Chapter Thirteen
The next day Knacayn took Kenzie to the fabricator for a new swimming suit. She chose a black string bikini, which had him frowning but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t want to mar their first outing to the swimming pond together, so he kept his opinion to himself. He had seen plenty of females in the bikini. He would just have to smile and pretend the other males weren’t looking at her generous curves covered in three scraps of cloth.
“I love this,” Kenzie exclaimed as they swam in the water. “How do they keep it so warm?”
“The water is cycled using the lazy river that circles the entire area. Between the solar conditioning and the sun, the water stays at the appropriate temperature.” Knacayn explained as he guided her back to her feet. He had been helping her to learn how to swim, so at least, he was able to have his hands on her for the lesson. Kissing her quickly he said “You have floating mastered. How about trying to use your arms and legs to move? Watch…like this.” He knelt into the water and pushing off moved his arms over his head and kicked his legs. They were in the children's area, so he didn’t have far to go before he was at the end of the pool.
“I think I can do that.” She lowered herself into the water and flailing her arms and kicking her legs she made it to the side. “I did it.”
Knacayn bit back a laugh at the image she made trying to swim. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “That was very good.”
“You liar.” She accused, “I can see you are trying not to smile.” Jumping at him she laughed heartily and splashed a handful of water on his face.
“I never lie.” Knacayn lied again and splashed water back at her. He grabbed Kenzie around the waist and found the ticklish spot along her ribs. “Do you still think me a liar?” his fingers ran down her side and she laughed harder.
“Yes.” She cried out, “and now you are a torturing liar.” Her laughter was contagious and he couldn’t help but join in.
“A torturer and a liar.” A male voice boomed out over their laughter. “I never thought to hear my brother called either of those things.”
“Knadyn.” He turned with Kenzie still in his arms to see not only his brother but a number of others as well entering the lounge area. “Imagine seeing you at the children's pool.”
“We came to see Kenzie.” His sister Brennae put her bag on an empty lounge chair and moved to sit with her feet in the water. His cousins Chloe and Celeste joined her at the edge.
Knacayn released Kenzie so she could join the other females. They must have had something to discuss or they would be in the deeper pools for more adept swimmers. He moved to where the other males were standing in the hip deep water.
“What are your mates up to?” he asked the question in mind in case it was a surprise or something he needed to keep from Kenzie.
“Ava was thinking it might be fun to take a break from Terraneu. We could take some of the newcomers to either Hu’lani or Terra Summit. If we get enough interest maybe take half to the beach and the other half to the mountains. I know Ava would prefer the beach, so if it comes to splitting up we will take Hu’lani.” Knadyn’s voice rang in his head.
“I would think the beach would have lost its appeal since she was stuck there for six months with you.” His cousin Chloe’s mate Cole teased. “Chloe likes Terra Summit so we could take that group.”
Knacayn wasn’t surprised when Knadyn didn’t tease back, instead, he took up the subject of Weston. “That male Weston is still trying to stir trouble. I think it wise to keep him surrounded by single females. He is bound to find one that suits him, it is just going to take time.”
“I do not know if we live long enough for that male to settle in.” Knacayn bit back a laugh. “If the females are discussing it, I will wait and see what Kenzie says. It does sound like a good idea. I do not mind one way or the other. Either we will keep working on swimming or I will have to ask her if she knows how to ski.”
“Is that what she was doing? Swimming?” his brother laughed aloud this time. “She was…enthusiastic in her efforts, I will give her that.”
“It is rude to speak in mind when in mixed company.” His sister’s usual admonishment washed over them.
“Sorry.” They all said at the same time and Knacayn was happy to see he wasn’t the only male with a red face at getting caught. Kenzie was moving back toward him so he held out his hand.
“Do you have a preference between Hu’lani and Terra Summit?” her hand came up so she could shield her eyes from the sun.
