Hungry Planet

Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com Copyright ©2007 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

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THE HUNGRY PLANET by Michelle Marquis WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Published by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 www.whiskeycreekpress.com Copyright © 2007 by Michelle O'Neill Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-59374-946-0 Credits Cover Artist: Editor: Louise Bohmer Printed in the United States of America Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press: www.whiskeycreekpress.com The Love Machine Her Alien Lover The Android's Kiss

Dedication To H.P., Louise, and last but not least Jan.

Chapter 1 Beth Shaw scanned the cabin to see how the other prisoners were taking the ride. There were three others—two vicious looking white men and one black woman. The men were both heavily muscled and tattooed. The woman looked to be somewhere close to Beth's thirty-two years. Her black hair was cut short and she wore the weathered expression of someone who'd seen a lot of misery in her life. Well, lady, here is one more for you. Like the men, the woman was muscular, and Beth felt as if she'd come to a dinner party terribly underdressed. The force from the shuttle's descent pinned her to the seat. She was sure they were going to crash. The cabin lights blinked on and off once then went off for almost a full minute before flashing back to life again. She dug her nails into the padding of her armrests, mutely cursing the handcuffs that kept her arms locked down. An unexpected dip sucked her breath away. When they leveled off, she took a few deep, calming breaths trying to slow her heart rate. The shuttle hit another air pocket and dropped a terrifying four feet. Beth's mind exploded in panic. Leaning over, she looked out the window to see if they had broken through the clouds. Great puffy blue clouds engulfed them obscuring her view of the planet below. The sight of the atmosphere was so surreal it made her feel as if she was shrouded in a magician's spell. A hard right roll shifted her in her seat and she clenched her teeth so hard it made her jaw ache. A shriek from the shuttle's metal plates filled the air as they protested under each maneuver's intense pressure. The engines whined as they struggled to remain functional, causing the entire shuttle to vibrate. Beth caught a glimpse of something large moving fast outside her window and gasped. Only a few feet from their wing flew another shuttle, rocking back and forth as it fought to gain altitude. Their shuttle boomed from the close contact as if it had been struck. One of the men inside the cabin was screaming obscenities, no longer caring how cowardly he sounded. The others, including their armed guards, sat like mannequins, their faces pale with fright. Their shuttle was obviously out of control, banking to the right and going into a horizontal spin that made her stomach turn. Beth pushed back into the seat cushion as they sped toward the planet's surface. I'm dead. There is no way the pilot is going to be able to land this thing. As if in response to her thoughts, she felt the force of the engines give off an ear-shattering roar and the shuttle stopped its spin. But it didn't slow their rate of descent. The first ground strike was a bone-jarring bounce that sent them ricocheting off the planet's surface and back into the air. The impact broke the shuttle in two, with the aft section hitting again a moment after break up. The shuttle body filled with an avalanche

of sand and flying debris. Beth closed her eyes in a desperate attempt to protect them. When she finally stopped being flung around, she realized they'd landed on their side and she was still attached to her intact chair. The taste of blood filled her mouth and she ran her tongue along her teeth to make sure they were all in place. After careful inventory, she realized the only injury she'd sustained was biting her lip. Unbelievable. Twisting her wrists, she managed to break off the seat arm and slide her right arm free of the cuffs. To free her left required more effort, and Beth spent the next twenty minutes hammering at it with a nearby metal rod from the landing gear. Once off, she squirmed out of her seat, dusting off some small bits of debris. Every muscle in her body ached as she stumbled from her piece of the ship. She looked around for other survivors and saw the other woman from the ship gripping her leg. Beth stumbled over to the woman and crouched by her. The woman hissed through her teeth, while holding her injury. Beth hoped it wasn't broken. “Try not to move,” she said. Beth looked out over the barren landscape. “Well,” she said thoughtfully. “I don't think they're going to send anyone to help us, so we're going to have to try and make it to the station on our own.” Placing an arm around the other woman, Beth helped her to her feet and led her over to a section of the ship's intact hull. The woman leaned against it. "Wait here while I check around.” Beth walked over to other sections of the ship, scattered around the desert. A few still housed some seats. The two male prisoners were dead, one still chained to his seat and the other torn into three gory pieces. Little was left of him but a carcass of bloody meat. She wondered if maybe they were luckier than she was. Next, Beth made her way over to the cockpit, which lay torn in two only a few yards from the rest of the debris. Both pilots were dead in their seats, peppered by sand and wreckage when the cockpit was breached. She lifted the pilot's sidearm and checked to make sure it was loaded. Opening a storage box nearby, she grabbed as much ammunition as she could fit in her pockets. As she made her way back over to the other woman, she noticed a man approaching from about half a mile away. Even from this distance she could see how tall he was. He moved with the lethal beauty of a seasoned predator, his pace was an easy loping stride. His dark hair was loose, running a little past his shoulders, and he was dressed completely in black leather. He was also heavily armed, with guns strapped to his hips and a holster under his left arm. The hem of his trench coat billowed behind him like a villain's black cape and Beth instinctively held her gun up as he drew closer. "Jesus,” the black woman murmured, squinting as she watched him. Beth couldn't tell if she was referring to their visitor or praying. “He doesn't look very welcoming."

Beth double checked the ammunition in her revolver and estimated his distance. “No,” she said. “I think you're right. I don't think he's here to help." Beth watched as the man advanced. He walked with a steady relentless stride and pulled his trench coat back from his guns as he neared shooting range. The woman closed her eyes and leaned her head back, holding her wounded leg as if it would make the pain go away. “I thought weapons were forbidden here,” she said, distracted. "I don't think anyone pays attention to that rule,” Beth said, fixing her sight on the man's head. “Stop right there!” She shouted when he'd come within range. “You take one more step, I'll kill you." The man held his hands out in a patronizing show of surrender. Then he reached slowly into his jacket and pulled out a copper badge. He held it up for them to see. He was still too far to clearly make out what it said but it looked official. "Come forward slowly,” Beth directed him. “And keep the badge in the air so we can see it." The man advanced until he was about three feet from them. “I'm here for Beth Shaw. You know her?" "It's a marshal's badge,” the black woman said. Her tone indicated she was still holding on to some hope for salvation. Beth kept her weapon trained on him. “What do you want with her?" "You Beth Shaw?” he said with a toss of his head. His voice was a thick baritone, a dangerous, commanding voice. “I've been sent by Doctor Jason Masters to escort you back to the Space Station.” His dark glasses showed nothing of his eyes. Beth hesitated then lowered her weapon. “I'll need some help with her,” she said, gesturing to the woman. She looked up at him and he was pointing his gun at the woman. "I don't need her,” he said, “only you." Beth's mind scrambled to find the words to stop him. “If you kill her, I won't go with you.” He paused and she thought about raising her gun and pointing it at him, but decided that would be a mistake. He walked a few steps closer, and pulled his sunglasses off. Beth had never seen eyes so grey. They were ghostly eyes, filled with the cold detachment of death. In that moment, she knew he didn't care about killing or dying. Each one was the same to him. She felt a chill roll down her spine and decided to exercise extreme care in dealing with him. Beth turned her attention to the woman still holding her leg on the ground. She tried to get the woman on her feet but she was too wounded to stand. “Help me,” she said to him

as he watched her. He hesitated for a moment, then holstered his weapon and came over to help her. “It'll be faster if I carry her,” he said. Beth stepped back. Crouching down, he wrapped one arm around the woman's legs and lifted her over his right shoulder in a fireman's carry. Beth was impressed by his strength. The action appeared effortless to him. He started off toward the station taking long, heavy strides. Beth had to jog to keep up with him. “No one else survived,” she said more to herself than to him. He grinned darkly. “Lucky for them." "What's your name?" The man stared at her. He seemed to be studying her, absorbing her. “Magnus Stone.” He pulled her out of the way of a large black scorpion about the size of her foot. “You need to watch where you're going." Beth thanked him and caught a glimpse of digital numbers tattooed on his neck. They weren't like the ones she'd received or seen on the other prisoners. She decided to ask him about them when she got to know him better. "How long have you worked for Doctor Masters?” she said trying to pry information from him. "I don't work for him. I'm doing him a favor,” he said. “He paid me to get you to the station alive. How you get to the medical clinic from there is your problem." Beth felt an icy blast of air gust down from a low-lying mountain range nearby. She shivered and thought how odd it was that this desert planet should be so cold. Since the crash, she'd average the temperature at somewhere in the lower sixties. Not exactly cold but not desert hot either. "How long have you been here?” she said. "Seven years.” The woman over his shoulder moaned in pain but he ignored her. “What's your sentence, Beth?" She grimaced at hearing such a familiar name come from someone she barely knew. “Life,” she said. He smiled, flashing a mouthful of straight, white teeth. “Good for you,” he said with an acid tone. “That shouldn't take long at all."

Chapter 2 The animal was awake inside him and clawing for release. His cock had taken on a life of its own, filling the front of his pants and his mind with lust. God what he wouldn't give to fuck her. Nurse Beth Shaw certainly was a handsome woman and much younger than he'd imagined her to be. Watching her as they walked, he took in her long, lean body and thick blonde hair. Her eyes were the lightest green he'd ever seen. His cock became impossibly hard and he tried to think of something else until they reached the station. She kept her eyes on him and he could smell her fear, like a nameless phantom, between them. The other woman lay over his shoulder; the wound in her leg making her groan with every step he took. He wondered if it was broken. If it was, she might be crippled for life, especially with the shortage of doctors. They walked into the station, and gathered a few curious glances from the locals. Quite a few whispered offers to Magnus, thinking him Beth's pimp. With every offer she overheard, she cast a wary look his way. He understood her mistrust. She had few reasons to trust him. Beth had given up the small talk about a mile back. “Where are we taking her?” she said finally. He glanced at her to read the emotion behind the question. Did she really care what happened to this total stranger? He guessed that was part of being a nurse. It was her job to give a shit about everyone else. “There's a small clinic by the main entrance. I was planning to take her there. That's her best chance, even if it is a little..." Beth squinted at him. “A little what?" Magnus stopped by the large metal door of the clinic and lowered the injured woman to her feet. He scanned the crowd behind them for danger. “A little crude,” he said. He hit a green button on the wall and the door slid open, revealing a crowded waiting room filled with sick and injured. There was a wide variety of people, both human and alien, and he could read the dismay on Beth's face. She turned to him, a muscle moving in her jaw. “We can't leave her here,” she said as Magnus walked over to the reception desk to check the woman in. He gave all the information he knew to the receptionist. A moment later he turned to Beth. “I think you'd better concentrate all your energy on worrying about yourself, Nurse Shaw. Believe me, she's going to be a whole lot better off than you are.” He turned, leaving the woman, and stalked out of the waiting room with Beth following close on his heels. "What does that mean?" He shook his head. “You'll see when we get to the clinic,” he said. He stopped in the

main concourse and examined all the hotel signs. He glanced at the massive entrance gates to the spaceport and watched the amber caution lights flash. The gates were getting ready to close for the night. He'd have to stay the night. Damn. He turned his attention back to Beth. “Good luck finding a guide out to the clinic. I'm sure you'll find someone in the morning. You should spend the night in one of the local hotels. They're probably not what you're used to, but they beat waiting out here all night for the blast doors to open." Beth opened her mouth and stared at him in shock. “What? Where are you going? Are you leaving me here?" Magnus folded his arms across his chest. “Yeah, I'm leaving you here." "Wait. What do you want to take me all the way to the medical clinic?" He smiled and leaned against the wall. She had no idea what she was asking. “I want sex —lots of it. And, before you agree too soon,” he said, stroking his chin, “you should know I like it rough and dirty." Beth turned an interesting shade of pale. He almost laughed at her. She licked her lips. He turned to walk away. "No, wait,” she said. “Okay, okay ... I'll do whatever you want. Just please help me get there." He stared at her, trying to decide if she meant it. “Good, then let's get a room.” He started making his way over to the Double Moon Hotel, and watched her balk, out of the corner of his eye. Magnus stopped. “What?" "Where are you going?” she said. "To the hotel." "Are we starting tonight?" Magnus grinned. “Yes, ma'am. You bet your sweet ass we are.” The alarm for the massive double doors sounded and they began to close. “Are you coming, or do you plan to spend the night out here? I'm sure no one will bother a good-looking girl like you." Beth clamped her mouth closed and began marching over to the hotel. He casually walked behind her, admiring the smooth movement of her hips. The hotel was typical for an Ackron-Nine Space Station, with bright neon lights announcing its vacancies. The entrance was littered with shady characters looking to score some forbidden deals for quick credits. Beth was close behind him. He could feel her nervousness as a pulsing uneasy energy that touched his skin. As he made his way inside the lobby, Beth drew closer to him. He suppressed a smile.

He wanted her so bad his cock was throbbing in his pants. The clerk, a heavy man with a few days’ growth of grey beard, lumbered over and kept his gaze on the desk. “How many nights?” he said, tapping a pen on the counter. Magnus looked down and leafed through the guest registry. It held many repeated names. “Just one,” he said, not looking up. He tossed some credits on the counter and turned to watch the entrance while the man fetched the key. Beth was standing next to him with her arms folded across her chest. She seemed to feel no one would notice she was female as long as she hid her breasts. Her right eye twitched. “Did you get only one bed?” she asked. Magnus laughed. “Baby,” he said, “these rooms only come with one bed." Beth made no reply. She studied the grimy-looking guests sitting on the soiled lobby furniture. The desk clerk handed him the key and gave him general instructions on where the room was located and what the check out procedures were. The man then disappeared back behind a checkered curtain. "Let's go,” Magnus said, heading toward the stairs. **** Beth followed stiffly behind him, her skin crawling. The stairs were cluttered with garbage and people, too stoned or drunk to make it back to their own rooms. Magnus glanced back at her. “You okay back there?" "I'm great,” she said. One gentleman, reeking of urine, reached for Beth and she promptly slapped his hand away. “What floor is the room on?” Her voice sounded alien to her own ears, like a lost child's voice. "One more." When they reached the landing, Magnus studied each door painted a different color. He matched their red key to the red door and placed it in the entry slot. The door popped opened. The room was neat, but had a foreign smell of a thousand different visitors all with varying hygiene habits. Magnus waited by the door as Beth entered. He punched in the “Do Not Disturb” sign. She inspected the bathroom, turning on the light and checking to see if there was any hot water. Of course, there was none. "Does it cost more for hot water?" Magnus sat on his bed and removed his guns. He placed them on the nightstand next to the bed for easy access. “They don't have any. It's a prison planet, remember? Hot water is an expensive luxury; they get enough business without it." Beth nodded, getting his point. She went to the window and pulled the beige curtain

back, peering down at the street below. “What's it like out there?" He pulled his trench coat off and lay back on the bed with his hands behind his head. “Do you want the truth?" She turned to look at him, feeling cold. “Of course I want the truth. I might as well know what I'm facing." "It's hell on earth. It's roaming bands of convicts turned cannibal that would like nothing better than to capture a sweet piece of ass like you. It's not enough food or water for anyone. It's deadly bugs and disfiguring diseases. Some, I'm sure you've seen before, and others I'm positive you haven't." Beth chewed her lip and paced. She pulled out the chair from a small table and sat. If someone had told her a year ago she'd be in this hellish place, she'd have laughed. What a difference a year made. Reaching back in her mind, she thought about her son and horrible searing pain filled her heart. She wasn't ready to think about that right now. Not yet, anyway. She stared at Magnus. He reminded her of an animal—all instinct and raw nerve. She disliked him and hated being at his mercy, but she didn't dare refuse him. He'd surely leave her, and she'd be screwed. “You don't look to be too worse for wear." "I've learned to survive and you will too." "What is Doctor Masters like?" He tossed his leather trench coat carelessly over a chair. “He's nuts. He works all the time, and sometimes his methods are questionable." "What does that mean?" Magnus closed his eyes. “Listen, Beth, I know you're curious, but trust me, you'll find out soon enough.” He got up, pulled up a chair and sat on it backwards facing her. “Why don't we get to the sex?" Beth nodded and went over to the bed. He watched her move, grinning. She pushed down her nerves and sat on the edge of the mattress. “What do you want me to do?" The chair creaked under his weight as he leaned forward. “Take your pants and underwear off. Sit facing me on the bed." Beth did as she was told. As she crawled across the bed, she wondered if she should just refuse. It wasn't too late; she could still try and find someone else to take her to the clinic. But the moment she thought it, she shook it off. Any man on this hellhole will probably want the same thing. At least Magnus was handsome in a brutal sort of way. “Now what?” she said. He reached over to his coat and pulled out some tobacco and rolling papers. He rolled himself a cigarette and turned his full attention back on her. He pulled a long drag and

the room filled with the smell of smoke. “Put a pillow under your ass and open your legs." Beth blushed and swallowed. Reaching over, she grabbed one of the pillows and placed it under her. It gave him a much better view of her pussy. What kind of weird game is this? Magnus placed the cigarette between his lips. He took one more drag, tossed it on the floor and crushed it out. Easing himself off the chair, he slowly stalked toward her. “Open it up,” he said, in a rich hungry voice. “Let me see that beautiful clit." Beth's cheeks burned and a tight, sexy tension fired her loins. She reached down and slid her fingers into her pussy, gently parting the thick outer lips as he had instructed. Starting at the foot of the bed, he crawled on all fours toward her exposed sex. Finally reaching her, he leaned down and dipped his face into her body. Beth sucked in a deep breath. Gently nuzzling her sex, he kissed the tender flesh, nibbling and sucking at her quickly swelling clit. Despite her dismay, she found herself enjoying his enthusiasm, and without thinking, she spread her legs further. His mouth moved deeper, seeking out every corner of pleasure within her and making her body sing with delight. Without thinking, she moved her hands under her shirt and massaged her breasts. A wave of hard lust flowed into her slick pussy. She groaned. Sliding his pants off, he moved his body up over hers. Beth wrapped her arms around him. Her mouth opened and welcomed his tongue and she sighed, taking in his carnal heat. Settling his powerful hips between her legs, his thick cock found the moist center of her core. He placed his hand around the shaft of his cock and ran it through her delicate folds. When she was unbearably throbbing and wet, he pushed his penis deep into her pussy. A stunning charge of rapture filled her womb. Beth had experienced plenty of sex before but nothing had ever been like this. Magnus was a fierce and relentless lover, pounding into her lusty pussy for longer than she thought any man could last. Each orgasm that overtook her was more delightful than the last. His kisses devoured her, sucking the breath from her chest. Finally orgasming deep within her, he ended his pleasure in a ferocious symphony of masculine growls.

