by T. J. Berry
“And what about the mixed families?” asked Jenny.
“Not one single human can be allowed on our new world,” said Unamip. “They will infect it with their avarice.”
“You’re going to tear families apart. If those are the rules, Kaila can go with you but I have to stay.” Jenny dug her nails into the wood of her armrests.
“It’s a regrettable consequence of your decisions. You’re not exactly blameless yourself,” said Unamip.
“Kaila and I opt out. We’ll just take our ship and fly into openspace. You’ll never hear from us again,” said Jenny, pushing herself away from the table.
“I’m afraid that is not one of the options,” said Cole.
“I don’t want to go,” said Kaila, wrapping her branches around Jenny. “Don’t make me leave.”
Jenny wheeled herself away from the table, dragging Kaila with her.
“I’m not participating in this. What I said before, I take it back. I didn’t understand what you were asking,” she said.
“It’s cruel to ask you to give more, isn’t it?” asked Eon.
“But you have been trying to think of a way to make amends,” said Cole.
“And this is it,” finished Eon, resting an iridescent gray hand over hers. Jenny burst into tears.
“This is not what I meant,” said Jenny, wiping her face with the flat of her hand. “It’s too hard. It’s not fair. I just got her back.”
Eon leaned down and whispered in her ear. The sound was like a wind through the branches of a dead tree. “Then you will have to find her.”
Jenny looked into Eon’s gigantic black eyes and saw the future stretch before her. The Pymmie were to bring the Bala to a lush and fertile planet far across the universe. There was no way she could stop them. The Reason would be in ruins without Bala magic and free labor. She would take her new ship and go find Kaila’s new world, but other humans would race her to find it first.
She pulled herself away from those endless eyes that offered to show her everything. Her anger was gone, replaced by disorientation. Kaila tried to pull her away.
“Don’t let them take me,” she squealed. Jenny took her hand.
“I can’t stop them, but I will find you,” she said.
“What about the mixed children of humans and Bala?” asked Findae.
“They should be allowed to choose,” said Gary.
“And Gary, as one of those children, would you choose to go to this new world or remain with the humans?” asked Cole.
“I would go,” he said, without hesitation. It hurt Jenny’s heart to hear it, but she understood. She wished she could join them. A new world and a fresh start sounded incredible right about now.
“Allowing every partial Bala to choose is not practical,” said Cole. Jenny doubted that was true. Eon turned to her.
“It’s not difficult for us, but there will be those who refuse to choose and too many exceptions. Better to simply move any being with Bala ancestry.”
“And our ships?” asked Gary.
“Good goddamn, leave us with some way to get around the system,” said Jim. “We’ll be trapped.”
“Bala ships will go with Bala, as will their fuel,” said Cole.
Which meant horns. Unicorn horns would be gone, leaving humans stranded wherever they happened to be when the Bala disappeared. Even if Jenny’s new ship had an FTL drive, it would never work again.
“And all the spells and fixes that people use every day?” asked Jim. “Some people have surgically implanted Bala parts. People will die if they suddenly up and disappear.” Jenny wondered if Jim had anything Bala implanted. He was certainly old enough to need some spare parts.
“Any Bala part or spell that resides within the body of a human will not be touched. All others will disappear,” said Eon. The Pymmie held Jim’s eyes a second longer than they needed to. There was some communication between the two of them that Jenny didn’t understand. It gave her goosebumps.
“When will we leave?” asked Findae, pushing the trisicles around his plate.
“We will give them one of this planet’s hours to say their goodbyes,” said Cole. “Any longer puts the Bala in danger of organized retaliation.”
Cole stood up to indicate the end of the meal. The food evaporated and the door to the ship opened. Everyone on the rooftop was still frozen in place. Not a nanosecond had passed since the group had left. Only Lady Nashita looked up from reading a tattered paperback to greet them.
“Well, that was productive,” said Eon.
“On to the rest of the day’s tasks,” said Cole.
