Part 5 (1/2)

As he turned to put away the items and apparatuses he had used, Jana wanted to weep in anguish. She wanted to scream at herself for being so foolish and dreamy-eyed. She must forget the fantasy of Varian Saar and accept the reality of Ryker Triloni. She was his wife, his captive, forever. She was doomed to an unpredictable existence here on Darkar. She had already wept over her other losses: her home, her friends, her world, her career, her ident.i.ty, and her freedom. Now, her love was lost. Never again would Varian hold her in his arms, call her ”Moonbeam,” and take her to ecstasy's realm in his arms. Nor could he ever deceive and betray her again. The man nearby seemed to be reaching out to her, if he could be trusted. Perhaps, with luck, Varian's evil motive for using her to spite and defeat his half brother had failed. It was a grave error not to know or to misjudge one's enemies and rivals. Had Varian captured her to complete a cycle of vengeance which Shara and Galen had begun thirty-two years ago with their unbridled l.u.s.t? How stupid and dangerous for her to have mentioned the hallucination about his hated foe! As he started to leave for her to dress, she called out to him.

He stopped and turned.

Her gaze swept over him as he came to her side and studied her heartsick expression.

”What's wrong, Jana? You look ready to cry.”

”I just realized something important. I almost died and I haven't even thanked you for saving my life and for being so kind and patient with me. I'm sorry for how I've behaved. It's scary being unable to remember a week of your life, a very important week. I promise to do my best to please you and to make you proud of me.” He smiled as he wiped away her tears, but his gaze appeared troubled to her instead of relieved or victorious. She didn't want to ask or to a.n.a.lyze why; she had done too much erroneous reasoning and testing in the last four days.

”I'm glad to hear this, Jana. Things will be fine now.” He leaned over and kissed her, a short, tender kiss, full of emotion and longing. He smiled and told her, ”I've been wanting to do that all day, for days, for weeks. You go to the house to rest and I'll see you at dinner.”

He left the room as if afraid he'd do more than kiss her if he stayed.. Jana gaped at his retreating back. If she didn't know better ... Don't do this again, J. G.; he isn't Varian. He can't be Varian. But the kiss ... Stop it!

The alien sat down at a panel in the private lab and switched on the retrometer for light-beam voice communication. He began a scrambled message to someone far away, a full report to his ruler, the kadim.

A voice soon filled the room. ”How are things going, Varian?”

”Proceeding as planned, Grandfather. The stars be d.a.m.ned, sir! What in Gehenna am I doing to her, to us, with this infernal mission?”

Chapter Four.

Kadim Tirol Trygue heard despair in Varian's voice. He knew he was asking a great deal of his beloved and only grandson, his sole heir and kin, but he had no choice. No man was better trained or qualified, and no other man could take Ryker Triloni's place. Varian sounded soul-weary and heartsick, but Tirol knew he could depend on the young man to do his duty to the Alliance. The fates of two galaxies rested on his grandson's shoulders, a heavy burden. Tirol also realized how dangerous this secret and desperate a.s.signment was and prayed not only for Varian's survival and success, but for Jana's safety, as well. ”You're saving her world and safeguarding ours, Son,” the older man reminded, ”for the near future and the years ahead.”

”I know, Grandfather, but you should have seen the look on her face when I finally had her convinced that I'm Ryker. It nearly ripped my heart from my chest. It took all of my self-control not to confess the truth. She's in so much pain and confusion that it's almost unbearable.”

In a gentle tone, Tirol warned, ”You can't tell her anything, Varian. You have to stay strong. So much is at stake.”

