Portal to Passion: Science Fiction Romance

by Amber Stuart

“Again? What are you talking about! Why aren’t the nanites healing you? What can I do?”

  I’m lost. A sensation of the entire world getting ready to swallow me whole piles in like the cave is falling. I look around desperate. Sizzling beams of light still shoot over the machine and the sparks are still pouring out and around. The machine is whining again but it’s an off kilter sound. Vin shakes his head then braces himself and tries to rise.

  “Maybe I can distract him,” he says. “Get you out of here then I can activate the machine.”

  “But you’re bleeding!” Tears swell up making my throat tight.

  “Yes,” he says. “The nanites can only do so much.”

  We’re out of options so I help him move around so that he’s on his knees and we’re crouching behind the machine. I glance up and hope to find some way out of this situation. There’s nothing. I’m screwed. Vin is trying to catch his breath so I peek around the side of the machine to try and get eyes on the Infiltrator who seems content to randomly shoot and wait for us to come into view. There doesn’t seem to be any way out of here besides the entrance he’s blocking. Bad design choice guys.

  Looking around the corner I see something that looks like an old joystick off an arcade game hanging down. It dangles by a series of wires and it gives me an idea. I know something I can’t possibly know but I’m certain I’m right. That thing, whatever it actually is, is the key to fixing the machine. If I can put it in place then this machine will activate. That’s a good thing right? Only a couple things in the way, an alien shooting a fracking laser gun at me and a shower of sparks that fall like a fourth of July fountain. No problem.

  “Vin,” I say over my shoulder. “Distract him for me.”

  “What?” he says.

  “Distract him, I’ve got an idea.”

  I don’t give either of us any more time to think about it. I jump out from my hiding spot leaping for the joystick. I grab it and a low current hits me, making my hands go numb and tingly. I rise up with it and everything is moving in slow motion. I’ve done this before. Certainty hits me. This very thing, I did it before. This joystick thing goes there, in that spot. I see the place and I slam the joystick in then I grab a lever and I throw it on. Out of the corner of my eye I see the alien raising his hand towards me.

  Weakness falls over me. I’m tired. So tired I want to lay down and sleep. I don’t care that it’s a cave floor. I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. I need sleep. Vin stands up from his hiding spot and aims his arm. A bright flash of light and something explodes. My knees just won’t hold me up. My hand spasms on the joystick, the other on the lever and then everything flashes as a current hits me through the completed circuit.

  “Vin…” my voice sounds like it’s coming from someone else.

  A warmth fills my stomach and spreads out but the exhaustion is so bone deep, the warmth is barely cutting through. The current pulsing through my body is making me spasm and the weakness won’t stop. I’m standing but not of my own power now. My eyelids are fluttering so fast a hummingbird would be challenged to keep up.

  “NO!” Vin screams.

  I hear him but I can’t turn to look at him. All my muscles are locked up and then everything flashes white.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “We have to activate the platforms!” Vin yells to be heard over the explosions.

  I look around confused. The cave is gone, replaced by a desert, the same one from my dream.

  “What?!” I exclaim more than ask.

  Vin is looking at me and pointing. In the distance stand the pyramids just like I remember them. I look up and my stomach sinks as I see the Invaders’ planet killing ship. It’s miles across. This is what we’ve been preparing for but we’re not ready. Vin grabs my golden brown hand and pulls me along. Fighter ships are deploying from the planet killer. They’re strafing the ground as they fly overhead. The sounds of their laser guns zings through the air with a sizzle then there’s an explosion when they hit. Our people, human and Lantarian, are running for shelter.

  The soldiers bring the anti-aircraft guns around and return fire but it’s not slowing down the Invaders’ fighters. There are hundreds of them in the sky. If the planet killer is here then their world ship can’t be far behind. The Lantarian Armada alone will not be able to stand against a full Invader force. They’ll wipe us out then drain our sun. It’s the only way they survive. Stealing energy from solar systems, draining them dry, then moving on to the next. Scavengers of the worst kind. Leaving no life in their wake.

