Page 27 of Eclipse Bound (Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides #7)
Chapter Sixteen
The extraction point was nothing more than a small clearing in the desert, unremarkable except for a cluster of unusual rock formations that reminded Eclipse of the crystalline structures in the Twilight Belt back home.
As Harris led them toward it, the first hints of dawn colored the eastern sky.
It felt like appropriate timing for a diplomat perpetually caught between light and darkness.
"Coordinates match," Harris confirmed, his enormous eyes scanning the surroundings. "Extraction window opens in seventeen Earth minutes. Give or take."
Eclipse moved carefully, conserving his still-depleted energy. The journey from the cabin had been arduous, forcing them to take a circuitous route to avoid Milano's search patterns. Rowan remained close by his side, her occasional touch helping to stabilize his fluctuating form.
"So this is it," she said softly, looking around the clearing. "Just wait for the spaceship and... what? They beam you up?"
Her attempt at humor didn't mask the pain in her voice. Eclipse felt it resonating through their connection, mirroring his own internal discord.
"What is this beam up?" he asked.
"Doesn't matter," she whispered.
"Galaxy Brides uses dimensional fold technology. The extraction creates a temporary bridge between spatial coordinates," he explained, his thoughts flowing directly to her.
"Like a wormhole?"
"Similar, though less stable."
Lunar moved silently around the perimeter, his shadow essence extended to detect any approaching threats. Poppy followed a few steps behind, her expression unreadable in the dim light.
"Milano is expanding their search grid. We have perhaps thirty minutes before they reach this sector," Lunar reported.
Harris fidgeted nervously, checking and re-checking a small device that resembled a pocket watch. "Thirteen minutes to the extraction window. All must be ready."
Eclipse sensed Rowan's increasing tension. Her energy signature pulsed with anxiety, grief, and a determination that puzzled him. What was she planning?
"Rowan," he projected gently. "We must discuss ? —"
"No," she cut him off, stepping away slightly. "Let's not do the goodbye speech yet, okay? They're not even here. We have time." A tear slipped over her cheek. "We were supposed to have more time."
Eclipse wanted to respect her wish, though the words he needed to say pressed against his consciousness. "Rowan, I ? —"
Lunar approached with purpose. "I require a moment of your attention, Eclipse."
His shadow form had condensed into its most humanoid appearance.
Eclipse inclined his head in acknowledgment.
"I have completed an analysis of our mission parameters and outcomes," Lunar began. "The experiment was designed to prove that opposing forces could coexist harmoniously when removed from their natural environment and given a common purpose."
"That is correct," Eclipse confirmed what they both already knew.
Eclipse waited, sensing there was more to Lunar's statement than a mission summary.
"However," Lunar continued, his shadow essence rippling slightly, "I have reached an unexpected conclusion. The connection formed with my Earth counterpart has created a harmonious resonance that exceeds mission parameters."
Eclipse felt a surge of surprise. For Lunar to speak so openly about his feelings for Poppy was unprecedented. The shadow-dwellers of the Lunaris Zone were known for their emotional reserve.
"What I mean to say," Lunar struggled uncharacteristically with his words, "is that I wish to remain on Earth."
The declaration hung in the air between them. Harris made a small choking sound.
"Not possible," the Galaxy Brides representative protested. "Extraction coordinates programmed for three entities. Eclipse, Lunar, Harris."
"Then reprogram for two," Lunar replied coolly. "I have made my choice."
Eclipse studied his companion, sensing the resolution in his energy pattern. This was no impulsive decision.
"The council will consider this abandonment of duty," Eclipse warned.
"Yes," Lunar agreed simply. "They will."
"They may declare you exiled permanently."
"I am aware."
Poppy had moved closer during this exchange, her hand hovering near but not quite touching Lunar's shadow form.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked softly. "Your home?—"
"Will never accept my true nature," Lunar completed. "Here, in darkness and in light, I am myself."
Eclipse felt a resonance with Lunar's words that shook him to his core. How many cycles had he spent in the Twilight Belt, never fully belonging to either light or shadow? Always mediating, never simply being.
Harris' device emitted a series of urgent beeps. "Seven minutes to extraction window. Must prepare."
The Galaxy Brides trainee scurried about the clearing, setting up small devices at specific intervals. Eclipse recognized the pattern. They would form the dimensional coordinates for the extraction field.
