“That’ll work.”
Vodu whisked his hand over the doorway as it dissolved to admit them. Sema stared at the doorframe in disbelief, resisting the urge to touch the empty barrier. A billow of air locked them in tight with the wizened Horus leader. He crossed his arms and stared down his nose inquisitively.
Gordy scanned edgily outside the chamber. He could see Lorken–not participating in any particular task, but rather searching each workstation, surveying the monitoring equipment.
Would he dare to harm someone in this den of healing?
“Gordeelum, you can speak now,” Vodu assured. “We are alone, and it appears you are not afraid to share whatever you have to say in front of this young woman.”
Gordy hesitated, meeting Sema’s eyes, giving her one last chance to flee if she wanted to. Instead, she nodded and gave him a soft smile of confidence.
“Sema’s people have held a grudge against the Lowlanders since long before the Horus departed Anthum.”
Vodu’s eyes widened. “That’s generations ago.”
“Yes,” Gordy affirmed. “They perceived the Lowlanders as arrogant and greedy. They claimed that we flashed our opulence in their faces and left them with nothing but a scrap of land high in the mountains where food was not nearly as plentiful as it was in the lowlands.”
Vodu grimaced. “That’s absurd. We didn’t even know there were people living in Solthum Valley. Why didn’t they come forward and share in our crops? There was–” he hesitated and clarified, “–well, before the virus, there was plenty of land to be shared. No one claimed it as their own. It was Anthum’s land, to be sown by all.”
Sema cleared her throat. “They maintained that you were conceited and greedy, and yet now I see that it was my own people who were the arrogant ones. Their pride became something evil.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Vodu looked apprehensive.
Sema’s skin turned pallid. She rung her hands together nervously. “Some of my villagers have traveled to your shores. Their intentions are–” she gulped, “–malicious.”
“The saboteurs.” Vodu stepped forward, his shoulders rigid. Grooves of tension framed his mouth.
“Saboteurs?” Gordy repeated.
Vodu glanced out into the ward. “We have been subjected to many attacks. At first, they seemed like pranks, but then they grew more–malicious,” he quoted Sema. “What you see out there are many of the victims of these attacks.”
Sema gasped, looking out into the Bio Ward. She clasped a hand over her mouth and Gordy thought she was going to be ill.
He placed his hand on her shoulder until she met his gaze.
“Tell him everything, Sema. Everything. The time for secrets is over.”
“I–I’m afraid. What my ancestors did was unforgiveable. This generation is not much better. Even I am culpable.” She glanced edgily at Vodu. “Will he send an army to take out my village?”
Gordy stalked Lorken’s every movement.
“It’s not a pretty tale,” Gordy mused. “But, I’m hoping if Vodu compiles an army, it is to go retrieve the passengers of the Tok. My family is still out there, and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before your father locates them.”
Sema hung her head.
“Young lady,” Vodu looked stern but earnest, a seasoned formula only a great leader could manage. “Why don’t you tell me everything. You are safe here. I see the worry in your eyes. Trust me, that you are safe.”
Sema cast one last plaintive look at Gordy, and then began the tale of her misguided duties and loyalties–the abduction of Gordy, and ultimate redemption. She told him of the nefarious deeds of her great grandfather, and the more immediate misdeeds of the Solthumians who traveled to Aulo’s shores.
Finally, she concluded. “No wonder there was so much jealousy. And yet, my people could have built a city like this.” She spread her arm out. “We had talented carpenters. Talented masons. They chose the easier route.”
Vodu stood with his arms crossed. He remained silent for an uncomfortably long time. So long, that Sema held her hands out, tipping her wrists up in offering.
“I understand if you need to take me to your prison now.”
A white eyebrow quirked.
“Sema, you are not going to prison,” he declared benignly. “You have committed transgressions, but you were brave enough to identify them and you have already served your penance when you dared to face the Dallek. You saved one of our best Warriors, and Solont, an innocent man.”
“What my great grandfather did–” her voice was husky with emotion. “In his mind, he was aiming to poison the food source of those closest to the valley. His intentions weren’t global, but, nonetheless, his actions were unconscionable.”
