Vengeance Denied

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Unknown Location: Freya

What the f**k? One second she stood next to Bash, the next she was surrounded by four metal pillars with criss-crossed red lights. All around her were more of the sections with women inside of them.

"Freya?" Bash's voice met her ears. She turned to see him in the cage next to her.

He reached out, but she stopped him. "Don't, it will shock you." She pulled information from the minds of the surrounding women. "Each time you try, the shock increases until it renders you unconscious."

"Where are we?" His deep voice soothed the worst of her nerves.

"I don't know, neither does anyone else." She pushed her telepathy further, past the large room, into the long hallways outside. Something was out there, but she couldn't read them. Loud static filled her mind as she tried to force it. After a few more seconds, she gave up. "I can't read them, whatever they are."

"Freya?" O'Paka's terrified voice came from behind her. Spinning around, she identified everyone at the complex. "What's happening?"

"I don't know." She repeated her warning to the group as they watched all the small cells fill up, blue lights flaring before a person appeared.

After a long time, all the spots were full. A loud voice with an odd accent permeated the room. "Please remain calm. Your beings are safe and will find new house. If you become combat, we will make you calm."

Freya watched for a sign that someone had entered, but there weren't any. Turning to Bash, she used their shared nanites to communicate telepathically. Why do I get a feeling they're trying to speak our language?

Bash was silent for a while, his gaze drifting to one side. A moment later, they snapped back to her. ERIC concurs. He thinks we might be on an alien spaceship.

This cannot be good. Freya sat on the floor, ensuring all her limbs kept clear of the electrified walls in the two-by-two meter cage. Her gaze drifted around the space, then landed on Bash. Fire burned in her belly. He wouldn't be able to stretch out comfortably in the space. At least if he laid diagonally, he could lie flat, but if he had a nightmare, he'd thrash into one of the walls.

Bash waved his hand to get her attention. Don't worry about me. I don't think I'll be sleeping much. Besides, ERIC will make sure I don't zap us.

Wipe that smirk off your face. We have no idea what's happening. Freya wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees.

I can't help it. All it takes is for me to think about holding you. Your sweet smile when you look up at me before I kiss you. Bash's eyebrows frowned at her. It's been too long.

Something tells me it will be awhile before we figure out what's going on. Can Eric access any of their systems remotely?

Bash leaned back until he laid on the metal floor. He's been trying since we appeared here, but so far nothing. Apparently their technology is outside of his parameters. We'd have to hardline in, or give him plenty of time to learn how to get in.

Freya sighed, tucking her chin until her forehead rested on her knees.

Did I ever tell you I'd always dreamed about meeting a woman like you? Freya didn't move as he spoke into her mind. Every time I read a book while I was in captivity, I imagined I was the hero and the heroine was a woman I'd some day meet. Every adventure the couple went on, each time it was me and the same woman I'd one day find. You're that heroine I'd always dreamed of. Of course, you do a lot more rescuing out of the two of us. My point is, if we don't survive this - whatever this is - I have no regrets about our time together.

Freya's shoulders shook as she held back the tears. But it didn't work. Warm streaks leaked down her cheeks. Even though Deja took her frustration at me out on you?

I chalk that up to her being a horrible person. Deja and Lux both had their own agendas when it came to me. Besides, you've given me something no one else ever has… love. And hope for the future. Bash rolled onto his side. There is one thing I still wanted to do before I die.

Alien Ship Cargo Bay: Bash

What's that?

A red light flared, the bright glow escaping around Freya's clothing, interrupting their conversation. Her gaze darted down, taking in the sudden change. Since Genevieve ordered Freya shot with the tracer, it glowed dimly, but now it was so bright it tinged everything red around her. The eerie effect dropped a weight in his gut.

It activated. ERIC's voice appeared in Bash's mind. He'd grown so accustomed to the AI inside his brain, it didn't bother him when it spoke. There's a new signal being broadcasted. I don't know enough about the signals I'm picking up to determine the cause for the change.

Green light shone from the tracer. Freya's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but her words disappeared. Her body faded as the green light flared. Pain flared through Bash's pupils until he had to close them. An itchy sensation replaced the pain for a few seconds. Then they felt normal again.

I've repaired your eyes.

Thanks. Bash opened them, then snarled. The cell was empty. Freya had vanished right before his eyes. Again.