Temerity: StarStation, #3

By Toshi Drake

Can Gratch save his friends and keep his heart safe before the space pirates destroy everything?

Commander Gratch is stressed. He needs peace after almost losing his friends twice to the space pirates. With the crew of the Padua taking time to rehabilitate and relax on the Asyran Moon, Gratch hopes that all will be well; however, a tiny niggle of suspicion rears its ugly head and all Gratch knows is paranoia. Not everything can be this perfect. All hell will break loose if Gratch isn't ready. But a nighttime flirtation on the beach with Tyr, a mysterious man, distracts him from his worries and fear. 

Until all hell breaks loose and allies become enemies. 

Separated from his friends and with deadly robots intent on experimenting on him, Gratch fights to escape. His only chance at surviving is with Tyr who just happened to be at the right place at the right time, ready to rescue him.

Tyr's knowledge of the land and his sneaky ways worry Gratch. What if this man with his sly humour and his pretty eyes is only helping Gratch to further the Siwu's agenda? What if Gratch falls for him only to discover how dangerous Tyr is to his family? Is love worth the cost of an alliance?

Featuring a stoic hero and his sexy spy, Temerity will take you on a ride of nights lost in a jungle, killer robots and love built on trust.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Toshi Drake
• Release date: Nov 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215004456

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Isat on a lounger, basking in the warmth of binary suns. One was high in the sky while the other was slowly setting. The colours were amazing, and I was in pure bliss. Something I hadn’t had a chance to experience in a very long time. Being on the Padua especially took away any chance of exploring new worlds and cuisines.

I think I could get used to this life. Having people around to serve me and my every whim was addictive. For the past few years on board the Padua, I had been at the beck and call of a lazy dictator. He'd wanted everything done at his pace, and I was the one to enforce it, though I tried to be kind in my disciplinary actions. No one needed another asshole at the helm. This break was a chance to remember who I was and what I believed in. What better way than to nap and recharge with my best friends?

I laced my fingers behind my head and hummed contentedly. Nothing could ruin this vibe I had. My plan for this unexpected vacation was to sit by the pool and maybe on the beach overlooking a teal blue sea while stuffing myself with pounds of delicious Asyran specialty food. They believed in satisfying all the senses. Taste, colour, and texture were only the beginning. The Asyran chefs played with food like maestros, and I was more than happy to indulge in it. Sure, keeping myself trim and in shape was important for a chief of security, but the holiday setting cooled my jets, and I indulged all of my wants. If I gained a couple pounds, that was okay. I’d likely run it off, chasing after Damon’s escaping pets from their assigned cargo holds.

The green Asyran moon was completely different than Asyra, the home world. Instead of being covered in snow and ice, the moon was close enough to one of the suns to be a veritable jungle escape. The resort the crew of the Padua were staying at had a safety barrier surrounding it so the wild animals who lived in the jungle couldn’t wander through the sprawling open-concept resort. Everything was perfectly set, from the tall, tall trees to the big leafy plants placed around every exterior wall.  I wondered if there was a bit of terraforming involved. It had a contrived feeling to it.

I loved the Asyrans. They had been very kind to us, especially after Trest blew up half of their StarStation. However, something about this resort nettled me. Everything was too perfect. The hosts were too kind, and I hadn’t ran across another guest yet.  

Supposedly, Captain Sartris was going to meet with leaders from the Asyran High Council as well as members of the Maternai Council. The summit, I guess you could call it that, was supposed to begin very soon, and only members of the Virgo Cluster Corporation were visible. I prayed to the StarGods that this retreat would be exactly as advertised. My heart couldn’t take another abduction attempt or coup.

Basically, for me, it was a time when I could be outside and bake under twin suns. I didn’t really have any purpose other than making sure the members of my crew remained safe from any kind of threat. I sipped on my umbrella drink and enjoyed the heat and the view. A terrible hardship, a terrible duty, but someone had to do it.

Hey, Gratch, shift up. Must be nice to sit on your ass all day. Where’s your charge? The sarcastic rumble of Commander Damon Wild brought me out of my blissful dozing. Damon was the flora and fauna specialist on board the Padua. He protected the creatures and plants we transported to their new homes. Damon was going to be Captain Sartris’s first officer once everything was legal. He stood beside me with a glass of an ocean blue liquid with a frost whipped topping in one hand and a towel wrapped around his waist. His brown hair was soaked and plastered to his head as he smiled at me with carefree abandon. It was very good to be us. The darkness of stress and anxiety had finally lifted from his blue eyes. Right now, we had no problems.

They’re in meetings with the admiral and the Asyran High Council. As they are discussing some pretty confidential things, I was told to go rest and relax for a little bit. Sit down, pull up a chair. I waved my hand vaguely toward another lounger. Damon fell back with a grunt. I see it you were taking advantage of some of the amenities?

Of course. We have free rein to go anywhere. Since I don’t know when we’re going to be planet side for any length of time again, I’m doing everything I can. You? Damon asked after sipping his drink. He looked at the clear sky and sighed happily.