  The planetary defense platforms will drive them back. It has to or we’re doomed. The sand is hard to run through, pulling at my feet but I push myself. I have to keep up with Vin. We have to get to the control panel. The strafing runs stop and I pause, pulling my hand out of Vin’s and look up. The fighters are retreating.

  “What’s happening?” I ask.

  Vin looks up and shakes his head. “I don’t know but I it can’t be good. Move!”

  He runs and I fall in with him. We reach the tunnel into the interior of the pyramid that leads to the local planetary defense platform control. This is only one of six set up around the planet. Hopefully the others have all been activated. The coolness of the tunnel is refreshing after the heat of the outside. As we enter, the ground trembles and shakes causing me to stumble. I’m knocked against the wall with bruising force. Vin’s longer stride puts him ahead of me.

  “What the hell?” I yell to be heard.

  “They’re bombing!” Vin yells over his shoulder. “They’re trying to destroy the control panels. They know. Somehow they know!”

  My heart pounds in my chest, sweat pours into my eyes, and my stomach is a tight ball of fear and worry. There’s no way they could know about the defense system. They can’t, if they do, the implications are staggering. Someone is spying for the enemy? Who in their right mind would do such a thing? The Invaders don’t make alliances, they don’t take prisoners, they live by draining the life of their enemies and the energy of their suns. We are nothing but food to them.

  The tunnel slopes down which is part of the design. The control panels need to remain cool but it also provides protection against a bombing run like this. The sounds of explosions and screams fade into the distance as we run deeper but the rumbling of the ground becomes constant, almost like it’s an unending earthquake. Electric torches line the walls every fifty feet but several of those have been knocked to the ground and broken by the attacks. It makes the tunnel full of dancing shadows. It’s only wide enough for two abreast but the swirling darkness makes it hard for my eyes to focus and gives the tunnel an air of menace that I’ve never felt before.

  Vin activates his suit causing it to put off its own light without pausing in his run for the panel. As the suits light pushes back the darkness, I see something. A flash at the corner of my eye just ahead of Vin. It retreats into the shadows dodging around a corner as the light comes up.

  “Vin!” I yell then weakness falls over me and I stumble, falling to my knees.

  Breathing is too hard, the amount of effort necessary to inhale is overwhelming, but my lungs scream their need for oxygen. Looking up I see Vin as he spins around, surprise and concern on his face. I reach for him but my arm falls back to the ground.

  “My love,” Vin says kneeling before me.

  “What… is… this?” it comes out in gasps as I struggle to breath.

  “I don’t-”

  He’s cut off as something flashes. The ground bucks throwing us into the air. I land in a heap as dirt and gravel falls from above. Cracks form in the walls and ceiling. Dirt is pouring down, then Vin throws himself over me in a protective shield. His larger, muscular body completely covers me. He presses against me with his flat stomach and hard muscled chest protecting me from the falling debris. It slows at last and he pushes off. The weakness has passed and I can breathe normally again. Vin helps me to my feet but the way forward is blocked. The tunnel has
been collapsed.

  “We have to get there,” I say.

  “Yes my love,” he replies. “Stand behind me.”

  He works the interface on his suit and channels all its power to form a single blast. As he raises his arm and points it at the blockage, I place my hand on his arm.

  “What if it doesn’t work?” I ask.

  “It has to,” he replies then pushes me behind him with one arm.

  The suit whines as the charge builds then bursts forth and hits the collapsed debris with a shockingly loud noise. The fallen stones are gone and the way is open so we rush through the smoking remains of the blockage. It has an acrid smell that burns my nostrils as we move through it then we’re in the chamber. The control panel dominates the center of the room. The first thing I see on the other side is a figure shooting at the platform. The beam of his gun hits the controller and there’s a new explosion, then sparks are raining down around the room in a golden shower of burning light.

