Where he did see
With inner eyes
What was to be.”
Sep looked up. “Did you catch that? He saw what was to be. Some historians believe this stone brought the gift of prophecy to Anyari. Perhaps it gave foresight to a few people, and the colonists didn’t want to destroy it, lest that eradicate the seers’ powers.”
“Hold on, hold on.” Rona held up both hands. “I’ve read a few books about seers.”
Ellin coughed at her sister’s straight-faced usage of a few.
Rona ignored Ellin. “For all we know, Earth had seers too. I’ve read stories about a stone that created the first seers, but most scholars consider those tales purely mythological.”
Sep shrugged. “It’s merely one possibility. What’s important is that the colonists seem to have hidden the stone rather than destroying it. Perhaps they hoped to protect the seers’ gifts. Perhaps they had another reason. Whatever the colonists’ rationale, dozens of ancient epics refer to a dangerous stone being hidden in a large mountain, almost certainly Cellerin Mountain. Here’s my favorite.”
He found the reference and read aloud,
“We placed the stone
Within a cell
Past countless rocks
We hid it well.”
Sep leaned closer to Rona. “Does that remind you of anything?”
Rona’s bland expression didn’t change.
Ellin wet her lips. “Can I see that, Sep?”
He handed her his flex.
“I’ve read more on the Cellerin Project than Trett or Rona,” Ellin said. “The object emanating radiation is in a cave. That could be what the cell is referring to in your poem, right?” Seeing Sep’s excited nod, she continued, “And here, where it says past countless rocks—I remember seeing that the cave is covered by a massive mound of loose stones.”
“Precisely,” Sep said.
Ellin handed the flex back. “Even if this radioactive isotope has a long half-life, it has to be weaker now than it was then. It’s been thousands of years. Wouldn’t we expect the radiation to be manageable, especially with our modern technology?”
“That’s why I call this stone extraordinary,” Sep said. “The stories are clear: the stone became more dangerous as time went on. It was always a warm, luminescent stone, but the light and heat grew more intense as time passed. By the time the colonists hid it, it was so hot, they had to wrap it in animal skin before handling it.”
“That’s not how radiation works,” Trett said. “I’m not an expert, but I’ve gotten some pretty good tutoring in the subject lately.” He grinned at Ellin. “Radiation gets weaker, not stronger, unless something like sunlight causes a reaction to make more of the isotope.”
“I’ll address that,” Nomi said. “You’re right; radiation loses strength as time goes on. I would’ve written off the old poetry as a silly myth if it weren’t for the readings my colleagues have been taking at the dig site. The radioactivity of whatever’s in that cave increases daily.”
“How do Dr. Rouven and the others explain that?” Trett asked.
“They’re falling over themselves trying to figure it out,” Nomi said. “Perhaps it’s faulty software; perhaps it’s because we’re moving stones out of the way; perhaps the measuring equipment is creating microfissures in the stone, allowing more radiation to escape.
“The thing is, none of their hypotheses make sense. The on-site researchers aren’t even touching the area close to the cave yet. They’re taking measurements from a small vent in the base of the pile of stones, using noninvasive sensors. The numbers are sound. Yet they’re unwilling to consider there may be some artifact that doesn’t fit our current scientific knowledge.”
Ellin’s mind had been spinning as Sep and Nomi spoke, and she found her mouth was suddenly dry. She swallowed and asked, “How old do you think these poems are, Sep?”
“They were first written approximately three hundred years after the colonists arrived on Anyari. Furthermore, we have reason to believe they were all transcribed from older oral tradition. You see—”
Ellin held up her hand, quieting him. “That’s helpful, Sep, and I’m sorry to interrupt. I want to make sure I have this right. Six thousand years ago, when colonists arrived on Anyari, some weirdly radioactive stone was killing people. And it’s been getting stronger every day since then?”
