Chapter Eleven

I stepped onto the bridge and did a double-take. Qeeturah’s atmosphere was streaked with bands of red and orange. Not good.

“A major sandstorm is pounding the planet. It’s creating some unusual crosswinds,” Quinn advised, handing my mother several pieces of chocolate.

I checked the planetary scanners. The winds had reached hurricane force. “The sand will distort Nilus’s scanners and clog his ship’s intake manifolds. He won’t be able to launch until the storm dissipates.”

Mami snorted. “Nilus is a fool. He won’t let the sandstorm stop him.” She stuffed a piece of candy in her mouth.

“Before the storm hit, I located Lysis in a cavern beneath the stone city.” Quinn shot a worried look at my mother. “He’s injured.”

Joy bubbled up in me. Quinn had found Papa. How awesome was that?

Mami cried, “How badly?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t get an accurate reading.”

“Papa’s still alive. That’s all that matters, Mami,” I said firmly, trying not to let my fear show. If his injuries were too severe, we would have to put him in a medically induced coma until we could reach Tanith.

“Yes. Yes. Of course, he still lives. Lysis is a berserker.” Mami turned on Quinn and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Go get him.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I wanted to go with Quinn, but I couldn’t leave Mami alone. She once tried to fly our ship and clipped an asteroid. Thankfully, there hadn’t been a hull breach. If my mother got worked up enough, she would do anything to get to Papa. “Do you have a med kit, Quinn?”

Quinn gently brushed his hand over my cheek. “I do. You have my promise that I’ll bring your father back to you.” He touched his communications bracelet, and his battle suit sprouted armor. A helmet formed around his head.

I asked mentally, “Will it distract you if I link with you?”

“No. I like having you in my head. Just keep your mother out of the loop.”

“Not a problem.”

“The bridge is yours,” Quinn said out loud.

I nodded. “Be careful. Don’t remove your suit for any reason. I want children.”

“Me too.” Quinn vanished.

Mami paced nervously. “Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine. Lysis is fine.”

Through my link, I was with Quinn as he teleported into a cavern covered with glowing blue glyphs. My father’s bloody form was sprawled on the floor. To my relief, Papa’s chest was rising and falling. I knew berserkers were notoriously hard to kill, but we could die.

Pulling out the med kit, Quinn bent down and ran it over my father. “He has a broken left arm, two broken ribs, a concussion, and badly lacerated scalp. Healing will take fifteen minutes.” Quinn triggered the unit.

Mami tugged on my arm. “Did Quinn find him?”

“Yes. He’s healing Papa’s injuries.”

“Oh, thank the Goddess,” Mami cried.

The relic hunter in me was awestruck at the glyphs. “We haven’t explored this part of the city yet.”

“Don’t worry darlin’. I’ll scan the glyphs,” Quinn replied. Holding up his communications bracelet, he mapped the cavern.

“Don’t forget the one behind that boulder, lovey.”

“Got it.” Quinn continued his scan. His communications bracelet started beeping. “Lysis should regain consciousness shortly.”

“If I were you, I would move away from my father. If he is still in his berserker mode, he will attack. At full strength, he is as strong as five males.”

“Good to know.” Quinn backed away from Papa. “I would hate to have to kill him.”

Testosterone was the bane of the universe. “You hurt my father, and my mother will try to kill you.”

“Your itty-bitty mother is not a threat to a trained warrior.”

I laughed hysterically. “You are too funny. It wouldn’t be a direct attack. My mother is fond of poisons.”

“Poisons, huh?”

“Rethinking your decision to claim me as your mate?”

“Never.”

My father’s eyes popped open and a black rage filled them.

“Do not kill my mate, Papa!”

“Mate?” My father leveled his laser pistol at Quinn’s chest. “You claimed Xenia as your mate without my permission?”

“You had your shields locked down, and not even Xenia could link with you,” Quinn replied carefully.

Before it got bloody, I interjected, “Quinn and I have mentally bonded Papa.”

“Have you had sex with her?” Papa’s eyes began to glow.

“This discussion can wait until we are back on my ship,” Quinn responded.

Papa bared his teeth. “Answer the question.”

