by Heidi Skarie
“If you can’t get the key, escape on your own and bring back help.”
He bit his lower lip and shook his head. “I won’t leave you. You don’t know how evil she is—how dark her power is. There isn’t any good left in her.” The fear receded from his eyes and warmth entered them. “Light shines around you and I can hear the Sound Current when I’m near you. You’re all that’s keeping me from coming completely under her power.”
Zac looked down, then met her eyes again. “When I knocked you out, I was completely under her power, but I’ve since found small ways to break through.” His cheeks flushed, matching the color of his hair. “Every time I’m—you know—with her the control becomes stronger and it takes longer to come back. I’m never totally free. I’m concerned one of these times I won’t come back.”
“You have to fight her power over you.” Onolyn put a berry in her mouth.
“I try, but her hold on me isn’t just physical. It’s mental and emotional. I wish it were just physical torture, so I’d be left with some feeling of self. I have to go,” Zac said abruptly, lifting the candlestick and hurrying across the room. He paused at the door and looked back at Onolyn before slipping out the heavy door.
Onolyn pondered their conversation. Why had his face flushed red when he mentioned being with Seetva? Then she gasped, realizing he meant when he was with Seetva sexually. She shuddered. How horrible!
She bit off a piece of bread and chewed it slowly, wishing she had more water to wash it down with. She knew she should save some of the food, but there wasn’t much and within minutes it was gone. After shoving the empty pouch into her pocket, she leaned against the bars.
Zac appeared to be totally under Seetva’s power the previous two times Onolyn had seen him. How had he found the strength and courage to overcome Seetva’s hold on him enough to bring food and water tonight? He’d probably saved her life by doing so.
That evening, Michio visited Erling’s room and found him working on a laptop.
“I’m glad to see you out of bed.” Michio sat on a nearby chair. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. The antidote worked quickly.”
“What are you writing?”
A serene expression settled over Erling’s face. “About my near-death experience.”
“It’s a good to write about it while it’s still fresh in your mind. Do you think you’re well enough to go see the Master tomorrow? We can fly to a landing site not far from the Village of Kumba and walk there. If you like, you can stay in Kumba for awhile, although I’ll need to return to oversee the defense of Jaipar.”
“Tomorrow should work.” He closed his laptop. “Mich, I know Kori doesn’t understand what I’m going through. The physical world just doesn’t mean much to me anymore, except for Kori, of course. If I marry her—when I marry her—I’ll be responsible for governing Jaipar alongside her and I can’t remain dispassionate about the affairs of this world. It’s an odd position to be in. I feel I could stay at the Village of Kumba and be celibate for the rest of my life. I love Kori, but I don’t desire her as a woman anymore.”
Erling shook his head. “I can’t believe it’s me speaking. I’ve always enjoyed women. I don’t understand what happened to me and Kori understands it even less. She feels hurt and rejected. Moreover, as ruler of Jaipar, she wants me to share her concerns about its welfare.”
Erling leaned forward earnestly in his chair. “What’s wrong with me, Mich? Why can’t I be as I used to be? Fearless, living for today, enjoying life, involved in this world to the fullest.”
“You experienced death and now realize things of this world are transitory. They’ll never have the same hold on you. Yet you didn’t die because your higher purpose for this life isn’t over. You still have things to do and learn in the physical world.”
Michio held out a hand, palm up. “Life is a gift. It’s not something to be escaped from in a monastery. Living in this world is how you grow. It may take some time, but eventually you’ll find balance between your physical and spiritual life. You’re just at a point where your craving for God is so great that nothing else seems important. I spent many years like that, but I wasn’t engaged to be married and wasn’t the military leader of an entire planet.”
“Where did your spiritual journey take you?”
“As a young man, I left my parent’s home, gave up all my possessions, and set off to seek God and the meaning of life. I devoted days to contemplation, studied under many different masters, did extended fasts, and spent weeks in a dark cave. All that time, Master Bakka was as close to me as my heartbeat, letting me grow and experience things in my own way.
“That was my journey to awaken to my Higher Self,” Michio continued. “You have a different journey. You don’t have time to spend years searching and Koriann can’t wait that long. But your relationship with her is an advantage, for it’s through human love that we learn about divine love. It’s not necessary to retreat from life to reach God-Realization. We can unfold to our fullest potential while living a full, active life.”
Erling listened, then shook his head. “I was too attached to this world. When I’m in the middle of a mission, it becomes all-consuming. At the monastery, it will be easier to focus on God and rise above the mundane things of this world. When I was on Flo Shah, I was so out of balance I even used amphetamines.”
“We’ve all done things that aren’t in our best interest spiritually. At least you realized it and don’t want to fall into that trap again. Seeing the Master and spending a few days at the Temple will be good for you. It’ll help you rebalance and rejuvenate. Many challenging experiences lie ahead and you’ll need to be inwardly strong to go through them.”
Michio paused. Through the open window he heard the endless rhythm of the ocean waves beating on the shoreline. While listening to the ocean with its power, beauty and unchanging qualities, he felt closer to God.
