by Linda Mooney
“Don’t try to take him by yourself, Hunter!” the man warned.
“Won’t need to get physical,” Hunter muttered to himself, grinning. “Let’s see how Bruiser likes a taste of being dominated.”
Bruiser was inside Transport One and warming her engines when Hunter popped into view a few feet away. “Going somewhere?”
He was answered with another roar of anger from the giant. The transparent shield slid shut over the cockpit, cutting off the sound of his protest. Hunter slowly shook his head sadly. “Sorry, chum, but I can’t let you take off without an explanation.” Closing his eyes, Hunter drew upon his dark powers, and a second later he winked out of sight.
The other Guardians rushed into the bay to find Bruiser still sitting inside One, the engines primed and ready for lift-off. Except the man was staring straight ahead, unblinking and unseeing. Frozen in a tableau of disbelief and pale, wide-eyed shock.
Hunter materialized near the hull of the ship, and the last wisps of blackness swirled downward to the ground before disappearing. He straightened, taking another couple of seconds before turning around to face them.
“Cripes, Hunter! What did you do to him?” Condemner gasped.
Instead of answering him, Hunter nodded to Seeker. “Can you check him out?”
The woman hurried over to the small two-seater as Deceiver thumbed the release switch on the communications board nearby. The bubble over the cockpit slid open, and Seeker climbed inside to read him. Several seconds passed in silence as she bowed her head over the immobilized man. Giving them a sad look, she announced, “He’s comatose. I don’t know what you did to him, Hunter, but I can’t get anything from him but what’s on the surface.” She glanced at Deceiver. “But it’s enough. We’re in trouble, Deceiver. Big trouble. This is a lot more than just sullying Star’s name. A lot more. Disaster, can you help get him out of the ship? He’s going to need to go to the hospital.”
Together with Challenger and Condemner, the three men managed to pull Bruiser’s limp body out of the cruiser as Time Merchant called for a med lab unit. When the medics came to examine the unconscious man, Deceiver told them Bruiser would be dangerous when he finally awakened, and to keep him under constraints at all times.
“He’s suffering from a form of psychosis, so don’t believe anything he babbles. Contact us immediately when he comes to,” the Guardian leader ordered, and they all watched as the hulking figure was airlifted away. “All right, everyone. Let’s get back to the meeting room and discuss this.”
Star found a cup of hot brew waiting for her when she took her assigned seat. She didn’t have to guess how it had gotten there. It was simply nice to know he had thought of her. After they had returned from the hospital, he’d taken her directly to her quarters so she could shower and change, and they had shared a quick breakfast in the room, until time forced them to leave for the dining hall.
As the last of them took their seats, Deceiver remained standing at the head of the oval-shaped table. “Sender, I want you to monitor the vidscreen for any breaking news about us.”
“Got it,” the woman said, reaching for an earplug.
“Hunter, tell us what you did to Bruiser.” The order was curt and unforgiving. “Where did that power come from, and why haven’t we been made aware of it before now?”
Hunter lifted his face. There was no remorse in his eyes. “There are many aspects of my powers I haven’t put a name to, but I’ve used them in full view of everyone here.”
“Like the fact you can transport someone with you?” Morning Fire pointed out, glancing at StarLight.
“That, among other things. What I did to Bruiser was show him a possible scenario. He was determined to get off-planet in One. I just gave him a little nightmarish daydream of being lost in the void, without radio contact, without power, and with his oxygen slowly depleting. His mind couldn’t keep its hold on reality, and it shut down. Once he comes to, it will take him a while to reestablish himself, but he’ll be fine afterwards.”
“You didn’t touch his mind?” Seeker questioned, leaning over the table to glance down the way at him.
“No.” Hunter shook his head. “I just … inserted something into it.”
“I can testify to that,” Provoker raised his hand. “The man plays bitch with your head, but he doesn’t have the ability to hurt you himself. You do it all on your own.”
