Moonbeams and magic (32 page)

"I never doubted Starla's courage, daring, or prowess; that is why she was working for me. No one has ever deceived me as she has, so her punishment must be severe as an example to others who might be tempted to do the same. I have ordered my contacts to watch for her in Kalfa and Seri in case she reached her ship, fled, and goes to either galaxy. I have given orders to kill her on sight before she

meets with her accomplice. If she is found here, she will be thrown to the Skalds. My Enforcers are guarding my defense sites, storage caves, and dwelling in the event she tries to destroy any of them. I am certain she is responsible for those mysterious incidents, but I do not know yet how she accomplished it all. My men are searching for her in the settlement and surrounding area; all chambers in the cave have already been examined. Her image has been placed on papers and hung in numerous locations. Anyone caught hiding or helping her will endure her same fate. I know you have strong feelings for her, Dagan, but I cannot permit her to endanger us by divulging the secrets she gathered while working for me."

"Those measures sound harsh and hasty, and I can't help but hope she isn't guilty; but if she is a betrayer to us, you have no choice."

"Trust me, Dagan, she is a traitor. Are you going to look for her?"

Dagan forced out a frown and shook his head. "I'm sure your men can find her if she's still in Tochara or on Noy. I'm still in shock; I need a few strong drinks at the Skull's Den while I let this grim reality settle in. If you or your contacts elsewhere get your hands on her, I think she should be questioned before she's terminated. In your position, I'd want to know who hired her and why, and I'd make certain she wasn't replaced." Convince him to keep her alive, Cur-ran, until you or other agents can rescue or arrest her. "I'll be more than happy to question her for you. Within five preons, I'll have answers for you, for me, too. If she duped and used me and made a fool of me, she'll regret that error. Blast it all! I should have known better than to mix work and pleasure. This is the first time I've been blinded like this, and it won't happen again."

Tochar mused on Dagan's suggestion. "Perhaps you are right about interrogating her before her death; I will consider it. I hope you will understand why I must speak with

you using Thorin. You and Starla were very close, so I have to make certain you are still loyal."

Dagan eyed him for a preon as if vexed, which would be a normal reaction. "I'm being honest with you; but if that's how it has to be in this difficult situation, let's get it over with so I can visit the drinker soon."

Dagan was not surprised by the questions he was asked during his Thorin test. The Kalfan used his immunity to the truth serum and his cunning to convince Tochar of his allegedly conflicting emotions. He revealed how he didn't want to believe the accusations were true, though he admitted they must be because Tochar wouldn't be so positive if he didn't have proof on which to base them. He related his anger at Starla for using him as a cover for her own selfish desires, for enticing him to fall in love with her if she detested men like him and wanted to destroy him along with Tochar. He admitted to being humiliated and furious for not seeing through her ruse; if she had loved him and wanted to protect him, she would have confided in him, warned him of peril if she was exposed. He spoke about how she knew he could be incriminated by her actions and slain but she hadn't cared. He said he might harm her if saw her again, though he didn't lean toward harming anyone, to which his Dagan Latu reputation attested. He said he shouldn't have weakened toward a female; he should have held to his opinion that women were for pleasure, nothing more. The next time he was in need of sex, he would use Yana or one of the Pleasure Givers at the Skull's Den, but he wouldn't become emotionally involved with another woman and would try to forget the deceitful creature whose treachery was gnawing at him and evoking an unfamiliar hunger for cruel revenge.

When Tochar asked him if he knew anything about her

plans against him or who she really was, he responded, "No." And when the leader asked him to speculate on those two areas, Dagan said, "Nothing comes to mind. This seems inconceivable; it's baffling."

Tochar asked him if he had any questions, and he answered, "I want to know who Starla is and who she works for. I want to know why she betrayed Tochar and how she passed multiple Thorin tests if she was lying." To which he heard Tochar mutter, "So do I."

Dagan continued as if talking to his lost lover, "Why did you betray m.e, Starla? How could you make love to me, then endanger me like this? Did you really love me? Was I expendable to you? Why did you do this?"

