Tristan observed her mingled look of doubt and admiration. “It’ll take time to trust us and accept us, Jana. I knew you’d find this procedure interesting.” He handed her a turquoise robe.
“Yes,” she admitted as she slipped it over a matching gown.
“Walk around. I’d like to see if you’ve suffered any side effects from your injury or the drugs. I’m glad your chemistry varies little from ours.”
After a few minutes of exercise, she remarked, “I feel fine.”
“Let me show you something in my lab. I think you can be of some help to me for a change.” Tristan was eager to learn if Jana was as skilled as he believed. Besides, he and Martella needed a way to help Jana avoid her impending fate. Jana obediently followed his lead.
He went to a surgical table and pointed to a small furry brown creature. “They’re similar to Earth’s spider monkeys. He’s carrying a virus I need to cure. Problem is, I’m having trouble getting a veinal cannula inserted. These old hands aren’t as steady as they used to be.”
“Don’t you have an assistant who can do a simple veinal cannula?”
“My staff is on leave,” he answered, as feigned irritation filled his tone. He sighed in mock exasperation. “I cannot seem to manage adroit microsurgery anymore. Nor can I seem to find a competent assistant. I may have to resort to euthanasia. He’s a hazard to the other specimens.” He watched to see what her reaction would be.
“You can’t do that!” she shrieked in dismay. “I could easily insert the cannula for you. It would be cruel and unnecessary to destroy him.” Jana eyed the little creature with pity. Her interest and attention were snagged. For a time, she ignored her predicament.
“You would do it for me?” he questioned slyly behind a pleased grin.
After sedating the animal, Tristan handed her a pair of surgical gloves and a lab coat. Jana seated herself and pulled them on. Depending on a power-lens magnifier to give a distinct and enlarged view of the working field, she worked quickly and skillfully with the scalpel.
“Do you infuse heparin to prevent clotting, Dr. Zarcoff?” she questioned, without looking up as she was totally immersed in her work.
“A similar drug, Jana. It’s in the smaller syringe. The dextraphine for treatment is in the larger one.”
She obeyed his instructions, pressing very slowly and evenly on the syringe. When three units had been given, she switched off the Y-connector. “Do you want me to infuse the dextraphine?”
“Yes, four hundred cc’s.” He was observing her work with intense pleasure. She was indeed highly talented. Even he could have done no better. What an assistant she would make…
Twenty minutes later, Jana stated simply, “That’s it. Will he require further infusions or do you want me to close him up?”
“He’ll need one more dose in four hours. If I have any trouble, I’ll send for you. That was excellent, Jana. You’d make a fine surgeon.”
Jana flushed at his compliments. “I faint at the sight of human blood,” she quipped, half in truth and half in jest. “I’m certain patients would not care for their surgeon passing out in the middle of delicate operations. I’ll stick to research, my first love.”
Tristan chuckled. “Too bad. I could use a good surgical assistant.”
“I doubt I was abducted for my medical skills, Doctor.” Jana removed the red-splotched gloves and lab coat. “What now?”
“After that beautiful piece of microsurgery, you must call me Tristan or Tris. All my friends do. You’ll be returned to your quarters this morning. The rest is up to you and the commander.” Tristan was eyeing her intently.
“I see, back into that tyrant’s clutches?” she hinted coolly. How she wished she could remain in this research lab with this genial doctor.
“You rest until he sends someone for you,” Tristan instructed.
Jana glanced at his medical equipment. Even if he had lied about the spaceship, she definitely was on some type of ship—very sophisticated, elaborate, and expensive. This mysterious commander was undeniably wealthy, powerful, and ruthless. Jana began, “I wish I could—”
A stirring voice which she could never forget cut into her wistful sentence and seemed to fill the entire room. “I see our capricious Earthling is better this morning. You can work miracles, Tris.”
Varian crossed the room with grace and ease. Tristan noted the involuntary stiffening of Jana’s body and the panic which flooded her features. She visibly paled at simply hearing Varian’s voice behind her.
