‘I’ll do my best, little sweetheart.’ That was the only answer he could give.
Axial and De’atesh were fine and happily growing up, little by little. How long had they been apart? According to Holly, it had been less than two months. It seemed like forever. They were standing on their own and would soon be walking, although Bronwyn suspected they’d go straight from crawling to running. They had energy to spare. With friends like the Aurochs, they needed it, too.
The Wolfoids were interested in the Aurochs. The largest creature they’d ever seen was the great sow of their herd. From what they saw of the frightened creature, it rivaled a cow Aurochs. Nothing would prepare them to see Brandt. He was the largest creature on all of Vii, at least as far as the humans knew. They’d seen none greater.
And their children hung off his horns while G-War rode on his head. The Wolfoids related the image to their own pups climbing and playing on their parents. The Wolfoid Alpha, covered in pups, puke, and pee. They laughed together at the image.
They weren’t more than ten strides from the door and little more than that from the survivors of Cygnus VI, but they lived a world apart, Braden and Micah having everything in common with the animal companions and almost nothing in common with the ancients from Cygnus VI.
60 – The Return
The second group of survivors arrived with little fanfare. Braden and Micah met them, along with Doctor Johns and his wife. They were escorted to the crew quarters where they enjoyed the fabricator and relaxed in private rooms.
Once the last group from Cygnus VI was on board, the ship had to be realigned. Holly moved the ship back to its original position above Vii. He used the Androids, but they were under his iron grip. They became more efficient and started fixing systems through the Traveler. A few showed up in the Engineering spaces to clean up the debris from the vines and repair the computers. The survivors didn’t think anything about the Androids, but the companions watched them warily.
The vines refused classification and defied all efforts at their removal. Holly couldn’t figure out where they came from or what they fed on. The best he could manage was to reroute systems that were in their way, and then leave them alone. The same conclusion that Braden and Micah had come to turns ago.
Braden, Micah, and the companions spent their time on Deck 10, not going far and enjoying the openness. They even made a quick trip back to the Wolfoid village so they could introduce Skirill and Zyena. The Hawkoids were a big hit, flying low over the group and dancing in the sky above them. The pups yipped in glee. The others marveled at the abilities of the great birds. After a close landing where a tail feather got nipped by one of the younger pups, the two Hawkoids settled for a nearby branch that was higher off the ground. Children, they thought, a universal assault on the dignity of adults.
They felt the ship shudder as Holly rotated it for the braking maneuver. They did not have much time left on the ship, and for that, they were grateful.
Bounder took Shredder aside and talked with him for a long while. He shared his experience and brightened his mood with the grand promise of a whole new world. Bounder and Gray Strider had already seen more than the rest of the Wolfoids combined. The world was limitless and they were going to build the foundation. Shredder knew he could lead them. He had a plan to prepare that included a great deal of exercise. He wanted the villagers to be bigger and stronger for when they moved to the planet. They would have to fend for themselves in a way they couldn’t imagine, so he’d get them ready for anything.
Bounder was pleased with Shredder’s commitment.
As Holly completed the braking maneuver and final alignment of the ship, Braden, Micah, G-War, and the Hawkoids raced to the forward bulkhead, looking for an elevator. They found one away from the vines and took it to Deck 8, where they called for anyone from the Rabbit People. Although they could hear them, no one showed themselves until Tekel appeared. They told her that there was room for up to five of the Rabbit People to join them going to Vii.
She was overjoyed and immediately had volunteers. She picked two couples, refusing to send a Rabbit by itself. They left with what they carried, not needing anything else. They all squeezed into the elevator and returned to Deck 10, where they raced back to the Wolfoid village. It took some convincing to keep the pups from going after the rabbits, which had always been one of their food sources.
When Holly had the ship realigned, they said their final goodbyes and returned to the crew quarters and the twenty-three survivors.
