Axen Read online

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  AXEN

  First edition. April 18, 2017.

  Copyright © 2017 Arcadia Shield.

  ISBN: 978-1386970538

  Written by Arcadia Shield.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Prologue

  Eloise Harper watched the troop of armored security officers stride past the rec room. It was late for practice drills, but she was glad they were there. Never knew who you might meet in deep space.

  The room was already filling up for the evening. The Capella starship had basic facilities, quarters, wash room, kitchen, and a place everyone went when they needed to relax. The rec room wasn’t much, but they served cheap drinks, decent snacks that didn’t come out of a ration pack, and there were great views into space when the ship was moving slowly enough to enjoy them.

  “Any you like the look of?” Melody Marlin sat next to her at the table, her feet tucked under her legs, and her messy red hair clipped off her face.

  “I’m not interested in dating a fighter.” Eloise turned to her new friend. They’d been on the Capella for less than a week, but she already liked Melody’s company. She was outspoken and fun.

  “They’ve got more muscles than the wimps we left on Earth.”

  “That’s true. Not so much time to pump iron now everyone has clean-up detail.”

  “Not that clean-up does much good.” Grace Connelly approached and gestured to an empty seat. “Too much radiation and too many sick people.”

  Eloise nodded at Grace. “Join us.”

  “Thanks.” Grace sat back in her seat and took a sip of her drink. “I took a few shifts on a recent clean-up crew.”

  “They let doctors get their hands dirty?” Melody raised her eyebrows. “Thought you had a protected occupation?”

  “Never qualified,” said Grace. “But you’re right; they don’t let me touch the radiated stuff. I just patch up those who do.”

  “Melody was just trying to entice me towards one of the security team,” said Eloise.

  “I didn’t say just one.” Melody grinned at her. “What about you, Grace?”

  “I’m not looking for anyone.” Grace lowered her dark eyes.

  “Got someone on Earth?” asked Eloise.

  “Not anymore.”

  “Where’s Sonia, this evening?” Eloise noticed the slight tremor in Grace’s hand as she lifted her drink. There was something in her past that caused her pain, and she didn’t like to push her on it.

  “Probably with one of those fly boys,” said Melody. “She knows how to enjoy herself.”

  Eloise smiled. Sonia Bush was a wild one, heading into space with a one way ticket and a change of clothes, looking for adventure. Eloise hoped she’d find it.

  She grabbed the edge of the table as the ship adjusted course sharply. “Looks like our pilot needs to take a break.”

  Grace’s gaze shot to the viewing window. “We’re not due for such a big course change. Everything should be steady for another couple of days.”

  “Could be space debris getting in our way,” said Melody.

  “Ask Jessie,” said Eloise. “She’s been staring out the viewing window since I got here.”

  “Jessie! Over here,” shouted Melody.

  Jessie Keenan turned, her light brown hair half covering her face. She raised a hand, and after another glance through the viewing window, scurried over. “Hi, everyone.”

  “What’s got you so interested out there?” asked Eloise. “Aren’t you bored of seeing the stars by now?”

  “Never.” Jessie gripped her hands in front of her.

  “Take a seat.” Melody kicked out a chair.

  “Oh, no, but thanks.” Jessie looked over her shoulder. “There’s something going on outside.”

  Eloise sat up straight, noticing the worry on Jessie’s face. “What have you seen?”

  “The jets guarding the Capella shot off about five minutes ago,” said Jessie.

  “They could be doing a fly-by,” said Grace.

  Jessie shook her head. “I know their routine.”

  “How can you know that?” asked Melody.

  “Spaceships interest me.” A blush crossed Jessie’s delicate cheeks, and she pushed her hair behind her ears.

  Eloise tapped her fingers on the table. “I saw a security squad pass by here. Maybe there’s been an alert of an unauthorized ship in the quadrant.”

  “Another vessel is interested in us?” Jessie’s eyes widened.

  “Who’d be interested in us?” asked Melody. “We’re a transport ship. Nothing valuable on board.”

  “We’re valuable,” said Grace.

  Melody snorted a laugh, which faded as she continued to stare at Grace. “You’re being serious.”

  Grace nodded. “There have been reports on the comms channel of ships being attacked and people taken. Humans have value to some aliens.”

  “It’s why every transport ship now gets its own fighter convoy,” said Eloise. “It cuts down the number of attacks.”

  “But we’ve got the fighter convoy. We’ll be okay.” Melody looked around the table. “Won’t we?”

  Eloise rubbed her brow as she stood. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Get some more drinks in, and I’ll go take a look, make sure there aren’t any problems.”

  “You want me to come with you?” asked Grace.

  Eloise shook her head. “Stay here. I won’t be long.” Her position as a negotiator for the Intergalactic Council gave her access to some of the information coming into the ship. If she could find the enthusiastic check-in clerk who’d upgraded her when he discovered what she did for work, she could find out what was happening.

