by Drew Wagar
‘Honour was all mine,’ Coran said.
‘Say goodbye to Daf and Creg for me,’ she said.
‘I will.’
Zoella heard feet shuffle.
‘Zoella … it’s Mel.’
Zoella could hear the tears, even if she couldn’t see them.
‘Mel … all the time you spent with me, all the good advice …’
‘Just remember we all love you,’ Mel said. ‘Always. We’ll never forget …’
Her voice broke. Zoella felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
‘Never,’ she said.
Another voice. This time it was Fitch.
‘Gotta say,’ he said, his voice gruff. ‘I was all for pitching you off the ship when you first came aboard.’
‘I remember,’ Zoella said.
‘Glad I didn’t though,’ Fitch added. ‘Otherwise I’d’ve drowned when that sea beastie tried to eat us. You saved my life. Means something. You did good, girl.’
‘Thanks Fitch, make sure you look after yourself.’
‘Do my best.’
More shuffling. Meru’s voice.
‘Zoella … all that time I let you down … ignored you …’
‘Don’t think on it,’ she said. ‘Not now. You’re the best friend I ever had. I’m sorry things came between us.’
‘I don’t know what to say … what to do …’
‘What you need to do is to look after my sister for me,’ Zoella said. ‘Will you do that?’
‘Yes, of course I will …’
‘And take care of yourself. Don’t crash anything else, yes?’
‘I’ll try. Zoella …’
‘Goodbye Meru, I love you … Thanks for being my friend.’
Finally, she heard Kiri’s voice.
‘Sister … please let me …’
‘No,’ Zoella said, more sternly than she intended. ‘Kiri … you need to be with Meru. Whatever the future holds, you must stay with him. That’s where you’re supposed to be. You can find a way to be together and you’ve got to help defend Amar. You know what the priestesses will do, you’re the only one who can stop them.’
‘I can’t do it without you. We were supposed to do it together.’
Zoella could hear the twinge of fear in Kiri’s voice.
She’s scared … she’s actually scared.
‘You can do it, trust yourself.’
‘I … I barely got to know you,’ Kiri said, her voice shaking. ‘It’s not fair! I want to know you, you’re my sister, the only real family I have … I need you.’
Zoella pushed her fingers against the cold metal of the locked door, tears streaming down her face.
‘It wasn’t to be,’ Zoella said. ‘Be happy we did learn of each other and put our hatred aside. We both found out who we are.’
‘Yes, but …’
‘I still say I was born first. ’
Zoella heard Kiri’s sob, half mixed with a laugh.
‘You’re so much the bossy older sister!’
‘Look after Meru,’ Zoella said. ‘Both of you need to look after each other. Don’t leave him.’
‘I won’t, I promise.’
Zoella closed her eyes, her fingers clenching.
‘Goodbye Kiri.’
Zoella swallowed, trying to stop herself gasping.
Focus on what you need to do. Just one more goodbye to say …
She opened her eyes and stood taller, turning on her heel.
Ira stood before her, looking up at her.
Zoella went to give her a hug, but Ira raised her hand and a thump of mental energy caught Zoella across the forehead. It wasn’t painful, more like a firm but gentle push. Zoella found herself on the floor, sliding on the slick surface, fetching up against the locked door behind her.
She shook her head and looked up, finding she couldn’t get to her feet. Her arms and legs seemed paralysed. She heard footsteps, walking away from her.
‘Ira?’
In horror she saw Ira standing beyond the second set of doors.
‘No!’ Zoella screamed. ‘What are you doing? Come back here …’
Ira was standing just within the AMS room, her hand still outstretched towards Zoella. As Zoella looked up a flood of images washed over her mind.
Rescuing me in the caverns below Airea …
The flight away in Meru’s flying machine …
The battle with the sea creature …
Another image seared across her mind.
Amar, in flames … the wreckage all about us … the priestesses … Kiri …
Ira was pointing at her.
Me?
Ira nodded.
