by Angela Timms
Kel’s cleared his throat. “When are you going to wake her up?”
Jack faced him. “It is likely that I’m going to bring her round in the next week or so. She will still be in extreme pain but that is better than risking long term emotional problems. I’m glad that you are sitting with her Kel; I have no way of knowing how much she can hear. As I’ve already said, her brain activity is far higher than it should be, there’s a lot going on there despite the coma. She may well be able to hear every word you say.”
Kel looked horrified. “So she may be unable to move yet able to think. That would drive me nuts.”
Jack nodded. “That is why I can’t keep her in a coma until she is fully healed. I’m worried what that lack of movement is doing to her.”
Kel looked thoughtful. “Maran may know something we can do. Shantara told me something about meditation and that sort of thing. I wasn’t really listening. Kyla is a Master. She may well be in some sort of meditative state or wandering off somewhere spiritually.”
Rennon put his coffee cup down. “I still can’t believe we couldn’t find Shantara.”
Kel looked up from contemplating his coffee cup. “It was like finding a needle in a haystack with nothing to go on. We did our best and we will find her, someone somewhere is going to know where she is and when we find out, we will go and get her. Whoever took her is really going to pay. If they had taken her with a good intent she would have been in touch by now. You know our best people are on the case when we can’t be. She could be anywhere on any planet. If only we’d had the time to search that planet properly before we had to evacuate.”
Samson took a deep breath. “That planet was overrun pretty soon after you took off. I can only hope we will get her back. But, hoping isn’t enough is it, we need some leads. Look, I don’t mean to put the idea down but I’m a medical man. I’ve no way of knowing and until proven I can’t accept the spiritual theory, but I’m prepared to do a few tests just to find out. What I will say is that her vital signs do react to you being in the room and talking to her so she does know you are there.”
Rennon looked surprised. “Kel, so that is where you have been.”
Kel turned to him. “I needed to be there. I feel good talking to her and it helps to explain things to her. She is one of my own after all and I did put her there. Look we’re due out on a recon this afternoon why don’t you come with us doc to get a feel for it all?”
Samson choked over his coffee. “Like I’ve got a choice.”
In the infirmary Kyla’s body lay motionless on the bed. Machines monitored her vital signs and noticed as her neural activity
Nobody was monitoring it at the time, it went accelerated dramatically. unnoticed. Out in space a glisteningly smooth, an almost liquid silver outer hull reflecting the starlight as it silently glided through space. Its nose cone was pointed and it tapered at its tail, like a diving water bird and just as elegant. It moved effortlessly and with purpose, heading directly towards the base.
The ship had made no effort to evade being noticed. It was flying directly towards them and slowed to hover almost motionless above the central hub of Mission Command. Once there it presented an open channel and began hailing. It was only when it arrived that those watching realized that it was twice the size of their space station. Its huge bulk blocked out the stars. It just hung there in the air, silent and intimidating. The control room was already by then in a state of high alert and the Commander had been called. He sat on his chair and stared intently at the screen, watching the craft as it hovered above them.
Dreafas, a middle aged man with a mop of curly black hair, who was doing his shift on the comms piped up. “We are being hailed.” He flipped switches and turned dials.
The Commander nodded. “Patch our visitors up on screen.” A man appeared on the screen. He was elegantly handsome, slim faced with well-defined high cheekbones. His features were fine, his skin immaculate and pearl white. His bright steely blue eyes darted about taking everything in, his shoulder length blonde hair was waved slightly and swayed with his movement as he spoke. “I am Lord Joniel, Commander of the Elthsantia and Master of the Order of Brax. I come in peace under Section 457 of the Intergalactic Treaty to talk about trade and to visit a friend who is injured and is recovering within your facility. I request permission to come aboard.” The Commander hesitated momentarily as he keyed the name into the central computer and awaited a response. It came back with a Code Purple which meant highly dangerous and extremely influential but all information which was above Commander Zack’s extremely Commander Zack attempted to hide his surprise but the visitor smiled slightly. “I am Commander Zack, Commander of this base and it is an unexpected pleasure to speak with you Lord Joniel. I am assuming that you speak of our guest, of Kyla? Permission is granted and you may come aboard. Will you be requiring a docking port?” Before he could take a ship approached Mission Command. It was
Clearance Gold high clearance. breath at the end of his sentence Joniel stood in front of him. “I had assumed that you would land by ship and I could have met you at the airlock.”
Joniel smiled. “I am sure it would have been with every courtesy and protocol. I must apologize if this way of transport is not your way, I forget sometimes. I find this a more elegant way to travel. Now, if I may visit my friend I would be very grateful and it will give you time to assemble your negotiators so that we may speak about trade treaties and how we may help each other. These are difficult times; I hope that any previous enmities and distrust can be laid aside.”
He stood nearly a foot taller than the Commander. His long black cloak hung from his broad shoulders, the leather body armour beneath was skilfully crafted with swirls and points. The Commander looked up at him, pulling himself up to his full height. “I will arrange for an escort to take you to the Infirmary. May I ask your intent?”
