by S. V. Brown
Robin and William looked at each other in stunned silence. They both understood his meaning.
“What do we do?” Robin asked, whispering.
William scratched his head. “I didn’t really think about the ramifications that our search may be leading others. Donaven’s right but who do we trust?”
Before Robin could respond Mal rushed in, followed by a dozen other scientists. They crowded the two, demanding answers. William glanced at Robin, who nodded. She replayed the message after waving Mal to close the hatch before they were told off.
“What does it mean?”
“We have to study the reports closely.”
“We should move closer to the Oriri.”
“Comparison? He means for us to compare Serafina’s life against the spikes.” Stell was looking at Donaven’s warning again. “Had we been successful with her after all?”
Robin gave that scientist a look of daggers. “Does that matter? She was—”
“Robin.” Her husband intervened softly. “This could mean a lot. The question wasn’t ill-intended.”
“It’s okay, Will. I’m sorry, Robin. It was a thoughtless comment. Serafina’s wellbeing and return should take precedence over the experimental concerns.”
Robin nodded and turned back to the screen, her attention now back on the message and all its implications. There was still hope. “You’re right, Stell. And we think that’s what Donaven meant.”
“It’s a bit cloak and dagger.” Mal sounded gleeful.
Stella gave him a withering look.
The scientists were all talking amongst themselves, getting in the way of Boomerang staff. They were ushered out and the hatch closed behind them with a decided thump. They all headed back for the labs when Robin had a thought, needing to counter the unsaid thoughts of the majority of those around her.
“What if she isn’t dead?”
The group turned and stared at her.
“If the Elysians responded when she was kidnapped, then we know she was alive then. Surely Donaven would have noticed a spike in the behavior if she had been killed. I mean it’s not like the Elysians were there when she was taken. How did they know? She must have some connection with them. Which means the project did not fail.”
William and the others let her talk it out, all coming to similar conclusions. William said, “Donaven himself must have come to that same conclusion.”
Mal frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Because he talks as if she’s alive.”
Robin spoke again, light in her eyes once more. “We must help Donaven pull together more details, we must give him every bit of information on the behavior, habits and routine of the Elysians in the last seven years. No—” Robin’s voice rose in excitement. “We have to go back through the reports even further.”
“Why?”
“That will take too long.”
“For what purpose?”
She smiled so broadly that some responded to her, and those who understood nodded. “So that we can determine if the Elysians responded unusually during the last twelve years—” She swallowed hard, unable to finish.
“And when we have that model we can determine how she is now.” Someone ended for her.
Everyone was worried how Serafina was being treated.
“If there was a spike when she was born, and then smaller ones throughout her life, surely there’d be a spike when she was kidnapped. On a more serious note we’d then expect a major spike in the data if she was dead.”
William grabbed her and swung her around. Mal, as head scientist, quickly delegated responsibility once they were back in the lab and sealed the hatch. He set a meeting time. They would work as quickly as possible.
Robin and William headed back and decided to stop off at their storage unit. Inside were all the memories of the seven years they had with Feena. William pointed out their daughter’s pictures.
“Look, they all have animals in them.”
Robin glanced over in surprise.
He laughed, saying, “Some of them are stuffed, or on her clothes—”
“—or in her drawings she’s so proudly displaying—”
“—or she’s posing with live animals. How did she manage that?”
“How did we miss it?”
“I wonder if she still loves animals?”
Robin subconsciously rubbed her flat belly. “Yes, I know she does.”
Day Dreamer
{[SPITHRA] [Erus] [Darcerus]
[151287/376/135/summer]}
Ed lay in bed. He didn’t want to get out. Being twelve years of age meant greater responsibilities, which for Ed meant less time around his father. He still had his normal class times, but other selected individuals would take on stronger roles in his life. His father ridiculed him in private frequently, especially in front of his mother, or completely ignored his presence or achievements. Many times, he was simply left out of things. It was quite a feat, considering his father was rarely home. His father was often angry at his mother, so much so that she wasn’t able to function properly, which gave him more excuses to get angry. His father knew better than to leave physical evidence of the mistreatment so he played a devastating game of emotional and mental combat.
Ed rolled onto his stomach and gripped the pillow. While it was good he was to spend less time with his father it also meant less time with his mother. He often felt very protective toward her and now that he was older he wouldn’t be with them as much. Ed had heard whispers that once Erianna, his mother, had been very happy and often smiled. She still smiled but the difference was noted, as were the shadows under her eyes and strain upon her face. To Ed she was special, and whenever they could Erianna took him on outings or spent time with him doing a lot of different things. Sometimes when it was raining and cold, Erianna and Ed would camp out in front of the fire and read or watch an entertainment holovision on a projection mat that measured two meters square. Erianna taught him many things but most of all taught him to laugh. Those special times brought them closer to each other and acted as a shelter from reality.
