Space Invaders (32 page)

Kain couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down his face. Yes, he understood the hate Rave must feel. The guilt of not being there ripped through his body, and his hands clutched at his stomach. He worked on wrapping his mind around how the ideals of the Alliance had changed. How could they do this to two loyal members? Two men who would have given their lives to protect what they believed in. His faith broke as did his heart.

“I didn’t…I couldn’t—oh my God. How could they do this? The Alliance had to know what would happen to him. How could they even hope Rave would help after all of this?”

“My guess is they hoped the love you two shared would be strong enough to survive the time apart.”

“Fuck.” Kain slammed his hand down on the console in front of him. How could Rave ever forgive him?

Kain didn’t have time to beat himself up over the injustice done to Rave because something bumped into the ship.

“Shit,” Se muttered.

“What is it? What happened?”

“Someone locked onto the ship with a retractor cable.”

The computer’s voice echoed through the room, “The planet patrol has the ship locked down. They’re hailing the control room.”

“Put them through and contact Rave on planet.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A recording came through the coms, “Your ship will stand down and prepare for boarding. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Rave Anders for questioning in the kidnapping of Kain Sims.”

What the fuck was going on? Was this the trap Rave feared? Things were still too fragile for this to be happening. Damn it! Who’d jumped the gun?

Se turned to look at him, the horror showing on her face. “What did you do?”

“Nothing! This isn’t supposed to happen. At least not yet.”

“What do you mean
not
yet!” Se yelled at him.

Kain flinched at the anger flowing from Se.

“The Alliance told me the arrest wouldn’t come through until after we had the laser on the ship. Then it would be
only
to retrieve the weapon.”

“You’ve fucked this up. No way will Rave believe this wasn’t the plan all along.”

“Damn them,” he whispered. His future without Rave flashed before his eyes. Not this time. Fuck them. No way would he fall in the eyes of Rave. He would fix this. Shoulders squared he prepared to get Rave and his sister back on the ship.

* * * *

Rave made it to Mel’s house in record time. He wanted to get this mission over with so he could tell the Alliance to go fuck itself. He knew he had a hard time ahead of him. Mel’s stubbornness outshone even his.

He rang the bell and waited for an answer.

“Please scan your retina into the system,” a computerised voice commanded.

He complied, and the door swept open. “Confirmed relative. You may enter.”

“Rave! What are you doing here?” Mel walked up to him and pulled him into a hug.

She hadn’t changed much. Maybe a little grey threaded through her brown hair and laugh lines around her dark brown eyes. Her head only reached his chest. She was short, like their mother and just as pretty.

“Hey, sis. I don’t have much time, and you have to cooperate. For once, could you just go with the flow?”

“What did you do now?” She stiffened and pulled away from him with a frown on her face.

He smiled. “What makes you think it was
me
?”

She gave him a look that reminded him of them growing up.

“Because I know you. So, out with it.”

“Kain’s back.”

“And he’s still alive?”

A laugh slipped out. “Things happened that were beyond our control. We talked a little. I’ll fill you in once we’re on my ship.”

“And I would be on your ship because…”

“It has to do with the Alliance. I want you safe, and the best place for that is on my ship.”

His com beeped before he could finish. “Sir, the ship has been impounded, and the planet guard is requesting your surrender.”

No! He couldn’t be wrong about Kain. Not now, not so soon. He should have known better. Anger boiled to the surface.

“What the hell happened?”

The ship’s computer responded, “A warrant was issued to arrest you for the kidnapping of Kain Sims.”

Anger flowed through his body, so tangible he could feel the heat radiating from him. “He lied to me.”

“Rave? What is this about?” his sister sounded nervous, but he couldn’t pacify her right now.

“We need to get back to my ship and off this planet.”

“I heard the computer, just like you did. You aren’t going anywhere.”

“The hell I’m not. Pack some things and let’s go.” He reached for her arm, but she pulled back.

“I’m not moving until you tell me why.” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her chin.

Damn it, he didn’t have time for this.

