by C B Williams
Grale nodded and kept his hand on Jocko’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’re going. As soon as we can pack up, you and the crew will be out of here.”
“What about you?”
“He’s staying,” Longwei said. She touch Grale’s arm, taking the pain and leaving the print. “I have work for him to do.”
Three weeks later, Grale threw his greasy rag down in disgust and leaned against the huge colonizing ship’s open panel. “Damn it. Not going to work.”
Genji and Spider looked up at him and then glanced at the reader Genji was holding.
Genji held it up. “This says you almost got the shields up that time. Try again.”
“Maybe later,” Grale said and sat. “Right now I could use a long drink of... what’s that stuff?”
“Water?” Spider supplied.
Grale snorted. “Water, right. No, idiot. Ferment. A big bowl of Ferment should do the trick.”
“Take a breath. Try again. You’re really close,” Genji said calmly.
Grale ran a hand through his hair and cursed when he remembered the grease all over his hands from the rag. He tried to smooth his hair down and cursed again when he felt the grease. With a backward glower at Genji and Spider, he snatched up his rag and squatted down in front of the panel.
Aiko came into the engine room, along with Mink.
“Exactly,” Mink was saying to her. “The knowledge died with him. It was a huge blow. After he died, there was no hope of getting off this planet. You’re lucky you’ve got someone who understands how to troubleshoot a modular ship.”
“Longwei found him, not me,” Aiko said, surveying the engine room. “My engineer knows nothing about these big boys. There are similarities, but…” she shook her head and fell silent.
Genji glanced up and nodded a welcome.
Aiko nodded back and wondered if she’d ever get used to the tattoo patterns snaking around his wrist and disappearing under his tunic sleeve. Genji wasn’t Genji anymore, and it wasn’t just his strange markings or the added height and muscle, or the fact he could change into one of those lizard things. It was something else. Something that ran deeper.
“How’s it going?” she asked him.
“Grale’s close,” he told her.
She nodded and took a look at the miner, head and shoulders deep inside the panel, and almost laughed aloud at his muffled cursing. “Doesn’t sound like it.”
Spider looked up from his reader. “Oh, don’t mind him. That’s just how he works.”
She glanced at the man trying to squeeze his frame into the opening and admired the play of muscles running up his back. Too bad his personality didn’t match his looks. She thought back to their first meeting.
Strangest meeting she’d ever had. They were all sitting and sweating in the queen-now-Champion of Longwei’s hut, making decisions about how best to resurrect one of the Colonist ships. Wren and Eloch were leaving for Vela Kentaurus on some fool’s journey on behalf of the Sister Planets. Taking Genji and Kalea with them.
Crazy. That huge ship. All that empty space. But their arguments had been convincing. Not knowing how long they’d be gone, they’d need a colonizer, with all its bells and whistles for manufacturing oxygen, food, and water.
“And who’s going to pilot it?” she’d asked.
“Him,” Wren said looking beyond Aiko, who turned to follow Wren’s gaze.
She’d disliked him immediately. Seen his type in every spaceport bar she’d ever frequented. Usually surrounded by women. A real space cowboy, looking out for himself while he caroused his way from one job to another.
He’d given her a slow smile, one meant to set her heart aflutter. Called her ”kitten.“ Kitten! Her?
“Who’s this clown?” she’d asked Wren, ignoring him.
“Name’s Grale,” he told her. “Own a mining and scavenging operation out of Talamh.”
“Talamh. Figures,” she’d responded. “You ping my ship a few weeks back?”
He’d nodded with that lady-killer (he assumed) smile again. “That’d be me.”
“Longwei says he can fly the ship,” Eloch said. “It will free you and the Stardust from your obligations.”
“What if I don’t want to be freed from my obligations?” she’d retorted. “I don’t trust this cowboy. You don’t need him when you’ve got me. I’ll fly you where you need to go. I’m in for the long count, Eloch.”
