by C B Williams
Haku nodded. “I’ve come to strike a bargain with you.”
“I’m listening.”
“You lend me some of your warriors to use against King Rafa in order for me to exact my revenge.”
“I’ve no quarrel with King Rafa. Why would I risk peace and the life of my warriors for your revenge? Me, an underlord?”
“When King Rafa is dead, we can divide his territory and each keep half.”
“Your mother is making peace with Rafa. You’re going against her wishes. You’re not king. How can you make such a promise?”
“Because I mean to be king. I will exact my revenge, and thus prove to my people that I’m a strong warrior and leader. They will naturally follow me into bringing back the old ways.”
“What will you give me, then, young king, to help you?”
Haku held out the weapon. “I will give you five of these fire sticks.”
The king laughed.
Haku ignored him and took aim as he’d been taught. He pulled the trigger, setting the laser fire free.
The rock in his sights shattered.
The king no longer laughed.
“Where did you get that?”
Haku shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I have five, and they are all yours if you help me.”
Akamu studied Haku. “This is how it will be. I give you my warriors. We defeat King Rafa. We defeat your mother. We combine Rafa’s lands, my lands, and your mother’s lands, and divide them into two equal territories. The lands, your fire sticks, and one other thing to seal the agreement.”
“And that is?”
“Your sister will be my queen. I no longer wish to be an underlord.”
“You cannot have Kalea. She belongs to the Goddess. I will give you Makini.”
“I will take Makini. It doesn’t matter which sister. I want her children. I want children with Nuri blood.”
Haku held out his forearm for the king to clasp. “Agreed.”
“A moon’s time from this day, the next quarter moon, we will attack.”
“We’ll be ready.” Haku gestured to Ujarak. “Ujarak will be my ears and eyes. He will meet with your ears and eyes every seven-sun cycle. Agreed?”
The king grunted. “Agreed.” He gestured to his bodyguard. “This is Alemana. He is my ears and eyes. He will meet your ears and eyes on this spot every seven-sun cycle.”
For the first time in she couldn’t remember how long, Aiko was bored.
“What do you suppose is happening down there?” she asked Spider, who was sitting at Genji’s station learning the scanning devices.
“Hmmm?” he said as he lifted his shaggy head from the scanner-viewing screen, his eyes unfocused.
Aiko grinned and slung her leg over her pilot’s chair. “I didn’t know they could clone minds. You’re just like Genji. Always got your face to that screen. What’s so interesting, anyway?”
“It’s the volcano. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s honeycombed with lava tubes. They’re like passageways that go for miles in all directions.”
“I presume that’s unnatural, from the way you’re going on about it. What about Eloch and Wren? I’m more concerned about them. We’ve heard nothing from them. You’re still tracking their signatures, aren’t you?”
Spider nodded. “It’s on auto. They’re fine. Vitals all look good. There was that spike we talked about, and then we saw them relocate, and everything’s been normal since then.”
“So why haven’t they contacted us?”
Spider shrugged. “They will when they’re ready.”
Aiko tapped the side of her chair with her boot heel and chewed on a fingernail. “I’m itching to go down there and see what’s up.” She glanced at Spider, caught his frown. “I know. I know. I’m the pilot and a ship without a pilot is dead in space dust. But still…”
“It’s not that, Aiko. It’s this particular planet we’re orbiting.”
“I know that, too. People disappear and are never heard from again. That’s why I want to check on Eloch and Wren.”
“You’re not still talking about going down there, are you?” Genji asked as he walked onto the bridge. “The Champion and Wren can take care of themselves.”
“You’re right.” Aiko sighed. “I’m not used to the inactivity, I suppose. How’s the damsel?”
“Nearly healed,” he answered as he crossed over to Spider and leaned over him to study the scanner panel. “We should send her back.”
“You don’t sound too happy about it.”
Genji shrugged. “There’s so much to learn about her culture. I’ve got lots more questions. Kalea’s answers always create more questions.”
Aiko straightened. “What if I send you down there with her? You could continue your investigation and check on Eloch and Wren’s progress. See what happened to them.”
“And let them know Flick is anxious to talk with Eloch. A message from Spur,” Spider added.
“Spur has a message for Eloch? When were you going to share that news?” Aiko groused.
“No need to get huffy, Captain. It’s coming through right now, so I’m sharing it right now. Just a message, not a vid.”
Aiko got up and stood beside Genji to peer at the message Spider brought up on the screen. They read it silently. “Hmmm. Doesn’t really say much, does it?”
“There’s more information about what’s been going on with rehabilitating the people of Spur if you want to read it. It’s pretty interesting. Without the centralized government, every planet in the Ring is struggling to create their own governments and trade systems.”
Aiko waved her hand. “Maybe later.” She looked at Genji. “You ready to take the damsel back to her people and deliver Flick’s message?”
His face lit up.
“I take that as a yes. Collect what supplies you think you may need. Make sure you pack an extra solar battery pack. I want you to report a minimum of three times a day, more when there’s a need. That’s an order. I’ve no say over Eloch and Wren. But you,” she jabbed a finger at him, “have no excuse. Think Spider can handle your responsibilities?”
