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  ‘I don’t take orders from you.’ Bree poked a finger at his chest, an action that had the Relic warrior flaring his nostrils, preparing to do battle.

  Not again. The two of them had been snipping and jabbing at each other the entire journey.

  ‘Neither of you may give orders on my ship,’ she said, her voice cold. She glared from one to the other, silently daring them to speak.

  Kondo clamped his lips shut, a deep frown furrowing his brow. He switched his gaze to the ceiling. Bree switched her gaze to the floor.

  But not before Sherise caught a glimpse of moisture glistening in her eyes. Her irritation evaporated as she remembered all that her friend had lost. The muscles along her shoulders cramped.

  ‘There is more than one shuttle,’ offered Dyrke, his normally stern face softened with compassion as he looked at the smaller woman.

  Kondo’s face looked thunderous as he glared at Dyrke and Sherise spared a brief moment wondering whether the Commander had feelings for her friend. He was a hard man to read, more contained than most; he had lost his mate during the war.

  As she glanced between the two warriors, the animosity sizzling between them was enough to give her a headache. Longing to knock their heads together, Sherise mulled over her decision. She recognised she needed to be part of the first contact team to begin her mission, but she hated the idea of Bree being alone when she found whatever was left of her home.

  ‘Very well.’ Sherise speared the Relic with a stern look. ‘Kondo, you will take a contingent of warriors and accompany Bree to the surface. Do not, under any circumstances, allow her from your sight. Should there be any sign of danger, return to the Quinnie without delay.’

  Bree squeezed Sherise’s hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly.

  ‘I cannot go with you, not this time.’

  ‘I know. It’s all cool, Sherise. No sweat.’

  Sherise returned the squeeze and somehow managed a reassuring smile. Her friend’s unfailing understanding moved her and for a few seconds she was unable to speak. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, ‘Kondo, obtain as much data as possible while you are on the surface and upload constantly to the Quinnie. The more information we have about Earth and the people here can only help us.’

  ‘You don’t trust us?’ Bree frowned.

  ‘You, yes, but remember we know nothing about your rulers or the people who now live here. We must be prepared for any contingency. I will go with the Commander and Lord Barid as part of the first contact team. Commander, my role will be that of a negotiator. Please ensure my connection to my brother, Lord Tarak, is not revealed until I decree otherwise. Lord Barid will lead the negotiations.’

  She intended to stay in the background until such time as they had ascertained the Corporation could be trusted and that they had indeed found a safe haven. Never reveal all the details. Always keep some vital information back. Her brother’s favourite mantra. Her heart lightened at the memory of his words.

  ‘Commander, please set up a broadcast for me. I intend to apprise the passengers and crew of the latest developments.’

  ‘As you wish,’ Commander Dyrke inclined his head.

  ‘Where are we authorised to land?’

  Dyrke hooked his thumbs into the belt encircling his slim hips. ‘A place called the Central Fortress. Our intel reveals it is an extremely large compound where many Earth people live. It holds the ruling council, called the Board.’ He turned to Kondo. ‘The Corporation has warned that the land beyond holds many dangers, including savage predators. You had best be well armed and on guard at all times.’

  ‘A Relic warrior is always prepared for danger. You insult me to infer otherwise.’

  The two warlords faced each other, the suspicion fed by many cycles of being deadly enemies rife in their narrowed eyes.

  ‘Lord Kondo, please prepare the shuttles for departure and select your team. Commander, send a message to Earth advising that, with their permission, another shuttle will touch down for a brief reconnaissance mission,’ Sherise ground out. ‘Commander, you, Lord Barid and I will now confer to discuss our strategy before we depart.’ She frowned. ‘Where is Lord Barid? I have not seen him since we emerged from the Vortex.’

  ‘Barid remains in his rooms.’

