The view of the stars was magnificent, but she was also surprised to see many other islands looming like shadows in the distance. Zahn had leaned in close as he pointed out one of the small research facilities on the top of a nearby island, and when she met his gaze, they both froze for a moment, suddenly caught in the colors within each other’s eyes.
But she had pulled away. She knew there was a spark between them, but something didn’t feel quite right. It all felt too fast.
Was she nervous because Zahn was a few years younger than her? Did she feel he was immature?
If she was completely honest with herself, she had to admit that she did worry about their age difference sometimes. Last time she had felt this attracted to someone, the person was older than her. Now that she thought of it, she had never felt attracted to someone younger than her, until Zahn.
Still, the age gap was only a few years, and when she recalled everything he’d done, she realized it wasn’t fair to call him immature, just different. And different in incredible ways. She thought about how he’d left everything he’d ever known to help Oonak, and in the end, selflessly risked his life for all of them.
These thoughts filled her mind as she went to meet him farther down the silvery beach, to a flatter area where the native rockturtles often laid their eggs. Ever since they’d returned, he had checked it every day, patiently waiting for the eggs to hatch.
When she walked up to the preservation area, she noticed a row of fine, glowing dots on the sand that ran all of the way down to the water. There was no obvious source to the points of light, and Asha made a mental note to ask Zahn later. He was already kneeling on the sand farther ahead, undoubtedly where one of the rockturtle pits was.
“Heyo, Zahn,” she called out. “Did they hatch?”
He waved her over. “Thanks for coming. No, not quite yet, but look at how they shimmer in the light. Nothing else on the island looks like this, Asha. Nothing. It’s completely unique to this species.”
Asha ran over and looked into the shallow pit, which was only about a half meter wide. Inside, were dozens of small, pearlescent, rockturtle eggs, which actually did shimmer in the midday light.
“Remarkable,” she whispered, and reached out to pick one up.
“No!” Zahn grabbed her hand. “You should never touch the eggs with your hands. They identify predators by scent. If the mother were to return here to check on them, she might eat the one you touch. We’ve seen it happen before.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Don’t worry. Just don’t touch the eggs, okay?”
He had been more at ease with himself ever since the battle at Rodhas, more self-assured since he had glimpsed the radiant realm, and Asha wondered what being directly exposed to timespace felt like.
“So, do you think they’ll hatch soon?”
Zahn studied them. “Looks like it. My mom could give us a better estimate, but I’d say within the next seven days or so.”
“Great!” She stood up. “We’ll return then.”
“I just hope we’re still here then. Oonak could show up any day now.” He looked up to meet her eyes, and she noticed a sadness deep within them. “Things are changing so quickly these days, Asha. I’m not even sure we’ll ever see him again. Actually, I’m not sure what I can count on anymore.”
Asha brushed his hair back gently. “Zahn, sometimes it’s hard to let events flow to their natural place, to let life happen. But it works out in the end. You of all people should know that.”
Zahn stood up and looked out to the radiant ocean beyond. “You’re right, Asha.” He turned and smiled at her. “Thanks. So, are you ready to see the beachside trail? There’s something pretty special I want to show you.”
“Of course.”
They headed back, past the house and up a small ledge where a narrow dirt path led under the azure forest canopy. The afternoon air smelled brisk as the ocean waves kicked up spray onto rocks not far from where they were standing.
Zahn gestured for her to enter first. “The entrance, my dear.”
She bowed slightly as she entered the space under the large canopy of blue leaves, and after a moment Zahn walked beside her, noticing that she wasn’t wearing the wispy shirt and pants that she had been wearing at breakfast. Instead, she was wearing a white jumpsuit covered in small pockets that covered her arms and legs.
“You know, you didn’t have to change your clothes,” he said. “Your sleeping clothes look like they’d be perfect for a warm day like today.”
“I think you just like me in those pajamas.” Asha squinted at him playfully.
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m tempted to hide little bugs in those pockets.” Zahn winked.
“I don’t mind. Actually, I’m trying to get used to them.”
Zahn thought about the first time he’d met her, thousands of light years away in an underground hall filled with shadows and uncertainty. The beachside path was the natural opposite to such a place. Blue light bathed them from above, and they could hear the waves crash onto the sandy beach nearby.
“Well, we’re going to do some climbing, so that outfit is probably better, anyway.”
“My dad likes this design, and it was one of the only things to wear that was clean. I don’t have that many clothes with me. I never planned to leave the outpost so quickly, remember? But you can thank you-know-who for that.” Asha’s gaze drifted up to the azure canopy.
“Those marauders won’t be around much longer if I have anything to say about it. Come on,” Zahn waved for her to follow him, “we’re almost there.”
As they walked the beachside path that weaved in and out of the forest, Asha wondered when Zahn would bring up the question. He had been right; it was a big question, and she was glad he’d given her time to think it over.
The path led to the edge of the forest, giving them a prime view of the silvery beach and the pristine ocean beyond.
“This part weaves around a bit, but I think you’ll be surprised where it leads.”
