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DOORWAY TO THE STARS
By
Marly Mathews
© copyright December 2007, Marly Mathews
Cover art by Amber Moon, © copyright December 2007
ISBN: 978-1-60394-121-1
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
Chapter One
Earth, 3000 AD
"They say the hijackers have hacked into some of the doorways to the stars."
"Piffle." Freya Kirkland eyed the miniature holographic newspaper that had been activated in front of her. It detailed the latest hacking attempt on Jupiter.
"We, as tour guides should be worried." Macy Smyth looked at her with wide doleful eyes.
"You are too jumpy for your own good, Macy. No one has ever been able to break into the Earth system, and I'm still placing my total faith into our security programmers."
"Have you seen some of our security programmers? They ask us to do some pretty dangerous tours and now this! They say the hackers are men from the Outer System looking for wives. They found out that most, if not all of our tour guides are women."
"Listen, I really doubt a man from the Outer System would want me-or you for that matter. We're both red heads, and it's rumored that the males from that region of space think redheads are curses upon humanity."
"Curses, my foot. Most of their females have either married men from other planets or they're infertile from the last war. I wouldn't put anything against those Outlanders."
"I don't know why they were dubbed Outlanders. Sure, they are not humans from Earth, but they're still humans in their genetic makeup."
"The first time Terrans made contact with them, they shot the ambassador. They're not exactly a civilized race."
"We don't have their worlds programmed into the doorway to the stars, so I don't even know why we're wasting our lunch hour dwelling on this. Jupiter's staff of tour guides always has been a bit nutty. Maybe someone entered in the wrong sequence into the database by accident. They probably had had too much Moon Wine the night before."
"Moon wine, my ass. I'm telling you, Freya, we should just quit while we're ahead. I heard they're looking for more tour guides on the space cruise ships that tour our solar system. That's a great opportunity for us, and we don't have to worry about being kidnapped while on duty, as we always have a military escort."
"I don't want to talk to you, today. There is just no reasoning with you. I need the money from this job, and you know it. It's the only way I'll get my Uncle out of debtor's prison. If I can't pay up his bills, he'll be in there for the rest of his bloody life!"
"I know. I'm sorry I even brought the subject up. Excuse me if I'm just a tad bit worried about you. I don't know why, we've only been friends for all of our lives!"
"Macy," She dropped her voice to a whisper. The other tour guides in the canteen were giving them funny looks. "I'm sorry. Why don't you take this afternoon off? I can handle the tour scheduled for 2 pm."
"No … we're a team. I'll go with you. We-I mean, I can't lose you." She sighed, placing her hand to her temple. "But I do have one major headache. Maybe I will take it off, go back to the flat, take some pain meds, and have a lie in."
"Good idea. I should be home by eight, and I'll make you some pasta, you know how a good meal filled with carbohydrate rich foods helps your headaches."
She smiled. "You know what? We should have been born sisters, because you sure do treat me like the little sister. Problem is, I'm the older one." Macy laughed. "Do you think Mr. Callahan will have an issue with me crying off early?"
"No … he understands how a bad migraine can affect your job performance. Don't give it a second thought. Just go home and try to think of happy things … put all of your thoughts of nasty Outlander hijackers out of your system. I'll be fine."
"Yeah." She snorted. "You're right. The Earth System is the most secure in the galaxy. We don't have to worry, and, besides, we don't go out unarmed like the ones from Jupiter do."
"That's the spirit." She looked up at the clock. "Damn. It's late … I have to go and get down to the Travel Chamber, and get my co-ordinates programmed into the system. I'll tell you all about my afternoon, tonight. Let's just hope I don't get someone with a gas problem like I had on my last afternoon shift. Having that Mexican restaurant move into the canteen was a really big bad idea." She laughed.
"Be careful, Freya. Don't forget to take your pistol."
"Right you are."
