Zherosha Chronicles- Unknown Origin

by Nancie Neal

  "For your mother," Zakkon said as he took the bag. "You know, it was your mother who came up with the sweet on a stick." He put one in his mouth and handed the other to Amnika.

  "That was her mother?" The woman cast a thought to them.

  "Oh, yes, the artist with food. Of course, she would come up with such an idea." Zakkon said.

  Amnika smiled, and she put the sweet in her mouth.

  "We sell those faster than we can make them," woman's husband said. "It was a good idea. They're a favorite among the children."

  They continued walking in the market. Zakkon would sometimes stop at a booth and speak to the vendors. They were about to walk by the same vendor who sold her the data crystal necklace.

  "I have something for you!" She said, and she held up a necklace similar to the one she bought before. It didn't have the data crystal.

  "May I try it on?" She asked.

  The Natisien nodded and handed her the necklace. Amnika put it on. It was perfect.

  She didn't have the pieces for it, and she was about to ask if the Vendor could hold on to it for her.

  Zakkon stopped her.

  "How much?" Zakkon asked.

  "Seven," she said.

  "It was seven last time," Amnika cast a thought to Zakkon.

  He glanced at her and chuckled. Then took out his pouch. Amnika was about to protest, and he held up his hand.

  "I'm late in giving your gift this month, and this is for your project, right?"

  "Well, yes," Amnika said.

  "Then," Zakkon said as he handed the Natisien the pieces. "That is what this is for. I think your pendant idea is a good one."

  "I look forward to seeing the results of this," he said.

  "Is that why you brought me here?"

  Zakkon didn't say anything at first. "You must find it odd that I would treat you as my niece."

  "It happens." Amnika faced him. "That's what Father says, anyway."

  Zakkon nodded. "My only sister passed on before she could have children. She was young, but she did live well for her short life."

  Amnika gently grabbed his arm.

  "I understand," she said. Zakkon had no nieces or nephews, so he adopted her as one.

  "I also want to convince you to be Leader." Zakkon turned towards her and chuckled.

  "But what of Anias?"

  Zakkon had a mischievous grin. He began walking through the market. "I am training him, aren't I?"

  Amnika thought for a moment and started to follow him. "You're pairing us before I'm even of age?" She quickened her pace to catch up with him.

  "No, the vision did." Zakkon chuckled and stopped to look at a few items at a booth.

  "My vision?" Amnika remembered the vision she had as a child, the first time she had to train Rhada. She stood next to Anias, looking at the towers. The city was empty, and there was this feeling of being victorious at a significant loss. The vision was brief, but it seemed to elicit a lot of emotions in the Natisiens.

  "Anias.'" Zakkon looked back at her. "He had one recently. That said, it's not set in stone. Some Inersiens were known to change their future when their vision was not so pleasant. It's not always possible, but it happens. You do have a few years, so there's no real rush." He leaned in closer. "He said you were on either side of him." Zakkon straightened up, chuckled and took a deep breath. "He was only united with one of you, though." he continued walking.

  Amnika scoffed. "Well, it was a vision, I suppose." She noticed a gap between them and quickened her step to catch up. She nearly ran into him as he stopped suddenly at another booth of trinkets.

  "It would explain why you and Anias were together in your vision, though." Zakkon continued to the next booth.

  "Does Father know?"

  "Well of course." Zakkon stopped and smiled at her again. "You should know me enough to know I couldn't keep that a secret."

  Chapter Sixteen

  Amnika watched Rodgistan walked up and down the rows of the new students who were gathered between the lifts to the towers and the student dorms. He looked quite pleased. It seemed that the deaths that caused the delay were only a distant memory.

  "My name is Rodgistan," he said, "And I am the head instructor. In a few minutes, you will be asked to go into the insulated rooms, where you will be given a test to see your base levels. From there, you will be assigned an instructor based on that level. They will try to push you to your limits, and they will determine your final levels. Any questions?"

