Star Rider and the Golden Threads

by Heidi Skarie

  “I had just memorized the passwords needed to access the classified information we need when three armed guards showed up. A hidden camera or an alarm must have tipped them off to my presence. Two of them held me while the third laid into me. Their supervisor came in before they killed me and ordered them to take me to jail, where they proceeded to rough me up some more. Sadistic lot.” Erling scowled. “They used probes to send shock waves of energy into me.”

  “I know about probes.”

  “They used it on you?” His eyes widened in horror.

  “Only once. They didn’t rough me up like they did you.”

  “I’m sorry, Toe. This mess is my fault. I shouldn’t have gone into the crypto room.”

  “You took a calculated risk. We needed those passwords to accomplish our mission, but you should have told me what you were doing so I could have kept guard.”

  “I had to take advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself. We’ll go back there tonight, steal the information, and fly out of here.”

  “It’s too dangerous. We should abort the mission.”

  “The mission is too important. We have a chance to find out Samrat Condor’s strategic plans. It could be a real breakthrough for the Coalition and for Jaipar.” He added one last argument. “I might even find something that will help save my family.”

  “Erling, you know I’d do anything to help your family, but I’m simply not up for such a dangerous operation. The day before yesterday I was shot and took a bad fall and now I’ve hardly slept and haven’t eaten since we left Jaipar.” Her voice broke as she added, “I’m at my limit.”

  “I’ll go back alone, then we can leave together.”

  “No! I don’t want to be left alone in this horrible jungle! Do you know what it felt like yesterday, not knowing what happened to you?”

  “It’s all right, Toe. Don’t get upset. We’ve been in rough spots before.”

  “No, it’s not okay! I’m pregnant.”

  His mouth dropped open in shock, then he snapped it shut. “You’re what?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “I wanted to help with Jaipar’s defense so I went back on active duty. If I told you I was pregnant, as my superior you would’ve made me resign.”

  He threw out his hands palms up. “You could have helped me plan Jaipar’s defense without going back on active duty.”

  “I wanted access to the Coalition database. I don’t trust King Zanton and am having his background researched. I didn’t expect the Coalition to give me orders to go on a mission when we were already serving in Jaipar.”

  He shook his head. “They wouldn’t have expected you to go on the mission just after being wounded.”

  “I know, but it was too dangerous for you to go alone.”

  “That part turned out to be true.” He pulled out his communicator. “Before we left, I downloaded a program that’ll help us survive in this jungle. It tells what plants and animals are edible. Let’s search for food. You’ll feel better after you’ve eaten.” Erling put on his shirt, then pushed a pathway through the thick vegetation. He stopped and held his communicator screen in front of a plant with red berries on it. “Are these berries edible, Bea?

  No, though they look similar to some edible berries

  He tried several more plants and each time Bea said it wasn’t edible.

  “How about this orange flower?” Toemeka asked, pointing to a large, five petaled flower.

  Erling held out his communicator. “Bea, can we eat this flower?’

  The flower is edible, Bea replied.

  “Finally, something we can eat,” Toemeka exclaimed. She picked the flower and took a bite. Its repulsive taste made her gag. She spit it out. “Disgusting.”

  “It can’t be that bad.” He took a bite, grimaced and spit it out. “Bea, this tastes terrible. Why did you tell us we could eat it?”

  You didn’t ask if it tasted good.

  “She has a point,” Toemeka said.

  After searching for nearly an hour, they found a bush with a few blue, ball-shaped fruits hanging from its branches that Bea said was edible. Jocollitos are delicious once they turn blue, Bea said.

  “Unfortunately, there weren’t many left on the bush,” Toemeka said.

  “The birds must have eaten them,” Erling said. He peeled the skin off one of the blue-colored fruits, then broke the inner fruit into sections and handed some to Toemeka. “It smells good.”

  Toemeka bit into a piece and a sweet taste exploded in her mouth. “It tastes good. Try some.”

