by Casey Lea
“Hey,” she said gently, but there was no response and the kres continued to stare bleakly at the ice rising beside him.
“Hey,” Darsey repeated, and reached out to rest her hand on Wing’s shoulder. His com was clearly turned off, leaving his tunic crisp with rime and the skin beneath as hard as any glacier. “Damn. Nightwing… Wing.”
His lips shaped “soon”, but there was no other response.
Darsey grimaced, but turned without hesitation to perch gingerly beside him on a tongue of ice that had swallowed the windowsill and took a calming breath before switching off her com. Despite being braced for the chill, it hit her as hard as a blow. She gasped in the frigid air and started to shiver, but relief came almost at once.
The cold eased as quickly as if she had restored her com’s protection and the glacier vanished. It was replaced by a stony bay and the faint sound of waves breaking on the rocks was joined by warm air wafting from the window. The spur of ice beneath Darsey collapsed to form a puddle and she jumped up, clutching the back of her soggy skirt.
“Apologies,” Wing gulped and she looked at him suspiciously, but his expression was grave. The scene beside them changed again to become an arid wasteland and a new wind blew from it, fierce and hot. “You’ll dry full quick.”
“Thanks. So... what was with the deep freeze?”
“Ritual of respect. For Harry.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean to interrupt… I’m really sorry about Harrier.”
“I know.”
Silence fell between them, but it was comfortable and Darsey moved back to perch beside Wing again. She tried to wring out the edge of her skirt, but it was already too dry for that.
“So, I had a thought and I wanted to run it past you.”
“I too wish to share thoughts with you, but perhaps you could start?”
“Why me?”
“Because a mutt at the far end of passage could tell how crazed I am for you. And you’re smarter than most mutt.”
Darsey gaped at Wing and had to struggle to regain control of her jaw. Her mouth snapped shut and she tried to look calm, despite a blush that was now rising to claim her cheeks. “Smarter than most mutt? Are you trying to win my heart with flattery?”
“We-ell, it was that or bribery, and with my status at broke… Any-all, do you think I can? Win your heart?”
Darsey gulped, but her words tumbled out before she could have a chance to regret them. “Wing, I’m really sorry, but it’s impossible. For both of us. I mean, I don’t even know what it is – this thing between us – but it doesn’t change the fact that we’re from different worlds. Literally, and we both need to go back to those worlds. I’ve got to warn my people about what’s out here and get them ready to face it. Grace seems pretty sure you’ve got responsibilities as well.”
“Ye, she’s most times sure and most times right. I see she made certain you knew her plans for me.”
“I ran into her on my way here. I think she wanted to stop me from coming, but I had an idea I needed to share.” Darsey leaned toward him with sudden enthusiasm, confident again now that the conversation was intellectual. “Wing, wouldn’t any passage from our arm of the galaxy toward the Great Attractor lead here? I mean, if you knew what to do, couldn’t you get here in one jump from anywhere? And with that huge black hole to power a passage back from this end, couldn’t you jump back to anywhere?”
Wing stared at her, his face blank, but that seemed to be his usual response to her ideas, so she sat patiently and tried to will the last of the heat from her cheeks. She’d been right to refuse him-
Darsey yelped when Wing grabbed her hand and pulled her upright. “Come.”
They were through the door and halfway down the corridor before Darsey could manage to think, where? Wing had her moving at combat speed and the doors flew past on either side.
“Here,” he answered almost immediately, and pulled her to a halt before a double-sized opening. “It’s the ship’s prime strategy room.”
“Indeed,” someone unexpectedly agreed from further down the passage.
That single word wheezed its way toward the couple, followed more slowly by Lady Grace, supported by Sparrow.
Darsey waited silently for the approaching pair and wondered whether the ancient assistant was actually helping or hindering his superior. They managed to reach the strategy room doors without falling and the old lady abruptly abandoned her uncertain support, dropping Sparrow’s arm to launch herself at Wing instead. She gripped him firmly and her fingers dug deep when she smiled up at him delightedly.
