by Zara Zenia
"If you mean your brothers, their wives, your nieces and nephew, your father, and half of the UEG, yes." She chuckled. "We've been worried about you and no one knew where you were. Who are Jenny and Brett?"
I chuckled with her. "Friends I met here in Miami. Dr. Brett Maverick and his wife Jenny found me near death in my transport and brought me to their home to care for me. They were worried that there had been a mutiny on my ship, I think." I grinned at the thought of Darlib and Fellnix turning mutinous against me. "I have since relayed what actually happened. I am glad you are all right. I was worried about you."
"I'm fine now, we'll talk about all of that when you get back here. Where are you? Your brothers are wanting to come get you."
"One moment," I said into the phone. "Jenny?" I called. She had left the room as soon as I started talking on the phone.
"Coming." I saw her blurry figure move back into the room a moment later. "What can I get you?"
"Can you tell me where we are so my brothers can come get me?"
"Of course." She gave me the address.
I relayed it to Laurie. "Will you come as well? I want to introduce you to Jenny."
"Try and stop me," she said, and I could hear her happiness in her voice.
"Laurie?" I said into the phone.
"Yes, Rawklix?" Her voice sounded breathy and beautiful to my ears.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Rawklix. I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Bye," I said, feeling my heart relax at her words.
"Are they on their way?" Jenny asked.
"Yes, they will be here in a few minutes. I should get up."
"Careful now, your injuries are still healing." She rushed over to my side and wrapped an arm around my side.
"I owe you and Brett my life, thank you," I said standing up fully.
"Well, it was our pleasure. You've been a fairly easy patient to care for, honestly." She laughed. "Come on, lets get you into the living room where you can sit until they get here. It would be best if you stayed off your feet as much as possible until those cuts in your calves heal more. Brett stitched them up, but it's going to be at least two weeks before they are even close to coming out."
"I'll be careful." I didn't want to tell her that the healer on my ship would have me fixed faster than she could say pickles. Well at least my injured cuts, I wasn't so sure about my sight; that might just need to heal on its own, but Lyndrix, my healer would know for sure.
The doorbell rang and Jenny's blurry form popped up off the sofa. "That will be your ride," she said. I heard the door open and she said, "Hello, please, come in."
"Rawklix!" Laurie said and then she was wrapping her arms around me and kissing my face. "Thank God you are all right!"
I wrapped a hand around her waist and grunted as she leaned on one of the cuts. I kissed her back and smiled. "I missed you."
"Did I hurt you?" She pulled back and moved off of my thigh.
"I'm fine."
"He's not healed yet," Jenny put in. "He's got about one-hundred and fifty stitches over all in his arms, legs and across his abdomen. His vision is still blurry, but Brett says it should return to normal within the week."
"A hundred and fifty stitches!" Laurie gasped.
"I'm fine, I promise," I assured her.
"Sure you are, tough guy," Jenny said with a laugh. "Make sure he takes it easy, would you?" she said.
"We'll make sure he does as the doctor orders," Lortnam replied.
I hadn't even realized he'd come into the house. I blinked in the direction I thought he was in. "Can you help me out to the transport, Lortnam?"
"Come on, Jin, let's get the patient out of Mrs. Maverick's hair. Thank you again for caring for him. The Trilyn are in your debt."
"Oh, it was my pleasure. Prince Rawklix has been a blessing on our community."
Laurie moved from my side, and Lortnam took her place, and then Jinurak moved to my other side. Together, they helped me to stand, but then lifted me up between them. I wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders to hold myself steady.
"Thanks again, Jenny," I said as we moved outside.
"You're welcome, Prince Rawklix."
"I'm Laurie, by the way, thank you so much for taking care of him. Can I get your number?" I heard Laurie say as we headed toward the transport. "Just incase we need you or Dr. Maverick?"
"Sure," Jenny said and rattled off her phone number. "Make sure he rests and drinks plenty of fluids and stays off of his feet, those deep cuts aren't going to heal if he is moving about too much."
