Zherosha Chronicles- Unknown Origin

by Nancie Neal

  Ishseh glanced back. “You still okay?”

  “Yes, I’m okay. A little startled."

  The Natisiens laughed.

  The shipped hovered for a few moments.

  "It is holding position okay," Ishseh said. "We'll do a graduated ascent now."

  Amnika could feel the back of her seat push on her. She watched the blue sky turn dark as they flew out of the atmosphere. The pressure on her back stopped, and for a moment it almost felt as though she was falling. Except, she wasn't falling. Neither was the ship. She realized that she was weightless.

  "Face the planet. I'll get her ready for a pressure check," Rayishda said. He unstrapped himself and floated towards Amnika.

  "Let her have some fun, first," Ishseh said.

  He unstrapped Amnika and pulled her out of her seat. Then he turned her to face him. He had a mischievous grin.

  "Uh, oh," Amnika thought.

  Rayishda looked up, hesitated, and then he gave her a push.

  She floated towards Ishseh and then felt his large hands catch her. He turned her to face him. Amnika looked over her shoulder at Rayishda.

  "We could play catch," Ishseh suggested.

  "I thought about it. " Rayishda winked at Amnika. "But we have testing to do. We'll have some fun later."

  Ishseh chuckled and pulled her towards the pilot seat. "Look."

  Amnika looked out the front window. There was Zherosha. Amnika had seen it in images during formal education, but they didn't do the planet justice. The planet like a painted clay ball that was cured in a fire.

  "Glass," Amnika said in awe. "It looks like painted glass."

  Ishseh grunted in agreement.

  "The Creator's glass ball," Rayishda agreed, she saw him head towards the back, and Ishda came up next to her.

  She put her fingers on the window.

  "You feel different energies?" Ishseh asked, "Inersiens say they feel different energies out here." Among the rustling sounds in the back, she could hear Rayishda grunt in agreement.

  "Yes," Amnika marveled. "Some types that I never felt before."

  "Space is a strange place," Ishseh said. "We see strange things sometimes. A lot of strange lights." He moved to make room for the pilot.

  Rayishda turned her towards him. He put a breather mask on her.

  "We need to check the pressure," He said. "You can sit in the pilot seat."

  Amnika sat down in the seat and strapped herself in. She then looked back at the two Natisiens.

  Ishseh floated to the back of the cabin. He took off his headset and put on a breathing mask. Rayishda did the same. After putting the headsets into the cubies, he pushed himself back to the generator and opened the panel.

  "Next test," Rayishda said. "Roniathan, you need to isolate yourself from the generator."

  "Switching to power banks, closing shielding around processor," Roniathan said. Amnika could hear a quiet whirring from under the panel.

  "Roniathan," Rayishda said, "I need you to begin writing the test data to the empty data crystal we gave you. Stop all other data processing during this time."

  "Writing to data crystal," Roniathan said. "all other writing processes stopped."

  Rayishda proceeded to cause the generator to fluctuate. It popped and fizzled. At one point, it looked as though it would shut down. Then the generator returned to normal function.

  "Check for data corruption," Rayishda said.

  "Checking for corruption." Then there was a pause. "None found."

  "You can resume other writing processes but remain isolated."

  "I understand," Roniathan said.

  Amnika realized what they were doing. They had to check to make sure that Roniathan will be okay when they open the vents. When the vents open, some interference will get through. Zherosha ships were shielded from basic interference. The pilot wanted to make sure that it won't corrupt Roniathan's data.

  Then the pilot first tested the vents with the panels. Amnika could feel the pressure drop. As predicted, the generator began to pop.

  "Vents are responsive to panel input."

  Amnika noticed the ship move towards the planet. She looked back at the Natisiens who were now testing the manual vents. The pilot lifted a small panel in the floor. Then he reached in a pulled a handle and twisted it. There was a loud gushing sound, and Amnika felt the pressure drop again. The pilot looked at his tablet and nodded. Ishseh closed the vent, and the gushing stopped.

