"I don't know what happened to me in that storage bay. He took me by surprise and we fought quite a battle, but he underestimated me because I'm a woman and didn't
fight at his best. He was a magnificent specimen, Cypher, and he affected me in a strange manner. There was something about him that made me warm all over."
"It is physical attraction, the desire to mate."
Even as Starla envisioned the handsome male with black hair and dark blue eyes and knew Cypher's conclusion was correct, she laughed and scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous. He was a stranger, a peril; and I handled him in the only way open to me, with one.of my little phials."
"I analyzed your reactions; my conclusion and program are accurate. You always speak the truth to me, Bree-Kayah; why is this time different?"
"Guilty of deceit, my friend, and I'm sorry. I just didn't want to confess my foolishness and don't want your deduction to be true. I admit he was handsome and virile and arousing, but . . ." Stars afire. Just thinking and talking about him is stimulating!
"Continue."
"I would never mate even with an appealing stranger, and certainly not with a villite. Since he was hiding on that vessel, he must be a criminal on the run. Be sure to notify the Kalfans of his presence aboard so he can be taken prisoner by their Sekis. Under the circumstances, there was no way I could apprehend him, but he's captive aboard that transporter. He's gone, so I'm safe from temptation. Whatever it was, let's drop the subject."
"Why? Do you not want to understand or experience such emotions and pleasures? Are they not normal biological functions for your species?"
"Yes, but I haven't felt such emotions since that incident with Antarus before his death. Even then, my heart and will were barely involved since I was delirious," Starla answered, aware Cypher would grasp the reference to her first sexual experience, since he knew everything about her. She had no secrets from the trusted android; it was necessary for him to know how she would react under all circumstances.
She also spent most of her time with him during missions, so many long and candid talks had taken place over the yings. "He made me uneasy, Cypher, and I don't like control and focus losses. I need only to think about Tochar and my mission. The sooner we finish it, the sooner we can go home. I miss my family and friends, and I hate this awM place and these horrible people. After I bathe and eat, we'll play a game of rest before I retire. You're in charge of the ship now. See you later."
Four days had passed when Starla was summoned to To-char's dwelling. She entered his oblong work chamber in the elevated structure and approached him, noticing that someone was with him, his back to her. Black hair told her it wasn't Moig, Auken, or Sach, who were light-haired like all Icarians. For a strange reason, she tensed, but managed to keep her expression pleasant and calm.
Tochar stood, smiled, and motioned her forward. "There is someone I want you to meet, Starla. Dagan Latu, this is Starla Vedris, one of my best pilots and raiders, and also a beautiful and fearless woman."
As the male also stood, then turned, Starla's heart skipped several beats before pounding rapidly. As she faced the man Moig had ordered her to kill eleven deegas ago, she knew Cypher must be concerned over her erratic vital signs—reactions carried to him via her wrist device which always kept her in contact with him. Surely the android was deciding if her sudden distress indicated she was in terrible danger and he should teleport her to safety, though she had not signaled him to do so.
Questions filled her mind in a rush: Who was he? How had he gotten there? Had she been exposed and walked into a trap? Was he one of Tochar's men, one she hadn't met until now? Had he been aboard the ship to test her loyalty and reflexes? No, she reasoned, or he would be dead if she had
carried out Moig's order. Somehow the cunning stranger had escaped and would soon place her and her mission in jeopardy. Well. Bree-Kayah Saar, how are you going to get out of this threatening predicament?
D<
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Staria was trained to think and react quickly to unexpected and hazardous circumstances. She cautioned herself not to panic and flee, as that would terminate her crucial mission and become her first failure during an assignment. Yet, she remained alert and prepared to signal Cypher to rescue her if the situation worsened. Though she was quite uncertain, she tried to calm herself so the android would realize she had matters under control. Since the man had not spoken, Cypher would have no clue as to why she was unsettled. No doubt the android was running his name through their computer bank at this moment, which would reveal Dagan's identity but not the reason behind her distress. The instant he spoke, however. Cypher would recognize his voice pattern and understand.