“Yes,” Vodu nodded stoically. “But, he is not with us any longer. Your grandfather has passed as well. So, I would like very much to meet with your father. We have not traveled back to Anthum to take away his land. We want harmony. We would like the Solthumians to work with us–for the destiny of this planet to be a joint one.”
Sema’s eyes teared up. Her lips trembled and she nodded enthusiastically. “Yes,” she rasped. “That is what I would like.”
Gordy stood from his reclined position against an examination pedestal. “Before all of that can take place, we still have an immediate problem. Solthumians are here amongst us, with an agenda.”
“Yes, their agenda almost killed Aimee.”
It was as if all oxygen fled the chamber. Gordy had no idea the situation was so dire. He listened intently as Vodu chronicled the recent attacks. Sema looked ill, but her face transformed. Determination tightened the muscles around her mouth. Her hands curled into fists.
“I need to find them,” she demanded. “I need to speak to them–to stop this.”
“I’m not sure you alone can,” Gordy offered. “But, maybe they will hesitate until they hear from your father.”
Sema looked past him, and then rushed to the glass wall, searching the ward.
“Lorek,” she cried. “I don’t see him anymore.”
Gordy darted towards the door, sweeping his arm to open it.
“Gordeelum.” Vodu’s voice halted him.
“Go find Craig.” Vodu tipped his head towards an opaque chamber towards the rear of the ward. “Zak will be back there too. But, Craig has already staffed a group that is actively searching for the saboteurs.”
Vodu turned his attention to Sema. “Sema, we will need your help. Tell our men what to look for. The marks of their disguise. You have my word. I will not hurt your villagers,” he assured, “but their destruction needs to be stopped. They need an opportunity to hear from both sides of the sea so that they can understand the truth.”
Sema nodded, and then impulsively reached forward to clasp Vodu’s hand. “Thank you.” She bowed her head.
“Fear not, young lady. No lives have been lost yet. We will get this resolved together.”
Gordy reached for Sema’s hand, tugging her along with him. “Hurry. Lorek can’t be far away.”
“He is dangerous. If there is a plot that calls for casualties,” Sema vowed soberly, “he will be the one to carry it out. We have to find him.”
“Follow me. We’re going to see just the people who can help.”
Gordy barged into the opaque chamber at the rear of the Bio Ward, and stumbled to a halt with his mouth agape.
“The surprise?” he probed, staring at Aimee, seated with an infant tucked in the crook of her arms.
“Gordy!” she cried.
Only Zak’s steadying hand on her shoulder kept her seated. He then reached forward and grasped Gordy’s hand in a sturdy shake.
“It is good to see you safe, Gordeelum. We’ve all been worried about you. Is everyone okay–your family?”
“It’s a long story,” Gordy rushed, still ogling the infant and giving it an exaggerated smile. He sobered and added, “I’m sorry to hear about your accident, Aimee. We’re hoping to correct that situation n
ow–that is, if I can borrow Craig and your husband.”
Craig stepped forward, reading Gordy’s face and immediately snapping into detective mode. “What’s up?”
Gordy quickly filled them in on the Solthumians and faltered when Aimee burst out with, “Oh, we already knew about the Solthumians. We just had no way to identify them.”
“You knew?” Gordy asked, stunned. “But, Vodu didn’t indicate that. He seemed surprised.
“We haven’t gotten around to telling him yet,” Craig admitted sheepishly. “To this point the emphasis was simply on locating the saboteurs–not on identifying their culture.”
Craig turned to Sema and held out his hand. “I’m Craig Buchanan from–” he hesitated, “–Earth. Can you help us to identify the invaders?”
“Urrrth?” she repeated. “I’ve never heard of it, but then again I’m learning a lot lately. Yes,” she assured. “From a distance, I’ll be able to identify my villagers. There is a certain way they carry themselves. A little less grace than is common, but that is the only clue from a distance. Up close it will be in the eyes. I am sure they will avoid eye contact. They have used juice squeezed from the greeta root to lighten both their eyes and hair. They would have my coloring naturally.” She touched hair. “The downside for them is that the effect of the greeta root is temporary. Very temporary. If you were to make eye contact with a Solthumian, you will see a dark rim developing around their deceptively pale irises. In a matter of hours, the original iris hue will return.”
