Page 1 of Heart’s Prisoner

Chapter One

The bar was like any other in the city. On Tanis, base L3Z, home to hundreds of military recruits, and just as many students, the city was filled with them. Lana had lived on the base for a solid four years now and she never much cared to visit the generic, blue-lit bars with small tables and bare white walls. Not even when colleagues offered to buy her a drink if she joined them. She preferred time researching in her lab. Or working in her study. There was always something that needed to be looked over... re-worked... analyzed.

But tonight was different. Tonight, she searched the bar with hopeful anticipation, craning her neck to peer around a pair of servicemen, her eyes straining to see through the dimly-lit room.

At the back, Lana saw the figure of a tall, dark man seated in the corner. They locked eyes and his bright smile pierced the dark corner of the room. He waved to her and Lana smiled and waved back. She slipped through the crowd easily, her gaze never leaving his.

“Jacob.” Lana let out a breath. “God, it’s been...forever.”

Jacob’s smile widened. “Lana.” He rose and hugged her, patting her softly on the back. “Or should I say, Dr. Lana Hart.” He drew away to look at her carefully. “You’ve certainly earned the title.”

Lana shrugged indifferently. “It comes with its perks.” She looked down at Jacob’s uniform and caught the badges on his chest. “And you, Base General, it’s almost hard to believe.”

Jacob laughed. “Yea, whose bright idea was that, right? It’s hard for me to wrap my head around too.”

They sat down and Jacob shook his head. “Four years. Who would've guessed? It still seems like a lifetime ago we were on Prominus together. With you working on your thesis…”

Lana smiled, remembering. She looked around the bar and caught sight of a few Gyda standing nearby, their blue scales shimmering against the neon lights as if they could glow in the dark. Jacob followed her gaze over to them.

“You did great work, Lana. I always knew you would.”

The Gyda turned their heads in Lana’s direction and caught her stare. They bowed their heads slightly. Lana returned the gesture then looked back at Jacob.

“How long did it take? You know...to get through to them?” Jacob said, gesturing toward the fish-like men.

“Two years and eight months,” said Lana. “The Gyda thankfully aren’t a very hostile race.”

“And that’s a damn good thing. Real surprising they didn’t declare war on us as soon as your lab started testing.”

Lana’s eyes dropped. “I made sure to communicate perfectly that the research was completely by choice. It took a lot more to convince the head of research that then it was to convince the Gyda that we only wanted to study them to learn their ways; to learn how they evolved through communication, not dissect them like lab specimens.”

Jacob nodded, understanding. “Well, I’m glad the convincing worked. They were lucky to have the best behavioral and biological therapist this side of the solar system on their team. Regarding that, I’m betting you're wondering why I called you here.”

Lana went to answer until Jacob stopped her.

“But first, let me get you a drink.” Jacob winked. Lana didn’t stop him as he got up and went over to the bar then a few minutes later came back with two white spritzers. Lana took hers without complaint. She took a sip, watching Jacob drink half of his before setting his glass down.

“I called you here because I want to make you an offer,” Jacob began.

Lana raised her brows. “An offer?”

Jacob nodded.

“For?”

“A job.”

Lana’s eyes widened and she straightened in her chair.

“And I know what you're thinking. What could I possibly offer that’s better than what you got going on here? I know your research and time spent with the Gyda is important, trust me, it’s history in the making–bringing our kind together. But…” Jacob glanced around then leaned closer. “You and I both know they aren’t the only ones...you know...the onlyalienrace we encountered. Sure the government tries to keep things all hush, hush. But with the Gyda melding into our society so well, thanks to you and your team, there are others that the government wants to understand better, and needs to learn about, so we can know that what happened with the Gyda can be done with others.”

Lana studied Jacob seriously. “Or to find out if they are a threat to society, am I correct?”

Jacob shrugged. “More or less.”

Lana was speechless. She’d heard her share of rumors around the base about other encounters through the military’s exploration and research team–those who went to other worlds and studied them extensively. The government didn’t care to share this with the population, but Lana had a strong feeling the Gyda hadn’t been the first nor the last alien race they had come into contact with. And now Jacob was not only telling her that her theory was correct but that he wanted her to…

“You want me to try to communicate with these new beings like I did with the Gyda , don't you?”

---