Soldar glanced at Lyra. His new partner frowned. The implication was that they were sexually expendable, just as he’d surmised.
But something in him had changed since meeting her. Some protective instinct deeply embedded in his core was integrating Lyra’s fears.
He knew, with every cell in his body, that he’d never let anyone rape her. She personified all he held dear — all he’d never see or love again. She was courageous, spirited, and lovely. And even if his emotions were amplified by the situation, the truth was that he could never see a woman — any woman — hurt. It wasn’t in him.
He’d asked her to come along while denying feelings in this regard. He’d tried to see her as just another soldier. But she was and always had been a woman before being a soldier.
He now realized his mistake in not leaving her in that cave. She might have starved or died of thirst. But she’d have died as an allied fighter. Now Aigean and one of her employees knew of Lyra’s existence. If tortured for any reason, they’d talk about her presence to save themselves. No one could withstand Condorian interrogation for long. And Lyra’s presence was a gambit that could be used to delay agony or even death.
“You’ll need to know where the enemy stores their weapons,” Aigean continued. “Their lasers are located in the ship’s lowest storage bay. I’m not allowed in that area any longer, and my people tell me the passageways are guarded in shifts. That compartment is only unlocked when the Condorians leave to rejoin their units and their personal arms are released back to them.”
She glanced at them both for a long moment. “If you two can get over your militaristic bearing and act as if you’re who and what you purport to be, we may have a covert operation that could garner information. Indeed … before you transmit the location of the Venus and … Creator willing … eliminate the parasites who’ve taken over my ship … you could gain access to highly classified Condorian strategy.”
She took a deep breath and briefly clasped her hands in front of her. “Before the Allies are finally defeated, we may yet strike a critical blow for our cause. We must make the attempt. We must never give up!” she vehemently asserted as she curled her fingers into fists. “We might succeed if you follow my instructions.”
Soldar gazed at Lyra. Her face was a mask. He couldn’t tell what her real thoughts were at that exact moment, but it didn’t matter. He’d put her into this. Now he must see her through it. “Let’s do this,” he responded.
Aigean nodded and glanced behind her. “Though a female wasn’t expected, I believe we can contrive a plausible story for the change.” She looked them over once more. “I have working knowledge of where the enemy has traversed and what neutral, English-speaking world where
you
might have originated,” she added as she glanced at Lyra. “There’s obviously no hiding the race from which Soldar hails. As to the language you may use, many of my own people speak English fluently. Maintaining that tongue is of no consequence. In fact, my staff notes that some of the enemy prefers having sexual relations with anyone from outlying Earth colonies.”
Soldar snorted. “They like to gloat. If it’s during sex with prostitutes from conquered planets, all the better. It’s typical of Condorian enmity.”
“Indeed!” Aigean nodded. “This is why having a Craetorian aboard will cause no particular problem. In fact, your presence will greatly peak the admiral’s libido.”
“No offence,” Lyra blurted in obvious irritation, “but I just don’t see how Soldar won’t be tortured, then beheaded. I’m not sure whose bright idea it was to send someone from his world, and without even trying to alter his features. Language may not be the problem, but his planet of origin sure as hell is!” She faced Soldar and glared up at him. “I’m going to say what I’ve thought all along, whether you like it or not, sir.”
Soldar opened his mouth to defend Aigean’s claim, but Lyra was actually angry now. She even reverted back to his title as evidence of her outrage and disbelief concerning this entire plan.
“Colonel … you’ve got allied warrior written all over you. I’ve heard it said that Condorians would peel the skins off Craetorians killed on the front lines. It’s rumored they’ve even taken body parts as trophies. Every allied soldier knows that Craetorians seem to be heavily targeted by the enemy. We haven’t figured out why except for the ferocity with which your people are known to fight — ”
“That’s enough, Sergeant!” he commanded sternly. “I don’t need to justify my presence. The explanation you were given is sufficient and all you need to know.” He stared pointedly at Aigean so
she
wouldn’t inadvertently say more. Elderians were among the few races that knew a dark secret he wasn’t obliged to share. Lyra was speaking out of fear. But her instincts were uncanny. If she lived much longer, she might find out exactly how and why his presence aboard the Venus was necessary.
