by Heidi Skarie
The head guard’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll confirm your identity with an eye scan. He turned back to Toemeka. “What brings you here?”
“I have information about the aerial assault on Jelmur.”
Two of the guards pulled blasters and they all moved closer.
“How do you know about that?” the guard asked.
Toemeka glanced anxiously at the guards with blasters. “I saw it. I have . . . psychic abilities.”
Michio rolled his eyes. I don’t think that’s the best answer, he said telepathically.
“Search them,” the head guard said. A man patted Toemeka’s sides as another began searching Michio.
“We aren’t carrying any weapons,” Michio said.
The guard discovered Toemeka’s Juggernaut 50. “Is that so? Do you have any other weapons?”
“No,” Toemeka said.
“You’re a field agent. You must be carrying other weapons. Turn them over.”
“Is this necessary? I’ve never been required to turn in weapons before.”
His voice deepened to a more threatening tone. “Cooperate or you’ll be in even more trouble than you’re already in. You’ve violated two regulations already by coming here when you’re on inactive duty and revealing the location of this base.”
Deciding it was best to surrender all her weapons, Toemeka pulled the laser-pen out of her hair and the thick tresses tumbled down her back. “It’s a powerful laser,” she said, handing it to him.
Michio cocked one eyebrow and she shrugged.
“Is that all?” the guard asked.
“Yeah,” Toemeka snapped. “I didn’t think I’d need an arsenal to come to a Coalition base.”
He ignored her quip. “Come inside.”
As they walked across the landing bay toward an open doorway, Michio put his hand on the small of her back and said softly, “I thought you resigned from the Coalition.”
“No, I just went on inactive duty.”
By the door, Toemeka and Michio submitted to an eye-scanner. Once cleared, they entered the building.
A guard stepped behind Toemeka and grabbed her arm. She spun around, suppressing the urge to smash her booted foot into his knee as he clamped a humming handcuff on her wrist. It tightened automatically.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.
Michio sprang forward to help her and several guards converged on him. Michio slammed one of the guards into the wall. Another guard drew his blaster.
“No! Don’t fire!” Toemeka yelled, terrified the guard would kill Michio. In her mind flashed an image of her brother Baymond being killed when he tried to defend her. “Michio, cooperate. We’ll get this straightened out.”
Michio’s eyes blazed angrily, but he allowed the guards to handcuff him.
She turned back to her guard. “Why are you handcuffing us? We passed the eye scans.”
“We’re following normal procedures for infiltrators.” He pulled her arms behind her back and clamped the handcuff to her other wrist.
“Infiltrators! We’re not infiltrators!” She pulled at the handcuffs and felt them bite into her wrists.
“Then you have nothing to worry about. Our commanding officer wants a few answers. Come with me.” He grabbed her upper arm.
“Let her go!” Michio growled.
She glanced back at her agitated husband. Don’t worry. Once they’ve read my file, they’ll give us clearance, she said telepathically with more confidence than she felt.
Two guards took her to a small interrogation room with metal walls and led her to a platform. Vibrating beams of light dropped in a tight circle around her. They hummed and a current of energy radiated off them.
An officer walked into the room. His guarded, dark eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts. “Who are you?”
“I’m a Coalition field agent. My name is Toemeka Kimes, though my records probably still have me listed by my maiden name, Toemeka Ganti. I worked out of Coalition Headquarters in Talmiria, Jelmur. We’re wasting valuable time. I know information about Samrat Condor’s intended targets.”
Her head had started pounding from the electrical field created by the vibrating beams of light. She ignored the pain the best she could. “You’ve identified me. Why are you still suspicious?”
“We suspect you’re a double spy.”
“A double spy!” She jerked back and hit one of the light beams. It gave her a sharp electric shock. “Check with Captain Quintary, my commanding officer at Headquarters. He’ll vouch for me.”
“Convenient. You know he can’t be reached in the middle of battle.”
Toemeka groaned inwardly—this couldn’t be happening. “What makes you think I’m a double agent?”
The commander looked at the small, handheld computer he carried. “Your file says on your last mission you worked at the Military Development Center. There you developed an oscillator, a device for destroying shields. According to the records you developed it for General Bhandar, one of Samrat Condor’s minions.”
“The Coalition arranged for me to work undercover at the Military Development Center.”
“Did they order you to work on the oscillator project?”
“No, but once I was an employee of the Development Center, I had to do the job I was assigned to. I was put on the oscillator project because of my educational background and training. I falsified all my reports and the test results and once a prototype was developed, I stole it for the Coalition. When Bhandar’s base was attacked, we used the oscillator to take out their shields.” She felt as if he was trying to trap her and wondered how to convince him of the truth.
“Records show that Lieutenant Erling Fenian, not you, stole the prototype. It was put on his Winged Warrior aircraft and he destroyed the shield protecting Bhandar’s military base.”
“General Bhandar’s men discovered I was an undercover operative and arrested me. I threw the prototype to Erling as they dragged me away.”
“Then what happened?”
“Erling escaped with the prototype and I was brought before General Bhandar,” she said.
