Home of the Forgotten

by Rayne W Grath

  Anna protested that she didn’t particularly enjoy rides when Kiya pushed her in and said, “Don’t be a baby...it’s not that bad.” Snickering when she heard Anna scream on the way down she was surprised when Taylor volunteered to go next so he could calm her down.

  Pulling her grandmother into her side she kissed her temple and said on a sigh, “Almost to the home stretch Grams. I’m scared.”

  “What are you afraid of the most?” Grams asked, while they waited for the med vac.

  “That I’ll let everyone down and we all die,” Kiya admitted with a half-crazed laugh.

  “Well that doesn’t happen so don’t worry yourself sick. There will be death but if you concentrate on those still living, you’ll see that you still have so much to live for. Remember it’s not just you anymore,” Grams finished placing her hands on Kiya’s belly once more.

  “So not the time, Grams. Even if it was true…,” Kiya growled and when Grams smiled at Kiya for admitting it could be true she reiterated, “IF I said. If Aarik knew, he would sequester me in a cell and prevent me from being anywhere near the fight.”

  “Why do you think he is sending you away,” Grams replied with a smirk.

  “To the med room?” Kiya choked out in disbelief.

  “Gameer owes him a favor to protect his Kh’izmet, friends and family. Surprised you didn’t catch onto it. Can’t you feel his intentions and hear his thoughts now?”

  “Yes I can, and he was sincere when he said he needed me to help him,” Kiya replied, as disbelief began to creep in.

  “Well, it was Enki the favor was owed to...Maybe the seer hid Gameer’s real purpose to Aarik. Regardless, I don’t need you to get me settled in, child. I’ve always been an independent woman who loves you so much! Whether he realizes it or not, he does need you with him to pull this off. Go back in there and remind him he’s not the only seer in the family,” Grams replied, as she stepped into the med vac and blew Kiya a kiss.

  Kiya signed I love you before Grams was whisked away. Striding back onto the bridge she gave her soulmate a gleeful smirk before she waltzed over to him and said, “I’m back and before you ask how, Grams said to tell you that you’re not the only seer in the family and that you can’t do it all on your own.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Aarik

  “I...I...I wasn’t going to ask how? I was going to say that was fast,” Aarik replied with a sheepish grin before shaking his head and saying under his breath, “I hope that woman knows what she is doing.”

  “She would tell you after 89 years she better know what she is doing,” Kiya answered sarcastically before adding, “Do you know what we are doing because I’m pretty sure I’m clueless.”

  Aarik ran a hand through his waves and fingered out the tangles while he contemplated what to say. She wouldn’t want to hear his original plan.

  Yes I would, Kiya interjected before adding, I can hear you if I try hard enough, by the way.

  Shit! Aarik replied before he shrugged innocently and said, “I do need you, but I don’t need you to be close in order to use our powers together. I was trying to keep you out of harm's way. I’m sorry. Can I blame our heritage for turning me into an overprotective ass?”

  “Damn lucky that’s not what happened. I don’t know if I would have been able to forgive you for something so sneaky,” Kiya replied with a disappointed shake of her head. Still doesn’t tell me what we are doing.

  “Time’s up for explanations, they’ll be entering our space in the next thirty seconds. Where do you want us?” Thad asked at the helm.

  “They’ll slow down just before they reach us to complete a quick scan of the area. We’ll be hidden here. When they pass, I just need you to leave the protection of our cover and hold your position. Kiya and I will do the rest,” Aarik answered staring down at Kiya he added, It will be easier to show you than try and explain it.

  “What about the rest of our fleet? Should they attack at random or are we all going to focus on a single target?” Thad asked with anxiety evident in his voice as he stared lovingly down at Zoya.

  “Tell them to hold their positions and wait for my word,” Aarik replied before addressing the rest of the bridge, “Everyone not necessary to maneuver us into position should seek shelter elsewhere immediately.”

  “I think we’ll stay. Something tells me you could use us later,” Morri offered while gazing into Dag’s eyes when they were the last ones left.

