Gigi (9 page)

“Promise me, Xy. I’m scared.” She couldn’t help the loud sob. It was true, she was terrified. “I need to know you’ll be okay.”

“I promise, my lady, I’ll stay out of trouble.” He tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.

T’zaal took her down the corridor to a lift and another part of the ship. According to T’zaal, they were headed for the A’nuryan Galaxy to rendezvous with a larger warship.

He bragged how he’d convinced one of the top colonies that the only way to defeat their enemy was by reversing the effects of the bio-weapon. The most powerful overlord was intrigued by his theory. He agreed to provide a fully-staffed craft. The sick part was there were those on Pendo’rah secretly collaborating with them. The cruiser was, in fact, on its way to free one of the most ruthless Kreeh-noshian and a Pendo’rahn collaborator.

“It’s regrettable Briq isn’t here.”

“Why would you say that?” She hated the tremor in her voice.

“I saw how you looked at each other at the pit. His attraction for you was powerful. I wanted to study both of your biochemical levels when in proximity. Tell me, did you have intercourse with him?”

“Your question is very personal. I won’t answer even if you torture me.” How dare this thing turn what was a beautiful act in to a science experiment?

“No need for that. I’ll have my answers soon.”

“What do you mean? What are you doing?” She struggle but he subdued her quickly. “Let me go.”

“I’m going to repair your damaged organ and conduct research using your body.” He tore off her tunic before placing her on a table. As her body touched the gel-like surface it morphed, adjusting to her shape.

A holographic display came online, surrounding her like a CT scan, only the walls weren’t solid. The gel was infused with some kind of transdermal sedative. She felt dizzy, her vision was blurry…

* * * *

“Let’s start by mending her damaged organ,” T’zaal ordered one of his assistants. “I don’t want to interrupt my research if her heart fails. I’ve collected sufficient information on her physiology to make the necessary repairs.”

“Gly-urq programmed and ready, sir.”

T’zaal began the repairs on the afflicted organ, using the readings he’d gathered on the planet. The Protectorate thought all information regarding the wormhole mission had been destroyed. Fools, he still possessed a lot of intel on the experiment and Earth.

It was his destiny to be at the top of the scientific ranks, and one day rule the colonies. He was an ambitious Kreeh-noshian, willing to sacrifice anyone who opposed him. The future belonged to the scientists. The warriors would become his pawns, not the other way around.

The procedure took less time than anticipated. He’d used the best nano-infused gly-urq he had. The high-grade stuff had cost him a large amount of credits, but she was worth it. She’d become his best test subject yet. Her voice had unique qualities. He still remembered its unusual effect on him. He needed to check that theory again in a few days. A controlled test with one of the stronger warriors should give him enough data.

The room needed to be sectioned first with a soundproof observation booth. If the readings matched sexual ecstasy, he could develop a weapon using her voice. Imagine all the power he could gain if he could just control the overlords.

Things didn’t go as planned. He didn’t anticipate her refusal in duplicating the sounds she’d produced at the pit. Her voice, she claimed, wasn’t for the likes of him. Frustrated, he’d threaten to torture her, but she didn’t budge. Judging by the markings on her back and buttocks, she was no stranger to pain.

They went around like that for a week. Every day he subjected her to scans and took samples from her. Every day she refused what he wanted the most. She wouldn’t sing for him. On the second week, a warrior came to him, offering a suggestion.

The warrior showed him a surveillance vid of the female during her first day on board. She’d been placed in the same cell with the Galadonian. The female had tended to the male’s injuries, making weird noises with her voice. The warrior claimed he felt strange after listening to her.

“Why wasn’t I shown this before?” T’zaal snapped angrily.

“You never asked to view their surveillance. I didn’t know the sounds were important to you until now.”

“What’s your point in showing me this? She still refuses to sing as she calls it.”

“Sir, in the military we always look for our enemy’s weaknesses to use against them. This female refuses to sing even when you intimidate her. I wonder will she refuse even when her companion is threatened?”

