by L. S. Gibson
Jon took an involuntary step toward the platform, before turning to glance at Triena. She attempted to smile, but it didn’t quite come off.
Manny found himself standing on the platform, the other platform. He’d no awareness of having moved from one place to the other. The “experience of a lifetime” had been rather a non-experience! But perhaps that in itself was an experience, the miracle of instantaneous travel from one spot to another. Manny made to walk forward, and it was then he noted the disorientation. It was as if his right leg was slow to react to his desire for movement. He lifted his arm and again there was an odd sensation. He did a few experiments and after about a minute the disorientation disappeared. He must mention that to Triena, it could be a pointer to the difference in the device from a real living person, or it could be because he was a different race. Then again, it could be the normal reaction after undertaking such a journey.
He stepped down from the platform and moved into an identical room to the one he’d just left. He stepped up to the door, pressed his ear against it and listened. He could hear nothing except the quiet thrum of the machinery, just as they’d done in the large area outside the Transmat room he’d just vacated. He opened the door with caution. He saw consoles, which were almost identical to those back at Sanctuary. He expected if he walked through there he’d find yet another cavernous room beyond. He checked his chronometer, time to return to the platform.
Manny stood and waited. It wouldn’t be long now. He waited. He checked his chronometer again. It had been six minutes. Perhaps his device was wrong, or the one they were using was incorrect. He waited, and as time passed he began to worry. Seven minutes passed, eight minutes. He wasn’t sure what to do. He tried to contact Jon via his transmitter but he couldn’t get through. He tried contacting Questor, but again no luck. Perhaps it was all the energy running through this place, or maybe the depth underground.
It was then he debated getting off the platform and looking for the Rhiava communication. It was logical that their device would have no trouble getting through. However, beside the fact he didn’t know what to look for, with his luck of late Triena would try to bring him back just as he stepped off.
Then he heard an odd bleeping sound. He glanced around, listening, trying to place where the sound came from. Then out of the corner of his eye, he noted a light blinking on a small console; it was in unison with the sound. He decided to act. He stepped off the platform and headed for the console. He studied it for a moment and noted there was a small icon next to the blinking light. Assuming it worked on the same principle as the others he’d seen Triena use, he pressed the icon, and Jon’s voice filled the room.
“Come in please, Manny.” His voice sounded patient, almost flat. Manny guessed he’d repeated the same phrase for some time now. “Come in please, Manny.”
Manny kept his finger pressed on the icon and spoke. “Manny here, can you hear me?”
But all he heard was the same phrase repeated. “Come in please, Manny.” He must have operated the receive control, there must be a transmit somewhere. He studied the layout and saw an identical icon, though reversed, on the line above. Manny took a breath and pressed the icon and spoke.
“Manny here, can you hear me now?” This time he heard a slight echo of his transmission. He released the icon and pressed the first one again.
“Thank goodness, you’ve found it. I was getting concerned.” Jon’s voice was full of relief.
“You were getting concerned? I’m the one who seems to be stuck here! What’s up?”
“We’re not quite sure. Triena operated the return mechanism as she was directed, but nothing happened. There must be a fault somewhere; with luck it’s just at this end. Trouble is, you’re the scientist amongst us and we’re stumped. Triena says you can send yourself back through from there, if she tells you how. Are you willing to try? Just a moment.” Manny heard faint voices in the background, before Jon spoke to him again. “Triena says you can send through another test device first to make sure if you wish.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to risk it, I can’t just stay here. I think I remember what she did, I was careful to watch her actions. But if she runs over it again, I’ll send through the device first, and if everything goes according to plan then I’ll come back myself. We already know the machine there transmits, and the one here receives, if this one transmits we can still go ahead.”
Everything did go according to plan, though it wasn’t without a little trepidation that the three of them stood on the platform at last, with the machine programmed to send them through to the platform under Reliff. They arrived in an instant, and while Manny now felt like an old hand, it proved to be a sobering experience for both Jon and Triena.
“I never thought I’d experience anything quite like that,” Jon said.
Triena seemed pale as she commented, “Me either. Such experiences were supposed to be long past for my people.”
The disorientation Manny had first experienced did appear to be a normal reaction on first arrival through the Transmat. He’d experienced it on every occasion now, and Jon and Triena confirmed they’d felt it too.
“You’re still nervous,” Jon commented to Triena a couple of minutes later.
“Yes. I think I’d better report back to Vrai and the others. Vrai, in particular, won’t like what I have to say, but I can’t put off telling them any longer. They need to know it works, and that we’re going to carry on from here.”
Twenty-five minutes later they were ready to leave the underground laboratory and head up into the city. As expected, Vrai and the other Elders were not happy Triena had gone ahead and made use of the Transmat, though Sernov indicated he understood. He also added he had every trust in Manny and Jon, in their sense of responsibility and their caution, and added he’d calm Vrai.
Though it didn’t stop him adding, “Be careful!” before he signed off.
