“We should leave now,” said Richard anxiously. “I wouldn’t want to face them.”
Melissa knew she should leave, but against her better judgment remained. In an instant the Overmen saw her, and came near.
“Melissa . . .”
“Be silent, Richard. Let me handle this.”
They orbited Melissa, examining her up and down. They were dark beings, obviously humanoid, but with bodies that shifted under the dim light of the void. Their eyes were at once blue, then red, and they all seethed with unimaginable power. She could feel something scan her mind, and though she was stronger and wiser than ever before, she still could not prevent it.
“What a curious aberration,” said one.
“Yes indeed,” said another. “Even we can have ramifications on our timeline.”
“Back off!” shouted Melissa. “I can defend myself.”
They both laughed. “Oh my, you are a willful thing, aren’t you? Well, don’t worry. We have no desire to eliminate such an integral key to our past.”
One drifted close to her and said; “once you figure out what you are, then you have a hope of finding out what you will be.” He opened his hand, and Melissa felt herself being pushed back through the ribbon with Richard. “Now back to where you came from. Never again dare to venture this far into your future, or we will kill you, ancestor or not.”
After their return to their proper time, Melissa hung in space for a while, high above the Iquitian sky, looking down on a world with a new perspective. Richard clung to her waist, though his grasp was softer then it was before. For the first time since they left, Melissa was aware of how close they were. She could smell his thick, musky scent, and feel his heart beating at her side.
“I never imagined that one day I would see our world like this.”
“Nor I, Richard.”
He pulled himself level with her, and said; “I was so wrong about you, Melissa. Wrong about you and sussa.”
“Oh, Richard . . .”
He kissed her, and she kissed him back, feeling only tremendous warmth in the cold vacuum of space. Tenderness and passion suffused his touch, rendering his cold and clinical demeanor.
“Shall we return?” she asked, disappointed they needed to return, as the pocket of air she kept around them was dwindling fast.
“Yes but . . . let me do this.”
Richard threw the box he held far away from them, down towards the planet. After a few seconds it grew white-hot, before exploding in the upper atmosphere.
“I’m sorry, for how we treated you,” he said. “Will you stay with us, and be our Archsussa?”
Melissa was shocked. “Why this change?”
“I am looking down on the world for the first time in my life, and it is not with the help of science. The mighty beings we saw, these Overmen, seem to function with a kind of sussa. If it is they who eventually dominate all of creation, then why shouldn’t we work together now?” He kissed her again, on the lips. “You have done what Toby never could; made me have faith in an Archsussa.”
As Melissa led them back down to the surface, a great part of her felt vindicated, while a small part felt anxious and concerned. A great deal of responsibility was being thrust on her for the first time in her life, and she was unsure of how to feel. And as much joy she felt at being in Richard’s arms, feeling his lips on hers, it somehow felt hollow. When they returned, Daria seemed to echo her concern in her dour expression.
“Did you two have a good time?” she asked pointedly, her arms crossed about her chest.
“Yes!” cried Richard. “Wait ‘till you hear all that we saw -- it was utterly amazing.”
As Richard led Daria off, she looked back at Melissa with sadness and anger. Melissa couldn’t help but sigh, as things were getting very complicated for her. As they moved further away, they could be heard to bicker, and Melissa sat down in the snow and wished things had gone differently.
Why did I leave her behind? Why do I need to steal Richard from her? The fatigue from opening the portal was taking its toll, and she had to sit in the snow. She could only conjur a small firesphere to keep herself warm, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it going for long. Because I can. Because I am more powerful than they are, and I should take what I want.
“So, was it really all that wonderful?”
She looked behind her and Vincent stood, tall and proud. She was surprised that she didn’t even hear his footsteps.
“It was . . . enlightening.”
He sat down beside her, and absently made a few snowballs. “You alright?”
“Yeah, just tired. I probably shouldn’t have done that.” The firesphere dissolved, as she could no longer maintain it.
Vincent sighed. “I guess he’ll be the hero again when we get back. No matter all his lying, he’s come through for our people again.”
“Why are you so jealous of him?”
“Jealous?” scoffed Vincent. “I’ve got more girls than he could ever dream of, done things he can’t even imagine.”
Melissa thought for a moment, watching him as he threw the snowballs against the side of the ship. Part of her understood how Vincent felt, for she was probably just an idelfada; a copy of someone who had done great things. She knew she couldn’t tell him all about herself, but she felt sad.
“Maybe you just need to find your own path,” she ventured carefully, “try to make your own mark on --”
“Never mind,” he said dismissively with an angry wave of his hand, “don’t worry about me. Besides, this is time for you to be happy. I’ll bet they won’t be locking you up when we get back.” He got back to his feet, his fists clenched as he gazed out at his brother. “We should have a fête when we get back.”
“A fête?”
“Yeah -- with some music and song, where we all get together, all of us the same age, and forget about all the crap we put up with.” He relaxed her hands, and gazed down at her with warm eyes. “I guess you’ll be our guest of honor.”
“Oh . . . thanks!”
