“Coming down? From where? We were just up in that area looking for you. Raja said you were going to change, and then you just disappeared.”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
His deep breath could be heard in the crook of her neck. “Are you alright?” Concern thickened his voice.
“Yes,” she assured, distracted. “But we may have an issue in Aulo.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you in a few minutes.”
Aimee turned her head, in essence severing her communication. She glanced behind her, but could not locate the entrance to Corkos’s den. It was there, though. Corkos had explained how to identify it, following the slope of the overhang and the conflux of needled trees.
Creeping down the path, careful of her steps in unfamiliar sandals, Aimee started when a figure stepped into the lane before her.
“Chara!” she gasped, and then smiled her relief.
Chara smiled in return, but the corners of her eyes were pinched and her chest rose and fell as if she had just been running.
“Aimee, what are you doing up here?” Violet eyes searched beyond Aimee’s shoulder.
“Chara, you never told me that JOH’s voice came from a real man. I just met Corkos.”
Chara hastened a glimpse back down the trail. “He spoke to you?” She seemed surprised.
“Yes. Grudgingly at first, but yes.”
“Corkos doesn’t talk much. He’s a bit of a hermit. I’m surprised you even stumbled upon him.”
Under a veil of green needles, Chara’s lustrous blonde hair looked tawnier, and her eyes mirrored the shadows.
“As a matter of fact,” she added, “I was on my way up to see him.”
“You know where his cave is? I thought it was hidden–to ah–to avoid people dropping in.”
Chara glanced behind her again. “It is. I have seen him come this way. I was hoping to–to run into him.”
A tickling sensation crept up Aimee’s neck. As graceful as the woman was, Chara’s body language put Aimee on edge.
“What would you need Corkos for? As I understand it, he hasn’t had visitors in nearly a ren.”
Chara frowned. Aimee was reminded of a time she had seen this beautiful woman, gaunt and scared in the Jay-nine satellite. Chara, along with so many others were saved that day. Saved by a serum that allowed them to travel back to Anthum and settle on the planet none of them wished to flee from in the first place.
“There is a daily announcement that goes out to the citizens of Aulo. Two editors gather news items by conducting interviews with our elder panel and some local snippets to keep the listeners engaged. We have concert announcements in the square. Birth anniversary notices. Bonding statements–”
Aimee listened patiently, waiting for Chara’s point.
“But today, there was a note–so random–it didn’t belong.”
“What kind of note?” she didn’t know why she was playing dumb, but it seemed the thing to do.
Chara discreetly placed her hand over her shoulder. It might have been an innocent gesture to scratch an itch, or rub an aching muscle. Or, it could have been a means to ensure that the communication piece in her dress was truly muted.
“There was mention of the weather in a valley no one would know about, so it’s insertion into the news was truly curious.”
“But, you know of this valley?” Aimee tested.
Chara lowered her eyes. “I’ve heard of it,” she replied evasively.
No! It couldn’t be. Chara couldn’t be one of their saboteurs. But Corkos was looking to fish someone out with his message, and he hooked one immediately.
“A random weather report doesn’t sound very menacing,” Aimee offered. “And why would you think it’s Corkos?”
“No, no, the message was certainly not menacing,” Chara rushed. “Just extremely curious. And the only person with the means to break into our communication system would be Corkos.”
“So, why not just let it go at that? Just a curious message?”
Chara’s golden eyebrows narrowed. “Yes,” she said the word, but it didn’t sound very agreeable. “You are probably right.” She peeked back down the path. “I saw Zak looking for you a bit ago. You better get down there before he sends out a search party.”
It was a valid point, and any exaggerated delays would just alert Chara to her suspicion.
“You’re right,” Aimee agreed. “I’ll get going. But no,” she looked behind her, “I didn’t see Corkos up that way.”
Chara nodded with a weary smile. “Probably just someone’s idea of a prank to see if we really listen to those boring daily transmissions.”
