Tha-lah Read online

  * * * *

  “May I ask what you are doing with my systems, warrior?” the AI asked after the priestess had gone to sleep.

  Groo’lat’s measures were intended to spare her in case he failed. If he was captured, it had orders to leave him behind. If the ship was captured, then she was better off dead.

  “I’m just making sure they’re in working order,” he said evasively while reprogramming the environmental systems.

  “I am fully operational. Why are you programming life support to dispense lethal gas?”

  The damned AI was too inquisitive for its own good, but for his plan to work he needed someone intelligent to carry out his instructions. He outlined the reasons for his modifications, citing Protectorate laws justifying his decision.

  “Understood. You have programmed the air filtering system to distribute deadly gas in the event of capture.”

  The Badlands was a lawless place, and Tha-lah wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving there. It was the only compassionate thing he could do to protect her.

  Why had she insisted on taking the path to damnation with him? Death was a reality for which a warrior prepared all his life for. Some challenged it by taking on dangerous missions. It was said the closer a warrior got to death, the sharper his senses became. He was prepared to die, but was he ready to forfeit her life?

  Chapter Six

  The Priestess and the Kreeh-nosh

  “You have a saved holo-vid message. It was programmed to play a couple hours after departure,” the AI explained.

  Since they’d been busy saving the warrior, it’d been placed on hold. “Play it.”

  Tha-lah had no idea who it could be from. Maybe the seller wanted to give her special instructions, or it was a routine security message.

  “Tha-lah, my sister, I wish you much health and peace in your journey.”

  Fih’rra went on to describe how she’d hidden her tri’lu inside the shuttle. The Labonian who’d sold her the ship was her lover. He’d told her about a secret compartment next to the command chair.

  “I’m happy to hand over the stone to you, my sister. My lover and I’ll be married soon, and our business is booming. So you see, it’s the goddess’ will you take the stone to Glaxia Prime. In her wisdom, we all thrive.”

  She found the warrior asleep in the control room. The stubborn male thought he was well enough to go on a mission. Thank the holy one his body knew better by shutting itself down in a restorative slumber.

  Tha-lah went on her hands and knees, feeling the edges of the metal plates. It was a simple push and release door, which opened with a loud click. Her gaze darted nervously back at his handsome face. He was still sleeping soundly.

  She reached inside and closed her fingers around a metal box similar to the one she’d given Briq. Would she be able to channel its power? A tri’lu stone was matched to a novice, according to their energy signature. They worked together using bio-harmonic resonance.

  Her hand trembled as she opened it, and she looked at the beautiful gem inside. She’d keep it with her and await divine insight. Thank you, Fih’rra. Goddess permitting your stone will bless many.

  Tha-lah returned to her room and then crawled onto the small sleeping platform. She dreamt of faraway places and a strong, sad warrior with a broken heart.

  * * * *

  Sometime later the AI bleeped again with an incoming message in real time.

  “The Protectorate ship, Toq’ma’lal, is hailing us.”

  Had she heard correctly? Was the flagship really out there? “AI, is our guest still at command?” She should find a way to change the voice settings and maybe call it Light. AI was so impersonal.

  It emitted a series of beeps before answering. “Warrior Groo’lat is at main control. Breathing patterns suggest he is asleep. Should I wake him?”

  “Negative. Run a scan and confirm ship’s ID code.” One of her regular clients had told her once that pirates and mercs often used fake ID codes to fool travelers.

  “Identity confirmed. Flagship Toq’ma’lal is waiting for our response.”

  “Activate holo-vid.” She straightened her robe and smoothed her hair, making sure she was presentable. A priestess should always look clean and serene even when her heart pounded.

  “Trac’xian female, power down your engines and prepare to be boarded.” The order was issued without any preamble.

  Escaping never entered her mind. Even at full speed, she couldn’t outrun them.

