The Warrior Woman

by Evelyn Lederman

  Too bad she had to go back to work. There was still the fate of the man on the mountain. She hoped her role in his discovery was over. Candy figured that was not going to be the case.

  Receiving orders telepathically was an odd experience. Candy was still conditioned to think hearing voices in your head was not a good thing. It led to a lot of therapy sessions and possibly a padded cell.

  She had been instructed to report to interrogation room four in The Palace. Tolfer walked her over, stating he was going to listen to the Prime Council discussions occurring on the second floor. Candy liked his company. Being with him felt right. They felt right. She never felt as comfortable with a person as she had with him at the lunch they just shared. It still plagued her that he had not acknowledged what they were to each other.

  Candy headed for the third floor and found where she was assigned to report. Raine Narmouth and Kelog Potts were already standing outside the room. Once she arrived they entered together. The prisoner had not been delivered. There were three chairs facing the door each of them claimed. No words telepathically or orally were exchanged.

  It was a matter of minutes before two Palace Guards escorted the struggling man into the room. He was dressed in a yellow tunic and leggings. The man looked like a giant lemon. Although the med-tech had worked on him, he still was dreadfully pale and the yellow outfit did not help. It made his skin appear jaundiced. The man stopped and stared as soon as he made eye contact with Candy.

  “Shelaura!” the man cried. He had called Candy by her mother’s name.

  Solfa had followed the small party into the room. She had picked up the man’s declaration, staring at Candy with a warning to keep her mouth shut.

  Kelog seemed momentarily stunned, while the other men seemed unaffected by the name Candy had just been called. A strange expression crossed Kelog’s face after he collected himself. Candy was not sure how to read it. Obviously, she was seeing things that did not exist. Kelog had been kind to her from the moment she entered this world. This whole situation had her spooked and her brain was overcompensating by developing intrigue where none existed.

  “I assume you mean Shelaura Phildrum,” Solfa said. The man was bound to the chair directly across from her. Solfa pulled a chair to the table’s end and sat. “It would appear we know which of Benko’s followers your mother was. Unless relationships changed once they arrived on Ginkgo Terra, your father was Bradsk Phildrum.”

  Solfa’s revelation was not news to Candy. Darden had already shared this information with them. However, it was now officially communicated through the communal pathways. Jerlyn Jarlyn no longer had to wonder if she was his granddaughter. She was now partially free from further attention from the Prime Ruler from that respect.

  “You speak of her parents as if they were no longer living,” the man said. Candy could see sorrow written all over his face. He must have been close to her mother and possibly her father.

  “They died shortly after my birth,” Candy shared with the unidentified man. She desperately wanted to call the friend of her parents by his first name. “Who are you?”

  “I am Symonn,” the man answered. “Your parents were good friends of mine. We fought against the hideous practice of mind control together. My brother is a crystal telepath. We have searched for your parents for decades. Something went terribly wrong on our last trip.”

  Candy thought of the event horizon that remained open where they had found Symonn unconscious. The portal finally closed thirty minutes after she had left to get the med-tech. It was unclear what happened to the crystal tele-path who opened the gateway.

  She could feel Kelog’s body tense next to her. Candy shifted her head and glanced at him. There was nothing in his expression that should have alerted her that anything was wrong. Maybe he was just tired after being on duty for so long.

  “From your words,” Solfa continued, “you are still opposed to our mind control telepathic rule. The fate of rebels against our government is to be sentenced to the penal colony.”

  Symonn straighted in his chair. “Such a world would be paradise if I am allowed to make my own choices.” His voice shook with a tremor. Candy was not sure if it was out of dedication to the cause he fought so many years against or fear to be sentenced to the penal colony. Either way, he sealed his fate with those words.

  Kelog looked at the man oddly. Once again Candy’s mind was playing tricks on her. There was something in the way he looked at the man that was not quite right. She just could not figure out why it kept nagging at her. Maybe he was just moved by the man’s words and was trying to cover up the sympathy he had for Symonn. Such feelings in this world were not wise.

