Moonbeams and magic (18 page)

"Only if Tochar is that kind of person; he hasn't shown me that side."

"Won't it be too late to escape him after he does expose his evil nature? Would you help him conquer and ravage other worlds?"

"Why would I? Do you think I match your dark opinion of him?"

"No, that's why I hate to see you get so entangled with him."

"Are you afraid he'll attack your planet?"

Yana rolled to her back, fluffed her long golden hair, and adjusted her neck ring. "Yes, because we have many things greedy men crave. Despite our strength, we could not defend ourselves against his assault."

Dagan rolled to his side, propped on his elbow, and gazed down at her as he questioned, "Did the Asisan leader send you here to spy on him?"

She stared at him and said, "Of course not; I swear it."

"Did one of those shadowy rivals send you here for smdy?"

"No, I swear that, too. You must believe me; I came for other reasons."

"Reasons you'll confide in me one deega?"

"Yes, when the time is right."

Dagan concluded she sounded honest; that surprised hrni and increased his intrigue. Was it possible she had told him the truth about everything except her name? Was she only hiding out on Noy for personal reasons? Was she truly drawn to him as a man and had no ulterior stimulus for yielding to him? Could she be falling in love with him? If those speculations were accurate, his association with her could both evoke complications with Starla and endanger Yana's life if he was exposed. If she was what she claimed to be, he didn't want to mislead her about his feelings. As he gazed into her limpid eyes and ravishing face, a searing heat and inexplicable urge to possess her overwhelmed him again. Before he was cognizant of what he was doing, he leaned forward and sealed their mouths. Soon, he was a slave of her sweet lips, roving hands, and ardent surrender. Yet, with his eyes closed, it was an exquisite pirate whom his mind saw and touched.

Yana knew he had not seen her press the added disk on her neck ring to release more of the ancient pheromone. Though Kalfans had lost the ability to produce and release it, he had not acquired an immunity to the chemical stimulus which Cypher had duplicated for her. She had used the trick again to end their conversation, and she needed to have him once more, as she had no idea when they could unite their bodies again. Within moments, she also was lost in the wonder and flames of raging passion with the only man who had stolen her heart and will.

Twice in a short span, Dagan had behaved like a rutting and thoughtless animal for the first time in his life. Yet, he realized—from the flush on Yana's face and chest, her actions, and her gaze—she had received enormous pleasure and gratification. He was certain an unknown force had

dazed and provoked him to fulfill this raw and unbridled passion, though he could not surmise what it was. Perhaps Asisan women emitted a mating scent when aroused which affected males in such a manner. His body had been snare4 but his heart and mind had not wanted either encounter. With Starla, it was different; he desired her with total clarity and yearned to make love to her. Perhaps he had ruined any chance of that happening.

Relaxed in the golden aftermath of the exquisite experience, Yana cuddled in his embrace and drifted off to sleep.

When Dagan noticed her peaceful slumber, he didn't awaken her, as it was too late for her to return safely to her abode. And, at this hora, their presence outside if he escorted her there would be noticed by those still up and around. It would be easier for her to slip out tomorrow morning. He closed his eyes and soon was asleep, exhausted from his confusing exertions.

Aboard the Liksa, Cypher was worried and helpless. He knew the shapeshifting chemical's time span was twelve horns, and she was asleep. The problem was, with her wearing Yana's one-way neck ring unit instead of Starla's two-way wrist device, he could not send her a vibrating signal or contact her. If Bree-Kayah failed to awaken and escape before transmutation occurred, she would be exposed to Dagan Latu, as her emergency phial could not be used for continuation of her current state. He also was concerned by the fact she had been emotionally involved in her ruse, revealed to him by the physiological readings in his monitoring system. It was his duty to enlighten her to the complications and distractions of such behavior and emotions after her return to the ship.

The android watched the timer until only forty-five preons remained to be spent, and Bree-Kayah was still asleep. He analyzed the dilemma, but could not deduce a

way in which to warn her to come to her senses. It was illogical for him to transport into Latu's quarters and expose himself to the villite when his intelligent partner might find a way to protect their mission even if she were unmasked to him. He also concluded he should not lock on to her coordinates and teleport her out prematurely, as that action would assuredly provoke Dagan's suspicions. Though she was not thinking clearly or acting wisely, he reasoned he must have faith in her and her abilities.

