Warrior's Paradox (Cadi Warriors Book 3) Read online

  “Let’s go on our own safari.” Riley unstrapped and hopped up.

  June smiled. Whatever myth claimed that goth girls were introverts was wrong. Of course, there was a similar myth about science geeks like herself. June got up and followed Riley out of the vestibule and into the corridor.

  “We are a funny pair,” June commented.

  “Why’s that?”

  “For one, you look like the cartoon queen of the undead, with those purple highlights, tattoos and piercings. While I’m pretty straight laced, and wouldn’t be caught dead near a needle.”

  “Ha, don’t go to sleep around me, June. You just might wakeup with pierced ears,” Riley teased, as they explored the hall with frosted glass walls and rooms lining it. “I don’t know. I think we’re both adventurous, with strong backbones.”

  June grinned as she recalled how she met Riley.

  “That’s true. I love how you didn’t know me, but the moment you caught me sabotaging Edward’s lunch, you helped without batting an eye.”

  “I learned a valuable skill that day.” Riley beamed back. “Who knew how many things you could suck into a bottle using a little fire.”

  “Science is a beautiful thing.” June giggled as she recalled the smirk Edward gave her. He had returned to find the hardboiled egg and fruit, from his lunch, sucked into the water bottles he was hoarding. “That man’s a prick,” June commented, as she thought about all the reasons Edward rubbed her the wrong way.

  Of all the people I know, I had to be abducted with that first-rate a-hole.

  “See, this is the flaw with the M’s plan to breed a new nation. I haven’t seen a single man I want touching me with a ten-foot pole,” Riley stuck her tongue out in disgust.

  “I don’t think the M’s abducted a lot of vampires.”

  “Real funny. Seriously, what is the deal with you and Edward?”

  June hadn’t talked about it. In fact, she hadn’t talked about anything in her old life much.

  “He stole my idea and the position of project lead, out from under me. Then he suddenly thought that meant he was my boss. Still does!”

  “He thinks that Earth shit carried over to a new planet. What a moron.”

  “Never in my wildest imagination did I think the bastard would turn around and steal my concept. I didn’t even realize what kind of a prick he was, till one of my co-workers overheard him telling my idea to our boss, as if it were his own,” June shook her head. “I worked at this place called Uncharted Play. They’re the company that makes a soccer ball, that generate power for underdeveloped communities”

  “I’ve heard about those.”

  “I didn’t get my engineering degree to just sit back and do nothing. I wanted to change the world.” June smiled wistfully as she thought about what she had hoped to accomplish in life. It made her angry that not only her colleague, but this whole alien thing, had taken that from her.

  “Edward has no vision. When I first talked about my bicycle idea, he poo-pooed it. It’s an awesome idea. It dovetails nicely with the company’s mission. Many nations use bikes to get around. Creating a suite of products that can harness that pedal power, and hook up to a water pump and filtration system, would work wonders for so many places,” she explained angrily. “Well the jokes on you, Edward, cause we got taken by little green men.”

  Actually, the Miran Sona were thin, tall, pale, aliens, with large almond-shaped black eyes. They didn’t look that different from the funny sketches that abductees draw, yet no one believes.

  June recalled lamenting the fact she’d been paired with Edward, to present at the tech conference. She was sullenly staring out the car window, as they travelled down on a long, boring stretch of highway, when the lights appeared. The next thing she knew, she was waking up on New Earth, with one of the M’s explaining her new future.

  “We should’ve shoved his lunch up his ass,” Riley frowned. “Actually, I’m pretty sure I was subjected to a video like that in the adult bookstore where I worked.”

  “Oh, my god, you did not,” June burst out laughing.

  “Uh yeah. You wouldn’t believe the things I unpacked from boxes. If you need a rubber fist to get your jollies, you need to re-evaluate your life, and probably seek some counseling.”

  “No, no, no, Riley. Please stop,” June snorted.

  “Better?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Thanks,” June smiled.

