Remembrance

by SJ Moquin

  The first thing they had been taught when moving to the surface was never, never, never enter the forest or go past the gates at night. It was a hard lesson learned by a few reluctant colonists a few weeks after the settlement opened. Their bodies were found a few days later, mauled and shredded by one of the large predators they shared their new home with. Lark shrugged into her clothes as Knox trudged out of the water. Gwelle had just relaxed, tugging on her pants and lifting her long flowing top over her head when she heard a twig snap. Spinning she came face to face with the greenest eyes she’d ever seen as Lark let out a squeal.

  “What do you kids think you’re doing here?”

  His voice was the same, although she hadn’t heard it in so long. Of all the protectors who had to find them OTG, why him?

  “Who are you calling a kid? Last I checked you are only a couple years older, Raiden,” she spat back at the black-haired boy in front of her, raising her head in a defiant gesture.

  The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity until his gaze flicked to the other two members of the group. He holstered the laser pistol he’d cradled in his hand before motioning for them to walk ahead of him.

  “If you go back quietly, I won’t report this to the commander.”

  Lark murmured a thank you, but Gwelle held her tongue, feeling his eyes on her the entire walk back to the colony. The three friends left Raiden at the edge of the forest where it was the closest to the huge wall surrounding their settlement. He didn’t say a word as they sneaked back in the way they’d left. She didn’t know why, but a force beyond her control compelled her to look back where they’d left him. She wasn’t sure what she’d hoped to find, but a smile on the face of the boy who’d broken her heart wasn’t it. Scowling, she marched home trying to shove thoughts of the infuriating Raiden Vargas far from her mind.

  Chapter Two

  Old Grudges Die Hard

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” her mom called in a much too chipper sing-song voice as Gwelle scuttled into the kitchen area. Her bare feet slapped across the cool, wooden floor as she made her way to the stove. Her mom sat at the island sipping something steaming, probably a concoction of tea and herbs harvested from the forest. That was the one good thing about interning with the team of botanists. They were always uncovering new plants and herbs to use. Not that she ever got to do the exciting part, she grumbled to herself, sniffing the kettle on the still warm burner before pouring herself a mug of tea.

  “Morning,” she mumbled around blowing the steaming liquid.

  Thankfully her mom didn’t look up from her plex as she plopped on the stool beside her. She’d been interning in the science lab since day one of the settlement and had only been invited on two expeditions beyond the gates. She knew it had something to do with her age and possibly her mother, who always looked at her with eyes too full of worry. It’d been that way ever since… her throat closed up, almost choking on the sip of tea… since her dad.

  “You heading to the lab this morning?”

  “Yes, I’ve got some lovely new specimens of the fern family to classify and enter into the system.” If her mom noticed the sarcasm dripping from her tongue, she said nothing.

  “Would you do me a favor on your way in? I’ve got a surgery scheduled first thing and need to get this report to the commander. Would you drop it off for me?” Without waiting for a reply, her mom slid a data tag across the metal countertop towards Gwelle.

  Staring at it a moment, she almost refused. Gwelle hadn’t been to the command center since moving to the surface. She’d avoided it at all costs. Has mom realized it? Was this another of her coping mechanisms? Looking up, she wasn’t even aware of her daughter’s inner turmoil as she tucked her plex into the brown canvas satchel and threw it across her shoulder. The dark-haired girl wrapped her fingers around the cold tag, gripping it tight.

  “Sure, Mom. No problem.” Those were not the words she wanted to blurt out, but when had she ever really been able to deny her mom? Never. Not knowing how hard her mom worked to provide for them. “I’ll close up when I leave,” she added, so her mom wouldn’t worry.

  “Have fun today.”

  “You too.”

  It got easier over time to pretend nothing was wrong when all she wanted to do was crawl back in bed on days like today. Why hadn’t I just said I was running late? Mom could have gotten a messenger to drop the tag off. But despite the butterflies in her stomach, she found herself outside the command center twenty minutes later. The tall circular building set three stories off the ground across from the main gate. It was a mixture of old and new, as most of their colony was now. Smoothed, wooden columns made up the foundation and staircase while metal and wood panels blended to form walls and roof.

  She focused on putting one foot in front of the other despite feeling them grow heavier and heavier the closer to the wide porch running the entire circumference of the building. Glancing up as she reached the top, her heart stopped a moment. The view was spectacular. She could easily see several klicks across the valley and surrounding forests, not to mention the settlement which took up most of the valley floor. She understood now why they’d built the commander’s headquarters and council room this high, like a giant treehouse. This was where all the plans which affected Nova-Zera were decided. Why shouldn’t they see what they were protecting as they made them?

  “I never get used to the view from up here.”

  She hadn’t heard him walk up. Stiffening, she pulled away from the rail. She’d planned on walking past him, ignoring him. Anything but looking into those green eyes again. Green like the forest surrounding them, made even more so by his dark hair and swarthy good looks. She couldn’t think when she looked into those eyes. But she did. She looked right up at him as if the past two-and-a-half years hadn’t happened.

