Playing Marbles for the Big Blue

16 Linthan's Return

By Jo Dora Webster

What news does Linthan bring to Amaza and her family?

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Author's note: This book, in its entirety, is available on my Patreon. Other Limoxian Universe stories include books published by DopplerPress on Kindle which are available via the story links in the right-hand margin. All the proceeds from these DopplerPress purchases go for the support of BCTS and none goes to me. And now, on with this story!

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16 Linthan's Return

The morning sun cast long shadows across the Rocky Mountain foothills as I guided our minivan through the winding mountain roads. In the passenger seat, Greg checked his watch for the third time in ten minutes, his tension palpable. Through our telepathic link, Sela provided a steady stream of reassurance while monitoring our surroundings for any signs of surveillance.

Celeste, I'm detecting familiar energy signatures approximately two kilometers ahead, Sela communicated silently. Ceti Alphan in origin. It appears Linthan has arrived as scheduled.

I squeezed Greg's hand briefly. "He's here," I said aloud, knowing that Greg would assume I was referring to intelligence from the spyband rather than Sela's enhanced capabilities.

The designated meeting spot was a scenic overlook popular with tourists, providing perfect cover for what would appear to be a casual family outing. Gail and Sally chatted excitedly in the back seat about the "hiking trip" we'd promised them, unaware that this meeting could determine the safety of every Limoxian refugee on Earth.

As we pulled into the parking area, I spotted him immediately—Linthan Athos, though he appeared to human eyes as an unremarkable middle-aged hiker examining a trail map. Only through Sela's enhanced perception could I see his true Ceti Alphan form, tall and ethereal with the characteristic luminescent skin that marked his people.

"Girls, why don't you explore the visitor center while your father and I check out the trail conditions?" I suggested, maintaining our cover story.

Be cautious, Sela warned as the girls bounded toward the small building. I'm detecting additional energy signatures—at least three other Limoxian refugees in the vicinity. This may be more than a simple intelligence briefing.

Linthan approached us with the casual gait of a fellow tourist, but his eyes held the weight of urgent news. "Beautiful morning for a hike," he said, the coded greeting we'd arranged.

"Perfect conditions," Greg replied, completing the authentication sequence.

Without another word, Linthan led us down a lesser-used trail that wound behind a cluster of large boulders, providing natural concealment from the parking area. Once we were out of sight, his human disguise shimmered slightly as he allowed his true appearance to show through—a sign of extreme stress among his people.

"The situation has deteriorated significantly since our last contact," Linthan began without preamble. "Captain Makelan has resurfaced, and his activities are far more extensive than we initially believed."

My heart sank, though not for the reasons Greg might expect. Through Sela's connection, I could feel her immediately begin cross-referencing all available data on Makelan's known capabilities and resources. But I had my own memories of the man—memories of his fists, his rage, and the night he left me for dead.

"How extensive?" Greg asked, his voice tight with concern.

"He's been operating on Earth since the 1970s, building a network of hybrid technology and human assets. More critically, he's discovered the existence of your family." Linthan's expression grew grave. "He believes Celeste is actually Natalie—his former wife whom he brutalized and abandoned."

This explains the increased surveillance we've detected, Sela observed silently. Makelan's temporal displacement has given him unprecedented time to establish resources and intelligence networks. But Celeste, your biometric readings indicate extreme stress. Are you experiencing recovered memories?

I forced myself to remain calm, though inside I felt the familiar terror that Makelan's name had always evoked. The spyband had suppressed those memories, but Linthan's words were bringing fragments back—the sound of his voice when he was angry, the way he would corner me, the final beating that had left me broken and bleeding.

"There's more," Linthan continued. "The Helmagians have also become aware of your location. Their intelligence suggests they're planning to use Gail and Sally as leverage against the Alvian government—revenge for past incidents involving their leadership's family members."

The blood drained from Greg's face. "How long do we have?"

"Days, possibly hours. Both factions are moving to position assets for simultaneous operations." Linthan reached into his hiking pack and withdrew what appeared to be an ordinary water bottle, but I could sense the advanced technology concealed within. "This contains updated security protocols and emergency evacuation procedures for all known Limoxian refugees in the region."

