Ice Runner

by Viola Grace

  He grabbed the pot of tea she had mixed and poured two cups. He settled across from her and lifted his eating prong.

  As he ate, Kes was reminded of Eera and her ability to consume anything in front of her as long as it wasn’t red. He ate as if food prepared by someone else was a rarity. She knew that feeling.

  Smirking to herself, Kes ate the omelette of rehydrated eggs and vegetables that she had located in his chiller. “I really hope that the veg in the chiller was for eating.”

  He grinned as he finished his portion. “I am very particular to keep the experiments in the greenhouse and the food in the chiller.” She sighed in relief and ate with a bit more enthusiasm. It was pretty good, but she was a master at rehydrating foods. The bonus to an ice world, you never ran out of water.

  “So, what do you do on your off days, Lor?”

  “I work in the greenhouse and engage in conference calls around the globe.” He shrugged.

  “There isn’t much off time when you are by yourself.”

  She blinked. “You never take a tunnel rider into one of the towns? It takes about twelve hours, but you could have a trip to the bazaars, watch a play, buy some protein that isn’t dried… ” He grinned. “Do you take days off?” Kes chuckled. “Of course. My sister is turning eight in a few weeks. I take her to the parks, the hot springs, go shopping with her, that sort of thing.”

  “You have family here?” He collected the plates and ran a sink full of water, scrubbing the plates and the pans she had used.

  “Yes. I have a mother and a sister. My father passed away four years ago in a tunnel collapse.” She grimaced.

  “And yet, you suggest that I travel by tunnel?”

  She snorted. “My father was digging a new route in an unstable area. There was a geothermal break and the walls came in on the digger he was working on. The new tunnels are locked by gate at either end, and it was that gate that not only saved the nearby city but drowned the workers as the water came in.”

  A lump came to her throat as it always did when she remembered that day. She had been running tech a day away from home when the collapse was announced. She got home as quickly as she could, but it didn’t change the fact that her father was dead half a world away.

  Lor turned. “I apologize. I did not mean to tread on a sensitive subject.” She smiled weakly. “It’s all right. You didn’t know, and now, you do.” Kes sipped at the tea and enjoyed the warmth flowing through her veins.

  “It is dangerous here then?”

  “Every planet has its dangers. Even your greenhouse has its dangers. The key to living with the danger is to know it exists.” He sat across from her and gave her a long look that had a grudging respect. “There is a wisdom to you that I was not expecting.”

  “What where you expecting, and why were you expecting anything?” She bit her lip and furrowed her brow.

  “The Ice Runner has been the subject of many conversations between me and Dr. Senzer. He described you as young but businesslike.”

  “Why were you talking about me?”

  “I was waiting for Citadel clearance to authorize payment to you. How long have you been a courier anyway?”

  “Since I finished school, six years. Dad didn’t like it, but once he was sure I was safe and knew what I was doing, he grudgingly encouraged me. When he died, I had to step things up a little.”

  “Does it take a toll?”

  She thought about it before she answered. “I would say that the toll is more emotional than physical. I miss my sister and mother while I am gone, and sometimes, I am gone for weeks going from base to base, city to city.”

  “Would you ever consider leaving Wanlio 6?” His words were casual, but there was something behind his tone.

  “It would have to be a helluva reason for me to leave, and my mother would have to approve.” She shrugged. “That isn’t likely to happen.” He sipped at his tea. “When is your next day off?”

  She grinned. “On Fiveday. My sister’s school has asked me to explain what I do and why I can leave the underground when they can’t. I have been doing this lecture once a year since I was thirteen.”

  “Where do you call home?”

  “Corial City.”

  He was surprised. “That is only seven hours via the tunnels.”

  She nodded. “I am aware of that. Now. We have eaten, and I am eager to see if there is anything for me to take back to Yola Base.” Knowing that their moment of privacy was over, she pushed away from the table and rinsed out her teacup. She followed him to the greenhouse, and her jaw dropped open as red, ripe fruit was hanging and calling to her.

