Moonbeams and magic (25 page)

Love her? his mind asked. Yes, his heart repHed, with all his being.

Starla writhed in exquisite delight, as if it had been wegs or malees since they had last united their bodies. She could hardly believe such a great hunger had attacked her again. She knew his restraint was stretched tightly, precariously, and she soared with pleasure at his great need of her. She meshed her mouth to his as the sensations mounting within her waxed achingly sweet and potent. Her hands pulled him closer, and Dagan's mouth fastened to hers as their passions burned higher and hotter until they were engulfed in rapturous flames. He felt her tense, arch her back, and cling to him as she moaned a glorious victory. Without delay, he rushed to join her, to conquer the same pinnacle of magic. When the last spasms ceased, he rolled to his back and carried her with him, cradling her in his strong arms.

Spent and sated, neither spoke nor moved for a long while.

Finally, Starla lifted her head and looked at him. Her heart warmed at his glowing smile and tranquil gaze. "I have to leave now; it's late."

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, about this same time, and same place," she added, smiling.

Two days later while en route from the landing grid to the settlement, Starla saw Tochar and a group of well-armed Enforcers leave his dwelling to rendezvous with Koteas and Terin near the shattered rock formations where the last thwarted encounter had been held. Since she could not destroy the nev/ supply of crystals, she prayed the I-GAF team was standing by to defeat the Thracians and to send the crystals hurling into the vast Cosmos where they would float forever among space debris. She was certain that the I-GAF commander must wonder who had gathered that data

and how it had been entered into his communication system, one which Raz Yakir was privy to with its files and secret code; the leader had performed the task through an untraceable method. By now, the commander must have initiated an investigation into the mystery and possibly changed the password. Even so, she reasoned, a man of that elite rank would be compelled to check out the anonymous lead in case it was authentic. Soon, Duald Phaedrig would be convinced, and one more victory would be obtained for her side. Perhaps at this very moment, a cloaked I-GAF ship and team were witnessing the exchange of crystals for payment.

Once Syrkin and the Kalfan mine were eliminated from Tochar's reach, Starla deduced, the fiendal would be constrained to lean toward his Serian nexus. When that happened, perhaps a slip would be made by the conspirator. If that source could be eradicated, that left only the indomitable weapons here to be obliterated. Without his De-structoids and contacts, Tochar would be vulnerable to a full-scale assault.

Starla wanted her work on Tochara to be finalized fast and soon, but she cautioned herself against reckless action and rash mistakes. She was getting too close to victory to risk a setback or defeat. Success, she was aware, limited her time with Dagan, perhaps limited his existence in the universe. She didn't want to think about that grave complication and shoved it from her mind.

She headed for Dagan's chamber to spend the next few horas with him before their scheduled departure for Zumali in the morning. Her lengthy union with him last night had been as wonderful as the two couplings the night before. She didn't know how it was possible, but each ftision of their bodies was more exciting than the last. They had shared new and daring experiences only horas ago, seeking and exploring various carnal delights. It was as if she had become insatiable, though every climax was rapturous and

satisfying. The way he touched her, kissed her, looked at her drove her wild with desire. There were so many ways to make love and she wanted to enjoy every one of them with him.

She knew Cypher was concerned about her behavior. He had warned her not to trust Dagan completely, as a proud man who felt betrayed and used would not protect her or take her side during a crisis. She did not know how her lover would react if she were exposed and imperiled, but she hoped he would stand by her, v/ould believe she loved him. Even so, she took Cypher's cautions to heart and kept Dagan ignorant of the truth.

At the landing grid the following morning, Tochar told Starla to remove her wrist device and leave it in her shuttle since she was traveling with Ajaken on the Adika and it would not be needed for communication v/ith her android.

Starla concealed her sudden tension. She smiled and shrugged. "I wear it all the time, so I never think to remove it. If it concerns you, I'll leave it behind. Do you vvant to examine it for a problem?" she asked as she held the wrist monitor/communicator out to him, knowing it would not function without contact with her right forefinger and certain signals.

