A Different Time

by Donna Steele

  Could Gsark fill that void for now? He had the need to discuss Rossul’s revelations.

  ~ ~ ~

  Braxal sipped a libation as he waited for Gsark, allowing Rossul’s words to return to his mind. Rossul had been a witness, only a young warrior at the end of the upheaval, but after over a hundred spans, he remembered and shared those stories with Braxal as part of his training.

  The stories of the invasion of the Malvek home world were taught to every warrior as they trained. Braxal’s older sire had told him other stories, those never taught, or spoken aloud.

  They were too shameful.

  He looked up as Gsark hesitated at the entrance to his quarters.

  The younger warrior bowed slightly and Braxal rose. “Thank you for meeting me here.”

  “You sounded disturbed.”

  “I am. Speaking with you may be a mistake. However, I need to unburden myself.”

  “We are friends, Braxal.”

  “I am in appreciation. You had me in your home, introduced me to your warrior sons, and your . . . mate. I am honored by your actions.”

  “What is it you need to unburden?”

  “Please, follow me.”

  Braxal led Gsark deep into his dwelling, into his private chambers, and motioned to a warm shelf. Gsark reclined there as Braxal made himself comfortable on his own shelf and closed his eyes to bring the memories closer.

  “What do you know of the invasion of the Tav?”

  Gsark looked confused but replied, “What was taught to me when I trained. Londol was too young to have fought in the invasion.”

  The histories taught to everyone were true, but incomplete. Braxal had never divulged his knowledge.

  Why did you burden me with this knowledge, Grand Sire?

  “I have . . . information. Stories taught to me by Rossul. When I spoke with your warrior sons, these memories returned to me.”

  “You would have information not taught?”

  “All were taught the Malvek society had managed to defeat the invaders by overwhelming numbers and sheer ferocity. Countless lesser soldiers died, as well as more warriors than in any other conflict in the Malvek past. The Tavs were overconfident due to their technological advantage.”

  “This is what I was instilled,” Gsark affirmed.

  “It is true, yet it is also incomplete. Rossul had been very old when I was sent for his training, with so many scars they crisscrossed over his body. He showed an affinity for the young warrior I was, and coached me individually, since Rossul was too old for further fighting.”

  “You were honored.”

  “Yes. He took me away for solitude. Rossul entrusted me with the information not known. A devastating secret.”

  He hesitated again, but Gsark sat up. “Please, we are alone. We have shared the project with the mind talkers. You need to speak of this and I need to hear it from you.”

  Braxal offered a short nod. “We would never have left our home world if not for the Tavs.”

  Gsark’s neck ridges flared for an instant.

  “We would have been trapped forever on our overpopulated world with no new seas to spawn.” Braxal rose, pacing now, the memory too uncomfortable. He had not wanted to believe it when he had been told. He had only known the official stories, and the civilization that existed now with technology and space travel—the ability to conquer worlds.

  The information Rossul shared more than scarred Braxal. Would he now scar Gsark with his sharing?

  Gsark rose to his feet as well.

  Braxal breathed heavily, allowing the shameful memories to flood over him. “We took the technology of the Tavs. We did not create it. We commandeered it from those taken captive. We would never have gone to the stars without the stolen knowledge. All we know comes from defeated slaves.”

  The memories had been trying to plague him for days. Gsark seemed to be in shock, his neck frill tucked as he remained silent.

  “We were not unlike the Earthlings our mind talkers now study. We too were unaware other civilizations existed out in the galaxy until the Tavs came. We had barely looked at the skies in our misplaced arrogance. Then disaster came from above, killing so many the strata of civilization nearly collapsed.”

  Braxal stared at his claws, now fully extended due to his emotion. He could feel Gsark’s conflict and desire to challenge his words.

  The mind talkers they now relied upon existed because of this history.

  New bands of civilization evolved to cover the new technologies. Yes, warriors were still the highest strata, though fewest in number, and led their civilization. For a time after the Tavs were defeated, their number had risen, unlike now. Skills unheard of prior to the invasion formed.

  The mind talkers came into being as well as the techs. Neither had been necessary to their civilization prior to the invasion. Now techs numbered next to the workers in sheer volume.

  Did he share that with Gsark as well, or would he reach the same conclusion on his own?

  After other planets had been conquered, the Malvek civilization spread and the population soared in those years, with new waters for spawning.

  He sat heavily and looked at the console in his living quarters. Such technology. Gsark looked up and followed his eyes, also staring at the console.

  Braxal wasn’t an old one such as those who had walked out of the conclave.

  But change of this magnitude . . .

  “We now contemplate a transformation in our way of life nearly as drastic as the previous one,” he related to Gsark. “Contacting the Guardians? Your suggestion has not left my mind since the words were spoken. Is cooperation with such a civilization achievable? It does not taste like a possibility.”

  They talked until dawn.

  Chapter 29

  Washington, D.C.

