When Dagan noticed her peaceful slumber, he didn't awaken her, as it was too late for her to return safely to her abode. And, at this hora, their presence outside if he escorted her there would be noticed by those still up and around. It would be easier for her to slip out tomorrow morning. He closed his eyes and soon was asleep, exhausted from his confusing exertions.
Aboard the Liksa, Cypher was worried and helpless. He knew the shapeshifting chemical's time span was twelve horns, and she was asleep. The problem was, with her wearing Yana's one-way neck ring unit instead of Starla's two-way wrist device, he could not send her a vibrating signal or contact her. If Bree-Kayah failed to awaken and escape before transmutation occurred, she would be exposed to Dagan Latu, as her emergency phial could not be used for continuation of her current state. He also was concerned by the fact she had been emotionally involved in her ruse, revealed to him by the physiological readings in his monitoring system. It was his duty to enlighten her to the complications and distractions of such behavior and emotions after her return to the ship.
The android watched the timer until only forty-five preons remained to be spent, and Bree-Kayah was still asleep. He analyzed the dilemma, but could not deduce a
way in which to warn her to come to her senses. It was illogical for him to transport into Latu's quarters and expose himself to the villite when his intelligent partner might find a way to protect their mission even if she were unmasked to him. He also concluded he should not lock on to her coordinates and teleport her out prematurely, as that action would assuredly provoke Dagan's suspicions. Though she was not thinking clearly or acting wisely, he reasoned he must have faith in her and her abilities.
Still, the preons continued to vanish from the timer, one by one.
cHant
Dagan's eyes opened shortly after sunup. He turned his head to find Yana still slumbering nearby, her breathing slow and even. His gaze roamed her serene face and naked body, and he was pleased his body did not go wild with another surge of mating lust. To ensure that wouldn't happen this morning, he slipped from the sleeper to shower and dress, and to get out of there before she could enspell him again.
Yana only pretended to be asleep when Dagan arose, though it was a struggle to keep her expression calm and breathing controlled. She had seen—via slits in her eyelids—light coming through the overhead transascreen and almost panicked. Lying on her side and facing him, her panic had lessened when she saw bluish-blond hair spread on the pillow instead of brown tresses. As she pondered an escape plan, he had risen and entered the privacy chamber. She glanced at the timepiece on a far wall and her gaze widened in renewed alarm; Yana had less than thirty preons to get out of there, hopefully without being seen by others or being delayed by Dagan. She heard water running and knew he was using the old-fashioned bathing method in this primitive place that lacked automatic cleansing cubicles.
"I'm awake. Cypher," she whispered. "Lock on to my
coordinates and wait for my signal to transport me out of here."
She yanked on her garments and entered a message for Dagan in the communication system nearby. After pressing a signal button to catch his attention, she whispered to her android, "Get me out of here fast, Cypher."
As soon as she reached her ship, Starla assured him she would never lower her guard that far again. "It was stupid and reckless," she confessed. "I don't know what Dagan would have done if I had changed before his eyes. Fm sure he would have been furious with me for tricking him. I can't imagine what I would have told him to protect myself and our mission. You heard the answers he gave to me after we . . . had sex. I haven't decided if he is trustworthy or not, or worthy of saving. I do have another plan in mind for this evening. I'll relate it to you and tell me what you think about it."
After she finished. Cypher said, "It is dangerous from two angles, but both are clever ideas. If you are cautious and no hazards are present, you can succeed. Your second idea contains the same level of high risk."
"But I will go as Starla this time."
"No matter which identity you use, you are too susceptible to him."
"Dagan caught me off guard last night; I didn't expect him to be so irresistible, didn't realize my attraction to him was so strong. I know my conduct was foolish, and forbidden under these grim circumstances. I'm only human, Cypher, so I lost self-control for a time. I've never faced this kind of situation and challenge before; I'm aware I didn't handle them right. Now that I know how strongly he disarms me, I'll be on alert to thwart my weakness."
