Quest for Freedom Read online

  Janai recognized one as the soldier she’d seen with Sarah. The insignia on his helmet gave him away. Blal’k crouched next to the bins, and Janai could see that he was breathing hard. Neither of the Morgee seemed to notice him. The other soldier opened the cylinders and the one with the insignia stepped inside, attaching his tentacle mouth to the side before the door slid shut. Janai held her breath.

  The remaining soldier turned and Blal’k pulled himself into a ball. But the soldier saw him and was on him in an instant. He lifted the Ronarian up by the arms and headed for the door. Janai and the others charged through the illusion.

  Ash jumped on the Morgee soldier’s back, while Vala tried to free Blal’k. Janai reached for his tentacle but, with one swat, he knocked her on her backside. She sat stunned for an instant then scrambled up as the soldier tried to shake Ash from his back. This time Vala got the tentacle and fired into the end. The soldier froze immediately and released Blal’k. He fell to the floor and staggered to keep on his feet. He was injured and Janai reached out to him.

  He knocked her arm away. “No. I can make it to the ship.”

  “Here,” Vala called. “I found the energy tubes.”

  They stuffed the tubes into their packs and closed all the bins before scurrying into the next hidden tunnel. They followed Ash, weapons ready, through the tunnels until they reached the room where they’d found Cerne. Janai checked the storage bin in this holding chamber but it was empty. Cautiously, they headed for the last tunnel.

  “Stop!” a voice called from behind them.

  They turned around to see a small person dressed in soldier’s gear. The gold suit was merely a jumpsuit dyed or painted, the face was covered with a gold mask, and the black liquid eyes unmistakably Ronarian. Janai would’ve found the whole thing comical had the situation not been so serious.

  The little soldier pointed a light-fire weapon. “Don’t move or I’ll shoot.” The voice sounded like a young male.

  Blal’k’s hand was on Janai’s arm. He gave a squeeze so she let him talk. “Listen,” Blal’k said. His voice sounded tense from the pain. “I don’t know what they’ve told you, but you don’t want to do this.”

  “No. You do what I tell you or—or I’ll shoot.” The boy’s hand was visibly shaking now, and Janai hoped that he didn’t accidentally press the firing button.

  “We’ve been enslaved, just like you. If you fire, you might kill one of us and we’re not the enemy.”

  The boy faltered and narrowed vertical eyelids on the group. His hand seemed to relax on the weapon. Or at least, that’s what Janai wanted to believe. She wasn’t entirely sure she could trust her own eyes just now.

  “We can take you with us and get you to safety.” Blal’k was slowly moving now. “I promise.”

  The boy shook his head. “My sister will suffer if I leave.” There was desperation in his voice. “I can’t.”

  “Do you know where they’re keeping her?”

  “In one of the camps. I don’t have enough gemstones to buy her out of there yet.”

  “Then let us go and we’ll find a way to get all of you out of here.”

  Janai’s stomach was beginning to knot.

  “If I let you leave and Sarah finds out—”

  “She won’t. Who’s going to tell her? We’ll be gone.” Blal’k was standing at full height now, but Janai could tell he was still in pain. “Maybe you can help us from in here.” The boy gave him an inquisitive look. “We have to disable the Morgee. When there are no more of them, we’ll all be free.”

  The boy thought a moment. “But what can I do here? If I’m caught—no, I can’t. My sister—” The boy sounded so torn.

  “You won’t get caught if we’re careful.” Blal’k paused a moment. “You want to remain a slave the rest of your life?”

  “No. What can I do?”

  “We need to find a way to disable the rejuvenation cylinders permanently. We have people in the free-zone working on a solution, but they’ve never actually seen a real cylinder. They’re having some difficulties.”

  “You’ve been to the free-zone?” There was hope in the boy’s voice now.

  “Yes. When you bring your sister here, we could take both of you to the free-zone.”

  “How do I know I can trust you?”

  “We don’t threaten children or starve them.” Blal’k motioned to Janai. “And this girl’s a healer. We help people.”

