by Mikayla Lane
“I want a full ship analysis. I want to know if the loss of any of this…” he said pointing to his chest, “has impacted the security of this ship.”
“Send the reports to me in MedLab. Lagor, come with us. I want you to look at the scans and tell me what you think.” Ivint headed out the door to MedLab wondering how the hell he was supposed to figure any of this out when the hits kept coming.
“What is her condition?” He asked as soon as he walked through the MedLab doors.
“She’s stable, but in a semi-comatose state, and I have no idea why. Her brain scans are showing increased activity in a previously dormant area of her brain, which I’m assuming is her gift.” Amun said turning from Jess.
“Let’s get this thing scanned and see what we’re dealing with.” Amun walked up to Ivint and began scanning the breastplate, putting the pictures on the vid screen.
Lagor stood in front of the screen in amazement. What he was looking at was a complex circuit system made entirely out of crystals and metals. He would need his tools before he could begin to figure out what the circuits did, he thought with excitement.
“Can you get it off?” Ivint asked in frustration.
Lagor turned his attention back to the immediate problem at hand and looked at every inch of the piece and did not find any latch or groove in the metal that would indicate a way to open it.
“I’m sorry sir; I don’t see anything that would open it.”
“I can’t be the only one wondering if it’s safe to keep her on the ship.” Reven said bluntly.
“What the hell are you talking about? She’s a crippled girl who is currently in a coma. I doubt she’d be able to sneak up on anyone!” Amun sputtered in outrage.
“It’s not her physical abilities I’m worried about! She just stripped the entire conference room of its contents and put a device on our High councilor that we can’t get off and don’t know what it is! How do you know that they didn’t brainwash her into doing it?” Reven was stunned that Amun could even wonder at why he was worried.
“Reven, if she’d wanted me dead, I have no doubt I would be. However, I would like to know what this is all about and what if anything this Julou has to do with it.” Ivint said poking at the metal.
“I don’t know what happened, but I know I’m not capable of making anything that would hurt someone. I understand why you’re concerned. Especially since I don’t know if it will happen again. If someone can take me back to the planet, I would really appreciate it.”
Everyone turned when they heard Jess speaking from the bed. Amun reached her, just as she started to get out of the bed and sat her back down while he ran a few scans.
“Jess, have you ever been able to pull the materials from something besides the earth before?” Lagor asked, running the possibilities through his head, as impossible as they seemed.
“No, but we really didn’t have much in the camp; just the vehicle, their weapons and communication devices. But they never let me near any of that. I’m so sorry that I’ve been so much trouble.”
“You’re not any trouble child. We’re all just a little surprised at the extent of your gift. As advanced as we may seem with all of our technology, we’ve never seen anything like it. And like anything new, we’re going to be a little alarmed at it until we understand it better. It’s really no different than what you must be going through right now with this ship and everything on it.”
As wise as Ivint’s words were, they did not alleviate Reven’s concerns. And by the look on Scaden’s face, he wasn’t that comfortable over it either.
“I think what we need to do right now is let Amun continue your treatment, and we’ll try to figure this out while that is happening. Besides, you need to tell me how we’re supposed to go about meeting this Julou.” No one in the room was more surprised than Reven that Ivint had made up his mind so quickly regarding meeting with the alien.
“Ivint…” Reven began before Ivint cut him off.
“We are not so arrogant as to assume that we will not need the assistance of these victims turned defectors. We at least owe them the courtesy of listening to what they have to say. And if this Julou can put us in touch with Banatar, then that is even more reason to hear him out.”
When it looked like Reven was going to continue to argue his point, Ivint held up his hand to halt him.
“My mind is made up, my friend. Now let’s figure out how to do this and keep everyone safe.” Ivint turned away from Reven to face Jess, putting an end to that discussion.
“Do you know why you made this for me, Jess? Or how I can take it off?”
Jess slid off the bed and let Amun help her steady herself before walking slowly towards the large man. She looked closely at the breastplate, her eyes wide with shock.
Touching it tentatively, she asked, “Did I really make this?”
“Yes child, don’t you remember any of it?” Ivint asked, unsure if it was a good sign that she seemed truly shocked at what she had done.
“I remember feeling kind of dizzy and disoriented and really tired. Then, there was a light, and dark. I’m sorry. I’ve never made anything like this before. I’ve only made small pieces of jewelry, like Cari’s bracelets or necklaces; one or two rings, but nothing like this. Does it hurt?”
Jess couldn’t help but touch the shiny metal in wonder. She had no idea she could create something like this. It felt almost warm to her touch.
“No, it doesn’t hurt at all and is surprisingly comfortable. Does Julou know anything about your gift?” Ivint pressed, hoping there was something that she knew that could help them figure it out.
“I really don’t know. We talked about it a couple of times. And he said he had a few ideas, but we didn’t talk about it often.”
“Why don’t you get something to eat and some rest so that you can heal. Tomorrow we’ll talk about getting hold of Julou.” Ivint left the MedLab without another word. Reven followed fast on his heels with Scaden.
