Undaunted (Battle Born Book 6) (18 page)

She turned on them with equal fervor. “It might seem so now, but you have no idea if the transformation will remain stable. What if it deteriorates over time or causes some bizarre defect in your offspring? This needs to be studied for long-term complications before we involve hundreds of others.”

“We can’t wait weeks, much less years.” Garin reached over and covered her hand with his. “Each volunteer will be informed of the risks as well as the rewards. But you need to understand that our technology allows us to predict long-term effects much more accurately than anything available on Earth. The process is safe.”

She bit back any further argument about the speed with which he wanted to proceed. Disagreeing with General Nox in front of his officers was counterproductive to any debate. Besides, he had a valid point. She was analyzing the situation from a human perspective. Rodyte technology was decades, maybe centuries, ahead of anything available on Earth.

Still, he hadn’t addressed Haven’s issue, an issue Berlynn was surprised to find she shared. “You said each volunteer would understand the ‘risks as well as the rewards’. What
are
the rewards? How are you going to convince five hundred human females to join what is essentially a breeding program?”

Garin’s gaze became so penetrating that she had to look away. Unfortunately, every male in the room was staring at her just as intensely. “This war cannot be won without—”

She held up her hand, halting Garin’s reply without actually interrupting him. “I understand your motivation. What is still unclear is how we’re going to convince five hundred humans to abandon everything they’ve ever known and trust a group of aliens who want to mutate their DNA during a process that will bind them to an aggressive male for the rest of their lives.”

“It sounds much better when we explain it,” Zilor said in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

“The humans must understand why we’re fighting, not just that we need them to fight.” Bandar waited until she looked at him to add, “Is that what you’re getting at?”

She nodded. “But it’s even more fundamental than that. Every member of the battle born must remember that this war is not about revenge against your oppressors or controlling Rodymia. You’re fighting for freedom, for an opportunity to live life to the fullest and choose your own path. That cause is noble and familiar to humans, especially Americans.”

“She’s right.” Sedrik was so serious it sounded as if the phrase had been dragged from him against his will. “If we forget what this war is about, so will our men.”

Garin dipped his head in silent assent.

“If we all agree to refocus on our motivations, can we talk logistics?”

Raylon’s gruff question made Berlynn laugh. “I suppose, but don’t let it happen again.”

After a short pause, Garin resumed the briefing. “It’s business as usual for Raylon and Kaden.”

“Come on.” Kaden slumped back in his chair, clearly frustrated by the decision. “I’ve been a good boy, daddy. Can I please come out of my room now?”

Garin chuckled, but didn’t change his mind. “You’re where I need you, Kaden. And I’ll say it again, this is not a punishment.” Kaden said nothing more, so Garin continued, “Raylon, I want the
Relentless
found and recovered, if possible. But the captives are the top priority. If recovering the ship hampers the rescue mission in any way, focus on the females.”

“That crew needs to die.” Raylon made the statement with absolute finality. His bloodthirsty attitude was understandable. His mate had been horribly abused aboard the
Relentless
. And their depravity hadn’t ended with Chandar. They were subjecting the human captives to the same sort of abuse they had forced on Chandar.

It took Garin a moment to reply. “It’s not my call. If a tribunal orders their deaths, I’ll happily arrange the executions. But I can’t sanction murder.”

Raylon didn’t appear happy, yet he didn’t argue. Instead, he looked at Kaden. “Has Milanni provided any useful information?”

“Not really. She’s revealed a lot of ‘secrets’ that we already knew. I’m still not sure if she doesn’t know anything more or if she’s the best liar I’ve ever interrogated.”

“We need to figure out a way to make them come to us,” Raylon mused. “Set some sort of trap for the bastards.”

“I don’t know if it will help or not, but four additional ships are being retrofitted with covert shield generators and bio-stream engines,” Garin told him.

“Courtesy of Letos?” Raylon asked.

Garin nodded. “There are distinct advantages to being in an alliance with the Integration Guild.”

“Which ships?” Bandar wanted to know.

“The Intrepid, Harvest, Vengeance and Fearless,” Garin listed.

“Not the
Undaunted
?” Sedrik’s smile hinted he already knew the answer.

“She already has bio-stream engines and she’d too damn big for covert shields. Our girl is built for strength and intimidation, not stealth.”

“Bio-streaming will be nice, but why waste a covert shield generator on the
Intrepid
?” Kaden wanted to know. “She hasn’t left the outpost since we arrived.”

“That will need to change once the transformation project is in full swing,” Garin told him. “A stationary target is too big a risk.”

“Understood.”

