Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  As it neared, Cassie closed her eyes and imagined sending it in the opposite direction that she had thrown the Arietis star. The team had enough to deal with as it was. She felt Starburst sending a shot of energy to help her and throwing her arms up, she shoved it hard and fast towards a safe location where it could cause no damage. However, before it was far enough away, it started to explode. Pieces broke away, scattering in all directions as it shot up into outer space heading for many of the constellations that surrounded her.

  All Cassie could do was to keep the dangerous missiles that they had become, from causing any damage, quickly and precisely blasting them into harmless puffs of dust. She nearly missed a piece that got awfully close to the Gemini star but managed to destroy it just before it hit. The core went out of control, spun and turned as it exploded again, heading straight for Canis Major. Snatching it up with her mind, Cassie threw it back out into black space of nothingness where it should have gone in the first place. The impact had so much force in it that this time it was dead in the water, no harm to anyone.

  With the stars now safe, she sat on guard again when a shocking pain shot through her. She buckled for a second before the pain released her. Checking herself out, she found no wounds. What in the hell was that? she thought, still stretching out her arm, checking out the area the pain was coming from.

  She could hear Kayden. He was yelling an order to save Conor. He and his horse were hit and he’d been thrown from his horse on impact. He’s falling towards you.

  She swung her eyes above her head, seeing him coming towards her at a hell of a speed. She closed her eyes and put him on a cloud, slowing his fall and gently lowering him onto Starburst with her. He was hurt badly, blood oozing out of a wound. Something else was not right either. As she slid him gently in front of her, he groaned as his body leant back against hers.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, holding him firmly so he didn’t fall off.

  His horse was still flying but in a bad state as well. Kayden had the reins, bringing it back to him. In between groans, Conor was telling her they had tried to extinguish the star without Woody but not having the dynamics of five, the star unexpectedly spun out of control and sideswiped him.

  Kayden commanded the horses to land on the Canis Major star so he could do a patch-up job on Conor and Conor’s horse. Even though damaged, Arietis had not been disabled and still posed as a threat. This left Kayden no choice but to put Cassie in harm’s way for her to keep watch for him when they landed, while he attended to the injured team members.

  Major and Minor were there waiting as they landed and were jumping around, excited. They barked out to Kayden what she had done with the Dwarf nova star. They had watched it all and were so impressed with Cassie’s power that they hadn’t noticed Kayden had a soldier in trouble. Up until then, Kayden was unaware another was sent. The look of gratitude made Cassie’s effort worthwhile and overwhelmed her. Major and Minor jumped around Starburst until she was lifted from the horse and then both slobbered all over her face, licking her and rolling on the ground playing. They were gentle but she was not expecting they would be goofy like real dogs when they got excited. One minute she was being growled, licked and woofed at; the next, she was in Kayden’s arms.

  ‘Enough … sit!’ he commanded and they both stopped, grinning, all goofy and happy-like with their tongues hanging out. They made her giggle but the happiness they shared with her was short-lived when Conor moaned again. Kayden put Cassie down, told the dogs to behave and went back to his patient.

  Jason and Ethan had laid Conor down on the ground so Kayden could get a good look at him, inspecting him for broken bones and internal damage. His shoulder and arm had taken the brunt of the hit, leaving a nasty gash on his shoulder and a broken arm. He had three broken ribs and already the bruise on his chest was swollen, black and nasty-looking. Kayden then checked Conor’s horse. The armour had prevented lacerations; however, it didn’t stop the horse from receiving massive internal injuries.

  Kayden took off his belt, giving it to Conor. ‘Bite down on the leather, man, this is going to hurt. That arm will start to heal before we get home if I don’t reset it.’

  Jason and Ethan held Conor down as Kayden readjusted his bone so it joined again. Conor screamed and cursed Woody before passing out. Cassie must have looked white as a ghost because the doggies called for Kayden and he grabbed her as she started to fall.

  ‘His pain went right through me,’ she shuddered in shock.

