by Astrid Cielo
“Serenity, I really don’t understand this! How am I supposed to pass this test if I don’t understand this stupid chapter?” Anna whined. Serenity giggled, and then grabbed the book from Anna.
“Anna Banana, what part don’t you understand?”
“How about I understand the word ‘the’ and then the very last word there, but every word in between isn’t making that much sense.” She replied.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get this. You’re one of the smartest people I know. So let’s start from the beginning. According to this text, it says that some of the reasons we reproduce the way we do is to cause genetic diversity, so by taking half from mom and half from dad you become a unique individual. This is hypothesized to be how we can adapt as a people to our environment. I think they are trying to say that we get all these genetically different people so that no matter the environmental challenge there is a chance for survival, and those genes get passed on.” Serenity told Anna.
Anna nodded, “That sounds a lot better than the fifteen pages of information I just read and didn’t understand.”
Serenity nodded, and then brightened up, “Hey, listen to this, apparently this also comes into play with pathogens, that some people have genetics that allow them to overcome the illness easier or maybe it gives them immunity!”
Anna looked at her confused and said, “Alright, say that again in little words, please.”
Serenity grimaced, “Sorry. What I meant was that hypothetically certain people are able to fight off certain illnesses better because of genetics or they hold some kind of immunity to it. Isn’t that cool?”
Anna laughed, “Sure, if it helps me pass the test.”
Serenity just shook her head and continued reading.
Kylan almost jumped out of his skin when Anna suddenly sat up, nearly clocking him with her head. She looked at him, her eyes wide and began speaking, “Serenity told me one time that we are all genetically different to help ensure our survival. She told me that there is this hypothesis that states we each have differences that allow us to fight infection or what not. Well, maybe not that. Oh, heck. Kylan, I might be immune from this virus. I could be the answer. I didn’t get sick. I’m that genetic diversity!” she stated getting up from the couch they were laying.
“Sweetheart, what are you saying?” Kylan asked her, worry evident in his eyes.
Anna took a deep breath, calming herself. She had to get her point across. Serenity’s life depended on it. “Okay, when Serenity and I were taking classes together before we became nurses, we had this one class where we had to understand a little about genetics for the next test. Serenity took the chapter and helped me to understand the content. Anyways, part of it was about genetic diversity and one of the hypothesis stated that some of the reasons genetic diversity was so important was so that we would survive any environmental challenge. Well, Serenity thought it was cool that somehow that also transcended to illness, out there, someone is genetically better at fighting off certain diseases or they have immunity altogether. Kylan, we have to check my blood, you have to see if I am that genetic oddity. I may be the answer to the Blue Death!”
Kylan sat there for a few minutes, digesting the information Anna had told him, while he thought it probably wasn’t the answer, he nodded at her and took her to his lab. Taking samples of her blood he mixed it with some of Serenity’s. He blew up the virus on a screen, showing it to Anna, and was taken aback when something new came into his view. It attached to the virus and caused an immediate immune response. He looked up into Anna’s eyes and smiled, “Anna, I think you’ve got something.”
Chapter 13
Serenity didn’t know where she was. She walked the barren white hallways, looking for a sign of life. She became panicked when she couldn’t find anyone or anyway out. She dropped to her knees. She started at the feel of a hand on her shoulder. Looking up into the blue eyes of an older female, obviously from Salin she asked, “Where am I?” The lady looked at her as if she couldn’t understand her, and it dawned on her that maybe she couldn’t. The woman took her hand and led her toward the end of the hall and into the door she seen there.
Serenity stepped out into a place she had never seen before and her nose rebelled at the awful smell that enveloped the area around her. The landscape was horrible, with leveled fields where she was sure there was once rolling hills and forests. The surrounding water looked foul and full of trash and generally unclean. The woman pointed to the side, where she noted an odd looking person walking around. He had puke green skin, but looked just like a human. Serenity stared in awe at the beings that walked around this planet. The woman tapped her on the shoulder and then pulled her back into the door. She was in the middle of a room surrounded by these green beings, they were in a heated argument, but she couldn’t understand. She gasped at the picture of Salin that was displayed in the middle of the room and then a picture of a blobby looking thing. She wasn’t really sure what it was, but she didn’t get the feeling it was good.
She turned back to the woman and she beckoned her back toward the door. She was once again in the barren hallway. She dropped to her knees as scenes of destruction filled her mind. She could feel planets crying in pain as the green beings raped them of resources. Feel the civilizations that had been destroyed by these people, from planet to planet, destroying what they stole from others. When the images and feeling stopped rolling through her mind she looked up at the lady who merely motioned for her to follow. She followed the lady to the other end of the hallway and entered the door she indicated.
* * * * * * * * *
Eon hadn’t moved from her side, the past couple of day’s torture, to see her get worse. Her breathing became more labored today, the healers placing on a breathing mask. Her skin was now a pallid, ashen color and the telltale, blue coloring of her lips that signaled the end. Eon crawled beside her, hoping that maybe he would be able to see her in the field at least one more time.