Aigean lifted one brow and slightly tilted her head in Soldar’s direction.
In that moment he knew the older woman had understood his desire to keep certain subjects closed.
Aigean then faced Lyra squarely. “I can assure you, girl … the Condorians will accept Soldar and you aboard the Venus if your acting is credible. After all, my entire crew hails from all allied worlds. The enemy knows my contacts for hiring new prostitutes would be the same contacts I’ve always used. Had the Condorian admiral not believed I’d deliver entertainment, from any source, he’d have blown the Venus out of the sky when he first encountered her. But that’s not what he intended for us. At least, not yet. Unfortunately, we are all alive at his whim.”
“Why do I not believe you?” Lyra muttered.
Aigean merely looked away.
“Sir … something’s wrong! I don’t like this,” Lyra continued.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, none of us likes it!” he responded. “And quit using my rank to address me. We won’t last five minutes if you can’t get your mouth under control.”
Lyra glared at him but finally shut up. His insult was unintended. A battle-seasoned warrior shouldn’t be spoken to in such a way, but he had to get her mind on the ruse they were to play and off his being Craetorian.
Aigean sighed heavily and continued. “At least some luck is with you. There are no listening devices on the Venus. The admiral takes a dim view of his sexual liaisons being monitored. Political rivals on his home world would use such recordings to ruin him. Indeed, many aboard the Venus are keeping the spoils of war for themselves, and not paying off old debts back home. As always, if Condorians aren’t fighting everyone else, they still fight among themselves.” She straightened her sleeves and cast her gaze toward the surrounding area. “Should they decide to install any kind of surveillance equipment or change their behavior in any way, my crew will inform you.”
“Your crew knows about this plan? All of them?” Soldar asked in amazement.
“They must. Their job is to protect you as a means of helping defeat the enemy among us … an enemy who has already killed their families and friends. Had any wanted to betray you, the deed would have already been done. You may live to see your worlds again … for however long they exist … if you guard your actions and mind my words.”
Soldar and Lyra moved closer to her and listened intently for the next hour.
• • •
As the Venus came into view, Lyra took the Elderian woman’s last warning to heart and tried to paste on a bored expression. She’d memorized her part of the cover story Aigean quickly formed. As their new comrade had explained, the gargantuan vessel that housed over a thousand pleasure seekers and five-hundred employees — including sexual attendants — had been designed in an elliptical, flattened shape for a reason. The outer hull of the ship wasn’t meant for speed or looks, but for what its interior could house. This one, painted what the light reflected as flat, battleship gray, appeared as innocuous as any vessel could be. But it was still many times larger than any pleasure ship Lyra had visited on shore leave.
This particular enterprise, as their new host clarified, produced a vast amount of wealth for Aigean and her staff — or at least it had before the Condorians arrived. Lyra still had a difficult time believing any Condorian, leader or otherwise, wouldn’t kill Aigean’s people on contact. Perhaps the only real thing holding them in check was the fact that they’d get no sex at all, except with each other, if the ship didn’t exist. But it was a very weak compromise Aigean must have maneuvered. It couldn’t hold forever.
As the hovercraft entered into one of the docking bays, it took everything she had to keep from gawking like a tourist. Even the entry area was resplendent with houseplants and hanging tapestries. Impeccably uniformed men and women scurried about with professional bearing that reminded her of a colony of ants. All seemed to accomplish their tasks with efficiency. There were no overseers barking commands or shouts or yelling of any kind. Everyone went about their chores silently. Doing so would presumably draw attention no one wanted with Condorians on board.
One bright spot in the craziness of the operation was that there was color everywhere. This particular ship, like all of them in its class, was equipped with full spectrum lighting. The lights were dim, but still displayed true hues. For the first time since landing on Reisen Four, Lyra saw the rich, royal shades of artwork, and the various robed uniforms she surmised were to denote each employee’s rank or specific occupation. She could even feel the cool, re-circulation of fresh air.
