by Brandon Barr
Winter looked at Aven. A deep crease ran the length of his brow and his eyes were distant. She wondered what he was feeling.
_____
AVEN
A knot sat in his gut as Karience’s words sunk in. The VOKK in his head expanded on the Empyrean’s words. The brain wipe. They were capable of changing a person’s memories. Changing who a person was and remaking them. Aven questioned the discomfort he felt. The Guardians had power so far greater than the Baron, it was frightening.
What they were doing to Pike felt both wrong and right. He was relieved that he and Winter were being protected, but then…Pike was being freed from the guilt and shame of his past. Was it fair for his mind to be relieved of the weight of what he had done—that he could walk around with a clear conscience, as if he’d lived a different life? The scars and the ugliness of his deeds would be gone, while the scars he’d left on others remained unhealed.
Pike had been absolved of his crimes without paying the price of shame…without going to those he’d hurt and begging for their forgiveness.
It was unjust, and yet, he and Winter were now safe.
“Can he be changed back?” Aven asked.
“Yes, if he ever returns to his old life, he’ll be changed back, and the new memories he formed will be replaced with fake ones that better reflect his true identity. Although I’m told we can soften him, so that if he returns, he’ll be slightly less the monster he was before.”
A sudden shudder ran through the ship. Aven turned toward the pilot’s window. Outside was a huge round building. The pinpoint lights he’d seen from far away glowed brightly through large windows.
“We’ve docked,” said Rueik.
Karience ran her hands down her white cloak and straightened herself. “You’ll soon be meeting the other Guardians. They’re anxious to greet you. Come.” She waved for them to follow.
Winter’s fingers tapped on his as they left the bridge, “You don’t feel bad for him… do you?”
“I don’t know how to feel.”
“I’m happy,” she tapped. “The past is erased.”
Erased. The back of Aven’s neck tingled at the thought. Winter squeezed his hand. He put his arm around her as they followed Karience. Where was he going? Where was Winter taking him?
CHAPTER 8
WINTER
Light poured from the hallway inside the large bubble structure. It was as if pieces of the sun had been captured and placed in strips that ran along the walls.
Winter soaked it in. The lights. The strange edgeless architecture of circles and soft corners and rounded seams. Beautiful. Simple. For a girl who had lived in a hovel underground, it was exotic, and, as with the architecture, she found herself wondering what the forests and wildlands of these master builders looked like. She’d seen the ocean for the first time from the window on the bridge of The Relic. The breathtaking color of the vast water, the shore lined with cliffs. She experienced a yearning to put her feet down upon that shore and see it as humans were created to, eyes not so far from the ground. The view from the starship was grand, but it robbed one from hearing the sounds and smelling the aromas that were woven into the beauty of that space.
She sighed at the recollection of the many places she’d spotted from up high that she would have loved to explore! Even here, underwater, there was so much to take in.
As Karience led them, Winter noticed just how exquisite her shining grey hair was, twisted around almost as if it were a queen’s crown. She looked about fifty years, but her graceful movements were that of a younger woman, so full of life and purpose.
“This is our undersea home, if we should ever need to live here again. It was built when we first arrived, before we moved into Anantium, your Royal City.
A series of large portholes came into view as they continued down the hallway. Illumined outside, in the bluish green of the murky water, were long silver fish hovering above a rock outcropping. The rocks were covered by orange and red reedy plants. Kelp. A few smaller fish darted in and out of the underwater plants, which swayed slightly, as if there could be such a thing as wind under the water. But something moved the patch of kelp. It swayed in unison, touched by a…current beneath the water. And this overwhelming beauty was just outside the hall, surrounding them.
Winter wanted to stop and stay here all day, and just look outside at the mysterious sights of the sea.
“We keep the starship down here,” continued Karience. “That’s a standard on the primworlds. Can’t have the scientifically inclined getting a good long look at the mechanics.”
Scientifically. Mechanics.
