by Reiter
“Then that leaves only one matter,” Dungias said, turning to face G’Dalzee. “Master, are you done with him?”
The trek of Dungias’ mind was too easy to follow, and Nugar would have preferred not to see another stride of it. “If you have any regard for me as your Master,” Nugar stated as he slowly stood up from his seat. “… you will not allow any harm to befall this Traveler while either of you are in the home of my blood.”
“So be it,” Dungias said, stepping back.
“Where did he get that marking, Nugar?” G’Dalzee asked. “He has not even been to the First Dock! How can he be a Traveler?!”
“Let me remind you, G’Dal, there are two ways one can be awarded the status,” Nugar started as he slowly approached his friend and former student. “One means is the acceptance from the rank of Elders.”
“And they have not even seen him!” G’Dalzee contended.
“The other method involves a witnessed act,” Nugar continued. “That act has to have many components to it. The listed components of such an act are tenacity, combative skill, tracking, piloting, innovation, guile, and dedication to one of our edicts. Of the seven, a candidate need only demonstrate five.
“Now hear my words, kommis Traveler, for this is a trek of truth and it is for the record,” Nugar stated, taking a more authoritative tone to his voice. “I was taken from my domicile by the First Preceptor who was acting on orders from the First Princess, Galvasti Thunna Sryla. The matter was never cleared by the K’Dalkian Council, and I doubt an argument has even been raised on my behalf. That, however, did not keep him from using Council authority to enter my home and take me to a holding chamber on the grounds of the lyceum in Tremulan City. I was found and liberated by my student who had to outwit Talkurra, scatter the forces she and the First Preceptor maintained, and face Isak Dunrossi in open combat. We escaped by way of a short range teleporter that sent our bodies to the other side of the planet, where my scout ship was waiting. By my count, that makes seven out of seven! And in case you were wondering which edict he was following, the first thing he did after removing me from restraints was return to me my Osamu.
“Does this… satisfy you?” Nugar inquired and the sting of his words drove G’Dalzee’s head down. The word of the Master Traveler could not be questioned, and many believe that it was an exercise of Nugar’s will that kept him from the rank of Grandmaster. The entire time Nugar was recounting the tale, his Osamu packaged and sent the record to the Osamu on G’Dalzee’s back. The Malgovi might be young, but the review of the engagement with Isak alone would have been enough to sate G’Dalzee. The rest made the Traveler close his eyes.
“I made it easy for them to turn me against you, didn’t I?” he said, trying not to cry in shame.
“You have never had my faith,” Nugar explained in a softer tone. “And I never made it a requirement. The Light of the Stars can trek us through troubled zones of the Void, G’Dal. This course seems to pit me against both the Malgovi and Vinthur perspectives.”
“Is he worth all of that?!” G’Dalzee asked. “Is this worth your life? You are a gifted Traveler, Nugar, but you are an even better guide and instructor. Not all of us can say that. Some of us would not even be bothered to try!”
“And who have you taught?” Dungias asked, taking steps to stand closer to G’Dalzee. His shoulders were still squared. His grip on his Osamu was unmistakable. “I find your commentary naïve at best, pathetic at worst!”
“Dungias!” Saru called to her man.
“If my perspective harms this man in any way, I contend that the wound is self-inflicted!” Dungias spoke to Saru without looking back at her. He was not about to remove his eyes from G’Dalzee. “With Laejem, I can see the point of it. Whether he turned against Nugar or not, he first saw to his saytrah… then he grappled with his doubts and fears. But you, G’Dalzee, to what did you first attend? What posts have you secured before aiding in this cause?”
“I do not appreciate your tone, young one.”
“Then let us adjourn to the nearest adequate surface so that we can resolve our differences!”
“Dungias!” Nugar shouted. “That will be enough. Your point had been made, my child. Seeing G’Dalzee laid low will not soften what I am feeling in my heart.”
“You think this whelp can best me?!” G’Dalzee barked.
“I’d wager he could take us all if the need were great enough,” Nugar muttered as he turned to leave.
“You are a poison!” G’Dalzee screamed as he drew his pistol.
“Saru, hold!” Dungias said slowly lifting his right hand, eyeing the weapon being brought to bear on him. G’Dalzee fired and the blast struck the edge of Dungias’ hand. There was no burst of light, not even a sound of impact.
As everyone looked at Dungias, Nugar looked at his student’s left foot and smirked at the charred plating underneath Dungias’ left boot. He resumed his exit. “See him off my ship, Dungi,” Nugar commanded just before the doors closed behind him.
“What are you?!” G’Dalzee asked at just above a whisper as he holstered his weapon.
“Fortunately for you, I am dedicated to my Master,” Dungias replied. “I suggest you make ready to return to your ship.” Dungias turned to look at Saru who was just removing her hand from her weapon. “If it means anything, kommis, you would have fired before him.” Surprised at his words, Saru turned to look at her older brother whose gun was still trained on G’Dalzee. “It looks as if you have made your decision. Please, allow Saru to see to your body.”
“I am not injured.”