  "What if you surpass your instructor?" One boy in the back asked. Amnika turned to look at him. She recognized Astran. He didn't look like his usual mischievous self. Instead, he glowered at Rodgistan.

  "That rarely happens, but if it does, we assign you one that is a higher level."

  Astran saw Amnika looking at him. He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her. Confused, she turned to look ahead at the instructor. He motioned for her.

  "Come here, Amnika," He said to her.

  Trinka immediately grabbed her arm. Amnika turned to her and looked at her.

  "It's okay," Amnika cast a thought to her, "You'll be okay."

  Trinka let go of Amnika's arm and nodded.

  Amnika walked over towards Rodgistan. He took a moment to look at Trinka before looking back at the students.

  "We will be in the presence of Natisiens," Rodgistan continued. "You will now speak the standard language that unites us. It will be difficult at first. We all know that Natisiens talk about their emotions. There are a lot of words that you will not have a translation for. In that case, feel free to ask any instructor or any official without fear of discipline."

  He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "We cannot assume understanding. Instead, we say..." he stopped.

  It took a moment to realize that he wanted Amnika to finish.

  "I understand." She responded in fluent Standard.

  "There are some advantages in growing up among high-level Inersiens," Rodgistan said. He patted Amnika's shoulder. "However, by the end of the cycle, you will all know what she knows when it comes to language. Also, by then, most of you will find an interest in a subject or job."

  Amnika didn't like to have so much attention focused on her. She looked at the floor.

  "Head up, Amnika," Rodgistan said as he waved in the instructors.

  Amnika looked up and watched the instructors line up next to Rodgistan.

  "What if we don't know what we want to do?" A girl asked.

  "You have plenty of time to figure it out. Many Inersiens don't find what they are most interested in until their one-hundredth cycle. Even if you do find something you want to work for, it isn't set in stone. I was in research before I became an instructor before I became Advisor and then Head instructor." A slight smile appeared on Rodgistan's face. "As a matter of fact, I had a lot of different jobs. Everyone here will probably have many different jobs, too. Three hundred cycles is a long time to stay in one job."

  "Your personal talent," he continued, "is limited by genetics and your environment. That's where your instructors come in. For now, the instructors that are testing you are based on the information your parents gave me. Each instructor is assigned three to six children. I'm usually not wrong in the original assignments, but no one is perfect, and sometimes I have to reassign a student."

  Rodgistan started to call out names. He was about to send the first instructor away when Father walked over. He whispered something into Rodgistan's ear. They both glanced over at Astran, and then Father turned to walk away. He glanced back at Amnika, and for a moment she caught a sense of pride.

  Rodgistan called more names. Trinka was a low level and potential artist. She went with the first instructor along with two other students. She glanced back at Amnika and gave a nervous smile. Amnika gave her a reassuring smile and watched Trinka disappear around the corner.

  Astran went with the last instructor, who was Afkistan. Amnika heard that Zakkon offered his oldest son officer positions, but Afkistan
was happier teaching the students. The students who worked with him loved him and excelled.

  At that moment Amnika realized something was amiss. There were no more instructors and the only ones left were her and Rodgistan.

  "Who do I go with?" She asked.

  "Your father told me a new ability of yours," Rodgistan said. "I will need to take you to Zakkon so he can observe you."

  Amnika wondered what that meant.

  "Come with me," He said, and he walked in a different direction, towards the lifts to the towers, and she followed behind. She hesitated when he stopped at the lift that would take them straight to the Leader's Meeting room.

  "It's okay," Rodgistan said, "Remember your father is Advisor and you will treat him as such. Zakkon is a friend, but not when it's city matters. He's the leader."

  Amnika nodded and stepped in the lift with Rodgistan. She didn't realize how nervous she was until Rodgistan put the hood of her cape over her head. She pulled the edge to hide a little more of her head and took a deep breath.

