by Viola Grace
As she balanced precariously on the tower of stone, she exhibited a grace that he had never imagined. Her head was tilted toward the nearest moon, her flame-red hair rippling in tight curls down her back.
The new design of the suit was far more modest than the original, and he had to admit that while he missed the exposure, the new covering was far more suited to his sensibilities.
For generations, Dhemons learned to control themselves with social strictures, manners and etiquette. Their past was bloody, but their present was one of self-control and well thought-out actions.
As Viiko watched her look to the moon, her eyes closed and her lips flushed and moved slightly. He could finally understand his ancestors and their obsession with taking any woman who stirred them. He was fighting those same reactions right then.
Shaking his head, he stomped back toward his home, the base that held all the botanical samples from Piq as well as the test samples from dozens of other worlds.
First, he needed to determine if they could grow on Piq, and then, he would see if they would contaminate the environment. It was research that would take years. Years with Naka at his side.
Viiko wiped the smile off his face and started tucking away the food. It was not a good thing that his first thought was a lengthy seduction and his second thought was a short one.
* * * *
There was a mind in the moon. Naka swayed when she first felt it and tried to pull back, but it gripped her and held her tight.
Don’t be afraid. I have been waiting for someone who could bring me home.
What?
I am Piquaro, the mind of the planet you stand on.
Uh, I hate to tell you this, but you are in the moon.
I am aware. I have been trying to get back to myself for a thousand years.
How did you get up there?
I was pulled from my home by one like you, a planet carrier.
That was news to her. I am a what now?
A planet carrier. You can take the mind of a sentient world into you and carry it to a new location. I have only heard of three in the last ten thousand years. You are the third.
Naka could feel her body swaying. I need to get back to myself. I think I am going to fall.
Speak to me as soon as you are able. I want to go home.
Naka snapped back into her own mind and immediately crouched, climbing down with shaking limbs. At the base, she leaned her back against it and braced her hands on her thighs while breathing in deeply.
The shock overwhelmed her, and she wretched but nothing came up. Naka felt like smacking herself. Of course she was weak. She hadn’t eaten in over a day.
With her legs trembling and her stomach spinning, she made her way to the entry of the base where she assumed Viiko was. First, she needed food, and then, they needed to talk.
Chapter Six
He helped her to a chair and fetched her a ration pack that was marked with the icon of Resicor.
“This has been approved for your people. I will get you some water.”
Naka’s hands shook as she tried to open the packet. She dropped it three times before she managed to tear the wrap open. It was a cake with flecks in it.
He brought some glasses and a carafe of water that had condensation forming on the glass. With formality, he poured her a glass and placed it in front of her.
She sipped slowly at the water before she ate any of the ration bar. Putting that much dry food in her stomach wouldn’t be a good idea if there were no water to hydrate it.
After sipping and nibbling her way through a third of the bar, she sighed and pushed it aside.
“You don’t like it?” Viiko was concerned.
“I don’t have room for it. I wasn’t eating much at the dome, and I haven’t eaten since.”
He winced. “Of course. I apologize. I have been an inattentive host.”
“Please don’t feel bad. I could have expressed hunger if I realized I was hungry. There was too much happening for it to make itself known.”
He nodded. “When you are finished, I will show you to your room. I have placed you near the greenhouse so that you can enjoy the light coming through the glass.”
She perked up, “Greenhouse?”
“Of course. It is why I am here. Perhaps I should tell you what the plan is for Piq.”
She sat back and sipped at her water. “That might be a good idea.”
“We are in the middle of one of the most populated transport lanes in the Alliance. Ships pass us on a weekly basis and many are looking for supplies and fresh water. The Citadel accepted the commission to stabilize Piq for a small spaceport and trade center.”
Realizing what he was saying, she raised her hand to stop him. “I believe I need to tell you what I just learned so that you can talk to someone and re-evaluate the plan.”
“I am listening.”
As he turned his head, she noted the clash of the metal bands on his hair. It was a peculiar music, but she liked it.
“Piq is sentient.”
His eyes widened in surprise before he shook his head. “We have had explorers and seekers all over this planet. There is no mind within.”
She shook her head. “It isn’t within. I am guessing that they never looked up.”
“What?”
“The mind of the world is lodged in the moon. The big moon is tearing at the planet in an effort to get its mind home. It has been for a thousand years.”
He leaned back in his chair and frowned. “You are serious.”
“I am. Apparently, it recognizes me as a planet mover and wants me to help it get home. Before I even try and return to contact it, could you do some research into this planet-mover thing? I have never heard of such a thing. I am barely aware that there are planets who think and speak through their Avatars, but the Resicor could not keep all transmissions out.”
He nodded. “Planet movers?”
She thought back. “Carriers. He said planet carrier.”
