Saar: Stardust And Shadows Part 34

"Ferris," Jana coaxed, "help me get through to him."

"I agree with Nigel; you two were made for each other, just like Kathy and I were, just like Nigel and Andrea, just like Tris and Martella."

Jana looked at another officer she remembered from her last time on the s.h.i.+p. "Braq?"

The engineering officer grinned and shook his head in playful refusal.

"Vaiden, it's up to you. Talk sense into your friend and commander."

"It's the most sense he's made since you two parted."

"Am I in the midst of a conspiracy, you guys?" she jested.

Varian was delighted when the four men chuckled and nodded. "Don't worry, Jana; I'll try to behave myself, but it's hard around you. I had to let you know how I felt before other men come calling on you."

Jana glanced around the room to find everyone smiling and nodding agreement with Varian. She looked at him and teased, "You always were persistent and bold, Varian Saar."

"So, you haven't forgotten," he replied and chuckled.

"How could any woman forget anything about you?"

"Or any man forget anything about you." His smoldering gaze engulfed her for a moment, then he reminded everyone he had to focus on the task ahead.

"Why don't you two women go to my quarters and relax?" Nigel suggested.

"They're welcome to use mine, Nigel," Varian said.

That sounds like what we need after our frightening experience," Jana said gratefully. "But if my old quarters aren't being used, I'd prefer we stay there and not intrude on you two, if you don't mind."

"Certainly not. You know the way to the Gold Room."

"Yes, I remember it well. Come along, Andrea; you can see Nigel later. The crew has work to do. Thanks again to everyone for saving our lives." Jana halted and turned. "Oh, yes, Varian, Canissia's s.h.i.+p has phony Trilabs markings in case the patrol didn't tell you. It's a Pyropean s.h.i.+p, if that information will help anyone." She related how Canissia had stolen and altered the vessel.

As the elevator whisked the two women from the bridge down the right side of the top deck of the U-shaped vessel, Jana expressed her surprise at Varian's behavior. "I've never known him to use such a lack of caution. He'll have everyone gossiping about us."

"Nigel whispered to me that he was setting his plan into motion to set you up for falling for the hero who rescued you twice. He said that was why Commander Sard issued that full alert for us,' to let people know you were kidnapped and that he rescued you. I thought it was very cunning and romantic. The men loved it, and they like you a lot, Jana. The crew that rescued me from Earth was nice, too. I met a few of Varian's men when they came to Anais during our troubles, but Nigel fetched me in another s.h.i.+p to take me to Darkar; I guess to conceal my presence there. You should be happy Varian's crew likes you so much."

"Except for three of the men, I've known everyone aboard for a long time. We were together a lot during my months on the s.h.i.+p. I wish Kara Curri, Tesla Rilke, and Lieutenant Dykstra were still aboard; you'd like them, too. Tesla was the one killed during my rescue from Darkar after Shara tried to kill me. Kara was our recreational and physical training coach. She and I became good friends. She left to get married. Lieutenant Dykstra was in charge of security for the captives; the man I called Mon Spectre was the one who pa.s.sed along Varian's orders. He was transferred to another s.h.i.+p after that mission ended and promoted to head of security. I'm sure he'll work his way up to a commander one day."

Inside the guest quarters she had occupied long ago, Jana looked at Andrea. "This is where it all began, my friend," she said. "I woke up in here after I was taken from Earth that night. This was my home for months."

They eyed the furniture that was of an alien material, neither wood nor metal nor plastic. There was an etagere with expensive books, statues, figurines, and a model of the Wanderl.u.s.t. On one wall was the servo and eating bar. On another was a sitting area with a phantasmagorial painting above a sofa, a picture that concealed a telecom system. A bed with nightstand and hanging lamp was in another corner. The floor was carpeted in thick material that curled around the feet. Everything was in shades of gold and ivory, except for the painting with its magical hints of blue and black. It was a suite that exuded an aura of wealth, serenity, and excellent taste.

