Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars

by Melisse Aires

  "For the last two years, we've been working with an impostor," Seth slowly realized.

  "Your commander has been well-hidden by the Mihun. Even I do not know where Charles is," Balise said.

  "So Megan Gatewood had nothing to do with me," Mack said.

  "Not at all," Balise shook his head.

  "It was an excuse to bring Maddie to the base," John said.

  "So the Mihun hired the Gorium?" Maddie asked.

  "That is what I believe," Balise stated.

  "The Mihun found out about Mack's satellite system and one of them posed as Commander Westlake to sell the system to the Jendi. Found out about Maddie and was going to sell information learned from her to the highest bidder. The fake Commander hired the Gorium to smoke her out. Am I following correctly?" Seth asked.

  "Indeed." Balise nodded.

  "Crazy." Seth shook his head.

  "Your synopsis is correct regarding your counterpart. The Mihun leader plans to create a ruthless and disposable army which he can sell to the highest bidder. You," Balise pointed a thin finger at Maddie. "You are a very wanted woman. There is a bounty on your head, and you are more valuable dead."

  "I'm not sure if that is supposed to be comforting or not," Maddie leaned against John.

  "It is factual," Balise said.

  "No, I believe you," Maddie stated.

  "How did the Mihun find out about the satellite?" Jackson wondered.

  "The Mihun are quite adept at getting top secret information. Once this is completed, I will endeavor to assist in strengthening your security protocols," Balise answered.

  "Thank you." Mack sighed.

  "The files handed to you by the Mihun also contain the results of the tests they ran on you. It could be of help in the future," Balise noted.

  "That's good to know. So our mission is clear. We need to track down the Mihun and stop them," John said.

  "It's not that clear, John.” Jackson disagreed. “We don't know where he went after we rescued Maddie."

  "I may not know the location of the real Charles Westlake, but I do know the Mihun posing as him went to the planet Veernon," Balise informed them.

  "Veernon. The Gorium home world," John flatly said.

  "We're going to need reinforcements if we are going to go to Veernon for answers," Jackson stated.

  "We can't, Jackson. We can't contact Earth. We don't know what Commander Westlake said about us," Mack pointed out.

  "For all we know, our people are searching for us," Seth said.

  "Right...to kill us," John answered.

  Maddie breathed in deeply, trying to calm her nerves. John tightened his arm around her. She turned and hid her face in his chest, shuddering involuntarily.

  "I'm not going to let him hurt you again," John whispered.

  "I know," she replied.

  "I wish I could offer assistance but as you know, my race does not fare well in combat," Balise said.

  "We know, friend. Thank you," Mack smiled toward the little alien.

  "First things first, Maddie's arm," John stated.

  "Yes, of course. May I take a look?" Balise asked.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The men cleared the room to give them more space to work, leaving behind Mack, Balise, and Maddie.

  "This is extraordinary," Balise said after Maddie had removed her wrap.

  "I would have been fascinated if it wasn't me," she commented.

  "See, I said something similar and you would have thought I said something awful," Mack said.

  Maddie couldn't help but grin a little over Mack's enthusiasm.

  "Trust me, I get it," Maddie nodded.

  "We would be able to create a synthetic arm. I had hoped to grow you one, but there is not enough remaining tissue to do so," Balise told her.

  "Grow? You can grow human tissue?" Maddie asked.

  "I was hoping to," Balise told her.

  "Alright, then. Let's get to building me a robot arm," Maddie said.

  Balise took a scan of Maddie's left arm and her remaining limb as Mack began drawing up the mechanics for the replacement arm. The abandoned facility did not have the parts needed, but Balise was able to beam down what they needed from his ship. Maddie was fascinated as she watched the two of them work.

  "I really appreciate this," Maddie sheepishly told Balise.

  "I have been told this is what friends do," Balise replied.

  Maddie smiled gratefully toward the little alien.

  Mack and Balise worked for several hours, creating a new arm for her.

