Space Mercenary’s Prize

He’d spent the last few years in relative peace, working as a guard in Reka 5. However, that didn’t mean his life was boring. Just last year, the Dominion had launched a significant attack on the wayward colony.

Even when there weren’t any Dominion pricks to mow down, he’d had plenty of opportunities to sharpen his claws. The planet—also called Reka 5, named after the colony—was full of untamed wilderness and dangerous beasts, which often breached the colony’s perimeter.

Reka 5 needed big, strong brawlers like him to keep its colonists safe. Ckarus was good at fighting, and at the colony, he was able to use his skills for good.

Ckarus had adopted the growing colony as his home. Now, his allegiance lay squarely with the people living there. That was why he was in New Rhea. He was on an escort mission for Hullean Vision, a budding tech company that wished to sell its Earth-inspired settings and missions for the universal training simulators.

Hullean Vision consisted of a mix of human and Tallean programmers. They’d turned the training simulator into something the humans called “a virtual-reality gaming console, but better.” The missions were fun and engaging, and not just for training.

Many of the colonies and mercenary ships on the outer planets already had HV’s programs in their simulators, but that wasn’t enough. Hullean Vision had big plans to overtake amberberry wine as Reka 5’s prime export, which meant expanding into Dominion territory. New Rhea was the perfect entry point since the Dominion’s recent loss of the nearby planet of Vosthea.

That didn’t explain why Ckarus was drunk off his ass on New Rhean spirits though. That was because he’d gotten news of Jillian and her new mate, Jakkan. Jillian was pregnant, and they were expecting a baby boy.

And that little fact was why Ckarus found himself stumbling sloppily out of the Golden Brew. He’d been interested in Jillian for an entire year but had been slow on the draw. He’d thought he was giving her space and time to get used to Tallean males after her stint as a slave on a Dominion ship. Then Jakkan had shown up, and a few short days later, they were mated, and Ckarus was alone.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy for Jillian. He was. He was glad she’d found someone worthy of her, and Jakkan was more than worthy.

It was just that for the first time in his life, Ckarus had realized how much he wanted a mate. It was also the first time he’d realized how horrible it would be if he formed a mate bond with a female, only to have her choose another. Especially since human females couldn’t be held by a bond of their own, and many of the females on Reka 5 were human. The chances of him forming a bond with one were high.

A crash coming from down the darkened alleyway had him turning just in time to see a small figure charging down the alley toward him. Behind the running figure, a pile of loosely stacked crates clattered to the ground.

“Hey! Watch it!” Ckarus bellowed as the small form, too busy looking behind to notice where they ran, crashed into him.

Ckarus found himself holding a half-dressed human female. Any irritation he had from being bumped into melted away.

The scent of fear and panic radiated from her. Frightened eyes peered back at him, and her whole body shook. She looked around for an exit and tried to flee, but Ckarus held on to her firmly. He inhaled deeply, and behind the cloying sweetness of prey-like fear was the most intriguing scent he’d ever breathed.

The iron tang of blood marred the perfect bouquet though. The female had large scrapes on one side of her body.

Whoever had hurt and frightened this female would pay. If there was one thing Ckarus did well when drunk, it was fighting. And Stars, did he itch to punch someone now.

“Calm, female. Tell me what’s wrong.”

She didn’t reply. Instead, she struggled against his hold like a wild animal stuck in a trap.

An angry male hurried down the alley, coming the way she had. He had a handprint on his face about the size of her hand and scratch marks on his chest. He was topless, and his pants looked barely fastened together as if he’d hastily pulled them back on.

Ckarus glowered at the male; he didn’t need an explanation of what had happened.

“You’ve caught the wretched thing,” the male said. “Give her here.”

“And who are you?” Ckarus glared down at the male.

“I’m her new master. I won her at the auction, and if the wretch had any brains in her, she’d come to me this instant.”

The female in Ckarus’s arms stopped struggling and hid behind him instead, using him as a shield. Her body shook, but her grip on his arm was firm. His skin tingled with awareness where she touched him.

Ckarus stood taller. He was good as a shield and would protect the female. The Tallean rather enjoyed guarding those in need. He wanted to remove her from anyone who believed they owned a life because some credits had exchanged hands.