  He ate a section, then picked apart the remaining four jocollitos. After they ate them, Erling asked, “You must be exhausted. Do you want to sleep for awhile or look for more food?”

  “I’d like to sleep.”

  “Okay. I’ll keep guard.”

  She lay on spongy moss growing beneath a tree and soon drifted to sleep. In the dream worlds, she was a child again with her brother Baymond. They were searching for the doll she’d dropped when they were high in the mountains.

  After awhile Baymond said, “We can’t look any longer. We have to start for home. We’ve already missed supper and it’s getting dark. Mom and Dad will be worried.”

  “I’ve got to find Asta. She’s hurt and hungry and scared in the dark.” On the verge of tears, Toemeka bit her lip.

  “The Master will take care of her.”

  “You go home. I’ll look a little longer.”

  “We’re a long way from home. You won’t be able find your way.”

  “Asta must be somewhere.” Tears began rolling down Toemeka’s cheeks. She quickly turned away so her brother wouldn’t see them and scanned the rugged terrain for the cherished doll. Her shoulders shook as sorrow filled her.

  “Don’t cry. We’ll find her tomorrow.”

  “I’m not crying.” Toemeka wiped the tears away and glanced at her skinned palms and knees. They’d finally stopped oozing blood.

  Baymond turned her so she was facing him. “Asta will be okay. She’s a brave girl. She’ll probably find some berries to eat. She’ll have a grand adventure.”

  “Do you think so?”

  “Sure. Come on we’ve got to try and beat the sun. Let’s see if we can get home before he hides his face. Mother will have food waiting for us.” He took her hand and they started off.

  Walking beside her brother, Toemeka watched the setting sun, aware for the first time how hungry, tired and cold she was. She knew her father would already be looking for them. She quickened her pace, thinking of his warm arms.

  Areas of the mountain already lay in evening shadows. Climbing the rocky slope was even more treacherous in the dark. Toemeka squeezed her brother’s hand, glad he hadn’t left her.

  Toemeka woke with a start. “Erling!”

  “I’m right here, Toe. What is it?” He parted the thick foliage so she could see him.

  “I was back in my childhood with Baymond.”

  “You dreamed about him?”

  “It didn’t seem like a dream. It felt real. I could feel the pain in my skinned knees and my head felt stuffy from crying. A few weeks ago, I also dreamed of that day. I wonder why I dreamt of it twice.”

  “Better than your reoccurring nightmare of when Baymond was killed. Perhaps you’re healing from the trauma.”

  “I am healing, but there’s more to it. I’ll have to contemplate on its meaning. Perhaps Baymond is trying to reach me. When we were children, we had a strong inner connection. We could inwardly contact each other, even at a distance. When I was re-born into this life I was happy to have a brother with whom I’d shared many lifetimes.”

  Erling covered a yawn. “Sorry, I’m tired.” The bruises on his face looked worse than they had the day before and one eye was still sealed shut.

  “I’m feeling better now. I’ll keep guard so you can sleep.”

  “I appreciate it. I can barely keep my eyes open.” Erling lay d
own and soon his breathing was deep and regular.

  Toemeka watched a small orange lizard jump from branch to branch in a nearby tree, then turned her attention to the birds that added flashes of bright color to the dense foliage. She braided her long hair into a single plait, trying to ignore her hunger pains as the fruit had only awakened her appetite. Her hunger pangs grew worse and she wondered if her baby needed nourishment. She decided to hunt for more food. She took the communicator from Erling and pushed her way through the tall growth, intending to stay close by.

  With the communicator she scanned numerous plants until she finally found one that Bea said had edible berries. She went from bush to bush eating the small orange berries moving further and further away from Erling. She filled her pockets with berries from the last bush she found, then looked around and realized she didn’t know the way back to Erling. In every direction was thick vegetation and overhead the enormous trees reached into the clouds. She pushed the locator symbol, but realized she’d forgotten to put in the coordinates of where Erling was sleeping.