“So wonderful to have you back, dear one. It makes my life most full and exciting. I’m certain-sure you were about to summon us to this meeting, hmmm?”
“You’re both most welcome, as ever, Lady, but there is no meeting. I’m simply imposing on Free’s normal planning session.”
“Perfect. I love to impose.” Lady Grace fell forward into a walk, leaning heavily on Wing as she did so and thrusting her cane into the floor exactly where Darsey’s foot was placed.
She jumped back just in time, but refused to relinquish her grip on Wing’s other hand. Instead, she used it to pull herself close to his side. Lady Grace hissed at the intrusion and wobbled sideways, gripping her stick with both hands to stay upright. Wing reached out to steady the old lady and swung Darsey with him to face her too.
“Please pardon my ill manners, ladies,” he said gravely. “I believe formal introductions are yet to be made. Darse, this is Lady Grace, Leader of the Bureau for Genome Protection, Tetrarkyn of Wisp and First among the Noble Aged. Lady, in turn please meet my comrade, Science Officer Darsey Ice, a most resourceful ally and First of her people among the kres.”
Darsey spared Wing the faintest hint of a glare before fluttering her lashes in exaggerated remorse. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize Wing had a cling-on. I didn’t notice you down there. I just assumed you were insignificant, but that was totally superficial of me. I shouldn’t have judged on looks, should I?”
“No mind, girl, I understand. Doubtless in your trade looks are needed. And short skirts.”
“Lady Grace,” Wing hastily interjected, “I've told you that Darsey is a brave and resourceful ally.”
The old kres sniffed and stared pointedly at their still-interlaced fingers. “An ally, eh? I’ve not heard it called such before. Well done, girl. There are still fools in space. Did you think of clearing this alliance with me, Wing? No, of course not, no thought ever-all.”
Lady Grace hobbled forward with sudden speed, straight toward the doors, and somehow she was leading them into the room. Darsey released Wing, to join the old lady in two quick strides, and managed to step into the chamber beside her.
“I'm afraid you don't have the expertise to comment on my alliance with Nightwing, Lady Grace. It's based on honor and mutual trust.”
The old kres made no effort to crane her neck and look up at Darsey. Instead, she seemed to be struggling to stifle a yawn. “Truly, girl, you can most move your mouth. That could be the source of your appeal and another useful job skill. Hush now, serious mood for us grownups.”
Darsey bit back a ready reply when she belatedly realized the room was already full. She looked up from her adversary to see a dozen amazed kres gaping at them.
“No need to stare,” Lady Grace instructed happily as she hobbled on. “You’re Fleet and you’ve all seen whores before.”
Darsey made a faint strangled noise, all words forgotten, but it was covered by Wing clearing his throat. “Please excuse our intrusion, but I’ve urgent thoughts to share that bear hard on our future plans.”
“Wing,” a beaming Free exclaimed and rose to greet them. “Our base work is done and I was about to offer an invite for you to join us. Please, all of you, claim seats.”
The rest of the crew present had risen with their leader and now most of them saluted and turned to leave. They all bowed low to Lady Grace, who greeted them by name as they filed from the room. Soon
only Gull and the Data Senior remained, standing beyond Free.
The Leader turned and held out his hand to the blonde officer. Long strands of her hair waved as if in a breeze and she made her way through the cluster of chairs to clasp Free’s proffered forearm. Her hair settled with a rustle when the pair faced their guests together.
“I gain much Honor and pleasure,” Free smiled, “from an introduction I had no time for earlier. Please meet my most loved wife, Lady Clearwing FeatherFlight.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, before Wing and Grace spoke at the same time.
“You found someone to wed you? Free, that’s wonder-”
“You changed your name? Formed a new clan? Did you have any thought to check with me first?”
A more awkward silence fell, but it was brief. This time, Darsey and Wing spoke together.
