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

by Heidi Skarie

  Toemeka broke into a sweat, afraid he’d recognize her. She inwardly put up a Light shield to block the negative energy emanating from him

  “Samrat Condor.” Cadmus bowed low.

  Toemeka did the same, not wanting to draw undue attention.

  “It is a great honor to have you visit,” Cadmus said, straightening. “I wasn’t expecting you or I would’ve prepared a proper welcome.”

  “No need. Tonight at the Hall of Condor a ceremony will honor my arrival on Alandra. I came because you failed in your duty to wipe out the Resistance. Why haven’t you put it down? We’re world conquerors and they’re a small group of rebels with nothing but a few guns and grenades.”

  “We’ve killed most of them, but it’s difficult to eradicate them completely. They form small guerrilla bands that keep moving, hiding in forests and mountainous areas. They attack at random, then disappear. I just returned from setting a trap for a band that lives in the mountains near Tismus. We allowed the rebels to break out a few prisoners from the concentration camp and escape into the Glendale Forest so my men can follow them and find their base camp.”

  The hairs rose on Toemeka’s arms. It was a trap all along. Cadmus had scheduled the Fenian family for execution to lure out the rebels. She tried to keep her thoughts and emotions still. Samrat Condor was a powerful black magician who could pick up on them.

  “I want complete control of the planet!” Samrat Condor said. “Terminate the Resistance!”

  “I’m already on it.”

  “I’m holding you responsible if it’s not.” Samrat Condor started to turn away, then stopped and took a closer look at Toemeka. “Who’s this prisoner?”

  “She’s a Coalition operative. She was among the rebels who broke out the prisoners.”

  Recognition shone in Samrat Condor’s eyes. “She’s also an initiate of the Secret Teachings and served as a guardian of the Temple of Kumba on Borko. During the aerial attack on Jaipar, she blocked us from finding and attacking the Temple.”

  Cadmus looked at Toemeka, his eyes widening in surprise. “I didn’t know she had such abilities.”

  Toemeka felt pressure against her temples as Samrat Condor tried to claw his way inside her mind to take control of it. She focused her attention on Master Bakka to keep her Light shield strong and inwardly sang HU to tune into a higher power.

  Samrat Condor finally withdrew his inner assault and said, “The priests are looking for a worthy sacrifice for today’s ceremony. I’ll tell them I’ve found the perfect woman. Have Seetva dress her appropriately, then bring her to the Hall of Condor.”

  Toemeka gasped and her knees weakened. She grabbed onto the doorframe for support. It was a death sentence.

  “It’s a waste to kill her. I planned to interrogate her about the rebels,” Cadmus said.

  “You dare challenge my decision?” Samrat Condor’s eyes were like daggers. “This woman is a powerful channel for Master Bakka! Initiates like her are all that stand between me and total control of this quadrant of the galaxy.”

  “Michio Kimes is an even more powerful channel and she’s his wife. We could use her as bait to draw him here.”

  Samrat Condor frowned thoughtfully. “I didn’t know he’d gotten married. We’ll be prepared for him when he comes to rescue her at the ceremony.”

  “He won’t come,” Toemeka said, yanking her wrists against her handcuffs. “He’s not even on planet Alandra.”

  “Then he’ll come to avenge your death.” Samrat Condor said, already sounding victorious. He headed toward the main entrance with his entourage following.

  Cadmus hauled Toemeka down the hallway and up a staircase.

  “Don’t give me to him!” Toemeka begged.

  “It’s an honor to be picked by Samrat Condor.”

  “An honor to be his latest sacrifice?”

  “He is the supreme deity and is to be worshipped. His word is never questioned.”

  To be sacrificed by Samrat Condor was the worst fate she could imagine. Did Cadmus really believe it was an honor and that Samrat Condor was the supreme deity? It didn’t make sense and he was an intelligent scientist. Yet, even intelligent people had irrational religious beliefs.

  Cadmus brought her into a stark sleeping quarter and slammed the door. “Damn to Hell that self-serving monster!” He lifted a bust of Samrat Condor off its stand and threw it across the room. It smashed into the wall with a loud crash and broke into pieces.

