Sabrn smiled broadly. “I was making a portable area-reader. Using the compact reader strip, I combined it with a small read-out panel and a history crystal recorder. Then, I installed a micro-booster to remove any transmission delays . . .”
She began describing the process with excitement and in great detail, Mencari felt his attention drifting. A sideways glance told him Lu’ri was having the same problem. He found himself thinking that Toriko would love Sabrn.
Finally noting the blank stares from her audience, Sabrn sighed and concluded, “So, now it all works!”
“Yes,” Lu’ri said to her, “but what exactly does it do?”
She looked surprised. “I thought I explained that already.”
Jilya smiled amused. “Try again, Sabrn.”
“It would allow us to easily map out tunnels and caverns, creating maps that we could access anytime from other display screens using the history crystals.”
“That’s not for us to decide, of course,” Jilya said. “We just create the tools and explain their capabilities. What’s done with them after that is out of our responsibilities.”
Sabrn nodded. “So we will give him what was created, and any parts which remain.”
Jilya hurried into a structure behind them, returning with a cloth sack, which she gave it to Lu’ri.
“Thank you,” Lu’ri said.
Jilya and Sabrn bowed to Lu’ri, who returned the bow before turning and heading out.
* * * * *
“Come in.” A guard waved them in through the massive doors and escorted them down a long passageway of multi-colored stone. Mencari marveled at the masonry work. Finally, they stopped before an ornate doorway, made of five slates of interlocking stone fused together. In the center, the D’mar symbol was masterfully engraved.
More guards appeared to open the colored door. The Elder Onclade greeted Mencari and Lu’ri, then quickly left, closing the door as he departed. Five other beings waited inside, dressed in fine robes, and exuding a commanding presence. They stood in a small semi-circle facing the door. Each being was physically distinct, more so than others seen so far. The farthest on the left had antennae-like protrusions, the elder to the far right had tiny, nearly nonexistent eyes, while another had multiple eyes on its bulbous head. Yet another appeared to have small holes for ears.
“Rhysus Mencari, we are told you have a common ancestry with us?”
“Yes,” Mencari said, with a half bow.
“I am D’lataar, voice of the Central Five. Your abilities are similar to those of our youth.”
A second elder stepped forward, whispered something in D’lataar’s ear hole, then returned to his position.
“Who was it that told you of your heritage?” D’lataar said.
“My mentor and leader, Osuto. An original D’mok warrior.”
A flurry of whispers between the other elders attracted D’lataar, who stepped back and joined the soft discussion. The whispers faded as D’lataar stepped forward once more.
“Only in our history crystals have we heard references to the mighty D’mok,” D’lataar said. “How is it possible your . . . mentor . . . trained under him?”
Mencari explained what he was told of Osuto past.
D’lataar nodded. “I see. Our history crystals tell us D’mok himself and his Defenders visited the original colony here, but was called back to the homeworld. Shortly thereafter, the Nukari attacked here. They left our people scattered and broken. To this day, we didn’t know what became of other D’mar. Until now.”
“If I may . . . I didn’t expect to find others like myself here,” Mencari said. “My mentor, Osuto, and I are trying to fight the Nukari that have returned.”
D’lataar spoke again. “We have taken great measures to survive. Is it a coincidence that our youth have begun to manifest the same abilities as our ancestors just before the arrival of the Nukari? I suspect not. Rather, this might be our lone chance to prevent history from repeating itself—”
The door flew open and the Elder Onclade entered.
D’lataar nodded. “Onatra, Elder Onclade. What is the matter?”
“Intruders have been detected in Defender Allia’s cavern. The area was left unwatched, but Defender Allia has since been dispatched.”
“How many?” D’lataar said.
“Two, Elder. A female, and a small creature of metal.”
Mencari gasped, “That’s Toriko. She’s a part of my group. But I told her to wait for me.”
D’lataar turned to Lu’ri. “Lu’ri, go quickly with Rhysus and meet them. When Allia arrives, instruct her and Ichini that they are to accompany Rhysus on his return to D’mok’s prodigy Osuto. Take my seal as proof of the Central Five’s will.”
