by P. S. Power
Sara looked at it through the front shield, and then waggled her right hand side to side, her face looking silly.
"Decent. Now, you need to do the second one. Make sure you leave a good bit of distance on the far side. It's better to make ten jumps than to end up in the Moon."
It took two more, but he got them there, and even landed it himself, going up to the hangar slowly. There was a glowing wall, one in a bright blue, that pulsed several times at them. Sara pointed at it.
"That's the signal. Just go to that spot very slowly. You have all the time in the world now. Crawl through this portion of it."
She sounded serious, so he did, which meant that when the wall vanished it took nearly ten minutes for them to get inside. The second the giant craft was however, the light changed and they were enclosed totally. A strange projection came at them from the front, and Sara moved to the wall, waiting for it to touch the material. Then, slowly, she opened a hole in the side of the craft, like a door.
"The air pressure is always a little different, but this is to prevent air loss. That, losing air, is one of the few big crimes here. If it happens, you have to personally collect the material needed to make more and replenish what you wasted. It doesn't matter who you are or why you did it. We had a child stuck outside about two months back, and the rescuers lost forty tons of air, trying to reach her in time. Everyone was all right, but those people ended up working for a month to replace what they'd lost. Trust me Queen Tiera was not happy about that." She paused, then delivered the punch line. "Especially since she was on the rescue crew. Smythe of Westend too, so, you get the picture, don't count on being given special treatment that way. Other than that... Well, the rules here are pretty simple. Everyone wears a shield all the time, and if you don't have a Timon shield, one will be provided for you, before you leave the ship. There is no excuse for not having that on at all times. In the bath or shower, when naked in bed, it doesn't matter. That also means that there is functionally no violence here."
She started to walk forward, then turned in the little hallway thing that had formed.
"Anyone need a Shield?"
The Dowager smiled, "I could use one? I don't think mine is up to this sort of adventure. Tor gave it to me, several years ago."
Sara fished one out from around her neck and handed it over. It was on focus stone, but glowed a bit, making it look like fine silver. Timon loved silver, for some reason. Greed, most likely. Not that Gerent could blame him totally. There had been a time when his biggest dreams had been measured in green, as in having a whole garden of his own. That thought got him to snap his fingers, which had Sara trying to hand him a shield. They all had the right ones however, including him, so he shook his head.
"No, the gifts, they're in my craft."
He went to get them, surprised to find that not only did that get him Petra, and Ridley Dens, who was a Baron First, but also Dowager Ward. Collette stayed with Sara, and they had a new air tunnel to the rear of the ship by the time they were unloading. It wasn't hard, since the floating cases did all the real work, so they managed to have a small forest of green following along behind them, when they got out into the dock area proper.
Having come in at an odd hour Gerent had kind of figured that they'd be traipsing around looking for someone they knew, but everyone was there, waiting for them. Not just his adopted family and their friends, but everyone, as far as he could tell. The area they were in was vast, and was filled with thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of people. Some even had banners.
"Harmony welcomes you. Well, that beats, 'Strangers Go Home' don't you think?" He muttered that, as a band started to play. He couldn't see them, but there was music, and it was loud. Nearly painful. They were coming out of a wall, one with a hole in it, and bits of colored things started to fill the air around them. At first he thought it was ribbon and paper bits, but when it touched him he understood that it was a magical seeming. Not physical even, just an illusion. The music probably was too.
Before he could ask for directions to Tiera, who was the one that had called him in, a small boy walked up. Or, really, he was a normal sized child, taller than Gerent had been most of his life.
Terrence Baker. His brother.
"Sir, ladies, if you'd come this way? I'm to take you to the Council, while the rest of these people load the ship for the return voyage." It was done in a way that sounded pretty official, so Gerent shrugged.
"Sure, Terry. Um, I'm Gerent. I grew."
