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“So, this device should block the signal being put out by the camera without blocking anything else.” Kal explained. “However, just to be safe, I don’t think you’ll be able to go near computers or mobile phones.”
“That’s fine, “ Camille smiled. “I never used that stuff much anyway.”
They were due to go up to the garden soon to meet with Jag and Sid. After several hours of love-making, Sid had reluctantly left Camille to freshen up. She still ached now from their activities but it only served to fill her with a wave of happiness and colour her cheeks pink. She couldn’t recall a time that she felt this loved and wanted or a time when being with someone made her happy. Even now, As Kal talked to her about the device he had created to help her, Camille felt like someone actually cared about her. It was a confusing situation given everything that had happened but she was meant to be with these men even if there were a few hiccups along the way.
Kal’s creation was built into a thin gold band that closed around Camille’s wrist. To most it just looked like jewellery but Kal pointed out the series a screen that lot up when Camille touched it to show that it was working.
“It’s really tough so it will handle you working out and being submerged in water.” Kal smiled as he checked a few things on his tablet to make sure they were safe to leave the underground levels. “And we are all set.”
“Thanks, Kal.” Camille smiled softly, pressing a thank you kiss to the male’s lips.
“Don’t thank me yet.” Kal replied, offering his arm to Camille. “Let’s get that thing out of you first.”
Camille curled her hand into the crook of Kal’s offered arm. “If you hadn’t of done this then I’d be stuck down here for god knows how long. I know things can’t go back to normal yet but this is so much better than the alternative.”
Things were better but Camille hadn’t been lying that things were far from back to normal. The bracelet gave Camille the freedom to go outside but until Nathan was apprehended, they needed to give the impression that Camille was in custody. Nathan wanted the Draygonians to find his spy camera and had Camille’s details planted at the LA Ark for a reason. It had been Camille who had come up with the theory that Nathan had done it because he knew Camille would be arrested and detained making her easier to find when he decided to show his face. They also had the mole to flush out, something that couldn’t be done with Camille wandering around like she was free.
So the plan was for Camille to lay low. No one except the three males and Charlotte could know where Camille really was and Camille was not to go out in public.
At least she was going to be allowed to stay on the upper levels once again.
“By the end of this week, this will be over.” Kal assured her as they headed to the elevators. “Then we can move on.”
“But does Sid have to go?” Camille asked. “I know you guys keep telling me that everything will be okay but I can’t shake the feeling something is going to happen.”
“Cam,” Kal pulled Camille to a stop, turning her to face him. “It’s okay to worry but I promise you, it will be okay. Sid has done this a thousand times over. Plus Jag and I will be in the war room, making sure all his sides are covered.”
Camille wanted to protest. She wanted to try and convince Kal he was wrong but all she had was this niggling in the back of her mind while they had experience, training and knowledge. They were all trained in combat to clinical precision. Nathan and his goons would meet their match in combat but Nathan was sly. He was sneaky and not above underhanded tactics. He wasn’t going to go up against anyone he didn’t think he could overpower. That was why Camille had suffered. Despite her ability to defend herself, Nathan had simply been stronger, faster and willing to do the unthinkable.
After a few moments, Camille sighed and nodded in resignation. “Okay, okay.”
Kal smiled, giving Camille a soft kiss before leading her into the elevator.
Similar to last time, the garden was void of anyone else. Camille wasn’t sure if it was just coincidence or if the guys had made arrangements that it only be them enjoying the lush greenery and brightly coloured plant life. For a moment, Camille hesitated in leaving the elevator, waiting for something to happen that told her Kal’s bracelet failed. But before too long the scent of flowers hanging on the evening air was too enticing to ignore and Camille’s feet propelled her forward out of the elevator and under the canopy of alien flora.
Despite the time of day, the sun was still out but hand moved to the western point of the Ark. It’s position cast the garden in golden light and exaggerated shadows. The network of trees and vines spliced the sunlight into small spotlights that dappled to ground. Somewhere deep within the garden water trickled, the soft sound mixing with the soft rustle of leaves as a gentle breeze in from somewhere. Camille could already see some of the alien plants were beginning to glow. Kal had explained to her that Draygon had several dozen spices of plant life that had some form of bioluminescent chemical in them. Now, the specimens the visitors had brought with them, were beginning to light up the tranquil haven. There was a rainbow of colours as far as the eye could see, glowing softly like fairy lights.
“I swear this is more beautiful than the last time.” Camille breathed as she followed Kal to the centre of the garden where a dining table and four chair waited for them.
“It’s a beautiful place but also highly functional.” Kal explained. “The plants help keep our air clean when we are travelling, can be used in medicine and for food plus, provide mental well-being.”
“Who looks after it though?”
“We all have a hand in it.” Kal paused to guide Camille to a seat, pulling it out for her. “Much like the oceans play an important role in Sid’s culture, the plants play an important role in ours. For millions of cycles the trees have been our homes, plants and herbs have been our medicine and fruits and vegetables have been our food. It’s not uncommon for personnel to come up here to grab something to remind them of home.”
“You’re going to have to show me pictures.” Camille smiled.
“Images wouldn’t do it justice.”
