by Sharon Rose
“Perhaps, but it is possible. Reverse thrust can compensate during final approach. I know my craft better than you do. It is—shall we say, unnecessary for you to tell me how to operate it.”
She closed the channel. “Time is about up. I’ll wait by the airlock. Be sure you’re out of range before you slow down.”
A few more minutes passed. TarKeen’s voice grew adamant.
No other option had presented itself to Kena. She enquired of her beloved one more time, listening deep within. The only response was quiet assurance. She felt more like vomiting than continuing, but she had no choice.
The EVA shield enveloped her and Pearl. She entered the airlock and passed through the opposite hatch. Her craft lingered between her and the Epri7. It continued on course for a moment, increasing separation from her.
Father, protect me.
I work all things—all things—together for good. Even the things that look bad.
Quon swung away and fired the primary drive to maximum.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“What are you doing?” TarKeen’s voice demanded.
“I have exited my craft. I’m still on the same course, heading straight for you. Can you scan in enough detail to locate me and Pearl?”
After a brief pause, he said, “Confirmed. Who is piloting the craft?”
“His name is Quon.”
“Quon, turn the craft back to original course.” TarKeen sounded like he was used to being obeyed.
“He is under my orders,” Kena said, “not yours. Since you tend to restrict communication, I have already given him full instructions.”
“This is madness. How can we fulfill our commitment when you have sent your craft away? We did not agree to provide you with PitKreelaundun transport.”
Time to keep her voice calm. “Nor did I agree to bring my craft within your hold. I bring you Pearl; that is all. It’s really quite simple for you to honor your commitment. You need only release me in the same manner that I arrive and withdraw from the area. Quon will return for me when you are beyond intercept range.”
“Are you seriously asking us to cast you adrift in the void?” TarKeen asked. “Alone?”
“Why so shocked? My EVA belt will keep me safe.”
“Apparently, you have never been alone.”
She laughed. “No, never, but our perceptions diverge. I doubt we understand one another. My approach is the immediate concern.”
“True.” His voice turned grim. “I told you before, you were approaching too fast.”
“Yes, and now I have virtually no ability to slow down. You will need to compensate.”
“And if we cannot?”
“I can think of at least two ways. You probably know more. Why are you so angry with me, TarKeen? Did you want more than Pearl?”
His voice leveled again. “You misconstrue my tone. I am not angry with you. I am concerned for your wellbeing. If you withhold information, it’s harder to ensure your safety. You intentionally hid that there was another pilot on board and what options you have.”
“True. Do you not also conceal information from me?”
“To what do you refer?” he asked.
“Is there not a captain as well as a commander on PitKreelaundun ships? Does not the captain outrank the commander? Yet you did not mention this when you explained the authority structure. I wonder what options the captain may have that are hidden from me.”
TarKeen paused before speaking again. “I did not mention him because I didn’t want to complicate the issue while he was unavailable to talk with you. His name is Leonfir. It is currently his sleep time. I have served with him for several years, and I’m convinced that he will agree with what Pernanyen and I have committed to. Even if he didn’t, he cannot countermand Pernanyen of Frayunomen. If I had realized you have knowledge of our command structure, I would have told you this before.”
“Such a reasonable explanation. Do you care to tell me how you plan to receive Pearl and me?”
“In a moment,” TarKeen said. “Pernanyen, please talk with her. It may help ease isolation stress.”
Their concern seemed excessive, but hardly worth debating.
Pernanyen spoke again, her voice calm and gentle. “You have more information than I would have expected. Where did you learn of our ships’ command structure?”
“The Prednians who first made contact with your race distributed a racial profile. I included cultural studies in my formal education. Your race was one of many I studied.”
“We interacted with them for such a short time.”
“I know,” Kena said. “There wasn’t much to study. And with only one perspective, it’s bound to be skewed. Still, it was better than nothing. It included the names of the seven ruling families, so I recognized Frayunomen. It also mentioned two non-ruling families, which we find puzzling. If they are non-ruling, why are they designated with the ruling families?”
“There is a time when each ruling family must relinquish authority for one generation. It enables change and lowers the risk of stagnation within the government.” Pernanyen paused, then said, “TarKeen has the information you requested.”
“We will alter configuration of our shields,” he said, “to absorb some of your momentum. Unfortunately, we cannot absorb it all without risking damage to your shield. We must also move the ship away from your approach to lessen the speed difference. You will need to be outside longer than you realized.”
“I was aware of this possibility.”
“Has the child shown increased stress during isolation?” he asked.
“What do you mean? Since I left my craft?”
“Yes.”
“She didn’t react,” Kena said, caressing Pearl’s head. “She is aware of me, so I doubt she perceives isolation. As long as I don’t move her away from my chest, she’s calm.”
“Perhaps we again misunderstand one another,” TarKeen said, “so we will leave this. I’m concerned that you will surprise me again. Is there any possibility that you will use maneuvering jets?”
Kena smiled. “Not unless you tell me to.”
“Thank you.” He went on to confirm the details of her shield specifications then finally asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Did you send the recording to the Ontrevay as I requested?”
“We did,” TarKeen said. “Also, our following communications.”
