by Ann Aguirre
Qalu tipped his face back toward her, craving a deeper connection even when he was upset. “There is no shame in your feelings. As you say, you are not Tiralan. And I’ve confided my fears already—that I’m unable to meet the usual standards. Regarding your oblique query, I’ve had a few companions, but the one I have touched most, apart from myself, is you. The rest are shadows, long forgotten and never missed.”
“Is that true?”
“I’ve never lied to you. I won’t, either, even if the truth is uncomfortable.”
In response, Helix nuzzled his face against hers, his head tendrils eager and affectionate.
“Then I will forget that there were ever any…shadows.”
“You are so precious to me,” she whispered.
“As you are to me. It…wasn’t like that before,” he admitted quietly.
“When you touched yourself?”
“Yes. I had completion outwardly, not that other feeling.”
She gathered that he’d only managed to pleasure his gynosome. Understandable, as that was the simpler act of stimulation. For a time, they stayed close, and he didn’t press to reciprocate. Instead, they whispered of where they might go when this was over, what they’d do when they dealt with Toth Krag and shook the pursuit dogging him from the criminals who ran Gravas Station.
“Perhaps we could find See-ra?” Qalu suggested.
Helix seemed to like that idea, but before he could respond, an explosion rocked the Vault and alarms kicked on, blaring a state of urgency. Lights flashed in the dark, echoing the high alert status for the hearing impaired.
A robotic voice spoke on all channels. “The facility is under attack. Please proceed calmly and carefully to your emergency muster points.”
My little one. Where is she? I’ve been so neglectful, letting her wander, paying so little attention to her since we left.
Qalu clutched Helix’s swator. “We have to find Aevi.”
[ 17 ]
Helix didn’t hesitate.
He connected seamlessly to the station network and surfed through ten thousand impressions–a deluge of information that would have overwhelmed anyone else. As an AI, he’d sorted much more data faster than this, but there was a limit to what his organic brain could process. In a heartbeat, he had the knowledge they needed.
“She’s with Bojak, and they’re heading for the ship.”
“Are we leaving?” Qalu asked.
“I am uncertain. Let’s go.”
Another jolt rocked the station, and shrill sounds of distress echoed all around. It took judicious timing to avoid being trampled, though he had no notion where these beings were rushing off to. The only escape was outside, and he’d seen what was attacking the Vault while he was searching for Aevi. Going outside was highly ill-advised under the current circumstances, though staying in the facility might not offer better odds.
All told, it was a dismal situation.
“Who’s attacking us? Did you find out while you swept for Aevi?”
He considered withholding the information, but…why? Quietly, he said, “I have never encountered such a creature. It is…titanic with many fluid limbs and a conical core. I screened footage of it rising from one of the trenches. From the scientists’ urgent communications, I collect that it was stirred by the sudden proliferation of Cril.”
The scientist had offered to update them on the creature’s progress, but the little organism had reproduced much faster than predicted, possibly due to the concentration of rads, a perfect storm for self-replication. Once the army of Cril cleaned the sea, would they die off? Or devour one another? Presumably the science team had a plan for that eventuality, one kinder than allowing the Cril to perish forever after serving their purpose.
“That makes sense,” she said. “If the trench beast was accustomed to quiet waters.”
“Or possibly it had lain dormant for some time. The theories are mixed, though I admit to bafflement as to why the researchers are speculating about its origins during an attack.”
Qalu made an amused sound, weaving through the throng behind him. “That’s the scientific mind at work. We can’t stop asking questions even when they’re not the ones that urgently need answering.”
“Do not panic,” the flat robotic voice intoned. “We are taking measures to ensure your safety. Engineers are bolstering the shields. Please proceed to your emergency muster points.”
Because they were moving in the opposite direction from the frantic crowd, Helix used his body to shield Qalu, keeping her behind him as he dodged and occasionally swung his forelimbs to create paths where they had been none. Closer to the docking facility, the numbers thinned. Most of the others were already assembled with Bojak pacing in anxious strides. As ever, Praxys was enviably calm.