Returning to current problems, Michio told Erling that Onolyn and Zac had disappeared in Haklute, Toemeka was delivering the matrix crystal, King Zanton had launched a surprise attack on Mithra, and the entire planet of Alandra surrendered to Samrat Condor.
Erling’s face drained of color. “Alandra surrendered! How will my family ever escape now?” He ran a jerky hand through his hair. “As for Mithra, King Zanton launched a surprise attack to take out our strongest ally, so they can’t give us military support when Samrat Condor’s air fleet attacks Jaipar.” He rubbed his forehead. “This is giving me a headache. I can’t save Borko any more than I could save Alandra. I never could. I just wanted to believe it was possible. Mich, I don’t have any fight left in me. You can watch over Toemeka, Hendora will find Zac and Onolyn, and there are plenty of soldiers to fight the war.”
“Soldiers yes, but not leaders.” Michio sighed. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you. You’re still recovering.”
“Told him what?” Koriann asked, entering the room.
“About Alandra surrendering,” Michio replied.
“And Zac and Onolyn missing, Toe’s latest mission, and the attack on Mithra.” Erling’s voice sounded weary.
Koriann crossed over to Erling and stood defensively between him and Michio. “Why did you tell him? It’s his first day out of bed. What do you expect him to do? Do you want him to keep going until he’s dead?”
“He has a right to know,” Michio said. “I learned that from Toemeka. You can’t shelter him from what’s happening; this war involves all of us.”
“He almost died! Give him a chance to recover.”
“Kori, it’s all right. I’m glad Michio told me. Don’t worry, I’ve already told him the war can go on without me.”
Michio helped Erling back to bed. “I’ll come see you tomorrow and, if you’re up to it, take you to see Master Bakka.” Michio left the sleeping chamber.
Koriann followed him into the outer room of Erling’s bedroom suite and shut the door. “Erling’s not well enough to make a trip to see the Master
tomorrow.”
“This is the only chance I’ll have to take him there before my duties make it impossible. Reports are coming in that Samrat Condor’s air fleet was spotted on the route between Alandra and Borko.” He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. “Do you realize Toemeka’s flight will take her right where Samrat Condor’s starships will be? If I’d known a few hours sooner of Alandra’s surrender, I never would have let her go.”
23
Mission
Toemeka knew something major had happened. The main route between Alandra and Borko was full of Raptor starships. She’d just come out of a jump from Borko to a space station for refueling. A Raptor starship rapidly approached the space station from the opposite direction. She changed course, turning her ship so quickly she was plastered into her seat by the g-force and the ship almost stalled.
Toemeka cursed the civilian spacecraft she flew; she wanted a real ship, a fighter that would give her the maneuverability her life depended on. Her curses also extended to the flashy flight suit she wore. Civilian flight suits offered less protection than military ones. She increased her speed, then set the computer controls for a jump.
Suddenly her ship started to shake and whine. Both engine dials swung up into the red overheated zone. The ship started slowly moving backwards toward the Raptor starship. Toemeka realized with a sickening feeling that her ship was caught on a tracker beam and didn’t have the power to break out of it. Toemeka switched off the engines so they wouldn’t burn out.
The matrix crystal, she was to deliver to the Coalition, was hidden as a hair barrette. They’d torture, then execute her if it was found. She considered smashing it to pieces, but so much was at stake. The matrix crystal contained crucial information that could save millions of lives. Her ship was almost aboard the warship, so she had to decide quickly. She drew a deep breath and rubbed the back of her neck. She’d come this far and would play her part, hoping they bought into her cover as President Alenzata’s daughter, an eighteen-year-old heiress known for her reckless escapades.
Toemeka had been concerned that she would look too old for the part as she was twenty-five. But the makeup artists had assured her that she looked young for her age, greatly resembled Felicia, and with her disguise it would be nearly impossible for anyone who didn’t know Felicia personally to know she was an imposter.
“It’s just you and me, Master Bakka,” she whispered, tuning in to his inner presence. She lowered the landing gear as her ship was drawn into a one-ship landing bay. It came to a stop and the bay door shut with a resounding thud. She waited for the oxygen-rich air to finish pumping into the bay before removing her helmet and opening the ship’s canopy top.
An armed military android walked over to her and said in the Universal language: Throw down your weapons.
“I don’t have any.”
“Exit the ship.” She climbed out and the android used a metal detector wand to scan her for weapons. “Subject’s clean,” it said.
The door opened and four humanoid soldiers poured into the room, surrounding her. One stood over eight feet tall. From his size, large hawk nose and hooded brow she knew him to be of the Hinto race, a race of humanoids with a lifespan of over two hundred years. Samrat Condor’s race! Seeing him transported her back eight years to when she’d been captured and brought before Samrat Condor. Her throat constricted, cutting off her breath.
They all stared at her with their mouths gaping open, not knowing what to make of her disguise. Her right cheek had violet, hot pink and chartreuse horizontal stripes that continued into her hair, which was dyed to match, and she wore a jewel-studded, form-fitting violet flight suit and heeled boots, dyed to match her face stripes.