  How could I be so stupid? she thought. I’m supposed to be guarding Erling. It will be my fault if he’s captured. She tried to stay calm. If she continued walking she might wander in circles for hours or head out in the wrong direction. If she called for Erling, a soldier might hear. At last she decided it was the best to stay put and let him find her; he was trained to track people.

  She sat on a log, wondering how long Erling would sleep. The sun was lower in the sky and it was dark and gloomy at the bottom of the ancient trees. Sweat rolled down her back from the sweltering heat and insects swarmed around her now that she wasn’t moving.

  Toemeka closed her eyes to block out all physical sensations and focused her attention on Erling. She visualized him lying in the thick foliage right where she left him. Erling, wake up. Come find me! A bird burst into song right near her and she lost the image she was creating. She opened her eyes and spotted an aqua blue bird hopping on the branches. It had long tail feathers that spread out like a fan behind him.

  “You know I won’t harm you, don’t you?” Toemeka whispered. The bird hopped down to a lower branch and cocked its head to the side watching her. “Have you come to tell me everything is going to be all right?” She continued watching the bird. “I wish Michio could see you. He would appreciate your splendid plumage. He loves all life.” A wave of loneliness for Michio swelled inside her. How long would it be before she saw him again? Heavyhearted, she realized he was probably upset with her for going off on a mission with Erling. He’d been protective of her ever since he found out she was carrying their child and had been reluctant to go to the monastery.

  He’d be a good father: patient, gentle and understanding as her father was. She wondered if the baby would look like Michio. Maybe the baby would have his green eyes and tall build.

  The bird flew away and she searched the branches to see if something frightened it. Her throat constricted when she spotted an enormous snake curled around a branch a few feet away. It was as wide as the branch was thick and looked to be about twelve feet long.

  Frozen in fear, Toemeka watched it drop from the tree. The front half of its long body rose four feet into the air.

  Suddenly it struck at something in the bushes. Moments later it slithered back out of the bushes with a fuzzy creature in its mouth and swallowed it whole.

  The snake disappeared into the undergrowth. She clutched her knees to her chest, wondering what other dangerous creatures were in the jungle. What was she doing here anyway?

  She should be safely at the palace. But no, she had to go on a mission. This was all her fault. She should have been upfront about being pregnant and not come. And yet . . . if she hadn’t, Erling would have been executed as a spy.

  When the sun set, the jungle plunged into darkness, as if a blanket had been pulled over it. A whole new set of creatures awakened and the jungle turned into a living thing. In the distance a spine-tingling roar split the air while nearby thousands of high buzzing and chirping sounds surrounded her.

  A branch snapped. Toemeka’s breath caught in her throat and she stared in the direction of the noise, straining to hear or see what it was. Could it be Erling? An uneasy wave passed over her. She slipped out of her body and looked down at the jungle from above. A huge moncron sniffed the ground, moving in her direction. She reentered her body and scrambled up a tree trunk as the moncron came bounding toward her.

  He lunged against the tree snapping, barking and growling. Something crashed through the jungle, coming closer and closer. She crawled out on a limb and pulled out her blaster.

  A guard came into view below her, wearing night vision goggles and carrying a thermo-scope rifle. As he looked up, she fired her Blackhawk blaster. It made a sharp crack and kicked back against her chest, almost causing her to fall out of the tree. The guard collapsed. The moncron leapt off the ground, trying to bite her feet. Its fanged mouth dripped saliva and its huge front claws scraped the tree, tearing off chunks of bark. She fired at it and the moncron whined. She fired again and again until it lay still. Moncrons never hunted alone and she wondered how many more were out there. Their hearing was keen and the crack of a blaster would attract more of them.

  15

  New Dangers

  Koriann stood on the dark ocean shoreline, gazing up at the stars. Somewhere on one of those tiny dots of light, Erling and Toemeka were risking their lives for her country. Since they left, she’d been a bundle of nerves, fearful they wouldn’t make it back. Missions were dangerous.

