Star Rider and the Golden Threads

by Heidi Skarie

  “Flo Shah. A guard is coming over. Remember you’re Anubec and I’m Ryan. We’re both data technicians.”

  “Yeah, I remember. This isn’t my first mission, you know.” Toemeka climbed out of the ship, her sore hip aching. Sweltering heat engulfed her and the air was filled with the heavy scent of thick vegetation. The base was carved out of the tropical jungle that bordered it on all sides.

  “Let’s see your orders,” the guard said. They showed him their fake orders and the guard studied the documents with a puzzled frown. Finally he said, “Report to Sergeant Rashid. He’s in the third barracks.” He pointed to the building.

  During the short walk to the barracks, Toemeka felt stifled from the oppressive heat. When they entered the barracks, the cool air-conditioning was a relief.

  “Are you Sergeant Rashid?” Erling asked the man behind the desk. He nodded and Erling and Toemeka handed him their orders and IDs.

  Rashid typed Ryan Tajima into the computer and a file appeared on the screen that included Erling’s photo and a detailed report of his background and experience. The sergeant checked Toemeka’s ID next. An altered photo of her in a Raptor uniform appeared along with a file on her. Toemeka was impressed with how thoroughly the Coalition had created undercover IDs for them both.

  After studying the reports Rashid said, “Everything appears to be in order. Vez, come here!” he yelled. A man-sized creature with scaly, reptilian skin and two slits in its face instead of a nose slithered over. “Vez, give these two new arrivals bunks and uniforms then take them to the data chamber.”

  Vez led them to a large room that smelled of sweat and dust. Long row of cots and lockers flanked each side. Vez pointed to two cots in the middle.

  “These bunks are open. I’ll get you some uniforms.”

  “Don’t you have separate barracks for women?” Toemeka asked.

  “Oh, you’re a female of your species? I thought you were a short humanoid male. We don’t get women here much, so there aren’t separate barracks. I’ll be back shortly with your uniforms.”

  As soon as he was out of the room Toemeka said, “Why would the Coalition send me to a male-base?”

  “He didn’t say it was an all-male base,” Erling replied. “He just said they didn’t get many women.”

  “I can’t share barracks with a group of men.”

  “We won’t be here long.”

  “We’d better not be.” Toemeka stuffed her travel bag into a locker.

  Soon Vez reappeared with uniforms and handed them to Toemeka and Erling. Erling unzipped his flight suit, but Toemeka didn’t move. She was creeped out with Vez watching her every move with obvious curiosity. Moveover, she didn’t want him to see the bandage on her shoulder and start asking questions.

  Erling looked from her to Vez. “Vez, would you mind leaving so Anubec can change?”

  “This isn’t a private place. Besides I’d like to see what a female humanoid looks like without her clothes on. No need to be modest. I have no interest in mating with a human.”

  “I don’t have any interest in you either,” Toemeka snapped. She went into the group shower area and changed into the tan shirt and shorts Vez had given her. She had to cinch up the waist with her own belt since the shorts were made for a man’s wider waist.

  She stored her flight suit and helmet in a locker, then rejoined Erling and Vez.

  They walked to a large military building and entered the data chamber. Erling and Toemeka were assigned adjacent cubicles and briefed on the project they’d be working on. Once seated, Toemeka turned on her computer and began working under the observation of guards who patrolled the room. When the guards weren’t close by, Toemeka explored the files on the computer. She soon discovered that all military operations information was classified and she couldn’t tap into it.

  After a few more hours, she was starving and so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She looked around the edge of her cubicle and saw Erling hard at work. She wondered what kept him going. He hadn’t slept in thirty hours and she’d slept only a few hours on the ship.

  A bell sounded and the computers operators started filed out of the room. Erling approached her desk. “Come on, Anubec. Let’s get something to eat.”

  Toemeka put her head down on her folded arms. “Bring something back for me. I need sleep.”

  Erling glanced around to be sure they were alone, then whispered, “Want a Go-pill?”