Chapter 3 Magnus woke Beth with a kiss. She smelled sweet and warm, and his blood boiled to fill and enjoy her again. Waking slowly, she blinked once and looked at him. She stretched as he pushed his tongue into her mouth, then she returned his hungry kiss. Magnus broke the kiss and climbed off the bed. They needed to get moving if they wanted to make any progress today. “Ready to go?” he asked, feeling hunger gnaw at his stomach. He tried to remember when the last time was that he'd eaten. He'd need to get something soon or his mood would take a nosedive. “You hungry?” he asked, as she gathered her things and packed them tightly into her backpack. "Yes,” she said. “I'm starving.” She held up a hologram embossed orange card. "I also need to stop and get some drugs before we leave. They gave me this card to buy some supplies for the clinic." Magnus studied it and scratched his belly. “How many supplies are you supposed to carry with you?" Beth looked down at the card. “I'm not sure,” she confessed. "We're not going to be able to carry much more than what you can put in your pack. Anything can happen out there and you don't want to weigh yourself down by carrying a bunch of meds with you." Beth stared at him. “How far is the clinic from here?" He holstered his guns and leaned his back against the wall. “Far, and we'll be running every mile." A crease furrowed Beth's brow as she lifted her backpack up and placed her arms in the straps. “I'm ready,” she said. Magnus opened the door. The hall beyond smelled like old sweat and wood rot. “Good,” he said. “Then let's go." **** They walked out of the hotel and made their way to a restaurant with round metal stools and an outdoor grill. Magnus took a seat at the counter and read the digital menu above the cook. Beth moved onto the seat next to him. "Those prices are outrageous,” she said, staring up at the sparse menu. “And on top of that they don't have much." Magnus grinned at her outrage. “What do you want?" Beth turned around and watched people as they walked past. Most were men, tattooed and rough looking. She hunched and grew smaller in her seat. “Just order me whatever you're having."

Magnus ordered the meatloaf for both of them. He plucked a toothpick from a holder and began digging at his front teeth. “Where do you have to pick up the meds?" "Someplace called docking bay four,” she said. Reaching into her pocket, she dug the crumpled instructions out to show him. He glanced at them and nodded. “It can't be too far from here. Over there is docking bay two." The cook tossed two steaming plates in front of them and Magnus paid him. Beth sniffed her meat and wrinkled her nose. She picked up her fork and toyed with it for a moment, then put it back down. “It doesn't smell very good,” she said. "Compared to what you will be eating, it's a gourmet meal. I suggest you eat it—you never know when you'll get another hot meal." Beth frowned and picked up her fork again. She wolfed down a few pieces then gave the rest to him. He ate everything on both their plates. After they'd eaten, they made way their way to the pharmacy and got the drugs she had been authorized. As Magnus expected, they authorized her far more than they would be able to carry, so she had to leave some and take a credit on her card. Outside, waiting for the transport, it was sunny but cool. The white morning sun was bright but did little to warm the vast desert landscape before them. Magnus kept his eye on the crowd, watching for signs of aggression. He had learned the hard way to never underestimate prisoners on this planet. Beth had been quiet, falling into that defensive Earth mode of avoiding eye contact with strangers. He'd have to train her not to do that. She couldn't possibly see danger coming if she didn't keep an eye on those around her. The shuttle pulled up to the landing dock and lowered the loading plank. It hit the platform with a bang. Beth winced. She moved forward to board but Magnus discreetly took her arm and held her back, as the others around them jostled their way on board. Beth gave him a questioning look but didn't speak. When everyone was on board, Magnus moved onto the ship and Beth followed. He took a seat near the front and made sure he could watch the driver's every move. Beth sat next to him, sliding her body along his to wedge herself into the seat. His cock filled the front of his pants and he grinned. Magnus spotted the driver watching them. A few other passengers nearby had given them some curious glances, but seeing Magnus’ tattoo and arsenal of guns, thought the better of bothering them. The driver, however, was a different story. Akron-Nine transport drivers all carried weapons of their own and they knew how to use them. They were armed to prevent theft of their transports and the practice worked well. Few transports were ever stolen because the ships ran a scanner over the driver every few minutes, to ensure that it was the same DNA as the one assigned. If there was a

discrepancy in the match, the transport shut down. The security measure ensured dangerous prisoners didn't get unchecked mobility. Beth too seemed to sense something. She shifted in her seat and kept watching the passengers around them. “I need a gun,” she whispered in his ear. Magnus smiled. He liked a woman who could tell when things were hairy. He reached down and pulled out an automatic, handing it to her. She took it and rested it on her thigh. The driver watched them. A few prisoners were moving around the transport, changing seats to get closer to them. A rush of savage rage filled him. Magnus didn't care about killing the other prisoners but hoped he wouldn't have to kill the driver. They'd get stuck here and have to make their way to the clinic on foot. In a charged moment of silence, Magnus knew the driver was going to make his move. Women were rare on the planet, being a smaller population of prisoners in general. They either got killed off quickly, ended up as someone's exclusive property, or became more deadly than the male prisoners. It all depended on what they were made of when they got here. A good-looking woman like Beth was worth risking their lives for. Magnus pulled a revolver, cocked it and fixed it on the driver. The driver didn't react. He acted as if he'd expected the move. “Kind of nervous, aren't you, friend?" "You keep looking at what's mine. It's making me wonder if I should just blow your head off for your bad manners." The driver was unfazed. He shrugged. “You got a nice piece of property. Did you expect no one would notice?" The other prisoners stopped seat hopping and watched the exchange. They're waiting for an opportunity to rush us. With an almost imperceptible motion of his hand, the driver switched the transport over to autopilot and rested one hand by his gun. Magnus fought the urge to kill him. The man might be bluffing. Killing the driver was an absolute last resort. Magnus really didn't want to be on the flats without any transportation. That was a very bad situation indeed. He got up and moved closer to the driver, pointing the barrel of the gun at the top of his head. “Put the transport back on manual or I'll air condition your head." Beth was very jumpy. She kept watching the back of the transport. She was making way too much eye contact with the prisoners back there. They were like dogs; they'd only see it as a challenge. “I think they're going to rush us,” she said. "They'll probably try,” he said. “Just shoot the first one who gets out of his seat again.” Magnus turned his attention back on the driver. He tapped the man's head with the barrel of his revolver as a reminder. The pilot reached down slowly and switched off the autopilot. He took the wheel again.

Suddenly, Beth cried out and shots exploded in the cabin. Magnus glanced back but, just as he did so, in the corner of his eye he caught the pilot clearing his weapon for a shot. Magnus fired two rounds in the man's head. Blood and bone fragments sprayed from the driver's head and splattered Magnus in the face and chest. The transport listed hard to the left and the alarm sounded. Reaching over the body, Magnus took the wheel, but the sensors picked up the change in DNA and refused to respond. No matter how hard he turned it, the wheel remained locked. Behind him, Beth struggled with two prisoners who had grabbed her. She fired off a shot hitting one man, but the other stayed determined. Death by gunfire seemed preferable to most other ways to die on this planet. Magnus fixed the remaining man with his weapon and shot him. The prisoner's body flew back a few feet and landed hard against some seats. The other passengers held up their hands and shouted for Magnus to hold his fire. The ship nosedived and headed for the ground. Magnus grabbed Beth and headed for the emergency door. Reaching it, he pulled the latch. Other prisoners were escaping through another door toward the front. A rush of cool wind hit Magnus in the face as the door popped off. He pushed Beth toward the opening. She pulled from his grip and hesitated. Placing his hands on her back he pushed her out. She screamed, and he watched as she hit the powdery sand and rolled several feet. She appeared unhurt but he couldn't be sure. As the ship neared impact, he jumped after her, hoping he didn't break his neck when he hit the ground.

Chapter 4 Beth couldn't believe she hadn't been killed when Magnus threw her off the transport. She might as well have been, for all the pain and aches she felt after she'd hit. Sitting on the sand she squinted into the sun, marveling at her good luck. She spotted him stalking toward her and stifled an angry outburst. Magnus seemed virtually indestructible. He was calm and unreadable, looking as casual as if he'd just returned from a day at the beach. Although his actions were justified, she had to admit she was disturbed by how easily he'd killed the driver. She remembered his face. He'd almost seemed to enjoy it. He walked up and stood over her, blocking the sunlight. “You all right?" "Yes,” she said icily, shading her eyes with her hand. “I'm all right despite your help. Do you think you could let me jump out of the transport on my own next time?" He gave her a cold smile. “Sure, baby,” he said dismissively. “Anything you want. Come on, we need to get moving before the cannibals arrive." Beth rose from the ground, rolling his last words around in her head. She really hoped he was joking. “What cannibals?” she asked, looking for any sign of humor in him. "The ones who don't visit the local restaurants." Beth remembered reading an article in a magazine a year back about the widespread acts of cannibalism on some of the prison planets. She remembered thinking how barbaric it was. Great, like I don't have enough to worry about. How remote this place had seemed then. A place she would never have thought she'd end up. The article had talked about the problems with transporting food to the planets, and how those transports were unreliable. Some of the prisoners had resorted to cannibalism out of desperation, others out of simple savagery. Water too had been a problem, with limited ground water on the planet. Engineers had been working to provide water pumping stations, but some of the gangs had immediately taken them over. So now safety devices were put in place to ensure a person couldn't stay at the water station for too long without being zapped by a laser cannon. Beth studied Magnus. There were so many things about him that didn't fit. He claimed to be a marshal, but the number tattoo on his neck looked very similar to the ones other prisoners had. The only difference in his was that his numbers began with an EX. There were other things about him that didn't fit too. She was sure the other prisoners on the transport had feared him and it wasn't just his guns. There was something about him that hinted at human, but mocked her just as she tried to decipher it. Not an alien mix to his blood, but something far more primitive and dangerous. Something animal. She had the feeling he could be dumped in any hostile environment and he would somehow find a way to survive. Despite being a big, muscular man, he always put her on edge. He just

didn't feel like a law man. She glanced up and noticed they were heading toward a cluster of small jagged mountains. “Won't there be cannibals hiding there? That seems like a perfect place for an ambush." He was relaxed as he walked along, reloading. He squinted up ahead. “It will give us some cover, and it's better than walking out in the open." Beth suppressed the urge to argue with him. “Is everyone here a cannibal?" "Only the people still alive." "Are you one?" He stared at her and stayed silent. "It doesn't seem to bother you very much,” she ventured. Magnus scanned the mountains as they drew closer. “Nothing bothers me much. And if you live here long enough, nothing will bother you either.” He settled in a snug alcove and sat with his back against a rock. Beth sat down next to him. A gentle thrill tickled her pussy, remembering how rough of a lover he was. She pushed the thought away and a wave of fatigue washed over her. She hadn't eaten since early this morning and she was starving. He pulled out a leather pouch filled with dried jerky and offered her some. Beth wanted to ask what it was but decided against it. If she knew, she probably wouldn't eat and she needed her strength. She took a piece and bit into it, chewing it with great care. Leaning back, she swallowed it and tried to focus her thoughts on something, anything else. What a year it had been. Since her son William's death she hadn't really allowed herself to feel much of anything. A part of her mind reached back to William in his bed at home dying so long ago. Did I do the right thing? There were times when she thought, like Mike her ex-husband had, she must be a monster to mercy kill her own son. But then she thought about the disease. At the end it wasn't a question of if her son was going to die, but how long it would take. No one deserved to die that way. She knew in her soul she'd done the right thing. She didn't think her heart would have survived watching pieces of him die off slowly. Knowing how Mike felt about such things, she was surprised she'd told him, but the truth would have come out anyway. She didn't care what happened to her now. A large part of her died along with her son over a year ago. She didn't know what she'd been expecting from Mike, but she definitely was taken offguard when he'd turned her in. Somehow she had dared to believe he'd understand. Mike had understood the disease and what it meant. He knew there was no hope, but he'd never wanted to accept it. Mike and his black and white sense of justice. The courts had found her guilty, and sentenced her to the Eastern Medical Clinic on

Ackron-Nine because she was a nurse. Beth didn't even have time to research her new home. They'd loaded her onto the prison ship immediately, bound for a one year journey in cryo-sleep, never to return to Earth again. Her sentence was life in exile. Mike hadn't even shown up at the trial. Five years of marriage and not even a cordial farewell. That was so like him. He had the merciless ability to cut people out of his life without so much as a backward glance. It was a chilling thing to experience. Magnus shifted next to her and she felt her pussy grow wet. Her breath came a little quicker and a small, hungry lust filled her belly. Can I really be that attracted to him? His grey eyes were on her, studying her like a bug. "I can't help but think you're not a marshal,” she said. “There's something not right about you.” A wind brushed over them, sending a soft chill down her back. He grinned. “Who do you think I am?" Beth stared at him for a long time. “I don't know, but you seem..." He scratched his neck and chewed his meat. Another blast of wind set Beth's teeth on edge. “Are you really a marshal?” she asked. Magnus glanced at her. “If I wasn't, I would have killed you already." "What about those numbers on your neck? They look almost identical to the other prisoners." "Except for the EX,” he corrected. “That means excused." "Excused from what?" He smiled and gave a slight shrug. “Murder." Beth frowned. That's just wonderful. “I don't know what to believe about you.” She draped her hair behind her ears. “Will anyone be looking for us?" Magnus gave a cruel laugh. “People die here by the minute. No one is going to bother looking for us." He picked up another piece of meat and chewed slowly. “How did a nurse end up here anyway? What'd you do—take the wrong medication to a patient?" "No, I didn't and I really don't want to talk about it." Placing his hands behind his head, he slid down the rock and closed his eyes. “Whatever you say." Beth shifted uncomfortably. Her body was still hurting from their emergency jump. “What's the plan?" "We rest, then starting heading for our first stop, Outpost Five." "Isn't that dangerous? What about the cannibals?"

"They'll either attack us or they won't. Either way, I suggest you rest before we take off because it's a long walk and an even longer run,” he said. His voice held a hint of amusement. Strange human calls filled the air in a language she didn't recognize. She shuddered. “Shouldn't one of us keep watch to make sure they don't creep up on us?” Beth said, leaning down to emphasize her annoyance at his casual attitude. He squinted at her. “They won't creep up on us; they'll come screaming like a band of lunatics. You won't be able to miss them. But I don't think they're planning to bother us yet." "Why not?" "Because they know I'm armed, and they're busy feasting on the other transport passengers they've collected." Beth looked in the direction of the transport crash and saw what looked like a small group of people milling around. The thought that they were eating everyone, living and dead, disgusted her. Then she remembered the mystery meat she taken from Magnus and suddenly had to know what it was. "What was it you gave me to eat?" He smiled an eerie humorless smile that chilled her bones. “Why do you want me to tell you that?" Beth stared down into his face, trying to decide if he was teasing her. “I need to know. What was it?" Magnus opened his eyes and stared at her. They were the eyes of a predator, grey and cold and filled with malevolence. “Roast young man." Beth felt the bile rise in her throat. “You're lying,” she said. Her accusation hung in the air like a virus. "Okay, Beth,” he said with a dark smile. “I'm lying. It was beef."

