And on a smaller scale, it was about each of them finding more within themselves. More strength, more understanding, maybe even more love.
Mac glanced at Dink and then smiled at Morgan. “You and Finn . . .” He shook his head. “The two of you honor me with your bravery. You honor all of us. This is not something I ever intended to ask of any of you. I hope you realize I would give anything to go in your place, but I know I have to be here. My head knows that, my gut agrees, but my heart's having a problem with staying behind.”
He glanced at his watch. “Last night we spoke with Nattoch. He said we should have the first group arriving just after dark this evening. I expect they'll send the weaker members first, so we'll need to be ready for them.”
He glanced at the others, his eyes open to visual clues, his mind open to their thoughts. Amazing. There was absolutely no fear, no sense of nervousness beyond the flutter of excitement he sensed in Liz. Morgan's mind was steady as a rock, his thoughts turned toward the next few hours when he and Finn should be learning to disassemble, to turn their corporeal bodies into nothing more than mist and energy.
Just the thought of attempting something like that sent a chill up Mac's spine, and yet all he could feel in Morgan was anticipation. The guy was amazing, so brave it was scary.
Either that or just plain nuts.
Lizzie downed the last of her coffee and grabbed a paper napkin to wrap her second cinnamon roll. “Time for my shift.” She leaned over and gave Morgan a quick kiss. “For luck, Morgan. I'll be thinking of you.”
He grinned. “Thanks. I'm not sure who's going to be teaching us, but now that Finn's getting off duty, I expect someone to show up before too long.”
Liz waved and headed for the door. Rodie opened it just as Liz reached for the handle. “G'morning, Rodie.”
“Hey.” Rodie held the door for Liz and shut it quietly behind her. Then she headed straight for the coffee.
Mac watched Morgan watch Rodie and had to bite back a grin. This was a match he never would have suspected, but the two of them had clicked almost from the beginning. He wondered how Rodie felt about the risks Morgan had chosen to take. She didn't seem to be the least bit upset.
He glanced at Dink and caught his buddy staring at him. Mac frowned, but as much as he wished he could read Dink's thoughts, the man didn't have a bit of telepathic ability. His reporter's instincts were just thatâpure instinct. His mind, however, was nothing but a solid wall to Mac's subtle search.
What could Dink possibly be thinking right now? After a night of lovemakingâDink, Mac, and Zianne, the three of them falling so easily into the sexual roles they'd taken so many years agoâwhat were Dink's thoughts this morning? To come so close to the perfection they'd shared when they were young and still wide open to new experiences, now to be standing here on the precipice, so close to either success or absolute failure?
Was Dink afraid? Excited? Frustrated by his inability to report on such a huge event? There was no way Mac could tellânot from the enigmatic expression on his friend's face.
The door opened, tugging Mac away from his meandering thoughts. He glanced up as Finn sauntered into the dining hall. “How'd it go, Finn?”
“Quiet.” Talking over his shoulder, he went straight to the coffee. “Tara and Duran were with me last night before I took my shift, but no one showed up at all while I was in the shack. It was actually more spooky than lonely.”
Mac straightened and caught Morgan's sharp glance. “No one at all? No contact?”
Finn shook his head. “Not a thing. I figure they're taking the time to build up energy for when the exodus starts tonight.”
“Could be, but I expected some contact. Did Cameron say anything about visitors?” It wasn't easy to keep the tension out of his voice. They were so close, but so many things could go wrong.
Finn sat down with a bagel between his teeth, his cup of coffee in one hand and a cinnamon roll in the other. He set the coffee down. Placed the bagel on top of the roll. “Yep. Said he had two women show up and finally figured out what all the fuss was about. I think he's sorry he spent so much time with Nattoch.” He laughed, took a swallow of coffee and a bite of the bagel. “Last night was his first night with any of the Nyrians. I imagine he's hoping it won't be his last.”
Mac chuckled. Cameron fascinated him. Brilliant with an amazingly creative mind and a grasp of concepts, logistics, and planning that rivaled any of the other unbelievably intelligent members of the dream team, and yet he lookedâand sometimes actedâabout fifteen. It was hard to imagine the kid with two seductive Nyrian females, but it explained why he hadn't shown up for breakfast this morning.
A funny little chill raced across his shoulders. Lizzie popped into his head, but the thought was faint, and he hated to intrude on the girl's fantasies. Then the overhead lights in the dining hall dimmed. Flickered for a moment or two before returning to full strength.
An unexpected drain on their energy? What would cause that? Their power supply was damned good, unless something was interfering with the operation. He thought of the protestors at the front gate, the fire that had been intentionally set, and wondered if they were up to more trouble.