“I expected to receive a status report from Quon by now.”
“Just a moment.”
A half-minute passed. Quon’s welcome voice sounded in her ear. “I’m receiving all this, Kena. Probably near real-time. I am on planned course. The Ontrevay has not moved, and the PitKreelaundun craft has just left the nebula with the disabled craft in tow. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Carry on.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After a brief silence, Pernanyen’s voice returned. “You can talk with him more, if you like.”
“Constant conversation is not necessary for my peace of mind.”
Pearl whimpered and turned her head, seeking something. Kena responded with soft murmurs, stroking her hair and back.
“Can you tell what distresses her?” Pernanyen asked.
“Thirst or hunger, most likely. She opens her mouth. I didn’t bring the water with me. Shush. Hush, my little Pearl.”
“Why do you give her a name?” Pernanyen asked. “You know she has another. Are you planning something other than returning her to Gwillenin?”
“I will do as I have said,” Kena answered. What importance did this race invest in names? She couldn’t pass up an avenue to explore their culture. “I named her before you arrived. She is not an object; she is a person and should have a name. Gwillenin won’t disclose it, so she is Pearl to me. It’s common for Humans to have multiple names. I understood that you do, as well. An additional name will not harm her. It wouldn’t even hurt you to pronounce it.”
“Our names have significance. We
do not know what Pearl means.”
“It’s a Human word for a gem that symbolizes purity and innocence. When used as a name, it means treasured one.”
Pernanyen drew a deep breath. “Why did you choose such a name for her?”
What did her whispery tone signify? Stunned surprise, perhaps? Hard to be sure, but Kena wasn’t about to waste this moment. “A few reasons, I suppose. In ancient times, pearls were rare because they could only be found by diving underwater to search for and extract them. It strikes me as similar to finding a child in a nebula—rare, indeed—and then passing through the vacuum to extract her from a dead craft. Also, it is my nature to treasure children. A child is innocent of any wrong-doing, regardless of what other members of her race may have done. And so, I named her Pearl.”
Pernanyen exhaled a soft Oh. It took her a moment to speak again. “We appreciate that you have bestowed such a fine name on her. I would like you to understand why Gwillenin wouldn’t reveal her name. PitKreelaundun parents often use a child’s name when they are teaching her how to establish a link. If you call her by that name, she may reach for you and be distressed when you do not respond.”
“Then, I agree that I should not use it,” Kena said. “She does, at times, search for someone.”
“Do you mean…telepathically?”
“Yes.”
“I—don’t understand. You said Humans are not telepaths.”
Kena committed the rising pitch of Pernanyen’s puzzled tone to memory. “True, yet I live among them, so I’ve learned to sense telepathic energy. I can recognize and avoid an attempted link, which may be necessary to prevent injury.”
“How very odd.” Pernanyen said. “Again, we may not understand one another.”
Kena chuckled. “I’m glad you noticed. It is well to remember that when a Human speaks of telepathy, there’s a very strong chance you do not understand what they really mean. Will Gwillenin try to establish a link with Pearl immediately?”
“Most certainly.”
“Then, I would much appreciate it if no one but she approaches me.”
“As you wish,” Pernanyen said.
“It will take me a moment to release Pearl from my shield. Gwillenin will need to be patient.”
“I will tell her.” Pernanyen’s voice quickened.” I know she sounded harsh, but it’s only because she’s distressed over her sister’s death and Pearl’s long isolation. She is normally a gentle woman.”
“I understand.” Kena marvelled. The conversation had changed so much from that first demand to identify herself. She was completely dependent on them already. They no longer had any real need to treat her with courtesy, yet they did. The Epri7 filled her view but no longer seemed so ominous. As long as nothing went awry, there seemed to be a good chance that they would let her go.
TarKeen’s voice spoke again. “Kena, are you able to turn without risk of altering your course?”
“Easily.”
“I suggest you turn 180 degrees to face away from the ship. The loss of reference point may be disorienting, but it will be brief.”
Sheesh! This was one race that could not stand to be outside their ships. She executed the simple maneuver. “The nebula is really quite lovely, TarKeen. I’m sure I’ll be fine with the change of scene.”
“The first field you contact,” he said, “will cause the hardest jolt. Your momentum will diminish with each field you pass through.”
“I would appreciate a final countdown.”
“Five, four, three, two, one.”
Kena’s organs compressed against her spine. Pearl’s body jammed into her chest. Air was forced from her lungs. Then, she broke through the first shield. Pearl let out a wail.
“Three, two, one,” TarKeen said.
Again, though not as bad, she collided with a wall that resisted then burst.
“Three, two, one.”
More like a rubber wall, this time. Pearl’s cry silenced at each impact, then resumed.
Counting down, then crying. Counting, crying. The stepped walls of the Epri7 enclosed them.
“How many more?” Kena asked.
“Two more. Three, two, one.”
This impact wasn’t bad at all.
“The last one will be gentler but longer,” TarKeen said. “Three, two, one.”
More like plunging into an enormous marshmallow. Pearl’s cry barely faltered.
“You’ll feel a slight rebound,” TarKeen said. “You can relax now.”
