RippedandRoar

by Viola Grace

  She placed her tray down and typed, Pleased to meet you all.

  The woman with the dark rainbow hair and the man made of midnight velvet blinked together, making Cila smile. I apologize for my method of speaking, but it is all I have available at the moment.

  The little girls, one pale, one dark, stared at her with wide eyes as she sat to eat her meal. Mala recovered, "I am pleased to meet you, Cila."

  Isabi grinned and signed, It is a pleasure to have you entering the Guard. Do you speak with your hands?

  She put down her fork. I do, as you must know if you are using the D'nak coding. She lifted her fork and continued eating.

  Mala asked her husband, "What was that?"

  "Cila has been trained to speak with D'nak hand signals. I was merely telling her it is a pleasure to see her here."

  Arkhov paused, "And he asked her if she could speak with her hands."

  Mala grinned and separated her daughters from their battle over a piece of red fruit.

  Cila forked up one from her plate and offered it to Mabi while Isala took the other piece.

  Mala's relief showed. "Thank you, Cila."

  You are welcome.

  Arkhov said, "She says you are welcome."

  Cila worked her way quickly through her meal and then sat sipping tea. A staffer came and took her tray away. She quickly had to grab her data pad before it was taken with her plate.

  Isabi nodded at the close call. "That must be annoying."

  She used the pad. You have no idea. At least this gives me a voice, of sorts.

  The male Selna tilted his head. "How long is it since you have heard your own voice?"

  Never. I have never spoken a complete sentence out loud in conversation. I don't know if I am a tenor or soprano. Cila gave a self-depreciating smile.

  Isabi laughed, Arkhov chuckled and Mala looked concerned.

  Mala flipped some of her rainbow hair over one shoulder. "Never? Not even when you were learning to speak?"

  Apparently, I refused to speak. My talent has always been deadly.

  Isabi moved his fingers. Now, why couldn't I have gotten that lucky with these little ones?

  Cila was almost startled into laughter. Her hand clamped over her mouth but a tremor ran through the table at the small noise that escaped. She paled and almost lost her breakfast.

  Mala was at her side in an instant. "Let's get you to the workshop. Isabi, take care of the littles and have Effin meet us there. I need all the data he collected."

  Too horrified by what almost happened to do more than let Mala wrap an arm around her and haul her along, Cila stumbled her way to a door labelled Fixer's Workshop.

  Mala was comforting her the entire way, rubbing her arm and reassuring her that nothing had happened.

  "Fixer, you will have to let her go if she is going to say anything, you have her arms pinned." Arkhov's voice was low and controlled, but Cila could hear the worry in his tone.

  Mala reluctantly let her go, she reached up and wiped at the tears on Cila's cheeks. "We will get it under your control, Cila."

  With her hands trembling she asked, You are Fixer?

  When Arkhov translated, Mala laughed. "Most days. The others I am either Mom or Mala."

  Cila gripped Fixer's shoulders and slowly signed with one hand. Please, fix me.

  Chapter Five

  Miles from the base, Cila stood uneasily looking out over the empty expanse of rocks and sand.

  "It's okay, Cila. There is nothing that can be harmed here. A mountain range is waiting for any over-spill. Your talent can run across the landscape and not harm a thing." Fixer's voice in her ear was calm and comforting.

  "Your suit is designed to measure your talent. It is covered with sensors, as is the mask and your headset. Whatever is going on when you use your talent, we will find it."

  The serenity of the voices on the com system from their safe point on a skimmer five hundred meters behind her washed through her body. They were safe. Nothing in front of her could be harmed. It was time to speak.

  She hauled in a breath and watched the trembling of the rocks at the sound produced by that small sound. "I want to have a conversation."

  Rocks exploded in a wave as the effect of her voice ran across the sand.

  She clamped her lips shut and turned back to the skimmer.

  "Not yet, Cila. I want you to yell. Straight up and as loud as you can. Shout at the moon." Mala's voice wasn't unkind but it didn't leave any room for negotiation.

