Between Venus & Mars (The Soul Mate Tree Book 3)

by S. C. Mitchell

  Gods. Days without Zana.

  That was going to be hard.

  But he’d get back to her.

  He had to.

  She was his soul mate.

  Chapter 13

  “Oh, this is not good.” Zana looked up from the Galaxynet terminal straight into her uncle’s eyes.

  “Tell me.” Her uncle’s steady tone brought scant comfort.

  “The man said Kyle would be appearing in front of a Blarmling judge.” Zana’s gut roiled.

  “Blarmling, yes. Those silver-furred ursines from the planet Blarm. It was just recently learned they can read minds. Every courthouse in the galaxy is getting them to determine guilt or innocence. I’ve read some accounts.” Uncle Onwin tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Why is that bad for Kyle? They’ll know he’s telling the truth and let him go.”

  “Kyle’s been to Old Earth. I brought him there. It’s illegal to be there. They’ll find out. They’ll send him off to a prison planet and I’ll never see him again.” Oh, gods. What had she done? Damn that tree. Damn it all, why couldn’t it have just sent her to him like she wanted?

  “Hmm.” Her uncle’s calm tone felt like fingernails across a slate board. “That could present a problem for him.”

  “I have to go to him. I have to explain. Surely they’ll understand if I tell them.”

  Onwin grunted. “That you used a magic tree to bring him across the galaxy?”

  “But I did. It’s what really happened. If these Blarmlings can read minds they’ll see that.”

  “They will surely see that you broke the law going to Old Earth. You would be putting yourself in jeopardy.”

  Her uncle began pacing, a sure sign he was thinking things through. Uncle Onwin never did anything without first mulling it over completely. Well, except for that one time he went to Old Earth.

  “We don’t know where he’s been taken.” Onwin paced, turned and paced, then stopped. “The civilized galaxy is vast, Zana. You have no idea.”

  “Waiting here and not hearing anything would kill me worse than anything out there.”

  He nodded, then continued his pacing. “You need something to occupy your time, and we need more food. I have an idea.”

  Kyle leaned back in his cell bunk, data pad in hand. At least he had access to Galaxynet. The requested texts filtered across the screen and he made his selection.

  The Soul Mate Tree: Realm of the Dragon by CiCi Cordelia.

  Dragons? Lots of Old Earth legends concerned dragons. Real dragons hadn’t been discovered until colonists landed on Xarthon 4. The colonists hadn’t stayed long.

  This text was another of the books Onwin Cantori translated from old English. Kyle started skimming, looking for the section on the Soul Mate tree. This was just research, not joy-reading.

  But right from the opening paragraph, he found himself caught up in the tale. He took a deep breath and relaxed into the pillow as the story swept him away to another time, another world. He read right past the part where the tree took the woman to another realm, filled with dragon people.

  Well, he certainly didn’t have anything else to do or anyplace else he could go.

  “What do you think?” Zana pointed to the display on her starship.

  Her uncle peered over her shoulder at the instrument panel. “I’ve never flown a starship before, I’ve only flown on them, so I can’t be certain. There’s jargon here I don’t completely understand, but it looks like the maintenance droid has put the ship back in ship-shape, so to speak. In any case, it’s in better shape than the first time you lifted off in it.”

  Bixby had scavenged parts from some of the other ships left behind when the Halocyne Clan was taken into custody.

  “If Kyle were here he’d know exactly what it said.” The chill in her gut, the fear for him, had her on edge. Gods, she missed him.

  Her uncle put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “He’ll return. You have to have faith. Right now Konga 10 needs you and your ship once again.”

  Zana drew in a deep breath, centering herself, then put her hands on the flight controls. “Okay, where are we going?”

  “According to Galaxynet, the Tzankor city of Hegger has a good supply of lacto-proteins and some additional food replicators available. It’s only three jumps away, so we can reach it in less than a day and be back with the supplies later tomorrow.” He took the co-pilot’s seat and buckled the seatbelt.

