Taken: Callisto Universe, #1

Taken

Erica Conroy

Copyright © 2011 Erica Conroy

978-1-927236-59-8

Taken is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Erica Conroy.

Cover images provided by:

Shutterstock / Sean Nel

Shutterstock / Sergey Nivens

Cover fonts:

Six Caps © 2011 Vernon Adams

Bank Gothic

Arial

Respect the alien, fear his daughter...

Peace negotiations are easy right?

Not when you're learning a language composed of hisses, growls and other guttural sounds. And that's not even the tough part for recently divorced diplomat, Viktor Jacobs. No, that would be matching wits with the fiercely intelligent daughter of the opposing side.

Between dodging her claws, avoiding a myriad of cultural taboos, and not accidentally getting married or killed, Viktor has to somehow show the Lyrissians that joining the Alliance of Worlds is the best choice for all of their futures.

Chapter 1

Even with a plasma blaster leveled at his chest, Viktor Jacobs never let his smile falter. Viktor believed that the moment you stopped smiling, you were dead. This was a belief that he had even clung fast to during his recent divorce. Now he kept it in place because he couldn't come up with an alternative expression.

The representatives of the Lyrissian people stood proudly before him. They were tall, angular and garbed in intricately embroidered robes. Viktor had just greeted them in their own language—at least, he hoped that was what he had just said. He had only had the past month to quickly learn a language that was composed of complicated guttural sounds and hisses.

The men from Space Corps who flanked him were slower on the uptake. Their own plasma blasters were aimed at the Lyrissian leader.

Oh dear, he said in Common. I'm supposed to be ushering in the end of a war, not prolonging it.

Someone from the Lyrissian side snorted, and then, also speaking in Common, said, U-man, you insulted his parentage.

Did I just? Viktor asked, eyebrow raised as he sought out the speaker. That was not my intent.

One of the Lyrissians separated themselves from the pack. Unlike the others, this one bore a hood and veil. It made them infinitely more interesting to Viktor. I should hope not, was their reply.

Well, Viktor said, and turned up the smile. Enlighten me as to where I went wrong, please.

You hissed in several places instead of grunting, the Lyrissian explained. A subtle difference, but then I suspect your vocal cords are not capable of creating the distinction.

Ah, said Viktor. I can see how that would lead to this. Please let the esteemed representative know that I did not intend to insult him, his ancestors or his descendants. It will not happen again. Well, it will, but it is unintentional.

The speaker translated Viktor's words into the Lyrissian language, and when he finished, Viktor inclined his head to convey his apologies. The leader grunted and weapons quickly disappeared. After a glance from Viktor, the Callisto's second-in-command ordered her personnel to do the same.

Thank you, Viktor said to the fully clothed Lyrissian. Does anyone else speak Common?

I am the only one, was the response. It is why I am here.

Excellent, said Viktor. And you are?

I am S'rea, daughter of Tarn, she said.

Viktor couldn't stop his eyebrow from shooting up his forehead. No one, as far as he knew, had ever met a Lyrissian female. Rumor had it that none existed, yet here one was. I am honored to meet you, S'rea, daughter of Tarn, he said. Can you please ask your father and his entourage to follow us to the rooms we have set aside for you all?

S'rea didn't even acknowledge him and instead turned to her father and interacted with him for a few moments. Whatever it was they said, neither seemed happy. My father does not require a room. He wants to negotiate. Now.

Of course he does, said Viktor. I suppose we can do that.

S'rea turned back to her father once more. Then to Viktor she said, He has changed his mind.

Okay, said Viktor. He gestured for them to follow.

He also requires a tour of this vessel, S'rea added.

Viktor glanced at the second-in-command of the vessel Callisto, who had accompanied him to greet the Lyrissians. The woman nodded once. I think that can be arranged, he said.

He also requires access to your onboard library and a separate room for his daughter.

Would your father also like a bubble bath? Viktor asked.

Yes, she replied. A few moments later she asked, What is a bubble bath?

S'rea cautiously eyed the indentation in what the U-man woman, assigned to assist her, called the bathroom. The indentation was referred to as a bath. Warm water and bubbles were presently being added to it.

And this is a bubble bath? S'rea asked.

Yes, ma'am, the young woman replied. You're very lucky, ma'am. Only the commanding officer and his second-in-command have baths in their quarters. Very lucky.

S'rea noted the look of envy and decided she would enjoy this luxury as often as she could during her stay on this vessel.

S'rea! her father bellowed from the main chamber.