I’m going to sit here and just...sit. It’s pretty nice, not having to think about anything for once.

That’s for sure, Damon agreed. We ruminated in silence, watching nothing but the pool water’s gentle waves. Hey, Gratch, do you think this’ll be an easy trip? I mean, nothing bad should happen right?

StarGods, Damon. Why would you jinx it? You never say anything like that. This is our first planetary vacation in who knows how long, and I am going to enjoy the hell out of it. So, none of that... talk, I snapped. I knocked the side of my head, pretending it was wood so good luck would stay. I wanted to savour this peace and quiet. It was also the first time I didn’t have to think about fighting for safety precautions or worry about when the other shoe was going to drop. From when I grew up on Europa to when I joined the crew of the Padua, I had been waiting for something terrible to happen. And it usually did. But this, this serenity had to last. There was no way the Asyrans would ever let anything happen on their moon. I needed it to prove to myself that I wasn’t bad luck or a jinx.

Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to. Damon smiled apologetically and lifted his face to the sun. This week is going to be amazing. Zoagashta and Jaxy are together happily. The Asyrans have fully embraced Jaxy as one of their own, so I truly believe they want to help him with this psychic stuff. However...

Don’t you dare finish that thought, I ordered. It was likely the same one I was having but didn’t want to voice. The other side of the tribunal, the Maternai--they were mysterious and tight-lipped. There wasn’t any information about them or their history. Even Collins was in the dark, and he had been raised on their planet. He only knew of the strict rules that governed his people. He never spoke of the Maternai unless it dealt with hearts. What if they decided that Jax wouldn’t be allowed to stay on the Padua? Would we be able to fight that edict? I didn’t know if the VCC had enough clout to pull that off.

What? I wasn’t going to say anything, geez. I promise not to ruin the mighty Gratch’s precious sun time, Damon raised his hand and swore dramatically to the suns. He arched an eyebrow at me until I rolled my eyes. He started again, It’ll be fine. You worry too much.

Someone has to. Lately, every time we go someplace new, shit happens. I am not prepared for shit to happen, okay? I don’t know about you, but our crew is a bit of a trouble magnet? And we never did find out what happened to the ass who kidnapped Trest.

Gratch, we’re on a moon. A well-protected moon. You can relax a bit. Damon tentatively held out his hand.

I was just getting started. Poor Damon. He knew better. You say that. But I did a walk around of the resort before I sat down, and there are so many different blind spots and hidey-holes. The staff are few and far between. The only defensive measures they have are to keep the animals out. Even their shuttle deck is lacking in proper security protocols.

His eyes grew wide as I continued to rail and froth at the mouth. Do we even know who the captain is meeting? We were just told it was the Maternai, but who, Damon? Who?

He blinked at me and sipped his melted drink. He never took his eyes off me as I finally wound down from my rant.

I need answers.

 Hey, are you going to meet up with Eizen and Collins for dinner tonight? He said he invited the main squad out. I think he's feeling a bit lost or something. Poor guy likely hasn’t had a chance to breathe since he became captain. He probably hasn’t let Collins out of his sight at all. Damon blithely ignored my questions and changed the subject. It was one of his better traits.

I don’t blame him. Shit had truly hit the fan for him, and you can place some of the blame squarely on his dearly beloved. If Collins hadn’t answered that distress call, we wouldn’t be in this trouble, I retorted. I shivered at the mere memory of that awful encounter. Honestly, Eizen had stepped up when Collins took off onto that decrepit ship. His paladin personality had him taking down a corrupt captain. He only did it because of his affection for Collins. We likely still would be dealing with a falling apart ship if Captain Knight was our leader.

That didn’t answer my question, though. Are you going? Damon asked pointedly.

What do you think? Of course I am. I retorted. I bit my lip and spoke afterward. Do you think Jax and Zoagashta will attend?

Jax had been extremely touchy and even more reticent than normal since his almost-abduction. The relationship he had with Collins had changed for the worse.  I couldn’t remember the last time I saw Jax and Collins together in the same room. Zoagashta never mentioned anything to me, but then, I avoided the topic myself.

Ahh, right. Maybe not. I don’t think Jax is in the right mindset to deal with Collins. And with Zoagashta working with the Asyrans here on the moon, they won’t have the will to be a referee, even if one of the combatants is their lover. Damon shook his head. We were quiet for minutes as thoughts rolled around. The sound of gentle birdcalls and gently crashing waves soothed the war in my head. It was so different.

Europa was a moon colony that had been mostly terraformed with biodomes for living spaces. We didn’t have access to water like this, and to sit and listen was a treat to my senses. Being on a moon that had a big body of water and two suns was extravagant. There was always something to fix or something to do on board the Padua. Free time was after supper when it was dark and cold. This sitting and gossiping wasn’t done. Having a conversation while drinking was unheard of, and I wanted to take advantage of every minute I had.

