The Chalice (43 page)

“Weapons are on-line,” a voice called.

“Fire,” Jaegar shouted.

The clamor produced by the plasm a blasts rattled the ship, the soundresonating through the metal core. She uncovered her eyes long enough to slaphands over her ringing ears. Anne dropped down, cringing with each burst ofsound.

“Bring us about!”

The ship responded immediately. Dread stum bled and rolled, crashing headlong

into Bi’ertise.

****

“By the Gods,” Branos cried out. His anguished eyes searched out Tegan.

“Another Deg’Nara ship has dropped from  hyper-space.”

Tegan   whirled,   staring   at   the   view   screen.   A   Deg’Nara   battle   cruiser

materialized on the monitor, superior in size to the first and heavily armored.

Hopelessness warred with denial. This isn’t happening!

“W hat should we do?” Branos shrieked. “We can’t withstand any more.”

Tegan inhaled, drawing a deep breath and then exhaling. “Nothing,” he said,

finding acceptance in the inevitable. “There’s nothing we can do.”

Understanding dawned on the young tech’s face. He nodded, clasping Tegan’s

forearm, resolute and at last calm . “It has been my honor to serve with you,” he

choked out the words. “I could not have asked for better.”

The battle cruiser dove straight at them , firing a salvo of plasm a bursts. He

tensed, counting the seconds, anticipating the shockwaves.

“Lord Tegan,” a tech shouted. “The Deg’Nara cruiser is attacking the other

Deg’Nara ship.”

“W ha…?” Incom prehensible as it seemed, the cruiser was firing on the smaller

Deg’Nara vessel. “Track the cruiser.”

He could only watch—  stunned—as the larger vessel attacked, swerving androlling, firing plasma bursts from  every port. The smaller vessel veered off,pounded by the relentless volley. Bright flashes illuminated the blackness as thelarger craft continued its nonstop assault.

“I don’t understand,” he m uttered aloud. “W hy would a Deg’Nara attack

another Deg’Nara?”

“Perhaps this faction wants us for themselves,” Branos said. His eyes flared,

glittering with unfaltering determ ination. “I won’t live as a Deg’Nara captive.”

“Nor will I,” Tegan agreed, rage surfacing. His all-consuming hatred of the destroyers would never allow him  to live as their slave, even if they granted him life. I would cut out my own heart before subm itting to such a vile degradation.

“Lord Tegan. We’ve scanned the smaller Deg’Nara craft. Their weapon systems are failing and they’re losing maneuverability.” The com-tech fiddled with the controls. “From  what I can tell, they’re preparing to jump.”

“Can we stop them?” He snapped.

“I don’t know.”

Inexplicably, the tech laughed. The screen lit with a brilliance so blinding,

Tegan fell back. The vessel rocked, tossed about by pulsating shockwaves

emanating from  the blaze of light. Shards of metal and waste peppered the hull. A

section the size of a transporter spiraled across the screen.

The tech jum ped up and down, hooting with excitement. “The Deg’Nara ship isdestroyed.” He adjusted the scan parameters. When the flare dim inished andvisuals returned, they were faced with the battle cruiser, headed right for them .

“Lord Tegan,” Branos gasped. “Enter the destruction codes— before they have a

chance to board.”

“The Deg’Nara battle cruiser is hailing us,” the com -tech said. He gazed at

Tegan, questioning. “Should we respond?”

Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. For two hundred revolutions they’d waitedand hoped, planned for a future that now would never be. They’d failed and the

dream  was over. He blinked back the wetness flooding his eyes. Weakness was an

emotion he couldn’t afford to show—not now!

The Deg’Nara had wiped out everything the Chiagan-Se held dear—home,fam ily, friends— their world! Hope and happiness were magnificent dreams groundunder the brutal heels of the destroyers. His tightly held control slipped. Damnthe Gods! He roared, infusing the wail with all the pain and anguish shredding histortured soul.

The engine room  stilled. The techs gazed in shock at the wrenching em otion

pouring from  Lord Tegan.

