Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 3)
Read Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 3) Online
Authors: Linda Mooney
Tags: #outer space, #space ships, #science fiction, #sensuous, #adventure, #aliens, #action, #sci-fi, #space opera, #other worlds
Table of Contents
Chapter 28 - Cold
Chapter 29 - New
More Sci-Fi Romance by Linda Mooney
NEVERWYLDE
The Rim of the World, Book 3
By
Linda Mooney
NEVERWYLDE 3
Copyright © 2016 by
Linda Mooney
ISBN 978-1-941321-57-7
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
Editor: Chelly Peeler
Cover Art: Linda Mooney
Other books in this series:
Neverwylde 1
Neverwylde 2
Chapter 1
Escape
The yawn caught her by surprise. Throwing her hand up to cover her mouth, Kelen shook her head to clear it of the cobwebs that threatened to overwhelm her and send her over the edge of consciousness, into sleep. Another shake, and she refocused her attention and her weapon on the two men she was guarding.
“You’re starting to slip, Lieutenant.”
Kelen gave the man a patient smile. “Yes, sir.” It was routine now just to agree with Dayall rather than argue with him, or try to talk reason with him. The man who had been their commanding officer had suffered a mental breakdown soon after their ship had crashed landed on this unpopulated world. This half world called Neverwylde.
Dayall jiggled his shoulders. “My arms are hurting. When are you going to release me?”
She glanced at the Seneecian sitting next to him. Both had their hands tied behind their backs, and then were bound to each other by a second length of cording Fullgrath had woven from plant fiber.
“Soon. As soon as I’m spelled, you’ll be fed.”
“You realize, of course, that this is unconscionable, Lieutenant. As soon as we return to Earth, I’ll have you and the rest of the crew brought up on charges of treason,” Dayall promised with an angry scowl.
The man never let up. Dayall would never grasp the reality of their situation. He either couldn’t or wouldn’t accept the fact that there was no going back. From the moment they chased after the Seneecian ship, and both crafts had gotten swallowed up by that wormhole, their fate and the fate of the Seneecian crew were sealed.
They were stuck here on this isolated slab of rock for the rest of their lives.
“I demand to see Kyber!” the Seneecian snapped.
Kelen smiled at the deposed D’har. “I’ll let him know you’re requesting his presence.”
Before either man could say more, the door slid open behind her and Verin entered. Kelen thankfully handed her weapon over to the creature.
“Your turn!” she cheerfully informed him.
“Any problems?”
“Nope. Just the usual grousing and demands.” Patting the Seneecian on the arm, she turned to leave.
“The one called Jules asked to see you before you retire,” Verin informed her.
“Where is he?”
“In the machinery room.”
“Thanks.” She flashed him a quick smile, then the man again stopped her.
“How is Kyber?”
Kelen nodded. “He’s healing well. No complications so far, thank God.”
One more arm pat and she finally exited the apartment they were using as their brig. Another yawn interrupted her, but this time she didn’t try to stifle it. She was tired. And doing four hours’ worth of guard duty to two surly ex-commanders who were just waiting for her to turn her back on them at the wrong time had left her wrung out. Hopefully, whatever Jules wanted to see her about wouldn’t take long. She longed to crawl into bed and curl up next to Kyber’s warm body, and sleep for a good five or six hours.
Kleesod passed her in the corridor between the two rooms. The Seneecian gave her a nod in greeting but didn’t stop to make small talk. Kelen, however, paused to watch the man walk away. She realized for the first time the sight of the tall, hulking aliens no longer affected her. Despite their thick coat of fur, their fierce-looking expressions, and the long claws and teeth, she had come to accept them as part of the community, not as her enemy.
A small smile graced her lips.
If we ever get out of here, I will do everything I can to promote a peace accord with Seneecia. We’ve proven we can work together to survive together. There’s no reason why we can’t come to some sort of détente between our worlds.
The cavern was warm and bright, as it always was, regardless of whether it was day or night. The alien machinery gave off a low hum—loud enough to be noticeable, but not so loud as to mask all other sound. She came across Fullgrath over in one open area. The ex-weapons master was bench pressing a large boulder. His face was red and sweat coated his skin, evidence he’d been at it for a while. The man grinned at her.
“Gotta stay fit, Kel.”
She chuckled. “I hear you. Do you know where Jules is?”
He motioned with his head. “By that big slab of rock.”
“Thanks.”
She found the ex-navigator standing in front of the panel of lights. The first thing she noticed was the jury-rigged tablet and makeshift stylus he was using to map out the points.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Kel.”
She motioned to the pad. “New toy?”
