Nova

by Lora E. Rasmussen

  No more concerns regarding the possibility of tension in their work and home–life aboard ship; such were ridiculous excuses anyway. Several other crewmembers were established couples on Excalibur, Dr. Jenna Argos and Senior Systems Officer Tildon Jaxx being the most ready example, having been married for several years and served together for even more.

  As for potential fall–out if Diana did not receive the response she wished for or if a romance did not work out, it would be better to be with Avara, whom she’d loved for years now, even if for only a single day, rather than never at all.

  Of that truth, she was convinced.

  Diana knew it was not too late, not yet. But if she continued to dither, it most certainly would be. If nothing else, she owed both herself and Avara the opportunity by being honest.

  “You alright over there?”

  Serros’s words fractured her personal reverie. Feeling a strange intermixture reminiscent of childhood unease being caught sneaking sweets, mingled with a vitalizing surge of comfortable resolve, Diana smiled at the faintly concerned look in Avara’s eyes as she carefully shielded her feelings.

  It was not quite time.

  “Quite all right, thank you. My mind was just turning to this afternoon’s business.” Adeline answered her now sitting friend.

  “Mm. Not surprised; it’s almost that time.” Captain Serros commented and stood up in one fluid maneuver. “Shall we go make ready?”

  “Yes, I think so.” Adeline replied and, grabbing their gear, the two strolled out of B–Gym, walked down the main level corridor past C–Gym, the lockers, and the starship’s two Simulator Rooms to take the lift from Deck 6 up to the Officers’ Quarters on Deck 3. As she and the Captain parted ways for their own cabins and the day ahead, despite anxiety and nerves, Diana found herself smiling in expectation.

  If nothing else, today would be an interesting day.

  *

  Avex, Avara mused to herself, despite being one of the three directly governed worlds within the Quorum Aligned Systems, was quite unlike both the capital of Sigil and sister planet of Voss in several ways. Though an old world that boasted millennia of habitation and the development of civilization, it was much less starkly urbanized. Gravity defying, large reinforced glass and durexium facades were almost entirely absent from the planet’s capital of Castol.

  Instead, one’s view was filled with huge, gold–stone edifices abutting, nesting within, or even cresting massive mountains that were the world’s most defining geographical feature. Acting as ever–present sentinels, the planet’s stone–dominant architecture was primarily crafted from goldstone mined directly from those same mountains.

  In design, most of the buildings were constructed to include magnificent domes, elegant colonnades with tall, fluted pillars, and multi–hued stained glass windows featuring extensively wrought and flowing imagery. Also rather remarkably for such an industrialized and populous planet, copses of sky–kissing deciduous trees and acres of lush flower–beds and botanical gardens, as well as well tended parks were the norm, rather than the exception.

  The preservation of natural features was aided by the fact that both sky and ground traffic, though certainly present, was legally limited. The prime modus of transportation in Castol and indeed on the entire planet, was marvelously engineered and slimly designed kobalt fueled trams. The trains rocketed with vision defying speed along their pre–determined routes from locale to locale.

  “’Tis really is a lovely city, mm?”

  “Yes, it really is.” Avara affirmed, turning to her companion on this trip, Operations and Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Commander Diana Adeline. The two were sitting next to each other aboard one of the city’s famed, off–white and black trimmed super–trains. They were presently traveling at a rate near 680 mph to make their appointment with one of the city’s top Quorum Representatives at thirteen–hundred hours local time.

  An efficient, if a tad zealous, locally assigned SPK Security detail had met the crew of QS Excalibur upon landing to take the disgraced Iak Risha into custody. Right now some fifteen of them had the criminal monitored in the next car up. The entire group would easily reach the Civic Forum in another fifteen minutes or so, where they could then wash their hands of the man that had, though at least to a satisfying end, consumed so much of Nova’s energy the last two months.

