The Space Between

by Scott J Robinson

  "You sit here, Tuki," Kim said, indicating a spot on the floor between the beds and under the table, then positioned the moai so his back was to the rest of the room. His head almost brushed the table. Kim and Meledrin then sat on each of the beds.

  "What are we doing?" Meledrin asked.

  "They have cameras in here," Kim explained. "Little windows that they can look through. Normally the cameras will be in the corners of the room, up near the ceiling, because it's the spot that gives best coverage with the least cameras. I'm just trying to make it so they can't see the skyglass thingy. And if we talk quietly enough, maybe they won't be able to hear, either. Hopefully."

  Kim looked around but there was not a lot more she could do. "Wait a sec'. Lift up this end of the table, Tuki." The lad reached up above his head and easily lifted the table, allowing Kim to remove the sheet and blankets from one of the beds. She used that as a curtain to hide their activities completely from the room. Keeble crept into the protected area with them, like a little boy when a castle was being built. Meledrin scowled at the dwarf, but Kim patted a spot on the bed beside her and he sat down there.

  "Show us what it does, Tuki."

  The young man nodded. "On."

  Kim watched as the globe started to glow softly. After a few moments, a detailed image of the Earth appeared. Kim examined it closely. There wasn't a lot to see that she didn't expect to see. Continents and oceans. Transparent, moving cloud formations. But there was something: three blue crosses. One in the southern United States, which was right beside a blue dot, one in England, and one in South America, somewhere along the western coast.

  Tuki said, "Back," and the image shrank to include a large area of space and a few dozen yellow dots.

  Tuki nodded. "Airman Dongoske said that the yellow dots are 'alien mother ships'. The blue dot is the skyglass. I do not know what the crosses are."

  "Tuki, can you show us your own world?"

  He could and he did. "Kiva," he said. Yellow dots swarmed around the other world as well.

  Meledrin then asked him to show Sherindel, and he obliged, bringing it up in the 'glass.

  "Show us a solar system, Tuki."

  "Pardon?"

  Kim spoke directly to the skyglass. "Sol," she said, trying to sound authoritative. Nothing happened. "A solar system is one star surrounded by a group of planets. Ours here is called Sol. So say Sol."

  Again Tuki obliged, but nothing happened.

  "Shit. Earth." Kim said. Nothing.

  "I think that perhaps your world was not always called Earth," Tuki said. "I could not get it to work." Then he said, "Centre," and Earth was visible again.

  Kim tried again. She touched the glass lightly and said, "Back." Nothing. Tuki repeated the word.

  Kim shook her head as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Perhaps knowing the words isn't enough," she said quietly. Maybe it's that extra layer in his skull. "I don't know. No wonder our hosts aren't having any luck." She smiled slightly. Small consolation.

  Tuki said back two more times until the 'glass was showing a tiny yellow spot in the center that could only be a sun and eight other spots that could only be planets minus Pluto. Maybe. Each of the planets had a list of data beside it, as did the star, but Kim couldn't read any of it. Apparently Tuki could read numbers there, but letters were beyond him. Kim tried to explain her thoughts.

  Nobody could disagree. They just stared at her blankly. Tuki was the only one who really understood the nature of stars and planets. So Kim tried to explain a bit about that as well, whispering in Tuki's language. And she tried to explain a bit about the universe. The other two were still back in the dark ages, but Keeble, obviously understanding every word, nodded and wrinkled his brow in concentration. Kim still didn't know a lot of the words she wanted to use.

  When she was done talking, Kim turned her attention back to the skyglass.

  "Go outwards," Kim said to Tuki. "Show us more. Show us lots of stars."

  The moai spoke and the planets disappeared to be replaced by a cluster of stars.

  Kim was completely lost. She couldn't even find the sun. There were dozens of them, but they all had lists beside them, and Kim surmised that there was only so much relevant information about stars that somebody might list.

  Kim asked Tuki to find the Earth's sun and read out the numbers listed beside it.

