Finding Lara

FINDING LARA

Distant Worlds Book III

By Kelly Lucille

Text Copyright Kelly Lucille 2016

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Cover art by cheekycovers.com

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Other books by Kelly Lucille

CHAPTER ONE

The ship rocked with the pounding it was taking. The blasts coming in quick succession against the reinforced and shielded battle transport had Barnos cursing each jerk and shutter. It also made him grudgingly admit after the three attacking vessels opened fire that his own ships would have crumpled under the onslaught long past, and he was no slouch with tech. Tolan Lark may be an infuriating bastard, but The Fire was better shielded than any but a Marine Defender.

Of course, he was not about to share that with the cocky bastard, and he would argue his own ship’s merits to the death if need be. But privately, in his own head, he had to admit the Shakien cat knew weaponry, whether it be ships or swords. At present, that didn’t seem to be doing him all that much good. Another percussion shook the ship and had Barnos clutching the arms of his chair more tightly than was healthy for the smooth leather sheathing it.

You break that chair and I’ll take it out of your hide, pirate, the mercenary muttered his warning without taking his attention off his controls or computer.

Barnos snorted, Worry more about what their cannons are doing to your hull, kitty cat. Your drive to have the prettiest ship in the quadrant will be helped less by giant holes in the hull than a cracked chair arm.

The Fire flipped and then shot forward leaving Barnos clutching at the arm again.

Still, Tolan Lark muttered, crack that chair and I will rip off that cybernetic log you call an arm and beat you with it.

Cat, Barnos gritted out as he tried to keep his breathing to the same unconcerned tone as Tolan Lark’s as they whirled and fired, one delusion at a time. Get us out of this alive then we can go one round about your damn chair.

Worried? The smirk was enough to have Barnos gritting his teeth.

One of us should be. Those are tactical destroyers firing steel up our asses.

I’ve seen you take on worse odds in a bar fight with entire augmented Marine squadrons and laugh.

Barnos snorted again as another missile hit their hull and immediately the computer sounded a ‘hull breach eminent.’ I must be getting soft in my dotage, he muttered sarcastically.

That was at our last port stop, Tolan shot back dryly, before making one last swipe across the console showing indecipherable jargon, which flipped The Fire one more time, firing another full volley at all three ships surrounding them. Only this time Barnos had to blink at the sudden and total destruction of the three attacking vessels as the blasts not only penetrated their now nonexistent shields, but ruptured hulls and sent the war birds careening into each other and space, venting oxygen and fire.

What the fuck was that? he boomed into the sudden deafening silence.

That, my nervous friend, is what happens when you spend all your platinum on arms and none on your firewall.

Barnos looked from the exploding ships on the visual to the Shakien cat. "You broke their comp code? During a damn fire fight?"

Should I have waited until they were finished attacking us? Tolan Lark gave his trademark smirk that made a man want to punch that pretty face. We have a meeting, remember? Mustn’t be late.

Tricky damn Shakien cat, Barnos grumbled, shaking his head. Then he couldn’t help it. He laughed. The booming sound filling the small space around them and making the cat lose his smirk and wince at the volume.

Must you do that every ti. . . Ever?

Barnos ignored him. Nothing he loved better than a good fight, unless it was winning against impossible odds. The only thing missing was a stiff drink and a warm female in his lap to make his life complete. He slapped the cat across the shoulder with appreciation, and had the added satisfaction of watching him wince again. What’s next?

The hardened warrior that most in the universe would fear just for what he was smiled a warning at Barnos with a lot of sharp teeth and fire in his flashing Shakien eyes. Now we make the rendezvous and find out why King Menelaus and the delicious Queen Nori have left their dusty backward lands to meet with a mercenary and a pirate.

***

When Barnos stepped off the shuttle and saw what awaited him, he was under no illusions about the danger, even without the squad of space marines standing at attention. The man was nearly as tall as Barnos himself, and at nearly seven feet tall, that rarely happened with the humanoid worlds. Add to that the unadorned back nanite armor reinforcing a body clearly made for hard combat, complete with sword pommel sticking out over his right shoulder, and it did not spell king.

