Salvage Rights

Salvage Rights

By Kelly Lucille

Text Copyright © 2014 Kelly Lucille

For Smashwords

All Rights Reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Chapter 26

Epilogue

CHAPTER ONE

The capsule had obviously been there a long time. The dust and grime obscured any writing that might identify what was being carried inside, and any sign that might have once read hazardous waste could have conceivably been worn off a millennium ago. That the crew could not identify a power source was almost as troubling. The soft humming that seemed to fill the room assured that whatever was in the coffin-like pod was getting power from somewhere.

Did you check under the floor? His voice tinny through the icom of the jumpsuit, Captain Tyber Relian squatted as close to the smooth cylinder as he dared, his eyes on the floor beneath it. The jumpsuits they used were nowhere near top of the line, with the visor on them limited to the small window where his dark brown eyes, Lore’s black, and Mac’s blue were all that could be seen. The best that could be said for the outdated equipment was that it offered protection from the vacuum of space.

Nothing, sir. I am detecting a strong current of energy but cannot account for its presence. Lore stood on the other side of the small probe ship, his handheld sensor out in front of him. The only possibility is that whatever is inside has its own separate power source from the rest of the ship.

This ship is from the twenty-first century. How is it possible that a power source – one that we can’t pick up on our sensors no less – could have lasted three centuries? It just isn’t possible.

This does seem unlikely; however, there is another possibility. Whatever is inside could have been placed in the pod at a later date.

So someone came along sometime in the last 300 years and placed whatever this is in a derelict space probe? Why?

Unknown, but it does seem the more likely possibility.

Anything on the sensors that suggests what’s inside?

The sensors are unable to detect anything at all besides the pod itself.

So the question is ‘do we take it with us, open it, or leave it here for someone else to discover?’

Another growly voice joined theirs over the icom: I say we just blow it out of orbit. I don’t like surprises. Mac had been a space marine for years. Not only was he a big bruiser and a trained killer, but he was also leery of anything he could not identify — with reason, no doubt. Patrolling the different sectors of space, those marines saw seriously strange action on a regular basis. His motto seemed to be, when in doubt blow it up.

Tyber looked over his shoulder at the big man that stood with his back to them, his space blaster at the ready. Everyone knows how you feel about surprises, Mac. Lore?

Not recommended commander. We have no idea what it is; therefore, we have no idea how it would respond to an outside attack.

You think something is living in there?

Unlikely, however, we have no way of knowing if an explosion would act as a catalyst to whatever is in the pod.

We could end up blowing ourselves up in the process.

That is a possibility.

Can we form a force field around the pod and open it without endangering the ship?

Possibly, but whoever opened the device would still run the risk.

I don’t know about you but I want to know what’s inside.

I am curious.

I didn’t sign on to go blowing myself out of a 300-year-old ship, Mac grumbled over the link. This is a bad idea.

Noted. The two of you return to the ship. Lore you help Sera erect a strong enough force field to keep in whatever might come out of this.

Sir, I really think that I should be the one.

Denied.

Tyber . . .

Denied, Lore. You have the ship.

Aye, sir.

In a cascade of light they were gone, not looking any too pleased with the situation, and both men knowing there was no talking the captain out of it.

When the green light was given to go ahead, he felt a shiver of anticipation. He could not deny that there was definitely something about the pod that was making him itch to open it. He was a little worried about the fact that he could not have left the pod without seeing what was inside. It seemed more than mere curiosity, but he was reassured by Mac’s lack of enthusiasm. Maybe he was just becoming the action junky that Lore accused him of being. Maybe it was just that good a mystery.

All of this was running through his head as he hit the latches to open the pod. As soon as the seal was released, he experienced a strange lightheartedness and could have sworn he smelled flowers. Hoping he wasn’t being influenced by some hallucinogenic drug, he pulled open the top, immediately questioning his senses.

There was no weapon of mass destruction. There was a woman — a woman who seemed to be sleeping quite peacefully and glowing with a strange inner light. A second after the pod opened, the light faded and he was left looking at a woman with long hair that shone garnet when his torch hit it. When she opened her eyes, they were moss green and drowsy, as if she was only waking up for the morning, rather than on a derelict space craft light years from anywhere.