Jana turned to face her antagonist. Her startled eyes widened. Her mouth uncontrollably dropped open in disbelief. He was not wearing his concealing vizard this morning. She stared at the magnetic, handsome face of the man approaching her. Only in her dreams had she ever seen such overwhelming perfection. Jana’s heart fluttered madly. He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen, the color of very expensive and precious sapphires. They glittered with vitality. His sensuous smile could have dispelled the darkest gloom of night. A lock of ebony hair fell casually over his left temple. He was very tall, for she had to look up at his face. Jana stared into his smiling eyes, which revealed a fiery passion for life. He was magnificent. Wits, fears, and reality momentarily fled her mind. Without realizing she was speaking aloud, she murmured in astonishment, “You’re the man in my dreams…”
As his hand caressed her cheek, Varian’s broad chest rumbled with zesty laughter. “I hate to disappoint and disillusion you, little moonbeam, but you saw me while you were semiconscious yesterday. I helped Tris with your injury, after I was rashly provoked into creating it.”
“I don’t recall seeing—” she halted as she comprehended what she had just said. Her face reddened and she hastily lowered her gaze to his firm, muscular chest. He wasn’t a fantasy! If she had seen him twice while drugged, how much of her “dream” was real?
Jana flinched as Varian brushed her hair aside to check her forehead. “I see you’ve performed your usual excellent job, Tris.” He secretly observed Jana as he took much longer than necessary to check her. “No sign of injury. No scar. Perfect…”
His touch burned like hypnotic fire. She trembled, bewildered and alarmed by her ridiculous behavior and wild thoughts. She hurriedly jerked away from him. “No thanks to your brutality!”
“Please don’t provoke another show of my power and loss of temper.”
Jana looked up at him. Despite his mellow voice, there was a warning gleam in his blue eyes. “Are you forbidding me to speak?” she asked curtly.
“Not at all. I’m only advising caution and temperance in speech and actions.” Varian caught Tristan’s humorous grin over Jana’s shoulder.
“That will be all, Tris. I’ll see to Jana,” he said in a brisk tone.
Tristan’s grin broadened. “Yes, sir, Commander Saar.” As he passed Jana on his way out, he smiled and offered a warm and grateful “Thank you, Jana. I’ll be seeing you very soon.” To Varian he said, “She hasn’t eaten yet. Will you have Kyle or Ferris see to it for me?”
Amid Varian’s confusion at the doctor’s order, Jana returned Tristan’s friendly overture with a dazzling smile. “Anytime, Dr. Zarcoff. I really enjoyed it,” she murmured as if speaking to a good friend.
Varian witnessed the transformation of bitterness and resentment into softness and charm which her smile so vividly revealed. She watched Tristan’s departure with apprehension, as Varian watched her with new interest.
“Why won’t you release me?” she asked. “What is it you want from me?”
“As soon as you’ve dressed, I’ll escort you to your quarters,” he casually announced, as his gaze engulfed her body.
“Dressed?” She glanced down, suddenly aware her robe was hanging free. “Oh-h-h,” she cried. Her hands grasped the satiny material and overlapped it, trying to shield her halfexposed chest.
He chuckled. “You have absolutely nothing to hide from me, Jana. I am well acquainted with all of your numerous charms.”
Her
gaze flew up to his mocking eyes. Her frosty glare bored into his molten one. “You’re despicable!” she said.
He sent her an engaging grin. “You’re absolutely right. In fact, most people think I’m far worse. But you’ll have to change; I’m afraid you’d prove too distracting to my crewmen attired in that flimsy gown.”
He motioned to some clothing she had not noticed. She was begrudgingly grateful for this small concession to her dignity, wisely suppressing the surly words which threatened to spill forth. As she picked up the green caftan, she realized he made no move to leave. She cast suspicious eyes toward him. “Where do I change?” she demurely inquired.
“Here,” he stated, a devilish half smile playing across his lips.
She paled. “H—here?” she stammered. “But surely you’ll leave?”
“Why? I’ve seen you nude before.” That piece of horrifying information came as an unexpected shock, even though it was something she should have realized sooner.
She flushed again, to her great dismay. “I will not undress in front of a total stranger. How dare you treat me in this vile manner.”
