“I thought you would never ask! Of course I will accept you.”
Hengel paused, “How did you know I’ve been admiring you?”
“Oh…a female knows these things. Don’t do anything stupid when you go there; it’s already taken long enough for you to say something.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Thank you so much for accepting my offer.”
“I was losing my patience. I guess you needed a little nudge.”
“Consider me nudged. I’ll contact you later.”
“Make plans to report here. We’ll ask the High Leader together when he comes here for the meeting.”
“Meeting?”
“I’ve just listened in to Fleet Operations discussing the conversation you sent with Luke Axel. He’s calling a major planning meeting and the High Leader should be present.”
Hengel smiled and focused on the Elder Legends’ location. He went into the barrier and skipped across eight hundred million light years. He thought about the amazing female who was attracted to him. Averel was originally sent to the Humans because of the power and strength of her mind. She was right about being little more than a child. And now, she was going to be his mate. He didn’t deserve her but his heart beat faster as he thought about her.
On Earth, Averel heard his thoughts and felt her heart beat faster as well. It wouldn’t do to tell Hengel that his mind was stronger than hers. She smiled, their children would be magnificent.
Chapter One
“Michael.”
Michael came down the face of the twenty-foot tall wave and flew through the tube of water faster than twenty miles an hour. He reached out and touched the wall of water behind him to keep track of how far out he was flying. The rainbows being created in the crashing mist were beautiful and he felt more alive than any other experience he did. He saw the giant wave cresting ahead of him as it turned back on itself and knew he would hit the crest if he didn’t get out of the tube quickly. He turned slightly away from the wall of water and picked up speed. He passed the tube and made a radical turn across the front of the onrushing wall of water moving toward him at high speed. He saw the rope hanging a foot in front of him and he reached up and grabbed the handle. He held on tight as he was lifted over the tumultuous crash of the wave breaking in on itself. He laughed and screamed his joy. This was incredible.
“Michael.”
Angelo carried him back over the waves moving ashore and he landed in the water and sat down on his surfboard. “Sorry, I was busy.”
“Surfing again?”
“Uhhhh…yeah.”
“Where?”
“What do you want, Averel?”
“You’re back on the north shore of Hawaii.”
“Averel, you’re not supposed to look in my mind.”
“Not for personal reasons but when you don’t answer a call from Operations, I’ve been directed to find you whatever it takes. Didn’t the team tell you that surfing those waves is too dangerous and ordered you not to do it?”
“They actually suggested it was too dangerous. I’ve not actually been issued orders not to do it. You won’t tell them, will, you?”
“Oh Michael, you’re just like your father. I’ll keep it to myself if you get here fast enough so that I’m not asked where you are.”
“Tell them I’m on my way. Tell them I’m putting my uniform on. Just tell them whatever will divert their attention.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Angelo came down to the ocean and Chris climbed in the cockpit. He pulled his surfboard in behind him and Angelo snapped the cockpit shut and took off at an incredible speed. Chris barely had time to wash the salt water off in a quick shower and pull his uniform on. He saw the giant Fleet Operations building a hundred feet away and he climbed out of Angelo, “Keep things warm.”
“Mum’s the word. Luke is asking Averel where you are.”
Michael lifted his wrist unit quickly and punched a button, “Luke, why did you call me in on my day off?”
Luke lifted his wrist unit and saw Michael. He looked at Averel and shook his head, “Never mind.” He punched his unit and said, “There’s been a development. I’ll tell you about it when you get here.”
“On my way to the elevator.”’
Luke looked at Averel who had deliberately looked away and was pressing buttons on her panel. He hesitated and then walked away. Averel smiled and shook her head. Michael was running out of his nine lives. If the Team saw the wave he was riding…she shook her head at the feeling she felt in his mind when she called him. She understood his love of surfing. She would occasionally enter his mind and ride waves with him without him knowing. It was almost like being there. If she ever did retire, she was going to learn how to surf. The thrill was almost addictive.
Michael walked into the huge conference room and saw he wasn’t the last to arrive. Thank God for that! He went to his chair at the front of the table next to Luke. Luke looked at him, “Surfing again, huh?
“Yeah, I caught a few waves. What’s going on?”
“Michael, if you ever injure yourself, I’m going to…”
“Don’t worry, Luke. You’re just jealous you’re not as good.”
Luke looked down his nose and raised his eyebrows, “You can’t be serious!”
“Just say where and when.”
“I will if we ever resolve our issues with the Legends.”
“Something’s happened?”
“Hengel intercepted one of the transmissions from a Legend Elder.” Michael’s eyes narrowed and Luke saw Audrey walk in. He stood up and went to greet his half-sister. Michael smiled. He wondered why Allison had insisted her first child be named after his mother. Chris was against the idea but she told him he could name the boys but that the girls were hers. If he didn’t like it, he could just shove it.
Michael shook his head and saw Audrey look at him. He nodded and she smiled. She was eight years younger but she looked fabulous. She had her mother’s eyes and Chris’s blonde hair. Stoney Jr. walked in with Josh right behind her. Josh was Allison’s second child and his half-brother but he was a full brother with Audrey. He had his mother’s red hair and Chris’ blue eyes. Both of them had the Welken-Human hybrid brain and were telepathic. All of the new team members were not allowed to manipulate their DNA to age faster than their normal rate. Chris and Eve were the last ones to do that.
Speaking of that, where was Laney? Eve and Nudge’s daughter was never late. She was always the first to arrive. He saw the elevator door open and Laney walked out with the Welken Royal and his Fleet Leader. The Johan and Myot rulers were right behind them along with their Senior Commanders. Something big must be happening. When the door opened again and the First Leader of the Green Civilization and the High Leader of the Goran emerged, he knew it was big. Laney must have been asked to meet them at the spaceport and bring them to the meeting. The old Fleet Operations building had grown too big to be next to the spaceport’s landing area. The new building was built about a mile inland twelve years ago. He was glad the officer’s quarters remained next to the beach.
Luke stood up and smiled, “Thank all of you for coming on such short notice.”
The Welken Royal nodded, “Have you decided what to do about this?”
Luke looked around the room and said, “Some of those present haven’t seen what we’ve collected. Please allow me to bring them up to speed and we’ll discuss our plans after that.” Luke pressed a button in front of his chair and the attendees heard the conversation between the two Legends. It ended and Luke looked around, “Hengel has just sent in the images he collected. I want all of us to see them before we start discussing what they mean.”