Power of Lightning - Sneak Peek
Chapter 1
I swiped my finger across the screen to access the next question.
How long have you known about your Talent?
I frowned. I’d only managed to use my Talent to initiate a telepathic conversation for the first time a couple of days ago, so I typed in my answer.
Our records indicate that you did not declare a Recognised Talent when you applied for the position of Navigational Computer Operator with Katoa Intergalactic Mining and Exploration. Can you tell us why you did not declare your abilities?
I didn’t know I had any psychic abilities when I’d started working for the biggest mining company in the Known Universe five months ago.
“This is stupid,” I said to no one.
The answer to the previous question kind of negated this one. How many more questions like this would I have to answer? This was getting ridiculous. The investigators from Katoa that were going to question me about the events surrounding the tunnel collapse down on the planet, Kronos, were probably going to ask me the same questions anyway.
I sighed and felt a twinge of pain from my broken ribs. I needed some more painkillers.
After a few more stupid questions, I wanted to throw the Palm-pad across the room.
A bright light had me shielding my eyes as my heartbeat picked up. Once my eyes adjusted, I could make out the rough shape of a man made of coloured light floating before me.
I smiled.
“Allador!”
I was so relieved to see my alien friend, but worried that someone could walk in and cause a panic.
Allador inclined his head and answered me telepathically. “Greetings, Lennina. It is good to see you.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “What are you doing up here on the station?”
“I wanted to heal you.”
I sat with my mouth hanging open. He would risk being seen so he could heal my broken ribs?
“If that is acceptable to you?”
“Oh, um, yes… Thank you.”
He moved forward slowly and reached out his hand. Once it made contact with my right side, warmth stretched out across my entire body. Closing my eyes, I relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
I trusted Allador after I’d seen him heal my work partner, Daniel Javolo, who’d had multiple injuries after the tunnel he was working in down on the planet had collapsed.
I felt one rib knit back together and it made me queasy. I’d felt the same thing when Allador had healed Daniel, through our weird connection that caused me to feel Daniel’s pain, but this was different. This time I knew it was my bones.
The door swished open and a nurse walked in wheeling a cart. She screamed and Allador backed away from me.
“It’s okay!” I told her. “He’s not hurting me. He won’t hurt you.”
Her big brown eyes were wide and she was shaking. “What is that thing?”
How could I stop her from freaking out and calling security? “It’s an alien from Kronos. His name is Allador.”
“Wh-what’s it doing here?”
“He was healing me.”
She looked at me. “What?”
“He was healing my broken ribs.” And you interrupted.
Allador fluttered around in the corner. “I will return.”
Before I could say anything, he vanished.
“Where did it go?”
I crossed my arms. “He left because you were freaking out. He didn’t get to finish healing me.”
“Oh.”
“Why are you here?”
“Oh, I came to give you a blood test. They said they told you about it.”
I sighed. Might as well get it over with. “Yeah. So, where do you want me to sit?”
“Just on the edge of the bed. I’ll position the cart to suit.”
“Okay.”
I sat and tried not to look as she took five vials of blood from my arm. That seemed like an excessive amount.
“Why so many vials?”
“Oh, there are so many things we need to test, and each one requires a different treatment of the sample.”
“Oh.” What else could I say to that? It wasn’t like I could demand that she put it back.
After fiddling around with the vials and asking me to check my name and date of birth on the labels, she packed up her equipment and left me with a wish that I have a nice day. Considering who I’d be talking to next, I highly doubted it.
Sure enough, I didn’t have to wait long for the two investigators to be ushered in to see me.
Dr Rowen said she’d leave us to it and left with a fake smile on her face, and the two well-dressed men stepped further into the room. They too, had fake smiles and I gave them one in return. I had nothing to smile about.
They introduced themselves as Mr Deunan and Mr Kessik, saying that I needn’t worry as they just wanted to ask me some questions about what had happened on the day of the tunnel collapse. It was their job to interview everyone involved and try to piece together what had taken place and why, and blah, blah, blah.
I relaxed a little. They hadn’t mentioned anything about a possible breach of regulations or any relationship with Daniel.
I knew I was still in a lot of trouble, though. Sonrisa had already blasted me for my slow reactions after it all happened, so I expected them to be asking about that too.
I waited and tried not to fidget. The first questions were pretty standard. How long had I worked for The Company and where was I from and so on. Then they asked about my first Digger, Arkena Rogan, which made me wonder why. Why would they ask about that? Did they think I had something to do with him seeing a “Ghost” in the tunnels and being taken off active duty to go to counselling?
And what did that have to do with the tunnel collapse?
Nothing.
The simple answer was: nothing. I took a deep breath. Maybe they were trying to intimidate me. It was possible. Or make it seem like I couldn’t do my job properly. Both of my Diggers had “gone crazy,” which is Katoa’s explanation when anyone claims they’ve seen bright lights or a Ghost down on the planet. The Ghosts were real, though. They were Allador’s people — a race of beings made out of light and energy.