  Toemeka flinched. He stepped toward her and she shrank away. The anger left his eyes. “Don’t be afraid of me. I didn’t wish for this to happen. I had no idea he was coming to Alandra and would be here. If I’d known, I would’ve hidden you elsewhere. Surely you don’t believe I want to sacrifice you in one of his unholy ceremonies.”

  “I… I wasn’t sure. You said it was an honor and he’s a deity.”

  “I know what I said! How could I say otherwise with his men around? I know he’s not the god he proclaims to be, but he’s a powerful ruler of many worlds and a dangerous black magician.”

  “You can’t let him sacrifice me!”

  “He’s too powerful to oppose.”

  “You could ask him to spare me as a gift to you, one of his loyal men.”

  “You kept him from finding and destroying the Temple of Kumba and you’re his sworn enemy’s wife. He’d never give you to me.” His eyes were sad as he unlocked her handcuffs and left the room.

  Toemeka glanced around for a means of escape or a weapon. The door opened and Seetva entered. Right behind her was Amaretta, the slave who served Toemeka at Cadmus’ fortress. The girl’s eyes were vacant and didn’t show any sign of recognition.

  “I’m told you’re to be sacrificed tonight,” Seetva said. “I hadn’t expected this twist in my plans, but I can’t say it displeases me. Take off your clothes.”

  “No. If Samrat Condor wants me dead, he can kill me dressed as I am.”

  “I can use my power on you as I have on your slave girl.”

  “You won’t find me as easy to control as Amaretta.” She felt Seetva trying to invade her mind and quickly strengthened her inner shield.

  Seetva sneered. “I could easily kill you.”

  “Condor will be angry if you deprive him of his sacrifice.”

  “I haven’t time for games.” Seetva pulled out a wicked-looking knife. Toemeka moved into a defensive pose. Instead of coming toward her, Seetva grabbed Amaretta’s hair, jerking her head backward and held the knife to her exposed throat.

  “No! Don’t hurt her. I’ll cooperate.” Toemeka removed her faded dress and shoes.

  “Your underwear, too.”

  Toemeka removed her undergarments and stood, naked and shivering, in the cool room, feeling vulnerable.

  Seetva released Amaretta and her eyes swept over Toemeka. “You’re a scrawny, unattractive woman. I don’t know what Cadmus sees in you.” She looked at Amaretta. “Dress her.”

  Amaretta helped Toemeka slide on a sleeveless, floor-length dress made of a sheer red fabric. Over that she placed an orange, flame-patterned gown and veil, through which Toemeka could only see shadowy forms.

  Amaretta set slippers in front of Toemeka who pulled them on with trembling hands.

  Seetva smiled wickedly. “During the ceremony you’ll dance around the sacrificial firepit and jump into the flames.”

  “They’ll have to throw me in,” Toemeka said. “I have no intension of jumping in.”

  “Samrat priests have spells that will take control of your mind, so you’ll obey them.”

  Commander Rochambeau entered the room and Seetva gave him a gloating smile. “Your prize is lost before you even had a chance to enjoy her.”

  “Shut up, witch.”

  Seetva glared at Toemeka, “Today you’ll scream in agony as you feel and smell your flesh burn. You’ll wish for death and wonder why your god has failed you.”

  “Enough, Seetva!” Cadmus said through gritted teeth. “Get out and take that slave girl
with you.”

  “Samrat Condor ordered me to accompany the sacrificial woman to the ceremonial hall. Apparently, he doesn’t trust you.”

  “Get out of this room before I end your worthless life!”

  Bright red spots appeared on Seetva’s cheeks. “One day we’ll fight and determine once and for all who is more powerful. I’ll be waiting in the hallway. Don’t be long.” She left the room and Amaretta followed like a soulless being.

  Toemeka felt numb. To die like this — sacrificed to the evil sorcerer whose men had killed her family. Was there nothing she could do? Nothing she could say to convince Cadmus to save her? She tried to speak but her throat felt constricted and her mind couldn’t put words together properly. She’d never see her baby again. Never see him take his first step or hear his first words. She’d never be held by Michio again or see his love for her in his eyes. A wave of sorrow swept over her. She had known the risks when she came to Alandra, but she hadn’t thought she’d have to pay this high price.

