Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (10 page)

Adam captivated her by wanting to learn about who she was, where she came from, and what lay within her. When not arrogant, self righteous, and witty, he was a true gentleman and someone whom she would be proud to introduce to her family—had that still been a choice. She had a feeling her siblings would have enjoyed flying with him as well.

Tiva brushed the tear from her cheek. She had allowed Adam to see her cry, twice. Aliri knew her best, but Adam understood the life she led. That was what she saw in his haunting eyes, acceptance.

A new ship came slightly into view as it docked on the far end of the base. People continued to return to the base. Some came for instruction, others to help, but many to pay their respects to the lost members of the
Grappler
.

She empathized with the long-standing members of the Vexillum, knowing firsthand the loss they must have faced over the years. The new threat loomed over them all now, and Tiva knew she would do anything to help those who had saved her.

Unable to sit any longer, Tiva changed into her jumpsuit, donned her weapons, and decided to take a walk. Not surprised to find the corridors empty, she trekked through the ship toward the docking port. The base would have some semblance of activity, even if on a minimal scale. Several of the shops were always open, for ‘night owls’ as Aliri called them. But she had not expected to run into Ranndom in the promenade.

They enjoyed a drink in the bar and talked of their duties and the ship. He was very knowledgeable about ship functions and had an effervescent sense of humor. Tiva promised him a spar once things settled down then waited for him to exit before continuing her walk.

She circled the top floor of the promenade twice taking in the scenery of the stars. At the last spot, she asked the computer for the time, and frowned. Shore leave was over, except for the newlywed couple, and she had less than one hour before shift started.

Making her way back to the ship, she glanced out the windows on the docking deck and paused. The ship that arrived earlier was in the slip next to the
Enigma
. She turned the corner for a better look, and when she narrowed her gaze on the ship, held her breath and studied it. She knew that type of ship. She searched her memory as she inched closer to the window.

Without warning, two large men appeared in the doorway. She spun around, hand at her side. They raised weapons and began firing.

Tiva cart wheeled to the opposite side of the corridor and pressed against the wall, shielded behind a piling. She lifted her wrist and grunted. Her comm was still on her bed. Removing her plasma gun from her belt, she returned fire, and prayed someone heard the commotion.

Before the first blast struck one of the men, two more came running through the door behind her. She back flipped then kicked one in the stomach as she fired her gun at the other two approaching from the far end of the corridor.

They trapped her.

Lacking time to think, she pulled Timbur from her side, and hacked at the nearest man. She clipped his arm and he staggered back. She fired at another, blasting the weapon out of his hand and then jumped sideways into the air to avoid the fire from the other two. One of the shots caught her leg and she tumbled to the ground.

Tiva fired the plasma gun at each of the attackers as she crashed to the floor. Two more fell. Rising to her feet, she noted three men appeared out of thin air.
Scout technology,
she thought. She ran despite the pain in her leg. As she neared the group of three, she released the safety on her gun and tossed it behind her. It overloaded and exploded on the floor.
That will bring someone, surely.

She leapt into the air swinging her Timbur fiercely and slashed the middle man in the arm. The third kicked her at the base of the spine forcing her to the ground. She stayed low and swept the first, causing him to fall, and punctured his gut with her claw. The second man grabbed her braid and lifted her off the ground with ease.

“Looks like it’s pay day boys.” He snarled and punched her in the stomach.

Tiva gasped as the breath left her and with every bit of strength she had in her body, sliced the man in front of her across the chest. She gripped her claw tight, preparing to fight to her death, when a stunning burn shot up her back. Tiva fought it, and with her last thought called out in her mind.
Aliri please help!

T
he soft hum of an engine resonated through her dreams. Most of her sleep was bleak, with whispering voices calling to her. Her eyes were open, but she was not awake, at least she didn’t feel awake. Her mind and body seemed to be floating the edges of consciousness. When her sight finally returned, she took in her surroundings.

Something was not right.

Tiva bolted up and reached for her weapons. Both were gone. A nondescript tunic and pants replaced her uniform and boots. The only personal item she still had was the necklace Aliri had given her.

She clutched the crystal trying to focus her mind. The men had already done something to her. Her mental shields were down and she couldn’t block herself. She sensed several different people. Most were in celebratory mode, one was content, and another projected nothing but anger.

Inspecting the small cell, she noticed an open doorway. She reached out and burnt her fingers on the charge-field.
Damn the spirits,
she cringed. Her worst fears had come to life. She was in the clutches of the bounty hunters. They were from Uucor. Some native, others, aliens she’d never seen before.

