Kali nodded miserably. Crushed hope had her blinking back tears that would do her no good. Caesar patted her leg, and offered her a cookie that she took with a grateful smile, and stuffed whole into her mouth.
“Continue.”
Zeke frowned. “Any chance I could get your name?”
“Call him Omicron,” Lara said.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s his official rank in the Hive hierarchy,” Igor clarified. “Myself and Kenshin are from Omega stock. Lara was spawned from Upsilon stock.” He wrinkled his nose. “The confusion on your face lets me know I explain badly. Hmm. There is an Omicron chosen from a spawning of seventy. Below Omicron is the Sigma. There were two hundred Sigmas spawned on Earth, four hundred Upsilon, and eight hundred Omega.”
“Were?” Zeke questioned.
“Some were lost in the fighting. We can be wounded and possess no advanced healing capability. If anything we are physically more vulnerable–” Igor shut his mouth when he realised he spoke of the Hybrid weaknesses. “There were other ranks spawned in-between these, but those genetic blends did not turn out … right.” He grimaced. “There were grotesque mutations. Minds broken beyond madness … or so we were told.”
Blue crossed his arms over his chest. Even Zeke sensed his displeasure at the discussion topic. “My name is Blue. Continue.”
Zeke had been in the presence of males like Blue before. Males who were born to lead whether they wanted to or not. Lucky for Blue, Zeke was a model soldier born to follow.
He had no problem allying himself with this group if they returned the loyalty he had to offer.
“Yes Sir. As I said, not all the males captured are being paired with para-Symbionts. It is my hope that my friend Valiant has been taken to a rumoured slave encampment in Quadrant1. It is my personal mission to rescue him. I’m hoping I can convince somebody, anybody, to help me. It won’t just be Val who’d need rescuing. They took females and children too, maybe there are people you’re looking for?”
Blue studied him. “Dangerous mission.”
“Valiant wouldn’t think twice about coming for me. He’d come in solo guns blazing if that’s what it took. I like to think I’m subtler than that. If these Novae can use brainpower so can I.”
“A soldier that thinks,” Lara muttered. “The world really is ending.”
Kali stood and wandered closer to Blue, a hopeful look on her face compared to the desolation of before.
“Know what you’re going to say,” he murmured. “One man does not change the tide. It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s four people now,” she pushed. “My parents, Madeleine, and now the Operative’s friend Valiant.”
“Call me Z, ma’am.”
She gave him a smile that died. “Call me Kali. I’m no different from anybody else here.”
Lara snorted. “Except you’re the only one fluttering those pretty eyelashes at the Omicron to persuade him into rescuing your parents.”
With the absence of Kenshin, Igor felt it his obligation to at least attempt smoothing Lara’s rougher edges. “Gently,” he reminded.
“Stars, she won’t break. There is nothing wrong with me speaking the truth we’re thinking. Only a Flush would have such a sense of self worth to demand others risk everything on a whim.”
Kali spun on the Hybrid, hating her for pushing that disgraceful derogatory term for HiCaste onto her. It was meant for the pompous rich, someone who cared more for their self and economic interests than life. “Saving the lives of my family is not a whim. And who are you to look down on me and call me Flush, Mudsill.”
“Call me a lowlife because I know how to take care of myself if it pleases you. It reinforces my point.”
“Don’t call me names and I’ll do you the same courtesy.”
Lara sniffed, but caught Igor’s narrowed eyes, silently demanding she tow the line. For her brother-Hybrids, she could – for them. “As you like.”
Blue stared at Kali, knowing how much this meant to her. He wanted to give her this badly to make up for … everything. She needed this. Saving her parents and keeping her safe were actions he could take to make her life better.
“Blue?” Lara prompted. “Explain why this can’t happen.”
He hesitated, trying to find the best way to satisfy all wants and objectively weigh them against the collective needs. Such a thing was impossibility when the goals and desires of Humans and Hybrids conflicted so massively.