  “Suit yourselves, but I won’t be able to ensure your safety if you stay,” Aarik replied with a shrug.

  “Point taken,” Dag replied with his hands poised in the air.

  Aarik took a big breath and grabbed Kiya’s hand and said, “Take us out slowly, Thad, and shield the room to conceal our thoughts and sounds.”

  Nodding at Kiya he closed his eyes and entered the AZOK. Kiya looked around at the empty space and said, What do we need here?

  A quiet and private spot to connect our souls for a power boost that will allow us to open an interdimensional transport to the king’s ship, Aarik explained as he approached Kiya slowly

  That doesn’t sound hard, why do you need the power boost? Kiya questioned with a frown as she looked up at him from within his arms.

  You’ll see. Are you ready? Aarik asked and then cocked his head to the side when he thought he heard the faint sound of beating drums. When it didn’t continue he shrugged, closed the gap between them and kissed his other half passionately. As their souls danced around each other and melded into one, Aarik marvelled at how new it felt again, until he remembered Kiya had an additional piece of Enki that could make the experience feel different than their first time.

  Promising himself they would have plenty of time to familiarize each other inside and out later, he showed Kiya the transport ritual. Stepping up behind her when she was done he melded their limbs together to complete the movements as one. When they pulled the transport to them and blue mist climbed like fire over the wall in front of them, Aarik moved to Kiya’s right and linked their fingers together. Raising the weapon into the air, he pushed it ahead of them and walked into the mist.

  Poking holes in the transport he told Kiya what he was doing, I needed the power boost because instead of calling someone else’s transport to me...I have to...I mean WE have to create those transports ourselves and push one out to each of the faction ships carrying a leader.

  What is stopping them from seeing our transport and blockading us or sending assassins to take us out? Kiya questioned as she turned slowly taking in his handy work.

  ‘Cause we’re in the engine room and by the time we’re noticed it will be too late. This next part will be a power drain of epic proportions so I need you to hold a little back for yourself. Don’t let me take it all! Tell me you understand! Aarik said sternly.

  I’ll try but I doubt you could take more than I could handle. What’s the big deal? Kiya asked, as Aarik stepped up behind her to start the ritual again.

  You’ll need it for a shield after we detonate the bomb. We know I’m fireproof, but I can’t guarantee that you are, Aarik explained painfully.

  What do you mean? Did you see me burn? Kiya blurted out turning her head to look at him.

  Sometimes you were fireproof and other times you weren’t. Sometimes you used a shield and were saved that way. I didn’t have enough time to find out why sometimes you were able to withstand the flames, Aarik answered truthfully.

  Ahh. Now I understand why you wanted me to stay out of the fight. I’ll keep something in reserve just in case. Okay? Kiya replied squeezing his hands with encouragement before adding, Let’s do this thing.

  Taking a deep breath, Aarik pushed everything he had into envisioning the engine room of ten different ships in the king’s armada before pulling them to the holes in their transport. Feeling a dip in his power, he gladly accepted what Kiya threw his way. The moment he felt the connection solidify he felt another boost of energy from Kiya and screamed at her when he realized wha
t she had done, What are you doing! You promised you’d save some for yourself!

  I did promise to save myself and I just did. You didn’t have anything left in the tank to finish what you started. So quit your bitching and end this fucking thing! Kiya yelled back as she staggered away.

  Damn it, Kiya. I had enough left to light the damn thing! What if you’re not fireproof in this version of the future? Aarik pleaded looking about frantically. Knowing they were out of time he threw up his hands and let out a roar. With a snarl he growled out, “Get as far back as you can. So help me Kiya if you don’t live...”

  Kiya, quiet for once, backed up when he lit the fuse and pushed the weapon to the other side. Turning, he stomped back to her. She raised her head defiantly when he stopped in front of her and, with a quivering lip, said, “I’ll make it. Worry about yourself!”

