Moonbeams and magic

by Taylor, Janelle

  "I rarely do, but I have no choice if I want to purchase a new ship. I heard Tochar pays well and gives unreachable sanctuary to his men. Of course, if I could get my hands on a load of those crystals, I'd be rich."

  "If you could find a buyer without being captured and terminated."

  "They're that important?"

  "You'll see if you're around the next time Tochar tests his weapons or gives a display of power and warning to would-be attackers. It's formidable; not even a fully aimed fleet of starships could attack here. Those beams are so

  powerful they can penetrate force shields. They also have other abilities."

  "That means rich buyers are needed, and it's a risky venture to steal them. Why do you take such chances for him?"

  "For the payment and excitement, and I have nothing else to occupy me at this time. As you know, it requires a lot of money to keep a ship supplied and fueled, and there are only certain kinds of raids one can pull off alone. To-chara is the best place to rest and hide."

  "Hide from what? From whom?"

  "Anybody who's after me."

  "Such as?"

  "Lots of people, maybe some of the same ones who are seeking you." She was enflamed by his sexy grin and rich chuckle after her response. He certainly made it difficult to keep her mind where it should be!

  "That's possible, since we're so much alike. Auken told me you have a ship and live on it, and Tochar said you're one of the best pilots he's seen."

  "All true, and I'm not boasting."

  "I believe you. How long have you been on Tochara?"

  Starla shrugged. "Who keeps track of time without a reason?"

  "How long do you intend to live and work here?"

  "I'll stay until I'm bored, since I doubt I'll get a better offer."

  He noticed a tiny smile that time, but it didn't soften her steady gaze, so he decided it wasn't a natural one. "Where are you from?"

  "All over, many places."

  "I meant, what's your origin point?"

  "It doesn't matter. I left it long ago and won't be returning."

  Noting her sad expression, Dagan probed, "Any particular reason?"

  "Several."

  "Such as?"

  "Nothing worth telling you. Besides, it's in the past, long gone."

  Dagan realized he wasn't getting much information from her. She was as tight-lipped as a Kalfan leech, and was on tense alert. He wondered why he was making her so nervous, since she wasn't worried about him betraying her to Tochar. He finished his drink. "Any family?"

  "No, all dead. What about you?"

  "The same. My ship was my home and I miss her; she's probably been destroyed by now."

  "That's too bad; our ships become like a part of us. It's certainly impossible to come and go freely without one."

  "Where and when did you learn to pilot a ship?" he asked.

  "Long ago and by somebody special to me." My father and brother.

  "How long have you been living and traveling alone?"

  "Apparently not long enough, since I'm still doing it."

  "Doesn't it get lonely and scary for a woman in space by herself?"

  "Is that how it affects you, why you're willing to be a lander?"

  Dagan surmised she was amaizingly quick and clever, an expert at this sort of get-nowhere conversation. He was more impressed and intrigued by the preon. "It happens on occasion to the best of us, doesn't it?"

  "If you say so. But I'm not alone; I have an android for company."

  "I know; Moig told me. But a robot isn't the same as a real person."

  "Cypher is. He's the only companion I need, that I trust fully."

  "You're a strange and beautiful woman, Starla Vedris, but a captivating mystery. Are you always so distant and secretive with everyone?"

  "I prefer it that way; work and diversion never mix well." They definitely would not mingle safely and wisely with you, Dagan Latu.

  "Are you speaking from experience?"

  "Let's just say I'm convinced of that conclusion."

  Dagan saw her green gaze widen and her enticing mouth part in surprise when he asked, "Are you interested in To-char as a man?"

  "Tochar has a lover; Palesa. Beautiful and . . . feminine. I'm certain Palesa is very talented at servicing his needs." Cravings for both sexes would be his only reason for having a Binixe lover. At least his carnal preference had prevented any sexual overtures toward her. She had been ready to allege she was a lesbian if such an offensive predicament arose.

