Billo applauded. “You’ve begun your journey to recovery.”
After finding the cleaning supplies in a small hall closet, Jenny dragged them over to the women’s bathroom. Pulling on a pair of yellow rubber gloves, she set to work scrubbing and rinsing every surface.
Jenny liked cleaning. She even found it meditative. When Jenny had moved into her aunt’s house, the place was a mess. She’d spent hours scrubbing and sweeping. When she was finished, the place had looked brand-new.
The repetitive tasks felt good and actually refreshed her energy. After she had finished, Jenny stood and admired her hard work with pride. It was dinner time now, and Jenny was starving.
In the mess hall, Jenny overheard people spreading rumors of a fight in engineering. She could feel their eyes on her as she loaded up her tray. She could hear them whispering as she walked to the table and sat down. To her relief, her friends chose to eat in companionable silence. It wasn’t until the end of her meal that someone spoke up.
“It’s almost time for Trey’s memorial service,” Adriana said. “I think we should all go.”
I forgot, Jenny thought as the image of Trey’s purple, smashed head flashed unbidden into her mind. She pushed her tray away as her stomach churned.
“Yeah,” Billo said to Jenny. “And it’s a good way to prove that you’re a better person than Sadi.”
Jenny and the other white uniforms joined about twenty other people on the landing platform. The sun had set, and millions of stars lit the night sky. Lin Yuan stood with her back against the ocean and led the tribunal. She spoke eloquently about Trey and his influence on everyone he met. She spoke of his creativity and drive.
“He will be missed,” Lin said as she finished. Then she invited anyone else to come up and say something about Trey.
Only Sadi spoke up.
After observing Sadi’s memories, Jenny felt an unexplainable bond with her. She felt compelled to honor Trey as well, but Jenny also knew how inappropriate it would be for Sadi. Jenny could feel the other girl staring at her. Hatred emanated from Sadi in waves, and something else: fear. Jenny wasn’t sure which was worse.
After the memorial, Lin reminded everyone that tomorrow was the final day of testing. Jenny and the other white uniforms lined up at the stairwell. Behind them, she heard Sadi arguing with Lin.
“You don’t even care,” Sadi said.
“I do, Sadi. I do.”
“What was he doing in the forest alone?”
“I don’t know.”
Kensei turned to Jenny. “It’s time for my second testing. I hope I’m not late.”
“You won’t be,” Jenny replied, turning her attention away from Sadi and Lin. She shuffled behind Kensei as they left the platform. “Mine is right after yours.”
“Cool, maybe I’ll see you down there.”
Adriana looked at Jenny. “How about a rematch while Kensei is testing?”
“You’re on.”
Adriana proceeded to trounce Jenny on the mats. She won three bouts out of four. Jenny didn’t have as much fire as she’d had in their first bout. After all, the last time they’d fought, she didn’t know they were sisters. Also, she was nervous about her next test and kept glancing at the testing room. Neither of them commented on Jenny’s poor fighting performance. Perhaps Adriana understands how nervous I am, Jenny thought.
“Is it time?” Adriana asked and rubbed at her neck.
“Yeah,” Jenny said. Adriana gave her a hand up and they walked over to the testing room. Sweat cooled under Jenny’s uniform as she watched Kensei work through the last maze. He pulled his key from the box, and the leaderboard updated. His name surged up to the seventh place. Kensei had finished the last maze in record time, and when he stepped out of the room, he didn’t appear nearly as disoriented as last time.
Maybe he’s getting more comfortable using his ability, Jenny thought.
“Wow, way to go.” Adriana clapped him on the back. “That shortcut on the gravity level is really paying off.”
“Are some of the shortcuts better than others?” Jenny asked.
“Yes and no.” Adriana shrugged. “Look at how high Aindriu’s score is on the first test, yet he has one of the lowest scores.”
“Besides mine,” Jenny said under her breath.
“You absolutely need to find a shortcut,” Adriana continued, “but you also have to be skilled in the other tests.”