“Don’t thank me yet -- we’ve got to pull those two apart so we can head back, and not freeze out here.”
Melissa watched as he ran off, wondering if she had chosen the right brother.
Chapter 14
It was a struggle for her to make it back to the ship of the scientists. She had thought herself to be powerful, but opening the ribbon into the past, going above Iqui drained her to a point that she could barely breathe. She cursed herself for ignoring how it killed her mother, just so she could show off for Richard.
A boy made me this stupid? she thought as she lay in a cramped litter, pulled by a couple of charaks and guided by one of the guards. But he actually kissed me . . . Looking like this, as heavy as I am, he actually kissed me. I felt his heart next to mine, and for a few brief moments, it was just him and I. And I felt so light in space!
It was the memory of his kiss that kept her going until they returned. Richard came beside her often during the journey, holding her hand, asking if she was alright. And as much as she loved that, and was beginning to love him, she felt sad at the friendship she lost with Daria.
Once back, she was taken to a quiet room with a small window, a plate of food, and a large bed. As much as she wanted to eat, sleep beckoned her like never before. And no matter her training or the voice inside her mind telling her to stay awake so she could become a better Archsussa, she fell instantly asleep.
It seemed like she was asleep for only a few moments, when shouting woke her up.
“Damned you, Richard!” she could hear from just outside the door. She could tell it was Daria, and slowly she crept out of bed and closer to her door. It sounded as if they had a suite not far from hers and they were arguing with the door open. “Why do you want to use her powers now? What happened to your commitment to science?”
“What happened to your love of the Archsussa?” he countered.
“I liked them fine, until you fell in love with one.
”
Melissa’s heart fluttered, her spirit danced on the ether, kept aloft by the warm thought of him. She almost squealed with glee. He really likes me, she thought. A real man, not one whom I created, loves me.
“So what if I like her? She can help us advance our scientific understanding in weeks rather than decades. What she has shown us already answers so many questions.”
They argued back and forth, becoming more heated as Melissa sat back against the door. All I have to do is go out and claim him. She got up, and found a basin to wash her face. As she surfaced from the ablution, she was confronted by her reflection. Admittedly it was made harsh by the artificial light in her suite, but it still was truth. She had bags under her eyes, fat, doughy cheeks, and a jowl under her chin.
I look nothing like Daria -- she is thin, and healthy, and beautiful. They joy in her face disappeared in an instant, replaced by abject sadness. I am so ugly! How any boy could like me, let alone kiss me . . . But he did kiss me, didn’t he? And he held my hand on the way back, making me laugh. She shook her head and pulled herself away from the mirror, out of its seductively depressing grip that threatened to consume her whole. I’m too tired for this.
She lay back down, and fell instantly asleep. As she slept, her mind spun furiously over what she culled from Richard’s mind. When first she reached out to him, she understood some basic concepts like what a computer was or how the images appeared on it. But his mind was filled with chemical formulas and mathematical equations, and it was too much to instantly absorb. But now that she slept, her mind processed that information, reconciling advanced theorems with basic knowledge. It was as if sussa enabled her to be schooled in math and science at a terrifically fast rate. When she woke some time later, it was with a vastly superior intellect that no Archsussa ever had before.
The next morning brought a summons from the governing council. Melissa in fact had no idea there was a governing council, and was surprised that the scientists were that organized. As Richard led her to the Council Hall, he explained that the ship they lived in was in fact the capital of a Daїra. Ten similar communities existed in a rough circle around this one, separated by wide mountains and snow, but linked by ancient underground tunnels through which they ferried people and supplies. He warned her that though Sliona may have expressed some semblance of friendship that she and the other councilors were merciless and pitiless, which is how their community was able to survive for so long.
“The only advantage you may have,” he said, as they walked through the corridors, “is that I’ve spread word of your help, and it is traveling fast. Your discovery has answered questions that have lingered for generations, and nothing is more valuable to a scientist than answers.”
As they stood in front of the council doors, she looked up into his deep violet eyes, hoping that he would hold her again.
“Thank you for all your support.”
“It’s the least I owe you,” he said gently, “after all you’ve done.”
She watched as he reached over and opened the door, her heart sagging as he refrained from touching her.
“Be strong, Melissa,” he said as they walked in. “Be deferential, but show no fear.”
Melissa stood not just in front of Sliona, but in front of fifteen wilāya of the Daїra who sat behind a long, weathered desk, wearing frowns. Behind her was a restless audience of over a hundred, and she was told a microphone relayed this conference to the other scientist-cities.
“Who do you think you are?” demanded one of the wilāya, a tall, broad-shouldered man who reminded her of Ghaja, one of her old instructors.
“How do we even think of harboring an Archsussa?” yelled a thin, bony old hag with glistening golden eyes. She leveled a long finger at Melissa. “Your people are responsible for all the death visited on the Levitating Cities. And while we frowned on how they lived, we sit aghast at the way they died!”
Murmurs of approval echoed through the hall. Melissa felt scared, but not terrified, as there was no device now that could mute her sussa. Richard sat behind her, with Daria next to him.
They were up arguing all night. I hate what I’ve done to her, but . . . to think, he’s mine!