Zoella’s mind was filled with another view. Herself and Kiri standing side by side, as dachs flew and raged about them. Fire lit the sky, smoke billowed past. As she watched, Zoella saw herself and Kiri raise their hands together.
The images faded.
Zoella blinked, trying to focus her eyes.
Ira stepped back a pace and raised her own hand, palm outwards. There was a smile on her face.
‘No …’
Zoella was helpless. She couldn’t move as the far doors closed in front of her. Only as they shut was the grip on her muscles broken. She scrambled to her feet and ran.
* * *
Coran heard the doors click.
He turned around as some mechanism within them unlocked. There was a momentary pause and then the doors slid back.
‘Zoella?’
Coran ran into the corridor, the rest of the crew right behind him.
‘Zoella!’
He saw her at the far end, just short of the second set of doors and sprinted up to her. She was crouched at them, her hands banging on the doors in frustration. He pulled her upright, seeing her tear-streaked face and puffy eyes.
‘What happened?’
‘Ira …’ she said. ‘She …’
‘Took your place,’ Mel whispered, staring at the doors.
Kiri knelt down beside Coran and pulled Zoella into a hug.
‘You’ve got to stop her,’ Zoella wailed. ‘She’s too young to …’
A series of strange sounds echoed through the doors before them. The sound of liquid being drained, pumps running, devices unplugging, hisses and clicks. Then more liquid sloshing and moving. After a few moments the sounds faded away.
Asha’s image appeared in the corridor.
‘AMS replacement is complete. Primary protocol no longer in operation. Obelisk functions are returning to acceptable parameters. It is not advised to leave the facility at this time due to flare radiation …’
Zoella lurched upwards, pulling away from Kiri and staggering to her feet. She swung at Asha’s image, trying to hit her.
‘Acceptable …?’ Zoella yelled. ‘She’s just a girl! You can’t do this!’
Zoella’s clenched fists went straight through Asha’s body, there was nothing but light. Zoella raged for a moment, swinging back and forth, screaming incoherently. Coran and Fitch grabbed her and wrestled her back as she struggled between them.
‘Zoella!’ Coran yelled.
Asha’s image disappeared. Then there was another voice.
‘Zoella, it’s alright.’
It was a girl’s voice, clear and light.
Coran looked at Fitch and then at the rest of the crew. Zoella stopped, her eyes wide. She stopped struggling in Coran and Fitch’s grasp.
‘Who was that?’ Mel asked.
‘It’s … it’s Ira,’ Zoella cried. ‘Can you hear me?’
‘Yes, Zoella,’ Ira’s voice said. ‘It’s me. I can hear you. I’m alright. Come. You must understand.’
The doors before them clicked and then unlocked, sliding back. Coran led the crew into the AMS room. They looked around them in wonder, before Zoella ran ahead to the centre, peering into the cylinder there.
Coran gasped.
The cylinder was filled with a faint blue liquid. Bubbles from the base made their way upwards, the interior was festoo
ned with cables, wires and tubes.
In the midst of it all, Ira’s body was suspended. She was floating, naked, her skin pale, her eyes closed. Her short white hair wafted in the current within, her body festooned with connections.
‘Ira … no …’ Zoella said, pushing her hands against the cold glass of the cylinder. Coran and the others came up and stood behind her, looking up at the girl within.
‘I did not mean to upset you,’ Ira’s voice said. Her eyes stayed closed and her lips didn’t move. Her voice seemed to come from all around the room, amplified. ‘But it was better for you that I did this, Zoella.’
‘It should have been me,’ Zoella cried, banging her fists on the tank. ‘Not you …’
‘No.’ Ira’s said. ‘A different fate awaits you. You have another role to play. This was my choice, Zoella.’
Coran saw Zoella frown.
‘Did it … hurt?’ Zoella asked.
‘No, it was entirely painless,’ Ira said. Her manner of speech was somehow too regular, almost mechanical. ‘The Obelisk will be able to function. Everything I knew is now available to the Obelisk systems and everything it has is accessible to me. I can see and feel its many parts. I am able to communicate with everything, and talk to you … for the first time.’
