Four Worlds

by Maureen A. Miller

  Not wanting to presume the laws of photosynthesis applied in all galaxies, Aimee asked, “Are you going through a draught? I don’t see a cloud in the sky. Does it rain here?”

  “Rain?” Chara’s golden eyebrows knotted. “Oh, yes. And even during the dry seasons we have an advanced aqueduct system that draws water from the mountains.”

  “So, what do you suspect is the problem? Are the seeds still good?”

  “These seeds sprouted fine in our atrium on the Horus.” She waved her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “You mentioned several setbacks?” Aimee reached the top of the stairs and turned for an impressive view of the ocean. The hills that dropped into the coastline seemed volcanic in nature. Uneven. Born from the rocks. But that jagged contrast with the turquoise blue sea made her recall all the glorious tales of Anthum’s beauty that had been recited on the Horus.

  “Oh, really, just little things.”

  Chara pushed on, not allowing Aimee and Zak to dawdle.

  Sensing the subject was closed for now, Aimee stepped into the shadows of the huge portico, staring up at the fluted columns capped with stone scrolls, some unfurled enough for her to discern text. She squinted to see if she could make out the symbols, but Zak’s hand on her elbow drove her forward.

  Stepping through the grand arched doorway, Aimee gasped at the sight. A domed ceiling created an acoustic masterpiece with strains of hushed conversations, hurried footfalls against marble, and the soothing dissonance of flowing water.

  A channel grooved into the stone floor ran down the center of the vaulted hall. Water filled the duct, its source a striking waterfall coming from the far end of the chamber. In the shadowed recesses of the ceiling, Aimee discerned paintings and engravings similar to those depicted in the passages of the Horus. Alongside her, statues of figures in graceful clothes towered over them as they progressed through the hall.

  In contrast to this semblance of Greek mythology sat the stark glare of technology. The marble span they crossed, and the balconies to the open second story were teeming with illuminated eggshell cots, all but a few empty. Men and women dressed in white moved purposefully between those few bedridden figures. Every cot was lit from inside. A blue glow illuminated over each occupant.

  “Our Bio Ward,” Chara explained.

  The woman’s voice expressed pride. Her face registered strain.

  “Aimee,” a voice called from across the channel of water.

  “Raja,” she hollered back, and then shrunk at the sound of her voice volleying around the vaulted chamber in an endless echo. She motioned that she would travel around to the other side and Raja nodded, her long blonde hair bobbing below her shoulders.

  “This is amazing, Chara,” Zak offered. “I see you have a few patients. What ails them?”

  Chara glanced at the closest cocoon cot. An elderly male lay basking in the azure glow. His eyes were closed. He was dressed in a white jumpsuit, similar to the local men. No deviant colors were revealed across his abdomen.

  “There was an accident. A landslide.” Chara clasped her hands together. “Several people were caught under rocks for some time. That is who you see here.”

  “A landslide. Where at?” As he asked, his glance was already climbing above the waterfall, searching the shadows of the vaulted ceiling.

  Aimee followed his gaze, recalling the stacks of buildings ascending the hillside behind this very temple.

  “Not far from here,” Chara replied evasively.

  “Is this common? Aimee asked. “I don’t recall reading about landslides in Anthumian history.”

  “We don’t know. I was–I was a young adult when I left Anthum. Just before the virus it was the loveliest place you can imagine, and no, there were no landslides. But we don’t know if weather patterns have changed over all these rens. We haven’t detected any significant earthquakes or volcanic activity, or signs of erosion. It is just a rare anomaly.”

  “Is this a safe location for the Bio Ward?” Aimee glanced at the far wall, imagining it crumble at any given moment.

  “Yes,” Chara’s voice wavered. “These temples are constructed from a nearly indestructible Anthumian ore.”

  “Then what type of structure were these victims in?” Aimee peered at an illuminated egg shell, trying to avoid eye contact with the individual inside. “Something less substantial?”

  Chara scratched her pale eyebrow. It was all the answer Aimee needed.