He saw Kylan enter quietly, Anna trailing behind him. Anna came to Serenity and kissed her on the forehead, as she watched Kylan add something to the fluids she was getting through her IV. Kylan nodded at Eon, and patted him on the back before taking Anna’s hand and exiting. Eon clasped her hand to his chest and willed himself to sleep, back to the field so he could hold her.
* * * * * * * * *
Anna looked up at Kylan and whispered, “Thank you. I’m not sure I could lose a friend like Serenity. We were supposed to have our babies together.”
“Anna, even if this works, you know she may still lose the baby, right?” Kylan reminded her gently.
Anna nodded, “Yeah, I know, but I have faith. Can’t you have a little faith, too?”
Kylan kissed her on the forehead and drew her into his arms, “Of course, sweetheart. For you, I’d do anything.”
* * * * * * * * *
Serenity stepped into the field, her gaze taking in the man standing in the middle, his head and shoulders hung in defeat. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist laying her head on his back. He clasped her hands in his and just stood there for a few seconds, before turning and taking her into his arms. He looked down at her, his once happy face so full of sadness and pain, it made her heart break.
“I’m sorry, little one.” He whispered.
“Sorry for what?” she asked snuggling deeper into his embrace.
“I took you away only to die. I should have never taken you away. I am the reason you are dying.” He said as his voice broke, tears rolling down his cheeks.
She stood on her tiptoes and placed her lips gently to his. She pulled back and placed her hands on his cheeks, making him look at her, “There isn’t a thing I would change. I could have lived forever and if I hadn’t found you, I wouldn’t have lived at all. I love you. I’m sorry that I’m leaving you, but you aren’t to blame. You didn’t kill me, love. You loved me.”
She held him as he cried his grief a palpable thing. They sat with him holding her looking ov
er at the beautiful sky over their field. They didn’t speak, because it wasn’t necessary. They both refused to say goodbye and ruin the perfection of the moment. Serenity felt the pull as the sun set on their field, and she looked back at him, with tears in her eyes, “I’ve got to go. Never forget that I love you.” He released her, his eyes filling with tears as she walked into the woods, something pulling at her to come. A feeling she couldn’t ignore pulling her forward. Eon sat there in the darkness and watched Serenity disappear. His body went numb, the pain too much to handle. He just sat there.
Chapter 14
Kylan removed her mask, his movements slow in an attempt to keep from waking Eon. Anna stood beside him, her eyes filled with tears at the removal of the mask. She kissed her friend’s forehead and was thankful for the beautiful pink color that her skin now boasted. Serenity let out a moan as her eyes blinked against the bright light. Anna smiled down at her and let out a sob of relief as her knees gave out, Kylan catching her before she hit the floor and holding her in his embrace as she cried from her exhaustion of not knowing if she would have to bury her friend.
Serenity looked over at Eon who lay sleeping, clutching her hand for dear life. She tried to sit up, her mouth was dry and she needed something to drink. Kylan called quietly for someone to bring something to drink. He sat Anna on a chair and came back to talk to her. “We are trying to be quiet because Eon has been at your bedside for the past week. We weren’t sure if this was going to work so, we didn’t tell him. I think we’ll get you oriented and allow you to wake him up.”
She smiled up at Kylan and nodded. A portable medical scanner gave her the news that she was almost free of the Blue Death, and that her baby seemed healthy. She silently cried in happiness that she would keep her baby. Kylan and Anna left soon after and Serenity turned to her side to look down at Eon. She brushed his hair from his eyes and softly kissed the corner of his mouth. She moved to his ear and nibbled at his earlobe, before nuzzling his neck. She lifted her gaze to meet his shocked gaze. She smiled at him and leaned down to kiss his lips. He held back, just accepting her lips on his as if he couldn’t believe she was real, and then it seemed as if his mind caught up with reality and he pulled her to him and kissed her for all he was worth, the bold forays of his tongue taking her breath away. He pressed her into the mattress and looked down at her, “Are you real?” he whispered as if he were scared she would disappear.
She traced his lips with her fingers and nodded. “Anna and Kylan saved me.”
He held her to him, crushing her to his chest. He touched her everywhere, as if he needed physical proof that she existed, that she was still alive. He ran his hand over her slightly distended abdomen and looked up into her eyes. She smiled at the pain she saw there, and told him the best news of all, “Our baby is still there and Kylan says that she is doing fine.”
He kissed her tummy, before coming back to her mouth to reacquaint himself with her lips. He looked into her eyes after pulling back, “I thought I had lost you, little one. You told me goodbye.” he said to her.
“I thought I was dying. I’m sorry, I’ll never say goodbye to you again.” She said as she brought his lips down to hers.
They looked up at Anna when she cleared her throat, “Although I know you are desperate to become reacquainted, let me remind you that Serenity is still sick. Kylan hasn’t given her a clean bill of health, yet. She needs her rest.”
