Dazz (4 page)

Dazz

How many of these Tureis can there be?  Dazz still felt the tendrils of rage humming through his body.  He worried about the female, and wondered constantly if she was safe.  He should have taken her to safety before hunting down the enemy.  Next time, he wouldn’t let her leave his side until he knew she was safe! 

As he turned the corner, he met two Tureis heading in his direction.  He drew his phaser and shot the one on the left.  The other one fired at him, making him dive to the floor before returning fire.  The phaser beam hit its mark, and with both dead, he stepped over them and continued on.

He found three Tureis fighting Rannd, one of the junior officers, and he wasn’t faring well.   As Dazz approached, one of the three engaged him.  They were too close to use the phaser, so they fought in hand-to-hand combat.  He needed to dispose of his opponent quickly so he could help Rannd, who was barely keeping the other two at bay.

Dazz doubled his efforts, hoping for a quick victory.  When the enemy lay at his feet, he spun around and saw the female on top of the enemy.  His blood boiled hotter as jealously filled his veins.  It didn’t matter that she was
fighting
the Tureis, he didn’t want her to touch another male…ever!

Before he had a chance to react, she jumped up and resumed a fighting stance
.  Ahh…I have a real fighter
, he thought, trying to keep the grin from his face.   

After she relaxed her fighting stance, he could she the exhaustion plaguing her small, delicate body.  Dazz realized that not only were her bones different, but she didn’t have the fighting endurance they had either.

“Commander,” Rannd spoke.  “The ship is clear.  These were the last remaining three.”  Confusion must have shone on his face.  “It just came across the com-unit.”

“Thanks, Rannd.” 

They allowed the female a few standard moments of rest before Dazz offered her his hand.  When she took it, he noticed how her odd hand looked in his, her four fingers next to his five, creamy white on his dark skin.  Her beautiful green eyes looked tired, so he took a chance and scooped her up into his arms.  She didn’t protest, and he saw she quickly fell asleep.

He carried the female as he and Rannd walked down the corridor.  She needed to rest and he couldn’t think of a better place than his quarters… specifically, in his bed. 

After parting ways with the junior officer, Dazz carried the small female into his quarters and laid her on the big bed.  Even though she remained asleep, he longed to lie down beside her, wrap himself around her.  Alas, duty called and she needed to rest.

“Commander?” Sakku spoke through the com-unit.  He knew his soldiers waited for orders.

“Sakku, have Security do another sweep and make sure there are no lingering Tureis waiting to surprise one of us, and get a detail to get rid of the bodies.  I’ll be there soon and I want to know how they got on board my ship!”

“Yes, Commander.”

The female hadn’t moved, and he couldn’t help but stare at her.  She certainly was different…odd…beautiful.  Unlike Jakke, Dazz didn’t have a problem joining with females of other species, and he certainly wanted to join with this one.

With one last look, Dazz let out a soft sigh and then whispered, “I’ll be back.  Rest well.”

When he left his quarters, he briskly walked to the Bridge, and without slowing down, he said, “Sakku, Kainn, Chasse, my Ready Room, now.”

When he walked over to the desk, he didn’t sit down.  Instead, he leaned against it with his arms crossed.  After the last male entered, he said, “I want to know how they managed to get on board without detection!”  He slowly looked each one in the eye, letting them see the seriousness of the situation. 

“Commander,” Chasse started, “I ran a full diagnostic, and it appears that someone has tampered with the ship’s sensors.”

“Someone opened the hatch doors in the Cargo Bay, giving them entrance and allowing them to board,” Kainn added.

Dazz fumed.  If what they said was true, then he had a major problem on his ship.  “We have a traitor,” he said in a low, deadly voice.  Anyone found conspiring with the enemy would regret it!

“We have a Tureis in the holding cell,” Sakku supplied.  He had lost a brother when the Tureis attacked Azziar and had no love for the hated enemy.

“Good,” Dazz said looking straight at his friend. “I want you to interrogate him, find out who helped him.  I want to know everything!”

“Yes, Commander,” Sakku said with a predatory grin on his face.

“Chasse, is there any damage to my ship?”

“No, Commander.  The shields held.”

Dazz felt confident that his most trusted officers would handle things.  “If you have any questions or concerns, I’ll be in my quarters.  Sakku, notify me once you have talked with the prisoners.”

