by Drew Wagar
Bodies were scattered about her, most were dead, but some groaned softly, struggling to move away. As she neared them a short sharp scream from each marked their final demise.
* * *
‘We’ve still got to fix the Obelisk,’ Meru began. ‘Not sit down for a meal!’
‘One for the next stretch,’ Coran said firmly.
‘What?’ Meru demanded. ‘But …’
‘Everyone is tired and worn out,’ Coran said. ‘You said we had several stretches left.’
‘Yes, but …’
‘A good sleeping will do us all a power of good. Then we can tackle this thing with clear heads at first chime.’ He gestured at the enormous Obelisk reaching into the sky behind them and to the quay where Zoella and Kiri were sitting side by side deep in conversation. ‘Been a bit of a stretch all things considered.’
Meru looked at Fitch.
‘Captain’s spoken,’ Fitch said.
‘And he’s right,’ Mel said looking at Meru. ‘We’re exhausted, you’re exhausted …’ She looked over to the quay. ‘And so are they.’
‘They haven’t ripped each other’s hearts out then,’ Fitch observed, looking at the two women.
‘No,’ Coran said with a chuckle. ‘The peace seems to be holding for now. That food ready yet?’
‘Won’t be long,’ Fitch returned.
The smell of cooking was wafting up from the Mobilis’ galley. Everyone was hungry and finding any excuse to hang around the ship.
‘That does smell good,’ Meru said.
‘You’ll wait your turn same as everyone else,’ Fitch said, before his face cracked into a grin.
‘That was quite a trek you made,’ Mel said to Meru.
‘Yes, it was,’ Coran said, watching the two young women. ‘This Kiri girl is resourceful, I’ll give her that.’ He gestured to Meru. ‘Saved your life into the bargain.’
Meru nodded. ‘She did, more than once.’
‘And how are you doing?’ Coran asked.
‘Alright, I’m tired,’ Meru said, with a chuckle. ‘We didn’t get much sleep, too many strange things trying to eat us. There are nargs as long as your arm that try to bite you to death and plants that try to eat you whole, floods that try to wash you away … it’s a dangerous place.’
‘Coming through that storm was no little thing either,’ Coran said. ‘Zoella and Ira had to face down this … thing. A massive creature out of the ocean depths.’
‘Almost took us all as a snack,’ Fitch added.
‘You made it, we made it,’ Mel said. ‘That’s all that matters.’
Meru nodded, looking over his shoulder at Zoella and Kiri. They seemed deep in conversation.
‘How are they doing?’ Mel asked.
‘They’re talking,’ Meru said. ‘I guess that’s the best thing they can do right now.’
‘You think we can trust her?’ Coran asked.
Meru looked back. ‘Which one?’
Fitch laughed.
‘You know what I mean,’ Coran said.
Meru sighed. ‘I think so. Kiri’s not who she … well, she is, but she knows the truth now. She found out from me that what she had been taught wasn’t true. It was a shock, it took a while for her to take it on. She doesn’t want to fight any more.’
‘Doesn’t mean we can trust her,’ Coran said. ‘It’s easy to see she’s smart and clever …’
‘And you’ve got the hots for her,’ Fitch said, jabbing a finger at Meru. ‘That’s plain as Lacaille. Girl’s got into your head.’
‘It’s not that,’ Meru snapped. Fitch smirked. Coran raised his eyebrows and even Mel gave him a look. ‘Alright, yes it is! I love her. Something did happen all that time ago. She didn’t mean it to, but it changed me and it changed her. She’s broken out of the indoctrination of the priestesses now. They betrayed her, abandoned her. She has no one except for me now …’
‘She could still be playing you, Meru,’ Coran said, a stern note in his voice. ‘I know that’s hard to hear, but you’ve got to admit the possibility.’
‘What for?’ Meru demanded. ‘What would she gain?’
Fitch rolled his eyes and Coran answered for him.
‘Knowledge on how our ship works,’ he said. ‘About Amar’s defences, maybe learning enough about the Obelisk to use it to strengthen the priestesses’ powers. Could be any number of things …’
Meru was shaking his head. ‘She’s changed, I tell you …’
Mel patted his hand. ‘I hope you’re right,’ she said. ‘But you must be ready in case you’re wrong. She might still be loyal to them …’
‘She’s not.’
