Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) Read online

  Tiva paced the corridor leading to the Great Hall. Like many, she could not find sleep. The final battle of the Great War was just beyond the rising of the suns. Legionnaires and Guardians filled the path leading to the palace. Every able-bodied person who was willing and ready to fight for their king and home made their stand.

  The first group of Rebels broke through the gates at daybreak, Tiva and the elite watched from the summit room as their fellow protectors began to fall. She was anxious, she knew she could help hold back the masses, but she needed to remain by the king’s side until he ordered otherwise. She exchanged worried glances with her father and uncle throughout the day. Tespor comforted her as best he could and for that, she was grateful.

  Morning turned to midday and eventually to night. By sunsrise of the third day, half the Legionnaires were dead. Harer ordered the majority of the level three and two guardians into battle. When the fourth day ended, Harer reluctantly allowed his elite guardians to join those still standing.

  Tiva fought by her father’s side. She watched her friends and loved ones die horribly before her eyes. A traitorous Legionnaire gutted Skky and Loloa. Tespor met his demise at the end of a Rebel spear and her uncle’s dead eyes stared up at her from his severed head. The majority of the guardians were recalled, but Tiva was not through. She had not killed enough. She wanted more. Hacking and slashing her way through crowds of Rebels and traitors was becoming second nature. She was an automated killing machine; ruthless, cold, and calculated.

  As she stood on the stairs to the Great Hall with two swords in her hand, she baited the Rebels to meet her face to face…

  An agonizing wheeze escaped her as the dream faded. She was not home fighting, she was captive, on her way to meet her end. She was devoid of energy. No food or drink had crossed her lips in days. Her body was bloody and battered. She felt like a caged animal. The pain that had seethed through her body was now a numbing discomfort. All her senses were open. Her mind was focused and stronger, but she didn’t feel the same.

  You will feel pain no longer.

  Tiva glanced around the cell. The voice returned. Was someone near? Did the person who left the Yantar come to help? No, this was…her voice. Her mind, but the darkness of her thoughts made her shiver. Escape and death consumed her.

  She wrapped the chains around her forearms and pulled them, attempting to break free. The metal cut into her wrists and hands, but she felt nothing; no distress, no twinge of agony. Her fingers tightened around the links and she pressed against the floor with her feet for leverage, but nothing was working, the chains were solid.

  She sat in the middle of the room for hours, not a single thought entering her mind. No emotions, only blank darkness. Not until she heard the sound of breathing down the hall did she begin to think again.

  She needed to escape.

  This time, however, she used all her strength on one set of links instead of both. She pulled and twisted, grunted and moaned as she struggled get free. Pools of blood dripped from her wrist. Still, she felt nothing and continued her attempt.

  When the clink of the chain snapping echoed in the room, she fell back to the ground and blinked. A wicked grin shaped her lips. The blessing of the spirits was on her side. She wrapped the chain around her hand, and positioned herself back on the floor. She prayed that Pethor would show soon. She wished him dead.

  Minutes and hours passed. Tiva’s over-exhausted body and mind fought for every moment. The footfalls in the distance finally neared, and the bars on her door retracted. She stayed still, but averted her attention to the front of the room. Like a gift of rain on parched fields of grass, Pethor stood before her with a smug look on his face, a dagger in one hand, and his laserwhip in the other.

  “Your confession has surprised many of us, but I’m afraid that it’s only caused more grief for you, my dear.” He stepped into the room, and loitered near her. She tugged at her still chained arm to create the illusion she was still helpless and growled at him. “I’m going to give you the choice for your execution, Guardian Boon.”

  “How utterly merciful you are, traitor,” she sneered.

  “It is the proper thing to do for someone of your…status.” He moved closer and lowered to one knee. “Not every day does one have the honor to kill a—”

  Tiva swung the free chain around his neck, twisted it, and began draining his life. She rose to her feet as if never injured, tightening the links, and grinned as his face changed colors. Pethor slashed her arms with the dagger. Tiva felt nothing and continued to apply pressure. His eyes rolled back, the air from his lungs escaping in short shallow gasps. She released the chains, grabbed the dagger from his hand as he fell, and then plunged the blade into his chest stealing his last breath.