“How do you know about the effects of the greeta root?” Gordy asked.
Sema’s cheeks turned ruddy. “As kids, we all used to play with it. We’d pretend to be Lowlanders.”
“I like you much better the way you are,” he leaned in and whispered.
Before he could take any ribbing from the crowd, Gordy asserted, “Lorken is their head soldier, and we just saw him here in the Bio Ward.”
Aimee gasped and clutched her infant close to her chest. Zak massaged her shoulder.
Craig moved to the door grabbing his Astral laser, a slim variety of the Star Laser. It was a weapon to be used when discretion was of the essence. Zak looked as if he wanted to pursue, but he stood rigid at Aimee’s side, touching a finger to Zon’s curled fist.
“Go,” Aimee nodded. “I am serious, Zak. They need you. Yes, we need you too, but I don’t want to see anyone attacked again. We’ve been so close to having casualties.” She forced an encouraging smile onto her trembling lips. “Besides, Raja and I need a little girl time to discuss how to care for our little fellow.”
Zak hesitated.
“Go, Zak. You know if circumstances were different, I’d be right by your side.”
“That’s just it,” he uttered throatily. “When you’re by my side at least I can keep my eye on you. What if this Lorken circles back here–to you.”
Raja withdrew an Astral laser from a cabinet by the elevated bed. “We can handle ourselves.”
Craig leaned back and kissed her. “I knew those lessons were going to come in handy.” He tapped the communication patch on his shoulder. “Keep in constant contact with me. I will make sure the Bio Ward is secure before I move on.”
Raja nodded. “We’ll be fine. It’s you that I’m worried about.” She looked from Craig to Zak, and Gordy. “It’s all of you that I’m worried about.” Her cerulean gaze finally landed on Sema. “I trust this one to take care of you.”
Gordy watched as Sema’s stoic façade melted into a relieved smile. “Thank you,” she breathed. “That means so much to me.”
***
“There he is!” Sema jogged into the heavy shadows beside a residential villa. She circled around it with Gordy in immediate pursuit.
Lorek had a saunter, a slight hitch to his gait. Now Gordy understood Sema’s description. It might have been the mark of someone more accustomed to climbing than walking.
Unaware of his tail, Lorek walked out into the courtyard, intent on his destination. Under the sun’s radiance, the blonde hair did seem fake. It took on a greenish sheen that was undetectable indoors.
“Where is he going?” Gordy asked quietly.
Craig and Zak inched forward, craning their necks around the side of the dwelling.
“The Town Hall.” Craig confirmed in a hushed tone.
Gordy peered over Sema’s shoulder.
“He’s heading behind the building. There’s nothing back there but the promenade.”
The promenade was an elevated wooden pathway linking all the structures together from the rear. It was a heavily traveled walkway because it was shaded by the bank of trees at the foot of the mountain. Even now, a group of women in shimmering white gowns strolled by, talking and giggling.
Sema sucked in her breath just as Gordy detected the flash.
“He’s going to set the promenade on fire!” he warned.
Sema charged out into the open square, shouting, “Lorken! Stop!”
Gordy rushed after her, catching her by the arm. It was too late, though. Lorken pivoted, his hand extended, revealing the blazing flare. The man squinted against the sun until recognition altered his face.
“Sema?” Lorken was startled, but quickly regrouped. “Come!” he beckoned with his free hand.
“No,” she marched forward. “You need to stop this, Lorken. It’s over.”
Still stricken, Lorken stood frozen, his mercurial gaze flicking back and forth between Sema and Gordy. Once he saw Craig and Zak emerge behind them his expression darkened.
“What is this, Sema?” he asked roughly. “Have they captured you? Coerced you?” He took a foreboding step forward, raising the flare. “Come stand at my side.”
“No, Lorken,” she stated. “If I’ve been coerced, it has been by my father–by you. By relatives I’ve never even met.”
