Shamara (13 page)

He set course for Risa. Once they finished there, they'd be on their way to Aldon.

*  *  * 

Lani leaned back in her chair, watching the interplay between Radd and Lionia. Her brother had certainly chosen an unlikely female for his mate. Lionia was a Zarian, a race of fierce warriors. She stood a head taller than Radd and exercised every day to maintain her lithe, well-muscled frame. Radd despised exercise, preferring to expend his energy repairing ships—and keeping a satisfied glow on his mate's face.

Lani thought they made an adorable couple. She was glad her brother had found someone with whom to share his life, something she never expected to have. She was too independent and set in her ways to compromise on a daily basis with another person. Plus she'd dealt with enough men to know few existed who measured up to her high standards. Besides, she never allowed herself to dwell on foolish hopes, although every once in a while, she did feel very alone in the universe.

None of that
. She rose from the table and briskly stacked the midmeal plates. "That was delicious," she said cheerily. "As usual, Radd, you're a genius with a replicator."

"Have ta admit, I've never met a machine I didn't like," Radd said. "Or a beautiful woman, either." He winked at Lionia, and she beamed at him. The atmosphere in the galley quickly heightened to one of a suggestive intensity.

Lani smiled indulgently. The couple acted like they were newly mated, although they'd been together over seven seasons. "Why don't you two run along?" she suggested. "I'll clean up here and fix a plate for Celie. She's been working much too hard lately."

Radd and Lionia took her suggestion, departing for their cabin, with eyes only for each other. Lani sighed. True love. How rare, and how precious. She bustled around, efficiently clearing the galley in spite of her high heels and fluttering feathers. Then she prepared a plate for Celie and left it on the table. The girl needed a break from the cockpit. She could eat in the galley.

Lani had stepped into the corridor and headed for the cockpit when a strident tone chimed. She didn't travel much on private spacecraft, so she had no idea what the tone was. But she loved learning new things, and would ask Celie about it.

Just then, Celie emerged from the cockpit, her face set in serious lines. "Oh, Celie," Lani called. "I have your meal ready in the galley. You need to eat properly. By the way, what is that tone?"

"It's the signal that a ship is approaching," Celie explained. "Commander Gunnar is demanding to be allowed to dock and board."

"Commander Gunnar? That arrogant Leor?"

"One and the same," Concern darkened Celie’s eyes. "He's never done anything like this before. I can't imagine what he wants."

"How rude. The man has absolutely no manners!"

"Now, Lani, you promised me you wouldn't antagonize the commander. The Leors are proud and very explosive. They won't stand for having their authority challenged."

"Then someone needs to teach them a thing or two," Lani sniffed.

"I'll have to ask you to go to your cabin if you can't remain civil around Commander Gunnar," Celie warned.

Lani was instantly contrite for upsetting Celie, who was a genuinely nice person. It wasn't her fault Gunnar was an arrogant brute. Besides, Lani couldn't see what was happening if she was banished to her cabin. "I apologize for talking out of turn," she said. "I'll be on my best behavior with Gunnar, company manners!"

A small grin twitched Celie's shapely mouth. For a moment, she looked like the carefree, impetuous girl Lani had met seven seasons ago, rather than a ship captain responsible for important deliveries. "Company manners should be sufficient," Celie said, bracing her hand against the wall. "They're about to dock. Hold on."

The ship jolted, and the airlock light flashed on. Celie walked to the panel. Lani followed, eager to see Gunnar in person and find out what he wanted.

The light blinked off, and the panel slid open. Gunnar stepped through, followed by two more Leors, both heavily armed. In the flesh, he was much larger than Lani had expected, towering over Celie, who was tall for a humanoid female. His broad chest was bare, although he wore an open cloak that covered his arms. Snug leggings encased the most muscular thighs Lani had ever seen. My, he was quite a specimen.

She studied his face. His bald head was well-formed, perfectly suiting his rugged features. And his eyes—she'd never seen anything like them. They were impassive obsidian orbs that swept over Celie and then Lani. She couldn't see any pupils, only black bottomless pools that gave her the shivers.