  She turned back and looked to the moon. It glowed and seemed a happy-enough orb in the sky.

  "Take your time, Cila, and then let out all your frustrations."

  Nodding, Cila spread her feet, digging the boots into the soil. She flexed her hands and looked at the moon, letting all of her frustration at her lack of voice come to the surface. Her head tilted back and she let out a roar of two and a half decades of silence.

  She screamed for every time she had been unable to, every time she had been dismissed as a moron, every time she had met a man who could be interested in her and for the child who had never known her parents' acceptance. She screamed.

  She screamed until the moon seemed to move, backing away from her fury.

  A voice came to her and she let her scream die, kneeling in the dirt and staring at the sky.

  A bright pair of lights surged toward the moon and in less than a minute, it was back where it should have been.

  "Well done, Cila. We can go now. I have the data I need." Mala's voice was choked.

  Cila stood slowly and returned to the skimmer. Mala had tears tracking down her cheeks and Arkhov was far more sober than she had seen him before.

  He gently reached around her shoulders and held her to him. Mentally sighing, she leaned against the warm panel of his chest and let him cuddle her. Effin flew the skimmer and they all arrived at the workshop in a calm and contemplative mood.

  She followed Fixer and Effin into the workshop, Arkhov at her side the entire time. He was careful of the arm spurs and she realised that he had slept next to her and she didn't have so much as a scratch.

  While they waited for Fixer and the doc to work out a plan of attack to rein in her voice, she felt she had enough privacy to ask, Why are you a Guardsman?

  Aside from my tendency to grow inches larger?

  She kept her face bland. I have heard that many men have that ability. What makes you different?

  He laughed so hard that he doubled over, leaving her grinning in her sensor suit and mask.

  When he could manage it, he flicked his fingers at her. That isn't what I meant.

  I know. It was funny though.

  Very.

  Well, how does your talent screw your life up? She crossed her arms and leaned against one of the work counters. Across the expanse, Effin and Mala were doing something with a holographic projector.

  I was in trouble from the moment that the talent manifested. I constantly got into fights and was considered a thug by the people in my town. Three years ago, I got wedged into a situation between local miners and management. The management trapped us in a mine and blew the entrance. For the first time, I was able to use my bizarre strength for good.

  Did all of the miners survive?

  Yes, but the members of management who ordered the explosion ended up on the wrong end of the death penalty.

  How did your folk treat you after you saved them?

  Worse than ever, but I knew in that moment that I was meant to use my strength for helping those who needed it, whether they want me to or not.

  So, you applied to the Sector Guard?

  Well, first, I applied to leave my colony. Despite what some folks think, the Sector Guard can't steal people from their home worlds without consent.

  She smiled. You are correct. There were weeks of paperwork for my release. Despite my people despising me, they weren't sure if they wanted me loose.

  A cart loaded with food and drink was pushed into the workshop. The
staffer gave a jaunty salute and left.

  Curious, Cila looked to Arkhov. What was that?

  Fixer needs plenty of food to replenish her energy levels while working.

  Why are we talking silently? Just because I can't speak doesn't mean you can't.

  He grinned, Miss my voice?

  Yes. My life is silent enough.

  "Fair enough. You should hear me sing."

  Spare me. I am looking forward to hearing what my voice sounds like. You will have to tell me if it is horrible.

  "I will tell you no such thing. And I have heard your voice. It is lovely."

  You could hear me?

  He nodded. "Your scream broke my heart."

  And moved a moon. She quickly added that to cover the hot blush working across her skin.

  He extended his hand and she placed hers in his grip, a feeling of peace rippling through her. He knew what she was and he still wanted to touch her. Despite what she had always been told by her handlers while growing up, a relationship seemed to be possible.

  Fixer passed them with a gaunt look to her cheeks. She went straight to the food trolley and attacked it with single-minded intensity. Colour immediately started to return to her face.