She stood up and walked away from her friend. Before she left the canteen she darted one last look back at Macy. She smiled. Macy was always a bit paranoid. She'd been a good soldier in her day-but now, she was more jumpy than a cat in heat.
She walked to the elevator and moved up to the twenty-fourth level of the building they were in. Using her security card, she accessed the restricted area meant only for certified tour guides. Walking into the Travel Chamber, she stared over at the operator that was on duty.
"Hey, Morris. How are you today?"
"I'm fine, Miss Freya. Mr. Callahan told me that the desk officer would be bringing up the tour group in five minutes. He told me that he hoped you already had your route mapped out."
"I certainly do. I think I'll take this group to the Tropical planet, Willowbane."
"Excellent. I've always wanted to go to that planet with my wife, but we haven't been able to afford it yet."
"Yeah … maybe Mr. Callahan will give you the trip as an Anniversary present."
Morris's eyes gleamed. "It will be twenty-five years on the 31st."
"Congrats, Morris. The two of you must be in love."
"We are."
He looked down at his computer console. "I've entered in the co-ordinates for you, all you have to do is take your personal computer and open the doorway when the time comes."
She looked down at the nine wooden doors that were built into the wall in the travel chamber. If you opened one up without activating the planetary travel system you'd be staring at a brick wall, but once the system was activated a gateway formed between Earth and the other planet. She chewed at her lip. She had three minutes before the tour group arrived.
"Morris?"
"Yes, Miss Freya?"
"Did you read the report in the Earth Chronicle this morning about the recent hijackings?"
"Yes, Miss Freya, I did. And Mr. Callahan has ordered the security programmers to be especially diligent this morning …. He doesn't want to lose any tour guides."
"Phew." Her heart stopped hammering.
"He isn't insured."
Morris's last statement did nothing to ease her rattled nerves. Ever since Macy had brought her attention to the article, despite the fact that she'd blown it off to Macy, it still bothered her. If Macy didn't have a heart condition, she never would have dismissed it, but her friend couldn't take the extra stress.
"Oh, boy." She shook her head, nervousness fluttering through her stomach.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Miss Freya, I can keep the doorway open so we can stay in constant contact if that would make you feel more at ease. Are you carrying your government issued pistol?"
"I certainly am."
"Then you shouldn't be in trouble. You at least have a way of defending yourself. They say the Outlanders only have ancient weapons at their disposal, and your laser pistol is light years ahead of the weapons they'll be using."
"Somehow, that doesn't make me any less frustrated about this. I don't know why Callahan doesn't just put the program on hold until this issue is resolved."
"Because he can't afford it … and I can't afford not getting my weekly paycheck … it might take the Interstellar Task Force weeks to catch the Outlanders that are hacking into the Doorway system … and well, think of how many missed paychecks that would mean."
"I see your point, Morris. Thanks for pulling me back into the living reality as opposed to the one I wish I lived in."
"I don't understand how a lady of your fine breeding ended up working for Mr. Callahan, you are the daughter of an English Earl and American Senator … and yet here you are."
"And yet here I am." She sighed. "You're right … if we hadn't lost all of our money in the last war … I probably wouldn't be standing here today, but that's what you get when you support the losing side." She looked up at the sound of the automatic doors opening. "We're going to have to cut this chat short, it's show time for me."
"Good luck!" Morris smiled at her, giving her an encouraging wink.
"Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen." She looked at the small group that Callahan had brought her. Cocking her head to the side, she looked at her boss.
He had a look in his eyes that told her he wanted to talk to her before she disembarked.
"Ladies, and Gents, I just have to have a short word with my tour guide. Mr. Jones here will give you some background history on the Doorway to the Stars and how it was invented, etc. Your tour will begin directly at 2 o'clock, have no fear! Here at Callahan Enterprises, you always get your moneys worth out of your inter planetary tours." Callahan had strength to his voice that she admired, even if he did get on her last nerve sometimes.
She started tapping her foot against the floor. Realizing that she was acting out with her nervous energy, she stopped when Callahan looked down at her foot.