“Well done, warrior. Your resourcefulness will be rewarded. Bring them to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

The prisoners entered his lab. The Galadonian was another one of his greatest experiments. He wanted to see how arousal could affect a being that had no visible sexual organs. He’d combined the Galadonian’s DNA with Briq’s. The results were astounding. The Galadonian’s sex organs not only became active, but remained like that to this day. He was revealed as a male with an insatiable sexual appetite.

“Strap him down on the table and hand me your laser whip.”

“No. What are you doing? Let him go right now.”

T’zaal knew he had the upper hand. She looked at him with fear etched in every line of her face. He didn’t answer her, opting for a small demonstration of what he was capable when crossed. He lifted his arm and brought the whip down on Xy’s chest twice. The Galadonian groaned, but to his credit remained still.

“Stop it. Don’t hurt him. Xy, Xy, answer me. Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”

The human screamed, obviously horrified at the sight of her companion’s blood. T’zaal brought the whip down once more, hitting the Galadonian across the legs.

She ran to the table, trying to cover him with her body. T’zaal saw a lot of the Pendo’rahn qualities in her. She was brave, willing to give her life for another. Noble, but not necessary. He had no intention of killing Xy. He’d found his bargaining chip.

“Human, I’ll torture him until he dies unless you agree to do as I ask.”

“What do you want from me?”

“It’s simple. You sing, he lives. You refuse, he dies. Make your choice.”

“You’re willing to torture someone because I refused to sing? What kind of monster are you?”

“The kind willing to kill unless you obey.”

“Heal him first and return him to our cell. I won’t do it unless I know he’s safe.”

“Very well, but be warned, if you defy me, my guards have orders to terminate him.”

“Don’t do it, Lady Gigi. I’m not worth it.”

“Xy, I‘ll not stand by while you suffer. My voice is a small price to pay for your life.”

T’zaal dismissed everyone, except for one of the stronger warriors. Once safely locked in a nearby soundproof booth, he ordered her to begin. The readings were amazing. The warrior was one of the strongest at his disposal. Exposed to the human female’s voice he entered a state of complete sexual bliss.

His research was a complete success. Every day the female would sing for one hour. She told him if she did it longer her voice would be damaged forever. T’zaal believed her, because she wouldn’t risk the Galadonian’s life.

A couple days later, he had a prototype of the mind-controlling program ready. He decided to run a test on a control group. He was halfway through the experiment when the red alert went off. He waved his hand, activating the holoscreen.

It was a Pendo’rahn shuttle, larger than the standard models. What were they doing there? They had no jurisdiction in the badlands. The ship opened fire before he could give the order to attack. They returned it, but the shuttle had the latest in shielding technology.

The scans came back inconclusive, registering only one life form on board. T’zaal’s ship shook with the impact of multiple hits. They sustained a lot of damage from hull breaks on all decks. Many were dead, more wounded. He grabbed a data module and all his research and transferred them to a hover-case. There was only one daring enough to mount such a violent attack—Briq.

No doubt he’d stolen the shuttle and tracked them down. The smuggler had more skills than he’d given him credit for. Docking clamps were now attaching to the ship. He needed to get to an escape pod with the female and continue his research.

“Put her down, T’zaal.” Briq’s growl and stopped him dead in his track.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. She’s an important part of my study.”

“I’ll kill you before you reach the pods.”

“Are you willing to risk her life?” T’zaal threatened, confident Briq wouldn’t endanger her life.

“I’d rather see her dead than in the hands of a cruel animal like you.”

T’zaal gauged Briq’s reactions with scientific detachment. He observed how his respiration became agitated, his pupils dilated. The spikes on his arms were now longer than ever. To his surprise, a long tail sprouted from Briq’s lower back.

There was only one conclusion—he considered the Earth female his mate. Briq was in full defense mode, trying to rescue her. T’zaal needed to take readings of their hormone levels. The female was nearing her cycle, probably triggering Briq’s mating urge.

Pain exploded in his brain after Briq jumped into the air and stabbed one of his legs with a swing of his sharp spike. The force of their collision wrenched her from his clawed hand and propelled her through the air. He landed on the far wall, screeching at Briq to stop, but the beast was beyond reasoning.

