Void's Psionics (55 page)

“
Like I said, every little
detail will help us locate this man’s origins. If I had gotten some
viable and uncompromised skin cells or blood I could have unlocked
his genetic strands and deduced his birth of origin as well as
discovered how the infestation is held in check.” Renee bit the
bottom of her ruby lip. “When my mother was infested, she had to
undergo aggressive and painful treatments for near eighteen months
before the ten additional while pregnant with me.
He
though was in complete
physical health. Ma’s treatments made her lethargic and sick. To me
in my profession it is clear they weren’t treated in the same way
for infestation.”

“
I see.” The Hunter Elder
didn’t attempt to rise or nod. “Then it will help our trackers to
hunt down those responsible for the creation of this abomination.
Have you…”

“
I’ve already contacted the
Ranger squads.” Oliver said. Rangers were a secret division of
Hunters who specialized in investigating crimes against the Hunter
organization. “I’ll contact the lead team and know your input will
be put it to good use.” He struggled with a decision and decided to
come right out and say it. “I’ve told no one this, but the lead
Ranger I’m in contact with says he has a suspicion as to who is
behind this conspiracy.”

Renee stepped away from his chest to glare.
“And why didn’t you tell me? And just what the hell are
Rangers?”

“
Rangers only allow Elder to
Elder communication to limit a leak of information. Brother Void, I
vouch for Vic. Since you are permanently mated to Mrs. Void, I’ll
permit you to speak with her as your senior, but only if you place
a soundproof barrier around us. I hear breathing from young ones
beyond the curtain.” He pointed and then there was a soft cough
from beyond it.

Oliver lifted his hand after
placing the tablet back in his pocket and a dome of energy covered
them. A barrier so strong it was visible and both the medic’s Vic
and the old Hunter raised an eyebrow by how easy he made it look.
It would have killed both of them instantly if they had attempted
such a feat. Oliver then said “Rangers are a specialized secretive
division among the Hunters. They are akin to detectives and have
the authority similar to an Elder Hunter. They operate in secret
under the orders of the Elders and report
only
to us. Their skills lay in those
rare few who are gifted telepaths who can match the power of a
Drake in that you wouldn’t know they were reading your mind. They
leave no traces and are able to cloud the person’s mind so you’d
never know you had even seen them. They use any and all means to
solve reports against the Hunters. It is because of the Rangers
that this entire autonomous organization hasn’t been infiltrated by
those who want to exploit the brotherhood. They are the elite at
what they do.” He told Renee who had a hand on a hip yet kept
quiet. The red in her freckled cheeks told him she was mad even if
they weren’t already inside each other’s minds. He then turned to
all three listening instead of strictly her. “Getting back on
topic… The Rangers took all the information I and Renee supplied
and they suspect President Chandler of Galicom.”

“
There isn’t one bad thing
that that man hasn’t done and gotten away with, but most people are
too blind to suspect that bastard of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, why
do they suspect him in this instance?”

“
The lead Ranger told me
they were already following a lead from another case and happened
to stumble upon it about an hour after I made contact with them.
They told me they discovered another secret lab behind a false wall
inside a Galicom shell company on Verard after finding
incriminating documents inside the private office of the corporate
giant.

“
They had broken into where
an informant told them to search for a cloning lab, found
paper
documents so nothing
could be hacked inside a lesser CEO’s private office and rushed
over to the offsite laboratory to find a lab near exactly similar
to the one found in New Wrangler Prison. Their description leads me
to believe it. They are under orders to not flash data or video,
but they painted me a clear picture.

“
During the infiltration in
the off-site lab they managed to detain two scientists and were
forced to kill ten others who were Retrained to only kill rather
than to fix a bad habit, losing one Ranger in the team during the
ensuing crossfire. One scientist also committed suicide. Cyanide in
a false tooth.” Scimitar gave a small nod. “They reported directly
to me from the two captive’s memories that one subject was a
‘smashing success’ not two months ago and were in the process of
mass producing clones exactly like the first somewhere else unknown
and off site.