”Kahala, sir! Don't you think I know that? I'm sorry, Grandfather, but this tension is working on me day and night. I've finished going over their journals and tapes. Added to what Ryker told me at our deadly showdown, our worst fears and suspicions have been confirmed. Maal is planning to form an alliance with Jurad to attack while we're gone. If we don't go, Jana's world is doomed and ours might be damaged by aftershocks. If we do go, Maffei will be attacked as soon as we're out of defense range, unless I can persuade Maal to hold off his plot when I visit him. The Tabrizes would never attack alone. If I can convince Maal I'm Ryker and that it's to our best interests to postpone the a.s.sault, things will go our way. He usually does what Ryker suggests, so I'm hoping and praying he'll agree this time, too. I've already decided what strategies to use with him.”

After Varian related his plans, Tirol concurred they sounded clever and feasible. ”But fooling Maal will be harder than fooling Jana and getting onto Darkar disguised as Ryker,” he pointed out. ”Don't take any unnecessary risks in Androas. We'll have an Elite Squad on standby in case a rescue is needed for you and Jana. You said you have her convinced now?”

”Yes, sir. We repaired and cleared away all damages and clues while she was kept drugged. We even constructed a cyborg who looks like Ryker to play forsha with his right hand. It helps that I'm ambidextrous because she immediately noticed which hand I used. I've convinced her she's been ill from Rahgine's Fever because some of her inoculations didn't take. She finally believes my rescue was only a delusion and she has partial amnesia. She fought the so-called 'truth,' Grandfather, but I've played my role well. I hope she'll forgive me for tricking her.”

As they unscrambled at his end, Tirol heard the bitter and sarcastic tone of Varian's words. ”I wish this wasn't necessary, but it is. I'm relieved we discovered their treachery before it was too late for all of us.”

”If I hadn't started reading Shara's journals while Jana was asleep, this charade wouldn't exist. Before I realized the potential repercussions, it was already under way with my reluctant agreement. Ryker overestimated his cunning. Our new device imitated his voice perfectly so we could reprogram his androids, especially since I had learned the codes from him and from the journals. We have Jana to thank for telling me about them. I also found a stockpile of videotapes; it seems Ryker and Shara liked to record everything that happened here. Hopefully we have enough evidence to coerce treaties with Jurad and Maal when I return; we dare not risk revealing the truth to them before our s.h.i.+ps depart. Their reactions are unpredictable.”

Varian sighed deeply. ”Even with this evidence, they might not believe Father was innocent all those years ago, not with Ryker and Shara dead-both by another Saar's hand-and unable to argue our word against theirs. There's no guessing how Maal will take his grandson's death by my laser shot. He could go mad like Shara and start a war for revenge. Maal will probably accuse us of stealing Shara's body, subst.i.tuting the phony one on display there, and trying to trick him. I'm not sure he'll ever believe she didn't die seven years ago, and she could do the wicked things we know she has. The same goes for Jurad. While I'm playing Ryker, maybe I can gather even more proof to help us convince them we're telling the truth.”

”What about your crew and s.h.i.+p, Varian? Don't let them be seen.”

”Nigel and I finished going through everything before he returned to the s.h.i.+p. He'll command the Wanderl.u.s.t until I'm back aboard. I placed Martella in charge of security after Lieutenant Dykstra was transferred.”

”A wise choice; she's excellent. What if you come in contact with Prince Taemin? You said those two had been working together on the sly.”

”I'm sure I know enough from Ryker's materials to dupe Maal and Taemin and whoever else might be necessary. I know his mannerisms, secrets, and his conversations with them. It's to our advantage again that Shara loved to keep such detailed entries and to make videos. Besides, Grandfather, Tris did a superb job with his surgical procedures to make me match Ryker perfectly. It was almost perfect.”

”What do you mean, Son? Is there something he can't alter?”

”We forgot to add one scar we didn't know Jana had viewed, but I convinced her I'd had it lasered off since the last time she'd seen it. She's very smart and observant, but I've been trained to notice any and every thing. So far, I've managed to cover myself.”

”You know that iris dye might not be removable after this mission?”