Ed rolled again and dragged himself out, stopping to stare at himself in the full-length mirror. He was short, sandy-haired and pale. On his lean body were pale scars, but since he had joined Ethas on the soldier’s course, his father no longer belted him. Discipline, that was what Ed needed. He poked his tongue at himself. Other times of enjoyment came when his father was OffPlanet. Ethas, Parax and Juner would be invited to play and they would enjoy the castle as if it was a playground. Ethas was used to its size but Parax and Juner would often be amazed at the immensity. They often got into mischief and explored areas not permitted for such tenacious twelve-year-olds.
Ed crept out, across the passage, still in his PJs, and stared out the window across from his room overlooking the sunny gardens. Ed saw his mother and father discussing something, and Erianna laughed at something. He loved these times and wished they happened more often. Sometimes he hesitantly joined in, unsure if his presence would disrupt the fragile harmony. Things would start off well but occasionally he would forget to behave correctly and bring on his father’s displeasure. Other times his father would get upset over something his mother said and he would blend back into the furniture before discreetly removing himself. At times when anger was present he would hover in the vicinity with concern in his heart for his mother, causing him much pain and sorrow. Most times when he saw them together he would go to his rooms and engage in activities that kept him out of sight. Nights were always the hardest but a new day meant lessons, wood skills and training sessions with the twins.
Ed left them to it. He had more interesting things today. The Master of Wood Skills, Trent, planned to team them up and make them swap specialties so that their overall skills developed. They all took turns at design, measurement and cutting out material before they fell into their favorite areas. Part of their classes included study of the various forests found on Erus, when they were planted, how they
are maintained and the ratio of felling to planting and everything in between. Often Trent would receive an order and allow the threesome to make the item. This gave them a taste of what real work was about.
Ed headed back into his room, seeing his aides coming around the corner. They joined him, making his bed, laying out his clothes and helping him dress. He thought privately to himself that woodworking was much better than studying the Structure of Erus Society and Economics. It was more stimulating than Lessons of Hierarchy with Jemisen and the many volumes of The Combatants. He had just begun fitness training with Safira’s underlings, which he enjoyed, but only because Safira made it fun and would often butt into Jemisen’s classes to pull him away for something “crucial.” As twelve-year-olds, Parax, who was not yet included in those classes, would demand information about Safira and they would talk about her beauty. Juner would throw them scornful looks to which they mostly ignored.
Ed thanked his staff and headed outside where a ‘Tiker’ sat purring away. It was a new black airvehicle that would be his one day. At the moment, he was still chauffeured. He sat in the passenger seat ready for some theory. He still hated his Unuslingua classes, Math was more useful now for measurements, tolerances and such like, he didn’t mind his studies of the Joiran System and science, and he liked any studies that included building but lacked the motivation to get into any of the Architecture Specialties, which also required him to have more enthusiasm for Math and its associated specialties. Woodworking still came under the Lower skills office but Edrik loved and excelled at it. The worst part of his life was yet to come; when he turned twenty-one he would be required to begin the intense studies of Sovereignty with at least ten other individuals whom Ed thought might end up being better rulers than he anyway. Twenty years of painful, boring training, testing, scenarios, role play and competition on how to rule. Then the tutelage under his father would begin if he succeeded with the studies … Best not to think about that now. His father didn’t think he would succeed anyway so at least some pressure was off, but his father did expect him to gain Upper skills and use them to the full advantage allowed on Erus. It was still eight years away and there were more exciting things to happen, like training on horses, getting his permit to drive an airvehicle and training with the Space Corpus.
“There you are, Master.”
Ed grinned. “You might need to run through that again.”
His driver gave him a knowing look and a warm smile. “Have fun today.”
Right now he had lessons with Parax and Juner so it was one of his Guardars dropping him off, along with five other protectors lurking around somewhere. He jumped out of the airvehicle. He quickly looked back and waited for a Guardar to hand him his bag that he had forgotten in his rush; she smiled at Ed’s excitement and motioned for him to continue. He knew there were already Guardars at the site, around the site and many probably in disguise. One was probably even a wood crafter. It didn’t matter to him, being so used to their presence. He entered the large shed, inhaling the smells of wood, varnish and machinery.
Juner and Ed were both working on a large arm chair which was to be a gift to Master Trent’s wife, who was pregnant with their sixth child. They were allowed so many children because his two sisters had no interest in bearing children and so handed over their permits to Master Trent and his wife. The sisters were happy to be Secondary Mothers while still enjoying their independence. After another hundred years they were eligible for children again.
“Hey, Ed, does your dad know you have increased your lessons with Master Trent?” Like many young ones, both Parax and Juner felt uncomfortable in the Sovereign’s presence and it wasn’t just because of his rank. They only ever visited the castle when the Sovereign was away and they only ever used the term “dad” when they were sure no strangers were about.