  Splitting her focus between the truly breathtaking sight and her friend who sat closest to the viewport, Avara couldn’t help but to once again sense that something was… off about Diana. The sentiment wasn’t an entirely new one, for despite performing as always at a level of optimum brilliance in regards to each of her duties, the Excalibur’s third in command had seemed to be almost distracted in her off–work pursuits of late.

  Much like this morning.

  Contemplating the vague vibrations of subtly simmering emotion she had picked up from her Squadmate recently, Serros couldn’t quite figure out what the change was. Quietly studying her companion, Avara could only determine that nothing seemed outwardly out of place about the Lieutenant Commander.

  Beautiful as always, Diana’s flaring, dark–brown, tightly curled hair brushed the base of her neck and straight shoulders in an appealing, wild–tumble. Her deep, earth–toned eyes tracked the speeding vista with an almost serene shimmer of relaxed enjoyment. A’s rich brown skin, the color of coffee graced by the barest hint of sweet–cream, practically glowed with vitality and her basic dress uniform was the very image of spotless care and presentation, with the four solid, small platinum pips that denoted her rank glinting with polish on her upper right pectoral.

  In short, nothing was visibly out of place, and yet a persistent tickle in her mind insisted otherwise.

  Damned Synergy Enhancement! What use was it half the time, anyway?

  Avara wasn’t certain how K’llan and other Vosaia did it, having to constantly be subjected to a much greater barrage of ever shifting and mutating emotions bleeding off from those that surrounded them. And then, sifting through the deluge to interpret all those psychic readings on an hourly basis. Well, either way, Diana and she would get to enjoy a relaxing mid–day meal together this afternoon, and perhaps then Avara could figure out what was bothering her.

  “There’s our destination, the Citizen’s Palace.” Adeline announced a moment later, her lower–toned voice exuding satisfaction.

  Serros shifted her gaze. “Grand.”

  And it was.

  The Palace was comprised of multiple domed, muted gold structures flanked by elegant minarets, all set in the exact center of a large, open forum. The Forum’s wide plaza was a mix of native goldstone and also of cobalt, sea–green, and maroon tiles placed in elegant patterns and floor mosaics. It was a theme that Avara found to be echoed within the Palace itself, not just its outer grounds. The prime difference was that inside the structure, gold–shot white marble also seemed to be a common decorative motif, along with tall, bronze statuary featuring the greatest thinkers, philosophers, and philanthropists of all the known races from the last few millennia or so of Quorum history.

  The two crewmates were shuffled through several bustling long hallways and chambers to the administrative center of the civic building. Almost without delay, they were shown into a suite of well–appointed office rooms to the polite and, at least by Zirgesh standards, warm reception from Representative I’sha On’yay Ahas.

  Ahas was an older Zirgesh male with an especially milky chitin casing, yet his sextant of crimson eyes was still keen. His two lowest three–fingered hands gripped twin, pleasingly carved whale–bone walking canes on either side of his spare body. His upper four arms were folded towards his chest with laced digits as he performed a low bow to Avara and Diana in salutation.

  “Greetings, Captain Serros. It is a rare pleasure to meet in person so well–respected and known a Quorum Shield Operative.” The Zirgesh’s body appeared almost stick–thin, yet despite his advanced years, at least forty if Avara was any judge, Ahas still
moved with surety.

  “Greetings to you, Representative Ahas, and my thanks for your courtesy.” The Captain responded in turn. “Let me make known to you my Senior Operations and Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Commander Diana Adeline.”

  “Lieutenant Commander Adeline, it is my honor.”

  “Thank you, Representative.”

  “Come, let us sit.” Ahas invited, gesturing to two Human–styled low chairs crafted of polished teak set before a tall, Zirgesh sitting–stool. A pre–arranged courtesy, Avara was sure.

  The only other person in the room, a second Zirgesh female with plating the color of orange sorbet, moved with alacrity to place refreshments before the two Humans. The aid then quietly left the room through swishing double doors. Inside the reception area, a low fountain gurgled in counterpoint to the softly humming sound of two obviously domesticated, long–billed trilling birds that alighted to and fro between the branches of a large, potted sokath tree.

