Weathering Storms

by Taborri Walker

  “Are ya scared?” Ben asked out of the blue. His mother had brought a warm blanket fresh off the stove and wrapped her in it. He held out a mug of steaming hot water as she’d refused the tea and asked for hot water instead. After having the Stim tablets, she didn’t know how the herbs here would react with it.

  “Actually yes,” she sighed. “No one in any of our worlds has ever had this problem happen to them. Everything I’m going to do from here on now has never been done before so I could be doing everything wrong. If I can’t wake up the crew and fix the ship not only will all of you be left down here but I will too.”

  “Is that bad?” Ezra came over and sat down by her wounded side and lifted the blanket back over her shoulder. The entire congregation fell silent, wanting – no, needing – to hear the answer.

  24

  The sigh was incredibly deep. “I care for all of you,” were the careful words, “but… I’m used to my machines and what I do for a living. Getting to travel all over the Heavens, seeing all sorts of wonderful stuff is magnificent. I’ve done things that most of my people will never get to do! Living here would be very hard… what could I do? I can’t marry and have children, I look odd enough that someone would get suspicious, I’m sure. I could live with Florence and Beulah and perhaps some of all of you but what would I do?”

  “Could live in London an’ be a theatre performer,” Nicodemus smiled. “With thy beauty and intellect, would storm the scene! Shni could help figure out how to make money to be rich an’ you could own a theatre, act or lecture an’ more.”

  There were cries of assent, more ideas flung around including how to explain her looks – almost an albino from a family who was ashamed and kept her hidden – this was well argued, and Florence and Beulah laid Sesha down on a table with blanket and pillow to rest while work and talk went on.

  The boys and three men had taken the barrel and gone, already some wagons had been fetched and were being packed.

  “With thy language skills, could learn all of the world’s?” a woman who was leaving, Simone, asked.

  “Yes,”

  “Well then, do that an’ get thyself a troope to travel about. Do thy acting an’ speeches in the language of each place! T’will make thee most popular,” her daughter of 12, almost ready to start her period, came up with her arms full of items to take but stopped to kiss Sesha’s cheek.

  “An’ I thank thee for stopping the Mo, um,” she cut off the title, “Allway, before I would have joined full womanhood. My friend Sarah did cry for the time being all alone ‘cept for the Leech.”

  “I’m glad I could. But talk to Florence about what you will experience and ignore what any religion says about bleeding every month. It’s a natural part of any Being who gives birth the way you do, and dear, there are a lot of them. It is not because of sin or other beliefs, it is the way your body works.” She patted the girl’s cheek, who smiled and drug her mother off to sort what was being taken. Then she came back, fist clenched, and transferred what she was holding to Sesha’s hand.

  “Remember me,” and she was gone again. Opening her hand, Sesha saw the necklace the girl always wore, but concealed under a high neck. A slender silver chain holding a heart of silver as well, with a filigree flower on top. Crude, but beautiful!

  “She made it herself with her father helping, before he died. He was a metal worker and made hinges and other small items necessary for the ship. The chain was hidden from them,” right now it was still too painful to say names, “and handed down.”

  “Wow,” Sesha said as she turned over and slowly got up despite protests. “I need to go check on the water and get some into the shuttle. I feel better, thank you.” Squatting, Sesha had another girl put it on her, then she tucked it under the Aga Zero for protection. A thickly woven cape and another hat were put on her as she rose. By the time she reached the door, Beulah was there too and took Sesha’s arm as they hurried out.

  The shuttle was first; Sesha opened the door after warning Beulah how it would be, then pulled her in. A fair pile of detritus lay on the floor under the small tank, which Sesha pushed out of the way. She turned on the board and entered a command, turning to see Beulah foot-pushing the muck to the door.

  “Wait a moment,” Sesha made her pause. “There’s a... an invisible door there now. It’s keeping the wind and rain out, but you can go through it. You’ll see a blue line where you put your body through it, or the junk. Try it first, okay?”