  Across the chamber a flash of silver caught Aimee’s attention. Raja, still in her Horus suit, beckoned with a wave.

  “I better go see Raja,” Aimee stated. “We’ll meet up with you later, Chara. Thank you so much for showing us around. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you again.”

  And that was true. She was truly elated to see this woman who had represented a maternal figure to her in that initial spell aboard the Horus. It was just hard to ignore the despair Chara failed to conceal.

  ***

  “So, were you surprised to find this new Bio Ward so advanced?” Aimee asked Raja as Craig and Zak perused the rudiments of an empty egg-shaped bed.

  “Yes.” Raja nodded. “Naturally, the Horus didn’t land here on that past LifeQuest. There was no transferal of technology at the time. The people who decided to return to Anthum last ren took a shuttle ship, and the craft didn’t have enough room to store such extensive equipment. I was always told that everything of value had been shoved aboard the Horus before it fled the epidemic, but it appears a great deal was left behind.”

  “That’s what I had been led to believe as well.”

  “We’ll have to see what other secrets this planet holds.” Raja tried to wink, but it just looked like a muscle spasm.

  “Have you learned anything about the landslide that put these people in here?”

  “Craig has been asking around,” she glanced at the tall, dark-haired man in hushed conversation with Zak. “It was the first of its kind, and it occurred only a few buildings away from here. They say a portion of a temple further up the hill gave way and crashed onto those beneath it, trapping some people inside. There have been no casualties, but the few you see in here were seriously wounded.” Raja nodded at the closest oval bed. “We think they will all be fine, though. Thanks to the equipment in this ward.”

  Aimee glanced nervously at the high ceiling. “What if–”

  “No,” Raja interrupted. “There can’t be an occurrence here.” She trembled at the thought. “This is the only advanced health technology on Aulo. They’ve already begun moving items from Ship Ceb, so the Bio Ward on the Horus is sparsely equipped now. Craig has already scoped out the buildings above this on the hillside, and feels everything looks solid, but I think there are plans to bring artisans in for further analysis.” She tipped her head towards the two men nearby. “That’s probably what he is discussing with Zak right now.”

  On cue, Zak walked over.

  “Craig and I are going to take a quick peek at the structures above this one. I know we aren’t as qualified as the team of surveyors being assembled, but sometimes the untrained eye spots more.”

  “I can come with you,” Aimee rushed.

  “Stay here.” He smiled patiently. “It sounds like it is a steep incline.”

  “I’m pregnant. I don’t have broken legs.” Familiar heat surged to her cheeks. Why was she constantly getting riled?

  “Aimee, please.”

  His tolerant plea took the steam out of her retort. She peered through the open entryway and gauged the position of the sun. If it dipped anywhere near the tree line, she was going after him.

  “Don’t be too long, or I’ll come looking for you.”

  Craig rose a fist to his mouth to conceal a chuckle. He raised his eyebrow and challenged Raja, “How come you don’t worry about me like that?”

  Raja, ever so literal, responded, “If anything happens to you. I will heal you.”

  “Now you see, Zak. That is how a woman can make a man feel
invincible.”

  Zak’s lips curled into a grin just before he touched them to Aimee’s cheek. “Don’t get into any trouble,” he whispered.

  “If I do,” she replied softly, “you’ll just get me out of it.”

  “That I will, Zer-shay. That I will.”

  With the men gone, Aimee trailed after Raja as she made her rounds through the extravagant Bio Ward.

  “I’m glad the staff allowed you to step right in and work. They must be so happy to have someone with your skills. How many experienced physicians and scientists could have come over in the first shuttle?”

  “Many who came on that first shuttle were elders. Unfortunately, some have passed on from natural causes. Chara was very happy to see me, and any others who can help out.” She brushed her fingertips against the side of the luminous eggshell and it changed to a pale yellow glow.

  “What does yellow mean?”

  Raja tipped her head to look into the cot. “It means this man is doing better. He may be conscious soon and can tell us more of what happened.”