“How did you escape?”
“Michio rescued me.”
“When your mission was completed, you were ordered to return to Coalition Headquarters on Alandra because Intelligence intercepted information revealing that Samrat Condor planned to attack Alandra. Instead you took an unauthorized leave of absence. And now you arrive on a secret base with a man carrying fake ID, claiming to know information about key targets on Alandra.”
It did sound bad when he put it that way and she didn’t know what to say in her defense. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, wishing she could sit down. Her stomachache had returned and her head continued to pound. Moreover, she feared she and Michio might be tortured. Coalition protocol didn’t allow torture, but this was a Feniod base and they followed their own rules.
“How did you know about our base?” the commander pressed.
“Agent Hendora Radmeer was on my team during the Jaipar mission. She was stationed here.”
The commander glanced at one of the guards who stared at her with keen interest. He was powerfully built, with a wide nose and short, spiked hair. The shape of his face reminded her of Hendora.
“You know her, don’t you?” Toemeka addressed the guard.
The guard looked at his commanding officer. “Sir, requesting permission to speak.”
“Permission not granted, Lieutenant Radmeer.”
“Radmeer! Are you Hendora’s brother?” Toemeka asked the lieutenant.
“I’m the one asking questions,” the commander said. “How did you know about the attack on Coalition Headquarters?”
“As I said before, I have psychic abilities. Read my files if you don’t believe me. Today I had a premonition that something was wrong, so I left my physical body and traveled in my Light Body to planet Alandra. There I saw the Raptor space fleet. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth.”
Toemeka reached out with her mind and touched Lieutenant Radmeer’s, hoping he was telepathic like Hendora. You know I’m speaking the truth, Radmeer. He cocked his head toward her as if listening. Hendora can also take Spirit Flights. I came because I have important information that could save lives on Alandra. The Coalition Headquarters is under attack!
The other guard crossed over to the controller and started to turn up the power dial.
“Wait!” Radmeer exclaimed. “My sister, Hendora, shared many of Toemeka Kimes’ abilities. They are not unusual for an Initiate of Master Bakka.”
The commander narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”
“Hendora spoke highly of Toemeka in her communications to me. Toemeka is a trusted Coalition warrior and deserves to be treated with honor. She shouldn’t be treated like a prisoner.”
“That’s not proof. Obviously Hendora wouldn’t know she was a double spy.”
“Yes, she would.” He swallowed as if not wanting to say more, then continued, “Hendora is a telepath and can easily invade minds. There’s no way Toemeka could hide anything from her.”
“You know I don’t believe in the mind-reading garbage,” the commander replied.
Radmeer stiffened. “I can also communicate telepathically.”
“You’re willing to risk having this blot on your file?”
“I can’t worry about my career when the Coalition Headquarters is being attacked and Toemeka knows crucial information that could help them.”
“If you can read her mind, then do so and make sure she can be trusted.”
Toemeka was surprised the commander would suggest Radmeer use mindreading since he proclaimed to not believe in it. But perhaps since Radmeer was one of his men, the commander trusted him. Radmeer looked at Toemeka, as if asking permission. She blocked all personal memories that had nothing to do with the Coalition, then nodded. A moment later she felt her forehead become warm, then inwardly heard, Greetings, Toemeka of the Coalition. I’m Galton Radmeer. Don’t be afraid. I won’t force my way into your mind.
She bowed her head in the traditional greeting. Blessings, Galton. I’m honored to meet a member of Hendora’s family. She is a great warrior and my friend.
Aloud Radmeer said, “Toemeka’s loyal to the Coalition. Raptor troops killed her family and wiped out her village. She won’t stop fighting until Samrat Condor is destroyed.”
Toemeka gasped. She’d carefully blocked those memories. Feeling inwardly violated, Toemeka sent Galton an angry blast. You invaded my mind.
I needed to know if you could be trusted.
She glared at him. Stay out of my mind.
The commanding officer watched the interplay between them as if aware of their inner dialogue, then said, “Revenge I understand. Release her.”
Galton hit a button on the wall. Once the beams of light retracted into the ceiling, he unlocked Toemeka’s handcuffs.
Though still annoyed, Toemeka said telepathically, Thank you for helping me, Galton.
“What crucial information do you bring?” the commander asked.
“First I want your assurance that Michio isn’t being tortured.”
“He’s just being detained while I question you. I was going to question him next.”
She nodded with relief. “Samrat Condor launched a full-scale attack on Jelmur. I surmise that he wants to destroy Coalition Headquarters before the other countries on Alandra can get organized and send ships to their aid.” Toemeka gave a detailed description of what she’d seen when out of her body, including the size of the Raptor space fleet and types of starships she’d seen. She also informed them of the other key targets.
The commander questioned her for over an hour. When he was finally convinced she didn’t know more, he told her she was free to go.
“Can I take Toemeka and Michio Kimes to the communication room?” Galton asked.
“Go ahead. I’m sure Agent Kimes wants to know the extent of the damage to Jelmur.”
