Brennae just sat there dumbfounded. She had never expected Chloe to ask that. She waited a little too long to answer because Chloe started talking again, “I mean all of our parents have it. You know what I am talking about. We used to always laugh about it growing up.” Chloe sat forward, “But it’s true. They have it...the deep, mental and physical bond that keeps them together. When they are mad at each other, they make up fast. When they are unhappy about something, they talk it over and meet in the middle. I don’t care what name they taught us in school: Love, lust, attraction ...affection. Whatever you call it our parents, aunts and uncles all have it.” She was tapping her fingers in agitation against her knee. “I see you look at Marcael the way our parents look at each other and I need to know how you knew he was the one.”
Brennae felt bad for her Chloe, she was obviously upset. “I don’t know how to explain it but I’ll try.” She put her hand over her cousin’s to stop the tapping then moved it back to stoke through Star’s fur. “When Marcael stepped out of the clearing that day at the oasis I was terrified. It was when he took down his face guard and I looked into his eyes that something changed. I was still afraid but inside of my heart, I felt a connection pulling at me. In some strange way, I felt safe with him already. It wasn’t until I heard his name that I fully let the emotions hit me, but I was drawn to him the moment I saw his face.”
She looked around the paths and benches then back to her cousin. “When I’m with Marcael I know I can be myself. I don’t have to be the ‘first born girl’ of Terraneu. I’m not the daughter of councilman this or councilwoman that. I can just be myself. I get to be the crazy sacath lady. The woman who mucks out sorrem stalls for a living. I’m the woman who barely passed numbers but loved reading in school.” She looked to see if her cousin was listening and found her watching intently, “He may not have said the words and I don’t need him to. I know Marcael loves me. I look at taking mate status with him as setting me free not being tied down. He gives me the strength to be true to myself.”
Chloe sighed, “That is what I think I found but was too afraid to face it.”
“Are you talking about Colle?” Brennae saw the look her cousin tried to hide. “You act different around him and I just figured he was the one you were talking about.”
“I am just confused about everything.” Chloe leaned back on the bench and raised her face to the sun, closing her eyes. “I am dating Jerron but we aren’t that serious. It is just as you said. I feel like all the men we grew up with have an idea about who I’m supposed to be...not who I am.” Brennae could understand that part completely. “Also, they don’t’ mind if we date other men. Something the newcomers are not at all comfortable with.” She sat bolt upright and Brennae almost jumped when she muttered indignantly, “Colle actually wanted me to stop seeing Jerron before he would consider dating me.”
“What did you say to that?” Brennae could imagine how that conversation went. Her cousin was very stubborn, when pushed she pushed back.
“I told him that I wasn’t ready for a mate and that I could date who I wanted to. I don’t know that I would have continued to date Jerron, but now I feel like if I stop dating Jerron then Colle will think he can control me.” Chloe put her hands up as if she was shaking something, “He just makes me so frustrated. Why put me in a position like that?”
“I don’t think he was trying to.” Brennae thought for a second, “I know a little bit more about the males from the Elyon than you do since I was on their ship.” She offered her opinion, “It was stark lonely existence and a very dangerous place to have to survive. From what I could see, they were not allowed anything personal in their living spaces or anywhere on the ship. There were the sex bots for physical interactions, but there wasn’t anything personal about it.” Brennae looked around at the people walking the paths. “Maybe Colle thinks dating multiple people and not connecting on a deeper level is too much like the Elyon and he wants more than that after experiencing it for thousands of years. Did you talk with him at all?”
“I guess we were both too stubborn to get past the dating issue. Once I dug in, he backed off. Then the mission came up. It’s not like we had longer than a week to try to figure things out.” When Brennae laughed, her cousin laughed with her, “Okay, you and Marcael made it happen that fast but maybe you just got lucky!” Chloe clapped her hands together, “I need to get going or I’ll be late.” She leaned in and the two women hugged. “Thanks Brennae, you gave me a lot to think about.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll stop by later at The Watering Hole and we can talk over water.”
Watching her cousin walk toward The Watering Hole Brennae absently rubbed Star’s fur and thought about what Chloe had said. She had gotten lucky with a partner like Marcael. Thinking about a way to show him how much he meant to her when he got back Brennae moved down the path to find Stephanie. She had promised she would stop by today. It had been two months since the men had left on the Earth mission. The woman had all gotten together to distract each other and it was working pretty well. She only thought of Marcael every other minute of the day now.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Five months had passed and Earth was not just a hellhole as Colle was so fond of saying. It had become an irradiated hellhole. The only thing Mallex could tell him was that the change in season from summer to winter must have also changed the prevailing winds. Wherever this new weather system was coming from had much higher radiation levels then the readings had shown in the spring. What that meant was things were becoming dire for them. They had sought refuge in a cave reasonably close to the port pad. Their equipment was still working, and they had a lot of data to bring back with them when the time came around. Staying alive to get through the portal was now the priority. The only problem was their armor was less effective every day and the lack of sun was making them weaker.
