Chapter Ten
The MorBui arrived only moments later. Guun practically leapt from the ship to scoop Ashe into in his arms. His massive strength and joy at seeing her alive combined to form an embrace that almost squeezed the life from of her.
"Guun…" she mumbled into his chest.
"I'm so glad he didn't get you killed, tiger," Guun said, holding back his tears.
"Me too!" she chuckled. "But Guun I can't… breathe."
"I'm just so happy!" he sighed, lifting her off the ground and hugging her even tighter.
"Enough, you red-headed idiot! You're killing her. Put my woman down and go find your own!" O'Connell smacked his friend playfully on his ass.
Guun tilted his head back and laughed, then placed her gently on the ground, kissing the top of her head. "Just happy your with us again, tiger."
She took an extra moment before pulling away from him, tears in her eyes. Even before the kidnapping, she had been certain she would never see this cumbersome giant again. Having her friend squeeze the breath out of her was small payment for the chance to once more hear his warm, deep laughter.
With their reunion complete, they took Maluk and the two guards and met up with the Altro and his forces. The battle had come to an abrupt halt when K'rier fled, his mercenary force less effective alone and leaderless. The Altro and his men were simply clearing out the fortress, treating the wounded and forming a few make-shift prisons for what remained of K'rier's guards. Luckily the fortress had a built in dungeon.
Though she had been surprised when she first met the Altro, it quickly became obvious why the man held the office he did. His command of his men was absolute, his handling of the attack and its aftermath, brilliant. She had been impressed and grateful for his abilities.
The Altro insisted that they head to his daughter's tavern and wait for him there. The look in his eye had left Ashe with the distinct impression that they would be talking late into the night. However there was a lot of what had occurred over the past day that she did not understand, and she hoped the Altro might shed some light on it.
After she vouched for their two guard companions, the unconscious fellow was taken to their makeshift infirmary. The younger one was drafted into one of the Altro's cleanup crews. As the job did not require him to carry a fire arm or go into the forest, he seemed pleased.
They left the MorBui in the same copse as before and made their way back to town. Maluk led the way, racing ahead, his impatience to be back almost palpable. She grinned, guessing he probably couldn't wait to brag to his friends about his adventure. She was also fairly certain that, somewhere in the telling, would be a vivid description of him seeing her naked.
O'Connell walked beside her, matching his steps to hers. The war playing out in his heart, not showing on his face. He wasn't angry with her anymore. That feeling seemed an eon ago. He was angry with himself. It was his fault she'd been kidnapped! God knows what Marcus did to her. He glanced in her direction, then quickly back toward the town's gates. Did he ask her? Did he demand to know? Did he want to know? What if she didn't want to talk about it? What if… what if she hated him for getting her kidnapped?
'Arrrggg…' O'Connell groaned inwardly, rubbing the spot between his eyes, 'Piss on it.' He decided. 'I'll just find the guy and rip his fraggin' guts out.' Forming a plan of sorts comforted him and his stride became more confident, however he made sure he did not stray from Ashe's side.
They made it to the tavern quickly, the thought of a cold pint hastening their steps. Guun held the door open for her. "After you, my lady," his tone was full of warmth and he found he couldn't stop grinning at her.
"Why thank you, kind sir," she replied and grinned when O'Connell rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Though the daylight waned outside, it was considerably darker inside the tavern. The usual crowd filled the room, but the noise level seemed higher, more intense. There was an abrupt silence as their entrance registered.
The waitress he remembered as Bess came directly to them. She grinned at O'Connell. "Good to see you again, sirra. Gynni has asked me to take you out back. She's set a table there for you and her father." Bess motioned for them to follow her, as the patrons slowly resumed their conversations. "It's all so exciting, isn't it?"
"Exciting?" Ashe echoed.
"Oh yes! What with Master K'rier taking you, right from here! My word, never thought I'd see the day anyone was stupid enough to do that!" Bess rambled on excitedly, weaving her way between the tables. "Course with Master K'rier its probably more arrogance than stupidity. But then the Altro, commanding the forces, attacking Master K'rier's estate! Hola! Never happened before that I know of. Right big doings I'd say. And Master K'rier, taking off like that. Heading into space! Running away like a coward, but then bullies are often cowards I find, don't you?"
"Absolutely," Ashe agreed, letting the waitress's babble wash over her.
Bess led them down the hallway and held open the door to the kitchen. "But then you were right there in the thick of it weren't you? Probably exhilarating and frightening all at the same time!"
Ashe nodded, hoping her expression did not reflect any of the confusion she felt about her treatment by Master K'rier.
"Well mistress has set out a nice meal for you, and some strong drink. I imagine it will be most welcome," Bess said, offering her a warm smile.