  With her hand held by Arkhov, Cila couldn't comment.

  Effin walked up next to them and spoke in low tones. "We have a solution, but we will need you to try a few of the designs that Fixer created to see which method works best."

  Arkhov asked, "Is Fixer all right? She seems a little…"

  With a mouth full of fruit, Fixer mumbled, "Fixer is fine. Gravity dampening tech is rather dense and took some doing."

  Arkhov read Cila's expression. "Gravity? I thought it was a sonic talent."

  Effin sighed and explained. "It is. Sort of. It is a gravity wave with initial sonic propulsion. Fixer is trying to find a way to dampen the gravity and neutralize the sonic. You may have to discharge stored energy in your body periodically, but that is a small price to pay."

  Fixer burped daintily and to Cila's amazement, she had completely demolished the full tray of food and beverages. "Okay, let's try out some of these designs. Cila, with me. Effin, you go over the implant placement."

  "What about me?" Arkhov wasn't letting go of her hand even when Cila tugged at it.

  "You can come along and translate for me if you like. It should be fairly simple."

  Fixer was gathering up wires, gadgets and other things Cila couldn't identify.

  Cila pulled her hand free with a jerk and signed, As easily as that?

  "We have had months to work on your stats and make guesses as to the details of your talent. I have had field generators ready to go, but until I saw the extent of your power, I wasn't quite sure what was driving it."

  Arkhov tugged her into a seat and Fixer geared them back toward the sand flats.

  Cila had to stand still while Fixer fitted her with a network of wires and nodes. When Mala gave her the go signal, Cila said, "Hello."

  The tremble was visible, but there was no concussive blast. Cila couldn't help herself. She did a small happy dance.

  "Calm down, Roar. That was good, but I think we can get better. Now, hold still while I wire you up again." Fixer was a palpable presence, the good-natured Mala a personality pushed aside to let the creative worker come forward.

  Cila stood patiently for the rewiring. Once Fixer stepped back and ordered her to speak again, Cila stated, "Fixer rocks."

  She felt a wave from her body, but nothing moved.

  "Good but still not perfect. These have an absorbing effect." Fixer changed the electrodes once again.

  "Try to speak one more time. This should be it."

  Cila drew a deep breath and whispered, "Ripper."

  Nothing happened. No wave, no concussion and no movement of sand.

  "Say it again."

  "Ripper."

  Arkhov moved to stand in front of her and smiled down at her. "Say it again."

  She swallowed, trusting to Fixer's technology. "Hello, Arkhov."

  His grin was unmistakable and Fixer's yelp of triumph made Cila laugh. She covered her mouth quickly, but nothing had happened.

  Fixer took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Go ahead, Cila, you can test it out."

  She thought about it for a while. "I…thank you. Even if it only lasts today, thank you."

  Arkhov gave her a hug, mindful of the wires keeping her talent in check. "I am honoured to be your first word."

  "You have been very much on my mind."

  His grin lit his features and golden flecks burned in his eyes. "I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear that. Literally hear it, I mean. I could tell by your scent that you were not indifferent."

  Her blush seemed to be a permanent fixture. "I wasn't aware you had that kind of sense."

  "I am a D'nak. We have all kinds of senses you don't want to know about."

  She felt a ripple of surprise. D'nak didn't leave their home. Sure, they met folks and traded with other planets, but they never left their home. "Well, that explains your facility with the hand signals. Do all your folk have the wrist hooks?"

  "Five percent. I have to say, I was surprised at Shade's ability with the language, but I suppose, in his previous line of work, extra languages were an attraction."

  Fixer stopped packing up and grinned at Cila's confused expression.

  "What was his previous occupation?"

  Fixer answered. "He was a Companion."

  Cila blinked for several seconds. "Oh."

  Fixer loaded the skimmer and winked. "Don't be embarrassed, it is amazing what all that practice can do for a man."

  Cila turned to look at Arkhov speculatively and giggled.