Aimee chuckled. “That is true.” She paused, and added, “I’ll see you later, Chara.”
When the woman had no more to add, Aimee turned and cautiously navigated the stone path, only stopping once to look behind her.
Chara was gone.
But, the questions remained.
***
Huddled in a corner of the Bio Ward, Aimee whispered, conscious that the acoustics of the domed roof volleyed the slightest sound.
“It appears we have saboteurs in our presence,” she announced with dramatic flair.
“Yep,” Craig nodded matter-of-factly.
It wasn’t the reaction she expected. She expected jaws dropping–gasps–hands thrown to mouths. Instead, Zak, Raja, and Craig looked unaffected.
“You’re not surprised?” she asked.
“Zak and I climbed to a ridge high up on the mountain–above the Bio Ward. It didn’t take much detective work to see signs of malicious intent. Boulders were deliberately budged, some even strategically repositioned for a more precise trajectory.”
Aimee contemplated mentioning that one almost hit her, but that would set Zak off into a one-man vendetta. Instead, she shared her meeting with Corkos, and the revelation that there were survivors of the virus in the Solthum Valley. She also shared Corkos’ notion that these survivors were keen on remaining the exclusive citizens of Anthum.
Raja’s eyes widened at the news. She stumbled backwards, as if physically stricken. As absurd as the thought might be, in her mind, the blame of innocent people being left behind was solely on her. Craig’s arm wrapped around her supportively.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “How could that have happened?”
Sensitive to her friend’s anxieties, Aimee tempered the subject.
“Corkos said that the valley was very remote, and few even knew of its existence.”
“So, you say he sent out a message through the daily transmission to alert them–or rather, draw them out?” Zak asked, his face as stoic as ever.
“Yes,” Aimee edged.
“Any bites?” Craig asked.
Oh no. Lie number two coming. Not good. Not good at all.
“Not yet.” She felt heat rise to her cheeks.
Zak’s eyes narrowed. He knew her too well, but he kept silent.
“Alright, so in summary,” Craig paced as he recited, “we need to be on the lookout for someone–anyone–who looks just like everybody else, but harbors evil intentions against innocent people?”
His look said it all.
“That’s how I understand it,” Aimee replied flatly.
Raja was shaking her head. “I still don’t believe any of this. I’m going to talk to the elders and get their take.”
“Aimee’s right,” Craig touched her shoulder. “Let us lead these assailants to believe that we know nothing. Alerting the elders will just breed more caution on their part. By the scene that Zak and I stumbled upon, I can tell they are growing brazen–reckless. Now that we know we’re dealing with legitimate saboteurs, it’s just a matter of being patient and waiting until they strike again.”
“But, what if they hurt someone in the process?” Raja countered.
“We have to catch them before that,” he responded solemnly. “It’s a thin line. I’m willing to stake out at night–”
A
imee snickered. “I knew having you around would come in handy.”
“Last time you tried to stake someone out you got distracted by the first pretty blonde you saw,” Zak teased.
“That’s not true!” Craig protested, but a grin caught the corner of his lip. He turned towards Raja. “Besides, now I’ve got the blonde, so there’s nothing to distract me.”
Pink infused Raja’s cheeks, but she secreted a smile. To shift the attention from herself she searched the Bio Ward and crossed her arms.
“Why would someone want to hurt the sick and wounded?”
Why indeed, Aimee thought. And that was just what she was going to ask a certain female as soon as she could get a moment alone. A discreet glimpse at her husband made her doubt that moment would ever come. Zak wore the we are going to talk later expression as loud as if it was blaring through her shoulder.
A commotion broke out at the arched entrance to the Bio Ward. Shadows converged and muffled shouts for help could be heard. Raja sprang in that direction, with Craig in quick pursuit.
Aimee hastened after them, but Zak’s grip corralled her.
“You need to slow down,” he admonished.
“But, they need help.”
