Crusader (Battle Born Book 1) (30 page)

Excitement and confusion, liberally mixed with fear, rushed back across the link.

Don’t speak, but whisper in your mind and I’ll be able to hear you.

After an awkward moment, they heard,
The…the younger one claims that they have Ashley. Is it true?

No. Ashley’s safe and anxious to see you. Now can you do exactly what I tell you to do?

Of course.
Renewed purpose calmed her other emotions.

Two men are going to suddenly appear in the holding cell. Don’t be afraid. I’m one of them.

I’m ready, more than ready.

Bandar switched back to the ship’s frequency and said, “As soon as the beacon activates, stream Abigail out of there.”

“Copy,” Keyran responded.

“Then open the door a little wider,” Nazerel said.

Nazerel’s fingers tightened on Bandar’s arms and then Bandar felt a staggering rush of energy. The flash was instantaneous and precise. They materialized inside the holding cell and Bandar slapped the beacon onto Abigail’s shoulder, activating the signal. A millisecond later Abigail disappeared and Nazerel flashed with Bandar to a little-used corridor near the cargo bays.

They listened and scanned, hearts rapidly thudding. Had they accomplished phase one without setting off an alarm? They’d used all their combined energy to shield themselves during the maneuvers, but they hadn’t been certain it would work.

Silence. Blessed silence greeted their scans.

Find Chandar
, Nazerel urged
.

As if Bandar needed the reminder. He ignored the flash of irritation and focused on phase two of their plan. Meticulously scanning, he searched inch by inch, room by room, determined to locate their second target.

Seconds passed into minutes and the minutes became excruciating.

Nazerel grew restless beside him, but Bandar tuned everything else out. They were stuck, stranded in this dead-end hall until they—

Excitement rippled across Bandar’s link with Ashley and he cringed. Now was not the time for distractions, not even one as beloved as his mate. He was about to pinch off the link completely when her soft, sweet voice reached his mind.

I can lead you to her. I’ll tell you where to go.

He recognized not only the cadence of her voice, but the pattern of her energy. This was Ashley, but how could she… Rather than attempt to understand how she could possibly know Chandar’s location, he passed the thought to Nazerel.

Nazerel opened his eyes, clearly confused. But he didn’t waste time with questions either.

Turn right at the first corner,
Ashley directed.

They each said a silent prayer that this wasn’t some horrible trick and then walked to the corner and turned.

Wait. Not yet. Now! Straight through the intersection then left.

Bandar spotted the reason for her caution as he dashed across the intersecting corridor. Two armed guards were strolling along, lost in conversation. How in hells rings was she doing this?

There’s a utility ladder coming up on the right. Take it up two levels.

Talk about a trust exercise. Bandar didn’t dare interrupt her flow with the questions bombarding his brain. He passed each thought to Nazerel and they both obeyed without hesitation.

Neither had worn weapons, afraid of setting off munitions alarms. If it came to a physical confrontation, they would have to begin by disarming their opponent.

Almost there. There’s a storeroom on your left, three doors down. Get inside, quickly!

They dashed toward the designated door and dove into the storeroom. Not a moment too soon, either. Footsteps passed beyond the door, along with the muffled sound of voices. There were still no alarms, no ripples of urgency.

Bandar remained focused. Overconfidence was just as dangerous as doubt.

She’s locked in the room on the other side of that wall.

Bandar looked at the floor-to-ceiling shelves and frowned.

The other wall. Tell Nazerel to go get her. She’s expecting him.

Nazerel nodded as Bandar passed him the directive then flashed from view.

Bandar blew out a sigh and risked a soft,
Thank you, angel.

Nazerel returned almost instantaneously, Chandar in tow.

Excitement surged through Bandar, but he stubbornly suppressed the impulse. They weren’t out of danger yet. They still had to get off the ship.

She offered each man a weak smile, then whispered, “I’ll explain everything, just get me out of here.”

Before Bandar could respond to her plea, the door to the storeroom was flung open and all three occupants were dragged out into the corridor.

Chandar screamed, not in fear but fury.

Nazerel launched a vicious attack on the nearest guard. The man attempted to defend against the lightning-fast offensive, but one good upper cut to his jaw sent the guard crashing to the floor.

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, Bandar spun and kicked the person squarely in the gut. The soldier dropped to his knees, clutching his middle as his pulse pistol skittered across the floor. Bandar scooped up the weapon, twisted back around and fired at the man attempting to subdue Nazerel.

Chandar huddled against the wall, arms crossed over her chest. Her lips trembled and dread shadowed her gaze, but she remained silent and still.

