Moondust And Madness

by Taylor, Janelle

  As Jana lay curled in his embrace, she wondered if she had misread the swirls or if he had been playing some mental game. It couldn’t be true. If so, he would never sell her. The words tormented her.

  Varian tightened his hold on her, then released it. She was as elusive, as magical, and as fleeting and evanescent as his pet name for her. He retrieved a box from his desk. “I’m going to miss you, Jana. I have a gift for you,” he stated and opened the box and withdrew a floral necklace. He fastened the gold chain around her neck, then kissed her. “This is for you, moonbeam.”

  Jana lifted the exquisite cluster of tiny flowers and studied the intricate workmanship. The swaying stems formed the Maffeian letters “V” and “S.” “When did you buy it? Where?”

  “On Caguas. Some of those miners are superb artists. I designed it myself. Just to avoid any surprise jests, these are my initials,” he told her, tracing them with his forefinger.

  “Advertising your prior ownership?” Jana sweetly admonished him.

  “I wouldn’t want you to forget me. Besides my craftily concealed initials, it carries a hidden secret: souvenirs of our good times.” He lifted the flowers one by one to reveal five miniature pictures of the two of them.

  Each picture called to mind the moment it captured. She looked up into his eyes. “I shall treasure it always.” She kissed him lightly.

  “Is that a proper kiss of gratitude?” he teased.

  “A proper one would one make us very late. I fear that your touch added to such kindness might inflame me beyond caution and I would demand to be satisfied.”

  He was overjoyed by her response and failed to notice that unshed tears brightened her eyes. “Do I really have such an overwhelming effect on you?”

  “That’s a question best left to your imagination,” she retorted. “I wish I had something special to give you,” she stated.

  “You did give me something special, two of the best weeks of my life. Now get dressed so I can show you around. No exhibitions, just funtime.”

  “You’re not kidding?” she hinted. “Playtime, no work?”

  In less than an hour, Jana found herself strolling down a lovely byway on Eire. They halted under a fragrant trellis to savor its beauty. “I wish I could show you other areas of the planets which we’ve visited so briefly. All you’ve seen are busy ports and cities. The things I could show you, moonbeam,” he murmured wistfully. As they walked on, he told her many things about his world.

  When they returned to the ship, they dined and danced in the Stardust Room for hours. She was perplexed by his mellow mood. After they arrived in his quarters, he made love to her twice: once in an urgent rush and once in a leisurely manner. Jana fell asleep wondering at this new side of him.

  Varian awakened the next morning to the full awareness of the end of this monumental journey. He cautiously arose so as not to disturb Jana from her peaceful slumber. He watched her snuggle into the warmth left by his body. She smiled as she clutched his pillow and drifted deeper into sleep. He stood there for a few moments, moments which seemed to be rushing by too swiftly. Her auction was tomorrow; his departure for her world was the next morning. Why had he become so attached to her, knowing this time would arrive?

  Varian dressed then headed for the bridge to check on matters there and to leave orders for the officers’ furloughs. He filed his reports and gathered the tapes for his meeting with the Supreme Council, Alliance Assembly, and Supreme Commander Brec Sard. This was going to be one long and bitter conference.

  Varian, Tristan, Martella, Nigel, and Kyle left the ship to head for Alliance Headquarters. The Wanderlust’s report and suggestions concerning the grim situation in the Milky Way Galaxy had been supplied on the tapes which he had passed out along his journey home, tapes which had been studied for the discussion which would be held today by the thirteen avatars and three supreme councilmen who comprised the sixteenmember Alliance Assembly. His mission had been praised as a success, if one could say the confirming of a calamity which was threatening to devastate Earth and the enslaving of five hundred women were triumphs.

