Stardust And Shadows

by Janelle Taylor

  Jana watched the clouds rush past the wide span of clear material. Space … Starships … Shuttles … Starlight speed … NASA and the astronauts on Earth, she decided, would love to possess such knowledge and technology. And SETI, the Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, would turn cartwheels over meeting just one of these superior beings. So many people in her world believed there was life elsewhere in the galaxy or universe, but never would they imagine to find it on this scale. With their weapons and advantages, the Maffei Interplanetary Alliance, or Androasian Empire, or Pyropean Federation could conquer Earth with ease in one day. It was a relief to know that none of them seemed interested in doing so.

  Jana looked at the moon rounding the right side of the planet before their craft. When Ryker sat down beside her, she asked in a tone that couldn’t be overheard by the men, “Are you ever afraid the Caguas moon will crash into Darkar like the rogue body heading toward my planet?”

  He glanced at the pale object of her attention. “We’re on different orbits, so there’s no chance of that ever occurring. Even so, there’s no threat of explosion. If my sensors detected a natural disaster in the making, my complex would automatically lower itself far below ground.”

  “That would leave your warehouses open to destruction. What about the chemicals and other things inside them? Would they present a hazard?”

  “Only contamination to Darkar’s air and soil. Everything that could endanger this sector is kept within my complex.”

  Jana’s eyes widened. “What about a malfunction with a computer or something like that? Why would you keep such powerful threats so close to you? If anything went wrong, you could be killed.” I could be killed.

  “Or glow in the dark for thousands of years,” he whispered in her ear. He grinned and chuckled as he attempted to calm her fears.

  Jana frowned at him. “It’s no joking matter. I’m serious. I live there, too, and I’ll be working inside the complex as soon as you permit it.”

  “Don’t worry, my beautiful wife, the self-destruct weapon cannot be started except by my voice command, which can’t be matched.” He wished he could tell her that threat had already been disarmed by him and Nigel.

  “What if something happened to you? A big threat is left behind.”

  Varian lazed nonchalantly in his seat. “Not really. Grandfather has the disarm code. He would use it after he collects my secrets and my wife.”

  “But he’s an enemy, a rival empire.”

  “Not mine. Not yours, either. You are, as you Earthlings put it, his daughter-in-law, wife of his sole heir. Grandfather will make certain you’re safe after I’m gone. If anything happens to me, go with him and do what he says. You wouldn’t be safe here without my protection; everyone would try to gain control of Trilabs by getting to you. After we return home, I’ll have to take precautions along that line for your protection until Grandfather can reach you.” He stroked her tawny tresses. “But don’t worry, my golden moonbeam, the self-destruct system gives Maffeians and others a good reason to keep me alive and well.”

  Keeping him alive was important to her for another reason. “You said Maffei needed you for the mission to my planet. “What did you mean?”

  “They intend to use the most powerful chemical lasers in existence to blast the rogue into fragments small enough to be further reduced or disintegrated by photon fire.” At her look of confusion, he explained, “Photons are quantums of electromagnetic radiation that are harnessed and sent out in a wide beam similar to laser fire. It’s a very powerful and destructive weapon, but its range and target area are limited. To do any damage to something as enormous as that rogue worldlet, the ships would have to get too close and risk being hit and crippled by large chunks of debris traveling at high speed following an explosion; being that far from Star Base and repairs, it would be foolish and detrimental, and could cost the lives of many crew members.”

  “I still don’t understand what that has to do with you and Trilabs.”

  “One of the chemicals they need for the Triloni Laser is Barine, produced from Tremolite. It happens that I own the rights to the only three mines where it’s found, here and in Androas.”

  “You own the Tremolite, Barine, and most powerful laser?”

  “That’s right, Jana of Earth.” And, you own Trilabs, the truth serum immunity process, and many other priceless secrets…

  She sent him a fake radiant smile and remarked, “I’m impressed again. It seems my husband gets more and more important every day.”