  A strong wind came up from the ocean and blew strands of hair into her face. She brushed them back and took a deep breath of salty air. Hearing a noise, Koriann turned and saw a man’s tall form walking toward her in the moonlight.

  Recognizing his walk and build, she ran to him. “Michio! Thank God you’re here.”

  He enfolded her into his arms. “Toemeka came to me inwardly and said she and Erling needed help. I flew directly from the monastery to find out where they are, so I can help them.”

  “What kind of danger are they in?”

  “They’re being hunted in a jungle. Erling was injured and too weak to go any further.”

  “How badly hurt is he?” Koriann clutched Michio’s arm, feeling as if her knees might give out.

  “He’ll recover if they can make it back. Where are they?”

  “The Coalition sent them on a secret mission. That’s all I know.”

  Michio frowned. “But Toemeka’s no longer on active duty?”

  “She must have gone back on active duty. She was helping with Jaipar’s defense when she was here.”

  “She can’t be on active duty; she’s pregnant.”

  “She is! She never said a thing.”

  “She was excited about it. I assumed she would have told you right away. I’ll contact the Coalition and see what I can find out about the mission. Let’s return to the palace.”

  They began walking back along the sandy beach.

  “Michio, I’m sorry this happened. I feel responsible since I told Toemeka about the mission and asked her to stop Erling from going. She’d been shot by a sniper earlier in the day and it never occurred to me that she might accompany him.”

  “She was shot by a sniper?” Michio stopped walking and stared at her in horror. He’d felt Toemeka reach out to him in terror when he was sparring with Mazarka. That must have been when she was shot.

  “The bullet wound wasn’t too serious, but the impact caused her to lose her balance and take a bad fall.”

  Michio looked even more distraught. “Then why would she go on a mission?”

  “Because she knew it was too dangerous for Erling to go alone.”

  “I don’t want to lose her, Koriann.” Michio’s face twisted in pain. “It doesn’t really matter why she went. I just don’t want anything to happen to her.”

  From her branch perch, Toemeka heard someone, or something, running toward her, unconcerned about the a
mount of noise they made. She raised her blaster as a man broke through the bushes.

  “Toemeka, where are you?” Erling yelled.

  “I’m up here.” She started climbing down the tree right as two moncrons came running out of the jungles at Erling.

  “Look out!” she screamed.

  “Stay up there!” Erling yelled as he fired his blaster. He killed one, but the other knocked him onto his back.

  Toemeka scrambled down the tree and raised her blaster. She couldn’t see well in the dark and didn’t dare fire for fear of hitting Erling. Grabbing a branch off the ground, she slammed it into the beast. It turned toward her growling and she fired her blaster repeatedly until it crumpled to the ground.

  “Erling, are you all right?” She squatted beside him.

  “I think so.” He stood. “I told you to stay in the tree.”

  “I was afraid I’d hit you if I fired from up there.”

  “I had everything under control.”

  “Sure you did,” she said sarcastically.

  “We’ve got to get out of here. The noise will attract other moncrons and guards.” He put on the guard’s night vision goggles, then grabbed her hand and started running in the direction of the outpost. The goggles enabled him to navigate through thick foliage and around fallen trees, but Toemeka had to slow down to keep from tripping over roots. After they’d gone a fair distance, Toemeka dropped to her knees in a bog, too tired to go further, panting for breath.

  Erling surveyed the area. “Come on, Toe. More moncrons are trailing us.”

  “I . . . can’t . . . go . . . any . . . further,” she said, panting for breath. She leaned over clutching her side.

  “We can only rest a moment.” Erling stood alert, listening. All was quiet around them.

  “I don’t hear them, but I’m sure they’re out there. Why did you go wandering off like that?”

  “I went to find food. I was starving, but I knew you needed sleep.”