The Soul Monger

by Matilda Scotney

  “I see it,” Xavier acknowledged the man with a raise of his hand, at which the man collected his belongings and left in haste. Xavier pulled an amused face. “We embarrassed him.”

  Chloe chuckled, “He stared at us first.”

  “Most of them have it,” Helen tactlessly pointed out several of the patrons.

  “Chloe?”

  Chloe nodded at Laurel’s enquiry. “Yes, Laurel, I see it.”

  “Eli?”

  “Not really. Something…but no,” he shook his head. “Not really.”

  “Harry mentioned intent,” Laurel said. “I wonder if that manifests itself differently to what we’re seeing in these people. We need something more than just a glow that hangs around a half-soul’s neck.”

  “Maybe if their intentions are hostile, it changes colour,” Chloe checked out her theory as crewmembers passed by. “I guess these people are on our side, so they look the same.”

  “We won’t get the opportunity until we stand face to face with the enemy.”

  “Xavier’s probably right,” Eli responded. “What do you get from these people, Xavier?”

  “Good people, Eli,” he reassured him without hesitation. “For the most part, open and sincere. And curious.”

  The day after their revelation in the dining room, Laurel was first to return from a piloting session. As she waited in the landing bay for the others, an instructor mentioned to Laurel how well she was picking up the language. That day, Laurel piloted the axispod alone, only communicating via the interface with Marta and the others. She also spoke to a few trainers during the morning gym session. Every word had been in English, not so refined where the instructors were concerned, but with the support of the Fobel node nestled behind her ear, Laurel found it easy enough to understand their commands.

  Helen ran from her axispod, grabbed Laurel, and spun her around; the gym sessions were working well for Helen. She’d become surprisingly strong for such a small woman.

  “Wow, Laurel, I love it!”

  “We might not love the real thing, Helen.”

  Helen pulled a face. “Don’t be such a wet fish! Maybe we will. Maybe we’re all warriors!” Helen bounced about making boxing and swordplay moves.

  “We’ll see. Helen, I need to ask you something. What language am I speaking?”

  Helen stopped her antics and frowned. “Umm, English? Well, your accent isn’t English, nor American for that matter, not like it was. Sometimes you and Marta use funny words, but I can understand you. Hang on. Marta?”

  Marta jogged over, radiating energy. “I looooove flying!” she enthused.

  “Did you ever pilot before?” Laurel asked.

  “Hang gliding a couple of times; total silence and total peace. I adored it, but of course, I couldn’t stay up forever!”

  “See?” Helen said to Laurel.

  Marta stopped enthusing. “What?”

  “Laurel asked what language she was speaking,” Helen explained. “I spotted it earlier; it might be the same for me. Is it?”

  Laurel shook her head. “You sound the same as always, Helen—I think, but Marta’s speech has changed. I understood what she said, but she didn’t always use English, and it wasn’t German either. I know some German.”

  “Am I speaking their language?” Marta spoke slowly, trying to tune in to her voice.

  Laurel nodded. “I think you are.”

  “I don’t know how I mastered it. That Fobel node thing must have done something.”

  “It must have.” This development excited Laurel. Languages were a passion of hers. The others had just arrived back, and she called them over. “Let’s see what happens when we speak to them.”

  Xavier’s speech showed the most marked change. Eli and Chloe’s use of syntax was undoubtedly transiting from English, but their accents remained.

  “We need a native speaker to confirm what we’re saying,” Xavier pointed across to where Asde had just entered the landing bay to take Chloe with him for the evening.

  “Asde,” Chloe asked him, “are we speaking Seera?”

  Asde nodded, approving.

  “Okay,” Xavier said with a grin, as though it were a game. “Say something in Seera, and I’ll see if I can translate to English.”

  Asde considered for a moment before letting forth a lengthy sentence. Xavier understood, but he let Laurel try. She deliberated over the sounds before trying to translate.

  “Did you say you were taking Chloe to look at the sky?”

