She stored her flight suit andhelmet in a locker, then rejoined Erling and Vez.
They walked to a large militarybuilding and entered the data chamber. Erling and Toemeka wereassigned adjacent cubicles and briefed on the project they’d beworking on. Once seated, Toemeka turned on her computer and beganworking under the observation of guards who patrolled the room. Whenthe guards weren’t close by, Toemeka explored the files on thecomputer. She soon discovered that all military operationsinformation was classified and she couldn’t tap into it.
After a few more hours, she wasstarving and so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She lookedaround the edge of her cubicle and saw Erling hard at work. Shewondered what kept him going. He hadn’t slept in thirty hours andshe’d slept only a few hours on the ship.
A bell sounded and the computersoperators started filed out of the room. Erling approached her desk.“Come on, Anubec. Let’s get something to eat.”
Toemeka put her head down on herfolded arms. “Bring something back for me. I need sleep.”
Erling glanced around to be surethey were alone, then whispered, “Want a Go-pill?”
“Are you crazy?” sheexclaimed. “You know I don’t use amphetamines.”
“We could be killed at anymoment and you’re worried about a few uppers? We can’t afford tosleep.”
“We can’t afford to gethooked on drugs either.”
“We’ll discuss it later. I’llbring you back something.”
She watched him leave. It was acommon practice for flight doctors to prescribe Go-pills to pilotswhen they needed to stay awake, but she’d never known Erling totake them.
A half-hour later, Toemeka awoketo the sound of people reentering the room. Several humanoid men cameby and welcomed her to the team. She began working again, expectingErling to appear at any minute.
Minutes dragged by and Erlingstill didn’t show up. After an hour she was really worried. Whathappened to him? Had Sergeant Rashid found something wrong with theirfake identities and taken him in for questioning? Or maybe they’ddiscovered the ship was stolen. At any moment she expected to bearrested. She wished she wasn’t so tired and could think moreclearly.
She scanned the computer forinformation about the outpost and discovered it was located in themiddle of a jungle with no towns for over a hundred miles. The junglewas considered impenetrable because it was dense and filled with wildanimals. She leaned back in her chair discouraged. If she went forhelp, she’d have to steal a ship. She’d never make it to thenearest town on foot.
Vez and a human guard walked overto Toemeka’s desk. “Come with us,” Vez said.
Toemeka rose. “What’s thisabout?”
Vez’s round red eyes narrowedinto a slit. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Toemeka followed them to a smallroom and a human guard shut the door.
“Why did you come to thisbase?” Vez demanded.
“I had orders to come here.”
“Who is the man you came with?”
“Ryan? I’ve never seen himbefore today.”
Vez grabbed the neckline of hershirt with his clawed hand and yanked her to him. “You’re workingwith him, aren’t you?”
She grabbed his scaly arm andtried to push his clawed hand away. “I told you, I’ve never seenhim before traveling here with him today. We’re from differentbases. If you don’t believe me, look at my file.”
“That file could have beenforged. Most likely you’re both spies.”
“We’re not spies,” shesaid. “Samrat Condor rules with total control and his security isimpenetrable. Do you question his power?”
“No,” the human guard said,“but Ryan was found in the crypto room stealing classifiedinformation.”
Herstomach tightened. Condor’s blood, what was Erling doing in thecrypto room?
“Jerd, don’t tell heranything.”
“Maybe he was sent to test yoursecurity,” Toemeka said in a contemptuous voice. “It’s laxaround here.”
Vez shoved her against the walland her shoulder wound exploded in pain. “Give us the answers wewant or we’ll give you what we gave him.” He pulled out a stungun.
“Not on a woman!” Jerdexclaimed.
“She’s a spy or traitor.”He glared at her. “Tell us who you are and what you’re up to.”
“I told you who I am.” Vezfired the stun gun and a jolt of electricity hit her chest. She feltlike she’d been stabbed in the heart and slid to the floor. Jerdknocked the probe out of Vez’s hand.
“I told you not to use it!”Jerd squatted beside her. “Can you breathe, Anubec?”
She tried to speak, but wordswouldn’t form. “Get her a drink of water!” he said to Vez.
“She’s a spy. She doesn’tdeserve water.”
“Go! Now!”
Vez left and she leaned backagainst the wall, trying to pull herself together. Her chest stillached and she felt shaky. She could only imagine what they’d doneto Erling. She knew he was strong and wasn’t likely to talk undertorture, but everyone had their breaking point. They might alreadyknow she was a Coalition spy. Jerd was her only hope. He’d defendedher before; perhaps she could convince him of her innocence.
“Thank you for helping me,”she said.
“Vez had no cause to use a stungun on you.”
The door opened and Vez walked inwith a glass of water. Jerd held the glass to her mouth and shecovered his hand with hers and drank. When their eyes met, sherealized he craved the sight and touch of a woman. A plan formed inher mind. She took a sip then tightened her grip on his hand. “Iwant to see the prisoner. If he’s a spy, I want to know who he isand why he’s here. Take me to him!”
“We can’t do that,” Jerdsaid.
“I have some powerfulconnections in the military,” Toemeka replied. “I suggest youthink twice before questioning me further or you’ll both be inserious trouble.”
“Is that true?” Jerd asked,looking up at his fellow guard.
“Yeah, it’s in her file.”
“What has Ryan told you sofar?” Toemeka asked.
“Nothing. He’s tough. We’rewaiting for him to revive, then we’re going to use drugs to makehim talk.”
“Don’t tell her anything,”Vez said. “She’s with him.”
“I’m not with him!” Toemekastarted to rise and Jerd immediately clasped her arm and helped herup. She leaned against him, for support and to maintain his interestin her.
Vez