  “I hope you enjoy the tea. It is a hot beverage of Human origin that I discovered in my youth.” Ahas proclaimed as he gently moved the trailing hem of his maroon colored open–robe to take his seat.

  “Most thoughtful, Representative. Chrysanthemum tea. It is a variety that is cultivated on my own homeworld.” Avara answered.

  With a nod of his smallish, double–heart shaped round head, the Representative responded “It is the very least that I can do.” For just a moment, his ink colored mouth– protuberance flicked out, tasting the steaming beverage as Ahas savored the fruit–and flower flavoring, almost as if enacting a ritual.

  Somewhat familiar with Zirgesh ways, as a race they were primarily nectar consumers after all, Avara took a gentle swallow of the spicy–sweet tea and deliberately paused before letting the hot liquid filter down her throat. Next to her, Adeline did the same, her movements consciously languid.

  “Of course, your actions in apprehending Iak Risha have been most beneficial to the Quorum Systems.” Ahas pronounced with a deferential nod some minutes later. “However, I must tell you, as a Zirgesh who loves his homeland and people very much, you have not only my own, but also the Zirgesh Collective’s deepest gratitude.” Ahas’s emotions played in perfect concert with the sincere tone in his reedy voice. “Iak Risha is a disgrace to the I’sha Caste as well as to all Castes and Zirgesh peoples.”

  “It was both my honor and duty to end so pervasive a threat to the many peoples that inhabit worlds within the Quorum Systems. And as for dishonor,” Avara said, choosing her words with care and hoping that she was accurately reading the sentiment she felt flowing from the Zirgesh Representative, “No shame is carried by the Zirgesh people; only the person of Risha himself, who made such mockery of their honor.”

  To her relief, I’sha On’yay Ahas let loose a pitched laugh at her remark, a rich sound despite its high timbre. “I see you have a diplomat’s soul, Shield Operative Serros. Again, I thank you for the respect you have shown to me and my people.”

  “The honor is mine, Representative.”

  “I have reviewed your reports, and in all honesty, I feel that your findings are straight forward and refreshingly well evidenced. In actuality, I have no questions for you, but merely wished to express appreciation in person, as is proper.”

  “I am pleased, Representative Ahas. Much of the credit for the report’s thoroughness and organization is due to Lieutenant Commander Adeline.” The Captain responded, nodding towards Diana.

  With a pulling of his almost non–existent lip–crevice that represented the Zirgesh version of a smile, Ahas commented, “It is good so many capable young people are proving their value. It makes one feel that all is in hand for a productive future as my Spirit is readied for its journey to the Great Soul.”

  “Hopefully not for a long while yet, Representative.” Adeline stated with a deferential nod of her curly head.

  “Ah, my dear. I am approaching my forty–eighth year and though I regret it not, I wasn’t biologically born a candidate for an Arca Longevity Enhancement.”

  Turning slightly to watch the two brightly–jeweled birds fly once more within the silvery branches of the sokath, Ahas added “For my people, I have lived a very long life indeed, and I am well satisfied.”

  Finding that she rather liked this elderly statesman and knowing a bit of the Representative’s history and culture, Avara declared “Yours is a Legacy to be proud of, I’sha On’yay Ahas. May the Great Soul Greet You with Eternal Welcome.”

  “Thank you for your kindness, Captain Avara Serros. May Your Own Legacy Burn Bright.”

  “Thank you, Representative.”

  “And you as well, Lieutenant Commander Adeline; May Your Own Legacy Burn Bright.”

  “Thank you, Representative.” The Human woman replied, echoing her Captain’s example.

  “Now,” Ahas said, stepping off his flat–cupped, high backed stool, “Though I am very pleased to have the honor of greeting and expressing thankfulness, I’m afraid that I tire easily these days and must return to my duties while still able.”

  As if summoned by magic, the Zirgesh assistant reappeared to the side of the office’s carved wooden doorways, her posture of one who was standing at attention.