Mencari saw Lu’ri’s stunned face, and said, “That’s very kind, but if Allia’s your main Defender—” He told them what he’d seen aboveground, about the gang who were apparently trading with the Nukari.
“Thank you for the information, however troubling,” D’lataar said. “We have other Defenders here, though not yet as powerful as Defender Allia. Regardless, this is a priceless opportunity for her to learn from D’mok’s prodigy. This is also our way of defending our people . . . before the Nukari’s presence grows. Please accept her help as a gesture from your extended kin.”
Mencari said, “I . . . Yes, of course. Thank you, D’lataar.”
“Now, please go before Defender Allia’s attacks your friends.”
A dazed Lu’ri took the elder’s seal and stared. “I . . . I will obey immediately,” he said trying to buffer the shock in his voice.
On the return trip through Allia’s cavern, Lu’ri kept a fast pace. He remained subdued, even when they heard Toriko yelling out ahead of them. Quickening their steps, they arrived to see Toriko and Spark taking down a spider creature.
“Well done!” Mencari called out.
Toriko twisted around, peering into the darkness. “Rhysus!”
Spark’s tail wagged as he ran toward Mencari, but when the robot-dog spotted Lu’ri, he skidded to a halt and began to growl.
“Easy boy,” Mencari said, “he’s a friend.”
A child’s angry voice boomed from the dark. “Lu’ri! What are you doing?”
Lu’ri looked in the voice’s direction. “Allia, you can come out now. I have orders from the Central Five.”
From the darkness, Ichini and Allia emerged.
Toriko gasped at the sight of the small girl and a tiger. “Where’d they come from?”
“She’s probably been watching you the entire time,” Mencari said.
Allia chortled. “You’re lucky Lu’ri came when he did!”
Mencari asked Toriko, “How’s Seigie?”
She looked down, but not fast enough to hide her sudden tears. “Still out cold. We have to get her back to the base.” She looked up; this time her face held some hope. “Osuto and Ujaku arrived with parts, and I have the ship almost ready. We just needed to find you.”
Lu’ri came up to them and handed her the bag of parts from Mencari’s ship.
Toriko rifled through it. “I could still use these,” she said. “Osuto just sent critical components. But wait . . .” She pulled out the gizmo made by Sabrn. “What’s this?”
“Some type of mapping tool,” Mencari said. “One of their people made it.”
Her eyes twinkled in awe. “But you weren’t gone that long!”
He grinned. “You’d love to meet Jilya and Sabrn. They seemed like clones of you.”
She gave an excited gasp. “Is there time? No, wait. Seigie.”
“Yes, we have to get back to the asteroid base. Osuto will be very interested in what I have to report. Seigie too, once she wakes up. Maybe we can come back someday.”
Lu’ri turned to Allia, his face hesitant. “Allia.”
She looked up to him. “Yes?”
“You have a new assignment.”
Confusion replaced her naïve anticipation. “Do I get to set up a
new cavern maze? This one was getting old. . .”
Lu’ri’s hesitated, and Mencari’s heart lurched, seeing that the shadow was having trouble finding words.
Lu’ri took a deep breath. “You have been trained to defend us against any intruders, including the Nukari if they ever returned.”
“Yes. Why?” she said, puzzled.
Lu’ri started to speak, then abruptly stopped. Even in the darkness, Mencari could see the growing agony in the alien’s eyes. After a brief pause, Lu’ri began again with renewed composure. “The Nukari have returned, and you must keep your people safe.”
Allia placed a hand on Ichini’s flank. “That’s what I’m doing.”
“The battle has not yet come to our world, little one.” Lu’ri sighed. “But there are others already fighting them.”
He fixed his eyes on Mencari. “You are needed elsewhere, my little defender…”
Allia’s eyes followed his, grew wild as understanding set in. “No,” she said.
“Allia—”
“NO! This is my home. We don’t know them. They could be the Nukari. How can you trust this… this outsider!”