Too much was at stake. T’zaal had to reach his escape pod. He was no match for the creature Briq was becoming. Better to save the scans and prototype than to lose it all. Every time he tried to get away the beast would strike him.

The final blow never came. The beast stopped its deadly assault. The female voice pulled him away. T’zaal quickly escaped. No one in the room spared him a second glace. He took off running with his mangled leg trailing behind.

* * * *

Gigi screamed, her arms flailing wildly, her body propelled through the air. She prepared for the worst when Xy caught her in midair. The sound of explosions deafened her ears. Lights flickered on and off, making the scene before her more surreal. Horror filled her heart as soon as she heard a loud crash.

“Warning, hull break imminent in less than one hour. All personnel evacuate the deck. Warning.” The ship’s A.I. kept broadcasting until Xy shut the comm down.

T’zaal fended off an attacker. She instantly recognized Briq. He’d come for her. Gigi’s heart rate jumped at the sight of him. He was magnificent. His spikes were longer. He had a row of smaller ones on his forehead and neck. The more wonderful new feature was the long tail. It was a sight to behold.

“My lady, we must go now.” Xy urged her toward the exit, but she stood her ground.

“No, Xy, I can’t leave him like this.”

“He’s raging. He’s never looked like this in all the years I’ve known him.”

“What do you mean by raging?”

“It’s not my place to say. I can only tell you that he’s very angry and can’t control himself. If we stay, he might unwittingly hurt us.”

“No, I already told you I can’t leave him like this. Let go of me.”

She struggled to get free of his hold, but he was too strong. Gigi had to get to Briq before it was too late. Deep down something warned her if she didn’t, she’d lose him forever.

“Briq!” She called his name in a desperate attempt to gain his attention. He stopped pommeling T’zaal, who used the opportunity to get away.

“My lady, he’s not a creature of reason but instincts right now. Please allow me to escort you to safety.” Her friend pleaded once more.

“No, Xy, you don’t understand. Briq will never hurt me. Please put me down and leave.”

It’d been hard for Xy to let her go. How could she explain in simple words what she felt inside? How could she translate the affinity she had for this brave man? He didn’t look like a man in the human sense of the word, but he was so much more to her. She wasn’t so shallow to abandon him to his fate. She knew he’d listen to her.

“Briq, my love, it’s me, Gigi.”

“Don’t look at me…get out…no closer,” he said with a guttural cry.

“No, I won’t leave you. I love you.”

“Xy…must take her…rage…no control…”

“No, Xy, leave now. Wait for us in the shuttle.” She didn’t turn around to see if Xy was still there. She kept going, ignoring the debris scraping her naked body. All she cared about was easing Briq’s pain.

The closer she got the more agitated he seemed to get. Gigi touched him, but he moved away, crouching in a corner.
If only there was a way to make him trust me
, she thought.
My voice can bring him back. It’ll calm the beast
. She sang a simple lullaby.

 
Slowly he relaxed. His legs unfolded from his crouched position. Step by step, she kept going until she reached his side. She touched his shoulder-length silver hair. It was as soft as silk. His gaze locked with hers, and a spark of anguish shone in the depths of his eyes.

A wail of despair rushed from his throat when she took the final steps and straddled his lap. She held his face with both hands, leaned over and kissed him. She just intended to give him a tender, heartfelt kiss, but the moment their lips met their passion flared.

Roughen hands clutched her waist. She deepened the kiss, tracing his lips with her tongue, coaxing his mouth open. Everything faded as their mouths fused in a desperate need to be close. His left hand found her breast and squeezed. Gigi moaned at the pleasure and pain of his firm grasp.

“Mor’u, we must stop now,” he said against her lips.

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“I do…very much so. I don’t want to hurt you, but if we don’t stop I might not be able to restrain myself. The beast is too close to the surface now.”

“I’m not asking for control. I want you to make love to me.” The time for doubts was over. “I know you’ll never hurt me. Stop using your rage as an excuse to deny us.” She made a path with her hands down his body, tracing the hard planes of his chest. He was strong with tight muscles that would shame the best bodybuilders on Earth.