by Lori Beery
“18420?” said Beltrain incredulously. “That’s only 30 cycles ago. …and 32 cycles after the altered date”
“Would that have been enough time for the University to have vanished?” asked Marleah.
“By natural processes? Doubtful,” I stated shaking my head. “This map was made in the middle of the ‘silent’ cycles.”
“Could this have qualified as an investigation?” asked Dulain.
“Possibly,” I allowed. “But why alter the date? What is being hidden and who is responsible?”
“What do we know about Hubble Maps?” questioned Dulain.
“That they made this map,” said KwinJai. I smiled and several of my Hexacle chuckled.
“Yes they did,” I replied still smiling. “KwinJai, please put the map away. It seems this is another puzzle to add to our growing list to be researched. Let’s call it a night.”
The map winked out of existence. As the others drifted toward their sleeping chambers, I retrieved my journal. Then, like the others, I entered my chamber and turned in. A disturbing thought arose in my mind. A Hexacle could have changed the landscape in a cycle or directed it over 33 cycles. There was a Hexacle there. But why would they? What am I missing? Sleep was very slow to accompany me.
Chapter 2
Jacarr was the first to enter the common room of their suite the next morning. Morning was not exactly accurate as they were on a starliner traveling through space. Ships capable of interstellar travel generally adopted Cassyndryl’s, the Imperial Capitol’s, cycle and rotation to mark time. It was the tenth turn. That meant it was morning on Cassyndryl and therefore ‘morning’ aboard the Paradise.
In any case, Jacarr was up. He was still rumpled from sleep and was in need of a warm, stimulating beverage. He choose coffee, a favorite of his human mother. He carried his mug from the food replicator to the table and sat down. He sipped at the hot, black drink and hoped it would jolt him into wakefulness soon. By the time he had finished half his cup he was feeling better and much more alive. He wondered when the others would join him and what this day would bring. As if to answer to his question, he was joined by his Hexator.
“Good morning, Jacarr. Rough night?” Nickoli asked.
“I didn’t sleep well. But it is getting better,” Jacarr added, lifting his nearly finished cup before observing, “You seem well rested.” The Hexator looked at him, lifted an eyebrow, and got himself a cup of coffee.
“I’ll admit to having trouble getting to sleep last night,” he said, pausing to sip his coffee. “Perhaps, we will find some information that may lead to answers and make it easier to sleep tonight.”
“That would be a delightful change,” Jacarr admitted. They shared a smiled.
Jacarr turned to look at his Hexator. The man was ready for the day! His black curly hair was tamed. He was dressed in casual black trousers and a long sleeved maroon t-shirt. He wore nothing to proclaim himself either Hexator or Healer, except his rings. Both of them he wore on his right hand. The Hexator ring, a slightly raise hexagon with white stones set at the vertices and a purple stone set in the center, he wore on his index finger. The Healer ring, a winged staff entwined with a viper on a green field, he wore on his little finger. As far as Jacarr could tell, they were the only identifiers he was wearing.
“Are you going incognito?” he asked.
Hexator Nickoli looked puzzled. Then, he glanced at his clothing and smiled mischievously. “Yes, I am,” he said still smiling. “The tunic or sash get in the way when I try to mingle with people in solar systems removed from the Imperial core. I tend to become an attraction, unless there is some sort of catastrophe. And I really don’t want to hold office hours for hypochondriacs.”
“Ah, I see your point.” Jacarr got to his feet and asked “Do you want to go alone or will you wait while I rouse the others and we get ready?”
“No – You will need to get dressed. The others are getting ready,” he said after his blue eyes lost focus for a fraction of a second.
“Oh. Okay,” Jacarr replied as he headed for his chamber. He entered and found his roommate, Dulain, pulling on footwear.
“Good morning,” he said.
Dulain looked up smiling and said, “Had your coffee have you?”
“Yes, thank you, I have,” he replied with a smile.
“Lucky us,” Dulain teased as he slapped Jacarr on the shoulder and headed out of the room.