“No, I have not. We are waiting until she turns twenty-one.”

“The mind meld was to save my life,” I hurriedly assured Papa.

“From what?”

“Dolon took me to Jandjviles to sell me to the Tai-Kok.”

“He’s a dead man.”

Implacable resolve in his voice, Quinn said. “On that we agree.”

“The only one killing him is me,” I interjected.

Papa prompted, “How did this mind meld come about?”

I quickly filled him in.

“It’s unfortunate Zarek knows you’re a berserker,” was Papa’s only comment.

“Let Quinn teleport you back to the ship before Mami loses her mind.”

My father struggled to his feet. “Eleni is unharmed?”

“Your mate has a healthy pair of lungs.”

“That she does.”

My psychic senses went on red alert. I groaned as a dozen bristly bushes were suddenly shoved into my head and swirled it around. Something really, really bad was heading our way. “Get back to the ship. Trouble is coming.”

The command computer mechanical voice stated, “Enemy vessels detected. Shields activated. Bringing weapon systems online.”

Two Tai-Kok destroyers suddenly popped out of warp drive and went into a high orbit.

Big trouble. The Talon didn’t have enough firepower to take them out. Running was the only option.

Mami exclaimed, “Those are Tai-Kok ships!”

“I know, Mami. I won’t let them eat you.”

Her eyes rolled back in her head and she hit the floor.

I sighed.

“Report,” Papa said sharply.

I automatically replied, “Two Class Five Tai-Kok destroyers are now orbiting Qeeturah.”

“How did they find Qeeturah?” Papa let out a low growl. “Dolon.”

“I’ll drop the shields long enough for you to teleport onboard.”

“No! Do not lower the shields,” Quinn commanded. “The Class Five Destroyers have been equipped with a new scanner that can pick up energy fluctuations from our cloaking devices. Leave orbit and hide behind the moon. The storm will conceal us for now.”

“I’m not leaving you behind. Besides, there’s a good possibility the Tai-Kok ships have been infected with Detja’s virus. A couple of well-placed torpedoes should do the job.”

“And if they are not infected, the Tai-Kok will destroy the ship. I’m not losing you,” Quinn countered.

My father snapped, “Do as he says, Xenia.”

The command console beeped a warning. I scowled. “Heads up. The Tai-Kok have transported eight warriors to the surface. They’re wearing level five body armor and are heavily armed.”

“Our scientists discovered the Tai-Kok warriors’ internal organs react badly to any kind of radiation,” Quinn advised.

I could feel my father’s pitiless satisfaction as he announced, “During a sandstorm, the subatomic particles are even more deadly.”

“And don’t forget the var bugs,” I said gleefully. “Mami ran some tests, and the bugs really liked Tai-Kok blood.”

Quinn asked curiously, “Where did you get Tai-Kok blood?”

“We had a little run-in with one of their scout ships during a supply run. Mami wanted a sample of their blood, and Papa was happy to oblige.”

“Nothing quite as enjoyable as killing those drekking monsters,” Papa said.

A brilliant orange light popped into existence on the bridge.

“Adan is back,” I informed Quinn

Papa inquired, “Who is Adan?”

“A Katanic shapeshifter,” Quinn replied.

“Where the drekk did you meet a Katanic?”

“Long story, Papa.”

“Adan can teleport through shields,” Quinn stated.

I let out a relieved breath. “I’ll send him down to retrieve you.”

The spinning light accelerated until a vortex formed. Bolts of green lightning crackled wildly around the growing opening.

Who knew Adan could be useful? First, I would have him rescue Papa and Quinn and then have him leave my thermite grenade in the engine room of one of the Tai-Kok ships. I smiled at the thought of sending those monsters straight to the ninth hell. Of course, we would have to come up with a creative way to blow the other ship into itty-bitty pieces.

Adan and a strange Coletti warrior stepped out of the vortex. The warrior’s battle suit fit him like a glove, emphasizing every bulging muscle. He wore a bronze communications bracelet on his left wrist, and a bronze chain was woven into his ebony warrior braids. A goatee emphasized his high cheekbones.

I fought back a grin. Slime dripped off his nose and ran down his spiffy boots. “Who are you?”

