The Book of Ominiue: Starborn

by D. M. Barnham

  ‘This is crazy; you know that right?’

  ‘We do what we must.’

  ‘I blame those bloody interfering Astronauts; it would’ve been completely different if it wasn’t for them.’

  ‘Would it though? Somehow I don’t think so,’ the general returned. ‘The natives still would’ve taken to him. Forrester’s actions may have been different, but I’m not sure if it would change the overall outcome.’

  ‘You’ve gone soft on him?’

  ‘Perhaps a little,’ the general admitted. ‘I think it’s a shame anyway. He’s brilliant. Imagine what he was like before he came here; I sometimes wonder about the real him.’

  ‘Reports stated he had Astronaut behaviour, I doubt either of us would’ve liked him very much.’

  The general let slip a short laugh at that comment, expressing a rare smile, ‘You’re probably right.’ They walked around the place a little longer but there was nothing interesting. Everything looked the same: dry and depressing. Afterwards they returned to the surveyor and talked with her as she worked, then they returned to the ship and headed back.

  ***

  A meeting was called on their return. Duties were designated and the first parties were organised. The initial group to be sent out consisted of workerdroids, heavy machinery to drill for water and some specialised military men to organise and order the machines. They left quickly, with half a dozen hoverplanes where they would begin to build a decent spaceport and runway. The days that followed were hectic with little sleep. The natives who lived under the flight path watched as the Earthmen flew to and from the sacred forest. They marvelled at the glint of light from the machines flying high above them, the delay of their engines as they passed and the occasional condensation trails they created. The direct path crossed four counties: the southernmost tip of Kérith-Árim and its sister nation of Áman and the two nations they held the land treaty with: Na’Andaníde and Na’Lydamin. There was a striking natural landmark that separated the four nations from each other; a large vertical rock with a sheer face. From a distance it looked like another great tower, but as they approached they could see the natural formations of the cliff edges and unevenness of the faces where trees clung desperately to any slightly horizontal ledge. Eagles and other birds of prey roosted in the crevices and when their crafts flew by they would take off in fright before settling back.

  Shayne had very little to do except for menial tasks set for him by the other military officers. He felt he could be more useful within the physics and education departments, but Williams pulled rank over him, placing him with the other Starborn Soldiers. Hanniver sank back into his indifference towards the Starborn though he maintained a good friendship and professional attitude with the other members of their party, including making Dwayne dig another hole after he played a joke upon an officer that did not go down well. Shayne was not relieved of his duties until late into the night where he would retire to a large heavily canvassed tent he shared with the other Starborns. He lay there in the night listening to the ships come and go, and the tireless robots who continued their work. Some Astronaut droids had also been sent planet-side; they were clever machines, more capable than the standard android. Eventually Shayne finally fell asleep to the sounds of machinery moving around them.

  The next morning he awoke with a start: suddenly sitting up and gasping for air. Dawn was just upon them and the Starborn designated officer was gathering them up. He looked upon Shayne with surprise.

  ‘You can work with us today, Starborn officer,’ the man recovered and said indifferently. Shayne rose from his bed. He was glad that he was finally rid of the nightmares about the tower, but also concerned that the break only came from his departure from the city. He had also returned to the repetitive dream of the fox and the man they called Anótole which he found just as troubling.

  The week slowly and exhaustively came to an end. Botanists and zoologist worked overtime; day and night to catalogue and record as much of the forest region as they could; knowing that once they left they would never be able to return. Some of the more daring even took “unofficial” missions further into the warmer lowlands to study. Two of them did not return at the designated time. The last hover-planes were delayed as a small search party scoured the land, but they returned empty handed, if anyone managed to make it out of the forest the natives would help them, they knew the risk and the deadline, and if they were dead it was not on the conscience of the colony. By the time the site was cleared the only thing that remained were a few concrete foundations. The other scars of human habitation would slowly disappear as the forest grew back to reclaim the land.

  Shayne and the SB soldiers were moved on the second last day. He never saw the new colony before the beginning of construction so he did not see how much it had changed. Several buildings were erected, some being flown as a whole; including the clinic which now rested in its standard position between the military and civilian districts. Several young trees had been planted with a water drip system and staked so they could grow proud and straight. The farms stretched out along the firm ground, also with young trees planted to create natural shade in the future. The new soils laid looked odd against the original light brown and orange dirt that lacked nutrients. Some farms had linings of shade-cloth over them; several greenhouses had also been erected to stimulate humid environments. Everything was carefully planned to ensure the viability of the farms.

  Farming was designed to eventually be replaced by native crops. The plants used for the first stage of the colony were engineered to survive harsh environments; they were a one generation crop that could not multiply and contaminate the planet. Just like everything else the seed went through extensive processes to rid it of parasites and bacteria. There was always a danger, they never knew if something in the new planet would render their crops useless: it had happened before. Emergency rations were supplied, but the thought of canned food over freshly grown crops for ten years did not sit well with most. Preserved food was not their only option in tough times, Astronaut colonyships are self-sufficient and have their own lab-grown sources that could be fully utilized to help planet-side, but even at full production they could only provide for 30 percent of the colonies needs at most. Within the coming months the colony would purchase native livestock and seed to grow and breed what they thought was suitable.