  Solfa rose. “So be it.” She turned and addressed Raine Narmouth. “Take him to the portal and execute the sentence of life in the penal colony. We are short-handed due to Cianan taking a small army with him on a mission for the Prime Ruler. Take Starc with you for added security. Shirl will set the coordinates. Potts, you are now off duty. You have worked a double shift and must be dead on your feet.”

  Candy knew better than to plead for Symonn. He had sealed his own fate with his declaration against mind control. She felt guilty that she could not save her parents’ friend. Candy glanced at Solfa. The woman in charge of Troyk intelligence maintained a stoic expression. Candy knew she had secretly been helping those who would overthrow the government. Symonn’s capture and confession had been too public to do anything but condemn the man to a life of unknown danger. Candy would have a hand in sending this man to his unknown fate. She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat.

  Tolfer heard through the communal pathway that Candy would be accompanying a prisoner to the portal. Since they were undermanned he would volunteer to go along with them. Shirl and Starc’s presence would make that desire a reality.

  When he arrived at the disembarkation spot in The Palace courtyard, the small group had already assembled. Shirl was the first to notice him. “Good, Tolfer is going with us to provide additional support.” She looked at him oddly and then glanced at Candy. It was clear Alex must have told Shirl she suspected Tolfer was Candy’s soul mate. He was not happy she had shared her suspicions. But it made it possible for him to spend more time with Candy. No one would go against Shirl’s dictate.

  Kelog came beside him. “Glad you are coming along,” his old friend said. “Maybe it is time to reconsider your career choice. You could be so much more, Tolfer. When we sparred in school, you use to wipe the floor with me.” The other man patted him on the back before he went to stand next to the condemned man.

  “I thought you were off duty,” Candy commented to Kelog. “This job is tough, I am about to fall flat on my face. It has been a long day.”

  “We are short-handed as Solfa said,” Kelog responded. “It should not take long to deliver the prisoner to the portal. I will head home after the deed is done.”

  Tolfer noted an odd expression on Candy’s face as she stared at Kelog. He knew his soul mate well enough to know that something was bothering her. A mental battle was going on within her mind. Once again he wished he could reach her through their soul mate telepathic bond. He watched as she shook her head, obviously dismissing any suspicions she had related to his old friend Kelog.

  “Let us head out,” Raine ordered. Tolfer’s attention was once again centered on Narmouth. It was a travesty he retained his rank after what had happened on his first command assignment.

  Shirl had shared with him the calamity of that fated mission he led to escort two prisoners to the Nightshade universe for their executions. Raine had stayed behind to be near Alex instead of properly delivering the prisoners.

  The four guards he had sent through the portal were brutally murdered by the vampires of that world. His obsession with Alex had saved his life, but put a stain on his first command decision. “Tolfer, back up Candace,” Narmouth yelled over his shoulder. “The prisoner will be sandwiched between the four of us. Starc and Shirl will bring up the rear unti
l we arrive at the mountain.”

  They walked through streets bare of people. The communal pathways communicated their route. People evacuated the area as they made their way to the mountain trail. Troyk citizens never gawked at the prisoners clad in yellow as they were led off world. He figured most people were just happy they were not the ones being led away. The prisoner himself walked with his hands bound behind him, presenting no resistance.

  Tolfer wished he could communicate with Candy through their private channel. It had been his decision to keep their relationship to himself. He wanted to give Candy the choice to pick him rather than having the uncontrollable draw of the soul mate link prejudice her decision to be with him.

  For the first time he wondered if Candy was struggling with feelings for him she did not understand. She was not from this world. He grew up listening to the legendary stories, wondering if he would one day be blessed with a soul mate of his own.

