by J. N. Chaney
Beside me, Tara let out a low whistle. The false wall didn’t lead to some grimy tunnel or dank cavern. It was bright. And white, giving the hallway a clinical feeling.
Riva stepped inside and looked over her shoulder at us. “Please do not be afraid. I have been here before.”
I wasn’t afraid, but I was slightly confused. Where were the guards AMI had mentioned?
My comm clicked as I stepped in behind Riva. “Kent,” said AMI, urgent again. “I don’t think you should—“
The second my feet crossed the threshold, I lost her. Huh. This must be where the cloaking started. Tara’s sudden turn told me she’d experienced the same cut off.
Whatever lay ahead, we were alone.
7
The pristine hall turned out to be short lived. It led to a flat wall, which I suspected to be another door.
Riva stood in front of it, and the familiar green light shot out to scan her. The panel opened to reveal a small room. No, I realized, not a room. An elevator. There were no buttons, but why would there be? This wasn’t Earth. Things were bound to be different. Fascinated in a way I hadn’t been before, I stepped in.
When all three of us were inside, the door closed and the elevator began to move. Not straight down, as I’d expected, but at an angle. The ride didn’t last long, maybe fifteen seconds or so, then the doors opened and treated us to our first look at the Elder’s compound.
As soon as I saw where the Elders lived, my first thought was that the place was alien. It was different from Riva’s hidden bunker, which had a ragtag feel to it. Sure, there was plenty of advanced tech lying around, but ultimately it was all salvaged. Walking through that space had not only given me a sense of the scope of her operation, but it had felt familiar. I’d been in plenty of places like that in my life, though usually I was there to raid them.
What I was seeing now was completely different. First of all, everything looked new and well cared for. Plenty of sterile white, all with a metallic compound inlaid into most of the surfaces. The construction was geometrically perfect, to my eye anyway, and I felt like I was finally seeing the Volcuri as they had lived before the First’s attack.
A pair of Volcuri clad in white tunics and silver adornments met us.
“Riva, welcome. And you as well, Chief Mission Ward and the Warrior known as Tara Perez. We are most happy for your arrival,” said the first. “My name is Axil.”
The talking did surprise me some. Axil wasn’t wearing a translator, and I didn’t have access to AMI, yet I was hearing perfect English from the Volcuri acolyte.
“You are wondering how we speak your language,” the second added, watching me studiously.
I nodded.
“You are in the Elders compound. This is a base of knowledge. We have been listening since your arrival.”
My head jerked up at that revelation. “Since our arrival? You knew we were here?”
“That is correct.”
I felt Tara tense next to me and understood why. We had been spied on. What was worse, it implied that these people probably knew plenty more, like when their own people were taken by the Turned.
Again, the Volcuri watched me. They bowed slightly, as if reading our minds. I hoped like hell that wasn’t possible.
“You wonder why we don’t interfere. That is not our place to say,” he explained, without really explaining at all. “As I said before, my name is Axil. This is Calin.”
They looked almost exactly the same to me, except Axil was taller, with a deeper voice. Calin was built similarly to Riva, both in height and body. I found it interesting that these aliens, located so far away from earth, had evolved much the way humanity had.
Calin bowed, then gestured to the room. “We and the other acolytes see to the Elders who live here. In order to do that to the best of our abilities, we have access to more… everything.”
Riva twisted to face me and Tara. “We’ll need to disarm here.”
My first instinct was hell no. I considered my weapons an extension of self, as did any Black Shield operative worth their salt. My hands tightened on the grip of my weapon. Riva’s eyes flicked down, and I knew she’d noted it.
Axil, too, must have seen it because his stance moved subtly into the defensive mode.
“Chief Kent,” said Riva, her tone sharp.
She didn’t have to voice the warning for me to hear it. I was close to causing an issue. Tara didn’t move, but I could all but feel her tension. She was coiled and ready to strike on my behalf. Which would definitely cause a major problem.
I forced myself to relax and aimed a level look at Riva. “It goes against my mission parameters to be separated from my weapons.”
Tara made a coughing sound.
“Our weapons,” I amended.
“I understand your hesitation, of course,” said Riva. “But this is non-negotiable. Even I will remove all of mine. It is the law.”
The law. Hard to argue with that. Director Wright’s instruction to make sure Riva and her people became our allies still rang in my ears. “We will do as you ask,” I said, relenting.
Calin stepped back and spoke in his native tongue. I realized he wasn’t talking to us when another door at the far side of the room slid smoothly open to admit two more caretakers, each guiding a hovering cart.
“Your weapons, please,” requested Calin.
Resigned, I did what was expected. Based on Tara’s heavy frown, she felt just as off about giving up her guns and knives as I did.
“When can we meet with your elders?” I pressed once the deed was done.
Axil turned and motioned for us to follow him down a sleek, yet bare, hallway. “I’m afraid that will have to wait until tomorrow. You cannot meet them in your current state.”