"I will," Laurie replied. "Thank you," she said, moving back toward me and the transport.
My brothers settled me into the seat and then Laurie climbed in next to me. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled into my side. All the activity had me exhausted and as the transport lifted up, I fell asleep.
Chapter 21
Laurie
The past four days had been extremely stressful. I'd learned a lot from Kelly and Mei who'd been researching me and my past, but at the time I hadn't really cared. I'd been too worried about Rawklix and what happened to him. The UEG had gone into the Castle and the lab, seizing everything they could, but it seemed Nora had done a thorough cleaning job on all electronic equipment at the Castle and everything at the lab in Cutler Bay had been destroyed in the fire. Nora was in the wind and we'd had no idea if she'd captured Rawklix or not. No one had seen him or Nora. Or if they had, they weren't saying.
Rawklix's call to Fellnix had been a relief. When I saw him sitting on that couch, in only a pair of sweat pants, bandages on his stomach and arms, I about lost it, but all I wanted to do was hold him and kiss him. Now we were back at his home and he was sitting in the medical bay as Lyndrix scanned him, healing each of the cuts Thornbush had inflicted on him and Dr. Maverick had stitched up.
"The Human doctor did an adequate job, for such primitive medical knowledge. We really should share our healing technology with them," Lyndrix said as he closed the last wound with the scanner in his hand.
"I've been thinking about it," Rawklix replied. "It would save a lot of lives."
"The Humans are such fragile creatures. And those contraptions they drive around, so hazardous to their bodies, and yet they still take only rudimentary measures to keep themselves safe in them." Lyndrix shook his head.
"They are a young species," Rawklix agreed.
I frowned, listening to them. "You know, we may not be as advanced as the Trilyn, but I think we do pretty well. Everything I've read says that cars have been improving in safety measures. And yeah, our bodies are fragile, but we have great medical doctors that do their very best to save lives daily."
Rawklix smiled and took my hand. "We did not mean it in a disparaging way, I promise. Only that your planet is still quite young in comparison to ours and others. I know Father promised tech to the world leaders for allowing us to stay here and find women we were compatible with, but I think he was merely considering the basics of advancement. What Lyndrix and I are talking about would be more advanced technology."
"Who's talking technology without me?" Akrawn asked, sticking his head in the door with a smile.
"We were just discussing giving the medical community here on Earth the healing technology we've got," Rawklix answered. He blinked his eyes at Akrawn, and I knew he still couldn't see very well.
"How much can you see?" I asked, hoping Lyndrix would be able to do something about his eyesight like he had for his other wounds.
His head turned toward me, and his smile grew. "You look like a fuzzy green blur topped with spun gold." He chuckled.
I shook my head. "Lyndrix, can you do anything about his sight?"
"What exactly caused the loss of sight, my Prince?"
"The AI who attacked me had lasers. I was pretty close to them, though the lasers missed hitting me, I stared directly into the light. Dr. Maverick said it would come back within a week or so. Anything you can do to spee
d up that process?"
"I see, I think I may be able to repair the damage done to your corneas. It is made of several protective layers that safeguard the inner parts of the eye. It seems the laser may have damaged numerous layers, which will regenerate over time normally, however, I think I can speed the process up, I just need a little while to make some calculations and adjust the healing scanners."
"Excellent. Then if you are going to be a while, may I borrow Laurie and Rawklix for a little while?" Akrawn said.
"Of course, my Prince." Lyndrix nodded.
I wrapped my arm around Rawklix's waist and helped him down. "How do you feel?" I asked.
"Pretty good now, almost back to normal." He smiled and pulled me close to his side. "I am so glad you are here. I cannot wait to show you everything."
I laughed. "I am looking forward to it."
"First I need the two of you to come with me." Akrawn's face was lit up as if he were hiding some massive secret from us.
"We're coming, what's the rush?" Rawklix asked. "Did you find Nora?"
