“Hey, you don’t have to be worried anymore, right?” I eyed my sister with a sharp feline gaze. She looked back wondering if she had annoyed me then I started giggling before bursting out into guffaw and so, she saw all was well and started laughing with me too
“So glad you’re back Astra.” She kept repeating as we walked to the entrance of my home
“When were you going to tell me about the new crops you decided to put in?” I wittily asked
“Oh…” She paused, looking over her handy work – “I thought it’d be nice. The flowers reminded me of you, and they’re a help to the vegetation in this soil.”
Truth be told, I didn’t mind my sister planting on my land. I was just ‘pulling her chain’ as some of the old earthlings used to say. After all, I did leave her in charge of taking care of my place while I was gone.
“Here…” She reached for my backpack, insisting she’d be the one to carry it in – “I’ll take that for you.”
Once we entered the home, I felt the warm haze I had almost forgotten. A welcoming vibe, a calm, tranquil feeling. I could see Pleija kept the place almost sparkling clean. The living room was the way I left it – the two couches surrounding the television, my harp, an old scrapbook for whatever creative idea came along and the paintings on the walls of waterfalls and other wonderful sights of nature. The kitchen, also welcoming me back with its sunny colors and my room, aching to tell me just how much it’s missed me. My bed was neat, my closet remained untouched and the little details I found hinted no indication of alteration. Pleija placed my backpack at the side of my bed while I sat down on the bed and took a deep breath, inhaling the environment not just physically but mentally.
“Can I get you anything?” Pleija asked at the entrance of my room
“Tea.” I softly whispered as I leaned back, stretched my limbs as far as they’d go, then I curled into a fetal position, lazily eyeing the picture of Leo at my bedhead. I wanted to go out and socialize with my sister but I felt so tired. I made a mental note to get some shut eye for a few minutes. Little did I know, it would be a few hours…
No dreams to remember immediately, only waking up with an unintended time lapse. I stripped myself nude to go take a shower. Shuffling in the home told me Pleija was still here. I lost myself in the shower again. It wasn’t that the memories were troubling. It was more of me, trying to mellow myself. Trying to calm myself back into this life. As I stepped out of the shower, I saw myself in the mirror. It was the first time, in a long time, that I had noticed – I’ve grown. A woman in her prime age they’d say, ready for her next stage in life.
“Hey, evening…” Pleija greeted me as I stepped into the kitchen wearing a slim, white home dress with still partly damp hair.
“I fell asleep.” I confessed
“I know. Don’t worry about it. I drank the tea for you.” She teased
“You know what that means…” I smiled at her, “You’ll have to make me another one.”
“Not a problem. Take a seat, will you?”
“Sure.”
Pleija proceeded to tinkering with the cups while she activated the insta-heat machine. A device that utilized geothermal power to heat food or water.
We used no radiation power in this world. Our energy was clean and safe. While she was over there preparing my drink, I caught the sight of my harp again. It was only now, I’d realize it wasn’t in the original place I left it.
“What’s that doing there?” I asked her thinking she’d already understand what I was talking about.
“What?” Her eyes went to me, then followed the direction my eyes were pointed to – “Oh, yes. Your harp. It was… a reminder. A reminder of you. We didn’t know if you’d come back or not and sometimes, we wondered… if you wouldn’t. I guess you can say it gave us hope.”
“Hope…” I silently repeated her last word thinking of Leo, “Anyway…” I shrugged the thought away – “How’s your mother?”
“She’s coming over soon. You can ask her yourself.” Pleija handed me the fresh cup of tea. The scent had temporarily removed all worry from me and in that one period of time, there was one thing and one thing only I wanted to do – drink that delicious tea.
Pleija and I did not have the same mother but we did have the same father. For biological reasons, Martian women did not conceive more than one child. However, men were able to have from one to four wives to spread his seed properly, avoiding gene deterioration.
