Slipstream Messenger (Neutrino Book 1)

by Daltea Francis

  They made two Stream changes and Neutrino was getting better at steering the streamship with each passing minute. He was almost sad when Lylia told them they had arrived at Oolia 6. He exited the Slipstream and the chair returned to a normal sitting position so he could pilot the ship to a wobbly but successful landing in a large field of purple grain on the surface. Neutrino removed himself from the pilot’s seat and was about to follow Darwyth through the hatch when Lylia surprised him by touching his shoulder.

  “I really am sorry about what I said about Creet. He’s a good man, I just…” she sighed and looked away. “I’m always saying the wrong things.”

  Neutrino sized her up. She certainly seemed sorry and less angry than she had been. Maybe the effects of the lake were diminishing finally. “That’s okay. It’s just that moodiness again, right?” If she doesn’t yell at me…

  “Watch it,” Lylia warned. But she said it with a half smile and Neutrino wondered how anyone could stay mad at a face like that.

  He followed Lylia down the long fin of the ship and onto what had to be one of the strangest planets he thought he would ever visit. It looked like a paint box had spilled on the canvas and the painter had mixed them into a beautiful but nearly incomprehensible landscape. Purples, greens, blues, reds, not a single shade was spared. Each one glowed as if it had some sort of secret inner light like the bright neon signs of Venthall’s entertainment districts, yet it wasn’t harsh or jarring. It was incredible. It was also a little eerie in a way because everything was a brilliant burst of color and yet, there was almost no sun to be seen. It was as though a veil hung on the surface. Neutrino understood what Creet had said about Oolia 6’s beauty.

  Darwyth and Neutrino stood staring, mouths agape, while Fizz jumped down and began rolling in the wheat. Finally, Lylia, who had been there before and was therefore less susceptible to its magic, broke their trance and suggested that they get moving towards the village just north of their location. It was the last thing anyone said until they entered the outskirts of the town. They walked in silence, enjoying the magnificence of the trees, the plants, and even the dirt on the ground. They passed though a tree line into a clearing with several small rounded houses which also seemed to glow like they were lit with neon.

  With all of the light surrounding them, Neutrino didn’t recognize at first that some of it was slowly moving towards them. The Oolians, like their planet, pulsed with brightly colored light. They had almost no form; they certainly had no bone structure whatsoever. They looked like giant amoebas ever so gently gliding across the ground.

  “Hello, I’m Dr. Darwyth, and this is Lylia and Neutrino. We have been sent here on an urgent mission to...”

  “Thank you, Darwyth,” one of the nearest Oolians interrupted. Neutrino couldn’t detect any sort of mouth or even a face. Am I hearing them in my head? Neutrino wasn’t sure. “You needn’t say more. We have seen it all in your minds as you approached. We have sent for the one you need.”

  “Well, that’s very efficient, thank you,” Darwyth said.

  “We apologize if we’ve made you uncomfortable. Normally we wait for non-telepaths to communicate with us, but, after what we saw in her thoughts, we feel that this is far too important for delicacies,” the Oolian indicated Lylia with an outstretched appendage. Neutrino figured they must have seen the destruction and desperation on Arnasi.

  Is it more? Lylia looked calm and tough as always, but Neutrino had the feeling she was holding something back. Whatever she was thinking, it had been a call to action for the Oolians.

  “Is this… ‘one that we need’ almost ready?” Darwyth inquired.

  “Unfortunately, he is in the mountains on a spiritual quest. It will require some hours before he arrives.”

  “We’re kind of in a hurry. Can’t one of you do it?” Lylia asked.

  “There is an element in the air here that we need to survive. We cannot leave the planet’s surface,” the Oolian paused. “The one you seek, Mathius is his name, is not Oolian, but has lived here for many years and is an accomplished telepath.”

  “Well, maybe if you tell me where he is I can direct Neutrino in where to take the Streamship and we can pick him up,” Lylia offered.

  “It is not possible. The location is sacred to the Oolians and, even if that was not the case, the terrain is far too difficult to land your ship in. Please, do not fret. We have prepared a meal for you while you wait.” The Oolian stretched out his arm-like appendage again, this time indicating they should follow. Lylia looked at Neutrino with concern in her eyes. He just shrugged and followed the Oolians.

