Star Rider and Bonds of Love: A Sci-Fi Space Opera with a Touch of Fantasy

by Heidi Skarie

  She didn’t respond, not wanting to argue with him.

  “You still look faint.” He clenched a fist, then released it. “I was going to —” His eyes swept lustfully over her body. “But I decided to give you more time to recover. You owe me for the life of your slave. I expect you to show me gratitude for that favor in the near future.”

  He left the room and the tension in her chest eased. It was always hard to be around his negative energy and ongoing threats. Still he’d spared Amaretta. Toemeka focused within, determined to reach Michio. She felt as if some dark force that previously prevented them from making contact had somehow been removed. Toemeka intended to take advantage of it before she was blocked again.

  This time she chanted to raise her awareness and then slid out of her body in full consciousness. When she placed her attention on Michio, she felt a sensation of movement and then stood beside him near a gently flowing stream. Light pulsed around him and a soft humming filled the air. He drew her into his arms and kissed her. Toemeka, where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you ever since this morning.

  I don’t want you to risk your life by coming to me. Baymond needs a father.

  You’re in grave danger. I can feel psychic powers attacking you. In your weakened state, you aren’t strong enough to hold them off much longer. You must let me help you. Please tell me where you are.

  She looked into his eyes, so filled with love. I’m in a domed city on an obscure moon. It’s owned by criminals and has a strong military to defend it. There’s only one spaceport and you can’t land without permission from the authorities who run it, she replied, thinking of Devil’s Eye.

  Devil’s Eye, he said, picking up the thought forms she’d been hiding from him.

  You read my mind! You had no right to.

  Where’s Devil’s Eye?

  Don’t come. It’s far too dangerous.

  Rise above your fear, Toemeka. Erling and I are warriors and can rescue you from Cadmus. Don’t let him convince you otherwise. Have courage, my love, trust me.

  She put her hands to her heart. Michio was right, she couldn’t let fear control her. Devil’s Eye is one of planet Kunassre’s moons. I’m imprisoned in a room in Cadmus’ complex.

  We’ll head there immediately. Keep the connection between us open. We’ll find you.

  He kissed her and her whole being flooded with warmth and love. Her trepidation retreated as she kissed him back.

  Suddenly, she sensed something was wrong. Someone is trying to take control of my body! I must return at once. Returning to the physical realm, Toemeka saw a bronze-haired woman standing near her bed. Her face was exquisite, but the dark vibrations coming from her were deadly. “Seetva,” Toemeka gasped, sitting up.

  “If you leave your body again, I’ll see to it that you’ll never return,” she replied, smiling maliciously. She uttered an incantation and sent a blast of negative psychic energy toward Toemeka.

  Toemeka threw up a golden shield of vibrating Light. The energy crashed against it and dissipated. Inwardly she still felt the strength of Michio’s inner presence and love.

  “You’ve manipulated and blinded Cadmus,” Seetva said. “I’m not weak like him.”

  Toemeka inwardly strengthened her shield against Seetva’s psychic attack. “You can’t control me.”

  Seetva smiled maliciously. “We’ll see.” Her face turned into a skull and her body became a skeleton covered in a black hooded robe. She reached out with boney hands and sent out a stream of fire. The fire burnt through the shield and Toemeka screamed as psychic flames seared through her. The intense pain caused her to lose contact with Michio. She curled up in agony.

  The door swung open, slamming against the wall, and Cadmus charged into the room. The pain lifted as Seetva switched back into her usual luscious form. “Seetva, what’re you doing?!” Cadmus demanded, his nostrils flared and face was red with anger.

  “The job you’re too weak to do. We captured Toemeka so we could control her and draw Michio and Erling to us. Instead she controls you.”

  Cadmus advanced on Seetva. “She doesn’t control me and you have no right to be here. If you ever attack her again, psychically or physically, I’ll kill you. And don’t be so foolish as to think I won’t feel it if you try to invade her mind again. I thought you understood me when I caught you drugging her.”

  “I understood you all right and what I saw was that this woman has blinded you. Your feelings for her have you in emotional bondage. It’s clouding your vision. You’re no longer working to become ruler of Jaipar.”

