How ugly. Not sure I feel too good. I hope we can leave now, James thought to himself.
Londuo drew James’ attention to the end of the body without tentacles. ‘That’s its head.’
There were two large compound eyes on stalks, and its grotesque mouth was open.
‘They don’t wear clothes like us.’
‘I’m not surprised with all those tentacles,’ James replied, turning towards the door.
As they exited the room James said,
‘I’m glad to get out of there. I don’t think I’d want to meet one of them.’
‘I have,’ Londuo said.
James was intrigued.
‘Where?’
‘I was stationed on the Horopila at that time. We intercepted and disabled one of their destroyers, hiding in the Pilmon asteroid belt. It was helpless, drifting in space. We boarded it.’
She paused.
‘It was a rare opportunity to try and take some of them alive and look at their technology. We fought them along every corridor and through every room of their ship. They can handle multiple hand weapons and their strength is incredible.’
Londuo stopped for a moment.
‘I still have nightmares sometimes because of the things I saw that day.’
James felt Londuo tighten her grip on his hand.
‘I saw commandos thrown against the walls, while others were crushed by those tentacles; arms, legs torn off.’
She stopped once more.
‘They didn’t surrender. We killed every one of them.’
‘Did you managed to capture the ship,’ James said.
‘When we reached the bridge we discovered they’d activated the self-destruct. I thought we’d had it. That was the quickest I’ve ever moved, I tell you. The Horopila barely made it away.’
James listened intrigued, as they entered another room where fragments of a Treitan ship were laid out.
Londuo pointed to a large section of plasma tube.
‘We’re fighting our own technology. That’s almost identical to our plasma tubes. We recovered it from the wreck of one of their cruisers.’
‘Interesting. So basically all their technology is stolen from other races,’ James commented.
‘They even converted their event horizon drive units to be almost identical to ours, and they’re using advanced Telecan lasers. That makes it very difficult for us to fight them—’
Executive Captain Isistia’s voice came over the ship’s address system:
‘Jomi task force will depart in five minutes.’
James looked at Londuo.
‘Isn’t there an observation platform near here?’
‘I’m impressed,’ Londuo replied.
‘I’ve been studying a map of the ship,’ James said cheerfully.
‘We’re only six decks below,’ Londuo said.
‘If we’re quick, we can see them leave,’ James said. ‘Come on, I’ll race you,’ he said, and then jogged to the entrance.
They both ran from the room, stopping only to walk past the guards.
Londuo arrived at the viewing area first. Just as James entered the room, he noticed her looking back at him. She had a large grin on her face.
‘That’s… That’s a long way up,’ James said, taking two deep breaths.
A crowd had already gathered, and a few looked around at them.
‘You need more exercise,’ Londuo said, breathing less heavily. ‘Let’s have a look.’
‘You… go over. I’ll… be there in a minute,’ James said, still recovering.
Londuo moved over to the large window.
How can she do that… and not be out of breath, he thought.
When James joined Londuo the fleet had decreased its speed to Q1. Two destroyers were slowly moving to the rear of the fleet where two frigates were already waiting. The Lonori overtook the Yemolopila and Telecan Vinzot slowly. The fronts of the destroyers and frigates sparkled like fireworks from the space debris striking them. The two frigates then slowly moved to flank the Yemolopila so that they could be secured to its hull. The whole process took a few minutes. Large docking clamps swung outwards from the Yemolopila to allow the frigates to be attached, and then they were slowly manoeuvred neatly against the Yemolopila’s sides.
Suddenly and without warning they disappeared, surprising James.
‘What…?’
Londuo chuckled.
‘They decelerated to change course.’
‘Oh, I must have blinked at the wrong time,’ he said jokingly.
The viewing area emptied, leaving them all alone.
‘Well, there’s no going back now, James,’ Londuo said.
He felt her grip his hand, then she looked at him.
‘I’m afraid, James… I’m afraid that we won’t come back.’
‘Tell me what’s worrying you, Londuo?’
‘The last few nights, I dreamt that I was going to die on Dagnamk. It’s like I’ve been there before. It’s hard to explain… It all seems so real, yet, it’s been different each night. I always seem to end up at the controls of my fighter, which is surrounded by flames, and then all I can see is blackness. All the stars disappear.’
She seems really frightened by this dream. James hugged Londuo in his arms.
She raised her head slightly and, looking in his eyes, said,
‘Ever since my parents were killed, I’ve wanted revenge. But now I’ve got my chance to really hurt the Treitans, I’m—’
‘I’m scared too, Londuo,’ James replied. ‘Before I came here I’d never killed anybody. I didn’t want to but I know now that is the only way. We have to stop the Treitans from killing more people.’
James looked at each of her eyes in turn. I think she’s waiting for me to kiss her. Stop thinking, just do it! And while he was plucking up the courage to kiss her, he heard some crew members enter the room. No. Not again! I don’t believe this.
Suddenly someone placed a hand on Londuo’s shoulder.
‘Lieutenant Besic, we need you to come with us.’
