Tom started to speak, but the green light went out.
“What a jerk,” Zeller said.
“Let’s do this thing and then go home. We’ll leave New Sanctuary and won’t have to go back, unless it’s to see Braden and Micah. I don’t like this place either. It’s big, but I still feel like I’m in a box from which I can’t escape.” Tom shivered, then clenched his jaw and started walking toward the stairs, which were set at even intervals around the engineering space. They needed to climb to the catwalk, enter a corridor, take it to the elevator, and tell it take them to the medical level.
‘I hate this place,’ Neeson reiterated.
***
Braden stomped his feet in frustration. Brandt continued to sleep while the Hawkoids assumed an aerial vigil, watching the village to learn all of its secrets.
The Wolfoids walked in circles which did nothing to burn off their nervous energy. Aadi floated serenely, blinking slowly.
G-War had found a soft spot on the King’s neck and was curled up sleeping.
The light flashed before Braden’s eye to notify him of an incoming message. He stared at the mountains as he opened the window.
‘Master Braden! I hope you are well,’ Holly said happily.
‘I’m not! We’re doing nothing while Brandt sleeps off the effects of the bad grass. Worse news is that there is nothing else to eat. I don’t know if we’ll ever get him out of this valley.’
‘Some of my research indicates that ingesting numbweed may offset the effects, but you’ll have to wait for him to wake up,’ Holly suggested.
‘Eat numbweed? We don’t have very much left. If we give him all of it, then we’ll have none in case someone gets injured.’ Braden looked at his companions. They weren’t privy to his conversation with Holly. He’d have to break the news the old-fashioned way.
He turned to the King of the Aurochs. “We need you,” he said softly.
‘Skirill?’ Braden ventured over the mindlink. ‘Do you know what the numbweed bushes look like?’
‘We believe so. You have processed a great deal of numbweed in our presence,’ Skirill replied before sadly adding, ‘And used it, too. There’s something happening in the village.’
Braden expected Skirill to continue, but he didn’t.
Zyena was next to speak. ‘I see them. A group of four men with Wolfoid spears in the trees to the south of the village.’
‘Holly, track four men leaving the village heading south,’ Braden requested.
‘I see them. The power signatures remain strong. Twenty-one spears remain in the village, sixteen in one building and the other five spread around the perimeter.’
Braden relayed Holly’s information to the Hawkoids.
‘We see the five.’ Skirill shared his view.
Braden translated what he was seeing, using a stick to make notations on the map he’d drawn on the ground.
‘You two come back,’ Braden ordered. ‘I need you to take G-War to look at the minds of the four to see if the leader is among them. If so, then we’ll need to hit the village sooner rather than later.’
‘On our way,’ Skirill replied.
***
Zeeka saw it first, the mast of the Warden. She flew over the town, circled back, and landed on the railing outside the mess deck. She nodded to Micah and Strider.
Klytus and Shauna threw themselves at the door, wanting to say ‘hi.’ Ax and ‘Tesh opened the door and the four nearly fell through the crack as they each tried to be first. Zeeka bent down and gently pecked them on the tops of their heads.
Micah and Strider squeezed onto the catwalk with the others.
‘Bronwyn would like to know where to take the herd?’ Zeeka asked.
“All business!” Micah replied easily, stroking the Hawkoid’s head and neck feathers. “Your parents are inland, with Braden. We are heading that way momentarily, now that you’ve arrived. We’ll meet Bronwyn and the Aurochs east of town, north of their fields.”
‘I will tell her,’ Zeeka replied in her pleasant thought voice. She bowed to the group, then launched herself from the railing. ‘It is good to see you, no matter the circumstance.’
‘It is good to see you, too,’ Micah replied. They were in Southport only because of the attack on the Wolfoids. Yes, better circumstances would have been nice.
The five-year-olds leaned against the railing and waved good-bye. The ‘cats went back inside where it was nice and cool.