  Retracting the weapon, she wiped the blade on the back of her hand.

  The laserwhip rolled out away from his limp body. She used it on the cable links of the remaining chain. They melted and gave way. Snickering, she tugged on the cuff and her second hand came free.

  Slowly, she moved to the door. The corridors were clear.

  Reaching out, she sensed every person around her in various rooms. Silently, she limped down the main corridor until she came upon the first room. Two people were inside. She gripped the whip tight in her hand and entered. Both men faced away from her. Luck, perhaps, but she ran into the room regardless and went for the closest man. She flicked the whip around his neck and pulled him backward. The second man turned around, reaching for his side. Tiva threw the dagger with all her strength across the room expertly hitting him in the chest. The other, struggling for breath, reached for his weapon. She kneed him in the stomach, stripped the weapon from his hand, and blew a hole in his forehead.

  Suddenly, the ship rocked under her feet. She dropped the whip and retrieved both blasters. Running to the door, she supported her weight against the wall as the violent shaking of the ship continued. The corridors were still empty, but a loud voice boomed over the comm system.

  “All personnel to their stations, we are under attack.”

  Tiva grinned, and as the rooms began to empty, she fired on every man striking them dead with each surprising hit. She walked the corridor, stepping over body after body, and reached a junction. Three men ran toward her. She cocked her head to the side and fired both guns at them continuously until they all dropped. Before she made it to the next doorway, it opened and several more men stepped out. She jumped back and began firing. This time, she was outnumbered, but continued to fire while backing away from the group.

  The ship rocked again, knocking everyone off balance. Tiva crawled to the junction and scooted against the wall. She took a deep breath and instantly felt the presence of others near. They weren’t her captors…it was…her crew.

  The shock of sensing them made her drop her guard for a moment, and she cried out as a shot struck her arm. She stood up and fired around the corner at the last three.

  Adam, can you hear me?

  She watched the last fall and ran down the main corridor back toward the holding cell. The hall filled with more men. She cursed and started firing again.

  Tiva! We’re here, we’re coming!

  She dropped to the floor and continued to fire. Quickly, she ducked into an open room and looked for cover. She knelt behind a control panel to gather her focus and heard the footsteps enter. She gripped the blasters, and rose to meet them. As she fired, three figures appeared behind her. Adam rushed to the group of men, Cala swinging fiercely at his side. Hill and Aliri fired their own weapons, but it wasn’t enough for Tiva. She wanted everyone on the ship dead. When the last enemy fell, she ran into the corridor.

  “Tiva, wait,” Aliri shouted.

  Ignoring the calls of her friend, she spotted another group and fired. She was in killing mode, only this time it was consuming her mind and body.

  “Boon, stop!” Hill yelled. One by one, the men dropped. She had no regard for their lives. She wanted them to die. “Knock her out.”
r />   “What?” Aliri asked, shocked.

  “No!” Adam stated firmly and rushed to her side. She turned to see two more men. She squeezed the trigger on her gun then felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck. She turned in time to see Hill lower his plasma gun then looked into Adam’s eyes and fell into his arms.

  The image of the spirit Shial came to her, luring her to the Eternal Lands. She knew she was dead. All the faces of her loved ones surrounded her. Her father called her name. She reached out to him. Then the warmth of the afterlife began to fade. Something was pulling her back.

  “No,” she cried. “Let me die!”

  She saw the doctors and nurses around her suddenly. Their words were muffled and quick, almost beyond her comprehension. They stripped her from the Eternal Lands. The light faded and suddenly she saw herself surrounded by her friends and family to celebrate her Remembrance. She was sitting in the middle of her parent’s field, everyone in a circle around her, each with a gift in hand. Her father walked to her first, handed her a small package and she smiled at him.

  “Open it dearest one,” he said.

  She opened the package and pulled out a small black leather strap. Her eyes widen and she looked to him. “A Guardian Strap, Father?”

