‘It is distinctive.’ Placing the tube back in his mouth, he turned to address a flashing light on his console.
‘I was looking for Hawk. Have you seen him?’
Raven was surprised by her question. ‘He disappeared hours ago. I thought he must have been hiding out with you somewhere.’ He winked at her, and roused a shy smile from their guest.
Tory shook her head, thinking his assumption farfetched. ‘I really don’t think he’s very interested —’
Raven burst into hysterical laughter. ‘Sorry Swan.’ He struggled to repress his amusement. ‘Oh shit …’ he drew a deep breath, ‘… love is blind.’ He gave another couple of chuckles and finally regained control.
‘You think I’m mistaken then?’ Tory dropped her tone and leant closer to the pilot, eager for him to expand on his opinion.
‘The interest is there, my sweet. Believe me!’ he emphasised. ‘I think that perhaps Hawk feels undeserving… you are a Goddess, after all.’
‘Would our association normally be deemed unlawful then?’ Tory wondered if this was more the reason that Hawk was hesitant to get close.
‘He’s broken just about every law there damn well is to break!’ Raven scoffed. ‘Pantheon law is not his worry.’
‘You think?’ Tory was not fully convinced.
Raven looked her square in the eye to satisfy her doubt. ‘It wouldn’t stop me.’
Tory was touched by his argument. ‘Thank you.’ She leant across and kissed the pilot’s cheek.
‘You’d best go find him then,’ Raven suggested, feeling honoured to be in such good favour with a Goddess. ‘All our extended crew will be awake and demanding your attention before you know it.’
Tory nodded, walking swiftly from the flight deck. No sooner had she stepped into the corridor, than she felt someone grab her wrist. This was startling, and looking around she found Hawk. His eyes were darker than usual, and swollen, although they were dry at present.
‘Shh.’ He held a finger to his lips and urged her, with a gentle tug, to join him inside the small tech-room.
Brightly lit panels of equipment illuminated the room, and it was rather snug size-wise.
‘Swan, I’ve lied to you.’ Hawk turned to address her after securing the hatch door behind them. ‘I believe —’
Tory clamped a hand over his mouth. ‘I know what you’re going to say and I don’t care.’
Hawk removed her hand. ‘No, you don’t.’
‘Is this confession leading to a kiss, because that’s all I wish to know?’ she boldly insisted.
‘If you would just hear me out, I feel sure you won’t be considering that eventuality any longer,’ Hawk was sad to say.
‘I’ll take that as a no.’ Tory moved him out of the way to open the door.
‘Swan …’ Hawk grabbed hold of her shoulders to prevent her from leaving and turned her about to face him. ‘Why are you making this so difficult?’
‘Because I’m in love with you,’ she blurted out, rather vexed by the fact. ‘I don’t care about any stupid law,’ she thumped him away from her, ‘or who I used to be! What I care about …’ she grabbed his leather vest and pulled Hawk close once more, ‘is that, here and now, I’ve met the most incredible man, who, by lunchtime tomorrow, is going to vanish out of my life! What should I do, Captain? What would you do?’ She shook him to prompt a response, as Hawk was completely dumbfounded — but only for a second.
He pulled Tory close and kissed her long and soft. As her body hugged close to his, their kiss became more frenzied. When it ended, Hawk kissed her face, her neck and shoulders.
‘I have no idea what I’m doing,’ Tory confessed in a sultry whisper, welcoming the sensation that his hands aroused as they skimmed over her body. ‘Still, I have this dying urge to get naked.’
‘Whoa, yeah,’ Hawk agreed, and emerging from his rapture he whispered: ‘It figures that the one time I really need my cabin, it’s full of kids. This …’ he looked around the tech-room, ‘… is about as unromantic as it gets.’
‘Really?’ Tory’s eyes remained glued to his face as she reached behind her neck and unfastened her top. ‘I can’t say that I noticed.’
As the flimsy material fell to her waist, leaving the Goddess half-naked before him, Hawk felt compelled to admit: ‘Breaking the law has never been so sweet.’