Ed paused slightly, “I don’t think Mum has told him yet. In fact, I think the Guardars are keeping me out of the way more. I don’t know. Hand me the corner chisel.”
He was so brusque the twins knew not to push the subject. Juner asked him what size he wanted and gave him a little encouraging smile. He replied to her question and apologized.
“Did you see Star Tramp last night on TV; it was fantastic, Milawsky found a way to break the Hrenka’s barrier ...” Juner filled him in on the latest adventure of the comedy show and they laughed at some of the show’s stunts. Parax joined them, adding details they had both forgotten. What surprised them was when Master Trent added even more points, “We old folks do enjoy the odd show now and again!”
“Old!” Juner said with mock scorn, “You’re only in your third hundreds!”
“And you, young miss, haven’t even reached your first!” Trent looked down at her blonde head because she hid her red face. He said with some pride, “And don’t forget I’m almost Colony.”
During their break they spoke of the ceremony ahead where they would all learn the Consent Protocol. The ceremony was held every five years and anyone from ten to fifteen was required to participate. It was exciting to think that soon they would be able to make a request to any animal and travel on live transport. The Elysians had somehow installed a keylock into each animal’s brain after the Third Hostility and provided the Joirans with a key in the form of a signal whereby they had to ask the animal’s permission to employ it for some purpose. Ed used to love his mother’s horses but now that he was older he had a personal interest in animals, and it also meant his whole family would be present.
Ed was envious of Parax and Juner, who would only have their parents and grade one and two parents present. He, on the other hand, being a Sovereign child, would have grade one through to five parents present, and this was on both sides of his family. The grading system started at the count of one for the grandparent level because it became too confusing using the great-great-great-great-grand parent routine. Unfortunately for Ed this also meant a day full of lots of kissing and cuddling. Yuk.
At lunch Trent joined them with the latest edition of the Eventus.
“Anything interesting?” Parax was always interested in the news. The others only half listened.
“Not really. Beron’s Bakeries is making up a stack of Trilberry muffins, cakes and slices while the fruit is in season. There’s a shortage of potters and they’re calling on anyone to train for the positions.” He glanced around at the young faces watching him. They all screwed up their faces. “No takers then, I see. Hmmm, the Space Corpus has released a new Metamorphic Shield. The Joiran Coalition are meeting in three months, EO time, and the search still continues for the girl, Serafina Reos.”
Ed’s interest perked up. Everyone wanted to know why she was so important. He wondered if Ethas had the latest update. He made a mental note to get the Eventus after his classes ended. Summer was almost at an end and his group made plans on how and where they were going to spend the last of the hot days.
Me, My Ancestor and I
{[JOIRAN CLUSTER] [Drepanaspis] [Saxe, Port Saxe]
[917475/2584/155/space]}
Sorance and Tharini were enjoying a quiet evening in their cabin discussing recent events. They were sipping a rather good red wine and small portions of cheese.
“I still can’t believe Donaven left the Pteraspis and quit like that,” he said relaxing on the floor, leaning on the couch.
“Spoilt your fun, my love.”
“You know me too well.”
She smiled and leaned over to top up their glasses. “You know he worked for over a hundred years for the Archival Planet.”
“No, I wasn’t aware.”
“He made some remarkable improvements. You know, if you plan to overthrow people you need to do a thorough background investigation on them.”
“I wasn’t building a Portfolio!”
“The same principle applies.”
“I hadn’t gotten around to it,” he muttered.
“In over five years?”
“You’ve been distracting me.”
“I see, like this?” She leant over towards him seductively and laughed when he grabbed for her, pulling her onto his legs. They fooled around before resuming with their wine and cheese.
“You should try this one; it comes from Erus.”
“I prefer this one from Apis. It has more bite to it.”
They nibbled away in companionable silence.
“I love you,” he said suddenly, as he usually did. His hand was holding the cheese hovering just in front of his mouth.
“I know.”
He raised his neat brown eyebrows. “And?”
“Oh, I love you too.”
“Well you don’t have to be so blasé about it.”
“And you don’t have to sound so surprised every time you declare your undying love for me.”
They met each other’s eyes, brown challenging blue. Brown crinkled in humor first.
Her round face screwed up as she tipped a piece of cheese from her mouth to her hand, and it went back on the plate, “That was disgusting.”
Sorance popped his cheese into his mouth, leaned over to read the label. “It’s from Parlin.”
“That explains it; nothing good ever comes out of Parlin.”
“That new Verging Officer comes from Parlin.”
“Really, maybe we should invite him over now for some cheese.”
Sorance looked down at the partially mutilated cheese on the plate. “And offer him cheese from home?”
“Why, that’s my thought exactly.”
“You’re a wicked woman, Tharini.”
“That’s why you love me.”
“Funny how the conversation always winds its way back to that topic.”
“Love is what makes the universe go round.”
“And babies.”
“Go round?”
“Makes babies.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Don’t you ever stop playing games, my dear?”