Striker (8 page)

"Now, Dargon. Now." Zeus lifted up on his heels to push back against Dargon's fingers, only to cry out when Alpha slipped down and wrapped around Zeus’s erection.

Taking Alpha's action as a hint, Dargon hooked Zeus’s knees over his elbows as the tip of his sex slid into Zeus’s body. A strong hand wrapped around the back of his neck, drawing him down for a kiss. The hunger now too strong to be restrained, there was nothing languid or sweet in the way he ravaged Zeus’s mouth. Zeus gave back as good as he got. He released Zeus’s legs to slide his arms between Zeus and the hard surface. Fingertips dug hard into Dargon's ass, silently urging him on.

He snarled into Zeus’s mouth, energy zipping down his spine, heralding the oncoming orgasm. He wanted Zeus and Alpha to come first. He tilted his hips, looking for the one spot that made Zeus sing and knew he found it when Zeus tore his mouth away from Dargon's and hissed. In a quick move, Zeus nipped the meaty part of Dargon's shoulder near his collarbone then licked and sucked, moaning loud against Dargon's skin.

The orgasm he had been staving off tore through him, startling a roar out of him with Zeus’s yell coming after his. For long minutes, he buried his head in the nape of Zeus’s neck, the both of them breathing in great, bellowing breaths. Zeus’s legs stayed wrapped around his hips, holding him in place. He had no intention of going anywhere soon.

A warm chuckle brushed against his ear. "The two of you are going to be the death of me. I swear every time is better, more somehow."

"It is the circle of the Trine."
Dargon rose to his elbows as Alpha moved up his chest to his place at Dargon's collarbone.
"We feed off each other. Fear, anger, joy, desire. They are all much more powerful with our link. We will have to learn to temper ourselves so that we are not overwhelmed, possibly endangering ourselves and others in non-secure environments."

Dargon understood Alpha's concern but—"We have not had such problems before."

"
You and I have been together for years and have had time to adjust to what we sense in each other. By the time we left Hedisa, we had achieved a balance. Zeus brings out strong emotions in both of us and in adding him to our bond, everything we feel is heightened. Until he settles, we will have to teach him how to temper what he senses."

Zeus’s frown deepened. "So we are empathic? I … is it my … I am sorry."

"No, this is not your fault and no, technically we are not empathic. The psi-healer, Madux, he is an empath. He senses what everyone is feeling at once, all the time. On the other hand, we are keyed only to each other. The affinity we feel does not go beyond our circle. There is always a transition period when entering an Alpha Trine."

Wanting to wipe the concern from his expression, Dargon nuzzled Zeus’s cheek affectionately.

"We will encounter tense situations, Dargon. I cannot protect you if I am emotionally compromised."

Dargon chuckled as Zeus began to harden again. "We have time to balance out. But first, before we give in to our desires again, we need to return to our quarters."

Despite his attempt at distraction, he read the concern in Zeus’s expression even as his lover grinned back at him.

The detour to Qestaire ate up five standard days. Evading the psi-tracker had taken more time than originally anticipated. Zeus spent his time evaluating the Oethra 7 and making what improvements he could. He enhanced the shields and added more power to the vertical thrust. Being a Tradeline 3.2 modified long-range scout ship, it was altered to pass as a merchant vessel, if enough power was available, and the vertical thrust would allow the Oethra 7 to land upright in gravitational environments.

With permission from Azaes, he and Otho salvaged parts from The Gorgon's supply of extra shuttles taken from the failed boarding party. Otho's small size and agility was particularly useful, as it allowed him to squeeze into spaces Zeus could not reach. The activity took Zeus’s mind off of the impending visit to Qestaire. He had reluctantly agreed to Dargon's and Alpha's presence within the landing party. With the added complication of heightened emotions, he quickly learned to filter and stamp down on his trepidation and worry over their welfare. The negotiations had to go well. He needed to convince the Feteine to ally with them before they entered Valespian space. He could not bumble the meeting because he felt snarly.

As Zeus lay under the exhaust tube installing a new panel, Otho crouched near his feet ready to hand over any tool he requested. At twelve summers old, Otho was a little over middle-aged for a L'Eema. Zeus could see Otho's legs, the short, black fur exposed below the knee-length breeches. The prehensile tail curled around Otho's left ankle.