“And there are plenty of people here to help them,” he argued as they joined the melee. “If you keep up like you are they might have to attend to you too.”
“But, Zak–”
His eyebrow rose. Her mouth closed.
Craig edged away from the congregation to fill them in.
“There’s been an accident nearby.” His voice was deep with concern. “A group of men had just started working on a new structure, a library to house the historical literature from the Horus. They fell into a well–a pit concealed with reeds and branches. They claim the covering was not natural, but rather manmade, and that the hole had not been there when they first sized up the location as a potential construction site.”
“How badly were they hurt?” Aimee rushed.
“Raja is gauging that now, but she thinks everyone can be mended easily enough.” Craig locked eyes on Zak. “I’m going to search the library site–see if the hole is manufactured, and see if there are any tracks–”
“I’ll come with you–”
Even as he said it, Zak shot a desperate look at Aimee. Craig read his expression.
“Stay with Aimee for now. See if you can find out any more about this Corkos and his tale.”
“You shouldn’t go alone,” Zak warned.
“Probably not, but as you said, we need to keep this low-key. Too many people snooping around will draw attention.”
Zak shook his head in frustration. “Right. Well, let me go find Corkos. Keep in contact. We have to move fast before these people strike again.”
Craig gave a brief nod and turned away. Across the floor, Aimee caught Raja’s frantic gaze. The crisp white gown she wore was now tainted with blood shed by the man they were transferring into an egg.
I’ll be back soon, Aimee mouthed.
Raja dipped her head in response and then snapped her attention back to the man’s arm she held at an awkward angle.
Outside, Zak took her into his arms. In that sanctuary, she smelled the salt of the ocean mingling with the heat of his skin.
“I need to be more like one the of inhabitants of Cordorone when it comes to you,” he whispered into her hair.
“Where is Cordorone, and what are the inhabitants like?” Her voice was muffled against his chest.
“It is a planet in a galaxy not far from Bordran. And the citizens have eyes on all their limbs. That is what is required to keep you in sight.”
“You had to go off with Craig and be macho and pound your chest and all.”
“Pound my chest?” He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. “Why? There was nothing stuck in my windpipe.”
Zak had spent his fair share of time on Earth and was well-accustomed with movies and television shows. He was a big fan of science fiction, but tended to get a good chuckle out of it more often than not. But, for as acclimated as he was, he could still be very literal at times.
“Never mind. Let me see if I can find Corkos again so you can speak with him.”
Balmy trees with hairy, grooved fronds tickled the stately columns in front of the Bio Ward. Each sweep sounded like a shower of glass. Aimee glanced into the thick row of shrubs, leading behind the building, and the sliver of a path that meandered up the hillside. Uncertain, she turned to look in the opposite direction, towards the main road, where grand temples accommodated the settlers of Aulo. One such temple was nestled beside the sea, its base sinking into the sand and giving the edifice a slightly slanted façade. This was Chara’s dwelling.
“Are you going to tell me now what it is you neglected to mention in there?” Zak hooked his thumb back at the Bio Ward.
Pinpricks of heat invaded her cheeks. She looked down at the ground and realized she could just see the tips of her toes under the flowing white gown. Her girth was making it too hard to see much else. She rubbed her belly protectively.
“Aimee,” Zak pushed. “You’re making me nervous. Is everything okay with the baby?”
“Yes,” she jolted. “Yes, of course. It was something else.”
Sure fingers touched her chin until she lifted her eyes.
“Chara–”
“What about Chara?” Zak dipped his head in concern. “Is she alright?”
“She is–she–” Aimee hesitated. “Corkos embedded that message in today’s news transmission. No one in Aulo knows of the Solthum Valley. It is so remote–so hard to get to–”
She knew she was repeating herself, but Zak waited patiently.
“As I was leaving Corkos’s cave, I ran into Chara on her way up. There is nothing up that path that I’m aware of.”
“Other than saboteurs staging landslides?” Zak offered grimly.
