Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The star cruiser seemed to glide to a stop, taking its place with the other ten ships from the Gilesean battle fleet in orbit above the medium-sized planet that shone brightly on the vid screen. Admiral Arik paused for a moment to reflect on the skill of Colonel Brandr in coordinating all the ships taking up orbit at the same time, without one colliding with another.

“And this is the world the ship came from?” Admiral Arik demanded, leaning forward in his thickly padded black chair to look out the huge forward screen at the green and tan planet below them. On his left, he could see the two crewmen checking sensor screens and a line of red blips that were satellites.

“Yes, Admiral, this is the planet. We are getting video telemetry from several of the satellites.” Col Brandr replied, looking up from a console his expression going from a frown to a smile and back as conflicting emotions seemed to war across his face. “A rather unusual telemetry in fact.”

“What do you mean, unusual? Show me.” Admiral Arik ordered waving at the screen.

Captain Fram, who was standing beside Colonel Brandr and had been looking at the view screen with him gave Colonel Brandr a nervous look.

“Perhaps, Admiral, you might wish to view it in private, it’s a bit, well, a bit umm unusual.” Captain Fram gave Colonel Brandr a nervous look. “This seems to be a pleasure planet.”

“What am I, a child? Just show me the damn video.” Arik barked, making several members of the bridge crew jump.

“As you wish,” Brandr replied, and a moment later the main view screen image changed, bright letters came up in red and gold flashing Pleasure Dome, while a male voice rose up saying for all your gambling and pleasure needs, come to the Pleasure Dome. The letters faded away to show a pale-skinned female with flame-colored hair and a skimpy costume dancing in a swaying, undulating fashion that made Arik blink as he tried not to stare.

“I did not know females could move that way,” Brandr said as every eye on the bridge was glued to the screen. As they watched, a Gilesean male stepped up to the dancing female to slip his hands about her trim waist and pull her into his arms, trapping her against his wide naked chest for a deep kiss.

“That’s the prince.” Fram blurted out as he spoke out loud what every male was thinking.

Arik simply stared at the screen for several heartbeats before the image changed to that of the inside of some large building filled with what appeared to be gambling machines and scantily clad females. It was indeed their prince in a brothel it appeared, after months of searching he had been found alive in a brothel of all places.

“Sir, we are picking up multiple explosions from what appears to be the only settlement on the surface.” A young ensign said, standing and looking nervously between the Admiral and the Colonel.

“Explosions, are you sure?” Arik demanded, obviously appalled.

“Yes, sir, all around the settlement it appears. The other ship commanders are asking what you want to do.” The ensign asked again.

Arik took a moment to remember the ensign was named Rando before giving him his thoughts. “Tell them to prepare to send men down to the surface; we are going to rescue our Prince. Colonel, have my drop ship ready and order both platoons to board at once we leave in five minutes.” Arik rose to step down from the command platform as around him the others stared at him in disbelief.

“Admiral, are you sure it could be dangerous?” Brandr protested, exchanging looks with Captain Fram.

“Of course, I’m sure he is my nephew as well as my prince, and I expect you to join me, Colonel. Captain, you are in charge till I return.” Arik snapped before storming from the bridge, closely followed by his personal guard.

Colonel Brandr smoothed down his uniform before nodding to Captain Fram. “Captain, you have your orders. Keep monitoring the vid coming from the satellites and keep what you see to yourself if there are more shall we say embarrassing videos of our prince it would be best that they are kept secret.”

“Yes, sir, but what about the other ships?” Captain Fram demanded following Brandr to the door of the bridge.

“I will order the others not to monitor the satellite transmissions on my way to the planet.” Colonel Brandr replied, he took one last look at the command deck then hurried away. Brandr was a good commander, he loved his ship as if it was his child and he hated to leave it for any reason especially to go down to a dust ball of a planet. But he couldn’t ignore a direct order and his Prince needed him, after months and months of searching they had finally found him and it was his duty to bring him home safely. With a deep breath Brandr hurried out of the bridge and down the corridor towards the elevator that would take him to the hanger deck, around him there was organized chaos as troops raced to get to the hanger.