  Sherise’s eyebrows rose at the Commander’s dry tones, but his calm face revealed little of his thoughts. Why was Barid closeted in his cabin? Surely, as the representative of the Darkon Council, he should be on the bridge assessing the situation? Something else she would need to investigate. ‘Advise him that I require his attendance in the War Room immediately. I will do the vid broadcast from there. Bree, once you are ready, we will head down to the departure bay. I will see you off.’

  She seized her friend by the arm, brushed past the warriors and hustled her towards the door, brooding over the intricacies of the male mind.

  Never, will I understand men. Here they were about to face a possible hostile world, and she had two warriors wanting to trade insults and another locked in his room. Whatever their reasons or what had gone before, now, more than ever, it was vital all on board the Quinnie worked together.

  About to make a scathing comment, she choked off her words as she noticed the look on her friend’s face. Trepidation caused her stomach muscles to clench. Nausea rose. She knew that expression. It reminded her of those buried on Gazood. The ones, who, because of her foolhardy actions, had been chosen by the Elite soldiers to face execution.

  It was the bleak expression of the condemned.

  Chapter 4

  The Central Fortress

  Planet Earth

  The Teacher was preparing for the first of the day’s sacred rituals when the High Priestess rushed into his chamber deep beneath the city.

  ‘They’re on their way,’ she announced in a breathless voice.

  ‘At last.’ His hands trembled as he folded the pristine white cloth into a neat square and he had to utilise considerable will power to maintain calm. It could jeopardise everything he’d worked and waited so long for, should anyone become suspicious of his real identity. ‘Has the Board been notified?’

  ‘Yes. All is ready. They will await the aliens’ arrival in the Meeting Room. I have ordered a greeting party to escort them from the landing site. As you ordered, there will be no one of consequence amongst the party.’

  ‘Good.’ He looked up and smiled. ‘You have done well.’

  A rich flush bloomed over her face, blotching her skin and doing little to enhance her physical appeal. He smiled at this evidence of his hold over her. He well knew that she would do anything for him, but it was good to have his belief reinforced every so often. Besides, it did wonders for his ego, even though he held no interest in her either as a woman or indeed, as an ally. The rule his oldest brother had lived by was as inflexible as rock in his own mind; never share power.

  But until his preparations were complete, he had no intention of divulging his belief or his true goals to either this puny human or any of the Board members. He would continue operating in the shadows.

  ‘You will not attend the meeting,’ he said.

  ‘But …?’ The High Priestess frowned, her face tightening as she glared over to where the young Sacred Handmaidens were preparing the altar for the forthcoming ceremony.

  One of them looked up, a sly smile spreading over her pretty face.

  Lilith.

  His favourite.

  The Teacher continued smoothly, ‘I need you here for the ceremony.’

  ‘Then you’re not going to attend either?’

  ‘No. I am certain that the Board can function without me. They have been given their directives. Any concerns or major decisions will be run past me before they advise any commitments to our visitors.’ He shrugged and turned away to inspect the contents of a wine flask. ‘This is empty.’

  ‘Allow me.’ Lilith rushed over and took the flask. She kept her eyes modestly cast down, but as she walked away to replenish the container, her hi
ps swayed seductively side to side.

  The High Priestess hissed.

  ‘Come,’ the Teacher soothed, strolling over to take her arm. ‘I have chosen you to assist me with the ceremony.’

  The woman’s irritation evaporated. An expression like dazed blind-faith settled on her features, momentarily softening the hard lines of her face. ‘I am honoured.’

  He nodded, indicating for her to precede him.

  Unseen by her and with his back to the handmaidens, he smirked, the swell of triumph quivering through his body until even his nails tingled. Already, he could feel the snap and snarl of his true self writhing inside as he exulted in the heady knowledge that revenge was finally within his grasp.

  Darkons.

  And a Darkon ship, albeit a damaged one.

  Fools that they were, to think refuge could be found on this shit-hole of a rock. What they had found was their graves.

  ***

  Command Shuttle

  Approaching Planet Earth

  ‘ETA in five sectons,’ announced a metallic voice.