  An alarm sounded.

  "Breathable air dangerously low," Roniathan said. "Drawing on reserves."

  Among the other tanks in the far back was a pressurized air tank. If there was a leak or the regular air tank stopped functioning, the ship would automatically use the reserve tank.

  "Air levels back to normal," Roniathan said after a few moments.

  Rayishda took out a small sensor and checked. Then he nodded, and they both took off their masks.

  "Go ahead and take off yours," Ishseh told Amnika, "It's safe now."

  Amnika pulled her breathing mask off.

  "Roniathan, counter the physics effects of the ventilation," Rayishda said.

  Amnika felt herself push into her harness. The harness was meant to hold a Natisien in the seat. Amnika grabbed the harness at her chest to prevent herself from slipping out. Rayishda put his hand on the ceiling to keep himself from moving forward. Chuckling, he pushed Amnika back into her seat.

  "All right, Roniathan," Rayishda instructed as he put his tablet on the panel. "I need you to put the data that you acquired from take-off up to this point onto my tablet."

  The pilot's tablet lit up, and Amnika strained to try to see what's on it. Rayishda smiled back at Ishseh then unstrapped Amnika. After, he picked up his tablet, put it in Amnika's hands, then pushed her back to Ishseh. He gave her enough torque that she did a somersault on her way there. Amnika instinctively pulled herself into a ball as she floated to Ishseh.

  Ishseh caught her and grinned. He took the tablet out of her hands and looked at it.

  "There, See?" He showed the tablet to her. "Passed."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Amnika and Ishseh floated in the center of the ship while they went through the data. Every time Amnika had a question, Ishseh would explain it to her. Rayishda, in the meantime, called into the control center back on the surface. When he finished, he pushed himself to the back with the others.

  "We'll test the ship at the wall the second trip," he said. "Ishnah wants a turn. He would like a ride through the wall."

  Rayishda referred to the dense asteroid belt that surrounded their solar system. They were supposed to test the navigation system in the ship.

  "I understand," Amnika said.

  The pilot leaned in a little.

  "For a cracklier, you are quiet today," he said.

  "Is that what you are still calling me?"

  Rayishda straightened himself a little and grinned. "Well, you do sometimes speak randomly. And from I hear, you cast thoughts in the same matter."

  Amnika looked down and sighed, "And it's what got me into trouble today."

  Rayishda chuckled. "From what I understand, Zakkon had the same problem. He's so old that he forgot."

  Ishseh laughed, "I think he didn't get along with Nahaeda for that reason."

  Rayishda grunted in agreement. "They forgave each other. It's better now." Then he pointed to the analyzer chair. "Strap in. We need to test a fast reentry." He began to make his way to the front.

  "Shall I remain isolated?" Roniathan asked.

  "Yes." Rayishda looked back at his passenger. He gave Amnika a reassuring smile. "Just in case."

  Amnika was nervous. Zherosha ships were made to handle the heat of a fast descent, but pilots will go slow to prevent the rising temperature in the cargo bays. The problem was the skin was untested. If there was a slight imperfection, it could travel through the rikta fluid and burn out the generator. They would crash. She was surprised that they were given permission since she wa
s there.

  She looked at the panel. Roniathan would be okay, though. When she designed the computer, it had data crystals to back up his memories. High-quality data crystals did not break or burn. The base programming was stored in the vault. All they had to do is take the backup and install it on a new computer and Roniathan would be back up and running.

  She sat in her seat and strapped her harness on. Ishseh checked to make sure her harness was on correctly, then he went to his.

  "Roniathan," Rayishda said, "scan the hull. Check for leaks and imperfections."

  "Scanning," Roniathan said. She could see a small bar of light go across the front window. She knew that the bar would go across the entire hull.

  "Scan complete, no leaks and no known imperfections."

  "Chances of failure?"

  "Zero point zero, zero, zero, one percent."

  "I like those odds," Amnika said. Her voice quavered a little.

  Both Natisiens look back at her.

