HeartStorm (HeartFast Series Book 3) (19 page)

            "We didn't know...at first," Star told them.

            "Somehow, he managed to get past Bruiser and steal
Transport One
," Hunter continued. "He went directly into hyperlight before anyone could stop him."

            "And you couldn't track which way he'd gone until he emerged," Vall noted.

            Hunter nodded. "While we were waiting to find out, that's when Star discovered the incubator empty. One plus one was adding up very quickly, but we had no proof. Only conjecture."

            All eyes locked onto the little capsule floating nearby. Cara shook her head, another tear glistening at the corner of her eye. "You're sure that man took her?"

            Pulling the little white bootie from his tunic pocket, Hunter dropped it on the table. "We weren't sure. Not one hundred percent sure, until I found this in
One's
cockpit."

            "Where did he go?" Vall asked.

            "Star Base Carnesium. He ditched the transport there."

            His father frowned again, and Star was surprised at how similar it was to Hunter's angry expression. "Carnesium? Is that where Star's mother is hospitalized?"

            "He told us she was at Space Station Gregis Minor, which isn't far from the star base. Doctor Perlakian checked. My mother was never admitted to the medical unit where he claimed she was. It was a ruse," she admitted, adding a shrug. "We have no idea why he took Callie, or where he's taking her."

            Vall turned to his son. "Can I ask why you're not over there right now looking for her?" the man gruffly asked.

            Hunter sighed loudly and bowed his head. "That's... We were discussing that issue when we were notified you were here."

            "We're still repairing
Two,
and we have a group out on a mission with
Three,
" Star informed them. "With
One
gone, Deceiver felt we'd be seriously handicapped if we were called on another mission. So he ordered Udo to bring
One
back to base. Udo was about to leave to return to Star Base Carnesium when Destiny informed us that neither DiMackerlyn nor our daughter were there. Not...not anymore."

            "Carnesium is a major hub in that sector. Cruisers and all types of space craft arrive and leave that port on a constant basis," Hunter said. "There's no telling where he went, or which ship he jumped. Chances are he's parsecs away by now."

            Vosstien silently absorbed the news. At one point, his gaze lit again on the incubator, and one eyebrow lifted in question. "You have a security lock on that thing?"

            "Yeah. Plus there's a web surrounding the apartment," Hunter replied.

            "Then how in the seven hells did that man manage to get to her?"

            "We did some digging," Hunter said. "Terrin doesn't know what planet or race she's from, but we're beginning to think her father may be an M'golifian."

            "M'golifian?" Vall repeated.

            "Yeah. Have you heard of them? Because we were unaware of them until now."

            "Yeah, I've heard of them. They're the ones who can move their cellular structure so fast, they can literally walk through solid objects."

            "That's them," Hunter confirmed. "We figured that's why he was able to get past Bruiser and our security grids, and grab Callie."

            "M'golifian," Vall repeated, more to himself.

            Star could sense her husband growing attuned to the man. She started to ask what he was thinking, when Vosstien got to his feet.

            "Where's your comm board?"

            "Other side of the partition," Hunter informed him. "Why? What are you going to do?"

            "If I remember correctly, M'golif is in the Biweediu star cluster. Are you familiar with that part of the galaxy?"

            Hunter shook his head. "Never had any dealings with that sector."

            "Well, maybe I can help. What did you say this guy's first name was?"

            "Aginthon. What are you planning, Dad?"

            "Calling in a few favors."

            Hunter placed a hand on his father's arm. "Dad, if DiMackerlyn thinks he's been spotted, he might harm Callie. Or at least vanish to where no one will ever be able to find him."

            Vall grinned, as if enjoying a good joke. "I'll let you in on a little secret, son. M'golifians do not have a good reputation. In fact, I'm willing to bet Star's father has a few more dirty secrets hidden in his past. Which is why there could be a bounty on his head."

            Star stared at the older man as one possibility grew clearer in the mass confusion clouding her mind. "You think he kidnapped our daughter...as payment? To keep someone at bay?"

            Vosstien shrugged. "There's a lot of what ifs floating around out there, Terrin. First things first. We're going to find this son of a gurick and bring him back here. Then, whatever you need to do to get the truth out of him will be your job."

            "How can I help?" Hunter asked. "Should I return to Carnesium?"

            "No." Vall's answer was quick and harsh.

            Hunter's anger flared. "I can't stand here and do nothing!"

            "Udo, listen to me. He'll be looking out for anyone who appears to be tailing or searching for him. We don't know the full extent of what he can and cannot do. So even if you try to approach him inside that invisible bubble of yours, there's the chance he could still see you. And do you want to risk your daughter's life with that possibility?"

            They were interrupted by a yellow all-call signal coming from the comm board. Vall slapped the button to open the frequency.

            "All Guardians report immediately to the rear gate. Code Green. Guardians, get your butts to the rear gate
now.
Deceiver out."

            "Code Green?"

            "Non-emergency, but important," Hunter replied.

            Vall gestured at Star and Hunter. "Go. We'll stay here. I need to make a few calls."

            Nodding, Hunter grabbed his wife's hand, and they vanished from the apartment.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Gift

            Star gasped in surprise when they both caught sight of the sleek craft being air-dropped inside the rear perimeter fence. Long, with raised wings, its pure white hull was unblemished with neither a porthole window or portal visible. Not even a front viewscreen. A huge golden G inscribed on its aft section gleamed in the rays of the setting sun.

            "What's going on?" she whispered.

            "Guess we'll soon find out," Hunter murmured in her ear, and brought them down in an empty space, near where Time Merchant stood gawking at the arrival. Hunter released the protective bubble that surrounded them, and the world switched from sepia tones to full color. This close up, the ship was even more impressive.