Ashe nodded. "Thank you."
"Of course, m'um. Enjoy your meal." She smiled at Ashe and O'Connell and then grinned wickedly at Guun. "You too, handsome." Winking flirtatiously, she sauntered away from them back to the main room.
"Guun, you dog!" O'Connell laughed as they entered the kitchen and took seats at the table.
"Whad' I do?" Guun asked innocently, having been so focused on the food he had missed Bess's invitation.
Ashe would have made a caustic comment, but the smell of the meal Bess had set for them filled her senses. The sound her stomach made drowned out any response she might have had. Without hesitation she began filling her plate with meats and bread, diving into them with gusto.
O'Connell and Guun watched her for a moment, their expressions amused. "Don't let your hand get too close to her mouth," Guun suggested as she shoved another roll into her mouth faster than she could chew. When she began to choke, O'Connell slapped her on the back and handed her a pint.
"Here, drink this. And slow down before you choke to death!"
"Sorry, I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since last night, right before I was kidnapped!" Ashe growled.
Guun chocked back a laugh and O'Connell sighed. "I guess I'm going to get that thrown in my face every time you get a bit testy with me?"
"Damn straight," she agreed, then drank deeply from her mug and sighed, the warmth of the food and drink already working their magic on her frayed nerves. "And probably once in a while, just when I feel like it."
"Fine." O'Connell began to fill his plate. "Just so you know, my revenge will be sweet," his voice dropped to a threatening whisper, "And will probably involve spanking…"
She took a long drink from her mug, licked the foam off her lips and replied, "Bring it on, big boy."
O'Connell choked on his bread.
Guun threw back his head and laughed. "God I love this woman!"
His laughter was interrupted when Gynni entered the kitchen. Gynni immediately went to Ashe, pulling her into an embrace.
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am that you were taken from my tavern. That Marcus, that… that sorry excuse for a Teufler… would dare abduct someone under my protection!"
Ashe disentangled herself from Gynni. "It's okay. Really. It's not your fault. Please don't worry about it."
"Worry about it?" Gynni growled. "I'll do more than worry about it. I'm going to track that man down no matter what it takes. He will pay for what he's done." Ashe could sense her determination and understood it. What surprised her was how Maluk halted shoving biscuits into his mouth as she spoke, watching her with complete incredulity.
Gynni followed Ashe's gaze. When she caught Maluk's incredulous stare she shook her head and said, "Just eat, Maluk."
His eyes as large as the plate before him, he nodded. "Okay, G." He tried to grab Guun's pint, but the big man's hands were faster and Guun covered the boy's small hand in his.
"Get your own, kid." Guun added the slightest amount of pressure to his grasp and the kid let out a soft cry.
"You got it," Maluk whispered.
Gynni grabbed a small tankard and filled it with water, placing it before the boy. His thanks were half-hearted. She took a seat next to Guun and began to fill a plate for herself. "Word from my father is that Marcus," she said the name with disgust, "appeared to head off-world."
O'Connell nodded. "That's what I saw. Peeled off into the atmosphere without a sound. Damn fine ship he had too."
Ashe grunted. She would have had trouble denying the fact that all of Marcus K'rier's technology was high end. That force field alone had been amazing. 'Best not think of that right now girl,' she reminded herself. 'Focus on food.'
Gynni angrily stabbed at the cooked vegetables on her plate. "I do not have the resources to follow him off-world. "The fact that he might not face punishment for the crimes he committed makes me… well… quite angry."
Maluk paused again, his fork half way to his mouth. This time Gynni ignored him. "However, I will take solace in knowing that you are here with us now," she smiled at Ashe, "and that his absence from D'Sai will hopefully open the door for another, more just owner, to take his place." She sighed and taking pity on her food, lay the fork down and smiled at Guun.
"And I'm sorry for my rudeness. I have not introduced myself. I am Gynni." She reached out and shook Guun's hand.
He was startled to find a surprising rush of peace envelope him. "Guun. M'am," he replied shyly.
"Hello, Guun. It's so very nice to meet you."
O'Connell watched as a goofy smile played across Guun's face. He turned to Ashe and motioning to Guun whispered, "She has this effect on people."
Ashe watched Guun blush at some comment the woman made. She hadn't felt any different with the woman, not even when she had hugged her. She was about to ask O'Connell what the affect Gynni had on him, when the Altro and his ever-present companion entered the kitchen.
The Altro's expression was grim; Karl had no expression at all. Garulus took a seat at the head of the table, his companion stood directly behind him. Without realizing it they had each paused their eating when he entered and tried to stand, but he waved at them to be seated.
