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

by Heidi Skarie

  “Tell him she’s mine,” Michio said, straining against the large natives holding him back. ‘‘Tell him to let her go!”

  Jake repeated what he said in Owayan. Kumaroo jerked back Toemeka’s head by her hair and she cried out in pain. Michio knocked one of the natives to the ground and was immediately grabbed by several more natives.

  “Bah-nay!” Kumaroo said.

  “Jake, what does bah-nay mean?” Toemeka asked, desperately trying to pull her hair out of Kumaroo’s fist.

  “It means the spirit that moves through all things has given you to him. You are now of his blood and will give him children and live in his teepee.”

  “Like hell I am! Let go of me, you big oaf!” She jabbed her elbow into Kumaroo’s ribs.

  He clamped a hand over her mouth and said something in Owayan.

  “He said women are to remain silent unless spoken to,” Jake translated.

  Kumaroo glared at Michio as he spoke again. Toemeka didn’t understand the words, but could hear the challenge in his voice.

  “Kumaroo will fight any man for Toemeka,” Jake said. All the natives stepped back, indicating that none of them wanted to challenge him.

  One of the warriors spoke to Jake in Owayan. “Kumaroo is a strong, skilled warrior and none of the men will fight him for her.”

  “Tell Kumaroo our ways are different,” Michio said. “Toemeka and I made vows to each other that no man can break.”

  The chief stepped forward and said in the universal language, “You are in our tribe. You will follow our tribal ways. If you want the woman, you must fight Kumaroo for her.”

  Michio strained against the two men holding him. “I’ll fight him.”

  “The winner gets the woman,” the chief said. “Michio, the medicine man says you know magic. It’s forbidden to use supernatural powers during the fight. If you do, your life will be forfeit. You and Kumaroo will fight without weapons until one of you yields or dies.”

  Michio and Toemeka were both released and she ran into his arms. “Don’t fight him. He could kill you.”

  Michio held her close. “I don’t see any other choice.”

  “I could agree to be his wife, then threaten him with a knife if he comes near me.”

  Michio’s mouth curled up at the corner. “I admire your courage, but I don’t think Kumaroo will be intimidated by a knife.”

  “Toe’s pretty good with a knife,” Erling said. “I’d give her one if I had one.”

  Michio scowled at him. “Fortunately, you don’t. None of us do. I’ll fight him.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Toemeka said. “He comes from a larger race of people. It won’t be a fair fight.”

  “Size isn’t everything. Have some faith in my abilities.”

  “I do, but things can go wrong in any fight.”

  Michio looked at Erling. “Don’t let anything happen to Toemeka, no matter what the outcome of the fight.”

  Erling nodded grimly.

  Kumaroo stripped down to his leather pants. Tattoos covered the warrior’s broad shoulders, massive chest and muscular arms. He stood a head taller than Michio and was more massive, though Michio was a good-sized man for his race.

  Michio walked over to where the men gathered around the chief and removed his jacket, shirt and moccasins.

  “Kumaroo’s built like a tank,” Erling said. “What do we do if Michio loses?”

  Before Jake could reply, Toemeka said, “Jake, convice the chief to stop the fight.”

  Jake shook his head. “It’s too late for that.”

  Toemeka couldn’t see Michio and Kumaroo over the heads of the natives who’d formed a circle around them. “What’s happening?”

  “They’re performing some type of ceremony,” Jake replied. “The medicine man is sprinkling something on the ground around Michio and Kumaroo.”

  The sound of drums started beating and the natives began chanting. “We have to stop the fight!” Toemeka exclaimed. She started toward the circle of warriors.

  Erling grabbed her arm. “Michio is a skilled warrior. He can take Kumaroo.”

  “Let me go!” she demanded.

  “Maybe you should take her to the teepee,” Jake said. “This is bound to get bloody.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Toemeka snapped.

  Erling looked at Jake. “If Michio loses, I’ll have to fight Kumaroo and you’ll have to escape with Toemeka.”

  “I’ll take one of the axterdons.”

  “Michio’s not going to lose,” Toemeka said, hoping it was true. “Erling’s right. Michio’s an Ahimsa warrior.”