  “You’re the healer?” Janai nodded and the boy lowered his weapon. “I’ve heard about you in the camps. I never thought I’d get to actually meet you.”

  The reverence in the boy’s voice made Janai uneasy. She’d gotten used to the healer title but this was different. She almost expected him to bow to her or something. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Segr’n, Healer.” He removed his mask. “The others will be so glad to hear about you.”

  “Uh, Segr’n?” Blal’k said. “I don’t think you’d better tell the others about us just yet. They might wonder where you saw us and tell Sarah.”

  Segr’n thought a moment. “Yeah, but I know the ones who don’t like Friend Sarah and what she’s doing. They’re only soldiers because she threatens them.”

  “Are you sure you can trust them?”

  “Yeah, they want to get out of here. Some of them have been planning to escape as soon as all the families are together.”

  Blal’k and Janai looked to Ash. He was communicating. He blinked, looked at them with focused eyes. “Bast and the others agree that we need all the support we can get, especially from the ones here.”

  Blal’k turned dull liquid eyes back to the boy. “All right, Segr’n. You can tell them. But be careful.”

  “Don’t worry. When will I know you’re back?”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Through that doorway.” Segr’n motioned to a closed panel on the wall behind him. “Down the hall, third door panel on the left. It’s a large room with beds.”

  “We’ll find you.”

  “You’re the ones who stole the ship.”

  “Yes,” Blal’k said. “And we’re going to keep stealing them until we have them all.”

  A smile brightened Segr’n’s face. “There’s one in there now.” He pointed to the next tunnel that led to the ship room. “No one’s guarding it. You’d better hurry, though. They’ll be looking for me if I’m not back soon.”

  The two exchanged good-byes in their Ronarian tongue, and the group headed through the next tunnel. Seconds after the illusion doorway reappeared behind them, Janai heard the clinking of Morgee boots. She stopped with the others and watched.

  Sarah and two soldiers entered the room. The Earth girl had a very young Kritine child, not more than two cycles old, by the hand. “What are you doing in here?” Sarah snapped at the Ronarian boy.

  “Friend Sarah,” Segr’n said in a bright tone. “I—I thought I heard something. But there’s nothing here.”

  “Oh?” Sarah narrowed blue eyes on the boy.

  “I think I’m just tired.”

  Sarah gave a thoughtful look to the boy. “Well, finish you’re duties and then you can rest.”

  “Yes, Friend Sarah.” He made a hasty exit.

  Sarah’s face softened as she reached down and lifted the child. “You hungry?” The child nodded. Sarah smiled and kissed the child on the cheek. “Search the room,” she ordered the two Morgee soldiers. “I’ll be in the eating chamber.” And she left, bouncing the giggling child as she went.

  37 ~ Danger at the Transport

  Janai’s group quietly continued through the tunnel. Her heart raced as they made their way to the huge docking chamber. Segr’n had been right. There was a single, gold cylindrical transport ship hovering just above the floor in the large room.

  Wait, Ash sent before Janai could trigger the illusion doorway, and she stopped her reaching hand. “Morgee,” he mouthed silently.

  When Janai looked into the room again, she saw one soldier mak
ing his way to the transport. Panic swelled. They needed that transport. She wanted that transport. The soldier seemed to be looking it over, checking for damage or something. He was certainly taking his time, and Janai grew edgy. She had no idea how long they would have to wait.

  Blal’k shifted his weight and she studied him. Eyes closed, he leaned against the tunnel wall. She silently opened the strings on her sinsabe and pulled some pain herb leaves from her bag. Pinching off a few, she offered them to Blal’k. He opened his eyes at her gentle nudge and accepted the tiny leaves then he smiled wearily and put them in his mouth.

  She pushed away her healing urges and focused on the room again. The soldier’s clanking boots gave Janai shivers and she fought to keep still. He finally left the room. After that, the group made a hasty dash to the transport. The high ceiling still made Janai dizzy to look up and she forced herself to focus on the craft. Vala went straight to the panel on the wall and pressed the button to lower the transport’s tubing, while the rest made their way underneath it. Then the Aknidean girl joined them. Janai felt the lifting motion as the tube raised them up toward the belly of the craft.

