“I’d like to contact themilitary commander in Jaipar to let him know I’ve delivered theinformation, but am presently detained.”
“I can’t allow you to send acommunication. The Raptors could intercept the message, trace it backto our starship and track us down.”
“There must be some way to sendit without being traced,” she insisted. Michio would be concernedwhen she didn’t return to Jaipar.
“We’re on complete radiosilence. While you’re here, I’m assigning you to the team thatwill be analyzing the information you delivered. Jake, you’ll bethe team leader. We need to find something on that matrix crystal tohelp us defeat Condor’s air fleet and save planet Borko.
“The Coalition is a skeleton ofwhat it was. Most of our personnel were killed and our air fleetdestroyed in the initial attack on Headquarters and in the war thatfollowed.”
He looked from Toemeka to Jake.“And don’t stay up all night catching up. You’ll both startworking first shift tomorrow morning at the computer center.Information will be downloaded and organized by then. You’redismissed.” His attention switched to the papers on his desk andToemeka stood, her cheeks flushed from his reference to her and Jake“staying up all night catching up.” He either didn’t know ordidn’t remember that she and Jake had split up and she was married.
Quintary looked up. “Before yougo, Toemeka, I want to congratulate you on a successful mission.We’re glad to have you back on active duty.”
“Thank you, sir.” Toemekaleft the room with Jake and got a room assignment from the gynoid.She was given a cabin three other women already occupied. Privaterooms were a rarity on a starship for all but the highest-rankingofficers.
On the way to her cabin, she andJake stopped at the clothing supply room so she could pick out a feweveryday uniforms, a formal uniform, boots, shoes and a flight suit.All the clothes she’d brought with her were inappropriate attirethat Felicia Alenzata might wear. The only things she could use werethe stylish, rich-girl lingerie. She hadn’t risked carryinganything that might give away her true identity.
She and Jake parted at the doorto her cabin. He agreed to return in a half-hour to take her to themess hall. The room was small and bare except for four lockers andtwo sets of bunk beds. She stored her clothes in the only emptylocker, then went to the communal woman’s restroom and showered.Colored water flowed into the drain as she scrubbed off her facepaint and hair dye. The water stopped and hot air blew over her. Shestepped out of the shower and dressed in one of the casual uniforms,a blue, long-sleeved shirt and black pants made of a comfortablestretch fabric.
Back in the room, she sat on thefloor with her legs crossed under her and began to chant shonu,focusing her attention on Michio. The outer world faded as she wentdeep into a trance. Inwardly she called Michio’s name whilecontinuing to concentrate on him. She sent out an inner message thatshe was safe and hoped he received it on some level.
A rap on the door startledToemeka, jolting her back into her body. Unsettled from beingdisturbed during contemplation, she opened the door to find Jakestanding there with her flight bag. She suppressed her irritation,appreciating his thoughtfulness in retrieving her bag.
“I see you washed out the hairdye and lost the rich-girl clothes,” he said. “You look like yourold self again.”
“I feel like my old self.”
“Let’s go eat.” He set herbag inside the door.
24
Master Bakka
Erling found Koriann in thehallway as she was about to go into a meeting with her top generals.“Kori, Mich and I are leaving for the village of Kumba now,” hesaid.
She drew closer, her blue eyesfilled with concern. “Are you sure you feel well enough for thetrip?”
“I’m much better. It’ll begood for me to get away from all the responsibilities and pressuresin Jaipar for awhile.”
“When will you be back?”
Her voice sounded anxious and hefelt a twinge of guilt for leaving her with such a large burden whilehe took time for himself. “I don’t know. I wish I could be moredefinite.”
“I hope it helps.”
“It will.” She lookedworried. He knew she didn’t want him to go and didn’t understandwhy he felt he had to. He wasn’t sure he understood himself.
Her voice hardened as it did whenshe was talking to her generals. “This is a terrible time for youto leave.”
“I know and I apologize, butit’s just something I need to do.”
“Then go. I have a meeting toattend.”
“Later, love.” Erling kissedher lightly, feeling the distance between them as he left for thehangar. Michio was already at the Viper when Erling arrived and theytook off.
An hour later, they reached theGateway Mountain Range and landed the aircraft a short distance fromthe village of Kumba. They left the ship and Erling shivered as hestepped onto the snow-covered ground. Both men started hiking throughthe tall, bare trees, walking briskly to keep warm.
After awhile Erling grew tired,so they stopped by a mountain stream to rest. They both refilledtheir hipflasks from the stream and drank the cold, healing water.Energized by the sacred water, they continued directly to theMaster’s hut instead of stopping at the village. A feeling of peaceand serenity settled over Erling and he walked in silence; wordsseemed unimportant and unnecessary so close to meeting with theMaster.
They reached Master Bakka’shome early that afternoon and found him sitting outside on a bench.“Welcome,” Master Bakka said in a melodious voice. The Mastertouched his forehead and bowed. Erling returned the ancient greeting.Waves of love radiated out from Bakka and his penetrating blue eyesseemed to look into the depths of Erling’s Soul. He heard ahigh-pitched humming sound and saw a glowing blue light around theMaster.
“Come inside and get warm,”the Master said.
“I can’t stay,” Michioreplied. “I need to get back to assist Queen Koriann withfortifying Jaipar’s defenses before the Raptor space fleetarrives.”
“I understand. Go forth with mylove,” Bakka said.
“Watch out for Kori,” Erlingsaid. “She takes her duties so seriously that she doesn’tremember to eat or sleep.”
“I’ll do my best to
