Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) Read online

  “You know I hate it when you call me that,” she punched him lightly on the shoulder. “I’m hardly your little sister anymore.”

  His sister rushed to their father’s side and kissed his cheeks. “I was in class with Nevir and we both heard at the same time. All the social forums are talking about the lost heirs being found. The communication array almost got shut down by all the traffic, and we were allowed to leave classes early due to the circumstances.”

  “I understand Dani.” His father gestured for them both to sit. “Mica was just telling me about the woman he’s chosen.”

  “So that part is true too? I thought maybe it was just idle gossip.” His sister’s lips were pursed in what he figured was disapproval and her words confirmed it. “You chose someone not of the clan, but also not of Titus?”

  “Yes, Dani. I’ve chosen a mate that is of Cestori. Vareen is returning The Reliant back to her home world, or I would have brought her directly home.”

  “Vareen. That’s her name?” his sister said it like she was tasting something foul.

  “Dani,” his father’s tone warned his sister that she was treading on thin ice. “Your brother is a grown male. He is free to pick the one he wants as his chosen mate.”

  “What about the consequences?” his sister argued. “The clan won’t accept this decision easily. Not after he’s been gone so long. Not to mention the ramifications if his chosen has children that don’t have our abilities. It boggles the mind.”

  “I would face any trial to be with Vareen. If I have to prove myself to the clan, then so be it. It won’t change the fact that I’m going to Cestori and bringing my chosen back to Titus.” Mica drew in a deep breath. “Any children I have with Vareen will be a miracle to me. I won’t care if they have abilities or not.”

  “You can’t mean that,” his sister looked stricken. “Think about what it would mean to the leadership of the clan. You can’t be that naïve.”

  “That’s a bridge we can cross when it’s time.” His father intervened. His tone had gone stone cold and Mica knew the argument had ended. His sister wasn’t even brave enough to keep arguing when he spoke with that infliction.

  “As you say, father.” Andani reached for some of the food on the table. Looking icicles at him under her lashes he knew that she would find a way to talk with him later. “Have you told him about Luna?”

  “What about her?” Mica was a horrible person. In all of his worries, to find his father and talk things over, he’d forgotten all about his pet.

  “Temloc was watching her for you I believe.” Andani had a mischievous look on her face. “Well, about sixty days ago she got away from him at the worst time. I did warn you to get your pet fixed so she couldn’t breed. She’s due to give birth any day now.”

  “Luna is pregnant?” Mica was stunned. He’d never considered breeding her because of her smaller size and his worry for her health. He supposed he’d just have to accept that she was to have a litter. Finding good homes for them would be a priority and then he’d see to getting her fixed.

  “You should go home and relax.” His father gave him a knowing look. “We can finish our talk tomorrow after the Council meeting. I’m sure we’ll have a myriad of questions to go over then. I’ll have my pod made available to you. Just send it back when you get home.”

  “Thank you, father. I am tired and being in my own home sounds nice.”

  Nodding his father went to the console at his front door and Mica could hear him ordering the pod. Picking himself out of the chair he moved into the entryway. His sister followed.

  “I’ll walk Mica out. Do you mind if I stay here tonight father?”

  “Of course not, I don’t mind. Lock the elevator down when you get back up.”

  The elevator system only opened on each floor if you had the access code. When it was locked down, the elevator wouldn’t open on that residence even if you had the code.

  Embracing his father, Mica wished him a goodnight. “I’m happy to be home.”

  His father returned his hug, “I’m happy to have you home.”

  With their good-byes said, he went into the elevator and waited for his sister. He knew this was a ploy to talk with him and he wasn’t disappointed.

  “Are you sure this woman, Vareen, is the one you want for your chosen?” She asked him and Mica was taken aback by her ferocity. “Has she even accepted you?”

  “Yes, Vareen is who I want. No, she hasn’t given me an answer…yet.”

  “Then it’s not too late.” Dani looked hopeful. “You can still change your mind.”

  Mica decided to nip this problem in the bud. No woman he’d ever shown an interest in was good enough in Dani’s opinion and until Vareen he hadn’t argued against his sister’s judgment of them.

  Now he wanted his sister to understand. Every cell in his body was telling him that Vareen was the mate for him. Dani would have to give up her overprotective ways. Mica knew that Vareen would have an uphill climb to get Andani’s acceptance.

  “I love you, Dani.” They had reached the bottom floor and he held the elevator door closed with a button. Making sure he had his sister’s attention he stated, not unkindly, but firmly. “Make no mistake. I will not tolerate any rudeness toward Vareen when I return. You will show proper respect to my chosen.” He hit the open door button and stepped out.

  “You have to get her to come to Titus first and then we’ll see.” His sister didn’t bother to hide her skepticism and the doors shut.

