“There must be a thousand people out there. I’ve never sung in front of so many. I’ve got butterflies.”
“Me too.” Although I was more concerned about someone seeing my eyes than I was about my singing. I pulled a shank of hair over my forehead, almost to my nose. “Do you see anybody suspicious?”
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. There so many people it’s hard to distinguish one from another.”
Patched thumped the side of the trailer. “Come on you two. We’re on in a couple of minutes.”
Trill did a quick twirl. “How do I look?”
“Great. How about me?” I twirled as well and almost lost my dagger.
Trill laughed. “I guess we’re as good as it gets. Let’s go show them what we’ve got.”
My knees trembled as I climbed onto the stage, but once the music started all trepidation fled. I’d been worried that I'd never remember the words, but as I sang they flowed into my mind. I didn't miss one.
We had an appreciative and noisy crowd. At the end of two hours, we stopped. They yelled for more so Patch promised one last song. I knew we'd completed the whole playlist and I was nervous I might not know the song. When melody started, I relaxed. It was a familiar folk song and very different from what we'd played all night, but the crowd was just as ecstatic at the end.
The performance was finally over and the satisfied audience departed. As we headed back to the skimmer, I stopped Patch. “Why did you end with that particular song?”
His eyelids drooped as his mouth crooked into a smile. “My mother's favorite. It's become part of our ritual and our regular fans know it.” He tilted his head as he queried me. “Where did you learn it?”
“My mother loved it as well.”
Patch nodded. “The world is smaller than we think.”
But we still get lost and separated from one another. As we walked in silence, I thought of my loved ones and wondered where they were this night. I stopped opposite the sliding entry. As he walked on, I called out to him. “Do we have a performance tomorrow night?”
He shook his head. “We're quite a distance from our second gig so we'll travel overnight and all day tomorrow then make camp. You’ll have a free evening to enjoy yourselves.”
I nodded and headed inside where I was soon nestled into my Hugg.
We rose early the next morning. We had a whole day to kill while we sped across the desert to our next stop. Patch plucked away on one of his many instruments, testing out new melodies. Trill opened a screen on the wall and played a vid-game from her sling. I listened to some of the old songs in Patch’s collection, marveling at the variety. It was astonishing that there could be so many different types of music from the past—and now music was forbidden, except in Nuvega.
Under the influence of a soft, slow tune and the quiet hum of the skimmer, I drifted in and out of daydreams finally falling asleep. The Hugg shook and I felt a poke. I knew it was Trill.
“We’re here Brynna,” she mumbled as she yawned and stretched. “At least now we can get outside onto solid ground.”
I laughed. “I thought you loved skimming over the sand in air-conditioned luxury.”
“Yeah, I do. But after a while, it’s like being trapped inside a tunnel. I need some space.”
I climbed from my Hugg and followed her as she stepped through the open panel. We were still in the desert, but the air had cooled. The circle of vehicles cast long shadows in the waning sun. The compound was set out like the first night: a food tent, dining tables, chairs. Everyone was in a good mood, happy to be out in the fresher, if somewhat dusty, atmosphere.
After dinner, I caught up with Patch. “Would it be possible for me to sleep outside?”
He looked surprised at the request. “I guess so. No one’s ever asked before. We can rig up a bed. One for Trill as well?” He glanced over as she joined us.
“Only if we're off the ground away from anything crawly and creepy.” Trill tickled her fingers up my back giving me shivers.
“The tables will probably take your weight. They won't be as comfortable as the Huggs but I can probably find some old blankets for you to sleep on.” By the time we were ready for bed, he had prepared a cozy set up for us. Two table beds and a small solar light sat next to his skimmer. “If you need me for anything, just thump on the side. But only if it's a dire emergency.” He chuckled and left.
The three-quarter moon was bright so we didn't need the extra light. We climbed onto our beds and stared at the indigo sky. Suddenly fingers of light flared across the northern sky.
“What’s causing the green color to dance like that?” asked Trill.
“The solar flares. As they become stronger and more frequent, so will the aurora, along with intense storms.”
“Those are frightening. While you were out of it on the scavenger’s boat, we had a lightning storm. The waves were so high, the boat almost capsized. I thought for sure we would die.”
“That must have been terrifying. I’ve never liked water and boats. I much prefer mountains and forests.”
I can see why you like sleeping outside.” Trill gave a blissful sigh. “The stars are everwhere, and I love how they twinkle in the darkness.”
“The vastness always makes me feel insignificant, but I guess in the big scheme of things we really are.”
Trill’s hand slapped my bed. “Don't get all sloppy on me. This is supposed to be a fun experience. I don't want to end up feeling depressed.”
“Sorry, what would you rather talk about?”
I saw her lift one arm and point. “You can explain what that thing is moving across the sky.”
“It's probably a satellite. I remember my father telling me that many years ago, before the expedition left for Mars, several satellites were launched so we could communicate with the off-world colony.”
“I heard the stories, but I thought we’d lost contact with Mars.”
“Yes, that's true, but the satellites are still orbiting our planet. You can see them cruising across the night sky. They’re slow and steady, unlike meteors.” The warm air made me sleepy. I shut my eyes and let my body relax.
