by T. J. Quinn
She wanted to assure her she could hear her and feel her, but she was still paralyzed.
“I don’t think so, sweetheart,” Jarcor replied, with such a sad tone, her heart ached even more.
‘I can hear you, love, I can hear you,’ she wished she could shout.
“I know she can,” Luciana insisted. “Bretdon told me there’s a private channel between every cyborg in the universe. I tried to access to his, but I couldn’t. Nevertheless, sometimes I had the feeling I was able to talk to you.”
“Yes, you have. I hadn’t mentioned it because I thought you were doing it unconsciously,” Jarcor confirmed it.
Sabrina had known about this, and she had agreed it was better for Luciana to find out on her own.
Luciana went silent for a few moments, and the next thing Sabrina felt was how she pulled the sheet off of her body and rested both her hands on her slightly curved belly.
A few moments later she felt Jarcor’s hands joining Luciana’s, but they were now silent, or at least, she couldn’t hear them. She started to feel a strange heat emanating from Luciana and Jarcor’s hands and soon that heat had covered her whole body, along with the same tickling sensation she always felt when Jarcor came inside it, but a lot stronger.
In no time, she started convulsing, more and more violently until she began to vomit the Drox liquid form. He puddled on the floor next to her hospital bed, and before he could harm anyone else, he muttered a few words and simply vanished into thin air.
Sabrina was so astonished by what had happened, it took her a few minutes to assimilate the fact she was pregnant and that her unborn child had just helped his father and sister to heal her.
The doctors had immediately scanned her, and the baby and other than feeling tired and a little low on energy, both her and the baby were as healthy as expected.
A couple of hours later, after Luciana had returned to Ophelia’s home and she was alone with Jarcor, she turned to look at him. He was sitting on a chair next to her bed.
“You should go home,” she suggested him. “You look as if you went to hell and back,” she teased him, with a faint smile.
“That’s exactly how I feel,” he assured her. “But I’m not going anywhere without you,” he added. “What happened in that chamber? What was that thing that came out of you?” he asked, rubbing his face.
She sighed and explained to him everything that had happened ever since she had entered the chamber.
“So, there are two more of those creatures?” he asked, startled.
“According to what they told me, yes, only two more of them. They told me their species had made very bad decisions that resulted in their extinction and they had been the only survivors,” she explained. “They had discovered a way to prolong their lives, but they didn’t know it would strand them at the stream.”
“So, they have been there for ages, waiting for someone to come along so they could use their bodies to live again?” he asked.
“Yes, exactly,” she sighed. “Once in a host body, they would be able to reproduce and bring their species back to life.”
“We have to stop them,” he pointed out, in a stern tone. “I’m aware this is their home planet, but they had their chance and ruined it. They aren’t coming back at the expenses of someone else’s life.”
“I totally agree with you,” she told him, sighing. “But we need to figure a way to get rid the other two without exposing anyone to being taken by them.”
“We just need to find a way to evaporate the pool they are in. For that, we need to find out where the stream comes out of the chamber and seal the exit, change its course out of the chamber and evaporate the liquid on the pool, where you said they were.”
“That sounds easier than it actually is. If they find out what you’re doing before it’s done, they will stop you. They might be stranded in the stream, but they are very strong and powerful,” she warned him.
“We’ll find a way. We’re not taking any chances, and after that, we’ll scan the planet for any other similar stream. I’m sure I can come up with a scanner able to avoid any deflecting system, and with a sample of the blue liquid, we’ll be able to locate any other spring.”
She nodded, closing her eyes. The small conversation had drained the rest of her energy.
“Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll be right here,” he suggested.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “I will, but you should too.”
“I’m not leaving you,” he assured her.
She moved in bed and made room for him. “Then, join me in bed. You need some rest too.”
With a smile, he did as told and when the doctor came to check on Sabrina, they were both sound asleep, apparently getting the rest they both needed.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sabrina was allowed to leave the hospital a couple of days later, and she was more than happy to go back home. Luciana was there waiting for her with John at her side. She had returned to the house the night before when Sabrina had been able to convince Jarcor she would be fine alone.
“Welcome home, mamma, we’ve prepared you a welcoming feast. I’m sure you must be tired of that awful food from the hospital,” the girl announced and Sabrina chuckled.
The food was tasteless, but it hadn’t been that bad. Ophelia, coming out of the house, laughed at her daughter’s words.
“I’m sure she is, Luciana. Hospital food is terrible everywhere,” she agreed, walking to Sabrina and hugging her. “Welcome home, girl. It was about time.”
Sabrina hugged her back. “Thank you, for everything,”
“Nothing to thank me for. The other girls are inside, waiting for you to start the feast Luciana prepared with John,” she told her, as she guided Sabrina inside, followed by Jarcor and Luciana. “Let me tell you, we’ll be bringing our androids for her to update. We’re amazed at what John can do now.”