"Have you secured D'Sai, father?" Gynni asked.
He nodded and began to fill a plate with food. Gynni filled his mug with beer. He took a long draft of the bittersweet liquid before replying. "The base itself is secured. The men continue to root out the hidden and the resolute. It was interesting to watch K'rier's mercenaries surrender as soon as they saw that ship depart." Garulus chuckled under his breath. "Mercenaries."
"And the infirmary? Are they holding up? Do they need further supplies?"
Garulus nodded at each of her questions. "All is well daughter or I would not have left. However if you find the time later, they could always use your support. Some of them will need to be treated, before they can be moved to the L'aini."
Gynni made a mental note of her stock and the supplies she would need. "Of course, father."
"Meanwhile, I think your time is better spent here. You of all people know Marcus best. What in the hells do you think he was up to daughter?" Garulus caught his daughter's gaze and held it.
Gynni paused, her mind racing. "I have been struggling with that myself, father."
"I think that's my fault, Gar." O'Connell's casual use of the Altro's name caused Maluk to turn white.
The Altro turned to him, seemingly unaffected by the nickname. "How so? You still believe you are the reason for her abduction?"
O'Connell stared at him, confused. He glanced at Ashe, then back to the Altro. "Well. Yeah." He turned to Ashe. "You said he kept asking about me, right?"
She nodded and then paused. Something was gnawing at her… something Marcus had said.
"Father," Gynni spoke slowly. "As you say, long ago, I knew Marcus. And though he has greatly changed in the past decades from the boy I once knew, there is one thing about Marcus that will never change. He does nothing, absolutely nothing, without the intent of gain for himself."
Garulus nodded. "I agree." He turned his piercing gaze toward Ashe. She however was focused on the pint she held and missed his intent expression. "Somewhere is this equation Marcus chose to risk exposing himself, losing his land, his estate, risking death itself in order to take this young woman. Why? Why are you so important?"
They all turned toward her, but she wasn't there. She was back in the dungeon, standing there, incapable of movement, Marcus and that damn rod of his pressing against her. What had he said? Yes, he had asked about O'Connell. But what else? Focusing her thoughts on a chilled droplet as it ran down the side of her pint she played the scene again in her mind. He had held that damn rod, flashing it again and again, kissing her, making her body scream for release. Then the interruption! The voice on the comlink, saving her… but then… something… what had he said?
'Oh think you stupid girl!' she mentally chided herself. 'Think!' He answered the com. He apologized for having to leave, he had company, some woman… ah ha! She remembered that! He had said show her to the library. She must have been important; Ashe didn't think he would have stopped toying with her if she wasn't.
Then… then he had said something else. What was it? He apologized. He promised he would be back and then, then he would… he would finish what he had started and she would tell him… tell him… about… it!
Her head jerked up violently. Turning toward O'Connell she cried out, "It!"
He reached out and patted her head speaking to her as if she had gone mad. "Ok. Babe. It…"
"No!" She turned to the Altro. "It! Up until he left me unconscious… right after he got the call, he said it!"
The Altro watched her face for a moment, not as quick to judge her mental state at O'Connell. "What is the it? Do you know?"
Ashe shook her head. "He had to leave me. Some woman had arrived and he had her taken to the library so he could meet with her there. I was encased in a force field up to my shoulders." Ashe turned toward Guun, her face excited. "You should have seen it, Guun. It was amazing. Held me fast, glued to the floor, couldn't move a muscle. But he could get right up next to me and it didn't affect him."
Guun whistled in appreciation.
"The 'It', please?" Garulus interrupted.
"Oh yes, sorry." Ashe played the scene again in her mind. "He got the call, told me he had to leave and said he would be back to 'finish what he had started and then maybe I would tell him where it was'."
O'Connell's face turned to stone. "Finished what he started?" he echoed softly, then wrapped his hand around his pint, squeezing it until the glass started to crack. He was definitely killing this guy. With prejudice.
"Where it was…" Garulus continued to watch Ashe's face. O'Connell was focusing his rage on his pint, Guun's mind had moved on to the technology involved in Marcus's force field, so they both missed her change of expression. But the Altro saw it go from excitement, to confusion and then to fear.
She glanced up and saw that he understood she had finally connected the circuits. "I think I know what he wants." They all turned toward her then. "But I don't know why."
"Well," O'Connell's tone was angry. O'Connell didn't like riddles. "If he doesn't want me, what the hell does the guy want?"
Ashe turned to him, her expression apologetic. "The stone."
O'Connell's confusion was evident. "The what? The stone? What stone?"
She looked sheepish, "You know, the one I… borrowed… from you."