  She had been spiraling. All the colonists did it. Even the most well-adjusted among them had, “my life was stolen,” moments. June just had an additional reminder constantly waving his red flag in her face.

  “Do you think men intentionally marginalize us?” Riley asked. “And I don’t mean Edward, he’s just a thief. I mean the whole, ‘I’m the man, let me handle this, little lady,’ mentality.”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t take a lot of sociology, psychology, or what have you. I’m sure it has something to do with how we’re raised, and each of us is different along that spectrum,” June shrugged.

  “I know we confuse the shit out of them. Hell, I confuse myself. I like a man whose bossy and pushy in the bedroom. But if he pulls that shit outside of the bedroom, I want to claw his eyes out.”

  “I’ll be sure to announce that at the next colonist meeting,” June snickered at the personal tidbit Riley shared.

  “Don’t you dare.” Riley shoved her into the hull wall.

  “No, I do understand what you mean. I think too many men mistake being pushy jerks for being confident and strong. Then we say things like, ‘that’s men,’ and accept things we don’t like way too much. But hell, what do I know? I haven’t even found a guy I want to screw, let alone screw-up a relationship with.”

  “That’s because we aren’t content to settle. You know, people look down on the whole bondage scene, but those people are seriously introspective about their inner wants and needs, as well as the whole trust and responsibility to you partner thing.” Riley paused. “Fuck, I spent way too much time in that sex shop, when I should’ve been out snapping images for my portfolio.” Riley threw up her hands in disgust. “Oh well now.”

  “I can see how that would be true,” June replied. You had to trust someone big time to let them tie you up and do god knows what. June had yet to meet a man she trusted like that, or one that was half as adventuresome. “Hey, do you think we should go through that frosted door, or explore one of these side room?” June pointed ahead.

  “Let’s see what’s behind door number one. How long do you think it will take the M’s to find us?”

  “Don’t know, but I suggest we hide if one of them comes.”

  “Agreed. I don’t want to be responsible for the first jail they build on New Earth.”

  Riley and June gingerly opened the door, then froze. In front of them was a giant domed room. June looked up and was in awe of the view of outer space.

  “Wow,” Riley exclaimed. “Where do you think we’re going?”

  “Where no goth has gone before.” June grinned cheekily at her friend.

  Tytus quo Munitor

  “Cyprian, Madhava, you are just in time. The Miran Sona should land soon,” Tytus greeted the warriors as he opened the door to his lab.

  “We came a little early to see what you’ve been working on.” Cyprian, High General of the Anzac Guard, looked around the lab for a seat.

  “Sorry,” Tytus moved the clutter off a couple stools.

  “Have you’ve made progress with the Toufik translator?” Madhava inquired as he sat.

  “Yes and no. As you know we’ve been using the language implant to communicate with other species for a while now. Since the Toufik possess similar language centers in their brain, the implant makes it possible for them to understand us. But because of the hostile conditions on their planet, they never had the need to evolve the vocal chords required for speech, hence the hand signals.”

  “Tytus, skip the tech talk and get to it,” Cyprian insisted impatiently.

 
; The male was a true warrior, although he wasn’t more brawn than brains, as Providence would say about some warriors. Cyprian was far more concerned with the result of Tytus’ project, rather than the details that made it work.

  “The interface is finished,” Tytus showed off the earpiece. “This will translate the new Toufik refugees’ brain waves. The trouble I’m up against, is more of a language barrier. Since the new Toufik come from a barren planet lacking technology, they don’t possess the hand signals, or even the concepts to explain what they’ve witnessed. That’s something that takes time to learn.”

  “I assume you’ve had assistance from Stone,” Madhava commented.

  Stone, the hairy Toufik alpha, who had once been a slave, was an invaluable member of their society. Not only had he fought alongside Daimio Kagan to win the war, but he was genuinely eager to see Cadi and Toufik exist in harmony.