James and Londuo turned and saw two security guards standing behind them and another one in the doorway with his laser pistol drawn.
‘What’s going on?’ James asked.
‘Lieutenant Besic is to be detained pending a mind-scan,’ one of the guards said.
‘Why? I don’t understand.’ James said.
‘Sorry sir, that’s all we can tell you. Lieutenant, please come with us, now!’
Londuo was quickly escorted from the room.
‘It’s all right, James!’ she called back, as they led her away down the corridor.
James tried to follow but was blocked by the security guard at the door.
‘Londuo!’ James shouted, feeling concerned for her.
Kalrea, why have they taken Londuo for a mind-scan, he thought.
According the security systems, she was recorded as having visited the laser turret that exploded. Also, a number of people have reported her behaving differently since you arrived, Kalrea said.
James was worried. Will she be ok?
I’m not sure, James. They think she could be the Dreh agent that they have been searching for and will perform a deep mind-scan.
Oh, James replied. But—
James, if she’s the agent, then you would be at risk.
But she isn’t. I know she isn’t.
We’ve both only known Londuo for a very short time.
That is true, but I just know deep inside she’s not an agent.
James, I think you need to know, a deep scan is far more dangerous than the normal scans.
What do you mean, Kalrea?
They probe very deep. There is a chance of damage to the brain.
What! James suddenly felt frustrated and helpless. I can’t let them do that.
James, it’s out of your hands.
He started to pace around the viewing area, frantically trying to think what to do. But what if she’s permanently hurt? She coul
d be affected for life. You know what this would mean, Kalrea. She cannot shut herself down to protect her brain, like you did at Normia.
Yes, James, I understand.
We have to do something. Can you stop the scan?
I can, but—
Do it.
James, they will know I terminated it. They will disconnect the system and perform it remotely, like they did with you. I cannot stop that.
Then there’s no way.
James, I can monitor Londuo undetected. If I feel she is in severe danger, then I will interrupt the process. But, if I do it too early, then they may notice.
Kalrea, please don’t let them harm her.
I’ll do my best.
Please promise me you won’t let them harm her, Kalrea.
Okay James, I promise.
Chapter Twenty
Londuo was escorted into a guarded room, which had a number of padded tables lined up against one of the walls. She had been there many times before for her regular mind-scan.
I hate mind-scans. They freak me out, Londuo thought.
‘Antaio,’ she said, pleasantly surprised. ‘You’re not usually assigned to do mind-scans.’
‘Hi, Londuo. Look I need you to lie on the table as usual, please.’
Londuo got up on the padded table and lay down. Five minutes and it will be over, she thought. A headset was placed over her head, and her arms and legs were strapped into restraints.
‘Londuo, we need perform a deep scan, I’m afraid.’
‘What! They’re dangerous. Why the deep scan? Why not the normal scan?’
‘Sorry Londuo, orders,’ Antaio replied. ‘Milonri thinks you could be the Dreh agent. A deep scan will prove it one way or another.’
‘But I’m not a Dreh agent! Antaio, a deep scan can cause brain damage.’
Londuo suddenly felt concerned and her heart quickened. Adrenaline coursed through her. She wanted to escape, but the restraints stopped her. Calm down. At least it’s Antaio doing it. What am I thinking? It doesn’t matter who’s doing it. It’s still dangerous!
‘Are you ready, Londuo?’
‘No, Antaio, I’m not. Please don’t do this!’
She looked at him pitifully.
Antaio was about to say something but then decided not to. He looked away.
James! I wish you were here. She looked towards the door hoping he would enter. Where are you James?
Londuo, it’s me, a voice said suddenly in her head.
‘Who’s that?’ Londuo said out loud.
She saw Antaio glance back at her.
It’s me, Kalrea. I’ve managed to get into the system. Look, once they start they’ll detect me, so I don’t have much time. I promised James that I wouldn’t let them hurt you. Please don’t worry. I have to go now, but I will be with you, Londuo.
Thank you, Kalrea.
Londuo composed herself. She felt relieved knowing Kalrea was there. She felt a pain behind her eyes, and her vision became blurred, before she fell unconscious.
*****
Londuo’s vision cleared. ‘Where am I?’
She looked around.
‘I seem to be at the top of a stairway.’
She caught sight of a partial reflection in a nearby window. She looked down at her hands. They were old and wrinkled.
‘I’m old, how can that be?’
A figure started up the staircase but, upon seeing Londuo, stopped abruptly.
The figure stared at her, before saying,
‘Who are you?’
Londuo looked closer at a figure standing on the stairway below her.
‘James. Is that you, James?’
‘I said, who are you?’ James’ voice was raised.
‘James,’ she said.
‘What are you doing here?’ he questioned.
‘I don’t know...’
She felt a sharp pain behind her eyes. She closed them and pressed her hands against the side of her forehead. The sound of a fighter’s drive made her open her eyes.
‘What am I doing here? How did I get here?’ she said, peering down at the controls of her fighter.
Laser fire flashed across the fighter’s path. She glanced back and saw ten Treitan fighters closing fast.