  Slipping to her feet, Avara replied, “Of course, Representative Ahas,” and with an inclination of her head, added “Our meeting was my pleasure, and I wish you much continued productivity.”

  “The delight was all mine, I assure you, Captain Serros and Lieutenant Commander Adeline. Pleasant day and continued productivity to you both.”

  Filing out of the elegantly appointed accommodations and retracing their steps behind the leading assistant to the building’s exit–way, Avara commented by way of a compliment to her sometimes more socially awkward friend, “A very pleasant meeting.”

  Smiling in response, Diana replied “Yes, quite.”

  “Now,” Avara stated with a grin that she knew was more than a little gleeful in nature, “Let’s eat! I’ve heard great things about a local taberna’s sandwiches in Hyacinth Rock Park.”

  Issuing a laugh, her joy clearly radiating with the sound, Diana responded “You’re on!”

  *

  Reveling in the feeling of delightful satiation, Avara lay back on the cool, pleasantly soft yet springy pale green unja grass and found her gaze lost in the blue Avex afternoon. She could see multi–toned summer–birds wing their way towards some secret destination known only to themselves, and her ears captured their melodic cries as they sang to one another in either encouragement or rebuke. Without effort, Serros was able to isolate the gentle hum of fat bees as they quested for their next ambrosial meal. Twenty or so paces away, her Arca attuned ears picked up the sound of two Vosaia women speaking of their workday in their lilting sopranos. Even further away, the good–humored sounds of a family of Gorath at play stalking through leaf, branch, and stem in a timeless game of hide–and–seek rolled through the verge. Front forward, the Shield Operative was also able to identify the gentle lap of a fresh–water turtle plopping from his sun–soaked rocky post into the clean–smelling pond–water below.

  “I haven’t felt this utterly relaxed in weeks.” Avara finally commented a moment later, shifting her gaze to Diana, who sat a close span away watching the meanderings of the other park–goers.

  Turning her profile towards Serros, her friend responded “I know what you mean. Though rewarding, ‘tis been a heady two months.”

  “The break will be good for the crew.” Avara agreed, hearing the sound of a Human male’s humming voice and the swish–tick of his son’s determined goal of grass–slashing a path with a water–reed through the taller patches of unja.

  “Rotation’s already begun.”

  “Good.”

  “Hey,” The Captain began a few minutes later after the two had fallen into a companionable silence, rolling over on her stomach and resting her chin on her crossed arms. “What would you say to ice–cream?”

  “Um, Avara, you just consumed tw
o bacon, cucumber, and avocado sandwiches, a large grape and arugula salad, cashew pasta, and a Mymren pear. How can you possibly still be hungry?”

  Avara laughed at her friend’s frankly surprised note that was clearly audible, despite Diana’s attempt to be polite. “Yes, that’s true… and I think ice–cream would be the perfect finisher.”

  Groaning, Adeline pronounced, “Okay, Arca VII; I was finished a sandwich and a half ago. How about a bit later?”

  “Alright, but I’ll hold you to that promise.”

  “I have nary a doubt.”

  “Hey, how’s your brother doing, by the way?” Avara asked several minutes later, standing up with an inviting nod and walking eight or so paces towards the pond which was surrounded by an elegant pattern of various natural rocks. A small train of tope and green water–fowl were busily complaining to a large silvery fish chasing afflies across the water’s surface.

  Finding her own feet and joining Avara by the pond a moment later, Diana answered “Surrey just made First Cadet for his Class at the Academy.” Adeline’s full lips were set in a wide grin, an enthusiastic and proud cast lighting her features.

  “That’s great!” Avara avowed. “Does he still have Colonel Amherst as his Primary Training Officer and Advisor?” She asked a moment later with interest, a lazy twitch of her foot punctuating the question as they stood shoulder to shoulder.

  “Sure does!” A responded. “And let me tell you, my baby–brother has quite a bit to say regarding the matter.”

  “Ha; I bet! That woman was a terror when I was at Academy. Always felt like she was trying to strip away my skin in search of the most minute error or misstep.”