The other women were in the living room along with their men, and Sabrina really felt she was home, surrounded by her family and friends. She hadn’t felt like that in years.
The welcome home party was excellent. Sabrina really enjoyed the occasion and the way they all celebrated her return to the house and the fact she was expecting another child.
By the time their guests left, she was tired but pleased.
The following morning, though, her happiness was clouded by the news Jarcor had for her.
“We’re going back to the ruins. It’s time we take care of the other two creatures,” he announced, with a somber tone.
She took a deep breath, barely controlling her urge to beg him to stay. “Please, promise me you’ll be careful. We have no idea how powerful these creatures are,” she asked him.
He nodded. “I’m going there with thirty men. Ten of them will block the water’s exit, others will change the course of the stream, and the rest of us will dry the pool,” he explained.
“How do you plan on doing that?” she asked, not very convinced.
We’ve studied the blue liquid composition, and we’ve discovered it will dry out easily if we add the right amount a kind of lime we found here.”
“Just be careful. Once they discover your presence there, they will try to get into you, no matter what,” she warned him, still worried.
He leaned over and cradled her face, grazing her lips with his. “Nothing will keep me from coming back to you and our family, believe me,” he assured her.
She kissed him back, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. “You better come back as soon as possible or by God, I’ll make your life a living hell, even in the afterlife,” she assured him, with a teasing smile, but they both knew she was only expressing her concern.
“I’ll be back.”
Jarcor left the house and met his men at the nearest docking bay. They would be using one of the vessels to get to the ruins as fast as possible. They wanted to get rid of the creatures threatening their homes.
“Remember, we need to act at the
same time and perfectly synchronized. Otherwise, the creatures will know we’re there and what we’re up to,” he told his men before they arrived at the ruins.
“Keep your lime bombs at hand at all times, in case they try to take over your bodies. I’m not sure that will kill the creature, but it will certainly slow him down,” Rafaroy added.
Though Jarcor had tried to only recruit men with no family ties, his friends had insisted on coming along with him. Khajal had pointed out they were the ones with more to lose if they weren’t able to get rid of the creatures.
Silently, they moved around the place, scanning it as deep as possible until they finally found the place where the stream joined the river nearby.
They studied the best way to block it, and when they figured it out, the other two groups headed to the chamber where the spring was. They entered as quietly as possible, but they knew the creatures would notice their presence. What they didn’t know was their purpose, and that should give them enough time to act and get rid of them.
As suspected, when they entered the chambers, the creatures rapidly appeared, rising from the blue pool.
“How dare you come here after you’ve slaughtered our brother?” one of the creatures roared.
“He shouldn’t have tried to harm my woman,” Jarcor replied in a stern tone, while his friends took their positions.
Rafaroy, leading the group that would change the course of the stream, discreetly studied the best way of doing it, considering the depth of the stream and its width.
Khajal and his men were outside waiting for their signal to block the stream’s exit.
The creature let out a scornful sound. “She should have been proud he had chosen her to be the carrier of his soul. A far superior being would live in her body,” he said, sliding over to where Jarcor and his men were standing. “But she will pay for her crime, there is no doubt of that.”
“And how exactly do you plan on doing that?” Jarcor mocked him, knowing he would infuriate the creature, but he didn’t care.
He wanted him as distracted as possible so that they could attack and get them by surprise.
“As soon as I take your body and leave this chamber,” the creature said, as he slid even closer to Jarcor.
That was the sign he had been waiting for. Outside, a deafening blast startled the creatures, followed by the one Rafaroy’s team produced as they made a huge crater on the floor next to the blue liquid’s spring, making it flow towards it and not the pool.
Confused and startled, the creatures stared at the events for a few moments before they realized what was happening. But when they did, it was too late for them. They charged towards Jarcor and one of his men, but they were waiting for them with the lime bombs ready to attack.
The rest of the group was rapidly dumping the huge sacs of lime they had carried inside the chambers while the creatures had been busy arguing with Jarcor.
As they had suspected, the bombs didn’t kill them, but they did a good job at stopping them for a few seconds, but by the time they recovered from the attack of the bombs, the lime had done its job, and the pool was now completely dry.
Roaring their rage, the creatures tried to attack Jarcor, but his men had been prepared for it, and in just a matter of seconds, a shower of lime bombs landed on them, and with the pool dry, this time, they were able to get rid of creatures.
But Jarcor wanted to be sure they wouldn’t find a way to resuscitate, so he ordered his men to pick up all of the lime, bag it and take it to outer space, where they should dump it. He wasn’t taking any risks.
After that and after a thorough cleaning of the area, they restored the stream’s course and sealed the chamber, just in case.
Victorious, they headed back to the city and Jarcor rushed home, eager to see Sabrina and Luciana.