“I wish we had started earlier.” Kensei looked at Jenny. “Now we have a lot of catching up to do, and no time to do it.”
“I know what you mean.” Jenny looked down and kicked her foot. “I’m probably going to stay in the last place.”
“Don’t say that.” Adriana put a hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “I know you’ll do better this time.”
Kensei looked up at the leaderboard and checked the time. “Well, I’m going to bed.”
“Same here.” Adriana yawned.
“Aren’t you going to stay and watch me?”
“I would”—Adriana shifted her feet—“but with the final test coming up tomorrow…”
“And I am really exhausted after training with Mazu,” Kensei said.
“Okay.” Jenny opened the door to the test room. “Well, goodnight.” She let the door close before they could respond. I don’t need them anyway, Jenny thought. After all, I’m the only person to complete every test. Now that I know the waveforms, I’m sure I’ll move into the top five, if not first place.
Jenny took a breath to calm herself, then inserted her key into the first test. She worked the ball efficiently through each maze level until it rolled into the golden cage. When she finished, she saw that she was ahead of her previous time, but not as fast as she’d expected.
Don’t worry, Jenny. There are still three more tests.
By the time she’d finished the second test, she knew she wasn’t going to beat Sadi’s score. After the third, she was sure she wouldn’t be in the top five. Jenny activated the fourth test. Last time, the placement of the geometric objects seemed utterly random. This time, she noticed an order to them. She charted a path, the way she had on the other mazes, and quickly picked up enough small objects to level up to the next size. Then, she found another route for the medium-size objects. After picking up the large objects, the ball rolled into the golden cage, and she removed her key and left.
The sound of the door clicking shut echoed through the empty gym. She slowly turned around and checked the leaderboard. Her name had risen to fifteenth place, placing her solidly in the middle of the pack. I only scored 236 points? Jenny sat down on the floor and held her head in her hands. She felt a little sad and relieved that no one was here to witness her failure. Even though she was alone, she expected to hear Sadi’s laughter behind her at any second.
Jenny was too upset to go back to her room. Instead, she decided to work through the tai chi kata Mazu had shown her earlier that day. Jenny entered the training room and assumed the starting stance. She moved as slowly as she could manage. In the case of katas, slower was harder and better for training her muscles.
Being able to finish each test means nothing if I can’t find a shortcut, Jenny thought as she worked through the forms. After all, the ball could only roll so fast. What did Mazu say about the scores? ‘The perception test requires you to improve yourself, and because of that, it influences all the others.’ They all depend on the perception test. Which means I need to improve myself.
After twenty minutes, sweat coated her skin and her arms were like lead. She stopped and took a deep breath to slow her racing heart. Sitting cross-legged, she straightened her back and focused on relaxing her body. She opened her awareness to everything around her.
The air vents in the room hummed softly as they circulated clean air. Her heart thumped in a steady rhythm. Her mind drifted away.
Suddenly, a steady buh-da bum, buh-da bum reverberated through her body and echoed in her chest. What was that? She stood up and followed the sound. It took
her out of the training room to the middle of the gym. It seemed to originate from the skylight. She looked up, peering through the dark water.
The sound was like the heartbeat of the ocean.
28
The Pulse
Red lights lit the path ahead of her as Jenny left the gym. Though it preserved her night vision, it gave the appearance that she was walking through a lava-filled cave. Her breathing sounded loud in the empty corridor. Jenny didn’t know the rules about being up late, and she worried about getting caught.
Soon Jenny reached the Endeavor’s control room, where she’d first met Mazu. As usual, workers in blue uniforms peered into their displays. She tiptoed across the catwalk, worried that one loud footfall would give her away. At any moment, they could look up and see her. They’d likely send her to bed, or worse, she’d be kept from the tests or expelled.
Jenny made it across the catwalk without drawing the workers’ attention. She entered the escape pod room and sighed in relief. Jenny ran to the stairwell and ascended the steel steps. As she climbed higher, the ever-present beat pounding in her chest grew louder.
