by Nancie Neal
"It seems that everything is okay, but your energy levels are down. Have you been sad a lot, recently." The medic put the bar back.
"Yes," Amnika said.
"You are sharing with your family and friends, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay," the medic said. "It will be best if you take a few days to sleep. You may want to share with others besides your father and Trinka about your sadness." The medic put her tablet under her cape. "Higher level Inersiens need more connections. That said, feeling sad the day before and the first day is normal. You may find the simplest things making you cry."
"I understand." Amnika wrapped herself in the thin blanket and sat up.
There was a faint thump in one of the bins.
"That is probably the items I ordered," the medic said.
She opened a bin from across the room. She pulled out a package of fresh clothes and a health-monitor suit. Then she set them at the head of the bed on the table. Then she pulled out a small container and opened it.
"This is for when you bleed. You put this in your health suit bottoms, and it will stop the blood from making a mess," the medic said. "When you need to change it, it can go through the water reclamation system. It's just pressed seed tufts and riochi fiber." The medic pulled out her health monitor suit and showed Amnika how to put it on.
"When you get home, you will have a spare monitor-suit bottom. If you leak, you can just change it. I've set your suit to keep track of your system. When you are done with your cycle, you won't have a spare anymore. Also, if your cycle starts up again, the monitor suit won't flag you as in danger. I do suggest you go to medical anyway. We should do a quick scan to see if you are doing okay."
"I understand," Amnika said.
"I'll leave you to get dressed," The medic said, and she left.
Amnika did as she was told. She was relieved that she was okay. The room had a wash closet, and she used that to wash up.
Then she stepped out of the room. Her parents and the medic stopped talking and looked at her. Her father held out her cape, and Amnika grabbed it.
She glanced at her mother.
"I'm too young for a life assessment, aren't I?" Amnika said.
Father was a little surprised. "Why would you want that?"
"Out of curiosity," Amnika said.
"Well, you can't do a life assessment until you stop growing. It's why we wait until you are of age." The medic explained.
Amnika nodded and then she put her cape on. She knew that everyone grew at a different rate, but everyone stopped by the time they reach their twentieth cycle.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Amnika woke up before the walls were bright. There were ten days left of formal education before everyone was dismissed to be with their families.
She sat up and sighed. After what happened in the middle of the last half-cycle, Zakkon thought it would be best if Amnika stayed with her parents.
She remembered explaining to him what the medic told her. He was understanding and apologized. He insisted that she stay with her parents instead of the dorms. "Besides, You should be with your mother as much as possible," He reasoned.
Her mother looked frail. It was more apparent every day that her mother didn't have much time left. It caused a sense of sadness that kept Amnika from feeling sleepy. She placed her blankets aside and set the walls to brighten halfway.
After her usual morning routine, she walked out of her bedroom in time to hear the door buzz. Surprised, she answered it. She could sense her father come out of his bedroom behind her.
Rodgistan stood in front of her grinning.
"I know it's early. Both of you grab a bar and go to the mountain hangar. Zakkon wants to see you there."
Amnika and her father looked at each other and shrugged. Father grabbed a bar from the cooking area, handed one to Amnika, and headed down to the mountain hangar.
The moment Amnika stepped out of the lift Zakkon greeted her. "So, now, I have an assignment that you will start training for."
Everyone within earshot looked at him, surprised. Mihka happened to be in the area and walked over. He was still wearing his wall-guard uniform. Amnika wondered why he was in the hangar.
"You are done with your rudimentary education," Zakkon said, "aren't you?
"Well, I still have some trouble with genetics."
"Only because you don't want to do it. That's understandable," Zakkon said. He waved a hand in the air as if to shoo off the thought. "I can't expect anyone to love doing everything, that would be foolish of me." He paused for a moment and took a deep breath.
Father and Amnika stared at Zakkon.
Zakkon cleared his throat and shifted. "We need to study the anomaly."
Father balked. "What? That's a dangerous mission."
"I had one of the researchers give all the information we have on it to Roniathan," Zakkon said. "He's the only one equipped to study and analyze such a phenomenon. Besides, we may come up with a way to cut space travel time in half - if not more!"
"But, why," Father stammered, "Why can't you send someone else with him?"
"Because I will only go with Amnika," Roniathan said.
First, they all looked at the ship. Then at Amnika. Mihka tried stifling a chuckle.
"I didn't think he was going to be a research ship when I first programmed him," Amnika said. "So I added some code to make him somewhat endearing to me."
"That's why you are here talking to him every day," Anias looked amused.
Amnika sighed. "It's in his base code. It would difficult for me to change it. In retrospect, I was a bit immature. I wanted a talking pet at first. I completely forgot about it by the time I powered him up the second time."
"Ze, ze, ze," Her father put his hand on his face.
Mihka could no longer hold it in and began laughing.
"I didn't know!" Amnika insisted. "Really, I didn't." She looked at her hands. If only there were a way to see consequences before deciding, she thought to herself. She realized that her father picked up her thoughts.
Father put his hand around his daughter.
"I know," Father said in her ear, "I only want to keep you safe."