  Throwing his arms around her he pulled her in for a hug and hoped it wouldn’t be the last time. Tearing himself away, he willed their connection to be that something, this time, that granted her immunity to fire. Turning around at the last possible second, he flung his arms out wide as the flames of the explosion ripped through the portal opening in front of them. Flinging his arms out wide he directed the force of the blast down each of the open portals. The resulting roar from the combined detonations was deafening as the heat rushed back toward them.

  Swinging back around he pushed Kiya out, landing on top of her as flames shot out over their heads. Snapping his fingers he severed the transport before their ship could take too much damage and, when the flames flickered out, looked down at Kiya to assess how badly she was injured. Her smile and the cheers from those still brave enough to be in the room was all he needed to know their mission was successful before he crushed his lips to hers in celebration.

  Kiya smacked his arm a couple times and then bit his lip playfully to get his attention. Pulling back with a growl he said, “What? We won! Doesn’t the shit I just pulled off deserve a kiss?!”

  “That and more, but no one else deserves to see it!” Kiya returned with a purr before pushing at his chest and adding, “Get off me, big guy. I’ve got to pee!”

  Jumping up into a crouch he grabbed her hands and pulled her up with him. “Fine then, go pee...I’ve got to take this call anyway,” he joked as a hail came in from another ship. Lifting his hands into the air innocently he watched her sashay out of the room before turning around and asking Thad to accept the call.

  “Greetings, Captain Mos’mo. I assume you’ve rung to discuss terms of your surrender?” Aarik announced pleasantly like he was accepting a call from an old friend.

  “Surrender? Nonsense, there will be no surrender! You and your puny army will die for what you have done. We will make you suffer a thousand deaths!” Mos’mo screamed.

  “I thought it was pretty clear when I targeted specific ships that I was willing to let the rest of you go, but if you’d prefer to die just like the people that led you here, than be my guest,” Aarik replied as a bluff.

  “Wait! What are your terms?” Mos’mo relented with a bowed head.

  “Leave this galaxy, go back to your homes and lick your wounds. I’ll know if you don’t and I won’t hesitate to follow through on my threats,” Aarik warned on a snarl.

  “What guarantee do we have that you won’t anyway?” Mos’mo questioned with a tilt of his head.

  “Other than the fact that I’d like to keep the Greys on my side, and they tend to shy away from unneeded violence, you have none,” Aarik returned, and barely stopped himself from throwing a fist pump in the air when Mos’mo agreed and Thad confirmed the rest of the ships were on their way out.

  Dropping into an open chair instead he said, “That was a close one!”

  “What do you mean?” Zoya questioned from Thad’s side.

  “Well, considering we only had one bomb and enough energy to pull it off the one time, we were lucky they believed us,” Aarik admitted on a yawn before adding, “Who wants to give us a lift home?”

  “Earth sustained a lot of damage. It will recover over time, especially in the right hands. Come with us to Nae’dere and help us restart our society,” Thad offered in response.

  “While I appreciate the offer, I think we’d like to at least assess the damage we’re facing and try to restart our society here before we attempt someone else's,” Aarik replied as Kiya entered the room sandwiched between Taylor and Grams, who was grinning from ear to ear.

  Anna and a young woman walked in holding each other with Rh’ael proudly bringing up the rear. Aarik raised a brow in question to Rh’ael who put his arm around the woman in question and answered in a shrill voice, “This...This is my brother’s human wife.”

  Anna backed away in terror, grasping for her mother she yelled, “How? What have you done with my father?”

  “Nothing yet! There wasn’t time,” Th’ael spit out as he backed up with Liz held tightly in his grip and looked frantically around him. Heading towards Morri he added, “I learned the morning Tashina was kidnapped of my brother’s treachery, and was in conversations with my family to renounce him but they wanted more proof. Of course then you took her from me so I hijacked an ear and spied on you. That is until Tashina killed herself and severed our connection. No matter, it was too late. I knew where you were headed so I beat everyone here and took his place. I thought I had more time to put a stop to your plans, but when Tashina showed up alive without your other half I bided my time,” Coming to a stop near the Tuatha de Danann, he yanked Liz to the ground by the hair until she was quivering in front of him. Pulling a knife from his robes he waved it around as he used his commanding voice to yell, “Come to me, Thrall, and I’ll let everyone live!”

