Chapter 25: Event Horizon — Part 1

Joni stared absently at Laura’s neck, something that always put people on edge. He was considering kissing her, maybe even nibbling a bit. His intent had been to annoy her, a game he had been playing recently with others, one that he felt Laura might comprehend. Laura turned slowly, her hand shot out, and she dragged Joni close. She kissed him harder and more passionately than anybody had ever kissed him before, leaving his lips with a wet, bruised feeling, her tongue ever so gentle as it touched his. She had grabbed him by the hair, burying her fingers, letting her nails brush ever so lightly against Joni’s as yet unimpassioned skin. With the careful motions of a predator showing mercy, Laura released Joni from her grip, and allowed the young man to stagger off and regain his composure. Once he left the flight deck, Laura returned to her monitors. Trina could see the half smile on her face. Laura had always been so disciplined, almost self-righteous in her behavior toward others. Trina had never expected her to act so flamboyantly.

“I figured it would be good to make him a little uncomfortable for a change.” Laura said.

“I don’t think he’s ever kissed a woman before.” Trina’s eyes were aglow with admiration.

“Men are always late to bloom.” Laura said. “Got to keep ‘em on their toes.”

“Hmm.” Trina closed her eyes and let her mind drift absently.

“Have you thought about what you are going to do when we get to Vodia?” Laura asked, her matter-of-fact persona returning.

“I thought I’d contact Master Toen and gain his friendship. He seemed to be a wise man.” Trina said.

Laura fought against her heart’s sense of compassion. “If Master Toen is still alive.”

“What do you mean?” Trina asked.

“The people of Vodia are still mortal, unless things have changed drastically in the past thirty some odd years. Master Toen wasn’t a young man when we last left him.”

“Has it really been so long? How do we know we’ll be safe on Vodia?”

“Susan has maintained a flow of information with Vodia, as per the agreement she made some years back. Vodia has used the information, as far as we can tell, for primarily defensive purposes, and has established a fair system of government.”

Trina’s mind, keen yet unfocused, drifted to another of her many concerns.

“I hope Susan’s going to be all right.”

“We won’t know for sure until we shut down the tach drives.” Laura said. “I regret not to have gotten to know you better. You seem to be a bright young girl.” Laura paused, giggling. “How horrible! I’m starting to act like an adult.”

“Is that so bad?” Trina wondered aloud.

“I worked hard to maintain my youthful state of mind. When I was a Satrap of the Cynosure, I was considered quite immature and rather proud of it.”

The ship faded out of tachyonic space and slowed to normal speeds somewhere near Vodia. Once the tachyonic emissions died and time stabilized, Laura opened communications with the long-range telepathic coordinators. She was told that Susan was in fair condition, and that both twins had lived, information she immediately relayed to everybody aboard ship.

“Would you like me to open communications with Vodia?” Laura asked since Trina was technically in charge of the mission.

“Yes. It would be wise, I guess.” Trina sat back, realized her nudity, and smiled, “I reckon I’d better dress for the occasion.”

“Yes ma’am. Clothes are a smart call on a hot, sun drenched world.”

As Trina ran back into the crew quarters to get her clothes, Laura wrapped a sash over her breasts. Opening communications proved relatively easy, Vodia was already dispatching a party of fighters, the local government’s idea of a greeting party. The ships were larger than Laura’s, heavily armed and armored, ready for anything. They lacked only one item to make them a true threat — a discourteous Commander. The communications system found their transmission frequency and locked antennas onto the signal. Laura was forced to make first contact, as Trina had not returned to the Command Chair in time.

“Unidentified craft, this is the Commander of the Flagship, Claret. You’re not authorized to enter the system.”

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