by Imogene Nix
“What worries you?” Galen’s voice dipped low and a warm tide spread through her belly.
“I just don’t feel I have anything to offer. You know. In the negotiations.”
“Of course you do.” Galan kept working even as he said the words, but they seemed absent to her. Almost as if they were an automatic response.
“I don’t.”
“Jessa, you are much better than me at spelling and writing, how about we work together on this language dictionary?” Seth’s voice called across the room and Galan quirked his brow. She let out a frustrated huff and wandered over to stand behind Seth. She watched as he struggled to input the information into his laptop while balancing the tablet.
“I can do that.” She sat herself down and was quickly immersed in the task, typing in the words, finding a phonetic spelling that allowed her to adequately create an English version.
“Jessa?”
She raised her head. “What?”
She looked at Galan who was smiling down at her.
“It is time to eat. Come. We will join the crew in the meal area.”
“But we’ve only just started.” She grimaced, but Galan just grinned at her.
“You have been working for hoors.”
Jessa giggled. “You mean hours.” But she rose anyway accepting the hand he held out for her. Seth sent a highly amused glance her way and she snickered before he and Joras joined them.
They found the rest of the crew in a festive mood. The meal was perfectly delicious, though she had no idea what it was. The lightly spiced meat was succulent though Galan had assured her it was low in fat and high in protein. He’d mentioned the animal it came from but it was meaningless to her. The tubers were tender and tasted divine, even if they were blue. She had also insisted that they order some local delicacies to be brought aboard, including lamingtons and pavlovas, bananas and coconuts, even lychees and the delicious tropical star fruit. She could see the crewmembers eagerly devouring them.
“Do you usually eat like this?” She extended her hand.
“What, as a group?”
Jessa laughed. “No, I meant with such foods? And options?”
He looked at her and smiled. “Our planet is mainly agrarian, so we grow our own meats and vegetables. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the welfare of our planet and we take a dim view on those who don’t. Of course, there are some members who cannot help, such as the aged and infirm. In those cases, their foods are provided and highly nutritious. Our healers ensure that they are comfortable and well-nourished at all times. They have already done their service for the planet and we thank them.” He stopped and looked at her. “But that isn’t what you want to know. Yes, we do eat well at our meals. Many participate in communal repasts, ensuring that there is a variety in their diets that they might not enjoy if they prepared foods for just themselves.”
Jessa thought over his words. It seemed almost utopian, but there had to be a fly in the ointment apart from the loss of the child bearing women. “What about crime? Is that a problem?”
“We have those who do not wish to adhere to our rules. We try to educate and help those who wish to make a change, but at the end of the day, some will not and do not wish to live the way we do. We give them options to leave the planet or to remove themselves to the far continent. Usually they choose to leave and in those situations we offer them assistance to travel and start a new life.” Galan looked down at the table. “From time to time, we must take punitive measures, but that is not a lightly taken decision. In the end, those measures are taken with a view to the betterment of our society and may include undertaking labour for those who cannot provide their own.”
She watched the play of emotions on his face, sensing that he truly believed his words. Could it be true? Could the Hesparian society be so calm and pacific? She needed to know more. “The odd child may be recalcitrant too. In those instances, we attempt to correct their behaviour in a loving manner.”
Jessa sighed. Even on the utopian planet of Hesparia there was the criminal element.
By the end of the meal Jessa had decided that no matter if it wasn’t rosy, it had to be better than her situation here, on earth, and the dismal future that loomed.
* * * *
Galan woke slowly, the unfamiliar weight at his side momentarily surprising him before he smiled. Jessa. Finally she was where she belonged—in his arms. Last night they had both fallen exhausted into the bed, but in the night she had spooned up against him in a most delightful manner. Her pert bottom nestled against him and her head rested on the pillow, her skin pale against the green of the linens. Careful, so as not to wake her, he’d stroked her silky red hair. Delight filled him as he considered their conversation from the night before as they’d broken their fast. Her questions had shown a keen interest in his planet and culture, and he’d felt pride that she was his lover.
She roused, a quiet snuffle and wriggle in his arms that brushed against his morning erection. He would love to take advantage of it, but knew time would be limited for the next few days. Regretfully he reached over and gently shook her shoulder. “Jessa?”
She snuffled again, rather sweetly, he thought and then she moved. “Wha…?”
His chest rumbled with laughter. “Jessa? It is time to rise.”
She rolled. “What the… Galan?” Her face shone with a pink just-woken glow. “It wasn’t a dream?” Her eyes sparkled and he gloried in the sensation of being drawn to her.
“No. But if we don’t hurry and prepare ourselves, we will be late. I believe it takes some of your hours to reach the base?”
“Yeah. It’s over four hours.” She moved quickly off the bed and he wished they had time together. But they didn’t, so instead he rose and walked around to her. He stopped and smiled. “You forgot something.”
Surprise shone on her face. “What did I forget?”
“To say good morning.” He grinned at the shock on her face and dipped his mouth to hers. The kiss was chaste but the passion remained, hovering just beyond reach.