In her wildest dreams, she could never have afforded even one night on such a luxurious craft. Its outward appearance didn’t do it justice, just as Aigean claimed. She stepped off the hovercraft and onto the red carpet of another world. Her less-than-perfect appearance made her edgy, but there was nothing to be done about it. Aigean hadn’t known when she could slip away from the ship to find them in the barrens. Providing them with clothing that was too much like what was already being sported by other employees was suspicious. They were supposed to be brand new employees who’d just arrived.
The best she and Soldar could hope for was to get to their room before too many Condorian
patrons
saw them and trouble started.
Some of the staff covertly nodded then quickly looked the other way as she and Soldar walked by with their mistress. Certainly Aigean wouldn’t have personally brought every new client or employee aboard. Not when her presence would be necessary to manage such a large enterprise. Lyra knew talk amongst the employees would spread — she and the Craetorian were the expected spies. All the Condorians had been told was that a new sexual plaything was aboard. That was to have been Soldar. The news would now have to be extended to include her.
Unfortunately, Aigean hadn’t had time to design — and circulate — plans around a male-female voyeur act
and
come up with cover stories all in the same half hour it had taken to get to the ship. Everything considered, there’d be a lot of dramatization she and Soldar would have to engage. She just prayed that some Condorian didn’t suspect them.
• • •
As they rounded an interior corner of a red, silk-lined passageway, Soldar felt his senses fully engage. He heard voices coming from the other direction and knew, before he caught sight of them, that a group of Condorians was near. The smell gave them away.
A foul, unclean race, the louts apparently hadn’t availed themselves of the showers or bathing areas on the ship. Hope that he and Lyra could get to their rooms before being seen was gone. He saw Aigean stop and hesitate in the passageway. From the anxious expression on her face, the Elderian was at an impasse as to how to explain what was to be her newest sex act’s lackluster, unannounced, grimy appearance. If she provided the best entertainment, how was she to explain their dinginess? He, too, was at a loss for words. But they’d have to pass the Condorians, one way or the other. The next few moments could be their last.
He put himself in front of the women, thinking to protect them however he could. The average Condorian warrior outweighed Lyra and Aigean many times over and
they
had no weapons. But the quick-thinking little fireball-of-an-Earther by his side came to their rescue. She put
her
body in front of
his
, faced him, and slapped him as hard as she could. His shock kept him silent as she began a tirade that was awesome in its heat. All of this occurred exactly at the same time a pack of Condorian officers turned a corner.
Lyra began a ranting, diva-driven tirade that would be sure to cause attention and an immense amount of gossip.
“I’ll never let you handle our transportation again, you fool!
Look at me.
I’m forced to enter an elite pleasure craft in clothing the servants wouldn’t be caught dead burning. All because you don’t know how to hire a pilot,” she bellowed. “You overbearing bastard! We ended up walking through a wasteland to get here. If not for Aigean finding us, I’d be out there dying of thirst, facing who knows what kind of vermin.”
To her credit, Aigean reacted magnificently and put one arm around Lyra’s shoulders in mock consolation.
“This is the second time some idiot shuttle pilot crash-landed us right in the middle of nowhere,” Lyra bawled. “His crew ruined my costumes. And what’s worse … just
look
at my hair! How am I supposed to perform after this kind of horrendous experience? I’m an
artist
.” She stomped her left foot hard and flung one arm up in mock despair. “How can you be so careless, Sol? I was frightened to death!”
Impressed by her acting, Soldar could do nothing to add to the scene. He simply stared down at her. But Aigean swiftly carried on. Again he found himself mesmerized and impressed by the quick-thinking females in his company.
“There, there dear,” Aigean gushingly placated. “I’m sure your lover would have done anything to have kept your craft from breaking down. You surely don’t think he’d make you walk miles through the barrens or risk having you injured if he’d had a choice? It wasn’t as if he planned it,” she placated. “Your pilot was able to keep out of the war zone. Be thankful you were nowhere near the fighting when your craft was disabled. And you won’t have to ever see that silly pilot again. His shuttle is repaired now and he’s long gone. Isn’t this true, Soldar?”