Sir, we have another ship closing fast.

The woman blinked up at him, her eyes widening as she looked around her. She started to sit up and then with a gasp, fell back, her hands on her head as if to keep it in place.

Sir, it’s a Gorson ship, raiders. Lore’s voice coming over the icom was as emotionless as usual, but it still managed to impact a belief in the need for speed. Tyber looked at the woman before him, taking in her naked length under sheer robes, and her panicked eyes.

Sir, we are being commanded to leave the area; it seems they have papers detailing the ownership of all cargo.

Since when do Gorson bother with paperwork?

Mac’s voice came over the line. I’d be a bit more concerned with the big guns strapped to their side at the moment, Captain. Can we get the fuck out of here?

Lore’s voice was a smooth cadence over the gruffly wild Mac. However, the message was the same. Indeed, sir. Since they are powering up torpedoes, it would seem ideal to do as they ask.

By now, the woman in the pod was sitting up gingerly, breathing deeply and trying to stave off panic; he had to hand it to her, she wasn’t hysterical, yet. She met his eyes again, shaking as she tried to make herself as small as possible, which was pretty small since she couldn’t be more than 5’5" despite the proof of womanly curves beneath her loose robes.

She hadn’t spoken yet and he didn’t really have time to discuss the pros and cons of her situation, especially as she may or may not even speak the language. Instead, he reached in and hauled her into his arms, startling a gasp and struggle from her.

I’m not going to harm you, Tyber said, but not really expecting it to help. So, he was surprised when she stopped struggling and lay quiet in his arms, her eyes glued to his face as she tried to catch her breath and hold still. Lore, he said, now. They were surrounded by a flash of bright light.

The second he was back in his own ship, he handed the woman off to Mac, who was as surprised to find his arms full of soft woman, as the woman herself was to be there. However, he was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Thank you!? Mac called as the captain disappeared towards the command center.

She’s not a gift. Just get her situated for the jump. He was gone and Mac was left looking down at the prettiest green eyes he had ever seen.

Well, now, you look like a gift to me, he said, pulling her more comfortably into his arms, as her eyes narrowed. Let’s say we get you strapped down for the jump, I’ve got just the lap for the situation.

She started struggling, but Mac just chuckled, sitting down and adjusting her so that she was straddling his lap. Her loose skirts hiked up an indecent amount, he clipped them in despite her best efforts to put distance between them, and then he pulled her hard against his chest, trapping her hands between them.

Mac? The voice was impatient over the loudspeaker and made the girl look around her to find its source.

Ready ,Captain, he said tapping the chair icom, smiling into her panic. Not too bright, are you? Don’t worry; I like that in a woman.

Her shriek was cut off by firm lips and a brash tongue before the flash and boom of the jump caught them and whipped Mac’s head back against the headrest and slammed her against his chest.

When they came out of the jump, mere seconds later, it felt like a much longer time. Mac shook his slightly too long brown hair out like a wet mongrel and looked down at the woman clutching his tunic with white knuckled hands. Her eyes were tightly closed and he laughed, reminded of a little girl hiding from the dark. He grabbed her chin and pulled her face up as she opened her eyes, the shock in hers turning to anger even as he watched.

He liked the fire so much that he was tempted to fan it. Now, where were we? he asked, his scruffy five o’clock shadow rubbing down her soft cheek as he licked her ear. Then his mouth went to hers again, his tongue pushing for entrance even as she jerked back. Come on baby, don’t be shy. She actually growled at him, making him laugh and then curse when her sharp white teeth sank into his bottom lip with savage intent.

Fuck! he bellowed, hauling her back by her hair as far as he could with them still strapped in. He pushed the mechanism on the chair when it wasn’t far enough to get her to let go, and then she toppled to the floor, his blood on her lips, his own stinging like a son of a bitch and bleeding down his throat.

He stomped over to a compartment, yanking it open to grab a clean towel from the pile there, and pressing it to his abused lip while he turned to study the woman on the floor.