“Now, as well as five hundred transformed soldiers, I want the thirty most powerful. They’ll be taken to Stargazer Ranch and personally mentored by Vox and Zilor.”

“Why me?” Zilor wanted to know. “Bandar is farther along in his training.”

“By three days,” Bandar was quick to point out.

It was easy to tell these three were brothers. Even with Garin in general mode, they clearly felt free to voice their opinions.

“I have other plans for Bandar. He’s coming with me.” Garin’s tone was final, ending the argument. “Sedrik, you’re going to warm my seat for a little while longer. I’m taking the
Vengeance
to Rodymia and Bandar is going to back me up in the
Fearless
. If this goes off as planned, no one will realize I’m not aboard the
Undaunted
until it’s too late.”

“Why do you want people to think you’re back aboard the
Undaunted
?” Berlynn wanted to know. Garin’s plan was so convoluted, she was starting to lose track.

“It’s a long shot, but Paytor might hear about the ship’s new location and come looking for me. The only ship with enough firepower to take on the
Undaunted
is the
Triumphant
. If he falls for the ploy, which is doubtful, it will lure him away from Rodymia and make our mission easier to complete.”

“And what exactly is our mission?” Anticipation lit Bandar’s face as he waited for Garin’s answer.

“We’re going to remove Quinton from office—permanently.”

“There’s only one way to ensure permanency,” Raylon told him.

“We can’t kill him,” Garin stressed with a quick sigh. “Paytor will never relent if we murder the person he feels is rightful ruler.”

“Paytor will never relent even if we don’t kill Quinton,” Raylon predicted. “His power is directly linked to the Keire dynasty. Without a Keire on the throne, Paytor is just another soldier.”

Garin ran a hand over his head, clearly agitated by the ongoing debate. “Unfortunately, I agree with you. Paytor is a much larger problem than Quinton. But the Triad can’t be installed until the Keire dynasty ends. And the Triad is our only hope of controlling Paytor. If he ignores direct orders from the unified leaders of the guilds, the battle born, and Tandori Tribe, he’ll turn himself into a fugitive.”

“A fugitive with the
Triumphant
,” Kaden reminded.

“Which is why it’s imperative that we recruit his crew. When the time comes, they’re going to throw Paytor in the brig and fly the
Triumphant
home to me.” Zilor started to ask a question, but Garin backed him off. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s take this one task at a time, or actually two. Raylon, Kaden and Zilor, focus on the transformation program. I want my soldiers and I want them now, but as Berlynn pointed out, you need a solid strategy. Humans will never agree to help us unless they understand the nobility of our cause. Sedrik, you make damn sure no one knows I’m not aboard. Bandar, you and I are going to go depose the last crown stirate of Rodymia.”

Berlynn spent the next few hours wandering around Garin’s quarters aboard the
Undaunted
. He’d turned one of the walls in the sitting area into a massive cyber tour of the ship. The function had several modes from which to choose as well as an informative narrative, though he’d warned her that the audio file was designed for new crew members so it was mostly statistics and procedures. She started with a flowing, continuous image that made her feel as if her disembodied spirit were floating through the ship. She only made it through a couple of sections before the motion made her nauseous. Then she selected the static image tour instead. The slideshow didn’t capture the scope and grandeur of the vessel, but it was much easier on her equilibrium.

The
Undaunted
really was amazing. She could see why Garin was so proud of the ship. The cyber tour took a little over an hour, but Garin didn’t plan to return until late evening. Luckily, he’d created a connection to Earth’s internet so she could find something to entertain herself. After checking her email and sending a quick message to Rachel letting her know Ulrik was on his way back to Earth, Berlynn recorded her statement about Milanni and sent it to Kaden. Defending the woman who had been involved in her father’s death still made her feel disloyal, but mainly she was just ready to put the tragedy behind her.

All of that took less than two hours, so Berlynn uploaded a movie and sent it to the viewscreen on which Garin had launched the cyber tour. She slipped off her sandals and stretched out on the couch as she watched the romantic comedy, but her mind soon began to wander. Was this a preview of her life? Would she be subject to endless hours of waiting as her important husband rushed around doing important things? If she didn’t follow him around like a groupie, she’d be parted from him for months, perhaps years at a time. She wasn’t sure which possibility was more discouraging.

Trying not to let her doubts completely erode her mood, she loaded a semi-obscene comedy next, but it didn’t hold her attention any better than the rom-com. The chemistry between her and Garin was undeniable. Even now his image lingered in her mind, and her body simmered with unfulfilled desire. She had no doubt that making love with him would be even more explosive than the intimacies they’d shared so far. But what did that really mean? Heat gathered between her thighs as if to protest the question. Just thinking about him was making her ache for all the pleasure they’d yet to share.

