by Astra Lynne
"Then why do you waste so much of your valuable time being bitter about a situation you cannot change?"
Both Warriors faced each other for a long, tense moment, their Nacresscence glowing bright attracting the attention of those around them.
"If you are going to stand so close to each other, perhaps you should just mate," the warrior Babuum quipped, causing riotous laughter from the surrounding warriors and constructors alike.
Susuda groaned and continued swiftly down the corridor. Mattaki followed closely behind, analyzing the various twists and turns of the ventilation system on a hologram projected from his communicator. "Why are these vents in a different color," Mattaki asked when they had arrived at the access panel.
"Do not be concerned, I have made some modifications," Susuda bit in reply.
"Modifications?"
"Yes, my father and brothers are venting specialists. I made modifications to the venting system to make it more efficient."
"You have qualifications to do this," Mattaki asked more impressed than accusatory.
"I have more qualifications to modify the design than you have to question me," Susuda stated defiantly.
"Perhaps you are right," Mattaki offered. He considered apologizing for any offense, but he felt as though Susuda would take offense no matter what he said.
Mattaki followed Susuda down the cramped and winding vents stopping occasionally to test for air and oxygen flow. When they came upon one of the vents leading to the docking bay, Mattaki noticed Susuda scanning every corner and consulting the ventilation map on his communicator, whispering inaudibly to himself as he did. He noticed Susuda's Nacresscence begin to glow brighter as he considered his drawings, and wondered what troubled him.
"Humans, all of this for a lesser race," Susuda offered when he noticed Mattaki eyeing him suspiciously.
"Lesser? Who are we to say who is lesser," Mattaki offered.
"You think your Uncle the Councilor would not have an opinion about the humans?"
"I think everyone has an opinion about the humans."
Susuda nodded in agreement but offered no more.
The two of them stood in silence for a long moment, looking out over the docking bay. In only a short time, the first ship would arrive with the first humans of the Reaping. Other ships would follow, filled with the sleeping in cryostasis. His human woman would be on one of those ships, Mattaki thought as he looked out over the vast empty space of the bay. The longer they stood there, the more agitated Susuda seemed to become. Mattaki knew there were many challenges associated with the Hive, not the least of which was public opinion, but until recently he had not encountered many who spoke against it. As the time drew closer, and bodies began to exhaust from the work, some had began adding the occasional sneer about humans. There were the jokes around the dining tables and in the corridors, but Mattaki wondered if those jokes would soon give way to more sinister comments and opinions as the time of their arrival drew closer.
Mattaki observed Susuda's Nacresscence glowing even brighter and a look of disgust on his face. "I have heard there are those that wish to upend the Reaping," Susuda offered.
"As have I," Mattaki answered.
"They will try to attack the Reaping ships, to kill the Humans."
"I have heard the chatter as well. But then there are many rumors about the Reaping," Mattaki offered.
"You think they are just rumors," Susuda said ominously. Mattaki's own Nacresscence began to glow. He wondered if Susuda was vetting him for his own feelings about Humans. Mattaki did not think for a moment Susuda was so careless as to speak only in the abstract. "I have heard your own Uncle, the great and high Councilor Mashda, himself does not agree with the Reaping."
"I cannot speak to what my Uncle believes," Mattaki spat, feeling his adrenaline beginning to rise. He did not like where this conversation was leading.
"I believe you may know more than you say." Susuda turned and regarded Mattaki. "You do not like what I say brethren?" Susuda made no effort to hide the way he used brethren as an insult between them.
"I do not like the suggestion that my Uncle will not follow his duty," Mattaki said in warning. It was no lie, but more so than the insult against his Uncle's honor, was the suggestion some would attempt to hurt or injure the Humans. His human would be on one of the ships, and a threat against the humans, was, in essence, a threat against her. This was unacceptable to him. Try as he may to contain his thoughts and reaction, he could feel his muscles tightening and his Nacresscence burning in preparation to defend her.
"Settle down warrior," Susuda warned, "We have much work to do yet." Susuda turned and continued down a ventilation shaft. Mattaki did not follow right away, choosing to remain back and let his temper subside. He knew he must learn to control his anger as the time of the arrival drew near. He must meditate and go to that place within himself he had been trained to use. A warrior lost every battle he waged with his temper; he could hear his father's words repeating in his head. Mattaki knew if he was to win the battle he was waging with himself, he must learn to listen to his mind. He must clear his thoughts and be willing to think before he acted as much as possible, and that had to start with those like Susuda most of all.
Chapter 6
Amelia stared out of her window at the stars passing by. Ellen had been right, she had not yet lost the wonder of them even though they, and some of the mysteries they held were now a part of her life. She paused to think how long she had been aboard the ship but found she could not think. One of the concepts she and the other Human Ambassadors had been studying was the differing criteria of time between Earth and Mari-Ur. Because of the size, rotation and revolution of Mari-Ur around its respective star, time was measured far differently than Earth. It was Math Amelia's tired brain could not do at the moment. She and the other Humans were being gradually acclimated to the longer day, or cycle as the Mari-Ursians referred to it, by having their sleep staunchly regulated. Their communicators had been set to alarm when to begin their sleep routine and when to wake, increasing the time between each a little more each cycle.
