by T. J. Quinn
For the first time in months, Orin Hart really believed his life would be whole again . . .
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Oltarin
It had been five years since Hankura and Chelle had seen Brandt and Jaecyn McKell. When the McKells learned that the Aledan and his mate were interested in settling on Oltarin nearby, they insisted the two should stay at their ranch. Brandt had smoothed the way for them to purchase the land to build their home and farm to keep a few horses.
They were outside waiting with their two children in tow and Brandt holding Orion by his halter as the Arius Mran landed gently about fifty meters from their house. In the months since they had left Zevus Mar, Chelle had become heavy with their child. As Orion saw her, he whinnied and pulled against Brandt’s hold on him. Even after five years, the horse remembered their connection. Brandt released him, and Orion trotted toward Chelle and stopped in front of her, nickering softly, and nuzzled her. She was so overcome with emotion that tears filled her eyes and ran down her face as she hugged his great head.
At that moment, Hankura knew that coming back to Oltarin was the right thing for them. Orion's welcome was just what Chelle needed to feel like she was coming home. Momentarily, Brandt, Jaecyn and their children joined them. Brandt and Jaecyn each shook hands with them and introduced their children, son Kean and daughter Felice, named for Grant McKell’s children.
“It’s pretty clear whose horse Orion thinks he is.” Brandt grinned. “I don’t care what you say, after everything you did for Jae and me; we want you to have him to start your stable.”
Hankura smiled as Chelle wiped away her tears of happiness. “The only thing I’m going to say is thank you, my friend. We’ll consider it a home coming present.”
“Thank you, both.” Chelle murmured.
“Let’s go inside, and we can talk while we have dinner. Our housekeeper said it was almost ready.” Jaecyn said. “Our clans are excited that you are bringing modern medicine to Blue Summit. So much has changed since you were here before.”
“Lexis and Airlia have a little girl with a baby on the way as well as Lydia and Nathan,” Brandt told them. “The only other clinic is at Blake’s Meadow. Credits are only now just coming in so we can buy some of those hovercrafts.” They all started walking toward the ranch house. Another wing had been added since they’d been there last.
“Tell us about the house your friend is going to build for you,” Brandt said.
“We told Casir of your family’s home in Blue Summit.” Hankura began as they were seated around the table. “We have our young ward Lanimer coming to live with us, and he comes with his governess and her husband. His family was killed by Tregans. His father was our dear friend.”
“Many of our friends were killed by them,” Chelle added softly. “But many were saved, too.”
“And now you are here----and we are glad to have you,” Jaecyn said. “It will take time, but we believe you will be happy again. I never thought I would be after my father killed Arien, but I am---we are---and you two had a big part in that by saving Brandt.” She laid her hand on Brandt’s thigh under the table, and he gave her an affectionate smile.
“It helps to be among friends,” Hankura said, and Chelle nodded.
Casir arrived with his construction crew and heavy machinery to build their house about five days later. He’d had plans drawn up from pictures he got through Federation channels. They had been recovered with records salvaged from the Searching Star computers. With a full crew and machinery, they were able to complete a house comparable to McKell House in a few days rather than the months that it took in Grant McKell’s day. Plus, it was energy efficient complete with most of the modern conveniences of their dome on Aledus.
Now they could get on with rebuilding their lives in their new home like they had rebuilt Zevus Mar. Having Casir there to help them along was an added bonus. It was great to see Jana and Delara with their new babies. Their compassion and empathy with Chelle began a bond of friendship that would continue long after they parted.
"Well, now that you've been living here a few days, what do you think? Do you like it?" Casir wanted to know with a sweeping gesture that encompassed the entire dwelling. "Does it meet with your approval?"
"Of course, Casir," Chelle assured him and handed him a glass of clear yash from the small tray she was carrying around to the guests of Casir's farewell party. "It's just perfect."
Hankura nodded agreement as Chelle moved on to mingle with the other guests. There were thirty or so members of Casir's crew and some Brandt and Jaecyn’s family and friends in attendance. "Everything is just fine, Casir. This furniture my parents had shipped suits the place. You'd think they'd seen the plans ahead of time."
"They did. I sent them," Casir admitted. "They weren't happy about your coming way out here in Sector Seven, but they don't want you to live like barbarians. They expect you to bring that grandchild into the world here in style---the style to which you were accustomed."
"He will be that," Hankura snickered and sipped from his glass with relish. "You know, months ago, I didn't think we could ever be happy again. It looked like we'd only have our memories---if we could ever blot out what happened on Zevus Mar."
"Now, that we’ve come back to Oltarin, I feel that our lives have been rebuilt and we are stronger for it, just like this fine new home you have built us. Thank you, Casir, thank you for everything, my friend."
"For what? You would do the same for me if I needed it. Maybe someday I will," Casir chuckled, almost self-consciously. My dear friend, no man could love a brother more than I do you. I regret our parting is growing so near, but I must go soon. Be happy and live well.
And you, my friend.
Casir clasped him and embraced him for a moment, then he turned from him and called a hush to the separate conversations about the room. He motioned to Cran, Bren, Jess, and Luran to come join them as Chelle came back to Hankura's side.
