Worlds Apart (Warriors of Risnar)

by Tracy St. John

  Anneliese turned from him to open the door, still holding his hand.

  A blast of cold air stole Nex’s breath for an instant. His skin armored in automatic defense against the frigid temperatures.

  “Careful on the steps,” Anneliese told him as she navigated down, snow swirling magically around her head. “They’re slippery.”

  Nex formed rough bumps on the bottom of his feet to give him extra traction and followed her. Then it was his turn to take the lead, forging a path in the snow that had layered considerably since his arrival. An outdoor light set high atop a pole offered scant illumination in the storm, but Nex could detect the gleam of the collection pod’s hull reflecting like a dim beacon. Within moments, they were beneath its curved shelter, which fended off the falling flakes. The ground beneath was hard, but bare of snow.

  “This is better. I should have worn my boots and carried these shoes,” Anneliese laughed as she followed him. “Woooo, cold and wet feet!”

  “I should have carried you,” Nex said, turning to her anxiously. He should have offered right away.

  “Don’t think about it. I stand on my own two feet when my legs will let me.” She was laughing, but there was a hint of that tension in her face again. She gave him a gentle push. “Keep going, Nex.”

  “It’s only a few steps,” he said, wondering at her stubbornness. Anneliese had a hard edge to her otherwise friendly demeanor. Perhaps it was just a case of nervousness.

  Of course it was. Nex had given Anneliese plenty of reasons to trust him, but she had much to learn nevertheless. It was too bad they had so short a time for him to reach that point with her.

  His hearts hurt as he thought of just how few the minutes were that he could share with Anneliese. Maybe it had been a mistake to see her again. Maybe it would have been better if all they’d shared had been one brief but heady kiss, without the worry of making more out of it than the instant of perfection it had been.

  Chapter Five

  The collection platform came into view, lying on the ground beneath the silently floating pod. Though she’d be boarding it with Nex, Anneliese couldn’t help the feeling of dread that filled her.

  Nex stepped to the middle of the metallic disk and Anneliese joined him. It rose, carrying them into the air. Within seconds, they were above the dark tree line.

  Even with the heavy clouds blocking out the moon and stars and a curtain of snow falling, Anneliese could make out a few details of the surrounding landscape. The St. Lawrence River was lit in the distance by the homes and businesses that dotted its shoreline. More apparent were the glaring lights of the casino a couple miles away, the one part of the reservation that didn’t look like a typical upstate small town.

  Then they were rising into the saucer itself, the dark of night replaced by golden light and dancing colored indicators. It was an interior Anneliese remembered far too well.

  For an instant, she panicked. She grabbed Nex, her heart galloping as she gulped for air. His strong, stony arms circled her, holding her close to skin that had changed to granite.

  “Anneliese? Are you all right?”

  She knew what was happening. Knowing and hating it didn’t make the terror leave, however. She fought for control. She searched for the iron that she relied on to keep going in the face of the worst. Whether being surrounded by explosive death on a road in Afghanistan or enduring a Monsudan cutting tool moving through her awake and aware body, she’d made herself unbreakable.

  “It’s the memories. All the times the Monsuda took me, and I was helpless to stop them. Entering this ship with the understanding of what would be waiting for me in their labs—it’s hitting me hard.”

  Anneliese shut her eyes against the sight of the saucer’s interior. In its warmth, Nex’s skin softened, became that of a man once more. His rich, woodsy-grassy scent filled her head with thoughts of hikes through the mountains and picnics in the valleys between them.

  In her need to escape the horror that left her weak, Anneliese dove into the feeling of his body against hers, its heat and promise of safety.

  Think of it for a minute. Only until I get through the initial scare and remember I don’t need him or anyone else. I’m strong. I’m iron. I can face this on my own two feet.

  He uttered nonsense soothing sounds that the translator didn’t try to interpret. He petted her, many fingers stroking through her hair. She felt keen loss when he stopped, but she was finding her equilibrium again. In another second or two, she’d pull back. She’d show him and herself that she wasn’t in need of a champion.