  “What’s that?” Jake asked.

  “A spiritual warrior.”

  “I don’t see how that’s going to help.”

  Erling started toward the circle. “The fight’s about to begin.”

  “Freck!” Toemeka exclaimed. She pushed through the warriors until she was in the front row; the men followed.

  Michio stood alert, calm and detached as Kumaroo moved closer. All at once, Kumaroo let out a blood-curdling scream and sprang like a panther. Michio agilely leapt aside, chopped the back of Kumaroo’s neck with the side of his hand, then followed through with a dance-like kick to his stomach.

  A roar rose up from the natives and a wave of excitement filled the air as everyone realized this would be a good fight. Although the blows should have knocked him to the ground, Kumaroo stood like he hadn’t even been touched.

  Michio stepped back, his face betraying surprise and concern. Toemeka tensed as Kumaroo charged again. Michio turned aside at the last instant and kicked Kumaroo in the thigh. Before Michio regained his balance, Kumaroo swung around and pounded him in the ribs. Michio fell to the ground, moving with the momentum of the fall and, in one fluid motion, sprang back to his feet.

  Erling winced. “That had to hurt.”

  The natives chanted louder and the drums beat in a heavy rhythm.

  “I didn’t realize Michio was such a good fighter,” Jake said with new respect in his voice. “Where did he learn to fight like that?”

  “At a monastery.” Toemeka crossed her arms tightly in front of her chest. “This form of fighting is called Soku.”

  “In a monastery! I thought men sat around and prayed all the time in monasteries.”

  “They do other things, too.” Toemeka bit her lip, keeping an eye on Michio who was obviously in pain. He held his side where he’d been kicked and sweat glistened on his bare, muscular chest.

  Kumaroo walked around the circle with his hands raised. A loud, rhythmic chanting arose from the natives. All at once, Kumaroo sprang at Michio with a deadly expression.

  Michio deflected the blow and spun out of the way, coming up behind Kumaroo. He slid his arms under Kumaroo’s armpits and put his hands behind Kumaroo’s neck.

  Kumaroo bent his head back, screaming a deadly roar, breaking Michio’s hold. He flipped Michio over his shoulder. Michio crashed to the ground, landing on his back with the wind knocked out of him. He didn’t regain his feet.

  “Get up!” Toemeka yelled.

  Kumaroo leapt on top of Michio and seized him around the neck and started choking him.

  “Yield!” Toemeka screamed. “He yields.”

  She ran over to Kumaroo, grabbing his arm. “Let him go!”

  Kumaroo swung the back of his hand at her, hitting her on the chest, and she flew backward and fell onto the ground. Michio slammed his fist into Kumaroo’s chin, then thrust his knee into Kumaroo’s stomach.

  Springing to his feet, Michio pulled Toemeka up. He thrust her toward Erling who’d stepped forward to get her. “Keep her away before she gets seriously hurt.”

  Erling grasped Toemeka’s upper arm saying, “Kumaroo always turns to the left when he pulls away. He’s protecting his left thigh, the one with the scar.”

  “Got it,” Michio replied, without looking at Erling. His eyes stayed focused on Kumaroo.

  Erling pulled Toemeka back to where Jake stood. She locked
eyes with Kumaroo. His desire for her was evident and the thought of him touching her made her skin crawl. She eyed a knife hanging in a sheath from the belt of a nearby warrior. She’d stab Kumaroo in the back before she’d let him kill Michio.

  ***

  Michio focused inwardly, harmonizing himself with the inner Sound Current, rising above the group energy that had formed. He rose above Kumaroo’s anger, Toemeka’s terror and the excitement of the warriors until the heavy drumbeat, the chanting and turbulent emotions no longer affected him.

  From a high state of awareness, he watched while his physical body fought Kumaroo. Totally in tune, he knew Kumaroo’s every move. He delivered several blows, then was gone before Kumaroo could retaliate. He saw sweat dampening Kumaroo’s brow and noticed the larger man moved slower and breathed heavily. He also saw what Erling said was true; Kumaroo favored his left leg.