“You idiots!”

The hateful tone drew Bandar’s head back around as Erkott stepped into the corridor. Bandar narrowed his gaze and widened his stance, welcoming this confrontation. Then he watched in horror as Erkott drew Bandar’s flexblade from the sheath at his side and triggered the transformation from dagger to short sword.

Infuriated by the sight, Bandar let the emotion swell and then abate. He would not be controlled by emotions. It didn’t matter that using another man’s flexblade was a heinous insult, not to mention that Erkott shouldn’t have been able to trigger the morph at all. Flexblades were tuned to the DNA of their user. Somehow the bastard had hacked the programming. None of it mattered. He would have his weapon back soon enough.

Tucking the pulse pistol into the back of his pants, he focused on retrieving his most prized possession. Erkott tossed the sword from hand to hand, mocking Bandar with the flourish.

“I’m going to slit your throat with your own blade and then I’m going to fuck the harbinger—again!”

Bandar ignored the despicable boast and emptied his mind of everything but his goal. He watched, silently waiting for Erkott to attack. The idiot was sloppy and overconfident. The best way to defeat him was with ruthless patience.

“Come on,” Erkott urged, assuring Bandar he was on the right path. “Are you afraid of a little pain?”

The unmistakable sound of flesh connecting with flesh indicated that Nazerel had found another opponent. Chandar cried out and still Bandar kept his gaze fixed on Erkott.

With all the grace of a charging bull, Erkott attacked. Bandar trapped Erkott’s arm against his side and slammed his hand down just above his wrist. Erkott yelled and twisted wildly, trying to free his arm.

Bandar spun, slamming Erkott into the wall as he struck the exact same spot over and over. His hand throbbed, but he ignored the pain. Erkott jabbed him with his elbow and stomped on his foot, but Bandar continued to deepen the impact on his forearm. Finally, Erkott’s fingers released and the flexblade dropped from his grasp. Bandar caught it in midair, stepped back and turned so he faced Erkott.

Erkott held his injured arm, glaring at Bandar in impotent rage.

Chandar cried out again and Bandar turned his head, trying to ascertain the danger.

Erkott leapt for the sword, but Bandar lunged, thrusting the blade into Erkott’s heart with lethal accuracy. Firmly grasping the hilt, Bandar raised his foot and kicked Erkott backward, dislodging the sword as Erkott collided with the wall and then slid to the floor, blood staining his shirt, eyes staring blank and lifeless.

Bandar instinctively tried to morph the blade back into a dagger, but the flexblade wouldn’t respond to his touch. Forcing the final insult aside, Bandar ran to help the others. Nazerel was grappling with a soldier. Two others lay unconscious at his feet.

Bandar aimed his flexblade at the soldier, meaning to launch a pulse of energy, but again the weapon wouldn’t respond to him. With a frustrated curse, he reached back and retrieved the pistol from his pants. Before Bandar could take aim, Nazerel shoved his opponent sideways and Chandar leapt back in an effort to avoid the combatants.

“No!” Bandar’s warning came half a second too late. Akim rounded the corner and grabbed Chandar by the hair. She screamed, kicking and twisting. Despite the doubtlessly painful grip on her hair, she continued to fight her tormentor.

Nazerel violently twisted the head of the soldier. A sickening crack echoed as the body dropped. Nazerel spun around and froze.

Akim had a knife pressed to Chandar’s throat. Blood oozed out around the blade. “Drop the flexblade or she dies.”

Go!
She shouted in their minds, her hopelessness echoing like a silent scream.

Akim’s crew advanced from both ends, rapidly filling the corridor.

A burst of energy whizzed past Bandar’s head, narrowly missing his ear.

Nazerel reached for Bandar’s arm.

“No! I will not leave her!” He twisted away.

“We can’t save her if we’re dead.” Nazerel clasped Bandar’s shoulder in an unbreakable grasp.

Bandar fought like a man possessed, but Nazerel teleported them both back to the other ship.

* * * * *

Ashley indulged in a happy cry as Bandar and Nazerel materialized in the corner of the conference room. But her joy evaporated almost as quickly as it had formed. “Where’s Chandar?”

Abigail sat in one of the chairs, eyes wide and tear-bright. “Oh no.”

Without speaking a word, Bandar ran across the room and threw open the door leading to the command center. Nazerel was on his heels.

Pausing only long enough to squeeze her mother’s hand, Ashley rushed after the men. She stayed in the doorway, however, watching without attempting to interfere. The control center of the ship was awe-inspiring. Everywhere she looked she encountered something more wondrous. A massive display stretched across the front wall like an IMAX theater screen. Crew members utilized holographic displays and interactive virtual control panels. She could only guess at what most of it did, but it was all impressive.