“Wulf. The Overlord thought Quinn might need backup.”

I flashed Quinn his image. “Do you know this warrior? He says his name is Wulf.”

“I do. You can trust him. His mate is my cousin.”

“Small world. The Overlord sent him and Adan as backup.”

“Brief him on the situation,” Quinn instructed.

I smiled at Wulf. “Quinn said I can trust you.”

“Good,” Wulf said absently as he stared down at my mother. “Does she need medical care?”

“Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.”

I gave Adan the evil eye. “It’s not funny.”

“Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.” Adan kept on laughing and laughing and laughing.

I gave Adan the one-finger salute and turned to Wulf. “My mother is taking a brief nap.”

“Nap?”

“Her mother is a very talented nap taker,” Adan commented dryly.

“And she chooses to nap on the deck?”

Wulf’s incredulous expression would have been amusing if there weren’t two Tai-Kok ships hovering nearby. “Does it really matter?”

“Elderly females are to be protected.”

“Do not under any circumstance tell my mother she is old,” I said, fighting down the urge to scream loudly or kick him in the nuts.

“Deep breaths, darlin’. Just tell Wulf about the Tai-Kok ships and our situation.”

Arrgh. Like I wanted to talk about my mother’s tendency to faint all the time? I noticed a piece of chocolate on the floor beside Mami. I really needed that chocolaty goodness. Before I could grab it, Wulf scooped it up. He was a dead man.

Wulf frowned. “Why are your eyes glowing?”

“They get that way right before she shoots you,” Adan supplied helpfully.

Quinn interjected, “Give her the chocolate, Wulf. Quickly.”

“Ah, it is that time of the month.” Wulf tossed me the chocolate.

I caught it. “Do you have a death wish?”

“Xenia! Focus on the task at hand. You can always kill him later,” Papa barked.

True. “I know riding the vortex plays havoc on psychic abilities, but how can you not sense two ships full of Tai-Kok warriors?” I pointed to the view screen.

Wulf’s head snapped around, and his gaze fixed on the ships. “That does explain the need for chocolate.”

“Adan, I need you to retrieve Quinn and my father from the cavern beneath the city.” I fed him the coordinates.

“Yes, my lady.” The incandescent orange light whirled madly until a vortex formed. Adan stepped inside. Slurppp! He was gone.

Wulf made his slimy self at home in the pilot’s seat and checked the scanners. “Quinn has found a mate that matches his temperament.”

I think he’d just insulted me. “Like living dangerously, do you?”

“I am a warlord.” Wulf grinned. “You are very much like my Yakira.”

“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

An orange glow filled the bridge, and green lightning crackled like fiery snakes around the walls. The vortex spat out Adan, Papa, and Quinn.

Papa was a bloody mess. His gaze fell on Mami.

I linked with my father. “Mami took one look at the Tai-Kok ships and over she went.”

Papa tugged on his left ear. “Did Dolon harm her?”

“No.”

Quinn clasped Wulf’s arm in the typical warrior greeting, totally ignoring the dripping slime. “Yakira is well?”

“She is.” Wulf offered his arm to my father. “It is an honor to meet you, Lysis. Your battle exploits are legendary.”

Papa grasped Wulf’s arm. “The Overlord must be really worried to send one of his best enforcers to assist us.” He tightened his grip.

Wulf retaliated.

An amused smile curled Quinn’s mouth.

“We do not have time for this macho posturing, Papa,” I snapped mentally on our private link. “Remember we have Tai-Kok to kill and Dolon to find?”

“Yes, daughter.” Papa released Wulf’s arm.

Quinn placed a cautious kiss on my forehead. “How are you holding up?”

“I want to kill something.”

“I know the feeling.” He handed me a chocolate. “Soon, my love, there will be monsters to slay.” He stared at the Tai-Kok ships filling the view screen.

Mami chose that moment to wake up. She took one look at Papa’s blood-covered body, let out an ear-shattering shriek, and fainted again.

I sighed.

“That can’t be good for her,” Wulf commented.

“Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.”

Adan’s braying was getting on my last nerve.

“Why don’t you go clean up, Lysis? All that blood is upsetting Eleni. Xenia and I will keep an eye on her,” Quinn offered.

