by Jen Robyn
Alarms interrupted, jarring everyone, while flashing lights filled the corridor.
“Too late,” one of the other officers finished.
Inhaling deeply to control his anger, Kyron eyed Dominick and Julianna meaningfully. “We’ll discuss this in my quarters later. For now, get to your posts, both of you!” In moments, he’d rushed from the room, along with the other officers.
“Should we follow them?” she asked.
“Considering we never signed on for this operation, I think it’s time we found our way out of this nightmare instead,” Dominick replied.
“For once, I agree with you.”
“There has to be an escape hangar on this ship somewhere.” Spying a small wall directory in the hallway, he strode over to identify the location. Turning to see a look of worry on Julianna’s face, Dominick clasped her hand. “Come on. We’re getting out of here, together.” She squeezed his hand gratefully in return.
The corridor seemed to go on forever. Fortunately, the people they passed were too busy racing about to ask further questions. There were distant sounds of explosions and gunfire, occasionally shaking the ship, but the pair maintained their focus on their destination.
As the hangar doors appeared, both breathed a sigh of relief. It was short-lived though, for the sound of lasers on the other side indicated some unwanted company would soon arrive.
“Back the other way,” Dominick said quickly, just as the doors started to give beneath the laser fire. They hadn’t gotten far when the sound of footsteps filled the corridor behind them.
“We’ll never outrun them,” Julianna protested. She felt his grip on her hand tighten, looking back as they ran.
Abruptly, everything shifted.
Feeling her stomach lurch, Julianna could only gasp as she saw the ground pull away. But more than that; suddenly, she found her head pressed against the ceiling. Breathing heavily, both from confusion and the height, she opened her mouth but no sound came out. As if prepared for her startled reaction, a warm hand was there to silence her.
“Hush, sweet angel, until our pursuers are out of hearing.”
Due to the high ceiling, the Rengar passed beneath them obliviously. In moments, the sound of their heavy boots faded.
She managed to turn her head to face a smiling Dominick, her eyes questioning. For a moment, he looked like an angel himself.
How? she questioned with her mind, since she couldn’t speak.
Another magic ability, he replied silently, removing his hand, while still holding her closely with his other arm. “I’m sorry to have startled you, but we had to move quickly.”
“I understand that,” she got out, shaking her head. “But we’re flying.”
“Levitating to be precise. Flying implies movement. However, that’s not a bad idea to get us back to our original destination. Hold on, and I’ll take us there.”
Shifting her arms about his neck, she allowed Dominick to carry them along the ceiling of the corridor, silently but swiftly. Julianna had never experienced anything like it, feeling weightless as they traveled, both nervous but also enchanted at this use of magic. Shutting her eyes at the pleasant sensation, all too soon she felt a shift as Dominick brought them back to the floor. The hangar doors were destroyed, leaving a gap wide enough for them to step through.
They’d barely crossed the rubble when the unwelcome sound of lasers filled the air.
“Get down!” Dominick yelled, pulling Julianna behind a pile of storage crates. Huddled together until the blasts ceased, he looked her over. “Are you all right?”
“A bit shaken, but…” She stopped, noticing a reddening spot on his arm. “Dominick, you’re hurt!”
“Just a scratch, and it can wait,” he demurred. “Right now, we have to focus on getting out of here.” Scanning the area carefully, he pointed ahead.
“Escape ships?” she asked hopefully.
“Just what the dreamers ordered,” he agreed, ignoring her puzzled look as he tried to edge around the crates. Another volley of laser fire forced him to retreat back again. “They’re definitely going to be a problem.”
“Have you tried flying over them?” a voice whispered.
Both jumped as they turned to find several men, including the science officer Landers, crouched behind them.
Dominick shook his head. “Where did you come from, and what are you talking about?”
“Now, now, don’t play innocent. You were too busy dodging the Rengar to notice us watching through the doorway to our laboratory. A pretty impressive trick, by the way. Could you show us again how it’s done?”
