Shielder — A new Science Fiction Romance (Book 1, Shielder Series) Read Free

ship. I don't
want you taking any unnecessary chances. You should reach Santerra
in one week, three weeks ahead of full incubation."
    Barring any number of unforeseen problems,
Nessa thought. Four weeks. She only had four weeks before Orana
ravaged her body. She didn't plan on taking any chances. "I'll
leave the computer alone, Jarek. When I reach Santerra safely, I'll
send word."
    He didn't look reassured. "I wish you hadn't
volunteered for this mission. Elder Gabe had already offered. He's
old, and has lived a full life. You should have kept quiet and
remained here where you're safe."
    "I don't want to be safe. What good is safe
when I have no life? I want to help our people."
    "And you think they will honor you
for your efforts?" Jarek gestured toward the direction of the
colony.
    He knew her well. She had long fantasized
about again becoming an accepted member of the Shielder colony. Of
regaining love and respect from her parents. Dreams best left
unspoken.
    She turned toward the shuttle. "I'd better
be off."
    "Wait." Jarek withdrew a small pouch from
his tunic. "Even though your ship will travel directly to Santerra,
I want you to take these, in case you need them for any
reason."
    Nessa heard the clink of precious coins as
he pressed the pouch into her hand. Her heart swelled at his
generosity and sudden tears glazed her eyes.
    "Thank you," she whispered shakily.
"Good-bye, brother."
    Jarek dabbed at the moisture in his own
eyes. "The Spirit be with you, sister. Take great care."
    Then he did something no one had done since
Nessa's first seizure.
    He hugged her.
     

CHAPTER TWO
     
    She was stranded in space.
    Only two days out, the main stardrive quit
functioning. Nessa had no expertise in repairing stardrives, but it
wouldn't have mattered if she had. A search of the ship's
engineering bay revealed no spare parts. Spaceships of any kind
were in short supply among Shielders, much less parts.
    Ships seldom traveled this area of the
sector. She would have to send out a distress signal, even though
transmitting any signal presented risks. She could attract space
pirates, Anteks—or worse—Controllers.
    But she had no choice. Her only other option
was waiting for the Orana to incubate fully. That would solve the
problem of her miserable existence, but wouldn't help her people.
Genuine fear gnawed at her. Realizing how badly she wanted to live
surprised her.
    She activated the signal.
    A ship responded within two hours. Nessa was
crouched in front of the open stardrive casing, studying a
technical schematic, when the incoming message alert activated. She
scrambled up and went to the cockpit. Before answering the hailing
ship, she studied the sensor readings.
    The approaching ship appeared much larger
than her craft, possibly three or four times in size. Although the
sensors classified the ship as a private long-range cruiser, they
also indicated it was loaded to the hilt with advanced scanning
equipment and considerable armaments.
    Only Controllers or their agents were
allowed to operate spaceships so equipped in this sector. Dread
settled over Nessa, but she knew she had to answer the hail or
raise suspicions. She opened voice communication.
    "Who are you and what are you doing in this
sector?" a male voice roared over the communicator. It was a deep,
resonant, arrogant voice. Not the wavering, whispery utterance of a
Controller. But the voice could belong to an Antek.
    "I'm Nessa Ranul," she answered, dropping
the dan from her name. Only Shielders used the system of naming
sons and daughters after their fathers. "I'm on a pilgrimage to
Zirak to honor our mother goddess Shara."
    "Turn on your holo transmitter."
    She raised the hood of her pilgrim robe over
her head, grateful the computer had provided thorough files on the
cult worship of Shara. She pressed the pad, watching the screen. No
visual appeared. The man had not turned on his transmitter.
He could see her, but she couldn't see him. She stood stiffly while
he