  They did move quite slowly, although, it was not as ridiculous as Creet made it sound. It was more like a gentle strolling gate, rather than a quick march. They entered the village proper where a small table was carefully set for three. There were many fruits and vegetables in varying colors on offer, but Neutrino didn’t see any meat or cheese.

  “You won’t be eating with us?” Neutrino asked the lead Oolian.

  “We do not consume nourishment in the same way. This table is for your use only. Please, enjoy.” With that, the Oolians moved away a few meters and meandered around their homes while Darwyth, Lylia, and Neutrino sat down to eat. Neutrino found some neon orange berries and offered them to Fizz who happily gulped them down.

  They ate in silence for several minutes before Lylia threw down her utensil and blurted out, “This is so frustrating! How can we just be sitting here like this!?”

  “Patience, my dear. It is a virtue,” Darwyth opined, tossing a small, spiky purple fruit of some kind into his mouth. “I know we’re in hurry, but nothing to be done about it now. We just have to wait.” Lylia scowled and grumbled something under her breath about hating patience. Neutrino took a bite of a leafy blue vegetable that appeared to have been steamed in some way and it triggered a memory of a recent meal on a different planet.

  “Are these the same vegetables that they have on Arnasi?” he asked.

  “Of course,” Lylia grumbled, “The Oolians are our closest neighbors; we trade a lot with them for foods we can’t grow on Arnasi.” Neutrino pondered that for a minute.

  “If they’re your closest neighbors, how come they weren’t attacked?”

  “Luck,” Lylia shrugged. “They weren’t in the Sun-entity’s path, we were.”

  Darwyth nodded, “It seems fixated on reaching the Central Worlds. Wherever it came from, Arnasi was on its way. Oolia 6 is in an adjacent quadrant. Course, nothing to say they won’t turn around and catch everyone eventually. This thing seems to have the patience our navigator lacks.” Darwyth smirked on the last part and Lylia gave him one of her notorious glares. Normally Neutrino would have been amused by their banter, but he was too preoccupied with an idea that had popped into his head when he had realized the significance of the leafy blue vegetable.

  “Um, Oolian-person?” Neutrino called out to the Oolian he thought had been in charge. It was difficult to tell, they literally all looked the same. “I’m sorry, do you have a name?”

  The Oolian is question approached slowly, and though he had no mouth or face that Neutrino could determine, he would have sworn the Oolian was amused. Neutrino wasn’t sure why he had that impression. Maybe the Oolian was sending it directly to his brain, or maybe it was just a shift in the color patterns within the Oolian’s amoeba-like body. Whatever it was, Neutrino was glad that he didn’t seem offended.

  “We have no names as you would conceive of them. But you may call me Chief. I am the leader of this group.”

  “Okay, Chief,” Neutrino cleared his throat. “Um, how long exactly until Mathius gets here?”

  “Mathius is travelling down the southern slope; it will require a little more than five of your hours.”

  “Okay. Great. Lylia?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she drawled. Her eyes were narrowed in speculation.

  “How long would it take the streamship to get from here to Arnasi and back?” She raised her eyebrows and thou
ght for a minute.

  “Approximately three hours I would guess,” a slow smile spread across her face as she picked up on Neutrino’s idea.

  “Okay, so, Chief,” Neutrino continued, “I couldn’t help but notice that this is some of the same food that I ate on Arnasi, and I was wondering how much of it you had stocked up that you might be willing to lend to the Arnasians. I’m sure they would happily repay you when things have been returned to normal.” Now Neutrino was certain the Oolian was happy. His colors were lit up like the first night of Celebration Season.

  “We would gladly help our neighbors,” Chief said. “We have much food stored in the village cellar. They need not repay us, except in kindness.”

  “That’s very generous of you,” Darwyth said.

  “It is the Oolian way to help those in need. Come, I will show you to the cellar and we will help you load your ship.”