No. Ralph was keeping an eye on the bastards. Mac pushed the thought aside, but just as he reached for his coffee, the door to the dining area shot open. Kiera hung on to the handle, eyes wide and hair streaming behind in an unruly mass of curls.
She stood for a moment in the open doorway, chest heaving as she gasped for breath. “You've got to come to the dream shack. Lizzie's got her hands full.”
Mac was on his feet and heading for the door before the others had even reacted. “What's happened?”
“Nyrians.” Kiera sucked in a deep breath. “A whole shitload of 'em just showed up. Lizzie thinks they have their soulstones but they're way ahead of schedule and scared to death. All I know is what Liz 'pathed to me. I was on my way here, closer to the lodge, so I didn't take time to go check.” She spun about and headed back to the shack with Mac on her heels. Morgan, Finn, and Dink were right behind them.
Cameron must have heard the commotion, because he raced across the open area and caught up to them as they reached the dream shack. Mac threw open the door. The small building was absolutely packed with people, all dressed alike in either loose pants or tunics. Lizzie was on her knees beside the tote bag holding Zianne in her arms. Two Nyrian women appeared to be sharing energy with the tiny squirrel.
“Hey, Mac. Guys.” Lizzie looked up with a rather shell-shocked expression on her face.
“What happened?” Mac glanced at the silent group and then at Lizzie.
She gestured helplessly at the Nyrians crowded into the small space behind her. Mostly women, a few men, they huddled close to one another and stared anxiously at Mac and the others. Liz carefully placed the squirrel back into the tote bag and stood, folding her arms almost defensively across her chest.
She focused on Mac, her expression grim. “It appears we're going to have to move the rescue up a bit. According to these guys, the Gar are already on their way to destroy Earth.”
Well, thought Mac as, just a bit stunned, he gazed at the small crowd. At least now he knew what had stressed the power supply. He glanced over his shoulder at Dink, who stood by the door with a huge smile on his face.
“What's so funny?”
“I'm just thinking about the story I get to tell. You know how I love a good story.”
“Yeah. Right.” Mac shoved his fingers through his hair. “Let's just hope there's a world left to tell it to.”
3
“M
ir? Niah? But you just left my room!” Cameron shoved past Mac and reached for two absolutely gorgeous womenâone with flowing dark hair, deeply tanned skin, and eyes like the night, the other as fair and light as her partner was dark. “What's going on?”
They each clutched a hand and snuggled close against Cam. He shot a quick glance at Mac and shrugged, then pulled both women even closer. He dipped his head close and kissed each one quickly, then whispered, “Tell me what happened.”
The dark-haired beauty glanced at her fairer companion and, instead of answering Cam, slowly turned and focused on Mac. She took a deep breath. “I am Mir,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “This is Niah. You are Mac. We know of you from Zianne. We had just returned to the ship and retrieved our soulstones when Nattoch instructed all of us to flee immediately for Earth. We were so surprised by his request as we had just returned. All he said was that we had to hurry because the Gar had begun the process of preparing the ship for travel. We have to assume they are planning to attack Earth sooner than expected.”
Her eyes were wide and filled with apprehension, though he didn't sense overwhelming fear. Mac could feel her resolve as well as the trust she had placed not only in Cameron, but in the entire team. She had no doubt they would be able to help her people.
He wished he felt as confident.
“Okay.” Shit. What now? Mac shot a quick look at Morgan, who was practically buried in frightened women. Was one of these terrified souls planning to teach him to disassemble? “Let's get everyone moved to the lodge where we have more room to talk. But first, are any of you here to help Morgan and Finn with training?”
The Nyrians all glanced at one another, but only one woman spoke up. “None of us, but . . .”
“Tara?” Finn stepped past Mac and grabbed the redhead in both arms, hugging her tightly. “Where's Duran?”
“I don't know.” A sob broke through her words and she blinked rapidly. Did Nyrians cry? Mac wondered if she had any idea what tears were, if she was at all familiar with the emotions this human body was capable of, because she looked utterly confused by the moisture overflowing her eyes and running down her cheeks.
With one more deep breath, she appeared to get herself under control. Clutching Finn's arms, she said, “Nattoch told me to leave as soon as I retrieved my stone. I did not question him.”
“Are you all right?”
She nodded, but Mac watched the shimmer of tears that continued to spill from her brilliant green eyes. “I'm okay, Finn. I am, but Duran . . . he's still on the ship. I was late for my shift and he had already turned over his stone and gone to the engine room. Nattoch told me to keep my stone, to leave. I did as he asked.”