She pulled herself up, and leaned against the wall holding her head. A sting on the side of her neck caught her attention. She rubbed the area and winced. Injections; they had drugged her.

She didn’t want her captors to know she understood their language, that at least would give her an advantage, she hoped. So, Tiva moved to the doorway and call out in general tongue. “Release me!”

Several long minutes passed and she tried again. “What do you want with me?” A distant rustling grew louder. She could continue to yell, but it would be wiser to find a way out of the cell. If this was the same ship from Ovvella Base, it wasn’t very large and she had a chance to overthrow the crew if those she sensed were the only ones present. Moving away from the field, she began searching. There was no sleeping area, no lavatory, and no random devices. It was barren and solid. The doorway had no stray pieces she could strip, and the floor was a one-piece slab of something. There was no way she could get out of the room.

Tiva rested against the back wall. She tried again to raise her shields, but every attempt only made the aching in her head increase. She winced and rubbed her temples.

“Keep doing that and you’ll hurt yourself.” A grim faced Uucorian stepped out from the shadows. “You’re price is worth more unharmed, so don’t make me knock you out again.”

“Why have you abducted me?” Tiva demanded.

“You’re worth a lot, moon child.” He moved to the door and stared at her. He licked his lips and rubbed the charge-field suggestively. “You’re lucky my commander doesn’t want you touched, the boys could have a field day with you, little girl.”

“You judge that which you do not know. Ask your commander what I did to the last bounty hunters who attempted to get me.”

The man laughed suddenly. “Oh yeah…” He touched his stomach. “I remember quite well.”

Tiva narrowed her gaze. He was one of the original men who attacked her. Raku assured her they were in prison. With their inferior skills, she’d take down each member of this crew with ease. She just needed to find the right moment. She allowed a smile to set on her lips, but said nothing to the man.

“Cocky bitch,” he spat. “You’ll be out of our hair soon anyway. And your people will deal with you. How’s the head by the way?”

“Fine.”

“Right, sure it is.” He laughed. “You’re about due for another dose, can’t have you doing your weird mental trickery acts on us. It was nice of your people to supply us with this stuff wasn’t it?” He tapped on the control panel near the door and held an injector in his hand. “Move up to the field.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I will remove the air out of the cell, you’ll pass out, and then I’ll have my way with you before…”

“Murek! Stand down.”

“Sorry, Lekko, I was just trying…”

Lekko pushed Murek against the wall and shoved an odd shaped knife under his neck. “I know what you were trying to do, get back to your post!” The commander released him and Murek dropped his injector then ran out down the corridor. “My apologies, it is not our intention to harm you.”

“No, you abduct me, drug me so I am defenseless, and then deliver me to those who will.”

He retrieved the device, leaned against the wall, and rubbed the side of his face. “Some of us are just doing what we can to survive. You, unfortunately, have a price on your head. We retrieve things.”

“I have the means to pay you beyond what you are getting from your sponsor.” She tried her best to sound honest.

“You might, but it doesn’t matter, we’re almost there and they are waiting for you.”

Tiva felt the marking on her forehead change. Her legs wobbled and she slid to the floor. She was going to die. Returning to Abennelp not of her own accord, but as a prisoner. However, she wouldn’t plea for her life. If it was the will of the spirits to cast her into the Eternal Lands, she would go. Perhaps it was better in the end. She would be with her family, finally.

“I’m sorry. I need you to move up to the charge-field.”

“Then suck the air from my lungs for I will not comply.”

“As you wish.”

~*~

“Get up!”

Tiva woke and opened her eyes slightly. The bounty hunters were dragging her down the corridor. She remained limp and kept her head down.

“Damn it, he probably gave her too much,” one said.

“Too bad, they’ll just have to take her like this,” the other replied.

The group reached the end of the corridor and dropped her on the floor. She grunted, but didn’t move. She would have to weigh her options carefully. If the hunters chose a place other than the ship to make the delivery, she might have a chance at escape. Lekko entered the room, ignoring her and turning to his men.

“She’s ready, sir.”

“Great,” he replied. “Attach one of those things to her collar and take her down, we’ll land the ship once we find a clear spot.”

The second man grabbed her top and placed one of the teleporting devices on, confirming they had Pizilite technology. She tried to make sense of it, but her mind was reeling. Whatever drug they used affected her in an unpleasant way. She had no means to protect herself and every emotion the crew of the vessel was feeling struck her like a blade of hot metal. She felt lost and scared, like she was a child again, with no control.

Both men pulled her to her feet and secured their hands around her arms. She lobbed her head from one side, then sloppily to the other to study them. Tiva heard a rapid clicking then her stomach turned upside down.