  25. A Slight Detour

  It was after dark on Arnasi when the Kalyaliss landed. Fortunately, Lylia had been able to contact the colony from orbit and several of the fastest, strongest miners ran from the houses they were hiding in to collect the food and begin hauling it down to the Under City. Neutrino could hear the sounds of violence and blaster shots from a distance. Fizz burrowed deeper into his collar and trembled as they off-loaded the ship using a hydraulic pulley system that Darwyth had installed for just such purposes. Darwyth loaded the supplies in the cabin and lowered it to where Lylia and Neutrino were waiting below.

  “I told you we’d meet again someday,” a gruff voice said from behind Neutrino. He spun around to see Creet smiling down at him.

  “Creet!” Neutrino yelled and threw his arms around him in what he hoped was a manly hug.

  “Oomph!” Creet groaned, “Watch it there, I’m still a wee bit sore.” Neutrino remembered the ylmax attack and noticed that Creet’s left arm was tightly bound to his midsection but he appeared otherwise hale and hearty.

  “I didn’t expect to see you,” Neutrino said. “I figured you’d still be recovering.”

  “Enh, I’ve only got one arm but it’s still big enough to carry something,” he smiled.

  “It’s good to see you Creet,” Lylia added. She was pulling down another crate of vegetables and handing it to a woman about twice as wide and three times as muscular as Neutrino.

  “You as well, Lylia. We were worried about what happened to you when you didn’t return.” A loud explosion rent the air in the distance.

  “What is going on?” Neutrino asked.

  “We had to make sure the ylmax were distracted while we unloaded the supplies,” interjected Naruk. She had walked up on them while Creet and Neutrino were talking. “So some of our bravest citizens lured them to the other side of the city and have been keeping them occupied.”

  “Mistress Naruk,” Neutrino and Lylia greeted her. She still made him uncomfortable, so Neutrino turned away and retrieved another load.

  “I am most pleased to see you both,” Naruk said. Neutrino glanced back at her. There was great emotion in her voice and Neutrino thought maybe she had tears in her eyes, though it was difficult to tell in the limited light. Neutrino didn’t know what to say, so he made a joke.

  “You’re just glad to see us because we brought food.”

  “That is very welcome here.” Naruk laughed quietly. “But indeed, I am also glad that you survived. We weren’t sure you had even made it when Lylia did not return. Now here you both are, safe and whole. It gladdens me.”

  “This is the last load!” Darwyth shouted from above and waved. Neutrino returned the wave and prepared to receive the final crate.

  “And not a moment too soon,” Naruk said. “I fear our people will not be able to keep the ylmax busy for much longer.” She looked into the distance where all the noise was coming from, then reached out her hands to take a crate. “Thank you Lylia and Neutrino. I would say I will see you soon Lylia, but I think that when all is said and done you will no longer be stationed on Arnasi. Not only have you earned yourself a better position, but I’m afraid there will no longer be need of a Slipstream Port here.”

  “Why not?” Lylia asked.

  “Our scientists have tested the soil and all the early results are the same. Not only are our crops gone, but the soil is dead and will never be able to support vegetation again,” Naruk looked more disturbed than Neutrino ever remembered seeing her, even when she was begging for his help. But like a true leader, she gathered her wits and smiled at Lylia. “I wish you well, Lylia.”

  “Thank you, Mistress,” Lylia said, her face a mask of concern. She might not have loved being stationed on Arnasi, but it was obvious that Lylia held at least some affection for the people here and was bothered by this news. “I hope…well, I hope things turn out okay.” Lylia looked away. “We should go Neutrino. Goodbye Creet.” She gave the big man a nod and began the long climb back up to the ship. Then Naruk looked at Neutrino.

  “It’s hard to believe that just a few short days ago you were refusing to go back into the Slipstream, claiming you were a failure. Now here you are, saving us again.” Neutrino felt uncomfortable with her praise so he just stared down at his boots.

  “I’m just trying to help,” he mumbled.

  “And you’re good at it,” she smiled. “Because of you, we should be able to hold on until a supply ship arrives. You have our eternal gratitude. And all of us here will be praying for your success and safety on this mission, whatever it is. You will always be an honored guest in this colony, for as long as it lasts. I hope you will visit us again before we are forced to leave so we can thank you properly.” Neutrino gave a short nod and Naruk smiled again, then walked into a nearby house. Only Creet was left, standing like a giant stone statue with a crate under his good arm.

