“Yes, we’ll help you as far as we can,” Bretdon assured the old woman.
“By the way, what are your plans regarding contact with the cyborgs on Arcadia?” Sandra asked, curious.
“I’ll have to go to our rendezvous place and find a way to send them a message or leave them a message,” he explained.
“Yes, that would be a good idea.”
“We need an intergalactic communication device to talk to them and as far as I know, humans haven’t achieved that technology,” he explained.
“No, we haven’t. You would have to steal one from the Taucets. I’m sure you could use theirs.”
Bretdon chuckled. “Yes, that’s a very good idea. I guess I’ll have to find one of their colonies.”
“That’s too dangerous, you know that,” Ophelia protested, worried he would really risk his life in such a suicidal adventure.
“Yes, of course. But I sure would love to get my hands on one of their vessels,” he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and pulling her closer.
“It’s a pity we didn’t check the debris that fell over me. We could have found their communication system still working,” Kirkcal said, joining the conversation.
“We had other priorities,” Bretdon assured him.
“Do you think the debris is still there?” James asked, curious. They’d had a bad start with James, but once the man assured himself they were no threat to his community, he had accepted their presence.
“No, soldiers usually return to the battlefield and destroy it all,” Bretdon explained.
“That’s a shame,” the other man said, shrugging.
“What about the colony you attacked right before you escaped?” Sandra asked, interested in the idea of getting her hands in a transmitter.
“They must have destroyed that too. We could go and take a look at it, but I really doubt we would find anything,” Bretdon said.
“I think it’s worth a shot. You told me the rendezvous place is relatively close to the colony, right?” the older woman asked.
“Yes, it is. I guess we could go there and check it out, though I’m sure we won’t find much.”
“Please an old lady like me, will you?” Sandra asked, with a smile. “Bring back any transmitter you find, even if it’s not working. We might find the way to fix it or to build one similar.”
“Very well, I can do that. I’m sure there will be a few vessels destroyed in the place.”
“Perfect. Perhaps you should leave in a couple of days, while we wait for the surveillance at the camp to ease off.”
Ophelia’s heart missed a beat, and she tilted her head to look at Bretdon. She didn’t want him to leave. She couldn’t bear the idea of being without him even if it was for a couple of weeks.
“That’s a good idea, Sandra. But instead of waiting two more days, I think it’s best, we leave tomorrow,” he said, smiling, while Ophelia’s heart sank in her chest.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Kirkcal asked.
“No, I believe it’s better if you stay here and work with Sandra’s men. There’s no need for both of us to go,” he replied, shaking his head.
“You have a point there,” Kirkcal nodded.
“Perhaps you should wait a bit longer, get some rest. You’ve just arrived,” Sandra suggested.
“There’s no need. If we can use the vehicle we took to Jackson city, we’ll have a pleasant trip,” he rejected the woman’s idea.
“Very well, as you wish. I’ll ask the kitchens to prepare enough food for you,” Sandra offered then.
“Thank you, that will be very helpful.”
A few minutes later, they headed back to their cave and Ophelia was making a huge effort to hide her feelings. She wanted to ask him to take her with him, but she wasn’t sure she would be able to take his rejection.
“Don’t forget to pack your coat. We’re going up the mountains, and it’s very cold this time of the year,” Bretdon told her the minute they entered their room.
“My coat?” she mumbled, astonished.
“Yes, and all of your warm clothes. If you don’t have enough, I’m sure Marian would be able to get you some,” he added, walking to his backpack and checking he had all he might need for the trip.
“You’re taking me with you?” she was finally able to ask.
He turned to look at her. “Of course, I am. I’m not leaving you behind,” he assured her before he went back to finish packing his things.
Ophelia took a few deep breaths, trying to slow down her heartbeat. She wanted to ask him why, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to hear a speech about responsibility or that he needed a warm body to entertain him at night. It was better not knowing, at least, for now.
What mattered was that he was taking her with him. She couldn’t believe how dependent on him she had become, especially when she had always said she wouldn’t let any man be the boss of her.
And now, here she was, barely able to breathe at the simple thought of being apart from him. What kind of spell had he put on her? This went way beyond the sizzling passion he awakened in her, that was for sure.
With another deep breath, she started packing her stuff again.
Bretdon glanced at Ophelia and almost sighed with relief, out loud when she started packing. He wasn’t clear about his reasons to want her at his side. He knew she would be safer in the caves, but the idea of spending so much time without her was distressing . He wanted her with him.
He had always found logical reasons for all he did, but ever since he had met this woman, logic was the last thing ruling his mind. He was acting on sheer instinct and a tangle of feelings he wasn’t able to identify.
All he knew for sure was that he wanted her with him and he was willing to do anything to persuade her to be with him as well.
That night, while they enjoyed the soft mattress for the last time in a few days, he made love to her with his mindset in showing her just how much he wanted her and how he relished the pleasure he always experienced in her arms.
When the sun came up in the sky, they hadn't slept much, but their bodies and minds were more relaxed than if they had slept a week.
Some people in the community came to say goodbye to them, and Bretdon enjoyed the feeling of being cherished by a group of people he barely knew.
All his life had always been about duty and work. Humans around him during his growing up years had never shown him any emotion. They had always treated him as a machine, regardless of the heart and soul hid within him.
The warmth of these people made him hope for a better future, one he had dreamed of for a long time.
Ophelia said goodbye to her new friends. Even Jonathan was there to say goodbye to them.
“I was really looking forward to working with you, but I guess this is more important, especially if you can bring back something we can use,” he said, with a faint smile.
“Yes, we’ll do our best. And when we get back, we’ll be able to work on that. It will be fascinating to work with alien technology,” she said with a smile.
“That supposing we’ll be able to recognize the components of the transmitter,” he replied.
“Yes, I guess, but I’m sure we’ll find a way.”
Jonathan nodded, and a few moments later, she were climbing into the vehicle. Bretdon started the end engine and drove away.
“This man you were talking to, who is he?” Bretdon asked, a few minutes later.
“His name is Jonathan. He’s a systems engineer, like me, and we were supposed to work together, during my time there,” she explained, surprised with Bretdon’s tone. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he was jealous.
“I guess he was disappointed, then,” he said, with a sarcastic tone.
“I don’t see why; we barely know each other.”
He snorted his disbelief. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? You must be tired after last night,” he suggested, with a naughty grin.
She chuckled. “Yes, I’m a bit tired.”
She closed her hazel eyes and let herself fall into a pleasant slumber. By the time she opened her eyes again, the sun was starting to set. She couldn’t believe she had slept that long.
“You should have woken me up,” she grumbled, as she stretched her body.
“Why should I? You clearly needed some rest. How are you feeling now?”
“A bit numb, but I’ll be alright. Are you planning on traveling all night?” she asked, already used to his endurance.
“No, I’m already looking for a place for us to spend the night,” he replied. “I know this isn’t a comfortable place for you.”
“I can take it, you know that,” she protested.
“Yes, I do, but there’s no need. There’s no hurry since we have to wait a couple of weeks before we even consider going for your mother.”
“I know, but I guess we could be of help at the caves,” she suggested, furrowing her eyebrows.
“I guess, though I’m sure Kirkcal will be very helpful for them, and it will do him good knowing some people really appreciate his help.” He wanted time alone with Ophelia, though he wasn’t ready to admit that.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“There’s a cave not far from here I believe we can use. I haven’t detected any wild animal in it,” he announced. “It has a small stream running inside of it, and though I’m sure the water will be freezing, you’ll be able to wash.”
“Thank you, that will be perfect.”