Alien Attachments (25 page)

They saw the last of the Cavacent belongings lift off. The transport would offload to the starship, then return for more. Although one of his ships could have easily held all the belongings they were moving, Rucon spread it amongst the three already scheduled. His ships never stayed in orbit long and it would have aroused suspicion if one lingered. There were going to be a lot of unhappy Sandarians when they discovered their precious cargo wasn’t coming and going as planned.

Ian called the ships captain and instructed him to head to Earth as soon as the transport was unloaded. The third of Rucon’s ships waited its turn.

* * * *

Gordat Prayda paced in the den of his mountain side home. Two of the most powerful, known Portal Masters sat on his couch and waited for his response.

“Are you sure?”

“Quite, councilman,” the taller Portal Master replied. The other pale, fragile-looking man, hadn’t muttered a word.

“And why is this so important to you? Surely, you could move the guild to another planet?”

“That doesn’t concern you. Suffice it to say, we are determined to stay on Sandaria and have agreed you are the best candidate to provide leadership and control over the population. That is, of course, if you are interested.”

“Of course I am. It’s just…well, we’ve all known the empire was falling apart. This just seems so soon. And what of the emperor?”

“He has been apprehended by the military and will get what he deserves.”

As the words sunk in, a smile spread across Gordat’s face. “The emperor isn’t the only one who’s going to get what he deserves when I’m running this place.”

“We have no concern with your personal affairs as long as you keep them quiet. It wouldn’t do to have the new leader coming across as a tyrant. You must assume the role of a pragmatic politician, willing to take control in time of crisis. We feel it would benefit you to tell the population you have our support. Tell them a committee will be formed to design a new governing body and that elections will be held once said government is defined. This should give you ample time to both achieve your personal goals and win over the favor of your population.”

“My personal goals?”

“It is no secret you covet the planet Earth and have, shall we say, issues with Lord Cavacent. Publicly, we will neither support you nor oppose you.”

Gordat was giddy. Earth would be his. He would see to it. “But privately?”

“There is something we can do to assist you with the downfall of Lord Cavacent.”

“Yes. By all means.” Gordat clasped his hands together. “What did you have in mind?”

Gordat couldn’t believe his luck, but then he deserved this. He’d waited long enough. It was his turn.

* * * *

Dani sat across the table from Balastar. He held her hand in his, caressing her palm with his thumb. The intimate touch was soothing, grounded.

“Are you okay?” Dani asked.

“Five generations lived in that house. I wish I’d taken you there.”

“How about your mom?”

“She’s a strong woman. She’ll be fine.” He smiled. “She’s happy to be close to her sisters again.”

Dani squeezed his hand. She liked the fact that she could touch him without losing control. And yet…

“Hey, you two.” Ria approached the table. “Mordo says Armond is getting close to being able to lock the portal. We should be leaving soon. You won’t believe the house. It’s empty. Nothing in it.” She looked around the nearly deserted dining hall. Only a skeleton crew remained. “This sucks.”

“Well put,” Balastar said.

“Grab a seat.” Dani slid out the chair next to her.

Before Ria had a chance, every com in the room went off. Staff and EPs alike checked their displays. The room was eerily silent as everyone read the emergency broadcast message.

“It’s official,” Ria whispered. “It’s finally happened.”

Dani read the message.

To all citizens of the Sandarian Empire. The Galactic Trade Organization and former Sandarian Military have formed an alliance.

Emperor Korzan Sandar is no longer recognized as a sovereign ruler and has been apprehended.

Communications between all member planets and the GTO have already begun.

Sandarian Portal Masters have appointed Councilman Gordat Prayda to serve as president during this time of change.

We urge all governments to continue commerce as usual.

All grievances regarding the emperor’s rule, military actions, and membership in the GTO should be directed to the communications division of the trade organization.

More information will be forth coming. For now, we welcome you to a new galaxy.

— Sr. Director of Communications, Wallis DurMichal

“Prayda?” Dani asked. She and Balastar got to their feet. The staff in the kitchen and a few other people gathered around. They all turned when Ian and Rucon rushed into the room.

