Chapter Two

*

They set off immediately as he’d told Norton. Ethan was leading his group east following their instructions and they marched fast to cover as much ground as possible. Kahim carried a scanner which enabled them to see even within a fifty miles radius farther. The device would show any sign of enemy movements like off-the-chart airplanes or stations. They knew the old posts of their enemies and their task was to check whether they didn't push their forces further south. The five best men in Ethan's team tore through the bush for three days making only short stops sweating to satisfy their chief.

But if Ethan hoped that growing distance between him and Evie would stop him thinking about the girl he was mistaken. Every step that took him farther from her was forced and painful. Not only didn’t he stop thinking about the Earthian girl but he felt the strong need to turn back and hurry to the base as if some fatal danger was to emerge and threaten Evie when he was away. This was nonsense, it wasn't his place to protect her, and as far as he knew there was nothing there she needed to be protected from but nevertheless as soon as they did their job he ordered the return.

The boys didn’t comment on the fact that their chief raced back to the camp as if a pack of hungry deadly beasts was at his back. They were used to his strange moods and uncanny behavior not to say the murderous pressure he put them under physically. He demanded as much of himself as of them so it was only fair.

For Evie those six days dragged mercilessly. She mused over the brief moments she spent with Ethan and couldn’t decide whether he infuriated her or attracted her more. He seemed a withdrawn man not ready to let just anybody cross an invisible barrier surrounding him. But Evie suspected that the person who would be allowed into his world would find it worth the effort. Without any conscious realization of the fact cracking Ethan's defenses became her secret challenge. Apart from being fluent in a few languages she held a degree in biology and psychology. Was this the reason why Ethan kept intriguing her? Was it the aura of mystery about him that dragged her to the man? She felt the need to discover his thoughts, to know what was hiding behind those dark unfriendly eyes. Never before has she been attracted by any man like that. Apart from presenting a psychological puzzle and challenge, Ethan attracted her as a man to a degree Evie couldn’t remember to have felt for anyone before. His strong lean body seemed to emanate some kind of magnetic field around and she was being pulled into it like a moth to a flame.

From the morning of day six Evie rambled around the base impatiently but hours passed and besides some newcomers there was no news of Ethan’s return. Sybil ranted something about the two new guys that arrived before noon and how she wanted to be the one to show them around but Evie had no patience to focus on the news. As the day almost came to an end Evie tried to suppress her disappointment and headed towards the laboratory. She wouldn’t be able to sit in her room, thinking about what might have possibly prolonged the Sirians’ patrol. The sudden thought that something bad might have happened to them made her shiver. She’s never been deep in the jungle or even tried to imagine what it was like there. But now all of the sudden she felt a strange curiosity, the need to be able to visualize the surroundings Ethan must feel at home in. She tried to envisage him cutting through the bush, sitting at the bonfire at night. Maybe if she worked on the new samples that arrived yesterday and were waiting to be processed and put in the system she'd be able to take her mind off the Sirian chief, she hoped.

It was quite late when Ethan entered the base. He went to Commander Norton to report on their search. To be honest they didn't discover anything interesting or urgent enough to justify such a late meeting but what the hell?

‘I’d rather hear it through Evie.’ Norton said after he’d greeted Ethan. He didn't trust his ability to understand Sirian especially in regards to something as important as the whole base safety. ‘Would anyone go and fetch her?’

‘She was going to work in the lab.’ Mike raised his head from over his screen.

‘I’ll go.’ Ethan said surprising everyone and himself for this matter but before anybody could say anything he left the room. He couldn't have gotten a better excuse to have a few minutes on his own with Evie.

The topography of the base was not alien to him so he headed towards the lab without hesitation. He heard the voices even before he pulled the door open. There was a tall guy standing over Evie saying something in an angry voice.

‘I told you Josh I don’t want to discuss it anymore.’

Evie was standing with her back pressed to the wall between two tables set with glass containers, microscopes and boxes for samples. She tried to get out of the corner she was stuck in but the guy blocked her way resting his hand on the wall.

‘But I do.’ He said obstinately. ‘The matter is not closed to me.’

‘Yes, it is. Now, will you let me out?’ Evie looked at him firmly trying to sound decisive and not to let in her fear. She attempted to push his arm away and pass.

‘Not before you talk to me.’