  Suddenly, a light-fire beam flashed by Janai’s head, and she instinctively ducked. She aimed her own weapon, but she and the others were protected inside the clear tubing.

  “Janai!” a voice screamed.

  She looked in the direction of the call to see a red-faced Sarah staring at her with blazing eyes. Could Segr’n have betrayed them? She didn’t think so.

  “I should have known it was you!” Sarah screamed, and she ran to the lighted panel.

  The group was stepping on board when the tubing disappeared. Janai lost her footing and fell through the opening. She dropped her weapon but managed to grab onto the sides of the opening, her legs dangling helplessly through the bottom of the craft. Ash and Vala grabbed her arms and began to pull her up. She heard Sarah screaming something as she swung her right leg onto the ship floor.

  There was a flash of light and Janai yelled out as a searing pain shot through her left leg. She must have blacked out, because the next thing she knew, she was lying on the bench of the craft, straps around her body. The ship was moving. Her left leg burned.

  Ash leaned over her. “Janai? Can you hear me?”

  She clenched her teeth against the pain. “Yes,” she managed just before her healing instincts took over. She sent energy through her body to her leg and saw the torn and burned muscles and tendons with her healer sight. She focused her energy to stop the bleeding and then began to mend the torn areas of her leg from the inside out. She had no idea how long she was inside herself, but when she came back to the surface, she felt extremely weak and dizzy. “Ash?”

  “It’s all right.” He pressed his cheek to hers. “We’re in the mountain cavern.”

  Someone removed ties from around her body.

  “Is she all right?” Pethe’s voice rang in her ears. Janai felt as though she were hearing her friends through a dense fog.

  “She will be,” Ash said. Strong arms lifted Janai and cradled her.

  “Did you get the energy tubes?” Pethe asked.

  “We got them,” Vala said. She sounded so far away.

  Someone else began talking but Janai couldn’t stay awake any longer.

  ****

  She fought the soreness in her body and forced her eyes open. She knew by the way her body felt that she’d done a healing. Then the memories came back to her.

  “How’re you feeling?” Ash was sitting on the floor next to her.

  Somehow, she’d been taken off the ship, wrapped in sleep skins, and placed on the cavern floor. A pile of heated rocks glowed nearby. “Like I’ve been trampled by a hundred Morgee soldiers.” She groaned.

  Blal’k carried a bowl and cup to her. “Bet you’re hungry, too.” Her stomach rumbled and she looked sheepishly up at her Ronarian friend. “I thought so.” He kept his elbows tightly against his sides and Ash took the cup and bowl from him, placing the food on the floor next Janai. She remembered Blal’k’s injuries and reached out to him. “I’m okay. Just a few bruises, that’s all.” He must’ve caught the doubt on her face because he added, “You can check me over when you’re strong enough, if you like.” His liquid eyes glistened and he gave her a smile, revealing those pointed teeth.

  She relaxed. “I’ll take you up on that.” He laughed and mumbled something as he walked away. Ash helped her sit and lean against the wall. “How’s Kayla?”

  “Better,” Ash told her. “Cerne seems concerned about her leg.”

  Janai looked over at Kayla and smiled at the vision of the little Sitopan girl comforting the injured runner. “How long was I out?” She accepted a spoon full of root stew from Ash.

  “About half a day. Or night.”

  “Janai,” Cerne chimed. “You’re okay.” The little girl scurried to her, wrapping all three arms around her waist.

  “Well, you seem to be feeling better.” She lifted a hand to the girl’s downy hair. The child was now in a clean jumpsuit.

  “Kayla’s hurt, too.” Cerne’s pink eyes widened.

  “I know. Later, we can take a look at her.”

  “Okay.” Cerne squirmed out of Janai’s arms and made her way back to the runner.

  Janai finished two bowls of stew and three cups of water before Ash forced her to sleep again, assuring her that Kayla and Blal’k were fine for the moment.

