12 Second Thoughts

 

Abby

Abby roused with a groan and stretched to work the kink out of her neck. She’d spent an uncomfortable, long night in the chair by her father’s bed.

No, not a bed.

Her hand drifted over the lid of the strange see-through coffin. As frightening as it looked, it was the only thing keeping him alive. She’d memorized the pattern of lights and symbols on the console and was relieved to see they hadn’t changed while she slept.

She glanced over to find Ash wide awake in the nearby chair. He looked grim and had been very quiet since the rescue.

“Thank you for staying with us. Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something to eat,” she offered as she approached him.

“No. I need to go get your mother. I wanted to be sure you were fine first.” He abruptly stood.

She tried to give him a hug but he sidestepped her and headed for the door.

“Ash?” Abby grabbed his hand, confused by his demeanor.

“I’ve been thinking, maybe it would be best if you returned to Earth with Hope and your parents once Brennan has been healed,” Ash said gruffly as he pulled away.

“Wait. What?” Abby’s eyes widened. The comment completely blindsided her.

“I must go get ready.” His tone was curt.

“Not before you tell me what that was about,” she insisted.

“It’s for the best,” he rumbled with a bitter shake of his head then stormed out the door, leaving her behind in shock.

She was still standing there with confused tears running down her cheeks when Aculus entered the clinic carrying several plates of food.

“Mmm, that smells good.” Hope roused in her chair.

“It’s for you. What is wrong, Abby?” Aculus asked as he handed Hope a platter.

“Is something wrong with Dad?” Hope looked at their father in panic.

“No, Dad’s the same.” Abby shook her head. “Ash just broke up with me,” she sobbed.

“I don’t understand?” Hope swiftly enveloped her in a hug.

“I don’t either.”

“Where is that male?” Aculus asked, looking perturbed on her behalf.

“He’s going to get my mom.”

“I’ll go talk to him, Abby.”

“You do that, and give him a piece of my mind,” Hope snarled as Aculus left.

“I don’t understand what I did, or what changed. He was so upset when he thought I was refusing him. This is a complete about face.” She collapsed into a chair.

Abby replayed everything since Ash rescued her. They spent the night in the clinic with her father, and though Ash barely said two words, she assumed it was because of the somber situation they were facing.

I bet you’d have some profound advice. She looked down at her dad.

Then again, he would probably just want to knock sense into Ash. He was, after all, a military man through and through. When she was little and afraid of the dark, her tough as nails father would make a big deal of scoping out her closet and under the bed, frightening away the monsters. He was her hero.

But laying here still as death, her dad looked so vulnerable—so human, and there were some things in life you couldn’t battle with your fists. In fact, in the last year, since Pro went missing, she’d seen how truly vulnerable he was. She watched him struggle with the devastating realization he couldn’t hold back the dark. That almost killed her more than losing her sister.

Abby barked out an incredulous laugh as things clicked in place. Ash and her dad weren’t that different.

“Are you okay?” Hope asked with a concerned frown.

“Yep.” She stood and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To knock some sense into my husband.”

“Good and he could probably use help retrieving Mom. If Ash thinks we’re a handful, he hasn’t met Carol Murray.”

“No doubt. Who else could put up with our stubborn SOB of a father?” And I learned from the best.

She jogged to the loading bay to catch Ash before he could take off.

“This discussion is done, Aculus. I need to leave,” Ash growled.

Abby stepped around the back of the cruiser to see her husband squaring off against Aculus. She didn’t need to see his face to know he was agitated. Ash’s shoulders were stiff, his tail flicking rapidly. The state he was in he wouldn’t hear a word she had to say, let alone permit her to tag along.

Stowaway, party of one. She tiptoed toward the cruiser ramp.

Aculus glanced past Ash’s shoulder. She put a finger to her lips and shook her head, hoping the bony warrior would keep silent.

“Fine. It’s your life to ruin, Ashtoret. Here.” Aculus tossed Ash a package. “Cartil thought you might need a tranquilizer once you locate their mother.”

“I’m not tranquilizing their mother. That’s reprehensible,” Ash snarled.

Aw, isn’t he sweet. Abby smiled as she ducked into the cruiser then hid.

