by S. E. Smith
“Star,” River called out softly. “Madas is here to see you.”
She didn’t respond. She listened as River explained to Madas that she had been unresponsive since the sedative the healer gave her wore off after the first day. Madas asked several questions before asking River if she would mind if she spoke to Star alone.
“I need to check on Torak. He has taken this hard as well,” River was saying. “Please let the guard know before you leave. I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”
“I promise she will not be left alone,” Madas hissed out softly. “Do not give up hope yet, Lady River. There are some things that are yet to be revealed.”
River looked inquisitively at Madas for a moment before she nodded. “I’ll be back soon, Star,” River said quietly as she walked over and knelt next to Star’s chair. River squeezed her friend’s hand tightly. “I love you, little sister. Never forget that.” River rose and nodded tearfully to Madas before quietly leaving.
Madas watched as the slender figure walked out. What she had to say was for the little warrior’s ears only. The Gods had sent a message and Madas firmly believed it was time for the little warrior to prove how fierce she could be. Madas looked at the still figure sitting in the chair. The light played with the colors of spun gold in her hair. Her face was still, almost serene. It was as if she was waiting for something. Perhaps she was waiting for Madas.
“Little warrior,” Madas hissed quietly. “Your mate needs you.”
Star didn’t respond but something told Madas that she was listening. That was all that Madas wanted. Her own mate was being stubborn and refused to believe her. There had only been one other person Madas knew who might believe her wild dream – the person who knew the man responsible for Jazin’s supposed death.
“He is not dead. He is a prisoner. It is time to claim your mate before he is truly taken from this life,” Madas hissed out in a firm voice filled with confidence and belief. “The Gods have spoken to me. I need you to believe.”
Star’s head turned and she stared silently into Madas black eyes for several long minutes. Madas did not look away. She needed the little warrior to believe her – to trust her. Madas held no animosity that her own mate did not believe in her dreams. He had been raised to believe in logic and facts where Madas had been raised to believe in the spirit of the Gods and the messages they often sent through dreams. Her grandmother had been their clan’s spiritual leader and Madas had been taught at a young age to believe and accept the wills of the Gods. Too many times when she was growing up she had visions that had spared or helped her clan by believing in them. Her dream several nights ago showed her where to start and who she needed to enlist to help her. The sight of the little warrior standing fierce and proud in the face of battle in the dark fortress, her mate standing at her side had been one of the clearest visions she had ever had.
“How?” Star’s raspy voice asked. “How do you know?”
“Look deep inside your heart,” Madas said, reaching out a slender clawed finger to touch Star’s chest. “What does it tell you?”
Star closed her eyes briefly, focusing inward. What did her heart tell her? She felt the slow, strong, steady beats. There was no way it could beat so strongly, so steady if it was missing. She knew if Jazin had died than there was no way it could beat the way it did. For if he had died, her heart would have died with him.
“That he is still there. That he can’t be gone,” Star said huskily as she opened her eyes. A small hope began to warm her from the inside out.
Madas sank into the chair across from Star. “I had a vision about your mate several nights ago. My visions are not to be ignored. My stubborn mate still has difficulty believing them but they have protect both of us many times. I saw your mate. He is being held a prisoner. He grows weaker each day but he lives,” Madas said confidently.
Star studied the huge female Tearnat’s eyes intently. “Where?”
“My vision did not show me where he was but it did give me clues. Clues that someone who is familiar with the man who took him would know. Clues that would help us find him,” Madas continued, reaching out to grip Star’s hands tightly in her own.
“Who?” Star asked a little louder. “Who would know?”
“I would,” Dakar’s voice said quietly from behind them.
Star turned her head to stare at the large Kassisan warrior. His face was grim. Dark shadows rested under his eyes and he looked thinner than he had a little over a week ago. Deep lines cut grooves around his mouth and the muscle in his jaw ticked as he held himself under ridged control.
“How? How could you know?” Star asked softly.
“Because I was Tai Tek’s Captain of the Guard. It was my job to keep him safe, alive,” Dakar answered harshly. “I was undercover. Lord Ajaska suspected Tai Tek was behind the deaths of several councilmen years ago. I was assigned to his House. I pledged total loyalty to him and over time worked my way up to Captain of the Guard.”
“Won’t he know that you betrayed him?” Star asked, turning so she could look at the face of the man who suddenly appeared darker and more dangerous than she remembered.
Dakar shook his head briefly. “He believes I was killed during the battle. Images of my body, riddled with laser blasts, were sent out. My brother publicly condemned me as a traitor to our people. As far as everyone is concerned, I no longer exist,” he explained in an emotionless voice.
“But,” Star began shaking her head in confusion. “Wouldn’t people recognize you?”
Madas chuckled. “No, they would not. I had a most difficult time in understanding why Dakar was in my dream. I knew Adron very well having met him many times over the years during meetings with Tai Tek. I did not recognize Dakar as being Adron, Kel Mul Kar’s brother. Only Torak, Manota, and River are aware of his identity.”
Star’s forehead creased in confusion. How could no one recognize him? She shook her head trying to clear it. The movement cause her head to spin.
