Beyond the Stars: INEO (3 page)

“Are you okay?” I shouted out from the sofa, too comfortable to get up.

“Sami, are you in here or buried under one of these boxes?” Gaelan said, walking into the study. He looked at me and let out a big sigh. He looked upset. Being a minimalist, I was sure he was overwhelmed by his heap of belongings taking up most of the floor space in our bedroom. Who could blame him? Our three room suite was already cramped enough. Azil had only left us four small walking paths: one from the door to the bed, to Gaelan’s desk, to the bathroom, and to the study.

“Your sister packed for you,” I explained reluctantly.

Gaelan grimaced. “So I see. I think my entire house is in here. What was she thinking? There’s no room for all of that onboard. Doesn’t she think I’m ever going to go home again?”

I took a deep breath and thought about asking him when he was planning on returning to Kataria, except I didn’t want to know the answer. Not today. “Did things calm down?” I decided to change the subject.

“Yes. You shouldn’t have left. The dramatics are over,” he replied in a softer tone. He sat down beside me, sinking the cushion beneath him.

“Good,” I grumbled.

“I guess I should have warned you about how much my people enjoy a good debate.”

“Mm-hmm,” I moaned with a shrug. “I was ready to start keeping track of those in favor of blowing up the Dreon ship and those in favor of a stealth operation, but I still think my favorite idea was to infiltrate their ship by dressing up as one of them.”

Gaelan laughed. “Actually, we have some pretty convincing disguises. However, I admit, people were really getting carried away. Oh, you missed the best one. Pascal actually suggested that we offer any ship we encounter a reward if they help us to recover Nia,” he mocked.

“That’s a great idea. We do that on Earth.”

“Really? And it works?” he said with a puzzled expression.

“Sometimes.”

“But, here, you have intergalactic politics to deal with. Offering someone money could be interpreted as constituting an alliance. No one wants to gain enemies by association. The only way to get help from another planet is to ask someone who is technologically superior for help. They fear repercussions less; even then, you must promise you will not disclose them as your source.”

I took another big gulp of my wine before setting it down on the end table. Then I scooted back and reclined myself against the side pillow of the sofa so I could face Gaelan. “What if nobody helps us? I wouldn’t want to get on the Dreons’ hit list either?”

“We have a few options.”

I looked at him, unable to break the sadness from my face.

Gaelan gazed at me with a softened expression. “Sami, how are you holding up?” He moved himself into the middle of the sofa, lifted my legs so they could rest on his lap, and slid his hand gently around my thigh.

I took in a deep breath before I answered, “I can’t stop thinking about Nia.” I tried to hold back tears. “What if they kill her or,
worse,
torture her?”

“Please, you must believe she is okay. The Dreons aren’t foolish enough to hurt her. She is far too valuable. They are probably trying to uncover her skills so they can use them to their benefit,” he said with reassurance. “Come here.” He reached for my hand and pulled me against his chest.

I loved how safe I felt when he encircled my body in his, even if it was only a false sense of security. Having his love and undying faith made me feel as though I would make it through anything.

“I hope we can find her. Please tell me it’s not hopeless,” I said, leaning away. “They have a significant lead. How can you find a starship in the galaxy so big? They could be anywhere.”

“We’ll find them.” His voice lowered with conviction. “We’ll be arriving at the trading post in less than twelve hours and may even locate them along the way since we have to travel a fairly narrow path. This area of Space is surrounded by two black holes with massive gravitational pull, so it’s best to avoid getting anywhere near them,” he said nonchalantly.

“Great, just what I need, another concern,” I said with dread.

He looked at me and sighed. He knew I wasn’t like him—the kind of person who could handle Space travel with finesse.

“Sami, that’s a good thing. Do you know why we pass other ships all the time?”

“No.”

“Because there are easy ways and hard ways to travel through Space, and guess which way everybody chooses?” he said as though it was fundamental.

“You make it sound so simple.”