“They must be pretty large,” said Trill. “The one over there is positively enormous.”
“You must be seeing things,” I mumbled. “They're only specs in the sky.” I rolled over, away from her. “I’m too tired. Can we talk tomorrow?”
Trill's hand pounded my bed several times. “You’d better wake up! That's no satellite. It’s a drone.”
I sat up too fast and almost fell off the table. I looked to where Trill was pointing. An ominous outline darted from side to side. “Get under the tables.” We were exposed. There was no cover. I thumped the side of the skimmer.
Moments later a sleepy Patch joined us. “What’s the emergency?”
“Drones.” Trill and I spoke together.
Patch scanned the sky. “Get inside now.”
We scrambled into the vehicle and watched from inside.
Patch ran to an outside compartment and opened it. The next moment a siren screamed through the silence. The compound flooded with light. Drowsy occupants poured from the vehicles into the central area.
Patch yelled. “Attack positions! Drones!”
The men disappeared into their transporters. When they returned, they were armed. Weapons ready, they scattered and crouched into positions around the compound, searching the sky for intruders.
“I don’t see it. Do you?” Trill asked as we stood side-by-side peering out the front window.
“No, but in my experience, the appearance of drones isn't a good sign.”
We turned as Patch entered. He opened a hatch and removed a weapon. His mouth was a tight line and his demeanor was grim.
“Are we really being attacked?” Trill asked before he could exit.
“I'm not sure what's going on. It could be a Vader attack. They're a local band of desert scavengers, but they don't have drones. Their weapons are usually primitive, u
nless they’ve upgraded their arsenal. Patch shook his head. “Someone could be spying on us. But I have no idea why.”
My stomach was a hollow pit. “It might be me they’re after. Remember what I told you about the Genetrix? I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me.”
Patch stared hard at me for several seconds. “You're one of us and we look after our own. Stay inside.”
When the panel slid closed behind him, I fell to my knees. I couldn't hold back tears.
Trill put her arms around me. “Don't cry,” she said. “We'll be safe here.”
“That's not why am crying.” I sniffed loudly. “I'm crying because it's been a while since I've had people care about me enough to want to protect me. It's like having a family again.”
She squeezed me tighter, but we sprang apart and raced to the window when we heard weapons fire.
A barrage of explosions followed flashes of laser weapons. Several small drones crashed into the central area, then burst into flames. We crouched low by the window. Every explosion rattled me to the core. I knew intuitively that I was the reason for the attack. Because of me my friends were in danger.
The engagement lasted only a few minutes then all was silent again. People cautiously abandoned their hiding places, still looking skyward. Most returned to their beds. Several men remained on watch.
Eventually, Patch appeared in the doorway, a fierce smile on his face. “I think that's done it, but you’d best sleep inside tonight. No way of knowing where they’re from. We showed them we aren’t defenceless. Let’s hope they’ve gone for good.”
I shared that hope but feared this might only be the beginning. The attackers had advanced weapons. The only drones I’d seen were the ones made by Prince Delio in Hypor City. Could he be tracking me as well, or had he formed an alliance with the Vaders, or worse, the Genetrix?
As I pulled my sling open, something occurred to me. “Do you think Mistress Zora might be using drones to follow us?” I asked Trill.
“I think it’s unlikely she’d follow us all the way out here.” She climbed into her sling. “If she left Nuvega, someone might try to take over her business. She’d never risk losing her livelihood.”
I snuggled into my Hugg, but my sleep was restless.
The following night I was sluggish as I dressed for our performance.
“Your aura isn’t as sparkling as usual,” said Trill. “You’d better perk up, and hurry.”
Our new outfits were leathery tunics, slit up the sides. I still wore my belt and knife, but the dressers had added reflective breastplates that jingled when we moved. Our arms were bare, but ringed with braided iridescent threads. Our metallic boots were calf high with three-inch soles.
“I love these boots,” said Trill. “They’re like stilts. I can almost see over your head.”
I laughed. “Only until I put mine on.” Which I proceeded to do, once I’d shifted my knife so I could sit. When I stood again, she stared up at me.
She sighed and shrugged. “Back to being the short one.
“Don’t worry, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Your big personality makes you special.”
“As well as my ability to read auras.” Trill grinned. “Speaking of which, yours is almost back to normal. You must be feeling better now.”
She was right. My weariness was gone.
We stepped onto the stage and the crowd went wild. Their enthusiasm and energy were infectious. Even after our two-hour show, I wasn’t ready to return to the skimmer.
“I won’t be able to sleep for a while yet.”
“I’m not tired either,” said Trill. “Let’s check out the carnival.”
Our troupe had joined up with a touring road show. Trill and I set out to explore the weird sideshows and concession stands. The noise and the crowds reminded me of the central market in Nuvega. There were performers and artists plying their wares everywhere we walked.
“Look there.” I pulled on Trill’s arm. “I want to see the bearded woman and the man with two heads.”
Trill laughed. “She doesn't really have a beard, you know. And no one has two heads. It's all trickery.”
