"Well, never let it be said that he holds a grudge, we saved you a lovely suite just down from Angel's; let's get cleaned up then go in search of our guys. This is the first time in over three days we'll get to see them in daylight."

They entered the Strat-room feeling clean and refreshed, and spotted Zorroc and Prolinc hunched over a table with a dozen others talking quietly and studying a large screen filled with lines, numbers, icons and a large circle.

Cat fought her tears welling unbidden, blaming raging pregnancy hormones for her lack of control. But she'd missed Zorroc terribly, having seen him for a total of four hours in three days-and they could all be dead soon if things didn't go according to plan.

He turned slowly and crossed to her then led her back to the group crowding the table. "I have missed you too," he mindspoke as he placed her in front of him and surrounded her with a hand splayed on her abdomen, an arm circling her above the waist and his chin on her head. Cat tensed, sure there had to be something improper about this public display of intimacy but since no one gave her a second glance she decided to relax.

The viral gas developed by Gattonia would only be used in the heart of the capitol. They did not want to chance contaminating their neighbors and they had a limited supply of the agent. That meant drawing the Dargons into a hundred-nid square invisible net to the heart of Ra.

"We have heard from Arisi. The Dargon's Mobil s.p.a.ce Station remains stationary at fifteen hundred Kromians from Ganz and from the COMs the Mespers have monitored, they intend to stay there through the taking of Gattonia," Sycor reported.

"Did they have information as to why the attack has not yet commenced?" asked Zorroc.

"Apparently, they are leery of attacking too soon for fear of being felled by their own virus," Sycor replied with an amused grunt. "Your plan is working better than antic.i.p.ated."

Chapter Twenty-One.

"You are being unfair, Zorroc called it exactly right. The fact that the Dargons have not yet attacked lends proof of his sound recommendations," Rosik pursued, not sure why it became suddenly so important to bring Sherem around to his point of view.

"So he got lucky, he still remains a pampered, spoiled, ineffectual boy who was handed his power instead of earning it," Sherem fired back not willing to give ground when sure of his position.

The two had been embroiled in a spirited discussion for some time debating the merits and faults of Zorroc and his leadership abilities. Boredom, the underlying force of their conflict, guided their debate. The Dargons had been quiet now for a week following the misting, causing unrest between the starships wanting confrontation not complacency. Sherem had taken the position that Zorroc was not fit to rule because of his inexperience in battle and honing that only years in the field could provide. Rosik sighted that the current strategy had been put into place primarily by Zorroc and with the contention that, to date, it had worked better than anyone could have antic.i.p.ated. The proof, he pointed out, resided in the results.

"You say pampered and spoiled; let me propose the following scenario. A boy at the age of fifteen is faced with the fact that his father is dying, having already lost his mother only two years before. As a result, although just barely past p.u.b.erty, he begins a.s.suming the responsibilities of running an empire, in support of his father. At the age of seventeen, while we freely cavorted, garnering s.e.xual exploitations and stretching our warrior wings, Zorroc a.s.sumed responsibility for running an entire province, working with a council who had been in power for more years than he had been alive. Add to that, the responsibility of raising a baby girl. We, my friend, had the opportunity to grow up; Zorroc was not afforded that luxury. And so I would ask you to reevaluate your suppositions," he challenged while pouring both himself and Sherem another shot of Jive.

"You never voiced your support before, what happened to change your mind?"

Rosik shrugged and admitted, "The Miramid picked up a distress call from his party some months back when they had been ambushed by the Dargons on their way back from earth. It turned out a traitor on the High Council set a trap for Zorroc and his mate. Zorroc proved astute, clear headed and had a surprising lack of ego for one in his position and I have grown to admire his poise and selfless dedication to his people."

Sherem mulled over his answer for a minute while savoring the superior Jive that Rosik had provided. "Why do you think the Dargons targeted Gattonia?"

"Maybe we were perceived as the weak link of the four provinces. It is their usual method when overtaking a planet; however, in this case they miscalculated and will pay dearly if the Miramid has anything to say about it."

"Tell me about the sister," Sherem yawned and scratched his beard, changing the subject abruptly. "Nadia, is that what she is called?"

"Yes, but there is not much to tell. She is young and beautiful and Zorroc guards her like a sphinx. His childhood may have been stolen from him but he protects his sister's fiercely. If anyone is spoiled and pampered, my friend, it is she."