The restraint his brother had insisted the Goddess wear drew his attention. ‘No need for this anymore.’ He detached from her wrist the source of the only deliberate lie he’d told her and cast it aside — for he could not, in good conscience, make love to this woman unless she knew all that he did. Without the device, Hawk knew his guest would regain her telepathic ability, and so wrapped his arms about her and engaged her in a deep, loving kiss.
In his mind he ran through what he’d suspected all along — that Crow had lied to him — but due to his fascination with this immortal warrior woman, he’d hesitated to voice his suspicion. Deep down he’d realised that Crow had been lying when he denied knowing Swan before. She was the Chosen One he’d kidnapped for Nergal and left unconscious in a spaceship about to self-destruct. Crow’s target had been the ex-Governess of Kila, sister of Lahmu and wife of the legendary Dragon, Maelgwn Gwynedd, whose praises Nova had sung for many years.
As the information began pouring into her brain, Tory felt all the more compelled to love Hawk, for she was also perceiving the intense attraction he felt for her and the feelings of inferiority that had kept him at bay. ‘If only you could read my mind, and know how much I don’t care.’ She wiped the tears from his face and drew his forehead down to rest against her own. ‘I’ll worry about my past, tomorrow. Only the present truly exists … and, right now, all I care about is you.’
Hawk felt more deeply moved at this moment than he had in his entire troubled existence. ‘Do you not fear that what we are about to do might be a sin against creation?’
‘Is it not creation that compels us to feel as we do?’ Tory reasoned. ‘You can’t always trust what life has led you to think, which is why I believe my prior earthly knowledge has been taken from me. I have only my higher instinct to guide me in this affair, and therefore, I can only think that you deserve to know the love you inspire in me … you and no one else.’
His heart exploded with her words and he could not speak, for never before in conscious memory had another living soul professed to love him.
Tory thought it all the more reason to bestow her affection upon him. After everything this soul had endured throughout his life, he’d more than earned the right to feel loved. And, what’s more, Tory felt she would die where she stood if she could not fulfil the curious desire to be one with him, the desire that had possessed her being since the instant they’d met.
Hawk’s mouth caressed a trail from Tory’s forehead to her lips and, within their blissful delirium, the young captain felt the fear of the Pantheon and their laws, and his own low self-esteem, being torn away. Stripped naked to his own feelings, Hawk found himself in complete empathy with Tory — he’d never known love to feel so right.
At the one entrance to the Su Palace on Nugia, it was looking like another quiet night on the job for the four huge Leonine warriors who guarded the gatehouse. In fact, this shift was proving to be exceedingly quiet, as there hadn’t been a report of anyone even so much as being sighted breaking curfew. The guards chatted amongst themselves to pass the non-eventful hours and stay awake.
‘Sorry to interrupt your meeting, chaps.’ Brian drew the guards’ attention to his six-man band.
The guards immediately drew their weapons, startled by the appearance of the six alien humans, as Brian had picked up Cadwell and Neriada en route. The pathway to the gatehouse was long, open and lit well at this time of night; no one could have crept up on the guard post so fast without being spotted. The four Leonines began to tremble as they realised that their uninvited guests had to be Chosen Ones.
‘State your business,’ the head guard got the courage
to demand. ‘Or I shall be forced to …’
‘Kill me?’ Brian queried, whereby the guard was forced to rethink his strategy. ‘Not to worry, my friend.’ Brian set the warrior at ease with his light, friendly manner. ‘I am here to see your Lord. I don’t have an appointment, but I feel quite sure he will see me.’
‘Who are you?’ The guard stammered out his query.
‘Tell Nabu that Lahmu is here to see him.’ Brian used his alias at Rhun’s suggestion to see if the legend had infiltrated the palace. Brian hadn’t even finished the sentence before all four guards had their faces in the dirt at his feet, begging forgiveness for serving their evil master. The Governor looked to his Vice, who was clearly delighted that all was going to plan.
‘It was just a hunch?’ Rhun explained, giving Brian a cocky grin that encouraged him to proceed.
‘Gentlemen, please.’ Brian hoisted all the Leonines back to their feet. ‘It is from your people that you must seek forgiveness. All I require from you is a little cooperation.’
‘Anything, Lord,’ the head gatekeeper appealed, and began to sink to his knees again.