The words became clear to her. Scientifically was a word describing how one studied the behavior of nature to find patterns and predictability, and use what was found to explain consistently why and how things work as they do. Mechanics was simply a word for how things worked. The knowledge thrilled her. How it seeped into her thoughts so effortlessly. Karience had described the care the Guardians took not to advance the primitive worlds, and Winter sensed the VOKK aiding her in understanding why that should be. It could kill their dignity, make them feel as if they were inferior, make them resentful. It would steal the joy of discovery and leave them with a sense that they would always be standing on the shoulders of another, and never on their own two feet.
Winter understood this caution, but tasted none of the resentment. The VOKK was exhilarating!
Karience ushered them in to a small room with a low metal bar running the length.
“Hold tight,” said Rueik.
“And prepare for some of your internal organs to shift about,” said Arentiss. “Some people are not agitated by the sensation, but if your biological make-up is similar to mine, you may experience the acute need to vomit.”
Biological. Acute. Winter soaked the words in.
Rueik snorted and looked at Winter, then her brother. “You’ll be fine. Arentiss feels like puking when she runs too fast.”
“That’s not true,” said Arentiss. “He is contriving a joke without basis in reality. A habit of the intellectually lazy. I have never vomited while running. And having observed your lack of an exercise routine, I’d hypothesize that I could utterly defeat you in a foot race.”
Rueik reached up and grabbed the metal bar with an air of exasperation. “Utterly? Truly?”
Winter grabbed the bar with both hands.
“If this makes you uncomfortable,” said Karience, “count to thirty as fast as you can and it will be over. Ready? Transport.”
A hum blared in Winter’s ears and it immediately felt as if she were starting to fall. She gripped the bar like it was the edge of a cliff, her feet feeling as if they might lift off the floor. Arentiss was right, her insides were shifting about. It was a discomforting sensation, and with it came another noise. The housing that enclosed them began to shudder until the sound intensified into a raucous hammering matched only by the pounding of her heart pulsing in her throat.
She looked up and saw Arentiss staring at the floor, face as white as cow’s milk. Behind her Rueik was watching, relaxed, a glint of humor again in his eyes.
And then, abruptly, the noise and shaking stopped.
Still gripping the bar, Winter felt her innards settle back into place.
Aven took her hand and they followed Karience out of the moving room.
“You alright?” tapped Aven.
“My eyes touched the back of my head,” tapped Winter.
Aven smiled, then tapped, “If I had left my mouth open, my heart would have shot out.”
“Me too. Yuck.”
Winter smiled, relieved to see Aven in such good humor. “How are you feeling about…today? Everything?”
Aven tapped, “I don’t like this.”
Winter hesitated. “I’m not forcing you to follow me.”
She waited a moment, but felt the tension in his fingers and added, “I want you to be happy, but I can’t be the sister you want me to be. I’m on a differen
t road than you would choose.”
“I know that,” tapped Aven. “I’m not talking about that.”
“What then?”
“The Guardians. We need to be cautious.”
“Why?”
“They have so much power. What they did to Pike. What they know about us. The thing they put in our brains—the VOKK. It’s too much control. It reminds me of the Baron and the Watch.”
Winter winced. Her brother’s concerns were real, but she didn’t like the conclusion. Power was dangerous, but if in the right hands, it didn’t have to be. Wasn’t that what the Guardians were—a display of…power used for good? To bring peace to chaotic worlds?
“This power feels different,” she tapped.
“Maybe that’s because it’s craftier? Smarter? Hidden behind a mask.”
She knew she shouldn’t be annoyed by her brother’s persistence, but she was. He didn’t trust the Makers, and she couldn’t expect him to. He didn’t have the peace she had. She was chosen, she was in the middle of the Makers’ plan, so she was free to follow without fear.
“I’m willing to withhold judgment,” tapped Winter, “and I promise to be cautious.”
Aven seemed like he wouldn’t respond, his fingers stiff in hers. Finally he tapped, “Alright.”