‘Where did they come from?’
‘Who are you?’ echoed over the fighter’s communication system.
‘Who’s that?’ Londuo asked.
‘I said, who are you?’
The laser fire stopped abruptly. The Treitan fighters had disappeared, but now she was flying in a cave. There was a bright light behind the fighter.
‘An orange light! What’s that?’
‘You’re going to die!’
The pain was now unbearable.
‘Who said that?’ she said.
‘On Dagnamk, you’re going to die.’
The orange light intensified. It looked like a river of fire was approached from behind the fighter. In an instant, the fighter was engulfed.
‘Please stop the pain.’
‘Then, admit you’re a Dreh agent!’
She blacked out for a moment.
Londuo was now inside the ejected cockpit of her fighter, floating in space. In front of her she could see the Lonori on fire.
‘Who are you working for?’
She was finding it hard to think straight.
‘No... No one... I’m not an agent. James, where are you?’
‘Why James?’ the voice asked.
‘I need you.’
‘Why do you need him?’
‘Because… Because I love him.’
‘No, that’s a lie!’
‘But I do love him.’
Londuo started to cry but there were no tears.
‘James is dead.’
‘I don’t understand.’
The pain increased.
‘He died on Earth.’
‘No, he didn’t. You’re trying to confuse me.’
‘He will die. Now, tell me who you really are.’
Londuo screamed in pain.
‘Stop this. Please stop this! What do you want from me?’
‘The truth! Who are you?’
‘Londuo Besic.’
Intense pain swept through her head.
‘It feels like my head is going to explode!’ she screamed.
Her entire life flashed quickly through her mind.
‘Please stop the pain! I want to die. Please just kill me. I can’t stand the pain any longer.’
‘Take my hand,’ a familiar voice said.
Londuo could see a young woman floating beside the fighter. She had long blond hair and was wearing a white habit.
‘She’s beautiful. Like an angel. Am I dead?’
‘Londuo, take my hand.’
The woman held out her hand, which passed through the front of the fighter’s cockpit as if it was not there.
‘Who are you?’ Londuo asked.
‘I’m Kalrea. Now, please take my hand and stop this.’
She grabbed hold of the hand. There was a flash of light.
*****
Londuo suddenly awoke from the mind-scan. Panicking, she tried to move, but the restraints stopped her. She breathed quickly, and her heart was racing faster than she could ever remember.
‘Help me, please help me, Kalrea,’ she shouted. ‘Stop the pain, please stop the pain.’
‘Londuo, stay still or you’ll hurt yourself,’ Antaio said. ‘It’s all right; it’s finished.’
Chapter Twenty-One
James returned to the Aurora.
‘Kalrea, how is Londuo?’ James asked, feeling very concerned and stressed.
He exited the pojin lift and entered the bridge.
Kalrea replied over the Aurora’s address system,
‘She’s just being returned to her quarters. The—’
‘What about the mind-scan?’ James said, interrupting.
‘James, please let me finish! The scan was negative.’
‘I
s she all right? I mean, did they hurt her?’
‘Londuo’s fine. I managed to force an early termination of the scan. She has no long-term damage.’
‘I need to see her,’ he said.
‘James, she’ll need to have rest. The scan drains your energy, and we have a crucial mission tomorrow. You need to rest too.’
‘It’s just that I’ve been so worried. I can’t stop thinking about her. I could have lost her.’
‘She’ll be fine by the morning. Trust me.’
James sat down in one of the seats in front of a console.
‘Kalrea, I need to ask you something,’ James said. ‘What do you think of Londuo?’
‘She commands a squadron of fighters, has received five awards for bravery—’
‘No,’ James said, interrupting. ‘That’s not what I meant. Do you like her?’
Kalrea laughed.
‘Why are you laughing, Kalrea?’
‘Sorry, James, I’ve just read your thoughts.’
‘Well then…?’ James said, slightly agitated.
‘I can sense she loves you,’ Kalrea said. ‘That’s what you’re really asking me, isn’t it?’
‘Yes… it is,’ James replied. ‘You said you sense she loves me, but do you know if she really loves me?’
‘James, I cannot read other people’s minds, but you must have noticed the way she looks at you. I think everyone on this ship has!’ Kalrea said cheerfully. ‘I know you love her.’
‘Yes, I do, and I want nothing more than to be with her.’
‘But you haven’t told her,’ Kalrea said.
‘I was afraid she may not love me,’ James said. ‘I’m still afraid.’
‘I believe she loves you, James, and you need to tell her how you feel. I want you to be happy and she makes you happy. I know how lonely your life has been.’
‘Thank you, Kalrea,’ James said appreciatively. ‘Then you will also know I love you, too.’
‘I know, James; I know.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
James was impatiently pacing around the bridge of the Aurora, with his head bowed, waiting for Londuo. They were now nearing Dagnamk, and he listened to the ship to ship communications being relayed over the Aurora’s address system.
James stopped when Londuo entered the room. They looked at each other for a moment before James rushed over to her.
‘I was so worried,’ James said, embracing her.
The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Page 21
