by Jim Laughter
“We have to lift soon,” Stan said from the doorway. “Leatha got a call that we’re needed upstairs.”
Delmar looked back at Abby and then fished around in one of his pockets. “Here are a few messages I need you to deliver to Walter, Doctor Murphy, and the Sheriff,” Delmar said and pressed the envelopes into her hand. “And one for you. But don’t read it until you’re alone in your room.”
The bewildered and saddened girl nodded her agreement, but refused to speak for fear of breaking down in front of Del’s friend.
Delmar started toward Stan and then thought of something. Returning to where Abby was still standing, tears streaming down her face, he gently took her hand.
“Grab your jacket and come with me for a minute,” Delmar said, leading her to the door. “I want to show you something.”
“Delmar,” Stan said. “Are you sure this is such a good idea?”
“Probably not,” answered Delmar. “But I think I owe it to her.”
Together, the two troopers and Abby stepped out of the hanger and into the cold night. A short hike into the hills surrounding the airpark brought them to a small hidden vale. Topping the rise above it, Abby let out a gasp when she looked below her.
Resting there in the starlight was the Aurora, the stars reflecting off of her sleek black hull. Delmar continued to lead Abby down to the ship just as Leatha came out to greet Stan with a kiss. Abby’s eyes took in the unbelievable sight of the ship.
“My ship is almost identical to this one, but still has to be repaired,” Delmar offered, leading her toward it.
Catching up with Stan, Delmar introduced Abby to Leatha. Since she hadn’t any exposure to Abby’s language, Leatha let Delmar translate her greeting and thanks for Abby’s care of Delmar during his time of need. She also let him know what an incredibly stupid and dangerous idea it was for him to let a person from a closed planet get this close to an Axia ship. If their superiors found out about it, they’d be in deeper water than they cared to tread.
“We have to go, Delmar,” Leatha said to him in Axia standard.
“I know. Give us a moment. I’ll be right there.”
Stan and Leatha stepped back inside the Aurora while Delmar led Abby back up to the top of the ridge.
Delmar held Abby close, allowing her to spend her tears on his chest. He felt silent sobs buckle her shoulders and knew that he could never forsake this girl. Pushing her back to arm’s length, he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Don’t worry, baby. My ship has plenty of room for two. I’ll be back.”
“You mean you will come and take me away to live among the stars someday?” Abby asked, a tear trickling down her cheek.
“That’s exactly what I mean,” Delmar promised. “But you have to promise me that you will not discuss my true identity with anyone, not even Doctor Murphy."
"But why?” objected Abby. “You know he’ll be concerned.”
“I know,” Delmar answered. “But knowledge of the Axia on a preindustrial world could be devastating to its normal evolutionary progress.”
He backed away from Abby for a moment.
“Now promise me that it’s just our little secret.”
Nodding her understanding, she promised to keep their secret until he could return to take her to the stars.
From inside the ship, Leatha kept an eye on the couple who stood there talking in the starlight.
“You know what I think,” she asked Stan who was also watching.
“I never do,” Stan replied teasingly. “What?”
“I think someone has finally found the way into Delmar’s heart.”
“Well, it’ll be interesting,” Stan commented. “With her being from a closed planet, it adds certain complications.”
“They can be worked around,” Leatha said when she saw Delmar start back toward the ship alone.
Minutes later Delmar was aboard and Leatha slowly lifted the Aurora into the sky. Below them they could still see the lone woman standing on the ridge, her arm raised in a wave.
Abby watched the mysterious ship lift silently into the night sky. It accelerated quickly upward and was soon lost among the stars. She stood there for a while thinking about all that Del had just said to her. Or was his name Delmar? No, she like Del better. She preferred to think of him by the name of the man that she had fallen in love with.
Abby made her way slowly back to the airpark and through the town beyond. Safely tucked away in her coat pocket was the envelope she would open when she was finally alone in her room.
∞∞∞
Another girl was just then staring at her computer screen while she waited for a reply. Since Ert’s brief message informing her of Delmar’s rescue, she’d been anxious to know more. Finally, her screen cleared and the familiar font of her now regular teacher appeared.
HELLO, MELISSA. HOW CAN I HELP YOU TONIGHT? I SUSPECT IT DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR STUDIES.
I’M CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DELMAR.
