The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 8.2

"It is no good," Tirqwin finally had to admit, stepping back and taking a deep breath. "You are too strong. It is an unconscious block, but it is there nonetheless. I cannot clear our link until it is gone."

"I have tried," Mara protested.

"I know," he said. "This is not something under your conscious control. It may be something the Great Crystal created as you were knocked out of phase with it, or something you did to defend yourself from Varla."

"But if I have blocked off my memories, I can't remember how to use my powers!" Mara said. "How will I fight Varla?"

"With courage and cleverness," Tirqwin replied. "She has brute strength, but no finesse, no self-control. You have both. You can persevere against her. And you are not alone."

She sighed, unconvinced, and they began walking again. Tirqwin was racking his brain for what to say to encourage her when Rudolf said, "I am detecting a non-Stanosian life form nearby."

"Miahn or human?" Tirqwin asked.

"Psychic energy interference prevents positive identification."

"Ahead of us or behind us?"

"Ahead."

"Then go ahead of us. If whoever it is shows hostile intent, shoot to stun."

"Confirmed," Rudolf replied, moving in front of Mara and leading the way. He wasn't tall enough to provide good cover, but Tirqwin knew the android's reflexes were excellent. He would probably be able to drop an attacker before the attacker even saw him.

"Mara, walk behind me," Tirqwin instructed as Rudolf moved quickly down the corridor. "Just in case."

"I don't think—" Mara began, then broke off, frowning in puzzlement.

"What?" he asked.

"I don't think it's someone who means harm," she said. "But how could I know that?"

"We will find out soon enough," he said.

Rudolf had turned a corner, but after a moment they heard his challenge. "Identify yourself."

"Rudolf!" exclaimed a filtered voice. "How did you get down here?"

Something about the cadence of the voice, despite the filtered effect, made Tirqwin recognize it. "Sabrina!" he called out.

A moment later Sabrina appeared, tearing off her helmet and running to throw her arms around him. "Tirqwin! Thank God. And Mara! Did you get your memory back?"

"No," Mara sighed.

Sabrina laid a hand on her shoulder. "Never mind. We'll manage anyway." Then she turned back to Tirqwin, her calm dissolving into frantic anxiety so quickly that Mara took a step back in surprise. "Tirqwin, she's got Ford! And Lndor. The creature's got him, it's draining him, there's this machine, I think it's the phase shift—"

"Sabrina, slow down!" Tirqwin urged, shaking her shoulders gently. "First tell me about Niavar."

"She's got him. He's walking around behind her like a zombie. Oh, Tirqwin, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't've left him—"

"It is not your fault, Sabrina. Now, where is the creature?"

"In a cave, deep down underneath here. She's got it buried in crystal, Tirqwin! And there's a machine beside it. I think it used it for the phase shift. And Tirqwin—there's a Wayfarer here. I saw him. And the machine and the datapad I found are in the Wayfarer language."

"All right, you will have to show me. I think we should—"

"Tirqwin, the creature was draining me too. It might know where I am. I don't think you should be where I am, in case Varla can find me."

"We will not solve anything by avoiding Varla," Tirqwin said grimly. "You are staying right where I can see you, Sabrina Devon."

"But Tirqwin, shouldn't I go and destroy the machine?"

"By no means! Not until we have shifted back into phase. We have to find a way to do that first."

"But how? The creature controls it, and Varla controls the creature."

"Then we have to find a way to make Varla want to shift us back."

Sabrina looked at him in astonishment. "Have you learned to work miracles while I've been gone, Tirqwin?"

"Come now, Sabrina!" he said, one corner of his mouth lifting wryly. "Have a little faith. Come along. We have no time to waste. The longer Niavar is in her power, the less chance we will be able to extricate him."

"Quite so," Varla said, stepping forward. "You've been very careless, little human."

Sabrina groaned. Varla was wearing her missing spare suit, and she must have found a way to track her even without a com or active telemetry signal. It was possible, but not a beginner's trick, and Sabrina hadn't thought Varla had time to learn it. But, she realized, wanting to kick herself, if she had a technical adviser, he could have told her. "I'm an idiot. That's why you left me the suit," she sighed.

"Obviously. Did you think you had an ally? All your friends are either dead or in my control. Ah, my handmaiden. You have returned. Excellent."

Mara shrank against Tirqwin. "I am not your handmaiden. I am a Queen!"

"Where is my son?" Tirqwin demanded, in a tone of voice Sabrina had never heard him use.

Varla laughed, a chilling sound. Sabrina saw Rudolf come up behind her and wondered why the android didn't fire. But of course, Varla was wearing a Praxatillian combat suit, and she hadn't made any overtly hostile moves yet. Rudolf probably hadn't classified her as hostile.

"Rudolf, fire! She's the enemy!" Sabrina cried.

Rudolf shot a blue stunner beam at Varla, who whirled and flung out her hands as if to block it. But the stunner energy merely washed over the combat armor, crackling harmlessly. Sabrina took advantage of Varla's distraction to launch herself forward in a flying tackle, catching Varla around the waist and sending them both sprawling on the floor. Sabrina scrabbled for a hold on the Stanosian, but before she could get one, Varla scratched at her face and sent a blast of mental energy at her. Sabrina screamed as a white-hot flash burned through her brain.

"Rudolf, shoot to kill!" Tirqwin ordered, grabbing Sabrina and trying to drag her away from Varla. But Varla had control of the creature's power now, and she sent a stream of energy at Rudolf, sending him crashing against the wall. He lay dark and still as she turned to Tirqwin and Sabrina.

"Mara!" Tirqwin cried. "Do something!"

Varla laughed, glancing at the helpless, despairing expression on Mara's face. "She cannot save you now!" she taunted them.

Tirqwin's grip tightened on the barely conscious Sabrina's arm for a moment; then he released her. "Kill me then," he growled, his expression darkening. "If you truly can."

"Oh, I can," Varla assured him. "But not yet. There is someone else who wants to see this."

A handful of guards appeared behind her and advanced purposefully on them.