United: Callisto Universe, #3

United

Erica Conroy

Copyright © 2012 by Erica Conroy

978-1-927236-66-6

United 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 / Valua Vitaly

Shutterstock / Kiselev Andrey Valerevich

Shutterstock / Vadim Sadovski

Cover fonts:

Six Caps © 2011 Vernon Adams

Bank Gothic

Arial

She just can't get him out of her head…

The exciting conclusion to the Callisto trilogy! The mastermind behind the genetically engineered children is revealed, mothers are kidnapped, feelings are revealed and shockingly Xon grows up—just a little. The only question that matters is: does the Duarr finally get the girl? You'll have to read United to find out!

~

Viktor Jacobs strode back to his VIP quarters. The final peace treaty had been signed, and for the first time in a long time, the Alliance was not at war with anyone. That meant he could finally return home and make love to his wife. Six months was a long time for any man to be away from his woman and son, but Viktor was highly sought after in his field and he wasn't one to say no to a challenge. Nor would he say no to his wife. Especially if she were naked.

He quickened his pace, determined to get back to his quarters so he could see his wife's face and hear her elegant voice via long-range communications. Maybe he could persuade her to get naked…

A scuffling sound from behind stopped him from breaking into a jog. Viktor looked over his shoulder to investigate. A boy was following him. Viktor frowned. Because of the delicate nature of the mission, children were not permitted on board.

Viktor stopped and faced the boy. Are you all right, son? he asked. The boy did not look well. He was all skin and bone. Concerned, Viktor moved closer. The boy did not respond, only stared up at him with his large blue eyes.

Where are your parents? Viktor asked, but still the boy did not reply.

Viktor hunkered down so he was at eye level with him. He noticed a metal band around the boy's neck. No, he breathed as memories of the device, from years ago, came back to him. A species known as the Orka had used the device to control their females. It produced pain or pleasure, depending on the behavior being enforced.

His gaze darted around the corridor as he looked for whoever was controlling this poor boy.

Karo sent me, a childlike voice said in Viktor's mind.

Bewildered, Viktor whipped his head around and stared at the boy. Karo was a name he had not heard in decades. He had been the cause of so much death and disruption during the peace talks Viktor had been a part of, between the Alliance of Worlds and the Lyrissians. Karo had also attempted to rape the woman Viktor was now married to. But he had been exiled for his crimes against the Lyrissian people. Hadn't he?

How? Viktor asked.

He said you should have killed me, the voice in his head told him. He said I have to kill you.

Instead of jumping away from the boy and running, like his instincts screamed at him to do, Viktor stayed put. You don't have to kill me, he said quietly. I can help you.

The boy, his face impassive and eyes sad, watched Viktor.

Do it, a stern voice behind them ordered.

Viktor looked over the boy's head and locked eyes with his one true enemy. Karo, he growled.

U-man, the Lyrissian sneered. I have waited a long time for this.

Then why don't you do it yourself? Viktor asked. He stood and placed himself between Karo and the boy. Why have a child do your dirty work?

Karo barked with laughter. Because that is what he was made for. To kill you. To kill anyone I want him to. And I have your mate to thank for doing the groundwork.

S'rea? Viktor asked, confused. His wife would never have contributed to something so barbaric.

If not for her work in genetics, this boy would not be here, Karo explained. Nor would your son.

Realization sank in for Viktor. The research and experiments his wife had conducted in order for them to have a child together had also allowed Karo to produce this boy, somehow capable of killing.

He does not even need to touch you, Karo continued smugly. You will have no choice but to die.

Viktor clenched his jaw and told himself it would not happen. He always had a choice, and he chose to attack Karo.

As if Karo had known Viktor would try to rush him, he reached into his pocket and produced a remote control. He pressed the button and the boy's body jolted, calling him to action.

Viktor's fingers were almost around Karo's neck when he felt the tug. His body froze and all he could do was glare at Karo, who grinned maliciously back at him. Viktor tried to flex his fingers, but they steadfastly refused to move. Suddenly, he lurched back and turned down the corridor. His body was moving of its own volition, no matter how hard he fought it.

He passed the boy, who fell into step behind him. You don't have to do this, Viktor thought and, he hoped, projected to the child.

I hurt, the boy told him. After, I will not hurt.

Viktor couldn't blame the boy for this. Both of them were victims. Resigned to his fate, he could only hope that Karo left his wife and son alone.

If you see my wife or son, Viktor thought, tell them I love them.