  "And you are sure this is going to work?" Maddie questioned.

  "I'm sure there will be a learning curve, but I'm confident," Mack said.

  "We don't have time for a learning curve," Maddie pointed out.

  "You are a fast learner." Mack winked.

  Maddie eyed the robotic arm suspiciously.

  Mack connected the robotic arm to her computer to test its reflexes. Maddie marveled as she watched the metal fingers move at a touch.

  "Remarkable," she said in awe.

  "Why are you so surprised?” Mack playfully asked. “You are an engineer. This should be kid stuff for you."

  "It is. But that is going to be attached to me. I'm going to be part android. You can't say that," Maddie said.

  "You got me there." Mack shrugged.

  Once the arm tested successfully, it was time to put the synthetic skin on it.

  "I was able to successfully mimic your skin tone and texture. To the naked eye, it will look natural," Balise told her.

  "Except in swim suit weather," Maddie said.

  "Don't be that way. You could have a metal arm and really stand out," Mack said.

  "Valid point," Maddie nodded.

  Mack built an insertion point at the stump to connect the arm with the rest of Maddie's body.

  "I have created something special for you. Here," Mack said, pushing a microscope to Maddie.

  Maddie eyed Mack for a moment before peering into the microscope. Maddie looked at small, tiny organisms moving in a dish.

  "I call them nanites. I specially created them. Tiny, computer organisms are going to be how your new arm will work. With the nanites, the electrons in your brain will now be able to control your arm with this." Mack tapped the metal band on the insertion.

  "I kind of figured that," Maddie rolled her eyes.

  "Smart mouth," Mack said, slapping Maddie on her left shoulder.

  "You know, since we found out that we can make physical contact without either of us dying, you do that all too often," Maddie said, rubbing her shoulder.

  "Wuss," Mack teased.

  The two women stared at each other for a moment before simultaneously sticking their tongues out at each other.

  "Interesting," Balise said, watching the two of them.

  "What?" The women asked in unison.

  "Watching you two together is very intriguing. You do not respond to each other like I would have thought," Balise said.

  "We're just joking with each other," Mack smiled.

  "I am aware. It is not something I am used to coming from you, Mackenzie," Balise said.

  "What does that mean?" Mack placed her hands defensively on her hips.

  Maddie covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing.

  "Do not take offense, Mackenzie. Our interactions together have been very task oriented. There has not been a lot of...teasing involved. It is nice to see you being playful," Balise replied.

  Mack wrinkled up her nose as she finished securing the insertion piece to Maddie.

  "Are you finished yet?" Maddie asked.

  "Nearly," Mack answered.

  Mack poked Maddie with the needle that she was using to connect the piece.

  "Ow, woman." Maddie glared.

  "Wimp," Mack replied.

  Balise shook his head.

  Maddie couldn't tell, but she thought the alien was smiling.

  "Alright, let's do this thing," Mack joyfully said.
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  Mack picked up the newly-created arm and connected it to the insertion piece. For a moment, the robotic arm laid limp at Maddie's side.

  "How do you feel?" Mack asked.

  "Weird," Maddie replied.

  "Try to move your arm," Balise said.

  Maddie moved her body from side to side, causing the right arm to swing.

  "It feels foreign," Maddie said.

  "That is to be expected," Balise said.

  Maddie sucked on her bottom lip as she was able to flex her fingers on both hands. Slowly, she made her hands into fists. The moment the thought came to her raise her arm, and it did it automatically.

  "Whoa!" Maddie was surprised by how fast her arm came up.

  "Yeah, it's going to take some time to get used to," Mack nodded.

  "You know, I have worked in robotics for a few years and created my fair share of robotic arms for lab work, but this is the first time I have really experienced it. It's surreal. And this is my life now," Maddie commented.

  "In a way, I'm kind of jealous," Mack said.

  "I can cut your arm off so you can be just like me," Maddie offered.

  "I'll get back to you on that." Mack laughed.

