by Joyce Lavene
"We can't just sit here and farm for them, Kat. As much as I understand that they need the security of knowing that they'll be fed and their children can be born, we'll have to deal with Guardsman and ENCOM as well as the ECHO and Central Alliance. The disposition of this world depends on what we do next."
"And that is?"
"Find a way to convince the Chrysalines that we can protect them. That our individual groups will work for them if they let us get in touch with them."
A small group of Chrysalines approached them, their eyes wide on them as they spoke aloud. Kat took her hand and Gael nodded as the group offered to take them through the rest of the caverns.
Gael wished for the freedom of her uniform as she held the bulky white robe away from her feet, following the Chrysalines. The paths were mostly smooth but some were steep and awkward to negotiate. She watched Kat move down the path, seemingly not inhibited by the garment. His movements were graceful and elegant. Of course they wore robes a great deal of the time on Ria.
Kat took her hand as they entered a warm, dark hollow. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the change. The phosphorescent gleam in the outer cavern was gone here. Nothing living grew there. The rocky plateau was dry and harsh. Along the walls hung white cocoons, Chrysalines waiting to be born. Some of them were shriveled and destroyed.
They will not be born. In the higher caves, all of the young have been lost this way.
With a feeling of deep sorrow, Gael and Kat followed them out of the cave and along a steep ledge. The hard, colored shell was the final transformation from the young into the adult form. They explained the details of the process. It was a natural part of their existence. Gael wondered if it was painful but was assured instantly that it was not. It was simply a change from their present form into a shell that contained their essence, ready to emerge when enough time had passed for maturity.
There were only a few of those shells that survived in a larger cavern high above the water and trees. Gael recalled that one of these near adults had given its life for her. Her resolve strengthened that they must find a way to save the race for the future. She wanted to see another adult born on this world, one for the life that had been lost for her.
Other caves were busy with activity as the Chrysalines still sought to preserve the images of their world on their stunning tapestries. These were constructed of the same fiber as their robes, spun by the Chrysalines from their own bodies when it was time for one of the young to be born. The fiber contained their eggs that would become the next generation. The remnants were dyed and formed into cloth for their tapestries as well as their robes and food containers. Nothing was wasted.
Gael looked at the tapestries being created. Some were of the green cavern with its water and trees. Flowers glowed in the light of their artificial sun. Most were dark. Black and gray, with images of death and hopelessness for the future. She looked into the eyes of one of the smaller Chrysalines whose pattern was one of gray shadows. She wanted to speak, to reassure, but the words wouldn't come and she turned away. How could she promise a future when she wasn't certain that there would be one?
The Chrysalines' act of protection was a strong act of aggression that could lead to war unless it was handled correctly. Nothing of the sort had happened in Gael's lifetime. It was difficult to predict how Central would react. She heard the excited chiming in her head and glanced at Kat but he was listening as well. She didn't know what they were saying but she could feel their fear. "What is it?"
"It may be too late." He got up quickly from the rock where they'd been sitting. "Guardsman has sent another ship. A warship accompanies them from Central. And they plan to restart the processor."
Gael shot up. "Which the Chrysalines won't let them do."
"We have to stop them." He ran towards the outer corridor.
Gael followed him down the treacherous path, through the corridors and into a small chamber that was filled with fearful but determined Chrysalines.
Chapter Twenty
Arcon was slightly above them all on a rocky pinnacle, his wings shimmering with his anger.
"Take my hand." Kat stood beside Gael in the crowd.
The chiming sound became language though the emotions behind it were more chaotic. Apparently, many of the Chrysalines were urging Arcon to simply get rid of the outsiders that hovered over their world.
You cannot. Kat entered into the fray. To kill without reason, without warning, is murder. There are many beings on the ships. You must give them a chance to leave.
The voices became blurred in the ensuing argument. Clearly, they were divided. Some wanted to fight. Others called for peaceful negotiation.