Turning so she was shaded by his taller frame, he smiled, “No. I like both of them equally well. I will let you talk with the others and choose which you prefer. Let Brennae know what is decided. The rooms and supplies can be arranged as soon as you have a location selected.”
“I will talk with Steph and Mallex later since we are meeting them at The Watering Hole. As for the others, we can use word of mouth to arrange a meeting at the park for after that. How many people can go?”
“Both locations have multiple domes, but I would say no more than twenty at each location.”
“That is plenty for all of the newcomers who might want to go.” Kenzie looked at the others as they packed up to leave. “Thank you for thinking of it Ava.”
“As strange as it might sound, getting sent to Hu’lani made me feel better about being on Terraneu.” Knacayn saw her give his brother a knowing look. “There is just something about the beach.” When she saw everyone looking at her she blushed. “The ocean water, the sandy beaches—”
“My amazingly hot body.” His brother struck a ridiculous pose and everyone laughed.
“Brennae, we will get back to you this afternoon on who is going, and if they chose Hu’lani or Terra summit.” Knacayn helped Kenzie climb out and then joined her on the side of the pool. “We need to get going to The Watering Hole if we are going to meet with Steph and Mallex.”
“Until this afternoon then.” His sister moved off and Knacayn hastened to get dressed.
Chapter Fourteen
In the end, Brennae had to arrange for both vacation spots to be reserved for the newcomers first outings. Some had thought the idea of the beach sounded nice, some had liked the idea of the mountains and still others were happy to stay in Terraneu. Kenzie was happy to say Weston had chosen Terra Summit and had left to arrange the gear he would need for a snowy vacation. Knacayn’s cousin Celeste had taken him under her wing so to speak and moved him off to the fabricators.
Since she was going with Knacayn to Hu’lani, she would just pack the swimwear she already had, along with a few dresses. Everyone was leaving in the morning since both locations had plenty of space available. Their party would be Steph, Mallex, Brennae, Marcael, Ava, Knadyn, Knacayn and herself. The others going to Hu’lanii would arrive in the afternoon.
“How long are we staying?” she asked absently, placing a red tankini in her bag.
“Brennae blocked out three days, but we can stay longer if no one else shows up and needs our dome.” Knacayn was lounging on the bed, he had left and returned already packed.
“Don’t you have practice for…what was the name of the game again?” Kenzie looked up from her bag. “Football? Soccer?”
“It is called both. My mother calls it soccer, some of the other women call it football. Either way, it is the same sport.” Knacayn leaned forward and peered into her bag. “We do not start up competition against each other for another few weeks. I have time to take a break.” Smiling at what he saw in her bag he looked at her, his eyes sparkling. “How many swimsuits are you going to pack?”
Kenzie saw she had one of almost every color and style of swimsuit in her bad. Laughing she said, “I want to be prepared. If I don’t like how I look, I want to be able to change.”
Knacayn suddenly pulled her onto his lap, “I love how you look and I don’t want you to change a thing.” His lips found hers.
*~*~*
Kenzie stretched out on the lounge chair and watched as
the males played some game in the foamy shallows. She would never understand the male need to run around and throw each other into the water while chasing a ball.
“What do you think so far?” Kenzie looked at the men in the waves to Brennae sitting next to her.
“It is very nice,” Kenzie smiled and added, “here in the shade anyway. I don’t know how they can be out there in the sun for so long. Even Terraneu isn’t this hot and humid.”
“You will get used to it.” Ava had been listening and laughed, “I know it took me awhile to adjust to the beach the first time I came here with Knadyn.”
“I think I could get used to this.” Steph had also been listening. Moving her lounger so she was reclining even further she sighed. “I really could.”
Kenzie smiled at the look of peace on her friends face. Last night after unpacking they had all met on the patio for some water and dancing. Steph had pulled her aside and confided she was moving in with Mallex into New Haven. They had also asked for Mallex to have the male sterility reversed so they could try for a baby. Kenzie knew from her work as a liaison that the males of Terraneu were all sterile. It had to be requested by both partners, in a permanent relationship, for the sterility to be reversed.
