Page 47 of Star Mates

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

For the next several days, she and Logan did not talk. She knew he wanted to, could feel it every time he turned her way, but she simply could not comprehend how he could be so callous and petty. He’d betrayed everyone…for her.

Time and again she examined the room, looking for some type of inspiration on how to escape. Were others in cells next to her, waiting for rescue, just like she was? It disheartened and threatened to overwhelm her with depression.

She had a lot of time to think about things. She’d found purpose in Sparta, singing her songs and telling her stories to the people who seemed confused, scared and without purpose. Sometimes the authorities in charge of a rebellion were blind to the needs of those who didn’t understand or couldn’t grasp the concept of fighting for freedom. People who were slaves only wanted to treasure being free, frightened of going back to the place that had beaten them down. Emmarie liked to think that her stories and songs had given them hope, let them know they weren’t alone in their dark struggles.

Only now, sitting in her cell, did she realize they must think she betrayed them, relating happy endings when none could be had for themselves. It was enough to cripple her and so she spent much of the time lying on the bed, pretending sleep. She didn’t want to face the man who had brought her so low.

She didn’t even look at him as she began to hear odd, muted sounds. She was having a pity party and didn’t want to invite him, but when he let out a low curse, curiosity got the better of her and she turned over. That’s when she saw a whole panel had been removed from the wall next to the door, all the wires lay exposed, and Logan sat in the middle of the mess.

“What are you doing?” she asked, shocked.

“I’m getting us out of here,” he replied, not looking at her. He was rooting around for something in the pile of electronics around him.

“What? How? You’re not an electrician.”

He shot her a dark look. “No, but I can read their language. Much of this seems to be just like wiring a house, with basic words designating what is what.”

She sat up, excitement gripping her. “And you understand how to wire a house?”

“No, of course not, but I once watched this video on how a man had set up a security system where all he had to do was text a command to unlock his door. It made me begin to think about how I could rig something similar with a backwash of-”

“I get it,” she interrupted, holding up a hand. “You can get us out?”

“I can do more than that,” he said and pointed to the panel. “I found a motherboard in the wall that opens all the cell doors and I’m hoping to give anyone else who’s in here a fighting chance to escape.”

For the first time in days, elation soared through her. Then reality came crashing through.

“Wait a minute,” she said. “Aren’t we on a spaceship? How do we get off?”

“I know where the escape pods are,” he answered. “I saw them when I was brought on board.”

“We’ll go back to Sparta?”

“We’ll go where you’ll be safe,” he told her quietly. “Where you and your baby will be safe.”

Her hand rested on her belly.

“I messed up,” he continued. “I made a horrible mistake, Emmarie, but I promise that I will take care of you and your baby.”

“And the people of Sparta?”

A pained expression crossed his face. “I’m no better than Benedict Arnold. He felt slighted and cheated so decided to change sides during the American Revolution with a plot to turn over West Point to the British. He escaped capture by fleeing to the enemy. I refuse to be known as that.”

“But you did exactly that,” she reminded him.

“Yes,” he agreed. “I know. I didn’t think things through. All I was concerned about was getting home.”

“This is our home!”

“I had hope!” he yelled back. “Yes, I was selfish and spoiled and stupid! And I will make it up to you, to them! I promise, Emmarie.”

She waved at the pile of wires. “I will hold you to that.”

He nodded and returned his attention to working on the computer system strewn around him. She wanted to pace but knew that would just add pressure, not just to him but to her as well, so she sat and watched.

She didn’t know the time or when their guards would be by to deliver food, but there was a sense of urgency that burned inside her. Now that escape was within reach, she couldn’t quell her impatience. How long she sat like that, she didn’t know, but when the door suddenly slid opened, her heart plummeted into dust, sure they had caught on to Logan’s plan.

---