Jacarr quickly dressed in casual clothes very similar to that of the Hexator. When he was finished, he reentered the common room. He found everyone else ready and waiting for him.
“I’m famished,” stated Lucera to no one in particular.
“Good. Let’s go break our fast at one of the restaurants,” said Hexator Nickoli.
There were excited murmurs of assent. “Which one are we going to try?” asked Lucera as the group exited their suite.
“I don’t have a preference other than that the establishment actually cook the food on the premise,” replied the Hexator.
“Tired of replicated food?” Beltrain inquired teasingly.
Nickoli smiled wryly and said, “Yes.” Again there were sounds of agreement. “Replicated food is edible and nutritious. Here on the Paradise, we have the opportunity to get freshly prepared food. Once we board the Falcarin, we will have no other choice until we are cooking for ourselves on Dinave.”
“So you are an opportunist,” Beltrain teased. Nickoli chuckled with the rest of the group, all except for Lucera. She seemed very concerned about something, Jacarr noticed.
“Hey, Lucera, what is wrong?” Jacarr asked as he dropped back to walk with her.
“Ummm, does Hexator Nickoli know I can’t cook?” she asked embarrassed.
Jacarr suppressed his mirth and replied, “I think he meant when we are established on Dinave.”
“Oh, that is a relief!” she whispered smiling. “I have some time to learn.”
“Exactly!” he exclaimed surprised that she would want to live-up to whatever Hexator Nickoli had in mind. For himself, he wasn’t sure what the Hexator meant. It could mean that each of us would try our hand at meal making or, perhaps, that a cook would be hired. He could cook, but he didn’t think he was too good. So, Jacarr secretly hoped for the second choice, assuming those were the only two options being considered.
They arrived on the second deck, where the restaurants and shops were located. It was a busy place. That was expected; it was the eleventh turn 90 deci. Translation, only 90 deci or half a turn remained before the first work shift began. People were headed in every direction. Of the four restaurants they could see, the busiest one was The Copper Skillet. It was so busy that people were waiting in line to be seated. To Jacarr, that meant the food was either good, inexpensive or quick. He hoped it was good and quick since he was developing quite an appetite.
“Which one do we want to try?” Hexator Nickoli asked as they bunched around him when he slowed to speak.
“The one with the line,” suggested Marleah. “It seems to be the most popular. Crew members with schedules seem to prefer it.” She motioned toward the line outside the restaurant. Most of those waiting were crew members.
“That means it’s quick,” piped up Jacarr voicing part of his thoughts.
“Let’s find out,” said Beltrain as he and the Hexator moved toward the line, which was shortening even as they approached. Satisfied patrons passed them on their way out.
Presently, they were seated at a table roomy enough for all seven of them. The waitress had served them their drink order. She was a pleasant woman, even though she was obviously very busy. Jacarr sipped a steaming cup of coffee as he perused the menu. Breakfast was his favorite meal. Happily, many of his ‘usual’ picks were on the menu. He found eggs, meats, cereals, breads (quick and otherwise), even pastries. He decided on scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. He hoped the food matched his expectations. His companions were busy chit-chatting about their food choices and the character of The Copper
Skillet. They seemed content with pleasant expectation.
The waitress returned for their orders. It had been long enough for them to decide but not too long to forget their orders or worse, wonder if she had forgotten them. Once she had their selections, she bustled off to the kitchen.
“What are the plans after we break our fast?” asked Marleah leaning forward so she could catch the Hexator’s eye.
“I thought we would do a little exploring,” he replied innocently. Jacarr thought he said it a little too innocently. What did he have in mind?
“But we have already seen the ship from top to bottom and front to back,” said KwinJai with a slight whine.
“So,” Nickoli smirked, “you know where people mingle. We can go to those places and try to gather information concerning Dinave and the Altera System.”
KwinJai’s eyes widened as he realized that he had been setup. So, that is what Nickoli had been up to thought Jacarr.
