Chapter Eleven
Thorin looked to Syzel to his right and then to Ryven on his left. He’d worked the most amount of missions with the two warriors and could trust them to have his back against the possible unknown enemy.
Raising a hand to signal it was time to move, they exited the elevator and walked down the corridor toward the main engineering department, where the engines were monitored.
Since there had been little to glean from the reports regarding the disappearances and the ensuing communication silence, Thorin had accessed the most restricted records to scan for similar incidents.
While nothing had matched exactly, there had been a few instances of smaller merchant ships suddenly losing their engines and internal visual monitoring capabilities. In three cases, not long after reporting the troubles, communications went silent and the crew was never heard from again.
None of the ships had been in the same sector of space as the colony transport ship’s current position, though. And considering all three disappearances had been dismissed as catastrophic malfunctions, Thorin wondered if something bigger had been in play since no wreckage or any sort of particle disturbances had been discovered by search crews at their last known coordinates.
He wasn’t about to let the same thing happen to his ship, if he could help it. Since the colony ship was far larger than the merchant ships, if it suffered the same problem, Thorin should have some time to discover what it was and to research a solution. As a last resort, he would contact the fighter ships accompanying him and ask for assistance from headquarters. He wasn’t going to let pride get in the way of evacuating the ship’s passengers if things worsened and became critical.
Pushing everything else from his mind, Thorin tightened his grip on the blaster gun in his hand. In addition to his weapon, he and his two warriors wore rare, special protective straps across their chests. The straps projected invisible force fields around their bodies. While not impervious, it would ward off most forms of attack. It also prevented being moved by any sort of teleportation or telekinetic abilities, as well as concealing the wearer’s emotions against empaths.
They approached the outer force field to the engineering section. Thorin went to the computer panel next to it and typed in his authorization code. Once the computer scanned both his retina and his thumb, the force field dissipated.
Thorin repeated the computer security scans at each force field barrier until they were just outside the entrance to main engineering. He took his time studying the other side of the field for anything unusual. However, the only thing out of the ordinary was the silence. Usually the hum of the engines and the murmurs of the staff on duty could be heard from his current vantage point.
He looked at his warriors. Each bobbed their head, signaling they were ready. Thorin disabled the final protective barrier.
Nothing jumped out at them, which was a good sign but they were far from safe. Many foes bided their time before striking.
Thorin slowly made his way into the outer engineering control room. Everything was pristine. All the flat panels were whole, and the various engineering instruments were either stowed on the walls or near a console where a staff member would keep it. There was no damage or sign of struggle anywhere.
There also weren’t any bodies or remains to signal death at the hands of an intruder.
Thorin pressed onward to the engine control room. As soon as he reached the doorway, he noticed the flickering engine drive. The usual steady green and white lights were purely white, which meant they were being overloaded.
He wasn’t an engineer, but all generals were trained to man the various stations aboard the ship, especially in emergency situations. He needed to manually turn off the engine’s power source before it became critical and could explode.
Signaling Syzel and Ryven to keep watch as he worked, Thorin focused on the control panel. The second he touched it, his protective force field armor flickered and flashed. While he didn’t see anything with the naked eye, something didn’t want him to interact with the engines.
Unsure of how long he had before his protective gear failed, he quickly typed in the shutdown sequence. His force field crackled as the engine lights burned a brighter white. Something had to be drawing on the engine’s power to attack him.
Crackling behind him told Thorin that his two warriors were being attacked, too. He typed the code as fast as he could. Just as his personal force field started to jump and cut him at random spots because of the strain, the engine’s light faded until it was dark.
His protective gear instantly went back to a neutral position.
Thorin studied the readout and the engine lights, but both confirmed all power had been cut off. He turned back toward his men. He looked to Syzel and waved toward the male. “Did anything register on your instrument?”
Syzel raised the small rod in his nonweapon holding hand. “If the data collected from this is correct, someone was trying to teleport you off the ship. When that failed, it tried to take Ryven and me. However, this instrument isn’t advanced enough to pinpoint where the teleportation source came from.”
Thorin said, “Regardless, I believe it was drawing on the engine’s power. As long as it’s turned off, this area should be safe. We’ll have to cut all major sources of power until we can find the enemy, and quickly, before who or whatever figures out our idea and launches a possible no-holds-barred attack.”
