The Chalice (42 page)

Shagal froze, mouth gaping open.

Like Shagal, her hair shone silvery white in the misty light of the gloomy day. Large blue silvered eyes adorned the face of a real life angel. Tall and impossiblywillowy, she exuded grace and beguiling charm .

“I’m  Bi’ertise.” The cultured tones of her melodious voice rang in the ensuing silence. She reached for Kara’s pack. Her elegant head tilted, the long silver hair swished. A brow arched, questioning. “From  what species do you spring?”

Kara stiffened, alarm  bells clanging in her brain. This was one beautiful female —and definitely Chiagan-Se. Something about her reminded Kara of Siri, but incomparison, the hybrid was as homely as a mud fence. Her thoughts shifted. Onething she did know for certain, all the breeders dreamed of finding a living,breathing Chiagan-Se female. What if...?

“Hu…hum an,” she stammered.

“I’ve not heard of that race before,” Bi’ertise com m ented as she stored the bag. Her adm iring gaze skim med Mordaq, taking in every detail and then alighted on Shagal. Lips pressed together, as if denying a grin. “Everyone, please come aboard.”

Shagal’s face flamed. He brushed a hand through the wild orange locks,looking ill at ease and em barrassed. “I’m  in disguise,” he m uttered to no one inparticular. “That’s why I look this way.”

“I think you look very…handsom e,” Bi’ertise said, seating herself in the pilot’s

chair. Mordaq settled beside her as the rest found places.

Dread thum ped down next to Kara. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she,” she m uttered,

scowling. “Shagal’s sweatin’ bullets.”

“She is beautiful,” Kara com miserated. “Dang it.”

“Is everyone secured?” Bi’ertise asked, adjusting controls as she scanned the

interior.

Heads nodded. The transport shivered and then lifted off.

Anne stretched forward, calling out over the transport’s engines. “Can you tell

us anything?”

The back of Bi’ertise’s head bobbed. “We were in pursuit of a Deg’Nara spywhen   we   intercepted   your   distress   signal.   We’ve   also   monitored   several

communications from  the seeker ships. Since we were nearby, we hurried here to

assist before going to their aid.”

Mordaq’s deep voice cut in, rife with worry. “Do you have any idea how our

ships are faring?”

Bi’ertise’s   voice   softened,   sym pathetic.   “Not   well   I’m  afraid.   The   lastcommunication   indicates   their   weapons   are   failing   and   they’ve   lostmaneuverability.”

Mordaq’s teeth gnashed together so violently, Kara could hear the pop. “Youshould have gone to their aid first. Our need was less than those on the seekerships.”

“The time it took to journey here was insignificant. We opted to save you. I’m

sorry if you feel we should have acted otherwise.”

“Do you know the nam e of the spy you seek?”

“Let me guess,” Dread snapped. “She’s part Chiagan-Se and her name’s Siri.”

Bi’ertise’s head swiveled. Brilliant silver blue eyes peered over her shoulder.

“You know of her?”

“We do,” Mordaq snarled, the silvery white locks shaking with his rage. “She asked for sanctuary and we allowed the traitor into our m idst.” The huge hands fisted, slam m ing on the console. “If she still lives when we reach the seeker ships, I will make sure she breathes her last.”

“That bitch,” Kara exclaimed seeing red. She was so mad her lips trem bled. “I

knew she was trouble the m inute I saw her.”

Siri’s many disappearances from  the comm unal cham ber drew to m ind, hercunning, the calculating looks, and the outward show of arrogance. And now Biker Chick was dead, left to rot on an alien planet so very far from  home. How sad wasthat? She choked back a sob, wiping m oisture from  her face. Please, please. Letthe ships be okay!

Shagal finally found his voice. “Are there more of you?” he croaked, still

stunned by Bi’ertise’s appearance.

The female’s laugh was the tinkling of water over a marble fountain. “Most of

our crew consists of Chiagan-Se.”

“No…no,” Shagal stammered, blushing crimson. “I mean Chalices…females,” he

finished lamely.

