Thank the stars for the sonic emitter hidden on the planet eons ago. When the FTL failed, the navigational system was corrupted. Drawing on ancient memories, he had sent out a search signal for the emitter and received a response. The emission was weak but still functioned well enough to guide them into the proper quadrant.
The invasion that he had been convinced would fulfill Master Po's prediction had turned out to be a disaster. Thus, there must still be another battle in his future. He considered the five ships he had held back from the attack fleet. They didn't amount to much, but it was enough to begin rebuilding his army. In time, he would return. In time, the humanoids and this planet would cease to exist.
Meanwhile, he intended to learn everything there was to know about this enemy before striking again. Fortunately the Velid ability to morph into whatever being they saw was the perfect tool to accomplish that goal. He didn't need an army for that phase.
All he needed were a few soldiers hiding in plain sight.
* * *
Celebrations were carried on in every nation of Heart for weeks, despite the fact that the citizens learned that men had been primarily responsible for their salvation. It had been an overwhelming victory without a single weapon being fired by anyone on Heart. The Earth crossovers were now heroes and heroines, and the media dubbed them "The Guardians."
Eventually the excitement dwindled and the time came to discuss the future with Parisia. A meeting was set up with her, Iris, Brianne and the original twenty members of the defense team.
"There is no question about your having more than fulfilled your part of our bargain," Parisia said. "But we would like to make you a new offer. We need you here on Heart. Surely you can understand that. If you would agree to remain here, in the positions of Guardians, we would make sure your lives were rewarding and comfortable.
"We believe if we acted quickly, we could even find mates for each of your men. A few women have acknowledged their willingness to live with one of Heart's heroes and make certain adjustments rather than learn how to be a heroine themselves."
"What about the other Earth men on the farm?" Logan asked.
Parisia was surprised by his question. "I suppose they could be brought over as well, but they have been taking the antidote for many years. They may only be capable of servitude at this point."
Tarla glanced at Logan and gave him a discreet wink, then said, "Your offer is very kind and we do see your need. We'll discuss it amongst ourselves and present it to the other men, but I seriously doubt if there will be more than a handful of people interested in staying. Going home is all anyone's talked about since the battle."
Parisia closed her eyes for a moment and appeared to be in some discomfort. Iris touched her hand and Parisia composed herself again. "I am very sorry that so many are looking forward to returning to Earth. I truly wish you could."
"What do you mean?" Tarla asked warily. "Don't you intend to hold to your part of the bargain after everything we did for you?"
Parisia's expression was deeply troubled as she slowly shook her head. "It is not a matter of intention. We do not possess the technology to send you back."
"But you said you did!"
"How dare you!"
"You manipulative bitches!"
Iris clapped her hands to stop the insults before the Earth group decided to up their verbal abuse to a physical attack. "Enough! No lies were told! We merely promised to allow you to return. We never said we knew how to do it. You came to that conclusion on your own."
Before any of the Earth group could shake off their bewilderment, Parisia made another promise. "I will assign a team of our scientists to devote their full time to the problem, commencing tomorrow."
Iris added, "We have made one observation that could be of use."
Everyone gave her their attention.
"The appearance of the second sun is sporadic and does not always precede a crossover event, so it would seem to have no connection. However, without exception, whenever a crossover occurs, there is always a second sun."
Geoffrey shrugged. "We were told that when we first arrived, though the source was hardly reliable. I suppose it could be relevant. But I will insist our people work with your scientific team to be certain progress is being made."
Parisia nodded in agreement.
"And you offered to free the men," Tarla reminded her.
"Yes, I will. Except for those involved in the attempted takeover."
"And you will permit them to choose mates?" Geoffrey asked.
"If they choose willing women," Iris amended. "Details will have to be worked out to everyone's satisfaction."
Logan still looked skeptical. "Freedom from the farm won't mean much if we have to behave as servants."
Parisia paused a moment before responding. "Earth men will be granted the special status of Guardians and protection of our planet will be their responsibility. They will not be medicated in any way as long as they obey our laws."
They spent the rest of the day discussing ways to best integrate the Earth men into Heart society with the least amount of disruption, but the problems facing them were too numerous to solve in a single day.
Before Parisia left, she called Tarla aside. "There is another deception I must confess to." She put her hand in her pocket and brought out a tiny velvet bag. Discreetly passing it to Tarla, she explained, "I have had this since you arrived. Because it was determined to be a device rather than jewelry, I decided to hold onto it. I don't know if it is of any use to you here, but I thought you might still like to have it back."
Tarla's eyes widened when she peeked inside the bag and saw her Innerworld ring. She had to fight the urge to give the delicate woman a huge hug of gratitude. Instead, she slipped the bag into her own pocket and respectfully bowed her head.