  There was no wondering gasp, no sound of distress, just a chuckle. Sesha turned to see Beulah passing her hands through the field, the junk pile gone with a wet trail to show directionality. With a smile Sesha went to her and they passed through into the storm.

  The boys were crying as they dutifully reported their failure to roll the thing, after many efforts. It was all they could say, the disappointment was so great.

  “Nay, are not seeing the bigger view,” Darren smiled at Sesha. “Did roll fine to the water. Started with using one bucket, pouring through strainer to the other then into the barrel an’ Ezra did think if both strainers be over the barrel, jus’ pour the water through and dump the leavings. Filled the barrel ver’ quick. I did put the top on and seal it well, took three men to push it over for moving. That be when they believe they failed. With all might they did heave an’ push, to no avail. Took us three men giving assistance to move it away from the waves.”

  Sesha went down on one knee and drew the boys to her, the adults crowding around. “The halls of my ship are smooth and hard. The barrel will roll very easily, so yes, you’re still coming. All right? I need you two. Hug your parents, it’s time to go.”

  “But the barrel be not on your ship.”

  “I’ll tend to that.” Everyone looked at her skeptically. Pale, barely on her feet – for real this time – Sesha did not look like someone who could move a huge barrel of water. “Someone please get the dogs for me too… I’ll take them up so there’s no other room needed.”

  “Sesha,” Darren’s mouth was a bit twitchy, as if he were trying to control mirth, “cans’t thou take the cats with thee as well? Would not leave them behind either…” he looked at her, pleadingly.

  “Cats… oh, those small animals that stay in the building? Like the little ones you always have in your pocket?”

  “Aye, those. Only 6, 3 male, 3 female of the little ones, just past babes. We brought several, bred most for keeping rodents from encroaching in the storage areas, but kept a few for pets. Thou hast dogs… mayhap your friends would like to see cats as well?”

  “But they don’t mingle with dogs. Could they be arm-carried on?”

  “Thou – you – have ne’er been scratched by a scared cat. No, they already be in a large crate with blankets for warmth. The kits be fairly wild and will hide so wilt not try for them.”

  “Someone get them over here,” Sesha nodded. “Any other ami – aa - nimals?” it was another word she’d tripped over enough that it became habit; time to break that bad habit now.

  “I wish,” he shrugged, “but they be too large. These will have to do. And I thank thee, from both Sarah and my hearts.”

  “Ah,” Sesha understood. They were coming and their pet cats would be a help in resettling.

  “Come child, I have a thrice – sifted bucket of water for the ship,” Beulah was carrying a larger sized one.

  “Fine, because I want to speak to you in private,” they both went in just as the congregation trooped outside, the dogs too and two men carrying the crate with 6 cats in it. All headed their way.

  Sesha laid down and closed the drain securely and watched as Beulah poured the water in slowly. From below Sesha could see systems turning themselves on as the nutrients activated them.

  “After I get this water to the main system, hopefully wake up my Head – supervisor, that is, and explain what’s happening. We should be back in about one of your days, but even if it takes a little longer please don’t worry. We will return. On my honor I promise.” Se
sha scooted out, Beulah took her hands and did the foot assist, bringing the petite young woman right up to her body.

  “I believe you.” She started, but before Beulah could move away, Sesha took her face gently in hand and kissed her on the mouth tenderly, surprising her.

  “I love you, Beulah,” was the soft whisper. Sesha kissed her again, soft and swift. “I would love to have you in my life forever.”

  “I… believe you,” she was a bit dazed, “and I love you. I… I be not sure I understand what it is you are trying to say?” Beulah put her hands over Sesha’s and looked into her eyes.

  Sesha tried not to look disappointed. “We can talk more later,” she squeezed Beulah’s hands. “Right now I have to get to my ship. But we will be back, I promise you.”

  “I believe that too,” Beulah smiled now and then went out the now open door.

  Sesha started everything – she wanted to see what percentage her systems would report – and yelled for the boys. “Sit in that chair and don’t touch anything! Just watch, okay?” Excited and scared they both jumped in the Co chair, arms around each other and watched.