  ‘We’re all linked now, sweetheart,’ he said soothingly. ‘We all felt it. The thing is, the Cloud Riders’ power enables us to heal very quickly. If I leave it until we get home, it will set crooked and I will only have to break it all over again. It is far better to do it now. You okay for me to go back to him? Do you still have your wits about you?’

  Now it was clear in her mind how it all worked, she could deal with the pain and weirdness a bit better. ‘Yep, I have this, trust me.’ She glanced down as he started to stitch up Conor shoulder. Even though she had her eyes scanning the heavens and not watching, she felt every thread he pulled through him. She shuddered at how this connection with the team had a good side but also the worst side possible.

  Jeez! Toughen up, princess. It’s not as if it’s actually happening to you!

  The two dogs came and stood each side as if comforting her. A sound above made them all look up. The dogs barked. Quickly picking Cassie up and putting her back on Starburst before she had even thought of it, Kayden was yelling at them to hurry. It was nearly on them. The dogs were barking frantically. She closed her eyes and was summoning up a visual and opening her eyes to slam her power at the target when all of a sudden it stopped dead. She had all the power and needed to release it, so instead she threw the energy force up into space where it wouldn’t hurt anyone.

  Kayden was surprised at Cassie’s reaction not to blast the mongrel out of the sky for what he’d done to one of his team members. Still, it was her call, as he hadn’t had time to think straight either while attending to his wounded soldier. The star was so close now they could see Arietis wipe his forehead and grin cheekily as he realised how close he’d come to being blasted. Art saluted Cassie and then left, travelling at a massive speed in the other direction. ‘He’s given up and just came to let us know.’ She sighed and slid back off Starburst. ‘Christ, what a night. I just about killed him.’ She flopped down next to Kayden who put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly before going back to stitching up Conor.

  Cassie sat quietly beside him, exhausted, chewing over their situation. That last effort had not only frightened the bejesus out of her but had also drained the last of her energy. Conor groaned and she instinctively ran her hand through his hair, trying to ease his pain while putting into perspective, what they had just all gone through. This is so serious! The true effects of the situation now weighed heavily on her mind. Not having a fifth member was a real issue and for the first time she finally understood Kayden’s anger with Woody.

  As she continued to contemplate what she could do to give Conor, Kayden and Woody more time, a crazy idea came to her. They had to get Conor home and she’d run out of power, meaning they were vulnerable against a further attack. If Aldebaran sent out another weapon, it could mean all their lives.

  ‘I can only think of one thing that’ll give you time, Kayden. Conor needs to heal and if we’re called out in the next twenty-four hours, you’ll only have three boys.’

  ‘I know what you’re thinking, sweetheart. I can feel your thoughts ticking over but you don’t have to sacrifice yourself. If you go to Aldebaran, how can we trust he won’t hold you captive or worse? I know he’s your father but I don’t trust the man. I’ll work something out. None of us wants you to risk so much. You may never being able to return or worst, this time, it could be your life.’

  ‘Kayden, my powers are weak and in the event of another onslaught, I’m powerless to help until I eat and rest. The only other alternative is to draw
from the dark side, but Woody isn’t here to help us so if Aldebaran really is my dad, I have to trust he’ll do right by me. I’ll get us the twenty-four hour reprieve even if I have to stay there and make him give it. He ain’t seen stubborn yet, trust me.’

  ‘Yes, my love and you can certainly be that,’ he smiled, stirring her.

  ‘Kayden honestly, until this moment I had no idea the seriousness of only having four and you know what? I’m one of the Cloud Riders now too. Just because we’re in a relationship doesn’t mean I stand idly by and not put my life on the line for my team as they would for me. This is the only way and you know it. So let me go do my job. Okay, boss?’ She reassured him, knowing she was their only hope.

  Kayden took a while to decide as he nervously rubbed his hands through his hair. She could feel him thinking a heap of thoughts, yet none better than the one she had just come up with.

