Kira’s in the cargo bay, with Londuo.
Oh. Er… Thanks, James thought and entered the pojin lift.
As the door to the cargo bay opened, Kira sprinted into view in the distance. She was running after a red triangular shaped disc, which flew smoothly through the air. It made a soft beating noise, like a distant helicopter. Kira jumped into the air and caught it in her mouth.
‘Kira, come on. Bring it here,’ Londuo called out.
James walked out of the lift.
Londuo had her back to him. She was gesturing to Kira and patting one hand on the side of her leg.
James stood there looking at Londuo.
‘Come on, Kira,’ she said. ‘How can I throw it if you don’t bring it back!’
Kira had now dropped the triangle and was impatiently looking back at Londuo.
Londuo walked slowly over to her.
‘It’s going to be a waste of time trying to train you, I can see.’
As soon as Londuo picked up the triangular disc Kira’s eyes were fixed on it. Londuo turned and threw it towards the shuttles. She suddenly noticed James standing there.
‘James, how long have you been there?’
‘Oh, just a minute,’ he replied, with a large grin on his face. ‘Kira will tire you out.’
‘I know,’ Londuo replied.
She walked over.
‘When I was young, I had one called Siom. Kira is so much like him. I’ve just come off duty. I was wondering if you’d eaten yet.’
‘No,’ James replied. ‘It was hard enough finding my way back to the Aurora. I’ve got no idea where we go.’
‘I’ll show you if you’d like.’
‘Yes, I’d like that,’ James replied.
‘Kalrea, I’ll leave Kira with you now,’ Londuo said, before they walked towards the lift. ‘It’s a pity that animals aren’t allowed onboard the Lonori.’
‘I’ll be back later, Kalrea,’ James said.
A micnorit nuronic drone hovered over to where Kira sat and picked up the triangular disc.
‘I know we have to use the pojin lift to leave the Aurora, but would you mind if we walked, Londuo?’ James asked. ‘I’d like to see some more of the Lonori.’
‘No,’ Londuo said, looking pleasantly surprised. ‘I have to admit, I only use the pojin lifts when I’m on duty. Walking keeps me in shape,’ she said, patting her stomach. ‘I need to lose a bit of weight.’
‘What? You’re kidding! You look great,’ James replied. ‘Lose any more and there’ll be nothing left of you!’
Londuo smiled.
‘It’s about half a kilometre.’
James replied,
‘Lead the way.’
They entered the pojin lift and descended to the entrance to the docking clamp.
‘We’re heading for level thirty-two, section ten,’ Londuo said.
They started along the corridor.
‘Above the junctions in the corridors you’ll see signs indicating where you are. Levels are numbered from the top, sections from front of the ship.’
James pointed to a sign.
‘So this is level six, section forty-three.’
‘It’s best to descend the staircases at sections fifteen or thirty-two, which run the height of the ship.’
‘And if I can’t remember…?’ James said cheerfully.
‘Ask Kalrea,’ Londuo said in a teasing voice.
‘You’re as bad as she is,’ James replied.
While they walked, personnel occasionally passed them in the other direction. They saluted when they passed.
‘It feels so strange, everyone saluting me,’ James commented.
‘Why? You’re a Captain,’ Londuo replied.
‘I know, but I’ve had no training and I’ve limited combat experience.’
‘Your soul’s strong. You showed that at Qintaino.’
‘Kalrea did most of it. I only helped.’
‘You’ve already earned much respect. Don’t worry.’
They approached a larger rectangular area.
‘This must be that staircase you mentioned,’ James said.
He could see stairs descending on the sides, and a large staircase ascended in the centre, just like onboard an ocean liner. The stairs were very plain; light-grey in colour and made of solid metal.
Their chatting voices echoed around the stairwell, as they descended to level thirty-two. Then they walked along another long corridor.
‘We’re almost there,’ Londuo said, just before they passed through a blast door. ‘This is section fifteen.’
