Even though Perry happened to be on the space station at the time of his summons, he actually arrived before most of Jet’s staff. Cool and collected as always, he simply found a place to sit and arched an eyebrow in Jet’s direction. Jet shook his head in a “not now” gesture, and Perry sat back and waited for the meeting to begin.
“My apologies for interrupting your day, but the latest dispatch from Sahara arrived a few minutes ago. Hang on to your hats, folks - you’re not going to believe some of this.”
####
Nearly an hour later, every person in the room had a look of incredulous disbelief etched into their features. Except one. Christopher Perry also looked worried. No one could blame the man for wondering what was happening to his eldest child in a strange far away system. Especially one who already dodged the bullet twice, and was now squirreled away underground, communing with an alien species who had first claim on a human-infested planet.
The Admiral in him was proud of her adaptability and level headed thinking in the face of so many unforeseen circumstances, particularly for someone on their very first assignment. The father in him was simply worried about getting his daughter back in one piece, and hang the mission!
Jet could see it in his face, and after handing out the assignments, dismissed the staff and asked Perry to stay behind. Once they were alone, he and Jet moved to a more comfortable spot so they could talk.
“I’m sorry, Chris. I know this wasn’t the way you thought her first posting would work out. Would it help if I sent you out there?”
Perry shook his head, a sour expression on his face.
“No, Jet. But I appreciate the offer. Not only would it set a bad example, it would infuriate Kiren, and my wife as well. I cannot protect her forever, and she needs to live her own life apart from her father. My presence would change nothing, except to step on toes and cause resentment. I only ask to be kept informed as the reports come in.”
Jet smiled as Perry put his military face back on.
“Your answer doesn’t surprise me, but I agree with your decision. I, for one, am glad we have an outstanding officer at the center of this maelstrom. Both you and the academy have taught her well, and I think we can trust her to do her job. Of course, it helps she is not exactly facing this crisis alone.”
Perry arched an eyebrow in his classic ‘I’m waiting for you to finish’ expression, which simply caused Jet to start laughing.
“There was a very short message, for my eyes only, attached to the communique. Apparently, your daughter and our Ambassador are at the beginning of a relationship. Technically, they are violating the regs since she is his subordinate, but he wanted to make sure I was informed. He may also have hoped I would tell you, and so I’ve done.”
Perry continued to look nonplussed.
“I see. Kiren is mature enough to make her own choices, of course. Andre Swanson is a good man. You may tell him for me, however, if he hurts my daughter, I will personally send him through an airlock without an enviro suit. Unofficially, of course.”
The two men shared a rare moment of laughter before Perry returned to his other duties. First, he would stop at home to update his wife and family about Kirens’ situation. Then it was time to find a few planets for the Saharan colony to choose from, and plan the evacuation. Just as well, he thought, since keeping busy would prevent him from worrying too much.
Chapter 8
Kiren dropped to her knees, grabbed her pack, and crawled down the incline towards Sh’zul. There were at least three tunnels branching off in different directions, and the patient Rxyl paused at the opening to one of them. As she waited for her eyes to adjust, she considered using the night vison goggles included in her gear. Surprisingly, it didn’t look like they would be necessary. The walls and ceilings were covered with some type of moss or lichen which glowed brightly, giving off a soft greenish-yellow light.
She crawled closer to Sh’zul and was glad to see the tunnel was neither claustrophobically narrow, or terribly dark. The floor and lower third of the walls appeared to be packed hard and smooth with use, while the upper walls and ceiling were covered with the glowing moss. Kiren decided the pack would be best carried against her stomach, which would reduce the risk of damaging the moss overhead. Once she got it cinched into place and put her heavy gloves back on, it was time to proceed.
As she moved to get behind Sh’zul, she noticed the end of his powerful tail was not tapered to a narrow point as might be expected. Instead, it was mace-like and covered with longer, sharper spikes. Sh’zul provided the answer before she could formally ask the question.
For protection and to subdue prey. There are none to challenge us now. The Thader and Bendee no longer live. Do not touch the spikes. The substance on them is very powerful. Come, Kiren. The others wait.
Sh’zul moved into the tunnel and Kiren followed as quickly as she could. She was surprised how fluid his movements were, and had the distinct impression he could move much faster. Just as she was beginning to tire, the tunnel broadened out into a road-like passageway, wide enough for several Rxyl to travel side by side. So far, they encountered no one else and she wondered where everyone might be.
The scouts are on patrol up above. Some are tending to our young or other tasks. The rest are assembled at the meeting place. It is not much further.
As they continued, Kiren notice they were actually descending. The scans revealed most of the community was deep underground, closer to the aquifer, and protected from any disturbance on the surface. The unique mineral makeup of the surrounding rock prevented a more detailed look at their home, but she knew it was very large and interconnected. The air was cool enough to nip at her nose and ears, but with her heavier clothing and boots she was quite comfortable.