My father had two wives. He loved all them both equally. His first wife, my mother, died a long time ago on an expedition voyage to outer space while I was merely five years of age. His second wife, Pleija’s mother, raised me as one of her own with him. Pleija was born three years later. We lived a good life together until my father had also experienced his passing nine years ago. Pleija’s mother, Lilith, was like my own mother. We’ve always been very close.
Pleija sat back with her own cup of tea at my little, round table. Our eyes were still looking at my old harp.
“Will you play again?” She asked me taking a sip to cover up her nervousness
“I don’t know.” I really didn’t. Thinking of making music again stemmed a mixture of feelings. I loved it. It always gave me hope; that now and then thing that connects you to that level and beyond, but I put that aside for a different path. Can’t say I’m quite alright with that.
“How’s my horse?” I asked Pleija to get my attention away from the music.
“He’s fine, waiting for you to come see him.”
I chuckled at the comment, “Soon.”
Looking outside the kitchen’s windows, I saw Lilith’s ship descending over the same area Monasos had dropped me off earlier.
“She’s here.” Pleija ran to the door to go greet her mother. I waited inside while she brought her in. Lilith had white skin with silver blonde hair and blue eyes, just like her daughter Pleija and they were both very beautiful female creatures.
“Astra!” Her face was ready to explode in excitement as she ran to hug me but unlike her daughter, taking her time from experience. She squeezed me tight.
“It’s good to see you again dear.” She petted my back then backed off to take a good look at me.
“I’m fine.” I told her
“Alright. So, how was your trip?”
“Great, I’ll tell you about it soon.”
“Alright. Listen, Ple and I are going back to my home. Why don’t you come over? I’m sure Dusk misses you too.”
“Wait mother. I think I’ll stay the night with Astra.”
Lilith turned to her daughter
“Ple you don’t have to, I’m – fine, really.”
“Astra, I’m staying the night. You know you need me around right now.”
I smiled at the request, “Fine.”
Lilith also smiled at the arrangement
“Alright, so buzz me if you two need anything. I’ll be going to pick up some supplies back to the home. Busy day tomorrow.”
“We will mother. Thanks.” Pleija escorted her mother out while I sat in my chair looking over at my old harp.
The rest of the evening played out smoothly. My sister repeatedly made sure I wasn’t the usual busy bee. She insisted I relax. Night time came and she also made us dinner. A nice meal; steamed chicken and some veggies to compliment the balance. I did not eat much. I wasn’t terribly hungry. We did get to watch some television. One movie in particular caught our attention; directed by a very talented creature from the south east. The play spoke of a tale showing a young lad on a journey to a castle to form an alliance between the tribes of his people and the nobles of that time. It caught my attention because of his courage. He was out to set peace when everyone else deemed it impossible. In the end, he succeeded while everyone else doubted. The irony is, I’ve already been in the time this production’s real story was inspired from.
The Last Ride, was the name of the movie.
Pleija and I went outside on the porch afterward. I knew she was curious
to ask me about my travels. This time I had enough energy to entertain her. Just a little bit.
“Did you hear from Leo?” She asked me sitting on one of the adirondack chairs I made years ago for the outside
“Not yet.”
A short silence covered the air for a moment before she found the courage to finally ask me about the trip
“What was it like?”
“Fun.” I looked up at the twinkling stars intentionally keeping my responses short
“You went into the past of our world too, right?”
“That’s right.” I took a sip of the lemon drink I carried outside
“What did you find?”
“A lot. Be more specific.”
“Did you…” Ple hesitated
“What?” I gazed at her with a blunt expression asking her to drop the anxiousness
“Did you see anyone here from Mars, in an older lifetime?”
“That’s a dangerous question to be asking me Ple.”
“I know, I know. I’d still love to know if you did though.”
I studied my sister’s face properly. Mission parameters disallowed me from spilling sensitive information about my trip. The discussion of former lives, especially meeting those you know in the future, was very, very sensitive.