The area was enormous compared with other parts of the ship James had seen already. It was like an indoor shopping centre, but without the shops. A large balcony ringed the level above.
‘This is the ship’s communal area,’ Londuo said. ‘It gives everyone a place to meet, talk and relax. Unfortunately, it’s not how it used to be. I’m afraid the war changed that. We have only two places to go and eat now, there’s one over there—’
‘Hello Londuo,’ a young man in a lieutenant’s uniform said, as he approached.
‘Hi, Daivl,’ Londuo replied.
He walked up to Londuo. They embraced before he kissed her on the cheek.
James suddenly felt uneasy.
‘You look great,’ Daivl said. ‘What’s the special occasion?’
‘Oh, nothing,’ Londuo replied sheepishly. ‘Thought I could do with a change.’
‘Ah, I see!’ Daivl said and smiled. ‘Are you all right for tonight?’
‘Yes,’ Londuo replied. ‘Come over after eight.’
James was feeling jealous, but it seemed a bit extreme, after all he had only just met Londuo and knew nothing about her. He felt an attraction to her, but what if that was just him? Daivl could be Londuo’s husband! No. No. Maybe her lover!
‘Look. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later,’ Daivl said.
‘Okay,’ Londuo said. ‘Where was I? Oh, yes, places to eat. There’s one over there,’ she said, pointing to the far corner of the communal area, ‘and another one on the level above. Which one would you like to try?’
‘I’m not sure,’ James said, now distracted. ‘Any preference?’
‘No, the food’s just as bad,’ she said in jest.
‘How about the one up there then,’ James said, pointing to the balcony.
They ascended a staircase within the centre of the complex, up to the balcony above. Above the entrance to the dining area were the words, ‘DINER BESORI’.
James looked through the large full-length window just before they entered. The dining area was functional with walkways between many rows of bare tables that went the length of the room. Close to the window some people were sitting on padded benches, having a meal. Inside the entrance were ten consoles with monitors.
‘Punch in here what you’d like, James,’ Londuo said, going to one of the consoles.
James looked at the console for a few seconds, before walking over to Londuo.
‘Londuo!’ James said quietly. ‘Londuo! I don’t know what the symbols mean.’
Londuo said nothing while a member of the crew walked past. She lowered her voice,
‘I’m sorry, James. I should have asked. I just assumed.’
‘I don’t need to use them onboard the Aurora with Kalrea there,’ James said. ‘I’ll have to learn them… There’s something else, Londuo… I don’t know what the food is. Most of the names mean nothing to me.’
‘You don’t have to use these,’ Londuo said, placing a hand on the console. ‘You can order from the two counters over there. It’s for other races, but a lot of our people use them as well. I’d better order for you,’ she said.
They walked to the counter. James felt very uncomfortable.
‘Can I have two medium tren steaks, with lopn and noloi… Erm… Two fren. Large, please,’ Londuo said.
Londuo was given a number.
‘This way,’ Londuo indicated to James, who was getting jumpy.
There were ten hatches at the end of the counter. Londuo’s number was suddenly displayed on one of the doors. She pressed a button alongside it. The front opened, and she pulled out a large tray, which glided out.
‘Where do you want to sit, James?’
‘Somewhere out of the way,’ he said, quickly moving over to a corner of the room and sitting down.
Londuo brought the tray over.
‘Sorry, I should have helped you with that, Londuo,’ James said, looking embarrassed.
‘It’s all right, James. They don’t weigh anything with these hover attachments on them anyway.’
‘I’ve never been so uncomfortable in all my life,’ James said. ‘It’s like being in a foreign country on Earth, except that here I’m wearing a captain’s uniform, and people expect me to know everything.’
He glanced down at the steaming food.
‘I don’t mind trying different food Londuo, but…’
He hesitated, looking down at the table, then back at Londuo. He wanted to ask Londuo to help him, but decided that may not be appropriate any longer.
‘Do you know anyone who could teach me what the symbols mean?’ he asked nervously.
‘I’ll help you, James,’ Londuo replied.
