Requiem

by E L Strife

  He threw his head back, lips reaching for the sky. There was no sound in her ears, merely vibrations she felt in her body. But she knew her father was howling. The frequency and amplitude absorbed into her skin down to every cell of marrow in her bones.

  The wolf popped to all fours, sniffing. His hackles spiked, sending a rumbling pulse through her fingers. You should not have returned. You are not welcome here.

  The man approaching from the trees was dark-haired, fair, and stocky. Who the hell are you?

  You are bad Mirramor! You make Miima cry! In one swift move, Atana jerked a hooked knife from its sheath on her rope belt, leapt off the porch, and drove it into the man’s leg.

  A weight hit her side, and her body launched sideways, tumbling into the grass.

  The wolf growled. You have broken a sacred bond.

  Amora is Mirramor. She belongs to me now. You are no longer part of this dimension.

  Atana watched the argument from the ground. Her mother’s mouth formed a word she knew well, “No!” You deserve no such honor! Her eyes brimmed with water.

  He was not here. The man gestured at the wolf. It is our responsibility to save our kind, Amora. I’ve had my eye on you since long before Tivar and customs were elements of your life.

  Leave us alone, she seethed.

  I deserve to see my son!

  Her eyes narrowed. Not if there is breath in my body.

  The man took a step toward the house, and Atana’s father jumped. His teeth latched onto the man’s neck, tooth after tooth digging voraciously into his skin, knocking the man from his feet.

  Shifting into an identical wolf, the Mirramor man snarled and fought back. The two wolves scuffled for several minutes, their teeth glistening with blood in the fading sunlight. Their bodies stilled as their feet spread and they locked on one another’s necks.

  Atana could feel the difference in vibrations from their ribs, her father’s deeper and spread farther apart than the other man’s. She jumped in, taking a fistful of fur, and drew her blade up to strike it down.

  No, not me! It’s him! Get him! the wolf cried.

  She didn’t hesitate. Blood ran out of its neck as she severed the main artery with ferocious alacrity.

  Her father stumbled back, tilting his head, the fur near his mouth matted with blood.

  Atana dropped the blade and ran up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  The wolf stood, shifting into a Xahu’ré male. Picking her up, Atana uncovered the first clear memory of her father’s face.

  Bold, aquamarine eyes and high cheekbones smiled down at her. A pair of thermo-stripes nearly touched points at the bridge of his nose. She tracked them beneath his eyes to his jaw and along the front of his neck where they met with others that burst out over the breadth of his shoulders. The cuts and gashes on his bare skin disappeared with the blood.

  “Hello, Sahara.” His bass voice was godly in how smooth it wove through her little body. She could hear it in her heart.

  Atana knew it was a memory. The sensations were familiar yet so far back in the past, she couldn’t quite grasp them.

  “Miipa,” she whispered in her sleep, lingering over the light in his eyes, wishing she could pause the dream and live in the moment forever.

  You okay, Miipa?

  Better than ever, Sweet Pea. He kissed her cheek. Promise you take care of your mother for me?

  Can’t you stay?

  “Please stay.” Atana felt something soft slide into her hand. Her fingers curled around its reassuring warmth, yearning for strength.

  Tivar. Atana’s mother stumbled to him.

  I’m sorry, love. I would lose this gift and pass on. He looked to the ground, the blue light dancing in his watering eyes. Know I love you both—and little Lavrion. You are my family, the most important thing in the universe.

  His mouth pressed to Atana’s ear with a kiss. Be good, be kind, and be strong. I love you, sweet Sahara. Leaning over the bundle in her mother’s arms, he touched his forehead to the baby’s. Love can heal everything.

  Atana drew in a sharp breath. The transport was off kilter. Circling her eyes through the cabin, she found her head rested on Bennett’s shoulder. His eyes were closed, his head in his palm, elbow on the armrest. Sitting up to check on Lavrion, she felt a weight shift in her left hand.

  Beneath Bennett’s leather jacket, she felt his callused fingers around hers. Her wristband flashed under the cover. With a deep breath, she calmed the storm of adrenaline pounding through her heart.

  Across the aisle, Lavrion stared straight ahead, a numb dysphoria sagging the corners of his eyes. She wondered what life had been like for him having Amora around, having friends, growing up on Earth, but always knowing in the background he was a product of rape.

  Was he mad at her? Did Amora talk about her and Tivar too much? Why was he searching for her? Fifteen years, he’d said. She was twenty-eight, and he was four years younger, which meant he was nine when he’d been left alone on Earth.

  He blinked and looked at his torn-up boots.

  Lavrion. Please, tell me if you need anything.

  Yes, ma’am. He nodded and squeezed the armrests. Transports aren’t my thing. I like my feet on solid ground.

  You will get used to it, I promise.

  As with most things, I’m sure.

  She nodded to herself, remembering her disorientation during training. Thinking back to it made her curious how Bennett was holding up with his news. Her thumb swept over his fingers.

  Bennett’s dark lashes blinked half-open. She rolled her head toward him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze beneath the shield.

  I don’t remember what you dreamt about. Sunlight fell on his golden eyes from the windows. He scoured her face with deft intent, digging. I do know when I followed, it was hurting you.