Dagan was relieved when Tochar halted his lists of queries before he asked again, "Do you believe she is guilty of Tochar's accusations?"

"I'm not sure; I'm too confused to think straight. I guess she wouldn't have run if she didn't have something to hide. If she's innocent, why didn't she stay and ask me to help her prove herself to Tochar?"

"If Tochar cannot give you proof she is guilty, what then?"

"He's my leader. I have to accept his word and agree to his precaution. Dagan Latu is always loyal to the man who hires him."

"Do you love and desire Starla Vedris above everything else?"

"No, there are limits to what a man can do for his woman, unless he is a weakling or a fool. He must not dishonor himself or break his word or crawl on his knees to please her or to win her or even to protect her."

After Tochar completed the draining session, Dagan supposedly recovered on the oblong table before heading for the Skull's Den to appease his woes with strong drink.

Aboard the Liska, Starla contacted Thaine with the grim news about her exposure and how it had occurred. She related how she would remain on the case as Yana and revealed facts about Acharius's treachery and death. She observed Thaine's shock as he listened to the recording of the conversation outside the cave between the two men and the events inside involving her. It was obvious how concerned Thaine was about a Maffeian being an accomplice to Tochar's evil, and the discovery that the fiendal had his wicked eye on Trilabs on the planetoid of Darkar.

"At least we now know his Serian contact habitates on the capital planet of Ulux, and that traitor has a helper on the mining planet of Kian; perhaps those will be useful clues to Raz Yakir. You must warn him to put his scientists under guard to prevent their abductions." She then voiced an important question to Thaine: "Why did Yakir add new security to the mines and shipments without telling me?"

"I was to relate that news when we communicated after your return from Kalfa. Raz Yakir made that decision after Syrian's evil was laid bare. He reasoned, with both sources cut off, Tochar might become desperate and make mistakes or try to mount a weapon on his ship, which he has plans to do according to what you overheard. Yakir reasoned that during a transfer process, the weapon is vulnerable to destruction."

Starla's voice was firm with conviction. "Not with me exiled from his band and settlement; there's no way that Yana can get near any of those weapons." But perhaps there is someone who can . . . "Keep the news about Acharius's death and treason a secret for now. I don't want Tochar to realize it's been reported and suspect I did it. Also tell Raz Yakir to use a plausible explanation for placing guards on his scientists; advise him to trust no one v/ith the truth, as his traitor could be a disloyal friend or someone high in his government. It will be useful to me and our cause if Tochar

remains confused about who and what I am and whether or not I'm innocent of his suspicions about me."

"Two of Tochar's cohorts are dead, Bree, so you've done an excellent job. You also have destroyed all crystals from previous raids; be proud of your accomplishments, even if they are your last ones there. We need to unmask and terminate accomplice number three in Seri, and Tochar will be without a means to get his hands on m.ore crystals while we seek his defeat."

"But Tochar still has three invincible weapons, Thaine. I don't know how I can get to them and eliminate them, but I'll try; then you can attack. And check out Dagan Latu for me again; see if there is anything in his record to indicate he can be coaxed to join our side. If I can achieve that goal, it will give us someone on the inside, someone who can get to at least one of those weapons during its mounting on Tochar's ship. Then, maybe he and I—with C>'pher's help in teleportation—can find a way to eradicate the other two."

"Don't take any unnecessary risks, Bree, or trust Latu without proof."

"I won't. I'll work in Yana's form for as long as possible and keep you informed of miy progress and discoveries."

"I'll report these developments and your new strategy to Raz Yakir as soon as possible. Now that Tochar is wary, be more alert than ever, Bree."

"I will, Thaine. Please tell my family I love them and miss them."