  “Yes. Stone has provided several volunteers, but it’s been of limited help. What we’re asking the refugees to do, is akin to asking someone to describe a forest, when they’ve never seen a tree,” Tytus tried to explain.

  Being brought to Cadi, was overwhelming for many of the new Toufik refugees. Cadi was an oasis of plenty compared to the world they were plucked from. There were countless things on Cadi that the new Toufik had never encountered; plants, animals, technology, species.

  “Son of a metcor,” Cyprian cursed. “With all the Toufik going missing on the southern continent, I was hoping you’d be further along.”

  Tytus nodded. That was his hope too. If he could just surmount this particular barrier, his neural interface would help them question the survivors of those attacks. They were desperate to discover who was behind the abductions, and recover the Toufik that were lost. The hairy people deserved justice for what they’d done for Cadi.

  Tytus had been there when the Toufik were rescued from their world. The disturbing planet had been in its death throes. He’d witnessed firsthand how the people were scraping by with next to nothing. Tytus shivered as he recalled the horrific conditions. It was no wonder so many generations of the hairy people had been willing chattel on Cadi.

  Tytus felt ashamed of his people. The Cadi had enslaved generations of the Toufik, thinking them no better than beasts of burden. They had learned that was patently false. They were just different. But now some dishonorable Cadi were stealing them from their new home, attempting to undo the progress that had been made.

  “I am working on it. Sorry. It takes time,” Tytus apologized.

  “Don’t apologize,” Madhava insisted. “If more of us had been concerned with furthering our people, instead of warring with each other, maybe we wouldn’t be in this position. You were one of the few among us attempting to build and create anything of value.” Madhava slapped Tytus on the back.

  Tytus smiled. He appreciated that his contributions were valued.

  “Well, things haven’t been dull since the war ended,” Cyprian shook his head.

  The last year had presented so many challenges for their people. Tytus had gone from maintaining technology that only served the war effort, to scrambling to bring Cadi up to par with the species of nearby galaxies. Planetary defense rested squarely on his shoulders, and at times, it was a heavy burden.

  “How is Giselle?” Tytus asked.

  “Too stubborn for her own good,” Madhava replied with a grimace that deepened the scar extending over his eye and down his cheek. “She learned Kagan was discussing terminating the young, if her condition got worse. That turned her into a rabid metcor.”

  “I don’t see how you males can deal with these human females. One minute they are like our females, pleasant, sweet, and soft. The next minute they are more aggressive than a seasoned warrior.” Cyprian shook his head.

  Tytus chuckled. He understood what Cyprian was alluding to. When Giselle first arrived on Cadi, she demonstrated a fighting style, that made it possible for someone of her diminutive size to throw a larger male off balance. It shocked the warriors, since most of them had never witnessed a Cadi female attempt to spar with a male, even in jest. But the humans weren’t irrationally violent, like Cyprian implied. Most likely it was their tendency to voice their opinions, or face dangerous situations, that made Cyprian wary of the human females.

  “Ah, but there are benefits that come from their aggressive side.” Madhava cast them a salacious grin, rather than taking offense at the comment directed towards his mate, Providence.

  “I’ll have to take your word on that.” Cyprian shook his head in disbelief. “I like knowing my female is just that, a female.”

  As far as Tytus knew, Cyprian had no female.

  “You have no idea,” Madhava retorted with a furtive smile.

  “I know both humans are spirited, but what you are implying, is intriguing,” Tytus commented as he racked his brain on how a female could possibly be aggressive in bed sport. It was the male that mounted the female. The very act was dominant in nature.

  “Tytus, have you even been with a female?” Cyprian asked.

  “Yes. Very amusing.”

  Tytus smirked at the way the warriors were teasing him. This was one of those situations where he got harassed for spending more time in his lab than he did with others. Cadi females could be timid when it came to interacting with warriors. Tytus didn’t have the time or the patience to woo and coax them.

  “Doesn’t matter, I am not explaining it to either of you.” Madhava shook his head.

