Page 2 of Desperate Measures

Betra had nowhere to be until the evacuating Earthers arrived, and Resan knew it. Hence, the request he’d made for the Imdiko to assist him. Betra fought to keep his excitement over the upcoming shore leave to himself. If Resan were given any clue of Betra’s hopes to visit a certain Earther female for an extended period, a female the Dramok had no liking for, he’d hit the roof.

Their Nobek clanmate Oses, the transport’s weapons commander, chose that moment to join them in the gym. “I was sent to tell you Dr. Tep would like a word, my Dramok.”

Resan slowly swiveled to face him. His brow was raised, and his gaze was cool, but a smirk played on his lips. “Since when are you Medical’s messenger boy, Oses?”

The Nobek’s craggy but attractive features were stone-like. It was at such times Betra was grateful Oses was so much older than his clanmates. He had the stoic reserves to draw on a younger Nobek wouldn’t possess. Resan’s occasional barely veiled insult, a knee-jerk reaction when he was upset or anxious, failed to elicit the warrior’s temper.

His tone even, Oses said, “I was on my way here and passed the department. Tep saw me and requested I tell you to ‘get your ass to Medical’ to meet him right away.”

“Because of Lieutenant Yulg, no doubt.” Resan’s eyes rolled.

“I didn’t ask. Tep seemed rather irate and apparently decided against comming you for fear of what he might say. Was Yulg’s injury worsened by his physical therapy? It would be his second setback.”

“He was, and it was his own damned fault both times. If Tep wants a shouting match because the asshole won’t do his exercises properly, I’m more than happy to give it to him.” Resan flung his cleaning cloth aside and started for the door.

“Actually, his anger appeared not to be for you. Perhaps he believes both of you shouting at Yulg at once will set the lieutenant on the proper path to full recovery.” Oses’ expression remained stoic, but Betra was certain there was amusement dancing in his purple eyes.

Resan stopped and huffed, planting his hands on his hips. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Assuming the worst of a situation before I learn what it is.”

“You could always discuss the matter with Dr. Feru,” Betra said in his most helpful tone. When Resan turned on him, his face darkening in anger at the intimation he required emotional therapy, the Imdiko smiled. “Just joking.”

Resan growled and shook a finger, but a grin erupted. “Damn it, why won’t you let me have my grouchy morning? I was in such a fine temper.”

“I’m sure you’ll recover it when you and Tep speak to Yulg. I doubt I can keep you from wallowing in grumpiness for long. You’re too mean to be affected by the likes of an Imdiko made of sunshine.”

Resan laughed, his handsome features enhanced by outright humor. “Sunshine! In your dreams, angsty one. Ah, what would I do without you two?” Still chuckling, he left.

Oses gave Betra a smile. “I’ll tell Tep he owes you. Whether he’s mad at Resan or not, you’ve at least spared him being skinned alive the moment our clan leader walks in Medical.”

“Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. If Resan unloads on someone else, he’ll have less for me.”

“Because? Ah, the shore leave on Kalquor. You’re hoping we can visit Shalia.”

Betra managed to keep from cringing under his Nobek’s sharp and disapproving gaze. “The kids too. We always take our nieces and nephews somewhere.”

Oses roused to anger was the fiercest man Betra had ever encountered. He was more brutal than Resan in a bad mood, but he could be shockingly gentle when he wished it. “She’s Matara Shalia of Clan Seot. What we had with her ten years ago was incredible…but it’s over, Betra. We’re lucky to have any part of her life now.”

“I know.” Irritability akin to his Dramok’s rose to have to face the truth. “Just as I understand I’d never have made her a proper clanmate. And Resan…”

“Respects but hates her. As she respects but hates him. Even if she left her clan, which would be wrong because they’re perfect for her, it would be impossible for us to claim her. Resan’s the ideal Dramok for us, but those two together?”

“One would die, and the other would be in prison for the murder before a month was out.” Betra sighed. “Is it so wrong I still care for her? That I can’t wait to be near her?”

“You know I feel the same. But she’s our friend now, Betra. She can’t be more.”

Betra marveled at Oses’ understanding and patience. “I’m stupidly excited to see her every time. Why can’t I let go? Why do I want what isn’t right for any of us?”

“Because love has no use for good sense. As we’re well aware.” Oses, who’d loved Betra long before the strictly heterosexual Imdiko had realized he could negotiate a clanship including men, wore a wistful smile. It sat strangely on his strong features. “Who would have thought Resan, you, and I could make a relationship work? Somehow, we do. But you must bow to the impossible, my Imdiko. Shalia isn’t for us. She never will be.”

“Yeah.” The voice of experience and reason was right, but Betra’s heart stubbornly refused to hear it.

* * * *

“There’s nobody on board to talk to. To hang out with. Am I really supposed to keep to myself all the way to Alpha Space Station?”

Charity Nath heard her voice rising, but she couldn’t seem to rein it in. First, she’d been forced to take leave from her university classes on Jedver. Now she was being compelled to run from the planet she’d called home for the last six years. She wasn’t even allowed to go to Earth II.

Heaven forbid she be allowed to enjoy the world terraformed specifically for her fellow humans in the wake of the original Earth’s demise. Instead, she was to be shoved onto the cold, dark space station orbiting it.

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