At the moment it was her arms and back which were causing her discomfort, and she was hoping there would be room enough to stand up in this meeting place. Sh’zul sent her a mental picture of it, and realized he showed it to her once before when she was in the sickbay.
Moments later the path ended at a wide open space which seemed to be a crossroads for a number of other paths which also met here. It was not only wider, but the ceiling was several feet higher, more than enough for Kiren to stand. Directly across from where she stood was a wide entryway to what she assumed was the meeting place. Suddenly, Kiren began to feel anxious, wondering what was to happen here.
No harm will come to you. We wish to know you, Kiren. You will speak with the others through me. Come.
Taking a deep breath, Kiren followed Sh’zul’s lead and entered a huge elliptically shaped cavern. The walls were unnaturally smooth and reached upwards towards the ceiling which appeared to be at least twenty feet high, all covered with the light-giving moss. If she were to hazard a guess, she would say the space was carved out of the rock by water, though it must have been long ago.
The floor was covered with scores of Rxyl, all looking at Sh’zul. She followed close behind him, and as they passed, the assembly moved aside and raised their tails, holding them in the air. A sign of respect, Kiren supposed. Sh’zul was headed for the center of the cavern, where a large flat stone extended from the floor like a raised platform. The pathway disappeared behind her as the Rxyl filled in the space, facing the center. When Sh’zul reached the stone, he deftly climbed on top, turning in a slow circle to make eye contact with his people.
Come, Kiren.
She found the least clumsy way up, removed her pack and gloves, and stood at Sh’zul’s right. Almost in unison, every Rxyl lowered their tails, attention riveted on her and their leader. Kiren found the stillness and quiet unnerving, used to the noise and motion usually present in any large group of people. Sh’zul’s mental voice broke the silence in her mind.
This pale one is Kiren. She will know us, and be known.
All over the room, tails began softly thumping against the smooth rock floor of the cavern. With a mental nudge from Sh’zul, she turned in a slow circle to briefly face each
of the assembled Rxyl. They all had a similar look, but she noticed differences in size and in the color patterns of their scales and spikes. First impressions were of a fierce and dangerous being, yet their faces were actually calm and pleasant to look at. Kiren realized with a start they were expecting her to speak. Sh’zul already told her he would talk to the others on her behalf, so she took a deep breath and began.
“My people are called ‘humans’. We come from the planet Earth, in a star system far from here. We were sent out to find a new home for our people. Now, I live on Pacifica, a water world in another part of the galaxy. The humans who came to this world have named it Sahara, and they intended to make a new home here. When we discovered the Rxyl, we determined to find out if you were a sentient species, as we are.
Some of the first humans who landed here decided to remain, even though it is considered wrong to take the planet away from you. We were trying to find out more about your people when I was injured earlier today. Now that I can communicate with Sh’zul, we want to know about your life here and try to help you if we can.”
Kiren stopped speaking, and the room remained still and quiet. Her mind was filled with snatches of overlapping thoughts, evidently only a shadow of what Sh’zul was processing right now. If their roles were reversed, she would certainly be asking a great many things. In fact, she was itching to understand as much about them as she could in their time together. Being the guest here, however, meant she would follow Sh’zul’s lead. He finally turned his head to look at her.
Give me your thoughts, Kiren. My people wish to know.
Kiren decided to make herself more comfortable, and sat down next to Sh’zul, eyes closed. He began feeding her requests for information and encouraged her to give him visual memories which he could share as part of her answers. She slipped into teacher mode and enjoyed sharing many different things with the Rxyl. One of the first things she learned was the planet’s true name, Deviri, which roughly translated meant “center of life”.
They wanted to know how humans lived and how their bodies worked, how they traveled through space, who made decisions for her people, what humans ate, even the purpose of the coverings on her body. Eventually, they asked whether the humans intended to harm the Rxyl and also what her people might do to help them.
Kiren found it more than humbling to realize how difficult it was to describe things she took for granted. Politics and the leadership structure in human society were unusual concepts for the Rxyl, and she was certain some things would have to be explained in greater detail in the future - hopefully by someone better trained. It was difficult to say how much time passed, but her mind-to-mind interaction with Sh’zul was improving by the minute.
He, in turn, was catching on faster to the way Kiren’s thoughts, emotions, and knowledge were processed by her mind. By the time the meeting was over, they were much more in sync, and felt a great deal more comfortable with each other as individuals and as the representatives of two very different species.
When Sh’zul indicated they were going to stop for now, Kiren realized she was stiff and sore, as well as hungry and thirsty. With a final thought, he dismissed the crowd, and the room quickly emptied, leaving just the two of them on the large rock. Kiren stood to stretch, and then removed some rations and a bottle of water from her pack. Sh’zul was content to wait for her to finish, and she found being able to communicate with her mind instead of her mouth enabled her to have a conversation with Sh’zul while she ate.
“Is Sh’zul your name or your title?”
My name is Sh’zul. I am called ‘First One’ by my people.