  “Briq?” Tha-lah exclaimed, recognizing her benefactor. “I’m truly overjoyed our paths have crossed once again.” Meeting him out there was no coincidence, but the all- knowing plan. He was a gentle male despite his fearsome exterior. What was he doing on board the ship, wearing a bio-suit?

  “Tha-lah, what’s the meaning of this? Why are you traveling with an injured warrior?”

  She knew sooner or later he’d ask her about Groo’lat. The Toq-ma’lal sensors were among the most sophisticated in the armada. Rumor had it they could pick up any life sign two sectors away.

  “It’s a long story. Permission to come on board so we can speak.” Of all the people in the galaxies, she was glad it was he she’d bumped into. He had a strong sense of integrity and fairness.

  “Request granted. An escort will bring you to my quarters.”

  Just as she’d thought. There was more to him than met the eye.

  She found out later he’d been, in fact, one of the Protectorate’s most decorated officers. His valor and strength were legendary. The Kreeh-nosh had captured and experimented on him. Briq had escaped, turning the tables, waging a relentless war against them ever since.

  After she’d explained what had happened during the prison attack, Briq promised to get in touch with Groo’lat’s family.

  “Did he tell you how he ended up in that pod?” he asked casually.

  She sensed his tension. The attack on the prison had all the flags of an inside job. The system had been hacked by someone who knew or had access to security codes.

  “No, but he mentioned something about a mission to rescue his commanding officer.” She’d left out the part where he’d ordered her to surrender her ship. He was hiding something, and she was determined to find out what it was.

  “You don’t know why he didn’t try to contact us?”

  “You’ll have to ask him that.” She shook her head. “I’ve barely spoken to him. He was in really bad shape when I found him. I used all my gly-urq to patch him up.”

  “Thank you, Tha-lah. I’ll order someone to restock your supplies, including your gly-urq. Please come see me if you need anything else.”

  He walked her to the door. Once again she was surprised by how generous he truly was.

  After leaving Briq’s room two hours later, Tha-lah headed for the medical bay. Groo’lat was there after the boarding party had found him unconscious at command. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She was inside a Glaxian bio-ship. It was the most striking sight she’d seen in her life.

  A medic named Ju’nii told her Groo’lat was on his way to a complete recovery. If not for her timely rescue, he would’ve succumbed to his wound. Ju’nii was very friendly and seemed to love to chat.

  “Ju’nii, have you ever bathed in the restorative springs of Glaxia Prime?” she asked, hoping to glean more information regarding the mystical place.

  “Yes, many times.”

  It told her the ancient legend of the springs. The goddess had been at war with a powerful enemy who had wounded her. With nowhere to run, she’d hidden in a primordial planet, which was nothing but a molten rock. Her blood had mingled with the hot core, and from it Glaxia Prime was born.

  “Is it true you can feel the precise moment when your soul is cleansed?” Trac’xian ancient codex claimed that when a righteous soul bathed in the blessed waters of Glaxia Prime’s spring it would be cleansed and made whole forever. Her divine spirit would be one with them from that day forth.

  “It’s said that the godd
ess herself becomes the water, pouring her essence over you. What you seek might not be what you need, for only she knows what you’re missing.”

  “I wish to purify my body in the spring before I dedicate my life to her.” Tha-lah nervously clutched her robe’s pocket. The stone was inside the box. She was afraid to spoil it with her touch.

  “You’ve always been her vessel, child, like me. Just because you’re not inside a temple doesn’t mean your work is of less value,” a female voice rasped from the far corner of the bay.

  Tha-lah turned around, astonished by the sight before her. There was no mistake. She was smaller and more colorful, but she was a Kreeh-nosh, nevertheless. For centuries, rumors of the elusive creatures had made their way around the twin galaxies. To this day, no one had ever seen a breeder up close.

  “Child, much is asked of us, much we’ve given in her name.”

  The poor female sounded so weary. Was she dying? “You’re Kreeh-nosh yet you serve the goddess. I feel her energy flowing through you. How is that possible?”