Sherem grunted and prepared to continue his probe into Zorroc's sister when the alarms sounded the long awaited attack on Gattonia.

Weeks before the Dargons entered the air s.p.a.ce of Ganz, all Pods, Starships and Cruisers slowly slipped from Gattonia and positioned themselves across the other three provinces. Part of Zorroc's plan was to let the Dargons enter Gattonia unmolested and then follow with their own ships slowly forcing them toward Ra. Civilians were told to remain in underground shelters for their protection and to maintain the possum ruse. Ground forces in all locations prepared to go on the offensive, supported by incoming air power. Their off-world allies would neutralize the Dargon's Mobil s.p.a.ce Station when signaled by the House of Ra. They wanted the fighting force of the enemy trapped and unable to retreat to defend their station. Timing remained the most intricate part of their plan.

The Dargons descended into Gattonia with confidence and the arrogant a.s.sumption they would find a crippled and dying population. It took them little time to realize their true situation. Their sonics showed incoming ships from all directions, surrounding them, and their efforts to break through the closing grid proved impossible. They were being blown out of the sky systematically by both ground and air forces. They were neatly trapped.

Considering the alternatives available, ground deployment of their troops to go hand to hand with the Gattonians won out over an air confrontation. They would lose. This held several advantages. One -although the Gattonians moved with more agility, they did not have the advantage of being able to fly, giving the Dargons superior mobility. Two-the Gattonian air force would be less likely to fire on them for fear of hitting their own forces. Three-the Dargons had no such weakness; it did not matter whether they forfeited their own warriors while blasting the Gattonians, so long as they exterminated the enemy and won the battle.

As the allied forces clashed with the Dargons, it took on the earmarks of a chaotic free-for-all. But with the great lengths the allied forces exerted to preserve their male-power and the Dargons strategy of taking out anyone who got in the way of their blazers, the tide slowly turned in favor the Gattonian forces, though casualties soared.

The Dargons, aware of their situation, searched desperately for an advantage that would turn the current probability of defeat into victory.

a.s.sistance came in the form of Sandra.

The sun had begun to cast muted rays on the landscape of Gattonia as Sandra continued her surveillance of the area surrounding the dorm grounds. Then she spotted them. A small contingent of Dargons heading in her direction, some flying low while others lumbered on foot. She crept out to greet them.

"Pssst, over here," she whispered, unaccountably excited by what she intended. Of course, they could just kill her outright but either way her life had ended with the termination of Zana's. Now a searing hatred for Cat and a burning desire to see the House of Ra fall remained her only reasons for existence.

As they approached fully armed and wary, she raised her hands to show them she was unarmed and maintained her position as they closed in around her. She found something erotic about being helpless and at mercy of the enemy. Maybe they would tie her up and play with her after she had gained their trust. She cleared her throat and licked her lips before proceeding. "The building behind me is large and vacant but for a few women sequestered in a shelter on the ground floor. It would be a safe place to discuss the defeat of Gattonia."

The leader put a blazer to her throat and grunted, "Why would you a.s.sist us, earth woman?"

"I want to see the leader of Gattonia and his wh.o.r.e fry in h.e.l.l. They killed my lover so my time here is done. In exchange for helping you, I'd like safe pa.s.sage off this cursed planet. Together, I believe we can bring down the House of Ra and possibly all of Gattonia." After a thorough search found her unarmed, they decided to proceed to the building she indicated and take the chance it was not a trap. Sandra led them up to the second floor that consisted of a large dining hall where their movements would go undetected from the occupants below.

The thirteen Dargons headed straight for the food and drink dispensers where they proceeded to gorge themselves as fast as the food appeared. Sandra was both repelled and drawn by their voracious appet.i.tes. At the conclusion of their meal, five of them approached and sat facing her. They eyed her carefully and she grew nervous under their attention. "Tell us why we should spare your life, child?" Gorn inquired sniffing her.

Sandra caught the interested signals he sent and relaxed into her chair and smiled knowingly. Men, after all, were men. "I know the layout of the House of Ra and the guards surrounding it. I believe I can get you inside, where we will take Zorroc's wh.o.r.e hostage and force him to surrender or watch her slowly die in front of him."

"What is so special about a wh.o.r.e? Surely she can be easily replaced, or is that what you plan?"