  #

  "Hey guys," Maddie waved as they rejoined the team.

  "It works!" Seth exclaimed, looking astonished.

  "I am hurt, Seth. Your lack of faith in me is disturbing," Mack told him.

  Maddie giggled a little at the jest. Seth looked at her in disbelief.

  "This is a tease. You are mocking me," Seth said.

  "Uh huh," Mack said, sliding her arm around Jackson's waist.

  "Did something happen? Did you bump your head? Did Balise do something to your brain?" Seth asked.

  "Balise left after we got her arm functioning. Maddie is going to be okay, I'm here with the people I care about the most, and I'm ready to do this," Mack said.

  Even Maddie was taken aback by Mack's good mood. It seemed odd and out of place, considering the mission they were getting ready to embark on.

  "Look, guys, I'm fine. I'm just relieved to have Maddie back and we have her in one piece again. The sooner we can stop this impostor Westlake, the sooner we can find the real Charlie and bring him home. I want to get this over with." Mack explained.

  "We all do. Let's get down to it." Jackson agreed.

  The group sat down a little while later to discuss strategy over food pellets. Maddie had excused herself and wandered around what was left of the facility.

  "Hey," she heard John's gentle voice behind her as she stared out a broken window to the dead planet.

  "Hey," she said, not looking over at him.

  John slid his arms around her waist and buried his nose in her hair.

  "You smell like jasmine," he breathed her scent in. "Are you okay?" he asked.

  "I could ask you the same thing."

  "I think there is more to this story than we know. I hope we find out the rest. But everything points to this impostor being a danger. Not just to you and Mack but to the entire galaxy. We have a duty to perform, Maddie."

  "And what about me? What am I to do?" she asked.

  "You are a part of this team, Maddie."

  "You are not worried the clone will get in the way?"

  John's hands gripped her momentarily before they slipped from her waist and moved to her shoulders. Gently, he turned her around to gaze down at her.

  "Look at me," his voice calm and gentle.

  Slowly, Maddie looked up and met his eyes.

  "You are so much more than that."

  "Right. Which is apparently enough to get Mack and me killed."

  "You are special. So much more than science or biology. To me, you are perfect."

  Maddie couldn't help but crack a smile. The twinkle in his eye made her blush. She stroked his chin, loving the stubble of a beard beginning to form.

  "I like this. You should keep this when we get back home," she said.

  John smiled lovingly at her.

  "I'm going to do everything I can to protect you, Maddie. I love you."

  "I know. I love you, too."

  "I know. Listen, we're going to get through this. This is not the time of our deaths. This isn't the end."

  Maddie nodded, a lump forming in her throat.

  "And when this is all over, you'll have a choice to make," he said.

  "Whether to stay or..."

  "Or to resume your other life," John finished her thought.

  "Right." She broke away from his gaze.

  "Maddie," John's voice called her back to him. "You will have that choice to make. And I hope you think long and hard about it. I want to give you something to consider."

  His hand gently caressed her cheek, making the lump in her throat slightly bigger. "Marry me."

  "Excuse me?" she asked, shocked.

  "Consider me. Marry me. Think about it."

  Before she could say anything, he dipped his head down and met her lips. Her breath caught in her chest as she got lost in his kiss. Someone from behind cleared their throat, causing them to break apart.

  "Sorry, you two. Mack says we're leaving in twenty minutes. She wants to see you, Maddie," Seth informed them.

  "Thanks for that, brother," John said, a slight edge in his voice.

  Maddie poked him in the ribs, causing John to smile slightly.

  #

  "Seth said you wanted to see me?" Maddie asked Mack, shutting the door to the computer room behind her.

  "Yes. I just wanted to check to see how you are doing," Mack said.

  Maddie sat down in one of the computer chairs and sighed.

  "I guess so. I mean, yes. I'm alright. It's just a lot."

  "I know. And you just met him, too."

  "Feels like I've known him forever though."