“The Central Five have decreed it.” Lu’ri pulled the elder’s seal from under his cloak. “We do not challenge their will. Our people need you to do this. To protect us.”
The little girl’s eyes filled with tears. “No. Not with the invader! Don’t just send me away. This is where I’m a Defender! Please!”
Unable to fight his own tears any longer, Lu’ri’s voice shook as he replied. “I’m sorry, little one. This is the Five’s decision. But… you’ll be training under a warrior of D’mok himself.”
“He’s not a D’mok warrior!” she chided.
“But his mentor is. And when you return to us, you will become a trainer, like your mother was.”
She gasped, stifling her fears.
“A trainer? Really?” Sniffling, the small girl wiped her tears.
Lu’ri nodded. “Think of what you could do for our people. To learn from the great D’mok masters themselves, to stop the Nukari before they reach here, and then teach our people what you learn.”
Allia wiped away more tears with one hand, her other hand still on Ichini’s furry skin. The beast was motionless, taking the conversation in without a twitch of a whisker.
Allia glanced toward Mencari, and then at the ground. “It is not forever? You promise?”
“I promise.”
She lunged forward and hugged him, and whispered softly, “Okay.”
“Gladness to you, Defender Allia. I will miss you greatly.”
“Gladness to you, my shadow. I’ll miss you—everyone!”
Lu’ri’s eyes turned to crescents as he held back a renewed flood of emotion. He angled his face toward Mencari. “Take care of her, Rhysus Mencari.”
Mencari bowed very low. “We all will, Lu’ri.”
Lu’ri bowed in return, then disappeared into the darkness.
Allia whirled toward Mencari and Toriko. “The Five have spoken, and I will obey.”
She gave Toriko a hard glance. “Make no mistake. I am a Defender, and will live or die defending my people against these Nukari, and against anyone or anything that gets in my way! And when I’m done, I will return!”
* * * * *
Upon seeing them in her hovel’s doorway, the woman Egra rose from where she was tending the hearth. When she spotted Allia, she slapped one hand over her mouth and pointed with the other. “That’s— That’s one of them!”
Mencari nodded. “Her name’s Allia, and that’s Ichini. They’re from a city far below the surface. She’s coming with us—”
Before he could explain further, a tinkling groan came from the bedroom.
Toriko raced in, calling, “Seigie—”
Mencari and Egra joined her in the room to hear Toriko shriek, “Seigie?”
Mencari held his breath, then saw Seigie’s eyes flutter open.
Toriko scanned her with a health-status scanner. “She’s okay! She’s okay!”
At Toriko’s screech, Seigie reached up and grabbed her neck. Toriko began to struggle, but Seigie’s grip only tightened more. Then Seigie let go and pushed Toriko out of the way as she managed to sit up, disoriented.
The others gathered around the bed. Seigie looked at the faces, and stopped at Egra’s. “You helped me.”
Egra nodded. “You were hurt.”
“Thanks,” Seigie said. She looked to Allia. “And you . . .” A sparkle of knowing shone in her ancient eyes.
Allia remained silent.
“You are D’mar,” Seigie said.
“Are you the one I’m going to be training under?” the girl said meekly.
Seigie looked to Mencari, who shook his head. “Osuto is our trainer,” he said.
Mencari turned to Seigie. “We have a lot to catch you up on. You can’t imagine how this crash helped us.”
Seigie winced. “Oh, yeah? I can’t wait to describe, in detail, this pain in my back from it!”
Mencari and Toriko smiled at each other. Mencari said, “Now I know you’re okay, Seigie. Let’s get back to base.”
The group said farewell to Egra and headed back to the ship, where they joined the recently arrived Osuto and Ujaku, who were completing the repairs to the damaged craft—mostly Ujaku, since Osuto freely admitted he was no mechanic. When Ujaku deemed the ship worthy, they boarded it.
Mencari was surprised to see Allia enter the ship hesitantly, almost as though she was afraid. “You okay?”