"The Gattonian holds no interest for me," she paused to wet her bottom lip with her tongue. "I find that I am more interested in larger meatier game," she opted as she uncrossed her legs and held her knees apart inviting a tempting glimpse up her dress.

Gorn's eyes gleamed as the appendage between his legs began to make itself known. Sandra smiled. As the talk continued, there were two languages being spoken, one verbal, and one of the body.

Gorn wondered how long it would take her to die once he had sated himself in her. He would time things carefully...first drawing from her the pertinent information needed to defeat the leader of Gattonia, then teaching her the ways of Dargon pa.s.sion.

"Catarina, his wh.o.r.e, is most likely carrying his child, which makes her valuable to him. That is why he will surrender to save her."

His attention caught at the mention of Cat's name. "Catarina, that name is familiar to me," Gorn mused, wondering what had become of Dyfainius and his plans concerning his daughter.

"It should be familiar; some of your people grabbed her on Zeba II, though she was later rescued. That woman has the d.a.m.nedest luck." A quick flit of malice crossed her face.

"Yesss." No wonder they sent such a determined force to steal her back, it answered yet another of his questions, as he proceeded to troll the Earth female. It would be a pleasure to retake the woman stolen from him and guaranteeing her a slow rending death. "Are you familiar with the name Dyfainius?" he ventured as the others surrounding Sandra began to grow bored and drift away.

Sandra started. "Yes, he was the father of my lover. Then it's true; he did have dealings with your people. They executed him for being a traitor and then killed my lover."

"I thought his only child, a female." The question visible in his countenance.

"You thought correctly, I don't limit my s.e.xual liaisons by gender or...species," she murmured while draping her arms across the back of her chair accentuating her generous b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Gorn grunted and probed, "How will we gain access to this House of Ra, surely it is well fortified and guarded from unwanted intruders."

Sandra crossed her legs, letting her skirt inch further up her thigh before responding. "One of the Royal House Guards comes to visit me when he is both off duty and on. He uses a hidden pathway to slip away. I got him to reveal its location. We will not be detected." She proceeded to describe her plan.

"I am finished with you until full dark," he rumbled some time later. "I must prepare for our attack. Stay out of sight today, I will come for you well before we depart to take care of your more immediate needs."

She left him with a full view of her most provocative walk. The meeting had gone perfectly.

"You look exhausted; can I get you something to eat or a strong dose of choc-tea?" Cat addressed her weary mate as he entered their chambers. The days had moved silently until the attack and then the sky exploded into a marathon light show, reminding her of the final scene from Independence Day. Cat found herself wondering how anything so beautiful could be so deadly. The Gattonian forces dominated, taking advantage of the element of surprise and their battle ready status. When the Dargons later took to the ground to engage the forces in hand-to-hand, things had looked bleak for a time but they gradually gained the upper hand, clearly in control of the outcome. The fighting in and around Ra had grown fierce, the Gattonians wanting a swift end and the Dargons desperate to revive their flagging victory.

"That would be fine. You should be down in the shelter, this area is far from secure," he grated roughly from too many hours of issuing orders and not enough sleep. Still, he looked like water to her desert.

"I am perfectly safe here and prefer our own chambers and mat that has your scent clinging to it," she soothed, putting her arms around his neck to sniff and nip at his ear lobe. "Besides, this place is guarded better than Fort Knox. No one could get within two miles of the place without a hundred people knowing about it. How's it going out there, anyway?"

"It is going well. Our off-world allies have neutralized the Mobil s.p.a.ce Station so they can pose no threat in coming to the defense of their militia. We have suffered more casualties than I would like but we dispensed the virus almost twelve hours ago and are starting to see a change in the Dargon's effectiveness. They are growing weak but so far seem unaware of being misted. Apparently it does not occur to them that what they have done to others may be visited on them," he finished with subtle smirk.

"What symptoms will they experience?"

He tilted his head. "Mainly flu like; nausea, some vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, fatigue...and impotence," mumbling the last word unintelligibly as he reached down to snag her thigh and b.u.t.tocks in order to pull her more fully to him.

"I don't think I caught that last word," she commented suspiciously.

"Impotence, their member will no longer work, which they will no doubt discover on their way home."

"Talk about divine justice...are you sure it will not have the same effect on you?"

"There is but one way to find out, my one," he stated as he, scooped her up, and proceeded to their platmat.