  Ripper was blushing.

  Chapter Six

  Cila mourned when the electrodes were removed from her body. Her ability to speak went with it. It was bizarre, while she had never noticed it consciously, the energy was humming around her the moment that the wires were pulled away.

  "Don't worry. I will get them into an implant form as quickly as I can. Ask Isabi, I frequently pull all-nighters in the pursuit of technology."

  She had a sudden thought. What about turning my talent back on again? If I get implants, won't the suppression be permanent?

  Arkhov quickly translated for her.

  Fixer looked up from the tangle of wires. "Not to worry. It sounds weird, but I am building a switch for under your skin. You will be able to turn it on or off, depending on your mood."

  So, the wires will be implanted?

  "It will all be inserted within your body using non-reactive materials. Consider it a supplement to your nervous system." Fixer smiled to take the sting out of her next sentence. "Now, get out so I can get some work done. Effin will call you when we are ready."

  Dismissed, they walked hand-in-hand back to the commissary where the drama had begun only that morning.

  She arranged for her meal using the point-and-nod method, getting a full tray and then looking for a spot to sit. When she heard the click as she sat, Cila realized that she was still wearing the assessment suit.

  Mentally laughing at herself, she unclipped the mask and dug into her lunch, though by now, it was supper. A few other Guardsmen came and sat down with them. She nodded a greeting and was left to herself.

  Kale and Carella were pleasant and their baby was adorable, but Cila was lost in thought until she heard, "Good work on moving the moon by the way."

  She looked up in surprise to see Carella staring at her. Oh. I am sorry.

  The woman laughed and her baby gurgled cheerfully. "Don't worry about it. I needed the exercise and it is always a good idea for Stellar Storm to practice. Moving a moon was just the workout I needed."

  Star Breaker.

  The woman inclined her head. "Guilty. My husband Kale is the avatar for Gant and he was in on Fixer's little idea to have you move the moon."

  I didn't know that that was what I was doing.

  "I understand. I
t is odd when you aren't able to actually get a grip on your talent. You can't even practice without causing a problem, can you?"

  No. But I was able to speak today. I actually heard my own voice and was able to have a conversation for a while. It was nice.

  "It must be frustrating for you."

  Cila looked to Arkhov who was calmly translating for her. You have no idea.

  He gave her a look of commiseration and kept changing her hand signals into words.

  The baby squealed happily and Carella lifted it to her shoulder.

  Is it a boy or a girl?

  Carella gave Kale a scowl, "I don't know yet. The baby will shift to its permanent gender when it is three. For now, its name is Zela. It will change to Zel if he is a boy."

  Kale looked innocent. "It isn't my fault that my people change depending on the surrounding population. With the girls here, the shift will probably be to Zel."

  "There is still eighteen months to go. Who knows who will appear by then?"

  The baby with the pale blue skin waved its arms as if challenging the universe to pigeonhole it in a gender. Much to her surprise, it reached out for Cila.

  "Do you want to hold the baby?"

  She nodded and reached out carefully. The warmth was peculiar, the smell oddly comforting. The child looked into her eyes and a calm acceptance was in them. Whatever this child would become, it was far wiser than anything that Cila had yet met.

  She sat and listened to the others converse, her arms taken up with the child who refused to leave her. One chubby hand clung to her hair, explored the hand she held up to it and the infant concentrated on sucking its own fist.

  The slow slurping noise made her smile. She listened to Arkhov, Kale and Carella discuss the current assignments for the majority of Guardsmen assigned to Morganti as well as the long-term posts given to the members of Station 13.

  The variety of talents was amazing and amusing. The Guardsmen participated in events from arranged marriages and delivery of the eager spouses, to solving crimes and healing planets. It seemed that most of the adventures were public knowledge within the confines of the Sector Guard.

  Hours must have passed. Cila's eyes were heavy when Zela was lifted from her embrace. The child fussed and Cila wished she could echo it.