He grabbed her arm and Evie tried to shake off his hand. Sudden panic washed over her intestines. They were alone in the lab and it would only take a second for Josh to hit her. The memories were still clear in her mind making her cringe. Ethan didn’t understand what they were talking about but the whole situation, the raised voices and body language were quite clear to him. He came towards them covering the limited space in two strides and put his hand on the man’s shoulder.

‘She don’t want talk to you.’ He said surprising himself with the full sentence he was able to produce in a language he often heard but seldom spoke. ‘She ask, I no ask. I not so polite.’

This time grammar eluded him.

‘Ethan…’

Evie looked at him relief showing on her face. She used the opportunity to sneak out under Josh’s arm.

‘Nobody asked you about your opinion whoever you are!’ Josh pushed Ethan’s arm away. He was as tall and of the similar build so the strange Sirian seemed no threat to him. ‘Get lost and leave us alone. This is a private matter between me and Evie.’

One glance at Evie’s face made Ethan sure that this was the last thing she wanted.

‘You no understand. She no want be alone with you.’ Ethan repeated his voice steady and hard.

‘Get back to your jungle!’

With a sneering tone in his voice Josh tried to push Ethan away but in a fraction of a second he found himself pinned to the wall, Ethan’s hand choking his throat. He struggled and kicked and they both reeled over a table and the glass tubes fell and smashed on the floor with a loud clink.

‘Stop it!’ Evie shouted but more glass crashed over the floor as Josh fought in vain to shake Ethan’s weight off himself.

‘What’s going on here?’

Commander Norton stormed into the room following the noise. Ethan let go of his opponent who lost his balance and staggered forward gasping for air and holding his hand to his neck.

‘I’m going to bring an accusation against you, you dirty scum.’ Josh panted.

‘No, you won’t.’ Evie took a step forward and stood by Ethan’s side. ‘Unless you want me to charge you with an assault.’ She met Josh's surprised eyes head-on and felt satisfaction surge through her. She wasn't the same girl who fled from her violent boyfriend a few months ago. “Yeah, you're surprised to see me stand up to you?”, she thought.

‘I’d be grateful if you watch your tongue captain Coleridge.’ Commander Norton looked at them all one by one. He knew Ethan Nacher fairly well to be an extremely composed and controlled man. The new interpreter girl has been no trouble so far so his suspicion was on the newcomer he had no chance to get to know yet.

‘I won’t have you insult the chief of our allies. Captain Nacher is a man of principle and whatever has passed here between you I can’t imagine was his fault. Now if you excuse us I’ve sent captain Nacher to fetch Evie. We have matters to discuss.’

Commander turned and left the room and Evie and Ethan followed leaving seething Josh behind. When Ethan was passing Josh the man spat: ‘Watch your back Nacher,’ but Ethan didn’t even bother answering him. There was something else on his mind.

He followed Evie closely and before they came into the boardroom he asked in a low voice: ‘This guy didn’t hurt you, did he?’

Just the thought alone made him shake with rage.

Evie just shook her head.

‘What…?’ He began but she broke in:

‘I don’t want to talk about it, all right?’

‘OK.’ He answered.

He could wait but he would find out what’s happened anyway, Ethan thought.

As they sat in the boardroom he quickly gave an account of his patrol but there was really not much to tell. They found no enemy traces in a sixty-kilometer radius. Evie translated his report to Norton swiftly and the commander thanked them both and left the room. Ethan and Evie followed and as they walked along the corridor Ethan tried to suppress his irritation. He would not admit it even to himself but he’d been thinking of his meeting with Evie, he imagined she’d be at least a bit pleased seeing him again and this strange guy destroyed the moment Ethan had scheduled perfectly in his mind. Now she was walking fast towards the outer exit as if she could not bear staying inside the dome under the same roof as the other man. He was probably not far from the mark judging by the way Evie pushed the door and almost ran outside taking in a gulp of air with an audible gasp. Ethan followed her outside setting his teeth together as he watched her tense face.

After the air-conditioned interior of the base the balmy warm air of Sirian night hit Evie like a solid wall. She needed fresh air after the encounter with Pete and it got noticeably cooler now that the sun has set but still it was very warm outside. The incessant sound of cicadas filled the air and from time to time a bird cried out somewhere in the bush. Evie swept her hair back off her forehead with relief.

