Galaxy Warrior Favian: Alien Abduction: Galaxy Series 8 Read online

  “As soon as Favian heals me. How about you just replay it?” Ivanoff moved into the living room. “Here, she’s got pictures.”

  Favian moved towards Ivanoff, who was standing in front of the fireplace mantel. “There’s nothing in the kitchen.” He took hold of the picture Ivanoff handed him. It was Gabriella and her mother.

  “This must be recent. It’s a close match to her driver’s license photograph.” Ivanoff realized from the look on Blaize’s face that he had not opened that file yet. “It’s in one of the messages we sent you. She’s very beautiful.”

  Blaize took his data pad out and took a picture of every photo on her mantel. He then turned and headed to her bedroom.

  Ivanoff took the other bedroom and bathroom. He came up empty, nothing to indicate where she had gone. Blaize didn’t fare any better. He also found nothing.

  They both rushed back to the living room when they heard the television turn on. It was on the travel channel. A picture of a huge rock that resembled a large round open window flashed. Then the television turned off.

  Neither warrior said anything while they remained in the house. They moved as quiet as they could. When they re-boarded the transport ship, Ivanoff announced, “I know where that rock formation is. I recognize the landscape.”

  *.*

  “Warrior Chipil?” The Commander questioned as soon as Blaize and Ivanoff had returned to the bridge.

  Ivanoff turned to Commander Gharm and stated, “That’s part of Kodiak’s reservation. She’s going to where he grew up.”

  “Conference room, now,” the Commander ordered.

  “Commander, may I check something first?” Ivanoff requested.

  Dorn nodded his head and went with Blaize to the conference room. Minutes later Ivanoff entered and closed the door.

  “Isabel Mendez is Gabriella’s mother.” Before being ordered to do so, Ivanoff explained, “Kodiak has five Isabels. They are Harley Davidson’s that he rides. I suspect that he named his transports after Gabriella’s mother, and if Gabriella is heading to the reservation….but that doesn’t make any sense. Kodiak would never have left a child behind. He is too honorable.”

  “Perhaps he doesn’t know he has a child,” Blaize offered.

  “Send a copy of those pictures and the monitor feed to my data pad. I’ll send a message to the Fleet Commander. What happened down there with the door?”

  Both Blaize and Ivanoff shook their heads. Blaize finally answered, “We have no idea.”

  Commander Dorn sat down. “Ivanoff, go see Favian and have your arm tended.” Once Ivanoff was gone, he turned to Blaize.

  “What happened?”

  “Commander Gharm, I can’t explain what happened because I don’t know. It was a door with hinges, nothing more. I can tell you that it felt as if someone was on the other side of the door pushing against us. Someone more in line with Pzian strength, not human strength. Yet, there was no one.”

  “It appeared this someone has more than Pzian strength,” Dorn commented. “Before I send the Fleet Commander a message, have Favian work the photographs. Make sure he gets Kodiak’s picture for the comparison.”

  “Yes Commander.” Blaize left the conference room and headed to medical.

  *.*

  Favian had on the monitoring feed of Stacy’s workplace when Ivanoff entered. “Your shoulder is dislocated.”

  “I know,” Ivanoff responded and followed Favian into a room. “It happened when I landed on a cement garage floor.” He held still while Favian placed one hand on his other shoulder and then shoved his dislocated shoulder back into place. “I still haven’t mastered how they land on their feet when they kick out,” he muttered.

  Blaize entered the room and sat on the edge of the medical bed. “Favian, I’ve got a job for you.” He sent him the pictures of Gabriella and her mother, then scanned his data pad until he found recordings of Kodiak. He sent those to Favian also. “How long will it take you to determine if she,” he pointed to Gabriella, “is Kodiak’s daughter? The female next to her is her mother. Ivanoff verified this.”

  “With only these pictures to work with? Do you have a blood sample or anything?”

  “Here,” Ivanoff reached into a pocket and pulled out strands of long brown hair. “I took this out of her garbage can in the bathroom. I also took the razor she tossed. Maybe there’s a spec of blood on that.” Ivanoff reached into another pocket and pulled out the pink three-blade razor.