  His wristband flashed on the armrest. She glanced at it.

  I’m not letting go, not until I have to. Sighing, he wove his fingers tighter into hers.

  A hot breath slipped her lips at the feeling of his skin rubbing over hers. She swallowed her rapid heartbeat back into submission. “You okay?” Any new visions or skills you haven’t mentioned?

  “I’m within operational parameters.” His eyes caressed every curve of her face in length. It feels like I’m just dreaming.

  —Awakening—

  Chapter 28

  THEIR WRISTBANDS FLASHED with an incoming message from Command as the UP Field transport docked inside the main hangar. Atana lifted hers, showing Bennett the notification as they made their way to the back of the ship as the ramps hissed and opened.

  All Shepherds Requested in 2-CA at 1700 hrs

  Personal Document Retrieval

  “You think they’re going to tell us what we are?” Bennett asked beneath the sounds of metal harnesses unlatching from the crews.

  “That’s my guess. Leaves us an hour.”

  Azure stood at the edge of the illuminated red boundary on the floor around the dock pad, looking worried. As soon as it flickered off, he started for them. Miskaht, the Coordinator, and the security teams exited the front. Atana, Bennett, and Lavrion met Azure outside the back of the aircraft.

  “Atana,” Lavrion called from behind her. “Dr. Tieshna has requested my help in the infirmary. If there isn’t anything else you need—”

  She cut him off with a nod. “Go.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He slipped through them, aiming for the main doors.

  Azure placed himself between her and Bennett, urging her toward the collector he’d been working on. “I watched the presentation on the screens. Did it go as expected?”

  Bennett responded, to her relief. “We broke a lot of regulations. There was no other way to calm the people.” Atana wasn’t prepared to explain something she didn’t fully understand.

  “Miskaht said the same thing.” Hyras, wearing a black, tactical uniform, walked up with a bundle of clothes and boots in his arms. “Command has agreed. After we got everyone
back on their serum, it was handled appropriately.” He offered the stack to Azure. “A more protective second skin.”

  Azure took the items in hand with a doubtful twist of his lips. “Are they going to be big enough for me?”

  “I think so. There are a handful of people on station your size.” Hyras tipped his head at the ship. “Best change inside.”

  Azure opened his mouth then seemed to decide otherwise and hustled up the ramp of the collector, shaking the folds out the shirt.

  “What’s the meeting about, sir?” Bennett asked.

  Hyras’s shoulders lifted and sank heavily, and he nodded at Atana. “I believe your proactive approach, Sergeant, will improve our odds in the weeks to come. We are handing out the species classification cards for every member in UP. The counselors will conduct classes tomorrow to help the shepherds transition. After that, we will tell the people.”

  Atana felt Bennett’s energy swell beside her, and she spread her feet, sliding a half step closer. His unusually steeled face suggested he was still angry with Command. “Secrets only protect the ones who carry them.”

  “We are protecting you in ways you will never know about.” Hyras studied both of them, a vague sadness creeping into his eyes. “There are times, I admit, we have forgotten your strength and the importance of improvisation. It is time to let our Calila fly.” He held up a finger. “One hour, 2-CA.”

  “Yes, sir,” Atana and Bennett responded in sync.

  Azure appeared at the edge of the deck wearing a navy work shirt, black tactical pants, and black work boots.

  “These are so soft! I had no idea such things existed.” He grinned, running his hands over the sleeves.

  “They are cotton,” Hyras said. “Looks like they fit.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  “I’ll have a few more sets sent to Room 389.” Hyras left to talk with Sergeant Tiisan at the tool checkout counter.

  “Three eight nine huh?” Bennett asked.

  “I did not request it. Hyras cleared it,” she whispered to him. “Something about protecting Kios with our lives. We talked this morning before departure. There are a few people cleared to watch over him.”

  Bennett swept a boot across the dirty concrete. “I’m not on the list.”

  “You are.” She leaned closer. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m just focusing on the top priorities when they’re thrown at us. I haven’t figured out this Nova thing either.” Her eyes flicked in Azure’s direction. He was clumsily tying his boots on the ramp of the collector twenty meters away. “It’s all we can do for now. Fight for tomorrow and try to keep the peace.”

  Chewing a lip, Bennett shoved his hands in his pockets, briefly curling forward with a bob of his head.

  Azure joined them on the floor.

  “What’s a kuh-lee-luh?” Atana lifted a hand in the direction Hyras had disappeared.

  Azure’s brows quirked inward before a broad smile stretched his face. He spread his arms wide. “Gigantic winged creatures you could ride if you were daring enough to jump from the Haliwé cliffs on Vioras and smart enough to land it right. They had intermittent feathers that glowed like our eyes. It’s how I first saw the stars above the clouds.”

  Atana and Bennett stood, open-mouthed, staring at him.

  “What?”

  “You are definitely a Lead Guard. That sounds crazy, Azure.” Bennett laughed in disbelief. “I’m going to check on my team to make sure we’re all prepared before hell breaks loose in the auditorium.”

  When he started to leave, she hooked his elbow with a hand. “Thank you for the shield.”

