To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings) (36 page)

Lidon made a rude noise, giving vent to his own dismay.  “Not much glory to be had here.  Barges.  Repair ships.  Hmm, raiders.”

Tranis shut down that in a hurry.  “Don’t even think about it.  Raiders are barely a step up from pirate ships.  My brothers would disown me after they finished beating me to a bloody pulp.”

Lidon nodded and kept scrolling.  “The fleet is thinking of suspending those operations anyway.  What else?  Refuelers.  Spyships.”

“Spyships?”

Lidon looked at him.  “It is important work.  And not without prestige.  Interested?”

Tranis considered.  “Our operation on the Phescxo colony was covert.  I found it a decent challenge.”

The Nobek grinned.  “I got to kill a Tragoom.  I can live with those kinds of benefits.  Let’s see what the details are and the availability.”

He scanned the readout quickly.  “Small ships with a complement of less than one hundred men.  No direct offensives taken against enemies except when required to salvage a mission or save lives.  Cloaking technology and some arms requiring a weapons commander.  Lots of planetside infiltration.”  His tone told Tranis he was intrigued by the possibilities.

Excitement filled the Dramok’s gut.  “Degorsk might be all right with that since there would be less men and few offensive engagements.”  That actually appealed to him too.  Fewer men to command meant less he might lead to their deaths.  “What about you?  Will it fit in with what you need?”

Lidon’s grin was one of anticipation.  “What’s not to like?  The infiltration missions offer plenty of danger for any Nobek to enjoy.  Not only that, but that branch of the fleet is begging for senior officers.  Everyone transfers to the destroyer class as soon as they can because that’s where they get all the accolades.”  The stoic Nobek was showing obvious enthusiasm.  “And look at this, Tranis.  You have so many options for spyship command:  Bi’isil space, Tragoom territory … there’s a big recruiting push for operatives on Earther colonies too.  Not their home world though; apparently their defenses are impossible to get through.”

“Maybe I could finally see one of their women.”

Lidon nodded.  “They don’t let too many off their planet, but who knows?”

There had been some unpleasantness with the Earthers they’d encountered who had escaped in the Joshadan shuttle.  Once the aliens had discovered Kalquorian men enjoyed intimate relations with each other, Pilot Georgehuberts and his companions couldn’t get away fast enough.  Apparently, their religion abhorred same sex relationships to the point of considering it criminal.

Tranis snorted.  “What a strange culture.  They have plenty of women, yet don’t allow most of them to serve on their ships.  And then they expect the men to not enjoy each others’ company?  I bet there is a lot of drinking among their kind.”

Lidon arched an eyebrow.  “I’m sure illicit liaisons are the rule as well.  You can’t tell me they aren’t alleviating their natural needs with each other.”  He dropped the subject, more interested in their future work.  “I like this spyship option, Tranis.  I think it’s a good fit for all of us.”

“I’ll speak to Cap – uh, Admiral Piras.”

Hours after Tranis’ promotion, Piras had received word he too had been advanced in rank.  Lidon had been correct in that their mission’s success in undermining the Tragoom threat would reflect well on their commanding officer.

Lidon smirked.  “He’s in his office.  My bet is, he’s practicing his strut.”

Tranis couldn’t resist teasing.  “Just think, Lidon.  You could have been clanned to an admiral instead of a lowly captain.”

Lidon’s upper lip curled.  “Don’t make me beat you.  I will, you know.  I’m still head disciplinarian on this hunk of salvage, and Piras would be too happy to honor such a request.”

Tranis chuckled at the threat and headed for Piras’ office.  The future was starting to look bright again.

Chapter 16

Piras stared at him as if Tranis had suddenly transformed into a Tragoom.  “A spyship?”

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Really?  When you could have a destroyer?”

Tranis had no intention of telling Piras the exact reasons for his decision.  Half-truths would work fine.  “My clan is up for a new challenge, something that we haven’t done before.”

Piras leaned back in his chair and considered Tranis.  “You do realize such a move will delay your taking actual command of a ship by about two years?”