  He somehow found it amongst the spread of stars. Ignoring the letters he said: "8, 2, 2, 5."

  Kim made a guess. "There are eight worlds in our solar system. Well, that depends on who you're asking, but anyway. I think that first number is telling us how many worlds there are." She found another star with the same symbol on the first line. "That one will have eight worlds as well," she said.

  Tuki knew the name of the star, so he quickly zoomed in for a closer look. Kim gave a little cheer. She was right. They tried ten more times to be sure and met with success on every occasion.

  That was the last victory. They moved back to the Sol system where Kim had more information to work from, but she could decipher nothing. If the skyglass had been made tens of thousand of years ago like Tuki suggested, then anything she knew would be so far out of date anyway. The numbers could mean a dozen things, each as plausible as the other. Or as implausible.

  It wasn't until a meal was brought in on trays an hour later that Kim realized the Americans must've been following their conversation. They wouldn't have been allowed to hide for that long otherwise. She swore to herself as she chewed on a salad sandwich.

  When the meal was done, Kim led the others back into the fort, though she was sure it wouldn't do any good. She leaned over and whispered in Meledrin's ear, hardly more than a breath. "We have to get out of here."

  "Are they not going to help us?"

  That depended on your definition of 'help'. Kim didn't answer.

  "And how are we to get out?"

  Kim sat back and shrugged. She hadn't thought things through. Then she whispered again. "I suppose all we can do is jump whoever comes in here next."

  "And the men they leave outside the door?"

  "Okay. Well, we will have to jump the person who comes in as they come in, so the door is still open. Then we have a hostage."

  Meledrin just raised a long, thin eyebrow.

  "Have you got a better idea?"

  "I do not think Tuki would be any use in this plan of yours. His people do not even kill base animals."

  "There are still three of us."

  "Against trained fighting men with weapons?"

  "We can't stay here, Meledrin. We'll never be let out."

  "Well, perhaps these Americans have a right to do what is best for the many."

  "Of course they do. And we have the right to try to get out of here. We can still give them information if we're in Canada or Mexico or something."

  "Perhaps."

  Kim grunted in disgust. "You think they're worried about Sherindel, do you? They'll forget about your world until it's convenient for them to do something about it. And then it won't be long before humans own your world as well. It's not just the Americans who are like this, most of the world is." Kim didn't believe the first half of what she was saying. The Americans would help Sherindel as much as they could, as would the Brits and anyone else. But the second part she didn't doubt at all. Humans from all around the world would soon be rushing to get their hands on real estate and resources on the newly discovered worlds. But she was pissed off and really wanted to get out. She'd say whatever she had to. Just like the Americans. Shit

  "Very well, then. Let us try." But the elf still didn't seem convinced.

  Kim didn't care. She whispered the plan, such as it was, to Tuki and Keeble. Tuki looked shocked, almost dropping the skyglass. Keeble smiled and nodded.

  * * *

  Nobody returned before the lights went out.

  Kim swore and lay down on a bed. She was still lying there a few hours later, a lifetime away from sleep and staring into the darkness, when someth
ing happened.

  She stilled her breathing and tried to slow her racing heart. The darkness was all but complete, so she strained to hear.

  "What?" A strong hand clamped over her mouth. She was ready to fight in an instant, but the cold press of a blade against her throat stopped her.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. Her clothes were soaked with sweat in an instant. Instincts were still telling her to fight, but she remained motionless.

  "Miss McLean, you must be quiet." The man released his grip.

  "Dongoske?" she said around ragged breaths.

  "Of course. Who else did you expect? I've come to get you out of here."

  "What?" Kim sat up slowly. Though Dongoske was barely a meter from her, she couldn't see anything.

  "My ancestors would not want you to be kept here. I have ignored the spirits of the Hopi long enough to know when I should listen."

