Heat

“It’s estimated that there are two million more humans unaccounted for in deep space, and as many as twice that number among the So-Quaal and the Kevrian, and the only people who know how to take care of them are slavers like E’Var. Now whether we like it or not, when we rescue a human, we accept responsibility for it, and the restrictions on our research methods are crippling us. I could be arrested for ru

Venekus broke off and looked down into the supply pack. When he looked up again, he had achieved a semblance of calm so complete it was nearly indifference. “So we’d appreciate any new information you might pick up while you’re there,” he said evenly. “And if you have to talk to one, use this.”

Tagen took the loaded dermisprayer the scientist offered him and turned it over in his hands. “What is it?”

“A mild sedative we’ve developed while working with the recovered slaves. It makes them very compliant for about half a day. It won’t hurt them,” he added when Tagen frowned. “But it will make them sick if they try to move around too much too soon. You have enough for five doses there, and that’s more than you should ever need. Do you have any questions?”

“Yes.” Tagen placed the dermisprayer into the pack, then shut and sealed it. He stood up. “Where is my ship?”

*

The sun had not yet reached its zenith before Kane realized he was going into Heat.

The thought stopped him dead in his tracks, and he stared in mute disbelief up at Earth’s sky, as though he could accuse the yellow star to its face. Heat. Full-blown Heat. He could feel the itching starting up already. Heat.

“Fuck,” Kane growled, not entirely unaware of the hideous irony in that particular epithet. He yanked the chemist’s pack from his shoulder and took a swift inventory of its contents. Hormone extracts, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals for making Vahst. Anti-toxins, anti-virals, antibiotics, dermal restoratives and nanozymes in case of disease or injury. One, and only one, protein boost. Three doses of Ti, a stimulant powerful enough to keep Kane awake and moving for forty of Earth’s hours, and which he had absolutely no intention of taking. No suppressants. Nothing that could even be made into a suppressant.

Kane ground the heel of one hand against his forehead, snarling at empty space. No suppressants. Son of a So-Quaal. No, strike that. No true son of a So-Quaal would ever go anywhere without full laboratory facilities.

In that instant, Kane was genuinely sorry he’d simply shot Bota Isk out the airlock. He wanted the tactile pleasure of ripping the fucker’s flesh off.

‘Take your time,’ Urak remarked in the back of Kane’s brain. ‘Sit around. Feel sorry for yourself. I’m sure the humans will take pity on your predicament and come here to harvest themselves.’

“They’d better,” Kane grunted.

‘You give up too easy, boy. You just ask yourself what’s harder, your will or your cock?’

Kane breathed low laughter and shook his head, still covering his eyes. “Easy for you to say, you’re dead.”

No answer.

Kane gave his pack a final irritated glare and then closed it up and shouldered it once more. Maybe he’d get lucky. It would be a few hours before Heat became unbearable, and in that time, it might grow cooler. He could handle Heat without suppressants for one day. Hell, he was an E’Var. He could handle it for two.

‘Don’t play tough with me, boy.’ And in the only prophetic streak that Kane would ever have, that part of him that spoke in Urak’s voice added, ‘You’re only tough if you can take it for twenty.’

Ha. Twenty days of Heat. Kane gri

As if there could be such a thing.

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