Zahn walked faster, and as she followed him her senses were filled with the many sounds, sights, and smells of the forest. As they passed another scenic view of the ocean through the leaves, Asha heard murmuring birds sing faint love songs to each other.
So different from the outpost. I used to think the outpost could be an overload to the senses, but this place makes the outpost seem barren by comparison. It would be an incredible place to live.
“Almost there,” he said and climbed up onto a large boulder to one side of the path.
“We’re not climbing that, are we? Zahn, I like this tour, but I’m still pretty full from breakfast.”
“Have a little fun with it. Anyway, we have to break the rules to get where we’re going.”
He disappeared behind the boulder.
“Isn’t there a way around?” she said. “Remember last time I tried to climb something on an alien world? It didn’t go so well.”
“What?” he called back. “I didn’t hear you. Hurry up! You’re going to miss it.” There was a hint of excitement in his voice, which piqued her curiosity. What could he be up to?
“Just remember,” Asha said as she grappled with the side of the large brown boulder. “I’m a healer.” She struggled to find her footing. “Not a climber.”
“Oh, come on. You’d think after all we’ve been through, this should be easy. You’re not afraid of staining that fancy white jumpsuit, are you?”
“Shush,” she said as she reached the top. “I’m sure my dad could—” But Asha grew silent when she saw what was ahead.
Just beyond the boulder was a spectacular sight. Ahead and flowing to her left, a pristinely clear stream etched into the landscape, carving into the silvery beach and emptying out into the ocean farther down. The water was so clear that she could see all the way down to the small pebbles at the bottom. When her eyes followed the stream back up, she was stunned to see an almost perfectly smooth wall of water, wide enough so t
hat a scout ship might even fit inside.
Asha jumped down from the boulder to where Zahn was standing beside the stream. His eyes were still fixed on his wristcomm, a loop of silvery metal that served as a profound multi-functional tool, providing illumination, temperature readings, communication, language translation, and more.
“About one more minute.”
“One minute? For what?”
“Shh!”
They stood in silence, and Asha admired the waterfall in its simple perfection.
“Almost,” he said.
Asha felt confused but remained silent. And as it flowed over the smooth rock from above, the wall of water glowed with a faint golden light. As they watched it, the glow grew brighter.
“How is that happening?” she said.
“Guess.”
“Photo-sensitive minerals?”
“Nope. You’re thinking too hard. What changed?”
“Oh! The sun.”
“Yep. Our sun is shining through a large crevice on the far side of the waterfall. We can’t see the crevice from here, but when the sunlight hits it just right…”
“So the light is hitting the waterfall from behind?”
“And to the side. Pretty cool, huh?”
“It’s lovely.” Asha smiled. “Thank you for showing me.”
The waterfall flowed as a living wall of gold now.
“Of course.”
They stood shoulder to shoulder in silence for some time, gazing at the golden splendor before them.
She turned to him. “Any other secrets about the waterfall I should know about?”
“Well, not unless you want to go to the observatory.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Maybe one day, I’ll show you.” Zahn turned to her and gazed deeply into her warm, brown eyes. The afternoon light gave her olive skin a heavenly glow, and her dark brown hair flowed down over her shoulders. In the short time he had known her, she had somehow grown even more beautiful than when he’d first seen her in that dark hall.
“You know, I’m really glad you’re here, Asha. And after we find you and your father a place to stay, I want to take you up to NearSky base.” A smile crept across his face. “I feel like the cliffs are calling out to us, even in this very moment.”
Asha bit her lip as tension grew within her. “Actually, Zahn, we should talk about that. I’ve thought about your question. I’ve thought about it a lot, actually. And I talked to my father about it, too.”
“And?”
Asha took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Zahn. I don’t think staying here is the right thing to do. There are people near the outpost who need us. The marauders keep getting worse, and there’s no guarantee that we’ll ever be able to close up the wormhole they’re coming in through. ”
Zahn’s expression fell, and all he could look at were the small pebbles at his feet.
“Please remember,” she took his hand, “the outpost has been my home since I was small. Do you have any idea how much work my father and I did to carve that place out from what it was? It’s a part of me. I’m sorry, Zahn, I just can’t commit to staying on Avani. I hope you can understand.”
“I think I do.” He looked into her eyes coldly and let go of her hand. “You’re afraid.”
“What are you talking about? We have a responsibility, Zahn. Do you know how many people live in the Outpost Ring? They’re counting—”
He cut her off. “That’s not the point. You’re afraid. I can feel it. Did you forget what we accomplished? We have the Tulari. You know what it’s capable of, Asha. With the Confederation on our side, who can stand against us?”
“We can’t be everywhere, Zahn! Who is going to help the people out there on the edge if we’re not there? Tell me who!” Asha caught herself. She didn’t mean to raise her voice.
“That’s exactly my point. If we’re divided, we’re more vulnerable. I think you’re making a bad strategic decision.”
Asha heard a ringing in her left ear but ignored it. “I didn’t realize my personal decisions had to be strategic. I’m sorry. I’m just being honest. I’m not ready to move here.”
“Good.” Zahn folded his arms. “Honesty is all I ever wanted.”
