Harbinger: Farpointe Initiative Book Three

by Aaron Hubble

  He glanced at his chronometer. “I actually need to get going. I have a meeting with your father.”

  “Is he keeping you on your toes?”

  “Always.” Calier turned to Evie. “Thank you for the help. I’ll see you tomorrow at the same time.”

  “Until tomorrow,” she said flashing him a brilliant smile. “Nice work today.”

  He said goodbye to Mirala and exited the room. As he walked down the hallway he really wished Evie would make it easier to dislike her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Aereas - Alam, Ma’Ha’Nae city under Lake Keali

  Mirala flashed the small light in her eyes. Evie blinked against the harsh glare.

  “Anything out of the ordinary?”

  “No,” Evie said. “Just a few headaches.”

  Mirala narrowed her eyes. “Still? Are they bad?”

  “No. Well, not always, but I can tolerate them.”

  Mirala was silent, studying her. Evie sensed the doctor contemplating her words. She finally smiled.

  “Just keep me informed if anything changes. Remember, we did open up your head and perform surgery a couple weeks ago. There will be a recovery period and accompanying symptoms.”

  She put the flashlight away and grinned at Evie. Evie stared back at her and then flicked her eyes toward the bag.

  “How long are you going to keep me in suspense?”

  Mirala skipped toward the door to retrieve the bag and pulled the zipper open.

  “Evie, my dear, for far too long you’ve been forced to wear truly hideous clothes. That ends today.”

  From the bag, Mirala produced four outfits, several pairs of shoes, and a light jacket. To Evie, who’d been wearing institutional type pants and white t-shirts since waking up in the hospital, the explosion of color and patterns on the clothing took her breath away. She hesitantly reached out and ran her fingers over the delicate fabric of a skirt.

  “Oh, Mirala, they’re beautiful.”

  “And they’re yours.” She scooped up the clothing and dropped the pile into Evie’s lap. Evie stared at them and then back at Mirala.

  “Come on, what are you waiting for? Try them on.”

  Evie smiled and hurried into the bedroom and reemerged moments later. She glided into the small living room and twirled on her prosthetic legs holding her arms out to the side as the light ankle-length skirt flared out around her like a delicate flower fluttering in a spring breeze. Her new legs responded almost as well as the originals. It was easy to forget they were a complicated tangle of metal and wires. Evie smoothed the skirt. The clothes made her feel like a real person again and not an unwanted guest in a foreign city.

  Mirala clapped her hands. “Gorgeous, simply gorgeous!”

  Evie smiled. “You think so?”

  “Absolutely.” Mirala nodded. “You could make a vegetable sack look good.”

  She pulled Mirala into a hug. “I…I don’t know what to say. I don’t deserve your kindness especially after what I’ve done.”

  Mirala pushed away and looked into her eyes. “Whoever was pulled out of that ship, it wasn’t you. I saw the inside of your head and nobody does that to themselves willingly. Your species doesn’t determine if you’re a good person, it’s how you treat others. And you’re one of the best among us. I just wanted to make sure you understood that.”

  Mirala stepped back and regarded Evie. “You know, if you’re ever interested, I know a few single doctors who I’m sure would love to spend some time with you.”

  Evie felt the heat rise in her face. She looked down and smoothed out the skirt over the remarkably lifelike synthetic skin now covering her prosthetic legs. “Thank you, but there was only ever one I cared about. Truthfully, he was the only one who ever looked at me as a human being. He rescued me from a terrible situation.”

  “That man rescued you? We’re talking about Dillon, right? Soldier and Am’Segid killer?”

  Evie nodded. “At least I think we’re talking about the same man. My Lucas was compassionate and kind. Andy…” her voice trailed off. “I’m not sure what he is yet.”

  “What do you mean, when you say he saved you?”

  Evie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Looking out the window, she felt the sting of shameful memories that to this day evoked such deep pain it felt like she’d lived those days only yesterday. Was this something she wanted to share? It was possible Mirala would never look at her again in the same way if she knew what Evie had been in another life. But Mirala had asked, so she would tell her and let her new friend decide what it meant for them.

