“I’m Monitor Valodar,” Valodar said, stepping forward. “I understand you haven’t been feeling very well. I saw something on the screen as you were being decontaminated. It’s possible you picked up a bug.”
“I did!” he exclaimed. “It’s been driving me crazy. Look, it’s here,” he said urgently, raising his shirt. “Do you think the unit has killed it? I hope so, it itches like mad. I was going to go to the medical center today. I can’t sleep, I can’t concentrate, it’s really bad.”
Valodar had watched the young Xan closely, and he was either a very good liar, or he had no idea where he’d picked up the transmitter, or that it even was a transmitter.
“This looks nasty,” Valodar remarked, seeing how inflamed the skin was around the small bump.
“It’s so hard to live with,” Polar groaned. “Do you know what it is? Can you get it out?”
“Assuming it doesn’t have a tail or claw limbs, I can,” Valodar said, making up the statement to fool any Sparians listening. “It might hurt a bit, but no more than a scrape from a fall.”
“What a relief, thank you,” he said gratefully. “I was totally sterilized when I returned. Why didn’t it work?”
“Chief, do you have any antiseptic here?” he asked, wanting to interrogate the young man alone. “My collar tube is empty. I keep forgetting to refill it.”
“Yes, sure, I’ll be just a minute.”
“I understand you were on a break.” Valodar remarked as the chief left. “Where were you?”
“In Laviton, on Quillian. I love it there. It’s so peaceful and quiet. So much open space, and the Quillians are such a gentle race.”
“They are,” Valodar agreed, thinking about the sweet, sensitive Endolin, and what she’d endured.
Then it hit him! Was this a coincidence or was there something about Quillian that had attracted the Sparians?
“I was having such a good time until this happened,” Polar lamented. “It was such a weird thing.”
“Tell me about it. What did the bug look like? How did it get under your skin like this?”
“I was staying with one of my best buddies. He invited me to stay with him and his family. We were expecting a package of halivock; have you ever eaten Quillian halivock, Monitor Valodar? It’s just like the Earth’s chocolate, but creamier.”
“I have, and I agree, it’s delicious. Go on, I’m interested.”
“Sure, so, a courier arrived and I thought it was the halivock, but when I opened the package, this big, black thing just flew right at me.”
“Was there anything else in the package?”
“I have no idea. Sanlin came out, that’s my friend, and after I told him why I was jumping around like a maniac, he grabbed it and burned it. He was worried there might be some larvae in there. We never did find out who sent it, and just figured it was one of the guys playing a practical joke, but it was just dumb luck that I was the one infected.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it was addressed to Sanlin. He works here at the Terminus.”
The Terminus! The home of the fleet!
“Ooh, it’s driving me crazy!” Polar exclaimed, moving his hand to scratch at the area. “It feels as if it’s getting worse.”
“Hold on, here comes the chief now.”
Chief Bandel strode up with the antiseptic and handed it to Valodar. Carefully applying it to his knife, then to the area, he had the tiny transmitter quickly removed.
“What is that?” Polar asked, staring at the tiny black square. “It doesn’t look like a parasite.”
“I have no idea what this is,” Valodar lied, “but I’ll have it destroyed immediately. Keep that wound clean. I’m sure you’ll be fine now.”
“I’m so glad you ordered this decontamination. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Valodar said, “and keep up the good work.”
“What do you think it is?” Chief Bandel asked. “I sure as heck haven’t seen anything like that.”
“As I said to Polar, I have no idea. I’ll show to the commander and see if he knows. Best be on my way. Thanks for your help, chief.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.”
Leaving the Terminus, Valodar decided to stop for a brief moment and check in on Ellie and Endolin, and while there, use the privacy of his chambers to call Clarion at the maintenance dock, and ask why they suddenly had room for half of a fleet. Climbing into transport pod, he started for home, and as it zipped him down the corridors, Valodar contacted Tavlon and told him about Polar.
“I found two transmitters as well,” Tavlon declared, “and darn it if they weren’t picked up in Laviton too. One victim was under threat, the other had burned the envelope just as Polar’s friend did.”
“So Quillian is the common denominator,” Valodar said. “We have to find out why.”
“We have more pressing problems,” the commander said gravely. “The Sparian ship appears to have picked up speed.”
“Maybe because we’ve pulled all the transmitters,” Valodar suggested.
“Possibly, but it’s a bad sign,” Tavlon grimaced. “Meet me back in my quarters. I’m about to go into an emergency meeting with the ambassadors and the board of elders of the Consortium. The commanders at the other three quadrants will be joining in via a covert channel.”
“I have a stop to make, then I’ll be there.”
“I have a feeling it’s going to be a fast-paced conference,” Tavlon remarked. “As I see it, we have only one option, and I suspect the other commanders will have come to the same conclusion.”
“I’ll see you shortly,” Valodar said, “and hopefully someone will have a brilliant plan.”
“Well, I sure don’t. See you when you get here.”
Ending the transmission, Valodar asked the pod to increase its speed. They may have found the transmitters and neutralized their threat, but Valodar could sense they were just a small piece of a much larger puzzle. He needed to see Ellie. He needed to hold her, even if only for a moment; he needed to look at her sparkling, full-of-life-and-love eyes. Just how much time together did they have left? It was impossible to know.