  “Are you crazy?” she exclaimed. “You know I don’t use amphetamines.”

  “We could be killed at any moment and you’re worried about a few uppers? We can’t afford to sleep.”

  “We can’t afford to get hooked on drugs either.”

  “We’ll discuss it later. I’ll bring you back something.”

  She watched him leave. It was a common practice for flight doctors to prescribe Go-pills to pilots when they needed to stay awake, but she’d never known Erling to take them.

  A half-hour later, Toemeka awoke to the sound of people reentering the room. Several humanoid men came by and welcomed her to the team. She began working again, expecting Erling to appear at any minute.

  Minutes dragged by and Erling still didn’t show up. After an hour she was really worried. What happened to him? Had Sergeant Rashid found something wrong with their fake identities and taken him in for questioning? Or maybe they’d discovered the ship was stolen. At any moment she expected to be arrested. She wished she wasn’t so tired and could think more clearly.

  She scanned the computer for information about the outpost and discovered it was located in the middle of a jungle with no towns for over a hundred miles. The jungle was considered impenetrable because it was dense and filled with wild animals. She leaned back in her chair discouraged. If she went for help, she’d have to steal a ship. She’d never make it to the nearest town on foot.

  Vez and a human guard walked over to Toemeka’s desk. “Come with us,” Vez said.

  Toemeka rose. “What’s this about?”

  Vez’s round red eyes narrowed into a slit. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Toemeka followed them to a small room and a human guard shut the door.

  “Why did you come to this base?” Vez demanded.

  “I had orders to come here.”

  “Who is the man you came with?”

  “Ryan? I’ve never seen him before today.”

  Vez grabbed the neckline of her shirt with his clawed hand and yanked her to him. “You’re working with him, aren’t you?”

  She grabbed his scaly arm and tried to push his clawed hand away. “I told you, I’ve never seen him before traveling here with him today. We’re from different bases. If you don’t believe me, look at my file.”

  “That file could have been forged. Most likely you’re both spies.”

  “We’re not spies,” she said. “Samrat Condor rules with total control and his security is impenetrable. Do you question his power?”

  “No,” the human guard said, “but Ryan was found in the crypto room stealing classified information.”

  Her stomach tightened. Condor’s blood, what was Erling doing in the crypto room?

  “Jerd, don’t tell her anything.”

  “Maybe he was sent to test your security,” Toemeka said in a contemptuous voice. “It’s lax around here.”

  Vez shoved her against the wall and her shoulder wound exploded in pain. “Give us the answers we want or we’ll give you what we gave him.” He pulled out a stun gun.

  “Not on a woman!” Jerd exclaimed.

  “She’s a spy or traitor.” He glared at her. “Tell us who you are and what you’re up to.”

  “I told you who I am.” Vez fired the stun gun and a jolt of electricity hit her chest. She felt like she’d been stabbed in the heart and slid to the floor. Jerd knocked the probe out of Vez’s hand.

  “I told you not to use it!” Jerd squatted beside her. “Can you breathe, Anubec?”

  She tried to speak, but words
wouldn’t form. “Get her a drink of water!” he said to Vez.

  “She’s a spy. She doesn’t deserve water.”

  “Go! Now!”

  Vez left and she leaned back against the wall, trying to pull herself together. Her chest still ached and she felt shaky. She could only imagine what they’d done to Erling. She knew he was strong and wasn’t likely to talk under torture, but everyone had their breaking point. They might already know she was a Coalition spy. Jerd was her only hope. He’d defended her before; perhaps she could convince him of her innocence.

  “Thank you for helping me,” she said.

  “Vez had no cause to use a stun gun on you.”

  The door opened and Vez walked in with a glass of water. Jerd held the glass to her mouth and she covered his hand with hers and drank. When their eyes met, she realized he craved the sight and touch of a woman. A plan formed in her mind. She took a sip then tightened her grip on his hand. “I want to see the prisoner. If he’s a spy, I want to know who he is and why he’s here. Take me to him!”

  “We can’t do that,” Jerd said.