  In just a second. Just another second of letting this strong, beautiful man hold me.

  Something pressed hard against her upper arm, just below the shoulder.

  Anneliese’s eyes flew open. She stared at the small box device in Nex’s hand, with dozens of tiny wires retreating into blunt prongs at its end. Nex smiled at her and tucked it into one of the pouches on his belt.

  “What was that?” she asked suspiciously. “Whatever it is, you should have asked first.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind me giving you a calming agent. The injection shouldn’t have hurt. You’ll be better in a moment.” His starburst eyes watched her anxiously. “You’re not mad at me, are you? You’re not the first to experience this terror of boarding the saucer. The trauma you and the others have gone through is incredible. Most are screaming hysterically by this point.”

  “Just—please check with me from now on before giving me happy drugs. I know you meant well, so no, I’m not angry at you.” Anneliese relaxed, and the panic at being within the pod retreated. Whatever he’d given her worked fast. Captain Chaos needed a crate of it, as did other vets she knew. She felt foolish for the flash of near-panic.

  And yes, she was angry. But only at herself for giving in to the moment of anxiety. This was not her. She did not bow to fear or hide behind anyone. Not even hot, muscular aliens with armored skin. Anneliese was better than that.

  “Damn it.”

  “Don’t be mad at yourself. I’ve read the records of some of the tests and experiments the Monsuda ran. They are monsters to have done what they have to your people. Not to mention all the other horrors they plan to inflict on Earth.”

  Anneliese got over herself in a hurry. “Like what?”

  “It doesn’t matter. We will stop them.” Nex glowered with a sudden fierceness she hadn’t noted before. The sense of wrath from the Risnarish was almost a physical wallop. For a second, Anneliese was afraid of this striped alien with his sharp teeth, shape-shifting flesh, and muscled, armoring body.

  Then it was over, and Nex’s smile returned him to the gentle man she’d gotten used to. “You should feel better now. Are you ready to go?”

  With him back to normal, calm stole over Anneliese once more, evaporating all concerns. She looked at the portholes that showed the swiftly-falling snow. She smiled in anticipation.

  “Take me to spring on Risnar.”

  * * *

  When Anneliese stepped off the saucer in the portal chamber, there were quite a few Risnarish in the huge space. Even so, her gaze went immediately to the woman behind the control podium. Somehow she knew right away it was Salno, a woman Nex obviously respected. Maybe cared for.

  Who else could be so statuesque, so stunning with her brushed gold skin and dramatic stripes of brown and white? It didn’t matter that Salno had no breasts or that her hips barely flared from a trim waist. She was as tall as Nex, and graceful to boot. She commanded her space with the kind of authority that required no spoken word to enforce. Though she looked at Anneliese with a cool demeanor of perfect tranquility, there was a force to her aura that the Earthling could darned near taste.

  Salno placed her hand over her chest. In a dreamy voice she said, “From my spirit to yours, welcome to Risnar, Anneliese—” she paused to check something on the console
before her “—Thompson. How comforting you did not require sedation.”

  “Thanks, Salno.” Anneliese heard the note of aggression in her own tone. Was the Risnarish woman being patronizing with her flowery greeting and that saccharine tone? Anneliese descended the docking platform steps at Nex’s side.

  He said, “Salno is a biologist as well as an engineer, just as I am. She’s hoping you’ll consent to an interview, both about being an Earthling, as well as your experiences with the Monsuda.”

  Salno nodded, her peaceful expression never waning though she did cock her head to the side as she regarded Anneliese. “As long as such discussion won’t traumatize you worse than you’ve already endured.”

  Anneliese was glad Salno hadn’t witnessed her falling apart in the saucer. “I can handle it.”

  “Excellent. I look forward to our talk.” Salno looked at Nex, and Anneliese noted she maintained the same slightly curious though detached attitude. “After you take her to the medical team, are you coming back for the next retrieval, Nex?”

