Theron Destiny (Brides of Theron) (29 page)

Zeb never took his eyes off Avery when he spoke to Zane, “Yes she was alone in a locked room. Someone at least had the decency to put her in a bed.”

“It will take some time, but the sedative will wear off. The brain scan should be almost done by now. Jeeka, would you please check to see if the brain scan is complete?”

Jeeka moved to the head of the table where Avery was still undergoing the brain scan. The lights on the scanner were emitting a steady green light which meant that it had finished. She removed dongle from the scanning device and plugged it into the main computer that would read the results of the scan. It didn’t take long before the computer spit out a report. Jeeka retrieved the report and handed it to Zane.

Zane’s eyes scanned the report quickly. He didn’t utter a word as he read the results. Moments ticked by until he finally turned to Zeb and said, “There is no sign of any kind of severe brain trauma Zeb. All the injuries are on the surface and will heal with time.” Zane smiled when he heard Zeb let out a huge breath of relief.  “For now, let’s just let her sleep. She will probably have a whopper of a headache when she does wake up.”

“I will not leave her side until she opens her eyes.”

Zane put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “I didn’t doubt that for a moment. I am going to have her moved to one of the private rooms. You will be more comfortable in there. Jeeka, would you please help me move Avery to room 2? Gracie is staying in room 1.” He added.

Zane, Jeeka and Zeb all helped to move Avery from the examination room to the private room. After Avery was settled in her bed and Zeb was once again seated next to her, Zane was going to leave the couple alone for a while when Zeb spoke to him, “Thank you my friend for all that you have done. What news of Gracie, how is she?”

“Gracie is doing fine. She came around shortly after you and Kurtz had departed the ship. She has some bruising on her face that will take some time to heal.”

“Was she able to tell you anything?” Zeb already had plans to start searching for Lars as soon as Avery was okay.

Zane laughed before he spoke, “She started talking as soon as she could sit up. She said it all happened so fast. Her and Avery had just finished with the pregnancy test and were going to fix something to eat. I had left to return to the clinic and I would assume that in their excitement of the new baby, they didn’t think about locking the door after I had left. Once the attack started, Gracie said they were going to make their way up to the control room.  It was then the door to your quarters open and a figure had walked in. Neither one could tell who it was at first but when Avery said his name, Gracie knew that they were in big trouble. Gracie tried to prevent Lars from taking Avery, but that’s when he attacked her and knocked her out. She did manage to see him pick up Avery and walk out the door before she passed out.” He rubbed his hand over his face as he finished with Gracie’s account of what happened.   He was exhausted and he knew there would be no rest for the weary.

“He had to have had help in order to have gotten off the ship without being seen.” Zeb was now puzzled.

“We all know that Lars had a few friends on the ship but after he had attacked Avery on Earth, most of them didn’t want anything else to do with him. It could have been anyone that helped him for all we know.”

“I will make sure all the crew and earth females are accounted for. Were there any casualties?” This was the first time he let himself think about the rest of the crew.

“None on the ship that I am aware of but there were numerous injuries. Two are in critical condition, Warrior Manko and one the merchants down in the mall, Kero. All the other crew with injuries will heal with no problems. I am grateful that there weren’t more injured. It could have been a lot worse.” Zane was leaning against the door frame of Avery’s room now. “We all probably would be dead now if the Pernmocks hadn’t showed up. By the way where is Kurtz?”

“He is up in the command center right now. He is giving Brylon and Ceran a hand with assessing damage to the ship and getting her ready to move again.”

“I for one will be so glad to be home for a while. I cannot wait to show Gracie our world and…” He was interrupted when Jeeka called him from across the room.

“Zane, I need you help here.” Jeeka sounded a bit frustrated.

Zane turned and looked out the room and caught a glimpse of Brylon carrying an Earth female. He wondered if it was his mate Emma, so he spoke to Zeb again, “Looks like Brylon just brought his female in. She’s a quiet one when others are around but Brylon says that’s not the case when it’s just the two of them. She gives him hell. Let me go see what’s happened. I will check back with you guys in a little while.”

