Stranger

by Bryant, S. J.

  He grabbed hold of her wrist and yanked so hard that she fell to her knees. He put a hand on the back of her head and pushed her face towards the floor.

  "What the hell are you doing?" Nova yelled. She smacked her elbow onto the man's arm and he recoiled with a torrent of angry words.

  "Yeah well, fuck you," she said. "I'm not bowing to anyone."

  She stayed kneeling on the floor, if only to ease the aching in her legs.

  The man on the platform watched the whole encounter without a single flicker of emotion. He sat as still as a statue, looking at them over the top of his hands. He studied Nova for what felt like hours before speaking to the man in black and gesturing for him to leave. It seemed like he protested but another word from the man on the dais sent everyone in the room scurrying.

  Only Nova and the enigmatic man remained. He gestured for her to come closer; she did as he asked.

  "Toro," he said, holding his hand to his chest.

  "Oh, so one of you does have more brains than a chimpanzee," Nova said.

  Toro frowned and shook his head once. "Toro."

  "Nova," she replied, also pointing to herself.

  He nodded slowly, studying her.

  Nova's face flushed under his gaze. Her jaw clenched, if she could just get them to understand her, then maybe they would let her and the others go. Her mind raced to work out how she could get to Crusader to get the translator patch.

  She held out her palm and pretended to write on it. It was a wild stab in the dark but perhaps this backwards culture still used pens and paper.

  Toro's eyes sparkled. He turned towards the near wall and spoke. As soon as he'd finished, the woman who had righted Nova's boots rushed in and dropped into a deep bow, her head to the floor. She held out a sheet of yellowed paper and a pen towards Toro, without looking up.

  He waved his hand and she backed out of the room, bowing the whole way. At the very edge of the room she glanced back at Nova, unlike everyone else Nova had seen on this planet, the woman's eyes were bright blue.

  Toro waved at the page and spoke.

  Nova pulled her eyes away from the woman's disappearing back and took the pen. It was like nothing she'd ever seen; a hollowed piece of wood made the shaft and bright blue ink dripped from the tip. She placed it on the paper and a blue blob spread out from the tip.

  "Dammit," Nova hissed. She snatched the pen away from the page and studied it. The fine tip was made of stained hair that shone with ink. She almost never used real ink, not with interactive screens everywhere.

  She took a deep breath and tried again. This time a shaky line followed the pen across the page. She made a quick sketch of Crusader and the other ships and held it up so that Toro could see. She pointed to her mouth, and then to Toro and then to the picture.

  "If you take me to the ship, I can talk to you," she said slowly.

  Toro shook his head once.

  Nova growled, deep in her throat. She'd never appreciated the ability to communicate before now. She tried again by using her hand to make a talking action and then pointed again to her ship.

  Toro studied the drawing. The silence stretched out around them until Nova was sure she couldn't take it anymore. Toro nodded once.

  He called through the door and the man in black emerged followed by the brown-cloaked soldiers.

  "Omi," Toro said, pointing at the man.

  Nova nodded once; now she had a name to attach her revenge to.

  Toro spoke to Omi at length. Omi's face darkened as the conversation went on but in the end he nodded and bowed low. He gestured for Nova to follow before marching out of the room. Nova nodded at Toro and walked outside with the soldiers. She pulled on her boots in the entrance hall while the soldiers silently slipped on their sandals.

  Outside the soldiers closed in around her so that there was no way she could escape. Instead of going back to the village, Omi lead them around the side of the house to another path which led into the forest. The trees bowed over the trail like a green tunnel, leading them onwards. Bright yellow flowers created splashes of colour amongst green foliage while twisted roots weaved across the ground.

  Twenty minutes into the forest they came to a clearing. Crusader and the other ships sat amongst the trees, metal hulls glinting unnaturally in the forest.

  "Cal!" Nova sent a desperate thought towards the ships.

  "You're alive!" he replied.

  She pushed against the soldiers in an effort to get to the ships.

  Omi turned and slammed his palm into her chest. He shook his head and crossed his arms.