Despite their regimented sleep schedule, Amelia had been awaken each night by strange and fitful dreams. Sometimes she was running down a long dark corridor but she didn't know why. Other times she dreamed she could feel hands stroking her hair and down her back and it made her feel warm and safe. But in all of her dreams, she saw eyes, dark and intense starry eyes of the Mari-Ur, staring into her as if they knew her. Strangely, in all of her dreams, she had not been afraid. She felt as if she were protected in each dream, even the ones where she was running from something. She tried to take comfort in that at least. Amelia had been tempted to ask some of the other humans if they were experiencing the same but she worried they might think she was losing her mind.
There were 50 human Ambassadors originally, but two had been put into cryosleep because they were not tolerating the physical demands of the journey well. The 48 who remained were a mix of people most would not have anticipated. There were no Earth leaders, no celebrities or sports stars. Even the Scientists were not necessarily leaders in their field. Many of them, Amelia thought, were somewhat ordinary. Ellen, or Ellenaki as Amelia was trying to adjust to calling her, had said there were other qualities the Council had looked for in who they chose to be the first Ambassadors. Amelia wondered what those qualities were in a few of the others. A few of the others seemed to be in a state of mourning and kept to themselves during briefings, while others asked endless questions and looked on their task with excitement and wonder. Amelia felt she was somewhere in the middle, but someday she was closer to one side more than the other.
Today, she felt as if she were leaning closer to the mourning side. She knew it was a great undertaking to be chosen as an Ambassador. It was estimated as much as 3% of the Human population would not be able to tolerate cryosleep and would live out their natural lives on Mari-Ur. They would need leaders and community, and she had been hand selected to lead those
communities. That meant she would live out her life on Mari-Ur and never see Earth again. That brought her a great deal of sadness. While it was an adventure to go to a new world, to see a new planet and study the Evolution of a completely different species, she struggled under the weight of all the other things she was giving up as well to start this new life. She wondered if there would be room for love in her new life, or children. Would she have the family she had promised herself she would make time for later? They had not yet been briefed on the inevitable question of humans being born on Mari-Ur to those unable to live in cryosleep. Would they form their own community and then transplant the children when the Earth was habitable again? So many questions, selfish questions, ran through her mind.
A light knock roused her from her melancholy before she feel too far down. "Come in Ellenaki," she called. Each day, Ellenaki came to have coffee with her and today she was not a moment too soon.
"That sounds depressing," Ellenaki said, swooping in as tall and elegant as ever. She had taken to showing only her Mari-Ursian form for several cycles now, and Amelia thought she was even more beautiful than her human form. She was dressed in a glistening tunic, belted at the waist with a sash made out of a fabric that Amelia could only describe as liquid gemstones. Without a thought Amelia reached out and let the fabric fall through her fingers. It was so soft and fluid it amazed her. Amelia's mother had loved to sew and would spend hours touching and considering the various fabrics in their local shops. Amelia smiled wondering what her mother would think of Ellenaki's sash. The Mari-Ursians had provided the Ambassadors with a variety of similar clothes to aid in their incorporation into their new world, but when Amelia felt sad like today, she preferred to wear her Earth clothes. Still, she could not deny the elegance of Ellenaki's wardrobe.
"Just a little cabin fever, I guess," Amelia offered.
"That's understandable," Ellenaki replied pouring them both a cup of coffee. "Our journey will be over soon, and then you will have all the openness you can want."
"I can't imagine a planet the size of 5 Earths, no more populated than it is," Amelia said taking a sip of her coffee.
"A lot of my people live on other colonies or Space stations throughout the galaxies. The population of the planet itself is only a small percentage," Ellenaki offered. "Many of my people have never even been to their home planet."
"I wonder what's sadder, to leave your home planet or to have never known it."
"I think you are not just thinking of Mari-Ursians," Ellenaki mused.
"You are correct. The humans who will live their lives on Mari-Ur will never see Earth again. The generations to come will consider Mari-Ur their home planet. Either way, there will be unhappiness."
"Unhappiness is a part of life, but the important part is there will be generations to have that dilemma," Ellenaki reasoned, taking a long sip of her coffee.
"That is true. But it's sad nonetheless."
"You are starting to think like an Ambassador." Amelia smiled at last at the idea. She felt she would eventually come around and embrace it.
"Do you have a family Ellenaki? Kids or a husband?"
"No, that was not my path," Ellenaki said, taking another sip of her coffee.
"Did you never want those things?"
"Not really. When I saw Earth on my Walk, I knew Fate had other plans for me. I accepted it. It was what I had always wanted since I was a little girl. My father was an explorer."
"You saw Earth on your Walk? And you just accepted it? What about love," Amelia asked fascinated by the concept of the Walk of 100,000 steps.