Coran sighed. ‘Well, we’ll find out once this Obelisk business is fixed. What do you plan on doing after that?’
Meru looked blank.
‘I hadn’t really thought that far,’ he said.
‘Your parents want you back,’ Mel said. ‘Back home. We can all go …’
‘And what would happen to Kiri if I come back to Amar?’ Meru asked. ‘She’ll stand trial and be locked up.’
Coran sighed.
‘I promised a fair trial for her, but we can’t change what she did,’ he said, his voice low. ‘She was responsible for killing many Amarans. By the laws of Amar she is a criminal.’
‘Even if she manages to fix the Obelisk?’ Meru asked.
‘That will go in her favour …’
‘Her favour? Not much incentive for her to return then is there?’ Meru asked. ‘She hasn’t got anywhere she can go. I’m not going to abandon her. Wherever she goes, I go.’
Coran nodded, but shared a glance with Mel and Fitch.
‘Food’ll be ready,’ Fitch said, getting to his feet. ‘Want to give me a hand, boy?’
Meru nodded and the two clambered below decks.
‘He really loves her,’ Mel said.
Coran rubbed his chin. ‘Yeah, he does. Let’s hope it’s not an act and she feels the same way. Keep an eye on her, will you? One step out of line …’
‘Don’t you worry,’ Mel said. ‘Eyes like a dach.’
* * *
The water was lapping at their feet. Kiri and Zoella sat on the quay, their legs dangling over the edge, enjoying the warmth of the sea. Far out on the horizon, the swirling wall of cloud continued to rotate around the Obelisk. Lacaille blazed overhead, still peaceful and serene.
‘So which one of us do you think was born first?’ Zoella asked.
Kiri looked at her, a faint smile on her face. ‘You obviously, you’re the bossy one.’
‘Me!’ Zoella said, laughing in mock outrage. ‘Me? Bossy?’
‘That crew of yours will do whatever you say,’ Kiri said.
‘Not sure about that.’ They looked around at the figures aboard the ship, who were staring towards them but quickly turned away.
‘They’re scared of us,’ Kiri said.
Zoella nodded. ‘They have reason to be. What you and I have done, what we’re capable of doing …’
Kiri nodded.
‘The priestesses told me it was right. Women were supposed to have this power, to control everything, dominate, enforce the laws. It would be chaos without our control.’
‘I heard the same thing,’ Zoella said. ‘Liana used almost those same words to me.’
Kiri looked at her. ‘Liana is our cousin,’ she said. ‘What happened to her was my fault. She lost her mind. In Viresia, I took her powers … it was an accident, I didn’t know what I was doing.’
‘It was she and Torin who caused that war by burning the treaty,’ Zoella said. ‘If only Ioric had known the truth! Liana had dreams of becoming Empress, it was all because of her …’
‘So does Nerina,’ Kiri said. ‘So did I. When you saw that image in my mind back in Airea, you were right. I did want it … but now … I don’t. Ever since …’
Kiri looked out to sea.
‘She stole some of my power,’ she said.
‘Nerina, the high priestess?’
&
nbsp; Kiri nodded.
‘I think I did too,’ Zoella said. ‘When you killed … when Ren died. I tried to kill you, but I think I took some of your power then. And having that power … that’s what enraged me afterwards.’
Kiri looked at her. ‘You must be right … after that …’
‘The ambition went away,’ Zoella said. ‘The striving, the anger … the rage? It went, didn’t it?’
Kiri looked at her with wide eyes, nodding with puzzlement. ‘Yes. Exactly.’
‘It’s the gift,’ Zoella said. ‘Before Viresia was destroyed I found some ancient books from the Voren Empire, before Drayden and Scallia. There were instructions on how the gift was to be used. That word, administrator, it comes up again and again. These gifts weren’t supposed to be used to dominate and control, just to … help. There were warnings about taking power from others, taking too much. It changes you …’
Kiri nodded. ‘And if you have too much …’
Zoella swallowed. ‘It makes you do things …’
Kiri reached out, taking Zoella’s hand in hers.
‘It is past,’ Kiri said. ‘I will never mention it again.’