  “And they’ll just give them to us?”

  Uncle Onwin shrugged. “Kyle said they would, when I talked to him earlier. We just have to appeal to the authorities.”

  He pointed to his forearm. “Worst case, I have a credit chip, like Kyle. I used to have some modest savings, but I don’t know. The galaxy thinks me dead, so we might have to work a bit to get my funds reinstated. Kyle seemed sure, though, that in an emergency like ours, we just have to approach the proper authorities and they’ll supply us.”

  Zana keyed in the coordinates and fired up the ion drives. She’d watched Kyle fly the ship and picked up a few pointers. She’d never be able to maneuver like he did, but she could at least get them to Tzankor. Hopefully she’d also be able to land. She hadn’t had the best of luck with that.

  Kyle laid the data pad on the small desk in his cell and switched the device to three-dimensional display mode. The air above the desk filled with objects he pulled and pushed into place. Agricultural techniques to the right and his Soul Mate Tree references to the left. He stood pondering which subject to delve into first.

  “I’m worried about you, Kyle.”

  The familiar tones from behind brought a smile to his face.

  He spun to see Kyrklund Jameson standing at the force bars of his cell. “Fiery faculae, Jameson, it’s good to see you. And don’t worry. I’m innocent.”

  Jameson laughed. “I’m not worried about that. I figured I’d find you behind bars someday. But farming methods and ancient romance literature? That’s a bit disturbing. Tell me it’s research for your next case.”

  “It’s research for my next phase of life.” Kyle stepped toward the doorway. “Get me out of here and I’ll tell you all about it over a zombie. Drink’s on me.”

  Kyrklund Jameson, a senior undercover agent for the Galactic Marshals, outranked any of the young officers on the ship, and certainly had the pull to get him out of this cell. Jameson must have been hitching a ride after some mission.

  “You’re on.” Jameson looked both ways down the hallway, then hit the button to free Kyle from his cell. “This is one story I have to hear.”

  Kyle joined his friend in the hallway. “Speaking of stories, how did everything go in the Dark Nebula?”

  “Oh, it was a blast. Literally.” Jameson chuckled. “It isn’t every day a guy gets to blow up a space platform.”

  The landing hadn’t been rough at all. It was surprising what four working landing struts and fully operational retros could accomplish. Zana touched down with barely a bump.

  Even more surprising, however, was the group of uniformed and armed Marshals ringing the ship the instant she powered down the ion drives.

  “Come out with your hands raised.” The command crackled over the ship’s intercom.

  Now what?

  “Oh, dear.” Uncle Onwin rose from the co-pilot’s seat and paced the cabin. “I certainly hadn’t anticipated this kind of reception.”

  “Well, we’d better go see what the hell they want.” Zana’s gut roiled. She’d had just about enough of galactic law enforcement.

  “Zana, please guard your tone.” Her uncle hit the control to lower the ramp and open the access hatchway. “Core Worlders tend to be a bit more sensitive to threatening innuendo, especially Galactic Marshals.”

  Zana steeled her gut. Already on edge, she pro
bably would have gone nova on these idiots without her uncle’s warning. Why couldn’t all Core Worlders be like Kyle?

  Her uncle stayed at her side as they descended the ramp toward the group of lawmen. He raised his hands high and nudged Zana when she failed to do the same. “What’s the problem, officer?”

  Zana reluctantly raised her hands.

  The man in front indicated they should stop, and held out a scanning wand of some sort. “Records show that ship is registered to a known criminal, though neither of you match his description. Care to tell me how it came into your possession?”

  Uncle Onwin turned toward Zana and raised his eyebrow while nodding his head.

  “The pilot was dead at the controls when I found the wreck on our planet. I claimed the ship by right of salvage.”

  The marshal punched in some commands on his datapad. “Not according to the Central Starship Clearing and Licensing database. Did you file the paperwork?”

