Horrified shock burned through Sarah. The image on the monitor froze.
“I’ve endangered Tammy.” Dreadful dismay crushed her voice to a whisper.
Adam turned towards her, his long fingers cupped her chin and tilted her head towards him. Regret hovered in the depths of his eyes.
“I’m sorry, angel, we should never have dragged you into this.”
Nick’s strong hand rubbed up and down her thigh. “We won’t let you or Tammy be endangered, honey.”
She knew she could trust the absolute conviction in Nick’s voice. They’d been willing to kill Theron Barclese for what he’d done to her, they wouldn’t hold back if a Denacon threatened—if a hundred Denacons threatened. She offered a comforting smile to both men.
“I know, but I wouldn’t have missed getting to know either of you for the world.”
“I am extremely sorry, Miss Rasmussen,” Draken said. “I had not anticipated this depth of animosity.”
She turned to Draken. “I’m sure you hoped to be gone before this day.”
He inclined his head to her. “That is true. You are very generous.”
She tightened her grip on Nick and Adam. I’ve received more.
“You can be sure the Denacons took biological readings of us,” Marnia added. “They will know at least one hybrid exists. They’ll incorporate that into their search parameters.”
“I will allow no harm to come to your friend,” Kane added his reassurance before resuming the recording.
“Is there any news of Commander Akaron?” Helran asked.
“I’m afraid not. We are continuing to piece together his movements before the Anaconian exodus. We believe he was on Anaconia Principle, but have discovered no verifiable data of his location for that time.”
“And the two remaining Arkships, have they been eliminated?”
“Not yet. Rest assured, Captain, I am all too familiar with the true hell of possessing a memory of a beloved someone who ceased to exist—a merciless paradox of time that can drive a man insane. Do not hold too tight, Captain, we need you to succeed.”
“I will not fail, Tactical. On that you have my word. Whatever it takes.”
The screen went blank, the after-image glowed in Sarah’s mind and again something about it twitched for recognition, but her attempt to isolate the cause was swept away in a flood of shock.
Silence cloaked the room as though it hunched on every molecule.
“Well that certainly provides a certain urgency for escape,” Sarah murmured.
“We can’t be caught on the ground,” Kane said. “That will mean certain death.”
“Agreed,” Nick said. “The Umdya should launch as soon as critical systems are ready and all personnel are on board.”
“How will we leave undetected?” Marnia asked. “They’re sure to note any launch from the planet.”
“I will hand myself over to the Denacons,” Draken said.
“No!” Marnia’s denial echoed around the room.
Sarah thought of all the good the Draken Foundation had done worldwide. The medical advancements. The humanitarian aid. That was not the work of a being out to protect his own hide. The Draken needn’t have instigated any of it. He and the Anaconians could have remained anonymous and hidden in society. Not shared technological ideas when appropriate nor offered financial support and goods when national and international disaster struck. If anything, in recent years, the Anaconians had helped Humanity be more humane. There was also the glaring omission of Anaconian technology and ideas in the area of weaponry—except for what that bastard Barclese had developed.
“Let’s not be hasty,” she agreed.
“I could plead for clemency for my people,” Draken argued. “Advise the Denacons of my alteration.”
The extreme countenances of both Denacons flashed through her mind. “I doubt they’d be interested in mercy—even if they gave you the chance to speak.”
“The Denacons would never believe you’re not the same Draken,” Marnia argued.
“Then I could provide a distraction while you escape. It is uncertain if the star drive of the Umdya can reach a velocity that will exceed that of the Denacon warship. We may not be able to out run them. We have to make them choose a target. By creating a diversion I can give the Umdya time to flee. With the new shields I can resist their attack for an indefinite period of time.”
“First we need to locate the Denacon ship,” Kane said.
“Agreed,” Nick said.
“I might be able to help with that,” Sarah offered.
Nick turned to her, his gaze softening. “Whatever you need.” A wisp of questioning hope flitted through his eyes.
I can’t deny them—us this future. Her heart ached as she acknowledged that decision time had arrived. No more casting the choice into the future whether to remain on Earth or leave with the Anaconians. She could not allow Nick and Adam to lose that chance, and in truth it was an adventure she was loathe to reject, despite the cost. She drew a deep breath as the thought of leaving her brother hollowed a hole in her heart. Nick and Adam were her future and making them happy was what mattered.
“Yes,” she said, encompassing Nick and Adam in her gaze, excited contentment shooting through her at the joy sparking in their eyes. “If we’re fortunate, there will be technical information in this data that will provide the engine harmonics of the Denacon ship. I’m sure Tammy can programme the sensors to find them while I oversee the preparations for launch.”
“In the mean time we can put our heads together and formulate a plan of escape that does not include the sacrifice of one of our own,” Kane said.
“Ye-e-e-s,” Nick strung the word out on a thoughtful note. “What about employing reflective technology?”
Sarah jerked her head round towards him. “What reflective technology?”