And yet it wasn’t just sex that drew her to Garin. She liked him, respected and admired all he’d been able to accomplish. Last night, in the circle of his strong arms, she’d enjoyed a deep, dreamless sleep for the first time since her father passed beyond. Even so, she wasn’t sure how she would find fulfilment in his war-driven world.

She was still milling over her options, and fighting off erotic fantasies, when he returned a few hours later. He looked tired, but his immediate smile assured her he was glad to be home. She sat up on the couch as he moved around to the front and pulled her up and into his arms.

“I missed you.” He bent his head and covered her mouth with his.

She allowed the kiss for only a moment before she eased away. Subtlety had never been her forte, so she didn’t pretend everything was okay. “What happens to me while you go after Quinton? How long will you be gone? Do I go back to Earth or wait for you here?”

“You don’t sound pleased by either option,” he noted. “The mission shouldn’t take more than a few days. Do you have another suggestion?”

“Not really.” She took a step back, but he caught her wrist, refusing to allow her retreat. “It’s not just the mission. I’m not sure how I fit into your world.”

He sat down and waited until she joined him on the couch. “What was your life like on Earth? The information I uncovered was all very general.”

She cringed at the reminder. “I’m still not sure how I feel about you investigating me. Humans call that stalking.”

“My intentions were honorable. I promise.”

He wanted to form a permanent soul bond with her. It didn’t get much more honorable than that. “I’m a full-blood Tandori, like Haven, but I didn’t inherit the ability to feed the sacred bonding grounds. It left me in a sort of limbo. All of the expectations that were imposed on Haven and her cousins didn’t apply to me. Thanks to my grandmother, I’ll never be a spiritual anchor.”

“Do you find that freeing or does it make you feel like an outsider?”

She smiled. As usual, his insight was right on the money. “I’ve always felt like an outsider.”

He stretched his arm out behind her, resting on the back of the sofa rather than her shoulders. “That’s not surprising. Look at your circumstances. You were raised among humans, yet you knew you weren’t one. You were a direct descendent of the original three and yet you would never be a spiritual anchor. And let’s not forget your abilities. You are an anomaly.”

She drew her legs up under the skirt of her sleeveless dress then wrapped her arms around her knees. “Thanks. I feel so much better now.”

He eased his hand forward, barely touching her bare shoulder. “I’ve always been fascinated by the unique. You might say you’re different. I think you’re special, even exceptional.”

Warmth and affection flowed into her mind, reinforcing his words. She could have dismissed it all as purposeful flattery, but emotions didn’t lie.

When she didn’t reply, he redirected the conversation back to the original topic. “Do you have a job on Earth? How do you spend your time?”

“I’m a counselor at Stargazer Ranch. Rachel assigns all the troublemakers to me. I can’t imagine why.” She added the last with an ironic smile.

“You were that bad?” He returned her smile as his fingertips caressed her shoulder. “I’m trying to imagine you as a rebellious youth.”

“I was terrible. Defiant and hostile. I wanted nothing to do with any of it, especially the arranged marriage part. I thought that concept was so outdated it was ludicrous.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. I know Tandori Tribe guards their blood lines judiciously. You’re a pureblood. How did you escape an arranged marriage?”

“I didn’t. My father matched me with a Tandori male, but I worked very hard to convince him he didn’t want me.”

That made Garin laugh. “I guess some of us are harder to dissuade than others.”

“I haven’t tried nearly as hard with you as I did with him. But I will admit that you’re infinitely more persuasive than he was.”

“Glad to hear it.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Do you want to return to Stargazer Ranch or are you open to new ideas?”

“I’m open to new ideas. Besides, I suspect your big announcement is going to make Tandori awakenings obsolete.”

“I suspect you’re right.” He slid his hand down her arm then back to her shoulder. “It will be easier for Tandori parents to explain to their children that they’re aliens once I’ve proven to Earth that aliens really do exist.”

Garin was always two steps ahead of everyone else, so she asked, “Do you have some idea of what you’d like me to do?”

A low, sexy chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Would you like to hear all the things I’d like you to do?”

Desire rolled across their link, making her nipples tingle. Heat rushed up her neck and spread across her cheeks. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” His phitons shimmered so she dragged her gaze away from his handsome face. “I have to be useful, Garin. Sitting around in your cabin all day is not my idea of life.”

“I understand.” He gently turned her face back around before he went on. “In the short-term I can see a position for you at Lunar Nine that would be very similar to what you were doing at Stargazer Ranch.”

“I’m listening.”

