Beyond the Stars: INEO (43 page)

I could tell it wanted to recruit me. Maybe this was the real reason it was here. It wanted something in return—
me.
Somehow, I knew saying yes meant leaving this body … my life, forever. I felt so safe, eternal. For a moment, I was tempted to accept. Then I thought of Gaelan and my kids. I wasn’t ready to leave them.

“No. I can’t,” I answered without hesitation. I didn’t want to do a mysterious disappearing act like the man in the Katarian folklore. “I want to go home.” It was where I was meant to be.

Instantly, a stronger peacefulness came over me, tempting me more. It was alluring. Part of me wanted to stay inside the blissful moment forever and never leave its glorious tranquility. However, I knew I could only have it one way or the other. I wanted to live. I felt proud of my decision, and held it firmly in my mind. This was where I belonged. I never experienced a deeper appreciation for being alive.

“So be it …” the voice trailed off.

I felt the rushing energy start to dim as though it was headed back into hibernation. My eyes recovered from the residual flash left behind, I hurriedly looked around the command deck. I found everything was back to normal. Our bodies and clothes had returned to their solid state. The crew wasn’t hustling or shouting out their ideas for evasive maneuvers. Everyone appeared to be a little stunned, but remarkably calm. It was peaceful. There were no Grulanti ships on the viewer screen or incoming weapons threatening to blow us up. Only the blackness of Space and a few distance stars and planets were seen on the viewer. Was it all a test? Was the Ineo entity trying to draft me all along? Or did the advanced life-form do this to me for its own amusement? Was it somehow omnipotent, or was it just patiently waiting until I would find myself trapped in some dire predicament? It didn’t matter. We were saved!

Our impending doom was nothing more than a memory. At first, I let out a laugh, then a tear burst from my right eye and ran down my cheek; it was one of elation. I exhaled with the sudden relief of being grateful in knowing I had truly succeeded. I turned to look at Gaelan. He sat beside me, speechless, frozen, appearing completely astonished like the rest of the people in the room. I pulled the controller from my ear and touched his cheek with my fingertips to make sure he was real.

Gaelan dragged his eyes to my face and came out of his trance. “Whoa, Sami,” he exclaimed. “Your eyes … they’re so bright. They’re almost glowing.”

“Really? Is that all?” I said, as I glanced down at my body to make sure it was still solid.

“No,” Gaelan said, beaming. He flashed me a wide smile and grabbed both of my hands as he gazed over at the viewer screen. “You did it! You averted them. We’re in the clear. You
are
amazing,” he said, jumping to his feet, and scooping me into his arms so he could embrace me.

At the same time, Pascal started jumping up and down in his seat with his arms held in victory before turning his chair to face the room. “They’re gone … and we didn’t explode!”

Around us, an air of relief took over the room. It spurred everyone to erupt in celebration and caused them to hug one another with their newfound appreciation for being alive.

“Report,” Tyden ordered Pascal. “Where
in creation
are we?” he said in a lighthearted tone.

“I don’t know yet,” Pascal replied, rotating his body back to his monitor.

Then, as if on cue, Tyden, Zaric, and Gaelan stepped closer to study the floating star map in front of us and stared at it intently with inquisitive faces, their lips parting in perfect harmony.

Gaelan rubbed his chin. “You don’t think—”

“No, it couldn’t be.
Could it?” Zaric
said, unsure with a furrowed brow.

“It is and it’s remarkable,” Tyden confirmed with a nod. “She manipulated space-time like never before.”

The group turned to face me with puzzled expressions.

“What?
Where are we?” I said in response to their stares.

Gaelan reached for my arm and pulled me closer to the map.

“Do you see that?” he asked me while he pointed to a small light on the screen.

“Yes, so.” I shrugged.

Did he really think I could interpret their confusing star map?

“That’s Earth,” he said, pointing to a blip on the screen as he smiled, looking shocked.

“Really!” I said with enthusiasm.

“Yes. And I don’t know how you did it—you not only brought us to safety, you shortened our return journey to Earth by weeks,” Gaelan explained.

I internalized his words. They meant I would be home
soon.
It sounded almost too good to be true.

“How? That’s not possible,” I said, feeling unable to accept the good news with ease.

I wanted a concrete explanation. I wanted to hear that I wasn’t the magic that made it happen. I wanted a logical reason.

“Actually,” Tyden said to me with his eyebrows rising with enlightenment, “the direction we asked you to bring us in was in direct alignment with Earth’s solar system. How we got here, however, is a complete mystery. We never could have taken such a direct course. We managed to skip all of the Space in the middle, without the help of a port key. Samantha, it’s official, you did this. Nobody else could have. Not only did we not get hit by the Grulanti’s incoming shots, we are here. Just like that,” Tyden said, shaking his head. “Incredible.”

I realized at that moment that I was the
only
one who had experienced the Ineo in action. No one else seemed to have been aware of our changing state of matter or remembered us zipping through Space. They were innocent bystanders who had been sucked into my world. They were unaware of how their fates had been changed. I suddenly felt incredibly alone. I’d had the most remarkable experience, and had no one to personally share it with.

“According to my calculations, we’re due to arrive at Earth in less than five hours. That’s impossible!” Pascal swung his chair around to face us with a dumbfounded look.