* * * *

Ronan ran down the corridor and then took the steps down to the first floor at top speed, nearly losing his footing twice in his haste to reach the courtyard and see if Zardo and his men were unconscious or dead. He hoped Zardo was still alive just so he could kill Zardo himself for what he’d done to Lilly.

Ronan burst out the door and into the courtyard at top speed in time to see Tyrell, Eacha, Rugger, and Cahir with Zach and several of the other guards stepping through the open gate door and onto the street beyond. The thick oppressive heat from the double suns was like a blow to the face after the cool darkness of the inside. The bright light burned his eyes, making him squint against it as he hurried to follow the others out the door.

Downed males lay like fallen leaves before the dark red gate whose bright paint job was now marred with black scorch marks where it had resisted laser fire till the shield had been lowered. Ronan took a moment to look around, seeing several trails of smoke billowing up into the cloudless sky from fires all around the village. The devastation that Zardo and his men had caused was vast; it would take weeks to repair all the damage and destruction that had been done.

Ronan knew he shouldn’t care what had happened to the other pleasure centers, but he did, the same as the fact it enraged him that the village was damaged and burning. While the slave owners were the scum of the universe the other slaves and the people who scrapped out a living in the village were all prisoners in one way or another, just like him. They were all just trying to get by and eke out a living on his nameless dust ball of a planet. He owed what he felt now to Lilly and her unending kindness, but he felt no kindness when he thought of Zardo; he only felt rage and hate.

Cahir and Rugger nodded to him as they began checking the downed males beside Tyrell and his men. Tyrell was moving from body to body, removing any weapons he found and passing them to Zach before ordering the body moved into one of two piles; those alive and those dead.

Ronan bent over a prone male, trying not to cringe at the burns he saw. The males that had been closest to the gate and the force field were all suffering severe burns, while those further to the back had more minor damage. Ronan used his toe to flip over the male and saw a flicker of life on his singed face, noting that his eyebrows had been singed off.

“Tyrell told me it was Lilly’s idea to make the force field surge; she is indeed a clever female.” Eacha shook his head. “I was on the wall with Cahir and thought that they would breach the force field any moment that we would be overrun. Pure genius I again apologize for what I said about her.”

“It is not me you should apologize to, but Lilly,” Ronan replied, returning to his search for Captain Zardo.

“True and I shall, I can admit when I am wrong. You know now that we don’t have those damn collars on, we can escape. We could take their ship and leave this cesspool of a world.” Eacha said, looking from the downed males to the space port beyond as if searching for Zardo’s ship.

Ronan smiled as he shook his head pensively. “Aye, we could, but first we need to find Zardo. If he is dead, I can live with it, though I shall be disappointed; if he is alive, I shall make him wish he was dead.”

“I shall help you look, Cahir, Rugger help us look for Captain Zardo, Ronan would have a word with him,” Eacha said with a dry laugh.

“Aye, I wouldn’t mind a word with him either,” Cahir replied, flexing his fingers and making fists.

Ronan and his men began working their way through the bodies beside Tyrell and the others, blotting out the sounds of fire and chaos coming from the village as they concentrated on the task at hand. In the distance, Ronan heard what sounded like thrusters firing from a ship, but ignored it; he had only one thing on his mind: finding Zardo and making him pay.

* * * *

Lilly continued watching the vid screen as Ronan and the others began checking the fallen males, again her conscience bothered her thinking of all the harm she’d caused. Behind her, Perrion groaned softly before opening his eyes and fixing her with a long look that made Lilly shiver and wished she was still wearing her jumpsuit.

“What are you doing here?” Perrion demanded his normally deep voice high and raspy.

“Watching over you, Arnal has gone to get help to move you to the med center. You were poisoned, but we found an antidote.” Lilly replied giving Perrion a nervous reply, she didn’t like being alone with him now that he was conscious.