It took a moment for O'Connell to catch up. After all he had never really cared about the stone, he had only cared that she had taken it and left. It was the leaving that had killed him. The rest of it was all just crap. And then his face lit up as he understood all of the implications of what she was saying.
"You mean… it's not my fault? I didn't get you kidnapped! You stole the stone from me and that got you kidnapped?" he shouted.
Ashe nodded reluctantly. "It would appear so."
"Ha! Ha ha ha!" He jabbed his fist into the air. "It wasn't my fault and you can't hold this over my head for the rest of eternity!"
She shrugged. It was true, she couldn't. Damn. But how the hell had Marcus known she had the stone and what kind of value would it hold for him?
"How the hell did he know I had it?" She spoke her thoughts out loud, trying to ignore O'Connell as he kept up his victory punching of the air around him. "Even you didn't know it had value. Well, much anyway."
"I knew it was worth something, babe or I wouldn't have stolen…" Crap! He glanced around the table, making note of Gynni's angry expression, "acquired… acquired it in the first place."
"Fine," Ashe shook her head in annoyance, "but how did he know? How did he know it had value and how in the hell did he know I had it?"
O'Connell stopped pounding the air long enough to stare at her. When it became clear that she was completely lost, he shook his head in resignation. Taking her hand in his, he rubbed his thumb along the edge of her wrist. Sometimes her naiveté surprised him. "Who paid you to take it from me, Ashe? My guess is either K'rier has been after this thing for some time, and finally got the drop on it by cornering your employer, or you were double crossed."
Ashe grew pale. Master Ling would never betray her willingly, she was certain of that. But what if Marcus had found him? What if Master Ling was dead?
The Altro interrupted her thoughts. "Did Marcus get this… stone?"
She gave him a vacant stare, then shook her head adamantly. "No. I left it with V. She…" Ashe suddenly realized she hadn't checked on V's status since her abduction.
As if reading her thoughts, Guun pulled his comlink out of his sleeve. "V? You still ok, hon?"
The ship's silken voice purred from the comlink. "Hello, my Guun. I am still functioning within normal parameters. Though your absence has made me feel… concerned. That is the appropriate word, is it not?"
Ashe looked at Guun quizzically. She mouthed the words, 'My Guun?'
"Yeah, hon. That's the right word." Guun started to blush as Ashe continued to stare at him.
"Which word, Guun? Concerned, or feel?" Ashe stared at the big man, her expression incredulous, "What the hell did you do to my ship?"
"Guun, you dog!" O'Connell quipped. "Makin' time with Ashe's ship!"
"It's not like that!" Guun protested. "She needed repairs. Ashe was in trouble, you were rescuing her. I was stuck on the MorBui doing nothing! I just offered to help her out, keep her in the loop, fix the hyro seal, you know… give her a tweak here and there."
O'Connell's grin was wicked. "A tweak? You devil."
Garulus gave them all a withering look. "This stone? Is it still secure aboard her?"
Guun pressed the link. "V. Do you still have the stone the Captain gave you?"
"Of course," she replied, her voice dripping with sensuality. "The Captain ordered me to secure the artifact at all costs. It is safe." They all breathed a sigh of relief. "Although…"
Guun's face froze. "Although what?"
"There have been unusual sensor readings. I would normally credit them as biofluxations, emanating from the surrounding plant life. However these are unique."
"Unique how?" Guun felt a growing concern in his gut.
"They are far more intense than my calculations indicate acceptable for the local vegetation. Though the emanations are erratic in nature, I have begun to sense an overall pattern in their motion."
It was Ashe's turn to feel concerned. "V. There is no pattern in natural bioflux."
"You are correct, Captain. This is why I have made note of it. Its pattern suggests I am being scanned, however at this juncture I cannot assess by what." She paused a moment, then added, "Captain, I am glad you have not ceased to function."
"Thank you, V." Ashe stared at Guun, amazed.
O'Connell stood abruptly. "I think we need to get to V."
Guun agreed. "We're on our way, babe. Hold tight."
V's response was almost excited. "I will continue to… hold tight. I look forward to being with you again, my Guun."
Guun severed the communication and tried to ignore Ashe's snort of laughter. "Let's go. She's alone out there and someone is looking for her."
Garulus stood. "I will accompany you. I believe I need to see this artifact for myself." His tone left no room for argument.
O'Connell shrugged. "Ashe? V first?"
Ashe nodded. "Let's get that stone off of her. Is she still where I left her Guun, or did you move her as well as… tweak her?" Her grin was evil.
Guun sighed. "She's where you left her. But that's at least three clicks out. It will take us some time to get there."
Garulus motioned to Karl and he set off in search of mounts.
