As they talked, Renn could see Desh out of the corner of his eye, occasionally glancing over. Don’t even think about it, Renn projected to Desh. Desh, however, kept the projections to himself.
While Renn was in the middle of telling Meta about Earth, their sleep regulators beeped, warning them to get to bed, whether they wanted to or not. They said their “goodnights” and lay down, while the professors dimmed the tent walls with the push of a button.
Desh couldn’t sleep and waited for the second beep from his regulator to do it for him. In the dorm room on the ship, the lights dimmed until the only light left in the room was the outline of the beds and the doorways. As much light as they blocked out of the tent, he could still tell it was bright outside. He tried to hear Lux's thoughts, but heard only static. He listened for Renn, but couldn't hear anything. Desh bolted up in bed, thinking he might have left, but saw Renn asleep. He’s learning well, Desh thought, and then realized he was being watched.
He turned his head to see that Shelly was not only awake, but staring at him, smiling. He scrunched down deeper under the blankets and pulled the cover up to his chin. He closed his eyes, thinking if he just lay there, he’d fall asleep, but a few minutes later he felt feathers ruffling his cheek. He looked over and saw Kia sleeping on his stomach with his wings spread out, flapping over Etienne, who slept right through it. Desh looked to see what Kia was dreaming about.
He was on Torres, flying above a dense forest and skimming leaves with his fingers. Desh took over the dream and landed him on a tree branch, until Kia started to reject it, wanting to fly. Before he could take flight, a soft female voice called out behind him singing, “Kia.” Kia turned around on the tree and saw a beautiful Toran girl with long blonde hair and jet-black wings. She smiled at him, motioning him towards her with her finger.
Kia continued snoring, retracting his wings, and settled into the dream he wouldn’t reject. Desh grinned and then heard his sleep regulator chime. Shelly’s sleep regulator would have gone off too, he thought, grateful for the device’s indifference to the girl’s hormones. He closed his eyes, making his way towards REM.
The next morning, the sleds took them around to view more landscape and crystal structures. After a few hours, the students began to complain about the cold and the professor ordered the drivers to head back to Crystalline’s portal station.
“All right,” Professor Zaneer announced once they had stopped in front of the shopping center. “Feel free to wander around, but please be back to leave in three hours.”
Renn and Dylan told the girls they would meet up with them later and took off.
Ivan had been standing near them when they said it and somehow included himself in the “we.” He wouldn’t stop following Dylan and Renn around, going on and on about how the three of them were best friends. Dylan and Renn communicated telepathically to one another, giving the illusion that they were listening, not wanting to be rude.
They went shopping and waited while Ivan bought a necklace with a crystal skull on it. Dylan had found a cool hunting knife made of crystal with a black leather braid wrapped around the handle for good grip. Ivan gave up and left to go find Rudy, while Renn and Dylan searched to find a matching knife holster Dylan could wear on his thigh.
After they had found one that held the knife, they headed back to the restaurant. Along the way, Dylan pointed out an elaborate clock in one of the shop windows. It was made of crystal, showing the inner workings made of polished silver. Renn walked in, turning the clock around, and ran his finger over the markings that were in the Crystallian language.
“They’re prayers,” Renn heard a soft voice say behind him. Renn turned around and saw a beautiful Crystallian female in her early twenties walking up to him.
“I’m sorry?” Renn said.
“The markings,” the girl replied. “You set the clock for the location of a loved one and the prayers are to keep them safe, every minute of every day.”
“Safe…” Renn said under his breath, staring at the clock. “I’ll take it,” Renn said, handing it to the girl, and tried to avoid touching her for fear of burning her hand and getting frostbite on his own.
The girl took it behind the register and called out a name Renn couldn’t pronounce. A child Sensatus, only seven or eight, came to the front, bundled in thick winter clothing. The girl looked back at Renn and said, “He’ll set it for you. Where is the loved one located?”
“Maine, United States of America, Earth…” Renn said.
