Mission Beyond The Stars: Book #1 of "Saga Of The Lost Worlds" by Neely and Dobbs

by Neely Dobbs

CHAPTER 24:  Alliance

    

  After a long period simply pacing back and forth, Jazon had finally stretched out on the lounger. He was trying to look comfortable.

  Sabanda was not fooled. "Jace," she said gently, "we're supposed to be relaxing, but your hands are clenched and I can almost hear your mind spinning!"

  He sighed, then growled, "I never could fool you!" He sat up— no longer pretending— grimaced, and planted his feet loudly on the floor and began to pace. "But there's so much to think about... so much to get updated on. Sabanda, there's so much we need to DO!"

  She nodded. "Of course there is, Jazon," she agreed calmly. "And we will get it done. Just not this moment."

  He scowled. "But this enforced idleness is totally unnecessary!"

  "Is it? Really?" she replied. "Think about this: We've all been subjected to such an avalanche of crisis information and restored responsibilities that it has severely stressed us... as your over-the-edge level of tension proves. The fact is, it's a wonder we're all not incapacitated from the shock." Seeing his affirming nod, she smiled and continued. "Instead of ranting about this brief delay, we should be giving thanks that ADIZ did such an expert job of parceling out that pre-conditioning information before our masks were removed, and that all three of our mask-removal protocols went perfectly. Otherwise, we might already have become casualties to the plight of the Wasp." Her soothing voice purred. "Let's focus on how fortunate we are..."

  Jazon moved back to the lounger, stretched out in a way that looked much closer to true relaxation, and admitted, "You're right... as usual. Thanks." He patted the wide cushions. "Come on over here."

  She complied and lay down beside him, her head on his shoulder. He curled his arm around her. "That's much better," he murmured in her ear. "Maybe we do need to take a bit of a break... and find a way to release some of that nasty stored tension you mentioned."

  Now it was Sabanda's turn to be less than relaxed. "Jazon... uh... this is supposed to be a rest period, and you..."

  He gently touched a finger to her lips. "But, Sam, only a minute ago you were urging me to relax, and now…"

  She tilted her head and gave him the briefest of smiles. "Well. yes, but…"

  "No 'buts,' sweetie. The blasted rules insist that we get some Rest and Recuperation. So let's do some recuperating..." He winked slowly. "Together!"

  Sabanda sat up quickly and said, "Hey, "Rest and Recuperation" just reminded me of that time we took a break for R&R at that lake up in the hills. It's really near her — just outside of Ganlon. Do you remember its name?

  He smiled. "Sure. Lake Coranzer! That was a great R & R. We stayed at that rustic cabin in that pine valley by the lake. Remember, it was late spring and there were flowers blooming in all the alpine meadows — and there was wildlife playing and prancing around everywhere…"

  "Yes, that's it! I can still picture all those beautiful wildflowers growing everywhere, covering the foothills... even climbing up into every valley.. And I'll never forget the sight of those flowers stretching high up the mountainsides, spreading brilliant little dots of color all around the trunks of those stately pines, below the snow-covered peaks. Yes, that was wonderful— one of our most a pleasant R&R breaks ever, and a real relief from the burden of command." Sabanda looked wistful. "You know, Jazon, sometimes I almost…almost wish we could make that sort of getaway permanent. Still…"

  He interrupted. "Sam, you've made me remember something I don't think I ever told you about! Something that happened during that all too brief vacation at Lake Coranzer. Want to hear about it?"

  "Well, maybe…" She grinned mischievously, "if there's not another woman involved!"

  He ignored her teasing and continued. "As I remember, you had stretched out on the bed only moments after we had arrived that first day and immediately drifted off to sleep. That really squelched the plans I had for that bed... kind'a like now."

  She jabbed her elbow into his ribs. "That's what you remember?" She laughed, "There had better be more than that to your story!"

  " OK! There is," he laughed. "And I'll tell it if you'll just stop poking me!"

  "So since it was already late evening, I decided to take a walk. You may recall, since it happens so rarely, all three of Kepren's moons were high in the sky that night. So it was really bight, and the tide had raised the lake's water level almost to the top of the marina's retaining wall. As I strolled past the wall and toward the lakefront, I spied a cyleen. Are you familiar with them?

  "Vaguely... maybe only heard of them."

  "Not surprising, since they're almost never seen. They're remarkably agile and graceful, and they look... well, very similar to the deer on Earth. But cyleen are truly rare and even more skittish. Yet this cyleen just stood there, watching me.

  "I walked slowly toward it, thinking every second it would bolt and run... but it didn't. I walked right up to it and hesitantly put out my hand to stroke its neck. Instead of shying away, it bowed its head and gently rubbed my arm. Somehow, that simple touch reduced the burden I carried."

  "It's hard to explain, but the experience was amazing... And by telling you now, I can almost feel that calming touch again… as if that cyleen helped me both then and now. And it did... I mean... it does."

  "And, Sam, I'm sorry I never told you before."

  She shook her head. "Oh, no, Jazon. I'm just grateful you told me now, when I truly needed it. It's brought some peace to both of us."

  After a few moments of shared silence, Jazon smiled warmly. "OK— so that's my story! So, what are your recollections of our visit there?"

  "Well, I also remember arriving awfully tired and I remember taking a long nap. But it seems to me that however long I slept, your earlier debauched intentions had gotten satisfied before I was allowed to nap."

  "Ouch. Satisfied?"

  "You Better say satisfied unless you want to gargle your words for the rest of your life!"

  He responded dutifully, "Yes, dear. Very satisfied."

  Sabanda smiled triumphantly. " Of course, dear, it was my pleasure, too."

  "Now, Jazon, as far as what else was especially memorable on that trip? It was our midnight cruise on the lake. I remember how the three moons gave deliciously ample light for our excursion, reflecting off both the mountain peaks and mirroring the water around us. But— even more— I remember how we later strolled together by the water's edge since, listening to the gentle breeze as it whispered its wordless sound through the leaves of the trees."

  "I remember." he replied wistfully. "And that we both agreed how peaceful that sound is."

  Her brow furrowed briefly, then her eyes brightened.

  "What is it, Sabanda?" he asked.

  She smiled mysteriously. "I have an idea."