  “Important? How so?”

  “You’ll be responsible for saving my world, everything I know and love. How can I ever show my gratitude for such genius?”

  “By not making those your only loves,” he answered too quickly.

  This time, her phony smile was seductive. “I promise you, they won’t be. Tell me all about Caguas and your mines there.”

  “We’ll be landing soon and you can see them for yourself. I’m going to enjoy showing you around this galaxy and mine. It won’t all be work.”

  “I hope not.”

  “So do I. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do at this time.”

  She watched him go to Captain Kagan and order him to send a message to Avatar Faeroe, the sixth richest man in this star system, to tell the planetary ruler they would join him for dinner as soon as he completed his inspection at his mine. He sat down with the two strangers who had not been introduced to her and began talking in a tone she couldn’t overhear.

  They eased into parking orbit around the large planet and went to the shuttle to go below. They were met in a tubeshaped land rover with an impenetrable clear bubble on the sides and top. Taken along a well-used road, the ride was smooth. An android drove the vehicle to the location Ryker gave it. They halted at a force shield and waited for it to be lowered for them to enter the area. Security was heavy and well armed. She heard Ryker tell the top guard that he was going to do a complete inspection and was assigning two new men to head up security of the main location: the two strangers traveling with them.

  Once inside, the four got onto a tramlike vehicle that whisked them deep into the dark recess, where tunnels were lighted by rows of lights on either side. When it halted, Ryker assisted her from her seat to tag along. The two strangers followed her owner’s lead, and she trailed behind them.

  Jana’s eyes darted in all directions. She felt trapped in the loud and dusty site. Giant fans pulled out much of the smoke and dust, and filled the area with a livable amount of fresh air. Machinery for digging and collecting ore, drones for transporting it, and laboring androids sent forth whirs, grinds, whines, and buzzes. The mine was huge, busy, and undoubtedly profitable. Certain locations had voice-activated doors that swished open and thudded shut as they passed through them. They visited every section—some by foot and some by tram— and finished their tour in the control room. There, the two strangers took charge and were left behind, after curious whispering.

  Jana had the oddest feeling he was looking at the site for the first time and was seeking something in particular. She also experienced tuggings of suspicions about two new men being assigned as heads of security and at this date so close to her delusion. As she and the blond alien departed, she asked, “What would happen if someone tried to take over this mine? Are the force shield and number of security men strong enough to defend it?”

  “Any attempt to break through the force shield sets off a reaction that leads to explosion. Once Tremolite starts burning, it either burns forever or until all of the ore is consumed, making it worthless to them.”

  “What about the men trapped inside?”

  “There are ample escape time and routes for the humans.”

  “That’s good. But it would be a big loss to you.”

  “To them, too, because they need to buy Barine for their lasers. To destroy my supply, destroys theirs. It’s actually the best protection policy the mine could have.”

  “I continue to be amazed by you
.”

  They returned to the shuttle, lifted off, and traveled toward a range of mountains and cliffs nearby where she saw thousands of small and large transascreens that exposed rooms and suites carved from their interiors. The shuttle halted on a landing grid atop the largest one. She was guided to an entrance that swished open to allow them to go inside.

  Avatar Faeroe greeted them with a broad smile and wearing a flowing robe in many colors. “Welcome, Prince Ryker; it is good to see you. And you,” he continued as he faced her. “Princess Jana, it is a pleasure to see you again. I had no doubt you would find the perfect match here in our world. Ryker’s choice for a mate could not have been better.”

  “I am the fortunate one, sir, but thank you.”

  “Come, I have refreshments ready.”

  That meeting began what was a delightful evening and delicious dinner in luxurious surroundings and good company. Everyone was fooled by Jana’s charade of bliss and affection, and perhaps by that of the man with her.

  The huge ship left orbit and moved through the vast ocean of space as easily as a fish in water. Their journey was under way again.