“Yes.” My response was direct, contained no lie but also concealed. I knew she wanted more. I had to be careful with the way I spoke about some of these things. Ple kept a calm composure. She was happy I even bothered to tell her a glimpse of the truth. I could’ve easily said ‘That’s classified’, and that would be enough, because she knew it too – so she smiled warmly while I turned my eyes back to the beautiful, dark sky.
“What do we call you now? Can’t say you’re an astronaut, can’t say you’re a cosmonaut, so what do we call you?”
“There is an official designation for my position. It’s called a Chronicler.” I spoke leaning back in the chair, shutting my eyes for another incoming nap
“That’s too boring, reminds me of Siyujase.”
“Eon Seven? You read too much of those old books.” I softly chuckled
“It kept me wondering if you actually went to those times and… visited those authors in person…”
“You wouldn’t know if I did.”
“Sure, anyway, I think we should call you… The Timeless One, or The Timeless Drifter!”
“The Timeless Drifter… it’s got a ring.”
“Yeah. I think it’s a more suiting title for a woman that doesn’t belong anywhere.”
I felt a strange nerve perplexing what she said, “I don’t belong anywhere?”
“It’s not in a negative light. You don’t belong anywhere because you belong everywhere and all you have to do, is just press a button on your ship.”
“You have a creative mind. You should be a writer.”
“You’ve always told me that.”
“Then maybe you should do it?”
“I will, will you do it with me too?”
I looked at her carefully. She said that purposely to remind me of how much I inspired her in the past. Still didn’t have any response to truly give her, then a yawn came over me unexpectedly so I stretched my legs. Taking one last glimpse of the twinkling starlight, I finally decided it was time for rest. I got up, stretched some more then started making my way back inside.
“That’s enough for tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Astra…”
I could hear the strain in her voice almost begging me to stay out there with her but I was exhausted. It’s not just the time I had to get used to again, it was the gravity, the air, the atmosphere, and a whole list of other stuff to settle back into. As I slipped into my comfy, unmade bed, I remembered an old tune I sung a long time ago to a listener young and fair.
Hey, oh…
Who comes to my doorstep?
The wind carries you to me my dear
Come and tell me, say all the things you’d do
All the things you’d give,
All the things I’ll let you take,
Fingers pull away from the ribs to show the skin,
Stroke as gentle as a feather,
I’m here with you,
What a wondrous sight,
Young and fair,
I’ll take care of you,
Sunlight in the midnight,
Come closer and stroke my hair…
He told me not to give up that sweet voice, no matter where I’d end up. So I sing it now, taking you into my dreams, the same way we were at the park. The same way I played my harp and sung, waiting for you to come closer and tell me how much you enjoyed me.
Morning woke me to birds chirping. I had a good rest and the little bits of my dream had me feeling warm inside. Pleija was still asleep. She probably stayed awake a few hours longer. I left her alone. I didn’t need my sister to baby me and she knew I didn’t like that for long. This morning’s breakfast would be prepared by my own hand. I checked the fridge to see what I had in stock.
Not surprisingly it wasn’t much, besides, Pleija wasn’t living here – she was housekeeping. I can’t say I blame her for having the home a little barren on the food department. I’ll have to make an early trip to the local grocery. She’d still be asleep by the time I got back.
On my way out to summon my worldship, I got a call from Monasos. The holographic interface opened up and I slid my finger across the 3D device to accept his transmission. His oddly worried face appeared on a flat screen in the open world, the energy emitting from a device I held in my hand no bigger than my index finger.
“Monasos.” I greeted him
“Morning Astraea. I have some news. It’s extremely important. Can you come into the council office as soon as possible?”
My eyebrows crunched in determination – “On the way.”
Leaving Pleija starving didn’t seem like the responsible option so before I departed, I called a delivery droid to drop off some food for her once she wakes up.
When I got to the council office, outside was packed with more ships than usual. That was the first indication things were odd. The next came once I saw Monasos’ face slightly sweating as he stepped outside to welcome me.