  Shaking his head at his sister’s attitude he went through the lobby, speaking quickly to those he knew. Finally making it to his father’s pod he entered the vehicle. Inside the pod, it was very luxurious. There were four captain’s chairs for seating, all upholstered in a soft cream-colored leather material. The main cities of Titus used the pod system for travel. The vehicles came in two, four, and six-seat models. They were computerized, so no two pods could collide. If you wanted to travel beyond your clan boundary, you could use a larger recreational pod to see the sights. Those came with sleeping quarters and a bathroom. Most people didn’t use them, the average citizen preferred the teleporting center for travel to other clans.

  “Welcome, Mica Jataci.” The computer scanned him to determine his identification and then spoke to him when he entered.

  “Take me home, please.” Mica adjusted the five-point harness and then sat back.

  “Arrival time in current traffic is fifteen minutes.”

  As he watched the city flew past and turned to the countryside. He lived on the outskirts, so his nearest neighbor was miles away. It allowed him more space and freedom.

  His thoughts raged in his head. What was Vareen doing right now? Was she thinking of him? How long was it going to take to get a spaceship heading for Cestori? When would he have her in his arms again?

  “We have arrived at your home.”

  The pod slowed to a stop in front of his driveway and Mica tiredly went inside.

  Chapter Six

  “I don’t care what you heard. Cali went with Drake willingly. I’m sure of it.” Vareen didn’t understand what had come over Diandra. She wasn’t acting like herself. “We’ve returned to Cestori. Cali and Drake will follow when they finish their business on Titus. Drake assured me they will follow in a week, no longer.”

  Before Vareen took control of the crew and made a course for Cestori, Drake had communicated his plans to follow behind The Reliant as quickly as possible and stand with Cali against her mother. Now they were entering orbit of her home world, and she didn’t feel any excitement at making it back to Cestori. She only felt happiness at the assumption that Mica had departed Titus and was on the way. She’d had a lot of time to think it over and she had an answer for him when he arrived.

  “You didn’t see him grab her and then disappear off the bridge.” Diandra was like a dog with a bone, she wasn’t giving up. “I still say he abducted her and we need to go after them. Make sure that they are coming back at all.”
r />   “You didn’t see it either Diandra. You are going off hearsay. Everyone knows Cali and Drake were madly attracted to each other, and deeply in love,” Nellia intervened. “I’m sure that Cali would’ve gotten us a message if she needed help.”

  “Not if she’s being kept from communicating.”

  “We’re her friends too Diandra and I’m not worried. I agree with Nellia. Cali was in love with Drake and I’m sure everything is fine.”

  Nellia was sitting next to her on the couch in the captain’s living quarters. Vareen had taken over this space since she was now acting captain.

  “You should be happy.” Vareen eyed Diandra suspiciously. “With Cali out of the way, it should work out that you’ll be able to have Vathral as your life-partner.”

  Diandra stood so suddenly both she and Nellia were startled, “I’ve got to see to something in my rooms.”

  Before they could ask what was wrong, Diandra was gone.

  “What is going on with her?” Vareen asked Nellia. She was genuinely concerned for her friend.

  “I don’t know, maybe the idea of getting her happy ever after with Vathral is overwhelming to her.” Nellia shrugged.

  “Maybe.” Vareen wasn’t sure, but it could explain her odd behavior.

  “What about you?” Nellia asked coyly. “You never did say what happened with you and Mica.”

  “That’s because I’ve got nothing to say.” Vareen didn’t want to bring up her last moments with Mica. The fact that he’d been in her thoughts non-stop since they’d parted was killing her. When she slept, she had dreams of him. When she was working, she daydreamed about him. There was no escaping the man. How he’d managed to become so important to her so quickly she’d never understand. It was worse than those romance pamphlets Cali had swooned over.

  “Come on Vareen, we’ll be entering Cestori Spacedock soon and who knows how long it will be before either of us will see the light of day again.”

  Nellia was joking, but both of them knew their return without Cali would put them in a precarious position. Who knew what Cali’s mother would do. Aicen Edal could wait patiently for her daughter to arrive in a week, or she could imprison them all and send another spacecraft after her daughter. Those two options were just the nicest reactions Vareen could picture from Aicen Edal.

  “I have things to talk over with Mica and that’s all I’ll say on that front,” Vareen changed the subject. “As for what Aicen Edal will do. I’m hoping the crew will speak so highly of the mission and our accomplishments that Cali’s mother will wait before deciding on punishments. Since the crew thinks Cali is following after us with a diplomatic liaison from Titus, I’m hoping the lure of a powerful new alliance will get us out of trouble.”

  Vareen had stressed to the crew that Cali was doing her duty as captain by initiating first contact with Titus. It gave the crew a feeling of accomplishment that they’d charted the Buffer Zone and made a new ally in the people of Titus.

  “Well, what the crew knows and what we know are two different things,” Nellia argued.

  “Captain, we’re in range to allow the automated docking protocol. Do you want that implemented?” The navigation officers voice called out over the comm link.

  “Affirmative. Let Cestori Space Control have her,” Vareen ordered.

  There was a chime at the door and Vareen called, “Come in.”

  Diandra stood there and Vareen was happy to see she appeared calmer.