Even if he's told Tochar about the transporter incident, stay and bluff your way out. Staria moved forward and said, "It's a pleasure to meet any friend of Tochar's." She extended her hand and they clasped wrists in the usual manner of greeting. The stranger's grasp seemed too snug and lasted too long. She had seen surprise register in his blue eyes before one of amusement mingled with intrigue replaced it. She was relieved his back was to Tochar, so the leader missed Dagan's reaction. Her green gaze locked with his blue one for a few moments as if in challenge. She pulled her arm from his grip as it loosened, seemingly without his awareness or intent; his touch, face, his presence, were dis-
turbing, arousing, irritating. As if he detected her reaction to him, he looked pleased and cocky. She shifted her gaze to Tochar and smiled. The leader grinned as if he assumed they had been evaluating each other and saw the sparks of physical attraction between them. She decided that was an advantage, as it would mask any departure from her normal behavior.
The leader laughed and corrected, "Dagan is not a friend, but I am hoping he will become one and hire on to serve me as superbly as you do. I must tell you, Starla, his reputation spreads far, and is a colorful one. It will be good to have another brave and bold person working for me, if he accepts. According to his record, he will prove an excellent member of our group. I am sure you two would work remarkably and profitably together."
Good, he's a stranger to you. "I'll work with any man or woman you select, Tochar; you are our leader, a generous and superior one," she replied in a smooth and professional tone, though she surmised the fiendal was using her to tempt Dagan Latu into becoming one of his hirelings.
Tochar chuckled. "I am the only potentate you have ever served." He glanced at Dagan. "Like you, Starla has always been a loner, a success on her own. But I persuaded her to work for me and to enjoy the sanctuary and rewards I have to offer. I hope you will do the same."
"The offer you made sounds appealing," Dagan said, "especially the refuge and hefty payments, both of which I am in dire need of at present. As to Starla Vedris, she must be skilled in many ways to be thought and spoken of so highly by you. She is indeed beautiful, and a pleasure to meet. I'm certain I'll enjoy working with her at every available chance." He was fascinated by the desirable space pirate who appeared just as intrigued by and drawn to him, as he was to her.
"Starla is exquisite, but I must caution you, Dagan, to use care and respect with her. She is one of my best raiders.
so I cannot allow anyone to provoke her into leaving me by offending her with an unwanted pursuit. Of course, she is free to select her own companions and diversions."
"I catch your meaning, Tochar, and I'll honor your caution."
"Excellent, because you and Starla will make a fine pair for some of my most important treks. With you two as a unit and Auken, Sach, and Moig as another, I will have two superior teams to handle crucial raids. Sit and relax, you two. Starla, would you care for a refreshment?"
She took the seata nearest Dagan's to prove to both men she was not afraid of the newcomer. "Mumfresia will be fine." She watched Tochar press a button on his control panel; the female slave appeared with haste, as if she feared a delay would anger her master and provoke punishment. Starla had seen bruises on Zarafa's yellow skin that implied abuse. She detested an
y male who used brutality on a helpless victim of any age or sex. Yet, she was not in a position to defend or rescue the alien slave. When she completed her mission, she would endeavor to do so.
"Mumfresia for Starla, and refills for me and Dagan."
She noticed the kindly behavior the cunning Tochar exhibited toward the slave to make a good impression on Dagan. She knew that the leader and this settlement had no automatic servo units to provide refreshments and meals by request using coded metallic cards and advanced technology, just as it lacked other features to make work easier and life more enjoyable. Most of the living conditions and amenities were like those in her world more than a hundred yings ago, as it was not a place which attracted scientists and technicians to build, operate, and repair them. Yet, the primitive lifestyle suited the type of people who populated Tochara. After the woman's departure, Starla asked Tochar, "Will we be going out again soon? I get itchy sitting around too long."