Her head bobbed nervously, but she said, “I’m not familiar with being inside such a small thing.” She took a seat, with Ichini settling next to her, purring as if to reassure the child. As the door closed, Allia’s eye flickered wildly, like an animal thinking about attempting an escape attempt from its cage, but she kept her seat, her jaw clenched firmly shut.
Mencari saw Egra standing on the edge of the woods, waving one last time as the two ships lifted from the ground. Minutes later, they were on their way back to the asteroid base.
CHAPTER 11:
On the Prowl
Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Ujaku entered the command center and watched while Osuto and Mencari consulted over a projected star chart. Nearby, Seigie and Toriko reviewed the information streaming across communication channels and short-range sensors.
With a smile, the young fellow made a direct line toward Toriko.
“Morning!” he said.
“Hi, Ujaku. How’s the workshop coming?”
“Slowly. I’m building out more than I expected. But otherwise, good—”
His forehead furrowed at Toriko as he looked her up and down. “Hey, your hair’s all the same color. And where’s your headband?”
She glanced down at her neatly pressed jumpsuit, then looked back at him red-faced. “Well, I sort of got to thinking about it . . . and I decided that all that XoXo stuff was fine in college. All the students were doing that. But now . . .” She waved her hand over the command center. “Now, I’m into much more serious stuff. So I thought I’d dress the part.” She pointed around her neck, then around her forearms. “Even integrated my old components. You can hardly even tell they’re on me!”
He smiled. “It suits you. But I’m still gonna miss the red hair-tips.”
“Besides, I know I need to take things more seriously.”
“Seigie’s fine, you know.”
“I know, just… Next time it might not be fine.”
“Good morning, Ujaku,” Osuto said, entering the room.
“Say, how’s Allia doing?” Ujaku asked. “I know she said she’s all right, but . . . this place is far different from where she grew up. And . . . I know she’s not a typical kid, but she’s still a little girl.” Ujaku grinned at Toriko. “And I’m the kind who worries about people I like.”
Seigie broke her gaze on the data and looked over. “Better. She’s been training with Osuto and me. Her levitation’s weak, but she’s learning fast. An
d . . . we’ve spent some time in my crystal labs. She’s fascinated with that.”
Mencari nodded. “Probably because she grew up in a cave.”
Toriko looked away. “This is all pretty crazy to me. It can only be harder for her.”
Seigie turned back to the screens. “She’ll make it. She’s a Defender.”
The elevator down the hall opened with a hiss, and Allia and Ichini made their way into the command center. Osuto smiled as she entered, noting the young girl looked far more relaxed than when she first arrived. Ichini, as always, looked perfectly calm, padding next to the girl with a steady trot.
The pair headed right for Toriko. Since their initial rocky meeting, Allia seemed resigned that Toriko, like Seigie, was a mentor she should listen to. Toriko, for her part, seemed thrilled to not be the youngest person in their group anymore.
Osuto and Mencari turned back to the projection table.
“Given what we know about the mercenaries,” Osuto said, “checking out the area where Ujaku was attacked might be a good place to head. While we can’t be certain, I have a feeling that asteroid nearby might be in cahoots with the Nukari.”
“Oh?” Disapproval reflected in Ujaku’s eyes, but he didn’t explain.
Mencari said, “We know the mercenaries were using Terconian technology, because of the virus they bugged your ship with. And on Allia’s world—we retrieved some vials of liquid from the smugglers’ stock marked with the Nukari emblem.”
Ujaku hesitated. “Going back to the scene of the attack? I don’t know . . .” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a memory card, looking for a place to plug it in.
Mencari motioned to a nearby port.
As it slid in place, a new display appeared. “I still don’t think you should go there, we have such a small group yet,” Ujaku said while it loaded. “But if you are, you’ll need all the information you can get.”
“We have to do something,” Osuto said. “We just have to be wise with our moves. First, we’ll observe the area for a while, see if anything looks out of place.”
Mencari sat back, observing. He noticed how close Toriko sat to Ujaku, much closer than she needed to review the display in front of him. When she was close, Ujaku appeared to have a permanent smile. Something was clearly developing between them.
D'Mok Revival 1: Awakening Page 19