Neverwylde (14 page)

“No, it’s not poisoned. While you were out, I’ve been thinking.”

Kyber reached for the bag, careful not to gulp the liquid, despite the demands his body was forcing upon him. After a few swallows, he paused to give himself and his stomach a chance to digest.

“Why didn’t you kill me? You had the perfect opportunity.”

“Why didn’t you attack me when you discovered me in here?” Cooter countered. “And don’t give me that treaty crap. You saw I had an empty rifle. You knew I was defenseless. No one would have known for the better if you’d torn into me.” He snorted. “Everyone else probably figures I’m dead, anyway.”

“My crewmember, Isup, who went rogue? He managed to find us and attacked us. I would have killed him, but he escaped. He’s out there somewhere, and his hatred for Terrans is as deep as yours is for Seneecians. He’s the one you need to look out for. Not me, and not my men.”

“Words, words, words.”

“Which are the truth.” Kyber took another couple of swallows, then cocked his head at the man. “Again, why didn’t you kill me?”

Instead of answering, Cooter crouched near the doorway, pressing his back to the wall. “This D’har of yours. If you challenged him and won, then what? Would you kill him?”

“I have that right. It would depend on whether I believe he will continue to present a threat to us. Otherwise, I could banish him the same way he’s done me.”

            “What of his men? Would they follow you if you disposed of him? Or would you have to watch every step you took?”

            “Are you asking if they would try to turn on me?”

            “Yeah. I’m guessing your guys would have no problem being faithful to you, but what about his men?”

            Kyber stretched out his legs with a loud sigh. “I can tell they are frightened of the D’har. They fear his power. More so, they fear his reach. By military law, they cannot challenge him. Only the second in command can.”

            “That being you?”

            “Yes. If they disobey any order, and if by some chance we manage to return to Seneecia, the D’har can have them and their immediate families put to death.”

            Cooter gave a low whistle. “Wow. That’s harsh.”

            “It is…our way.”

            The man scrutinized him. “You’ve already challenged him, and you lost. Why didn’t he kill you?”

            “I didn’t officially challenge him. Not by the rules demanded by our protocols. But he thinks that by banishing me without food or weapons, he has sentenced me to my death. He did it to demoralize me and the others. If he’d killed me outright, there may have been an immediate attempt at retaliation by the others.” Kyber managed a humorless grin. “I’m also guessing he hopes I do return for another attempt. We’ve clashed numerous times in the past, but never on a physical level. And never as a direct challenge. I would hazard to guess he’s hoping I survive long enough to face him again, so he can prove final dominance over me.”

            Cooter rubbed his hand over the several days’ growth on his face. “From where I’m sitting, it looks like we have the upper hand, as long as the D’har doesn’t learn about those little tube weapon thingies you mentioned. Where does that leave us? For you to challenge him, and we throw a coup while you’re fighting? Or wait for him to best you, and then show our hand?”

            The man was trying to integrate himself back into their midst, maybe because he’d realized his mistake in removing himself from the group. That he’d be safer if he remained with them, despite his intense hatred. Regardless, Kyber knew it wouldn’t be wise to assume the man had suddenly changed his fur and decided to side with them all for the sake of his personal safety. Cooter was and most likely would always remain strongly anti-Seneecian. He may be willing to side with Kyber now, but that didn’t guarantee he’d remain a strong ally. Reluctant, yes. A possible turncoat, definitely.

            There was also the rising suspicion that the man would try to overthrow
him
once the D’har was dethroned. Since three Terrans had possession of Dox’s new weapons, as opposed to one Seneecian, the tactical odds were in their favor.

            “I need to best him,” Kyber answered. “Until I can prove superiority, the D’har’s rule will remain absolute. I need to show myself capable. Otherwise, anything else would be futile. Even with Dox’s tube guns, the D’har and his men have their own blasters.”

            “Any idea how much power those pop guns retain?”

