AKLESH (Under Strange Skies)

by Samuel Jarius Pettit

  As he pondered this and the day’s events he slowly became aware of something else.

  He could hear it ever so softly, but he wasn’t quite sure where the sound was coming from. As he listened, he thought he could make it out.

  It sounded like someone sobbing far away.

  It clearly wasn’t a child. It had a fuller sound, like that of a mature woman. The large twists and turn of the great tree wreaked havoc on the general acoustics. Voices could be heard from people who were not standing close if they happened to be facing a good sound pocket, tree wall or corner.

  For a moment he though it might be coming from another platform, maybe just below where he was standing. There were so many huts tucked into different places that were accessible only by small ladders or ramps and every time he turned a corner, he was surprised by how living compartments had been structured into the natural growth of the tree.

  But, this quiet crying noise was coming from near by, he was sure of it.

  He turned around to face the four huts on Tyro’s family platform. At first he thought maybe it was Seema. But, she was the last person to have any cause for crying. Gar was certain that whatever or whoever was making the noise was close. There were huts above them and below. He stared at these intently then turned his attention to the fourth, the empty one. He’d never given it much consideration since he’d been living among Tyro’s family.

  Gar’s thought went to the hut and he was about to approach it when he was interrupted.

  “Are you alright?” asked Kai’s voice suddenly. He stood on the ramp facing him with a puzzled expression. Kai had been so quiet that Gar hadn’t even noticed his approach.

  Immediately the sobbing sound stopped.

  “Huh?” Gar stammered, startled by the young tribesman’s

  appearance.

  Annoyed

  by

  the

  distraction Gar put up a hand to quiet his friend.

  Kai looked concerned but played along.

  “Shh! Did you hear that?” whispered Gar.

  Kai listened as well. There was nothing at all but the soft, summer wind caressing the leaves and the night sounds of whatever creatures were living in the branches with the tribe.

  “I hear nothing unusual. Are you sure there was a sound?” asked Kai, who added. “Are you feeling well?”

  “No, there was something, I know it,” said Gar insistently. The two of them stood in the quiet for a while longer, Gar straining to hear the noise again while Kai watched him intently.

  “Gone,” said Gar, eventually giving up.

  “I’m sorry,” said Kai. “I didn’t mean to distract you.”

  “No. It’s fine. Really.” Gar sighed and leaned against the railing, letting the memory of the ghostly crying slip from his mind for the time being.

  “I just came to tell you that Cho and the twins have a surprise for you tomorrow morning.”

  “What? No shell class with the Healer?” Gar asked with slight sarcasm. “How will I survive?”

  “No,” said Kai, laughing a little. “There’s going to be less of that.”

  “A surprise, huh?” said Gar playfully. “It’s a good surprise? I’m going to like it?”

  “I believe so,” said Kai.

  “What is it then?” asked Gar. “A great big Wetchberry? Tilo will be so excited.”

  “You’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow,” said Kai, raising his eyebrow as he had seen Gar do. The prince was amused to see his own expression mirrored back at him.

  “I suppose I could just read your mind and find out.”

  Kai laughed loudly, then quieted himself, making sure he hadn’t woken anyone up any one in the neighboring huts, especially Seema and Tyro.

  I don’t think so, he sent with assurance.

  But, I did well today, didn’t I? Gar sent back.

  With the whole shell thing?

  Yes.

  Gar took one last look at the night sky. “If I’m going to deal with surprises, giant Wetchberries or not, I had better get some sleep.”

  Kai’s only reply was a slight grin. He was beginning to get the hang of the stranger’s humor.

  And he kind of liked it. Gar entered the hut, but turned at the door, his expression having changed entirely.

  “Kai, I want you to know. I don’t resent…” he stopped mid-sentence and rethought what he was going to say. “I don’t resent you. I hope you understand that.”

  “I do…now,” said Kai. “But, it’s nice to hear.” Gar smiled back. “Good night.” And with that he vanished into the hut and the red grass curtain rustled shut behind him.

  Kai waited for a while and gazed at the stars. He stayed that way for quite some time until images of giant metal rings in the sky and huge floating villages unlike any he’d ever seen began to drift though his mind. The window into Gar’s dream world was open. This was how he knew his friend was asleep.

  Quietly, the young native made his way to the door of the hut and sat down beside it. He had been doing this every night since they had gotten back from the battle. He pulled out a furry, white mat that he had been keeping rolled up in the little corner and positioned it on the ground, setting himself up for the night.

  It was where he was going to fall asleep.

  Being close to Gar brought him a strange sort of solace even if it was slightly uncomfortable to sleep night after night on the ground. He knew he would wake up way before Gar. Yet, his own repose was still a long ways off. Kai was reeling from the events of the day. He sat there in the silence of the night and listened to the sounds of the Keep while losing himself in Gar’s mysterious dreams of space.

  CHAPTER 14

  On Orestus it had been determined that Doctor Jenna Hines had been an innocent regarding the illegal scientific and mercenary activity on Galactic Protectorate 0684 and was forced to work with the renegade group under threat to her person.