  “Before I tell you the story, you need to understand what my home world is like. Aereas is a paradise compared to Earth. Once, before I was born, our planet was like Aereas. The water was relatively clean and the land grew food. Then a plague killed off millions and every nation fought for what was left. They used terrible weapons which killed the land and made it unusable. There are still some places where food can be grown, but they’re scarce, making life a fight just to get enough to survive. The CPF, the group I was apparently enslaved to, control cities, and if you’re willing to pledge allegiance to them and do whatever they say, the CPF will take care of you. For everyone else, every day is a struggle. My parents died when I was young and left me all alone. I did what I needed to do to survive. That meant selling my body to men…and some women, for food and then eventually drugs.”

  “I’ll assume by ‘drugs’ you don’t mean medicine,” Mirala said.

  Evie shook her head. “No, not medicine,” she said, looking into her lap. Her hands nervously stroked the smooth material of her skirt. “I wasn’t physically sick. I took mind- and mood-altering drugs to help me deal with my situation. Or, more accurately, to escape my situation. It was only occasionally at first, but then it became every day and at its worst I was strung out most of the day, not caring what my ‘clients’ did to me as long as they gave me enough money or goods to trade for more drugs.

  “One day, a client said I hadn’t satisfied him and he tried to walk away without paying me. I put up a fight, verbally at first, and then I attacked him. Without his money, I wouldn’t be able to keep the drugs in my system and I’d be forced to face the reality of my situation. The man easily fought off my attacks. He saw only a cheap whore in front of him, so he took out his own frustrations on me. He used me like a punching bag until I was barely conscious, raped me, and then dragged me out into the middle of the street, inviting anyone else in the small shantytown I lived in to have their way with me.

  “I remember being picked up and carried away.” Evie wiped a tear from her cheek. “In my mind I knew it was the end of me. Whoever had picked me up was going to do worse than the man who had beaten me. At that point I didn’t care anymore, and I was ready to die. I just hoped it would be quick because, without my drugs, I would feel everything.

  “The man who picked me up from the street was Lucas Kreg, a small-time thief and smuggler. He took me back to his home and nursed me back to health. I remember flinching every time he touched me, but he never did anything inappropriate. It was the first time since my father had held me as a little girl that a man didn’t touch me in a way which made me feel dirty. After a week, I was able to get out of bed. A week later I was helping him around his home and shop. He said I could stay as long as I stayed away from the drugs. It was hard, but I kicked the habit. I started cleaning, organizing, and cataloging his inventory. I was free to leave at any time, he made that clear, nor did he want me to feel obligated to him. He said he was just doing the decent thing. Lucas felt if everyone would just do that, what was left of the world would be a much better place.” Evie laughed wryly. “I always thought that was funny coming from a thief, but he never took from someone who couldn’t afford to lose something.

  “So I stayed with him and helped him with his business. He never made any kind of advances toward me. I thought it was because he knew what I was, a drug-addled prostitute, but later, after we were married,
he told me he’d been intimidated by my beauty.” Evie’s face took on a faraway look. “Talk about melting a girl’s heart.”

  “How long did you help him before you became a couple?” Mirala asked.

  “Six months. Then one day he came back after he’d scored a big heist. Stuff that would pull in a lot of money. Lucas was in a good mood, and he gave me a hug and then he kissed me. I kissed him back, and that was the beginning of it all. Two weeks later we were married. Both of us had been hiding our feelings for each other and when we finally let them out, there didn’t seem to be any reason to delay what we both wanted. After we married, we were partners in every way.” She stopped and wiped another tear from her eye and then turned toward Mirala. “Now, do you see why I can’t see him as a soldier who has attacked your people? My Lucas couldn’t be that kind of person. He’s in there, Mirala. I know he is. Even if he never remembers that life, I refuse to believe the good man who was Lucas has been completely erased.”