One of the men’s grip loosened. The other bent over and vomited. She wanted to do the same, the teleporting sensation did not sit well with her, but this was the only moment she had. When her focus returned, she saw new surroundings, trees, grass, and brush. But she was not on Abennelp. There was only one sun, and it was already beginning to set. The second man straightened, Tiva gathered every bit of energy she had and jumped up into the air. She split her legs apart kicking each in the midsection.

The man to her left fell to the ground, the other stumbled back, but grabbed the very bottom of her braid and pulled her back as she landed. She spun, lifted her leg attempting to kick him in the side of the face, but he caught her foot. Tiva balled her hands together and punched him in the stomach. He doubled over, releasing her foot. She chopped him on the back of his neck and finally he let go of her hair. She caught a glimpse of her Timbur on the man’s side, but without hesitation she took off, running.

Finding a patch of woods in the distance, she forced herself to keep moving as fast as her body would allow. She knew the hunters were gaining on her and she had to find cover. Once in the trees, she surveyed the area. Definitely not Abennelp. If the hunters were exchanging her…she paused in the middle of a clearing.

She knew this forest.

With her mind completely open, she felt the familiarity of her surroundings. She was on Uucor. It made sense, it was the closest planet to hers, and the hunters knew the land. Tiva began running again. Unsure of the right direction immediately, she knew where she was when the buildings came into view. She had quite a distance to cover, but as long as she kept running, she’d make it.

She lost the hunters in Nepcha. It took her the better part of the evening to reach the town, but it was worth the pain she felt. Tiva passed the City Hall. She just needed to make it to the Rakus’ house—they would help her. She labored through the dark, quiet town, and to the residential area, each step harder than the last. She prayed to the spirits they were home.

Tiva rounded the corner of a large building. The pub she ate at during her last night on the planet was in the distance.

Finally, she saw the flickering of lights in Harai’s window. She slowed and her legs buckled. Coercing herself into taking the last few strides, she reached for the door and pushed it open.

“Harai!” she yelled and collapsed on the floor. She crawled inside, closing the door behind her and called out again sensing someone near. “Harai, Major Raku, it is Tiva…”

There was a shuffling in the back of the house. Tiva panted trying to catch her breath and willed her legs to move.

After settling into chair, she rested on the table reluctant to move unless required. The commotion in the back of the house neared. Tiva sighed, sensing her friend. “Harai…” she whispered.

“Tiva?” She rushed over and knelt beside her. “What happened? Are you okay? What are you doing here?”

“I need help, my friend. The bounty hunters have found me.” Tiva clutched her friend’s hand and pleaded. “They want to take me home. I cannot go…”

“I was afraid this was going to happen. I just sent you a message two weeks ago…I guess you didn’t get it. Damn, one of those guys whose asses you kicked just got out of detention. The magistrate couldn’t keep him any longer.”

“I ran into him. He was pleased to see me, but I escaped.” She closed her eyes and stifled a fatigued yawn.

Harai wiped Tiva’s face with a warm cloth. “I’m so sorry, Tiva. I pleaded with the courts, but they wouldn’t listen. I’m sorry. Tell me…how can I help?”

“Contact the Union Vexillum ship the
Tolox
. Inform them I am alive, but require transport. I will need a place to rest and hide, but not here…they will come looking…” Tiva fought to stay awake.

“I’ll call my father, he’s working. Maybe he can keep you at the military base until your friends come back for you.” Harai began locking the windows and doors. She paced back and forth a bit before stopping. “You must be starving!” She opened a cupboard and placed various sweets and pastries on the table. “Eat something; you’ll need your strength.”

“Thank you,” she answered and sat up.

“Now…” Harai glanced around frantically. “I have to call Father then we have to get you cleaned up and into bed.”

“I cannot stay here.”

“You can for the night.”

“It is not safe. They are still out there looking for me, Harai, and I have a feeling they have others helping them…”

“Your people?”

Tiva nodded. She knew some of her own people were here. Their minds were different from the Uucorians, and they were searching for her. “The hunters drugged me, I cannot shield myself. I must leave here as soon as possible.”

“Okay, go lie down in back—eat something first. I’m going to call my father.” Harai hugged her. “I’ll hurry.”

Trying to stay awake was harder then she imagined. She wanted and needed to rest, but until Harai was out of danger, she refused. The familiar comfort of the guest room allowed her to relax. Her legs were still tender from running.

She tried to clear her mind. Somehow, she needed to shield herself from the others. She breathed in and exhaled trying to calm. Tiva allowed the weight of the situation to lift slowly. Her long, deep breaths made her feel complete again. She had almost reached sleep state when the tingle at the back of her mind forced her back to reality.