The Solar Flare

by Laura E. Collins

  “Don’t touch me!” She cried desperately.

  He backed off immediately, staring down at her with concerned eyes. Melanie arrived and knelt down by Ava and put a hand on her shoulder. Ava shrieked feeling the sensation of her energy and moved back to cling on to one of the seats nearby, resting her head on it. It took Melanie about two seconds to figure out what was wrong. She said something in another language quickly to Lucas, who sprinted off towards the medical evaluation room. He was back in a flash and handed Melanie a small medicine cup with a blue liquid in it.

  “Here Ava, take this, it will help you to feel better,” Melanie said gently, holding the cup out to her. Figuring it must be some type of sedative; she took the cup from her and tossed it back like it was a shot. She needed the sense of panic to end. After a minute she slowly slumped over onto Lucas, who was kneeling next to her, ready to catch her.

  “Okay, everybody just calm down!” Melanie ordered. “Let’s all take our energy down a few levels.”

  “What happened to her?” Xavier asked in a concerned voice.

  “It’s our energy, . . . she’s so sensitive to it. I don’t think she’s used to feeling it unchecked. She probably didn’t notice it before as much because she had the protection of Justin’s energy on board from that blood transfusion they gave her a few months ago.”

  “Will she be okay?”

  “She should be when she wakes up in a few hours. We should keep our energy muted as we do when we are in public as usual. Ava won’t feel so overwhelmed then. Lucas and I will take care of her,” Melanie answered.

  “Do you think that Robinson is really dead?” Lucas asked.

  Xavier inhaled and exhaled deeply. “I don’t know.”

  “Wouldn’t you have . . . felt something if he had died?”

  “I’m not sure.” He hesitated. “They had the Andromeda, or what was left of it. . . I don’t like any of this,” he said, shaking his head.

  “What should we do now?” Blayke asked.

  “This changes things,” he said slowly. “Even if Robinson isn’t dead, he is surely in a bad situation. There’s no excuse for how careless he’s been with Ava’s safety. I’m heading to the flight deck. . . . we’re going home,” Xavier replied resolutely.

  ∞

  Kaden, Torian, and Warren returned to the hangar after collecting more parts and equipment, just in time to see an unrecognizable black blur of a starship leaving far off in the distance.

  “Who the hell was that?” Kaden bellowed.

  “Feels like Robinson was here,” Torian suggested, looking around cautiously.

  “Cassidy!” Kaden shrieked as he ran over to her. Despite their bickering, she was occasionally his woman. “Who did this to you?” He demanded as he lifted her head up, surveying her injuries, knowing there was nothing more they could do; her energy had been spent.

  Cassidy coughed and spurted blood, losing the battle to breathe. She did not know the man who had done this to her, and she couldn’t think clearly as the fogginess of death overtook her mind. She knew who he felt like. “Robin . . .ssssonn,” she hissed faintly with her last dying breath as she finally gave out.

  The others sensed that her energy was depleted and then they felt her essence lift out of her body and dissipate into the atmosphere. Cassidy was gone. Warren walked over to Draves’ body lying on the ground a little bit further away, checking for signs of life.

  “He’s dead too,” he reported to the others. “It’s strange, there’s not even a mark on him.”

  “How could Robinson have found us so quickly? And why didn’t he stay and fight!” Kaden roared.

  Torian just shook his head. “I don’t understand why he wouldn’t he have tried to take his ship back,” he said looking at the Andromeda, that obviously had not been touched. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “He wants a fight! He’s messing with us, and he is going to pay for it! I’ll tell you what, once we overhaul this ship, I swear to you that I’m not stopping until he is dead!”