"I'm coming too!" Maluk cried.
"The hell you are!" O'Connell's laugh was derisive. "We're done with you, kid. Go play in the dirt."
Maluk turned to Ashe, his eyes large and pitiful. "I know a lot about Master K'rier. The stuff 'e does. I might be able to tell ya what 'e wants with the stone."
The Altro nodded. "The boy is correct. He may be able to help us understand Marcus's desire for this artifact."
O'Connell growled in frustration. The look he sent Maluk promised future retribution. Maluk simply grinned triumphantly. He was an expert at avoiding future retribution.
Ashe was quiet as they worked their way to the tavern's entrance, her thoughts roiling. If K'rier knew about the stone, who else knew? Why hadn't Master Ling warned her others might be after it? What if Master Ling was dead? 'No,' she thought angrily, 'I will not accept that as a possibility.' What if he were injured? She didn't know what to do with this thing. She was only supposed to get it, and then he was going to use it to save the universe. She didn't know what the hell to do and even if she could figure it out, how was she going to convince O'Connell to help her? And why did V refer to that stone as the artifact? What the hell was the damn thing anyway?
Gynni left them at the door. "I will gather what I need and head out to D'Sai, father. I would be most interested to hear your thoughts on this artifact when you return."
"Discover the identity of the woman that came to K'rier's estate as well. I will know who she was and her business with Marcus. T'alu, my daughter." The Altro gave Gynni the barest of nods.
"O'Connell," Gynni reached out her hand and he reluctantly took it in his. The sensation he felt was not as intense as before, but he still had the insane desire to hug someone.
He gave the woman's hand a quick shake then yanked his hand from hers. "Thanks for the help." He added a smile, hoping he didn't offend her. He didn't like the way her touch calmed him. He was not comfortable calm. It was like a tight new pair of boots. Just didn't fit right. Made him ache a little.
Gynni leaned in and took Ashe in another hug. "Again, I am so sorry for what happened."
Ashe let the hug last this time, trying to feel what it was O'Connell felt at her touch. "It was obviously not your fault, Gynni, please don't worry about it," she replied, pulling away with a sigh. She didn't feel any different when she touched the woman, and that was a bit annoying.
Outside, it had grown dark, the sun lost behind the horizon. Karl waited, their mount's reigns in his hand. O'Connell grunted in annoyance. These animals looked more like horses than the last lizard things he had ridden, though that was small comfort.
He turned to the silent Karl and asked, "What, nothing made of metal?" Karl's features didn't move, but O'Connell was fairly certain there was smoke pouring from his nostrils.
"We have few mechanical transports in town," the Altro explained, "and those we have are presently at D'Sai."
O'Connell shrugged. 'What did it matter, they were almost ready to get off this rock.' He grabbed the reigns of a white mount and climbed onto the beast. Though the saddle was much like any of the mounts he had ridden, the beast itself was extremely hairy. He wondered how the thing could see through the long bangs hanging over its eyes. He tried the reigns and found the animal responded well. O'Connell shrugged. As long as it did what he told it to.
Ashe sat atop a tawny mount, trying the reigns, getting a feel for the beast. Within moments she found her center and she and the animal moved as one. She reached down to Maluk, who happily took her hand and allowed her to pull him up onto her mount. He sat behind her, his arms wrapped around her, his expression triumphant. She glanced at the others, waiting as Guun tried desperately to find his balance on the large animal below him. She tried not to grin as her friend bobbed first forward, then backward.
Moving toward him she tried not to chuckle. "Just grip with your knees, Guun."
"I'm tryin'! It just doesn't seem to want me up here!" Guun barely caught himself from falling off. "For god's sake, woman, don't they have anything I can fly?"
Ashe burst out laughing. "Guun, just imagine you're on the MorBui. Under the propulsion array, straddling the crossbeams, to get at the hydrogen casing."
He looked at her like she had a third head, then sighed and closed his eyes. Slowly the animal began to quiet. "Hey, it's working!" Guun sat still for a moment, feeling the movement of the animal beneath him, then moving with the animal, not against him.
She nodded. "You just have to listen to your mount like you listen to your ship."
"I guess. Still prefer a ship under me though," he grumbled.
"And I'm sure V appreciates that," Ashe chuckled.
"If you are ready?" The Altro's tone inferred that of course they were.
They headed slowly out of town, not working to a full run until they had left the streets behind them. Ashe led the way, Maluk behind her, O'Connell still by her side. Garulus and Karl moved in time directly behind her; however Guun moved a little slower, his ability to stay mounted at a full gallop a challenge.
