Moonbeams and magic (43 page)

"Stay safe, my beloved, and return to my side," Starla murmured to herself She held a listening device close to her ear to catch every word Dagan spoke, her heart pounding in apprehension as he again faced peril.

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Starla decided she would teleport to her ship to observe the action with Cypher. She had the cyborg and prisoners sent to a Serian vessel for detainment there. She set the Adika 's automatic pilot so it would circle Noy until its fiiel was spent and its orbit decayed, if it wasn't confiscated for use by one of the other forces. If not, it would bum up upon entry into the planet's atmosphere. She gathered her things and left the craft—one in which she had spent many deegas as an alleged spaceki —for the last time.

"How is the mission progressing?" she asked Cypher as she took a seat near him on the Liska 's bridge and locked her gaze to the monitor.

"Dagan and the combined forces just shuttled or tele-ported to the planet's surface; the final battle has been initiated. The colony's inhabitants are fleeing in many directions. Some are going into hiding. Some are taking shuttles to their ships. Many are fighting or preparing to do so."

"Sheer chaos is taking place, I believe. Those blasts must have terrified most of them, but I'm certain everyone realizes what happened. It must be clear to them the defense sites are destroyed; so is Tochar's dwelling. Perhaps they will assume he has been slain and they are helpless. With the advanced weapons we have and the skills of our combined force, the villites are sure to lose, but still they fight and attempt to escape."

"Even surrender will not ensure life for some of the vil-

lites. Many have committed crimes which warrant termination."

"And confinement to one of those barbaric penal colonies isn't an enticement to evoke their surrenders," she added. "We're lucky we were bom into good families and situations. I wouldn't want to be a real member of Tochar's band this deega."

If it were possible, Cypher would have chuckled in amusement at her second sentence. Even so, he grasped her meaning and slip. It somehow pleased him to realize she thought of him as a person.

"Look," she said, "they're rounding up groups of people in several locations and scanning their records device to see who to apprehend. Those with criminal files are being taken aboard one of the vessels. Others are being sent into the Skull's Den and other structures to await evacuation. Dagan said he would make certain Radu was given a chance to leave, unless the Ceyxan has charges against him which are unknown to us. I wonder what they will do with Palesa," she murmured, recalling how the Binixe had tried to seduce her beloved, though Palesa had thought it was her lover.

"The I-GAF agents will decide the androgyne's fate."

"Look there. Cypher," Starla said again, pointing to another screen. "Some of Tochar's Enforcers are taking refuge in the caves. Since I don't see any of our men in that area, ril inform Dagan of their hiding places."

Starla contacted him with that information, but did the task in a hurry to prevent distracting him longer than was necessary. Any time a villite tried to sneak up on or lay a trap for Dagan, Cypher warned the Kalfan and exposed the nefariant's location, giving Dagan an advantage and a safeguard. Their advanced sensors and communication abilities also allowed Cypher to send Dagan warnings for others who were fighting near him.

She saw a few of their men go down from lethal blasts, though her side was using stun-only settings for captures

and interrogations. Their bodies were collected by fellow officers and teleported to their ships. Injured men also were retrieved and treated aboard their vessels. She watched as some of the villites surrendered after their weapon's power was depleted. She saw visitors or noncriminal inhabitants turn themselves over to the assault team so they wouldn't be slain by mistake or accident.

She grasped why those who knew Dagan Latu as one of Tochar's men were not seeking help from him and were attacking him: he had changed into I-GAF attire and made his hand insignia visible! "Pralu, Cypher, look at Dagan! I just realized he's using his uniform and badge. I was so worried and distracted by his jeopardy, I didn't notice until now." Her gaze roamed his striking image; he was so handsome, authoritative, confident in that dark-blue garment and while displaying his imposing emblem.

"It was a logical measure for self-defense."

Starla smiled and added, "And for intimidation. Even brave villites fear the awesome power and elite prowess of parsec jumpers. Isn't he magnificent, Cypher? My family and friends will love and respect him as much as I do. I can hardly wait for them to meet him. Mother, Amaya, and Rayna will be delighted to learn I'll have a mate soon. Such glorious deegas and exciting adventures await us, my friend. We three will become the most requested team for certain assignments. We'll travel the galaxies together until we're ready to settle in one place and have children."