“I can’t leave you here. What if something else gets fucked up? I can’t chance it. Here it is in a nutshell, someone made a weapon and they plan to use it on this planet. I’m going to do everything in my power to see it doesn’t happen, but in case it does, I want you with me. Now, will you come with me?”

“I can’t pick up and leave. The medical staff on this planet is almost non-existent. I’m about all they have.”

“If we don’t leave now and take care of this, there might not be
anyone
for you to take care of. This weapon? It’s a planet killer. Do you understand now?”

“Then this is where I should be. You go save the planet, and I’ll help here. What if there are survivors? Maybe it won’t take the whole planet? Did any of that cross your mind?”

“Damn it, Mel. Don’t make me drag you off here. You’re all I have left. Please, just come with me.”

He wasn’t above begging when it came to his sister.

“I’ll come with you if you promise me something?”

“Anything.”

“When this is over, give up your ship and settle down on some planet. Get yourself off the Alliance’s radar.”

“If I make it out of this alive and not back in prison, you have yourself a deal.”

He would even lie, if that would work. No way would he give up his ship. It wouldn’t happen. He loved space too much to give it up.

“I’m not sure if you’re lying to me or not, but for now, I’ll take it. Give me a second.”

He paced around Mel’s house while he waited. He stopped in front of a picture she had hanging on the wall. It was of the four of them, Kain, Se, Mel and him, standing in front of the academy. Mel had just graduated from med school. Kain looked so young. Hell, so did he. What had happened to those men?

“I’m ready.”

Rave turned away from the memories and gathered his sister’s bags.

“Let’s get out of here. Is there anyone you have to call?”

“I did that while packing. I’m good to go.”

“Let’s go.”

His anger returned as they walked to the port. How could Kain do this again?

I thought he loved me. Why am I so stupid?

Rave should have known Kain was too good to be true. He couldn’t figure out his angle. Why tell him that the Alliance wouldn’t get involved until they had the laser then have the planet patrol after him? Someone had to have issued the warrant. No way would Rave go back to DI. He’d die first and take down as many members of the Alliance as he could.

Now, how to get back to the ship without being detected? He’d left on foot, and he couldn’t walk right up it. If he’d have taken one of the shuttle pods, he could have flown in. He’d need to send his sister and have her send Se back out with the shuttle.

Shit, once he got to the ship, how the hell would he get it out of impound? Maybe he could get back before the actually pulled the ship to the impound yard.

He turned to talk to his sister when a pod pulled alongside them.

“Get in.”

Kain sat in the pilot’s seat, and Rave wanted to turn him down, but he had his sister to think of. He gestured for her to precede him. No way could he sit beside the man and not punch him. Rave would save that for when they were alone. His anger continued to build on the ride back to the ship. Why did Kain come after him? Did he plan on taking him back to the Alliance? Why lie? It was a good thing the flight didn’t take long. His mind raced with all the possibilities. None of them good. Could he really trust Kain?

Without a word to Kain, he exited the pod as soon as it landed.

“Mel, I’m heading for the bridge. Do you remember where your room is from last time?”

“Yes, but—”

He didn’t listen for the rest. Rave couldn’t be around Kain right now. He had to figure out how to get off the planet. Hopefully, Se had a plan ready to go. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d devised an exit strategy in a tight situation.

When he walked onto the deck, Se was already pushing buttons.

“You’d better strap in, Rave. It’s about to get bumpy.”

He barely had time to sit down before the ship jerked.

“Try not to do any damage, will ya?”

“You want a go at this?”

“You’re doing great. Just be gentle.” His try at humour fell flat, his thoughts still on the betrayal. Why? That question repeated in his mind. What was Kain’s ulterior motive? Could he really gain anything from fucking Rave over? Shit, why did it have to be so hard?

“I know what you’re thinking,” Se said, without looking up from the computer.

“Stay out of my head, Se.” He followed her movements, helping with some adjustments. He worked on keeping the coms silent.

“Don’t shut him out. Not yet.”

“I said to stay out.” He paused and changed the subject. “Are we clear?” He hoped he sounded calmer. It wasn’t Se’s fault he had doubts about Kain.