Nomi locked eyes with Ellin. “Precisely—if we’re correct, and I believe we are. I’m pushing to stop the dig immediately. Our second step will be neutralizing the isotope. I’m already researching the best ways to do so, preferably from a distance so we don’t have to resume excavations.”
Everyone was silent.
Ellin took Trett’s hand. She swallowed hard. “I think I can speak for all of us. Our goals are the same as yours, and we’ll do whatever we can to stop this dig.”
Nomi and Sep both smiled, and then Nomi stood and shocked Ellin by giving her a tight hug. She did the same to Trett and Rona.
They began walking back. Trett and Rona asked the researchers questions, but Ellin was silent. Something about Nomi was still niggling at her. She still seemed familiar.
Nomi looked back, then slowed to match Ellin’s pace. “You okay?” she asked.
In that question, Ellin realized what her subconscious had recognized the minute she’d met this woman: Nomi reminded her of her mother. Ellin’s mom would always ask “You okay?” with a gentle smile similar to Nomi’s. And Ellin got the feeling not many people could match Nomi’s intelligence, but her mother could have.
Ellin’s mother hadn’t been perfect. Her overprotectiveness toward Rona had harmed the whole family. She’d been brave, though, a woman who fiercely fought for what she believed was right. Maybe Ellin was projecting too much onto this woman she’d just met, but she thought Nomi would do whatever it took to stop Merak.
A certain lightness filled Ellin’s heart, even as a familiar ache gripped it. “I’m okay.”
17
FRIDAY, CYON 15, 6293
-22 DAYS
“I thought I was the only one who worked this late.”
Startled, Ellin spun around in her chair. “Mr. Merak!”
Ellin was working in the same large room they’d visited upon their arrival four days ago, and now Merak was standing in the doorway. He smiled at Ellin and entered. The only other person in the room was Nomi. Merak greeted her as he walked by her workstation.
When he reached Ellin, Merak pulled up a chair. “How do you like working in here with all the scientists? We can get you a quieter space if you’d prefer.”
Ellin shook her head. “Oh no, this is great. I hear them discussing their research, and it helps me understand the project.” She also liked working close to Nomi, being reminded that someone else disapproved of the dig.
“And your friends?” Merak asked. “Are they enjoying their work here?”
“Rona loves the accounting office, and Trett’s doing okay.” She didn’t mention that Rona was more competent than every other employee in her department or that Trett, who was on a team that ordered supplies for their small community, hated being “waist-deep in sheets and shampoo.”
“Excellent,” Merak said. “What were you working on just now?”
She swallowed. No need to be nervous; you’ve talked to him before. He’s just one of the most powerful men in the world. “I’ve written a few stories on the dig, but this morning, the Press Office asked me to work on a follow-up to an article I wrote back at headquarters. I just finished it.”
He nodded encouragingly. “What’s the topic?”
“Your foundation’s efforts to make cancer treatment more affordable.”
“Can I read what you’ve got so far?”
He wants me to sit and watch while he reads what I wrote? Heart beating wildly, Ellin rolled her chair to the side so Merak could sit in front of her screen. She watched his face as he read. He’s smiling. That’s got to be a good sign. Wait, the smile’s gone. He just raised his eyebrow
s. What does that mean? He hates it. I knew he would hate it!
When Merak finished, he turned toward Ellin, folded his arms, and leaned back against his seat, his brown eyes fixed on her. She was about to blurt out something about still needing to proofread it when he spoke. “You’re very talented.”
She gaped, then felt herself smile, even as her face grew warm.
Merak returned the smile. “The article needs one more thing, though.” He turned back to her workstation and began typing.
Ellin barely resisted the urge to lean over and read what he was writing.
He stopped typing, a thoughtful expression on his face, then resumed. At last, he said, “There you go.” He rolled his chair to the side.
Ellin returned to her workstation, found the paragraph he’d added, and started reading it out loud. “In a recent interview, Alvun Merak said . . .” She turned to Merak. “So I interviewed you, did I?”
He chuckled. “Lucky you; I don’t usually grant interviews to interns.” He pointed at the screen. “I gave you a good quote.”