Ash stomped up the ramp and entered the cruiser. She held her breath when he paused in the loading bay, then let it out when he moved on to the control room. The cruiser takeoff was so smooth she almost didn’t notice. It took less than ten minutes to reach Earth, so she counted it off. If she emerged too soon the stubborn man would probably just turn around.

Four hundred and ninety-eight, four hundred and ninety-nine, five hundred. Ready or not here I come.

Abby stood and made her way to the bridge. Ash swung around the instant the door slid open.

“I thought your scent was too strong,” he rumbled.

“Well, you shouldn’t have been so stubborn,” she countered and sat down.

“You are the stubborn one. You will stay on the cruiser. It’s not safe for you.”

“Funny, cause you were just saying I should come back home when Dad gets patched up. Which is it, Ash? Is or isn’t my home safe enough?”

“You’re staying on the ship,” Ash growled as he walked over to the wall and opened a hidden panel.

“And how do you plan to make me once we land?”

“We’re not landing.” He cast her a smug smile then peeled off his kilt and clapped on the weird bony armor. It was freaky watching it grow and slide over his skin when he squeezed his wrist.

Two can play at this game.

Abby got up and stalked over to the recessed closet and began stripping off her clothes.

“What are you doing?” Ash’s eyes widened as she placed the armored plates on her arms and legs. The pieces were a bit large but she made them work.

“What does it look like?”

She cast him a saccharine sweet smile, though she really wanted to shake off the weird armor that adhered to her skin. Abby took a deep breath and pressed the knotty ridge on her wrist.

Oh, mother of hell, she cursed as the armor came alive and climbed up her arms and legs, like she was being overtaken by the blob. Don’t freak or Ash will leave your ass behind, she told herself when the bony shell crept over her mouth and eyes. Thank heaven she discovered she could breathe easily. This gives a new meaning to seeing red, she blinked, adjusting to the creepy lenses.

Ash huffed and stalked off. She quickly followed him to the belly of the ship. It was odd how the armor moved with her, making her steps feel lighter than normal. It was actually kind of cool.

“Go back to the control room.” Ash opened the hatch.

Fuck me. Abby gaped at the opening and the ground far below. Well, if Pro can jump out of a plane, I can, too. Of course, she usually had a parachute.

“Nope. After you.” She gestured to the opening.

“Abby,” he snarled vehemently.

She cringed. Somehow the man made her hate her actual name. She far preferred it when he called her Peanut.

“Ash,” she growled back with just as much frustration.

“When you land, tuck and roll,” he grumbled and leapt out of the cruiser.

“I need to have my head examined.” Abby moved to the edge of the hatch, took a deep breath then stepped off the edge.

The wind whipped past her as the ground came up fast. It was quite a rush. Surprisingly she was able to identify her Nana’s house before she had to concentrate on landing in the park below.

This is so fucking crazy. Abby bent her knees as she hit the grass. She straightened up rather than roll, and the momentum sent her leaping into the air. It was shocking at first, but she giggled as she vaulted over the top of the palms and came back down on the opposite side of the small park. She stopped laughing when she saw a stunned little old man walking his yorkie. He clutched his chest like he was about to have a heart attack.

“We’re filming for a movie.” Abby pointed to nonexistent cameras in the bushes. “Aren’t the special effects great?”

The bald guy nodded and hustled off, dragging his micro mutt.

“What was that?” Ash stormed up to her. “I knew you should’ve stayed on the cruiser.” He took her hand and headed out of the park.

“It’s a good thing I came. Nana’s house is that way.” She pointed the opposite direction.

Ash spun and started jogging with her. Abby ran beside him. The bony suit made it easier. It was early enough that not too many people were up and about, but it wouldn’t be long before the retirement community would fill with seniors cruising in their golf carts. Abby tugged Ash into the tall fountain grass as they reached Nana’s house.

“That’s my mom,” she pointed to Carol drinking coffee on the lanai. “Give me a minute. Hey, Mom,” she hollered.

“Peanut?” Her mom glanced toward the stand of grass. “What are you doing over there?”

“Where’s Nana?”

“At breakfast with the blue-hairs from bingo.” Carol stood and approached.

“Don’t come any further. Just go inside, Mom, and I’ll follow you.”

“All right, Peanut.” Carol frowned but went inside and she followed her into the kitchen. “What’s this all about?” Her mother paused.