"Oh, I had a great love in my life. It was magical and beautiful, and who knows, maybe one day our paths will cross again."
"A great love," Amelia whispered. "I worry I've missed my chance at 'a great love'."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because," Amelia began, "Most of the human race is, or will be in cryosleep. That sort of limits my options."
"So, maybe you will find love with a fellow Ambassador," Ellenaki reasoned.
"I doubt it."
"How about some of the Humans you will serve as Ambassador. When you think about it, even if you were on Earth, you have access to less than 3% of the human race, why would this be any different?"
Amelia considered Ellenaki's insight at length. Surprisingly, it made her feel a bit better. It was true, she would be part of a much larger community than she had considered before. Maybe she was just being silly. She made a mental note to find the time to exercise more when she woke up, or maybe take in some time building a hologram experience in one of the designed rooms of something from back on Earth. Maybe she would take advantage of the technology and use it to tour some of the places she always wanted to visit. One of the other Ambassadors had told her she created a visit to the great Pyramids and said it was amazing. But where would she go, she wondered? Maybe a trip to the Amazon or the cave paintings of France.
Amelia continued to consider her options for tomorrow after she bid goodnight to Ellenaki and settled in for sleep. She felt very fortunate to have Ellenaki along as a friend. Speaking to her always made her feel better. Getting comfortable in her bed she had to chuckle at what she had been so sad about previously. She was young, attractive if she did say so herself, and smart. Amelia was confident she still had a lot to look forward to, even if it was on a new planet. Maybe everything didn't have to be so gloomy and devoid of hope. Maybe she would just look at everything as just a job promotion that took her to an exotic location.
A really exotic location, she thought. Maybe, no - definitely, there would be time for her to build the family she wanted. She mentally went through the Ambassadors she had met as she felt her body relaxing for sleep. She hadn't considered any of them really attractive, but maybe it was just because of the situation and stress they had all been under. No one had really taken the time to get to know each other. There was one Scientist from the CERN who had an awesome accent, Swiss she thought. Amelia vowed to try and bring them all together as a group tomorrow, get to know each other and bond over their common endeavor.
Amelia could feel sleep creeping in despite the thoughts running through her mind and decided to try and switch her brain off for a while. Tomorrow was a new day and new opportunities. Just as sleep was overtaking her, she began to feel warm. Not uncomfortably warm, but warm like she was being embraced. It was comforting. She must be dreaming, she thought. It was similar to the dreams she had been having of late. She liked this one. She felt safe in this dream. Though she couldn't see who it was, she could feel the familiar sensation of fingers gliding through her hair around to the back of her neck and down the length of her spine. The fingers would barely graze the skin, leaving a trail of gooseflesh in their wake. It felt nice. But this time was somewhat different. This time the fingers were slower. A thumb stroking her temple before pushing her hair away from her face and then combing through her thick red hair. The hand, strong and larger than any she had ever seen, clasped the back of her neck and massaged small circles at the top of her neck. She liked it, a lot. The fingers trailed down her spine but rested this time on the small of her back for a brief moment before stroking the roundness of her hip. This touch was different. This touch was not friendly, it was intimate. The warmth wasn't just comforting, it was arousing. But she didn't pull away from it, she leaned into it. She liked it. She wanted more of it. More warmth, more stroking. She could feel herself moan and another hand clasp the back of her hair to expose her neck. She could feel warm breath on her neck and the slightest tickle of lips against her skin. Her breath became shallow and she felt scared, but aroused at the same time. She didn't know who was kissing her, but she didn't want them to stop. She felt the warmth carry down between her thighs making her wet and realize she wanted whoever it was to keep touching her, and maybe more. She writhed against those hands and encouraged them to explore her more. They stroked over the soft rise of her breasts and stroked down her soft belly. The touch hovered there for a
moment but she wanted them to go lower, to touch her where she was the warmest. She opened her eyes and stared into dark starry galaxy eyes. Those eyes were intense and strong and held her mesmerized. She thought she should be shocked but all she wanted was for those eyes to watch her while his hands touched her in the most intimate ways. She reached for him, thinking if she could touch him in return, he would be real, and she could see the rest of him. She reached for him but there was nothing. The eyes vanished, and she awoke with a start, disappointed and very, very confused.
Chapter 7
The air in the Hive's docking bay was electrified with silence. The first of many ships had arrived ahead of schedule and was coming out of quarantine at last. Mattaki had barely slept thinking about it. He was filled with a raw excitement he had not anticipated. An excitement he could scarcely contain. Looking around at his fellow warriors standing in formation it was evident he was not the only one ripe with anticipation. All around him, he could see the glowing of Nacresscence burning as brightly as his own. A few rows ahead, he locked eyes with Susuda who shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Mattaki nodded cordially, but Susuda only lifted his chin in a defiant formality and looked away. They had barely spoken since the day they inspected the ventilation system and Susuda hinted at his distaste for the Reaping. That was just fine by Mattaki. He was no longer able to separate a threat to the humans with a threat against Her and did not wish to be around anyone who did not support the Reaping.