  Before Aimee could say anything, Raja was moving on to the next cot. “When I am through here we can give you a–” she hunted for the English term, “–checkup.”

  “Can’t we just do it in the Bio Ward on the Horus?” She hated the desperation in her tone. “I feel more comfortable there.”

  After all, we did leave Earth because we thought the Bio Ward was the safest option for our baby. And, it is not parked under a crumbling mountain.

  Peering back over her shoulder, Raja’s wide eyes studied her. “Yes, of course. There’s still enough facilities there for the task.”

  Aimee knew her friend’s expressions all too well. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Raja stepped back from the nearest bed and kept her voice low. “Nothing. Nothing. I’m just not sure what their plans are for the Horus. I was surprised to see how quickly they raided it. I know they’re anxious to develop this city, but–”

  “Do you think that will really happen?” Aimee cringed at the number of heads turning in her direction. She lowered her voice. “I would think they would want the Horus to explore once again. That is what it is made for.”

  Raja shrugged. “It’s up to the elders, including Vodu.”

  Instinctively, Aimee placed her palm over her abdomen. “How soon?” she hesitated, “I mean, do you know how long I have?”

  “It will be soon, Aimee.”

  Reading into Aimee’s alarmed expression, Raja added. “You can’t equate the gestation period to that of your planet. There are various factors involved. The Ziratakian gestation period is shorter than that of an Earthling. I don’t know if that will affect you, but it is shorter. And also, the length of a day on Anthum is far greater than one on Earth. And, well, analysis indicates Zon is well-developed.”

  A bout of nerves possessed Aimee.

  I’m scared. I’m not ready.

  “As long as you are there. As long as Zak is there–” she felt confidence return, “–I will feel positive.”

  Raja’s blue eyes softened. “You and your baby will be safe, my friend. You know I’ll see to that.”

  The words made Aimee feel better, but even the multi-talented Raja could not shield her from an avalanche.

  “Oh, I wanted to give you this.” Raja reached for a silky pile of fabric. “This is an Anthumian gown. You’ll find it much more comfortable for your growing state than the Horus uniform.”

  An image of Chara in her regal white gown flashed in Aimee’s mind. It had looked comfy and beautiful, but it surely wasn’t her. She was a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.

  “But it won’t light up…if anything is wrong?”

  “No, the traditional Anthumian garb predates the virus, but I will work on integrating new technology into these outfits. And, of course, I’ll be monitoring you constantly.” Reading her indecision, Raja added, “I wouldn’t even suggest it if I didn’t think it would make you more comfortable. I know we designed your uniform to be loose, but this outfit will truly flow over you.”

  And make me feel like a goddess…which I’m not.

  “You can change back there.” Raja nodded to a marble partition with towering fern plants marking its entrance.

  Still uncertain, Aimee patted the fine fabric. It felt lighter than satin. She wanted to hold it up and inspect it. What if people could see through it?

  Raja smiled patiently at her indecision. “Just give me a few minutes and I’ll be in to help.”

  It was obvious the woman was busy. In fact, too busy in Aimee’s opinion. What had these people done before she arrived? Well, without the landslide there must not have been much action in the Bio Ward. Peace and harmony–that’s what they preached for Aulo.

  Peace and harmony usually meant healthy citizens.

  Crossing over to the barbed plants in their onyx, sphere-shaped pots, Aimee slipped behind the partition. Shafts of sunlight pierced through an aperture in the domed ceiling, casting dancing strobes into a sunken pool. Alabaster basins flanked the circular wall with fanciful fountains pouring a stream of water into each. Another quick perusal of the small rotunda and Aimee deemed it the most lavish bathroom she’d ever been in.

  Hastily swapping her uniform for the gauzy gown, Aimee took a moment to peer at the long dress in the reflective glass behind the milky pool. It flowed over her like a gown of fresh-fallen snow. The swell of her tummy flared the bottom hem as she turned about to view the dip in the back. It came with a gossamer shawl to protect against the cool ocean breezes. It was beyond comfortable. It was a touch of Heaven against her skin. Fluid and unbinding, she thought it would make one glamorous couch potato outfit.