  “Yes, dearest. You’ve completed your first cycle. You have earned it. I made it for you myself. Mother will show you how to braid it into your hair.”

  “Thank you, Father.” She wrapped her arms around him hugging tightly.

  Suddenly she saw the Mystic approach her; she was no longer sitting in the gifting circle. She was near her favorite tree.

  She smiled at the Mystic.

  “Lady Boon.” He bowed his head. “I have seen your future. I must tell you now and you must keep it within you. You must not share what I tell you until the time comes.”

  She studied him curiously, and nodded. “I understand, Mystic Litak.”

  “You are not what you seem. Your future holds great weight for your people. You will travel far, and return on wings - both shall perish. This is what I have seen.” He bowed his head again, and vanished…

  Tiva bolted up on the medical bed, sweating and cringing in pain. Dermal-strips covered the cuts on her body. She brushed them off in a panic and pushed the blanket to the floor, swinging her legs to the side of the bed.

  “Whoa…wait a minute,” Doctor Hino rushed into her suite.

  “Step away!” Tiva growled and attempted to stand. She was too weak and sank to the floor. Hino caught her under the arm then met her eyes. He was concerned, that much was apparent on his features so she allowed him to help her back to the bed. She sat upright and wrapped her arms around her body.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, as he circled and scanned her.

  “I am fine.”

  Hino laughed, shaking his head. “And I’m the supreme ruler of the Xatlo galaxy…”

  After her exam, Captain Maar came to visit. He seemed preoccupied as his fingers moved quickly over the datarecorder as he sat beside her bed.

  “Doctor Hino said that you are healing well.” Maar placed the recorder on his lap and shifted his attention, drawing her to reality. “There are some things that we need to discuss…”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “First, welcome back.”

  “Thank you, Captain.”

  “Secondly, I need to inform you that the ship heading to your home world was destroyed. We were not able to save anyone on board.” He glanced at her. He handed the datarecorder to her and stood up. She scrolled through it, but Maar spoke again. “You were gone for two weeks. The explosion you set off with your plasma gun alerted Base security. Unfortunately, the bounty hunters disabled the docking deck’s power and we weren’t able to pursue right away. They masked their ship signature and gained access to the Base. We had trouble figuring out which ship they took you on, but when we finally picked up their trail, we followed them to the Cobee system. Major Raku’s message came through just as we reached Uucor. Your friend, Harai was very helpful. She retrieved your weapon, too, it’s in your room.” He paused for a moment. “She saw them take you to their ship and helped us track them. We found them not long after they left…luckily, Emerala was able to finish the prototypes for the teleporting devices and our mission to retrieve you was successful.”

  “I am most grateful to you and the crew for coming after me. I admit I did not expect it with all that had been happening recently.”

  “You are a member of this team, this family, Chief. We look out for each other, that’s what the Union Vexillum is about…” He paused and stroked his chin. He rose and paced the small room. “It is true the Union is dealing with threats of an alien coalition, but new information came to light the day you were abducted.”

  “The bounty hunters had scout technology, sir…” she offered.

  “Yes, they did…” he agreed. “The Pizilite have been selling it to the highest bidders for the last few years. We’ve uncovered who the salvagers are…a race called Bujeni. We’re not sure where they are from, rumor has it they are a group of roving gypsies, but the Vexillum is working on that right now. Do you remember anything else that might be helpful?”

  “No…” she said and rubbed her temple, thinking. “I do not believe the information I have will help. Pethor, my captor, claimed to have severed ties with an alien race, and hired the Uucorian bounty hunters to come after me. I think perhaps he was trying to become part of this group with the Pizilite’s and Kihlmaro’s.”

  “Did he mention them?”

  “No, but he said they had a new alliance, and with the bounty hunters having the scout technology, I assume that is the connection.”

  “If you can find proof of this we may be able to help your home world.”

