“You tickled her.”
“I did. Apparently you and she have the same aversion.”
“Indeed we do. So what did she so reluctantly share?”
“I was a bit surprised to find that you and I are in love. Just before my ship exploded, I asked you to marry me and you said yes.”
“Hmmm, I might have a faint memory of that conversation.”
He dropped his eyes, and then looked back up. “I am sorry. I have no recollection of the incident or anything that led us to that point.”
“I know. I also know that somewhere in that thick head of yours are all of our memories. I promise I’ll find a way to get them out.”
“Even the First Citizen could not do that.”
“Well, you know what they say,” but she didn’t finish.
“For the sake of argument, let us pretend that I do not know ‘what they say’.”
“They say – never send a man to do a woman’s job.”
“Ah. I do believe I have heard my mother and sister voice just that sentiment.”
She smiled knowingly. “Shall I read to you again from my diary?”
“Please. However you should concentrate on any entries pertaining to you and I that were particularly important in our relationship.”
Egg smiled. “I can do that.” She picked up the journal and thumbed through it. “Here’s a good one. We were on Earth at the bedside of my grandfather who was stricken with a serious illness.”
“Good grief. I am so sorry. Is he recovered?”
“Not fully but making great progress.”
“And I was on Earth? How?”
“You asked my sister Sassi to help instruct your people on the proper technique to paint your skin to match mine. You insisted on accompanying me to the hospital.”
He smiled. “I am glad.”
“Me, too. Anyway, before we left you bent down and whispered to Ezra that he needed to make a full recovery because you wanted him to be your best man.”
“And was that the proper thing to do?”
“It was a very gallant gesture. My love for you jumped a couple of points.”
He laughed. “I am not familiar with the love scale on Earth. Is a couple of points something I should be proud of?”
“Oh yes.”
“Then I am. Please . . . continue.”
She read entry after entry for the next half hour. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”
“I am sorry Eloise, nothing you read triggered memories . . . or feelings.”
“That’s okay. Besides, Waldo said that your brain wouldn’t come unclogged instantaneously. If I hit on the right memory, it will slowly dissolve the blockage in your brain.”
“I feel myself hoping for a successful resolution.”
“That’s a good sign.” She remembered something else. “By the way, next time you give a girl ice cream, make sure it has hot fudge on it.”
“Do I know what that is?”
“You did and you will. Okay, gotta go, my Liege, I’m tired and tomorrow we meet up with the Ark.”
“Will you be in danger?”
She smiled. “I don’t think so. Look no goose bumps,” and she held up her arms.
He shrugged since his conscious mind didn’t understand the reference. However, his subconscious took notice and the first trickle of a memory cascade had begun. “Well then, good night Gracie.”
“Night, Benny,” and she closed the communications device. Turning off the light, she fluffed her pillow and made herself comfortable. But she couldn’t sleep because something was nagging at her and she didn’t know what. Oh well, if it was important it would come to her.
*****
Someone voiced the obvious. “That’s a big ship.”
“Where are the habitats?” asked Grex.
“The two largest rings each have fifty segments. There is one habitat per segment.”
“I’za, I assume that module in the front is the command center,” said Egg.
“Correct. The engines are actually in that section between the two rings.”
“Sparky, send a probe to do a complete analysis of the Ark.”
“Done.”
“Okay, the away team for the command center is I’za, Grex and Skotti. I want Aero and Serenity to head for the propulsion module. Jax’x, you analyze the data from the probe and try to determine the cause of the catastrophe and the damage sustained. Tee, Bree, Bl’azzz and I will start visiting the habitats that I’za said were safe. Each team, stay in contact with one another and the ship. Don’t do anything foolish. If something looks iffy, ask I’za or check with me to see if I get goose bumps. Okay, be safe.”
*****
Command Module, Ark of Forever
It was dimly lit, bathed in an eerie green light powered by the emergency backup system. It was also void of all Gek’a. I’za was expecting, or at least hoping, that there would be some of her people manning their stations. That they weren’t gave her chills, and a feeling of dread washed over her.
“Do we have atmosphere in here?” Skotti asked the others. Like them, he was in a spacesuit.
“Checking,” responded Grex. “Yes. Safe to remove our helmets,” and they did.
I’za used a hand held light and began to inspect each of the fifty or so control stations that were scattered over the module. If they couldn’t find one that worked they were in big trouble.
“Over here,” called Skotti. He had found a station that seemed to be functioning.
The other two hurried over. I’za sat down and began to enter instructions into the terminal. “I’m running a diagnostic on this unit. It will only take a minute.”
When it completed, a red waring light began to flash. “That’s not good,” said the fleet engineer stating the obvious.
“Not so bad. It’s warning that the power to the unit is below optimal levels. Behind that panel over there (and she pointed) are the power conduits and controls. Grex would you check it out?”
“On it.”
“Okay, we can still call up the information we want. First, let’s see how many habitats are still on board and their status.” A moment later, the schematic appeared with an icon for each habitat. Green meant normal, red indicated total structural failure, orange warned that one was going critical and blue meant it had been ejected, and its status unknown.