“Yes, Commander,” Sakku hesitated with a question on the tip of his tongue.  Dazz knew he wanted to know about the female.

“One more thing, have Banne send a sub-space message to the
Victory
.  See if they have an updated program that includes the language of the Dreama Sector.  I need to be able to communicate with the female that’s currently on board.” 

“You think she’s from the Dreama Sector?” Chasse asked.

“I’m hoping.  Otherwise it will be…difficult at best.”

Chasse nodded before they filed out one-by-one, leaving Dazz alone and giving him time to think.  His mind filled with thoughts of the exotic female lying in his bed.  His body wanted nothing more than to join with her, to make her his, but his mind kept telling him to calm down…think.

They both needed nourishment, so he decided to stop by the Dining Hall before heading back to his quarters.  Then what?  Every time he got near her, his mind turned hazy, and he was barely able to control himself while desire ran rampant in his body.  With any luck, she would still be resting.

Dazz carried a tray filled with a variety of foods back to his quarters.  Every step closer to the female made the tension ease more.  He couldn’t wait to get back to her.

She was still asleep in his bed when he entered.  Dazz set the tray down on a nearby table, and after staring at her for a mere moment, decided to lie down next to her.

Chloe

In a half-awake dream state, Chloe felt warm and comfortable as she snuggled next to a heater.  It was wonderful to have the chance to rest in such a comfortable bed, not having to worry about anything.  She rolled over and as her eyes slightly opened for the first time, she saw bright blue cat eyes looking back at her.  He was lying next to her, and now they were face-to-face!  She gasped in surprise, but she didn’t move.  They just studied each other.

If she were honest with herself, she liked him being next to her in bed.  His tongue darted out and moistened his luscious lips. She swallowed hard, trying to refrain from pressing her lips to his, tasting their wetness.  Oh, but she wanted to!

Chloe could feel the wetness between her legs as her core creamed.  Her heartbeat echoed in her ears while butterflies swirled in her belly.  She wanted him so badly; she could actually feel the slight tremble in her body. 

Control!  She needed control!  She didn’t know this male, didn’t even know his name!  She needed to get up; the problem was, she didn’t
want
to.  Chloe had always done what she wanted, when she wanted, and right now, she wanted
him
!  The only reason for her hesitation---he was an alien.  Could she do it?  Could she take what she wanted?  On earth, the answer would be a resounding yes!  She was never the shy one.

While her desire and mind warred with each other, Chloe chose the safer route.  “I need to pee.” 

She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom.  After doing her business, she splashed cold water on her face and tried to cool the raging fire he had ignited, surprised by her ability to resist him, but happy that she was strong enough to do so.  Splashing water on her face one last time, Chloe casually walked back to the main room. 

Surprised to find him standing at a small table instead of where she’d left him, she smiled with relief before spotting the tray on the table.  When he removed the lid, Chloe eyes zeroed in on the delicious-smelling food.  For the last several months, all she had had to eat was canned goods. 

“Would you like something to eat?” he asked.

“When did you bring food?” she asked simultaneously, and they both laughed.

He pulled out a chair, and after she sat down, he took the one facing her before giving her his full attention.  “It seems as though we have a problem.  Our translators don’t understand your language, and I’m guessing that you don’t understand ours.”

“I don’t know why you brought me here, but if you think I’m having sex with you just because my body wants me to, then think again,” Chloe answered.

They sat there staring into each other’s eyes, and when Chloe smiled, he gave her one in return.

“As I was saying, we don’t know your language.  I had one of my males send a sub-space message to the
Victory
.  I feel confident they will have an updated program that includes your language, if you are indeed from the Dreama Sector,” Dazz finished.

She smiled sweetly, “I don’t care how sexy your voice is, I’m still not having sex with you.  You might as well stop trying to talk me into it.”

Dazz laughed a big, boisterous laugh.  “I think this is the most ridiculous conversation I’ve ever had with anyone.”  

Chloe loved the sound of his laugh; she also appreciated how he tried to take care of her.  Sitting here, eating and trying to talk with him, she realized that not only did her body want him, but she genuinely liked him.

“I don’t care how bad I want to jump your bones.  I don’t even know your name.  I’m Chloe, by the way,” she said, smiling sweetly at him. Then pointing to herself, she slowly said, “Chloe.”

