Authors: S. E. Smith
Manota breathed a sigh of relief as the
Seeker
finally docked with the spaceport orbiting Kassis. The last few days of the journey had gone well. Overall, things were almost back to normal on board the warship. He had lost five warriors during the fight with the pirates. The traitor had turned out to be the son of one of Tai Tek’s guards. He had died when one of the explosives he was planting in the crystal storage area detonated prematurely. Banner, his Chief of Engineering, had repaired the panel for the coolant and only minimum additional structural damage had to be repaired.
He was still amazed at some of the tales being told by his warriors. It would appear the female Kev wanted to claim, Jade Ryan, had helped Petre protect the entrance to the storage bay holding some of the younger members of the circus, as well as their animals and living accommodations.
The young human, Mattie, and her ‘dogs’, had discovered four other areas where the traitor, Mullox, had set explosives. Jai was able to disarm them but things became tense when Mattie was taken as a hostage by three pirates demanding safe passage off the ship. Jai had rescued the young female who was still recovering from her captivity. He had gone to check on her several times but Jai was being very protective of the young female and simply informed him that she was resting.
Manota looked at the video footage and couldn
’t help the chuckle that escaped as he watched Marvin, Martin, and the clowns in the corridor as they headed to Medical. They had encountered a small group of pirates trying to escape. Manota watched as the pirates rounded the corner and found themselves faced by the larger group lead by Walter.
He watched as Walter snapped his fingers. Immediately, Marvin and Martin moved in front of him. They didn
’t have their faces painted this time but they still held the pirates mesmerized as they both moved as if they were trapped behind an invisible wall. The pirates watched the two men as if unsure of what to do next. As soon as Martin tapped Marvin on the shoulder, they moved in sync to open up an invisible door. As if being shot out of the cannon that Tony had been fired from, the clowns, some dressed still in their ridiculous costumes, charged the group with knives, odd shaped clubs, and - he stilled the footage for a moment - what looked like a dead bird of some kind. The pirates, unsure of what was attacking them, turned tail and ran.
The smile faded as Manota saw Tony walk quickly down the corridor carrying an unconscious Jo. He leaned forward in his chair, studying her limp, bloody figure. A wave of cold rage swept through him, not at the male carrying her this time but at the one who had hurt her. He was glad her father had killed the bastard.
His gaze moved to the face of the male carrying her. It was evident that the human cared a great deal for her. The look of determination, fear and anger were clearly evident in the brief view he had of Tony’s face as he glanced up at the camera. It was almost as if he were condemning Manota for putting Jo in such danger - for not taking better care of her.
Manota
’s fist slammed down on the conference table in the ready-room off the bridge as the rage rose deep inside him. His fists clenched in self-recrimination as he stood up and walked over to the viewport to stare blindly down at the glowing red, pink, and purple ball of Kassis. There was no way he could go through with his plan. He could not endanger his mate or the mates of his brothers, especially with River expecting his brother’s first child in a few short months. He would have to think of something different. He could not continue to live with the fear that Tai Tek or one of his hired mercenaries could appear at any time and be successful at killing his brothers or any of their mates the next time; but, neither could he use his mate as bait – even if she was willing.
He turned his head when he heard the door slide open behind him. He nodded to Shavic as the healer came into the room. He frowned and did a double take when he saw the strange look on his friend
’s face. Shavic had been monitoring those who had been injured during the attack. Fortunately, only a couple of the humans had received minor injuries besides Jo and Mattie.
“
Is everything alright?” He asked trying to ignore the twist of unease in his stomach.
“
What?” Shavic asked distractedly before he nodded. “Oh, yes. Everything is fine,” he murmured as he came to stand next to Manota and stare blindly down at planet below them.
Manota turned back to stare down as well, watching as the shuttles began their transport of warriors and supplies. He and Jo would be the last to leave. At the moment, several larger transports were docking with the
Seeker
to remove the animals and equipment the humans had brought with them. His father had an area on the outskirts of the city set aside for their new residents. It would become their own ‘city’, far enough to give them privacy but close enough they could be protected. He was sure there would be much speculation about the odd humans and their animals.
A group of scientists had already boarded the warship and were running tests to make sure the strange and unusual animals brought from Earth would not bring any harmful parasites or diseases that might harm those on Kassis. The animals would be kept in quarantine for few months until all testing was completed. It would also give the humans time to acclimate to their new home.
“Did Jo come to see you this morning? She was concerned about still feeling a little tired,” Manota asked quietly.
“
Jo? Oh, yes… yes, she did come by to see me,” Shavic replied. “She is well. It is expected for her to feel tired after losing the amount of blood that she did and fighting the poison. She brought Jane with her. The female actually smiled at me this time.”
Manota nodded.
“I was worried about Jane. Has she spoken yet?”
Shavic shook his head.
“Not to any of us but Nema and Tami says she has spoken a little to them. She told them she likes the name Jane and wishes to keep it. She has not said anything else about what happened to her. They feel it is best to let her tell them when she is ready.”
“
So what is bothering you? You seem distracted. Has something else happened?” Manota asked, glancing at Shavic’s face.
“
How did you know when you met your mate?” Shavic asked hesitantly. “How did you know she was the one?”
Manota turned to stare thoughtfully out the window as the first two transports left the Spaceport. How did he know that Jo was his mate? There were so many things that took him by surprise. He wasn
’t sure if it was when he first grabbed her arm as she reached for the knife. The touch had felt like a bolt of lightning had shot through him. Or, when he pulled her back against his body and her scent invaded his senses like a torch to dry wood. Or when she stood defiantly before him and punched him in the eye for letting the women of his House kiss him.