“Are you sure you are ready to try for a baby?” Kenzie had whispered to Steph. She was far from being ready to be a mother, but she wasn’t Steph. Maybe her friend was at a more stable place.
“Yes.” Steph had laughed at the look on her face. “I love Mallex and know nothing will ever come between us. I want to have a baby with him so badly…”
“Okay.” Kenzie had hugged her friend tight. “You are going to make an outstanding mother, and Mallex a great father. I am happy for the both of you.”
The rest of the night had been full of laughter, teasing, and dancing. Kenzie had enjoyed herself and when one by one the pairs started to excuse themselves to their dome she had caught Knacayn’s eye and knew they would need to seek out the privacy of their dome as well. His eyes were flashing in the moonlight.
With a quick goodbye to the only couple left, Steph and Mallex, they had laughed and teased each other all the way back to their quarters.
“What are the men doing now?” Coming back to the present from her musings about last night, Kenzie looked back at the men standing still in the waves.
“I don’t know.” Kenzie was confused. It looked like the men were frozen in place, like statues.
“I think they are looking at me.” A female voice trilled behind them.
“Star?!”
Chapter Fifteen
“Star, what are you doing here?” Brennae jumped up and hugged the android, who despite the heat, was wearing what looked like leather armor. As Kenzie had the thought, Star looked at them in their swimwear and suddenly she was wearing something similar.
“How did you do that?” Kenzie exclaimed. The shock of seeing the female in full armor one second and a skimpy black bikini the next was bad enough. The body the suit barely covered shouldn’t be possible. If there was ever a perfect creation, it was Star. At this point, the males joined them.
“Which question to answer first.” Star looked from Brennae to focus on her. Kenzie gave herself a mental shake and focused on what Star was telling them. “When my group from The Elyon found the other artificial intelligence androids, we were shown how to modify our armor and clothing at will. It is now in our programming.” Turning slightly to Brennae her black hair floating with the movement. “As to your question Brennae. Why am I here in Hu’lani or Terraneu?”
“Both.” Brennae drew Marcael closer. “Why are you here in Hu’lani and how did you get to Terraneu?”
“I think we would all like to know.” Marcael had a troubled look in his eyes that didn’t bode well if you asked her.
“I will explain as quickly as possible.” Star looked around at all of them, “I am here in Hu’lani to bring you to the meeting.” She held up a hand when Knadyn went to speak. “I was able to come to Terraneu through the portal.”
“How is that possible?” Knacayn looked aghast. “We only linked to Antilles with the Terraneu port pad.”
Star just smiled, “We are able to link to any viable port pad.”
“I bet father just loved hearing that.” Knadyn looked as worried as the others and Kenzie was beginning to have a bad feeling about this.
“As a matter of fact, he is not very happy to see me.” Star got a slight furrow to her brow and frowned slightly. The effect wasn’t unappealing, she looked adorable and Kenzie wondered if there was anything this android did that wasn’t perfect. “One would think he is not a nice person.”
“You know father appreciates everything you have done Star. Please don’t think bad of him.” Brennae tried to smile but failed.
“No.” Star laughed, “Not me…One, as in Kynan, the leader of the community we found.”
“Star!” Marcael was truly on guard now. “Is Kynan in Terraneu right now?”
“Yes.” Star looked at Marcael and smiled, “Have I not explained? We are going to a meeting.”
“You did not say with Kynan. The leader of the artificial intelligence that tried to kill us on Earth.” Knacayn bit out and Kenzie didn’t blame him. This news couldn’t be good for them.
“Not all A.I. are like the MAN units.” Star defended, “The STARR units from The Elyon are different. There are others that are different too.”
“We have to go. This can all be discussed when we get to the meeting.” Marcael took charge. “Everyone pack and be at the transport dome in three minutes.”