It took Triena just five minutes to trace a design on each of their temples and color them in to make Jon and Manny look Rhiava. It was apparent their skin had darkened somewhat since they’d first arrived thanks to their long trip through the Rhiava countryside. It still wasn’t quite the correct shade for a Rhiava, but it was improbable the Mideans would notice.
Triena explained each design was minutely different depending on one’s family, the one alteration on her original family one was the addition of the second color when she became the Spirit. On Jon’s insistence she removed that for the trip into Reliff. He convinced her it was too dangerous to enter the city wearing it. Who knew if the Mideans had yet learned of its relevance?
They reached the door equivalent to the one that led to the elevator ascending through a pillar in the city above. Triena had already discounted using the main exit into the ancient Central Control Complex. According to Vrai, the entrance to the elevator was in the Agricultural Council Chamber. Of course, it had long been discarded and it was believed to be walled up behind a huge tapestry. Triena felt it would, in any event, be much safer to use the pillar to exit.
“But wouldn't it be the cause of extreme suspicion if any Midean saw us emerge from a pillar?” Manny asked.
“Oh, have you forgotten so soon? No one will see us unless I let them.”
“Oh, of course,” Manny replied with an embarrassed laugh.
The journey up to Reliff wasn’t as long as the one down from the ruined city in the forest. “Is everyone ready?” Triena asked when the elevator ground to a halt. “Remember, keep your expression a little bland; don’t show any particular hostility to them. It keeps them a little off guard that we are less than interested in their presence. We’ve attempted, within reason of course, to carry on our normal lifestyle. The citizens knew the Elders were working to find an answer and tried their best to just carry on.”
“That can’t have been easy. I mean, how do you carry on as normal when you’re under constant threat from a force which has no consideration for your rights or well-being?” Jon commented, though
it was more a statement than a question.
Triena created her shield and sent out a telepathic message to whoever was passing by the pillar. It took a second for someone with the required gift to pass before she could get the all clear for their exit. Her shield would cover their emergence, but she couldn’t cover the disappearance of a portion of the pillar. She pressed the icon which opened the pillar and they stepped out into the city of Reliff.
She scanned the area to ensure the recipient of her message hadn’t made an error, or that a Midean hadn’t since arrived on the scene. When it was safe she lowered her shield. As it happened the area was fairly quiet. There were just two others present. One was working behind the counter of a nearby stall with a customer purchasing goods. However, neither was surprised by their sudden appearance, and while the vendor stayed where she was, the customer moved over to them.
“Mistress Triena, when I received your message I thought for a moment I’d lost my mind. I didn’t expect you would risk yourself coming here.” He glanced around as he spoke, looking a little furtive.
“Calm yourself. Don’t draw attention,” she instructed.
“Of course, Mistress. Whatever I can do to help.” He began to raise his hand to his temple.
“No!” Jon said sharply.
The man’s hand stopped for an instant before he continued to raise it, but instead of giving Triena the prescribed salutation he instead brushed his hand through his hair. “Of course, I’m sorry,” he said, and glanced at Jon and Manny with an odd look. “Forgive me, Mistress, but I don’t get a sense of...”
“I know. It’s all right, they’re close friends who’ve come here to help us.” She hesitated a moment, then asked, “Your name is Arlov?”
“Yes,” he replied with a slight bow, that this time encompassed them all.
“Well, Arlov, we need to get to the Elders, and to Mychlo, who was taken from Haven. He did come here, didn’t he?”
“Yes, Mi...Triena. There were quite a number of prisoners brought here from Haven. For a time, they were kept separate, but just this morning they were released back into the city, though they’re being watched. I don’t know where Mychlo might be found, but I do know where the Elders from Haven were sent. The Mideans have been keeping the Elders they know of separate in the Chamber of the Ages. If you prefer, I know where Chadbon and Halok are staying. The Mideans still don’t know they’re Elders.”
“How safe is this Chamber of the Ages, whatever it is?” Jon queried.
Arlov raised his eyebrow and glanced at Triena, but he didn’t answer.
“Answer him,” she demanded.
“As you wish. It used to be our library, or perhaps archive is more accurate. It was lucky the Mideans didn’t recognize it for what it was; they thought it just a gallery of art. It’s the largest building in the city, except for the Council Chamber, which the Mideans themselves are using. It’s not a prison. People can enter and talk to the Elders. Their families are allowed to live with them there too. But it’s well watched by the Mideans. Unless it’s vital to go there, I’d suggest it would be safer to visit Chadbon or Halok.”
“Very well. Take us to Chadbon.”
Arlov nodded, and crossed the avenue. He came to a corner, walked around it and they emerged in a large square that was bustling with activity. No one paid them any particular attention; they were all too busy with their own interests. The square on all sides was made up of shops and kiosks, cafes and seating areas. The center was one large lawn, interspersed with tall thin trees, and low growing bushes. It was a most attractive sight, marred by the spectacle of a squad of Mideans seated in one of the areas near the central garden.