Blue lines marked the inside of the receiving bay, flashing past Kena’s vision as the cylinder spun. They began to slow.
“Your respiration sounds rapid. Are you injured?” TarKeen asked.
That was nothing compared to the hammering in her ears. “No. Just a little dizzy.”
“We’re aligning you with the spin rate of the receiving bay. Where is your balance organ located?”
“Ears.” Kena closed her eyes, steadied her breathing, and murmured soothing sounds to Pearl. Weight returned to her body, pressing toward her toes. When she opened her eyes again, the blue lines of the bay were barely spinning in relation to her motion. They had adjusted her position so that her head was exactly centered in the bay. Nice.
Her motion stabilized. The bay appeared stationary. She glanced around the inner cylinder. Panels filled the spaces between the blue lines. Doors to many holds, by the look of them.
“We’re bringing you toward one of the access tubes,” TarKeen said. “It will take you to the chamber where Gwillenin is waiting with Pernanyen and one of our doctors, Freltenloe.”
The energy field drew Kena through an opening in the wall, which was now beneath her feet, and down into the chamber. Five people, not three, waited there. Her stomach tightened.
She swept her gaze across them. The photos she had seen of PitKreelaundun had accurately depicted their appearance variations. Of the black-haired, brown-skinned variety, only one was present. Taller than Kena, he stood against the wall to her right. The others had honey-brown skin, much like Pearl’s, with hair ranging from blonde to dark brown. Their softer features lacked the prominent chin and cheekbones of their darker companion. They wore tunics over their trousers, the women’s fuller with a trailing side.
Kena glanced around as TarKeen’s voice spoke in her ear, but none of their lips moved. “The field is releasing you, now. The impression of gravity may be less strong than you’re accustomed to.”
She took a short step to test her weight. Just a bit light.
“We’ll broadcast your voice to the chamber until you release your EVA field.”
A small woman approached, her golden-brown hair reminding Kena of the dead pilot’s. “I am Gwillenin.”
Kena nodded and looked to the other woman. Her brown tunic glittered with coppery flecks as she moved, and a beaded chain lay across her chest. The front locks of her blonde hair were caught up in a complex twist, but it was her eyes that held Kena’s attention, much like amber encircling ebony.
“Please do not regard us,” the woman said. “We will wait.”
“I would like to know who is in the room,” Kena said.
“I am Pernanyen of Frayunomen.” She gestured to the man at her side. “This is Freltenloe, the doctor TarKeen mentioned.”
Kena’s glance flicked to the men who stood to either side against the walls. They wore belts with various devices clipped to them. Tools? Weapons? Kena looked back to Pernanyen. “These men?”
“They attend me when I am with a member of an alien race. They need not concern you.”
Gwillenin spoke again. “I wish to offer you an apology for the manner in which I addressed you earlier.”
“Your apology is accepted.”
Pearl still uttered little sobs. Kena shifted her higher in order to extend the controls on her belt. Pearl clung tighter than ever to Kena’s neck.
“Jennellee,” Gwillenin said.
“She can’t hear you through the shield,” Kena said. “Can you link withou
t touch or sound?”
“Not with a child who has never shared a link with me.”
Too bad. This poor little girl was going to scream. Kena grasped Pearl’s hands and pulled them from her neck. The child let out a shriek.
Gwillenin’s face contorted and trembled. Not a pretty way to cry, if that’s what it was. “Don’t do that!”
Kena let go, and Pearl flung herself back in place.
“Gwillenin, stay calm,” Freltenloe said. “Kena, it is likely that Pearl will turn to Gwillenin as soon as they link. Please deactivate your shield.”
“No.”
“It’s no longer necessary,” he said.
“This is not open to debate. I asked for one of you, TarKeen said three would join me, but there are five. My shield stays. Gwillenin, please come near.”
She hurried closer. Kena extended the shield to surround her then gasped and turned her face away. The woman’s intensity was much like Ghent’s, but far less controlled. Did she really need to spray that much telepathic energy to create a link?
Gwillenin drew back. “I am so sorry!”
“Yeah.” Kena steadied herself then drew back the faint, tender presence she had used to soothe Pearl. “Focus on your child.”
“Jennellee.” Gwillenin caressed her child with both voice and hands. She repeated the name and spoke a few words in her own language.
Pearl turned her face away from Kena’s chest.
Gwillenin repeated the same name and words several more times. Pearl let one arm slide from Kena’s neck and clutched Gwillenin’s fingers. Their link formed. Pearl’s body relaxed. The two women eased the child around, her legs releasing Kena’s waist and wrapping around her new mother’s. But during the exchange, Pearl’s fingers laced into the hair above Kena’s ear. Something she clearly intended to keep.
Kena peeled the tiny fingers open and worked her locks free. Pearl turned and leaned back toward her, while keeping a tight grip on Gwillenin’s hand. Her palm pressed against Kena’s face. The child’s tender longing brushed her awareness.
Kena pressed a quick kiss into the little palm and placed it on Gwillenin’s shoulder. “Go home now, little love.”
Gwillenin stared at her. “You are a telepath!”