  Jana sat reading in the plush quarters she had been given. It had been strange and difficult to sleep with “her husband” last night without speaking or touching. He had told her it was a necessary but not to be considered intimidating action. Perhaps it wasn’t for him, but it was for her, especially in her undecided state of mind.

  She dropped the book across her lap and stared into space. Was this trip designed to establish credibility of her marriage to Ryker? After she was accepted as “Princess Jana,” would he somehow fake Ryker’s death to make her the chemist’s heir? What then? Was Varian supposed to woo and wed the widow? Would he also try to convince her of Ryker’s fake death? Was he going to let her believe this charade forever, that she had shared this time period with Ryker and not a disguised Varian? Was that how her treacherous love planned to get out of duping her? Did he hope to convince her that she had been kidnapped, but that he had been powerless to rescue her against such a potent force, and been forced to play along with Ryker’s desires while he suffered over her loss? Did that space pirate who had abducted her like booty believe his power over her and his countless charms were so great that he could win her again?

  The object and desire of his secret mission had to be Trilabs. If that was his plan, he was in for a shock when he discovered his pursuit and lies wouldn’t work. If he thought that, he had overlooked the fact that once Jana became Ryker’s widow, she would be rich and powerful herself. She was also a free woman. Unless she was forgiving and agreeable, there was no way that Ryker’s holdings and secrets could be taken from her. She could always move Trilabs and herself to Androas where Kadim Maal would be their protection, and get her out of Commander Varian Saar’s reach. He couldn’t keep using her and discarding her, then expecting her to take him back. There would always be a next time for him to take the same or a similar course of action for a mission. There had to be a point when treachery and sacrifice and duty were too great a price to pay.

  Are you relaxed because you think I fell for that phony videotape, your lies, your tricks? You bastard! With the two men you left behind on Caguas, you’re now in charge of a vital resource. You have Trilabs in your possession, and everyone there is your man or under your control. You have the journals, complex, and all of the Trilonis’s secrets. Now, you’re going after your final treat: Kadim Maal for Maffei’s defense. It’s imperative to your charade that I believe you’re Ryker, so imperative that you’ll sacrifice our love and maybe our lives. Well, you heartless space demon, I’ll play your little game and see how you like a taste of deception. We’ll see how you like watching me come to hate you and to love your enemy. It’s your time to squirm and suffer anguish, and to beg to confess all to me. If you think I did a good acting job with Avatar Faeroe, you haven’t seen anything yet. Prepare yourself for a tormenting siege, Rogue Saar!

  Chapter Seven

  For three days, they played chess without wagers, exercised in the rec room, talked about their pasts, laughed and gravitated closer, enjoyed meals alone or with Captain Kagan while androids ran the ship, danced to romantic music, and shared a bed without making love. All the while, they played their deceitful roles without flaws and with charm.

  “Why isn’t a security team needed on this big ship?” she asked at dinner one night. “We have only one man and a few androids to protect us.”

  His eyes roamed her face as he replied, “Because of our weapons and whose ship this is, no one would dare attack me or it, here or anywhere.”

  He seemed arrogant and overly self-confident; no doubt he was trying to portray Ryker’s traits. But, they were his, too.

  With each passing day, Jana found ways to let him know she was receptive to another intimate encounter with him and even encouraged it. Why not? She enjoyed making love with the virile and handsome male. Besides, it might strengthen her hold on him, and would remind him of what they had shared and could have shared if he hadn’t betrayed her again.

  One morning, she awoke cuddled in his embrace. He was lying on his back with her curled to her side, her head and one arm resting on his broad chest. Her right leg was over his and nestled between his parted knees. She heard the steady thudding of his heart. She absorbed his warmth and manly smell. It felt wonderful, exciting, and arousing. She snuggled closer, took a long and dreamy sigh of contentment, and stroked his bare chest with her fingertips. He still slept with no pajama top but now used satiny bottoms to conceal his ample assets, the sensuous material feeling sexy against the flesh of her legs where her gown was hiked up.

