"You would alter your existence and character to have me?"
"When the time is right, yes." If I can extricate you from the charges against you, and if you don't make them worse, and if I can get you away from here before the end comes.
He needed to get a better grasp of her true character, so he challenged, "Would you do the same for me?"
With their gazes locked, Starla deliberated how she should respond, as an answer in either direction seemed hazardous.
Ni
Starla formed a reply slowly. "When and if the time is right," hut I doiibt it ever will be with us on opposite sides of the law, "and if we truly are compatible, perhaps a future together is possible after we retire from our current lifestyle. As for me, it still remains to be proven that we are a good match for such a serious relationship. Many changes would be required, and I can't imagine a man like you settling down and beginning a family, if you could even locate a safe place to do so and find another means of support."
Dagan was cognizant she had responded with caution. "That's sufficient encouragement for now; a slow and easy course makes sense to me. After you get to know me better, you'll probably be surprised by what you learn. I have many unseen facets, Starla, just as you dLO.""
I hope so, Dagan, my love. I truly hope so. "We'll see."
"That we will, my ravishing and irresistible teammate."
Dagan kissed and caressed her, and soon they were making passionate and glorious love again.
In the golden aftermath of their union, they cuddled for a while in silence, sated and content. Yet, each was troubled by what loomed before them: their missions and what victory could cost them.
When Starla left his arms, he tried to coax her not to go. "Stay tonight," he implored.
As she pulled on her garments, she glanced at him and
said, "That wouldn't be wise; someone might see me departing in the morning."
He grinned. "Want to keep our relationship a secret from everybody?"
"Until it is a relationship, yes, I do. Good night, Dagan. I'll see you tomorrow; Tochar has a task for us to do."
"Wait until I dress and I'll escort you to the landing grid."
"That isn't necessary; it isn't that late; and I'm well armed. Almost everyone here knows I work for Tochar, so no one would dare attack me. If anyone tries, I can protect myself"
Dagan chuckled. "I remember your superior skills well from, when you battled me, but I v/ould slay anyone who harmed you."
"Thanks, but revenge can be a dangerous and self-destmctive task."
Not if one is careful and justice is a must for peace of mind. I'll have it again after Tochar is destroyed, just as I'll find a way to have you. "Good night, Starla, and be careful."
She allowed her gaze to roam his handsome face and virile unclothed body. Every facet of him was enormously appealing; and she was susceptible to him in all ways. Get moving, Bree, before you weaken and succumb again! "I will. See you tomorrow."
The next morning, Starla sent Raz Yakir a message via Thaine Sanger to warn the Serlan ruler be on alert for an incoming communication from Tochar to his spy on the capital planet of Ulux or crystal mining planet of Kian. Yet, she suspected his signal could not be detected or traced, just as hers couldn't be; she wished the fiendal did not possess that technology and instrument so the traitor could be unmasked. She reported to her superior and friend in
Maffei that all moonbeams stolen so far had been destroyed by those secret devices, and to expect imminent raids for more, though she had not been informed as to dates and sites for them.
After that task was finished, Starla looked at Cypher and said, "All we can do now is wait and watch for clues. If only we could discover the leaks in Seri and Kalfa, destroy the weapons protecting Tochara, and prevent more crystal raids, we could complete our mission here and go home. I need to get away from these terrible people and this awful place; I want to see my family." / need to talk with Mother; she would know what I should do about Dagan. When she and Father met, they were enemies from different worlds, and their relationship appeared doomed. Now, no two people could be more in love or happier. Despite their past dissimilarities and problems, they are matched perfectly and everything was resolved between them. That also was true for her brother, Galen, and his mate, Rayna; and for her sister, Amaya, and her mate, Jason of Earth. All three couples had overcome seemingly impossible and tormenting obstacles and had been bonded blissfully for yings. If only it could be that way for me and Dagan. But, Starla reminded herself, her love was a criminal, a willing hireling of Tochar; and his future seemed grim.
The android analyzed from her expression that she was thinking and reasoning on a dilemma and allowed her time to do so. When she looked at him, he said, "You also want to escape Dagan Latu because you fear him."
"Not him. Cypher, but his powerful effect on me. My uncontrollable feelings for him grow stronger and run deeper every deega. It's an inexplicable bond between us, as if we're matched in a strange and potent way. It's more than a physical attraction, at least for me, and he appears to be telling the truth about his feelings. Yet, I can't say for certain if he is falling in love with me or he's only beguiling
me for an unknown or selfish reason. Either angle can create trouble and torment for me."
Starla lazed back in her chair and frowned. "He makes it difficult for me to concentrate on my duty and to remember he's one of our targets. I love him and I want him, Cypher, but I know that's wrong for me and perilous for my mission. Soon, I might be forced to betray him. If that happens, he'll hate me and curse the deega we met. You can't imagine how tempted I am to warn him to flee while there's still time for escape or to attempt to convince him to side with us, but he could expose me to Tochar. I'm certain he holds no kind feelings for that flendal, but men like him have a strange code of honor to the leaders who hire them. Dagan's record says his father and brother were slain by Sekis following a suspicious incident of treachery, and that's when he turned wicked. I wonder if he could be turned around again. Even so, there are many charges and allegations against him; and I'm not certain I could get him a pardon for helping us."