  "We do this every day with more dangerous prototypes," Rayishda assured her. "We will be home in one piece. Okay?"

  "Okay, I understand," Amnika said. She felt the back of her seat push against her.

  "Keep an eye on the temperature," Rayishda told his Navigator. "We'll go belly down, so I'm going to keep the nose up a little."

  The blue of the planet dipped below the front window. It seemed like they weren't moving at all for a long time. Then the ship shook a little.

  "We'll keep the hover plates off until after we reached the lower atmosphere," The Rayishda. "Speed?"

  "Just over twenty-two sound speed and slowing."

  More shuddering. Amnika gripped her harness.

  "Good."

  The front window began to flicker.

  "Are we on fire?" Amnika asked.

  "It's plasma. Supercharged friction. It's okay, it's supposed to do that." Ishseh answered. He glanced back. Amnika nodded. Her heart raced, and she gripped the sides of the seat.

  He looked back at the panel. "Temperature is already dropping from seventeen twenty heat ticks."

  Ishseh again looked at Amnika. "Really, we will be okay. Temperature is dropping, and the heat is staying outside of the skin."

  Amnika nodded. "Okay, I understand."

  She knew that everything would be okay. The flight crew was skilled at what they did. They made many flights, tested plenty of prototypes.

  And yet, she was afraid. She could tell that Ishseh was worried.

  The ship shuddered a few times. The Navigator and Pilot went back and forth on temperature, speed, and altitude. Soon the window cleared, and she could see the blue sky. Amnika sighed with relief.

  She felt the thump of the hover plates, and the ship slowed to stop in midair. Amnika could feel her own weight again. Ishseh got out of his seat and knelt in front of Amnika.

  "Are you okay?" he asked.

  "I am now," Amnika said. "I don't know why I was so afraid."

  "First-time fear," Ishseh said. "Everyone gets it. At least you got yours before you started training. We must make sure you are okay before we get too close to the city. You have no cape."

  Rayishda grunted in agreement. "They told us you were a strong one."

  Amnika took a deep breath and let it out.

  "I'm fine now," she said.

  "Good," Ishseh said, and he went to his seat and strapped himself in. "It will be easier next time. Especially since you know your ship has passed."

  Amnika was happy to hear that. She relaxed in her seat as they headed back home.

  When they landed, Amnika began to feel apprehensive. She took a deep breath and tried not to think about what happened. Maybe if she could keep her mind off it, she could keep her emotions at bay until she can put her cape on.

  Rayishda maneuvered the ship over the landing pad. Then he spun the vessel around and backed into the hangar.

  When they landed, Amnika stepped off to see her father, her mother, Ishseh's brother, and Rodgistan. Zakkon and Anias were nowhere to be found. She was a little relieved but sad. She knew that as Leader, he was busy. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what was so important that he wouldn't stay. She had a feeling that he was still angry with her. That thought made her feel sad and she tried to meter it. Amnika put her arms out for the flight Technician to take the top half of her flight suit off.

  "Here, let's put your shirt on so you can put on your cape," She said, "Then we can take the lower half off."

  Amnika put her shirt back on, and she glanced at her father who held out her cape. She took it and looked at him. He he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. She looked at her mother who offered a sad smile. Rodgistan stood there without saying anything. He didn't look happy but he didn't look stern, either.

  She put her cape on, and the technician helped her fasten it. Amnika put her hood on as the technician pressed a button on the back of the lower half. Amnika took the pieces off and put on her pants and shoes. She felt a little light without the suit. It momentarily distracted her from her feelings.

  Then the technician took her communicator off. She took it off quickly, and there was a burst of pain as Amnika felt all of her fine hair pulled out.

  Amnika winced, and Mother put her arm around her. Amnika pulled her hood over her head and cried. Partly because of the pain and partly because she was still sad.

  "You should go back to the towers with your parents," Rodgistan said. "It's almost the end of cycle anyway, and I think you need a few days to rest. I will be over later."

  "I understand." Amnika stifled a sob.

