Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice

by Robynn Sheahan

  “How could Dhoran not recognize this? He’s not stupid. The very thing he seeks will destroy him and everything around him,” Cace mumbled as he pushed through the door into the Science Unit.

  Four different technicians sat at the computers around the circular desk, entering data and recording their findings.

  Cace frowned, stopped, and gazed at the new faces staring back at him.

  I hope they’ve been told about me. And I hope Tiar and Sean will leave soon and get the communication equipment to Erynn.

  One of the techs stood up and motioned for Cace to come forward. “You must be Cace. General Athru told us to expect you, but not this early.” She smiled briefly, the cheery expression forced. Her blue-green eyes remained cold. “We’re to assist you if you need our help.”

  “Uh, thanks. I just want some time on the main processor. I shouldn’t bother you.” Cace stepped to the same seat as the night before.

  The tech nodded and smirked. “Sure. Let me know if I can help you.”

  Cace slipped into the cushioned chair.

  She’s as friendly as that tech from last night. Must be a territorial thing.

  He set his e-pad down on the smooth white desk and got to work. During the night, the technicians had scanned the plates, and the computer had categorized the symbols using Cace’s translations from the e-pad. When he logged on, a prompt came up, advising him that the glossary of symbols and their meanings were complete.

  A dictionary was now available for the Comhra symbols.

  He entered the program and picked a page, checking the symbols against their meaning. Cace continued checking random pages until confident he could go on with the next phase of his plan. He pulled up one of the scanned tablet pages, to begin translation before giving it a separate file. Once he had the translations finished for each plate, all that remained would be to put them in their correct order.

  His stomach fluttered. He would be the first person to read these inscriptions in their entirety in how many hundreds of years? This history of Arranon, and of Dhoran, unknown for generations, could change their world’s uncertain future.

  Cace took in a deep breath to steady his shaking hands and requested the first scan. He recognized this plate as the one he had originally translated using the small e-pad. The plate itself had a small chip on the upper left corner that showed on the copy as a dark crescent. He was familiar with the symbols and their placement on the tablet. Cace stiffened in his seat and frowned at the image on the screen. Some, if not most, of the symbols were different or moved around. He translated the first line. The text made sense—it wasn’t gibberish—but it was…wrong.

  He had a good memory. His tutors had called his abilities “eidetic”.

  So what had happened? Had the computer interpreted the techs’ instructions incorrectly and switched the symbols into some automated semblance of order?

  No. If the computer had inserted an interpretation of symbol placement, the translated text would be nonsense. Cace moved the small e-pad next to the keyscreen and brought up his previous entries on this plate. He checked and rechecked the data from the small device. The symbols on the file copy in the main processor were not the same. Cace glanced around the room. The wooden plates had been here when he’d returned to his quarters last night. The technicians on duty were scanning them through the central computer. He didn’t see them anywhere in the area now. He returned his gaze to the file on the screen.

  Where are the plates? Does Cale have them? I hope so.

  Cace reached for the COM link on the computer to contact Cale, but he pulled back his hand.

  What was the name of that tech last night—the one who seemed to be in charge? Grant? No. Grame. He should know what happened to the plates.

  “Excuse me.” Cace waited for the tech sitting across from him to glance up. “When you came on shift, did Grame say anything about the tablets he scanned for me last night?”

  The tech frowned. “Tablets?” She shook her head. “No. In fact Grame wasn’t here this morning. He wasn’t feeling well and went to the Medical Unit sometime during the night. He didn’t come back to finish his shift. He’s scheduled again tonight, though. You can probably catch him when he comes back this evening.”

  Cace nodded and attempted a smile. He stared at the page on the monitor, not seeing the lines of symbols streaming across the screen.

  The Medical Unit. Byan Nev. Is there a connection between Grame’s visit to Byan Nev and the file copies being…wrong?

  Cace’s first thoughts regarding the computer incorrectly copying the files slipped from his mind. The chill in the air added to the cold dread building inside him. His sudden enlightened understanding of what had happened to the scanned tablets dropped like a weight in his stomach.