“
When the site was secure
they ran back to arrest Chandler on the conspiracy, but he had
departed not an hour prior. GNN didn’t know anything about the
abrupt departure and the Rangers kept information leaks to a
minimum. The news simply believe the president of Galicom is simply
away on vacation. We though think otherwise.”

“
Must have bugged the lab
after the prison fiasco and hightailed it out of there before our
elite team of Rangers got hold of him… what did our men do with the
evidence?”

“
Turned the documents
directly over to Claw and Talon’s daughter. Like I did when we
broke out of prison to blow the whistle. So far she has been able
to keep everything under wraps, but President Chandler is our prime
suspect in this problem. And…”

“
I think they are spot on,
Brother. Paper is hard to come by except to artists. To print
detailed documents on actual paper isn’t going to look good on
anyone involved. Furthermore, only traitors run from their corrupt
ways when they know it’s over… but I have an idea few know of.”
From his tone he was both glad and upset he had thought of it.
“Chandler was
once
a Hunter before he was expelled from our order. He was of a
time of the Grandest too, but was discharged after suspect behavior
that resulted in the deaths of two thousand civilians and was said
he didn’t raise a hand to offer aid. Without proof we couldn’t
execute him so we banished him eight centuries back. He supposedly
just watched as they were slain. No Hunter would ever sit back and
watch people be massacred. He knows the same style taught to you,
Brother, and I’ll bet my left arm he is the trainer if not this
‘Father’ the man referred to. Do the Rangers have a lead on where
he exited Verard?”

“
The man wouldn’t dare come
within any Hunter protected planets or systems. With Vanishing
Claw’s rank, he and I spoke this morning and already approved my
idea to blacklist the Galicom president and all Hunter outposts are
on the lookout for the ostentatious cruiser Chandler departed in.
Any sightings will come to me first since I’m able to teleport to
any location faster than it would take even the most advanced FTL
drive I have created to reach the system. I’ve gotten approval to
use any and
all
measures to acquire the prey. Then bring him here to Zerika
for questioning by a
full
Elder tribunal.”

“
You have this well in hand
don’t you?”

“
Three days for me is plenty
of time, but I wouldn’t leave without being here to say thank you
for saving my life. If you hadn’t, I’d certainly be
dead.”

“
Just glad I was there to do
it. I know you would have done similarly if I were targeted. Don’t
worry, we’ll figure it all out.” Scimitar pated Oliver’s
hand.

“
Everything sorts itself out
in time. I also have a surprise for you.” Oliver walked away and
came right back carrying a wrapped bundle. “We found your first
blade at the bottom of the river, but my micro-drones followed the
water and located your other at the bottom of the canyon gorge.” He
handed the sheathed swords over to a grateful Hunter.

“
Thank you.”

“
Not me. Thank Renee. I was
too busy to think about it, thinking it was long gone, but she
reminded me on how to search. They were a bit beaten, but I
sharpened the blades after one of your smiths beat out the
impressions.”

“
Then you again have my
gratitude, Mrs. Void.”

“
Uh huh.” She locked eyes
with Oliver, clearly still irritated to be left out of the loop.
“Let’s go have a chat outside, Dimwit.”

“
Wait a moment, Mrs. Void.”
Oliver and Renee stopped. “I’d like that splicing therapy. I
haven’t forgotten about that.”

She laid a hand on the man’s shoulder. “You
just rest up. Olly already told me, but I’ll not let you do it till
your skull is healed and the skin grows back. Don’t you worry
either. Vic has the solution I whipped up special for you. He’ll
only administer it…”

“
When you are healthy
again.” The other medic finished. “And not a moment sooner.” He was
completely serious.

“
How long?”

“
Give or take six days, Old
Friend. Two more of bed rest under my observation. Your condition
is still critical. And the graft isn’t hardened into bone yet. One
minor injury and it’ll undo all we did you save you. So no fighting
me. I’ll see about filling that bottomless pit you call a stomach
meanwhile.” Vic smiled and walked away.