He was pleasantly surprised.
‘Try the food,’ she said.
James smiled and picked up the strange cutlery. There was no knife, just two identical shaped two-pronged forks. He watched Londuo for a moment, to see how they were used. The forks had small lasers in the end of one of the prongs, which cut through the food like it was butter. He hesitantly started to use them.
James was feeling anxious.
I have to know, he thought, while he ate.
He composed himself and looked up at Londuo.
‘Are you and Daivl together?’ he asked nervously. ‘You know… Attached…’
Londuo smiled.
‘Why would you ask? Oh,’ she replied, as she realised. ‘No, James, he’s just a very good friend. We grew up together.’
‘Oh… right!’ James said slowly.
He felt uneasy and could see Londuo was too. He ate some more food, while he tried to think what to say next.
‘How did your meeting with Milonri go?’ Londuo enquired, breaking the silence.
‘Fine,’ James replied. ‘I met all the Telqintre.’
‘I was very worried when the alarms sounded,’ Londuo said. ‘I thought we were under attack. When we got outside, it looked like the Aurora was almost touching the top of that building you were in.’
‘Oh, yes, Kalrea got a bit upset,’ James said, in between mouthfuls.
No I didn’t! Kalrea suddenly replied in his head.
Kalrea! Stop listening in on me; that’s an order, James thought, slightly annoyed.
‘She seems to be very protective of me,’ James said.
‘Then I’d better not upset you,’ Londuo said, with a smile.
‘During the meeting, Milonri said something I didn’t understand,’ James said. ‘I think it was… It’s the beginning of the end… or end is beginning… or something similar.’
Kalrea, what was it that Milonri said in the meeting?
There was no reply.
Kalrea! Please!
Now the end begins, Kalrea replied.
Thank you, James thought.
You’re welcome, Kalrea replied.
James smiled.
‘Are you all right?’ Londuo asked.
‘Yes, sorry!’ James said. ‘I was just asking Kalrea. Milonri said, now the end begins.’
‘Do you know of our main beliefs?’ Londuo said.
James nodded.
‘Then you know one of our four beliefs is self-sacrifice,’ Londuo said. ‘We’re a very proud race.’
She paused and ate some more of her meal.
‘The Telecans are the only other race we know of who have the same belief. We’ll sacrifice ourselves for someone else.’
‘What? Even if you know nothing about them?’
‘Before Milonri and the others pulled all our remaining forces together, small groups were fighting the Treitans, trying to help the other races. It was pointless when you look back at it, but it was the calling of the soul.’
‘I understand better now,’ James said.
‘When Milonri said those words from the book of Qulain, he knew that the ultimate sacrifice could happen. Have you heard of the Koptinops?’
‘Yes, I have,’ James replied. ‘They’re extinct, aren’t they?’
‘Exactly,’ Londuo said. ‘The Koptinops tried to destroy the main Treitan control centre on Dagnamk, before the Treitans attacked them. The Treitans replied by killing every one of them. But if Milonri said those words before we left…’
Londuo stopped.
‘It means that we’re going to attack their base on Dagnamk, aren’t we, James?’ she said quietly.
‘You mustn’t say anything to anyone else,’ James said, looking around the room. ‘You’re not supposed to know yet.’
‘I won’t, James,’ Londuo replied. ‘What do you think of the food?’
‘It’s a bit different to what I’m used to, but I like it,’ he replied.
‘Wait until you’ve had it for a while,’ Londuo remarked.
James smiled and watched Londuo for a moment.
‘Your tattoo…’ James paused, thinking how to translate into Qinant what he was about to say. ‘It’s very pretty. It suits you.’
‘Tattoo?’ Londuo replied, looking puzzled.
‘I don’t know what the correct translation into Qinant is,’ James said.
He pointed to Londuo’s face.
‘The claw.’
‘Oh, you mean the symoi.’ Londuo replied. ‘It’s an Oilop claw. It’s very fashionable in the military. We used to have extravagant hair styles, but they’re not very practical, so the symois have become very popular.’
