Caressa Moon (Princess X) Read online

  He turned away and hurried back to the deck, just before the Captain gave orders to release the pods. He felt a tear sting his right eye as he watched the two pods dash through the sky towards a large, almost desert planet. But, the tear froze and a vat of ice cold water poured into his veins as the screen that plotted the advancing ship’s progress showed its course alter to follow the escape pods.

  “What the…” The Captain stopped his exclamation and anticipated Michyle’s next order. “Change course. Follow them.”

  “Will we catch them first?” Michyle asked.

  “Only if there is a God,” the Captain shook his head.

  “How far ahead will they be?” Michyle pursed his lips as he fought the wave of nausea that swept over him.

  “The pods will touch down in two hours during the evening, just a short walk from the Fracten Colony. The hostile ship will only be a few hours behind.” The Captain paused.

  “And us?” Michyle asked.

  “We will get there around the same time.” The Captain explained.

  “They will be able to make it to the Fracten colony before the enemy ship even touches down?”

  “Yes,” the Captain reassured him. “If all goes well, they will find a ship headed home and be off of the planet before that ship can regroup.”

  “Let’s make a landing in Fracten, on the flight deck, that way we will be closer to them. Is there any way we can get them a message?” Michyle asked.

  “We can send them a message, but they will not get it before they land.” The Captain replied. “Plus, after that shot across space they will most likely be very ill.”

  “Let’s warn them and try to arrange a rendezvous location.” Michyle took in a deep breath as he swallowed the nausea that had risen to the back of his throat. He thought of his new wife in danger and knew he would never forgive himself if anything happened to her. He looked at the three spies who had been escorted to the deck and his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits of fury. “Security, escort these gentlemen to my office. We have some things to discuss.”

  Justun, Carvin, and Lucas huddled together before being forcibly escorted from the upper deck.

  Caressa closed her eyes against the force that she felt pressing her into the seat. She tried to shut out the fear that threatened to take over her mind and drive her crazy. Michyle was in danger, she knew that for certain. He’d placed her on the escape pod to keep her safe. However, as she traveled further and further away, she wished more and more that she had insisted on staying by his side. She promised herself, that when they came together again, she would not allow him to send her away like this. It was the first time since her father’s passing that she’d felt so lost and completely alone.

  She opened her eyes and the display of colors that encircled her swirled into a concentration of blue that she had never before seen. In the center of the blue, a golden light emerged and brushed against her face. Had she been able to open her mouth against the force and pressure of the speed, she would have screamed. The light engulfed her; she felt her heart race faster and faster against her chest.

  She was paralyzed but began to relax as a calming voice reached her ears. One she remembered from before she was even born, her mother’s. The light and warmth completely engulfed her and in a flash her eyes were open.

  She was no longer in the escape pod. Her sight was normal. She took in the beautiful trees, and the gentle waves of her lake. She could tell by the sound exactly where she was. She looked around and saw she was not alone. Beside her stood a tall and regal woman draped in silky, metallic fabrics of gold and silver. Other women stood around the lake watching them.

  “Mother?” She asked, knowing.

  “Yes, Caressa, it is me, your mother, Lania.” She answered. “I’ve waited a long time to reach you.”

  “Where are we?” Caressa asked looking around.

  “We are centered.” Lania answered.

  “Centered? What does that mean? Why can I see so clearly here?”

  “We are in a place where my thoughts can reach your thoughts. We are centered between your reality and mine,” Lania answered. “Here, there are no limitations of the body. There is no need for eyes to see, or a body to live.”

  “Is it paradise, or heaven? Am I… dead?” Caressa found the prospect of death scary and calming at the same time. She could be with her parents, but what of Michyle? Would he be able to reach her?

  “No, my dear, you are not dead, you are alive and at the moment your physical body is traveling on the escape pod.” Lania answered.

  “How did my thoughts get here?” Caressa asked.

  “You were frightened and alone.” Lania answered. “You are troubled and your heart has instinctively called for us.”

  “Who are they?” Caressa looked to the women that stood beyond her mother and surrounded the lake.

  “These are your matriarchal ancestors, from generation to generation, we are all connected, and you are the last of our line; you and the child that you now carry.” Lania informed her.

  “Child?” Caressa placed a hand on her stomach.

  “We are all linked and remain alive through our progeny.” Lania explained. “I did not live long enough in the human world to tell you of our lineage.”

  “So, why didn’t you bring me here sooner?” Caressa asked.

  “We cannot bring you here, you must come here on your own. You must call for us and bring us to you.” Lania explained.

  “How do I do that?” Caressa was confused.

  “We are always with you. Just call,” Lania said.

  “Warn her.” A soft whisper of a voice came from the women that surrounded the lake.

  “You are in danger.” Lania said. “The craft following you is not with the rebellion. They are hunters. They are looking for those of our kind to trap, imprison, and experiment on.”

  “Experiment?” Caressa felt alarmed. “How did they know how to find me?”

  “As long as you were on the distant planet of Eveanus, there was no way for them to read your presence. But, once Michyle’s ship entered the central Universal zone, they were able to pick up traces of your energy, energy unique to our people, and pinpoint your location.”

