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

  The man woke and rushed the door. The bars sparkled with energy and the Bujeni staggered back.

  “Let me out!”

  She glanced up.

  “I can speak your tongue, let me out!”

  “You will have to meet my captain first.” Tiva put her hand to her hip and turned as Axium entered with the other man. He placed him the adjacent holding cell. “Remain here and wait for the captain.”

  “Yes, Boon,” he replied and folded his arms over his chest and stood near the control console. Tiva nodded and went back to the lift. She returned to the command center and checked the reports on the status of the ship. They were not in the best shape, but they had partial shields, engines, and weapons. Every sector called in their update, and Maar turned to Aliri.

  “Where are the vessels now?”

  “Gone, sir.”

  “They used the wormhole jump,” Raife added.

  “Take us back to the colony.”

  “Captain?” Hill said shooting him a sideways look.

  “Let’s just say I have a feeling.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Science confirmed Captain Maar’s suspicions. The entire colony of Bujeni’s was gone. The moon was bereft of any trace of people, weapons, or technology. He ordered Hill, Raife, and Emerala down to the planet surface to conduct a search. Storage facilities were barren except for a few scattered and broken pieces of a craft. Nothing else was on the planet.

  A closer sweep of the moon colony showed run down shelters. It wasn’t a place of settlement, rather a temporary location to rest and regroup. They had no plans of staying from the beginning.

  When shift was near over, Maar and Hill went to talk with the captured aliens. If anyone on the ship was more intimidating than Tiva and her security team, it was Captain Maar. Hill was the perfect match for him during interrogation, she thought, he would help keep the captain grounded. The crew gave orders to their replacements before handing over control. The Tolox was heading back to Ovvella Base; many were looking forward to some down time.

  Emerala and Raife invited everyone else to dinner as many wanted to get their minds off recent events. Tiva found a window of time to tend to her wounds and take a hot shower.

  Together, with her friends, she enjoyed a fine home-cooked meal from Emerala’s family recipes, and some wine and spirits supplied by Aliri and Raife. Before retiring for the evening, Adam asked Tiva to walk with him around the arboretum.

  They weaved through the flowers, trees, and brush talking about the Bujeni altercation, and their theories on why the colony was now vacant. She did not like his idea of the looming threat about to reveal itself to the entire Union, but she knew it was possible.

  Adam found a bench near the largest tree in the room. He pulled Tiva onto his lap and held her tight. Neither said much for a while.

  “Having fun yet?”

  “Being with you is relaxing, Adam.”

  “That’s good.” He smiled.

  “Adam, you know I care for you…”

  “Well, yeah...” he replied.

  “Cala has said you care for me.”

  “I assumed that was obvious by now.”

  “Yes, quite...She asked me why it was important I know your feelings for me. The reason is because I believe I love you, but…”

  “I know you do,” he paused and looked at her. “But what?”

  “In order for me to express myself completely, you must help me.”

  “What is it I must do?”

  “There is only one way...Break the emotional barrier, Adam.”

  “Oh, right, that psionic thing.” He looked out at the grass and squeezed her against him. “I think I’m almost ready... I have to let you in, right? Let you know my true feelings.”

  “Yes, what you feel for me,” she said softly. “I do not mind forgoing the courting ritual, but I want to experience this love with you...do you think they are strong enough? Your feelings for me?”

  “Never know until you try.”

  She touched his cheek. “I think they will be.”

  “They better be or I’ll have to find your God and kick his ass.”

  She smiled slightly. “It is not the spirits, Adam...it is our physiology. We are empathic from birth, if children felt certain emotional states at such a young age it could be very traumatic. Gigs once said it is similar to human puberty; only it protects us rather than changes us until we are old enough to deal with intimacy. Without the barrier, children’s behavior could be very unstable...”

  “I didn’t come here to listen to logic, you know.”

  “Then why did you come here?”

