Kríe Captivity (The Nira Chronicles Book 1) (2 page)

Garret exhaled as he headed over and opened the side hatch. “Paris. How far away is the distress beacon from here? Hopefully we’re not too far off course.”

Paris scrolled through the data bank on his bulky wristband, then tapped its screen a few more times. “Yeah. You did good, considering. It’s only about four klicks north of our position.”

“Four kilometers.” Eli nodded, exiting the ramp. “Not too bad at all.”

But as the men filed out, profanities abounded as each got a good look at the damage.

“Goddamn it,” Garret growled. “They fucking shredded her.”

“Maybe we should go shred them in return.”

Garret looked at Helix. “I think we’ve got more pressing matters to deal with.”

Kegan sighed, frowning at their aircraft. “Guess I’d better fire up our own distress beacon.”

Garret dragged a hand down his face. He couldn’t believe this shit. Was this what had happened to the first team? It’d make sense. Pilots had to be insanely skilled to qualify for missions like these, so no way had it been from inept flying. Too bad distress signals couldn’t send out specifics. Because if those creatures are what took down the first crew too, then what’s to stop the same thing from happening to all other rescue teams that came? Nothing. There was no real way to give headquarters a heads up. The distance for communications was just too far.

Fuck it. If home base had any brains at all, they’d be able to read between the lines. Two units down right off the bat? Hello, something was definitely going on. If the second-round rescue team didn’t come with guns blazing, Garret was seriously going to kick some idiot ass.

Gripping his hips, he turned to the team. “Alright, guys. Clearly there’ll be no fixing Charlotte today. So gear up with as much as you can possibly carry, and let’s get moving while there’s still ample light.”

CHAPTER TWO

* * *

ONE YEAR EARLIER

Astrum Industries Science & Exploration

Location: Planet Nira rainforest, after emergency landing

“Emergency landing, my ass,” Chet bit out irritably. “Is that seriously how you’re gonna log it?”

Co-pilot, Zaden Ryes, cut their bodyguard a sharp look. “Yeah. I am. Got a problem with that?”

“Actually I do, since we straight-up fucking
crashed
.” The accusation in his tone was impossible to miss. He blamed the pilots for the state they were in.

Alec Hamlin, first officer in command, turned from inspecting the wreckage. “You want full disclosure, Chet? Fine. Be my guest. Go on, tell headquarters we were attacked by
dragons
. I’m sure once you do your credibility will soar—right after they tie your ass up in a straitjacket and toss you in a padded fucking cell.”

Chet scowled, but didn’t say anything more, just broodingly got back to gathering his gear. Massive, ripped, with a mean looking skull cut—and gray eyes as sharp as razors—he wasn’t one people made a habit of messing with. Or getting on the bad side of. But Alec didn’t give a shit. He had bigger things to worry about than if soldier boy was PMSing. For fuck’s sake, Chet wasn’t the only one marooned on this fucking planet.

Dragging a hand through his light brown hair, Alec exchanged unsettled looks with his second in command. Zaden just shook his head and turned back to logging the report. Got to get all the details down while shit was still fresh in the head. Not that they’d be read for another fucking year.

Alec cursed under his breath and walked over to the team’s three scientists. “You guys packed up and ready to move? Once we find a place to set up camp, we can go out and do a little exploring.” He sighed and scanned their alien surroundings. “God knows we have plenty of time.”

“Technically,” Noah pointed out, tightening his small ponytail. “One year is
not
plenty of time. At least not to those in the scientific community.” The American beauty, with his honey blond hair and brown eyes, was as attractive as he was intelligent. Or in other words, a hot fucking nerd. At least, that’s what the girls—and guys alike—always said.

“Yeah,” Bailey chuckled, chocolate curls framing his face. “If anything, we’d call it not
enough
time.”

Alec stared at him incredulously. By that happy gleam in his hazel eyes, he’d say Bailey didn’t mind that they were stranded. Or that it’d take twelve months on this potentially dangerous planet before any kind of rescue team came to get them.

Shaking his head, Alec turned to Jamis. “What about you? You the only scientist here who’s still got some sense?”

Jamis looked up with a smirk, brushing dark bangs from his eyes. “Sorry, Cap. Guess our rough little landing gave me brain damage, too.”

Alec chuckled humorlessly and rubbed his brow. “You guys are nuts, but at least someone’s happy. Just be ready to head out in five.”

* * *

Right on time, less than ten minutes later, every man had every rucksack packed to go. Tromping along like the others in cargo shorts and a tank top, Alec kept steady pace with his co-pilot.

“I activated the distress beacon,” Zaden informed him, studying the vicinity.