‘Ira …’ Zoella’s eyes were still wet with tears.
‘Do not mourn for me, Zoella,’ Ira said. ‘Be thankful that Esurio will be saved from destruction. I have already been able to adjust many parameters. Magnetic field restoration, axial alignment and augmentation of protective mechanisms are already underway.’
Kiri and Meru came up from behind and held Zoella close. Zoella sank in their embrace, sobbing quietly.
‘So, the Obelisk …’ Coran began.
‘Captain Coran,’ Ira said. ‘You have achieved what you set out to do. Obelisk functions have been restored. I am able to confirm that all of the systems within my control are responding to repair commands. The AMS, as provided by me, will restore complete control within the next pass.’
‘Then the flares will be stopped?’ Coran asked.
‘No,’ Ira said. ‘The flares are a characteristic of the M2V class star Lacaille 9352. They recur at intervals of four nine one rounds and last for a period of approximately five rounds. Outside of this time Lacaille 9352 is quiescent. Flares are thus due to subside in round 2310. They will reoccur once again in round 2796. Esurio inhabitants must continue to seek shelter during flare events until 2310.’
‘Caesar talked about this,’ Meru said, leaving Zoella with Kiri. ‘The first flare, do you remember? The one that killed Sandra Morino …’
‘The first flare was not anticipated,’ Ira replied. ‘It devastated the colony here in round 341. Many lives were lost. No records are available after this time.’
‘You sound like you know everything now,’ Meru said.
‘I am integrated into the Obelisk systems,’ Ira responded. ‘I have access to all data and information stored within this facility, including all historical records. There are many archived messages, images, recordings and documents available.’
‘Historical,’ Meru said. ‘From when?’
‘Records begin from when Esurio was first colonised,’ Ira responded. ‘Round one. A recording of the colonisation event is available, would you like to see it?’
Meru swallowed and looked around at the crew. Zoella had her head lowered. Kiri was still holding her, looking pale and scared, Mel anxious. Fitch had his lips pursed, only Coran’s eyes were twinkling with excitement.
Coran stepped forward.
‘You remember that time I caught you eavesdropping in my study?’ Coran said to Meru, his voice hushed. ‘We talked of witches and frozen waters?’
Meru nodded. ‘Yes … and we talked about our ancestors’ lost legacy. All the technology, the ships, the map … the things they could do.’
Coran looked around him, gesturing at Ira and the complex machinery all about them.
‘This is it,’ he said. ‘Here is where all the answers lie.’
Coran looked up at Ira’s body.
‘Show us the recording,’ he whispered.
‘Request acknowledged,’ Ira replied.
Off to one side, a glowing image appeared. It looked real, somehow with depth and distance. The crew could just see through it to the other side of the room, but it was bright and vibrant.
It was an image of the pathway before the Obelisk buildings, the same ones in which they now stood. Behind the buildings rose the Obelisk itself, looking identical to how it did now.
Below the buildings a crowd of people stood. They stood side by side in four rows, dressed in peculiar one piece uniforms. There were perhaps eighty of them, all very different looking, their skins having many shades from pale to dark and everything in between.
‘They all look … fat and short,’ Kiri said.
One individual stood before them, a man, even stockier and thicker set, sporting a heavy grey beard. He was dressed in the most unusual outfit. He wore a dark blue jacket, with coloured yellow bars on the shoulders and cuffs. Bright metal buttons and some small coloured marks festooned the front of his attire. He sported a pair of matching trousers, with his outfit completed by polished black boots, which shone in the light of Lacaille. He held something in his left hand, but they didn’t recognise it.
He stepped forward, addressing whoever it was that had made the recording. The crew of the Mobilis watched with rapt attention.
