The Mad Lieutenant (The Lost Planet 3)

Draven and I had spent the night wrapped up in each other. It wasn’t until dawn that the cravings abated, and not long after that, Breccan was pounding at our door demanding that Draven join him for training. I tagged along because 1. I missed him, dammit, and 2. Who wouldn’t want to watch two half-naked, ripped aliens wrestle?

I sigh. “We’ll think of something.”

Aria is practically drooling. “It’s indecent, really. Maybe I’ll talk to Emery once we can tear her away from Galen’s greenhouses. She’d really enjoy watching Calix participate.”

I’m agreeing to this when Sayer sprints through the door, looking alarmed. He spots Aria and me on the sidelines and comes straight to our side.

“What’s wrong?” Aria asks.

Sayer’s eyes are on me. “You have to come with me. It’s urgent. Come now.”

I share a panicked look with Aria. “Dammit, Sayer, if Jareth or Theron made a meal out of one of my herd, I’m going to be pissed. I told Draven that I was going to breed some rogcows for meat, but these things take time.”

Sayer shakes his head, the top-knot he’s tied all his inky black hair in bobbing with the movement. “It’s not that. Come, quickly.” His nervous energy propels me to my feet, and I bolt after him, leaving Aria and the baby behind.

He leads me down the halls to his office. There’s a disembodied voice playing the same transmission over and over on the radio, and it takes a minute for the somewhat familiar voice to penetrate my panicked thoughts.

“My name is Willow Franklin, from Earth II. My mother, Molly, was sentenced to life at the Exilium Penitentiary after killing my father in self-defense. I’ve been searching for her for twenty years. There are several reformatory planets in our galaxy, but I’m looking for planet Mortuus, formerly known as planet Earth. If you can hear me, please respond.”

The message plays again. And again. And again.

Willow.

I can’t make sense of it. It’s only been a short time, at least for me, but she says she’s been looking for me for twenty years. Had I been asleep that long? Had I missed everything?

I crumple to my knees as the transmission repeats. Hope and despair war inside me. Tears of triumph and frustration well up and streak down my cheeks. How is this happening?

Vaguely, I can hear voices behind me, but I strain to listen to the message again, even though I’ve heard it several times. Willow.

“We received the transmission about an hour ago,” I can hear Sayer telling the others. “It took me that long to decode it. I remembered Molly saying her daughter’s name was Willow. I came to her as soon as I understood.”

I sense Draven behind me. He wraps his soothing arms around my waist and lifts me up. Turning to him, I press my face into his chest. “She’s here. She’s looking for me,” I manage.

“We’ll find her,” he promises. “We’re going to find our girl, Molly. This I vow to you.”

Epilogue

Sayer

Everyone is talking all at once, giving me a rekking nog-ache. I would ask Avrell for some ghan-dust tablets, but he’s in a heated discussion with Calix. Both are growling and baring their fangs, seconds from ripping into each other. Calix has his reasons for not wanting to wake the remaining females, which I completely understand, but we also have Willow to think about.

They may be the key to unlocking everything.

“Enough,” Breccan growls, effectively silencing all morts and the two alien females in the room. Even little Sokko grows quiet. The only sound he makes is suckling on his mother’s nipple. “I’ve heard your argument, Calix, and your worry is valid. Emery nearly lost her life when she was pulled from the cryotube.”

Calix wraps a protective arm around his mate. She’s come a long way since then, when Aria foolishly yanked her out of cryosleep before she was ready. However, Emery came with health issues. It wasn’t all Aria’s fault. I think he fails to remember that part.

“But it must be done. We cannot keep those two alien humans the way they are forever. We morts are just, good, and kind. We are not Kevins, which is why we cannot keep them caged and asleep any longer.” He frowns and gives Avrell a nod. “Check their vitals then wake them. Emery and Calix will assist. Their discovery with the toxica agents could be useful if these aliens also have health issues.” The three of them leave without further argument.

Then, he points to me. “Sayer, I want you to continue attempting to reach Willow. I’m sure Molly will want to assist, as will Draven. It’s imperative that you make contact with her.”

Of course I will. As our faction’s linguistics specialist, communication and language is my job. If there’s a way to speak to her, I’ll find it. “On it,” I affirm. “Right, Uvie?” I tug my hair out of its knot, and it cascades down my front. With a quick twist, I affix it to the top of my head again—like Aria taught me—which is purposeful for keeping it out of my way while I work.