Desert Empress of Deimos
Tara Loughead
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2010 Tara Loughead
For Leigh Brackett
The Martian Moon War, Part Two
"Diving into that space wreck has cost us quite a lot of time, Bulays."
"Tell me about it. That projectile vomiting matron who couldn't handle the zero-G wasn't much fun, either."
"Yes, it appears you have a talent for attracting the nasty green stuff," grinned Ghaavn. He turned his attention to his headset communicator. "How long until we reach Deimos, Captain?"
"About 20 minutes until you'll be in shuttle range, Ghaavn. So get your gear together and get down there," answered Buck. "Lady G asked me to tell you that she has cleared things with Dahminike. You shouldn't have any amateur lion taming to do on this trip." She chuckled, then cut the communication.
***
Looking back at their newly landed shuttle, Bulays remarked: "Definitely more civilised, parking near the front door."
Ghaavn nodded in reply. "Said front door is still heavily guarded, though. So take it easy." Two heavily armed and red battle-armour clad women stepped out from a well-fortified gate to meet them. "We're expected," said Ghaavn, showing his Ministry credentials. The pair stepped apart, and let them through.
Through the gate they were met by a woman in orange-hued leather, just a shade darker than the flaming mane of hair she possessed. "I am Pira, Dahminike's battle commander."
"We're here to try and make your job less interesting, Pira. Can we see her?"
"Yes. She will be available shortly, and asked me to meet you."
"We appreciate your time, Commander. We possibly don't have very long, however. As far as I am aware, Dargolm and Dahminike command similar forces. Is that actually the case?"
"Pretty much. I'd prefer not to get any of my girls or boys killed, though. Unless it is by me when they deserved it."
Bulays laughed. "Lady, I think I like your style. After this is over, drinks are on me."
Pira appraised the tall blonde black body-armoured Amazon of Earth, looking her up and down. "Sounds good to me. Right this way then. She'll be finished now, I reckon."
***
The chamber Bulays and Ghaavn entered at Pira's direction was a warm, earthy colour. The woman seated on the throne at the far end, was golden-skinned. Her wavy white-blond tresses reached all the way to her hips. She wore the briefest of red-satin bikini panties, with red metal bracelets, collar and thigh rings. Adorning her breasts were little more than two large nipple shields of similar satiny material. "Come, Ghaavn," she called, beckoning the two warriors forward. They complied. "I know you find all this old fashioned, but it is ancient tradition." She held out her hands to either side of her body, palms upward. Indeed, her attendants wore even less. Bare-breasted, the women to either side of her had gauzy skirts, and around their brown-skinned ankles tiny golden bells could be seen. The occasional faint chime of such could be heard as they shifted position. The pole arm-bearing male guards in each corner of the chamber had uniforms that covered almost as little. Leather harness straps, and sandals. The steely expressions on their hard, red faces matched the dull scarlet metal of the armoured codpiece that was their only other accoutrement.
"It's been a long time, Dahminike. So I'll cut to the heart of the matter. As I suspect that may be what this involves. Where is Rhogan?"
"The boy is here, Ghaavn. Yet it is not what you may think." Her eyes gleamed with the dangerous light of the ruler that knows she commands. "Pira is bringing him now."