  “Almost,” Asde laughed. “I said, I’m taking Chloe to the observation deck. You were nearly right.”

  They stared at him, and he looked at each of them in confusion. “Did I say something I shouldn’t?”

  “No, Asde,” Chloe replied, linking arms with him. “It’s just that you didn’t speak in broken English, as you have up to now. Every word you said was clear.”

  “I didn’t answer in English,” he said with a grin. “I answered in Seera.”

  That was a turn up for the books. That’s why Laurel understood the trainers. They weren’t speaking English, it was just her understanding that had shifted.

  “So, our language is changing?”

  “Yes, Xavier,” Asde replied. “You’re only hearing the subtle variations in each other’s speech right now, but it will change day by day. You think in your language to make sense of the words, but over the next few weeks, that will change as you absorb meaning, syntax, inflection and structure. You are like babies, imitating sounds, applying meaning, including getting it wrong sometimes. It will come to you. Seera is less complicated than English. Look, you have no trouble understanding me!”

  It was like speaking to a different person. In his language, Asde was articulate, clear and self-assured. Already immensely likeable, they now found they could properly connect with him. Except for Helen.

  “I’m the only one lagging behind. I didn’t understand much of what you said.”

  “You’re not lagging behind, Helen, the others only realised it today,” Asde assured her. “I will speak to all of you only in Seera from now on. Chloe? Only Seera all night, okay?”

  Back at their apartment, Helen referred to Asde’s comment, “Did he say, ‘all night’?” she said, “I hope brushing up on Seera is the only thing he plans on doing to her.”

  “Chloe’s not considered a child here, Helen,” Laurel replied, “so we can’t treat her like one either. She’s one of us; her age is irrelevant, besides, he’s pretty young too, I think they’re just friends.”

  “Laurel’s right,” Marta agreed. “She can’t be considered a child in some areas and a soldier in others. And Asde seems like a decent person.”

  “I’m just looking out for her,” Helen raised her hands in defence. “She’s lost her entire family, been snatched from everything she knew and transplanted into a war.”

  “All the more reason to let her live a little,” Eli was lying on his bed, wearing only a singlet and pants.

  Laurel left the others chatting and sat beside him. “It’s nice to see you so much more relaxed around us, Eli.”

  He grinned. “I’m not an idiot, Laurel. My brother told me to take any chance to better myself. I’m just heeding his advice.”

  “What happened to your brother?”

  Eli shrugged slowly, as if he’d come to terms with the loss, but the presence of his grief spindle suggested to Laurel that the League doctors knew otherwise. That, and the softening of his voice.

  “He was a good person. My parents died when I was small, Jacob was ten years older and looked after me. We lived by a railway track, and Jacob brought other kids without parents to live with us. The police, the authorities kept moving us on, accusing us of crimes, but I didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did those other kids. Jacob taught us all reading and writing and sums; he’d had schooling when our parents were alive.”

  “Were your parents killed?”

  Eli shrugged again. “I don’t know, by the time I got to an
age to wonder, Jacob was dead, and there was no-one left to ask.”

  “Did the police shoot him?”

  Eli shook his head. “Jacob always brought us food; we didn’t know where he got the money for it. I found out he was stealing it, so I started stealing too. Only from stores, only food, we never hurt anybody. But then Jacob suddenly had lots of money, and he told us we mustn’t steal no more. One day, I followed him and hid. He was speaking to two men, and they were giving him small parcels; they both spoke in Afrikaans, but I could understand them quite well,” Eli paused, remembering and the vision of his brothers last moments came strongly to Laurel’s mind.

  “Jacob caught sight of me,” Eli blinked once slowly before continuing, “I think it was my reflection in a window, but one of the men saw me too. He went to raise his gun, but Jacob was so quick, he stopped him, and the bullet went right through Jacob. It lodged in the wall above my head. I ran. I was shocked, but I still ran.”

  “I’m so sorry, Eli. What a terrible thing to happen.”

