Warrior Heart

by Laura Kaighn

  “Thanks for caring, Yolonda. For helping me cope with this new chance I’ve been given.” Dorinda was smiling so hard her eyes watered. “I would’ve gone nuts if it weren’t for you ... all of you,” she added as Yuri, Zaneta, Nurse Igoni and Tlant joined her. “Your friendship means a lot to me.”

  “Bear’s right, you know,” Yolonda said holding the younger woman’s hand. “We’re your new family. You’ll always be welcome here.”

  “Thank you,” Dorinda choked when everyone nodded agreement.

  “Come on, Dori,” Coty called down from the transport hatch. “I don’t want to be late for my meeting with Chan.”

  “Go on.” Sheradon pressed her away. “Enjoy the fresh air.”

  Waving one last goodbye, Dorinda hopped up into their shuttle, glad to be wearing her favorite hiking boots again. She vowed to put them to good use. Once inside, she nodded a greeting to the unfamiliar pilot then strolled back to sit with Coty and the rest of the passengers waiting for her. In front of Dorinda, Tlenck brooded as always, silently tugging at his tail. Beside him, Glon busied himself with the ambassador’s papers. The younger Tloni seemed well, back to his overly polite and pleasant self.

  “I’m glad to see you’ve recovered from the pox, Glon,” Dori offered. “And I’m sorry to see you leaving, Ambassador.” She leaned forward to pat the Tloni on one furred shoulder.

  “I do hate to admit when I’m wrong, young lady,” Tlenck acknowledged over his seatback. “But I admire your loyalty. You were right to trust the commander, and I’m sorry for misjudging him.”

  “You’re forgiven.” Dorinda squeezed the Tloni’s shoulder. “We’re still alive. Most of us.”

  Coty reached to clasp her hand again. Dori smiled, comforted by his presence. In minutes the vessel was on its return to Alliance Central Command, New York.

  “Sam,” Coty said glancing over his shoulder. “Did Moxie give you all of her notes? Even the scribble she wrote when we were trying to translate the Mytoki time controls?”

  “Are you kidding?” the historian retorted from behind them. “I’m too old to be carting around tons of chicken-scratched papers. I had her transfer everything to a crystal storage ring.”

  Coty chuckled. “Good for you, Sam. Between Moxland’s notes and your historical text, the Alliance should be able to reconstruct the Mytoki history that led the Orthops to try to resurrect them.”

  Dori saw the ship’s historian nodding behind her. “And don’t forget Jonas’ translator. The more we understand those roaches, the better are our chances.”

  “Communication’s the key to understanding,” Dorinda mused. “It’s what deconstructs the walls of prejudice.”

  Coty smiled. “Very eloquent, Dori. Tlenck thinks you’d make a good Earth emissary.”

  “Yes,” Tlenck agreed in front of her. “You certainly have an historical perspective. And, I must say, you are a fast learner. The possibility of a new career, young lady?”

  “Thank you, Ambassador.” Dorinda felt her cheeks flush at the scrutiny. “But I think I’ll explore my other options first.”

  “We just don’t want you to sneak off into your mountains again, my dear,” Sam Waters said from behind her. “You do have options.”

  Adjusting her seat, Dorinda avoided everyone’s eyes. Instead, it pleased her to watch her homeworld swell out the forward viewport as the transport sank into its life-sustaining atmosphere. There was life out here, she knew, and it was pretty precious.

  Once the craft had settled hissing on the landing pad near the Alliance Command complex, Coty helped Dorinda down. The other passengers filed out beside her as Dorinda’s eyes became wide sponges absorbing her surroundings. Above her, hovercraft and miniature flying vessels of varying shape and design hummed. Around her, the upright structures of a proud city bustled with life: New York.

  Coty noticed her wonder and grinned. “See? It’s not all that different.”

  “Michael, it’s bigger than I remember. These buildings … Some’re over a hundred stories tall.”

  “Well, with FDNY hovertrucks, there’s no worry about fire hazards. And people can launch their personal hovers off pads not much bigger than an apartment balcony.” Coty gestured toward the soaring vehicles. “You can’t see them, but there are traffic lanes up there to prevent accidents. Inside each hover is an electronic map and gyroscopic guidance system. They practically fly themselves.”

