by C. W Tickner
Beside the headrest at one end of the seat was a small round topped table. It would be considered a bedside table for an Aylen but to Harl it was like a smooth field. Unlike the other furniture it was carved from wood and it looked ancient. Scratches lined the surface, filled in dozens of times by repeated coats of glossy wax.
As they landed on the small table Sky fished out a small loop of metal and handed it to Harl.
It was one of Tess’ inventions. A portable translator. It was much more simple than the bulky armbands they had used with Vorock and according to Tess, it was based on designs they’d found when Vorock’s home had been searched after his death.
When charged from an electrical point they would work for several days, translating any Aylen from long distances. Some words were mangled as local dialects varied but overall it was an incredible invention. A larger design was used for the Aylen and Harl could see Veel had one that slid inside her ear.
‘Sky, you may leave us,’ Veel said as she sat up and swung her bulky legs over the side of the seat.
‘See ya around, Harl,’ Sky said. ‘Say hello to Damen for me.’ She jumped up on Flick, clicking her tongue to make the beast launch up and out of the window.
Veel raised her palm to the edge of the table.
‘Step on,’ she said.
Harl walked to the hand. It was like some form of hallucinogenic drug, watching the colours swirl across her skin. They moved slowly in waves, subtly shifting hues as the patches washed back and forth to the wrist then up the arm. Could she change colour like some form of camouflage?
He took the step up on to the palm and sat in the centre, knowing from experience that the movements could make him stumble if he was standing when the hand moved.
Unlike the male Aylens he was shocked to feel heat radiate from her palm. It was hotter than a human hand but not uncomfortable.
Veel brought her hand up to her face. Her golden eyes bored into him as he watched his own reflection drift in and out of focus.
The translator smoothed her tone into that of a soft spoken woman.‘You have fallen out of favour with Damen?’
‘You could say that,’ Harl said. ‘Why did you bring me here?’
‘To show you what could happen if you do not stand up for your people.’
Harl sighed. ‘That’s all I’ve been doing since I left the tank,’ he said. ‘I just need a break for those I love.’
‘It is for them that you must continue to fight,’ Veel said. She closed her eyes and like recalling a vivid memory, Sonora's face flashed in his mind. She was ashen, cold, dead.
‘What was that?’ He demanded standing up as Veel re-opened her yellow eyes. He staggered backwards and Veel cupped her fingers to stop him falling off her hand.
The orb like eyes closed again and a second image flashed through his mind. From a height he was looking down as if from an Aylen’s perspective. The houses and buildings that made up Gorm were on fire, those that weren’t heaps of rubble blazed as people ran to the sanctuary of Orbital's metal hull before explosions tore into the landscape.
‘Stop it!’ he cried.
She nodded once and looked at him. ‘If you choose not to go to the meeting and send someone else instead, you may lose all you have worked so hard for. That is but a glimpse. You have fought to bring those you love to safety here, but if you shy away from helping the millions of others living the same life as you once did then you will have fought for nothing more than a temporary solution.’
Fear from this Aylen’s power and of his families future rattled him.
‘Millions?’ he asked. Could so many people exist? For some reason he’d never imagined more than a few thousand on top of those he had helped. Veel nodded.
‘How do you know all this?’
‘It is my gift,’ Veel said. ‘You have your own gift, Harl Eriksson. You can bring others together to help themselves. I have to use my gift to help those who rely on me and you must use yours to help those unable to help themselves.
Could he do it? Did he even have a choice?
‘You’ll be there at the meeting?’ he asked.
‘I will be there to help you,’ she said, ‘and in return you will help us. We can work together.’
‘I’ll go to the meeting,’ he said. He had expected to feel a weight rest on him from such a decision, instead he felt less burdened. A choice had been made and he would see it through.
Chapter 7
I’m free! The ship is deadly quiet except for a constant gentle humming. I would have expected the sound of ten thousand snorers to vibrate the hull or fill the corridors. Either way I’m out.
