Into the Forest Shadows

by J. A. Marlow

  "Creating trust funds for each one will help," Uncle Henry said. Kate looked back at him, comfused. He smiled back at her, "We still have permission to harvest. I'm to see that the Gatherers are re-organized. It means we will still have product to sell to Alliance sources."

  "That might help," her mother said. She stepped over a ridge of dirt from where the shuttle had crashed. She wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulders and squeezed. "We're still together and that gives me strength. I'll figure it out."

  "Enough to learn the ways of the forest?"

  Kate looked down to find Vistus padding along beside her. The barrier trees twitched and turned as they grew outwards to heal the breach to the city. "Who? Mom or me?"

  "Both, but I sense you know more than your mother. She is now a Watcher and must learn," Vistus said.

  Her mother shivered. "I admit I've never liked it."

  "Did you hate the forest so much before Grandma's shuttle accident?"

  Her mother stopped on the other side of the barrier trees, "What do you know about that?"

  "Grandma showed me her memory of it." Kate realized how strange her words came out, but it was the best way to explain it. "The trees felt her desperation to stay alive to get back to you. So they helped."

  "Mom came back different, I could feel it."

  "She would have died before she could be rescued if it hadn't happened. The forest didn't do a bad thing. It made sure you still had a mother, and it meant I have a great Grandma."

  Her mother shrugged, turning to walk away from the city, "I was a child. I had a lot to fear in those days."

  "There always will be, but we have each other." Kate trotted after her. "I noticed the brighter colors. I like the ribbon. Does that mean you might be a little braver now, too?

  "I'm working on it. Give me time."

  Uncle Henry rushed forward to help her mother down the steep side of the mesa. Animals moved past them in the final exodus from the city, some of them calling to Vistus.

  Vistus took the lead once they reached level ground, saying, "The Newcomers smell almost as strong as humans."

  "I wondered when the insults would come." Kate looked back at the mesa once more before it disappeared from view. "Is that how you found the city? Following us?"

  "Of course. With Diasis on the move in your same direction I thought the city might need protectors. I did not expect an all-out war."

  "None of us did." Kate glanced at Ayden. He picked his way along the path with the help of his staff. She noticed he kept his eyes down. Why wasn't he happy? They'd been successful.

  The Newcomer ship lay in a muddy trench with broken trees around its perimeter. With relief Kate didn't detect any of the sleeping Ancients among them. A wide gash along the side revealed several internal rooms. In one of them two Newcomers worked to seal the gash.

  Kate ran up to the side of the ship, shouting to them, "There's no time for that! The fog is coming!"

  One of them looked down at her, a tool held tightly in his hand. "We do not wish harm. Do not attack. We will be gone as soon as repairs are finished."

  "Your ship can't protect itself against the fog," Kate said impatiently. "Shut down all the power and ship systems and get the crew together. We can find shelter among the trees until the fog passes."

  The Newcomer shook his head back and forth, "No, the trees will attack. Why should they not? They have been deceived by our former captain, just as we have."

  "We know that. We know you were infected with the spores." She turned to her mother. "I don't think they understand."

  "I think I do." Her mother walked up to the gash, tilting her head up at them, "My name is Mary O'Hanson, the new Human representative empowered by the Ancients. Your crew is no longer in danger as long as you do not harm the forest from this point forward. You are safe in our protective custody. We will arrange for you and your ship to be returned safely to your people. Please inform your crew that their safety is endangered by a natural weather phenomenon. We must take shelter."

  Kate eyed the ship. It would take time for it to be repaired well enough to fly. Her mother's shuttle had taken out a good chunk of the under-belly. Pits marked where the City tree weapons had inflicted their own massive damage.

  "It's too close to the Ancient's city," Kate said.

  Vistus sat down next to her, regarding the shape with distaste, "So long as it's on the planet it is too close."

  "That's not what I mean. I don't want any repair crew this close to the Ancient's city, just in case any of them get any ideas." She turned to Ayden, "I need Bunbun."

  "Why? You can understand the language of the Newcomers just fine." Still, Ayden pulled Bunbun out of his coat.

  "Ever thought of how they do that? Think group mind, one big organic computer." She cradled Bunbun in her hands and smiled at him, "Thanks to him the city could protect itself even when the other bunts and forest was infected by spores."

  Bunbun raised an ear at her, scratching his neck with a back paw. She nuzzled his forehead against her own. As she'd hoped, there was still a connection to the City bunt group-mind. She wished she could use words, but instead she had to rely on the one thing the half-asleep city computer could understand: The Newcomer ship must be moved away from the Ancient's city.

  The group mind computer came back with a solution using resting equipment sitting and waiting under the sleeping city surface. Kate received a brief mental image as well as an impression it would soon be on the way. At least, she hoped that's what they meant. With the emergency over, she had a feeling the Bunts still in the city were starting to turn their attention to the simple things in life, such as foraging for food and with each other.

  Kate lowered Bunbun, rubbing him behind the ears until he crooned. "Mom, tell the Newcomers to stay on the ship. Everyone, get onboard. We're taking the entire ship out of the area before the fog descends."