"It is not your behavior that was imprudent and prohibited; it is your emotions which war against your intelligence; your heart and body are in intense conflict with your head."
"You're right, Cypher, so I'll have to find a way to halt that struggle."
"Do you love this Kalfan?"
"Pralu, my friend, but the truth is, yes! Is there a drug or treatment you can perform to make me immune to him and these feelings?"
"This is one time I cannot help you resolve a serious problem. It will be propitious if he does not love you. Reciprocation could be detrimental to you and to our mission."
"Even if he told me he loved me, I would not believe him."
"Perhaps it could be true, or he could be convincing."
"Pray that neither of those traps appear."
"I do not possess a religious or spiritual program."
"Then I'll pray hard enough for both of us." Kahala, save me, if that perilous snare approaches me! Don't forget, Bree, Dagan Latu is an enemy.
"I'm going to refresh myself and prepare for my tasks later. Take care of your part while I'm gone. And, Cypher, thanks for everything."
Dagan's tension diminished when he found Yana gone after he left the privacy chamber: showered, shaved, and dressed to depart in an alleged hurry. He heard the message unit beeping and checked it. Again, relief filled him after learning she thought it was best they avoid each other for a few deegas. He needed time and privacy to decide how to discourage her interest in him. He didn't want Yana to fall in love with him, if that was the case. It was possible she had selected him as a protector and companion if matters failed to be resolved in her worid and she could never return there. Even if she was stranded on Noy, she couldn't dock at his bay and latch on to him for security. Yet, after his mission was over and if she was still present and in trouble, he decided he would get Phaedrig to settle her else-
where. Maybe he did owe Yana something for last night—if she hadn't tricked him—but assistance into another life was as far as he could go to repay her.
Dagan discarded those worries for now, as he was to report to Tochar's ship this morning to begin the repairs on it. He still had not decided if he was going to tamper with other parts, because Tochar had said he would not make an ensuing test run which might place him in harm's way before his vessel was armed with an invincible weapon. Since someone else might be assigned to test the Azoulay before Tochar was tempted to go trekking, problems would be suspicious. He must bide his time while making observations and getting closer to the band to cull clues. He couldn't make a move against Tochar or his men until he unmasked the Kalfan traitor who was feeding the fiendal secret information and helping him obtain moonbeams from their mines on the planet Orr. Or act against the villites until he weakened or destroyed the colony's defense system. But, he vowed, somehow and some way, he would achieve those goals; and he would slay Tochar and his friends for their personal offenses yings ago.
Don't get in my way, Starla, or you 'II have to go down with them. I hope you'll leave this place before the end arrives, which it will. If I was convinced you would take my side and help me, I would confide in you. After we get to know each other better, I can make that decision.
At dusk, Staria stepped onto a sensor pad and looked at Cypher who was standing at the transporter's control panel and watching her. She took a deep breath and gave her plan one last mental going-over. What she had in mind was risky; she could lose her life and d
estroy her mission if she failed. "If I don't survive, my friend, cloak and leave for home immediately. Report my fate and our findings and suspicions to Supreme Commander Sanger, and hand over our
evidence to him. Only to him, Cypher. There's a message for my parents, my brother, and my sister in the computer; make certain it reaches them if I never return. If I'm captured and we lose contact, cloak and wait three deegas for my escape; I'll shapeshift to Yana and hide in her abode, so monitor it for my arrival and rescue."
"What if you cannot escape in three deegas?"
"If I haven't freed myself by then, either I'll be dead or flight will be impossible. If that occurs, obey my first order to cloak and leave."
"I am programmed to protect and assist you; I cannot desert you."
"The mission must take precedence over my life and safety if anything goes wrong this evening. We do not have all of the answers to this mystery, but we have things which will be helpful to the agent who takes my place. You are responsible for getting those facts and speculations to Thaine."