  Chapter 18: Sphene

  Ava opened her eyes and inhaled deeply, still groggy from the sedative she took. She sat up in the bed, noticing she was still dressed in the clothes she had put on to leave the Solstice. Then, she felt her face grow hot, and then the tears came as she remembered what had happened in the hangar. Could Wesley really be dead? What about the others? What should she do now? She felt drained, exhausted from feeling the energy of the new Asterions she was traveling with and from the two strangers in the hangar. She realized what Wesley had told her, that they kept their energy suppressed so as not to draw attention to themselves from human interactions. She did not feel the energy right now; perhaps they muted it after they realized what had happened to her. She thought of Xavier’s energy flowing through her in the hangar, it felt just as warm and thrilling as Wesley’s with a different twist. It had unintentionally opened a channel between them that she did not know how to close. She did not fear him. Somehow she knew that no matter what happened, he would not be a threat, nor would he harm her. Even so, watching him kill two Asterions had upset her. Wesley never talked about ending lives, she didn’t even want to imagine him doing that. In the next instant, she felt Xavier’s energy nearing and heard a light tap on the door.

  “Come in,” she said softly. He entered and walked over to her, handing her a glass of water, which she took.

  “I felt you wake up. Are you feeling better?”

  “I’m not sure better is the right word,” she replied as she wiped her tears away on the sheets. Then she took a long drink of the water.

  “I’m sorry if I scared you Ava. I needed to protect you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to. . . I don’t like taking lives, especially if they are Asterions. Tends to have the propensity for starting wars. . . Did you recognize them?” He sat down on the side of the bed and faced her.

  “No. I don’t know who they were,” she shook her head slowly.

  “I couldn’t leave them alive. They knew too much about you . . . especially that deranged older man. He could hear our thoughts.”

  Ava thought for a second. “Draves!”

  “Who?” Xavier shifted and leaned slightly towards Ava with an intense gaze, inhaling sharply.

  “Wesley said that Kaden chose someone named Draves to fight with him because he could hear the thoughts of those around him, even if they were in another ship, which would give him an advantage in battle,” she explained.

  “That must mean Kaden was nearby. I thought I could sense someone. . .”

  “We have to go back! If Kaden is there then . . .”

  Xavier interrupted her, shaking his head. “We’re not going back Ava.”

  “Why not?”

  “If that woman I killed was Kaden’s mate, he’ll come after me and my family. There is always retaliation. If Kaden and Draves were able to take the Andromeda away from Robinson, that’s all the proof I need to believe that he is gone. I’ve been thinking about this. That is also probably why Robinson didn’t come for you when you were trapped in the cave.”

  “No! I cannot believe it. He can’t die!” Ava felt herself beginning to panic, deeply disturbed by the recent turn of events.

  “Just because we are Asterions doesn’t mean we cannot die. Robinson should have told you this,” he said softly. She sensed he was tired, probably drained from what happened in the hangar.

  “If you won’t go back to Earth, you have to take me back to Kyanos! I need to see my family. I need to know whether or not he is really dead! I need to see Naomi!” Ava sobbed.

  Xavier put a gentle hand on Ava’s shoulder and rubbed her arm sympathetically. “Ava, please listen to me. Robinson is gone and Kaden is still alive. If your friends are still fighting, then they are involved in a turf battle over that planet. Wars like that can wage on for years. Robinson would want you to be safely out of harm’s reach.” He paused then started speaking again “I cannot take you back to one of the stations either because of
that virus that’s spreading around and because of the warrant out for your arrest. . . As if that weren’t enough, if Bryant finds you and discovers that I let you go he might try to kill you himself! And, if Kaden hated Robinson enough to destroy Orionis, imagine what he would do to you if he located you.”

  “But couldn’t you kill Kaden? I saw how powerful you are, you didn’t even have to lift a finger. . .” she trailed off with a shaky voice.

  “Believe me, . . . I’m exhausted. Telekinesis is extremely difficult, and it takes a significant amount of my concentration. Besides, that’s not the point. This isn’t my war. Kaden is not my enemy.”

  “What if Kaden comes after me?” Ava’s eyes widened in fear at the thought.

  “Then it becomes my problem and I’ll deal with him, you are part of our family now. But, I doubt that he will. There’s no one left alive back there to tell him what happened.”

  “I don’t understand why you can’t help my friends,” Ava pleaded.