  Mirala grasped Evie’s hand. “I had no idea. I’m sorry for all the horrible things I’ve said about him. It was so hard for me to see why you had deep feelings for him. Now I understand at least a little bit. If I can help in some way, I will. Maybe he needs to come to the hospital and we can run tests to see if there’s hardware inside of him that’s turned him into a different person.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think he’ll do it willingly. At least not yet, and I don’t want to force him. He needs to want to find out who he was by himself. Just like he needs to love me on his own.”

  Mirala nodded and wiped one of her own tears from her eyes. She sat up straighter and slapped her legs with her open palms. “All this emotion has made me hungry. I’m taking you out for something to eat and I’m not taking no for an answer, nor do I care who sees us outside.”

  “I won’t stop you this time,” Evie said. “Are you sure you want to be seen with a human?”

  “Human, Am’Segid, or Ma’Ha’Nae—it doesn’t determine whether you’re a good person or not. You do that on your own.”

  Evie let herself be pulled from the couch and ushered toward the door. Tonight she would leave behind her worries and cares about the future and just be this new person she’d become. The cares could wait until tomorrow.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Aereas - Alam, Ma’Ha’Nae city under Lake Keali

  After a much needed and delightful evening out, Mirala left Evie in the capable hands of the building guard. The large man, whose name was Sovan, escorted Evie down the hallway and ushered her into her apartment. As far as Evie could tell, it had been some sort of storage building that had been quickly converted into two small apartments. A guard was always posted at the front, and only, door. Two more guards stood outside of Andy’s room. She was allowed to leave as long as she was in the company of a trusted Ma’Ha’Nae. Mirala was on that trusted list, but Evie wasn’t so sure she should remain there after the amount of wine the woman had bought Evie this evening. Evie wasn’t out-of-control drunk, but she was definitely tipsy. Her head was feeling a little light.

  Sovan ushered her into her apartment, made sure she was okay, and then closed the door behind him before returning to his post outside the building. Evie staggered to her couch and flopped face-first into the ample cushions. It had been a good night and she let her mind replay the events in her head. She wasn’t sure why Mirala was being so kind to her, but she was very thankful for the friend Mirala had turned out to be.

  Evie giggled. I have an alien for a friend.

  The giggles turned into a full laughing fit as the absurdity of the notion washed over her. The laughter felt good and her life was looking up. The people here had accepted her, and she was contributing to the fight in her own way. She could be happy here.

  The laughter stopped and her mind sobered just a bit. The affection she felt from people like Mirala was wonderful, but there was really only one person’s affection she wanted, and he was the one person who’d withheld it. Maybe if she was brutally honest with him, really explained how she felt and how his indifference toward her made her feel, then he would surely see the mistake he was making and welcome her back into his life.

  With effort, she pushed herself off the couch and looked out into the hallway. Two guards were standing diligently at their posts, making sure Andy stayed where he should. Evie hesitated. Was this really a good idea? Before she could check herself, she pulled the door closed, straightened up and with careful, measured steps attempted to walk in a straight line down the hall to Andy’s door. The guards looked at her as she stood before them.

  “Can we help you, ma’am?”

  Evie spoke slowly, carefully forming the words to make sure they came out sounding coherent and not the slurred ramblings of a drunk. “May I see the prisoner tonight?”

  The two guards looked at each other and then back at Evie. The first one spoke again. “May I inquire as to why?”

  “He’s the only other human in this city. I’m feeling lonely and just want someone to talk to. That’s not against protocol, is it?” Evie said, trying to keep from swaying as she stood before the guards.

  “I guess not, ma’am. Let me see if he’s still awake and would like to see you. If you’ll submit to a search by my associate while I talk to the prisoner, that would be appreciated.” He knocked on the door and then opened it.

  Evie held her arms out to the side while the second guard did a quick pat-down and checked for anything that could be used as a weapon.