“No, but we must consider the cleverness of Talkurra. She would not have let you go without some sort of countermeasure in place. She would have considered the possibility that your mind might change once your loved ones were removed from harm’s way. Was your… agreement reached before or after physical conflict?”
“After,” Laejem said in reflection. “I was in a regenerator for a brief time.”
“An instant is all one needs for a radioactive marker,” Dungias remarked. “Will you do this for us, my lady?”
“No, I will do it for you!” Saru replied, reaching her hand out to Dungias as she walked to leave. They touched fingertips and both of them closed their eyes at the sensation. Dungias then blurred from sight and stopped a full tram behind G’Dalzee, having relieved the enraged Traveler of his redrawn pistol.
“My Master has asked of me a great chore and I would prefer not to fail him,” Dungias said, tossing the weapon back to G’Dalzee. “I have grown quite accustomed to not getting my preference… especially if you still have pressing questions regarding my ability.”
When Dungias joined Nugar in the pilot’s chamber, he took a seat without speaking and waited as the aged Traveler watched the ship of his student fly off into the Void. He watched with his naked eye before putting his eyes to the sensor readouts. Nothing was said until the ship was completely out of range.
“How many?” Nugar asked as he closed his eyes, recalling lessons in the Gamma Chamber on the definition of guile.
“I only had the opportunity to plant two trackers,” Dungias replied. “One on his person and the second on his gun. I did him no harm.”
“And when those trackers are found?” Nugar asked, turning in his seat to look at Dungias. “… as I am sure you planted them to cast doubt over his credibility, since you cannot possibly care where he is going.”
“When they are found he will no longer be in the home of your blood, Master.”
“Finding loopholes is a poor craft to initiate, Dungi. Once it becomes habit, no one will be able to trust your word.”
“Having me release him after we resolved his treachery is a poorer trait, Kwinsoah,” Dungias replied. “Once that becomes habit, there will be no need for anyone to honor or respect you.”
“Respect out of fear–”
“Is the same as respect out of love,” Dungias interrupted. “You tried to love him and he refused it. Now let him have
his fear of you, for that seems to be his preference.”
“When we reach the domicile–”
“I am already prepared to depart, Master,” Dungias replied, getting up from his chair. He had feared his action might have brought the two of them to this intersection of perspective, but he would not let the chance of such a consequence change his actions. “There are several places en route where you may–”
“When we reach the domicile,” Nugar started again, raising his voice and taking back his station of authority. Dungias stopped walking and listened. “You will take this ship. You chose it, and it was a sound decision. Inspect every seam of it, and in eight star-terms you will take your leave of me… with my blessing and all of my hope.”
“You believe we have at least eight star-terms on those who seek me out?” Dungias asked.
“No. I’d say it was closer to twelve,” Nugar estimated. “Perhaps even longer with the catching of G’Dalzee. But two is all it will take for me to register this craft in your name. It is also an adequate time frame for you to finish your inspection, as I know you are about to begin it now… as well as time to readdress the concept of the Jump-Stride… and time enough as well to remember that no matter what trek you take, Traveler or Star Chaser, you must take them as Dungias… see to him as well, Dungi.
“As for your actions,” the Master Traveler continued, shaking his head. “I am angry, vazi, but not at you. This matter has grown on all sides, and many of those sides I did not see coming. I was a fool to think this only had bearing on Travelers. Such a fool indeed.”
“My Master is no fool,” Dungias argued.
“Which only means you still need training,” Nugar replied. “Dungi, you still have a problem with your anger, but it is at least focused now. The training you need you will find as you chart the Universe Dungias.”
“My First Dock is the Universe Galioro,” Dungias replied, speaking the true name of Nugar. “It is a good place from which to start.” Nugar said nothing as his student took his leave. Dungias cued the computer to begin a top-level internal diagnostic of the ship and all of its systems.
Dungias wiped the sweat from his brow in true Traveler fashion: with the drying band that had been wrapped around his left forearm. Hands were only meant to touch tools and components. Glancing over at his timepiece, he knew he had five to seven s’tonki more before they would be within visual range of Nugar’s domicile. He reached down for the quantum adjustor, but felt a wet rag in its place. He looked away from his work to see Saru holding a tray with several steaming towels and cleaning solution.
“Where are my tools?” he asked.
“I moved them,” Saru replied. “Clean your hands, it’s time to eat.”
“I can eat when I am done.”
“You can eat whenever you open your mouth and take in sustenance,” Saru smiled up at him. “It would be better if you clean your hands first.”
“This is one of those arguments I will not win, isn’t it?”
“And gemnur says you needed more training,” Saru said dismissively. “I think you are just about done.” Dungias sighed and took hold of one of the rags. He wiped his face and then used the solution to clean his hands. Saru waited patiently and then directed him to a place where she had arranged supply boxes into a table and two chairs. Dungias took in a long whiff and smiled, rubbing his belly.
“I can remember when my ishah would make these,” he said, using the K’Vo word for Vi-Zai. “It brings back memories.”
“It is all we have at the moment,” Saru defended. “Now sit down and eat with me.” Without warning, Dungias swept Saru away from the floor and over to the table. He set her down gently on one of the chairs before sitting on the other. Saru quickly recovered and smiled as she waited for Dungias to take the first bite. When he had swallowed, she started eating.