The air on the platform was a mixture of brine from the ocean and fuel and oil from the planes. The beat that had drawn her out of the Endeavor echoed across the sea from one of the Selkans’ islands. The waves caught the orange light from a bonfire and held it like topaz jewels. Organic shapes danced in front of the flames, sending wild shadows across the water’s rippling surface.
They were drums! Of course! That’s where the sound is coming from. The deep bass boomed in her chest as she slipped off her boots. She sat on the edge of the platform, wishing her legs were long enough to reach the water. Suddenly, a big wave hit the concrete wall, and a spray of saltwater touched her lips. She licked it away just as a deep voice boomed from behind her.
“Hello.”
Jenny jerked in surprise and almost tipped forward into the churning sea. She turned to find Kett’l standing behind her in his blue coveralls.
“Sorry to startle you.” Kett’l smiled around his tusks. “I was on my way to the celebration.” He pointed at the bonfire across the waves.
“Ah.” Jenny nodded. “What are you celebrating?”
“Why, the success of the mission. A victor will be chosen tomorrow to unlock the Terminal.” He cocked his head at Jenny. “What brought you up here? Did you feel the drums?”
“Yeah.” Jenny thumped her chest. “They’re like an extra heartbeat.”
Kett’l nodded knowingly. “You hear with more than your ears. We call it the music of life. If you know how to listen, you find it everywhere, and in everything.” He looked up at the stars and held out thick arms terminating in long, webbed fingers. “You can hear the universe singing.”
Last week, Jenny would have thought anyone talking about the music of life was crazy. She couldn’t be sure that Kett’l wasn’t mad, but that was true of anyone on the Endeavor. After seeing the alien Æon weave matter from thin air in the forge, she was far more receptive to what he had to say.
“Join me,” Kett’l said. “You can be my guest.”
“Out there?” Jenny waved her hand at the island. With aliens?
Kett’l nodded and unclasped his coveralls. He pulled the blue clothing down over his generous belly. He stepped out of the bundle, revealing a giant, furry, walrus-like body.
Jenny’s eyes widened and heat flushed into her face. She looked away and thought about his offer. The test is tomorrow, and it’s late. Yet, how can I pass up this once-in-a-lifetime event? She turned toward him, careful to keep her eyes on his face. “Okay, yeah. I’ll do it. I’ll join you.”
Kett’l grinned, displaying large, flat teeth beneath his white tusks.
Jenny stood up. The siphonophores, inhabiting every cell of her body, had increased her endurance, and made her a more perfect machine. She was in the best shape of her life. Jenny removed her uniform and felt unashamed as she stood in front of the alien in her underclothes.
The next moment, Kett’l ran and jumped into the ocean. Crystal-blue water fountained into the air.
Jenny found a hidden alcove on the platform where she could stash the burstepi and her clothes. Satisfied that no one would find her bag, she stepped up to the edge and peered down into the dark water. It churned and foamed as it crashed into the side of the platform two meters down. Before she lost courage, Jenny took a deep breath and leaped.
The cool ocean pulled her down and drew the heat from her body. Salty seawater found its way into her mouth. She clamped her lips shut and clawed upward. She gained the surface and struggled to keep her head above the waves as she looked around for Kett’l. A brown head bobbed up and down several meters away. The Selkan, who had seemed so large and awkward on land, glided confidently through the sea. Jenny swam after him using a freestyle stroke as powerful as an Olympic athlete’s. After a minute, she reached the island just behind Kett’l. Fresh green grass tickled her toes.
Kett’l smiled warmly. “You swim well, for a human.”
Jenny straightened and puffed out her chest. “Thanks.”
The island, which was about 18 meters in diameter, contained a single mud hut. Rows of fish hung from a line to dry. A group of young Selkans danced around a roaring bonfire. Six more banged on huge drums with mallets. The elderly hummed a communal song. Several children played a game of tag. It was entirely domestic and wholesome and filled Jenny with a sense of warmth and security.
