by Gary Weston
Chapter 64
Without another word, Belle went to the room she shared with Patrick Davron. She opened her clothes cupboard and picked up the hollowed-out book given to her by a certain General Burns from another universe and lay it on top of the cupboard. She nervously opened the book to see the H.A.T.E.D inside. The holographic advanced thought expansion device looked such an innocent thing, almost toy-like. Using it could kill her.
She had said nothing to the others, especially Patrick, about using it again. The last thing she needed was Patrick telling her not to risk her life using it, putting doubts into her mind. She was going to do this.
She picked up the small line of connected dice-sized cubes. It seemed heavy for something so small. Small and powerful. It was also almost totally depleted of power, which she expected. She turned on the bedside light and placed the device directly under the beam to charge it. Then she locked the door to keep Patrick out then stretched out on the bed and waited for the H. A. T. E.D. to charge up.
In the sickbay of the fighter, Akrins sat by the side of the bed, watching over April Golightly. Thanks to his repairs to the ship, Doctor Crowe had managed to stabilize his patient. Without the full facilities of a hospital surgical room, he had assured Akrins he had done all he could for her. He had left Akrins alone with his vigil over the woman he loved, determined that if she died, she would not die alone in deepest space.
Akrins had no idea how long he had sat there, fatigue finally getting the better of him as he drifted off to sleep. But something had woken him up. The dimly lit room was suddenly filled with green light. He gasped as the shape of Jazz Belle formed in that light. Belle stared at him but said nothing, then her projected self hovered above the dying body of April Golightly. Slowly, the green lady lowered and gradually became one with the body on the bed.
Akrins knew exactly what was happening. He closed his eyes and prayed.
From Gary. Whew! I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait to find out what happens next. Look out for part four. You do NOT want to miss that!