It was good enough for Winter. She knew he wasn’t alright, but maybe time would change that.
Karience stopped at an enormous metal door and voiced a command. The door opened in four pieces that slid back, like teeth disappearing into the gums of the wall.
“The transporter has taken us from the sea port up to the top of the Guardian Tower,” said Karience. “It’s time for you to meet our Guardian Missionaries here on Loam.”
As Winter crossed the threshold, she noticed more Guardians standing, waiting for them on the other side. At the center of a large, undecorated room stood four new faces. Each was clothed in the same white, fitted shirt wearing loose white pants, and on their right breast was the sigil of a starship bursting through a shattered sword. Three of the Guardians had the same white-red-black sigil beside the starship, just as Arentiss and Rueik had. The sigil of a Missionary. Winter was attracted to the title and wondered what kind of missions they were on.
The fourth man wore a different sigil. Green-red-green. He looked older than Karience, more creases around his mouth, and deeper lines beneath his eyes. His skin was almost as dark as Karience’s, but there was a reddish quality about it, as if a shading of crimson was stirred into the dark paint that made up his skin. He was not as handsome as Karience was beautiful, but the disposition of his face was that of an old warrior, full of stories and wisdom.
It was on this man’s shoulder that Karience rested her hand. “Welcome to your new home,” said Karience. “With the exception of Nephitus, my warden, these three men and women, along with Rueik and Arentiss, make up the total number of Guardian Missionaries here on Loam. I’ll let them introduce themselves, starting with my warden.”
The man stepped forward. “My name is Nephitus. I oversee the men and women of the Shield Force and, with them, monitor all travel coming and going through the portal. This tower is twelve levels. Below you are nine levels belonging to the Shield Force and to Loam’s security personnel. There are Emissary quarters amongst the Shield Force members, but Karience tells me you’ll be staying here, on these upper three levels with the Missionaries. Far too much energy and youth for my tastes,” he said with a slight grin.
“I have had the privilege of serving as warden on another world that achieved full chartered protection under our order, and I hope to live to see the day your world achieves this end.” Nephitus bowed and stepped back into place beside Karience.
The next person in line stepped forward. She was a short, round faced girl, her dark hair falling down her head in short curved strands, curling just under her jaw line where it was cut in a straight line. Winter thought she looked only a little older than herself, and she noticed that her skin was almost the same leafy brown as her and Aven’s, but it was distinctly lighter.
“Welcome,” said the girl, but stopped, a questioning look in her eyes. “Pardon me, Karience, but I thought there were three Emissaries coming?”
“Pike is with the Physician on the ship. His memory had to be wiped, as you all know. After he recovers, I’ll bring him to meet each of you.” She nodded for the round-faced girl to continue.
“I want to welcome you both to our order. Aven. Winter. My name is Daeymara, I’m a Missionary in C-group with these two on my left. I come from an upworld world very different from yours, so if you ever feel out of place, it’s alright. Come and ask me any questions you want. I won’t bite.”
She stepped back and a sturdy man on her left stepped forward. He was a mix of youth with a mature face, probably close in age to Arentiss. Muscled arms protruded from his white shirt, and his head and neck were strong, reminiscent of Grey Bear, only this man’s head was hairless to the scalp. She’d never seen anyone so young with a bare head. Had he some disease? Or was this normal from where he came? Perhaps he had cut it off? She couldn’t help thinking of a giant potato when she looked at his head. His complexion was potato-like, a blotch of dark brown freckles dotted his skin, competing for dominance against what appeared a very fair complexion. If not for the strangeness of his naked head, he would have been uniquely handsome, like Rueik. Rueik’s light skin was so fair, so exotic.
“My name is Hark. I’m a Missionary in C-Group.” He folded his arms across his chest, the fitted white shirt strained to accommodate the man’s muscles. “Like Daeymara said, welcome. I hear you come from a sape farm. Your berries work wonders on my intestines. I’ve never had such good shits in my life.”