  “Diandra? Are you—”

  “In the name of The Council of Three, I hereby find you both guilty of the new crime of romanticism. Along with the added offense of theft of a spacecraft, disobeying direct orders, and a myriad of other charges. The full list of which will be read to you at your realignment.”

  “What are you talking about?” Vareen stood, staring in shock at the change in her friend.

  “During our time away, a new law has been established criminalizing emotions,” Diandra pulled a taser out of her pocket and pointed it at them. “You are to be sent to the Realignment Center for questioning, and once found guilty…the repair of your emotional state will be performed.”

  “I don’t’ understand.” Nellia was wringing her hands in panic. “How could you do this to us, we’re your friends.”

  “I was never your friend. I was sent by the council to watch Cali at the Academy.”

  It hit Vareen like a ton of bricks. “You never intended to partner with Vathral. It was all a cover for you. When Cali tried to keep you on Cestori, you teleported back on your own. Not accidentally like you said.”

  “You caught on a lot faster than Cali did.” Diandra didn’t sound impressed with her cognitive prowess, however, only bored.

  “What about Vathral? Was he in on this?” Vareen couldn’t believe he would betray them.

  “Vathral isn’t aware of my mission. He’s going to have some questions to answer at the Realignment Center as well.”

  Nellia went to speak and Diandra shot her with the taser. She crumpled onto the floor in a heap. Vareen didn’t have time to speak before the weapon was pointed at her.

  Mica, what have I done in coming back here? Her mind cried out and then the discharge of the weapon ended her self-recrimination.

  *****

  “This is Vareen Nas. Patient zero-zero-five. She is to be questioned on her duplicity regarding the recent activity onboard The Reliant and then realigned. We have audio and visual recording devices active. Any questions?”

  Vareen didn’t hear anyone else speak and then the light over her eyes dimmed.

  “Vareen Nas, can you hear me?” A female voice spoke to her left and when she tried to turn her head it felt sluggish. Taking in her surroundings, all she could see was a type of restraint across her chest, wrists, thighs, and ankles. Since she was now wearing some type of exam gown, the restraints cut painfully into her sensitive skin. The table she was strapped to was inclined, so she was in a semi-seated position. Her eyes were able to move left to right and she saw across the room a wall with computer consoles. Standing at those consoles were three figures, all of them were wearing doctor’s robes. The woman standing at her left was also wearing a medical robe, but Vareen couldn’t read her name.

  “Can you hear me?” the woman repeated.

  “Yes,” Vareen choked out. Her throat was dry and she wished she had some water. Getting shot with a phaser gun was a bitch.

  “Good.” The woman turned to her co-workers. “We may begin. Vareen Nas. Do you know where Calinae Edal is?”

  “Cali? No. I don’t know where she is.” This was technically true. At this moment, she had no idea where Cali was. At her answer, there was a buzzing sound and a sharp pain flashed through her temples. About the same as a bad headache.

  “Let me repeat the question.” The woman asked again, “Do you know where Calinae Edal is?”

  “I told you I don’t.” Vareen insisted and the pain shot through her again, this time, more intense. So she was to be tortured? This wasn’t something they taught at the Academy.

  “Do you know the name of the ship that Calinae was teleported to?”

  “No.” More pain.

  “Do you know who took Calinae Edal?”

  “No.” Intense pain.

  “Do you deny the accusation that you instigated various criminal activities, and Calinae Edal tried to stop you?”

  “Yes.” The worst pain so far shot through her brain.

  “Do you deny that you suffer from and encourage emotional responses?”

  “Yes.” The pain was so strong this time that Vareen passed out.

  By the end of the questioning, Vareen didn’t know what she’d confessed to, how long she’d been tortured, or where she was. The pain in her head was physically sickening.

  “We have everything we can get from her. Begin the realignment. We’ll need to make notes in the log on our progress. It should take about two weeks to totally re-write the area of her brain dealing with emotions. When we’re done, she wi
ll be completely logical, without a hint of emotional responses.”

  Vareen heard one of the doctors talking. They were going to take away her ability to feel emotions. She strained against the straps binding her but it didn’t do any good.

  When one of the technicians attached a new device to her temples and adjusted the machine, Vareen laughed. “He’ll kill you for this.”

  “Who will kill me?” the female looked at her puzzled.

  “Mica,” Vareen’s mouth hurt trying to speak. “He will take this building down stone by stone until he finds me.”

  Another doctor walked up and replied calmly, “You’ll be here to tell him you wanted this done.”

  The woman didn’t hesitate before pushing the button.

  Vareen’s back arched until she thought it would snap. She tried not to scream, but the pain was so intense she did. A long, agonized, air sucking scream that she couldn’t stop. Tears pooled in her eyes and flowed down her cheeks unchecked. How long was the pain going to last? When it stopped a few seconds later, she gulped in air like a sea creature stuck out of the water.

  “Mica.” Vareen didn’t recognize her own voice. “Mica.” I have to remember Mica. He’s coming for me. We met on The Reliant. I found his escape pod. He wants me to be his chosen mate. He makes me feel safe and I want to try to build a home with him on Titus and away from the hellhole Cestori had become.