When there was silence, Casir raised his fine crystal glass for a toast. "To Hankura and Chelle and to the friendship that has drawn us all here today. May your lives be all that you would hope for as you follow the Circle of Life together."
The room was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and murmurings, and then a hush fell among them as they sipped the delicately flavored Aledan wine.
All too soon the hour came that Hankura had been dreading since his arrival on Oltarin---the time to bid Casir farewell. Despite the lingering sadness he felt, Hankura felt confident that he was ready to stand on his own again and go on with his life with Chelle.
He was going to make sure this world was just the kind of place a man could be free and raise a family, just like Mikal had told him those years ago. It was the least he could do---the very least.
The least we can do.
Hankura smiled at the feel of Chelle's arm around his waist and glanced down into her big blue teary eyes. Sweet Mother, do you always have to do that? Damn! There seemed to be that haze in front of his eyes again, too.
As he turned back for one more glimpse of Casir' sleek blue hovercraft, the last time before it disappeared over the horizon, Hankura knew they were more than saying goodbye to a dear friend. They were letting go of a painful past and those who had gone before---those who had fought and lost.
They had a future on Oltarin, and it was filled with promises.
EPILOGUE
Hankura reveled in the tiny bundle he held so gently in his hands. A son, a tiny, perfectly formed son---his son and Chelle's and how he loved them both!
He laid the sleeping baby in the tiny bed that was placed so that Chelle could look over and see the child whenever she wanted. He felt a rush of tenderness for the child who was pushed forth from Chelle's womb into his waiting hands in a birth that they had shared as tenderly and privately as they'd shared his conception. The two techs on standby weren't needed. Hankura sent them home hours ago.
Hankura?
He turned and lowered himself
to the edge of the bed at her side. Drawing long slender fingers down the softness of her pale cheek, he bent to softly kiss her lips. My beloved Chelle, you are so beautiful! He smiled as the warmth of her love enveloped his thoughts. How do you feel?
Tired, very, very tired. My body feels as though it has been emptied.
I feel it, darling. You had a long, hard labor, but you are all right. You just need to rest. The emptiness will begin to subside as your body becomes adjusted to not having our son inside. He continued caressing her face with his emerald eyes.
But, it's such a lonely feeling. I've never felt this way before.
He leaned over and took her into his arms as she lay on the bed and reached deeply into her mind to experience those lonely feelings with her. He knew her need to hold the child and placed him in her arms, even though he knew she was exhausted.
"What shall we name him?" she asked in a hushed whisper.
"What do you think of Jamerin?"
"Jamerin? Jamerin," she repeated thoughtfully. "Yes. Jamerin suits him," she smiled faintly.
"Chelle let me put Jamerin back in his bed. You should rest now," he said gently. When he had put the child back to bed, he came back and sat beside her again. "I'll sit here with you until you fall asleep. I'll be here if you need me in the night."
"I will always need you," she replied softly.
He could only smile and kiss her forehead. There was no need to tell her the same---she knew.
"Duthan is monitoring the other patients. We've only fifteen now, and none serious. Our new physician is due to arrive tomorrow, so I will have time to spend with you and our son." He continued talking softly, stealing another glance at the sleeping baby. "Now, close your big blue eyes and sleep. If you feel stronger by morning, I'll take you and our son home. Nalina is waiting impatiently for us to get back."
Glancing down, Hankura realized she had fallen asleep, a tender smile hovering on her soft lips.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow, they three were going home.
THE END
Thank you for reading Surviving Zevus Mar.
If you enjoyed reading this book, please go to where you purchased this book and write a short review.
Other books in this series:
The Aledan PSION
OLTARIN
About the Author:
Christine Myers has been a science fiction fan since seeing the original “Day the Earth Stood Still” at age eight. Her favorite sub-genre is space opera romance. Among the most influential in her work are the Lazarus Long novels by Robert Heinlein including “Time Enough for Love”, Marta Randall’s “Journey” and of course “Star Wars”, everything “Star Trek” and “Fire Fly”.
A lifelong resident of Silver Lake, NY she wrote her first novella at age fifteen. She has a BA in Cultural Studies from Empire State College majoring in creative writing. She writes a regular column in the local weekly newspaper “Perry Herald”. Chris has written four novels in The Aledan Series:
Contact the Author:
[email protected]
http://aledanbooks.com
Excerpt of Psion Factor
Prologue: Sential Trader
Oltarin, third planet orbiting a bright yellow main sequence star, the young starship captain observed musingly from the bridge of his ailing ship Sential Trader. The planet was a myriad of climates---from deserts to rolling plains and lush green mountains, a backward planet that had just rejoined the federation about 10 years ago. It was just about the last place in the galaxy that Otian wanted to put his ship down, but the burnt crystals in the power converter of the main star drive engines left him little choice. He could either land on this backward, back water planet; or we can put out to deep space until the normal drive gave out in life support failed.
" Damn! Aw damn!" He muttered caustically, his gaze still fixed on the planet's crescent ahead. "After four years, I've come to this."
