Star Spark

by Day Leitao

  Dess poured two cups.

  “What are we going to do?” Saytera asked. “Once we figure out what’s going on?”

  Nadia took a sip, then said, “Larissa said you wanted to send a transmission to Mainland. Maybe try to convince the people there to vote against breaching the truce.”

  Saytera was thoughtful. “So we record something telling them what’s going on.”

  “We do it all together,” Dess said. “And send it to Sapphirlune, too. We need to stop this nonsense, once and for all.”

  Nadia shrugged and pointed to the floor. “Planet and moon have to agree on what to do with this piece of rock, though.”

  Sylvia and Marcus came in. “So that’s where you are,” he said. “Hey, what are you drinking?”

  “Powdered juice,” Dess replied.

  “Can I have some?” Sylvia asked.

  “Me too,” Marcus added.

  Saytera and her friend Christina exchanged baffled looks. Or maybe disgusted. Easy for them to think that, who had grown up with real food—and real fruit—available.

  Marcus leaned on the counter. “So, what’s happening?”

  Dess pointed to Saytera. “Her friend is trying to decode some information. Then we’ll see what we’ll do.”

  Nadia got up. “I get the feeling she’s stalling.” She turned to Saytera. “Do you think she’s stalling?”

  “We’re running out of time here. Why would she do that?”

  Dess looked down. He had a feeling that whatever they were going to hear would be unpleasant, and could maybe guess that the girl wanted to find a nicer way to break the news, or else be sure of what she was saying before letting all of them know about Tarel’s plans.

  Nadia looked away. “No idea.”

  They were silent.

  Christina then said, “Well, she was freakingly fast when we were accessing a military facility in Citarella.”

  “She knows what she’s doing,” Saytera said.

  Marcus turned to her. “You know, it’s proof of our trust. We’re letting a Mainlander alone with a bunch of confidential information.”

  Saytera narrowed her eyes. “What do you think she’ll do with it? Take it back to the planet and get herself killed?”

  Dess sighed. “Depending on what we’re uncovering, all our lives will be in danger. Or almost all.”

  Marcus laughed. “Hey, maybe we’ll have to stay here forever and make sure the defense system never stops working.”

  “By forever you mean until we starve, right?” Saytera asked.

  Marcus waved a hand. “Nah. There’s a lot of powdered juice. We’d last a while.”

  Dess laughed. He glanced at Saytera, who laughed, too. He wanted to hold her hand, and yet wasn’t sure what she thought about it. If they started acting all couply, the Lunars would have some questions. Maybe not. Marcus wasn’t that oblivious, and perhaps he’d said something to Sylvia.

  So the issue was just making sure that their kisses meant something more for Saytera, too. There was one way to know. Dess reached out his hand to hers and laced his fingers over hers. She shuddered, but smiled, and didn’t pull her hand away. Nobody said anything.

  The door opened and Larissa entered. “I’ll show you what I got.” She sounded resigned, then noticed Sylvia and Marcus. “And everyone’s here. Wonderful.”

  They entered the control room. Nadia was glaring at Saytera’s friend. “Everything, Larissa. I don’t need to be protected like some fragile creature.”

  That didn’t sound good. They stood around the monitor. He pulled Saytera towards him and hugged her from behind. Perhaps he was the one who needed the comfort the most.

  Larissa turned to them all. “All right, then. What we have from Tarel and Staralloy Industries is that they’d been in touch with Heliumforge for a while. Remember, Staralloy is Sapphirlune’s company, Heliumforge is bigger and operates in many systems. This contract is old, like some six months old.”

  “What does it say?” Saytera asked.

  Larissa glanced at Nadia, sighed, then said, “It is a transfer of ownership. After the attack, Heliumforge will belong to Staralloy.”

  “But why…” Marcus said. “Why would a powerful company, headquartered on Ringon, be willing to give itself away to a company in a tiny system?”