  “Looks like the Miran Sona are landing.” Tytus glanced at the monitor.

  The warriors nodded and they headed out to meet the ship.

  “Welcome, Ion, Exo,” Madhava greeted the Miran Sona as they exited their vessel.

  “It is a pleasure to see you again,” Ion twittered in her high-pitched voice. “I have several things that need to be unloaded. I hope you do not mind if I stay with you. Exo insists on returning to the colony.” Ion sounded frustrated with her mate.

  “Ion, our obligations are with the colony,” Exo replied.

  “Yes, and I will return when Giselle’s young is delivered.”

  “Exo, do not worry,” Madhava encouraged the male. “We will treat Ion as one of our own.”

  “Thank you,” the tall male replied with an appreciative nod. “Our females have taken the duty of caring for the humans very seriously,” Exo stated as he smiled at his mate.

  Tytus could see the male adored Ion.

  “Yes, and that means all of them. I gave each of them an oath when we took them from their planet,” Ion retorted. “I have also missed my friends. I am ready to see Giselle and Providence.”

  Tytus was also eager for Ion to be reunited with her human friends. Kali willing she’d be able to help Giselle.

  3 Inquiry

  June

  “They left the ship,” Riley whispered as she peered out from their hiding spot in the ship’s glass domed loading bay.

  “The air’s safe to breath, even if the sky looks like a pale version of your hair,” June commented.

  From the look of it, they obviously hadn’t landed back on New Earth. It was amazing to see yet another habitable planet, even if she couldn’t see much. Her view was obscured by the crates they hid behind. What the narrow crack did reveal, was a black cobblestone landing strip and a bit of a building.

  The new planet is occupied by a sentient race.

  A frisson of excitement worked through June as she inched around the boxes to get a better view.

  “You up for exploring what Ion and Exo are doing here?” June asked.

  “I don’t know. As much as I want to get off this ship after playing hide and seek for several days, the idea of stepping out there makes me nervous.”

  June was in her element exploring and learning about the spaceship. It was the most fun she’d had in months, even if they did have to hide part of the time. It was certainly better than twiddling her thumbs at the colony. Unfortunately, poor Riley was mostly bored, though the conversation
was entertaining.

  “Come on Riley. Where’s that wild streak? Let’s just take a peek.”

  June snuck towards the large open doors with Riley at her back. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the three giants the M’s were talking with.

  “We landed on a planet of demons,” Riley gasped.

  Riley wasn’t wrong. These aliens had blood red skin, with jet black hair and eyes. They were dressed like barbarians, with the immense muscles to complete the outfit. They were shirtless, wearing only a kilt and some sort of leg armor.

  June thought the Miran Sona were tall, but these people were at least a head taller. She’d only come up to their chest, and she wasn’t a short girl.

  “Is that a tail sticking out from beneath their kilts?” June asked, though she could clearly see the answer.

  Riley nodded and swallowed.

  “Why did Ion and Exo land here? These creatures look violent.”

  June understood Riley’s concern. Two of the three red aliens wore knives strapped across their muscular chests. They looked like they were ready for assassins to pop out at any moment.

  “I don’t know,” June replied. “They haven’t attacked the M’s. That’s a good sign. We shouldn’t be judgmental,” June encouraged, though silently she was chanting, holy shit.

  “Seriously June? They’re ripped as hell and look like they were spawned from it.”

  “I thought you were into that sort of thing,” June joked to lighten the mood.

  Seeing a whole new race was disconcerting, especially one that looked like this.

  “Shit! Here they come,” Riley hissed.

  June and Riley scrambled to hide, as Exo and the three demons approached. Riley jumped behind the crates along the hull wall, while June hustled beneath a tarp on a palette of supplies.

  June almost squeaked in panic, as she felt the palette lift and move.

  Fuck! Awesome hiding place, June.

  There was nothing she could do now. She wasn’t about to pop out. Who knew how the demonic creatures would react.