Found Girl

by Pauline Baird Jones

  There was another honking sound and slots opened in each section of the trough. A thick fluid flowed into each of the troughs, a different color for each bird. There was a feeling of an energy charge in the air, then blocks of green appeared on the plates in front of them. By each plate a small pitcher also appeared. Rhubreak’s basin filled with something she did not care to examine too closely when she realized it was moving. It appeared he also got water to drink.

  “You may consume your sustenance, and then we will converse,” Hoteimai said.

  The Phoenicopterians dipped their beaks in, the shape making sense to her now, as they scooped the sludge up. Arian studied the green block. It was sadly similar to what they ate every day on Bosakli. She picked up her fork and separated a chunk, lifting it to her mouth. Oh yes, it was very similar. Not unpleasant, but not that pleasant. They’d farmed many things, beautiful things, that were then reduced to taste-less, nutritional blocks. She’d always known it could be better, because she’d sampled the things they grew on the farm. Not even the Enforcers could count every piece of produce. Despite the blandness of it, she felt her energy returning, though it could not assist with the tiredness. She stole a look at her companions and noticed Coop ate with resignation, the two doctors with reluctance. Hopefully their hosts would not be familiar enough with humans for this to be a breach of etiquette.

  The liquid in the pitcher was faintly green when poured and did seem to help ease tiredness. It also tasted better than the block. She ate swiftly, it was better that way, and set down her utensil, folding her hands in her lap. After a time, the Phoenicopterians also settled back from their consumption. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted her side had also learned the lesson of eating quickly. Their plates were clean, well, aside from a few crumbs.

  There was a general ruffling of feathers and Arian had the sense that the talking was about to begin.

  20

  Coop glanced down at the communication device and wondered if he should have put it on. He was not confident of his ability to contribute to this confab. Also not confident of his ability to keep his mouth shut. This was one weird set up, no question. The head bird turned its weird gaze toward them. Actually, kind of reminded him of Pappy, the way it looked at each one of them. That kind of helped. At least it was something he recognized in a whole lot of holy crap.

  Arian sat very straight, her feet planted, her hands lightly clasped in her lap. He felt an urge to grab her hand again but resisted it. Not when it felt like Pappy was watching.

  The main bird lifted its wings some, then settled down. “You may speak.”

  Arian lifted a hand, gesturing down the row. “Dr. Derwent is the appointed spokesperson for his people. May he address you on their behalf?”

  The great bird appeared to nod.

  Derwent cleared his throat, glancing at them before shifting to directly address the Pappy bird. “Like Ms. Teraz, I thank you for your hospitality. We arrived in this system unexpectedly, and, while we work on leaving, we’re hoping we can negotiate with you for supplies,” his voice faltered for a moment when his gaze strayed down to the few crumbs on his plate, “and information.”

  “This system, as you call it, is a sanctuary, a place of safety. Why would you desire to leave?”

  He considered his response carefully, Coop was pleased to note, his respect for the diplomat rising. Guy hadn’t exactly shone during first contact with Arian.

  “With respect and admiration for what you have achieved here, our homes and our families are out there. They hope for our return. We hope for our reunion with them.”

  The birds all shifted in place as if this startled them.

  “You traveled forth without your flock? That is not our way.”

  “We did not wish to risk our families when we did not know what was out here. We are explorers, not settlers. We left our homes to learn, to meet other species, to learn about them, and from them.”

  Once more there was the impression that this startled, or perhaps interested them, was the better assessment.

  “Learning is important,” Hoteimai agreed. His head appeared to turn toward Arian. “Sometimes one leaves because one must, not because it is what one desires.”

  “Your home was invaded,” Arian spoke suddenly, then looked startled by her words.

  “The Mycterians sought to destroy us. With the assistance of the Munshi, this sanctuary was established for us, and for other lost ones. Leaving is…it was impossible.”

  “Was impossible?” Coop couldn’t help but ask. He got a look from Derwent and waved a hand. “Sorry.”

  Again, it seemed as if the bird looked at Arian.

  “The arrival of the munshi is a drop of water in a deep pool. It spreads and in the end, all will be touched. Even the those who do not wish to be found.”

  Coop blinked. He’d heard some non-answers in his life, but this was probably the most non-answer answer ever.

  Arian leaned forward. “The beginning of finding, of feeling less lost, is knowledge. It would comfort these people to know where they are. I am certain such a great species as yours has this information. Would it be possible to see star charts of this system and beyond?”

  Hoteimai tipped its head to one side, studying, or possibly considering her request. It glanced down the table, causing a ruffling of feathers that didn’t look like an answer, but ended up being one when it said, “This feels reasonable. It will be arranged.”

  Coop had a feeling this didn’t bother them because they didn’t believe they would be leaving.

  “Good job,” he muttered out of the side of his mouth. Her lips twitched, but her tone was sober as she offered thanks for this additional kindness.

  Though the birds couldn’t push back from the table, nevertheless, Coop had that feeling they had.

