Part 37 (1/2)
”What is it?”
”Morra picked up another transmission. She, Saf, and Maris are trying to break it. But I wanted to let you know and I didn't want to transmit it. We have Brach and Qory watching Licia and the kids. I have a bad feeling there are more fun surprises planted for us.”
Galene's stomach knotted even more. ”You think it's another attack?”
”That's my guess.” Talyn jerked his chin at Dancer. ”Where's your family?”
”On lockdown with Jayne until Nero can get here. Sumi's an extremely capable a.s.sa.s.sin, but she's a pregnant one at the moment. I don't want to take any chances with her or the baby.”
”Believe me, I understand.”
Galene slowed as she saw the cramped barracks area Ryn had led them to. While it was clean, it reminded her of a prison holding area. The walls were completely clear so that guards could see into the large room where rows of bunk beds were lined end to end.
Probably a hundred males occupied the s.p.a.ce and lounged around, either on the beds or the floor. They looked positively bored. And why shouldn't they? It didn't appear as if they were allowed any form of entertainment or privacy. Or even personal items in that holding cell. All they had were the clothes on their backs, and the same silver collars around their necks that Venik had placed on Fain.
And here she thought her original accomodations had been wretched.
”What is this place?” she asked Ryn.
”Part prison,” he sighed, ”all kinds of h.e.l.l. It's designed to be uncomfortable to punish the Tavali whose ranks were busted, and they've been put here until they can earn their citizens.h.i.+p back. Or to motivate the others to earn rank to get out. No one who holds rank or Canting is ever supposed to be housed here.”
Ryn stopped at the desk to speak to a guard. ”Where's Commander Hauk?”
The guard didn't bother looking up from his monitor. ”No one sees him without orders from Admiral Venik.”
Ryn jerked the cable out of the wall.
Hissing, the guard rose to his feet to attack, then paled as he realized who was there. ”Amba.s.sador Dane... my apologies, sir. I-I-I didn't realize that was you.”
”Obviously. Now where's Hauk?”
Before he could answer, a body slammed so hard against the wall, it cracked it. Chaos erupted inside the holding cell as humans and others shouted, screamed, and ran for cover. A blood-chilling Andarion war cry rang out.
It was the shout of a War Hauk in full-on battle-mode rage. The kind that had made them feared by all otherworlders. And given rise to the terrifying legends of her race.
Three more bodies followed the first.
Dancer and Talyn headed for the fray with Galene pulling flank. But as they entered the room and saw Fain, they all three drew up short.
Holy G.o.ds...
While she'd seen Fain pull some stellar moves as a boy in his Ring matches, it was nothing compared to the power and grace of the full-blown War Hauk doing life-and-death battle before her now. He wrapped his legs around the waist of the Tavali in front of him, twisted, and went down on the ground, pounding and slamming him so hard, Fain had his opponent neutralized before the Tavali had a chance to react. Flipping without using his hands, Fain came up to take on his next opponent.
A guard moved in and Fain turned to catch his hand and disarm him.
More guards were rus.h.i.+ng into the room.
Remembering Venik's orders for them to shoot him if he resisted them, Galene panicked. Before she could stop herself or rethink it, she ran forward.
”Fain?”
He swung around with a punch for her throat. She moved to block it. But less than a millimeter from contact, he froze as he realized she wasn't his enemy.
His breathing ragged, he stared down at her. Time froze as the absolute power and beauty of him hit her as hard as that blow would have had he not stopped it.
And it was almost as debilitating.
He blinked twice before he drew her in for the hottest kiss she'd ever tasted. His arms trembling, he lifted her from her feet and held her against his chest.
Then he carried her to Talyn and set her down. ”Watch your mother. Keep her by your side.”
She scowled as he lowered his head like a fierce predator and stalked the first Tavali he'd slammed into the wall. He grabbed the male by his s.h.i.+rt and hauled him to his feet.
”Where is it?” Fain demanded in a fierce, deadly growl.
The male wheezed and coughed.
”Answer me or so help me G.o.ds, I'm pulling your entrails out through your nostrils and choking you with them.”
With a calmness that was astounding, Ryn walked up to Fain. ”Um, Commander? I hate to intrude on this private beat-down you're having with your friend here, but before the Hadean Corps shoots you dead for it, might I inquire as to the source of this violent rage session you're having?”
”Sure,” Fain said in the same mocking therapist tone as he held the man against the wall with one b.l.o.o.d.y fist. ”I found the b.a.s.t.a.r.d rat who set the charge. And there are two more rigged to go off that he planted.”
The color drained from Ryn's face. ”Where? When?”
”What I'm trying to find out. Wanna help me beat the s.h.i.+t out of him now?”
Ryn drew his blaster and held it under the Tavali's throat. ”f.u.c.k yeah, I do. Where is it?”
”Up your a.s.s.” Laughing, he bit down hard.
Ryn cursed and dropped his blaster, then pried his jaw apart and tried to swipe something out of his mouth. ”Suicide cap!”
The Tavali began convulsing.
Galene stepped forward with Talyn. ”I need water. Fast. Step aside.”
Ryn frowned at her.
”She's a doctor,” Fain explained.
Ryn slung the Tavali at her and called out orders for them to a.s.sist her.