GALLANT (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 3)

by Marilyn Campbell

  A moment later her thankful prayer became a plea for help. The goggles functioned well enough for her to make out the shapes of a number of spacecraft in the distance. But they weren't individually distinguishable and they were spread out over a large area.

  Which one was Gallant's? Which direction had she and Gallant come from? Without being able to see, she hadn't had any way of getting her bearings or noting the markings on the ground that were visible with the goggles.

  Panic began setting in as she imagined hearing the seconds ticking loudly by. If she headed for the wrong ship, she could waste the entire five minutes. She stared at the markings again, comprehending that they were directional arrows pointing toward the tunnel from one of the craft, but that was of no help to her now.

  Cherry? It is Mar-Dot. Please excuse my unauthorized intrusion.

  Thank you, God!

  I cannot read your thoughts, but I am sensing a strong disturbance around the captain and have the distinct impression he cannot hear me.

  Cherry's frustration mounted with each of Mar-Dot's words. They had no way of knowing how precious each second was, and she couldn't tell them the problem.

  I assume vision is still limited out there, but I'm mentally fixed on Gallant, and as long as he is with you, I should be able to bring you both in using my built-in navigational ability. Turn ninety degrees to your right. Take a few steps. Good. Angle slightly to your left. Too much. Excellent. Keep walking straight now.

  Cherry picked up her pace as much as she could and practically tripped over the lead line that had been hooked to Gallant's belt. Grabbing the end of it, she gave it a jerk and felt it tug her along like the retractable cord to an old Outerworld vacuum cleaner.

  A few steps short of the ship's door, it opened and the stairway came down to meet her. With a renewed burst of energy, she leapt up the stairs and hauled Gallant inside. The narrow corridor was sealed off from the bridge and cabins as it had been for their deboarding.

  You will have to remain in there for two minutes for complete detoxification.

  Cherry lowered Gallant to the floor and banged on the door blocking her from the bridge. "We don't have two minutes!" she shouted. "Take off now!"

  She wasn't certain she was heard until she felt the merest vibration in her feet. It rapidly built to a low hum and she knew they were lifting off-planet. Suddenly a tremendous explosion sounded and the ship listed violently to one side then the other. Cherry slammed into a wall and was thrown to the floor on top of Gallant.

  A powerful gravitational pull paralyzed her in place and the ship seemed to be spinning in circles. Just when she was certain they would crash, the pull ended and the ship stabilized.

  The detox light overhead burned a bright red then orange, paled to yellow and faded off. Another minute passed before the doors on both sides of the corridor slid back into the wall and Cherry rolled off Gallant. Getting to her feet was not so easy.

  "Dot," she called toward the bridge. "I could use some help whenever you can leave the controls." Though she only had to wait a short while before the he-she came to her, she managed to get hopelessly twisted in the voluminous shield in the meantime.

  "Oh my," Dot said gaping at a silver-shrouded Cherry and the cocoon on the floor. "What happened?"

  "You name it! Help get me out of this contraption. I've got to get Gallant to his bunk before he comes to." While Dot helped free them of the shrouds and they carried Gallant to his room, Cherry gave them a very condensed version of everything that had happened since they'd left the ship yesterday, concluding with an explanation of the explosion. From the magnitude of the subsequent fireball Dot described, the tunnel itself would definitely be gone and, more than likely, the caverns below would have collapsed as well.

  Dot was unflustered by the fact that Gallant was nude beneath the shield or that he was semi-erect. She was familiar with the type of drug he had been given and even helped Cherry fix a few trays of food to take into the captain's cabin in preparation for a long, exhausting stay.

  After Mar-Dot was up to date, Cherry said, "I remember it took three days between Norona and Lore, but between Earth and Norona we detoured to Zoenid. How many days does a straight shot take?"

  "With the stardrive, we can make it from Norona to Earth in five days," Mar replied proudly. "However, Norona is out of the way from here. Earth is also a five-day journey from Lore in a different direction. I do not believe the captain will be in any shape to make a decision for some time. I suggest we head straight to Earth and the captain can contact the Consociation Regent by interstellar communication on the way."