Eon nodded as he settled beside her and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her on the forehead, before saying, “Rest, little one. I’ll make love to you when you are better.” Anna and Serenity laughed. Serenity snuggled closer to her mate and fell into sleep with a smile.
Chapter 15
Serenity was so happy about being released from the healing center and she could barely contain her giddiness. She was only mildly upset that she had to go before the Council before going home. Eon was not happy with this request, but at Kylan’s reassurance that Serenity was recovered enough to attend this meeting he agreed to take her. As she sat in the same seat from before and looked up at the Council, their faces seemed grim. Eon had described their government as a ruling council that helped to make decisions for the populations that they governed. It wasn’t a dictatorship, but it wasn’t a democracy either. The people were allowed to challenge the political leader and the people could overthrow the ruling simply by vote. It seemed to work for their planet, so Serenity didn’t judge. Each member of the Council was selected from one of the ten territories. The other three members of the council were selected by the entire planet to act sort of like the President and Vice President. Eon’s dad was the High Councilor and led the Council. Kylan’s dad was the Second Councilor and he acted more like the Vice President and shared his duties with the Third Councilor. The other members were simply referred to as councilors. Since their population was smaller than that of Earth, this form of government seemed to work, where Earth’s population was massive, Salin’s population was more like that of the United States, and when the Blue Death hit, it dramatically decreased. Their planet had its share of struggles after the disease ravaged their population, because despite what it seemed, the females of the planet worked in any aspect of the planet’s job market they wanted. With so few females left, it seemed like a male dominated society, but Eon assured her that half of the council was female at one time.
She also asked about the army, and though confused, he stated that the Council governed their protective forces as well. They had a small group who trained solely for the purpose of defense, but since their planet had a united government, it wasn’t as big as Earth’s. In fact, it hadn’t ever fought in any war. He also told her that each male went through some sort of defensive training in their primary education and at least twice a year a refresher was given for every male and female who so desired it. She just nodded her acceptance.
She was brought back from her musings when Eon’s father stood and began to speak, “We are all grateful to the two human females who have decided to come and live with two of our people. They gave us hope in the darkest of times. We had decided to not send any more people to Earth and bring back more to populate our planet when Serenity became ill. It was our worst nightmare, relived. Anna’s resistance to the Blue Death saved her life and has allowed our Healers to develop a vaccination against further infection. It is the Council’s movement to reinstate the idea of bringing females from Earth to Salin. The Council calls Kylan to discuss his findings and how the vaccine will protect future Earth mates from the Blue Death.”
Kylan stepped into the middle of the room and began to speak, “As you all know the Blue Death is a virus that has taken our females, and those it has touched left them infertile. Serenity’s bought of the illness led to many breakthroughs, which I have my Anna to thank.” He looked at Anna with love in her eyes. The illumination of the screen behind him caused a swift intake of breath from Serenity. She stood slowly her eyes on the blob she had seen on a screen in her dreams. He limbs became heavy as if made of lead. Eon caught her as she collapsed. Kylan and Anna rushed to her side as she opened her eyes, her eyes void of color, only white. She sat up as if in a trance and walked to the screen. She looked at it before turning to face everyone. “They brought this to your planet like they did mine so long ago. But they will not stop because you have conquered their weapon. You must find them before they destroy you. The rapiers of planets are coming. They will take this planet and leave it dying.”
Eon walked to her, “Serenity?” he questioned.
“Worry not Eon, your mate is fine. Listen to me. I have much to say and little time.”
Eon nodded.
“These people come from far away, they are the same as you, but different. Their ship long ago landed on a planet the Ancestor’s assumed was viable. It changed them, genetically altered the inhabitants turning them into green monsters. They didn’t conserve their planet like other colonies did, but allowed it to die. They move from planet to planet, utilizing this vir
us to wipe the inhabitants from their next conquest, before raping the planet of its life and leaving it for the next one. If you want to live you will heed my warning. You must stop them.”
Serenity collapsed and Eon gathered her close. She looked up at him and said, “They are coming.” Eon nodded. He took her to their seat and held her in his lap. Kylan went back to his presentation. He reassured everyone that the vaccine was the answer and that all mates taken from Earth should receive the vaccine. The Council decided to go ahead as planned and chose their participants to go to Earth. They would make contact with Earth’s government and in trade for valuable information and technology they would make a deal to allow women of their own free will to travel to their planet to help secure mates for their male population.
“Now, as we all know, we have an enemy to prepare for, therefore, we will increase the training until further notice and we will begin shifts of crews that will orbit our planet to be on the lookout for this race who dares to believe themselves capable of taking our planet. This Council is dismissed.”
* * * * * * * * * *
The High Councilor was waiting for them when they came home. He hugged his son then turned and hugged his little mate. At times Alric wished his mate had lived longer, but he hated to say he was happy she didn’t suffer through the Blue death. Serenity looked up at him with questioning eyes and he smiled at her as he followed his son into the house. Eon made Serenity sit down on the couch. She glared daggers at his back as he walked into the kitchen but smiled when he handed her a glass of juice. Alric chuckled to himself.