Through Sela's enhanced scanning, I detected the sophisticated data storage device hidden within the bottle's structure. The information it contained would be crucial for coordinating the safety of dozens of stranded beings.

"The underground network has identified forty-seven confirmed Limoxian refugees across North America," Linthan explained. "Representatives from Akania, Myukia, and Tilyrna have already begun implementing the Kelvan Protocol—a systematic approach to safeguarding our people until rescue operations can be mounted."

The Kelvan Protocol, Sela noted privately. Named after the maintenance worker whose identity was compromised during the Quantum Dancer theft. It appears the refugee network has developed comprehensive contingency plans.

"What about the other families we've worked with?" I asked, thinking of Glivney and the Ceti Alphan-Silurian community that had become our closest allies.

"They're implementing enhanced shielding procedures as we speak. However, the increased magical activity in Earth's atmosphere has made concealment more challenging. The very energies that allow us to maintain our disguises are also making us more detectable to those who know what to look for."

A chill ran down my spine as I realized the implications. Our growing magical capabilities, particularly Sela's evolution and my own emerging powers, might be inadvertently exposing the entire refugee community.

"There's something else," Linthan said, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Makelan has been spreading word through his networks that he's hunting for his 'runaway wife.' He's convinced you survived his final assault and that Greg somehow helped you disappear."

Celeste, your stress indicators are approaching dangerous levels, Sela warned privately. I'm detecting fragments of suppressed memories surfacing. Should I reinforce the mental barriers?

I shook my head almost imperceptibly. If Makelan was coming for me, I needed to remember what he was capable of. The spyband had protected me from the trauma, but it had also left me vulnerable to being unprepared for his methods.

"We've detected transmissions suggesting that rescue operations may finally be possible," Linthan continued. "The Van Allen radiation belt interference that has trapped us here appears to have a solution."

Analyzing transmission patterns, Sela reported. I'm detecting quantum-entangled communications that bypass traditional electromagnetic interference. If accurate, this could represent a breakthrough in interstellar rescue capabilities.

Greg's expression shifted from despair to cautious hope. "How soon?"

"Unknown. The transmissions are heavily encrypted and intermittent. What we do know is that someone with significant resources is monitoring our situation and may be preparing intervention."

The sound of approaching voices caused all three of us to tense. Through Sela's perception, I identified the newcomers as a family of human tourists, completely unaware of the momentous conversation taking place just out of their sight.

"We need to return to the girls," I said, though every instinct urged me to continue gathering intelligence.

Linthan nodded, his disguise reasserting itself as he prepared to resume his role as a casual hiker. "Implement the protocols immediately. Trust no one outside your established network, and be prepared for rapid evacuation at any moment. And Celeste—" he paused, using my assumed name deliberately, "—Makelan remembers you as weak, as someone he could break. That may be our advantage. He doesn't know what you've become."

As we made our way back toward the visitor center, I caught sight of Gail and Sally examining a display about local wildlife, their innocent enthusiasm a stark contrast to the dangers closing in around us. Through our bond, Sela began formulating defensive strategies while simultaneously analyzing the intelligence Linthan had provided.

Celeste, Sela communicated as we approached the girls, I'm detecting anomalous energy readings from the visitor center. Someone has been monitoring our meeting.

My blood ran cold as I realized that despite all our precautions, our enemies might already be one step ahead. But now I knew which enemy we were truly facing. Makelan wasn't just hunting a random Alvian family—he was hunting his wife, the woman he'd tried to kill, the woman who had somehow escaped his final rage.

The game of cat and mouse that had defined our existence on Earth was about to become far more personal and deadly than Greg could possibly imagine.

"Ready for that hike?" I called out to the girls, forcing cheerfulness into my voice while every nerve screamed danger and every recovered memory whispered of the violence that was coming for us.

As we gathered our family and prepared to leave, I caught Linthan's eye one final time. His slight nod confirmed what I already knew—the peaceful phase of our exile was over. The real battle for survival was about to begin, and this time, it wasn't just about protecting refugees or maintaining cover identities.

This time, it was about facing the monster from my past who had never stopped hunting me.