Still, the preons continued to vanish from the timer, one by one.

cHant

Dagan's eyes opened shortly after sunup. He turned his head to find Yana still slumbering nearby, her breathing slow and even. His gaze roamed her serene face and naked body, and he was pleased his body did not go wild with another surge of mating lust. To ensure that wouldn't happen this morning, he slipped from the sleeper to shower and dress, and to get out of there before she could enspell him again.

Yana only pretended to be asleep when Dagan arose, though it was a struggle to keep her expression calm and breathing controlled. She had seen—via slits in her eyelids—light coming through the overhead transascreen and almost panicked. Lying on her side and facing him, her panic had lessened when she saw bluish-blond hair spread on the pillow instead of brown tresses. As she pondered an escape plan, he had risen and entered the privacy chamber. She glanced at the timepiece on a far wall and her gaze widened in renewed alarm; Yana had less than thirty preons to get out of there, hopefully without being seen by others or being delayed by Dagan. She heard water running and knew he was using the old-fashioned bathing method in this primitive place that lacked automatic cleansing cubicles.

"I'm awake. Cypher," she whispered. "Lock on to my

coordinates and wait for my signal to transport me out of here."

She yanked on her garments and entered a message for Dagan in the communication system nearby. After pressing a signal button to catch his attention, she whispered to her android, "Get me out of here fast, Cypher."

As soon as she reached her ship, Starla assured him she would never lower her guard that far again. "It was stupid and reckless," she confessed. "I don't know what Dagan would have done if I had changed before his eyes. Fm sure he would have been furious with me for tricking him. I can't imagine what I would have told him to protect myself and our mission. You heard the answers he gave to me after we . . . had sex. I haven't decided if he is trustworthy or not, or worthy of saving. I do have another plan in mind for this evening. I'll relate it to you and tell me what you think about it."

After she finished. Cypher said, "It is dangerous from two angles, but both are clever ideas. If you are cautious and no hazards are present, you can succeed. Your second idea contains the same level of high risk."

"But I will go as Starla this time."

"No matter which identity you use, you are too susceptible to him."

"Dagan caught me off guard last night; I didn't expect him to be so irresistible, didn't realize my attraction to him was so strong. I know my conduct was foolish, and forbidden under these grim circumstances. I'm only human, Cypher, so I lost self-control for a time. I've never faced this kind of situation and challenge before; I'm aware I didn't handle them right. Now that I know how strongly he disarms me, I'll be on alert to thwart my weakness."

"It is not your behavior that was imprudent and prohibited; it is your emotions which war against your intelligence; your heart and body are in intense conflict with your head."

"You're right, Cypher, so I'll have to find a way to halt that struggle."

"Do you love this Kalfan?"

"Pralu, my friend, but the truth is, yes! Is there a drug or treatment you can perform to make me immune to him and these feelings?"

"This is one time I cannot help you resolve a serious problem. It will be propitious if he does not love you. Reciprocation could be detrimental to you and to our mission."

"Even if he told me he loved me, I would not believe him."

"Perhaps it could be true, or he could be convincing."

"Pray that neither of those traps appear."

"I do not possess a religious or spiritual program."

"Then I'll pray hard enough for both of us." Kahala, save me, if that perilous snare approaches me! Don't forget, Bree, Dagan Latu is an enemy.

"I'm going to refresh myself and prepare for my tasks later. Take care of your part while I'm gone. And, Cypher, thanks for everything."

Dagan's tension diminished when he found Yana gone after he left the privacy chamber: showered, shaved, and dressed to depart in an alleged hurry. He heard the message unit beeping and checked it. Again, relief filled him after learning she thought it was best they avoid each other for a few deegas. He needed time and privacy to decide how to discourage her interest in him. He didn't want Yana to fall in love with him, if that was the case. It was possible she had selected him as a protector and companion if matters failed to be resolved in her worid and she could never return there. Even if she was stranded on Noy, she couldn't dock at his bay and latch on to him for security. Yet, after his mission was over and if she was still present and in trouble, he decided he would get Phaedrig to settle her else-

where. Maybe he did owe Yana something for last night—if she hadn't tricked him—but assistance into another life was as far as he could go to repay her.

