It felt good to be back on board his vessel. Lucian felt at home here. In the past few weeks he had considered how much simpler his life would be if the USS did shut down the AMIE project, but having been exposed to the politics and society of life planet-side for just one day, he was already eager to get back into space.
Lucian entered Taren’s quarters to find Ringbalin and Dr Portus quietly speaking.
‘Captain.’ Ringbalin acknowledged his presence and approached him, Dr Portus trailing behind.
‘Still no luck?’ Lucian queried, and the young man shook his head. ‘We are going to have a second look around the other modules.’
Lucian gave them a nod and a smile of appreciation as they exited the room.
Bleary-eyed, the captain gazed out the huge window that awarded a beautiful view of their host city, but he did not see the magnificent scenery. His thoughts were preoccupied with the memory of the last time he’d seen Taren. How beautiful she was, both inside and out. Hopes of finding her safe somewhere were fading and he needed sleep desperately, but he refused to close his eyes until he knew that Taren was safe and he could bring his brother to justice.
As Lucian began to sway with exhaustion, he staggered back to take a seat on Taren’s sleeping pod. His butt hit the bed and he was startled to feel a large object at his back. When he turned, he found nothing, and so nudged the invisible weight again, whereupon a beautiful stone appeared on the white bedcover. Lucian went to reach for the object when Taren’s sleeping form appeared beside him and Lucian near choked on his shock and joy. He checked that she was breathing and gave a great sigh of relief that she was. Her shapely form was still swathed in the stunning cocktail dress she had worn to dinner and the lady was a vision to behold. Lucian felt the spark that Taren had ignited in his heart roar into full flame. He hadn’t realised how much she had come to mean to him until faced with the prospect of losing her.
‘Never again,’ he uttered, referring to a great many things. Never again would he allow his brother to abuse, for his own selfish ends, the lives, talents and work of others. Never again would he protect Swithin, or trust him. He had ruined Lucian’s life with Amie; he was not going to have the opportunity to repeat the offence.
Lucian brushed back a curl that had fallen across Taren’s face. She stirred and opening her eyes she seemed pleasantly surprised to find him beside her.
‘Wow, that must have been some pre-dinner cocktail. I don’t remember anything after that.’ She looked down and smiled when she noted that she was still dressed. ‘What a gentleman you are.’ She had a long, seductive stretch.
Lucian was amused by her conclusion, however misguided.
‘Why are we back on board AMIE?’ Taren propped herself up on her elbows to look around. When her gaze returned to Lucian, she found him grinning deliriously, his eyelids wavering. ‘You look really tired.’ She placed a hand on his cheek, concerned for him.
‘Funny about that,’ he forced himself to stay conscious. ‘Promise me you won’t go anywhere—’
‘I won’t,’ Taren vowed.
‘And screen all your calls…Swithin is alive…’ Lucian collapsed onto the round sleeping pod beside Taren and fell into a fitful slumber.
‘Swithin is alive!’ Taren gasped and her eyes narrowed as a desire to bring him to account for his part in AMIE’s downfall and the loss of Maladaan manifested within her. ‘Lucian?’ Taren thought the professor might have been playing with her, as his loss of consciousness had been so abrupt, but she realised his exhaustion was quite sincere when she was unable to wake him. ‘Interesting date?’ She smiled down at him, admiring his good looks at close quarters.
What ordeal had he endured to leave him so exhausted? ‘I’ll be right here when you wake…’ she told him, taking advantage of his unconscious state to run her fingers through the strands of his long, dark hair ‘…and we’ll talk then.’ She kissed his cheek and made a move to make herself a wake-up beverage. As she did, her hand swept up the stone that the Phemorians had given her the previous night. As Taren gazed at the eye-catching treasure, it suddenly dawned on her that the blank in her memory started at around the time she’d been given that stone and with that revelation Taren quickly placed it on her bedside table.
CHAPTER 13
UNGUARDED MOMENTS
It was very hard to keep from falling asleep during the long memorial service. Even with air-conditioning the huge, crowded auditorium was overheating, which didn’t help Zeven to stay conscious.