"Miss Freya, I'd like to take this time to assure you that I have clamped down on the security of the system. I don't want you to fear for you life or those of your tourists."
"I have three people to take on the tour … why don't you just cancel it for today? You can see that the news stories about what happened on Jupiter are having a negative effect on consumers."
"Nonsense. Today is the day of the …."
"I know what today marks. It marks the end of the last war."
"Yes, well, the war was won by the side that was acting in the best interests of Earth."
"Do you think so? I don't know. I really don't appreciate many of the archaic laws such as capital punishment, the right to own slaves, and the reinstitution of debtors prison among so many other negative institutions. We're supposed to be in the age of enlightenment, we're traveling amongst the stars, and yet, we've regressed in so many ways. I can't say I prefer this existence to the one I knew when I was a child."
Callahan's eyes darkened. "You should learn to keep quiet. Those three tourists happen to be fervent supporters of our new government. I'd keep your liberal views to yourself if I were you when you're out on the tour. I don't want to lose their patronage. They book monthly, if not weekly, tours when they're hectic schedules allow."
"Where are their bodyguards? If their supporters of our current government, shouldn't they have a bloody team of bodyguards?"
"Freya, my patience is straining. I could dismiss you and take this tour out myself."
She thought of the money this tour would bring her and bit her lip to keep from saying more.
"I apologize. My passions got the better of me."
"I'll say they did. Just don't let it happen in the future. You know I value you as a tour guide. No one knows more about the worlds than you do, Freya, not even Macy."
"Thank you … and you do know that I enjoy my work here … you gave me a job when everyone else turned me away because I was part of the ...."
"Shush. Don't say it … they could be listening. Look at Master Gold, he isn't paying attention to Morris anymore. I'm sure that man is just itching to hear something that he could string me up by my balls for … anything to make him look good."
"Okay. Well, I'm taking them to Willowbane. It should be a planet right up their alley."
"Yes, yes, I'm sure it will be. I told them to dress for a hot climate since you told me you'd be taking them to one of the tropical planets. Just be on your guard, Freya. Watch your back, your front, and your side. I don't want anything to happen to you-I might be money hungry, but I'm no bastard."
"Hey … I served in the last war, I should be able to handle a few rough and ready Outlanders if they do somehow manage to get through our security barriers."
"Now you're talking. I like the way you think. You had your pistol checked at the last maintenance update, right? I don't want you to get into a fix and find out that your pistol is jammed ...."
"It's been checked out thoroughly by one of the weapon engineers. Don't fret, I'll be back on Earth by 8 pm our time."
"Good. They're only paying for a six hour trip anyway."
"As always it's excellent to know that you're consistently on your toes when it comes to running this business." She smiled. Callahan had a wife and children to think of, and, though he seemed totally fixated on money, specifically making more of it, he was a good man at heart.
Clearing her throat, she walked down the ramp to the lower level where the doorways stood ready and waiting.
"Ladies and Gentleman, thank you so much for choosing Callahan Enterprises once again, for your off planet excursions. Today we will be traveling to the Earth protected tropical planet of Willowbane. The native inhabitants of this planet co-exist in harmony with the colonists from Earth."
"And well they should. They should be grateful that our great civilization has allowed such primitives to mix with us." Master Gold snorted and thrust his chest out in a pompous gesture. She wished someone would deflate his gigantic bubble one of these days.
"Indeed." She narrowed her eyes at Master Gold. Her stomach churned. At this moment, he was probably trying to pass legislation that would make it legal for slave hunters to take the natives from Willowbane for their interplanetary slave network. She hated the man. Her side should have won ….
"I can't wait to start the tour, Miss ...." The one lady that was Gold's wife looked at her name badge.
"Freya. My name is Freya Kirkland."
"Kirkland … I must say that name does ring a bell." Master Gold looked at her in newfound interest. If he recalled her for her hand in the last war, this wouldn't be an easy tour-not easy at all. In fact, it would be more like pulling teeth, without the anesthetic.