The official word was that the planet was uninhabited. The Company couldn’t let the people know that there was sentient life on the planet we were mining, because then they would have to get the inhabitants’ permission to be able to continue mining.
I decided not to let them intimidate me. I had other, bigger things to worry about. I tried to answer the questions as best I could.
Then they finally decided to ask me about the events leading up to the collapse.
“Everything had been normal and the morning went ahead as usual,” I said.
My mind kept wandering back to when I wanted to talk to Daniel and tell him how I felt about him, so I had to make sure I didn’t say anything that would give any of that away. I just stuck to the facts surrounding the other events.
“Daniel had dumped a load of Amakio back at the shuttle and had finished digging out the next vein when he saw a bright light.” There was no point in denying the Ghost sighting. It was all recorded.
When they looked at me questioningly, I sighed. “You would have heard what happened by listening to our recorded conversation.”
“Never mind that,” Kessik said calmly. “We want to hear your version of events.”
I sighed again. “The recording is my version of events.”
“Now, Miss Callista, there’s no need for the sarcasm. Just tell us what happened.”
I groaned. “That wasn’t sarcasm...”
He exhaled heavily through his nose. “Just tell us what happened,” he repeated.
I told them what I could remember, but as for the four minutes and twenty seven seconds before I made the first call, I didn’t know what had happened to me. “I found myself on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. So I think that means I must have blacked out somehow.” They didn’t look convinced. “I’ve had several blackouts since then.”
They simply nodded and Kessik typed something on his Palm-pad.
There was no hope of coming out of this unscathed, so I tried to be as truthful as possible. I’d have to leave some things out about Daniel and I.
They kept asking more and more questions and it reminded me of Malvolio when he was convinced I was already seeing Daniel and wouldn’t even listen to me. It was upsetting to think about him. Those wounds were still raw. I’d forgotten about him for a while, even with the pain in my ribs to remind me every time I moved. I’d been so focused on Daniel. The memories flashed before me and the tears threatened to start. The pain in my chest flared and I couldn’t think straight.
I tried to focus on the current situation, with no success.
“Why didn’t you report to your supervisor right away that your Digger was in trouble?”
I tried to hold back my rising frustration. “I told you. I fainted. Play back the recording and you’ll probably hear me fall to the floor. And you could probably hear me get back up again after the four minutes and whatever seconds...”
Kessik turned toward me. “Do you know the correct procedures to be followed in an emergency situation?”
I stared at him incredulously. “Yes, of course I do!”
He cocked a bushy eyebrow. “You seem to have had trouble carrying them out. Can you tell me why that is?”
“I told you…” I’d had enough. He was another Malvolio. I wanted them to go away and leave me alone. “Look, I’m not feeling—”
“What is the status of your relationship with Daniel Javolo?” Deunan interjected.
Chapter 2
“What?” I wasn’t expecting that question. I thought they were still stuck on the why-didn’t-you-do-your-job track, so it caught me off-guard.
He sighed. “Do you have a relationship with Daniel Javolo?”
“No, I don’t.” It was kind of true. I couldn’t call what we had a ‘relationship.’ It was a huge jumbled up mess, that’s what it was. Maybe it could become a relationship, but that would have to wait till later. “There is no way I could have a relationship with a scratchy, off frequency voice on an outdated Com system.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that...”
I cringed inwardly. That sounded like a threat buried in there somewhere.
Stating the obvious facts wasn’t working.
I was in trouble.
I remembered I’d quit my job. This was as good a time as any to tell these idiots. I took a deep breath. “I informed The Company on the day of the collapse that I wanted to resign my position.”
That stopped them for a few seconds. It was something they clearly weren’t expecting. But then, “What is company policy in regard to Navs and Diggers?”
I leaned forward, looking from one to the other. “Didn’t you hear me? I’ve quit!”
“That is neither here nor there,” Deunan informed me. “You were still employed by The Company at the time of the incident, and therefore are responsible for your actions, meaning that you are liable for any actions — or inactions — on your part.”
“So,” Kessik continued, “what is company policy when it comes to relationships between our Nav Operators and Diggers?”
I wanted to scream. “I know what they are!” I snapped. “But I told you already, there is no relationship! Just get out of here! I don’t have to answer any more questions. I told you I quit!”
“And I told you it doesn’t make any difference to this investigation,” Deunan said.
How could I get them to listen?
“Your response times were too slow. This was an emergency situation. Your Digger’s life was in your hands. He could have died because of your incompetence.”
That was a stab to the heart. Tears stung my eyes. I tried to calm down, but it didn’t help. “Get out! Leave me alone!”
