Jexx

By Linda Mooney

He couldn't die without her, and he wouldn't die with her. Not if she had anything to say about it.

The tide has turned in a centuries' long war, and the Intergalactic Military has been tapped to step in and lend a hand. Sent to assist the Bo'Estrons, Captain Jelia Linh and her crew find themselves under immediate attack and in a fight for their own lives.

The rescue goes wrong, and ironically Kaxx must save the ones sent to aid them, but he isn't expecting the feelings the female captain invokes.  The tingling sensation he gets when he touches her. It couldn't be…could it? He'd missed his chance long ago.

The mission to help find the missing crewmembers is proving futile, as they're all being picked off one bunker at a time. The battle is heating up, and it's no longer about protecting their own. The Bo'Estron are fighting back, but with the Varnarians teaming up with the Hojinths, do they stand a chance? 

War. Betrayal. Enemies. Allies. Saviors. Mates.

Torn between duty and love, two become one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Jan 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781941321911

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

Chapter One

War

The bunker rocked under the force of the bombardment, nearly knocking him off his feet. Almost deafened by the explosions, Kaxx grabbed the reinforced wall as dirt and debris rained down on him and filled the cramped space with dust, making him cough. Pressing a hand over his mouth and nose, he fought the tears watering his eyes as the shaking and thunder faded away. Overhead, sunlight barely filtered through the thin camouflage that covered the underground room, but it was impossible to tell if there were more Hojinth aircraft in the vicinity.

Drol stumbled inside. Like Kaxx, he kept a hand over his nose to block as much of the fine sand out of his lungs as possible. He was covered in so much grime, he was nearly a solid brown color. Spotting Kaxx, the warrior gave a nod.

You all right?

Kaxx coughed again. Yeah.

They remained standing where they were, keeping still and silent as they listened to what was going on overhead. After a few more moments of quiet, and no further evidence of an extended attack, they both breathed easier.

It was a strafing run, Kaxx remarked.

I agree, Drol said. What I can’t figure out is how they knew we were here.

Maybe they didn’t. Maybe they were taking pot shots, hoping to get lucky.

Drol grimaced. Let’s hope that’s what it was. I dread to think how bad things could get if those Hojies were able to see underground now.

They were interrupted by the sound of someone racing down the tunnel, toward them. Judging from Drol’s relaxed posture, Kaxx knew who it was.

Aris appeared from the dark interior and stopped beside her Govun mate. Like them, she was hacking from the dirt and dust particles still swirling in the air. Kaxx noticed how she laid a hand on Drol’s arm. It was a simple gesture, but he knew there was more going on beneath that simple touch.

Farkek wants us all to gather up front. Immediately, the woman informed them. She didn’t ask either of them if they were safe. She knew her velu was because of their unique connection. And if Kaxx had been injured, Drol would have been tending to him when she arrived.

The three of them hurried through the narrow connecting corridors until they reached the main hub where the others were gathering. Kaxx noticed several who were bloodied or bearing marks where they’d suffered wounds from the attack. Bada clutched his arm in a way that made Kaxx believe it may be broken.

Farkek strode in, followed close behind by his two subordinates. He came to an abrupt halt just inside the doorway to address them. That wasn’t a Hojinth air ship that buzzed us. It was Varnarian.

His blunt announcement was followed by shouts of concern and anger. Kaxx glanced around the room. He understood their outbursts. This was worse than bad news. Taking a seat on the end of a low bench, he waited for what their leader would say next.

The room quickly died down, and everyone turned their attention to the man whose scowl mirrored their own. Kaxx noticed how Farkek gripped the hilt of the sword sheathed by his side until his knuckles were white, and immediately knew that what the man was about to reveal would be worse news.

It seems the Varnarians have joined the Hojinths in this war.

Kaxx found himself on his feet, along with many others. Their unified roar of disapproval was almost deafening. Many pounded their fists in their palms to show their rage. Farkek patiently waited for them to calm, although Kaxx could tell their cries equaled the man’s own resentment. Once things settled down for the second time, Farkek adjusted his stance and continued.

I know what you’re all thinking. By having the Varnarians on their side, they’ve shifted the balance of power. But this is not the time to despair, and I have several reasons why.

