Stellar Affair

Table of Contents

Copyright

Title

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

About the Author

Stellar Affair

Copyright © March 2017 by Laurel Richards

Previously published as A Stellar Affair by Samhain Publishing Copyright © July 2015 by Laurel Richards

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Cover design by Laurel Richards

Images used under license from Shutterstock.com. Licensed images are being used for illustrative purposes only, and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

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All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. This copy is intended for the original purchaser only. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, resold, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Warning: This book is intended for mature adults only.

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Blurb

As two groups of human colonists fight over territory, Ardra is caught in the middle. She is captured by Roimiran soldiers who are convinced she has been programmed with Tetch military intelligence. They turn her over to Jackson Deimos, a telepath trained in interrogation. He’s very good at slipping in and out of other people’s memories, but he isn’t prepared for Ardra. Although it’s his duty to break her and find out what information she’s carrying, he finds it impossible not to fall for the beautiful captive. Jack begins to question his loyalties, while Ardra confronts the fact that the life she remembers might be a lie. Will their attraction save them or tear them apart?

Stellar Affair

by

Laurel Richards

Chapter 1

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Earth’s orbit, the year 556 P.C. (Post Contact)

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Ardra was on her honeymoon, and she wanted to cry. She left her husband in their room aboard ship and stepped onto the lift. The trip up to the observation deck was smooth and quiet—proof she was traveling on one of the nicer passenger liners. Mellow lighting greeted her when the doors hissed open, but her gaze landed on the array of stars beyond. Tinted windows formed a semicircle around this deck, and the brilliant specks outside glittered against the abyssal black.

In the lounge area to her left, a large screen televised the latest news about the Pioneer War and its casualties. The broadcast cut to an interview—audio only—with a Roimiran precept, and Ardra heard the man reply to something the reporter had asked.

We live in dangerous times, the precept said. We all use the abilities we’re given. I just have a different set of skills than you do.

Ardra knew which skills he was talking about. The precepts were people who could probe and manipulate the thoughts of others. She was surprised this one’s voice sounded so pleasant and normal, and she wished she could see his face.

A computerized voice drew her attention away from the wall screen as one of the deck sensors scanned her boarding tag. "Welcome to Main Observation Deck 1, Mrs. Corvus. Thank you for flying A-Star, the very best in long-distance space travel."

Mrs. Corvus, she repeated aloud.

Her gaze returned to the view outside as she stepped up to the window and leaned toward the glass. Yes, she was Ardra Corvus now, although that name didn’t seem to belong to her.

After months of dating, Stevin had insisted on a quick, simple wedding. He was the first guy she had ever slept with, and they had waited until their wedding night to be together. She had trembled until they’d really gotten down to it, but she was a quick study. Now, two weeks later, she was flying halfway across the galaxy with her new husband. Was it weak of her to need him so much, or was it love?

Everything had turned out all right so far, so maybe this was a great new adventure. The only problem was she wasn’t coming back from this trip. She wiped her tears and swallowed hard as she stared at her home planet framed in the window. Earth’s oceans looked so blue they almost glowed, and white clouds scudded at high altitude over the waves. Whole continents defied the vast waters, offering dry land to the world’s inhabitants. It was so beautiful it took her breath away.

Sure, Earth’s economy was bad, and you needed a permit to do just about anything these days, but it was home. At least it was safe. These were dangerous times, as the precept had said. Somewhere out there, the Tetch and the Roimirans—the first humans to colonize new planets—were killing each other and using innocent civilians as pawns. She didn’t want any part of that, but she had made her choice.

The A-Star was getting ready to make the interstellar jump. Translated from the original alien, the term for this super-speedy travel was close to bring about, but they could have called it the topsy-turvy maneuver for all she cared. It wouldn’t be long before they would shoot across the cosmos, transported in the blink of an eye. Earth was already shrinking in the window as they taxied out.

Ardra started to hug herself, but another pair of arms wrapped around her instead. She smiled as she leaned back against Stevin’s chest.

Ready for me to show you the universe, Mrs. Corvus? He kissed the side of her head and rested his chin atop her shoulder.

She felt her smile grow wider, and she folded her arms over his. I think you’ve opened my eyes to it already.

He pressed her closer to his heart and held her until his warmth and steady breathing comforted her. Then he laughed mischievously, and she knew he was up to something.

What? she demanded.

He took her hand and turned her around to face him. She looked up into his deep brown eyes.

Oh, I just realized our situation, he said. Here we are, a handsome groom and his pretty young bride on board a passenger liner. The stars are shining brightly all around us, and we’re on the threshold of a new life. I thought we might make the most of a romantic moment.

She recognized the look he was giving her and returned his kiss. He scooped her up in his arms, and she laughed as he took her back to their quarters—his idea of carrying her over the threshold. When he reached the bed, he stripped them both and sent his mouth roaming over her body. Only a few stars outside peeked in at them as they made love.

When they were done, Ardra lay snuggled against his side, still feeling the heat radiating off his body. The ship must have made the jump while they were busy. They would spend another day or two at slow speed before navigating traffic and docking at Tabanar, the first planet on their scheduled tour. Until then, her husband’s time was all hers.

Looking at Stevin’s face, she studied the dark eyebrows and raven hair she already knew so well. She felt warm and sated after their lovemaking, and she was happy he wasn’t immediately going to fall asleep. With a smile, she cuddled closer under his arm.

Ardra? he said.

She kissed his chest. Yes?

You know I love you, don’t you? She couldn’t read his tone of voice, though he sounded serious. You know I love you more than anybody?

She smiled and gave him a squeeze. I love you too.

He took a deep breath. What I mean to say is that you trust me, right?

Stevin. She drawled his name half playfully and half worriedly.

