Arnica

by I. Christie

  "Could be anywhere. But we'll give it a try." Amonic gave the men a stern look.

  "Okay. Let's move out," Alexandra said. She signed to Vanstar that she wanted to speak with Wetfoot so Vanstar dropped back to cover their flank and assist E'l.

  "Have you heard of any problems with the colonists and the local government?"

  she asked in a language she knew the colonists would not understand.

  "There's some small groups that resist any mixing with the planet's populace."

  "What happened?"

  The corporal shook her head, looking at the commander with a wry smile. "You know the brass isn't going to tell us grungies anything unless they think we need to know."

  "So, what do you know?"

  Cpl. Wetfoot grinned at the commander's persistence. "The authorities of this planet visited each colonist's group giving them an incentive to integrate into their society. The colonists that are still living out here, they didn't want to give up their ways, and told the representatives to shove off. When the officials put pressure on them, the colonist used weapons of mass destruction to black-mail the representatives to leave them alone." She gestured to the south of them. "Their demonstration of it's destruction was still evident when we arrived. They wiped out an entire town, Commander. Poisoned every living creature on the land. I understand there was no retribution. They isolated the colonists. The admiral ordered the scientists aboard Emperors to undo the damage to the land but I understand he didn't ask the local authorities before doing it. The admiral got bent out of shape when the locals told him not to mess with their planet again unless asked by the Queen. He and some others see this as a backward planet that should be awed at our advanced technology. That's when we begain to notice none of our technology worked planet side."

  So, it was just as JoCastao suspected, Alexandra thought. This breach of the colonizing laws and coalition membership had the possibility of fracturing future relationships between the two galaxies. She wondered why the admiral did it. He would not have been given this job unless he was qualified.

  "So this planet is nonviolent," Alexandra said.

  "More so than you can image. Arnicans have some strange ideas on…" Wetfoot glanced at the commander amused, "well, for example, overpopulation and speaking ill of someone is lumped with pollution. You see, Commander, the majority of people on this planet see thoughts as images. They see auras, pick up on feelings, and know if you're lying or not."

  "Which, unless you've worked around shamans and the like, you would be paranoid," Alexandra guessed.

  "I think when the official ambassador met with the authorities something happened that caused a restriction placed on our visits to their planet. General Mcarn attempted to undo whatever harm was done, but…" she shook her head. "I'm not sure if the general took his aides council seriously and he messed up on his own prejudices."

  "How is it that you're comfortable here?"

  "Both sides of my family are mantes. Doesn't always bode well for a soldier, but I've been lucky with my COs and crewmates, Commander."

  When Alexandra was a child, she learned early on that some species were paranoid about empaths, or anyone that dealt in things that they could not see. Alexandra had believed that in a military whose membership was composed of over a thousand planets, the corps would be composed of so many different species that differences and commonalities would be a norm; however, some individuals in high places, advanced their prejudices.

  It was several hours before nightfall when Alexandra brought the small group to a halt under the shelter of a large old tree. Everyone was exhausted. The guardian of the area had graciously showed her this area. Alexandra could see wood sylphs hovering about, watching over their domain. Occasionally, the men would glance over their shoulders uneasily. Alexandra wondered what they feared since the sylphs were not threatening, only concerned. She was also puzzled why the others did not see the life moving around them when her own sight of them was getting sharper.

  While the others set about erecting a shelter the men insisted on having, Alexandra and Amonic looked for edibles. She took the opportunity of grubbing to feel out what the planet offered in nourishment. What she chose to add to their meal was guided by a small sylph. It shimmered near each plant indicating what was good to eat.

  Amonic was more intent on searching for one particular herb that Alexandra knew to be too bitter for her taste buds. The sylph did not indicate it as a choice for their meal. For someone that had insisted they knew nothing about plant life, he did know how and where to find that particular plant.

  It was dusk when everyone found a place around the cookpit to eat. The cooking gear came from three military packs, making it a lot easier to create a tasty soup from the vegetables they had found. Alexandra, Vanstar and Wetfoot were the only ones that had eating utensils, but the others did not mind, noisily slurping the soup and chewing loudly with their mouths opened. Burps and belches from the three men caused Alexandra to think maybe it was a culture thing and they were complimenting the cook.

  The night went by without incident. The next morning, Wetfoot attended E'l's injuries, which all but disappeared. But for the bruising on her leg, her broken bones had knitted. Alexandra thought her slower healing was because of malnutrition. E'l remained passive, still not speaking or offering any sign of communication. Alexandra would have thought the men were ignoring her completely if she had not noticed that one man was always within hearing distance.

  On the third day of their march, Alexandra knew they were being followed. There was no feel of danger from their silent stalker so she kept on, however, she did make sure Vanstar and Wetfoot were aware. Alexandra sensed only curiosity from their tails so she made sure neither soldier took it upon themselves to deviate off the path to investigate further.

  It was growing dark when Alexandra received an image of a cave surrounded by thick brush. She changed direction, climbing over boulders and finally stopped in front of a cave opening.

  "We'll spend the night in here."

  "We've moved into the highlands. It will be near freezing once the sun is gone."

