by Nancie Neal
"The ventilation system needs to be repaired, apparently." Father cleared his throat.
"No," One of the Inersiens replied. The end door does." She pointed towards the end of the hall to the open door. On the other side, the red rock of the mines contrasted with the white of the glowing rikta walls.
The Natisiens were busy, picking away at the rock. Most of them were not wearing their shirts. They were all singing to the rhythmic sound of the tools. The voices echoed over the smooth ceiling which caused Amnika to stop and watch. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father stop. She gave him a sad look. He nodded and continued, and Amnika turned back to the miners.
Amnika watched the minors and noticed Mihka was among them. He had stopped mining and studied her. After a moment, he walked over. Pausing partway there, he put his hand up for a towel and one of the Natisiens threw it at him. After he wiped his sweat, he threw it into the dirty bin and raised his hand again for a clean shirt with the same result. He put it on and then stood next to Amnika.
"It's unusual for a Citizen student to be away from her studies," His deep voice rumbled.
"Mother isn't well," Amnika sighed, "She only has a few days."
Mihka kneeled next to her, and she leaned up against him. He was still a little damp, but she didn't care. She felt his large hand on her arm, and they watched as Father approached Petrez. After listening to what their father had to say, Petrez looked at Amnika and then back to Father.
After they spoke for a few more moments, they both walk towards Amnika. She ran towards her brother and hugged him.
"Amnika, I'm so sorry," he said. "I know how much you care for her."
"I can go to the ceremony if it would help you feel a little better." Mihka stood up.
"Medical gives her three more days," Father said.
"I can put in a provision for you." Petrez pulled out his tablet. "That is if Amnika would have you."
"Oh, yes. Please?" Amnika straightened up a little. "I would like him to come."
Petrez tapped on his tablet. "Mahnisha will probably stay behind. The attacks by the Raiders increased the demand for stabilizer fluid." Petrez hooked his tablet on his shirt loop and sighed. "We found some more on a few asteroids on the wall, but it will take half a cycle before we can make use of that supply." He gave Amnika another hug. "I guess that's it then. I need to wash up and get a flight suit on."
As the three of them walked towards Roniathan, Amnika could sense Petrez's aw and curiosity. She looked back at him to see him with his head tipped, studying Roniathan.
"Well, I'm impressed." He gave Amnika a side hug, and they went into the ship. "It's too bad I get to see him in such circumstances."
Amnika unlocked her seat and swung it around. "I should have mentioned to put in more than just three seats. Mihka would have come with us instead of using the transport."
"I designed the fuselage to be versatile," Roniathan responded. "There is space for another seat behind the Analyzer, and the dry stasis tube is removable for two more.
"I had forgotten about the analyzer seat, but I didn't know the stasis tube could be removed." Amnika turned her seat back around and locked it into position. "No one told me this either." She sighed. "My studies have prevented me from looking at the design as well, I guess. I'll have to review the design later."
Her father put his hand on her shoulder. "All right, let's go home."
Amnika put her hand on the controls and flew out of the mining base.
The siblings slept in one of the insulated room the following nights, taking advantage of the built-in beds. Father signed it out so, in the morning, bars were in the dispenser waiting for them. Their father stayed in the only spare bed in the medical room.
Mihka came to visit a few times. Amnika cried on his shoulder. "I will go to the caves after this is done. I wonder if I was too quick to go to the mines."
"Let me know, and I will change that," Petrez said.
It was difficult to see her mother waste away. She was in pain and Amnika did her best to help her feel better. Some moments she wished her mother could accept her calming energy.
"Your mother does feel it." Father put his hand on her shoulder. He must have walked in while Amnika made another attempt. "It's not quite the same for her. She can't draw on it, but she does feel it." He went onto the other side of the bed and sat down.
Her mother opened her eyes and looked at Amnika.
"My little one," She whispered. "I believe that one day, we will see each other again." She turned to her husband.
"I love you." Mother released Amnika's hand and ran her fingers through his hair. She let her hand drop and looked as though she saw something beyond. She stared for a moment and closed her eyes.
She could feel her mother pass. It wasn't the same as a connection breaking, but Amnika could feel her conscience leave. After a short moment, Amnika felt her father's piece return to him.
Father began to cry. Amnika got up, grabbed the stool she was sitting on, and set it next to him. Then she pulled his hood over his head and leaned on him.
Amnika looked at Petrez who stood at the foot of her bed. She could sense his sadness, but he was also confused.
"Father, I'm going to leave you alone," She told him.
"Go," he sniffled. "I'll be okay."
"I don't understand." Amnika closed the door behind her. "She raised me, but…"
"It's as if someone distant passed on?" Petrez said. "I know. I feel the same. She treated me as if I was her own."
Amnika hugged her brother. "I am sad, but it's not the same."
They hugged and shared their feeling of confusion until their father walked out.
"It's okay." his voice wavered. "Humans actually have the same problem. They don't connect, and it takes longer for them to grieve. I guess I'm the only one who really knows she's gone."
Amnika could feel his sadness, and she hugged him.