  “We would learn more of your exploring. We will adjourn to the pool.”

  Coop might have been happy about that. He loved a pool, but was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be their kind of pool.

  * * *

  Tiger was clearly relieved to see them return to the shuttle. Coop was not sorry to return. It had been a strange day. He’d been right to not expect much from the pool. It was more like a muddy lake full of birds. Thankfully, wading had not been required and in fact, had been discouraged. It sure as hotel didn’t smell great. And the noise. Coop wasn’t sure how Hoteimai expected to continue a conversation in that racket. Though he had learned one thing. They had some seriously fine technology, because this had been the view he’d expected to see from the air. Birds. Birds wading. Birds flying. Birds dancing and getting it on. A vast sea of birds being birds in every direction.

  If anyone had gotten face time with the Pappy bird, Coop hadn’t seen it. The seating got a little better and he might have checked out, took a little nap. He wasn’t sure. He’d had no sensation of waking, just the feeling he’d missed something and everyone was on their feet but him. He’d scrambled up, but hadn’t realized they were returning to the shuttle until they landed back on the platform and he had eyes on it.

  It was the closest thing to home in a whole lot of weird, and he sank with relief in his seat, though he swiveled it around to face the back of the shuttle.

  “Do you think it’s safe to transmit a report to home plate?”

  “We’ve been in touch,” Tiger said. “Pappy was plenty worried, but I was able to tell him you were all still breathing. Your power nap was interesting.” Tiger grinned. “You should get your snoring checked, bubba.”

  So he had been asleep. He wondered why he still felt tired.

  Tiger sobered. “You were gone almost twenty-four ship hours, sir.”

  Coop dropped his hands. “What?”

  “And you started speaking bird, all of you. At least, that’s what it sounded like.”

  The bracelets. He covered his wrist, but this was gone. Looked like all of them were. “Any idea how far away we got?”

  “After you entered the doorway, you transpo
rted several hundred miles. After that, well, you seemed to jump around quite a bit.” He hesitated. “For a while, you were on one of the nearby planets.”

  “Their technology is similar to that used on this shuttle,” Arian spoke suddenly. She’d sat in her former position, but had not touched the controls or said anything, not during their return or since boarding the shuttle.

  Gessner’s gaze shot to Coop’s, his eyebrows jumping almost to his hairline. He cleared his throat. “This shuttle?”

  Arian looked at him. “It is Garradian, is it not?”

  Coop swept the group with a “who talked” look. No one confessed. “How…” he stopped, not sure what to ask.

  She rubbed her forehead like it hurt, giving him a wry smile. “Hoteimai told me the Garradians are the ones who set up this sanctuary. It is because you have Garradian technology that they were willing to speak with you.”

  “And if we hadn’t?” Coop almost wished he hadn’t asked. What hadn’t happened wasn’t strictly need-to-know.

  “When ships enter this sanctuary, they are scanned, then a suitable habitat is terra formed.” She frowned. “I believe that is the word they used. Contents are transferred to their haven and…” She stopped.

  Contents? Coop didn’t like the detachment of the word.

  “And then what?” Tiger asked.

  “Their ships are destroyed.” She pressed her thumbs into either side of the bridge of her nose, not trying, or not able to hide her exhaustion. “Anyone leaving is considered a breach of security. It used to not be an issue. No one could enter and no one—none of their people— wanted to leave. Then the anomaly appeared. I had the impression the—contents—of those ships desired to leave.”

  Coop opened his mouth to ask why, other than possessing Garradian tech, they weren’t being fitted for a habitat, but Arian gave a slight, very slight shake of her head.

  “Did they say how long that has been happening?” Gessner asked. “The wormhole, I mean?”

  She seemed about to say something else, but changed her mind. “They mark time differently than you or I. My sense is that for them it is recent, but perhaps not for us. Some of the habitats are generational by now.”

  Coop felt cold run down his back at that thought. The crew was family, but he did not want to live out his life with only them.

  She hesitated. “They believe the anomaly is caused by an attempt to breach the sanctuary.”

  They believe? What did she believe? For the first time he realized she never called it a wormhole. “That would be why the heavy military presence?” How was this system protected? And what did that mean for them?

  Gessner cleared his throat. “Did they say anything about the DNA art all over the place?”

  “They told me that the room with the fountain is a memorial, a genealogy, and the other paintings are a record of the species who have come to the sanctuary.”

  “A…they track species by DNA?” This question came from Derwent.

  Arian nodded. Her gaze slanted to Coop’s. “They do. There are many species represented throughout the…I believe they called it the cathedral.”

  “It would be a more accurate way to keep track of things,” Gessner said thoughtfully, “but their technology must be very advanced. We’ve still got a ways to go to crack the DNA code.”

  “Whether you stay or not, yours will be added,” Arian said. “Your DNA is similar to humans who have come here through the anomaly, but also contains new markers. They would take more time to get to know your people, and how you came into possession of Garradian technology, but they have other urgencies.”