  “I could say the same about you, but we know we’re more than our circumstances. No one can change what we were meant to be.”

  “My apologies, lady, I truly regret my callous comment. My name is Tha-lah.”

  She bent at her waist, her hands placed on top each other with her fingers curled as if holding something. It was customary to welcome another while cradling the stone with both hands. Hers were empty, but Tha-lah hoped the meaning of her gesture was well received.

  “I’m called Ha’rrra. No apologies necessary. We aren’t that different you and I. The goddess has a purpose for us. She brought us together.”

  The air rushed out of Tha-lah’s lungs. She hadn’t even noticed she’d been holding her breath.

  “I don’t understand. Why?”

  Ha’rrra looked frail and gaunt even to someone like Tha-lah, who’d never seen her kind before.

  “Hold your stone with your left hand,” the Kreeh-nosh urged.

  “I can’t, not until my soul is cleansed.”

  She shook her head, stepping away. Dire consequences befell those who handled it without purification. A proper level of enlightenment was required before such a thing could be attempted. Some never reached it and couldn’t serve the goddess in full capacity.

  Tha-lah recalled the story of the uninitiated who’d failed to reach the necessary spiritual level. He’d become bitter and obsessed. One day, he stole into the sacred hall were the dormant tri’luses were kept and took one.

  Both stone and priest bonded in a dark unholy union, which brought death and pestilence to the land. Instead of curative his touch became virulent, bringing sickness and death to many. He lived his life as an outcast, hidden in a cave with only his madness for company. Tha-lah wanted to be a source of good and healing. She’d rather remain a surrogate for the rest of her life than cause all that pain.

  “You don’t need to go that far to cleanse your body,” Ju’nii said.

  It revealed that every ship a Glaxian traveled in had a room with water, air and soil from their planet. The practice went back to the days of the Great Uprooting when they became free from the ground. Glaxians kept part of their planet with them so they could thrive and proliferate.

  Tha-lah felt truly reborn after drinking the spring water. A simple glass of the liquid was all she needed to wash off the impurities. A warm tingling sensation spread through her. Take me into your body and soul, forever joined as one. Our paths shall be the same, our resolve strong. Blessed is the one who surrenders their will completely for they shall be free.

  “Ju’nii, I’m in your debt. May the goddess bless you always.” She was at a loss for words by its big heart, even if it was its nature. A Glaxian never turned its back on those in need.

  “Now are you ready to claim the stone?” the breeder asked, stepping forward.

  “Yes.”

  Tha-lah’s voice shook as she became overcome with emotion. She’d never thought this day would come. Ha’rrra extended her clawed hand. Tha-lah hesitated before placing her smaller one within. She didn’t want to offend the other female, but what could holding hands accomplish?

  “There’s something I wish to share with you. It will help you form a bond, even if this stone isn’t destined for you.” Vibrations. Her entire body pulsated with energy when their hands touched. Somehow, the Kreeh-nosh showed her how to tune her energy to Fih’rra’s tri’lu. “When the moment arrives, are you ready to submit yourself completely?”

  “Submit?” she asked, scared by the implications. She’d been doing that for years, providing for others. Tha-lah thought she was finally free to follow her dreams.

  “There can’t be doubts in your heart. Once you take this path, there’s no turning back. Your life force will be linked forever to it.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  A moment of sharp clarity descended on Tha-lah. As a surrogate, she’d had no other option but do what others dictated. Now it was her choice to surrender her will. The path to awareness was the conscious sacrifice of oneself for others.

  “Remember, child, the stubborn tries to alter the path. Wise is the one who finds their way through it. May the goddess shadow your journey.”

  “In her wisdom we all thrive.”

  A soft glow illuminated the breeder’s hand, spreading onto hers. Tha-lah recognized it as the energy that bound all living things to the mother creator.

  “Share the path of the warrior so he may find his way back to the goddess.”