  Favian accepted the items and told Blaize he’d have an answer in an hour or so. He next informed him that Stacy has a room scheduled at the medical center, then reminded him that monitors needed to be put in there so they could view Cory’s operation.

  “I’ll have it done before the operation,” Blaize said as he and Ivanoff walked out.

  On their way to the cafeteria, Blaize asked Ivanoff, “If she is Kodiak’s daughter?”

  “Then judging by the way the door fought us, I’d say she’s protected,” Ivanoff replied. “It would also explain how she can avoid the public cameras Nolan spoke of.”

  “She knows where they are?”

  “Yes. Just like her father.” Ivanoff ordered his meal and set it down on the table. “Blaize, if she is Kodiak’s daughter you have more than a gifted female to deal with.”

  “Meaning?” Blaize set his tray down opposite Ivanoff.

  “If you have any designs on her, you’ll have to deal with Kodiak. He may kill you,” Ivanoff said in all seriousness. “After I eat, I’ll see what else I can find out about Gabriella, and run a background check on her mother.”

  “Do you really believe Kodiak is the descendant of a god and goddess?”

  “After what happened today, what do you think?”

  He got a laugh out of Ivanoff when he replied, “I think I’m glad she got her looks from her mother.”

  Blaize decided after he ate, he would retire to his quarters and review all of the information and video feeds he had on Kodiak. He needed to know what he would be dealing with.

  Within the hour, Blaize and Commander Gharm received a joint message from Favian, ‘Gabriella Mendez-Powers is Kodiak’s daughter. There is no doubt.’

  Chapter 20

  “Who is assisting Dr. Randall?” the Commander asked.

  Adal answered, “That would be Dr. Rigel. I’m assuming she didn’t want Doctors Everen or Carter in there with her. I wouldn’t.”

  “Do human operations always take this long?” he next asked.

  Favian responded to this one. “It’s not uncommon for an operation to last for six to eight hours. It all depends on the nature of the injury or illness.”

  The Commander stood and announced he was going for mid-day meal.

  “Excellent work Dr. Randall,” they heard through the monitors Blaize set up in the operating room. Dorn decided he could wait a few minutes to go to the cafeteria and sat back down.

  “Thank you Dr. Rigel. As soon as I close up, I’ll deliver the good news to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix. Are all of the implements accounted for?”

  The nurse in the room took inventory and responded, “Nothing was left inside. All accounted for.”

  “Their medical practices are barbaric,” Dorn commented. “Does she not get computer readouts?”

  “No. Stacy has no computer assist. This really is fascinating. To think, our surgeons once operated like this,” Favian remarked. He felt as if he had a front-row seat into the past.

  Stacy decided to use sutures instead of staples to close the small area. Once done, she cleaned and bandaged the area. “Please take young Mr. Hendrix to post-op,” she instructed the nurse.

  Stacy walked out of the operating room and headed to the locker room to change out of her scrubs before she met with Cory’s parents. Some of Cory’s blood was on her uniform and she preferred the parents not to see that, even though it was a small amount.

  Mr. Hendrix saw Dr. Randall approaching and immediately helped his wife up. “Dr.?”

  “Cory is fi
ne. The implementation went well. He’s been taken to post-op and will be there for several hours before they move him to a room. You’ll be able to see him then. Why don’t you go get something to eat? I’ll remain here with Cory until they move him to a room.”

  “Is he in any danger?” Mrs. Hendrix wanted to know.

  “No. Not that I foresee. He came through remarkably well. I’ll keep him sedated through the night and I’ll examine him in the morning when he’s awake. You two, however, can see him in a few hours, up until visiting time is over.” Stacy empathized with the Hendrixs’ and offered, “I’ll talk to the nursing staff and ask them to ignore your presence. I’m sure they’ll do that so long as you don’t get in their way when they check on him.”

  “Oh we won’t get in their way,” Mrs. Hendrix assured Dr. Randall. “Look, we know you can’t tell us our son will be fine, and able to walk again, not yet. But can you tell us if you think the operation went well enough that there is a chance?” Mrs. Hendrix sucked in a breath.