“Please, you need to relax. I know this will delay your returning to Earth, but we’ll fix this. Nia is out there, we’ll find her, and then, I promise, we will get you home.”

He should have been a salesman. Being with him helped me to suppress my fears. He was such a great friend and knew exactly what I needed to hear. I was starting to question why I was worried at all. His confident, calm demeanor and optimistic belief that we would find the Dreons convinced me the Katarians could handle
any
dilemma we’d encounter.

He gave me a modest grin. “I have something to confess.”

“What?”

“I really liked having you with me today. You looked incredibly beautiful. Couldn’t you feel me staring at you?”

I shrugged.

“Hey, that’s it. You can’t even take a compliment. Your misery must stop, now. Let me see if I can help,” Gaelan whispered, inclining his face next to my ear. He brushed my hair behind my shoulder so he could kiss down the side of my neck.

“Must you—”

He stopped me from speaking with an intense kiss before checking my reaction. I think he got pleasure in disorienting me. I looked into his deep blue eyes. They were filled with satisfaction. I couldn’t help but give in.

“Ah, I’ve been waiting to do that all day,” Gaelan confessed.

“Fine, ruin my bad mood,” I muttered.

He seductively laid another soft kiss on my upper lip while he slid his hand around my lower back.

“I must say, you have talent. You make an amazing distraction,” I said, breaking from his lips.

He looked at my face and took my hand in his. “Sami, do you know how happy I am to be able to touch you right now. I can’t forget how grateful I am to be traveling with you. All day long, I have been trying to hide my happiness in regaining my flight privileges. Think of it. I could have been stuck on Kataria without you … for years. Then it would have been—how do you say?—
hell
for me. I would be filled with misery and look as glum as you did a few minutes ago,” he teased. “Instead, I can do this.”

He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips before pulling me on top of him while he leaned his back against the sofa. I suddenly felt bad for taking his presence for granted. I would be an emotional cripple if I had to endure this trip without him. I studied his face closely. Not being able to see him every day wouldn’t just be lonely, it would be devastating.
God,
I thought. He looked even more handsome up close. I loved the way he stroked my back with his hand. His subtle touch made me want him more. When I was with him nothing else mattered.

“What?” Gaelan said, giving me a huge smile after noticing my silence.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” I said while I lightly ran my hand across his chest and down his stomach.

“Mmm—understatement,” he agreed.

Gaelan laid us flat on the sofa and cradled my neck with his arm. I turned to face him, leaning my body against his. He started to slide his hand up under my shirt.

“Just hold me, Gaelan. I just want to feel you right now. I’m so exhausted.”

“Me, too,” he said with a sigh before bringing his hand over my shirt and behind my back.

“Tighter,” I said, squeezing my arm around him.

He looked at me with soft, understanding eyes and pulled me in by the waist.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes, much,” I said before I placed my face against his chest.

Within minutes, Gaelan was asleep. Unable to sleep so easily, I turned, nestled my back against his body, and gazed out the study window. Before I shut my eyes, a white star shining brilliantly in the distance caught my attention. The way it seemed to pulsate with light, appearing to dim and grow brighter like a beating heart, was mesmerizing. I shut my eyes and decided to hold its image in my mind. It felt as though it was calling out, beckoning me, almost pulling me in. How far away was it? Was reaching it even possible? The enormity of the universe was almost incomprehensible.
Come to me,
I imagined it summoning me again. I went. I pictured my body sailing towards it, flying across the great abyss of Space. I was a mere speck in the universe, passing by hundreds of planetary systems at a leisurely speed.

The possibility of life on different worlds seemed endless. While gazing at the colorful phenomena floating so gently in the net of the universe, I could almost sense that I wasn’t alone. The mysteries of the universe would always remain incomprehensible, and I would never reach the end—no matter how far I traveled. The image filled me with awe. The galaxy was full of energy and teeming with life. Despite studying theories on the Big Bang, its existence still seemed nothing short of miraculous. I would never fully understand it. And, for the first time, I didn’t want to. I only wanted to accept it with an open heart. Here it was, waiting for all who dared to explore it.