  He smiled and prepared the sample box. “It worked. They should have twelve hours of optimum freshness after being picked. How long to get these back to Yola?”

  “I had wind pushing me out here, but if I run directly, it should be around three hours. Wrap up your precious fruit, and I will top up my water supply. I will be ready in a few minutes.” She ran her normal checks after filling her water pouch. She checked her kite, made sure the lines were straight and verified that she had three days of ration bars.

  Kescu took the science pack and settled it on top of hers. She checked the weight and pulled the straps tight. “Right. Ready. Open the doors, and call Dr. Senzer. Tell him I want hot soup.” Lorvik stood in front of her, and he said, “Be careful.” To her surprise, he gave her a quick, chaste kiss and walked away.

  She stood in front of the inner door and watched it rise, moving through it out of reflex.

  The monitors were all around her, so she couldn’t touch her lips, but she wanted to.

  In minutes, she was back on the ice and making her way to Yola as fast as her limbs could propel her.

  * * * *

  Lorvik quickly moved to his lab and swabbed his lips. He had an idea of what the Ice Runner was made of, but he didn’t have proof. A genetic scan was not something most men would have wished to carry out after the first kiss, but he was not the ordinary male.

  His time in the Citadel had told him that there were plenty of compatible species for one of his kind, but only one was the woman he was destined for. A peculiar seer had told him that he would find a heart of fire in a world of ice, and Lorvik Wender, Third King of the Hanushivi, believed that he had just met his heart of fire in the Ice Runner.

  Chapter Three

  Delivering the fruit to Yola Base exhausted her, but she was only an hour and a half run from home. If Kescu pulled out all the stops, she could have an extra day with her family. That was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

  Dr. Senzer had the hot soup waiting for her, and she gulped it down in a few minutes with several effusive thanks. “Thanks, Doc. I am heading out again. I need to get home and practice my speech.”

  “You are heading out again? That isn’t like you.”

  She chuckled. “Eera has been complaining, so if I am a few hours away, I will make a run for her, even though I wouldn’t do it for you greedy research bases.”

  He snorted. His deep blue skin and white hair were the perfect example of Wanlian naturally born citizens.

  “How did you like meeting Dr. Wender?”

  “He was pleasant enough. How did the fruit hold up?”

  “They are perfect. Lovely. I will put in a courier request for next week if you don’t mind.” She laughed. “Talk to my booking agent. You know the drill.”

  “Your mother hates talking to me.”

  “She loves it. She just hates sending me outside, so keep that in mind and fake concern for me. You might eventually get a date out of it.” She checked her supplies and headed to the door. “Have them let me out. I want to get home.” He nodded and the inner door to the base opened.

  She stepped forward and did the slow march to the exterior of her frozen world. Outside, she let her body heat flare, and she started to slip and slide along the surface until she was running on a thin layer of melted water and metal.

  The skyline was amazing. Mountains of ic
e glittered and cast shadows. The bright light of the sun made her world a glittering diamond with endless facets and planes. She loved being in the wild of Wanlio 6. She was one of only a handful that could walk the surface without dying and the only one who could manage it without insulating suits and equipment.

  The way home from Yola put her halfway back to Teckaro Base. The mental image of Lorvik heated her without any spurring on her part, and she sank a little too deep into the ice. She had to pull back on her emotions while she continued back to Corial City.

  She would try to hide her overheating in the thermal bathes.

  The familiar door in the stone wall was so welcome to her exhausted body. She knocked twice, waited and knocked three times. She heard her mother’s feet slapping the floor as she ran to the door.

  “Kescu! How are you? You are early.” Kema continued her questions and concerned murmurs as she pulled Kes inside and removed her equipment, stripping her down to her underwear on the way to her bedroom.

  “You have redecorated.”

  “You have been gone a month, Kescu.” Kema frowned.

  “How are the financials?”