  “You think I could drive one of those?” Dorinda’s eyes shifted, spanning the crowded skyline of towers and spires.

  “Of course,” Michael Coty assured. “I’ve just enough time to give you a quick lesson. Besides, Tundra can help. He’s been in one enough. He knows what the controls do.”

  “I don’t know, Michael.” Dorinda heard her voice crack. She watched the vehicles zip past each other, nearly scraping fenders.

  “Come on. I’ve got to meet with Chan in less than an hour. I’ll get you started. Think of it as a new learning experience.”

  “Ha, ha! That’s supposed to be my line,” Dorinda countered. Her gaze was still glued to the vehicles humming overhead. “Don’t they ever fall?”

  Coty chuckled and pulled her along by an arm. “Only when they run out of water. But most can circulate water straight from the atmosphere.”

  “They run on water?”

  Coty beamed at her incredulous glare. “Hydrogen, actually. With a byproduct of oxygen. Clean burning.”

  “Extraordinary ...” Dori laughed and clapped her hands. “Now I’ve got to learn.”

  In a little over an hour, her tongue clamped between her teeth, Dorinda was making wide and tight turns about a parking lot while Coty both laughed and hollered in surprise. “Whoa! Dori, slow down. I said you’re good, not ready for the Indy 1000.”

  “They use hovercraft in the Indianapolis 500 race?” Dori ascended to fifteen meters over the parking lot then lowered the vehicle to just above the gray plastic-composite surface.

  “Yup. Do you think you’ve got it?”

  She pointed to the windshield’s inset map grid. “The white bands tell me I’m within the hover lanes. The red ones tell me when I’m out of them.”

  “Yes. Now, program a destination for me. As long as you’re in the city it’s the easiest way to avoid a collision.”

  “Ok.” Dorinda spoke clearly into the speaker. “Set program: Alliance Central Command.”

  “Which building, please?” the automated male voice of the hover’s computer replied.

  “Parking garage for the administration building.”

  “Thank you,” the voice confirmed tonelessly.

  Coty pointed to the dashboard chart. “Now, see the change? The white lines will have breaks in them, left or right depending on where you’re supposed to turn. Outside the city, you can choose to follow the preprogrammed maps with audio-navigation or just go for a Sunday tour.”

  “So, what’s the best altitude to set for a smooth ride on open roads?”

  Coty smiled broadly at her. “Lord, you do learn fast.” He shook his head. “On a smooth surface, set it for five centimeters.” In illustration, he pointed to the hover’s altimeter. “That’ll give you just enough bounce to feel the road without jarring the hover. Now, on a rough surface like dirt or mountainous trails, set the altitude to at least eight centimeters. And steer clear of large bumps or dips larger than a third the size of the hover. The sensors are all around the hover’s perimeter,” Coty explained twirling his index finger in gesture. “Too large of a hole or hill will leave too many of the sensors with free air, and the hover will tilt and tip. Not a pleasant experience. It could even flip over if the differential is too great.”

  Dorinda nodded curtly. “I understand.”

  “You do?” Coty looked skeptical.

  “Basic principles of friction, resistance, gravity and aerodynamics, Michael,” Dorinda explained easily. “Hovercraft existed in my time. They just weren’t privately used, nor did they run on water.” She was still amaze
d at that fact. “Now, you’re going to be late for that meeting. Shall I drive?” Dorinda tilted a smile, her eyes gleaming emeralds.

  “I love a woman who’s self-reliant,” Coty said with a sigh. He leaned back in his bucket seat, hands behind his ebony head. He jerked his chin at the hover’s dash. “Fire away.”

  “You got it.” Dorinda depressed the accelerator button on the floor of the cab and pushed the joystick hard over to make a left turn out of the parking lot and into ground level traffic. While Dorinda piloted, she surveyed the other hover drivers then gaped. “Hey, some of these people aren’t even driving. They’re reading, playing games on datapads. That guy’s watching a movie or something on an overhead TV.” Her attention flipped back to the road.

  Coty chuckled. “Jealous?” The captain straightened to explain. “I rented you a basic hover, no options except the all-terrain sensor array. I thought up there in the mountains you could use it. But hovers exist that do everything for you, including drive. Some entertain while they’re at it. Think of them as futuristic BMWs.”