  By the time the SB soldiers had arrived they were beginning the construction of homes. The military apartments would come last with civilian comforts taking priority. Shayne and the other Starborns were typically placed on guard duty. They still did not have a complete perimeter setup, they did not need one. They could see several kilometres in every direction. Any visitors from the mouth of the Cohra-Rhí would be spotted hours before they arrived.

  When Shayne was on patrol duty he would often sit in silence, occasionally other colonists came to the perimeter to look out into the desert, where they talked excitedly about the giant sand creatures. Occasionally they heard the creatures moving about in the desert sands; they seemed to be most active at night. This excited the zoologists, who rated them at the top of their priority lists. Some expressed concern that the creatures would come into the new settlement, not knowing that they spent their entire lives under the sand. They were colloquially named Dune Lizards, though whether they were lizards or not was still up for debate.

  ***

  Once the central civilian area was completed to a standard of reasonable living the Brigadier was sent out to the UeVarda. The small military transport touched down in the city and he was escorted to the throne room. The king dismissed his usual entourage and businessmen, leaving only the guards and Far’galanmír present, who stood beside her king as advisor.

  ‘Welcome Brigadier-General Hanniver,’ the king spoke with a pleasant accent that sounded vaguely Middle Eastern crossed with Spanish but with the overtones of the lionmen tenor. ‘You do not wear the coat of the Dikean’armada? — Hama Ta’Orian, you are strangers in our lands w
ith your own customs and ways, but let me say that with us, events in your past define who you are today. We honour the deeds of the Orian. The Dikean-wolf is now who you are, just as it is a part of all those who fought that night. You should wear the hide for that very same reason. Next time I see you and the Afra’hama I would very much like to see you as you should be.’

  ‘Your majesty,’ Hanniver bowed to the king with his communications droid by his side talking in its neutral voice. ‘I wasn’t aware of this custom, I’m sorry.’

  ‘Do not be sorry, friend of the stars, but let it be known.’

  Hanniver nodded in understanding, ‘I bring good news. Our re-settlement has been finalised, as part of our agreement.’

  ‘This is good; you are a swift people. We admire that and you have proven true to your word.’

  ‘We’re ready to create the crossing so that your people can easily enter our city.’

  ‘You’ll have them coming in droves if you are not careful,’ the king’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

  ‘Well,’ Hanniver smiled back, ‘At these early stages we may have to shut our boarders to all but important business only.’

  ‘I am sure the Master Trader and all his kind would be thrilled at the idea,’ the king joked.

  Hanniver’s smile faded as he turned the conversation back to serious matters. ‘We’re also ready for your treatments. The hospital needs to be re-built but the clinic is fully operational and has been fitted for your personal needs.’

  ‘I will organise a trip,’

  ‘Would you like to go up in one of our sky machines?’ The UeVarda sat straighter with these words, his eyes glinted with curiosity. ‘It’ll save you a tiring trip, and you’ll get to fly and see the land from the sky!’

  ‘Is it safe?’

  ‘Safer than any other means of transport,’ the Brigadier insured, ‘including armoured horse couches, and it’s much faster.’ The UeVarda turned to Far’galanmír who gave the faintest of nods.

  ‘I will be ready for your Falá’arah by tomorrow at the hour of the Shyd High Half Moon.’

  ‘We shall be there,’ Hanniver bowed.

  ‘How fares the Afra’hama?’ the king asked curiously. Hanniver glanced across at the droid, giving away that something was not quite right. One of Far’galanmír’s ears flicked slightly as she noted the gesture. She knew the machines memories were exact and used by the Earthmen for such purposes.

  ‘He’s returned to the duties that his position is fitted for,’ he flatly and casually spoke, though he motioned with a hand that was facing away from the robot. The king’s eyes briefly glanced down before he turned his focus back to Hanniver; feigning ignorance.

  ‘I do expect you and the Afra’hama to attend the tournament,’ he enforced. ‘Last I heard the extraordinary journeyman has returned, has he not Far’galanmír?’

  ‘The UeShádarn Dun’karter told me he arrived earlier this morning.’

  ‘It would seem the fate of the Lions have fallen upon him then. I am sure he would be pleased if he travelled with us to the Hama Ta’Orians new city.’

  ‘More than pleased, my Lord, if the account of the Bohanese High Captain is anything to go by.’ There was a slight grin upon the shytarda’s face.

  ‘The message to all nations concerning their scholarships for the ambassadorship is ready to be distributed as well,’ Hanniver indicated the droid, who took out a handful of letters from a case.

  ‘They shall be distributed before the night falls,’ the king waved his hand and a guard instantly took the letters and headed for the side door that lead to the servant steward’s office.

  ‘I am slightly disappointed that the Afra’hama could not attend himself. Not that I do not enjoy conversing with you, Brigadier.’

  ‘We are sorry too; my Lord, but I’m afraid that our duties have increased tenfold since the move. I myself will be attending the half-way point, at the mouth of the Corha-Rhí after my duties here are complete.’ Just then Níurthan the Kerwin monk entered the throne room. When he saw Hanniver he waited underneath the large pendulum clock, his hands together in front of him as he patiently waited.