“Crystal.” She continued working the control panel.

The ship jolted. Se shook her head and her fingers glided over the buttons. Rave made a few adjustments to trajectory.

“I didn’t mean that Se.” He sighed. “I was talking about the planet.”

“I’m clear about that, too. Just cleared the patrol. So far, no one has given chase.”

Just as the words left her mouth, the ship jerked again and the alarm bells sounded.

Chapter Seven

“What the hell was that?” Mel questioned from the floor.

Kain turned to where Mel had fallen. He put out a hand to help her up. “My guess is we’ve been hit. Go to your room. You should be safe there.”

“What if someone is hurt? I am a doctor. Who all is on board?” She sounded worried.

“Just the four of us—you, me, Rave and Se.”

“Why such a small group?”

“It’s too complicated to get into right now. Let’s just get you safe,” his said, distracted. He wanted to make sure Rave wasn’t hurt.

They started walking away from the pod bay towards the living quarters.

“Don’t hurt him again.”

It was said so softly that he almost missed it.

“Mel, I don’t know if this matters, but I didn’t mean to hurt him the first time. I followed orders when I shouldn’t have.”

“I saw his face when the call came through about the ship being captured. I heard him too, although he doesn’t think I did. He said you lied. Don’t hurt him, Kain. That’s all I ask.”

Kain looked down at the floor. When things got screwed up, why was it his fault? His heart sank at the thought of hurting Rave again. Why couldn’t the man trust him? He ran a hand over his face. Would it always be this way? A small set back and Kain was back on the outside. Fuck!

“I want to love him, if he’ll let me, but we have a lot of past to clear up first. After New Moon is safe, I’ll make him believe me.”

She nodded and stopped at a door he assumed belonged to her room.

“Don’t make me come after you, Kain Adam Sims.”

He grinned. “I don’t want that.” His smiled disappeared. “I love him, Mel, more than anything. That’s why we’re in this mess. I listened to the wrong people.”

“Don’t do it again.” She squeezed his arm and entered the room.

Now he had to face the firing squad. If he was lucky, Rave would hit him and get it over with. Kain could deal with the violent explosion. Silence would be worse.

The ship shook again.

What is the Alliance playing at now?

He couldn’t understand why they would jump the gun on the warrant. Either someone was out of the loop, or he and Rave were being double-crossed. If that was the case, the faster they figured out what was going on, the better. He’d have to contact General Fritz. Kain didn’t want to do that, but the options were slim to none.

He entered the bridge to Se and Rave having words.

“Can you lose them?” Rave asked.

“What does it look like I’m doing here, Rave? Baking cookies? We’ll be off their radar in five…four…three…two…one.”

The
Retribution
shook, flattening Kain to the corridor wall. There was nothing like a good space jump to keep the heart pumping. His stomach churned, and he forced himself not to throw up. The ship quickly stabilised, and he could breathe again.

Rave must have heard him because he turned and started towards the door where Kain stood. Kain braced himself for what would come, but Rave didn’t punch him. He got into Kain’s face, so close Kain didn’t have to strain to hear the whisper.

“You’ll be lucky if I don’t kill you before this is over. Fuck you, Kain.”

Kain would not take the blame for something the Alliance had set up. Not this time. He would fight for his man. Kain grabbed Rave’s shirt to turn the tables on him. Rave didn’t struggle as he looked at Kain with hatred in his eyes.

“Not this time,” Kain repeated aloud. “I’m not taking the blame. It wasn’t supposed to go down this way. Someone is setting us up, and I’m going to find out who. I wouldn’t screw this up. Not now, when I’m so close to getting you back. I love you, Rave. That’s never changed. You may not believe it, but I’ve been trying to protect you for two years. Yes, I did a piss-poor job and you ended up on DI. If I could change that hell for you, I would. But it’s in the past. Give me a chance. I’ll figure this out.”

The fight drained out of Rave, and he slumped against the doorway. Kain held him up.

“I can’t take much more of this, Kain. I’ve been through too much. Your word might not be enough for me. My heart wants me to jump in with both feet, but my head says to kill you now and get it over with.”