  Dagan leaned closer to her from across the small table. His gaze meshed with hers. "You didn't reply to my query. Are you afraid to answer?"

  Starla decided that if she were compelled to get closer to Dagan for any reason, she musto't allow him to think she was chasing after or was involved with their leader. "In the sense you mean, I'm not attracted to or bound to any man, including Tochar, and even if Palesa didn't exist. My sole interest here is my work. Why would you ask such a personal question?"

  "Are you displeased you'll have to work with me?"

  "Why should it bother me? One partner is as good as another, if he has the skills to be my equal and backup. If not, he doesn't work with me. So, why did you ask if I had any interest in Tochar or any other man?"

  "What if a teammate finds you lacking in some vital area?"

  "That hasn't happened so far. Now, reply to my previous query or our conversation is over."

  Obviously she didn't fear his answer or she would stop pressing for it. Was she hoping he would admit to an interest

  in her? If so, he mused, why? "Just curious. Td hke to see your ship. Any chance for a visit?"

  "You will, if you join our unit, because we use it sometimes. We were on the Liksa that deega we met. Tochar often pairs me with Moig.*'

  "From your look and tone, you would prefer Auken or Sach; right?"

  "Yes; they have more skills and prowess and personality. Moig seems to enjoy harassing me under the guise of silly jokes. I find that annoying."

  "I promise to make you an excellent partner when we travel as a team, which I hope is very soon. How old are you?"

  Stars afire, go trekking alone with you! "Twenty-two yings, why?"

  "Just curious. Would you like another drink? Your glass is empty."

  "No thanks. I'll be leaving now." She needed to put distance between them after two lengthy and trying encounters in the same night. He was far too appealing to suit her, and she could not bear the stress any longer.

  "Can I see you tomorrow night to get better acquainted as a team?" Dagan asked. "We'll be leaving on our first raid in two deegas and I have much to learn."

  A bold idea entered her mind. "What if someone else joins you first?"

  Dagan noticed instant, but rapidly concealed, vexation with herself after that query slipped fi-om her mouth. "Were you here earlier?"

  She had not made a rash slip, but pretended she had. She reasoned that if he didn't want to risk offending Starla, suspecting her interest would keep him ft^om making a premature move on Yana, as sexual overtures to Yana would force her into making a decision about how far she was willing to go for the success of her crucial mission. Too, Yana might not be able to extract clues if she didn't surrender to him.

  She also hoped that hearing she had sighted him with the sultry temptress would stress the point they were different women. A little encouragement might also pull him toward Starla in case he proved worthy of being trusted and asked to work with her on her assignment. Since he was a man who loved challenges, winning over a reluctant Starla should be enticing to him. If not, Yana would have to use him. "I'll see you around, Dagan Latu, if you stay past tomorrow," she said in parting.

  Dagan grasped her hand, forcing her to stay seated. Realizing he had done the same thing with Yana gave him an eerie feeling. Her hands were a little larger than the golden-haired beauty's, but Starla's were cool and just as soft. Her green eyes glittered in warning, a contrast to Yana's alluring blue ones. Her co
mplexion was darker, but flawless and supple. Her figure, as perfect as Yana's. Comparing the two women was like trying to parallel night and day. Yana was desirable and provocative, but the space pirate had intoxicating spirit and vitality. Starla was strong; yet, still feminine. Yana was the type of female perfect for enjoyable company and pleasure, but Starla Vedris was of value at any time and place. "You don't like being attracted to me, do you?"

  She leaned so far forward that she knew he could smell the heady beverage on her breath and the fragrance she had applied after washing off Yana's scent. There was only a forearm's distance between their faces, and their challenging gazes were locked as she murmured, "Let's get one thing straight, Dagan: work is all we'll do together, and only if Tochar teams us up after your meeting with him; so keep your feelings and thoughts to yourself. Better still, find a woman who will be responsive to them. I'm not."

  Dagan did not release his grip when she tugged to get loose. He sensed her increase in tension and saw the way her gaze engulfed him. Surely he wasn't mistaken about the

  desire glowing in her eyes. "If you're referring to Yana, we met by accident. She needed rescuing from nuisances."