“Were you chosen to be their leader?”
Not the way humans do. First Ones choose a successor when they near the last breath. The people accept this without question.
“Do you have a mate? Children?”
Part of my duty is to produce offspring. I choose some females. Others offer themselves. It is not our way to have one mate as humans do.
Sh’zul paused for a moment, and then continued.
Andre wishes to protect you. He desires you. Is he your mate?
Kiren choked on her food, and needed to take a drink before she could answer.
“We are not mates, but I am... attracted to Andre. We enjoy being together, but we are not ready to make a commitment yet. Perhaps someday.”
It was clear Sh’zul did not quite understand the concepts of romance, dating, and monogamy. He could sense her discomfort, and said nothing when she changed the subject.
“Do you hear the thoughts of all your people all of the time? Do they always know what you are thinking?”
Our thoughts are our own unless we wish to share them. As First One, my voice is much stronger than the others. When it is necessary, I am aware even of the protected thoughts of others.
“My people believe something happened when I injured my hand. Did the link form then?”
Yes. Our young undergo something similar when they emerge from the egg. It establishes the link we use to communicate. I did not know if it would work on a human.
“If others tried it, do you think it would work for them too?”
Yes. Are there others who wish to know our thoughts?
“Oh, yes! If we are to work together we will need others who can speak with you.”
Sh’zul accepted the logic of this, though obviously they did not need to address the issue immediately. Kiren finished her meal and was closing up her pack when Sh’zul climbed down from the rock.
Come, Kiren. You have much to see.
Kiren climbed down, secured the pack, slipped on her gloves, and followed Sh’zul through the opening in the rock wall.
“This tunnel looks very much like the first one. How do your people find their way?”
Scent. Sound. Temperature. Vibration. Small variations in the soil and moss. There is no confusion.
“Where are we going?”
The Ormica dwell in the burrows. They sustain us and serve us. You will see.
Sh’zul did not send Kiren a visual memory this time, but she knew he was hungry, and these Ormica were somehow connected with their food supply. Soon she detected a change in the air as it wafted past. It was cooler, more humid, and with a strange spicy odor. Sh’zul abruptly turned into a wide side tunnel with a sharper descent, and the changes in the air became even more pronounced. Apparently, their destination was the source and Kiren wondered what they would find.
The tunnel flattened and spread out ahead of them, forming a large room with six openings into what she assumed were the burrows. Sh’zul chose one of them and led Kiren inside, stopping after only a few feet. What she saw startled her so badly she almost turned around and fled. The space was crawling with red, brown and black creatures with segmented bodies which reminded her of ants.
They were much larger, however, with softer, plumper bodies, small eyes and two sets of antennae on their flat oblong heads. Everywhere she looked they were crawling, working, digging, or drinking in one of the many water pools scattered about. Some appeared to be tending a variety of plants which grew in irregular patches, randomly spaced on either side of the main pathways. Dozens of tunnel entrances and exits pockmarked the walls and floor, leaving a chaotic landscape which was both fascinating and confusing.
Do not fear, Kiren. The Ormica will not harm you. Stay here.
Kiren could sense Sh’zul’s anticipation, though she was uncertain at what it was directed. He slowly approached a small group of Ormica who were gathered around one of the small water pools. They paid no heed to his approach at all, which surprised Kiren. What happened next was completely unexpected, as Sh’zul’s long tongue shot out, wrapped itself around the nearest Ormica, and lifted it to his open mouth. With one loud snap of his powerful jaws, the helpless creature disappeared down the Rxyl’s throat. The others neither moved away or even seemed to notice.
Nausea gripped Kiren as Sh’zul selected two more to complete his meal. He then moved closer to the wa
ter pool until his right front foot was submerged in the clear water. He simply stood there, his mouth opening and closing slightly in a regular pattern. It was difficult to see clearly in the dim light from the moss, but it appeared the water was moving up his leg, chest, and throat. Some type of capillary action was drawing the water across his scales and into his mouth. When he finished, Sh’zul made his way carefully over the pockmarked terrain and returned to Kiren’s side.
The Ormica are our primary food source. We have provided them with everything they need within the burrows. They tend to the plants and keep the pools filled and clean.
The new information helped Kiren’s stomach settled back down.
“How do you keep them from leaving the burrows?”
Scent markers repel them from the tunnels we use. They are simple creatures who prefer to remain close to their nest.
“Are the burrows very large?”
Yes. It takes many to sustain us. The burrows are deep and wide. There are many feeding spaces like this one.
Kiren’s mind began to swim with a variety of topics, and she struggled to choose which line of questioning would be most beneficial. Her training kicked in, reminding her she was on a mission, and her personal queries could wait until later.
“Have the Rxyl always lived underground this way?”
No. Before the water was taken, we lived above. The tunnels were only used for protection, and to raise our young.
Odyssey (Galactic Neighborhood Book 2) Page 11
