by G. E. Stills
Slowly control of her eyes returned. She shifted them from side-to-side to observe her surroundings. She was lying on her back in what appeared to be a large cavern. A phosphorescent lichen grew on the walls and cast dim light on the chamber.
“I’m beginning to feel my toes and fingers. I can wiggle them some.”
“Good. That means as I hoped the condition of paralysis is not permanent,” Mark answered.
“La’lani.”
Aaron’s voice sent warmth sensations through her.
“I’m hiding at the cavern entrance, but I haven’t spotted you yet. There are about twenty of the creatures in here. Maybe I can take them out.”
“Wait,” she cautioned. “You can’t fight all of them and try to carry me at the same time. I’m regaining control of my body. Just wait, Aaron, hon. I’m okay for now.”
Feeling continued to creep into her. As it did she discovered that her pack, shoes, pistol and clothing were missing. She lay prone on a cold stone floor. She also noted that her ankles and wrists were bound.
“Shit.”
“What’s wrong,” Aaron asked.
“My pistol is gone. Everything else is too.”
“These creatures are strange. When I encountered them on the surface they were orange, but down here they’re nearly black. Like shadows,” Aaron said.
“Like chameleons maybe? Changing coloration to mimic their surroundings,” Shelly suggested.
“That’s it. That must be it. Thanks, Shelly.”
La’lani tilted her head to each side to get a better view. In one corner piled against the wall she spotted her clothing and other things. She started when she saw there were two beings tied up beside her, a male and a female. They were not of the same race as her captors. “Aaron, there are other prisoners with me,” she reported.
The equally naked female was less than a foot from her and staring at her.
“So you’re feeling has returned, is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Hold on I’ll be there in a second.”
La’lani shivered with dread when one of the creatures knelt beside her moments later and then relaxed when the creature spoke in Aaron’s voice. He took a knife from beneath his grass skirt and severed her bonds.
“When I free you get against the wall and duck. There’s going to be a lot of fireworks around here,” he thought at her.
A shout from behind alerted them. It was followed by wording that made no sense. Mark interpreted for her. “The creature’s asking what you’re doing. And not in a friendly manner,” she whispered.
“Against the wall. Now!”
Aaron spun and lightning erupted from his fingers. The nearest creature jolted back to slam against the wall. Aaron waved his hands back and forth spewing lightning bolts. Leaping to her feet she seized the ropes binding the male and female and dragged them with her to the wall. There, she ducked, covering both of them as best possible and watched her white knight in action. She just hoped none of the creatures used a dart on him because he was not wearing his suit to deflect them.
The cavern was illuminated bright as day. The battle was over in minutes. Not one of the creatures remained alive. Not one of them had managed to take up their blow gun and hit him with a dart. He turned and faced her while she untangled herself from the man and women she sheltered.
The cavern dimmed as the small fires he had caused, died. Reaching into her pack she pulled out a lamp and thumbed it to life. Next she slipped on her suit, zipped it closed and buckled her weapons belt around her waist.
“You’ll excuse me. I need to shift and get dressed,” Aaron said and she watched him cross the room.
She stepped over to the man and woman. They looked up at her, their eyes wide and filled with fright. Now that she was able to examine them closer she saw that they had violet eyes. Their nose and mouth formed a short snout. Ears grew from the top of their head. Their faces reminded her of her mother-in-law, Suki’s, cat. Letting her gaze travel down, she saw their bodies were humanoid in shape. Two arms, two legs and the woman’s fully exposed genitals were in the same form as her own. The man’s were similar to Aaron’s. Both of them were orange and black striped from head to toe. She estimated them to be slightly over five feet tall.
Kneeling down beside the woman, she began, “La’lani.” She pointed to herself. Then she pointed to the woman and raised her eyebrow in question. She repeated this action several times and at last the woman spoke in the same language the creatures spoke.
“Tantara. Who are you?”
“She’s asking who you are,” Mark supplied. “I’m still piecing together the language, but I will help you answer.”
“Friends,” she used the word Mark supplied.
“We need to get out of here in case these creatures have friends and they come to investigate,” Aaron said.
For a moment she turned to face him. He had shifted back into his human form and put on his jumpsuit, pack and weapons belt.
“I agree. There are three tunnels leading from here. Which do you suggest?”
He pointed to one of them. “That’s the one we came down here in. I’d feel much better going back through it and getting out of this underground.”
“I feel the same. What about them?” She indicated the alien man and woman.
“If we can get them to understand I think they would be better off going with us.” He directed her attention to the center of the cavern.
Her stomach clutched with nausea at the gruesome sight of bones piled high. Some with meat on them. They were human looking bones. Grasping her knife, she slashed the vine ropes securing the couple, freeing them. With her limited vocabulary and hand gestures she indicated for them to follow.
Standing, she trailed Aaron toward the tunnel entrance. A brief discussion ensued between the two cat people and then she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw them following.
