Intimate Weapons: Scicia Saga

By Kathleen Scott

Jovita Rees is running for her life.

Infused with nanites to heighten her natural abilities, Jovita has become little better than a weapon for her people. The cost of these heinous experiments was the complete erasure of her memories. With little more than the memory of her name and the medical torture she suffered on the Celedon science colony of Theta, she stows away aboard the Vanden vessel, Guidestar, to flee the guards of Presari Station.

Hoping to exchange sex for safe passage to Vanden, she stows away on the ship of Mallic Telonis, the Vanden Regent's First Advisor.

Mallic is shocked to discover a beautiful Celedon woman in his bed. Despite her offer and beauty, he is troubled she would offer such a prize for a ride across the galaxy when all she needed was to declare political asylum. A check into her background finds unexpected results when it comes to light Jovita Rees was not only the court psychic to the Celedon tsia but died under mysterious circumstances. So, who is the woman in Mallic's bed?

Into the confusion, word comes that a powerful weapon has been smuggled off Celedon. The break-through technology could shift the balance of power in the known worlds. Mallic fears Jovita knows where the weapon is kept, but never dreams the woman he has begun to desire more than any other he's known, may be the weapon in question.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mystic Kat Press
• Release date: Sep 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215149041

Book preview

Ch1

Presari Station – Scicia Docking Port, Outer Ring

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Station guards gained on Jovita Rees.

Fetid breath with the distinct stench of oil and burnt machinery blew down her neck. One footstep more and they’d catch her. She feinted left, then cut right, going under a divider meant to keep out the general public from the loading stations.

She hit the conveyor belt and rolled. Startled port employees jumped out of her way. Luggage tipped and tilted, scattering over the floor. She didn’t stop to see if the station guards had made it through the small opening, or if the port employees had joined in the chase.

Her heart pounded. Blood thrummed behind her eyes, turning her vision into a red plane.

Please, heavenly Mother, not now.

Her prayer went unanswered as the grid rose, closing out most of her frontal vision. The change disoriented her, tripped her.

Traction on the slick flooring was non-existent. She started to go down. Then she spotted it. The Vanden vessel, Guidestar. Help was only a few steps away. Without heed to the repercussions, she hurried up the loading ramp and found herself surrounded in luxury.

The transport was unoccupied.

How was that possible? The loading ramp was down, and the ship was in a hold used for pre-flight checks.

She knew this vessel by reputation and by the healthy dose of coverage it got on the vid feeds. The Guidestar was the flagship of the Vanden ambassadorial fleet, used by the Vanden Regent’s First Advisor, Mallic Telonis.

It was that voice in her head, the one that told her to get to Vanden that made her move deeper into the transport to hide from the guards.

By now, the port security had her likeness on the info-links as she broke through the luggage barricade. She only wondered what lies her government would tell the Presari officials to have her extradited back to Celedon.

Well, she wasn’t going. She didn’t care if it was a matter of national security.

At least that’s what Wulfgrad told her when she’d insisted on freedom. He’d alluded to her being nothing more than a very important part of his life’s work.

She’d be damned to all the hells before she submitted to anyone as their life’s work. She was her own person. Even if she had no idea what that meant.

Movement stalled her in her tracks as she made her way through the shuttle. She fell back behind a pillar, flattening herself against the instrument panel. Adrenaline shot through her body, activating the nanites again.

She closed her eyes until the dizzying effects corrected. It had been like this since the first time those goddess-forsaken scientists had shot them into her system. Fear or excitement caused the microscopic machines to fire in her blood and begin the transformation. To what, she’d never been allowed to find out. The scientists always kept her under heavy sedation for their heinous experiments.

After a few deep breaths, she realized there was no one coming. She hadn’t been discovered. She peered around the pillar and sighed in relief. What she’d thought was movement was nothing more than her reflection in a shiny metal panel.

The image staring back at her was a near stranger. Her only true memories started the day she’d woken, strapped to that damn hospital bed, the object of some government experiment. But she’d learned quickly to distrust her captors and their needles.

The reflection wasn’t a person she’d known for her nearly twenty-seven common years. She didn’t even know if that was her true age or just something they’d made up. The only things she had to cling to were her name and the fact she was a Celedon. All else was a whirling mist of confusion.