  Dusty woke to find Dee’s side of the bed empty. He rose immediately. “Dee?” No answer. He found her in the living room, staring into space. “Dee?” He repeated.

  She roused then and looked at him.

  “Can’t sleep?”

  She shook her head.

  “Nightmare?”

  She sighed. “It’s stupid.”

  “Not if it woke you up. Come on, talk to me.” This was happening more often, too often. Maybe the stress of having a big Christmas celebration here was too much. Both fathers were coming back. That shouldn’t worry her, but something was.

  “It’s just hormones. I don’t think you can help with that.”

  “I guess I already did.”

  “Yeah, thanks.” She did manage a small smile finally.

  “I’m serious, baby. Let me in.”

  “It’s a recurring dream and makes no sense.” She shook her head. “I don’t even remember much of it. It fades as soon as I open my eyes.”

  “Tell me what you do remember.” Dusty took a seat next to her, drawing her to him.

  “It’s changed a little since I started having it. Dusty, I’m not jealous.”

  “What? Good, you’ve got nothing to be jealous about.” He looked at her closely, startled. Jealous? Her moods swung so widely now, he was getting dizzy.

  “I know, but Angie is in the dream now.”

  “I have no relationship with Angie. You know that. I didn’t before either. She was trying to recruit me for her company.” He forced her to meet his eyes.

  “You don’t know for sure you never slept with her.” Dee voiced her fear.

  “I know I have no desire to now,” he countered.

  She seemed to accept his words, nodding slightly. “She’s in the dream but she has . . . scales. They’re a beautiful blue-green color. There are scales on her neck and shoulders. She’s not quite human.”

  “Alligator.”r />
  Dee jerked in his arms. “Why did you say that?”

  He tightened his hold, watching her. “What, alligator? I dreamed about them for a while.”

  “You never mentioned it!”

  “It was stupid. But I wasn’t the only one. Leonard noticed people looking up alligators on their devices on the way to work. Strangers.”

  Did she realize she was clutching him fiercely?

  “Are you still dreaming about them?” she asked.

  “Occasionally, not every night. Are you?”

  “I was, until they morphed into Angie.”

  “That’s just weird,” he mused. “I thought it was strange when Leonard mentioned it, but I never thought to check with you. I did some research on dream symbols around alligators and it was pretty much commonsense stuff. A feeling of danger the dreamer is repressing. It mentioned alligators and crocodiles are known for their sudden striking ability. Large and lumbering at first, barely moving. Then they spring up and out of the water as a deadly threat.”

  At her shiver, Dusty cuddled her for several silent seconds. Finally, he asked, “How do I reassure you Angie is no danger or potential danger to you? She’s never going to spring out and mean anything to me.”

  Dee pressed her cheek into his chest. “What about a danger to you?”

  To him? That made even less sense. Probably not a good idea to repeat the bit about how alligators and crocodiles in dreams could symbolize the very dangers one simply couldn’t anticipate. Completely unforeseeable events from out of nowhere might have been present all the time and hiding in plain sight.

  No, there was no need to add to her unrest, not while she was pregnant. This was not the time to make it worse.

  “Let’s change the subject to something else,” he urged. “Be honest with me, are you up to a Christmas celebration here?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Of course I am.”

  “It’s not adding to your stress?”

  Dee seemed to melt against him. “No, but you’re a good husband to think of it.”

  “I try.”

  “We’re only having Dad and Evan, just like Thanksgiving,” she pointed out. “And I want to decorate this place for a traditional Christmas. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been eyeing the tree lots already.”

  “A real tree? I don’t remember ever having one of those. Some years we didn’t put up a tree as I got older.”

  “Oh Dusty, that’s terrible!” She gave him a squeeze. “No, our fathers’ visit is not a problem and I want a beautiful, aromatic evergreen over in that corner.” Dee indicated with a jerk of her chin.

  “You got it.” Dusty brushed her cheek with a kiss. “Want to go shopping for a tree this evening?”

  Chapter 30

  Evan arrived first, carrying two large bags of gifts. Dee burst out laughing. “There’s not room, you’re going to have to take most of this back.”

  “No way. I haven’t been this excited about Christmas shopping since Dusty was a baby.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. Had his gaze scanned her a little too closely? She’d covered the circles under her eyes with makeup as carefully as she could.

  “I’ll put these under the tree.” Evan nodded toward the living room. “You go have a seat.”

  “I’m in my second trimester and don’t need to ‘go have a seat,’” Dee countered. “My energy is back and I’m not even taking a daily nap anymore.”

  “Why not? Sounds like fun to me.” Evan laughed and turned as Dusty joined them.

  They exchanged a hug. “What sounds like fun?” Dusty asked.

  “Taking a daily nap. The place looks incredible, so festive. I don’t remember the last time I had a tree.”

  “Told you.” Dusty looked over at Dee.

  She smiled. “Well, you’re always going to have one now. I love them and you’re going to be spending Christmas with us annually. Go ahead and put it on your calendar.”

  “Can I get you anything? I was going to open some wine.” Dusty led Evan into the kitchen.