The resistance leader said, “The ship’s refueled at least. Let’s get out of here before it’s too late.”
Helix quelled an instinctive protest as Aevi leapt from Bojak’s shoulders into Qalu’s arms. She caught the Pherzul and cradled her close. Without hesitation, she said, “We can’t just leave while everyone’s in danger.”
“What, exactly, do you think we can do?” Praxys didn’t sound angry, only weary and resigned. “The ship has no weapons capable of hurting that thing.”
“Ugaru,” Carow cut in.
“Bless you.” By his tone, Bojak seemed to think he’d made a joke, but nobody laughed, and the human let out a gusty sound that Helix had heard from Beryl Bowman more than once.
“Tough crowd. Never mind.”
Praxys ignored Bojak, focusing on Carow instead. “What’s Ugaru?”
Carow shared what they knew readily. “Old legends about this world tell of an ancient protector named Ugaru, who sleeps until it’s time for the world to be reborn.”
“Interesting cultural context,” Maglan commented.
Helix found such stories fascinating, particularly considering what the Cril had been designed to do. Altarion was receiving an infusion of life, just as the stories foretold.
Praxys didn’t seem interested. “It’s irrelevant. We can’t save the Vault. We can only save ourselves and we need to do that before they lock everything down.”
That resonated as the final word, and the crew boarded quickly since nobody seemed willing to argue with Praxys. Helix didn’t agree with the decision, but despite having the power to analyze many potential paths and outcomes, based on their personnel, skills, and resources, he couldn’t come up with a viable solution, little as he liked running away.
But as the doors sealed behind them, Qalu said, “Maybe we can do both.”
Praxys turned to her, interested as always, in her every thought. Truly, Helix disliked this level of engagement, but he kept quiet.
“What did you have in mind?” Praxys asked.
“Though I have little data regarding Ugaru’s sensory capabilities, deep sea creatures generally can perceive light. Some even communicate via bioluminescence. This is outside my sphere of expertise, but couldn’t we lure the creature away from the Vault with a light show? If we make it chase us instead, we might exhaust it, so it seeks an easier food source.”
“It’s probably attacking the facility out of territorial instinct,” Carow said.
Praxys turned to Maglan and Bojak. “Is this actionable?”
“With a little lead time and some tweaks, we could do this,” Maglan answered.
Bojak muttered, “The better question would be, is this advisable? Wasn’t this planet supposed to be devoid of life?”
Carow reacted like that was an actual question, not pointless complaining. “Indeed, they believed so, but sensors cannot penetrate the deepest oceanic trenches. This is fascinating!”
“I might agree with you if we weren’t in grave danger,” Praxys said. “Maglan and Bojak, let’s get this done. If we’re making a heroic move, we need to be quick.”
“Before that monster bashes the Vault to bits,” Bojak mumbled.
The human rushed of
f behind Maglan before he could get scolded. Praxys regarded Qalu for a long moment and his neck ruff frilled faintly, a Barathi sign of attraction. A raw, unpleasant feeling swelled inside Helix; he’d known that the resistance captain was fascinated by Qalu and not only because of her incredible work.
“Your idea is dangerous, but you didn’t hesitate to suggest it.”
“My life isn’t more valuable than anyone else’s,” she said firmly. “And I wouldn’t feel right about running without even trying to help.”
“Incredible,” Praxys said softly. “Everything I learn about you makes me admire you more. I wonder…would you consider joining my crew permanently? After we deal with Krag, that is. We could do so much good together.”
Qalu glanced at Helix, appearing to gauge his reaction to that offer. Then she said, “Now isn’t the time to discuss such matters.”
“True enough. Let’s revisit the topic after we survive this gauntlet.”
To keep from displaying an unseemly reaction, he silently connected with Nita, accepting the rush of information she’d gleaned from crawling the holos and various bots on the Vault. Already, she knew more about Ugaru than anyone else, and Helix analyzed the data swiftly. The conclusion horrified him.
