by JB Penrose
I know you in my heart.
You enfold me ever in your Love
And guide me through the dark.
We believe in Thee.
We believe in Thee.
A star that’s lost in morning’s sun
Is always in the sky.
A never sleeping dream each night
You call me to your side.
we believe in Thee.
We believe in Thee.
The song echoed around the room in many rhythms.
We believe in Thee. We believe in Thee.
The pages of that life seemed to be turning faster and faster but Rachel wasn’t ready to pick up the next chapter – she needed to think about what Uri had told her. Uri, Urica, Mother Star. Rachel herself had dozens of names. Names were not as important as the people knew you.
Most people accepted as Mother Star as an old woman because they weren’t prepared to accept an angel in their midst, but Fairidai certainly knew Mother Star as an angel. All the answers Rachel wanted were now a puzzle she needed to piece together, a puzzle where she didn’t know what the final picture looked like. She sighed. It was truly more than she had bargained for.
Ishleen lit the deepness of the cavern and it hinted at secrets, but the series of lights provided by Uri, and her lessons to Rachel hovered as a constant reminder that Life could be more than it seemed.
Rachel knelt at the pool’s edge and facing Ishleen, she began a prayer of gratitude for the Life that had been shown to her. Her heart overflowed with love for every person she had known and all of those she’d just met, starting with Peter, her parents, Uri, Jesus, God, all of Delphi. She concentrated to recall every one in every life just to thank them for bringing her to this point. When she realized that also included Iscar – she realized her heart was full enough for everyone.
Finally, she raised her head to give an acknowledgement to Ishleen, and felt a golden strand of love flow forth from her heart as a permanent connection to her star. Every sparkle was an urging to go forward, to continue her quest, and to remember – something.
Gideon waited outside his door and came to attention when he felt Iscar approaching the entrance, but he held his questions until the Septorian spoke to him. In silence, they made the trek to the Seven’s meeting place where the others had already assembled.
This time, Iscar sat at the point of the star and Gideon took his brother’s place on the right. With Ariesh in New Columbia there were now two empty spots on the star’s position. Iscar felt the heavy silence fill the room with question and only at the empathic nudging from Shae was he prompted to speak.
“I know we’re all pleased with tonight’s ceremony,” Iscar began. “And that it happened without incident. The Spokesmon received the welcome she deserved, and it’s obvious her heart is fully connected to Delphi.
“Now we need to deal with Kerroon’s arrival, one that I’m sure will not be as un-eventful,” Iscar concluded. “Gideon, have you had any contact from your brother?”
“There’s been nothing, Septorian. He’s either not in or close to Delphi or he’s shielding his presence from me.”
Iscar looked at him coldly, wondering if he could really be that naïve about his brother’s actions. There was no doubt in Iscar’s mind that Gabriel was working with Peter – just to what end, was his only question.
Iscar wondered what he could actually do about Kerroon. Just that Kerroon was married to the Spokesmon had turned his plans upside down. He hadn’t consciously thought the Spokesmon and he would rule together, but to be working with Kerroon was disappointment enough. It would be Kerroon’s judgement she would rely on and not his own. Iscar sighed heavily. The deep cuts on his arm were proof enough it could never work.
His plans hadn’t gone smoothly, but the Spokesmon was here and Delphi was ready. Suddenly, Iscar was not.
* * *
“I thought if I could use the old NASA satellite I might pinpoint the location from a different angle,” Michael told her. He hadn’t looked up when she entered, but it wasn’t unusual to find him here. Since she and James opened access to the observatory at Gemini Estates, Michael had spent every available moment looking for the DayStar.
Finding the DayStar wasn’t the real problem. Mags stood beneath a large vid-screen staring at the twinkling, pulsating, brightness of the elusive star; it was the location, the source that puzzled the world. Everyone could see it; no one could find it.
“Michael?” she cocked her head. “Have you caught a trace of the Aurora in your search?”
“No, Mother. But I haven’t really paid attention to anything else.” He joined her in front of the large screen. “This is baffling,” he admitted. “It’s enough to make me want to launch into space and look for myself.”
Mags put her arm around his shoulders and gave a light squeeze. “I know! That’s exactly how John and Andrew felt.”
It was odd there had been no communication with the Aurora since the launch. Yes, the circumstances had changed since the launch. Frank Morrow no longer had access to PROBE-Tech and the OneWorld Conference was back on-track, but if there was no communication with the Aurora – how would the crew know that?
“Michael,” Mags had an idea. “You can’t study something that you can’t find,” she told him. “So, let’s look for something else. Let’s try to establish communication with the Aurora. It would go a long way to promote trust in this world if we heard from them before the conference.”
“You’re right, Mother! If I can communicate with them we could work together to pinpoint the source of the DayStar.”
Excited, Michael returned to the console and began programming a new search pattern. Mags continued to stare at the vid-screen wondering – when they discovered the source, would they also uncover the reason for its existence?
“Excuse me, sir. This is Charlie – at the front gate.”
“Yes, Charlie,” James activated the vid-screen on his desk. “What can I do for you this morning?”