“We could try,” Blue said, eyes roaming over Igor’s receptive expression then Lara’s decidedly unreceptive one.
She scrubbed a hand over her face then held up both hands, pushing them all away. “Cosmic. I’ll go prep the weapons for our mass suicide then shall I?”
“Upsilon!” Breathing out hard, Blue frowned. Clashing with Lara was not productive and not something he was interested in disquieting himself about. She was the second strongest of the group. He needed her on his side, but not clawing at it. He’d just realised she’d used his name and not his title. Was she reaching to him on a personal level? Blue hadn’t meant it to seem cold, but her way was so blunt and confrontational. The Humans were twitchy enough. He softened his voice. “Lara, don’t–”
She walked out the door shaking her head. “Don’t care a continental, Omicron. I don’t want to hear it.”
The door to the weapons room slammed and the noise echoed through the bunker.
Blue shut his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.
Zeke cleared his throat. “Anybody else scared of her?”
20.
Blue’s touch was possessive as it ran over Kali’s body. The crisp bed sheets bunched at her hips, and his hands rubbed her lower back, worshiped the curve of her waist.
The room was cool and quiet. They were hot and loud.
Silken hair tumbled loose over Kali’s back. A smile tugged his lips when she made a throaty noise and crushed him to her. She moved above him, her restless body exquisite in its motion. Her head lolled when he nibbled the skin on her shoulder.
Blue learned of his Kali.
That her lips warmed when kissed. Her flicking tongue tasted sweet. She smelt like oranges by the underside of her jaw. When she moaned, chills rippled down his spine and curled his toes.
Blue rolled them, trapping his prize, and fitted himself between her legs. Her breathing deepened. She welcomed him, a thigh rubbing his. It made his quads tense. Mischievous, a dainty foot hooked around his ankle. The other leg drew up to cage him in, her knee pressing into his waist.
It was as natural as breathing, being with her like this. The beat of her heart echoed his.
Lush hair fanned over the pillow like spilt ink. The corner of Kali’s mouth pulled into a coy smile that drove him crazy. Her smiled died, and her stare pierced him. “I’m trapped here, Blue.”
He ground his hips and her gaze slid out of focus; dark lashes fluttering down to cover sparkling eyes.
“No,” he argued softly. “You’re safe with me.”
Arching, she bared the slender column of her throat as she gasped. Blue never knew the graceful line of a collarbone; the fluttering of a pulse at the base of a neck could be so fascinating.
Blue’s scalp tingled when her mind brushed his.
The impatient way she writhed beneath him made it harder to focus, to breathe, and think. She reached between them and squeezed him. The stroke was maddening. Small hands roamed his stomach, his chest, and shoulders like they owned every inch touched.
Nails raked at his back. The sharp bite of pain heightened his senses.
“I’m bound,” she insisted. “Cold.” The nails dug deeper, desperate, and needy. “Scared.”
He dragged his teeth across her wrist. A whimper of encouragement was his reward. “No, beautiful, you’re safe.”
Blue slid an arm under her hips to tug her closer. He nuzzled her neck and inhaled the fresh scent clinging to her skin. He pressed kisses to her throat and licked that trembling pul
se point.
His body burned for her. Need had him shaky as they joined. The rhythmic surging soothed and enflamed, pushed him to the edge of control, forced him to move faster.
Cupping his face, Kali crushed her mouth to his, searing him to the core. She flexed her hips, moaned his name, and Blue exploded.
She sighed softly, holding him tightly.
Savouring the sensation of being inside her, Blue rested his forehead on hers. He shifted to settle his weight, careful not to crush her. They lay entwined, sated, and calmed. He stroked her hip, and his rough hand rasped over sweat-slicked flesh.
He was happy.
Blue grinned and opened smiling eyes.
Happiness died.
Kali lay on the bed with her eyes closed. She was drenched in greenish liquid, her wet eyelashes spiked. Hair stuck to her face and neck, black veins cracking pallid skin. Eyes he knew to be vivid and bold were dull and lifeless as they opened. The colour of her hair leeched away, and the luxuriant brown became ashen white.