Her life began when she awoke.

Her gaze slid away from the stranger in the mirror. She made her way to the living quarters. The ride to Scicia wasn’t a long one. Less than a full twenty-six-hour day. Perhaps first advisor Mallic would have no need of his berth.

The idea made her snort. Even tucked away in the remote outpost of Celedon’s science colony of Theta, she’d heard of the first advisor’s voracious appetite for beautiful women. This was her chance. Her prayer had been answered.

And still the voices urged her to go to Vanden.

Thank you, Holy Mother. I knew you’d show me the way.

Jovita hurried to the bed and stripped. Positioning herself in the middle, she waited for the first advisor to arrive. Sex for a ride to Scicia. An inspired plan if ever she heard one.

Thoughts of sexual satisfaction at the hands of such a practiced lover ignited the nanites. Blood pulsed in her neck and between her legs. She hadn’t had sex with a man since being transformed. Any gratification she experienced was at her own hands, though she was sure a few of the scientists watched her through the observation glass.

She remembered no lovers but knew instinctually the mechanics of the act. Would it be enough? A man such as Mallic Telonis had certain sexual expectation. He had to. He hadn’t gotten his reputation by being discreet.

Her body hummed in anticipation. No doubt remained that first advisor Mallic would succumb to her terms. Men had killed in the past to possess her--though how she knew that without the details or particulars she didn’t know.

The memories were as murky as a swamp. Her physical appearance hadn’t changed during her imprisonment. The woman within had undergone a metamorphosis. At times, bright flashes danced behind her eyes and she wondered if it was her memories returning or the nanites firing.

Noise from the common room put her on alert.

Her nipples hardened in anticipation. Liquid pooled between her thighs.

Security believes she may have headed to a transport as a stowaway. The voice stopped outside of the room. I ensured them of our cooperation should we see her.

Do they know why she was being chased in the first place? That voice sent the nanites soaring. The deep resonance rippled along her nerve endings, made her breath sheer up short.

Port security gave no details. Their only concern was that she breached a security checkpoint and it made them look bad. Given the fact there were four men in hot pursuit of her probably had more to do with her scuttling through the hole like a mouse fleeing the cat.

Jovita took exception to being compared to a rodent.

There was a brief pause in the conversation. Notify me when we’re ready to depart.

Yes, First Advisor.

The door opened and in walked the Vanden ambassador, First Advisor Mallic Telonis. Jovita swallowed. He was more impressive in person than she’d ever imagined. His vid images had never done him true justice.

Well, what have we here? He leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. Muscles rippled under the cut of his uniform sleeves.

Sex for safe passage, Jovita ventured. Much to her horror and embarrassment, didn’t look impressed.

Despite her aroused state, color flooded her cheeks. Heat seared her from the inside out. Something about the look in his eyes made her realize she’d made a gross miscalculation as to his susceptibility of her offer.

He pushed off the wall and moved forward. Why do you believe I’d make such a bargain?

Jovita grappled for something to say that was clever and sensual. The nanites might give her unimaginable power, but none of it came in the form of speech. That ability was still all her own. Unfortunately, nothing smooth or witty came to mind.

Mallic raised a brow. His expression impatient. Well?

She stretched a little. The movement made her breasts rise. Mallic’s gaze never once wavered from hers.

Humiliation tripled. Undoubtably this was the most humbling moment in her life since waking. Not only had Mallic Telonis not taken her up on her offer of sex for safe passage, he’d dismissed her physically without a second glance. Perhaps he found Celedon women unattractive as a whole. They were pale as captured moonlight and pearls. In contrast, Vanden women ran the spectrum from dark olive to deep tan. They were also known throughout the galaxy for their poise and beauty. Refinement in manners and court etiquette were taught from the cradle.

With a sinking feeling, Jovita decided on something as close to the truth as she dared. I seek political asylum.

That was all you needed to say. Mallic pointed to her clothes scattered on the floor near his bed Get dressed and we’ll discuss the matter as we depart for Scicia.

He gave a brief nod and closed the door.

Alone, the silence grew to unbearable levels. Even the hum of the shuttle engines failed to comfort her. Humiliation soured in her bloodstream. Jovita hadn’t a choice now. As a matter of fact, it was probably better this way. Though why she hadn’t thought of it in the first place she didn’t know. Because she wasn’t so much seeking political asylum as she was trying to outrun the scientists.