“Don’t turn around just yet.” Abby pressed the spot on her wrist and the armor receded.

“Abby, I had no idea you were coming today. I’ve been trying to reach you, Hope and your dad.” Carol turned, and her eyes widened. “What the hell are you doing naked?”

“I don’t have time to explain. Get a small bag with your contacts and meds.”

“You don’t have time to tell me why you’re running around wearing nothing but some weird shin and wrist guards? I’m just supposed to pack.”

“Yes, please,” she replied, exasperated.

“Fine!” Carol threw up her hands and stalked off.

 

Ashtoret de Origa

 

His handheld pinged and Ashtoret swiped it.

“Get the females’ mother and get back here fast. We picked up a trio of X class vessels entering the solar system. They look like battle cruisers and are closing in fast despite the cloaking array,” Aculus growled.

“Jurou Biljana?”

“Could be, but I don’t recognize the ships.”

“Torment,” Ashtoret cursed and hustled into the house. “We need to go now.” He paused, seeing Abby standing by the counter nude, then shook it off

“Mom’s getting a few things and I’m just finishing a note to Nana. Go back outside and hide, please. I still don’t know how we’re going to manage getting her on the cruiser.”

“There are three unknown vessels approaching. I’ve directed the cruiser to land in the park we were just in.”

“Sweet Jesus,” a woman screeched.

He turned to see an older version of Abby frozen in the doorway. Carol rushed to her daughter and tugged her away from him. If he wasn’t in such a foul mood he would’ve been impressed with Carol’s bravery.

“Mom, stop!”

“Run, Peanut. Please, run!” Carol grabbed a pan and wielded it like a mace. “Don’t come any closer!” she bellowed.

He had to dodge left to avoid her swing.

“Calm down, Mom. Stop!”

“I told you to run!” Carol yelled again.

“Just tranq her before she rouses the whole neighborhood, Ash.”

“I can’t do that to a female.” His eyes widened at Abby’s callous suggestion.

“It’s growling.” Carol’s eyes widened, and her terror grew.

“Fine!” Abby sidestepped her mother and grabbed the injector off his chest plate. “Sorry, Mom.”

“Sorry for what?” Carol looked panicked.

Abby pressed the injector against her mother’s arm and Carol went lax. He swiftly grabbed the female before she could hit the floor.

“Thanks for catching her. Let me grab her bag and let’s get going.” Abby walked out of the room and returned carrying a small bag and her armor back in place.

He situated Carol in his arms and headed out the door with Abby at his side.

“It’s clear.”

“That is always so weird to see.” Abby nodded toward the cloaked cruiser descending in the park at the end of the street.

Osivoire tech was amazing. Anyone who glanced out their window would only see a slight wavering flicker.

“Um, Ash, we need to hurry.” She pointed down the street to a fleet of black vehicles closing in.

“Son of a metcor. Run, Abby!”

They stuck between the dwellings as they ran, but the human warriors were closer to the park than they were. Despite the cruiser being cloaked, the humans now knew what to look for.

“Fucking hell. They’ve surrounded the park,” Abby snapped as they crouched behind a vehicle.

There were a dozen dark-uniformed males stalking around the park and the nearby homes, weapons drawn.

“Get to the cruiser. I’ve got your mother.” He shielded Carol in case the oncoming warriors began firing their primitive disrupters.

“No, Ash. That won’t be enough. I’ll cover you.”

Before he could object, Abby snatched the disrupter strapped to his chest and burst from their hiding place behind the parked vehicle. Despite the bony shell she wore, he was still horrified watching her face off against the armed males.

“Aw torment,” he growled and sprinted after Abby.

She didn’t give the warriors any quarter as she started firing, dropping the humans left and right, clearing a path to the cruiser. His eyes widened when Abby spun and aimed the disrupter at him. The blast arced past his shoulder, taking out the male attempting to sneak up on his back. He was so focused on the diminutive Goddess of Vengeance he hadn’t noticed the warrior approaching.

Abby leapt onto the cruiser ramp and sprinted inside with him right behind her. She hunkered down at the entrance and kept firing till he made it into the loading bay with Carol.

“Come on. Come on,” Abby chanted at the closing hull door, while the uniformed humans kept coming.