With a rich tan, black hair, and equally dark eyes, the man looked right at home. And in a way he kind of was. Having spent his childhood in Central America, he regularly traversed regions much like this. In truth, this place was just like the Amazon jungle, except not only were the dense trees taller and thicker, but were solely in all dark shades. Green and purple mostly, with blossoms of orange and red. The flora looked a lot glossier, too, as if everything was covered in honey. Which would explain that wild honey scent Alec detected. A smell he’d picked up the second he stepped off their aircraft. Luckily for his team, the air was breathable. Luckier still was that the temperatures were accommodating. Hell, it was downright sultry as shit. Because, hello, they were in a fucking jungle.

“Good,” Alec replied, stepping over a downed tree. “Hopefully it won’t take long for its signal to get picked up.”

“Shouldn’t,” Zaden muttered, peering over his shoulder. “Got the thing running at full strength.” He looked back at Alec with a strange expression. “You feel that?”

Alec frowned. “Feel what? I don’t feel anything.”

“Like we’re being watched.”

Alec tensed and shot Zaden a disquieted look. The man was famous for his wicked sixth sense. “Seriously?”

Z gave a small nod, eyes combing more intently.

Alec glanced around, too. “Fucking great. Not a half hour in and we’ve already got company. Getting a vibe on if it’s friendly or not?”

“Can’t tell.”

Abruptly, countless branches began snapping overhead.

“Everyone down!” Chet bit out from the front of the line. Dropping into a crouch, he aimed his rifle up at the trees.

“Don’t fucking shoot!” Noah hissed. “For fuck’s sake!”

Beside him, Bailey and Jamis fumbled for their mini tablets. No doubt, to get some pictures.

“Shut it,” Chet growled, scanning the leafy canopy. “I’m not a goddamn idiot.”

More snapping branches, getting closer, and louder. Alec and Zaden pulled out their tranq guns, too.

“It’s probably just monkeys,” Bailey offered. “Or big squirrels.”

Everyone paused to stare at him drolly.

He scowled. “Fuck every one of you. You know what I mean.”

A loud thump sounded from somewhere nearby, as if a creature of substantial weight just dropped to the ground from a tree branch high above.

“Shit,” Chet barked out. “I can’t tell if it’s just one or a whole fucking ton of them. It’s really fricking big, though. That much I know. Bossman and Z, you two ready to engage?”

“Yeah,” Alec called. “Locked and loaded.”

“But don’t fire,” Noah repeated. “Unless absolutely necessary! If they’re even half as intelligent as us, we gotta try peaceful interaction first.”

“Intelligence,” Zaden murmured, eyeing the woods, “isn’t necessarily a good thing. More often than not, it’s the opposite.”

“Beesha,” came a deep voice from somewhere close behind.

The team leapt up and spun around as a tall figure emerged from the foliage.

Alec froze. Not only was the male before them frickin’ huge—easily seven feet tall—but every single inch of his muscular body was the deepest, darkest shade of purple. Just like the trees and large bushes he stood by. Well, except for his hair, which was entirely black, made up of long, velvety dreadlocks. Not the typical, matted dreadlocks, though. In fact, Alec wasn’t even sure it was hair at all. More like something that’d hurt like a bitch if someone ever tried to cut it.

He eyed the male’s attire next, aka his one article of clothing. Kind of looked like a black rawhide kilt, but not as long, and with a thick matching belt. It also only hung down in the front and back, leaving the sides of his dark thighs bare. Besides black sandals and shin guards, that was all that he sported, but his upper body definitely hadn’t been neglected. Biceps and wrist cuffs of the same black material, a kind of leather choker, and some piercings. Through his nipples and nasal septum, up the ridge of his ears, as well as along his… were those
horns?
Alec eyed the small, black protrusions where they emerged from his temples and curved toward the back of his head. Yup, definitely horns, but evidently pliant enough to withstand being pierced repeatedly.

The male met Alec’s eyes, as if feeling his stare, and his dark, full lips slowly curved. Fangs. The dude had huge fucking fangs. Jesus, he was intimidating. Even to a guy like Alec who’d fought in countless wars, and who wasn’t exactly small himself. But humans, whether ally or adversary, just couldn’t compare to this brute. He was thick. And dense. Just all around
big
. Even his facial features were large. Strong nose. Square jaw. High, pronounced cheekbones. Not to mention that broad, firm mouth. Or those huge, piercing eyes that were boring into Alec’s with irises of churning gold.

