“That is in line with what we have witnessed, but what about those creatures we encountered in the forest?” asked Ryan.
“Some were humanoid, and some were not,” said Kat.
“We call them Abominations. Over the last thousand years, it has grown worse. Abominations would attack our people in the forest. Hideous humanoids contorted and merged with other creatures or people. It is said if you look close enough, you might see the face of a family member who had gone missing. I believe they are our people possessed by the darkness of the cloud.”
“Any trends in frequency or with other incidents?” asked Kat.
“As I have already mentioned, the darkness stays for longer periods. This cycle has been the longest and most devastating. We have lost many young people to the darkness.”
“Why do you keep sending them out then?” asked Ryan.
“We need to get the sacred fruit to carve our guardians for protection, but we have failed the gods somehow. This season people have also gone missing from within the town walls.” Eldred wiped his eyes. “My apologies.”
“No need to apologize. I understand the loss of loved ones,” said Kat.
Ryan slyly pointed at Eldred’s forearm when his sleeve fell back as he wiped his eyes. Kat gave him a slight nod in response.
“Anything else you can tell us? Anything out of the ordinary? We came here after finding out about a transport delivery you receive on a regular schedule that the man we are looking for was piloting,” said Ryan.
“Our people sold everything they had and left it with trusted investors who keep an account for us. A transport is sent with basic supplies and new tech. Unfortunately, not all of them make it, and we go for many centuries without any fresh supplies. As for anything out of the ordinary, there is one thing, but I fear to mention it.”
“That is?” asked Ryan.
“The ruined city to our east. The lights of spirits have been seen there. More active than in past years of the darkness, and I hate to have to say it, it’s the same place the people you are looking for went.”
“Did the people stop here before they headed to the city?”
“Their ships crashed outside of town, and from what our gatherers reported, both were able to walk away from the crashes. The woman attempted to contact us, but we do not take in strangers. She spent the night near one of our walls and then headed to the ruined city.”
“What about the guy?” asked Ryan.
“His ship was destroyed entering the planet’s atmosphere, but he made it to safety in an escape vessel. He investigated the woman’s ship and was last seen limping off in the direction she went.”
“It would have been nice if you had taken them in instead of shunning them,” said Kat.
Eldred pursed his lips, studied Kat for a second, and then stood up. “If you will excuse me, I have some work to attend to for the upcoming festival. I have asked Syl to meet you outside this hall. Besides being a great cook and alchemist, she is also an assistant to the leaders and can show you around and provide more information that my old mind may have missed.”
Ryan and Kat stood, and Eldred limped off to the back room.
“I’m definitely not recommending you for any diplomatic missions,” said Ryan.
“Sorry, I don’t do well around stupidity and stubbornness. Plus, I think he’s hiding something.”
“Yeah, I get that feeling as well. He is also the second person we have seen with crystals on their arms. The only other race I have seen with crystal embedded in their skins are Psychic Adepts.”
“I was not aware you had met any. It’s rare to run into them.”
“I met them when I was having dinner with—” Ryan stopped himself. “Never mind, let’s just go meet Syl. Maybe we can get more information out of her.”
“You were going to say Vicki. So, dinner, and you saw her in the flesh. Aren’t you a stud?”
Ryan looked up, took a deep breath, and headed for the door.
Kat followed him, smiling. “Ryan, I’ll never let you live that one down.”
Chapter 15
Of all people
Nora and Gideon walked hand in hand as they wandered the main floor of the cruise ship. Gideon was shaking his head and mumbling to himself as he tried to figure out how he’d lost every game to Nora. She had said she would kick his ass, but he should have won at least one game.
On the other hand, he really didn’t mind losing to her; she was easy on the eyes and intelligent, but he knew there was an underlying issue with her being an AI. It was not uncommon for people to indulge with specific AIs for pleasure, but an emotional attachment would get you labeled as weird. However, when he was with her, she was just Nora.
“Hun, is there a problem? You look a little distant,” said Nora.
“Oh, sorry. I was trying to figure out where I went wrong in those stinging losses.”
Nora smiled at him and turned back to hear what the group of women nearby were talking about. Their competitive games drew in a large crowd of onlookers. To keep up their image, Nora was able to get into a clique of elite socialites, and the group of well-to-do women were chatting with her.
In between the chatting, the group would stop to browse a luxury store, meander a little, and then stop and talk again. Their husbands all followed along like sheep, not saying a word. This time, Gideon didn’t bother to speak with them but wandered a short distance to take in the cruise ship.
The main floor was a large open area with a clear ceiling, allowing everyone to see the rainbow of colors of the wormhole they were in. Many disk-like AIs were flying high, delivering food and beverages, and catering to the guests’ needs.