“Steph and I will stay with the other vactione here in Hu’lani. Send word if we need to bring everyone back.” Mallex looked pointedly at the beach where the Earth refugees and the other’s from Terraneu were still frolicking.
“Thank you Mallex. Everyone else, hurry.”
Knacayn grabbed her hand and they scattered. What Star would do while they packed was something she wasn’t concerned with.
“Knacayn. What do you think it all means?” she gasped in air and tried to still her panic. Throwing everything she had into her bag as quickly as possible she looked at Knacayn doing the same.
“I do not know Kenzie.” He stilled for a second to grab and squeeze her hand. “We will face whatever it is together.”
“Yes.” She squeezed his hand back, then grabbed for more items to throw in her bag. “Together.”
When they had their bags in hand they ran to join the others in the porting dome.
Marcael turned when they entered. “Good, everyone is here. Star has gone ahead to let them know we are coming. She said the meeting is to be held in the main council chambers. Drop all of your bags in the porting dome, and head straight to the meeting. Okay? Women first. We will be right behind you.”
Kissing Knacayn quickly Kenzie stepped into line behind Steph and waited her turn for the teleport pad. When it was her turn she moved to stand on the mark, she felt the tingling sensation of being teleported and then she arrived back in Terraneu.
The first thing she noticed was the lack of noise in the Terraneu teleport dome. Usually, you could hear the sounds from outside, or the workers in the dome talking as they went about their duties. Stumbling off the teleport pad, she dropped her bag and then stopped short. She wasn’t alone in her open-mouthed assessment of the room. Ava and Brennae were both standing there too.
“What in the world?” she whispered almost afraid to speak at all. Her whisper had been heard and the guards standing by the port pad stiffened. Suddenly their eyes were focused on her and the others and she wished she had kept silent. “Hello?” She tried a weak greeting only to earn a glare. The male guards standing around the room made Knaleg look small. Anyone who knew that formidable male would have said it was impossible. Yet here they were. Kenzie knew they were A.I. by the strange glow to their eyes, and the liquid looking armor on their bodies.
“We are just going to the meeting—”
“The Star unit, that
is the STARR unit with the designation of Star, told us of your arrival.” One of the guards spoke as he moved forward. The voice wasn’t cold or unappealing, it was just kind of strained. Kenzie smiled and nodded at the guard. His eyes locked onto her and then traveled down her body and back up, looking her over. “You are an appealing—”
“She is taken.” Kenzie jumped at Knacayn’s hard statement from behind her. The men had joined them and it seemed the androids were jumpy because their armor hardened instantly. This is what the MAN units had looked like.
Before matters could take a turn for the worse Kenzie dragged Knacayn out of the room. The way the guard had looked at her was unnerving. With the others following, they strode determinedly along the shockingly empty paths. This wasn’t the Terraneu Kenzie knew. There were no children running around. No couples walking on the paths. No pets or noise or activity of any kind.
“Where is everyone?” she whispered to Knacayn.
After a moment of silence, Kenzie figured he wasn’t going to answer. Then he whispered, “I spoke with my father. When Star arrived with Kynan and his guards in tow, everyone was ordered indoors.”
Kenzie figured that was a good idea. It would keep Kynan from knowing exact numbers of their population, not that they couldn’t figure it out if they had thermal imaging. Which she imagined they did. At their earlier encounter, they had deducted DNA readings from Amber when she was across the clearing from them. Thermal imaging wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination. So much for keeping their numbers secret. The only benefit to keeping everyone in their domes, for now, would be keeping nerves from being stepped on. Those guards had been pretty jumpy, she didn’t want to know what could happen if they felt really threatened. Why were her thoughts rambling around so badly? She needed to pull it together. The only thing keeping her from total panic was the fact Star had saved them on Earth. She wouldn’t have brought the androids to Terraneu if they intended to harm anyone, would she?
Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven) Page 8