  Sherise braced for touchdown. She gritted her teeth and gripped the armrests as the rapid vertical descent forced her body upwards. Restrained only by the woven harness, her stomach went into freefall. She heard the engine throttle back into a whine before the small ship settled with a jolt onto the planet’s surface.

  She pressed a hand against her belly and waited for the nausea to abate before releasing the straps.

  The door sealing the pilot’s cabin whooshed open. Dyrke strode down the aisle. He leaned over the chair in front and zeroed his gaze onto her face.

  ‘I will leave two warriors to guard the shuttle.’

  Sherise nodded and, after rising to her feet, followed him and Lord Barid, a tall, thin Darkon of similar age to her father, out of the shuttle.

  It took her a few moments to regain her equilibrium once her feet hit the ground. They appeared to have landed inside a restricted area. Solid-looking grey walls fenced the wide space in a perfect square and, at opposite ends, open hanger doors provided entry points. The walls were high enough to restrict a view of the land beyond and also, she assumed, provided protection. Above her head the sky was a brilliant cloudless blue, so bright she shaded her eyes and squinted. Nowhere could she see any indication of weapons, military vehicles or the accoutrements of war.

  Stationed near one of the exits was an open transporter with five wheels encased within a metal belt on each side. A stack protruded from the centre of the vehicle from which a plume of white smoke or steam gushed into the air. There was a group of five or six people standing about and staring in her direction. They gave no indication they intended to walk over and greet them.

  She recognised the tactic; it gave the others the appearance they held the greater position of power.

  She shrugged and turned away to admire the tidy, ceiling-high stacks of crates and boxes that lined the walls in perfect symmetry. No refuse or rubble disturbed the smooth, even ground. Although it was only a little after the first meal of the day, breakfast as Bree called it, the air was hot and a light sheen of sweat beaded her forehead. She wiped it away with the edge of her sleeve.

  After exchanging glances with Commander Dyrke, Sherise set off after him and Barid, intent on maintaining her minor role. Three Darkon warriors clothed in full cyno battle armour strode behind them. With their sensors constantly scanning the area, any anomaly or hint of danger would be instantly transmitted and they would react accordingly.

  Sherise’s nerves tightened the closer they came to the greeting party and she frowned when she realised the group consisted of military personnel, evident by the olive green long-sleeved shirts tucked into long trousers, teamed with boots and belts with no adornments. Not one Board official appeared to be among them. The only saving grace in Sherise’s opinion was that none of the party displayed any obvious weapons on their persons. Whether they had something hidden beneath their clothes, only time would tell. But it seemed very odd to her that the occasion of meeting a race from another galaxy would be treated so casually.

  One of the members of the group finally strode forward. A tall man with butter-bright hair and pale-blue eyes, he appeared to be at least ten cycles older than Sherise. There was a slight arrogant swagger to his walk, indicating that he held a rank higher than his companions and that he was well aware of his importance. He inclined his head, allowing a smile to curve his lips before saying, ‘On behalf of the Corporation and the Purideans, we bid you welcome.’

  Lord Barid nodded. ‘Your hospitality is both appreciated and needed. I am Lord Barid of the High Council of the Darkons.’

  ‘Lieutenant Colonel Rothe of the Corporation Guard, the peacekeepers of the city.’ He gestured to the vehicle behind him. ‘The members of the Board are eager to meet you. This way, if you please.’

  He stepped aside and waved them forward.

  After only the slightest hesitation, Barid stepped out. A few moments later they were seated inside with Rothe and two other soldiers who he didn’t bother to introduce. The half-door slammed shut. The remaining two Earth men climbed onto the front seat, clanked some gears and with a hiss like escaping steam, the vehicle lurched into motion and rolled out past the hangar doors.

  Surrounding the landing zone the terrain was barren and desolate, a landscape of rocky earth and sparse blades of straggling weeds. Sherise craned her neck to peer past the Earth men seated opposite and focused on the blurry outlines of low-lying buildings and the clusters of many trees that shimmered in an opaque haze.