No, really, he insisted. You do trust me?

She ran her finger across his chin. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t trust you. I love you, and I trust you. That’s why I married you, you dolt.

He returned a smile, though he still appeared troubled.

Stevin, she said, why don’t you just say what you want to say? You’ve obviously got something on your mind.

Beyond their door, she could hear a slight commotion, but she ignored it. For the moment, the weird vibes from the man next to her concerned her more.

What is it? she asked when he didn’t answer.

He released a deep sigh and slid away from her. She let her hand trail over his chest and down his right arm as he got out of bed. He began to get dressed.

Please put something on, he said.

But, Stevin—

Do it. He said it gently, but she jumped as if he had shouted at her.

Okay. With a scowl, she lowered her feet to the cold floor and hurried to do what he’d said.

He waited until she was fully clothed before he finally drew her close again.

He took her face in his hands. Ardra, you have to trust me. Don’t be afraid. We’re going to have a new life together, and we’re going to be very rich. I’ll give you everything you ever wanted, like that house with a garden you’re always talking about. All you have to do is stick with me.

I don’t understand, she said.

The noise outside grew a lot louder, and someone banged on their door. She turned to look, but her husband still held her head, and he pressed his mouth to hers in a quick kiss. Before she could stop him, he stepped away and opened the door.

Two men stood on the other side. The stocky one wore a scowl, while his companion could have been a cyborg for all the emotion he showed. Expecting to see members of the crew, Ardra stared dumbly for a moment before she realized they weren’t dressed in the A-Star’s uniform. She registered the weapons strapped to them in the same instant.

With a gasp, she turned to her husband, but he wasn’t looking at her.

There she is, Stevin told the men. Be careful with her.

He didn’t even glance at her before he walked away. The men rushed toward her. Ardra screamed Stevin’s name, but he was already gone. In the tight quarters, there was nowhere to run, and then the strangers grabbed her and threw her on the bed.

That was the moment the stars went out.

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Roimiran planet, Bok-10

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Although no one could see him, Jackson Deimos felt exposed as he was interviewed over the long-distance transmitter. He didn’t know how he had been picked for this broadcast, but his people wanted him to give precepts a better image. Nobody wanted to support mind-bending monsters, so he needed to show he was human. Except he was still invisible, and the interviewer kept talking to him as if he were a suspect. Too bad he couldn’t touch the man’s thoughts from across the galaxy.

Most political experts describe this as a philosophical war, the reporter said. Do you disagree with that?

Jack almost sighed, but he held back. "Not entirely. You have to understand the history. Five hundred and fifty-six years ago, the people of Earth made contact with the aliens. The wisdom and technology that our new friends shared with us ushered in a whole new era—a new space race, in fact—but their gift also caused a rift that has never healed.

"On one side of that rift, the group that later became the Roimirans believed scientific advancement would ultimately cost them their humanity. They preached a more natural, agrarian lifestyle. Most boarded space transports and used the alien technology to create viable planets so they could start anew.

"Opposing them, the Tetch embraced the spirit of the inventor and discoverer and never refrained from employing technology to get ahead. They’ve always thought of themselves as champions of progress, pulling back the veil on the universe’s machinery and discovering new cures.

The politicians love to pit these philosophies against each other as propaganda—the healthy, equitable Roimirans versus the soulless power mongers, or the backward neo-hippies versus the civilized Tetch. But this war isn’t about how the other half lives.

Explain that, the interviewer said.

He was happy to. There was a catch, you see. Although the alien technology was freely given to the peoples of Earth, it has a large price tag when it comes to actual use. It’s much cheaper to purchase an established planet than to induce an ecosystem to grow from scratch. Over the centuries, the Tetch have expanded too quickly and depleted their resources. They want more territory, but we Roimirans aren’t selling. That’s the real cause of the conflict. It’s a boundary dispute.

So you attribute the cause of the war to economics, not politics? the reporter asked. Interesting. And what is your role? You’re one of several trained precepts working with the Roimiran military. Where do you fit in?

Jack kept his voice level. "As you know, occupied space has become a powder keg of skirmishes and intrigue. Open communications are restricted because someone is always listening, and espionage is on the rise. Most agents work for the government to uncover sensitive information—anything they can use as a tactical advantage against the other side. They program intelligence carriers to deliver that information in person, often burying the data beneath a layer of amnesia or false memories so that it’s less likely to be intercepted. More recently, however, we’ve seen a boom in black-market intelligence carriers.

There are always people who will try to profit from war, and there’s now a whole network of underworld operatives whose only goal is to steal valuable secrets for resale. They have no allegiance to anyone and are only looking for a windfall. Once these private dealers dig up intel, they abduct innocent people, program them, and then deliver them to the highest bidder. These carriers are often left with no recollection of the abduction or even of who they were before they were programmed. Whether the carriers are government agents or innocent victims, we precepts use our abilities to intercept the intelligence they’re transporting and to help them recover their identities.

I see. The reporter sounded skeptical. Well, thank you for talking to us, Mr. Deimos. Next up, UPIP, the United Planetary and Interstellar Police, announces increased security for long-range commercial space vessels. We’ll hear about this initiative from Detective Izarra of UPIP’s Missing Person’s Division and learn what you can do to stay safe while traveling abroad.

The transmission cut off, and Jack sank back into his chair.

What do you think? he asked his small audience. How did I do?

His friend Nash gave him two thumbs up. Norma rolled her eyes, and Superintendent Kaplan looked thoughtful. Mixed reviews. Jack wondered what his mom and Terrah would think when they heard the broadcast, although his mother was more concerned that he still wasn’t married.

Come on, he said. All things considered, I—

The blare of an alarm cut him off. It came