"You see, Dagan, Starla is as eager to get rich as you
are, but for different reasons. Yes, my lovely creature, your next departure is in two deegas. It is another risky and profitable venture for you. Auken will give you the schedule; you will be using his ship this time."
That news told her their target was another cargo of moonbeams, but it didn't reveal the crystals departure point: Sen or Kalfa. She would ponder the matter later. For now, she needed to stay alert for trouble from the handsome male nearby, who kept glancing at her and who probably was surprised to see her again. She could not guess so soon if he was going to expose her with the hope of gaining his new leader's gratitude and favor. Perhaps the appealing vil-lite wanted her to sweat for a time out of revenge for defeating him, or perhaps he was repaying her for sparing his life. Or perhaps he assumed extorting her would be more profitable than revealing her defiance to Tochar, especially if she found a cunning way to excuse it. She also tried not to think about the audacious remarks she made to Dagan before she allegedly killed him, words he no doubt found amusing and enticing from his expressions.
As the slave returned and served them, Dagan pretended to listen to Starla and Tochar chat, but his mind kept drifting to the incident on the transporter and her provocative words. He couldn't surmise why she hadn't slain him, but he was grateful enough to conceal news of her defiance, no matter if revealing it would score him big points. She didn't seem worried, so her parmer that deega must not have seen him, as she had covered his face with a sack. But if Moig recognized him, they were both in trouble for keeping secrets. Maybe he shouldn't take that risk; maybe he should expose her while he had time to joke it off. If he waited and Moig fingered him, Tochar would be suspicious of why he held silent and would send him on his way.
But, Dagan deduced, he might get Starla Vedris killed or punished for no reason, if Moig was ignorant. For certain, Tochar wasn't a man to dupe without an excellent motive,
especially while sitting in his stronghold. He had noticed the discolored spots on the slave's face and arms and the terror in the poor creature's eyes. Any man, Dagan felt, who could do such despicable acts was an unpredictable and untrustworthy lowlife. If this job wasn't imperative, he would be gone on the next ship out. As to Starla, she was a mystery; he had never heard of her and her exploits. He wondered how and when and why she had linked up with Tochar and how she felt about the man. He needed to learn her secrets fast or she could be trouble for him if his guard rebelliously relaxed around her. It didn't sit well that he was so attracted to her, that he might jeopardize his wants and needs to save her life and skin.
Starla was looking down at the three powerful crystals lying on his desk. "Those are exquisite moonbeams, Tochar, but rather small ones," she remarked. "They would be breathtaking if they were gems and were studded into a gold neck ring. Of course, they're too valuable and useful for mere adornment."
The leader fingered them aknost erotically. "Dagan just sold them to me. He won them in a rest game from a cunning thief."
Dagan grinned. "If I had known those gems were so precious, I wouldn't have held on to them for so long. They're about the only thing I rescued after my little problem with those Sekis. Too bad my ship wouldn't fit in my pocket like they did. If I could get my hands on more of those, I'd be rich very soon with what you're willing to pay for them."
Tochar lifted one moonbeam, held it toward the light, and admired its color. These are the last ones you will be able to win in any game. No worker can sneak them out of the mines anymore because of security inspections, and markets for them are rare and buyers are dangerous to seek."
"Ships transporting them would make perfect targets," Dagan hinted.
"Do not attempt to raid one unless you are ready to die
or you know for certain it is safe to attack," Tochar warned. "The Serians and Kalfans are very protective of these beauties, very secretive about them. At least they tried to keep news of their discovery from general knowledge, but word always filters out about something so unique and potent."
"What's so special about them? Why the secrecy?" Da-gan inquired as he leaned forward to inspect the small crystals again.
"They have many uses. Research is being done to determine their full potential. But let us talk of other things, get better acquainted."
