by Zara Zenia
When his com-badge beeped a second time, he pulled the emitter and tossed it against the hull of the ship. Without wasting any time, he pulled hard left on the controls while firing his rear blazers and closing his eyes, blinding the two ships on his tail.
One thing Barsork was better at than any other Xicret was air fighting. He had trained with the most elite of pilots throughout the years, having always found space a more comfortable surrounding than the harsh planet of Xicret.
Barsork adjusted quickly and pulled a sharp reverse dive coming up behind the two security planes. He fired three simultaneous frequency burst and a compact laser before either of the security pilots had regained their sight. The fight was over before the other pilots even knew one had begun.
With his path chosen, there was no turning back. Barsork quickly scanned the sensor reading of the nearby systems, knowing that he only had minutes before another security team caught up with him.
Glancing back at Betty’s still sleeping body he put in the calculations and flew to warp. Barsork’s eyes caught the briefest glance of an approaching ship just before his engines engaged and he knew he had made it just in time.
He wouldn’t have long before a search was started, but at least now he had a head start. An hour later, his sensors went down and Barsork flew into action. He hadn’t considered that Carzon would go this far and now he was out of time once again. Only in an extreme planet wide emergency could a Xicret leader take control of the inflight ships.
Only once in Xicret history had the deed ever been done, and that had occurred during the rebellion nearly three thousand years in the past. Carzon had grown powerful indeed if he dared to risk such an action. Regardless of how, Barsork now had no control. If Carzon chose to turn the ship around there would be nothing he could do. Barsork also knew that his brother could just as easily destroy the ship as turn it around.
Even worse though was that Carzon would be able to read the sensors and know exactly where they were. Barsork moved as quickly as possible and did the only thing he could think of, he put his com-badge back on.
“Wolfban perimeter, this is Xicret three. This ship is carrying an asylum refugee and has been captured by enemy forces. Shoot to kill, repeat shoot to kill.”
Barsork waited expectantly and several seconds later breathed a sigh of relief.
“Xicret three, prepare to surrender in sixty seconds or be destroyed.”
Barsork clicked the com-badge. “Destroy me if you must, Wolfban, I will not yield.”
As soon as the message was sent, Barsork was moving. Sixty seconds wasn’t very much time and he was only going to get one chance at this.
Wolfban had long been the planet for riffraff, refugees, and deserters. Many years earlier, Barsork had worked the perimeter on Wolfban and learned of the codes.
Barsork had just told them that he was hiding from the Xicret government with a refugee and that they had been discovered. He had just given them orders to destroy his ship.
With his last forty-five seconds, Barsork pulled Betty into his arms and set the portal pod on a false course. If he played his cards right it would look as if he tried to escape and was destroyed.
With fifteen seconds to go, Barsork opened the panel at the base of the ship and lowered themselves into the cargo hold. He grabbed the transponder chip off the wall and compressed the button just as the walls of the ship were hit with radian beams.
Three seconds later, Barsork lowered Betty’s limp body to the floor and held his hands up to the Wolfban Perimeter team.
“Cutting it a little close, don’t you think?” a voice called from behind the team.
Barsork smiled in spite of himself. He recognized the voice from his year of service. “I had plenty of time, Ven.”
The two shook hands and Ven looked at Betty questioningly.
“Your refugee I take it?” Ven asked.
Barsork nodded. “She’s more than that, Ven. I don’t know how well she’ll like me when she finds out what I’ve done.”
Ven nodded again. “We’ll set her up in the med camp for now. I have to say, Barsork, I expected to see you a month ago.”
Barsork stopped in his tracks. “Why would you have been expecting me?” he asked.
“Didn’t you get my messages, Barsork? I’ve been sending them out on encoded channels for three months now.”
Barsork grabbed the arm of a Wolfban medic. “If anything happens to her, I’ll skin you alive and feed your carcass to the gwivers.”
The medic swallowed hard and nodded as he lifted Betty’s small frame and moved her carefully to the medic camp.
“I never got any message, Ven,” Barsork continued after watching Betty leave. “I’ve been stationed on Earth for a while now. I’ve been on penance for Carzon, running abductions for his auction house.”
Ven grabbed Barsork’s arm forcefully and pulled him to the side. “I wouldn’t say that too loud around here, Barsork. There are a great many who would kill you simply for knowing Carzon right now. The auction house is why I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.
“Barsork, a group of women escaped from Xicret months ago and were smuggled here by a trader I know. If even a tenth of the things they say are true, then this auction house is more deadly than anything we’ve had to face in over a thousand years or more.
“Barsork, please tell me you are not helping this auction house, because I cannot harbor you here if you are. It would mean my head.”
Barsork swallowed and glanced around making sure no one was within hearing range. “Ven, I had no choice. I got caught spying on Carzon during an auction and it was either help him or be killed. I knew I could not help anyone if I were dead.
“The people of Earth are truly a disgrace, Ven. I helped reluctantly and against my will at first, but then I helped because I needed to believe that I was doing the right thing. That girl in there is Betty. I think I am in love with her.