  You, she’d said. Were they calling in her promise? His gut tensed.

  “Sir, we’ve been cleared to return to the Boyington,” Tiger said, spinning to his station and verifying the data.

  “We have?”

  “I need to brief your Colonel. They have not said they won’t help you.” She glanced at Coop. “They have a request.”

  The other urgency? Her gaze contained warnings, but he asked anyway. “What is their other urgency?”

  Her brows arched, as if this were obvious. “They are preparing for an invasion.”

  “What happened to the sanctuary part of sanctuary?” Other than the wormhole—anomaly.

  “It seems that during the millennia since they fled their world the Mycterians have become space capable, too.” She paused then added, “They believe it is the Mycterians who are causing the anomalies.”

  How did they know that, he wondered, and why did it sound like she didn’t agree? But of more pressing concern to him, “And what is your part in all this?”

  Arian hesitated, then smiled wryly. “They wish me to do what the munshi did for them before.”

  “And what was that?”

  “They want me to prevent the invasion of the Mycterians.”

  “Oh, is that all?” No pressure. And wouldn’t Pappy be thrilled about that?

  Part III

  21

  Arian had almost laughed at Coop’s expression when she passed on the Phoenicopterians request. She was not laughing now. There was something about Coop’s Colonel that killed any impulse to humor. She knew he did not trust her or Rhubreak, but something had changed since they’d returned to the Boyington.

  You did give them access to the ship.

  Yes, she had. Actions had consequences. Even on Bosakli, this was truth. So she waited for the consequences, knowing that she could stave them off because they needed her, but she could not escape them.

  Back in the ready room, Doctors Derwent and Gessner gave their reports and left. Now Coop was speaking, but she noticed the Colonel’s gaze kept straying toward her, with storm clouds in their depths. She retreated inside, but could not help it, not even to build rapport could she bring herself to leave the safe place. And she did not believe it would work this time if the problem were what she suspected.

  When the colonel turned toward her, she braced, forcing herself to meet his gaze calmly and without guilt. Indeed, it was not her fault, but would he believe that?

  “The Captain says they have asked for your help?”

  She nodded warily.

  “What does this help entail?”

  Arian took a steadying breath. He was circling in, but not ready to pounce. He would gather information first. So be it.

  “May I access your system? It will be easier to show you the problem.”

  He hesitated, then nodded sharply. With a wary glance between them, Coop pushed the control device within her reach. Arian accessed the system data, searched for what she required, and sent it to the screen.

  “This system is relatively small,” she heard herself say as if she were some other person, perhaps the one she sensed trying to emerge. “I believe your people postulated that there could have been planets in the sector where we arrived, but they were destroyed, thus contributing to the massive debris field.”

  She noted the colonel exchanging a look with Coop, one she could not parse.

  “I remember hearing something like that,” the Colonel said.

  “They were correct, though the destroyed planets were not inhabited. They had been explored for their potential for future settlements and resource exploitation, but were abandoned as unsafe when the anomaly began appearing.” She glanced at Coop. “They speak of it as recent, but for us, this has been a long process of destruction in the sector. They measure time differently, as well, so it is difficult to match to yours enough to create an accurate timeline.”

  Coop nodded. “You mentioned that.”

  “What does this have to do with their request?” the Colonel asked.

  “They believe the anomalies are caused by the Mycterians trying to breach this system,” Arian told him.

  “They think technology is causing the wormhole?” His frown deepened.

  She wondered why they persisted in calling it a wormhole. It’s formation was distinctly different from a wormhole. Its properties were more like a tu
nnel than a wormhole.

  “So how are you supposed to assist them with that?”

  “I am not.” Arian hesitated, wondering if she should mention that she did not believe the anomalies were as random as they had first believed. Then decided it would cloud the issue at this time. “This is where they need help.” She changed the display to the outer rim of the system. She noted that both men straightened and their gazes narrowed sharply. The computer rendered it as if the whole system were enclosed in a net, not unlike the one the aliens had used to carry them to their planet. The technology was not dissimilar. “When this sanctuary was created, it was protected, hidden actually, by the use of what you’d call satellites. Cloaked devices, only visible from this side.” She zoomed in on a section of the net. “They aren’t sure why, but this section of the system has gone offline.”

  There was a long pause, then both men looked at her.

  “Wanted, one machine whisperer,” Coop said.

  She shrugged with a wry smile.

  The Colonel’s fingertips tapped the top of the table. “They think you can fix it.”

  “It is possible that I can if there is anything there to fix. It has been in place for a very long time. But that is not why I hope you will let me try.” Arian glanced at Coop. “From what I can tell, the satellites also keep everything contained. Much like the net they used to carry us to their planet. Because they need my help to repair it, I believe that is why we aren’t already in one of those havens.” And because they believed she was this munshi.

  “You think it is a route out of this system.” The Colonel stared at the display. “But they want you to fix it. If you do, we’re stuck, if you don’t…”

  “They transport us to a haven and blow up your ship,” Arian said.