Moondust And Madness

by Taylor, Janelle

  Sylva had yanked covers from all the beds and shredded them. There were books and food tossed around, objects broken, furniture overthrown, and clothing scattered about the room. The quarters were devastated.

  Varian issued a frigid command to Sylva, who chose to ignore it and his ominous tone. He threatened her with several terrible and wicked punishments. She still refused to halt her destruction or verbal torrent of abusive, crude language. When the others shrieked for rescue, Sylva attacked them like a crazed Amazon warrior.

  “You are no longer a princess, my dear Sylva. Your world of Uranus is far behind you. You are under my control! You will halt this destructive behavior at once! If you disobey, you will pay greatly. Cease this stupidity instantly!”

  Jana’s mind reeled at those stunning clues. Wasn’t this an expensive way to obtain servants? Her gaze scanned the monitors. No man needed this many female slaves! Did he intend to sell most to pay for his trip? Jana observed the handsome man in a new light: arrogant slaver.

  Varian furiously snapped off the audio control. “Tell Ferris to confine Sylva to the brig. Send Tris to care for the others. Our rebellious and crude little Sylva is in for an unexpected awakening! Come on, Jana,” Varian commanded, annoyed with all females at that point, as he was unaccustomed to defiance or dealing with slavery.

  Kyle whirled and grinned at Jana. His emerald eyes sparkled and his brown hair lay in unruly curls. The line of his almost square face was broken by a cleft in his chin. Thick, long lashes and a winsome smile completed a look of youthfulness.

  “I’m glad to see you’re all right. I was worried about you.” Kyle failed to note the black scowl and knitted brow of his commander.

  Kyle’s friendliness took Jana by surprise. Perhaps she could enlist another valuable ally. “So, we meet at last, mon spectre. I see you are quite human after all.” Her eyes were enlivened with wit and animation.

  Jana caught Varian’s displeasure with his officer’s amicable behavior toward her. She had seen too many people and too much evidence to deny her plight. She wanted to study the quicksilver nature and power of her captor. And, she had an overwhelming urge to pique Varian in some innocent way. To her great satisfaction, it seemed to work.

  “I said let’s go, Jana. I think you have more important matters to concern yourself with, Lieutenant Dykstra,” Varian commanded sternly.

  “Yes, Commander. I’ll see to Sylva right now, sir,” Kyle replied.

  Jana thanked Kyle for his concern, then walked out the door. Kyle suppressed the smile from his lips, but not from his eyes.

  Varian caught her elbow and firmly guided her along the passageway. They took the elevator to deck one, then went down another passageway. Jana didn’t have time to notice her surroundings in the rush. He halted and pressed a button and the door to the gold room swished open.

  Varian gallantly stepped aside and waved her in. Jana sighed in relief as she heard the door close. She was startled as Varian’s voice severed the silence. “Kyle, turn off this monitor until further notice, except for instructions or messages.” Varian breathed deeply and loudly.

  “Yes, Commander,” came Kyle’s apprehensive reply.

  Jana anxiously watched the red light on the monitoring camera as it went black. She slowly turned to face Varian. She had not expected him to remain with her. Her eyes leveled on his steady and unreadable gaze. Ten- thirty in the morning was too early for a confrontation, especially on an empty stomach, before a cup of coffee! She waited tensely.

  Jana decided to display intelligent respect. After a long and unnerving silence, she ventured a tense “Yes, Commander Saar?”

  He stared at her in moody observation. “First of all, Jana, don’t try to inspire trouble or resentment aboard my ship. I should warn you of the danger to any man should you successfully turn his sights from duty and loyalty to me, as well as the great danger to yourself. You will wisely restrain yourself from deceiving my crew with false behavior.”

  Jana flushed with embarrassment and anger beneath his partially astute accusation. “I didn’t realize it was dangerous to be polite. Is that all, sir?” she inquired courteously to calm her agitation.