  “I’m still working for it, but in my own way. I’ll decide how the woman is to be handled, not you.”

  “I’ll tell King Zanton you’re no longer working with us.”

  “You’re blinded by jealousy. Toemeka has real beauty and yours is only on the surface. You think every man should worship you and you hate that I’m not under your spell. It galls you that I could find another woman more attractive. Be content making King Zanton your puppet. He knows what you are and despises you for it, but is too caught under your spell to break away. I’m sure he realizes Toemeka’s potential after meeting her on Jaipar. I’m going to train her to be an enchantress, so it doesn’t serve my purpose for you to terrify her and turn her into a zombie.”

  Seetva’s eyes stared at him, like daggers ready to strike. “You’ll never succeed in turning her to your dark purpose without taking complete control over her. There’s too much Light in her. Moreover, she has powerful guardians in the psychic worlds. Never threaten me again or I’ll summon demons from the underworld.”

  “Your magic doesn’t impress me, witch. You’ve only touched the surface of real power; you certainly don’t have the ability to control it.” Cadmus snapped his wrist and an arrow of negative energy shot toward her. She blocked it with a field of vibrating power. Cadmus continued to hurl arrows of energy until they broke through Seetva’s defense field and nailed her against a wall. “Do you want to test my power by continuing to fight me?” Cadmus demanded.

  Seetva sent arrows flying in all directions. The room sizzled with negative energy. “It’s foolish for us to fight,” Seetva said. “Our powers should be used to fight our enemies, not each other.” A black fog swirled around her and she vanished.

  Cadmus sat on the bed beside Toemeka and she jerked back, feeling the aftereffects of the magic surrounding him. “Don’t be frightened,” he said. “It’s over now. I wanted to give Seetva a demonstration of my power, so she’ll leave you alone.” His voice softened. “Did she hurt you?”

  Toemeka let her breathing return to normal before she replied. “I feel inwardly scorched. I’m not safe here. She’ll kill me next time.”

  “She wouldn’t dare.”

  “Of course she dares. Please send her away, I beg you.”

  He stared into space thoughtfully. “I still have use for her. I’ll need her dark power when Michio comes for you.” His eyes became cold and hard. He seized her upper arms, yanking her toward him. Toemeka cried out in pain at this new jarring of her fractured ribs. “Is Seetva right?” he asked. “Do you have power over me? Are you trying to manipulate me?”

  An inner warning put her on high alert. She knew any show of strength or defiance would only anger him more. He wanted her weak. She didn’t try to hide her fear of him and began to tremble again. “I — I only asked you to make Seetva leave because I’m terrified of her. She’s a powerful sorceress. She changed into a skeleton and it felt like my whole body was on fire when she attacked me.”

  He slackened his grip on her arms and his dark facial expression lightened. She felt him try to enter her mind and she barely had the energy to block him. Inwardly, Michio bathed her in a shower of healing Light and love, giving her the strength she needed to block Cadmus from scanning her mind.

  Cadmus frowned thoughtfully. “Seetva’s right; you’re being protected. My guess is it’s Michio or perhaps Master Bakka. Is it possible they’re that strong?”
<
br />   She remained silent. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

  “I don’t doubt that you’re terrified of Seetva. But I’ve never met a woman who wasn’t cunning to some degree. Moreover, you’re a Coalition undercover operative and not the innocent woman you appear to be. Despite that, there’s something pure and untarnished in your nature that draws me to you.” His mouth covered hers in a bruising kiss. When she tried to twist away, he held her tighter and thrust his tongue into her mouth. Repulsed she pushed against his shoulders. “Don’t fight me. Let me make love to you this once.” He kissed her again.

  She wrenched her mouth from his. “No, please.” Overwhelmed, she burst into tears, feeling as if her world was being destroyed and her with it.

  His eyes darkened, then cleared and he drew her gently to his chest. She gradually regained some composure and stopped crying. He released her and handed her a tissue. She wiped her eyes and nose. She couldn’t figure him out. He wanted to use and control her; yet at times, the genuine warmth in his eyes gave her pause.

