Fighting Chance (4 page)

Mikael R’Varsel sat at the desk in his quarters and studied
the data compiled by the ship’s computer about his captive. He was fascinated
by her. In all his years as a commander of the flag ship of the royal fleet, he
had never met another creature that appealed to him as viscerally as this human
woman. When he had first laid eyes on her standing bravely in defense of her
friend, he was amused at the sight of a mere female facing off against himself
and two of his best warriors. He had thought nothing of Gregori’s injury,
chalking it up to the element of surprise, but when she had battled Andreus and
drew blood within seconds, he knew he had to find out more about this fierce
human. Never had he seen a human, much less a female, move so fast and with
such accuracy.

He took a moment to split his concentration from the human
database to watch her in her room. She had taken his advice and demanded
clothing from the computer, and he chuckled as he watched her doggedly mandate
instructions on how to operate the replicator until she was satisfied with the
results. Returning his attention to his files, he quickly scanned through the
information about her parentage, noting she was an only child of an American
soldier and Japanese mother, before finally landing on the information he
sought.

There were several video files available from a database
where Earthlings uploaded homemade videos of themselves, and he clicked on the
first one. He watched with interest as Katsuko, wearing a strange white uniform
with a black sash around her waist, entered into an open arena to face off
against another female wearing similar garb. A man stepped between them,
appearing to give instruction, and then signaled with his hand. The two women
circled each other, dancing from foot to foot, until his little warrior went on
the attack. She was fast, zipping toward her opponent to reach in and strike
with snap kicks and jabs. The other woman, too busy defending, was no match for
his little warrior, and the battle was soon over with Katsuko declared the
winner. Moving on to another video, he watched as she gave a demonstration of a
fighting style called “Snake.”

“Command, analyze this file and retrieve information on this
fighting technique,” he ordered, his eyes glued to the graceful, but deadly,
movements of the woman.

“Analyzing. Katsuko Mahoney is demonstrating a form of
martial arts fighting called Shaolin Kung Fu. This style is based upon the
movements of an Earth reptile called a snake. This fighting style allows for
rapid advancements and sidestepping footwork. Using swift hand jabs to strike
at weak spots on an opponent, the practitioner sidesteps direct attack while
using focused jabs to disable their opponent,” the computer answered.

Mikael was fascinated. Never had he seen a warrior that
moved like she could. On his home world of T’Kala, warriors were trained to
overwhelm and attack with brute power and force. Because of this, their
fighting forces were comprised solely of males while the females held positions
requiring supreme intelligence such as medical, legal, and political positions
within their government. What few females they did have in their armed forces
were experts on strategy, culture, and weapons creation. Never had he seen a
female take down a fully-trained warrior like his Katsuko.

“Commander, Katsuko Mahoney is requesting access to
classified files. She has been informed that access is denied, but she ordered
a message sent to you,” the computer interrupted his musings.

A grin spread across his face as he looked at the live feed
to her room where she was standing tapping her foot impatiently. “Proceed with
message,” he ordered.

A recording of her voice was played for him. “I know you’re
listening to me, you big jerk. You said you wanted me to be comfortable here,
so in order for me to be comfortable, I need information. Jarvis refuses to
give me that. So do your ‘command override’ thing and let me get the
information I need!”

He laughed loudly as her voice continued to rise in her
agitation. Never could he remember smiling and laughing as often as he had
since she came into his life. It only helped that his body wanted her badly,
and even now, he had to arrange the hard bulge in his pants for comfort.

“Command, what access does she request? And who is Jarvis?”
he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Katsuko Mahoney requests access to information about you,
the T’Kala home world, known occupied planets, instructions on how to pilot
this vessel, and how to navigate among the star systems. Accessing foreign
human database…J.A.R.V.I.S. is an acronym for Just A Rather Very Intelligent
System, which is an artificially intelligent computer system that aids the
fictional character of Tony Stark in an entertainment movie franchise called ‘
Iron
Man
.’ Katsuko Mahoney gave Command the instruction to ‘shut up’ unless she
requests information via this name,” the computer reported.