“I think I can create a field that will protect against the radiation.” Mallex was briefing them on a potential solution. “There is only one problem.” He looked around at the men gathered and smiled ironically. “I only have enough to enhance one set of armor.”
Marcael knew who would have to wear the armor. There was only one logical choice. “It will be Baylech that gets the enhancement.” There were no arguments that Baylech should not be the one. Everyone on this mission would respect his decision. “We need to start moving the equipment to the port pad. We can stay here in this cave during the days, but will continue our work at night when the weather dies down to try to minimize our exposure.” Marcael stood up, “I want every male out there to stay vigilant. We do not know that the change in weather will not force the natives to move around also.”
“Has anything changed in our policy regarding the natives?” Colle had lost the small bit of tan he had gained on Terraneu. All of his men were pale, only this time it was from illness.
“No, our policy remains the same. Stay cloaked and do not approach anyone. Our priority is to get the results from this mission to the port pad.”
“What if the natives look like they have superior equipment, something that could help us?”
“I do not think that is at all likely.” Marcael made sure everyone understood exactly where he stood on this issue, “We are not to interfere with the natives, even if they have equipment we need. I would not take their survival away from them to save ourselves.”
“Of course, we will get this mission done and get home to Terraneu soon.” Colle smiled weakly around the group. Marcael thought on his words. Home to Terraneu, a place to settle down and start families. He wanted nothing more than to make it back to Brennae, he just was not sure that it was meant to be for him.
“Let us get back to work.” Marcael went to leave but Baylech asked if he could have a word with him.
When everyone had a duty and Marcael was standing alone with Baylech he was asked, “Why me?”
Marcael sighed, “You are the only one—”
“The others have—”
“What about Brennae, you can’t tell me that you don’t have a mate.”
“Yes, I do feel that way for Brennae. However, we do not have children. I do not have a brother, nieces, nephews and friends.” Marcael insisted.
“I just don’t—” Baylech couldn’t finish.
Gripping Baylech’s shoulder Marcael patiently insisted, “I understand how you feel, but you will wear the enhancement.” Marcael moved to walk away, but Baylech stopped him.
“How am I going to explain that I survived and everyone else sacrificed themselves?” Baylech stood firm. “How can I look Brennae in the face? What about Chloe...everyone saw the way Colle looked at her. How many others were getting close to someone only to get sick here?” Baylech shook his head, “I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”
Marcael sighed and called for Mallex. When his friend rushed over Marcael asked, “If we each take turns with the enhancement until the last days before the port pad is to be active, will that make any difference?”
Mallex thought for a moment then answered, “It will be close Marcael. Someone has to have enough wits left to enter the security code or the councils will assume we are compromised and not activate the port pad. If we aren’t exact in our rotations with the enhancement, nobody will be well enough to do it.”
“In your opinion is it worth the risk?” Marcael pushed.
Mallex frowned, “I don’t know Marcael, and I think it will make minimal difference.”
Marcael saw the devastated look on Baylech’s face and decided, “I will allow the sharing of the enhancement for three weeks, and then you are to wear it exclusively. Is that understood?”
Baylech looked relieved, “Yes. Understood.”
“Let us get back to work then.” Marcael rubbed tired eyes and went about trying to make this mission a success instead of a total loss.
Chapter Twenty Eight
It was finally time for Marcael to come home. Brennae had been so excited that she hadn’t slept at all last night. She had stayed awake talking with her family and preparing Marcael’s surprise. She was giving him a male sacathie with pure white fur. A few months ago, she had asked the away mission leader to get a message to Zerxix and his people. If they came across any white sacath to look for an appropriate aged sacathie for Marcael. She knew he didn’t have anything to call his own, and she hoped he would love the little guy as much as she did. Not to mention Star was already bonding with him and she didn’t want to have to separate them.
“The portal is active. We are just waiting for the code before we open the connection.” Her Uncle Kneus called out to the anxious people waiting in the camp.
Everyone waited patiently, smiling and looking at each other happily. Words like “any minute” and “anytime now” were being muttered around the camp. After an hour, everyone stopped smiling. After two hours, everyone drew into a tighter circle to talk quietly. It wasn’t until three hours later that her father asked everyone to convene to the meeting tent. Only council members were allowed to stay by the port pad if they wanted. Someone would bring news when anything happened. Brennae was no exception to the rule so she reluctantly went with the others. Baylech’s mate Stephanie had been allowed to come to Antilles. Brennae found her in the tent and sat down next to her so they could wait together.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” Brennae wasn’t sure of any such thing but it seemed like the right thing to say. “Marcael, Baylech, Mallex, Colle...all of them are strong and capable. I’m sure it’s nothing.” She had repeated herself but she didn’t know what else to say. To waste three hours of port pad activity was surely a bad sign.
Thirty minutes later her mother ran into the tent and yelled that the code had been received. The males should be coming any second. Everyone cheered and ran out of the tent.
“Stay back!” Her father yelled. “Don’t come any closer.”
Brennae froze at the order, looking frantically past him to the port pad.
“What—” Brennae was interrupted by her father.