  “I’m here to see Commander Corsin,” she blurted, regaining a semblance of order in her mind as she walked around him. Raiden didn’t respond. She heard a huff of breath, maybe a sigh, her traitorous thoughts blabbed in her head as she tugged open the large doors. The round room held desks, chairs, holo-screens, but no commander. She turned, not wanting to leave while Raiden was still outside. Wiping her palms on her long tunic, she took a deep breath and walked over to the far side of the room, glancing out the window. Stomping boots echoed around her just as the doors swung open. The sound stopped just inside the doors. The commander paused, staring at her.

  “Commander Corsin, my mother asked me to drop this off to you.” Her usual calm demeanor disappearing at the dark scowl on the older man’s face.

  She held the data tag out, hoping he’d just take it without feeling the need to make conversation. His features softened, revealing fine lines around his eyes. He looked older than his years, taking in the greying around his temples. Commander of an entire colony… no, an entire race, or what was left of them, would cause that.

  “How is Nia?”

  “Working hard, as usual.”

  He nodded in thought, turning over the tag in his hand. “I almost didn’t recognize you, Gwelle. You’ve grown. What’s it been, six, seven years.…”

  His voice trailed off as they both realized the time frame and what significance it held. Once upon a time, Corsin had been like an uncle to her, but after her father’s death he distanced himself, grieving as they all had done.

  “Yeah, something like that,” she responded, plastering a smile over her face, hoping the jumble of emotions she held inside didn’t show through. “Well, I’ve got to get to the lab. Great seeing you again.” She moved toward the door but didn’t get completely through it as she heard him call out.

  “Take care of yourself, Gwelle.”

  His words were softer than she thought she’d ever hear from the gruff, militant man. He lived and breathed for this colony, and had always been a stern commander, even aboard Deliverance. Beneath it all, she supposed he was a man too. Maybe even a lonely one, considering he never married. She nodded over her
shoulder, glancing at the dark-haired man still standing where she’d left him in the middle of the room. She jogged down the wood steps almost at the end when Raiden fell into step behind her.

  After a few minutes of silence, she glanced his way. He stood tall and proud in his uniform, dark pants and shirt covered by an armored vest. A holster wrapped around his leg and another sat at his waist, one holding a knife, the other a pistol. Despite repeating she didn’t care how he looked, her stomach turned somersaults the longer he walked by her.

  “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why aren’t you going?” she bit back when he didn’t move to leave her side.

  “I am.”

  “You are what?”

  “I’m going.”

  His cryptic answers were getting to her. This was not how she envisioned beginning her day. She rolled her eyes, but bit her lip, not saying anything else as they wound their way around the perimeter of the large compound.

  She eyed the children entering the school, Lark standing happily greeting them as they ran up. They all looked happy and innocent. Carefree. Something she hadn’t been in so long. Not even yesterday’s adventure was truly carefree, especially the way they’d been found and by whom. These children would have what she hadn’t. Despite the difficulties which now accompanied their new life, they would have a childhood. Air to breathe, dirt to run in, games to play. They’d have a life not bound by filtered air, replicated water, imaginary scenery, and metal walls, she thought with a smile.

  “You didn’t have to follow me all the way here. I’m perfectly capable of making my own way across Nova-Zera.”

  Gwelle yanked the lab door open, weaving between science stations until she reached the back of the room. She’d left Raiden outside the rectangular building, which looked much like each of the other blue exterior professional buildings on the row, without a backward glance after her outburst. She hadn’t meant for the words to come out, but something about him brought out the worst in her. She didn’t want to reflect too much on why or she’d also have to face the pain she thought she’d pushed away.

  “There you are. Just the young lady I was waiting to see,” Chief Maxon said, walking up behind her as she stowed her bag in her workstation. It wasn’t every day the chief science officer sought her out. Sure, they worked together occasionally, but it wasn’t often. Though he was nice enough in his own quiet, funny way, he always seemed in his own little world with whichever project he was overseeing.

  “I’m sorry I was late. I had to drop off a report at the command center for mom.” She hated sounding like she was making excuses but didn’t want to start the day off on the wrong foot.

  “Oh, no problem. How is N…Nia?” The older man stumbled over the words, but his face brightened at the mention of her mom.

  “She’s good. I believe she had surgery to perform today.”

  “Tell her I said hi.”

  “I will.”

  Gwelle stood still a minute, waiting on the fair-haired middle-aged man to finish whatever conversation he’d come over to have. Watching as he looked lost in his own thoughts, she wanted to drum her fingers on her leg but refrained. He must have remembered about that time as he rambled on.

  “Oh, yes. I want you to go retrieve a specimen for me today.”

  “Retrieve?” She didn’t dare let hope fill her voice. “Me?”

  “Yes, it isn’t far, and Rix is out sick today or I’d send him.”

  “A specimen? As in outside the gate?” She wanted to dance where she stood, but hid the smile threatening to emerge. Wyn Maxon chuckled, clearly seeing through her well-placed façade despite her efforts.

  “Yes, outside the gate. I’ll place the coordinates on this plex, you grab the containers.”

  Gwelle nodded, not trusting herself to speak as she rushed to load a pack with the necessary items she’d need for the day. She couldn’t believe her luck. Finally. An expedition of her own. Well, not quite an expedition as this would only be a day trip for a specimen which had already been discovered but still… she was going out alone.