And what is your voice, sister warrior? Arcon singled Gael from the group with his eyes.
The chiming voices became silent. They waited, impatiently, for her words.
She clutched Kat's hand tightly. The Chrysalines were on the brink of a war they couldn't win. What she said could make a difference. It had to be good.
Very good, Kat agreed.
What has been done to your world is wrong, Gael began. It is also a mistake that can be corrected without the use of further violence. Let me talk to them. Let me tell them of your power. Let me persuade them. If I can't, then we will have no choice but to fight.
Kat freed her hand as though it were a snake. He stared down at her with blue fire in his eyes. "What are you saying? The compliment of those ships is at least as great as the freighter. They can't be killed because they don't agree with what we think is right."
"The best we can hope to do is gain some time. We have to get ENDO and ECHO here, Kat. Central will destroy this planet if there's another incident."
"It would be better to keep the processor shut down. They can't hurt the Chrysalines without it."
"These people don't sound to me like they are going to be happy babysitting the Guardsman ship while they constantly try new and innovative ways to destroy their world. We have to get them to help us send a message and we have to hope we can make ENDO and ECHO understand." Gael glanced significantly around them at the angry faces, the frightened eyes. Defiantly, she took his arm, daring him with her eyes to retrieve it.
Arcon and the others were watching them in amazement.
We can work this out. No one needs to do anything desperate yet. She stared fiercely into Kat's angry face. His eyes blazed into hers but his hand clasped her wrist tightly. They might have been in a stance of mortal combat to the Chrysalines who watched them. We must find a way to get word to our leaders.
We will try to communicate with the beast, Arcon agreed, despite muffled protests from some of the others. We trust you to know the words. Make them understand.
Gael's gaze, locked with Kat's, became narrowed and blurred. She heard herself call his name and felt his arms go around her as she slid to the floor. Kat protested that she wasn't ready but it was too late. Lightheaded, her heart pounding loudly as though she'd made too rapid a descent in the cruiser, she saw his face waver before her eyes.
It was very dark, cold, and empty. She rushed through a void, spiraling upward faster until she thought that she would fly apart. She felt him there, anchoring her, holding her. Everything around her exploded. Bright lights whirled, then righted themselves. Someone shouted.
Stunned and speechless, she found herself on the Central ship, on the bridge. A full crew of officers stared wordlessly at her.
"Who are you?" One man stepped forward boldly. "How did you get here?"
Gael cleared her throat and looked at them, trying to get her bearings. "I'm-uh- Lieutenant Gael Klarke. ENDO. I need to speak to whomever is in charge of this mission."
No one moved. She felt her resolve shorn up by the countless lives depending on her. Her head came up and her eyes blazed. "I want to speak to your captain. Now!"
"Captain Hiro Onsetia, Lieutenant." A short, round man came forward. "How did you get here?"
"That's a story we don't have time for, Captain. You must abort
this mission; a mission I might add, that is illegal at this time."
"Illegal?" He snorted. "On whose authority? We have orders to restart this processor, Lieutenant. The orders come directly from Guardsman control. We followed a freighter that has been lost -- "
"Destroyed, Captain," she interrupted impatiently. "As you will be if you persist. There are life forms on the planet below. They won't hesitate to destroy you if you make any move to restart the processor. This is the only warning you'll receive."
"Life forms?" The captain laughed. "Lieutenant, Guardsman has mined this planet for hundreds of years. There are no life forms down there."
"Captain," Gael continued, "if my authority as a senior ENDO officer isn't enough to make you change your mind, contact ENCOM. The Chrysalines will wait while you do."
"Security!" The captain called out. "Take this woman into custody until we can validate her claims."
"That's not possible." She watched as two, armed men approached her.
They tried to take her into custody but found that there was nothing on their bridge but the sight and sound of her.
"I'm here with you only by the good graces of the Chrysalines. Contact ENCOM, Captain."