Lucera playfully elbowed KwinJai in the ribs asking, “Do you have any suggestions?”
“Oh, um… people gather in the lounges and on the observation deck, or in eateries like this one. Um, the library might have something,” KwinJai speculated.
“I’ll check the library,” Marleah volunteered. Jacarr was not surprised by this. She was their researcher.
“We could check the lounges,” said Dulain indicating himself, Beltrain, and Jacarr. Both Beltrain and Jacarr nodded their acceptance of the assignment.
“KwinJai and I could check the eateries or snack shops,” suggested Lucera.
“That sounds good to me,” agreed KwinJai.
“That leaves me the observation deck,” Nickoli said. “Let’s meet back at the suite in about 3 turns… That is once we leave here. Sound reasonable to everyone?” he continued while sweeping his gaze around the table. They nodded as his eyes meet theirs.
Soon after, their breakfast arrived. It did not disappoint. There was very little talking while they ate. Jacarr was sure they would return to The Copper Skillet. He would be surprised if they didn’t.
*****
Jacarr, Beltrain, and Dulain arrived back at their suite after the appointed time, but they were not the last to return. Hexator Nickoli was still absent. Perhaps his search was more productive than their own. In any case, they had gone to two of the lounges. There were three more; however, they were not open until the thirtieth turn. So, they visited the other two.
The first, The Red Dusk, was populated with crew members and workers who had, presumably, finished working the third shift at the twelfth turn. Most seemed to be relaxing and enjoying the company of peers. It was a fairly small crowd. They filled perhaps a third of the lounge. There were a lot of empty tables.
The trio had seated themselves at a table near the bar. This was where most of the people were sitting. As they had taken their seats, the place quieted. Beltrain smiled, nodded at them. Dulain and Jacarr followed his lead. Jacarr was greatly relieved when the noise resumed. Apparently, this was not a time when passengers frequented this establishment.
Shortly after they were served fruited beverages and a snack combo that contained fried cheese, chips, and fried meat accompanied with dipping sauces; two crewmen had approached their table. They were humanoid females. One was tall with long, purple hair and porcelain complextion. The other looked slightly older, with bronze skin and gold burnished hair. Jacarr found them both attractive.
The three guys welcomed the females to their table. The crewmen confirmed that they worked third shift and that they didn’t see very many passengers in The Red Dusk. They both worked in environmental, specifically water recycling. This voyage marked their sixth cycle IC aboard the Paradise. They enjoyed their work and meeting other people. They had never been to or had met anyone from the Altera System. Nor did they know anyone who had.
Beltrain, Dulain and Jacarr had fared no better at the other lounge. It was called The Port. They had talked to the bartender there, as the place had only a few solitary patrons. They learned the best time to meet people was during second shift around the twenty-eighth turn. Perhaps they would fare better then.
Hexator Nickoli returned to the suite 60 deci later. He looked sad. He had learned nothing from those on the observation deck concerning the Altera System. He had met a family traveling to the frontier. They were going to a world called Patros. It was located about three times the distance and 170 degrees in the opposite direction from the Altera System in relation to Thendara Station. The matriarch of the family had been born and raised there until early womanhood. She, Simone, wanted to see it again before she died. Her end was near. She suffered from a cancer that had spread throughout her body. Her physicians could not help her except, maybe, by deadening the pain.
Hexator Nickoli was, also, a healer. He had done a precursory mental scan and knew he could help her. Possibly, he could heal her if she was strong enough or patient enough. But he knew he could ease the pain. He had asked her if she wanted his help. When her answer was not forthcoming, he had asked her family to consider it. If they decided to accept his offer, they could contact him. He had left them with the necessary information to reach him. He knew they were leery about his ability. They suspected false hope. They were worried he would take all they had and more. He had told them it was something they would discuss when they contacted him. He had assured them they could afford it.
“A matter for later,” he commented sadly. “Anyone find out anything about the Altera System?” There were no affirmative answers. Jacarr was surprised Marleah hadn’t dug anything up. In the three turns she had, she hadn’t found any nuggets of pertinent information.