Upon reaching the trap door, Aaron laced his fingers together. She stepped into them and he boosted her out of the tunnel. Using hand motions he urged Tantara and her male companion to do the same. While the two cat people stood watching, she reached in and assisted Aaron out. With the four of them standing above ground once more, she turned to Aaron.
“I’m so glad to be out of there. So, my handsome knight, what next?”
“Next we return to the shuttle and I intend to send you back up to the ship.”
“Why? We both knew going in that our occupation is dangerous. Do you think it’s fair for me to be up there worrying about you?”
“La’lani, I almost lost you just now. What about SuRay? What if both of us had been killed?”
“You’re well aware of what would be done if that happened. If we didn’t contact Forty-five in two days he would activate the course we plotted and the Emma would return to Teelan on autopilot. You mother would take care of her.”
“Still…”
“No still about it, my love. We’re in this together just as we discussed. That’s final and there will be no further argument.” She hoped her stern voice sounded convincing.
The matter was settled as far as she was concerned. She turned to face the two strangers while Aaron continued their communication mentally through their implants.
“It’s getting late. I think at least we should return to the shuttle. I don’t relish the idea of spending the night in this tall grass,” Aaron said.
“Then that’s what we’ll do, hon.” She directed her attention back to the two cat people. Using her rudimentary knowledge of their language and hand signs, she was able to convey their plans to leave the grassy area. La’lani took the lead with the two cat creatures in the middle. Ever watchful, Aaron brought up the rear. The four of them retraced their steps.
Reaching the stand of trees, Tantara and her male companion sat on the ground looking at the shu
ttle in awe. La’lani kept guard while Aaron gathered wood.
With no immediate danger, La’lani gave her companions a closer examination. To her surprise the orange and black was a short thick fur rather than skin and covered them from head to toe. Their snouts were very short and unlike cats, their pupils were not vertical, but round. Their arms and legs, along with their hands and feet, were shaped like her own rather than like a true cat’s.
Aaron built a small fire while she dug in her pack and removed some rations. She took a bite of them and offered other packets to the cat people. After some time and much encouragement, they accepted.
The four of them sat around the fire while she and Aaron started the process of leaning the cat people’s language. Tantara’s companion was named Rheys.
With the passage of the evening and the help of both Shelly and Mark, they learned the language remarkably fast. It soon became apparent that Tantara was the more talkative of the two. By evenings end they knew that Tantara and Rheys called their race Jarvo. Their captors were called, Miters and were a reptilian race. As she and Aaron had surmised they ate any warm blooded mammals, but were especially fond of eating the Jarvo.
The Miters lived underground in their warrens and only ventured above to hunt. Their race, the Jarvo, Tantara explained, lived in small villages above ground far away from the grasslands. She, Rheys and two others were hunting and strayed too close to the grasslands. The Miters captured them.
“I won’t ask about you other friends. I’m afraid I know what happened to them,” La’lani said.
With a haunted look in her eyes, Tantara confirmed the suspicions. “You’re right. It was awful to watch. I can still hear their screams of agony. The Miters prefer to consume their victims alive.”
“I’m so sorry,” Aaron said.
When it was time to sleep, she and Aaron offered the comfort and safety of the shuttle.
Both Tantara and Rheys looked at it in fear. “If you don’t mind we’d rather sleep here by the fire.”
La’lani smiled. “There is no danger, but I understand. Aaron and I will take turns standing guard. Won’t we, hon?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
The next day, Tantara almost begged them to protect her while she gathered a bunch of grass. While sitting by the fire later, she went to work fashioning them into grass skirts to cover her and Rheys’s sex. It became obvious to both she and Aaron that the Jarvo were used to wearing clothes, although Tantara made no move to cover her breasts.
La’lani hid her smile when she gazed at her. Tantara reminded her so much of a beautiful, graceful cat. Tantara wasn’t a cat. Not one like Suki’s house pet, but Tantara was beautiful and graceful and for that matter, so was Rheys. Several days had passed and the four of them had grown much better acquainted. With the help of their AI’s, she and Aaron spoke the Jarvo language well enough to carry on a conversation.
“Tantara, Rheys, it’s much safer for all of us if we use the shuttle when we take you back to your village,” she advised.
Tantara looked at the vehicle with ill disguised fear, but at last nodded her head in agreement.
“If Tantara is willing to ride in the belly of that beast then so am I,” Rheys stated.
“But when we land it will frighten the people of our village very badly,” Tantara warned.
“Then we’ll land far enough away that they won’t see us come down. Would that be better?” Aaron asked.
Both nodded. “Then let’s board and soon you’ll be back among your people. Aaron and I must go back up there,” La’lani pointed to the sky, “And see our baby.” It was the first time she had mentioned SuRay.
“You two have a child?” Tantara asked.
“Yes. A little girl,” La’lani’s chest swelled with pride.
“Then by all means take us to our village so that you can return. Your baby must be missing you terribly. Is one of your people watching her? I thought you said that you and Aaron were here alone. Surely you didn’t leave her up there by herself.”