That same night in his abode on Noy, Dagan pondered the mystery surrounding Starla. If she wasn't who and what she claimed to be, how could he discover the truth? He recalled her mock salute on her ship during his visit there, remembered she had no fingerprints to expose her; he reflected on her astute mind and countless skills. If she was an agent or enemy hireling, how had she duped him so

easily? Or had he been too blinded by love for her to notice the clues she dropped or the slips she made, if there were any? Why, if she loved him as she vowed, hadn't she confided in him? If she was innocent and merely had panicked, or if Tochar had harmed her as thQfiendal had done to his family yings ago, Dagan swore he would slay Tochar with his bare hands. One of the reasons he had become an I-GAF agent was to find a way to get to Tochar, but their paths had not converged until this mission. Yet, he reasoned, if Tochar had killed her, why was the fiendal so furious and unsettled and eager to fmd her? He worried about Starla*s survival, but he couldn't desert his mission to go search for her, and, though tempted, lacked the means to do so. He just wished he knew if she were alive and safe somewhere.

If only there was a way, he mused, she could contact him to explain her actions and to appease his fears. Suddenly he realized there was: she had a ship with an android who could transport her into and out of his chamber. If she had the coordinates. Coming to him in that manner wouldn't be any more hazardous to him than the predicament their relationship had placed him in. Maybe her love was false and his usefulness was past. But he didn't want to think along that tormenting line.

He had contacted his superior earlier and told Phaedrig the incredible news. He had asked Phaedrig to investigate the matter, to find her if possible, and to hold her for his interrogation. Yet, when a response had come only preons ago, it had revealed that only her Starla Vedris record was retrieved when all data bases were accessed. That seemed impossible unless she had told him and Tochar the truth . . . He was relieved that Phaedrig had put his men on alert to watch for her and her ship, especially at Karteal, but he couldn't relax until the enigma was solved.

At least his identity and assignment were safe and he would be sent on further raids where he might gather evidence to defeat the nefariant. He would concentrate on that,

as there was nothing he could do about Starla until she reappeared. He hoped that she wasn't on Noy and within Tochar's reach. If so, there was no way he or her side could rescue her, not with him being outnumbered by villites and not with those Destructoids preventing an attack by her friends.

The next morning, Starla teleported to Yana's dwelling and gave the place a more lived-in appearance in case she had visitors while using that identity on a frequent basis. Afterward, Yana strolled around in the busiest area of the settlement and went to the Skull's Den to observe the continued search for Starla Vedris. She saw the old-time "wanted posters" and heard Radu and others talking about the threats against anyone who befriended her. She chatted with the rotund alien from Mu so she would be familiar with the alleged facts about her treachery and escape. She hoped Dagan would arrive soon so she could witness how he was reacting to the shocking news. She wanted to see if Dagan would turn to Yana or another woman to ease his anguish and to pretend to others he wasn't hurting deeply from her betrayal.

When she was left alone with Radu for a short time, Yana asked in a whisper, "How is Dagan taking such a terrible situation?"

The speckle-faced alien with rippled forehead was aware of the Asisan beauty's interest in Dagan and also knew Dagan had seemed to stop seeing Yana after he became close with Starla. "He was in here last night, drinking heavily and brooding. He sat alone in a comer for horas. I think he is as confused by the incredible event as others are. I have known Starla for malees and believed her to be trustworthy. Tochar has not revealed the charges against her, but they must be serious for him to order her death."

She noted a gleam of concern in his gray eyes, one seem-

ingly mixed with disbelief and affection, and his reaction touched her heart. "I wonder why Tochar does not want her captured and questioned. Papers hanging around the colony say she can be slain on sight, or stunned and captured."

"If I were Starla, I would prefer death to capture and torture. It is said that Tochar is strict and harsh where enemies are concerned." He leaned closer across the bar and warned, "Never provoke him to anger."

Yana nodded understanding. "I have seen Starla many times, but we have never spoken; yet, from watching her at a distance, I cannot imagine what horrid deeds she committed to so enrage her leader. It is known she was one of Tochar's special team members, one of his elite spacekis. Do you think Dagan would imperil himself to help her if she's captured?"

Radu shook his head. "Dagan Latu is not a fool. To an adventurer and rogue like him, survival and honor come first."

Yana daintily took a sip of her drink before she murmured, "I wonder if he would resent my approaching him to offer comfort and friendship. Perhaps he will trust no female after being shamed and hurt."