* * *
That evening, after Logan and Tarla were finally alone, he asked, "Disappointed?"
"Of course. I'm disappointed that Parisia tricked us. I guess I can't blame her though. In this case, the end truly justified the means. I'm also disappointed that I can't take you to Innerworld yet, but I have faith that wherever we are, it's where we're supposed to be." She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.
Logan knew exactly what she meant. After all the lonely years, he'd finally found the place where he belonged—in Tarla's arms.
And it was time he showed her how much her love truly meant to him. He took her hands from his waist and guided her to the cube couch. "Sit. Please."
She eyed him curiously but sat down.
He paced back and forth twice before explaining. "I've given this a lot of thought and I've finally made a decision. Once in a while when I wake up in the morning the mental block between us is down. I recognize what it is now and I don't get freaked out, but it's really hard to deal with. I mean, I can't think of any one thing because there's so much mess in my brain."
When he saw the worried expression on Tarla's face, he quickened his speech. "But there was also this unbelievably good feeling because I could feel you inside me... and I loved that part. You once said you could teach me how to put the block up myself. Can you also teach me to manage having two brains at the same time?"
Her broad smile and head bobbing assured him she could. But when she started to rise, he held up a finger. "Stay." Only because he said it with a grin did she let the order stand.
"And if you teach me to put the block up will I be able to keep a secret from you?"
Skipping over what his speech implied, she asked, "What kind of secrets?"
"Secrets like this one." He took a small box out of his pocket and knelt down at her feet. "I know you believe we are already joined as one, but you know that wasn't the way I wanted a commitment from you. Maybe I'm a little old-fashioned, but I still believe two people being bonded for life should be a little more romantic. So here goes.
"Tarla Yan, I love you with all my heart, my body and my mind and I want to spend the rest of
forever with you by my side and in my head. I'm ready to accept all the things that go along with us being joined according to your customs, but I would consider myself the luckiest man on Earth, Heart and every other planet in the universe, if you would accept the Terran custom of being my wife. Will you marry me?" He opened the box and showed her a small ring made of Heart's reflective, pink metal.
Tears welled up in Tarla's eyes and she was suddenly so choked up, she couldn't utter a sound.
Logan swiped a teardrop from her cheek with his thumb. "I actually need an answer for this to work. Unless you'd rather I tickle it out of you."
With a squeal, she launched herself toward him with such force they both landed on the floor. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I will marry you, Logan McKay." She held out her left hand and he slid the ring on her finger.
She hugged him so tight, he tickled her ribs to get her to loosen her hold.
"Are you certain about the mind-melding?" she asked as seriously as she could manage under the circumstances.
"Absolutely."
She sat up, suddenly filled with energy. "We could get started right now if you'd like."
He rose, pulled her to her feet then picked her up. "Tomorrow will be soon enough. We have much more important things on our agenda for the rest of tonight, like carrying you over the threshold and consummating our marriage and having a honeymoon."
As he closed and locked the bedroom door behind them, she was more than willing to do things the Terran way.
Epilogue
Innerworld, Terra Date 2059 A.D.
Roman Locke ordered himself to relax, unclench his jaws and open his fists.
Drek! He was a grown man. The two-year apprenticeship he'd just completed certified him as a tracker who could take on solitary assignments. So why did a request for a meeting with his parents make him feel like a little boy waiting for permission to go play?
Yes, they were the Co-Governors of Norona's most important colony. But here, in the home where he'd grown up, they were still just Mother and Father. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder if they were keeping him waiting to remind him of their ability to control his future, regardless of his maturity.
Fairly certain they'd requested this meeting to discuss his potential career choices and, knowing they couldn't possibly want him heading in the direction he'd already chosen, he had his valid arguments ready to present.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, darling," Aster said as she rushed into the sitting room and kissed her son on the forehead.
Romulus gave his son's hand a brief but firm shake. "Have you had dinner yet?"
"Actually, I thought you just wanted to talk for a few minutes, so I made plans. What's going on?"
"Pretty much what we predicted. Outerworld is in chaos, so naturally we have to make daily adjustments in schedules. The Outerworld treaties were signed nearly a year ago but there are still plenty of skirmishes and disagreements over boundaries. Our emissaries are on constant alert—"
"And they are doing an incredible job of keeping us posted," Aster continued. "But there are simply not enough of them to be at all the hot spots all the time."
"What about the one who used to work for you?" Roman asked.
Romulus's expression darkened. "Tarla Yan. Not only was she my assistant, she was a very good friend. They never found a trace of the aircraft she was on. It's still a complete mystery." He sighed and shook his head. "She was an exceptional emissary and extremely courageous. Right now we could use at least a hundred more like her, instead we were just informed of transfer requests from four more emissaries in key positions. None of them had signed on for hazardous duty."