"Does it? Well, it's quite a common name."
He nodded his head. "No doubt it is. Let us start the tour, Miss Freya. I have been anticipating this all week. Long days spent cooped in my office behind a desk … and now it's time for some excitement. Lead the way, my dear lady." His eyes flared as they raked over her entire body. She stiffened. She didn't like the hungry look in his eyes. Reaching into the bag she wore slung across her shoulders, she withdrew her traveling device and pressed the activation button. "I will be the first one through as is customary, the tour guide is the first one through en route to the destination, and they are the last one through on the return trip. This way, we are protecting our tourists to the best of our ability." Reaching for the doorknob, she turned it, and opened it. White light streamed out at them. Through a slim tunnel, she could barely make out the outline of a palm tree. "It looks as if our destination is secure. As soon as I am through please follow me."
Dragging in a deep breath, she stepped through the doorway.
TREATY OF HEARTS
By
Suzanne Embree
Copyright by Suzanne Embree, March 2008
Cover art by Eliza Black, March 2008
ISBN 1-978-60394-140-2
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
Chapter One
Eshana Vi Dacro stood outside the doorway to her father’s private chambers listening to the conversation that she nearly walked in on. Her slender fingers tucked a loose strand of cinnamon colored hair back in its place. Her bronze eyes narrowed as Eshana frowned. Her father’s voice sounded tired as it usually did after dealing with the overly ambitious advisor.
The Chancellor was one of her father’s most influential advisors, although she had her suspicions as to what his hidden agenda was. Eshana’s elf like ears twitched in annoyance. The pointed tips positioned themselves forward as the voices lowered. Vi Burceau was known for being power hungry and would stop at nothing to become the Autocrat of Elfinian Society.
Eshana’s father was an obstacle that he could not overcome. She and her father’s council thought the position of Chancellor would slow his appetite, but then the conversation she was listening to set the suspicions back into her mind.
“Have you spoken to her?” The Chancellor’s voice was raspy.
“No, not yet. She will not agree to it. Do you really want to lose one of the best squadron leaders we have and our Intelligence Commander?” Autocrat Vi Dacro shook his head gravely. “Have you not considered the scepter?”
“She is your daughter, and we are looking at peace with a powerful society who could be a great asset in the potential war with the Crete’s. Her duty is to you and the Society first not to her squadron, legends aside.” The Chancellor insisted. “It is for a good cause.”
“The scepter is not a legend.” Her father growled. “My daughter is not some bargaining chip on the table Chancellor! If Dakar wants an official treaty then he will contact me personally!” Autocrat Vi Dacro slammed his fist into the arm of his chair.
“There has not yet been an offer made. It is only something to consider if and when the offer arrives.” The Chancellor backed off, seeing his liege was angered.
Eshana wondered why he wanted her out of Elfinia. She knew the Crete’s at this point in time were not posing a threat unless the Chancellor had more information than she had access to, but then as the Intelligence Detail Advisor, she doubted it. Unless he was up to something, once again the suspicions crept into her mind.
Eshana entered the room at that point of the conversation. The Chancellor rose from her mother’s chair, putting on a false smile.
“All is well at the Front?” he asked, and then answered his own question. “Of course it is, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“Or there could be,” she offered. “Unlike you Chancellor, I do pay the Autocrat respect and confer with him on matters of importance instead of taking matters into my own hands.” She watched as the smile on his face turned into a snarl.
Her father interrupted before the Chancellor had a chance to retort, “Chancellor Vi Burceau, I would like to speak to Eshana in private.”
“Of course, I shall be in my office if you require my assistance.” With a curt nod he left the room. Her father hit one of the small square pads on the wall beside him and closed the door.
“I do wish you wouldn’t bait him so.” He smirked at Eshana. “You heard the conversation, what do you think?”