  “What do they wish to do with these experiments?” Caressa wondered.

  “We are a strong people. Our strength comes with the energy and spirit of each passing generation.” Lania explained. “They do not understand that there is no way for them to learn or engineer this, even though they have failed to do so in the past five centuries. Each of their failures has ended in death for the captive.”

  “What can I do?” Caressa asked.

  “You must cloak yourself.” Lania instructed.

  “How?” Caressa asked.

  “When you reach the Fracten colony, go to the central square and seek out Peshra.” Lania explained. “She is the mother of our kind. She will cloak you.”

  “But, they must know who I am.” Caressa reasoned. “They must know that I am Michyle’s wife.”

  “Yes.” Lania said. “They know this. They know your name as well as your blind condition.”

  “What does this mean?” Caressa asked, avoiding the obvious.

  “You and your child will not be safe so long as the hunters can identify you. As soon as you get to the colony, you have to slip from your guardians, make it to the central square, and find Peshra.” Lania reiterated.

  “I have to tell Michyle where we are…” Caressa felt the panic begin to rise.

  “No, it is not safe. It is better if he has no idea where you are.” Lania stated. “Think of your child if not of yourself. She will not survive if they capture you.”

  Caressa took in a deep breath and let it out. What would he think if he could not find her? What would he do if he thought she were dead?

  “I have to tell…” Caressa stopped as Lania raised a hand.

  “The risk is too great.” Lania reminded her. “I know you love him. But, you must ignore tha
t feeling and remain safe.”

  Caressa knew there was no arguing with her. Lania was right. Unless Caressa found the help she needed, she would not be able to survive long, especially with a baby now growing inside of her. She took in a deep breath and let it out.

  “Remember, we are always with you.” Lania reminded her as she and the scenery of the lake with the gathering of ancestors began to fade.

  Caressa’s vision became hazy and out of focus until finally she recognized the shaky interior of the escape pod. It took her a few moments to realize that Michyle’s voice was relaying a warning that the enemy ship had changed course and would only be a few hours away.

  “We must rendezvous with the others and make it to the flight deck. Michyle will meet us there.” Kopha said.

  “Kopha, I must get to the central square.” Caressa tried to explain. “The ship is full of hunters they are after me, not Michyle’s work.”

  “I have orders to get you to the flight deck.” Kopha repeated.

  “But…” Caressa began, but was cut off by the sound of Lania’s voice.

  “Follow him to the flight deck, you will be able to slip away from them there.” Lania told her.

  “I mean, okay.” Caressa said. She listened as he gathered supplies to carry with them.

  “Okay.” He said once they were done. “Let’s go!”

  Caressa followed quietly behind Kopha and Merda, next to Chara. Caressa knew her best chance of escape would be with Chara. When they stepped into the colony, Caressa realized she had to get Chara alone and let her know what was going on.

  “I have to use the restroom.” Caressa announced and watched as her guards paused, puzzled. “Chara can help me. “

  “We can find a hotel to…” Kopha began.

  “I really have to go, I cannot wait much longer. “ Caressa insisted.

  They shrugged and stopped inside of a small café.

  “Restroom.” Merda said curtly. A young waitress snorted and pointed them in the right direction.

  Merda and Kopha stepped into the bathroom first to check for windows or possible weapons. When they were satisfied, they ushered the ladies in.

  “Three minutes.” Kopha said and hurried them through the door. They both stood outside, not intending to let anyone else in until Caressa was finished.

  Caressa turned to Chara after the door closed and placed a calm hand on her shoulder.

  “I need your help.”

  Chapter Nine

  Michyle sat across from the three detained thieves. He was not sure what information he expected to get out of them.

  “They would never send anyone after us. No one we know would even be able to get here so fast.” Justun explained.

  Michyle knew it was rational and logical. The rebels had limited resources. But, his look remained doubtful.

  “There is no way for them to even know that we have been caught.” Justun continued.

  “You need to shut up, Justun.” Lucas looked angrily from Justun to Michyle.

  “You don’t have to believe me.” Justun continued. “But my journal is on the mess deck. If you find it, you’ll know everything about us.”

  “You cowardly traitor!” Lucas yelled.

  “Michyle, Chara is my wife.” Justun finally admitted.

  Michyle felt his temper ease a little. “I don’t care what happens to me. But, whoever is after those pods is most likely dangerous. The longer you sit here questioning us, the less likely you will be able to figure out who is coming after them and why.”

  “My journal is in the cargo hold.” Carvin offered. “Whoever is following them, it isn’t us. My journal is identical to his.”

  “Bastards.” Lucas muttered bitterly.

  Michyle called security, and sent Justun and Carvin with them to retrieve their journals. He left Lucas in the office, under armed guards, alone.

  Caressa sat next to Chara in the lobby of the flight deck on Fracten. Her heart pounded in her throat as she thought of the plan that she and Chara had hatched inside of three minutes while they were in the rest room. Caressa was sure that it would not work. But, she was determined to see it through.