  “Where was Robinson when I was fighting my own wars? Where was Robinson when I had the same problems?” Xavier asked, a slight irritation sounding in his voice. He softened and returned to his gentle and calm nature. “Ava, I know you and I got off on the wrong foot and it’s my fault. I am so sorry to have wronged you. However, things have changed and the only way that I know you will be safe is with me now.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m going to take you home with me.” Xavier raised his hand up and gently touched Ava’s tear streaked face, smoothing her hair back behind her ear. She closed her eyes. As much as she hated to admit it, he was making some sense. She didn’t know why, but his touch sort of appealed to her, it felt both soothing and comforting. If she didn’t know Xavier was there, it could have been Wesley touching her. She opened her eyes and studied him. She could feel his sincere concern for her.

  “And, maybe one day if it’s safe, we can try to locate your friends again,” he said sympathetically as he rose to let her grieve alone. Slowly she began to feel her raw, burning emotions dividing into two separate conflicting causes; one longing for Wesley, praying he was still alive, and one emerging for Xavier.

  Ava could not find the will to leave her quarters over the next few days as her new companions came and went, checking on her and bringing her food that she barely ate. She felt anxious and sorrowful over the news about Wesley. She could not be certain what that evil Asterion woman had said to them was true, but Xavier was right, the circumstances looked bleak. She felt her heart starting to break, knowing that whether or not he was still alive, there was no chance of being re-united with him now. One day, after a few ignored knocks on her door, Melanie came in to see her.

  “How are you doing Ava? We’re all pretty worried about you.”

  “I want to be alone. Can’t you all just leave me be?” Ava responded, irritated with everything happening around her.

  “I’m sorry that I disturbed you. I know you are going through a rough time right now . . . but it’s important that you come with me up to the medical evaluation room.”

  “Why?”

  “There are several vaccines I need to give you.”

  “Vaccines?”

  “Yes. It is for your protection once we land.”

  “Where are we going?” Melanie had Ava’s attention now. She sat up on the side of the bed, feeling a little anxious.

  “Our home is a planet called Sphene. We’ve spent a long time developing it and it is not known to the ITO or the general human population. It will be very peaceful there for you.” Melanie smiled proudly. “However, you might be exposed to some things you have no natural immunity to so I’m being extra careful. Come on,” she gestured for Ava to rise and come with her, which Ava did without question.

  Once in the evaluation room Ava sat down in the same recliner she had been in upon her arrival on the ship. She watched as Melanie produced two syringes that she had pre-filled. She was so emotionally numb from everything that had happened she barely flinched as Melanie administered the two injections. Then Ava took a small nasal device, yet another vaccine, and inhaled its contents sharply.

  Afterwards, feeling depressed over her situation, and being sore from the vaccines, she went back to her quarters to try and rest. The next day, Ava ventured out to find some breakfast. Melanie found her and asked her if she would like to come with her in a few hours to observe their arrival on Sphene. Having recently seen one landing on a foreign planet was amazing enough for a common human, now having the opportunity to see a second one, Ava could not resist the invitation. They sat silently in the observation deck as they approached a planet a little bit larger than Kyanos, from what she could tell. The atmosphere had a slightly greenish haze, which Melanie explained to her was from the vast green tropical forests and large oceans with green plant life living in the shallow portions.

  As they descended she observed a large sparkling gulf in the shape of a crescent moon, and as they came closer she saw a large white hangar inland, but still near the water. Nicholas landed the Solstice expertly in the hangar that was so familiar to them and within minutes they were all congregating near the entrance ramp, waiting to go outside. The ship’s hum faded as it powered down and the ramp silently lowered to the ground. A blast of hot, humid air hit Ava as she followed James and the others into the covered hangar. Lots of people dressed in uniforms moved about here and there, working on things, and some had come to inspect the Solstice. Far off on the other side of the hangar, Ava could see another smaller starship in the final stages of completion.