“I would visit Kyla of the Order of the White Light.” He turned on his heels as the Commander called for his guard. “She is beloved of Maran and I owe both of them a life debt.”
The door to the Command Centre opened and Kel with three Marines stepped inside. Kel stopped in his tracks when he saw the visiting stranger who looked at him making him physically shudder. Those eyes were piercing and seemed to cut into his very soul. Kel almost shuddered as their icy cold hatred caught him off guard and it gave him a chill that ran down his spine.
Joniel spoke slowly and deliberately. “I understand you were the one who inflicted these injuries on her?”
Kel strode over to face Joniel. “I was. I trust that Maran has given you all the facts.”
Joniel put a hand on Kel’s arm which made him reach for his weapon. “She has. There is no need for that. Put your weapon away. We both know what a real war is like as we are fighting men. No need to show your prowess now, we have nothing to prove to each other. I trust my reputation precedes me, if I wanted you dead you would be by now, I could easily have administered poison by this touch.” He smiled wryly. “Rest easy, I know of your reputation and the truth. The only wisdom I can speak for you today is this. Look to yourself and your obvious skill, you could easily have killed her which was their intent. You did not, even though you were drugged. To have even that level of control while under the influence of that type of chemically induced passion says a lot about your strength of will. You have nothing to fear from me on this day though one day we may spar for the sheer enjoyment of it. My time is limited here, take me to her.”
Kel smiled. “You do have a point. In the situation I could so easily have killed her. Something must have stopped me.” He felt strangely comforted by the intimidating stranger.
Joniel nodded knowingly and waved away the comment with a velvet gloved hand. “I have no doubt.”
They walked to the Infirmary and the way had been cleared. The corridors were empty so they were able to talk on the way.
Kel walked beside Joniel. He kept taking sideways glances, sizing him up. Joniel strode along the corridor.
He made no sound, his boots silent, his cloak billowing out behind him. Kel took a breath. “You have known her for a long time? How come you have a life debt to them?”
Joniel smiled. “I have known her for many years. We met when she saved my life on the twin moons of Keldar. I have known Maran some four hundred years. Kyla is of the White Light; as such she would normally have been unlikely to help my kind. Her compassion for another in need set her above many of her order in my eyes. I am of the Eanesti, my race kill without remorse, we have destroyed whole civilizations over the years and we are not known for our compassion. I am asked to be here by Maran; I will do her bidding, this once. Kyra called me also, she has the powers of the White Order now and she was able to contact me during one of my meditations. I am sure that she will be a great asset to all of you if you choose to allow her to stay and if she chooses to stay. If that is not your intention then she will always have a place on my ship. For now part of a debt will be paid.
It is sensible that our people co-operate as we now have a formidable enemy so it is not purely on this matter that I have chosen to visit you. So, I will speak later with those of you who arrange such things. Although it is not normally my way I am being open and honest with you in all of this. You need information and I would not wish you to spend valuable time looking for these answers out of mere curiosity.”
They turned a corner and were at the Infirmary. Dr Samson was waiting by the door and they stepped inside.
Joniel stepped towards the prone woman. He hesitated then turned to Dr Samson. “Leave us.” His voice was commanding although it waivered slightly as he put a hand gently on her shoulder.
Dr Samson took a deep breath. “She is my patient; I will certainly not leave her with you, a complete stranger.”
Joniel smiled. “Your courage is commendable. That is brave talk as I can feel your fear. You have nothing to fear from me at this time. I will allow you alone to stay Dr Samson until I have completed all that I must physically do and that which medically she needs. After that I ask for time alone so that I may speak with her. You may keep the monitor on but without sound. If you stay you will see things that will not be to your liking and know this, if you try to interfere I will kill you and anyone else who may enter the room.
I do not usually explain myself but it is important that you know the use of this vial I am going to leave with you.” He passed a small glass vial to the doctor. “You must use this wisely, use too much and she will instantly die. Our race uses this toxin to paralyze or it can kill but used properly it will numb her pain and allow her to heal much faster. She is a healer, let her heal. One ml once a day at precisely the same time, not a minute sooner or you will overdose her, later and the effects will wear off and she will be in exquisite pain that no pain killer will sate if you get it wrong, so don’t. Now, I would suggest that you leave the room and Dr Samson that you ready yourself for what you are about to see.”
He waited while the others left the room and Dr Samson took up his position where he could clearly see what was going on. Joniel looked down at the prone woman, his sharp eyes softening slightly. “I must feed on her to be able to introduce the venom into her system. You may find this unnerving. Do not move as disturbing my concentration could be fatal. I will have to curb my natural instinct to kill and control the dose I am giving her. This initial dose cannot be given through a syringe.”
He bent down over her and gently put his hand on her chin, tipping her face sideways. He ran his fingers over her cheek, gently stroking it and lifted her. He sat on the bed where she had been laying, cradled her in his arms gently, and then he bent down and bit into her neck. His teeth met slight resistance as he broke through the skin and sank his now extended fangs down into the vein in her neck. He shuddered slightly as the warm blood flowed into his mouth and he felt the warmth of her body close to him.