“I don’t care. I want to see what they look like.” I stamped my foot like a petulant child.
“That won’t get you anything,” said Trill, but she agreed to indulge my whims.
For an hour, we mingled with the crowd, enjoying the music and bright lights. Occasionally, Trill would roll her eyes when I dragged her toward a tent that peaked my curiosity. We were ready to leave when Patch forced his way between us and hooked his arms in ours.
“Come with me. Now.” His tone was firm, his face tense.
Trill looked amused, but I sensed that whatever was happening was no joke. We stayed with Patch as he ducked under a canopy and into the tent of Karine the Mystic.
“She's a fake too you know,” said Trill in disgust. Fortunately, Karine wasn’t there.
“Quiet,” whispered Patch. He opened the tent flap a crack. “Take a look.”
We huddled beside him, my head above Trill’s, and surveyed the passing crowd.
I recoiled in shock when I spotted several purple jubas.
“Your aura’s gone gray.” Trill turned from me and peered through the opening. “What did you see?”
“One of my men warned me they've been following you.” Patch nodded. “Assassins.”
Trill's eyes became saucers. “The Genetrix's assassins? The ones in the purple jubas?” She scanned the crowd again. “I can’t see them. Maybe they’ve gone.”
I reeled at the truth. “Despite my disguise, they’ve found me. What I don't understand is how.”
Patch scowled. “If someone in my band has leaked information, I'll find out. In the meantime, we have to get you out of here and back to the skimmer. We'll decide what to do later.”
I appreciated the support of my new friends, but I had to make the decision alone. As long as I remained on the tour, Trill, Patch and all the others were in danger. I had a gift, but I couldn't defeat machines and weapons. My only choice was to disappear.
11
Best Laid Plans
Thankfully, there were no more attacks. We spent the next two days traveling. I pondered the best time to leave the group. The sandy desert made survival on my own impossible. By the second night, the scrubby wasteland had given way to green meadows and stunted trees. It was time to go.
“We should be safe from attacks now,” said Patch when we stopped for the night. “We're out of Vader territory and approaching the Windlands.”
Even with Patch's assurance, I decided it was necessary to leave the tour. My enemies wouldn’t give up. The challenge was to get away without anyone realizing I was gone. I needed to leave tonight. Trill solved the problem for me.
“If you think it's safe, I'd like to try sleeping outside again tonight,” said Trill, looking from me to Patch for approval. “I love watching the stars.”
He hesitated before answering.
I was certain he was going to object, but I was wrong.
“As long as you keep some weapons handy, just in case. I’m not anticipating a further attack, but I'd rather you had some protection.”
“Are you game, Brynna?” Trill clapped her hands when I nodded. “It'll be much nicer camping here than in the desert.”
“Yes.” I smiled, but knowing it would be our last night together left a hollow feeling in my chest.
Dinner was difficult. I felt sad whenever I interacted with the tour people. Although I'd only known them a short time, they'd become like a second family. I’d miss them. An impromptu evening sing-along made me weepy.
Trill's brow wrinkled in concern. “What's wrong?”
“I'm okay. The song reminded me of my family.” I couldn't tell her the truth. If I told her, I knew she'd want to come with me. I couldn't put her life in danger again.
She patted my shoulder and then joined in the singing with her sweet voice. While others headed back to their v
ehicles, we set up our beds using tables and blankets as we'd done previously.
Trill disappeared into the skimmer “Patch found some warmer clothes for us to sleep in. He says it gets colder here.” She handed me a heavy, ankle-length tunic.
I pulled the extra clothing over my thin nightwear. Earlier, I’d prepared a small pack of food and water, and a flashlight, and hidden them in my boots. I moved them close to my bed.
“You won’t need your boots,” said Trill.
“I might need them if I have to get up in the night. I don’t want to step on any bugs.” I knew that she would be cringing at the thought.
“Good idea. I’ll get mine too.” She left and returned carrying her boots and two jackets. “To keep off any spiders, if we have to get up in the night.”
I laughed, but gratefully took a jacket and laid it over the end of my bed. I could have taken a blanket to keep warm, but a jacket would make moving through the forest much easier.
Patch arrived carrying two weapons. “These are laser weapons. Light and easy to fire. They'll take out any drones that come near, not to mention any ground attackers.” He showed us how to use them, and then laid them alongside our beds. “Sleep well. Don't forget to bang on the wall if you need anything.”
As he walked away, I heard him humming his mother's favorite song.
I would miss his beautiful voice.
Trill and I conversed softly until the camp grew silent. Her voice slowed. Eventually, there was no response to my queries.
I decided to wait for half an hour before making a move to leave. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, enjoying the gentle breeze and the fresh smell of the meadow. A rustling caught my attention. Probably a small animal scuttling through the grasses, I thought as I fought the desire to sleep.
My eyes flew wide when a hand clamped over my mouth. Instinctively, I clawed at the restraint and twisted my head from side to side. Suddenly my mouth was free. I took a frantic breath, before a sticky material encased the lower part of my face. My heart pounded when I remembered the laser.
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