“Either you do it, or I’ll do it for you. And if I’m forced to rip that gown from your lovely body, you’ll return to your quarters that way, regardless of the temptation to my men.” He could see the fires of rebellion burning blightly in her eyes, fires he must extinguish.
Jana wisely decided not to provoke this man. She lowered her head in shame and started to undress. Varian seized the front of the dressing gown, his massive grasp rumpling and closing it. “It isn’t necessary to finish this test, Jana. I simply needed to learn if you would now obey orders, no matter what they were. You have five minutes to change. I’ll wait outside.” When her head jerked upward to verbally assail him, he shook his head and warned, “Don’t do it, little moonbeam. You just won my forgiveness for your defiance yesterday. Don’t make a new strike against yourself. I don’t want to hurt you, but I must have your obedience.”
As Varian and Jana approached the elevator which would take them to deck one where her quarters were located, an intercom issued a call. As Varian answered the page, she eyed him intently. He commanded attention anywhere and anytime. Like her beautiful stallion Apache, he evinced power. Jana was alarmed by the strong and compelling attraction she was feeling. She was bedeviled by this mysterious and complex male.
“Sir, we’ve picked up a radiation belt in our path. It wasn’t there on our way in. I advise a course change as soon as possible.”
Varian was aware of Jana’s gaze locked on him. He would give her the chance to learn firsthand of his command, the reality of her situation, and the impossibility of rescue or escape. He also felt a curious need to impress and disarm her. “I’ll come to the bridge, Lieutenant Rilke.”
Tesla Rilke’s confusion at Varian’s odd reaction was shortlived. Changing course to avoid peril was a common occurrence requiring merely the commander’s permission and not his personal attention.
Varian headed for the elevator with Jana in tow. He issued a verbal order to the computerized panel: “Bridge.” They moved sideways, then upward. Only a faint hum was detectable to her ears. The door opened and they stepped out into a huge, semicircular open area.
Jana took in sights and sounds which could stagger the imagination. She had never seen a more complex conglomeration of computers, panels, and instruments. Crew members were either concentrating on their individual tasks or chatting lightly in jovial tones with those nearby. She froze at the unbelievable sight before her.
The crew came to alert when Varian appeared. Jana instantly noticed the high esteem and admiration on the faces of the men and women before them. She was reluctantly impressed by his reception and rank.
“As you were,” Varian cheerfully stated.
The crew returned to their prior tasks or conversations—all but one male who surreptitiously observed Jana and Varian. Varian headed toward a man standing next to a videoscreen. Jana mechanically followed, but Varian behaved as if she were not present. He pretended to study the screen before him as Tesla Rilke gave his report and suggestion in a muffled tone.
Jana was only half listening. Her attention had been captured by the large window spanning the front wall of the bridge. She went to it and stared outside. The panorama was breathtaking. The heavens were an intense blue-black with hints of indigo. Off in the distance, vivid and harmonious hues of blue, red, and green cloudlike formations dappled the skies. They seemed adrift in a dark sea filled with millions of glittering points of light. She was stunned and enthralled.
Jana remained motionless, as if hypnotized by the infinity before her. Space…that terrifying word drummed loudly inside her brain. This was not an elaborate and imaginary charade; it was all too real to be ignored. There were too many people and too much evidence for her to deny. She was being taken to God-knows-where by aliens, for some unknown reason. She trembled at the missing facts. A scientific study of human biology on Earth? Living specimens? Unless these aliens were disguised, they had been created in the same physical mold as Earthlings. But why capture her to study? Why? she wondered.
Varian joined her at the transascreen and stood very close to her, too enchanted by her to notice the probing gaze of one of his lieutenants on them. She would present no further problems, Varian decided. He relaxed. His ploy was working perfectly. “I see you find our view spellbinding, Jana.” She instinctively nodded agreement. “Perhaps awesome and terrifying?” She only nodded again as she continued to stare at the vastness before them.
