Heart Of The Sun by Victoria Zagar Read Free Book Online

alive.”
    “Already taken care of,” the doctor says. “As soon as we saw your dog tags, we made the call. Admiral Halen was quite happy to receive some good news for once.”
    Alan smirks a little. “Yeah, I guess so. He’s probably wondering how I pulled it off again. I’m just too stubborn to die.”
    “Stubborn or not, you’re still mortal. I’ll see about getting you a visit with the Karalian, but for now you need to rest.”
    “Okay, doc. I’ll do as you say.” Alan rested his head back on the pillows and closed his eyes.
     
    * * *
     
    The skylight is showing darkness outside again by the time Alan is awakened by the commander. He stirs and salutes, still feeling drowsy.
    “Thanks for the rescue, sir,” Alan says. “You came just in time.”
    “We would have intercepted the commandos sooner, but we didn’t want to advertise our presence here,” the commander said. He held out a hand. “I’m Commander Macey.”
    “Alan Karvakian.” Alan takes the hand and shakes firmly.
    “Quite a story you have,” Macey says. “Not every day you hear of Humans making Karalian friends. He’s not exactly your average Karalian though, is he? I had to admit I was surprised myself when I spoke to him.”
    “He’s awake? Wait, you can speak his language? The translation jewel... it broke.”
    “Yes, he’s awake, and we have translators here on the base. Wouldn’t be much of a listening post if we couldn’t understand the messages we intercepted. Doctor Norgen told me you were asking to see him as well. I’m sure we can set up a little meeting. Come with me.”
    Alan stands up shakily and follows Macey out of the room. He feels like he should be wearing clothes as he walks through the hallways of the base, his legs growing cold as soldiers watch him pass by. They eventually reach a room under guard. Macey and Alan are waved through into a small hospital room where Vash is lying on a bed. There is a metal bracelet on each of his wrists, and they look tight and uncomfortable.
    “What are the bands for?” Alan asks. They look like cuffs. He’s not a prisoner here, is he?
    “Anti-magic bracelets,” Macey explains, half-apologetically. “We can’t afford to take any chances until we completely verify his story and complete his asylum application.”
    “ Vafora ,” Vash says. “ Asora vaendra .”
    “He says it’s okay.” The translator steps forward, a young woman somewhere in her twenties. “He doesn’t want you to worry about it.”
    “I’ll leave you alone,” Macey says. “Tell the guards when you’re done.” He exits the room, leaving Alan and Vash alone with the translator.
    “Are you feeling okay?” Alan asks. The translator converts it into Karalian and Vash nods, saying something back to the translator.
    “He says he’s as well as can be expected. He thanks you for saving his life.”
    “It wasn’t really me,” Alan says. “It was the soldiers who saved us.”
    “You still dragged me across the desert. I owe you a debt.”
    “You healed me. You helped me defeat those commandos. I think we’re more than even,” Alan says. He looks at the bandages around Vash’s neck and knows that underneath is a wound that will scar him for life. You almost made the final cut. Thank the Gods help came in time. Feeling an upswell of tenderness, he places his hand over Vash’s, squeezing the large, thin hand and saying everything with that simple touch that he couldn’t bring himself to filter through the translator. I’m glad you’re alive. I’m glad we made it here together.
    “They’ve offered me a chance at asylum,” Vash says. “If I accept, the commander says I will be able to travel to Earth on the Heart Of The Sun, which is scheduled to return for leave.”
    “That would be perfect.” Yet Alan feels a hint of reluctance in the other man’s tone. There’s something holding him back. What is it?
    Vash closes his eyes and mutters something. “I’m tired,” the translator