Zherosha Chronicles- Unknown Origin

by Nancie Neal

  "Oh! That would be great!" Trinka clapped her hands together.

  Amnika hugged her friend. "It's good to see you back to your old self."

  Rhada left to go up the lift to Amnika's room. Then he returned with Trinka's box. He handed it to Rodgistan.

  "Thank you, Rhada!" Trinka said.

  Rodgistan stayed for a moment to discuss formal education. It's likely that they will be able to start in a moon-cycle.

  "We can arrange it so that formal education still ends by half-cycle. We may have to omit some extras or push the student to work a little harder." Rodgistan saw the look on the two girls' faces. "Don't worry, it will work out. You two should especially do okay."

  Then they left. Amnika looked at her father. He gave her a reassuring smile. Then she noticed that his hood was off.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Amnika went back into the project room. She noticed how she wasn't so sad anymore. She did miss Oshtron, especially since they bonded over her project. She also knew that he would want her to finish her project.

  "You don't seem like you were yesterday," Roniathan said.

  "I'm not as sad as I was yesterday," Amnika responded. "It helps when you have friends to share the grief."

  "I see," Roniathan said. "I have a working design if you want to see it."

  Hearing him say that made Amnika feel even better. She went over to the table and picked up the display."

  "Yes please," she said.

  Rhada walked in behind her and looked over her shoulder.

  The design still looked like one of their fleets. Unlike the other research ships, it had a lower profile and had some secondary thrusters on the wings. It used the polymer from Nahbor for the skin.

  "Why use the polymer for the skin?" Amnika asked Roniathan. She already knew the answer. It was an idea she had after looking at her new tablet. She wanted to hear his reasoning.

  "The polymer is strong enough to handle normal space debris," Roniathan said. "Check the display."

  Amnika looked at the display. The data confirmed that her idea was a possibility.

  "So you can change the color of the skin."

  "Yes. It can also reflect the blackness of space," Roniathan said. "It's not exactly becoming invisible."

  "But in space, you're pretty much invisible," Rhada whispered. "Even if it were only black, it would still look invisible."

  "Nahbor also produces proper shielding." Roniathan's displayed switched back to calculations. "Zherosha isn't trading for it, yet, but I put it in my design anyway. It could be easily left out now. Then the builders can add it later."

  "I'll see if we can have proper shielding for your storage banks and your processor. There are a few anomalies that caused problems for our ships. I don't want your data to become corrupted."

  Amnika took out her tablet and retrieved the data from Roniathan. She added her own notes that included the shielding for the processor and the design for storage banks. She put in a request to have them built so the workers can transport Roniathan without trouble.

  "I think I will have a response by the time I go into formal education for the ship." Amnika put her tablet back under her cape.

  They go out to the cooking area. Father was there, talking to his wife in that other language. They stopped when they see the two walk in. He began to say something, but stopped and pulled out his tablet. Tablets will either vibrate or send an energy pulse when you receive a message.

  "Well, then," Father said after a moment. "They need me at the mountain hangar. I guess I better go."

  They watched him as walked out the door.

  "What could possibly be so important that they need him at the hangar?" Amnika asked.

  "He is Advisor," Mother said. "The one job that doesn't allow much for grieving time."

  "By the looks of Zeth's demeanor, it may be good news." Rhada stared at the door for a moment before looking down at Amnika. He put his hand on her back. "You are feeling better."

  "Most definitely." Amnika smiled at him. "I still miss Oshtron, though." She hesitated, then took a deep breath. "At least I can talk about him more without crying now."

  "I know it's tough," Mother said. "You will still miss him, but the pain does get easier to deal with."

  "It's why I work on my project. It helps me focus." Amnika thought for a moment. "Kind of like how drawing helped Trinka."

  "How is your project coming?" Mother asked.

  "He's pretty much done. I only need those storage banks."

  Mother handed riochi bars to Amnika and Rhada.

