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

by Heidi Skarie

  “There are other ways to do that.” Toemeka walked out of the palace..

  “If you don’t stop, I’ll call my guards and have you escorted to your room. I promised Michio I wouldn’t let you interfere.”

  A flush of anger shot through Toemeka. She walked up to Koriann until she was right in her face. “Erling could be killed! Do you want your child born without a father? Henotaux is an outlaw city. They have an advanced defense system that will destroy the fleet as soon as it enters air space. They’re heavily fortified with military bases and a large squad of air ships. If Henotaux was easy to destroy, their enemies would’ve wiped them out long ago. Michio will never even get near Commander Rochambeau.”

  Koriann turned deathly pale. “Michio and Erling were able to land when they rescued you.” She sounded uncertain.

  “They came as slave dealers in a trader’s ship, not as part of a military space fleet. A space fleet won’t have a chance. It’ll be tracked on the Devil’s Eye defense system long before it reaches the moon. I didn’t spend my time in idle conversation with Cadmus. I found out everything I could about the domed city. They have their own law and order. When it comes to protecting themselves from outside forces, they band together. Koriann, I don’t have time to plead with you. Time is of the essence. We have to stop them before they make a space jump.”

  Koriann drew a deep breath, not replying at first, but her expression revealed alarm. Finally she said, “All right, I’ll help you.”

  At the royal airstrip, Koriann hurried over to the officer in charge. “I want a two-man spacecraft fast enough to catch up with the royal air fleet.”

  He looked curious, but didn’t ask questions. He led the women over to a sleek-looking fighter ship. “This one is the fastest, but it’s still being tested. It’s never been taken up to full speed.”

  Toemeka looked over the ship with a trained eye, taking in its design. It had an aerodynamic build for combat fighting within planetary atmospheres and quadruple mega engines for space travel. The ship looked fast and powerful with deflector shields and heavy armory attached to its belly.

  Koriann glanced uneasily at Toemeka. “Do you think you can fly it?”

  A smile spread across Toemeka’s face at the thought of flying such an amazing ship. “Of course, I can. What do you think I spent the last seven years of my life doing?” She handed her infant son to the officer. “Take Baymond into the palace and give him to his nursemaid. Tell her we’ll be back in a few hours.”

  The mechanic held the baby awkwardly. “I don’t know much about babies.”

  “Don’t hold him like a sack of potatoes. Hold him close to your chest and support his head.”

  The officer shifted Baymond’s position in his arms. “I should caution you that this ship is designed to be launched from a mother ship. It doesn’t hold enough fuel for a long flight. You’ll have to land on one of the fleet’s warships and refuel. You won’t make it back otherwise. Does Prince Erling know you’re joining him? He may not approve of you using this ship.”

  “I’m Queen,” Koriann said. “I don’t need anyone’s permission.”

  “He’s the head of the military. I should contact him.”

  “There isn’t time,” Koriann said. “Take Baymond to the nursery.”

  Toemeka and Koriann headed to the locker room to change into flight suits and helmets.

  When Toemeka slid into the pilot seat, she felt a rush of adrenalin pump through her. The ship smelled brand-new and she was itching to fly it. Once Koriann was in the co-pilot seat, Toemeka lowered the canopy, fastened her shoulder harness, and completed a preflight check. She started the thruster engines and taxied the ship out of the hangar.

  Once the ship was high above Jaipar, Toemeka did a couple of barrel rolls to see how it maneuvered. “It handles beautifully! It will be great in a dog fight.”

  “Was that necessary?” Koriann asked, speaking into her helmet microphone.

  “Was what necessary?” Toemeka glanced over at Koriann and noticed she was pale and shaky.

  “The rolls. I feel a little sick.”

  “Sorry, I forgot about your pregnancy,” Toemeka said, regretting her maneuvers. She remembered her own discomfort when she was pregnant—especially during the first three months. She put up deflector heat shields and flew toward the edge of the planet atmosphere.

  In open space, Toemeka leaned back in her seat, enjoying the feeling of freedom that space travel always gave her.