”Yes, sir. If Tris can't extract it, I'll just have to wear blue lens covers for the rest of my life like Ryker wore green ones and blond hair to conceal his resemblance to me and Father. He desperately wanted his own ident.i.ty, Grandfather. His hatred for me was so deep and bitter. As much as I detested him and his battles with me, I didn't want to kill him. But he gave me no choice. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen. Shara filled him with too many lies and too much evil. The crazy thing is, while viewing those videos, I picked up on something incredible: I think he was actually falling for Jana. I think Shara realized it, too, and that's why she tried to kill Jana while Ryker was off stalking me. No matter that Ryker taunted me about killing Jana, I believe, if he had been the one to survive our duel, he might have kept her and gotten rid of Shara. He was trying very hard to woo my woman under the guise of a ruse. That's why I have to behave the same way with Jana. Tris did a good job on her, too, didn't leave a single sign on her to make her think her trauma was real.”

”She's a scientist, a researcher. How did you fool her?”

”The mental implants Tris used worked perfectly. I answered every question she asked with speed and ease, almost without thinking, even though I didn't know what I was saying. He gave me plenty of lessons and practice in the lab before we awakened her so I could act natural in here.”

”Thank goodness you speak and write other languages. You'll need that skill when you head for Androas. With our men working the shuttles now, neither Jana nor anyone else can learn what's really going on there. When the time comes to expose Ryker's accidental death, we'll make certain you and Jana are nowhere nearby. We don't want Maal and Jurad to have any reason to doubt your innocence or Jana's claim as Ryker's heir.”

”Even if they protest letting her inherit, by then, we'll have gathered all his secrets and made Trilabs useless to them. I hope, once their powerful ally is gone, they'll agree to treaties without us having to use those journals and videotapes. Too many of our secrets are discussed on them.”

”You said Canissia's to blame for part of it. She's committed treason, kidnapping, and the murders of Moloch and Baruch. Moloch wasn't a big loss, but your former friend and officer was. It's too bad he put himself in the position of being blackmailed and bewitched by her. When she's located and arrested, she'll be sent to the female prison planetoid for life.”

”If she isn't already dead, Grandfather. I learned from the last journal that Ryker plotted her death, and no one has seen or heard from her since Jana's disappearance. Supposedly she had an alibi, but it won't work now. It seems likely she's gone, since she hasn't responded to the marriage proposal I made to her to lure her out of hiding. Everyone in the Tri Galaxy knows about our impending wedding except her. Ryker even used it to coerce Jana into marrying him. He'd better be glad he didn't touch her! He had Jana believing he freed her to marry her when I'm the one responsible. I wish I could ease her fears.”

”So do I, Son. You know we dared not use Rendelar on her to make her immune to Thorin in the event of capture and questioning; that would have been suspicious. Canissia's abduction of her proved an enemy can get to her even while she's being protected. She has to believe this is real to play her part with accuracy. As Ryker's wife, with luck and your skills to make her appear happy, she's your protection. Hers, too.”

”I want to get this a.s.signment finished, Grandfather, and get her off Darkar as soon as possible. She deserves peace and happiness. After seeing on videotape how that b.a.s.t.a.r.d treated her, I could kill him again if he hadn't already forced me to do it last week. We rescued her just in the nick of time, even if Shara hadn't tried to slay her. Ryker told me he was planning to breed her for an heir, then kill her. Maybe he would have carried out his taunt. Kahala, I never realized those two were that evil. I can't imagine a mother and son sharing the same bed and planning to marry. Shara would have never persuaded me she's Jana Greyson, even with surgical alterations to take Jana's face. Now I have to convince her to hate me and to fall in love with him. I've already learned things about her that I didn't know because our time together was too short. When this is over, she'll never understand and forgive me, Grandfather, never.”

”You know what's at stake and you must do your duty, Varian.”

”But why me? Why her? Why at this fragile time in our relations.h.i.+p? We freed her to marry me, not wed my evil half brother. She's suffered too much because of me and my d.a.m.ned secret a.s.signments.”