  She captured her gasp, aware of Rothe’s sharp gaze on her face as if he was puzzled by her.

  ‘The Central Fortress,’ he said smugly.

  Sherise exchanged a quick glance with Dyrke beside her. The Fortress was built within a dome.

  And as the vehicle sped closer, the enormity of the city became apparent.

  Her pulse quickened. Was the dome built to protect the people from the hazardous, difficult life of the Outworld? Or was it a prison, ensuring none who entered could ever escape?

  ***

  ‘It is beautiful,’ Sherise whispered, awe in her voice as she craned her head sideways, taking in the amazing field with its glossy deep-green grass and invitingly curved narrow pathways. Beds of brightly coloured flowers were interspersed with cunningly planted groves of shady trees with dense foliage of emerald-green leaves.

  Several moments earlier, the vehicle had passed inside a grey building built from smooth rock and had traversed along a tunnel before emerging behind the dome walls.

  All the buildings appeared to be made of a shell-pink coloured stone with metal roofs in rich shades of orange and balconies covered with striped awnings. Fair-haired people clothed in multi-hued garments ambled arm in arm down pathways and along the travel-way. No sense of haste or urgency disturbed the tranquillity of the scene. The contrast between the elegance of the city and the harsh land beyond the walls was stark.

  She drew in a deep breath, appreciating the faint scent of sweet blossoms after all those months of sucking in the sour smell of oil, plasma-plastic and stale air. The vehicle rounded a corner and trundled down yet another street that seemed to lead into the very heart of the city. Buildings now lay on either side of the road, edged with wide footpaths where the people went about their daily business.

  Rothe twisted in his seat, jerking his chin in the direction ahead. ‘The Corporation’s Headquarters. Only the Board and a select few are allowed beyond the entrance. Of course this law does not include yourselves.’

  Barid murmured his approval.

  ‘Before you meet with the Board, all of you are required to undergo the “cleansing” ritual.’

  ‘What nonsense!’ Barid spluttered and scowled.

  Rothe’s smile fled, leaving his face stony. ‘The laws must not be broken.’ Then he shrugged. ‘Everyone who enters the city for the first time must do this; it’s not a sign of disrespect.’

  ‘We understand,’
Sherise said. ‘It is a wise precaution. Who knows what contaminants could have adhered to our persons or clothing. The last thing we wish to do is to infect your people with an illness.’

  ‘Very well then. How long will such a process take?’ Barid said.

  ‘Fifteen minutes each.’ Rothe’s gaze settled back onto Sherise and she had to stop herself from biting her lip at his close scrutiny.

  Perhaps it had been a mistake to speak out, but she’d recognised the implacable coldness in Barid’s voice. Whatever was on his mind, she could only hope that he wouldn’t sabotage the forthcoming meeting with the city’s rulers. Despite her repeated urgings before they’d departed from the Quinnie, she’d been unable to breech his stubbornness and encourage him to share his problem.

  But to order him to remain behind was unacceptable. Such an action would be too much of a dishonour for his rank and age. Especially when she had no logical grounds on which to base her disquiet.

  She’d just keep a close eye on him and do her best to soothe over any of his hasty remarks.

  The transporter stopped with a final hiss of steam.

  Rothe climbed down first, then extended his hand to Sherise, which she took with a smile of thanks. Once on the pavement, she stared up at the building looming over her and prepared to mount the steps. But Rothe was marching off down the footpath to the building next door and, without waiting to see if they followed, he disappeared inside.

  When Sherise entered the building she found herself in a large room which resembled a waiting area. The walls and ceiling were white, the tiled floor looked squeaky clean and a row of chairs, some of which were being used, ran along the sides of two walls.

  The few people waiting there all stared at them, wide-eyed.

  ‘A medie chamber,’ she said, wondering why she was so surprised.

  Rothe, who’d been speaking to a guard stationed behind a wide counter, turned and said, ‘We call it a hospital. We’ll wait here. One of the nurses will take over.’