  Bennett paused and looked back at her, his smile waning. “Anytime, Nakio.”

  Letting go, she watched him stalk off, checking the collectors from his path.

  “Command is telling your people what they really are?” Azure asked, tracking Bennett’s movement through the main doors.

  “Yes. We best tell yours what’s going on.” Lifting her wristband, Atana found them a small conference room on the fourth level. “Did you get all the doku wristbands?”

  “Yes. Josie and Panton helped me this morning after you left.”

  “Good.” She sent the message to all User_doku registered codes. A series of peeps echoed around them. She lifted a hand and waved, catching the workers’ attention. “Come. Ruaha.” She started for the doors with Azure.

  “Eti. Marmtka,” Azure shouted, followed it up by a rumble and two clicks of his tongue.

  A hundred different life forms collected behind the two as they descended the rear stairwell into Home Station.

  She smiled to herself, pushing inside and turning the corner into the hallway. “Cliff jumping at night, Azure? Why does that not surprise me?”

  He shrugged. “Had to dodge the spines on the shoulders and tail too. It made strong warriors.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  And I can show you sometime, he reminded her with a playful poke from his mind.

  I’d like to have a good memory, Atana admitted, entering the private conference room. The lights flickered on at her movement. She waved a hand at the rows of chairs and stepped up to the front of the room. “Sit.”

  The doku remained piled in the doorway.

  Her shoulders dropped. “Tivalla,” she encouraged with another gesture of her hand.

  Azure repeated the direction in words she didn’t recognize, and the crowd filtered in.

  “How many languages to do you speak again?” she asked, scanning the different shapes, dermal markings, and adornments on the murmuring pilots.

  “Four, multiple commands memorized from the others.” Azure placed himself beside her.

  “Can you translate then?”

  He nodded. “I will do my best.”

  When the noise of the doku taking their seats had softened, and the door was shut, she took a breath and figured it would be better if she spoke in one of their languages. “Eih ahna.” Atana dipped her head. She continued in Xahu’ré. “You have returned the Earthlings to their home planet. We are in debt to you.”

  Azure translated into two other languages.

  The room filled with whispers as they further explained to those close by.

  Atana tilted toward Azure. “Have they all been assigned rooms, or gone back if they wished? I see they were all given flight suits.”

  “All have chosen to stay. They have group rooms assigned by Hyras.”

  “Why? Don’t some have families back on Agutra?”

  “Yes. They want to help with the collector redesign. I’m rewiring the life-slot slingports so we can send things outside from inside.”

  Her eyes widened. “Like munitions?”

  He nodded. “Anything we can fit in those life-slot pods will be sent out. They have all stayed to help. Command gave me permission this morning while you were out.”

  Realizing the room had quieted, she addressed the crowd. “Have you all seen my Healer Rio and found where we serve food?”

  Azure translated and listened. “They say yes.”

  “Good. So, the reason I brought you all here is to warn you about something.”

  A Primvera sat forward, shouting at Azure.

  Azure lifted his hands and responded. When the male sat back, he turned to Atana. “Thought you meant a problem with them.”

  “Oh, no. All shepherds are being told the truth today because Earth will have to hear it soon and our protectors must be ready to help them. We are not all human but have been concealed as such. I don’t know how everyone will cope, so it might be best if you stay in the ships or in your rooms for the next day or two. Keep your guard up until we see how the others accept or reject this news.”

  When Azure had finished translating, one of the few females in the room raised her hand.

  Atana paused. The girl’s skin was a dark midnight-pearl, the clothes she wore shifting behind her shoulders. “Yes?”

  “You need not worry, ma’am.” She laughed. “Funny spe
aking English after so long.”

  “Why?” Atana asked, sudden unease prickling the back of her neck.

  She shrugged. “Because a lot of kiatna know me. I am from Earth, picked up thirteen years back.” From her flight suit, several black-violet strands unfurled, waving like a hand in water. “I’m not the only one that isn’t human.”

  Atana swiveled to Azure. “You didn’t tell me you knew.”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “A rare few. We thought they weren’t normal for Earthlings. The Saema’s and Healers unskinned them as they encountered the injured.”

  “I need to be in the information network, Azure, or I’m wasting precious time.”

  “I did not object to this meeting because I think it was fair to warn them. This isn’t a onetime case. This is an entire planet; every person, shepherds included, has the potential to crack.”

  “Then explain that to them,” she said, slipping past him. “I have somewhere I have to be.”

  “Atana,” he called out, reaching for her.

  She stopped in the doorway and twisted with an impatient glare.

  “I’m sorry.” His hand fell back to his side.

  Drawing in a long, deep breath, Atana quieted her racing pulse. She didn’t want to come across upset in front of the doku, whose eyes were still on her. “Please check on Kios for me when you’re done here.”

  “Tsu, Martiisa.”

  Taking one last scan of the whispering crowd, she left, preparing herself for the probable mess upstairs. They were all operating on a steep learning curve, with her leading it. If Azure wasn’t even telling her everything, there was no way to know for sure they were maximizing their potential. They’d need every second, electron, and prayer on their side if they were to have any hope of fighting the Kyras.