by S. E. Smith
After Steve left the service, he had debilitating flashbacks to certain events and was left nearly unable to function at times. Being on the Nebula Zephyr, part of a world with a reassuringly military structure, thanks to Captain Fleming’s influence, helped, because everyone had the same frame of reference. Close friends like Jake were important as well. Each former military member had their own troubled dreams and flashbacks and inappropriate physical reactions to environmental stress. No one judged or criticized.
The garden was only for people who really needed it. No one else on board knew it existed. Even Maeve didn’t have ganglions in the space. There was a schedule for who visited when and once a veteran was invited to share, they were added to the schedule, although blocks of time were held open in case a member of the garden roster had a bad day and needed the sanctuary. Only one person was ever allowed in the garden at a time.
Steve enjoyed the winding path, cleverly laid out to maximize the space, until it ended at a fountain and a stone bench, adjacent to a circular space of gleaming white sand, with a few gigantic, non-faceted semiprecious stones punctuating neatly raked lines. He barely glanced at the zen garden since the activity didn’t appeal to him. He preferred to either walk the paths or occasionally to sit on the bench, close his eyes and meditate. Being able to get away from everybody and everything was a rare gift.
But as his gaze flickered over the sand, he retreated a step, staring in disbelief.
The Tahumaroan rock sat in the exact center.
Adrenaline hit his system as he prepared for a fight and he fisted his hands.
Nothing happened. “What do you want with me?” he asked.
There was no response. I’m talking to a damn rock. Disbelief making him doubt the evidence of his own eyes, he circled the sand, keeping watch on the rock as he did so but it sat quiescent like…well, like a lump of stone. But there has to be a reason it’s chosen to appear here and now. Anger over the rock’s violation of this peaceful space clouded his thinking and with an effort he shook it off. Retreating a bit down the path, he considered his options and then keyed the senior officers’ com channel open. When he’d entered the Tadochi space, he’d turned it off to avoid any interruptions but now there was one person he needed.
Tyrelle Embersson was in charge of the secret garden. She was also an empathic priestess from a lost planet and if anyone could make sense of what this damn rock wanted, it would be her.
Her voice on the com was as musical as always. “I had a feeling I might hear from you today, Officer Aureli,” she said with no hint of surprise. “I don’t normally have premonitions because it’s not my gift, but today was different. How can I be of assistance?”
“Would you meet me in the Tadochi garden? Now? There’s something I need you to see, a problem I think—I hope—maybe you can help resolve.” Stammering wasn’t like him. He was trained to give concise reports and orders but this whole situation with the rock or whatever it was had rattled him. “It may be dangerous,” he added, in fairness.
“I’ll take the risk if you’re there. Give me five minutes.” Tyrelle signed off.
He glared at the rock as if it was a raw cadet who’d broken the rules at the Academy. “Stay in one spot this time, would you? And don’t make mischief.” Steve walked to the bench, keeping as far from the rock as he could, and sat. The Cargo Master would literally kill him if his wife came to any harm as a result of Steve’s involving her in this mess, but he felt the potential risk to the ship justified his request if their unwanted guest kept popping up here, there and everywhere and causing problems. As was customary, Steve had entered the garden weaponless, but that hardly meant he was helpless and Tyrelle’s safety would be his primary concern.
“I’m about to enter the garden,” Tyrelle said over the com. “And I have a few friends with me.”
“What the seven hells?” She closed the link before he could get his entire protest out.
Charrli’s bark sounded from the direction of the portal and Steve rose to his feet in disbelief, checking on the stone, which sat firmly in its chosen place. Don’t tell me she brought Dian.
Charrli came scampering up the path, barking excitedly, but unwilling to enter the sandy area, skidded to a halt before Steve could grab him. The dog’s ears flared to the sides and he watched the rock with an unnerving intensity as he plopped on his furry butt in the grass.