She chuckled. “The females number fewer than the males, but in answer toyour question, yes, there are more females.” She slanted a look over hershoulder. “For myself, I prefer to travel with my life mate.”

The transport slowed, almost to a standstill. Kara’s fingers drum med on the

arm rest as her anxiety grew. How m uch longer?

Bi’ertise spoke into the sy-com . “Transport Five requests docking. Please

confirm .”

“Docking approved,” a male voice replied. “Welcome back.”

The transport’s m otors rev’ed, the view screen darkened as the craft cleared

the wide entryway to the docking port. Lights flashed, a warning signal clanged.

Kara’s eyes were glued to a small porthole, drinking in the sights. Outside thetransport, activity whirled in a kaleidoscope of color and motion. Silver-haired Chiagan-Se workers labored alongside a menagerie of alien creatures, some she’dseen on Protia, while others were definitely on the new and unusual list. As theworkers scurried back and forth, she was reminded of an industrious hive of beesall focused on perform ing their various duties.

The transport settled on the landing pad with the barest whisper of sound. The

cabin decom pressed as the entry panel slid open. Cool air wafted in.

“Please disem bark.” Bi’ertise’s warm  smile flashed as she waved an arm  at the

exit. “Commander Jaegar awaits us on the bridge.”

If she could be any more self-assured… Kara silently grumped, envious of thefemale’s poise. Were all Chiagan-Se females so gracious and elegant? If so, shewas in for some tough competition where Tegan was concerned. But I have theinside track!

The ride to the bridge took a few short moments. She caught glim pses of thelower decks as they passed through. Similar in construction to the seeker ship,the stark design of Deg’Nara craft was m uch more m ilitaristic in décor, the gray

metallic walls devoid of any of the colorful ornam entation so prevalent on the

Chiagan-Se craft. Efficient but unwelcom ing.

Bi’ertise caught her look. “This ship is indeed a prize. A high-ranking Deg’Nara

commander was using it for personal means in the outlands when a strike team led by Commander Jaegar took control. We left the ship m uch as it was when we captured it— in the event of a Deg’Nara probe.”

“W hat about the occupants?”

“A brief probe would only indicate it was Deg’Nara.” She laughed. “At the instant a probe registers on our sensors, our strategy is to jum p into hyperspace.” She stepped off the lift and started down a corridor. “We’ve been fortunate so far.”

“So you’re pirates,” Mordaq rumbled.

Kara’s gaze flicked to his face. Eyes narrowed, he exuded power and warydistrust. He stalked behind Bi’ertise, his gaze categorizing and assessing as theyhurried down the hall. Plainly unimpressed by their new surroundings, he wasn’trelaxing his guard one iota.

Bi’ertise grinned, shrugging her slim  shoulders in airy disregard. “Perhaps, but

we prefer to be labeled freedom  fighters or liberators as the case may be.”

An opaque panel slid open and they entered the bridge. A towering Chiagan-Se

male strode towards them, a wide sm ile lighting his handsome face.

“Commander Jaegar,” Bi’ertise caressed his arm  as she m ade the introduction.

Her slender arms wrapped the male’s broad shoulders. “My life m ate.”

He nuzzled her neck, adding a quick kiss before his attention returned to the

newcomers. “Welcom e aboard.”

The white teeth flashed in another hearty sm ile. He radiated warmth and goodhumor, displaying none of the rigid formality so common among the m ajority ofthe breeders Kara had thus far encountered. He rem inded her of Shagal. Moreopen, less detached. Curious!

“Explain yourself.” Mordaq demanded, lips pulled back in a snarl. “W ho are you

and how long until we reach the seeker ships?”

His abrupt question startled her from  her m usings. Her eyes slid sideways. Thehuge Warrior’s hand rested on the hilt of his Tar. Surreptitiously, Shagal hadmoved into a flanking position behind Mordaq. He flipped back the long cloak,baring his sword arm . It was a challenge, plain and sim ple.

Com mander Jaegar’s lips twitched. His sparkling gaze measured the two,lingering on their caste marks. “We jum ped the mom ent the transport was safelyin dock. We should be within hailing distance very soon.” His head tilted,inquiring. “By what names are you known?”