Gideon tried counting the AIs, but there were too many. He attempted counting them by what they were delivering, but his attention was brought back when he felt a slight jolt, and the rainbow pattern of the wormhole vanished and was replaced by the darkness of space.
“Sorry for the interruption,” said an announcement. “We needed to pick up a passenger who missed their departure. We will be entering the wormhole shortly.”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed, and he bit the side of his mouth as he thought. Who were they stopping for that could be that important, or was someone boarding who was on to them?
“Gideon, my love, can I have a quick word with you?” said Nora, smiling.
He made his way over to Nora and felt a slight pull when the ship entered the wormhole again. The good thing about a ship this size is the wormhole effect was barely noticeable with all the expensive tech.
Gideon put his arm around Nora’s waist as they walked a few steps away from the group of women.
“Do you think we are in any danger?” asked Nora.
“Not sure yet. We have to assume our cover is still good. Once we lose the group, I will seek out DeMarcus to see if he has any info about our new passenger.”
“That would be perfect, dear,” Nora said a little loudly, so that the group heard.
Gideon grinned. “As always, my love.”
Nora grabbed his hand and moved back over to where the couples were reforming. They started chatting again about the lavish, colorful ballgowns they would be wearing and what jewelry they might adorn themselves with. Nora smiled as the women tried to outdo each other.
The group started to move again, and Nora bumped into someone when she turned around, knocking something out of the person’s hand. She quickly squatted down with the woman to assist with picking up what fell.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to ru—”
Nora froze when she locked eyes with the woman, and they both slowly stood up, holding each end of a small purse. The woman gave her a devilish grin and pulled the purse out of Nora’s hand.
“My apologies. I should be more careful,” said the woman.
Nora’s eyes flared red and
then went back to blue when Gideon put his hand on the middle of her back.
“Is everything OK, dear?” asked Gideon.
Nora spoke between pursed lips. “Everything is fine, hun. Can ya give me a sec?”
Gideon looked at the woman and then back at Nora. “I can do that.”
“Thank you, my love.”
Gideon gave her a wink and moved over to the group still chatting about ballgowns.
Nora waited for him to move away, and she was happy he had said something to draw the group of socialites’ attention away from her.
“My, what a handsome piece of arm candy you have there,” said the woman. “I guess Dr. Katalina beat you to Mr. Hunt’s heart.”
Nora’s face crinkled. “Vicki, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, no more Southern belle accent? I was kind of liking your new persona.” Vicki looked up for a second and then back at Nora. “You’re undercover with that gentleman?”
“I can kill you right where you stand,” Nora said through pinched lips.
“And blow your cover? I think not. But don’t fret, my little Southern belle. I know nothing about your secret mission. I’m here for my own reasons. Plus, I made a promise to Mr. Hunt to be a good girl.”
Nora relaxed. “Fine, but if you get in my way—”
“Oh, please. I have been told that line a million times. Now for the luscious details,” Vicki said with a twinkle in her eye. She was looking past Nora at Gideon’s ass.
“What, about Gideon? And why are you looking at him like that?”
“Have you tamed that stud yet?”
“What do you mean by tam—” Nora’s face went red.
“Oh, you’re blushing. Interesting. I have not seen an AI blush involuntarily before, and the way you asked what I meant tells me you haven’t. Coming into your own, are we now? An untouched flower ready to blossom,” said Vicki, flaring her hands out.
“We are on a mission. That is all,” Nora said sternly.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, but the first time is always a little nerve-wracking. You never know what to expect, but he looks like an all-nighter,” Vicki said with a little purr in her voice.
Nora’s mouth moved as she tried to say something, but no words came out.
“Relax. It’s not that difficult if you succumb to your desires. But if you need any pointers, I can give you quite a few—or show them to you,” Vicki said with a devilish smile.
“I…Well…Good day to you, ma’am. Again, sorry to have bumped into you,” Nora said in her Southern accent.
Nora stormed away and could hear Vicki laughing. She turned a brighter red when she heard Vicki yell, “I recommend being on top the first go around.”
Nora walked up to the group and stood next to Gideon.
“Do you know her? Is there something wrong? You look…frazzled,” he said.
“I…No…Nothing is wrong. And why on top?”
“On top of what?”
“Sorry, never mind,” said Nora, clenching her fists and releasing them.
“Was that Victoria Van Buuren?” said one of the socialites.
Nora took a deep breath to get back into character and turned around to watch Vicki get on an ela-tube with two cruise ship employees carrying her items. Vicki gave her a wave as the door slid closed.
“Why, yes, it was. She knows some friends of mine,” said Nora.
“You must have some low-class friends,” another socialite joked, causing the group to chuckle.
“What do you mean by that remark?” asked Nora, feeling Gideon squeeze her arm to get her to back down.
“She runs that horrid club. Anyone that associates with that Jezebel is just as bad.”