“Beesha,” he repeated, turning his gaze to the others. When all they did was stand there and gape—while Chet held him brazenly in his crosshairs—the male lifted his hand, fingers tipped with small, black claws, and made a nonviolent gesture. “Kerra… Móonday… Reesha may…”

The team swapped looks, then all eyes turned to Alec. Right. Because with no one able to translate, this shit defaulted to the captain. Not sensing any immediate danger—probably because Chet’s rifle was still trained on the big dude’s head—Alec tucked his tranq gun back into his leg holster, cleared his throat, and lifted his hands, too. “Um… Hello… We… uh… come in peace.”

A collective groan rose up from his team.

“Seriously?” Jamis groused.

Noah grimaced. “Beyond lame.”

“Oh, yeah?” Alec scowled. “Well, then why don’t
you
do it, Mr. Peaceful Interaction?”

Noah stiffened, but before he could say a word, the male’s amused chuff stole their attention.

“Moyos ochay,” he rumbled, grinning wide. “Ochay kuntah kai.”

The team watched him blankly, then one by one started to smile.

“He’s friendly.” Bailey exhaled in clear relief. “Scary as shit, but friendly.”

The male stepped forward. Everyone tensed. So he paused again and inclined his head. “Gesh,” he stated, pointing to himself. Then he extended a hand in their direction and eyed each team member expectantly.

“His name is Gesh.” Jamis’ smile spread wider. “He wants to know our names, too.”

“Thanks for that, Einstein,” Chet muttered in agitation. “Why don’t you do the introductions.”

Jamis swallowed and looked back over at Alec. “I would, but we should probably let the captain do it, so it’s clear who’s in charge of our unit.”

Great. Cursing under his breath, Alec resumed addressing the giant. “Uh… I am Alec,” he started, pointing to himself. Then he motioned to the rest of his crew. “And this here is Zaden, and Chet, and Bailey. And those two are Noah and Jamis.”

Gesh listened intently, regarding each one, his gaze lingering longest on Noah. Again, he inclined his head and smiled. “Enday myah. Bukah chay.” His eyes slid to Chet and his gun. “Móotah may,” he murmured darkly.

Noah shifted, as if still feeling the effects of Gesh’s stare. “He doesn’t like Chet pointing that gun at his face.”

“I wouldn’t, either,” Bailey muttered.

“Yeah, well, too fucking bad,” Chet grunted. “Are you not seeing the size of this fucking behemoth? Or that he’s got fricking fangs and claws?”

Gesh pursed his lips, as if understanding Chet’s words.

For the first time since their new friend’s arrival, Zaden spoke up, his gaze locked on Gesh. “He’s smart. Really smart. Might even know what we’re saying.”

“But is he safe?” Alec asked. “Are we cool? Can we trust him?”

“I dunno.” Zaden frowned. “I still can’t tell.”

Noah raked a hand through his flyaway bangs. “Come on, guys. There’s six of us and only one of him. And he’s not the one with the guns. I say we ease up a little. Let the guy breathe.”

Chet looked at Alec. “Your call, Boss.”

Alec exhaled and scrubbed his face. “Stand down, Chet, but keep your eye on our friend—and your gun’s safety permanently off.”

“Roger that,” Chet muttered, lowering his weapon.

Immediately, Gesh’s big broad smile returned, his huge fangs back in full view. “Bellah,” he rumbled brightly, then gestured for them to follow as he turned and started walking.

As one, the three scientists looked at Alec. “We’re gonna go with him, right?” Bailey asked almost urgently.

“Yeah,” Jamis chimed in. “Since he’s a big reason we came.”

“Who knows,” Noah added, sweetening the pot. “Maybe he’ll find us a cool place to camp.”

Alec chuckled and gave a nod. “Okay. Fine. Whatever. Chet, stay at Gesh’s back.”

Chet glared the giant’s way as they all started walking. “Nowhere I’d rather be.”

* * *

For the next couple of hours, they hiked the lush terrain, stopping every so often for a breather. Good thing they all were in stellar shape or those stops would’ve been way more frequent. Alec kept a close eye on Gesh as he interacted with the science trio. They told him about Earth, how they were humans, about their wreck. Gesh told them about his planet, Nira, too. From his gestures, they were able to discern it wasn’t all jungle. And that his specific species was Kríe. He also showed them plants and pointed to critters, offering up lots of strange names. And the threesome ate up every bit of it. The way their faces lit with wonder as they captured images and gathered countless samples…

Alec smiled. The sight of them brimming with so much tangible joy almost made the whole crash worthwhile. Almost. Because, like Jamis said, Gesh was a large reason for why they’d come. Gesh and this great big uncharted world. So even though their aircraft sat in utter shambles, their bottom-line mission felt successful.