To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings) (28 page)

The corners of Lidon’s mouth curled upwards.  He looked tired, but not nearly as exhausted as he should, given how little rest he’d had these last few days.  Tough Nobek.  “I just wanted to stop in and consult with my ship’s doctor before getting some sleep.”

“Oh, so this is an official visit then.”  Degorsk knew the goofy smile that returned was not professional in the least.  Fuck it; he was in a good mood.  Seeing Lidon only made him feel happier.

Lidon grinned back at him.  “Well, you are on duty.  I like hearing you’re disappointed it’s not of a more personal nature, my Imdiko.”

He sat down in the seat on the other side of Degorsk’s desk and winced.  The doctor immediately leaned forward.  He kept his voice light, but concern threaded its way into his tone.  “Can I offer a pain inhibitor, or will that earn me another beating?”

Lidon shook his head.  “I have enough to allow me to sleep.”  The smile dropped off his face.  His eyes studied the desk between them, and the Imdiko sensed he was gathering himself to say something important.

Lidon kept his gaze lowered when he finally did speak.  “Degorsk, I need to have better mobility with this leg.  I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating it was when I couldn’t accompany you into the mine.  And though Piras didn’t use it as an excuse for leaving me behind on Wetor, he could have.”

Degorsk knew what it cost a man of Lidon’s bearing to say that.  To admit he was incapable of performing his duties the way he should must be devastating to his pride.  At the same time, the Imdiko felt a sense of quiet pleasure that Lidon knew he was safe to share such a confidence with him.  That he trusted him as a clanmate should.

Keeping his tone noncommittal, Degorsk said, “You fulfilled your tasks on the mining colony  in such a way that no one can say you were remiss.  The Wetor situation did turn out for the best, as well.”

Lidon met his gaze.  “We were lucky with that defensive shielding.”  He blew out a breath.  “I’m proud of my marks of honor, and I don’t want to lose a single one.  But I have to be able to do my job effectively.  Not for one moment can my capabilities be in doubt.”

Degorsk wasn’t going to make the Nobek ask for help outright.  “The best surgeons for your type of injury are back on Kalquor.”

“You could do it.”

The Imdiko smiled, inwardly delighted at Lidon’s confidence in his abilities.  But he wasn’t going to let that pride do a disservice to his lover.  “I could, but a doctor usually tries to avoid major procedures on those he’s emotionally invested in.  As much as I hate to admit it, there are better surgeons who will do a better job.”

Lidon scowled.  “Somehow I doubt that.”

“I’ll start looking for the best doctor for you.  Once I’ve found someone I’m happy with, I’ll arrange leave for your surgery.”

“Make that leave for both of us.  I want you at my side wherever I go.”

Degorsk’s heart swelled painfully at the blatant affection.  To cover up how stupidly joyful he felt, he joked, “I feel like throwing a party to celebrate you showing some sense, you stubborn Nobek.”

Lidon snorted.  “Well, I figured if I’m lucky enough for us to actually clan, you’ll never let me hear the end of it if I don’t fix my leg.”

“You’d be absolutely right.”  Degorsk licked his lips.  “I don’t suppose you have any particular Dramok in mind since Piras is out of the picture?”

The Nobek grinned at him.  “The same young, overachieving one you’d like to clan with.”

Degorsk laughed.  They were on the same page then, and that was good.  “He is a challenge, isn’t he?”

“Anything worth having usually is.”

“Is that in the Book of Life?”

“Section seven, fortieth verse.”

* * * *

Tranis was halfway through his shift when the transport doors opened and Lidon walked out onto the bridge.  The Nobek had gone off duty only five hours before, badly in need of rest.  Yet he looked as lethal as ever, not in the least tired.

Lidon’s eyes immediately searched Tranis out and gave him a nod.  Something in the Dramok warmed.  When he’d first joined this crew, it had been Piras the weapons commander had looked to right away.

I really need to remember my goals.  Career first, clan second.  It makes perfect sense given my age, even if plenty of other Dramoks at this stage have already started their clans.