He looked momentarily confused, then smiled, and said, “Soo-ee.”

“No, Chloe,” she repeated, still pointing at herself.

“Noo-soo-ee,” he repeated.

This was more frustrating than she thought, so one last time, she said, “Chloe.”

He repeated what she said again, “Soo-ee.”

“Close enough.  At least now, I’ll know if you’re talking to me.”  She pointed at him.

“You want to know my name?”  He pointed to himself, “Dazz.”

“Das,” he grinned when she spoke his name.  “Really, that’s it, Das?  Okay, that name’s easy enough.”  They both gave each other a happy smile as they continued to eat.

Everything tasted wonderful except for a long, slender red thing that left bitterness on her tongue.  She made herself swallow the one-and-only bite, but regretted it immediately.

Her tongue started to tingle and swell, her vision blurred, and she struggled to breathe.  She knew he was talking to her, but she only heard muffled tones. 

Dazz

He knew her name!  Just knowing what to call her warmed his soul, as he tasted her name on his lips.  What a beautiful yet odd name.  He loved the happy look on her face as they smiled at each other.

Something’s wrong!
  He saw the panic flash across her face.  She struggled to breathe, and Dazz didn’t hesitate.  He scooped her light body up in his arms and ran to Sick Bay.

“Stavven!” he yelled as he burst through the door.  “Stavven!”

“What’s wrong?”  Stavven came running out of his office just as Dazz laid Chloe on the examining table.

“She’s having trouble breathing!  Do something!”  Dazz stood beside the table, holding her small, delicate hand, the hand so unlike his own.  She had to be alright!

“Commander, MOVE!”  Stavven insisted sharply.  “Zanne, get over here!”  Zanne was Stavven’s assistant for the standard day.

Stavven pushed Dazz aside, and hurriedly moved the scanner over her body. 

“What’s going on?!”  Dazz half-asked, half-demanded.

“She’s not breathing!  Zanne, get me the stabilizing injector!” 

She’s not breathing!
  Dazz stood with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face, hiding the fear that infused his body as the words Stavven spoke echoed in his mind.

He watched them work in silence and then heard the sweetest sound, “Das.”  It was only a rasping sound, but he still heard it.  “Das,” she said again.

He walked to the other side of the bed and took her odd hand into his.  Her eyes found his, and he could see the fear and the relief shining back at him.

Without breaking contact, he asked, “Stavven, what happened?”

“She had an allergic reaction to something.  What was the female doing when she started having trouble?”

“We were eating.”

“I need to know everything she had to eat so I can test her.  She is deathly allergic to whatever caused this, and the next time, we might not be so lucky.”

“We had only fruits and vegetables.”

“I think I’ll test her for everything just in case there is something else she’s allergic to as well.”

“How long will she have to remain here?”  Dazz asked.

“Not long, just a few standard hours.  I will need to get some blood so I can run the test.”

“If you can do so without causing her undue stress, inject a translator so she can understand us.”

“The Tureis didn’t give her a translator?”

“No,” he clenched his jaw as he thought about how scared she must have been.

“I’ll see that it’s done.”

Dazz nodded as he stared into her relieved eyes.  With one hand holding hers, he used the other hand to gently brush the hair from her face.  She was so different, so strange, and so beautiful.

He sat there holding her hand until she drifted off to sleep.  His com-unit beeped.  He pushed the button, and Banne responded, “Commander, you have a sub-space message from the
Victory
.”

“Thank you, I’ll take it in my Ready Room.”  With one last look at the sleeping female…Chloe, he corrected himself---he whispered, “I’ll be back.”

Sitting at his desk, he tapped the holo-pad and Jakke’s face appeared on screen.  “Dazz, we received your request for an updated language program.  We do have the language of the Dreama Sector, and I’ve sent the program to all of the ships, and expect every translator to be updated.”  His eyes softened as a smile spread across his face.  “I want everyone to be able to understand my mate, especially my brothers.”  The message ended and Dazz laughed.  His brother had a mate from the Dreama Sector.

Looking at the attached program, Dazz pressed his com-unit.  “Banne, I have the requested program, and need every translator updated, starting with mine.”

“Yes, Commander.” 

