by Linda Mooney
Together they began to wipe the woman dry, beginning with her arms and legs, dropping the soiled cloths on the floor and reaching for clean ones as they tended to their work.
“Are you going to keep the tubes in her?” Morning Fire whispered. The smaller tubes, which ran from the bank in the wall and into Star’s shoulders and neck, were keeping her blood pumping, and feeding her internally.
“Just for a short while longer. As soon as I’m satisfied she can make the move, I’m having her transferred to the clinic over at Command.”
Morning Fire gave her a surprised stare. “The clinic?”
“Yes.” A small smile rested in Devorah’s eyes, as well as on her lips. “Deceiver’s been updating the clinic while I’ve been here. He promised me he would have it ready for Star in two days’ time.”
“Well, that explains why we’ve been having so many deliveries,” Morning Fire commented. “And here I thought Commander was trying to upgrade his labs.”
“Devorah?”
Pausing, the physician reached inside her lab coat and pulled out her comm link. “Speaking of you-know-who … Yeah, Commander?”
“Hunter’s still out.”
“What are his vitals?”
“They register as normal. What do you want us to do?”
“Nothing. He’s still trying to regain his energy. Leave him be, but leave some sort of message to let him know we’ve moved Star out of the rejuvenation tank.”
“You won’t have to leave him a message,” Morning Fire told her with a grin. “Star told us they were attuned to each other. She could tell he was near her before he popped into view. And the other morning when Hunter returned with Tark, he did almost the same thing when Star’s brain activity picked up.” Her smile grew wider. “He’ll know the moment he wakes up. That is, if she doesn’t wake him up first.”
Once they finished wiping down Star’s chest and belly, Devorah rolled her onto her side to wipe down her back. Morning Fire took on the challenge of trying to clean the gel from Star’s long black tresses, with little luck.
“This is impossible,” she breathed. “It’s going to take putting her into a cleansing stall to get all this crud out.”
“Well, get as much of it as you can,” Devorah told her. “She can’t lie on it with the stuff clinging to it.”
“We’re going to need more cloths, then. We’re almost out.”
“I’ll notify housekeeping to bring some down. But in the meantime, I’ll run over to one and get what’s stored over there. I won’t be but a minute,” Devorah promised, and hurried out the double doors.
Morning Fire kept her eyes on the woman beneath her hands as she gently wiped away the clear jellylike globs. She knew Doctor Perlakian hadn’t left the unit, with the exception of the two brief times she’d returned to Guardian Command, and her new quarters, in order to take a quick shower and get a clean change of clothes. The physician had taken all her meals, and managed a few short naps, in the unit.
There was a movement, which Morning Fire ignored. Doctor Perlakian had told them that the tank had kept Star’s muscular mobility alive, and sometimes there would be a spasmodic reaction as a result. She continued to wipe off the hair, taking it one small handful at a time, when she heard Star take a deep, sudden breath. Immediately she looked down into the woman’s face, searching for any sign of returning consciousness.
Faintly the thick, black lashes fluttered, and gradually opened as violet-colored eyes tried to focus. Lying on her left side, away from the bright intensity of the solar lamp, she wasn’t facing directly into the glare.
“Star?” Morning Fire moved her mouth closer to Star’s ear. Her hands trembled where they clutched the mattress underneath. “Star, can you hear me?”
Star’s lips moved beneath the oxygen mask, but her words were unintelligible. Taking the risk, Morning Fire began to remove mask when Devorah reentered the room and saw what she was doing. Quickly, without questioning the Guardian’s actions, she rushed to the transport bed.
A tiny breath of air emerged from Star’s parched lips. They made the faintest movement, and Morning Fire bent lower to place her ear closer. “What, Star?”
“…nn … yyu … Udo.”
“He’s … he’s asleep, Star. He’s … completely exhausted. When we explain why later, you’ll understand,” she whispered gently to her dearest friend.
No look of comprehension flashed in Star’s glazed eyes, but her next words made it clear she had heard. “T-tell … him…”
“Tell him what, Star?”
“I … killed … baby.”
The tears suddenly rose hot and demanding. Morning Fire had to take several calming breaths before she felt steady enough to reply. “No. Star…”
“Does h-he … h-hate … me?”
“No, Star,” Morning Fire tried to assure her, shaking her head as she pressed her forehead against her friend’s. “Hunter loves you more than you will ever know. He knows, we know, that what you did was the ultimate sacrifice. You stopped the Ombitra mothership. You did it, Star. You saved our world.” She pressed a kiss to the woman’s cheek as Star’s eyes slowly closed. For a long moment she thought the woman was again asleep, when Star made a one more comment.
“Tell him … tell … Udo … I want … his … babies.”
Unable to stop crying, Morning Fire nodded, although Star was already unconscious. “I’ll tell him, Star. I promise.” Looking up, she could see tears streaming down the doctor’s cheeks, and she smiled. “Is she going to get better now?” she asked, her voice hitching.
“You know what they say,” Devorah intoned. “Love can perform miracles where modern medicine can’t. Now, help me get her dressed. Disaster said the clinic’s ready. He’ll be here shortly to help take her to Command.”