  "I'm sure she did, and you were only too eager to help her. Let's drop this topic because you two aren't of interest to me."

  "As you can see, Starla, I'm still here and she's gone."

  "I doubt that was your idea, so don't try to mislead or charm me. I've met men like you before, so don't think you can blast off with me."

  "You're wrong, Starla, you've never met anyone like me, so don't be afraid to get to know me; I'll behave myself during that process." As if to prove his words, he released her hand and leaned back in his chair.

  "If you give me trouble, Dagan, Tochar will have to choose between us. If you behave, we'll work together just fine. Good night."

  "Good night, Starla, and thanks again for saving my life."

  "Just don't make me regret it," she quipped.

  Starla passed Sach as she was departing for the landing grid. She halted to talk with him for a few preons. Afterward, while en route to her shuttle, she pondered her crazy feelings for Dagan Latu. Perhaps her strong attraction to him resulted from having his life in her hands and being able to save it, when she had been helpless to do the same for Antarus Hoy following the crash of their spacer three yings ago during an Elite Squad mission. Both injured and their supplies depleted and on the brink of death, she had surrendered to his need for her. Except for anguish over being unable to protect her and fearing she wouldn't survive, he had died a happy man, believing she loved him as much as he loved her. The mission had been a success and she had been rescued, but she had lost her first and only teammate. Then she had been paired with Cypher, an arrangement which suited her just fine and had proven successful.

  Since Antarus's death, she had enjoyed evenings with

  other men, but none had affected her as Dagan Latu did. What, she mused, was his special and potent appeal if not for her hand in his fate? Perhaps she had spared his life only to be forced to take it on a future deega if it came to a life-or-death battle for escape, or be forced to endure his loss to a annihilator unit or exile to a penal colony after his capture, dependent upon which of his past charges were true and what he did while in Tochar's hire. She must not allow herself to become emotionally involved and ensnared by him. She must keep reminding herself he was a villite, a. man out of her reach.

  But what if you could turn him away from his nefarious ways? What if he could be persuaded to help you defeat Tochar? What if he could obtain a pardon for — Don't think such foolish things. Bree-Kayah, that's flying on a dangerous course for you and the entire UFG.

  She reached her shuttle, prepared for lift-off, and went to her ship.

  Sach joined Dagan. "You look better than you did earlier," he jested.

  Dagan leaned back in his seat and smiled. "I feel better, too; trekking through that wasteland was rough. I'm lucky I didn't encounter any of those Skalds; ft-om what I've been told, human flesh is a treat for them."

  "At least those mutants stay in the desert and don't trouble us, not since Tochar scared them away fi-om the ftinges with a taste of his weapons. You'll be safe here, because nobody challenges him and those beamers."

  "That's good news, since there are more than a few people who would like to get their greedy hands on me, and I'm grounded. I don't like feeling vulnerable to them. I'm eager to fill my pockets and get me a new ship; it feels strange not having a deck beneath my boots and warp drive at my fingertips. With what Tochar pays, that shouldn't take

  more than a ying or two, depending on what type I purchase next time. It will definitely have a cloaking device and lots of speed. That run-in at Gavas with a Seki is the closest I've come to getting caught, and it didn't flow over me well. That's the only time the old girl failed me and it wasn't her fault. I think I'm going to enjoy Tochara. It has plenty to offer; so does Tochar. I'd like to keep working for him and living in this haven even after I get a new ship, if that suits him. How long have you been with Tochar?"

  "Tochar, Auken, and I have been a team since we were young. We've raided all over the Cosmos. Moig joined us about five yings ago, long before we settled here." Sach tossed down his drink and purchased another one.

  "What about Starla Vedris? She and I were just talking, but she isn't very communicative. Or maybe it's me she doesn't like," Dagan chuckled and downed the remainder of his drink.

