“Yes, do you notice anypatterns?”
“Patterns?
Master Jadock remained silent andMichio thought for a moment before speaking.
“When Toemeka is in danger, Ihave trouble staying in balance. Before we married, I left mytraining with Master Bakka to rescue her after General Bhandararrested her. When I was at the School of Eagles, I wanted to leavebecause I knew she was in danger, but stayed to finish my training.Recently Commander Rochambeau kidnapped her and now she’s in hishands again. I don’t know what it all means, but usually thingsrepeat themselves for a reason.”
“Go on.”
“There must be somethingToemeka and I need to learn from these experiences. For me, it’sbeen learning to surrender to the Inner Master and not becomingdependent on the impermanent lower worlds for happiness. I’ve alsolearned a lot about love. Toemeka and I seem to be drawn intofinishing this cycle with Commander Rochambeau.”
“For Toemeka, this cyclereaches further back than that.”
“Further back?” Michioremembered Toemeka’s nightmares. “It started with Samrat Condor.”
Master Jadock nodded. “Thisnext test will not be easy for either of you. Beware of illusions.Your past experiences can be used against you.” The Masterdisappeared.
A short time later Michio landedhis spacecraft near the Jaiparian ship Erling and Toemeka had flownin on. The ship was covered with branches to disguise it, but if youknew what to look for, it was obvious it was an aircraft.
Michio left his ship and lookedaround, wondering what to do. It was dark and would be hard for himto track Erling’s team. He pulled a small globelight from his gunbelt, shone it on the ground near the ship and found footprintsleading into the woods. He followed them to a flat spot where itlooked like a tent had been set up. He heard a noise and flipped offthe light, then stood still, listening. It was totally dark beneaththe leafy branches where even the moonlight was blocked. The windmade a whistling noise as it moved through the leaves. He heard abranch crack and silence followed.
Then a faint sound of voicesfloated on the wind. The hushed voices grew louder along with thesound of leaves rustling and an occasional stick cracking. Peoplewere in the forest, coming this way. It could be Erling’s teamreturning to the ship… it could be or enemy soldiers.
Michio slid behind a tree andpeered out. A light appeared and he made out dark forms. A man cameinto view wearing a worn jacket, followed by a middle-aged man, awoman and two young women in near rags — definitely not soldiers.Then Onolyn and Zac came into view, followed by Erling, whose clotheswere soaked. Toemeka wasn’t with them.
Michio stepped out from behindthe tree. “Where’s Toemeka?”
“Michio, what are you doinghere?” Erling asked.
“I followed as soon as I foundout Toemeka came on this mission.”
“She didn’t tell you she wascoming?” Erling sounded surprised.
“She left me a note,” Michiosaid. “Where is she?”
Stricken, Erling shook his head.“Commander Rochambeau captured her.”
Michio’s chest constricted. Hewasn’t surprised after her inner cry for help, but it still jarredhim.
The dark-haired man leading thegroup flipped on his communicator and held it to his ear.
“Benray, this is Slick. We’reat the ship. Come immediately.” He slid his communicator back intohis pocket and faced Michio. “We thought it best to get Erling’sfamily safely to the ship, then go back for Toemeka.”
Michio now recognized the man asJake. They’d met once when Jake and Toemeka returned to Jaipar froma Coalition mission. “You left Toemeka behind with Rochambeau!”Michio snarled.
Jake stiffened. “She’s acompetent field operative. She can take care of herself until we freeher. Commander Rochambeau is staying at a military compound inTismus. He’ll take her there.”
Upset with Jake’s answer,Michio glowered at Erling. “Why did you let her come on the missionin the first place?”
“She’s a good agent and Iknew she’d be an asset on the mission.”
“Save your anger for CommanderRochambeau,” Jake said as several of his men slipped silently outof the forest and walked over to him.
“Benray,” Jake said to thenearest man, “thanks for coming so quickly. You’re in chargeuntil I return. Erling and I are going after Toemeka.”
He turned to Zac. “You andOnolyn can fly Erling’s family to Jaipar.”
“Onolyn can fly them back,”Zac said. “I’m staying with Erling. I’m his bodyguard.”
“You’ll follow orders,”Jake said.
“I’m going after Toemekaalone,” Michio said.
“You won’t stand a chancealone,” Jake said. “Cadmus’ compound is nearly impenetrable. Iknow my way around. You don’t.”
Blaster fire rang out, hittingone of the guerialla soldiers in the head, knocking him to theground.
Jake yelled, “Take cover!”
Michio slid behind a tree andreturned fire. Resistance soldiers and Coalition agents joined inwhile Erling’s family scattered into the forest. Michio fired off afew more rounds, then raced into the woods. He continued firing atthe soldiers as Erling and Onolyn raced toward him.
Once everyone was in the woods,Onolyn said, “Should I gather Erling’s family together and make arun for the ship?”
“No,” said Erling. “It’stoo dangerous. There isn’t enough cover.”
A loud boom pierced the air asone of the ships blew up, throwing them all to the ground. The othership exploded right after it. Michio’s ears rang as he crawled overto one of the Resistance soldiers. When he got close, he saw thathalf the man’s face was blown off. Onolyn lay nearby. Michio feltfor her pulse, afraid she was dead as well. “Onolyn, wake up.”She moaned and relief spread through him.
Zac crawled over. “Are you allright, Onolyn?” he asked in a panicked voice.
“I think so,” she saidweakly.
“Clear out!” Jake ordered.
Zac helped Onolyn to her feet andthey followed Jake.
Erling put his arm around hismother and together they moved deeper into the forest with Richwoodand Sharma following. Breezy stayed behind with Jake, firing at thesoldiers to give her family a chance to escape.
Michio crossed over to Jake.“Where’s the military compound? I’m going after Toemeka.”
“Benray can take you there.”
A man with a thick beard coveringthe lower half his face drew close. “I’ll be glad to help freeToemeka. She’s a brave woman to go into that concentration camp.”
“Erling and I will take hisfamily to safety,” Jake continued. “After you free Toemeka,Benray can lead you to our rendezvous place. Good luck.”
“Good luck to you as well,”Michio said.
“We’ll give you and Benraycover.”