  “What the hell is the Central Starship . . . whatever you called it?” Leave it to the Core Worlds to make something difficult.

  The Marshal’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your planet of origin?”

  “Konga 10.”

  “A rim rat. I might have known.” He shook his head. “You need to file proper paperwork if you want to claim a derelict starship. There might be next-of-kin or loan liens, though in this case it doesn’t look like it.”

  “So, what’s the fucking problem? Just let us complete our business and we’ll get the hell out of your hair.”

  Her Uncle Onwin put a hand on her shoulder. “Officer, please, we have a—”

  The Marshal’s gaze shifted to Onwin. “And you, sir, offer a whole different set of problems.”

  He looked down at his datapad and tapped in some commands. “Scanning indicates you’re considered a missing person.”

  “He’s obviously not missing anymore. He’s right here for the love of the gods.”

  The Marshal never looked her way. “Regulations require we remove you to a safe location for debriefing.”

  Two of the other Marshals came around to stand on either side of her uncle. Onwin’s eyes went wide. “No, please, you don’t understand.”

  “Take him away.”

  The guards took his arms and dragged him off toward a doorway.

  Onwin struggled. “No, stop. Zana, don’t—”

  The door slammed, cutting off his words.

  “What are you going to do with him?” Zana crossed her arms across her chest and widened her stance.

  “You should be more worried about yourself, if you’re his kidnapper.” His mouth firmed over his intense gaze.

  Two of the other marshals took up positions on either side of her.

  Zana resisted the urge to grab for her blaster as one of them took it from her holster. “I didn’t kidnap him. He’s my uncle.”

  “Tell it to the Blarmling.” Then a smile crinkled the corners of his mouth. “Oh, wait. You won’t have to. It’ll just know.”

  He nodded and the two officers at her sides took her arms and pulled her toward the doorway they’d taken her Uncle Onwin through.

  A Blarmling?

  It would know everything.

  Chapter 14

  “With all due respect, sir. We failed a planet a few months ago, and I’d like to know why.”

  Kyle stood in front of his commander, Grand Marshal Eric Halon.

  The Grand Marshal had his nose in his data terminal, plucking away at the keyboard. “I’d like to know that myself.”

  Kyle had been cleared of all charges. He simply needed to report in to file his account of the incident on Konga 10.

  Screw the protocols, he wanted to be with Zana.

  “Ah, that explains it.” Halon pointed at his screen. “Konga 10 was under the jurisdiction of Clarence O’Callaghan until recently.”

  Kyle’s gut turned cold. O’Callaghan. The worst thing imaginable, a corrupt Galactic Marshal. “Damn him.”

  Marshal Halon looked up at him. “Indeed. Thank goodness he was discovered and is now rotting on a prison planet. Unfortunately, we’re still cleaning up after his treachery. I see now I will have to sweep even further to the rim for his negligence.”

  “Well, the Konga 10 crisis was averted by a very courageous young woman.” A very beautiful, sexy, amazing young woman.

  “Ah yes, the unnamed woman from your report.” Marshal Halon stood, placed his knuckles on his desk, and leaned forward, his gaze capturing Kyle’s. “Is there a reason a detective of your qualities was unable to uncover her identity?”

  “The, um, residents of Konga 10 are very protective of their population, sir.” He wasn’t about to name Zana until he was sure her record would be expunged. There was no way he was going to become the instrument that put her behind bars.

  “Kyle.” Marshal Halon shook his head. “How long have you worked for me?”

  “Ten years, sir.” Kyle noted a hint of mischief in his commander’s eye.

  “Have you ever known me to put someone as brave and compassionate as Zana Starchild in prison?”

  “Sir, I . . .” Damn it. Two zombies and he’d spilled his guts to his old friend. Still, he never expected Jameson to sell him out like this.

  “Or should I call her Zana Kepler?” A silly smile broke across his commander’s face. “I’ve already expunged her record.”

