Amaya’s eyes flew open and her body stiffened in alert when she heard the voice inside her head. She could hardly believe what was about to happen. It was Galen sending her a telepathic message! Her twin was coming to rescue her! If she wasn’t dreaming or hallucinating …
Amaya called herself to full alert because the mental signal was faint and she was surprised it had awakened her. Thank Kahala she wasn’t drugged beyond receiving it. She concentrated on responding.
Galen, I can hear you, but your range is weak. I’m in terrible danger. I’ve been captured. I don’t know where I am. Please find me and help me.
Amaya! Are you injured? Are enemies with you?
No, but I’m a prisoner and they took my wrist unit.
Keep contacting me so I can locate you.
I’m in a secret complex, but I don’t know where it is. I don’t know how many people are here. I’ve seen two, a male and a female. They said there was exterior security and they’re armed with alien weapons, guns.
Your signal is getting stronger, so I’m nearing your location. In Earth miles, you are far from the city you visited. I’m orbiting you now. I see a large structure, many trees, an enclosure fence, and vehicles. I have your readouts on my monitor. Stay calm. I will be there soon.
Be careful; these people are evil and perilous. There are monitors for watching me, other chambers, and the corridors.
Inside the structure, four other bodies are registering on my sensors; two are very close to you and two are a short distance away. All are asleep.
Those nearby are Andrea’s parents. The enemies captured them to force me to reveal my secrets. They know who and what I am, but I have told them nothing. A psychic discovered me and betrayed me to her doctor lover. They used me as a lab specimen. It’s been terrible. I had little hope left.
There are other bodies registering outside the structure: two are at the enclosure fence, out of intrusion range; one is near the structure. I can see him now on my monitor. Where is the Earthling male you love?
They abducted me when he was not home so he does not know what has happened to me or where I am. I’m sure he’s searching for me.
Describe him to me. Amaya complied. Relax, my sister, you will be safe soon. I have many things to tell you.
How are Mother and Father? Are they angry with me?
Only worried about your safety.
Is that why they sent you after me?
That and other reasons. I will explain when you are with me. I must think of other things now. I will see you in a few preons.
Amaya was relieved she had been allowed to keep on the bodysuit, though she wished they had provided her with shoes and undergarments. She watched the door and waited to be freed. Time seemed to crawl by like a yema. She was eager to see her brother, eager to release the McKays, eager to locate Jason and explain everything. She knew she must return home because it was not safe for her on Earth. She prayed Jason loved her enough to accept the truth and to move to her world.
The lights went on, the door was opened, and Galen’s tall frame seemingly filled the space from jamb to jamb. Though he was wearing headgear, she recognized him easily. Amaya squealed with delight, ran forward, and flung herself into his outstretched arms. “It’s so wonderful to see you. I’ve missed you. I love you. I’ve never been this afraid in my life.”
Galen stroked her hair with one hand and hugged her with the other. “I love you, too, Amaya, and you nearly scared me witless when you wouldn’t respond to my callings. We kept increasing the range of our probe until you heard me. I’ve missed you, and I have a surprise for you. We found this man lurking outside and seeking entrance.”
Amaya’s misty gaze perceived Jason standing in the hallway. His expression and stance were odd, almost accusatory. “How did you find me, Jason?” she asked.
“I tracked you here and I met up with your friend outside.”
Amaya grasped the way he said “friend” and surmised the reason for his cool mood. “Galen, I want to introduce you to Jason Carlisle, the man I love, the man who enticed me to stay behind and get into this mischief. Jason, this is Galen Saar, my twin brother. You couldn’t notice the resemblance with his visor on.”
“Your brother?” Jason echoed as the stranger removed his helmet.
Galen smiled and grasped Jason’s wrist in a Maffeian handshake. “It is an honor and pleasure to meet the man who stole my sister’s heart. We will get acquainted later after this matter is handled. Amaya, we must hurry; we cannot remain here much longer. Does he know about us?”
“Not yet. Jason, will you wait inside this chamber for me while I speak with Galen? There are private things I must tell you before we leave.”