“They said you were trained,” the male sneered. “Those lying auctioneers.”

The male reached for her, but Ckarus kept his body in between them and a hand on her arm so she couldn’t run away. He looked the frightened but brave female in the eyes—they were brown but had flecks of amber lighting them; he’d need to analyze them more later. “Do you want him to own you?”

Confusion flashed in the female’s eyes for a moment as she considered his question. She was probably surprised he’d given her a choice. “No way,” she said, shaking her head.

“The female says she’s not yours. Leave.” Ckarus knew the male would not leave; he relied on it.

The side door to the Golden Brew opened, and Josh, Ckarus’s friend and fellow guard at Reka 5, stepped out of the pub.

“There you are!” Josh exclaimed, clapping a hand on his back.

Then the human male stopped, noticing the tense situation. He stood taller, ready to back Ckarus up. Josh was one of the biggest human males Ckarus had met, and he’d trained with Tallean warriors for the past few years. He was good to have in a fight, but Ckarus doubted he’d need him to deal with this pathetic excuse for a male.

The female gasped, and her eyes went round as she recognized Josh as a human like herself. Free humans were getting more common in the outer planets but were still rare here on New Rhea.

Ckarus turned back to his adversary, who gave him an incredulous look.

“It doesn’t matter what she says. She’s mine. I paid for her.” The idiot reached for her again, this time catching her arm.

The female hissed and fought back.

Ckarus smiled maliciously, glad he didn’t need to be diplomatic anymore. Attacking a female was enough reason for him. He balled his hands up into a fist and sent it at the male’s face.

The female pulled away, and Ckarus took her by the shoulders and handed her to Josh; his friend would keep her safe during the fight. Ckarus lightly brushed his fingers over the female’s cheek, where a bruise was starting to show. “Stay. Do not run. I will protect you.”

Then, he turned to face his opponent.

Jenny stood there, not knowing what to do as the two aliens fought. It wasn’t a fair fight, not really. The guy who had just tried to rape her had pulled a knife on the stranger, but the bigger male had flung it to the ground in less than a second. The big, burly one was clearly the better fighter, even though he was as drunk as a skunk.

Jenny had been on New Rhea for two years now. Her old owner had gotten sick of her and put her back up on auction. That was how she’d ended up here.

She’d run the moment her new owner tried to get his money’s worth. He hadn’t even waited to bring her home, but had tried to get into her pants inside the self-driving transport. Unlike her old owner, who she’d tolerated simply because the other choices were worse, this asshole was a sadistic prick, knocking her around to get into the mood. Everything in her being had told her to run for her life.

Panicked, she’d managed to unlock the door and tumble out of the moving vehicle; she’d left some skin on the road, but that hadn’t stopped her from running. She’d kept on running until she’d bumped right into Tall, Drunk, and Punchy.

Even clearly under the influence, the tough-looking Tallean male had no difficulty showing her new owner who was boss. He hadn’t even needed to use those sharp claws on his feet, pull the blaster from his hip, or go into bloodlust—a state which gave these aliens extra strength and quicker reactions during a fight.

A few punches later, the entitled prick who’d bought her was slumped on the ground.

“What happened to keeping a low profile?” asked her champion’s human servant.

No, not a servant. This man was huge and had weapons of his own strapped to his side: a knife and an alien blaster. This was Tall, Drunk, and Punchy’s friend.

Jenny had heard of human mercenaries being spotted in the area before but had thought it was wishful thinking on the part of desperate slaves. The idea of free humans holding their own gave displaced Earthlings much hope.

Instead of answering, Tall, Drunk, and Punchy turned to her, leaned in, and sniffed. “What is your name?” he asked, stepping in close.

“Jenny.” She inched over to the human man.

“I’m Ckarus.” He held out a hand for a handshake.

It was a very human gesture, and for a moment, Jenny just stared at it confused. It had been years since she’d shaken anyone’s hand and just as long since she’d been talked to, rather than talked at. She took the offered hand gingerly.

Instead of shaking it, Ckarus took her hand in his—they were huge next to hers—and pulled her into his body, hugging her. He was careful not to touch the side of her that had hit the road first. He didn’t let her hand go afterward, but his fingers were gentle and warm, so she didn’t pull away. She also hadn’t felt a gentle touch in a long time.

