Rebel’s Flight: The Obsidian Series, #1

By Kate Pearce

Sentenced to ten years hard labor on a prison planet means the end of Nia's protected existence as the emperor's 'pet'. But her welcome among her own people isn't assured, and the man assigned as her bond holder makes his disgust of her all too clear. Can Nia convince her peers that she has valuable information that might prevent the eradication of their telepathic race or will their distrust of her cause them to miss the opportunity to soar?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Pearce
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393003885

Kate Pearce

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer. She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.

Book preview

1

Nia regained consciousness as sirens blared and the life support capsule that had been her prison for the three standard week journey from Meta-Ankoleite snapped open and deposited her, naked and gasping on the floor. She only realized the ground was moving when the sensors attached to her skin ripped off and she was propelled on the conveyor belt toward a dark tunnel.

Even though she curled up in a ball the water spray hit hard, leaving the bitter taste of disinfectant in her mouth and eyes. Two hands grabbed her elbows, forcing her upright before shoving her forward.

Get in line. No talking. Keep moving!

She shuffled forward, aware that her balance was off as she was sent through a white, sterile area where she received several shots. Her arm was bleeding and throbbing by the time she was pushed forward again, handed a stack of clothing, and directed through a door.

Get dressed.

The single-occupant cell was barely big enough to move around in. It took her a while to put on the underwear and dark green jumpsuit. Her prisoner number was stamped on every item of clothing, just as it was on the skin of her upper left arm. There was even a hair tie and cap to contain her long tresses.

When she’d finished dressing, Nia took a moment to steady herself against the vibrating walls. The noise level was deafening. Were they still on the ship, or had they arrived at the prison planet Heliodor? Not that it mattered. Her destiny was now in the hands of others and she’d better get used to the idea.

From what she remembered at her military academy basic training, the planet had been terraformed so that the empire could access its Helium-3 for the space fleet. The minerals had been discovered by the Earth colony on Mars centuries ago, but they hadn’t initially had the technology to exploit them due to the atmosphere being too similar to Earth’s. Science had moved on, allowing the mining to proceed even as the Earth lost its battle to survive—leaving its Mars colony to conquer the galaxy.

Despite the noise, Nia had almost fallen asleep on her feet before the door panel in front of her slid open.

Step forward. Put your hands in front of you and look down at the ground.

There was no point trying to reason with a guard who had a gun pointed at her head. Nia did as she was told as he locked her into handcuffs.

Prisoner 19360192. The guard checked her tattoo and then prodded her with his weapon. Move out.

She walked as slowly as she dared, trying to take it all in, aware that every detail might one day save her life. Like most of the empire, the place appeared to be run like an extremely efficient machine, and she wasn’t stupid enough to risk anything just yet.

She waited for yet another guarded door to be raised to allow her and her escort through, and suddenly found herself in a huge barn-like structure with a view to the outside. She was on a raised platform with around a hundred other recently disembarked prisoners overlooking a sea of upturned faces. Hot air caught in her throat and the swirling red dust made her want to cough.

The guard raised his voice. Adamite Settlement. Prisoner 19360192.

Here.

Nia held her breath as a tall male dressed in black came toward them. His hard gaze swept over her and he nodded to the guard.

He handed over a disk. My authorization from the governor.

She pretended to keep her gaze on his dusty boots while she covertly studied him. He was probably twice her weight and definitely taller than she was. His face was harsh, his hair black, and his skin was coated with the reddish dust that seemed to be everywhere. He didn’t wear a prison uniform, so he wasn’t an inmate. Not an easy man, but anyone who chose to live and work on this planet and survived could hardly be anything else.

The guard shoved her toward the ramp. Get moving. He clipped a long rope to her handcuffs and handed it over to the man. Report your safe arrival using the regular channel.

Will do.

With a sharp tug on the rope, the man turned away bringing Nia stumbling after him. The brightness of the sun hit her hard and she turned her head to one side, wishing she could lower the brim of her cap.

He walked ahead of her into an endless field filled with carts, ramshackle vehicles, and unknown creatures and eventually stopped by an animal loaded with packs. He tied the rope to the back of the saddle and vaulted onboard with the ease of an expert.

Move out.

Ex-military then? Like her? Convicted of a crime? Or had he been a guard who’d completed his service and decided to stay on? She’d done some research on the planet, but there was very little information out there even for someone with high security clearance.