"I will obey. Use caution, Bree-Kayah, and return unharmed."
"I'll do my best. Cypher. Always remember our friendship and my love for you. I could not have done all I have in the past without you."
"I will not delete my memory chip of you."
"Let's do it. Ready to go."
Starla watched his image and the location vanish and the cavern appear before her line of vision. She drew her weapon and placed her finger near the button to signal Cypher for rescue if necessary since speaking could be perilous if anyone was nearby. Her gaze scanned the dim recess and she listened for any hint of a threat, but saw and heard nothing to alarm her. She inched her way to the rock corridor, flattened herself against the hard surface, and peered around its edge into the next hollow section. Again, she heard and saw nothing to indicate danger or anyone's presence.
Using caution, she made her way to the targets, recognizing them from their containers during raids. She also saw crates of weapons, the parts they had stolen from the space station, holders with drugs, and other pirated items. Since Tochar had tried to sell crystals to the Thracians, she assumed he would make another attempt soon and she could not allow the moonbeams to fall into enemy or rival hands. She knew Enforcers were standing guard outside the cave's mouth and could enter for a check at any time, so she must hurry with her daring task. If anyone did arrive, she must slay him to avoid exposure and to achieve her goal.
The Elite Squad officer put away her weapon and withdrew the three new devices Cypher had constructed, two extra ones to make certain the job was accomplished. She placed the tiny units underneath the crystals' containers and pressed the initiation buttons to begin their sequences. In one hora, if the devices did not malfunction, a massive explosion would occur and everything in the cave would be gone. The only thing left to do was get out of there fast and set up her alibi, with Dagan or some other person.
As she headed to the coordinates for her beaming point, she heard voices and froze. She prayed it wasn't Dagan and they wouldn't stay long in case she had to take drastic measures for escape. She concealed herself, listened, and waited, aware the timers were running and she was trapped within the detonation range. She mustn't signal Cypher to lock on to new coordinates unless she was certain she could not make it back to the original ones, as the light and sound of the transporter would expose someone's presence and treachery. She wanted the explosion to be a mystery, not compel Tochar to look for an enemy or to go on alert.
Starla caught the voices of two of Tochar's Enforcers. She tensed as they paused to chat and joke not far from her hidden location. She willed them to hush and leave, but they didn't get her mental message. She waited in mounting anxiety as her heart pounded and her body trembled.
At last, the men strolled outside to enter a guard shelter. In a rush, she returned to her spot and signaled Cypher to extract her. The moment she was aboard her ship, she yelled, "I have to hurry. See you later or in the morning." She ran down the corridor to a shuttle and piloted it to the landing grid. Fortunately, Auken was leaving the trans-to to Tochar's dwelling. She hailed him and received a ride into the settlement, making him a superb witness to her whereabouts if one was needed.
"Would you like to have a drink and play rest with me?"
"Thanks, Starla, but I have other plans with a friend. Another time?"
"Of course. I'm sure I can find som.ebody to lose to me tonight."
Auken laughed at her jest and humorous tone. "I'm sure you can."
They entered the Skull's Den together and parted for Auken to go to the second level v/here the Pleasure Givers plied their trade.
Starla glanced around the interior and saw Dagan motioning to her to join him. Without halting to purchase a drink at the bar, she walked straight toward him.
"I was afraid you'd forgotten we agreed to meet tonight."
"I think I only said perhaps we would."
"Back on alert against me, are you?"
"If so, I didn't realize I was. Are you going to buy me a drink or do you want me to get it myself?" she inquired with a smile.
"What about if I serve you one at my place?"
Starla's gaze met his as she ventured, "Go to your place?"
"We could talk there in private; it's getting busy and noisy in here. I give you my word of honor to behave."
"Behave like what?" she teased.
Dagan warmed to the sparkle in her green eyes and the
sexy curve to her mouth as she smiled again. "You're in a good mood tonight."