Again, he roared in laughter. The door to his quarters
opened and an officer rushed in. “Commander, is everything alright?” Gregori demanded,
his hand hovering at his waist where his blade was secured.

Mikael waved his concerns away. “At ease, Gregori. All is
well. I am just dealing with my spirited captive.”

Gregori’s eyes landed on the image of Mahoney where she was
prowling her room like a caged
vlarnek
. “I do not know why you brought
her with us. That one is nothing but trouble.”

Mikael nodded absently. “You are still smarting from the
beating she gave you. She is a fierce warrior and she could teach us many
things.”

Gegori’s icy blue eyes studied his commander shrewdly. “She
is also beautiful and would be a challenge in your bed. There are far more
biddable and soft women who would be happy to allow you between their legs.”

Mikael’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “But where is the fun
in that, my friend? This little warrior could bear strong sons and fierce
daughters. I anticipate the challenge of bending her to my will.”

“I do not envy you this task, Commander. I prefer my women
to be pliant and welcoming. I leave you to it,” he replied, saluting his
superior with a fist to his heart.

When Gregori left his rooms, Mikael addressed the computer.
“Command override. Allow all access to files about myself, the planet of
T’Kala, and other occupied planets. Restricted access remains for information
regarding this vessel and navigation. Any other access requests made by Katsuko
Mahoney should be patched directly to me.”

“Affirmative,” the computer replied.

Mikael absently stroked his beard while he watched his
monitor. Command relayed his instructions, and she thankfully seemed mollified
by the concessions he had made. Immediately, she fired off question and after
question. It made his chest swell that she specifically wanted to know more
about him. Perhaps they could find some common ground that would create an
opportunity to taste her sweet lips and feel her breasts pressed against his
chest once more.

Two hours later, Mahoney’s head was swimming with
information and a headache was blooming behind her eyes. She lay back on her
bed with her arm thrown over her eyes and reviewed everything she had learned
about Commander Mikael R’Varsel and his home world of T’Kala. Her captor was a
highly decorated and trained warrior who commanded the flagship for the royal
fleet. In Earth years, he was 35 years old, unmarried, and had no children. He
spent most of his time on his vessel and commanded a squadron of 24 warriors
plus 64 support crew including engineering and medical personnel, some of which
were species other than T’Kalans.

Her questions about his home world had been highly
enlightening, as well. T’Kala was a much smaller planet than Earth, with only
an estimate of 65 million inhabitants. The ruling leader was a young, 29 year
old king named Korian Ak’Falin who ascended to the throne when his father, the
king, died in battle three years past. She was surprised to learn that females
were held in high esteem for their intelligence, cleverness, and scientific
advances, but were not known for strength and fighting ability. Their entire military
force was comprised solely of males who trained from a young age to become
ruthless fighting machines. The biggest shock, when she questioned Jarvis about
other species on the planet, was to learn that humans from Earth were living
there among 31 other different species of intelligent life forms. When she
questioned the computer further about the humans, she was given the frustrating
answer of “Access denied.” Though she was curious about other species and
planets, she decided to take a well-earned rest before her head exploded with a
migraine.

Her rumination was interrupted when the male computer voice
announced, “Per your request, I am reporting that the human Jessica MacGregor
has awakened.”

Mahoney leapt from the bed, and demanded, “Jarvis, inform
your commander that I demand to be taken to my friend immediately.”