Suddenly, everything picked up speed. The fiery star pulling me towards it appeared to rapidly grow in size. At this range, I could even see its solar storms bubbling across its active surface. My body stiffened with fear when I realized I was headed straight for its fiery center. I tried to turn away, but couldn’t. It was too late! With a sudden burst, I collided with the pure, unyielding white light. I gasped, yet felt no pain. Instead, a rush of tingling warmth engulfed me and penetrated throughout my entire body. It was euphoric. Had I died and gone to heaven? I felt powerful, connected to all there was. Serene and peaceful. Floating, weightless in a loving embrace. I didn’t want the feeling to end. My body lingered in its grip for a few minutes. Then, without warning, the light gently faded. I opened my eyes after darkness poured around me.

Dazed, I sat up and held my hand over my pounding heart. Gaelan was still sleeping peacefully beside me. Such a strange dream, if I could even call it a dream since I never lost my awareness. It was more like a vision. I looked out the study’s window to search for the star, but it was gone. I desperately wished I could be back in its presence. I lay back down and closed my eyes, wanting more, and tried to recall the euphoric sensation, but couldn’t. Even though I wasn’t sure what I had experienced, I felt strangely invigorated and grateful that it had happened.
Bizarre,
I thought. I had to resist the urge to wake Gaelan and tell him about it. No, he would think I was strange.
Forget it.
I tried to sleep, only to be startled when Gaelan’s ship communicator buzzed with an incoming call.

“Ah,
not now,” Gaelan said, awaking with a sigh. He tapped the device strapped to his wrist and held the screen up to his face. “Yes.”

“We need you on the command deck right now,” said the crewman. “We have an unexpected solar flare blocking our path and could use your expertise.”

“I’m on my way. Low illumination lights,” Gaelan commanded, and the soft spotlights turned on. He jumped over me, getting to his feet with an agile hop, and swiftly dressed.

“A solar flare,” I said with trepidation. I felt somehow responsible, as if I had brought us into a real-life collision course with the star from my vision by wishing for it. I wanted to confess.
No, it’s impossible, a coincidence!
Maybe I had a premonition? A solar flare was caused by an explosion on a star. “Oh my God! Is it going to hit us?” I panicked. We would all be incinerated.

“No. Don’t worry. These things happen. We just need to get out of its way.” Gaelan leaned over me and kissed my forehead. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He shot me a smug look before he bolted out the door.

* * *

I stood and nervously watched out the study window as it brightened with an oncoming light. Without warning, the window’s exterior metal shields slammed down with an unexpected jolt, covering the view. I gasped and took a step back. Hands to my chest, I took a deep breath to try and calm myself.

Gaelan’s voice came through the overhead. “Attention crew, we are instituting a Level 2 precaution for a solar flare. We should be clear of the area shortly.”

I couldn’t believe how calm he sounded. It was as though Gaelan was born to navigate a starship. He projected such an assuring vibe under pressure; he could tone down any situation. No wonder the night crewmen asked for his help. I felt better now. Level 2 was considered to be moderately risky flight conditions, Level 1 was ideal, Level 3 high risk, and Level 4 was dire. I brought my eyes closer to the glossy windows showing my reflection and the room behind me to study the shields’ integrity. I couldn’t see much. Just six inches of thick glass that was turned a dark gray color from the armor on the other side. Surely the ship’s protective hull was built to withstand the severe radiation and heat caused by anomalies like these.

I thought too fast. Almost immediately, I could feel the temperature of the room begin to rise.
Oh no!
We had to be getting closer to the flare. I prayed that Gaelan would be able to bring our ship to safety. He seemed so confident that he could. The heat was rising. I lifted the collar of my nightshirt and let in some air to fan my chest. I not only felt uncomfortably warm, but odd. My entire body started to tingle like a foot that had fallen asleep, and it felt difficult to swallow as my mouth became painfully dry.