  "We'll need wood for a fire then. Take nothing that is not already dead and on the ground," she reminded Cpl. Wetfoot.

  The Corporal nodded and left with Sys'mara tailing her.

  "A fire! If not the smoke then the smell of burning wood will draw the Salukis'

  warriors down on us. We've been lucky so far," Amonic objected in a firm tone.

  "We've been followed since we crossed the river," Alexandra said. "Right now, they're just curious."

  "Looks like it'll be safe enough. Can't see any bioforms that might drop on us,"

  Vanstar offered, angling her head with her goggles on, checking corners, walls and ceiling. The interior sparkled as soon as one of the colonists came in with a torch he had fashioned. "Water too. Seems like we have just about everything here." Vanstar removed her goggles.

  Alexandra moved to the edge of the underground river to study the water that disappeared into the side of the cave wall. She knelt at the edge and shinned her torch to see what could be on the other side of the wall. There was nothing more than what her goggles showed. Dipping a hand into the cold water, the spirit of the cave was awakened.

  She gave her prayers of homage, feeling the tingle of connection.

  Sounds from behind her reminded her preparations for their meal was underway.

  Vanstar was digging a shallow pit. Alexandra assisted, encircling the pit with stones, setting aside two flat rocks to add to the coals later.

  "Is this what you were looking for, Commander?" Wetfoot and Jer entered the cave with handfuls of pepper.

  "Sure is. We'll save it for tomorrow. No sense in eating it tonight and having dreams that drive us to distraction." Alexandra accepted the handful of leaves and peppers from Wetfoot. For a moment, she thought she felt something from the woman

  …discomfort or annoyance.

  "I thought it was a counterac
tion to the solanaceae?"

  The tone of the question broke her concentration. "It is. But eating it without the solanaceae has the same effect as a pinch of solanaceae," she replied.

  Wetfoot had left the cave, looking like she needed space. Alexandra went to join her. Wetfoot was leaning back against the rock face, looking at the stars.

  "Commander," she greeted softly. "That cluster there." Wetfoot pointed to the left of Alexandra. "If you want to find your way back to the castle, it will be four-0-niner F

  on your HR." She gave a short laugh, "Provided your's still works. The locals call it the Vixen. See the swash of stars that make it look like a bushy tail?"

  "To me, it looks more like a monkey scratching another monkey's back."

  Alexandra was never good at finding recognizable creatures in star patterns. "Think I may need to borrow the Trojan Horse again?"

  She shrugged her shoulders. "Arnican storytellers say that at one time they only had one season all year around, neither hot nor cold. It was a tropical paradise. It was like ancient earth before the supernova fragments of Phaeton crashed into the planet, causing it's tilt and ending that particular golden era. However, their supernova was in the form of consciousness, which changed all life on this planet. Some feel another such change of consciousness is approaching. The majority of the inhabitants believe that's why there's

  an eruption of bad behavior among Arnicans. They are frightened of the impending change."

  Alexandra relaxed against the stone and looked at the dark silhouette of the corporal. "I know you didn't hear that from anyone on Emperors and not from these colonists . "

  "No." The smile in her voice was unmistakable. "Before the admiral got a twisted tail about the Arnicans, and curtailed our visits planetside my squad was on recon in a small village, mingling in with the locals with no problem. I heard this woman speaking in a language I understood, which amazed me, so I stopped to listen. It was a teaching story about the change, Itechi. Itechi is a planet wide movement of consciousness on all levels. For the souls that can't rise to the next level, they perish in their present form to reincarnate on a more appropriate planet. Those that can withstand the rise in vibration move up. You'll notice soon enough, that many on this planet exist in the 4th dimension while we, the visitors, live in the 3rd. I'm guessing you've been seeing and feeling things your lieutenant can't see or those colonists. That means you're closer to 4th dimension than your lieut. It also means, your body as it ingests the foods from here, will start to see more of the population. For example, back at the farm, the farm workers were watching the colonists damage their harvest. The guaridians of the field came over to stop the men from their reckless disregard."

  "Where were they? I was up on the tractor and saw no one?"

  "4th dimension is seen more of as an outline of…" In the dark she studied the profile of Commander Alexandra for a few moments. By the movment of her head, she knew what she was talking about.

  "You need to be careful around those men. They call themselves the Hands of Retribution. Anyone, male or female that attempts to escape from their village is hunted down. They bring the offending member back to the village for retribution, and not in very good shape. They are firmly entrenched in the 3rd dimension and even if they can't see the majority of the citizens on this planet, they know they're there and do all they can to bring them grief."

  "So, who is he hunting?"

  "E'l. She's the holder of the village hearthstone or heartstone, depending on who tells it. It's the only position of power a woman can hold in their village. Have you wondered why she hasn't said anything? They cut the vocal cords of all females. They're merely chattels for the boys and men folk."

  "They sound like the Boyots," Alexandra remarked.

  "That's exactly who they are. The last of their group, I hope."

  "Commander?"

  The two women turned to look at Vanstar standing on a rise. Behind her they could see the outline of a colonist against the sky.

  "Dinner's just about ready."