  Nova glared at Omi before turning her attention back to Cal. "It's hell here. Please tell me you've got a plan."

  "They've disabled….engines… won't be going… anywhere," Cal said.

  "How could they disable the engines? These people have only just discovered fire. And where the hell is that interference coming from?"

  "They knew what… doing," Cal said. "Interference…… field."

  Nova frowned. There was no way these savages knew how to disable an engine; it had to have been a lucky guess.

  Omi waved his hand in front of her face and clicked his fingers. He raised an eyebrow, his face flushing red. She glared back at him and knocked his hand away from her face.

  "We're in trouble and I need a patch for these idiots," Nova said.

  "Crusader's systems… recognized some of the words. It's an evolution of an Old-Earth language."

  "So we can get a patch."

  "Yes, but… take time and… need a bigger sample..."

  "The last thing I have right now is time. This bastard has got ants up his ass; he's jumpier than a lecheon in a forest."

  "Then you'd better get them talking," Cal said.

  "Alright."

  Nova turned to Omi and looked him directly in the face. "Talk to me you ugly bastard."

  He growled out a string of words.

  "Tell him that… language patch based just on swear words isn't going to work," Cal said.

  Nova grunted. She could have guess Omi's meaning without Cal but she still bristled.

  "Is that all you've got then?" she said to Omi.

  He frowned at her and grabbed hold of her arm. He gestured to his soldiers and they turned to walk back down the path.

  "I'm not finished yet you monkeys," she said, ripping her arm away.

  "More time," Cal said.

  Nova cast around for anything that would get the soldiers talking. The more data Cal had, the better the translation patch would be. There was nothing but trees and leaves, certainly nothing that would start a stimulating conversation. She took a deep breath; there was only one thing for it.

  She pushed away from Omi and the soldiers and started waving her hands in the air. She jumped from foot to foot and spun in tight circles. She danced as hard as she'd ever danced in her life and then she pushed harder. She spun into the air, kicking her legs out, landed on her hands and rolled. Her head spun, her food-deprived body barely able to stand, let alone carry her through a maddened dance.

  Omi and the soldiers stared at Nova with open mouths. The composure that they'd held on to so far crumbled as they gestured at Nova and spoke in hurried tones. Omi yelled at her and then yelled at his soldiers, but everyone's attention stayed fixed on her.

  Sweat poured down her forehead as the heat of the jungle clung to her. She repeated every dance move she'd ever seen and heard of, creating a crazed mix of styles and energy. She flung her body about the clearing as if she were mad, ignoring the bone-breaking exhaustion that tugged on each of her muscles. Her boots stomped on the dirt and created a percussive beat which she used to spin faster and faster.

  "Please tell me you're nearly there," she said.

  "Almost," Cal said.

  Omi's face shone bright red by the time he stepped forward and knocked Nova to the floor. His spinning leg caught her at the knees and she toppled over to the dirt. He laid his boot on her neck and gestured to his soldiers. They ran f
orward and hauled Nova to her feet, keeping her firmly in place.

  Omi put his face right in front of hers and held out his finger so that it was only inches from her nose. He bellowed at her before turning and striding from the clearing.

  "Cal!" Nova called out in her mind.

  "It's not finished!"

  "Just send me what you have. We've run out of time."

  "Confirmed," he said.

  "Get those engines fixed! We need a way out!"

  Nova's heart hammered as she struggled against the soldiers, dragging her feet against every step until the soldiers picked her up and carried her through the forest.

  "Let me go you bastards," Nova pulled against them but they stayed silent so she had no way of knowing if the translator patch was working.

  They carried her back to the mansion in stony silence, dropping to the dirt in front of the gate with a solid thump. She glared up at them as she got up, brushing the dirt from her hands. They pushed her into the entrance chamber where they slid off their sandals. She tugged off her boots and placed them together beside the door, making a point to catch Omi's eye. His nostrils flared as he turned on her and strode into the main chamber.

