Project Starfighter

Read Project Starfighter for Free Online

Book: Read Project Starfighter for Free Online
Authors: Stephen J Sweeney
equally formally, were gathered around the tables, either
chatting casually to one another and laughing lightly, or watching
others dance. Ursula saw that those nearest to her were eyeing her
closely, as though waiting to see how she would respond to the man’s
request. He was still offering his hand, seemingly willing to wait
forever for Ursula to accept it. Not wishing to appear rude, she did
so, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, where, joining
other couples, they began a slow foxtrot.
    Ursula wasn’t much of a dancer,
knowing only a few steps, and so allowed the mysterious man to lead,
doing her best to avoid treading on his feet. How had she come to be
here? Was she dreaming? She must be, although it didn’t feel like a
dream. The man’s touch, the warm air on her skin, and her
perception and appreciation of where she was told her that this was
real.
    “Are you enjoying the evening so
far, my dear?” the man asked.
    “I ... am,” Ursula replied.
“Sorry, but who are you?” she then asked.
    The man chuckled. “I’m your host
for the evening, Ms Lexx. My name is Lance. Lance Skillman.”
    Ursula said nothing, trying to place
the name. It was totally unfamiliar.
    “There’s no need to be
embarrassed,” Skillman said. “I hold these events so often and
invite so many people that it can be a wonder to many who I am and
what I do. I sometimes prefer to melt into the background and just
allow my guests to enjoy themselves. It’s a wonderful thing to
throw a party and see people having fun, without the need to be the
focal point of the celebrations, wouldn’t you agree?”
    “Yes,” Ursula said absently. She
remained unsure of where she was and how she had come to be here. She
looked again to the faces in the room, searching for any that she
might recognise. Not even her sister was here. She would be simple to
spot, since she looked just like Ursula herself.
    “A shame your sister could not
join us,” Skillman said, as though reading her mind. “Where might
she be tonight?”
    Don’t answer that!
    The thought raced through Ursula’s
mind, hitting her hard and fast, almost as if someone else had
reacted and clamped a hand over her mouth, to stop her from speaking.
    Just say you don’t know! another thought came.
    “I ... don’t know,” Ursula
said, still looking around the gathering of people. So many eyes on
her.
    “Oh, really? I would have thought
the pair of you would be inseparable,” Skillman said.
    Don’t even think about
where she is!
    Ursula agreed silently with the
suggestion, though she didn’t know why. She only knew that the
thoughts were all being delivered with the same urgency. She remained
mute for the time being, allowing Skillman to lead her, letting her
feet move automatically, allowing them to place themselves wherever
they thought best.
    She scanned the room. Black and
white balloons hung in the air, some anchored at tables, some on the
backs of chairs. She made eye contact with a man who was sitting on
his own, sipping a glass of red wine. He had slicked back, jet-black
hair, and was sporting a goatee-style beard, tapered into a point.
    “Kline Kethlan,” Skillman
informed her, as he saw her eyes lingering on the man.
    “Military forces,” Ursula said
automatically. “The commander of the Corporation’s navy.” How
and why did she know that? She looked back at Skillman, noticing that
the man’s smile had slipped a little. It returned momentarily,
though she was convinced that he was now forcing it. The band
continued to play. They danced on.
    Ursula surveyed the other occupants
of the ballroom. She had the strong impression that many of those
here were rich and powerful, perhaps even famous. But other than
Kethlan, she didn’t recognise any of them.
    She then saw another man watching
her closely. Something about him seemed off, however, and even as she
looked away from him, his face seemed to change. One moment, it was
normal, round, the hair on his head

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