“
I just knew,” he replied deep in thought. “Everything about her drives me crazy. I love her strength, her courage, her compassion, even her stubborn desire to be independent. She makes me smile and laugh. And she makes me more frustrated and angry than I’ve ever been in my life. She makes me feel things, including fear that I have never had to deal with before. But most of all, she brings warmth and light to my life. A life that had been drowning in a darkness that I didn’t know was there,” he said quietly before looking at Shavic. “Why do you ask?”
Shavic rubbed his chest, over his heart, and sighed heavily.
“That is what I was afraid of,” he muttered. “I met one of the human females I had not seen before. I guess one of their horses was about to foal and she has been with it during the trip. I ran into her as she was heading back from the dining quarters. It was like…” he paused a moment before he let his hand drop to his side. “It was like I had been hit by a laser blast on full power. I was so stunned, I didn’t get a chance to find out who she was.”
Manota looked with amusement at his friend.
“How did you know what she was doing then?” He asked curiously.
Shavic gave a small grin.
“Martin and Marvin filled me in. By the way, they are Kor d’lurs. Their research ship crashed in the jungles outside of a place called Buenos Aires on Earth. They made their way through the jungle and walked into the Cirque de Magik over ten years ago. Walter found them, patched them up and hired them on. They made friends with the crew of the circus and have been enjoying learning more about the strange but fascinating humans.”
“
I knew it!” Manota exclaimed rubbing his fisted right hand in his left. “Why didn’t they say anything?”
Shavic shrugged as he ran his hand across his chest again.
“They are happy acting as bodyguards to Walter, Nema and the rest of the crew.”
The Kor d
’lurs were known for their keen interest in exploration and research of unknown species and worlds. Their pale gray eyes were a classic feature but the only time Manota had ever seen them was when they were wearing the white and black face paint. He suspected they did that to hide the dark stripes that ran along their temples.
“
Have you talked to them much? Do you know their plans?” Manota asked.
Shavic shrugged.
“They told me they plan on staying with the humans if that was permissible with you. They have taken a mate among the human females and will not leave her.”
“
I see no problem with it,” Manota responded with a nod. “We have never had any issues with the Kor d’lurs. They and the Dramentics have been a peaceful species for hundreds of years. The Alliance lost a good man when
Krail
Taurus was murdered by Trolis,” he added.
Shavic nodded his agreement.
“I was worried about the humans at first. Now, after seeing how they banded together and fought against the pirates, I have to admit they are more than capable of taking care of themselves. I enjoyed the performances they gave, as well. I would love to figure out how they did many of the things they did.”
Manota chuckled as he watched another large transport arrive from the planet.
“So would I but Jo said she would have to kill me if she told me. It is considered ‘trade’ secrets.”
“
Do you think she would? Kill you, I mean,” Shavic asked curiously.
“
No,” Manota said softly. “At least not literally. She is the most compassionate, caring person I have ever met.”
Shavic was about to reply when the door opened and Jo came striding in. Manota studied his mate
’s flushed face, pinched mouth, and flashing eyes. He thought quickly over what he could have done to piss her off this time. He was drawing a blank as he hadn’t told her yet about abandoning their plans to use her, her sister and River as bait.
“
I’m going to kill your stubborn, hard-headed brother!” Jo growled out fiercely, her cheeks rosy. “I’m going to rip him apart, pickle him in vinegar and serve him sautéed as an appetizer! I was having a private conversation with my sister and River. He had no business butting his uptight nose in our conversation!”
“
Jo,
mi t’belle,
” Manota started to say before his voice faded as his comlink signaled his older brother was trying to contact him. Half a second later, another alert warned him his younger brother was also trying to contact him. Manota glanced back at the furious face of his mate before opening the vidcom to both of his brothers. Their equally fierce expressions on warned him that they knew of his plan. “You told them about my plan,” he breathed out in resignation.
“
No, I told Star and River,” Jo said sliding into one of the chairs at the conference table and folding her arms stubbornly across her chest. “Torak just happened to overhear it.”
“
You are out of your mind!” Torak angrily snarled out in a harsh voice over the vidcom. “There is no way I would ever agree to use my mate as bait, even if she wasn’t expecting our son! Have you lost your mind, Manota?”
“
I happen to think it is an awesome idea!” River piped up with a huge grin as she peeked out from behind her furious mate. “I am definitely in! I want to bring that bastard down once and for all.”
Jazin
’s livid face broke into the conversation. “There is no way in the twelve levels of Killian I would ever agree with your assine idea either! I have almost lost my mate more than once. How could you even suggest something so dangerous?” Jazin furiously snapped out.
“
I agree with Jo and River,” Star called out from behind Jazin. She finally squeezed in front of him. “I’m totally in.”
Manota groaned as he heard both of his brothers arguing with their mates. Neither female sounded like they were listening to a single thing his brothers were saying. His gaze moved to where Jo was sitting. A slow satisfied smile curved her lips. He knew at that moment that she had planned her line of attack knowing he was having doubts about using her, Star and River. She had told the women first knowing they would never let the men change their minds.
“You planned this,” he accused in a low voice so his brothers couldn’t hear him, not that they could from the volume coming over the vidcom. “You knew I was going to change my mind.”
“
Of course,” Jo said with a mischievous grin. “Now, you can’t.”