  James conversed casually with some of the uniformed personnel for several minutes in a language she found sounded familiar, but still foreign to her. She felt he seemed relaxed as he came to lead her and the others out of the hangar to a small hover-craft like car similar to the couriers on Kyanos. Ava squinted in the sun and felt awkward in the hot, humid atmosphere, which was a great contrast from the frigid cold of outer space. The drive was short, only about ten minutes before they reached a dock on the green hued gulf. James parked the vehicle in an empty spot, which was apparently assigned to them, and hopped out. He shed his long black coat, draping it over his arm, as he helped Ava out of the back. At the dock, the party walked up to a large open-aired boat. After everyone was situated, James took the wheel and revved it up. He slowly backed away from the dock and then they shot out across the water towards the opposite shore. Ava’s hair whipped wildly around from the wind and James’ half-buttoned un-tucked shirt billowed about him as they sped towards their receiving dock.

  After what seemed like twenty to thirty minutes or so, they pulled up and Blayke hopped out, securing the boat with two different ties. Ava noticed there were two Asterion women waiting for them on land. The boat rocked unsteadily due to the rough waters and the wind making exiting the boat difficult. James took hold of Ava to steady her assent onto the wooden platform since she was not used to this. Once everyone was safely out of the boat, she witnessed Blayke embrace a woman with light brown curly hair and freckles. Nicholas kissed a woman with medium length black hair and hazel eyes. After a few moments, all eyes turned to Ava, and they were all smiling warmly.

  “Ava, I’d like to introduce you to my family. Lucas and Melanie of course, and Nicholas Felton you know. This is his wife, Lizeth,” he said gesturing to the woman with the black hair.

  “Welcome to Sphene Ava, we are so happy that you are here,” she said genuinely.

  “Blayke’s wife is Emma Lindstrom,” he gestured to the woman with the curly hair and freckles.

  “I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said, coming over to shake Ava’s hand.

  Everyone seemed to stare at Ava with pleased expressions on their faces. Ava felt a little overwhelmed. She seldom liked being the center of attention. Over the last week she had been getting used to everyone’s energy, but the two new Asterion women engulfing her was almost too much. The stress of things weighed heavily upon her. Her energy was low, she felt de
pressed over mourning and being separated from Wesley and her family, and she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown from feeling all of the energy from these new Asterions. After all, they were beings that she had never even known existed until a little over a month ago. She had barely eaten anything since the incident in the hangar on Earth and it showed in her frail and lifeless appearance.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” she managed to respond. She wasn’t really sure what to say to them. Technically she had been kidnapped and taken away from her home and her family. James had saved her life twice, and even though deep down she knew things were a bit more complicated than that, she still felt bitter over the whole thing. Ava gazed around her new surroundings in wonder and noticed two more vehicles parked nearby. James put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  “I know this is a lot to take in right now. Come, let’s get you home.”

  She walked with him, Nicholas, and Lizeth towards one of the courier-looking type of vehicles while Melanie, Lucas, Blayke, and Emma went towards the other one.

  “What do you call these?” She asked James, looking at the vehicle.

  “Velas, they run mostly on solar power.”

  “I’ll come and see you tomorrow,” Melanie said to Ava, touching her arm as she walked past her towards the other Vela.

  Lizeth drove them along the coast while Ava stared out at the scenery zipping by. She noticed the lush tropical environment and a fairly well-developed city interspersed with a few isolated homes spaced out further back into the land. After a few minutes Lizeth pulled up in front of some enormous scrolling black gates with beautiful chrome colored accents. She continued on through after they opened. They coasted along a lengthy drive through a neatly manicured green lawn with flowering trees and shrubs. The sweet fragrance of the blooms cheered her a little. She watched as some strange looking brightly colored insects flew about, landing here and there on the flowers. After pulling around another bend Ava saw a massive white stoned structure with large elaborate archways and a sparkling gray solar panel tiled roof. There were several covered balconies along the upper level resting under some of the beautiful crystal clear glass windows. Lizeth pulled up to the immaculate stone staircase that led to the large front door and stopped the vehicle.