Chapter 5
MarIK stood next to OrIN on the lunar surface at the abandoned spaceport. They had their body suits on to obtain the oxygen necessary for survival. Once they entered the spaceport itself, the generators would provide the oxygen they needed. He had a very bad feeling about this. OrIN wasn’t telling him everything. He had hoped that the Katierans and Kiljorns would heed his warning and refuse, but he understood why they would take the chance to join the meeting. The opportunity to find out your enemy’s plans would be hard for him to resist.
“They’re here, Leader OrIN,” one of their warriors called out.
Looking up at the skyline, MarIK watched the two shuttles approaching. They landed a few hundred feet from them. He hit his comm link. “Are you in position?”
“Yes, Commander.”
He turned to look at OrIN, who raised his eyebrow at him. “Our warriors are in place surrounding the area and providing protection.”
OrIN smiled smugly. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Commander. You are nothing if not a great and loyal warrior. Soon, you will have your vengeance on the Primes of Katiera and we will get justice for all of Katiera.”
OrIN’s idea of justice no longer appealed to MarIK. He now knew the truth — he had placed his faith and loyalty in a male who was unhinged and would only bring chaos to Katiera. Worse, now he had aligned himself with the Morins who only want to destroy every last Katieran standing. It had to be stopped — at all costs to himself.
“I wonder if the Katierans really brought the female,” OrIN mused.
It was all a game to him. One sick and twisted game. MarIK had no idea what the true intent toward the female was. Maybe he would have his medics use her as an example like he had tried to do with Melody Song. Or he may kill her and send her back as an example to put fear in the Earth females. Any of that was unacceptable and without honor. OrIN was the real threat to the Katieran nation. He had to be stopped.
The doors of the first shuttle opened and several warriors stepped out, wearing their own atmospheric bodysuits. The males then moved toward the second shuttle and stood in a protective stance as the shuttle door opened. Several more warriors came out and then a much shorter figure stood behind them — the female. His stomach sank at the thought of what might happen to her.Kitana!
As the opposing groups came closer together, MarIK could sense OrIN’s growing excitement. He seemed thrilled, which meant bad news for everyone else with their sanity still intact. This was an impossible situation. The day would not end well for anyone here on this luna.
The atmospheric suits were not connected with a comm link so they couldn’t communicate yet with the Katierans. MarIK stepped forward and motioned for the others to follow them to the entranceway to the trading post. The structure was still very sturdy. It had been well made and was meant to last for many decades. It stood three stories tall with an outer structure of solid steel and the inner walls a mixture of stone. MarIK and the rebel warriors arrived a week ago to get the generators working. The repairs only required a few minor maintenance steps and part replacements. The engineer for the trading post was very skillful and clever. MarIK, while exploring with his trusted core team, found something hidden in the trading post he felt might prove useful. He had ordered his team to keep what they found to themselves, for now.
The facility had three sets of secure doors that closed and pressurized the air as the group passed through each one. Once inside the final set of doors, the interior opened up into a large round courtyard. Vendors had previously used the built-in tables to set up their merchandise to sell. Now it was bare and empty.
MarIK was the first to remove his helmet. “We have ensured that all life support is fully active. You may remove your gear.”
For the next few minutes, everyone was busy removing their outer gear. He hid his sneer when OrIN took a moment to look at himself in a reflective surface. That male loved himself more than anything or anyone. He was very vain.
He turned his back on OrIN and faced the Katierans. His eyes focused on one small figure in particular. Her helmet remained on while she wiggled to pull the tight suit down her body. She was wearing a form-fitting shirt and tight pants. She had curves for someone so small. When she reached up to finally remove her helmet, he found himself almost hypnotized. She had short blonde hair. Never had he seen a female’s hair cut so short. It was outrageous but also...endearing. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Then she turned to face him and their eyes locked. It was like he was drawn to her by some invisible magnetic pull. Judging by her expression, she seemed to be caught off guard just as much as he was.What in Kitana was going on?
OrIN walked past him, obviously not deterred by the female. He stopped a few feet from the leader of the Katieran team. “Welcome to the trading post. I’m Prime Leader OrIN. I assure you, we’ve made sure that the entire place is livable. We even prepared rooms for the night and will be providing a welcoming banquet for you.”
“I’m Lieutenant Commander LazAR, sent by Prime Leader RendEL. We appreciate the attempt to make us comfortable, but we don’t plan on staying long.”
“Now now, Lieutenant Commander, you can’t possibly expect us to have a real discussion if we’re not at ease. Look around. There is only this place. We have all the time in the world to get to the discussions. I want an opportunity to get to know you, to understand why you were chosen to come, and to properly meet your female traveling companion.”
MarIK noted that the Katieran lieutenant commander did not look pleased, as he had to accept what OrIN was saying.
“Very well.”
OrIN smiled. “My commander will show you to the rooms that we prepared.” He looked at the female for the first time. “I took the liberty of bringing something that will be more...appropriate for you to wear.” The female stiffened as if insulted but OrIN turned his back to her and walked away followed by his personal security.
“I’m Commander MarIK. If you will follow me, I’ll take you to your rooms.” He motioned with his hand for them to move forward and follow one of his warriors. He wasn’t that thrilled about being assigned guest duty, but OrIN didn’t think anything of having his head of security act in that role as well. It just showed how his mind was slipping. This gave MarIK time to access the Katierans and if he wasn’t mistaken, Kiljorns, who had come to deal with OrIN.
“I remember you, Lieutenant Commander LazAR. You were in warrior training three years ahead of me. From what I recall, you had the best aim with your phase ray.”
LazAR seemed surprised that he was recognized. “That’s correct. I remember you as well, Commander MarIK. You were top of your training but then something happened. You withdrew your commission and just…disappeared.”
“I lost my mate. I took time to deal with that.”
“Yes, and in that time, you betrayed your people to follow the orders of a traitor.”
Some of OrIN’s warriors stiffened, reaching for their phase rays. MarIK held up his hand, motioning them to stop what they were about to do. Just when he was about to respond, the female spoke up from behind them.
“We are all capable of making bad decisions when we are under extreme duress, especially if we suffer such a devastating loss.”