"What will you do once the mission is over?" Zeus asked to break the silence.

"I have been experimenting, creating different types of explosives and incineration devices."

He paused, clippers hovering over the wire he wanted to slice. Everyone knew L'Eemas who reached the age of twenty years had an overwhelming urge to destroy themselves in the most spectacular way possible. Many made the journey back to their homeworld to hurl themselves into their solar system's sun. Those who could not make the journey in time blew themselves up; at times innocent bystanders became caught in the blast.

"Otho …" What did he say?

Otho began to laugh, the noise see-sawing out of him. "Prince Zeus, we L'Eemas do not destroy ourselves haphazardly. No others have more expertise than we do when it comes to the creation and handling of such devices. Even though the prospect of such a grandiose sendoff into the next life sounds divine, I am not suffering from the need to make such a gesture. Accidental death in such a way is not honorable."

Zeus breathed out a small sigh of relief. "Is there a reason you already experiment with explosives?"

"If the Bespoken cannot be found, the grid will fall, and the V'Saar will invade. We must find ways to defeat them, and beat them back. The beauty of the explosion is one way to fight them."

"I hope it does not come to that, although I am sure your explosions are fantastic."

"Oh, they will be better than fantastic. L'Eemas of age will be clamoring to try out one of my packets. It is rare to have a chance to extinguish ourselves in such a different way. Not that being swallowed by a star is not the ultimate demise, but to be able to gain extra honor in the defense of an unstoppable invasion, especially when survival is a calculated one percent if the barrier falls and the V'Saar invade."

"As much as I am sure the extra honor of such a death would be good for your people, I would rather save ninety-nine percent of the population, instead."

Otho gave a hefty sigh and Zeus could see his dark toes curl. "I know, but the explosions would be pretty, too."

He paused again. How did one politely inquire about another's sanity when he had already been reassured Otho did not suffer from his race's mania—yet?

Abruptly, Otho began to hee-haw in laughter. Zeus watched as Otho fell to the floor, clutching his belly. Large violet eyes gazed at Zeus, eyelids fluttered with excess mirth. For such a cute little one, Zeus secretly abhorred the sound of Otho's laughter. The off-key tone hurt his ears. He covered them, rubbing slightly to relieve the ringing.

"Sorry." Chirps broke up the screech of Otho's laugh. "You have been tense the last several days, and I could not help but to joke with you."

Zeus teetered between exasperation and humor. Otho was correct. He over analyzed every move they needed to make, fixated on his worry that he would be unable to protect his brothers, Dargon and Alpha, his family, or the Fal'Amoric.

He could not withhold his laughter, Otho might have a strange sense of humor, but at this point, the release felt good. Making love at the end of the day assisted in easing the tension. He found it increasingly harder to stay in a positive frame of mind the closer they came to their destination.

Zeus met Otho's purple gaze. "Thank you. I needed that." A thought occurred to Zeus and he asked before he could call the words back. "Are there any L'Eema who do not end their lives at twenty?"

Otho's nose wrinkled in disdain. "Not many. There is no honor in resisting what comes naturally to us. It is part of who and what we are. We go willingly into the next life. Those who refuse to follow instinct, or the ones who are wired wrong and do not feel the urge, are doomed to be born as a L'Eema again. They spend the rest of their lives living in dishonor. Dead to their family, unable to return home, and ignored by those of us who cross them in our travels, they become nothing. They are ghosts."

"How do you know they have denied their urges?"

"Their eyes change to a deep maroon. The longer they resist, the more unstable they become, or so I have heard. I have never actually met one of the broken ones, but all L'Eemas learn of them. Many believe even knowledge of them will tarnish by the association."

Zeus, distracted by the odd idea, tightened the screws holding the new panel in place. He gathered his tools, scooting out from under the exhaust system. "I do not recall hearing of any mishaps caused by an over-aged L'Eema."

Otho's face scrunched in thought. "I know of no specific case either, just the academy's teachings."