He placed Carol out of harm’s way, grabbed another disrupter and spun to face the opening.

“Don’t be stupid,” Abby snarled at the male trying rush through the narrowing gap.

“Don’t drop him. He’ll block the opening.” Ashtoret fired a warning shot just above the male’s head.

The surprised human stumbled backward, and the hull sealed.

“Oh sweet mother of God, thank you! I was worried they’d send an air strike,” Abby declared with a sigh as he tapped on the nearby console to get the cruiser up in the air.

“You did good, unfortunately that was the least of our worries,” he rumbled, grabbed Carol and took her to the control room.

“Fuck! How could I forget? Shit, shit, shit. What do you think the aliens want?” Abby helped him strap her mother into a seat.

“I don’t know, but we’re getting out of here. Leave the shell on,” he insisted when she started to reach for her wrist.

He didn’t have time to dwell on the disturbing notion that their presence led some unknown species directly to Earth, making the cloaking array they just installed useless. He could add this to his long list of offenses later.

“Okay.” Abby sat and adjusted her harness.

“Damn.” The wedge-shaped foreign cruisers were hovering in the exosphere separating them from the main ship. “Aculus, we have a problem!” he bellowed over the open channel.

“I’m well aware. We were just given a warning to clear out,” the bony warrior growled.

“They hailed you? Who is it?”

“Hailed us. Not exactly. There’s a fresh set of blast marks on the surface of the moon. I’m well-armed, but not against three X class ships.” Aculus sounded harried which was saying something.

“Stay at a safe distance and we’ll follow you,” he snarled in frustration.

“Oh shit.” Abby gripped the armrest.

Ashtoret skimmed Earth’s surface, heading for the opposite side of the globe. One of the damnable cruisers broke off from the others and tracked his moves.

“Damn you to Vrag,” he cursed.

He dodged toward the southern pole, but the cruiser followed.

“Blessed Kali!” He slowed his ascent and the foreign vessel also halted just outside the atmosphere. “They’ll intercept us wherever we emerge,” he rumbled.

“Shit. What are we going to do?” Abby worried her lip.

“I’m working on that. This is why I wanted you to stay on the main ship.”

“Concentrate on that battleship and yell at me later.”

She has a point, he huffed and turned his attention back to the cruiser hounding them.

His cruiser was smaller. That meant agility was on their side. But given the news from Aculus, the foreign vessels were armed to the teeth.

“If they want us so bad why are they just hovering out there?” Abby tilted her head as she stared at the screen.

Ashtoret’s gaze swung to the control panel. She was right. The foreign vessel was maintaining its altitude just outside the atmosphere.

“No,” he whispered incredulously.

“What?”

“I was just thinking these might be Miran Sona vessels, except I’ve never seen ones that look like this. Then again, I’ve only ever seen their collection vessels. But it would certainly explain why they arrived so fast and are keeping their distance.”

“So, let’s assume it’s them and they’re trying to protect Earth. Maybe we can just wait them out.”

“Not with Aculus’ vessel out there. The Miran Sona will go after them if they stay in your system.”

“What if we try to talk to them? You said you guys are friends,” she asked.

“We’re friends with a few of the Miran Sona. It’s a tenuous relationship with the others in our quadrant. We keep an eye on the human colony, but we’ve also absconded with a few of their colonists.”

“Oh. Well, shit.” She tapped her fingers on the armrest. Her head popped up. “Do you think their desire to avoid detection extends to our satellites?”

“It would garner unwanted attention if they damaged your orbiting equipment.”

“What if we use the satellites like shields?”

“That might actually work,” he replied as he stood.

“What are you doing?” Abby tilted her head.

“Since they don’t seem eager to come and get us, I’m going to take the opportunity to make sure your mother has all the protection available.” He grabbed another shell of armor from the recessed panel.

“I can put that on her.”

“No. Stay strapped in.” He wasn’t about have Abby take that harness off with the enemy out there.

He raised Carol’s sleeves and applied the armor, then did the same on her legs. He depressed the knot on the wrist plate and watched the armor expand, shredding her clothes with the spiky ridges to cover her completely.

“Thank you.” Abby smiled gratefully at him.

Ashtoret nodded and strapped back into his seat.