Once Zane had left the room, Zeb had taken hold of Avery’s hand again. Now that he knew that she was safe, a wave of tiredness washed over him. It had been a long time since he had last slept and it was starting to catch up with him. He laid his head on the side of the cot, his head next to Avery’s and shut his eyes. He would just close his eyes for a few minutes and take a quick nap.

Holy cow her head hurt. It felt like someone was using a sledge hammer to bang on the inside of her skull to wake her up. She had had headaches before but nothing like this. But why did her head hurt so much. Was she ill or something? She cracked open her eye to look around. What she saw was quite a surprise.

She was in a room that resembled the infirmary and lying on the bed next to her was Zeb’s head. Why was he sleeping like that? She moved her hand to touch the top of his head. She loved the feel of his short hair on her fingers. Without warning he jumped.  His head popped up and his eyes wide open.

“Avery?” His eyes looked questionably at her.

She tried to smile the best she could but there was something wrong with one side of her face. It felt puffy and sore.

“Hi.” She whispered out.

He showed her the biggest smile that she had ever seen on his handsome face, “Hi Nea hela. How do you feel?”

The smile she had was now replaced with a grimace, “My head really hurts and my face feels funny.”

“Do you remember what happened?” He watched as she searched her memory for the answer to his question. Minutes past before she was able to reply.

“Gracie and I were talking about…about…” She looked back at him when the memories came flooding back. “Zeb I have something to tell you. Umm…we are going to have a baby.” She watched for his reaction and saw the smile spread across his face.

He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on it, “I know Nea hela. Zane told me when he was examining you. Are you happy about the baby, my love?”

“I was going to tell you as soon as you came back but something happened to the ship.  Am I right?”

“The Drylons attacked the ship when we came out of the worm hole in Fio star system. We were taken by complete surprise but lucky for us the Pernmocks happened to be coming through the worm hole at the same time and came to our aid.”

She drew in her brows, “Who are the Pernmocks? Why did the Drylons attack the ship?”

“The Pernmocks are our allies. Their leader, Kurtz, is a longtime friend. The Drylons, on the other hand, have played a part enabling Lars to kidnap you and take you to their base on UV-49.”

Her good eye opened widely in shock, “I was on another planet with Lars?”

He chuckled, “Yes Nea hela. Lars took you to UV-49. It is a dead planet now, but the Drylons had a hidden base there. We thought we had destroyed it a few years ago but it looks as if the Drylons were able to get it functional again without anyone realizing it. Anyhow, that’s where he took you and we were able to track you there. Kurtz and I came for you. Needless to say the base is now a heap of burning rubble.”

“What about Lars?” Fear had crept into her voice.

He shook his head, “We don’t know where he is. He was either killed during the raid to retrieve you, in the air strike on the base, or possibly he was able to escape. But we don’t know for sure.” He moved to sit on the bed facing her. “I am sorry, Nea hela.”

“For what, you didn’t do anything.” She saw that he was struggling to compose himself for some reason.

“I failed to keep you safe. He took you and hurt you.”

“Zeb, look at me.” She waited until he raised his head and looked her in the face. “It is not your fault that Lars did what he did. Who knew that he was capable of pulling off this scheme? What is important is that you came for me and saved me.  I am here now, safe and alive, thanks to you and those that came with you to come get me. That’s all that matters now.” She smiled.

“Hey, look who’s is awake!” Both Avery and Zeb looked at towards the door when they heard the voice. It was someone Avery did not know but he obviously recognized her. Kurtz moved further into the room and came to stand next to Zeb. “How are you feeling, mate of my friend?”

“Avery this is Kurtz.  He is the leader of the Pernmocks.” Zeb introduced his friend.

She was rather surprised at his appearance but she didn’t know why it surprised her.  Since living on the ship, she had been introduced to several different races already.

Kurtz moved forward and took her hand, “It is a pleasure to see that you are much improved since I last saw you. I am sorry we had to meet under such stressful circumstances, but I am glad to finally meet you. Zeb has been my friend for a very longtime and I am grateful to you for receiving his heart. He has searched long and hard for a mate as special as you.”