Ckarus tilted his head, indicating the human man. “This is Josh.”

“What the hell are we gonna do with her?” Josh asked, concern growing on his features. He looked at the alien crumpled on the ground. “And him?”

“Considering Jenny’s owner is clearly unable to care for her, we’ll just have to keep her instead.” Ckarus smiled wryly down at her.

He had the typical green eyes of his species, but his eyes were warm and welcoming, while her old owner’s had been cold and uncaring. And the idiot on the ground? His eyes had shone with malice.

Ckarus seemed a much better choice as an owner than that jackass. He’d protected her, and his touch was gentle. And this was him already drunk! Jenny hated being owned, but what choice did she have? “Keep me? Are you my new owner now?”

Ckarus made a face. “No!” Then, softer, “I do not keep slaves. But Reka 5 can handle more humans.”

Jenny’s eyes lit up. Every slave in the area knew of Reka 5. It was a colony made up predominately of escaped slaves—mostly Tallean, but in recent years, the human population there had grown.

“You’ll bring me to Reka 5?” she asked, her voice trembling. She could hardly believe her good fortune. There she would be free.

“Of course, I’ll bring you home.”

“Well, we can’t take her back to the ship,” Josh said. “It’s going to jeopardize our mission.” He pointed to the asshat slumped on the ground. “You know they’re going to come knocking once he sounds the alarm.”

“We’ll keep her at an inn until it’s time to leave. I know a place that prides itself on confidentiality.”

The side door to the bar opened, and two drunken Talleans stepped out. Jenny froze, her heart pounding in her chest, but the two didn’t even notice the guy on the pavement as they stumbled away. Or maybe they did and assumed he’d passed out drunk.

“Let’s get out of here before he wakes.” Josh looked around. “Are there cameras here?”

“No. This alley has no surveillance. I know this place. The owner is crooked, and some of his nefarious dealings happen right here; he would be stupid to record it.” Ckarus took a wobbly step toward the street, bringing Jenny with him.

How he’d managed to move with such grace while he was fighting, yet be drunk enough not to be able to walk straight, was beyond her.

“Oh boy.” Josh rolled his eyes. “Why the fuck am I stuck babysitting you? Come on, you big lug. Let’s get to that inn before you pass out.”

“Wait! She needs a disguise.” The alien took off his jacket and threw it around Jenny’s shoulders. To her surprise, it didn’t smell like booze. In fact, it smelled nice, and it was warm from his body. She pulled it tightly around herself.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t think that’s going to fool anyone, Ckarus,” Josh said as they headed down the street on foot. “She still looks like the human you stole off of that idiot.”

Jenny stayed between the two larger forms, making herself as small as possible. She didn’t know these two, but something told her they were her best bet. Ckarus had mentioned Reka 5, and Josh was human. That didn’t mean anything though; there were tons of nasty people out there, alien and human alike.

It wasn’t like she had another choice. Besides, Ckarus had told her he’d protect her.

The alien kept his hand on her back the entire walk to the inn. She wasn’t sure if it was to calm her or to prevent her from running away. Or maybe he was so drunk he couldn’t walk on his own.

The inn was only a few blocks over. It was laid out like a motel back on Earth, with the doors to each unit outside. She stayed hidden with Josh as Ckarus stepped into the office and got everything set up.

It was only when Josh said goodbye that she realized he planned on leaving her alone with Ckarus.

“Wait! Aren’t you staying with us?

“Oh, I can’t be in a small room with you. Your scent will get all over me, and you’ll have one angry Tallean female to face. My mate is possessive.”

“Your mate?” Jenny was a bit shocked that Josh used the Tallean word.

“Yes. Sala, my Star, is back on the ship. She’s Hullean Vision’s newly hired spokesperson. It’s only natural I come work as a guard.” Josh’s eyes softened. “Ckarus is a good guy. He’ll protect you with his life, even if he is drunk as a dog right now.” He snorted. “Fighting is probably the only thing he’s going to be good at in this state. You’ll be fine. I’ll check up on you tomorrow.”

And then she was alone in the small room with the giant alien warrior.