“There’s a young lady at the gate asking for Mr. Donnally. She says she’s family.”
James pondered the thought for a moment and answered slowly. “But Donnally doesn’t have any family.”
“I know that, sir. And you know that,” Charlie confirmed. “But I haven’t admitted it to – her, yet.”
“Thank you, Charlie.” James stood, excited without knowing why. “Would you escort her to Donnally’s office? I don’t want her to get spooked before she gets here – make it seem natural. I’ll meet you there.”
“Yes Mr. James. I’ll bring her straight to you.”
James disconnected the vid-comm and wondered about the stranger. He sent a quick message to Mags with the God-Group to meet him at Donnally’s office. He wasn’t sure who the woman might be – but he was sure Mags would want to be there to find out.
There was little chance of a true family connection; Donnally passed a thorough background check that had never proven false and it left no room for secrets; that is, until they’d learned of his connection with Iscar.
The thought of a romantic tie was just as improbable. His dedication to the launch, and his lifestyle in general, didn’t leave much time for a personal life. And his attraction to Gail was genuine; James was as sure of that as Mags had been.
He set out across the campus hoping to make it to Donnally’s office before their company arrived. Charlie would bring the stranger via the tram that traveled the PROBE-Tech grounds. It was standard procedure for security, and for scrutiny. Every destination had to be programmed into the tram’s GPS, and every visitor was photographed at departure and arrival, all accomplished in a most natural setting.
James used the solar cart issued for his higher security clearance and made good time across the compound. There was still plenty of snow on the ground but the track and trails were clear from the constant use.
It was his first visit to the hangar that originally housed the Aurora, and now it felt strangely empty. Only a handf
ul of employees were there, vigilantly trying to establish communication with the John and the crew. When he accessed entry with his security clearance, no one turned to inquire of his presence.
Donnally’s office was as quiet as the hangar. There were no papers left on his desk and of course, no pictures of family on his shelves. James turned off the vid-screen that monitored the hangar and had his back turned to the door when Charlie opened it. The moment he turned around the girl knew she was cornered. Charlie smiled, and urged her forward.
“I’ll just wait right outside,” he confirmed to James.
The young woman entered with a false bravado, glancing side-to-side looking for options. The underground office left her few options. She moved to a chair in front of the desk and sat, keeping up the pretense of her visit.
“Is my brother on his way?” she asked sweetly.
James replaced the book to the shelf and moved nonchalantly to a window, opening the curtain to reveal the now-empty hangar. He moved around the desk to stand in front of her – partially blocking her view.
She was in her mid-thirties, James guessed. Dark hair and eyes gave her an exotic look. The replicated clothing meant she had access to newer technology, something that made her even more interesting. Her demeanor was guarded, and James recognized the training required for such a subtle skill. It reminded him of Gabriel’s training.
“If he’s busy, I can come back.” She reached for her bag and started to rise. “He didn’t really know I was coming. Can I just leave a message?”
James held her to her seat with a gesture. “I’d be glad to take a message for him. I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?”
“I’m his sister,” she looked away. “Just visiting.”
“He wouldn’t want to miss you. Let me help,” James nodded confidently. “Charlie?”
When he called out the guard opened the door slightly.
“Would you find Donnally and tell him --” James looked to her again for her name and she squirmed in her chair.
“Ariesh,” she answered quietly. For that honesty, she had to open herself to his inquiring nature, and that was all he needed to continue.
“Never mind, Charlie. Thank you.” James nodded.
But Charlie opened the door wider and revealed Mags standing in the frame. She nodded to the Director, who had given her a quick report, and Charlie closed the door behind her with a smile.
Mags regarded the young woman with skepticism and sat in the chair beside her, folding her hands in her lap before nodding for James to continue.
“Now that I know your name, Ariesh,” he emphasized for Mags, “you should know mine,” he said politely. James smiled. There had been something unusual about this woman from the moment of her arrival, and he was guessing the truth could be quickly confirmed.
“My name is James Zebede.”
Her gasp was involuntary, but it was another honest response. His name was not widely recognizable but it would be recognized in certain groups, such as those connected to Iscar. Although she tried to look disinterested, Ariesh couldn’t stop herself from glancing back to him every few seconds. Those seconds were long, and turned into minutes. James knew the effectiveness ensuing silence, and she finally gave up on the ruse.
“We thought you launched on the Aurora,” the young woman stated flatly. Her eyes now searched his face, and Mags, studying figures she had only known as legend.
“We?” James repeated coyly. “Does Donnally have more family than just a sister?”
“He has a very large family,” she retorted, “and we’re very close. There’s nothing we,” she accented, “wouldn’t do to help if he was in danger.”
“No worries. He’s in no danger – not that I know of, anyway.” James stood.
The young woman brought up her mental defenses and he felt the shielding of her thoughts. It was the same training he recognized with Gabriel, and it was substantive.
“Donnally is out of the country for a while; out of this world, actually.” James was glad to see her surprise was genuine. “He launched a few weeks ago with the Aurora’s crew. I’m surprised he didn’t tell his – sister.”
