The cargo vessel soldiers began scuffling with the federation soldiers. As a fight broke out in the rear of the federation flanks, the girl with the dreadlocks grabbed a Xygorian sword and begun slashing through the air, facing off with a federation soldier.
Looking around, Ariella noticed the Xygorian guards also defending themselves against the advances of the federation troops. Turning back to Julkaz, he too was knocking swords with the head of the federation troops.
She stepped back, then felt firm hands pull her towards the palace entrance. Heopsie gripped her arm, willing her to remain there while Julkaz twirled and brought his sword to bruise the arm of his opponent. Another federation soldier joined the melee against the prince, making it two to one. Undaunted, Julkaz seemed to take pleasure in the challenge, swinging his sword, bringing it to lodge in the thigh of one of his rivals, causing the soldier screamed in pain.
A federation soldier circled behind them pulling Heopsie away. Her shrill cry pierced the air as she stumbled. Another soldier moved quickly, grabbing Ariella’s hands, clamping a handcuff on her wrists. Although she didn’t understand the alien as he spoke, the federation soldiers quit fighting when the soldier who held her captive issued orders into his Rem-com.
“Let me go!” She unsuccessfully struggled to free herself against the unyielding restraints. “Release me, please. I need to save my father,” she begged of the soldier.
Heopsie moved to stand beside her son, grabbing his arm. “You cannot let them take her. Do something!” she demanded, almost pleading.
A group of soldiers pulled Ariella away, blocking all attempts Julkaz made to reach her. Soldiers surrounded the prince as they led her to the federation ship, forcing her to stand in a beam of light. She felt herself slowly lifted into the air towards the entrance of the spacecraft, and although no restraints were visible, a force totally gripped her, preventing any movement. It held her so securely, she was almost surprised it allowed her to breathe.
Once inside the ship, the beam released her. Surrounded by soldiers, she took in the ship’s interior. The spacecraft was different from any she had ever seen, but many similarities existed. And, although she had not noticed before, the federation soldiers were both male and female. One of the female soldiers led her to a glass cubicle. Once inside, the transparent compartment was locked with the pass of a crystal across the entrance. The female soldier remained to stand guard.
“Where are you taking me?” Ariella asked.
The guard, whose back was turned, did not reply. Ariella raised her voice a few decibels. “Where are you taking me?” Still no response. “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU TAKING ME?” she shouted while pummeling the glass wall.
No one looked her way, nor bothered to answer her questions. Ariella continued to beat the wall, shouting her questions until weakness overcame her. Her chest ached and her core quivered with the weakness there. Exhausted, she slid to the floor of the cubicle. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed uncontrollably because of the loss of her father and her freedom, and although she did not want to admit it, even the loss of Mirsux. She cursed the day she landed on Nabalar.
The door opened; a soldier appeared before her. With all the strength she could muster, she pushed herself up from the floor wiping her tears. The soldier’s uniform color was silver, with a gold, navy and green crest on the left breast. His hair was as white as wool and his almond shaped eyes were amethyst. He looked much like Heilfelst.
She rubbed her wrists briskly when he removed the cuffs. Gripping her elbow, he silently led her towards a door to the left. They passed through a room filled with an eerie and unnatural silence as the aliens went about their tasks without uttering a single word. Through another door, they entered what appeared to be a conference room. It was furnished with one long shiny metal table with eight chairs and one hovering transparent monitor near the opposing wall from the door.
The face of Heilfelst appeared when the monitor flashed on. “You have been arrested for breaking your own laws and that of the council. You will be duly punished as per the laws of the federation. Have you any last wishes?”
“Free my father and I will gladly take whatever punishment you deem necessary,” she replied in a hoarse voice.
Heilfelst turned away from the monitor and faced a few others whom she could not clearly see. They spoke in an alien tongue for a few minutes before he returned with his reply.
“We will grant you this wish by returning your father to his homeland.”
The screen went blank. “But I want to see him!” she shrieked. “I want to see my father before you deport him.”