" Shall I put in for ground clearance, sir?" Norsen, the ship's com operator asked.
"Yeah, sure." Otian grumbled. "And there isn't really much to waste. I'm just sorry the old gal couldn't get you people to a better drop off point if she had to go and break down on us. Go ahead and com Starport control - - -but don't tell them we haven't got credit for the fees. We're dead in the sky if we don't hit dirt somewhere soon."
"Right, captain." The older man nodded grimly and set about his business.
Otian turned away, putting the sound of the communique mentally into the background, then he slouched his lean, wiry frame into his pilot's seat. Shoving thin fingers back through his thick, fiery red hair, he leaned back in his chair and compressed his then mouth into a taut line. The whole damn mess just wasn't fair!
Trader was the only possession of value he'd ever had, and its crew was his only family since his father had gotten himself killed in a drunken brawl in the gambling house on McKee. If he couldn't get some kind of cargo off planet with enough advance to pay his fees and repairs ship he was going to lose everything.
Sure he knew it was a long shot when he took over through his apprenticeship at twenty-two. But Otian had never really believed that he wouldn't be able to clear his father's debts in to own her free and clear again.
Only this last voyage, one thing seemed to go wrong after another. First the temperature control went haywire in the perishable hold and ruined 750,000 credits worth of qwashi fruit from Pallis V, then the main star drive started to fail. Now it was gone and along with that much of a Otian's former confidence in his ability as a starship captain, and most of all his youthful optimism.
He was the youngest officer on the ship and the third youngest man of the crew of 15 that had served with Otian's father since he was just a boy. The two just older than him were apprenticing ship mates when Sharod, Otian's father, picked him up from Leone in the Regulus system two years after the boy's mother died in an accident.
Sential Trader had been Otian's home for 15 years. It was going to be damned hard to let her go.
Again he swore, pounding his fist against the padding on his arm rest. No! He would never just give her up. They'd have to serve him with an eviction notice and drag him bodily from her. He didn't know how, but somehow, he was going to pull him and his ship off this backwater planet. Nobody was taking Trader! Nobody!
"Captain, we got clearance to land in 1 hour." Norsen interrupted his musings. "They didn't ask any questions, and I didn't offer any answers. They only wanted confirmation all of our Federation Registry Code, so I gave them the clean numbers."
" Well - - -that'll get us on the ground. But, then we'll be stuck when they serve up the invoices for dockage." Otian mused aloud "At least the place is half civilized. It beats the hell out of the middle of the desert."
"Uh, kid - - -" Norsen returned. " Mari-Sanna Starport is in the middle of the desert."
"Yeah, Norsey, I know." The young captain grinned ruefully. " We could have gotten stuck on someplace like Zevus Mar. But Mari-Sanna at least has a village and sweet young ladies, I hope. Do you know how long it's been?"
"Too long." Norsen grinned knowingly. " Vernie's old enough to be my mother, and Sue and Faye hoard it for Jake. What a devil he is!"
" Who’s a devil?" The muscular black navigator demanded as he strode through the sliding portal onto the bridge, taking a seat beside the Captain.
" Nothing Jake." Norsen smirked.
" Bullshit!" The navigator grinned good naturedly. You can have Susie or Faye anytime they want you. I can't help it if I'm charming and irresistible."
"Modest, too." Otian put in and his earlier foul mood began to recede a little.
" Some of us just have it all." Jake laughed.
"Good then maybe you can think of a way to get as out of this mess we're in."
" Aw, don't worry kid. If bad luck comes in threes, we're about due for a change." Jake said cheerfully.
Yet, the way my luck’s been running, Otian mused, it'll probably be a change for the worse.
Ja
ke glanced at his young protégé sympathetically. The whole crew was worried. Trader was their home, too; and even pooling all their credits together wouldn't yield enough to fix her. None of the motley group had been especially for wool over the years. They were tramp jumpers, living from cargo to cargo and taking their pleasures at whatever port they landed until the next cargo out. There were rarely any credits left over for such contingencies as major repairs, and they were beginning to regret that oversight just a little…
CHAPTER ONE – Jamerin
The golden glow of the midday sun over the plain on the high plateau in this Cerulean Mountains on Oltarin grew more pronounced as the sun ascended high overhead in the bluish sky. The lure of the open plain was strong to the childish eyes of young Jamerin sitting mutely in the sun room of his parents' domicile.
It was not so much the plain itself but the apparent freedom of the plains vast openness beyond the boundaries of their yard. In the distance, Jamerin watched the high plains grass is shimmering against the wind and the sun.
This was how the five-year-old boy spent most of his time in the sun room. The childish prattle on the holocube in the colorful animal figures on the carpet floor beside him ceased to interest him some months ago. Ever since an unfathomable terror hands slowly taking control of his mind, isolating him emotionally from those who loved him.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to reach beyond it for the comfort and parental emotional nurturing that he so desperately needed. Small as it was, the only comfort he found from the dark terror enveloping his mind, lay beyond the tinted glass encasing the luxurious sun room.