Dagan discarded those worries for now, as he was to report to Tochar's ship this morning to begin the repairs on it. He still had not decided if he was going to tamper with other parts, because Tochar had said he would not make an ensuing test run which might place him in harm's way before his vessel was armed with an invincible weapon. Since someone else might be assigned to test the Azoulay before Tochar was tempted to go trekking, problems would be suspicious. He must bide his time while making observations and getting closer to the band to cull clues. He couldn't make a move against Tochar or his men until he unmasked the Kalfan traitor who was feeding the fiendal secret information and helping him obtain moonbeams from their mines on the planet Orr. Or act against the villites until he weakened or destroyed the colony's defense system. But, he vowed, somehow and some way, he would achieve those goals; and he would slay Tochar and his friends for their personal offenses yings ago.

Don't get in my way, Starla, or you 'II have to go down with them. I hope you'll leave this place before the end arrives, which it will. If I was convinced you would take my side and help me, I would confide in you. After we get to know each other better, I can make that decision.

At dusk, Staria stepped onto a sensor pad and looked at Cypher who was standing at the transporter's control panel and watching her. She took a deep breath and gave her plan one last mental going-over. What she had in mind was risky; she could lose her life and destroy her mission if she failed. "If I don't survive, my friend, cloak and leave for home immediately. Report my fate and our findings and suspicions to Supreme Commander Sanger, and hand over our

evidence to him. Only to him, Cypher. There's a message for my parents, my brother, and my sister in the computer; make certain it reaches them if I never return. If I'm captured and we lose contact, cloak and wait three deegas for my escape; I'll shapeshift to Yana and hide in her abode, so monitor it for my arrival and rescue."

"What if you cannot escape in three deegas?"

"If I haven't freed myself by then, either I'll be dead or flight will be impossible. If that occurs, obey my first order to cloak and leave."

"I am programmed to protect and assist you; I cannot desert you."

"The mission must take precedence over my life and safety if anything goes wrong this evening. We do not have all of the answers to this mystery, but we have things which will be helpful to the agent who takes my place. You are responsible for getting those facts and speculations to Thaine."

"I will obey. Use caution, Bree-Kayah, and return unharmed."

"I'll do my best. Cypher. Always remember our friendship and my love for you. I could not have done all I have in the past without you."

"I will not delete my memory chip of you."

"Let's do it. Ready to go."

Starla watched his image and the location vanish and the cavern appear before her line of vision. She drew her weapon and placed her finger near the button to signal Cypher for rescue if necessary since speaking could be perilous if anyone was nearby. Her gaze scanned the dim recess and she listened for any hint of a threat, but saw and heard nothing to alarm her. She inched her way to the rock corridor, flattened herself against the hard surface, and peered around its edge into the next hollow section. Again, she heard and saw nothing to indicate danger or anyone's presence.

Using caution, she made her way to the targets, recognizing them from their containers during raids. She also saw crates of weapons, the parts they had stolen from the space station, holders with drugs, and other pirated items. Since Tochar had tried to sell crystals to the Thracians, she assumed he would make another attempt soon and she could not allow the moonbeams to fall into enemy or rival hands. She knew Enforcers were standing guard outside the cave's mouth and could enter for a check at any time, so she must hurry with her daring task. If anyone did arrive, she must slay him to avoid exposure and to achieve her goal.

The Elite Squad officer put away her weapon and withdrew the three new devices Cypher had constructed, two extra ones to make certain the job was accomplished. She placed the tiny units underneath the crystals' containers and pressed the initiation buttons to begin their sequences. In one hora, if the devices did not malfunction, a massive explosion would occur and everything in the cave would be gone. The only thing left to do was get out of there fast and set up her alibi, with Dagan or some other person.