‘Tomorrow, the USS will begin an extensive investigation into this mysterious tragedy,’ President Anselm was advising from the pulpit. ‘Our aim is to provide those of us left behind with an explanation for why this anomaly occurred, whether the event will affect any of the other planets within the USS network, and if indeed we might expect to see this unprecedented tragedy repeated elsewhere…’
‘Starman,’ Aurora nudged him off her shoulder and whispered to him. ‘It doesn’t look good when the hero of the day is falling asleep at his own decoration service.’
‘Go on without me,’ he mumbled, rolling forward in his chair, of a mind to hit the carpeted floor at their feet in the front row where the crew of AMIE had been assigned seats.
‘Zeven,’ she hissed quietly, hauling him back up to a seated position. ‘Get it together…you’re going to embarrass the project.’
‘Please just let me close my eyes for a couple of minutes.’ He nuzzled into her shoulder.
Aurora looked to Kalayna, who she had invited to sit with her at the memorial, as AMIE had a couple of spare seats thanks to a few crew being absent.
Aurora would have conscripted Leal to deal with Zeven, but he was sitting further along the row next to Kassa, and getting his attention was bound to attract notice to their dilemma. ‘What am I going to do with him? He’ll never make it up the stairs…heaven forbid if he’s expected to make a speech!’
‘Would he save your butt in the same situation?’ Kalayna asked, already knowing that the pilot had hurt Aurora personally in the past.
Aurora thought about this only a second before nodding. ‘Starman is a natural-born hero. He couldn’t help but save the day.’
‘Then I guess you and I are playing trophy girls,’ Kalayna advised and Aurora frowned. ‘I’ll help you escort him up there, but an acceptance speech is up to you.’
‘No problem.’ Aurora had written a million of them.
When the time came for Zeven to rise and accept his medal of honour, the girls positioned themselves either side of him and hauled him to standing.
‘We’re going to get your medal now,’ Aurora whispered in his ear.
Zeven was not thrilled to be hurtled back into consciousness to learn this. ‘Oh, please universe, no,’ he groaned, only wanting to collapse back in his seat and return to the land of nod.
‘Don’t worry. We’ve got your back.’ Rory gave him a friendly grin. He looked from her, to Kalayna under his other arm, and then back again, his expression one of great relief and appreciation.
‘You total legends,’ Zeven said in praise of their initiative.
‘It takes one to support one, I guess,’ Kalayna commented, to assure him it was Aurora’s idea.
President Anselm, having met the pilot last night, was a mite concerned by his shambling appearance, but everyone else present just assumed the hero of the day was injured.
The girls supported Zeven as Anselm pinned the medal on his chest, but when Zeven was motioned toward the speaking platform, the look of utter terror on his face said it all.
Aurora patted his shoulder, as she handed over the job of supporting his full weight to Kalayna and smiled as she took the stand to speak on Zeven’s behalf. ‘Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues…Airman Gudrun has been left a little shaken by his adventures and other recent events, but he has asked that I convey his humble gratitude for this honour and his deep regret that his recognition came at such a great cost to humanity…’
>
Zeven was spellbound as he listened to her portray his sentiments to one of the biggest gatherings of people in modern history, with eloquence, poise and great sincerity. Maybe it was just the emotion of the moment or the fact that he hadn’t slept in days but her address was so stirring that tears were welling in his eyes. It meant so much to him that Rory would do something so daunting to save him from humiliation. ‘I think I’m in love,’ he mumbled, trying to swallow the lump that ached in his throat.
‘Too late, flyboy, you had your chance,’ Kalayna responded with cheerful challenge. Their arms were around each other as they admired the girl they both desired. ‘She’s my girlfriend now.’
‘Until we leave,’ Zeven concluded with a smile.
‘Which may be never if the inquest gets in the way.’
They stared at each other in challenge for a moment, until they both smiled and looked back to Aurora.
When the memorial was over, all were dismissed from the stifling reception and released into the scorching heat of midday. Zeven approached and thanked Aurora and Kalayna before they got into their cab.
