to him. The council of elders agreed to hand her over in exchange for a ceasefire. Security is on its way to take her. I’m going too. I promise to keep her safe. Briq…if it comes to…I promise she’ll not suffer. I’m sending his message too. Maybe you can find a clue. May the goddess guide you.”

* * * *

Xy woke up to the earsplitting sound of the SCUD alarm. The A.I. broadcasted a warning in all channels.

“Attention, red alert. We are under attack by the Kreeh-nosh. Evacuation procedures are now in effect. Repeat, we are under attack…” He muted the alarm by waving the holoscreen on.

“This is security control. Please stay in your assigned SCUD. We’re sending a team to take you into custody.”

“What’s going on? Why are you taking me into custody?”

“The Kreeh-nosh demand the return of the female you brought back. They’ll cease their attack if we comply.”

“Are you going to hand over a defenseless female to these barbarians?” Xy asked, refusing to believe his people would stoop so low. “Do you really think they’ll keep their word?” While they weren’t the most welcoming race, he hoped they were still good. He was wrong. They chose to sacrifice an innocent rather than fight.

“That’s not for us to question. The elders agree to the terms. You mustn’t resist. Allow us access to the female.”

Xy only had enough time to record an encoded message before the security team arrived. He didn’t resist them, fearing for Gigi’s life. She wouldn’t be alone, because he chose to go with her. Only a weakling would leave the delicate female at the hands of their enemy. He really was an outcast.

* * * *

Briq was furious at Galadonia’s lack of compassion. How could they turn one of their own and a defenseless female over to the Kreeh-nosh? “Rag’mar, open fire on their communications satellites.”

“I am afraid I cannot do that. Protectorate law prohibits unprovoked attacks.”

“Override.”

“On what grounds?”

“Protectorate law states any planet conducting business or diplomatic agreements with the Kreeh-nosh shall be deemed as an enemy combatant. Galadonia just entered into an agreement with the Kreeh-nosh for a cease fire. They also turned over two innocent individuals.”

“Analyzing… You are correct. I have reviewed transmissions coming from the planet. They reached an agreement with our enemy. Weapons armed and ready.
”

“Fire.” The destruction of the satellites brought a small consolation. Let those bastards simmer for a while.

Rag’mar detected a trace of a Kreeh-nosh energy signature. It was faint and dispersing quickly. There were too many variables to get an accurate reading. He spent the next few weeks stopping at every two-bit spaceport and gaming den, trying to get a lead on the scientist.

During his last stop, a G’lur itinerant worker told him the public transport he’d been traveling on had been attacked by Kreeh-nosh. He’d barely escaped with his life, but others hadn’t been as lucky. Buying passage on another transport plus giving him some extra credits was the least Briq could do for the poor fellow. Thanks to him Briq knew T’zaal’s heading—the edge of the galaxy.

Fear for Mor’u drove him back to the inhibitor. He’d increased the dose and frequency just to be able to function. Briq didn’t care. He needed a clear head. He removed a vial from the case and applied two drops into each eye. Rest didn’t come easy this time. When it did, it was riddled with images of Mor’u at the hands of T’zaal. The proximity alarm woke him from a trouble sleep.

“Warning, a Kreeh-noshian ship two hundred thousand miles ahead.”

“Rag’mar, have we been detected?”

“Negative. I activated a scattering field before reaching minimum distance to our final destination. Their sensors will not be able to read us.”

“What’s the extent of your capabilities?”

“I am a fully assimilated artificial intelligence programmed to learn and expand my databanks. I can make trillions of calculations simultaneously. My primary goal is to preserve the life of those on board. My hull is made of reinforce—”

“Can you distinguish between life signs?”

“Clarify.”

“Can you tell me if there are other kinds aside from the Kreeh-nosh on board?”

“There are two dozen Trac’xians, a Labonian, ten G’lur, a Galadonian and a Pendo’rahn.”

“Rag’mar, can you find their exact location?”

“Yes, they are on deck three, except for the Pendo’rahn, who is currently on deck five.”

“In that case, lay a course to intercept and prepare to attack the areas farther away from them.”

“Adjusting course to intercept. The Pendo’rahn is in the main lab. You will have approximately three hours to mount your rescue before the area decompresses.”

His anger escalated, fury threatening to overcome reason. Nothing else mattered. He was getting them back. How had T’zaal found her? Breathing deeply, he conjured her face. The way she’d accepted him without reservations. Her kiss still fresh on his lips. He’d never shared himself like that with another.
Must save, must get her back…kill all.
He was losing his mind to the rage. He hated to use the inhibitor, but without her, he had no option.

Chapter Seven

The Rage

Gigi dreamed of a tall fierce warrior barging into the arena. A battle cry on his lips, striking down anyone caught in his path. Instead of fear, she felt a strong attraction between them. His eyes glowed with the wildness of a primeval creature. He was magnificent, like a titan from mythology. His gaze fixed on her with a mix of shame and despair. Her soul reached out, entwining itself with his. Was it possible to love someone at first glance?

Nobody loves you. You’re too weak and scrawny for any man to desire. You disgust me. The only reason I married you was because of your voice. Yes, you stupid cunt, I‘ll make millions from you. You’ll do whomever I want and whatever I order you to do. Do I make myself clear?

No, it wasn’t possible. Davide had found her. He was going to make her do unspeakable things.
I have to get out, have to disappear, get away from him…
“Briq!”

“Hush, little one, everything’s going to be all right.”

“Xy? Where’s Briq?” She looked around, confused.

“As far as I know, he’s still at Quiinlyx.”

“Why did you remove me from the gly-urq? Did it malfunction?”

“No, but don’t panic. There’s something you should know.”

“What?”

“You’re my prisoner again.”

Fear flooded her brain. She turned around slowly faced T’zaal. How had he found her? Had Xy betrayed them? She looked back at him, noticing the collar and bruises for the first time. She felt ashamed for thinking he’d doublecrossed his best friend. Xy was just as noble as Briq. They swore to protect her against any threat. If not him, then how had T’zaal found her?

“How’d you find us?” she asked, swallowing the scream lodged in her throat.

“Bio-tracker,” Xy replied, sending T’zaal an angry look.

“Ah, your Galadonian protector is right. Your translator has a bio-tracker of my own design that I embedded inside you. It’s virtually undetectable.”

He curled one of his clawed hands around her waist and dangled her five feet off the floor. They were almost out the door. Xy ran after them. She tried to stop him, but it was too late. The collar activated, cutting off his air. She remembered how it’d nearly suffocated her at the pit. Gigi thrashed wildly, trying to get free. She had to help her friend before he died.

“Stop moving, female. I don’t want you harmed. The Galadonian will recover. They’re a hearty race.”

“Xy, please don’t move. I’ll be fine. You have to promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”

“Reckless is my name, risky business my game,” he rasped, trying to sound brazen. She knew better. He was hurt. The collar tightened around the neck effectively cutting off a person’s air, but it was also painful.