“What’s going on?” I ask
“We need to talk.” He immediately replied, leading me to the medical section of the building. There I observed what appeared to be, parts or, rubble if you will, of a human body. Instinct pushed my hand onto my mouth to hold it in disgust.
“What is going on? Is he dead?!” I demanded
“He’s the only survivor of the crashed collision between the SEEK-team and the unknown vessel that collided into it.”
All the horror that I had, swiftly departed me. My lips curled up as I gazed straight into the eyes of Monasos – “Is he one of ours?”
“No.”
That’s the time it happened. My heart literally sank, “Are you telling me none of SEEK made it?”
“That is of correctness. The ship that crashed into them killed the whole crew, including theirs except for this man. I’m sorry Astra, Leo did not make it.”
“Well who is he?” The small tear in my eye would not best me, not now – it can later. Now, I needed to know more. Monasos hesitated on bringing me his next set of words
“He’s Colin Sphere.” He said plainly, “The ship that was lost to the Spheres’ Time, 356 years ago warped into another space time configuration. It happened to open spacetime in such a way that caused the nearby environment to be pulled toward it very quickly. Leo’s ship, the SEEK team, was right around it. They could not escape.”
I looked back at the burnt crisp of a body, speechless
“It’s amazing he’s still alive. His body is in terrible shape, he needs severe facial reconstruction and he’s suffering with 3rd degree burns but the brain activity remains intact. His spirit form is still there.”
I kept looking at the shambles of Colin’s body, hoping for an answer.
It came, “Once he’s repaired, he must be immediately sent back to his time. Is that understood?”
Monasos didn’t comply. I faced him expecting an answer
“Council’s decision wants to keep him for questioning. There may be things he will be able to tell us. We can restore the memory.”
“Fine, afterward he should be returned to his time.”
“That would be the case.”
“I have to go.” I quickly darted to the door
“Astra, wait…” Monasos stopped me.
I looked back at him like, ‘What?’
“Leo was my friend too.”
I nodded at him respectfully then walked out, hopped in my worldship and flew away. Calming the emotions as best I could, stopping them as much as I can. I’d soon sigh in utter defeat. Spontaneous tears started flowing down my face without my permission. I flew over the vicinity of my home and kept telling myself, ‘sure, I’ll be fine. Not the end of the world for me, but why, why do I feel so much pain?’
Composure’s a beautiful thing when you practice it often but today it’ll be harder than ever. Step after step I took, walking toward my house felt as if I were about to faint. Pleija saw me coming. She immediately noticed the distress in my face even though I tried so hard to cover it up.
“Astra?” She cautiously asked
“He’s dead…” I whispered, “Leo’s gone…”
The tears before were just tears, I wasn’t really crying. Now, I really begun crying. My sister quickly hugged me and that’s when I lost myself in her arms, sobbing in confusion, anger and frustration. The sadness is not what was getting to me. Leo will be born again in another lifetime, sure, that’s how the circle of existence goes – through life and death, then rebirth, then life and death again, and so on and so forth. Yes, I get all that. That’s not what is paining me. What’s aching me is that spot he held in me, that gap – is gone, and it can never be replaced…
‘Let’s go to the olden forest. I’ll meet you there.’
‘Sure.’ A teenage me replies to his call, ‘Just us?’
‘Just us. Bring your harp.’
Childlike curiosity is a beautiful thing. It can lead to many wonders, open one’s eyes to see the world through another’s lens. The forest had grown moist and cozy, undisturbed with a sense of abandonment from a past riddled with rich history. As small as I was then, I still wanted to know more and he wanted to know more too, so I took Dusk into the forest, knowing I’d meet him along the way. My horse was agitated that day. I had to calm him often on the way. I wondered why he’d been so disturbed. I found Leo waiting for me by the river. He was standing, back-turned to me, looking out at the rising sunbeam cutting through the shade of the trees. I slowed Dusk down, making careful paces as I came closer to him. Once he heard the horse’s steps, he knew it was me.
Zero Sphere: A Space Opera Thriller Page 22