Alien Salvation (23 page)

Lindsey and Tara stepped down to the
blacktop. An intake of breath from the assembled crowd made them
both look back. Bacoj’s clan escorted the hover stretcher bearing
Aaron’s covered body out of the shuttle. Fosir and Weth followed.
Lindsey hugged her mother close when Tara began to weep
again.

The lines of Kalquorians bowed as one.
Lindsey swallowed the lump in her throat at the sign of respect
from people who’d never met her father. Either Jessica had made a
huge impression on her adopted planet, or the rules of decorum were
strict. Knowing her sister, Lindsey was willing to bet on respect.
Jessica was hot-tempered, but she also possessed a strong ethical
core.

As the Kalquorians rose from their
combined bows, one separated from the group and strode forward with
assured steps. Stocky for a Kalquorian, he still was tall enough
that the top of Lindsey’s head would only reach his nose. He
stopped before the women and bowed again.

“I am Dramok Sarod in charge of the
search for you, Imperial Mother Tara and Sister Lindsey. May I
express my sincerest grief at the loss of the Imperial Father Aaron
McInness.”

Rubbing at the tears spilling down her
cheeks, Tara answered with a stronger voice than Lindsey had
thought her capable. “Thank you, Dramok Sarod.”

Weth stepped forward. “The Imperial
Mataras should be seen to immediately. They are in good health but
have needs that should not wait for attending.”

Sarod nodded. “Of course, Doctor Weth.
I put them in your capable hands.”

There were other priorities in
Lindsey’s mind. “We came across survivors in the swamp on our way
here. They need immediate help.”

Sarod’s eyes widened a little. “Rescue
teams are scheduled for arrival in this sector in two
days.”

“
There are children in this
group. They need help now. They were attacked by
Tragooms.”

His brows drew together and his upper
lip lifted in a slight snarl. “Tragooms are attacking these
people?”

Japohn spoke up. “Tragoom threat
destroyed. Earthers still need help. Several Mataras and children.
Little food.”

“You have their
coordinates?”

Bacoj spoke in Kalquorian. Sarod turned
to the ranks of the assembled troops under his command and spoke
loudly. Several men broke from the lines, rushing away with blurred
speed. In a matter of seconds, four shuttles took off.

Sarod turned back to Lindsey. “The
survivors will be brought here right away.”

Lindsey was a little dumbfounded at the
apparent power she wielded as the sister of the Empress. “Thank
you,” she managed, exchanging a startled glance with her
mother.

Sarod looked at the covered body and
then at the young clan. His tone was as cold as Bacoj’s had been
when Lindsey had revealed her identity. “You allowed the death of
the Imperial Father.”

Lindsey’s temper rose at the
accusation. If she had any type of authority, she was willing to
use it to defend her mates. “My clan allowed nothing. They did all
in their power to keep us safe.”

“Your clan, Matara?” Sarod gave Fosir a
shocked look, which grew when Fosir jerked his head in a quick
nod.

“I have chosen to join Bacoj’s clan as
their Matara. We are well suited, and they make me very happy.” She
was adamant.

“My apologies to your clan then. No
insult was intended. If you say they did their best by the Imperial
Family, then I must accept this as true.”

The looks being exchanged between
Sarod, Fosir and Weth were worrying Lindsey to no end. Nevermind,
she comforted herself. The clanning is a permanent arrangement.
They can’t make me give up my guys.

Squashing her sudden nervousness,
Lindsey pointed out, “My Imdiko is injured and needs medical
care.”

Sarod looked at Vax and winced to see
the awkward angle of his arm. “Of course, and you and the Imperial
Mother must be attended to at once. We will see to the body of the
Imperial Father until you have told us the arrangements to be
made.” He nodded to a couple of Kalquorians, who took the stretcher
away.

Weth gestured towards the metallic
buildings. “Please come with me.”

Bacoj took his place at the head of the
clan as Weth led them to the base camp. Lindsey and Tara, flanked
by Vax and Japohn, followed.