She bowed her head, sobbing openly against Finn's chest. He kissed the crown of her head, gently nuzzling her thick, red hair, and it was a gesture so tender, so at odds with Mac's original view of Finn O'Toole that it twisted something in Mac's heart.
What was it about these Nyrians that they could change even the most cynical among them? But holy crap, their rescue plans were totally shredded. Now what? “Morgan, Finn, I don't know what we do now, other than get everyone comfortable until we receive further word.”
“I think that's the best idea. At least it works for me. You okay with that, Finn?” Morgan stepped aside, speaking softly to the women who'd claimed him so quickly, sending them with the others.
Four men who seemed to be with Kiera helped her and Cameron organize the rest of the Nyrians, quickly moving them out of the dream shack. Finn kissed Tara once again and pressed his forehead to hers. “Go with Cam and Kiera. We'll figure out a way to get Duran and the others. Please try not to worry.”
“Oh, Finn.” She pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle her sobs and took a deep, shuddering breath. “I think not worrying is impossible, but I trust you to do whatever you can.” She stretched up on her toes and kissed him. Mac felt the spinning emotions swirling between the two of them, emotions so deep and powerful they left him aching. He averted his gaze as Tara finally pulled away from Finn and followed the others.
Rodie stood at the open door and hugged two slender women. Mac noticed that all three of them had tears in their eyes and he had to consciously drag air into his lungs. The small, crowded room was closing in around him, the emotions in the dream shack throwing Mac into sensory overload.
Each of the Nyrians here owed their physical form, their human body, to one of his team members. All of them already had a powerful connection, yet none of them had learned to shield their emotions in this form. Now their fear was shared. Their need, all of their fears and hopes, swirling in a telepathic maelstrom that buffeted his mind and tore at his heart.
Cam paused at the open door and caught Mac's attention. His calm, pragmatic manner gave Mac something to focus on.
“We'll get them something to eat and wait for you in the lodge,” Cam said. “Is that okay?”
It had to be. For the moment, Mac was lostâstunned by the sudden change in all their plans, the onslaught of emotions, his own inability to block and break free. “Thanks,” he said, scrambling to organize his thoughts. People counted on him to make the right decision. This was his project. He had to remind himself he was their leader, the one they'd all look to for answers.
So why in the hell was his mind totally blank right now?
Because you've dropped your shields, Mac. You need to protect yourself. Raise your barriers so you can think without everyone tangling your thoughts.
Zianne! Thank you. Are you okay?
Tired, Mac. Very tired. I'm going to rest. Don't worry about me. We have greater worries now. Block. You have to block. I can still get through if I need to.
I love you.
I love you, too, Mac. It will work. It has to work.
Zianne's thoughts slipped away. The door closed and loneliness washed over Mac, a sense of loss that, in spite of his logical mind, made him feel as if Zianne had unfairly closed him out. But she was right. He was drowning in everyone's emotions, feeding on them to the point they were immobilizing him.
Mac took a deep breath, raised the shields he'd totally ignored, and focused on the people who remained. Dink, Morgan, Rodie, Finn, Lizzie. And Zianne. Dear gods, how he loved her.
“Mac?”
Still not thinking as clearly as he should, Mac turned to Lizzie.
“We've got more company.”
Energy sparkled and swirled in the air around Liz, then slowly settled into two distinct pillars of blue and gold. A tall, beautiful, bronze-skinned man stepped out of the closest column. Like the other men, he wore loose-fitting pants and nothing else.
“Bolt!” Morgan slipped past Mac and took the guy's hand as Rodie threw herself against Bolt's chest, practically toppling the Nyrian. “What's going on?”
The second column wavered a moment before forming into an equally beautiful, dark-haired, fair-skinned man with brilliant blue eyes. “Duran?” Finn pushed past Morgan and Bolt and grabbed the Nyrian in a powerful hug. “Thank the gods you're safe. Tara's worried sick. Me, too.” He stepped back, still holding on to Duran's arm as he looked the man up and down. Finally reassured his Nyrian was unharmed, Finn turned to Bolt. “What the hell happened?”
Bolt gazed at Morgan and Rodie, sighed, and shook his head. Still holding Morgan's hand with his free arm wrapped around Rodie, he acknowledged Finn with a quick glance but addressed Mac. “It's not good. The Gar appear to be moving against Earth ahead of schedule. I think they realize that humans have spaceflight capability, and they're afraid you'll be able to mount a defense of your world. The Gar are and always have been a cowardly race. They want what your planet has to offer, but they're not willing to face risks to take it.”
