The sunlight sparkled almost prettily on the halo of blue dots surrounding them. Ariin dropped Khorii’s hand. “No! It can’t be. It’s your imagination. The plague is gone!”
But she knew as well as Khorii that it was not.
Everyone knew almost as quickly as they did. Their parents did.
“Khorii, by now you have more experience than we do with this disease,” their father said. “Why do you suppose we remain infected when everyone else can be cured?”
It wasn’t just a family conversation. Practically the entire planet was reading the images and words passing among them. Wanting to weep or scream or rant as much as Ariin did, Khorii instead methodically explained what had happened on Becker’s asteroid and what she thought it meant. “I believe that you are not so much infected as infested at this point,” she told them. “Because you and everyone around you survived, the organisms that mutated into your strain of the disease did not further progress into the next phase of their development. It had no dead organic tissue from which to morph into its inorganic-matter-absorbing form, so it’s simply stayed the same with you. Perhaps—perhaps it will die of its own accord, without being able to change.”
“Or maybe not,” Father said glumly. “Maybe somehow or other we keep it thriving because we are Linyaari. Perhaps that is why Joh and Maak and RK have become free of contamination, yet we are still carriers.”
Mother said, “There has to be a way to beat it. Once Maak has all the data—perhaps he’ll find even more clues when he works at restoring Elviiz’s inorganic modifications—he may help us formulate a cure. Or perhaps one of our own scientists, having studied the disease and its aftermath, will be able to cure us. You girls have both done your best, and we’re very proud of you.”
“But I miss you,” Khorii said.
“And I want so badly to be with you,” Ariin said.
They could see Mother’s smile from where they stood. “We are Linyaari, children, and we will always be close no matter what. While we cannot physically touch without endangering you and others, we’ve asked that pavilions be erected for you and for Elviiz. Maak will bring the instruments, tools, and materials he needs to work with Elviiz out there. We can talk as often as we want. Meanwhile, we will have some time together.”
But under Mother’s soothing words, Khorii and Ariin were both aware that the description of the new forms that the alien invasion were assuming had alarmed and disturbed their parents. Time seemed to be eternal on this pleasant plain, with the sun sparkling on the distant sea and the grass just waiting to be grazed; but elsewhere, in Corazon and on Rushima, time was running out.
They felt the same consciousness among the other Linyaari who had been to the human worlds trying to help and returned thinking they’d cured a plague, only to learn it had become something even more sinister.
Still, it was almost like home for Khorii as she and Ariin settled into their tent and helped Elviiz and Maak with theirs. Uncle Joh chose to remain aboard the Condor and near Mother and Father. He had evidently gained true immunity after his acute attack of the disease, cure from the symptoms, and prolonged contact with the strain Mother and Father carried. Maak had already begun work on a vaccine from his blood, but so far they’d had no one to try it on. RK was also plague-free and chased poor Khiindi around the field as if he were a mouse until Khiindi, no doubt hardened by his own spacefaring experiences, turned on his sire and began chasing him instead.
When the sun went down, all concerned were very tired and much sadder than they expected to be.
Long after they should have been asleep, Ariin lay on her back, her thoughts racing. Though she was trying to shield her thoughts, Khiindi had picked up on her agitation and was pacing with clicking claws back and forth on the floor of the tent, over Khorii’s body and back and forth again before walking over Ariin again.
Finally, Khorii sat up, flinging her blanket aside. “What?” she demanded of her sister.
Ariin turned to her with a troubled expression. “Something,” she said. “Look, can I trust you? Do you trust me?”
“You have to ask that after all we’ve been through? We’re twin sisters, of course you can trust me! And yes, I trust you, too.”
“I have a sort of a secret. I didn’t mean to keep it as a secret—everyone should know about it, but they seem to have forgotten, what with everything else that’s happening.”
“Please stop being so mysterious. And Khiindi Kaat, will you please stop that!” she said, forgetting that she did not normally try to thought-talk to her cat. To her surprise, though, he did stop, and came to crouch on top of her, glaring at Ariin.
Ariin glared back, but said, “The thing is, everyone thinks we may be running out of time but that is not true. I have plenty of time, right here.” She pulled a metallic object from her pocket and clasped it on her wrist. Khiindi made a sound that was half growl and half plaintive mew. Ariin smirked at him. “And here’s something else. I’ve been thinking and thinking about the way that alien thing moved in the bay of the Blanca. There was something familiar about its shifting, and I think some people where I lived before I came here may know something about it.”
Khiindi gave a startled meow and hopped off Khorii to bat at Ariin’s wrist. She caught him by the scruff of the neck and clutched him in her arms. “Khiindi knows, too. Where I was happened a long time before now, back before our people were created.”
“You’re talking in riddles!” Khorii complained.
