It was all Liza could do not to slap Barbara on the spot. “No way in hell that’s going to happen. My best friend is missing. And so are the Drakken. And so are your children, apparently.”
Barbara’s hands balled into fists. “You’re going to get them killed!”
Liza glared at her. “You’d better explain.”
Barbara glanced around, then lowered her voice furtively. “The Harbingers offered to take them on a Drakken ride, and then they never brought them back. That was over a week ago. We don’t know where they are. They told me that if we let you near the cave system, I’d never see my children again. My husband is sitting at home waiting for the Harbingers to contact him.”
“Then that is exactly where we need to search,” Liza said. “And we will report it back to the Federation as well. There are rules against involving non-combatants.”
“How do I know that the Harbingers won’t kill my children as an act of revenge?” Barbara demanded.
“Because they are afraid of the Federation. We’ll get your children back, Barbara, don’t worry.” Liza said that with more confidence than she felt. Who knew what the Harbingers might already have done to them?
With La La at her heels, Liza hurried to the hovercraft and headed back towards the bed and breakfast. She only made it halfway before the hovercraft suddenly lost power and landed. Liza tried to call for help, but both her wrist holo and her craft communicator had failed. Something had killed all power and was blocking her communications.
Then the door opened of its own accord.
“La?” The Srilaa looked alarmed and dove behind the seat.
Fabian stood there, with five of his men…and Barbara.
Barbara shook her head. “I’m sorry, Liza, I had to call them,” she said. “I couldn’t take the risk.”
Fear flared in Liza, choking her. The Harbingers were sadistic maniacs. What would they do to Marjan, to Barbara’s children? Now there would be no rescue. “You stupid, stupid woman—”
One of the Harbingers pointed a small silver wand at her and the world turned white and silent.