"My order stands." Captain Onsetia set his chin. "Are we in line?"
A young woman whose gaze never left Gael's form affirmed that they were in line with the planet.
"Then start the processor."
Let me help. Kat's thoughts meshed with hers.
What can you do?
We can stop them, at least temporarily. I can show you what to do. Work with me.
Gael closed her eyes, her training rebelling for an instant. She felt the smooth warmth of Kat's energy join hers. She adjusted, letting the thoughts flow, following the outline of Kat's plan.
The man at the control panel would have followed the captain's order to restart the processor but suddenly, he was seized by an intense urge to find something, something that was missing. He wandered from the control area.
The two security guards who were at Gael's side, found themselves grasping each other while Gael's form had moved towards the captain. Rushing to his aid, the two guards lunged at Gael, taking the captain to the floor in her place. The ensuing fight on the bridge was loud and furious, dragging the whole bridge crew into the mindset. Sparks flew from the control console as weapons fire razed the inner hull, bringing the ship's basic power down to life support.
"That should keep them for a while," Gael reported as she found herself back down on the planet.
"We need to contact ENDO and ECHO. We can only keep them at this for a while."
I am not satisfied with this communication, Arcon told them. There is no understanding. Only trickery.
With time will come understanding. We need to contact our leaders, others who can help. Give us this time.
Gael could feel Kat's impassioned plea for the Guardsman's lives shiver through her new- found awareness.
They are not able to function, Arcon decided at last. The beast has not been brought back to life. I will grant this time for peace between us. Contact your friends.
Chapter Twenty-one
ENCOM wasn't quiet. Nothing was settled but there was only so much one being could do. Menor had just decided that he was one being who'd done enough for the night. He moved restlessly to his bed.
The past few days had been a nightmare. Since the beginning of the investigation of the disappearance of the Guardsman freighter, ECHO and ENDO had been in collective chaos. He had pushed aside his own personal sense of loss over Gael's death to deal with the backlash that had strained relationships between the two organizations.
When it was learned that the mission had been kept secret from all but a few key individuals, there was a general call to arms. Central had put their hand into the affair as well.
Why not? He stirred restlessly, trying to find one short night of peace. There was a Guardsman freighter with its entire complement missing along with ECHO-ENDO agents! It was a disaster! And Lanier had left him to clean up the mess, staying silent in her quarters.
Menor?
He opened his eyes, blinking furiously, then he sat straight up in bed. "Oh -- oh my. Oh, Gael. I've dreamed of you so many -- you're dead?"
"Not exactly." She frowned. "Get yourself together, Menor."
"You look like an angel." His eyes widened as he glanced up and down the white robe she wore. It seemed to shimmer in the dim light.
"My uniform was destroyed and the Chrysalines gave me this robe. Menor, I'm not dead. At least not yet. I need your help."
"What can I do? Who are the Chrysalines?"
"It's complicated but you need to order a cruiser for yourself and Lanier. Now."
"What? A cruiser?"
"I need you to be at the Chrysalis planet, R 12, as soon as possible. I'll give you the details as you travel."
"Lanier -- "
" -- will meet you at the dock. I've already seen her. Just get ready and leave right away. So many lives are depending on you."
Menor had a hard time taking it in and wasn't sure after Gael had left if he'd dreamed the whole thing or just hallucinated it. Of course, he wasn't going out to that planet, what had she called it? Chrysalis? The thought of space travel made him nauseous.
"Menor!" His private channel blinked at Lanier's impatient voice.
He pushed the network switch and pulled his blanket up over his nightclothes. "Yes?"
"You aren't ready yet?"
He couldn't believe it! Her hair was uncombed and she was wearing a fuzzy robe in a strange shade of purple.
"For goodness sake, Menor. Stop staring and get moving! We must be on our way. I've ordered a cruiser at Dock 27. I'll meet you there." The channel went dead.