“Maybe so. But we could go there and find out what we need to know and be back without anyone ever knowing we had gone. We could find the answer to everything, how to get rid of the aliens and save the humans, how to cure Mother and Father.” She squeezed Khiindi and placed a kiss that was strangely unaffectionate on the top of his head. “What do you say?”
Khorii didn’t have to think about it long. “When shall we leave?” she asked.
Ariin smiled. “Soon.”
“How soon is soon?” Khoril asked.
“Soon enough,” Ariin replied enigmatically.
Glossary of Terms and Proper Names in the Acorna Universe
aagroni—Linyaari name for a vocation that is a combination of ecologist, agriculturalist, botanist, and biologist. Aagroni are responsible for terraforming new planets for settlement as well as maintaining the well-being of populated planets.
Aari—a Linyaari of the Nyaarya clan, captured by the Khleevi during the invasion of Vhiliinyar, tortured, and left for dead on the abandoned planet. He’s Maati’s older brother. Aari survived and was rescued and restored to his people by Jonas Becker and Roadkill. But Aari’s differences, the physical and psychological scars left behind by his adventures, make it difficult for him to fit in among the Linyaari.
Aarkiiyi—member of the Linyaari survey team on Vhiliinyar.
Aarlii—a Linyaari survey team member, firstborn daughter of Captain Yaniriin.
abaanye—a Linyaari sleeping potion that can be fatal in large doses.
Abuelita—grandmother to Jalonzo Allende.
Acorna—a unicornlike humanoid discovered as an infant by three human miners—Calum, Gill, and Rafik. She has the power to heal and purify with her horn. Her uniqueness has already shaken up the human galaxy, especially the planet Kezdet. She’s now fully grown and changing the lives of her own people, as well. Among her own people, she is known as Kornya.
Akasa—one of the Ancestral Friends who raised and experimented on “Narhii,” better known as Ariin, Khorii’s twin.
Al y Cassidro, Dr. Phador—headmaster and dean of the mining engineering school at Maganos Moonbase.
Ali Baba—Aziza’s ship.
Allende, Jalonzo—a young genius from the planet Paloduro.
Ancestors—unicorn-like sentient species, precursor race to the Linyaari. Also known as ki-lin.
Ancestral Friends—an ancient shape-changing and spacefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns (or Ancestors) from Old Terra, and using them to create
the Linyaari race on Vhiliinyar.
Ancestral Hosts—see Ancestral Friends.
Andina—owner of the cleaning concession on MOO, and sometimes lady companion to Captain Becker.
Annunciata—a victim of the space plague on the planet Paloduro, whose form was appropriated by the Ghosts.
Aridimi Desert—a vast, barren desert on the Makahomian planet, site of a hidden Temple and a sacred lake.
Aridimis—people from the Makahomian Aridimi desert.
Arkansas Traveler—freight-hauling spaceship piloted by Scaradine MacDonald.
Arrinye—Ariin for short, Khorii’s twin sister, stolen from Acorna while still a tiny embryo, and raised by the Ancestral Friends in a different time and place under the name Narhii.
Attendant—Linyaari who have been selected for the task of caring for the Ancestors.
avvi—Linyaari word for “daddy.”
Aziza Amunpul—head of a troupe of dancers and thieves, who, after being re-formed, becomes Hafiz’s chief security officer on MOO.
Balakiire—the Linyaari spaceship commanded by Acorna’s aunt Neeva.
Basic—shorthand for Standard Galactic, the language used throughout human-settled space.
Bates, Asha—teacher on the Maganos Moonbase.
Becker—see Jonas Becker.
Bulaybub Felidar sach Pilau ardo Agorah—a Makahomian Temple priest, better known by his real name—Tagoth. A priest who supports modernizing the Makahomian way of life, he was a favorite of Nadhari Kando, before her departure from the planet. He has a close relationship in his young relative, Miw-Sher.
Calum Baird—one of three miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.
chrysoberyl—a precious catseye gemstone available in large supply and great size on the planet of Makahomia, but also, very rarely and in smaller sizes, throughout the known universe. The stones are considered sacred on Makahomia, and are guarded by the priest class and the Temples. Throughout the rest of the universe, they are used in the mining and terraforming industries across the universe.
Coco-leader of the pirates that Marl Fidd tries to enlist in his efforts to kidnap Khorii and use her to purify the riches on other deserted worlds.
Commodore Crezhale—an officer in the Federation Health Service.
Condor—Jonas Becker’s salvage ship, heavily modified to incorporate various “found” items Becker has come across in his space voyages.
Crow—Becker’s shuttle, used to go between the Condor and places in which the Condor is unable to land.
Declan “Gill” Giloglie—one of three human miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.