Yes, father? she said as she joined him. The usual lone guard that accompanied her these days was posted near the entrance. It made her frown under her veil.

Her father followed her gaze. Harom will remain outside your chamber unless you have company.

S'rea snarled. It was enough to convey her thoughts to her father, but it was not his fault that he took these precautions. It was her own.

If you were to take a mate, this would not be required, he reminded her. Until then, Harom will see to your safety.

"I told you, I do not wish to have a mate, S'rea spat. Before Tarn could repeat his side of the argument that they had taken part in for so many years, she countered with, Yes, my twelve sisters are very happily mated, but that is not the life I want. I will not give up my profession nor remove what makes me a female. I am a scientist, father, and I do not need a mate to do that. Now, what is it that you want?"

Tarn sighed. He shook his head and said, I wanted your opinion of the U-man representative.

S'rea gestured to the table and chairs nearby and they seated themselves. She thought a moment. He is not a military man. He is a peacetalker, like you, father. I believe he is sincere, although his Lyrissian is lacking.

Tarn snorted. You believe everyone's Lyrissian is lacking, daughter.

That is because it is true, she said with a pointed look through the slit in her veil.

You are so like your mother, Tarn murmured.

Thank you, she said, choosing to take it as a compliment. S'rea paused, then asked, Father, would you rather we made peace with the aligned races or the Orka?

Tarn pushed his chair back and got to his feet. That is like asking me which is the lesser of two evils, daughter. You know as well as I do that whichever negotiation is completed to the king's satisfaction first will be the one that is signed.

The Orka were a rival species in the next star system over from Lyrissia. They were currently at war with them as well. The fact that they were fighting two different wars at the same time was why they were here. Either the Lyrissian people could make peace with the Orka and deal with the aligned races together, or vice versa. S'rea found neither solution to be satisfactory, as it would mean that at least one war would continue. A war that was, in her opinion, a waste of time and precious resources. She was, however, here with her father and she would support him and his efforts at peace with the aligned races.

You don't like him, do you? her father asked.

The U-man? I am undecided.

Tarn barked, a noise that signified laughter. Farewell, daughter. Enjoy your bubble bath. I will be taking that tour that you so kindly organized for me.

S'rea flared her nostrils, an action that was hidden behind her veil. To have two males work out that she was using them for her gain was more than she could stand. She bade her father farewell and returned to the bathroom, where her bath was ready and waiting for her. The U-man woman smiled uncertainly, gave the bath one last covetous look and then left her alone to soak.

* * *

Viktor raked his hand through his shaggy hair and sighed. The first round of negotiations was not going well. He had received more of a response from Tarn when they had first met and blasters had been raised. Even with S'rea's help translating, they were getting nowhere. S'rea wasn't of much help either, constantly correcting his grammar and pronunciation when he did attempt to speak to Tarn directly in Lyrissian. She also liked to stare at him.

Do you have any suggestions? he asked her.

S'rea tilted her head to one side. Offer them food.

Food?

Lyrissian males are more agreeable on a full stomach, she said. At least from what I have observed.

Right, said Viktor. He tapped his pen on the edge of the table and then smiled to Tarn and his companions. In Lyrissian he invited them all to dine with him and the senior staff of the Callisto in an hour. This was met by grunts of acceptance before they stood and left.

S'rea! Viktor called. What do Lyrissians eat?

Raw animal flesh, she said, and joined her father, who waited for her by the door.

Yummy, Viktor muttered.

* * *

You do not need to accompany me, Harom, S'rea insisted of her personal guard. His response was to stare resolutely into her eyes. She sighed and signaled for him to follow. Harom was one of the few males whose olfactory senses had been removed or burned, which meant he was trusted to escort unmated females. For most it was voluntary; some were from poorer families that had sold their second, third or younger sons into the profession. S'rea found the practice barbaric, but had been relieved to find that Harom's olfactory system had been rendered useless during an unfortunate accident. Her father treated him well, as if he were family, and S'rea tolerated his presence. Harom had also been rendered mute during the same accident and could therefore keep any family secrets, including hers.

I have discovered, she said quietly to Harom, that there are two non-U-mans on board this vessel. I wish to talk to them and find out how they and their people have benefited from the union they share with the other aligned races.

Harom nodded once, as if to say that was a reasonable thing to do.

They first visited Dis, a member of an amphibious species known as the Oraniun. Dis was a fellow scientist, which was why S'rea looked forward to meeting with him. It did not go as well as she had hoped,