Aster glanced at Romulus then said, "There's also talk of the Americas undergoing a major political realignment to balance out the China Compromise. It could be the answer but we really need more eyes and ears to make sure we have the opportunity to intercede if it becomes necessary."
Despite the Noronian laws regarding non-interference with the Terran culture, Roman was aware of several instances when interference had been necessary to save the planet. One of those instances had involved his parents.
He saw the two of them share another glance and knew they were having a telepathic conversation, made possible by their joining. His sister, Shara, was able to read minds and send silent suggestions to whomever she wished. But he'd never developed any telepathic or other exceptional mental abilities.
"Your mother has suggested that we are unnerving you and I should get to the point. Have you given thought to which career path you'd like to follow?"
Roman had expected at least another half-hour discussion of public matters before getting to the private one he was dreading. "Of course. I've given several paths serious consideration."
"Was being an Outerworld emissary one of them?" Aster asked bluntly.
Roman's eyes widened with surprise. Did they already know? He did a quick mental scramble to deliver his convincing points. "I know you were hoping I'd get on an administrative track, but—"
Romulus interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "Understand, we both would be thrilled if you chose to follow any path that kept you nearby. But as Governors, we must always consider what is best for Norona."
Aster smiled, albeit somewhat shakily. "We've been told how skilled and creative you are and, obviously, no one knows better than we do how exceptional you are in a number of other ways." She sighed and directed the conversation back to her mate.
"What we were thinking, if it's acceptable to you, is to appoint you as a transient emissary in Outerworld. It's a bit unusual but considering the current shortage it seems to be a reasonable solution. Rather than be assigned to a specific station with an established cover, you could be moved to wherever an observer was needed most. Obviously, your unique abilities would be a major advantage in those situations."
Roman could hardly believe his ears! They had just offered him exactly what he wanted without his having to deliver a word of his prepared argument. Suddenly he realized this was far too easy. "You knew, didn't you?"
His father shrugged; his mother smiled and said, "Of course. All you've ever wanted to do was be like Falcon and we knew we couldn't force you to hide your, uh, unique abilities forever. Though you might not believe it, your father and I can be very logical at times, especially where your happiness is concerned."
Roman rose and gave them both warm hugs that left no doubt about how happy he was. Not only was he going to be an Outerworld emissary, he was being given permission to use his special talents in his work.
Finally, after years of existing in the shadow of his politically powerful parents, Roman Locke was free to start living life on his own terms. Acknowledging how hard this was for them however, he made a silent promise to repay them by solving the mystery of Tarla Yan's disappearance.
The End
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Page forward for an excerpt from
ROMAN
Innerworld Affairs Series
Book Six
Excerpt from
ROMAN
Innerworld Affairs Series
Book Six
by
Marilyn Campbell
USA Today Bestselling Author
Roman stared at the door to Erin's townhouse as though the answer to his dilemma were written across it. Since the last light had been turned off an hour ago, he had no doubt she was asleep by n
ow. He could slip in, locate the cryptocube and be gone without leaving a trace of his visit. If she happened to wake up, she still wouldn't know he was there as long as he maintained his invisible mode.
Or would she?
He had already detected that she sensed something every time he had gotten close to her. And his tracker training kept telling him she was more than simply an intuitive Terran female. Then again, he found her so appealing, there was the possibility that he was subconsciously doing something to attract her attention.
He imagined his trainer, Falcon, frowning with disapproval and he stopped wasting time. The next second he switched from invisible to incorporeal long enough to pass through the wooden door into Erin's unlit foyer. It was times like this when he wished he had Falcon's gift of night-vision, or even his sister's telepathic abilities, but he had to work with the one unique gift he had.
As soon as his eyes adjusted to the near-darkness, Roman quickly scanned the entire downstairs, not really expecting to find the cube so easily. As he started up the stairs, he heard muffled cursing then the sounds of rushing water. He grinned. This was even better than her being asleep. At the doorway to the master bedroom, he hesitated a moment to make sure she was taking a shower.
As soon as he stepped inside her room, his gaze was caught by the rumpled sheets on the large bed. Then he noticed the distinct scent of sexual activity. He had seen her go into the house alone and hadn't considered the possibility of her having a partner waiting for her. The professional part of his brain both scolded him for the oversight and acknowledged how her being distracted, along with the noise of the shower, would give him an advantage in his search. Unfortunately, the only things of interest he discovered were a recently-used, electronic phallus on her nightstand and a collection of sexual aids in the drawer. Though the search for the cube turned out to be futile, the personal part of his brain demanded he hang around to see what sort of individual earned Erin's intimate attentions.
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