  Someone had tampered with the symbols on the replicated files and had probably hidden or destroyed the original plates.

  A shiver ran up his spine. The beat of his heart skipped and jumped to a hammer blow in his chest. He sensed eyes watching him.

  Could any of these techs be a part of the cover up? Yes. It is possible. No—it’s probable. Trust no one but Cale. Or Aven.

  He had to contact Cale without raising suspicion. Cace laid his hand over the small e-pad. He couldn’t trust the main processor, either. If he was being monitored…He sighed.

  Act normal. Don’t give them reason to believe you’re onto them.

  Cace believed—no he knew—the computers in the Science Unit were compromised. There would be no way to get a message to Cale through them. He had his e-pad, but transmitting a warning to Cale would be unsafe. That path, too, risked the chance of being monitored and his communication intercepted. But he could leave a message on the device.

  Just in case I don’t make it to Cale in person. If I do go missing, Cale will surely begin his search for me here, where I was last seen.

  Cace swallowed hard. He tried to keep his stomach from reacting to the fear, and to the strong insight that he wasn’t going to be allowed to contact Cale directly. Cace understood there was a possibility that when he left the Science Unit, he wouldn’t be seen by anyone again. At least, not anyone he wanted to see. He shifted in his chair and palmed the e-pad, pulling it onto his lap still hidden by the desk. While staring at the monitor, he tapped out commands on the keyscreen to the main processor with one hand. While going through the symbols, he appeared to be studying the results. With his other fingers flying, Cace texted a message for Cale on the e-pad.

  When finished, he let the small device slip to the floor. He covered the clatter by rolling back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head, and yawning. With the toe of his boot, he pushed the e-pad as far as it would go toward the back and into a bundle of wiring. He tipped his head to the left, then the right. “I’m going to the dining hall for a break,” Cace said to no one in particular. With his hands in his pockets, he shoved the chair under the desk with his hip, concealing the e-pad.

  No one seemed to notice or care.

  The quiet corridors offered Cace no comfort. He would have preferred the activity of shift change, with all the personnel moving about the tunnels. He needed to rise to level four to reach Cale’s office. The Science Lab was on level seven, placed low in the base for safety. The level numbers increased as they went down, opposite of how levels would be numbered if they rose up from the surface.

  Cace’s rapid breathing echoed softly against the close rock walls. He hurried through the deserted warrens and up the first set of stairs to level six. The lighting appeared more subdued than usual. “It’s just my imagination,” he whispered.

  The sharp click of boot steps reverberated from the gloom ahead.

  Cace stopped and peered around for an opening or crevice in which to hide. “I’m being ridiculous.” His breath shuddered in and out. “I hope.” He took a shaky step forward.

  A long thin shadow bobbed in the dim light before him. The dark silhouette attached to that shadow emerged around a bend in the
tunnel.

  Beneath a wan light globe centered above him, Byan Nev stopped. “Cace. I was hoping to run into you.” He smiled, revealing elongated incisors. “We need to talk about these translations you’ve been working on.”

  Cale sat behind his desk, staring at the blank screen of his computer. He waited for the communication relay to connect him with Erynn, and for Cace to show. A tech from the Science Unit advised Cale that Cace had left over three huairs ago, claiming he was going to the dining hall to take a break.

  Aven stood with his back pressed against the open door frame, watching the corridor. “This doesn’t feel right. I should go look for Cace.”

  “Wait. He’ll be here.” Cale frowned. He agreed. It didn’t feel right, but there was nothing more to do. Aven had Anbas searching the warrens, the dining hall, and Cace’s quarters. On Cale’s orders, Byan Nev was also under surveillance. He remained in the Medical Unit, continuing his duties.

  “I may not be special like you and Erynn, but even I know something…” Aven let his thoughts on Cace’s disappearance fade. He turned toward Cale and stepped into the office. “Cace’s mom is here.”

  Cale nodded and stood up, moving around the desk to meet Aynn.

  Aynn, Cace’s mom, entered the small space. Her shoulders were squared, her spine stiff. Her dark eyes were red rimmed with tears threatening to spill. In a soft but steady tone, she said, “Cace is missing. And it has to do with the plates found in Deanaim.” Her words were delivered more as a statement than a question.