“I’m going to check on the girl’s honey; I'll be back in a little while.” Cari gave her a quick hug before leaving Amun and Gibly alone with Jess.
Chapter Five
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Reven said following Ivint into his private office.
“Father, I have to agree with Reven on this. I don’t think it’s a good idea when we don’t even know what the hell is on your chest.” Scaden was getting more worried by the second over the recent events. As much as he trusted his mate, he wasn’t sure whether or not Jess could be considered friend or foe at this point.
“I don’t see where we have a choice right now. Get me Randor; I need as much information about Banatar as possible. When I meet with Julou, I want to be able to test whether or not he’s ever met him.”
“Of course we have a choice! And this one isn’t the best one to choose either! If you’re set on doing this though, let me be the one to meet this Julou.” Reven suggested. It was far too dangerous for their High Councilor to go meet with him. On an unfamiliar planet, there was no way that he could ensure his safety, and he wasn’t about to take such a risky chance with his life.
“No, I must do this. We need him to get to Banatar and if this is a valid entreaty for an alliance, it would be better if I were there. Banatar may also have resources on the planet; and could help us find Balduen. And if he’s been around a lot of these gifted girls, he may know what this is on my chest. Other survivors could also be with him. There are many reasons to get to Banatar quickly, my friend.” Ivint tried to reason with Reven and Scaden. He could understand why they were hesitant to agree with his plan, but he knew it was the best way to handle it right now.
“Ivint, I understand the importance of meeting with this Julou, but I don’t agree with you being the one to meet him. This could be a trap! All of it! That thing on your chest, this meeting, her partially cut throat, so she’d live, knowing that we were following them, their prolonged presence on this planet… what more do you need to convince yo
u this isn’t a sound course of action?” Reven uttered in exasperation. He knew Ivint wouldn’t listen once his mind was made up, and it was a waste of his breath to even try. However, it made him feel a little better to rant.
Ivint smiled as he watched his childhood friend as he paced the room and vented his frustration. They were friends, for as long as they’d been alive and grew up together. Ivint waited until he knew his friend had finished before continuing.
“Everything you say could be true. But I don’t believe it. Don’t ask me how, but I know that this is the right course of action. The situation has become far different from a simple recovery of our survivors and their families. I think we are still in the dark regarding most of this situation and have only scratched the surface of what is truly going on here.”
“We have been rolling with the shock of each discovery and flailing for another grasp on what is going on. We need to get on top of this and gain some form of control. The only way we can do that is by getting more information. Anything we can learn from Julou, and Banatar can only help us.”
“Jess said he was from planet Katavai, Reven; I want you to find out everything you can about the planet and the people if you can. There should be some information on their people somewhere in our archives, if not see if you can call in a few favors among our friends.”
“Scaden, I want you to take all the women, except for Jess, to the MedShip. I want them in a better position to be defended by the rest of the fleet. And don’t fall for your mother’s tricks to stay here, get her on that ship.” Ivint ordered, his tone making it clear that he would not tolerate an argument.
“Father, why don’t we have Amun take Jess to the planet in a medical transport, so he can continue her treatment there? I don’t think that we can take a chance that her gift won’t wipe out the systems in another part of the ship. Amun can treat her remaining injuries on the transport as easily as he can here.”
Scaden was still pretty shaken by what Jess had done in the conference room. His fear for his mate and daughters had not diminished at all, and he was concerned for the crew of the Adaria as well. If she stripped the engine room or the weapons room, they’d all be dead.
Ivint turned to his son, surprised at his request; and disappointed as well. He had expected more compassion from his son since his own mate had been saved by the girl.
“How can you say that? She’s one of our people. She was robbed of her parents, tortured and sentenced to death for nothing more than being born of us. And in between those horrors, she still managed to try to save more Valendran daughters. Potential mates to our people, like Cari was to you.”
“Yet you would ostracize her and punish her further for a gift that she never had a chance to understand or control? For forming an alliance with the only person who tried to protect her from the brutality she faced daily?”
Ivint paused for a moment to see if what he was saying was sinking in not only to Scaden, but Reven as well. He was not going to have that poor girl treated this way. Fortunately, both Scaden and Reven looked suitably chastised, so he continued more calmly.
“Obviously we are going to be faced with more of our children who have been horribly traumatized by their captivity, and we have to find a way to help them; we can’t just abandon them. No matter how damaged they are from their abuse, they are treasures to us, and we need to remember that.”
Scaden felt terrible for being selfish and unreasonable; however, he still wasn’t happy about it; and still thought that she should be moved somewhere else. Even so, he agreed that she shouldn’t be held responsible for what her gift had done.
“I understand Father; I’m sorry. I’ll go see about getting all the females to the other ship.”
Ivint and Reven watched as he walked out the door, before Reven decided to speak his mind. Ivint knew it was coming and braced himself for it.
“You’re out of your mind, and I’m tempted to take a Fasnotia to the damn council!” Reven said in frustration as he paced the room.