"That is unnecessary. I just want to prevent any frequency it might emit from, being detected by the wrong person and endangering miy team."

"Is that what you think happened on Zumiali last time? You think that Serian patrol picked up the communication betvveen me and Cypher?"

"I do not know, but it is not v/orth taking a risk. Correct?"

"Of course, you're right, and I'll comply since it isn't needed this time." Starla entered her shuttle and placed the device in her pilot's seat. As she did so, she whispered to

Cypher, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Don't follow us; Tochar is in an odd mood and might check on you." Even without a response, she knew the android heard her and would obey. Starla closed the shuttle door and joined the others to leave in another craft for Auken's ship in stationary orbit over the settlement. After boarding the vessel and as she was settling in to her assigned quarters for the trek, she relaxed by envisioning the lovemaking with Dagan last night. She tried not to fret about Tochar's motive for his odd request and told herself it was nothing more than a precaution following several strange incidents. She hoped the fiendal was not suspicious of her or testing her. No matter, she would be on constant alert against a slip; she would be on her own this time without Cypher's guard, but she had Dagan as a back-up if needed.

A weg later and beyond the Free-Zone on the snowy surface of Zumali, Auken told the android guards at the complex that they had been sent to transfer the drugs stored there to another location because a second raid would be attempted within a few deegas. Using official-looking papers and uniforms and issuing the proper code words, they were given access to the structure and its valuable contents. The minute they were inside, the androids were disabled and their memory chips were dissolved by a highly corrosive acid. The video/audio monitoring system was destroyed in a similar manner to prevent their exposure as the perpetrators.

Auken, Starla, and Dagan gathered the drugs for conveyance to the Adika while Sach stayed aboard to watch the sensors for danger and to be prepared to transport them to safety fast if trouble arrived.

During their task, Starla and Dagan were given their first moments of privacy since leaving Noy. "Why was Tochar so interested in your wrist device?" he asked.

Starla noticed his anxious expression. "I don't know, but it was strange and scary. Maybe he's only looking for someone or something to blame for those weird incidents. We'll discuss it later. We don't want Auken to catch us whispering and think we're sharing secrets or conspiring."

"Be careful, love, and I'll watch your back. I won't let them fault you or harm you for what's been happening."

She sent him a radiant smile of gratitude and love.

After the drugs were transferred to the ship, Auken took one final precaution: he placed explosive sunbursts —^those stolen by Starla and Moig when she met Dagan—around the complex and set their timers to destroy it, to make certain all evidence or clues were eliminated.

"Let's go!" he shouted to Dagan and Starla to his rear. "We want to be far away when this place blows."

As they were leaving, Dagan snagged his shirt on a sharp object and cut his arm. He wrapped his fingers around the area to halt the bleeding.

"Wait," Starla told Auken. "Let me sear this jagged spot to obliterate Dagan's blood or his presence could be exposed if it's found and tested."

"No need," the Icarian told her. "The blast will take care of it."

"Are you sure?" she asked, and Dagan responded to her panic.

"He's right, Starla. Let's hurry before we get trapped here."

Later in the Adika 's medical bay, after sterilizing the location, Starla used a latron beam to seal her lover's wound: techniques she had learned from her scientist mother and sister.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked, impressed by her skill.

"When one is a loner and on the run, one must know

such tricks for survival. Actually, Cypher taught me. At least, I learned by watching him repair me a few times following accidents. I also remember my father . . . doing such a procedure before ... his death," she was compelled to lie after Auken entered the bay during Dagan's query. "I hope I did it correctly. The bleeding has stopped and the skin color is good. Does it hurt?"

Dagan flexed his fingers. "No, not at all. Thanks. They taught you well. She's an excellent asset to our team, isn't she, Auken?"

"That she is; both of you are. Tochar is pleased with your work and skills. He's hoping you two will remain with us for a long time."

Dagan grinned. "Considering the amount I need to purchase a ship, I certainly will be. You aren't tired of us and our adventures, are you, Starla?"