  “Yes,” Cale affirmed. “I believe Cace’s knowledge of Comhra symbols came to the attention of someone not wanting him to translate those plates.” Cale took a tentative step toward Aynn. “I’m so sorry. I never thought or sensed for one moment that Cace was in danger. This is my responsibility. I should have anticipated a risk and taken precautions.”

  Aynn held up her hand. “No, General. You have given Cace purpose—meaning in his life. He’s been so happy these last few days.” Her chin quivered. She pressed her lips together, gaining control. “I’m thankful for everything you and Erynn have done for him.” Aynn took a deep breath, straightened, and glanced briefly at Aven. “Cace is strong. He is intelligent. And with the Anbas searching for him, I know he’ll be found. I have only one request—bring Erynn back as soon as possible. Please.”

  The COM on Cale’s desk buzzed. “General, your link to the lodge is established.”

  Aynn, Aven, and Cale hurried around to face the computer screen.

  Tiar’s face cleared into view. He glanced at the three of them, obviously appraising their expressions. “Cale. What’s happened?”

  Aynn answered, her tone rising with each question. “Where’s Erynn? Is she there? Can you bring her back to the base?”

  Tiar stepped back and motioned to someone not visible on the monitor.

  When Erynn appeared, Cale said, “Erynn, Cace is missing. I need you back at the base ASAP.” He sat down and entered commands on the keyscreen, splitting the image to show Erynn, Jaer, and Tiar on one half of the monitor. A weather overview filled the other. “Tiar, get Erynn back here. You have a small window if you leave now. Jaer, Sean—I’ll send a transport late this afternoon. The storm will be winding down. You’ll arrive on base shortly after dark.”

  “I can take a speeder—”

  “No, Jaer. You won’t make it here any faster, and the route is too dangerous for a speeder in these conditions. Just wait for the transport. Listen to me, all of you. I’ll get you home my way.”

  Erynn climbed into the heavy storm gear Jaer had brought her. It wasn’t a flight suit, but it would have to do.

  Jaer took Erynn’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “I do not want you running off by yourself once you are back on the base. It will not help Cace if you go missing, too. Aven is there. I will contact him. We will find Cace together.”

  “Dhoran has him. Dhoran in Nev’s body,” Erynn grumbled. She secured the thick coat and pulled on gloves.

  “You do not know that. Promise me, Kipa. Do not do anything without Aven or me.” Jaer tipped her chin up and kissed her.

  “I got Cace into this, Jaer. He would be safe now if it weren’t for me—”

  “We all have our duty. Cace’s was to translate the plates. He volunteered for this willingly, knowing there was a risk.”

  Erynn nodded and ran her fingers over Jaer’s face. “Be careful. I’ll see you later.”

  “I feel that a higher force keeps separating us, Kipa.” Jaer smiled and kissed her again.

  “Just our luck, huh? Can’t catch a break.” Erynn grinned and turned away from Jaer. “Wilo, thanks for everything. Someday I’ll come back, and you can give me that tour you promised.”

  “The room’s yours whenever you want it, Erynn.” Wilo hugged her. “Be careful.”

  Tiar opened the heavy outside doors, bracing against the storm. The wind drove in. Snowflakes strafed the air, sticking to every surface.

  Erynn leaned forward, pushing into the gale. She glanced back at Jaer as he disappeared behind a wall of white.

  The path cleared to the Interceptors was already filling with snow.

  Erynn opened the cockpit and climbed the rope ladder hanging from the side. She jumped into the seat and closed the canopy. Wind slammed the fighter, and it rocked with each blast. She pushed back her hood and pulled on the helmet.

  Tiar’s voice sounded through the speakers. “Power up and heat the canopy, fuselage, and wings. We need to melt the snow covering the fighters before we can take off. Keep the heat on so the wings don’t ice up in flight.”

  “Copy.” With gloved fingers, Erynn flipped switches across the instrument panel. A bank of lights flashed on inside the tiny cockpit. Warm air blew over her. The snow sticking to the canopy slid off in thick chunks.