  Dr. Randall took Mrs. Hendrix’s hand. “The operation went better than I expected.” She teared up right along with Cory’s mother.

  *.*

  “Thank the gods and goddesses,” Adal exhaled. She reached up and held the cross in her hand. Ivanoff researched the meaning for her. Adal was touched that Aideen would want to share something so meaningful.

  She recalled the duet Conall and Aideen sang, “Mary Did You Know,” for them in the entertainment room, in recognition of an upcoming religious holiday celebrating the birth of the son of God. Adal knew she wasn’t the only one touched by the lyrics, or the way Conall and his daughter each had an arm around the other as they sang. Aideen had her head rested against her father during most of the performance. Afterwards, a teary-eyed Sherry explained the meaning of the words, as her husband pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms gently around her. Nolan then explained that Christmas is in another couple of months. Ivanoff later looked up Christmas and sent a message to all of the warriors’ data pads.

  “Can this help us?” the Commander asked Favian. Everyone on the bridge turned to Favian and waited for his reply.

  “Conceivably, if we can get stem cells that are not affected by Privok’s gene manipulation. It’s possible, that the right, strategically placed stem cells will replicate. I will have to study Stacy’s notes and see if the process can be sped up, faster than they already do,” he trailed off and looked thoughtfully at the screen. Favian cleared his throat and continued, “Commander, it will take years, but I see a definite possibility, if not a cure, then the ability to greatly diminish the progression of Privok’s gene manipulation. I’ve learned, from Dr. Randall, that different types, or uses of, stem cells are found in multiple areas of the body and in the bloodstream. I would consider this a medical breakthrough.”

  Favian waited until his fellow warriors quieted before adding, “I received a coded message this morning concerning the upcoming Pzianian-Human births. It’s too soon to tell if Olivia and Zepar Scorpak’s youngling is clear, but Moira MacKenna-Scorpak’s younglings do not possess any trace of Privok’s program. Neither does the youngling Aaliyah Clarke-Abruok and Warrior Riken Abruok have produced show any signs. The babies will be born in a few months—healthy and clean.” The warriors instantly recognized the importance of these births and cheers went up on the deck.

  Ivanoff reverently spoke, “Perhaps this is what the goddess was talking about when she sent out that message to all Pzianians.” He pulled in a breath and slowly released it before repeating the message. “The healing has begun.” The bridge quieted upon his words and nods of agreement, with grins, shone. Ivanoff was referring to the mysterious broadcast that went out, simultaneously to all warriors whether aboard a warship or on the home planet. This was shortly after Moira MacKenna joined with the Scorpak twins, Breneem and Bolano. The originating point of the broadcast was never determined.

  Commander Gharm smiled. This was the best news he had heard in a long time. “As soon as Dr. Randall’s patient is settled, I’d suggest you retrieve the good doctor. Our salvation has been found.”

  “Yes, Commander,” Favian responded with a smile. He turned back to the screen and watched Stacy walk down the hall. “She must be going to post-op,” he remarked to no one in particular.

  *.*

  The computer announced, “Warrior Pulten is requesting entrance.”

  “Open,” the Commander ordered.

  Blaize walked in and sat down where his commander indicated. “Ivanoff has verified that Ms. Powers used her debit card outside the reservation. Once Stacy is aboard, I’d like to take the ship back to California so I can set up monitoring equipment at her residence, her mother’s, and her place of employment.”

  “You don’t think she’ll know it’s there?”

  “I believe she will. It will be a good test to see how quickly she can detect the equipment. I’ll make sure none of it is obvious,” he assured with a hint of intrigue.

  Dorn handed Blaize a glass of jirfpt. “I met Kodiak. He is powerful.” Dorn swirled the jirfpt around in his own glass, then admitted, “He put me on my ass.”

  Blaize lowered his glass and sat back. Not even he, has managed to win a match against his commander.

  “Blaize, you can track her and set up one monitor at each location. If she doesn’t find those, you can install others. Hide them well. If she finds one, retrieve the other two. We can’t have this technology out there. Also, you are not to make contact with her until I hear back from the Fleet Commander.” He took a sip of his drink. “Congratulations. It looks as if you found our first gifted human.”