‘And I don’t blame you for Ren’s death,’ Zoella said, grasping Kiri’s hand back.
Their conversation lapsed for a while and they listened to the sound of the water lapping against the quay.
‘This gift,’ Zoella said. ‘I don’t know if I can control it. When it rises up, it’s like …’
‘Like a burning sensation?’
Zoella nodded. ‘Yes, with a smell like hot metal. But it’s almost got a mind of its own. When I’ve used it I felt … I started to …’
Kiri licked her lips.
‘Enjoy it?’
Zoella nodded.
‘Nerina taught me how to take gifts from others,’ Kiri said. ‘When you do, the feeling is … addictive. As good as …’ She looked away.
Zoella caught the blush on Kiri’s face.
‘That good?’ Zoella said. ‘So … speaking of Meru …’
Kiri was about to say something, but thought better of it.
‘Do you love him?’ Zoella asked, gazing at Kiri. They looked at each other for a long moment.
Kiri nodded.
‘As sure as I’ve ever been about anything,’ she said. ‘Oh he’s frustrating, maddening, always asking stupid questions but …’
Zoella kept her gaze.
‘He loves you,’ she said, her voice hushed. ‘He’s my friend, you won’t hurt him will you?’
‘I don’t want to,’ Kiri said. ‘What he did for me, what he risked. I know he loves me … it scares me.’
‘If he hadn’t rescued you, I would have killed you,’ Zoella said. ‘And Meru would have hated me forever. I’m glad he got you away.’
Kiri nodded.
‘What happened between me and him was an accident,’ Kiri said. ‘When I captured him that time I forced my way into his mind. I hurt him. I was trying to find out about you, Liana and how to get to Amar. I wasn’t thinking of anything else …’
‘He was,’ Zoella said. ‘Pretty much from the moment he saw you I think. I remember him staring at you from the walls of Viresia.’
‘It formed a link,’ Kiri said. ‘The priestesses use it to bond their partners to them, for loyalty. I did it accidentally with Meru. It grew into an obsession between us.’
‘Explains why he went so secretive on me,’ Zoella said. ‘I knew he was hiding something.’
Kiri looked away and out to sea.
‘I’ve cut him off from his home and his family,’ Kiri said. ‘If I go back they’ll lock me away. I’m not saying I don’t deserve it after everything I’ve done, but he won’t let that happen, I know he won’t.’
‘Maybe Coran will be able to …’
‘They don’t trust me,’ Kiri said. ‘I can see it in their eyes. No matter what I do, that won’t change. I can’t blame them for that. I’m the enemy. If Meru and I go home they will lock me up and throw away the key …’
‘If you fix the Obelisk with us,’ Zoella said. ‘They will look well upon that, surely?’
‘Maybe,’ Kiri said. She was looking out to sea again, her gaze distant.
Zoella narrowed her eyes. ‘Kiri …’
Kiri turned to look at her.
‘If something happens and I have to leave, promise you’ll look after him for me?’
Zoella turned and pulled Kiri around.
‘No. Don’t even think of leaving him, running away or anything,’ Zoella said. ‘That’s not the answer.
‘I might have to,’ Kiri answered. ‘I can’t break up his friends and family. I won’t.’
Zoella shook her head. ‘He needs you. Without you he’ll be heartbroken. He’ll never accept it. There’s got to be a way for you to be together, to be happy. We’ll find it.’
Kiri swallowed and then nodded.
They heard a whistle from behind them. Both of them turned to see Fitch waving from the decks of the Mobilis.
* * *
Everyone was ravenous. Fitch had managed to cook up a selection of dried flatters and cabbies, along with a generous selection of melps, tubars and corcans. It was a veritable feast, particularly for Kiri and Meru.
‘Makes a change from barbecued marsip,’ Meru said. ‘Not that I was complaining.’
‘Marsips?’ Mel asked.
‘Kiri caught them with snares,’ Meru said. ‘We’ve eaten nothing else for stretches. All the supplies in the medical ship were washed away.’
‘They make for good eating,’ Zoella said. ‘Better with a few spices of course. I lived on them for stretches myself in Scallia. Well done, Kiri.’
Kiri looked up at her, gave a brief smile and then continued to eat. She sat with her head forward, her dark hair covering her face.