  Larissa took a deep breath. “There’s only one way it makes sense. Hear me out. I don’t see anything here about avoiding an attack.” She looked carefully at Dess and the other Lunars. “In this case, Mainland would suffer sanctions, but Heliumforge, too. It’s illegal to sell this type of weapon, at least according to the rules laid down by the Peace Alliance, the government of the Human Systems. So, to avoid these sanctions, they become Staralloy.”

  “And then they can explore this moon to their heart’s content,” Saytera added.

  Dess was thinking. Something didn’t make sense. “Why would anyone on Sapphirlune support this, no matter how corrupt they are?”

  “Well, the Lunars get New Sapphircity on Mainland, get all our natural resources, and get all the money from the sale of Ilanium. The Mainlanders would be their slaves. Since Mainland will be the bad guy, the Peace Alliance will just look the other way. They might support Sapphircity for all we know.”

  Saytera stepped out of Dess’s embrace. “The Lunars get everything, then. They get this moon and they get a new city in a place with real food and real air. Why is our government supporting it?”

  Larissa gulped. “Some of them would get a new identity, large benefits, and passage to Sumeria. They’d be gone before anyone could touch them.”

  Saytera snorted. “Great.”

  Dess crossed his arms. “There’s one thing I don’t get. You’re talking about New Sapphircity. How can they evacuate thousands of people from our moon?” He was pretty sure they didn’t have that many transports.

  Larissa shook her head. “Who said they’d evacuate thousands of people?”

  Dess felt nauseous. “So… this would benefit… just a few. And that way they can use the tragedy to pose as victims and do whatever they want with the planet.”

  Sylvia shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense. I doubt they’d do something like that.”

  Saytera stepped forward. “I don’t think we need to worry about the aftermath of a Sapphirlune City destruction just yet. Let’s focus on preventing it.”

  “Yes,” Larissa said. “It’s all we have. Let the people on the planet know that the government isn’t acting on their best interests. That destroying Sapphirlune isn’t in their best interests.”

  “Wait,” Christina said. “We need a name.”

  Saytera asked, “For what?”

  “For us. What we stand for. Something about peace, alliance… Ugh, that sounds terrible.”

  Larissa stroked her chin. “Yeah, Peace Alliance sounds catchy. Pity it’s been taken.”

  “Peace Warriors?” Marcus suggested.

  Sylvia grimaced. “That’s horrible.”

  “I like it,” Dess said. In truth he thought the name was stupid, but he wanted to support his friend. And the idea was what mattered most.

  Sylvia rolled her eyes. “Dudes.”

  Larissa shrugged. “It sucks. But I don’t have a better idea.”

  Nadia was incredulous. “So we’ll sign as the peace warriors?”

  “If everyone agrees,” Dess said.

  Saytera also had a grimace. “It’s… not the end of the world.”

  Larissa looked at them. “Anything else? Other ideas?” Everyone was silent. “Peace warriors it is.” She smiled. “It got the most votes.”

  Marcus laughed. “Isn’t democracy amazing?”

  They all laughed, except Nadia. “Let’s hope they listen to our message.”

  31

  Message

  Saytera tried to put all her hope in the message being broadcast to Mainland and Sapphirlune. They’d spent a long time planning it. In the end, they showed the evidence they had and urged people to demand a peaceful s
olution. They also warned against the horror of killing thousands of innocents, hoping that the message would reach Sapphirlune as well. Finally, they all appeared on the message, saying that if they could work together, Mainland and Sapphirlune could work together, too.

  It had been done. Now all they had to do was wait. Odd that for so long she’d wanted to learn matterweaving, get stronger, when in fact this time, what it took was not weaving skills or even fighting skills, just a willingness to learn the truth and cooperation between former enemies. In a strange way, Saytera would hopefully help make a difference.

  They had all split to try to make the base habitable, after all, they were tired and needed food and sleep. Saytera was with Dess in the kitchen. She couldn’t complain about that arrangement.

  He was opening cupboards and checking supplies. Funny to see him busy with something so mundane, and at the same time extraordinary, considering where they were. Either way, he looked extraordinary.