“Commander Mikael R’Varsel has been notified and will arrive
at your quarters in five minutes time,” Jarvis answered.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Mahoney rushed to the
bathroom and viewed her appearance. It had taken several frustrating attempts
with the replicator to fashion clothing remotely resembling anything she would
have worn on Earth. Instead of the form-fitting jumpsuit worn by Mikael, she
had managed to retrieve loose black pants reminiscent of yoga pants that would
allow for ease of movement, a sports bra that contained and supported her full,
size B breasts, functional underwear, and a smaller version of her nightshirt in
a blood red color. Jarvis had refused to provide her with scissors to cut her
longer hair, deeming them a possible weapon, but had at least replicated a hair
tie and headband to keep her hair out of her face.

When she heard the door to her room open, she peered around
the edge of the bathroom door and saw the smug, sexy bastard waiting for her. She
approached him cautiously, but his body language was loose and as
non-threatening as an almost 7 foot tall, muscle-bound alien could be.

“I need to see Jessica. She will be scared and the news that
we are no longer on Earth will come better from me than from you or your men,”
she stated without preamble.

He studied her appearance, and completely disregarding her
words, he said, “I liked your hair better down and flowing down your back. It
is like a silky, black waterfall.”

Her eyes snapped with temper. “And I liked my hair better
the way it was before you
kidnapped me
and hijacked my body for
‘corrective treatment’!”

He huffed an aggravated breath and explained, “You had to
receive medical treatment for the stun flare I used, as well as the language
modification protocol that is standard issue for any new species that boards
this vessel. I do not understand your resentment of the treatment. Our
technology has repaired years of abuse to your bones, muscles, and ligaments
including the removal of the metal pin in your right foot.”

She stared at him open-mouthed in stunned silence before
erupting in fury. “There are so many things wrong with what you just said that
I hardly know where to start. First, you conveniently left out the whole
‘kidnapping’ part, which would have prevented everything else you’ve done to
me. Secondly, what the hell is the thing you just said about language
modification? Finally, besides the removal of the pin and my tattoos, you
decided in your infinite wisdom to make my hair longer. Is there anything of my
original body you’ve left intact?”

His face began to heat with anger, embarrassment, or both.
“The language modification protocol was for your benefit. Had we not given you
the implant, you would not be able to harangue me with your ceaseless
complaints. Would you rather have been left ignorant of what is being said by
your captors? I told you that I want you to be comfortable here, and that can
best be done by ensuring communication.” He stopped to take a calming breath,
and reluctantly answered her last question. “And for your information, there
remains one thing of your original body that has been left intact, against my
better judgement.”

“And that would be?” she demanded, hands on her lean hips.

“The small plastic device in your uterus that prevents
conception and ceases your woman’s blood,” he answered, his eyebrows lowered in
consternation. He was obviously not happy about that decision.

The relief that swept through her at this knowledge almost
brought her to her knees. The last thing she needed to worry about in this
whole messed up situation was getting knocked up with an alien baby. “Thank
God,” she sighed heavily.

That was apparently not the reaction he wanted. His long,
corded legs ate up the distance between them and he cornered her against the
wall. Before she could bring her hands up in defense, he snatched them in one
of his big hands and raised them above her head and pinned her legs and torso
with his body. He leaned his head down to ear and nuzzled along her neck where
his beard tickled her nerve endings. Her chest rose and fell with quickened
breaths, anxiety and desire mixing to create a combustible fire in her blood.

“It is a crime against the stars to prevent a woman such as
you from creating new life. I think I would like to see your belly rounded with
my son or to watch my daughter nurse from your swollen breasts. Such warriors
we could raise together, my lovely Katsuko,” he murmured against her ear, his words
sending goose bumps skating up her arms.

Her breath stuttered weakly and her heart raced at the
images he invoked. She struggled futilely against his hold, but couldn’t decide
if it was truly an objection to being captive or from the heat his words had
created low in her belly. “I will not be your whore or your broodmare. Let me
go,” she whispered, her words lacking conviction.

His free hand was busy tracing up the slope of her waist
until it came to rest under her breast. With slow, torturous strokes, his thumb
traced and caressed her nipple until it beaded into a hard point under his
touch. She sucked in a desperate breath when he palmed her breast and squeezed,
sending a jolt of electricity straight to her core. Her hips moved restlessly
against his where she could feel the steely hardness of his shaft pressing into
her belly.