“What do you mean female?” Perrion protested and made an effort to rise only to flop back to his bed with what sounded like a curse. Lilly returned her attention to the monitor and saw at the edge of the screen Zardo push himself to his feet, his attention on Ronan who was looking the other way.

Lilly knew she’d promised Ronan to stay safe, but she had to warn him about Zardo. She began moving towards the door, stopping only to steal a light tan robe off a hook near the door. Lilly slipped into the robe, hearing Perrion call for her to come back and help him, but she ignored his shouts, for he no longer owned her. Perrion was in for a rude awakening when he found out all his slaves were now free. The robe was long, dragging about her feet, but it would keep the fierce sunlight from burning her skin, and considering she was still dressed in her dancing outfit some covering was needed. Picking up the front of the robe she hurried towards the steps ignoring the questioning look of others as they moved past her towards Perrion’s chamber followed by Arnal who shouted for her to come back.

* * * *

Ronan heard the distant throaty roar of more engines firing and stood shading his eyes with both hands, looking towards the sounds of the engines. In the distance, he saw two dark shapes coming to land in the desert past the spaceport. He swore beneath his breath, wondering what new trouble these ships were bringing. He would find Zardo, make him pay while questioning about where his ship was, and once he had all his answers, he’d kill him without remorse. Then he would take Lilly and his men and they would leave and never look back. He didn’t care how long it took to get home; all that mattered was having Lilly by his side.

Ronan turned to check another male when he felt a flash of heat, and his left bicep burned. He spun to see Zardo staggering towards him from several feet away, his normally neat hair and uniform a dirty mess. It took a heartbeat for Ronan to register the fact that Zardo had fired at him and was about to fire again when there was a flash to his right, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Cahir fire, hitting Zardo in the hand and sending his pistol flying.

Ronan looked over at Cahir, who shrugged. “You said you wanted to find him alive. I could not kill him and take away your pleasure in beating him senseless.”

In answer, Ronan simply grinned, then, stepping over Zardo’s barely conscious men, charged for him his mind filled with the image of him trying to take Lilly from him.

Zardo still shaking his injured hand and cursing barely had time to react before Ronan tackled him to the hard-packed dusty ground. Zardo landed on his back with a loud thump. Ronan barely felt the hard impact as all thoughts but revenge had fled, he finally had his hands on the male that had hurt his female and he meant to make him pay.

One knee on either side of Zardo, his left hand about the blue male’s neck, Ronan began pummeling him in his bulbous nose, letting his pent-up rage free. Zardo’s hands came up to grapple with him, trying to break his hold, Ronan felt Zardo pummel his ribs, but he didn’t release his hold. Ronan saw a blur out of the corner of his eyes a heartbeat before he was hit hard and knocked off Zardo and to his left. Ronan managed to twist and block a strike from another blue-skinned male before Rugger and Cahir dragged him off Ronan. The male scuffled with his friends but was no match for them as they quickly overpowered him and wrestled him to the ground.

Ronan rolled to his feet and kicked Zardo in the ribs, making him flinch and then roll away to push to his feet.

“What did you do to my men?” Zardo bellowed, his face contorted in rage.

“You complain because we defended ourselves against your attack, that we wanted to keep our females safe from you,” Ronan replied, looking Zardo up and down and gauging how he would attack next.

“You are nothing, nothing but an inferior species that should be taught its place.” Zardo sneered, and Ronan felt his rage flare again as Zardo’s words hurt. He was a prideful male, and his people were a prideful people. Was this how Lilly felt when Eacha called her unworthy?

“I would differ with you, why don’t you come and teach me then.” Ronan motioned for Zardo to attack him with a twisted smile on his face. Ronan didn’t have to wait long before Zardo charged at him with a guttural roar. Ronan waited until the last moment then took a half step to his left before twisting and snapping out a quick right punch to Zardo’s face. All those months in the fighting pits had honed Ronan’s reflexes and given him superior fighting skills. Zardo’s head snapped back and he staggered before turning to take a clumsy swing at Ronan who twisted easily out of the way and followed up with a hard punch to Zardo’s stomach that made him double over and drop to his knees. Ronan stood back watching as Zardo turned a darker shade of blue and fought for breath.