They separated regretfully. He watched as Jessa sneaked out of the room, grinning. “Princess Gospah?”
“Yes Galan?” The modulated voice filled the silence as the walls pulsed.
“Tell me when she is done and let her know I will meet her in the meal room. Also, if you can, please put her at ease. She is concerned that you would know when we are…” He didn’t want to embarrass Jessa, but needed her to be comfortable in his world.
“When you are intimate? I will attempt to do so. Joras has also been wishful of contacting you. He says the escort has arrived and awaits.”
He grimaced. This was not quite what he expected, but he was mindful of the strategic alliance this could form for both Hesparia and Earth. “Very well. Inform him that once Jessa and I have broken our fast we will leave with them.”
“Very well.” The pulsing of the walls ceased.
He hurried through his routine, dressing with care and placing a range of formal uniforms and tunics into a small bag together with other necessary items before hurrying to Jessa’s door.
It opened at his command and he could see her, neatly folding clothing into a suitcase, a smaller packet sitting beside the pile of clothes. “You are nearly ready then?”
She jumped then turned, with a mock scowl. “Honestly Galan! You gave me a fright.” Then she softened the words with a small smile before turning back to her packing, carefully placing the smaller item inside and fastening it. He reached forward and grabbed it before she could.
“I can do that, you know.”
“I know. But it’s my pleasure to do little things for you.” She blushed and he marvelled at how her skin glowed. It’s such an endearing trait. In fact, he nearly reached out for her, barely restraining the caress with a silent sigh. If they started, it would take time. They didn’t exactly have a lot of that right now, so he waited until she closed the bag and hefted it up over his shoulder with his own.
&
nbsp; Together they left the room, heading down the corridor towards the dining area.
* * * *
They settled into the big black car that had been waiting for them, and slowly pulled out of the facility. The chanting protestors were still there. This time when Jessa checked the faces in the crowd, she couldn’t see any sign of Jace. She shrugged, wondering if her imagination was creating a problem that didn’t exist, yet a seed of unease lodged in her mind. Determined to ignore the protestors, Jessa looked forward, just grateful for the quiet time with Galan.
The sun had barely risen and for a while she watched the glorious colours emerging on the horizon—a montage of gold and pink streaking across the sky.
Joras and Seth travelled in the car behind them and each vehicle had two of the ship’s security detail inside the car. That meant there was no real privacy to talk, so instead Jessa gazed on the changing landscape as the vehicle ate up the asphalt and the car hummed happily beneath them. Galan worked on the tablet device and while Jessa wanted to know what he was doing, she was mindful that the driver could hear their every word. Instead she kept her counsel.
Every now and then, Galan would lightly touch her hand as if to check she was settled and comfortable. A happy warmth spread through her each time he did and she would turn away from the window, to glance at his beloved face.
Muted mutterings also came from the front of the vehicle from both the driver and the security guard who travelled with them. No matter how much she strained, she could only catch the odd word. Sedan. Following. But she brushed the thoughts away as unimportant. Probably some kind of chatter about those in the convoy. After all, they were well protected.
Mile after mile passed by and Jessa wished for a book or even a magazine, wriggling a little as boredom ate at her. But she hadn’t stashed one in her bag on that fateful day when she’d turned up to the observatory office, so she considered her options. In sheer desperation, Jessa fished her mobile from her purse and turned it on, hunting for some inane game to play.
Galan glanced at her. “Do you need something?” He smiled and the ever present warmth suffused her.
“No. I’m just looking for something to do.” Her answer was little more than a breathy whisper. Once more she felt surprise at her own reaction to his simple smile.
He grinned and turned away. She hunted through the applications she had downloaded, finding a game that engaged her for some time. The endless stream of bricks moved around in order to make lines across the bottom of the screen without gaps. Galan looked at the screen and snickered.
Hearing the sound, she glanced up. “What?”
“Nothing.” With a small laugh he turned back to his work and she sighed focusing to her game finding that once more she had been beaten. I will find out why he laughed, later.
After a while the phone beeped softly warning her it was low on battery power. She cursed under her breath, switched it off, watching as the screen turned black then dropped the small device back into her bag. Jessa sighed and returned back to scanning the horizon, looking at the scrubby trees and grassland. After some time, she realised she needed a bathroom stop. “Umm, driver? Is there a rest stop, somewhere around here?”
“Sure ma’am. There’s one just ahead. We can stop there.” His voice was strained, but she put it down to the long and tiring hours of travelling.
Jessa nodded and settled back into the seat, hoping it wouldn’t take long to reach the point where they could locate a lavatory. The countryside had changed now, with rocky outcrops and small rivulets dotted here and there. The open woodland had been left far behind.
They drove through a small town and Jessa tapped her foot in a vain attempt to distract herself from the urgent call of nature. As they passed a big brick building the driver cursed, indicated his turn, and the vehicle made an arc across the asphalt. She was thrown against Galan, who righted her. As they drove back slowly, a convoy of trucks motored up the road, with the odd car interspersed between them.
“Do you need an escort, Miss Bankia?” The security officer enquired with a slight smile on his face.