Nor did the lady standing at his side look like any queen Barnos had ever seen. A tiny little thing, with black, brown hair that hung long in an elaborate braid down her back. Also in black nanite, with thigh high boots of the finest quality, she had enough steel on her to take on an army on her own. Weapons seemed to be her only adornment. Her curves were sleek but not as soft and round as Barnos preferred. She looked built for speed rather than a man’s hands. Personally, he appreciated all women and their many shapes, but someone that slight he would worry the whole time about breaking her.

Still, he would make the effort, he thought. She had a fierce look on her little face that made Barnos want to cuddle her it was so cute. But the look of death in her man’s flashing silver eyes had Barnos rethinking his come-hither smile. As did the iridescent lavender that flashed in the woman’s when Tolan Lark stepped out of the shuttle behind him. A Shakien cat, no matter how tiny, was more likely to break him, than the other way around.

But what a way to go, he thought, watching her temper spark and the slanted green eyes shift fully to Shakien lavender.

Tolan Lark, she gritted out in almost a growl.

Aww, kitten, Tolan said coming down the plank to stand beside him, he ignored everyone but the spitting mad she-cat before him. You missed me.

She growled and stepped forward, her teeth shifting sharper and more pronounced. Clearly, there was some history there if just the sight of Tolan set her off. Barnos caught the smug smirk on the mercenary’s face and shrugged inwardly. Then again, the man did have a knack for rubbing people the wrong way. A little over six feet, black hair and dusky skinned, Tolan was all sharp angles with a wildness and ruthless practicality that was easily overlooked when he smiled like that. The smug smirk and mocking eyes made a man think of nothing but smacking it off — even if he was hard as a rock in his skintight body suit, knee boots, and armed better than a military convoy.

Apparently, even others of his kind, few though they were, had the same reaction. The little she-cat sprung at them and, if not for the arm around her waist, Barnos had no doubt she would have cleared the distance and been on Tolan Lark in a heartbeat.

Now Nori, you called me, remember? Tolan held his hands out to the side to show he was blameless. Of course, he kept that smirk, his eyes flashing mischief, so it lacked a certain sincerity. I thought we were past all that? Then he looked her over most blatantly, his smile turning a touch wicked. I see you kept the boots I gave you.

This time it was the silver-eyed man holding her who growled. Careful, mercenary, he said quietly, his voice a smooth baritone lacking the hostility of his eyes. I let her go, there won’t be enough pieces to put you back together. No matter your healing capabilities. Glued with predatory heat on Tolan Lark, his eyes seemed to flash with sparks of silver. And they never lost the quiet death they promised. Barnos took it all in and then laughed, causing every eye in the place to turn his way.

You do have a way with people, he barked, his hand slapping Tolan Lark on the back, causing the other man to lose his smile and hiss when he had to catch himself from falling forward. But can you at least introduce me before you start the fight?

Tolan shook off the hit, shifted his broad shoulders, and settled again. He had lost his playful spark and finally turned with a sigh, Captain Barnos meet Menelaus, Barbarian King of Kenosha, and his mate, the captivating Queen Nori, Shakien cat.

Barnos bowed from the waist with a flourish and looked up to see all eyes on him. The space marines behind them stiffened up, and Barnos could feel the heat of their eyes sharpening on him.

Queen Nori lost some of her temper, and looked on Tolan Lark with bemused green eyes. Since when do you travel with someone else?

Tolan sighed a long drawn out sigh. Since he came aboard and never left, he said mildly, making Barnos laugh again and Tolan Lark wince at the loud sound of it.

We have a mutual quest, Barnos said shaking his head, the smile never leaving his face. He shrugged his massive shoulders. His ship is faster than any of mine.

Menelaus raised a brow at that. The death games?

Tolan Lark nodded his chin once in agreement, the smirk for once absent from his face. Then he elaborated. The man behind them. Let’s just say he made more enemies than was good for him.

Nori looked from one man to the other, and then settled on Barnos. I hope you don’t actually put your trust in this man, she said by way of warning.

Barnos snorted. I am a pirate, lady. I don’t put my trust in anyone.

She looked him over carefully, her eyes narrowed in thought. Barnos knew what she saw. He was a giant of a man. With a cybernetic arm and one eye implant that gleamed in the right light. A red sheen to his brown hair that he wore long and wild. With the stubble decorating his jaw line, it added to the overall wildness. Massive across the chest, with ship’s formal leathers worn over nanite, a sword and two blasters on his hips. His smile roughish in a face that had seen a lot of action. No one would look at him and think he was anything but dangerous.