She was still sitting where he had left her, though she had pulled her legs under her; her hair was a wild torrent that hit the floor and just kept going, pooling around her in a garnet shimmer. Her arms were straight and braced against the floor, her perfect breasts heaving beneath the light fabric of her robes as she watched him with a warning in her clear green eyes, as if she was holding herself ready to attack. As he watched, her little tongue shot out and licked away the blood clinging to her deceptively soft mouth. His blood. He had felt those breasts and that tiny waist barely hidden behind the long formless gown, seen her shapely thighs and felt the flow of a nicely shaped ass as she was pressed against him. He had been attracted, as any man would be when faced with so much soft woman, but now, looking at the feral light in her eyes and watching her lick his blood from her lips, he was rock hard.

He took a step towards her before a feminine voice cut through the haze of his thoughts.

What the holy hell are you doing? Sera took in the scene in front of her, Mac’s bloody lip and the hot intent in his eyes, the strange girl kneeling on the floor. She pounded the icom unit beside her on the wall forcefully.

Captain, you better get down to the mess.

What’s the problem?

Mac’s losing it and there’s a strange girl on the floor.

There was silence for all of ten seconds. On my way.

He was not the only one who showed up, and neither Mac nor the girl looked away from each other despite there now being three more people in the room.

Mac? the doctor said, pulling out a small handheld device and scanning first the girl and then Mac. Younger than the rest of the crew by a few years with dishwater blond hair and a trim beard, he looked at his readout and blinked in surprise. The captain was right behind him.

Someone want to tell me what’s going on? Mac? Doc?

She bit me. Mac’s voice was a rough growl.

Get over it. The captain’s voice lashed out, and even Sera backed up, though she was not the focus of it.

Meanwhile, the doctor slowly approached the girl, using his scanner, and trying to reassure her with words at the same time. I mean you no harm, lady. My name is Doctor Henry Morgan, but everyone calls me Doc.

I don’t think she understands, Doc.

On the contrary; since my scans are showing incredible brain activity, I would say there is very little that would be beyond her understanding.

Who is she? Sera asked, her arms crossing her chest over her overalls. There was grease on the side of her nose. How did she even get here?

The greenest eyes he had ever seen came to rest on the doctor. You seem young for a doctor. Her voice was soft and lyrical, despite obvious roughness from not having used it for who knew how long.

He laughed. You seem young for being a couple hundred years old. Her eyes widened and then closed as if she was searching for something inside herself. She opened them again and there were tears there, coating her sadness. Why am I here?

The captain spoke up then, clearly trying to set his surprise on the back burner.

What do you remember?

She looked back at him, her face scrunching up in confusion. She didn’t answer at first, clearly trying to find something inside herself, but all that she found were silent tears. Just seeing you, she said, breathing hard, and then she glared at Mac, who had just tossed down his bloody rag, his lip puffy but no longer bleeding. And him. It was said with such venom that Sera laughed, it was a throaty sexy laugh that brought a smile to the girl’s face despite her turmoil, the doctor finding his own smile when he saw it.

Remarkable, he thought, continuing to scan.

I see you made an impression, Mac.

Not yet, he said, his gravelly voice a clear warning, his eyes hot and hard on the girl, but I will.

Belay that, the captain said, making Mac’s eyes snap to his with a curse.

But Captain . . .

You have something to say, Mackenzie? The voice was a clear warning and soft for all its deadly bite. Mac gnashed his teeth, but didn’t respond. Good. Doc?

I need to do some tests.

So what else is new? Is she a danger?

You might have thought of that before beaming her over and throwing her at me. Mac’s voice was gruff but lacked the hard edge from seconds earlier. The captain ignored him.

No danger, but I have questions.

Fine. Mac, take over the bridge for Lore and have him meet me in medical.

Mac went, giving one last baleful look at the girl sitting beside the crouching Doc on the floor. Sera smirked at him as he passed her.

Poor baby. The little baby girl get you? Her voice was a gruff bite behind the laughter.