Gunnar snapped his fingers, and the two Leors behind him moved around and headed down the corridor, weapons drawn. Celie's eyes widened and her mouth opened. Lani tensed, wondering if Celie was rattled enough to speak first, an absolute sign of disrespect to the Leors. But she caught herself and waited, looking at Gunnar with a questioning expression.

"You lied to me, Captain," he snapped, stepping closer, his cloak swirling around him.

"I lied to you? About what?"

"You said you never saw Lady Eirene, my intended bride. You swore you had no knowledge of her presence on your ship."

Eirene?
Lani's attention snagged on the name. So, her speculation had been right. Eirene had been running from Gunnar.

Celie stared at him, her expression a mix of confusion and incredulity. "I did not lie about that, Commander. I had no guest on this ship from Travan to Saron. If I had a stowaway, I wasn't aware of the fact."

Gunnar's face hardened. "Do not play me for a fool, Captain. Eirene was seen on Elysia with Jarek san Ranul. Turlock, her uncle's associate, reported seeing them there. San Ranul's connection to your sister and her mate is well known by us. As a matter of fact, witnesses saw you and Jarek together on Saron. Do you deny it?"

Oh, this was so dramatic! With bated breath, Lani awaited Celie's reply.

She shook her head slowly. "No, I don't deny it. I met with Captain Ranul to discuss some equipment he wanted to purchase. But I had already been to Travan, and I wasn't aware of any stowaways."

"I find that hard to believe, Captain. First my intended bride travels to Saron, disappearing the exact day your ship departed from Travan—and also travels to Saron. Then you are seen with Jarek san Ranul on Saron. After that, Eirene purchases passage to Elysia. San Ranul just
happens
to travel to Elysia. There, the two are seen together by an associate of Eirene's uncle. Turlock reported that he tried to stop them, but they managed to escape."

Gunnar bent down until his face was level with Celie's. "I do not believe in coincidence. And I do not like being lied to. We deal harshly with those who betray us."

Celie paled, but she met his gaze evenly. "I'm well aware of that fact, your Lordship. And neither my sister nor I have ever betrayed you."

Anger started simmering in Lani, building to a boil. This man was bullying Celie, terrorizing her with his accusations and threats. Clenching her hands into fists, she took a step closer before she remembered her promise to Celie. Reluctantly, she forced herself to remain silent.

"Tell me, Captain, why I should not blow up this ship, along with everyone aboard." Gunnar spit out each word slowly, ominously.

Celie staggered backward as if she'd been struck. She pressed a hand to the wall for support. That snapped it. Furious, Lani stalked over to the oversized tyrant and punched him in the back as hard as she could. It was like hitting a ship's hull. He turned, seemingly unfazed, and she found herself eye to chest with him. Cradling her throbbing hand, she tilted her head to look up at him.

"Because she's telling the truth, you imbecile!" she yelled. "Captain Cameron does not lie, not even to primordial slime like you. She is the most honest and loyal person I know. Why don't you go back where you came from? Or better yet, fly your ship into a black hole!"

"Lani," Celie gasped. "You promised."

But Lani was past the point of maintaining silence. She glared at Gunnar, tempted to hit him again, despite her aching hand. "I thought the almighty Leors could probe minds," she taunted. "Why don't you try that before you go around accusing innocent people? You'd see Captain Cameron is not lying."

"I cannot probe a mind that has undergone resistance programming, something your friend's leader, Moriah, and all her people do. Not that I have to explain myself to you." Gunnar looked down Lani and back up. "What is this?" he sneered. "It looks like a blue echobird that got caught in a rocket launcher.

"
Oh!
One dead Leor, coming right up. Lani drew back and kicked him in the shin, digging in her sharp heel for good measure. His grimace told her she'd finally managed to inflict pain. Good!

Amazement replaced his grimace. "Only a fool would challenge me," he growled. "I think this heap of feathers needs to be taught a lesson."

She slipped into a crouch, raising her arms and positioning herself for her most powerful martial arts kata. "Come on, big guy. I'd like to see you try."

Celie stepped between them. "Lani! Stop it this instant!" She forcefully moved Lani back a few steps, her dark eyes beseeching. "No more. You're making a bad situation worse."

Her heart pounding from the adrenaline rush, Lani forced herself to calm down. Celie was right. She lowered her arms, forcing her fury back. "Maybe you're right. But…ohhh—" she glowered at Gunnar. "—I'd like to put him out of everyone's misery."