  Though the question was work-related, Salno’s tone still possessed that lilt that Anneliese had taken to be condescension. Given the placid look on her face, Anneliese wondered if perhaps it wasn’t just Salno’s natural speaking tone.

  Meanwhile Nex was answering his coworker. “I’d like to keep Anneliese company during the procedure. We won’t have long to spend together, and who knows if we’ll see each other again after today? I’ll ask Denir to take over the retrievals for me, if you don’t mind running the controls.”

  “That is acceptable.”

  Anneliese smiled. Salno’s voice, which sounded so falsely friendly, was indeed her natural tone. She’d meant no offense after all.

  Better yet, Nex made it clear that he wanted to spend all the time he could with Anneliese. Apparently, there was no more than a working relationship between him and Salno. Her urge to compete, and the worry she couldn’t, eased.

  Compete for what? Weh. From infatuation to possessiveness. The kisses were incredible, but hardly a reason to stake a claim. Next thing, you’ll be offering to cook for the man. Get a grip, already.

  While Anneliese gave herself a silent talking-to, Salno looked at the two of them. The woman’s tranquil attitude had a tinge of confusion.

  “You said you found this Earthling interesting, but I hadn’t realized there was a more intense connection. I was under the impression that only the Earthling named Jeannie had spent a substantial period among those of Hahz Village.”

  Nex grinned at Anneliese. “True. Sometimes with certain people, you enjoy their company right away.” When Salno’s bewilderment became more obvious, Nex chuckled. “It’s something on the spirit level, I think.”

  The Risnarish woman’s expression cleared, fully composed once more, though she eyed Anneliese with significantly more interest. “I want to talk more about this spirit connection with an Earthling in future conversation, Nex. Perhaps when Anneliese and I talk, she can tell me if she shares that sense.” She touched her flat chest again and smiled. “From my spirit to yours, Anneliese, may your visit be a pleasant one.”

  “Um, thanks.” Anneliese wasn’t quite sure how to respond to what was apparently a standard method of saying hello and goodbye for Salno, so she kept it simple...and awkward.

  Nex chuckled. “Let’s go, Anneliese. I’ve been looking forward to showing you some of my world outside of these disgusting hives.”

  Anneliese followed him out, aware that Salno watched them. She ignored the unwanted attention, looking around the chamber with interest. “This is bigger than the other, Nex.”

  “We noticed. We thought maybe the hives moved back and forth between each other, which would mean more than one collection pod. But we’ve found no evidence of that. In fact, we’ve learned that the portal between worlds cannot be used to transport from place to place around Risnar.”

  They left the chamber, going into the dull gray tunnel that Anneliese found familiar. Despite the portal chamber being larger than the one she’d been all too familiar with, the hive was in most respects laid out just the same as Hahz’s. She kept her eyes averted as they passed doorways that opened into labs. More Risnarish women and a few men wandered in and out of them, speaking in low conversations.

  She concentrated on what Nex was saying. “You’re saying if you use the passage between our worlds, you can only go to Earth from here? And from Earth, you have to return to Risnar?”

  “Exactly. The pod can access anywhere on Earth, but it can’t access locations on Risnar, at least not from this hive. Salno and I suppose if there was a portal on Earth, we could use our pod to gain access to anywhere on Risnar during the return trip.”

  “It’s the portal gate itself that has to serve as an originating point?”

  “That’s our guess.”

  “That’s a relief, if you ask me. What if the Monsuda could skip all over the portals, attacking you from those access points?”

  “It would be bad, considering the thousands of hives on Risnar.”

  Thousands of hives. Anneliese shuddered.

  She noted there were more men and fewer women as they departed the lab area. She also saw that the women had the same serene expressions Salno had worn. They all looked like they’d just gotten in from a meditation retreat and reality hadn’t started kicking their butts again.

  Glad for a subject that might steer her from considering the fight ahead of Nex and his people, Anneliese said, “Salno’s an interesting person. Kind of cold, isn’t she?”