  Saytera observed him. “Are you sure we can eat seven-year-old food?”

  He turned to her. “It’s better than nothing. Nadia and Sylvia didn’t bother bringing supplies, and there was very little on Tarel’s ship.”

  She ran her hand over an orange container. “It’s so odd to see it all... Abandoned. And yet, it was ready to receive workers.”

  Dess ripped open the seal on a package. “Funny, right? Once we got ready to explore the moon, my family was killed and the war started.”

  “I bet you miss them.”

  “I do. And yet, it’s bigger than me or my family.” He didn’t seem to want to continue the conversation and poured a powder on a circular container.

  Saytera was curious about the powder. “What is that?”

  Dess looked at her. “You don’t want to know.”

  “I hope it’s edible.”

  He smiled. “You’ll have to trust me on that. We’ll have a warm, fresh dinner.”

  Saytera laughed. “Fresh?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Fresh is all a matter of perspective.” He took the container and poured some water on it. “And what an interesting perspective. I never thought my skills as a kitchen assistant would one day be just as useful, or even more, than all the stuff I studied in the academy.”

  “I’m also not using any of what… I thought I’d need. It’s all so different.”

  “I guess…” He was thoughtful. “We were trained to support their plans, not contradict them. I mean, me. You are something else.”

  Saytera chuckled. “I have no clue what they were preparing me for, or even if there was a point to any of that. Before I left.”

  Dess’s eyes were on her. “You also miss them.”

  “Yes, but it’s different because it’s my fault. If I had stayed, obeyed, listened…” She shook her head, wishing that pain would go away.

  Dess stopped what he was doing and took her hands. “I don’t know the whole story, but you said there were people trying to kill you. I mean, you couldn’t have known.”

  “I just shouldn’t have left the island.”

  He looked in her eyes, and it was almost unsettling to be seen by such dark, penetrating eyes. “Then you wouldn’t be here right now.”

  Saytera paused. That was true. Being there, holding his hands, was exhilarating in a way she couldn’t quite describe. And still… “Sometimes there are different paths to the same destination.”

  “You can’t be at two places at once, so if you hadn’t left… you know the answer.”

  Maybe. Why regret, then? Well, it was obvious. “I just wish people didn’t have to die. I didn’t have to be away from the people I grew up with. But it would be sad not to meet you.”

  He still held her hands, but now tilted his head as if examining her. “And what happens after this?”

  Saytera could feel her heart beating. “You mean if we survive.”

  “Worse comes to worst, I could land us on Mainland and we could try to hide there.” He smiled. “We’ll bring supplies this time.”

  He was very close now, staring at her.

  Saytera caught her breath. “That’s a decent plan. Why then you’re asking what happens?”

  He kissed her cheek then brushed his lips on her face, sending shivers through her body. “I mean, are you going to run away, try to find your people? Is this some past time for you? Or am I in your plans somehow? I asked you to come with me once,” he whispered in her ear as he put his hands on her waist then slid them to her hips.

  Saytera closed her eyes. It was hard to talk. “You think it would have been a good idea?”

  “The idea was terrible.” He kissed her lips, then.

  They were so close together, and it felt so good to feel his body against hers. Everything else faded but the physical sensation.

  They had things to do, though. She parted, breathless. “You’re giving me terrible ideas right now.”

  He chuckled. “Why terrible?”

  “Everything has a time and place. You know I’d been imprisoned if I had come with you.”

  “Maybe.” He brushed a finger on her face. “But what’s your current idea?”

  He was going to ask her about that? “Guess.”

  “And you’re going to tell me it’s the wrong time and place.”

  “I need to tell you?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’m not good at that stuff either, you know? I spent my life training, I don’t know anything about relationships and stuff and all that stuff.”

  Saytera remembered what Sylvia had said and couldn’t suppress a laugh.

  “What?” he asked.

  “One of your friends said flying simulator was your sexual orientation.”

  “Ouch. It’s so accurate it hurts.”