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 35
Future
She was swimming in space, moving with long, leisurely pulls of her muscles. Her whole body felt free and alive, floating amid the vast darkness like a tiny mote of life. She was tired, but that was all right. Other than a tightness in her stomach, letting her know she hadn’t eaten in a while, she could go on like this for another parsec or two before she needed to start looking for a planet where she could land and search for a meal.
There was an immense star ahead. A giant white. It was bright and powerful, giving her enough energy to wipe away all her weariness if she’d let it. Star lifted her face toward it. This part of the galaxy was unfamiliar to her. But, then again, all during those four years she had wandered aimlessly through the universe, every cluster of planets and stars had been strange new territory for her. She’d just never realized how lucky she had been not to have been killed, or so seriously injured or infected to the point that it killed her.
That sun, whatever its name was, felt good. Her skin was drinking it in, revitalizing her, keeping her warm and content. She felt…
Star paused. She was free of the heartache and abandonment she’d been forced to endure back on her home world. But something niggled in the back of her mind. Something that was trying to tell her of a strength and a love that was keeping her protected and safe.
Looking around, Star tried to find what was giving her that growing sense of comfort. It was coming closer, and it was so large and enveloping, she welcomed it without fear. Opening her arms to take it into herself, she smiled as it swallowed her whole instead, and her happiness had no boundaries.
“Terrin. My heart.”
For some odd reason, her skin tingled, and the tingling continued to raise little goosebumps all over her body. It was like being bathed in a smile.
“Terrin.”
Slowly she managed to open her eyes. The sun-with-no-name continued to flood her with life and warmth and light. Until a shadow stepped under it, blocking it with his body, and throwing a halo of rays around his silhouette. The tingling increased, until it became a gentle buzzing that spread all through her muscles.
The shadow coalesced and took shape. Form. A face. A name.
It took effort, but somehow she managed to raise her hands and arms a few inches as she whispered his name. “Udo.”
He crushed her against his wide, warm chest. The sense of love and comfort that had swallowed her now became real. Touchable. She could savor it, relishing in his strength and undeniable power.
His lips touched hers with gentle caresses. A hand cupped her cheek and jaw. It was all she could do not to whimper at the sweetness. Her body was still weak and brittle, but she was alive. It would be several more days before she would be well enough to rejoin them, fit for duty. But for now she didn’t care how long it would take for her to fully recuperate. Not as long as he was here to hold her. Kiss her. Love her.
Gently Hunter pulled her away from him, letting her head rest against his chest. Vaguely she noticed he was not wearing his brown uniform, and a tiny smile creased the corners of her mouth. “Took a day off?” Star murmured hoarsely.
“You could say that.” His voice rumbled deep inside his chest.
“How … h-how long was I…” she began, snuggling against his neck.
“You were comatose for four days. After Doctor Perlakian moved you into the clinic here at Command, you were out for another three days. How do you feel?”
“Like Condemner ran me down with Transport Three,” she breathed.
There was laughter coming from all around them, and Star realized they were not alone. Opening her eyes, she was able to lift her head a tiny bit and see everyone watching them. Tears were evident on several faces. “So much for subtlety,” she quipped in a soft rasp, earning another round of soft laughter and a careful squeeze from Hunter’s arms. Her throat itched. She tried to clear it, but the dryness made it difficult. Before she could ask for water, Hunter was holding out a tube for her to suck from.
“I think they’re just happy to have the old StarLight back,” he said, planting a kiss on the top of her head.
Several pleasant seconds passed as she breathed him in, savoring his familiar, comforting spiciness. Until a memory returned like an unwelcome visitor. She shivered, her skin growing cold as she lifted her face to look into his calm, blue eyes. His features blurred for a heartbeat, until she blinked away the rising tears. “Udo…”
“I’m listening.”
“I … I kill—”
“Hush,” he commanded suddenly, sternly, placing a finger against her lips. “I never again want to hear you take the blame for something you had no control over. You were right, Star. You had no choice. Either way, our child was destined not to live. If you hadn’t fought the Ombitra, you would have died, as well as our child. But you did fight. And although the baby is gone, you survived. There will be other children, my heart. At least, that’s what Fire told me you said.” He grinned at her in that way that made her melt. Not giving her a chance to respond, he added, “Devorah said you should have enough strength back in a couple of days so you can stand unassisted.”
“All right.” She accepted what he said, until she lowered her brows in puzzlement. “Why is that important?”
“Would you rather be sitting in a transport chair when we take our vows at the Hall of Magistrates?”
“But … I thought…” She lifted a shaking hand to her mouth as she searched his face for some sign that he was teasing her. But his eyes were sincere, if not a bit amused.
“Thought what? That the only reason I wanted you was because of the baby? Better get that thought out of your head right now, Terrin DiMackerlyn.”
Her eyes flew open in shock. Hunter nodded. “When you told me DiLyric wasn’t your real name, I had to find out the truth. Otherwise the marriage wouldn’t be valid.”
“Then … you know.” Her eyes flew over to where Seeker stood in partial shadow. They had delved into her mind to find out that much, but what else had they discovered?