Chapter 5 Although the sun, with its brilliant white light, gave the impression of being hot, it was too far from the planet to be a constant source of heat. The result was long, cold days— not biting cold, but a constant cool of around sixty degrees. Beth walked beside Magnus, looking back occasionally at the cannibal band that kept following them a mile behind. They were all dirty and rumpled. She was surprised they hadn't attacked yet. "How much longer until we get to this outpost?” she said. Magnus squinted at the sun. “Four, five more hours maybe.” He pulled out a canteen and drank. He held it out as an offering to her. She took it and pulled some measured sips. Beth stopped and gestured for his binoculars. He gave them to her and she scanned the horizon before them. In the distance, she could see nothing but rocks and sand dunes. He took the binoculars and examined the party of cannibals following them. He lowered them and looked thoughtful. "You think we'll make it?” she said. "If they want us to." Magnus marched on and Beth jogged up to join him. “I think I remember reading that some people had tried to settle here as missionaries and colonists. Is that true?" "Yes,” he said distracted, “that's true." "Where are they? I mean, where have they settled? Maybe we could get some help." "They live in small villages, mostly near the clinic. They won't be much help to us.” He pulled out one of his guns and slipped two bullets into the empty chambers. He holstered it again and checked all of his weapons. Beth stumbled over some rocks and he caught her before she hit the ground. She met his penetrating gaze and quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush. “You better watch yourself. I need to get you to Masters in one piece." Beth pulled away from him self-consciously. She hated herself for being attracted to him. “Thanks,” she mumbled and dusted the sand off her hands. Stopping for a moment, she looked behind them. The cannibals had moved a quarter of a mile closer. "You need to take a break?” he said, glancing back. "No, I'm fine. Besides, I don't really like the idea of them getting any closer." He nodded and they began walking. "It was my son,” she said, surprising herself with the suddenness of her confession. “I killed my son, or rather I speeded up his inevitable death by stopping the treatments. He was very sick you see, and well, he wasn't going to live." Magnus was silent for a long time. He stared at her with those grey eyes, searching her

face. “That must have been a hard thing,” he said in a neutral tone. Beth fought back the tears that threatened to come. “Yes,” she said, her voice betraying a small quiver. “It was a very hard thing to do, but I just couldn't watch him die that way." "I'm sure you did what you thought was best." Beth felt a moment of bottomless sorrow. Why could this man, this stranger, be more understanding than my husband? She thought back to when she had first met Mike ... How noble he had seemed; so handsome in his dark blue uniform and shiny silver badge. They had shared so much in common, it seemed so perfect. Beth fought the urge to talk more about the reason she was sentenced. What did any of it really matter? She needed to stop telling him things about herself. As she walked, her thoughts turned to her poor aching feet. Her shoes weren't meant for this kind of trekking, and parts of the leather were digging into her heel and top of her foot. If they had to walk like this again tomorrow she'd probably be a cripple, with the pain from the blisters forming. Beth looked over at Magnus, who was engrossed in his own private thoughts. “Have you ever thought of getting off this planet?" His breathing was slow and steady, like a marathon swimmer. “Every waking moment." "You think there's any chance you'll succeed?" A muscle moved in his jaw. The lines around his eyes grew deeper. “I might get that lucky. Why not—I've heard of others who have done it." Beth suddenly felt renewed. “Really? Who?" "Other lifers,” he said. “But before you get your hopes up, you'd better know that most people die here within the first year. I haven't made up my mind yet if you've got what it takes to make it beyond that. You might also catch a disease at that clinic. The place is a notorious shithole." Beth wondered if she had what it took to survive here as well. She guessed she didn't have any other option but to try. “How long have you been her?" "Seven years." Beth felt her stomach drop in shock. It seemed like he'd been here longer. “Have you ever met anyone who'd been here longer without getting killed?" "Sure,” he said with dark amusement. “Jason Masters. He's been here eight years and he's considered an old-timer." "Great. You think there's any hope for me?" "That's what you're going to find out, my dear Nurse Shaw. I have no doubt you'll tap into things inside you, you never knew existed. Those things will keep you up at night.”

He stopped and gave her a chilling smile. “In the beginning anyway, but you seem like the kind of girl who will get over it quickly enough." Beth shuddered under his piercing gaze. She already had tapped into a dark side of her soul, and she never had wanted to do it again. But here he was telling her she would have to live by that animal inside. If that was true, and her humanity was at stake, this was going to be a longer sentence than she thought.

Chapter 6 They reached Outpost Five in the late afternoon. Magnus approached the weathered boarding house and entered the first floor, holding his revolver. The lust inside him was burning, but he didn't let her know how fierce it was. For the last two hours of their journey here, he had toyed with thoughts of fucking her right there in the open. She was a tall, powerful woman, with long athletic muscles, and every time he watched her move it stirred him in so many ways. She was so beautiful, his desires for her mixed with each other, creating a grotesque hybrid of want. As if sensing his change, she watched him out of the corner of her eye, occasionally touching her weapon, as if to warn him off. He was amused she thought he was planning to hurt her. How little she understood of him. Besides, he doubted she'd be fast enough to take him out, but he wouldn't mind her trying. It kept life interesting. The woman behind the desk of the local inn looked to be around middle age, but he guessed her true age somewhere in her early thirties. She didn't carry the edge of a convict so he pegged her for a colonist. Her hair was short and grey-black and her face had the look of worn leather. She seemed suspicious to see Beth with him and she eyed them carefully as they approached the desk. He locked eyes with her and waited a moment before he spoke, just a pause long enough to unnerve her. “We need a room." She glanced at Beth. “For how long? How many nights?" "Just one." "One hundred credits,” the woman said without hesitation. Magnus pulled his gun and scratched behind his ear with the muzzle. “I don't think I heard you right." The woman stared at the pistol and twisted her mouth. “Sixty,” she said, in a milder voice than before. Magnus stared at her. “Thirty and that includes dinner and breakfast." The woman pulled out two cans, slammed them on the counter and turned the roster toward him. He scribbled a signature and studied the cans. "That's all I can spare,” she said. She cast a wary glance at his marshal badge, spotting it behind his lapel. He took the cans and headed toward a spiral staircase. Beth followed silently. As they ascended the rickety stairs, he could feel her close behind him. He could sense her hunger even though he wasn't looking at her. The room was small, with warped floorboards. One lumpy single bed sat in a corner—a

quilt covering a bare mattress. One table and chair were posted by an open window, and a gentle breeze flowed in and out at intervals. Beth sat in the only chair, watching him. He pulled out a can opener and opened one of the cans for her. Her eyes blazed at him. "Chicken or beef stew?” he said, enjoying the look in her eyes. His own hunger was dulled by the dried meat he carried with him. "I don't care,” she said. He handed her the chicken can and she dove into it, using two fingers to scoop out the contents. In moments, he too had devoured his. He resisted the urge to eat some more jerky; he'd need to eat in the morning and now he had her to think about. She stood up and stretched and he reveled in the way her body moved. He let his mind linger on thoughts of fucking her. “I wish I could take a bath,” she said. He'd seen a well station near the inn when they approached. “Let me talk to the owner, see what I can do." For the first time since he'd met her, she smiled at him. Downstairs, the woman led him to the bathing house—a small windowless wooden room with a medium-sized plastic tub. He nodded; it was modest, but would do the trick. He went to get Beth, and soon the two of them were standing before it as if it were the Holy Grail. "I'll have to stay in here with you; it won't be safe for you to be alone,” he said, locking the door behind him. "Who's going to protect me from you?" He leaned against the wall and watched her. “I'm planning to have you a hundred times over before we get to the clinic. Besides, I'm the least of your worries." She pulled her shirt off. “I guess you're right,” she said, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. The woman from the front desk knocked and informed them they could turn the valve on now. Beth filled the tub until the water stopped, and then dipped her hand in to test the temperature. “Cold as hell,” she said unhappily. Magnus smiled. “Enjoy it. It might be the last bath you have for some time." She watched him uneasily and pulled her pants down and off. A blast of carnal hunger filled him, tearing desire through his groin and firing his blood. The desire to touch her was overpowering. He reached down and shifted his erection to a more comfortable position. She leaned forward and pulled her underwear off. The beauty of her nakedness was so natural it made him forget, if only for a little while, about all the death and killing. In this frozen moment in time, he was simply a man, not the animal he had created himself to be. Now he was just a man lusting for a woman. How wonderfully simple that was.

"Are you going to bathe as well?” she said, slipping into the tub. She picked up the used bar of soap nearby as if it carried the plague. He sat on a wooden storage box nearby. “Yeah, right after you,” he said. He sounded breathy. The water left a glistening sheen on her pale skin and he imagined what it would be like to lick it off. She avoided meeting his gaze, running the soap along her face, neck and breasts, splashing water on her body to rinse away the dirt. It almost seemed like she was tempting him. “Let me wash your hair,” he said. She met his gaze and hesitated. He knew she wanted to refuse, to drive him out and close the door, but something stopped her. “Okay,” she said carefully, as if she might be giving away much more than she imagined. Getting up off the box, he stalked around behind her. He picked up the soap, and knelt behind the tub. He pulled her blonde locks across the rim of the tub. He rolled the soap in his hands, savoring the feeling of it, then ran his fingers into her hair. She was tense at first, her neck muscles standing out against the slope of her shoulder, but soon she relaxed and closed her eyes. "You have a nice touch,” she said, sinking slightly in the water as he massaged her scalp. He leaned down close to her ear. “I've only just begun touching you." Beth dunked her head underwater and rinsed her hair. When she came up, he leaned down and gave her a carnal kiss that left nothing to the imagination. She yielded to his kiss, relaxing under its ravenous insistence. Standing up, he peeled off his shirt and pants. He walked over to the edge of the tub, his erection proud and ready for some long and hard lovemaking. His desire was so hot, he felt feverish from it. He wanted her more now than he could remember wanting any woman. She watched him like a cat with light fear and intelligent curiosity. Those green eyes moved down the length of his body like a caress. Gripping the edge, he stepped carefully into the tub and maneuvered over her luscious body. She opened her legs for him, letting him nestle his hips there, his erection lightly pressing on the threshold of her pussy. Her hands, lathered and soapy, moved down his back and over his buttocks, sending warm pleasure throughout his body. He touched his lips to the side of her mouth. “I take it you're not too upset about our little arrangement?" She lightly bit his lip, trailing her mouth along his cheek. “No,” she said, her voice clouded by lust. “I don't think I mind it at all." Sucking her earlobe, he pressed the head of his cock against her hot center. She shifted and moved her hips up to allow him easier access. That simple action of surrender

almost made him come right there. You're so hot, my sweet little bitch. Pushing hard, he entered her and heard her groan. His cock was so hard he plowed into her as if she was warm butter. Her hot cunt sheathed him, cradling him in its wet, yielding center. "Yes,” she whispered. “Oh, yes, please...” Her tongue darted out, licking his cheek. Her hands gripped his buttocks, pushing him deeper. Their bodies moved in unison until he felt the gentle quiver of her vaginal walls, milking his pounding cock dry. **** His body was pure pleasure and she was insatiable. They had been in the bathhouse two hours now and she was still orgasming. Beth smiled as he plunged deep inside her again. She loved the way he felt against her body. He drove into her pussy like a hungry animal, pounding his lust out in long, demanding strokes. The ecstasy of it made her womb tremble with delight. How could he make me feel this way? She moaned and it came out louder than she'd intended. He let out a perverse chuckle and covered her mouth with his own, kissing her breathless. Her next orgasm came unexpectedly, driving a thrashing trail of pleasure all through her body. She bucked up to him, begging, pleading, hoping he'd never stop. A few moments later, he emptied his load into her sore and aching pussy. She'd never felt so deliciously used, and she was growing to like it.

Chapter 7 They returned to the room about an hour later, exhausted and somewhat clean. Sitting on the bed, she threw a fresh t-shirt and some underwear on. She lay back and watched him, absently rubbing her feet on the bedspread. Digging through his trench coat, he pulled out his papers and some tobacco. He rolled a cigarette, stuck in between his lips, and squinted out the window. He radiated danger and savagery. Without thinking, she said, “I think you, Magnus Stone, are exactly where you should be." He turned around and stared at her. A muscle twitched by his eye. “And you? Are you exactly where you should be? After all, you are a murderess. Some people would call you the worst kind—the kind that would kill her own child because he became inconvenient." Her jaw felt like it dropped to the floor. How could he say such a horrible thing to me? “That's a lie! I never killed my son because he was inconvenient. He was dying—dying slowly—and there was no hope for him. I know; I tried everything. I found the best experts; I did all the research; I bought all the experimental drugs, but nothing worked. Can't you understand that?” She lowered her head to her chest and fought back the tears that threatened to come. Magnus watched her and plucked the unlit cigarette from his mouth. He licked his lips. “Why didn't you wait to see the outcome? Suppose he hadn't died? Suppose something wonderful had happened? But you'll never know that, will you, Beth, because you snuffed him before he even had a chance to turn around." Beth was on her feet in a moment, and a rush of shame and arousal burned a trail through his mind. She whirled on him and slapped him in the face. He snatched her wrist and pulled her against his chest, planting a scalding kiss on her lips. At first the shock of what he'd done froze her. She was so hurt and conflicted, the kiss lasted longer than she'd intended. If he thinks he's getting laid now, he can go fuck himself. She broke it and glared at him. Her fury was so intense her chest hurt. She broke his grip on her wrist and sank back onto the bed. “Is it fun to get a rise out of me?" "If you'll recall, you weren't very nice to me either. I don't know who you're used to dealing with, baby, but I'm not going to sit here like a good boy and take your shit." Beth gave him an evil look. “I didn't attack you personally." "Really? I think you did." "I'm done,” she said, throwing her hands up in surrender. “I really don't want to talk about this anymore." Magnus sat on the chair, lit his cigarette and propped his boots on the window sill. He took a deep drag and exhaled some smoke rings. “Whatever you want, baby. Just watch

what you say to me. Got it?" "You're a real son of a bitch,” Beth said, closing her eyes to shut him out. "You want me to grudge fuck you to make you feel better?” he said, taking another deep drag. He blew smoke out his nose like a dragon. Beth scowled but didn't open her eyes. All she wanted was to get some sleep. “Go fuck yourself.” She drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 8 Magnus woke her early and hustled her to the road outside. She was angry but she hid it well. The day was the warmest yet and the thin air was giving her a headache. She bore the grueling pace without complaint, without much talking at all. Beth ran through her mind trying to understand her true feelings for him. The cannibal band that had been following them was much closer now. They maintained a good forty or fifty feet distance, and she was certain they were planning to rush them soon. Worse still, she'd noticed they too had weapons. She guessed they hadn't started shooting yet because everyone here tried to save ammunition whenever possible. As the band drew closer, she was able to make out four men and one hard-looking woman. The leader, a dark-haired man in his early thirties with a deep nose scar, had a radio that he seemed to use to speak to the other cannibal tribes. Beth trotted up alongside Magnus. “Are you ever going to shoot them?" He glanced back at the band, judging distance. “They're too far away still. Don't worry, baby, they'll get closer. I need them to get bold enough to want to finish us off." "I don't understand that,” she said, feeling annoyed. Then as an afterthought, “Can you please call me by my name?" He seemed to ignore her last request. “If I start shooting at them too early, they'll return fire and we'll just end up getting pinned until they wear us out. Then they'll probably kill me and take you for some recreation, then kill you a few days later." Beth fell into a grim silence. God, she hated him. After a few minutes she asked, “How much farther is the clinic?" "Not much." Magnus stayed close to the rocky cliff base they had been following since the crash. It wasn't much, but it afforded them some shelter and cover. “Let's take a break.” He stopped at a crevice. Beth threw down her pack, thinking how good it would feel to punch him in the face. “Do you really think that's a good idea? I mean, they keep getting bolder and they're right on our ass." He took a seat on the ground and pulled out his automatic. He rested it on his lap, took out his canteen and took a long drink. “We could always break into a run and hope we make it to the clinic before they catch us." Beth stared down at him coolly. “I don't think that's very funny." He patted the dirt next to him. “Come and sit,” he said. “Let's make up." "I don't want to sit next to you. I hate you." Magnus shrugged. “That's fair enough.” He shifted his penis in his pants. “But I sure

like you, Beth." Beth ignored his comment and peered around the corner. The cannibals had broken into a slow jog and were getting closer. At this distance, she could smell their stale sweat. “They're almost on top of us,” she whispered. “Are you just planning to have them walk up and introduce themselves?" Magnus closed his eyes and judged their distance by smell. They weren't hard to track; they were all pretty ripe. “Take one more step, Bill, and I'll put a hole in your girlie there,” he yelled to his pursuers. She heard them stop walking and move for cover into the rocks. He knew these people? “I can't wait to kill and eat you, cocksucker,” the cannibal Bill said. “Why don't you come out of hiding and face me like a man?" "I just can't, Bill—you're much too scary for me. By the way, how's that nasty cock condition of yours working out?" "Fuck you, Stone!” Bill roared. “You probably got a lot of gifts that keep on giving yourself, you son of a bitch." Beth stared at Magnus and frowned. She sure hoped they were just trading insults. Magnus pushed off from the rock with his weapon in hand. He glanced around the corner and spotted Bill talking to one of his men. They were planning an attack. Beth watched as Magnus aimed carefully, and squeezed off a round. A bullet exploded into Bill's temple. Bill dropped like a fallen tree. His companions scurried around, unsure of what had just happened. One climbed the rock face to try and get a jump on Magnus. Beth, hearing the man's boots on the rocks above, pulled her gun and fired, shooting him in the leg. Magnus dodged around the corner and neatly dispatched the others as they scrambled for cover. It was all over in just a few minutes. When he came back over to Beth she was kneeling over the wounded man trying to stem the bleeding. He pushed her aside and pulled out a buck knife. Kneeling on the man's chest, he pushed the man's face to the side and cut his throat. Blood gushed from the wound, spilling onto the floor. Beth's stomach twisted and she gasped. "Ready to go?” he said, cleaning the blood off his hands and knife with sand. Beth ignored him for a few moments, then she said, “That was the most disgusting and barbaric thing I have ever seen. Stay the hell away from me." He pulled out some dried meat and held it out to her. “Come on, Beth, don't act so shocked. What were we going to do with a man-eating prisoner? Take him to the local hospital for care?" She knew he was right, but still...