Ryven spoke up. “So you’ll contact the fighters and let them know what we discovered?”
“Yes,” Thorin answered. “I’m afraid our journey is going to be postponed yet again. It’s pure speculation, but it’s almost as if someone doesn’t want us to reach Jasvar.”
“Agreed,” Syzel said. “Do you think it’s related to the asteroid-looking objects from before?”
Thorin grunted in approval. “It had crossed my mind. Until the fighters can thoroughly scan the area and say for certain there are some lurking nearby or not, we’ll go into safe mode. Ryven, ensure the top-level and most-trusted warriors receive their order to enforce all necessary restrictions. Syzel, you coordinate with engineering on all aspects of the power shutdown and monitoring. Since Enishi was in this room and is now missing, I need your assistance with engineering matters. You always excelled with them during our training years.”
Both males said, “Aye, sir,” before Thorin continued, “As for me, I’ll look into any and all disappearances. Anyone who hasn’t reported to duty will be investigated. As you two are experienced, it should go without saying that this is confidential information. I will inform you of who needs to know the details. When making inquiries, keep them as vague as possible. I don’t want to stir panic.”
Ryven jumped in. “Excuse me for speaking out of turn, sir, but you should see a medic first.”
Thorin glanced down at his body. There were probably twenty or so cuts on his chest and arms. More than a few were deep enough to merit laser stitches.
“I know of a medic who can keep things quiet and I’ll visit them,” he stated. “Report anything you find to me in person only. I want to know even the smallest detail. I’ll call meetings when necessary, so be available at all times. For the moment, you’re dismissed.”
The two men made a fist with one hand and thumped it over their hearts before exiting the room.
Thorin tapped in one last command to the computer, restricting access to only him and Syzel, before switching the entire room to life-support-only levels of power. If any surge was detected in the room, Thorin’s communicator would alert him to the change.
He left the area and headed toward the elevator. As the adrenaline wore off, he wanted nothing more than to sit down. There was more blood on his body than he liked. Thorin needed to have his wounds tended to and take restorative drinks to counter his blood loss.
Since he didn’t know the head medic well—many of the officers were staying on Jasvar and had been assigned to the ship rather than Thorin selecting them—there was only one person who he trusted to tend him and keep the secret.
It looked like he would need to visit Vala Yarlen once more.
At the thought of Vala, a quick succession of images invaded his mind. He took her against a wall, reveling in his blood covering her body. After claiming her ten other ways, he then roared and went to challenge every shady-looking crew member.
Stop. If he did any of that, Vala would recoil from his mere presence. He never wanted to scare her.
He took a few breaths and regained control of his mind. He refused to succumb to his disgusting urges.
His temper under control, he finally entered the elevator and typed in a secure message to Vala and then to the temporary Barren Mother aboard the ship. Generals could go into the Barren’s section, provided they gave notice so that the Barren could keep to their rooms and out of sight.
And since all the Barren still believed Vala to be his mistress, his presence wouldn’t be alarming or cause suspicion.
As he exited the elevator and headed toward the entrance to the Barren’s section of the ship, he took a deep breath to further reinforce his calm mind. He would do whatever it took to protect Vala and ensure he didn’t touch her again. He’d worked up the nerve to dismiss her once. If he ever claimed her again, he wasn’t sure he could do it a second time.
~~~
Vala checked her medical bag one more time, ensuring everything was in its place. Thorin hadn’t said what had happened to him, but just that he needed her medical experience. The message had been vague, but her gut said it was Thorin who needed medical attention.
To be honest, she wasn’t sure if she was nervous or angry at him coming. If he had truly wanted to sever their connection, seeing her again so soon gave the wrong message.
And yet, touching his warm skin and not having to watch what she said or did around him would be nice.
Her door chimed and she stood up tall before saying, “Enter.”
The door slid open and she gasped.
Thorin was covered in gashes and cuts across his chest, arms, and even his face. Blood oozed out of a few of them.
Forgetting everything that had happened between them, she walked up to him, took his hand, and tugged him inside. “You need to sit down.”
He grunted. “I can stand. I don’t want to get my blood on your things.”
She pointed to the simple composite chair to one side. “This can easily be disinfected. Sit before I give you a sedative and you won’t have a choice.”