“Yes, Impossible. I could never …” I said, doubting myself. Admitting my reservations aloud made my knees weaken and buckle. Gaelan caught me when he saw me sway before I hit the floor. He supported my limp body, and cradled me against his chest. He held me until I found the strength to stand.

“Sami,” he said with alarm.

“I’m okay. I’m just tired,” I said, feeling breathless and drained.

Gaelan guided me back to my feet as I realized I felt different. There was no denying it. My life force had weakened. I was in immediate need of rest. I knew there was only one reason for my sudden lack of zest. “The Ineo—it’s gone.”

Gaelan looked at me with understanding. “Thankfully, I still have you.”

I nodded feeling grateful that I was here with him as well. The Ineo had left me, only after giving me a glimpse of what it would be like to be more than human and the knowledge that we weren’t the most powerful beings in the universe. Perhaps it had served its purpose and decided to move on since I rejected its offer. Or maybe I had chased it away. It might have abandoned me after I let doubt enter my mind. It had vanished as quickly as it had come. Either way, I felt hollow. I had grown accustom to the powerful energy taking refuge inside my body. I think I would have used it better if I clearly understood the full magnitude of its strength. I knew I was forever changed after having a taste of its power. It made me want to handle all of my future choices with care. Although I no longer had the Ineo’s help, I realized I had more control over my destiny than I had previously thought. My decisions really did have the ability to alter the course of my life significantly.
Why did it take me so long to grasp this lesson?

CHAPTER 28

LIBERATED

We headed back to our room after the ship’s surgeon, Hayden, gave Gaelan and Urit an array of medical treatments for their injuries. Hayden usually worked as a chef in the café since her skills as a surgeon were rarely needed. I liked her and considered her a true friend. She was the only person who was kind to me when I had volunteered in the café on the way to Kataria. Everyone else saw me as a nuisance. I must say, the woman knew how to handle a knife.

“Dim,” Gaelan ordered the lights as we fell carelessly into bed.

We weren’t due to arrive at our Space resort for another three hours, and both seemed desperate to seek some rest before our arrival. I leaned my head on Gaelan’s arm, and stared out across the room, unable to sleep.

“What’s on your mind?” Gaelan asked softly after he noticed I was awake.

“I was just thinking about Loic.”

“What? Are you hoping he got caught in the crossfire, too?” He joked.

I let out a small laugh. “Um, no. That would be too quick. Although, I can’t say I’d be too upset if he did get blown up. He did try to sell us after all. Only, he deserves worse. He needs to be put behind bars. He’s a danger to society.”

“Forget Loic. He’s his own worst enemy. Someday, his unscrupulous dealings will catch up with him, and I imagine it won’t be pretty when they do.”

“Still, I can’t get over his gruesome view of the Katarian Council. Do you think he was telling the truth?”

“Unfortunately, yes. That’s a subject that has plagued my mind for some time. There have been rumors floating around that someone on the Council has been involved in some unscrupulous dealings, although no one’s ever been convicted. Whoever it is, they’re good at covering up their trail. Even so, don’t fret about it. As upsetting as it is to hear that they had Loic doing who knows what, it seems like he distorted his story to see himself as a victim.”

“I think he uses his grudge against them as a justification for betraying his own people. He has some major trust issues. I’m afraid he won’t stop seeking revenge for as long as he lives.”

“He only sees the worst in people because he’s dishonest and untrustworthy himself.”

“He said that your people were using Earth. I’ve been trying to think of how you could possibly use us.
You’re
the advanced society.”

Gaelan gave me a curious grin. “I know what he means.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” he paused. “It’s to steal all your beautiful women.”

“Oh, please. I’ve seen your selection of women and they’re all gorgeous,” I said, gazing over at his face. He was holding back a smile. I rotated on my side so I could face him and sighed. I was hoping for a serious answer. “So there’s no hidden agenda?” I prodded.

“No,” he replied.

For the first time, I was fully aware of how unspecific his answer was. It made me wonder if he really was keeping something from me.
Damn Loic.
I couldn’t believe how he brainwashed me into being just as paranoid as he was. It made me want to keep my eyes a little more open and be slightly more aware of the things Gaelan and the others said. At least until I felt more secure.

Gaelan pulled my arm across his chest and drew my body against his. “Sami, please, I just want to hold you. I’ve never been so afraid of losing you. For the next few days, I’m going to, how did you say it? ‘Call off’ or better yet, I’ll take a vacation. I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”

Gaelan leaned his face towards mine and stroked my jaw with his hand before laying a passionate kiss on my lips. It made all my insecurities instantly disappear. How could I ever doubt his intentions? Unlike Loic, Gaelan had genuine integrity. He was strong, honest, and reputable. He treated everyone he encountered fairly and kindly. He made me want him in ways I couldn’t explain. The way he held me with such care made me crazy in love with him. Being alone, touching and kissing Gaelan was my favorite time. He was always totally present when he was with me. The way he fully engaged himself when we were together made him irresistible. I took in the power of his lips as he continued to press them into mine.

I think Loic could play on my insecurities because I still struggled with a fear of abandonment after losing Jack. I realized that I might have been keeping Gaelan at an arm’s length, never fully allowing myself to have him. It was time I stopped worrying. Here he was, giving me all of him. All I had to do was accept his love graciously and be grateful that I had it.

I released his lips for air. “So what? You plan to take a little time off before you ship me off on another life risking endeavor?”