A red haze clouded his vision. He raged like a wild beast, pounding the controlpanel, his thoughts roiling with unrestrained fury. Over and over he battered thepanel, shattering the translucent material with a ferocity borne of overwhelm ingsorrow. Sweat beaded on his skin, running in rivulets down his heated flesh. Timeceased to exist.

He swayed, sucking in air. Warm  liquid dripped from  his fingertips. His gazedropped. Crimson streaked his palms, oozing from  a hundred puncture woundsgouged in the soft tissue. He clenched his fists, stem m ing the flow. The violentemotion waned, leaving only em ptiness.

Branos cleared his throat. “Lord Tegan,” he said. “Please! Enter the destruct

codes before it’s too late.”

“The Deg’Nara cruiser is hailing again,” the com -tech called. “What should I

do?”

Tegan drew a deep breath, steadying himself. Destroy the Redem ption? Wouldthat have been the path of his ancestors? He didn’t think so. The Chiagan-Sewere long held as fearless warriors, fighting with honor and bravado to the veryend. Was he any less than they? Calm  pervaded his senses. His fingers flewacross the controls. One final act of defiance.

“Get every weapon we have left on-line.”

Flipping on the sy-com , he spoke. “Destruct codes have commenced. Chalices,for those of you who wish, perhaps existence with the Deg’Nara is preferable todeath. You have my blessing, but time is of the essence. Escape pods are inreadiness. You must hurry.” He paused, forcing himself to breathe against thewrenching pain. “I wish you well.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Commander Jaegar, the Chiagan-Se weapons are initializing again.”

“No!” Kara screeched, throwing herself at the helm . “They can’t do that. He doesn’t understand.” She shoved the startled tech aside, punching buttons without regard to their intended purpose. “I need to talk to Tegan. Help m e!”

“They aren’t answering,” the tech exclaimed, shocked by her invasion of his

post. “I’ve tried.”

Mordaq’s huge form  shadowed the console. “If he thinks we’re Deg’Nara, Lord Tegan won’t open com m unications. Let the Chalice try. Perhaps he’ll listen if she’sthe one speaking.”

“Do as he says,” Jaegar demanded, his voice harsh with concern. “Now!”

Every atom  in her body shook with terror. Please, please Tegan! Listen to m e!

The tech’s hands wove across the sy-com , pressing and tapping. He nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“This is…” she began. Her m ind blanked. Pulse rate elevated, heart pumping

erratically. The room  spun. Tilted. Spots danced across her vision.

“Shit! Anxiety attack!” Dread slapped her on the back, hard. “Cowboy the frick

up and start over.”

Moisture wet her cheeks. I have to do this! She focused her thoughts,imagining the warmth of Tegan’s arm s as he cradled her to his broad chest, thesound of his laughter, firm  lips nuzzling her hair, caressing and comforting. Hewas all that mattered. My life! Her breathing slowed. The room  settled.

“This is Queen Kara. I m ust talk to Lord Tegan. Please.”

****

“Weapons are up.”

Tegan nodded. “Are the escape pods away?”

Branos’s sparkling eyes reflected pride and admiration. “None chose to go,” he

said with a shrug. “Even the Chalices have opted to stay.”

He shook his head, confused. “This isn’t their fight. They should go. The

Deg’Nara m ight find them  useful.”

“They refused,” Branos m urmured. “They said their destiny lies with us.”

Tegan scratched his cheek, reflecting. The females’ reaction was unexpectedand distressing. They weren’t a part of the conflict and choosing to die when there

was even a faint promise of life made little sense. For him  and the other ChiaganSe, death over dishonor was the only answer.

“We should have perished in the before times.” He studied the Deg’Nara battle cruiser, mystified by the ship’s inaction. Dark and im posing, it hovered off the starboard, waiting it seemed. For what?

“But everything we’ve done and tried to do led us here…to this moment.” He believed in destiny, a pre-ordained future, not in the whimsical forces of chance. Everything and everyone had a purpose, a reason to exist. Mine is to lead the last of the Chiagan-Se on the pathway to the stars.

