Page 41 of Tamed
“Yeah, I suppose I am. How about if we try to solve a mystery. You like analyzing possibilities.”
Tired of her own misery, Jessie shifted her body toward Heather, facing her as much as the seat allowed. “Which mystery are we solving?”
“Why’d Zevon put the two females meant for Torret on hold? The rebels are at the heart of this alliance. Why give conduits to everyone but them?”
“The situation must have become more volatile on Torret. Maybe Jevara is planning some sort of offensive and Zevon didn’t want the conduits caught up in it.”
Heather nodded, but speculation clouded her gaze. “It’s a good guess, but the vast majority of the fighting has taken place off-world.”
Jessie shrugged, unoffended by Heather’s argument. They enjoyed debating issues that required them to approach subjects from the opposite sides. “Then flip the scenario around. Maybe it’s the rebels that are getting ready to?—”
A boom sounded outside the ship, rocking it slightly from side to side.
“What the hell was that?” Jessie started to stand up, but the pilot motioned her back down.
“Strap yourselves in,” he ordered. “This could get ugly.”
“Ugly?” Jessie cried. “What’s going on?”
He didn’t bother responding. Both males in front worked frantically, their hands sweeping and twisting in the holographic controls.
Tension swept through the ship, leaving Jessie no doubt that the danger was real. She quickly fastened her safety straps while Heather did the same. They were clearly under attack, but who was out there and for what purpose?
The third male rushed to the seat directly behind the pilot and activated yet another control station. “There are six ships,” he announced. “We’re surrounded.”
“Fuck,” the pilot snarled as he sent their ship into a plummeting dive.
Jessie gasped. Heather cried out and grabbed Jessie’s arm.
“You target left. I’ll target right,” the third soldier called out.
“Got it,” the navigator responded.
The pilot continued sharp, unpredictable maneuvers while the other two fired a continual barrage of energy pulses at the attacking ships.
Jessie’s heart thundered in her chest. If the attacking force wanted them dead, they would be dead already. This was a capture mission, which meant they were after conduits. She glanced at Heather, but she had her eyes tightly closed and her lips were moving, likely in a silent prayer.
“Not again,” Heather whispered. “I can’t go through this again.”
Covering Heather’s hand with hers, Jessie gave it a reassuring squeeze. “It will be okay. I promise.” Even as the words left her mouth, Jessie was overcome with trepidation. Conduits were the most valuable resource in this star system. They had to be the reason for this attack.
“Why aren’t they returning fire?” one of the soldiers muttered. “We’re outnumbered and outgunned.”
“You just answered your own question,” the pilot said tersely. “They’re playing with us.”
Another boom sounded and the ship spun sickeningly for several long moments. When it finally stopped rotating, the navigator said, “They just disabled our engines.”
“They’re hailing us,” the third soldier said.
The pilot activated the comm, but all the males seemed shocked when the image of a female appeared on the main display.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am Domar, Royal Consort to Emperor Verbet,” she introduced with a charming smile.
Emperor Verbet? Jessie wondered. No one else reacted to the phrase. Was she the only one who noticed? Who the hell was Verbet and what had happened to Jevara?
With long dark hair and night-black eyes set off by copper-tinted skin, Domar was undeniably beautiful. Her garments were rich, highly decorated, adding credence to her claim. “I wish to speak with the conduits. I give my word of honor that they will not be harmed, but they will have the opportunity to hear my offer. How that transpires is up to you. You can allow them to stream over to my ship or my soldiers will come get them.”
Rather than argue with her, the pilot simply terminated the comm. “Surround them. Defend them with your lives.”