Page 47 of Eclipse Bound
Rowan clutched the energy stone tighter, whispering into it, "Find us. Please feel me and find us."
Chapter
Thirteen
Consciousness returned to Eclipse in fragments. They were disconnected sensations and impressions rather than coherent thoughts. First came awareness of containment, a sense of being compressed into a space too small for his natural form. Then, pain radiated through what remained of his energy field. Finally, he was conscious of his surroundings, although still without visual perception.
He attempted to expand his twilight essence to reestablish his form, but encountered resistance. There was a pulsing barrier of energy that pushed back against his efforts, maintaining his compression.
An energy-dampening field. Sophisticated. Far beyond what Earth technology should be capable of generating.
What was this trip Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides had taken them on?
Eclipse focused inward, assessing his condition. Milano's weapons had severely fragmented his essence, and portions of his energy pattern were disrupted. What remained felt depleted, barely sufficient to maintain consciousness, let alone attempt escape.
How long had he been contained? Without access to external stimuli, time was impossible to measure.
Rowan. Had she escaped? Was she safe?
The thought of her galvanized what remained of his strength. Eclipse pushed against the containment field again, searching for any weakness, any fluctuation he might exploit. The barrier flared in response, sending waves of disruption through his essence that forced him to retreat.
A mechanical sound penetrated his awareness, followed by a door opening and footsteps approaching.
"Containment field holding at eighty-seven percent capacity," a clinical voice stated. "Subject shows increased activity when probed but remains securely confined."
"Remarkable," another voice responded, this one familiar. James Petersen. "The energy signature is unlike anything we've recorded before. Neither purely light-based like Subject Solar nor shadow-based like the unidentified third entity."
"Twilight," a third voice corrected, deeper and more authoritative than the others. "We're designating this one Eclipse. That was the name we heard used by the woman. The readings suggest it exists in a state between energy and matter, a form of twilight manifestation."
Eclipse struggled to gather his scattered essence, trying desperately to form something resembling eyes. The effort was agony, but he managed to create just enough awareness to make out three blurry human shapes standing in front of the glowing cylinder that imprisoned him. His prison. His cage.
"Can it understand us?" the authoritative voice asked.
"Unknown," Petersen replied. "But the energy pattern shows responsiveness to auditory stimuli. There's intelligence there, certainly."
The authoritative figure stepped closer to the containment field. Eclipse could see him more clearly. He was an older human male with silver hair and a bearing that suggested command.
"I am Director Malcolm Vega of Milano Enterprises Special Projects Division," he stated, addressing Eclipse directly. "We know what you are. We know there are more of you. If you cooperate, your treatment will improve."
Eclipse remained silent, conserving his strength. Even if he could form words, revealing his communication abilities would provide them with valuable information.
"Still playing inert?" Vega smiled thinly. "No matter. The energy dampeners will keep you contained while we analyze your composition. Your companions will join you soon enough."
Companions. They hadn't captured the others yet. Relief surged through him, causing a momentary flare in his energy pattern that registered on the monitors surrounding his containment unit.
"Interesting response," the technician noted. "Elevated energy output when companions are mentioned."
"Make a note," Vega ordered. "We'll exploit that emotional connection later if necessary."
Vega turned to leave, then paused. "Increase the containment field to ninety-five percent capacity. I don't want any surprises from this one. The last alien who thought it could outsmart us provided valuable technology, but the cost was substantial."
The technician adjusted controls on a panel, and Eclipse felt the compression intensify. His consciousness began to fragment again under the increased pressure.
"Sir," Petersen hesitated, "what about the human woman? She was clearly involved with these entities."
"Find her," Vega replied. "She might be useful in securing cooperation from our guest here. But our priority is to contain the other two energy beings. Especially the solar one. His power signature could revolutionize our energy technology. Think of the money we'd save if we hooked him up to a power grid."
The three men exited the laboratory, leaving Eclipse alone in his cylindrical prison. As the door sealed shut, the lights dimmed to a low blue glow that pulsed in rhythm with the containment field. Eclipse allowed what remained of his consciousness to drift, conserving strength while assessing his condition.