The mounts appeared unhindered by the darkness, which helped Ashe's already frayed nerves. The first two clicks were a flat, rocky terrain. Their mounts moved efficiently across the open expanse, their large hoofs expertly maneuvering through the rock. They were in sight of the forest before Ashe sensed something was wrong. She glanced at O'Connell, wondering if she was being paranoid, but the look he gave her confirmed her fears. She couldn't place it, couldn't tell what it was, but something was there and he felt it as well.
Then suddenly it intensified, rolling over her, a sharpened tingling, almost a slight pinching against her skin. Her mount miss-stepped and she had to grab at its fur or fall. The look she gave O'Connell held fear. She had a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
He must have felt it as well, he moved his mount closer to Ashe's, but did not slow. 'Whatever it is,' he thought, 'it's not natural.' He glanced at the sky around them. Its darkness was broken by the brilliant lights of a million stars, but there was no outline of a ship, anywhere he looked. He was almost ready to put his fears down to paranoia when the sensations that washed over his skin, changed. It had been unpleasant before, but suddenly it was much more intense. It felt as if his clothes were on fire, burning his skin.
The look on Ashe's face mirrored his own. This was much more powerful, much more painful. The mounts began to skitter as they ran. He shot a glance at Guun only to find the big man bouncing in his saddle, desperately trying to hold on. He wasn't sure how much faster they could move, their mounts were barely responding to their commands and Guun was scarcely holding on.
Then the air between them and V began to shimmer and O'Connell groaned as the intensity of the energy washed over him. 'This is not going to be good,' he thought, and then screamed, "Move!" He grabbed Ashe's reigns and yanked her mount to the left with his. Guun or his mount must have felt it as well as they bolted to the right just as the air in front of them exploded into flame.
It began as a wall, an impenetrable barrier of fire and energy. O'Connell raced along it heading west, keeping as much distance between it and them as he could. He could see the end of the fire wall a few hundred feet ahead of them and he focused on that point, stubbornly heading for it. This thing wanted to keep him away from V, so he had no intention of letting it.
They had almost reached the edge of the fiery barrier when it began to undulate. O'Connell growled, 'Great, now what?' The energy seemed to coalesce, grow thicker, heavier. It pulled in onto itself, almost consuming itself, and then it broke into two and began to race after them.
'Wonderful,' O'Connell thought as he turned their mounts in the direction of the forest. 'Wall's gone, now it's just hunting us.' The fire burned hotter than any in his memory. It raced along the ground behind him, following their every step. He could feel its heat and electric charge chasing them. He wanted to dodge, move left or right, something to get out of its path, but he felt certain that this was not a natural phenomenon, this was technological. Which meant someone with a brain was at the controls. Speed might be the only way to escape it.
Ashe dug her knees into her mount, desperate to hold on at this speed. O'Connell had grabbed her reigns as they bolted away so now she had little to do but grip the pommel. She risked a glance behind them. What she saw unnerved her. A pillar of fire appeared to be chasing them. It rose twenty meters into the air, a brilliant molten column of energy. Its twin seemed to be moving just as quickly in the opposite direction. Her heart froze at the thought of that energy hitting Guun.
Their mounts began to slow, the pace too much for them. Ashe and Maluk as one cried out to O'Connell, "It's gaining!"
O'Connell did not glance back, instead he tried to focus on draining their mounts of every ounce of energy they had. If they reached the forest, maybe they could lose that thing in there. He laughed to himself, 'Like that thing couldn't burn down anything in its path.' He was running out of ideas and the animals were running out of time.
Ashe could feel the heat on her back increase. It began to wash over her like liquid fire. She knew the column was quickly gaining on them. Maluk's arms tightened around her and she could only imagine what the boy was feeling. His small body pressed up against her back, must be blocking most of the heat. She turned back to judge the distance and froze. The column was only a few feet behind them.
She screamed, "O'Connell!" as the burning tower descended upon them. She stared at the undulating column of fire, certain it would have them, and then it suddenly disappeared. They crashed through the forest's boundaries, continuing their forward momentum into the forest.
O'Connell was focused on finding safety, oblivious to the column's evaporation. It took a moment for Ashe's cries to register and his subconscious began to note the lack of heat. He risked slowing the mounts to glance behind him. They had traveled deep enough into the woods that he was unable to make out the edge. Darkness surrounded him, and he thrilled as he realized the column was no longer there. He pulled the mounts up short and grabbed his comlink from his sleeve.
"Guun? Guun? You out there? Answer me, man!" O'Connell growled franticly.
There was a moment that felt like an eternity where the only response was static, and then Guun's tired voice crackled across the clicks to him. "I'm fine, mum. Don't get your panties in a twist."