  When Alex came into Tarsea’s life he saw two people attracted to each other with an intensity all-consuming. He was taken aback when he learned his parents were soul mates. They had successfully kept the true nature of their relationship a secret, even from their own children. He always thought his parents were the perfect couple. Now he knew why.

  It was not long before they reached the base of the trail that would take them to the natural portal. Shirl would lead the way since she would set the coordinates for the penal colony. Although she had never set those specific coordinates before, Shirl had trained in the simulator for such an eventuality.

  They were getting closer to the portal. Tolfer knew Starc would be right beside Shirl as she set the coordinates. Their joining allowed Starc to navigate the portal alongside his soul mate. Every couple went through a different evolutionary change the first time they made love. What enhanced powers would he and Candy be gifted once they became lovers? He knew it would happen when Candy was both mentally and physically ready for intimacy. Tolfer would have to come clean about the true nature of their relationship to prepare Candy for what would happen after they sexually climaxed as one.

  So engrossed in his thoughts, Tolfer had not realized they had reached the portal. It was a good thing he was not a CT Guard after all. Such inattention while he was performing his duties would be inexcusable. Worse, it could cost someone their life.

  Natural portals opened as soon as a crystal telepath bearing their gems came within proximity of it. As required by protocol, Shirl partially stepped into the portal and set the coordinates. Not surprising, Starc was at her side. Together they stepped back out of the event horizon’s grasp.

  “It is ready,” Starc reported. Tolfer noted Shirl gazing down at her feet. Her soul mate was taking over her official duty. Shirl must have been consumed with guilt over her role in sending someone to the penal colony. Candy silently made her way over to her, no doubt needing the closeness of a friend as Starc continued in his role as a CT Guard.

  “You have the choice of walking through on your own or being dragged and pushed,” Raine informed the prisoner. “I have no idea what is on the other side of the portal. It would be prudent to be physically prepared for any eventuality. A forceful arrival would put you at a further disadvantage if you are met with hostile forces.”

  The prisoner slowly walked toward the portal. Kelog nudged Candy and the two of them followed. Tolfer hoped his soul mate would not be placed in the position where she would have to force the man through. Kelog took a knife and cut the man free of the rope that bound his hands. Rather than sheathing the blade, Kelog kept it in his hand.

  Symonn turned and addressed Candy. “I loved your mother” was all he said before before he stepped a foot into the portal.

  “Wait, Symonn,” Tolfer heard the anguish in Candy’s words. He realized this was her one chance to get answers to life-long questions on parents she never knew. She hurried toward the man, not wanting him to go yet.

  Tolfer’s heart jumped as she moved from his reach. When Kelog sprang after her, Tolfer released his swallowed breath; he thought the guard would keep her safe. But he was wrong.

  He watched in horror as Kelog Potts grabbed Candy and plowed into Symonn, dragging all three through the portal.

  He looked at Shirl, who was being held back by Starc. It was obvious she was going to follow Candy through the portal. She looked in his direction pleading for him to do something. Tolfer did not hesitate: he ran through the event horizon after his soul mate.

  Chapter 9

  The Troyk Penal Colony World

  Candy tried to stop her forward momentum and release herself from Kelog’s grasp. She had no idea why he had grabbed her and forced her into the portal. Part of her wanted to beat the crap out of him, but she reasoned it was better to determine what type of greeting party they were about to face. Just as she accomplished freeing herself from Kelog, she was pushed forward yet again by another body exiting the portal. She turned to see Tolfer.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders, “Are you all right?” He was addressing her, but his eyes were transfixed on Kelog. They were burning with a fury she had never seen.

  “I am fine,” Candy replied. He moved forward toward Kelog and Candy grabbed his arm. “Don’t do anything stupid,” she added, using a connection she felt was their soul mate channel. It was time to end the game they both had been playing. “We don’t know what we are up against. Kelog may end up being needed. Besides, he has a knife.”

  Tolfer seemed taken aback by her use of their private channel. He now knew she was aware of what they were to each other. However, there were more pressing matters at hand.