Adan started laughing again. “Eeyore. Eeyore. Eeyore.”

My father’s voice was soft and menacing, “I’ve never killed a Katanic shapeshifter, but if you don’t stop laughing, you will be the first.”

Adan morphed into a huge Gourman. They always reminded me of a prehistoric werewolf with six-inch fangs and talons. “Try it, old man.”

“Has everyone lost their drekking minds? We should be killing the Tai-Kok, not trying to kill each other!” I shouted.

The testosterone level dropped.

Adan switched back to his teenage wizard form. “My apologies. I get bad-tempered when I haven’t eaten.”

“You didn’t eat any of the Gur?”

“I was too busy digging Clio out to eat. The main herd was stampeding toward us, and we needed to move to a safer place,” Adan answered.

“Lucky for you, there are two ships full of yummy Tai-Koks to munch on,” I said.

Adan scowled. “The metal teeth give me indigestion.”

“Spit them out,” I replied without an ounce of sympathy.

Wulf announced, “The Tai-Kok warriors just transported back to their ship with five captives.”

Papa and I exchanged horrified looks.

“Is there something you’re not telling us?” Quinn’s eyes suddenly widened in alarm. “An obsidian sphere called the Shebu, which is a source of unfathomable power.”

The mind meld had given my warlord access to my memories. I nodded. “Dolon has my communication bracelet. If he broke the encryption, he knows everything about the Shebu and what it can do. They must think Nilus can tell them where to find it.”

My father cursed colorfully in several different languages. “We cannot allow the Tai-Kok to possess it.”

Wulf’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “Is the Shebu a weapon?”

“It powered and shielded the Nabateans’ cities for over ten thousand years,” I answered, showing him a mental image of a large obsidian sphere. “The Wadjet, a religious sect, wanted to use it as a weapon to destroy the infidels who refused to worship their gods. They stole the Shebu and left the Nabatean people to die.”

“From what we have deciphered, the Nabatean rulers sent their best hunters after the Wadjet,” Papa added.

I said bleakly, “The hunters killed the Wadjet and retrieved the Shebu.”

“But by then the damage had been done and millions had died,” Quinn finished, borrowing the information from my mind.

Papa rubbed his scruffy beard. “The Nabateans fled their world, taking the Shebu and their treasure with them. We were very close to discovering where they went when Nilus attacked.”

“It will take Nilus weeks if not longer to go through all our data. Hopefully, the Tai-Kok will eat them before he can decipher the glyphs,” I said.

Wulf asked, “How long will it take to finish the translations?”

“Mami had interpreted the last glyph when Dolon showed up,” I responded.

Everyone stared down at Mami thoughtfully. Had she found the location of the Nabateans’ new world?

“We cannot allow the Tai-Kok to take the Shebu. With its power, they would be unstoppable,” Papa declared.

My stomach roiled. With their insatiable hunger, the monsters would eat their way across the galaxy, leaving behind worlds emptied of life. If we didn’t stop them, billions would die. I pulled out the thermite grenade. “Feel like gifting this to one of the Tai-Kok destroyer’s engine room, Adan?”

“It would be my honor. The dead must be avenged,” Adan replied, taking it.

Quinn patted his pockets and grumbled on our private link, “You’re a sticky-fingered little thief.”

“I just took back what was mine.”

Giving me the evil eye, Quinn sat down in the pilot’s seat. “I’ll move the Talon behind the moon and wait for you, Adan.”

A brilliant orange glow popped into existence and spun rapidly.

“Too bad we don’t have a way to give the Tai-Kok some var bugs,” I said

“Yes, it would be a fitting punishment.” Adan morphed into his true form and stepped into the vortex. Slurppp! He was gone.

Papa watched closely. “Amazing.”

“You look like the walking dead, Papa. Go clean up; we need Mami conscious.”

He nodded and left.

Wulf announced, “The Overlord has been informed. He is gathering a battle fleet to stop the Tai-Kok.”

I kneeled beside my mother and patted her face. “Wake up, Mami. We need you.”

She opened her eyes. “Got chocolate?”

“We do,” Quinn answered.