“I know where Maine is, thank you,” said the Sensatus with a ting of annoyance.
Renn and Dylan exchanged smiles. Even a child Sensatus seemed to know everything.
Renn put the clock in his duffel bag and he and Dylan continued towards the restaurant. When they got there, they found Desh and Kia standing in front of it, looking around, searching for someone, but Etienne was behind them eating in the restaurant with Katie. Only a half hour left and we’ll be back on the ship, Renn thought.
“What do you want to do?” Dylan asked, watching Desh and Kia.
“Let’s get out of here and just go to the portals on our own,” Renn said.
Dylan agreed and the two slipped out a side entrance.
Renn glanced behind him when he heard the side door open and caught a glimpse of Desh’s face. They’re following us! Renn projected to Dylan.
It was starting to snow and the wind was picking up pace. Dylan and Renn picked up their speed, walking through the village. They turned behind houses, walked over a bridge, and down some steps, trying to lose Desh and Kia.
“Now they’re clearly after us,” Dylan said. “This isn’t simulation and I don’t have a bionic suit or lives to spare, man.”
“I know, let’s just keep moving,” Renn said.
“Brother or not, he charges, I expect you to stop him, you got me?” Dylan said.
“Yeah,” Renn said.
They hid in an icy barn, full of the large beasts that were trained to pull sleds.
“Clear your mind,” Renn whispered. “He’ll be listening for thoughts.”
Dylan closed his eyes, trying his best to not think of anything, but Renn could hear a flurry of thoughts like, Clear my mind; Don’t think about anything; I’m not going to think of anything…
Damn, Renn thought and projected a thick blanking field around Dylan’s thoughts until he heard and saw nothing.
Renn peeked between slabs of ice, watching Desh and Kia walk away from the barn.
Renn tapped Dylan on the arm and motioned towards another exit, leading them to the blizzard that was forming outside.
I can’t see them! Desh projected to Kia. Can you fly in this?
Yes, Brother, he replied and leapt into the air, spreading his massive black wings in the snowstorm.
Renn and Dylan ran through the blizzard, losing their direction and no longer sure if they were headed towards the portals. Dylan tapped on his arm tablet to illuminate and show them the way, but the snow landing on it obstructed the screen. He covered it back up for fear of it getting wet, and short-circuiting on his arm.
“I don’t know if this is the right direction!” Dylan yelled. “We’re going to have to stop under something so I can find out where we are.”
“Keep moving!” Renn yelled back, picking up the pace. He threw off his gloves, fearing the worst. He took a few more steps and his left foot lost ground, sinking into a hole.
Dylan ran back, helping him up as they heard growling and felt the ground shake. They ran and looked back to see three Orlos charging them.
Renn spun around, palms up. He sent a large burst of energy, throwing the Orlos forty feet back into the snow.
The Orlos took off again, scattering; one to the left, one to the right, the other underground. Renn and Dylan could see light ahead and ran towards it. Renn could hear Dylan’s frantic thoughts, hoping his knife and Renn’s blasts would be enough to save them.
Renn looked over to Dylan and saw an Orlo jump int
o the air towards them. He grabbed Dylan’s jacket, pulling him to the ground with him, then pushed enough energy for the Orlo to leap over them.
“Behind you!” Dylan yelled, pulling out his knife. Dylan stabbed the second Orlo in the neck when it tackled them.
Renn pushed the Orlo back twenty feet and then looked around. He became disoriented by the snowstorm and the lack of color, causing everything to blend together. He saw the third Orlo come up from the ground, jumping high into the air and heading straight for them. A thunderous squawk resonated through the storm as Kia came flying through the air, body-slamming the animal to the ground.
“Renn, look out!” Desh yelled.
Renn whipped around to see Desh behind him with his hands illuminated towards the oncoming Orlo. Just then, Renn could see the second Orlo heading for Desh and put up his own hands. With crackling snaps, the brothers sent streams of burning light, blasting the Orlos.
The Orlos wailed when they were impaled by the burning light.