”You can't tell her now, Son; the scheme is in motion.”

”Don't you think I know I can't sacrifice everything to have her? I won't turn away from my duty and loyalty to the Alliance or to you, Grandfather. I've always obeyed our laws and carried out my missions, no matter the cost to me. Don't you think I realize she's actually safer at this time as Ryker Triloni's wife than as Varian Saar's? But that doesn't help. She's my world, Grandfather. I can't lose her. Do you know what it's like to continue Ryker's phony pursuit? To draw her toward me when it's to him I'm pulling her? To compel her to think, feel, and say terrible things about me, if only to protect herself from him? I'm forced to say vile things about Father and myself for her to see me as Ryker. At times I know she was trying to provoke me into a confession. I couldn't make it then and can't do so now, not while our lives and worlds are in peril. I want to hold her and kiss her and I dare not trust myself to do so.”

Tirol knew Varian wasn't angry at him, but his tormented grandson needed to purge himself of his fury and tension.

”I almost lost Jana to Shara's evil, just like she stole my parents from me. I was afraid an enemy would harm her if I laid claim to her and my fears and suspicions were right. But I never imagined my worst foe would do his worst damage from his blasted grave. How much does one man have to sacrifice? It isn't fair, sir.”

Tirol knew that Varian was not a man p.r.o.ne to self-pity or selfishness, but he had just cause to be angry and defiant on this vital and personal matter. ”With you in control of Trilabs, Son, we have the weapons and chemicals we need for Project Starguard. If you succeed in Androas with Maal, that threat will be destroyed. When you return from Earth and make treaties with Maal and Jurad, peace will rule the Tri-Galaxy as in the days before Shara began her evil deeds. As we decided, Segall has been told nothing of your current mission and location. He knows it is against the law and treasonous to tell even his family of Alliance secrets. When the time comes, he will be disgraced and cast aside. But we cannot move against him until after you return and everything is settled concerning your impersonation. If Canissia doesn't return soon, we must fake a wedding with a lookalike cyborg. Everyone must believe you are away on your honeymoon. It will be suspicious for you to simply vanish from sight for so long.”

”What about when Jana learns of our alleged marriage, Grandfather?”

”Try to prevent that discovery. If you cannot, you must handle it without exposing yourself to her. You must not forget, Varian, her life will be in great danger if Maal or his allies hold her even partly responsible for his death. Everyone knows about your past relations.h.i.+p with Jana. The day Ryker summoned you to his death challenge, he released the news of her freedom and her marriage to him, claiming you gave her to him as a truce token. He registered the marriage, so it is legal and binding. Jana is his heir. It is as much to her safety and advantage to confirm her union to him in the public's eye as it is to ours. Brec has everything under control at Star Base. Our schedule is perfect. Do not weaken and fail us when we are so close to victory.”

Varian thought of Breccia Sard, Supreme Commander of the Alliance Force and Star Fleet and head of the Elite Squad, who had confidence and faith in him. ”Contact Brec and tell him I will report for duty in three weeks. Don't worry, Grandfather, I won't let you and the Alliance down.”

”I know you won't, Son. I love you, Varian. Stay safe and alert.”

”I will, sir, and I love you. To victory and peace, Grandfather,” he murmured before signing off. His mind added, And pray seeking them doesn't cost me everything I hold dear. I love you, Jana Greyson, so please don't turn against me, no matter what I'm forced to do for this mission.

Jana spent the afternoon reading from books the blond alien had given to her after her check-up in the medical laboratory. Concentration was difficult because she could not get his soul-stirring kiss off of her mind. Perhaps it was possible for two men to kiss and to taste the same way, but it was strange and suspicious. The experience had been much too arousing if he were Ryker Triloni. She was distressed she could be so attracted this fast and deep to the blond if he weren't her ebony-haired lover. He had convinced her he wasn't Varian, hadn't he? He wasn't Varian Saar, was he?