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    Fusion
    Fusion
    Fusion
    Ebook299 pages4 hours

    Fusion

    By S. Usher Evans

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Lyssa Peate has everything she thought she ever wanted. She's finally earned the respect of her fellow pirates, she's got a finger on the pulse on her scientist life, and she's got a core set of friends (and more-than-friends) that have her back. But deep down, she knows none of this goodness will last. And when she finds out a life-changing secret, she wonders if this is the end of her good life.

    Piracy is a game. How do you win?

    Fusion is the fourth book in S. Usher Evans' Razia series. Grab the first three books - Double Life, Alliances, and Conviction - and "get sucked" into this fun space opera series.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherS. Usher Evans
    Release dateFeb 16, 2016
    ISBN9781311180971
    Fusion
    Author

    S. Usher Evans

    S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.Evans is the author of the Razia series and Empath, both published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing.

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      Book preview

      Fusion - S. Usher Evans

      Fusion

      Book 4 of the Razia Series

      S. Usher Evans

      Line-editing by Danielle Fine

      Copyright © 2016 Sun's Golden Ray Publishing

      ISBN-13: 9781311180971

      Smashwords edition

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      The Razia Series

      Double Life

      Alliances

      Conviction

      Fusion

      Beginnings, a Razia Novella

      The Razia Short Story Collection

      Available now for eBook and paperback

      Dedication

      To Mike and Terry

      I love you

      Chapter One

      She blinked her eyes open. It was bright—brighter than her ship. The bed was more comfortable, and there was a person curled up next to her, his arm slung across her bare stomach.

      And, shit, she'd fallen asleep again.

      Lyssa Peate threw the hotel blankets and the arm off of her, starting the annoying search for her underwear and bra on the carpeted floor. Twenty-three years old, brown haired with an array of tanlines on her arms and legs, she didn't normally wake up naked in a hotel room. She found her bra hanging from a lampshade, and her underwear flung underneath a table. Memories of how they'd gotten there wafted up and she pushed them back down. If she could just sneak out before he woke up…

      What's the rush? Sage Teon murmured, propping his head up on his arm and giving her that stupid grin of his. His blond hair was even messier than normal from sleep, sticking up in odd directions. Why don't you stay? We can get breakfast and—

      No.

      She said it more for herself than for him, as the thought of lounging in bed with him for a little longer was so tempting it hurt. At the same time, it was too much to have stayed with him at all. Too much to have been drawn to his glimmering eyes and that half-smile that insinuated he wanted her. She hated how much she craved the closeness, how easy it was simply to forget how risky and stupid this was and let herself drown with him.

      Lyss, Sage said, climbing out of bed. He obviously had no problem with being naked around her, as he pulled her against him gently. Don't go.

      For a brief, soft moment, she leaned into him, remembering how it felt to be safe in his arms. Her resolve weakened every moment she remained with him.

      And yet, if anyone found out about them…

      The thought alone was enough to put the brakes on. She shoved him away, and he fell backward onto the bed, overdramatizing the move with a loud sigh. She ignored the way he watched her as she searched the room for her pants, her shirt, her black boots. It was almost like he expected her to change her mind and stay.

      It wouldn't be the first time.

      She stood up, fully dressed, and faced him. We're not doing this again.

      You keep saying that. Sage scratched his stomach lazily. "But wasn't this your idea last night?"

      She sniffed; he was right. She'd been at Eamon's, the top pirate watering hole, hoping to get a glimpse of the new crop of pirates fighting their way to the top of the pirate webs. But when she'd spotted Ganon, Sage's boisterous and obnoxious pilot, walking through the front door, she knew all of her previous plans for the night would fly out the window.

      She and Sage had gotten pretty good at pretending to be normal. They idly chatted, bantered a little as per usual, and waited for the crew to become too absorbed in beer to notice them slipping out the back.

      They'd made out a little in the private office, and then disappeared to this hotel room for the rest of the evening. Lyssa never planned on spending the night, but after a few hours of sweaty, tangled bliss, the idea of getting out of his warm embrace was hard to justify. Especially last night, when, in-between their more strenuous activities, their conversation had turned to business. Sage offered his opinions on the pirates she was thinking of capturing while placing distracting kisses on her stomach, and she actually considered them, too exhausted for her pride to speak for her.

      Those moments, more than the physical, were the most nerve-wracking the next morning. They reminded her that this wasn't just some no-name sex partner, this was Sage, with whom she had nearly a decade of history.