In silence, the soldier grabbed her elbow leading her back to the cubicle, locking it and placing another guard there. The new guard looked exactly like the ones that dumped the Migrels onto Nabalar, with azure complexion and amber colored eyes. Without knowing where they were taking her or what her punishment would be, she hopelessly slid to the floor, closing her eyes and wishing that Mirsux would save her.
Thoughts of him caused a queasy feeling in her stomach. Wincing at the pain, she inhaled a tremulant breath. If only he had helped her, then none of this would’ve happened. His handsome, smiling face appeared before her, causing her heart to flutter. She missed so much about him - his laughter, his voice, the way he brushed her hair, and how he would bring her Alzanuas each day. Hugging herself, she wondered what he was doing. She wondered if he missed her half as much as she missed him.
* * *
The alarm blared, alerting the Nabalarian soldiers of an intruder. Mirsux plucked the Ysark from the rack on the wall and ran through the bedroom door. His core ached from the broken connection with Ariella. As he made his way towards the great room, he thought of her and wondered what she was doing on Xygor. Now that the hair bond was broken, would she return to him?
He was still weak, but his duty was to protect his planet and now that duty befell him. He joined his parents in the great has as they watched the Xygorian vessel hover above Nabalar. They were amazed to witness Julkaz’s appearance on the dusty surface of the planet amid a bright transporter flash. Ignoring his pain, Mirsux immediately sprinted out the door, across the open field, ready to face Julkaz, his enemy and half-brother.
“How dare you enter here!”
He lunged at the Xygorian prince, who sidestepped his attack. Mirsux quickly swung around, swinging his right arm in a back fist towards the head of Julkaz. Julkaz caught the fist and held it fast.
“Will you listen to what I have to say?” Julkaz asked through clenched teeth.
Mirsux clamped his left hand on Julkaz’s wrist, forcing him to release his grip with a violent twist.
“There is nothing you can say to me that I wish to hear,” he spat the words out, while throwing a ridge hand strike at Julkaz’s neck.
Julkaz ducked and shimmied, sidestepping to avoid the strike. Mirsux spun around assuming a defensive posture. They circled and lunged, each jostling for advantage, tangled together like judo wrestlers, falling to the ground. They were so engrossed in their struggle they did not notice that a tremor that shook Nabalar. Another tremor, more powerful than the first, rocked the entire planet, like an earthquake. Although they felt the second tremor, they continued to wrestle.
“Stop wasting time and …,” Julkaz said.
Mirsux cut him short, saying, “Shut up and leave my planet, you koldolye!”
Julkaz ignored the insult, shouting, “Ariella is in danger!”
At the sound of Ariella’s name, Mirsux’s heart somersaulted, racing like a comet hurtling through space. He released his hold on Julkaz who backed away from him, hands held up as if in surrender.
“How dare you utter her name,” he seethed, getting to his feet.
Julkaz rose, attempting to brush the clingy gray dust from his white robe. “Don’t say I did not inform you.”
“Danger? What do you mean…?”
Mirsux’s words were cut short as a federation vessel came into view, hovering over the
wastelands. Both princes turned to watch. Mirsux’s eyes gleamed dangerously as Ariella materialized in a transporter beam originating from the ship.
She stood there as though in a stupor, her hands bound behind her, her mouth gagged. Her head lolled to the side as though she were drugged.
Autopilot kicked in. Mirsux sprinted towards the wastelands, home to the Migrels. Julkaz quickly moved to follow him. Mirsux had one thing on his mind, saving Ariella. Nothing else mattered. For the moment, he didn’t care what the Xygorian prince did, as long as Julkaz did not hamper his efforts to save his wife.
With Ysark in hand, he pounced upon one of the federation guards. The soldier used his saber to block the Ysark’s thrust. Nabalarian soldiers began to converge from all directions causing the ship to initiate its protective shield, which appeared as a shimmering green dust. Julkaz grabbed one of the Nabalarian soldier’s swords, joining in the attack of the federation soldiers.
“Go back to Xygor,” Mirsux shouted. “I can handle this.”