Cypher analyzed her remarks and emotions and deduced no response was required or expected. Yet, oddly and illogi-cally, he found her words to have a pleasing effect upon him. Perhaps, he reasoned, his emotions chip had begun to function better or he had gathered more data to assist his comprehension of certain human feelings and situations. He was amazed and confused that he liked and was stimulated by plans she had expressed.

Starla sat on the edge of her seat. With the use of laser

instruments that were powered by moonbeams, no structure was impenetrable to her side. She observed and waited in suspense as the confrontation continued until darkness and clouds partially obstructed her view. Night also compelled the combined forces to cease their assault until morning. She listened as secure areas were set up for the Serians and I-GAF agents so they could take shifts guarding, resting, eating, and sleeping. She was amused when Dagan turned off his transmitter so she wouldn't overhear the men talking and joking, since he remained below with them.

"I shall eat, enter the cleansing unit, and sleep for a while. Cypher," she told her trusted android. "Summon me if I'm needed or peril strikes at my beloved." She doubted she would slumber well, but she wanted to be rested for what lay ahead of her

Upon arising early the next morning, Starla dressed and hurried to the bridge. "Anything happening?" she inquired. "Is Dagan all right?"

"The one you love is safe from injury and death; he sleeps at this time. Villites are still being located and apprehended by our forces. Many have been taken aboard the other vessels. Some ships have been permitted to depart; many who are not wanted for crimes were allowed to go with those leaving. Others are to be transported to new locations by the Serians."

She sat down and listened as the evacuation order was issued and the news was announced that the colony would be razed. Anyone in hiding was warned the event would take place in two deegas, allowing them time to surrender or depart. It was revealed that all other colonies on Noy would face the same fate, so it was foolish to take refuge in one of them.

"I wonder what the Skalds will eat after everyone is

gone?" she mused aloud, the strange thought flashing across her mind like a comet.

"They will find nourishment on plants and animals or they will die," Cypher answered.

"We certainly don't want to rescue and relocate flesh-eating mutants. It's best and safest for others if they're left here to their natural fates."

"That is logical. They live, but they have the minds and traits of wild beasts. They must not be placed around other humans and endanger them."

"Good morning, my love," a mellow voice came over the transmitter.

"Good morning to you, Dagan," she responded, his sound warming her from head to feet. "When will you be joining us?"

"We have a few more pockets of villites to clean out, then I'll be coming aboard. I have to show our team where Tochar's caves are located so the stolen goods can be recovered. As soon as our reports are filed, we'll leave for Ulux. The rest of the team can finish up here and at the other settlements; they're smaller and less inhabited, so it won't take long. At least Noy won't be used as a stronghold or haven for more villites again. I-GAFers are taking charge of Tochar, Auken, Sach, his Enforcers, and a few others. The Serian patrols will take command of the other debris; they'll turn them over to whatever galaxy they're wanted in the most."

"That's wonderful news. What about Radu and Palesa?"

"A Ceyxan trader gave them a ride to Mu where he's from. He was grateful to be spared, but I don't know what either one plans to do later. They were warned to keep away from villites in the future or risk trouble."

"I hope Radu heeds those words; I liked him. He didn't seem to be the kind of person to live and work among such nefarious beings."

"He stopped by a few yings ago with a friend and won

the Skull's Den in a rest game; that's why he stayed, or what he told us. Sorry, but I have to suspend transmission; I'm needed for those tasks I mentioned earlier. I know," he said with a chuckle, "I'll be careful and I'll see you soon. What could possibly happen to me with you and Cypher on guard? By the way, good morning to you, Cypher. Take good care of Starla for me. Dagan out." "Affirmative. Cypher out."

Starla grinned and said, "See, I told you he likes you." "When my emotions chip is functioning at full capacity, I will like him, too," the android told an amused Starla.