“Humans respond in different ways to the reality that they’re not alone in the universe. Some freeze up and some lash out. And it doesn’t always happen right away. Combine that shock with the differences in how Rodyte males view females. Many of the human volunteers will find the warriors chauvinistic and overly aggressive.”

“I’d have to agree with you there. I was taught about Rodyte customs and I still find you overly aggressive.”

Pushing his hand into her hair, he created a loose fist. “I think you like my aggression.”

Another hot tingle spiraled through her body, solidly lodging between her thighs. “We’re not talking about me right now.”

He moved closer, his face pressing against the bend of her neck. His lips slid against her skin and he inhaled deeply. She held her breath, waiting for him to nip her flesh or move his mouth up so he could kiss her. Instead, he released her hair and returned his arm back to the top of the sofa. Her breath escaped in a disappointed sigh.

His phitons still gleamed, but he resumed their conversation as if sexual tension weren’t still crackling around them. “I’m anticipating more than a few ‘troublemakers’ because of these cultural differences. It sounds like you have experience with helping others accept new realities. Those skills, as well as the fact that you were raised on Earth, will make you invaluable as we move forward.”

Despite her fluttering heart and the empty ache between her thighs, she did her best to sound calm and casual. “I’m intrigued by the concept, but I’m confused by the specifics. Would we live in one of the villages or would I shuttle back and forth from… Where would we live if I allow you to claim me?”

He motioned around them. “Is there something wrong with right here? At least to begin with? You can easily bio-stream back and forth to Lunar Nine.” Shifting his arm back to her shoulders, he pulled her close. “We’ll have many more choices when we return to Rodymia. Once this war is over, everything will change.”

She tensed, but didn’t pull away. “Then it is your intention to return?”

“Is that a problem?” He was suddenly as tense as she.

“Earth is my home.” Even as she whispered the claim she realized very little was holding her to Earth. Her father had passed beyond and Haven would be on Rodymia. She would miss Rachel, but Haven was her closest friend. “I’m not opposed to moving. I’ve just never really thought about it before.”

“Earth is a six-hour trip in a
Phantom
. We’ll visit as often as you like.”

And just like that, he’d dismantled all her objections. She looked at him, really looked at him and allowed herself to examine how he made her feel. Her chest felt heavy and her pulse raced, but it was so much more than lust. She was fascinated by his calm authority, his ability to manage even the most complex situation. His strength made her feel safe, because she knew he would never use it against her. He’d never intentionally harm her in any way.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she said when she could finally speak past the dryness in her throat.

“I’m listening,” he echoed her earlier words.

“When you return after deposing Quinton, I’ll allow you to claim me.”

“I accept,” but his voice sounded tight and emotionless. “May I ask why you want to wait?”

She suddenly felt nothing at all from him. Was he blocking his end of their connection? Dread unfurled inside her. She hadn’t meant to piss him off, but that was obviously the result of her stipulation. “It’s a serious obstacle. Accomplishing it will make this all seem real to me.”

He removed his arm from around her shoulders then pushed to his feet, agitation obvious in each movement. “Do you doubt that I will succeed?”

“No.” She stood as well, not sure why he was angry. “I know you’ll do it. I just want—”

“You want me to prove myself to you,” he snapped. “Is my life thus far not proof enough of my abilities? You’re the only person I know who doubts me. It’s insulting.”

“I didn’t mean for it to be.” She felt bad, but she wasn’t willing to lift the stipulation. This was the only thing she’d asked of him. If he wasn’t willing to compromise, she wasn’t sure she wanted to bind herself to him for the rest of her life. Communication and compromise were the foundation of any successful relationship. “It’s not personal, Garin. It’s this entire situation. I’m still trying to convince myself that all of this is really happening to me.”

He took a deep breath and averted his face. His emotions were still carefully concealed. “If this is what you need, then I’ll give it to you. I want you to be certain of me, of us.”

He sounded so hurt that she had to touch him, reassure him that everything would work out in the end. She moved to his side and wrapped her arms around his lean waist. “I…” She choked on the apology. She was agreeing to give up her home and rearrange her entire life to fit his needs. This one request was not unreasonable.

Pivoting toward her, he raised his hands to her face and gazed deep into her eyes. “My
morautu
has issued a challenge and I gladly accept. I apologize for my initial reaction. No cost is too great for what you’re offering me.”

His reassurance only made her feel guiltier. He was beyond accomplished. It was easy to understand why he found her stipulation insulting. Still, backing down now only made her seem weak. Despite the tension still banding her chest, she let the stipulation stand. “So what happens tonight? Can we make love without…confusing everything?”

“Is that what you want?” His tone grew throaty and rough. “Are you ready to join your body with mine?”