Micah watched the Hawkoid wing away, disappearing into the distance.
“We better get ready to go, all of us. And, Holly? Once we’re off, take the Warden back out to sea.”
Fea nodded knowingly and Micah headed upstairs to the captain’s quarters to collect their gear.
The twins ran to the well deck to say good-bye to Chlora and Rhodi. Fea went to talk with the Rabbits, only to find Klytus and Shauna already there, tormenting the gentle creatures.
‘STOP!’ she ‘shouted.’ The small calico ran up the stairs to escape. The orange creature called Klytus made one last high-speed pass before darting past Fealona. She kicked him as he passed, sending him tumbling.
‘We hope that you’ll be able to accompany us to look at the Southport fields, make recommendations in conjunction with the Aurochs herd, and then travel further inland to assist Braden and my mate in the recovery of the Wolfoid spears.’
Luciana had pulled her laser pistol to threaten the ‘cats. She put it away and looked to Heloysius. The two chattered in their language before coming to an agreement.
‘Yes, we will come with you as long as those hooligans are not left on this ship. We shudder to think what they would do to our lovely garden. We only today got it in order after months of neglect,’ Luciana replied.
Fea knew that the Bots took care of the garden when no one else was on board. She’d seen it first-hand when they boarded the Warden after centuries without an intelligent creature on board.
‘Thank you. I believe we are preparing to leave any moment now.’
‘What?’ one of the Rabbits exclaimed. The two ran into each other as they each hopped in a different direction.
Fea left them to return to the deck. She hoped to eat her fill of tuna before they had to go. ‘Tuna?’ she asked Micah, unsure of where the President was.
‘Tuna!’ Klytus yelled and ran for the mess deck. Shauna appeared and raced after him. The twins were in the water with the Dolphins. Micah had her backpack fully loaded and two small packs for the children.
“Fine,” Micah said, dropping her gear and climbing one flight of stairs to order the fabricator to spit out plates of tuna.
The ‘cats dug in like they’d never eaten before. Micah grabbed a brownie for herself while she waited, then ordered two more for the twins.
“That’s enough!” she said when she decided they’d had enough. “Time to go.”
The Wolfoids were waiting. The Rabbits hurried up the stairs when Micah appeared. The twins were dripping wet, but present. The ‘cats were seated within paw’s reach of Fea. Treetis stalked back and forth by the pier.
“All present and accounted for,” Micah said, followed by, “Hope and Chester, wait for us on the dock. Everyone else, move out.”
***
Tom waved his bracelet in front of the panel and the door slid open. He jumped back. Zeller stepped in front, snarling and sword at the ready. Neeson peeked through the door. There was nothing beyond but an empty corridor.
Zeller let her sword hang as she walked through the doorway. “How far?” she asked.
Tom referenced the map. “About halfway down on the left. Should be an elevator.”
“Do you see how long this corridor is?”
“That’s a long corridor,” Tom replied. Zeller raised her sword and started to jog, bouncing off the wall twice in her first five steps. “You make it look easy.”
Zeller shook her head, chuckling. “It’s a gift.”
Neeson keened his dismay with a long, low yowl.
Elevator.
She waved her bracelet in front of the pad. They expected the doors to open like they’d seen in New Sanctuary, but nothing happened.
“Let me try,” Tom said. Zeller tilted her head down to give him the hairy eyeball. “Just in case something happened to your bracelet.”
Tom wouldn’t look at her as he leaned past and waved his bracelet in front of the pad before resting it on the pad. No sound came from beyond the doors. Zeller crossed her arms and tapped a foot.
“I guess we do it the hard way. Doctor Johns must have expected this because he put the alternate directions on the paper.” Tom held the sheet up, pointing to the door and stairs at the end of the corridor. “Come on, Neeson. We have to go the long way.”
The ‘cat’s limp became more exaggerated and it tugged at Tom’s heartstrings. He picked Neeson up and carried him the rest of the way. Zeller didn’t question it as she kept her sword at the ready, hurrying down the corridor in front of them.