"S'Gerent!" That got a hand stuck out at him, to shake. "Everyone is waiting for you. Come on! This way." It was more work than it seemed like it should be, since the idea that all of those people were planning to help load things up was more literal and immediate than not. Everyone moved down a line, to get packages, and then carried them into the tunnel. Terry chuckled and had to have them all jump to the side, more than once, as people flew through the air, to try and get to the front of the line.
It was a mess, but with so many hands doing the work, he didn't doubt that it wasn't going to take too long. The boy, who was still that, as far as Ger could tell, raced a bit, making them dash to keep up, walking quickly, as a few people stared. Most of them wore simple black clothing, that looked comfortable, but just like a tunic and trousers. Some had on Austran style jumpsuits. Those were brighter in color. Happy reds and yellows, bright greens and brilliant blues speckled the crowd.
When they finally got to the next room over, it was much smaller, and had chairs in it, for sitting. As well as food, on a table to the right. He was, surprisingly, not that hungry, himself.
After a few seconds he was tackled around the knee on the right, and had to look down to see who was there.
"Taman!"
"Gerent! This way! Everyone, here he is! Gerent is here!" She sounded too happy, considering it was just him. She looked behind him and saw the floating boxes with the trees and shrubs inside. "Oh! You brought me a whole forest?"
He shook his head.
"No, I brought everyone a forest, and this is just the start. You just have to water it each day." He was teasing a little, since the girl was adorable, but too powerful for seven.
She still seemed pleased and called that out, yelling it. That got applause. A lot of it.
It also got him led to the front of the room, where the important people were waiting for the guests.
In the center, on a slightly raised dais, all in white, with a crown on her head, stood Queen Tiera. His sister.
"Welcome, Prince Gerent."
Then she giggled at him. Naturally.
Chapter five
It was, after all, hilarious. Calling him that. A Prince.
It wasn't really meant as a joke, but Tiera pointed out when she moved in for a quick hug, it didn't mean all that much in Harmony. There were several of them after all, and he was at the end of the line. Also, for the most part, it just meant having to do extra work, without the interesting perks that a Noram Prince would have had.
Alphonse heard all of this, and patted him on the shoulder.
"For instance, I get my own wine shop. Just because of my royal connections." The man was smaller than Gerent recalled, being only a few inches taller than he was. Still as red headed and manly looking. He moved in and gave Petra a hug too, picking her up a little.
"Hey! Cousin Petra! I didn't know you were coming, too. And Collette! This is practically a school reunion for me. We should all get together for lunch later. That's what we call luncheon here. We also have it at noon, our time. It's an Austran thing, or like at school. Just so everyone is up on the time difference it's... Four in the morning here right now." There was a much warmer hug for both Collette and Sara than Petra had gotten, and oddly enough one for the Dowager Countess Ward. Not as friendly, but it certainly wasn't neglectful either. "I don't suppose you brought treats from home? Other than friends to visit, which is the best thing. I'm just homesick."
Tiera cast a look over her shoulder, pale skin offset by bl
ack hair that was still very short. No more than a few inches. Gerent's was down to his collar, personally. Looking around, he noticed that not everyone was actually around. They were conspicuous in their absence, too, since he would have expected some of them. Tor wasn't around, and Timon didn't seem to be there either. Tim was the one he was closest to in the family, so he looked for the boy.
As he turned there was a strange push against his left arm, getting him to glance down. He nearly didn't recognize the pretty woman that was there, from his new lofty perspective. Her nose looked different from above, for instance. Straight and lovely. All of her was that. His heart skipped a beat.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Gerent? Gerent Lairdgren?" She held a hand out, low to the ground, to describe him, but that wasn't fair of her. Even the last time Patty and he had met he'd been over five-nine.
Instead of speaking he took her hand and pulled it up, which got her to glare at him a bit, until he had it at the top of his own head, her palm flat to the floor.