For a second, Thorin remained silent. Vala didn’t break eye contact. When it came to medical matters, even a general had to listen to their enlisted medical professional. Her case might be flimsy since she was a Barren and not a doctor, but she’d stand by it.
The corner of his mouth moved and she resisted a sigh of relief. His deep voice filled the room. “For such a short female, you have incredible bravery.”
She pointed to the chair. Once he finally sat down, she replied, “All Kelderan males are stubborn in medical matters. I once had a male with his lower leg crushed in an accident and he claimed he was fine. I wish more people were honest. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
Vala turned toward her medical bag. She picked up a handheld disinfectant light and a cloth. Thorin’s voice filled the room. “The deepest gashes are on my upper chest and lower back.”
She turned toward him. At the exhaustion in his eyes, she softened. “Thank you for telling me. Let me work so we can get you healthy again.”
Vala stepped between his spread legs. As she wiped away the excess blood on Thorin’s chest, his warmth caressed her as his scent surrounded her.
Vala’s heart thumped faster as memories of being even closer to Thorin threatened to spill into her mind.
Needing a distraction, she asked, “What happened?”
A general had no obligation to tell a mere Barren what had transpired. But Thorin replied without hesitation, “I was attacked by an unknown enemy.”
She met his gaze again. “Be more specific. Should I be worried?”
He smiled. “I admire you asking for the facts instead of going into hysterics.”
Looking back to his wound, she clicked on the disinfectant light and began cleaning his injuries. “If the situation was life-threatening, you wouldn’t be sitting in my quarters. Even with your cuts, you’d be on the command deck giving orders.”
“You are clever, Vala Yarlen. I should stop doubting you.”
She did look up at his face at that. As they stared into one another’s eyes, Vala wished with her whole heart she could have Thorin as her own. She had a hard time believing any other male would see past her status to treat her equally, let alone praise her. “Stating the obvious wastes time. Tell me what happened and maybe I can help.”
Thorin snorted before grunting. “Don’t make me laugh.” She merely raised her eyebrows and Thorin added, “Everyone in the engineering department has vanished. I’m fairly certain they were taken via some kind of teleportation.”
She blinked but quickly recovered. “I want to hear the rest, but I need to fix you up. So talk while I work.”
He grinned. “Aye, aye, sir.”
Shaking her head, she went back to work cleaning his wound so she could stitch him up.
Thorin explained the disappearances, the overloaded engines, and the flickering personal force field armor. She had nearly finished laser stitching the deepest wound on his chest when he stated, “So as much as it pains me to say it, our trip will be delayed. But do not fear, Vala, because I will ensure you reach Jasvar, no matter how long it takes.”
At the determination in his voice, she met his eyes once more. Only truth reflected in his blue gaze.
If he weren’t in pain and the ship in possible danger, Vala would chance kissing him. Thorin was a more honorable and caring male than she had ever imagined.
Clearing her throat, she nodded her head and moved to his back. “You think someone might be trying to stop this ship from reaching Jasvar. Do you think it’s connected to your original secret mission, to find the traitors?”
“None of this technology could be Kelderan. Only if they hired an unknown mercenary force to sabotage the ship could this be related, and that would take more funds than I think they have at their disposal.”
She finished wiping the blood away and began cleaning the next gash. “You have spent the past few years mostly away from Keldera and I think you don’t understand how tense the situation has become between the anti- and promonarchy factions. Each has been secretly gaining support from prominent businesses and citizens. The funds are possible. All it would take is a merchant trader sympathizer to go into space and meet with pirates to facilitate a deal with a mercenary group.”
“That would require a phenomenal amount of planning to keep the plot a secret from the Kelderan Army headquarters and their spies.”
“Still, it could be possible.”
Thorin looked over his shoulder. “It seems I need to learn more about what’s been happening on Keldera in my absence. I will look into your theory.”
Bobbing her head, she switched the cleaning light to stitch mode and tackled the large gash on his back. “I hope I’m wrong, but it’s always best to check every avenue.”
“Of course. And you are right about me not knowing the situation on Keldera as well as you. While you work, will you tell me about recent clashes and tensions between the two factions? I’m sure not all of it was put into the official record.”
As she began telling him what she knew, a sense of peace came over Vala. She had to admit being looked to for guidance and knowledge could become addictive.
It could also lead to trouble.