“You wonder what’s behind these doors?” Tom asked as he jogged, having gotten the hang of the motion, leaning away from the spin to run straight.
“No way! I want to get out of here as soon as we can. Holly cautioned us against exploring because of the mutations and other creatures, so time and danger say no way!” Zeller tightened her grip on her sword’s hilt, speeding up to keep Tom from getting adventurous.
With the ‘cat in his arms, he was hard-pressed to keep up, but they didn’t have too far to go. “No surprises,” he agreed when they reached the far end.
She flexed at the knees, standing on the balls of her feet, and with sword before her, she waved her bracelet at the panel. The smell and bright sunlight drove them both backward.
‘What is that smell?’ Neeson cried.
Zeller looked through at the fields of flowing grasses beyond. A herd of water buffalo grazed peacefully. Pigs foraged in the distance.
“It’s amazing,” Zeller said through the shirt she’d pulled over her face. She looked out the door and stepped through to stand on a catwalk above the deck known as the Livestock Level.
Neeson scratched Tom as he tried to get down and run from the smell. “Stop it. We’re going through.” Tom stepped onto the catwalk, took a left, and started walking. The ‘cat cried pitifully when the door closed. “On our way up. We need to climb five hundred meters, according to Holly’s map.”
Zeller pulled her shirt away from her face and took a tentative sniff. “You get used to it pretty fast.” She shrugged and leaned over the map. “Looks like twenty landings.”
They looked up together as the stairs climbed from deck to ceiling, appearing to hang precariously over the plains. Zeller started up, taking the stairs two at a time, but slowing to one when Tom started to fall behind. They trudged, climbed, rested, and climbed some more. Halfway there, Zeller took out jerky and water from her pack.
“Are you sure this is a ship?” Tom asked as he huffed and puffed to catch his breath, taking the offered snack with a smile, but waiting to eat.
“That’s what Holly said. This is what brought our ancestors to Vii.”
‘Not mine!’ Neeson replied.
“Afraid so,” Zeller said. “Your ancestors were created by using human genes spliced with a normal variety of cat in order to reduce the indigenous rat population. You came from Earth, as well.”
“How do you know that?” Tom asked.
“Micah and Braden told me. Being a Free Trader means having access to those with knowledge. It’s an opportunity to learn something new every day.”
“I hear the sound of the hammer pounding the anvil. People don’t hang around long when I’m working.”
“You should spend more time on the road with me,” Zeller said with a sly smile.
“Who would run the forge?”
“That young man, Yellowfin. He’s always watching you.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Tom leaned over the railing until he looked down, then stepped back against the wall. “That’s a long way down.”
Zeller ran a finger down his chest. “Focus on what’s in front of you and you’ll probably be fine.” They locked eyes. Neeson scratched Tom’s arm.
For the hundredth time since they arrived on the Warden.
“Are you sure you want to have children? This one’s going to be the death of me.”
Zeller looked down her nose at the ‘cat. “What’s one more parent? Seems to work for Micah and Braden.”
“I wonder how they’re doing.” Tom stuffed the jerky into his mouth and chewed slowly, savoring the spicy, sweet taste. Zeller picked up the best as she plied the north Amazon trade routes. She always shared it with Tom. He knew that he wouldn’t have the self-discipline to wait.
“I love you,” he said softly.
“You love jerky,” she said, giving him a gentle push. “And me.”
Neeson scratched Tom’s arm again. “We better get going before I lose so much blood, we die between here and there.”
Zeller handed Tom a second piece of jerky, which he looked at longingly before offering to Neeson.
‘I wondered if the shmoopy talk made you forget that Hillcats get hungry, too.’
Tom mumbled an apology as they continued to trudge upward. His legs were getting stiff. As a blacksmith, his chest was thick and arms bulged with muscle, but he was ill-trained for such an epic climb. River Crook was established on the Plains of Propiscius. No hills. No mountains. And definitely no stairs.