Starla deduced Tochar's reason for changing the subject: he didn't want Dagan—or anyone—^to become fiilly aware of the moonbeams' enormous power and value. The two yellow ones could be ground into minute particles, then placed inside a tumor by surgery or injection to destroy it without damaging healthy cells or tissues and without side effects; yet, scientists did not know how the crystal differentiated between healthy and abnormal cells. The same was true for viral destruction when the moonbeams were ingested with liquid. It could repair broken bones in a few horas when inserted into their location. The blue crystal could be used on a scalpel to make thin incisions which instantly sealed vessels and capillaries to prevent bleeding. The cut would then heal within a deega after the operation and never became infected or leave a scar. Other moonbeams, according to their sizes and colors, created powerful weapons and sources of heat and light that were long-lasting and safe. With such awesome capabilities, it was no wonder why the crystals were so valuable and craved, or a target for villites like Tochar. She wanted to know how Dagan had come across those three. She wondered if Tochar suspected the newcomer of being deceitful; if so, it was not revealed in the leader's expression or tone. If Dagan Latu was a liar or threat, that fact would be exposed as soon as Tochar used truth serum on him. She could only hope that Dagan wasn't
asked any questions about her while under that revealing drug's control. Don 't worry, Bree-Kayah, if Tochar puts you under again, with your immunity, you can lie your way out of trouble. As for you, Dagan, if you re being deceitful, you 're a dead man.
"How long have you been on Noy?" she asked him. She was amazed that he or any man would enter Tochar's do-, main coated with red dust, his garment torn and rumpled, his hair uncombed, and his skin unwashed.
"Two deegas. I landed at another settlement, but decided I would like this one better. It isn't a secret that Tochar's is the best, and I was hoping he would be willing to hire me until I earn enough for a new ship."
That information told Starla he had left the transporter and headed there as soon as he awakened from the temporary cryogenic drug she had given him, a rare chemical from Yakir that had decreased his vital signs to the point Moig could not detect them. But how, she mused, had he gotten off the vessel, and what had become of it, and why land elsewhere if Tochara was his destination? "How did you cross the wasteland?" she began her probe. "From which direction? Did you have any tt-ouble with the flesh-eating mutants who roam it?"
Dagan was sttanned that she would ask any questions about his travels. He glanced down at his sorry appearance and answered, "I stole a landrover but, it malfunctioned before I reached Tochara, so I walked the rest of the way. I was lucky that one of Tochar's patt-ols sighted me and brought me to h
im. I didn't run into any mutants. I guess I was lucky I survived my little misadventure."
Starla was eager to rettim to the Liska and learn about Dagan Latu, as Cypher would have a report ready for her, but she must not appear nervous or in a rush to depart. "Yes, you were very lucky," she remarked casually. "I'm sure you're grateful to whatever force saved your life. What happened to your old ship?"
"Depletion of power forced me to abandon her, but I escaped from a Seki before he could take me in to be sent to a penal colony. I caught a lift on a supply transporter to the Keezian colony. After I landed and examined the place, I came here for rest, sanctuary, and work. What about—"
Auken, Sach, and Moig joined them and interrupted Da-gan's query. As the three Icarians greeted their leader with respect and affection, Starla and Dagan sipped their drinks and listened.
The golden-haired Auken reported, "We'll get everything prepared tomorrow and leave the following deega. We should reach our target, grab its cargo, and return quickly. We'll take Starla with us."
She exchanged smiles with Auken when he glanced at her.
Tochar introduced the newcomer to his men, "This is the infamous Dagan Latu, my ftiends: adventurer, bijoni, raider, and rogue. He barely escaped capture numerous times for some of his cunning and daring deeds. The Sekis would give a small fortune for his capture and destruction. If his reputation is accurate, he lives for pleasure, wealth, challenges, and excitement, as we do. Dagan will be going with you on the next trek. If he proves worthy, he will become a regular member of your special team."
Dagan clasped wrists with each of the men. He realized Tochar had checked his criminal record earlier when he was out of the chamber for a while, as this was his first time on Noy. "Where will we be heading?"
Moonbeams and magic Page 3