Rosalie
“You didn’t have to come,” I say to Maggie and Scarlett.
“I was bored,” Maggie says. “Felt the need to get out more.”
“We’re probably all going to die,” I suggest.
“But there’s Sarkarnii in armor.” Maggie nods at the collection of Dexx and Dante’s warriors who are all sporting a selection of close-fitting armor to their persons.
If I didn’t only have Dante in my head, I could probably appreciate it more.
“Why are they wearing armor? Where did they even get it? They can turn into dragons,” I say absently.
“Dexx says not to take any chances with the Gonoz, given we don’t know what we’re dealing with. And it’s not so easy to turn into a dragon when you’re in the confines of a space ship, apparently,” Scarlett says.
“I wouldn’t have thought Dante or his crew would have any such concerns,” Maggie snorts.
“Why did we let you come again?” I glare at her. “Dante is trying to save his crew, and as much as I am really, really pissed he did it without even telling me, I want them all back safely.”
Maggie has the good grace to look slightly contrite. Although not much.
“We’ll get them back. And Dante too,” Dexx growls from behind me. “He assisted me when there was trouble within my sector, and I will return his assistance.”
Dexx does not look particularly happy about his pronouncement, but I suspect that’s partly because he couldn’t stop several cohorts of Dante’s crew coming with us on this rescue mission, and he’s expecting unhinged behavior.
Which so far, has only happened a bit. I am proud of Dante’s warriors and the way they are with Dexx’s crew. There’s only been a couple of minor scuffles most of which have worked themselves out. Now all the warriors are inspecting each other’s armor.
All these Sarkarnii might live in different ships, but they’re all warriors, and they all want the same thing.
A good fight.
“Ignore Dexx. He’s just being growly. He cares about Dante,” Scarlett says as the great warlord stomps off to the pilot of his ship.
It’s significantly larger than the scout ships Dante uses but then Dexx has to have the biggest. He’s that sort of warlord.
“I’m worried we’re all going to end up in the same trap,” I say to Scarlett. “I don’t know about bringing everyone along.”
“The Sarkarnii like to play a numbers game,” Scarlett says.
“What, alongside the ‘burn everything to a crisp’ game?” Maggie adds, unhelpfully.
“I don’t know. I have a bad feeling.” I rub at my stomach which contains a dull ache.
“I expect that has everything to do with you playing your own games with Dante.” Scarlett levels her gaze at me.
“I doubt it.”
“Look at me!” Scarlett says, her bump very much in evidence.
“And Kerra,” Maggie points out helpfully and annoyingly.
“Just because you two have…it doesn’t mean it works with all Sarkarnii-human pairings,” I point out.
“We’ll see.” Scarlett laughs. “But if you’ve been doing the nasty with Mr. Unhinged Warlord, there’s a good chance he’s knocked you up.”
I don’t know if I should be happy or sad at what she’s saying. I want Dante here, with me, not wherever the hell he is in this galaxy, along with his crew, maybe at the mysterious hands of the Gonoz who have decided the Sarkarnii are fair game.
“Maybe, maybe not,” I say without much conviction.
Dexx strides over to us. “I am informed Dante has left a neutron signature which we’re able to follow. It’s taking us to a cluster of planetoids which, according to his second, his clan has traded with before.” Dexx looks over his shoulder at Dart and then back to us.
“I will require you to remain on this ship at all times once we discover where they went. This is for warriors, not females.”
“Misogynistic much?” Maggie growls.
“Dante showed me how to use a pulsar gun. I can be useful.”
“You can be, at best, a distraction and, at worst, a liability,” Dexx growls. “Plus if Dante finds out I let you accompany my warriors, he will have to fight with me, and I will win, which will not be a good thing.”
I am incredibly impressed at Dexx’s ego, which has to be the size of Vorostor itself. But then he is helping me and Dante’s crew find him and bring him home, so I decide to park the situation until such a time as I can process it.
“So, we’re to stay on board, while you go”—I wave my hands vaguely in the air—“do your thing?”
“Exactly,” Dexx says. “You will keep my mate company.”
And now I understand why Scarlett is here. Dexx did not strike me as the sort of warlord who would bring his mate on a mission.
“Okay, skipper.” Maggie gives him a mock salute, and Dexx’s eyebrows knit together.
Scarlett elbows her in the ribs, and she folds up, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
I know what I need to do. And it’s not going to be hanging around waiting for Dexx.
I look across the bridge at Dart and give him a slow nod. He disengages from the group of Dexx’s warriors he’s been talking to and slowly, carefully gathers his cohort with him and moves to the back of the bridge before they all slip out.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” I say to Scarlett. “Before it gets interesting.”
“I’ll join you,” Maggie says.
I do my level best to hide the grimace. Maggie was not in the plan.
“Fine,” I say as Scarlett goes to join Dexx doing warlord things.
Once we’re off the bridge, Maggie grabs my hand. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing which involves you,” I respond. “Go back to the others.”
“Why should you have all the fun?” she grumbles. “And the warriors.”
“Maybe because I don’t take pictures of their bums?”
“Everyone has to have a hobby,” Maggie says. “And bums happen to be mine.” Her face creases up. “Please let me come, Rosie. I’ve been dying of boredom on Vorostor.”
I know I only have a small window of opportunity, and if I don’t join Dart and the others in the next few minutes, I won’t be going anywhere.
“Fine, but if you die, that’s on you.”
“If I die, at least it won’t be for lack of fun!” she says. “So, when do I get a ray gun?”
I slap mine into her hand. “Here. And don’t shoot me, Dante, or any Sarkarnii, okay?”
“Not promising anything.” Maggie grins, turning it over in her hand. “But if I see a cockroach alien, make sure you stay out of the way.”
This plan, now with more Maggie, is the only thing I’ve got. I need Dante back in my life, even if it’s for me to tell him to go to hell for running away after forming such a terrible plan.
He’s the Sarkarnii who bit me, then got under my skin. And there’s no way I’m giving him up to anything else, not while I have any fight left in me.
“You do realize this is a terrible plan, one which will get you killed or captured and make Dante have to rescue you, if he’s not already Gonoz food, don’t you?” Maggie says helpfully.
“I know. But what else can I do?”
“What else indeed,” Maggie says. “Death or glory?”
“Hopefully not.”
She shrugs. “I guess we’ll see.”
All I know is, unless I see Dante again, my life won’t be worth living. I’ve fallen for my chaos warlord, and I’ve fallen hard. I have no other choice but to see this through to the end if I want him back.