Jason complied as he worried this was the moment he had dreaded: someone had come to take her from him. He had been near crazed by fear since her disappearance. He had followed clues to this location, only to learn she didn’t require his help. He needed a hug and kiss himself! He needed words in private. He didn’t want to lose her; he had to convince her to stay and marry him.
Galen spoke privately with his sister in the hallway before leaving with his team to carry out their tasks.
Amaya joined her lover and gazed into his sapphire eyes. She smiled, then embraced him. “I’m happy you came to rescue me. I love you and I feared you were lost to me forever. All hope was almost gone.”
Jason clasped her face between his hands and looked into her glowing eyes. “I’ve been out of my mind with worry. Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine. You can tell me later how you found me. Time is short and there’s much for me to reveal. I must return home; I’m not safe on your planet. I love you and want to become your mate, but that isn’t possible here. When you asked me to stay behind, you didn’t know how hard that decision was for me. I’m not from Earth, Jason; I live in another galaxy; I am an alien being from another world,” she stressed for clarity.
Jason didn’t laugh because her expression and tone told him she believed what she was saying! He stared at the woman he loved as if she had lost her senses. He wondered what the kidnappers had done to her to create such delusions. Before he could try to clear her wits, she jumped ahead with her implausible story.
Jason hoped her brother returned soon because she needed urgent medical treatment to rid her of these hallucinations. If she was only trying to escape from him, she could fabricate a more convincing tale. He assumed she’d been abducted because of her confidential work, perhaps in an attempt to obtain classified material. There was no telling what kinds of drugs and torments had been used on her. In her troubled state of mind, he shouldn’t tease or pressure her. “Just relax, my love; it’s over now,” he soothed when she concluded telling him everything that had led up to her abduction by the psychic and Douglas Karnes. “Don’t think about such things.”
Amaya perceived that he doubted her words and sanity. “My captors discovered what I am when I was careless at the beach, and they’ve been treating me as a lab specimen. When they couldn’t find you to use as a weapon to extract my race’s secrets, they abducted the McKays. Galen is rescuing them now and they’ll be returned home. Andrea hasn’t told them about her new life; her parents were led to believe the Sangers work for the Secret Service to conceal the truth. Your world would panic if it knew of our existence and visits. Some forces would try anything to capture and misuse us and our knowledge.” She realized she was being sketchy but explanation time was limited.
“You have to calm down, Amaya; you’re confused and scared. This kidnapping has you mixed up. You’ll be fine as soon as you’re out of here and you get some rest. You aren’t an alien, my love.”
“Yes, Jason, I am. But I haven’t altered my lifeform; this is how I truly look. Our races are almost alike in appearance. I am not a monster as your movies portray extraterrestrials, but I am an alien to you. As you can see from me and Galen, intermating is possible and safe. Other Earthlings live in our world, but no government on your planet knows of us, and it must remain that way until Earth advances to our level of technology and the many problems of this planet are resolved. I’m not crazy or suffering from delusions or trauma. You must believe me because I have to return home to Maffei tonight.”
“Is this a wild scheme to get away from me and to prevent me from searching for you later?” Jason asked accusingly. “You want me to think you’ve gone nuts or you require deprogramming, so you’re being hauled off to a secret government institution for treatment? If that Secret Service claim is phony, why not use it on me, too? Why this absurd charade?”
“I love you, Jason, and you deserve to hear the truth. I—”
“Truth, Amaya? You want me to believe you’re an alien from outer space? Believe Andrea is married to one and lives in another galaxy? Believe Avi and Thaine are half alien? Believe you’re about to hop a spaceship and leave Earth forever?”
“I swear those are facts. I know I sound insane and my story sounds incredible. I swear I love you and everything I’ve said is true.”
He had to call her bluff. “What proof do you have to offer me? I can’t believe this wild story without evidence.”
“Wait a moment while I summon Galen to bring my wrist unit and I’ll give you proof.”
He watched her close her eyes in intense concentration. He avoided a cynical tone when he asked, “I suppose you’re using telepathy?”
“Yes, Galen and I can communicate this way because we’re twins.”
