Hendora approached them, alsodressed in a Haklute uniform. No women were allowed in the Haklutemilitary, so she was disguised to look like a short male soldier.“Greetings, Michio.” She bowed formally. “All set, Erling?”
“Yeah, start the pre-flightcheck; I need another minute alone with Mich.”
After Hendora boarded the ship,Erling said, “Take care of Kori. Not just now, but if I don’tmake it back—it’ll be hard on her. I’d feel better knowingyou’ll be there for her.”
“I will, but you’d bettermake it back.” They embraced and Erling felt a surge of energy asthe Eternal Light Stream flowed through him. He looked into Michio’seyes and saw a spark of the divine that blazed like the sun.
Erling hurried up the ramp of TheBlue Lady.At the top he stopped and turned to Michio. He saw not Michio, theman, but something more. The spiritual power pouring through Michiowas very much like the power that flowed from Master Bakka.
“That’s what we all are, inour purest form, if we could but be it,” a soft inner voice said.
Erling entered the ship,pondering what he’d seen in Michio, then slipped into the well-wornpilot seat next to Hendora.
“Everything’s set to go,”Hendora said.
“Okay, let’s do it.” Erlingstarted the engines and lifted the spacecraft into the air.
“I apologize for what I said toyou yesterday,” Hendora said. “I don’t really think you’reshallow and insensitive. I lost my temper. I know you care aboutOnolyn and Zac. You’ve always taken responsibility for those underyour leadership at the Coalition. That’s why I couldn’tunderstand your behavior.”
“I just needed some time tobalance out after my near-death experience. It’s hard to fit backinto the world as if nothing happened when I feel so profoundlydifferent. I’m glad we’re straightening out our differencesbefore this mission. We need to trust each other and work togetherclosely if we’re going to find and rescue Zac and Onolyn. We’llbe fighting a powerful sorceress and need to keep our wits about us.Seetva will use any weakness she finds to entrap or kill us.”
Erling landed TheBlue Ladyin a remote area in the country of Bhusong near the border ofHaklute. After he and Hendora deboarded the ship, he marked theship’s location on his communicator. Then he put into the map’sGPS the Haklute Military Headquarters’ address. Once he was done,he looked at Hendora. “It says here we have a the ten-miles trek.We’d better get started.”
As he led the way through anancient forest of huge trees, Erling began to have second thoughtsabout the mission. His leadership in defending the planet from SamratCondor’s space fleet was more important than trying to rescue twooperatives who were most likely already dead. Yet his heart wouldn’tlet him desert his friends. He had to at least try to find them inthe next twenty-four hours.
Two-and-a-half hours later, theyleft the woods and continued walking along the side of the road.Before long they reached the main gate of the Haklute headquartersand showed the guard their fake Raptor IDs. The guard let themthrough and they started across the grounds. To the left was a largeairfield filled with fighter aircraft and soldiers.
“They look like they’repreparing for war,” Erling said. “We have to warn Mich. Theirtarget is probably Jaipar.”
He pulled out his communicatorand pushed the button for Michio’s direct line. “Night Wandererto Cruiser.”
“Night Wanderer here,” cameMichio’s voice.
“There’s a storm brewinghere; prepare for black clouds.”
“Affirmative.”
Erling clicked off and stared ata nearby military compound in surprise. He felt Onolyn’s energycoming from the building. He whispered to Hendora, “Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Into that compound. I senseOnolyn’s there.”
“You sure it isn’t some kindof trick Seetva’s using to lure you to her?”
He paused and focused within,double-checking. “Yes, I’m sure. Onolyn has very positive energy;it can’t be mistaken for Seetva’s dark energy.”
“This whole thing doesn’tseem right.”
“I agree. Be on your guard,”Erling replied. “This way.”
On a security monitor, KingZanton watched two soldiers, one who was tall and the other, who wasunusually short, make their way across the grounds.
“That tall soldier’s Erling,”Seetva said. “He’s fallen nicely into our trap.”
Zanton studied the man moreclosely. “You’re right, I didn’t recognize him immediately inthe sunglasses and Haklute uniform. Who is the other man?”
“I’m not sure. Wait . . .that’s a woman. She was with Zachary and Onolyn when they came tome for the antidote.”
“Why did you give it to them?Why didn’t you let Erling die?”
“This is much better. Onolynand Zachary will capture them, and then I will bring Erling under mypower and we can rule Jaipar through him.”
Zanton doubted it would be soeasy. “Are you sure Onolyn and Zachary will do as you instruct?”
“Yes, they’re both fullyunder my control now.”
“How is Major Fenian able totrack them down so easily?”
“Onolyn is drawing him to her,”Seetva said.
“I have to leave for the attackon Jaipar. Your plan better work or you’ll be facing formalcharges.”
Her exquisite mouth formed atight line and her eyes flashed. “Don’t threaten me, Zanton. I’mnot one of your soldiers! I work for Samrat Condor and he won’t bepleased if anything happens to me.”
“I doubt he’ll take your sideif Major Fenian escapes.”
Her face softened. “Weshouldn’t argue. We’re working for the same goal.” She steppedcloser and kissed him, rubbing her body sensuously against his.
He jerked back. “Your kisstastes of death and power. You’re a demon under that deceivinglybeautiful face.”
“Never forget that power.”
“You do not, and will not,control me.’
“Still afraid of me?” Shelifted her finely arched eyebrows questioningly. “I’m about togive you control of Jaipar without even a battle.”
“See that you do!”
“It will be my pleasure. Ishall enjoy seducing Erling. He’s a fine specimen of a man.”
He grabbed her upper arms andgave her a shake. “You know I don’t relish the thought of himtouching you. You’re mine.”
“How dare you get possessiveafter you went to Jaipar to marry Queen Koriann!”
“What difference does it makewho I marry? I can never marry you. I can only marry royalty for theadvancement of my country, politically and materially.”
She pried his hands off her arms.“I’m better than any woman with royal blood. I’m power at yourside.”
“Power isn’t enough. BesidesI can’t trust you. I’d be better off disposing of you.”
“You’ll never dispose of me;you want me too