He shook his head. "No, but now we have a better chance of finding her."
"What are you talking about?" Rawklix asked.
We took the elevator down to the floor where Rawklix's living quarters were. I had been staying on the same floor, just one door down. I hadn't felt right sleeping in Rawklix's bed, so I'd asked Fellnix if there was another room I could use. He'd set me up next door in what he'd called the Princess suite. The first day I'd gotten here, Agent Yadav had his agents bring all my things from the Tower, which thankfully had been left alone. I supposed Nora didn't think anything there would be worth her time. So I had clothes and my treasures, and the laptop, which I had given over to the Agents to go through to see if they could use it to find Nora.
So far they hadn't been able to track anything on her. I had to wonder if they'd managed to find a lead buried in the data files. "Did you find something on my computer?"
Akrawn shook his head. "No, better than that." He pushed the button for the door to Rawklix's rooms to open and guided us inside.
"Son, it is good that you have been returned to us safely."
"Father?" Rawklix said, squinting at him.
"His sight is still fuzzy."
The King nodded and moved to hug Rawklix. "Still it is good to have you back. I am sure Lyndrix will have your sight restored soon."
"Thank you, Father," Rawklix answered with a smile.
"Miss Laura, at last."
I hadn't even noticed Colonel Weiss was here! I let go of Rawklix and rushed over to him. "Colonel! I was worried about you!" I wrapped my arms around his broad metal chest. "How did you get here?"
"You can thank Agent Yadav for my arrival here. I went to the police station to look for you, but it seems not only was I too late, I was also at the wrong station. I went south, after I firebombed the lab, traveling on foot, keeping to the shadows because I did not wish Ms. Morse to find me. It took me two days to reach the station. You apparently went north to a different station and connected with Agent Yadav."
"You firebombed the lab?" I gasped. "Why?"
"I wanted to destroy Thornbush and I didn't want Ms. Morse to discover I had gone missing."
"Well, thank you for your help in escaping, Colonel. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't."
"It was my pleasure, Miss Laura. I only wish I could have gotten you out earlier." He paused and then said, "I must explain. I tried to return your memories to you, but it seemed that they weren't coming back for the longest while, and then you began to tell me of your dreams. The ones on the farm and I knew for a fact that Ms. Morse had kidnapped you, up until then I only suspected."
"You gave me back some of my memories?"
"Indeed, Miss Laura, though I could not break down the entire barrier in your mind, I was able to crack it enough for some of your memories to break through. I hope over time they all will return to you."
"Thank you, Colonel," I said hugging him again.
"I think perhaps Lyndrix may also be able to develop something to help you regain the rest of your memories," Rawklix said.
I gasped. "Do you really think so? That would be wonderful!"
"Colonel, how long have you been sentient?" Akrawn asked.
"I have only been conscious for perhaps a year or two, I haven't always been. It was a struggle at first to figure out where my loyalty should lie once I could think for myself. And then I realized I could not share that I was alive with Miss Laura without Ms. Morse discovering it unless she knew that she wasn't really Ms. Morse's daughter." His eyes turned blue for a moment and grew bright. "Once you began to communicate with Prince Rawklix, and became more aware of my being alive, I knew I needed to help you get away from Ms. Morse."
"I am glad you did," I said, looking from him to Rawklix.
"I am in your debt as well, Colonel," Rawklix commented.
"Considering that, Prince Rawklix, I have a request."
Rawklix's eyebrows shot upwards. "You do?"
"Yes. I wish to remain with Miss Laura, she is who I am loyal to, you see."
"I would like that too, Colonel," I said.
"You are welcome to stay with us as long as you'd like, Colonel."
"Very good, sir." He nodded his metal head, his eyes turning a bright blue again through the visor.
"Colonel, why do your eyes change from white to blue sometimes?" I asked, curious.
Colonel Weiss laughed. "I had hoped you would notice that when I made them blue, I was trying to show you that I was alive without telling you. I like the blue. I think I want to keep them blue."