  Eloise made it to the exit of the rec room before the ship lurched again. An alarm pierced through the air, and red lights flashed overhead.

  Grace ran to Eloise’s side. “Jessie thinks the ship’s under attack.”

  Panic crawled through Eloise’s veins. “It can’t be.”

  “Something’s wrong.” Jessie joined them by the door. “What should we do?”

  “I’m going to take a look.” Melody dashed into the corridor, her gaze darting from side to side.

  “Perhaps we should stay here.” Jessie hurried back to the viewing window. “I can see
other ships.”

  “Our attack jets?” asked Eloise.

  Jessie’s cheeks were pale as she turned to her. “Fraken vessels.”

  “Fraken!” Eloise moistened her dry teeth with her tongue. “What do they want with us?”

  “Slaves, it has to be.” Melody grabbed Grace and Eloise’s arms. “If they’re coming aboard, we need weapons.”

  “We can’t fight them.” Eloise’s voice came out shrill.

  “I’m not staying here and waiting for them to pick us off.” Melody looked at Jessie. “You coming?”

  “I’m going to see what they do next.” Jessie raised a trembling finger to the window.

  “All passengers move to the docking station for evacuation. This is not a drill,” said the automated female voice of the Capella. “I repeat. This is not a drill.”

  “We really are in trouble.” Eloise took a step towards Melody, her clenched fists feeling clammy. “Let’s see if we can find something to defend ourselves with.”

  “What about the evac?” asked Grace.

  “We can look on our way to the docking bays.” Eloise beckoned to Jessie. “We have to move.”

  Jessie took a few steps towards Eloise and then stopped.

  “Let’s go! We won’t have much time if the Fraken breach ship’s security,” said Grace.

  Jessie nodded, and the four of them dashed out of the rec room towards the docking station. Groups of anxious looking passengers ran past, all human, all scared, and none of them seeming to know what was going on.

  Eloise grabbed a short, dark skinned brunette by the arm. “What’s happening?”

  The woman shook her arm loose from Eloise’s grip, not slowing. “There’s been a hull breach. The ship is dangerous. Someone said it’s going to explode.”

  Letting out a shaky breath, Eloise relaxed a little. That was bad but better than Fraken coming aboard. She ran to catch up with the others. “We’re not being attacked.”

  “Who said?” asked Melody.

  “Another passenger,” said Eloise. “There’s been some damage to the hull. Maybe we did hit some space debris like you said.”

  Melody slowed. “But we still need to get off this ship?”

  Eloise nodded. “We should get to the docking bay. We’ll hear more news there.”

  The four women hurried along, and Eloise grabbed Jessie’s hand, feeling it tremble as she did so. Her own insides were shaking and her heart thudding. They needed to get to safety.

  An explosion knocked Eloise to the ground, and she lost her hold on Jessie. Hot metal showered down on her head, and she coughed through the smoke. Part of the wall had gone, and stepping through the hole was a Fraken. Seven feet of green and yellow scales, shark-like teeth, and a body clad in black, molded armor.

  Eloise scrabbled backwards on her hands and knees, a piece of metal slicing into her palm as she did so. She grabbed it and held it in front of her.

  The Fraken wasn’t alone; four more followed, all similarly intimidating and carrying long metallic rods.

  “Stand, human.” The first Fraken grabbed Eloise by the front of her dress and hauled her to her feet.

  Eloise swung the sharp metal at him, and it skimmed across his body armor.

  The Fraken hissed through his reptilian mouth, and a long, pointed tongue snaked out. “Resist at your peril.”

  Eloise twisted in his grip, but he held on tightly. As she struggled, she saw Grace was unconscious on the ground and Jessie leaning over her. A scream shot through the smoke, and Melody appeared, held tightly in the arms of a Fraken, blood oozing from a wound on her head.

  “Get off me, scum,” yelled Melody, kicking out with her legs.

  “Take it on board,” ordered the Fraken who held Eloise, barely wasting a glance on Melody. “Then return for those two.” He pointed at Grace and Jessie.

  “You can’t take us,” gasped Eloise. “We’re humans.”

  “Which is why we want you,” sneered the Fraken. “Tasty treats.” He smacked his lips together.

  “And we’re not food.” Bile chased up Eloise’s throat.

  “We may sample, but we have other plans for you.” The Fraken dragged Eloise close to his mouth, and his tongue slid across her cheek. “So much fun. Do you enjoy games, little human?”

  Eloise’s knees shook as she yanked her head backwards. “Not with you.”

  “No, not with me,” said the Fraken. “But you will play. You’ll have no choice.”

  Melody screamed again as she was dragged through the hole blasted in the wall. “Kill him, Eloise.”

  She wished she could, even more so when the Fraken laughed.

  “Time to go.” The Fraken pointed the rod in his hand towards Eloise. “I’ll use this if I have to, but we prefer not to damage our prey.”

