Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

BaOBy

ReBorB and Cameron were already on the ground in the Violetta flower forest. His sky blue-skinned brother and his new mate stood outside the hover waiting for Bao to land the ship. They wouldn't see the ship until it was on the ground and the door was open.

The ASC 3000 handled like a dream. The visibility from the bridge was amazing, and the ship was almost silent during the stealth takeoff and landing. It would be interesting to see the difference. What the ship sounded like when they weren't trying to hide it.

BaOBy was the first one off the ship. He pulled Reb into his arms and thumped him on the back. "You look good. Your mate looks healthy and happy." This was the first time he'd seen Reb's woman. Because of injuries, the Viant doctors had shaved her scalp. She was the sister to BrOdByc's mate. Both women had almost died. Would have died had it not been for the mating links sliding into their bodies and healing them. He didn't think it was going to be that easy for Catalina.

"Captain, this is Cameron, my wife. She'll also answer to Cam for short. And yes, we are happy and healthy." They looked at each other and grinned.

Cam snorted. " Now . It was touch and go for a bit. It's nice to meet you."

Reb smiled down at his mate. "Isn't it a beautiful ship? The crew's quarters can be rearranged from single, to suites, to family units. You should go look at them and pick a room for us. I'll get our things."

Bao frowned. Something was up with his brother. "Park the vehicle in the transportation bay next to the new six-man hovers. We'll run the maintenance program and restock it, so it's ready when we need it. Cameron, there are five floors. Starting at the bottom is floor five, it's the transportation bay. Four is a large storage hold with several empty rooms that we have no idea what we'll use them for. Three is where the med bay is located, and there are some crew quarters there. Two is the extensive kitchen and dining area, along with more crew quarters. One is the navigation bridge with the captain's quarters and just a few others. You can access the short side wings from the second floor. There is a game room and observation area on one side and what I believe is a large area for hydroponic gardens on the other. The ship has the ability to cloak the top floors and allow visibility for the bottom level. We'll use that feature during the day so the ASX can't be seen above the flowers."

Cam's smile was real. "My sister is a chef. She'll be crazy about the garden and kitchen." She frowned. "Did Reb tell you I was a nurse on Earth?"

Bao nodded. He was counting on this woman's knowledge, but he wouldn't put pressure on her now.

"Isn't that cool that Reb is your doctor, and he ended up mated to a nurse? I think I'll figure out where the med bay is and pick a room that is nearby." She stood on her toes and kissed Reb on the cheek, and waved to Bao before she dashed off.

As soon as she was out of sight, Bao turned to Reb. "What is wrong?"

Reb sighed. "Nothing really. Cam hasn't been able to talk to her sister yet. When we have the call in thirty minutes, that will be the first time they have seen each other since before they were kidnapped. Cam's nervous and emotional."

Frowning, Bao shook his head. "Kack. That won't work. Both women will be distracted if we don't give them time first. I'll get in touch with BrOdByc and have him bring Casey to the deck before the call with the Father. Have Cam on our deck in ten minutes. I just need to check with Jay."

Reb grinned and ran to take care of the hover and then get his mate.

Bao walked out into the flowers a few feet in, so that he'd have some privacy. He was worried about Cat. He wanted to talk to Jay. Most of the time, it was very handy that the brothers were connected. Not just to each other, but to the ship as well. When they were close enough, communication was a simple thought. They could each have private thoughts—the intimate moments with his mate would always be private. But the brothers were used to sharing almost everything. Which meant twenty minds worked together to solve any problem.

With the DoMicile orbiting the planet, he didn't have the option of sharing Cat's problem with anyone on their old ship. And he hadn't shared all her issues with those surrounding him. This call was going to be difficult. Before he went in, he just wanted some reassurance that Catalina was okay.

Communication on an individual basis was just as easy as sharing with everyone. Only if Bao needed to speak to Jay, he concentrated on the color of his brother's flesh. When Bao could see a dark purple orb that matched his brother's skin tone, then the connection was made.

‘ JayBOrB? How is she ?' he didn't waste time.

Jay waited a few moments before answering him. ‘It's been a rough day for her. She couldn't sleep. Then she went to check on the other women and the Andaran visited. Cat wouldn't tell me what he said. I could hear him shouting at her, but they were in the center of the house and I didn't understand the words.'

His brother fell silent for a moment, as if trying to decide what else to say. Or not say.

‘Just tell me.'

He felt Jay take a breath. ‘She came to the window when I called and I could see he hit her. She has been in bed since then. I know that physically she is all right, but she's crying.'

Bao's heart jumped. ‘Is Jacanas still there?'

‘No. He was only in the house for a few minutes. He left… and I followed him for a bit. Making sure he wasn't headed for his spaceport. I'll tell you about that later. It can wait. It will be a few hours before she can sneak out. The guards are just making dinner.' Jay reminded him. ‘She might be too upset to come to you,' he warned.

‘Then I'll come to her. I'll go in and make the call. One brother will hold a connection with you so you hear everything. When it's finished, I'll relieve you.'

He wouldn't let her be alone tonight with her thoughts of dying and seeking revenge. He didn't know what happened today, and he didn't believe he'd have answers for her yet. But he could hold her when she cried.

Sisters…

Cameron sat in the captain's chair flanked by Reb, Bao, and, once again, everyone but Jay. When the large monitor flickered, they caught glimpses of Casey sitting in the same place on the DoMicile's bridge.

To keep the call from being traced, Reb initiated communication from the ASC. Bao noticed Cameron vibrate with anxiety. She was nearly bouncing in her seat.