“Fire at will,” Keyran shouted in Rodyte, face bright red, teeth bared.

“There’s nothing to target!” One of the crewmembers responded just as vehemently.

A flash of light momentarily revealed the silhouette of a ship off to their right.

“There!” Keyran pointed at the distortion.

An energy pulse struck and the ship shuddered, groaning like a wounded animal. Ashley tensed, horrified by the sound. Were Rodyte ships biomechanical? She’d never thought to ask.

The
Crusader
returned fire, but the
Relentless
had repositioned and the energy bursts arced off into the blackness of space.

“Find them!” Keyran screamed as he threw up his hands in exasperation.

Bandar joined the frustrated man who seemed to be the focus of Keyran’s rants. They worked together in silent cooperation and launched several rapid blasts in a sort of scatter pattern. They were blindly throwing darts at a wall and hoping something stuck. Some of the projectiles found their marks with minimal impact, but more missed completely.

“If we can’t see them, why can they see us?” Abigail stood a step back, but she could obviously see enough to understand what was happening. Morgan stood beside her, looking even more concerned than Abigail.

The question sent dread crashing over Ashley and she covered her mouth with her hand.

“It’s me, isn’t it? They did something to me.”

Apparently realizing the same thing, Nazerel sprinted across the command deck and pushed past Ashley.

“Don’t be afraid,” Morgan said. It was the only warning Abigail got before Nazerel grabbed her head with both hands.

She gasped then cried out, but didn’t struggle.

“It’s in her bloodstream,” he shouted. “I can’t disable it.” Without further explanation, he ran back into the control center.

The ship rocked violently to one side then shook with the force of a multi-blast barrage.

“We have to jump!” Bandar looked at Keyran then screamed, “Now!”

With obvious reluctance Keyran flew through a rapid series of gestures and verbal commands. “Brace for hyper-space jump.” His command echoed throughout the ship an instant before reality exploded into blinding ribbons of light.

“Are the men in trouble for rescuing me?” Abigail asked as she sipped her iced tea. “Everyone was acting so strangely.” She gazed around the central court in obvious wonder, her hands still shaking.

Ashley looked at Morgan before she answered. After Irron purged Abigail’s bloodstream of the nano-trackers, he extracted the com-bot and made sure Akim hadn’t harmed her in any other way. Then Nazerel suggested they take her somewhere quiet so she could acclimate to her new surroundings. Ashley wasn’t sure the social center of the ship qualified as quiet, but it was better than the palpable tension up on the command deck.

“They’re not in trouble for rescuing you, Mom. They’re in trouble for when and how they did it. They were told to wait for backup, but they chose to rush in instead. It’s likely there will be some sort of punishment.”

“Commander Tarr will take the brunt of it,” Morgan said, her voice husky, her expression troubled.

Abigail looked at Morgan, clearly upset by the comment. “Ashley said the com-bot was malfunctioning. They were afraid they’d lose contact with the ship.”

“The bot was functioning perfectly when Irron removed it,” Morgan reminded her. “That’s not going to help their case.”

“But that poor girl.” Abigail’s wide green eyes, so like Ashley’s, reflected compassion and worry. “Commander Tarr was right to send them in. I only saw her for a minute, but it was obvious she’d been abused, probably tortured.”

“That’s part of the problem. They weren’t willing to risk losing your signal, but the second half of their plan failed. If they’d waited for backup, Chandar might be free right now. Instead, she’s still Akim’s prisoner and Bandar and Nazerel were lucky to escape unharmed.” Ashley reached across the small table and covered her mother’s hand. “They haven’t given up. They will rescue Chandar, but this is a mess.”

“I still agree with the decision,” Morgan stressed.

“So do I,” Ashley objected. “I was just trying to help Mom understand the situation.”

“You were not harmed in any way?” Morgan asked for the second time. There were forms of abuse that wouldn’t show up on a medical scanner. Abigail looked fatigued and bedraggled, yet there wasn’t a mark on her.

“I was terrified and confused, but that’s nothing.” She shook her head and blinked back tears. “I can’t get that poor girl’s face out of my mind. They should have gone after her first.”

“They knew your exact location,” Ashley said. “I had to lead them to Chandar once I knew you were safe.”

“How were you able to do that?” Morgan tilted her head as she added, “The only people I’ve seen who can mind share like that are identical twins.”