  Michio slammed his foot into Kumaroo’s thigh, then ducked beneath the swing of Kumaroo’s fist and moved in again. This time he leapt into the air, slamming into Kumaroo’s side with both feet. Kumaroo staggered off-balance, and Michio slammed the side of his hand into Kumaroo’s neck.

  Kumaroo roared and sprang forward. He repeatedly slugged Michio in the face and gut until his legs gave out and Michio landed hard on his back. Through a spinning fog, he heard the chanting and drums, and saw Kumaroo’s foot coming toward him. He tried to roll away, but wasn’t fast enough. Pain ripped through his body as Kumaroo’s foot hit his already sore ribs.

  Michio grabbed Kumaroo’s foot, twisting it to the side, and Kumaroo fell backwards to the ground. He hit with a heavy thud. Michio staggered to his feet, gasping for breath, his eyes searching the crowd for Toemeka. Their eyes met and he felt her love and strength flowing out to him.

  “Watch out!” she yelled.

  Michio jerked away as Kumaroo’s fist barely grazed his head. Michio delivered a series of blows and Kumaroo collapsed.

  The chanting stopped.

  In the silence that followed, its sound continued to echo in Michio’s ears.

  Kumaroo moaned, rolling on his side.

  “Do you yield?” Michio asked.

  The chief relayed the message. Kumaroo barked a short reply, making sharp hand signs as he rose to his feet.

  “He doesn’t yield,” the chief said.

  Kumaroo sprang at Michio and the two men fell to the ground, wrestling. Kumaroo slammed his fist into Michio’s ribs. Michio gasped in pain and his hands automatically went to his injured side. Kumaroo slugged him in the jaw and the back of Michio’s head slammed against the ground. Knowing he hadn’t the strength to overpower Kumaroo physically, Michio punched him in the solar plexus, putting psychic energy behind the blow. Kumaroo fell back.

  Recovering quickly, Kumaroo swung his fist toward Michio’s side again. Michio threw up an energy shield and Kumaroo slammed into it. Michio slugged Kumaroo in the face. Kumaroo retaliated, but again his fist smashed into the force field.

  Michio drew upon psychic energy as he smashed his fist into the side of Kumaroo’s neck. Kumaroo’s eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out.

  Michio staggered to his feet, his body screaming in pain at the movement. A warrior came over and poured water from a leather pouch onto Kumaroo’s face. Kumaroo groaned and opened his eyes, then rose unsteadily to his feet. He spoke angrily to the chief and pointed at Michio.

  The chief looked at Michio though narrowed eyes. “He says you used magic.”

  The medicine man stepped forward. “Michio listens to the thunder, moves like lightning, flows like the river, and walks with the wind. The Master who walks with us all is with him and it is his will that Michio win the battle. There is no magic. He is our brother.”

  The chief and the holy man—the two most powerful men in the village—locked eyes.

  The chief’s face hardened and Michio realized he knew magic was used. His heart sank. He looked at Toemeka and saw her body was rigid with tension. What would happen to her if the chief ordered his death?

  Finally, the chief spoke. “Michio’s the winner. The woman belongs to him. He is one of us now and will join our tribe. Let the ceremony begin.”

  The medicine man walked forward with a knife. “Hold out your left thumb.”

  With a quick slash the medicine man sliced the pad of Michio’s thumb and then Kumaroo’s. The two men placed their thumbs together.

  Michio looked into Kumaroo’s eyes and saw the man held no resentment. He accepted the decision of the chief. Kumaroo smiled and genuine warmth radiated from him. Michio smiled back and a feeling of goodwill filled him. A bond formed between the two men. Michio knew he was accepted into the tribe and he felt a certain brotherhood with all the members.

  “You are now blood brothers,” the chief said. He turned and looked at the other warriors. “Michio is now one of us. Let peace return to the tribe.”

  “It is an honor to be a member of your tribe,” Michio said.

  “We are equally honored to have a man who walks with the wind become our brother.”

  Michio joined Toemeka and drew her into his arms. “Thank God, it’s over and you’re all right,” she said.

  “Let’s go back to the teepee,” he replied, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. Erling and Jake followed them inside and Jake lay down on his fur.. Michio winced in pain as he sat by the fire.

  Toemeka knelt beside him. “Your face looks terrible. You’re going to have some wicked bruises.”

