Gwyn unlaced the tops of her boots and slid her feet out. She loosened her belt and dropped her cargo pants. “I always wear boy shorts. Just in case.” She pulled the pants from her legs and stood on the warm cobblestone path with her bare feet.
Adrik scanned her body with an approving glance.
Gwyn scowled. “What? You checking me out, Lieutenant?”
Adrik smiled and looked away. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Gwyn laughed. “Beat you to the fountain.” She took off at a sprint and jumped over the fountain wall. She landed with a splash. Adrik right behind her.
Gwyn dipped her head under the water. “Thought this would be warmer than it is.” Her long black hair clung to the side of her face in long strings.
“Never said it was warm.” Adrik dunked his head. “It’s fed by a natural spring. The temperature never gets above about sixty-eight or so.” He leaned back and propped his long tan legs on the side of the fountain. His exposed skin warmed in the sunlight.
Gwyn crawled beside him and placed her feet next to his. “That’s better.” For a moment, they sat listening to the crackle of birds.
Adrik closed his eyes. “Been wanting to do something, Gwyn. Since we first met.” He paused.
Gwyn studied his chiseled jaw and high cheek bones. “And, what’s that?”
“This.” Adrik opened his eyes and pulled her to him.
She fell against his hard chest nothing separating them but the thin cotton of her tank.
Adrik held her tight and hungrily searched her lips.
Gwyn responded with a deep throated kiss. She straddled his chest and kissed his neck. Fire burned inside her.
Adrik moaned. He inhaled the deep woodsy scent of her hair. Then kissed the side of her face. He lips left hot trails burning into her skin.
She quickly found his lips again and tasted him. Her heart beat hard against him, and she lost all thought of restraint.
Adrik cupped her backside with one hand and ran his other hand up the back of her shirt. Her skin was hot to the touch.
He started to tug at her tank when an alarm sounded.
Gwyn stared at him wide-eyed. “What was that?”
“A proximity alarm. Someone’s out there. Grab your things and get inside.”
Adrik jumped from the fountain and ushered her into the house. He ran down the hall to the Admiral’s office. The security display showed two armed men in black. Every few paces they hit the force field with a stick. The force field shimmered.
Gwyn walked through the door, her hair up in a towel. She handed him a large towel, and he wrapped it around his body. Gwyn examined the screen. “What’s going on?”
“Two men are along the perimeter. They’re checking for holes in the shields. They must be bounty hunters. But, I don’t know how they found out you’re here.”
“Could someone have followed us from town?”
“I didn’t see anyone when we left, Gwyn. But, I don’t know. I’ll need to check the recording in the cruiser.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, will the shield hold?”
“It should. We have it serviced every six months. It was last serviced two months ago.”
They watched the men as they continued to hit the shield. “Get dressed, and I’ll keep an eye on them while you do.”
Gwyn nodded. “Okay. Won’t be but a few minutes. When I get out, you can change and I’ll keep watch.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to broadcast this feed to my personal alarm system, so I can keep an eye on the recording while I’m outside. Don’t worry if you hear noises outside.” Adrik fiddled with the buttons on his wristband. “Okay. It’s set.”
Concern colored her eyes. “Will it be safe? That’s quite a walk. What if they get through?”
Adrik smiled. “I’ll be fine.” He grabbed his pistol. “If I’m not back in twenty, grab your pistol and check on me, ok?” He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
Gwyn reached out and touched his tattoo. “Militarian for life?”
Sadness filled Adrik’s eyes. “Always.”
She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “See you in twenty.” Gwyn traveled down the hall until she reached the door to her room. She waved her hand in front of it, and it opened. She walked through.
Adrik pressed his way up the trail, pulse pistol in hand and firmly gripped in his left hand. His eyes scanned the clearing ahead, then he checked the projection from his wristband. Two men stood about three-hundred paces to his right. One was bent down examining the forcefield. The other was tossing rocks against the upper portion of the field. The field shimmered with each strike, but it held.