"It was designed to soothe the eye, body, and mind-of a real guest, not a frightened captive. The bath and dressing room with closets are in there," Jana said, pointing to a closed door that worked by floor pressure.

Andrea gazed at the setting. "It's beautiful, Jana."

"Yes, it is. I remember the first time I saw this room. I was scared witless, Andrea. When I checked out that bathroom, everything in there-clothes, cosmetics, and lingerie-was in my sizes and my favorite colors. There were even drawers of expensive jewelry fit for a queen. We had schedules, lessons, and cla.s.ses. We even had parties to relax us and train us. That's how I got to know the crew so well. I must admit it was a strange sort of imprisonment and slavery. They did try to relax us and teach us to fit in."

"My best friend was their elite captive, their mission cover; that's so exciting!" Andrea collapsed onto the bed. "We're safe, Jana."

"I told you not to worry," Jana said with a smile.

"You were also worried; you won't convince me otherwise."

"Terrified is the right word to describe what I was feeling. But I knew, if it was at all possible, Varian would find us and save us."

"Will everything be all right between you two now?"

"Thanks to you who helped me see the light, I think so. I know so. We're back where we belong, Andrea, with the men we love. The more I thought about those weeks during my training, those few days on Eire and those here after Ryker's real death, the more I realized he really does love me and want me. He wouldn't have suffered so much when I disappeared if that weren't true. I see it in the way he looks at me, like he did today when he rescued us. I hear it in his voice. I feel it in his touch and kiss. Because he did his duty, what he truly believed was right, doesn't mean I'm not just as important to him. If he had done any less, he wouldn't be Varian Saar, the man I came to love. What he did to save his world and ours was unselfish. My mind is no longer dazed by stardust and I'm no longer walking in shadows. I know who and what I want: Varian Saar and our child, and a bright future together on Altair."

Andrea sat up and embraced Jana. "You're as smart as ever. No, smarter. I'm proud of you, Jana. Just think, we'll be married soon."

Jana made a comical face and wriggled her fingers as she hummed part of the Twilight Zone theme. "To aliens," she whispered. "But such handsome and virile and nice aliens."

Andrea giggled. "You're right about that, Doc."

Jana fell to the bed on her back and laughed. "I haven't heard that quip in a long time. It's music to my ears, Andrea McKay, music to my ears. Mercy, I'm glad you're here with me. We never imagined we would ever share a wild and wonderful adventure like this one."

Andrea held out her hand and used their youthful phrase: "Like sisters now, like sisters forever. I love you, Jana, my best friend."

Jana grasped it and repeated the words with a glowing smile.

The communications blackout and persistent pursuit in the cloaked s.h.i.+p continued for hours as the Wanderl.u.s.t steadily caught up with Canissia's stolen vessel. They hadn't moved fast enough to create waverings in the nebulous clouds in their path that might be seen and suspected by her. Jana and Andrea came to the bridge to observe the climax of the episode that had begun many days ago on Darkar.

Varian smiled at Jana before he ordered Jarre to bring them up beside her. "Nigel, you handle weapons. I want to fire a blast across her belly and take out the engineering section to disable her. As soon as we get off that shot, Jarre, put us in position to take out her shuttle bay to prevent an escape attempt. Ferris, you be ready to take charge of our prisoner. If I get near that flaming-haired vixen, I might wring her treacherous throat."

"We have a s.p.a.cer ready to pursue if she tries to use an escape pod."

"Thanks, Jarre. Steady as she goes and stay alert, men. That woman is a tricky and unpredictable b.i.t.c.h."

"If she fires on us when we drop our s.h.i.+eld, how do I respond?"

"She'll get a warning to surrender after I take out the engineering section. If she battles us, Nigel, follow standard defense procedure."

"Yes, sir."

Jana leaned over to ask Braq the meaning of those words.

The officer met her gaze and replied, "If surrender is refused and an attack is launched, we defend first, then destroy if endangered."

Jana glanced at the large s.h.i.+p on the screen where she and Andrea had been held captive. She read the markings and symbols to realize Canissia had told the truth about them. She recalled the woman's words and actions during their time together. "I don't think Canissia Garthon will surrender," she told Braq. "She was like a madwoman. If she can't escape punishment, she'll turn and fight, to the death."

