Shadow Emperor of Phobos, Page 3

  ***

  Ghaavn looked up at the security camera at the entrance gate. "We brought in your rubbish. You can let us in now." The gate opened, and two blue-hued people appeared. Both far less martial and far less clothed than those they disposed of outside. They bowed, the blue woman's naked breasts swaying as their translucent skirts flowed around them. "I am Kaht. Be welcome," she said. The topless man spoke and indicated. "My name is Margalt. He is this way. Please come with us."

  "That's a bit more like it then." Bulays smiled cheekily. "I'd offer my arm, but it's holding this junk on my shoulder."

  A passage and antechamber lead to a pair of tall, black doors. Two more women in similar battle dress to the unconscious woman on Bulays shoulder stood guard, with guns. Their blue escorts nodded at the scowling guards who moved to intercept. They stepped back into position, and the doors opened.

  A well-appointed chamber was revealed. At the far end a man reclined on a couch, Roman style. His skin was of the same smoky blue hue as their escorts. He appeared to be wearing nothing more than body paint and shadows, if you did not count the horns on his head. He waved them toward him regally. To his left stood a motionless slender woman, similarly nude and painted but holding an extremely sharp and Japanese looking sword.

  "I'll leave the garbage here then." Bulays dumped the squad leader on the floor next to the door. The man waved them closer with a regal gesture. Bulays and Ghaavn strode across the thick blue carpet.

  "It's been a long time, Ghaavn. It appears to have treated you well," said the naked blue man.

  "I can't say it's a pleasure, Dargolm."

  "More like Dork Horn, given his behaviour." Bulays growled.

  "Muzzle your Earthling offcast offsider, Ghaavn. So the grownups can talk."

  "Grownups wear clothes. Looks like if I retire I can open the Scumbags Clothing Emporium. Necromancers, sociopathic deities and moon rat drug lords all welcome." Bulays shot back sarcastically.

  Dargolm's eyes narrowed. He held up a hand, palm outwards.

  "Let's hear him out, Bulays," said Ghaavn. "You, of course, deserved that." He spoke, pointing his finger at the drug lord in question. "Now what's going on? Why the threats of a shooting war? You used to be content with your smoothly running little narcotics empire here, so why force us to get involved?"

  Angrily, he replied. "She has Rhogan."

  "She? You mean Dahminike?"

  "Of course that is who I mean."

  "He's not actually a wide-eyed innocent. What do you mean by 'has him'?"

  "In her clutches. I can't talk to him."

  "Can't, or he doesn't want to?"

  Bulays cut in. "Not wanting to talk to you mate? Imagine that!" She rolled her eyes.

  "She may have a point, Dargolm," Ghaavn said. "While he was always reckless and prone to doing dumb things when we were friends as children, you didn't make it easy on him. Imagine how you'd feel if someone like me had been promoted or better regarded than you, when you were younger?"

  "I know, I know. My failing as a parent are well known. Which is why I asked you here. I thought you might be able to talk to him for me."

  "So you shot down shipping to get our attention quickly? There are better ways."

  "Not faster ones. Criminals don't exactly get put through on the hotline to Gerald. You were also away at the time, Ghaavn."

  "Making us walk through the desert, feed your cat and dispose of your thugs is a a wee time waster?" Bulays pointed out.

  Dargolm looked pained. "I do have to keep up appearances. I can't just have Council agents swanning in. It looks weak." He paused. "Besides, I knew Ghaavn could handle it. I did train him, after all."

  "This better be what you really mean, Dargolm. If we have to come back, the footage of what Bulays does to you will be widely distributed."

  The young blue swordswoman shifted a foot forward, extending her sword in the direction of the muscular blonde threat.

  Dargolm held out his arm. "Be still, Kanichi. As I said to Bulays, the grownups are talking." The young woman showed no emotion at the order and reverted to her former stance. "I can give you twenty-four hours, Ghaavn. Maybe a little more. After that, my lieutenants will want blood. Either on Deimos, or maybe mine."

  "I presume you can provide us some transport to help?"

  "Yes." He motioned to his attendants at the door. "Kaht and Margalt will fly you back."

  ***

  "Buck, we need to get to Deimos quickly."

  The Captain of the Northhound answered his comms call. "Lady G thought you probably might. The Northhound is at your disposal today."

  "Thank you Captain. We'll rendezvous shortly."

  "Can we trust this old dodgy mentor or yours, Ghaavn?"

  "Not really." He replied. "There is something he isn't telling us."

  The End

  Artwork by Nikki Jua

  https://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkiejua/4340659612/in/faves-jekkarapress/

  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en

 

  Bulays and Ghaavn will return in "Desert Empress of Deimos: The Martian Moon War Part 2"

  About Jekkara Press

  You can find out more about the Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn at the Jekkara Press website

  https://jekkarapress.wordpress.com

  Also by Jekkara press

  The Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn currently include:

  01 Blood Demons of Titan - Tara Loughead

  The warriors Bulays and Ghaavn hunt demons and their master through the dim and dusty streets of Barnes, on Titan. Can they stop him before he completes a devastating ritual?

  02 Death Queen of Neptune - Tara Loughead

  Bulays and Ghaavn are called in to investigate why a frontier base on Neptune has gone silent. Ice monsters and an ancient, beautiful evil await.

  03 She Devils of Europa - Tara Loughead

  One of the richest women in the Solar System asks Bulays and Ghaavn for help in stopping a series of thefts. There is a mystery to solve at the most expensive resort in existence, The Europa. Larceny, magic and dancing await, in an all expenses paid evening.

  04 Shadow Emperor of Phobos: The Martian Moon War Part 1 - Tara Loughead

  Bulays and Ghaavn try and stop a underworld shooting war. First they must get past a Martian Shadowcat, employ surprising combat techniques, and try and reason with Ghaavn's criminal mentor.

  The Gender Switch Adventures

  The Devil In Iron, Respawned [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E Howard

  Any resemblance to Robert E. Howard's Conan is completely intentional. A resurrected demon menaces Conyn on an island fortress, along with other monsters.

  The Pool of the Black One, Reswum [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E Howard

  Any resemblance to Robert E. Howard's Conan is completely intentional. Conyn, a pirate, puts herself in charge and investigates a strange island with mystic waters.

  Stand Alone

  Undead Dining - Tara Loughead

  A very short horror story about a very different restaurant.

  Coming Soon

  The Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn

  05 Desert Empress of Deimos: The Martian Moon War Part 2 - Tara Loughead

  The Gender Switch Adventures

  Red Nails Polished (Gender Switch - Conyn the Barbarian) - Roberta E. Howard

  Beyond the Black River, Recrossed (Gender Switch - Conyn the Barbarian) by Roberta E. Howard

  Jewels of Gwahlur, Reboxed (Gender Switch - Conyn the Barbarian) - Roberta E. Howard

  Queen of the Black Coast, Recrowned (Gender Switch - Conyn the Barbarian) - Roberta E. Howard

  Queen of the Martian Catacombs, Recrowned (Gender Switch - Erica Joan Stark)

  Black Male Amazon of Mars (Gender Switch - Erica Joan Stark) - Lee Brackett

  Song In A Minor Key, Retuned (Gender Switch - Norawest Smith) - Cathan L. Moore

  The Tree of Life, Re
visited (Gender Switch - Norawest Smith) - Cathan L. Moore

  The Valor of Cappea Verra, Recapped (Gender Switch - Cappea Verra) by Poula Anderson