  Varian chuckled skeptically. “Since your accident prevented you from attending the general assembly yesterday, we have a few matters to settle. You do recall my promise to answer your questions?” he hinted. “Hopefully you’ve learned by now that I’m a man of my word.” He caught her relief on hearing the purpose for his visit.

  “I also hope you’ll decide to accept your fate and obey my staff’s orders so I won’t have to intervene on your behalf again.” He indicated for her to sit beside him on the sofa. She ignored his directive and sat on the bed across from him. He chuckled mockingly. He noted the way she blushed and shifted uneasily beneath his intense scrutiny. Like a Southern summer night, his voice was lazy and mellow when he spoke. “I’ve taken about four hundred women from your planet and around one hundred from the planet Uranus, as Earth was more populated and civilized,” he asserted. “The disruptive wench you just observed is Sylva Omanli from Uranus.”

  Jana did not intend to question him now about Uranus, for she was more interested in his plans for her. Yet her shock at the large number of captive females was impossible to conceal.

  “On this return voyage, all captives will be instructed on the politics, social customs, geography, and history of my world. I hope these lessons will enable each of you to adjust quickly and comfortably to your fates.” Thinking it better for her to hear his news in a strong and angry mood, he chuckled impiously as he added, “It will most assuredly increase your value.” During the last hour, he had realized how gentle she was and he knew he must toughen her for all of their sakes; yet he dreaded doing so.

  She stared in bewilderment. “Our value? I don’t follow you. Why educate prisoners? What are your plans for so many women?”

  Holding his own disgust in check, Varian quickly outlined the charl system as sanctioned by the Supreme Council. Jana’s eyes widened as he was speaking. He didn’t have simple slavery in mind! Knowing she did not want to hear his answer, she still had to ask, “Surely you don’t intend to sell us and breed us like animals?”

  “Children are vital for race survival, Jana. Besides, mates provide our citizens with joy and families. As soon as we reach my galaxy, I’ll hold an auction on each of the thirteen planets which I mentioned to you earlier. You’ll be sold last on Rigel, our capital planet.”

  Her mouth dropped open as she inhaled sharply. “You actually kidnapped us to sell as…slave-mates? How can you be so evil?”

  “We need women,” he stated. “Cooperate, and it will work out.”

  Jana stared at him in resentment. Now she understood Sylva’s fury. After months of captivity, Sylva knew the truth and still fought its acceptance. They could call it anything they liked, but it was selective breeding…She shuddered. “You can’t do this. It’s evil and wrong!”

  He shook his sable head, wishing she knew the truth about the real reasons behind her capture, and wishing he didn’t have to hurt her and use her. “This practice is legal in my galaxy, Jana, and for years was essential to its survival. It was my government, the Supreme Council and Alliance Assembly, who established the charl practice. They sent me on this mission. I’m a commander for the Maffei Interplanetary Alliance Star Fleet—our highest form of law enforcement. I am also a member of the Star Fleet Elite Squad, which reports only to the Supreme Council,” Varian proudly informed her, wanting to impress her with his great power and status.

  This fact settled in quickly. “I should have guessed you are a man of power from your arrogance. But what gives your people the right to enslave others? Or you the right to abduct them?”

  “We grant ourselves that right,” he responded quietly. “We have the power, skill, and knowledge to do as we wish. When we’re threatened by enemies, we conquer them. When we discover a need for survival, we fill it. Soon, we hope there will be no reason to continue t
his practice,” he admitted.

  Jana shuddered to think of herself in a satanic alien’s clutches.

  “You should feel honored, Jana. You’re the gem of my collection. You’re the most beautiful and tempting creature I have encountered anywhere,” he rashly confessed. His smoldering gaze engulfed her beauty and her startled expression.

  “Me?” She questioned his incredible statement. “But you claim to have five hundred women on board.”

  He laughed as he nodded yes, revealing a beguiling gaze which caused her to flush with warmth. “Does it make you nervous to be ranked as the prize trophy of my assignment?” he teased her.