  “I do not think I will be returning there, sir. I have no reason. Those in power wish me dead, if you had not arrived when you did…” Tiva folded her hands together. For if I return the blood of every Rebel will stain the grass of my world. “I will have a detailed report for you as soon as I am able to return to my room, Captain. Perhaps the new information the Union has uncovered and the small amount I was able to retrieve will help us find this enemy.”

  “I want you fully rested and healed before you return to duty. I’ll get you the new codes for the ship…” He paused a moment and then met her eyes. “You have been through hell, Chief. No one expected you to live after seeing your condition, but you are a fighter, and one of the best. I will need you if we are to beat this threat.”

  “I understand, Captain. I will do as the doctor orders…”

  “Excellent, now some of your friends are here to see you, do you feel up to it?”

  “I would rather them not see me in this state, sir.”

  He chuckled. “All right, I’ll tell them, but Caedm insists you see her.”

  “You may send her in.”

  “She’s in the command center, I’ll send her down.” He walked to the door then turned around. “By the way, the book you had with you is back in your room.”

  “Thank you, Captain…for everything.”

  “Rest well, Ms. Boon.”

  After the captain left, she slid off the bed and hobbled to the lavatory. She glanced at herself in the mirror; semi-healed wounds covered her cheek, and most of her body. She peeled off several of the dermal-strips, some of the cuts on her arms and legs were not as severe as the others and had closed. Tiva stripped off the medical gown and stared at her stomach and chest. The three-pronged torture device marks were very visible, but the whip marks that trailed from her right shoulder to her left hip still caused her pain. Most of the wounds would not scar thanks in part to the strips, it was a sliver of comfort.

  Tiva took a quick shower, and carefully replaced the majority of the strips. She rubbed the back of her neck and tried to focus her mind. The captain said she was gone for two weeks, yet it only felt like days. She’d been lying in the infirmary for almost three. Too much time had passed.

  Donn
ing a soft pink robe hanging in the lavatory, Tiva limped back to the bed and sat on the edge. The doors to her suite opened, and Aliri came in, beaming.

  “I’m so glad you are all right!” She rushed over and grabbed her hand. “I’d give you a big hug, but…”

  “Thank you for coming to see me.”

  “Everyone wants to see you, we were all so concerned.”

  “I was not my intention to make you worry.” Tiva shifted on the bed and pulled her hand back. “I was careless and suffered the consequences.”

  “Bull shit!” Aliri spat, her hands flying up in disgust. “You were outnumbered, cornered, and kidnapped! Those bastard bounty hunters…oh, if I ever get my hands…” Aliri sat down next to her on the bed and tucked a lock of Tiva’s hair behind her ear. “I heard you Tiva…I wish I could have saved you from this ordeal. They were gone by the time I found someone to tell. But, I’m glad you’re all right, and I know you’re still healing. So, I’ll let you rest now, and when you want to talk to me, know that I’m here for you, my friend.”

  Tiva nodded. Part of her wanted to take comfort in Aliri’s words, the other part kept everything inside. “Thank you.”

  Tiva refused to see anyone else until the doctor released her from the infirmary. When he finally did, he restricted her for two extra days while she acclimated herself to moving around again. She spent most of her time pacing or resting.

  One of Hino’s nurses said having a record of her current state would allow her to vent and deal with all that had happened. Tiva was skeptical, but tried anyway.

  “The crew of the Tolox successfully retrieved me from the clutches of the Rebel Abennelpian’s, thank the spirits. Pethor wanted to charge me with war crimes! I know not what will happen, but now that they know I am alive, I must keep my eyes and senses open.”

  She tapped on her computer and stopped the recording. The Yantar she’d rescued from the ship was resting on top of her own. As she studied it, she wondered who had left it. She noticed the paper on the back cover of the Yantar was purposefully lifted; she raised a brow and carried it back to her bed. She found her Timbur, detached a claw, and carefully sliced the page off revealing a folded piece of parchment. Slowly, she flattened the page, and staring up at her, in her native language, was the message. She read it not once or twice, but repeatedly until the words actually seeped into her mind. The tears fell to her cheek next, and then she stared at the parchment and growled. “By the spirits!”