‘Before we go we must set something in order,’ Veel said. ‘I need you to have Sonora sent over to help me around my home.’
‘Sonora?’
Veel nodded. ‘It will be a safe place for her and your daughter while you join me at the all world meeting.’
There wasn’t any reason to question Veel’s judgement and Harl nodded. ‘I’ll speak to her about coming here.’
As if sensing she was needed, and without a word from Veel, Sky brought flick down through the open pane above, the creatures claws raking the table as it landed.
Harl didn’t say much to Sky when they left Veel’s home and he sat nestled in the feathers wondering why he had been so certain about giving up the fight. He knew Gorman would have reprimanded him for being so self centred and he dreaded to think what his parents would have said. He realised he still missed the elder figures in his life and now with being a dad he would have be his own man. An elder figure to others. It was time to grow up.
When Sky dropped him off he found Damen with Uman at his market stall, going over the plans for the feast.
The hunter turned at his coming and Harl was sure a look of relief washed over his bearded face before it set back to a stony look. Uman looked as if he wanted to make a quick getaway to avoid the coming conflict.
‘I’m sorry,’ Harl said, ‘I was being selfish.’
Damen grunted an acceptance. ‘Come to your senses then?’
‘Dinner?’ Harl said.
‘Starving,’ Damen said.
They strolled through the city, passing houses where trickling streams flowed underneath, turning tiny waterwheels to generate power. Damen questioned him about the fight with Lumey and only once Harl had told him every single detail was the man was satisfied.
They slowed as they reached Harl’s home and he felt a swell of pride as he looked at the house. He had built a near exact replica of Sonora’s home from her tank and extended the original building to accommodate a playroom for Elo and a workshop for himself, complete with a small forge. The inside was more modern, with a food cooler and heater. Kane had overseen the installation of a heating system and plumbing on both floors.
They found Yara inside, reclining on plush sofa, one hand resting on her swollen belly as she watched Elo while Sonora tossed diced vegetables into a pot.
‘Patched things up have you?’ Yara asked as Elo spun to see the newcomers and toddled over to Harl, wrapping her arms around his leg.
Sonora beamed at him as he pivoted up on one leg so Elo was lifted as he walked towards her.
‘News gets around fast,’ Harl said, planting a kiss on her lips.
‘When do you leave then?’ Sonora asked.
‘How did you-’ Harl started.
‘I know how you think, my love.’
A rap sounded at the door.
‘Come in,’ Sonora called prising Elo from Harl’s leg.
Tess poked her head around the door. Her bright red hair was a puff of small curls and Elo let out a little squeal of delight.
‘Well hasn’t someone been growing?’ Tess said, coming inside and cooing over Elo. She was dressed in her long white coat, the same as Kane’s, as if always on official business. She glanced at Yara’s swollen belly. ‘Looks like she’s not the only one. Must be only a few days away now. I’ll have to keep close just in case.’
/> ‘You can both stay here for as long as you need,’ Sonora said, stirring the pot
‘Tidier than our place,’ Yara said, shimmying deeper into the sofa.
Damen grunted. ‘How’s the crazy one Tess?’
‘Busy finishing the reactor,’ she said. ‘All he talks about is work. It gets… tedious’
‘You only just noticed?’ Damen said.
‘He’ll calm down after the switch’ on tomorrow,’ Sonora said, setting down bowls of stew on the table.
‘About time we had a festival for something,’ Tess said, sitting at the table and carefully picking up a spoon to avoid chipping her bright green painted nails.
‘Has the mad scientist actually done it them?’ Damen asked joining her as Sonora set the heavy pot on the table. Damen didn’t wait for a ladle just dipped his bowl in and scooped it out again.
Yara frowned at Damen but Sonora waved the look away as Damen plunged a spoon in.
‘I think so,’ Tess said.
‘How much power can it provide?’ Sonora asked.
‘Enough for the entire island and any more homes that we build. If the Compassionates expand on the island then we might struggle’
‘What then?’ Yara said.