  ‘Shit, I’ve got nothing.’ He had to agree with her. ‘Will you be alright on your own?’

  ‘I think so. I’m fairly sure Starburst knows the way back there. He seems to have a memory like mine. Just try to remember that when I get home, no matter what spell he puts on me, I’m not a traitor. I’m just me, the one who loves you, okay?’

  A reprieve for Cassie

  The armed guards surrounded Cassie as Starburst landed on the home world of Aldebaran. The largest of the guards lifted her off the horse and with a tight grip, marched her into the castle. The big doors opened to a huge room full of more frightening-looking characters who she assumed were members of his council. It was like a modern-day knights of the round table, only it was real, with big video screens and the buzzing of reports from different sources. Many were reporting on the action that was happening out on the battlefield her group had just fought on.

  Aldebaran sat on a throne and looked really annoyed when the guard pulled her inside. He put his hand up, hushing the group. Then he made another gesture and all the monitors went dead so she was unable to see what his next move was going to be. With the room so quiet, all eyes were now focused on the person who had caused the shutdown.

  For the first time, Cassie figured this was probably not one of her brightest ideas but she was not about to show them how scared she really was. The guard dropped his grip and she rubbed her arm, still feeling pain from his tight hold.

  She glared up at him. ‘Take it easy, big fella! Long hair and boobs normally means girl. That means, handle with care or else,’ she stated firmly. Looking back at Aldebaran, she hid her fear and uncertainty, breaking into a sweet smile. ‘Hi Pops! Just thought I’d stop in for a quick visit. You can tell your rough boys that I’m not here to hurt their sovereign,’ she said, still rubbing the sting out of her arm. She then realised she was still probably feeling Conor’s pain from his broken limb.

  You could barely see the whites of her father’s eyes, they were so dark, and his irritable expression showed her he did not approve with the intrusion. ‘I’m not impressed with your antics out there, young lady!’

  Hands on her hips, she motioned to the cameras. ‘I wasn’t very pleased with yours either, Father dear,’ she said right back at him, holding her head up high and not letting him offend her.

  Her comment must have amused him as he gave a slight smirk and there was a tiny glint to his eyes. ‘So, why are you here? Let me guess. To beg for my leniency! I notice you have yourselves in a bit of a mess out there. Bloody shame. If I strike now with you here, I’ll rid myself of your pathetic group forever.’

  ‘Father, if I am a chip off the old block you would know I enjoy a good altercation, so hell no! Do I need or want your leniency? Hell no! Twice! I’m here to ask you to stand down for twenty-four hours. We have family issues that need attending to and not just what you can see out there now.’

  He stood, his chest heaving from an intake of air. His face reddened with anger and his eyes were now almost pits, as if they’d disappeared and only evil remained. ‘And what do I get out of this so-called stand down? What could you possibly offer to make it worth my while, to stop me from ridding myself of the damned Cloud Riders? Look around you, girl! There is nothing you could give me that I don’t already have or need.’ His voice was thunderous and threatening.

  Cassie walked up to him, trying not to fall down like a lump of lard and disappear into the cracks of the floor. Goddamn it! He’s my dad, what’s the worst that could happen? She recalled how much she had suffered by the hands of her cruel stepfather and yet Aldebaran was making him seem like a pussycat. Even so, she placed one foot in front of the other having no intentions of letting her team down by showing weakness.

  The guards went to stop her but he gestured for them to leave her alone. The closer she got, the more of his rage was apparent by the way the ground below her shook. The vibration scared the life out of her but she didn’t waver or show any expression. Putting out her hand—she hoped like hell it would stop shaking for just a minute—she found one last smile. ‘What do I have to offer you, Pops? I offer you a one-off chance to get to know your own child. I offer me—for twenty-four hours. Would that be worth anything at all to you?’

  As if the touch of her hand had put him in a trance, all of a sudden the floor stopped shaking and the atmosphere calmed. Her hand felt small and delicate in his big paw. That alone made her aware of just how overpowering and strong he was. She was suddenly very aware that even though she was petite and fragile, she had just as much power: the kind you only find in a father’s love for a child. All of a sudden he wasn’t scary anymore.