The sky was already darkening and as usual at this time the air became fragrant with flowers opening for the night. It was almost as if she could smell the thickening dusk. Evie breathed in deep and looked up at the sky. She just wanted to think about anything but Josh, to become one with the surrounding sights and smells and just to forget. The first of the two Sirian moons was rising over the horizon, its huge silver face so close she would bet she could touch it if she stretched her body up enough, and the sky had this strange shade of pale green with a hint of blue that she loved so much. The color of in between the night and day. She stepped into the falling night barely aware of Ethan following her. They walked in silence not aiming in any particular direction. As she breathed in the intoxicating sweet smells of the surrounding plants and slowly relaxed she became more aware of Ethan's presence still at her side. Evie realized for the first time that somehow the linguistic barrier between them disappeared without them noticing. There was no more misunderstanding or awkwardness in their talk. At least none that mattered. But as she regained her composure she also became aware of the Sirian's apparent anger.

‘Who was the guy?’ He asked at last directly looking at Evie intently.

She was silent for so long that he thought she wasn’t going to answer him at all. His frustration went just a notch higher.

‘I…was with him…for some time, some time ago.’ She answered vaguely at last.

He noticed her cheeks colored pink again. Now it was Ethan’s turn to walk in silence as he tried to process the information.

‘He doesn’t seem the right man for you.’ He said carefully after a while.

‘Yes, I realized that quickly. Josh…He is…his temper can get quite violent as you noticed.’

Evie looked away and as her words sank in Ethan felt cold fury wash over him. The mere thought that any man could have hurt this delicate beautiful creature made him see red.

‘Did he hit you?’ He asked trying to control his voice.

‘I’d really rather not talk about it. Anyway, why should you bother?’ “How did we end up talking about such private things when we couldn't properly say hello before?” She thought with surprise.

'I only...'

‘I decided to break up with him when I realized what kind of person he was.’ Evie confessed as if she wanted to find an excuse for a bad decision made in her life. She had no idea what made her confide in this stranger, more than a stranger really- a Sirian. It was probably just the magic of the moment of the intimate atmosphere of the late evening. ‘But Josh seemed to not want to let go. He doesn’t take no for an answer, you see. Probably it was not even that he wanted me back really but he was just offended that it was me who left, not him. He pestered me constantly so I moved to this post. But he found me even here.’

Evie suddenly realized what that meant and she stopped breathless again. She swept her hand nervously over her forehead.

‘Hey.’ Ethan stopped as well looking at her with concern in his eyes. He was itching to take her hand in his and cheer her up. He fisted his hand instead. ‘Are you scared of him? Is that possible that he’d want to hurt you? If that is so I can deal with that.’ He had no idea how things worked for the Earthians inside the dome, whether Evie would be safe from Josh with all the other people surrounding them. But judging from the events he witnessed earlier that day this might not necessarily be the case and he was more than itching to sort the Earthian guy out.

Evie looked at him with terror.

‘You won’t…No, no. What do you mean? You can’t get into a fight with him. Promise that you won’t do it. Josh can get really mad and unpredictable.’

She looked at him pleadingly. Ethan felt like laughing at Evie’s suggestion that the man could be dangerous. She couldn’t know that for Ethan the Earthian man presented no threat whatsoever. He’d crush him with one hand.

‘Of course, if you still care about the guy I won’t touch him.’ He agreed quickly.

‘I couldn’t care less for anybody. But still, I don’t want you to mess with him. I must deal with my problems myself, you can’t fix my life.’

The expression in her eyes was a mixture of fear and regret that made his chest constrict painfully.

‘As you wish.’ Ethan shrugged struggling to understand her logic. ‘If you change your mind just let me know.’

‘All right, thank you.’

She looked up at him with an unexpected shaky smile and Ethan caught his breath at the sight. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

‘Now I think it’s time for me.’

Evie turned back and headed towards the base entrance. He looked after her for a while.

‘Take care!’ He called before she disappeared behind the door.

She put up her hand in farewell casting the last glance at him over her shoulder.

In her room she found Sybil lying on the bed. When she saw Evie she put her iPod away and turned towards her friend.

‘Hey, how are things?’ The girl asked.

Evie shrugged and sat on the edge of her bed.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Everyone is talking about what happened in the lab tonight. Hey, look I had no idea this guy knew you at all. Are you all right?’ Sybil raised her eyebrows looking at Evie questioningly. Just the fragments of the story she heard from people around were enough to make her worried about her new friend.

‘Fantastic.' Evie's shoulders slumped. 'Now I'm the topic for gossip for the whole base. Why does it always happen to me, why?'