  “I’m sorry too, Laurel. But the life we were living? Perhaps it was a mercy. I spent the next few years in and out of detention. My life had no meaning; I was just someone for the police to chase.”

  The door alert sounded. It was Harry.

  “Good evening,” he acknowledged each of them in turn. “You look ‘buggered’, ” he said, grinning at Helen who gave an impish grin in reply. How she loved to confound with Australianisms. She hoped Seera would prove to be as accommodating.

  “Our last few days have been highly productive,” Xavier pulled out a chair, inviting Harry to sit.

  “In two days, we leave for the asteroid,” Harry told them. “This ship was diverted from consular business but now it needs to get back on course. The base on the asteroid is closer to the enemy’s exit portals in the Miran Forin nebula. At this stage, no enemy ships or probes have approached the asteroid field, nor has there been any evidence we’ve been detected. We should be safe.”

  “What if we run into them?”

  “Not likely, Laurel, we take no chances near the nebula. Your hand to hand combat training begins when we reach the base on the asteroid.”

  Helen pointed out the window where the nebula dominated the view. “How much closer can we get?”

  “It’ll take us many hours to reach the base; we’ll be taking the axispods.” Harry stood and turned to Laurel. “Laurel, will you join me?”

  Laurel glanced at the others. Why alone? What could it be about? Only one way to find out. “Oh, sure, of course.”

  Laurel felt, rather than saw Helen grin at Marta as the door folded behind them.

  Chapter 15

  “Where are we going?” Laurel asked Harry as the door closed on Helen and Marta’s smirking faces.

  “Several senior members of the League have arrived. They’re keen to meet you. We had no idea when you would be arriving from the Transcender, so when you did, it was during the annual Planetary Leaders conference. It would have been an unthinkable breach of protocol for the Canon not to have greeted you as such distinguished guests, so he excused himself. Many of those leaders have joined the consular ship since to finish their business, and now the Congressmen have arrived.”

  “Why only me?”

  Harry looked thoughtful. “Canon Akkuh’s orders.”

  “I would have thought he would prefer Xavier. His abilities are far more advanced than mine, I still have doubts that they’re not much more than you putting ideas in my head.”

  “I can assure we’re not. The others see you as a spokesman. Perhaps that’s what the Canon had in mind.”

  Laurel had to accept it, even though to her, this was something that should have included all the whole souls.

  The Congress members were assembled on an observation deck, elegantly furnished with comfortable chairs, tables and rugs. There was no sign of Chloe and Asde, so she assumed this was an observation deck designed for higher officials. Laurel was mindful not to gaze at the nebula outside the viewport.

  The three Congressmen, richly robed and in all ways as regal-looking as Canon Akkuh, greeted her warmly in Seera. One of the men, Congressman Sullas, had the similar pale colouring of Canon Akkuh, signifying according to Harry, their Mentelci origins. The second, Congressman Ips was as dark-skinned as Eli and at least seven feet tall. The woman, Congressman Bela, was slender, dark-haired and olive skinned. The council members asked polite, non-intrusive questions about Laurel herself, about the other whole souls and her understanding of the situation. Canon Akkuh was also present, and spoke with her, much easier to understand when conversing in his native Seera.

  Canon Akkuh invited them all to sit and allowed the Congressman to dominate the proceedings. Refreshments were brought, and the order of the service gave Laurel a clue as to rank, with the Canon served first, Congressman Bela next, Congressman Ips, Congressman Sullas, Harry and then Laurel. She took the slender, metallic tube offered, half-filled with a syrupy liquid.

  Harry leaned across and whispered. “It’s Cassit. They make it from a nut that grows on Congressman Bela’s homeworld; it’s very rare.”

  Congressman Bela flicked the metal tube, her elegantly manicured nails eliciting a bright ringing sound. She looked up with a smile as the others followed suit, then encouraged Laurel to do the same. Laurel guessed this was like saying “cheers”, so she mentioned the Earth custom of clinking glasses. It delighted her to find that this was indeed a salute.