“That’s it,” Rucon said. “Prayda isn’t going to waste time. We need to get to Earth.” He walked over to the cook and two remaining servers. He took the older man’s hand and shook it. Then clasped him on the shoulder. “You have served us well all these years. Are you sure you want to stay?”

“I’m sure. For now.”

Rucon nodded. “You and the rest of the staff will be taken care of. I’ll be in touch in case you change your mind.”

“Thank you, your lordship.” The man bowed slightly.

Rucon shook hands with the other two and dismissed them.

“Ladies,” Rucon said, addressing Dani and Ria. “I need a word with Balastar and Ian. You two go ahead. We’ll wrap up here and meet you at Ria’s villa.”

Dani met Ian’s eyes. As angry as she was with him for last night, it broke her heart knowing how difficult it was to leave everything you’ve ever known behind. She couldn’t look at him without feeling the pull of their bond.

Passing through the common, Dani scanned the lonely area and took a deep breath. She wanted to remember this place, the smell, the colors. Everything.

Mordo poked his head around the door as they approached. “Ah, good. We were about to call you.”

Their boots echoed in the empty halls. Ria was right, the Cavacent’s home was a sad, empty space.

In Rucon’s study, Armond stood silent next to the portal. He held the black box which seemed to accompany him everywhere these days. He nodded as they approached.

“How’s it going?” Ria asked.

“In theory, I should be able to lock the portals on Earth once everyone is across.”

“In theory?” Dani asked.

“It’s a good theory,” Armond replied.

“Right then,” Dani said. “We’ll see you on the flip side.”

“The what?” Mordo asked.

Dani smiled. “Never mind. See you in Italy. We good to go?” she asked Armond.

He motioned for them to go ahead and she and Ria stepped into the portal. Dani looked back at an odd sound, and caught a brief glimpse of Armond’s surprised face before they passed through.

* * * *

The moment Ian entered the library with his father and Balastar, he knew something was wrong. “What’s happened?”

“The portal was redirected,” Armond said as though he didn’t believe it.

Fear gripped Ian’s heart. “Redirected where?” A muscle twitched in his neck.

Armond shook his head. “No idea.”

“Find out.” Ian fought for control.

“Easy, son,” Rucon said. “Explain, Armond. What does that mean?”

“It means the Portal Masters have taken control of this portal and changed its destination,” Armond said.

“It’s been done from time to time,” Mordo added, “but it’s officially strictly forbidden. Few people even know it’s possible. You said they threatened you?” he asked Rucon.

“Yes, and we know they want Armond.”

“This portal is compromised.” Armond pocketed the device. “The Portal Masters did this intentionally, and short of going through ourselves, we have no way of knowing where it will lead. We should leave here.”

“Agreed.” Rucon turned to go.

“Wait.” Ian took his father’s arm. “We have to find the women.”

“We have to get to safety first and make a plan,” Rucon said. “Then, we find Dani and Ria.”

His father was right, but it killed him not knowing where they were. His gut wanted to follow, but training said otherwise.

Mordo pulled out his com and placed a call while they headed for the cruisers. He spoke a few minutes before disconnecting. “We may be in luck. Durgan and some others managed to get away from the guild and out of the city. They are in jeopardy, as are we. I think we can help each other. They’re at his family’s old estate.”

“How many Portal Masters are with your friend?” Armond asked Mordo.

“I didn’t ask. Why?”

“If there are enough, with their added energy, we might be able to create a portal of our own. Without being involved with the creation of that portal, the others would have no way of tampering with it.”

“How many does it take to create a portal?” Rucon asked.

“With standard psi, approximately twenty-five. It depends upon their individual strength. To do what they did here, however”—Armond motioned back toward the library—“only three to five of the Portal Masters that created it originally.”

“But you haven’t tested your own portals with a human.”

“Correct. However, everything I’ve tried thus far indicates it will work.”

Ian shook his head. “Okay then. We have no choice.”