“Me too,” Spider had piped in. “I wouldn’t miss going to another galaxy for anything.”
“But I can fix her if she ever acted up. Could you fix her, kitten?”
He had her there, and he knew it. What a jerk. She hated that grin.
“We can take the Stardust, fit her with some extra modules. It’d work.”
“Wouldn’t,” the cowboy had said. “It’d compromise your ship’s integrity. Besides, why’d you need to when we’ve got a colonizer?
“We’d welcome you, Aiko,” Eloch said. “Two pilots are better than one. But what of your crew and your ship?”
That was a problem. The Stardust was her pride and joy. Her baby. Pulled a lot of hours of hard piloting to earn that ship. Her marriage destroyed as a result.
“I’m sure Flick could use the Stardust. Him or Max,” Wren offered, watching her closely.
Aiko thought about it. Maybe. She nodded slowly. “I’d trust Flick with her. Max, too. And I know someone I’d trust to pilot her until I got back.”
“Well, if she’s going to go with us, I’d better teach her how to fly something other than a scouting vessel,” Grale drawled. “Before my ship heads back to Talamh, she can get familiar with piloting one of the big ones.”
The man had had a point. It’d been a long time since she’d flown a modular ship. They could be unwieldy. She’d need the practice and any pointers he was willing to share. Made her hate him more.
But he was a good teacher. In the air, he was a different man. All focus and concentration. Had a little knack, too. Not as much as she did, though. She’d proven it when she took his ship, the Anni, through a wormhole during a practice run.
Grale swore again while the lights flickered in the engine room. Aiko watched him ease his way out of the tight spot. She smirked when she saw his greasy hair standing up in points. Looked like he’d run his hands through it before he wiped off the engine oil.
“Nice hair,” she told him.
He glowered at her. “Nice to see you, too, kitten. How’s it read?” he asked Genji.
“Looks like we’ve got shields again. Well done,” Genji said.
“It’s a patch job. It’ll help keep the meteors away from her skin, but I’d like to get her repaired proper. Know a guy on Talamh who’d do it pretty cheap.”
“Thought you said you could repair modulars, cowboy,” Aiko scoffed.
He glowered again. “I can. I did. But since we’re not a galaxy away, it’d be prudent to check her out before we go.”
“Makes sense,” Genji said.
“One more little problem,” Aiko said. “This ship was never designed to get off-planet once it landed. How’re we going to accomplish that?”
“Already working on it,” Genji said.
Perhaps Genji was still Genji after all, despite what he’d been through.
Kalea lay on the beach, her special beach, with her head resting on Genji’s lap. She could feel the power thrumming as his fingers stroked her head. Genji’s fingers, yet not. The fingers of a Nuri as well, which made her think of the amazing and precious gift the Goddess had given to her.
Genji.
Since her mother had become Longwei’s Champion, Longwei no longer showed Herself. Kalea would miss the Goddess, would miss seeing Her appear in Her different forms. But as her mother had said, Longwei was all around them, as was Her magic.
And now She worked differently with Her people while they readied themselves to join new civilizations on other worlds. In Her last act as their personal Goddess before retiring to planetary consciousnes
s, Longwei granted Her people full rights to both types of crystals. But there were conditions. She made it very clear there would be repercussions if they did not protect their resources and dispense the fire crystals with care and integrity.
The crystals and the healing ways of the priestesses would be their introduction to the trade economies of the other worlds.
But not Kalea, for she had found her Calling: to be with Genji and The Ancestors while they journeyed to confront Longwei’s enemy.
Genji’s hands stilled, and he shifted position.
Kalea sat up with a sigh and gazed in silence at the view, drinking it in. “I’m happy this is not a true goodbye,” she told her lover. “I’m happy we will be returning after we fulfill our mission.”
“You will miss it, won’t you.” It was not a question.