  Nova wiped her arm across her forehead, collecting a layer of sweat, and imagining how good a shower would feel. Filth seemed to coat every pore as she followed Omi back into the central room where Toro sat looking down at them. She struggled to keep her chin upright as she imagined how she must look to him, covered in dirt and leaves and sweat.

  Toro looked at her and then at Omi.

  "She's a madwoman!" Omi bellowed. "She led us out there for nothing. Her and her companions are nothing but trouble and we should get rid of them now. She has wasted both mine and your time."

  "Actually I think it was time well spent," Nova replied with a grin.

  She stepped forward and held her head high, relief seeping through her, now at least she could communicate with the barbarians and that could mean the difference between life and death.

  Omi's face lost all colour and his mouth hung open. The only change in Toro's expression was the slightest flicker of his eyes.

  "What witchcraft is this?" Omi whispered.

  "Maybe you should think about that the next time you put your boot on my throat," Nova said, taking another step forward and clenching her fist.

  "Leave us," Toro said.

  "But—" Omi's turned to face Toro.

  "Leave," Toro repeated.

  The soldiers filed out. Omi followed them, casting a single, distrustful glance back at Nova before he pulled the light screen door closed behind him.

  "Now you can talk," Toro said.

  "Yes," Nova replied.

  "What do you have to say?"

  "That bastard nearly killed my friend. He needs medical attention."

  "I don't know this word 'bastard' but I can guess it's not a compliment. I will see that your friend is taken care of, so long as you tell me what I want to know."

  "What do you want to know?"

  "Everything."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  "Tell me about where you come from," Toro said. "Then we will discuss your friends."

  Nova sank to the floor in front of Toro, her legs aching and stomach rumbling. She told Toro about Tabryn, going against the Confederacy and their resultant flee past the border. Toro said nothing as she spoke, just gazed at her over his steepled fingers. Whenever she slowed or paused he rolled one of his hands, ordering her to continue.

  She spoke for what felt like hours. By the time she finished her hoarse voice scratched her throat and her heavy eyelids drooped low. She massaged her numb legs and longed for a drink, or something to eat.

  Toro raised his hand, cutting her off. "That's enough for today. We'll talk more another time. Omi."

  The light screen slid aside almost instantly and Omi stepped through. He scowled at Nova but his face was expressionless when he turned back to Toro.

  "Yes, My Lord?"

  "Nova will be staying with you for a time."

  Omi's eyelid twitched.

  "Master, I don't think—"

  "She will stay here," Toro said again.

  Omi's mouth snapped shut and he bowed his head.

  "What about my friends?" Nova said, climbing to her feet.

  "They will be moved from the prison to a house, but kept under guard. If you, or any of them, try to escape, one of them will be killed."

  Nova bit her lip and nodded, anger squeezing her chest. For the moment she'd play along with Toro's game, but now she knew how to get to the ships. It was only a matter of time before they made their escape. "Can I see them?"

  "No."

  Nova scrounged in her pocket and pulled up the crumpled piece of paper. She pulled it flat and scribbled a brief note. "Can you at least give them this? So they know I'm okay and don't try anything stupid."

  Toro nodded and gestured for one of his men to take the note. "Omi, you are responsible for her. You will also teach her some manners. I don't think I could stay in the same room as such a barbarian for much longer."

  Nova's mouth dropped and eyes narrowed. Her shoulders and legs tensed, ready to leap at Toro and throttle him where he sat. She couldn't believe he'd called her a barbarian. She had the power to travel through space and instantly translate languages, all they had were swords.

  Omi narrowed his eyes and sneered down at her.

  "That will be a hard task, Master."

  "Hence why I give it to someone who can handle it. I leave tonight for the Capital but I will return shortly. I expect her to be housetrained by then."

  Omi bowed low as Toro stood and marched to the door. He stood much taller than the other men and walked with uncanny grace. His gold-trimmed robes flowed out behind him as he swirled out into the garden.

  Omi hurried after him, standing at the door and bowing low. Nova trailed behind, stepping to the other side of the door.