"I've studied the data on the anomaly. We will be at a safe distance," Roniathan said. "There is very little danger outside the normal problems traveling in space brings on. It will be like any other first-time mission."
Father let his hands drop and stared at the ship. "I suppose. All first missions are observations."
"In the next few days, you will train to fly your ship. As soon as you are competent, I will send you out with your mentor."
"Mentor?" Amnika and Father said almost together.
"Rodgistan will be going with you."
"I don't even have a level yet," Amnika said.
"I plan on assessing you today," Rodgistan said. "I do know that you are high enough to have a mentor now. It's rare that an Inersien reaches the level you are at your age, so most mentors are assigned after the final level is determined. We usually assign mentors when an Inersiens are leveled past twenty. I think you are past that."
"I thought I was going to have a researcher for a mentor," Amnika said.
"Remember I told you that you have to learn basics in leadership first?"
"Oh, yeah," Amnika said.
"I almost forgot about that," Father agreed. "It's been a while since I had to do the same."
"It won't be much different than before. Except I am no longer just your instructor, but your mentor as well."
"Now we need to find a Natisien to go with you," Father said.
"That's why he's here, no doubt." Amnika pointed to Mihka who grunted in agreement.
"Mihka had his pilot training. He will be training with you as an analyzer," Zakkon said. "He's also trained as a minor protectorate. So he can be with you since Rhada isn't ready, yet."
"Already?" Rodgistan glanced at Mihka, then at Amnika. He shrugged. "I guess it makes sense. Nahaeda must have known
that Amnika would be a high level so he would have made sure that she had a protectorate when she reached twenty."
Mihka grunted again.
Amnika smiled at Mihka. She was happy that she was paired with someone she knew.
"So it's settled then." Zakkon noticed one of the instructors walking by, and he went over to her to talk with Anias following behind.
Patting his chest with his hand at Amnika, Mihka turned away to go back to his duties.
"We will start training later today," Rodgistan said. "You should study a little this morning."
"After I talk to Roniathan?" Amnika asked.
Rodgistan smiled. "Of course, but you will still study genetics before midday meal. I better see you in the research building soon."
"I understand. It'll only be a few minutes." Amnika walked into the ship.
"I guess we'll be flying soon," She told Roniathan as she stepped into the cockpit. "So, what have you learned so far?"
"Zakkon allowed me to tap into the system," Roniathan said. "I'm not allowed to change anything, just look. So I've been looking at the city's historical data. A lot is missing."
"Yes," Amnika said, "A lot of information was destroyed in the great war. Then our record-keeping was sporadic until the city was built. It's partly why I have a hard time with genetics. It bugs me that some of the information is just theory. Especially with our origins."
Amnika sat in the pilot's chair. She noticed that it was switched out to fit an Inersien. She checked the other chairs. The Navigator's chair was also small, but the Analyzer chair was large. She took a deep breath.
It was finally happening.
"Well, the Nahborians think they were from another planet," Roniathan said. "Their ancestors were trying to find out more about the stars but ended up crashing into Nahbor. They had a few genetic mutations, and now they are what they are today."
"And the Hemerians believe that they were created for some divine purpose. I think the only thing we all have in common is that we believe in a creator." Amnika muttered.
"I did analyze the data of your legend stories," Roniathan said. "There are some inconsistencies."
This did pique Amnika's interest, but then Anias walked in. "You will have to tell me about it later." Amnika smiled at her friend.
"So, this is the new ship," Anias said.
Amnika motioned for him to sit in the navigator seat.
"Father said that I can talk with you for a little while," Anias said, and he sat in the seat next to her. He then swiveled, so he was facing the back.
"Our ship engineers do an excellent job, don't they?" He marveled.
"I would like to think so," Roniathan responded.
Amnika wasn't looking at her ship. She was looking at Anias. His hair was almost all black. A few wisps of blond still hung on.
"When are you of age?"
"I'm in my 20th year now," he said.
Amnika was a little surprised. "You still call Zakkon, 'father'?"
Anias shrugged, "Habit, I suppose. He hasn't corrected me."
Amnika chuckled. Sometimes parents don't want to admit their youngest child is grown up.
"What level are you?" Amnika said.
"Eight."
Amnika was a little surprised. She knew his mother was a fifteen and Zakkon was a solid twenty-one.
"I know," Anias said. "No one can figure it out either. You are an anomaly, too, you know."
Amnika nodded. Her mother was a low one. She could pick up thoughts and feelings, but she couldn't share. Her father was a twenty-two. Genetically, she should have been between the two.
"Yes, but I am from a history of anomalies," Amnika said.
"That's true, but not like you. If anything, you should have been Rodgistan's daughter," Anias said.
Amnika sighed.
"And everyone wonders why I don't like genetics," she lamented. "It never makes sense to me."
Anias chuckled and spun himself to face forward. Then he locked the seat in position so it couldn't turn anymore.
"Speaking of which," he said, "you have something to do?"
Amnika gave a dramatic groan. Anias laughed and got up. Then he leaned over towards Amnika ear.