  Sometimes Amnika's Natisien guardian couldn't watch her. So her father would take him on his rounds. She could vaguely remember pressing her face up against the cleared part of the wall on the top floor of the Leadership tower, watching the ships fly by. Sometimes Anias would play games with her. She smiled at the thought. He was a good friend.

  When the lift reached the top, she could see her father, Zakkon, his wife, and Anias. They studied a tablet that the leader held. As Amnika and Rodgistan step off of the lift, the four looked up at them.

  The apprehensiveness came back. Amnika hesitated.

  Rodgistan gave Amnika a little nudge they both joined the others.

  "Amnika," Father said, "Do you remember what you did to cheer Trinka up when her parents passed on?"

  Amnika nodded.

  "Do it again for us."

  Amnika didn't like showing off and was about to protest, but Her father stopped her. "I'm not asking you to do it as your father," He said, "I'm telling you to do it as the Advisor."

  Amnika nodded and started to take off her cape.

  "Here," Rodgistan said, "Let me help you.”

  He took off her cape and draped it over his arm. Knowing that she could now become a distraction, she took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves.

  Zakkon nodded. He wore his hood. Amnika wouldn't be able to tell his reaction.

  Amnika took another deep breath and closed her eyes. She was still too excited and drew out a little more energy than she did last time. She knew what was coming but decided to continue.

  She brought out the energy and kept it outside of her health-monitor suit. Still concerned about how much she had, she let some of it disperse in the air causing some popping. She then pushed the energy out onto her arms. Amnika held her hands a little farther apart than last time, but it wasn't enough. Instead of a small arc, there was a loud pop.

  Amnika drew her arms back. Her fingers burned. Father took a step forward, but Amnika stopped him.

  "It's okay," She said as she shook her hands out. "I'm okay. I drew out a little too much energy."

  Her father nodded and stepped back.

  "I can do it again," Amnika said.

  "That isn't necessary." Zakkon winked at her. He looked at Rodgistan. "It looks like she has gained a lot more control over her energy in the past few cycles. I bet training Rhada helped her learn that control. We were right in making you head instructor."

  "I guess you still want to groom me for leadership." Amnika took her cape from Rodgistan.

  "We will give you the rudimentary training," Zakkon said. "Even if you don't become Leader, we will need dignitaries and commanders." Zakkon looked excited. "Especially since we have plans of expanding our fleets. Perhaps you will discover new intelligent species and set up trade routes with them."

  "You know." Amnika smiled at the prospect. "I think I would like that."

  Rodgistan motioned to Amnika to go.

  "No wait," Zakkon said.

  Turning back to look at Zakkon, Amnika noticed Anias' excitement intensify. Anias, realizing he was projecting, put his hood over his head.

  "Amnika, I thought I would let you know that we came to a decision," Zakkon said. "We decided to go ahead with the build of your research ship."

  Amnika didn't say anything at first. She stared at the Leader in bewilderment.

  "It's interesting to note that Roniathan made sure that some parts could be added later," he said. "That is if we couldn't get the parts we need right away."

  It finally sunk in.

  "You mean..." Amnika was almost afraid to say it. "My ship?"

  Zakkon smiled. "Of course, technically it isn't your ship, but it is part of your project. Also, gathering the materials won't be easy, and of course, it will be at least a cycle before it's totally completed. Also, it's just a prototype. We may or may not use the design for the rest of our fleet."

  "Really?" It was all that Amnika could do to keep herself from shouting.

  Rodgistan laughed and pulled her hood over her head.

  "Come now," Zakkon said. "She deserves to project some. She earned it."

  Her father chuckled. Amnika could feel his pride.

  Rodgistan and Amnika got onto the lift to go to the lower floor. They headed towards the teaching rooms. The teaching rooms were like the insulated rooms, except smaller since no one was expected to spend the night in them.

  The door opened to reveal a smaller table with a few chairs for the students and a larger table for the instructor.

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Rodgistan moved the smaller table to the far wall. Amnika helped him stack the chairs, so they were also out of the way.