"That's enough," Celie said firmly. She turned back to Gunnar. "I'm truly sorry for all of this, Commander. I must beg leniency for Lani. She knows nothing of your ways and did not realize she was issuing a physical challenge."

"Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse." Gunnar said. "You are not in a position to bargain for anyone."

"We can only throw ourselves on your mercy, your Lordship," Celie said. "As I explained, Lani does not know anything about your people. I apologize for her insolence. I'm also sorry about your intended bride. But I give you my word that I never saw her aboard my ship. I have no knowledge of her whereabouts."

She held her hands out in supplication. "I ask you to consider that we have done business with the Leors for more than eight seasons. In all that time, have we ever betrayed you, or failed to deliver what we promised?"

Gunnar considered a long, nerve-wracking moment. "I know of no instance where Moriah or you have failed to honor any agreements," he concurred. "But there is now strong evidence to indicate treachery."

"The Leors are known for their sense of fairness and justice," Celie replied. "Would you judge and condemn us without solid proof of our guilt?"

By Alta's blue moons, Celie was sharp, Lani thought with admiration. Despite her youth, she'd managed to stay calm and argue her case in the face of serious threats. Lani felt a twinge of guilt, knowing she hadn't helped the situation any, but Celie appeared to be handling things quite well.

"If there is guilt, be assured I will find the evidence," Gunnar growled. "And I will not allow past associations to interfere with retribution."

The man had no feelings, Lani decided. He was just a muscle-bound, strutting automaton. But then, she knew a lot of men like that. She shook her head in disgust.

Gunnar's two lackeys returned from their search, followed by Lionia and Radd, both in a disheveled state. "We found nothing unusual, Commander," reported one Leor, "except for these two, acting like lanraxes in heat."

Gunnar grunted dismissively. Radd and Lionia both looked at Celie, and she shook her head in silent warning.

"Shall we position the detonators, Commander?" the second lackey asked,

Lani's heart lurched. Up until now, this had seemed like a grand space adventure, but suddenly it wasn't so much fun anymore. All heads turned to Gunnar.

"No," he said slowly, fixing his intimidating scrutiny on Celie. "I will wait until I have further proof of guilt. But, in the meantime, I will take a hostage, to be executed should I discover Captain Cameron has lied to me."

Lani’s legs went weak in relief. Gunnar taking a hostage was preferable to being blown up.

Celie's expression didn't waver. "Let me give my crew some instructions and then I'll prepare to leave with you."

"I forbid you to go," Lionia protested, stepping forward. "I gave your sister my word that I would ensure your safety. I will go in your stead."

"Naw, neither one of ya is goin'," Radd spoke up firmly. "As the only male on this team, it's my job to take the risk. I'm goin'."

Celie held up her hands. "I'm the captain, and this is
my
responsibility. You will follow my orders and remain on board."

"Hostages!" Lani fumed, her anger returning now that she knew the ship wouldn't be destroyed. "How barbaric!" She pointed a blue-tipped finger at Gunnar. "Haven't you got anything better to do than terrorize innocent people?"

Those soulless eyes pinned her to the spot. "I tire of your foolish tongue, female. Putting you in your place might prove to be very satisfying."

"As if you could," she scoffed, thoroughly incensed. "I can handle any coward who hides behind hostages."

"Coward?" Gunnar's eyes narrowed to ebony slits. "Perhaps I should take
you
as my hostage. I would enjoy teaching you proper respect for your superiors."

"Oh, really? Well, why don't you do that, big guy? I might enjoy teaching
you
a thing or two."

"Enough!" Scowling, Gunnar folded powerful arms across his chest. "You tempt me sorely to take you with me, female. In fact, I think I will do just that."

"No," Celie protested. "With all due respect, your Lordship, as the captain of this ship, it is my responsibility to go—"

"Fine!"
Lani yelled, her eyes locked with Gunnar's.

"So be it," he snarled. Turning, he snapped his fingers. "Bring the blue-feathered woman and let us depart."

"No!" Celie said firmly. "I must insist that I go."

"Denied, Captain," Gunnar snapped. "I have made my decision. He pointed at Lani. "Take her."