  Uncle Henry eyed the ship, "And how is that possible? The thing may never fly again."

  "Not on its own it won't, but we have help," Kate said. She handed Bunbun back to Ayden and pointed into the sky.

  Through a break in the trees two massive dark objects arrowed down towards them. Perfect, plenty big to handle the Newcomer ship.

  Kate scrambled up the dirt embankment into one of the exposed compartments, urging everyone else to follow. Her mother moved into the interior of the ship to continue talking with the crew.

  She frowned when Vistus followed. "I thought you would be going home."

  Vistus sighed, his claws making clicking noises as he walked gingerly on the hard flooring of the Newcomer ship, "I am to make a new forest my home. I'm the new Watcher liaison with the humans."

  Kate laughed before she could stop herself. "Sorry. I didn't expect that."

  "Trust me, I'm not thrilled with it either. How am I to work with a species who doesn't like shadows? You like to live in the bright open spaces."

  "That will change for those who stay among us."

  "I will do as the Ancient's asked, including seeing that you, and whomever may need it, are properly trained."

  "Great, more schoolwork." She heard several clangs overhead as the mobile engines attached themselves to the hull.

  "Can you please explain what is happening? Whoa!" Uncle Henry grabbed the internal doorjamb as the ship shifted.

  Kate yelled out, "The Ancient's version of freight lifters. We're heading for the city!"

  The ship lifted away from the dirt and mud, moving past the treetops. Kate steadied herself against the wall, watching the scenery fly by from out of the gash in the outer hull. As they rose in altitude she saw fog descending out of the mountains.

  Uncle Henry took one more look out the gash and retreated to the interior corridor. She heard him talking with the Newcomers and her mother. She stayed where she was, letting the air of their flight push through her hair. The forest flew by underneath.

  No way did she want to go inside. She wanted to see it all, experience it all.

/>   Ayden appeared just as enamored with the view. Until she looked a little closer.

  The corners of his eyes drooped, his mouth tight. The shoulders that were usually so straight, slumped.

  Kate pushed away from the wall and carefully made her way across the room to him. Vistus followed her, keeping her between him and the open gash in the hull.

  "Does it bother you that much?" She asked quietly. So quietly she wondered if he heard her over the sound of rushing air.

  He moved his intense gaze to her. "What do you mean?"

  "What the Ancient did to me. How I'm different inside. I'm not in my head, you know."

  A slight smile turned his lips, "Why should I care about that? You are now apart of the forest in a way I'm not, despite living in it for years. I've been asked to help develop the new technology our new society will use. I'm excited about that part. I love designing and making stuff. It means we'll be working together a lot."

  That part pleased her, too. Perhaps a little too much.

  Kate frowned, "Then what is it? You aren't happy."

  "What is the one thing that has shadowed my life?" He asked, his eyes losing its momentary sparkle.

  Kate's thoughts flew, trying to figure out what he might mean. She heard her mother laugh at Uncle Henry's voice. She glanced towards the interior door. "Your mother?"

  "Exactly. This incident is going to cause a lot of publicity. My mother will be able to find me."

  "So what? What can she do?"

  "I'm not of age yet!" He squeezed his eyes shut. "She can take me away and I won't be able to stop her."

  Kate laughed. "I would almost like to see her try."

  "This isn't a laughing matter."

  "Ayden, you aren't on an Alliance world and now never will be. You are working with the Ancients for the new human government. She can't touch you." She gestured towards the forest going by below. "And might I remind you that you also are a part of this forest, and we protect our own."

  "Indeed we do," Vistus said. "If you do not wish to leave this world, then you won't. Why do you humans complicate your lives with so much thinking?"

  A reluctant smile came to his face "I hope it's that simple."

  "We'll make it that simple. We'll tell Mom and she'll take care of it. She doesn't stick up for herself much, but she does for others." She folded her arms. "No one is taking you away from this world."

  He reached out and fingered the tattered edge of her cape. "You aren't going to need this for protection in the forest any longer."

  "No. I'm a part of the forest now in a way a simple Watcher is. But, it's still a symbol," Kate said. And more than that. A cape she'd once disliked wearing meant so much more. "Do you think you could duplicate the fabric and color?"

  His eyes flew to her face, "Are you serious? I thought you hated this thing."

  She shrugged. "It reminds me of Grandma. I want a new one. She made it special for me."

  Her mother come up behind her. "We have the Newcomers calmed down. They're relieved they aren't going to be charged with murder and will be allowed to return home."

  "We'll be back at the city soon at this pace," Ayden said.

  "Kinda fitting. Arriving in an alien craft that is being carried by Ancient technology," Kate mused. "I think this will tell everyone in the city that things have changed. In a big way."

  "Ms. O'Hanson, Kate thinks you may be able to help me with a problem," Ayden said.

  Her mother smiled, nodding towards Uncle Henry as he joined them, "If this is about your mother, your uncle has already informed me. We'll get it taken care of."

  "See, I told you she's good." Kate said with a cheeky grin.

  An odd sense of peace settled over her. She wasn't mad at anyone, her family was at peace even with one of them in parts unknown. For the first time since she could remember, she felt at home.