'Maybe because some very hot Sirian acted as your bodyguard today?' Sybil couldn't stop a smile. 'Is there anything you want to tell me?'

'There's definitely nothing to talk about. Ethan just happened to be sent to fetch me by the commander and he luckily sorted Josh out. Now, let's hope that will keep him away.'

‘Wanna tell me more? You know, I could watch over you while Ethan is not around but I need to know what I'm fighting against, right?.' Sybil tried for a joke.

'There's not much to tell really. The guy was insanely territorial, started with checking my phone, ended with beating the shit out of me if things didn't check out in his sick mind. Never gave him any reason for it but still...' Evie's voice broke. 'I couldn't...I knew if I didn't get out of this relationship fast it would destroy me. Only he wouldn't let me, still came after me even here.'

'You should tell commander, have Josh removed from the station...'

'No, please Sybil, don't tell anyone okay? I don't want them to see me like this, like some kind of weak victim. Please.' She gave her friend a pleading look.

‘Will you run away for the rest of your life then?’ Sybil shook her head.

‘No.’ Evie sighed with resignation. ‘I am not scared of him anymore. It's not like he can do anything here with all the people around, right? I will deal with it, Sybil.’

'Sure. Just remember I am here for you okay? I will not leave you alone for one minute, do you hear me?' Sybil squeezed her shoulder and Evie smiled faintly at her. She wasn't sure how this would play up.

As she lay in bed she let her mind wander freely. Her biggest worry should be Josh right now but still her thoughts went straight to the Sirian chief. She was glad that her relations with Ethan became good. If they were to work together this was necessary, they should be able to communicate. The way he pinned Josh to the wall with one hand today, oh she could definitely work with that. Evie fell asleep with the picture of the Sirian chief under her eyelids.

Mike glanced at Evie over his shoulder for the tenth time. When Sybil asked him to have an eye on Evie when she was not around he jumped at the opportunity without asking for the reasons. Was it that Sybil heard Evie say something about him and now she was trying to play the matchmaker? His eager mind would believe anything at that point. But as the day wore out something didn't quite add up. For one thing, he'd never seen Evie spend the whole day glued to the computer even with the most exciting materials they got to analyze, and for the second she didn't seem much interested in talking to him. He's finished his own work some time ago now but he'd promised Sybil so he stayed put for some more time. Eventually, he couldn’t stop himself.

‘You should finish for today.’ He said lightly turning from his monitor. ‘You’ve been sitting here for a few hours.’

‘Look who’s saying this.’ Evie looked at him with a smile.

‘You’ll go blind from working at the screen.’

‘Oh, can you see some more of the future? Will I win a lottery? Just give me the right numbers.’ She grinned at him.

‘Haha. Very funny.’ Mike winced. ‘As you wish, I’m going.’

‘You know, you’re right.’ Evie jumped off her stool as a sudden thought crossed her mind. ‘I’m finished for today.’

They barely stepped out of the lab when a familiar silhouette loomed over Evie. She felt her muscles tense as she looked up into Josh's eyes. She just needed a second to decide whether it was a fight or flight instinct.

'Hi, baby. I was just wondering where I would find you. '

'I'm not your baby.' She gave him a cold look trying to convey as much willpower in it as possible.

'I think you are wrong sweetie. I'm not finished with you Eves. Your captain is sending me away on orders to another place but I'll be back. You just wait patiently for me kitten, all right?'

He brushed his hand over her cheek and Evie stood frozen unable to move. She wanted to tell him not to bother but before she could summon her wits Josh was gone. Mike managed to move at last.

'Are you all right Evie?' He asked with concern.

'Yes. Yes, I am.'

'That was very...weird? What was he on about? Seemed to me like you two had some history?'

'Mike...' She looked at him. With shame she felt tears start to sting her eyes. 'Please.'

'All right, I'm sorry. Shall we go?' He suddenly felt very stupid for his insensitive questions.

'Sure. I need this drink.' Evie quickly pulled herself together.

The canteen was full. Sybil was standing at the bar with Jake and Chris, a few glasses in front of them. Obviously, they have already drunk some scotch for they were all in a very merry mood.

‘Hey, Evie!’

Sybil noticed her friend and waved to her. Mike pushed his way through the crowd and Evie followed.

‘What shall I get for you?’ Jake motioned towards the bartender.

‘I see we have a drinking bout today.’ Evie smiled. ‘Whatever you are having the same for me, then. Wait, make it double.’