  ‘It is good to see that your high people also work as hard as your servants,’ The UeVarda approved. ‘It is an admirable quality in a leader.’ He then rose and bowed slightly to the Earthman, indicating the meeting was over. The monk then made his way to the throne as Hanniver returned the bowed and retreated.

  ***

  It was raining when the transporter arrived to pick up the UeVarda and his guard; a true summer storm. It was warm and humid with bolts of lightning spreading across the land and rolls of thunder that could be felt through the ground. The Earthmen were instantly drenched as they stepped out of the hoverplane and waited for their guests, the rain rolling off their peaked caps like a waterfall.

  A call went out for the UeVarda by the guards present and after a few minutes he appeared, flanked by a couple dozen royal guards and their halberds. Níurthan stood at the king’s right side and Kíe’arathorne on his left. Far’galanmír remained behind to manage the kingdom in his absence with the other Chancellors.

  ‘They’re not all coming are they?’ the pilot nervously glanced across at Hanniver, sending a cascade of accumulated water to drip down his neck.

  ‘It would appear so,’ Hanniver could not help but give a slight chuckle.

  ‘Brigadier Christov!’ the king greeted with a warm smile. ‘I thought you were deployed at the Mouth of the Cohra-Rhí?’

  ‘Happens that I wasn’t needed at all, apparently senior management only gets in the way, though I always thought that was supposed to be middle management,’ Hanniver explained as he quickly guided the guests onto the vehicle and out of the weather. The great loading doors closed behind them and the roar of the engines was replaced by the constant patter of the rain on the roof. Hanniver removed his cap and gave it a good shake, drenching the floor further as they all dripped.

  Originally they were going to send a civilian craft, but the large lionmen frames would not fit in the human seats so they provided a military transport that held the exo-battle gear restraints. There were just enough seats for all the military men. Níurthan insisted on standing despite the repeated calls from the androids. He drew back his hood so they could see his head, but his neck was still covered as the hood wound around it. His metal mask and monks clothing stood out as a stark contrast to the blue and white armoured guards that surrounded him. The Brigadier froze a moment as he stared at the human but he quickly recovered and looked away. The robot requested for him to sit once again and was followed by silence.

  ‘You won’t get that one to sit,’ Hanniver called to the robot as he was showing Kíe’arathorne how to tighten the straps. ‘He is a stander; he only sits in a professional manner.’ The android gave up at this and helped the others with their seatbelts.

  ‘Now listen everyone,’ the Brigadier continued. ‘This is just to keep you safe while we land and take-off. It really isn’t needed, but safety states we have to take care of you, no matter how ridiculous it is. Once we’re up in the air you can take them off. We’ll be in the air for around fifteen minutes, when we arrive we will call out over the coms for you to sit back down, there you must buckle up again. Do you all understand?’ as the last words were translated by robots there was a murmur of understanding between them. The warrior monk stood near his king and took hold of a hanging support; he looked at the UeVarda strapped to the wall. The lionman gave the monk a soft smile, his copper coloured eyes twinkling.

  ‘Are you ready my old friend?’

  ‘I am,’ the monk replied in his calm voice. He then looked up at the window. He subconsciously clenched his grip as they felt the craft lift. When the downward force gave way to a constant forward motion the monk cautiously made his way to the large window at the back of the transporter. He watched as the lighting strikes lit up the city below them. A couple of lionmen who braved taking off the restraints also made their way t
o the viewing windows. The UeVarda and Kíe’arathorne came to Níurthan’s side to watch the wonders before them. Hanniver beamed with pride at their amazement and curiosity.

  ‘We are flying,’ Níurthan softly spoke.

  The UeVarda also smiled, ‘Maybe you can move to their settlement, and have them teach you.’

  ‘My duty is to Kérith-Árim, as you know.’

  ‘You have a duty to yourself as well. You cannot expect to be serious in all things,’ as he was saying this they broke into the cloud and experienced some turbulence. They grabbed onto anything they could hold, including each other so as to not lose balance, one of the guards who was still strapped into her seat preceded to retch at the movement, her face quickly turning to misery.

  ‘What is that?’ Kíe’arathorne face became fearful at the movement, grasping the ledge so tightly that it looked as if he would crush the framing.

  ‘The storm is angry up here,’ the UeVarda replied.

  ‘Maybe it is a sign that we should not go to the Hama Ta’Orians new city,’ a senior guard said while holding onto a ledge.

  ‘It’s only turbulence,’ the Brigadier comforted them. ‘It is normal in these conditions.’

  ‘Is our craft safe from lightning?’ Kíe’arathorne asked as they watched the clouds around them light-up with every strike and the feel of the thunder as it rolled over them.

  ‘All our craft are safe from strikes,’ the robot said. ‘It is a natural Faraday cage. Lightning can hit us but the outside hull is designed to allow it pass without affecting anything inside. No harm will come to anyone.’ The idea of the machine being hit by lightning did not sound safe at all to the journeyman and he swallowed as he watched the skies around them.