      She shook those thoughts from her head. "We're not doing this again."

      I don't get it, Sage said, lying back. "I haven't told anyone. Ganon doesn't even know. What's the problem?"

      "The problem is that they don't know now, she hissed. But the moment someone does, like Harms or Ganon or someone with a big, fat mouth, everyone's going to…."

      Going to what?

      Going to think I'm nothing but your bimbo girlfriend, she growled at him and hated the way his mouth twitched at the word 'girlfriend.' After all the shit I've gone through, I don't want to throw it away because everyone thinks—

      You worry way too much what others think, Sage said.

      Lyssa glowered at him. It was easy for him to say. He never struggled as one of the least wanted pirates. He'd had his top twenty status handed to him on a silver platter.

      If they don't respect me, she said through clenched teeth, then they won't put bounties on me. And if they don't put bounties on me…

      But they have been, Sage said. You're in a good place now. So why not relax a little? Slow down and enjoy life?

      Because this isn't going to last, she whispered to herself so Sage wouldn't hear. Nearly every pirate had seen her stand and face Jukin, and many of them continued to add money to her bounty. Harms had even said that Dissident, the runner of her pirate web, had been singing her praises the week before. Far from being at the bottom rung of piracy, she was one of the most well-known and well-respected pirates.

      But, a nagging voice reminded her, things were going too well and the Great Creator had a nasty habit of pulling the rug out from under her just when she felt invincible.

      C'mon. Sage kissed her neck, resting his hands on her hips. Stay a while.

      She answered him by shoving him away and rushing out of the hotel room, slamming the door behind her.

      ***

      Razia walked out of the hotel kitchen, hoping it looked like she was hunting a bounty and not coming from Sage Teon. This, whatever it was, sneaking around, had been going on for months now. It had started after they'd busted everyone out of jail—the heat of the moment and a near-death experience had momentarily made her lose her mind and seek comfort in the most unexpected way.

      Then it had happened again. And again. And then she asked him to meet her. They were now meeting at least two or three times a week. And every time she came back to her senses, she hated herself for being so weak.

      A loud whistle cut through her thoughts and she searched for the source of the voice. A pirate she'd never seen before, older, chunky, with a smirk on his face, stood across the street from her.

      You're just a flash in the pan, sweetheart, the cat-caller crowed.

      I'm sorry, who are you? Razia said, placing a hand on her hip.

      Name's Elric Sacrista—

      Who? Razia said with the smallest of smirks. Leveman's are you even in a web, or do you think you'll get Dissident's attention by annoying one of his top twenty pirates?

      The man's smirk soured immediately and he shuffled away. Razia watched him go with a shake of her head. Even though things were better by a long shot, there were still pirates, mostly those without any notoriety, that thought it good sport to flap their jaws at her.

      For the most part, Razia wasn't bothered by them. But she was still worried that those small pirates would influence bigger pirates, and, by extension, Dissident, and he would revoke all of the privileges that he'd bestowed on her.

      The thought made her ill.

      Actually ill, she realized, as a queasy, sick feeling rolled up from the pit of her stomach. She pressed a hand to her belly, taking a deep breath until it passed. As the wave dissipated, she chalked it up to low blood sugar—she'd been too busy with Sage to eat anything.

      Memories of the night before replaced the sickness, and a blush crept up her neck. A part of her wondered if he was still in bed and ached to return to him. But the other part was quick to remind her that she had work to do.

      The pirate city was mostly quiet since most of the rabble-rousers were sleeping off their partying the night before. She forewent the horrible pirate transport shuttle and walked the six blocks to Harms' bar, mostly because her stomach was still churning. She rubbed her midsection gingerly. Low blood sugar was all it was, and she'd order a soda.

      Slowing her walk, she yanked out her mini-computer. The screen was still on the previous night's transactions, where she'd left it before Sage had distracted her. She was hoping to ask Harms about two new pirates that she'd…

      She paused in the middle of the street, the sickness returning along with a particular need to empty her stomach. It was stronger than it had been before, and she wasn't sure she could resist it for much longer. Plastering a neutral look on her face, she walked into Harms bar, waving to the man in the back.

      I wondered when I'd be seeing you again, Harms said, a wide smile on his bearded face when she slid in across the booth from him. Saw your capture of Gene McGuffey on the intraweb yesterday.