Sixty-six had previously been destroyed in transit. That number was now seventy-five. One was orange and in dire need of repairs. Seven were blue, five of which needed to be recalled. The remaining seventeen were all green.
“Nine more destroyed and one going critical . . . that is horrifying. So many lives,” lamented I’za.
“What about your people?” Just then the lights went on and the blinking warning icon on the terminal disappeared. Skotti called out, “Nice job, Grex.”
“Thanks,” and he rejoined the other two.
I’za took a deep breath and called up the status routine. On the screen, names (and locations of the individuals) began to scroll rather rapidly. Like with the habitats, green meant the person was fine, red meant he or she was gone, orange meant they were injured and blue meant that they were no longer on the ark, status unknown. At the end, a summary appeared.
“Of nineteen hundred and forty-eight Gek’a, not quite three hundred are gone. Four are no longer onboard; fifty-two require medical attention and the rest are okay.” It was bad but not nearly as bad as she had feared. She typed in the names of the three brothers. Only the youngest, V’az, showed green. The other two were blue – no longer onboard. As she pictured all three young men, tears began to fall down her cheeks. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
“These are your friends and family, you have every right. Grex and I will give you a few minutes.”
“No. No thank you, Skotti. There’s too much to do.” She typed in a command that would summon the remaining brother.
*****
“Impressive. Do you know what that is?” Aero asked his c
ompanion – testing her expertise on the subject.
“It seems to be a containment field for a microscopic black hole.” Aero nodded – impressed that this human had come to the correct conclusion. “I’ve read theories about this but to see one in the flesh is overwhelming.”
“Indeed. After we determine what the problem is, we must take vid’s to document this device. It will revolutionize space travel of the Federation.”
“What’s even more impressive is that this Ark was built a very long time ago. Whichever galaxy it came from is way more advanced than us.”
They spent the next hour in relative silence as they analyzed sub-system after sub-system.
“I’d say it’s fully functional. Whatever caused the Ark to explode obviously wasn’t this propulsion system.”
“Agreed. While we have time, let’s begin documenting as much as we can.”
“Go ahead while I contact the ship.” She tapped her communicator and called, “Jax’x, wake up kitty cat.”
“I owe you one ear flick when you get back,” came the reply.
“Don’t touch my ears or I’ll declaw you.”
“I’m telling Skotti how mean you are.”
“He already knows. Listen up – the power plant is fully functional. Whatever happened to the Ark wasn’t because of the engines.”
“That’s good to know. Why don’t you make your way to habitat thirty-four and meet up with Egg. Aero should head to the command module.”
“This technology is so advanced that Aero and I are going to spend a little time to document it first.”
“Excellent idea which means that it must have been his suggestion.”
“Shut up.”
*****
“V’az,” and she ran into his arms.
“I’za, I can’t believe it’s you. We thought you were lost for sure.”
“Long story. I . . . I just scanned the files on our people. Do you know where your brothers are?”
He took a deep breath to get his emotions under control. “They’re both gone. They had been working together on habitat twenty-one when it happened.”
“When what happened?”
“The habitat exploded without warning and they were caught in the blast. Their shuttle – one moment it was there, the next it was gone . . . just a cloud of dust blown into the void.”
“V’az, I’m so, so sorry but we can grieve later. Right now we need to save the Ark and whoever is left. I brought help. This is Skotti and that’s Grex. Guys, this is V’az.”
“We’re sorry for your loss,” said Grex.
“Thank you.” He turned to I’za. “There is obviously a very long story that you need to share with me. But, as you said, even that can wait for later.”
She nodded. “The most pressing task is to eject habitat thirteen. It’s venting atmosphere at an accelerating rate.”
“Eject it?”
“This solar system has a dozen planets. We’ll choose one and program their guidance system to land it there. It’s the quickest way to ensure their survival.”
“Can you describe the inhabitants for us?” asked Skotti.
“Thirteen houses the Galaxians. Oxygen breathing humanoids with the skills to handle most environments and challenges.”
“Thanks. Skotti to the Gracie. Over.”
*****
“Okay, that went well.” Egg and her party just left habitat thirty-three and were making their way to thirty-four.
“Egg-o, we scared the shazbot out of them. A fire breathing dragon and a human butterfly were not exactly what they were expecting.”
“Next time take your medicine so you don’t burp and burn,” suggested BreeZee.
“Yeah, my bad.”
“Egg, why did they want to stay on the Ark?” asked Tee’ka.
“Remember they said that they wanted to go home.”
“But why?”
“Tee, they want to go back and change the political order . . . just like we did on Spell ‘Bound. They want to get rid of the corrupt people who run things.”
“I hope some others on the Ark agree,” added Bree. “It’s a noble cause and they’re going to need all the help they can get.”
“My guess is that maybe as much as half of those left will want to go back.”
“How’s that going to work?”
“I have an idea. First, let’s make the rounds and see what’s what.”