  "Natia will be here today so we may be able to have a fresh meal tonight," Mother said. "But she wants to cook."

  "Natia cooks like your mother," Rhada whispered. "I'm glad I'm eating here tonight."

  "Well, she did learn from the best," Amnika said as her mother walked by. Mother gave her daughter a hug. Amnika always wondered where Mother learned how to cook. She never met her maternal grandparents. Her father said that there was an episode of deaths before he was of age.

  "It was nice that Rodgistan and Zakkon came yesterday," Amnika said. "But why didn't their wives come with them?"

  "Well, they also lost friends and family." Rhada's voice still squeaked. He cleared his throat. "I think I'll still stick to whispering."

  Amnika leaned up against him. "Zakkon was also quiet. I almost forgot that he was there."

  "It's likely he didn't want to upset you more," Mother said. "You know you project when you are really upset."

  Amnika nodded. "That's what I thought, too."

  Amnika and Rhada were in the project room when she heard the door buzz then open. She could sense Zakkon and her father. She knew that her father was Advisor, but their visit still surprised her.

  "Amnika!" Zakkon was his normal, animated self. He had his tablet out and pointed at it. "I received your design, and I'm very impressed! Your project encouraged everyone to think about making updates to our fleet. If Mahla held their own, perhaps we can try to trade with them again."

  "According to Oshtron, they seemed to be more advanced than us," Father said. "We held our own, it's likely they held theirs."

  "There is one problem," Zakkon said. "Nahbor limits the trade of their polymer. We tried to get their shielding items. They make it so difficult. Everything else we trade with, it's no problem. They've helped us to advance in weapons when we had to go against the Exorlak. For some reason, they are making it difficult to obtain the shielding we need for our ships."

  "You think they are making it difficult intentionally?" Amnika asked.

  Zakkon and her Father looked at her.

  "It's possible that they don't have the resources," Zakkon sighed. "We offered to have the Natisiens go and help create what we need, but they declined. I guess we can't fault them. They don't want to deal with the Hemerians directly or indirectly."

  Amnika glanced at Rhada. She knew that if it weren't for Nahaeda, they wouldn't be trading with the Hemerians. Even with the trouble they caused, Nahaeda insists that Zherosha trades with Hemeria. Inersiens won't disrespect the tribal leader.

  "Well, if I can get enough to shield Roniathan's processor and memory, that would be good for now. I don't want his data to become corrupted," Amnika said.

  Zakkon nodded. "Yes, that seems reasonable. We may already have some, if not, it's small, the Nahborians might find trading for it reasonable."

  "We are going over the designs to see if something needs to change," Father said. "But it's likely this is the final design you can submit to your formal education."

  "Ah, yes," Zakkon said. "We are visiting all the students to submit their projects for this moon-cycle. Even though we hadn't started formal education, the research center is open. We may be able to get everyone up to speed despite the trouble we've had. Next half-cycle, we should be right on schedule."

  Hearing this made Amnika happy. There were problems in the past that caused a delay, and the students had to increase their workload. By the e
nd of the half-cycle, the Inersien students had medical problems from lack of sleep.

  Zakkon grasped her hands and shared how happy he was to have her as a citizen. Then they left.

  Amnika looked up at Rhada smiling.

  "Looks like things are looking good for you now," Rhada whispered.

  Amnika touched his hand. "Let's go to the trees."

  "Not until you take a bar with you," Mother said, and she went into the cooking area. "I have to go to the research center for a little while. I trust you will take responsibility for your health this time."

  "Of course I will," Amnika said as she took the riochi bar that her mother handed her. "I have a bar, now. I won't let myself go hungry again."

  Mother gave her daughter a hug right before she left.

  "We can always go to the market moments before midday meal," Rhada suggested. "You won't go hungry there. At least not while I'm with you."

  "Unfortunately, I don't have any pieces with me."

  "You don't need pieces," Rhada whispered.