Avery wasn’t sure how to respond to his introduction. She looked from Kurtz to Zeb. “I am happy to meet you too.” Kurtz gave her a smile then addressed Zeb.

“Everything on the ship checks out with a few minor problems. The repairs are still underway but some cannot be completed until you reach Theron. My ship will escort you to Theron and see you safely there. I do not trust those appalling Drylons. They have made their intentions clear. The council will have to decide on what to do about them. This cannot continue to go on. This war with them needs to end permanently.”

“Thank you Kurtz. I am forever in your debt. Once we are home on Theron, We will have to go to the council and inform them of the Drylons actions.” Zeb now stood up. “I appreciate your help. I was afraid to ask before but did we suffer any losses while in the base?”

Kurtz bowed his head for a moment, “I lost two of my men, Tio and Pela. Also, one of your men was gunned down when we came from behind the Drylons that had you pinned in that room. I took this off him before we left. Hopefully, this will enable you to identify him.” He handed him a silver medal that had three initials on it with a picture of one of their gods.

Zeb took the medal and turned it over in his hands. He knew exactly who this belonged to. Every warrior on his ship wore a similar badge that designated his rank and specialty. He had  given this badge to Hano when he was promoted last month. 

“I should have known it was Hano. Was he dead?”

“Yes, he was already dead when we found him.”

“Now, if we only knew Lars was dead.” Zeb sat back down on the bed next to Avery.

“Unfortunately my friend, only time will tell. Now, I must get to the business that brought me to you.  When would like to get the ship on its way back home?” Kurtz was eager to see both ships safely on Theron.

“I would like to leave as soon as the ship is capable, Kurtz. I want to get to Theron and get these Earth females off the ship.”

“Well, I am going to go back to the command center to relay your orders. I will see you there when you can make it. Avery, it has been a pleasure meeting one as beautiful as you. You need to make sure that you keep this warrior under control and take good care of him.  He is an admirable man.” Kurtz smiled and waved as he walked out of the room.

“Will you be alright for a while, my love? I would like to command the ship through the next two worm holes. It will not be much longer before we reach Theron.” He didn’t want to leave her so soon after her waking up but she appeared to be fine and in Zane’s capable hands.  Right now, the ship with Avery in the clear, the ship needed him more.

She touched the side of his face and smiled, “I will be fine. I have Zane here and the other medics. I would actually like to go back to sleep for a while, and it would be a waste of your time to watch me do that. Go see to you duties as the ship’s commander.” Zeb leaned forward so that his lips touched hers. He wanted to devour her lips and smother her in kisses but knew that he had to be gentle. Her face was still severely bruised and swollen and her bottom lip was cracked. “Nea hela. I love you.”

Chapter 29

When Zeb arrived on the command center he saw that Kurtz had everything under control. The damage to the command center was cleared away and most of the equipment restored. A majority of the computer systems were up and running again. The wires that were once jarred loose from the ceiling were now returned to where they belonged, behind the panels that enclosed them, the ceiling panels put securely back in place.

“Commander, I see you have made it back!” Ceran greeted his commander enthusiastically. “How is your mate?”

“She is recovering well and needs her rest.  Zane is looking after her. Thanks for asking. How are things going here? I thought Brylon would be up here.” Zeb looked around to see who remained on deck.

“He is here. Commander, look over there under the communication station.” Ceran pointed to where Brylon’s legs could be seen sticking out from under the station.

“Thanks Ceran.” Zeb walked over to where the ship’s engineer lay on the ground and tapped on his boot with his own.

“What!” Brylon replied sharply, hitting his head in the process.

“I am happy to see you too.” Zeb chuckled.

Brylon wiggled his way out of the tight spot he was in. He had a smile plastered on his face knowing that Zeb wouldn’t be here unless his mate’s condition had greatly improved, “How is Avery?”

Zeb squatted down to talk to his engineer, “She is awake and doing fine, I left her to get her rest. Her injuries will take some time to heal but there is no permanent damage.”