  The terminal at the Orestus Galactic Spaceport had been notified that an unauthorized vessel was coming through from a prohibited area. All transports through Orestus, both import and export, were monitored at all times. Illegal activity could not be stopped entirely, but it did put a damper on most of what came in and out. Certain cargos and destinations

  were

  deemed

  off

  limits

  by

  parliamentary edict and scans were taken of every ship that passed through. The moment the shuttle had come via the access portal it had been tagged and seized by authorities of the O.G.S. Its passengers were placed into immediate custody for interrogation while the contents of the ship were confiscated and put into holding for inspection.

  It didn’t take long for the O.G.S officials to get the story out of the surviving eight passengers. The O.G.S and Orestus M.I. could be very persuasive.

  In an act of surprising concession, Professor Rochard Hess had exonerated Dr Hines of her involvement in the entire affair. He informed authorities that once she had learned the true nature of their mission she had tried to leave and was held against her will. He had felt guilty about misguiding her and though his career was ruined he did not wish to bring her down with him. The professor had no knowledge that she had been the one who had sabotaged the entire mission.

  Since Jenna’s action on the galactic protectorate had seen to it that no one refuted the old man’s claim, she was released to her family, much to their mutual relief.

  Drug trafficking had been at a peak for several months, so the public relations department of the O.G.S. decided to put forth the heroic doctor’s tale of moral courage and survival as the centerpiece of the whole incident. It allowed them to throw attention away from the illegal activity that had been going on right under their nose.

  But behind closed doors questions were being raised on how this ship’s illicit activity had been able to function so well under the radar. Even the office of the Prime Minister took a keen interest in the investigation.

  J
enna, on the other hand, found herself thrust involuntarily into the role of instant celebrity.

  Many of the news feeds had interviews and offers for her to tell her story via different forms of media. She agreed only since the ridiculous amounts of credits being offered would help her family. Also, her recently acquired status in the public eye kept her relatively safe from any of the people they had been working for. No one would touch her while she was in the public eye.

  While having to deal with her newfound fame one thing kept bothering her.

  The stories popping up over the feed about the missing prince caused her pause. She had remembered Kai talking about another off-worlder who had crashed on their planet. She’d given it very little thought at the time due to the other issues that had been at hand. But now it carried a different weight.

  It was unlikely idea that an irresponsible royal, whose activities she had never much approved of, would be gallivanting on some backwater planet for kicks. Still, every time she saw the headline it made her stop.

  It had been just over a week since she had returned from her ordeal. Overnight Jenna was a media darling, receiving invitations to all sort of events, from charity balls to private dinner parties in the penthouses of very influential people up in Orestus City.

  Everyone wanted to hear her story. Being a simple girl from Ranuem, the second ring on Orestus, she figured she’d at least take some advantage of the good life for as long as it was going to last. Next week there would be a new story and she would be forgotten and go back to the world of academia.

  She accepted an invitation to a premiere of a new opera at the Lancell Opera House. Jenna had adored the ancient art and had longed to see a performance live. She had watched holovids but the experience was not the same.

  She showed up to event wearing a black gown that had cost more credits than she’d ever spent on one piece of clothing in all her life. It had a high waist that was fashionable at the moment and a long flowing skirt. She was not used to dressing up and felt very pretty for the first time. As she walked down the red carpet she was overwhelmed by the flashing of the imaging spheres the floated along the sides of the roped off area which was crammed full of people trying to get a view of the interstellar upper-crust.

  Jenna stopped. Her nerves went on edge.

  She felt the familiar whoozy feeling that she had in stressful situations, but this time no one was pointing flash weapons. Although she really wanted to see the opera, part of her also wanted to turn around and bolt in the other direction. The world around her began to swim. She had a moment of panic where she thought she might actually faint.

  Jenna felt a supporting hand at her elbow.

  “It’s insane, I know. But you get used to it.” She turned and found herself being urged on by none other than Princess Gwendolyn Orestes herself. Jenna began an immediate courtesy, but was stopped about half way.

  “Oh, none of that, please,” said Gweni, waving off the custom in a friendly manner, “Just smile, wave and walk. It will be over soon.” The princess was stunning in a deep green, velvet styled dress that was off her shoulders. The train was encrusted with glittering stones and quite took Jenna’s breath away. The vidfeed of her royal highness was nothing compared to her beauty in person.

  Gweni, not missing a beat, gently hooked Jenna’s arm with her own and walked them down the carpet. Reporters and eager fans were shouting as they passed but the princess seemed to pay them no mind. When the two of them had joined arms the flashes had grown into a frenzy taking full advantage of the photo op.

  Jenna’s mother was not going to believe it.

  When they got through the large arching entryway of the grand opera house the media circus outside faded away and soft music took its place. They were surrounded by a lavish décor of chandeliers and plush red furniture. All the people were dressed in elegant finery and Jenna felt even more out of place than she had on the red carpet.

  She recognized many of the faces from having seen then on vid screens or reading about their exploits on the feed, but in the presence of the princess she attempted to keep her awe in check.