“Close, but not exactly.” Ashley summoned a shaky smile, knowing where this subject would lead. “Apparently, Pyre Sterling is Chandar’s mother. And Chandar’s abilities are extraordinary. Akim has no idea what she can really do.”

Morgan nodded, easily anticipating the rest. “So Irron was right. It was Pyre’s DNA your father used to heal you all those years ago.”

After confirming Morgan’s conclusion with a nod, Ashley braced for the truth and looked at her mother. “How much of this did you know before you were kidnapped?”

Abigail immediately looked away. “I knew Daniel was breaking ethical and legal laws, but I had no idea he was cavorting with aliens.”

She was lying. Ashley knew her mother well enough to recognize the signs, the tension around her mouth and her averted gaze. She wasn’t surprised, but she was disappointed. “Maybe in the beginning. When did you figure it out?”

“You were so adamant that it was real, so I started digging through files and following my worthless husband. I didn’t want to believe what I saw. I knew it had just about destroyed you, but…” She shook her head without lifting her gaze. “I think I always knew.”

Hearing her admit it was a wonderful relief, but it made her even harder to forgive. “You let me rot in that mental hospital for almost a year, knowing I wasn’t crazy?” Each word was filled with accusation and pain, but Ashley was unable to soften her tone.

Abigail finally looked up, but her expression was carefully guarded. “I was terrified they’d come after us. Your insanity protected you. No one took you seriously, so you weren’t a threat.”

There was a twisted sort of logic in the position, but Ashley had been deeply changed by her months in that facility. She’d become withdrawn and suspicious, pushing everyone away. It had taken her many years, and one extraordinary friend named Raina Solano to draw Ashley out of her self-imposed isolation.

“I never wanted to hurt you.” Her mother sounded genuinely sorry, but was her regret enough? “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Resentment and bitterness only made Ashley more miserable. No one could change the past, but how she reacted in the present would define her future. She needed to forgive her mother or she would never be able to move on.

Ashley went to Abigail and knelt beside her chair. “Do you believe me now?” She ended the question with a beaming smile and they embraced. Abigail clung to her, crying softly.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”

She stroked her mother’s hair and let her cry. “I love you, Mom, and I know you love me. The rest will stay in the past where it belongs.”

It felt surprising and empowering to be the comforter for a change. She felt so much stronger now, so much more secure. She could offer forgiveness and warmth because she was surrounded by affection and support. And she could sum up the change with one word, Bandar.

* * * * *

The
Crusader
rendezvoused with the other three ships before returning to Earth. Bandar contacted Garin from his cabin, hoping for a private word with his older brother. Unfortunately, General Nox responded to the telepathic ping. Bandar asked if Garin had made his decision about the consequences of their disobedience, but Garin refused to tell Bandar anything.

Keyran deserves to hear it first
, Garin told Bandar.
Tell him to be in the conference room in ten minutes. My representatives will arrive shortly.

Do you want me there as well?
He dreaded the answer. The entire situation had been a fiasco and he’d played an active part in the events.

You, Ashley, Nazerel and Morgan. Everyone needs to be on the same page from this point on. Am I understood?

Yes, sir. May I say one thing before you go?

It won’t change the outcome.

Bandar had to try.
Keyran didn’t make the decision alone. I was just as—

Keyran commanded the mission. He is ultimately responsible for what transpired.

Yes, sir.
It was obvious Garin had made up his mind. Arguing at this point would only piss him off.

Bandar closed the link with a sigh. There was nothing he could do to soften the blow for his old friend, so he decided it was best to just face it head-on. It had been a gamble either way. If they’d succeeded or if the com-bot had blinked out, they would have been heroes. Instead, it was pretty obvious that Keyran was about to lose his command.

With a heavy heart, Bandar notified everyone that Garin had requested and told them to gather in the conference room.

“What should I do with my mother?” Ashley asked. “She’s still pretty rattled.”

“This shouldn’t take long. Ask her to wait in my cabin.”

Ashley agreed, so Bandar made his way to the conference room. He was the first to arrive, but the others joined him a few minutes later.

“Did you get a preview of my fate?” Keyran took a seat next to Morgan, avoiding his usual place at the head of the table.

“I tried, but General Nox was not in the mood to indulge his little brother.”

Keyran nodded. “I know my career is over, but I’d do it again.” He looked into Bandar’s eyes, his expression resigned. “You don’t think Garin will—”

“This will not cost you your life.” A general was within his rights to order an execution when lives were lost as a result of insubordination. There had been one casualty during the brief battle and six others had been severely injured. Still, Bandar couldn’t believe that was what Garin had in mind.