“Stephanie, it’s Baylech.” Her father began and Stephanie looked confused at his tone.
“Okay.” She took a step and Brennae grabbed her hand and held it tight. “Why can’t I see him?”
“He only had enough time to tell us the location of the others. We have to assemble quickly and get to the rest of the men. Baylech is in a medical unit and will be transferred to Terraneu as soon as he is medically fit.”
“Medically fit?” Stephanie was starting to tear up and Brennae could not breathe waiting to hear everything her father had to say.
“He has radiation poisoning.” Her father stated. “It’s bad Stephanie, but Kneus thinks the medical unit will be able to heal him.”
Stephanie had squeezed her hand hard, then let out a shaky laugh, “Well if Kneus says it’s going to be okay...” She turned to Brennae and stopped laughing at the look on her face.
“What about the others?” Brennae fought the black spots dancing across her vision.
“I am sending word to Terraneu to get all the medical units and medically trained personnel ready for the others. I’m sorry Brennae that’s all I know.” Her father’s face told her the part that he could not vocalize.
“We’re ready Kniam.” Her Uncle Knaleg shouted from across the camp. “We have to get moving.”
“Two teams are going.” Her father moved toward the port pad. “Team one is to gather the equipment and get it here as fast as possible. Anyone with medical training is to go with Team Two to find the other males.” Her father had reached the port pad and Brennae could only stand there, numb from the shock. “The priority is the males. Keep your cloaks on at all times, and if we need to leave the equipment so be it.” Her father’s voice carried to her and she watched as they disappeared. Her father, brothers, uncles, Ailech, Asteen, Thian...and even her Aunt Catherine. They all knew how important Marcael was to her. If there was any chance at this ending happily, her family would fight to see that happen.
“Brennae?” Her mother had walked to stand in front of her. “Your father will do everything possible to get those men back to us. He takes these things very personally and won’t rest until he makes it right.”
“I know.” Brennae couldn’t talk about it right now. She shook herself like a sacath and asked desperately, “Give me something to do. I can’t take just standing around.”
“Okay.” Her mother soothed her, “I need you to work with Zerxix and get the camp taken down. Get the help of his men. We need every available portable medical unit from Terraneu brought here. We can at least do triage if needed until we can get the wounded to Terraneu. Can you do those things for me?” Her mother had started back toward the port pad, “Oh and Brennae make sure your Aunt Gwen is aware of how bad this is. She will need all treatments ready and available for radiation poisoning and the weakness they are sure to be suffering from lack of sun. We will need to move fast.”
“I can do that.” Brennae turned and yelled over her shoulder, “Thank you mother.”
She made sure that someone was watching the sacathie she had meant to give Marcael as a surprise. She didn’t remember standing on the port pad and taking the portal to Terraneu. She couldn’t even recall getting to the medical dome. She did find her aunt and surprisingly her cousin Chloe. Her aunt was already running around getting ready, but with the warning from Brennae, she moved even faster. She was yelling instructions to the males for all of the portable units from all of the medical domes to be on the port pad in five minutes.
“One second longer than five minutes and I’ll know the reason why.” Her aunt yelled at the departing figure of Jax. “Chloe move out of the way please. I al
ready told you I don’t know anything more. Brennae was there anything else you could tell me?”
“No. Father just said Baylech had radiation poisoning and that it was bad. Mother said to tell you it was worse than bad and to think of any treatments the males might need. I didn’t get to see Baylech.” She ended weakly and gave her cousin a sympathetic look.
“I’ll have to go down then. I should have been there already.” Her aunt gathered some last tools and a bag of medicines. “Let’s go. Chloe go help with the medical units for when the patients arrive. Make sure that we have enough for all eight of the men on the away mission. I think we need to worry about radiation contamination at this point. Do not try to keep them all confined in one medical dome though. I think four medical beds in two different medical domes. This one and turn the caging dome next door into another one. There aren’t any animals in that dome right now anyway. Have men move the cages out and put medical units in. Also, ask Jax to warn everyone else to stay away no matter how curious. We don’t want to have to worry about collateral contamination.”
Her cousin nodded her head and went to work on getting the domes ready.
Brennae hurried along to the porting dome with her aunt and was relieved to see that the portable medical units were already arriving.
“Get those units down to the surface right after us. I want the rest sent as they arrive...do not stockpile them and send them in one transport. Get them to Antilles as soon as possible. We will need all eight of them.” Her aunt stepped onto the port pad and Brennae followed.
“Gwen. Brennae,” Her mother was waiting for them at the transport site.
“Is there any news?” She walked hurriedly next to her mother.
“No. We are still waiting for the men. Some of the equipment has arrived and is being cleaned and stored. Kneus and Knalech are seeking anything helpful in their databases and they can relay that to you Gwen. Baylech is ready to be moved to Terraneu, Mairi is going to go with him. His mate Stephanie is going back also.” Her mother moved to a spot away from the port pad. “Kneus said this is the safe distance from the port pad. We aren’t allowed any closer.”
Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five Page 15