Ellin scanned the quote, which was full of the type of hope that would make readers open their hearts and maybe even their bank accounts. “You’re right, this is just what the article needed. Thank you.”
Merak’s face broke into a warm smile as he stood. “Don’t work too late. The dining hall will close soon.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze, then left.
Ellin began proofreading, but she was only on the third paragraph when Nomi walked over and sat in the same chair Merak had just vacated. “Seems he’s taken a liking to you,” Nomi said with a smile.
“I’m not sure why.”
“Probably because, as an unpaid intern, you work harder than most of his salaried employees.”
Ellin laughed. “That could be it.”
Nomi leaned forward. “You know, Ellin, if you continue building up trust with Alvun Merak, he might actually listen to your concerns about the dig. He wrote me off almost as soon as I got here. He sees me as a pessimist, and there’s no place for such people in his company. But you—you might get somewhere with him.”
“I tried talking to him back at the headquarters—”
“I know.” Nomi placed her hand on Ellin’s. “Just because he didn’t listen to you then doesn’t mean he won’t now. You’re impressing him, and for good reason. You’re doing a great job here.” She let go of Ellin’s hand and stood. “Hang on, my flex is buzzing.” She pulled it out of her pocket and firmed it. “Oh, thank goodness, it’s my wife. Our schedules haven’t synced up all week, until now. I’m going to chat with her in my room.”
“I’m sure you miss her,” Ellin said.
“I’m sure you miss your family too.” Nomi waved and left.
Ellin turned back to her screen, but it was blurry. She tried to blink her tears away, but they kept coming.
What’s wrong with me? I guess I’m just tired.
She knew it wasn’t that, though. Her eyes drifted to the doorway Nomi had just walked through. For the last four days, Nomi had continued to remind Ellin of her mother every time they interacted.
Then there was Merak. The way he’d given her that proud look and said, “You’re very talented”—it was exactly the sort of thing Ellin’s dad used to say.
Ellin’s chest ached with longing, and her tears turned to sobs. She gave in to the emotion, burying her face in her hands.
She relived the weeks after the Skytrain crash, allowing herself to picture the awful images that had flashed on wallscreens everywhere. Twisted metal. Smoking train cars. Helpless emergency workers.
When she’d had enough of those nightmarish memories, she imagined what it would be like to still have two overprotective, proud parents, to be able to pull out her flex right now and have a video chat with them. To see their faces and hear their voices.
When the tears had run their course, Ellin pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose. How pitiful am I, losing my grip on my emotions, all because two friendly adults remind me of my parents? Why am I grieving right now, anyway?
She was pretty sure she knew the answer to that last question. She was grieving because she was lonely. I see Trett every day, but I’m lonelier than I’ve ever been.
Ellin thought about Nomi’s reaction to the message from her wife. Nomi had lit up, thrilled to connect with the person she loved.
Why don’t I react that way when Trett ems me?
There were plenty of reasons. I’m driven, that’s all. Or I’m just not that sentimental. Really, who can blame me for being extra focused when we’re trying to save the world?
All her explanations felt like excuses. The truth was, she’d always been like this, and she had no idea why. Ellin took a deep breath and allowed painful thoughts to enter her consciousness, ones she’d been suppressing for weeks now:
Maybe I don’t have what it takes to be in a relationship.
Maybe something is truly broken between Trett and me.
Maybe it’s me who’s broken.
She looked at the clock. Dinner was over. Trett had probably grabbed some food for her. She pulled her flex off her arm and checked her ems. Sure enough, Trett had tried to contact her.
The first em read,
Hey, you coming to dinner?
Half an hour later, he’d written,
I got you a sandwich.
Five minutes ago, the last em had arrived.
Going for a run. I’ll be back in my room in half an hour or so.
Ellin propped her elbows on the workstation and pressed her forehead into the heels of her hands, unwilling to submit again to her tears. She took a few deep breaths, then shut down her deskscreen and emmed Trett.
