by Saxon Andrew
Tommy looked at Wes and Linda Kay and could feel what they were experiencing. He was almost overwhelmed by what he sensed in them. He looked at his best friend and said, “Who is going to be your best man?”
Wes looked at Tommy and said. “I thought you were psychic.”
Captain Dodd was worried about the situation but when she heard Wes’ comment to Tommy she burst out laughing. It struck her funny and she couldn’t restrain herself. She doubled over and finally caught her breath and said, “I’ll marry you. I can look at you and see that not to do that is a greater wrong than worrying about politics. Who will be the maid of honor?”
While Captain Dodd was talking with the happy couple, Tommy thought, “Rose.”
“Yes, Tommy.”
“Wes and Linda Kay have just asked Captain Dodd to marry them.”
“Oh Crap,” Rose thought. “Leila, come in here right now”
Tommy closed his eyes and watched as Leila entered the room. “Leila, Wes has just asked Captain Dodd to marry him and Linda Kay. She has agreed to do so.”
Leila said, “Now without Eric and me, she won’t.”
“Tommy, you’ve got to stop them.”
“I can’t, I’m the best man.”
“Then I’ll stop them,” Rose said.
“Bunny, there has never been a time I’ve said no to you but this time I will not allow you to intervene. Before you do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life, I want you to look at their thoughts and share them with Leila.”
“Tommy, that’s not ethical.”
“I think it is. Please do as I’ve asked,”
Rose was silent for a minute and then Tommy heard Leila say, “Oh, crap. They had better be married before they leave the room. Tommy, we’ll be there in the morning. Can you hold them off that long?”
Tommy leaned over and tapped Captain Dodd on the hand to get her attention and both Tommy and Captain Dodd jerked at the shock that hit them. Captain Dodd was stunned and Tommy was knocked to the floor. Wes ran to Tommy and helped him up while Linda Kay helped prevent an obviously disoriented Captain Dodd from falling. Tommy said, “I was trying to tell Captain Dodd that we will hold the ceremony in the morning at nine hundred hours before the assembled crew.”
“What happened,” Wes asked?
Tommy looked at his best friend and said, “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Cassandra Dodd stood there disoriented and dazed but discovered two things simultaneously; she could now feel every inch of the Alexander Kosiev and knew that she could control the ship just by thinking about it; It felt like the ship’s computer and her mind were identical. She also discovered that when Tommy Gardner touched her she felt him and saw him for who he was and she knew that he was more than she ever imagined. Cassandra said, “We’ll do it in the morning like Duke Gardner has requested. Now, the two of you cannot see each other before then. Remember, you don’t want bad luck.”
Tommy’s brow was furrowed, that was exactly what he was going to suggest to the two love birds. Tommy said, “I agree completely.” He wobbled to his feet and took Wes by the arm and led him out of the room while Captain Dodd took Linda Kay the other way out. Both Captain Dodd and Tommy noticed that even while they were being led out of the room, Wes and Linda Kay could not take their eyes off each other.
Later that evening Cassandra was in her quarters trying to recover from the shock she had received from Tommy touching her hand. Her com buzzed and she was surprised to see Rose Gardner on her screen. “Good evening, Captain Dodd. I’m sorry for disturbing you so late but I need to discuss tomorrow’s proceedings with you.”
Cassandra stuttered, “It’s my pleasure to be at your service, Your Majesty.”
“You will not be conducting the ceremony tomorrow, Captain,” Rose said. “I will be arriving with the Royal Family, Wes’ and Linda Kay’s parents, and Tgon-Gee who will be performing the ceremony.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, you’re not getting off that easy, Captain,” Rose said with a twinkle in her eye. “We are limited in the required people to fill positions. You will be the maid of honor.”
Cassandra panicked and said, “I’m sorry but I do not have anything appropriate to wear for such a ceremony.”
“We have taken that into consideration, Captain. I will transfer you to Leila after our conversation and you will give her your exact measurements and we will bring your apparel. I expect you to participate with a smile.”