"If you request a pardon and it is denied, then he escapes or you allow him to flee punishment for his crimes, you will come under suspicion and an investigation will ensue. You must not dishonor yourself, your rank, and your family; or breach their faith in you."
"I know; as hard as it will be, I will do my duty. But it torments me to think of him being terminated forever or being confined for life on a barbaric penal colony. I know there is much good in Dagan Latu if he is given the chance to show it."
"You cannot alter his fate, Bree-Kayah; he chose his evil way of life. If there are grim consequences from his choice, he must suffer them."
"My head tells me you are right, but my heart rebels against such bitter reality. If only I could persuade him or trick him into leaving Tochar's hire and settlement, my dilemma would resolve itself But there isn't enough time left
for him to earn enough to purchase a new ship to return to work for himself; but if he stole one from somewhere, he could leave."
"It is only a remote possibility for Tochar to permit him to quit and depart. There is a chance Latu would ask you to leave with him. If he loves you and you refused to go, he would not depart and would remain in Tochar's hire."
"I had not reasoned it out that way. He said I was running scared, and he's accurate; he just doesn't know the correct reason for my contradictory behavior. I should not have become physically involved with him as Starla or as Yana; being so close to him confuses my emotions and dulls my instincts. I must find the strength and wits to resist him, without arousing suspicions in him for my sudden rejection."
"When the time comes for you to mak« a decision about his fate, you will make the right one."
Starla looked at the intelligent android, her eyes misty, her soul in anguish. "Will I, Cypher? Can I trust my head to overru
le my heart when the moment of truth arrives?" "You are Bree-Kayah Saar; you will do your duty." "Promise me you'll make certain I do what is right." "I will prevent you from making an error in judgment." "Thank you, Cypher." She took a deep breath and wiped the moisture from her eyes. "I'm going to eat and freshen up before it's time to leave to do that ftitile task for Tochar. You're in control of the ship."
Starla left the bridge to order a meal from the automated servo that had been restocked recently by a traveling supply vessel. She dreaded what she must do to Dagan later, but she had no choice.
As he dressed, Dagan pondered the report from his superior early this morning. The two I-GAF officers who had been slain on the Sion space station had been there without
Phaedrig's knowledge, en route from a secret assignment, so a warning to stay clear had not been issued to them. As the Kalfan combed his black hair, he mused upon a mystery: Sach had told him Starla had destroyed a Serian patrol ship and its crew three makes ago before joining up with Tochar; yet, there was no record of that incident against her in the I-GAF files. He could not surmise why the Serians had not reported an intergalactic episode, but was glad that serious charge wasn't registered against her. If murder was committed during the commission of a crime, Starla Vedris was doomed, if he exposed her. Dagan knew it was his duty as an I-GAF officer to do so. Yet, he realized what that exposure would cost Starla and himself: her death. With every fiber of his being, he believed she loved him and was a good person, and would change her existence if given the chance. If only, he brooded, he could keep her out of trouble and danger from now until he completed his assignment, one progressing too slowly to suit him. True, the stolen crystals had been destroyed, but not because of him; and he was no closer to solving the mystery of the traitor or to defeating Tochar than when he arrived. The longer he took to finalize this crucial case, the deeper Starla was drawn into it, and the farther she was pushed from his reach. He had to do something and fast to get the situation resolved. But what, he did not know.
Staria, Dagan, Auken, Sach, Moig, and members of the Enforcers searched the area around the demolished cave for clues to the cause of the explosion and for any signs of enemy involvement. None were found, much to their leader's annoyance, as that would explain the mystery. Even so, Tochar ordered his men to remain on full alert and to take extra precautions when storing future stolen goods.
After they were dismissed and left the others, Dagan asked Staria to join him for the evening meal at the Skull's
Den. He was surprised and disappointed when she refused his invitation, and was dismayed by her chilly aura. "What's wrong?" he asked as they reached her shuttle.
"I need time to think about what you said to me and what happened between us. Fm not sure I want the same things you do. If we go into this with different expectations and feelings, it could cause problems."
Dagan became wary. "What kind of problems?"
"Resentment, spitefuiness, a lack of concentration and loyalt}/ during raids. That could be dangerous for us and the others, and dissension would irritate Tochar, possibly to the point of getting rid of us."
"I'm confused, Starla; I thought you wanted me as much as I want you. I thought our desires and goals matched perfectly."
"I don't understand or know you, Dagan. OnQ preon, you seem like one person and the next, you're totally different. I've never met a man like you before: enigmatic and captivating. You make me . . . think and behave in foreign ways, and that alarms me. Before we see each other again, I want to give you and any future relationship deep and careful study."
"How can you get to know me if you refuse to spend time with me? Besides, we can't avoid each other, since we have to work together"
"I meant, see each other like we did last night. I'm just not ready to get that close to you. And, I get the impression you aren't ready for love and romance, either I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I'm not into casual sex."
"Neither am I, and that isn't what I want from you. Do you think I'm unworthy of your attention and affections?"