      Funny how saving Dissident's life was enough to get my captures posted, huh? She grinned, but it was tinged by the increasingly familiar sickness. She quickly ordered a drink from Harms' tabletop serving program, and a small serving robot brought it out a few moments later. She drank until the nausea lessened and then sat back in relief.

      Everything okay? Harms asked.

      Yeah, she said with a nod. Just haven't eaten anything in a while. So I went to Eamon's last night.

      I heard.

      She chewed her lip. Did you hear anything else?

      Should I have?

      Nope, she said quickly. Anyway, I didn't see a lot of pirates I knew. Seems like a lot of guys are bowing out.

      A lot? Try everyone, Harms said. You heard Stenson retired, yeah?

      Razia whistled. That's like…half of Dissident's top pirates.

      Not everyone's willing to test the runner's protections, Harms said. Jukin may be gone, but this Opli guy is…well let's just say he's been too quiet.

      Quiet is…right. After the prison break-out, Jukin had been demoted to an unknown role in the U-POL, although he'd holed himself up in the Manor. The UBU was still trying to determine if he was to be tried for his part in the presidential assassination, but Razia hadn't heard anything about it in a few weeks.

      His second in command, Opli, had taken over his elite unite of pirate-catching policemen and the group had had all but disappeared from D-882. No more random inspections, no more haughty requests for identification even though the U-POL could not arrest pirates.

      But Razia knew that he was up to something, even if she didn't know what that something was. Her interest in him was compounded when she found out he knew her dual life as Lyssa Peate, something even Harms didn't know about. The thought of Opli sharing her secret made her queasy, or perhaps the bubbles in her soda had worn off.

      Are you sure you're okay? Harms asked. You look pale.

      I'm fine. So, what do the runners think about the new pirates?

      Obviously, they don't like having a bunch of untested kids languishing in their top twenty, Harms said. These guys don't know anything about hiding or how to use aliases. It's pretty pathetic.

      Just makes my job easier, Razia said, clenching her jaw. So what do you think? Go after a new kid or go after one of the last remaining guys?

      "Hard to say. Dissident's been giving mixed messages lately. Obviously, he'd like all of Contestant's pirates captured. But he doesn't want Contestant retaliating against him by going after his top pirates, present company included."

      She didn't miss how Harms beamed when he spoke, but she had to cover her mouth with her hand as it became dry.

      Are you sure you're all right, honey? Harms asked.

      Nope, she said, flying out of the booth and dashing into the bathroom.

      ***

      A week later, Lyssa couldn't avoid the reality: she'd caught something nasty. She'd vomited her guts out at Harms' bar, and it had taken all her angry bluster to convince him that she could make it back to her ship without an escort. Although she'd promised Harms she would see a doctor, she'd waited a few days to see if it would pass.

      It did, at times. But she never quite shook off the constant nausea, and she'd thrown up enough to put her in danger of dehydration. So, she set a course for the Planetary and System Science Academy where she'd find the universe's top doctors to deal with whatever bacterial or viral infection she'd picked up.

      She rolled over onto her side and groaned again, wishing she had someone to bring her a glass of water. She reached over to her mini-computer and dialed the number of her best friend, Lizbeth Carter.

      Hey—What's wrong? Lizbeth said, her smile melting into a concerned glare. Her curly, light brown hair fell around her face. Lizbeth was at work in her glass-enclosed office, visible behind her head. The new space was a perk of her promotion to lead investigator. You look terrible.

      I'm sick. Going to the Academy.

      Poor baby, Lizbeth cooed. Do you want me to meet you there? Carry you to the infirmary?

      Lyssa snorted, but another wave of nausea rolled through her. She moaned and covered her eyes, breathing through it.

      Lizbeth tutted. Boy, you really are sick aren't you? What is it? Fever? Cold?

      Just…sick, throwing up a lot, Lyssa said, picking up the mini-computer and holding it to look at Lizbeth.

      Lizbeth opened then closed her mouth, the corners turning up. How are your boobs?

      What? Lyssa said, giving her a look.

      Your boobs. How are they feeling?

      I dunno. They hurt, I guess. Lyssa wasn't sure what illness caused sore breasts, but Lizbeth seemed to have an idea, based on the way her eyes sparkled.

      You, uh…you seen Sage lately? Lizbeth asked, twirling a light brown curl around her finger.

      Lyssa glared at the screen. Lizbeth knew the answer to that question. Do you think he got me sick?