  Kim thought it was a pretty corny as far as excuses went. She doubted the Hopi had much to do with this at all, but she'd play along, for the moment. "Ok. Let's get going then. I'll wake the others."

  But they were already awake. Meledrin explained what was happening to the two men, and they all made their way silently to the door. Kim collected her pack and adjusted the shoulder straps so Tuki could carry it.

  "I'd carry it myself, but I may need to act quickly."

  The lad nodded as if that was only to be expected.

  Outside, a soft light filled the corridor. Dongoske checked their surroundings before turning to speak. "Follow in single file. First person about two meters behind me. Kim, you last."

  "Why?"

  "Because I can understand you well enough to know what you're thinking. And you can keep an eye on them."

  Kim didn't trust Dongoske at all but figured, one way or the other, he was their best chance of getting out. She would follow until an opportunity arose.

  23: Escape

  Meledrin followed Kim and Airman Dongoske into the hallway. She was pleased to be moving again, though she wished it were Kim leading the way instead of the human saveigni. She commenced a Beginning but changed her mind and wove a Greater Beginning instead.

  Meledrin longed to see trees and sky once more. She longed to hear something other than the hum of mankind. Keeble added to the hum himself, mumbling, running his fingers along the swirling pattern of the walls. Tuki was as quiet as always. He knew what was proper.

  "Where are we going?" Keeble whispered in Tuki's language as they waited near an intersection several minutes after leaving the cell.

  Meledrin had been surprised earlier when she discovered Kim had been able to quickly learn Tuki’s language. To then discover that Keeble could understand it as well had been truly shocking. She shook her head in displeasure.

  Kim shrugged. "I don't know. We're just following Dongoske."

  "Do you think he'll lead us out of here? Or into a trap."

  Tuki watched it all as if nothing surprised him.

  "He'll lead us out."

  "What the hell?"

  Meledrin turned to examine Airman Dongoske. He was standing in the middle of the hall, mouth hanging open like a saveigni who had found himself present at a bathing ritual.

  "What?" Kim asked in reply. A small smile was playing at the edges of her mouth.

  "You both speak Shoshone?"

  "You should talk to your superiors a bit more often."

  "You've spoken it all along and said nothing?"

  Kim shook her head. "Nope. I don't know about Keeble, but I learned it after talking with Tuki."

  "That's impossible."

  "You keep saying that, Dongoske," Kim said with another smile, this one in Keeble's direction, "despite evidence to the contrary."

  "You can't just learn a language like that," Dongoske insisted.

  "Once I started listening, and concentrating, I found it was impossible not to learn. It was like a missing part of my mind fell back into place and everything was as it should have been. Perhaps it's a genetic thing."

  "'Genetic thing'?" Dongoske shook his head. "If it was a genetic thing, everyone would be able to learn the language as easily as you have."

  "Perhaps they can."

  "Then why don't they?"

  "Perhaps they don't really want to. Perhaps they haven't concentrated. You can't tell me General Hilliard has made any attempt at all to learn? You speak the language, so what more does he need, right?"

  Meledrin joined the conversation then, clearing her throat as she looked between the two humans. "This is all extremely interesting, I am sure, but should we not discuss it at some later time, in some other location?"

  Kim agreed. "Let's get out of here."

  Dongoske grunted and nodded.

  Kim looked around. "So, where are we going?"

  That worried Meledrin, Kim not even knowing where they were going. The surrounding stone was weighing on her mind, and she wanted someone she trusted to know what was happening. The soldier did not answer. He merely beckoned for them to follow and moved down the next passage.

  As far as Meledrin could tell, there was no pattern to the route Airman Dongoske followed, but they traversed the hallways silently for a long time before coming into contact with anyone else. Rounding a corner, they discovered two men standing guard on either side of a closed door. Meledrin felt herself shoved aside as Kim charged at the two men. With a curse, Dongoske attacked as well. The guards stood still for a moment, shocked. By the time they thought to reach for the weapons at their belts, it was too late.