‘If we can scale up the project we could supply the whole world with one the size of the island. Or several smaller ones dotted over the planet.’
‘You could turn into Harvest Ten if you wanted,’ Damen said, ‘and sell power to the world.’
‘It’ll allow the Compassionates to run for government,’ Tess said, ‘and give them more power than they’ve had before.’ She looked hopeful at Harl. ‘Will you be going to the world meeting?’
Harl looked at Sonora then back to Tess. ‘Yes.’
‘We’d both like to come,’ Tess said. ‘Some of the other factions that participate will be intriguing. I’d be interested in meeting the members of Micro Elements and Micro-Crop.’
‘Who?’ Damen asked, finishing the bowl by tilting it back and letting out a loud burp.
‘Manners,’ Yara snapped at him, waddling over to take a seat.
‘They build nearly everything for the tanks.’ she said.
Harl thought of the things an Aylen would need to make a tank. ‘Like the barriers and air circulaters?’
‘And everything else,’ Tess said. ‘From buildings and weapons to cows, sheep, pots and pans, even the tanks themselves.’
‘A monopoly on every item?’ Harl said.
Tess nodded. ‘For all practical purposes, yes. They’re split into two sections; Micro-Elements, who create inanimate objects and electronics while Mirco-Crop grow plants, animals and seeds. Anything organic really.’
‘It’s about time we didn’t rely on them for such things,’ Harl said. ‘We must work to live more independently.’
‘We already do,’ Tess said.
‘We do,’ Harl said, ‘but not the others still trapped in tanks and bank vaults. We’ll push back against the Aylen’s suppression towards humanity.’
‘Not on an empty stomach you won’t,’ Sonora said putting a bowl in his hands. ‘Always trying to save the world isn’t daddy,’ Sonora said as she began to feed Elo. She smiled at him, ‘I understand that they want you but can’t someone else go in your stead? We’ve everything we need here.’ She looked as Elo and Harl felt guilt sweep over him. ‘I don’t think I can take it if you’re away getting shot at.’
Yara stood and plucked at Damen’s leather jerkin. ‘Time for bed,’ she said, ushering him to the door. Tess muttered something about nails and followed them outside.
‘No one said anything about getting shot at,’ Harl said, stepping to Sonora and stroking her cheek. ‘It’s just to go to the meeting. It’s all politics from here on, just talking. Veel told me there are millions of us out there. I can’t sit back now knowing others are going through what we fought so hard to escape. Not when I can help them.’
‘You haven’t mentioned anything about this for a long time, Harl, why the sudden change of heart.’
‘Veel,’ he said.
‘The female head?’
He nodded. ‘I went to see her and she...showed me things.’
‘Showed you what? Sonora asked, ‘I know she can get into your head, if that’s what you mean.’
Harl shook his head. ‘It was more than that. I saw the city under attack.’
‘Was it real?’
‘I don’t know,’ he said, ‘but it convinced me that I need to keep doing this.’
She stepped forward and embraced him. He took it as reluctant acceptance.
‘I need you to do something else for me,’ he said. ‘Veel has asked that you stay with her for a while, at least until the world gathering is over.’
‘To do what?’
‘Help her growing plants I think,’ Harl said. ‘You’ll like the place it’s dead in the middle of the forest and covered with flowers.’
She raised an eyebrow.
‘Please,’ he said, ‘do it for me.’
She nodded.
‘Come upstairs,’ he said feeling a sudden desire to make love to her. Why would he put her through the worry again? He didn’t know the answer himself.
Chapter 8
I’m left with three alternatives. One: Find and set up a cryobed somewhere and hope I wire it in correctly and can activate it on my own. Two: Remove someone from theirs, hide the body and slip inside. Or three: Try to make a life on the ship, alone for however long it takes to find another earth and die lonely.
Harl left the house early. There would be plenty of tasks to do if Kane got the reactor online and it was Harl’s duty to answer questions when Kane was locked away in his lab.