Tyrelle came more slowly, followed by Dian and Juli. The empath raised one slender jade green hand. “Before you complain about my breaking the rules, I found these two ladies and the dog at the hidden portal, trying to figure out how to gain entry. No one’s ever gotten close to the location before so I’m assuming they need to be here.”
Steve swallowed his protest. “You’re in charge of the garden. I yield to your decision.”
Juli came to his side and automatically he put his arm around her. She was shaking and he gave her a quick hug and a kiss, ignoring the amused and knowing look from Dian. Tyrelle was as focused on the rock as Charrli was.
“I saw Dian and Charrli going somewhere in the gravlift,” Juli said in a low voice, “They were in a hurry and I figured I’d better go with them.”
“We were sniffing around on level four,” Dian said, huffing and puffing a bit. “And suddenly Charrli was headed for the gravlift and then intent on arriving here.”
“What is this place?” Juli asked, looking at the trees and the pond with wide eyes. “I’ve never even heard this area mentioned.”
“No, you wouldn’t have. It’s strictly need to know. You’ll both have to give the captain your word later not to discuss it,” he said.
“But why would the rock come here? And summon us?”
“Although there are two multi faith chapels on the ship,” Tyrelle said, “This place is an oasis of serenity and peace for the spirit. I believe the rock has been seeking such a place for a long time.”
“And as for why now,” Steve said, “I hate to say it but I think the rock knew I was coming here for my time slot.” He was sure Juli would have more questions later and he found he had no reluctance to explain his PTSD issues to her at the right place and time.
“Listen to us crazy people, discussing a rock as if it had a sentient mind,” Juli said. “Unfortunately I’m as crazy as both of you.” She pointed her finger at Steve and then Dian. “Because I’ve come to believe it too.”
Tyrelle hummed a tune and then sang a few words in her own language. She stripped off her shoes and turned to them. “I’m going to attempt to communicate now, so if the three of you could be seated and not interfere, no matter what happens.” Not waiting to see if they obeyed her request, she stepped into the sand and walked slowly to the rock, chanting a melodious set of phrases over and over.
Dian took the bench. Charrli trotted over to lay his head across her feet, while Steve sat leaning on the bench and pulled Juli into his lap.
He had no idea how long the interlude continued. Tyrelle eventually put her hand on the rock and seated herself cross legged in the sand. A twinge of alarm rippled through Steve but whatever she was singing and however she was using her other powers had him in its thrall and he found he had no desire to move from his spot.
Then abruptly the song was done and Tyrelle rose, dusting white sand from the seat of her uniform pants. She said one word in a sharp tone and the rock vibrated in place before disappearing in a shower of sand.
Now Steve did shoot to his feet, carefully setting Juli on hers. “What the seven hells? Now where did the damn thing go?”
“To Juli’s office, I believe.” Tyrelle was unfazed and came to sit next to Dian on the bench, extending one hand to Charrli, who licked her fingers with a startlingly pink tongue.
Steve was concerned how pale she’d become. “Should I call Owen? Or the doctor?”
“I’ll be all right. I can draw upon the energies of the garden to restore me. We’ve planted certain species specifically for their ability to assist me.” With a hand on t
he small of her back as if she had a muscle ache, she straightened and smiled. “Let me tell you what I learned and by then I’ll be rested enough that we can all leave and go find the captain.”
“And check whether the rock is in my office as you believe,” Juli said.
“There are two spirits trapped in the rock,” Tyrelle said. “Incredibly ancient, one more kindly disposed than the other. Like two sides of a mirror, I think.”
“Did they tell you why they’ve been making trouble for us? And killed a man?” Juli asked.
Forehead wrinkled in a frown, Tyrelle said, “You must understand we couldn’t communicate in words. For me it was shades of emotion, which is my gift. I think when the original person who possessed the rock took it offplanet, there was a general feeling of excitement in the entities, to be out in the galaxy and a willingness of the intelligences to do favors for the man in repayment. Over time, the spirits wished to return to their proper place. Also, the more kindly of the two grew tired and the more malicious or mischievous sentience came to the forefront. The two things combined led to more and more negative influence on the so-called owner until he died.” She looked at Juli. “When you came into possession of the rock housing these beings, they were pleased to be going home.” Tyrelle flicked a glance at Steve before tilting her head and giving Juli a meaningful look. “The pair wished to exert the positive influence for you. Help you resolve a few situations.”