The Varnarians use the same technology as the Hojinths, someone called out.

Farkek acknowledged the remark. They do, and that is one reason why this pairing of the two could be detrimental to them both. If we are able to defeat the Hojinths while they use their space craft and weapons, then fighting the Varnarians only means we’ll have to double our effort.

So you don’t see their combined forces as being any more dangerous? Porthin questioned with clear skepticism.

Kaxx spoke up. I agree with Porthin. Just because the Varnarians are more technologically advanced when it comes to space travel than we are, they may have weapons we don’t know about.

Farkek nodded. It’s very possible.

Which may explain why they just did a bombing run over us, Aris pointed out. They might have a way to see us underground.

If that’s the case, then why did they do just a strafing run? Teelis queried. If they have a way of pinpointing our exact location when we’re below ground, why didn’t they stay and continue firing at us? Wipe us out?

Kaxx waved a hand in Teelis’s direction. He has a point. I don’t think the Varnarians have any higher grade tech than the Hojinths do. If they did, they’d be using it on us.

And the strafing run was just a fishing expedition to lure us out into the open, Teelis finished. Another tactic, probably instigated by the Varnarians.

Did anyone get a good look at the craft that fired on us? Mecal questioned. Getting to his feet, the man surveyed the room. Do we know for sure it was a Varnarian vessel, and not a Hojinth ship?

It was Hojinth. It was Breet who spoke, one of Farkek’s commanders.

But it didn’t sound like a Hojinth ship, Drol countered. It didn’t act like a Hojinth ship, either. Hojies have never pulled that tactic before.

Which can only mean they’re learning from each other, Farkek stated. They’re not only combining technologies, but also strategies. The man nodded at Kaxx. I know that look on your face, old friend. What else are you thinking?

Kaxx chose to be blunt, as he always was. As he always had been when he had been one of Farkek’s subordinates many years ago.

I don’t think they joined forces to exchange information. I think that was a secondary consideration.

From the expression on the group’s faces, he could tell they were puzzled and not quite grasping what he meant. Kaxx lifted his face to directly address them all.

I think the Hojinth forces are decimated. I think they brought the Varnarians in to replenish their numbers.

The room was silent following his statement as they all digested his remark. It was Drol who challenged him, as he’d half-expected.

What makes you think the Hojinth forces have been decimated?

Kaxx rubbed the back of his neck where the muscles were screaming from tension. I cannot say for certain. Call it a hunch. Call it intuition. Maybe it’s because of the way the ships we’ve seen lately aren’t flying as smoothly or as expertly as before.

Younger, less experienced pilots, Farkek murmured.

Kaxx continued. Maybe it’s because there hasn’t been an organized effort to swarm us in vast numbers like they’ve done in the past.

Not enough warriors to fill the ranks, Teelis softly remarked.

Farkek sighed loudly. You have some very valid reasons, old friend. But in the end, what remains is that this war has changed. The enemy is now reinforced, which means we may all soon be overwhelmed.

What can we do? Parsot called out.

Julla added her voice. Yes! What is our next step to counteract?

I just got off the comm with the Head Council, Farkek informed them. They’ve come to the conclusion they have no choice. If the Hojinths are going to break centuries of tradition, then in order to survive, we must do the same.

And do what? Kaxx called out.

The Head Council has sent out a message to the Planetary Alliance, letting them know of our circumstances…and to ask for their help. The man paused for a moment to let the enormity of what he’d said sink in before finishing. The Alliance has agreed, and is sending us several squadrons of their best warriors. They should be arriving within a few days.

The room erupted again, but this time Kaxx heard a mixture of relieved voices amid the dissenting ones. Without waiting for Farkek to formally dismiss them, he slipped back into the tunnel to return to the bunker where he could sit and think in private, and hopefully in silence, as he tried to come to grips with the enormous implication of what was to come.

Chapter Two

Deployment

Jelia poked the lumps of brownish substance that was supposed to be beef stew. Barely one year into her mandatory five-year tour of duty, and she was already sick of ship food. Long ago, she’d memorized the rotating two-week menu. A menu the food generators never wavered from, in order to make their supplies last the entire tour of duty.