  “You’re pretty skilled with this spacecraft, considering you’ve never flown it before,” Koriann said.

  “I’ve put in a lot of time flying many types of fighter ships. I couldn’t fly something as big as the Blue Lady, but this ship isn’t much different than the fighter ships I’ve piloted.”

  “This ship is more powerful.”

  “True, it’s a winner. You should build a whole fleet of them.” Toemeka spoke to the ship’s computer. “Larvice, bring her up to full power.” The ship surged forward, responding to the verbal command. Toemeka checked readouts and adjusted the stabilizers. “Good so far. She seems stable enough.” Toemeka flipped on the computer tracking screen and soon located the fleet. “There they are! We’d better make radio contact. Are you ready to do some fancy talking to convince a whole space fleet to call off the attack and return home? It won’t be easy. They may even try to force us to go back.”

  “You do the talking. I’m sure you’ll convince them, like you did me.”

  Toemeka switched on the radio microphone. “Star Rider to Cruiser. Come in.”

  There was a slight delay, then Erling’s voice came across the intercom, sharp and forceful. “This is Cruiser. What the hell are you doing?”

  Toemeka laughed and looked at Koriann. “Oh my, he’s mad. I’ve never heard him talk like that over the radio before.” She turned on the microphone again. “Requesting permission to board for refueling. Over.” She smiled at Koriann. “He can’t refuse that.”

  “Permission granted.” Toemeka turned off the radio.

  “Toemeka, do you regret quitting the Coalition? Do you miss the excitement and adventure?”

  Toemeka looked at her, reading more into her question. “You’re thinking of Erling, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. “He gets so restless. Sometimes late at night, when I know he’s exhausted from the pressures of the day, he won’t come to bed. Instead he’ll take out a ship — a fast, experimental craft like this one — and go for a test run.”

  “It’s just his way of relieving pressure. He loves to fly. I imagine at times it’s hard for him being a ruler and married with a child on the way. It’s a lot of responsibility. But he loves you and I’m sure he doesn’t regret quitting the Coalition.”

  Toemeka flew into the landing bay of the headquarters ship and parked the fighter. As they deboarded, she tossed her helmet onto the pilot seat and nervously tucked in a few strands of hair that escaped from her braided bun. Her hands felt ice-cold and a knot formed in her stomach. She had to convince Michio and Erling to abort the mission; the risk was just too great.

  “You’re ordered to go to the control deck, Queen Fenian Marsindi,” an officer said, coming up to them.

  “Since when am I ordered around?” Koriann demanded.

  “This is a military operation. You don’t have authority here.”

  “We’ll see about that,” she said, pushing past him. They walked to the spacelift that took them through the large ship to the control room.

  When they arrived, Toemeka looked around apprehensively at the control deck. Military personnel were stationed at computers about the room and several pilots were seated in command seats, facing the large view port. She spotted Erling sitting in the main pilot seat with Michio standing beside him. Toemeka braced herself for a confrontation.

  Michio turned. Upon seeing them, his eyes narrowed. He spoke to Erling, who gave the controls to Captain Flint, then the two men walked over to their wives.

  “What
are you doing here, Toemeka?” Michio asked. Beside him, Erling glowered at her. Both men stood more than a head higher than Toemeka. Their size and posture made her feel like a child, trying to interfere with a decision made by adults.

  Refusing to be intimidated, she said, “You know perfectly well why I’m here. You have to call off this mission.”

  Michio turned to Koriann. “I thought you were going to keep Toemeka at the palace.”

  Koriann’s chin rose up a notch and she looked him directly in the eye. “She convinced me this mission is a mistake.”

  “Really,” Erling said in a sarcastic tone. “And how did she do that?”

  “She—” Koriann faltered and looked to Toemeka for support.

  “Don’t be condescending, Erling!” Toemeka snapped. “I know as much about warfare as you do. While I was at Devil’s Eye, I found out all I could about their military. It would be suicide to attack them.”