Yet Tranis kept thinking that if he managed to attract Lidon for a Nobek, Degorsk would be part of the deal.  And the same was true reversed.  The pair appealed to him as none had before.  Any Dramok would be a fool to pass up the chance if it was given.  But could they ever seriously consider a clan leader so much younger than themselves?

Tranis went back to the readouts on his station.  He needed to concentrate on his duties, not the wish he’d found Lidon and Degorsk a few years farther down the road.  There was big work ahead, work that not only could further his ambitions, but also meant the safety of the Empire.  Stupid romantic notions had no place in his head right now.

He reported, “I am sorry it was necessary to interrupt your rest shift, Weapons Commander.  We are nearing the experimental Joshadan-Earther colony.  Pilot Georgehuberts has warned us this is as close as we can get because of sensor grid the Tragooms have employed.”

Lidon replaced his second at the weapon command station and studied the vids reporting the situation.  His grimace was no surprise to Tranis.  The security grid was of Bi’isil origin.  The superior technology was far too sensitive for a large Kalquorian destroyer to slip through without alerting the Tragoom fleet to their presence.  Georgehuberts and his crew had managed to escape undetected because of the size of the Joshadan shuttle.  The tiny ship had been small enough to scrape through the fine net of sensors. 

When Lidon spoke, he actually sounded pleased.  “One of our fighters could slip in.  I volunteer for a recon mission.”

Tranis frowned.  The Nobek was absolutely right that a Kalquorian fighter could get through without giving any alarm.  He looked at the thus-far silent Piras, who was doing his own frowning at the readouts.

The young first officer came to a quick decision.  Without taking the time to consider if it was a good idea, he said, “The weapons commander’s suggestion is a valid one, Captain.  However, I don’t think one man should go alone, for obvious reasons.  If I may make a recommendation, the grid would allow a two-man fighter to sneak through.  I volunteer to accompany Commander Lidon on his mission.”

Lidon stared at him with sharp eyes, though his expression was bland.  Tranis couldn’t guess what the Nobek was thinking.  Meanwhile, Piras pursed his lips and frowned deeper than ever.  Tranis didn’t think the captain’s concern had anything to do with personal issues this time.  Piras’ expression was one of a man seriously weighing the risks and opportunities as any captain should.

Finally he nodded.  “The destroyer will remain here on this side of the grid and await your report as well as the arrival of the rest of the fleet.  We still have five days before the first wave of our defenders shows up to take on this force, so that’s what I’m giving you.  Find out what you can, and if you can disable any of the Tragoom force, do so.”

Piras looked from one man to the other, letting them know how important the situation was.  As if they didn’t already know, but again, Piras was being the captain.  “No doubt that Earther battlecruiser has returned to the main group warning them we’ve been alerted, so they could move at any time.  If it looks like they are leaving orbit, get back here on the double.  I won’t be able to wait long before I must fall back with the rest of the fleet.”

Tranis and Lidon both said, “Yes, Captain.”

Lidon looked at Tranis, “We should begin our preparations immediately.”

“Agreed.”

They both went straight to ship’s transport.  The instant the door closed and Lidon told it to take them to the fighter bay, he raised an eyebrow at Tranis.  “Can’t stand to be away from me?”

Tranis pretended to be offended.  “You know we have a better chance of doing some damage to the Tragooms if there are two of us.”

One side of Lidon’s mouth lifted, letting Tranis know he wasn’t fooled in the least.  “Degorsk will not be happy about this.”

Tranis sighed.  “Which is why I need to make sure his Nobek returns to him in as few pieces as possible.  I’ve decided I don’t like him to become displeased with me.”

Lidon grinned broadly.  “So, you’ve learned the Imdiko breed isn’t one of pushovers?  I did warn you.”

“Yes, you did.  Make sure he gives you your hover cuffs back.”

Lidon chuckled, not bothering to deny he’d handed Degorsk the means to overcome Tranis with.  The smug bastard.

Keep laughing
, Tranis thought sourly. 
I’ll get you back for helping him
.  His sudden hard grin made Lidon shut up and eye him suspiciously.

Tranis only grinned all the more. 
You’d better be nervous, Nobek.  You’re not the only one who can wield discipline.