  Sesha ran her fingers over what looked like a blank panel and lights twinkled and shone – the top of the ship parted in two sections, opening up and a yellow beam shot from the craft and surrounded the barrel. The crowd gasped and backpedaled as it rose into the air then came back down into the middle of the shuttle. Clamps rose and gripped it by its base and the ceiling closed and sealed.

  “Let’s have the animals now,” the crate was brought on and she secured it behind the Co chair. “Brutus! Dogs, come!” and the animals all rushed in, tail-stumps wagging as they greeted her. She guided them to the back, took the two blankets thrown in and ordered them to lie down, which they did.

  “We’re going now,” Sesha shouted from the door. “All of you be ready to leave, whether back to your cities or with me by the time I get back!” The wind snatched her words but the front edge of the crowd passed them on and they backed up. They watched with awe as the shuttle rose, rotated and blasted off with a powerful roar into the dark, roiling clouds.

  Beulah and Florence clung to each other, mouths open, quiet like all the others. To see such wonders, to know they were going too was almost too much. Then they realized the two of them would be parting forever, and clung.

  Lifting up was fine; the surge that shot them into the upper atmosphere made both boys whoop from the stomach lifting pull. While not a cry of joy, at least it wasn’t fear! They kept clinging each other as they sat strapped in the co-pilot’s seat, their eyes big, their mouths hanging open.

  “What… be that?” Benjamin asked.

  “That’s the top of the storm, boys… give me a second, I want to scan it.” It was huge, with a large swirling eye in the middle. “Just great,” she muttered. “Your Reverend was really off on whereabouts he was according to his maps! This is the southern coast, not western. The storm will cover our leaving, though, if there’s any other people settled close by.” She shut down the system and resumed normal screen.

  Again gasps, with… “the moon! That be the moon!” Ezra was thrilled and leaned forward. His hands reached out to steady themselves on the control console so Sesha leaned sideways, biting her lip hard as she used her right hand to put his hands where it was safe, then joined Benjamin’s there too.

  “That’s right,” Sesha really had to swallow the pain so she slipped a stim out and tucked it in her mouth. “Keep looking at it… I’m getting up in a moment but the ship will fly fine if you don’t touch anything.”

  “Uh, huh,” they said, absorbed in the lunar object coming closer.

  Sesha scooped the still loose first aid kit out from under the console, opened it and poured the rest of the stim pills out, then emptied the little pouch she had. “Ten left,” and she put them all in the pouch, put the kit back, marking it as needing refilled and shut the cabinet door. Nothing would fall out while in flight, Sesha was just a neat Being. Then she peeked in on the six cats; they were lying down in a tight bunch, eyes gleaming as they gazed at her.

  A bump on her leg made her look and there was Brutus, his tail stump going as fast as the shuttle was. Kneeling carefully, Sesha gave good scratches to him and all the others. “I hope you like your new homes,” she spoke normally. “No one to make you fight or guard. It’ll take some retraining to get those old habits out, but we have easy ways to help that.” Getting up was a bit hard but Brutus and Constantine lent their backs for her use. “Almost there, doggies.”

  “Be that your ship?” Ben managed words but Ezra just yelled.

  “Sure is, guys. Just think of it as fancier, with a lot of machines so it can sail in the Heavens.” Sesha sat in her chair and sent a message to open Bay doors. “This is like driving your wagons into the barns, okay? Just a lot shinier with stuff you won’t know. Just like me, guys. I had no idea what most of your things were… you have to trust me, all right?” then they were docked, the doors closing. Only emergency lights were on but that was fine.

  Despite her talk the boys were so overwhelmed with the sight of the huge ship that Sesha had to pry them out of the seat and drag them one at a time to the deck. She tucked them off to the side where shrill, unbroken noises forced their way from tight, young throats the moment she left them. But they started to recover when Sesha brought the dogs out first to them. Faces were licked, ears snuffled and the body responses broke them from the terror. As Sesha dragged the crate of cats out, they were moving, petting the dogs – hugging with strangleholds was more like it – and looking around.