Spider wheeled his chair around and looked hopefully at Genji. He reminded Aiko of a sniffer waiting for a treat.
Genji nodded slowly. “There’re a few procedures he still needs to learn, but I can show him where they are in the manual databases. He should pick it up pretty quick.”
Aiko nodded and looked at Spider. “Spider, are you willing to take over Genji’s duties until he returns? I take that as a yes,” she said dryly when she saw his face light up just as Genji’s had earlier. “Nice I can keep my crew happy.”
She returned to her pilot’s chair. “Okay, get to work, you two. I’ll make preparations to take you down, Genj. This afternoon.”
Kalea was overjoyed. To Genji’s embarrassed delight, she threw herself into his arms with a cry of happiness. He made her shift into her Nuri form first to confirm the holes in her wing had closed. There were scars and lumpy patches, but as far as Genji could tell, Kalea would be able to fly.
“Okay, then” he said as he wrapped her pareo around her. He’d gotten into the habit of having it ready for her when she shifted back into human form.
Otherwise, he would have been holding a naked woman at the moment. Not that he didn’t delight in the idea of holding a naked woman, particularly this one, but he didn’t think he would have enough restraint if he was touching nothing but that beautiful rosy brown skin of hers.
He swallowed and cleared his throat. “I’ve been asked by the captain to come with you to check on Eloch and Wren.”
She stood back and finished tying her pareo in place, her face still glowing with happiness. “That would be wonderful. You will be my proof of what I have to tell my mother.” Her features softened. “I’m sure I have worried her. I usually stay close. May I take this?” She held up the translator she always kept close by.
“Of course. In fact, I’ll bring more than one myself. Pass the
m out. How else am I going to learn about your people and how they live?”
“You’ll be staying?”
“For a week or two, yes.”
“We will have a feast in celebration. I will dance for you, teach you the stories of The Ancestors.”
“The Ancestors?”
She nodded. “And the time Longwei made us Nuri. We learn our history from the stories of our dances. As the priestess, I have learned them all. I believe you are our Ancestors returning, am I right?”
Genji hesitated. He had been instructed to say nothing of their strange mission. But she had already guessed, and he was eager to compare notes with what she knew. “The place we come from is called Spur, a world far, far away. There is a strong possibility you are a descendant of Spur’s colonizers. They came here over a thousand years ago and were never heard from again.”
“Yes, because Longwei did not want them here. She destroyed or buried everything they brought and left them to die. But later she took pity and helped them. More people came, and Longwei did the same thing, destroyed everything they brought so they could never leave.”
Genji pulled his lip. “There was a second ship, a scouting party, sent to find out what became of the initial colonizers.” He felt a flicker of excitement in his belly. “Fascinating! Our stories match.”
Kalea beamed. “And now you are back, and it is up to Longwei to decide if you may stay or not.” She looked down. “I hope She will let you stay,” she said softly, and took one of his hands.
Genji was glad she wasn’t looking at him. He could feel the blush heating his face. “Well…uh…perhaps we should get ready to go and find out,” he said as he gently withdrew his hand. “I need to prepare. I’ll be back in a little while to get you.” He turned toward the door and was just ready to pass through it when she called his name. He paused and turned toward her.
“Did I say something wrong?” she asked, her lip trembling a bit.
“No, no,” he assured her. “You said everything just right.” He left, wondering what he was getting himself into, and wondering why he didn’t really care.
Aiko dropped them off on the mountain, same as before. “Be careful,” she told Genji as she handed him his pack. He shouldered it and reached for the equipment bag Aiko handed him.
“I mean it,” she told him, still hanging onto the bag to hold his attention. “And not just for your safety. Nobody’s blind, here, Genj. We’ve all seen the way you look at her. You know the rules.” She waited until her words sank in and then released the bag. “Contact the ship as soon as you’ve spoken with Eloch and Wren.” She closed the shuttle door and waited for Genji to get some distance before powering up and returning to the Stardust.
With mixed feelings, Genji watched the shuttle disappear when Aiko cloaked it. Mentally he berated himself for being so transparent. Then he turned to catch up with Kalea, who stood waiting for him, a spot of beauty in a bleak landscape.
“Stay here,” she told him. “I must speak with Longwei before I go home.”
He nodded glumly and watched until she disappeared around a bend in the trail. With a sigh he looked around for a place to set down his equipment―
And gasped when he saw the woman standing a few feet away, studying him. She pointed and said something he didn’t understand. His translator sputtered and crackled. While he reached for it the ground disappeared beneath his feet. He landed on his back with a loud oomph. The wind had been knocked out of him, and all he could do was gaze up at the sky, a small circle high above him. The woman’s face showed briefly, then disappeared.
After he caught his breath, Genji got up, dusted himself off, and checked for injuries. Only a few bumps and bruises. He’d landed on his pack, which softened the landing. He took it off to see what kind of damage he’d done. His emergency kit was crushed, but nothing was broken. He looked around. Apparently he had fallen into an old lava tube.
“Now what?” he said, and listened to his words echo down the tube. Had the woman gone for help? He considered calling Aiko and immediately rejected the impulse. She’d just left, and he was too embarrassed to ask her come get him. He’d save that option as his last resort.
