The Senthien (Descendants of Earth Book 1)

by Tara Jade Brown

  I knew what he wanted to say then, and I knew he couldn’t. It was something my mother would say when I was small. She’d whisper it in my ear: “I love you.”

  I stayed seated for another fifteen passes, trying to pull myself together. Finally, I got up and walked to the food processor. The food was synthesized, and the processor had kept it warm. I sat down on the bench opposite the two Senthien moons and took a bite.

  In the middle of my supper, the apartment AI announced, “It is twenty-hundred. The apartment is locked for your safety. Good night and productive dreams.”

  With my mouth still full of food, I looked up to the ceiling, following the direction of its voice.

  My own safety?

  I never really understood who would want to intrude into my living quarters when all the other Senthia inhabitants were locked into their own rooms as well.

  I glanced at the time again. In fifteen passes, the lights would automatically switch off. I needed to hurry with my dinner.

  I finished most of my food, placed the remains in the recycle bin, and went to the wardrobe. I put away my clothes and walked to the bedroom.

  I sat on my newly assembled bed and automatically took a glass with a clear blue liquid, then took a few sips to clean my mouth and then put the glass back.

  I lay down, and within two passes, the lights turned off.

  I was lying in the dark with my eyes wide open, my brain buzzing with thoughts.

  Before I was born, my father had asked for permission to take a sabbatical. His request had been granted, and we spent six years on the desert world of Fraya Spark, completely secluded from Uni.

  Recuperation sabbaticals are not unusual for Senthiens. It’s the only time when they are free of Visions, because they are not exposed to constant new information flow, which normally triggers predictive Visions. But my father had a very different reason to ask for a sabbatical. And he is still alive because no one discovered what that reason really was.

  I understood why he wanted me to get away. And I hoped that I still could.

  Chapter 3

  He is a step ahead, and I am following. We are finding our way through a meshwork of the most amazing plants I have ever seen in my life. I look down at my hand and realize he’s holding it. His hand is warm and his palm rough. He turns around, smiles broadly, and squeezes my hand.

  The soft pressure gives me a feeling of safety, and I keep following.

  “We are almost there,” he says and turns around.

  I am without words. I keep looking at his arm pulling me to follow him. My heartbeat is loud inside my ears, and my lips are dry. I don’t understand, but I am excited.

  “Now, close your eyes. I will guide you,” he says, his teeth pearling on his sunbathed face.

  I do what he says.

  I opened my eyes to the pitch black of my apartment.

  Him again.

  What did that mean?

  I needed a revealing Vision to tell me about APC chips, about things I wasn’t supposed to know. I needed an answer.

  Instead, I had a wonderful dream of the person I would never meet.

  I exhaled. The lights turned on, and I closed my eyes briefly. Then, instead of the usual question, my AI said, “Dora Dana Dasnan, please report to Senior Senthien Visionaire Councilor Ra Jodar Sennan, at the Nature Hall number zero-zero-six-three, in sixty passes.”

  My heart skipped a beat. My usual meeting with Jodar was scheduled in a few days. Why now?

  And why was there no request for a Vision report?

  A thread of anxiety wrapped around my heart, crawling under my carefully established demeanor. This feeling wasn’t new. I’ve been dealing with this since I was six.

  I inhaled slowly, keeping the air in my lungs for a few moments, and then breathed out, relaxing my shoulders at the same time. Once my features were completely calm, I got up and walked to my living area.

  “Clothes,” I commanded to the AI.

  A dozen different skinsuits in the wardrobe cupboard rolled out in front of me. I put my hand on the traditional red skinsuit I was obliged to wear when meeting a Senior Senthien.

  Then I looked to the right to the last skinsuit hanging at the very end and pulled it out. It was dark gray with atmospheric moisture repellant, five small pockets on the upper left thigh for food tube bars, and spider-net resistance meshwork for physical impact protection.

  I paused for a moment.

  Why would I choose that?

  I decided to follow my instinct.

  The wardrobe cupboard slid back into the wall. I put on the skinsuit, took the matching E-band from the charging drawer, and put on my boots.

  I stepped over to the food processor, slid my fingers over the glass command board, and pushed the Process button to begin the food bar synthesis. When production was completed, I took out the bars and inserted them into my skinsuit pockets. Then I plaited my hair into a thick braid and headed for the exit.

  I contemplated using a few passes for another search in the DC Hall, but it was still closed this early—and if my father was right, perhaps it was better not to search further. I entered the Nature Hall and then stopped, looking up.

  The sky was pale blue through the transparent dome shield. The grass was short and pale green, but here I could sense a higher level of oxygen.

  I stepped away from the gate and walked down the path of neatly aligned hexagonal stones, paving a dense network of walkways around the hall.

  On the left side was a small forest and on the right was a large flat plain, intertwined with pathways.

  I headed left, looking at the forest: low, thin trees with smooth gray bark and geometrical pale green foliage. I walked to the edge of the forest and stopped, looking at the rows of trees.

  Then I moved two steps back.

  From this angle, all the trees were in one line, one row. I could only see the first one, and all the others lined up behind it. I moved forward a few steps and stopped again. A new column of trees.