  Sach also chuckled. He wasn't worried about chatting with Dagan, as the man would be silenced the following day if he didn't prove trustworthy. "She'll open up more after you get to know her. She was quiet and private when we met. She's been on her own for so long and staying just a few leaps ahead of capture that she's wary and used to keeping to herself, careful about who she gets close to and trusts. The good thing is that Tochar likes and wants you. He says you're perfect for our special unit."

  "What is the 'special unit' and who's in it?" Dagan asked.

  Sach explained about his leader's Enforcers and how everyone who lived or traded in the colony paid Tochar for that privilege, for water, and for protection. "Only our team raids for him alone. There were four of us until you came along: me, Auken, Moig, and Starla. You'll learn more tomorrow and during our first raid."

  Only four space pirates in the band . . . "Since there are so few of you going on raids, that speaks highly of the unit's skills. It's comforting to learn I'll be working with

  people who know how to take care of themselves and back up their teammates." Dagan watched Sach smile in pleasure at his compliment. "I've never met a female pirate before Starla. I've seen women traveling and working with men, but never alone. What's her story?"

  "She's grabbed your interest fast and hard, eh?"

  Dagan grinned. "She's a beautiful, fascinating, and unique woman."

  "You're right, but don't treat her as an easy conquest; she still flies by herself where men are concerned."

  "Is there a reason why?"

  "Auken thinks it's because she was either hurt by a man or lost one she loved. Probably doesn't want to get close to anybody she could lose again, and we do lead dangerous lives. Or could be she's just very selective. She doesn't talk much, if any, about her past. Seems to live for the deega."

  Dagan noticed that Sach was becoming more and more relaxed, perhaps due to the many drinks he was consuming. He continued his questioning. "How long has she been here?"

  "About three malees. She was trying to escape a Serian patrol after raiding an orbiting supply station for food, water, and fuel. They chased her across the entire sector, determined to capture her or blast her to pieces. We were on Auken's ship, returning from a raid, when they shot through the stargate, just missed hitting the Adika, and zoomed past us like speeding comets. You should have seen her evading their blasts; she's the best pilot I've ever encountered. We watched and listened to their exchanges. They ordered her to stop and surrender, but she told them they had no authori
ty across the boundary. They said she wasn't escaping them if they had to chase her across three galaxies. When she realized that patrol wasn't going to give up, she turned her ship and went straight at them, firing away. Blasted them into bits of debris. We contacted her

  and told her to head for Noy. It took a while to convince her she would be safe here, but she took a chance." "She actually destroyed a patrol ship and crew?" "She had no choice if she wanted to survive, and the fools were in the Free-Zone. She probably confused them by turning and fighting; they didn't think a woman would respond that way. She was lucky to be on this side of the stargate when she destroyed them; that put them out of communication with their force, so life-taking charges didn't go on her record. All the Serians know is that one of their patrol ships vanished while in pursuit of a pirate. Starla's been real careful about working on the sly to keep her record short in case she's ever captured. She's tough, but she doesn't like to kill unless it can't be avoided." "But she does have an incriminating record?" Sach nodded. "Mostly made up of things like that Serian raid, enough to get her sent to a penal colony for life. She planned to leave us as soon as she rested, but Tochar convinced her staying would be safe and profitable."

  "How long was she operating in Seri?" Dagan asked after Radu served them another drink.

  "That was her third raid; she picked up weapons on one and a part for her cloaking device on the other. That's why she couldn't cloak and elude them, no time to install it. Since she's been here, Cypher repaired it."

  "I'm curious. Where did she get the android?" "It was being delivered to her father, a scientist on a skyball when the entire floating city was destroyed by a reactor malfunction. She was bom and raised there, but she had gone with her brother to get the unit, the first time she had been off her world since birth. The android was ready for programing, so she ordered him to serve her. I don't know much about robots and computers and such, but that Cypher talks and acts so like a human sometimes that it's eerie. That's probably why Starla treats him as if he is alive. After that skyball exploded, she traveled with her brother