  Dee frowned as she hung up Evan’s coat. No, she hadn’t mistaken her father-in-law’s look of worry.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Dusty, is she okay?” Dad glanced back toward the great room to ensure Dee couldn’t hear.

  “Yes. Why?”

  “It looks like she’s lost some weight. Not in her stomach but in her face. And she looks tired.”

  Dusty took a deep breath. “She’s not sleeping well. Apparently, that’s normal. Do you really think she’s lost weight?”

  “Not a lot. You see her every day, and I’m sure it must have been gradual. I’m trying to remember when your mother was pregnant with you. She didn’t lose any weight, and she’s my only experience.” He chuckled a bit. “She gained weight everywhere, even in her toes. We laughed about it.”

  He sobered quickly and laid a reassuring hand on Dusty’s shoulder. “I’m sure she’s okay. She is a doctor, after all. And she works with more doctors. I’m being an overprotective grandfather.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Dusty sighed as they returned to the main room.

  “Dad just messaged me.” Dee looked up from her phone. “His flight was slightly delayed. He’s on the way now. He didn’t want us to worry.”

  “Well, there’s something that didn’t change. Flight snafus on holidays.” Dusty snorted.

  “I don’t think anything you did could have helped. Between crowds and iffy weather, travel problems are going to be a constant. Want to really do something for society?” Dad relaxed on the couch with a smirk. “If you ever go back, please get everyone to see what a horrible idea tying something tight around the neck is. No more ties for dress up.” He yanked at his own tie like it was a noose.

  “Why didn’t I think of that? Yes, it’ll be first on the agenda, next time,” Dusty agreed as Dee rolled her eyes.

  ~ ~ ~

  Dee hurried to the door when Ben was announced and hugged him tightly. He held her away from him for a moment, then pulled her back into his arms and hugged her again. Dusty saw the concern on his face when their eyes met. All of his father’s reassurance washed away.

  “Let’s see this baby bump.” Ben checked her over once again. It sounded to Dusty as though he was forcing joviality into his voice. “Do you know the sex yet?”

  “After dinner,” Dee promised. Dusty saw his dad’s ears perk up at the mention of the sex of his grandchild.

  “Just relax for a few minutes. Tell us about your trip,” Dee coaxed. “What caused the delay?”

  Visiting and laughing over dinner, they brought one another up to date on their lives and activities. Dee was more relaxed than Dusty’d seen her in days. Her insomnia worried him, and there was little he’d been able to do about it.

  Dessert, when she brought it out, was a tiny cake iced in white buttercream.

  “I think that’s more than I can eat right now,” Ben commented, eyeing the small confection.

  “We at least have to cut it,” Dee retorted.

  Dusty swallowed a chuckle at how both their fathers came to attention.

  “A reveal?” Ben rubbed his hands together.

  Dee picked up the knife. Everyone leaned forward though Dusty knew the result. She withdrew the first sliver of strawberry cake.

  “A girl!” Evan breathed. “I’ve never had a girl.”

  “I can highly recommend them.” Ben grinned. “I have one of the best.”

  They all enjoyed the cake, laughing. Dusty watched the proceedings with two minds, thrilled to have this family around him, and awed he had this family around him.

  Whatever had sent him—sent them—into the past granted him a wish he had never admitted wanting.

  Once the kitchen was straightened, everyone retu
rned to the main room. “I know we’re going against your strict Christmas morning-only policy for gifts,” Dee said, “but I don’t want to get up at four-thirty tomorrow for this, and I have to be at work at seven.”

  “You’re working tomorrow?” Evan asked.

  “I’m the newest, last hired for trauma. I haven’t been there a year yet. You can imagine how thrilled administration is I’m pregnant. I definitely drew the short straw for the Christmas shift. You guys can hang out and watch sports or something. I’m off at three and I’m hoping for everyone’s sake it’s a boring day at the hospital.”

  “Then we’ll do presents early.” Ben capitulated. “And revisit it next year.”

  “Yes, I promise.”

  Dusty distributed the gifts and they took turns opening and displaying their loot. When all the packages were opened, Dusty caught Ben’s glance over at his dad, who nodded.

  Ben removed an envelope from his pocket. “One last present. This one is for our granddaughter.” His smile grew at the word. “Evan and I went in together, since you wouldn’t let us do the nursery. We thought of something else she might like.”

  “Dad, I hope you didn’t go overboard,” she admonished as he handed her the envelope.

  “We don’t think so.”

  She scooted closer to Dusty and opened the envelope, then fell silent as her eyes widened. Dusty leaned in to see what had silenced her and felt his own eyes bug out.

  “No, it’s too much. This is more than her entire college tuition,” he admonished.

  “What?” His dad sounded confused.

  “Oh, I bet undergraduate is free now.”

  “Did I pay for your college?” Ben asked Dee.

  “Yes, undergraduate. I got grants for medical school. We can’t take this.” She gestured with the envelope.