"Hungry?” he asked. "No, I'm not." Magnus glared off at the long, red desert. “Planning to get your dinner from the local supermarket?" "I really don't think you're very funny, Magnus." "I'm not trying to be funny, Beth. Listen.” He crouched down beside her. “You need to get one thing through your head. Food is scarce here, and meals can be few and far between. If you're going to survive you'll have to eat when I offer it to you. So get up, eat or don't, and let's get moving." Beth grabbed her pack and got up off the ground, dusting the sand from her pants. “I'm not going to eat when you order me to." "You'll eat when you're hungry enough,” he said, with an evil grin. “I can usually tell about people, and you, baby, you're not the type to lie down and die without a fight." Beth brooded for a long time. They walked on for what seemed like forever, until she began to stumble. Glancing back at her, he called for another rest. He sat next to her and gave her a gentle kiss. “You need to eat." She stared at the long, dry desert. “I'm not a murderess." "I know you're not, but we have no choice here. We have to do things we wouldn't normally do if we want to survive. You need to eat something now. If you're too hungry to walk, then we're stuck here until some more cannibals come along.” He held out a piece of dried meat for her. She ignored it and stared straight ahead. **** He knew she'd take it. He knew because he knew how the hunger worked on a person, driving them to do things without thought. She wanted to survive and, although she was having a hard time coping with the killing now, she would eat. He said nothing, only waited. After a few long minutes she took the dried meat and delicately gnawed at its edges. But as he waited and watched, the hunger took hold of her, overcoming her grief, and she tore into the meat, swallowing without really chewing. When she had eaten all she was willing to, she turned to him and said, “Has it always been easy for you? Killing other people, I mean." "Nothing has ever been easy for me. I hate this planet just as much as you do, but I have learned to accept that it's my home now. Someday you will too." "God.” Beth was horrified. She gathered up her things. “I hope not."

Chapter 9 Beth looked through her binoculars unable to believe her eyes. She turned and squinted at Magnus in disbelief. “It's an oasis station,” she said, trying to hide her shock. “I'd heard that they had them, but I was beginning to think it was just a cruel joke." He took the binoculars from her and scanned the oasis. His face was hard and unreadable. Beth folded her arms across her chest. “I thought you'd be as pleased as I am. What's wrong?" "They're booby trapped,” he said darkly. Beth fought hard to control her anger. Everything he said to her lately pissed her off and she didn't know why. “Booby trapped? What the hell are you talking about?" "Once you walk up and get scanned, it opens but only allows you ten minutes to get all the food you can carry. If you're not out when your time is up, you get disintegrated by the laser sentries." Beth's face dropped. “So what do we do?" Magnus unfastened his guns and laid them at her feet. “We go in one at a time, and then we get twenty minutes of food. The only downside is you need to watch what you take. Don't get yourself weighed down too much. Don't forget we have a long way to go." Beth nodded, pretending to take in what he was saying. Maybe you like eating old beef jerky, Mr. Stone, but I don't. I'm going to take everything I possibly can. So what if we're a little late getting to the clinic? "I'll go first,” he said, studying the oasis as they approached it. He turned to lock eyes with her. “I mean it, Beth. Don't take too long in there. It's easy to get carried away by your greed and hunger. But if you lose track of time, you're dead." Magnus moved forward and a red laser scanner shone out of the watchtower. It flashed over him, scanning the barcode on his neck. A moment later, the chain link fence slid open and he disappeared inside the small bunker. Beth waited, and thought about how much she disliked him. He was everything she hated in a man—crude, arrogant, and bossy. Well, he wasn't going to bully her into doing what he wanted. She was going to survive here on her own terms. She didn't have to stoop to become an animal like him. Okay, so maybe she was trapped on this godforsaken rock until something here killed her, but that didn't mean she had to give up on her humanity like he did. Beth glanced at her watch and estimated he'd been in there about five minutes. He was right about one thing, ten minutes wasn't a lot of time. She'd have to try and be as efficient as possible. She hoped they didn't only have cans in there. That would make choosing very difficult. In some ways she envied him. Everything seemed so easy for him to decide. I need it, I take it. Who cares about anyone else?

When her watch showed he'd been in for eight minutes, she grew concerned. Certainly she didn't dislike him enough to want him dead. In the back of her mind, she wondered if she really disliked him at all. At nine minutes, she moved nervously toward the gate, taking care to stay out of range of the watchtower scanner. Come on, Come on. Come out of there. A moment later, he emerged and quickly rushed out the gate carrying some cans and packages in his arms. He rushed over to her and dumped his arms out at her feet. Beth knelt beside him. Her mouth was watering uncontrollably. “This is great,” she said breathlessly. "Your turn, Beth,” he commanded. “Don't forget to keep an eye on the time." She nodded and walked over to within scanning distance of the watchtower. She closed her eyes as the red beam moved over her neck. She held her breath and listened to the metallic clink as the chain link fence pulled open. Without wasting a moment, she rushed inside and through the open door leading to the bunker. The only interior light was from outside. Food cans and packages were littering the floor and partially pulled from open boxes. Beth rushed to one and grabbed a bunch of dried fruit packages and stuffed them into her pants pockets. She tried not to think about the time and moved as quickly as she could. When she finally looked at her watch, eight minutes had gone by. Beth rushed for the door weighed down by the plastic packages stuffed into her clothes. Breaking into a jog, she dropped several packages scrambling to make the door before it sealed. No time. I don't have time to get more stuff. Magnus’ warnings echoed in her head and she rushed for the exit. All time seemed to slow down as she heard the one minute warning bell ring. It sounded like a death toll. Everything was conspiring to hamper her exit. Packages stuffed in her waistband kept falling down her pant legs and tripping her up. She could hear Magnus shouting to her as she struggled to keep her footing. Can't he see I'm busy here? Beth sprinted through the gate just as it was starting to close. She stumbled up to Magnus, triumphant. “I made it,” she rasped, trying to catch her breath. He gave her a grim look. “Barely.” He moved his hand up and poked a finger through a hole on the back of her shirt. It had been a warning shot by the sentinel. The next one wouldn't have been a mild burn. Beth shrugged at Magnus. She felt triumphant and light headed. He took some of the packages from her as she collapsed in the sand. “I should have warned you about this,” he said, studying them. His tone had that parental quality she hated so much.

"What?” she said defensively. "Cans are best. This stuff is expired." "So what?” Beth snatched one of the packages from him. She tore it open and pulled a piece of dried apple out. It was black and covered in mold. “Shit,” she swore under her breath. She looked up at him and he was smiling that evil smile again. Son of a bitch. "You really take a lot of pride in being the king rat here, don't you, Mr. Magnus Stone?” Beth glared at him. He ignored her comment and nudged her with his foot to get up. “We still have plenty of daylight left,” he said. “Let's get moving." Beth ignored his rudeness and got up, dusting sand off her clothes. “Is there going to be food at the clinic or are we going to have to scavenge like this all the time?" He shifted the cans around his person so they were easier to carry. “They'll be some food there. Because they are a clinic, they get drops most of the time, but it's best not to count on anything around here. That way you're never disappointed." Beth gave a bitter laugh and tossed aside the expired packages of dried fruit. “Disappointed?” she said. “Who could possibly be disappointed here?"

Chapter 10 Night had descended on them quickly, and luckily they found a good spot for a camp. Beth was distant and troubled—a common enough reaction to this prison. The reality of it worked on her like a hatchet, and devoured her one piece at a time. Magnus knew how she felt. He had gone through all kinds of evolutions before becoming what he was now. The night was cooler than the day and he watched her shiver from the cold. They hadn't spoken much since this afternoon, and he found himself wondering what she was thinking. He knew he was probably the last thing on her mind. Sliding off his jacket, he handed it to her. She looked up, startled, then smiled at him and took it. Beth draped it over her shoulders. “Thanks,” she mumbled. Magnus adjusted the solar lantern so the light dimmed to a soft glow. This quiet moment with her made him feel normal again. He warned himself not to get too attached to her; he didn't want to be too upset when he dumped her at the clinic. Beth lay back on the ground and folded her arms behind her head for a pillow. “So tell me exactly how you ended up here, and why they made you a marshal,” she said. She sounded lazy and relaxed, as though she'd been drinking. An intimate moment passed between them as he imagined making love to her again. His body reacted immediately, his erection coming on fast and hard. He glanced at Beth, who was watching him. “I was sent here because I was a killer. I killed all kinds of men, but mostly I killed bad men just like me.” The statement hung in the air for a moment, and then he continued. “When they first started this planet, they put in place a marshal system. They were meant to be something like prison guards but they had other duties. They were also charged with carrying out executions ordered by the courts. Kind of a crazy idea, really. As if this planet wouldn't pick off most prisoners fast enough anyway. But that was the plan. It didn't take long for the marshal's to become targets for the roving cannibals." He scratched his stubble. “A month after I arrived here, one of the marshals came looking for me." She rolled onto her side and propped her head up with her hand. “What did he want with you?" "I came here with a death sentence; he was just trying to carry it out. A few weeks after I killed him, they offered to pay me for some “official” duties, and would allow me to wear the marshal badge. Most of the time I don't; it's just one more thing another prisoner would kill me for." Beth searched his face. “Did you leave anyone behind on Earth? Family, friends?" Magnus licked his lips. He was tired and his whole body seemed to hurt all of a sudden. “I left my dad, mother and two brothers. My decision to pursue a life of crime broke my dad. We weren't really speaking by the time I was sentenced off world."

Beth nodded grimly. "Your turn,” Magnus said. He watched her eyes fly open as if he'd threatened her with a knife. "Not much to tell, really. I married a man I had little in common with. He was a cop, and our marriage was already in trouble by the time my son got sick. My son was dying in front of me; I did the only thing I thought would ease his suffering. I made the mistake of telling my husband and he turned me in. He was the kind of man who believes that those things are best left to the hand of God." Magnus nodded. He knew the kind—they existed all over. “You ever regret it? I mean, if you knew you'd be turned in and sent here, would you do it again?" "Of course I would. By the time I made that decision, I didn't care what would happen to me. I knew what the risks were." She picked up a small pebble and rolled it in her palm. “How many people did you kill back on Earth?" Magnus lay back and closed his eyes. Nameless faces passed through his memory. “Too many to count, Beth." "Why did you kill them?" "Most of them were my job. I got paid a lot of money to take people out and not ask any questions. It was an arrangement that worked well for me. I didn't give a shit about any of them, so the killing came easy.” He paused for a minute, letting his thoughts roll over his deeds. “Except women; I never kill women." He heard Beth laugh, and it was a beautiful sound in this place of horrors. “I guess I'm safe then." He smiled. “I thought about killing you but I changed my mind." Beth stared at him. “I thought about killing you too, but I guess I changed my mind as well." Magnus knew what she was doing, and although he doubted it, what she said might just be true. Despite her threat, he liked her. Not many women had the guts to come back at him when he was better armed. She had been pretty gutsy with the cannibals as well. “Lucky me then." "What's the clinic like?” she said thoughtfully. Magnus thought about lying to her but what good would that do? It wasn't like she wouldn't notice what a shit hole it was when she arrived. It was better to be truthful so she could prepare herself. “It's messy and dirty and there are not nearly enough drugs to go around,” he said. “I've heard Doctor Masters is demanding, obsessive and a little crazy. I think you can handle him though."

Beth had a look on her face that said she really didn't want to have to handle a crazy doctor at all. She studied him for a moment. “Why is Doctor Masters here?" Magnus shook his head. “Rumor has it the good doctor conducted some unethical experiments. I'm surprised you didn't read about it; he was all over the news. Apparently the subjects for these experiments were terminal cancer patients, so they had little to lose. Whatever it was he did to them, he lost his license over it and was eventually brought up on criminal charges. I think he came here charged with murder one." "Does he still conduct his experiments?" "Yes, and he makes no apologies for it. I suggest you learn to turn a blind eye to his more questionable character flaws." "There has got to be a way off this hellhole,” Beth said under her breath. Magnus didn't respond. It wasn't the kind of statement he needed to address. Once he had been as devoted as she about getting off. Maybe go to another colony or an alien world altogether. But finding transport off the planet soon came in a distant second to staying alive while a resident here. He didn't want to dash her hopes—sometimes it was all that kept a person going. He'd seen some of the toughest men in prison crumble under the strain of living and dying here. Some had even chosen to take their own life. He wished he felt that desperate, and then maybe this could all end for him too. But something in him kept him going, and fighting. Now it had become a habit—a thing so bad for him but impossible to deny. He wanted to live, no matter how horrible the conditions were. The night was wearing on and some of the closer planets could now be seen clearly in the inky sky. They were beautiful, in metallic colors of green and blue. He pointed them out to her, great ancient rocks floating in an alien sky. They gave the impression of being almost invisible because of their vastness. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what home on Earth was like, and all it did was give him a vague feeling of sorrow. Even now after all this time it was impossible to believe he would never see Earth again. What desolation. He studied Beth and watched her eyes flutter open and closed. She was fighting sleep and he vaguely wondered if she was still afraid of him. He doubted she was afraid of very much anymore, least of all him. He wanted to touch her, to taste her skin on his tongue. She was so very beautiful and he needed her like the very air he breathed. He scooted closer. She looked like a child in her half sleep, so innocent and fresh. He could smell her warm body and the lust woke in him like a fearsome beast. He leaned over her and touched his lips to hers. It was a moment of pleasure, and then she was awake and the spell was broken. He stopped kissing her and lay back down with his hands behind his head. “I like you, Beth,” he said. “Being with you seems to take the edge off of me."

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. Then she straddled him, her long, blonde hair hanging down and tickling his face. She leaned down and kissed his neck, running breathy kisses over his face and throat. Her hands took on a life of their own, caressing his chest and belly, awakening his deep longing for her. Lifting his shirt, she ran her tongue along his flesh, leaving a moist trail all along his belly. Her hands cupped the outside of his pants and gently squeezed. He moaned softly, hoping she wouldn't stop there and decide to go to sleep. She unbuttoned his pants and freed his aching cock. It sprang free as if it was overjoyed to see her. Her sensuous mouth enveloped it, licking and sucking at him like he was candy. She nuzzled down to his balls, and pulled each one into her mouth, teasing him into near hysteria. He pulled her up and positioned her on all fours. She smiled at him coyly, those red, sexy lips moved into a sly curve. Gripping her hips, he mounted her, burying himself to the hilt and reveling in the sexy heat of her moist pussy. He pumped into her like a man possessed. She reached between her legs and found her swollen clit, boldly stroking it in rhythm to his relentless pounding. Then they climaxed together, in a sweaty, tangled heap on the ground.

Chapter 11 Beth crouched beside Magnus as he filled his canteen at Oasis One, and she gazed longingly at the town a few yards away. It was a surreal looking place with small metallic buildings situated in a half-mile strip. She'd asked him why he didn't want to get a drink at the general store, but he had maintained a grim silence. Sometimes, she sure could do with other company besides him. Despite his lack of conversation about the town, she trusted his reluctance. If she had learned nothing else about the man, it was to defer to his bad moods. They usually signified something he knew to be unpleasant, and she had learned to read that mood as a warning. His assistance in helping her survive, however, did nothing for her liking him any better. She suspected her distaste was symptomatic of the planet itself. He was the embodiment of everything that was loathsome here. Magnus pulled the revolver from his holster, startling her. She followed his gaze to a young girl running toward them, her wild, greasy hair tossing back and forth across her back. She wore faded jeans and a grimy black t-shirt. Beth guessed her to be about fifteen. Magnus moved in front of Beth and fixed his weapon on the girl. She stopped a few feet from them. Her chest rose and fell with the labor of her breathing. She bent forward with her hands on her knees, pausing to rest. She glanced up and spotted his badge. “Marshal, please come. My mom is real sick and we need help." Magnus’ reply was to cock and aim his weapon at her head. Beth came around from behind him and walked in front the girl. He swore under his breath as she obscured his view. “What's wrong with her?” Beth said to the girl. "Don't know. She's been sick a while. Don't know if there's anything you can do but I'm real desperate. I got cans; I'll give you anything you want,” she pleaded, making heavy eye contact with Magnus. Beth glanced back at him but his expression was stoic. She walked closer to him so their conversation wouldn't be heard by the girl. “I'd like to go and see what I can do." Magnus squinted at her as if she'd spit on him. “Are you fucking crazy? No way." "Magnus, I'm a nurse. Maybe I can help them." His eyes sliced from her to the girl. “What do the people in the village say?” he said to the girl. “Have they had a look at her?" The girl nodded, her eyes pleading. “Yes, Marshal, everyone's been to see her but no one knows what's ailing her." "What makes you think we'll know?" The girl seemed to deflate before their eyes. “I don't know, but there's no one else to ask.