“Congratulations, that’s great.”
“Welcome to our family, Clearwing.” Wing stepped forward and lifted Clear’s free hand, turning it to kiss the inside of her wrist. “I know Free will go to super lengths to hold a good officer, but this is a record. You must be exceptional indeed.”
Clear’s hair stirred again, but she ignored it and tossed her head. “I am.”
They all laughed, except for Lady Grace, who was busy repeating “FeatherFlight” under her breath. She muttered the new name in tones of growing disgust, before sighing heavily and moving to claim the nearest chair. She crooked a claw impatiently and her fronds snapped for the group to be seated. Delighted murmurs of congratulations continued, but everyone moved to obey.
Darsey was the only one who missed the silent order, but quickly followed suit. She settled next to Wing to become part of a rough circle and a hologram appeared in the middle of the group. It hung there ominously, showing every detail of their battered craft.
Wing twirled a finger and the ship’s schematic spun in response, while on his left Free watched with grim intensity. Clear had chosen a seat beside her husband and now radiated worry.
Darsey sat straighter and did her best to look unconcerned. Across the circle from them, Lady Grace seemed to be asleep and Sparrow was nodding, but Darsey was unconvinced by their sudden torpor. The ship was damaged, its exotic matter gone and along with it their ability to passage, while everyone in the Universe seemed to be hunting them. It was scarcely a good time for a nap.
Wing snapped his fingers, erasing the visuals of their crippled ship and instantly had everyone’s attention, although Grace’s eyes remained half lidded.
“We’re a floating quack,” he summarised bluntly.
“Duck,” Darsey murmured, and Wing’s fronds swivelled to check the room.
“We should duck?”
“No, never mind. We can’t passage, so what are our options?”
“We may not have the ability to passage yet,” Wing reassured her, “but we’ll harvest more exM and then we’re perfect placed to fly where we choose.”
“Fly where?” Gull demanded. “We’re far from home with no map of any passages back. So, where to, Once-Lord?”
“Senior,” Free admonished, but Wing looked unmoved.
“We go anywhere we like and we do it in a single step. The theory is Darsey’s, but I can certain-sure make it work. We’ve found the fabled perfect passage.”
Wing’s fellow kres stirred and Gull snorted in disbelief. “Nonsense. That’s a myth.”
“Indeed,” Wing agreed, “but we can make it real. We know how to reach this system now and we can use the Great Attractor to sling us back to any passage point we want. We can reach anywhere in a single passage and return just as quick. I know our first trip here was rough, but I swear I can make it icy smooth. We’ve stumbled on a chance to out-travel and out-trade everyone else.”
“Wing,” Free half whispered. “Truly?”
“So I swear. We’ve found it. The greatest goal of all explorers.”
“Amazing.”
“A huge wonder.”
“A blessing plus.”
“Damn dangerous.”
The awed responses of the kres stopped and they all looked at Darsey.
“Don’t you think?” she continued. “I mean, we’ve got something that everyone wants. We’re sitting on the greatest treasure in the universe and all we’ve got is a single, crippled ship. That sounds tricky to me.”
“Ye, ye,” a harsh voice agreed, and Lady Grace leaned forward, hands clenched on the head of her cane and chin bobbing against them. Her jowls wobbled above the golden jewel nearly hidden in the folds of her neck, but her voice was steady.
“Resourceful-Ally-and-Massage-Girl is right. There is huge power here. Enough to terrify every species. All will want reassurance and many will want the ultimate reassurance. Control. Ownership.” She turned to fix Darsey with a glare. “It seems you’ve through-thought this, girl. How do we dissuade them?”
“I’m glad you asked,” Darsey answered mildly, but was stopped by a snort from Wing.
She paused to look at him and he burst out laughing. “If you ever lack ideas, tell me and then I’ll truly panic. What do we do now?”