Coran watched Kiri for a moment, finished his mouthful and then sat back, resting his arms behind him on the deck.
‘So,’ he said. ‘We’re all here, just about in one piece. This Obelisk thing then, what do we need to do?’
Meru looked at Kiri, but she didn’t say anything.
‘We found this control complex,’ Meru said. ‘We were investigating when you arrived. Seems to be the place that Caesar told us about. There was this amazing globe … like a map.’
‘The Obelisk called to us,’ Zoella said. ‘All three of us.’ She indicated Kiri and Ira. Ira nodded. ‘It should tell us what it needs.’
‘How does it tell you?’ Mel asked.
‘It speaks,’ Zoella said. ‘The same way the priestesses can send messages, we hear it in our thoughts.’
‘Caesar said there would be a voice system too,’ Meru added, stifling a yawn.
‘Then there’s nothing else to be done now,’ Coran said. ‘Everyone is to get some sleep, we’ll start on the first chime.’
There were no complaints from anyone and the crew filed off the deck.
‘Kiri didn’t say a word,’ Coran said to Mel.
‘She’s going to be wary,’ Mel replied. ‘Wouldn’t you be?’
Coran nodded. ‘Yeah. I guess so.’
* * *
The weather was unchanged the following stretch, the sky still clear above, the great circle of cloud on the horizon still swirling about them. The Obelisk reached up into the sky as before.
Lacaille’s disk was overhead, but they could see sunspots growing once more, faint flickers of blue light caught their eyes, shining around the edges of the globe of fire hanging in the sky overhead.
‘Another flare coming,’ Coran noted, looking up. ‘Time we got this thing fixed I think.’
Daf and Creg stayed with the ship, leaving Coran, Mel, Fitch, Ira, Zoella, Meru and Kiri walking up the paved walkways to the Obelisk compound. The gate had closed again, but Kiri’s handprint was identified and the gates slid back.
They were soon standing in the central control complex, looking about them in wonder. Meru demonstrated the globe map.
‘Very impressiv
e,’ Coran said. ‘But let’s get to fixing the thing, shall we. What happens now?’
Zoella and Kiri exchanged a glance.
‘Shall we?’ Zoella asked. Kiri nodded. Zoella beckoned Ira over as well.
Zoella spoke up.
‘Obelisk,’ she said, her voice authoritative. ‘Administrators Zoella, Kiri and Ira are here, please instruct us.’
There was a faint hum within the room and then a voice spoke. It was similar to Caesar’s but with a deeper cadence.
‘Administrators Zoella, Kiri and Ira. Your presence is noted. Sensors detect visitor Meru and three other unauthorised personnel in close proximity. Please identify.’
‘Our companions,’ Zoella said. ‘Coran, Fitch and Mel. They have helped us reach you.’
‘Additional visitors logged. Would you like a status report?’
‘Yes, thank you.’
Words appeared in the air before Zoella. She heard everyone gasp behind her.
‘How is that done?’ Meru whispered, before Mel shushed him.
Facility Status Summary: Nominal
Power: Good. 66% of Magnetic Induction and Solar Arrays remain operative. Comms links: Failed. Not responding, no data.
Satellite links: Poor. One Lagrange point facility remains operating.
Auxiliary monitoring stations. Failed. Not responding, no data.
Internal Integrity. Excellent. All systems operating within acceptable parameters.
Hangar assets: Orbital dropship currently non-functional. 4x Class six personnel shuttles serviced according to schedule
‘Orbital dropship,’ Meru said excitedly. ‘Is that for …’
‘Meru …’ Coran said. ‘Focus!’
Terraforming Status summary: Critical!
Atmospheric Pressure: Good. 949 Millibars.
O2 Mix: Good. 21.8%
Pollution: Excellent. No harmful oxides or excess carbon detected.
Humidity. Good. Average 56%
Magnetic Field Strength. Critical. 12 Microtesla and falling. Atmospheric loss due to solar wind erosion in progress. Axial alignment is out of tolerance, thermal load is excessive and failure is imminent.
Obelisk Augmented Management System: Requires Urgent Replacement.
‘These systems,’ Zoella said. ‘You must instruct us. What must we do to fix them?’