  “You wanted me to learn how to drive the hard way first,” she challenged making a turn onto another street.

  Coty leaned back in his seat again, smirking crookedly. “Mad at me?”

  “No!” Dorinda objected with a chuckle. “My father insisted I learn how to drive a stick shift. That’s a manual transmission.”

  “I know,” Coty defended.

  “Well, I didn’t want to. I told him I’d never need to know how. But I ended up with a Jeep to drive off-road and through deep snows. Dad’s lessons paid off. So I don’t mind learning this the hard way.”

  Coty looked satisfied. “Good. I thought you’d feel that way. Like I said, self-reliant. It’s one of the traits I admire in you, Dori.”

  Dorinda just smiled back at him and continued following the hover’s electronic map. She slowed to turn where it indicated and when the traffic allowed. Within six minutes, a white star was visible on the windshield map. “This must be our destination,” Dorinda asserted pointing to the translucent screen. “I guess the computer keeps track of its current location even after you shut it off?”

  “Of course,” Coty said as she piloted the hover through a heavy intersection. “Each hovercraft has a backup battery with a GPS memory. Only if it sits for over a year might it forget where it is. Then all you need do is recharge the battery. An orbiting satellite will automatically update your coordinates. Reset your altitude, and you’re off again.”

  “Coordinates. Clever. That bypasses street name changes and spelling mistakes.” Dorinda nodded. “Makes sense.” Turning into the Alliance Central’s parking garage, Dorinda pulled up to the double-doored lifts.

  “Going up with me?” Coty asked. He unstrapped his safety harness and slid the hover door backward into its recess slot.

  “If I’m allowed, yes. For a bit. Can they come?” Dorinda gestured to the back of the cockpit. Both Tundra and Noah perked up their ears from their reclining positions on the floor plates.

  Coty pivoted to look over his shoulder. “As long as they promise not to get lift-sick. I think your flying’s shaken them up too much.”

  Dori smirked. “Actually, Tundra says he’s so relaxed, he’ll just stay put and take a nap.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “Yes,” she answered with a lid flutter. “These two’re just glad to have open space above their heads.” Dorinda turned to her Kin. “If you two want to stroll about town, go ahead. You know how to find me.” Climbing from the idling hover, Dorinda stood beside the door to let her Kin out onto the garage floor’s black surface. Tundra barked his farewell and followed Noah up the ramp to the free sky beyond. “Stay out of trouble, you two.” Dori hopped back into the hover to drive it into an available parking spot.

  When she hesitated to turn off the water-powered engine, however, Coty leaned closer to her. “Look, I realize you’re not much for bureaucracy or chain-of-command politics, but I do want you with me. I suppose I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

  Dori saw the distress in his jasper gaze. “You’re not going to lose me, Michael. Because of you, I have a reason to return to the Pompeii, at least eventually. I just need to know. To see how much my woods have changed. See if something of my life is still there.”

  “I can understand that,” Coty assured. “Vesarius told me about your spruce trees. They’ll be taller than you remember, fully mature. Beautiful.”

  “Please come with me, Michael. I don’t want to go alone.”

  Coty smiled easily. “You’re not.” He gestured with his chin toward the now vacant cab rear. “Vesarius made sure of that.” The captain patted her knee. “Besides, as soon as I’m done here, I’ll join you.”

  Dori tried to smile but could only force a flat frown. “I hope this briefing doesn’t take too long.”

  Coty shook his head. “It’s not the briefing that concerns me. Chan’s going to want a detailed account of everything I did, everything Vesarius did.” Coty’s eyes turned reflective. “He’s gone, but he still might face charges that could dishonor him.”

  Now Dorinda felt the need to reassure. “If anyone can salvage his honor, you can. You were his best friend.” Dorinda leaned toward Coty and closed her eyes. She felt Michael’s eager lips press against hers. She returned the warmth brushing her fingers across his bronzed cheek, even as he embraced her pliant neck. When they drew apart, Dorinda felt the heat in her own cheeks. “We better get up there,” she whispered.

  Michael Coty smiled slightly. “Yeah. Chan’s probably pacing the floor.”