‘Good for you.’ Sybil drank from her glass. If she saw Evie's glassy eyes she didn't comment on it. She just swapped a meaningful glance with Mike and knew something had happened but this was not the time or place to ask about it.

‘Hey, have you heard the latest joke about the man who first came to a base in Sirius?’ Chris put in.

‘No. Go on.’ Jake prompted his friend.

Ethan stood in the doorway taking in the sight of the bar. His boys visited the base regularly to have a drink or chat with the Earthians. It was not a secret for him that many of his guys had affairs with Earthian girls at the base and he didn't comment on it or try to curb them in any way. They needed their own life after all. But he could never understand that. It made him angry that they looked up to the Earthians, tried to copy their fashions and lifestyle, look as funky as the crowd from their mother planet. The crowd that thought themselves better. He himself rarely came in for entertainment besides the business but now he decided to give it a try.

Ethan scanned the room not wanting to admit to himself what the true reason for his coming here was and there she was: standing with a group of friends near the bar. They were all laughing and as he was looking at them they washed down a shot of some drink. Evie put her glass back on the counter her eyes shining with laughter. Her hair was gathered in a loose bun at the back of her head with a few strands that have escaped now and teased her cheeks. She was wearing beige shorts and a pale orange top complimenting her long golden tanned limbs. Maybe she felt his eyes on herself because she looked in his direction across the room and their eyes met over the heads of people. She stopped laughing and put her hand up in a greeting. The gesture surprised him. He wasn’t used to being greeted like this in the base. Ethan slowly made towards the bar his feet carrying him forward without his conscious decision.

‘Hi.’ He said standing near them. A few people turned round to look at him and momentarily Ethan felt awkward.

‘Hi.’

Sybil was the first one to greet him. Her face became radiant at his sight. It was so easy to read in it.

‘Will you join us for a drink?’ She nudged Evie under her rib. ‘Will you translate?’

‘My friend is asking whether you’d like to join us for a drink.’ Evie translated with a smile.

‘I don’t know. You seem to be having fun, I’m not sure if I will fit in your group.’ Ethan answered with hesitation.

The truth was he would love to join them. It surprised him to realize that. Whatever happened with his contempt for socializing with the Earthians?

‘Oh, come on.’ Evie laughed. ‘You weren’t going to stand here and drink alone, were you?’

‘All right.’ He smiled back. Somehow Evie managed to make him feel really welcome. ‘Thank you.’ He turned and nodded to Sybil politely.

Ethan ordered a drink and stood with them trying to follow the conversation. He picked up some language coming to the base but not enough to understand quickly flowing conversation and jokes apparently flying forward and back. Evie tried to translate the conversation for him but then it was like she was missing on some and he began to feel like he was spoiling her fun. He felt out of place and even worse he was itching to find out if she'd had any more trouble from Pete but knew this was not a good time for such conversation. Trying to include the Sirian in the conversation was difficult for their group as well, he could feel it. There was not only linguistic but also a cultural barrier and Ethan himself just felt dumb. He didn’t get their jokes. Evie noticed that his mood dropped.

‘You aren’t a frequent guest in our canteen.’ She observed turning to him and focusing only on their conversation.

‘No, not really.’ Ethan admitted. ‘I’m not very sociable let’s say.’

‘But now you decided to socialize a bit.’ The girl looked at him with interest. ‘Is that going to be a major breakthrough in your lifestyle?’

‘Maybe.’ He smiled back.

It was the second time that evening and Evie realized she'd never seen him smile before. His face always had those severe lines that made him look a bit dangerous, someone you didn't want to mess with. Now as his lips curved in a smile his whole face gained boyish softness and his eyes became warm when he looked at her. She watched the change mesmerized for a few seconds.

‘Hey, Evie! Come on, let’s dance!’

Chris grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the brief intimacy of their talk. Ethan leaned over a bar counter sipping his drink and looking at Evie dancing in the middle of the room. She moved gracefully to the beat and Chris turned her around swiftly. For a moment Ethan caught her eye and he raised his glass in a toast to her. He stayed for a bit longer but Evie being claimed by Chris he couldn’t make the conversation anymore despite Sybil’s desperate efforts to keep it up. He thanked them and left putting an empty glass on the counter. The night was dark, the moons had already set behind the horizon, just a few sparkles of stars remaining to lighten his mood as he made his solitary way back to the camp.