She took another bold step, as Gordy whispered, “Sema, no.”
“We’ve had it all wrong,” she protested. “We believed everything that was told to us without question. These people–” she swung her arm, “–are not evil. My great grandfather almost wiped them out, but they persevered. They remained strong. And when the time was right, they returned to their home. Their home. That’s right. They share it with us. They aren’t looking to take everything away from us. They welcome the idea of working together–learning from us.”
“Oh, Sema,” Lorken shook his head. “You have been brainwashed. You, who we had such hopes for. I can’t help you now.”
Gordy could see the darkness begin to eclipse Lorken’s pale eyes. He could also read the man’s intentions. Gordy bolted just as Lorken spun around, launching the flare under the wooden crosswalk, watching as it claimed several beams on impact. In a matter of seconds, it began its methodical path of destruction.
The Sol flare was a rudimentary tool crafted during a primitive time on Anthum. He had read about it in his classes and recognized it from the holograms. Apparently, it was an instrument still used by the Solthumians. Its intended purpose was to ignite fires for warmth, or to be used as a distress signal. Now, it was the means of destruction.
Ambling residents of Aulo caught their first scent of smoke, and recognition caused a hysterical chorus of gasps as they saw the elevated walkway engulfed by flames. Screams sounded from those traversing the path as they fled or leapt to the craggy grass below.
Zak motioned to a group of men who emerged from the Town Hall. As expeditiously as possible, a team was amassed along the ducts running the length of the boulevard. Commands were shouted to activate the pump as they watched the water surge into the well at the center of the town square. A track was maneuvered to attack the root of the fire. As the running water began to have an impact on the blaze, they funneled in another pipe and flooded the area of the promenade at the furthest extent of the fire.
The drenched wood slowly controlled the blaze so that it could be attacked with a crowd of kettle-wielding individuals. Satisfied that the fire was under control, Gordy sprinted in pursuit of
Lorken, dodging the arc of the swinging Sol flare. Lorken jabbed at him and the blaze scorched a streak across Gordy’s arm. Reaching for the Star Laser, he contemplated switching it to stagger mode. He didn’t want to kill this man, but he didn’t want to risk him escaping either. Instead, Gordy narrowed his aim and flicked his finger cautiously. The blast of the weapon caused a brilliant eruption between them. When it settled, the flare was rolling atop the stone road, and Lorken had clamped his hand around his arm, spinning in agony.
“You’ll be alright,” Sema berated. “I’m sure the scientists in the Bio Ward can fix you right up.”
She strode up to Lorken as he stooped over, his back heaving with each breath. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could learn from their technology and heal our own kind as easily–instead of trying to destroy it?”
Lorken glared up at her.
Craig moved in and corralled Lorken, manacling him into submission and escorting him towards the Town Hall.
Gordy touched Sema’s shoulder. She turned her chin to look at him, and it pained him to witness such turbulence in her eyes. With the Star Laser still in his hand, he wrapped his arm around her back. There was a second’s hesitation and then she bowed into his embrace, lodging her arms around his neck, whispering in her native tongue.
“It’s going to be okay, Sema. We will find the others and we will settle this peacefully.” He set her back at shoulder’s length so he could look into her eyes. “But, if you don’t want to return–if you’re afraid of anyone back there–this–this can be your home,” he assured huskily.
Sema met his gaze. Long black lashes fluttered once–twice–and a slow smile emerged, lighting up her face.
“I have to go back there, Gordeelum,” she whispered. “I want to help you get your family to safety.”
Gordy grinned, feeling that strange stirring in his chest again. Then sensation made him want things he’d never had time to consider before. “I can’t think of any better assistance in all the worlds. And–” he leaned in for a soft whisper, “–my friends call me, Gordy.”
Before he could consider it, he kissed her. It was a brief, tenuous pass of his lips against hers–a quick foray into the forbidden. She did not recoil. In fact, her arms linked tighter around his neck, and still holding the laser, his arm slipped snug around her back. This time there was no caution to the kiss–no hesitancy. This time it ignited a flare to challenge any laser.
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