  Geometrical. Symmetrical. Patterned.

  I looked at the ground. Every tree was surrounded by pavement from all sides, so that no visitor had to step on grass to come close to a tree.

  I walked along the paths, trying to stay oblivious to where I was going, but a beeping sound from my E-band alerted me to my imminent meeting with Jodar. I turned around and walked back to the entrance of the Nature Hall.

  Councilor Ra Jodar Sennan walked slowly toward me, his heavy dark red coat rustling with every step. More than one thousand years behind him, and Jodar looked younger than my father. He must have chosen a younger age when he started his first rejuvenation.

  He stopped one and a half IPs from me.

  “You know already?” Jodar said, looking at my skinsuit.

  “Councilor Jodar,” I said, my tone calm and bland.

  “The High Zlathar Priest, Monsignor Torquemada Joseph Nadraque, asked for your presence.”

  “He wishes for a holo communication?”

  “No. He wishes for a personal meeting,” he said and started walking.

  My stomach clenched, my legs frozen to the ground. I had never met a Zlathar before. My main interaction was through holo communications, and even though I talked to them, I never knew what they looked like. Their faces were always hidden.

  I was still glued to the ground for a moment or two. Then I took a silent breath and hurried to join Jodar.

  “Direct contact with Zlathars is a privilege to have,” he continued slowly. “Although perhaps initially uncomfortable.”

  Uncomfortable was an understatement. For the first time in my life, I was in real danger.

  I tried to remain calm, not revealing any of my thoughts to Jodar. He could never find out just how uncomfortable Zlathars made me feel. Such a strong emotion was not the Senthien way.

  “An initial sense of discontent does not present a challenge for me,” I said in the same monotonous voice.

  “So what does present a challenge, Dana?
” He stopped to look at me.

  “Through their connection, they would be aware of all my thoughts.”

  “Is there something to hide?” He arched his eyebrows.

  “Of course not, Jodar.”

  “It is clear that for us”—he made a motion with his hands to encompass both of us—“privacy is completely unnecessary. This is why the Zlathars requested a personal meeting with you, Dana. With your level of Visionaire talent, you will be of great help to them.”

  “I am positive that I will be of service to them.”

  We continued walking, and I moved my gaze from Jodar’s green eyes to the path in front of us. It needlessly curved back and forth across the boring plain in a regular wavy line.

  After a few passes, Jodar stopped and turned halfway toward me. I faced him, leaving two IPs between us.

  “There have been incidents of… port failures in the past few months,” he said.

  Port failures? “Does this mean the ports did not happen?”

  “No. The ports happened, but the destination is unknown.”

  I quickly glanced at him, for a moment unable to hide my surprise, but then I moved my gaze backward to the path ahead, feigning indifference.

  We continued walking. For several passes, we remained quiet. Then Jodar continued, “The Zlathar Council is worried. The Mind has never made a port mistake before. The series of recent port failures are clearly not mistakes. They suspect sabotage.”

  “By who?” I said, my tone flat.

  “This is currently unknown. They want to find out if it was done by Humans.”

  I stopped to look at him. “Humans are kept under high surveillance on Zema4. They cannot access any of the Uni computer systems.”

  “I realize it is highly unlikely,” he said, nodding, then continued walking. “Their low intelligence and the primitive level of their social constellation makes it almost impossible for them to do so… but, Dana, do not forget that they are kept at Zema4 for a reason. Their species was and remains cruel and vicious.”

  “Of course, Jodar. The video of the Humans’ cruelty was repeatedly shown to us during my seven years of history recap classes. I clearly remember it.”

  “Humans unfortunately did not reach the level of enlightenment we have,” he said and continued his slow walk along the path. “We are all fortunate that Zlathars recorded the terrible deeds Humans committed to Descendants. Only our enlightened nature prevents us from exterminating them for good.”

  “Yes, Jodar, I do not forget.”

  After a few moments, he continued, “Because the Humans’ wish to hurt Descendants has not faltered, the Zlathars need to interrogate you, Dana, to see if the Mind errors are linked to Humans in any way.”

  “I did not have any indicative Visions. I think this was clear from my reports.”

  “This is clearly understood from the reports you sent to the Zlathar Council. We might not recognize any indications, Dana, but Senthiens do not have such ability. Zlathars, however, are much more proficient in these areas, and with an overview of all your conscious levels when they… connect… to you… they might see something that gives them a clue. It is our duty to help them find the perpetrator causing this malfunction.”

  Jodar’s slow steps kept moving the rough fabric of his coat around his feet, making a hard swishing sound that was slightly uncomfortable to my ears. “The port will be ready in thirty passes,” he said.

  My heart was drumming in my ears, but my face remained calm and aloof.

  “You will be accompanied by one more person,” he continued.

  I nodded. “Thank you, Jodar. I will report to you upon my return.”

  “I thank you, Dana. May Torquemada Joseph Nadraque watch over you.”

  He gave a slight bow, and I returned the gesture.

  He turned away and continued his slow walk on the wavy path farther into the center of the Nature Hall.