“Thanks to Dox. I’d love to have one that converts a picture to a map, but I’m happy with what he was able to improvise. How was guard duty?”
“Long and tense. Those two are beginning to creep me out. You have to keep on your toes when you’re around them.”
“Yeah, they’re way past antsy.”
She glanced around the vast cavern. “Have you slept yet?”
“I got a nap in earlier. I spell Verin after he does his four hours, and Massapa said he’d take over when I’m done.” He continued to match plot points on his tablet, adding information to each dot of light.
“Speaking of Verin, he said you needed to see me about something?”
The sound of someone coming toward them made her pause. It was Sandow, jogging the perimeter of the room. Spotting them, he gave a wave but kept going. Kelen turned back to Jules, who saw her questioning look.
“Yeah. By the time Massapa relieves me, it’ll be dark. I want to go up top and start mapping our location in this star system. I could really use your help, Kel.”
“Do we even have the equipment to gather the information we need to attempt any sort of charting system?”
Jules held up the tablet. “We’ll have to make do the best we can with this. Dox promised to work on a holographic navigational grid as soon as he’s done with whatever Sandow currently has him involved with.”
“Sure. I’m game. Who’s providing backup?”
“Fullgrath. I asked him earlier. We can leave after I’m done with my duty.” He peered at her. “You look beat. Why don’t you go get in forty winks? I’ll come get you when we’re ready to head out.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She clapped him on the shoulder. “Take care. See you later.”
“Okay. Thanks, Kel. Good night.”
She headed back toward the tunnel that led from the chamber to the nonagon where the sleeping apartments were located. Along the way, she stopped at one of the large bins which contained some of the processed food that fed into the apartments, and served herself a handful by way of a spigot located near the bottom of the container. She lapped hungrily at the yellow oatmeal mash but after the initial taste, she reacted with disgust.
“Oh, dear God. That’s…” She spat out what was in her mouth.
“That’s what?” Sandow sidled up to where she stood. “Something wrong?”
She held up her hand to his face. “Taste this.”
Sticking a finger in the lump, he stuck a portion in his mouth. Immediately, the physician spat it out and winced. “You’re right. It tastes like it’s gone bad. Don’t eat any more of that, Kelen. And don’t eat anything else until I’ve examined it.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she remarked and tossed the remainder to the side before wiping her hand on her pants. “Bad batch, you reckon?”
“There’s no telling. I’ll let everyone know after I run a scan analysis on it. Meanwhile, I’ll mark this canister. Is this the one you got it from?”
“Yeah.”
Picking up a loose rock, Sandow quickly scratched a large X on the side. “Pass the word to the others not to eat what’s inside until I say it’s still okay for consumption. And if they find any more food that doesn’t taste right, let me know.”
“Okay. I’ll help spread the word.” She paused, then asked, “Do you think this is an isolated case? Or will we find more food that’s gone bad?”
“It’s possible either way. Maybe it’s meant to turn. Or it could be a byproduct.” The man ran a hand over his scalp. “Hell, on this world, it could be anything. Were you on your way to the apartments?”
“Yeah. I just got off guard duty. I’m going to catch a few winks, then join Jules and Fullgrath. We’re going up top to chart the sky.”
The man nodded. “We’re overdue for a council meeting.”
“Council meeting?”
“Since we’re not being led under any sort of leadership, we’ve reverted to a more democratic form of existence. Which means anything we plan to do individually that might affect the rest of us needs to be considered by all.”
She frowned. “Are you suggesting us going up top needs to be discussed first?”
“Not that specifically,” the doctor corrected himself. “I think it’s time we made some hard decisions about what to do with Dayall and the D’har. We need to come up with a more permanent form of incarceration.”
“Been thinking long and hard about this for a while, haven’t you?”
“Don’t you agree?”
“Oh, hell yes. Those two need to be separated and there needs to be a barrier around them. If I didn’t have a weapon in my hand, I believe they wouldn’t have hesitated to jump me, even with cuffs on.” She shuddered. “You know those two are planning something.”
“I don’t doubt it,” he agreed, then flashed her a smile. “I’m keeping you from your rest. Sorry.”
“Not a problem. See you later, Doc.”
The man nodded and resumed his jogging. Kelen watched him until he disappeared behind a tall pile of rocks, then ducked inside the tunnel.
Kyber was still asleep when she entered their apartment. After stripping down, she crawled across the floor and dropped down onto the padding where he lay on his back. Turning onto her side, she was nearly asleep when he sensed her presence and rolled over. A muscular arm slid around her waist as he spooned himself behind her.