Like making her car break down and bringing me to rescue her? How much power do these things wield? Steve decided not to ask those unanswerable questions. He certainly had enough other issues crowding his mind but Juli got her questions out first.
“But then why did the rock or the beings or however they think of themselves leave my office? And cause all the trouble on the beach level? And kill the thief?”
“I’m assuming they killed the thief because he wanted to keep them from going home,” Dian said.
“Exactly.” Rising and pacing, twirling one of her long green stands of fernlike hair in her fingers, Tyrelle seemed troubled. “We mustn’t underestimate the potential for major incidents. The beings were excited to find the beach, with sand and water from their own planet. They were thrilled to pull energy from the engine core. They don’t truly understand the ramifications of some of their actions. High technology isn’t their natural environment, despite a number of years in the Sectors. So they were called to the beach and to the power of the engine by their own nature. We need to get the rock to Tahumaroa Two with all possible haste.”
“Before anything else bad happens,” Juli said.
“Right. Before the more malevolent spirit decides to come to the forefront again. Or even worse decides it wishes to continue the journey in space instead and puts forth effort to try to assure the newly desired outcome.” Tyrelle’s agreement was emphatic and a bit unnerving.
“We can’t allow that,” Steve said.
“What do we do now?” Juli asked.
“Talk to the captain. Make all possible haste to arrive at the planet and take the rock to the surface, to its own beach, as rapidly as possible.” Tyrelle shrugged. “Perhaps a Mellurean could enforce his or her will on the rock but I don’t have that kind of power. The entities are a part of a much bigger whole, which was destroyed or broken up thousands of years ago when their temple was destroyed. The spirits are drawn to return to Tahumaroa to reunite with the other fragments of the idol it once was part of, and the compulsion or craving is working in our favor.” Eyes narrowed, she faced Juli. “I assured them this was your only goal and you’d make every effort to accomplish the task, in recognition of their assistance with various matters on the cruise to date.” She rubbed her forehead. “There’s a certain level of entitled arrogance in the emotional makeup of these entities.”
“Absolutely, I’ll get them home!” Juli injected a lot of energy into her response.
“We’d better go meet with the captain now,” Steve said. “He needs to be brought up to speed on what we’ve learned. And bring in Jake, as head of security. We can detour past your office and see if the rock is there.”
Gazing at the garden wistfully, Juli nodded. “Will I ever be allowed in here again?”
“I’m sorry but this space is only for the few who truly need what it offers,” Tyrelle said, linking her arm with Juli’s. “Consider yourself blessed you stand in no need of the peace.”
Steve took her other elbow. “I promise I’ll explain when we have more time.”
As she exited the beautiful garden and then hiked through the hydroponic section toward the gravlift, Juli decided the garden was probably connected to Steve’s time in the military and coping with the aftereffects. She was happy he and others aboard had a sanctuary to meditate or contemplate or whatever helped them handle the residual stress. At least I got to see the garden once and having been there builds another bridge between the two of us.
The captain will be waiting in his conference room,” Tyrelle said after spending a few minutes on the comlink. “Jake will be there as well. I told them we were going to your office first.”
“Right.” The closer Juli came to her office, the more reluctant she was to keep walking. Her stomach felt as if a flock of the diva’s alien butterflies had taken roost there. “When I was given the rock, it was in a wicker box from the planet—should I keep it in there?” Although now she considered the matter, the rock seemed to have grown bigger during the cruise and she didn’t know if it would even fit.
“That might be best,” Tyrelle said. “It might be comforting to the entities to be surrounded by materials from Tahumaroa Two. I’ll help you wrap it up.”
The empath was so certain the rock would be waiting on her desk. Juli drew a deep breath and decided to let herself believe it.