Today is Tuesday, beef stew. Tomorrow, some kind of chicken in a questionable white cream sauce. Thursday will be meatloaf day, or what’s supposed to pass as meatloaf, although I’d bet a month of my salary there’s less than ten percent of real meat in—

A barely perceptible shudder went through the vessel, but she was aware of it. She always could tell when the ship entered or exited hyperlight. Most people didn’t notice it, and she’d never understood how they weren’t able to sense the shift. She checked around the sparsely-populated mess hall, but as she’d expected, the handful of people there seemed oblivious of the change.

Hey, Linh!

Jelia glanced over to see Montmarch waving at her from the other side of the cafeteria. The lieutenant gave her the signal that she was needed. Leaving her meal on the table, she followed the woman out into the hallway.

Meeting in Speller’s office, the lieutenant informed her.

Any idea what it’s about?

Montmarch shrugged. No telling. I’m just following orders to let you know.

Jelia thanked her and hurried to the lift that would take her up to the Command level of the ship. Maybe this had something to do with them going into hyperlight.

As she exited onto C Deck, she glanced out the front wall of windows, and immediately knew something was amiss. She paused in mid-step to stare at the vast darkness where streaks of brilliant color flashed by. As she’d suspected, they were no longer orbiting the third moon in the Tars Xi Anga system. Her hunch had been right. Wherever they were headed, they were moving at top speed. Wonder what came up? she murmured, and proceeded toward the conference room.

Haskill, Cash, and Ulmandori were already present when she entered, along with Speller. They were gathered around the central table where a holo program projected a system with a fiery orange sun and four, no, five planets. That area of space looked vaguely familiar to her, but at the moment she was unable to recall which one it was. Speller was talking to Cash when she strode over to join them. The major gave her a nod.

Good. Now that we’re all present, let me explain what’s going on. We’re on our way to the Ars Plavian system. Specifically, to Ars Plava II.

Ars Plava II. Now it rang a bell. Jelia placed her hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward, her interest piqued.

As all of you already know, Ars Plava II has been the center of a civil war between the Hojinths and Bo’Estrons. This planet is smack dab in the middle, an uninhabited rock between the two warring worlds. As long as the Hojinths and Bo’Estrons chose to fight on it, instead of trying to invade each other’s worlds, the Planetary Alliance had no problems with it.

So what’s changed that has us heading there now? Cash questioned, voicing what Jelia and probably the others were thinking.

The Hojinths have convinced the Varnarians to join them, and that’s drastically tipped the scales in their favor, Speller continued. We’ve been ordered to intercede on behalf of the Bo’Estrons.

Did they request our help? Haskill queried.

Not formally. Only in a roundabout way, from what I’ve been told. You know them. Honor and tradition binds their lives. But we all know that if the Hojinths manage to win this one, they will take it to the next level and obliterate everything and everyone on Ars Plava I.

Those two species have been fighting for eons, Jelia spoke up. Why all of a sudden have things gone south?

I don’t know and I don’t care. I’m here to do my job, just like the rest of you, Speller admitted. All that matters is that we’ve been ordered by the PA to lend what manpower and weapons we can to the Bo’Estrons. In the meantime, a diplomatic council has been dispatched to Varnaria to see if they’ll back off.

Ulmandori snorted. Wonder what the Hojinths promised them that convinced them to join forces?

How long are we to lend aid? Jelia interjected. She had a sneaking suspicion, but kept it to herself. Unfortunately, Speller’s answer was exactly what she wasn’t wanting to hear.

However long it takes. So you better buckle in and prepare yourself for the long haul. Speller straightened. I’m calling an all-points teleconference in fifteen to explain the situation, and what we might be facing when we arrive. Giving each of them a stern look, he informed them, I notified you four first because your squads will set boots on the ground first. Give your people a heads-up.

Jelia and the others gave a curt nod to show they understood, and left the conference room. Once they were all inside the lift, Haskill softly wondered aloud, Bo’Estrons, eh? I’ve never encountered a Govun. I’d kind of like to see one of those bad boys in action.

The word sounded familiar, but she couldn’t glom onto it at the moment.

Cash snickered. Neither have I, but I wouldn’t mind checking one out to see what makes it tick.