Three older Selkans, two men and a woman, approached Kett’l and greeted him by touching palms. The men had longer tusks than Kett’l did. They also had intricate facial tattoos with complex organic patterns in blue ink. After greeting Kett’l, they approached Jenny with their palms facing up. She placed her hands on theirs. They smiled and bowed before rejoining the festivities.
Jenny turned to Kett’l. “It must be difficult to be so far from home.”
“It is.” He pulled on a thong hanging around his neck and held it out to her. On it hung a glass vial filled with golden sand. “But we bring a small piece of home wherever we go.”
Thork’l, Kett’l’s father, walked over and greeted Jenny with a big, toothy smile and a warm embrace.
“Welcome to the celebration,” Thork’l said.
“Thank you.” She looked up at Kett’l. “And thank you for inviting me and making me feel so welcome.”
Kett’l touched his forehead and bowed.
Thork’l led them closer to the fire. A group of elderly Selkans sat nearby and greeted her with open palms.
The trio sat on the green grass to watch the young Selkans dance. Their random, organic movements mimicked the fire that danced across the burning logs. Collars of shell and bone around their necks and arms clicked rhythmically. The sights and sounds held Jenny’s attention in a hypnotic trance.
Kett’l joined the dancers.
Jenny’s muscles pulsed in rhythm with the drum. Her head swayed, and her feet shifted in time with the beat. Then she let herself go. The drums and the humming Selkans guided her. She joined the Selkans, and danced like she was eleven years old again.
Deep down in her heart, she knew this song. It was the music of the universe, and it ignited a light inside of her. The frail flame flickered at first, fragile as a newborn, but it soon blazed as hot as the sun. Tears sprang from her eyes. Why do I keep my happiness locked away? She stared up at the sky, and for the first time in a long time, she saw beauty.
Kett’l collapsed onto the soft grass. He was breathing hard. “Phew, it’s been a long time since I’ve danced like that.”
Jenny sat down next to Kett’l and heard giggling voices behind them. She turned and saw a Selkan boy chasing a group of five kids.
Kett’l turned to look. “The little one, with the shells, is my sister, Lys’a.”
“She’s adorable.”
The boy jumped over a bench and ran after Lys’a, but as he was about to tag her, she vanished. Jenny’s eyes went wide, and she jerked backward.
Where did she go?
Lys’a appeared a few meters away from where she was last seen. The girl giggled and ran from the boy.
“She teleported,” Jenny said in wonder.
“Of course.”
“Can every Selkan teleport?”
“It’s an innate flight response, though it’s easier to invoke when we’re young and easily frightened.”
“That’s amazing,” Jenny said.
“It’s how Tyr uses us in their ships. Though none of us here have been slaves, we were all prisoners to our system.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before our escape, the only Selkans to leave our system were in the belly of a warship. Tyr keeps us trapped on our planet. They control our system’s Terminal and all the information going in and out.”
Jenny leaned forward. “How did you escape?”
“That is a long story.” Kett’l reached up and pulled a dried fish off the line. He rolled the fish in his hands and examined the silvery scales. “My people believe that there is one pattern that controls all the energy in the universe and that our ability to teleport comes from that pattern. But a group of human scientists, assigned to study my clan, sought a more scientific explanation.” He broke the fish open, peeled off a chunk of white flesh, and popped it into his mouth before offering some to Jenny. She took a piece and chewed the delicious, flaky fish. “Shortly after my sixteenth year, I began to see energy, like the waves of the sea.”
“Like the waveforms in the mazes?” she asked.
He nodded. “I named it ‘the Pulse’ because it feels like a heartbeat to me.”
“Pulse. I like that.” It’s as good a term as any to describe what’s going on inside my head.
“None of my people understood the Pulse.” Kett’l tore off another chunk of fish. “But the human scientists did. They took me aboard their laboratory, the Endeavor.”
Jenny looked back at the concrete platform. Two planes were visible as black silhouettes against the starry sky. Below them, her friends slept beneath the waves.
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