“That’s not what you said.” The words came out like a growl. I didn’t much care for being lied to.
Riva must have sensed my annoyance because she came level with me and inclined her head, a sign of apology by my take. “This is also law. No weapons, no outside clothes. Our current attire must be rectified. Once we’re clean and have rested, we will see them.”
Now I was starting to get pissed off. Tara did her civic duty and put a firm hand on my shoulder. “Alright, Riva. In the future it would help if you disclosed that kind of information earlier. Now isn’t the best time for surprises.”
“That was a mistake. You’ll have to forgive the oversight. We are not used to visitors.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I replied. “We’ll do whatever is needed.”
Axil and Calin visibly relaxed. Over the next hour we were disrobed and put through a formal cleansing ritual that started with a dip in a floral scented bath and ended with the caretakers outfitting us with a new set of clothes.
The stone grey tunics had to be modified since both Tara and I were smaller than the average Volcurian. I didn’t care for the change and kept shifting to get comfortable. Tara noticed, and I could tell by the small smile playing at the corner of her mouth that my second was holding back a laugh. That didn’t do much for my disposition.
Eating regular food was one of the main perks of integrating with civilians. The joy of tasting burgers, pizza, and something called a cinnamon roll were just a few of the new cuisines that Tara had introduced me to. The food we were served at the compound came in what I thought of as pellet form. It wasn’t that far off from the tasteless energy bars I’d consumed before. I sucked it up and ate what was offered since refusing would have been bad form.
Finally, we were led to a moderately sized living space. Instead of the simulated tree branches I’d witnessed before, the caretakers utilized a type of hammock. Three hung, ready for use, but I noted there were attachments for many more, presumably for extra guests. Besides the hammocks, the space was more or less spartan.
A flower with violently purple stalks sat in a kind of planter, at least that’s what I thought it was. The narrow trough filled with dirt and stones lined the sill of what one mig
ht have called a window, or they would if we weren’t far below ground level. The window glowed with soft light that I suspected simulated Kainos’ sun for the plants. The walls were bare of any adornments, but the intricate inlaid grooves created a tapestry of their own.
“These are our guest quarters,” Axil announced without flourish. “Please rest. Calin and I will come to collect you in the morning.”
Both he and his partner bowed, then backed out of the room. After the door closed behind them, I headed for the hammock with the best view of the entrance. I might not have my usual weapons, but my hands could be plenty deadly on their own.
I settled into the comfortable sling before breaking the silence with a question aimed at Riva. “What can we expect tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I only know that they wanted to meet with you. I can tell you that this is not a common occurrence. More often than not, they are being sought out and rarely grant appearances. This is a great honor.”
“But you don’t have any ideas?” I prompted. “I prefer to go into situations prepared. It also won’t look good if I do something insulting in ignorance.”
Riva hesitated for a beat, then replied. “Usually, as a rule, I do not speculate on such things. However, these are not usual times. I believe the Elders may ask your intention on our planet, though it is likely they already know. Or it could pertain to the Mind Thieves and how we can work together.”
I almost asked how they would know our intentions, but we were dealing with an advanced race of beings here. The caretakers all spoke to us using English, which implied they had access to more knowledge than Riva and her scientists.
“Can you tell us more about the… culture?” Tara piped up. “Customs and other information that might be important for the meeting?”
“Of course. I’m sorry, I should have done that already. My mind is… elsewhere. As you said before, this is not the time for that. I need to be present.”
I didn’t correct her because she was right. Tara, however, stepped in with words of understanding. “It’s not, but you’re in a difficult place. Kainos is your home. The First are trying to take it and your people away. That’s enough to distract anyone.”
“Your kindness is noted, Tara. Where should I begin?”
“Before, you mentioned that the Elders were record keepers of sorts. Does that mean they’ve been alive since the Mind Thieves showed up?” I sincerely doubted the Elders’ had that long of a life span but I had to ask.
“No. They do live exceptionally long lives, easily over one hundred years and the majority have been known to make it to one hundred and fifty years of age. My understanding is that this is the fifth iteration of Elders.”
Tara maneuvered in her hammock to look at both of us. “How do they pick the next set of Elders, or decide when?”
“Some of the process is secret,” Riva confided.
“I am more informed than those below me, but I’m afraid I can’t explain certain aspects. As for the choosing, that is a different story. Our young are monitored from birth to determine whether or not they might be likely candidates.”
An uncomfortable feeling passed through me at the notion. That was more or less how the Black Shield Corps picked donors for their programs. If the genes were good enough, they were chosen to produce a viable specimen, like me.
“Those candidates are sent to another compound for training,” Riva continued. “I don’t know what that entails. No one but those directly involved in the process do.”
“Wait,” interrupted Tara. “Your children are just taken if they might be considered good as an Elder?”
“Yes, that is correct. Is something the matter?”
I didn’t have a way to signal that she should shut up now. Besides, wasn’t it her job to navigate this kind of conversation? Tara got herself under control without me and I relaxed.