To emphasize his power over her, he lightly stated, “We are bound for the Maffei Galaxy where the Maffei Interplanetary Alliance consists of thirteen planets. Each planet is ruled by many zartiffs, much like your kings or presidents on Earth who govern certain areas. These men report to an avatar, the head ruler of each planet. Those thirteen men make up our Maffei Alliance Assembly, which answers to the Supreme Council of three men who rule our entire galaxy.” He slipped his arm around her waist as he continued relating facts to her. “The Supreme Council is all-powerful, especially its leader, the kadim. You have no one on earth to compare our Supreme Council or kadim with; those three males are feared and envied and their word is law or death. Right now, the Supreme Council consists of Councilman Segall Garthon, Councilman Draco Procyon, and Kadim Tirol Trygue.” Although he knew she could not absorb so much information at a time like this, he went on casually to list the planets and their avatars.
He took a deep breath. His tone lowered as he revealed, “I’ve lived in space much of my life. Yet I always find it mysterious, overpowering, and exhilarating. I can imagine how it must affect someone who’s never seen it beyond the surface of her world or on a videoscreen. Do you still doubt my truth, Jana?” he asked without a trace of sarcasm and brusqueness.
She lifted sad eyes to his and studied the softened lines in his handsome features. He was such a mercurial creature. Why shouldn’t he be kinder and calmer? He had won. She grudgingly admitted, “Your truth seems to be accurate, Commander Saar. How can I intelligently argue against such evidence?” Her hand slowly motioned to the view surrounding her, inside and outside the ship. “Yet it’s so incredible and confusing,” she confessed.
“The world outside your Milky Way is immense, Jana. Our two neighboring galaxies are the Androas Empire, ruled by Kadim Maal Triloni, who’s also royalty, and the Pyropean Federation, which is controlled by Supreme Ruler Jurad Tabriz. Most of the time we live under wary truces, but frankly I don’t trust either man.” To her surprise, he suddenly smiled and said, “I had counted on your superior intelligence and keen perception to convince you that I spoke the truth.” He tenderly and unknowingly caressed her cheek as he spoke to her.
“You win, Commander,” she stated in defeat. Before she could speak the question still foremost in her mind, his words and actions had beguiled her.
“I never doubted that victory for a single minute, Jana,” he remarked confidently in an almost sed
uctive tone. His deep blue eyes seemed to mesmerize her. His lack of harshness and conceit prevented any surly retort. “Let’s go. I have another problem to check on in security control.” He grasped her hand and guided her off the bridge of his ship, still unaware of the officer who was spying on them for Varian’s worst enemy.
As they entered a room filled with small monitors, Jana immediately realized the purpose of this room. Her wide eyes glanced across multiple screens as softly muted feminine voices reached her ears. She viewed many rooms with numerous females—all being observed and held captive. Her head jerked around as the young officer on duty began to speak with Varian. In a way she was glad to have faces finally attached to voices. For the moment, Jana was too dazed by the heavy influx of facts to think clearly. Her concept of reality was being challenged and defeated, by a masterful creature who seemingly controlled her life.
Unaware of her presence, Kyle Dykstra launched into an explanation of the problem at hand. He pointed to one screen in particular as he talked. Jana’s eyes followed his line of direction as she listened. “It’s Sylva Omanli, sir. She’s demolishing her quarters again. This time she attacked her roommates. They’ve screamed for help. I’ve tried to reason with her, but she refuses to obey. Do you want me to send her below to security?”
Varian stared at the screen. Martella had warned him that some women might never surrender to this new fate. She had told him that sometimes harsh punishments were mandatory. A rebellious charl’s attention must be secured before she would settle down. Varian hated being forced to punish any captive, but this one’s conduct was wearing thin, and this was one charl mission which could not allow problems to breed! A muscle twitched in his right cheek. He leaned forward, his full attention claimed by Sylva. His blue eyes narrowed and hardened as he watched the temper tantrum the dark-haired, ivory-skinned Uranian was throwing.
Jana also focused on the same screen. She observed the wildness of the female in question. Three others were huddled in a corner. As Varian turned on the audio control switch, Jana could not believe the obscenities and vulgar speech coming from that lovely woman, nor her volatile temper. She appeared uncontrollable!
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