Brian grabbed the guard by the shirt to keep him standing. ‘If you would be so kind as to open the gate, we would be greatly obliged.’
‘Why … it would be my honour.’ The large, burly Leonine bowed low.
All the way through the palace the gatehouse guard pronounced the arrival of Lahmu and guards stepped aside, as if they’d been secretly awaiting the event for some time.
‘This is proving a lot easier than I imagined.’ Rhun voiced his reservation, mainly for Brian’s benefit.
‘It’s got to be a trap.’ Cadwell offered his view, which was usually more optimistic.
‘I agree,’ Talynn seconded, as she checked the place for surveillance and booby traps.
‘I think you’re all underestimating the extent of Nova’s influence on these people.’ Thais strolled along behind the Governor’s party, clearly at ease with the proceedings. ‘The DJ has made our dear Governor more famous than Ra, Jesus Christ or the master Buddha was, back on Gaia. I am talking centuries of legend, Governor, that you shouldn’t be afraid to use to your advantage. After all, the legend was created with the very intent of aiding your coming to greatness.’
Brian was startled to a standstill. ‘You know who Nova is?’ His query bordered on accusation.
Thais gave a shy smile. ‘I have merely speculated on the possibilities.’
‘Uh-hum!’ Talynn cleared her throat to protest their pause.
‘Might I suggest we discuss this after we complete our business here?’ Rhun urged the Governor to keep moving.
When, finally, they came to the throne room inside the Su Palace, beyond which lay the private abode of Nabu and Tashmet, Brian was pleasantly surprised to find Nabu’s personal guard had taken up a defensive position outside the doors. The force showed no sign of stepping aside and allowing his party entry.
‘I am Gallard, Viceroy to the Lord Nabu,’ a rather overweight, regal-looking Leonine came forth to announce. ‘My Lord wishes to advise that he has no desire to meet with anyone at this time.’
The thirty or so guards behind the Viceroy raised their blasters ready to fire.
Brian smiled, inspired by the message. ‘But you know I am wanted by the Pantheon?’ He needled the Viceroy with the query. ‘Surely the mighty Nabu would not pass up the opportunity to take me into custody? Surely he is smart enough to devise a means to entrap and contain six immortals?’ With a wave of his hand, Brian willed every weapon aimed at him to hit the ceiling and tried not to appear too surprised as his desire became real. Maelgwn was right, our capabilities are only limited by the imagination.
The Viceroy’s confident manner crumbled as the immortal warrior called his bluff. ‘Nabu has other more pressing business to attend,’ Gallard insisted, as he broke into a worried sweat.
‘He’s not here, you mean?’ Brian suggested, aiding the official to admit the truth.
‘Exactly,’ conceded the Viceroy. He had no desire to try to lie to six beings who all possessed the same psychic potential as his current master.
‘So there is no immortal on Nugia to challenge me at this time?’ Brian made his intentions fairly plain with the query.
‘No, my Lord Lahmu, there is not.’ Gallard was not happy about it. He’d learnt over the years how to humour Nabu and Tashmet and now he faced a whole new fight to save his skin. ‘I throw myself and the governorship of this planet upon your mercy, Lord.’ He bowed low, as did the entire guard that blocked the doorway to the throne room. ‘What have you planned for us?’
‘Well.’ Brian rubbed his hands together, gleeful at this fortunate turn of events. ‘That really depends on how helpful you are willing to be, Gallard?’
‘Oh, I’m simply a hive of information, sire.’ The Viceroy raised his eyes, keen to get on the good side of the new presiding Lords.
Brian’s party moved in closer to the official, eager to achieve their objective as quickly as possible. ‘Do you know the details of all Nabu’s mining ventures here?’
‘Oh yes, Lords. I know all … I have maps, annals, export details, the lot!’ He began to chuckle nervously, overwhelmed to have so many of the Gods looking down on him at once.
‘Do you know where to find Tyrus-Leon?’ Brian challenged.
Gallard was mortified by the question, as he’d been responsible for having the rebel leader enslaved. He shuddered as he noted the physical resemblance Lahmu had to Tyrus. ‘I knew you reminded me of —’
Talynn gripped the Viceroy round the back of the neck. ‘Just answer Lahmu’s question,’ she advised.