They decided to have an Inersien ceremony.
"After all," Zakkon reasoned, "She was still a citizen. She was one of us while she was here."
Afterward, Amnika tried to sort her feelings in the insulated room. Rhada knelt next to her, and she leaned up against him.
"We are the same with humans in that regard," Rhada explained. "We don't have the connections that Inersiens have. It's why we sing. It triggers the grieving process."
"Maybe you should sing to me?" Amnika said.
"You do seem to be sensitive to sound." Rhada scooped her up and sat on the flat surface at the corner of the room by the window. Then he held her in his lap as a parent would cuddle a child. He began to sing.
He sang of a journeyman who went to a faraway land. There he met his wife, had a family. He tried to take them back, but there was trouble and they couldn't. It was too far and too dangerous. He eventually had to leave them behind. They promised that they would meet him there someday.
Halfway through the song, Amnika began to cry. She remembered this song at the funeral of the two Natisiens and how it made her sad then, but now, it sounded like her own mother taking that journey.
The door opened, and Trinka stepped in. Amnika went to hug her.
"I wish we could see each other in better circumstances," Trinka said.
"Our training is keeping us apart, but Rodgistan says that you are doing well." Amnika shared her feelings with her childhood friend.
"Oh, Amnika. I wonder if I would be like that if you didn't teach me to share." Trinka sighed.
They talked about Amnika's mother and all the things she would do with them when Trinka would stay the night.
"You know, I wonder how many stories were from her childhood," Trinka wondered.
"I always thought that those stories were from the Natisiens." Amnika glanced at Rhada. He looked amused. "Especially the stories that involved talking animals."
"Oh, like the three Patri and the scant who can blow buildings down," Trinka said.
Amnika laughed. She did feel better. "I
remember that one." Then she thought for a moment. "I wonder what kind of animals she replaced them with."
"Oh, Trinka, There you are." Rodgistan walked into the room. "I've been looking for you. I should have known that you would be here to comfort a friend." He gave Amnika a hug and held her.
"When you are finished here, you can go home. Your training will resume tomorrow."
"Can't she stay with me tonight?" Amnika looked up at him.
"If it's okay with your father, but I don't have a problem with that. In fact, if she wants to stay a few days, it would benefit both of you." He let her go and held her at arm’s length. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."
Amnika and Trinka watched him leave the room.
Chapter Thirty-Three
"I wish I would have known about my mother sooner. I still have so many questions to ask her," Amnika lamented. "I mean, it would be confusing at first, but It's another planet like ours with a strange culture that's stranger than the Hemerians."
The two girls were in the insulated rooms for a while talking about Amnika's mother. Rhada sat by the open window, watching them.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far about the culture." Trinka put her arm around her friend. "I mean, I don't think it's possible to have a stranger culture than the Hemerians."
The door opened, and her father walked in. He still had his hood up. Amnika hugged him and shared with him what happened in the room with Rodgistan.
"Yes," Father said. "Trinka can spend the night. If it would help you."
"But what would help you?" Amnika looked up at her father's red eyes.
"I have friends, and they are helping."
"I can meet you later," Trinka told Amnika. "I think I will get some art supplies so I can show you what I learned tonight."
"I would like that," Amnika said as Trinka left the room.
"Perhaps it was good that she left because I have something else I need to tell you." Father sat down at the table in the center of the room.
"More secrets?" Amnika crossed her arms.
"No. No more secrets. That's why I'm telling you this now."
Relieved, Amnika sat down next to him and took his hand.
"Trinka is human," Father said.
"You mean one of her parents..."
"No. Trinka's parents became her guardians. Your mother worked as a medical aid called a 'nurse.' The medical building had an area where they kept babies who didn't have parents.
"How do babies not have parents?"
"Well, on earth, some parents are not capable of taking care of them, or some die. So they go to some facility where other families watch them. Some become temporary guardians, some become permanent."
Amnika shifted her position to face him. "So what happened?"
"One of the babies showed to be a sensitive. It's what we called the humans who respond to our energy, and sometimes they can pick up our thoughts. I told you that your mother was one." Father took a deep breath. "It was after we knew we were going home. We all felt bad for the child, so we took her with us. Her parents, who raised her could not have children, so they were happy to have her." He waited for Amnika to process the information. "It's why we were surprised when you taught her how to share. We were even more surprised that she can project. She's still a low three, but we never thought a human could get so high."
"I thought they were surprised when she couldn't share." Amnika leaned up against the table. She was having a hard time processing this information.
"She was a very strong sensitive. We thought that there was a chance that she would be able to share. It's why we brought her with us." Father explained. "When she didn't by the time she was in her fifth cycle, we thought it wasn't going to happen."
There was another long pause as Amnika tried to process all of the information.
"Then there's Astran," Father said.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised."
A short gasp came from her father. Amnika realized she sounded abrupt.
"I'm only a little annoyed, but not with you." Amnika took a deep breath. "A lot of problems could have been avoided if you were allowed to be open with this."
Father nodded. "Astran is like you, except his father was human."