She immediately started to rise. She resisted the hand on her shoulder that bade her to remain seated, and pushed against James to be free of the situation.
“Stay a while,” Mags urged. “I’d love to chat a few minutes.”
“I need to go,” she stated firmly. “I want to leave.”
“I’m sure you do,” James agreed. “You need to report to – the Septorian, right?” His question got no response but she did remain in her chair. “Maybe we could have a quick conversation before you did that. It might mean you’d have more to tell him when you make your report.”
Ariesh didn’t respond, but she studied James with open curiosity and little fear. He mentally he assured her he spoke the truth and wanted truthful answers in return.
“What can you tell me about my daughter? What has Iscar done to Roko?”
Her first reaction was an unspoken question; her next response was a denial. “He has done nothing to the Spokesmon! She Arrived in Delphi as predicted. All of the city has prepared for the Spokesmon to return home – safely. The Spokesmon is,” she thought about her answer, “genuinely happy.”
Mags expressed her relief through a sigh and James finally sat down behind the desk. He nodded to himself; but Ariesh posed another problem.
“Why are you here?” Mags asked her.
She looked away and James tried hard to be patient. Seconds felt like eternity where Rachel was concerned. He knew Mags would be desperate to know everything.
“Why are you here?’ James repeated. “What did you want Donnally to do for you?”
“I was supposed to make contact and then wait for the Septorian to provide the next step.” She answered knowing the truth was her only defense. “I don’t think he knows Donnally launched on the Aurora,” she added quietly.
“Where is Iscar? How were you supposed to contact him, the Septorian?” His voice was more terse than he intended, but he wanted answers.
“I was to make contact as soon as I spoke with Donnally.”
“Contact? How would you do that? I want to give you a message for the Septorian,” James told her.
“I can send your message,” she stated sharply. “Instantly. What would you have me convey?”
Suddenly, he realized there was more he wanted to say than could be formed in a message. James looked to Mags, who hadn’t taken her eyes from the girl since entering. He wondered if Ariesh had a telepathic connection to Iscar, but from the way she kept twisting the cyto on his arm, he thought not.
“Tell him the truth,” James decided. “Donnally is with the crew, and the Spokesmon’s parents are running PROBE-Tech.” Whatever Iscar had planned, James was sure this news would ruin it.
Ariesh was escorted by the same guard who brought her to Zebede. Despite his size, she was sure he was smarter than he sounded. She wouldn’t underestimate these outlanders again.
Ariesh tried to take in as much of the surroundings as possible during the short tram ride, but all the buildings looked the same. She noted the locations were entered into the tram’s console via palm-scan, which meant she did not need to steal the guard’s ID card for future exploration.
She wondered what Iscar would have her do next. She had arrived last night at Donnally’s apartment; everything there looked like he would return the next day. The news of Donnally launching with the Aurora would be a shock to the Septorian.
The guard called Charlie, took a firm grip on her shoulder and pushed her to the gatehouse.
“I’m surprised Mr. James let you go, but I don’t want you to think it will be easy to return. Your photo has already been logged in the database, and ID alerts will be sent the second any camera gets your image. Your next visit,” he promised, “will not be as friendly, I assure you.”
She didn’t respond; Ariesh just walked past the barrier knowing h
e watched her until she got to the street. Fortunately, a taxi edged up almost immediately.
“Where ya going, Miss?”
“Where ya going, Miss? Do you need a ride?” Frank Morrow knew as soon as he had seen the cyto on her wrist, this was the break he wanted. The young woman had been inside the compound less than an hour; Morrow would have waited all day for her to exit. “Come on, child. Get in the taxi!”
“Let’s go for some coffee,” he told his passenger, looking to the back seat through the mirror. “I’m sure we have much to discuss.”
It was the first time the woman looked at him and her suspicion compounded as she studied him. Morrow was glad – it meant his disguise was genuine. It wasn’t easy to fool a Delphian.
“Is it that you need to contact Iscar first?” he asked cryptically. “If you join me for coffee, you’ll have more to report, later.”
Her eyes never blinked, never left his reflection in the vehicle’s rearview mirror, but she nodded imperfectively and Morrow turned his attention to the route.
He drove in silence some distance from New Columbia into the suburbs to a neighborhood coffee shop music, crowds, and enough activity to hide the arrival of with two more people. She found a booth toward the back of the room whose occupants got up and left suddenly when they entered. He wondered vaguely what she had done to make them leave.
“It’s very busy around these parts with the inauguration coming soon. That’s when the new president will take office,” he explained in a friendly manner. Sitting across from her to watch the doorway, he pushed the coffee cup across the table. “I guessed you’d rather drink tea,” he told her. “I thought you’d like this.”
She took the cup and let it warm her hands before sipping a taste. Her eyes studied him over the brim of the cup. “Who are you?”
“You could say I was a friend of Iscar’s,” he answered nonchalantly. “And, let’s see, Gideon and Gabriel, too, I suppose.”