Chapter Fourteen

Just outside the Kalquorian base’s
medical bay, Sarod stood with Bacoj and Japohn as the rest of their
party was tended to. Lindsey and Tara had been thoroughly scanned
and injected with multiple vitamin compounds. Now the focus was on
Vax’s busted arm.

Sarod took Bacoj’s complete report with
Japohn adding details where needed. At the end of the interview he
said, “You’ll have to answer for using the Bermuda Triangle portal.
Nothing smaller than destroyer size is supposed to enter it. It’s
too unstable.”

Japohn said, “It was at my urging. The
fault does not rest entirely with Bacoj.”

“That may be, but that’s his
commander’s decision, not mine.” Sarod looked at the Earther women,
his stern expression easing. “No doubt you will be highly rewarded
for finding and bringing the Empress’ family to us.”

Bacoj smiled as he looked in on the
patients. “Having Lindsey as our Matara is reward
enough.”

Sarod spoke gently. “The Imperial Clan
may have problems with her clanned to such a young, low-ranking
group.” At Bacoj’s wary look, he continued. “I do not say these
things to offend you. It is obvious you have her best interests at
heart.”

“I understand your concerns. They are
mine as well.”

From inside the treatment center, he
heard the medic attending Vax say, “That’s definitely a break
that’s begun to heal wrong. I’m going to numb the arm before we
reset and heal this.”

Bacoj said to Sarod, “We explained our
situation to Lindsey. She said she doesn’t care about such things
as rank.”

“That may be, but Earthers don’t always
know what’s best for them.” The commander grimaced. “Look what they
did to their own planet and people.”

Japohn’s expression was thunderous with
fearful worry. “You’re telling us we must let her go? Give her to
another clan?”

Vax’s loud hiss of pain held off
whatever Sarod’s response would be. The three men looked in to see
Lindsey hurry to the Imdiko’s side and clutch his good
hand.

“Are you all right, sweetie?” she
worried.

As Vax offered her a strained smile,
the medic soothed, “He’ll be fine, Matara Lindsey. I’ll give him
another tab of anesthesia. Sorry Vax.”

He injected Bacoj’s Imdiko with a
numbing compound. Before he touched the bent limb again he double
checked. “Is that better?”

“Yes. The pain is gone.” His smile was
much more relaxed now, and as the doctor re-broke his arm, Vax
whispered something to Lindsey that made her giggle.

Sarod told Bacoj and Japohn, “There is
no doubt she cares for you. I will not presume to order you to
release her. I only ask you consider how well you can meet the
needs of someone as important as the Empress’ sister.”

Bacoj swallowed hard. “We love
her.”

“Enough to do what’s right for
her?”

That was the biggest concern Bacoj had
since Lindsey’s stunning revelation. How selfish was he to keep the
woman he loved from the best possible life she could enjoy? He
looked at his Nobek and saw his worries reflected in Japohn’s
eyes.

* * * *

Lindsey was impressed with how fast
Vax’s arm was healed. The medic warned him against lifting anything
too heavy for the next day, but the arm was now straight, and he
had the use of all his fingers. Once the doctors were finished
fussing over them, Sarod led the group to two rooms. One was for
Tara, who immediately bid everyone goodbye so she could shower and
nap. The next room was for the clan. Bowing, Sarod left them to
inspect their temporary lodging.

A thick bed mat sat on the floor. Fresh
formsuits and even a light shift for Lindsey had been provided. A
low table with seating cushions surrounding it was placed in one
corner, and a large, clear stall sat in another. The tank hanging
over it had a very Earther looking shower head hanging down, and
Lindsey looked forward to washing the grit off her body.

“No very special,” Japohn grumbled. He
seemed extra moody, and Lindsey wondered if he continued to blame
himself for Aaron’s death. Or perhaps he was still angry she hadn’t
been completely honest with them?

Lindsey shrugged. “It’s not the Four
Seasons, but it’s better than sleeping on the beach.”

Bacoj stepped over to the shower and
turned it on. His formsuit was off in an instant. “Temporary
shelter, no extras. Come, Lindsey.”

“As long as I can get cleaned up, I’m
not complaining.”

Vax was also already naked and helped
her pull her blouse off. “We wash you.”