  “I’ll let you rest. I need to deal with Seetva.”

  Once he’d left, she slumped over and put her face in her hands. Michio, find me quickly. I can’t take much more. I’ve never faced such dark psychic powers before.

  The next day Cadmus took her to the flower garden she’d seen outside her window. She was able walk without help now and her ribs only hurt when she coughed or moved wrong.

  Cadmus talked at length about the different types of flowers, which were transported from other planets. She found it incongruent that such an evil man enjoyed horticulture. She leaned down to smell a flower; when she straightened, she caught Cadmus studying her.

  “You’re much stronger. Tomorrow night, I’ll take you to a party where I’m meeting some business associates. Afterwards you’ll spend the night in my bed.”

  Toemeka felt as if the ground was knocked out from under her. She’d hoped to find a way to escape before he degraded her so horribly.

  Cadmus signaled to a nearby slave woman and she brought over a large rectangular box. He handed it to Toemeka. “Open it.”

  Toemeka removed the lid. Inside was a metallic-gold evening gown.

  “Tomorrow night you’ll wear this to the party,” he said.

  Toemeka shook her head. “I can’t wear that. There are many dresses in my closet—perhaps one of them…” She trailed off, noticing his scowl and remembered how he’d reacted when she refused his gift of the jeweled china bird. She swallowed and lifted it out of the box. “It’s… well…”

  “It’s exquisite — made by a famous designer just for you. You’ll look gorgeous in it and every man will wish you were his.”

  Michio wouldn’t like it, she thought. It would make her look like a kept woman or lady of the night. Yet as she stared at it, she realized the party might provide an opportunity for escape.

  9

  Escape

  At the Krillian Space Station, Michio showed Erling the spaceship he wanted for the run to Devil’s Eye. Appalled, Erling stared at the worn vehicle. “You expect me to trade the Blue Lady for this pile of flying garbage?”

  “We can’t land on Devil’s Eye in the Blue Lady,” Michio replied. “We’d be shot down.”

  “The Blue Lady and I go way back. She’s gotten me out of a lot of tight spots plus she’s enhanced to be one of the fastest ships around. We’re better off using her.” Erling gazed fondly at his sleek spacecraft.

  “It’s just a ship. Come on, just make the trade and let’s get out of here.”

  “Can’t we dock the Blue Lady and buy a ship?”

  Michio crossed his arms across his chest. “This space station is on the outskirts of civilization. There aren’t any ships to buy or rent. Everyone plans to leave on the ship they came in on.”

  “Won’t they be suspicious that we’re trading a valuable ship for a piece of junk?”

  “The trader thinks our ship was stolen. I told him we don’t have papers since I didn’t want him to know who you are.”

  The sly grinning trader came over and said something in the local language. Michio’s translator repeated it in the universal language.

  “What did he say?” Erling asked.

  “That we’re getting a good deal.”

  “Yeah, a good deal for him. How much money is he going to throw in?”

  “None.”

  Erling raised his eyebrows. “None! I’m not trading! My ship is worth ten of that heap of garbage.”

  “It’s better than it looks. I took it for a test run. It’s beat-up on the exterior because it’s seen a lot of combat. It was used for smuggling weapons, slaves, and drug-running, but it has a defense shield system and advanced weapons. It’s fast and can make space jumps. Besides that, it’s equipped for long space journeys with sleeping cabins, a galley and has a simulated gravity field, like the Blue Lady, so our bodies won’t lose muscle tone.”

  “I don’t know.” Erling shook his head, still looking uncertain. “The Blue Lady has all that and doesn’t look like a piece of flying space-junk. It’s still a bad deal.”

  “Come on, we’re wasting time. Let’s make the trade and get going.”

  “I’m not dealing with that crook. He’s trying to rob us.”

  “Toemeka’s life is at stake and you’re grumbling about getting a bad deal? You can buy as many ships as you want; you and Koriann are rulers of Jaipar. Isn’t Toemeka’s life worth the Blue Lady?”