Please, Marshal. It'll only take a minute." Beth took off her backpack and started walking toward the girl. “Beth!” Magnus shouted angrily. “Don't you fucking move." Beth turned around to face him and locked her gaze with his. “Magnus, I'm going. You can stay here if you want, but I'm going.” With that, she turned around and approached the girl, secretly wondering if she'd just made a fatal blunder. Of course it was entirely possible this was a cannibal trap, but she was willing to take the risk. If she was going to be afraid of dying at every encounter, she'd certainly go insane. She could hear Magnus approaching from behind her. She figured he'd come. He certainly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to go on an unbridled killing spree. The girl kept a few feet in front of them, turning to ensure they were still following every few minutes or so. Beth couldn't help the creeping feeling of dread that crawled up her spine as they went. She was glad Magnus had decided to come along. She could use a spare set of eyes. The metal house the girl brought them to was weathered and stale. Two dirty siblings played in the sand near the door, watching them both like feral dogs. Beth felt a pang of pity for them. She guessed their father was long gone or dead. Now they'd be losing their mother as well. The inside smelled like a long-time disease. The woman lay on a cot near an open window. Her bedding was soiled with waste and sweat and she was thin to the point of skeletal. Beth looked back at the girl, who was staring at Magnus like he was the second coming. She guessed anyone with food and weapons would look like a godsend to a frightened, starving girl. “How long has she been like this?” Beth said. "About a month. She started going nuts a while back, but she could still function until last month." Beth performed some preliminary tests with the equipment issued to her for the clinic. Her medical scanner came up with neurosyphilis. Beth shook her head and looked back at the girl. “I'm sorry. You're mother is dying and there isn't much I can do for her. The only thing I can offer you is some medication for her pain." The girl nodded sadly, as if her worst fears had been realized. "Do you have someone here who can take care of you?” Beth said, measuring out some doses of morphine. The girl shrugged. “There's a guy who feeds us. He's kind of like our dad." Magnus moved forward, a small muscle ticking in his jaw. “It's time to go,” he said. “We've still got a long way to travel." Beth nodded then turned to the girl. “I'm sorry about your mother."

The girl suddenly seemed older, aged by the terrible fortunes of this planet. She watched the floor as if a secret message might be inscribed there. “Thanks, but I guess I expected it." A heavy wind groaned against the walls. Magnus moved into Beth's space, urging her to come by his presence. They walked out together into the brightness of sunlight and the alien white sun only made her yearn for Earth all the more. She felt mourning in her heart, as if she'd lost an old friend. "Is it always going to be like this?” she said to Magnus, knowing he couldn't possibly know the answer to such a rhetorical question. "No, Beth,” he said. “You'll find plenty of people you'll be able to help." "But won't they be too sick? Won't I be powerless to help them?" Magnus scanned the horizon. The day was slowly slipping into night. “We'll have to wait and see. We'll just have to wait and see."

Chapter 12 The next day, they finally reached it. Nothing, however, could have prepared Beth for the sight of the Eastern Medical Clinic. It seemed as though every resident of Akron-Nine had taken up residence in tents surrounding the fenced facility. The smell of death and disease was everywhere and, as they approached, the thickness of it threatened to choke her. It was all she could do not to bolt and run. Unfortunately there was no place to run to. Magnus was as unreadable as ever, grabbing her arm and ushering her to the front gate, dodging the clawed hands of the desperate and dying. He brushed them off with callous disregard, keeping them from touching Beth. A part of her wanted to help them, but she knew it was impossible to treat all of them. For all she knew, it might be impossible to treat any of them. The scene gave her a somber feeling about what she would find inside. They approached the guard, who took one look at Magnus’ body arsenal and pointed his machine gun at them. “That's far enough,” he warned. Beth pushed in front of Magnus, swaying with the jostling of the frantic crowd. “I'm Nurse Shaw. Doctor Masters is expecting me." The guard looked dubious. “Who's your friend, the beauty queen?” he said, tossing his head at Magnus. "He's my bodyguard." "Trust me, lady, he's nobody's bodyguard,” the guard said. He studied Magnus, unwilling to lower his weapon. Beth could feel her heart racing. “Look,” she said, trying to hold her patience. “Talk to Doctor Masters, he knows I'm coming." The guard finally seemed to relent and moved back, allowing them to enter. Then he turned and closed the chainlink gates against the throng of the crowd. “Sorry, folks,” he said. “You have to come back tomorrow. Clinic is full for the night." He turned back to them. “Come follow me." Although there was some ventilation inside, it was still stuffy and smelled of death and festering wounds. Beth had to jog to catch up with Magnus and the rushing guard. “Where is Doctor Masters?” she asked "He's taking a break in the backroom. He's had a really bad day." Beth glanced at Magnus but he was busy watching the hospital beds, trying to avoid being touched. Oddly, she found his apprehension amusing, since until now he'd seemed so indestructible. They moved through the halls of the isolation wards. There were open bays lined with

small cots. Each cot had a small space for privacy, separated by a cloth curtain. It reminded her of pictures she'd seen of early twentieth century sanitariums. The guard stopped at a set of large double doors that led to a lounge area beyond. She and Magnus moved inside as the guard scurried off. The room smelled of rotting food and old garbage. A lone man sat by some vending machines, drinking what appeared to be coffee from a small paper cup. A cigarette hung from his lips as he scribbled furiously into a notebook. He was dressed in a soiled white lab coat and black faded jeans. His hair was crow black, long and wavy. He was handsome in an odd sort of way and looked every bit the mad scientist. "Doctor Masters?” Beth asked, moving forward slowly. He didn't look up, nor did he seem to hear her, he just kept writing. His lips moved with the formation of each written word. His cigarette bobbed with the cryptic movement of his mouth. "Doctor Masters,” Beth said louder. She could feel Magnus a few feet behind her, tensely toying with the handle of his gun. Even though he heard her, still Jason Masters didn't look up. He merely held a hand up, indicating for her to wait. Beth waited, studying the room. Without warning, Masters rose abruptly from his chair, making a loud scrape as the legs scratched across the floor. A second after, Magnus pulled his weapon and held it at the ready. Masters didn't seem to care. “Your friend's a little jumpy,” he said, approaching them with a jerky, quick stride. "He has trust issues,” Beth said. She took the hand that Masters offered her for a shake. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of jerky and held it out to Magnus. Magnus’ mood seemed to lift. He holstered his weapon and quickly took the bag, stuffing food into his mouth while he waited. Masters stepped away from Magnus and gestured with his hand, like a circus ringmaster. “Let me show you around.” They made their way out of the break room and into the hall. Masters plucked the cigarette from his mouth and tossed it on the ground, not bothering to stamp it out. The living quarters were in the back of the compound, guarded by heavy steel doors. “This will be your room,” Masters said, when they'd reached a large room at the end of the hall. Beth looked around. The bed was little better than the cots in the ward bay, but they sure beat the floor. "I'm down the hall,” he added as an afterthought. After he had shown them around the rest of the clinic, they returned to the break room to talk. Magnus excused himself and slipped off. Masters smiled after Magnus left. “I'm glad he didn't kill you,” he said. “He's quite

notorious around here you know." "You didn't send him?" "I sent him to get you to the station. I'm not sure why he brought you all the way here, but I'm glad he did. I take it from your good humor he didn't rape you." Beth felt goose bumps rise on her arms. Was it her imagination or was it getting colder in here? “No, he didn't,” she said. “We struck a deal." Masters lit up another cigarette. He offered her one and she shook her head. “Lucky for you. He must really like you." Yeah, what great luck on my part The local murdering marshal likes me. She guessed it could be much worse, if he didn't like her. She'd probably be rotting on the plains right about now. She vaguely wondered if Masters was a cannibal. She marveled at how many things people took for granted, like food. Beth lowered herself into a metal folding chair across from Masters. “Do you know of anyone who successfully escaped this planet?" Masters watched her cautiously, like a stray cat. He looked like he might bolt out of his seat at a moment. “I've heard rumors, like everyone else has. I doubt if they're true. I mean, even if you could get off, where would you go? Not many other planets are willing to take in Earth's less desirable citizens." "But it can be done,” she said, watching his face for hope. Masters puffed a few times off his cigarette and picked at his nails. “I suppose so, but look Magnus is one of the smarter criminals on this planet. If there was any possible way off, he'd have tried it." Beth doubted Magnus had given it much thought. “I don't think he wants to leave. I think he likes it here as the king rat." Masters glanced at her as if that possibility had never occurred to him. Then he shrugged, dismissing the subject. “So, do you want morning or evening shift?" "I'll take morning,” she said, unsure if that was a good or bad choice. "Fine, you'd better get some sleep. You're going to have a busy day tomorrow,” he said, rising. He put his cigarette out in his cold coffee. Beth watched him walk out. He couldn't be older than thirty-five but he walked like an old man. Is that what this place does to you? Picks you off a piece at a time? She got up and made her way to her room, taking care to lock the door. She'd better try and sleep while she could—who knew what tomorrow would bring?

Chapter 13 The first thing Magnus heard, as he crept through the darkened hallway at dawn, was a woman weeping. It was such a strange sound to him he had to stop and make sure that was what he had heard. He'd heard many things during his time on this planet— screaming, howling, hysterical crying—but nothing like this soft and gentle sound. He walked up to Beth's door and realized she was the source of it. He tried the door but it was locked. He knocked gently. "Doctor Masters?" "No, baby,” he said. “It's Magnus.” There was a moment, a quiet time in which he thought she would refuse to open the door, but then he heard the bolt pull back. She had dried her eyes but he could feel, in them, the depth of her despair. Beth moved back from him and he circled around her, taking her into his arms. He felt her stiffen, not fighting him but not hugging him back. Leaning his head down, he buried his face in her neck. The effect was like lancing a boil. Her emotions, so long held in check, flooded out of her and her body. She shook against him with the passion of it. He comforted her the only way he knew, running kisses up her neck and face, finding the seduction of her mouth. To his delight, she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a desperate embrace, as if they were two shipwreck survivors clinging to the last floating piece of wood. A moment later, she collected herself and released him. She moved across the room and folded her arms across her chest. “Now that you've delivered me, are you leaving?" He looked around the room, taking in its meager accommodations. He guessed it was better than sleeping in the great outdoors. At least for a woman anyway. "I was kind of hoping you'd stay,” she said. He looked up and studied her face. That was a huge admission from her. He was surprised she'd said it. Could it be the young nurse found me attractive after all? "I'm too restless to stay here. I'd go nuts.” Beth was chewing her lip, avoiding his gaze. He wandered around the room, finding her shampoo, and picked it up to smell. “Of course, you might be able to convince me to hang around, if you used your imagination." When he glanced at her again, she was grinning at him. “What exactly does that mean?" "I'm a growing boy, I need my exercise,” Magnus teased. He approached her and watched her eyes dart away. Oh yeah, you like me. He stopped in front of her, trying to force her to meet his gaze. He pushed his lips against hers, moving his tongue against their plum fullness and inhaling the gentle musk of her skin. Her mouth parted, taking his tongue into her mouth and rubbing her own against his. His

passion boiled, and he struggled to touch her gently while his animal side fought to devour her. He moved his hands along her waist and up her back, lusting to touch her bare flesh. She yielded to everything he wanted, his hand moving under her shirt to stroke her back, then racing up to find her breast. For the first time in many years, he found joy in his lusty heat. But just as the scalding twist of passion tortured his groin, a mighty crash sounded from somewhere at the front of the clinic. Beth pushed away, breaking the spell. “What the hell was that?" Magnus fought down the urge to ignore it. He moved over to the entrance and pulled his weapon. Opening the door, they were met with the frantic screams of patients and Doctor Masters’ angry yelling. Magnus didn't need to see what was happening to know. Cannibals. Growing hungry for meat and drugs, they were becoming bolder, and a few had probably infiltrated the clinic in order to let their colleagues in. He had seen this kind of thing before. As a general rule, they usually had to be very desperate to do something like this. That made them doubly dangerous. From where he and Beth were, they could hear the smashing of vending machines and the ransacking of the break room. Masters was pursuing them, protesting that this was a medical facility. A moment later, he was silenced. Peeking out the door, Magnus could see them carry him out of the break room slung over one man's back. "We've go to get out of here,” he ordered, grabbing Beth and dragging her to the back emergency exit. He couldn't think of more of an emergency than this. Unfortunately, opening the door would sound the alarm, and they'd have to sprint to the town. He hoped Beth was up to it. He could feel her pulse pounding hard in her wrist where he held it. Before Magnus could trip the alarm, Beth broke his grip on her. “We can't just leave Doctor Masters." For a moment he thought she was joking. “Are you insane? There are probably twenty cannibals out there. Besides, they already have him. He's dead, Beth, forget it." Beth pulled her automatic from a holster under her arm and started back down the hall. He hissed through his teeth. “Beth, wait!" "What?" "You're never going to be able to kill them all. They're not going to care how many of them you shoot up, they'll keep coming. Just hold on, we'll help Masters, but not right now. Let's do things my way first." Beth hesitated. “Won't they kill him if we don't get him back tonight?" "He might already be dead. If he's still alive, they probably want him for something. We'll have time, but we need to catch them by surprise. Going back in there now is

suicide." She holstered her weapon and followed him to the back door again. "We're going to have to make a run for the town,” he said. “Are you ready?" Beth shrugged. “Do I have a choice?"

Chapter 14 Magnus spent an edgy, sleepless night with Beth in the town. He doubted the cannibals would attack a place as fortified and armed as here, but those killers were capable of anything. Beth had been restless, getting up every few minutes to check out the window. Every once in a while she would speculate on whether or not they had killed Masters, but he was careful not to give her any false hope. He prepared her for the inevitable; the man was probably dead. When they returned that morning, they walked through the carnage of the clinic. They righted things as they went; a chair here, a table there. Beth kept muttering under her breath about the stupidity of attacking a medical clinic. She seemed to vent all her fear and anger internally, and he admired anyone who could do that. Magnus had coped by killing. He didn't like to admit that, but it was the truth. Killing on this planet was his way of trying to murder it as a whole, one ruined convict at a time. Beth stopped and turned around. Her mouth was set in a grim line. “How long do you think it will take to fix all this?" Magnus looked around at a few shattered windows, and the back door hanging from a hinge. “If it's just you and me? Probably a while." "Great.” Beth pivoted and resumed her tour. She walked into the medicine storage room and swore. “Of course they only took the things I need the most!” she yelled out to him. Magnus watched her pick through the debris, a worried frown working the edges of her mouth. It was a girl's mouth, sweet and luscious. He wanted to fuck her so badly he could barely hold himself still. Thick locks of blonde hair fell forward, shielding her face from view. Long, elegant fingers slicked them back behind her ear. He imagined her as a young girl and an old woman. He imagined her naked on her back, gasping as he fucked her. It all made her seem more beautiful to him. She noticed him watching her and met his gaze with those light green eyes. “I hope you aren't offended by this,” she said, slapping her hands together to clear away some dust, “but there's something about you that scares the shit out of me. I can't help thinking there's so much more to you than what you're telling me." Hot, lustful fury flashed through his blood. Take her now. Take her. He held himself very still until the moment passed. He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. “Everyone should have a little mystery to them, don't you think?" Walking away from her, he passed the storage room on his way to the break room. All the vending machines had been smashed, even though none required currency to deliver a product. Magnus shook his head slowly. Destruction for destruction's sake. Beth rushed up behind him. “Will you help me secure the front door? Patients are starting to arrive and I'm not ready." He turned and followed her down the hall. “When are you planning to see patients

again?" "As soon as I can." "I don't really think that's safe, Beth." "I didn't ask you, Magnus." He stopped, and it took her a moment to realize he wasn't walking with her. She turned, her breath heaving in her chest. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I need to keep the clinic operating —not just for them but for me." He thought of telling her this entire exercise was bullshit. He didn't give a shit about any of these people. As far as he was concerned, the best they could hope for was a quick and painless death. For himself, he didn't know how much longer he'd be alive here either. Beth's stubborn clinging to this clinic angered him. It made him feel as if he'd assassinated the human part of him and no one, including himself, had attended the funeral. He was confused. He didn't even know what he wanted anymore. He needed to get out of here and away from her. "I'm getting out,” he said. “You fix this place. I'm gone.” He strode forward toward the door and she stepped in front of him. "Please don't go.” Her eyes pleaded with him; the softness in her was breathtaking. "I don't give a shit about these people, Beth. You want to help them so bad, you fix this place up.” The rage in him pounded around in his head with nowhere to go. "If you leave, where will you go? Back out to the desert to feed off the vestiges of humanity until one day someone makes lunch out of you? We have a chance to make a difference here." She really believes this crap. He looked beyond her, to the open door and the golden rods of sunlight streaming in through the smashed walls. Magnus glanced back down at Beth. “This place is a dream, baby. It's a lie you're telling yourself. It's just a dirty barren island in a sea of death. Nothing you do here will make any difference. Your patients walk out healed and get cut down a day later by the human hunters waiting out there to pick them off. You're just kidding yourself if you think you're giving them anything they can use." She glared at him and squared her shoulder. “I think you're wrong, but even if you're right, at least I did something to try and make this a better place. All I've ever seen you do is add to the mindless destruction.” Then she seemed to reconsider. “Please stay and help me. I need you." She was right of course, he had no place else to be. “All right. But we're going to need some guns to prevent them from getting in again. All the guards are dead or gone and not likely to come back. We're also going to need to send a message to the government

for another medicine drop." They made their way out the front door. Several people had begun lining up waiting for help. Beth was trying not to look too closely at them. “I'm sorry!” she shouted so they all could hear her. “It's going to be a few days before we can open. I have no medicine to give you. Please return to your homes until we reopen." Grumbling, some of the patients got up and hobbled off. Others, who had more serious ailments, lowered their heads and closed their eyes. Magnus spent the rest of the day reinforcing and rebuilding. The work made him feel good—it was busy and absorbing. Toward the end of the day, Beth, who'd been working inside, brought him dinner. Just some stuff she'd scraped together. It was the best meal he'd ever had. She sat next to him as he ate and they enjoyed a quiet thirty minutes together. "When are you planning to leave?” Beth leaned against the wall, with her eyes closed. He studied the tiny lines forming around the corner of her eyes. “Tomorrow." "I think I'm going to miss you, Magnus." He chuckled and stood next to her, so their bodies touched. “I'll miss you too, baby. We'll have a little killing lesson before I go tomorrow. Just to keep you safe." When he looked over at her, she was asleep.