      Oh, I think it's possible he gave you something, Lizbeth said lightly. How much longer until you get to the Academy?

      Few hours, Lyssa said, closing her eyes.

      Try to take it…easy. Get some rest, Lizbeth said. I have a feeling you're going to need it in a few months.

      Lizbeth's confusing conversation aside, Lyssa did get a little rest before she was being called to announce her license number and dock at the Academy's extra-planetary station. She forewent her normal Academy uniform in favor of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, hoping she could avoid all unwanted attention between her ship and the infirmary.

      But there was one person waiting for her when she disembarked. And Lyssa was more than happy to see him.

      Hey, Lyss, how are you feeling? Vel was Lyssa's little brother, although he could no longer be called little by any stretch of the imagination. Nearly eighteen, he towered over Lyssa as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He was in his last year at the Academy, and she was going to be rather sorry when he had a real job and couldn't spend as much time with her.

      Like shit, Lyssa responded, leaning into him. What are you doing here?

      Lizbeth told me you were on your way.

      Lyssa glowered, still not happy with the Lyssa-Call-Action-Network that Lizbeth seemed to have established between herself, Vel, and Sage. Though, she supposed she should count herself lucky that Lizbeth had called Vel instead of Sage. She wasn't sure she could handle seeing him while feeling like the inside of a garbage bag. He might want to take care of her.

      How's school going? Lyssa asked as they made their way over to the lift.

      Nearly done, Vel said with a wide grin. I can see the finish line.

      Then it's off to Dorst's lab? Lyssa asked with a little jealousy. Dorst was their second eldest brother and also Lyssa's supervisor. He'd taken it upon himself to pull in all of the Peate siblings under his wing to mentor them, including, surprisingly her after her first supervisor disappeared.

      Maybe. Vel shrugged. Maybe there's another Peate who would hire me.

      She closed her eyes. Who?

      You?

      Her eyes snapped open again. Why'd you want to work for me? I'm barely here.

      I know, and that's…well…maybe if I worked for you, I might get a little…you know. Vel blushed bright red.

      What?

      Notoriety that's not associated with our last name, Vel said with a slight wince. I mean, not that you're not notorious but—

      I get it, Lyssa said, swallowing to brace her stomach. The motion of the lift was making her dizzy again.

      Would you think about it? Vel asked.

      Nothing to think about. You're welcome to use my name however you wish. Take the lab, too. Take the sensors, take… She breathed again.

      Which leads me to my next question, Vel said, and she cracked an eye open at the nervousness in his voice. When are you going to stop being Lyssa?

      When I die.

      Rephrasing: when are you going to stop coming to the Academy?

      She shrugged. Haven't decided yet. Don't have to decide yet. But if or when I do, I'll make sure Sostas's lab comes to you.

      That's not why I asked. Their conversation came to a halt when the lift doors opened to the infirmary and they had to navigate the nearly impossible maze of the medical wing, a series of interconnected hallways designed to accommodate the wide breadth of species needing medical assistance. When they reached the right wing, Lyssa signed in and plopped down on a nearby chair, surveying the room for the nearest bathroom or potted plant for her to empty her stomach into.

      This place brings back memories, Vel said. Hope we don't run into any U-POL here.

      Lyssa groaned. Running was the last thing she wanted to do, a true testament to her sickness. Instead, she leaned her head on Vel's shoulder and closed her eyes.

      Wake me up when they call my name.

      ***

      Two hours and three trips to the toilet later, Lyssa and Vel were finally led back to the long hall of examination room doors. She didn't even protest when he joined her in the room, opting to curl up into a ball on top of the paper and whine loudly about how sick she felt. Vel teased her a little about showing weakness and she threatened to vomit on him. This back and forth continued until the doctor arrived, a young woman barely older than Lyssa who didn't lift her eyes from the tablet in her hands.

      Dr. Lyssandra Peate, she read. Showing signs of nausea and weakness. Have you been to any planets recently?

      Lyssa shook her head. Only D-8…er…no. I've been at the Academy.

      The continued down her checklist. Any exposure to foreign species or unknown substances?

      Nope.

      Sexually active?

      Lyssa nearly fell off the table. What does that have to do with anything?

      The doctor gave her a look, then glanced to Vel before setting down her tablet. I'm just going to take a quick blood test.

      Before Lyssa could react, the doctor pricked her arm with a small needle and sensory machine. The machine beeped while

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