  “We look forward to meeting with your colleagues,” Congressman Bela said with an accent that fitted so perfectly with her exotic looks. “We cannot express our gratitude for your presence here. I hope that you will approach Commander Harry, His Excellency Canon Akkuh or myself if any need arises; now or in the future. The League places great confidence in Commander Harry and his ability to lead us to victory.”

  Laurel smiled and inclined her head in thanks.

  “Now, Commander,” Canon Akkuh said. “Please tell the Congressmen your plans for our honoured new League members.”

  Harry dipped his head in deference. “Excellency. Members of Congress. In summary; Eli, the younger male, has remarkable reflexes. We’ve never encountered this level of ability in anyone. Chloe is the youngest, just out of childhood, but her skills are also superior,” he looked across at Canon Akkuh. “With your permission, I will assign them both to fleet command.”

  Canon Akkuh agreed with a simple acquiescing nod.

  Congressman Bela smiled at Harry’s praise for the two youngest whole souls. “And we can spare such gems for aerial battle?”

  “I believe, Congressman,” Harry said, “that out of the six, those two will be highly effective wherever we assign them. However,” he continued without apology for pointing out the other whole souls’ inadequacies, “we have no-one in the fleet to match their abilities as combat pilots.”

  “And you have learned this so soon? We are indeed fortunate. And what of our other esteemed friends?” Congressman Bela smiled at Laurel.

  “Xavier is to remain on the Caval asteroid, Congressman,” Harry continued. “His empathic and telepathic skills are ahead of the others, but he is too old to fight, and I believe he is better employed close to the nebula. Laurel, Helen and Marta are ground forces. Laurel and Marta are mentally and physically suited to intelligence and possibly combat; that is yet to be tested. Helen…” Harry looked as though he couldn’t decide how to describe Helen. “Helen is still gaining confidence.” He looked over at Laurel. “Laurel, we have stealth armour, taken from the enemy’s dead. It’s limited but functional. If the three of you, in stealth, can identify the degree of infiltration in a prefecture or village, or even a city, we can focus our assault on those sectors. We anticipate you will be able to gain intelligence from the minds of the invaders. At present, it’s guesswork.”

  “We will help in any way, Harry,” Laurel answered, “but shouldn’t you be telling everyone this? Not just me?”

  Laurel didn’t miss Harry’s
glance towards Canon Akkuh, whose expression remained passive as he waited for Harry to continue, but Congressman Bela held up a hand to stop Harry from formulating a reply. She smiled.

  “What is it you see, Laurel? That you find so familiar?” she said after a moment, her voice mesmerisingly warm. “I see a glance to the nebula accompanies each of your replies.”

  “I—I,” the question came from left field, how could the Congressman know what Laurel felt? But now, Laurel felt she had permission to turn her gaze to the viewport. “I see…it sounds…silly,” she ran her hand through her fuzzy hair, then used her hands in gestures to try and convey her feelings, “I see cohesion, colour,” then she placed a hand on her heart and breathed in as if inhaling the beauty she saw, “It’s exquisite, like rare perfume…”

  “Ah, a poet?” Congressman Bela grinned as Laurel’s voice trailed off, lost for words. “You see beauty, where we see only blue, shades of red, but mainly an eternal cloud, ribbons, strands, magnificent, terrifying, but not what you see,” the Congressman checked with her colleagues who all dipped their heads in agreement.

  Laurel returned her gaze towards the room. “We all see it, Congressman, all the whole souls.”

  “Marta sees it, perhaps,” Harry raised an eyebrow. “But Chloe, Helen and Eli? Only through you. Your senses directly influence the others. They’re attuning to you. As one of your empathic pathways opens, theirs follow. You are the natural leader, and I need you to be mindful that on a battlefield, even empaths may need a leader. And it can’t be one of us.”

  Laurel thought back to that day in the dining room when she first noticed the lucency below the crewman’s throat; the others saw it directly after she did. She needed only to point it out. She now saw it on all the Congressmen. On the Canon. On Harry.