Well, she finally said, you certainly look the part.

He bowed with aplomb, again his smile growing wider. Nori shook her head, muttering something under her breath that he could barely hear. Sounded something like she needed to keep him away from someone named Lara.

Whatever she said, her mate grunted in agreement.

So, Tolan Lark interrupted, his smile once again in place, if tight, who wants to tell me why I am here?

You really want to talk in front of a criminal wanted on over thirty worlds for piracy? One of the space marines threw the question at them like a blast grenade, and everyone but Barnos froze. Nori looked him over once again, brow rising in question. Barnos didn’t take offense. Instead, he winked at the little cutie, willing to ignore the fact that she could shift into a Shakien cat and remove his spleen with her dainty little claws. She rolled her eyes at him, but her mate took exception, baring his own toothsome smile that was pure promise of mayhem.

Tolan Lark laughed. If you can tell me, you might as well tell Barnos. Since we came here with an agreement of free passage, he’ll be going wherever I go anyway. I assume this is about a job?

Nori, the marine spoke again in clear warning.

After a few moments of brief consideration, Nori just sighed without looking behind her. My call, Malik.

The marine captain looked none too pleased, but he kept his silence. His eyes on Barnos gave a promise of retribution should he make a wrong move. But if Barnos feared a few measly space marines, he would have a different job. Though these five wore the marking of the elite Special Forces, so he held himself back from winking at them. Barely.

We need your help, she finally said, after one brief shared look with her mate.

Tolan Lark was quiet for the longest time, looking the both of them over. Has the universe shifted off its axis? he finally said baldly, clearly doubtful.

Apparently, King Menelaus muttered, looking less than pleased himself.

Lara, Nori jumped in to say before the mercenary could make the comment Barnos could see ready to fly off his lips. We need your help to find her.

Tolan Lark blinked, and Barnos raised a brow and looked between them, wondering who Lara was. When Tolan spoke, he was clearly exasperated. Again?

He watched the she-cat grind her teeth. Clearly, she was less than pleased by the question. Yes, again, she gritted out.

The mercenary turned his eyes to the group of stiff marines. Can’t you people keep one little girl out of trouble? This made Barnos think they were looking for some teenage ne’er do well.

The marines looked even less pleased with them than before, and that was saying something. But they kept those tightly ground jaws shut. It was Nori who answered.

I’m sorry, have you met Lara? She asked pointedly.

Tolan Lark sighed. Point taken, he said to Barnos’ amazement.

The girl must be a right hellion, Barnos thought, grimacing at the idea of dealing with an underage spoiled party girl. Thankfully, there was no way Tolan Lark would take this job. They had bigger game.

So, what do you need from me that the High Ambassador’s connections can’t provide?

Barnos looked at the mercenary as if he had lost his mind, then took another look at the marines. Shite. If they were after the High Ambassador’s child, they were the best of the best, and he was neck deep in Alliance Business — somewhere he definitely did not want to be. But the she-cat went on like it was a foregone conclusion that the mercenary would help, which Barnos would bet good platinum would never happen.

Since Nori was once again struggling with her nature, whatever she had to say was going to be bad. Her eyes flashing lavender told the story, as she fought to spit the words out, but it was the grim voice of her mate that finally clued them in. We tracked her captors to a transport heading for the outer sectors of Montrouge.

Both Barnos and Tolan Lark froze at that. Lark went from an easy ready stance to pissed Shakien cat, complete with blue fur rippling up and over his human-looking skin to sparking lavender eyes. Barnos understood the rage he fought. If he could think of the worst place for a teenage girl to end up, it was Montrouge. Located well past Alliance space, and incidentally beyond the jurisdiction of any law but Might makes Right, it was known throughout the galaxy as the slavers’ paradise. A pleasure planet where you could wallow in any vice man could dream up for a price. And they specialized in pleasure slaves.

***

Lara woke up abruptly, her head pounding from whatever drug they had knocked her out with. The room was dark, but the console on the entry hatch blinked red at her, giving the room at least enough light to make out shadows. She swallowed hard, trying to work some moisture back into her mouth. Looking around as she did, she tried to remember how she came to be here, but her brain was still fuzzy and didn’t want to engage. Lights, she called weakly, then had to cough and try again when she barely made a sound through her scratchy throat. The second time was louder, but the computer refused to respond. Finally, she was able to sit up, but