            “It can’t be much. They said they fought the underground creatures on their way to the temple. They’re expecting Dox to recharge their weapons and those we discarded, which would make them nearly invulnerable.”

            “Or so he thinks. Has this sneek ever heard of the element of surprise?”

            “As long as the others remain mum, we have that advantage,” Kyber admitted. He glanced around. “What have you been eating?”

            “I made it up to the garden a couple of times. I need to make another trip. I’m flat out.”

            Kyber pointed toward the door. “We reached a nonagon, a series of apartment-like enclosures at one end of that tunnel.”

            Cooter nodded. “I’ve seen it. Big open area?”

            “Yes. Each apartment has the ability to provide sustenance. That’s where the D’har is located. We noticed there were three tunnels leading away from the area. One leads to the garden, and one leads to an underground lake that contains two massive creatures. The third one we’re not familiar with. Have you investigated it?”

            “Yeah. You won’t believe what I found in there.”

            “Let me guess. A power supply?”

            Cooter stared at him in surprise. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of freaking technology, but I have no idea what it means or what it does. My main field of expertise is in security.”

            “Is there any food? Or any processors that produce food?”

            “I found a bunch of containers with food in them. Whether or not they produce it, I don’t know,” the Terran repeated. “How can you tell just by looking at it?”

            “In the apartments are certain glyphs which indicate food and water, as well as a bath and a bed.”

            “You’re shitting me.”

            Kyber fought to hide his smile. “Did you notice any symbols at the end of this tunnel, where you discovered the technology?”

            “Yeah. A bunch of them. Some are lit and some aren’t.”

            “How close are we to that source?”

            “How close?”

            “As opposed to following these interconnecting tunnels over to the main corridor leading up the gardens?”

            “Why in hell should we walk all that way when we can reach the gardens from that storage room?”

            Kyber frowned. “Storage room?”

            “That’s what I call that big open cavern with the cylinders and all the technology. The storage room.”

            “We can reach the gardens from there?” Kyber asked, needing clarification. “Is there another tunnel leading from there?”

            Cooter grinned. “Better than that. If you think these holographic walls are amazing, wait until you step on one of their platforms and find yourself smack dab in the middle of that garden.”

            Staring at the man, Kyber almost shook his head. “The garden has to be thousands of meters above us!”

            “Yep, I know. But there’s a portal in that place that’ll take you there in one step.” The man chuckled. “If you think you can walk, let me show you. It’ll blow your mind.”

Chapter 21

Threat

            The brown and yellow Seneecian known as Kleesod came to check on Kelen and the doctor. “If the female is secured, you both will come with me,” he ordered.

            Kelen eyed the blaster in the alien’s hand. “And if I refuse, what are you going to do? Shoot me?”

            The Seneecian pointed the weapon at the wall and fired. Chunks of rock exploded outward and debris filled the apartment, making it hard to breathe. Calmly facing them, the creature repeated, “You will come with me.”

            She didn’t argue. She knew the next time the blaster fired, it would be aimed at someone instead of a wall. For the time being, it would be prudent to back down and wait for the right opportunity.

            She had already decided she had to get away from the D’har. The Seneecian gave off some very weird vibes, to the point where being around him almost made her sick to her stomach. She had no idea where she’d go. Her only thought was to head down the tunnel toward the gardens because Sandow had told her that was the direction Kyber had taken when the D’har banished him.

            Together, she and Sandow left the apartment. Outside, Massapa watched as they were marched over to an apartment two doors over. In front of that door, Tojun and the one called Verin stood guard. Kleesod placed a hand to Sandow’s back and shoved him inside. Kelen hurried to follow. Massapa quickly bound their wrists behind their backs before they were forced to join the others who sat huddled to one side of the room. Then Massapa and Kleesod took their places by the door to prevent them from escaping.