  Did Nev/Dhoran have Cace? Where? Would he keep him alive? Yes. He wants to make a trade—me for Cace.

  The roar of engines drowned the wail of the wind. Tiar’s fighter rose before her. The glow of twin exhausts cut through swirling snow and cast an orange tint to the gray and white landscape.

  Erynn feathered the controls, and her Interceptor lifted from the ground. She rotated ninety degrees left, toward the lodge, and gazed out the clear panel of the canopy.

  Jaer stood below, alone. He stared up at the ascending fighters buffeted by blowing snow.

  Erynn pressed her palm against the panel.

  Jaer held his hand up as if reaching for her.

  She let her palm slip down the panel and back to the fighter’s controls. She spun ninety degrees to the right and followed Tiar through the storm.

  Her attention back on the forward panel and controls, Erynn whispered, “I don’t want to hurt you again, Jaer. Trust me like you did when I was aboard the alien ship. I’ll see you later. I promise.”

  I hope.

  “I’ve been to Dhoran’s underworld and have returned with an understanding of that realm no one else can claim.”

  I perceive.

  “And that’s why I believe it’s me—I’m the one to look for Cace.”

  I won’t endanger others.

  “I’m pretty sure I know where and how Dhoran moved Cace to his realm.” Erynn smiled. “And Dhoran won’t be there. Not for a while, anyway.”

  I understand some of Dhoran’s secrets.

  Chapter 32

  ERYNN HAD FLOWN IN BAD weather before, but nothing like this. The roar of engines competed with the snarling gale slashing at her fighter. Beneath a leaden cover of roiling clouds, the dark storm raged and battered her in every direction. Her body ached from the constant struggle to keep the Interceptor level and on course. Erynn’s eyes burned and her head pounded from trying to focus her vision through the dizzying swirl of racing flakes. Time ground to an unbearable crawl. She stuck tightly to Tiar, following the twin orange beacons of his exhaust ports.

  She stole a glance at the instrument panel and checked the elapsed time. “This is the longest thirty-s
even point twelve timnents of my life.”

  Lights from the scramble pad winked below in the distance, through a curtain of heavy falling snow. Moments later, the screaming wind loosened its grip. Like a toy tossed by an angry child, she was slammed down with a bone-jarring thud. She skidded onto the cleared shelf of rock, her fighter settling closer behind Tiar’s than she would have liked.

  Ground crews rushed forward. They would want the Interceptors back in the safety of the hangar, ASAP.

  The canopy slid open, and an icy blast of wind hit Erynn with enough force to press her against the seatback. She removed her helmet, pulled the jacket hood over her head, and climbed from the now chilled cockpit. Slick ice had already formed on the metal treads of the stairs pushed next to the fighter. Erynn took care with each step down, making sure her feet were firmly set on the frozen scramble pad before she released her grip on the handholds. A gust whipped around her, stealing the breath from her lungs. Tiar appeared from the nose of her Interceptor, and they rushed to the shelter of the hangar, hunched against the wind’s howling might.

  Wrapped in heavy coats, Cale and Aven waited just inside the first door, backlit by the warm glow of interior lights. The other two large access panels were secured against the driving snowstorm.

  Cale’s gaze followed the four thin scars from Erynn’s chin to her eyes. He smiled, reminding her of Damon’s smiles. The sheer force of love that enveloped her stopped her for a moment. She wiped a gloved hand over her scarred cheek and opened to Cale’s emotion.

  Erynn offered Aven a weak smile and mouthed, “Sorry.” She went to Cale and hugged him enjoying the crushing return of his hold. “Cale, I’m sorry. The guardians told me I had to go alone.” She glanced at Aven and he shook his head. Rushing on, she said, “They told me others would die if I didn’t. And when I left the trialath and went back through the transition station and the portal, I thought I’d be back in Deanaim, but—”

  “Slow down. I’m not following half of what you’re saying.” Cale’s brow furrowed and his lips turned in a frown. “ I’m just glad you’re here—safe. I want to hear everything. Soon. Once we find Cace.”