  “We’ve only got a short time before we must leave,” Cadmus said, breaking into her thoughts. He folded back the veil and gazed into her eyes. “I can’t stop this ceremony, but I brought you a pill that will deaden the pain of being burned alive.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t take it.”

  “You must. Seetva spoke the truth. Dying by fire is a horrible death.”

  “No, I’ll go to my death in full consciousness. Not drugged senseless so I can’t defend myself against the sorcerers.”

  “You won’t be able to defend yourself against the priests, regardless of whether you take the pill or not.”

  “I can surrender to a higher power.”

  “Blind faith won’t do you any good.” He drew her close. “You’re the only beauty and light in my dark world. Samrat Condor couldn’t have asked more from me than this.”

  “And yet you’d let me die in this terrible ceremony without a word of protest,” she said, seeing the anguish in his expression.

  “No one dares cross Samrat Condor. He wields immense power.” His mouth descended over hers in a possessive kiss.

  Toemeka pushed him away. “Even now you force yourself on me, knowing that I’m to die soon.”

  “It was a good-bye kiss.”

  16

  Ceremonial Hall

  Worried about Cadmus’ obsession with Toemeka, Michio stared out the air-truck window at the bombed ruins of Tismus as Benray drove to the military compound. He’d opened the window to get some fresh air as the cab reeked from Benray’s unwashed body. Benray reminded him of a wild animal with his dark, bushy beard and mass of hair.

  Finally, the compound came into sight and Benray parked on a side street.

  “Stay here,” Michio said, getting out of the truck. “I’m going to see if Toemeka’s in the compound.” He warily moved toward the gate, adjusting his vibrations to everything around him so his presence wouldn’t be noticed. The guard didn’t look his way as he drew closer and closer.

  A military air-truck drove up to the gate and Michio stepped onto the tailgate as the gate electronically opened. As the truck drove inside the compound and over to a building, Michio jumped down and slipped away.

  He focused within, searching for Toemeka’s unique vibrations. Soon he felt a trace of her essence and went inside the building. He started down the hall as he expanded his awareness. She’s been here. He could feel a residue of her fear, but she was no longer in the building.

  Outside, Michio continued his search until he determined she was no longer at the compound, then he walked over to a guard who stood near the entrance door. “Commander Rochambeau brought a woman here,” Michio said. “Where is she now?”

  The guard’s eyes widened and he glanced around uneasily. “Where did you come from?”

  Michio touched the man’s mind so he wouldn’t be alarmed. “I’m one of Commander Rochambeau’s men. Where’s the woman?”

  “She was brought to the Hall of Condor, to be sacrificed today.”

  Michio’s throat clenched. Am I too late? He focused within and centered himself, regaining control over his emotions. She’s still alive. If she were dead, I’d know it.

  “Let me see your ID,” the guard said.

  Michio touched the guard’s mind again. “How long ago did they leave?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  “You won’t remember me or this conversation.”

  The guard blinked, looking puzzled. Michio left the complex, hurried back to the car, and jumped in beside Benray. “We need to get to the Hall of Condor fast. Samrat Condor’s going to sacrifice Toemeka.”

  “It’s not far from here.” Benray took off, rising into the air a few feet and speeding down the road. “What’s your plan?”

  “Don’t have one yet.”

  “We could set off a few bombs in the building and in the confusion get her out of there.”

  “A bomb would kill innocent people. Besides, Samrat priests will be watching her closely.”

  “True. By the way, how did you get in and out of the compound without being seen?”

  “I shifted my vibration so the guard wouldn’t sense my presence.”

  Benray lifted his eyebrows. “Can you do that to get in to the Hall of Condor?”

  “No, it won’t work on Samrat priests. They’re too powerful.”

  “Then we need different clothes to get in.” He made a quick turn, soared down a side street and screeched to a stop in front of an apartment building badly damaged by bombing. “Come on. My friend, Pasang, will help us.” Benray leapt out of the car and headed to the door.