Elder Scimitar hadn’t even noticed Oliver and
Renee had left till he looked back. He shrugged and closed his eyes
to rest some more.

“
Why?” Renee said through
gritted teeth as they stepped outside and she threw up a soundproof
barrier of her own. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you have had a
clear idea who is responsible for fucking with our lives. First
prison and now some psychopath fucker who nearly killed you?
Why?”

The best way to shut her up worked as he came
forward and kissed her with total passion. Keeping sanity enough to
not touch her occupied breast their daughter suckled on. Renee
sighed in the assault and wrapped her bare arms around his neck,
pulling him down further.

He managed to pull back and liked how her
eyes fluttered. Then she fought a grimace and a smile. “Damn you,
Olly. No fair.” But she didn’t unlocked her arms around his thick
neck.

“
Red, I was sworn. Only the
Elders know of the Rangers. Only them.” He put his forehead against
hers, glad his sense of smell was back and he scented her musky and
flavorful arousal. “You would have fought me if I told you who was
responsible and wanted details on how I knew deep down Chandler is
the likeliest suspect. You would try entering my mind with force or
ask Sparky. Then you would be in danger if a Ranger scanned you in
passing and you weren’t given permission, if he thinks you are a
threat he has the right to kill you.”

“
Even though you are an
Elder?”

“
I’m too close to you to be
able to be objective. Only another Elder can grant permission to
another Elder’s mate. It is one of the many things I must abide by
when I was here with all of the assembled Elders last time. I’m
sorry.”

She leaned back and tilted her lips up to
give him a quick kiss. “Don’t be. I’m not mad anymore now that you
told me. It makes sense. You were protecting me. Just don’t leave
out something so huge again… wait, when have you had time to chat
with these Rangers?”

“
Normally when you and Vic
were busy operating on him or changing his dressings, bathroom
stops or when I had to go check on the cubs.”

“
Speaking of, how are they?
Sparky has been keeping an eye on them for me.”

She relaxed into the outside bench and let
the barrier dissipate away. He followed with a small smile.
“Interesting you should ask. Nova impressed upon me he wants all
the cubs to become your Pride when they grow up.”

“
Really?” She was thrilled.
So much so she smiled so hard her face hurt. “Wait… does that mean
I need to feel pain?”

“
Yes, unfortunately. The
cubs, even only days old, are being mentally trained by the mothers
and fathers. It is what Nova tells me was how he and the others
were when they were born… before the harsh stuff is implemented.
Nova doesn’t like Sparky being your only means of protection. The
cubs are being trained, but won’t be ready till they are fully
grown. Till then they aren’t connected to anyone but each other. He
wants me to warn you it is his wish to keep you safe. No matter
what. Later on he wants more cubs to give them to Isabella when she
reaches maturity.”

She grimaced. “I really cringe at the idea of
being bitten like you were. You stood there in pain for hours. I
can’t do it. I hate pain and am easily scared. Tell him thanks, but
I’ll pass. I’m no warrior. I reek of fear and I doubt smelling
angry will help my case.”

“
Eh, good point. They’d eat
you. You need to be completely calm and focused.” His mind,
connected as it was told Nova all he needed to know. “He is
saddened, but understands. For now he will keep them in check till
Isabella is mature enough to take them as her Pride.”

Distantly the two of them felt a rather
strong emanation of tingling. It was weak, but clear and it put
another smile on their faces. Renee said first. “I bet you a
blowjob Papa yells ‘Where’s me granddaughter?’ first thing and
scares the hell out of the Hunters.”

“
So if you win I must feast
on your clit?” She nodded with a wolfish grin. “Not much of a wager
since I rather love the taste, but very well. I shall bet that if
he says ‘Listen up ye dogs!’ you need to find a way to make it so
our eyes stop glowing.”