Adrik crept closer, obscured by brush. He studied the uniforms the men wore. Black shirts and pants. No insignias anywhere on them. The man standing tossed another rock against the field, and the bottom of an eagle tattoo poked from beneath his shirt. He gasped. “Militarian? What the tardung?”
The man kneeling stood, and cast a glance in Adrik’s direction. His eyes lingered for a moment, then looked away.
Close one. Adrik carefully lifted his wristband and scanned the men’s features into it. One of the men spoke into the communicator on his wrist, but Adrik couldn’t make out what he said, so he pressed the record button on his wristband.
The men left their position and climbed back into their black sedan cruiser. They sped off down the dirt road.
Adrik frowned and scanned the shield. “Ninety percent. Going to have to make some repairs before night falls.” He opened the force field port and started checking wires.
Gwyn sat behind Admiral Spearman’s desk. Her elbows rested against the desktop, and she played with her hair. She curled wet strands around her long slender fingers, and then let them go.
Adrik walked through the door. “Something wrong?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure.” She leaned back in her chair.
Adrik stepped closer. “You can tell me.”
“Can I? I mean I’m stuck here on this lake with you, and apparently, I would have been better off without your help. At least in space, I have a few places to hide.” Gwyn looked up at him, her eyes were blood shot.
“Okay. I don’t know what’s going on? The men are gone. You’re safe. Why have you been crying? Are you scared?”
Gwyn glared at him. “As if you didn’t know, and no I’m not scared.”
Adrik took a step back. “I don’t know Gwyn. I don’t. What is it? What’s wrong.”
Gwyn lifted her pulse pistol and aimed it at his chest. “I want the truth from you. And, I want it now.”
Sweat formed on his brow, as he studied the pistol in her hand. “I am happy to tell you the truth. I’ve been doing it all along. What do you want to know?”
Gwyn pushed the safety off with her thumb. “Did you or did you not know, that the crystals that Admiral Spearman had us retrieve are alive? They are lifeforms, Adrik. Alive.” Anger radiated from her face.
Adrik frowned. “Gwyn, we’ve already talked about this. All crystals are alive on a molecular level. What’s the problem?”
Gwyn shook her head. “That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.”
Adrik huffed. “Gwyn, you give me way too much credit for things. Put the pistol down, and let’s talk.”
She studied him for a moment. “Put yours down first.”
Adrik removed his pistol from the holster and laid it on the desktop. “There. You happy?”
“No.” Gwyn set her pistol on the desk, but within hands reach.
Adrik sat down in the chair across from her. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Well, I will tell you, but be warned if at any minute, I think that you’ve lied to me, I won’t hesitate to blast a hole in you. I liked you Adrik. I really did.”
Adrik sighed. “Deal. I’ve nothing to hide. Now, tell me.”
“While you were checking the forcefield I tried to call Admiral Spearman.” The drawer was open beside her.
&n
bsp; “And?”
“And, he thought he’d hung up. But, he didn’t. I heard him in the biochemical lab. Those crystals we brought him were not just crystals. They are a life form. And he knew it. He knew it all along.”
Adrik frowned. “What? I’ve never seen that intel.”
“Adrik, they were screaming when we cut them from the cave floor. It was their screams that spiked the energy.” Tears welled in her eyes. “They are alive, and you Militarian are experimenting on them!”
Adrik was silent. He studied her face. “That can’t be, Gwyn. I would know.”
“That’s what I thought, too. You would know. But, if I am to believe you, you didn’t know. Explain to me how that makes sense.”
Adrik stood.
Gwyn pulled the pistol back into her hand. She pointed it at his chest.
“Gwyn, I didn’t know. I’d never have volunteered to go on that mission if I did. Do you think I’m cold-blooded? Is there anything about me, that would lead you to think that I would participate in the destruction of another lifeform?” His voice shook.
She sighed. “Say, I believe you. What are we going to do about it? We can’t let those crystals be destroyed or experimented on? I can’t be responsible for their deaths. I’ve already done too much damage. I’ve got to fix this.”