“Very well. I will put it to the Citadel. They have been keeping records of talents since the guild began. If they have a record of planet carriers, I will inform them of the issue.”
“Piquaro said he had only known of three planet carriers, and the second one stranded him on the moon, and the last was me.” She shrugged, bit a small piece of the ration bar off and washed it down with water.
“Do you mind if I make the call now? It may take them some time to search the records.”
“Please. I want all the information I can get before I contact the moon again. It barely let me go the last time.”
Viiko reached out to touch her shoulder, and she jerked her head up at the contact.
“Naka, do not do anything to put yourself in harm’s way, at least until I get back and can watch over you.”
She nodded, confused by the warmth spilling through her at the light touch. He left her and walked away, presumably to make the call.
Sitting in silence and picking away at the ration bar, she still felt a strange rightness as if this was where she was meant to be.
Viiko could have been gone for minutes or hours, but she had made it through the rations as well as the water carafe before he returned.
He met her curious gaze with a serious one. “There is one planet carrier on record. She helped dying planets move from one stellar body to the next when they did not want to give up their lives. If you are one of them, the Citadel would like to change your contract for travel.”
She shuddered. “No more jumps. I just want to stay in one place and grow old and die.”
He blinked. “No plans for a family?”
She frowned, “Of course not. No physical talent of Resicor is allowed to have children. I suppose a companion would not be out of the question, but who am I going to meet out here?”
He seemed stunned for a moment before he gave her a rueful grin. “Who indeed?”
Naka sighed and smiled. “May I have a tour?”
“Of course.
”
He held out his hand, and she slipped hers into his.
There was a communications room with no door, so she could have eavesdropped on the conversation if she had been so inclined. Her bedroom was across the hall from his and immediately next to the huge archway that housed the doors to the greenhouse.
The moment that they opened the doors, the smell of earth, plants and life came to her in a rush.
“Oh my. This is wonderful. I must confess that while my degree is in botany, I tended to stick to simple herbs in my studies. These plants are amazing.” She caressed the leaves and released his hand to explore further.
The flowers were delicate, but she recognized the marks of a seed-bearing species. As Naka looked around, she saw what appeared to be an acre or more of planting beds, lights and monitors.
“This is quite the operation.”
He inclined his head, “Thank you. My talent has few uses on established worlds, but here, it can be of use.”
“May I ask what it is?”
“What my talent is?”
“Yes.”
“I am a biological assessment specialist. My talent is to see the usefulness in every plant or animal species I come across.”
She turned her head and looked at him closely. He seemed embarrassed. “Can you use it on sentients?”
“Yes, but I don’t. It disturbs people.” His expression spoke from experience.
“Your people are not too fond of talents, are they?”
He sighed and wandered to a flower just starting to open, tracing the petals with his fingers. “The Dhemons have bred the psychic talents out of their bloodlines, but occasionally, the dormant genes still come up. That was the case with me, but my talent is easy enough to disguise normally. Unfortunately, one slip is all that it takes.”
Acting on impulse, Naka went to him and gave him a hug. “I know exactly what you mean.”
His arms came around her and held her tight, and for the first time since she was a child, she felt someone was holding her because they wanted to, not because it was an obligation. It was so heady a feeling, she didn’t want it to end.
Viiko’s body stiffened, and a low growl came from his throat. With rigid arms, he held her away from him. “This is not a wise idea.”
She felt hurt and was sure that it showed in her features.
He sighed. “You are just displaced from your home. If we begin something, I do not want it to be because you are desperate for an anchor.”
Naka bit her lip and blushed when his eyes darkened. “I was simply offering a hug and accepting one. I am sorry that you misconstrued it.”
Viiko groaned and reached out for her. “It is my fault. I was too accepting of your touch. Dhemons have etiquette for contact. It is to keep our passions restrained.”
Stunned, she blurted out, “Passion for me?”
His surprise was just as visible. “Why not?”
To her dismay and confusion, she had no reply.
Chapter Seven
Naka spent the night in her room and had to admit that Viiko Carolian was a striking figure of a man. Even with the horns, his facial features were easy to look at—strong planes and angles that showed every expression with clear detail. His body was just as well defined based on the hug. The robes flowed loosely around him, but the hard frame under the fabric had started her pulse in strange and new places.
Lying in her bed, she fiddled with her wet hair and smiled at the memory of the first shower she had had since they locked her into the suit. Having her biology start working again was slightly startling, but it was like walking, once you knew how, you didn’t forget.
She was whole once again. The Masuo suit turned into a flat anklet when she wanted to be naked, and right now, that was all the time. Being covered and sealed up had a peculiarly depressing effect on her system, she was free now, and she wanted to feel everything on her skin.