Chapter Eighteen
Reaching his chambers, Valodar jumped from the pod and walked quickly inside, finding Ellie and Endolin deep in conversation. Endolin appeared far more relaxed than she had been when he’d left, and he noticed the plate of finger food had been eaten.
“Hello, Valodar. Thank you for taking such good care of me. The food and that Balisin you gave me did the trick. I feel so much better.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Valodar replied. “You certainly look more like yourself. Your beak isn’t so pale, and your eyes are brighter. I need to ask, are you from Laviton?”
“Yes, I am,” she nodded. “Why do you ask?”
“How is everything?” Ellie asked, interrupting and walking briskly across to greet him with a hug. “We’ve been wondering if you found any more transmitters. We heard the alert calling everyone to a decontamination chamber. Is everything okay?”
Wrapping his arms around her, Valodar let out a long breath. It was heaven to have her pressed against him, and with the menace in the air, he realized his feelings for her were even stronger than he’d thought. He wanted to protect her, he wanted to keep her safe, but would he be able to?
“We did find more, three so far, and like you, all of them were picked up in Laviton,” he said, loath to release Ellie and wishing they were alone so he could devour her mouth and roam his hands over her body.
“That’s so strange,” Endolin squeaked with surprise. “I wonder why. What’s so special about Laviton?”
“It is strange,” Ellie parroted, as Valodar broke their hug.
Though he had pulled back, his arms were still holding her, and Ellie sensed that he didn’t want to let her go. She had no desire to leave, so she stayed where she was, relishing the touch of his warm tingling hands lingering
around her waist.
“It’s a good question,” he said, “and I’d like you to think about what the area has that’s unique.”
“I will, I’ll ponder that,” Endolin promised. “There must be something. We do have a large insect population. What I’m about to say might bother you, Ellie, because you’re human, so I apologize in advance, but we do enjoy insect casseroles and pies. Our avian ancestry is still very much alive in us.”
“That doesn’t bother me,” Ellie said. “I think it’s weird, but it doesn’t bother me.”
“Hmm, it’s possible the Sparians released the bugs there because they would find a friendly environment and plenty of food.”
“But who was responsible for sending them?” Ellie asked. “Isn’t that the real question? We know the Sparians are behind it, but someone needed to make sure they were delivered.”
“This is a conversation for later,” Valodar said solemnly. “We have more pressing things to worry about.”
“Like what?” Ellie asked, sensing there was more news than he’d told her. “It’s hard for us waiting here, not knowing what’s going on. Is there something else I should know about?”
“I’m not sure yet. I need to make a call from the bedroom, then I have to return to the commander’s office. I just stopped in because I wanted to check on you.”
“Do you think this will all be over soon?”
“I’m not sure,” he said vaguely.
“That means no,” she sighed. “Valodar, I’m feeling really nervous.”
“Try not to worry. The Consortium is powerful, and we have tremendous resources,” he declared, trying to reassure her.
Though the statement had been true, with the fleet at half-power, the station wouldn’t be able to defend itself against a full-fledged Sparian attack. It was an alarming situation.
“I’ll do my best,” Ellie said, but staring at him, it was obvious he was just as anxious as she was. “It’s hard though, especially when you’re not here.”
“I wish I could stay, I really do, but I’m in the middle of it all and I need to be with Commander Tavlon. Things are happening quickly. I’ve probably been here too long already.”
“I understand,” she murmured, “but when you can take a minute to call, or stop by, and let me know the latest, it would help.”
“I’ll do my best,” he promised, wishing he could whisk her into the bedroom, consume her body, and tell her that everything would be absolutely fine, but that, of course, would be a lie. Things were not absolutely fine, and he doubted they were going to be, not unless some miracle happened.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked.
“No, not that I can think of, but I must make this call. I won’t be long.”
Moving swiftly into the bedroom, he closed the door, and was about to touch his necklace to call Clarion at the maintenance dock, when he paused. His instinct was telling him to take extra precautions, so locking the bedroom door, he strode into the large walk-in closet and pushed on one of the shelves. The wall swung around to reveal a set of screens and communications equipment. Flicking switches and powering up the compact command center, he tuned into a covert channel.
“Monitor Valodar. This is a surprise,” Clarion declared as he answered the call. “Why are you communicating on the secure channel?”
“Just being extra cautious,” he answered evasively. “How are you, Clarion? How are things over there?”
“Busy, like always. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, fine,” Valodar lied, “except for the lurking Sparian ship I’m sure you’ve heard about, but when you say busy, are you talking about the weapon upgrades to our fleet?”
“Weapon upgrades to your fleet?”
“Yes, of course, I wouldn’t be calling about another fleet,” Valodar replied, a strange feeling moving through the pit of his stomach.
“We’re still waiting for the first of your fighters.”
An icy chill shuddered through Valodar’s body; he took a breath.
“Could you please repeat that?” he said slowly, trying to remain calm.
“I said, we’re still waiting for the first of your fighters. All the other quadrants have sent theirs. Could you ask Tavlon when yours will be arriving?”