  “I guess this is goodbye again,” Creet said.

  “Yeah, but unless I get toasted on this mission, I’ll come back,” Neutrino stated. “After all, I have a friend here to visit.”

  Creet smiled. “I think you have more than one.” He raised his chin in the direction of Fizz, who was perched on Neutrino’s shoulder. Then Creet looked up the ladder where Lylia had disappeared. Neutrino smiled self-consciously.

  “I’m proud of you Neutrino,” Creet said seriously. Neutrino felt his emotions rising and stared determinedly at the streamship ladder, trying to control them.

  “Neutrino,” Darwyth called, “Lylia says we have to leave soon if we want to get back in time.” Neutrino didn’t trust his voice, so he just nodded his assent and Darwyth moved back away from the portal.

  “Anyway, I’d better get back too,” Creet smiled. “You know how Selia gets when I’m late.”

  “How are your children Creet?” Neutrino forced his throat to work. Creet’s smile faded.

  “They’re managing. We’ll get through it, together,” Creet sighed then looked at Fizz again and his smile returned. “Selia will be so disappointed that she didn’t get to meet your friend.” Neutrino patted the little Nilfrit.

  “Tell her she can meet Fizz the next time we come to visit, whether it’s here or somewhere else. I promise.”

  “I will,” Creet nodded. “Safe journeys, my friend.”

  “You as well,” he said. Neutrino wanted to hug him again, but Creet’s only good arm was occupied with the crate, so he just patted him on the shoulder. Creet smiled then disappeared into the same house Naruk had left through. Fizz chirped and nuzzled Neutrino’s cheek. Clearing his throat, Neutrino rubbed the yellow handkerchief through his left sleeve, then turned to the task at hand and began climbing the ladder to the streamship cabin.

  26. True Courage

  “What’s this?” Lylia asked with a scowl.

  A boy in white robes, clearly not Oolian, and by the looks of him only around fifteen years of age, came through the crowd of Oolians and stood before Neutrino, Lylia, and Darwyth. He had short curly brown hair and tan skin covering a plump youthful face.

  “This is Mathius,” the Oolian said with wh
at served as an arm around the boy’s shoulders, “He will come with you.”

  “But he’s too young,” Lylia said, concerned. “Even cadets at the Academy have to be at least seventeen, he’s nowhere near that.”

  “He is an accomplished telepath, and he is the only one that can do it,” the Oolian said quietly. “Yes, Lylia, Renix knows.”

  “Knows what?” Neutrino asked. Lylia huffed and crossed her arms.

  “I was just wondering if Renix knew that the Oolians couldn’t leave, but that there was a boy here who could. It seems there’s no limit to what that man will do,” she said sourly.

  “It all right,” Mathius interjected with a soft voice, “You not need worry me. I go with you, because it is…hmm, a must. It is something what has to be. I feel…hmm, fortunate to help. Sun-entity, may come to here too, soon.”

  “Please excuse him,” one of the other Oolians added, “We mostly communicate in thought, it is very different from spoken language.”

  “Oh, that’s okay,” said Darwyth with a smile, “I ain’t know to speak so good either.” Darwyth winked at the boy, and Mathius smiled back at him.

  Mathius said his goodbyes, although neither Darwyth, Lylia, or Neutrino could hear any of them, and they began the walk back to the ship, which was once again parked in the field just outside the village.

  “Mathius,” Lylia asked when they had cleared the village, “How did…?”

  “We crash,” Mathius interrupted. Then he looked up at her with a very strained expression, “Apology. I not remember to wait you finish.”

  “That’s okay, Mathius. Please continue your story.” Lylia smiled warmly and patted him on the shoulder.

  “Hmm, we crash. Long time past. Everyone, they not live. I live, with Oolians. They keep me.” Mathius frequently paused in his speech, presumably searching for the right way to say something.

  “Were you always telepathic?” Darwyth asked.