“I think you left the door open for a reason,” she teased. “Maybe your Communications Advisor is correct that the Chancellor is hatching some sort of evil plot? Lord M’Allory is not somebody to jump to conclusions without just cause, even if he only has a hunch.” She sat down in her mother’s chair. Eshana could still smell her Earth Lavender scent after all these years after her death. “I think your life maybe in danger .…”
“And yours.” Autocrat Vi Dacro’s smile faded. “According to Vi Burceau, Alexander the son of Dakar on Dakamar has requested a meeting with you as soon as you can. He is at Galaxy Starbase Vivo. The Chancellor thinks it may be a marriage offer. I doubt it personally.”
Eshana thought about the meeting with the son of Dakar. It wasn’t sitting right with her either. Most marriage proposals go through the proper channels of leaders, advisors, spiritual counselors, and finally then to the intended groom or bride. Not the other way around.
“Father, leave it with me. I’m pretty sure Vi Burceau is getting ready to make his move, although he has been keeping things pretty low key and quiet.” She stood up. “Watch your back while I am gone.” She headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Her father rose from his seat.
“As far as anybody is concerned, Vivo.” She gave him a smile then opened the door and headed for her office.
She walked slowly through the corridors carefully plotting out her next plan of action. Her intelligence training taught Eshana no matter how insignificant the task may seem, always proceed with caution.
She reached the door to her office and waved her hand over the security lock to enter. Eshana looked about her office, stark as it was, to ensure everything was normal. She reached into her holster and took out a scanner, double-checking for any listening devices or other entrapments in the room. Its soft beep indicated everything was fine. Eshana sat down at the glass desk and called up a screen on the wall to her right.
She spoke to the transmitter on her desk, “Commander Eshana requesting data.”
“Voice analysis verified. On which topic, Commander?” the computer’s soft and silky voice asked.
“Alexander Vi Dakar.”
“Information transferring to screen.” Eshana took a glimpse of the information coming on her screen and made a face. She already knew he was the heir to the Viceroy title of the water planet since his brother’s disappearance under suspicious circumstances.
Eshana’s mind flew back to the first time she saw Alexander. She was only a young pix at the tender age of thirteen. It had been a long grueling affair on the very humid world of Syria. She vaguely thought of the coronation when a smile crossed her lips as the memory of Alexander walking in behind his twin brother and parents.
His dark head stood above the rest in the room, and he seemed a little awkward, but, when she looked at him, her heart slammed headlong into her ribcage. It had been love at first sight. He never noticed her then, and he certainly hadn’t noticed her now despite all the attention of intergalactic news.
A tug on her heart made her curse.
“Skip the galactic gossip and give me the unofficial official stuff.” She got up and leaned on the edge of her desk, perusing the information. The last thing she needed was too see him with the debutantes of their solar system.
“Permission to read Commander?” the voice asked.
“Denied.”
The view screen stopped at Alexander’s picture. Eshana let out a low and long wolf whistle. He certainly had grown up.
Dark blue eyes pierced back at her from the viewer. His proud expression had a hint of arrogance that gave his dark features a sharp edge. Eshana straightened, looking at him. She realized she hadn’t really seen a recent picture of the man.
“You’re a playboy aren’t you?” She spoke to his image. “Definitely not my type. Best I stay away.” She tried to convince herself to do just that as she stared at his very nicely put together frame. His casual black slacks and plain white pullover did nothing but emphasize his muscular physique.
“Yup, definitely dishy.” Eshana tore her eyes away from his arrogant looks as she looked at the write up underneath.
By the look of the data, Alexander had been connected to every socialite in the galaxy. She frowned. All socialites except for her. Eshana thought for a moment. Her parents had not made much of a fuss of her coming to age like other regents in the galaxy. She had been too busy with her duties to ever have a so-called love life despite the gossip of the raggers, the journalists who made up stuff to garner the public’s attention.