He sighed. “It wouldn’t be of much use here, since they’re already aware of our presence this time.”
Landers grinned. “In that case, maybe this calls for our prototypes.” As he lifted the gun he’d carried earlier, Dominick gently pushed it to the side.
“Whoa. From what Kyron said, that might not be a good idea.”
“Yes, but we don’t have time to continue tinkering with them until they’re more effective. At this rate, the Rengar will capture the ship, allowing the Warp Zone to pull us in while things are in chaos.”
Dominick thought quickly. “Then we’d better get these prototypes working immediately. Landers, let me try something.” As he reached out, the other man somewhat reluctantly handed the gun to him. Scanning it quickly, the gun abruptly sparked, and a blue glow surrounded the weapon.
“It’s never done that before!”
Without replying, Dominick continued to focus on the weapon, and it seemed to alter slightly in his hands. “Let’s see if this does anything.” As he stepped away from the crates, Julianna reached out an arm towards him.
“Dominick, wait!”
As the laser fire resumed, he pulled the trigger on the weapon, emitting a loud blast that knocked him back a few paces, while sending what looked to be an invisible barrage of energy at their attackers. Three Rengar went down, while several others scattered. Instantly, he re-aimed and took care of them as well.
As the room was blanketed with silence following the blasts, those behind him stared open-mouthed.
“Yeah, that should work,” he decided. Tossing the gun to Landers, he reached out to modify the other weapons that the stunned crewmen held. It took the same short amount of time to complete the task. “Take these to the bridge and stop the Rengar, so you can save the ship and its crew. If you play your cards right, Kyron will not only think kinder of your science projects, but you might even get promoted for services rendered.”
Landers smiled broadly. “We’ll do that. But what of you and the lady? Won’t you be coming with us?”
“Actually, the lady and I are in need of an immediate transfer. I got the feeling Kyron would like nothing better than to throw us in a brig.”
“Understood.” Landers gestured to the right. “That ship was newly fueled before the boarding party arrived. It should get you away, although you’ll still have the Warp Zone to contend with.”
“We’ll have to take our chances, though we appreciate the advice.”
Shaking his hand briefly, Landers nodded and turned to leave with the others. “Fare well, flying strangers.”
As Dominick turned, Julianna reached out to hug him, but he winced, holding her back gently. “Easy there,” he told her.
“Oh, your arm.”
Smiling, he reached out to embrace her with his good arm. “It’s all right. There’ll be plenty of time for that after this heals.” Casting a side-glance at the wound he’d sustained on his left arm, he wasn’t concerned. It was a bit painful, but at least it was minor and not his shooting arm. Something he could remedy shortly. “Now, let’s get out of here.”
Heading to the recommended ship, he helped Julianna climb its nearby ladder and followed after her, moments before a regular ship crewman came running into the room. The man noticed the bodies of the Rengar, but his curiosity soon focused on the fleeing pair.
“Hey, do you have securi
ty clearance for that?” he yelled.
“Seeing as we’re the repair crew, I would think so!” Dominick replied in kind. “Unless of course you want this thing to continue leaking fuel.”
“Leaking fuel? We just checked that this morn…” The man’s brief confusion didn’t last long as the pair disappeared within the ship, and rational logic took over. “Hey, I’ll need to see some I.D. numbers!”
“He can I.D. this,” chuckled Dominick, punching a few lighted buttons. The entry hatch snapped shut and the ship lifted slowly, just before lurching forward into space, leaving the crewman behind.
As soon as they were safely away from the larger ship, Julianna turned to her companion with amazement. “I didn’t know you could fly one of these things.”
“Who says I can?” he mumbled, just as a wave of laser fire from the greater ship jolted them. “Great. That guy can do more than just complain. That’s the thanks you get for trying to help.” As he attempted to turn the craft, another blast hit them, earning a frustrated grimace. “Just what I’ve always wanted. To be stuck a million miles away in outer space and about to be barbecued by Mr. Trigger-Happy.” He gave a withering look to Julianna. “Couldn’t you read something a little less dangerous the next time?”