“Can we outrun it?” he asked softly.
“Various simulations offer unpromising results.” Her reply was quiet, private even, as if she didn’t wish to alarm the organic crew. “Unknown variables will impact the result because of contributing factors where my data is lacking.”
He gathered that she meant currents or drag, and that would be difficult to quantify without more precise records, but nobody was studying the water anymore. It was inarguable that Ugaru was native to this environment, and so would move through it with more speed and proficiency. The situation if the giant creature caught them—a new feeling hit him, a drowning wave of it. For a few moments, it became difficult to breathe.
“You’re afraid,” Nita observed.
“I suppose I am.”
“A deficiency inherent to biological lifeforms.”
“Rather, I’d call a tradeoff,” Helix said. “When I was an AI, I could transfer my code at will, and there was no loss to fear. Yet there was less to treasure as well. I had access to the universe, but I was also locked out of so many experiences.”
“Fascinating,” said Nita. “I had never considered that perspective. You consider that there are losses and gains to be made in such transitions?”
Before he could reply, Qalu finished her conversation with Praxys and stepped to his side, Aevi still clinging to her chest. He could smell the Pherzul’s fright in the acrid pheromones she was producing—the first time he’d ever experienced it. Yet his senses identified the cause without guidance. How extraordinary.
“I hope you don’t mind that I’ve put us in danger with my idea. It just…”
“Didn’t seem right to flee when we could attempt to assist?” he finished.
“Yes, exactly. The Vault sheltered us, assisted us. I know this isn’t our fault, but helping is the right choice, if we can.”
“If the Cril have anything to do with waking Ugaru, we are involved,” he said with a faint thread of amusement. “Because we participated in the momentous release, and according to the logs, they’ve reproduced at an incredible rate.”
“That would change the radiation levels. If Ugaru is sensitive to that…” Breaking off, Qalu made a dismissive gesture. “The answers don’t matter right now. Shall we see if Maglan and Bojak need help?”
For the first time since the alarms went off, Aevi spoke, her normally bright voice soft and tremulous. “I don’t like this adventure anymore. When can we go home?”
Qalu wished she could give the answer the little one wanted to hear.
She hesitated, choosing her words with care. “It’s not safe for us to do that yet.”
The Pherzul lashed her tail and fluffed her feathers. “We must kill the bad hunter. Let’s do it already and go home!”
Helix touched the top of Aevi’s head, and it was so unexpected that she settled. “We can’t abandon those who need our help. What would have happened to you if Qalu had simply left you alone when you needed aid?”
“Oh,” said Aevi, her crest drifting downward. Even her tail motions slowed. “Yes. It’s often inconvenient being good.”
Just then, Praxys fired up the engines. It seemed that he’d gotten permission for departure. He confirmed that supposition by saying, “We have a limited window for our exodus, and they can’t lower the external shields, which means—”
“You’ll need help hacking the energy signature,” Helix finished.
If they matched the ship shields to the same frequency as the facility, it ought to permit them to pass. And if the Vault authorities couldn’t get the locks working under the circumstances, Qalu had no doubt that Helix could override the station system. A brute force takeover probably wouldn’t win them any friends. That was how he’d ended up making powerful enemies that were hunting him still, over saving one family. Well, that and the credits he’d stolen. It was impossible not to be equal measures amused and relieved that he was being hunted for such a worthy reason, because a lonely child on Gravas Station had befriended him. Even as an AI he’d had heroic tendencies.
“Would you mind assisting Nita?”
“Not at all,” Helix said.
Now that she was familiar with the expression, she recognized the moment when he…stepped away from his body. His eyes went distant and unseeing, and he was part of the ship, seeing and experiencing the world in a way she couldn’t imagine. It bothered her because this was an unknowable aspect of him, one she could never share.