Desh helped Renn up and then looked around with increasing anxiety. “Kia!” Desh shouted, scanning the area.
There was nothing. No sound, just the snow stinging their faces and the wind whistling in their ears. “I can’t hear you!” Desh yelled.
Renn and Dylan followed Desh, who was now running back to where Kia had landed, but only found the dead Orlo in the snow, with its neck broken. They heard a squawk and looked up, able to make out the shape of wings until Kia landed.
“I found the portals, Brother,” Kia said, walking up to Desh.
“You’re supposed to answer me!” Desh said in frustration.
“I’m supposed to be watching out for you, not the other way around,” Kia replied.
“We watch out for each other,” Desh said, shoving Kia in the shoulder with his hand, and stomping off towards the portals.
Kia grinned, looking back at Renn and Dylan. “He worries about me. I think it’s sweet.”
“Shut up!” could be heard coming from somewhere in the snowstorm ahead of them and they followed Desh’s voice towards the portals.
The snowstorm dissipated as they walked through the village towards the Starbucks sign. Renn caught up to Desh while Kia held back, admiring Dylan’s new bloodstained knife.
“You saved me,” Renn said to Desh, waiting for an explanation.
“You're my brother, what did you think I was going to do? Now stop running away from me. Mom will kill me if something happens to you,” Desh said.
Renn continued walking, not saying much but thinking about how Desh hadn’t hesitated saying “Mom” to him, fully accepting that they were brothers. He was a little touched, he had to admit.
They saw Meta, Lux, and Joss waiting in front of the restaurant, waving to them while they walked up.
Desh stopped walking, hesitating. “You know, I think I’m gonna…”
“Don’t even think about it,” Renn said, stopping Desh before he could finish his sentence. “I know you want to.”
Lux thinks I tried to kill you, Desh projected.
Well, wait till she hears how you just saved my life, Renn replied, grinning at him.
Desh looked at him and tried to hide a smile. Are you really going to tell her? Desh asked.
Tell her? I’m gonna tell her there were fifty of them and you took them all out by yourself! Renn projected, nudging him.
Desh couldn’t help but laugh. Don’t do that. I would appreciate you telling her the truth though.
“Yeah, all right,” Renn said.
“I thought you guys were going to meet us for lunch,” Meta said to Renn when he approached, unable to hide her disappointment.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you,” Renn replied, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek.
She brushed the snow off his face and ran her fingers through his snowflake-laden hair.
“Class, let’s go,” Professor Zaneer said, rallying the students.
When they began walking with the others, Renn took a deep breath, thinking about the Orlo attack. He wasn’t just grateful for Desh, Kia, and Dylan, but for the Galileo. He wondered if he would have survived at all had he not spent the previous few months in training.
As they approached the portal, Leo and his parents were there, waiting for them. Leo put on his Prodlin suit, but continued to stare at the ground while his father berated him in front of the arriving students.
Renn couldn’t stop himself from doing it, he just wanted Leo’s father to be nice. He projected an image into Leo’s dad’s head of him giving Leo a warm hug goodbye.
Leo’s father stopped talking and just stared at his son. His face relaxed and he looked down at a loss for words. Leo looked at his dad as if he were crazy and kissed his mother goodbye. He nodded to his father, who nodded back, not saying another word.
CHAPTER 18
Karma
Late one evening after another BOTS game, Renn and Desh sat in the mess hall talking. Desh explained that he saw their mother on a regular basis, but only long enough to say, “Hi.” She would then leave him with Kia’s family on Torres, while she continued fighting in battles with Kia’s father.
“I can’t even remember a time when Kia wasn’t by my side,” Desh said, thinking about it. “I thought he was my real brother for the longest time, until I started asking questions about why he couldn’t project anything and why I couldn’t fly.”
“Where does Etienne fit in?” Renn asked. “Don't get me wrong, he seems really cool, but you and Kia don't seem like the kind of guys who would hang out with a guy like Etienne.”