Focusing on Thorin’s wounds and updating him on the current faction statuses on Keldera, Vala forgot about everything else.
~~~
Thorin listened to Vala’s soothing voice as she told him facts and events surrounding the factions on Keldera. Ever since stepping foot inside her quarters, no vision or urge had made an appearance.
Well, almost none. He was fairly certain she’d been about to kiss him and he had wanted to pull her close and devour her mouth.
He’d resisted, as his duty required. He needed medical attention so he could perform his best, and he would suffer it. But then he needed to investigate Vala’s suggestions as well as check in with Syzel and Ryven. He simply didn’t have time to steal a kiss.
Still, he reveled in the softness of her delicate fingers as she worked. A male could get used to such a touch.
However, Vala’s growl garnered his attention. “I don’t think you’re paying attention.”
“I apologize. I’m having a hard time concentrating.”
She moved to in front of him once more and took his chin between her fingers. “Are you ill? Do you feel about to faint? Tell me any and all symptoms. And don’t display a brave warrior front, either. This ship needs you.”
Thorin should simply dismiss her words and look away. But as if someone else were controlling his body, he raised a hand to touch her arm. Lightly stroking her skin, he murmured, “I’m a little weak from blood loss, but that’s not the reason.”
Vala’s voice was breathy as she asked, “Then what’s going on?”
“It’s best not to say.”
Vala studied his gaze, but Thorin remained silent. She finally sighed. “Stubborn warrior.”
On anyone else, the words would make him frown. But not coming from his Vala.
He mentally cursed. The female wasn’t his and never could be.
Still, as he took in her assessing, intelligent eyes, he had an idea. But first, he needed to ask Vala a question. “If I gave you personal lessons in defense, do you think you could handle any possible threats?”
“What threats? You dismissed me as your mistress. No one will pay any attention to me.”
“Just answer the question.”
“No. Tell me the full truth or I’ll clear you for duty and you can leave my room.”
When all she did was raise her eyebrows, he sighed. “I’m not sure how I ever thought you were meek.” She shrugged and turned away from him to clean up her supplies. As much as he liked watching her work, each second that passed was time taken away from solving the engineering mystery. He finally spoke up again. “You have knowledge that can help regarding current events on Keldera. I think you should remain my mistress to the eyes of everyone aboard the ship.”
She stilled. “What about finding the traitors? They may be related, and I can overhear information much easier if I’m merely another Barren instead of the general’s mistress.”
“Perhaps. But there are others who I can enlist to help. I’ve been keeping this mission a secret, but a good general knows how to lean on those he trusts. My only concern is your safety, but private self-defense and weapons use lessons will rectify that.”
Vala placed her last instrument inside her bag and slowly turned to face him. Since her expression was unreadable, he merely waited.
After a few more seconds, she cleared her throat. “I will give my preliminary permission, but once things calm down, I want to go over the rules and expectations.”
Thorin stood and took a step toward Vala. “What rules and expectations? Now it’s your turn to be specific.”
As he closed the distance between them, Vala’s cheeks heated. When she spoke, her voice wasn’t much more than a whisper. “I-I want to help control your urges and visions.”
Memories of Vala’s cry as she orgasmed filled his mind. “Anything else?”
“We can talk about it later. There are more important things to worry about.”
He raised a hand and cupped her cheek. He loved how Vala leaned into his palm. “Then let’s seal our temporary agreement.”
“But your duties.”
“A few seconds will help keep me focused and my visions away. Isn’t that what you offered to do?”
When she nodded quickly, Thorin leaned down and gently kissed her. He took his time nibbling her lips before he stopped and pulled his head away enough to see Vala’s eyes. “You need to gather your things and move into my quarters. If anyone looks suspicious, you call me immediately. I’ll set up the AI system to recognize your voice and to give you clearance for my emergency line.”
He kissed her once more before letting go and walking to the door. “I won’t keep you locked up again. But I hope that you’ll stay in my quarters until things calm down a fraction.”
“I’ll try, but if things worsen, I’m going to go where my help is needed the most.”
“That I can understand. Until later, Vala.”
Thorin forced himself to exit the room.
Once he retrieved a restorative drink at the first replicator machine he came across, he walked briskly toward the elevator. Armed with new knowledge and a lightness to his soul that could only be because of Vala, Thorin was refreshed and ready to tackle the latest threat.