Zoagashta’s been so good for Jax. I’m glad they never gave up, even when Jax was being his stubborn self. Though I have to wonder if Jax is enjoying this schmoozing stuff. He’s like me, and when the small talk starts, I want to bash in heads. I’d likely start something, I muttered, twitching at the mere idea of networking.

And that is why you are in security and not the diplomatic corps, Damon sang out. I gave him the middle finger and settled back in my chair. He wasn’t wrong though. I was the bruiser, the fighter. Tact was something that passed me over. Of course I wouldn’t be anyone’s ambassador. Damon was happy being the acting first officer until we could find someone who was better qualified to fill the gap. Damon wanted to explore new planets and save the animals and plants from destruction.

You’re a dick, you know that, right? I said conversationally. Maybe what was spoken was technically true, but Damon didn’t have to say it.

Sorry, mate. Just trying to have some fun. Have you heard from your mom recently? Damon asked innocently. And then he pressed on another raw nerve of mine. I bared my teeth, ready to tear a strip off of him. Seriously, every time she calls, you get prickly.

Seriously, Damon, I will end you if you continue with this line of bullshit. Get the fuck out of here, I threatened. He held up his hands in surrender before placing them across his belly. I waited a beat before relaxing. When he remained quiet, I let out the air I’d been holding and allowed myself to doze off. Nothing would keep me from having a much-needed nap.

When I woke up, Damon had a book and a drink beside him. I had a glass of water and another umbrella drink, still frozen, on my side table. Likely an apology. It was part of his nature. I stretched my sleepy muscles and set my lounger into a more upright position.

’Bout time you woke up. Jax and Zoagashta came by. You were right. They're not going to be going to Eizen’s wingding. The meetings are over for the day, and apparently Jax is wiped out. Zoagashta asked if you could see them at their quarters to discuss the next steps.

I chugged back the water, hissing at the sharp pain as cold wound its way down my throat. The icy liquid helped me to focus more than Damon’s words. I’m going to assume things aren’t progressing on Collins and Trest’s relationship. Poor Eizen.

Damon shrugged. We really shouldn’t get involved with that shit. But anyway, you really should get to Zoagashta’s. I’ll join Eizen and Collins in their suite. Maybe later we can compare notes.

"Fun times with the crew of the Padua. I dropped my head back to the chair’s frame and sighed dramatically. I guess I'd better see what’s up."

There’s no rush. You can stay here and wake up a bit more, Damon demanded. I rolled my eyes and stood up, wobbling a bit. Gratch, seriously. If you fall, they’re going to blame me.

You worry too much. I’m fine. I waved away his concern and remained still until my head stopped swimming. I knocked back my fruity drink and sighed. Time to work.

CHAPTER 2

Winding my way to the front of the resort was, as always, confusing, and I knew I was growing more frustrated every time I found myself in the wrong corridor. The building was set up in a sprawling, deceptively simple wheel with the centre portion being the reception area. The conference area was down a hallway, more opulent than the regular guest quarters. Access to outdoor amenities was via three different spokes while the personal suites were somewhere else even more complicated to reach. Restaurants and indoor amenities were near the main reception. I understood, I thought, why the Asyrans did it like this.

As I approached the receptionist, a trio of robed people walked by. They all wore gold masks covering the lower half of their faces. Each one was a different demon, and their eyes were striking. One of the people caught my attention, and they nodded at me before continuing on. The exotic look, the luxurious capes intrigued me and worried me. As far as I knew, the Asyrans had rented out the whole resort for the summit. They didn’t want any surprises or mishaps.

I smiled at the receptionist as I leaned on the desk. Hi there, I’m looking to connect with Commander Zoagashta or their partner Commander Trest. Can you contact them for me?

Of course, sir, The receptionist was a tall, thin Asyran with a pale orange waterfall of hair with two chunks hanging in front while the rest was tied back in a twist. Their body was slight like a willow branch with delicate bones. They would not do well in a fight. They spoke quietly in the resort’s communication system before turning to me with a pleasant smile. Commander Zoagashta will meet you in the residential spoke. It’s past the transporters and down the green corridor.

Thank you. Have a good night. I knocked my fist on the counter and attempted to follow the directions. It was too damn easy to get lost in this mess. I managed to find the transporters, but the green corridor was a challenge as the hall was filled with lush flowers with vibrantly coloured leaves. I turned in a circle, growing frustrated with every minute I wasted.

Problems? a clear, easy voice asked. It was one that invited laughter and joy, not something I needed right now. I turned and faced the person. He was slight, smaller in every way than me, but his bearing told me he was strong, very strong. His warm amber eyes matched his personality as they danced with hidden mirth.

I was supposed to go from the green corridor to the residential wing, and I don’t know where I am now. It feels like I’m heading back to the outdoors stuff, I admitted helplessly. I turned around, looking for something concrete to find my way again. Honestly...

"I get you, friend. I totally get you. I