Kalea put a hand over her heart. “I will carry Longwei with me. Here.” She stroked her chest, softening the pain. “And I will miss it, yes.” She leaned into Genji, felt his arm curve about her waist and draw her close. She sighed and watched the waves washing over the fingers of lava, swirling shells in their wake. They made a light, tinkling sound. “Pika will make a fine king.”
“He already is.”
“And Makini―“
Genji laughed. “Makini is a delightful surprise. She takes her duties seriously.”
“And she’s the perfect liaison between the Nuri and The Ancestors.”
“That she is, my love.”
“I’m happy I leave in a time of harmony.”
“And we go into the unknown. You’re not afraid? This one planet is all you’ve ever known.”
“This is true. But I am Nuri. I am not afraid.” She winked at him, “And you’re Nuri, too. So you know what I mean.”
He nodded. “I do. I have never felt this powerful, this fearless. Grale is insisting we stop at Talamh before we head out to Vela Kentaurus,” he continued, changing the subject. “You will be introduced to a known planet before we both experience the complete unknown.”
She felt a flutter in her stomach. “And you will show me around.”
“And I will show you around.” Genji turned Kalea to face him, his eyes searching her face. He gripped her hands. “Be honest, Kalea. Any regrets?”
She laughed. “Regrets? How could I have any regrets? I’ve found my Calling. I am going on a journey where I can constantly learn new things. And most important of all, I will be with you.”
Your Champion is extremely powerful, My Sister.
Yes.
It is disturbing.
A pause.
It is necessary, Longwei.
Agreed, Entean. It is necessary. However, I feel We must revisit this conversation once the threat has been eliminated.
If the threat is eliminated, yes, We shall revisit this conversation. I have Your word, Longwei, You will do nothing affecting My Champion’s future without first discussing it with Me?
A pause.
You have My word.
THE END
The Entean Saga continues with Episode Three: Chaos Driven. Turn the page to keep reading.
Episode Three: Chaos Tamed
About the Book
Less than a year ago, Spur’s elitist civilization had been wiped out and, with the guidance of Flick, Spur’s Champion, Her people were rebuilding a new world.
And so the Entean Saga continues.
Mouse, Wren’s most trusted friend and fellow assassin, is helping the planet Spur’s new Champion, Flick, maintain order in what was once Rubble but is now a verdant land with ever-growing towns and hamlets.
In her new vocation, Mouse no longer needs to kill. Yet her assassin’s instincts are still sharp, and something is not right.
The vague feeling of unease intensifies when she enters the city to meet with Max, the Spur-appointed governor of the city, who has agreed to help her develop the administrative skills she sorely lacks.
Mouse’s instincts are rarely wrong.
Soon it becomes very apparent that someone wants Max dead.
But Max was appointed governor by Spur, Herself. Who would go against the wishes of the creative spirit of their home planet, a planet who has already demonstrated to Her people what can happen when She is crossed?
Max suspects the culprit may not reside on Spur.
He will go to whatever lengths are necessary to end the threats against him, his business empire, and his boss, the planet Spur—while Mouse, his self-appointed bodyguard, will go to whatever lengths she must to keep Max alive.
Chapter 1
The knife was in her hand even before she was awake.
Something was off.
She knew it.
With the barest whisper of noise, Mouse slipped out of bed and went to her bedroom window, blending with the shadows to peer out.
The view from her window was quiet and peaceful. Street lamps flickered, illuminating the fountain in the square, its dark waters dappled by the lights. It was a pretty little town, a town fast becoming a teeming metropolis, and the hub of what was once Rubble.
For several moments Mouse scanned the view for anything out of place. She found nothing. The only movement was the Night Eyes strolling the plaza, keeping watch.
And yet something was off.
The creak of a floorboard outside her door galvanized Mouse into action. Knife ready to throw, she streaked to the door and flung it open.
“Mouse!” Flick threw up his arm in defense. “Easy, there. It’s me.”