  As her eyes swept the area, she saw they were being approached by men with nasty looking spears. Kelog stood next to her, his knife still in his hand. Against half a dozen armed men, the knife did not appear as large as it did when Kelog had used it earlier to cut Symonn’s restraints. Why did she not bring along a crystal weapon or two when they delivered their prisoner to the portal? Although they were only good for two to three shots, they would have certainly improved the odds.

  “What have we here?” a man walked past the ones with the weapons. He was older than the others, probably their leader. He had an angry-looking scar across his left cheek, stopping just under his eye. Candy took it as a good sign that he was talking at this point. “One prisoner, two CT Guards, and a love-sick fool.”

  Candy was taken aback by the man’s description of Tolfer. Her gaze drifted to her soul mate to see what expression he had on his face to make the man believe he was in love with her. It was a dangerous thing to do, but she had to know.

  “I am Symonn Oliverre, a freedom fighter. These children are harmless. An unfortunate impulsive move by my nephew brought them here.”

  Candy shifted her gaze to Kelog. Why hadn’t Solfa’s intelligence identified the familial tie between the prisoner and the CT Guard? They must have been communicating through the familiar pathway that existed between those who shared the same blood. Deep down Candy must have known. The feelings she had earlier had not been a figment of her imagination after all. In the future she needed to heed her intuition, assuming there was a future.

  “Both of our families are in this world,” Kelog Potts replied. “I am tired of pretending to be something I am not, supporting a government I find offensive.”

  “We will determine your worth,” the leader of the gang said. There was an edge to his voice this time. He probably was growing impatient with all the conversation between his prisoners.

  “The boy with the curly black hair is not to be hurt,” a female voice came out of nowhere. Candy turned in the direction of the voice. A beautiful blond woman walked toward them. She was momentarily jealous of the woman’s interest in Tolfer. Candy could never compete with the stunning vision before her.

  “Do I have reason to be concerned about your desire for the lovesick puppy, my love?” The man with the scar took the woman into his embrace. He kissed her roughly, staking his claim. If she was not mistaken,
the woman was barely tolerating it. Was this something she had to look forward to? Survival had to be her first concern, not what it took to do it.

  “He is a friend,” the blonde replied, “nothing more. Tolfer is part of a group I owe my life to. It is your bed I share, Franclyn.

  “Let us keep it that way, Chartail,” the scarred man growled.

  Candy gasped at the name. Here was the woman Alex had befriended and then betrayed. The very same individual who masterminded the failed attempt to assassinate the Prime Ruler. The one Shirl saved in the Nightshade universe. Chartail had been recaptured and sentenced to live her life here. Darden had taken her to the portal the day before they came to Earth to bring Candy to the Troyk universe. It did not take Chartail long to ingratiate herself with this powerful man. The woman’s self-preservation skills were strong.

  Chartail walked and stood before Candy. “Who are you, other than Tolfer’s new squeeze?” She appeared to think about her last statement. “Although I certainly do not remember Tolfer being so struck by a woman before.”

  “My name is Candace, Candy to my friends.” It was obvious Chartail recognized her name. Chartail’s face lit up with delight. Shirl and Alex had made quite an impression on this woman. Candy had an ally without having to build any alliance.

  “Add her to my span of protection, Franclyn. I owe her friend a debt I will never be able to repay. Get your blood-thirsty kicks with the remaining two.” Chartail’s light tone was contradictory to her dark words.

  “As you wish, my love,” Franclyn replied. He motioned for the men with spears to deal with Kelog and his uncle.

  Candy’s own self-preservation mode must have been broken. She stepped next to Kelog, taking a defensive stance. The men hesitated looking toward Franclyn and Chartail for further instructions. Candy heard Tolfer mutter something under his breath before joining her. He mirrored how she stood. It was questionable whether he would know what to do when the fighting began.