Free The Island on the Edge of Forever (The Epic of Aravinda Book 2) by Andrew M. Crusoe Page B

accelerated out of the system, he felt a fresh surge of excitement rush through him. Without the Radiant Figure, they never would have gotten the Tulari. And now, as Zahn prepared to jump to a world that was completely unknown to him, he realized that the figure hadn’t told him anything about where he was headed.
    Or even if it was a planet, at all.

CHAPTER10
     
    BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
     
     
    Asha embraced her father tightly. A light rain fell, and the chill from the water percolated straight down into her bones. Just behind her, a circular opening hung in the air above the forest floor. Yet the idea of leaving filled Asha with apprehension. The last time she had said goodbye to Yantrik, it hadn’t been her choice. But now that the choice was hers, she somehow found it even more difficult.
    She tried to focus on the reason. Mira had said that her intuitive and healing potential were great, and that she would be invaluable on the mission.
    “I just wish Mira would let you come, Dad.”
    Yantrik shook his head. “I’d just get in the way, anyway. You will be a great asset to Mira, and not just in piloting.” Yantrik pulled out a resonator pistol from one of his many pockets and handed it to his daughter. “Don’t forget this. Zahn traded his photodisc for it for a reason. Anyway, you’ll be fine; I can feel it.”
    Asha took the small sonic weapon and looked back up to her father’s eyes. “Thanks, Dad. But even with the resonator, how can you be so sure I’ll be okay?”
    Yantrik laughed. “Well, I can’t be sure!” His smile faded. “But I feel it. Mira is right. Your intuitive powers are growing day by day. I’ve seen it. And your experience today is more evidence of that. You could have reacted impulsively and pursued Zahn with your ship, but you didn’t. And if you had, Mira might never have reached you.”
    Tears formed in Asha’s eyes, and she embraced him again.
    “You know I hate leaving you, Dad.”
    “I know,” he whispered. “I know.”
    Mira walked up beside them. “It is still your choice, Asha. I can pursue Zahn and the Tulari on my own, but remember that this request comes direct from the Confederation. They do not make it lightly.”
    “And you promise to return me here?” Asha wiped some of her tears away from her face.
    “Of course.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Asha noticed Darshana and Vivek looking on, and she heard a ringing in her right ear which quickly faded.
    She took a few deep breaths and reflected on the scene, wondering how long it would be before all of them were united again. But in the deepest part of her heart, she knew what she had to do.
    “All right.” She kissed her father on the cheek, already wet from the rain. A circular doorway into a curving room hung in the air above the forest floor, and Asha stepped in. “I’ll be back.”
    “I know,” Yantrik whispered.
    Mira , completely unaffected by the rain, walked up to Yantrik and studied him. “You are wise to have faith in your daughter.”
    Thunder rumbled over them.
    Mira bowed to him. “Be well, and always remember the importance of the Code.”
    “Don’t worry, Mira. I’m not going to give these people modern technology. Who do you think I am?”
    “That question does not concern me. What concerns me is this: who do you think you are? Consider your own beliefs carefully, in all things.”
    And with that, Mira disappeared into the pristine light of the ship. After a few seconds, the door rolled shut once more, leaving no trace at all.
    Inside, Asha felt sandwiched between two worlds. In a stark contrast to Navika’s spaciousness, the curving geometry of the buffer room made her feel claustrophobic. She glanced over to where some thicker silver suits and helmets hung.
    “Void suits,” Mira said, removing her boots and stowing them into a round bag that hung beside the helmets. “Necessary for reconnaissance in places without a breathable atmosphere.”
    “Void suits,” Asha repeated.