Soon, Galen arrived and handed Amaya the item Jason had assumed was a watch or data bank, and gave her other objects to use. How, Jason mused, had her brother known what she wanted unless—
Galen looked at Jason. “Believe her because she speaks the truth about us,” he said. “We are Maffeians from another galaxy, but we’re no threat to you or Earth. My sister loves you and trusts you; that’s why she’s revealing our secret. Now, you must hurry, Amaya,” he added to her, and left.
Amaya explained how the device worked as she strapped it on her wrist and related how she had exposed herself to Frances and Douglas by using it several times while they were spying on her. She noticed that Jason remained silent and alert, and dubious. “I need your knife,” she said to him.
After passing it to her, he watched Amaya cut her finger, then use a beam to seal the cut to perfection. “That’s a neat trick; demonstrate on me,” he asked.
Jason was stunned when she did so, and gaped at his finger in surprise. Still, that didn’t make it an alien instrument, only a secret and clever one. He observed as Amaya placed objects on the floor and disintegrated them without a trace. Again, he reasoned, it could be some highly advanced government weapon or she was a gifted magician.
“This is my force shield; try to touch me.”
Jason’s probing hands came into contact with an invisible dome-shaped barrier covering her. No amount of pressure or pounding could shatter or penetrate it. An eerie sensation filled him.
Amaya spoke into a small unit. “Lieutenant Amaya Saar requesting private communication with Lieutenant Thaine Sanger.”
Moments later, a reply came from the Earthling’s cousin. “Thaine here, Amaya. How are you? What do you require? Over.”
“I’m fine now, but your cousin is with me and needs a word or two to convince him I’m from another world. Over.”
“Jason is with you? Over.”
“I’m here, Thaine. Where are you?”
“Over,” Amaya added for her astounded lover.
Thaine chuckled as he responded. “On a ship orbiting your location and waiting for the landing party to return for departure. Over.”
“Departure to where? Over,” Jason finished that time in recall.
“Tell him the truth, Thaine, but quickly. Over.”
“The planet Rigel in the Maffei Galaxy, our home. That’s where we live and work. Amaya, too. We’re Star Fleet officers. Over.”
“That’s crazy; it isn’t possible. Over.”
“Believe it, Jason, because it’s true. Come and see for yourself. Over.”
“Thaine, use the sensors to tell Jason what you see down here. Over.”
As his cousin described the sights and movements in and around the complex, Jason stared at the communicator, then looked at Amaya.
“That’s fine, Thaine. Thanks. We’ll join you soon. Over and out.”
“Don’t be worried or refuse to trust her, Jason. If you decide to go with us, you’ll be safe and happy; I promise. Over and out.”
Amaya met Jason’s bewildered gaze. “He’s right. Will you come with me to my world and become my husband? I love you and need you, but I can’t live here. Another exposure could be worse.”
“You’re asking me to move to another galaxy and marry you?”
“Yes. I know that’s a big decision and this is a stunning revelation, but I lack the time to explain it further or to give more proof. We must depart soon or risk exposure. If you need more time to search your feelings for me, I’ll return next year with the Sangers for your answer. If you don’t love me or want me, tell me and I will not return. To come with me, you must give up all you know and possess here. There is no time to sell your belongings, and your money has no value in my world.”
Jason studied her expression. Even if he didn’t believe her, should he play along and accompany her to see what he discovered? “You’re serious and sane, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I was going to tell you everything, but I was captured. I feared you would not love and want a female from another world and race. I had to give you time to get to know me as a person. I am an officer in Star Fleet and a member of a secret squad of military specialists. Much like you, I investigate and solve crimes. I’m a Spacer pilot. Those are crafts similar to your space shuttles but swifter and superior; that’s why your airplanes and Space Center Houston intrigued me. I work in Security at Star Base on our capital planet when I’m not on special assignment or a secret mission. My brother is the Security and Weapons Chief on our lead starship. My mother, an Earthling like you, is a research scientist. My father is head of Star Fleet, the Alliance Force, and our special units. He’s a rich and powerful man; his grandfather was our past ruler. There’s so much to tell you about me, my world, and my people; but time is fleeing. Will you come with me?”