  Eloise took a few shaky steps forward. “What do you mean, prey?”

  The Fraken sneered again. “You’ll find out.”

  Chapter 1

  The familiar clicking sound of talons on metal filled Eloise’s stomach with acid. She licked her dry lips as the hatch opened in the metal door, and a small tray was shoved through by a scaled hand. As it was flipped shut, she let out a breath. At least they hadn’t come in this time.

  There had been ten women in the cell, but every day, another one was taken. She had no clue what was happening to them, but it wouldn’t be pleasant.

  For five days, it had been the same routine; no contact with the outside world, the arrival of a daily tray, and the fearful conversations with the others in the cell who had been on board the Capella when it had been attacked.

  Eloise regarded the food glumly as she walked over to collect the tray. It was a single pill. To begin with, she’d refused to take it, but after a punishing visit from her captors, she took her daily ration.

  She wasn’t certain whether it was a good idea to be slowly poisoned by whatever was in the tablets or beaten senseless by the cruel, sharp hands of their tormentors. The outcome would be the same.

  “Food’s here.” Melody strode to the door and grabbed the tray from Eloise’s hand. She winked at her as she passed over a tablet. “Wonder what flavor we’re getting this time?”

  “I’m going for gritty aniseed with an undercurrent of sedative.” Eloise popped the pill into her mouth and chewed swiftly before swallowing. She knew it was some kind of nutrition supplement, and the headaches and shakes had stopped once she’d begun eating the tablets. But what she wouldn’t give for an enormous plate of fresh vegetables. It made her mouth water just thinking about it. Fresh anything felt like a long way out of her reach.

  Melody handed around the rest of the tablets before waving the empty tray in the air. “This would make a good weapon. Hit one of the Fraken right in the nose, and I’d be able to break it.”

  “And then they’d snap you in half.” Grace inspected the pill in her hand before downing it in a single gulp.

  “They’d have to catch me first,” said Melody.

  “Have you ever fought a Fraken before?” asked Eloise.

  “I’ve seen enough of them fighting on the comms channel.” Melody gave a shrug as she sat on the floor. Eloise joined her.

  “Then you know how good they are in combat,” said Eloise. “And they never play fair.”

  “As we found out when they blasted our ship from the stars,” said Grace.

  Many of the two hundred passengers on board the Capella had been enroute to visit friends and loved ones who had already made the trip from Earth into the stars. Some, like Eloise, were traveling for work.

  “Never trust a Fraken,” said Melody. “If you do, they’ll sell you to the highest bidder, enter you in one of their freaky games, or use you as a punching bag before slitting your throat.”

  “I don’t like any of those options,” said Eloise.

  “There must be some good in them.” The quiet voice of Jessie drifted towards Eloise.

  “Never met a good Fraken,” said Melody. “Haven’t seen a single dec
ent thing about them. All their promises to help Earth have come to nothing.”

  Jessie dipped her head, her hair hiding her button nose and big brown eyes. Eloise could count on her fingers the number of times Jessie had spoken since they’d arrived in this cell. But when she spoke, it was always with kindness. And she must be a good person if she thought the Fraken weren’t total space scum.

  “I’m not certain fighting our way out of here with an empty food tray will work,” said Eloise.

  “We can’t sit here and wait for them to do whatever they want to us, though,” said Melody. “I’m not giving up without a fight.”

  “We could try negotiating with them,” said Eloise.

  “That’s what you used to do in the Intergalactic Council, isn’t it?” Grace’s dark eyes studied Eloise. “I’ve seen you on a broadcast or two talking about Council business.”

  Eloise nodded. She worked as a negotiator for the Intergalactic Council, helping to strengthen the fragile peace established among the thirty races of alien who’d investigated Earth’s last cry for help as the planet slid into oblivion following the last nuclear war. Unfortunately for Earth, the Fraken had arrived first and had been quick to lay claim to Earth as their own.

  “Do you have influence over the Council members?” asked Melody. “They could be looking for you. They’ll get us out!”

  “I’m not high up,” said Eloise. “I serve whichever Council member needs me, making sure they have the correct papers and raising questions for them in their absence. I sometimes have to provide summaries over the comms channel about the outcome of meetings and decisions taken.”

  “No amount of smooth talking is going to get us out of this Fraken prison.” Melody gave a dejected sounding sigh. “They don’t answer to pleasantries. The only things that interest them are e-credits and blood. And this time, they’re after our blood.”

  Eloise inspected her torn fingernails and noticed the dirt on her palms was already ingrained. What she wouldn’t give for a shower, right now. Surviving a laser cannon attack and then being dragged through the wreckage by a Fraken had left Eloise with bruises, cuts, and filthy clothes. Seemed the Fraken didn’t care if their captives smelled sweet, though. Other than a humiliating and brutal encounter with a Fraken, who’d covered them in some kind of decontamination powder when they’d first arrived and then thrust them in a cold shower, they’d had no access to washing facilities.