Jessa opened the door, grinned and shook her head. “No, I’m sure I’ll be fine.” With a quick scan of the road, left and right she scurried across the hot asphalt.
A small empty parking area faced the doorways at the back of the facility but she didn’t pay a lot of attention, as the need was now extremely painful. Jessa hurried inside and took care of the task, washed her hands then rooted around in her handbag for a brush, lamenting the unkempt state of her hair. Unable to find one, she let out a small sigh and finger brushed it, not wanting to look untidy in front of Galan. The sound of a vehicle pulling into the lot barely registered as she checked herself in the old tarnished mirror. Then she left the small facility, her bag slung over her arm. Her eyes downcast as she walked, looking only at the concrete path.
A thudding sound came from behind and she half turned, almost at the corner of the building. She felt something reach out smothering her mouth while something else, maybe an arm, wrap itself around her.
Jessa tried to scream and kicked out, striking flesh. An oomph resonated and the whatever gripped her loosened, but not enough for her to escape.
A blow to the back of the head stole her senses and her vision turned black.
Galan knew instantly that something was wrong. His chest ached and a small grey vehicle screamed out of the parking area.
“Jessa!” He saw the car, which had only entered after they had stopped for Jessa’s toilet break.
He wrenched the door open and looked quickly, before crossing the now empty road. Sure enough, no sign of her existed except a few scuff marks and a small ear decoration. He hoped it was the one that didn’t work, his stomach churned and his muscles clenched painfully.
Agent Foley came running, as did Seth and Joras. “Where did they go?”
“In the vehicle that just left.” He shook off the rage. “I don’t believe she went of her own accord.” He held up the single earring, the communicator that didn’t work.”I found this here.”
Agent Foley looked stunned. “I… We didn’t…” He shook his head. “Damn. We knew we were being followed, but we didn’t expect—” He broke off, closing his eyes and Galan felt the punch of rage—at himself and at the agent in front of him. He ran his hands through his hair. He’d known that she was a target, but even he never foresaw the danger that stopping at a public convenience might bring. Galan damned himself as the pain bloomed inside his chest.
“Her phone!” Seth shouted, his eyes wild. “It has a GPS. Surely we can track her?”
For a moment a spark of hope shone brightly then dimmed within Galan. He shook his head. “She turned it off in the vehicle after it beeped at her.” He rubbed his rib cage, trying to stave off the stabbing sensation, but it grew, the ache spreading through his body. “We have to find her.” His voice was harsher than usual, but he concentrated harder.
Joras looked at him, alarm clear in his eyes. “If we don’t find her soon, you may need a healer.”
Galan looked at him, saw the concern in his eyes and nodded. It was true. And if this was any indication, it would only get worse.
Agent Foley pulled out his phone and started talking, sounding like a rapid tattoo as he gave directions. Then he listened and hung up. “We need to get to the cars.”
He grasped Galan’s arm and led him to the road verge. Galan let him lead the way, knowing he really should throw the man’s hand off him. But he let it go. He didn’t want to have that conversation right now. He just wanted Jessa back—safe and sound. They stumbled across the road and the guards climbed out, throwing themselves before him full of apologies, now that they had obviously grasped the gravity of the situation.
He raised a hand, cutting them off. “Not now. I just…” He turned away feeling the sting of tears. He refused to show a weakness right now. He was supposed to be their leader, but right now, even that was stripped from him. “I just can’t. N
ot now.” He climbed into the vehicle and heard Joras ordering them to another vehicle. Then Joras, Seth and Agent Foley followed him into the car. He breathed deeply, seeking control over his own emotions.
“Galan. We’ll find her.” Joras gazed at him steadily and Galan gave a single short nod.
Seth sat silently, fiddling with the tablet in his hands. Every now and again he would look up and when he caught Galan watching, would duck back down, touching his fingers to the screen.
“Seth? Do you have any idea of anyone who would want to hurt Miss Bankia?” Agent Foley’s voice broke through the silence as the vehicle pulled onto the road once more.
“No. Why?” Seth looked up, his gaze shuttered.
Galan stared. Where was this leading? What information does Foley have that I’m unaware of?
“She hasn’t received any odd communications since you became involved in the negotiations?”
“Well…the media outlets have been emailing…and her family are really mad at her. People seem to think she’s sold out to the aliens. Apart from that, no.” He hesitated, slightly. “Well…” His voice died away and his facial expression changed to horror. “Only… Well, only Jace. But I doubt…”
Agent Foley picked up his phone, dialled and once more spoke in rapid sentences. “What is his last name and where does he live?”
Galan watched Seth’s face show bewilderment. “Geez…how would I know? I doubt even Aunt Veronica knows where he lives.” He shrugged awkwardly in the enclosed space.
“Can you contact your aunt?” Galan sat forward in the seat, hopeful that they could deal with this quickly and that the woman would tell him where Jessa was. Reassure him that all was well.
“I don’t have her number, but my mother would.” He put the tablet down on his knees and fished in a pocket, pulling out a phone and dialled.
Galan rubbed his chest again as Seth tried. “It’s engaged. I can try again in a few minutes.”