  She was to be sold and used by a stranger! Jana raged at his callous attitude toward her dark future. “You bastard! You sorry excuse for a—”

  He frowned as he scolded almost tenderly, “Careful, moonbeam. Your naughty words change nothing.” He didn’t like the fear and aversion in her eyes. His darkened scowl suddenly dissolved into a compelling smile.

  Jana struggled to quell the fury which was raging a battle with desire within her. She had foolishly allowed his good looks and charm to befuddle her. He was a tyrant first, an enchanting man second; she must not confuse their order again. Jana’s gaze helplessly traveled his face and body, clad in a snug uniform whose shade intensified the color of his eyes. Nothing could be as dangerous as becoming fascinated with him as a man. Yet how she wished he were like her dream lover…

  Jana aimlessly paced to dispel her unruly thoughts. It hadn’t been wise to sit facing him! He stirred so many strange emotions within her: hatred, terror, rage, desire, and another intense one she could not yet name. She felt at odds with herself trying to comprehend and control all these feelings. Hot tears coursed down her warm cheeks as she berated herself for cowardice and fear. She felt helpless. Jana called, “I’ll be back in a minute,” then hurried into the bathroom for privacy to vent her torment.

  Varian let her go, knowing the brunt of his news had ripped into her heart. But why was he so moved by her anguish? Why didn’t he reveal her fate and leave her alone? Why hadn’t he sent Martella to carry out this unpleasant task? He leaned back to await her return. If anyone needed him, Kyle knew where he could be found.

  Jana sank to the cool tile floor in despair. She lay her head on her folded arms upon the vanity chair. She was doomed. Tears and pain came to her as she thought about her shattered life and lost friends. But why me? One look at him and his crew and thousands of women would have volunteered to go home with them! Never go home. She moaned as if in physical pain. She wept for the loss of her home, friends, and world. She cried for the loss of her identity and freedom, elements which slavery would surely deny. She wept for the torment she would endure, for she knew accepting this new existence would be difficult, if not impossible.

  “Jana, do you want to finish our talk later?” he asked, unsettled to see how deeply she was suffering.

  His intrusion on her grief stopped her tears. She requested a moment to freshen up. She wished he had not seen her in such a weakened state. She must repair her appearance and let him finish his say. To battle him would provoke a long and more painful meeting.

  “I’ll be waiting,” he stated in a pleasant tone.

  Within minutes Jana returned. Before she could pass by him, Varian grasped her hand and seated her reluctantly beside him on the sofa. She sat rigid, facing straight ahead. Her aquamarine eyes revealed her inner sadness, her rosy cheeks displayed the strength of her emotions.

  His next statement shocked her out of her pensive mood. “It would prove pleasant and beneficial if we were friends instead of foes, Jana. We will be working and living very closely for many weeks. Perhaps a truce?”

  Jana jerked her head in his direction and glared at him in disbelief. “Friends? Us?” she taunted sarcastically. “It’s utterly impossible!”

  “What do you have to gain by being hostile?” he reasoned gently. “I don’t want this change to be any harder on you than necessary. I want you to be happy. There’s no reason to quarrel or battle all the way home.”

  “It is your home, not mine, Commander Saar. Become friends with the ruthless tyrant who kidnapped and enslaved me? It’s totally absurd and insane!” Her eyes glittered with contempt when he chuckled at her words.

  Hoping to clarify his character in her mind, she said, “I offered you millions of dollars for my release. Surely you cannot hope to receive more than that for my sale? Why did you refuse?” Jana quivered with alarm as she wondered whose slave she would become. Why sell the “most beautiful and tempting” female he had “ever encountered, anywhere” to another man? She eyed him critically.

  “Use that superior brain of yours, Jana,” he softly admonished her, guessing her line of thought from her revealing gaze. “What value does your paper money have to me? Besides, I couldn’t leave you behind, now could I? To have ignored such rare beauty would surely have been more criminal than my wicked actions,” he purred in a lazy, sexy drawl. His sapphire eyes glimmered with an unreadable, disquieting light.

  She ignored his last two statements without realizing he had spoken the truth. Her eyes flickered with enlightenment at his first words. “That’s why you easily refused so much money. I thought it was because you—”

  “You thought what?” he prompted, his curiosity piqued.