  She glanced up at his face, then returned her head to his shoulder. Jana knew he was awake, though he didn’t speak or move or open his eyes. The tension in his muscles revealed that fact, as well as the pattern of his breathing. Her playful fingertips drew light circles and designs on his bronzed flesh. She flattened her hand to move her palm over the firm terrain: across his chest, over the joint of his shoulder, and down his strong arm. She lifted his left hand, carried it to her lips, and pressed several kisses to it, then used her bare foot to stroke his leg. She sighed once more and ceased her actions.

  Jana lay still in the confines of his arms, though she knew from the increased beating of his heart that she was affecting him. She longed to feel his strong and skilled hands caressing her body. She craved to fuse their mouths in heady kisses. She yearned to mate with him again: to seek, find, conquer passion’s pinnacle, and to bask in the sunny afterglow of that victory. She was tempted to seduce him with the skills he had taught her long ago, but she didn’t want to be the one to initiate their next union and, in an uncontrollable way, she wanted to torture him with what might have been. She wanted to provoke him into taking the first step toward their next bout of intimacy, enchant him into being unable to resist taking her. When he made no move to respond or to take the lead, she rose from the bed and entered the bathroom to shower and dress. She was miffed and surprised that he didn’t take what he obviously wanted.

  They reached orbit of Kudora: a strange planet of ice, snow, and cold winds; modem cities beneath gigantic clear bubbles that kept out the harsh elements of nature. She asked her companion how that could be possible when planets farther out were warm and green with abundant life.

  “Kudora orbits our sun faster than Therraccus before her. With Therraccus always between her and our solar source, Kudora is forever shadowed from our sun’s warming rays. They stay in alignment, one of the great mysteries of our star system. If Therraccus or Kudora ever changed their pace and position, the ice and snow would melt and flood the entire planet. Some call this wintry world Nature’s way of offering a variety of scenery and providing challenges for man to conquer.”

  Our? her mind echoed. “It is amazing and beautiful in its wildness.”

  Varian’s gaze drifted over her stunning profile and the tawny tresses that tumbled down her back. He stared at the multico
lored eyes of green, blue, and violet that were wide with wonder at the setting before them. He gazed at her golden skin, unmarred and slick as glass. “Yes, it is. One reason we can make this voyage so swiftly is because most of the outer planets are in full alignment this one time of year. All of our four stops are in a direct path toward Androas, or will be by the time we reach them.”

  She turned and smiled at him. “This trip is fun, not like …” She halted and lowered her lashes, then her head, as if she had made an error.

  He raised his hand to lift her chin and caress her cheek. He locked his gaze with hers. “It’s all right, Jana. You don’t have to guard every word you say to me. I’m happy you’re enjoying yourself. I know the last time you visited these places it was under terrible conditions. I don’t expect you to forget those humiliating days. I much prefer you speak your mind so I’ll know what you’re thinking and feeling. How else can I get to know you better?”

  You really mean, dupe you better! She put aside her anger to do her own duping. “I’m sure you don’t find it pleasant to hear about my past with him. I wish it didn’t exist, Ryker. I wish I were seeing all of this for the first time with you. But in a way, I am. Last time, it was short, horrible, and as a slave. This time …” She paused to laugh. “It’s still short, but it’s fun and I’m free.” It was crazy and unexpected, but her eyes teared at her lies and sad mood. She took advantage of the ridiculous happening. “You don’t know how much you’ve done for me and how much you mean to me. Thank you.”

  Varian wished she hadn’t said such stirring things to “Ryker” or slipped into “Ryker’s” arms for comfort and appreciation. Yet, he held her tightly, pressed kisses to her silky hair, and said, “I do know, Jana, I do.”

  His embrace wasn’t lengthy, and she knew why: he was becoming physically—and emotionally?—aroused. She let him escape to “departure tasks” for now, pleased with her own ruse and victory.