“Drink,” Madas encouraged, releasing Star’s hands so she could pour a cup of hot tea from the tray sitting on the small end table next to them. Madas pressed the cup into Star’s hand. “You must be ready.”
“I don’t understand,” Star confessed looking back and forth between Dakar’s tired face and Madas.
“I underwent facial reconstruction so I wouldn’t be recognized,” Dakar said, the muscle in his jaw ticking fiercely. “It was the only way without truly dying. When my brother was given the assignment to go with Manota to your home world, Torak asked that I step in to protect Lady River. He felt since I knew Tai Tek and how he thought, I would know better than anyone how to protect his mate from being assassinated should Tai Tek try again. In addition, it gave me more time to – adjust to my new features.”
“I approached Dakar,” Madas said with a smug smile curling her thin lips. “After a few words, I knew why he was in my dream.”
“You tricked me,” Dakar muttered with flashing eyes.
“Yes I did, didn’t I?” Madas said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“So what do we do now? Where do you think Jazin is being held?” Star asked anxiously, leaning forward. “When can we leave?”
“We go after your mate is what we do now,” Madas said with a chuckle. “Dakar believes he knows where Lord Jazin is being held based on the descriptions from my dream.”
“He is being held on Geylur Prime II. I’m sure of it. Tai Tek has a prison base there and the description matches the terrain of the planet,” Dakar replied, throwing a dark look at Madas.
“We leave within the hour,” Madas grinned. “I have appropriated an elite Tearnat star ship for our journey. It is a gift from a friend of Lord Jazin. It is a prototype that holds much promise, I have been assured. It just needs to be tested.”
“Who will be going with us?” Star asked looking back and forth when Dakar snorted at Madas’ use of the word ‘appropriated’.
“Just us,” Madas said with a hiss of
excitement.
Dakar grunted. “We both felt that the fewer people who knew what we up to, the better. The prison is a fortress. I am not even sure how we will be able to get into it much less get back out.”
“I need to see River before we go,” Star said looking steadily at Madas. “She has some items I need to borrow.”
“Call her but make sure she understands that she must tell no one, including her mate if possible,” Madas said rising to her feet. “I will pick up the items you need on my way out and meet you at the star ship.”
Star rose as well. She looked at the huge female Tearnat with her heart in her eyes. “You really are very beautiful,” Star said giving into the urge to wrap her arms tightly around the other female. “Thank you for giving me hope.”
“It is my pleasure, little warrior,” Madas hissed quietly, holding Star tightly against her for a moment before she pulled away to brush Star’s long hair back from her face. “I look forward to seeing the female warrior in action. Something tells me your enemies will not know how to handle you.”
Star’s eyes glittered with determination. “They are going to learn what happens when they mess with my family,” she bit out fiercely.
Dakar groaned and shook his head. “You know if Lord Jazin is alive he is going to kill me for letting you go, don’t you? Gril is going to be right next to him helping,” he muttered under his breath.
Both women chuckled at the look of resignation on the large Kassisan warrior’s face.
Dakar better just make sure he isn’t in the way when, not if, they found Jazin alive because I’m going to take out anyone who tries to stand in my way of bringing him home, Star thought as hope welled up inside her.
Chapter 7
Star dropped down onto the ground outside the South House, pausing to make sure she hadn’t been seen. She had used a different method than her and River did when they snuck out. This way was a little more challenging but she had been less likely to be seen or caught. She felt bad about not telling Armet what she was doing. She reminded herself that she said she would try to tell him when she decided to go somewhere first, not that she would.
Besides, she thought trying to consoled her guilty conscious, I did leave a note explaining that I couldn’t tell him about it beforehand but for him not to worry about me. That I wasn’t alone and I knew what I was doing – sort of.
She stood up and jogged to the end of the building where Dakar said he would have a transport waiting. She breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw it just where he had promised it would be. Star quickly ran over to the waiting vehicle and slid into the back. She turned breathlessly to thank Dakar again for not trying to insist on going without her. The words died on her lips when she saw he was not alone.
“Uh, hi Armet,” Star squeaked out, looking into the dark, glowering eyes of Jazin’s Captain of the Guard. “Fancy meeting you here,” she added with a guilty expression.
“Yes, fancy that,” Armet growled out. “You were supposed to let me know if you needed to go somewhere.”
Star wiggled uncomfortably in her seat at his accusing glare. Pushing a strand of hair back that had come loose from her braid, she bit her lower lip and snuck a peek at Dakar who was busy maneuvering through traffic. She glanced back at Armet’s furious face.
“I did – sort of,” she said with a soft plea for understanding in her eyes. “I left you a note.”
Armet’s face didn’t relax. “I do not read your language,” he reminded her before turning around and facing forward. “Do you know how to shoot a laser pistol or wield a laser sword?” He asked gruffly.
It took a minute for Star to understand he wasn’t going to return her to the palace. “I know how to shoot a gun and use a regular sword back on my planet. I’m assuming it isn’t much different,” she responded hopefully.
Armet glanced back at her sternly for a moment before he turned back around again. “Never assume anything. Your life and the lives of your comrades rest on your ability to use both. I will work with you on the way to wherever in the God’s name we are going,” Armet stated coolly.