Reliff was much different from anything Jon and Manny had seen, though the similarities to the ancient ruined city they’d seen were clear. This was a smaller version, but here it was in all its splendor. Most of the buildings were of stone, polished to gleaming. There was liberal use of the dark wood, black as ebony. And here and there was the metal that shone, but it didn’t look polished as much as alive. It was warm and glowing, making one want to touch it as one passed by. But it wasn’t used here for the technology as in the old city; here it decorated the buildings, as did the dark wood. Interspersed among the long low, or tall towering buildings, were the carved pillars looking nothing more than works of art.
Jon reached out and took Triena’s hand. She was pleased by his reaction to her city. She glanced at Manny and saw the way his eyes darted from place to place, though he managed to keep his head forward, not drawing attention to the fact that he didn’t walk through these avenues day after day.
Arlov led the small party across the square on the other side of the garden from the Midean squad. “If I may ask? Who are your new friends?” he murmured as they walked.
“They’re visitors to our world, but much different from the Mideans. They and others from their vessel are going to help rid us of the Mideans.”
“We saw a strange bright light in the sky a while back, was that anything to do with them?” he asked glancing back at Jon and Manny.
Triena replied in a low voice. “Yes, their ship tried to persuade a Midean warship to leave and in the end the Mideans forced a battle. The Mideans lost.”
“Your vessel destroyed a Midean warship?” Arlov commented, a new respect showing in his expression. He’d enough presence of mind to keep his voice low.
“Yes, but it wasn’t our choice. We would’ve preferred they’d just left,” Manny answered.
Arlov stared at him, and for the first time he appeared amused.
As the streets became quieter, those who passed by had time to give the usual polite little bow. One or two hesitated, gave a second look, but no one did or said anything more.
Arlov slowed his pace just then, allowing them to walk alongside and keeping his voice low he said, “Just around the next bend, the second house is where Chadbon is staying. There’s a small Midean guard post at the end of the avenue.”
“Thank you for your assistance, Arlov. For the time being, please keep what you’ve learned to yourself. All will become clear soon enough. It wouldn’t do if the Mideans became aware of a change of any kind in our people, or that we had allies now.”
“Of course, Mi…Triena.” He laughed at his own continuing error. “And if I can be of further assistance, Chadbon knows where to find me.” He stopped, bowed, and walked away.
He’d left them at the steps of a small building, and Triena led the way up. There was no doorbell or knocker of any kind, but in the center of the door was a small, flat plate made from the metal. Triena reached up and placed her hand on it for a split second, then stood and waited. Almost at once the door opened, and a handsome man in his middle years stood there. His eyes widened. “Triena, how...?” He hesitated, gave a quick glanced at Jon and Manny. He frowned and peered back at Triena. “Come in, quick.”
They entered and the door closed behind them. They were in a small, well-lit passage and they followed their host to the room at the end.
“Who do we have here?” he asked as soon as he entered. Triena introduced each to the other, and then told Chadbon much of what had happened, and why they’d come.
Chadbon was fascinated about the alien ship and asked many questions, before answering quite a few of Triena’s. It was quite obvious that while he worried about Triena’s presence in the midst of the Mideans, he was also grateful for it. The people in the city had begun to despair for her safety, and the safety of the Rhiava as a race; they found it hard to see an overall solution.
“The mere fact of your presence in the city will give the people hope again,” he stated.
“But it must be kept a secret,” Manny said.
“Secret? I’m afraid that’s impossible. Coming here, she will have been seen and soon the whole city will know. But don’t fear, it won’t go beyond our people,” he said, sounding almost proud.
“Can you be sure of that, truly sure? I mean...”
“Yes, we�
�d never give up Mistress Triena. They’ve already tried and some of our people have died. They wouldn’t speak. No matter what was done. You’ve no idea what they put our people through,” he said, his voice rising in anger at the memory.
“Yes, I do,” Jon replied with such bitterness that Chadbon gave him a sharp glance. Triena took Jon’s hand and gave him a gentle smile, and he was able to regain some of his equilibrium.
“We know now what the Mideans did to our people, and why they died,” she told Chadbon, and though she didn’t explain further, it was clear Chadbon also felt the various emotions emanating from Jon in wave after wave, and he understood what must have happened. He couldn’t help asking, “How did you survive?”
Jon gave a grim smile and answered, “I’m not sure I did.”
Chadbon frowned and stared at Triena, who said, “We rescued him, just in time,” she put a hand up to Jon’s face so he twisted to look at her. She repeated firmly, “in time, Jon.” He gave a ghost of a smile.
Chadbon’s expression made it obvious he wanted to ask many more questions about this, but this wasn’t the time. His curiosity about the relationship between the stranger and his Mistress was obvious.
It was decided the next step was to formulate a plan and for that they needed input. Chadbon called in a member of his family and dispatched him to send back Mychlo, who wasn’t staying too far away, and then to carry on to Halok’s house and bring him back.
While they awaited the arrival of Mychlo and Halok, a much appreciated meal was provided. They’d just finished eating when Mychlo arrived.
He proved to be a young man, rather studious looking, who tended to talk too fast. With an embarrassed grin he apologized in advance for this failing, saying, “It’s because my mind tends to run ahead of my mouth.”