“Gwyn. Are you sure you heard right? Let me call Admiral Spearman. I’ll find out.”
“Can I trust you to call him? I just don’t know.”
“Yes, Gwyn. You can.”
“Will he tell you the truth? According to you, he didn’t tell you about them to start with.” She stared into his eyes and took a deep breath. She exhaled. “Ok.” She motioned him to the communicator with the end of her pistol. “Call him.” Gwyn grabbed Adrik’s pistol and walked to the side of the room. “I’m not here.”
Adrik nodded, then pressed the com button.
“Good afternoon this is Lee-Alla, Admiral Spearman’s busy can I take a message?”
Adrik cleared his throat. “Lee-Alla, this is Adrik. I need to speak with him. It’s important.”
“He’s in the biochemical lab. It may be a minute before he picks up, but I’ll transfer you down there.”
Adrik smiled. “Thanks, Lee-Alla. I appreciate it.”
“No problem, Lieutenant Commander.” The line buzzed, and old Germanic marching music flooded the room.
Admiral Spearman’s voice broke across the com. “Hello. Adrik. Did Ms. Casteliano tell you she spoke to me earlier? I was surprised to find out that people were outside the forcefield, but that woman has a heavy price on her head. Stands to reason someone would sell her out at some point, I guess.”
“She told me. I was surprised people where already out there, too. It’s only been a few days.” Adrik slumped back into his chair.
“So, did you have something to report?”
“Not exactly. More of a question. How’s it going with the energy project?”
“Going great, my boy. Surprised you asked though. You’ve never been much into science.”
“That’s true, but these crystals have intrigued me. Their power source is remarkable.”
“Well. I’m glad to see you’re finally finding this sort of thing interesting. Wish you would have when you were in the academy.”
Adrik winced. “Me too.” He cleared his throat. “So, just because I’m curious, how’s it going?”
“So far so good. We’ve found the crystals are an excellent source of energy. Just like our preliminary reports indicated. Also, when we cut them down in size, they exhibit a large spike in energy. Remarkably, the energy in the original crystal doesn’t change. It just multiplies. My boy, this is going to power Raygus Prime for centuries.”
“Sounds great, Admiral.” Adrik glanced at Gwyn.
“Ask him.” she mouthed. She shook her pistol at him.
“Have you found anything unusual about these crystals. I mean physiologically. Not just on a molecular scale?”
The Admiral laughed. “Like what? You think they’re alive or something? Really?” His voice was tight across the com.
Adrik chuckled, but his face fell, “Of course, not. They’re just unique. I was wondering if anything the scientists found might lead us to another deposit. Looking for clues to where one might be. That’s all.”
“Looking for a promotion, Son?”
“Always.” He laughed.
“Well, so far there’s nothing out of the ordinary. Let me worry about these crystals. I’ll let you know if there’s another deposit. You just keep that girl safe. Don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“Will do, Sir.” Adrik studied his boots.
“Good. I got to get back to the lab. I’ll talk to you soon.” The Admiral ended the connection.
Gwyn stepped forward. “He’s lying.”
Adrik nodded. “I know. I’ve lived with him long enough to know. I hope you’re satisfied. I didn’t know.”
Gwyn holstered her pistol and handed him his pistol. “Satisfied. But, we can’t let them torture those life forms.”
Adrik nodded, “I agree, but for the moment we have a bigger issue to worry about.” He pushed a button on his wristband and the images of the intruders displayed on the desk.
He watched the tall one throw a rock at the top of the forcefield. His arm extended, and the tattoo showed. He paused the playback. Adrik enlarged the image and focused on the tattoo.
“Computer. Run analysis on that image.” The computer cycled through images at lightning speed. Gwyn and Adrik watched the images blur past. It finally came to a stop.
“Ninety-five percent match.”
Gwyn whistled, “Oh, caracho! Is that what I think it is?”