  The conference was lengthy and exhausting. Science Officer Nigel Sanger did most of the explaining of data and of possible actions or precautions. He went over the theory of diverting or destroying the meteor with the combined powers of many starships and chemical lasers. He related the perils involved in each of his suggestions. To Earth, the largest hazard was the meteor’s impact on nuclear weapon installations. If the massive meteor struck the planet surface, Earth could be doomed. The Maffeians were not sure if they could deflect and shatter it. Their greatest concern was leaving the Maffei Galaxy open to enemy attack while their starships were away taking that gamble. The danger of obtaining the chemicals needed for that assignment was discussed, for most feared that Ryker Triloni would expose these facts to his grandfather Kadim Maal Triloni. Naturally, Varian and Tirol felt that way.

  Although Ryker Triloni had been accepted as a Maffei citizen and had lived in their galaxy for seven years, most feared and mistrusted him. His parentage and tragic history were not secrets to these rulers, nor was the fierce conflict between the two sons of Galen Saar, a man whose loss had been felt deeply in both private and military circles. Yet these rulers wisely respected the awesome powers which Ryker Triloni and Trilabs possessed: in their hands the power to preserve their world or in the hands of their enemies the power to destroy it. To date, Ryker had been their ally. But most were intimidated by the dark rivalry with Varian, which might set Ryker off.

  Tirol concluded aloud, “We have a while longer to consider this grave matter. We can’t do anything until all of our starships have returned from their current assignments. We can meet again then to decide if it’s wise to send six ships to attack the meteor. Regardless of our final decision, many Earthlings may have been rescued. And if we vote against sending out six ships simultaneously, we can still rotate one or two to rescue more Earthlings until time runs out for them.” Kadim Tirol went on to relate his previous actions on the matter at hand: the sending out of rescue ships. The Assembly of thirteen avatars agreed with the Kadim’s prior decision, as Brec Sard had agreed.

  The week after the Wanderlust had left Earth, Tirol had ordered Brec to select five of his most trusted commanders and efficient starships. At the last moment, each commander had been ordered to furlough all nonessential crew members, then carry out the sealed orders. Each assignment involved a secret voyage to Earth to abduct six hundred men and women in their twenties and to deliver them to the outermost planetoid Anais in the Maffei Galaxy, which, mostly uninhabited, was comparable to Earth. Two ships at a time performed this assignment during a two-week interval, one going to and one coming from Earth; that way, only two starships would be out of the Maffei Galaxy at a time, hopefully without anyone’s knowledge.

  Tirol went on to say the first starship had completed her journey at starlight speed, before the Wanderlust held its auction on their third stop. The second starship should return to base in a couple of days. The third starship would return to base in a few weeks. The fourth starship would leave Earth with her precious cargo the day before Varian’s arrival there. After Varian collected another six hundred aliens of both sexes, he was to deliver his human cargo to Anais, then return to base for the Alliance Assembly’s final decision on how to deal with either the meteor or the crisis it presented. Using Earth’s time, today was August 13; the rescue missions would be completed by August 30, and Varian should be orbiting Rigel again by mid-September. That would leave just enough time for dealing with the meteor or making one last rescue run.

  Tirol went on to explain that the fifth starship was traveling between Rigel and Anais during this same time period. That starship was only responsible for delivering food, seeds, tools, supplies, medicines, equipment, temporary shelters, and clothing for the three thousand Earthlings who would be relocated. On the final trip to Anais, the starship would leave the Earthlings weapons for self-defense. The other comman
ders had been instructed to make certain they captured citizens in vital roles. Varian would make certain Jana’s best friend, Andrea McKay, was one of those females rescued.

  Tirol said he would be contemplating ways to acquire the chemical lasers and gases needed from Trilabs. If he could not create a perfect excuse to explain such an enormous purchase, he would forget that perilous course of action. He could not risk endangering and destroying their world by trying to save Earth. He didn’t tell the Council or Assembly that Ryker was already questioning the amount of decontamination chemicals which the Alliance had been purchasing during the last few months. Without those decontamination chemicals, the Earthlings could infect the rescuing Maffeians with deadly germs.

  The powerful head of the Council and Assembly announced his final decision on another matter. If the meteor crashed into Earth and set off nuclear explosions, all rescues must cease immediately and the Earthlings should be kept from suffering. Varian loathed the idea of being personally responsible for Stardust seedings of Earth’s atmosphere but the “dusting” chemical would insure a peaceful demise for countless Earthlings who could not be rescued before the disaster and agony struck. He cringed. If Jana had any inkling of her world’s peril, she would be crushed.