  "Nonsense," argued Dot. "Anyone could be listening in. There are still twelve days left until the rendezvous, and even if the captain got tied up on Norona, Josep told Cherry that Bessima will go to the appointed spot every day until the Princess shows up. We should plot a course for Norona."

  "And what if we encounter some unforeseen problem?" Mar countered. "Or Bessima decides not to show up again after the first day? We should not take any chances—"

  "Whoa, guys!" Cherry said with a laugh. "I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that you two could be sharing the same brain and never agree on anything."

  "We agree on many things," Mar said.

  "Hardly ever," Dot retorted.

  "Enough already!" Cherry exclaimed. "Head for Norona. When Gallant comes out of it, I'll take the responsibility." A low moan caught her attention. "Speaking of which..."

  Dot grinned and said, "Do not hesitate to call for me if you find you need a break."

  Cherry smiled back and winked. "Thanks, hon, but I think I can handle it." She entered Gallant's cabin and closed the door behind her. At least part of Josep's suggestion had worn off. Gallant was no longer lying on his bunk like a corpse. He was moaning and thrashing from side to side. When he kicked the sheet away from his body, she could also see that his erection was no longer being restrained either.

  Without hesitation, she pulled off the rough sack she'd been wearing. As she lay down and embraced him, his skin felt feverish against hers. The physical contact ripped away the last of the suggestion. His eyes popped open and he frantically took in his surroundings.

  He made a sound like a wounded animal and Cherry hugged him as hard as she could. "It's okay, love. You're safe. We're on your ship heading home and I'm here for you."

  Again he attempted to speak but the sound he made against her neck could only be described as mournful. As if she heard his thoughts she answered him. "You won't hurt me."

  Countless hours passed before the drug dissipated sufficiently for his lust to subside and they were both able to rest.

  As they settled into what had become their regular sleeping position, he whispered, "You called me love."

  "Did not," she murmured back.

  "Did. I heard you. And you know what?"

  "Hmmm?"

  "I love you too."

  She knew she should contradict him but she was simply too tired, and besides, it was probably only some leftover effect of the drug making him talk crazy.

  Gallant was pulled out of the last shreds of sleep by the awareness that he was alone... and it was not a comfortable feeling.

  His muscles complained as he stretched out the tightness but he didn't feel all that bad, considering what he'd been through. Sitting up, he spotted a glass of water that Cherry must have left for him and quickly quenched his thirst. He needed to get cleaned up. He needed food. He needed Cherry.

  He knew it was selfish to have wanted her there when he awoke after she had given so unselfishly during the long night. His need for her at the moment, however, had nothing to do with lust and everything to do with love.

  Despite all his mother's sayings and pretty words on the subject, he hadn't been prepared for how it would really feel.

  Between the drug and Josep's suggestion, he had been immobilized, but he had still been able to hear and comprehend parts of what had gone on around him.

  She had s
aved his life. He owed her everything, yet the only thing she wanted from him was a lift home, to see Aster, then a ride to wherever Theodophilus was for an audition. He had already agreed to that much, and he wouldn't renege, even though it was in direct opposition to his own wishes. He had to come up with something else—a way to thank her and say good-bye at the same time—something she wasn't expecting. An idea started to percolate as he headed for the facility chamber, and by the time he felt presentable again, he knew how he would surprise her.

  He was the one to get a surprise though, when he entered the bridge and saw Cherry alone at the navigator's station. "Where the drek is Mar-Dot?"

  Cherry turned around and smiled sweetly. "What a lovely greeting. Are we a bit hung over or just the usual grumpy?"

  He gave her a sheepish grin as he bent down to give her a soft kiss. "Sorry, love. Good morning." He kissed her again. "Or rather, good evening." With a blink of his eyes he made an enormous bouquet of red and white flowers in a crystal vase appear on the panel in front of Cherry. "I would give you the real thing if I could." Taking her hand, he sat down in his chair and pulled her onto his lap for the kind of greeting he had meant to give her. "Thank you."