  “There now,” said the princess once they had alighted. “We’re safe.” The entire time Gwendolyn’s manner had been easy and effortless.

  Jenna was surprised and delighted. She would have wonderful stories to tell her grandchildren someday.

  “Thank you so much, your highness, for saving me out there.”

  “Please,” said Gweni, with a light and musical laugh, “You were the one saving me. The questions from the media about Gar were becoming relentless.” She grabbed a glass that was presented to her on a tray and took a hearty drink from it. Jenna too accepted a glass but did not drink.

  “Your brother,” she asked tentatively,

  “Pardon me for asking if it is out of line, but have you heard anything from him?”

  Gweni’s expression changed for a moment to something that was entirely unreadable for Jenna.

  Then in a flash it was gone and the princess was all ease again. “Probably off stirring up trouble somewhere,” she said, trying to be humorous. “Its so unfortunate that the media only has to make up half of what they say about him. The rest he does quite well on his own. So, you’re the famous survivor from the G.P? How exciting.” Jenna knew a change in topic when she heard one and graciously indulged the princess in details of the event, though liberally edited. If anyone knew the full truth she’d have been sent to a penal colony before they’d let her change out of the fancy dress. Her highness nodded and smiled and asked little questions. If she was bored with the story she made no show of it.

  Soon they were joined by a few others who listened to the doctor’s well-constructed tale.

  Jenna had gotten very good at spinning it and had told it several times in interviews throughout the week. She reviewed it often in her mind since she had to make sure there were no holes in the story.

  It was her opinion to err on the side of paranoia than risk any exposure. Her mother had always taught her that the best secret was the one you never confided to anyone. So, even Jenna’s family was clueless to what had actually happened.

  As far as the universe was concerned, her truth was the truth.

  At the conclusion of her tale, the small assemblage applauded lightly at her bravery and dispersed, as if the tale were the plot of some new vid story she was writing. Indeed, she had been approached about just that.

  The only person to stay was Gwedolyn. The princess seemed eager to remain in Jenna’s company, though it was beyond her why. She assumed herself very provincial to someone like Gwendolyn. Another man stayed as well. This person Jenna recognized immediately as the Prime Minister Lorvan Omato. He was very tall and regal, with silver hair and a black suit draped in a dark cloak. He seemed to want the princess’

  attention, but she was ignoring him, instead focusing on the young doctor.

  “What you’ve had to endure is both shocking and thrilling,” she said. “How amazing to be the only humans on such a primitive planet.” This comment made Jenna think again about Kai’s story of a stranger falling from the sky.

  “Yes, well, I don’t think we were the only-“ Jenna was cut off by the prime minister who refused to be put off any longer.

  “I’m sure it was very harrowing Miss…

  Hines, was it? Now if you’ll excuse us…” he let these words hang in the air until Jenna understood.

  “Oh, of course.” She curtsied lightly then started to leave. The princess took a hold of her hand.

  “It was a pleasure meeting you Doctor Hines. I hope to talk with you again.” And with that her encounter with the royal family was over and she left the two of them to discuss whatever important diplomatic issues were pressing. Jenna never did meet up again with the princess that night. She’d heard people talking during an intermission that her highness had left early, but it didn’t matter.

  Jenna was too wrapped up in the enjoyment of her first night at the opera.
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  ***

  Princess Gwendolyn Orestes stormed down the long hallway of the palace, the regal gown of rich emerald flowing about in her wake like turbulent waves.

  She was the epitome of beauty, dressed as she was in jewels and velvets for a high profile event. Yet the evening had been nothing but frustration from the moment it had begun. The princess couldn’t stay a moment longer without causing a scene…

  …and that was Gar’s department, usually.

  After missing for two weeks a search had begun for her errant older brother.

  No one was taking it seriously, though. Gar had often been fond of eluding the public for weeks on end then showing up on some pleasure planet; hot-rodding, gambling, drinking or whoring and creating a media frenzy.

  There was nothing the media vultures liked better than to cover his playboy antics. The last time, he had bet his Rho Cruiser on a drag race through the Nokara system. He’d won, but not before taking out three satilites and damaging a police shuttle.

  The media had loved that one almost as much as when he got caught with the Ambassador of Gilles’s wild daughter…and son…on the same night.

  This time, though, was different.

  Gar absence wasn’t going to erupt into the scandalous, tongue-waggling escapade the public was expecting. This time there was a strong chance that he was gone for good. What appeared to be a charade was going to end with a funeral and Gweni was kicking herself for not being more forceful in her warning.

  It wasn’t her fault, but she really hadn’t done anything to stop it. She kept telling herself that Gar had brought it upon himself. This had practically become a mantra.

  Still, the headlines on all the vid screens she passed as her shuttle ushered her to the opera had been in the same vein: PRINCE MISSING! THE

  ROYAL FAMILY PREPARES FOR MORE OF

  GARESH GARETH’S ANTICS.

  All media questions on the red carpet had been around her brother. Did she know where he’d gone? How did she feel his behavior made the monarchy look? What was the word on his latest conquest?