“Since we are the in the vein of things I cannot address… perhaps we should touch upon as many of these as we can.”
“If you think that suitable meal conversation,” Saru replied.
Dungias ignored the suggestion and leaned forward on the table. “You are my woman because I claim you, but more importantly because you have given yourself to me. We will let others question our reason and regard.
“I am a wanted man,” Dungias stated. “… though nothing has been stated officially. That means by being with me, you are in danger. I will not insult your position by telling you that you would be safer away from me.”
“I appreciate that consideration,” Saru remarked, taking another bite of food. “Especially since you have yet to say that our bond is against the laws of the Malgovi and the Vinthur.”
“My anger is still my weakness, Saru,” Dungias admitted. “I do not know what height it would reach if I should lose you.”
“Then never lose me,” Saru replied.
“You mock me at a time like this?”
“Absolutely not,” Saru said, taking hold of his hand. “But for one who has already done the impossible right before my eyes, take up this course for another impossible destination. Never lose me and you need not fear your rage at losing me.” Dungias looked at her intently, not sure of what to say and she smiled at his confusion. “It would seem you have something more pressing to consider now, eh?” Saru wiped her mouth and rose from her seat. She walked around the makeshift table and knelt at Dungias’ side. It took a moment to calm him from making the effort to change her position, but when he at last acquiesced, she smiled up into his gold eyes.
“Leave it to a man to miss the most important lesson of the Stars. They shine where they will, nyaka. There is nothing you or I can do in this life or this universe to change that. Chart your course and make your way as best you can.
“And if this pleases you,” she said, taking his hand and lifting it up to her face. “Then let it please you. Give your thanks to the Stars for showing you to paradise, and continue to be the man you were when you found this place. So many believe that because one thing gives them happiness then that thing belongs to them. My love belongs to you because I have given it to you, just as your love is mine because you have given it to me. I am more than a woman because of this love, nyaka, but I will not always be this woman. This woman is only part of Saru. I must be more than this part of me or I do not deserve to call it a part of me. We trek the same course for this moment in the Light. Do you trust this vessel?”
“More than I thought I could,” Dungias replied.
“Then let us take in as much of this voyage as we are able to,” Saru said, slowly rising.
“And if our courses change?”
“You will continue to be my Dungias and I will never cease to be your Saru,” she answered, backing away from the table to where she had prepared another area. Dungias said nothing as he followed her into the quickly renovated compartment. “This star-term and each other are the only things we can claim with any certainty. Come be mine!” The door to the chamber closed behind them. Saru removed the gravity from the chamber and there was no need for a bed.
Charity should begin at home, but should not stay there.
Phillips Brooks
The tones of the chimes sang to her ears and Saru smiled, rolling over and reaching out for her definition of perfection. She found only piece of parchment. Her eyes popped open to confirm that the one she was reaching for was indeed absent from their bed.
“No,” she whispered, moving quickly to her nightstand. She picked up her PC, but it was without power. All of the sensors she had programmed to signal her had sent their alarms to a receiver that did not work.
“No,” she said as she ran from the bed only to pound her fists on a door that did not open. She came away from it, looking for her weapons belt. Like her clothes, it had also been taken from the room. “Gemnur,” she yelled. “Gemnur, I know you can hear me!”
“Read the note, child,” Nugar replied over the intercom. Saru screamed curses up at the man and his domicile, pounding on the door for a time.
> “I thought it might come to this,” Dungias’ voiced called out to Saru from the walls. “And I prepared this message for you.”
“I hate you!” Saru screamed.
“I did what you set me to do, nyaka,” Dungias reported. “I found the way to never lose you. Nothing can take the last eight star-terms from me. I have taken measures to insure it. However, these measures will only work should I lose my current mind. In order to keep you in the here and now, I must take to this course which brought us together. I will see to my quest of knowledge and I will see to the truth of my people. If there is anything of this Dungias left, I will trek my way to you. The rest of my life will be in your hands, nyaka. Whatever decision you make, I will always be your Dungias.
“I have found the means to quell my anger, Saru. Or should I say, you have shown me the way to silence the rage inside of me. It is you, my love. The very voice that brought me back from the dark and cold shadows of death will steer me through my rage. It is with this new perspective that I can face my people and complete this quest. Already it has cost me another chance to see you sleeping and awaken to smile your love into me.
“I take my leave from your touch, but never from you, Saru. I promise to find my way back to you and if you should find any other warmth in the cold Void, cling to it, Saru. You deserve every great comfort this universe has to offer. Now, if you would be my Saru,” he said as the door to the room opened. “… go to Laejem’s room. You will find the antidote to the sleep agent I gave him just outside the door to his room. It was rather ingenious of you to include him in your plans to monitor me. My woman!”
Saru walked into the large room that had once been the dwelling of her mate. Nugar stood in the middle of the room in the midst of a kata with his Osamu. The steps were soft and incredibly graceful, almost as if Nugar was walking on air. Beside him was a figure doing the very same movements, correcting Nugar when his technique was lacking.