Mordaq’s brawny chest expanded. He drew himself up. “I am  Mordaq, second in

command to Lord Tegan, last surviving heir to the throne of the Chiagan-Se.”

Jaegar snorted, disbelieving. “None of ruling line survived the purge. You’re Chiagan-Se. That fact is unequivocal, but the line of rulers died long ago. Tell m eagain, who are you?”

Kara’s heart skipped a beat. Mordaq will kill him !

The Warrior growled, a low rumbling from  the depths of his huge chest. He

ground out through gritted teeth. “You question my words?”

“Would you not if you were in my place?” Undaunted by the hostility

emanating from  the Warrior, Jaegar’s brow arched, waiting.

Mordaq’s tense form  eased somewhat. He m otioned to Shagal. “Some of ussurvived the purge, but our available resources were scarce and to save those wecould, we drew lots. A thousand fortunate souls were placed into stasis to awaitthe return of the seeker ships. I as well as Lord Tegan and Shagal were amongthe lucky.”

The Commander blinked several times, seeming stunned. His mouth opened

and then shut, as if he were at a loss for words.

“He does bear the m arks of the old ones,” Bi’ertise com mented low, pointing at the tattoos on Mordaq’s bared chest. “His depict those of the Warrior class.” She turned her attention to Shagal. “Your marks are different. Why?”

He flushed crim son, uneasy under her close scrutiny. “I was trained as a

Warrior but I chose the life of an Artisan. My caste m arks designate my choice.”

“Artisans and Warriors.” She tapped her lips in thought. “We’ve not used those

titles in m any revolutions and caste marks are a thing of the past.”

Shagal’s face drained of color. His hand drifted to his chest, tracing the tattoos.

“We consider our caste marks symbols of honor and servitude.”

“He’s proud of those babies,” Dread m uttered, pushing forward and laying a

comforting hand on Shagal’s arm . “Don’t you pay her no mind.”

Bi’ertise’s warm  face dim med. “I…I did not mean to disparage you,” shestammered,   moisture   glistening   in   her   eyes.   “I   was   m erely   making   anobservation.”

“ Commander Jaegar,” a voice interrupted. “We’ve reached the coordinates of

the last distress signal. We’re dropping out of hyper-space.”

The Com mander whirled, his attention now focused on the blackness of space. He tapped the sy-com . “Prepare for re-entry. Weapon system s up. Navigator,chart the course.”

Bi’ertise fluttered her hands, motioning them  to leave. “I’ll guide you down to

the com m unity room s,” she said. “You’ll be more comfortable there.”

Mordaq drew his Tar resting the tip on the floor. The weapon hum m ed,energized by his touch, fading from  blue to red as it bonded with his psyche. Hestood fast, grim  and unyielding. “My place is here.”

“I’m  not leaving either,” Kara rushed to add. “Those are our people out there and we have a right to know what’s happening.” Her insides spasm ed, a painful clenching of organs. What if they were already too late?

“ We won’t be in the way,” she pleaded, putting every ounce of heartfelt

emotion into her entreaty. I have to be here. I have to know!

Jaegar’s voice rang out. “Let them  stay.” He leveled a hard look at the group.

“But if you hinder us in any manner, out you go.”

The view port buzzed, hazy images swirled in the cloudy m ist.

“Clean that up,” Jaegar barked. “Bring up a full scan.”

The shadowy impressions solidified, transform ing into discernable form sdelineated by the blackness of space. Kara gasped, shocked. Tears blurred hervision. Tegan!

On screen a fierce battle waged in full force. Gaseous emanations and brightflashes of light surrounded an im m obile seeker ship. The second seeker ship wasstill firing, but by the sluggishness of its movements, had suffered som e seriousdamage.

A Deg’Nara ship rolled and dove, firing a barrage of plasma bursts as itattacked the seekers. Puffs of roiling sm oke billowed up as the blasts hit home,sending large sections of debris spinning into the void. Wave after wave of energypulsed from  the battle site, rocking the very floor beneath her feet. She droppedto her knees, covering her face. I don’t want to see.