"There we go, Patty! You'll have a much easier time finding me now. I even stick up above the crowd, and everything! How have you been?" Looking at her was hard, because it sent a pain through him, ripping at his core. She was the only woman that he'd ever really loved after all. It was amazing, that he could still love after the rest of his life, but as such things pretty much had to go, she didn't return that sentiment. Honestly, he couldn't blame her for it.
She just wanted to be friends. It had to be enough for him, he knew.
"Gerent? I..." She stared at him for a bit as he nodded back, waiting for her to get the idea. There was no hug from her, just more confused looks, until Petra walked over and took his hand. The left one, holding it possessively between both her own. Not that Patricia Baker was a threat to her claim on him. She was already married, and just not interested. Not that he'd ever pushed her that way.
She rallied quickly enough, and looked at the hand, smiling after a second.
"Petra Ward. To what do we owe the pleasure? I was told it was just Sara, Collette and Gerent on this run? Not that it isn't good to see you, too." After a bit there was a hug, but it came slowly, and Petra didn't let go of his hand. That got attention. "Are you and Gerent dating?"
She grinned.
"Engaged. Yesterday. My mother came to talk to Laurali Baker, to see about the wedding plans? I think the idea is to hold it here, or at least in space, so you and Tim don't have an excuse not to show up. Speaking of him, where is he hiding? Tor too. I haven't seen either of them in forever."
There was a covert look around the large space and then a shrug. It didn't seem all that happy, as far as he could tell.
"Working, on various things. They'll both be around later in the day. How long are you staying? This is a big deal for us, here, since Gerent is the first big dignitary we've had here so far. Lots of immigrants, but not too many high officials."
"I'm an official now? That's good to hear. I was worried that everyone coming might be met by a throng like this. It's a bit intimidating, if you want to know. As for how long we're staying, well... Honestly, I need to get back as soon as possible, don't I? Things are pretty bad in places on Earth. The last crops, well, people lost a lot. They can still get food, thanks to those devices of Tim's, but that's mainly in Noram. I didn't even check anywhere else yet. I'm a bit nervous about it. So, the less waiting on that the better." Not that he was going to get a choice, he didn't think.
Tiera moved in and put an arm over his shoulder, not moving him away, but showing support, understanding that being faced with Patty first thing was hard for him. She was a good sister that way, he decided. Then, he'd whined at her about wanting to avoid the woman enough times for her to get the concept. She also thought he was being a wimp, not just facing her directly. There he was, doing it, however. Right there, next to Patty, in the flesh. With her barely looking at him. She pretended to scan the crowd, her face wary, for some reason.
Queen Tiera, who still looked too young to be the leader of anything much, smiled at him and spoke in a very regal tone.
"Gerent, I have some things for you. We can... Can you give us twelve hours? Tor asked for more time, last night. After this ship is full, we'll need to get yours up as well. I can show you how to use it?"
There was a call from across the way, where Sara and Ridley Dens were both chatting with a young looking and sturdy man. He didn't recognize him, but he seemed familiar somehow.
It was Captain Debri that did the yelling. Her voice was direct, and it seemed like she was simply reporting, rather than giddily sharing information about him.
"He's up to spec on the Jump. He got us here, and did it all himself. Did you know he was already a space pilot? I want to check him on ship to ship docking, but his landing here was perfect."
Tiera touched her head, but then nodded, "yes. I just forgot, of all things. So, let me get you loaded up then. I didn't really know that things were that dire. Can you take some messages for me?" There was no wheedling from her, and it wasn't a command. It was just a question. A request, that made it sound like he could just say no, if he were busy, or feeling spiteful toward her, which he wasn't at the moment.
"Sure can. I... Um..." He fought with his breast pocket for a bit, and then, working carefully, separated out the missives that were for her. "Here you go. From a variety of people. The King of Noram, some Rebels... I'm running an equal opportunity mail service. I have some things for others too. Mainly Tim and Tor. Um, Smythe of Westend and Karen Derring, too? Are either of them around?" There were one or two others, but that was most of it. He simply handed the ones for Alphonse over directly.