  I watched him leave, then turned the opposite way, and for a moment or two, I wondered if it would be inappropriate to ignore the useless stone tiled path and walk a straight line to the entrance of the Hall.

  I decided against it. It gave me more time to think.

  The Zlathars’ request had to be linked to my last reported Vision. Would they be able to see more than what I saw in my Vision when they connect? I cringed at the thought of their connection to me, and felt an uncomfortable tingling sensation at the back of my neck.

  They would have access to my thoughts, my wishes, my wants and needs, to all my Visions… and my dreams.

  And they would see a Human man in my mind as well. They would see me coming into contact with the only enemy Zlathars have, and as such, I would become an enemy too.

  They would not realize that it was only a dream. To Zlathars, Visions and dreams look exactly the same. They could not tell the difference. And neither could I.

  Was it a dream?

  Or was it the future?

  But even if it was the Vision, it didn’t mean anything. My father taught me never to blindly trust the Visions. They are merely the most probable course of events based on the current course of events. A Vision is only one possible projection, he said.

  I walked out of the Nature Hall gate and turned left in the direction of the porting chamber.

  Two things were conflicting. First, I was never wrong with any of my Visions. Each and every one had come to be. But second, nothing in the current course of events indicated that I would ever meet a Human. And yet he kept coming back to me, in the early morning hours from the Visionaire depths of my mind.

  I closed my eyes and shook my head to chase that thought away.

  Right now, I had more pressing problems. When they connect, Zlathars will see the past as well.

  They will find out everything. And I can never let that happen.

  My life, and my father’s life, was in grave danger.

  And I desperately needed a way to hide that part of my mind from them—or avoid the port completely.

  I reached the porting chamber gate and stopped.

  My heart was racing and I had to exert all my willpower to keep still. I wanted to turn around. I wanted to run away. I wanted to hide. Inside, I was on the edge of fleeing. But on the outside, my demeanor remained calm. I watched the closed door of the chamber gate, waiting for my porting companion to arrive.

  “Dora Dana Dasnan.” The flat male voice startled me and I turned to look.

  “Barka Stevanion Narth,” I said.

  “I will be pleased to accompany you to the Zlathar planet.”

  “I acknowledge your presence and I thank you,” I answered in the same monotonous tone.

  He turned to the chamber gate, lifted his palm, and pressed it to the screen board.

  I didn’t move.

  He turned his head toward me. “Dana?”

  I exhaled silently and slowly lifted my hand to the screen board, but stopped before I touched it.

  I can say I forgot an additional E-band battery at my premises and I need to pick it up.

  I can say I accidently took the wrong skinsuit and I need to change into a new one.

  I can just leave.

  But—

  I pressed my palm on the cold glass screen board and the gate opened.

  I can’t.

  Escaping from the Zlathars is impossible.

  We entered the porting chamber, turned toward the entrance and the gate closed.

  “Dana, my rejuvenation period is approaching,” Stevanion said, looking at the gate. “I would like to make a request for Interactive Coupling with you.”

  What?

  I turned my head toward him.

  He kept looking at the gate. His pose was aloof, his head just slightly turned backwards, his thin nose pointing at the gate.

  It took me a moment or two to gather my thoughts.

  Stevanion’s proposal wasn’t unusual at all—I’d heard, initiated, and complied with a number of them during my cycles—but right now I had far mor
e pressing thoughts on my mind than indulging my next post-rejuvenation hormonal craving.

  “If there would be an additional wish on your side,” he continued, still looking at the gate, “I would also be honored to make a contribution to the Senthien population with you at the Office of Progeny at another convenient point in time.”

  I slowly moved my gaze back to the gate as well.

  “I appreciate your offer, Stevanion, but my rejuvenation period has recently passed.”

  “The port number 409-82-833-01 to porting gate 53’0’11’ will begin in three passes,” the AI female voice announced.

  “Perhaps the next time, then,” he said.

  I kept my gaze impassive. Perhaps not.

  The chamber dimmed to dark purple.

  I took a deep breath. Here it goes.

  I clenched my fists and held my breath.

  The port lasted no more then a few seconds.

  The air suddenly changed, the temperature dropped, and the purple hue of the chamber disappeared. Steady, cool airflow startled both of us as we looked at each other in alarm.

  The humid and low-oxygen air of the dark halls of the Zlathar world was nothing I wanted to experience, but the lack of all of the sensations I’d expected triggered an immediate alert.

  We were not on the Zlathar planet!

  Chapter 4

  It took me a few moments to adjust to the dark. The surroundings were thick with vegetation of the most amazing shapes and sizes, nothing at all comparable to anything I had ever seen on any of the Descendant planets. I lifted my head to look at the ceiling.

  There was none. Above me was simply the universe, a dark blue canvas with an uncountable number of stars.

  Seeing the universe like this, with no shield, no screen or protection grid in between, was breathtaking.

  “We are not on the Zlathar planet,” Stevanion said, stating the obvious.

  I looked down again. “No, we are not.” My eyes scanned the surroundings, but I didn’t move.

  “We are not in a porting chamber, either,” he continued. “It is highly improbable that any porting can come to pass in this place.”