As the Liska left orbit with Cypher in control of the bridge, Dagan said to Starla in her quarters, "I just finished filing my last report with Phaedrig and turning in my resignation. As I told you, I-GAF agents must be single to prevent distractions. He said he hated to lose me, but he understands my decision and sends his congratulations and best wishes. He'll be on Ulux, so you can meet him there and I'm sure you'll like him. Phaedrig's planning to send the Thracians news about the crimes and fates of Koteas and Terin, and give them a slight warning about their acceptance and use of men like Tochar and the perils of dealing with them. After the Thracians learn how powerful the VFG is, which will be obvious from Tochar's stunning defeat, perhaps they'll join our Federation. The more galaxies that are included, the fewer to cause us problems later." "That seems to be a wise precaution to me." "I agree. I told him Tochar doesn't have any other accomplices, according to what he related during our brief questioning. I suppose with Iverk dead, we'll never know why he joined forces with Tochar. Phaedrig plans to question Tochar further to learn how and when he met Syrkin, Iverk, and Acharius and how he persuaded them to turn traitor to their people. It's helpful to learn villite 's motiva-

tions for use in future missions. After their final interrogations, Tochar and Syrkin will be terminated for their many crimes."

"They knew the laws when they broke them, so punishment shouldn't come as a surprise to any of them. This mission has been so long and hard and often frightening that it's amazing it's over. We shouldn't ever face this kind of threat again, because Raz Yakir told me that all white and green crystals which are found in the future will be destroyed upon their discoveries, and no weapons will be made from them again. Only moonbeams with good traits will be saved: you probably know red ones are useftil in heating and lighting; yellow provide many medical purposes; and blue are excellent for superior surgical lasers. As Cypher said, it would be terrible to seal the mines forever, to destroy the good with the bad."

"He's right, as usual. Now, we have two things left to do, my love."

She nestled into his embrace and asked, "What are they?"

"First, we must attend the ceremony and celebration on Ulux, where I'll meet your family and get their approval. Second and most important, we must bond as mates and begin our new life and work together."

She gave him a hug as she replied, "I adore both of those ideas, particularly the last one. But you do not need my parents' approval, though you shall receive it, I'm certain. They'll love, respect, and accept you as I do."

"Still, I want to speak with them before we bond. They're legendary and prestigious figures across the entire UFG and I'm eager to meet them. It will be an honor to join your family; mine would be pleased and proud if they were alive to share in this happy event. Did you know that I-GAF agents study many of your father's past tactics for use in our missions?"

Starla realized he left the topic of his lost loved ones in

a hurry, probably to avoid dampening their joy on this occasion. Yet, she knew he would relate his complete history soon, just as she knew he came from a family as wonderful as hers. Since his had been wealthy and prominent and involved in Kalfa's government, he would not feel out of place in her social rank. "No, I didn't," she answered his question, "but Father was and still is a man of superior intelligence, prowess, and statue. So is my mother, and my sister and brother. I'm not boasting, but their achievements are many and have been crucial to the survival of our people."

Dagan stroked her brown hair and smiled. "I've read Maffeian history so I know you're telling the truth. It's normal to be proud of them, and I want to hear more about your family during our trek to Ulux."

"It's late now and we're exhausted, so we'll contact them on rising to let them know the final battle has taken place and we're safe and on our way. We can speak to them for a while, but you'll learn more after you meet them." Yes, she decided, during their journey she would tell him many glorious tales about her family's intergalactic adventures and seemingly star-crossed romances; all had been players in dangerous games of perilous intrigue and had surrendered to irresistible passions. They had challenged and defeated many enemies and awesome forces, and each had almost lost their chosen one during near-fatal battles. She wanted him to get acquainted with her family and for him to form his own opinion before she revealed dark episodes which her parents and siblings had confronted, endured, and conquered long ago.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know each of them. My parents, sister, and two brothers would have been delighted by my choice of mates. I never imagined I would be the son to carry on the Thaiter bloodline. We'll have a splendid time creating our own family after we retire from trekking around the Universe. Have you told Cypher he'll be our teammate until we settle down in Maffei?"