Braden and Micah determined they needed to go first. They couldn’t have the survivors wandering the hallways of New Sanctuary unescorted. They would be met and shown around. Micah, with Holly’s guidance, fabricated a communications device for the survivors to use so they could talk with Holly or Braden and Micah at any time. Doctor Johns committed to coming last and that they’d leave everything in perfect condition in case the ship was needed again.
They entered the chamber and were instantly revolted by the smell. They hadn’t thought to clean up the puke from the last transfers. Braden yelled out to Doctor Johns, suggesting they take care of the cleaning before anyone else used the chamber. The fabricator in the recreational area would give them everything they needed.
The companions each selected a reclining chair, reiterating the importance of staying still and not touching anyone else. The Wolfoids laid on the bellies, heads between their paws. G-War assumed a similar position. The Hawkoids tried to get comfortable, on their chests with their beaks on the headrests and their tail feathers trailing to the footrest. Aadi tucked his head and feet into his shell. He seemed at ease, like the humans. The other companions were anxious, especially the Wolfoids and Zyena, as they didn’t know what to expect. The Rabbits’ noses twitched and their long ears flicked. Only two of the Rabbit People joined Braden’s group. The other two would come with the next group.
Two survivors from Cygnus VI accompanied them as well, to fill all twelve chairs. Doctor Johns’ wife, the last human, Riyanna, and their son Chrysalis joined them to help prepare for the others’ arrival.
Holly slid the wall closed and they were cut off. Hairy tails were tucked in tightly between the Wolfoids’ legs.
“Okay everyone, when we wake up, we’ll be home on Planet Vii. We’ll be in New Sanctuary, in a room just like this. We’ll get up, try not to puke, and walk out with our heads held high. Who could have done what we did? Who is going to do what we’ll do next? There’s a war to stop. And then there’s war to prevent. We can’t let Vii tear itself apart. We have the means to prevent it, no one else. That means we’re responsible for preventing it. That’s all, plus there’s deer left in the oasis. I’m thinking some fresh venison for dinner and then the Presidential Suite. The sky is blue, the water clear, and the grass is green. The beds are warm and the food is hot. There’s no place like home…” Braden’s rambling speech drifted as the walls shimmered and the transfer process began.
61 – Planet Vii
After the door opened and they were able to leave the matter transfer chamber, they followed the walkway to the elevator, knowing they had to take turns because they all wouldn’t fit. Braden took G-War, the two Hawkoids, and the two Wolfoids with him on the first trip to the top. They tumbled out of the elevator and passed through the door to the outside.
It was the middle of the night. Why didn’t Holly tell them when they’d arrive?
It didn’t matter. The outside lights cast a pale glow. The Wolfoids breathed the air for the first time, enjoying how clean it was. Skirill and Zyena flew low, crookedly at first. Skirill quickly regained his smooth flight and landed on a low branch in a tree by the lake. Zyena struggled to fly straight and had even more difficulty landing as she tried compensating for the ship’s spin that was no longer there. She finally made it after almost missing her landing. She was terrified when she finally grasped the branch, nearly breaking it as she held it in a death grip. Skirill moved close to her, rubbing his head along her neck to ca
lm her. In no time at all, she’d fly like she was born there.
For now, it was time to rest. The Decks on the ship dropped their lighting four hours out of every twenty. The flora needed the semi-darkness for optimal growth. Even though it was daytime on the ship, the darkness summoned them toward its sleepy embrace. It was night and time to sleep.
G-War led the Wolfoids to the lake for a drink, encouraging them to find a grassy spot to rest until morning. When the daylight returned, he’d take them hunting, a real hunt without weapons. They were eager to do what they were bred for, engineered for. Braden watched the Wolfoids curl up together in the long grass as G-War walked over top of them to find a place in between, with plenty of Wolfoid fur to snuggle into. The ‘cat never ceased to amaze him.
The others arrived. Aadi floated serenely into the open air. He swam to the lake, staying near the others as he settled in for a nap. The Rabbits smelled the fields and headed that way, finding a warm place to rest between the lake and where the vegetables grew. Braden thought they’d be disappointed when they saw how things grew on Vii.