“Very well. Seeker. What did you discover when—”
“Deceiver, we have news,” Sender broke in, immediately throwing open the vidscreen for all to see.
“…Take you to the news conference where Doctor Syman Clearlian is prepared to make a statement regarding the Guardians,” a voice announced. The image was shifting, refocusing, and then they were seeing a small podium in front of the hospital. A few seconds later, Doctor Clearlian stepped forward with a computer unit in his hand.
“My name is Doctor Syman Clearlian. I am the physician in charge of all HandFasted couples, and I am responsible for all information regarding those participating. I am here today to pass along some information, with the hope that a lot of erroneous rumors may be settled.
“Sadly, it has been brought to my attention that members of my hospital staff and administrators have purposefully been spreading gossip and other statements that have been untrue with regards to Terrin DiLyric, also known as StarLight of the Guardians. Miss DiLyric, while recently undergoing tests at this hospital, was met with numerous charges against her. Unfortunately, because these charges were false, they caused immense distress and anxiety for her.
“As you know, all HandFasted couples are required to undergo a physical evaluation prior to the ceremony. This ensures that each person is healthy enough to participate. Miss DiLyric underwent that same evaluation, and was found fit to proceed. But certain details of her evaluation were kept confidential, as required by law. I have been given permission by Miss DiLyric to allow some of those confidential details to be made public.”
Doctor Clearlian paused, thin-lipped, before continuing. It wasn’t difficult to see the man would be glad when the whole thing was behind him.
“Terrin DiLyric underwent her examination two days before the HandFast ceremony. At that time, she was documented as a virgin, intact and whole. Therefore rumors that cast aspersions about her, that run contrary to that information are false, and must cease immediately.
“On behalf of this hospital, I apologize again to StarLight for the emotional suffering she endured while she was here. And I want to assure her that those on staff responsible have been reprimanded. I also want to send out fair warning to others who wish to disregard this broadcast, and continue to spread such rumors. If you continue, know you will be held liable for criminal prosecution. Thank you for your time,” he abruptly concluded, and left the podium.
The Guardians watched the man adroitly avoid answering any of the media’s questions as he ducked back into the safety of the big building. Sender closed the transmission, and everyone swiveled their seats back around.
Clearing his throat, Deceiver broke the silence. “Back to the business at hand. Seeker, what did you discover when you examined Bruiser?”
“He’s involved in some sort of business that has something to do with an invasion.”
“Invasion?” Condemner asked. “By whom?”
“I don’t know,” the woman shook her head and shrugged. “The same thought kept repeating over and over in his head. ‘One o’clock. One o’clock. One o’clock.’ He had gone too deep inside himself. I couldn’t glean much else, other than what I just told you.” She looked at Hunter. “If you hadn’t stopped him, we wouldn’t have that much to go on. But because you did, we don’t have anything more.”
“One o’clock.” Deceiver lifted his face and projected the grid he had been working on that morning. The shimmering, mentally-projected image rotated slowly until he had it facing the others to where they could read it. One small rectangle flashed, and the phrase “one o’clock” g
rew visible inside its borders. “All right, everybody. There it is. Look at it. Study it. Let’s see if we can’t figure something from it.”
“Not until we’ve settled one last piece of unfinished business!” Animator slapped her hands on the table and got to her feet. Turning to face the woman seated two chairs away, she asked, “Give us the final answer, Star. We’re dying here, dammit! Are you and Hunter committing to each other, or aren’t you?”
Disaster got to his feet as well. “Let me be among the first to apologize, Star. I believed the rumors, and I helped to spread them, although…” He shot a disgusted look at Provoker. “…although I wasn’t the one to claim you as one of my conquests.”
Star opened her mouth to reply, when Provoker turned to her. The room quieted in anticipation. “Yeah. I’m an asshole. And Hunter tore me a new one that day you went sun dancing.”