  “No!” I scream.

  Vin turns, shooting at the Invader and covering me as I run to the machine, shielding my eyes and trying to cover my hair at the same time. The sparks are like a rainstorm coming down and I’m worried they’ll set me on fire. I can’t get too close while they’re there. Peering through the fiery curtain I see that part of the control panel has been knocked out of place. It’s causing the entire system to short out.

  I helped design this machine. I know what has to be done but it’s going to be dangerous. Nothing compares to the loss of every life on this planet. If the Invaders succeed this galaxy is dead. I don’t have a choice. I glance at Vin at my side and my heart aches knowing what I’m going to put him through. Seizing the moment I hug and then kiss him.

  “I’ll be back,” I whisper in his ear.

  I run through the showering curtain. Hot sparks land on my exposed skin burning into my flesh. The pain is incredible and I cry out. Vin reaches the other man and grabs him up bodily, throwing him across the room with a roar. The man shoots Vin, knocking him into a far wall.

  “Vin!” I cry, my heart breaking.

  I want to run to him. My soul mate, the love of my life, but I have to make the choice. Go to him or save the galaxy. End of the day it’s no choice at all. Tears stream down my face as I grab up the parts of the control panel and start to fit them back together.

  “My love! NO!” Vin cries. “It’s too damaged! It will kill you.”

  I look into his eyes as he rises to his feet. He starts running for me so I smile for him. I know what he’s saying is true. I knew it when I made my decision.

  “I love you Vintares, protect my people, they’re good ones,” I laugh.

  “I promise,” he screams as I slam the parts together and the world flashes white.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Burning. There’s a burning sensation in my lungs and I gasp. I can’t open my eyes. Every part of me aches and it’s hard to move.

  “Abby, come back to me. Come back, not again. I can’t lose you like this again,” Vin’s voice.

  “Vin?” I cough and my lungs feel like shards of glass.

  Awareness slowly returns bringing with it pain and discomfort. It’s then I realize, surprisingly, that I’m alive. Vin kisses me roughly. He’s squeezing me so tight it’s even harder to breathe but I don’t care. His strong arms are wrapped around me pulling me in and I love it.

  “I thought I’d lost you,” he breathes.

  “Again?” I ask.

  “Yes,” he says. “Yes, it is you!”

  His voice is tight with emotions as his hands run through my hair. We’re on the floor of the cave and he’s protecting me. The way he always has. The way he did then. I’m reeling as I realize that the ‘dream’ was actually a memory. When I saw the machine broken and knew what had to be done I was certain of it. Vintares is an alien. Everything he has said is true and more.

  “You kept your promise,” I say coughing again.

  He helps me to sit up giving me the support my over taxed muscles need.

  “Yes my love,” he says.

  My heart swells. The empty ache inside is gone, filled with the certainty of his love. I know it’s right. I know it’s true.

  “Is it fixed?” I ask.

  “I don’t know,” he says.

  We get up together and he steadies me as I weave, off balance. I glance over and see the Infiltrator lying broken against the wall. Vin’s rage is fearsome so I look away quickly, my stomach revolting at the sight. Warmth spreads through my veins like a good, solid whiskey shot. It’s pleasant and as it spreads I feel steadier and stronger. Vin and I start looking the machine over. I know I should know what these parts are, what the different things are for, but I don’t, not clearly.

  “Vin, I remember some of this but not all of it,” I say.

  He stops and looks over the machine at me.

  “What do you remember,” he asks.

  “I remember being with you. It wasn’t there, Egypt maybe? Had to have been but… it was different.”

  Vin stares at me silently. My nerves wind up tight as butterflies start dancing in my stomach. When he finally shakes his head the anticipation feels like it’s killing me.

  “It can’t be,” he says simply. “You remember. Is it really you? Have you returned to me?”