  The Supreme Council’s word was law, and Tirol issued it. Now to prevent the Pyropeans or Androsians from preying on the ill-fated or relocated Earthlings, he cautioned everyone involved in this affair to keep it secret. Yet, Tirol feared someone would drop a clue; too many were involved to prevent it, and certainly too many Alliance crewmen were on leaves for it not to arouse suspicions. All he could ask for was time, as much as possible for the mission to end.

  Kadim Tirol dismissed everyone except Varian and the other two Council members. As preplanned, Tirol and Varian began to set their traps for exposing the incompetence of Segall and the traitorous actions of Canissia. To keep Canissia ignorant of their actions, Segall Garthon had been the last member to receive the taped report of Varian’s mission; and Segall had not been informed of the starships which had been performing rescue missions on Earth for weeks. Tirol had alerted Draco, then swore his friend to secrecy. Too many Supreme Council secrets were being leaked; Tirol, Draco, Brec Sard, and Varian suspected it was occurring through Segall and Canissia Garthon. If that could be proven true, it was the perfect way to force Segall from the Council, even if they were certain his slips were unintentional.

  Tirol commented gravely to ensnare Segall, “It’s a good thing I didn’t tell the Assembly I actually have eight starships pulling rescue duty rather than five. I’m sure those rulers would panic with so many ships assigned elsewhere.”

  Segall stared at the leader and protested, “You endanger us all to aid one alien planet? You must recall all but one or two instantly.”

  Tirol replied, “Soon, Segall. Have no fear. Even if one of the assemblymen drops a clue, our foes will think only one or two ships are gone. If our enemies learn nothing of the eight, we will remain safe.” Now, all he had to do was listen for this lie to appear in the wrong quarters. He glanced at Varian and inquired, “How soon can you leave for Earth?”

  Varian was prepared to give his answer. “I’m holding the final auction tomorrow afternoon. My ship is being resupplied and checked over thoroughly today and tomorrow. I’ve been giving the officers who just returned with me a few days’ furlough. I’ll leave orbit on the second dawn from today.”

  Segall inquired, “Is this last girl special to you, Commander Saar? Are you planning to bid on her?” His daughter suspected Varian loved Jana: Segall thought he knew why Canissia was urging her father to purchase Jana. No doubt his daughter wanted to make certain the alien beauty was out of Varian’s reach. He couldn’t blame Canissia; she wanted Varian, and Varian was the perfect husband for his only child. Besides, Jana was a tempting creature. Perhaps he should consider acquiring such a delightful mate.

  Varian knew Segall was testing him on behalf of his daughter. He nonchalantly replied, “Jana is unique and satisfying, sir, but she would crimp my lifestyle. If I may be so forward, sir, I would caution you against buying her and putting Jana and Cass in the same home and social circle.”

  Tirol and Draco watched Segall. “I see your point,” he asserted. “Cass and I hope you will become a frequent guest of ours again. She loves you.”

  Draco Procyon sighed loudly and dramatically. “Thank heavens, you don’t plan to bid on her because I’m eager to have Jana. I’ve had my bankers and accountants going over my assets for days to come up with the highest bid I can place. That’s the trouble with these private auctions, one sealed bid and that’s it. Win or lose, no second chances. Who came up with this rule?”

  Tirol laughed and said, “I did. It isn’t good for friends or rivals to engage in bidding wars. One secret offer makes it appear a stroke of luck or fate to be the winner. Besides, it earns us more money; men who truly want a certain treasure will bid outrageously to make sure they get it.”

  Draco teased, “Now I see why you’re the Kadim.”

  “I shall be glad to see you obtain her, Draco. She’ll be an asset to you.”

  Segall cleverly suggested, “Since you appear so fond of Jana and she of you, Commander Saar, the Council should vote to present her to you as a gift, a reward. After all, you two are…very close. On numerous occasions, you’ve displayed enormous courage and loyalty to the Alliance Force and Council. I’m sure Tirol and Draco would agree to this payment of Jana.”