  Kyle’s head whirled. “Sir, I don’t . . .”

  “Gods, Kyle, I hate losing you. You’re one of our best operatives.” Marshal Halon threw himself back into his desk chair. “But, I understand. A family man can’t be going undercover like you did. Now, are you going to give me that resignation in your hand or not?”

  Okay, not as smooth an exit as he’d expected. Marshal Halon insisted on an impromptu going away party, and Kyle had to endure dozens of good-byes and congratulations. It had taken hours longer than he’d hoped to extract himself from the party.

  “Fiery faculae, you’ve got a shower?” Jameson’s cry had a joyous tone.

  “I told you, you’d like it.” Kyle knew Jameson had been looking for a decently priced apartment in the city. Kyle certainly didn’t need his anymore. “And despite the fact you sold me out, I’m willing to let you buy out my lease at a fairly reasonable price.”

  He already had service droids packing his things into the shiny new GDR-128 bulk freighter outside. He’d gotten a great deal trading in his FTL Starchaser. The bulk freighter made a heck of a lot more sense than the two-seater sport starship.

  “Hell, yes, I’ll take it off your hands.” Jameson held out his hand to seal the deal. “I’m going to miss you, buddy.”

  Kyle shook his old friend’s hand, then pulled him in for a bud-hug, thumping him on the back. “Stop in anytime you’re out on the rim.”

  Jameson shook his head as he stepped back. “Kyle Kepler, a rim rat? Never thought I’d see that.”

  “Just wait until you find the right woman.” Just one more stop before he could get back to Zana. Gods, he missed her.

  Jameson chuckled. “I plan to find the right woman tonight . . . and another one tomorrow night . . . and another one the night after that. And now I’ll have the perfect place to bring them back to.”

  “One day, buddy. One day that’s all going to change.” Kyle completed the order for lacto-proteins, the extra food replicators, and the farming supplies he needed, punching the send button on the data pad. It would all be waiting for pickup by the time he reached Farbon 12.

  It made sense to close everything up, take care of all the business as long as he was already here. Still, he couldn’t wait to get back to Konga 10. Back to Zana.

  Back home.

  “Someone somewhere likes you.” The young officer opened Zana’s cell do
or. “Your record suddenly appeared in our database and you’ve been completely cleared of all charges. You’re free to go.”

  He handed her back the blaster and holster they’d taken from her, and she belted it on.

  Despite his cheery disposition, Zana remained suspicious of these Core Worlders. “What about my uncle, Onwin Cantori?”

  “Um.” He ran his finger down his datapad. “He’s here. Some snag with his former employer. They’re sending someone to interview him. That will probably take a few days yet.”

  Shit. She needed Uncle Onwin and his credit chip to purchase the foodstuffs. She sure as hell wasn’t going to appeal anything to these authorities. “Can I at least have my ship back?”

  She tapped her foot as the young officer checked his datapad once again.

  “It looks like the paperwork has been submitted. It will probably be a day or so before it can be released to you though.” He shrugged and stepped back, indicating she could leave.

  Where would she go? She didn’t know anyone here. She didn’t have any credits or any way to get home.

  Well, one thing was certain. She sure as hell wasn’t staying in a jail cell any longer. “How do I get the fuck out of here?”

  Chapter 15

  Kyle leveled his gaze at the young marshal. “You allowed an unchipped rim rat to just walk out of here without any means of support.”

  Palv was young, but he’d been here long enough. He should have known better.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize . . .” Palv blanched and shook his head.

  The breach of protocol had been a small one, something an inexperienced officer may not have even considered, having little to no contact with rim world peoples. Still, it put Zana in a dangerous situation she should never have been allowed to be put in.

  Without a credit chip in her arm, Zana had no means of support. And there was no way for Kyle to track her movements. She could be almost anywhere on the planet. How the hell was he going to find her?