  “First off, to see how you were after that fight. Second, to get off my feet for a bit. Third, to chat, have a laugh or seven...and fourth, cause you’re really, really pretty.”

  Tiva’s markings blushed at the compliment, and it was hard to ignore the feelings he stirred up inside. “And you are the most handsome man I have ever met...”

  “I’ve had practice.”

  “Practice?”

  “Well, I’ve been handsome for quite a while now. One can only assume I got better with practice.”

  Playfully, she rolled her eyes, broke from his grasp, and walked away smiling. “If your ego were any bigger the universe would explode, Adam!”

  “I don’t have a big ego, I really am this great,” he retorted and leaped into the air spreading his wings.

  “You are great in many aspects, but your conceit is not one of your better assets.”

  “It’s fun, and that’s what matters.”

  “I suppose for you it is. I was taught humility, a much more accepted trait...one can be humble without shedding who they are.”

  Apparently oblivious, he replied, “Humility is overrated.”

  “Well perhaps one day someone will make you realize that there is always someone greater out there...no matter how strong you are...”

  “There’s someone greater, huh? Well, then, I’ll keep training until I can kick his ass to the moon!”

  She laughed at his vanity.“So you are willing then? To break my barrier?” she said, serious now.

  “Yes, I’m willing, very much so…”

  “I am glad.” Squeezing his hand gently, she kissed his cheek.

  Lifting her chin, he stared into her eyes. “I’m going to make sure no one hurts you ever again.”

  “You cannot promise that, Adam.”

  “You just don’t get the whole Knight and Princess thing do you?” He rubbed his thumb across her chin. “I’ll send some fairy tales to your room. Every princess needs a knight in shining armor.”

  “I am a queen, not a princess.” She leaned into him. “Though, I am unsure if I want either title. I have much to think about, still.”

  He yawned. “Yeah, I bet you do…come on, I’ll walk you home. We’ve had a long day, and you need to rest.” Adam wrapped his arms tight around her and flapped his wings. He rose up into the air, and glided over the tops of the trees. Tiva’s hands locked around his neck, but the flight was short, and he landed gently near the exit. “I’ll take you flying one day, for real, I promise m’lady.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  ~*~

  Tiva gasped for breath and bolted upright in her bed. Something was very wrong. Two lives were abruptly gone. Immediately the reaction to the deaths faded, but it still lingered in her mind. There was no way to dismiss it, so she donned her uniform and rushed out of her room searching for answers. When she reached the end of the hall, Aliri was staggering toward her.

  “Did you feel it too?” she asked, supporting herself on the wall.

  “It tore me from my sleep,” Tiva answered. “I am unsure of the location.”

  Emerala and Raife came running out of their room. She looked distraught as she held onto her husband. “Someone’s dead…” the others agreed. The loss of life had strongly affected the empathic individuals, yet as they stood near the lift, no one could pinpoint whom or whe
re. Raife rubbed his wife’s back, comforting her as best he could under the circumstances. “We have to tell the captain.”

  “I’ll go,” Aliri answered and took off down the corridor.

  Moments later, the doors to the lift opened, and Hino stepped out. He acknowledged the others and asked what was going on. Raife quickly explained and Hino called his support staff on his wrist-comm. “I should probably get to the infirmary if your suspicions are correct.”

  “They are, Doctor,” Tiva confirmed. He moved to the door, but Aliri and the captain came down the hall before he stepped in. Maar was speaking with Hill, via his comm.

  “I have Hill running a sweep from the command center, anyone have further information to offer?” he asked his crew.

  “No, sir, all I know is I felt them die.” Emerala shivered in Raife’s arms.

  “It is not someone I am familiar with, captain, either a new person to the Tolox or…” Tiva paused, her eyes went wide, Aliri gasped, and the others stared waiting for an answer.

  “Chief?” Maar grabbed her arm.

  “The Bujeni.”