Within seconds, the main screen showed Casey sitting on the DoMicile bridge, flanked by BrOdByc and TaBOBy.

Both women gasped. With tears running down her face, Cameron leaned forward. When they each reached out a hand and touched the screen as if they could touch each other, everyone in the room struggled with their emotions. For long moments, neither woman spoke.

Casey broke the silence when she whispered, "They shaved your head."

Cam grinned at her. "Brings back memories, huh? The doctors at the hospital did it because of a brain bleed. Evidently, one of those red, freaky, hairy aliens hit me pretty hard. But I'm all good now. How are you feeling? Reb said you had cancer again. When will you get here?"

"I'm good. Healthy, happy." She turned and grinned at her mate. "Very happy. Brode says we'll be there in a few hours. Before the bigger moon comes out. It won't be too long."

"Good. I'll stay awake. You should see the kitchen on this ship, Cas. And there is room for a garden. It's amazing."

The women talked for several minutes. Bao tried to stay calm and patient. And think about what to tell the Father. There was so much, and they didn't have time for it all.

Lan looked up and met his eyes. "The Father is connecting. We're going to split screen," he warned.

The women blew kisses at each other, and Cameron moved back so Bao could step forward. They split the large screen in half. All the brothers had filled the communications deck on the DoMicile, taking up the left-hand side of the massive monitor. The Father sat at the desk in his home on the right-side.

Bao took a deep breath. "Thank you all for coming to my call. I need your help. Eventually, the planet of Viant will need our help, but that is a discussion for another time. I have met my woman. Her name is Catalina. I know she is mine because the mating bands moved for her. The Andaran is holding her prisoner and committed a huge atrocity against my mate. He is killing Cat slowly, horrifically, torturing her every day. And I can't see a way to help her. I need all of your minds."

The Father leaned forward. "I would say kill him and take her from him, but I can see you do not think that is a solution."

Bao shook his head. "Oh, he will die. By my hand or another, it needs to happen. While killing him will make Catalina happy for a few moments, it won't save her life." He told a very brief version of what Jacanas had done to his mate. And then went silent. Waiting for questions.

Cameron raised her hand. "Can I ask a couple of questions, please?"

Bao nodded at her.

"You said he implanted a raptizaer zygote in her womb. The translator is saying killer bird. Is the raptizaer a humanoid being?" She had a confused look on her face.

The Father answered. "It isn't humanoid. But it is considered a sentient being that governs its own planet. They are human-sized and the species is considered to be intelligent, yet vicious. I do not think the raptizaer and a human can reproduce. I believe they are using this woman as an incubator."

Bao interjected. "Jacanas called her a throwaway womb. And Cat isn't the only female he's using. There are three other human women imprisoned with her. The others were already there when he took her to the house. He keeps them sedated. The Andaran is making over six million credits per womb." He was having a hard time keeping the emotion from his voice.

His mate's situation horrified the twins, yet didn't stop them from having ideas. "So, depending on how far along these women are, why couldn't the pregnancy be aborted if it is early enough, or take the raptizaer out with a c-section? This is clearly a case where the woman's life is at stake. Are we worried about killing the fetus?" Casey asked.

All the brothers and the Father looked at her for a moment… waiting.

Cameron stepped closer to the monitor. "You are waiting for your translators to explain what she said, right?"

Brode nodded at his mate.

Everyone was quiet again.

The Father looked at Casey. "This is not a medical practice I'm familiar with. Nor are these terms we understand. But you think this might be a viable option to keep Bao's mate alive?"

Casey pointed at her sister. "She's the nurse. But it makes sense to me."

Cammy nodded. "It's a good idea. Basically, for a C-section, you cut open the woman's stomach and womb and take the baby… or bird creature in this case… out. Then stitch the mother back up. You would do the procedure before it could… eat … it's way out." Cammy swallowed hard and reached out to Reb.

The Father narrowed his eyes, thinking. "Can you do this procedure?"

She shook her head. "No. Assist, yes. I've done it dozens of times. But you need an OB/GYN doctor. I can help, but I can't do a C-section. That would be the solution if the pregnancy is more advanced. Aborting might be an easier option, but success would depend on what size the bird creature is now. If the women are only a few months along, there are medicines that help a woman's body rid itself of what is growing inside. Sometimes you need equipment to help with that process. I don't know enough to decide on which way to go. But I can help if you get a doctor to figure it out."

Bao had never seen such a horrible look on the Father's face.

The Father held up his hand. "We just don't have enough reproductive information. I'll pull everything I have on the raptizaer species. I think Cameron's suggestion of speaking to a human doctor, the kind that delivers babies, is a good one. And I can make that happen. BaOBy, what is your woman's state of mind? Catalina, correct?"

Bao nodded. "Yes. Cat believes she is going to die. That I'm wasting my time trying to find a solution. She planned to do something that would force the Andaran to kill her. I made her promise to give me a little time. But they took her from Earth when she was a child. Cat's been a slave all her life. She has always been alone. She has no concept of family working together to save one of its own."

"We need to show her that isn't true. Is the DoMicile headed toward you?"

"Yes, Father. I need all the brothers on Viant. We've already started gathering or destroying the Andaran's means of escape. I'd like to have him followed, day and night. We also need to locate some of the other slaves and start working on extraction."

"That's good. Having Casey and Cameron there for your woman might help increase her willingness to fight. I'll make contact and do what I've promised. Let us plan another group call tomorrow night. I'll try to get the OB doctor and her Guardian husband on the call. If she doesn't have a solution for us, she can talk to Catalina and ask questions."

Bao took a slow breath. "And Cat would see how many of us are working to save her. It is a good plan."