  When she awoke several hours later, her strength had returned and she went to check on the injured Earth girl. “How’re you feeling?” She knelt down and inspected the broken leg.

  “Better, thanks.” Kayla shifted up to her elbows. Someone had cleaned her but she still wore her dirty jumpsuit.

  Janai peered into her patient’s brown eyes, checking the pupils. “Need any more pain herbs?”

  “I still have some. A little at a time. I remember.” She smiled at Cerne, who sat caressing her arm. “Besides, my nurse here has been taking good care of me.”

  Cerne scooted to Janai and squirmed into her lap. Janai laughed. A hand landed on her shoulder and she looked up at Ash.

  “We’re to stay here until next nightfall. There were a couple of soldiers nosing around the free-zone earlier today.”

  “Probably looking for the transport.” Janai glanced at the floating craft.

  “That’s what they think.”

  “What?” she said, when her promised one kept grinning at her.

  “You.”

  She raised a brow. “Yes?”

  “The little ones just seem to be attracted to you.” He sat next to her and leaned close. “That’s good to know for when we have our own.”

  She turned sharply to him and her face grew hot. “Ash.”

  “What?” He gave her an innocent look. You do want children someday, don’t you?

  Well, yes, someday. But we haven’t even made our promises to each other yet.

  It’s not that far away you know. He caressed the pattern spots on her neck.

  “I know. We can talk about this later. Alone.” He laughed and she slapped him playfully on the arm.

  “Talk about what?” Cerne said with a confused look on her face.

  “Nothing, little ears.” Janai caressed the child’s downy hair. Cerne shrugged and turned her attention to Kayla.

  Kayla smirked. “Pethe warned me about you two.” She was sitting up now and leaning on her hands.

  “Oh, really?” Janai gave the other Kritine girl a sideways look.

  Pethe smiled nervously. “Um, I think Blal’k needs help with the meal.” She made a beeline to the Ronarian cook.

  “Good idea.” Janai hid a smile as she turned back to her patient.

  Her focus healing urges felt strong now that she was rested. She could mend a broken bone without having to take the injury into her own body. Although she knew the task would leave her tired, she felt strong enough. She would only need a couple hours of sleep to get back her strength from a minor healing. Since the h
ealing would take place in the patient’s body, Kayla would be the one to need rest. After that, she could examine Blal’k’s bruises.

  “Kayla,” she said to the injured runner. “After we eat, I’ll mend your leg. It’ll make you tired until you’ve slept it off. You’ll still have to be gentle with the leg but the pain will be gone.”

  “Will it hurt?”

  “You’ll feel a tingling as the energy travels from me to you but that’s all.” She placed a hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “I promise.” The girl smiled and nodded. “Good. And after the healing, you can bathe and change out of that jumpsuit.”

  “I’d love to.”

  Cerne cocked her downy-haired head up. “I want to sleep with Kayla at bedtime.”

  “Sure,” Kayla said. “I don’t mind.” Little Cerne gave a huge grin and cuddled with the injured girl.

  Vala sat with them. “The meal’s almost ready.” Then she turned to Blal’k. “Right, old one?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He waved a spoon in her direction.

  Are you sure you’re well enough? Ash’s mental voice said as he sat next to Janai.

  Yes. Actually, I’m almost up to full strength. I seem to be taking less time to recover than I used to.

  I noticed that. But be careful. Don’t overdo it. He caressed her hair.

  “Don’t worry. I don’t exactly enjoy the results, you know.”

  He smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “We need to talk about Sarah.”

  “I know.” She motioned to Blal’k. “But I think we should wait until we get back to the free-zone.” She pushed the memory of Sarah’s angry flashing eyes from her mind and concentrated on the present.

  The group chatted while eating their meal. Afterwards, Janai put a sleepy Cerne to bed. The little one had fallen asleep with her spoon still in her hand. Pethe and Blal’k cleared the dishes, while the others put down sleep skins. Ash stayed by Janai as she prepared to mend Kayla’s leg. He always stayed close, in case she had to be pulled back, and she was grateful for that.