“We’ll defeat them first; then we resume our own battle,” Julkaz replied as his saber slashed across the cheek of a federation soldier. “We have a common enemy we must fight,” he added, blocking the blade of a thrust meant for his heart.
Two soldiers attacked Mirsux, closing in on him. Dropping to the ground and balancing on his hands, he spun around in a sweeping motion, knocking their feet from under them. As they fell to the ground, he quickly swiped the blade of his Ysark across their chests, rendering them lifeless. He was becoming impatient and concerned about his inability to get to Ariella.
After finishing off his opponents, Julkaz moved up beside him. “I will cover you. Go to her before the beasts get her,” he shouted above the din of the clanking blades, blocking a saber thrust.
Julkaz was true to his word. He acted as a shield while Mirsux moved past the soldiers into the area where Ariella stood. By the time he reached her, she barely stood upright. He reached for her just as a Migrel lunged towards her. Slashing at the beast with the Ysark, he cut deep into the creature’s muscular upper arm. With his free hand, he held Ariella securely, preventing her from hitting the ground.
The Migrel observed Mirsux, looking for an advantage, howling in pain. Mirsux quickly settled Ariella onto the dusty ground, watching as the beast prepared to lunge again. Positioning himself between the beast and Ariella, he attacked the Migrel. Jumping towards the creature, he twirled in midair. Pointing the Ysark straight down, he thrust the blade, wedging it deep into the skull of the animal. The Migrel’s piercing shriek almost rendered him deaf.
Thick dark red fluid oozed from the wound, trickling down the creature’s face and the sides of its head. Mirsux pulled his weapon from the beast as it thudded loudly to the ground. Three more Migrels charged towards him before he had time to move towards Ariella. He saw a figure rush passed him, jumping into the air, and came straight down with a slash on the face of one of the Migrel.
Julkaz grinned as his saber split the face of the creature in two. He smiled even bigger as they watched the remaining two Migrel retreat. Shaking his head, Mirsux attached his Ysark to his belt. He then stooped and slipped his arms beneath Ariella, lifting her lovingly. Pulling her against his chest, he felt their hearts beat in unison. Carrying her, he ran to where his soldiers were finishing off the last of the federation ground forces. The federation ship whizzed away, leaving a number of wounded and dead soldiers lying about.
Gently, he passed Ariella over to one of his guards. “Take her to the palace,” he instructed, planting a kiss on her slightly parted lips.
A lightning bolt shot through his body as his lips met hers. Ariella’s eyes fluttered open and looked around, confused. As her sight focused, their eyes met, causing his hearts to flutter.
She squirmed, desiring to get to her feet. He reached for her hand to assist her as she stood, but she brushed it away. When she began to stagger, the guard gripped her shoulders holding her upright, preventing her from falling.
“Ariella.” Mirsux moved close to her.
She stepped back. “Don’t come any closer, Mirsux.”
He waved the soldier away and moved closer still. “Can you forgive me?”
“Forgive you? How many times must I forgive you?” her voice quivered.
“Please Ariella, I need you,” he pled, falling to one knee and reaching his hand out to her.
“Please take my hand and I will never let it go.”
She shook her head. “I can’t Mirsux, you and your mother hurt me deeply. Since I came to Nabalar, I’ve been imprisoned, fed to your cannibalistic beasts, tricked into matrimony, refused help when I needed it and now this.”
“I will make things right. Please take my hand.”
“No more,” she turned her face away from his pleading eyes. “I will return to earth with my father as soon as I rescue him.”
A shout a few yards away caught their attention. Julkaz was surrounded by a dozen Migrels. At the same time, another ship appeared above them. This ship was much larger than the one that just left.
* * *
Meanwhile, two figures emerged from a small shuttle that had landed near the Xygorian palace. Xygorian guards moved soundlessly towards it, surrounding the two passengers. After speaking with the captain of the guard, one of the passengers was escorted to the palace. Watching the group approach the palace on the monitor, Heopsie prepared herself for their arrival. She also watched as her soldiers ushered the second passenger to the crypt. As the group left the vicinity of the shuttle, an invisible shield covered the craft.