Chapter 15 Beth opened the clinic early that morning, and was so busy the rest of the day she didn't have time to concentrate on Magnus. He haunted the back of her thoughts though, like a phantom lurking in her mind. God, what if I am falling in love with him? She tried to quiet her mind, but the lingering fear remained no matter how hard she tried. The state of the clinic was another thing that drove her to distraction. The lack of medicine and supplies was tedium that wore on her with every search for something lacking. She found herself inexplicably slipping away to some quiet corner to read medical manuals, pouring over them in search of answers that could not be found. The medical supply ship made an emergency crash landing just before dark, about two miles from the clinic. Beth heard them go down in the strain and mechanical whine of engines. There had been a crew of three, but only one made it to the clinic alive. Setting aside her own policy about admitting people after dark, Beth let him in. He looked to be somewhere in his mid-twenties, with light red hair and a square, stocky build. He said he'd been bitten by some people who'd arrived at the crash. When she examined his arms and torso, she realized he'd been bitten about ten times. The wounds were open, exposing the muscle beneath, and Beth desperately wished she still had some antibiotics. Unfortunately, her new supply was on the ship that had just crashed, and for all she knew, the cannibals had taken everything. He said his name was John, and he gritted his teeth as she cleaned one of his bite wounds. “Are you running this place by yourself?" "Afraid so,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. A sense of doom filled every dark corner of the treatment room. "You think I'm going to make it?” he asked. "I don't see why not. You're young and strong.” There was no need to reveal the true hopelessness of his situation. He might fight off the infection from the bites, but then, he might not. Beth dressed the wounds and leaned back to survey her handiwork. She gave him a smile she didn't feel. "Are you a volunteer here or an inmate?” John lay back on his cot, trying to get comfortable. Beth sat on the folding chair by his bed. She rubbed the tattoo under her collar and wondered, Why bother? What did it matter what he thought of her? “I'm an inmate." He let out a stiff coughing laugh. “Can't imagine what a doctor could have done to end up here." "I'm not a doctor. I'm a nurse.” Beth got up from her chair. She really wasn't in the mood to discuss her transgressions. “I've given you something to help you sleep. I'll come by and check on you soon.” She patted his shoulder. “Rest well."

As she walked away, thoughts churned in her head like black spells. She should have asked him about the medical supplies he was carrying, but it really made no difference. Even if they were only carrying cotton balls they were vitally needed. She needed Magnus’ help, if she was going to attempt a salvage mission. He'd need some convincing, but Beth was confident he'd do it. Hopefully, John would remain alive until morning, when she could question him further. She hoped he didn't fall prey to infection, which certainly meant death.

Chapter 16 The clinic looked deserted. A cold wind touched his face and neck, refreshing him. He stood still by the back door for a while, listening. He heard the faint sound of Beth stirring in her bed. He moved along the side of the clinic until he found the spot where some barrels offered stepping stones to the roof and an intake air duct. Prying the grate off, he was inside in minutes. Breaking in here is much too easy. I'll have to fix that later. Taking the larger of the two main ducts, he reached the cafeteria and lowered himself to the floor. He crouched and waited, listening to see if he'd been heard. When he was sure no one was alerted, he made his way to Beth's room in the back. The electronic lock on her door was easy to crack with a scrambler. It clicked open quickly, letting the entrance slide open. The scent of her body filled him with riotous lust. Magnus expected her to hear him, to jump up pointing her weapon at him, but she was too exhausted. Her deep steady breathing never faltered as he entered the room. This was a kill. He grinned thinking how lucky Beth was he wasn't here for rape and murder. Creeping through the room, he took the weapon hanging on a hook by the bed and placed it in her closet. He breathed in, inhaling the scent of her clothes and hair. Pulling his gun, he pointed the barrel under her chin and leaned over her face. "Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauty,” he whispered. Beth's eyes shot open in stunned terror. “Magnus?” she said, some of the fear bleeding away. He removed the barrel of the gun and let her sit up. She blinked a few times to clear her head. “I was starting to think you were never coming back." He holstered his gun and took a seat by her bed, and propped his feet on the edge of her mattress. “I'm a sucker for a blonde." "I'm glad you did.” Her voice was strained with the weight of so many bad experiences. “I need your help for something." He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “I can't wait for this one." She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “There's been a freighter crash only a few miles from here." "Food?" She wiped the sleep from her eyes with her sleeve. “Medicine ... maybe food." He scoffed. “I'm not risking my neck for that. It's probably crawling with cannibals." "You're the only hope I have of getting that medicine back here. I need you, Magnus."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but no way." "I would be very grateful.” She draped her hair behind each ear and watched him. Her expression never changed, never hinted at what exactly that meant. "Define grateful." "You define it. What kind of grateful would get you out there?" "Let me sleep on it and let you know,” he said, getting up to leave. **** Beth stared at him and her belly tightened. He had come to represent so much to her; lust, and sex, and death. He was the most aggressive and exciting lover she'd ever had. Gazing at his feral handsomeness, her mouth suddenly went dry. Images of his scalding kisses and his unquenchable lust filled her body with sinful fire. Moving slowly, she slipped off the bed and stalked up to him. That smoldering look in his eyes told her everything. They belonged to each other in a way she could neither understand nor explain. She had never wanted anyone this desperately, this completely. As she advanced, he kept his gaze on her. Circling over to the bed, he lay back on the mattress and surrendered to her will. Beth moved up over him, straddling his waist. Grabbing the lapels of his trench coat, she planted a searing, hungry kiss on his lips. Lifting his hands, he placed them under her shirt and ran them up her back. She kissed him, deeper, harder, and he returned her passion with a burning kiss of his own. She broke the kiss and caressed her lips down his jaw to the tender places on his neck. He let a deep breath out his nose. “Beth,” he groaned. She placed a finger on his lips. “Don't speak,” she whispered. “Don't ruin it." He laughed warmly. Grabbing his coat, she peeled it off his massive shoulders. Laughing like teenagers, they fumbled with each other's clothes, stripping pieces off as they went. Her hands feasted on his rugged, magnificent body. She explored every part of him, his nipples, his belly, and his magnificent thick cock. She tickled its swollen tip with her tongue, relishing the salty taste of his pre-cum. He moaned her name and opened his legs further for her. Her pussy ached to be full by his hard, lusty sex. Taking his penis in her mouth, she ran her fingers into the plump flesh of her cunt. She closed her eyes, enjoying the taste of him and the rhythm of her mouth on his penis. She imagined the wonderful feel of her wet pussy slamming down hard on his cock. Reaching down, he squeezed the base of his penis to stop his approaching orgasm. Before Beth could ask him what was wrong, he rolled over on top of her. Pressing his mouth to her ear, he said, “I want you to play with my cock while I'm fucking you."

A surge of wild desire broke through her. Lowering her right hand down, she grabbed the staff of his erection. She opened her legs and locked them over his buttocks; her breath came hard and fast in her chest. Her left hand touched her throbbing sex, the pleasure so intense, she moaned softly. She opened her vaginal lips and guided him into her welcoming cunt. Soon his cock was buried deep inside her. She sighed. Her body became all pleasure. Moaning louder, she played with his balls and the base of his cock as he pounded relentlessly into her. Her orgasm came over her in a frenzied rush of ecstasy. Each savage stroke of his penis awoke new and indescribable feelings of pleasure. Then with a deep animal moan, he too climaxed and collapsed on top of her.

Chapter 17 Magnus whistled through his teeth as he walked around the clinic's stored shuttle—The Sunset Riser. The short jump shuttle was old, really old. In fact, he hadn't seen one like it in over ten years, an eternity in transport technology. Beth stood by the hangar entrance twisting a lock of golden hair through her fingers. “One of the guards came back this morning. He told me this was here. What do you think?" He looked back at her. Translation: Do you think you can get this hunk of crap to fly? Reaching out, he touched the hull and dragged his fingers along its rusting surface. “I don't know.” If he said yes, he'd be committed to fixing it. "Will you try to get it running?" Magnus finished his inspection and walked over to where she was standing. “Even if I can, the real question is, can I keep it running long enough to bring us back from the crash." She ran her hands up and down her arms. “I've heard you're a wizard with mechanics." "I'm rusty." "What you're really saying is you don't want to fix it." He looked her in the eye. “No. I don't." She folded her arms under her breasts. “Please, Magnus. I need those drugs." Her cheeks flushed a light pink. She wasn't used to having to beg for anything. He took a seat in a scarred metal folding chair and propped his boots up on the workbench. “Why make this trip? To help a few people who are gonna end up dead soon anyway?" Beth stared at the ship and rubbed the back of her neck. “Because it's important. At least I can give them a fighting chance. But they won't even have that if you don't help me." "That's very noble, Beth—but I have no intention of getting myself killed so you can feel useful." She moved closer to him, her body swaying with a slow weightless grace. She was one of those women who were genuinely ignorant of their effect on men. Looking into her bottomless green eyes, he lost his resolve. "Please,” she said softly. He shook his head and smiled. “How can I ever say no to you? Let me look it over for an hour and I'll let you know." "Thanks.” She kissed him. **** After Beth left, Magnus spent the better part of an hour going over the ship. It was a

hard thing to look at. He hadn't seen one since he'd been on Earth. He'd been seventeen and with his dad at a parts store. They been talking with the guys when Billy, the owner, pulled up outside in the parking lot, honking like crazy. He'd just picked one up, and its metallic paint shimmered under the smiling Montana sun. Magnus grinned remembering how thrilled they'd all been. A river of pain flowed over him when he realized he'd never see his dad again. How many bad choices had he made to end up here? Too many to count. Drugs, theft, murders. Oh yes, dozens of murders. They were the main reason why he'd ended up a guest of the Feds. They never even knew how many murders there'd been. If they had known, he probably would have ended up snuffed too. Sorry, Dad. I was just never any damn good. Well, at least he never killed anyone who didn't have it comin'. Certainly no one any decent person would miss—just a bunch of lousy criminals like him. Magnus climbed up onto the wing and jumped into the cockpit. The interior looked as new as the day it was delivered to Akron-Nine. He guessed that was about seven or eight years ago. On the outside, it showed a little more damage, where some bullets and mortars had grazed the hull. Starting up the tow lift, he dragged the ship outside and tried to start it. It made some promising sputters and died out again after a few minutes. He scratched the back of his head and squinted down at it. A few minor parts changed out and some fresh fuel, and he just might be able to take this thing for a spin. Beth will be delighted.

Chapter 18 "I still don't understand why I need to go with you,” Beth said, as they approached the town. Magnus slowed his pace, gently rested his hand on the butt of his gun. “Because I need you to watch my back while I look for these parts." They moved past the main gate and walked to the right of the street, both watching for signs of trouble. Beth gave a slight toss of her head. “Over there." Two men emerged from the bar. One a white man in his thirties with a shaved head and slight frame, and the other a dark-skinned youth with sharp, angry blue eyes. They advanced on Magnus, each one approaching from a different side. "Hello, Marshal,” the dark-skinned one greeted in a sing-song voice. “You bring your pussy out to show her off?" Magnus gave them an icy smile and rested his hand on his revolver. “Don't put me in a bad mood, Glenn." The man grinned and scratched the back of his head. “Well, Stone, I'd say the same to you. I hate your fucking guts." Beth never saw Magnus move, but a second later, there was an explosion of gunfire and the white man fell to the ground. A crimson blossom darkened his t-shirt. Seconds later, the dark-skinned man too lay on the ground with a gaping, bloody hole in his head. All Beth could do was gasp. From within one of the outbuildings, a man emerged. He was dressed in dark clothing, a butcher's apron, and was the oldest person Beth had seen on the planet. His arms were heavily tattooed. He moved with a strong steady stride toward the bodies, stopping just before he reached them. “Are you going to take some of their meat, brother?” he said to Magnus. Magnus knelt by the bodies and lifted all the weaponry worth keeping. Without looking up at the man, he said, “No, you can have them.” He turned around and stalked back up to her. “Come on,” he said, putting his sunglasses back on. “We need to get those parts and get back to the clinic.” He headed toward a large storage building. Beth fell into step behind him.

Chapter 19 Beth sat curled up in the shuttle's hanger reading an old medical book. She'd found it in Masters’ bedroom, sitting under a pile of old journals. It had quickly become her best friend, being the only distraction she could find in this hellish place besides sex. Her stomach growled again and she forced herself not to think of food. There was no way she was eating anything here again that didn't come out of a can—she didn't care how hungry she got. Suddenly, she heard a loud clank and heard Magnus swear. Beth looked up and scanned the shuttle. It appeared to be in good condition, even if it did need some mechanical work. Magnus was nowhere to be seen. “What's wrong?” she called out. Walking around from the ship's far side, he said, “I keep having to modify parts to make them fit. That's what's wrong.” His grey eyes were paler today and Beth attributed his aggression to fatigue. They all needed some decent sleep. Unfortunately, it always seemed to be a luxury no one dared indulge, lest they wake up and become someone's meal. Beth closed her book and rolled her shoulders. She wondered if the medical supply ship had been plundered already. This was taking them a lot longer than she thought. Don't give up. "How much longer do you think it will take?” Beth tried to keep impatience out of her tone. He stalked toward her, wiping his hands off on a rag. His frown deepened, making the corners of his mouth wrinkle. “I might be able to get it running by morning." "Good.” Beth buried her nose back into her book. A silence passed over him and a strange intimacy hung in the air. "You still upset I didn't want to get the meds?" Beth kept reading and shook her head. “No, I'm fine. I understand how you feel." He pulled up a chair next to her and sat stretching out his long legs. “A lot of people come here and just give up,” he said. “They decide quickly that they won't live like this and finish it. Then there are others who decide that no matter what life throws at them, they just won't quit.” He hung his head back and closed his eyes. “I'm glad you've found a purpose helping these people." Beth closed the book. She smoothed her hand over the cover. She was afraid to say it, scared to admit she had a sliver of hope in the face of such hopelessness. “I'm going to make this clinic work,” she whispered, as if only to herself. Magnus was quiet for a long time. She expected to hear him laugh that harsh laugh of his. After all, he wasn't much of a humanitarian. But there was nothing, only the pregnant silence between them. He looked at her with grey eyes dark from fatigue. “I

love you, Beth,” he said. She was so shocked she didn't know what to say. Then, without another word, he went back to the ship and continued working.

Chapter 20 Magnus had worked all night to get the shuttle running, but as dawn approached, it was obvious no amount of time would help it. He got it running, but it was unreliable, sputtering off every few minutes or so. Beth had curled up in her chair and dozed for a few hours but now she was up, pacing the floor and rubbing the back of her neck. "So, what exactly are you saying?” Her tone bordered on yelling. Magnus climbed out of the cockpit and jumped to the ground. “I'm saying it's not safe. The fucking thing is not staying powered. We go out there in this thing and we'll be dead inside two hours." "I thought you said you fixed it." "Well, I wouldn't say I exactly fixed it. I got it running, but it still has a lot of problems." Beth shook her head. The dark circles under her eyes seemed even more pronounced as her anger deepened. “I don't see that we have much of a choice. I can't do anything for these people until I get some drugs. I need that shipment, Magnus." He walked over to his trench coat hanging on some old equipment. The morning was getting colder and he felt it right in the marrow of his bones. “I don't need them, Beth. You're welcome to pilot the ship yourself if you want. I'll give you a nice big gun." She moved to intercept him and he stopped in front of her, staring down into her deep green eyes. There was a time on Earth when a woman like this could have made him do anything. It was funny how life and death changed things. Her hard, determined stare made him smile. She was exhausted and ragged and yet refused to give up. He knew how she felt; he too had never given in to the despair this place burned into him. The truth of it was, he didn't know what he'd do without her to fight with. "I'll tell you what,” he said, hardening his features to let her know he meant it. “We'll take her for a test flight around the clinic. If she keeps going and doesn't stall, we'll take a shot at your crashed freighter." Beth broke into an unexpected smile that made her look angelic. “Thanks, Magnus." He snorted and tossed his jacket back on its makeshift hanger. “You won't be thanking me for long." **** Much to his displeasure, the test flight went off without a hitch. Fucking piece of shit. Beth, of course, had been delighted. They packed some food and water and headed out just before midday. Magnus obsessively checked the controls as they progressed. Nothing made him more edgy than when everything went smoothly. Beth, in contrast, was surprisingly sunny, hopeful of the medicines they would find. She also had some funny ideas about

luxurious extras he knew wouldn't be on board. But he didn't say anything. Why ruin one of the only good moods I haveever seen her in? Just as he closed his eyes, he heard it. The sensors chirped a warning of a radar contact and he sat up abruptly. Beth was at his side in a minute. "What is it?” she said. Magnus stared down at the screen and scowled at the trouble they were in. “It's a Kerillian slave ship,” he said. That was the last thing they needed. Beth chewed her lip and stared at the screen. “Can we outrun them?" "I really doubt it, but we can try.” He buckled into his pilot harness and watched her do the same. She gave him a sober look. “Good luck." Visual of the slaver came from their right. It was a huge cigar-shaped cruiser and was battle scared from its many encounters. Not many people surrendered to slavers. The ship's aft engines fired as it accelerated toward them. Magnus waited until the last minute and banked a hard left. The slavers’ pilot was too experienced for the maneuver and stuck close to them, sending a prerecorded message to surrender over their communication system. Magnus unhooked his harness and opened his side window. The cold wind rushed in, causing him to momentarily hold his breath. “Steer,” he tossed back at Beth, who was scrambling to take the wheel as he hung out the window. The slaver moved in close. It fired a warning shot near their main thrusters and Beth banked the ship in the opposite direction. "I have no idea how to pilot this thing,” she protested. Magnus ignored her and unhooked the pulse rifle he'd stashed just behind the pilot's seat. The ship made a hard right and Magnus glanced out the window. He watched as they passed close over the slaver. “You seem to be doing fine to me,” he retorted, half-joking. Beth gave him an acid look. Undoing the safety, Magnus aimed the rifle out the window and took a few shots at the slavers’ pilot. The slave ship dove away, coming dangerously close to crashing. It corrected suddenly and rose up in their path, coming within inches of clipping their port wing. Beth swore under her breath. Magnus scrambled over her in an attempt to get a clear shot at the pilot. He fired off a few wild shots and Beth shuddered from the closeness of the sound. The slaver turned and came around for another pass, firing a magnetic pulse to try and stall their ship. Magnus reached over Beth's shoulder and twisted the steering column to a hard right. The engines immediately stalled.