Naka rolled to one side and curled up when she realized that the thing she wanted most against her skin was sleeping across the hall. She was going to have to look into finding another place to stay if this urge continued and his self-control remained rigid. She had never had a physical relationship with anyone, but being alone on an uninhabited world was becoming a temptation, and she had only been on Piq one day. It wasn’t like her to want to follow her urges, but she was a new woman now, learning what it was that she wanted out of life. Unfortunately, part of her wanted the grumpy Dhemon across the hall.
Yawning, Naka took one of the Resicor ration bars and a bottle of water out to the river and listened to the energy of Piq. It had calmed dramatically since her arrival the day before. The connection to the moon was still strong but no longer destructive.
Piq was no longer being torn apart while its mind fought to return.
She sat on the bank of the river and ate her breakfast. Viiko was already at work in the greenhouse, so she had decided not to bother him.
When the ration bar was gone, she took a deep breath and called the moon.
Thank you for returning. I was not sure that you would.
She smiled slightly. You did have a firm grip. It was a little frightening.
I apologize. Yours is the first mind that had the sense to turn to the sky.
It seemed the logical thing when the power was streaming from the moon. How does it work, my being your carrier, I mean?
Has your companion found records?
The Citadel has records. I was not privy to the details.
From what I imagine, you come to me, and I upload my consciousness to your body. We then return to the surface, and I exit your body. The ground will shudder at my return, but I will soon be integrated back into the surface of my skin.
Will it be that simple?
I believe so.
How did you get transported to the moon?
With my location in a prime transport path, a group of thieves and talents wanted to use me as a base. I refused, and they took my mind by force, ripping me from the world. I fought the body that was holding me and destroyed it as they passed Kevna.
The moon?
Correct. Their ship crashed here, and I moved the body to touch the surface, implanting myself just out of reach of my world.
It must have been frustrating.
It has been. It has been even worse as I see more and more traffic passing through this star system and none of them have heard my cries for help.
I am here now. You have been heard.
When will you come to get me?
She paused. I am not sure. It will depend on my companion.
Why can’t you come on your own?
Naka smiled, I can’t fly.
I see. Well, that does make sense.
I am glad that you understand. I will return to my companion and explain the situation.
He is standing next to you.
You can see me?
Of course I can see you. Don’t be silly.
The idea of a planet that was exasperated with her was oddly amusing, and she was giggling as she came out of her communication. Viiko was indeed standing over her.
“What were you just doing?”
She stretched out muscles that were stiff from the cool air next to the river. “I was talking with Piquaro. He would like a retrieval as soon as possible. Apparently, he has waited long enough.”
Viiko reached down and took her hands, helping her to her feet. “Did he explain the process?”
“Sort of. He was hijacked to get him up there, and he killed his carrier to keep them from taking him beyond the star system. The death of his carrier crashed the ship on the moon, and he was able to escape from there.” She reluctantly released his hands and brushed the grass off her suit.
“How does it work?”
She sighed and turned to walk back toward their small base. He was at her side, matching her step for step. “First, I need to get to the moon. Physical contact with the surface needs to be created for him to transfer his consciousn
ess. After that, you fly us back to the surface, and I will release him back into his body, so to speak.”
They walked side by side to the kitchen where Viiko brewed them a pot of tea. He gave her a bright smile. “It is a new blend that I have created. Based on the information that has been provided by the other Resicor, you should be able to tolerate this.”
The precision with which he handled the utensils and the teacups spoke of long experience.
“Tea is a big thing on Dhema?”
He grinned, “You could say that. It is one of our more public vices.”
“What are some of the private ones?” She realized what she had said the moment that it passed her lips. Her blush could have boiled water.
“Everything in time, Naka.” He poured the tea into cups, presenting her with one as he winked.
She inhaled the brew and smiled. “It smells lovely.”
“I have been working on a tea bush that will take to the Piq soil without spreading like wildfire. This particular shrub seems to enjoy being a singular entity.” He looked into the cup and swirled the tea.
She sipped and raised her eyebrows at the flavour. “It is very nice. Not bitter, a nice floral note with a citrus wash. A clean tea.”
“You know about tea?”
“Tea was in my area of study. I enjoyed flavouring agents for food and concentrated on them. Others could grow the tubers. I wanted to learn how to make them taste good. Did you know that on Resicor there is a seedpod that has a particular slime in it that forms a citrusy salt substitute when dried? Damn that stuff was good.” She grinned at the memory.
“It seems we have something in common. I am a huge fan of the herbs used in cooking. Each member of my family had gardens that I was able to manipulate when I visited.” He sipped at his tea, leaned back and smiled. “That is better. One less thing to import on the ration drops.”
She looked at the teacup, her brows knitting in a frown. “Does it grow fast enough to keep us supplied?”
Naka looked up just in time to see him flash a pleased smile.
“Not yet, but a little splicing of branches and I will be able to have these leaves growing on a standard Piq tea bush.”