  “You took quite a pounding,” Erling said. “How did you manage to knock Kumaroo out? Did you use psychic energy?”

  Michio nodded. “The medicine man knew I used what they call magic, but he defended me. I suspect the chief knew the medicine man was lying, but he didn’t want to cause disharmony among his warriors, so he didn’t challenge him.”

  Toemeka poured water from a water skin onto a piece of leather and began cleaning the blood off Michio’s face. He winced in pain even though she was gentle. His whole body ached.

  As soon as she finished, he went to their furs and lay down. Toemeka curled up beside him. He held her closely, grateful he’d been able to keep her safe from Kumaroo.

  ***

  A few hours later, Toemeka awoke. Michio and Jake were still asleep but Erling sat by the fire.

  “Erling, do you think it’s safe for me to go down to the stream for some water?”

  “It should be now that the trouble with Kumaroo has passed. I’m sure you’re tired of being in the teepee. I’ll accompany you.” He picked up the large rifle and rose.

  Toemeka pulled on her jacket with the hood raised and followed him out of the teepee. She looked discreetly around. Kumaroo was nowhere to be seen and the other men paid no attention to her.

  As they walked into the woods Toemeka asked, “Do you think your family reached the rendezvous point?”

  “Probably. They’ll be worried about us since they haven’t heard from us in days.”

  “I wish there was a way to contact them.”

  Erling frowned. “I do, too. Kori will be worried as well. I hated leaving her with all the responsibilities of the country and military, especially since she’s pregnant.”

  “Coming here wasn’t easy for either of us. I miss Baymond terribly. For some insane reason I thought things would go more smoothly than they did. I believed I wouldn’t be separated from Baymond for long.”

  “We need to get to the rendezvous point, but neither Jake nor Michio are up for a strenuous hike. Maybe we can borrow two axterdons. If we ride, we can reach the others in a couple of days.”

  As they filled their water skins at the stream, Toemeka gazed at the enormous trees surrounding them. “These trees must be over a thousand years old.”

  Erling looked up. “Probably—they’re the oldest on the planet.” He rose. “We better get back. I don’t want Michio and Jake to awaken and wonder where we are. It’s been a stressful enough day already.”

  They walked a short distance through th
e woods, then Toemeka said, “I have to pee. I’ll just walk to the other side of that tree.” She pointed to the closest of the large trees.

  “I’ll look for more caffray while I wait.”

  She circled the tree, estimating that it must be ten feet in diameter. Being separated from Erling made her uneasy and she scanned the woods before squatting down to relieve herself. When she finished, she looked around, still sensing something wasn’t right. Around her, birds were chirping and little ground creatures busily gathered food.

  Just my imagination. Kumaroo has made me as jumpy as a new cadet on the first mission.

  She took a step and an inner nudge caused her to pause and scan the forest again. Toemeka didn’t see anything unusual, but trusting her instincts, she projected out of her body. Moving upward to a bird’s-eye view of the woods, she spotted four Raptor soldiers among the trees quietly moving forward, converging on her physical body. She instantly reentered her body and started running back around the tree to where she’d left Erling.

  A light flashed in front of her and she felt a burst of energy as she slammed into an invisible barrier. An electric shock jolted through her and she jumped back from the barrier. The air around her vibrated with energy and she heard a soft clicking sound. She spun around, realizing she was surrounded by a circular wall of electricity.

  Four soldiers stepped into view. Their faces were lined with black and green paint and they wore camouflage clothing that made them blend better with the woods. “Don’t move or you’ll get another shock. We’ve gone to great effort to track you. You won’t escape this time.”

  Another soldier pulled out a communicator. “We’ve secured the woman. Proceed with the attack.”

  Toemeka’s heart skipped a beat. They were going to raid the camp! Where were the Owayan scouts and guards? Why hadn’t the medicine man’s power kept the camp hidden?

  25

  The Attack

  Toemeka sent Erling a telepathic message. Erling, can you hear me? Silence. The bond between them was strong, so she should be able to connect with him. She centered herself and took several calming breaths, releasing her fear. Erling, it’s Toemeka. Can you hear me?