Rather than focus on that sense of estrangement or their imminent danger, she went to see if she could help Maglan and Bojak. As it turned out, they had the matter well in hand, and the ship shifted beneath her feet as Praxys piloted them out of the facility, navigating the series of locks and bays with an expertise she admired. The Barathi didn’t seem unnerved by much of anything, taking constant peril in even stride.
“You might want to buckle in,” Bojak said.
Since she couldn’t help in this situation, a sensation she was all too familiar with, Qalu took the excellent advice. In the hub, she settled into a seat and arranged the harnesses around her and Aevi, who buried her face in Qalu’s neck. The Pherzul needed fresh air and sunshine, space to stalk and hide and play. Long-term, it wouldn’t be fair to keep Aevi living as a fugitive, but Qalu couldn’t bear the thought of parting with her either.
Here, she could only hold on and hope for the best as the ship swung out of the Vault and rushed toward the shimmering blue shield at terrifying speed. If we don’t pass through—
Qalu refused to look away, steeling her nerves. Part of her expected crushing impact, but instead, the little ship popped through and out the other side, into the dark and murky waters, now teeming with tiny Cril. The sensible course would be to speed toward the surface and get airborne, escape this danger, but no, she’d suggested playing bait instead, and they listened. While this ship was designed to be multifunctional, it hardly had the same aquatic speed as the monster that would be chasing it, as it wasn’t optimally streamlined for its current environment.
Aevi petted Qalu through her swator, doubtless sensing her unease. The water around them lit up with the pulsing lights Maglan and Bojak had rigged in a hurry. At first, she couldn’t see more than the shifting colors and then an immense shape moved at the edges of the viewscreen, a massive beast with tentacles that slithered away from them, frustrated by the Vault’s shield. The ship was big enough, bright enough to attract its attention.
Maybe we even look like prey.
“It’s engaged,” Carow reported.
“Everything to engines and shields,” Praxys ordered.
Maglan said, “Confirmed.”
“Let’s do this,” the Barathi said.
The massive monster rushed at them with a speed that l
eft Qalu clutching Aevi in abject terror, wishing she could contribute more than ideas. Anything at all. Before fear could overwhelm her, Helix appeared beside her, and she started to chide him, when he tucked himself into the spot next to her and strapped in. He kept one limb on her, the other on Aevi, and the contact reassured her.
“You’re finished?”
“I played my part. Praxys wasn’t interested in relinquishing control of the ship to Nita or me. A curious choice since his reflexes are significantly slower.”
Before she could respond, the ship lurched and tumbled, slapped by the giant sea creature. One of the tentacles wrapped around the hull. And oh, that was a horrifying thing to see pressed against the screen. Only the shields kept the thing from crushing them to bits, and they couldn’t hold out forever.
“Ideas, now!” Praxys bellowed. “We can’t outrun it. Not even close.”
They had drawn it away from the facility at least, maybe far enough for the Vault to survive. The ship, however… Qalu tried to stop shivering and to think. Fear, like anger, would make her brain less effective. Calm. Be calm. Since her mind offered her main strength in this situation, she needed to be collected and sharp.
Maybe…
Qalu tapped the panel on her chair to activate communications throughout the ship. “Can we cycle a current through the shield? A shock to startle it into letting go. In conjunction with the water, a mild charge should feel a lot more powerful. It wouldn’t take much energy.”
“Do it,” Praxys said quickly. “Then we push straight up. The change in pressure may discombobulate it as well, and then we’re gone. I don’t know if this is enough to save the Vault, but we did what we could. Hope it’s enough because I’m not dying today.”
“Understood,” Maglan responded.
“We’re on it,” Bojak added.
The power flickered and the ship shot forward, then rolled, and Praxys spiraled them up, avoiding more lashes of those enormous tentacles. She didn’t know who decided to do it, but they stopped the pulses of light as well as the ship rose, higher, higher, and finally broke the surface of the ocean. It took a moment for Praxys to shift modes and change the propulsion system, and then they glided across the top of the water, gathering speed for lift. Once they got airborne, Qalu quivered from head to toe, her heart racing until she couldn’t think.