‘Tyrus-Leon was condemned to the hell-pit and is probably dead by now,’ the official spat out. ‘Nobody lasts years on that chain gang.’
‘Well, perhaps somebody should go and find out what has become of my loyal subject?’ Brian suggested, but as Gallard moved off on hands and knees to comply, he grabbed him back. ‘But not you.’
‘Yes, my, Lord.’ Gallard bowed repeatedly. ‘I live only to serve you.’
‘No.’ Brian squatted, and held up a finger to correct him. ‘From now on you live only to serve your people, just as it should have been all along. I want every one of your people released from slavery.’ Brian stood once more to make an announcement. ‘As of now, all mining ventures on Nugia are officially closed down.’
Horror danced with elation on the Viceroy’s face, and every Leonine within earshot began to cheer. Could they dare to believe that the nightmare rule of the Pantheon was truly coming to an end as predicted? Or would today’s little adventure only serve to bring the Pantheon’s wrath down upon their tiny city? ‘With all due respect, Lord,’ Gallard timidly cleared his throat to voice an opinion. ‘Nabu will seek retribution, and our defences are minimal against the might of the Pantheon.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Brian theorised, raising Gallard up and taking him under his arm to steer him to the throne room door. ‘I suppose it depends on if you care about saving the city, or if you care more about saving your kindred and improving their lot in the long run?’
‘Well … both,’ Gallard said, as Brian raised the Viceroy’s hand and placed it on the PKA plate that opened the doors; the barrier vanished. ‘What good will it do to save my people if they have nowhere to live?’ he reasoned.
As Brian eyed the opulent splendour of the imperial chamber, he could see why the Viceroy wanted assurances that the city would be protected. ‘But surely you have living arrangements underground to accommodate the slave drivers and workers in the mines?’ Brian strolled into the heart of the palace he’d just stolen, proud of his achievement but impervious to the wealth of his acquisition. ‘I’ve heard the mines are virtually impenetrable from the outside.’
Gallard was repulsed by the idea. ‘You can’t expect the upper-class citizens of Su to move down there!’
Brian turned back to address the overfed official, not really surprised by his ridiculou
s protest. ‘If they want to live, they won’t have much choice now, will they?’ This response must have put things into perspective for the Viceroy; he fell silent. Brian then looked to his team, who had followed him into the throne room and were turning in circles and gaping at the decadence of the decor. ‘Talynn,’ Brian called for her attention. ‘Please fetch Samara, Adair and their people here, and let me know if they’ve re-established communication with Nova yet.’
Talynn nodded in confirmation of the order, and vanished.
‘Cadwell, I want you and Neriada to take some of Gallard’s men and find Tyrus-Leon.’ As Brian gave the command the Viceroy directed several of his men, loitering by the doors, to accompany the Gods on Lahmu’s errand. ‘And you, my good Viceroy …’ Gallard jumped as Brian slapped a hand down on his shoulder, ‘… can give the rest of us the guided tour of Nabu’s business dealings.’
‘I wish to request permission to investigate the situation on Karleashian, Governor.’ Thais stepped forward to appeal for leave.
‘Not until you tell me who Nova is.’ Brian gave his response in a jovial strain, but Thais knew he meant it well enough.
‘I honestly cannot say.’ Thais’ eyes fell upon Gallard, as he was not too sure he trusted Nabu’s Viceroy.
Brian noted this and thought it a wise move to dismiss the official for the moment. ‘Gallard, why don’t you go assemble some of that data we’ll need to look at.’
‘At once, Lord.’ Gallard rushed from their presence, thankful to be leaving.
‘No transmitting now,’ Brian warned the official. ‘I’ll have someone checking the city’s network. If I find out anyone has tried to warn the Pantheon about our endeavours here, I shall hold you personally responsible.’
‘Woe is me,’ the Viceroy whined, as he escaped the throne room.
‘Now,’ Brian looked back to Thais. ‘I know you suspect someone … who?’
‘Does it really matter who the DJ is?’ Thais reasoned, wondering why they were wasting time musing over the issue. ‘He has been your ally since before you were born! Reports have it that DJ Nova is not a recent phenomenon.’