  A man’s voice snapped her head to attention. It was muffled. Coming from outside. At least she had changed. But, what if some stranger walked in here while she was dressing? The voice grew remote, however. No, it grew closer. Now it was remote.

  Pacing?

  She inched towards the exit, now seeing the shadow plod back and forth, bisecting the sun on the floor. Motionless inside the doorway she listened for his next pass. There was only one shadow, meaning his was an introspective dialogue.

  When the shadow next drew close, she was able to hear him better and recognized the voice immediately. She charged out into the light, crying, “JOH!”

  But, there was no JOH.

  Aimee peered towards her left into the shadowed path that wormed up the hillside. To her right, the midday sun pierced her eyes. Squinting against it, she noticed a man standing in the courtyard between the Bio Ward and the residential sanctuary next to it. The man was bald, with enough sun spots on his pale head to nearly reconsider his skin color. He stopped, startled by her appearance. He wore a white, one-piece suit, but it was sullied in spots, not bleachy clean like everyone else around here. Tepid gray eyes regarded her with mild tolerance.

  “I’m sorry,” she rushed. “Did you happen to see a JOH–umm, a floating–”

  His blank expression curtailed the rest of her statement.

  “Never mind,” she uttered. “Sorry to have startled you.” She bowed her head and turned away.

  “You came from the Horus modules?”

  Aimee’s feet locked. She knew if she glanced back over her shoulder that it was the speckled man who spoke to her–and yet, the voice–

  She turned. “Yes.”

  Craning a thin neck scored with wrinkles, the man searched beyond her. Satisfied that they were alone he added soberly, “You shouldn’t have come.”

  Taken aback by the statement, she was even more staggered by his tinny voice.

  “You–you sound just like JOH.”

  “JOH,” the man repeated sullenly. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in quite some time. It still functions?”

  Aimee retreated a few steps to get a closer look at the man. The shroud of sunlight had blacked-out his features, but now on closer inspection she could see shrewd gray eyes above angular cheekbones. Wiry under his s
tained suit, he seemed nervous, his gnarled hands constantly fidgeting, or were they shaking?

  “Yes, he functions quite well,” she responded. “How is it that you sound just like him?”

  The man glanced over his shoulder and then shifted his eyes back edgily. “I can’t talk to you. You don’t look Anthumian. You could be one of them.”

  “One of who?” Aimee closed in a step, which startled the man into retreat. She held her ground. “I am from a planet called Earth. I was accidentally retrieved by the Horus a few rens ago on one of their Lifequests.”

  “Lifequests,” he snorted, his lips thinning. “They could have found a cure here if they stuck around long enough.”

  “They would have died if they stayed. There was no food,” she argued. It was surreal challenging someone who sounded just like JOH. She kept expecting to see the animated blue face pop up on the bald cap.

  “I stayed,” he tapped his chest. “I did not die.”

  The tone of affront was so familiar to her.

  “How?” she cried. Seeing his head wither into his shoulders she lowered her tone. “How did you survive?” And how do you have JOH’s voice? “And how can you speak my language?” she challenged. “I heard you out here talking. You don’t wear a translator–” she hesitated, “I don’t think.”

  Uneasy now, the man started to edge up the path. “There are two others in there who speak the language you speak.” He nodded towards the Bio Ward. “I was listening to them. I was learning it. I thought they were the enemy. It is an important strategy to learn the enemy’s language.”

  “So before, when I heard you talking out here–you were practicing?”

  The smooth head bobbed as he continued to retreat up the path. Aimee was not deterred. She followed after him, which only escalated his pace.

  “I have to go,” he fretted.

  “You called Raja and Craig the enemy. Why?”

  Still climbing, he spoke over his shoulder. “The man. He had dark hair. Dark eyes. I knew he was a foreigner, so clearly he had to be one of them.”

  “Who is them? There are no enemies here. Anthum is a peaceful planet. Craig, the dark man is from Earth, the same planet as I. We are peaceful too.”