“Are there bigger items on your to-do list than condemning humankind to extinction?” asked Jim.
“Oh yes. You have no idea what the Opteryx are doing on the other side of the universe. If a black hole appears in the center of your planet, that’s their doing. Give us a call. Unamip will pass the message along,” said Eon.
“Who shall we be for the Opteryx?” asked Cole.
“Do you want to be the turtle? I’ll be the elephant,” offered Eon.
“I was the turtle last time,” said Cole.
“I know, but I don’t like being on the bottom,” said Eon, offering a cheerful wave to everyone as they left the ship.
Unamip bowed to them and stepped into the sunlight.
Jenny wheeled down the ramp and onto the hot rooftop. She turned to ask one more question, but a billow of fire blasted her and she shielded herself with one arm. The dragon stretched its back and reached upward with two tiny limbs. It almost looked like a dinosaur with wings. The people around Jenny unfroze. Bullets continued their trajectory through the air, striking several Reason soldiers in their rear ends. The commander general was halfway through his rant.
“I demand admission to the Summit. I have been training for this day for six years–” The dragon whirled in the sky then headed into space, blasting fire out of its ass.
“They’re leaving,” yelled the commander general to all of the soldiers in his vicinity. “Stop them. Fire the flak cannons.”
A series of dull thuds echoed from the tops of nearby buildings. The projectiles were invisible against the brightness of the sun, but Jenny could see the dragon ship turning backflips to avoid the missiles.
“They could just blink and be there,” said Lady Nashita. “What a waste of time. Pymmie are always such showoffs.”
As the Pymmie disappeared into a dot among the clouds, Reason officials conferred together on the roof. Jenny didn’t have the heart to tell them they’d missed the Summit entirely. She pushed the elevator button, holding Kaila’s hand but feeling strangely alone.
The unicorns joined them. When the doors pinged open, she waved them in first. “After you.” There was essentially no room in the car after two full-sized unicorns wedged themselves in. “We’ll wait for the next one.”
“Nonsense,” said Findae, pushing himself up against a wall. “There’s room.” She squeezed her chair between him and Unamip. Kaila pushed in behind her, sniffling. Their flanks were warm. She wanted to stay there and sleep.
Gary approached.
“Get on, Gary,” called Unamip, pushing again to make room. Gary sidled in against Kaila. When Jim walked up, Unamip hit the door close button with his horn.
“Sorry, no room.”
“Hey,” said Gary. “Let him on.”
Jim pushed himself up against the closing door, nearly pinching himself in it. He faced forward, not looking at anyone. The unicorns chatted in celebration, caught up in making plans.
“The dwarves will need to start building as soon as we arrive,” said Unamip.
“Precisely. Basic longhouses at first, then individual residences once we have a detailed survey of the land,” said Findae.
“As excited as you are, it might be kind to wait until you are out of earshot to talk about how wonderful your new lives will be,” said Gary.
“I’m sorry,” said Unamip. “Jenny, how are you feeling about all of this
?”
“I’m feeling like such a weighty decision should have taken years, not minutes,” said Jenny, putting her head against Kaila’s rough bark.
“I agree,” said Kaila, patting Jenny’s hair.
“This decision has been two million years in the making. How much longer would you like to prove yourselves?” replied Findae.
“We have proven ourselves,” said Jim to the closed door. “We’ve proven that we’re smarter and stronger and better at everything. And you Bala need the help of gods to even stay alive. It’s survival of the fittest and we’re the fittest. Don’t come crying back to us when we own every planet in the galaxy except for your new crappy one.”
The car was quiet until they reached the ground floor. Everyone spilled out of the elevator and into the lobby. Human dignitaries from all over Reasonspace fled the building. Some barked orders at soldiers, others looked genuinely frightened.
“Here’s where I leave you,” said Jim, walking away from the group across the lobby.
“That’s it? After everything, you just walk away?” asked Jenny.
He turned back to her with a face like stone.
“What do you want from me? I know what it was meant to be like, but it all got screwed up. It’s too late for me, but I wish you luck. I surely do that. Buena suerte.”