Most of the Guardians laughed. Even Karience held a smirk on her lips.
“I come from a mining colony called Beryllium Hole. Lived on the same floating space rocks all my life. Then two years ago I joined Karience and her team here, and if she’ll pardon my bragging about her, she’s a damn smart leader. Surpasses all the crew captains I worked for in the mine pits.”
Hark stepped back in line.
“You’re in good company,” said the girl beside Hark. She was the last in line to introduce herself. “I am Zoecara. On my homeworld, my name means ‘pretty weed.’ As I see it, weeds can fit in almost anywhere, and so can I. There are many cultures amongst us, but don’t let that be a wall. You can be open here. The enclave is like family, but better. I know that sounds strange but it’s true for me. Everyone here has passed the rigorous psych tests. Everyone here is stable, competent, thoughtful, and intelligent. And as an enclave of Missionaries, we have a common purpose.”
Winter observed Zoecara’s hands; they moved gracefully as she talked, drawing her in, speaking to her in harmony with her words. Even the movement of her head and her shoulders had a soft, slow rhythm to it.
The girl’s parents were right, she was very pretty. Her skin was a mix of gold and bronze, and her dark lashes made her grayish violet eyes even the more captivating. Everything about her face and body had balance, smoothness.
“I want to assure you that, though we will befriend Pike when he recovers, we won’t forget who he used to be. We saw the report. Why he needed a brain wipe. Your Baron probably thought he’d have a little spy in our ranks, the bastard. I don’t know if that makes you feel better, but if I were in your place, I’d want to know others would never forget the true history.”
Zoecara’s lips pinched into a small, reassuring smile, then she stepped back into line with the others.
“Thank you,” said Karience. “I think Winter and Aven have had just about the fullest day one could possibly endure. Their land baron, Rhaudius, as Zoecara eluded to, was the worst kind of Royal oink you could imagine. I had to use the good night device aboard the ship and then, afterwards, negotiate with the Royal ass for Winter and Aven’s lives.”
“Do you expect him to cause trouble in the quorums?” Nephitus asked.
; “I’d be surprised if he could. I talked to some of the Royals prior to the mission. King Darmelion made it seem that his reputation preceded him in most circles. Princess Liyza wrinkled her nose the moment I mentioned his name. I think the majority of Royals have enough good sense to humor his complaints but ultimately do nothing. I already sent a report to the Magnus Empyrean, just in case there is trouble.”
Karience raised an eyebrow. “I have to catch up with Alael about Pike. Nephitus, I’m sure you’re needed back at the God’s Eye.” She glanced at Winter and Aven. “I’ll leave you in the hands of our Missionary enclave. They can show you to your quarters. I’m certain you are near exhaustion.”
The moment Karience turned to leave, Winter felt Arentiss’s hand on her arm. “If I can separate you from your brother, I’d be glad to show you your room.”
Winter hadn’t realized how tired she was until Karience mentioned it. She was full of questions and anticipation of what was to come, but her eyes ached for rest. She lamented the loss of the cozy tree nooks and grassy knolls that dotted the woods around her farm. A bed would do, though.
“Thank you, Arentiss. I am tired.”
Aven was already in conversation with Hark, so Winter tapped him goodbye.
“See you when I wake?”
“What?” tapped Aven. “We’re not asleep? I thought this was a dream.”
CHAPTER 9
ZOECARA
“Kiss me. Again,” said Zoecara. “Harder.”
Rueik’s eyes were soft. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“That’s impossible. You’re too sweet to hurt anyone. Now kiss me like I want!”
He dug his lips into hers, pressing her hard against the wall. Zoecara drank it in. It was good. Good enough. She wished he would scratch all her itches.
After a long while, he finally pulled away for breath. She pressed her forehead on his shoulder.
“That was good,” she said in a long breath. “I wish you would…you know. Finish me.” She sighed. “I want it. I want you.”