  Afternoon sun lit upon Toro's soldiers surrounding a silk-lined litter carried by six men in loin-cloths. They lowered it to the ground at his feet and he stepped inside, arranging plump pillows as he lowered himself to the soft mattress. The half-clothed men lifted the litter to their shoulders, eyes staring straight ahead.

  Toro nodded once to Omi and then looked past him, into the mansion to Nova. "Until next time."

  He waved and his soldiers formed a tight battalion around his litter before marching out of the mansion and out of Nova's sight.

  As Toro's litter disappeared Omi turned on her, his cruel smile sharp in the soft light. She could only hope that he respected Toro enough to keep her out of harm's way.

  "You will meet my household," Omi said.

  Nova folded her arms across her chest, wishing she had her gun, or even her knife. "Get my friends out of the prison."

  Omi strode the three paces between them, drew back his hand, and slapped her face. Pain shot up her cheek as she reeled back. She crouched, fists ready, and lunged forward to attack. Before she could move, four soldiers jumped on her, pinning her arms at her sides.

  "Lesson one," said Omi. "Respect. You will never raise your hand to me, and you will never talk back to me again. Your companions were taken out of the prison as soon as Toro ordered it."

  Nova's jaw clenched but she stopped struggling.

  "Release her," said Omi. "As I was saying, you will meet the household."

  The soldiers stepped back from Nova. She kept her hands at her sides, refusing to touch the sharp sting on her cheek; she'd never give him that satisfaction.

  "Here is my wife, Sia," Omi said.

  He gestured towards the mansion door where seemingly out of nowhere, two women and a young man had appeared. The older woman stepped forward, she wore a long, flowing black dress decorated with deep red roses. Her long dark hair hung loose around her shoulders and fluttered in the garden breeze. Cold hard eyes, like pieces of flint, made her pretty face jagged. She inclined her head at Nova and stepped back.

  Omi nodde
d. "This is my son, Zen."

  The young man of about twenty stepped forward. He wore a black cloak with red trimming, very much like Omi's and had the same square face. Unlike his father, Zen regarded Nova with quiet curiosity as opposed to anger.

  "And this is my sister, Meeka." Omi's voice dropped to a sinister growl.

  The second woman stepped out of the shadows and Nova recognised her as the one who had righted her boots and brought her pen and paper. Meeka kept her head low as she took a brief step forward and then back again, loose pants rustling against a dark cloak.

  "Nice to meet you," Nova said, at a loss for what else to do.

  "Is it true you come from space?" Zen asked, stepping forward again.

  "Yes," Nova said.

  Omi's hand lashed out and grabbed her arm. "You will address him as Lord Zen and you will bow when he talks to you; just as you will refer to me as Lord Omi and bow when you speak."

  Nova rounded on Omi, heart pounding and eyes searching for any kind of weapon.

  Before she found anything, Omi's sword lashed out, coming to rest against her neck. He'd moved faster that she'd thought possible and grinned down at her.

  "You can't kill me," she said. "Toro gave you orders."

  "Quite true," said Omi. "But accidents happen. Do as you're told, or I will kill one of your companions."

  Nova's eyes flashed but there was nothing she could do, not while they held her friends captive.

  "Fine," she said, turning to Zen. "Yes, My Lord."

  "What's it like out—"

  "Zen, I think that's enough questions," Sia said, laying a hand on her son's shoulder.

  Zen hesitated, mouth half open, before nodding and turning away from Nova, back to the house.

  "Meeka, you will be in charge of making sure she behaves," Omi said. "I expect her to act properly and dress appropriately, although you're the last person who should be teaching that. Look at those pants; are you a boy?"

  "No, My Lord," Meeka said, bowing her head even lower so that a curtain of dark hair hid her face.

  "Then why dress like one?"

  "I'm sorry, My Lord."

  Nova's muscles twitched, aching to lunge forward and put Omi in his place, but he still had his sword out and she didn't want to end up on the wrong end of it. So she stood in silence, fuming, while Omi continued to speak down to Meeka.