  Hill’s voice shot through the captain’s wrist-comm as the group exited the lift and walked toward the detention cell. He confirmed life readings were two short, adding weight to Tiva’s theory. Maar entered the room first. Hemko, who was standing watch turned to him and nodded, then upon seeing the others blinked and moved forward.

  “Is something wrong, captain?” he asked.

  “Has anyone been in here this evening?”

  “No, just me, sir.”

  Tiva peered into the cells. Both men appeared to be sleeping, but neither was alive. She deactivated the charge-field and stepped in, hand on her gun as a precaution. Finding no pulse, she motioned Hino to enter and he began scanning. Hemko stared in disbelief and walked up to Tiva.

  “They went to sleep after the captain left, they didn’t eat or drink anything…I thought they were just tired. I apologize, Boon.”

  “I doubt it was your fault, Hemko.” Tiva glanced back at the captain, then moved to the next cell and repeated the check on the second, though she knew he was gone.

  “His death wasn’t traumatic; I don’t see any exterior damage. I’ll have to move him to infirmary to do an autopsy.” Hino exited the cell.

  “I don’t think both died of natural causes, that’s very unlikely,” Raife added.

  “No, it wasn’t natural. It was sudden and painful,” Emerala squeaked.

  “Sir, what information did they give you?” Aliri asked.

  “Now is not the time,” he grumbled. “But suffice to say, it wasn’t enough to warrant suicide.”

  “Suicide?” Hino repeated.

  “It is common to take ones own life when in the hands of an enemy,” Maar answered. Tiva nodded her agreement; she almost did just that on Uucor. Hino shook his head in disgust and checked the second man. Hemko shifted uncomfortably near the wall, and Raife escorted Emerala and Aliri outside. “Boon, Hino, and Hemko we have work to do, we’ll regroup first thing in the morning.”

  Hemko and Tiva spent the late hours of the night checking logs, and running internal sweeps on the ship to ensure foul play was not involved. Many people on the ship had reason, cause, and means to do harm to the Bujeni, and the captain wanted to rule that out first. They searched the room foot by foot, covering everything including the walls, all access ports, and both cells. The science and medical teams would sweep the entire room for residual chemicals or bioelectric readings. Sealing off the detention cell for them was the last thing she did before heading to see Maar.

  Hino and Maar were in the back medical suite when Tiva entered. She waited near the door and listened.

  “Cause of death is simultaneous respiratory acidosis and myocardial infarction.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Basically their hearts and lungs stopped working, but I don’t know why, yet. Skin and tissue scans show no damage, so there is no risk of contaminating the crew. I’m waiting for the blood toxicology, it should be done in a few moments, if that doesn’t work I’ll have to do a cellular scan.” Hino rubbed his cheek and fell back in his chair. “Do you really think they killed themselves?”

  “Most likely,” Maar rumbled and began pacing. “I should have known better. My people would have done the same thing. They probably had capsules, infusers or something hidden that we couldn’t find.”

  “Possibly,” Hino answered. “I just don’t understand that mentality.”

  “You are a doctor, you heal people. These Bujeni are vagrant survivors. Who knows what they have been through? They see us as the enemy, and we are to an extent, but the Union wants peace. We’ll never get answers or peace this way.”

  “Ah.” The doctor turned his computer screen around and read the display. Tiva stepped inside the room, but did not interrupt. The medical monitor had several different graphs and charts; none she was familiar with so she waited for an explanation having a feeling the captain was unaware as well. “It seems our Bujeni here took a toxic nerve agent to end their lives. I’ll have to run the properties through the database it’ll take a while, I’ll get back to you.”

  “Make it a priority, Doctor.” Maar turned and eyed Tiva.

  “You got it, Cap…salutations, Ms. Boon, I didn’t see you there.”

  “Doctor, Captain.” She nodded to both. “I did not mean to interrupt, I was curious.”

  “It’s fine, is everything checked and sealed?” Maar asked.

  “Yes, though it seems you have found the cause.”

