Star Rider and Bonds of Love: A Sci-Fi Space Opera with a Touch of Fantasy Heidi Skarie (fox in socks read aloud .TXT) 📖

Adrenaline pumped through her asshe balanced on tiptoes on the ledge and slid the window shut. Aclosed window might buy her some time. Reaching up, she found afinger-hold and started climbing. She pushed the long skirt out ofthe way and ignored the pain in her ribs as she moved upward.

A strong wind blew against her,threatening to tear her from the side of the building. She pauseduntil it died down a little, then continued climbing until shefinally reached the top. Hoisting herself up with her arms, she swungher leg over and pulled herself onto the roof.

A nearby pool was surrounded bylounge chairs and potted bushes. She ran across the roof to where theskyway was located. Looking over the edge, she saw it was about sixfeet down. She lowered herself over the side of the roof and let go,landing with a soft thud on the glass top of the skyway. Her hearthammered against her ribs. Below her a crowd of people hurried to theparty. If even one of them looked up, the jig would be over and she’dbe recaptured. Toemeka moved silently toward the parking garage.

Once she reached the garage wall,she climbed onto the flat top roof, then dashed over to a metal shedand pulled open the door. Inside was a service stairway. She toredown the stairs and emerged on the top floor of the parking garage.

Glancing around, she spottedCadmus’ aircar and hit the unlock button on the key fob. Thedriver’s door rose as she ran over, then slipped inside and startedthe engines.

“Keto,” she said to the voiceactivated display panel. “Take me to the spaceport.”

A map appeared on the display,then the autonomous aircar rolled toward the open parking garagedoor. At the entrance it opened its wings, lifted off the ground thenshot into the night sky. The aircar flew into the middle trafficlane, heading in the direction of the spaceport dome.

Toemeka bit her lip. Had Michioand Erling found a way to Devil’s Eye? If they hadn’t, she’dhave to steal a spaceship. She gave Keto Michio’s communicator codeand told her to call him.

On the third ring Michio said,“Night Wanderer here.”

His voice immediately eased thetension in her chest. “Are you in Henotaux?”

“Yes, where are you?”

“Headed to the spaceport. Meetme there.”

“We’ll be waiting.” He cutthe connection.

She wished he hadn’t, eventhough she knew it was too dangerous to stay on the line sincecommunicators could be traced. She took a few calming breaths. She’dtaken a gamble and Michio didn’t let her down. He made it andsomehow managed to land without alarming the authorities. She mightactually make it off this cursed moon.

She scanned the radio stationsand heard that Cadmus’ vehicle was reported stolen. A descriptionand a large reward was offered to anyone who spotted and reported itslocation.

Damn!How had Cadmus figured out she’d stolen his car so quickly? Sheoverrode the controls on the aircar and cruised to the top lane wheretraffic was lighter, the aircar would be harder to spot and she couldmake better time.

Twenty minutes later, she reachedthe tunnel connecting the main dome to the spaceport dome. Afterparking on the landing strip in an unlit area, she cautiously walkedacross the tarmac, looking for the Blue Lady.

A flashing light caught her eye.Turning, she saw a spaceship a short distance away.

A light flashed twice, stopped,then flashed two more times — Erling’s signal. But the shipwasn’t the Blue Lady. It looked like a pirate ship. Was it a trap?She cautiously walked toward it, sticking to the shadows. Shecouldn’t see anyone near it, but its engines were running. Thelight flashed on and off twice more.

Toemeka paused, debating what todo when she heard a soft step behind her. Before she could turn, ahand was clamped over her mouth and a strong arm grabbed her aroundthe waist.

10

Reunited

Toemeka stamped the heel of herbare foot into the boot of the man holding her and jabbed her elbowinto his chest. His hold loosened and she spun around and slugged himin the gut.

“It’s me,” he gasped.

“Michio?” She gazed at hisdark form for a second, then moved into his welcoming arms.

“I’m sorry I surprised you.The spaceport is heavily guarded and I didn’t want you to cry outwhen I came up behind you.”

“Oh God, Michio, I can’tbelieve you made it.” She pressed her face into his shoulder,overwhelmed at being with him again and terrified they wouldn’t beable to escape.

“We need to get to the ship.”He kept his arm around her as he started forward.

“Wait!” she exclaimed. “Idropped my evening bag when you grabbed me.”

“You don’t need it.”

She stooped down, feeling aroundfor the small bag in the dark.

“Come on, hurry.”

Her hand touched the bag. “I’vegot it.” She snatched it up and began running toward the ship,wincing in pain when she stepped on a sharp rock with her bare foot.Michio ran alongside her, staying protectively close.

They crossed the tarmac andcharged up the ramp leading into the ship. Once inside, Michio hitthe control button and the door slid shut.

“Erling, get us out of here!”Michio yelled as he started down the hall. Toemeka followed, throwinga hand against the wall to steady herself as the ship lifted off theairfield.

Michio led her to the cockpit andsat down beside Erling in the copilot seat.

Erling glanced back at her.“Buckle up, Toe.”

She slid into a seat facing thedefence control panel and fastened her seatbelt, watching out thewindow as their ship soared upward toward the top of the closed dome.

“How are we going to get themto open the dome so we can fly out?” Toemeka asked, her heart inher throat. So much could still go wrong.

“I brided an air trafficcontroller,” Erling said. “Let’s hope he keeps his word.”

“Open. Open. Open,” Toemekawhispered, clenching her fists as they neared the upper part of thedome.

Miraculously it opened and theirship shot through.

“We made it!” Toemekaexclaimed, relief flooding through her .

“Our first hurdle crossedsuccessfully,” Erling said.

Toemeka gripped the arms of herchair as they flew away from the moon.

Lights started flashing on theship instrument panel. “We’ve got four bogies on our tail,”Michio said.

“They’re coming up fast,”Erling said. “Begin calculations