A deep, seductive chuckle reverberated against her neck
where he was nipping and sucking at the skin there. “Your body is telling a
different story than your words, my fierce one,” he whispered huskily into her
ear.

Tipping his head to the side, he claimed her lips with
urgent need. He invaded her mouth like a conqueror, licking, stroking, and
stealing her breath with his passion. He caught her moan into his mouth and
drank it down, coaxing and teasing another to follow in its wake. Mahoney was
lost in the maelstrom of lust his touch inspired, and struggled to give back as
good as she got. Never in her life had she been swept away with the craving to
feel a man claim her body and make it his until that moment. She never even
noticed when he released her hands and they drifted down to his shoulders to
slide behind his head and pull him closer.

Their heated embrace was interrupted when the computer
announced, “Commander, the human female Jessica MacGregor is demanding to see
Katsuko Mahoney.”

Mikael hissed a low curse as he reluctantly stepped away
from the tempting human woman and Mahoney hid her flaming face in her hands.
Guilt and shame crashed over her in waves. While she had been sucking face with
her alien captor, her dear friend had been alone and scared.

What kind of friend am I?
she berated herself
furiously. Straightening her hair and clothing, she decided to behave as if
nothing had happened and carry on. “I’m ready to see Jessica. Please take me to
her now before she has time to truly panic.”

He nodded his head to her curtly and led her out the door of
her room and into the hallway of the living quarters. They walked in strained silence
for several minutes before he cleared his throat and asked, “I find myself
curious, Katsuko. It mentions in your file that you hold a profession called
‘stuntwoman.’ What does this mean?”

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and when
she saw he was sincere, she decided to appease him since he had kept to his
word by not harming them. “Do you know what television shows and theater movies
are?”

He nodded his head and added, “Yes, they are entertainment
for humans. I have never bothered to watch any myself, but they are most popular
with many of our nobles and ruling class. Entertainment on our home world is
provided with live shows, music, reading, and art. Those that have the money to
purchase access can watch limited broadcasts from Earth and several other
planets with similar technology.”

“Okay, that’s a little creepy. Anyway, the performers that
play the parts are called actors and actresses. That’s what Jessica does.
However, some of the storylines may call for dangerous action sequences or
fight scenes which many of the actors are not trained for, so they call in a
stunt double. That’s me. I have the training and experience to perform the
risky stunts and fight scenes, and then they use camera tricks and special
effects to replace my face with that of the actor in the finished product,” she
explained as simply as she could.

A displeased look crossed his face. “It is dishonorable to
take credit for actions not of your own making. If these actors do not have the
skill to perform the stunts, then they should receive training until they are
capable of doing it themselves.”

Mahoney rolled her eyes in annoyance. “God, you sound just
like Jessica. It’s too complicated to explain it right now.”

“I begin to like this Jessica already. She seems a rational
and intelligent woman.” With a sly look her way, he added, “Perhaps you can
explain more about this subject over dinner with me in my quarters?”

An immediate refusal almost jumped to her lips, but she
hesitated. She had so many questions of her own, not to mention her main goal
of finding out why they took Jessica, that it would be foolish to toss away
this opportunity simply out of spite and fear of her body’s reaction to his
own. Making up her mind, she answered, “Fine, I will join you for dinner, but I
have questions of my own and I expect answers. And I fully expect you to keep
your hands to yourself!”

His laughter echoed down the empty hallway as they came to a
halt in front of a closed door.  “I will answer your questions to the extent
that I am allowed. As for keeping my hands to myself, I make no promises.”

The door opened, and he ushered her inside. “Until later, my
little warrior,” he whispered with a gleam in his eyes and the door shut in her
face to leave her steaming at the smug alien.