Their surprise allowed her to gather her wits and her years of training kicked in. “What is the meaning of this?” she demanded. “You have no right to pull my ship aboard!”
“Save your complaints for our commanding officer,” the Hinto soldier said, clasping her elbow.
“Don’t touch me! Where is your commanding officer? I’ve got a few things I’d like to say to him!”
The man smirked at her brazen behavior. “Right this way, honey.”
“Don’t patronize me! The name is Felicia Alenzata. My father is President Alenzata, the leader of planet Alenzata. He’ll be furious when he finds out you’ve detained me.” Thank God, she thought, that the president was a friend of the Coalition and knew she was flying disguised as his daughter. He’d back up her story if contacted.
“Come this way, daddy’s girl.” Four soldiers escorted Toemeka through the starship. As they went, she took mental note of the ship layout. They passed through a large, noisy landing bay and brought her before an officer distinguished by his crisp gray uniform with rows of gold military pins across his chest. He looked to be in his early thirties and had an open, friendly face. The officer finished his conversation with a mechanic, then turned toward his men. His eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Toemeka among them.
Before he could say anything, she launched into him. “Are you the miserable beast responsible for pulling my ship aboard?”
“Yes, I —”
“What’s the big idea? You have no right to detain me. I demand you let me go immediately. My father President Alenzata will have your head for this!”
The officer’s mouth curled up in a one-sided half-smile. “Let’s see your ID.”
“Let’s see your ID first. Who are you?”
One of the soldiers snickered and the officer shot him a sharp look. The man immediately stood at attention with a serious expression. The officer said, “Young lady, I don’t think you realize the gravity of your position. We’re a warship on a military expedition.”
“So what?” Toemeka snapped. “Am I supposed to care?”
“Search her for papers.”
“Lay one hand on me and your miserable life is over!” she said, pulling out her ID card. “Here it is. You’ll find everything in order. I’m Felicia Alenzata, my father rules planet Alenzata. He’s a powerful man and when he finds out you’ve held me up, he’ll have you fried alive!”
“Run her ID card through the computer,” the officer said, handing the card to a technician. His attention returned to Toemeka. “Where were you headed?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Felicia, I’m losing my patience. There are a lot of ways to make people talk.”
“Isn’t there some protocol . . . some rules of space conduct you have to follow?” Toemeka stammered, uneasily glancing around at the tall soldiers surrounding her. “I mean, don’t citizens have some rights?”
“Not on Samrat Condor’s ships.”
“This is Samrat Condor’s ship? Father has a truce agreement with him. You can’t hold me.”
“We haven’t even established your identity yet. What were you doing in this area of the galaxy?”
“I was on a joyride and ran low on fuel, so I jumped to the nearest fuel station.”
“A joyride! What is that?” He frowned, then glanced at a pilot who’d come up to speak with him. It was obvious he wanted to deal with more important things than her.
“You know, just out for fun. Father bought me a fabulous new ship. You want to see it? It’s great. It handles beautifully and it’s really fast. Say, I’ll be glad to take you for a ride if you like.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
Toemeka looked at the endless rows of fighters in the bay. “This is quite a ship you’ve got here and what a jazzy computer.” She reached toward the nearest computer keyboard.
“Don’t touch anything.” He addressed the technician. “Did you clear her yet? We have a war to fight.”
“What war?” Toemeka asked, feeling her scalp tingle.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“No one ever tells me anything,” Toemeka pouted.
“She’s clear,” the technician said, handing her back her ID card. “Doesn’t look like there’s any poi
nt in detaining her. In fact, it could cause trouble with her father. He is a very powerful man and does have a truce with Samrat Condor.”
“I told you,” Toemeka said. “Now can I go?”
“Yes, you’ve been cleared. Take her back to her ship,” the officer said to the tall soldier who’d brought her.
Another officer lumbered over, dragging his gigantic tail. “Why let her go?” he said through a mic hanging around his neck. He was of a reptilian species and his long tongue flicked out of his scaly face as he talked. “We could put her to some use.”
Toemeka’s heart stopped, knowing this officer would be hard to deal with. He wouldn’t have any sympathy for a female human.
“She’s just a kid. There’s no reason to hold her,” the human officer replied.
“She doesn’t look like she’s in the juvenile stage of development.” He stared at her breasts. “She looks like she’s reached full sexual maturity.”
“Human females develop breasts before their full age of maturity,” the human office snapped.
Uncomfortable, Toemeka crossed her arms over her breasts.
“Immature or not, I still think we should keep her for our amusement.” His long tongue lashed out and licked her cheek.
She recoiled backwards and wiped the saliva off.
“You have no right to challenge my decision. I’m letting her go. This war has nothing to do with her and it will only cause trouble. She’s President Alenzata’s daughter.”
Toemeka sensed she was better off not saying anything. She hoped the human officer was the higher ranking of the two men. A small crowd had gathered around them and it was becoming more of a power struggle between two officers than about her.
“She should be taken in for questioning. It’s standard procedure,” the reptilian officer said.