  *.*

  The following evening, Favian knocked on Stacy’s front door and waited.

  “It’s you. I wasn’t sure I’d see you again. Not after that little stunt you pulled at the Fall Festival,” Stacy said in a combined peeved and amused tone. She opened the door and motioned for him to come in.

  Favian took on a sheepish quality. “I’m sorry about that. I was concerned with your safety. How is your patient?”

  “He has feeling in his legs. He’ll need physical therapy to strengthen his leg muscles, but he will be walking again!” Stacy shifted uncomfortably before tilting her head up. “So, you don’t think that anyone but you can keep me safe?”

  “Keeping you safe is just about all I think about,” he gently replied.

  Stacy exhaled and stepped closer. She raised her hands and placed them on his chest, over his heart. “Are you going to make me dinner at your place, as promised?”

  “Yes. Are you ready to go now?” He covered her hands with one of his. When she nodded her assent, he placed his other hand on her waist and pulled her in. “Transport,” he uttered.

  They landed on the bridge. Commander Gharm, Varun, Tyce, and Adal were present. All of them had put in their contact lenses. The Commander rose from his chair and approached a stunned Dr. Randall.

  “Dr. Randall, I am Commander Dorn Gharm. Welcome aboard, we are most impressed with you and your work.” He held out his hand.

  Stacy noticed his hand. She then looked up at Favian who assured her she was safe. Leaving one hand clutching Favian’s shirt, she turned and offered the Commander her other hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Stacy.”

  She briefly froze and studied the Commander before turning back to Favian. “It was you. You, you fixed Cory’s spine.”

  “I did,” Favian softly admitted.

  “You didn’t have an adrenaline rush when you moved the metal on the one car and pulled off the doors, or pulled out the entire steering column in the car. Natural strength?”

  “Yes.” Favian studied her closely for any sign of disgust or rejection. So far, he didn’t detect any. Unease, yes—rejection, no.

  Stacy loosened her grip on his shirt but kept her hand in place. “The night we ran around the golf course, we discussed the possibility of life elsewhere. Was that a test?”

  “No, not a test. I
was hoping that you were open to the possibility. I was glad to hear when you admitted you are,” he ran his thumb over the back of her hand. Favian kept his focus on Stacy and didn’t let how quiet everyone on the bridge was, bother him.

  The Commander cleared his throat. “Favian, why don’t you introduce your guest to the others, and then get her that evening meal you promised her?”

  “Of course.” He gripped Stacy’s hand and led her to the others on the bridge. “Stacy, this is Tyce Owynn, interspecies relations,” he waited while she shook his hand. “Varun Osiri, Senior Technical Officer, and Adal Lucia, Navigations and Operations Officer.”

  “I’m so happy to meet you. You’re all Favian talks about,” Adal told her. She didn’t tell Stacy how they had been watching her personal and work life. Nor did they tell her how fascinating they found the feeds.

  Stacy turned her head and looked up at a blushing Favian, and smiled. “He’s just about all I’ve been thinking about lately,” Stacy admitted. She took one last look at planet Earth, blew out a breath, and let Favian lead her to the lift.

  *.*

  Favian took Stacy to the cafeteria, where they ate uninterrupted. He was able to explain where they were from, the transporter, the warships, their mission, and the prior visit led by the Fleet Commander. Favian was honest with her. He also explained why she was sought out. Much to Favian’s relief, Stacy took it well.

  “So your interest in me is professional?” Stacy challenged with a sly smile.

  “I can’t say that it is. It is, of course, but, no.” Favian picked up her hand and gently massaged her palm. The innocent action felt so intimate that he nearly regretted it. “It’s you I want Stacy. Only you. I don’t understand these feelings. I’ve never experienced anything like them before,” he confessed.

  “Let’s say I agree to go with you, then what?”

  “I’ve been authorized to offer you an appointment in our sciences department. You’d have your own lab to run, personnel, and whatever supplies you need.” Favian lifted his hand and took hold of a lock of Stacy’s hair. “So soft. I hope that you would want me to stay with you on my home planet. I have a large residence where we could live, together.”