“Do we need to worry about another thief on board?” Dian asked. “I’ve read the Combine thugs routinely work in pairs or even teams if the prize is important enough.”
“Good question. I know Jake will be concerned about further attempts to steal the idol. The captain wants the rock kept in the Ship’s safe,” Steve said.
“I’ll see if we can get the beings to agree to being put in the safe,” Tyrelle said.
Arriving at her door, Juli paused and then signaled the portal to open. Charrli leaped from Dian’s arms and nosed his way into the office before Juli could take a step, nearly knocking her over. Steve caught her and set her on her feet and then they all followed the dog into the small space, crowding around her desk where the glittering rock did indeed sit, in a whorl of sand dusting the desktop and spilled onto the deck. Charrli stopped barking at Dian’s command and allowed himself to be drawn away.
“Let me ask our various new questions.” Tyrelle rested her hand on the tip of the rock and closed her eyes, humming an almost subliminal tune.
Feeling the need to be doing something, Juli searched for the wicker basket and the scarf and retrieved them from the shelf behind her desk, holding them hopefully.
The empath blinked and stepped back. “The entities have agreed to ride in the box and to be sequestered in the safe for their own protection. Right now they’re consumed with only one thing—desire to be home. Even the one who tends to the malicious acts is focused on getting home.”
With Tyrelle’s help, Juli got the rock situated in the wicker basket and the scarf loosely tied. Then the group set off for the bridge, marching in a parade of sorts. Steve took the lead, making a path for her in the corridors and the gravlift, Tyrelle walked beside her as if for moral support, and Dian took the rearguard position, with Charrli quietly in her arms.
Jake Dilon joined them at some point but remained silent.
We must make quite the little procession. The rock was heavy. Steve asked if she wanted him to carry it for her but Tyrelle shook her head and Juli also believed it was better for her to retain control, to reassure the sentient intelligences in the rock. Relief was a cool wave through her body when Juli finally stepped into the captain
’s wardroom and set her burden on the burnished wooden table.
Fleming eyed her and then the gaudy package. As usual his face gave nothing away but Juli could imagine his internal reaction as Tyrelle explained how it was they’d all been in the garden and retrieved the rock. “I’ll expect the two of you to sign a non-disclosure agreement about the Tadochi garden before this meeting is done,” he said to Dian and Juli. “But I agree in this instance your one-time access was appropriate.” He turned to Tyrelle. “And once we’ve locked the rock in the safe, you believe the untoward incidents will be at an end?”
The empath shrugged and spread her graceful hands in an elegant gesture. “I make no guarantees. These are ancient, alien entities and I could only communicate in a rudimentary fashion. I think we’ll be fine for the few remaining days of the cruise but top priority has to be getting the rock to Two Goddesses beach once we’re in orbit.”
“I agree.” The captain focused on Jake and Steve, issuing crisp orders. “You’ll take my personal shuttle—Steve, you’ll be in command—and Jake, I want you to go along to provide security, since we don’t know for sure the Amarotu Combine has been thwarted. Obviously you’ll be handling the rock itself, Juli, and I assume Ms. Beymarr and her dog will accompany you?”
Aunt Dian nodded and Charrli barked once. “We wouldn’t miss it.” She gave Jake a quelling frown as he opened his mouth, no doubt to protest. “And the rock seems to assume we’re an integral part of all this, so we’ll be expected to participate. Mustn’t upset the ancient alien entities.”
“What about you?” Juli asked Tyrelle. “Will you come with us?”
Fleming and Jake were both shaking their heads but it was Tyrelle who spoke. “Regretfully, I can’t, not if there’s any possibility of Amarotu interest. I was their prisoner for several years and I can’t take any chances of crossing their path. I’m safe on the ship. My husband Owen and I, and Maeve, plus the wonderful security officers working for Jake, make sure this is a sanctuary for me. I’ll speak with the entities when the time comes for them to leave the ship and make sure they’re ready to be flown home.”