Once the first group entered the palace, Heopsie stared into the eyes of the human standing in front of her. “Who are you? You said you could help me when we spoke earlier, how will you do that?” she asked.
“I contacted you because the battle has begun,” he stated matter-of-factly.
She narrowed her eyes and perused him closely. What battle and who was he, she wondered? “You have not answered my question. Who are you?”
“Leonard Styles,” he replied. “Lead scientist for the federation.”
“Ha-ha, very funny,” Heopsie replied with a sarcastic laugh. “Tell me who you are.”
Leonard Styles, lead scientist for the federation,” the man repeated.
“How is it possible that a human is lead scientist for our species?” she asked incredulously.
“I made a discovery that could change the course of the universe and your overlords want to keep it for themselves.”
“Why have you come to Xygor?”
“I came to help you.”
“Oh,” she said in a quiet voice. “What do you mean you came to help me? Are you talking about my son?” she asked, giving him a sharp look.
“No, I was referring to you,” he calmly replied.
Heopsie was confused. “I do not understand?”
“I will return your memory to you,” Leonard said in a serious tone of voice.
Heopsie scrutinized the man in front of her. He was tall with sandy blond hair, intense gray eyes, sideburns and a mustache. Rimless spectacles perched upon the bridge of his strong nose. He wore a long white lab coat. He seemed sane, but what he uttered was nonsensical. What memory would he restore? She was unaware of any memory loss.
“What you speak makes no sense. I cannot understand,” she stated.
“Maybe this will jog your memory,” he said, pulling a necklace from his coat pocket.
The necklace was made of the purest droixe, a precious black metal, and had one large sparkling Yarzib nested at its center. Her eyes widened as a feeling of nostalgia washed over her. She’d seen the jewel before but could not recall where. Leonard stretched his hand out for her to take it.
Heopsie hesitantly reached for the necklace, running her fingers along the smooth shiny metal before touching the Yarzib gem. Immediately, a pain shot through her head, causing her to wince and stumble backwards. She closed her eyes waiting for the feeling to subside.
As s
he attempted to recover from the effects of the gem, the second visitor entered the chamber, accompanied by several soldiers. The soldiers supported Herman Vega, appearing to be too weak to stand on his own. Leonard moved towards the group, as the guards lowered Herman into one of the chamber’s chairs.
When the second visitor handed him a small black leather bag, Leonard prepared to attend to Herman Vega. The scientist pulled a vial filled with shimmering green liquid from the black bag.
“What is that?” Heopsie asked.
The scientist looked up and smiled. “It contains a cell regeneration formula that will repair his cells and any damaged organs. His body will be restored.”
She watched as the scientist sanitized an area on Herman’s wrist. Inserting the vial of green liquid into a small handheld device, Leonard guided the instrument into position, shining a small red indicator light onto a vein in the man’s wrist. Her eyes widened as she watched the green liquid disappear into the vein without ever coming into contact with the skin.
A few minutes later, Herman’s eyes fluttered open. Color came back into his cheeks while his green eyes regained some spark. His eyes darted from one person to the other before settling on Heopsie.
Slowly, Herman rose from the chair. He moved towards Heopsie who stepped back.
“Stay where you are, human,” she breathed, her face exhibiting fear. “What’s he doing?” The pulse at her throat began to throb fiercely.
“My God!” Herman murmured, stepping closer.
“Stop,” Heopsie held her hand up, her heartbeat increasing. “Come no closer.”
“Don’t you know who I am?” he asked. His voice cracked with emotion; his face anxious.
“I have never seen you before. I am Heopsie, Queen of Xygor. Now step back,” she ordered.
Leonard stepped between them, placing the necklace around her neck. As the stone rested against her skin, she stiffened, closing her eyes against a thrilling sensation flooding through her. A name, Alkoz, popped into her head.
Awakening: The Prince of Nabalar (The Princes of Uvieroein Book 1) Page 19