  "Thanks, Lieutenant. Have you told this to Lt. Vanstar?"

  "No, Commander. I don't want the men to overhear me. They can be brutal with their thoughts and I'm not really up to a fight on that low level."

  Vanstar's eyes became slits at hearing this last bit. "Commander?"

  "She'll tell you when you two are not near any of the men, but remember the Boyots?"

  "Damn their souls!" she swore softly. "Yeah. Some of the colonists follow that sanctimonious barf?" She got a nod from the two women. "I thought that religion died out. So, they sent some of their disciples over here, did they?" To Vanstar things now made sense and strengthened her resolve to keep the three men at a distance as well under close watch. To them, anything was okay to do to nonbelievers, who was anyone that disagreed with them including members of their own faction.

  The group sat around the fire, with the men noticeably sitting grouped together.

  Wetfoot handed around the food and Sys'mara took three servings and added seeds to the food, then handed them the two men, keeping one. The tubers, herbs and berries, had been mixed into a sweet tasting paste, using the tough squash skin for a dish. It made it easy to use fingers for scooping out the tasty mix.

  "How can you eat that stuff?" Lt. Vanstar asked Amonic as he liberally sprinkled more of the bitter tasting seeds on his meal.

  "You develop a taste for it. You want to try it?"

  "No thanks. I can smell it all the way over here. It stinks."

  "You stay here long enough, you'll be adding it to your..."

  "If she doesn't want it, she doesn't want it. More for us," Jer told Amonic crankily.

  Jer glared at Vanstar and then went back to his meal.

  Alexandra noticed that Wetfoot was not adding it to her food and the dish she handed E'l was also without seeds. E'l took a space that was away from them all.

  Before they settled for the night, Alexandra, Wetfoot and Vanstar made biscuits of the legumes and added chopped bits of the small pepper to it. They laid them over the flat rocks that sat on top of the embers to make them nice and crispy. It would make it easier to eat while on the march.

  Alexandra prepared for sleep, blessing and protecting her sleeping space.

  While the others settled down for sleep, Jer and Vanstar took the first watch. He was not looking too pleased but they had drawn lots and somehow, Vanstar managed to pull duty with him. Alexandra suspected that the lieutenant pulled a slight of hand to get the two on the same watch.

  Snapping sparks from the fire floated up, winking out before they reached any great height in the cavern. Alexandra couldn't sleep. Lying on the ground intensified her connection with the planet. Rolling on her back she went over in her mind what she had learned from the HR before it became useless.

  Arnicans elected members from three of the four continents to a general council.

  These members discussed the business of the planet. Allint, the first continent was ruled by a hereditary ruler, Queen M'Lu. She was considered the highest authority on the planet. All inhabitants of the planet went to her if they had a serious decision and needed council or arbitration to an argument. Anyone that wished to have an audience with her merely contacted one of the monks at the many monasteries she maintained. She imagined an emissary from the monastery answered the questions in the monarch's name.

  She wondered how she could go about contacting this queen to ask her about the colonists. With that thought, she fell asleep.

  Evanstar woke Alexandra just before dawn.

 

  Alexandra rolled to her side and rose. Stretching and looking about her, she noted the others were still sleeping, with the exception of Vanstar whose eyes opened at her movement. Alexandra did not doubt E'l was awake also.

  Her dreams had been busy with receiving information on the planet as though she were listening to a subliminal tape. The planet was a virtual garden of delight to those that were sensitive. From
her dream, she gathered the longer a person ingested foods from the planet and lived here, the more enhanced ones abilities became. She wondered how those that did not posses psychic abilities felt living here, and what ingesting the seeds the colonists gathered was doing to their own sensitivities. Just then, a movement pulled her attention away from her private reflections.

  The spirit of the cave moved from the water and filled the cavern. Pulling her legs into a sukhasana pose, she closed her eyes and concentrated on her heart chakra, letting her energy radiate out into the cave. She offered the spirit her heartfelt thanks for letting them stay safely within its space, and what it had offered to her in her dreamtime. The spirit magnified her love and sent it back to Alexandra.

  When Alexandra opened her eyes, the others were awakening with groans and mutterings. It was difficult to wake up in a pleasant mood after sleeping on the hard ground.

  Vanstar nodded to Alexandra when everyone was ready to move out. They would be eating the fruit they had gathered along their way while traveling. There was no argument from the colonists at the inconvenience; in fact, they seemed to want to leave quickly.

  Vanstar stayed close behind her commander, not comfortable with the commander's growing detachment from the group, and not happy with the colonists. She also was irritated with the conversation she had with Jer. He admitted with pride that his village was part of the Boyot cult.

  Alexandra could feel the change of energy as each new guardian of an area touched her. To each she sent out a thank you for allowing them to pass through their territory safely.

  Before the sun rose to mark noon, Alexandra held up her hand, which was repeated quickly by Vanstar. Turning her head to one side, to get a better view of what her senses were showing her, Alexandra stood taller, straightening the kink out of her back. There was no form to this guardian, as with the others. The guardian honored those that were up ahead, for they paid homage to it, but it also felt since Alexandra honored it, she owed her a warning.