Excitement filled Dazz as he thought about finally getting to communicate with Chloe.  He was thinking about everything he wanted to ask her when he heard the familiar door chime.  “Enter.”

“Sakku, glad you’re here.  What have you found out?”  His friend took a seat.

“Not as much as I wanted to.  Someone has been feeding them information, but the Tureis didn’t have a name.”

“Why?  Why would any Azziarin do that?”  Dazz demanded.

“Someone must have hatred for your family.  The prisoner said they had questioned why as well, and all the traitor said was that King Malik had become lazy and many families had suffered loss because of it.”

“So someone on my ship wants to overthrow the ruling family…my family?!” 

“So it seems,” Sakku answered.

This was a huge problem!  If someone hated the King and his leadership, and was now allying himself with the enemy, they would have to identify the traitor quickly.  Pressing his com-unit, he ordered, “Kainn, Chasse, my Ready Room, now!”

When they arrived, he looked at his three most trusted officers, and said, “It appears we have a threat on board, someone who is helping the enemy.   Chasse, I want you to run another full scan of the ship, make sure everything is working.  Kainn, start background checks on every male on board.  More specifically, I want to know about any crew members who lost family during the last attack on Azziar. 

Sakku, I want you to help me guard the female.   If I’m not with her, then I want you or a trusted guard, one who’s been cleared, outside my quarters at all times.”

“Have you found out any information about the female?” Sakku asked.

“Only that her name is Soo-ee,” he couldn’t help the twitch of his lips as he remembered their unusual conversation.  “The
Victory
has sent an updated translation program.  Every translator will be updated soon.”

Sakku and the others nodded.  “You have your orders,” he stated in an agitated tone.

“Yes, Commander.”  Everyone filed out except Sakku, who remained seated.

Dazz felt agitated, restless, and angry about the situation at hand.  “Did you need something, Sakku?”

“Are you alright?  You don’t seem like yourself.”

Dazz started pacing the room.  He needed to find the traitor and he needed to get back to Chloe.  “No, I’m not.  Someone is feeding the enemy information, Chloe is lying in Sick Bay, and the mating fever is almost more than I can resist.  I don’t know how I could have stood it this long if Stavven hadn’t gave me a suppressor.”

“Mating Fever?”  Sakku slowly stood from his chair, seeing his friend in a new light.

“Yes, the mating fever.”

“But you don’t even know what species she is.  You can’t mate her…join with her, yes…but not mate her.  What about Sassha and Britt?” Sakku asked, with a concerned, stern voice.

“Easy for you to say, you haven’t felt the mating fever.  I don’t think I would have had a choice in the matter if I hadn’t taken the suppressor injection.  Besides, I like her, Sakku.”

“How can you like her when you can’t even talk to her?” Sakku said in a tight, controlled voice through gritted teeth.

“Why do you care who I mate?  My brother is next in line to lead…not me.”  Now Dazz was getting upset. However, he did not show it.

“Why do I care?” Sakku seethed.  “I care because we know nothing about the female.  I care because Sassha is of my blood and hoped to one day be your mate!”

Looking Sakku in the eyes, Dazz slowly asked, “Do I need to assign someone else to help me guard her?”

There was no mistaking the gravity in Dazz’s voice.  If Sakku wasn’t willing to guard her, then he would need to get someone else for the job and relieve Sakku of all his duties; an order was an order, and if Sakku’s emotions were interfering in this instance, Dazz wasn’t sure he could fully trust his friend to separate personal from professional matters.

It was a stare down before Sakku said through clenched teeth.  “I can do my job, Commander.”

Dazz nodded, “Good.  See that you do.”  Looking at his friend, he let out a deep breath before saying, “Sakku, I don’t want to hurt Sassha, that was never my plan.”  Sakku nodded before he abruptly left the room.  Dazz let out a sigh of regret.  He and Sakku rarely fought, but when they did, it was hard for Sakku to back down, especially when he felt he was right.

Before heading back to Sick Bay, Dazz made a detour to Banne’s station. He needed his translator updated.

“This will work?” he asked when Banne finished the update.

“It should, but we won’t know for sure until someone from the Dreama Sector speaks to you.”

“Thanks, Banne.”  Dazz headed out the door toward Sick Bay…toward Chloe.