Mercenary Abduction (Alien Abduction)

Mercenary Abduction

By

Eve Langlais

(Alien Abduction, Book #4)

Copyright and Disclaimer

Copyright © January 2013, Eve Langlais

Cover Art by Amanda Kelsey © January 2013

Edited by Brandi Buckwine

Copy Edited by Brienna Roberston

Produced in Canada

Published by Eve Langlais

1606 Main Street, PO Box 151

Stittsville, Ontario, Canada, K2S1A3

http://www.EveLanglais.com

ISBN: 978 – 1 – 927459 – 29 - 4

Mercenary Abduction
is a work of fiction and the characters, events and dialogue found within the story are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is completely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without permission in writing from the author.

Description

Makl is looking to become the greatest mercenary the universe has known. In true family tradition,

he leaves a trail of mayhem and bodies wherever he goes, steals the most priceless of items, ravishes females left and right. But his days of causing havoc end when he comes across the biggest prize of all – a human barbarian.

Fooled into thinking her a priceless virgin and captivated by her pale-skinned, two-breasted

frame, he abducts her, or at least means to. His plan goes somewhat awry. The not-so-innocent human

becomes his partner in crime instead of his prisoner, and together they form an unstoppable duo. Tales of their misdeeds and budding passion become a universal sensation, but there’s no room in a mercenary’s life for a mate. Or is there?

For the first time in his life, the
Mercenary’s Guide to Prosperity
doesn’t have an answer to Makl’s questions, and there’s no visible threat for him to kill. What’s a poor, purple mercenary to do?

Admit he’s in love – or ditch the delectable human?

An excerpt from a tattered copy of A Mercenary’s Guide to Prosperity.

(Chapter Seven, titled, ‘Should I Follow a Religion or God?’)

First you need to understand, gods exist. Stop laughing and scoffing, because they do. Some are

minor, some major, each featuring differing powers and spheres of influence. Some prefer to stick to one galaxy or solar system, others roam the universe. You’ll encounter them during your travels. It’s

inevitable, however, it is up to the individual mercenary to decide whether he will follow any, and which.

Advantages are possible when you decide to worship a deity such as added strength or

invulnerability, but keep in mind, all things come with a price. Involving yourself in the religion of one god may put you at odds with the tenets of another. In some cases, this might mean war, so see Appendix Thirty-nine for a proper listing of rates to charge in case your mercenary services are required for hire.

Returning to the issue of gods – joining a religion, or not, is up to you. Study your options well,

though, because once you make your choice, it’s usually for life. For a full roster of the various

documented deities, please read,
Gods of the Universe
(in alphabetical order) by Sualc Atnas, available universe-wide wherever alcohol, pornography, and weapons of mass destruction are sold. Locations that do not carry copies should be reported so that a member from the mercenary order might show the shop

owners the advantage in carrying such a prized manual.

While we highly recommend the purchase of the guide to
Gods of The Universe
(available in

electronic download, subliminal feed, a pallet of stone tablets, and even outlawed printed paper), we feel it important to note the existence of one god in particular, a deity who bears the most watching. He goes by many names; Llokii, Puuka, Murphy, among others. A more pesky character you’ll never meet.

While this particular god seems to ascribe to male characteristics, he belongs to no known race.

As a matter of fact, no one can agree on his natural form as he seems capable of changing it at will, a shape-shifter who can wear any guise and appear in numerous places at once. He does not seem to strive for power or domination, nor does he seem to crave wealth. Is he good or evil? Again, he doesn’t seem to really care, although, he does seem to find humor sometimes in his antics.

Murphy’s esoteric strength is difficult to gauge, for while he doesn’t physically destroy, he can

topple empires sometimes with a single meaningless act or word. He seems to exist nowhere, and yet his influence can crop up anywhere. I’ve heard many swear even our innermost thoughts are not secure.

Phantom or actual being? It depends on who you ask and what you believe, but all agree he is

cunning. Unpredictable. Vain. Powerful. Subtle. Blatant. Most of all, though, he is never to be

underestimated.

To the few he befriends, he is an invaluable asset and ally. To those who’ve done him ill…expect

the unexpected, for Murphy follows one rule, one tenet, one law above all, and it can be summed up

simply: if it can go wrong, it will.

To avoid him, never, ever, not for a single moment, ever say aloud, or even think you have

everything thought out. Never brag you have the perfect plan or a foolproof idea. Cockiness will draw his attention and then…you better hope you have a Plan B, but prepare for Plan C or D, because with Murphy, you can never predict a sure outcome.

But we can guarantee one thing. If he’s set his sights on you, then you are most assuredly frukxed!

In the obsidian galaxy, far, far away…

The holographic monocle over his eye zoomed in on his target. Lying flat on his stomach atop a

gently sloped, slightly gritty, surfaced roof, Makl kept his movements to a minimum. Given the various notices prohibiting anyone but those with valid work permits access to his location, he did his best to remain out of sight, not an easy task for a warrior who preferred the limelight. For several galactic units now he’d ignored the rumble in his stomach, the itch in his side, and the one frukxing rock digging into his thigh. He tuned out all the discomforts and distractions a boring stakeout tempted a male with.

Nevertheless, a need for surreptitiousness or not, he knew better than to ignore his Aunt Muna’s

transmission, the insistent buzzing persistent in his ear.

“Auntie, to what do I owe the pleasure?” he purred, even as he meticulously noted the placement

and rotation of cameras outside the establishment he cased. Also documented in his notes was how many guards patrolled and at what intervals.