O'Connell's relief was overwhelming. He covered it with a caustic, "So what the hell was that?"
Guun's chuckle was distorted, the comlink heavy with static. "My guess is microbursts, intense EMP, definitely energy distortion of some kind. With a control I have never seen! This guy K'rier has some pretty intense toys…"
O'Connell cut him off. "Where are you at? Is Gar with you?"
"Negative. Lost him at the start. I tried to loop around to help but that big guy waved me off. Then the damn wall split and started to follow me. So I took off as fast as I could. Which, it turned out," he could hear his derisive snort, "was much faster than I thought I could."
"Hey, bear. You anywhere near V?" Ashe asked, her voice filled with relief that her friend was alive.
"Hey, darlin'. Good to hear your voice. This thing I was riding is almost dead, but I can make it to V on foot in less than a quarter mark. What about you guys?"
O'Connell shook his head. "Negative. We're too far away. At this point it's better if we head to the MorBui. We'll get the hell off this rock and meet up at Xatra."
"Oowwe…" Guun gushed. "I do love that planet."
"Be careful, idiot. They're after that stupid rock and V's got it," O'Connell reprimanded him.
"Yes, mother. I'm not gonna let anything happen to V. Or the damn artifact. Guun out." He severed the connection and the forest around them grew silent.
"Did you notice the amount of static?" Ashe asked.
"Yup." O'Connell glanced around them. He had maybe two meters of visibility, then black. He hit a button on his comlink and the dial began to glow red. A light raced around the edges, then settled in the northeastern corner. O'Connell handed Ashe back her reigns. "Let's go. I'm not going to feel comfortable until I have some steel beneath me." He paused and then added. "Kid, you still alive?"
Maluk's reply was edged with pain as he mumbled into Ashe's back, "Yeah. Tough luck I didn't die!"
O'Connell grinned at Ashe, "Good. Then I still get to kill you later."
Maluk's rebellious grunt was halfhearted.
They edged their mounts forward, letting them carefully pick their way in the dark. O'Connell thoughts focused on the column of fire and its abrupt termination. He wondered if their escape had been due to some malfunction of the energy column, or if whoever had attacked them had chosen to end it. Either way he still felt vulnerable and he hated vulnerable. He glanced over at Ashe, barely able to make out her features in the dark. The thought of her fried to a crisp made his blood run cold. "If those energy bursts start washing over us again, I need you to take off as fast as you can. Don't hesitate. Do you still have your link?"
Ashe nodded.
"Then get to the ship and get off this rock. No matter what. Am I clear, Ashe?"
Ashe grunted into the darkness.
"Ashe?"
"O'Connell," her tone was weary. "I will get to the MorBui. But I will not, under any circumstances, leave you behind. I didn't on Mildon and I won't here."
"You're a stubborn woman, babe." O'Connell shook his head in resignation, and then countered, "And why does everyone keep bringing up Mildon? It wasn't that bad."
Ashe grunted. "You would say that. You weren't stuck in a dung hole behind a line of Tulisian soldiers waiting for your partner to stop boffing a Priestess so he could cause the distraction you needed to escape."
"Hey! I set off those charges. We got out," his said defensively.
Ashe chuckled. "You damn well took your time."
"Besides, the whole Priestess thing was part of the distraction."
That made Ashe burst out in laughter. "Well she certainly distracted you!"
"Yeah…" O'Connell lost himself in the memory for a moment.
"O'Connell," Ashe murmured, her tone changing abruptly.
"Yeah, babe?"
Ashe paused a moment, her heart in her throat. O'Connell was a difficult man at the best of times and her mission was not his. His reaction was not a forgone conclusion. Still, it was time to find out where he stood. "I still need the stone."
"I know," was his quiet reply.
"I still need to get it to Ling."
"I know."
"I could do it without you… but I'd rather… you know… do it with you."
"I know." O'Connell grinned into the darkness.
"So, you'll help?" Ashe damned the darkness, wishing she could read his expression.
O'Connell paused a moment before replying. "Babe, here's the thing. I could go on without you. I could go back to 'Acquisitions'. Guun and I had a great life. We did well. But since you came along, everything's changed. You… you make things… fun."
"Fun?" Ashe couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at that.
"Yeah… fun." He laughed softly. "You make things… so much fraggin' fun…" he halted his mount and leaned toward her, his mouth inches from hers, "and I love you for that."
Ashe stopped breathing for a moment, unable to look away from his eyes as they captured hers. Then she grinned wickedly. "Remind me later to show you how much fun I can be."
O'Connell growled again and leaned in, placing his mouth firmly on hers, kissing her with an intensity that made her moan softly. She reached up and ran her hand through his hair, pulling him closer.