  Aarik panicked as he watched Kiya step forward as if under Th’ael’s influence. Time seemed to slow to a stop as Th’ael launched the knife in her direction. Aarik tried to freeze the air but, having used up all of his energy, all he could do was roar as it sailed through the air to its target. Seconds before it hit its intended mark, Tashina stepped in front of Kiya and staggered back into Kiya’s arms as it sank deep into her heart. Caught off guard by the impact, they fell to the floor together. Rolling over she looked down at the knife sticking out of her grandmother’s chest and let out an anguished scream. Raising her hand she called forth a beam of lightning from her hand that blasted a hole, the size of a bowling ball, in Th’ael’s chest right before he slumped to the floor.

  Anna scrambled to help her mother up as Kiya crawled to her grandmother and cried out, “Grams! Grams! You’re going to be okay. Someone help me get her to the med vac tube!”

  Tashina smiled up at Kiya and grabbed for her hand before she whispered, “It’s okay, child. It’s my time to go.”

  “What do you mean? I need you here to help me with your grandbabies. You said they needed to recognize your voice! They can’t do that if you’re not here!” Kiya said with a sob as she placed her grandmother’s hand flat on her belly and looked up at Aarik with tears streaming down her face.

  “They’ll recognize my voice from beyond and will tell you when I stop by to say hi. Now quit your crying, child. I’m tired. Give your Grams a dying wish and let me go in peace,” Grams rasped out as a single trail of blood trickled out of her mouth.

  “Oh you would say something like that,” Kiya bit out with a forced laugh as she wiped her eyes with her shirt. Sniffling she uttered, “How am I supposed to do it without you?”

  “One day at a time with the help of those in this room would be my guess,” Tashina joked, as a cough racked her body. Patting Kiya’s cheek delicately, she took a raspy breath and said, “I love you more than the universe, my child...I’ll see you around.” With that, her hand drifted down as she exhaled her final breath with a smile on her lips.

  Kiya folded in on herself as tears of sorrow flowed from her eyes. Picking her up, Aarik cradled her in his arms and whispered how much he loved her while issuing orders to take them home.

  Epilogue

&nb
sp; Kiya

  Kiya opened her eyes and looked down at the hand covering her belly. Following the arm it was connected to she smiled over at the sleeping man hunched over her hospital bed. Tugging quietly at the IV in her left hand she tried to talk only to find her throat extremely dry like she’d been under for a while. Trying again, she covered his hand with hers and when he jerked awake she said is a raspy voice, “Hey there, sleepy head!”

  “You’re awake! Oh thank goodness! Can I get you anything?” Aarik grated out.

  “Water,” Kiya replied smacking her lips dramatically.

  Aarik scrambled to pour her a glass without spilling any as he handed it to her with shaking hands. Draining it quickly she held it out for a refill when he said, “How are you feeling? Should I get the doctor?”

  “I’m fine. Where are we? I thought the Earth was in shambles. How are we even in a hospital?” Kiya replied pushing to a sitting position as she tried to see out of the window behind him.

  “It could have been worse. We lost New York, Los Angeles and Houston here in the United States and on the other side of the pond Berlin, Tokyo, Singapore, Moscow, Sydney and London. Our newfound allies have agreed to stay behind to help rebuild and pave the way for our eventual initiation into the agglomerate…” Aarik answered in reserve.

  “Did we find Rh’ael?” Kiya asked with hesitance.

  “About that…Anna was a bit distraught that you murdered the man who had knowledge of her fathers last location, but after I pointed out she was friends with a seer she calmed down a bit. They are on their way to retrieve him otherwise they would be here now,” Aarik replied placing his hand on her belly gently and asking, “When were you going to tell me you were pregnant?”

  “I didn’t know for sure… Grams seemed to think we were having twins,” Kiya replied with a lump in her throat at the mention of her grandmother’s name. “Where is she? Please tell me you didn’t hold the funeral without me!”