Chapter 11
“I wondered when you would tell me.”
The sadness in Paul’s voice tore at Sarah’s tight grip on her control. She threw herself across the space separating them in her brother’s office and into his arms, hugging him to her. His upmarket cologne and the soft feel of his expensive suit against her cheek, so intrinsically Paul, brushed against her heart. Tears welled in her eyes and clogged her nose.
“How did you know? That I would go.”
Paul’s chest heaved to a sharp, deep inhalation. “What else could you do? You love them, they love you.” A shudder rippled through his normally strong voice and his arms tightened around her, pulling her secure against his body. “I’m glad I wasn’t the one who had to make the decision.” A soft kiss landed on the crown of her head. “I will miss you so very much, my little sister.”
Her heart thudded slow and heavy as though marking a requiem. She sniffed back the tears clogging her throat. “I’m so glad you came into my life. You and Grant. I know he’ll look after you.” She pulled back a little, looked up at him and offered a smile that wobbled on her lips. “I’ve left tons of data for your new employees to wade through. You’ll be kept so busy marketing new inventions and amassing billions you won’t have time to miss me.”
“Sure.” The heartache in his eyes almost choked her. “I won’t miss you like the Lone Ranger wouldn’t miss Tonto.”
She picked at imaginary dust on his lapel, distress curling through her stomach. “Like a flower wouldn’t miss sunlight.”
“I’m going to start crying soon if you two don’t stop.” Grant’s gruff voice vibrated with a solemn undertone.
A big hand ruffled her hair and she turned within Paul’s embrace to face her ‘adopted’ brother.
“I’m going to miss you, too, shortcake,” he said.
She placed a hand on Grant’s suited forearm and squeezed. “It’s your fault you know.” She wiped
the length of a forefinger along the bottom lids over her overflowing eyes and sniffed. “I absolutely couldn’t leave if you weren’t here to look after Paul.”
“Yeah,” Grant murmured, “he’s such a big baby, I don’t know how he got along in the world before I came back on the scene.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to her temple. “You take care, you hear?” he murmured.
She managed a quivering smile for him and turned back to her brother. “Buy Kyle a Swift would you, from me? Tell him . . .” a sob thieved her words. “Tell him . . .” Again a heavy wave of sadness choked her.
Paul’s big hand ran up and down her spine. “It’s alright, possum, I’ll speak with all your friends.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, gave him a final squeeze and stepped back. “I’d better get back to work. I’ll see you before we leave.”
Paul gripped her hand and held it over his heart. “You will always be here.”
Her lips trembled, she blinked back a fresh flood of moisture and ordered her composure to make an appearance. “I love you, too,” she whispered and walked from the room, using every ounce of determination she possessed to keep her spine straight.
Strong, brawny arms enveloped her the moment she exited her brother’s office.
“That had to have been so hard, angel.” Adam pulled her into a deep embrace.
“We’ll make sure you never regret it,” Nick promised, his hand gentle on the back of her head.
The compassion in their voices broke her tenuous control. She clung to the broad, supportive plains of Adam’s chest and cried her eyes out.
“We’ve nailed ‘em!”
Tammy’s exuberant voice rang around the compartment where Sarah focused all her attention on installing the last of the stasis chambers on the Umdya. Heads lifted as the other hybrid women under her command gazed questioningly at Tammy.
“The Denacons?” Sarah asked.
“Yep. Sneaky bastards are hiding behind Jupiter. That’s good news for us seeing as how it’s currently on the far side of the Sun in its orbit.”
“You’ve told Nick?”
“Of course. Your hunky, and our Chief Officer, was my first port of call.”
“My hunky? What do you call Adam?”
Tammy rolled her eyes. “He’s your scrum-so-licious, you lucky cow. Any hoo, turns out the Dens have dropped a shi—er bucket load of probes—what else can you expect from a bunch of nasty aliens—in an ultra high net around Earth. I guess they’re lying in wait ready to pounce if they detect any launches. Reckon that’ll play into our hands when we finish the reflector array.”
“Speaking of which, how’s it progressing?”
“When you’ve finished caring for the babies in the stasis chambers, you can look over my specs and see what you think.”
Sarah smothered a yawn and blinked her eyes. Crying your heart out certainly took it out of a girl. “Give me a look now and you can start on construction while I finish off here. I should only be a couple of hours.”
Tammy handed over a tablet and Sarah took a few minutes to study the blueprints.
“Looks good. If Nick’s plan works this should give us a good head start.”
“Yeah.” Tammy pivoted and walked away. “See you soon,” she called over her shoulder.
Four hours later Sarah gazed over the completed reflector array at Tammy. Simulator tests proved successful and now they were ready to hand it over to the tech-mechs for installation.
“Looks like we’re good to rock-n-roll,” she said.
Tammy covered a yawn with the back of her hand and Sarah eyed her, concern for her friend’s future worrying her.