So it was true? Or at least Lanier believed it was true. Gael was alive and she had visited him. He threw some clothing into a pile on his bed and dressed with a speed he hadn't known he possessed. On the way to the dock area, he realized that he'd forgotten his shoes but there wasn't time to go back for them. He surprised a young cadet at the docking platform. "I-uh-need your shoes, Agent."
He seemed about the right size. Menor could only hope he wouldn't question his authority and force him to explain the situation. The young man didn't turn a hair. He took off his shoes and handed them to Menor, not so much as a smile playing on his lips. "Thanks." Menor smiled sheepishly, taking the shoes. "I'll see you get some new ones -- uh -- " He read the man's name tag, "Jackson."
"Thank you, sir," Jackson replied calmly.
Menor marveled at ENDO training as he shuffled along the docking area. The shoes were a size too large.
Lanier was already waiting in the cruiser, a larger model than Gael had left in since they would have a pilot and an armed escort for Lanier's benefit. The councilwoman had a private cabin as well. Menor would have to make do with sharing quarters with the other three officers. "If we are cleared, let's go!"
"If I might have a moment in private?" Menor approached her.
"Message coming through for you, Councilwoman," the pilot told her from the COM panel.
"I'll take it on my screen." Lanier motioned Menor into her cabin.
"Kalamir, Sadah Lanier." Juroh, the only Rian ECHO leader, greeted her. "I trust you had a similar experience this night?"
Menor couldn't believe his eyes as he took in the sight of the Rian dressed in a sleeping robe, his hair standing on end. He had clearly left his bed only moments before. Was everyone going mad?
"Indeed we have, Juroh, Sadoh," she replied, delighted. "It was your Officer Astri, I presume?"
"Yes. We have mourned him, thinking him dead but he has found his way back to us. Your Agent Klarke?"
"Alive and well. Only detained while this happened. It's as we feared." Lanier frowned. "Can the damage be reversed?"
"We don't know as yet. Kalatri has asked us to wait for further information as we come to the planet. Chrysalis." He raked a hand through his dark blonde hair as his
stately, handsome face altered suddenly.
"Chrysalis." She nodded her own graying head, smiling tremulously. "I'll leave you now, Sadoh. I must prepare for our visit. I'm sure there are some things you must attend to?"
"Indeed." He returned her smile with a dazzling one of his own. "Until later, Sadah."
The screen went blank. Menor thought Lanier's shoulders slumped slightly then she pushed herself upright and turned to face him. "Yes, Menor?"
"This might not be the right time -- "
"It probably isn't but continue."
"What's going on? Why is this mission so strange? Gael." He blushed." Lieutenant Klarke asked me much the same thing. I didn't know what to tell her except what you'd told me. I mean -- "
"And that's all I wanted you to tell her. We're nearing the conclusion to all this, Menor. The Chrysalis planet. It will explain everything."
Menor thought he would have to make do with that crumb when the screen lit up behind her. Gael, accompanied this time by Kalatri Astri, came up on the COM.
Lanier turned abruptly, going to the panel. She tried to adjust the control. "You're very blurry, Lieutenant. Your signal is very weak."
"We aren't exactly transmitting by conventional means," Gael explained. "The Chrysalines have amplified Officer Astri's own natural ability to telepath across space. We're sending this message simultaneously to ENDO and ECHO as well as Central government. This is too important for any one agency to contain."
"We understand," Lanier agreed. "Please continue."
"I believe you do understand, Councilwoman. You and Juroh. You both set this up together because of messages you received telepathically from the Chrysalines before the processor was shut down."
Menor was stunned.
Lanier only sighed. "Yes. It's true. It's been an impossible situation. We weren't able to determine the full extent of what had happened, especially not personally, without causing undue speculation that would hurt the situation more. We knew what was likely to happen with Guardsman and the processor if they went in alone so we sent you two in, hoping the Chrysalines would be able to contact you."