Dr Rowen opened the door. “What’s going on in here?” she asked.
Relief flooded me. “They won’t leave,” I told her. “I can’t do this now and they won’t stop asking questions.”
“Now, gentlemen, you need to tone it down,” she told them.
What?
“Okay, Doc,” Deunan said.
He turned back to me and gave me that fake smile.
My ribs screamed as I turned to look at her. “Dr Rowen! What are you doing? I want them to leave!”
“They need to finish the interview,” she said calmly.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. What happened to telling me not to move around too much with the broken ribs?
“No — you don’t understand. I’m not feeling well. I can’t continue. Just get them out of here! Please!”
She said nothing.
Deunan continued on as if nothing had been said. “So, how long have you had this relationship with Daniel Javolo?”
“There is no relationship. We’re work partners. We’re not allowed to meet.”
My blood was about to boil. How could the doctor stand there and let them do this?
Then it hit me. Dr Rowen was employed by Katoa. She didn’t want to stop them from conducting their interview — it could affect her job here. She might lose her job or be transferred or something.
I headed for the door. “If you won’t leave, then I will.”
Both men grabbed me by the arms and marched me back to the bed, but I wouldn’t sit back down. They pushed on my arms so hard their fingers dug into my flesh, so I was forced to sit.
I kept struggling to get free. “Let go of me!”
“Be gentle now, boys,” Dr Rowen told them. Was that concern in her eyes? Probably not. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to stop them.
I yelled at them again. How could they do this to me?
I glared at Dr Rowen. A pathetic excuse for a doctor. What is your problem? Stand up to them! You’re supposed to help me here!
“Get out! Get out!” I screamed. The pain in my ribs was getting worse. I wished Allador hadn’t been interrupted.
One of the lights on the ceiling popped, and everyone flinched.
The door slid open and Dr Kharim came in, flanked by two burly men that looked like they were either wardsmen or security guards. “What’s all the screaming about? What kind of interview is this?”
The two investigators started to talk, but I cut them off and told Dr Kharim what was going on, including the fact Dr Rowen hadn’t stopped them or asked them to leave.
His frown deepened. In fact, his face went a lighter shade of brown. He started by telling Kessik and Deunan to leave, and the guards stepped forward to emphasise what he was saying. The scumbags gave me some scathing looks and took their leave, saying it wasn’t over; I would hear from them again. I didn’t care at that point, as long as they left.
As soon as they were out of the room, Dr Kharim’s next move was to see if I was okay. Once I’d told him how much pain I was in, he said he’d organise some more pain relief. He made sure I was comfortable in the bed, then turned his attention to Dr Rowen.
He gave her a stern look, clearly trying to control his temper. “Dr Rowen. You know the patient is to remain still at all times. If you’d follow me so we can speak privately…”
I noticed the strain in his voice.
All the questions the investigators had asked raced through my mind as they left the room. Daniel and I were in for a bucket-load of trouble, but all I wanted to do was get out of here and see him. The pull toward him was so strong. I couldn’t explain it. It couldn’t be a normal thing when you’re in love with someone. This weird feeling was beyond any natural connection or relationship with another person. Maybe it had something to do with the jolt of electricity we felt when we touched, and the awesome mind connection. I didn’t know how or why it was there, but there was no denying it.
A nurse came in and gave me something for the pain.
I tried to make sense of all the things that had happened, but my mind was muddled, and as I lay on my back staring at the ceiling, I wondered what I was going to do next.
Chapter 3
Once I’d had some lunch and was left alone again for about half an hour, Allador returned.
The sudden brightness hurt my eyes, but I was glad to see him.
“Greetings, Lennina.”
“Hello, Allador.”
“I have come to make sure you are fully healed. It will not do to have your injuries half-healed. It is not good for the body to stop before completion — even with my people, the Ampari.”
Great. That’s all I need. “Will there be permanent damage?”
“No. I will fix.”
“Okay.”
I sat still while he placed his hand on my side again and the warmth spread through me. It had a calming effect, and by the time he’d finished, I was sleepy.
“This is a normal reaction,” Allador told me. “You will feel sleepy for a while. This is good. I will take my leave now, before other humans enter this area.”
“Okay. Thank you so much.” It was such a relief to be pain-free that I felt like crying.
He inclined his head. “I will say farewell.”
“When will I see you—”
He disappeared.
What?
A nurse with jet-black hair pulled back in a severe bun entered the room and sat herself in a chair beside the bed, introducing herself as Simona.
I was glad Allador hadn’t been discovered again. He must have known she was about to walk in.
She programmed a Bio-scan to scan my vitals.
“Just lie down and let it do its thing,” she told me.
I watched as it floated above me, starting at my head and making its way down to my toes. My eyes were still recovering from Allador’s bright light, so it was hard to focus on it. It travelled back up and landed on a shelf above my head when it was done.