She reached down and stepped into the tight leggings. The fabric irritated her skin. Certain fabrics sent the nanites into a frenzy. Mellesian wool was one of them. The scientists, particularly Wulfgrad, insisted she wear it so they could monitor her epithelial reactions as irritants filtered through the nanites.

Not even her allergic reactions were her own.

It was no way to live.

She pulled the matching shirt over her head. No wonder Mallic had been repulsed, he probably noticed the spots on her skin from the reaction or where she’d scratched.

By the time she donned her shoes, her cheeks were hot, and tears of embarrassment burned her eyes.

Anyone who had outrun the port guards had no business feeling anything but pride. She was moments away from taking off from the space station and finding safety in the country of Vanden on the planet of Scicia. Danger was a thing of the past. Once in Vanden, she’d apply for citizenship and find a place to live and a job to give her income. Maybe she’d fade away like a ghost on the wind and cross the border into Telesia never to be seen again.

She’d have to wait and see.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Jovita exited the berth and followed the whisper of voices to the small bridge section. The ambassador spoke with the pilot. Off to the side, a woman dressed in black from head to toe with a bright red dragon insignia on her arm held her hand on the butt of a sword. An Ashlin warrior.

A hiccup in the nanites made her weary of the woman. A faint hint of past danger echoed through her blood.

The Ashlin glanced up and gave a discreet cough to let the others know they were no longer alone.

Mallic gestured for Jovita to return to the passenger section. She obliged since at that moment a troupe of guards passed before the front viewer. Too close for comfort by any standards.

Sit and we’ll begin processing you for asylum status. Mallic showed her to a table with a communication’s console and seats with harnesses so they could remain in place as they lifted off from the artificial gravity of Presari Station.

The Ashlin followed silently behind and took up a seat adjacent to the table. Close enough to offer aid should Jovita become violent, but far enough to allow them the illusion of privacy.

As far as they knew, Jovita was unarmed. No one knew about the nanites but her and the scientists who placed them. No one asked her if she wanted to host the nasty little bits of technology. Though in all fairness, she didn’t really know if her government had singled her out or if she was a random conscript, abducted and made to serve in some technological war.

Mallic tapped a few commands into the console and the Regent’s Seal of Vanden appeared on the screen. Name?

Name? No one had asked for her name in so long, she’d almost forgotten anyone cared about such a thing. She’d been referred to as Subject 07942 the entire time she’d been at Theta. Or the short-speak of plain old sub.

Look, I can’t very well give you asylum if you aren’t willing to share basic information. He cut a stern gaze her way. Odd considering how I found you.

Twin flames burned up from her neck to her face. The nanites stirred. Jovita made a fist in her lap. Jovita Rees. I’m a Celedon.

I gathered that. He typed her name into the console. Another screen flashed and Mallic sat back, his brow furrowed. Try again. Name?

"That is my name."

According to the Celedon records base, Jovita Rees died two common years ago.

Jovita swallowed hard. Does it say how?

Mallic hit a few more commands. If you are Jovita Rees, you should at least know how you died.

If that was his stab at sarcasm, he could keep it to himself.

I didn’t die. I was abducted.

For the first time since meeting him in the flesh, Mallic Telonis, ambassador and first advisor to the Vanden Regent, looked directly at Jovita rather than through her. You better start at the beginning.

Ch2

Mallic had a hard time looking the Celedon in the eyes. Celedon irises weren’t the same as the ones typical humanoids possessed. The iris colors changed with mood and barometric pressure. A person who had blue in the morning might have bright purple or magenta in the evening. Sometimes the colors swirled like storm clouds around the pupils. The trait was wonderful and fascinating and had the power to hypnotize.

The unusual quality also gave an interviewer a window to the truth. No Celedon, no matter how well they were mentally trained, had the power to affect the eye color change. Slow it down, yes. Stall it, perhaps. Stop it all together, no. Some studies suggested that certain colors identified a particular emotion. Other information stated the colors produced were more indicative of body chemistry and an imbalance might affect the change clear across the color spectrum.

Mallic wondered what it meant for Jovita Rees. Her eyes were constantly changing. No one color took dominance at the moment. It was, at the least, unsettling.