  "Rhada, you know I can't take advantage of another person’s generosity like that," Amnika explained. "Even if it's by proxy. I mean, sometimes it's okay. Just not all the time. Especially since I can wait for a day or two for…"

  Amnika stopped. She glanced up at Rhada before staring at her hands. "Oshtron." Amnika took a deep breath. "I guess I won't be getting a gift from him at this time anymore."

  Rhada grunted and put his hand on her upper back.

  She put her hood up, leaned on Rhada and cried.

  That night, Rhada took his place at the edge of her bed. Amnika buried herself under her covers.

  "I probably have to leave tomorrow," he said as he closed his eyes.

  "I know," Amnika said. She knew that he couldn’t stay forever. "I'll be okay."

  She noticed that his whisper was different. She turned and looked at him for a moment. He took more of the bed since the last time he was there.

  He opened his eyes and looked at her.

  "You still can't sleep with me here?" he whispered.

  "I can," Amnika insisted. "It's that I noticed how much bigger you are since the last time."

  Rhada chuckled. "I did grow," he whispered. Amnika detected a hint of pride.

  Amnika turned the other way. She heard Rhada make some unusual noises. Then silence. She held her breath.

  "Nope, still can't purr," Rhada whispered.

  Amnika began giggling.

  More unusual noises. Then a few clicks.

  Amnika couldn't contain herself any longer. She buried her face in her pillow and laughed hard.

  Rhada chuckled. "Well, I can almost click properly."

  "Well, it's good that you are doing better," Amnika's father called up the lift. " But you should sleep. After tomorrow, you won't be allowed to sleep in."

  "I apologize," Amnika called back. She buried herself in her pillow to allow herself to finish laughing. When she calmed down, she faced away from Rhada.

  "Practice tomorrow," Amnika said. "I need sleep."

  "But you do feel better," Rhada whispered.

  She looked at him over her shoulder. "You were trying to cheer me up." Amnika couldn't see him through the darkness anymore. "You always think of me." Amnika faced away from him again. She was grateful to have friends like Rhada and Trinka.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Amnika doubled checked her tablet. Everything seemed to be in order. She checked the connections to the energy banks for the fifth time.

  "It's fine," Roniathan told her. "I know it works. I designed them."

  Studying him for a moment, she noticed the A.I. showed a lot more emotional inflection in his voice. Amnika made a note on her tablet. He also understood nervousness. She stopped for a moment. Did she feel nervous or anxious? She wasn’t sure if there were a difference, but they were two different words in Zherosha Standard. Whatever it was, it appeared that Roniathan tried to console her.

  "I know," Amnika said. "I'm nervous, but I'm also excited. I finally get to bring you to the research building! I'm also going to formal education soon after."

  "I see," Roniathan said. "Does it help when I tell you that you will do fine?"

  "Sometimes that helps." Amnika smiled. He was learning all right. "I just wish the transporter would be here sooner then we can get on with it."

  "Everything must run on time. Sometimes being early can be just as much of a disruption as being late."

  "Well, I know that," Amnika said. "It's just I don't like waiting so much. They should be here any time now, though. they're not that early."

  The front door buzzed. Amnika walked out to answer it. There stood two Natisiens in their official citizen uniforms. They were here to bring Roniathan to the research building.

  Behind them was Zakkon which surprised Amnika. She stood off to the side to let the Natisiens pass.

  Understanding her confusion, Zakkon grasped her hands and shared that he was there as a friend. He came to share in her excitement.

  "Oh, so it's not official business," Amnika cast a thought to him.

  "No," he cast back. "I've started to let Anias take over some official duties. I think he would like to be Leader after me." He followed Amnika to the project room with the Natisiens behind him.

  "So it is portable," one mused as she looked it over.

  "He," Amnika corrected. "It's part of the program." She pointed to the smaller box attached to the top. "That's the storage bank."

  The Natisien nodded and picked it up.

  "Oh," she seemed a bit surprised. "It's too heavy for an Inersien. No wonder you have us move it."