Bandar sat beside Ashley and waited for Garin’s “representatives” to arrive.

He didn’t have long to wait. The door slid open and Raylon Lasenger strode into the room, followed by Kotto Tarr, Keyran’s younger brother. They were dressed in armor as if they were going to war rather than conducting a meeting. Raylon looked grim and brutal, as always. He’d served with Garin longer than anyone else and Bandar wasn’t surprised to see him. Raylon was a problem solver, the sort to sweep in and clean up other people’s messes. The right side of his face had been sliced open from forehead to chin during a battle twelve years ago. He wore the scar like a badge of honor, refusing to have his face regenerated.

“I’ll get right to it.” He didn’t bother siting down. Instead, he stood at the head of the table and clasped his hands behind his back, looking directly at Keyran as he spoke. “Keyran Tarr, by the authority granted to General Garin Nox by the Rodyte Planetary Defense Force, you are relieved of duty and shall be confined to the detention level until a guarded transport delivers you to the
Undaunted
for final sentencing. Do you require an escort?”

“I do not.” Without making eye contact with anyone else, Keyran left the room.

Raylon motioned Kotto forward until they stood side-by-side. Kotto was a bit taller, but Raylon was more muscular. Both had wavy dark hair and angular features. The rings in Raylon’s eyes were green, while Kotto’s were vivid purple.

Bandar wasn’t sure if this made it better or worse. Would Keyran be relieved or angry when he learned that he’d been replaced by his brother? Bandar didn’t know Kotto well, though his reputation was exemplary. Like Bandar, Kotto had been offered his own command and he’d chosen to remain on the
Undaunted
with Garin. Apparently, that was about to change.

“Everyone stand.” Raylon waited until they obeyed before turning back to Kotto. “Raise your right hand.”

With an expressionless mask concealing his reaction, Kotto raised his hand.

“Repeat after me,” Raylon prompted. “I, Kotto Tarr.”

“I, Kotto Tarr.”

“Do solemnly swear to support and defend Rodymia against all enemies.”

Kotto repeated each stanza, his voice strong yet mechanical.

Bandar watched him closely, trying to ascertain his mood. The
Crusader
was a fine ship, coveted my many. Still, Kotto had to be tormented by the circumstances that brought him to this point.

“I will obey the orders of my superior officers and shall demand obedience from those subordinate to me.” The stipulation felt particularly weighty after what had happened today, but Kotto spoke the words without hesitation.

“I shall uphold this office to the best of my abilities and offer up all my strength, according to the Uniform Codes governing the Rodyte Planetary Defense Force.”

After Kotto completed the final vow, Raylon snapped to attention. “May the gods protect you and welcome you into the afterlife when your work on Rodymia is done. Congratulations, Commander Tarr.”

Kotto accepted the traditional greeting with a solemn nod and then the others showed their support with respectful applause. It wasn’t Kotto’s fault that any of this was happening.

“Congratulations,” Nazerel said as the clapping died down.

“Thank you.” Kotto’s mask slipped for just a second and Bandar saw the emotions Kotto was struggling to suppress. Anger, worry and anticipation all twisted in a conflicted mess.

“We’re not finished.” Raylon motioned Kotto toward one of the empty chairs as he sat down at the head of the table. “Now that the official nonsense is over, let’s get down to business. Garin anticipates resistance to the new leadership. Many of these men have served Keyran Tarr exclusively.” He looked at Kotto, gaze bright and assessing. “You’re going to have to prove that you deserve this position.”

“I expect nothing less from Rodytes and I welcome the challenge.”

“Good.” That seemed to settle the subject, so Raylon moved on. “I’ve been assigned to oversee all four ships. The commanders will now answer to me and I’ll answer to Garin. Each ship will have its own mission and I’m to keep everyone on task.”

“What’s the
Crusader’s
mission?” Kotto asked.

“You’ll return to Earth and ascertain the location of the
Relentless
. However, once the ship is found, Chandar’s rescue will be undertaken by one of the other ships. You’re too damn close to the situation to be objective.”

Kotto glared, clearly infuriated by the decision. “Then who?”

“I’m not sure. Garin was still debating when I left.”

“What will we be doing?” Kotto failed to conceal his annoyance.

“Reopening Lunar 9.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Bandar spoke the words reflected in the expressions of Kotto and Nazerel. The females just looked confused. “That outpost was deserted over thirty years ago.”

“It was fully functional when it was shut down,” Raylon asserted. “Garin has no reason to believe it can’t be reactivated with minimal effort.”