The officer nodded his head toward Toemeka. “Thank you for the information. Coalition bases are organizing space fleets to send to Alandra. We won’t let our Headquarters be destroyed without a fight.”
“It has to be saved. Alandra and the Coalition Headquarters represent freedom throughout the galaxy.” She followed Galton back to the room where she’d left Michio. Several guards stood at attention.
Moments later, Michio was brought out of a second interrogation chamber. Once his handcuffs were off, he put his arm around Toemeka. “You all right?” he asked softly.
“I’m fine.” She stepped away from him, accustomed to proving herself in a man’s world. “This is Galton Radmeer, Hendora’s brother.”
After the two men greeted each other, she asked, “Galton, how did you read my mind so easily?” She was still annoyed that he’d lifted information from her.
“You were wide open when you reached out to see if I was a telepath.”
Michio stepped threateningly close to Galton. “Stay out of her mind in the future.”
Toemeka felt Michio put up an invisible, protective energy shield around her entire body. She immediately felt some relief from all the distressing vibrations radiating from the guards around them.
“So you’re the renowned Michio,” Galton stressed the word renowned, making it sound like an insult. “Hendora said you’re trained to fight sorcerers and killed two in Jaipar. That’s quite an accomplishment. She also mentioned Toemeka decided not to return to Coalition Headquarters and stayed with you instead. She was agitated about Toemeka’s decision.” He looked like he didn’t agree with it either. To the Feniods nothing was more important and more honorable than being a warrior.
“There are other ways of being involved with the war than being a Coalition agent,” Michio replied.
Toemeka lightly touched Michio’s mind. I’m surprised he knows so much. Hendora never lets anyone get close to her.
She did once, Galton said. It didn’t work out well.
Toemeka shifted her gaze from Michio to Galton. He’d picked up her inner message! She’d have to be more careful around him.
Galton led them to the communication room where large computer screens showed a series of live aerial views of Jelmur. “Some satellites over Alandra were destroyed so we can’t fully see the extent of the damage. What we do know is that bombs and missiles dropped on Jelmur took out specific targets as Toemeka indicated. Most were vital military locations. Once Condor controls Jelmur, he can defeat the rest of Alandra. More than half the planet’s military force is at Coalition Headquarters.”
“I’m shipping out with the first air fleet headed to Alandra,” Galton added.
“I should join you,” Toemeka said. “They’ll need all of their trained personnel to prevail against the Raptor air fleet.”
Michio frowned, but didn’t say anything. His stance was guarded and more warrior-like than usual. Their reception had left her on edge as well.
Toemeka’s chest tightened as she walked to a screen that showed a live view of the Temple ruins. Several ambulances were parked near the shell of the once-serene place of worship and rows of bodies were covered with cloths. “Do you have any reports yet of who was killed?”
“No, everything is in pandemonium right now,” Galton said.
Michio put his arm around her and this time she didn’t move away. She was doing all she could to keep from breaking into tears. She still didn’t know if Erling’s family was alive. Erling’s parents had become her surrogate parents after her own were killed and his sisters were as close as real sisters. She still had nightmares of her own family’s deaths. She couldn’t imagine losing Erling’s parents as well.
“Do you want to sit down?” Michio asked.
She nodded and he led her over to a chair near the wall.
“I’ll get her a glass of water,” Galton said, sounding co
ncerned.
Once Galton left the room, Toemeka asked, “Do I look that poorly?”
“You turned white and looked faint.” Michio squatted in front of her.
“I feel faint. I wonder how many died when the temple was attacked. I knew many of the people who worshipped there. I wish I’d been able to give warning sooner.”
“I’m sure you saved many lives.”
Galton returned with a glass of water. Toemeka’s hand trembled as she took a few sips.
“Better?” Michio asked. She nodded. “We’d better get you home. It’s been a long night.”
Michio thanked Galton and they returned to their ship. Once onboard, Toemeka leaned back in her seat. Her head throbbed. Heavyhearted, she wondered which of her friends were killed in the attack. She tuned into the battle inwardly and felt the pain and confusion of many souls leaving their bodies after dying violently.
Michio squeezed her hand. “Put your attention on something happy.”
She raised her eyes to his. “I want to go to Alandra with Galton’s team.”
His hand tightened on hers. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
“It’s where I belong.” She kept her voice soft, not wanting to quarrel.
“We’ll talk about it when you’re not so distraught.”
“I’m not distraught.”
“I can feel your pain.”
Toemeka didn’t reply. He’d hear the emotion in her voice if she said anything further. It was better if they talked later when she had her arguments in place. If she talked now he’d think she was just irrational and never understand her need to fight in this war.
Michio started the engines and flew the ship through the doorway into the sky. “You’re not of the Feniod race,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “It’s okay to be upset. You don’t have to be strong all the time, especially with me. You can’t always keep things locked inside.”
He was giving her permission to break down, but she didn’t want to be that vulnerable even with him. “It’s terrible what’s happening on Jelmur. Why aren’t you upset?” Her voice sounded sharper than she intended.
“I lost control when that guard handcuffed you.”