Armet was startled into silence when he felt a pair of small, delicate arms wrap around his neck from behind. Soft lips caressed his cheek before Star rested her soft one against his in a fierce hug. Armet felt his heart jerked in response to the unexpected embrace.
“Thank you, Armet,” Star whispered in his ear before giving him another kiss. “You have no idea how much this means to me. Jazin is my life.”
Armet breathed out deeply when the little warrior released him and sat back in her seat. He stared out the window with sightless eyes. It had been so long since he had felt his heart beat in warmth that he was startled to know that it still could. Not since the woman he loved chose another male from his clan. There was something about these female warriors from another world that got under a male’s skin and drew unwanted feelings from him. Perhaps it was their spirit, their grace, or just their joy in the simple things. All that mattered to him was he would live up to his promise to protect her or die trying.
*.*.*
Dakar pulled the transport through the gates of a nondescript port. Older shuttles and transports were arriving and departing in a maze of organized confusion. Men yelled to one another as they moved huge shipping containers from one loading dock to another. Dakar pulled down the narrow road between the shuttles, slowing down at times to let men and equipment cross before he sped up again. He continued down the long narrow corridor between the marked pads, traveling towards the very end of the row.
Star sat forward watching everything with wide eyes. There was so much of this world that she didn’t know about. In some ways, it wasn’t much different from Earth and in others she had a hard time wrapping her head around it. Especially when she saw a shuttle lifting up into the air before disappearing in a burst of light.
“Madas has the star ship secured at the end. She said not to let the looks of it deceive us. It is much better than its exterior appearance,” Dakar said skeptically.
“Where are we?” Star asked as she watched a man in a huge machine that looked like the robot from the movie the Iron Giant bend over and pick up a container about the size of a large SUV as if it was a toy and walk away with it.
“Loading Dock Port II. This port is primarily used for off-world imports and exports to the mining colonies on the moons and to the Spaceports along the edges of the Kassis star system,” Armet explained. “What docking pad is Madas at?”
“One thirty four A,” Dakar responded slowly down and parking next to a small metal building.
“You have got to be joking,” Armet said in dismay as he got his first look at the older class Tearnat star ship Madas had acquired for their mission.
“Isn’t it wonderful!” Star exclaimed excitedly. She leaned over the seat between the two warriors who were staring at the dilapidated star ship in front of them in horror.
Both men turned to look at Star in disbelief before looking back at the star ship. Armet let out a torrent of silent curses when his second look at the star ship didn’t look any better than the first. He hoped that they didn’t get killed just trying to get off the ground. He was going to have a long conversation with Madas Tal Mod about the difference between a star ship and a pile of worthless bolts. He pressed the button to release the door panel and slid out. He looked at Dakar who was slowly getting out of the transport on the other side. The look on the other warrior’s face confirmed that he felt the same way.
“I swore I would protect Lady Star with my life,” Armet gritted out. “How in the hell am I supposed to do that if I get us both killed without ever leaving the damn planet?”
Dakar studied the star ship in dismay. “Perhaps it will look better up close,” he murmured in a doubtful voice.
Star climbed out of the back of the transport, anxious to be on their way. She wanted to find Jazin and every second longer it took twisted at her heart to think of what he might be suffering. She re
ached for the small pack she had brought with her. Walking by Armet, she called out over her shoulder.
“Come on, what are you waiting for?” She asked impatiently as she strode toward where Madas had climbed down the loading ramp and was waiting for them with an amused expression on her face.
“A miracle?” Armet muttered before he grabbed his own bag out of the floor board of the front seat.
“I don’t think we could be so lucky,” Dakar muttered under his breath following his two companions.
*.*.*
Madas watched with amusement as the two Kassisan warriors approached. Both had looks of dismay and skepticism on their faces. She knew what they were thinking. It was exactly what she had expected they would. While the outside did not look very impressive, it was what was inside that counted. She wouldn’t tell them that this was the prototype vessel that Lord Jazin had been working on before he was ‘killed’. The morning after her dream, the man Lord Jazin had been working with contacted her. Jarmen D’ju introduced himself simply as a friend of Jazin. He spoke on condition that Madas did not mention his name to anyone. He stated it was better for him to remain anonymous. Jazin had made Jarmen promise if anything happened to him, Jarmen would contact Madas and ask that she help protect his little mate. He told Madas that Jazin had mentioned her and how she had saved the life of his tiny warrior. Jar listened as Madas told him of her dream before he shared his doubt that Jazin had been on board the fighter when it exploded. He sent her video from the surveillance equipment from the Uri Spaceport. The blurry images show an unconscious Jazin being hauled away while a Tearnat climbed into the fighter and took off. Madas recognized the Tearnat in question. He had been a personal guard to her son, Trolis. This information affirmed her belief that her dream was indeed a vision from the Gods. D’ju met with her on the outskirts of the Kassisan star system, just past the third planet ring. He knew she would know how to operate the star ship. All he needed to do was show her the modifications that had been done to it. Once he was satisfied Madas understood the operating system, he had disappeared saying he would do what he could to help rescue Jazin when the time came.