"We think so, too, but it's her choice. We can't let her damage us."

Jana and Andrea watched the drama unfold. Ferris Laus joined the two women.

"Steady at the helm, slow and easy," Varian murmured as if to himself. "Jarre, let Nigel know when we're in position for him to fire. Do it in one shot, old friend, then take out her weapons bank," he related the change in orders. "Afterward, we'll swing around fast and get the shuttle bay before she can reach it. Jarre, line up for weapons bank second."

"If the bay is disabled, how will you get her off?" Jana asked Ferris.

"Through the jerri hatch." Seeing Jana's look of confusion, he explained, "That's a hatch atop the bridge for emergency rescue when other means of escape are cut off. We can set down our shuttle and connect to the other s.h.i.+p's hatch so she can climb aboard. It saves time in not having to don pressure suits and headgear, and usually there aren't enough of them available if a crew is large. That's how we had to save the crew of the Galactic Gem. It was slow going and we cut it close, too close for comfort. We had three minutes of safety zone before the s.h.i.+p blew when the last crewman got out."

"You mean all of you were almost killed?"

"Could have been, but Varian's a smart commander."

"And he has a loyal and skilled crew."

"Thanks, Jana. I know he was worried about being out of contact with you."

"Why?" How much, she mused, did this friend know or suspect?

"Because Taemin's on the loose. He should have been executed for treason. I can't believe Jurad would honor his law under the circ.u.mstances."

"Taemin is his son, Ferris."

"What son plots to kill his father? Just before we reached Cenza, one of Jurad's most trusted men overheard Taemin planning to murder him and Taemin's wife, blame it on rebels or spies, and take over as ruler. He was under guard when we arrived and exposed more evil about him."

"Someone helped him escape. If I were Jurad, I wouldn't trust him not to return and make another attempt. Royal blood shouldn't exempt him from punishment. Have they found any trace of him?"

"Not yet. We were hoping he wasn't the one who abducted you."

"Canissia is just as bad."

"I know about some of her crimes, but the others are sealed, for the Council's eyes only."

"Your people don't mind them keeping secrets like that?"

"No. It's always been that way. We trust them. To do what's best for us, they must be able to make decisions and act without the public's permission and knowledge. We've never had a kadim or a councilman or a.s.semblyman who abused or betrayed his power and rank."

Until Segall Garthon, Jana's mind refuted. But that will remain a secret. She doubted Ferris knew anything about that guarded situation. "What about her father? Does he know about this crime yet?"

"Councilman Garthon retired recently. He gave bad health and exhaustion as his reasons. Supreme Commander Breccia Sard is taking his seat next week. It's a surety that Varian will be offered Sard's place."

"That's a big honor and powerful rank."

"Yes, it is, and Varian deserves it and is more than qualified for it."

"I'm sure he is and he'll-"

"In position, sir," Jarre said, halting everyone's conversations.

"Engineering section on target," Nigel reported from his panel. "Fire at will!" Varian ordered as suspense mounted.

Action was swift after their cloaking s.h.i.+eld was lowered to attack. Exterior noise was loud as a bright and large beam flashed across the darkening sky and crashed into the belly of the other s.h.i.+p. A giant gap resulted and items were sucked outside to float in s.p.a.ce until salvaged.

Jana saw smoke, fire, and spinning debris. She witnessed other explosions through the hole in the crippled vessel. She waited and listened.

While Jarre moved the stars.h.i.+p with speed and ease into position to take out any counterattack ability, Varian hailed their target, "Canissia Garthon, this is Commander Saar in the Wanderl.u.s.t demanding your immediate surrender. There is no escape. Yield, woman, it's over."

Behind the redhead's screams of fury and insult, warning bells and buzzers could be heard over the monitor. "You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! How did you find me? How did you get through my s.h.i.+eld? How dare you attack me!"