‘I noticed a lot of people have symu… Symois… on their face and hands.’
Londuo nodded and smiled.
‘That sounded close enough.’
‘How long have you had it?’
‘Let me think. It must be eight… No nine sykals. Why don’t you have one?’
‘I’m not so sure. On Earth it’s called tattooing. You can have them anywhere on your body.’
‘Really!’ Londuo replied. ‘That’s weird.’
‘I assumed if you symoied your face and hands, then you’d have no reservations in decorating the rest of your body.’
‘Any symoi must be visible.’
‘Why?’
‘To hide it would mean your soul has something to hide.’
‘How would anyone know, though?’
‘Your soul would know. That would be enough.’
‘Most of the ones I’ve seen have been mystical beasts or animals.’
‘They’re the most popular, but you can have whatever you want. If you don’t like it, then you can have it changed or removed.’
‘It’s not permanent, then?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Oh,’ James replied.
He finished eating, and referring to the food he commented,
‘That was very good!’
‘Let’s go outside,’ Londuo said.
They walked out and around the side of the balcony.
‘I often stand up here and just watch people,’ Londuo said, stopping and leaning on the handrail.
James looked over the edge.
‘You can forget sometimes that you’re on a ship,’ Londuo said. ‘The buzz of people and everyone looking relaxed. Listen…’
James listened.
‘You can’t even hear the drives from here,’ Londuo said.
A man and a woman passing below said hello. Londuo acknowledged them.
‘It’s a wonderful place,’ James said.
Suddenly a constant bleep began. Londuo pressed a flashing symbol on the komkey attached to her belt.
; ‘It’s time for me to get back to engineering,’ Londuo said, standing upright.
James half smiled.
‘I’ll show you some more of the ship tomorrow if you’d like?’ Londuo said.
‘Sounds an excellent idea,’ James replied.
They moved towards a pojin lift nearby. Londuo moved her left hand over the red symbol adjacent to the door, to activate the lift.
‘I’m on call, but they shouldn’t need me after fourteen hours,’ she said, waiting for the lift door to open. ‘I’ll meet you on the Aurora then.’
‘Captain Brasdoi, is that you,’ a voice called from behind them.
James and Londuo looked around at the approaching person.
‘Antaio, I didn’t expect to see you here,’ James said in surprise. ‘Gulino said you were stationed onboard the Rellopila?’
‘They needed me over here as extra security for this mission. Not that I know much about it,’ he said, with a smile.
They all entered the lift.
‘Engineering,’ Londuo said to the lift. ‘Aurora bridge. Antaio?’ she said, prompting him.
‘Oh, Rellota bridge,’ Antaio said, as it moved smoothly away. ‘What do you think of the old ship then?’ Antaio said. ‘It’s a bit bigger than the Aurora.’
‘You can say that again. I’ve never seen a structure so big,’ James replied. ‘Londuo’s been—’
Suddenly there was the sound of a distant explosion. The lift shuddered, and then the lights flickered. Londuo looked at Antaio.
‘We’re stopping,’ Antaio said.
‘EMERGENCY LIFT OVERRIDES ACIVATED’ echoed within the lift. The door opened.
‘What happened?’ James asked.
Kalrea, he thought.
‘The lift overrides have been activated,’ Antaio said, looking worried. ‘The shaft blast doors must have closed.’
‘WARNING! DECOMPRESSION IN SECTION 28, LEVEL 14.’
‘WARNING! DECOMPRESSION IN SECTION 28, LEVEL 15.’
James there’s been an explosion in a defence battery near you, Kalrea said.
‘There’s been a hull breach,’ Antaio said with urgency. ‘Londuo, can you check where we are!’
Londuo ran down the corridor to a junction, while Antaio accessed a nearby security terminal. There were loud bangs in the distance and the sound of creaking metal.
‘Section twenty-eight, level seventeen, corridor seven,’ Londuo said, as she returned.
Antaio quickly pressed three symbols.
The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Page 17