‘I did it for Aurora, but you’re welcome.’ Kalayna slipped into the cab.
‘I really owe you, Rory, big-time.’ He approached to kiss her, but she only offered him a cheek to plant his lips upon.
‘You don’t owe me anything, truly,’ she said, stepping back to put some distance between them, her expression faintly mournful.
‘Can I at least buy you dinner some time or…’
Rory was shaking her head and glaring at him now. ‘I know what you are trying to do, Zeven, and you’re not going to ruin this for me.’
‘I don’t want to ruin anything,’ he insisted. ‘You’re entitled to have a girlfriend if that’s—’
‘She’s not just my girlfriend, Zeven. She’s my partner,’ she informed him in no uncertain terms.
‘Wow…that was quick.’ He took a reluctant step backwards.
Rory shrugged. ‘I guess women don’t have to procrastinate as long as men do. When we are onto a good thing we know it.’
‘Well then…’ Zeven fumbled for words, ‘um, congratulations, I am truly happy for you.’ He tried to make it sound heartfelt, but he was lying and wouldn’t hide it.
‘You’re so sincere.’ Rory rolled her eyes and climbed into the cab. ‘From now on, you’re on your own.’ She slammed the door closed and the cab took off back towards the hotel.
‘Of course I’m not happy for you,’ he called out in the hovercab’s gusty wake and then gave a great sigh. ‘I am such an idiot.’
Fed, showered and changed, Taren stood in her quarters on AMIE, admiring the distant glistening waters of Frujia that she had yet to cast herself into. She had promised Lucian she would not go anywhere until he woke, but the aqua-green ocean beckoned her indulgence.
‘Taren!’
She jumped out of her skin as she turned to find Ringbalin gawking at her.
Then he spied Lucian asleep and figured the emergency was over. ‘Thank heavens you’ve been found. We’ve been searching for you all night.’
‘Really?’ This was news to Taren, but it did seem to account for Lucian’s depleted state.
Ringbalin didn’t understand Taren’s oblivious response. ‘Didn’t the captain tell you?’
A gasp from Dr Portus alerted Taren to the other woman, who was staring at the Phemorian stone on Taren’s bedside table. ‘A banishing stone,’ she said, approaching the treasure reverently, but she did not move to touch it. ‘These are a tool of the Phemoray.’ Dr Portus served Taren a curious glare. ‘Where did you get this?’
Taren was pleased that Dr Portus knew something about her mysterious gift. ‘Five Phemorian diplomats gave it to me in the powder room of the hotel restaurant last night. I think it mysteriously made my entire evening disappear!’
Dr Portus was amused by Taren’s perception of events. ‘It was not the evening that disappeared, but you.’
‘Pardon,’ said Taren, sensing that communication barrier getting in the way again. ‘I vanished?’
Dr Portus nodded. ‘And the Phemoray are not diplomats. They are a…’ She sought the right word ‘…mythical order, who are said to have existed on Phemoria since the time of the sexual revolution.’
‘How can they be mythical if they gave me this?’ Taren wasn’t sure she was following. ‘Mythical generally means something that no longer exists.’
‘Oh?’ Dr Portus’ eyes opened wide as she realised her error. ‘Is mystical what I mean?’
‘Mystical, as in a mysterious spiritual order, or do you mean that the Phemoray are not of the physical world?’ Taren questioned.
Dr Portus considered the query and shrugged. ‘Both, I think. The Phemoray have access to the inner world, where amazing tools like banishing stones abound.’
‘And how does the banishing stone work, exactly?’ Taren asked, as she noticed Lucian had stirred and was listening intently to their verbal exchange.
‘These stones resonate to a higher realm of existing…’ Dr Portus struggled with the language.
‘…existence?’ Taren helped out and Dr Portus nodded.
‘If a human holds this stone long enough, it will raise their noise…no—’
‘Sonic? Frequency?’ Taren had a couple of guesses.
‘Yes, yes,’ Dr Portus concurred. ‘Your sonic rises to a point where you vanish, for you have passed into the realm between realms and only a transparent imprint of you is left behind.’