Camille glanced up just as Jag appeared from between the greenery. His eyes instantly found hers and she felt her heart skip a beat from the intensity those fiery orbs had. She could feel their raw heat licking up her skin causing goosebumps to spread out across her body. She hadn’t seen Jag for a couple of days. He was as handsome as ever but Camille could see the long hours at work were taking their toll. He looked exhausted and Camille felt the urge to leave her seat so she could run her fingers gently of Jag’s features to try and smooth away the fatigue.
But Camille didn’t move. She simply offered Jag a smile.
Since the day he confessed his love for Camille, Jag had made no further attempts to touch Camille or kiss her. He wasn’t cold or dismissive, quite the opposite in fact. Or at least, he was quite attentive and warm for someone like him. Camille couldn’t figure it out. It wasn’t as if this had started two weeks ago. This started when she was released from the hospital.
She made a note to bring it up the next time Jag and her were alone. Camille wasn’t sure when that would be though given everything going on but she would find out what was going on even if it meant ambushing Jag at some point.
“So, any clues what Sid is making for us this evening?” Kal spoke up after a few moments of strange silence.
“I think he wanted to introduce Camille to some of our cuisine.” Jag replied, eyes twinkling in amusement when he saw Camille grow nervous. “You’d be surprised how similiar our foods are to yours and how we prepare them. We mostly eat vegetables, fish and prepared grains on a daily basis.”
“Meat is usually saved for special events.” Kal added with a smile. “Since our world’s have been working together, some of your foods have made it to our world.”
“I’m not going to lie, I would happily fight you for a steak.” Camille half joked, earning chuckles from her men. “I guess the movies make us humans think aliens eat gross things. Looking at this place though, there are things with similar shapes and looks as some of the vegetables we have.”
“Indeed.” Jag nodded. “Which is why you shouldn’t worry. Sid, despite his inability to park a vehicle without damaging it, is a very good cook and he has managed to mix some of your foods with ours.”
“And if it terrible, we will just order pizza.” Kal teased with a smirk.
The sound of the elevator doors opening let the trio know that the last member of their dinner party had arrived. Soon enough, Sid appeared with a trolley of food, a grin spread across his lips.
“So, who’s hungry?” He asked before lifting the lid on the first dish.
---
“everything is set for the expected raid.”
“Intel is that it will be tomorrow.”
“About time. They have been watching the place for two weeks. I’m about ready to blow some of those blue bastards to hell.”
“Don’t so anything stupid that will get you caught. No crazy shit.”
“Alright, alright.”
Nathan was only half listening to the bickering between the man he left in charge of the ambush tomorrow and his New York informant. He had been in New York for a while now, living out of a hotel under an alias while preparations were being finalised. It felt good to be so close to the end but they weren’t in the clear yet. He also didn’t know where Camille was.
Since they had exposed their unwitting spy, Camille had been MIA. It didn’t bother Him too much though. Once they breached the Ark, he’d be able to find her and boy was he looking forward to their reunion.
Taking a sip of his whiskey, Nathan’s green eyes followed the skyline until he found the gigantic structure in the distance, towering over the city like an imposing sentinel. They hadn’t been lying when they said the Ark was the tallest structure in the city. Steel and glass glimmered in the fading sunlight like a beacon at sea. Occasionally sleek vessels appeared from or disappeared into the hanger like little flies buzzing in and out of a gaping festering wound. In just a few days the EFHA would be in control of the base and in control of the guns protecting the gate that the vermin were using to slowly invade their galaxy.
“Nathan.” The familiar feminine voice broke his train of thought. “Everything is ready.”
“Great.” He replied. “If that’s everything then you should get going.”
“Are you sure?” She was closer to him now, her desperation trying to swallow him whole. “I don’t need to be anywhere for a few hours and we haven’t spent any time together.”
He didn’t react even though he was well aware of what she was insinuating. It had been at least eighteen months since he had bedded her. He thought she would have gotten the hint by now that he wasn’t interested. Sure it had been fun but it had been business. They had needed a hacker and perhaps he had been a little bored. He but she could never give him what Camille could. So as soon as she was embedded in her mission, Nathan had put distance between them.
“Nathan, come on.” She crooned, her hand sliding over the front of his slacks to his cock. “I’ve missed you.”
His chest expanded with a deep breath before he exhaled and gently pushed his hand away with his free hand.
“You should get going.”
He heard the click of her tongue. It was like a jab at his patience.
“Is it because of your little girlfriend?” the bitterness in her voice was painfully obvious. “I told you, she is fucking those blue bastards. She doesn’t deserve you. She’s a whore and—”
She didn’t have chance to finish her sentence before Nathan whirled around, his glass landing on the small side table by the window and his hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing.
“My personal life is of no consequence to you.” He ignored her nails scratching at his hand desperately. “Speak of her in that way again it’ll be the last thing you ever say.”
She couldn’t work out what terrified her more in that moment, Nathan’s grip on her neck that had cut off her air supply or the cold but calm in which he spoke. It left like a knife blinking wickedly in the light or a snake devouring its prey. But as quick as his hand was on her throat, it was gone and she staggered back, coughing and spluttering as she tried to fill her starved lungs with air. Her eyes stung from the blood vessels protesting against the sudden build up and then release of pressure but all she cared about was breathing.
“We will talk again once the raid has happened.” Nathan went back his drink and admiring the skyline. “Now, get out.”
She didn’t need telling twice. Grabbing her bag she cast a frightened look at the dark haired man’s back before slipping out the hotel room door and practically running for the elevator.