On my way to my room. Thanks for the sandwich; I’ll pick it up it when you get back.
She read the message over, then swallowed and added,
Sorry I missed your ems. Sorry I missed dinner. Again.
18
WEDNESDAY, CYON 20, 6293
-17 DAYS
“Tea and chocolate-spiced coffee?”
Trett smiled as he looked up at the server who’d approached the table. “I guess we’re here too often if you already know our orders.” He confirmed the drink he wanted, as did Ellin.
Ellin’s flexscreen buzzed, and she glanced at it. “Rona says she’s on her way.”
The three interns had been in Therro for nine days. Nearly every night after dinner, they checked out hovs (provided by Merak) and drove into the nearby city of Krenner, which was only ten clommets from their temporary home. In the little coffee shop, they discussed strategies without too much fear of being monitored or overheard by Merak’s people. Nomi and Sep often joined them.
Trett watched Ellin. Her head was bent over her flex, and frown lines compressed her forehead. Several days earlier, something had shifted in her demeanor toward him. The distance he’d been sensing between them had yawned into a massive valley, and he had no idea why.
We’ve got to talk, he told himself. I’ve gone over this conversation enough times in my mind; why am I waiting? He opened his mouth, then shut it. Not now. She’s too distracted. Let’s see what happens in seventeen days.
Then he thought about what would happen if they failed in their quest. Did he really want to spend the last two-and-a-half weeks of his life observing his girlfriend’s misery, unable to help because he was afraid of having a hard conversation?
The server brought their drinks. Ellin stopped the work she was doing on her flexscreen and reached out for her coffee. Trett grabbed her hand before it reached her mug.
Ellin looked at him across the table, her eyebrows raised.
“Let’s talk,” Trett said quietly.
“Right now?” With her free hand, she gestured to her flexscreen. “I’m in the middle of something.”
In contrast to her annoyed tone, her expression was vulnerable. Scared. Trett tamped down his first instinct, which was to back off. This was too important. “ I think we can both spare five minut
es. Right?”
“I guess so. Should Rona be here for this?”
“Definitely not.” Trett gave her a half-smile, but he knew it looked forced. He took a deep breath and rushed forward. “Are you happy? With us?”
“Us?”
“Us. You and me.”
“We’ve been a little busy to think about us lately, haven’t we?”
“I know we’ve been busy, Ellin.” Her hand was tense under his, so he pulled his away. “In fact, I wasn’t going to talk to you until this is all over, assuming things end well. But I—” He stopped, and all the words he’d planned fled. He took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking. This thing we’re doing, trying to save the world . . . it’s like a test. I want to know—I need to know—if we can make it through together.”
“What are you talking about? We’re doing our best to make it through. And”—Ellin pointed at him, then at herself—“we’re together.”
“We’re not together, not really!” Trett’s voice was quiet but intense. “We’re basically coworkers. We’re barely even acting like friends.”
Ellin leaned across the table. She had tears in her eyes, and her quiet voice was shrill, bordering on panic. “I’m working nonstop to be sure we actually have the chance to be friends for more than seventeen more days. I just need you be patient. As soon as we stop Merak, we’ll go back to how we were before.”
“I don’t think you get it, Ellin.” His limbs ached with the desire to get up out of his chair, pull her close, and bring the awful conversation to a halt. But he owed it to them both to be honest for once. His eyes filled with tears, and he forced the words out through a tight throat. “I don’t want to go back to how we were before. It was the same back home as it is here. I love how driven you are, Ellin. I do! You know my parents, though. They’re basically roommates who hardly ever see each other. I’ve always wanted more than that for myself—and for you. Back home, I kept telling myself that you just needed to graduate, or meet your career goals, and you’d finally be able to relax enough to enjoy our relationship. Now, I . . . I’m afraid that’s never going to happen. Please tell me I’m wrong.”
The Seer’s Sister: Prequel to The Magic Eaters Trilogy Page 14