Cassandra tried to remember the last time she had dressed up for anything and drew a blank. “Yes, you highness, I am thankful for the opportunity.”
Rose looked hard at Cassandra for a moment and then Leila McAnn was on the screen. “Hello, Captain Dodd. I need some information that should take less than an hour to provide. If you do not have a tape measure you might want to go get one. My first question is, how long is your hair when not in that tight bun?”
Cassandra sighed and thought, “Oh, crap. Isn’t this going to be a hoot.”
Chapter 8
The First Male was enjoying the storms raging below his cell on the planet below when all of his attention was suddenly directed toward the Watcher. The Watcher was screaming and vibrating so fast that it was nearly impossible to see his lines clearly. Then all at once he exploded. The First Male along with two million other ships exploded from the surface of the construct and swarmed around the nexus that the watcher had been reading. This was the first death among the Captors in more than two hundred million years. The first Male arrived at the nexus and started to extend one of his feet into it to see what had happened.
“Stop, do not read that nexus,” the Queen Mother ordered from the construct.
“We must determine what happened, Mother.”
“I have sent another watcher to do that. I will not risk losing your leadership.”
The old watcher arrived at the nexus and began to insert one leg into it and immediately pulled it back. The leg was melted and half of it was gone. The Watcher did not scream but had one of his remote ships go out and cut away what remained of the damaged leg. The old watcher said. “The nexus is too hot to enter. Something has raised the temperature higher than a star’s core.”
The first Male ordered all watchers to go check the other nexuses that were in their galaxy but to use caution. In less than an hour it was determined that every nexus was too hot to enter. For the first time in their long history, the Captors were blind to the universe around them. The First Male was extremely agitated about what was taking place. “Watcher, can you determine what has caused this?”
“No,” the old watcher said, “and until the nexus cools enough to enter I will be unable to find out. I have never seen this before.”
The first male was concerned. This watcher was one of the oldest members of their ancient society. He thought a moment and ordered, “All warriors spread out and make sure nothing enters our domain. You will maintain your positions until Watcher is able to reenter the nexus.” Throughout the Captor’s galaxy, the huge red ships swarmed looking for what could have burned the nexus.
Tommy was standing at the center of the stage with Wes waiting for Linda Kay to walk down the aisle. Everyone in the facility was there to witness the wedding. Tgon-Gee stood next to Wes waiting to start the proceedings. Leila, Eric, Linda Kay’s parents, Danielle, and Tag were seated on the front row. Rose stood next to Tgon-Gee looking beautiful in her rose colored gown. She wore the crown of the Stars Realm which Tommy had not seen her do very often. Even Twig and Sprig had left their readers to attend.
Suddenly the music started and the door opened at the back of the room and Cassandra Dodd stepped forward and began the walk to the front of the room. The entire room was stunned and Tommy was absolutely amazed at what he saw. No one could remember ever seeing Captain Dodd in anything but a Stars Realm uniform wearing her hair in that trademark tight bun but here she came walking down the aisle in an emerald green dress that fit her
perfectly. Her auburn hair hung down to her shoulders and her green eyes looked like they were on fire. She was absolutely beautiful. Her form was perfect, her smile was perfect, her hair was perfect, and her walk was done elegantly. Tommy could not believe his eyes. How could this vision be the terror he endured at the academy? Tommy and Wes were so struck by the change in Dodd’s appearance that they did not notice Tgon-Gee’s expression when he saw her. Tgon-Gee was also shocked but for a different reason. “I must talk with the Queen immediately,” he thought. But then he decided to wait until after the ceremony.
Everyone stood as Linda Kay came through the door. She was breathtaking. The white gown that Rose had brought her was beautiful but not as beautiful as the young woman that wore it. Her blue eyes were moist from her happiness and her long black hair was done in curls. She was graceful and she only had eyes for Wes. Tommy could sense the love his lifetime friend felt for his new bride and in his heart envied him. Then she was there and the ceremony began. Tommy couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t take his eyes off Cassandra Dodd and remarkably she was also staring at him. Neither one of them felt the always present tension when they were in the same room. Tommy wondered what was happening to him. Then Wes kissed his bride and the roar from the assembled crowd broke through his attention.