  Amnika nodded and stepped out of their way. Outside door was a hovering platform. Amnika could hear the low hum of the hover plate.

  They followed the Natisiens until they reached the transport tube entrance. Instead of using the transport, they took the lift to the underground system. Amnika watched in wonder as bins zipped back and forth on the tubes that reached every point in the city.

  The Natisien holding Roniathan laughed. "You like?"

  Amnika turned and smiled at her. "I guess I never have seen such a thing before."

  The male Natisien grunted. "Without the underground system and their workers, City would die."

  One Natisien grabbed a bin and fitted it onto the side track. They were only designed for the rails on the system. Each one had its own ID number. Then the Natisiens were careful when they set Roniathan into the bin.

  "This should be different," Roniathan said.

  "He speaks," One of the underground Natisiens marveled. They sealed the box and sent the bin towards the research building.

  Up until this point, they were all talking in Zherosha Standard.

  "We could put her into one of the bins," the male said in Natisien dialect. "We can send her to the research center that way. She'll get there faster than if she took the tube."

  The female glanced at her. "She may fit in the large one," She smiled. "But the cover wouldn't close properly."

  "Sure it would," The male said. "We can put her in the largest ones."

  "No, those are almost always in use. We don't have too many."

  While they were speaking, one of the supervisor Natisiens walked over. Amnika recognized him as someone who worked with her father.

  "It sounds like fun!" Amnika said in Natisien dialect. "But I don't think it's safe." She knew they were only talking. No Natisien ever shoved an Inersien into a bin and sent them somewhere.

  The supervisor and Zakkon laughed.

  "She's Zeth's daughter," The supervisor said. "Some say she learned Natisien dialect before Inersien dialect." He winked at Amnika.

  The two gave Amnika mischievous smiles.

  "So you knew!" Amnika chuckled.

  The two Natisiens and Inersiens went back up to the lift to take the transport tube. From there they go to the mountain hangar. It was a short distance to the research building from that drop-off. The track stopped behind the t
owers on top of the ridge. They had to take the lift down to get to the lower level. From there, they walked outside the hangar to the research building. It was right on the other side of the old landing pad.

  When they finally reached the room where Roniathan was in, Amnika took her tablet and did some rudimentary tests. The research supervisor and her Aunt walked over. Amnika greeted her aunt.

  "So, this is the famed A.I," Tanishia said. She looked the project over and took her tablet out. "Any special instructions?"

  "He learns by observing," Amnika said. "Even if you have a dispute, it's good that you solve it in front of him."

  Tanishia nodded as she wrote on her tablet with a stylus.

  "Oh, and don't let the Hemerian youths get near him yet. I want him to learn to interact with them, but not before he learns how to interact with us first. I have an idea to prevent them from causing problems with the A.I, but I haven't gotten to it yet."

  Tanishia stopped writing for a moment to giggle.

  Zakkon scoffed. "It's why I had this room secured. No one is allowed except for the researchers and you." He put his arm around Amnika. "I put it at level one, so you will have to get permission from leadership before you can allow someone else in."

  Turning towards the door, Zakkon motioned to Amnika to follow him.

  Anias met the two outside.

  "I did as you asked," Anias greeted his father.

  "Oh, good. That's my son." Zakkon stepped back and let Anias greet Amnika.

  She sensed his excitement, but Anias didn't share why. She pulled back and gave him an odd look.

  He leaned in and whispered into her ear and said, "I can't tell you, it's a surprise."

  Zakkon chuckled.

  "Come now, Amnika," he said. "We should go to the market, and I'll pick up some sweets for you."

  He headed turned towards the direction of the market. Amnika noticed several ship engineers head towards the mountain hangar. They discussed plans on building a new ship.

  She didn't know why she took notice. She heard her father discuss the expansion of trading routes. They would need more ships for it.

  When they got to the market, Zakkon stopped at the same booth with the Inersien couple. He took out his pieces and paid for two sweets on a stick and a riana root.