Turn him around. I want to see his face, Karo instructed.

The boy turned Viktor around once he was in the airlock. I don't know what that means, he thought back.

Viktor reached out and tapped the control that closed the inner door. His hand shook as it touched the outside door release. Explosive decompression jettisoned him from the ship into the cold, biting embrace of space.

They will.

* * *

Major Xon, second-in-command of the starship Callisto, smiled at the two science plebes in the elevator with him. The girl did her best to ignore him, while the young man blushed at the attention. They and other plebes were on board to help test a prototype that had been reverse engineered from an Orka vessel. If successful, Space Corps vessels could travel through enemy space, seemingly invisible from both sensors and visuals. An advantage for the next war.

The elevator stopped and the plebes exited. They were quickly replaced by the colonel's mate, the lovely and extremely pregnant Jasmine. She sagged against the wall and moaned in relief.

Xon gave her more room than necessary. It wasn't that he feared pregnant women, it was the fear of what bodily harm his commanding officer might inflict on him for any perceived advance on this woman. Especially after the incident when Xon had first met Jasmine—when he had found her naked and covered in goo and suffered a broken nose for his troubles.

He isn't here, Jasmine said, as if reading Xon's thoughts.

The colonel is everywhere, Xon said. He sees all, hears and knows all.

Jasmine shook her head and winced.

You all right? Xon asked, concerned.

Her responding wail competed with the blare of the ship's emergency alarm. The elevator stopped abruptly and the lights went out. Xon slapped the elevator's communicator, but could not reach anyone. He groped the wall until he came to a panel. When he pulled it aside he found that not only were they without lights, all power was down. With nothing else left to do, he turned to face the pregnant woman squatted in the corner.

I'm going to give birth, she said.

Aw, shit.

* * *

What happened? Norik demanded from the command chair.

Lights went out, someone muttered.

Norik's sensitive hearing allowed him to hear the whisperings of his bridge crew. Why, corporal?

Ah, don't yet know, sir, the corporal responded. Everything is down.

Can someone else be more helpful? Norik barked into the dark. He felt a placating hand pat his arm and knew his medical chief wanted him to relax. How did she expect him to relax when his ship was sitting dead in space and his wife was due to give birth at any moment?

Colonel, Anari, the Callisto's scientist, said, I think the prototype might have caused this.

"You think?"

Well, considering sensors indicated the prototype had activated prematurely seconds before this happened, it leads me to believe that it is the most probable cause, she replied. Is that good enough for you, colonel?

Norik's nostrils flared at the insubordination, but he let it pass. The scientist was overseeing the project and probably had more stress to deal with than he did. It will do, he told her.

Good, she said. I'll see if I can get down to engineering and give them a hand. I knew the prototype would be a power suck, but this is ridiculous.

Go with her, corporal, Norik said.

Nancy's hand on his arm again got his attention. Doctor? he asked quietly. Something wrong?

I think your mate has gone into labor, she whispered.

Where is she?

Nancy paused before replying. She opened her mind and pushed past the expected general confusion of the crew until she found the source of the pain. Trapped in the main elevator, she told him.

Norik shot to his feet. He had to get to his mate.

Sir, she's not alone, Nancy added as she followed him across the bridge to the emergency ladder.

Who? he asked.

Nancy was reluctant to say. This might be a quick birth, she said instead.

Who, doctor?

Xon is with her, she said, then quickly added, This is a good thing, sir. I can guide him through the birth. The baby is in distress and wants to come out now.

Norik growled. If he touches her—

He'll have to, sir, said Nancy.

He better not enjoy it.

He will be the opposite of enjoying himself, Nancy assured him.

* * *

Stop. Hitting. Me, Xon yelled as he dodged the various limbs that seemed intent on smacking him.

I can't help it! Jasmine yelled back. Her foot connected with Xon's chin and his head whipped backward.

He snarled and climbed to his feet. Take your own damned underwear off, then.

I was trying to, Jasmine said as she floundered around some more. Oh, wait, she said, and blushed.

What?

I forgot I'm not wearing any.

Xon turned around and conked his head against the wall of the elevator.

Well, it's a mission getting dressed these days, Jasmine said. She watched Xon and asked, Are you okay?

I'm not sure, he said as he banged his head again. Nope. Definitely sure that I'm not.

Jasmine chuckled and then moaned.

Another contraction? Xon asked, once more by her side.

She nodded, and when the pain passed she said, "You know you realize you have to do more than catch