  With a twinkle in her eye, she said, "It was my pleasure, Captain."

  "That's nice of you to say, but—"

  She briefly pressed her lips to his. "If I say it was a pleasure, it was. Now tell me how you feel."

  "I'm fine. Better than fine actually. And I am extremely appreciative of everything you did. However, I would like to know why you are at the controls."

  "Mar-Dot was dead on their feet. I may be an amateur but I'm at least alert, and I know enough to call for help if something happens. Anyway, I've only been alone here for a couple hours. We're heading for Norona, by the way." She explained the reason for her decision, which he agreed with, then they reviewed everything that had occurred while he was incapacitated.

  "You should get a commendation, love. You may be an amateur Consociation agent but you performed like a real professional. Probably saved millions of lives besides mine."

  "Really?" Cherry beamed with pride. "Wait till I tell Aster she's no longer the only Terran heroine in Innerworld. I wonder how she's doing. That baby is due in another week or so."

  He gave her a squeeze. "From everything you've told me about your friendship, she wouldn't dare go into labor without you being there. I promised to have you back in time and I will, you'll see. There's only one thing I'm concerned about."

  She sat up and cocked her head at him.

  "I have no idea what Bessima looks like. I realize she would recognize me by my hair, if nothing else. But if she has been projecting my image to the Terrans, everyone else might recognize me too. I figure I'll have to disguise myself to prevent panic, in which case Bessima would have no reason to introduce herself to me. How am I going to locate her?"

  "I suppose you could go back to the rendezvous point several days in a row and look for a big, ugly, scarred woman who showed up every day."

  "Your assumption about her appearance is reasonable but not necessarily accurate. At any rate, we don't know for certain how many days she'll keep going back before she gives up. And what if there's a big crowd?"

  "Hmmm. A crowd in front of the White House is a definite possibility. Shoot! What am I thinking of? There's no problem. I forgot to tell you. Josep made my hand tingle when he touched it. Now I'm positive you were right about the Illusian chemistry business. All I'd have to do is walk around and touch anyone who might be Bessima, then point her out to you."

  "Wait one minute. Who said you were going with me?"

  "Of course I'm going with you. By your own admission, I'm your partner on this assignment. That means I get to see it through to the end. I've already figured it all out. We make the report to the Consociation Regent then we check in with Rom and Aster in Innerworld. They'll help us with everything we need to get along in Washington while searching for Bessima. We should have several days' leeway. I could even show you around the Capitol!"

  "We'll see," was his only answer. But when they landed on Norona two days later, he was convinced that she should accompany him to give his report and turn the document over to the Consociation.

  With both of them dressed in their white jumpsuits, Cherry thought they looked quite official as they were brought before Regent Esquinerra. After all they'd been through together, Gallant hadn't thought to warn Cherry about the Regent.

  Although the Ruling Tribunal of Norona made up the strongest element of the Consociation, Esquinerra was not Noronian... nor was she anything close to humanoid.

  Sitting on a wheeled pedestal in the Regent's chambers was a big, squishy lump of pink clay about the size of a beach ball, with a single black marble in the front. As Cherry and Gallant approached, the clay moved on its own, reshaping itself into a tall, straight column. The black marble seemed to be staring down at them.

  "Madame Regent," Gallant said to the pink being with a gentlemanly bow, "it is good to see you again. May I present Cherry Cochran, a special friend and my partner on this last mission."

  A bit stunned, Cherry did the only thing that came to mind. She curtsied.

  A sound similar to glass wind chimes whispered around her and the Regent relaxed back into a lump. Blended in with the pleasant tinkling had been the word, "Welcome."