  Chara would have to create a diversion. There was firepower in the supplies that Kopha and Merda had taken from the escape pods. Chara would lift two sticks of timers and explosives from the bags as well as a grooming kit with makeup and scissors.

  Caressa took note as Kopha and Merda began to relax and speak casually among themselves. She nudged Chara who took her by the hand to let her know that it would be time for them to run.

  She counted down quietly so only Caressa could hear and understand.

  “Five, four, three, two… one.”

  She felt Chara jump up quickly and scream, “There they are!”

  Caressa heard the entire flight deck go dead silent as everyone seemed to freeze.

  “What are you…” Merda began to speak but was cut off by an explosion that seemed to land right next them.

  Chara gripped Caressa’s hand tighter, pulled her from the seat. They ran, quickly.

  “Duck.” Chara whispered and Caressa obeyed, allowing Chara to tuck her into a small space. She heard Chara next to her. “We are hiding behind a luggage carousel,” Chara explained. We are a little less than ten feet from the men’s room. I’ll grab a small suitcase and then we will run again. Merda is down and Kopha is looking after him. Come on.”

  Caressa felt Chara grab her hand again and the ten seconds it took for them to get to the men’s room seemed like an eternity. Her legs felt like lead and her lungs didn’t seem to be functioning normally. When she heard the door to the restroom close behind her, she crumpled onto the floor in a mixture of relief and terror.

  “I have one explosive left.” She explained. “We have to save it for a dire emergency.

  “Was anyone hurt?” Caressa asked.

  “If you plan to survive, you need to think more of yourself and less of others.” Chara instructed. “Some people may have gotten hurt.”

  Caressa felt a stab of guilt and sadness.

  “I’ll look through this suitcase for a change of clothes. Take your clothes off quickly.”

  Caressa undressed and listened as Chara opened the suitcase and rummaged through it.

  “Okay, there are male and female clothes. I’ll dress male and you can dress female.”

  As Chara seemed to take charge so easily, Caressa began to relax.

  Chara helped Caressa slip into the woman’s dress that was three sizes too big; they stuffed the top of the dress and Caressa’s undergarments with tissue paper to make her look thicker.

  “We have to cut our hair.” Chara explained.

  “What?” Caressa felt her heart lurch.”

  “They will see your hair a mile away.” Chara explained. “Pretty hair will do you no good if you are dead. “ Chara said as she grabbed a fist full of Caressa’s hair and started cutting.

  Caressa took in a deep breath and swallowed.

  “It will grow back.” Chara assured her. “I’ll cut mine too.”

  “Okay.” Caressa said knowing that every little advantage was needed in order to get out of the flight deck.

  Michyle’s stomach had turned inside and out more than twenty times in the time it took for them to land on Fracten. Over and over in his mind he thought of the worst that could happen to his Caressa. He would never forgive himself for sending her off without him. He vowed he would never do it again. Once she was by his side, he would never let her out of his sight.

  He followed the captain and the remainder of the security team from the ship and peeled his eyes hoping against hope that he would see Caressa before anything happened.

  “The other ship landed ten minutes ago.” Captain Realon announced. “I am sure they know that we are here as well. “

  As soon as he spoke, Michyle spotted the group of secret soldiers looking around and knew this was the crew that had followed the pods to this colony.

  “You s
ee those guys searching?” He asked Realon. “They are looking for my notes. We have to find…”

  As he spoke, he saw Merda looking as if he’d lost something himself.

  “What is Merda looking for?” He asked.

  Quickly he and Realon caught up to Merda to see what the problem was. Merda saw them coming and cursed to himself.

  “Please don’t tell me you lost my wife!” Michyle’s temper was bordering on dangerous and homicidal.

  “They both ran away.” Merda said.

  “Together?” Realon clarified.

  “Yes.” Merda confirmed as Kopha came up to them.

  “How did the two of my best security guards manage to lose two women, one blind?” Michyle felt his blood begin to boil.

  “How long have they been gone?” Realon asked.

  “Twenty minutes.” Kopha said. “I don’t think they are on the flight deck any more. “

  “Good, we need to take care of the men that are after my work. You see that guy there?” Michyle pointed to one of the soldiers. “That is the leader. We need to detain him.”

  Caressa waited patiently for Chara to finish her hair and makeup.

  “Now, where are we to go after we leave this bathroom?” Chara asked.

  “We have to go to the central square and find a woman named Peshra.” Caressa reminded her.

  “Okay,” Chara said. “When I open the door, I am going to put my arm around you and we will walk, not run, casually to the doors. Just keep your eyes up and walk confidently. “

  “Okay,” Caressa agreed as Chara put an arm around her. “Let’s go.”

  As Caressa and Chara stepped out of the bathroom, Jobarus and Michyle opened fire on each other and the entire flight deck ran around in utter chaos. Caressa froze in terror as the chaos broke out all around them.

  “Take my hand!” Chara shouted and ran pulling Caressa along. “We are at the door!” Chara shouted as she pushed the doors open and ushered Caressa through.