“It is because of her that I knew I could not stay and help any longer. I tried to play my hand casually, but Carzon is always one step ahead of me. I killed two of his guard ships before fleeing here.”
Ven whistled lowly. “I won’t lie to you, Barsork. This complicates things. The women here have been through a great deal, and they will not take kindly to having you amongst them. However, I know in your heart you are a good man. If you can help these women, and help to destroy your brother Carzon, than I will risk allowing you to stay.”
Barsork clapped a hand on Ven’s back. “Consider my help given. Believe me, I want my brother destroyed just as much as anyone else. Maybe even more. If he has his way, he would rule the galaxy with an iron fist, and all would bend to his will. No people, or planet, or system should be ruled by such a man.”
Barsork and Ven talked for several more hours and then at last a medic popped his head into the office where Barsork sat chatting with his old friend. “I am sorry to interrupt, but Miss Betty has awoken, and she is quite upset. I have sent for some of the women to help calm her, but I thought perhaps you could help.”
Barsork rose immediately and followed the medic outside and to the camp. He could hear Betty’s screams from some distance away and he quickened his steps. When he came face to face with her, he couldn’t help but see the terror in her eyes and the wild look of disbelief on her face.
Barsork gently took her by her arms as he tried to calm her down. “Betty, it’s ok. No one is going to hurt you. You’re safe here. Please calm down.”
Betty pulled away and looked at Barsork with hate filled eyes. “What have you done to me? Where am I?”
Barsork nodded his head to the medics and they quickly filed out leaving him alone with Betty. He held out his hand and waited patiently until at last Betty slowly took a step forward and put her hand in his. He led her back to her bed and helped her to sit down and then he took a seat beside her.
“Betty, I will tell you everything and I will leave nothing out, but you must try to believe me and understand
.”
Betty slowly nodded her head, the look of fear in her eyes unmistakable. Barsork told his story from start to finish leaving nothing out and whether from disbelief or shock, Betty did not interrupt.
When he finished he looked at her pleadingly. “Betty, I know this is a lot to take in, but my feelings for you are real. I have fallen for you and I cannot imagine a world without you in it. Please try.”
Betty stood slowly to her feet. “I want to see what you really look like. Your true self, not the human form you’ve taken on.”
Without hesitation, Barsork shed the restrained in his mind of the image he was projecting and revealed his true form to her. She gasped at the transition.
Betty looked at Barsork for the first time and her mind could barely retain the
information as truth. As terrified and confused as she was, though, something about him seemed almost more handsome than the man she had gotten to know. He stood tall and his deep blue skin rippled and changed hues with each subtle movement. His body was covered with tattoos, but unlike Earth tattoos, these seemed more a part of him, than an addition.
Without thinking about her actions, Betty stepped forward and touched Barsork’s bare chest with the tips of her fingers. His skin was smooth to the touch and yet she could feel the power and strength in him. He was a fighter for sure.
In his true form, he stood taller than he had as a human and Betty couldn’t help but admire him. His body rippled with muscles and she felt both intense attraction, and terror flow through her. She hesitantly stepped back pulling herself away from him.
“You should always be who you are, Barsork. You are a very handsome man.”
He smiled softly at her but did not respond.
“Barsork, I want to go home.”
She could see the impact of her words as they reflected in his eyes, but after several seconds he sighed and slowly nodded his head.
“I will take you back to Earth if that is truly your wish, but please give me a couple of days. The trip took a great deal of strength from you because your human body is not accustomed to space travel. You will need to build yourself back up again before attempting another trip.
“There are also things I wish to show you and tell you before you leave. Please Betty, two days and then if you still desire to leave I will send you on your way.”
Betty thought about what he said and saw the sincerity in his eyes. As afraid as she was, something inside of her wanted and needed to believe him. She couldn’t help but feel as though she still belonged with him.
“I’ll give you two days, Barsork. Then you must send me home.”
“I will do as you wish, Betty. I care about you too much to cause you any more harm. I will leave you now so you can rest. The people here will take care of you, but should you need anything just ask for me.”
Betty watched him turn and walked toward the exit and suddenly had a fear that she would never see him again. Without even thinking, she called out his name and he slowly turned. When he did she had an impulse to run to him and fling herself into his strong protective arms and feel the warmth of his kiss upon her.
“Will you come back?” she asked tentatively.
She saw his smile from across the room and her heart beat faster. “I’ll always come back to you, Betty. Get some rest and call for me when you are ready to venture outside.”
Betty sat back down on the bed, her mind racing with all the things she had just learned. As impossible as it all seemed, somehow she knew it to be true. She wanted so badly to trust Barsork, but everything was happening so fast and her mind was having difficulty putting all the pieces together.
Eventually she fell asleep and her dreams were centered on the perfect image of Barsork’s true form. In her dream she was very happy.
Chapter Eight
Betty
Betty awoke and stretched her arms above her head, momentarily forgetting where she was and how she had gotten there. When she glanced around, everything came swimming back and she had to take several deep breaths to keep herself calm.
