Starkissed. Part 2

"You would beg for his life, wouldn't you? And more. Would you do more to save the Rep?" he added suggestively.

"What do you want me to do, Steve?" she asked again, her voice soft and compliant. Anything to save them. Anything to keep Steve's mind off the Blaser and the Commander. Her stomach heaved, but she would do anything at all to save their lives.

"I should take you here, in front of the Rep. Let Wiley and Phillips have a turn, to be fair. But we don't have the time." He moved the Blaser away from the Commander. "Get him on his feet, boys."

How many human men would have wisely kept silent during the ordeal instead of allowing their male pride to antagonize Steve further? She had said entirely too much, endangering the Commander and herself, out of habit. She had to keep in mind that Steve had crossed over into some uncharted territory in his own mind and wasn't the same man she was used to dealing with.

She forced a smile on her trembling lips to encourage the Commander. He tilted his head to the side and blinked once.

"Let's move out. We're running behind schedule, and we all know that McClure s.h.i.+pping prides itself on being on time. Let's get them down to the restraining cells." Steve let Wiley and Phillips lead the Commander out before taking Leith by the arm.

They walked down the corridor to the hold doors that parted when Wiley placed his hand on the identipad. Stairs to the left curved down into the cavernous hold, the restraining cells to the right.

Isolated in s.p.a.ce, light years from the nearest planet or Galactic Police Station, all but the smallest s.h.i.+ps included some kind of restraining area. The Galaxian boasted two small cells replete with waste facilities, mini-Liquidators, pull-down bunks, and comm pads. Used by s.p.a.ce-drunk crewmembers more often than dangerous criminals, the cells weren't meant to be uncomfortable.

As they entered the anteroom, Leith blinked against the cold harsh lighting. Steve immediately went to the console and keyed in settings until he was satisfied.

"Throw the Rep in Cell One," he ordered.

Wiley and Phillips shoved the Commander into the small chamber to the left. His bulk kept him from falling to the floor. He stumbled a few steps then turned and looked at Steve unblinking. "You will die."

Steve laughed and punched a key. The forcefield s.h.i.+mmered across the width of the cell. "Not today, Rep, and not by your hand."

Once again, Steve didn't get it. The Commander was a vitally important officer in the Zi Force. His kidnapping and death would create an interstellar incident. As a result, the Zi would hunt down Steve and exact their revenge. In the most gruesome manner possible, Leith hoped.

Steve stepped around the console, his Blaser on Leith. "Wiley, Phillips, get up front with Carter. I'l take care of her."

After they'd gone, Steve pushed her forward. She glanced one last time at the Commander before she walked into the cell.

"Too bad, Leith. We could have had it all, you and me. But now, I'l have it all." He walked back around the console and punched a b.u.t.ton. The forcefield s.h.i.+mmered into place.

"You'l never get away with it," Leith said. "How are you going to explain our deaths to the Galactic Police, the Zi government, and my parents?"

"Your deaths? Oh, didn't I tell you? You're not going to die, Leith, either of you. Well, we all die eventually, of course, but you won't die soon. If I were going to kill you, you'd be orbiting Arreis now." He hummed an eerie mix of nonsensical notes as he concentrated on fine-tuning the controls.

"You see, my original plan was to jettison the Rep into deep s.p.a.ce-without a suit of course. You were supposed to have fallen in love with me by now. I would have easily talked you into staying behind so that you wouldn't have known anything about this at all. Then, when you wouldn't cooperate, I thought I'd keep you around for fun." He shook his head sadly. "But after that nasty scene I found in your cabin, I don't think I could stand to touch you now. The thought makes my skin crawl, if you'l pardon the expression."

He checked the chronometer. "I wanted to jettison you both, but I decided that's too quick, too humane. I want you to suffer for disrupting my plans. I have something else in mind for you." He headed for the door. "Sorry, but I have to run. We're meeting the Crucians soon, and I have to prepare. Not to worry, Rep. I won't tell them you're here. They'd insist on taking you into custody, and that would spoil my plans for you."

"Steve! Wait-" Leith called after him, but he just laughed and left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind him, the anteroom lights went out. Huge squares of light from their cells fell across the anteroom floor, and their shadows created blurry shapes within. The Commander was standing in the center of his cell as she had seen him last.

"Are you all right?" she asked, remembering the blow he had taken from the b.u.t.t of Steve's Blaser.

"The bleeding ha.s.ss ssstopped," he said, knowing exactly what she asked.

She shook her head and smiled. A human man would have taken exception to the question, paced the cell like a caged animal, and spouted expletives and useless threats. The Commander's quiet dignity was more comforting to her than a thousand a.s.surances that they were going to get out of this.

"Why did you sssmile?"

Briefly, she thought he could see through their adjoining wall, but she had never heard of any special abilities of the Zi. He had to refer to something else.

"When?" she asked.

"In your cabin, before they led usss here."