HE’S DOING WELL, Ert answered. HE AND HIS SHIP WERE BOTH RESCUED AND ARE NOW ABOARD A RETRIEVER SHIP. STAN INFORMED ME THAT THE CABBAGE PATCH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE SHIPYARDS ON THETA FOR REPAIRS.
THAT’S GOOD TO HEAR, Melissa typed with relief. I’M GLAD I COULD HELP.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE GLAD, AND PROUD, Ert replied. I MADE SURE THAT YOUR PART IN THIS RESCUE WAS ENTERED INTO THE PERMANENT RECORD.
Melissa blushed at the compliment.
IF YOU THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, she entered. PLEASE SEND MY BEST WISHES ALONG TO DELMAR.
IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE, Ert answered. I AM POSTING IT WITH HIS MESSAGES NOW. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?
NO, THAT’S IT FOR TONIGHT.
The computer screen blinked as Ert broke the connection from his end.
Melissa crossed her room and climbed back into her bed. Now that she felt better about Delmar, she could concentrate on other worries, like Ert’s suggestion that I apply to a private university after I receive my graduation certificate, Melissa thought as she turned out her light.
Rolling over, she tried to go to sleep while thoughts of the future danced in her mind.
∞∞∞
The night was cold. The tribal elder stepped out into the stillness. He had been troubled ever since the visit by the two men asking about the carvings. Just that afternoon a messenger brought back word that the thing was gone from the cave. Deep in thought, the elder walked along and pondered these things until a motion caught his eye.
Looking upward into the night sky, he saw a shiny bit of light race toward the distant stars above. He continued to watch until it slowed and merged with a large star that had strangely appeared in the sky two nights ago. While he watched, he saw it move through the heavens until it was lost from sight amid the other heavenly lights. Somehow he knew the moving stars and the two strange men were connected.
∞∞∞
After delivering the messages for Delmar, Abby headed slowly back to Mrs. Milton’s boarding house. All that she’d seen and heard tonight raced through her mind as she walked through the darkness. She reached to where the light from the rooming house windows shone on the frozen ground. Part of her wanted to race inside and open the envelope. Part of her didn’t.
She looked up again into the night sky in the direction that she’d seen her love depart in the marvelous ship. Somehow, the sight of the stars now brought her peace where before there had been confusion.
Abby slowly walked into the boarding house and climbed the stairs to her room where she could read the note from Del.
Epilogue
Stan Shane and George Citti entered the base chapel through a side alcove while Delmar escorted Agnes through the main door and up the center aisle. After she was seated, he moved over next to Stan. They looked resplendent in their dress black uniforms.
Reverends Jake and Sherry Sender rose from their seats at the side of the platform and moved to the front. The music changed to an elegant processional and the audienc
e turned and watched as one by one the bridesmaids marched regally up the aisle.
When they were all in place, the music shifted to the traditional wedding march. Everyone rose and turned to see the bride, Leatha, glide slowly down the aisle, escorted by Robert Hassel, standing in for a father she’d lost many years ago in a Red-tail raid on her home planet. The train of her beautiful white dress trailed elegantly behind her.
She looks wonderful, Delmar thought. If for only a moment, she’s stopped being a warrior and has become a fairy tale princess bride. He threw a sidelong glance at Stan and recognized the sight of love in his eyes.
When the wedding march ended and the actual ceremony began, Delmar found his mind wandering to thoughts of Abby and what he wanted to tell her on his next visit to Panay.
Books of the Galactic Axia
Adventure Series
1. Escape to Destiny
Kindle
2. The Horicon Experience
Kindle
3. Space Trader
Kindle
4. First Contact
Kindle
5. The Wounded Warrior
Kindle
6. Trooper Down
Kindle
7. The Search
Coming soon
Ghost Series
1. Ghost in the Dark
Kindle
2. The Blue Ghost
Coming soon
Other books by Jim Laughter
From Victim to Hero:
The Untold Story of Steven Stayner
(True story of the Steven Stayner kidnapping)
Kindle
The Apostle Murders
(Keller & Morris Book 1)
Kindle
A Killer in Time
(Keller & Morris Book 2)
Kindle
Polar City Red
(Climate fiction)
Kindle
∞∞∞
http://www.jimlaughter.com