It had been a disastrous week, Gorn admitted. Nothing had gone according to form and now his warriors showed signs of sickness and he himself felt odd. For one, thoughts of the female waiting to pleasure him failed to stimulate his male tool. Expectant thoughts of taking and breaking her insides, erupted more repellant than reward, and the constant trips outside by he and his troop, to defecate, would catch the attention of the enemy soon. He hated depending on the woman for a.s.sistance but trusted the outcome would win them Ganz. He knew now that the battle lay not with Gattonia but the entire planet and the reward to himself would be all the greater for a victory. He would crush them all by any means necessary. He had endeavored to contact the Station for permission to simply level Gattonia and leave the other provinces unmolested but so far, had been unable to get through. With every fighting force that the planet had in one concentrated area, the plan proved almost irresistible but he did not dare act on his own or his life, lands, and family would be forfeit.

Men! Two of the Dargons had come for her just minutes before and already they were setting out for the House of Ra. The leader had not hazarded a glance in her direction though she had been positive she had attracted him. Nevertheless, true to her word, she led them to the south entrance of the lower level, guarded by three familiar males, one of whom, she knew by name. Jemi, young and enthusiastic, had a habit of enhancing his importance by spouting information concerning the defense of the House of Ra.

"Jemi, is that you? It's Sandra, my handsome hunk, I am so happy to see you."

The three Gattonians, who had been restless and bored for days, leapt to attention at the sound of her greeting. "What are you doing here, woman, it is well past curfew and this is not the front entrance you have approached," Jemi challenged while combing the area for more intruders.

"Don't be angry with me, baby, I've been lonely at the Women Dorm and starving for male companionship, so I took advantage of your secret path to surprise you. Please don't turn me away," she cooed while sauntering slowly toward the entrance. "I could take all three of you at once and you wouldn't have to leave your station, now tell me that would be more interesting than your previous duties these last weeks." She reached down to the hem of her dress and slowly worked it up her thighs. Three sets of stares galvanized to her thatch...as they incinerated before her. She smiled, pleased that it had been their last vision before perishing.

"Now what, child?" Gorn asked quietly, feeling worse by the minute. Looking at his comrades, he knew they felt no better than he. Had there been something in the food? Was this an elaborate trap set into motion by the leader of Gattonia?

"We knock, what else," she smiled sweetly and rapped lightly on the panel. At the lack of response, she knocked louder and was answered immediately by a voice over the COM demanding her ident.i.ty.

"It's just Sandra, I've come for a visit. I would have been here an hour ago if I hadn't got lost. Please let me in, its dark and creepy out here." The panel slid open but before the Dargons could react, a guard pulled Sandra inside and the panel shut. The two sentinels threw Sandra against the wall and began firing questions at her. She answered innocently and when the two turned to confer on how to proceed, she pressed the panel pad instantly admitting the enemy. No alarm sounded, it happened too fast. Sandra, mildly surprised they had gotten this far, led them cautiously down the hall listening for approaching footsteps.

"Twill, you and Zog remain here and guard this exit to ensure our escape," Gorn ordered. "The rest follow me."

They proceeded down the corridor and up the stairs to the main level and opened the panel revealing the deserted hall. "Where do we go from here? You will lead."

Sandra nodded. "The master sleeping chamber is supposed to be in the right wing," she whispered, creeping down the hall. She led them unerringly toward Cat, recalling the layout Zana had described in detail. The closer they got the faster Sandra's blood coursed. She could almost feel Cat's neck beneath her hands, slowly squeezing the life from her. Finally, things were going her way.

The panel slid silently open revealing Cat sound asleep on a huge bed. Gorn stunned her, not wanting to give her a chance to alert others. He lifted her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and then backtracked.

"What is wrong, Zorroc," Prolinc asked, noting his friends still countenance. He had not moved for a few moments and seemed to be focused on something beyond himself.

"Catarina is not conscious, there is something wrong," he stated with growing panic. "I am going to our chambers and check on her."

"She is probably just deeply asleep, carrying your offspring must be a very tiring experience," Prolinc noted with a shade of humor.

"She is not asleep, I am going."

"Well, then I am coming as well," he sighed. The two ran toward Zorroc's chambers. Which were empty.

Zorroc went right to the COM and ordered the immediate electronic sealing of the grounds and a physical check of each entrance. It was carried out in seconds.