  “I have some powerful connections in the military,” Toemeka replied. “I suggest you think twice before questioning me further or you’ll both be in serious trouble.”

  “Is that true?” Jerd asked, looking up at his fellow guard.

  “Yeah, it’s in her file.”

  “What has Ryan told you so far?” Toemeka asked.

  “Nothing. He’s tough. We’re waiting for him to revive, then we’re going to use drugs to make him talk.”

  “Don’t tell her anything,” Vez said. “She’s with him.”

  “I’m not with him!” Toemeka started to rise and Jerd immediately clasped her arm and helped her up. She leaned against him, for support and to maintain his interest in her.

  Vez moved toward her. “I say we make her talk.”

  “Touch her again and I’ll use the stun gun on you,” Jerd exclaimed.

  Vez hissed but lowered his stun gun.

  Toemeka pressed her body against Jerd and his eyes darkened with desire. “Show me where he is. I want to be there when they use drugs on him. I want to know who he is.”

  “He’s in jail.”

  “Then let’s go see him there.”

  They left the building and started across the compound in the fading daylight. The air was much cooler than it had been when she and Erling arrived. Toemeka was sorry to see Vez come along. He had no sympathy for human women, only a streak of cruelty. The jail was a small building and looked like it held only a few cells.

  Jerd walked over to the guard at the front desk and said, “Let us inside. We’re going to question the prisoner some more.” The guard rose from his desk and punched in a code on the door panel. The door opened and they started down the hall. Jerd unlocked the door to a cell and Toemeka followed Vez and Jerd inside. Erling lay unconscious on the floor, his face bloody and swollen. She shuddered, repulsed by what they’d done to him.

  “It’s not a sight for a woman,” Jerd said.

  “He looks awful! I’m amazed he didn’t talk.”

  “He just kept telling us he was a computer programmer.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that maybe he was telling the truth?”

  “If he was a just computer programmer, he wouldn’t have been in the crypto room,” Vez said. “We should just finish him off.”

  Toemeka bunched her hand into a fist. “He’s useless dead,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady

  Jerd’s brow wrinkled. “He may already be useless to us as much as Vez used the probe on him.”

  “Let’s bring him around with water,” Toemeka said. She filled up a mug from the rust-coated sink in the room, then squatted beside Erling. Up close, his face was a series of bruises. She poured water on his face. Erling moaned and she looked up at the younger guard. “Give me your gun.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can make him talk.”

  He handed her the stun gun and she increased the power. Erling opened one eye. The other was swollen shut. “Toe,” he groaned in a slurred voice.

  She pointed the stun gun at his chest. “Tell us who you are or I’ll use this on you again.”

  “No more.” His voice cracked as he spoke.

  Vez sneered. “Humans are weak.”

  “Bastard!” Toemeka spun around and fired at Vez and then Jerd. They both fell to the floor, unconscious. Her heart raced as she returned her attention to Erling. She slid her arm under his back and helped him into a sitting position. “Erling, we have to get out of here.”

  He coughed and spit out blood. “Just let me die,” he moaned.

  “Dying isn’t an option. You have to get up.”

  “I don’t have the strength.” He tried to slump back down, but she held him firmly.

  “Yes, you do. Anyone who is too stubborn to tell the guards who he is when he’s being beaten to death, has the strength to escape.”

  His good eye closed. “Save yourself.”

  “We’re leaving together, soldier. Get up!” She squatted behind him and put her hands under his armpits, trying to pull him up. She couldn’t budge him. He was a large, muscular man; she guessed he probably outweighed her by at least sixty pounds.

  “Give me a few minutes,” he gasped.

  “We don’t have a few minutes!” She yanked and pulled until he finally staggered to his feet. He swayed unsteadily and she put an arm around his waist. “Keep standing, Major Fenian! You hear me?”

  “You have no heart.”

  “That’s right. See that door? We’re going through it.” She struggled to keep him upright as they staggered through the doorway. Once in the hall, she kicked it shut behind them, locking the guards inside. Together they went down the hall until they reached the door to the lobby. “Stay here,” she said.