They reached the corridor that led to the fighter bay.  The pair walked down it, their steps quick.  Rounding a bend, Tranis slowed as he saw a glowering Degorsk waiting for them in the middle of the walkway.  Lidon never missed a step, and Tranis hurried to keep up.

The Imdiko’s worry beneath a veneer of anger was easy to see.  He snarled at them, “Going somewhere?”

Lidon stopped before him and regarded him steadily.  “Listening in on bridge business?”

Degorsk’s eyes narrowed.  “We’re heading into a situation that could mean high casualties.  Of course I’m monitoring the bridge.”  His voice lowered.  “Besides, you’ve claimed me as your Imdiko, Lidon.  Anything to do with you is my business.”

Lidon gave him a slight nod.  “Then walk with us and we’ll discuss it.”

Degorsk fell into step with the other two men, keeping pace between them.  “Is this really necessary?  Can’t others go instead of you two?”

You two.
  Tranis warmed to hear Degorsk was just as worried for him as Lidon.  Keeping his mien professional, he said, “As the second and third ranked officers of this destroyer, it would be irresponsible to send anyone else on a mission of this magnitude.”

A public display of affection from an officer on duty was frowned upon.  However, the need to comfort the obviously upset Degorsk overwhelmed Tranis.  He brushed his hand against the doctor’s.  “We will be careful, Imdiko.”

Degorsk swallowed.  They reached the fighter bay doors, which opened obediently.

The grouping of two-man fighters was smaller than the single-man vessels, and they were docked along the far side of the bay.  There had been talk of discontinuing their use because of the greater effectiveness of the smaller, faster craft.  Speed and the adroitness of movement had replaced the need to have fighter pilots face in opposite directions to fire at the enemy.  Tranis was glad it hadn’t come to that yet.  Otherwise, Lidon would be going in alone.

Crewmembers were already preparing one of the vessels for him and Lidon, storing supplies they’d need for five days of recon.  Tranis had basic training on piloting and firing the weapons, having made a point of getting in as much experience on everything to do with a destroyer-class ship.  Still, he knew this was Lidon’s game.  Once they were in flight it would be the Nobek in charge until they landed.  The first officer had no problem with that.

As they headed towards the fighter, Degorsk muttered, “Nobeks and young Dramoks bent on making their mark don’t know how to be careful.”

Lidon gave him a sidelong glance.  “We’re not fools, my Imdiko.  With you to come back to, I’ll be extremely cautious.  For a Nobek,” he amended.  There was no point in offering false security when they all knew Lidon would do his job to secure the Empire’s safety, no matter the danger to himself.

Degorsk halted, grabbing their arms to make them stop too.  He looked from one man to the other, his face expressing misery.  “Then promise.  Swear you’ll return and you won’t be in pieces when you do.”

Lidon gaze was gentle, but his tone held no compromise.  “You of all people know there are no guarantees.”

“Then lie to me, damn you.  I don’t want to think I’ll have two more men to mourn.  I can’t do this again, Lidon.  It will destroy me.”  The Imdiko was shaking, and Tranis was nearly desperate to embrace him.  For the sake of his rank, he couldn’t.

Lidon had no such reservations.  He reached up and stroked Degorsk’s cheek once.  “In five days, we’ll meet you back here.  We’ll be tired and filthy but whole and ready to fuck you senseless.  This is my promise to you, my Imdiko.”

Degorsk stared at him a moment more, then finally jerked a nod.  He turned his agonized attention to Tranis.

The Dramok wanted nothing more than to wipe the hopeless, despairing look from Degorsk’s face.  Not that he would stay behind for the doctor’s peace of mind.  No, Tranis’ whole being was tuned to keeping this man safe from the Tragoom threat that loomed.  More than anyone else, Tranis wanted Degorsk to not be afraid, to not have to face danger, to not be harmed by a vicious enemy.  The intensity of the emotion stunned him.

He couldn’t help but wonder
, is this how a Dramok feels for an Imdiko he’s meant to clan?

Steeling his voice to not give away the tumultuous feelings, Tranis said, “We will return to you, Degorsk.  And if I’m not in good enough health for your liking, I give you permission to cuff me and make me do whatever you like.”