  "The first day is always short," Rodgistan said. "I have to test you, and you may become exhausted. At that point, I can give you enough energy so you and make it to your dorm. Then you will have a couple of days to rest. After, I will teach you to go right above your skills until you can't do it anymore."

  Amnika nodded.

  "You say 'I understand' when I finish explaining something to you," Rodgistan instructed. "I know you are fluent in Standard, but it's a habit you need to develop. Natisiens do not know if you don't tell them."

  "I understand," Amnika said.

  "Good," Rodgistan said.

  He then proceeded to have her share her emotions. It was the baseline of what every Inersien should be able to do. Sharing also made the students' emotions easier to deal with. Then she was to cast a thought. After, he had her take off her cape. Then he had her think about her excitement of her project. Later, he had her try to draw a memory out of him, but she couldn't.

  "That's okay," Rodgistan said after seeing Amnika's disappointment. "You had no need for it until now. I will try to teach you in a few days. This is only an assessment."

  He had her draw her energy and try to hold the arc for as long as she could.

  "That isn't that hard," Amnika said. "You can do it, right?"

  Rodgistan smiled and held out his two fingers. He didn't take as long as Amnika to bring out an arc. He held it out for a long time.

  "The more you do it, the easier it gets," Rodgistan stopped the arc. "See if you can give me a minimal amount of your energy."

  She did.

  "Good, good."

  Rodgistan then opened a cubby on the wall and pulled out a red sphere. He then placed it on the taller table in front of the room. Amnika had never seen such a thing.

  "What's that for?" Amnika wondered out loud.

  "It's for your last test," Rodgistan said. "The bright color draws your focus." He then proceeded to walk Amnika over in front of the ball.

  "Now you need to move it," He instructed her.

  Amnika focused on the ball. It didn't move. She tried again. Still no motion. She took a deep breath and tried one more time. Yet, it didn't budge. She began to feel a little tired.

  "You are tired after that?" Rodgistan asked. He walked over and gave her some of his
energy.

  "That's it," He said. "I can place you on a low fifteen."

  Amnika wasn't sure that she heard right.

  "Fifteen?" Amnika echoed. "Who was fifteen at ten cycles?"

  "Well, I was," Rodgistan said as he tapped in his tablet. "It's why I gave up being an advisor. Someone had to teach you. It looks like I will be grooming you for leadership as well. You know, before you were born and while Zakkon was still young, I was Leader. I have some experience in that area."

  "Really? I thought Zakkon became leader after his father passed on."

  "At one point, yes," Rodgistan sighed. "He was young and afraid, so for a short time, he handed leadership over to me. The Natisiens liked me, but they liked Zakkon more, so eventually, I handed the leadership back to him. He only took it after I promised to be his advisor.

  "He came a long way," He reminisced. After a few moments, he looked at Amnika. "Well, it's time for you to see your new home."

  Amnika followed him to the dorm. By the time she got to the door, she was sleepy.

  Rodgistan noticed and called another high-level Inersien over. She gave Amnika some of her energy.

  "I think you tried really hard to move that object, didn't you?" He asked Amnika.

  "Yes," Amnika said, "I really wanted to move it."

  "Considering how much energy you used," Rodgistan said, "you may be able to move it next time."

  Rodgistan motioned to Amnika to open her door.

  "I don't have access to your dorm unless it's an emergency and medical isn't nearby," he explained.

  "I understand," Amnika said, and she put her thumb on the DNA scanner. The door opened, and they both stepped inside.

  The beds were already down. There was a metal container on Amnika's bed. It was her stuff from home. She sat down and put her hand on the box and stared at it.

  "I don't know if I want to be Leader," Amnika confessed. She didn't want to defy Rodgistan. "I wanted to get into research."

  Rodgistan chuckled. "You heard what Zakkon said, right? You are to get the basics in leadership, but that doesn't mean you will be Leader.