Bluish lips parted as she reached for him, and bloody tears seeped from eyes red at the corners. “I’m trapped.” Her face twisted in pain. Jagged nails dug into his shoulders. “Why won’t you listen?”
Yanked from beneath him, off the bed, she was dragged screaming into the darkness.
*
Blue woke and jack-knifed up, a bellow of terror strangling him. He battled with the covers until he managed to untangle his arms and torso. Drenched in sweat, his chest heaved as he stared around his bedroom. He scrubbed a hand over his head as his eyes swivelled.
Soft light from his ComUni cast blue shadows. He could hear no sound to suggest anybody else was present, nor could he feel the spark of another mind. His sight was not perfect, but he would be able to see if there was another body close.
The room was empty, so was his bed.
His breathing calmed. The tension in his shoulders eased, and his legs relaxed.
Blue thumbed his forehead, grappling with what his body was feeling, and what his mind clamoured for him to understand.
Dreams meant nothing – just the random firing of synapses. The only problem was, there was nothing random or nonsensical about what he’d dreamed, not until the end, anyway.
Kali had been under him. His body had mated with hers. It felt like he’d spent hours wrapped in her arms, but it could have been no more then minutes.
Blue shuddered.
He wished it were real.
Feeling strangely uncomfortable, sticky, he looked down at his lap and groaned. That had never happened before.
Throwing the sheets off, he cursed at the mess in his lap. Sliding off the bed, he stretched until something cracked then scooped it all up. Remembering the bunker was filled with people, he slipped on loose pants before he padded down the hallway with the soiled bundle.
No one would know, he was alone, but his cheeks were still hot as he dumped the sheets in the wash.
Blue wiped the sweat from his brow, and managed a low chuckle that came out scratchy. His throat was dry. From all the panting maybe? Rolling his eyes at himself, he headed to the kitchen for water.
He paused when pale light from the CoolIt beamed along the floor.
Blue leaned against the kitchen partition, and watched Kali rummage around looking for something to eat. She already had a jar in hand, and a spoon lodged in her mouth.
Humming quietly to herself, she rubbed her toes on her calf.
His gaze strayed over her body and waited for the passionate surge of arousal he had experienced in his dream.
He’d be waiting forever, it seemed.
She was dressed in a baggy top. Her legs were bare, and her hair was up in that ponytail she loved.
Since the conversation with Kenshin, he’d been avoiding her, as far as to duck into a room to hide when he’d seen her coming.
Pathetic.
He felt guilty.
Blue sighed. Scratched his chest. Regardless of what he did, or did not feel, he should be taking better care of her. She was owed that much after what she had been through.
Clearing his throat, he moved behind her and peered into the CoolIt with a smile plastered on his face.
Kali plucked the spoon out of her mouth and stared at him with wide eyes. “Bad dreams?”
Blue tilted his head. “Don’t know how to answer that question.”
“I couldn’t sleep, too restless. I was hungry, and everything tastes good. Ken said it’s normal for everything to feel vivid after a traumatic experience. It’s okay for me to eat this?” She held up the jar. “We’re not rationing or anything?”
“It’s standard. We have drums filled with LiquiNu that can last for some time, and I can create enough ingredients in the MakeIt for the FeedMe to last for at least another month even when we gain a couple of more mouths to feed. You read my blog. Paranoia has translated into prepared post invasion.” Blue looked at the jar she held. “That’s one of Caesar’s concoctions. He likes to cook. He’s thrilled people will want to try what he makes, even if he doesn’t look it. He’s forever wound up with my lack of appetite.”
Kali smiled stiffly before slumping.
Watching Blue and Caesar together casually, one might think there was no love between them, but Kali had spent a long time studying them during the rescue plans, and had witnessed a deep affection.
Caesar had just been curious to meet her when he introduced himself.
She’d been an ass about the whole thing. “I really have to apologize about that.”
Blue waited.