Then he wiggled another one at him.
"For Princess Karina of Noram."
Everyone looked at each other, but Tiera nodded, not trying to take it from his fingers.
"She's on patrol. Captain of the Jewel. Um, she won't be back for a while, since we're also exploring some other planets. That's a bit of a secret. Right now we're looking into Mars, which is the next planet out from the Sun. Timon and Karina want to set up a colony there. I think it's a good idea. Not that we really need to yet, but why not?" There was a close look at him, as if Gerent was going to have a problem with that for some reason.
He just tilted his head a bit, in return.
"So I can't deliver the letter directly? Or, I suppose I could, when I get my ship, but I don't think I have time for that. Can I send it along with someone?"
Alphones put his large hand out, taking it directly. Then he opened one of his own letters and started nodding.
"Oh... Varley wants me to beg you to send someone to bring her here, so she can visit with Allison." This was said to Tiera, who looked hard suddenly. Stern.
"I told King Richard that we can't be seen to be involved with unfair support like that! He had to have told her. I understand her wanting to see her daughter, but-"
Gerent cleared his throat.
"I, um, already told her that I'd get her here, a few times a week. Anyone else that wants to come too, or go back to Earth for a visit? I mean, if I'm coming and going anyway? That's fair, right? If anyone can come and go?" He thought so, but for some reason Petra grabbed his hand hard enough that he had to hold his shield off, since the auto-trigger nearly tripped.
"So that's why the King apologized to you and was acting like that? He'd already been told no, and then Varley asked like that, and he was afraid that you'd feel pressured. But, like he said, you were just trying to act like a good family member..." The dark skinned girl looked up a bit to stare at Tiera. "It was a bit strange. I didn't get it at the time. If it's all right for just anyone to visit, I bet Marvin and Maria would want to try it."
That they were "rebels" went without saying. It was also pretty plain that about half the people there knew they weren't really doing that, at least once you were in on that yourself it could be seen. People looked strained, except Patty, who just nodded a little bit.
She smiled after a few seconds
.
"Ger, can you take a letter to them for me? Maria and I are very good friends. Marvin too, come to that. We should... get together, soon." She looked at him, as if expecting some other reaction than the expected one. Why wouldn't he take a letter for her?
Yes, he got that she was saying that Maria Ward and she were lovers. It was painful to hear that the woman was good enough for his friend that way and he wasn't, except, well, that wasn't true, was it? Patty didn't love him, but she'd told him they could have sex, if he wanted. Even after everything in Galasia. When he failed her, so many times.
"I'll be making a pass through there in a day or so. Soon to be in-laws, and all that." It was his turn to give the hand in his a gentle squeeze, but no one other then Petra noticed that, he didn't think. "Now, who can help me find Karen Derring, that or William Smythe of Westend? I don't see either of them."
That got a giggle from Patty, who took his far arm and tugged gently, as if it were all right to simply walk away from the Queen without permission. That was answered by Tiera with a grin, as she led the way herself. To a point about fifteen feet away.
"Smythe is the tricky one here. Next to Ridley, being so young and handsome looking now. It's a little creepy, since I keep forgetting that he's old enough to be my grandfather. There's an almost irresistible urge to call him Billy, and slap him on the hind end during weapons practice. So far I've restrained myself, but it's been close a few times."
Gerent got the idea, and tried to fix the face of the powerful looking man in his mind. Brown hair, blue eyes and smooth skin. That blemish free look that all the immortals had. He was dressed in plain white and yellow loose clothing, that seemed like a robe, but had pants on the bottom.
Being that he was delivering messages, Ger bowed, going low enough to be polite, even if the man turned out to be a high councilor here or something. He had been in Noram, and might still be, after a fashion. If so, that could make things interesting for Tiera. It was a good thing that he wasn't really part of all that political stuff, he decided, not for the first time.