Collin said, “Drak, you fear the sightings concern us. You think we have been found after all of this time?”
“No, not found, but still being looked for,” said Drak. “I think that the search for our whereabouts began when it was discovered that you and I were gone. I think the assumption has been to find us means finding the device. I believe the ongoing search has finally reached Base II. If that is the case, we need to leave before we are discovered.”
Suddenly a blinding flash erupted near the window. The emotional level had been running on high, which caused all three to be caught off guard. Another blast took the door off its hinges, and a pandemonium erupted in the form of armed men and smoke. The twins and Drak were blown across the room with the second blast and lay still. The intruders, wearing green and maroon jumpsuits with the insignia of the Group of 3, charged through the house. Shouts of “All clear!” were heard periodically. The men checked the three bodies for life. No pulses could be detected. The leader stationed two of his men to guard the bodies and two more to stand outside while the remaining four ransacked the house. Radio contact confirmed that this was indeed the home of a cheese farmer and his family.
The four were then sent outside to check on the teams that were searching the surrounding farm property. The leader of the teams reported to the Star Cruiser orbiting the planet that the Hawks farm was secured. According to the papers found, there were three males who unfortunately were killed. A housekeeper left a note saying that she was visiting her cousin, and the farm’s manager lived in town. With the manager safely out of the way during this attack, the farm could still be productive for them when he returns.
Strike teams were simultaneously occurring all over the planet. The Group of 3 had decided to expand to the neutral planet, Base II, and add its agricultural resources to its coffers. The leader gathered his men and moved on to the next farm, intending to return later to dispose of the bodies.
Collin was the first to become aware. He stayed where he had fallen and listened intently for any movement that would give away the presence of intruders still in the house. This was done exactly as Drak had them practice—slow the heart rate and remain inert. Using the mind link, he knew exactly when Johan began to do the same thing. However, nothing was coming from Drak. This almost caused him to break the training, which called for either one-hour to pass or quicker determination beyond a doubt that it was safe to move.
The one exception to the rule was move if the place was on fire. Suddenly, footsteps, just barely audible, were heard moving toward them from the sleeping quarters. Ever so slowly crouched over was old man Talcot who creped silently into the room. He moved over to where Drak was. He bent down to him in an attempt to listen for a heartbeat.
“Johan, Collin, get over here and give me a hand. We need to move quickly, Drakar is badly hurt. Our time is limited. We must hurry.”
Living with Drak had taught them to respond instantly to certain tones of authority, and there could be no doubt that they heard those tones coming from old man Talcot. They got up and looked around as they moved to help lift Drak. They saw that the house was a wreck. They knew that Anya was going to be furious. They also saw that Drak had suffered serious injuries. They had been drilled to expect the unexpected and to act without emotional involvement during an emergency. Their training kicked in, and they left unnecessary talk for later.
“Come this way to the fireplace.” Talcot pressed a stone, and a doorway appeared. “Come on quickly, watch your steps.”
The entryway closed once everyone had passed through. Talcot turned on a light and led them down a tunnel. Turning right, they came to a small four-wheel vehicle. They laid Drak in the backseat. They climbed into the front with old man Talcot driving. Talcot drove them to the end of the tunnel where they came out in the woods near the mountain that concealed their ship. Talcot sent <open alpha>, and the hangar doors opened. He drove the vehicle into the hangar and sent <shut alpha>, and the doors closed.
“Hurry, I know you have questions, but we must get Drakar to the medic area on the ship. It is his only chance for survival. His injuries are too severe. They are too much for the healing gene to handle.”
Johan sent to the T42 computer to raise the lift to the ship’s door. They carried Drak on board and took him immediately to the medical room where Talcot worked to stabilize Drak’s condition. The twins had been watching the quick and agile movements of “old man” Talcot. Never before had they witnessed the agility and strength of command that he was now demonstrating.
They remember the one summer when they were fourteen, and he had approached them. He asked them who they were and then said if they were interested and had spare time that he would teach them how to fish for trout. They fished with him that entire summer, and then he chose to again go his own way. Everyone knew him to be an odd recluse, so they respected his wishes.
Now here he was, saving the day, using the mind link, and knowing about a secret passageway in their house! He walked over to each and checked to make sure both were all right. Their clothes were torn, but the healing factor had worked to save their lives. They stared at him, not sure what to say. Too much had first been said by Drak and now him. Too much had happened in too short a time. They had managed to reach safety, and now they waited. They waited, exhausted and in shock. They waited for him to explain. They waited for Drak to recover. Then at almost the same time, they sent <anya! >
Talcot said, “She is aboard and is asleep. I gave her a sedative. I thought it best. We will need to decide what is to be done with her. You know that it is no longer safe for any of you to remain on this planet. The House of Marlis has invaded. They intend to arrange for a distant relative to set up a new ruling house, which will be under the direct control of the Group of 3. If you stay, in time, they will eventually stumble onto who you are.”
The twins moved over to Drak. They checked the monitors to be assured that he was stabilized. Then two pairs of eyes turned to regard Talcot. He stood straighter, and in the ship’s light, his skin looked stained, which gave him an aged appearance. It was very obvious that something was afoot about him.
“Who are you?” said Johan. “I mean aside from being old man Talcot, a neighbor on the farm nearest us, who are you?”
“How is it,” added Collin, “that you know so much about us? About important things that we only found out about earlier this very evening?”
Before Talcot could respond, Drak chose that moment to groan. All attention was immediately turned toward him.
Chapter 3
Lady Tess stormed into her room muttering, “How dare he! How dare he! The nerve.” Lady Tess looked around and saw her maid Minna. She also saw the concern in Minna’s eyes, but Lady Tess wanted to be alone. “Out! Get out!” she shouted as she paced back and forth, furious at what she had been forced to endure. Minna left, quietly closing the door behind her. Lady Tess shook her head and ground her teeth. She thought he would pay. She would see to it. Finally, her raging anger spent, she sat down at her desk and began to plan her revenge.
The start of the day had offered much promise. She awoke knowing that her twenty-year-old son, Rarg Omarlo, was due to return to Racine and the Keep. It would be for the first time since Lord Marlis, her father, fourteen years ago, had taken him. At that time against custom, her six-year-old son was to be fostered under the House of Marlis on Urus. She had ranted and raged, but it fell on deaf ears.
The invasion, so long ago, had taken as casualties Lord Imir, General Drakar, and her children—six-year-old Rarg and the four-year-old twins. As a consolation prize, her father left her regent over Racine. Only Captain Nor had understood her anguish and offered her comfort. In time, as a way to show her gratitude, she made him supreme general over Racine’s military. Currently, he was away, or she would have had him by her side.
The heralds signaled the imminent arrival of her son and his party, and she asked Minna to hurry. She needed to be at the Keep’s door to welcome her son. There was no time left for Minna to fuss with