He pulled out a parchment envelope exactly like all the rest she’d been collecting and handed it to her reverently.
“You will need this to complete the Solution,” Kessik said, sounding like he was grateful to be able to participate in this transaction. “Winslow wanted to give it to you, of course. And he would have, if only you had come sooner. Luckily, the Observer stepped in, realizing astutely that Winslow no longer had the capacity to remember all that needed to be conveyed. And I was happy to assist him.”
“The Observer?” Madelaine asked.
Kessik’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.” The man looked like he was about to bolt into the winter wilderness over the verbal misstep.
“No worries, Mr. Kessik. I promise I won’t say anything.”
“That is very gracious of you. And you can call me Varner.” Kessik straightened. “We’re all counting on you, Paladin Courier.” He sounded earnest.
“Thank you, Varner. I promise to do my best.”
She was about to step away when Kessik’s eyes sharpened and he said in a monotone voice, “When you get to the point where it feels like all is lost, Madelaine, don’t forget to trust your instincts.”His intense gaze shifted to Jack.“The two of you togethercanresolve the problems you will face.”
Madelaine and Jack exchanged a knowing glance. It sounded like Winslow had either rubbed off on him or been Kessik’s star pupil. His gaze had been focused, electric and locked on hers like they were the only two in the area. Now that the identities of the escaped wolf and the man who laughed at danger had been resolved, she guessed it was time for a new premonition. Awesome.
And with that prophetic tidbit delivered, Kessik stepped away and stood next to Warden Draven as if the man were merely a guide for his day trip out to Landing Pad Twelve and it was time to go back inside the gulag for a juice box and snacks.
Madelaine clutched the parchment envelope tight in her hand until she placed it securely into her backpack. Once it was back on her shoulder, she nodded once to the warden, who had ultimately morphed into a decent man during their visit. He had been trustworthy after all.
Jack tossed the warden the device to open the forcefield at the archway. Warden Draven caught it one handed and said, “Thanks.” He’d lost his annoying amusement every time he looked at the two of them. She understood better now.
When they’d arrived, the warden had to act a certain way with so many others watching, especially since a woman was visiting. But when it counted, he’d helped them with their mission and thus earned her respect.
Besides, they got to leave this planet. Draven had to live here. He couldn’t be a kindly, friendly and obliging soul to unexpected visitors and also run the worst gulag in the known galaxies.
Jack, faithfully clutching the cardboard box under one arm, pushed the fob to allow the ship’s ramp to extend.
Madelaine had never been so glad to board thePaladin Seeker. When they were both inside and the ramp had been retracted, Jack stowed the cardboard box and hopped into the pilot’s seat. Madelaine secured her backpack and took the co-pilot’s seat to handle the navigational control to get them off this planet as soon as possible.
Once thePaladin Seekerwas well out of communications range of the planet, they set the autopilot to crawl slowly along while they found out where their next package retrieval would be, courtesy of the parchment envelope Kessik had delivered at the eleventh hour.
Jack retrieved the cardboard box and they sat at the table. Madelaine carefully opened the envelope, unfolded the parchment inside and laid it flat between them. She read out loud: “Now that you have retrieved the housing for the Solution, your next stop will take you to planet Earth. Specifically, Alienn, Arkansas.”
“What? We’re headed to Earth?” Jack sounded as shocked as she felt.
Madelaine continued reading. “You must silently and without detection land your ship on Earth without the Alphas in charge discovering how you got there.
“Once you have secured your ship, make your way to the Fearless Leader at the Big Bang Truck Stop.”
“That is crazy,” Jack said. “I guess that fulfills Winslow’s prediction of going to where it all began, right?”
“I guess so,” Madelaine said.
“Well, I’ve taken longer than the two weeks of vacation time Axel okayed, so I get to facethatwhen I get back. Not fun.”
“And we still have to get to the final location and assemble all the pieces
with an element from your brother. I guess he’s the one who will give us further instructions as to where we need to assemble the things we’ve gathered and apply ‘the solution’ that Winslow was so joyful about.”
“Yes.” Jack looked a little sad. She understood. Once they completed this errand, it would mark the end of the time they got to spend together.
“I wonder if the final location will be on Alpha-Prime.”
Madelaine shrugged, though she’d been thinking the exact same thing. “Maybe. It wouldn’t surprise me. But since this whole errand has been shrouded in mystical secrecy, the final location could really be absolutely anywhere across the known galaxies.”
“I suppose so.”