The humans stopped by the office hologram to make sure that the new additions to the oasis were recognized by the Security Bots and not considered a threat. The always pleasant hologram told them that Holly had taken care of it before they left the RV Traveler. He had clear visuals of everyone and every creature that was coming. They had also secured rooms for Riyanna and Chrysalis, the first two beyond the office. All the survivors from Cygnus VI would stay in that corridor. Braden and Micah retired to the Presidential Suite, finally alone to take long showers, enjoy the comfort of the bed, and get their clothes cleaned, too.
When Braden and Micah awoke the next morning, they stretched, enjoyed each other’s company for a rigorous but brief amount of time, then took showers before eating and going outside.
It was well into the morning, but the day was perfect.
They’d missed the hunt. A large buck was in the clearing. Gray Strider licked a cut on her back leg while Bounder limped slightly. G-War watched them, shaking his head.
When Braden held his hands, palms up in confusion, G-War answered simply, ‘Amateurs.’
“What does that mean? What happened?” Braden looked at the cut. He had some numbweed remaining in the saddle bags stashed in the maintenance shed from their wild trip on Brandt.
Braden retrieved the saddle bags and located the numbweed to treat Gray Strider’s wound. He told her not to lick it and left it at that. At least she didn’t need stitches. The Wolfoids explained how they had outrun the deer and then approached from its front where the deer wasn’t too keen on being hunted. It fought back using its substantial horns. It took G-War flying at its haunches to distract it so the Wolfoids could get at its throat. In the end, it was a glorious kill! G-War rolled his eyes. Amateurs.
Although they were injured, they could not have been happier. After making sure they were okay, Braden ruffled their ears and let them be. They were free creatures to go or to stay, although he suspected G-War would have them join the caravan permanently. Or at least until the Wolfoids could intimidate the dog pack of Dwyer.
Micah contacted Bronwyn, letting her know that they were back. She asked if Brandt would come pick them up. Bronwyn suggested that she could bring the cart with the horses, the children, and Brandt, but Micah thought that was too much for the young girl and they weren’t ready for others like her parents to see New Sanctuary. Bronwyn signed off, a little angry but excited to meet the Wolfoids and the Rabbits. Micah had no idea who was coming or when.
Riyanna and Chrysalis strolled into the open, uncomfortable in the outdoors. Unnoticed on the ship, their skin was a sickly pale. They’d lived generations indoors. This was the first time they’d seen the sun without looking through a window.
“I think you want to limit your time outside until you get a little bit of a tan,” Micah told them. She showed them around the oasis and introduced them again to the animal companions, where they could see them in a natural environment. The new humans shied away, but Braden and Micah remained insistent. They were every bit as intelligent as humans and they were equal partners on Vii. They planted that seed and nurtured it.
The survivors of Cygnus VI had never seen animals. Everything was new to these ancients.
‘Holly, can you put together some kind of introduction to Cygnus VII for them? Show them the animals here, the risks of too much sun, that kind of stuff?’ Micah asked Holly via his neural implant.
‘That’s a good idea. I will compile something immediately. There are a number of videos in my library that I’ll be able to cut from. And then I’ll make sunblock available from the fabricators in their rooms,’ Holly offered.
‘And as we talked about, they only get access to the New Command Center. Maybe we can put up another building? A research facility, above ground, where they can do their work and still see the sky, the world around them. They’ve been inside far too long.’ Braden was shocked at their skin; it was almost transparent. ‘And access to the Medical Laboratory. I think they’ll need some attention from the Medical Bots, although they act healthy.’
‘I can check their vitals and access their condition at any time through their neural implants.’ Holly continued talking to himself about preparing the survivors for a long and fruitful stay at New Sanctuary, but Braden didn’t hear anything after ‘neural implants.’
‘Wait, Holly. You said they have neural implants? Then why did we give them a communication device and how do we keep them from getting into the system?’ Braden was alarmed. His pulse raced. He was losing control and they hadn’t arrived yet.