Tgon-Gee went to Rose immediately after the ceremony and said, “Your Majesty, we have an issue.”
Rose looked at the Glod Crown Prince and said, “What’s wrong?”
Tgon-Gee spoke to her for five minutes and Rose turned to stare at Captain Dodd. She thought to Tommy, “Tommy, I need you, Captain Dodd, Mom, Dad, and Tgon-Gee to meet me in the conference room in three minutes.”
“What’s wrong, Rose?”
“We’ll discuss it in the conference room, Tommy.”
Tommy saw Tgon-Gee walking out of the room with his parents and Rose leaving the stage so he went to Captain Dodd and said, “Captain, I’ve been ordered to report to the conference room and to bring you with me.”
Cassandra looked at Tommy in puzzlement and Tommy said, “I don’t know what this is about but we should go now.”
Cassandra wondered what she had done wrong. She had tried her best to look appropriate for the wedding but she just knew she had failed miserably. She was not accustomed to wearing a dress and heels. Then Tommy said, “Captain, I never knew you were so beautiful. You should dress up more often.”
Cassandra turned bright red and looked at Tommy and saw that he meant what he was saying. “Thank you, Duke Gardner. Thank you very much.” She followed him to the conference room wondering what was going on.
Tommy and Cassandra entered the conference room and found everyone in a semicircle of chairs with a chair directly in front. There was an empty chair next to Rose so Tommy sat down. Tgon-Gee motioned for Captain Dodd to sit in the chair in front of the group.
Tgon-Gee looked at Captain Dodd and said, “How long have you known about your aura?”
Cassandra looked puzzled and said, “My what?”
Tgon-Gee said, “Captain Dodd, I was present at your graduation from the academy and you did not possess an aura. I see you today and you have one. How did you hide it from me then and we need to know your intentions.”
Cassandra was totally confused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do you mean by aura? Am I under some kind of suspicion here?”
Rose looked at Cassandra and said, “Captain, you posses a high level of psychic ability. We are curious why you’ve hidden it from us until now.”
The group could see that Cassandra was totally confused and Rose could tell that her feelings were genuine. “Captain, have you noticed anything unusual about yourself that seems out of the ordinary?”
Cassandra’s face turned red. The group saw that she knew something. Tommy was totally confused. What was happening here? Then Cassandra spoke, “I have always had a knack for how machinery operated. I could repair most mechanical things and knew what was wrong with them almost instinctively.” She took a deep breath and said, “The moment I saw the Kosiev, I could see in my mind the entire layout of the ship. The ship felt like a friend, but that was all I could see until after Duke Gardner shocked me yesterday.” Danielle sat up straight in her chair and looked at Tag. He looked back and then they both looked at Cassandra Dodd.
Rose said, “What do you mean shocked you?”
Cassandra looked at Tommy and said, “I don’t know what he did but he touched me with something yesterday when I was talking with Wes and Linda Kay that almost knocked me out. After I went to my quarters last night I sensed that I can operate the Kosiev simply with my mind. I don’t really believe it, but the feeling has not left me. I can see every part of this ship in my mind and I know how it all works. As far as having psychic skills, I’ve never felt anything psychic until my first view of the Kosiev.” Cassandra looked at Tgon-Gee and said, “How can you tell I have psychic ability?”
Tgon-Gee said, “Psychics are surrounded by an aura. If someone is just slightly psychic then their aura is a light white color. The color of a psychic that has strong psychic skills is in the light blue to lavender range. The strongest psychics’ aura is violet. Captain your aura is so violet that it appears to be almost black. Looking around this room, your aura is stronger than anyone present.”
Cassandra was stunned. “That just isn’t possible,” she said. “Until yesterday I’ve never been psychic about anything.”
Danielle stood up and said, “She’s telling the truth.”
Everyone turned to Danielle and Rose said, “What’s going on here, Mom?”
Danielle looked at Tommy for a long moment and then looked at Cassandra. “I’m so sorry. I wish that there was an easier way to break this to you especially in light of all that has happened between you and Tommy.”
Cassandra looked at Tommy and then looked at Danielle, “What do you mean?”
Danielle looked at Rose and said, “Her psychic ability was caused by Tommy.”
Tommy stood up and said, “What?”
Danielle said, “Tommy, and I’m going to call you Cassandra instead of Captain Dodd, you will sit and say nothing until I finish. Is that clear?”
Tommy looked at his mother and slowly sat down and nodded. Cassandra said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Danielle looked at Tag and said, “Cassandra is Tommy’s perfect match and is going to be his partner for life.” Both Tommy and Cassandra both jumped up at that and Danielle held up her hand and said firmly, “Sit Down!” They slowly returned to their chairs. Danielle continued, “Tommy did not touch you with anything but his hand Cassandra.” Cassandra looked at Tommy and he nodded. “When I first met my husband, I shook his hand and felt a small shock. Until that time, I would occasionally get glimpses of truth in the various situations I found myself in. Once I touched Tag, that talent started growing quickly. By the time Tag went into hiding, he could see my aura where there wasn’t one before. By the time we were married the shocks had stopped when we touched and my talent is what it is today. What I want everyone in this room to understand is that I had no aura until Tag touched me. My talents were locked up waiting for the key to unlock them. I believe that there was only one key and that was my husband’s touch.” Danielle looked at Rose and said, “You saw Michael at a very early age but I believe that the reason you saw him was because Michael was not latent but had a strong aura from birth.”
Rose looked at Danielle and said, “I could feel him and know that he was the one.”
Danielle looked at Rose and said, “Yet you told me you had to wait until you were eighteen before you could meet him; why was that Rose.”
Rose furrowed her brow and said, “I can’t explain it in words. Our inner selves knew that to come together before then was prohibited. Matter of fact, we knew it would be dangerous for us to meet.”
“So you deliberately chose to wait for the right moment, right?”
Rose nodded.
“Rose what do you think would h
ave happened if the two of you were forced together before that time?”
Rose thought a moment and said, “We would have fought against it.”
Danielle looked at Cassandra and said, “You wonder why you attacked and treated Tommy so badly at the Academy don’t you?”
Cassandra lowered her head and nodded.
“You had no other choice. You were forced to do it against your will.”
Tommy said, “What do you mean?” Cassandra was also confused.
“Your inner selves knew that if the two of you came together before you were ready, then one of you, possibly both could severely damage the other from that contact. You were forced to do things to insure that you would not make contact before your time. Cassandra, you had to make him avoid you at all costs. Tommy you had to hate her so much that you would not go near her if you could avoid it. Neither one of you consciously did it, your psychic self made it happen.”
Cassandra looked at Tommy and said, “Duke Gardner, I’ve never understood why I did the things I did to you. It just wasn’t like me but I couldn’t stop myself. I have lived a lifetime of self blame for doing those things to the wonderful man I now know you to be. I am so sorry.”
The room was absolutely silent. Then Danielle said, “Now for the thing that both of you might not be willing to believe. You have now made contact with each other and you will not find contentment or peace of mind until you love each other.”
Tommy looked at his mother for a long moment then looked at Cassandra with her head down sitting in the chair in front of him. He looked inside himself and wondered what had just happened. He said to Cassandra, “What do you think about this story my Mother has just told you.”
Cassandra did not lift her head but Tommy saw her take a deep breath and say, “I started caring about you the moment you decided to leave what happened in the past in the past. It’s only grown since then. I know that I’m undeserving of someone like you. Since that shock yesterday, I can’t get you out of my mind. I saw during that touch what a wonderful person you are. I’m so ashamed of how I treated you.”