“If Holly was a person,” Zeller said between labored breaths as they approached the twentieth landing, “I would punch him in the face for saying the trip here would be quick and easy.”
“I’ll second that.” Tom looked down at the steps, forcing his feet onto the next stair, taking them one at a time as if each was its own battle.
Zeller waited for Tom to arrive before she waved her bracelet and opened the door. Beyond was a wide corridor that looked similar to the one they’d traversed earlier, but less utilitarian. It looked more antiseptic, painted a soft white with rounded edges and open spaces to the sides instead of doors.
It also wasn’t empty. A person stood in the corridor, fingers interlocked as he waited patiently.
Zeller jumped through the door to give herself more room, raising her sword. “Who are you?” she demanded.
“Holly has assigned me to escort you through the medical procedure. I don’t have a name, only a designation. I am a medical Android, MA-2157.”
“What’s an Android?” Zeller asked, keeping her sword raised as she bounced from side to side to stay limber while remaining in her fighting stance.
“We are artificial life forms. Holly gives us direction, and we keep the ship operational. My specialty is medical procedures. Yours is already mapped out. Please, bring the patient in.”
“You couldn’t have escorted us up those stairs?” Tom asked.
“If you had notified me, I could have sent the elevator,” the Android said over its shoulder, pointing at doors across the corridor that were blocked open.
“I think my desire to punch Holly in the face has grown,” Tom grumbled.
“I’m with you.” Zeller kept her sword raised as she tentatively followed the Android into the medical space. Tables, gurneys, and tanks were arranged in an orderly fashion throughout. Wires, tubes, and hoses were stacked neatly out of the way.
“Please, lay down. You will get an examination first to confirm the treatment.” The Android pointed to a medical bed. Neeson didn’t want to be put down. He clung to Tom as if his life depended on it. “Not him, you.”
Tom stood back. “What about me?”
“You seem to be struggling to breathe. We will check your c
ardio-pulmonary functions.”
“No. Him.” Tom pointed to the ‘cat with his chin because he needed both hands to keep the ‘cat from climbing on top of his head.
The Android froze in place, its eyes staring beyond Tom.
Zeller removed her comm device. “Holly, I think we have a problem.”
The Fury Rises
Brandt’s eyelids fluttered, and he lifted his head for a few moments before it dropped back into the dirt.
The spark of hope within Braden died quickly. “Come on, Brandt, wake up or we’re leaving you here!”
The King of the Aurochs’ eyes slowly peeled themselves apart. ‘My head hurts,’ he said in an uncharacteristically soft thought voice.
“It was that damn grass. Holly says that numbweed might counter its effects, but you have to eat what we have. Ess and Zee weren’t able to find any and they searched for a while. You’ve been out for a long time,” Braden explained.
‘If I eat the numbweed, there won’t be any left in case someone is injured,’ the King replied. ‘I cannot rob you of that. I’ll be fine, but you have to help me up.’
“Brandt.” Braden shook his head as he laughed. “I can assure you that if we try to help you up, we won’t be fine. Eat the numbweed and help yourself.”
Aadi floated close to Brandt’s head, and the two talked privately. G-War stood and stretched, then jumped down from the King’s neck. He looked at Braden, tilted his head, and continued to stare.
Braden pulled a piece of smoked meat and handed it over. The ‘cat made a face as he chewed. ‘You don’t have anything fresher?’ G-War asked.
“You know that I don’t.” Braden put his hands on his hips and tried to glare back. G-War walked away, but Braden didn’t feel like he had won the contest. What am I missing?
‘Holly, what’s the latest?’ Braden asked as Brandt slowly chewed the offered numbweed.
‘Master Braden! So happy to hear from you. Did you ever determine if the leader of the raiders was among those who went south?’
‘We were not. Skirill and Zyena were exhausted from their search for numbweed, so they couldn’t carry G-War.’
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