by SY Thompson
“It will take a very long time to realize just this part of your plan. In time, our own people can take over law enforcement and military positions. Once that happens we can begin bringing the true government of the Regime to bear.”
Though his words sounded tentative, Angstrom could see that he was starting to sway in favor of the idea. “Yes, but we must be cautious. If it becomes common knowledge that we’re killing the people we replace, we’d have a fight on our hands. Even if twenty-first century weapons are crude, these people are heavily armed. Also, the sheer number of people rising up against us might cause failure.”
“Why shouldn’t we fight?” Barnhart asked. “You said it yourself. Our weapons and technology are superior. I don’t understand why we don’t just bring in a Star Cruiser to annihilate these people from space.”
“Now who is being impatient? We don’t fight because we would lose. Even if we won a direct assault, this entire planet would become uninhabitable. People in this century may be bigoted and petty, but they will band together long enough to resist us.”
Barnhart finally nodded. “And what of this Sidney Weaver? Why are you expending so many resources on her? She is merely an actor, someone who plays ‘let’s pretend’. You threaten our mission by having Sullivan and the others pursue her. If anything goes wrong we could all be exposed.”
The senator growled in frustration. “Because that fool Gentry created a data disc and it has fallen into her possession. It contains a list of those in the government due for replacement. He also included all the information he had on our guards.”
“What kind of information?”
“Everything. Culture, political views, where we originated, and why we’re here.”
“I told you not to trust that man with too much information. Now his ex-wife has the data, but I don’t believe she’s read it if she does. Otherwise, we’d already be incarcerated or dead.”
“No, I don’t think she knows what she has,” Angstrom agreed, “but we can’t be sure and we can’t take the chance that she will find out. As for Gentry, I’ve taken steps to ensure he will no longer be able to compromise our operation.”
“You’ve eliminated him?”
“Last night. An operative transported his body through the transmission point and requested a replacement. No one will know he’s one of us and if Sidney Weaver is ignorant of the information on the disc, she’ll never get a chance to find out.”
“Sullivan?”
“I sent him after her right before you entered the office.”
“You’ve done well, Mister President-elect. There is still much work to do until you’re sworn into office in January. Make sure there aren’t any more leaks or you may be transported next for your own replacement.”
Chapter Thirteen
GRAY EYES FLUTTERED open slowly and then Sidney slammed them closed again. Ronan had sat staring at her companion for the better part of an hour, praying for her to regain consciousness. Now that she had, Ronan could only guess at the size of her headache or concussion. Still, she breathed easier just seeing Sidney awake.
“Easy,” she said, resting a hand gently against her shoulder. “You took quite a blow.”
Sidney cracked her eyes open, propped up on one elbow, and looked around the wrecked interior of the Dassault. Ronan could understand the confused look. When Sidney lost consciousness, she’d been in the cockpit. Now she was in the rear of the Falcon on what remained of the bed. Ronan carried her there after the crash once she made sure it was safe. Lacking any broken bones or obvious signs of bleeding, Ronan wanted to move Sidney to a more comfortable place where she wouldn’t have branches poking into her shoulder.
She watched as Sidney looked around the damaged plane. Fractures spider-webbed along the interior of the bulkheads and the deck plating had buckled in several places. The smell of burnt ozone from ruptured power conduits permeated the air thickly, and Sidney coughed as she drew a breath of cool air.
“How long?”
The plane’s right wing wasn’t anywhere in sight. The darkness of night, the stars, and the sounds and smells of the Florida Everglades poured in through the gaping expanse. They were lucky that the plane had remained relatively intact. If the crash had been even a little worse, sparks could have ignited an explosion that would have melted them into their seats. Ronan ignored the shudder that ran down her spine and concentrated on answering.
“A few hours.”
Ronan sat beside Sidney on the mattress and held up a canteen of water. Sidney took several long swallows from the flask before Ronan stopped her.
“Not too much, your body’s taken quite a beating and you don’t want to make yourself sick.”
Sidney nodded at the advice, handed the water back to Ronan and sat up to focus on their current reality. “So what’s the plan now?”
“Well,” Ronan didn’t say anything else for a moment and looked around at the vessel. “There’s really no way to repair this. I can’t see well enough in the dark to even begin to assess the damage so that would have to wait until morning. Even then, I don’t have the equipment to make any repairs. Regardless, it’s not like I happen to have a spare wing up my sleeve.”
“What are you saying?”
Ronan frowned at Sidney’s tremulous tones but saw no reason to sugarcoat the truth. “It’s getting dark so all we can do for the night is try to relax, stay warm, and conserve our strength. Since we have no other means of transportation, tomorrow we’ll have to walk out of the jungle.”
Sidney stared at her as if she’d grown an extra pair of arms. “Are you crazy?” Instantly, Sidney grabbed both sides of her head, illustrating the magnitude of her headache, but she stubbornly persisted in a slightly quieter voice. “We are in the Everglades. You know...alligators, snakes, swamps? What makes you think we can just walk out of here?”