Before Zeus could inquire further, the Orion, Rhee, appeared in the doorway of the engine room. Orions were feared throughout the galaxies: they were a lethal race, and the fact they were unable to communicate audibly and looked decidedly strange meant they were often treated with more caution than a deadlier, more humanoid-seeming race. Zeus and Rhee had become quick friends. That he appeared now meant that they were on approach to Qestaire and Zeus had just enough time to clean up and change.

Zeus’s gut clenched in trepidation as he began to mentally prepare himself for the dangers of the trip ahead. He let out a ragged breath. "Thanks, Rhee."

He rose stiffly from the floor and began to pack his tools away. He needed to convince the Qrxzl to contact the Feteine for them, then persuade the Feteine to become allies and accompany them to Valespian space. Otherwise, his meme would be walking into a trap, his father would be confined to the planet for an indeterminable amount of time, and the Fal'Amoric would be in danger of being captured again. Plus, in all the chaos, he somehow needed to ensure the safety of his brothers, of Dargon and Alpha, and of his future family. Zeus would have to utilize every negotiation technique his father had taught him. He hoped it would be enough. But just in case, he recited an ancient prayer to Poseidon.

*~*~*

There were too many people in the shuttle bay, giving the appearance of an invasion party, instead of a diplomatic team. Zeus mentally took a headcount. The Orions were there, but they would be staying behind. He could see Axis, the GyrFalconi navigator and Madux, the psi-healer, standing with Dargon. Axis would be needed to take the information on the coordinates for the Feteine's location. If Dargon insisted on coming, then Zeus wanted Madux along to ensure Dargon's and Alpha's continued health, in case they walked into a hostile situation.

What Zeus had not counted on were the half dozen Monticore and Warlord Sohm'lan.

"They insisted."

Zeus turned to face Mestor. "What you mean they insisted?"

"You have been away from home for far too long. You are a prince of House Vondorian. Any time you left the palace, you were escorted by six guards."

With him or not, the Monticore were responsible for his wellbeing. "I snuck out to meet Rathmar." Before he left home, he had been less than truthful with his guards regarding his whereabouts when he slipped away to spend time with Rathmar. The noble had insisted on complete secrecy.

"Azaes ran an investigation. We both concluded you had been sneaking out for some time to keep Rathmar's secret." Zeus could not deny the assessment. He had thought he was in love, sure that Rathmar would find the courage to claim him.

"Your personal guards were very upset when they found out. Azaes convince them not to resign. They took your sneaking around as a lack of confidence in their ability to keep a secret."

"I could not ask that of them."

Mestor snorted in derision. "You are a prince. As long as your activities did not endanger Father, the Monticore would have kept your confidence. Now, they are determined to win back your esteem. They drew lots this morning to see who would have the privilege of going to the surface with you."

"They never lost my esteem. I hold them in the highest regard."

"Then allow them to do their job. Those waiting with Sohm'lan feel honored to be the escort of the Striker. Do not turn your nose up at them because you believe yourself unworthy."

Zeus did not agree with Mestor at all. Azaes would need every hand to defend The Gorgon and protect the Fal'Amoric while he was surface-side. But before he could say so, the Monticore noticed him. They all straightened, their hardened expressions softening slightly with their excitement. He had become unused to being guarded by so many. If he dismissed them, it would send the message that he did not trust them. He had to remember his duties as prince and quit thinking of himself as simply Zeus the master mechanic.

Chastened, he glanced at his brother. "Thank you. I had forgotten my obligations."

Mestor squeezed his shoulder gently. "What was it like, living in anonymity?"

Zeus nuzzled Mestor's chin affectionately. "At first, I felt lost, alone, as if I had been set adrift without a sail or rudder. After time, I became somewhat accustomed to being faceless in a sea of people, but I always yearned to be home, sick with the desire to see the faces of my family but unable to. I took the position because I thought I could make a place for myself outside of Atlainticia. I received offers from several stations and a couple of planets who desired my expertise. I turned them down. I could not stand to be away from my family any longer. I swear, brother, I will not leave Atlainticia again once I reach planet-side. Being away is too painful."

"Meme will be more than pleased. You were missed more than you know." Mestor squeezed Zeus’s shoulder again before releasing him. "Now, make sure everyone is wearing a monitor bracelet. With them, we will track you from the moment you leave the bay until you return."