“She has provided considerable assistance to our scientific endeavors,” ventured Richard, standing up. “Without her, we –”
“When your testimony is needed, it will be asked for,” rebuked the same golden-eyed woman. “We appreciate your contributions, but please remain silent until asked to speak!”
Richard quietly sat down, and a part of Melissa sunk, wondering if she would have no defenders.
“So who are you, exactly?” asked the broad-shouldered wilāya.
“I am Melissa Drusciana, last survivor of the Drusciana Order. I am an Archsussa.”
“No, you’re not an Archsussa yet,” sneered a young, blonde-haired woman seated next to Sliona. “Do you even know what it means to be an Archsussa?”
Melissa felt cornered. Se felt like this was the last place she should assert her knowledge and power, but she hated to be belittled by anyone.
“I . . . I think I do, that is, I’m learning what I can and can’t do with my power.”
She harrumphed. “When you learn what you should and shouldn’t do with your power, then perhaps you will be an Archsussa. Of all people, of all those gifted with your talents, you should know.”
Melissa watched as the woman sat back, feeling something eerie had transpired. The wilāyas continued, seemingly oblivious to the exchange.
They went on for several hours, asking about her background, her motives for exploring the ancient ships, her reasons for trying to escape. Few broached the subject of her voyage back through time and into space, and Melissa thought it might play too much in her favor.
I wish there was someone here to help me, she thought. Sliona barely asks a question – I can see she supports me, but she does nothing to help me.
“How do we know you’re not an agent of the Nemesnik? You are his sister, after all.”
“Toby – uh, the Nemesnik is my brother, but we disagree about how to live. That is why I ran from him, and why your people captured me.” She couldn’t help by cry. “I’ve told so many people that over and over and yet no one seems to want to believe me!”
“Hysterics will get you nowhere little girl,” rebuked the golden-eyed wilāya. “Only facts, pure and simple! We are a community of scientists and educators; men and women of the logical mind. Your ‘sussa’ is almost a manifestation of violent, errant emotions, and we will have none of either here!”
“Agreed!” shouted most of the other wilāyas.
“This has gone on long enough. I recommend we banish this heretic from all our communities! She has no place among us.”
“Agreed!” yelled one.
“Agreed!” yelled another.
“Exactly what brand of fools are you?” yelled a voice from the back of the room. Melissa whirled and found it was Vincent, who strutted down the aisle with a darkened brow.
“You have no leave to speak!” shouted the broad-shouldered wilāya, jumping from his seat.
“Your ignorance demands I speak. You would banish her; would you banish all she has revealed to us? Like it or not, this world is divided. Half follow our teachings; the principles of scientific enquiry, while the rest follow the path of the Archsussa. Would you kill all them off? Or would you try to build a bridge?”
“She is the heir apparent,” continued Vincent, “the rightful heir and she is voluntarily working with us. The second Richard turned off the suppression device she could have flown off, or leveled our entire compound. Instead she sits meekly before you, submitting herself to your judgment. Are you so bitter at the wrongs others have committed against you, that you would exact vengeance upon her, an innocent? There is a time for war, and a time for reconciliation. After so much devastation, so much pain, it doesn’t take a fool to know what is right, right now!”
The audience erupted into spont
aneous applause, and the council members sat back in their chairs, watching the mood of the people turn. Melissa saw a slight smile creep over Sliona’s wrinkled lips, giving her some hope.
“Have you entered into evidence the great good she has done for us?” pressed Vincent, his eyes full of passionate fire. Melissa had never seen him so animated, so alive. “Do all our communities know of the mysteries she has solved? And make no mistake; she did it with sussa. Without sussa we would still be in the dark.”
“We would have come to the solution; we would have found that ship!” scoffed one of the wilāyas.
“When?” demanded Vincent. “In a hundred years? Three hundred? A thousand? You of your generation may have the patience of a melting snowdune, to sit calmly and wait for the sun to do its work, but my generation is tired of waiting! Tired of hating. We want to move forward, and use every bit of technology to help us, whether it is of science or sussa. Stop thinking of sussa as some abomination, and think of it as another use of the mind. Have faith in our people that they won’t try to turn their cities into imitations of the decadent Levitating Cities; have faith that they will use sussa to explore where we have never gone before, learn what would have taken us too long before!”
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, and it was then Melissa noticed most of them were near her age. Somehow, someone stacked the deck in my favor. Do I have Richard, or Vincent to thank?
As the wilāyas conversed among themselves, Sliona rose to her feet. All in the room grew silent as she spoke.
“I, like most of you, hated the Archsussa, and in my heart have been determined to eradicate them from the face of Iqui. Melissa though, has changed my mind. She –”
As Sliona spoke, Melissa couldn’t help but look back at Vincent, who stood proudly in the center aisle, his gaze unwavering on the wilāyas. She had thought him weak before, embittered by what Richard had done, but now she saw fire in his eyes. With his arms folded over his chest, he reminded her of how her father looked in his prime. Perhaps it was that memory that moved her gaze from him, and onto Richard.
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