“I checked that as well.There’s no listing of her anywhere. It’s possible she landed onKing Zanton’s ship with Commander Fenian and his squadron.”
Michio leaned back in his chair,shaken. It was possible. If Toemeka knew that Erling and his squadronwere landing on King Zanton’s ship, she might’ve joined them, notrealizing the danger. Michio had a strong urge to pursue GeneralDursky’s plan of attacking Zanton’s ship to rescue her, but amore rational side of him knew she was safer if he didn’t doanything rash.
Zac and Onolyn sat on the steelfloor of their prison cell along with four other pilots. When theywere brought to the detention center, they were asked for name, rankand serial number before being assigned cells. Of the many pilots wholanded on Zanton’s ship, only a few dozen were still alive. Aterrible unspoken question hung in the air between the pilots,strangling their morale. Where was their Commander-in-Chief ErlingFenian? Was he dead?
The cell door opened and twoguards dumped an unconscious Jaiparian pilot on the floor. He’dbeen taken for questioning a short time earlier. He lay on his backwith blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Onolyn shudderedagainst Zac.
“Grab another one forquestioning,” a guard said in the universal language, scanning theremaining prisoners. His eyes fell on Onolyn. “A woman might talkmore readily.”
Zac balled his fists, ready tofight to defend her.
The other guard looked at Onolynwith a compassionate frown. “No, leave her.” He gestured toward ayoung male pilot. “Take him.”
The first guard smiled cruelly.“Good idea. Let the woman’s fear mount.” He looked at thepilot. “Get up.”
The pilot swallowed, then rose tohis feet. He was taken from the cell and the door clicked shut.“What’s going to happen to us?” Onolyn asked.
“Erling will rescue us like hedid last time,” Red said.
“What if he’s dead?” Hervoice caught in her throat.
“He’s not dead!” Zac movedover to the unconscious pilot and turned him on his side so hewouldn’t choke on his own blood.
“What do you think they’requestioning us about?” Onolyn asked.
“I don’t know, anything,everything. About the Coalition, Jaipar, the military, who knows?”
“Zac, I’m scared. What if Ibreak when they start interrogating me?”
He moved back and put his armaround her. “Just do the best you can and keep your attention onMaster Bakka.” He was scared too, not so much about being tortured,but of Seetva controlling him again. He shot Hendora the last time hewas under her spell and he’d spend the rest of his life feelingguilty about that.
The Jaipar command ship landed inthe Royal landing field. Michio left the ship and went into thepalace to speak with Koriann who’d just returned from the secretmilitary command center hidden in the Snow Peak Mountains. He foundher with several generals, discussing Erling’s plight. When she sawhim, she hurried over. “Michio, I’m glad you’re here.” Sheclasped his two hands in hers.
“How are you holding up?” heasked.
Her face crumpled. “Restoringand maintaining the Marsindi Dynasty has always been my firstpriority. I was even willing to marry someone I didn’t love toprotect my country. But now, when we’ve won a major battle, Ishould feel exuberant. Instead I feel empty and alone. It doesn’tmean anything to me without Erling to share it with.”
“I know what you mean. Ihaven’t tracked down where Toemeka is. I’m afraid she’s onZanton’s ship as well.”
Erling regained consciousness tofind Toemeka squatting beside him, holding a hypodermic needle. Jakestood close by, keeping guard.
“How do you feel?” Toemekapressed a gauze pad against his arm.
“Dizzy,” Erling complained,as she helped him sit up.
“Put your head between yourknees.” She kept her hand on his arm to keep him upright.
Erling lowered his head and thespinning lessened. “What happened?”
“You were shot, but your bodyarmor protected you from serious injury. We dragged you behind somerepair equipment and I just gave you a serum to revive you.”
Erling heard blasts as thefighting continued just beyond where they were sheltered.
“Landing on King Zanton’sship wasn’t the most strategic move you’ve ever made,” Jakesaid, as he assembled explosives.
“I know!” Erling pressed hishand against his aching chest. He was having trouble breathing. “Whatare you two doing here?”
“We landed with your team,”Jake said. “There’s no time to exchange greetings from home.You’ve got to hide. Too much is at stake for you to be takencaptive. A small computer room is right over there.” Jake pointedto a door about thirty feet away. “We’ll create a distraction soyou can make it there.”
A few moments later Jake said,“The bomb is ready. Are you feeling well enough to make a run forit, Erling?”
“I think so.” As Toemekahelped him stand, he said, “What about you two?”
“Don’t worry about us—wecan fend for ourselves,” Toemeka replied. “It’s you they want.”
Erling looked from her to Jake.“Thank you. I . . .”
“Save it,” Jake said. “Youowe us one.”
“Go! Now!” Toemeka exclaimed.She and Jake leaned around the equipment and started firing lasers atHaklute soldiers to give him cover.
Erling unsteadily raced towardthe control station, battling the lingering dizziness. He almostreached it when an explosion threw him to the ground. Fire and smokebillowed up where Toemeka and Jake had been only moments before.
Had they gotten away before itblew? Where were they now?He tried to see through the smoke.
The door to the computer room wasflung open and a Raptor computer operator ran out, his blaster drawn.Erling fired his laser and the stunned man collapsed. Erlingstaggered to his feet and entered the room. No one was inside. He wasabout to sit down at one of the computers, when it occurred to himthat he’d be safer wearing a Raptor uniform.
He peered out the door and sawheavy smoke still filled the air. Using it for cover, he ventured outof the room, grabbed the computer operator under the arms and draggedhim back into the room. Then he switched uniforms with the operator.The sleeves and pant legs were too short, exposing Erling’s wristsand ankles, but it would do. He put his clothes on the unconsciousman, in case a Raptor guard checked the room.
Erling slid into a swivel chairbefore a computer screen to assess the damage to Zanton’s