  “And Tlenck’s right behind him.” The two exchanged a merry chuckle and climbed from the hovercraft.

  When they stepped into the lift, Coty chimed, “Fifteenth floor.” The doors whisked shut. In a minute the pair had reached their destination, and the lift stopped smoothly. Yawning, it released its passengers. “This way.” Coty took her hand. They strolled down the wide, carpeted hallway to a regal set of wooden doors, painted a deep burgundy and carved with a striking pattern of laurel and oak leaves. Clusters of acorns were engraved into their intersections. “These are the Earth symbols of the Alliance,” Coty explained. He pointed to the laurel, the nuts then the oak leaves. “Peace, prosperity, and strength.”

  “Please present access code and DNA identification,” announced the computerized female voice. Coty stepped forward to lay his palm against a clear, square panel beside the double doors. A barred light momentarily scanned across his hand.

  “Personnel access code: twenty-three Alpha Zebra-Doe. Name: Michael Bear Coty, Captain, G.A.V. Pompeii.”

  After a moment the computer relented. “Access granted.”

  Still holding Coty’s hand, Dorinda shadowed him through the widening doors and into the large, wood-paneled office where sat the players she had come to know, plus one. Sam Waters greeted them with an impatient glare. Tlenck’s ears twitched nervously. And Chan sat at the head of the conference table, reserved and stately, his almond eyes revealing only a glum smugness.

  Coty stepped forward dropping Dorinda’s hand but waving her to follow. “Major General Taylor Chan. Dorinda Tanner,” the captain introduced. “She is the woman who rescued Cmdr. Tankawankanyi from the past and was inadvertently trapped here in our time.”

  “Yes. Ms. Tanner,” Chan acknowledged standing and offering his hand. Dorinda leaned to shake it. “Dr. Waters has been filling me in about your tragic circumstances. I regret that you must endure this future your children have created. I hope you’ve found it not too altered from your own time.”

  Dorinda smiled nervously. “So far, General, I’ve marveled at the technological advances. But from what I’ve seen, people haven’t changed at all.”

  “Indeed, young lady. Please take a seat for the moment. I regret, however, that you may not remain for the briefing.” The general sat and turned his head toward the man who settled into a chair beside the woman. “Captain, I trust you have on your person the extensive
logs regarding your most recent mission?”

  Coty nodded throwing Dorinda an apologetic, raised brow. “Yes, Sir. You’re right in wanting to get started. Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me for just a moment.” Coty stood and took Dorinda’s arm pulling her to her feet.

  “Wait a minute, Michael.” Pushing his hand away, Dorinda pivoted to address the Asian’s dour face. “Sir. General. I was a key witness to Cmdr. Tankawankanyi’s actions while he was in custody. I can testify to those actions in his obvious absence. And I understand the need for privacy. I’ve already been briefed about-”

  “Ms. Tanner,” Gen. Chan started with forced calm. “You are not a Pompeii crewmember, nor are you an Alliance citizen. Your loyalties are as yet undetermined. Therefore, you have not been invited to this briefing.”

  Dorinda squared her shoulders and tilted toward the elderly Asian. “Then know this before I leave, Sir. Everything that Vesarius did was without concern for himself. He showed a fierce loyalty to the Alliance, and he died in service to it.” Even as Coty tried again to steer her toward the exit, Dorinda held her stance.

  “I’ve been told of your high-spiritedness, young lady,” Chan announced. “I dare say you will adapt well to your new environment, whichever you choose.” The general stood stiffly before continuing. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, our meeting must begin. Please be assured, the Commander’s loyalty is not in question here. Good day.”

  “But-”

  “Come on, Dorinda. I’ll walk you to the door.” Coty towed her from the conference room. “You can recall your Kin and …” When the heavy doors hummed shut behind them, Coty berated her. “What was that all about?”

  “Michael, they’re going to put him on trial again, court-martial him. You said so yourself. I had to-”

  “Calm down. I said no such thing,” the captain defended. His hand was still tight about her forearm. “Listen to yourself. You sound paranoid. Will you let me handle this?”

  She wasn’t about to be stifled. “But, Michael, I was there, on that transport. I know how hard he fought for the truth. I know how much he wanted to save us, all of us.”