He tipped an imaginary hat and tried to walk off into the sunset. Unamip galloped a few steps ahead to stand in the man’s path.
“Enjoy the planets you stole from the Bala, James. Go find a quiet spot in the woods. Build a cabin and grow your cows. Spend the rest of your tiny little human life trying to cope with the knowledge that the love of your life never cared for you as much as she loved Gary.”
Jim’s shoulders sagged like a marionette with cut strings. He walked out the front door and into the streets of Jaisalmer.
“That was really unnecessary,” Jenny said to Unamip.
“Truly,” said Findae.
Unamip shrugged, a strange thing to see on an equine body. “It was nothing compared to what the Bala have endured. Believe me, I have heard their desperate prayers for too long.”
They walked out of the lobby and found themselves again in the midst of chaos. While they were in the Pymmie ship, the Sisters had apparently been up to some mischief in the city. People dangled from street signs and shopkeepers came outside screaming they’d been robbed. One of the Sisters had opened all of the doors to the resource harvesting center and creatures of all types rampaged throughout the streets. A neofelis cat chased a man down the sidewalk with her claws and teeth bared. She whistled and waved at Gary as she ran past. There were screams of “Redworm!” coming from around the corner. Even the unicorns looked worried.
“Let’s get to the Jaggery before someone is hurt,” said Findae. They cantered ahead.
“I’ll come in a bit,” called Gary.
“See that you do,” said Findae, in a stern father voice.
Jenny and Kaila found a quiet spot on the sidewalk. Gary stayed nearby, waiting politely off to the side. Kaila wrapped her branches around Jenny, chittering incoherently.
“I’m not going… I’ll hide with you… Bala can’t… but when you do…”
“Hey, Sap?” Jenny said, putting her hands on the sides of Kaila’s face. “The Pymmie let me see what’s going to happen. You have to go. They’re going to make you.”
“No,” whined Kaila.
“I know, but you’ll be with Gary. He’ll keep you safe until I get there.”
“Sneak on board with us,” pleaded Kaila, pulling her arms.
“No, Sap. It’s just you guys. But I’ll follow. I promise.” She disentangled Kaila’s fronds from around her.
She hated making promises like that, but it calmed Kaila. Gary stepped in.
“I’ll be with you. Along with lots of other Bala. It’ll be good. You’ll see,” he said. “And Jenny will come get you as fast as she can. If there’s anyone who can find you, it’s her.”
Kaila bent down and pulled Jenny to her and they kissed as fighter jets scrambled overhead, shooting at a creature that had escaped the harvesting center a few storefronts away. The shots startled both of them and they ducked together.
“I love you, Jenny,” said Kaila, pressing her rough forehead against Jenny’s smooth one.
“I love you, Sap. Stay safe,” said Jenny. Kaila let go and headed for the Jaggery.
“Wait for me. I’ll walk you there. It’s not safe on the streets today,” called Gary.
“It never was,” said Kaila, tucking herself against a building and going as still as a regular tree.
“You don’t owe me some big goodbye,” Jenny said to Gary. “I was terrible, so you can just leave. I understand.”
She was startled when he leaned down and wrapped his arms around her. At first, she awkwardly patted his back. When he did not let go, she relaxed into his embrace.
“In one hundred years, you are my only friend,” he said.
“I hope that’s not true, because I was a terrible friend,” she said into his cable-knit sweater.
He squeezed harder, then let go. She pushed her hair out of her face. The brisk wind on Jaisalmer fanned a fire at the end of the street. Embers blew over them, making pinpricks on their skin that were extinguished by sweat. She finally found the words she’d been searching for over the last few hours.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to make things right for you. But I can’t bring back Cheryl Ann or give you back the time you lost in the Quag. The things I did… you didn’t deserve that. I want to make it right, but I don’t know what else to do.” she said.
“Keep thinking about it and the next time we see each other, you can tell me what you decided,” he said.