They saw Star shoot a look at Hunter, who gave a small nod to acknowledge the man’s comment, but said nothing. She turned back to Provoker.
“You … are … the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life, and I was beside myself when you agreed to go out with me. I mean, here I was, with this measly little negotiation power, and I was getting to take you out in public. To be frank, I loved the attention. I loved sharing your spotlight. I found out I didn’t want to lose that importance, even after you told me you didn’t want to continue dating any longer. That’s … I guess that’s why I went a bit berserk and began spreading gossip about how we had been lovers.”
Star paled at his admission, but remained quiet, allowing him to finish.
“The rumors were already out there. I just … added some fuel to them. But not outside our group. Seeker can attest to that. I never went outside our group to make the accusations. I’m sorry, Star. I’m not saying I won’t make any more cracks about you. I can’t help myself, and I hope you understand that, as it’s part of what makes up my power. But I promise I will do my best never to humiliate or hurt you intentionally again.”
Nodding to Hunter, Provoker waited for the man’s response. Instead, Hunter deferred to Star. “Thank you for clearing the air, Provoker,” she managed to say. “I’m … I’m not going to say I forgive you. Not yet, anyway. I’m having a hard time believing any of you could say such things, and the rest of you believed it!” Another thought came to her, and Star whirled suddenly on Hunter. “Did you believe them, too?”
“Truthfully, for the most part I tried to ignore Provoker. But, yes, I’m just as guilty.”
“Hunter!”
“But it’s no longer relevant,” Hunter told her soothingly. “We have a lot more important things to worry about at this moment. Doctor Clearlian has cleared your name and reputation. We have the Ombitra hovering around out there, waiting to strike again. One of our own is about to undergo testing at the mental clinic … not to mention you and I have a wedding to plan, and a future to prepare for our daughter,” he added, almost as an afterthought. And grinned.
“I knew it!” shrieked Morning Fire, and rushed over to give her friend a hard hug.
Deceiver watched, grinning broadly, as everyone descended upon the couple with congratulations. It wasn’t until Time Merchant let out a shrill whistle that their attention shifted to the man listening in at the communications console. During their meetings, Merchant volunteered to man the emergency lines and incoming calls.
“Star? There’s someone outside wanting to see you.”
“Outside? Outside Command? Who?” she asked, pulling away from Sender’s embrace.
“Someone who claims to be a Doctor Perlakian. What do you want me to tell her?”
“Tell her nothing,” Star said, getting to her feet. “I’ll go see what she wants.”
They watched her leave, taking her long-legged stride out the door and reminding them of the fact that she would be earthbound for the next nine months. Even so, seeing Star walking from one place to another was still an unusual sight.
“All right, everyone. Can we get back to business now?” Deceiver tried to bring order back to their delighted chaos. Bringing his grid out of stasis, he reminded them, “If there aren’t any more questions that need answering right this second, let me recap because we appear to have a one o’clock deadline. That’s a little more than four hours away, and the chronometer is eating up the time.”
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 27
Liaison
Clutching the satchel close to her chest, Devorah Perlakian approached the kiosk outside the parameters of Guardian Command. The tour guide looked up at her and flashed a smile.
“Good morning! That’ll be fourteen creds, please. Tour’s been delayed for thirty minutes, due to an unexpected emergency.”
“No. I’m not here for the tour. I need to speak with StarLight.” She kept her voice low, hoping that the small crowd gathering outside the confines and waiting for the eight-thirty tour wouldn’t notice.
However, the guide appeared skeptical, as she should. They were loyal to their jobs, and to the people inside. “I’m sorry,” the woman replied brusquely. “Direct contact with the Guardians is prohibited.”
“No, no, you don’t understand.” Devorah withdrew her hospital ID from her pocket and handed it over. “I’m Doctor Perlakian. I need to return StarLight’s uniform to her. She left it at the hospital.”