  "I understand how you feel. It shocked me, and I don't get shocked easily. It's really shaken Jackson. They were particularly close," Mack said.

  "Shaken Jackson? He cares that much?" Maddie asked in disbelief.

  "Of course he cares that much. We all do. I just wish I knew when exactly the Mihun took him," Mack sighed.

  "Oh. Oh!" Maddie's eyes lit up.

  "What?"

  "You're talking about the Commander."

  "Of course. What did you think I was talking about?"

  Maddie looked away from her, blushing.

  "You have some news? Some good news?" Mack prompted.

  "Yeah, I think so." Maddie looked back at Mack, smiling.

  "So, spill!" Mack encouraged.

  "John proposed," Maddie told her.

  Mack squealed in delight. Maddie couldn't help but giggle.

  "Oh, Maddie!" Mack jumped up and threw her arms around the other woman.

  Mack squeezed her so tightly that air rushed from Maddie's lungs. By the time they pulled away, Maddie's cheeks were bright pink.

  "What did you say?" Mack asked.

  "I didn't get a chance. John kissed me then Seth interrupted," Maddie told her.

  "What are you going to say?"

  Maddie bit her lip. "I want to say yes," she admitted.

  "So you aren't going to go back?"

  "I don't know. I want to say yes but at the same time..." Maddie said.

  "Home is difficult to resist. Yeah, I understand that."

  Mack hugged her again. "You are part of my family. This is a family, Maddie. I would be thrilled if you stayed."

  "Really? It wouldn't be weird having your clone around?" Maddie asked.

  Mack shrugged. "Not my clone. My sister."

  "That means...wow." Maddie was truly taken back by Mack's words.

  Maddie could tell by the sincere look on Mack's face that the agent meant her words. She felt honored this woman she looked up to and aspired to be held her in such high regard.

  "Come, we've got some work to do," Mack said, grabbing Maddie's arm.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Once the team finished their prep, Seth began the systems checks a
nd they were off. The flight to Veernon seemed to go by quicker than Maddie had anticipated. She had spent most of the flight contemplating John's proposal and hoped to have reached a decision before they got to their destination. But before she knew it, Seth alerted her they had entered the system.

  The team knew they would be facing resistance the closer they came to the planet. As if on cue, several fighters emerged from the planet's surface. Some lightning fast maneuvering from Seth brought the team safely down to the ground.

  The team covered their ship with tree branches the best they could and proceeded on foot to a small village on the outskirts of the city. They hid in an abandoned barn, watching the sky overhead fill with enemy fighters searching for them.

  "Great flying, Brooks," Mack sincerely said.

  Seth visibly suppressed a grin as he shrugged.

  "Alright, the first part of the plan is in effect. Looks like most of the fighters are in the air. How long until the ground assault begins their search?" John asked.

  "I would say we have a twenty minute head start on that," Mack estimated.

  "Where can we hide?" Seth asked.

  "I've got an idea," Maddie said, picking up a shovel that was lying against the barn wall.

  The team grabbed several other shovels and dug a hole in the dirt floor of the barn, then covered the gap with loose straw and several boards that were laying around.

  After an hour of hiding out in the hole, they heard loud yelling and footsteps above them. They crouched down lower in the hole as dirt and grass fell on their heads but their hiding spot remained undisturbed. No one breathed until the footsteps disappeared. It was another hour before anyone dared to move from their spot.

  "Good thinking, Rhodes," Jackson told Maddie as they climbed out of the hole.

  "Thanks. How do we plan on getting into the city undiscovered? We don't exactly blend in here," Maddie asked.

  "Don't worry, I have a plan," Mack winked.

  "Oh Lord, I have a bad feeling about this," Maddie winced.

  Under the cover of darkness, the team slipped quietly through the village toward a large stone building crawling with Gorium warriors.

  "I hope you have your running shoes on," Mack whispered to Maddie.

  "I really hate you right now," Maddie whispered back.

  Mack chuckled, undaunted by her counterpart's attitude.