He expected the text message would arrive in a timely manner, though that wasn’t often the case with regular message devices from Alpha-Prime. The device he’d given Madelainewas a top-notch, experimental communicator with an amplified embedded message delivery system.
This would be a good test of the long-range capabilities of the device.
The Secret Keeper pondered what else he might be able to do to help Madelaine and Jack on the Paladin Courier’s dangerous journey.
He’d have to give it some thought and at the very least be prepared to act quickly for the duration of Madelaine’s trip.
Chapter Sixteen
Madelaine pressed her thumb into the metallic oval on the Malvoraxis Veil package to release the lock. The designs flashed brilliantly and Jack pulled open the matte black package.
Inside was a glowing blue stone a little larger than his hand. It had an elongated, irregular and faceted shape, with a pleasing design that sort of mesmerized them both as they stared at it.
“We likely shouldn’t stare directly into it, right?” Jack asked, closing his eyes and turning toward Madelaine.
She looked away from the stone as he opened his eyes and nodded. She picked the stone up. “We definitely should not look directly at this again, except for right now so I can study it.” She stared at it with a giggly smile. “I feel a little goofy. That is uncalled for behavior for the Paladin Courier.” Then she did giggle, quickly slapping a palm over her mouth. Was she drunk? Drugged?
“Wow. The blue glowing stone must be like a drug for you,” Jack said. “That is awesome and appalling at the same time. Here, give it to me. I’ll put it back.”
“Indeed.” Madelaine handed it to him, but her sappy expression didn’t dim.
“I’m going to stow the black matte case with the blue stone inside,” he said.
“Okay, but don’t forget to grab the retrieval instructions for the next package. I will be looking away and trying to get hold of myself while you do it.”
“Sure thing, giggly girl.” He wasn’t as impacted by the stone, but he didn’t look directly at it, just in case.
Madelaine pushed out a long sigh that ended on one last little giggle.
Jack retrieved the small piece of parchment tucked inside the lining of the black matte container and shut the lid, closing off the blue stone’s glow.
“Okay, you’re safe from the drugging influence of the blue glowing stone that makes you giggle.”
“Thank you.” To his relief, Madelaine sounded more like her usual self.
She unfolded the small piece of parchment and her expression brightened as she read it.
“By your relaxed expression, it looks like the next planet won’t be as malevolent or strict as the last planet,” he said.
“Correct. It’s a giant agrarian planet called Verdara. I’ve been there once before, but in a different region than where this parchment is sending us.”
“Agrarian, like farming?”
“Yes. Verdara feeds half the Caldera Forte Galaxy and a significant portion of the Tri-Spiral Galaxy.”
“Interesting. It will be nice not to fear every word I say will be wrong.”
“The folks on Verdara have a very strong work ethic.” Thoughtfully, she added, “Maybe too strong.”
“Too strong. What does that mean? Are they workaholics?”
“No, I wouldn’t say workaholics. It’s just that everyone who lives on the planet must work. Everyone has a task to do and once a person can’t do their task any longer because they gethurt or too old, then their family members either have to pick up the slack or the person has to leave.”
“Like, leave the planet?”
Madelaine nodded. “They don’t have the same ideas about retirement for the elderly as on Earth or Alpha-Prime.”
“You pull your weight until you drop or hasta la vista?”