“I will, right now,” Valodar promised, feeling an almost overwhelming urgency. “I’ll get back to you.”
Ending the communication, he stood for a moment, processing the frightening information. What had happened to the fighters that had left? How could a deception on such a massive scale have been successful?
Fighting his rising panic, he powered everything off and pushed the wall back into place. Though it contained some sophisticated hardware, the entire setup used an ancient Earth generator. If something disastrous happened, the equipment wasn’t reliant on power generated by the station, and with an old-fashioned swing door, its access was well hidden. Striding from the closet, trying to come to terms with the startling information, he burst into the living room. He hadn’t meant to, but his entry and the tremendous energy emanating from his body startled both Ellie and Endolin, and as they spun around and stared at him, Ellie’s heart jumped. It was obvious something was wrong, very wrong. He had come to an abrupt halt, and he was looking at her as if trying to make a decision. Jumping to her feet, she rushed over to him, and gripping his arms, she gazed into his eyes. They were dark blue, almost navy.
“Tell me,” she said firmly, her voice low and grave. “I know something has happened. What is it? Tell me!”
“It’s…”
“It’s what?”
Rarely did Valodar find himself at a loss for words, but how could explain the terrifying news? It was too complex, too frightening, too devastating, and as he gazed down at her, he knew he couldn’t leave her. He had no idea what was about to happen, and he wanted her with him. There could be a mass evacuation… or worse, the Sparian ship might get control of the station and vaporize everyone on board. If escape became an option, immediacy would be imperative, but if the worst happened and they were to perish, he could die holding her in his arms.
“Valodar, you’re scaring me.”
Endolin, sitting on the couch, not wanting to interrupt the two lovers, couldn’t help but overhear. Feeling a rush of fear, she rose her feet, and as she focused on Valodar, she could see the stark anxiety in his face.
“Valodar?” she chirped, “what’s wrong?”
“We have to go,” he said urgently. “You both need to come with me.”
“Where to?” Ellie asked as he took her hand and started walking briskly forward.
“To Commander Tavlon’s office. Quickly.”
“Do we need a pod?”
“No, it’s a short walk. Just down the hall.”
His hand tightly clasped around hers, he marched out into the corridor. Scurrying to keep up, Endolin hurried behind as he led them down the wide hallway, and though Ellie was tempted to ask more questions, she decided to wait. It was obvious he was deep in thought. Entering the reception room of Tavlon’s quarters, Valodar stood for a moment, clearly confused.
“I think you should wait out here,” he said, sounding indecisive even to his ear. “The commander’s assistant will be back shortly. She’s probably still at one of the decontamination chambers.”
“Uh, no, I don’t think so,” Ellie said firmly. “I’m staying with you. I need to know what’s going on.”
“Valodar?”
Ellie looked around to see a tall, dark, strikingly handsome Xan. He was standing in an opening that hadn’t been there a moment ago, and she felt goosebumps. The sudden appearance and disappearance of the doors still unnerved her.
“I wish you had door frames,” she mumbled.
It was a ridiculous comment considering the menace lurking outside the station, but it actually made her feel better. There was a normalcy about complaining over a small thing.
“Commander,” Valodar declared, “this is Ellie Blake
, my Earth visitor, and Endolin, the Quillian I told you about.”
“Delighted,” he said with a nod, “and forgive me, I don’t mean to be rude, but Valodar, we must speak.”
“Yes, we must, urgently,” Valodar replied. “Ellie, you stay here with Endolin.”
“But, Valodar…”
“It is—”
“We’ll sit quietly,” she said, interrupting him but keeping her voice calm. “We won’t make a peep, besides, you’re going to have to tell me anyway, and this will save you having to explain everything twice, and don’t you need to use that transmitter again? The one you took off Endolin? She needs to know what’s happening as well. Isn’t time of the essence?”
She had made her urgent plea to them both, her eyes darting from one to the other.
“Commander, she has a point,” Valodar remarked. “We do need Endolin’s help, and it will save precious time if I don’t have to repeat what I just learned.”
“Very well,” Tavlon said with a dark frown. “Come in. I have pressing news of my own.”
Entering the spacious room, Ellie realized what Valodar’s chambers had probably looked like before he changed them for her benefit, but it was only a brief thought as he waved her to an odd-looking bench against the wall. His gaze told her to behave, but with the residual sting in her backside, along with the solemn look on his face, she had no desire to protest anything.
“The ambassadors, the other commanders, and the board of elders of the Consortium have just held an emergency meeting. I was conferenced in on our crisis covert communications channel, along with other military leaders from the Consortium planets. After I updated them on the events here with Endolin and the transmitters, the looming presence of the Sparian ship, and our lack of fighters, there was a unanimous decision. You and I will be leading an action against the Sparians.”
“Action?” Valodar repeated in disbelief. “There’s to be action?”
“It appears to be our only option,” the commander said gravely. “I know we are at only half-strength, but we must circle our fighter pods around the station in a defensive position, give the appearance that we have the confidence of a full contingent of pods. As you and I discussed, we cannot pull resources from other stations. However, several of the planets have already dispatched their warships and fighters.”
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