They were interrupted by a call from the ship. “Jax’x to Egg, over.”
“S’up?”
“Sparky reports that the engines are fine. I’m sending Aero to the command module and our girl to you.”
“That’s great. Thanks. Anything from I’za?”
“Yes. One of the habitats is losing atmosphere. She’s ejecting it and sending it to the first planet in this system. She has a dozen of her people ready to accompany them to provide whatever assistance they can.”
“Perfect. What about the Gek’a? How did they fare?”
“They lost about three hundred of their number. Two of those lost were I’za’s brothers.”
“Oh no. How’s she doing?”
“She reunited with the third brother whose helping her out. She said she’s too busy right now to grieve – that will have to wait for later.”
“I’m so glad she’s a sister. How many functional habitats are left?”
“I’ll send you the list. Twenty-five in total. That includes the one she ejected and seven others that were thrown clear by the explosion. She’s deleted the Nauti and Klat habitats from the computer so they’re safe. She sent out a recall command for the other five.”
“Okay, thanks. By the way this habitat wants to return home. They want to fight the corrupt system that exiled them.”
“I’m glad. Injustice needs to be corrected where ever it’s found.”
“Here comes Sparky. We’re headed to habitat thirty-four.”
“Don’t forget I’za’s warning. Those people are paranoid and go bonkers if you slight them. Then they will take whatever revenge they think fits the insult.”
“I remember. We’ll tread carefully.”
“Good luck.”
*****
The Gracie AI warned Jax’x of an incoming communications.
“On screen.” It was the handsome blue face of the Prince. “Your Majesty.”
“Jax’x, I am back,” and he smiled from ear to ear.
The girl was confused. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had gone somewhere.”
He barked a laugh. “No, you goofy girl (that caused the goofy girl’s eyes to grow wide), I am back inside my head. Where is Gracie?”
Now Jax’x broke into an ear-to-ear grin. “It’s so nice to have the blue footed booby returned to us.” That name - it was a little test.
He laughed again. “Let us use Benny shall we?”
“We shall . . . and I’m so happy for you and Egg.”
“Is she there?”
“Sorry, Benny. She’s on the Ark. Now would not be a good time to distract her.”
“Of course. Please have her call me at her earliest convenience.”
“I will. Oh, we could use a little help out here.”
“What can I do?”
“Egg would like you to send the hospital ship, a contingent of the Klat and a couple of ships with supplies and able body sailors to help out.”
“They will be dispatched shortly. May I ask, why the Klat?”
“We’ve recalled the Ephemeral habitat to the Ark. We may need their particular expertise to help keep order.”
“I will relay your message to the First Citizen. Anything else?”
“Just welcome home, your Highness.”
“It is very good to be back.”
*****
“Her August Sovereign, Vyper of the Phanta,” announced a garishly liveried guard.
In walked a tallish woman, regal in stature, scary as heck in visage. She stared at the newcomers like a lioness examining her
next meal. She stopped a few feet away and waited. Egg’s hackles immediately rose on her neck. There was something about this woman that she categorically disliked . . . and it had only been a few seconds. Regrettably, it was about to cloud her judgment.
“My name . . .”
“KNEEL,” yelled the guard.
Bree and Tee’ka began to do as asked. Egg stopped them. “Don’t.” To Vyper she continued with her introductions. “As I was saying, my name . . .” and again she was interrupted by the guard who stepped forward with the obvious intent of forcing the five to their knees. How he expected to handle the dragon and Serenity is anyone’s guess. Egg was getting irritated with all of this. “Ring, tend to my suit,” and the familiar grey fog swirled around her. When it cleared, there stood Flying Girl. The whole episode caused all of the Phanta to stop in their tracks and stare. It was meant as a warning – don’t trifle with us. “Enough. We came to help you and all the occupants of the Ark. If you prefer to stay here (and she pointed around her) and drift through space, that’s perfectly fine with me. Let’s go,” she said to the girls and turned to leave.
“You do not have our permission to leave,” declared the August Sovereign. Her voice was as soft and melodic as the former Imperial Empress Violetta and it sent chills through Egg.
Egg turned. “Very well. Sisters . . . bow your heads to the Sovereign,” and she and the others did. “Now that protocol has been satisfied, shall we leave or would you like to discuss the help we propose to offer?”
Vyper was seething at the insult. She gave an ever so slight glance at the guard who waited for her orders. “The woman in that chair, explain.” Another glance and the guard had his instructions.
“My name is Serenity. I am bound to this chair because of an injury that robbed me of the ability to walk.”
Without acknowledging the answer, she turned to look at Bl’azzz. “What is that?”
“I am Bl’azzz . . . a F’yre Dragon from the planet Aerianna.”
“It talks.”
“She is my sister and you’re being rude,” barked Egg. “So, let’s make this simple. You can stay on the Ark which I intend to send back to its point of origin or we can eject your habitat and land it on one of the suitable planets in this system. Any questions?”
Ark - Box Set #6, Part 1 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel] Page 38