“Why do you need to check my vitals? I thought I was in here so you could check my mind for Talent?”
“We need to do some tests to see why you’ve been passing out.”
“Oh. I thought it was because I was using my Talent.”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t pass out every time.”
“Okay. I didn’t know. I don’t really know anything about psychic abilities.”
“You’ll learn. We’re here to help you.”
I sighed. That was good to know. And once I got out of here, the Talent Training Centres (TTCs) back home would be able to help me with whatever training I would need.
And I needed to get out of here.
The investigators didn’t talk about the breathable atmosphere on Kronos. They wouldn’t want anyone to know about it, so I was determined to tell everyone I could before they slapped an order on Daniel and I to shut us up.
I decided to tell Simona. She could tell others and spread the word further. “Did you know there’s air on Kronos?”
The nurse’s eyes went wide. “What? No. Who told you that? It’s toxic. It will kill you.”
I sat up and looked her in the eye. “No. It won’t. If you don’t believe me, go and ask my Digger, Daniel Javolo. If it wasn’t for the fact that there’s a thin atmosphere on the planet, he would be dead right now.”
I tried to keep my expression neutral, even as my words cut into my heart like a knife. I knew only too well how close he’d come to dying out there. I ignored the sting of tears. I didn’t want to cry in front of this woman.
Simona casually typed some notes on her Palm-pad, then looked up at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Go visit Daniel. He’ll tell you everything. I could come with you and you can question us about it together. That way you could get all the information at the same time...”
Simona frowned. “No... I don’t think so,” she said slowly. “We have orders to keep you two apart.”
My spirits sank. “Why?”
“They didn’t tell us that bit.”
Of course they didn’t.
I was antsy. I couldn’t explain why I felt an overwhelming urge to find Daniel and just wrap my arms around him... And kiss him again... warmth spread across my chest at that thought.
Simona asked a few more questions about my general health and gasped as she looked down at the Palm-pad again.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“These readings can’t be right.”
“Why not?”
“It says you don’t have broken ribs.”
“I don’t. Not anymore.”
Her perfectly manicured eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”
“The alien that healed Daniel? He was just here and he healed me too.”
I lifted my shirt and showed her my still-glowing side.
Simona gasped again. “It was in here?” She looked around nervously, as if she expected him to appear at any moment. “I have to go tell the doctors.”
She made a move to leave. “Oh, and there’s a Mr Dermid waiting to see you.”
I froze; my insides like ice. What was he doing here? What did he want?
“By himself?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“Yes. He shouldn’t be coming in here by himself. I have an RO out against him. They won’t keep him away altogether, but I told them I didn’t want to be alone with him. Just tell him to go away.”
Simona’s mouth dropped open. “You don’t want to see him?”
Didn’t you hear me? “Yes, that’s right,” I said. “I never want to see him again, but he’s part of this whole thing with my Talent and that means I have to put up with him ‘observing’ things. So, like I said, tell him to go away.”
Her eyes widened. “But Miss Callista. It’s Malvolio Dermid! He is the MIC at Galaxy Mech. You can’t tell him to just go away!”
I glared at her. “I can and I did...”
As I spoke, the door swished open.
There he was, holding a large bunch of flowers. Roses. Long-stem, red roses. His face moulded itself into a smile and he strode over to the bed, nodding to Simona. My heart pounded.
“Hello, Lennina, darling. It’s so good to see you,” he said warmly. “When I heard you were visited by one of those aliens, I was worried about you.”
Memories of the night he broke my ribs flashed through my mind.
I clenched my fists. “I’m not your darling. You’re not supposed to be near me without one of the doctors. I don’t want to see you. I want you to leave.”
Simona sucked in a breath.
Malvolio’s smile stayed in place. “Now, Lennina, my love, there must be some misunderstanding. I’ve come to ask you to come back.”
Simona fidgeted and got to her feet, clearly uncomfortable. “Well, I’ll leave you two to talk things out...”
She headed to the door.
“Wait!” I called. “Don’t go! He’s not my boyfriend anymore and I don’t want him back. He assaulted me.”
Simona’s face flushed red and a look of confusion spread across her features, but Malvolio assured her everything was fine. “She’s just upset after all that’s happened. She’ll be okay.”
I saw the way she looked at him. She actually liked him. Maybe she was infatuated. I wouldn’t be getting any help from her.
Malvolio ushered Simona out the door while I tried to convince her to stay or get security, then he waved a hand to close the door and turned back to me and smiled. My heart sped up.
“Lennina. I’ve missed you.”
I doubted it.
Being near him and hearing him say that seemed so much worse after spending time with Daniel and seeing how he genuinely cared about me. After feeling the warmth in his embrace. The desire in his kiss...
Malvolio stepped up to the side of the bed. “It’s all arranged.”
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