  “Cold? Is the temperature uncomfortable to you?” Nex plucked worriedly at her coat, which was actually too hot for the comfortable temperature in the hive.

  “Not that kind of cold. I meant unemotional. Detached. She’s not overflowing with personality, for all the sweetness in her voice.”

  Nex’s concern cleared with understanding. “Oh. Well, the women of my planet are different from yours. They are serene, not given to a lot of emotion. They have abandoned the storms of passion for spiritual contemplation and the logic of science.”

  “Science and spirituality? Those aren’t considered comfortable bedfellows where I come from.”

  “No? I cannot imagine how they exist apart from each other.” Nex grew more animated, as if to make up for Salno’s impassiveness. “Anneliese, how I’ve wanted to have the chance to talk with you of these things!”

  “Even if I don’t mix my religion and science? If I’m perhaps overly emotional...passionate?”

  Nex laughed. “I might have twenty lifetimes to spend with you, and I’d never scratch the surface. Nothing could make me happier than getting to know a woman who expresses her emotions the way you do. You’re so lively and exciting.”

  “You think so? You haven’t seen the half of it. Maybe you’ll get your chance while you give me the grand tour of Risnar.”

  With that, she picked up the pace, delighted when Nex hurried to keep up with her, his expression eager.

  * * *

  Anneliese discovered the most amazing thing outside of locking lips with Nex: riding in a dartwing. The small arrowhead-shaped craft zipped like lightning through the air, leaving her breathless and exhilarated in its kayak cockpit. Sure, it was a bit cramped to be stuffed into the tight confines with Nex. However, she couldn’t find the will to complain about being up close and personal with him. His body cradled hers oh so nicely.

  She peered over the side through the clear visor of the helmet he’d given her to wear. Beneath them, vast grasslands rolled out forever, the same muted gold color of Salno’s skin. The breeze eddied beneath the visor, bringing the sweet scent of the grasses for her to inhale. It reminded her of lemongrass, a favorite aroma. Here and there, small copses of trees interrupted the vast plain. Did middle America once look similar to this part of Risnar? She wouldn’t have been surprised if a herd of buffalo had thu
ndered through the tall grass.

  Along the route they flew, in the grasses below, she saw striped men hunkered down at regular intervals. They were guarding the travel lane. When Nex reassured her there had been no reprisals from the Monsuda since his people had taken the hive, she relaxed and focused on enjoying the ride.

  It was stunning, this alien world that somehow felt familiar. The rush of flying so quickly over it enthralled her.

  Nex’s voice came through the helmet’s tiny speakers next to her ears. “Look straight ahead. That’s Cas Village. You can see the temple from here.”

  Anneliese strained upward to look over the pointed nose of the dartwing. Rising above the flat sea of swaying grass, a huge glass dome rose into the air. Lines of silver divided the cupped top into partitions, like wedges of pie. As they gained on it, it grew larger and larger. Anneliese realized it had to be as big as any skyscraper on Earth.

  “Wow. You Risnarish are serious about your faith to have a temple that size.”

  Nex’s chuckle tickled her ears. “It’s not just the spiritual center. That’s where the medical and science facilities are, along with where the women and girls live. The temple serves many functions.”

  Anneliese seized on one portion of the information he shared. “All the women live there? You don’t cohabitate? What about marriage and family?”

  He didn’t get to answer her. A sudden flurry of noise erupted around them, sounds Anneliese recognized. The high-pitched whine of passing projectiles and metallic thuds of others striking the dartwing, though not precisely the same, were horribly familiar to someone who’d driven convoys through warzones. She went into defensive mode.

  “Incoming fire! Evade!”

  Nex yelled back, his voice roaring furious in her ears. “That’s scatter-shot! There must be drones in that stand of trees down there!”

  The Risnarish sentries had responded to the drones firing on Nex’s dartwing, racing toward the copse of trees and returning the shots. Blazing white streaks came from the long cylinders they pointed at the stand of timber.