He whirled, motioning to the weapons tech. “Fire on the Deg’Nara bridge.”

“Lord Tegan! Stop!” the com -tech shrieked. “The battle cruiser’s hailing again.

A female is asking to speak with you. She says she’s Queen Kara.”

Kara? On the destroyer’s ship? W hat nonsense is this? She was on Protia with Mordaq and the others! Im possible for her to be here— wasn’t it? He ground histeeth, conflicting emotions chipped at his resolve. There’d been no contact withthe transport since it departed to purchase supplies. The planet-wide storm  hadhit with unexpected intensity and lasted much longer than they’d calculated. Morethan enough time for the Deg’Nara to take the landing team  captive. His jawclenched, aching with pressure.

Maintaining silence had been the right decision and the away team  understoodthe risks involved. If attacked, he trusted in the skills of Mordaq and Shagal. Deadly and precise, they would fight to the bitter end.

Were they using his Chalice as ruse to gain access to the ship? Experience toldhim  they were. Better she die quick than be used as a sex slave by a filthy Deg’Nara.

“Fire,” he com manded.

“Lord Tegan,” the com-tech screeched again. “She’s demanding to speak with

you. She said we’re m aking a m istake.”

A niggling of hope sprang up unbidden. Was there even a modicum  of chance?

His eyes slid sideways. Branos stared at the viewing screen. His open face

shone with hopeful expectancy.

“Perhaps,” he said, “we should at least hear what she has to say.”

The dream  resurfaced in a blinding flash. He whispered a prayer.

“On screen,” he said.

The image form ed and settled. Kara’s face on the screen. Her eyes lit. A wide

grin spread across her face. “Oh, thank God,” she gasped.

“Kara,” he whispered. She was here! Unconsciously, his hand reached out. “Are

you well?”

If possible, the grin grew even broader. She bubbled, fairly glowing withexhilaration. “I’m  terrific! Is everything okay over there?” She glanced over hershoulder. “I want you to meet someone. You’ll be so impressed.”

Another figure joined the Chalice. Tall with braided silver hair, brilliant ice blueeyes stared into the view screen. A Chiagan-Se male! A face he’d never seenbefore, but Chiagan-Se nonetheless. How is this possible?

“Lord Tegan,” Kara began formally. “This is Com m ander Jaegar of the battle

ship Algarith. He’s someone I think you’ll like.”

The silvery head dipped. An eyebrow arched over the penetrating gaze. “Lord Tegan, I’m  honored. If you would term inate the destruct codes, I’m  sure we’d allfeel m ore at ease.”

“W hy should I trust you?”

Mordaq’s huge form  filled the screen. “Lord Tegan, Com m ander Jaegar and hiscrew rescued us from  Protia before racing to your aid.” His voice changed,pleading. “I beg you, cancel the destruct codes.”

Mordaq begging? Not once in all the revolutions he’d know the Warrior had heever begged for anything. His large friend just didn’t know how. He would diebefore lowering himself to such a degree. That thought in itself gave him  cause toreconsider.

“Listen to Mordaq,” Kara interjected, hurrying to add. “But cancel the destruct

codes first.”

“We can always initiate them  again if this is a trick,” Branos’s excited voice

broke in. “W e should at least hear what he has to say.”

Death was always preferable to slavery, and life was always preferable todeath, but what if…? He wanted to have hope. He wanted to have a life—with Kara by his side. If this Com mander and his crew were the m eans to make thathappen, who was he to deny that opportunity?

His fingers ran across the panel, revoking the destruct codes. The countdownwhirred to a stop, flashing in readiness in the event he needed to reinitiate thesequence.

“It is done,” he said, breathing a silent sigh of heartfelt relief.

Jaegar laughed, slapping Mordaq’s shoulder. “Thank the Gods. I was sweating

blood.”

“How did you com e by a Deg’Nara warship?”

“Come aboard and I’ll tell you a rousing tale of adventure and subterfuge.”