The Dargons and Sandra rushed quietly toward the lower level and their exit. When Twill spotted them, he pushed the panel's exit b.u.t.ton but nothing happened. He tried again, nothing.

Sandra rushed forward and pressed the keypad but still the panel refused to budge. Screeching her frustration she demanded, "What is wrong with this d.a.m.ned thing, it worked for me before. Did one of you do something?"

Suddenly, alarms began to sound. "How did they detect our presence? Come, we will hide ourselves in one of the shelters," Gorn thundered, systemically opening the panels lining the hall until he came to living quarters that would adequately suit their needs. After entering, Gorn fired upon the keypad preventing unwanted company. Maybe they would think the panel had simply malfunctioned and move on. He entered one of the sleeping chambers and dumped Cat on the mat ordering Sandra to watch her.

Several minutes pa.s.sed before Cat groaned and sat up, "Spit, what happened, I feel like I've been run over by a Pod." She surveyed her surroundings and hit the mat. "And why am I constantly waking up in a different location, from the one I went to sleep in," she groaned, not expecting an answer. She looked around and noticed Sandra seated in the corner across the room smiling maliciously.

"Surprised to see me, b.i.t.c.h?" Sandra cooed looking like the canary that swallowed the Cat. "So sorry you're feeling under the weather but trust me, it will only get worse. I'd enjoy the discomfort, if I were you, before it turns into torturous agony, followed by death. How does it feel to know that you will be the instrument that destroys the House of Ra, Gattonia, and your precious mate? Quite an accomplishment for one so...small," she taunted, enjoying the feeling of power over her archenemy. "The Dargons and I planned this little party..."

"The Dargons are here in this apartment? Sandra what were you thinking, they will either slice you up for food or rip you from the inside out taking turns with your body."

"I made a deal with them; you on a platter in exchange for me off this planet, where I can work my way back to Earth. I'd be worrying about your own body, if I were you; I can take care of my own.

"And now if you will excuse me I will alert them to your wakeful state, I'm sure they'll enjoy some fun with you before you get on the COM and do our bidding."

As soon as Sandra left the room, Cat bee-lined for the hidden panel leading to the caverns thanking the G.o.ds, the fates, and every force she could think of that they picked this particular shelter and room.

She moved quickly and quietly through the maze of trails, reaching out to communicate with Zorroc. He answered instantly and she warmed at the connection.

"Where are you?" he demanded.

"I'm in the caverns. The Dargons kidnapped me with the a.s.sistance of Sandra. They planned to use me as a hostage in order to get you and then Gattonia. They came right into the house and stunned me while I was asleep. How did they get in?"

Zorroc shoved his hands into his hair, cursing the breach in security that led to their current situation. And he was so incredibly frighten for her. It was not over. What would he do if they found her before he could get to her...but he must remain claim...to claim his mate.

"The guards covering the south lower level were neutralized. We are on our way, get as far into the caverns as possible, there is a chance they could find the entrance and come after you. We have arrived at the shelter. I will keep you informed."

Sandra had just finished murmuring of Cat's conscious state when the internal COM announced the arrival of Gattonian troops led by Zorroc.

"I am Zorroc, Leader of Gattonia, you are defeated. We will allow you to surrender and leave our planet provided you give yourselves up within the next sixty-seconds. If not we will melt the panel and fire at will," he said in an unemotional straightforward manner.

"Check your sleeping quarters, Leader, and you will see something belonging to you is missing and if you want to see her alive again, you will surrender Gattonia to me, Gorn, High Commander to Dargon." There were distinct grunts and shuffling behind the panel that accompanied his words.

"And if I were you, High Commander, I would check on your hostage because unlike you, I know exactly where my mate is and she is not with you. Time is running out."

Gorn looked at Sandra and she wordlessly went to the sleeping chamber to confirm Cat's whereabouts. She had vanished. Sandra began to tear the room apart looking in any s.p.a.ce that could hold their hostage. She turned and faced Gorn. "She's disappeared, she is no where. I left her on the mat." She noticed a distinct quiver in her voice as she nervously glanced back into the room, willing her captive to reappear. Gorn followed her into the room, searched with his eyes, then turned to Sandra.

"What have you done with her you useless syphor? How did you let her escape?" He lumbered toward her, the threat palatable in his black, beady eyes.