Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers (reading tree TXT) 📗

“Iralians are capable of holding their breath for many hours. As for your brother—” Talmshone snorted. “The Commander never knew what hit him. For that matter”—he sucked a morsel from between his teeth—“neither did the tender young officer material I dined on yesterday. Now, do you wish to sustain their fate or are you going to cooperate?”

Persuaded by the Iralian’s gruesome reference, they complied, Malley drawing close to LaRenna in instinctual guardian protectiveness. Talmshone appeared disheveled and in intense pain. He cradled his bandaged right hand to his side, keeping pressure on the swollen rip in his abdomen. His overshirt was caked with blood and mud and his leggings, a pair of Training Ground issue, strained with every flex of his double-muscled thighs. He looked over Malley’s braid markings, grinning subtly when he found what he sought.

“It appears I am in need of your services, guardian engineer. I require a pilot and you so conveniently happen to be one.”

“No!” Malley drew up in challenge, standing directly between the Iralian and LaRenna. “I wouldn’t run a herd beast out of here for you, much less an aerolaunch!”

“You will.” Talmshone took sidesteps until LaRenna was in his sights. “You will or I kill her.”

LaRenna clutched Malley’s legs. “Don’t do it. He’ll kill us both regardless.”

Talmshone stepped forward and dug the blaster into LaRenna’s ribcage until she gasped. “I am out of time and patience. Engineer, pick up your lady love and head to the launch before I burn a hole in her lovely white skin.”

“The others will hear you if you open fire.” Malley activated her bow.

“Gauge it down and remove it, Taelach, or you both perish before one person gets through the door.” He jabbed the blaster into LaRenna again, jarring fragile ribs even more. She winced and clutched Malley’s legs tighter as she broadcast the predicament to her life mate.

Krell doubled over in pain. “Iralian.”

“What?” Firman was nearest to her, flirting shamelessly with Tatra.

“IRALIAN!” She barreled toward the entrance. “You’re not taking her again!” The door shattered from the battering ram force and Krell tumbled out, rolling clear of Talmshone’s shots.

“Damn telepaths!” The Iralian backed from the room, dragging Malley and LaRenna along as a shield. In pure unadulterated frustration, he reached out and yanked a fistful of hair from LaRenna’s head. “Transmit that to your lover, Kimshee whore!” Malley tried to shield her from the attack, but Talmshone rewarded the effort by smacking Malley’s ear with his blaster butt.

Belsas and the others burst into the chamber. “Top Centurion Talmshone of the Siddeaunchlun tribe, the Commitment’s most notorious spy.” Belsas’s stare was cold.

“I thought this had the making of one of your escapades. The Commitment really stuck you this time, didn’t they?”

“Belsas Exzal, Taelach supreme, you grace me with your presence.” Talmshone bowed but never took his fury-red eyes off Belsas. He held up the handful he’d jerked from LaRenna’s scalp. “You see the level of violence your pestering child has reduced me to?” He shook the fist at Belsas. “I have asked her and her guardian friend to accompany me. We are taking the aerolaunch to the nearest planetary port. I am anxious to see my mates and young.”

“You’ll never get off Saria Four alive.” Belsas and Krell took small steps forward until Talmshone warded them off with a line of blasts that smoked the ground just short of their toes.

“One more pace and I will separate you both at the knee.”

They stood their ground. “Take me instead,” said Belsas. “I’ll pilot you out of here, grant you safe passage, and see you get home.”

“I am no fool.” Talmshone clutched his side as pain faded his green hide to gray-yellow. “If I allow the Taelach of All to accompany me, I will never reach Iralian space. The Kinship will have us shot down before they allow you to fall into the Commitment’s hands. No, your daughter is the logical choice.”

“I’ll have you shot down carrying her as well.” Belsas felt numb.

“The Taelach species possesses too much empathy for that to happen. The youngsters go with me.” Talmshone backed into the corridor, pulling his prisoners along.

“Renna.” Malley drew close to LaRenna’s head.

Malley? LaRenna established a mental link. I—

Remember, LaRenna. Malley blocked the channel. There was more to LaRenna than Malley remembered, a new substance, a new completion that came in addition to her love for Krell and, in that brief accepting moment, Malley knew it must be protected. No matter what happens to us, I love you and I always will. You need your energy to phase, so shut the link.

But—

Do as I ask. Now shut the link.

I love you, too, Malley Whellen. LaRenna closed the channel and braced for the upcoming battle.

Talmshone forced them toward the open doors of the launch, watching those who followed from a distance. Trazar lay in their path, bleeding from the back of the head.

LaRenna probed her brother’s condition, rejoicing when she found him conscious. She broke the channel when Malley stepped onto the aerolaunch’s extended docking ramp. LaRenna squeezed Malley’s hand then sent a crippling pain phase into Talmshone. He shook his head slowly, resisting the temptation to scratch away the aggravating sensation.

“Stop it, Taelach. You do nothing but make me angrier.” LaRenna increased the phase, blurring Talmshone’s vision. “STOP IT!” He rushed forward, prepared to crush LaRenna’s skull. Trazar grabbed his legs when he came within reach and jerked hard, sprawling him forward.

Malley hurled LaRenna into the seats on the launch’s far side then kicked back, knocking the blaster from Talmshone’s hand. The weapon spiraled off the ramp.

“Bitches, all of you!” He sprang to his feet. “I will kill every last one of you and consume your worthless hearts purely for the pleasure of it!” Malley lunged at him, shoving him toward the edge. He grasped her belt and lifted her over his head, tossing her into Trazar. The force threw them backward, slamming them against the cavern wall.

“Malley! Trazar! No!” LaRenna cried in