  She jogged to the front of the lab, pulling the pack on her back. Good thing she dressed comfortably today with a flowing sleeveless tunic and snug pants tucked into boots. Chief Maxon stood near the doors, punching something into the plex in his hand while speaking to someone on the other side of him. Hearing her footsteps, Maxon glanced up.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied, her words chipper and warm.

  “Good. You know Specialist Vargas, don’t you? He’ll be your escort and guard today.”

  The smile on her lips faded as the scientist stepped back, bringing her face to face with Raiden. A cold, numb pain filled her chest. She’d done so good avoiding him for the past two plus years, and in the matter of two days, everything turned upside down.

  “Oh, Gwelle and I go way back,” Raiden chirped with a smug smile.

  “That’s great. I’ll let you be on your way and see you back this evening. Stay safe out there and listen to Specialist Vargas.”

  Gwelle took the plex from the chief, briefly agreeing with his final instructions. As she walked out the door listening to the heavy boot steps following her, she grumbled under her breath. Listening to the guy following her was the last thing she planned on doing today, or any day in the future.

  Chapter Three

  Alone

  If she thought walking through Nova-Zera with Raiden shadowing her was uncomfortable, she was mistaken. Very mistaken. Riding inside the rover in such confined space with him made earlier look like a picnic. Like one of those fancy baskets filled with goodies, sitting on a blanket, in a field full of bright flowers like she and Lark always played on the holodeck when they were girls.

  This was misery. She was close enough to see the flecks of amber in his green eyes when he glanced her way like he did quite often. Why did he have to be so annoying? She watched his fingers twitch against the steering wheel in a nervous rhythm. His scent, a mix of spice, leather, and something else… something new… nature, filled the rover. He was the same, yet different in so many ways.

  How many times had she imagined what it would be like running into him, talking to him, forgiving him? Yet here she was, given that opportunity, and the hurt and rage she’d clung to for so long wouldn’t release their hold. And at the moment she didn’t mind, despite her mixed emotions for the young man at her side.

  She turned, looking out across the forest. One thing she had to be thankful for was the fact they weren’t in a fully enclosed rover. Those armored rovers made her feel like she was trapped in a metal crate. At least with the sides open, she could feel the breeze and let it wash away the enticing fragrance that threatened her resolve.

  “Hang right for about three klicks, then you’ll come to a fork. Take the left,” she relayed as she glanced back over the map currently pulled up on the plex.

  A small blinking light glared back at her from the screen, taunting her. Today was the day she’d waited for. So why wasn’t she happier? Glancing beneath her dark lashes, she watched the muscle in Raiden’s jaw tick as if he bit back words the same as she. Butterflies swarmed her stomach, crashing and bumping much like the rough terrain they drove over. The rover rolled to a stop, jerking as it did.

  “We’ll have to hump it the rest of the way.”

  “We’re going to what?” Gwelle called out, scrambling out after him only to be caught by the harness and snapped back against the hard seat. Her fingers fumbled with the clips a moment before it fell away and she jumped out the side of the Rover, watching as he checked his gear. “What did you say?”

  “We’re going to bushwhack our way to the crest where your flower thingy is.”

  “Tillandsia.”

  “Yeah, that.”

  Gwelle rolled her eyes as she fell into step behind him, setting off towards the latest species of flowering air plant one of the science teams found when scouting t
his region. Marching through underbrush and the heavily forested terrain, the couple quickly fell back into the silence which had shrouded them since leaving Nova-Zera. The shrill calls of birds rang overhead in the treetops while smaller animals scurried under the bushes and ferns dotting the forest. There was still so much of this pristine world they hadn’t seen, documented, or discovered despite expeditions leaving and returning daily with new information. A loud guttural growl caused Gwelle’s feet to slow, stumbling as she looked around.

  “A nicxus.” Her eyes darted to the treetops involuntarily at Raiden’s words. “It’s to the south. Sounds like it’s moving away too.”

  Gwelle nodded, falling back in step directly behind him as he continued leading the way the map pointed them. How he walked straight and tall, looking ahead, she had no idea. All she wanted to do was scan for signs of the large wild cat in the trees. She’d never seen one herself but heard the tales and even had seen the injuries to one of the scientists who returned after an expedition. She had no intentions of becoming prey for the giant spotted beast the size of one of Earth’s tigers.

  “How much farther?”

  “Why? Are you scared?”

  Gwelle’s spine stiffened at his teasing words. “No. I have a job to do, which I need to continue once we return to the settlement. I don’t have all day to waste running around the forest with you.”

  She expected a sharp, witty comeback. That’s what she would have done in Raiden’s place. The last thing she expected was the soft-spoken reply he gave a few moments later.

  “You never were frightened of anything, were you?”

  Her heart tripped in her chest. That’s what most thought when they saw her. A head-strong, fearless girl. Little did they know a great many things terrified her. The one at the top of her list today being forgetting the pain Raiden brought her. She didn’t respond, but let his whisper linger between them as they continued. Thankfully he didn’t seem ready to push the subject either and let it drop.