Before she could question him, a loud growl was heard behind them. Julianna looked back and her eyes widened.
“Dominick, there’s something...”
He brushed aside her grasping hand, shaking his head. “Whatever it is will have to wait. I’m still trying to figure out how to fly this thing.” Another louder growl caused Julianna to scream as the ‘something’ in question attached itself to the back of their seats, one talon extended menacingly, forcing Dominick’s attention this time. “What the blazes is that?” he exclaimed.
“An unwelcome stowaway?” she gasped, as another blast of laser fire hit their ship, shaking the alien free. It gurgled in fury as it landed on its scaled back, its multiple taloned arms flailing to right itself.
“Would you still rather be captured by aliens?” he laughed.
“Well, not that type!” Suddenly a beeping noise, accompanied by flashing red lights, filled the ship. “What’s that?” she nearly yelled.
“Try our fuel tank’s been shot,” he murmured, hitting various switches. “Come on, come on... Doesn’t this thing have a spare gas tank?” The lights on the control board flashed brilliantly for long moments, just before they all went dark. “Okay, guess not.”
“Garunkk!” spouted the alien.
“Would you mind thinking of your stomach later?” snapped Dominick. “We’ve got a crisis here!”
The alien’s several golden orbs rolled about as if considering this, moments before its taloned arms shot out to cling to the sides of the ship. Humming a strange haunting melody, its skin took on an equally eerie glow, growing brighter by the second, until the creature abruptly vanished.
“What the...?” sputtered Julianna. “Where did it go?”
“Another universe hopefully. Now if we can just... oh, great.”
Julianna didn’t have to voice a question this time to ask what was wrong. The ship’s engines were dying down, slowing the ship until it merely drifted along. The larger ship was now farther out of range, and no longer firing. At first surprised, a different kind of jolt shook the ship.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
Dominick sighed matter-of-factly. “It looks like the Warp Zone’s gotten hold of us, which would explain the other ship not pursuing us.”
Completely unexpectedly, he began to laugh, which prompted her to stare at him with even more curiosity.
“We’re about to pulled into a black hole wannabe, and you’re laughing like we’re watching a space comedy from a comfortable couch in the living room. Am I missing something?”
“No, but this might put a damper on continuing our evening tonight,” he replied with a smile. “So before we might become part of the atomized universe, any last requests?”
“To be safely back home again comes to mind,” she whispered, rubbing her forehead worriedly.
“Hmmm, I might be able to manage that request.” Her gaze flashed back to his, searching for a jest that wasn’t there. “I am a man of many talents, Julianna. Surely you realize that by now.” Before she could answer, he put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly. “This hasn’t exactly been a pleasant evening, and certainly not what I’d counted on,” he said knowingly, as she found herself leaning against him. “Despite the most pleasant company, of course. Hopefully the next time won’t be fraught with such difficulties.”
“Difficulties?” she laughed. “You’re always talking in riddles, Dominick. Can’t you just state the clear-cut truth for once?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Why? Because you’ve led us onto a path to destruction? No, surely that’s not reason enough to doubt your methods.”
His laughter rumbled through her as he kissed her cheek. “All right, my dear lady, if you want truth, you’ll have it. This is a dream. A dream you’ll wake up from at any moment.”
“What?” she gasped. “I don’t believe you.” At his ‘I told you so’ stare, she found herself blushing. “Not to say I don’t trust you,” she amended, “but how can something this real be a dream?”
“Ah, Julianna... never underestimate the power of your dreams, especially when they’re combined with your very strong imagination.”
That can’t be! she thought inwardly. And yet, she did have no memory of how she’d gotten here to begin with. She also couldn’t account for Dominick’s sudden reappearance from... a dream she’d had the night before? No, that was impossible. It couldn’t be that simple!