Dr Samson stopped himself as he almost stepped forwards. Joniel didn’t see him as he was bent over her.
Joniel remained almost motionless for what seemed like an age. Then he laid her down and stepped back, gasping for breath, wiping his mouth with an ornately embroidered silk handkerchief he pulled from his pouch. He steadied himself with a hand on the examination table. “I have taken very little. You may bring her around now. I would appreciate it if you did so now, as I would speak with her and my time here is limited.”
Dr Samson stepped forwards and busied himself taking her pulse and checking the monitors, his hands shaking slightly.
Joniel watched him with some amusement. “The blood will be made up swiftly so she will not feel its loss. If you are ready, bring her back to consciousness. Do not be tempted to give her any transfusion of blood.” Dr Samson went to a cabinet on the wall and lifted out a small glass bottle, taking a syringe he drew off some of the clear liquid and injected it into the liquid feeding into her arm. “She will wake shortly.”
Kyra opened her eyes and looked up at the two of them standing over her. She smiled and the strain seemed to have gone from her face. Her face was still swollen and black from the bruising as was her neck and any part of her skin that was visible. The wires around her jaw caged her mouth. She looked exhausted and there were dark circles under her eyes.
Joniel bent down. “Kyla, do you know
me?” Her voice was weak. “Yes.”
Joniel spoke to her in almost a whisper. “I heard your call and I came in answer. Can we consider our life debt played out now?”
Her voice was broken and she winced in pain. “Yes. Can you get me back to the Affirmation before the full moon?”
“No, that time has long passed. Our ability to manipulate time was lost in a battle with the Followers, the ship was destroyed. It is good that the debt is settled.” He sat up and spoke slightly louder. “Dr Samson, I would have time alone with her now. I trust you have completed your preliminary tests and are satisfied that I have not done anything fiendish?”
Dr Samson bowed slightly and backed out of the room, switching the sound off on the monitor before leaving. He was ashen white and still shaking slightly.
Joniel sat on the bed beside Kyla and took her bruised hand in his. “Now we will be bound as equals again and by love alone, not as one with a debt to pay to the other. You would be welcome on my ship and I would have you come with me. End this eternal torment I beg you. But it is your choice. If you do not find a home here, come to me whenever and however. You would find a good life with me.”
Kyla looked up at him. “I would dearly love to, now as always, but the duties that tie us are still the same. I have my duty, you have yours. You follow the Dark Lord, I the White Lady. The eternal war of the trilogy would rage again if they break their covenant so we are bound by it too, you know that. Even if we wish that we were not.”
Joniel looked away; carefully making sure his lips couldn’t be seen by any monitor. “I know that one day it will be different.” He bent down and kissed her on her forehead.
He looked up and motioned for the others to return. Kel and Dr Samson came in immediately. Joniel smiled at Kyla then looked up at the pair of them. “Take care of her. Now I will return to your Commander and we will talk about trade agreements. Dr Samson, I believe Kel would like time alone with her. They have much to discuss. Remember that you must administer the dose every 24 hours to the minute until the vial is empty. Farewell.” With that he touched the pad on his wrist and vanished into thin air.
Dr Samson rushed forward and began to do more checks on his equipment and took readings. “I cannot find anything that he has done other than to administer the venom and drain a little of her blood. I’ve checked the chemical formula and it is what he said, feeding venom. It will keep her in a state of euphoria, she will feel no pain but she will be able to communicate and be conscious while still healing. How do you feel?”
Kyla smiled slightly. “Better, I feel numb. And she is still here. Talk to me not about me.”
Dr Samson picked up his clipboard and turned to go. �
��Sorry about that. You are still tired, take some time to talk to Kel and then I want you to rest. I will come back later and make sure that you are comfortable and I’ll bring you something to entertain you as well.”
“Thank you.” Kyla turned her eyes to face Kel. “It is time we talked.” Dr Samson left the room and the doors swished closed.
Kel shifted his feet.
Kyla spoke, her voice quiet and careful so that she didn’t have to move her jaw too much. “You have said all you needed to say while I was unconscious. I heard every word and I have my answers and you may have your forgiveness. Now forgive yourself so we can get on with being friends.”
Kel looked uncomfortable. “You heard everything?”
Kyla was quiet for a moment, trying not to smile. “I heard every word. Andalon will be a good leader. So, what are our people like?”
Kel stepped closer. “I will tell you later and I’ll bring you photographs of the planet you would have called home. One day we might even go there. I’m sure you will be welcome here if you choose to stay. You should rest now. I’ll come back and see you later if you would like me to.”
Kyla looked up at him. “I would like that.”
Kel put his hand on her shoulder gently and looked down at her for a moment before he turned to walk away. “I’ll be back later. Try to get some rest.”
Kel left the Infirmary and went to Rennon’s lab. Rennon was at a terminal scrolling through information. He ran his hands through his hair making it stand up and be even more spiky and unruly. “I’m just looking up something. I’m working on trying to get a way of detecting Followers. What I need is a comparison so we need to catch one of them so that we can find the differences. Are you up for a Follower hunt?”