"Your shuttle bay is next after ..." He paused as Nigel took out the weapons banks to prevent Canissia from firing powerful shots at them. Varian finished, "Your weapons are disabled. Resistance is now impossible."

Canissia yelled over the noise on her wounded vessel, "If you don't break off this attack and get to the penal colony fast, you won't be able to rescue that s.l.u.t of yours before those barbaric prisoners screw her into oblivion. I left her hours ago. She's in terrible danger, so you'd better hurry."

Jana flushed a bright red at the crude remarks made about her in front of the men. Ferris grasped her hand and squeezed it. They exchanged smiles.

Jarre had taken them to the rear of the injured craft during the woman's rantings, and Nigel demolished the shuttle area.

Varian sent Jana a wink and smile. "I've already rescued Mrs. Triloni and Miss McKay," he responded. "They're aboard, safe and alive, and totally unharmed. That was me who sent you running from there. You can't hide from my new sensors; you can't escape; and you can't fight back. You have nothing to exchange for your freedom. You'll pay for your crimes. We have a place waiting for you on the female penal colony, for life."

"You wouldn't dare! Have you forgotten who I am?" "Your father retired from the Council, so you will get no special treatment there. Taemin is exiled, so that ally is gone. You have no friends left, Ca.s.s. Your treachery and greed and hatred have done you in. Surrender, now!"

"I'll kill you both! I swear it. I'll kill you both one day." "There is no escape from penal colonies, ever." "I'll be the first. You won't get a night's sleep worrying about when I'll strike next. You'll be afraid to leave her alone for a minute. I've gotten to her twice and I'll do it again. I'll keep trying until she's dead. I'll never let Jana have you, and I'll never let you have her. Would you like to hear what she told me about you and Ryker? She said-"

The monitor went silent. Everyone exchanged curious glances.

"What happened?" Varian asked. "Did we lose contact?" "I cut her off, sir," Vaiden said. "She was about to become crude and I didn't think it was necessary for us to be subjected to that."

"You did fine, Vaiden; thanks. Open one-way communications." After Vaiden obeyed, Varian said, "You can hear me, Ca.s.s, but we can't hear you. We cut you off before you got started with your lies and insults. We refuse to listen to them. You have two minutes to surrender before your s.h.i.+p goes critical and we're forced to leave the area. When I give the signal, all you can say is yes or no. I leave your fate and survival in your hands."

"Will anyone go aboard to capture her?" Jana asked Ferris.

"No, it's too dangerous. She could shoot anyone climbing inside, and her s.h.i.+p will go on self-destruct in two minutes. We heard the warning given over her ravings. Once it begins, we have twenty minutes to get her out and clear the area. Two minutes is all she can and will receive."

The short time span seemed to last an hour as everyone waited to see how the treacherous female would respond. When it ended, Varian asked for her answer. The channel remained silent. He asked again. Nothing. Varian warned her they were leaving and couldn't return.

"Answer me, Ca.s.s! This is your last chance to reply. I mean it. If your communications are disabled, signal us through the bridge transascreen."

They looked at the large window but saw no one and heard nothing.

"Don't be a fool, Ca.s.s, surrender. Your s.h.i.+p is going to blow soon, so we have to pull out of range. Time is up, woman. Give me your answer."

Varian looked at Nigel. "Safety zone?" he asked.

"We can't stay longer than one more minute. Even if she yields now, we don't have time to shuttle over, get her, and clear the area."

"Jarre, take us out of impact range. Nigel, keep sensors on her. We don't want any guesswork about her being on the s.h.i.+p when it blows."

"Did you think she would surrender?" Andrea asked Jana.

Jana didn't take her eyes off the s.h.i.+p on the screen. "No, I didn't. Canissia would rather go out in a blaze of freedom than live out her life on a penal colony where she has no power or privileges."

A pathetic voice came over the communicator. "Please, Varian, don't leave me here alone to die. I love you. I'm sorry. Please save me."

In a tone filled with resignation, the Commander replied, "I'm sorry, too, Ca.s.s, but you've waited too long. There's no time left for a rescue."