Keep it up, Sera, just keep it up. She laughed at his warning, and kept up her teasing until they separated, him to the bridge and her to the engine room.

CHAPTER TWO

When Lore joined the captain and the doctor in sickbay, the woman was already in the deep sensor booth and Doc was practically hyperventilating with excitement.

I’ve never seen anything like this. Doc studied the sensor readings like they were the cure for space dementia. Lore joined him while the captain watched them both.

Fascinating, Lore said, watching the read-outs that looked like a lot of gibberish to Tyber. He rolled his eyes when the doctor started to hum in excitement. Doc stopped abruptly, turned to Lore, and then they both turned to eye Tyber like he was the lab experiment.

Captain? the doctor asked, his face as expressionless as he could make it, are you feeling anything special towards the girl?

Special? Tyber’s eyes narrowed. What?

What the doctor needs to know is if you are feeling the urge to mate with the lady?

Mate? What the hell are you talking about?

Lore reached over and grabbed the trim ankle that was just now sliding out of the long tube. Does knowing I am touching her bother you?

Why the hell . . . The captain stopped in mid-sentence. She’s Bruha?

Yes, Lore said even while the doctor was nodding his head.

Claimed?

Hopefully, but doubtful, Lore said, as the doctor continued his humming through the data.

Why hopefully? Why doubtful?

"Because I don’t think we want to be responsible for the only living unclaimed untouched Bruha left in the solar system."

Shit.

Yes, every mercenary in the galaxy will be after her. Lore looked at the captain, At least every mercenary who doesn’t loathe and despise slavery.

We’re in luck, the doctor said, though the look on his face indicated it was anything but good.

Well, spit it out, Doc, what?

She’s claimed.

How is that possible if she’s untouched?

That would be the bad news.

The bad news? When did we get the good news?

By now, the tube had exited all the way, and the girl lay before them, covered only in a thin silver shield. Her eyes closed, she was compellingly beautiful, even without those green eyes open to pull you in. She was clearly built to be a man’s fantasy; as a Bruha, she would be more. All but Lore shifted uncomfortably at the thought.

Doctor? he said pulling his eyes away from the unconscious girl, what’s the bad news?

The doctor’s hands were busy across the controls, but he looked up at that. It’s a genetic imprint.

Lore caught the captain’s brow raise and responded without prompting.

Someone genetically hardwired her to respond only to one man.

The doctor hummed a bit more, But she hasn’t been turned on as it were. My guess is she was placed in that pod and was somehow lost before the final imprinting could occur.

Now what does that mean?

It means that her ‘master,’ for want of a better word, never got around to meeting her after the genetic manipulation occurred. She may be able to go on and live a normal life, well, except for the other things.

The captain rubbed his head, wondering if he even wanted to know.

Of course, anyone with the DNA of her original owner could cause her to have some very serious . . . lust. It would only be when he is actually touching her; otherwise she is not driven to search him out as a regular Bruha would be.

What other things? The captain finally couldn’t stop himself from asking.

She is psychically gifted.

How?

I have no idea. But she’s also very, very smart.

We knew that when she bit Mac, Sera said leaning against the door, catching the tail end of the conversation.

No grease in my laboratory, Doc said.

Sera rolled her eyes. Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m not coming any closer.

You’re different than the others. The voice had them all turning to look at the bed. The clear green eyes were open and on Lore.

Lore bowed. Lore Trugarian. I am honored to meet you, Bruha.

That is not my name, she said, after thinking a moment. She sat up, And that is not your name. The sheet fell forward exposing her breasts. Everyone took in the sight of her full pert breasts with the soft pink nipples over golden skin. Her brow crinkled, her hand going to her head, she did not seem to notice her partial nudity while everyone else just stood there staring.

Sera harrumphed from the doorway, then stomped forward despite her grubby boots, whisked the girl’s robes off the chair and back over her body. She glared at the men, sent a heated glare to the doctor and stomped out again.

Men suck, she said loudly and with passion before hitting the corridor.

There was a great deal of clearing of throats and coughing before they were reminded of what they had been discussing.

"What is your