As she had no choice, she started walking, aware of the noise of the star port gradually falling away as she trudged along the side of the well-traveled road. Faster, motorized vehicles sped past them churning up the dust making her cough. At some point, they stopped, and he offered her water, which she drank greedily before he capped the bottle and moved on again. Time became a blur of low reddish hills with no vegetation or shade until all she could focus on was putting one foot in front of the other.

She stumbled badly and came down with a crash onto one knee, her hands useless to help her regain her balance. Her companion crouched in front of her and brought her to her feet in one easy motion.

Look around you.

She stared uncomprehendingly at him until he took her by the shoulders and slowly pivoted her in a circle.

You’re fifty clicks from the space port and two hundred and fifty clicks from the next settlement. There’s no water, no shelter, and nothing to eat. If you run, they won’t bother to chase you. They’ll wait until your sensors record your death and they might recover your body if it’s in an accessible place.

As he seemed to expect some response she nodded.

I’m going to release you from your handcuffs for the rest of the journey to our settlement. What you do after that is up to you because I’m not chasing you down, either. You clear?

Nia swallowed more dust and nodded again. He offered her the water before stowing the bottle in his belt.

Hold out your hands.

She offered him her wrists and a moment later her hands were free. She rubbed and flexed her fingers.

Thank you, she offered.

He didn’t reply, his attention on the looming circular building ahead of them and the ever-encroaching darkness.

Stay right behind me. He unshouldered his weapon. Don’t speak.

There were two guards in the security box, but they waved her companion through without stopping him. He went to the livestock area, stabled and unsaddled his steed and handed Nia a large pile of goods.

Let’s go.

She grappled with the boxes and followed him again until they arrived at a large black armored vehicle. He opened the rear and gestured to her.

Put those inside.

Her arms were already aching, and she had to force herself to comply. Three standard weeks in a stasis pod played hell with your muscle tone and general fitness level. Her legs were shaking so badly she could barely climb into the high clearance vehicle. She was almost surprised he’d let her sit upfront having expected to be loaded in the dark, windowless back like cattle.

He started the engine, which sounded way better tuned than the exterior bodywork suggested and gestured at her seat belt.

Put it on. We’ll be moving fast.

She secured the webbing around her torso and was immediately pressed back into the seat as the vehicle lurched forward. After a while, as dusk closed in around them, her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep.

She woke up when he poked her in the side and blinked at the approaching gates swinging open. The settlement was surrounded by a series of chain link fences of various heights and deep ditches. Watchtowers were set at regular intervals their spotlights bathing the edge of the settlement in an unwavering white glare.

Welcome to Adamite Settlement.

Nia rubbed her dry eyes as they passed through the main gate and into a long-fortified passageway. There were guards on top of the walls, guns pointing down at them.

Imperial troops, her companion said. Required by law at each settlement.

She had no idea what he was trying to tell her and stared blankly ahead until he pulled over into a covered bay and stopped the engine.

Stay there.

She was too tired to argue and sat passively until he opened the door, his weapon again on his shoulder, and gestured for her to get down. She slid out of the seat, her knees folding as her feet hit the ground. Only the presence of his hand at her elbow stopped her falling completely.

Move.

She walked forward into the harshly lit loading bay and took the ramp to the door as directed. Her companion pressed one finger to the keypad, and they were admitted into a white hallway that smelled like disinfectant.

A red light blinked over one of the doors and he led her into that room. There was a table, two empty chairs on one side of it and another on the other side that was already filled by a female in a white uniform.

Governor Marr. This is 19360192.

The woman looked up at Nia who stood to attention. So I see. She returned her attention to the security screen. Sentence: ten years for treasonable crimes against the state. Health, good, intelligence high, physically fit and fertile.

As the Governor didn’t seem to require an answer Nia just stared at the wall behind her head.

If you breed her, no more than six pregnancies in ten years are recommended.

Nia realized the woman was addressing her companion, who was nodding.

Breed?

You can’t do that, Nia blurted out. It’s against the law.

Governor Marr smiled. Not on Heliodor. Population growth is necessary to this community and to this world. She paused. One more interruption and I’ll put you on report.

Nia shut her mouth.

You will work for the community three days a standard week and the rest of your time will be directed by your bond holder. She nodded toward the silent man standing behind Nia. He has been approved by the Adamite council and the imperial authorities and is responsible for your conduct during your time here. Obey him and obey the laws, and hopefully I’ll never have to see you in front of me again.