‘My name is Admiral Gregory Drayden,’ the man said, in a deep gravelly voice. ‘Today is the 21st of August 2943 as we used to measure time. Twenty two years ago, I had the privilege of bringing our colony ship, the Du Maurier, into orbit around our new home, Esurio.
‘It was not without its difficulties. Esurio is not like our old home, Earth, the planet that created and nurtured us. The planet we, in our foolishness, utterly destroyed. There have been hardships. Those of us who arrived here aboard the Du Maurier found to our dismay that we would not be able to live upon the surface for any length of time without breathing apparatus. The people that stand behind me are thus the first true colonists of this planet; the result of a genetic breeding programme with a simple aim, to allow humanity to survive and thrive on Esurio.’
The man stopped, and the object he’d been holding was revealed to be a transparent mask with a small cylinder attached to it. He took a few deep breaths from it before he continued.
‘With these brave people go the hopes and dreams of humanity. We do not yet know whether any other colony vessels successfully reached their destinations, or whether their passengers were able to colonise their target worlds. We may never know. It could be that we are all that remains of the billions of humans who once lived on Earth.
‘Earth was destroyed by greed, arrogance and an inability to collectively come together, put aside difference and work for the common good. We watched as wars were fought over dwindling resources and the ecosystem crashed and burned. The last radio transmissions we received were brutal and ugly. Then Earth fell silent.’
The admiral turned to look at the people behind him, taking another breath from his mask.
‘You must do better than we did,’ he said. ‘You have been given a second chance. A pristine world that can be made liveable and fertile through hard work. The resources of high industry are lacking here. There is little metal, virtually none of the carbon-based fuels that we squandered back on Earth. Lifestyles must thus be in harmony with what this new world can provide.
He turned around and faced forward again.
‘It is written within the statute of this colony that our new civilisation will be agrarian. We will produce crops and farmland, we may even build towns and cities in the future, but we will not pollute our world, we shall not mine, smelt, or fill the atmosphere with smoke and fumes. Such technology as we have brought with us will remain only as long as it is required for the purposes of exploration and research. Once those tasks are accomplished it will
be dismantled and forgotten.
‘Earth is gone. We have a new home. Today is no longer August the 21st 2943. Today is stretch one, pass one, round one. Today … this stretch … is the first stretch on Esurio!’
Cheers accompanied the Admiral’s final words, the people behind him clapped and hollered loudly.
The image faded.
‘Round one,’ Coran said. ‘I can scarce believe that was real. All that time …’
‘And those people standing there,’ Mel said. ‘They were our ancestors? We’re all, every one of us, descended from them?’
‘That is correct,’ Ira said.
‘Seemed like a pretty good plan,’ Fitch said, ‘And interesting that they didn’t want any of this tech we’re so proud of. So what went wrong?’
‘The flares,’ Zoella said. ‘They didn’t know the flares were coming.’
‘Recordings of the original flare incident are available,’ Ira said. ‘They are amongst the last recordings available in the archive. Caution is advised, viewers may find some of the scenes disturbing.’
Coran looked around at the crew.
‘We need to know what happened.’
They nodded.
‘Show us,’ Coran instructed.
The glowing image returned. It was the same location once more, the Obelisk building complex, with the Obelisk rising behind. This time the scene was different, people were walking in all directions. A woman was standing before the recorder, trying to make herself heard over the noise of other people shouting directions. Off to her left they could see one of the flying machines, with people cramming themselves aboard. Others were already in the air, flying away from the Obelisk compound.
‘This is Su-Lin Singh of the astrometrics division,’ she said. ‘We still don’t know what is happening, but the signs are not good. We’ve had major sunspot activity for the last pass, totally unprecedented. The weather has been freezing, radiative output dropped almost twenty percent. None of our predictive models gave any indication of these effects.
‘The magnetic flux on Lacaille is incredibly strong, we’ve never seen anything like this before. Some are saying there is a risk of a dangerous flare event, but Lacaille has never been seen to flare before. As a precaution we’re going to move people towards the temperate zones. The scientific outpost in Nireus is going to be a little crowded …