"Shit!” Magnus growled, pushing Beth out of the chair with his butt. Beth's hands were trembling as she sat watching the ground rising to meet them. Then, she suddenly scrambled into action, climbing into her seat and pulling her harness on with haste. Magnus struggled with his, trying to steer the ship and get back into his belts at the same time. Beth reached over and helped him, her hands trembling. The impact was hard and bumpy but luckily it was a good belly landing. They slid for about a mile and finally stopped. Magnus unbuckled his harness and hung half out the window looking to see where the slaver was. It landed just behind them. Magnus grabbed the rifle and tossed Beth one of his pistols. He heard her lock the doors as he hung out the window, trying to get a clear shot at someone, anyone. A bolt from a Kimble blaster almost took his head off and he ducked back into the cockpit, steadying his nerves. Make every shot count. Steeling his nerves, he leaned out and caught sight of the pilot talking to someone just behind him, getting armored up for an attack. Magnus exhaled slowly and aimed at the man's head. The shot exploded inside the Kerillian ship, sending blood everywhere. Magnus immediately ducked back, as several response shots peppered the window, breaking it into a million tiny shards. Magnus rushed to the doors and hit the open button. Beth protested but he ignored her, and took out each Kerillian warrior rushing toward them. Silence filled the air. A faint smell of blood and gunpowder filled Magnus’ nose. Inching toward the open door, he strained to hear any noise at all. Beth stayed close by his side, her chest heaving. Slipping out of the ship, he spotted a few men still inside the Kerillian slaver. Probably trying to come up with a strategy. Creeping toward the ship, he spotted a shadow move at him from his left. The shot thundered in his ear and he grimaced, thinking he'd been hit. Glancing at the ground, he saw the fallen Kerillian. He looked back at Beth; her gun was smoking. She gave him a pencil thin grin and shrugged. He nodded to her and kept moving. One of the Kerillians had his blaster pointed out the window to return fire. Magnus took him out quickly. It took them close to an hour to explore the Kerillian ship and make sure all aboard were dead. Beth collapsed on the ground and rested her gun between her legs. She thumped her head back on the hull of the slave ship. "Now what the hell are we going to do?” She sounded defeated. "Now,” Magnus said, walking around the ship to examine it. “We figure out how to drive this thing."

Chapter 21 The Kerillian ship looked like it was way past its prime. A cold wind pelted the sides with sand, making the inside echo with an eerie hiss. A short tour of it revealed that there was little to salvage except the ship itself. There were some dried food provisions, but it was impossible to tell what they were, being all the labels were in Kerillian. Magnus had eaten some of the dried meat, finding it rather tasteless. Beth, however, wouldn't touch a bite. She sat on a bench inside the ship and let her shoulders slump forward. “What the hell are we going to do now?" Magnus looked over the ship's controls, trying to decipher what each of the symbols might mean. He thought he might be able to fly it. What the hell? It was worth a try. Better than trying to make it back on foot. “We're going to fly this thing." She got up and moved over to where he was studying the controls. He sank into the pilot's seat and she rested her arm against the chair back. “Do you know Kerillian?" "Not a word." "So you're just planning to wing it." He turned to look at her. She was thinner than he remembered from yesterday. “You need to eat some of the rations on board, Beth." "I'm fine,” she protested. "No, baby, you're not fine. If you don't eat something soon, you're gonna get sick." Beth moved away from him and disappeared into the back of the ship. When she returned, she had one of the Kerillian packages with her. She sank into the copilot's chair and carefully tore the wrapping. Glancing at him, she took a small bite from the dried meat and chewed as if it might explode in her mouth. "Better?” she said sarcastically. "Much.” He turned his attention back to the control panel and frowned at the writing. “I'm going to try a few buttons; why don't you strap yourself in?" Still chewing her bite of meat, Beth pulled the harnesses on and nestled back into the seat. Magnus punched the largest of the panel buttons and the ship made a loud, mechanical groaning sound then fell silent again. He swore under his breath and hit a few more buttons. The yellow one was the ignition, and the ship roared to life. Beth stared at him and exhaled slowly but remained silent. After almost an hour of testing each lever and control, Magnus decide to try and take the ship off the ground. The first attempt was jerky, the nose lifting before the aft end, until he set her back down again. He was vaguely aware of Beth gripping her seat in panic.

"Is it really too far to walk?” Beth's voice was breathy and strained. Magnus just glanced at her and grinned. It was the fear talking and he knew how she felt. Cannibals or shuttle crashes, neither was a happy option when choosing how to die. “It's going to be dark soon. We'll take a break and try again in the morning. Besides I think you could use some sleep.” Getting up from the chair, he led her to the back of the ship where a few narrow beds were. “Why don't you rest and I'll keep watch and make us something nice for dinner." "I was fine until you mentioned that part about dinner." Magnus gave her a menacing laugh. “I hope you like Kerillian."

Chapter 22 When Beth woke up, she was unsure where she was. The inside of the ship was quiet and dark and, for a few fleeting moments, she thought she was home in her old house on Earth. The she remembered and fought off the suffocating sorrow that filled her. She climbed out of the cot and made her way outside where Magnus was roasting some meat over a fire. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared into the flames. The cooking meat smelled good but was offset by its somewhat unusual odor. Beth looked over at Magnus eating some off a stick. “How is it?" He tossed the stick and licked his fingers. “It's food,” he said with a shrug. Magnus watched her intently. “You need to eat." She leaned forward and plucked one of the sticks off the fire. Blowing on it, she pulled a piece of meat off and chewed. Beth smiled at him as if to assure him it was fine. He got up and ran a flashlight over the ship, disappearing around the far side for an inspection. Despite her revulsion, Beth let her hunger take over, and before she knew it she had eaten all of the meat he'd left for her. Magnus reappeared as she cleaned off the last stick and tossed it on the pile. He came over and took a seat on the ground next to her. Handing her a canteen, he said, “You seem to be adapting." She sipped the cool water, swishing some around in her mouth before swallowing. “I guess so." He studied the darkness as if he could see just beyond its borders. His hard profile was strong and rugged—a man used to making his way through harsh conditions. "I'm surprised we haven't encountered any cannibals,” she said. He let out a dangerous laugh. “They're out there. Probably just some scouts watching us right now, but they're watching. We're just not a priority." Beth lay back, relishing the feel of being full for the first time in days. She didn't want to think about cannibals anymore so she changed the subject. “What was life like for you back on Earth?" He lay next to her with his hands behind his head, staring at the sky. “Lots of sex; lots of crime." "Certainly there was more to it than that." "My family and I were close. We used to do all kinds of things together until my older brother went corporate and I turned to a life of crime." "If you were a criminal on Earth, why did they let you be a marshal here?” Beth shifted on her side and studied Magnus.

"Because I was a very good criminal and I guess that's what they thought was needed here." Beth stared into those grey eyes and lost herself in their ferocity. He leaned forward, gently nuzzling the side of her face. She closed her eyes and he kissed her. A mixture of strange feelings filled her soul. The kiss was warm, filled with unexpected affection and she surrendered to it. He leaned into her, his lips pressing harder as his tongue explored her mouth. Beth relaxed and let him kiss her. Is he truly what I want? She explored her feelings and found that she had never wanted anyone so much. He laid her back on the ground, burying his face in her neck. Hot kisses ran down her throat and Beth let out a soft moan. She wrapped her arms around him. In another life, so long ago, she would have never allowed a man like this to touch her. Now she couldn't imagine being in this awful place without him. With that thought in mind, she surrendered to him and let him take her in a scorching lusty night.

Chapter 23 After a rough few hours, Magnus finally stabilized the Kerillian ship enough to make it to the medical freighter. The morning was cool and clear, one that suggested nothing terrible could happen on such a beautiful day. Beth watched the wreckage from her window. Much of the supplies were strewn over at least three miles. That would make it very hard to collect them all. It was going to be hard enough to get Magnus to land for any length of time. This was the fifth time they had circled the area, and she knew he thought this was a trap. “I think if they wanted to raid the crash, they would have already,” she said, over the noise of the engine. He squinted at the ground below and gave a slight shake of his head. “No, they'd hang around waiting for someone like us to show up. The question is not are there some cannibals waiting down there, but where are they hiding?" "Well, we can't just circle all day." Magnus studied her, his grey eyes dark and gloomy. Lowering the controls, he steered the ship and decided on a landing site near the tail of the wreck. It was a good spot. From here, he could see in all directions. The medical freighter had a gaping hole in the aft end where the tail assembly had torn off. They crept out of the ship, Magnus in the lead watching for any sign of movement. It didn't take long for Beth to smell the stench of the dead. Two men were scattered around the main wreckage, their clothes cut off and chunks of flesh cut from them. She tried to look away but the carnage was everywhere. How could people do this to each other? A ripple of sorrow moved through her gut. “I wonder if anyone survived only to be killed later." Magnus ignored her question and crept into the open belly of the ship. Luckily there were far too many heavy boxes in the cargo hold for any one band to make off with. A lot of supplies still remained to be claimed. Beth sidestepped Magnus and cut one of the boxes open. Her breath caught in her throat as she pulled out vials of antibiotics. She turned and looked at Magnus who was still conducting his search. “We've got to get this to the ship right away. There's some ammunition too." "Great, can you get the stuff to the ship by yourself?” He was still edgy, cautious, and his apprehension was dampening her mood. "Yes. I'll be fine.” Beth turned her attention back to the supplies and ammunition. To her amazement, there were also some dry rations in one of the other boxes. Beth tore one of the packages open and ravenously dug in. A normally marginal meal tasted like the finest delicacy on earth. I'd better hurry up.

Beth set to the difficult task of prioritizing and loading the Kerillian cruiser. She was so intent upon her task that the first gunshot didn't register in her mind as a danger sign. "Magnus?” she shouted as loudly as she dared. Climbing up onto the top of the medical ship, she squinted along the horizon. There, spilling out from some underground shelters, was a massive cannibal band. Their faces painted in blood, they screamed and shouted as they charged the freighter. Oh shit! "Magnus!” she shouted, jumping down and scrambling toward the ship. God, Beth raced toward the ship's open door, I hope he can hear me. **** Beth rushed over to the boxes she'd been stacking by the ship's loading doors and started trying to get as many as she could in. Through the hole in the ship, she could see the cannibals drawing closer. She had only minutes before they'd reach her. Besides, she needed to give Magnus enough time to reach the ship, that was, if he was still alive. Oh my God, what if they've killed him? No, he's a hard man to kill. He can handle himself. Dragging the last box over, she paused to shout his name. He was there in an instant. Racing up to the ship's entrance and grabbing her by the arm to follow him in. "No, I can't,” she breathed. “I have to get this last box inside." "Leave it, Beth. We don't have time." She pulled back from him and struggled with the box. Gunshots whizzed past her ears, peppering the hull of the ship behind her. “Damn it!” she screamed. He seized her by the upper arm and shoved her toward the ship. “Leave it,” Magnus growled. Beth released the box and stumbled into the ship, swearing. Once inside, he turned and stabbed the locking control on the door. It seemed to take an eternity to close. Magnus scrambled to the ship's controls and started it up. Beth heard the thumping of bodies slamming themselves against the ship's door. "Beth!” he shouted, and she raced over and strapped herself in. A moment later, they were lifting off amid the sounds of screaming cannibals falling off the wings.

Chapter 24 The constant hum of the ship's engines was the only thing that seemed normal on this strange, alien vessel. Beth sat next to Magnus, drifting in and out of sleep, and he envied her. She trusted him, and for some reason that disturbed him. I have to tell her the truth. Shifting in his seat Magnus turned his attention to her, studying the clean shade of her skin and hair. If he closed his eyes, he could smell her. The soft sweetness of the skin cream she used to compensate for not being able to bath regularly. He loved her now and that complicated matters. What would she do if she knew the truth? Would she reject him, try to run away? Probably, but he had to tell her. She shifted in her sleep and gave him a dreamy glance. She stretched and undid her harness then leaned over to look out the window. “What's that?" He leaned over and followed her gaze. Far below was a small caravan of settlers. Their land cruisers were parked at odd angles as if they'd all stopped suddenly and parked where they could. There didn't seem to be any sign of attack, but several were standing on the tops of their vehicles waving a white flag. "They're trying to signal us for help,” she said with certainty. A fire began to burn in his belly. “Yeah, that's a possibility." Her eyes fixed on him in an accusatory stare, as if he had caused the settlers unknown hardship. “We have to stop and help them." "No, we don't." Beth twisted in her seat and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “Magnus, you can't just leave them there." "Watch me." "Are you insane? Those people will die without our help. We have to land." The fire in his belly grew into an inferno. “Fuck that." Beth stood up as if the force of her stature alone could compel him. Her rage washed over him and he felt his own anger quickening. This goodie, goodie stuff from her was getting to be a real pain in the ass. She crouched by him with her hands on his arm. “Please." "It's a trap,” he managed. She was so close. He reached down and released his harness. She didn't seem to notice. "Don't make me beg you for this,” she said. He turned to look her in the eyes. She pulled back a little but stayed close, still within grabbing distance. He ran his gaze over his face, her hair, her neck. He inhaled her scent but hesitated to touch her. He wanted to fuck her here, on this alien ship, right now in

flight. Unfortunately, he'd need more time than this, hours, to do exactly what he wanted. He didn't utter a sound but turned the ship around and headed back to the colonists. He would have his chance, when everything was just right. **** They landed and Magnus was armed and out of his seat. Beth rose, but he pushed her back down into her chair. “Wait here." Slipping his sunglasses on, he hit the hatch door only to find the colonists rushing toward him. He cocked his weapon and pointed it at them. Suddenly, they slowed to a cautious walk. He watched a few take in the Kerillian markings and looked at him. He leaned in the doorway of the ship's entrance. An older man with a few days’ growth of grey beard moved forward as the group slowed to a stop. “Good day to you, friend,” he said. “I hope you have come in peace to help." Magnus spotted a few men and women with large sores on their face and hands. “What's wrong with your people?" Before the man could answer, Magnus was pushed aside from behind by Beth, brandishing a large first aid kit. She raced down the plank, stopping just before the grey bearded man. “My name is Nurse Shaw. I'm an assistant of Doctor Masters,” she said breathily. “What can I do to help?"

Chapter 25 As far as Magnus was concerned, an entire travel day had been wasted on the colonists. Beth hadn't seen it that way and argued to stay longer until he threatened to leave her there. Then she came right along. Surprising what a little fear could do to change someone's mind. They traveled back in cold silence—she brooding over his callous insensitivity and he trying to decide on where he was going to fuck her when they got back. If she hadn't outright guessed his plans for her, she must have somehow sensed it. She kept one eye firmly on him all the time now. Her caution just thrilled him more because he knew her anger would make her pretty wild. They landed at the clinic in the late afternoon and had the medical supplies unloaded in just under an hour. Magnus could see the disappointment on Beth's face and knew she'd be asking to go back for more. As everyone celebrated inside, Magnus hung back in the hangar playing with an abandoned pack of cards. After a few moments, Beth returned from the celebration, her hands buried in her back pockets. "Aren't you coming to join the party?” she said. He shook his head, cutting the deck with one hand over and over again as he sat at the empty card table. She moved forward and took a seat opposite him. Their eyes met and he felt a rush of heat in his face and groin. He'd fuck her now if he weren't so afraid of being interrupted. "I really appreciate all your help, Magnus.” She traced the scar of a cigarette burn on the vinyl tabletop. “Maybe we could take another run out to the medical freighter soon." He barked out a harsh laugh. “We don't have enough fuel for a return trip,” he lied. What the fuck would she know? She stared at him, her nostrils flaring slightly. “How do you know? I thought you couldn't read Kerillian?" He leaned back and interlaced his hands behind his head. “I'm learning." "I don't believe you're a marshal,” she said, rising from the table. “Who are you really?" He moved toward her, his pulse pounding in his temples. “Sit down and I'll tell you everything." Beth lowered herself into her seat watching him carefully. “Okay." "I really am a marshal, Beth. But before I became one, I was so much more than just a criminal. I was the leader of those cannibal bands we keep running into out there. I was the worst of the worst—King of the Cannibals. They couldn't stop me, so the government made me a deal. They offered me a free hand, all the ammunition and food I wanted, and a pension for my dad on Earth if I switched teams.” He spread the cards face up on the table. “It was a sweetheart deal, so I took it."