“Get up and fight me, or are you only male enough to attack defenseless females?” Ronan growled, looking down at Zardo with open contempt.

Zardo reached inside his dark blue jacket to pull out a long, thin knife of black metal. He pushed to his feet, his face a twisted mask. Ronan stepped back, studying Zardo, weighing his options as Zardo raised the knife high. There was a loud hissing sound, and fire seemed to erupt in the middle of Zardo’s chest. He registered a moment of surprise before pitching face down in the dirt.

Ronan’s head whipped to his right, and it took him a moment to comprehend what he saw: Gilesean males, about twenty in fleet uniforms, standing a few feet away with his uncle in the lead, a pistol in his hand.

“Uncle Arik, it’s good to see you, but I wish you had waited a few moments longer,” Ronan said as the fact that he was finally rescued sank in.

“Ah, did I ruin your fun?” Arik demanded with a grin as he holstered his pistol.

“A bit, but I am beyond glad to see you,” Ronan said with a smile.

Ronan heard Rugger let out a whoop of joy as he realized they’d been saved while Cahir let out a loud ear-piercing whistle. In the back of his mind, he heard Lilly shouting his name, time slowed as he saw a Gilesean officer raise a pistol and fire towards the gate and the sound of Lilly’s voice.

Ronan’s scream of no was a heartbeat too late; he spun in time to see Eacha tackle Lilly to the ground as the laser exploded on the gate behind them.

Ronan sprinted to his friend’s side as Zach and the others hurried to Eacha and Lilly.

“Lilly, Lilly.” Ronan dropped to his knees and tentatively reached out to touch Eacha’s side, as Eacha his left bicep was bleeding, rolled onto his side and scrambled to his knees.

“I saw him go to shoot her,” Eacha said as his hand went to his bleeding arm.

Ronan eased the hood that had fallen over Lilly’s face back to gently touch her pale cheek before giving her a gentle shake. “Lilly, Lilly, wake up.”

A shadow fell over Ronan, and he looked up to see his uncle, the officer who’d fired, and several other males standing about him looking down.

“You almost shot her. What were you thinking?” Ronan snarled, looking up at a colonel standing beside his uncle.

“I saw a shape coming towards you. I thought you were in danger.” The Colonel replied.

“Tis a female, is she important to you?” Arik demanded as Ronan slid a hand behind Lilly’s head, only to pull his fingers back covered in blood.

“She is my life,” Ronan replied, slipping his hands under Lilly to lift her and cradle her against his chest.

“She is his mate, his pregnant mate,” Cahir said, coming to stand beside Ronan and Eacha.

“His mate?” Arik said his thick grey eyebrows rose to his hairline. “My ship is not far; my medic is on board.”

“No, there is a medic here; he knows how to treat her.” Ronan, without a backward glance, turned to hurry back through the open gate door.

“Your majesty, we have come to take you home.” The colonel protested, shouting after Ronan’s retreating form.

Cahir slipped an arm under Eacha’s good one as Rugger came to join them.

“Cahir, take Eacha to the med bay. I will tell the Admiral and the Colonel everything.” Rugger said as he noticed the Gilesean rescuers eyeing Tyrell and his men wearily.

“Sounds good, I for one have had enough of these suns,” Cahir said, turning to help Eacha head back through the open gate door.

Rugger watched his friends go, then turned back to the Admiral and the Colonel who’d shot Eacha. “Let me introduce you to Captain Tyrell and his men; they are on our side. And he is a friend. The blue-skinned males you see scattered about the ground were the ones attacking us.”

“I am in your debt than for helping our prince,” Arik said, giving Tyrell a nod. “How may we be of service?”

Tyrell ran his hand over the back of his neck as he turned to Rugger. “He is a prince?”

“Yes, but it is a long story,” Rugger replied with a shrug.