  “The coffers are full enough now to last us for four years. If you keep working on that Yola-Teckaro run, we will have enough for another year in just a few runs. They pay a lot.” In her underwear, her padded suit lying across the apartment, Kes wrinkled her nose. “I am going for a quick shower, but can I get one of you to wake me so I can spend some time at the thermal bathes tonight?”

  Kema frowned. “Is it bad?”

  “A little more than I am comfortable with. It is quite distracting to have to keep pulling it in.”

  “I will wake you in three hours. I was able to bring in enough water and snacks for you to consume before you rest. Have a nap. I am sure that Eera will get you up the moment she gets home from classes.”

  Kes grinned. “I will be disappointed if she doesn’t. Right. Shower first, food then nap. I have my itinerary.”

  She followed her itinerary to the letter and soon found herself snug in bed with the smells of dinner lulling her to sleep.

  She felt Eera’s stare before her little sister woke her by voice. “Time to wake up, ancient one.”

  “That is very creepy, Eera.”

  “It works, so I am keeping it.” Chuckling, Kescu sat up, confirmed she had put a clean sleep shirt on and extended her arms for a hug.

  Eera fell into her arms and hugged her with a determination that let Kescu know she was still too hot. “It’s okay, shorty. You can let go now.”

  Eera sat near her knees. “You are very warm today. Are you sick?”

  “No. Just tired. I did two runs to get here to spend an extra day with you before the assembly on Fiveday. I ran a little hot.” Eera tsked just like their mother did. “You aren’t supposed to overdo it.”

  “I know. I am sorry. I just needed some time with my loving family.”

  “I forgive you. Do you need any water?”

  “Please. I am going to get dressed.” Kescu slid her trembling limbs out of bed, and she walked to her dresser, pulling out some soft, flowing trousers, a loose tunic and a bright sash.

  She peeled off the sleep shirt, replaced her old underwear with fresh clothing and got dressed. A pair of low boots that rose to mid-calf where she tucked the trousers in to blouse out, and she was dressed like a normal woman of Corial City. Her skin was the only main difference.

  Eera waddled in with the pitcher full to the brim with water, and she carefully set it on the table next to Kescu’s bed.

  “Mom is making stew and bread for you. She says that they are your favourite on rough days. I think she even bought some fresh meat for you.” Kescu was humbled. “That was so sweet. I was just going to run the snack alley and buy everything deep fried.”

  Eera’s features were suddenly disappointed. “I guess you don’t have to now, huh?” She chuckled. “Have to… no. Want to? Oh yes.” Her sister laughed with delight. “Can I come too?”

  “Of course. I need you to lead me in my sleep-deprived state.” Kes winked at her sister and grabbed her, swinging her around in circles.

  Kescu walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table with Eera doing homework at her side.

  Their mom made the stew, and the scent of bread was wafting from the oven. Kema worked with a smile on her face while Kes helped Eera with her studies.

  Finally, Kema asked, “Have you met anyone interesting in the last few days, Kes?” Kescu felt heat run up her cheeks. “No, why?”

  “There was a message from Dr. Senzer about a Dr. Wender asking about you.” Kema coloured as she always did after speaking with Senzer.

  Kes was hoping that she could see if the two had any chemistry in person. They would be a good match, and her mother had been alone for long enough.

  “Oh. Dr. Wender. Yes, he’s an off-worlder doing botany research with Senzer.” Kescu sipped at the tea her mother served her.

  Eera looked up with wide eyes. “An alien? You saw a real-life alien?”

  Kes reached out and ruffled her sister’s hair. “I see one every time I look in the mirror, sweetie.” The eight-year-old huffed. “Not like you. You are my sister. What did he look like, what kind was he?”

  “We aren’t kinds, we are species.” She gave Eera a serious look.

  “Species. What species is he?” Kes sighed. “I don’t know. He has gold-green skin, green eyes and dark brown hair.” Kema clattered the utensils, and Kes looked at her. “Gold-green skin, you say?” Kes nodded. “Yes. Like light filtered through the trees. Very pretty colour, really.”

  “But, you just delivered the parcel and left. Correct?”