It also made it hard for him to figure out if she was lying to him.

When did this supposed abduction take place?

"I don’t remember the exact date. It was early Celedon spring. I know that because the ceddahberry trees were in full bloom. The petals falling to the ground in the breeze like pastel snow. She folded her hands over her chest. Then there’s blackness. I woke up in a lab, chained to a gurney. I’ve been there ever since."

Cold suffused Mallic’s veins. He had to tread lightly here. Treat every word from her soft lips like a fairytale. There may be no truth to the stories at all, or have a slight basis in fact.

How did you get free?

I managed to disassemble the electronic restraints that kept me locked to the bed. Then I waited for a vulnerable moment when Wulfgrad was careless and I slipped away.

Her eyes flashed red before settling back to a serene blue. Mallic suppressed the shiver that rolled through him. There was much more to that story, but he wasn’t about to press her on the fine details.

And who was this Wulfgrad? A lover?

A flash of what looked like lightning filled her eyes. I don’t make it a habit of taking monsters for lovers. I don’t care how desperate I am for release. Sexual or physical.

Well, that hit a nerve. Then who was he?

My jailor. My torturer.

Nadja, the Ashlin warrior, gave a small flinch from the corner. The stoic woman was attuned to others in peril, especially if they hadn’t the means to take care of themselves. It was her compassion as well as her skills with a myriad of weapons that earned her a place on the Regent’s staff.

Mallic made a signal with his hand to indicate it was all right.

Ambassador, we have clearance for takeoff. Ram’s voice had a filtered quality as it came through the speaker.

Take us out. The sooner they got away from Presari, the better he’d feel. Once Jovita had requested asylum, she’d been taken into the protection of the Vanden government and afforded all the rights and privileges of the ambassadorial staff.

That wouldn’t stop the station guards from putting pressure on him to board the ship to look for the stowaway. If they hadn’t made it to his ship yet, too bad for them.

It was only a matter of time before they ran the security footage and watched her sneak onboard.

Strap in.

Ambassador, station security has overridden the clearance. They want permission to board.

Right on cue.

He watched Jovita’s eyes begin to change color again. This time to a light green with pupils twin pinpoints of blackness. She was panicked.

You won’t turn me over to them, will you?

He shook his head. Let her believe the reason was because he was such a good man. The truth was that the station security had presented a political problem for him. If he didn’t flex his muscles now, they wouldn’t respect the Vanden government, regardless of what Ram had promised them. Not on Mallic’s watch.

Let them board. He stood to greet the security forces when they entered. You stay put.

Four security officers in the black and gray station uniforms boarded with guns drawn and face shields covering their eyes.

Ambassador Mallic Telonis, he bowed to them.

Turn over the offender and your ship will be free to leave. The voices came from all the guards. Either cyborg chipped humans or mechanical life forms, he wasn’t sure. This was a new development. Presari Station had always employed guards from all the planets it serviced. If the governor-general had begun to import or create his own force with a hive mentality, it might mean Presari was going to declare independence from the countries it depended upon. He’d have to inform Loden before they returned.

I must decline. The offender has asked for political asylum with my country and as a representative I will comply with intergalactic law. She is now under the protections of my staff. Any attempt to take her by force or to unlawfully detain my ship will result in an incident. Are we clear?

For a moment Mallic feared the guards would start to sputter and rock, with smoke coming out of their ears. They weren’t used to having their orders countermanded.

You will comply, the guards said.

No. If you insist, I will involve the governor-general and the Vanden Regent.

That is not within predicted parameters.

Why am I not surprised? He touched the com unit on his lapel. Ram, raise the governor-general’s office and tell him I wish to speak with him immediately or we’re going to shoot our way off this station and flush four of his guards out of the airlock.

Yes, Ambassador.

Nadja stood with her hand resting on her tiger sword. They’d be smart to leave the ship. But the more Mallic studied the guards the more he was convinced they were not human at all but programmed. Or perhaps part of them had been human at one time.

It bore investigation.

The governor-general is on the com, Ambassador.

He returned to the console and opened the channel to the governor-general. "Remove your guards from my ship immediately. I have explained that the woman you seek has claimed political asylum on Scicia. I have accepted her application and am prepared to transport her