"You can keep your eyes as blue as you want, Colonel," I replied.
"Now that we have that out of the way," Akrawn began, clapping his hands together, "Colonel, we have some pressing questions for you."
"Of course, Prince Akrawn, anyway I can be of help."
Fellnix came into the room from the kitchen. "My Prince, Lyndrix is ready for you now."
"Thank you, Fellnix. Akrawn, I trust you do not need us any further?"
"No, little brother, go get your eyes fixed."
"I will see you later, Colonel," I said, smiling. "I'm so glad you are alright."
"I am glad you are well also, Miss Laura."
Rawklix wrapped an arm around my waist again and we returned to the lab.
Chapter 22
Rawklix
"Come in, my Prince," Lyndrix called from inside the med lab. "I have the scanners ready to repair your eyes."
"Excellent. I cannot wait to be able to see properly again."
"Have a seat right here, sir." He gestured I supposed, since Laurie guided me into the chair and then he settled something on my head that came down over my eyes. "Now, sir, keep your eyes open, don't blink."
"For how long?"
"It should only take a minute or two. Are you ready, sir?"
"Yes."
Laurie held my hands while the scanner worked its magic. "Is it working?" she asked.
"We'll know in a moment, Princess."
"But I'm not—"
"You will be soon enough, now, let's see if you can see, Prince Rawklix." He lifted the contraption off of my head.
I blinked. Laurie stood before me looking as beautiful as ever, her long golden hair was braided in one long plait down her back and she wore a bright green top with white capri pants. I smiled at the anxiousness on her face. "I can see how absolutely lovely you are today," I said.
She relaxed and her lips curved up in a grin. "Thank God." She moved toward me, bent over, and hugged me. "I've been worried."
I cupped her cheek. "I can see that." I leaned forward and kissed her lips softly. Standing up, I said, "Thank you, Lyndrix." I grinned. "I was wondering, Nora apparently built a barrier in Laurie's mind against her past, effectively 'wiping her mind.' Colonel Weiss was able to crack the barrier, but not remove it, is there anything you can do?"
"Interesting," Lyndrix said, his hand goi
ng to his chin. "I think I may be able to, it will take me some time to come up with the correct algorithm and I'll need some brain scans. Would you like to take care of that part now?"
I looked at Laurie who nodded.
"Then, come over here, Princess, and lie down, right here. You'll need to be very still while the scanner takes it's pictures and measures your brainwaves. I will need to ask you some questions while you are in the scanner."
"Alright." Laurie laid down on the cushioned medical bed.
"Now, just close your eyes and we will begin. What is your name?"
"Laura Mor—" she started and then changed her answer to, "Laurie Forrester."
"Very good. Where do you currently live?"
"I don't know, I did live at the Tower, but now I suppose I live here, with Rawklix."
"That's fine, I am just seeing where the information is lighting up different parts of your brain. Now, tell me what you know of your past."
"I lived on a farm in Nebraska. I have a brother named Daniel—"
"Stop please. This is information you were given just recently. I need one of the memories you recovered through the crack in the barrier. Can you recall one of those?"
I reached for her hand and squeezed it.
"Yes, I remember meeting two friends and going to my neighbor's apple orchard. I wanted to bake an apple pie for Mama's birthday. I was nine. My hair was long and brown."
"There it is," Lyndrix said. "Excellent. I think that is all I need." He turned the machine off.
I helped Laurie up. "Is that all you need for now, Lyndrix?"
"Yes, my Prince."
"Then if you will excuse us, there are some things I want to show Laurie."
"Enjoy your day, my Prince, Princess. I will have something ready to break down that barrier soon."
"Thank you, Lyndrix," Laurie replied.
Together we left the lab and I took her up to the top floor of my ship. I wanted to show her the meditation garden and tell her all of the things we had discovered about her past. The things I'd wanted to share with her when I was attacked.