Concentrating on the intent gaze directed at her, Ronan allowed herself to draw strength and patience from the love she felt for this magnificent woman. Last night she’d kissed Sidney in relief that she was still alive and she had responded, but Ronan was not fool enough to completely believe that she returned her feelings. She might never return them and now was not the time to let her know how she felt or to dwell on those emotions.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t keep the tenderness completely out of her expression when she finally answered. “I realize it’s dangerous, but we really have no choice. I know you’re scared, but I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Sidney went stock-still for a moment, frowning. Ronan wondered if she’d inadvertently revealed something with her choice of words, or the tone of her voice, or even her expression. Then Sidney’s curious expression faded and she raised a hand to her forehead.
“You’ve already saved my life three times. I believe you, and trust me, coming from me that’s quite a compliment. I don’t...trust...easily.” Her wonderfully husky tone reminded Ronan of whiskey and cigarettes. “You’re right when you say we have no choice. I’m just so tired.”
Slowly Sidney raised a hand to rub at her gritty eyes and Ronan couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take Sidney in her arms. She felt Sidney relax into the embrace. Sidney was not by any means a weak woman, but she’d been through a tremendously stressful twelve hours. Ronan could feel some of the tension melt out of her muscles, but suddenly something changed.
Sidney’s respirations increased and her body tensed again. At first, Ronan thought something had frightened her, but when Sidney looked up, she found desire in her eyes.
Must be the concussion, Ronan thought. In a few minutes, she’ll be angry for letting her guard down, even for an instant. Ronan’s mouth went dry as she waited for Sidney to act. She wanted that response, but was afraid to press for something more unless Sidney made the first move.
Sidney looked away, but didn’t withdraw. Eventually, her body quieted and she grew still. Ronan looked around the area, her mind conjuring every scenario she could think of to help them out of th
is situation. Their resources were low, but she possessed some high technology that might ease their burden just a bit. Coupled with a little luck and resourcefulness, they just might make it out of the jungle alive.
Sidney started and sat up, leaving Ronan wondering if she’d heard something.
“What is it?” she asked loosening her hold slightly, but she didn’t allow Sidney to move away completely.
“You’re not supposed to sleep with a concussion, are you?”
Ronan smiled and released Sidney before she reached into her saddlebags. She pulled out the tracking device Sidney had examined earlier. Ronan aimed it at her and tapped several buttons quickly before checking the readout. A moment later, she nodded once, satisfied with what she found. Then she closed the instrument.
“Your injury is minor and I don’t think it’ll be dangerous for you to sleep for a few hours. In fact, after the day you’ve had, I suspect it would be good for you.”
A dark eyebrow arched and thin lips twisted into a wry grin as Sidney clearly worked through Ronan’s actions. “Tracking device, huh? I guess it has more than one purpose.”
Ronan looked down at her hands where they lay in her lap and flushed slightly. “It...has more than one purpose, yes.”
Sidney reached out and grasped Ronan’s chin gently between thumb and forefinger, urging her to look up. “Tell me about it.”
Ronan drifted for a moment in twin pools of liquid gray before she came to a decision. Sidney was an extremely intelligent woman. She wouldn’t discount what her eyes told her just because she had no previous experience with this type of situation before. Resigned, Ronan lifted the device and handed it to Sidney. While she examined it, Ronan explained.
“It is called a data analyzer. It has many functions, only one of which is a tracking device. In actuality, it is a scanning tool. The analyzer is capable of scanning for life forms up to a thirty-mile radius as well as analyzing the molecular structure of the atmosphere and any object in question. Additionally, it’s capable of assessing and diagnosing injuries and illnesses.”
“But not treating them?” Sidney turned the device over as she inspected each minute detail, from the unfamiliar casing to the multitude of flashing lights. “Quite an interesting piece of technology. Where did you come by it?”
The question was very pointed and Ronan wasn’t sure how to answer. “A friend of mine is...was...a scientist,” she said honestly, thinking of the photo she had at her new home on the island. “Many times I funded his research and was able to benefit from his discoveries.”
Although Ronan tried to cover it with her hurried explanation, Sidney seemed to catch on to the pain in her voice. “What happened to him?” she asked gently.
She didn’t point out the obvious fact that, from what she’d said, Ronan had money and hadn’t needed the pilot’s job in the first place. Warmed by the obvious sympathy and consideration, Ronan felt overcome with emotion. Tears stung her eyes and she turned her head away to grapple with her feelings. She fought the tightness in her throat and finally answered.
“He was killed by the government. They considered his discoveries dangerous.”
“Are they the same people that have been trying to kill me?”
“I believe they could be,” Ronan equivocated and refused to meet Sidney’s gaze.
“Do you know if they managed to follow us from the estate?”
Ronan nodded. “I took a scan just before you awakened. There are five life forms approximately nine miles from our present location. Right now they’re not moving, but I think that’s just because it’s too dangerous to travel through the swamps at night. They’ll be coming for us again at dawn.”
Telling Sidney the truth had seemed like the right idea, but then Ronan watched her eyes darken as anger flashed. “How do you know that those five life forms aren’t a search party? Someone might have seen the plane go down and believe it or not, I’m a celebrity. Is it so far-fetched to believe they would be looking for us to help?”