  “Of course, it is. I just don’t like getting cheated.” Erling didn’t raise any further objections as Michio completed the transaction.

  They boarded the Blue Lady to retrieve their possessions. Erling walked into the cockpit and slid into the well-worn pilot seat. “I’ll be back for you, Lady. We’ve been through too many storms together to leave you in the hands of a slave dealer.” He got up, grabbed his bag and followed Michio onto the smuggler’s ship.

  “Were you able to buy us some clothes and weapons?” Michio asked.

  “Yeah.” Erling walked up the ramp, then stopped abruptly when he saw the ship interior. Although it had seen a lot of wear, at one time it had been a custom designed luxury cruiser.

  “This must have been some fancy ship when it was built.”

  “Wait until you see the cabins.” Michio led Erling to the first of two compartments. The cabin gave a feeling of comfort with plush, built-in chairs, a private bathroom and a double-sized berth. The walls and ceiling were shiny metal, reflecting images like a mirror. One whole wall was directly etched with a scene depicting a harem.

  “I’m supposed to sleep here?” Erling asked, staring at the nude women in disbelief.

  “I’ll sleep here. The other bedroom isn’t quite as gaudy.”

  Erling tossed a bag on the bed. “Your clothes are in the bag.”

  Michio lifted out an orange shirt with full sleeves, a knee-length black jacket, skin-tight pants, and high boots. “You’re joking. I’m not wearing this!”

  Erling smirked. “Got to dress the part.”

  “Surely there are less gaudy clothes we can wear.”

  “As you pointed out, we have to fit in. We’re slave dealers.”

  “Slave dealers!” Michio exclaimed.

  “Yeah and let’s hope we succeed in capturing the woman we’re after on this voyage.”

  Late that night, Michio and Erling arrived in the city of Henotaux on Devil’s Eye and got permission to land at the large airship spaceport. After landing, Michio and Erling rented an aircar and drove to a series of bars to ask bartenders questions about buying slaves and if they knew Commander Rochambeau.

  Finally, they came to Raider’s Tavern, a bar further out from the city. The seedy place only had a few customers. They approached the bartender, a skinny man with a triangular face.

  “We’re looking for a man called Commander Rochambeau,” Michio said. “You ever heard of him?”

  “Why are you asking?”

  “We’re in the slave mark
et and heard he might have some women to sell,” Erling said. He placed a couple of large bills on the counter. “What can you tell us?”

  The man greedily eyed the bills, then tapped his fingers on the counter as he scanned the bar before looking back at them. “I never heard of him.”

  He’s hiding something, Erling said telepathically to Michio.

  Agreed, Michio said back.

  Erling place another large bill on the stack. “We’ve heard he has a compound on Henotaux.”

  “Some men are too powerful to cross.”

  “We have no intention of crossing anyone,” Erling said. “We’re just here to buy slaves at a fair price.”

  “Aren’t you going to tell them what happened the other night?” one of the men at the bar asked. “Cause if you aren’t, I will. I could use some bills.”

  The bartender grabbed the bills and Michio clasped his forearm. “First, tell us what happened.”

  “He was here,” the bartender said.

  “Who, Rochambeau?” Erling asked.

  “Yeah, he’s a powerful sorcerer. You don’t want to mess with him. A few nights ago, three men brought in a beautiful woman with long black hair. She’d evidently made some kind of deal with the men, but they had no intention of keeping their end of the bargain.”

  Michio stomach churned, knowing the woman must have been Toemeka. “What happened?”

  “The leader of the men ripped off her coat and underneath all she had on was a torn nightgown.”

  “She looked beaten,” the other man interjected.

  “The men were threatening her when Commander Rochambeau charged into the tavern. He used some kind of dark psychic force to kill all three men. Then he dared anyone else to oppose him. Of course, no one did, so he left with the woman.”

  “Do you think Rochambeau would sell her?” Erling asked. “A woman like that would bring a good price.”

  “He came here without any of his men and was in a rage. She obviously meant something to him. I don’t think he’d sell her.”

  “Where does he live?” Michio asked. “He might be interested in buying more slaves.”