“We may learn something later tonight,” Beltrain offered. “The twenty-eighth turn seems to be the beginning of the busiest time on Deck 2. Maybe passengers and first shifters will know more, especially if we learned where the bridge crew hangs out.”
“Sounds reasonable,” Hexator Nickoli responded. “Let’s change up the groups a little. Beltrain, you and Marleah make a team. Dulain, you and KwinJai make a team. And I will join Lucera and Jacarr. Agreed?” His question was met with murmurs of assent.
“Um – what do we do until then?” Lucera asked.
“It’s almost lunch time. Anybody interested in eating?” asked KwinJai
“KwinJai! How can you even think of eating anything else?” Lucera burst out in surprise. “We sampled quite a few snacks during our assignment,” she explained to everyone else.
KwinJai shrugged, smiled, and said, “Snacking is good.” Jacarr cracked a smile and nodded his agreement.
Just then, there was a knock at the suite door.
“Come,” said Hexator Nickoli. The door swished open to reveal a middle aged couple. They timidly entered the suite. The Hexator recognized them. “You are Simone’s children?”
“I’m her son,” said the man. “I am called Phillip and this is my wife, Mary,” he continued as he indicated himself and his wife. “We were wondering if we could talk to you, Healer Nickoli.”
“Of course,” he said to the couple. He swept his gaze around his Hexacle and said gently, “Please give me this room. I will let you know when you may return.” At his quiet command, they vacated the common room. Lucera and Marleah went to their chamber. Beltrain entered his. While Jacarr, Dulain, and KwinJai departed the suite, lunch was about to be served on Deck 2.
Chapter 3
“Phillip, Mary, please make yourselves comfortable,” I said gesturing toward the settee adjacent to the vid player. “May I get you some refreshments?”
“No. Thank you. We would really just like to talk to you,” Phillip responded politely but emphatically.
With a nod, I sat in the adjacent seat. I leaned forward, giving them my attention.
“Can you really help my mother?” Phillip asked without preamble, eyes hard.
“Yes. I can ease her pain. I will need to do a much more complete scan to determine what it would take to rid her of her cancer.” I held up my
hand to stop them from speaking. Both of them looked on the verge of exploding. “It is more her strength that concerns me. I can draw power from an external third source. Unfortunately, there will still be a drain on her. I will know more after doing the more in-depth scan.”
“You can heal her?” exclaimed Mary. Disbelief clear in her mind and on her face. “Her doctors said they couldn’t help her. There was nothing more they could do.”
“I can. I am not a doctor. I am a Healer.”
“You are Kateryn?” Phillip asked, fear mingled with awe emanating from him.
“I am in part,” I replied gently. “I trained at Halsa on the planet Etulas. I earned the right to wear the Healer’s Signet.” I extended my right hand so they could see the ring.
Mary snatched my hand. She brought it close to scrutinize the band and touch it to be sure of its validity. She released my hand as she gazed up at her husband, hope welling up in her and spilling out of her eyes in tears of relief. She covered her eyes with her hand as she looked down and leaned into her husband. Phillip slipped his arm around his wife. But, he had not lost his stony eyed look.
“We have been given hope before only to have it dashed,” he said bitterly. He continued his gaze dropping and his voice becoming a murmur, “I want very much to believe you.” Shaking his head and returning his gaze to mine, he added, “I find it ironic that we meet now, when my mother has accepted her end and you claim you can heal her.”
“I can heal her of her cancer, Phillip. But, I cannot heal her of old age,” I stated. “At some time, she will die. That, I cannot prevent,” I added sadly.
“How long does she have?” asked Mary, looking up at me.
“How many cycles is she?” I inquired meeting her gaze.
“She’s 84,” she said.
“Maybe five to fifteen years without the cancer,” I said with a shrug. “It is hard to tell without doing a deeper scan.”
“If you do the scan, what will it cost us?” Phillip asked cynically.