His women received him with cheers of happiness, and he felt he was finally at home. He had never felt this feeling so strongly, and it felt better than he had ever expected.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The following days, life returned to its usual course. Being the oldest cyborg child on the planet, Luciana didn’t have many choices when making friends. Fortunately, she met Alanna, Rafaroy’s sister-in-law and though Luciana was technically only four years old, it was obvious those two were twin souls. They became best friends and spent most of the day together, after their respective classes with private tutors. There weren’t enough children to build a school, but Jarcor was sure that day would come soon.
Jarcor had been busy too. He had formed a small group of men with expertise in technology to build the scanners they needed to look for the blue water springs. He had also engaged Luciana on the project, and the little girl was thrilled with it.
The only one feeling out of place was Sabrina. After years being constantly busy taking care of the ranch and the people on it, she didn’t know how to hang around the house with nothing to do. It gave her too much time to think, and nothing good came out of that.
Her pregnancy was advancing as expected and she had been feeling great, but ever since she had left the hospital, she had felt as if Jarcor was pulling away from her. He was still sleeping in the same bed, next to her, but that was all he did lately, sleep. He was kind and attentive, always concerned about her wellbeing, but nothing else.
It felt as if all the passion that had burned between them had been completely extinguished and the worst part was she had no clue why.
She smiled and put on a good face, mostly in front of Luciana, but the situation was getting on her nerves, and she had no idea how to solve it.
Her presence on Arcadia was no longer necessary. After what had happened at the ruins, they had chosen to forget them and go on with their lives. If it weren’t for Luciana and the new baby, she would have asked him to take her back to Earth, but now that was no longer a possibility.
Perhaps it was time to face the fact that whatever there was between her and Lucas was over and move on with their lives. She was sure he could build her a small house for her and the kids, and he would be able to visit them whenever he wanted. That way, he would be free to live his own life and the same would apply to her.
In her heart, she knew there was no life for her without him, but it was clear he didn’t feel the same, and it was unfair to impose her presence in his life any longer.
With her heart drumming painfully in her chest, she decided to have a serious talk with him that same night. She called Ophelia and asked her to invite Luciana to sleep over. She wanted the girl away from the house so that she couldn’t hear them discussing the way things should be from that day on.
Her friend was delighted with the idea and with that solved, she prepared a special dinner with John’s help. By the time Lucas got home that night, she had everything ready, except her nerves.
She didn’t want to see the relief in his eyes when she told him they should live separate lives. She didn’t want the proof it was all over between them, but there was no other way.
Wringing her hands nervously, she went to meet him at the door. He was surprised to see her, waiting for him, but didn’t make any comment.
“Where’s Luciana?” he asked after he greeted her.
“Ophelia invited her to sleep over at her place. She said Gideon misses her,” she explained.
He gave her a faint smile. “I’m sure he does.”
They had dinner, and the tension between them was so thick she was sure she could cut it. He wasn’t at ease and at some point during the meal, she had wanted to yell at him and ask him what the hell was wrong. What had changed that made being with her seemed like a harsh punishment.
When he finished eating, he almost jumped out of his chair, mumbling he had a few things to check and heading straight to the room he used to work when he was home. He had been doing that every night, so it wasn’t a surprise. But that night, she wasn’t going to allow him to escape.
Taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she got up and followed him to h
is office. She didn’t knock. She simply opened the door and closed it behind her back.
“Sabrina, is there a problem?” he asked, raising his head from the screen.
“I want to talk to you,” she told him, walking to his desk and taking a seat in front of it.
There was a deep frown on his forehead when he leaned back in his chair and looked at her. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you feeling well?”
“I’m perfectly fine, and the baby is growing as expected. There are no apparent side effects from my temporary abduction,” she replied, in a grim tone.
“I’m happy to hear that,” he assured her, but his expression didn’t change. She was sure he could feel the tension in the air as well as she did.
“I’ve been thinking, since you’ve decided you don’t want the ruins to be explored any more, my presence in Arcadia doesn’t make much sense,” she started saying, but he interrupted her.
“I can’t believe you’re actually considering going back to Earth, pregnant with my child, endangering your life, the baby’s and Luciana’s as well,” he said icily.
“You’re jumping to conclusions,” she stopped him. “Allow me to finish,” she asked him.
“Go ahead.”
“As I was saying, my presence here doesn’t make much sense except for Luciana and the new baby. I was well aware that keeping Luciana on Earth was dangerous. No matter how much I protected her, I knew people talked about her, about how special she was and it was only a matter of time before the government found out about her and that was the last thing I wanted,” she explained.
“My arrival was providential then,” he said.
“Not really. I had been considering the idea of telling Bretdon about you and the fact Luciana was half cyborg so that he could bring us here with him when he finally managed to contact Arcadia,” she explained. “Once here. I would have told you about Luciana.”
He let out a deep sigh. “If you do understand the need for you and the children to stay here, why are we having this conversation?” he asked, still in a cold tone.