His alternatives, therefore, were to wait for the mysterious woman to return or for Kalea to find him. With nothing else to do, he reached for his equipment bag, pulled out one of his planet scanners, and began taking readings. He soon forgot his troubles when he noted anomalies within the planet’s ley lines in two different places.
Longwei looked down on the alien. Satisfied he was uninjured, She shifted to mist and headed toward her appointment with Kalea. She didn’t want the man hurt, only kept someplace out of harm’s way until She decided what to do with him. From Kalea’s body language, She concluded he was important to the girl.
Now there were three of them roaming around. She growled and the earth rumbled. The miners were welcome. She could control them, was controlling them. Everything was moving along perfectly. But these three were an unknown factor.
Why didn’t Spur keep Her creatures where they belonged instead of allowing them to intrude on Her creation? So inconsiderate, even though this time Spur had the courtesy to alert Her of their impending arrival.
Not that she’d let Spur know She had heard Her. Longwei had no intention of ever speaking to that particular Sister ever again.
To be completely honest with Herself, Her anger at Spur was only part of her frustration. Her people were ill prepared, and she was concerned. She had foolishly thought She could keep Her creation all to Herself. And She would have, but She sensed something was coming. What it was, She did not know. Just something unsettling, and if She wasn’t prepared for it, the very survival of her planet was at stake. That much she knew.
And preparation meant the education of Her people. It was time they learned about technology.
As Longwei blended with the smoke plume, she saw Kalea climbing up to the top of the volcano. How She loved this particular priestess! Beautiful and sweet. Loyal and reverent. Strong. Just like her mother. It was a good line of rulers. She had plans for this line. Had been hunting for quite a while for a suitable mate for Her priestess. And then Kalea had chosen the funny little alien! He was handsome enough, she supposed, in a rumpled way. But not a warrior. Anyone could see that immediately. Not at all like Her beautiful Nuri. What was it Kalea saw in him?
She would find out.
She took shape in front of Kalea, who bowed deeply.
“Goddess! You have come!” Kalea sounded relieved.
“What troubles you, Priestess?”
“The Ancestors! They have returned, and they are nothing like what the dances have taught me. They are kind. I have been receiving healing upon their starbird. Is this my Calling? To be with them?”
“Healing? What happened?”
“I was on my way to you to find my Calling. The smoke plume. It blinded me, and I collided with what The Ancestors call a shuttle. Did you not change the smoke plume? It seemed you had.”
“It was I. I sensed something strange. An invisible bulk. I sent my plume to catch its outline. But I did not mean to injure you. When I saw it was not such a great height, I was sure you would be well.”
“I wasn’t injured very seriously. The Ancestors took me to their starbird and healed me. They call it a starship and have named it Stardust. I am learning so much, Goddess!” she exclaimed excitedly.
Her expression changed, “When I saw where I was, I was very frightened, Goddess. But I thought of You and became as You. Fearless. When I was fearless and calm, I remembered the dances, and I knew who they were. I was no longer afraid. And Genji healed me. He healed me twice.”
“Twice?” She had not known of a second injury. But then she had grown bored waiting for Kalea to return and focused Her attention on the two aliens who had landed. One had actually used power against her Nuri, which made Her extremely displeased, and She made Her displeasure very clear, but without injuring them. His power smelled much
like Spur. Only he did not smell of Spur. She was curious.
“I was defending Genji,” Kalea was telling her. “He has seen my Nuri form and is not afraid. He had to heal me a second time in my Nuri form. He said it was beautiful.”
“I want you to stay away from these people until I decide what to do.”
“But he’s here, Goddess. I brought Genji with me. I do not want to offend you, Goddess. Ever. But I thought since he is one of the Ancestors, you would not mind. Genji is a great healer. He would be a good addition to the People.” she lowered her eyes. “I was hoping you would allow him to stay...with me.”
Longwei was silent for several moments. Kalea wanted him. But was he worthy of her priestess? Longwei had a thousand years to learn the ways of men. When the rut was on them, they would say anything. How many sad stories had she heard about sweet words that turned sour?
Kalea had only known this one for mere days. Who knew what sweet words he was saying to her? Yes, it would be best if she kept an eye on that one to determine his worthiness. Kalea said he was a great healer. That might be something of worth for the Nuri bloodline. Perhaps Kalea would get her wish. Perhaps not.
“I have taken your Genji for the moment.”
Kalea’s eyes widened. “Don’t hurt him, Goddess! Please, I beg you! He is so kind and gentle. A healer. Not a warrior.”
“I will not hurt him. I will keep him safe. I wish to test him. To see how he reacts, that is all.”
Kalea let out a breath, her shoulders relaxing. “If that is all, I won’t worry. You will soon see in him what I see.”
“But there are two others, here. A man and a woman. I want you to keep away from them.”
“I know them, Goddess. They come in peace. Eloch, the man, wishes to address You. He travelled here to bring you a message. He calls himself Champion.”
The ground rumbled and the plume thickened. “I refuse to speak to Spur’s Champion. If he tries, he will be destroyed.”