“This is mind-staggering, Amaya. I knew you were different and a huge mystery surrounded you, but I didn’t expect this. Another galaxy? Aliens?”
“I know it’s hard to believe. You’ll have many adventures and challenges to face. I, my family, and the Sangers will help you learn to adjust. Life together in the Maffei Alliance will be wonder—”
The door opened and Galen poked his head inside the room, cutting off her sentence. He looked at his sister and sent the telepathic message: It’s time to finish and depart. Does he believe you? Is he coming with us?
I don’t know. Amaya fused her entreating gaze to Jason’s keen one. “I must help them destroy this place and all records exposing me, then leave. Do you want me to return next year for your answer?”
“No, I want to come with you now. Is that all right?” he asked Galen.
“It’s permissible. Father said I could decide after meeting you. You’re welcome to join us. If you change your mind later, you can return next year with the Sangers.”
“Thanks. Do I have time to write a paper giving all I own to Aunt Grace and Uncle Martin in case I don’t return? I’ll say I’m joining the Secret Service with Amaya and the Sangers; I don’t want to fake my death and grieve them.”
Amaya hugged him. “Yes, if you hurry. Where are the McKays?”
Jason noticed the monitoring system. “I’ll tape a message using their video equipment. What did you tell them about all of this?”
“For now, they believe we’re a Secret Service rescue team. Later, they won’t remember tonight; Amaya will explain my meaning. Let’s go. The Med staff and security team are ready to carry out their tasks.”
Two hours later, Frances Haver and Douglas Karnes had no memory of the last few months; they were lying a short distance from the structure and with “evidence” to make it appear they had sabotaged the undisclosed research facility. The guards at the front gate were “asleep” and would report they didn’t see or hear anything. Every test and file concerning Amaya Saar was destroyed. Her belongings were returned. Jason’s car was disintegrated without a trace so it wouldn’t be found near the inexplicable crime scene. The McKays were safe at home; any recall of the shocking events of the past few days was erased from their minds. On their kitchen table was a videotaped message leaving everything Jason Carlisle owned to them; it included an assertion he was now working with the Sangers and his new wife in a classified rank and couldn’t be reached.
He had collected personal keepsakes from his villa that he wanted to take with him. A cassette tape with the McKays’ frantic message about Amaya which was on an answering machine in his home office was destroyed, as Frances had missed finding it in the locked downstairs room.
Jason was developing a growing sense of belief in the “impossible.” Aboard the enormous Galactic Wind and with Amaya at his side, they had all left orbit to voyage “homeward.”
As soon as Galen enlightened Amaya about the many troubles in their world, he planned to introduce her and Jason to Renah. Then, all four could get acquainted during the return trip. Until the twins completed their discussion, Thaine Sanger was keeping his second cousin occupied with undeniable proof of everything Amaya had told Jason earlier.
As for Renah, she paced her quarters and worried over the last order from her family which had been passed to her shortly before this trek.
“I shouldn’t have stayed on Earth, Galen; I should have been home helping to battle this threat. I was selfish to indulge my own desires when my world is being attacked.”
“You did what you had to do, Amaya, what anyone in your position would have done, including me and our parents,” Galen assured his sister. “How many times during our lives does true love come along? Once, if we’re lucky. If we sacrifice that glorious opportunity, even for duty, we might never find it again. You had to stay to test your feelings, and Jason’s. It’s not as if you could have seen him tomorrow or next week or next month; you would have been galaxies apart. I understand you had no choice, so do Mother and Father. Of course they were upset and worried, but they aren’t angry. They only want to see you safe and happy, as do I. Besides, you didn’t know we were in peril; Commander Sanger withheld that news. Father knows you would have returned had you known. And even if you had returned on schedule, there was nothing you could have done that we haven’t thought of. This villite is too clever to be thwarted quickly. Besides, we had to go to Earth for that data.”
“Thank you, Galen, for trying to make this easier on me. That virus is terrible; I heard about it many times during my stay. I hope Mother and her staff can conquer it soon. I don’t know if it will help her any, but the scientist who captured me found my spleen and lymph nodes more highly evolved than the Earthlings’; and they’re major parts of our immune system, which the virus assaults.”
“I don’t know if she’s considered and studied that; we’ll pass along the information to her when we reach home. She’s staying on Rigel with Father so she’ll be near the Star Base Med Complex. All of our best scientists and doctors are gathered there to research and treat the victims. Father is working from there, too. They have living chambers in the Pandor Tower nearby. I’m anxious to return and work against our enemy. At least that replica of Father hasn’t made another appearance, or hadn’t before we departed. We’ll both be assigned to tracking and arresting the virus. I can’t think of a worse period in our lifetime. If only we could extract clues from the Earthlings we capture, we could make sense of this mystery.”
“Our villite appears to have planned every angle. I agree with you and Father that it is strange for him to possess such knowledge without having inside help. But I can’t imagine any of our leaders betraying us. We’ve known all of them for most of our lives, and I trust them. It would be a terrible blow to Father and to our world if one of them is a traitor.”
Amaya’s eyes suddenly held a question, “Do you think Father would assign Jason as my teammate?” she asked Galen.
“He might, because Jason is unknown in our world and that could be an advantage for us. We’ll teach him what he doesn’t know and get him prepared during our return voyage. Now, tell me everything about Jason and your adventures on Mother’s old planet.”
Amaya’s body warmed, her cheeks glowed, and her emotions soared as she responded in detail. She witnessed the anger in her brother as she related her capture and treatment by Dr. Karnes and Frances Haver. Yet Galen wasn’t a cruel man, so he hadn’t ordered their deaths as punishment. He listened with great interest as she told him many things about Earth and its inhabitants. She finished with, “I love Jason with every part of me, Galen; I can hardly wait for you to discover and enjoy such feelings.”
“I already have, my radiant sister; that’s why I understand and accept your decision to remain with him, even at the risk of your life and career.”
Amaya studied his sparkling face. “Who is she? How did you meet? When? Where? Does she love you?”
Galen chuckled. “You can fire questions as fast as a laser weapon. Kahala, it’s good to have you back with me. Do you recall the beautiful woman with short platinien hair who was at my side during your rescue?” Amaya nodded. “She’s Lieutenant Renah Dhobi, a member of my Security and Weapons team. She transported into my life the day you left for Earth, and captivated me the moment we met. After this threat is over, she’s going to become my mate.”
“Has she agreed? Or is my brother still pursuing her?”
“She loves and desires me as much as I do her.”
“So, you handsome ex-reacher, tell me everything about this perfect woman.”
After Galen finished his revelations, Amaya smiled at him and jested, “I can see you have a case of love sickness as bad as mine. Perhaps we can share a mating ceremony later, give Mother and Father two new family members on the same day. I assume they will be delighted to see us take this big step. We could have a large party and invite all of our friends. I’m sure the Sangers would enjoy sharing such a moment with us.”
“That sounds excellent to me, but we should check with Renah and Jason first. I doubt the Sangers will be surprised to see him with us.”
“I hope everyone likes him.”
“Everyone will except Commander Mohr, right?”
“At least it will make him stop chasing me. Honestly, Galen, I tried every way I could to discourage him.”
“If he were Jason Carlisle, you wouldn’t want him to cease.”
“If he were Jason or even like Jason, we’d be mated already. Now, why don’t we join Renah and Jason so we can all get acquainted?”
“That pleases me. Any time away from her and I get lonely.”
“It is strange how powerfully love has affected us. Let’s go find our future mates.”
Amaya entered the guest quarters which had been assigned to Jason. His second cousin was with him. Both men stood as she approached and sat down with them. Her gaze drifted over the man she loved and who had given up so much for a life with her. “Has Thaine been overwhelming you with information about us and our world?” she asked.
Jason grinned and nodded. “I’ve seen and learned a lot and there’s still plenty to absorb. This is about as much of a shock to my system as Earth was to yours. Now I see why you said you believed in aliens and space travel, and I surely won’t argue their realities. A man couldn’t ask for more proof than I’ve been given. But it’s exciting and stimulating, not scary at all. I guess I’m not as smart and perceptive as I thought or I would have picked up some clues over the years when my cousins came to visit. You, too, woman.”
Thaine chuckled. “We were always careful not to drop any clues or make any slips; at least, ones we couldn’t cover fast.”
“Don’t forget, our mothers are Earthlings and we’re part Earthling,” Amaya added. “But Thaine and Avi were better prepared for visits than I was. After I decided to go with them, there wasn’t enough time to train me fully. I feared you would think I was stupid for not knowing common things and tasks. Your language and sayings and customs made me crazy at times.”
Jason grasped her hand and held it. “I would never think of you as being ignorant, but I did think it was odd there was so much you didn’t know. I assumed you’d led a pampered and sheltered life, and were from another country where things were different. When I first came aboard, it was like being in a foreign country; I couldn’t grasp a word being said. Now I can understand anything anybody says to me because I have those little implants in my ears and head. Those are clever and valuable devices.”
“That’s what Karnes thought when they were exposed by his tests.”
Amaya didn’t want to think about her terrible experience, so she asked, “What have you two been doing during my meeting with Galen?”
“Thaine gave me a tour of this ship; it’s huge, mind-boggling, like a town in itself. I was allowed to visit the bridge and take in the awesome, breathtaking view. Now I know how the astronauts feel when they watch Earth from space or the moon. Thaine introduced me to many nice people, including Commander Vaux. I’m astounded by the advances of your world, and I’m still in shock about my cousin being married to a man from another planet. The most amazing part is how this already seems natural to me.”
“I told you I come from a peaceful and healthy galaxy, but that’s no longer true,” Amaya turned to Thaine. “Did you explain matters to him?”
“There’s little I haven’t told him, Amaya, but it will take time for all of it to settle in,” the man replied. “My cousin is adapting quickly. He’ll have no problems in our world. Now, why don’t I leave you two alone to talk?”
Amaya stood and hugged him. “Thank you for everything, Thaine; you’re a good friend. We’ll meet in the Stardust Room for dinner. Galen is bringing Renah.”
“Now that he and Sebok are giving up their freedom, I suppose I should search for a mate,” Thaine confessed. “Since all of you had such good luck, maybe I will, too.”
“You will,” Amaya assured him, “because you’re a wonderful and handsome man.”
“Despite all you’ve learned about our troubles, are you still sure you made the right decision to come along?” Amaya asked, as soon as they were alone.
Jason realized how worried she was about her family and everything that was occurring in Maffei. “Yep. I’ll help in every way if I can.”
Amaya was relieved by his response. “Before we discuss other matters, tell me how you found me.”
“When I found you and your things gone, I admit I panicked. Then, I realized you wouldn’t have left before talking to me or leaving me a message on one of my answering machines. At first, I figured your people had come and taken you away. I could tell the place had been searched, so that confused me, made me suspicious. Since I believed you were in the Secret Service and those people usually have enemies, I was afraid one of them had abducted you, come after you for information. I knew you hadn’t returned to Aunt Grace’s because I spoke with her, before she and Uncle Martin vanished. I checked with neighbors at the beach, and the lady across the street saw you leave with the woman from the rental unit. Actually, she told me she saw you helped to a car by that woman and a male friend because you appeared too sick and weak to walk. That sounded odd.”
Jason leaned closer to Amaya and crossed his legs. “The hospitals and clinics on the island and in Galveston had no record of you being brought in for treatment; that made me suspect you’d been drugged. I remembered feeling as if we were being watched several times and recalled bumping into Frances Haver on more than one occasion. I recognized her from TV, newspapers, and magazines because she’s famous for helping police and private investigators solve crimes. I should have trusted my gut instinct and been more careful, but I couldn’t sight anything suspicious, so I assumed I was wrong, paranoid.”
Jason rested a hand on her thigh, needing to touch her as if to prove to himself they were together and she was safe. “I went home to get some things I needed for a full-scale investigation and heard Aunt Grace’s message on the answering machine in my downstairs office; that’s my business line. When I went to my bedroom to check my home line answering machine to see if there was more information or an update on it, the tape was missing. I knew somebody had been in the villa and stolen it. As with most criminals, Amaya, she made an error by assuming I had only one phone machine; that second tape gave me clues to follow. By searching their homes and checking other sources, I traced Frances to Douglas Karnes and him to Franklin Graham. I snooped into records and files and located his ownership of that secret facility outside of Houston, and played a hunch. I spotted Frances’s car there. I was nosing around looking for a way inside when Galen appeared. He seemed to know who I was and said he was there to rescue you, said I could join him. Now, explain to me what happened to you.”
Amaya revealed her frightening episode once more, and received an even stronger reaction than she had from Galen.
“I should have killed them for what they did to you.”
Amaya held his hand in hers. “Amnesia was sufficient punishment. My people do not believe in killing unless it is necessary. Besides, my love, it was partly my fault for exposing myself to her.”
“Nothing gave them the right to treat you like an animal. If they had harmed you, I would have killed them.”
“They wanted my secrets too much to hurt or destroy me. I’m sorry the McKays were captured and frightened, and it’s good they won’t remember what happened. If they hadn’t taken my wrist device, I could have stunned them and escaped. It was foolish to use it on Earth.”
“You and Thaine showed me what it does; it’s an amazing weapon.”
“You’ll have one, too,” if Father allows you to become my teammate. “Only contact with the owner’s fingerprints will make it function. That’s why Karnes couldn’t make it work. He never thought of placing my finger to the buttons to obtain clearance. If he had, that would have been awful. Usually I’m not careless or impulsive, Jason, but I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“At least you’re safe and we’re together.”
“We’ll never be parted again.” If I can get you on the Elite Squad with me and if I’m not placed in confinement for a defiance of orders.
“What if your parents don’t like me and accept me?”
“How could they not do so when Galen and I do, and you are the cousin of my mother’s best friend since childhood. There is no way they would dislike or reject you.”
Jason pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Amaya Saar. I’ll never be sorry for making this decision, no matter what happens in your world. I know you can’t live in mine, so we’ll find a way to make it work in yours.”
“If I had searched the entire Universe, I could not have found a better man; we are perfectly matched, and we’ll be happy together.”
“I have no doubt that’s true.”
Their lips met in a heady kiss that led to another and another. As their hands caressed and stroked, heat seemed to radiate from their bodies like fiery suns that enflamed themselves and each other.
“Amaya, Amaya, I love you so much,” he murmured in her ear, and felt her quiver with delight and suspense.
Amaya could hardly pull away to say, “We have to leave, my love, and join the others. I wish we could stay here alone, but Galen wants us to meet his new love. Later, I will sneak a visit with you.”
“Sneak?” he teased with a sexy grin.
Amaya lifted her hand and ruffled his sable hair. “Yes, do not forget we are aboard a starship and I am an officer. I must be careful with my behavior. I am already on reprimand for being absent without permission. I shall have to—how do you Earthling’s put it—’face the music’ after my return. I might be lowered in rank, put on extra duty, or lose a month’s pay for my actions. No matter, it was worth it. It is worth it,” she corrected.
“Leaving everything I know and just about everything I owned behind is worth it to be with you. In the years to come, we’ll look back on this episode and view these as small sacrifices for a beautiful future.”
“I’m certain we will. Shall we freshen up and join the others?”
“After one more kiss and hug.”
Days later on Rigel, a terrible explosion took place in the enormous research complex. All data and samples were destroyed. All patients were slain. All bodies awaiting autopsies and burial procedures were lost. Many staff members were killed or injured. Security was heightened and an investigation was begun. No attackers were captured alive; not even their bodies were recovered after self-disintegration following a successful assault.
Jana Greyson Saar was one of those injured. She was taken to the medical center for examination and treatment where her lacerations were sealed with latron beams, and excess fluid and blood were drained from those sites. Unconscious from a forceful blow to her head, Varian sat beside her sleeper, held her hand, and prayed for her recovery. Andrea and Nigel waited in worried silence nearby and prayed.
Varian looked at his best friend. “He’s gone too far with his evil and cruelties. I’m going to kill the villite when I catch him, Nigel, with my bare hands.”