Ivint knew that Reven would never use the law against him, especially not in this instance. A Fasnotia was only used when a ranking council member was emotionally, psychologically or physically compromised and unable to perform their duties. The law had been used in the past to allow the election of another council member if the current one was dying. The threat only served to let Ivint know just how upset Reven was with his decisions.
“You may not like it, but it’s the right course of action to take my friend. We have to get our bearings and figure out what is going on. And we have to find Balduen. I’m not the least bit convinced that it’s a coincidence that he disappeared right when the Relians had planned to kill Jess.” Ivint knew it would do nothing to placate Reven regarding his safety, but he hoped that Reven would give him a different perspective on what was happening.
“I don’t like any of this Ivint. I don’t think we have enough information for you to be rushing out to meet anyone. And Balduen going missing only solidifies that. If you’re going to go through with it, then we need to pick the meeting place ourselves and get a team in place.” Reven knew there was no talking Ivint out of the meeting, but he was going to do everything he could to make sure it was as secure as he could make it.
“See to it, Reven. Let me know the details when you have them worked out.”
Knowing he was being dismissed and having work to do, Reven left the room to set up the meeting place.
Ivint turned back to the window and stared out at the stars, deep in thought.
*****
Amun helped Jess lay back down on the bed and got her resettled while he reran the abnormal scans from earlier. He tried to use the familiar activity to calm himself. The thought of them taking Jess away had scared him much more than he had ever been before. He knew if he had to choose between staying on this ship or leaving to take care of her if they made her go he'd choose Jess. There was no question in his mind that he would. It thrilled and frightened him at the same time to know that she truly was his mate.
“Thank you, Amun. I know I seem to say it all the time to you. You’ve done so much for me…” Jess blushed furiously and looked away from her handsome hero, unable to look him in the eye. She’d never had anyone be so wonderful to her before. Even Julou, as sweet as he was, was nothing like Amun. Something about Amun drew her to him; just his presence comforted her and made her feel safe.
“You are very welcome Jess. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” Amun gently cupped her cheek and turned her head towards him, so she could see the determination in his eyes. He was never going to let anything hurt her again; even his own people.
Jess stared into his beautiful and kind eyes and knew he meant what he said. She didn’t know why, but she believed him. Her eyes traveled his handsome face, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss his full, soft looking lips. Shocked at her own thoughts, she jerked out of his hold and looked away in embarrassment.
Amun allowed her to pull away and continued monitoring her scans before he finally felt certain she was alright.
“I think it’s time for lunch now. Why don’t you tell me what you’re used to eating or what you like to eat, and we’ll try to start adding them into your diet as you recover.” Amun suggested. He wanted to learn more about her, what she liked and what she didn’t.
“There was never really much of anything at the camp. Most of the time they would kill a deer, rabbits or squirrels for meat. There were vegetables and herbs I usually could scavenge from the surrounding area. I don’t even know the names of most of what I would find. I’m sorry.” Jess was again embarrassed by her ignorance. Here he was trying to do something nice for her by trying to get her things she liked, and she couldn’t even tell him what those things were called so he could find them.
“Well, why don’t I order your lunch, and we’ll see what we can find on the computers about the local edible vegetation and learn what they’re called together?” Amun suggested; not sure
if it would embarrass her further or encourage her by giving her more control over her learning.
“I can use the computer to learn?” Jess asked with excitement. She’d seen the video comms and the computers they used and was thrilled at the thought of using them to learn.
“Of course you can. After lunch, I’ll show you how to use it so that you can learn any time you want.” Amun was having a hard time containing his happiness at her enthusiasm.
“That would be really wonderful Amun! Thank you so much!” Without thinking Jess had thrown her arms around Amun and given him a quick hug before she jerked back suddenly. What was she thinking? Why did she do that? She wondered. She hadn’t hugged anyone since her mother died. She’d never even hugged Julou. Why would she do that to Amun?
Amun tried to keep the smile from his face. Even though the hug had lasted only seconds, he had felt it in every cell of his body and all he wanted was to have her back in his arms again. Not wanting to scare her, he stepped back and walked to the computer. After ordering lunch for the two of them, he called her over to him.
“It’s going to be a few minutes before lunch gets here, so why don’t we start on the computer now?”
Jess walked hesitantly over to him, unsure why he hadn’t said anything about the hug, but glad that he hadn’t. She took the seat beside him that he had pulled out for her and sat down.
The next twenty minutes flew by as she listened with rapt attention to everything Amun tried to teach her about using their computer system to learn.
When lunch arrived, Amun set up the table and sat down with her to eat.
Jess wasn’t very hungry at all, but knew it would make Amun happy if she at least tried to eat something. Sitting down across from him at the table, her mouth hung open in surprise when he revealed her lunch. The steam coming off of the piping hot food smelled so good her mouth watered.
“For lunch I wanted you to have simpler Earth food again. So this is baked chicken breast, bread with butter, mashed potatoes and mixed fruit.” Amun told her pointing out each item as he told her what it was.