She could see the disapproval in Tantara’s eyes and quickly explained. “She’s fine Tantara, Forty-five is watching her and I talk to him everyday.”
“Forty-five?”
“A robot,” She saw that Tantara did not understand so explained further. “A very intelligent machine.”
“A machine is watching you child?”
“A very intelligent machine.”
To her complete surprise, Tantara marched aboard the shuttle, took a seat and said, “Rheys we will put you down near the village, but I intend to go up there,” she pointed to the sky. “I would see with my own eyes these wonders La’lani speaks of.”
“Are you certain, Tantara?” La’lani asked.
“I will not change my mind. In addition, I wish to see your baby. Let us go.”
La’lani looked at Aaron and winked. “Okay then.”
They buckled their two Jarvo friends in and Aaron lifted off. Tantara put on a brave face as did Rhyes, but she noticed neither looked out the side view ports.
***
Aaron landed a mile from the village. Rheys stood at the end of the ramp. “Are you sure you wish to go with them, Tantara? I acknowledge they have become good friends, but still…”
“I am going,” Tantara said emphatically. “You must tell our people about our new friends.”
“And they will think I’m delusional, call me crazy.”
“Imagine their surprise and your elevation in status when we return and they see that you have told the truth. You will have your pick of girlfriends, Rhyes,” Tantara chuckled.
Rhyes grinned. “I will see all of you soon.” Turning he strode away. Aaron watched him in the vision glasses until he was near the village and safe.
She turned to Tantara. “Well, girl, shall we? She indicated the seat.”
Tantara grinned. “Yes, we shall.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Speechless, Tantara’s eyes shifted to each side in awe. She followed them down the ramp and through the lower level of Emma. They climbed the stairs and entered the control room.
Tantara took shuffling steps toward the view port and looked out at the huge globe they circled. “That is my world? That is Zanatha?”
“Is Zanatha what you call your planet?” Aaron asked.
“Yes.”
“Then, yes, that is Zanatha we’re orbiting. We’re in synchronous orbit. That means we’re turning at the same rate your planet is and the Emma remains over one location,” she explained.
“I’ll go fix us something to drink,” Aaron said and slipped away.
For a long time Tantara stood with her hands resting on the control counter staring out the window as if spellbound. Finally she shook her head and turned her back to the view port. “I would see the rest of the Emma and your baby.” She added a term she had learned, “Please.”
La’lani held out her hand and smiled. “Follow me.”
They entered the living quarters and Forty-five met them at the door with SuRay in his arms. The robot handed the baby to her. “Welcome home, La’lani.” Turning quickly, Forty-five trundled away.
“That is your robot? It talks?” Tantara asked in amazement.
“Yes and yes.”
Tantara rubbed the backs of her fingers over SuRay’s cheek. “She looks much like you, but I see traces of her father too. She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. So are you ready for the rest of the tour?”
“Please.”
La’lani showed her the rest while carrying SuRay in her arms. When she finished La’lani sat back on the couch and Tantara took a chair across from her. Unzipping her jumpsuit, La’lani offered her nipple to SuRay, which the baby gladly accepted. While SuRay nursed, she said, “This is where Aaron and I live.”
“I have seen so many new things,
so many wonders, my mind is swimming,” Tantara said.
“Tantara there is something I would like to ask although it’s really not my business. Do you have a mate or a boyfriend? Rheys is obviously just a friend.”
The woman hung her head. For the first time she saw tears form in Tantara’s eyes and the fur below them moistened as they trickled down.
“I’m sorry. I should never have asked.”
“No that is okay. It’s just that the memories cause me pain, they are frightful. I did have a boyfriend. We were to be mated in the fall before the snows. He was with me when we were captured.”
A lump came to La’lani’s throat. She was certain she knew where this story was headed.
“I closed my eyes, but I could still hear him scream when they ate him.”
Tears formed rivulets and ran down her own cheeks in sympathy. La’lani became aware for the first time that Aaron was standing behind her. Rounding the couch, he set the tray of drinks on the table and rushed forward to Tantara. He put his arms around her and rested her head on his chest letting her sobs muffle against it.
Tantara pressed her palm’s to Aaron’s chest and pushed herself away. “I’m sorry. I will not cry more. What happened, happened. I must be strong. My father would expect no less.”
His comforting no longer desired, Aaron took a seat in the other chair.
“Surely your father would understand your grief,” La’lani said.
Tantara gazed at her. “In his heart he would, but outwardly he cannot. He is the village chief and he must be strong. He expects no less of his daughter. Life is hard. Jarvo die nearly every day. I will find another to mate, though I may not love him, and with him I will have children. They will be first in line to succeed my father when his time to step down from leadership comes.”
SuRay finished feeding. In an effort to change the subject, Tantara asked, “Would you mind if I held her?”
“No, not in the least.”
Tantara stood and crossed the room holding her hands out. Gently, she took SuRay in her arms, snuggled the infant against her chest and seated herself on the couch beside her. With eyes closed, SuRay’s little hands stroked one of Tantara’s breasts searching for the nipple.