"That's why you know all of them." He nodded, not meeting her gaze. “That's right. That's why I know them.” Before she could respond, a loud alarm sounded in the hangar. Magnus glanced away trying to spot its source. When he looked back at her, she was running.

Chapter 26 When Magnus reached the main entrance, they were already escorting a haggard looking Doctor Masters to an examining room. Beth followed alongside him, trying to check his temperature and pulse as they rushed him past in a gurney. Magnus had to admit, he was shocked to see Masters alive. He'd never known anyone abducted by cannibals to survive to tell about it. Perhaps they'd only needed his expertise and in return, released him. His adventure aside, Masters didn't look too bad for all the time he'd been gone. Some dehydration and a few cuts and bruises seemed to be all. Magnus stood just outside the examining room as Beth hastily rushed everyone out. She glanced at him, and left the door open as she worked to clean Masters’ wounds. She gave the doctor something to relax him and he promptly fell asleep. Magnus said nothing as she worked. He knew she'd talk to him when she was ready. Beth glanced at him as she rushed around the room getting bandages and disinfectant. “I want to know why you didn't tell me all this before." Magnus shifted his weight to the other foot and folded his arms across his chest. “I thought you'd dump me.” He smiled. “I wanted to wait for just the right time. I didn't know how you would react to it." "Fucking animal,” she spat as she cut away some of Masters’ shirt sleeves to get at another wound. She lapsed into a dark and angry silence. "There was also another reason." "And that is?" "I told you I love you." "You expect me to believe that?" "Why not? It's the truth. Besides, you're not really going to tell me I mean nothing to you, are you?" Beth glared at him and tossed some soiled bandages in the trash. “What's to stop you from murdering me?" "Come on now. Aren't you overreacting just a little? I could have killed you a thousand times." Her face was blank, unreadable. “We need more food,” she said, leaning against the gurney. “Do you have enough fuel to get to the space station and get us some supplies?" "I think so." "But we didn't have enough to go back and help those colonists?" "No, baby, we'll never have enough fuel to go back for those colonists,” he said in a dangerous tone. “I'd better go prep the ship for my trip. You know where I'll be if you

need me." **** Beth sat in Masters’ room, listening to the quiet rhythm of his breathing as he slept. She hated Magnus’ history but couldn't bring herself to hate the man. She knew he was dangerous, deadly even. She was furious he hadn't told her about being a cannibal. I should have seen it. It was all there. She should give Magnus an IV of fluids before he left. Hunger hung on him like old rags, and she hated to admit she loved him, too. Getting up with a sigh, she grabbed an IV bag and a needle and made her way to the hangar. As she came in, he was sitting by the ship on a sack of rice, chewing a piece of jerky. He gave her a lazy look and leaned back with his hands behind his head. “What now?" Beth held up the IV bag and moved toward him. “You're going to need this to keep on your toes.” Coming up next to him, she hooked the IV into a grate just above him. “Take off your jacket, please." Magnus didn't move for a moment, then slowly peeled his jacket off and laid it next to him. She swabbed his arm and inserted the IV, carefully checking its drip. “Now lay back and be quiet. This will take a few minutes."

Chapter 27 Only a day had passed since Magnus left but, for Beth, the clinic had become a prison within itself. During the day, she did everything she could for the guards and patients but nothing was ever enough. They never had enough food and tempers flared often. It was all she could do to keep the peace most of the time, even though she could do little to stop the guards’ theft of the IV bags. Doctor Masters was doing well despite her having little to feed him. He obsessed constantly about the clinic and important research he felt he should be doing. He had even stared getting up against her advice and seeing patients. Despite her annoyance, she was relieved to see him returning to his old self. Beth knew she wasn't doing as well. She was withdrawing from everyone, taking long breaks to go in her room, locking the door and reading. She almost never slept, instead waking with a start to every little noise. Sometimes she would lie awake at night curled in a corner, reading the same medical texts over and over again. She knew her actions were odd but she couldn't help it. Nothing was right without Magnus here. One night, after spending hours reading, she woke with tightness in her chest she had never felt before. She rushed to Doctor Masters’ room. As she entered, she heard him sit up quickly and a gun cock. Beth swallowed down her fear. “It's me,” she whispered. He turned on the light and lowered his weapon. “I could have blown your head off. What the hell were you thinking barging in here like that?" "I think I'm having a heart attack." Masters pulled the blankets off him and moved toward her. He was dressed only in some blue sweatpants. Beth stared into his black eyes. "Sit on the bed,” he said, pulling over a small EKG machine stuffed in the corner. He hooked her up and turned the machine on. They both watched the monitor wordlessly for a few moments. Masters shook his head. “I don't think you're having a heart attack, Beth." Beth suddenly felt foolish. She was so embarrassed, she was unable to speak. So many emotions swirled inside her she didn't know which one to dare express first. Before she knew what was happening, a sob filled her and spilled from her mouth. Once loose, her sorrow and fear flowed from her in a bitter, hopeless weeping. She was so worried about Magnus, she couldn't deal with any of this. At first, Masters seemed stunned, rendered unable to respond. Then she felt his arms wrap around her as he pulled her in close. "I don't know what's happening to me,” she said in between her tears. “I feel like I'm coming apart."

Masters squeezed her and gently nuzzled her ear. “You'll be fine, you've just been holding in too much for too long.” He gently kissed her cheek. “Stay with me tonight; I'll take care of you." Beth closed her eyes and let her body melt into him. I'm going to die here, on this fucking planet, alone. Soon the tears came again and Beth was terrified by the ferocity of them.

Chapter 28 Magnus parked the Kerillian cruiser behind the supply depot and hoped no one paid too much attention to it. It was a big risk bringing it here; anyone who knew ships would be able to tell it wasn't an Earth vessel. He lowered the hatch and glanced around with his weapon drawn. Everyone on the street minded their own business, rushing from one place to another not concerned with anything other than their own affairs. Spotting the back door ajar, he slipped into the supply depot and quickly took in the room. Three other shoppers browsed the aisles, one woman and two men. They weren't together. They appeared to be local merchants so Magnus didn't pay much attention to them. Making his way up to the clerk behind the counter, he laid the clinic credits down, trying to read the man's face. "These still good?” he said. The clerk, a middle-aged, balding man with a dirty, white shirt, picked them up and held them under an ultraviolet light. He gave Magnus a curious look. “Sure are. Issued to the clinic a few weeks back.” He scratched his chin. “Funny,” he said. “I heard they were overrun by cannibals." Magnus rested his hand on the butt of his gun. “They were, but they survived it. Mind if I shop around?" The clerk watched him for a moment and Magnus thought the man might be feeling heroic. Finally, he shrugged and walked off to continue restocking the shelves. Grabbing some cases of baked beans and chili, Magnus set to loading the ship. When he was on his last load, the clerk came out. Magnus groaned inside, the man was going to have questions about the ship. The man looked at the marking, his face unreadable. “If you'll just sign these,” the clerk said, holding the credits out to him. Magnus signed them, waiting for the barrage of questions over how he came to possess a Kerillian ship, but the man made no comment. Instead, once Magnus had signed everything, he slipped back into the store without as much as a backward glance. The hearty smell of basting meat filled Magnus's nose and reminded him how ravenous he truly was. Deciding it was safe enough to leave the ship for a while; he entered the main concourse and followed the rich delicious smells. Neon lights surrounded the little café announcing fresh food. Magnus entered and took a seat at the bar. The placed boasted few patrons, but the most interesting was the Kerillian pair sitting by the kitchen. Magnus kept his right hand on his thigh in case he needed to draw his weapon. A haggard-looking woman with bleached curls sauntered up and took his order. Normally he wouldn't have felt comfortable being in such a small enclosed place with

two Kerillian soldiers, but he was hungry and the trip back to the clinic would take a few hours of steady piloting, since he didn't know how to auto-pilot the ship. His meal arrived a few moments later, steaming hot. He dug in, keeping one eye on the Kerillians. About halfway into his meal, they got up and walked toward him. Magnus gulped down a few more mouthfuls and pulled his weapon, keeping it in his lap. They moved up behind him, but Magnus pretended not to notice. “Interesting,” the darkhaired one said in a thick foreign accent that could almost be mistaken for Russian. “He doesn't look Kerillian. How do you suppose he got a Kerillian ship?" Fuck. The ship had been spotted. Now he'd have to fight his way out of here and get back to the ship. He hoped the Kerillians hadn't sabotaged it already. Without uttering a word, Magnus swiveled around in his chair and pointed his weapon at them. They looked unmoved. The taller of the two reached for him with blinding speed, but Magnus pulled the trigger and blew an angry hole in the man's head. The other Kerillian roared with rage. Ducking behind the counter, he pulled his blaster and opened fire. Screams filled the air as patrons scrambled and ran for the exit. Magnus dropped to the floor and scrambled to the back door. Kicking it open, he ran toward the ship, firing a few shots off behind him to keep the Kerillian from gaining too much ground on him. Magnus raced onto the ship and closed the hatch. A moment later he had the engines running. He heard the blaster shots as he took off and hoped one didn't find its way into the hull. If it did, this would be a very short trip.

Chapter 29 Once he arrived at the clinic, landing proved to be harder than he could have imagined. Circling, Magnus spotted a small band of hungry colonists surrounding the compound desperately trying to score a food handout. Poor bastards. Little did they know the clinic was as busted as they were. That was until he arrived with his payload. Magnus cut his airspeed and made a low pass to unsettle the crowd. They took the hint and scattered, taking cover away from the compound. He landed at the back of the clinic and opened the hatch. He moved out with his weapon at the ready, just in case someone was so desperate they would risk anything to try and get in. Seeing no one, he rounded up some guards and set about unloading the ship. He was surprised Beth didn't come out. Perhaps she was involved with a patient. After they had finished, he dropped by the examining rooms. No sign of her. His next stop was Doctor Masters’ room. He listened at the door and heard the muffled sounds of soft voices. He knocked softly. "Come in,” Masters said through the door. Magnus entered and saw Beth sitting in a folding chair in the corner, a book hugged tightly to her chest. Masters walked over, looking tired. “She's strung out. Maybe you can talk to her.” He walked past Magnus, and out the door. He took a seat on the edge of Masters’ bed and watched her. She looked small and haunted. “I got the food,” he said feeling awkward. “Why don't we go and get you something to eat?" Beth didn't meet his eyes. She shook her head and squeezed the book tighter. “I'm not hungry." She was dangerously thin; he knew she was lying. “Come here.” Magnus gestured to her. She shook her head “no” and seemed to shrink a little more into herself. Magnus got up and slowly moved toward her. Beth didn't look up at him but he saw her stiffen. “I'm not going to hurt you, baby.” He kept his voice soothing. Crouching in front of her, Magnus tried to catch her gaze. Reaching out, he took hold of the book and peeled it from her reluctant arms. He took her hands and she finally met his gaze. He draped her hair behind her ears so he could see her face clearly. “Is it too much for you?" The crack in her emotions poured out of her, rushing over him in an exhaled gasp. The sobs flowed out of her in great waves of toxic grief. She clutched onto him like a drowning woman going down for the last time. He pulled her into his arms, bringing her down onto the floor with him. Squeezing her body, he could feel the violent sobs as they rocked her with their ferocity. He hated the

feelings her breakdown was tapping in him—his own fear and loathing of this place. Fears of maiming and suffering beyond imagination, but he kept himself in check and held her tighter than he'd ever held anyone. "I hate it here. Hate it, hate it,” she hissed through clinched teeth. "I know, I know.” The words were meaningless and did little to temper his true feelings. He buried his face in her neck. “There is another way, you know." Beth sniffled a few times and pulled back to look at him. “What?" Magnus pulled his pistol and pointed it at the ceiling. “I could take us both out and we'd be done.” He was the stalking angel of death. His voice was a dark whisper. A voice she barely recognized. Beth looked into his eyes and he could see her playing with the possibility. “No,” she whispered finally. “No, I don't want that." He holstered the weapon again then kissed her deeply on the mouth. She looked too stunned to speak. "Just remember, baby—that option is always available in case you feel like you don't want to try anymore. And if you go, I won't be far behind you."

Chapter 30 Beth slumped in her chair, randomly arranging packages of condiments. The break room was dim and dusty, showing signs of its infrequent use. She glanced across the room at Magnus sleeping in a green vinyl armchair, his leg swung over one arm. She wished she was more like him, able to turn her emotions on and off at will. Masters was moving from one vending machine to another, considering the meager offerings with a serious air. She sighed loudly and stared at Magnus’ still form. She knew he wasn't really asleep. He never slept. "Tell me more about people who've managed to get off world,” she said. Magnus didn't move from his position of apparent sleep. “We can do it." Doctor Masters turned around and frowned at her. “So you're going to try and get off?" Beth shifted and met his hard gaze. She was annoyed at herself for feeling a tinge of guilt. “I just can't live like this,” she admitted softly. “If there's any hope at all of getting out of here, I'm going to take it. The patients can be damned." They all lapsed into a long silence. Beth listened to the wind spraying sand against the building. Masters lowered himself into a metal folding chair. It creaked under his weight. Sunlight from the grimy window dappled his back. He watched Magnus as if the man was going to vanish at any moment. “You'll have to make it past Piper to Outpost Ten." Magnus took his leg off the chair arm and stretched. “That's right." Masters shook his head and hissed air from his teeth. “You'll never make it." Beth looked from one to the other. There was a dangerous feel to the room—a hostile feel that she was excluded from. “Why won't he make it past Outpost Ten?" "Transportation, slavers, hunger. I could list a hundred reasons. Then there's Piper,” Masters told her. "I can take care of Piper,” Magnus said. "What do you really think about this trip?” she said to Magnus. “Do you think you can make it?" Magnus leaned his head back again and closed his eyes. “I don't know, but I can't think of one good reason not to try." Masters folded his arms and shook his head. "What about you?” Beth said to Masters. “Are you coming with us?" "No,” he said. “I have nothing to run from here. You two kids go ahead. I wish you all the luck in the world." Magnus stood up and straightened out his jacket. “Not much luck in it,” he said. “Either

we make it or we don't. And if we don't, the only thing we'll be planning for is a quick death."

Chapter 31 After several hours, Magnus finally got the generator running. As a personal reward, he filled the clinic compound with light, banishing all the dark spaces, at least for a little while. Masters had been hounding him to fix it before he left, so he indulged the man for some peace. Unrolling the map, Magnus spread it out on the floor so he and Beth could see what they were really up against. She stared at the map silently. After a few moments, she said, “If we follow the water stations, it looks like it's a pretty straight forward shot to Outpost Ten and freedom." "The water stations are exactly where the cannibal bands hang out. We'd have to fight our way through to each one and we won't have nearly enough ammunition,” Magnus said, scratching his neck absently. Beth tapped a finger over some mountainous terrain. “There's the Solian Pass. We could try cutting over the mountains. What do you think?" He rolled the different possibilities around in his head. Every route presented its own problems, but the water route had the added problem of Piper and his merry band of nuts. Fuel was another problem but they might just have enough for the Solian Pass. “Sounds like a plan." **** The systems check became a breeze. Beth was surprised how quickly Magnus had learned Kerillian. He'd taught himself to both read and write the language. Magnus took the cruiser on a small test flight around the medical compound and was impressed by how smooth the ride was. For the first time in years, he actually had some hope. He landed, and he and Beth sat in the dark for a few minutes, with only the glow of the control panel illuminating their features. “Are you ready?” Magnus said. Beth grinned. “I guess so." "You didn't say goodbye to Doctor Masters,” he said softly. "What's the point?” she said. “He knew we were going." Hitting the ignition, he fired up the ship and they took flight. After a few minutes, they were on their way.

Epilogue It had taken them five days to reach Outpost Ten, but they finally did. The first mining station they came to, they had their prison tattoos removed by a man who asked no questions. Beth had a new sense of hope for their future and Magnus had changed too. They had taken up residence on the small moon of Goth. Both of them had no problem finding jobs—she as a nurse, and he as a weapons expert. As time went on, they talked less and less about their sentences on the Prison Planet of Ackron-Nine. Indeed, by the time they had their first child together, their time there was nothing but a terrible and distant memory. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michelle was born in Los Angeles, CA but has called many cities her home. She is a huge fan of science fiction and romance and loves to write. She has authored numerous stories both on the Internet and for Whiskey Creek. The Hungry Planet is her fourth book. For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore ****

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