  ‘You’re asking me for a twenty-four hour reprieve,’ he almost whispered as his eyes softened and she saw blue sparks explode in them.

  She nodded.

  He searched her face and stood watching her for what seemed like hours—although she knew it was only a moment—before his face broke into a smile. ‘Deal!’

  Cassie had just made a pact with the devil and she knew he would try every trick he had to spin her around and ruin the relationship she had with her man and the rest of the team. Truly this was going to test her loyalty to the ones she had come to love.

  He turned, not letting her hand go and addressed the many he had working for him. ‘I’m suspending all military physical attacks and we are standing down for the rest of the day. I expect you all to reconvene here at 1900 hours tomorrow. Those of you staying the night, drinks and food will be served shortly. General Gatwick will now be in charge and will make sure all your needs are met. Appreciate your patience, enjoy the evening.’ Lifting her hand, he placed it over his arm and patted it. ‘When was the last time you ate, Daughter-mine?’ he asked as he guided her into another room: the dining room she had been in on her last visit.

  ‘Um … breakfast yesterday,’ she answered him. And not until then did she realise that they had fought all through the night and it was now the evening of the next day. No wonder she was bombed out and weary. Suddenly now aware of why Kayden always made them have such a big breakfast and a rest before heading off. ‘It’s tough work sparring with you, Pops. Time seems to have just slipped away. You really need to learn to stop for a lunch break.’ She broke out into a chuckle and he laughed with her.

  ‘I’ll keep that in mind next time you are blowing up all my fire power.’

  ‘Yes! I can just see that now. “Oh sweetheart, it’s your lunch break. Oops sorry! I accidentally let a meteor go before I called it. Oh well, we didn’t need that star after all, hey, Daughter-mine?” ’ she joked again and made him laugh more.

  ‘You must be thirsty as well,’ he said, seating her at the big dining table.

  ‘Last time you offered me drink it was a potion that repelled my friends. Are you intending to play nice this time, Pops? No games. What do you say?’

  He showed his hands. ‘Nothing sinister this time. Just me being your father, I promise.’ Laughing, he put his arm around her and gave her a little fatherly squeeze.

  It feels nice.

  Servants came out with the evening me
al. She tried a couple of things and then just pushed the food around her plate as they talked. He could see she wasn’t interested in the food or wine and asked her what drink she preferred.

  ‘Same as last time,’ she grinned. ‘Rum, straight up, no ice.’

  ‘Make that two,’ he said to the servant, not even raising an eyebrow. He eyed her. ‘Just how I like it. You know, you might be more like your old man than you care to admit, Cassandra.’

  As she sipped it down, she felt it warm her inside and she held the empty glass to the servant. ‘Just bring the bottle, buddy,’ she said with a cheeky look, smiling at Aldebaran and still trying to get a reaction. Aren’t fathers meant to be all funny about their kids drinking alcohol?

  ‘If I’d known you were this much fun, maybe I’d have come and captured you years ago.’ He baffled her again with his wit instead of sniping.

  ‘Your ex, my dear, so-called mother, would have loved it if you’d have kidnapped me. The bitch would have enjoyed her life so much better with me gone,’ she let on, a bit more sombrely than she had meant to and sculling another drink.

  ‘Why? Didn’t Mummy dear get you that pony you always wanted?’ he said a little sarcastically and with a jealous edge.

  She made a face and shook her head. ‘You have no idea what you left me to endure. I should hate you for leaving me with them.’ She was annoyed that he was making fun of her. Then, not sure why, her anger boiled over, making her blab to Daddy-o just what a hard life she did have. She finished with the kidnapping saga and realised he had gone totally silent and the colour had drained from his face.

  Aldebaran took a minute to process what he’d just learned. ‘She didn’t want you, yet she wouldn’t let me have you either? Why did she feel she had to punish us both?’