“I’ll help you do the good deed myself. We’ve got to find a way to expose him and stop him. Stars above, why is he doing this? Who is he?”
“Gehenna be damned, I have no idea! It makes no sense. He orders random attacks on our planets. He infects us with an incurable virus. He develops and uses a duplicate of me to get his weapons and supplies. He has cloaking ability we can’t penetrate. He gets his men past our security. He fakes credentials to match real ones. He uses enthralled Earthlings, then disposes of them as if they’re useless debris. He kills or orders killings without a care. He even slays the sick so we can’t find clues in their bodies to rescue ourselves from his madness. His mind-control formula is more powerful than our moondust; resulting comas are as deadly as those induced by our stardust. What does he want from us? When is he going to reveal himself and his motive?”
The ex-Science and First Officer of the starship Wanderlust said, “I’ve searched my brain and our records, Varian, but I can’t find the name or names of anyone alive who could have such a grievance against us. I can’t imagine who possesses the powers he has at his command. In all of our years and travels, we’ve never come across anything like this. I’ve entered everything we know into the computer and even it can’t come up with possible suspects or solutions.”
“I don’t know where or how to search for him, Nigel. I feel helpless and useless.”
“Nobody could do more than you’re doing, Varian.”
“If I were doing better, Jana wouldn’t be lying here fighting for her life. I’m to blame for this; I should have ordered tighter security. I should have posted guards around her.”
“That wouldn’t have stopped them; they were dressed in Security uniforms and had Security clearance codes and electrocards. If you and I had been standing guard, we would have been duped into letting them pass. He’s almost making it so we suspect everyone of being an enemy.”
“One thing I have noticed, Nigel: he doesn’t breach any new security or safeguards. That makes me think he has access only to old codes and information. I was in the process of altering every one of them when I received the news about Jana. As soon as she wakes up and I make certain she’s all right, I’ll finish that job.”
“You stepped up the search for his base, so maybe it will be spotted.”
“When it is, I’m going there myself to destroy it and challenge him.”
“Nigel, Varian,” Andrea whispered. “Perhaps you shouldn’t be talking like this in Jana’s room. It’s amazing what a person hears even when unconscious. She needs quiet and rest. If you two want to speak outside or go work against our enemy, I’ll summon you the moment she awakens.”
“Andrea’s right,” Varian conceded. “If Jana can hear us, we shouldn’t be saying anything to distress her.”
“I know you’re worried about her, but I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Andrea assured him. “Jana is strong and brave; she’ll recover. She must.”
“The doctor said her brain is bruised by the fall,” Nigel reminded. “As soon as the area heals, she should be fine. He’s removed the fluid and the swelling has decreased. He said sleep is the best thing for her right now.”
“But you also heard what he said about possible complications.”
“Possible, Varian, not absolute. Stay optimistic.”
“I’m trying, Nigel, but it’s damned hard seeing her like this. If anything happens to Jana because I didn’t protect her …” He took a deep breath because he couldn’t finish that horrifying statement. He wished Galen and Amaya were here with him and their mother. He knew their daughter would never forgive herself if Jana was lost during her absence. Somehow, some way, he had to defeat their ominous threat.
What none of them mentioned was the doctor’s alarming word about awaiting the results of one other test, for DISD: Distructive Immune System Disorder. Jana had been cut by broken debris and splattered with blood. In her laboratory were tubes, petri dishes, and glass slides with infected blood and tissue samples which had been shattered and flung about during the attack. It remained to be seen if those deadly foes had come into contact with her open wounds. If so, they all knew, there was no hope for her survival. At this very minute, the rogue virus could be invading her system and destroying her defenses.
Varian’s quivering hand stroked her damp brow and his gaze roamed her exquisite features. She was the most beautiful and desirable woman he knew. She was kind, gentle, loving, smart, and courageous. He remembered the many times he had almost lost her long ago to several enemies, but generous fate had saved her for him. Would it do so again? If a life was demanded this time, make it his, he prayed, not hers. Come back to me, moonbeam, to walk in starlight at my side and to enjoy love’s splendor. What is my life without you?