  “You were super rich.”

  “I am.” He hid his disappointment when she did not say, Because you wanted me. Kahala help him because he did! His ruse to feign an attraction to her to entice Ryker’s attention had a peril which he had overlooked: she was nearly irresistible. He had assumed he could use her in his scheme without creating a romantic bond between them. Now, he wanted her, and it appeared she wanted him. He had told Martella he would behave badly to prevent Jana from falling in love with him, but did he want to carry out that promise? If he allowed this attraction to strengthen, eventually she would be hurt. Besides, these interrelated missions were hazardous enough without complicating them with a real obsession for her!

  She focused curious eyes on him. “Then why all this?”

  “I’m a Star Fleet officer, Jana. I have a duty to my Alliance Force and Supreme Council. The plague,” he gently reminded her. Their eyes met. He laid his arm across the top of the sofa and watched her intently.

  An idea came to Jana’s mind. “Is there any way I can earn my freedom since my money has no value to you?” She missed the astonished look which lit his eyes when he misconstrued her question and meaning.

  “Are you so desperate to avoid the pampered life of an elite charl that you would offer yourself to your captor?” he asked in astonishment. Would the Council chastise him for taking this woman as a temporary mistress, if he dared to lie and claim it was part of this trap for Ryker? He instantly scolded himself. He could not do that to himself, his government, or to Jana! Far worse was the suspicion that he would be unable to part with her afterward, and if he didn’t defeat Ryker, Jana would be in mortal danger from that evil bastard.

  She gasped, “You thought I—Never! I was referring to work, not whoredom!” she finished in heated anger.

  He chuckled to hide his feelings. “A natural mistake. After all, what else could you do aboard a ship of mostly men to earn such a large amount of money?” As he spoke, he twirled a lock of her silky hair around his finger.

  She pulled it from his feather-light grasp and snapped, “I could work as Tristan’s assistant,” she informed him. “He said he needed help.”

  “You could what?” he asked, wondering what those two had connived during their brief contact in sick bay.

  “I can learn everything about your world. Tristan believes I have the skill and competence. Ask him!” she boldly challenged.

  At a loss for an appropriate answer, he taunted, “So now it’s Tristan, is it? First Kyle, now Tristan. You do work fast, don’t you? Who’s next?”

  She rose in anger. “You don’t believe I can do it, do you?”

  “I’m
well aware of your great capabilities, Jana. I probably know you better than you know yourself.”

  “Then why do you continue to harass me?” she asked.

  “Perhaps because I love to see flames dance and sparkle in those caritrary eyes when you’re very angry,” he murmured huskily.

  “Caritrary?” she questioned, enchanted by his magical gaze.

  “It’s a precious gem found on the planet Caguas. It’s a fusion of green, blue, and lavender. It changes color according to heat and light. It’s rare and valuable, like you. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes this color.” He caressed the area just below her left eye as he mentally sank into those colorful pools.

  “I’m rare and valuable?” she inquired, unable to quell her feminine curiosity and vanity. She was lost in the depths of his bewitching eyes.

  He smiled, then shook his head to regain control of his wits. “Take my word for it. I’m considered a connoisseur, as you will no doubt learn.”

  She unthinkingly concurred, “I’m quite certain you are.” They stared into each other’s eyes for a long time. “I take it you aren’t married?”

  His hand reached out again to caress her cheek. For a heart-stopping moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. She secretly and unexplainably wished he would. But he did not, nor did he answer her last question.

  Jana shook her head to clear her crazy thoughts. He was most disarming. “Do you ever take men as slaves?”

  “When we first allowed alien societies to enter our world, it nearly proved fatal to some of our outlying planets when a dissident male scientist created the virus which devastated my world by killing off so many women. He did it intentionally: no women equal no offspring and eventual death to an entire race. Thankfully he failed. Never again will we be so foolish, trusting, or kindhearted. Tris should have known better than to suggest you could work with him; the Council would never allow it.”