“No. That is not who they are—”
“How do you know?”
“Because I filed a false flight plan.”
The cabin was suddenly quiet as both weighed the ramifications of Ronan’s words. If this were a sanctioned search party, it would have been conducted somewhere along their expected route of travel. Since the unknown individuals trailed along their actual location, it indicated something more sinister. Sidney’s shoulders suddenly slumped in quiet defeat and Ronan felt her heart melt. She reached out and tried to hug her once more, but Sidney resisted.
“I guess we should get some sleep.” Sidney scooted back against the far side of the mattress.
Ronan sighed and realized that the moment of closeness had passed. With a heavy heart, she climbed in beside her companion.
She stopped for a moment to remove her boots and then pulled the dirty sheets over their reclining forms. When she settled back against the mattress she wondered how she would ever be able to sleep.
Sidney turned onto her side facing her and Ronan guessed she was trying to see her features in the dark. “I’m sorry. I guess my head is just spinning from everything that’s happened, but I want you to understand that I am grateful for everything that you’ve done. Can we just chalk my behavior up to temporary insanity?”
Ronan’s stomach flip-flopped before she could control her emotional response and the blood roared through her veins and centered in her groin. She hoped that Sidney couldn’t detect the sudden heat emanating from her body.
“Only temporary?”
Sidney chuckled and Ronan closed her eyes, prepared to try for a few hours of sleep. She felt Sidney move and then lean over her, her face drawing nearer. The slim form settled half on top of Ronan and then soft lips pressed against her own. The kiss was gentle and healing rather than passionate. Ronan lay there afraid to breathe and tried to return the chaste pressing of lips without starting something more passionate. This had to be up to Sidney.
Then it was over and Sidney settled down to rest her head on Ronan’s shoulder, one arm wrapped around the narrow waist. She snuggled closer to Ronan, muttered, “G’night,” and then settled right down to sleep.
Afraid to move, Ronan lay completely still while she felt Sidney’s body relax and her breath even out. Her heart pounded in her chest and she wondered how she could possibly sleep now. The kiss had been devoid of passion and she wondered if Sidney had been trying to tell her something without words or merely trying to thank her for saving her life yet again.
Eventually exhaustion won out and Ronan began to doze off. The heat of the warm body and her gentle nocturnal murmuring drew Ronan in. With the scent of the dark locks in her nostrils, she finally fell into a deep, restful slumber.
Chapter Fourteen
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Sidney awakened and took a long slow stretch before she remembered where she was. Sitting up, she noticed that Ronan was absent and the inside of the cabin had just begun to lighten with the coming of day. The sheets next to her were cold and she wondered how long Ronan had been gone. Just then, the object of her musing walked into the ruined doorway juggling a plate loaded with food in one hand and a mug of something that steamed in the other. Florida wasn’t nearly as cool as Maryland, but the Everglades were quite chilly this morning. When Sidney saw what Ronan carried, she couldn’t contain her joy.
“Oh, you’re an angel.” She reached for the cup before wincing slightly at the ache in her muscles. “How’d you manage this?” “I raided the remains of the galley and made a fire outside on the ground. Here, it’s not much, but it’s something to eat.”
Sidney thought the mound of skillet-fried potatoes, baked beans and toast looked wonderful and dug in with gusto. After a few bites, she realized Ronan was watching and began to grow self-conscious.
“You’re not going to eat?” she asked around the mouthful of food.
Ronan smiled. “I ate before I came in. I apologize for staring, but I was wondering how you
r headache is?”
“Better,” Sidney admitted taking a quick sip of her coffee. “I’m a little sore, but that could just as easily come from sleeping on the ground. My arms are a little bruised from the branches coming through the windshield, but all in all things could have been much worse.”
Sidney stopped in the process of scooping up another mouthful of food and looked at Ronan. She hadn’t complained about any injuries last night, simply taken care of Sidney when she regained consciousness. She’d fixed breakfast this morning like nothing was out of the ordinary. It had been dark after the crash and Sidney hadn’t seen anything wrong with her, but in the light of day she could see where a bloody gash had dried on Ronan’s cheek.
“You’re hurt.” Sidney reached out to touch the soft skin.
Ronan blushed and shook her head. “It’s just a scratch.”
She moved away to allow Sidney to eat in peace and pointedly ignored the look of concern flashed her way. Sidney watched as she walked around the truncated space of the interior, collecting various items that they might need for the next few days. Ronan filled the motorcycle’s saddlebags with a small medical kit, cloth for bandages should the need arise, matches, food and various other sundries. She also filled the few canteens they had with the bottled drinking water that had fallen out onto the galley floor. Throughout all of this, she was quiet.
Then she looked around and her eyes settled on Sidney’s briefcase. The battered leather container held very little except for a photograph and a computer disc. Sidney just watched her and offered no complaints when Ronan picked up the case to pack with supplies. Then Ronan picked up the data analyzer and walked back out of the plane.