She shoved those thoughts from her mind and continued reading on about his involvement of the unity of their solar system as a united federation.
A slender finger tapped against her chin when she read of his recent achievement of bringing the Sovereign planet of Crete into the federation and under the personal protection of Dakamar.
Eshana wondered if the Chancellor had read this data. Crete was a peaceful society that was the intellectual hub of the sector. Its philosophical theories and influence of such thoughts dated to the dawning of Cretin history.
The planet was rich in natural resources that lay beneath its surface. The Cretin Society did not take from its world that which it could not replace. Cretin’s believed in living in harmony with their surroundings.
Eshana could see the attraction of Crete to a man like Burceau. It was a juicy piece of fruit dangling in front of his face. But to claim the serene planet was a threat was ridiculous.
“Unless …?” Eshana began to pace. “He wants a war with Dakamar.” She stopped. “But what would he gain?” She knew she was missing a piece of the puzzle.
She reached over to flick off her screen when a paragraph caught her attention.
“Alexander Vi Dakar, named for the great ancient Earthian warrior, is maintaining Charge of the Moon Troops of all eight moons, he has no interest in marriage. His quest to find his brother and his mission to unite the quadrant are his main objectives.”
‘The Crete’s seemed to trust this man,’ she thought to herself, sinking into her chair. The Cretin’s, for all their philosophy, were a very secular society, cool to outside influences.
Eshana let out a little sigh. She knew if she didn’t make contact with Alexander now with at least a warning she would regret it. She just couldn’t shake the fact that she would regret contacting him. She leaned forward and pressed a small button on her console.
“Good Morning Commander Vi Dakar.” She spoke to the screen. “I am confirming your kind invitation to meet you on Vivo. However, due to time constraints, I would not be able to travel there and back in time for my following appointment.” Her ears flickered forward as she forced a smile. “Would Junis be fine with you? I look forward to meeting you Commander.” She hit the send button.
Eshana sat for a few moments, unsure of what she would do next. The idea of a hot shower and a snack popped into mind as a scowling face appeared.
“I wasn’t aware of the meeting between the two of us,” a deep cool voice responded. He was better looking than his pictures. “In the future, please notify my .…”
“There won’t be a future if you don’t listen to me. I was told that I was supposed to meet you on Vivo. Tell me, did you receive a similar message?” she asked abruptly.
“No,” he said, “but I was to meet with an E Shan Vi Dacro on Sirius at the Garden Gates.”
“That would be me. We need to meet.”
“I don’t think I have the time,” he said coolly.
Eshana spoke more harshly than intended, “Well you had better make the time. I think the Crete’s may be in danger. A member of my father’s council is trying to wage war on the planet.”
“The Crete’s are no threat. They haven’t got the resources or the means.”
“That may be true, but they have natural resources which are worth more than all the fire power in the galaxy,” she said, her voice clipped. “Getting our empires fighting over Crete’s Territory .…”
“How soon can you get to Junis?”
“I can meet you there for a midnight brunch. You know the café by the Blue Fountain.”
“I’ll be there.”
“I’ll race ya. Loser buys.” Eshana ended the transmission.
She grabbed her sonic laser tooth cleaner and headed for her personal flyer. She loved the vehicle’s clean lines and sleek handling. Eshana was proud of her design. She waved her hand in front of the door and watched as the ship scanned itself for any unwanted guests or items. Her ears cocked forward in their alert position.
“All clear Commander,” the silky voice of the computer informed her.
Eshana entered and took her place at the helm. She steered the flyer out and jumped into slipstream as soon as she cleared the dock. She never tired of the way the stars turned into rays of light passing in front of her window. She set the ship on auto then went to the galley for a quick shower and a change into more appropriate clothing for her meeting.
By the time she had her hair dry, she was notified by the ship’s computer that she was within ten parsecs of Junis. She took the helm and slowed the ship to standard gear as Eshana called up her navigational system and entered in the coordinates for landing. Within seconds she had permission to land.
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