Appalled, Mouse quickly lowered her weapon and scowled. “You know not to sneak around like that,” she scolded, while she set the throwing knife on her dresser table and reached for her robe.
He looked sheepish. “Sorry. Still learning to override some of Spur’s impromptu nudges. She really wants me to get on the move this morning.”
Mouse secured her robe about her waist. “’S not even light out.” She rubbed the grit from her eyes. “What’s the hurry?” She shook her head to clear it and focused on Flick’s rounded features.
“I’m heading south. Now. A group of troublemakers is trying to get into Rubble from that direction.”
She nodded. “I sensed something wasn’t right. It woke me. Maybe that’s what it is.”
Flick studied her. “It’s possible. You’ve always had amazing intuition.”
Mouse shrugged and smoothed her hair back. “You just got back, Flick. Can’t this wait? I can’t run this whole place alone. There are new people coming in daily, and they all need to be placed. I need to talk with you about them,” she paused, feeling the familiar knot in her stomach as she thought of the long list of things waiting to be discussed with Spur’s Champion, “among other things.”
Flick sat down on the edge of her bed. “Cricket’s still here, and you’ve got your Eyes. They don’t miss a thing. And don’t forget about Max.”
She sat next to him. “Max is in the City. He can’t help here.”
“But he can give you counsel. He knows how to get people to do exactly what he wants.” Flick snorted. “And without them knowing it, too.”
“You, too?”
Flick grinned and shook his head. “Spur can see right through the man.” He nudged her. “Max likes you, Mouse. He’ll teach you some tricks.”
“You’re crazy. Max likes only Max.”
“Perhaps, but he likes you too. Spur told me. He’ll help you.”
Mouse watched Flick go distant, the way he did when he was listening to Spur. “Boss lady wants you to hurry it up, I take it?”
He refocused. “’Fraid so.” He reached out and gently grasped her shoulder. His hand was warm and reassuring, the heat radiating through the fabric of her robe. “It’s good here. Spur wouldn’t allow me to leave if anything was wrong.” He released her shoulder and stood.
Mouse stuck out an arm to keep from toppling off the bed. She hadn’t realized she was leaning into his hand.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Something still feels off to m
e, and I can’t seem to shake it.”
“I think what’s off is you’re overtired. Relax a bit. Get in touch with Max.”
Mouse nodded and sighed. “You’re probably right. I’ll talk with Max. Take care, Flick. Hurry back.”
“I’ll be back soon. I promise.” He adjusted his hood over his head and grasped the staff he’d leaned against her doorway, pausing to give her a mock salute before he left.
As Mouse watched the Champion of Spur leave her room, she wanted to smile. Flick dressed much like Eloch these days. In fact, he was a shorter, more square version of the Champion of Entean. And he reeked of knack. It enveloped him like the cloak he wore. And he was right. She was tired.
But she wouldn’t be sleeping anymore tonight. She was already too awake. With a sigh, Mouse eased herself off the bed and immediately tidied it up, giving her pillows an extra plumping.
She took pride in her new room. Wanted to keep it neat and clean. It felt so wonderful to be clean all the time. And with that in mind, she turned the water on to fill her bathing pool.
Now that Spur had regained control of Her planet, all Her creatures were able to earn the comforts of the UpperUppers. Comforts Mouse had rarely seen or experienced before, yet she had earned them by simply knowing Spur was the source of those comforts.
As she waited for her pool to fill, she gazed out over the quiet town, watched her Eyes making sure everything was safe, and allowed her thoughts to ramble.
It amazed her how quickly the world could change in a mere twelve months. Made her head spin. Less than a year ago, the planet’s elitist civilization had been wiped out and, with the guidance of Spur, speaking through Flick, Her people were rebuilding a new world.
Wren was off with Eloch, exploring planets. Spider, her once-lover, was with them. She understood why he wanted to go, but it still hurt. And angered her. Flick was counting on them both, and Spider upped and left on his little “I want to see the Universe” excursion.