The Price of Pleasure (Saurellian Federation 1)

Calla felt sick to her stomach–she hated this violence, and Sarai seemed to have become another person entirely. The woman’s expression was feral, and Calla had no doubt she’d be ready and willing to kill Seth if he tried anything. The thought of Seth dying made her breath catch; she had to do something to protect him.

“All right,” she said, trying to bring everyone’s tension level down a notch. Her own gun was lowered–she knew she’d never be able to harm Seth. Sarai might, though. It was up to her to get them all out of this alive. “Sarai, we just need to get some supplies together. Seth, we’ll be leaving you and Bragan with enough food and water to last until someone gets here to rescue you. Who do you want us to call?”

Seth glared at her coldly for several minutes, refusing to answer. She’d never seen him so angry.

“Well, just think about it,” Calla finally said. “Sarai, you keep your blaster on him. I’ll get his things together.”

Walking quickly through to the sleeping room, she grabbed a carryall from the storage closet. Mali and Able were watching her with wide eyes. Suddenly realizing their father had just died, Calla paused in her motions.

“You need to stay in here no matter what you hear, all right?” she said. “You’re being very good children, and your mother and I will explain everything to you as soon as we’re done. Are you going to be okay in here?”

“Yes,” Able said, putting a protective arm around Mali. “Did something bad happen to papa?”

Calla hesitated, then decided to tell them the truth.

“Yes, something did happen to your papa,” she said slowly. “There was an accident, and he’s dead.”

Mali snuffled softly against Able’s shoulder, and the little boy’s face paled.

“I’ll take care of Mali,” he said, steeling his shoulders. “You take care of mama.”

“You’re being very brave,” Calla said, tears welling up in her eyes. “I know your mama will be proud of you.”

Able rubbed Mali’s head with one small hand, comforting the little girl. His eyes followed Calla’s movements as she started stuffing the bag with clothing and blankets.

“Are you making Seth leave?” he finally asked.

“Yes, I am,” Calla said.

“Maybe he wants his pictures,” Able said after a minute. “Those kids look really happy. If I was him, I’d want them pictures.”

The boy was right, Calla thought. She should pack Seth’s pictures for him. She walked quickly around the room, pulling Seth’s pictures off the wall as she went. When she had them all, she wrapped them carefully in a small plastic sheet and tucked them in the side of the carryall. Then, wondering if she was crazy, she tucked the small blaster into the pocket with the pictures. He wouldn’t find it right away, she told herself, but he might need it to survive. Able’s eyes widened as he watched, but the boy said nothing.

“I’m leaving now, so you keep taking care of your sister,” she told Able, then she swung the sack over her shoulder and carried it out into the main room.

Seth was still sitting there, staring sullenly at Sarai. The slight woman continued to hold the blaster on him steadily. Her face was still pale, but the look on her face was determined. Bragan remained in his corner, standing. He was still tied, but they had loosened the bindings to make him more comfortable.

“How are you doing, Sarai?” Calla asked cautiously. The woman was so tense she looked as if she might break into a thousand pieces at any minute. Her husband’s lifeless body still lay on the floor between her and Seth.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just keep moving, because I want to get this over with.”

“All right,” Calla said. “I’m going to get the food and water packs now.”

It took her about twenty minutes to build a little pyramid of supplies sufficient to feed and water Seth and Bragan for several weeks. Help should arrive long before then, she kept telling herself. Seth would be just fine.

Once all the supplies were ready, she walked over and let Bragan out of his bonds. The man grabbed her suddenly, causing her to gasp in shock. Sarai’s voice came anxiously from across the room, “What’s wrong?”

Bragan gave Calla a smacking kiss on her cheek, then let her go.

“Nothing to worry about,” he said. “I just wanted to wish her luck. Now what do you need me to do?”

“I want you to drag Calvin’s body and the supplies into the airlock,” Sarai said.

“My pleasure,” he said, grinning broadly. Then he spoke to the angry man across the room in his sing-song way, “Oh, Seth, we’ll become great friends in our time together. You’ll see, you’ll see.”

The tone of his voice alarmed Calla–would Seth be safe with Bragan? The man was definitely unhinged.

She made a snap decision to cuff Bragan before allowing him off the ship. Seth deserved that much at the very least. She glanced over at him quickly, afraid to meet his eyes. He sat there, hands above his head, staring at her steadily. There was a promise of retribution in his eyes.

It only took Bragan a short while to load all the supplies, but Calvin’s body was too much for him to handle by himself.

“Seth, help him,” Calla said. Seth stood slowly and deliberately, flexing his arms as he rose. His hands were clenched into fists tight with anger. Calla shivered, backing up a couple of steps.

“I won’t hesitate to shoot,” Sarai said. “I’ve already done it once, I’ll do it again. I have nothing to lose, so don’t tempt me.”

Seth believed her, because he turned to grasp Calvin’s body under the armpits. Bragan took the feet, then together they lifted the man and carried him out into the airlock. The Seth spoke for the first time.

“Leave the Jansenite here,” he said. “It’s too dangerous to take with you.”

Calla was startled, and she looked to Sarai, unsure what to do.

“He’s right,” Sarai said. “Calvin always handled it very carefully. He could use it to blow up this ship, though. Do you think he’d rather die than let us escape? It would be a suicidal move.”

Seth merely glared at them, but Calla spoke.

“I don’t think he’ll do that,” she said, hoping desperately that she was right. “Remember, Seth, the children are completely innocent. They don’t deserve to die, no matter what you think of us.”