"Oh." She recalled how she had smiled at him, and he had tilted his head and blinked once. "I don't know really. To let you know I was holding up. Or maybe because humans have the peculiar habit of smiling in the face of adversity."

"Sss't, I sssee. What isss thisss forcefield?"

She had to think quickly to keep up with him. "I'm no electrotech, but I think it's some sort of low-voltage impulse field. Not enough to kill, but enough to make you-"

His shadow moved, and she heard the crackle, sizzle, pop as he tried to breach the forcefield.

"No, Commander, don't!"

Her cry came too late, but he probably wouldn't have heeded her warning anyway. His shadow oscillated, his feet leaving the floor. The electric cacophony escalated, the high-pitched squeal piercing her eardrums. She threw her hands over her ears, but her eyes remained affixed to his blurred shadow. She smelled scorched leather and burnt wool.

"Commander! Let go!" She tried to yell loud enough to be heard over the. "Can you hear me? Let go!"

His shadow moved again. As it disappeared altogether, she heard him hit the wall. With a final sizzling pop, the noise ceased. Then she heard nothing from the next cell.

She stepped to the adjoining wall, placing the flat of her palms on it. Now, she wished she had special powers and could walk right through it. Was he hurt? Dead?

"Commander? Commander, can you hear me?" She held her breath and strained to hear the slightest indication that he was alive-the sc.r.a.pe of a boot, the rustle of clothing, an exhalation of breath, anything. "Please, Commander, answer me! I can't tell if you're dead or alive."

Then she heard movement. "I am alive."

She rested her forehead on the wall and breathed again. "Are you all right?"

"No, I...I think I am all left."

She laughed a little, collapsing against the wall when she realized his command of Terran Standard wasn't as perfect as she had thought. Right, left. It made sense in a way.

"Did I sssay sssomething amusssing?" he asked stiffly.

"No, no." Now was not the time for an English lesson. "I laughed in relief. I was afraid your physiology might not be able to withstand the charges from the forcefield."

"I am sssinged, but there isss no permanent damage."

"Good. Can you stand?" She had yet to see his shadow again.

"In a moment."

"That was dumb."

"Yesss, I agree."

She paced the width of the cell, giving him time to recover. After a few minutes, she saw his shadow stand upright slowly. He walked with a limp.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It isss not your fault. I had to sssee if I could break through the barrier."

"No, I mean I'm sorry Steve turned into a crazy dorgian. I'm sorry my thoughtless remarks caused Steve to hit you. And I'm sorry for not seeing what was coming so I could stop it. I haven't been paying too much attention lately."

"Your father'sss illnesss."

"My father's illness has me worried, of course. But no, not to the point of being unable to think of other things." She bit her lip. Whatever Steve had planned for them would result in their untimely deaths. She could be no less than honest now. "I didn't want to take over McClure s.h.i.+pping. I didn't want to leave the safe and secure niche I had made for myself back home on Earth."

"What isss your niche?"

"The university, working toward my master's. That was something I knew and could deal with. Then my father contracted Peridotian Snow Fever. For the Peridots, it's no more harmful than a common cold, but for humans it can be fatal. Fortunately, Dad's was caught in time. He's been bedridden for about three months with another six months to go. Then there will be more treatments, and he should be back to normal in another few months. My mother was given the antidote in time, and she refuses to leave his side. His condition is serious, but they're expecting a full recovery."

"That isss good to know. I have much ressspect for Cameron."

"Thank you." Suddenly tired, she sat on the floor, resting her back against the adjoining wall. "The strange thing is, no one knows how he caught the Fever. The doctors said that he had to have come into contact with a Peridot who was in the final stages, that's when it's contagious to humans. But Dad hadn't been off Earth during the time he was supposed to have contracted it. And Customs is very careful to check anyone coming to Earth for certain diseases."

"Had Hanc.o.c.k been off-Earth before that?"

"I don't know. What makes you ask?" Then she understood what he meant. "You can't think- Steve wouldn't risk exposing Dad to Snow Fever. It could have killed him!"

"I think that wa.s.ss hisss plan."

Leith closed her eyes as her stomach tied into knots. Tears slipped from beneath her lashes. Steve couldn't intentionally hurt her father. Cameron McClure gave Steve his first job out of college. He trusted Steve with the business, giving him more and more responsibility over time. How could Steve betray that trust? Steve was the son Cameron didn't have, and the replacement for the daughter that wasn't interested.

"Then it is my fault. I should have taken more interest in McClure s.h.i.+pping. I should have been there for him."

"I do not think Cameron would blame you."

"No, he wouldn't, but that doesn't make it any less my fault." She buried her head in her arms.

J'Qhir heard the m.u.f.fled sounds, but said nothing. The sa'aloh wept. After all she had been through he had expected uncontrolled histrionics before now. He had been told that human sa'aloh'az were incapable of remaining calm under stress, especially when their cycles peaked. Either this was blatantly untrue or this sa'aloh was an exception.

He believed she was exceptional in many ways.