“There are certain positions on the Quintessence that are inherited, some are chosen, and others are scouted,” Desh explained. “Etienne was scouted. An Olerian found him on Earth in Belgium when he was eight, after he came up with a new equation to measure dark matter. A Sensatus has always held the key science officer position on the ship, but Etienne…Etienne could rival any Sensatus in intelligence. After they found him, Mom and Schepp sat Kia and I down, explaining how important he would be to our survival when we grew up and that we needed to get to know him. So every summer, Etienne’s parents sent him to Torres to spend his vacation with us; just getting to know each other, playing, growing up…”
“How’s he so important to your survival?” Renn asked.
“Kia and I rely on strength and strategy too much as it is. We’re fighters, we’ve been trained as fighters, we’ll always be fighters. Etienne’s different. He’ll build new worlds, while the rest of us just walk around on them.”
They were silent for a while as they put their dishes back into the table’s compartments. Renn, however, could tell Desh was trying to say something, but wasn’t spitting anything out.
“You do realize, I can’t read your mind, right?” Renn said, trying to get Desh to talk.
Desh smiled. “Look, we’re starting to get along, and I really like that. So, I don’t want to stick my nose into your business or piss you off, but there’s something bothering me.”
“Please tell me this isn’t about Meta,” Renn said.
Desh stopped talking and looked away.
“What about Lux?” Renn asked.
“Very few people can tell I have a thing for Lux and there’s a reason for that. It's one thing to like a girl, it's another to openly have a relationship with her. There are people hunting us…”
“Don't worry about it, okay?” Renn said, interrupting him. “I’ll take care of her.”
Desh kept quiet, not wanting to cause friction again, yet knowing at some point he would have to explain to Renn how Desh’s father died.
When Renn got back to his dorm, he hadn’t sat down for longer than a moment when Rudy came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Guys, what is this?” Rudy asked, looking down at his stomach.
“What the hell?” Ivan asked, while they all leaned forward to get a better look.
They stared at a patch of skin on Rudy’s stomach tha
t seemed to be not only hardening and losing pigment, but clustering.
“What is it?” Rudy cried, looking around the room to the guys.
“Man, it looks like you’re growing…scales…” Dylan said in disbelief.
Renn looked at Leo who had sat back down on his bed, looking around, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone.
“Leo?” Renn asked. “You wanna shed some light on this?”
Leo got up, looking as guilty as a Crystallian could. “You’ve got Lythous,” he said
“I’ve got what?” Rudy cried, on the verge of panicking.
“Lythous. It’s a disease from Crystalline,” Leo explained.
“Is it fatal?” Rudy asked.
“No, no, not at all,” Leo said, waving it off. “Crystallians sometimes get it from the Uhrlars, but only when they’re going through puberty and then it just goes away.”
“Well, how long does it usually last?” Rudy asked.
“About four years,” Leo replied, and then a smile crept across his face thinking about it. “Wait till you start shedding…”
Rudy ran out of the room and straight for the medical bay. Unfortunately for him there was nothing Ava could do about it and he simply had to wait it out. What the school did find out though, was that one of the vaccines he had been given for Crystalline hadn’t been 100% deactivated, giving him a live dose of the disease instead of the deactivated dose that would have made him immune.
He began shedding a few weeks later from head to toe. Luckily it didn’t cover his scalp and his wild curly hair still grew, though somehow it just made him look even more bizarre. Rudy would look away, embarrassed, whenever he heard the little cleaning-bots suctioning his dead skin from the ground. He walked around the school depressed until he noticed that Menkar kept glancing over at him with a flirtatious smile, finding his scales super hot.
Hologram signs appeared in hallways advertising the class parties, celebrating the end of the school year. The First Years’ was coming up in a couple weeks and showed a picture of an Omite dancing with a Janiun. Rudy got up the nerve to ask Menkar out again, this time asking her to the dance. He was in much better spirits about his scales from then on when Menkar finally said, “Yes.”
Galileo (Battle of the Species) Page 31