            Kelen glanced at the physician, who slowly shook his head. Obviously, the D’har and his men didn’t know about the rear exits to the apartments, or they’d post someone on the opposite side of the room. She glanced at Massapa, who kept his gaze averted. First the tube weapons, and now the secondary exits—clearly Kyber’s men were keeping their secrets safe. Why, she couldn’t begin to guess. Neither could she tell how long they would remain mum.

            There was a pounding on the door. Massapa opened it without asking who was there and the D’har strode into the room. Behind him, Tojun led Mellori inside. The ex-engineer was shoved over to where they were seated on the floor.

Kelen stared at the Seneecian commander. She grudgingly had to admit that the creature had a very aesthetic appearance, with his pure white fur and dark gold uniform. His presence was almost palpable, as if it could resonate against the walls. Although he was a bit shorter in stature than Kyber, he was more filled out. If he and Kyber were to go after each other in bare-knuckled combat, they’d appear evenly matched.

She did a mental head check. Dox and Gaveer were the only ones not present. It would make sense for the D’har to keep the little man under guard. Kelen was thankful that at least he wasn’t being watched over by one of the D’har’s men. Until they showed their true colors, she had to assume they were as much her enemy as their commander was.

            The D’har advanced toward the group of bound Terrans. Stopping in front of Fullgrath, he glared at the injured man.

            “Who speaks for you all?” Shifting his gaze to Sandow, he bared his teeth. “Who is in command now?”

            “We told you earlier. No one is. We function democratically.” Kelen tried to keep her anger in check and her tone civil.

            “Where’s Dox?” Jules asked. He looked to Mellori, who silently shook his head.

            The D’har chose to ignore the question and crossed his arms over his chest.

            “Since there is no one among you who I can direct my orders, I’ll address you all together. This is my pronouncement. I declare you all
jeevitt.
You are the spoils of war, for me to deal with as I see fit.”

            “He asked you where Dox is,” Fullgrath interrupted.

            Again, the D’har pretended the man hadn’t spoken.

            “You will be kept in this room until the time I decide to release you. You will be given food and water, but you are not allowed to leave. Your restraints will remain in use at all times, except when you are given food. During feedings, you will be released one at a time to eat, then retied before the next person eats.”

            “Why won’t you tell us where Dox is?” Kelen demanded again.

            She wasn’t expecting the hand to hit her across the cheek and jaw. The unexpected slap knocked her onto her side as it stunned her. Both Jules and Sandow started to protest, but were quickly silenced when Kleesod aimed his blaster at them and hissed.

            Blinking back tears, she managed to sit up again, with a little help from Fullgrath. Her face burned, and not all of it was from the blow the D’har had dealt her. She wanted to curse him, but caution prevailed. If she and the others were spoils of war, there was no telling how far the Seneecian would go.

            The D’har bared his fangs, fully extending them in a threatening gesture. “The prisoners will not speak without permission. Is that understood? Do so again and I’ll have you shot to suffer, but not to die. Continue to disregard my commands and I’ll have you shot multiple times, until you learn better.”

            A loud
psst!
caught their attention. The D’har looked over to where Mellori was moving his head.

            “Why not go ahead and kill us outright?” the ex-engineer challenged.

            The D’har grinned. “That is not our way, skint.”

            A pounding on the door interrupted them. It was Gaveer. Kelen noticed the Seneecian glancing inside at them as he delivered his message.

            “Letting you know the first weapon is almost fully charged, as you requested, D’har.”

            The D’har followed him outside, presumably to return to where Dox was at work. As soon as the portal closed behind them, Mellori leaned in.

            “Dox is re-charging their blasters, but he’s doing it at a trickle. At this speed, it’ll take hours before all the weapons are at full capacity,” he informed them in a soft voice.

            Kelen kept her eyes on Kleesod, who remained by the door, and Verin, who stood on the opposite side of the room. Both Seneecians didn’t appear to mind if the Terrans spoke to one another. Apparently they believed their prisoners were too secured to cause any problems. Massapa appeared unaffected by the turn of events and casually stood a couple of meters away, his hands crossed over his chest.