Lord of Capra (15 page)

Chapter Eighteen

The black filaments
of the void were so familiar she didn’t feel the need to concentrate too
closely on the twists and turns of her journey. Nemesis had taken this route
many times in the past few thousand years. Most of the time she’d been
traveling at sub-light without a pilot, until she found Evana on one of her
side trips to visit the planet that was now known as Earth. After taking a pilot,
Nemesis had left Earth, content to wait until the moment was right for Evana to
return to her home world.

They’d explored the
galaxy together, even the far side where sentient life had only now begun to
develop. Perhaps, in a few million years, life would evolve as it had on
Earth’s side of the Milky Way. Nemesis had her own personal theory of why
things were so unbalanced. Perhaps billions of years ago, a mini galaxy,
traveling at tremendous speed, could have grazed the outer edge of the juvenile
Milky Way before speeding out into the void. She’d witnessed such destructive
spectacles before. It was just her theory, since she hadn’t actually seen it
happen.

As a result, the
unaffected side of the galaxy teemed with intelligent life forms, and Nemesis
had knowledge about most of them. Now she was content to return to Evana’s
favorite planet and let her pilot spend time with her mate. Nemesis had placed
com-beacons in every strategic location in order to monitor this side of the
galaxy. She was especially concerned about the Alliance, E’Laysians, Taurans
and her new enemy—the abominations created by another wraith pilot that had
appeared two centuries ago.

Two hundred years
wasn’t a long time by Nemesis’ standards. In fact, it was but a brief moment.
However, she was puzzled by the sudden appearance of their unusual enemy. Its
very existence was troubling. If Evana’s mate was correct, and Nemesis thought
he was, the wraith was weak, too weak to challenge her. And its tactics puzzled
her.

No ghost ship she’d
ever known would sneak around in such a way. It was against their very nature.
If she were to leave the Milky Way in search of Andromeda, in the galaxy of the
same name, she would boldly announce her presence before entering the outer
boundary. The wraith itself was an abomination, she decided.

Nemesis wondered
how it’d come into being, and instinctively knew the answer. She’d guessed at
the possibility, but hadn’t wanted to believe. It had to be a creation, formed
by a ghost ship. It was the only logical explanation.

The Eon of
Evolution, Nemesis pondered, considering the implications. The female abomination
had said the name of Bayal and spoke of the Horde. Had some of the Horde
mutated? Had Bayal?

She searched deep
within herself. Was there some creative force evolving? She explored the dark
matter and energy that formed the crux of her very being. A small kernel of
creative darkness beckoned her, and she brought it forth to examine. Yes, it
was a unique force. And she shared a tiny part of it with her pilot, who, at
this very moment, shared it with a mate.

Nemesis backed
away, not wanting to examine any further. The discovery gave her much to think
about. And it gave her an idea of what might have happened. If she was correct,
there were some ghost ships that may have succumbed to corruption by their own pilots.

The female had also
said that “the Horde won’t stop him.” Since she hadn’t said “couldn’t” Nemesis
was prone to believe the Horde had banished the wraith. Had the Horde banished
the ghost ship that had created him? The wraith could be dealt with, but a
ghost ship? That would be much more difficult.

Nemesis continued
along the path leading to Capra. It’d be pleasurable to rest there for a while.
She knew the two hours she’d given Evana to enjoy her mate had come and gone.
There was no real hurry.

She scanned for
anything that might indicate the presence of their enemy. All was normal. So
disappointing. The seeming nothingness of the void seen at sub-light speed wasn’t
very exciting either, and Nemesis was soon overcome by restlessness and a
desire for more speed.

Pilot?
She called silently
to Evana.
Are you prepared?

Yes.
Evana responded
immediately.
He sleeps. Could you place me in the pilot bed so I don’t
disturb him?

Yes
.

Seconds later,
Nemesis soared across the void at speeds in excess of light unheard of by any
other starship. When selected, the dark filaments along the course leading the
way to Capra beckoned, pulling at her surrounding energy barrier. There was an
immeasurable amount of it contained in the filaments. Just a small portion of
it was taken by her. Some she funneled through to her pilot to push forward
against the barrier, to continue the acceleration, while most of the remainder
Nemesis consumed.

Joined together,
they enjoyed the sight of visible light ahead of them. From their perspective,
the view was exhilarating. It swirled, fracturing into colors and exploding
like fireworks around the pitch black hole that was their course as they caught
up and passed each and every star in their path. To an observer anywhere else
in space, their actions were invisible. Only another ghost ship or wraith would
have the ability to detect their passage. In fact, so much use of dark energy
would be a blinding beacon. Nemesis wasn’t concerned. She had a plan.

* * * *

Drake sat crossed-legged
on the ground beside Evana’s relaxation pool, staring into the still water. He’d
awoken earlier, once again unsure of how much time had gone by while he slept,
used her bathhouse to clean up and donned the clothes that were provided. Now,
trying his best to not feel abandoned, he waited, wishing he had something to
do that could contribute in some way. He wasn’t tired. He wasn’t hungry.
Instead, he burst with pent-up energy and didn’t have an outlet to release it.

Frustrated, he
slapped the slick surface of the water with all his might and watched it ripple
outward in small waves. They settled down almost immediately.

“Damn relaxation
pool,” he murmured, scowling at his glassy reflection.

A light breeze
caressed his cheek and ruffled his hair. Instinctively, he checked his
surroundings for an intruder. Maybe Evana was trying to sneak up on him again,
but no. There was no change in the sound of the ship’s life force. Evana was
still in the pilot bed. The breeze stroked his cheek again. Drake smiled.

“Nemesis?”

