Page 49 of Eclipse Bound
"Director Vega, the subject has been successfully transferred to the primary research facility," a voice reported. "Initial molecular mapping is complete."
"Excellent." Vega's voice was unmistakable. "And the progress on locating the others?"
"Still negative, sir. The desert terrain makes tracking difficult, especially with their ability to mask energy signatures. But we've established checkpoints on all major roads leaving Duskrock."
"Unacceptable. I want the search parameters expanded. Bring in the orbital scanner if necessary."
"Sir, that would require authorization from?—"
"I'll handle the authorization. Those entities represent the most significant scientific discovery since our first contact event. I will not lose them due to bureaucratic timidity."
The voices faded as Eclipse's awareness dimmed again. But a new thought had formed. They hadn't found the others yet. His sacrifice had bought them time. Perhaps they had reached safety. Maybe they had even gone home.
Home.
Rowan.
More time passed in the void. Eclipse felt his twilight essence slowly begin to regenerate, as the natural processes of his physiology adapted to work within the constraints of the containment field. It wasn't enough to escape, not nearly enough to challenge the sophisticated technology surrounding him, but it was something.
With this minimal regeneration came greater awareness of his surroundings. Eclipse could now perceive that he was contained within a specialized chamber filled with various analytical devices. He was not the only specimen. Other containment fields housed objects of alien origin, though none appeared to contain living entities.
During one testing session, Eclipse heard something that triggered a surge of fear.
"Sir, we've detected an unusual energy fluctuation in the desert sector, approximately twenty miles northwest of the original contact site."
"Show me," Vega demanded.
A holographic display flickered to life, showing a topographical map with a pulsing indicator.
"It's faint, sir. Intermittent. But the signature bears similarities to our captured subject."
"Twilight energy?" Vega leaned closer to the display.
"Not exactly. It's like an echo, or a resonance pattern. Almost as if something is responding to our subject here. I think they may be talking to each other."
Eclipse felt a jolt of recognition. His energy stone. It had to be. If Rowan had it, if she was trying to use it... That meant she got his message.
"Deploy a reconnaissance team immediately," Vega ordered. "Minimal personnel, maximum stealth. I want confirmation before we commit resources."
"Yes, sir. And the subject?"
Vega turned toward Eclipse's containment field. Though Eclipse couldn't see his expression clearly, he sensed the human's assessment.
"Prepare it for transport to Sector 7. If this is what I think it is, we may need our guest as leverage."
Eclipse forced himself to remain passive, to show no reaction that might register on their instruments. Inside, however, his essence surged with renewed purpose. If Milano was detecting his energy stone, it meant Rowan not only had it but was attempting to use it. Perhaps even trying to find him.
It had to be her. Solar and Lunar would never try to find him that way.
For the first time since his capture, Eclipse allowed himself to experience something dangerous: hope.
But also, still fear.
Rowan could be in danger.
As technicians prepared to move his containment unit, Eclipse focused all his awareness on gathering his strength. Milano believed him to be incapacitated, barely conscious. Let them maintain that belief. Let them underestimate what remained of his abilities.
They had studied his energy patterns, but they didn't understand what motivated them. They didn't comprehend the power of the connection he shared with Rowan, a quantum entanglement that transcended physical distance.
