Chapter 9
Scarlet thought that she heard a voice. At first she really did believe that it was her grandmother welcoming her to the other side. It sounded like it was coming through a tunnel. She had this ringing in her ears that was something fierce.
“You don’t have to worry anymore. You’re back on the planet. The vessel exploded in space and that pretty much leaves us stranded on this planet, until somebody from one of the colonies decides to visit. That could be any time from one lunar cycle to 20 of them. We’ve been alone for almost a year without any visitors, so it’s not going to be much of a hardship for us to survive. We live off the land, hunting for our food and growing what we need in the fertile soils of the planet.” Scarlet knew the voice, as Niles father and it took a Herculean effort for her to open up her eyes.
She was lying there in a field with people surrounding her and making her feel like she was more important than what she was. “What about… Prince Niles?” “I was worried that he didn’t get out of the vessel and that I was the only one that was sent down here out of harm’s way.”
“He’s in critical condition and he has been taken back to my estate to recuperate. Our doctors will take a look at him, but I think that his neural receptors were slightly overloaded. It didn’t help that he was subjected to the beaming technology. When you beamed down to the planet, the recording device was also sent along with you. I’ve since gone over the details and I have to admire my son’s fortitude and genius for thinking outside the box. I really didn’t think that he had that in him, but he showed me that he is ready to lead. That may not happen for some time to come, but I will certainly bring him into negotiations from this moment on. I will not try to shelter him from the truth and I’ve been foolish to think that I can protect him from the real world.” Niles father watched, as they used a technology that they had gotten from the Caldor people. An electric slab was placed underneath Scarlet’s body.
It easily lifted her into the air and the scientist and the Dr. combined were able to control the device. She felt weightless and that feeling was something that she had never felt before. Her body did not give her back control of her faculties. She couldn’t move. She could barely keep her eyes open the entire time that they were bringing her back for evaluation.
“I do need to tell you; Scarlet that it was a good thing that the ship blew up in space. According to all the calculations, it was almost confirmed that this entire area would’ve been the impact zone. There would’ve been no time to evacuate and 10 miles is a long journey. I would have survived, as I am in control of the beaming technology. Unfortunately, it can only be used once every lunar cycle. It would have meant that I was the only survivor, except for those that were out of the blast area at the time. If you hadn’t done what you did, my son would be dead and for that I owe you a debt of gratitude that I don’t think that I will ever be able to pay back.” He never liked her, but her quick thinking and willingness to do what was needed had certainly changed his mind. He couldn’t forget the way that she acted on this planet with those males that found her to be a sought after commodity. He could forgive her trespasses and hopefully this union with his son would make her a better person.
“Um…I’m…glad that I was able to…help.” She tried to move one more time and the only thing that she was able to do was lift her baby finger. It was a good thing that she had two hearts, as one had starved and needed to be brought back to life. While that was broken, her other heart had taken over the strain of breathing for her. It was one of the rare qualities that her people had that others didn’t. Everybody had their strange differences and that was what made them an interesting collection of individuals. There were domestic disputes, but mostly it was due to past occurrences that had no place here on this planet.
“You did amazing and you have no idea what this has done for morale. The people that inhabit this planet rallied around your rescue attempt. They watched with bated breath, until you finally emerged with a chorus of applause for your effort. You weren’t awake for it, but I was there to witness all of them coming together, as a unified force. That is not something that happens every day. I have to commend you for taking your life and my son’s into the palm of your hand.” That was never more than when she had to press that button and wait for the inevitable occurrence of either life or death.
They got back to the estate and she wasn’t quickly rushed into a chamber that was meant for healing. She wasn’t there alone and Niles was breathing, but still unable to open up his eyes. She was too far away to touch his hand, so she did the next best thing by sending him her strength. “I think that he needs this more than I do. I don’t want anybody to argue the point. I’ve made up my mind and this is something that I believe that I have to do.” She was able to link with his personal aura.
“I’ve heard of this, but I’ve never witnessed it before. If I’m not mistaken, you’re doing what your people call a transference. I’m not sure if that is the right thing to do in your condition young lady. He would never forgive me for letting you take this risk without fully contemplating what it can mean. I see that you’re not going to listen. You are just, as stubborn as he is, if not more so.” Niles father watched, as an energy wave of yellow emerged from Scarlet’s body and slipped easily over to the prone form of his son. “Just give him enough and try your best to keep some for yourself.” He had heard through rumors that this was dangerous to the host. They could lose control and end up giving them all their strength, which would ultimately shut down her organs in a matter of seconds.
“I’ve been taught to do this from a very early age. Since I come from a royal bloodline, I have a duty to my people to help when it matters the most.” She felt drained, but she was not going to give up, until his eyes opened. “I don’t know how he got under my skin like this, but I have this need to see him back at 100%. I shouldn’t care, but something deep inside me wants him to make a full recovery. I’ve never been one to sacrifice for the good of someone else, but this certainly feels right. There’s a certain exhilaration to knowing that I’m helping and not just taking up space. I’m definitely going to have to work harder to earn their trust, but I think that I’m up to the task at hand.” Her heart was pounding and then she gasped. Her entire body lurched off the table.
They were about to enter the chamber to give aid and comfort, but her hand came up to stop them. It made them rethink their decision. Niles father was beside himself. She was doing this for his son. That was more than he had ever done in his life for his son.
“I’m OK, but I don’t think that I’m going to have one of my heart’s beating any longer. I figured that this might happen. I was prepared for that eventuality. I don’t want pity and I can still live a long and productive life with one heart. It’s just that I probably won’t be able to do this again without practically dying. This is a small price to pay for his safety and I don’t want to hear anything more about it.” I don’t think that I would have done this for anybody else including that of my family. They were an ungrateful lot anyway and didn’t deserve my loyalty. These people are my family now and I want more than anything to give them my trust. I can honestly say that I never thought that this day would come, but I’m glad that it did.”
“You are an amazing young woman and I don’t think that my family deserves you. For the way that I treat you and turned my nose up at you, I wouldn’t blame you for walking out that door and never coming back. From this moment on, you have my heart and a piece of it will be with you for all the days of your life. I can’t begin to tell you what this means to me.” He was visibly upset and tears of joy and frustration began to flow freely down his cheek.
Niles felt something that was almost like somebody was slapping him across the face. He made an involuntary gasp, which made him sit up and look towards the source of where this wonderful feeling was coming from.