Delszaki Li—once the richest man on Kezdet, opposed to child exploitation, made many political enemies. He lived his life paralyzed, floating in an antigravity chair. Clever and devious, he both hijacked and rescued Acorna and gave her a cause—saving the children of Kezdet. He became her adopted father. Li’s death was a source of tremendous sadness to all but his enemies.
Dinan—Temple priest and doctor in Hissim.
Dinero Grande—a world in the Solojo star system.
Domestic Goddess—Andina’s spaceship.
Dsu Macostut—Federation officer, Lieutenant Commander of the Federation base on Makahomia.
Edacki Ganoosh—corrupt Kezdet count, uncle of Kisla Manjari.
Egstynkeraht—A planet supporting several forms of sulfur-based sentient life.
Elena—a youngster who survived the space plague on the planet Paloduro.
Elviiz—Mac’s son, a Linyaari childlike android, given as a wedding/ birth gift to Acorna and Aari. According to Mac, the android is named for an ancient Terran king, and is often called Viiz for short.
enye-ghanyii—Linyaari time unit, small portion of ghaanye.
Estrella Blanca—also known as the White Star, a pleasure spacecraft that was where Acorna, Aari, Khorii, Jonas Becker, and Khiindi first encountered the plague. It was a ghost ship after Captain Delores Grimwald killed the crew and passengers to prevent the plague from spreading.
Fagad—Temple priest in the Aridimi desert, who spied for Mulzar Edu Kando.
Felihari—one of the Makavitian Rain Forest tribes on Makahomia.
Feriila—Acorna’s mother.
Fidd, Marl—a student on Maganos Moonbase, later a committed criminal and pirate. A true cad.
Fiicki—Linyaari communications officer on Vhiliinyar expedition.
Fiirki Miilkar—a Linyaari animal specialist.
Fiiryi—a Linyaari.
fraaki—Linyaari word for fish.
Friends—also known as Ancestral Friends. A shape-changing and spacefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhiliinyar.
Gaali—highest peak on Vhiliinyar, never scaled by the Linyaari people. The official marker for Vhiliinyar’s date line, anchoring the meridian line that sets the end of the old day and the beginning of the new day across the planet as it rotates Our Star at the center of the solar system. With nearby peaks Zaami and Kaahi, the high mountains are a mystical place for most Linyaari.
ghaanye (pl. ghaanyi)—a Linyaari year.
gheraalye malivii—Linyaari for navigation officer.
gheraalye ve-khanyii—Linyaari for senior communications officer.
Ghost—a deadly alien life-form with the ability to take on the forms of the dead of other species and cultures, which feed on the higher forms of inorganic matter produced by those other cultures.
giirange—office of toastmaster in a Linyaari social organization.
Grimalkin—an Ancestral Friend who became entangled with Aari and Acorna in their voyages through time. He even impersonated Aari for a while. He was punished for his impudence by his people, who trapped him in the body of a cat and took away his machinery for time travel and time control. He has become Khorii’s boon companion—she calls him Khiindi. He is the key to a number of secrets that none of the humans or Linyaari are privy to, including the fate of Khorii’s formerly lost twin, Ariin.
Grimwald, Dolores M.—captain of the ship La Estrella Blanca, deceased. She sacrificed herself and everyone on her ship to avoid spreading the space plague.
GSS—Gravitation Stabilization System.
haarha liirni—Linyaari term for advanced education, usually pursued during adulthood while on sabbatical from a previous calling.
Hafiz Harakamian—Rafik’s uncle, head of the interstellar financial empire of House Harakamian, a passionate collector of rarities from throughout the galaxy and a devotee of the old-fashioned sport of horseracing. Although basically crooked enough to hide behind a spiral staircase, he is genuinely fond of Rafik and Acorna.
Hellstrom, Hap—a student on Maganos Moonbase, and one of Khorii’s best friends. He crewed on the Mana.
Heloise—Andina’s spaceship.
Highmagister HaGurdy—the Ancestral Friend in charge of the Hosts on old Vhiliinyar.
Hissim—the biggest city on Makahomia, home of the largest Temple.
Hraaya—an Ancestor.
Hrronye—Melireenya’s lifemate.
Hruffli—an Ancestor stallion, mate of Nrihiiye.
Hrunvrun—the first Linyaari Ancestral attendant.
Iiiliira—a Linyaari ship.
Iirtye—chief aagroni for narhii-Vhiliinyar.
Ikwaskwan—self-styled leader of the Kilumbembese Red Bracelets. Depending on circumstances and who he is trying to impress, he is known as either “General Ikwaskwan” or “Admiral Ikwaskwan,” though both ranks are self-assigned. Entered into devious dealings with Edacki Ganoosh that led to his downfall.
Jaya—captain-in-training on the Mana.
Johnny Greene—an old friend of Calum, Rafik, and Gill; joined the Starfarers when he was fired after Amalgamated Mining’s takeover of MME.
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