Dani crashed into Ria from behind. “Ooph—” They stood in a large room with a wall of windows overlooking a lush purple-tinged lawn and a city in the distance. Definitely not Earth. She turned around and discovered five armed men with weapons trained on them. They bore the insignia of the Sandarian Empire.
Shit.
Seated around a table next to the space they’d entered were four robed men who watched them silently a moment, before launching into a quiet but energetic discussion. Stretched across a plush leather couch sat Gordat Prayda. He made her think of Jabba the Hut drooling in his lair.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here,” Prayda said, licking his lips.

“What are you doing, Prayda.” Ria turned half her back to Dani.

They stood in the defensive stance and waited. They were outnumbered.

“That’s President Prayda now,” Prayda said smugly.

Dani snorted. “Says who?”

“Says my friends in the guild. Rucon’s days are over, ladies. It would be wise for you to reconsider your loyalties.”

“What?” Ria asked. “And serve someone like you?”

Dani smiled despite their situation. “Not likely, Prayda.”

Prayda sat up, angered. “Well then, we’ll just have to wait and see who we capture next. Meanwhile, I’m afraid I don’t have time for worthless traitors such as yourselves. Lock them up. Oh, and let’s make sure they stay put.” He waived to the guards.

Three approached and instructed them to hand over their weapons.

They had no choice but to do as they were told. When Dani handed her laser over to the waiting guard, something stung her neck. “Ow.” She spun around and saw another guard with a pen like device. He jabbed it into Ria’s neck.

“You bastard,” Ria said, rubbing the injection spot.

The guards led them out a side door, down the purple tinged lawn to a long, narrow building.

“This is cozy,” Dani said, as the guards led them into a small cell. It was one of many.

The metal clanged loudly as the door slammed shut. Dani’s head spun. She was dizzy but in a way she’d never experienced before. “What was that, Ria?” Dani rubbed her neck. She wasn’t seeing right. Like frames deleted in a film, leaving a movie that jerked and sputtered.

“Psi suppressant,” Ria said. “That shit’s not legal. It’s dangerous.”

“How so?”

“It can cause permanent damage to your psi.” Ria came over and put a hand on her arm. “In our third year at academy they gave us a small dose so that we’d know what to expect. This is gonna suck, Dani. Every emotion you ever had is going to be wide open and raw. You’re going to feel crazy. Do not try to use your psi. Do you understand?” Ria squeezed Dani’s arm. “It will hurt like no pain you’ve ever experienced. Just remember it wears off with the drug. Keep reminding yourself that. It’s going to be okay. Rucon wouldn’t leave us here. Come on.” She sat on a bench against the wall, the only furniture in the room. “We need to sit before we hit the floor.” Ria leaned forward, head in hands.

Dani sat next to her. Ria’s words bounced around her head. She knew what they meant but couldn’t repeat them if she had to. Her psi was like a weight tied to her. It swayed from side to side, pushing and tugging. It made her nauseous. Thoughts and images flashed through her mind. Each item brought a blast of emotion, much greater than it should have. She saw Ian’s face smiling down at her from the bed in Como.
Ian.
She called out to him and a searing pain shot through her head, then nothing.

* * * *

Pain shot through Ian’s psi, coming to a point in his head.
Dani.
He knew it was only a shadow of what she was experiencing.

“What is it?” His father sat next to him in the cruiser.

“Dani. She’s in serious pain. I think the
crags
used suppressant.”

“You can feel it?” Rucon whispered.

Ian didn’t bother answering.

“You’re farther along the bonding process than I thought. We’ll get her back.”

I’ll get her back or die trying.

“We’re nearly there,” Mordo said.

They flew over a small village, circled to the west and set down outside a large country estate.

“This is the village of Springrun,” Mordo said. “Durgan grew up here.”

A tall, pale man emerged from the house. He wore slacks and a sweater, and walked with natural authority.

Mordo stepped out first and the two greeted, clasping arms tightly around each other. “My good friend. I feared I’d not see you again.”

Ian noted an unusual level of emotion in his uncle.

“That was nearly the case.” The man with speckled gray hair spoke with a deep voice.

The others gathered around and Mordo made introductions. “I’m sure you’ve heard of Councilman Balastar Alder,” he said.