A medic rushed to her side and she gasped at the site. She had never even contemplated the existence of aliens before and now she was face to face with them. The medic was very short with skin that looked like sandpaper and large eyes that never blinked.
“Do not be afraid,” the medic whispered. “No one here will hurt you. I just came to make sure you do not need anything.”
Betty sat up slowly. “How is it that you speak my language?” she asked curiously.
The medic smiled showing a large purple tongue and a mouth of very small round teeth. “Our communicators allow us to speak and understand any language within our data base, and Earth has been in our system for many, many years.”
Betty didn’t have the slightest understanding of what he was talking about, but nodded and smiled back anyway not wanting to give offense or appear dumb. The medic pointed to a small counter beside the bed.
“We have provided you with some fresh clothes, feet coverings, and a temporary communicator so that you can speak and listen to others on the planet as well. You will also find a Refugee badge granting you access to the planet, as well as an emitter in case of an emergency. Feel free to come and go as you please. My name is very long and difficult to pronounce so you may call me Tox.”
Betty stood slowly and went to the counter feeling somewhat overwhelmed. She had no idea what any of the devices did, let alone how to use them, but she certainly didn’t want to stay in the medical room any longer.
“Thank you, Tox. Can you tell me if a man named Barsork is around?”
Tox smiled again once more showing his purple tongue. “Of course. He has been most anxiously awaiting your presence. I will let him know that you are awake once more.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. Even though she was still somewhat angry with Barsork, and also frightened, at least he was someone familiar and deep down inside she felt like she could trust him, or at least she wanted to be able to trust him.
Tox shuffled out quickly leaving her alone to get dressed. Betty pulled on the soft clothes that had been left for her and almost cooed with delight. The fabric was unlike anything she had ever felt before and her skin tingled with the pleasure of it.
Although loose fitting, the material seemed to move exactly as she did seeming more like her own skin than clothing. In fact several times she had to look down to make sure she was, in fact, wearing clothes. The material was smooth and soft and almost fluid. The colors seemed to shift with her movements and she found herself wanting to dance around.
The shoes, if at all possible, were even better than the clothing. Once they were on her feet, they literally formed to her foot. She felt as though she were walking around barefoot even though she knew she was wearing the shoes. Like the clothes, the color of the shoes seemed to flow from one into the next with each subtle movement.
“How do you like them?”
Betty turned quickly to see Barsork looking at her and she couldn’t help but smile. “They are amazing. I’ve never felt so free before.”
Barsork laughed softly. “A creation of the Mehallen, a planet on the other side of this system. They are renowned for their craftsmanship in clothing as well as other things. Many species travel the galaxies in order to own a piece of Mehallen clothing.”
“I can see why,” Betty said as she twilled around once more.
Barsork smiled at the lightness in her. “You are most beautiful like this,” he said casually.
Betty stopped spinning and looked at him curiously. “What do you mean?” she asked.
Barsork came forward and ran his fingers through her hair. “Just as you are. Without the ideas of what you think you should be, but just your true self. Not the shape you wear for others.”
Betty stared into his eyes feeling somewhat confused. “Barsork, I am not like you. I don’t change my appearance. I am human.”
Barsork smiled gently. “No Betty, I think somet
imes you are more a shape shifter than I am. My species can become whatever image they choose, but we do so for our own purposes. Your species all walk around with someone else’s images on you, and only when alone do you sometimes become yourselves.”
Betty took a step back from him and thought about the ways in which she tried to look and act the way others wanted her too. She thought about her roommate Jenny and how she constantly plastered herself with makeup to look the part. Barsork was right, they did all walk around in other people’s skin.
“I like you best, when you are your true self,” Barsork repeated.
Betty smiled up at him feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world. “I like you better when you are your true self as well,” she replied.
Barsork helped Betty to put on her refugee badge, emergency emitter, and communicator.
“I would very much like to show you the planet.”
Betty took his hand and let him lead her out of the medical room and into the world.
She was instantly amazed at the brightness and beauty of the planet. Evening was setting and two moons of differing colors hung over the night sky surrounded by crystal stars that shone like diamonds. “Wow!” she whispered reverently.
“Every planet has its own beauty, but I have always liked Wolfban. I think it has something to do with purpose and intent.”
“What do you mean?” she asked as they walked.
Barsork pointed up to a strange symbol that seemed to reflect outward. “Wolfban is a sanctuary planet. It is home to refugees, drifters and political dissidents. Basically this is where people in the galaxy go when they have nowhere else to go.
“The Azu-Ban race run Wolfban because they believe that all species should have a place in the world. They hold no prejudices, no biases, and no allegiance other than to help others in need.
“Because of their beliefs they strive to fill the planet with as much comfort, safety and peace in the galaxy as possible. That is why they provide such clothing and why the temperature and weather here are controlled. The Azu-ban barter with other planets throughout the galaxy to provide the best of everything, without any form of cost to those seeking refuge.