Tranis blinked in surprise.  “There are a great many missions available right now.”

“Indeed there are,  As a captain and now an admiral—” Piras preened a little as he reminded himself of his new rank, “—I’m to look out for likely candidates for those missions.  But spyship work is greatly different from that of a destroyer.  You’re off the regular communications grid with the rest of the fleet, the dangers are more of a one-on-one personal nature, there are interrogation methods Lidon would have to learn, languages to master … even your Imdiko will have to be re-trained if he’s to be the head doctor on such a vessel.”

Tranis considered this new wrinkle in his plans.  He’d been in a headlong rush to climb the ranks for years, to make his brothers proud, to show them they hadn’t wasted their time and money on him.  Two years of training would certainly slow that progress down.

But he’d already made captain.  More importantly, this career shift had the potential to keep Degorsk with him and Lidon.

Tranis squared his shoulders.  He didn’t have to pretend the firmness in his voice. “As I said, we’re ready for a new challenge.”

Piras looked him over and nodded.  “Very well.  I’ll tender my approval of your change of field.  I am surprised, though.  While the work of a spyship is invaluable, it comes with few public accolades.  Gathering information wins many wars.  More importantly, it helps us avoid many wars, but it gets little to none of the glory.”

“I’ve had my share of glory, Admiral.  I’ve found other rewards worth more than rank and commendations.”

“Indeed.  Your Nobek is such a one.”  At Tranis’ raised eyebrow, Piras grudgingly added, “I suppose you feel that way about your Imdiko, as well.  Lidon certainly does.  No offense, but I really don’t understand what you two see in such a man.”

Tranis couldn’t help the smile in his tone.  “As Lidon might quote, ‘There are sometimes hidden qualities that take careful scrutiny to appreciate.’”

Piras shook his head.  “If you say so.”

Tranis just barely managed to keep a smirk from making an appearance on his face.  Piras’ blindness and arrogance had cost him not just Lidon, but a very wonderful Imdiko.  Tranis sent silent thanks to the ancestors he himself was not so afflicted.

* * * *

Degorsk took a deep breath.  He kept his stance relaxed.  He would not lose his temper again.  He would not disrespect his Dramok.  It wasn’t easy with guilt crowding in on him.  Fortunately, the past hour of sitting in the clan’s quarters and reading from Lidon’s copy of the Book of Life had given him some equilibrium.

He kept the frustration he felt out of his voice, speaking his protest quietly.  “A spyship?  Well, I admit it beats a garbage scow, but it’s still a step down for you, Tranis.  And a lot less opportunities for glory, Lidon.”

The Nobek actually looked pleased, as if the solution he and their Dramok had arrived at was a hidden treasure he’d discovered.  “It’s less glory only when it comes to public recognition.  I don’t need that kind of acclaim.  The glory I strive for comes from here.”  He thumped his chest hard.

Tranis also seemed excited at the prospect.  “It is not a step down.  The financial gain and prestige accorded from my superiors is tremendous.”

If either of them was acting simply to make him feel better, they were doing a damned fine job of it.  Degorsk wished he could read their minds and be certain, because he really didn’t want them to suffer because of his decision.  “You need your chance to shine so all can see.”

Tranis folded his arms over his chest and gave the Imdiko a level gaze.  “I’ve got that after this last mission.  I don’t need any more awards or commendations.  What I need now is my Imdiko with me.”

Degorsk still couldn’t allow himself to be convinced.  “When I agreed to join your clan, it was never with the intent of making my Dramok and Nobek accept commissions they’d be miserable at.”

Lidon’s eyes narrowed.  “We won’t be miserable.  I am looking forward to this new pursuit.”  When Degorsk opened his mouth to voice another protest, the Nobek’s tone took on a warning growl.  “Before you call me a liar and get yourself in more trouble than you can handle, take note of the Book of Life:  ‘a falsehood told to make another feel better will only make things worse for all in the end.’”

Tranis drew close.  He snagged Degorsk’s braid and began unraveling it.  “We are more than content with this opportunity, Degorsk.  The question is, are you comfortable with it?”