Bacoj adjusted the temperature as Vax
took great delight in the use of both hands in disrobing Lindsey.
Japohn stripped himself, and the three men pulled her into the
shower and surrounded her.

“Good temperature?” Vax
asked.

Lindsey sighed beneath the warm water
sluicing over her body. “Nice.” She looked at the gleaming wet
bodies surrounding her. “Close quarters. I like it.”

Vax reached up to turn a knob on the
cylinder. “Cleansing agent,” he explained, and Lindsey scented
something vaguely antiseptic in the water now.

Three pairs of big hands rubbed all
over her body, combing through her hair and scrubbing sand from her
skin. She was chafed from the gritty sand under her arms, in the
crooks of her elbows and knees, and it had even found its way into
her rear crevice.

“Poor Lindsey,” Bacoj murmured, his
fingers lightly playing over reddened bumpy flesh.

“Medic give cream to soothe. Wash sand
off first.” Vax lifted one of her legs to concentrate his efforts
on her sex.

The sensitivity he found there had
nothing to do with sand. Her supporting leg buckled to feel his
clever fingers stroking her nether lips, but Bacoj and Japohn were
there to keep her from falling. They lifted her easily into the
air, cradling her upper body between them and each holding a thigh,
opening her wide for the now very healthy Imdiko’s
attentions.

Lindsey didn’t bother to struggle, and
her weak protest of, “That’s not fair,” fell on deaf ears. Then
Japohn’s mouth was on hers, quieting any further argument. Bacoj
fell to suckling her breasts. Bacoj and Vax hadn’t shaved in a
couple of days, and their faces were delightfully scratchy against
her skin, though not irritating like the rashes the sand had left
her with. Their light beards scraped, reminding her of their brute
masculinity. Her breath caught and her fingertips sank into the
hard muscles of their shoulders.

Vax ran his tongue around the outsides
of her folds, teasing the sensitive flesh he held parted with his
fingers. His tongue was cat-raspy rough, delighting the vulnerable
petals of her labia.

Japohn sucked her tongue into his
mouth, his teeth gently closing over to scrape the flesh. Then he
whipped his tongue over hers, thrashing roughly. Next the wet
appendage twined about its twin, stroking it until she was left
whimpering from the outrageous sensation.

Bacoj sucked hard on one nipple,
sending feeling zapping from her breast to her sex. She cried out
in Japohn’s mouth. Then Bacoj did it to the other nipple, the
suction so strong that she squirmed in their grip. She trembled,
unable to protect herself from the growing roughness of the
attention. Bacoj bit down on the tip, sending burning pleasure/pain
down the same path straight to her nether regions. A nip on the
other point, and she was struggling to escape and bring her breasts
closer to him all at the same time.

Vax paused in his slow, sensuous
licking of her sex to enjoy the view. “Beautiful, Lindsey,” he
growled. He used his fingers on her, tracing the folds, inspecting
every nook and cranny, even outlining the tight rosebud of her
anus. Lindsey felt a flush of embarrassed arousal to be so closely
inspected.

Then he ran a finger over her clit, a
light feather touch, and she jerked as bright awareness jolted her.
Japohn and Bacoj took their hungry mouths off her to grin at their
clanmate.

“What you do?” Bacoj asked.

“This.” Vax stroked her with that
barely-there pressure again, and she emitted a little scream as
electric pleasure blasted her once more. “And this.” He darted his
tongue out to flick her swelling nub, and Lindsey’s head fell back
as she yelped her reaction. “Then this.” He wrapped his lips around
her clit and whipped it back and forth with his tongue. Warbling
louder and louder, her body tightened and strained, clutching for
orgasm.

Vax stopped.

“Please,” she begged, her hips pushing
towards his face.

Japohn tilted his head to look at her
mound. “All swelled. Red. You are be cruel, Vax.”

“No. This is be cruel.” He bent his
head to her sex once more and circled her clit with his tongue. She
squirmed to feel the wet warmth so close to the unhooded tip, never
quite touching it. The other two men tightened their hold on her,
keeping her from realizing the climax that hovered just out of
reach. She panted. So close … if he would just lick her right
there…