"What happened to his father?"
Father hesitated. Amnika could sense his struggle.
"You know your mother was a gentle soul. She wouldn't harm anyone."
Amnika nodded.
"Not all humans are like that. Some are selfish and only interested in what they can get for themselves," Father said. "Astran's father neglected her, and when she asked, he refused to release her."
"You mean she was in limbo this whole time?" Amnika asked.
"Why do you think she is almost always sad?"
"Why?" Amnika looked down in horror at her hands. "Why would someone be so cruel?"
"I don't think he really understood the ramifications," Father said. "Afkistan had the pleasure of dealing with a woman with a similar personality. Except she was willing to let him go. He united when we got home, but he is still a little bitter. I had to convince Zakkon that Earth wasn't a lost cause." He scoffed. "At least he didn't want to listen to Afkistan."
"Why? What did Afkistan want?"
"He wanted to stop the Earth inhabitants from going to space. He was concerned that they will become like the Exorlak."
"He wanted to scorch Earth?!" Amnika voice was loud and high enough that it stirred Rhada.
"I'm sorry," She told her protectorate. "I didn't mean to cause alarm, I'm just…"
"No," Father said and grabbed her hands. "Afkistan didn't want to destroy them. He wanted to put them back into what they called 'the dark ages.' It's what they call a period of time where they forgot all of the knowledge they had. They became easily sick and oppressed each other with warring factions. Everything they did was hardship. He was concerned that if they were able to reach us, their current governments would cause problems with us." He took a deep breath. "You know, they still fight among each other a lot."
"It's the real reason why we send beacon ships, isn't it?" Amnika asked.
"Yes," Father said. "And your mother is the reason why we didn't attack earth. She explained humans to us. She explained their culture. So we kept on an eye on them to make sure that if they advance, they won't turn on us."
"So what about Astran..."
"How you handled Astran and Trinka made us rethink our relationship with Earth. It's why Zakkon wanted the data from the anomaly. He thought he had you positioned far enough from it." Father let Amnika's hand drop. "We may try to trade with Earth. Perhaps even use their genetics and history to learn about our past."
Taking a few moments to think, Amnika inhaled. "Father…"
"Tell him. Tell Astran and Trinka. You're right. No more secrets."
Amnika left the insulated room and put her hood on her head. Rhada followed her.
"Where do you think Astran is?" Amnika asked.
"Good question." Rhada looked above everyone. "I don't see him here.
"I thought that maybe he would be here," Amnika said. "Well, perhaps we should look at the dorms."
"Oh, no." Afkistan caught up to them. "He's not at the dorms." He saw that Amnika was confused. "He is a friend of yours, right? I saw him walk this way and I thought he was going to see you."
"So, where is he?"
Afkistan took her down the hall to another insulated room.
Amnika gave Rhada a worried look. He put his hand on her back. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She couldn't bring herself to step in immediately and understood the difficulty her father had in telling her the truth.
"Astran, there's something I need to show you," Amnika said.
Astran quietly looked at her. Amnika could sense that he was angry, but he metered his emotions well.
She walked over, held his hand, and shared what her father told her about her friend.
"It's not much different than what my mother told
me," he said. "At least you had the decency to tell me as soon as you knew. My mother waited until the day your mother died. I couldn't ask Glondikia any questions."
"I know. Father told the truth about me when I got out of the portal. She was too weak most of the time, and I didn't want to make it worse by drilling her with questions. I did hear a lot about her childhood, though."
They both sat there for a few moments in silence.
"Trinka is one of them," Amnika said.
"One. Of. Them." It took a moment for it to sink in. "But how, I mean," Astran stammered. Amnika picked up on his struggle. "How did you get her to share? I thought humans couldn't share. At least that is what mother told me."
"Everyone was surprised that I got her to share. It's one of the reasons why they want to give Earth a chance."
Astran nodded. "The first thing I will do when we can go to earth is finding my father and ask him why he abandoned me." His voice was tight. "Why wasn't I good enough for him?"
Amnika's heart broke.
"I'm sorry, Astran. You aren't neglected here." She choked back the tears.
"I know," he said, and he gave Amnika a hug. "I won't forget that. Ever."
The two friends stayed together for a short while. Amnika shared her sadness with him and the strange feeling she felt after her mother passed. She still couldn't believe that her mother was gone. Astran shared how angry he was with his mother, but now that he knows it was Zakkon's order, he's more upset with him.
"Zakkon thought he was doing what was right," Amnika cast a thought to Astran.
Astran sighed. "Maybe." he cast back. "I won't confront him if that's what you are worried about. I know you have enough to deal with already."
After hugging him again, Amnika left the insulated room feeling sad but relieved. Astran was dealing with his emotions well.
"Now, I have to tell Trinka," Amnika sighed.
"She is staying with you, remember?" Rhada put his hand on her back again.
"I know," Amnika said. "I think I would rather face Astran's wrath than Trinka's crushed spirit."
Rhada grunted. He followed her up to the Advisor's floor. No one was home yet.