Of all the mates that Jane expected to end up with, she didn’t expect a shy one. He had the hard on the size of a large cucumber. She could only guess at the color, but the minute she’d made a move, he’d backed down.
Jane had meant what she’d said. Free time in the barracks often resulted in sharing a bunk for a quick fuck for the ones lucky enough to catch her in the right mood. She ignored the ones that came on to her like a macho sleaze bag. She also didn’t do married guys or ones that had ever mentioned a girlfriend. She refused to be one of those women. But when training to a fight an enemy that could lead to a quick death, you took the opportunities you were given for a little stress relief.
But Zenik wanted to slow roll. It was frustrating to say the least, because her brain couldn’t stop pondering all the possibilities. After all, talk of the Mahdfel being huge seemed to be accepted as fact, but there were also rumors that some had spines, or nubs or glowing tattoos along their lengths. A former squad mate had sent her a letter swearing up and down that her new husband had two cocks. That he would fuck her with one and then the other. She’d wake up sore and exhausted and he’d be ready for round two. It sounded like a horrible problem to have.
Maybe if Jane took Zenik directly to their bed, where he would have his comforts, he would loosen up. Or maybe she could suggest he find some of that alcohol he hinted might be around.
She rounded the force fence and found the camp to be in utter chaos. Women were crying and weeping and the warriors were walking on the edges with adrenaline highs, looking ready to punch someone in the face, but not having anyone to sock.
Kave saw her enter the compound, and apparently her earlier actions made her the go to girl for solving everyone’s problems. He made a beeline to her.
“Charlette,” he said, still pronouncing the initial syllable with a ‘ch’ sound, “decided she liked one of the other warriors better. And then there was a fight.”
Which of course, had spooked the other girls and sent the warriors into attack mode. Jane knew that rich bitch was going to be trouble. There was only one way to deal with a bully.
Jane paced over to Charlette who stood a few feet away from the group of frightened ladies.
“They all look alike. How was I supposed to know that wasn’t my mate? They’re all green, and bald,” Charlette complained.
“Defensive much?”
“I thought I was just being friendly, and then they exploded.” Jane didn’t buy it for a second. She wasn’t angry. Just sexually keyed up enough to give the bitch a piece of her mind.
“The Mahdfel only have two goals in life: killing as many Suhlik as they possibly can, and protecting their mates with their very life, if necessary. That man will die for you.” Jane pointed to Haxet, who was quite distinguishable from the other males in the crowd.
“And you lot,” Jane said, turning to the crowd of wailing women. “Any of you have big brothers that go a little wonky when it comes to fighting with each other? Because the Mahdfel are like that. Times ten. They heal fast and won’t even feel the bruises tomorrow, so you don’t have to worry. They’d rather slit their own throats than hurt a female.”
Jane knew this as a fact. During mixed self defense training, the Mahdfel warriors had always been thrown for a loop when put against her as an opponent. They thought humans were so puny to begin with, that to risk fighting and injuring a female was unthinkable. She was tempted to stab or slice one of the Mahdfel in the arm to prove a point, but was worried that blood was the last thing the ladies needed to see. She was also worried that they’d take away her knife.
She had several packed away in her duffel and she knew enough to hack a replicator if she had to, but the one she carried was her favorite. She had nicknamed it Harry.
There was a better way to solve the problem. Jane looked directly at Kave. “Drills. Now, please.”
Kave nodded and let out a holler. The women and the warriors jumped. The women jumped out of fright and watched the warriors jumping into action. In moments, they had paired off and were sparring in a green ballet of movement that seemed rehearsed down to the Nth degree. There was something so controlled and organized about the whole thing that after a few minutes of watching. The women calmed down and the warriors were able to work off a little of the excess energy.
Jane grabbed clapped her hand over Rich Bitch’s mouth and yanked her by the large pendant chain around her neck. She pulled her out behind one of the buildings out of sight of the other ladies. Jane didn’t realize Meadow had followed until she had shoved Charlette up against wall and saw the extra shadow.
“Now, you see here!” Charlette announced the minute she realized she wasn’t alone with Jane.
“No, you see here,” Meadow said quietly but forcefully. “We’re on a strange planet with strange men and the stunt you pulled today could have gotten somebody killed. We won’t stand for it.”
“You can’t force me!”
“No, we can’t. But here’s what we can do. We can organize. We can ostracize. We can make you the most unpopular thing since the space lizards landed on our planet. And if that doesn’t work, Jane here,” Meadow said, pointing to Jane, “she’s been trained on how to get rid of someone quietly. You’ll never see her coming.”
There was something very ominous about the short, pudgy sweet talker promising that Jane would whack her ass if she stepped out of line. Charlette bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker. There was a new respect and a healthy dose of fear in her eyes. Jane maintained her stoic face.
“I’m not big on second chances,” Jane said. “Idiots tend to continue to fuck up.”
“It’s her first day,” Meadow replied, as if she were talking Jane down from slitting Charlette throat right here. “But now she knows what will happen if she fucks up again. There won’t be a second warning.”
Jane let go of Charlette who slunk off back through the shadows toward the main group of women.
“It’s her first day,” Meadow repeated, a sound of amusement in her voice. “Does she not realize it’s our first day too?”
“It’s because you are a badass, Meadow.”
“I’m a librarian.”
“A mother fucking badass librarian,” Jane said.
“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”