  “Most likely, Hino will confirm it, but keep the detention cell sealed until I give the word,” he replied and walked to the door. He turned back and glanced down at the Doctor who was already working. “Inform me when your results come in, no matter what the time.”

  “Aye, sir,” Hino answered and turned back to his computer.

  Tiva followed Maar out of the infirmary and down the hall. He was lost in thought; that much apparent on his face.

  When the doors opened to the command center, everyone spoke at once. Captain Maar held up his hand and all went silent. He strode to his seat, and turned to Hill.

  “Internal sweeps confirm only Hemko was in the detention cell, Raife says we are twenty hours from Ovvella, and everything else is running smoothly, sir.” He took his seat.

  “Everyone, listen up,” Maar bellowed. Tiva got to her station, and silently contacted her team to get on patrols while her attention split to the captain. “The Bujeni have taken their own lives. There is no threat to the crew, but we are to remain on high alert until we reach Base. One of them slipped during interrogation, and told me they are part of something called the Triune Syndicate. The Pizilite, Kihlmaro, and Bujeni are continuing to build their forces.” A few of the crew grumbled, the others turned to him, looks of anger apparent on their faces. “Our ultimate goal is peace with these aliens, and every means to achieve this will be taken, however force is not out of the question as we know the damage they can inflict.”

  A hush floated through the air. Tiva met Aliri’s gaze, then Emerala’s. She offered a shrug of sympathy, not knowing what else to do or say. She too wanted peace, for her people and herself.

  Suddenly, all eyes moved to Hill who had coughed to get everyone’s attention.

  “Captain Maar is already aware, but I felt it only fitting I should be the one to tell you before rumors start spreading.”

  Tiva stripped her gaze from her displayer and followed Hill as he paced the length of the room.

  “When we return to Ovvella, I am taking command of a new ship.” He paused, glanced down, and then continued, “I have enjoyed my time with the Tolox crew, but with this threat of this Triune Syndicate, the Union feels we need more ships to help protect our allies, and have offered me command.”

  Several of the crew said a few congratulatory words, but she felt their sadness. They were losing a friend, a mentor, and a member of their family. Ultimately, though, the desire to help the ma
ny races of the universe required more ships, more captains, and more negotiators.

  “I hope you all will join me on Base for a drink before I ship out. I know things are still tense, but we can’t forget to live.”

  “Sounds fun,” Adam said.

  “Yeah, I’m sure we’ll all enjoy that.” Aliri said.

  Tiva had a lot to think about. She made her excuses after shift and went back to her room. Once again, the light on her computer was blinking. There was a message. Harai’s voice cut the silence of the room.

  “Tiva my friend, the situation has turned dire. Neola has contacted me again and said that ships are in orbit around Abennelp. She sent me an image of one of the ships, maybe you can find out who they are. I’m afraid I cannot contact Abennelp again, a communications block has been placed around the planet. Please respond quickly and let me know what you want me to do. Be well my friend. Harai.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Tiva she sat on her bed and studied her face in the mirror as she listened to all her messages again. The fate of the people of Abennelp was now within her hands. Tiva Boon, last Royal Guardian, last of the royal bloodline. She changed so much since leaving home, could she still help her people?

  Harer allowed her to become an elite guardian. It was a break in tradition, despite how small it was in retrospect. Could she make such a powerful and lasting change to ensure peace for them? She still had to return home first and meet her fate. But the current threat to the Union was more pressing. Since she had to remain with them for the time being, she would take her time deciding what to do about home.

  Sleep came easier, and when she woke in the morning, she felt relaxed and refreshed. The Tolox and several other ships, including three brand new commissions docked at Ovvella overnight. The Base was well guarded, that much was clear by the various special security teams and proximity buoys anchored in space around the area but she stayed on the ship. She toured the arboretum, spent some time in the VR room then after getting something to eat, and returned to her room to wash up. Next, she ran the picture Harai sent through the computer database. If she could just figure out who was supplying the Rebels she might be able to plan her next move.