  Toemeka felt the barrier Michio put up against listening to her and wasn’t surprised when he interrupted. “Why couldn’t you just stay at the palace? We’ve already planned this out thoroughly and made all the necessary preparations. I’m sending you back.”

  “I think we should at least hear her out, Michio,” Erling said. “Toemeka is a trained professional and knows what she’s talking about. She worked many military operations. We’re not giving her advice enough credit.”

  Grateful for Erling’s support, Toemeka waited for Michio’s response. The men’s eyes locked and she felt tension building between them. She knew Michio didn’t want to retreat.

  Finally, Michio crossed his arms across his chest. “All right, I’m not going to fight the three of you. Let’s hear it.”

  Toemeka explained all she knew about the military force on Devil’s Eye and why she though it was too dangerous to attack Commander Rochambeau’s compound. The men listened gravely as Toemeka ended by saying, “You don’t even know if Commander Rochambeau is still there. He’s not an outlaw. He’s one of Samrat Condor’s top military personnel. He abducted me to get you both to come to Henotaux, so he could kill you and take over control of Jaipar and Haklute. You’re playing right into his hands, though there’s a good chance Samrat Condor has sent him somewhere else by now.”

  “It does sound like we’re taking a risk that could cost the lives of many military personal and not even succeed in killing our target,” Erling said. “We didn’t even send in a spy to see if Cadmus is still there.”

  The knot loosened in Toemeka’s stomach as she waited for Michio’s response.

  “You made your point,” Michio said. “We need more intelligence about Henotaux and Commander Rochambeau’s current location before launching an attack.”

  No longer worried about being professional, Toemeka hugged Michio.

  “What am I going to do with you?” he asked, shaking his head. “You never do as you’re told.” Then he smiled and gave her a light kiss. “This time I’m glad you didn’t.”

  Erling put his hand on Koriann’s shoulder. “Are you feeling all right, Kori love? You look pale.”

  “It’s been a stressful morning. I feel nauseous.”

  Erling’s brow wrinkled in concern. “I’ll take you to my cabin after I tell Captain Flint to give orders for the fleet to return to Jaipar.” He walked away from them.

  Toemeka glanced at Koriann. “I’m flying back in the fighter. I’ll see you at the palace. Thanks for your support.”

  “I had a lot at stake, too.”

  “You shouldn’t fly that ship,” Michio said. “It’s still being tested.”

  “It won’t be the first test ship I’ve flown.”

  “I don’t doubt it. But if you’re set on flying, at least let me come along. I want a chance to fly her myself.”

  “You can come along — but I’m the one flying the ship.”

  He reluctantly agreed to her stipulation.

  On the spacelift, Toemeka said, “This fighter’s a well-designed ship. She handles like a gem and you should see how fast she can go.”

  “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t going to be a quiet, relaxing ride home?”

  “I plan to test the limits on the way back. Maybe you don’t want to come along.”

  “I think I’d better see that you don’t kill yourself.”

  She scowled at him. “I’m a competent pilot.”

  “I know you are. I don’t mean to be overly protective.” His eyes fell on the ruby ring that was still on her right hand. She turned it so the stone was down, frustrated that she still hadn’t been able to remove it.

  The spacelift door slid open and Toemeka led Michio into the ship, feeling a rush of excitement at being able to share it with him.

  12

  Master Bakka

  In the middle of the night, Toemeka’s moans awakened Michio. As he drew her into his arms, he felt her shaking. “Toemeka, wake up.”

  She clutched his forearm. “I had the same reoccurring nightmare I always have. Cadmus came for me. Then things shifted and we’re in front of Samrat Condor in some ceremonial room. Why do I keep having such a terrible dream?”

  “I don’t know, but we’re safe at the palace.”

  “I was so upset when I discovered you’d left for Devil’s Eye. I couldn’t bear it if you were killed.”

  He held her closer. “I thought if I killed Commander Rochambeau, you’d stop having awful nightmares.”

  “Killing Cadmus isn’t the answer. I’ve heard it said where there’s love, there’s no room for fear. I have to learn to focus on love.”