"That isn't what I meant to imply. If I did, I'm sorry. Look at how and where we live, Dagan; we can't change or move, at least not anytime soon. To initiate a serious affair at this time would evoke complications."
"Do I understand you correctly: you aren't jettisoning your feelings for me, only docking them for a while?"
"I suppose you could put it that way."
Maybe, Dagan reasoned, she had a good point. He was in a precarious position and shouldn't drag her into it and endanger her life. He eyed her sad expression and perceived her mixed emotions, things he suspected she did not realize she was revealing. Something had inspired intense conflict within her, but he could not deduce the cause. He took a deep breath and locked gazes with her. "Take the time you need, Starla; I'll be patient; I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Just let me know when you change your mind." After she nodded, he smiled and left her standing there, aware her gaze was fastened to his back as he walked away.
Starla was relieved when Cypher told her that Dagan had not tried to visit Yana's abode that night or the following one. She had remained on her ship so she would not be tempted to surrender to her lover, but she had been prepared to shapeshift and transport to Yana's dwelling if a signal came that Dagan or another approached it. She had decided that she also must rebuff him in that form, as Yana could not extract any secrets from him, and to unite Yana's body with his was just as precarious to her emotions.
On the following morning, Starla was ordered to attend a meeting at Tochar's. She found the fiendal and Moig awaiting her upon her arrival. She took a seat and listened to the surprising news.
"There is a task I want you and Moig to do for me. You will leave in your ship after we complete our talk. Serian patrols have stored a large supply of confiscated drugs on Zumali. Two androids are guarding them. I want you to help Moig get them and bring them to me to replace those I lost
during that curious incident with the Skalds. Moig has the details and their location, and there should not be any problem stealing them."
"You want us to go alone?" Starla asked.
"Yes, the rest of my team is doing another task for me. They left earlier this morning. You should return within two deegas of each other. Is your ship supplied and ready for a flight?"
She nodded. "It was serviced by a supply vessel while I was gone on our last trek; my android handled it for me." Starla knew she could not refuse Tochar's order, and thought it unwise to ask probing and suspicious questions. She would delve for clues with Moig during their journey. She was vexed about the unit being divided and sent on separate raids, as she assumed the other men had gone after more crystals, but she concealed her annoyance. If she didn't learn anything useful from Moig, she would be forced to seek information later fi-om Dagan, and there was only one way to accomplish that feat. . . "We can be ready to depart within the hora."
Tochar smiled. "You never fail to please me, Starla."
She faked a bright smile of gratitude. "Thank you, sir. Moig, are you coming with me now or do you want me to return for you later?"
"I'm ready to go," the bearded man replied.
"Have a safe and successful journey," Tochar said.
"We will," Moig boasted with a grin.
Seven deegas later, Starla and Moig transported to a clearing on the snowy surface of Zumali, a small planet on the edge of the Seri Galaxy, far from its solar body. She pointed to the square complex a lengthy distance away, nestled against a white-covered ridge. Gusts of cold wind yanked at their synthetic ftir garments, but protective helmets with visors shielded their faces from the weather and
exposure of their identity. Cypher reported that no life-forms registered amidst the rocks and hills nearby, so they headed toward their target, trudging slowly and gingerly in ankle-deep snow.
Before they reached the structure and used their faked papers and uniforms to obtain entrance from the android guards. Cypher contacted Starla.
"A Serian patrol is approaching; arrival in five preons. Abort raid and return to the ship. There is insufficient time to carry out your task and the risks are increasing with haste. Three officers are transporting to the surface; ten leongs from the complex entrance. Departure is crucial."
Starla watched the three Serians materialize, spot them, and shout a warning to surrender or they would attack. She could not slay them and must not allow herself to be taken captive and be exposed to Tochar's spy "Take cover behind that large rock, Moig, fast!" she ordered.
She did the same, then told Cypher, "Lock on to our coordinates and bring us aboard. The preon we're safe, cloak, raise the defense shield, and go to starlight speed." She knew the android could handle only one task at a time, and that the cloaker and shield must be lowered to retrieve them, making her ship vulnerable to destruction during that period. Even with Cypher's intelligence and abilities, the series of actions had to be scheduled just right to prevent perils and would take a few moments to set into motion. She knew if an attack came while the ship's defenses were lowered and she was in transport, her life-force would be lost forever.
Laser weapons were fired at their location, striking and spalling rock and tossing about snow and ice. Moig was hit in the arm by a stun-beam as he tried to return their blasts before Starla could halt him. The patrol carried oblong defense shields before them, so the Icarian's fire was deflected as he was knocked unconscious.
The setting vanished as the Liska's transporter beam res-
cued them just as the protective rock was destroyed. The moment she materiaUzed on the sensor pad on her ship, Starla glanced to her right and saw Moig's frame. "Get us out of here quick, Cypher! Evade them as necessary, but do not fire upon them."
Cypher reported to her as he worked, "Shield up. Cloaker engaged. Patrol firing a broad sweep of beams at our last visible location. Going to starburst speed in one preon." A minute later, he said, "Clear of danger. Course laid in for stargate to Noy. Patrol heading in opposite direction."
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