  Slightly bemused, Meledrin watched as Kim kicked one man in the groin and struck the other in the throat. Airman Dongoske didn't even take part in the action.

  "Jesus! Are they all right?" Dongoske asked when Kim had finished.

  "Are they all right? I thought you wanted us to get out of here?" Kim wrung her hand and grimaced in pain. "Shit, that hurt."

  Meledrin felt like pointing out that she could quite easily let the men handle the sweaty hand-to-hand violence and save herself the embarrassment. But the two humans were talking, so she remained silent.

  "Well, yes." Dongoske looked guiltily at the two fallen men. "You know, I'd rather not kill anyone."

  "They aren't dead, Airman. I know what I'm doing."

  "I find that hard to believe."

  "And I find it hard to believe we're still standing here. Either lead the way or piss off."

  "Come on then."

  Meledrin sniffed her displeasure, but everyone ignored her so she was forced to follow the man again.

  She weaved an Action.

  Dongoske watched the two downed men as he went past. Kim watched Dongoske.

  From that point, the journey became more difficult. The sounds of humans became louder and more frequent. Before, everything had been softly lit, now bright lights cut through the dimness from under doors or through windows.

  Near one side passage Airman Dongoske grabbed Meledrin by the arm. She squealed slightly, unable to control her shock, but the man pulled her through an open doorway before Meledrin could shake loose his strong grip.

  "How dare you touch me."

  "What? Shut up, there's someone there."

  "I will not shut up. If you lay hands on me again, I will have no choice but to —"

  Another hand grabbed her arm. Meledrin spun about to see Kim standing with a finger pressed to her lips. "If you don't shut up," Kim whispered, "none of us will have any choices."

  The sound of the footsteps slowed, then paused. The voices of two men trailed away. Meledrin held her breath. A moment later the two humans in the passageway moved on again.

  "If you touch me again," Meledrin said quietly, "I will kill you."

  Airman Dongoske flapped his jaw wordlessly, then shook his head and went back out into the hall. Kim said nothing, but as Meledrin straightened her clothes and muttered a Changing to calm her nerves, she could feel the woman's stare. She brushed the memory of the man's touch from her arm and followed him through the door.<
br />
  They continued on, darting across brightly lit or open spaces like thieves. For all their caution, pausing at each corner to listen, waiting in shadows, they didn't go far before finding trouble once more.

  Meledrin walked quickly around a corner and found herself staring at the hairless chest of a heavily muscled, shirtless man. He was not much taller than she was, but he seemed much larger. They both stood staring for a moment before Keeble blundered around the corner and almost knocked Meledrin into the stranger's arms. The human broke eye contact as Keeble swore.

  "Whistler's wart, woman, what's the holdup?"

  Kim rounded the corner and did not hesitate at all. Her cocked shoulder struck the stranger in the solar plexus as she charged forward. They both grunted with the impact, but the man was driven back into the wall. A moment later he lay on the ground groaning, and Kim finished the fight with a short sharp blow. Before she had even straightened, trying to shake the pain from her fist, she was speaking.

  "Come on, let's keep moving. Come on Tuki and Keeble, we have to move."

  They continued down the hall, running now, still in single file. Dongoske glanced up at the ceiling at one point, as they crouched in the shadows and waited for a human to pass. Meledrin wondered if he was seeking the help of his gods or if it was some human trait that she had not yet experienced. She thought to ask Kim what the action meant, but did not have the chance. They were moving forwards again.

  They dashed across the passage then stopped outside a door, and Dongoske held a cautionary finger to his lips.

  "Through here," he whispered, "is a guardroom. Two men. Armed, but not expecting anything. We'll have to take them quickly, but we should be safe. You sure you want to do this? They'll kill you, they'll kill us, if they get the chance."

  Kim nodded. "Do it."

  "Me first. You in seven, six, five..." Dongoske opened the door and strolled in like he was supposed to be there. He left the door open behind him.