“It is.”
Anger filled her eyes as she pushed his arm away. “Will you please stop reading my mind?” she exclaimed, even as she continued to wonder how he could.
“It’s a part of my special powers actually,” he told her. At the glare she shot him, he added, “While in this realm, they allow me to pick up on some of your surface thoughts. Just in case you were wondering.”
“Hmph! Just in case. As if you didn’t already tune in.”
“It comes in handy sometimes,” Dominick agreed with mock nonchalance. “Especially in the case of dealing with dream animals like your old friend Duchess.”
Dream animals! she thought, nearly laughing. This whole thing was totally unbelievable.
Abruptly, she froze. Duchess?
Her expression lost all amusement instantly.
“Duchess?” she fairly shouted, her eyes narrowing. At the infuriating look of innocence he shot her, she felt sorely tempted to strangle him. “Why, you conniving scoundrel. You are the same Dominick I met a few months ago!” she accused, her hands clenching angrily.
“Oh, didn’t I already tell you?” he asked lightly, snapping his fingers before she could reply. “Damn, I knew I’d forgotten something.”
Seeing his amused reaction only angered Julianna more. “You liar!” she snapped. “Why didn’t you tell me about this last night, instead of leading me to believe I was seeing double?”
Dominick folded his arms with a knowing look. “Because I knew you’d lose your temper like you are right now.” Realizing that any retort would prove his point, she merely glared at him again and sat back in a huff.
“All right, I’ll tell you the whole reason why I didn’t mention it,” he continued seriously, slowly earning her attention. “I admit that my motives may not have seemed the most honorable the first night we met, but I’m not the type to persist with an unwilling woman. You, however, seemed more than responsive when I kissed you.” His smile curled into a sneer. “Until of course you had to pull your little stunt of crushing my foot and mocking me afterwards!”
“Maybe you deserved it,” she retorted.
“And maybe you deserve an acting award for being able to change from fire to ice in less than thirty seconds.”
“Who’s call
ing who an actor around here, Mr. Westbrooke?” she challenged.
“Before you say another word, let me assure you that is my name, just as much as Dominick is,” he replied. “But to continue, after seeing that most unpredictable attitude of yours, you’ve occupied the better part of my thoughts since then. I finally decided to exact a suitable payback for your actions, and thus sought you out again.”
“Hence the dream at the dance last night.”
“Exactly.”
“Which also explains why you tried to embarrass me on the dance floor in front of everyone else.”
“At first... admittedly, yes.”
Julianna nodded once before giving him a cold smile. “I don’t believe any of this. People can’t just insinuate themselves into other people’s dreams!”
“They can if they were born with that magic ability,” he replied quietly.
For a moment, she was silent, and then broke out laughing. “There you go talking of magic again. Dominick, even if this was a dream, there is no magic in reality. Now why don’t you give me the real truth behind your constantly visiting me each night?”
“In the name of Chaos…” he murmured in frustration, “I just told you the real truth!”
“Right, and all this is just a dream, as you say!” she retorted in disbelief, turning away from him. “Excuse me if I don’t want to hear more stories.”
The anger in his eyes seemed to flare like a stormy ocean for a moment, but then it faded as he shook his head. “Very well, Julianna,” he sighed. “Since you seem so inclined to believe I’m lying, feel free to sit there and sulk quietly if it’ll make our imminent disintegration any easier.” Folding his arms, he leaned back lazily, without the least look of worry.
Not so in the case of Julianna, who quickly took in the impact of his last casually spoken words.
Disintegration? her thoughts echoed. The full danger came back to her as she sighted the ominous gas cloud, now much closer than before. This had better be a dream, she decided. Dominick’s peaceful expression seemed to believe this wholeheartedly, which made up her mind about one thing. If he wasn’t going to panic, then she certainly wasn’t.