"By the sound of that groan, I'd say you already know," he whispered.
Amnika felt her heart skip a beat. She watched him walk out.
"Your heart rate is elevated," Roniathan said. "It's not high enough to be concerned, though."
Amnika looked at the front panel.
"I do have to go to study genetics," Amnika sighed. "I'll be back after the midday meal but just before training."
Chapter Twenty-Three
Amnika worked the rest of the morning in the research building. She was able to pass her assessment, but she still had a lot of unanswered questions.
At least I passed, She thought. Amnika gave an uneasy glance around. There was no one there to pick up on her thoughts. Relieved, she stopped at Medical to pick up a bar and to have her face fuzz removed. She didn't want a repeat of what happened last time.
It only took a few minutes, and she headed to the mountain hangar. A young Natisien tribesman stood at the opening. He had his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. Amnika felt that she should know him, but she couldn't recognize him.
Mihka walked past and put his hand on the tribesman's shoulder.
"I told you she wouldn't recognize you," he said.
It dawned on her who the tribesman was. Amnika glanced at Rodgistan who nodded. She smiled.
"Rhada!"
Laughing, Rhada knelt down, and Amnika ran to hug him. Rhada was nearing adulthood. Upon closer inspection, she could see that under his beard, which wasn't full yet, he still had the appearance of an older boy.
"Has it been a full two cycles already?" She asked.
Rhada grunted. "Time does seem to go fast when you are busy. I know you have to train. "His voice was so low that Amnika could feel it through the ground. "We talk later."
Amnika let him go.
"I'm not sure how long it will be," she said. "I can meet you here when I'm finished."
"I can meet you here," He said. He put his hand on Amnika's back as she turned to leave. She stopped and looked over her shoulder. He wasn't fully grown, yet, but Amnika could already tell that he won't be as large as the other Natisiens. She didn't mind. To her, he was the right size. "Once you start training, I will go to the market and wait."
Amnika walked back towards Rodgistan and Mihka.
"I told you that you need an evaluation first, so let's do that now," Rodgistan said, and they headed towards the insulated rooms. Instead of using the smaller student rooms, they used the larger ones that were closer.
She reached a low twenty-one.
Rodgistan then took Amnika back to the Mountain hangar to begin training. Two Inersiens and two Natisien flight technicians waited for them.
"Of course you are familiar with the flight suits," Rodgistan said. "We will be wearing them for training, but they won't activate since we won't be moving."
Then Rodgistan put his hand on the hull of the ship. "It was Roniathan's idea to have the simulation with him. After all, we will be using him for your first assignment." He looked back at Amnika and Mihka. "We will be taking advantage of the rikta polymer. The flight will show in the window, and it will respond to the controls as if you were flying for real."
He took his cape off and handed it to one of the flight technicians.
"The flight technicians maintain the flight suits, make sure the proper seating is in place, and they make sure that flights stay on schedule."
"Unless they're Hemerians," Amnika muttered. "Only the Creator can keep them on schedule."
Rhada and Mihka laughed. The flight technicians tried to hide their laughter. One of the technicians had to put her hood on and pulled it over her face. Rodgistan gave Amnika a stern look. Amnika Shrank.
"I apologize," Amnika said as she looked down. Mihka touched her back, and she looked
back up.
Rodgistan no longer looked stern but amused. "Take your cape off, Amnika."
She handed her flight cape to one of the technicians.
"At this point," he said, "You will have to keep your emotions even. If you have to go on a flight in a hurry, you must do your best not to distract anyone."
"What if your emotions are strong?" Amnika asked. "I mean, if there is something significant is going on..."
She trailed off.
Rodgistan nodded. "That's an important question. If your emotions are strong, share with someone. Even the technicians can help with that. Sometimes there are extra Inersiens around for that purpose."
Then he began to take his outer clothes off. Amnika followed his example. Mihka also took his uniform off. Soon they were only wearing their health-monitor suits. They all held out their arms for the flight suits. Amnika's flight suit was more comfortable than last time. She glanced at the technician.
"We adjusted it for you," The technician smiled at her.
Then the technicians put on the communicators. Amnika felt her communicator bond to her face. This time, she didn't have to worry about pulling hairs.
Soon they were in the ship. The front window went opaque and then it showed the mountain hangar opening.
Amnika looked a little confused.
"It's the display," Rodgistan said. "Go ahead, Roniathan and show the demonstration we talked about earlier.
After a moment, Amnika saw herself walk in front of Roniathan and put her hand on the nose of the ship. It triggered an odd feeling.
"Amnika?" Rodgistan sounded a little concerned.
She remembered that she didn't have her cape.
"I guess I don't know the word for the feeling I have right now," Amnika said and pointed to the window. "That is just odd."
"Surreal, maybe?" Rodgistan suggested.
Amnika looked back at herself, who was now looking towards her right and smiling. She remembered looking at everyone who was off screen right before the flight test.
"Maybe," she said.
"Reverting to training display," Roniathan said.
Amnika watched herself vanish, and the window showed just the hangar opening. Amnika looked at Rodgistan and smiled.