He wasn’t sure what she would be saying sorry for, but he wasn’t going to stop her if she gave him some insight as to what was going on in her mind.
“I wasn’t fair on him when I reacted to his … entrance. I shouldn’t have been like that in front of him.” She took in a deep breath. “I could have handled it better. I was surprised, and so out of it after everything that has happened.” She placed the jar down on the counter. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings too deeply. I’ve already spoken to him about it, and he was what I suspect was his usual discerning self, but I wanted to talk to you too.”
“Nothing to apologize for.” Blue shrugged. “He wasn’t hurt. We were confused because of our limited contact with females, especially one I was considering as a … ah.…”
Blue was unable to locate the knowledge of what the verbal etiquette was when it came to retracting an offer for courtship. Officially, he just had to withdraw his offer, but it was harder to do than just speaking the words, especially when he was still so hung up on how he’d felt about her before.
Kali gazed up at him. She motioned to him then her. “This feels weird now to you too, huh?”
He blew out a breath; relieved she said it first. “Don’t change my mind easily, but yes, this no longer feels right.”
She picked up the spoon, plunged it into the jar until the glossy spread coated the surface. The action was born from distraction rather than deliberate thought. “Maybe it’s because of what they did to me. The changes. If … when I stabilize, it might feel different again.” She peeked at him. “It’s not like either of us are going anywhere. We’ll see how things go, right?”
“Yes.” Blue touched her shoulder. It felt awkward. “Heard about what happened with Howl.”
Her eyes welled. She shrugged to make light of the incident that had made her cry for an hour straight. When Howl had woken he’d reacted badly to her presence. She tried to stroke him and he’d bitten her arm. “It’s not his fault. I’m the one who changed not him. He needs time to get used to me.”
“If he bites you again we’ll have to lock him up. If you can’t control him he becomes a danger to us all.”
“I know. If he gets worse I’ll tell you, I promise. Are you confident about tomorrow?”
“As much as I can be with the time I have to prepare. It’s no secret I would prefer to wait, but Igor was right when he pointed out we have a greater chance of s
uccess with the element of surprise. We have a matter of days – maybe hours before the Novae realise their Omicron is missing. When their attention turns to me, I want us fortified here to see what their next move will be.”
“I appreciate you doing this.” She worried her lip. “I know certain others are giving you hell because of it. I just … it’s hard to explain, but deep inside there is this unrelenting tug that I must save someone. I can’t go on feeling like my parents need me. If they were in my position, they would never stop looking. My fathers would use every resource at their disposal and stand toe to toe with death for me. I will do the same for them. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Blue stared at her. He wanted it to be like it felt before, so he could kiss her. “We’re not together as I dreamed, but your friendship is an honour, Kali. I will protect you.” She flushed and offered him a lick of the spoon. He tried some and wrinkled his nose. “That son of mine is confounding.”
Kali laughed and left, taking the early morning snack with her.
Blue watched her walk away and felt bone deep sadness. They seemed to be in accord that something had changed, but his heart held onto that unique connection they’d had before the invasion. He ached for that Kali, and feared he would until the end of his days.
His eyes closed. He saw her reaching to him, face contorted in pain, eyes wet with tears.
Shivering, he pushed the image away and focused on the mission.
PART FOUR: REPLICA
A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
Albert Einstein
21.
Despite the rush, Blue had planned the rescue meticulously, yet he found himself unprepared. He’d split the group into three, in the hope that if one group was captured the others might escape.
Kenshin waited outside the encampment gates with the FetchMes. Kali was with Igor and Zeke. They were already inside the building carrying out the rescue.
Blue had considered going with her, but it was best he kept her away, to keep his mind clear. He had reviewed many possible scenarios and had determined he’d be more useful guarding them. He’d been right, of course. The downside to not having her in his line of sight was the worry the Hybrid he’d charged with her care could not keep her safe. Blue knew it was illogical to assume Igor would not follow his orders when the male had displayed nothing but obedience and competence.