“It’s a deal,” she said, reaching up and scratching his growing beard. She blew Kaila one last kiss, then headed toward the screams. He called after her.
“Jenny?”
“Yeah.”
“Life is going to become difficult very quickly in Reasonspace. Make sure you are far away soon.”
“Thanks, Gary. Enjoy your new world.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
FTL Stagecoach Mary
Jenny rolled down the side of the street, trying to steer clear of looters and Summit revelers who hadn’t yet heard the news of the Bala’s deliverance. She pushed herself toward her new ship’s landing platform, staying off the main roads and avoiding piles of flaming trash and unconscious soldiers. The flak cannons still fired at regular intervals, taking down ships that were trying to abscond with Reason goods in the chaos.
Jenny wondered how the Pymmie planned to tell the Reason that they were being abandoned. Turns out, they’d simply sent an email. As a kicker, they’d put everyone in Reasonspace in the CC line. The enormous number of replies was crashing Reason servers everywhere. The out-of-office notifications alone were in the tens of billions. Her tablet was useless.
She stopped at a money machine and converted the Sisters’ payment into as much cash as it would let her have. Then she headed for a supply depot and arranged for the Settler’s Deluxe package to be delivered to her ship. It cost her double to have them drop it off within the hour, but it wouldn’t be long before the street was choked with rioters.
She passed an alleyway where someone had set up an aluminum surplus tent. A cheer went up from the crowd inside the canvas. Jenny was about to pass by when a young soldier came running out and threw up at her feet.
The gray gel of her vomit was streaked with red. It cracked the pavement when it hit the ground and pulled the dust around it into concentric circles.
“Pie,” gasped the soldier, wiping her mouth and feeling her teeth for cracks.
“Hang upside down to get it all out,” said Jenny, pushing open the canvas door of the tent. She found a spot to park along the back wall.
“Righteous lads and ladies of Reason, Private Patel has lost the game!” Ricky spotted Jenny. “Ten minute break. Give your name to a server if you’d like you
r shot at the singularity pie. Everyone else, get your drink orders in now.”
Ricky sauntered to the back of the room, tucking a wad of cash into her pocket.
“Nice setup,” said Jenny.
“I’ve owned places worse than this,” replied Ricky.
“I have plenty of room on my ship if you want a ride someplace,” said Jenny.
“You know, I’d usually take you up on the offer, but I have a feeling some real estate is about to open up on this street in the next few hours,” said Ricky. “You can make a lot of money off of desperate people.”
“You love chaos,” laughed Jenny.
“You know it,” said Ricky.
“I’m heading out. Take care of yourself, Ricky,” said Jenny.
“Hang on.”
Ricky reached into the open suitcase on a table that was functioning as a bar. She handed Jenny a bottle.
“To christen your new ship. Just don’t knock it against the hull. It’ll eat through the steel.”
“Can I even drink it?”
“Maybe!” said Ricky, turning back to her crowd of ten. “Everyone say goodbye to Captain Jenny. While we drink away the Armageddon, she’s off to fly among the stars.”
“Bye, Captain Jenny,” called a dozen drunk officers. Jenny tucked the bottle beside her in the chair. She rolled back out into the street just in time to see the Jaggery lift off. Cannons fired at its hull, scorching the pink blossom on its side and the white line above it. Even though there was no way any of them could see her, Jenny still lifted her hand to wave goodbye.
The streets were worse than ever. People smashed windows and ran away with as much as they could carry out of shops and homes. Gunfire sounded constantly from every direction and emergency services had stopped trying to control the fires and were instead trying to let them burn out on their own.
She arrived at her new ship, the FTL Stagecoach Mary, though it was hardly faster-than-light any more. It was a new small-complement transport ship – cheap but sturdy. Most importantly, it had autopilot and stasis pods for long journeys. It might take years, or decades, to find Kaila’s new planet and she didn’t plan on staying awake for most of the trip. She could simply tell it to canvass for habitable planets and wake her only when it found one with life.