Safe Haven - Genre: Science Fiction

Safe Haven is about a woman who is desperately trying to protect the life of her unborn child, as she is on the run from Separatists, people who seek to harm her after she illegally marries a genetically engineered man.

Excerpt:

Jennifer was led into the chambers before the council and cast to the floor. She trembled, knowing only moments more, she was going to die. Her mind would be ripped apart, and she would scream in pain just as her colleagues did before her. The mere thought made bile rise in her throat, but she swallowed, determined she wouldn't show any weakness.

"We are the praetors of Tadara," the feminine voice boomed, echoes bouncing off the walls. "I am Madame Blair. For what purpose have you come here?"

Jennifer swallowed again, her mouth dry. "To... to negotiate."

"Negotiate?"

The laugh that followed riled Jennifer, but she kept her mouth shut.

"You expect us to believe that? You naive fool. We will discover the true reason for your visit."

Jennifer felt a prickling sensation in her mind, a sensation she had only read about, never felt until now. By instinct, she raised her mental shield, preventing any of them from entering her mind. Even if they broke her down eventually, she could take comfort in making it as difficult as possible for them.

"A shielded one?"

Her head still bowed, Jennifer smiled. She was an unexpected resistance. But her small triumph became overshadowed as the prickling became more intense.

Then more minds joined Blair and soon Jennifer started panting as it crescendoed to a full sized gale force. Her shield was holding! But she was getting weaker. She pressed her hands against her head. "Stop! Stop! Please, stop!"

But they didn't stop.

She was losing. Soon they would all overwhelm her. Soon they would discover she knew nothing. And soon they would end her life for no other reason than they could.

Then the doors behind her banged open. A new voice rang in the council chambers. "Stop!"

And the gale force ceased.

Jennifer dropped her arms and turned to see what was going on.

A Jenar man entered the chambers. He wasn't a guard. He couldn't be a noble. Yet these 'praetors' had obeyed him.

"Why are you here, Ambassador Raine?" Blair demanded.

"According to the records, her ship was given permission to land here by our government for the purpose of negotiation. The rules of war forbid imprisoning, interrogating, or torturing delegates of the opposing party. As the highest ranking ambassador in the capital city, I demand that you release her into my custody."

"Unacceptable!"

"Is this true?" For the first time, another praetor had spoken.

"She's a prisoner of war."

"She's the last surviving ambassador of the Peluri delegation," Ambassador Raine replied. "Since you've killed all the others." There was a hint of anger in his voice.

"Is this so, Madame Blair?" the second praetor asked.

"I... perhaps... we could've made a mistake... but I firmly believe that even if what the ambassador says is true, it was merely a guise to gain access to the planet for a purpose we have yet to discover." She motioned to a servant who left the room.

"So you wish to ascertain if she's telling the truth then?" Raine replied. "Your method obviously hasn't worked."

"And you think you can do what the entire council combined can't?"

Raine didn't answer. He slowly walked past Jennifer until he stood between her and council, and then he bent down to Jennifer's eye level. For the first time, he stared directly at her.

She wanted to look away, but for some reason, she couldn't.

"Let me in. I promise I won't hurt you."

Jennifer shook her head.

His voice dropped to a whisper. "I need to confirm you're telling the truth. Then I'll have the authority to get you released. You will not be harmed."

Jennifer looked past him to the council, then back at him.

"If you don't, the council will break you down."

What should she do? If the council succeeded, they would kill her. But would this man do any different? All of it hinged on trusting the word of a Jenar. Could she trust him? He seemed sincere.

She had to take the chance. She took a deep breath... and dropped the shield. Jennifer felt him approach. Cautiously, carefully, soothingly. He dove into her mind, probing her recent memories. He then withdrew, leaving her unharmed, as he promised.

She reerrected her shield. The next few seconds would determine her fate.

"She came here for the purpose of negotiating with us."

The servant returned. "There are no records their ship was given permission to land, Madame Blair."

"That's a lie!" Jennifer yelled.

Blair ignored her and addressed the servant. "Thank you, you may go. Ambassador, I cannot release her into your custody. She is an enemy and therefore our prisoner. Guards take her back to her cell."

As the guards took her away, she heard one last protest from Raine. "Madame Blair, it shouldn't make any difference if you release her into my custody--"

"Mr. Raine, in case you've forgotten, you've resigned from the military. She's under our jurisdiction now, not yours."

And the doors slammed shut behind Jennifer.