  She scowled. “No, Mom, I stayed the night on his couch. I left in the morning.”

  “Did anything… happen?”

  Eera was staring from one to the next.

  “No, Mom. I went to bed in my running suit. Woke up in it too.”

  Kema let out a blast of relieved air and returned to cooking.

  Kescu made a mental note to quiz her mother about her strange reaction later. The loaf of bread came out of the oven, so Kes got to her feet and set the table.

  Ten minutes later, Eera’s homework was set aside and they ate together as a family. It was a rare occurrence lately. Kes’s work kept her out most nights now that the researchers were using her for scheduled deliveries.

  Wanlio 6 was inhospitable for the most part, but the environment was ideal for experiments for the worst-case scenarios, as well as a pure atmosphere.

  After dinner, Kes made sure that Eera had completed her homework before she asked their mother, “May I take Eera to the food stalls?” Kema turned slowly and looked them both up and down. Kescu and Eera put on earnest expressions.

  “Fine. Bring me a sugar tangle.” Kema waved them off and turned to put the dishes away.

  Not wanting to tempt fate, Kes grabbed a giggling Eera under one arm and took her out of the house before Mom could change her mind.

  Sugar was waiting and after that, some time in the baths. Just what an overheated body needed.

  Chapter Four

  After several judicious selections, they sat at one of the public tables and went over their treasures, one at a time.

  Kes looked around and smiled at the couples, families and teens that were doing the same. The analytical part of her looked at the ice walls of the main bazaar and gauged the density of the ice as well as the weight on the shielding that held it back.

  “Kes, what is it, you got all serious all of a sudden.” Eera was wearing most of her frosted ice, and Kes sighed and gave her a napkin.

  “Nothing. Just boring stuff.”

  “Oh, grown-up stuff.”

  “Yup. How are you and Mom doing with me away so much?” Kes tore off a piece of deep fried and sugared bread.

  “It gets boring, but I get to have friends over more.” Eera shrugged as if it was a fair trade off.

  “Did you know Mom used to be a genet
ic manipulator like Dr. Senzer? They know each other.”

  Kes coughed. “What?”

  “It’s true. Mom didn’t think I was awake, but she talked with Dr. Senzer about stress-based reversal or something. He asked her why she quit doing genetic research, and she told him to zip it if he wanted to keep you on contract. He promised to shut up, and they stopped the call. Mom picked me up and tucked me in bed, and I couldn’t really ask her about what she had said.” Kescu straightened. “I see. Well, don’t worry about it. Hey, tomorrow, when I do the talk, are you willing to have me say hello to you, or do you want to play it cool?”

  Eera sniffed. “You are my sister and I love you, but be a little circumspect. That’s a new word I just learned. Mom wants me to memorize it.” Kes laughed and took a napkin to Eera’s nose.

  An hour later, with their mom’s sugar tangles in a bag, they walked home, Eera vibrating with energy. It was a perk to being an older sister that she was allowed to wind up the little sister and set her loose on the world, or in this case, their mother.

  Kes smiled and pushed away the words stress-based reversal until she could be in private with Kema. Her mother needed to explain how and why she quit her job in genetics.

  That could wait for tomorrow.

  She faced the sea of small faces and explained ice running once again. “I have metal plates on my feet, and my body heat melts the ice enough to make a small puddle of water, and if you have ever walked in water on ice, it is darned slippery.” Kescu did the demonstration on a block of ice.

  She put a metal plate on the ice and a hot cup of tea on top of that. After a few seconds, the plate began to slide, and it headed for the edge of the block with increasing speed. Kes caught the cup before it fell, and the metal plate clattered to the ground.

  “That is the basic method by which it works. I also use a kite when the wind is right, and it pulls me along at quite a pace.” She turned and activated a display of her cruising across the ice holding onto the kite.

  When she turned and faced the school children, an image of her running was on her right with the image of her kiting on the left. “Any questions?” Thirty kids put their hands up in the air. She pointed to one at random. “Yes?”