  Varian shook his head. “That’s very generous of you, Segall. Jana is a valuable jewel, but I couldn’t accept her. I’m happy being a carefree bachelor. When I get ready to settle down, I’ll choose a wife, not a captive mate. Besides, too many people are teasing me about her favoring Shara Triloni. Of course nothing matches except their coloring, but I don’t like being the butt of gossip. Jana is a very special creature, but she’s not for me. It would be selfish to keep her as a mistress and perhaps provoke one of my foes to slay her because he thinks she’s won my heart. There are too many females available to fulfill desires to endanger an innocent’s life for a little pleasure. Thank you, but I will proceed with her auction as scheduled.”

  The conversation ended, and Segall Garthon departed. The three remaining men gazed at each other. “Well, it’s done,” Varian stated. “Let’s see how Cass takes all of this news and what she does with it. At least Jana will be safe.”

  “You two have everything set for the auction?” Tirol queried.

  Draco inhaled deeply. “If all goes as planned, I’ll obtain Jana and hold her for Varian. I hate keeping her in the dark, but it can’t be helped.”

  Tirol grimaced and replied, “We’d best all pray your bid is the highest…”

  When Varian returned to his ship he learned that a letter had been delivered by mail shuttle during his absence. He went to his quarters and found Jana soaking in a hot tub of bubbles. “I see that you made certain I wouldn’t be tempted to join you,” he jested, dripping fragrant water over her nose. “If you can be dressed in one hour, I might be tempted to show you more sights this afternoon.”

  Jana’s eyes beamed with pleasure. “You’re being far too sweet and unselfish these last few days. I might get the wrong idea,” she warned as he left the bathroom.

  Varian sat down at his desk. He opened the letter and frowned as he read the unsigned taunt which began with a famous poem:

  Don’t show me Kahala, a forbidden domain;

  Don’t offer me moondust instead of great fame.

  Don’t yield to my kisses with poisonous lips;

  Don’t offer me love with false swaying hips.

  Don’t come to my bed, then leave before dawn;

  Don’t pry me with passion, then treat me so wrong.

  Don’t offer me a life with cruel, choking ties;

  Don’t fill my ears with softly spoken lies.

  Varian clenched his jaw until it ached. Jana’s name had been written over “Kahala” and “moondust.” “To Varia
n” had been inserted before line three and “Jana” had been signed beneath the last one. “What the hell!”

  “What, my love?” Jana asked as she entered the room.

  Varian glanced up at her. He tossed the letter on his desk and stood up to flex taut muscles. “Talking to myself, moonbeam. Just a stupid joke. I’ll be ready to leave as soon as I see Nigel and leave orders for my crew.”

  After his departure, Jana hurried to his desk and read the letter which had vexed him. She grimaced. Why couldn’t people leave them alone?

  “If this ruse works,” Varian told Nigel, “we’ll have Cass trapped and our leak plugged. You’ve got security men watching Daxley, Vaiden, and Baruch?”

  “As soon as we reached base, I assigned the best surveillance agents available. They will be invisible to our suspects.”

  “And I told each a lie. Now, all we have to do is see which lie gets to Ryker and spurs him into action. I sent out orders this morning to have Moloch watched so he won’t interfere with my ploy.”

  In less than an hour, Jana felt like it was hunting season in the Texas high country with her as the fleeing puma and Varian as the cattle baron determined to have her golden hide! They had eaten a light lunch and danced twice in a secluded room in the Elysian Restaurant. “Are you trying to seduce me?” she teased as Varian drew her closer to his chest and nibbled on her ear. She trembled. Every time she eased away from him to retain control of her poise, he came after her! Was it “open season” on her? He was being awfully possessive and romantic. Why were they in a private dining room of the restaurant?

  When he guided her to the table, he poured two glasses of champagne and toasted, “To our last day and night of ecstasy.” Varian clicked his glass to hers, then downed the bubbly liquid. He set down his glass, then looked at her untouched one. He observed her troubled gaze.