What’s a Govun? Jelia asked.

A body melter, Cash told her.

Ah. Now she remembered some of the stories she’d heard about those unique creatures, but all this time she’d dismissed them as elaborated fairy tales. I’d like to get a close-up view of one of them, too. I’d like to find out if they warrant all the hype I’ve read.

Trust me, Linh. They do, Ulmandori responded, surprising her and the others.

You’ve met one? she asked, eyebrows raised.

The lift stopped, and everyone exited to head for their designated squad rooms without her getting an answer. At the same time, the all-call came over the intercom.

All squads, report to your commanders. All squads, report immediately to your commanders, stat.

Jelia was at her station before her men arrived. As each one entered the room, they gave her a courteous nod and salutation before taking a seat. There was just enough space to accommodate eight chairs and nothing else. If she needed something to hold her notes, she used the extendable arm bracketed to the wall.

She eyed them as they watched her, waiting. Every man was a fit and prime soldier. Galactic class warriors. Every time she took her place among them, she felt a sense of pride. These men were under her watch, under her command. She was responsible for their lives, as well as for the success of their mission. It was a heavy responsibility, but she’d earned it.

Colonel Speller is about to make an announcement regarding our new assignment.

They all appeared surprised by this news. Then again, they were accustomed to being reassigned. Just not this soon after arriving at what was supposed to be their current duty.

Before anyone could raise a question, the room dimmed slightly, and the front wall brightened. The face of the ship’s commanding officer gazed back at them.

"Gentlemen, as some of you may already be aware of, we’re no longer in the Tars Xi Anga system. We are on our way to Ars Plavia. More specifically, to Ars Plava II.

"We all know of the never-ending war between the Bo’Estrons and the Hojinths. Every one of you studied it in your pre-cadet classes. But until this point in time, the Planetary Alliance has remained out of it. However, because of recent developments, we’re no longer taking a stand and watch strategy.

"We’ve recently received word that the Varnarians have joined forces with the Hojinths, and that has dramatically turned the tide in their favor. The Bo’Estrons have not formally asked for our support, but it’s clear they’re seeking help from anyone who’ll aid them. They’ve notified the PA of the situation, so the PA has determined that we need to provide an additional source of security for the Bo’Estrons until the situation can be remedied. How long that’ll take, I can’t tell you. Not because I’ve been instructed not to, but because I honestly don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. Not even the PA. But one thing is certain. If the Hojinths manage to win this centuries’ old war, they will not hesitate to wipe out and destroy Ars Plava I, and every Bo’Estron on it. Women and children alike. And that cannot happen.

We’ll reach Ars Plavia in fifty-four hours. Squads Bravo, Delta, Echo, and Tango will put boots on the surface first. Foxtrot, Victor, and Yankee will follow once the all-clear is given. The rest of you will remain on board and at-ready. Speller out.

The wall went dark, and all eyes turned to Jelia. As she expected, Thomas spoke first.

Permission to speak off the record, Captain?

Permission granted.

I fucking hate politics.

Sung and Teval raised a corresponding middle finger in silent agreement to their comrade’s remark. She understood their resentment, but she kept her mouth shut regarding that matter.

Let’s not dwell on the reason why the PA has decided to step in. Let’s think about the millions of innocent lives on Ars Plava I that’ll be wiped out if the Hojinths succeed.

What exactly are we expected to do? Arterberry countered. What did Speller mean when he said we’re to provide an additional source of security? Are we backing the Bo’Estrons in direct combat, providing a frontal assault, or taking a backseat and letting them lead?

I don’t know. I don’t think the Bo’Estrons know. I don’t think anyone knows. Remember, they aren’t outright asking for our help. It could be a pride thing. It could be a cultural thing. We’ll find out more when we get there. When we land, we’ll take an ORA approach. That’s all I’ll say on the matter until then.

ORA? Young queried. How will we know what we’re observing? How will we know how to react? And how the hell will we be expected to adjust? We know nothing about these species, other than the blip that was taught to us in cadet school.

Then I strongly urge that all of you spend some time doing some research, she answered, making it sound more like an order than a suggestion. Learn all you can from what information we do have.

One more question, Captain? Denver spoke from the