“Are you sure you want to come with us?” she asked.
“You’re kidding me, right?” Tammy’s arched, reproving brow rebuked her. “As much as I love working for your brother, if you think I’d pass up the chance to nab me a hot alien, you’re dreaming. And speaking of hot, who’s the guy whose picture you were staring at on your tablet? Do Nick and Adam know?”
“That,” Sarah quirked up one corner of her lips, “was the face of the man who has vowed to kill us.”
Tammy rolled her eyes. “Well that certainly detracts from his appeal.” She huffed a sigh and shrugged. “Par for course with my taste in men. So why the intent appraisal?”
“An ineffectual attempt to see into his mind.”
“Hell, darl’, you know trying to see into any man’s mind is a waste of brain power.” Concern filled the gaze Tammy levelled at her. “So how are you doing? How’s Paul doing for that matter?”
Sarah flicked one eyebrow up and down and bobbed her head to one side in a dismal attempt at nonchalance. “My heart lies with Nick and Adam and even though I know they’d stay with me if I chose to remain here, I can’t ask them to give up on the biggest adventure of their life.”
“They’d say you are the biggest adventure of their life.”
A warm burst of love lightened the dark cloud hovering over her. “I know. Besides, if we can get the entanglement communication up and running I’ll have access to easy and instant contact with Paul and Grant. First we have to escape.”
“That’s not going to be a picnic—or if it is it’ll be like a picnic at Hanging Rock. You got your piloting skills sharpened?”
“Yeah—as much as possible anyway. A full size shuttle is way different to what I’m used to.”
Tammy smothered another yawn. “Don’t suppose it really matters how pretty the flying is. Right, let’s get this baby into place.”
Sarah patted the side of the array. “At least the lives of the women who invented this technology will be given extra meaning. I’m grateful to them.”
“Me too, their work helped a great deal. I hope that bastard Barclese rots in hell.” Tammy’s gaze moved to the launch countdown displayed on monitors in every section of the ship. “T minus six hours. Not long now.”
“Last chance to get off this boat.”
“No way. This is more exciting than when I dated that amorous skydiver.”
Draken huffed a sigh that echoed around his study and cut the connection to the head of operations, Space Traffic Control. His position as the reclusive head of one of the largest corporations on Earth no doubt affording him some influence to gain his ends.
“What did they say?” Kane asked.
“They’re not happy about an early launch, but when I intimated there would be consequences, they agreed.”
Kane’s smile held his usual touch of cynicism. “I take it you didn’t elaborate that ‘consequences’ could mean us being annihilated on the ground by hostile aliens.”
“That is correct, but to be truthful I do not believe he would have appreciated the particulars.”
“Probably not.”
Nick stood on the bridge of the Umdya and stared at the internal communications icon that glowed seductively on a control panel. He lifted a hand towards it. Hesitated. Checked his watch.
“Don’t.” Adam’s voice held a note of rueful warning.
Nick lifted his head and gazed at his friend. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t check on Sarah again. I’ve already had my ear chewed off for not treating her like one of the crew.”
“I can’t not worry about her.”
“I’m not asking you to, but she’s right. If she’s to maintain the respect of those working under her we—you as Chief Officer can’t show her favour.”
Nick frowned then compressed his lips in irritation. He lifted his hand. “Fine,” he grumbled. “How is she faring?”
Adam’s smile glowed with pride. “Very well. Don’t worry, when we’re out of this mess you can confine her to our cabin.”
“A very appealing notion.”
The internal communications
channel chimed. “Chief?”
“Yes, Tammy,” Nick answered.
“We have a problem, sir. Looks like the Denacons have given up waiting and are heading our way.”
Alarm and excitement flared in a burning stream through Nick. “They’ve cleared Jupiter?”
“Correct and making way directly towards Earth.”
Nick glanced up at Adam. “Get Draken here now and sound emergency evacuation. Get everyone off who’s not coming with us. Thank you, Tammy. Inform Sarah we’ll be relying on engineering to provide maximum thrust and prepare for reflector decoy.”
The blare of recurring, multi-noted sirens blasted through the ship and almost drowned out Tammy’s, “Aye, sir.”
Nick shot Adam a hard look. “If the ship is critically compromised get Sarah to a shuttle or an escape pod and keep her safe.”
Adam’s eyes narrowed. “She’ll never forgive me if we depart without you.”
“I’ll be right behind you, but my responsibility is to see everyone off the ship, I can’t do that while worrying about Sarah’s or your safety.”
Adam’s sharp nod of agreement coincided with a shimmer of light in the corner of the bridge and Draken appeared with Kane by his side.
“Situation report?” Draken asked.
“The Denacons are advancing towards Earth, Captain. They are . . .” Nick glanced at Adam who checked a readout on his pilot’s console.
“At their present speed, half an hour from marginal proximity.”
Love, Encoded (Selected Evolution Series Book 1) Page 19