  “We haven’t time for this,” Michio called after him. He reluctantly got out and followed. When he entered the building, he saw Benray already pounding on a door. An old man opened it and Michio followed Benray inside. The white-haired man studied Michio for a moment, then raised his hand and bowed his head, greeting Michio in the manner of Initiates of the Secret Teachings. “I’m Pasang.”

  “I’m Michio,” he said, returning the greeting.

  “What brings you, Benray?” Pasang asked. “I know you wouldn’t risk coming unless it was important.”

  “We need clothes so we’ll blend in with the crowd at the Hall of Condor.”

  “I heard that awful horn calling everyone to worship an hour ago. They make the people of Tismus attend the sacrificial ceremonies, to control them through fear.” He took two hooded robes from the closet and handed one to each of them. “Put these on over your clothing.”

  Michio slipped the robe over his flight suit, then said, “If all are required to attend, why aren’t you there?”

  “The sorcerers don’t know anyone still lives in this bombed-out shell of a building. How will you rescue her?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Pasang gazed into his eyes. “Trust in God.”

  At the Hall of Condor, Michio pulled the hood of the robe over his head, then he and Benray walked through the huge entrance doors. Inside the main hall, Michio was hit by the oppressiveness of the place and the smell of burning incense and candles filled his nostrils. He stopped abruptly when he saw the blazing firepit on stage. Was this how they planned to sacrifice Toemeka? He scanned the stage and was relieved to see she wasn’t there.

  Citizens of Tismus had filled the hall and Michio and Benray merged into the crowd, pushing their way forward. People made room for them—none were eager to be there. Michio stopped when he and Benray had nearly reached the front row, concerned that he might be recognized. Samrat Condor and his priests stood on stage, chanting some unholy incantation. Michio felt their power gathering. All were dressed in black robes embellished with symbols of the dark powers.

  Michio wondered if he’d die tonight, fighting to save Toemeka.

  ***

  Toemeka stood backstage with Cadmus, Seetva and Amaretta. Shrouded under the veil, she felt closed off from the world. Had her life been leading to this destiny, ever since she was abducted from he
r village at eighteen to be sacrificed to Samrat Condor? Erling and a team of Coalition soldiers rescued her that time, sparing her from a horrible death. This time there wasn’t any hope.

  She wished she was safely at home with Michio and Baymond. Yet if she had to do it all over again, she realized she wouldn’t have done it differently. Erling’s whole family had been scheduled to be executed. She could be strong, knowing they were safe. Erling and Jake would’ve outsmarted Cadmus’ men by now and Erling’s family would be aboard the ship on their way to planet Borko.

  Dark chanting arose from the main hall and she felt negative powers being drawn there. She felt a stab of anxiety as Seetva’s words echoed in her mind. “Tonight you will feel and smell your flesh burn as you scream in agony, wishing for death, wondering why your god has failed you.” God would not fail her, but would she be strong enough to stay centered and inwardly at peace? Would her trust in God be strong enough? Maybe she should’ve taken the pill Cadmus offered. Was I vain to think I could withstand Samrat Condor and his sorcerers? How painful will it be when my hair catches fire and my face begins to burn? How long will it take for me to die?

  Her stomach churned and she felt as if she might vomit from the horror of it all. She realized Samrat Condor was already gaining control over her though fear. Worse, when she died, would she be imprisoned in Avernus, the lower hellish regions of the Inner Worlds?

  No, I’m stronger than that. She began to inwardly sing HU and let love fill her being. She imagined Master Bakka being as close as her heartbeat. He would be with her inwardly every step of the way. When she died, he’d take her into the high regions of the Inner Worlds where her family would meet her. She surrendered to God.

  The eerie moan of horns crept into the room.

  “That’s our signal to bring Toemeka out,” Seetva said in a chilling voice.

  “I know!” Cadmus snapped. He put his hand on the small of Toemeka’s back and said gently, “It’s time. Show courage, Toemeka.”

  She put up an inner shield and walked onto the stage between Seetva and Cadmus with Amaretta following. The sight of the firepit caused her to falter. Cadmus increased the pressure of his hand on her back and she continued forward. Courage, show courage, she thought. Show Samrat Condor what an Initiate of the Secret Teaching is made of.