"This team consists of the best and only fiiends I have," she alleged. "Where else would I go and earn such large payments and have a safe haven? Besides, after Tochar is rich and powerful, he'll make the settlement a nicer place to live; or he'll relocate us to a wonderful stronghold. Either way, I'm with him for as long as he wants me and I please him."

"That's good news," Auken said. "He'll be happy to hear it. Why don't we go test our wits and skills with a few hands of rest? "

"That sounds ftin to me," Starla responded.

"Me, too," Dagan added, intrigued and concerned by the easy way Starla had deluded Auken, which he was certain she had done.

After they reach Noy and the others departed from the landing grid, Starla told Dagan to freshen up while she did the same. She would return in her shuttle for him in two horas, she promised. Then she would treat him to a meal

and a tour aboard her ship, which would give Cypher a chance to observe the man who had stolen her heart. First, she needed to make a report to Thaine and to check with Cypher about any incidents while she was gone.

"Tochar contacted me twice during your absence," the android related. "One deega after your departure, he said a mechano vessel was in orbit and wanted to know if we required any repairs. I responded in the negative. Three deegas later, he said a servo vessel was in orbit and asked if we required any supplies or service. I responded in the negative. He has not communicated with me since that deega."

"Surely he knows we were serviced recently. Do you think he was checking to see if you followed me or had anything to do with the attack on Koteas and Terin? It did take place, didn't it?"

"The Thracian vessel and all aboard were eliminated on schedule. A communication came from Raz Yakir to confirm that action was taken. The destruction was done in a manner to appear an internal problem and accident; no warning to be picked up by other sources was issued."

"They believed our information and observed the Icari-ans's guilt or they wouldn't have taken lethal and covert action."

"That is a logical assumption. The I-GAF network code was changed, but Raz Yakir is privy to the new one if it is needed."

"Let's hope it isn't necessary as that will narrow down the possibilities of who's inserting our clues. I'm sure the I-GAF commander will investigate everyone with access to the code and computer network, but if Phaedrig sends an agent here to investigate, Raz Yakir will warn us."

"That would be a logical conclusion and course of action," Cypher concurred.

"It's a good thing you stayed behind with the ship or we would be exposed by now. Maybe Tochar is only checking out any possibihty of an enemy or agent working against him. It would be sensible to start with any newcomers, especially one with a private vessel. Anything else happen?"

"I constructed you a one-way communication device in case Tochar refuses to permit you to wear your wrist monitor again. I will attach it to whatever garment you select to wear; its size and shape will delude them."

"You're so intelligent and foresighted, m.y friend. Now, I must get ready for our guest. I want you to remain with us until we retire for the night to my quarters; that way, you can observe Dagan and tell me what you think about him later." Starla filled her trusted android in on what happened during the trek, then said, "Infonn our superior of our current status and my safe return from Zumali while I freshen up."

Starla headed for her quarters in a mixture of excitement and suspense. Soon, Dagan would view how she lived and they would share a glorious night on her sleeper. Yet, worries about Tochar's actions troubled her Positive she was in for another encounter with his truth serum, she wasn't concerned about passing his test, but she dreaded Dagan's submission to it. Tonight, she cunningly must prepare him for facing that hazard or he could endanger both of them.

EL

Eiisn

Dagan was impressed by Starla's spaceship which was a larger and more advanced vessel than he had expected. The fom-ying-o\d model was sleek and swift. Its color was an almost perfect match to the gray-blue space encasing it, far above the reddish atmosphere of the planet. He quickly learned the many facets of the Liska: its potent power source; superior force shield; phenomenal weapons capability; the best quality in sensors, communications, and instruments; a superb bridge with two pilot seats; a well-fitted medical room; a shuttle bay with a small landing craft, an emergency escape pod, and decontamination unit; and a transporter room^. In the personal area he was shown an eating location with automated seryo and disposal equipment, one sufficiently-sized guest suite, and her femininely decorated quarters with a grooming chamber.