‘They have the communication device because I haven’t granted them access to my system,’ Holly said smugly.
‘Why, Holly, I think we finally understand each other.’ Braden smiled and nodded while Micah watched him, knowing he was talking with the hologram because she couldn’t hear his mind. He reduced his window, then thought better and closed it completely. The only voices he wanted inside his head were those of the companions.
They joined the Wolfoids at the buck and began cleaning it, feeding some of the choicer parts to Aadi, while the ‘cat dabbled in the giblets. A Server Bot hovered nearby, and the Wolfoids followed the humans’ lead in ignoring it. The Bot cleaned as they went, but to cook the venison, they had to build a fire beyond the oasis. The Rabbits stayed in the fields; being perpetual vegetarians, they found the killing and eating too distasteful to watch.
The Wolfoids had never seen a deer before or tasted venison. They were instant converts. They determined they would enjoy venison whenever they could. G-War didn’t partake of the cooked meat. Skirill and Zyena declined as they were determined to dine on fresh rabbit, then thought better of it, looking around quickly for the Rabbit People. Fresh ground squirrels would have to be their new staple.
Skirill made Zyena fly until she could barely move her wings. He wanted her to get used to flying on Vii. She improved, but not enough to kill a squirrel for herself. Skirill bagged two, happily providing for his mate.
Braden smoked what they didn’t eat to provision themselves for their trip. Then they waited.
62 – Heading Home
After the other survivors arrived, Braden and Micah hurried to leave, although it had been only two turns since they asked Bronwyn to send Brandt. He’d previously made the trip in three turns carrying the two humans, the ‘cat, the Hawkoid, and pulling Aadi. It was going to be a tight squeeze heading home and they apologized profusely to Bounder and Gray Strider, who wouldn’t be able to ride. The Rabbit People, couples Delavigne and Patrice and Ferrer and Brigitte, would have to ride as they couldn’t run far. They were Rabbits, after all.
The Wolfoids couldn’t contemplate why they’d need to ride, even after the humans tried to explain the vast distance they had to go. The Wolfoids’ entire world had been inside a cylinder ten kilometers long.
It was unnerving for them to look from the oasis and not see the horizon cur
ving up toward the sky.
“It turns the other way, away from us. And no, I have no idea why we don’t fall off. Yes, it feels different than the pull on the ship. Here, it just is. We stand upright and we’re held in place. On the ship, you get pulled a little to one side while standing upright. I felt lighter there, too. Do you feel heavier here?” Braden wanted them to be comfortable, knowing that talking about concerns made them less mysterious.
‘We feel heavier. It seems so unnatural. I keep thinking I’m going to fall over,’ Bounder answered.
“I don’t feel the ship anymore. Holly called the condition sea legs. When sailors ride on a ship, they have to balance differently. That’s all this is, different. I think you’ll get used to it soon. When we first arrived on the ship, it felt funny, but within a turn we had our sea legs. Give it a little more time. You’ll be fine, running and jumping with the best of them,” Braden said.
They looked at the dry grasses of the recovering wasteland, watching the breeze ripple along. They weren’t good at waiting, but they had to. Both Braden and Micah were itching to go.
So they hurried up and waited.
And waited some more.
On the fifth turn after contacting Bronwyn, they watched the dust cloud rising in the distance. They thought Brandt was running hard toward the oasis.
They were half-right. Brandt was running hard, but he pulled the wagon behind him. Though they told her not to, they were instantly excited to see their children.
The companions rushed into the rolling grasslands to meet Brandt and Bronwyn while the Hawkoids soared over head, diving close to Brandt as he passed. Even though the wagon would have been more comfortable, she rode astride his neck, sitting awkwardly on the harness straps.
As the King of the Aurochs slid to a stop, the wagon tipped precariously, while Bronwyn scrambled down Brandt’s face to the ground. She ran past Braden and Micah to the Wolfoids.
Adventures on RV Traveler (Free Trader Series Book 3) Page 25