  “He’ll see you now,” the guard said as he showed her into the room. “Fifteen minutes.”

  He closed the door after Evie had stepped in leaving her in the small living room alone. She heard movement coming from the bedroom, then Andy emerged, pulling a shirt over his head. The sight of his chiseled chest caused her to involuntarily catch her breath.

  Recovering, she carefully formed her words. “Did I wake you?” she asked.

  “No. I haven’t been sleeping well the last few nights.” He stood looking at her. An uncomfortable silence hung between them. “Soooo, did you want to talk to me about something, or is this an informal ‘just wanted to say hi’ visit?”

  “Just wanted to say hi. May I sit?” she asked.

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I don’t get many guests.”

  Evie took a few steps toward the couch. She stumbled and caught herself. Giggling, she lowered herself onto the sofa. She smiled at him as he took a seat in the chair opposite the couch.

  He shifted uncomfortably in the chair. Evie realized she’d was smiling and staring at him like a star struck schoolgirl. She looked away.

  “Are you okay? You seem a little different tonight,” Andy asked.

  “I’m fine. I’m more than fine. For the first time since I’ve been here, I feel great.”

  Andy’s eyebrows lifted. “Wait. Are you drunk?”

  “Drunk? No. Tipsy? Absolutely. Mirala took me out for dinner after my language lessons with the professor,” Evie said, some of the words a bit slurred. She was starting to lose the control she had fought so hard to maintain.

  “Language lessons?” Andy asked. “You’re learning their language?”

  “No, silly.” She leaned forward and slapped his knee playfully. “I’m teaching him our language.”

  Evie saw his eyebrow arch. It was so Lucas and she ached for him.

  “Why are you teaching them our language?”

  “Oh, he’s going to one of the cities. Wait, I shouldn’t have said that.” She pressed her finger to her lips. “Shhhh, don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret. At least I didn’t tell you this city is under the lake.”

  She saw a surprised look flash across his face and then it was gone.

  “These people are planning on going to another city? When?”

  Evie shrugged. “No idea. But it’s a pretty big deal. It’s a very fashionable mission. Only the best sentinels will be there.” She giggled again and then pointed at him. “You probably shouldn’t say anything a
bout what I just told you.”

  Andy smiled, nodded, and pulled his finger across his mouth. “My lips are sealed. Who would I tell in here, anyway?”

  Evie looked around her and her face took on a look of disappointment. “They really should let you decorate. A few nice pieces of art, a rug or two, and this place could look pretty nice.”

  “I wouldn’t say no to a window with a view,” he said gesturing toward the blank wall.

  “Hmmm. Yes, a view of the street and the dome. Oh, Lucas, this place is so wonderful. I wish you could see it all.” She sat in silence and then her face took on the expression of someone who has just had the most wonderful idea. “Lucas, tell them anything they want to know. Tell it all to them.”

  “Then what, Evie? What do you think they’ll do then, once they have what they want? Once I’m of no value, there’s no reason to keep me alive. I’m sure it will be an ‘accident’, but one morning you’ll wake up and I won’t be here anymore.”

  Evie shook her head. “They’re not like that. Not brutal like the CPF. I can’t remember much, but you must. After you give them information, then they’ll let you outside and we can walk down the street, go to the cafés and start a life together again.”

  Evie slid forward to the edge of her seat. She was having a hard time remembering this wasn’t the man she’d married, not really. She clasped her hands together in order to keep them from reaching for him, touching him. The alcohol wasn’t helping either.

  “Have they let you outside yet? I mean outside of the city?”

  She shook her head. “Who would want to leave? The forest is a scary place. Under the lake is the safe place to be. I couldn’t get outside if I wanted to. The lock only recognizes Ma’Ha’Nae handprints.” She held up her hand in front of her face and then showed it to Andy. “See, human. Definitely not Ma’Ha’Nae.” Evie looked at him. Her eyes drank him in like someone stumbling upon an oasis in the desert. “They’ve treated you well so far, haven’t they?”