  Gradually, he felt her relax and her breathing became deep and regular. He tried to fall back to sleep himself, but found it impossible. He was always a light sleeper and since she started having nightmares again, he wasn’t sleeping well.

  His mind raced. That afternoon, she’d seemed so self-confident when she stopped an entire fleet from attacking Henotaux, but now she was vulnerable and frightened. He knew nightmares had plagued her after her family was killed, but they’d gradually decreased and after he and Toemeka had married, she seemed much more at peace.

  Now the nightmares had begun again — with a vengeance. They’d become so terrifying that she was afraid to sleep until he was in bed with her. Toemeka was also afraid to wake up and find him gone in the morning. When did they start? Not when she first escaped from Cadmus. No, not then. They started the night he’d taken her dancing with Erling and Koriann.

  One reason he hadn’t mentioned going to Devil’s Eye was because he was concerned about her. He thought it was natural to feel protective toward her when she was emotionally going through such a hard time. Michio pondered what to do about Cadmus. Toemeka wouldn’t be safe until he was in prison or dead.

  Toemeka moaned in her sleep and thrashed against him. “No, no.” He debated waking her again. “No, Cadmus, please!”

  Michio shook her awake, upset by the pain Cadmus caused her. “Light on,” he said and the room instantly glowed in soft light.

  She stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. “I dreamed of Cadmus again. It was so real.” She sat up in bed. “As soon as I fell asleep he was waiting for me. He’s trying to take control of me in my dreams to bring me back to him.”

  Michio put his arm around her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, while I was in Henotaux I felt out of contact with the Eternal Life Stream and the Master because Cadmus was trying to control me. I became so depressed I didn’t care whether I lived or died. Now I feel him attacking me again, especially when I’m sleeping. You always wake me up, but I’m afraid someday I won’t awaken or when I awaken, you won’t be here.”

  “I’ll take you to see Master Bakka tomorrow. He’ll know what to do.” Disturbed by what Toemeka told him, Michio realized just how powerful a black magician Cadmus had become.

  Toemeka slipped out of bed and stood in a pool of moonlight that shone through the window. She wore a sheer nightgown and her breasts rose up and down irregularly with each bre
ath. Her cheeks were flushed and her black hair hung almost to her waist.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not going to sleep anymore. He’s trying to control me.”

  “Honey, you have to sleep.”

  “No,” she said in a breathless, unnatural sounding voice.

  “I’ll put a shield around you in the Inner Worlds that he won’t be able to break through. Then I’ll search for him inwardly.”

  “No! He’s waiting for you! He’ll kill you. He blames you for freeing me. I have to go to him.” Her eyes became vacant and she started for the door, almost in a trance. Feeling a negative presence in the room, Michio leapt from the bed and clasped Toemeka to him.

  “I command you to leave this room,” Michio said, addressing the entity. “In Bakka’s name, you cannot harm us.” Michio threw up a protective shield around Toemeka and Baymond. The negative energy increased as he fought to keep the shield intact.

  Finally, the energy withdrew and the presence faded. Toemeka collapsed in his arms. He carried her to the bed and brushed a wisp of hair from her sweaty forehead.

  “He’s gone,” she said, her eyes filling with awareness once more. “Is the baby all right?”

  Michio looked down in the cradle. Reassured that Baymond was asleep, he sat down on the bed and looked at his wife with concern. “He’s fine. How about you?”

  “Hold me.”

  He held her close and their mouths met in an impassioned kiss. They lay in each other’s arms until the sun rose and light filled the room.

  ***

  Michio flew Toemeka and the baby to the Gateway Mountain Range, then put Baymond in the baby carrier and they began hiking to the Master’s hut. The day was sunny and warm, and the mountain air was pure and sweet to breathe.

  Upon reaching Master Bakka’s hut, Michio and Toemeka sat on a bench across from him. The Master’s skin was deeply tanned and his neatly-kept, short beard was as white as his hair. He was dressed simply in a knee-length blue robe, belted with a rope, and heavy sandals. Positive energy flowed out from him and Michio felt better just by being in his presence.