            "Any idea what this is about?" Hunter inquired of the Guardian.

            Time Merchant gave a little shake of his head. "I haven't a clue, except I would guess it might be good news for a change." He pointed at the ship. "How the brak do you gaze out of that thing? Or know where your piloting?"

            Hunter snorted. "No idea, but I'd love to see the inside and find out."

            The vessel was settled onto the temporary cradle erected on the ground. The transport ship which had brought the craft to Guardian Command release its tractor beam and soared up and away from the base.

            Before anyone could ask about the arrival, a seam appeared in the forward hull. The seam widened, revealing a hatchway. It slid to the side, and a short, older-looking man disembarked. Trotting down the short flight of steps, he strode over to where Deceiver stood.

            "Deceiver." He was beaming as he stuck out a hand. The two men shook.

            "Chancellor Zuy? What is this?" The Guardian leader gestured toward the ship.

            "This is a gift. A thank you from the inhabitants of Synaria for all you and the Guardians have done for us."

            Star glanced past Hunter, toward the city's skyline. Many of the buildings had been rebuilt, or were currently being rebuilt, after the Ombitra's deadly attack nearly a year ago. Yet here and there the burnt stubble of a once lofty spire could still be seen amid the reconstruction.

            Deceiver shook his head. "I don't understand. A gift?"

            The chancellor folded his hands over his slight paunch, the pleased grin widening on his face. "We've been wanting to show our appreciation and gratitude for some time."

            "We had a parade," Deceiver reminded him. "We were given commendations."

            "Those was merely token gestures. We wanted to do more, but were unsure as to what, when we heard about your damaged transport after your fellow Guardians escaped that wormhole." Zuy pointed toward the ship. "That's when we voted to buy you a new one."

            "We don't have the monies to pay for a new ship," Deceiver tried to explain.

            The chancellor quickly cut him off. "This isn't a loan, Deceiver. It's a gift, which means you don't have to pay us back. When a few other worlds, who you've helped, learned about our intent, they asked to join us."

            Bowing his head, Deceiver took a moment to compose himself. Overhead, Star spotted a couple of news skimmers hovering just past the protective grid which sealed Guardian Command away from the city. In the past, the base had been more open to visitors and tourists. But since the Ombitra attack, most of those areas had been placed under tighter security. The only way outsiders could get in now to view the inner workings of Guardian headquarters was via the tours.

            "I don't know what to say," Deceiver started to reply, then cleared his throat. "Yes, I do. Thank you, Chancellor Zuy. On behalf of all of us, please tell everyone we are very, very grateful for this new ship. We're still working to bring our damaged craft
back online, but now we won't be hampered in our duty because of lack of transportation. Thank you."

            The two men shook hands again, and the chancellor exited through the rear gate to where his personal skimmer was waiting to return to the city. Once the man had left, the others advanced on the new liner to admire it.

            "So this is going to be the fourth ship in the fleet, and not a replacement for
Two
?" Disaster remarked.

            "Thinking about it. What do the rest of you think?" Deceiver asked.

            Blender stepped forward, hands on hips as he admired their new acquisition. "I say, hel-
lo Transport Four.
"

            "Is there room in the docking bay for it?" Sender inquired aloud.

            "If there isn't, we'll rearrange the place so there is," Commander almost laughed.

            "Let's go check out the inside!" Animator cried out, and bolted up the steps to be the first. Sender and Seeker were right behind her.

            Deceiver turned and walked over to where Hunter and Star were standing. "Hunter, when we get a place arranged for this new addition, would you like to be the first man at the controls to dock her?"

            Hunter's eyes widened with surprise before he smiled in response. "Me? Thank you. I'd love to. But right now there's a more pressing matter I need to attend to."

            The Guardian leader nodded. "I understand. You need to resume your search for your daughter. Go. Take as much time as you need. If something comes up, I'll be sure to notify you." He glanced at Star. "Or Star will," he added.

            "Belay that," a commanding voice boomed behind them. They turned to see Vall Vosstien striding toward them, a triumphant grin plastered across the man's face. He stopped in front of the trio. "Good news. We have DiMackerlyn in custody."

            Star felt the blood rush from her body, as if it had suddenly been sucked out. She stumbled, until Hunter threw an arm around her waist to catch her.

            "My baby?" she managed to ask as she leaned against him.

            Vosstien's grin got bigger. "Her, too. The SPF is on its way now to Synaria. I've already informed your authorities of the arrest, and I strongly suggested the man be kept in Guardian custody." The grin was dropped, and Vosstien's demeanor immediately sobered. "But just because we've captured him and we get Callie back, it doesn't mean this is over. We need to find out why he took her, and who the other guy is."

            "What other guy?" Star asked.

            Vosstien stared at her, his own trepidation shining in his eyes.

            "The man he was delivering my granddaughter to."

Chapter Twenty-Four

Possibility

            "What are you talking about?" Star asked.

            Vosstien glanced around the open area, including the news media, which remained filming the event from overhead. "Let's take this inside," he suggested.

            Deceiver led them into the main building, and inside the first room they came to, one of the small security vid rooms.

            "Now explain yourself," Hunter demanded of his father.

            Vall pointed at Star. "I'm talking about you, Terrin. I'm talking about the fact that DiMackerlyn's first target was you, not your daughter. His original intent was to take you back with him to stars know where. Did you ever ask yourself why?"

            "He said to see my dying mother," Star reminded him.

            "Yes, until you discovered your mother wasn't where he said she'd be."

            Star lowered her face. After all these years why did that possibility bother her? "Then it's likely my mother is already dead." She crossed her arms over her chest as Hunter patted her shoulder in sympathy.

            "Very likely," Vosstien acknowledged. "The real issue is this. Why, after all this time, would your father come looking for you?"