"Hey! Kid back 'ere!" Maluk cried in disgust.
O'Connell pulled away and mumbled, "Remind me to kill him sooner rather than later…"
Ashe grinned as she felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders. Leaving him and Guun had been one of the hardest things she had ever done. Now that he was choosing to help her, she felt nothing was impossible.
They were silent as they moved into the darkness, edging their mounts in the direction of the MorBui.
The man slumped slowly to the deck, his inert body hitting the floor with a thud.
"I said close to her, not on top of her," Marcus growled and then sighed, annoyed. Tapping the now inert rod against the palm of his hand, he turned to the nearest guard. "Remove him. Then find another to manage the array."
"Yes, milord." The guard moved quickly, squelching the fear in his stomach.
The woman standing next to K'rier smiled, though the smile did not reach her eyes. Her hair shone like liquid fire in the dim lights of the bridge, her skin like alabaster, her voice like honey. Her dark green eyes showed no emotion when she spoke. "So you wish for her to live. Wise?"
"My dearest, Yseult," Marcus's tone suggested anything but actual affection. "Killing her gains me nothing. Alive, she is both a homing beacon and source of potential income."
Yseult's sigh bordered on critical. "Understood. However you play a dangerous game, Marcus. Free, she may elude you and get to Ling before you can take her again. I do not understand why you simply do not kill her and take the Key now?"
His laugh was derisive and her eyes began to sparkle in anger. "This is not about the Key or Ling for you anymore is it, my dear? Your purpose is no longer clear." He continued to laugh, but she held her tongue, his grip on that rod of his a grim reminder of his taciturn nature. "You have lost your focus. All you can think about is destroying her. Feign to deny it!"
Yseult shook her head, her long fiery red curls bouncing about her bare white shoulders. "Absolutely not. She is nothing. It is only the Key that matters."
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. My dear. Admit it, you will feel better," he purred, grinning wickedly. "She succeeded where you had failed. She acquired the Key, you did not. Now don't pout," he placed the rod against her cheek and her breath caught in her throat. "It was a difficult task set before you. It is no wonder you did not succeed. However let's not hold a grudge. When I finally do take her, the Key and Ling, won't it all feel so much more… exhilarating?"
Yseult's concentration was focused on keeping the fear from her eyes as the rod lay gently against her check. She knew Marcus well, knew it would mean nothing for him to fry her brain like he had the engineer's. He cared nothing for life, only for power. Still, he had let that girl live. That was surprising indeed and quite out of character. She managed to smile coyly, "If you are content, milord, then so am I."
Marcus smirked and slowly ran the rod down her neck, and across her shoulders, resting on the white expanse of breast her dress offered. He sent a surge of energy through the rod and he heard her soft gasp.
"Dillon," he said, without taking his eyes off Yseult's face, the traces of fear and passion there exciting him.
"Yes, milord." The first mate stepped forward.
"Follow her ship. Discreetly."
"Yes, milord."
"Alert me to any changes."
"Yes, milord." Dillon cleared his throat. "Do you wish me to send another squadron after the second ship, milord?"
"No, Dillon. Only the girl matters at the moment."
"As you wish, milord." Dillon breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the gods that his lord's attention was focused on his companion's breasts.
"Come, my dear. I feel drained after the excitement of the day." Marcus pulsed the rod again and found himself growing increasingly excited at her gasps. He moved swiftly toward his cabin, knowing she would follow.
Yseult's pace was considerably slower. Part of the game they played. She never gave into Marcus too quickly. He liked a challenge, even if it was illusionary. The act of seduction turned him on more than the act of sex itself. She knew it was another act of power for him. Still, her mind raced with concerns. It seemed this girl intrigued him. He still wanted her. Well, wanted her alive at any rate. Perhaps it was because he had not bedded her? Possibly.
Or was it because she had procured the Key when they had failed? She marveled again at the way men loved to rewrite history. Yes she had failed to retrieve the Key, but then so had he! Of all of the disciples, only the girl had succeeded. Was that what intrigued him? The girl was comely, no doubt. However beauty never fascinated Marcus for long. He did enjoy possessing it, but he very quickly moved onto the next. She herself had been the only woman, or man for that matter, that he had ever had an extended partnership with. And even that was always on his terms. However, there was something about this girl that fascinated him. She reached his cabin door and paused. Some way, somehow, she would use this weakness of his to her advantage.
Straightening her shoulders she smiled coyly. Meanwhile, if there was one thing Marcus was good at, it was pleasuring a woman. "Might as well have some fun," she murmured to herself and opened the cabin door, her eyes filled with hunger.