  When they reached their floor, Amnika waited in the main room for her father to say something.

  "You know Zakkon did forgive you," Father said.

  "I know," Amnika said, "but I never spoke to him like that before. It was out before I could even think about it." She pulled her hood over her face again. "I can't even tell you why I feel so sad. I know he forgave…" Amnika trailed off and began to cry again.

  Father sighed. He put his arm around her and shared some of what happened when she left.

  Zakkon was still a little angry, but then he was baffled by her parting remark. He knew Amnika was remorseful, but he didn't expect her to be so hard on herself. The navigator's brother, Ishnah, told Zakkon of stories of his own outbursts, including one that caused Nahaeda to stop speaking with him. Zakkon realized he was too harsh and didn't want to make Amnika feel bad, so he left. He and Rodgistan will be by later to see if she was doing okay.

  It should have made Amnika feel better, but she began to cry again. "I really don't know why I am still sad." Amnika sniffled. "I'll just go lay down."

  Father nodded, and Amnika went into her room. She closed her door, took off her cape, and laid across her bed. After wrapping herself in her blankets, she cried herself asleep.

  The next thing she knew, she felt her mother's hand on her back.

  When she looked up, her eyes felt as if they were full of sand.

  "Rodgistan and Zakkon are here," Mother said. "Would you like to see them now?

  "I feel unwell." Amnika closed her eyes.

  "Do you need to go to medical?"

  "I feel I need sleep," Amnika mumbled. Then she opened her eyes. "I'm wearing my clothing. Maybe they can come in here." She buried her face back in her blankets.

  "Are you sure you are alright?"

  "I don't know. I really don't know."

  "Amnika?" Her father sounded a little panicked. "Perhaps, you should go to medical."

  Amnika looked up to see a Natisien and her Father standing at the door. She couldn't figure out what was going on until she got up. There was blood on the sheets and her pants. Her health-monitor suit must have detected it and sent the alert.

  "Oh," her mother said. "That's normal."

  "Oh, That," Amnika said. She learned about this in formal education, but she couldn't understand why it was so soon.

  Father sighed with relief.

  "It's a bit early for an Ine
rsien," The Natisien said. "But, it's best to check anyway."

  The Natisien walked over and took one of Amnika's blankets, and carefully wrapped Amnika up. Then she picked Amnika up in a cradle-carry.

  As the Natisien walked by the men, Amnika heard her father explain to the other two what happened. Embarrassed, Amnika pulled the blanket over her face.

  When they reached medical, The Natisien put her down in one of the smaller exam rooms. After what seemed to be a long time the medic walked in with her tablet. Behind her was Amnika's parents.

  "Your health-monitor suit detected blood," The medic said. "Your parents explained things to me, and I think you will be okay."

  She slid her finger on the wall, and a bed folded out of the wall. Unlike the ones that are in the homes and dorms, this one had a mattress that was very firm. It was meant for examinations.

  "But we have to do a scan to double check to make sure everything is working okay," the Medic said. She motioned to the bed.

  "We will leave the room so I can talk to your parents. Take your clothes off, including your health monitor suit," She instructed. "Then lay down and pull the blanket over you. Don't worry about the blood. We will clean it up."

  Then they left, and the door slid closed behind them.

  Amnika unwrapped herself from the blanket and took her clothes off. She then put it into the dirty laundry bin.

  Then she got up onto the bed and covered herself the thin, clean blanket that was on it.

  A few moments later, the door opened, and the medic walked in. She grabbed the scanning bar stand and set it next to Amnika.

  "I thought this wasn't supposed to happen yet. I had a few more years." Amnika sighed.

  "It's unusual for an Inersien to start as early as you did, but it happens," The medic explained. "We think that ancient women started their cycles around this time. When lifespans were shorter."

  "I recently learned that," Amnika said. "I guess they also had their cycle with the moon-cycle."

  The medic tapped on her tablet. The bar swung over Amnika and lit up. It then went over Amnika's entire body.