Governor Marr stood and the shimmering screen abruptly shut off. I’ll confirm her arrival to space port. You may take her now, Ten.

Did she have any possessions off the ship?

No. The lieutenant looked at Nia. Nothing.

Then let’s go. Ten, if that was his name, stepped out of Marr’s way and beckoned to Nia. He handed her a backpack as she exited.

Basic supplies.

Nia followed him out. What else was she going to do? Maybe in a few days she’d get some of her confidence back, but at the moment she was as scrambled as a badly done space transport.

At least the air here was fresher than at the space port. A cool breeze stirred the back of her neck as they walked through the mass of buildings and out the other side, exiting into total blackness.

The settlement has only been here for twenty years. It’s not well established yet, which is where you come in. Her companion kept talking as he walked. We’re building dwellings, digging gardens, and creating community.

And impregnating prisoners, Nia added the words silently in her head. Her energy levels were so low now that she was almost moving in her sleep.

At some point they stopped in front of a low, single-story square shack. It looked like it had been dropped out of the leaden sky onto a barren rock. There was no exterior lighting, and the rest of the flattened trackway on which they’d been walking appeared to lead nowhere.

Welcome home. He went up the path and unlocked the door. They entered at the rear and went through into the single room structure. There was a small kitchen unit against one wall, an alcove for the bed, and a table and two chairs. Having assumed she’d be in a prison cell, Nia wasn’t quite sure what to make of her new accommodation. Ten dumped his bag on the table and Nia followed suit.

Bathroom’s through there. He pointed to the door next to the bed. Water comes on twice a day—at dawn and dusk.

Nia went through to the bathroom, which lit up with a feeble glow to reveal a miniscule shower, sink, and toilet. There was a basin filled with tepid water in the sink. After using the facilities, she washed her hands and face and went back inside.

Ten had unpacked the boxes and was distributing the supplies in the kitchen. He tossed her the water bottle. Help me finish up and we’ll call it a night.

She obediently put everything where he told her to and then sat down on one of the chairs while he went into the bathroom. The interior walls were as blank as the face of the man who apparently had total control over her life. Her glance strayed to the bed and then away again as he came out, his black hair damp and spiky.

He stripped down to a T-shirt and boxers and sat on the side of the bed regarding her steadily until she had to meet his gaze.

I’m not into rape. He picked up one of the blankets and threw it at her, pointing at the rug beside the heat source. Sleep there or with me. I don’t care.

She grabbed the blanket and slid down from the chair to the floor. A thin pillow hit her on the shoulder, and she took that too as he got into bed, turned his back on her and went still. It took her a lot longer to fall asleep, her senses still so muddled after three standard weeks of space travel that she had no concept of time.

But she was here, and she was alive. It wasn’t what she had expected, and she guessed Ten might be difficult to deal with but she’d manage. She always did.

She woke to the sound of a siren followed by a loud rendition of the national anthem and found her companion already up and coming out of the bathroom. She scrambled to her feet and dashed past him, closing the unlockable door as best she could and got two minutes in the shower before the water shut off.

During one of her sleepless periods, she’d investigated the backpack and found a toothbrush, soap, and a comb along with a change of clothes. There was also a thin mattress pad, which she wished she’d known about before lying down on the earth-packed floor. She brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and felt a lot better than she had in weeks.

When she entered the main room, Ten had placed two food packs on the table. Eat.

The food was as tasteless as the stuff she’d been served in prison while waiting for the transport ship to bring her to Heliodor. She ate it anyway. She couldn’t afford to be ill-prepared for the many challenges ahead. Apart from her time in the military, she’d lived such a privileged life that the adjustments were sure to be harsh. She already suspected she’d get no concessions from her bond holder, who looked disgusted every time he had to acknowledge her existence.

He took her out to the back of the house and pointed at the wire fence defining the three sides of the flat yard.

We’re going to break up the surface, turn it over, fertilize it, and plant it. He handed her a spade and a fork. Start at the top left-hand corner and work your way toward the house.

She adjusted her grip on the handle and his gaze intensified.

You don’t have the look of a woman used to hard labor.

I’m not, but I doubt you’re going to care about that.

He raised an eyebrow. I’m not your thraking nanny, princess.

Then what are you?

Your boss? The guy who tells you to jump and you ask how high? The bond holder who lets you live in his house so he can have children?

Nia’s mouth went dry and he grimaced.

Just do your job, okay?

Nia walked away. Well, she’d asked for it. She now knew exactly what she was