  Gallant proceeded to give Esquinerra a concise account of his mission, revealing both Josep's duplicity and his final act of heroism. The truth of his own origins remained a secret, however. He had Cherry personally relate Josep's final messages. After the Regent was briefed, Gallant held out the copy of the Illusian hundred-year plan and a portion of the clay formed an extended arm to take it from him.

  "You have done well, as usual, Gallant Voyager," the Regent tinkled. "And your friend has earned our gratitude. Is there any service you desire?"

  "Yes, madame. Due to Cherry's involvement in this assignment, she was unable to keep a very important appointment with Theodophilus, the director of the Noronian Performing Company. I would personally appreciate it if you would use your influence to acquire another appointment for her with him in the near future. The location is irrelevant as I've promised to provide her transport."

  "It is done. The old maestro owes me a favor or two from his early days."

  The Regent and Gallant discussed his course of action regarding Bessima and she assured him she would attend to the matter of securing Illusia's barrier immediately.

  Outwardly, Cherry appeared to be paying attention. Inwardly, she was working on a personal puzzle. She thought she should be overjoyed to hear the Regent's implication that an appointment with Theodophilus was a simple matter to arrange. It was what she wanted more than anything in the universe.

  Right?

  Half her mind shouted, absolutely! But it was the other, silent half that had her confused.

  Chapter 19

  "Good Heavens, Rom, what is it?" Aster paused to catch her breath after the hurried trip from her office to his. He had sent her a mental message to come quickly without elaborating why.

  Rom's eyes sparkled the bright green they always did when he was happy or up to mischief. "I didn't say you had to run, but I'm glad you did. There's something in the adjoining suite I want you to see."

  He opened the side door of his office and waved for Aster to precede him.

  Cherry's delighted squeal was probably heard throughout the building as she caught sight of Aster.

  Aster started crying immediately and only a very long, clinging hug calmed her. "Thank God you're all right! I've been so worried." As soon as she recovered from the welcome shock of seeing Cherry, she turned on Gallant. "You, I am not happy to see. Your execution is scheduled for dawn. Be there!"

  Cherry burst out laughing at the look on Gallant's face as his gaze darted between the three of them trying to tell whether Aster was serious. She gave her best friend another hug. "It's good to be home, kid. I missed you. I'd rather you ca
ncel the firing squad though. The man looks like the devil but he has proven to have a number of angelic qualities."

  Cherry could see neither Aster nor Rom were entirely convinced and it was up to her to break the tension. She held out her hand to Gallant and he grasped it like a lifeline. "Let's sit down so we can fill you in."

  Throughout the telling of their story, Cherry held Gallant's hand and occasionally touched his cheek or his hair. It was her way of reassuring everyone—including him—that he was forgiven for kidnapping her as far as she was concerned.

  When the conversation switched to talk of babies and false labor, Rom suggested the two women remain in the suite and visit while he and Gallant attended to the arrangements for his trip to Outerworld.

  "Cherry Cochran!" Aster exclaimed as soon as the door closed behind the men. "I don't believe you finally got bitten, and I wasn't even around to witness the phenomenon."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Don't play innocent with me. I know you too well. You look at that man like... well, like I look at Rom. How dare you fall in love without my written approval?"

  "Love?" Cherry practically choked on the word. "Don't be ridiculous. The baby must be affecting your memory. I'm immune to that particular disease and you know it."

  "Oh, I see. We're still in the denial stage. Fine. I've waited this long to see it happen to you. I don't mind waiting a little longer."

  "Listen, kid. Don't waste your time fantasizing about me and Gallant living happily ever after. As soon as I finish helping him tie up this assignment, he's taking me to audition for Theodophilus's company then he'll be leaving on another mission, probably in the opposite direction from anything remotely similar to civilization. It's been fun, but it's almost over. So, let's talk about what you're going to name our little girl."

  * * *

  "I don't get it, Gallant," Cherry said the next morning as she daubed the black dye into his white streaks. "You told me you didn't want to do any sightseeing, so why would we go to Outerworld today? Bessima isn't supposed to show until the day after tomorrow."