  He sank down and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.

  “No, no, no! Don’t sit down. I can’t get you back up?”

  “My head’s spinning. I think I’m going to puke.” He leaned over with his head between his knees.

  “Puke if you need to, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Be ready to run.”

  He nodded, looking a little green.

  She visualized the room inside. When she’d entered the building, there were two guards: one at the desk and one by the door. She punched in the code she’d seen the guard use. When it clicked open, she gave it a push and sprang into the room. She fired at the guard at the desk, then the one by the door. An unexpected third guard fired at her. She dove for the floor, rolled and fired at him. He fell forward, crashing to the ground.

  She cautiously rose and scanned the room to be sure all three guards were unconscious. The door she’d entered through had shut automatically so she punched in the code to let Erling in.

  “Why didn’t you tell me what you were doing?” he exclaimed, as he stumbled into the room.

  “You were puking your guts out.”

  “You could have waited until I was done.” He took a Blackhawk blaster from one of the guards and crossed to the exit door. “Let’s get out of here.” He peered out, then signaled it was clear and stepped out. She discarded the laser gun and grabbed a blaster from a guard before following him.

  Floodlights lit up the now dark compound. They started across it, heading toward the jungle with Erling maintaining a lurching walk. Toemeka suppressed the urge to run, knowing Erling couldn’t keep up and it would attract the attention of two guards who were a short distance away, patrolling the complex. If they were stopped, Erling’s bloody face would give them away.

  They moved behind the side of the building and Erling leaned against it, shaking. “Go on without me, Toe. I can’t go any further.”

  “We’re almost to the jungle.” His knees buckled. She grabbed him as he started to fall and held him against the wall.

  “It comes in waves. I think I’m going to be sick again.” He knelt in the dirt and retched.

  She squa
tted down beside him. “Any better?”

  “A little.”

  “Where does it hurt?”

  “Everywhere.”

  “We’ll hide in the jungle long enough for you to recover.”

  “You escape to the jungle while I hold them off. I’m done for.”

  “You’re not done for! You’ll be fine after you’ve rested.”

  “They’ll discover the prison guards you stunned any second. Go while you have a chance.”

  “We’re getting out of here together or dying together. Now get up!” She grabbed his upper arm and yanked. Once he’d made it to his feet, she wrapped her arm around his waist and started forward.

  The building bordered the jungle and she was able to get Erling into the dense growth before he stumbled and went down, taking her with him. She untangled her legs from his. He moaned and spit up blood, then tried to rise and fell down again.

  “It’s all right, Erling,” she said. “Just rest. We’re safe for the moment.”

  “You need to get out of here. They’ll come after us with thermal rifles and moncrons.”

  “What are moncrons?”

  “Savage, fanged beasts trained by the Raptor military to track people. I heard the beasts yelping while I was in jail. Even if I were in optimum condition, I’d have trouble escaping them. With my injuries, I don’t stand a chance. The moncrons are intelligent, swift and vicious. Find a stream or lake where the moncrons can’t trace your scent.”

  “I’ll go look for a lake and come back for you.”

  “Don’t come back. The growth is so dense you’ll never be able to find me.”

  “Then I’ll stay with you and shoot any moncron or guard that finds us!”

  “You can’t shoot a whole pack of moncrons and all the guards following them. I’ll stay here and do my best to slow them down, so you have a chance to get to safety.”

  “No, we’re in this together.”

  “Think of Mich. Stay alive for him.”

  Toemeka’s head pounded. The lack of sleep and food combined with the hopeless situation they were in overwhelmed her. She took a deep calming breath. If she lost her composure, they’d both die. “What good would leaving you do? It’s over a hundred miles through the jungle to the nearest village. Even if by some miracle I was able to stay alive long enough to find it, they won’t have a spacecraft. This isn’t a technologically evolved area of the planet. I’d never make it on my own. By the Stars, Fenian, why did you go into the crypto room? You could’ve at least told me what you were doing!”