He walked the perimeter of the cell, looking for anything that could be used to his advantage. Burning pain shot up his right thigh, as if a knife drove into it with each step. His leg had bent under him at an unnatural angle when thrown from the forcefield. No bones were broken, but ligaments were stretched or torn. His left arm had almost ceased throbbing from where he'd charged the barrier. The left side of his head and both hands stung from electrical burns, but the raw flesh had already scabbed over. The Zi had the ability to regenerate skin growth at a rapid rate. Unfortunately, this ability didn't extend to ligaments, muscle, or internal organs.

The attack was "dumb", to use the sa'aloh's word, but he'd had to try. Another tenet of the Warrior: Always attempt the impossible. He had done his duty this time and had gained nothing but aches and pains and burns...and the contempt of the sa'aloh. Sometimes the impossible was improbable.

He surveyed the room-Liquidator, waste receptacle, comm panel. His hands were deadlier weapons than circuitry components! The bunks. He crossed the room in three painful strides and pulled the top one down. Wire mesh, surrounded by a soft aluminum frame, supported a thin mat.

If he broke off a piece of the frame, could he short-circuit the forcefield with it? He thought not... Always attempt the impossible. With a hiss of exasperation to duty and responsibility, he grabbed one of the shorter tubular ends and braced himself against the bunk with his left arm. He pulled with all his strength. The metal screeched as the wire mesh broke free. Waves of pain shot through his hand, and his left arm began to throb anew. He wanted to scream with the metal. Instead, he released the tube, now jutting out at an angle.

He collapsed to a sitting position, his back against the wall. He held his hand, palm up, in his lap and positioned his left arm so that the throbbing was minimal. He breathed heavily, waiting for the pain to subside.

"What are you doing?" the sa'aloh called to him.

He inhaled deeply. "The imposssible."

"Did it work?"

"No."

"I thought not."

Shame washed over him. As the Warrior he was bound to protect those in his care. At the moment, the sa'aloh was under his protection, even if she was human, and he failed again and again to save her as well as himself. He had been able to save his people many times over. Why couldn't he save one small sa'aloh?

"Have you hurt yourself again?"

"Not again." He looked down at the torn scabs on his hand. In a few hours he would be able to try again. Perhaps by the time his skin regenerated, the rest of him would be well enough to make the attempt.

"Commander?"

"Yesss..." he said, trying to keep the discouragement from his voice.

"I'm going to try to sleep now." He heard her lower the bunk. "I suggest you do the same. Get some rest. We don't know what Steve will do next. We may have only a few hours. Lights zero."

He listened as she sat on the bunk, the metal creaking. Then she stretched out, her clothing brus.h.i.+ng the mattress cover as she found a position so she could rest. He imagined her lying as she had on the bed in her cabin, her pink lips moist and slightly parted, her round eyes changing from blue to green.

He thrust himself up in one motion. The sudden movement set his leg on fire, and the throbs doubled in his shoulder. He welcomed the pain as it overcame another, more inappropriate bodily reaction. By the sands, why did the human sa'aloh do this to him?

Breathing heavily, he let down the lower bunk. Careful of sore muscles, he stretched out, his feet dangling over the end. In the name of the rock, sleep sounded like a luxury he needed to help his body heal.

"Lightsss zero," he murmured and closed his eyes.

When Leith settled down on her bunk, she didn't think she would be able to sleep. Her mind wouldn 't shut down, racing over the events of the past few hours and trying to make sense of Steve's betrayal. She had listened as the bunk groaned beneath the Commander's weight and he turned off the light. Some time later, she had finally fallen asleep.

Now, as she woke, her heart thudded wildly. A sound lingered in the air, a faint echo reverberating at the edge of her consciousness. Had the Commander called out?

She sat up, swinging her legs over the side. Strategically placed nightlights, creating a muted glow in the anteroom and cells, dispelled the darkness. She heard it again, the sound that woke her-a distant thump somewhere in the hold.

"Commander?"

"Yesss, I hear it. It ssseemsss Hanc.o.c.k completed hisss deal with the Cruciansss."

She dropped back onto the bunk and closed her eyes. The waiting was worse than Steve holding a Blaser on her. This time it was easy to fall back asleep. Too easy.

The next time she woke, Phillips brought foodpacks. She shaded her eyes against the anteroom light while he keyed in a code to release the forcefield a few centimeters from the floor. By her watch it had been three hours since Steve locked them up. Phillips shoved several packs in each cell, then quickly reset the forcefield.

"That'l take care of you for a while," he growled.

"You know my father will never rest until he finds out the truth," Leith began, but Phillips scurried out without acknowledging her, and the anteroom light went out.

She closed her eyes again and heard the crinkle of a foodpack wrapper and then the crunch of freeze-dried food as the Commander ate. Her appet.i.te gone, the thought of food made her sick.

"Eat, sa'aloh. You need to keep up your ssstrength for the ta.s.ssksss ahead."