After Star and Hunter had disappeared from StarLight’s hospital room, it hadn’t taken long for Doctor Clearlian to dismiss everyone as he angrily stalked out. Since it was her job to pick up and tidy all loose ends, she had gone back one final time before housekeeping descended to ready the suite for a new patient. Hers was a menial job, more defeating than showing what she was truly capable of doing, but at least she was doing some good for the people.
StarLight’s stay had been brief. There was nothing personal Devorah would have to have shipped over to Command. No flowers or private communications. No forgotten articles.
Opening the tiny cabinet next to the sink, she had stood in shock at the sight of the jet-black garment lying folded on the shelf. Without thinking, Devorah had snatched it, stuffed it inside her lab coat, and hurried from the room.
She spoke to no one as she half-ran back to her office. Once inside the tiny cubicle, she’d pulled out the uniform and placed it on her desk. It was StarLight’s body suit. There was no mistaking it. The outer layer vibrated to the touch as patterns of stars winked and moved across the surface. What was it StarLight had said? That the suit helped her with her powers? Running the tip of her finger inside the meshlike fabric, an almost electrical feeling crept up her arm. Devorah jerked her arm away, unable to tolerate any more of it.
If she mentioned the fact that she had the suit, she knew it would be taken away from her so that some self-important authority figure could return it personally. But after this morning, Devorah knew Star detested authority figures. She had watched Hunter and Star’s body language with expert eyes, and without question she knew the couple were bound to each other body and soul.
Just like she knew that her job, although secured by StarLight’s claim of Guardian Law, would soon become a living nightmare. She had violated the unspoken code of protecting each other’s back. Grimacing, Devorah knew she couldn’t protect or defend anyone who had no compunction about defaming others. She couldn’t work with or work for people who cared so little for humanity, yet put the false mask of caring on their faces whenever it suited them. Whenever it promised to line their bank accounts, or bring them a little more glare from the spotlight.
In a few days, her position would be made so unbearable, Devorah knew she would be forced to quit, just for the sake of preserving her sanity.
Placing the garment into her satchel, Devorah had grabbed the few personal items on her communications console she couldn’t leave behind, placed them into the bag, then typed in a quick message to administration. Once it was sent, she’d walked out of her office and out of the hospital, and went directly to Guardian
Command.
At the kiosk, the tour guide gave her a doubtful grin. “Yeah. Really. You have StarLight’s uniform?”
“Who has StarLight’s uniform?” a bystander overheard. Immediately the growing crowd of people were gathered around the doctor, demanding a look-see. Devorah held onto the satchel for dear life.
“Please. Is there any way you can contact her inside and let her know she left it behind this morning after her dismissal? I’m telling you the truth.”
Nodding, the guide demanded, “Let me see it, then.”
Sighing, Devorah opened the satchel enough to reach inside, and drew out one of the long sleeves. A minuscule comet-like burst of white spiraled around the cuff before shooting up to the shoulder and disappearing. The people huddled around her gasped.
“Wow, that’s really hers!”
“It’s not made of any real material, is it? What is that stuff?”
“What’s it feel like?” the person next to her asked.
Devorah shrugged. “It feels like … it stings if you hold it too long. Burns. If you touch the inner layer, you get a shock up your arm.”
“Well, didn’t StarLight say she needs the suit to help her contain her powers?” a nearby tourist responded.
“What was the name again?” the guide inquired.
“Doctor Perlakian,” Devorah told her.
The guide nodded, reaching for a headset.
As the people gathered around her continued to watch the dancing pattern evolve along the sleeve, Devorah watched the guide’s facial expressions. The woman appeared genuinely surprised when she finished talking to whomever it was who’d taken her call.
“Doctor Perlakian? Uhh … StarLight is coming out to speak with you. Personally.”
“What?”
“Holy heavens! StarLight?”
“Wow! Up close and personal! What a booster!”
The crowd grew more excited. Smiling, Devorah thanked the guide, and everyone turned toward the doors they knew Star would be emerging from.