“We lie low and start to trade in disguise. We hide how fast we can move and make sure we’re just a little bit quicker than the competition. We pretend to be Rim merchants who deliver fast, but not too fast. That gives us a chance to build up before anyone figures out who and where we are.”
“How do we manage all this flying around?” Gull growled, but Darsey was undeterred.
“We’ll need help and we’ll have to choose our allies carefully. Human and kres. Our own people, approached by us and then quietly relocated-”
“We’re still stuck,” Gull interrupted, “with a ship that’s far from ready to play taxi.”
“I know,” Darsey said and paused for effect, “but I happen to owe a future favor to someone who can help.”
47
Planet Fall
Darsey leaned back in the comfortable grip of an energy reinforced seat and let the sounds of their shuttle landing wash over her. She should probably be scared by her first visit to a virgin world, but after the recent horrors in her life this adventure seemed remarkably safe. Famous last words, she thought, but was only faintly jostled by a gentle landing. It seemed they were safely down on the pretty, cream planet that circled the only star in their new system.
The images surrounding Wing in the middle of the small craft vanished and he stretched before smiling at the people packed around him.
“Welcome to Blossom.”
His passengers responded with thanks and then an excited murmur as they prepared to exit. The old fashioned shuttle’s very solid hatch shuddered and clanked while its locks released. It slowly rolled aside and the soft light of a new planet crept into the ship. It was followed, more subtly, by a fresh fragrance. There was a short, reverent silence that was broken by Free.
“Attention, kres, we need someone to guard the shuttle.”
Darsey stopped shuffling with the queue working toward the hatch and looked back in alarm, but the Leader got his volunteer straight away.
“I’ll stay,” Wing offered, and Free laughed.
“A new world and you want to stay back? Truly?”
“I need to think, so I don’t mind pulling a guard stint.”
“I’ll stay if you wish, sah,” a quieter voice offered and Darsey looked up at a beanpole boy hanging back beside her. “It’s no trouble. Truly. I don’t mind.” He ducked his head to Free, who raised a single eyebrow.
“Two volunteers for sentry duty. That must be a record. Thanks, Sub BackBeak, but Lord Nightwing offered first. Plus, he needs all the thinking time he can get. Let’s go.”
Excited cries from the crew already outside seemed to galvanise the youngster, who was abruptly gone with a thumping of boots. Free lifted a few fingers to farewell Wing and then he was gone too.
Darsey followed more slowly, drawn by the sweet breeze, but strangely reluctant to leave the familiar comfort of the shu
ttle. She shook her head and impatiently pushed back waves of her hair, which was loose for once. She was being weird again. This was her first trip in the shuttle, which certain-sure wasn’t a second home. She should be charging through that door and into a new world.
“Don’t stay back for me,” Wing said and Darsey jumped.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just savouring my first pristine planet. See you.” However, she still hesitated on the threshold, watching him appraisingly. “Do you regret volunteering?”
“Absolutely. Once I would have clambered over everyone to be first through that door and used my rank to avoid any guarding without a care. But now I find myself thinking about who gets left back and wondering why it shouldn’t be me. Most strange.”
“It’s called growing up.”
“I don’t like it.”
They shared a smile, before Darsey peeled herself away from the door frame and finally stepped through the hatch. Her eyes widened at the view and she felt her lips part, but didn’t care. From ground level, the forests of Blossom were the most stunning she’d ever seen. Massive trees rose above her, tall and thick, which should have been intimidating, but their flower-laden boughs made them incredibly lovely instead.
A faint breeze lifted her hair and she breathed in sharply. After the metallic tang of the shuttle, the perfume from the gold and cream blossoms made her heart ache.
Free was just leaving the clearing and his pace had slowed to a stroll, while he wandered under those branches with his head tipped back, staring straight up.
“Wow,” Darsey whispered and Wing joined her on the thick petals that carpeted the forest floor. She closed her eyes, listening to the soft hum of tiny wings and inhaled deeply. “Isn’t that the most beautiful smell ever?”