“And one I’d like to hear, we could use some help going through all these bodies. Some of them are still alive, and as much as I wish to say otherwise, they need medical help. The ones that are dead need to be moved and quickly before the suns set and the night beasts come.” Tyrell replied, studying the uniformed Gilesean males beside him.

“Colonel, give this male whatever aid he wants. Then send word back to the fleet that we have found the prince and his command crew and that they are well,” Arik ordered, and the colonel gave a nervous nod.

“It shall be as you order, sir,” Brandr replied, blotting his forehead on his sleeve.

“And perhaps you should give me your pistol, for now, I wouldn’t want you to shoot another ally.” Arik held his hand out to Brandr, who handed him his pistol with a contrite look, while behind him, some of the men snickered softly. “Rugger, is it not, take me to my nephew and tell me everything that has happened since you disappeared.”

“Of course, Admiral, come this way.” Rugger gave Tyrell a nod and then motioned for the admiral to precede him through the gate.

Tyrell shook his head in disbelief, then turned to Zach, who was standing beside him, nervously eyeing the Gilesean warriors. “Zach, go tell the others it is over and that they are free, then see about starting repairs to the force field and the electrical grid. We will need them both as soon as the suns set.”

“At once, and Captain does this mean we can finally go home?” Zach asked a smile on his face.

“Aye, it does. I will question some of Zardo’s men and see where they parked their shuttle and what commands we will need to take it. Now go tell the others the good news.” Tyrell said, seeing a smile light up Zach’s normally serious face.

“I will see to the others and check the power grid. Will Lilly be all right? I could use her help with the shield?” Zach asked before he turned away.

“I hope so; she has become a good friend to us,” Tyrell replied, seeing Zach nod before hurrying away.

Tyrell turned to the Gilesean men standing around him. “Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, I don’t even know what world we are on.”

“This is Zigma 845 in the outer band of Maffei,” Brandr stated as if Tyrell knew what he meant.

“Well, welcome to Zigma,” Tyrell said ruefully as he processed Brandr’s words, then motioned for his men to step closer. “We need to finish before the suns set and the night beasts come out.”

“Night beasts?” Brandr asked, giving Tyrell a nervous yet skeptical look. “Aye, and if we can’t get the force shield working before then, we all might have to shelter on your ships. But come, we have work to do and not much time to do it in.”

“Of course, Captain, I’m at your disposal, but I did not catch your name,” Brandr said, looking about seeing hard-packed sunbaked earth, and the burning village beyond. How his Prince had survived living on this planet for more than a few days, he didn’t know, but he did know he would do whatever it took to get back to his ship as soon as possible.

“It is Captain Tyrell of Proxima, and we have much to speak of I think. My men and I were on the way to Gilese to seek an alliance when we were attacked and ended up here, first as slaves and then as the Dome’s enforcers. But I will tell you all as we work, there are holding cells beneath the Dome, those that are injured can be moved there and those that are dead.” Tyrell paused not sure what to do, all he knew was that the bodies would attack the night beasts and that would be bad for everyone.

“And what should we do with them?” Brandr demanded as he motioned for his men to help Tyrell’s men with going through the injured.

“I suppose we shall have to take them to the dump and burn them, though it goes against my code and is disrespectful, I don’t think we have time to bury any that are dead deep enough not to attract the night beasts,” Tyrell replied, checking a male at his feet and to his relief found him alive.

“Night beasts?” Brandr demanded signaling for two of his men to lift the unconscious blue male.

“Aye, there are two kinds, one flies, the other has six legs and is the size of a ground transport, and teeth as long as my arm. About an hour after full dark, they come out; the pleasure centers each have a force dome to keep them out as does the village. The bright lights and flood lights also keep them at bay to some extent, but it can be risky to move about outside at night.” Tyrell replied, watching as his men began working with the Gilesean crew to move the injured Carina males inside.

Brandr shuddered at the thought of giant fleshing-eating monsters. He hoped whatever the admiral and prince decided would not take long; he also hoped that the female he’d shot at was not seriously injured, for he’d not hurt a female for all the moons. With another shudder, he moved to help the blue-skinned captain organize the injured.