"I didn't reaHze I was always in a bad one. Am I?"
"No, but you seem more relaxed and happier tonight. I hope it's because of the company you're in."
"You did save my life on that space station."
"And you saved mine twice," Dagan reminded.
"That means you owe me one."
"I hope we're never put in the position of you having to collect it."
"I'd rather collect it than suffer the consequences," Starla quipped.
"Well, do we stay or go?" he inquired, wanting to leave in case Yana appeared on the scene. He could only hope the Asisan did not attempt to visit him again tonight.
"We can go if we take food with us; I'm hungry."
He chuckled. "I'll order something from Radu. Any suggestions?"
She licked her lips and said, "Surprise me."
"I hope your likes and dislikes match mine if I'm making the choices."
"You are, so we'll soon find out, won't we?"
"That we will, Starla. I've only taken one swallow from my drink if you'd like to finish it while I get our meals."
"Thanks," she said. Starla lifted the glass and took a sip, passing her tongue over her mouth afterward. "So, you like paonee with arple. Nice flavor"
"I asked Radu not to make it too strong; I like to keep a clear head."
"So do I. It's a shame we sometimes allow certain things to dull our wits, isn't it?"
"I suppose it's according to what or whom dulls them. I'll return soon." Before Dagan reached the bar, he halted to speak with Sach as the Icarian headed for the second level.
As the men talked, a loud explosion was heard over the
music and voices; then a continuous rumbling noise. The dome shook. Tables and chairs rattled. Glasses and bottles tinkled; several fell over and broke. Light fixtures swayed, and a painting on one wall crashed to the floor.
"What was that?" Dagan exclaimed as he glanced around the room.
"We could be under attack! Let's go see what's happening."
Starla joined Dagan and Sach and asked, "What's wrong?"
"We don't know," Sach muttered, "but we're going to find out."
"I'm coming with you two," Starla said.
They hurried outside and sighted a huge dust cloud near Tochar's dwelling, which appeared unharmed. Rocks still tumbled down the ridge. They looked skyward for signs of enemy vessels and laser fire, but none were present. Other peop
le crowded around and asked questions, some pointing to the fiery-colored dust drifting upward.
"That's where the storage cave is located. Let's see what happened."
Starla and Dagan climbed into the landrover with Sach and rode toward the scene. Within a preon Auken came behind them, still adjusting his garment and fingercombing his tousled hair. Enforcers, those on and off duty, gathered at the site, their black uniforms a stark contrast against the reds of the landscape. Tochar was there, his expression filled with fury.
"What's the trouble?" Sach asked his leader and fiiend.
"There was an explosion in the storage cavern; the entrance is sealed off by a cave-in. Without tunneling equipment and expert technicians, we will never be able to clear that rubble or recover what is inside."
"What caused the blast?" Auken asked.
"I do not know. Perhaps some of those starbursts or crystals were volatile. A check was made of the area not long
before this happened, and nothing unusual was detected. No one was inside or had been inside lately except for the two guards."
"So you're ruling out sabotage?" Sach queried.
"I do not see how an enemy could have done this, but I want the area and settlement inspected for any suspicious signs. I also want those two guards to be questioned under Thorin to make certain they are loyal to me."
"We'll handle that matter for you tonight."
Tochar nodded agreement to Auken's words.
"Is there anything you need us to do?" Starla offered, feigning a tone of concern.
Tochar shook his head. "Nothing I can think of. Where were all of you? Did you see or hear anything strange before the explosion?"
"Me, Sach, Dagan, and Starla were at the Skull's Den," Auken replied. "I don't know about Moig. We heard the noise and felt the vibrations and came as fast as we could. Anybody have any speculations?"
With cunning, Starla suggested, "Do you think some type of detonation device could have been concealed in one of the crates we brought here? Perhaps one with a delayed timer which was set to explode if not switched oif by a certain horn or deega? "
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