‘I spent last night in another dimension, is that what you are telling me?’ Dr Portus nodded. ‘This stone could be like a free pass through the Zero Point Field!’ Then Taren’s excitement ebbed. ‘Damn, I don’t remember any of it.’
‘Subconsciously, perhaps,’ Dr Portus suggested with a smile.
‘Something to meditate upon,’ Taren replied thoughtfully.
‘That would seem to explain why no one could find you,’ Ringbalin commented.
‘If the Phemoray gave you this gift, they want you hidden from something, or someone,’ Dr Portus advised Taren in all seriousness.
Taren’s eyes opened wide, recalling her brief conversation with the Phemoray. ‘They said I would need to seek political asylum and that Phemoria would be a sanctuary for me. But why should I have such a need? How do they know? Unless the Phemoray have mastered the Powers?’
‘Officially, the Phemoray do not exist and so can hardly have such talents,’ Dr Portus replied and then grinned. ‘But just in case they do exist, the Psychic Monitor Databases were set up to try and catch them, but they caught many more psychics in the process.’
Taren took the answer to mean that yes, the Phemoray did have the Powers. ‘That is how they defeated the male population of Phemoria.’ Taren was beginning to have a much clearer idea of the events of the past. ‘And how does one find the Phemoray?’ She wondered, thinking they could advance her research considerably.
Dr Portus gave a little chuckle. ‘As you have discovered, no one finds the Phemoray. They find you.’
‘Whatever their motive,’ Lucian said, as he hauled himself up to a seated position, ‘I completely agree…we should keep you hidden on board this vessel.’
‘What?’ Taren looked at the beautiful ocean view longingly.
‘I’ll get Kassa to retrieve your belongings from the hotel,’ he advised, and before Taren could argue, Ringbalin interrupted.
‘If the emergency is over, we’ll go and inform the others,’ he suggested
‘Just tell them all is well, and nothing more. I do not want Taren’s name mentioned on any communication device,’ Lucian advised as he got to his feet.
Ringbalin agreed and left ahead of Dr Portus, who wanted a last word with Taren. ‘You can carry the sacred gift in your clothing without activating it. Only if you hold it in your palm will it trigger the banishing.’
‘Thank you so much for your insights,’ Taren told her gratefully.
‘It was an honour.’ Dr Port
us bowed her head to Taren and walked off down the corridor.
Taren turned to Lucian. ‘So, captain. You plan to imprison me here, do you?’
‘Swithin still knows your code name. He has threatened to use it to manipulate you if we breathe a word of his continued existence to the authorities,’ Lucian explained.
‘And you spent all night looking for me?’ Taren could plainly see how worried he had been and went over to hug him for his troubles. ‘I am so sorry I gave you all such a scare.’
‘I’m just thankful you’re safe.’ His embrace tightened.
‘Meantime, we still didn’t get our date,’ Taren mused, although the embrace she was now revelling in was well worth the wait. She didn’t want to let go and neither did Lucian, so they remained as they were for quite some time. ‘I am a little disappointed that I won’t get the opportunity to throw my body in that ocean while we’re here,’ she observed, indicating the glistening water from her snuggled stance.
Struck by an idea, Lucian suddenly released her, took hold of her hand and led her towards the door.
‘Where are we going?’ Taren was amused by his sudden playful mood.
‘I never did finish showing you around, did I?’ he replied and Taren couldn’t help but be excited as she suspected they were heading towards the marine module.
The space port in Kotan-Bathaar was partly built over the shallow ocean of the atoll to accommodate astro-marine vehicles, although AMIE was certainly the biggest vessel of this type ever built. AMIE was attached to a dry dock—built to service marine vessels—that allowed the lower part of the vessel to be partly submerged in water. Thus the main control deck of the marine section had a splendid view of life beneath the ocean of Frujia.
‘Oh, my goodness.’ Taren wandered into the control deck behind Lucian and gaped at all the spectacular colours of the marine creatures in view. She approached the windows to get a better look. ‘Are there any big predators out there?’ she asked, imagining how wonderful it would be to get in amongst it.