Asha climbed up over the boulder and jumped down to the other side. Zahn climbed after her.
“But I hope you realize that you’re choosing to live in a dead, hollowed-out rock.” Zahn jumped down off of the boulder. “That’s all Outpost 33 is, Asha!”
“That’s totally unfair and untrue!” Asha called back as she followed the path. “You know how important our work is.”
Zahn ran after her. “You know what else isn’t fair? That I care so much about a person who’s terrified to get close to anyone!”
“Stop it, Zahn! You’ve gone too far, and I’m not listening to this anymore.” Asha marched off even faster, but he ran to catch up with her.
“Then tell me I’m wrong,” he said, calmer now. “Tell me you’re not afraid.”
“I’m not, you idiot!” Although they walked side by side, she wouldn’t look at him.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Of course you don’t, Zahn! And I’m not surprised. You’ve become blind.” The words came out of her like venom, stinging Zahn’s face.
Asha stopped walking, took a deep breath, and locked her eyes with his. “Look, I’m sorry if this doesn’t match your vision of the future, and if I were in your position I’d take stock of my life and refocus on what I want. New vision, new job, new—”
“What?” Zahn stopped her. “Why would I need a new job?”
“Didn’t you talk to your mo—” Asha froze and a sinking feeling formed in the pit of her stomach.
“Talk to my mom about what?” Zahn’s eyes darted across her face. “What’s going on with my job, Asha?”
Asha pursed her lips and looked away. “I’m not supposed to say anything.”
“Oh, no.” The color left his face.
Asha struggled for words. “Just… forget it.”
A look of knowing came over Zahn’s face like a shadow.
“It was my absence. I forgot to tell them, didn’t I?” He shook his head. “I forgot to tell them. I knew, Asha. I was going to, and I… I got the lens from the shelf, and I was going to message them. And Oonak came.”
“You might be able to—I mean, your mom said—”
Zahn shot her a fiery glance. “Do you know how long it takes to rebuild trust on an island, Asha?”
“I’m sorry, Zahn.” She searched his face, but it had gone blank. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Not anymore.”
Without another word, he turned his back to her and walked directly into the thick of the forest.
“Zahn! Where are you going?”
He didn’t respond, continuing into the mass of blue leaves.
“Hey, this isn’t the end! We still have a mission!” Her pleas seemed to be consumed by the forest itself. “Zahn, I’m sorry. Where are you going?”
“I’m sorry, too,” she thought she heard him say, and he slowly dissolved into the blue.
She brushed some leaves aside and stepped into the thick forest beside the path. Up ahead, she thought she heard the sound of footsteps, and as fast as possible she pushed through the mass of indigo vines and fallen trees.
Asha froze, listening for a sound, but she couldn’t hear him.
“Zahn!” she called out. “Running doesn’t help anyone!”
She listened again, but all she could hear were the murmuring birds and the faint sound of waves crashing behind her. He grew up beside this forest. How could she possibly expect to find him if he didn’t want her to?
The jungle towered all around Asha, and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. How could she have done this? How could she have assumed that he’d talked to Darshana? Somehow, she’d managed to crush two of his dreams at once, and she wondered whether, given the same circumstances, she might run off into t
he forest, too.
CHAPTER 4
A MADMAN FULL OF ENERGY
Zahn felt as though an eruption might explode out of his chest. In the space of an hour, Asha had rejected him and let slip that the observatory had rejected him, as well. He huffed and puffed in the crisp air. It was all he could do to keep from screaming.
He knew the observatory policy, so he couldn’t say he was surprised. But how could he have forgotten to tell them he was leaving? Emergency leave was granted all the time. All he had to do was send one simple message.
But he hadn’t.
He continued to push through the thick blue forest, not entirely sure where he was going, like a madman full of energy and no plan.
Maybe Asha was right. Maybe he was an idiot.
Why had he assumed she would stay? In the moment, he felt like she had wanted to, but how could he be sure it wasn’t just his own wishful thinking? She would leave now, and he might never see her again.
On top of that, he’d violated the trust of the observatory directors, the place he’d worked so hard to get assigned to. The place he believed he would do his best work. And now, with the Vakragha undoubtedly planning revenge, it was the only place on the islands where he would be able to detect their approach.
Unless he could get to Navika.
With Oonak’s starship, he could use the Tulari to solve the marauder problem forever. After all, the Tulari stone didn’t really have a choice. Just by flying it into an open wormhole, the Tulari would seal up the wormhole automatically. It was as natural as two opposing magnets repelling each other.
But would Navika take him anywhere alone?
He tried to stop his mind from racing. It was a crazy idea.
Would Navika do it?
Even if he would, it was reckless and dangerous.
Completely crazy. Completely tempting, too.
Ahead of him, he saw a limestone structure peek through the leaves, and soon found himself back behind his house.
The question came to his mind once more.
Would Navika take him?
Perhaps with some convincing, he would. After all, Navika must have missed Oonak, too.
The Island on the Edge of Forever (The Epic of Aravinda Book 2) Page 3