  It was a new feeling, but a wonderful feeling.

  In her mind flashed the image of twisted trees with shimmering light between them. A gate. A gate she should keep an eye on as its Gatekeeper. Maybe one day she would explore beyond the gate, just like Grandma would be doing.

  Watcher, Gatekeeper. Good grief, she hadn't even graduated from school yet.

  She smiled up at Ayden as he talked with her mother.

  And she had people around her who accepted her the way she was, even though she knew herself to indeed be different than before.

  And it was right.

  The End

  StarBlink Universe

  I have 4 primary 'universes' I write in. Each has a different set of physics that affects how space travel occurs, as well as human abilities, the frequency of aliens and habitable worlds, and so forth.

  This story belongs in the early years of the StarBlink Universe.

  Humans head to the stars with the help of Jump Gates and Diamede Drives, but habitable planets are few and far between. The search for more worlds keeps humans moving outwards, and brings war and political tug-of-wars over the precious worlds known.

  The few aliens surrounding human space aren’t pleased by the human expansion or willingness towards violence, even those species with a knack for it themselves.

  But humans might be their saviors from an ancient enemy to all sentient life.

  Other stories in the Starblink Universe

  The Art of Negotiation: After overseeing the downsizing of a construction facility at Arcturus, Zada Harper comes face-to-face with an old friend... whom she just helped lay off. Zada then finds herself the next target of the ISC Corporation layoffs. She is suddenly without a job and forced into automatic arbitration for a severance settlement. But Zada won't go quietly. The ISC feels the sting of her departure.

  About This Story

  The germs of this story date back many years, starting with a vision of a woodcutter holding a laser-axe who was afraid of the dark. Not a good thing to be in a world dominated by gigantic forests filled with deep shadows.

  And there the idea sat for many years. I had other snatches, such as an episode with a shuttle haring off on a rescue mission, a sassy and spunky female protagonist, and the moving trees.

  As with most professions, continuing education is essential. Writing is no different. I am always on the lookout for other viewpoints, methodology, tips, and hints. It was a plotting workshop on Forward Motion Writers that finally sparked the solid idea for a novel. As part of the workshop we all chose a fairy tale and worked to expand the theme, plot points, turns, or characters (or all of the above).

  My mind turned to that little germ of an idea. I started looking up and reading all the various versions of the story "Little Red Riding Hood" that I could, including those from before the French version so popular now (changed to be more moralistic to that time period).

  And those old ideas really sparked the synapses.

  The breakthroughs started in earnest when I started a class given by Lazette Gifford called "The Two Year Novel". The hard planning and idea gathering started in January of 2009 culminating with the first draft written for "National Novel Writing Month" in November of 2009.

  In December of 2009 Holly Lisle started up an intense course called "How To Revise Your Novel." Of course I had to take that class, as I've been very impressed with all the writer educational books, classes, workshops, and free articles she's put out.

  And I'm glad I did.

  Over the next five months the first draft was hammered on, analyzed, taken apart, and made to bleed red ink. The resulting book was much stronger for the effort.

  That is by no means the only big steps in the idea, plotting, writing, and revision of this book. There were many other steps, sometimes big time-consuming steps. But now, with the book finished, it's interesting to reflect back on the journey from a little seed and watch it through the germination stage right up to becoming a fully adult result.

  And forgive the horticulture phrasing. Considering the main theme of the book, it's understandable!

  Note: The plotting
workshop inspired at least two other stories inspired by various fairy tales, but you'll have to wait a bit for them. :)

  And now, a few extras written while planning the book out...

  New Arrivals

  A breeze off the ocean caressed his skin, the smell of salt heavy upon it. Scattered clouds drifting across the sky, the forest still and silent. A good day to be out and about, to be sure. Morris looked out across the green water, noting how the swells moved. Tomorrow would be another good catch, if the weather held.

  A dot in the sky appeared, quickly growing larger. Morris ignored it. He had a catch to deliver. With a flick of his wrist, he closed the lid of the compartment holding the gutted and iced fish. With a tug on the handle the cart lifted up off the ground, gliding behind him as he picked his way across the beach. Buildings of squares, rectangles and octagons rose up over him, with a nearly transparent wall surrounding the construction that formed the one and only human city on the planet of Oburos, all of it glinting in green and blue hues. Beyond it stood the forest, the giant trees competing with the city in height.

  He pulled the cart up the gradual ramp leading from the shoreline onto a paved open area. In the midst of it, the freighter neatly landed with a final roar of its engines. Immediately, crews moved forward to the freight pods.

  The front hatch swung open and a stairway descending the short distance to the ground. The crew were the first to disembark, moving to help the ground crews. Then came a group dressed in dark tailored clothing.

  New arrivals. Morris’s experienced eye quickly categorized each one. A businessman, a rebel, a dreamer. Typical passengers. None of whom would last long.

  A middle-aged woman with a sad face descended timidly, her back and shoulders held tense. Limp-hanging mud-brown hair flew into her face as she glanced around nervously, her eyes lingering on the edge of the forest. With a jerk, she transferred her attention to the city, refusing to look at anything else.