Mac glanced at Dink. He stood to one side, studying Bolt, obviously fascinated. Always the newsman. “When do they plan to attack?”
“Soon,” Bolt said. “It's already begun. Approximately two of your hours ago, they left their orbit behind the moon. Nattoch thinks it will take them about three of your days to get into position where they can begin to siphon off your atmosphere, unless they decide to hunt first. If inhabitants aren't edible, they generally steal atmosphere first, which kills off the living creatures. Then they'll go for minerals, water, even fossil fuels, but that's not going to happen here.”
He folded his arms across his broad chest. “We've made the decision to stop them. We're taking a stand here, with your world, whether the rest of our people survive or not. Our hope is to save as many of us as we can before this ends. There are already too few Nyrians on board to power the vessel for more than a few hours, but we need to kill the ship before it gets too close to Earth. In less than twenty-four hours, they'll cross that line and it will be unsafe for us to destroy the vessel.”
Mac nodded. “We'd become collateral damage from the size of the explosion?”
Bolt nodded. “Exactly. Nattoch made the decision to send the first group now. Duran and I are the only ones without our soulstones. The others . . .” He turned and smiled in the direction they'd gone. “All of them are whole and free. Xinot, Ian, and Darc are running the entire ship on their own. We stayed long enough to make sure they could handle the power needs without giving our escape away. We've never attempted it with only three of us, but they were doing well when Duran and I left.”
“I didn't do a head count.” Mac glanced toward the door and then focused on the two Nyrians. “How many of you are left, and what's our time frame for getting all of you off the ship with stones intact?”
He couldn't keep from glancing at Zianne. The tiny squirrel slept soundly in spite of the infusion of energy. This wasn't looking good for her at all. How the hell were they going to rescue the others and find her soulstone in time?
Bolt glanced at Duran before answering Mac, almost as if requesting permission to speak. Mac wondered at the Nyrian hierarchy. Nattoch was obviously in charge as their elder, but what of these two?
Did it matter who called the shots?
No, he realized. In the long run, all the Nyrians mattered equally. Somehow, they had to save all of them.
“We do shifts that last approximately ten of your hours,” Bolt said. “The last shift started about two hours ago. In approximately eight more hours, the shift will change again.”
Mac glanced at his watch, surprised to see it was almost nine. The morning had flown by. “That's just before five o'clock, our time. Still light out. Nattoch said it was easier for you guys in darkness. Did you have any problem coming now, in daylight?”
This time Duran took the lead. He and Finn were still hanging on to each other, but his voice was strong and he carried himself like a leader. “Not as much as we expected.” He glanced at Bolt. “I don't think it's the issue we've had on other worlds, where their suns had an adverse effect on our ability to hold corporeal form. The frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation from your sun isn't as destructive as many others. It takes a bit more of our energy when we don't have our soulstones, but essentially we were being cautious.”
Sighing, he slowly shook his head. “The time for caution is past. If we want to save ourselves, we have to act now, but if we must, Bolt and I will return on our own to help the remaining members escape. As soon as Xinot, Ian, and Darc retrieve their soulstones at the end of their shift, they're coming to Earth, along with Teev and Sakel. Nattoch, Tor, and Arnec will be the only ones left on the ship when we return for Zianne's soulstone as well as our own. I promise you, we will do our best to retrieve hers, but even if we fail, we'll be able to stop the Gar and ensure the rescue of at least a few more Nyrian lives.”
“Screw that,” Finn said. He shot a quick look at Morgan. “I say we figure out this disassembling shit and get ourselves ready on time.”
“Agreed.” Morgan kissed Rodie. “Hon? Can you go tell Tara that we've got Duran here safe and sound? I know she's worried. No need to tell her he doesn't have his soulstone, because we're going to get that for him in a few more hours.”
“Gotcha.” Rodie gave Morgan a quick kiss, planted a bigger one on Bolt, and then stood on her toes to kiss Duran as well. “I'll make sure Tara's okay. And I sure as hell hope you're a good teacher.”
Spinning out of his reach before he replied, she slipped out of the dream shack. Mac looked at the closed door a moment and then found himself staring at the sleeping squirrel. After twenty yearsâa lifetime of hopes and dreamsâit was all coming down to the next few hours. He hoped that painful ache in his gut wasn't a premonition of failure.
Bolt interrupted his thoughts. “Finn? May we use your cabin? Or Morgan's. We need a quiet place without chance of interruption where we can work on this. It's really not that complicated, even for corporeal beings such as yourselves, but you'll need somewhere to practice where we're not disturbed.”