“That practice would be illegal where we come from,” Tara explained. “We are very protective of our young.”
Riva nodded. “I understand the sentiment. Perhaps it is just a difference of cultures then. Here it is considered a great honor to be chosen.”
That seemed to relax Tara as she settled back into her sling. “What happens to those who don’t make the cut?”
“They become caretakers. Due to the nature of their instruction, the information they retain is too valuable to risk losing to the Mind Thieves, so they stay here.”
Though I couldn’t see them, I glanced back toward the door where Axil and Calin had exited. “Every caretaker here in the compound was once a candidate for an Elder?”
“Yes. Though the next Elders have yet to be chosen. That won’t happen until it is time for replacements.”
That made sense to me. “It keeps them from being bitter about losing out,” I guessed.
“That is part of it. As for how you interact with them, all you need to concern yourselves with is maintaining respect. Do not act threatening or speak rudely and all will be fine.”
We lapsed into silence. Sometime in the night, I still couldn’t fall asleep. The hammock was pleasant, but my mind wouldn’t go quiet, something I wasn’t used to. So, I tossed and turned, hoping to find sleep before the morning came.
After my fiftieth or so adjustment, Riva’s voice floated over to me in a gentle whisper. “Trouble sleeping, Chief Kent?”
A denial was on my tongue, but I decided against it and sat up in the hammock, no easy task. “Yes. I’m…” I paused, searching for the right word.
“Restless?”
“That’s a good word for it. I’m not used to sitting around,” I confided. “It feels like I should be out there doing something useful.”
Riva hesitated again, and I wondered if I’d somehow insulted her. “That is understandable. You are a true warrior, Chief Kent. Sitting idly by does not suit you. Nor me,” she added. “But our situation warrants it.”
“I hope it’s as helpful as you believe.”
8
The next morning, Axil and Calin took us through the same process of cleansing and getting fresh attire. I half expected one of them to tell us we’d have to wait longer. Instead, they led us down another gleaming hallway.
It wasn’t a long walk, and we found ourselves at a dead end. The hidden door opened as we approached, revealing a chamber of sorts. As soon as we passed the threshold, I saw them. There was no mistaking that the three Volcuri individuals seated on cushions were the Elders.
Each had silvery skin, pale grey eyes, and what I termed to be robes befitting royalty. Their feathers were snow white and gave the impression of wizened age. Their eyes followed us as we moved to the center of the room, and I saw more than intelligence in them. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what, but the clarity spoke to their long life and knowledge of history.
One more thing stood out. The Elders had tattoos, something none of the other Volcuri we’d met had. Small markings that were indicative of their language, though I couldn’t read them. The room itself was obviously tailored for them and more comfortable than pompous. One wall was decorated with a series of tiny cubes. It seemed an odd design choice, but then again, I wasn’t up to date on that kind of thing.
“Welcome, Chief Kent and Tara Perez. Thank you for coming.”
I inclined my head. It might have been normal for them to bow, but I had no plans to do so. My life of servitude was over. Now my priority was the survival of what I had come to think of as my people. “We were happy to answer your request,” I replied.
“You are likely wondering why you were summoned,” began the one on the far left.
Neither Riva nor the caretakers had introduced them, so either the Elders didn’t have names or we weren’t cleared to know. I didn’t really care all that much so long as the meeting went quickly.
“To make you understand, we must explain.”
The Elder furthest to the right made a swiping motion with his hand. The wall behind them snapped on and revealed more than a d
ozen video feeds. The small group of aging Volcuri moved to the side, out of the way, and waited while we took it in.
The first image to catch my eye was one from a satellite. I knew it was a satellite because the feed it was showing just happened to be the Exodus Ark as it orbited the planet. Now it made sense that they knew English so well. It was likely that they had access to audio. I’d have to talk to AMI about this.
Beyond that, each feed showed a hive of activity: Inside the rebellion’s bunker. Dr. St. John and Skan, working with their heads together in a lab. A row of small houses, obviously located high up in the forest canopy. The landing location near the lake. Ruins with small camps in them.
And, most importantly to my mind, inside the mountain.
“We continuously monitor activity on our planet.”
From the way Riva’s head jerked, this was all news to her, but she didn’t speak.
“As you can imagine,” Elder #1 continued, sweeping a gaze over us. “We have been aware of your arrival for some time.”
“I thought all of the Volcuri technology was lost, save for what was in the bunker,” I commented.
“This is not an accident,” Elder #2 explained. “Our knowledge could not be discovered.”
“Until now,” I put in.
“Yes, Chief Mission Ward, until now.”
“Did our arrival trigger something?”
Elder #3 nodded. “In a way. Now that you understand how we know what we know, we wish to share more information with you.”
“I’m all ears.” In truth, my patience was starting to wear thin again. I knew this, even without the elbow Tara poked into my ribs.
“Do not trouble yourself, Warrior Tara,” Elder #2 said easily. “We take no offense.”