Tess spotted him near the market where Damen was busy organising security for the day. Tucking her copper comb away, she made a beeline for him.
A row of ragged soldiers were on parade as the market stalls opened, and the calls of “fresh veg and fine cloth,” echoed out to Harl. Yara was resting on a bench nearby, watching as Damen dismissed the soldiers. Tess came around the row of soldiers and at the sight of her, Damen joined them.
‘Kane asked if you could go and see him, Harl.’ Tess said. ‘He’s in the lab making final adjustments before tomorrow’s switch on. If you ask me he needs a break.’
‘Doubt he’ll accept a drink,’ Damen said. ‘Last time I offered to get him one he asked for water.’
‘He wanted to speak to you as well,’ Tess said, plucking the comb out again and running it through her hair in an attempt to tame the fiery coils.
Damen shrugged, ‘I’m due for work soon,’ he said. ‘Cleaning out Sorack’s house from swayers has been given the go ahead. Been dying to hunt the spiney buggers. They’ve been nesting in the pipework for months.’ He beamed at Tess and Harl like a child given a special treat.
‘You’re what?’ Yara said, struggling to get up from the log bench and waddling over. Even though heavily pregnant she looked vibrant and beautiful. She stared daggers at Damen, who held up his hands.
‘We all have to pitch in,’ Damen said.
‘He’s right Yara,’ Tess said. ‘I’m constantly busy, working with with the Compassionate medical unit to train a human micro surgery team.’
Yara rounded on Tess. ‘It’s not exactly dangerous work though is it?’
‘Please,’ Tess said, ‘sit down, Yara, for the baby’s sake.’
Yara scowled but returned to the bench.
‘She’s never worried about it before,’ Damen muttered as Harl led him to the market stalls lining the side of the ship. They slipped into the entrance cut into the side of Orbital.
‘They get like that,’ Harl said. ‘She’s just being protective.’
‘I can look after myself.’
‘Not from her you can’t,’ Harl said.
They entered the cut doorway. It was wider than a set of double doors and between the two layers of hull, a sheet of steel could be slid across to seal the opening. It was left open m
ost days so people could enter to charge their triangular flyers at electrical points on the deck that was level with the ground.
The ship had taken heavy damage on the underside during the crash and the only useable sections were the few levels above ground and the prow which was buried deep in the soil. Harl had expected it to have crumpled when it broke through the wall but Kane had explained that it was built to withstand meteoroid impacts during flight.
They took the stairs down towards the front of the ship where Kane’s lab was located and passed a series of small workshops that technicians were working in to develop technology for the Compassionates or to use on the reactors.
A pair of guards patrolling the top of a set of stairs nodded to them as they passed.
The final shaft of stairs led down past a heavy wheel lock door that was wide open, revealing a huge area beyond. Several decks had had their floors removed to open up a single large room. In the centre was a giant ring of pipe with a hatchway set in the polished metal.
Kane was stood at one of the desks lining the outside with his back to them. His once patchy grey hair was completely white now, almost enough to match his grubby lab coat.
As he turned, Harl stifled a laugh. The man’s hair was jutting up and out like that of a sheep.
He looked puzzled at Harl’s reaction then a look of terrible fury crossed his angular face as he spotted Damen and he stormed towards them.
‘Ah,’ he said, fearlessly jabbing a pale finger at Damen’s broad chest. ‘The thief returns!’
‘I’m no-’ Damen started.
‘Yes you are,’ Kane cried, cutting him off. ‘A thieving, ship stealing, ship wrecking, thief!’
‘I brought it back,’ Damen said taking a defensive tone.
‘Brought it back?’ Kane screamed turning red, ‘brought it back? You might as well have brought back a heap of metal. In fact that is what you brought back, a wreck that looks like its been driven by a blind drunk on a week long bender.’
Damen did manage to look a little shame faced but Kane was clearly not letting him get away with that.
‘Well?’ Kane asked.