Rowan moved to Eclipse's side again, her energy brushing against his.
"So Lunar's staying," she said quietly. "What about you?"
Before Eclipse could respond, a distant sound caught their attention. The distinctive thump of helicopter rotors carried across the desert.
"Milano," Lunar confirmed, his shadow essence extending to scan the horizon. "Multiple aerial vehicles approaching from the southwest. Ground transport following."
Harris squeaked in alarm. "Four minutes to extraction. Not enough time to relocate!"
Eclipse assessed their situation with the clarity of a diplomat accustomed to crisis. Milano would arrive just as the extraction window opened. They would have seconds, not minutes, to make their departure.
And he still hadn't discussed his feelings with Rowan.
"We need to mask our position," Poppy said, panicked. "We need something to slow them down."
Lunar nodded. "I will create a diversion. My shadow-walking abilities allow me to move undetected."
"No," Poppy protested. "It's too dangerous."
"I am most suited to the task," Lunar insisted. "I have chosen this planet. I must begin defending it."
"Three minutes!" Harris wailed.
The helicopter sounds grew louder. Searchlights swept the desert floor in the distance, methodically closing in on their position.
Eclipse felt a surge of respect for his formerly antagonistic companion. Lunar had always been the most reserved of their trio, the least likely to take risks. Yet here he stood, volunteering for danger.
As Lunar prepared to depart, Harris suddenly let out a distressed chirp. The small devices he'd been arranging began to flicker erratically.
"Problem. Big problem," he exclaimed, his enormous eyes widening even further. "Extraction field unstable. Energy matrix destabilizing!"
Eclipse moved toward the devices, his twilight essence reaching out to sense the dimensional calculations.
Immediately, he detected the flaw. The extraction field was calibrated for three specific energy signatures—his own twilight form, Solar's light energy, and Lunar's shadow essence.
With Solar already extracted and his own energy severely weakened, the field lacked the necessary balance.
It could not carry three different signatures. It would need to be stabilized.
Harris didn't understand the technology he was implementing. It would never work like this.
"What's happening?" Rowan asked, looking between Harris and Eclipse.
"The dimensional bridge requires balanced energy to form properly," Eclipse explained. "Without Solar, and with my essence depleted, the bridge is going to collapse, and it will take the ship waiting for us with it."
Rowan looked up at the sky in worry. "Dani and Solar are up there. Are you saying their ship will explode or something?"
The helicopter sounds were alarmingly close now.
Eclipse turned to Rowan, knowing it was time. The words he needed to say could no longer wait.
"Rowan," he began, gathering his twilight essence into its most coherent form. "There is something I must tell you."
She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the blue glow of the extraction devices.
"I know what you're going to say," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "You have to go back. You have a duty to your people. You need to warn them about Milano. I understand."
Eclipse reached out, his twilight essence brushing against her cheek in the closest approximation of a human caress he could manage.
"That is not what I was going to say."
Searchlights swept over the nearby ridge. Any moment now, Milano's forces would spot them.
Eclipse tried to expand his energy field to stop it and instantly retracted in pain.
"Stop, you're not strong enough," Lunar told him. He stepped forward, his shadow form extending toward one of the flickering devices. "I can stabilize it with my shadow energy. I'll have to go up."
"But you wanted to stay," Eclipse said, sensing Lunar's regret.
"As do you if given the choice," Lunar replied, his shadow essence rippling with resignation. "But one of us must go. Your essence is too depleted for the journey. The council needs to know about Milano's technology."
"Can't Harris adjust it?" Poppy asked desperately, the realization dawning on her face.
Harris shook his head vigorously. "No. No. No."
"Pull yourself together," Rowan ordered.
"Field parameters set by Bob and Gary," Harris muttered. "Need specific energy triangle. Light, shadow, twilight."
The alien frantically ran around to adjust controls that clearly made no difference before tripping and falling face-first onto the rocky ground.
"Is he…?" Rowan began.
Harris pushed himself up and held his head. Miserably, he said, "Pudding."
"He's fine," Lunar dismissed.
Lunar stood motionless, his shadow form contracting slightly. Eclipse could sense the conflict within him. His desire to remain with Poppy clashed with the harsh reality of their situation.
Harris stumbled in circles, holding his head.