  I shrug uncertain what to say. I’ve never believed in reincarnation or anything. I’ve never really given much thought to it actually but I can’t deny what is the most apparent of truths.

  “I feel like I should remember more than I do,” I say at last. “It’s like a dream, something half-remembered but yes I do remember. I remember I loved you. I remember you loving me. I remember the Invaders and bombs.”

  Vin nods along as I speak.

  “Yes,” he says. “All as it was.”

  “But it’s more than impossible. That was… I don’t even know how long ago-”

  “About ten thousand earth years,” he interjects.

  “See! Impossible! I’m completely,” I look down at myself, “different and where have I been?”

  “No, you’re you. Maybe not exactly but so much similar that I knew it when I first laid eyes on you. The moment I saw you in that car I knew. That is why you hit me, I was struck by you much more than the car. You promised you’d return to me and you have. My heart knew it long before I could accept it as true.”

  “I knew it too, I think, on some level. Though none of this explains, how? How have you not aged? How long did you sleep in cryo? Why didn’t you go home?”

  “We awaken every one hundred years local unless there is some kind of alarm. I didn’t go home because I promised you I’d take care of your people. You promised you’d return, I didn’t really believe it but part of me hoped.”

  “You’ve waited?” I ask as the enormity of it sweeps over me. “All this time?”

  My heart leaps into my throat as I think about it, making it impossible to speak more. Vin nods and I run to him. As his strong arms enclose me I feel safe. It makes me whole as I press against his hard, muscled chest. He leans down and kisses the top of my head as I cling to him with a deep, pounding need. The cool air chills my skin forcing me to step back at last.

  “What now?” I ask.

  “Let’s look the machine over,” he says.

  We spend the next hour going over the machine. Some of it I remember but the memories are too foggy to be of much use. Something I know I should know and I almost do but not quite. Mostly I watch Vin work as he removes panels, adjust wires and screws, pushes buttons and such things. He moves with an utter confidence that is incredibly sexy. He exudes an aura of in control. Every motion, every action is calculated and used to maximum effect.

  “What happened then Vin? I mean, is what I saw real? They were bombing us, the ground was shaking.” I shake my head trying to bring the memory clearer.

  Vin lets out a long sigh as he finishes attaching a panel back on th
e machine. Resting his hands on the shelf he hangs his head and I know something isn’t good.

  “What is it Vin?” I ask.

  “It’s not working,” he says. “The defense platform has not activated yet.”

  “What does that mean? What can we do?”

  “Either Benji hasn’t activated the other platform or something is wrong at the platform itself. Either is possible. I didn’t think they’d have gotten so far along.”

  “Benji?” I ask the name stirring some long forgotten memory.

  Vin glances side-long at me. The butterflies return to my stomach and there’s an itch deep inside my head. One I’ll never be able to scratch but constantly tugging at my attention. I can’t recall Benji for sure but I don’t like her. Is it a her? Do I know that? Frustration fills me and I tense my jaw, clasping my hands into fists.

  “Yes,” Vin says.

  Do I sense a bit of hesitation in his voice? Regret? Something? Am I being paranoid and if so why am I being that way? What the hell is wrong with me?

  “How do we find out?” I ask trying to push aside all the feelings and concerns that I can’t put into words.

  “I need to get into communication with the ship. If Benji got the other control panel working then we know the problem is at the platform.”

  “Well, what do we have to do?”

  “We don’t want to be detected, Earth is not ready for us yet, so we’ll have to get up into a low orbit to avoid anyone here picking up our transmission.”

  “Space?” I ask, excitement replacing all tension and frustration.

  Vin smiles broadly and his eyes light up as he nods.

  “Yes my love, space.”

  “Oh my god!” I exclaim. “Let’s go! Now!”

  I grab his hand and start running out of the cave before anything else can happen. All my life I’ve dreamed of traveling among the stars. Now I get to? I’m not letting anything get in the way of this!

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN