“I have an idea,” I say from the doorway, “but I’m not sure how to go about it.”
“What is it, Sky?” My dad looks tired, too. No one seems excited to learn that Jewel spoke to us. I wonder if they’re afraid to hope.
“Does anyone know how to contact the Allarans? We haven’t heard from them since we fixed the artifact, but they might know exactly where she is.”
Sequoia says, “I was once able to communicate with the Watchers, but not since the artifact was stolen. They may not have survived the attack you told us about. I will try to send my thoughts to the Allarans, but I haven’t contacted them before.”
Storm comes in, stands next to me near the door and says, “What if we form a link through the wristbands and we call them together? The combined focus might reach them.”
Dad looks thoughtful. “You, Pax, and Sky link up. We’ll activate the emergency link, and include Charles and Analiese. That should put all of our heads together, so to speak. Before we do, will we all speak at once, or will one of us act as spokesman, or spokeswoman?”
“Sequoia has experience calling the Watchers,” Wolf says. “Perhaps we can send her our energy somehow.”
“Jewel told me that when we were in Vega’s ship the first time,” I tell them, “she opened a link with her dad wide enough for him to see what she saw and hear what she heard. If we open our minds, maybe Sequoia can use our energy to send a beam of thought to Vega.”
“The first time you were on Vega’s ship?” Mom asks. Nothing gets by her. Our folks still don’t know that we went on that rescue mission to get Wolf and Sequoia from the Dracans. I guess we’ll have to tell them we’ve been in the Allaran ship more than once, after we do this.
Sheriff Green, the other tribal elders and the pastors are listening to this conversation with a great deal of interest. I forgot that they didn’t know about the wristbands or what we can do with them.
“If there’s a chance that my son was taken alive, he could be where Jewel is,” Sheriff Green wipes his hand across his face. He’s paler than usual. Losing Max has been terrible for him.
Chief O’Brian adds, “You do whatever you can to find the kids, and I’ll see that you have the resources you need to do the job. The Cherokee are at your service. You kids have done something I would have said was impossible. You may have saved the planet, at least for now.”
The elders nod and talk in soft murmurs until Dad says, “Let’s do this.”
I tap my wristband. Pax and Storm do the same, and I see my parents tap theirs. Mom? Dad? I start a roll call and everyone checks in.
Now, open your minds to Sequoia, I instruct them. I’ve never done it and don’t know how to teach them what Jewel did, but it does feel natural to open my mind. I feel a stronger connection to everyone else. In fact, I share their wonder that we’re actually creating a deeper link. I feel Sequoia drawing strength from us and growing stronger.
I sense her gather our energy around her, and my soul vibrates when she calls, VEGA! The name resonates and pushes outward like a beacon of sound.
We hear and we come, came the answer, clear and vibrant.
One by one, we go upstairs, put on our jackets and go outside. If the Allarans are willing to lead us to Jewel and Max, we might have a chance to rescue them.
The silver ship hovers over the meadow, and Vega waits. Storm, Pax and I walk forward while the others hang back.
“Star Children,” his silken voice electrifies me, but his power to attract me is gone. I silently thank Storm for that, or at least my feelings for him.
“We believe we have found where the Dracans have taken Jewel, but where she is we cannot go, and it will be nearly impossible for you to rescue her.”
Pax’s voice rings with confidence when he responds, “Nothing will stop us, Vega. We’ll succeed. We have to.”
“And I swear I will tear those lizards limb from limb,” Storm declares.
“First, you must find and then rescue her, Storm. As for destroying them, you will see that things are not always what they seem. Beware of your temper and use wisdom, or you may destroy yourself and all those you love.”
The emotions I feel from Storm thrash and whip around wildly. I’m afraid he’ll tear himself apart with the violence of his anger. I look at Pax and my fear nearly knocks me to my knees. He is just as angry as Storm.
“There is one more thing, Star Children. After you rescue Jewel, you must also find and repair the next artifact. You have repaired the one, but that has merely bought us a little time. The continued existence of your world and ours depends on you.”
“You said you have an idea where she is,” Pax says. “Where is she?”
Vega looks at him gravely and says something I didn’t expect to hear. How is it possible?
“To find Jewel, you must go to Atlantis.”
Terra's Call (TetraSphere Book 1) Page 20