  Ju’nii reassured her Groo’lat was out of danger but still weak. She sat beside him for a while before returning to the Divine Light.

  Back in her shuttle, Tha-lah went room by room, reciting an ancient prayer, infusing every corner with her spiritual energy. Still, in the back of her mind was a warrior with a troubled soul. To realize your destiny you must save him. The softly spoken words came from all around her, like a whispered chant. Save him, save him… Over and over again they echoed until she fell into a deep trance. After she came to, her purpose was clear. She called Briq and Ha’rrra, secretly describing her vision. The commander didn’t hesitate to offer his help.

  “I’ll assist you, but first I must speak with him. There’s much he needs to explain.”

  Until recently, Briq had been considered a smuggler and the Protectorate’s enemy. Nobody in the galaxies was more qualified to help her warrior than him.

  Chapter Seven

  Day of Reckoning

  “Wake him.”

  An unfamiliar deep voice filtered through Groo’lat’s foggy mind. Had the Jog’nafan captured him?

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea. If we do, his recovery might take longer.”

  Groo’lat was no longer asleep. His body was immersed in thick restorative gel, but he was now wide awake. The bio-pod alarm screeched, ending their argument.

  “Well, it looks as if we won’t have to debate the issue much longer. Get him out,” the stranger’s voice rasped while the pod drained its contents.

  After his vision cleared, he immediately recognized the Toq-ma’lal’s med bay. He’d been there a few times due to extreme combat sessions. How had he ended up on the flagship? Groo’lat jumped out of the tank, his elite warrior senses on full alert. Where was the Trac’xian female? Had she betrayed him? He glanced around, searching for her.

  “Stand down, warrior. You’re safe now.”

  Training took over as he assumed a formal military stance. The voice was unfamiliar, but he was still a Pendo’rahn warrior.

  “Tha-lah? Where is she?” Fear for the priestess made him reckless by demanding to see her. After all, she’d saved him from certain death. Groo’lat couldn’t blame her for contacting the Protectorate behind his back. She didn’t know anything about him or what he’d done.

  “We offered quarters on board, but she declined and returned to her shuttle,” a Glaxian medic answered.

  His mind raced, trying to think of a way out of the ship withou
t raising suspicions. Tha-lah was his only option, he thought as he remembered her face.

  “Can I see her?” he asked casually as if he didn’t care one way or the other.

  “As soon as I get some answers,” the male replied calmly. “Tell me, Groo’lat, what were you doing at the prison when the Jog’nafan attacked?”

  All he could think of was a mind-altering drug. This wasn’t real. Somehow the Kreeh-nosh had captured him.

  He couldn’t believe his eyes after the stranger came to stand right in front of him. Pendo’rahns were considered the tallest race in the twin galaxies. Yet this male towered over him by almost six inches.

  “I was visiting a friend stationed there,” he replied vaguely, avoiding giving out too many details. Kreeh-noshians had many sympathizers, and this male could very well be one.

  “Is that so? I looked at your schedule. You were supposed to be at T’ae during purification.”

  He had to take a couple steps back to stare at the stranger. After he did, he found the male wasn’t what he’d expected.

  The officer’s skin was covered with a smooth scaly texture. His eyes were yellow with slanted pupils, but his face and hair were unmistakably Pendo’rahn. He wore a slightly altered version of a Protectorate bio-suit because, of all things, he had a long tail. There was no doubt he was a crew member. The suit had a Toq-ma’lal officer’s insignia.

  “I’ll ask you again. This time I expect the truth. Are we clear?” He nodded. “Why were you at the station?”

  His casual stance didn’t fool him for a second. Groo’lat had a gut feeling he wasn’t the kind to be trifled with, even when making polite conversation.

  He squared his shoulder and met the officer’s gaze. “I was at the prison against orders, defying my own family and traditions.” It was hard to believe just a couple days had passed. In that short amount of time, he’d almost died when the very female he’d given everything up for had tried to kill him.