“I learned quite a bit,” Hunter told her gently, as if she’d voiced her last question aloud. “But we can discuss the rest later, when you’re comfortable enough to discuss it with me. In the meantime, I believe the girls are wanting to help you shop for a gown, and all that other stuff you think you’ll need.”
“Not until she’s had a bit of solid food and more rest,” Devorah ordered with a smile.
“But … two days?”
“The life of a Guardian is uncertain at best,” Morning Fire broke in with a tremulous smile. “Grab what you can, when you can. After all, a lot can happen … even in four days.”
Hunter started to lay her back down, when Star grabbed a handful of his soft shirt, lifting her face so she could whisper in his ear. “Two days? And then we can sleep together again?”
Pressing his lips to her hair, he replied breathily, “Better get your strength back soon, my love. Because once you return to our bed, I’m not letting you leave it for at least a week.”
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 36
Family
“How’s your section doing?”
Feesha glanced up at her supervisor and gave her a brave smile. “Most of them are doing fine. That family over in sixteen is getting antsy, though.”
Vlestill stuck her head around the side of the kitchenette and eyed the three people in the sixteenth row of seats. “Oh, you mean the one I think of as Commander? Probably worried about some big diplomatic whoop-tee-doo he has to attend.”
“No.” Feesha shook her head. “I was talking to them earlier, after we’d gone through the storm. The woman said they were on their way to attend their son’s wedding.”
“Well, it couldn’t be helped. That ion storm came up suddenly. There was no way we could avoid it,” Vlestill sniffed. “We’ll just have to be late landing.” She gave sixteen another good stare. “Is he with the Fleet?”
“I think so. That uniform is quite impressive.”
Giving her subordinate a smirk, Vlestill commented, “Are you meaning the older gentleman? Or the cute younger one beside him, who is also wearing the insignia on his blues?”
To her satisfaction, Feesha blushed furiously, but continued to serve her passengers.
The Trans-Galactic Cruiseliner was making good time, despite the delay. Even so, the passengers in row sixteen couldn’t help but realize they would be late for the biggest event in their son’s life.
“Hey! Everybody! Look outside!” someone yelled from the back.
“Is that a Guardian transport?”
“Holy stars! It’s the Guardians!”
“What are they doing?”
“Looks like they’re banking with us!”
Outside, just off the cruiseliner’s port side, the silver-gray ship came up even. On its tail, the huge, white, florescent G was unmistakable. As everyone scrambled over the seats to watch it through the viewports, the craft did a little undulation, eliciting a bark of laughter from the people sitting in sixteen.
“I would recognize that jiggle anywhere,” the older man chuckled.
A moment later, a figure popped into the cruiseliner’s cabin, arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his handsome face. “You’re late,” he addressed the family.
“Great stars in the heavens! Master Hunter!” someone cried.
“Is that Master Hunter?”
“Why isn’t he wearing his Guardian uniform?”
Stunned, the passengers froze in place as they watched the man address the people in sixteen.
The older man shrugged almost casually. “Can’t help it if an ion storm came after us, and the pilot of this cruiser doesn’t know how to belly-flop out of it.” He eyed his son in the deep blue formal attire he was wearing. “Thanks for coming to get us.”
“We have to hurry. I’m going to have to take you over one at a time,” Hunter told them. “Otherwise, you’ll miss the ceremony if we wait for the cruiser to land. Mother?”
The woman rose to her feet, to be lifted into her son’s arms. Without another word, they both popped out of existence.
“This is going to be so mega-great.” The younger man grinned. “We’re going to get to ride in a Guardian transport!”
Moving up to where she could address the other two, Feesha started to ask a question, when Hunter rematerialized.
“All right, Dallin. You’re next.”
“Think I can have a go behind the controls? Just for a minute?” the young man asked as Hunter wrapped his arms around him.
“Not for a second,” the man flatly stated, and they disappeared.
“Sir?”
The older man left behind turned to look at the cruise attendant. He lifted an eyebrow at her in response.
“Sir … you’re Master Hunter’s parents?”
“Yes,” the older man smiled warmly.
“Then you’re on your way to attend his wedding to StarLight, right?” Feesha confirmed. It was all the news could talk about since yesterday, when the two Guardians had publicly announced their coming nuptials. Just wait until her roommates back at flight school heard about this one!
“Correct.”
They were interrupted by Hunter’s final reentry. “Ready, Dad?”
“Good luck!” Feesha managed to call out before the two men vanished from sight.
As everyone watched from their viewports, Guardian Transport Two gracefully rolled away from the liner, and began to descend out of the airspace normally designated for cruise ships. Within seconds, a veil of sparkling lights covered it, and the ship jumped into hyperdrive.
“How do you feel?” Devorah asked for the fifth time.
Star rolled her eyes at the woman. “I learned to fly before I learned to walk. I promise, if I start to feel wobbly in the knees, I’ll just float at ground level.”
“I’m already feeling wobbly in the knees,” Morning Fire confessed.
“Count me in on the wobbly, too,” Sender admitted, entering the alcove where last-minute checks were being made. “Guess who just came in?”