Free One Four All by Julia Rachel Barrett

secure frequency?”
    “Not sure it’s secure enough.”
    “Here,” said Wat, searching through his bag. He tossed Kepp a small, wrapped pack. “I brought a burn set. If you want to reach the commander, it should have plenty of range.”
    Kepp caught the pack with one hand and grabbed his shirt with the other. “Thanks. I’ll have to get as high as I can.”
    “Up on the outer walls or the roof,” said Red, “you should be able to jack into a communications satellite from there.”
    “If not,” added Wat, “let me know, and I’ll see what I can rewire.”
    Kepp walked to the vid screen. “Any movement yet?” He motioned at the view of Lira’s suite.
    “Nothing.” Red smiled. “I don’t think she’ll be stirring for a bit, not after last night.”
    “You don’t think we were too much for her, do you?” asked Wat, tugging his shirt over his head and shaking out his long dreads.
    Red winked at him. “You were. I know I wasn’t. I fit inside that woman like a wet dream. Damn, man, makes me hard just thinking about it.”
    “I’m glad you said that.” Wat grinned. “I’m usually the one obsessing about sticking my dick somewhere warm and wet.”
    Kepp’s mind roamed the luscious silk of Lira’s skin, the feel of her inside and out. He felt his cock stir to half-mast, but he pulled himself back and rolled his eyes. “Knock it off. This isn’t about sex. What we did last night was promise to get her out of here in one piece. To protect her and die for her if need be. It works both ways, and Red,” he pointed at his friend, “you know the facts as well as I do. Her body is her bond. Last night, according to the laws of Zhinshu, she made a promise to lay down her life for any one of us. If she fails in her duty to us as her chosen consorts, her throne and her life are forfeit.”
    “Shit,” teased Wat, “and here I thought it was all about the best fucking blow job I’ve ever had.”
    Red laughed. “Well, it was, mostly, but even you aren’t that single-minded.”
    “Nah.” Wat stretched. He stuck his combat knife in its sheath and clipped it to his belt. “I knew what I was getting myself into. She’s something, isn’t she? Guess I’m a married man now, till she says otherwise, just like you and Kepp. Balls deep, remember?” He nodded at the screen. “The maid just went into her room. You mind taking first watch, Red? I’m starved.”
    “My pleasure.” Red sat by the vid screen. “Bring me back something good.”
    Wat nodded. He vanished down the hallway.
    “If I can’t get a signal,” said Kepp, “I’ll try to talk my way out the back and get clear of any interference. A single thing happens you don’t like, buzz me on the perdi.”
    “Got it, captain.” Red rubbed his chin. “Hey, Kepp, how soon you think we can get her out of here? I’m not liking the odds much if we overstay our welcome, which I’m pretty sure we’ve already done.”
    “Yeah,” replied Kepp, “this place isn’t my cup of tea. If I can reach Commander Grange, I’ll try to convince him to send a heli-jet today. Worse comes to worst, we might need to bust a few heads.” He pointed to the vid screen where they could see the maid heating up the water in the bathing pool. “Once she’s up and dressed, see if you can get her to leave the room. I’d feel more comfortable if she was out in the open where there are witnesses. The thought of her stuck in this isolated section of the compound makes me nervous.”
    Kepp explored the long hallways, searching for a staircase. None of the staff had been forthcoming with a map of the compound. He found the servant’s stairs and climbed, assuming they would lead to the uppermost floors and the roof. He was right. He found the door to the roof latched but not locked. Kepp stepped out onto the flat surface, making sure to leave the door cracked open behind him. He picked up a loose pebble and jammed it into the frame as a safeguard. It wouldn’t do to be