The Imdiko looked at the two.  His clanmates, men he cherished above all others.  For better or worse, they had made their decision.  Now he had to make his.

Degorsk thought carefully about all the information they’d given him.  Flying about in enemy territory still offered opportunities for carnage.  However, with less than a hundred men crewing a spyship, the injuries and deaths would be on a much smaller level.  A level he thought he could deal with.  He’d be able to keep his promise to his long-dead companions.

Most importantly, he would remain in the company of his clan.

Degorsk took a deep breath.  Let it out.  “I think I might be able to handle it.”  He gave them both a mock pout.  “Although I was looking forward to trying a new branch of the medical field.  While you two get a fresh challenge, I’ll continue to patch up cranky Nobeks.  You get all the fun while I get all the growls and threats.”

Lidon grinned at him.  “You’ll definitely be challenged.  Doctors on spyships are trained in a variety of new disciplines, including hypnosis to use on prisoners.”

Tranis had loosened Degorsk’s hair and stroked his fingers through it.  “Plus there are all those languages and customs to learn.  I’m leaning towards specializing in covert operations on Earther colonies.  They have one government but thousands of languages.”

Degorsk looked at him in shock and not a little trepidation.  “Thousands?  Damn it, Tranis, I’m a doctor, not a linguist.”

Lidon stepped close, his eyes dark.  “Oh, I think you’ll do fine.  You have a rather talented tongue.”

Degorsk couldn’t resist teasing his fierce clanmate.  “Was that a joke, Lidon?  Do I dare hope my influence is rubbing off on you and you might be developing a sense of humor?”

The Nobek snarled at him.  “You are the most insulting man I’ve ever known.”

“So do something about it.”

Degorsk was facedown on the bed before he knew what was happening.  Lidon’s weight settled on his thighs, and a moment later, Tranis was sitting on his back, facing the Nobek.  The doctor’s pants were jerked down beneath his buttocks.  Hard slaps made his ass sting, and the Imdiko yelped.  His cocks swelled in reaction.

They kept at it until his ass burned.  Degorsk’s cries were not those of a man in pain.  Being helpless for their discipline had him rigid and wet with need.

The spanking ended and Tranis chuckled.  “He sounds like he’s having as much fun as we are.”

“He’s one hell of an Imdiko.”

“I’ll say.  And look how gorgeous his ass is when it’s red.”

Degorsk joined in the conversation.  “You should fuck it instead of talking about it.  What is it with you two and all the yapping anyway?”

Another stinging slap to his pulsing hindquarters made him hiss.  “No one gave you permission to talk.”

Oh, so they were going to be like that, were they?  Degorsk could feel their gazes on the back of his head.  He didn’t dare turn to look at them.  He’d get into trouble for sure.

“Look at me, Imdiko.”

Well, hell.  There was no denying that commanding tone.  So Degorsk turned his head and looked at the two men over his shoulder.  The wide grin he couldn’t get off his face beamed at them.

Tranis and Lidon howled laughter.  They fell to either side of him on the wide sleeping mat.

“You are impossible, my Imdiko,” Lidon gasped between guffaws.

“Mother of All.  What have I clanned?” Tranis asked the ceiling.

“This!” Degorsk shouted, shoving Tranis onto his stomach and laying on top of him in an attempt to overpower his Dramok.  He rubbed his eager cocks against the other man’s ass.

A wild struggle ensued.  It didn’t take Lidon long to join in the melee, and since he’d decided to fight on Tranis’ side, Degorsk was quickly overpowered and stripped nude.  Not that the Imdiko minded, at least not at first.  But when the men snapped hover cuffs on his wrists and ankles and Tranis drew the cockring out of a drawer, Degorsk felt a surge that was half-dread, half-anticipation.

“Oh, don’t do that,” he groaned.  “I hate that thing!”

“Really?”  Tranis arched an eyebrow at Lidon.  “I think we have finally found the perfect punishment for this masochist.”

Lidon’s smile was pure evil.  “I will put it into use for the next infraction.  Say, two or three days of wear the next time he shows his Dramok disrespect?”