“I trust you’re being a good soldier and bringing the family honor?” Aunt Muna didn’t waste time

on trivialities such as “Hello,” and, “How are you?”

“Following in the footsteps of the great ones,” he answered as he jotted his findings into his

holographic notebook. It and the tool over his eye were some of the best technology he’d ever come

across – and stolen.

“In other words, you’re fornicating, thieving, and murdering.”

He couldn’t help but smile at her blunt summary. “As often as I can.”

“Excellent. Keep up the good work. Your mother would have been so proud. If you could, though,

in between causing havoc and mayhem, I need you to perform an errand for me.”

“I’m kind of busy at the moment.” Busy planning out his next move and investigating his target, a

heist destined to put him at the top of a few wanted lists. He couldn’t wait to see the headshots he’d had professionally taken – by none other than the renowned photographer, Notromus – plastered on wanted

posters. After weeks of work with the famed artist, they’d finally come up with a portfolio to be proud of.

It took time and skill to achieve just the right look of menace mixed with insouciance. Nothing like

projecting the right image when carving his name in to history.

“You’re too busy?” Uh oh. Makl recognized his aunt’s tone. It didn’t bode well. “I’m sorry, did

you hear me say you had a choice, or would you prefer I tell Tren you were too occupied to help out

family?” Said so sweetly. Too softly.

Big uh oh. Makl swallowed hard. “Maybe I spoke too hastily. Did I hear you say this involves

Tren?” Family or not, no one wanted to rile that particular male. Makl’s older cousin tended to kill first and not care after. Tren – a legend in their family – said questions were for the uncertain. Mercenary rule number thirteen.

Aunt Muna cleared her throat. “Tren is caught up in some important affairs currently or he’d take

care of this himself. I think it’s a great honor he’s willing to trust you with this task.”

The high and mighty, infamous former mercenary, now turned cutthroat politician, needed his

help? Makl’s chest expanded several units. “Of course I’m available to aid him. Family comes first.”

“Excellent answer.”

“So what am I required for?” Assassination? Kidnapping? Hostage situation? Ooh, hopefully an

extremely difficult acquisition of a top-secret scientific breakthrough. Makl loved a challenge, and the gadgets such endeavors brought.

“It’s a highly sensitive mission of utmost importance.”

Makl paused in his note-taking, intrigued.

“Possibly dangerous.”

Sounded promising.

“It’s not something we can ask of anyone else.”

Better and better. Makl almost held his breath as he waited for her to get to the point.

“We need you to fetch a nanny.”

Removing his earpiece, Makl blew on it, rubbed it on his shirt, wiggled a finger in his ear, then

returned the hearing unit to his ear. “Excuse me, Auntie? I think I must have misunderstood. Could you repeat the mission?”

“You need to fetch us a nanny.”

He took a moment to process her words, looking for a hidden meaning. He came up with nothing.

“Nanny, as in someone who cares for an infant?”

“Of course. Do you know of any other type?” His aunt’s exasperation came through loud and

clear.

Well, excuse him, but the mission still made no sense. “Why would you need me to hire a nanny? I

have no bastards.” At least none that he was aware of.

“Not for you, idiot. For Tren.”

“He was careless enough to leave bastards behind? I’ll bet his mate isn’t happy about that.” He’d

met Megan, the shrill human who was insane enough to marry his cousin, and had to admit he didn’t see the attraction to the pale-skinned barbarian. Not that he’d mention that to his cousin’s face, not if he wanted to live.

“We don’t need a nanny for anyone’s bastards. The position is for his heir who has the mightiest

lungs and temper I’ve ever seen. He’ll be the greatest warrior ever when he grows up.” Aunt Muna

practically gushed and Makl bit back a growl.

I will be the greatest warrior, once I get my name and face out there.
His determination to

succeed might have made him a little more brash than usual with his aunt, that and the several star systems separating them. “You want me to drop everything to fetch a nanny for Tren’s whelp? Are you still in

possession of your faculties, Auntie? Do I need to speak to my uncle about putting you on some

medication?” He regretted his blithe answer as soon as it left his lips.

“Do you need me to show you how not to talk back to your elders?” she replied sweetly. “Again.”

No. Not again. Once was enough, thank you. He never did manage to rid himself of the scars from

the last time she taught him some manners. Aunt Muna took her role as female guardian after his mother died very seriously. When she spoke, everyone ran. It kept them in shape.

He gave in, just not gracefully. “So what am I looking for? Something with lots of arms, no sense

of smell, and more patience than is normal?”

“We tried that. We got an eight-armed Gunilian hummer. She went hoarse. The five-armed and

deaf Answuya ran off in tears. We need something more drastic than that, which is why we require your services. You have to fetch us a human nanny.”

A human? As in forbidden by some powerful entities, living on the other side of the frukxing

universe, barbarian status human? By the stars, how fascinating. And dangerous. “Humans are off limits.

You know it’s punishable by death to get caught pirating them.”

“Are you afraid of a measly sentence like that? You know Tren had over six thousand crimes

stacked against him by the time he retired. It took forever to clear the paperwork on them once he

ascended to his position on the galactic council.”

Way to throw Tren’s daunting success in his face. Makl still worked on his first thousand. Make

that first five hundred. Apparently, some of his kills weren’t flamboyant enough to merit attention. “You want a human, I’ll get you a human. What’s the payment?”