“I am here.”
Her voice was soft,
tentative, and he was instantly alert. Nemesis had never spoken to him in such
a tone.

“Is something
wrong?” He jumped to his feet, thinking Evana might be in trouble.

“No. All is well.”
H
er
voice was back to normal.

Drake was relieved.
“You sounded tired.” Actually, he thought she sounded sad, but he went with
tired.

“I am not tired. I
sense you are unhappy.”

He shook his head. “No.
I’m not unhappy. Why would you think that?”

“You actions are
typical of a human in a despondent state. Or am I mistaken?”

Oh. God. No. My
mate’s spaceship is trying to be my therapist now. Crap.
Drake stifled a
laugh, saying, “No. Maybe it seems that way, but I’m not…despondent. I can see
why you might have thought that, uh, actually.” He stammered while trying to
gather his wits in an effort to explain his mood. “I think I just need
something constructive to do, you know, when Evana is busy. Like a job?”
Silence. He hoped it was a good silence.

“Explain a job?”

“Okay. Maybe job
isn’t the right word. How about task? Or duty?” Drake wasn’t sure if he could
make her understand before the hole he dug got too deep.

“Yes. A duty,”
Nemesis repeated. “Your
duty is Evana,”
she proclaimed.

“Yes, it is.” He
agreed with her instantly before his hole turned into a gaping chasm. He
remembered his father’s advice. When in doubt, always ask the woman who caused
your doubt for her advice. “But, Nemesis, what can I do when she isn’t with me?”

“I know of
something. The flat area beyond the pool is where Evana exercises. You should
practice.”

“Practice?” Drake
wasn’t sure where this was going. “Practice what?”

“Your fighting
skills with the sword and dagger are in need of improvement.”

Instantly, he
breathed easier, thankful she hadn’t said he needed to improve his mating
skills and then launched into some lengthy description, detailing his various
shortcomings.

“Yes. I do need to
practice.” He agreed, since he had no skills in that area. Drake strolled to
the exercise area. Actually, he was warming up to the idea. “So, what now?”

A sword and a
dagger appeared at his feet. He grabbed each one by the hilt and studied them. “They
aren’t the same as the ones we used on Earth.”

“No. They are not
the power swords, but take care. They are still very sharp and you must behead
your opponent in order to advance to each level.”

“Opponent?” That
didn’t sound good.

“To start with, you
should learn some basic moves.”

A black, faceless,
hulking humanoid form, armed with a sword and dagger, slowly rose from the
middle of the exercise area. It struck a menacing pose, as if daring him to
attack.

“What the hell?” He
gawked at the threatening figure. “Nemesis?” he questioned while regretting not
playing with Josh’s Xbox game or not choosing fencing over football. Drake
backed off.

“Drake, it is in
instructional mode only, first level. Approach and copy the stance and it will
teach you. I expect you will advance quickly. Evana is at the top level,
fighting master, multi-opponent.”

“Pilot!” He growled
with the obvious explanation before doing as she’d instructed.

Once he stood in
front of the figure and copied its stance, it spoke in a hollow, mechanical
voice, teaching and leading him through several moves. At times it paused to
let him feel the touch of blade on blade as it alternated between sword and
dagger. Soon he was engrossed in the lesson, forgetting all about his lack of
constructive activity.

He’d progressed to
the first stage of free fighting when he heard Evana’s voice calling out behind
him. “Working up an appetite?”

He ignored the
taunt, focused on his opponent and blocked several blows, hoping for an
opening. While parrying a sword strike aimed at his left thigh, he darted to
the left and lunged forward into his enemy’s space, shoving his dagger into his
opponent’s ribs. At the same time, he pushed it off balance before the black
figure could swing around and attack him with a dagger. A quick kick to its
knee and the black figure toppled to the ground. Drake ended the duel with a
well-aimed strike to the neck.

“Sorry, Darth!” He
growled, breathing heavily. His sparring partner disintegrated.

“Free fight, level two,”
an impartial mechanical voice announced.

“Pause.” Drake
ordered. He dropped his weapons and turned to face Evana.

*

“Cancel fight!” She
overrode his order while evaluating his condition. His eyes sparkled, but only
from the thrill of fighting and his chest no longer heaved from exertion. A
heavy sheen of sweat covered his exposed shoulders and arms. Evana could barely
control her desire to explore each swell and cut of his pumped body, starting
with the bulging biceps.

“Very impressive!
And you weren’t using any power either.”

He shrugged as he
strode toward her. “Maybe just a little.”

She made
up the distance
between them and rushed into his arms, returning his embrace. “I don’t have
much time. Nemesis is in a hurry,” she told him, attempting to let him know
what was happening. “Oh!” she exclaimed, forgetting he was covered in sweat.
And now so was she. His heated scent swirled around her, enveloping her with
his maleness. It permeated her senses. By the gods, he smelled incredible.

“Sorry. I should
shower.” He tried to pull away.

Evana held him
captive, unwilling to let the source of her intoxication escape. “No. Don’t
wash.” She tightened her hold around him, burying her face into the fabric
covering his chest. She wanted to strip their clothes off and rub against him,
to lather herself with every drop of sweat she could coax from his body.

“I’m drenched.” He
protested, but didn’t attempt to break away. “Evana?”

She peered at him
and saw the obvious concern in his gaze.
What’s happening
, she screamed
silently, hoping to gain control of her actions. She knew where this encounter
was heading, but Nemesis had made her promise to return to the pilot bed as
soon as possible. She was only supposed to stay with him a short while, to let
him feed. Certainly not long enough to do what she yearned for at that moment.

“Your eyes are,
um…glowing, Evana.” He smiled tentatively.