  “But…” Saytera hated thinking about that. “I mean, I know you and Nadia…”

  His hands were still on her waist, but they tensed. “What did she say?”

  “That you had something.”

  He bit his lip. “I frankly don’t remember what happened. It’s embarrassing. Not whatever happened, but not remembering. I think it was just a couple kisses, though.” He stepped away. “We’d better finish dinner.”

  Saytera felt bad that he was distant, and perhaps regretted having said that. “Sorry for mentioning it.”

  “It’s good.” Dess looked down, stirring the powder and water. “In fact it makes things a lot less awkward, knowing you guys are buddies and she even got to tell you all that.” He looked at her. “Hang on. What did she say?”

  It would be a great opportunity to prank him, but the truth was that she still didn’t know him that well. “She didn’t say anything other than that she thought you’d make her straight.”

  His eyes widened. “Straight? As in… she’s not. Wow. First prize for effort.”

  “So you do remember.”

  He nodded. “Getting… intimate. Is sacred. At least as I believe, you’re melding your energy, your fire with the other person.”

  That was pretty obvious. “Well, yes.”

  “So you agree. Right. I can never know what’s really a Teren thing or something I picked up somewhere else.”

  “A Teren thing? As in… there are people who think otherwise?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yes. I mean, lots of people, lots of different beliefs, right? But for me it should be something special. But it wasn’t at all a big deal. It was just… I don’t even know what I was doing. I’m not going to say I regret it because it’s not fair to her, and it takes two to… you know. But, yeah.” He looked at her. “And I hadn’t met you.”

  “That would have made a difference?”

  “What do you think? I guess that was what I was getting at. That… I don’t want… anyone else. Just you… I wanted to know what you think.”

  Saytera smiled. Strange how when it was her turn it felt uncomfortable to talk about her feelings. “I don’t want anyone else either. And yes, whatever happens, after this is done, it would be nice…” How c
ould she word it? “Not to be apart anymore.”

  Dess smiled and nodded. “Yes. That was my point.”

  “As long as it’s not a terrible idea.” Saytera laughed.

  “Don’t say that. I liked to hear you were getting terrible ideas.”

  “Maybe I’m reconsidering whether they were really terrible.” She looked down, feeling her face hot. “Before that, I hope your dinner’s not terrible.”

  “Dare me. I’m good at this, just so you know.”

  “Transforming very old powder into food. Is that matterweaving?”

  “Ma… what?”

  Saytera just then remembered he didn’t know it as such. “Magic.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You’ll see.”

  Dess hoped he indeed had magic, as they sat for dinner for very old cricket patties and powdered puree. At least he’d found some seasoning, so hopefully they’d all be able to swallow that junk. In a way, it was neat to have them all sitting at a table together and get a feeling of normalcy. Neat and symbolic.

  Still, the atmosphere was tense. Larissa had a wireless comm with her, connected to the main terminal. Everyone glanced at it from time to time, waiting for the moment it would give them a reply. Seconds, minutes, and hours were running by, and that silence was unnerving. They all knew that there was a possibility that communications were blocked and that their message wouldn’t be received. He was thinking that if by tomorrow morning they got no reply, they’d need to plan something different—and a lot more dangerous.

  Saytera was drinking water, still uneasy about the juice. Well, she had a point. Water. There was enough water for them to last a couple weeks, using it mostly for food and drinking, but it was enough. As long as the Mainlanders learned to wash like Lunars. Dess figured they must have learned it in their night spent on Sapphirlune.

  Saytera took a bite, turned to him, and mouthed, “Magic.”

  Dess smiled.

  Marcus raised his glass. “I think we all owe a huge thanks to Dess and Saytera, who made this absolutely amazing dinner.”

  Saytera was going to say something, but Dess raised his glass. “Thank Saytera.” He looked directly at her, hoping she understood what she meant. Perhaps all she’d done for that dinner was stand by him, sometimes even interrupt him, and yet, that was what made it all special, what made it worth it.