  “This is the room where we put our wagons, the shuttles.” Holding down her hands in invitation the boys took them. Sesha was glad the suit tightened up and acted as muscles for her. She’d felt it come back on line while in flight so this chore would not be quite so onerous. “Let’s take the animals to their rooms first, then we’ll come back for the water.”

  Used to work, the boys took the rope handles on each side of the crate and started pulling it. There were a few growls from inside, which were ignored. Sesha called the dogs to her and led the way to the stairs.

  “The animal floor is up two flights – that means we have to climb these stairs, go all the way down the hall and up another set. A lot of walking to do because everything else is shut off.”

  The boys looked at the large crate, the stairs, then Sesha. She looked back at them, knowing what they were thinking. This was going to be hard.

  “Wait a moment… I have an idea. Just sit here, you too, dogs. Sit!” every butt plunked. “I’ll be right back.”

  At the shuttle Sesha grabbed the two blankets as they’d been forgotten and would be needed, then wended her way to where a lot of items were scattered about, waiting for Beings to work on them again. She made some selections and came back.

  “Okay, we’re going to make a sled, of sorts.”

  “Eh?” while the looks were mischievous, she knew they didn’t know what that was.

  “Oh, good one… I’ll have you know ‘eh’ always meant ‘I don’t understand’ you little nose drippings,”

  “That be called ‘snot,’ ” Ben grinned.

  “I’ll remember that,” Sesha was already working. A sheet of plastic went under the crate and jutted out one end. Using a hand-knife she cut strips from the blanket, then punched holes in the plastic. On the end she tied the plastic to the back of the crate, securing it. On the front she punched two more holes and ripped the blanket, passed one piece through each hole and tied it to another ripped area.

  “Okay guys… grab a blanket and just start up the stairs. Should glide up easily.”

  “Harness the dogs,” Ezra suggested, so with their guidance, she cut more holes and two dogs were put in. Then they started and it was oh, so nice! The crate slid up smoothly, they were able to make good time to the animal floor.

  “Where be the animals?”

  “In each room. We keep the walls opaque – that means they can’t see each
other, as many of them would hurt themselves beating on the walls to get out and fight or flee. Instead they have the look inside of their world to keep them calm when awake. All are asleep now, though, like my crew, trapped. Ah, here we are, a big room for the dogs,” Sesha had to wrestle this door open too, but since she had unlocked doors before, all that was needed was the push, then pull to open it. The boys happily helped, they unhooked the harnessed ones and Sesha led the animals – and boys – in.

  “There’s food and water dishes along the walls,” she crouched and looked in one while the boys undid the blanket the rest of the way and threw the two on the floor for the animals to use. “Water’s fine but no food,” standing, frustrated, Sesha solidified the toe of her boot and kicked the wall, hard. To her delight food clattered down. “Kick the wall beside them,” she instructed, and the bowls filled up nicely. The boys scooped out a few of the bowls and delivered another kick to refill, so Sesha did too. Then they all petted the dogs and pushed the door back into place.

  “There’s another,” looking at something on each door told Sesha it was another room and again it was wrestled open, the crate pushed in.

  “Be very tiny… and why be these beams, slanted and straight everywhere, e’en ceiling?” Ezra was overloaded, so Sesha draped an arm over his shoulders.

  “Must be for small critters who like to climb. See? There’s claw marks in the stuff. Let’s find the feeders,” these were scattered at various heights, low and high but they managed to get food out of most of them. This was smaller and had an oily odor.

  “Wilt not hurt the cats?” Benjamin asked as Sesha opened the crate. None of the cats moved except to hiss and growl.

  “Shouldn’t… once I get the ship turned on there’s an animal specialist who will come look at them. But let’s just go. They’ll come out when they’re ready.” It was with relief that was done and the trio was trotting back to the shuttle bay.

  Then she used the tractor beam to put out the barrel of water, laying it on its side but over two other shuttles onto the floor near the opposite door. This one led to the corridor to the other end of the ship where the stairs down were.