Aimee shuddered. “She said she was on her way to see Corkos. She said she heard his message about Solthum Valley. She tried to make it sound like a curiosity, but she looked troubled. Her hands were shaking.”
Zak read her eyes. “You can’t think Chara is behind any of the attacks?”
“No.” She took a step towards that peach-colored edifice. “But, it is mighty suspicious, don’t you think?”
“The FBI guy is in the Bio Ward. Last I recall you were an engineer.”
Aimee pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose at him. “I am someone who is concerned. Need there be any other title?”
“No,” he smiled. “As they say on your planet, you wear many hats.”
Zak placed a hand atop her abdomen. He rubbed there gently. “Don’t be confused by your mother, Zon.”
Aimee grinned and dropped her hand over his. A couple strolled by on the street, offering a discreet smile at the private moment. Zak took hold of Aimee’s elbow and started across the worn avenue, aiming for the slanted building on the beach.
“Personally, I am willing to bet that Salvan is behind all the recent accidents,” he guessed.
“If there is something nefarious going on, yes, I’d be willing to bet he was involved,” Aimee rolled her eyes. “I don’t think so in this case. I doubt he even knows anything about Solthum Valley, but it wouldn’t hurt to check on him too.”
Just as they were crossing the road, a figure in white darted onto the porch of the peach-colored edifice and disappeared inside. As in most structures along this beachfront stretch, there were no windows. The elaborate marble-like columns on the veranda allowed a view of an arched doorway and little more.
They followed, mounting the marbled stairs and approaching the behemoth wooden door. Inlaid panels of polished white stone gleamed under a spoke of sunshine. Zak reached forward and rapped his fist against it. There was no answer. He knocked again and Aimee called out, “Chara, can we talk for just a moment?”
A grating sound of wood against rock filled the vestibule as Chara’s pensive face peered out at them. Aimee had consid
ered this woman ageless, but time had finally caught up with Chara. Shadows lurked beneath dulled indigo eyes. Tension drew lines at the corners of her full lips.
“Twice in one day,” she tried to sound amiable, but she was already searching the avenue behind them.
“We–we just wanted to stop by and say hello. And…well, we were just curious,” Aimee started. “Curious how you knew of Solthum Valley, when according to Corkos no one in Aulo would know about it?”
Chara cleared her throat and stepped back into the shadowed wedge of the open doorway.
“Why don’t you come in?”
They stepped into a long vestibulum, ornately painted with ocean landscapes. Chara’s sandals scraped against a mosaic floor rich with polished ores as they continued into an atrium, the dome revealing a blue sky dulled by the foggy aperture. Vibrant brocades draped over spherical furniture and a fountain brimmed in the corner, cascading into a stone well.
Chara glanced at Aimee’s midriff and suggested, “Please, sit down. Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
Reluctant to admit that she was tired, Aimee accepted the offer and settled on a backless couch.
“No, thank you. We won’t take up much of your time. I was just wondering if you were able to speak with Corkos?”
“I did.” Her expression turned solemn.
“Did he explain his message?” Aimee probed.
Staring listlessly at the fountain, Chara simply nodded.
“Chara,” Aimee entreated. “You know something of Solthum Valley? What do you know?”
Chara’s eyes rounded, but she remained mute.
“People were seriously hurt today,” Zak tried for restraint.
“More?” Chara swallowed. “Or, are you talking about the landslide yesterday?”
“No, we’re talking about the group of innocent men who fell into a concealed pit today–all of which are in the Bio Ward now.”
Chara shrank back as if she had been slapped. Her pale hand fluttered to the silky fabric around her chest. “You–you are looking at me as if I had something to do with it.”
Zak’s shoulders relaxed slightly and though doubt licked behind her ears with a thousand little tongues, Aimee rushed to assure, “No. Of course not.” She hesitated. Lick. Lick. “But Corkos told me that if anyone came forward who had recognized the message–”
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