Adrik looked out the window. “Yes, I’m afraid it is. It’s Militarian special forces. We have to get out of here.”
“I thought this place was secure?” Gwyn’s dark eyes searched his face.
“It is. But, if it’s special forces. They were sent by Admiral Spearman, and he has the access codes. He’ll give them to them at any time. Grab your things. We’re leaving.”
Gwyn rushed to her room and jammed her belongings into her duffle. She met Adrik in the living room. He had a small backpack thrown over his shoulder. “How do we get out of here? I’m sure they have all the roads blocked.”
Adrik pushed open the back door. “Come one.”
She followed.
“You ever heard of a dirt bike?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“It’s an old gasser. It’ll take us through the woods where the land cruisers can’t go. Plus, it has no computer so, it’s untraceable. I have a hunting cabin up north of here about fifty miles. We’ll go there.”
“Won’t Admiral Spearman find it? I mean doesn’t he know?”
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “No, he doesn’t know. I only found it by accident a few years ago. I was out on a long ride, and I just came across it. It’d been abandoned for years. We own the property, so I decided I’d keep it. No one lives up there, and no one will trespass on the Admiral’s lands. It’s backed up by the national forest, and most people don’t own gassers. It’s far in, so I’ve never seen anyone remotely close to it. We’ll be safe.”
“You think the Admiral will come looking for us?”
“I’m certain of it.” Adrik removed the wrist band from around his wrist and placed it on the picnic table. “We’re going to be blind for a bit.”
Gwyn reached into her bag and retrieved a small black box. She placed it in his hand. “Put it against your wristband. It’ll reformat the tracers, so it can’t be tracked.”
Adrik followed her directions. The box turned green as he passed it over the band.
“It’s good and completely untraceable. You can put it back on.”
Adrik secured it back in place. “Your tech is pretty sweet, Gwyn.”
She smiled. “I know a guy.”
Adrik laughed. “Come on. The bike’s in the boat house.�
��
She had started down the path behind him when the alarm sounded.
“I knew they’d be back. Hurry.”
Adrik opened the door to the boat house. In the back corner was a tarp. He lifted it and stood up his dirt bike.
Gwyn’s eyes narrowed. “We’re riding that thing?”
“Where’s your sense of adventure space girl?”
“I’m not sure. I may have left it on my ship.”
Adrik pulled it out through the side door of the boat house and jumped astride. “Come on. Get behind me and hold on.”
Gwyn paused beside him. “I don’t know.”
Laser bullets whizzed by her head.
“Gwyn, we don’t have time to debate on this. Get on, now.”
She tossed her leg over the bike and grabbed onto his waist.
“Hold on tight.” Adrik jumped and the bike roared to life. He pressed the throttle. The bike responded with a jolt. He urged it forward and up an old game trail. Two men fired in their direction, and bullets whizzed by their heads. Gwyn and Adrik ducked, but they pressed forward. More shots rang out, but they were out of range.
Gwyn buried her head in Adrik’s shoulders as he climbed the rocky trail up into the mountain. Brush and trees whirled by them as they climbed higher and higher into the wild. Adrik pressed forward making sure to stay under cover of the high canopy of trees. He reached the summit and stopped. He turned off the bike. “Gwyn, hop down. I want to check our position.”
Gwyn jumped off the bike and stumbled. Her legs like jelly. She sat on the ground beside the bike.
Adrik turned the wristband and a map projected into the air. In the valley below, two men walked around the summer house. Four more were surveying the lake. “So far, they haven’t made it up the trail, but it’s a matter of time. We still need to put some distance between us.”
“Agreed.”
“You ready?”
“I guess. How much further?”
“Another forty or so miles and we’ll be there.” Adrik threw his long leg over the top of the bike and settled into the seat. He patted the seat behind him. “Come on.”
Gwyn climbed on and grabbed hold of his waist. “You know, I wasn’t quite sure about this bike. But, I think I like it.”
The Outer World Chronicles: Books 1, 2, 3 Page 4