“I consider my friends to be quite honorable,” said Nora.
“That’s a shame. We were all starting to like you, but people at our level should know better,” said the older smug woman. “Let us be on our way. I need to figure out what jewelry to wear. There is so much to pick from.”
Nora and Gideon watched the people leave.
“They’re of no importance to our mission,” said Gideon. “Pay them no mind.”
“You are correct. They are of no concern, but…”
“But what?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” said Nora, watching the group disappear up a hover platform. “It is getting late. Let us head back up. Unlike me, you need to sleep. In the morning, we will verify everything, go to the party, and then slip out as planned.”
“OK. Just promise me that if you’re intending to do something, try not to bring too much attention to yourself.”
She turned and patted him on the chest, resuming her southern accent. “Don’t go worrying your little self about that.”
Gideon shook his head. “That’s why I’m worried.”
Chapter 16
The Dollar Tour
Ryan and Kat ducked under an awning near the meeting hall to get out of the rain that had started falling again.
Between the rain and the dimly lit days, Ryan felt bad for the townspeople setting up jack-o’-lantern fruits and the others going about their daily tasks in the miserable weather.
“Over there,” said Ryan, pointing to Syl, who was waving at them from across the street.
They jogged over to her as the rain came down more steadily.
“Greetings. I hope your conversation with Eldred went well. I was instructed to guide you around and answer any questions you may have. I assume Eldred filled you in on our history?”
“He gave us a brief history lesson, but we are looking forward to seeing some of the sights. Especially your medical facility,” said Kat.
“I will make sure we stop there. Right now, we are in front of the food processing center and some of the living quarters. It utilizes a section of the crashed ship, and only a few modifications were necessary to make it functional.”
“Has it always been a tradition to carve those fruits?” asked Ryan, stepping out of the doorway so people carrying the giant gourds could enter.
“We used to carve smaller fruits. A few centuries ago, the gods gifted us with the variety you see around town. They started growing in the swamps around us and, over time, grew bigger. They provide nourishment and make perfect vessels for our spirit guardians.”
“Randomly growing fruit that mutates,” said Kat. “Not that mutations are uncommon. Weather pattern changes and radiation can make fruits and vegetables mutate, but I’ve never heard of random plant life developing like this.”
“Evolution of a tree, maybe, or seeds from a past delivery, or maybe remnants of something from the battle?” asked Ryan.
“Not sure. Those are all possibilities, but the juice is tasty, and we haven’t died yet,” said Kat.
“Good points,” Ryan said with a snicker. “Syl, are all the buildings part of the giant ship?”
“No, our original founders used the transport they arrived in and a lot of the remnants of the great battle to build some of the buildings and roadways. Follow me this way and I will show you.”
They followed her down the street, trying to keep under cover of various awnings and any other shelter that would keep them dry.
Making the turn to the left, the buildings were stacked three high. Kat started pointing out the variety of parts from dropships, tanks, and cargo containers, both Earth and Woland, used in the construction.
“You may not be able to tell, but scattered across from us are other living areas. Once mates are bonded, they get their own living space. Dr. Kat, over here is the medical building you wanted to tour,” said Syl, pointing ahead of them.
“Please lead on,” said Kat.
Syl led them in and walked to the center of the room. There were pieces of antiquated medical equipment and about fifty beds. A few elderl
y people were being cared for, and others were being treated for typical everyday illnesses and injuries—from a cold to a broken arm.
“From what I can tell, this would have been the medical area for the Earth cruiser,” said Kat.
“Make sense,” said Ryan. “It was already set up for that purpose.”
Kat turned to Syl. “The place is definitely dated, though. Once we find our friends, I can give it a once-over and recommend some upgrades. Even get you some new equipment.”
“We would appreciate that. Perhaps even some medical training for the people filling in. Unfortunately, the two with medical knowledge went missing a few months ago.”
“Not a problem. I can provide a diverse set of training classes. I would just need to know about any special physiologies, like the crystals embedded in your arm. Is that some type of ritual symbolism, or do they serve a purpose?”
“They’re not embedded, they are part of me. I was born with them.”
“You would be the first race of beings I have seen with those.”
“About three or four generations back, some children were born with the glistening crystals on their arms. It started with a few, and as the years went on, more children were born with them. It is considered a blessing from a higher power.”
“If it’s a blessing, why does everyone keep them covered, or is that just a coincidence?” asked Ryan.
“No, unfortunately, in recent years, the people who vanished in the forest all had crystals on their arms. Any without were later found dead. So, we hide them.”
“The way you say this makes me think it was not always like that?” asked Kat.
“You are correct. Originally people went missing all the time and were never found, but later it was only people with the crystals. We assume dark entities harvest the crystals from our people, considering them to be of a divine nature.”
Second Life of Mr. Hunt: Book 3: Failover Page 14