The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  Perin nodded, hearing the warmth in Wren’s voice. “And Genji’s mate? Kalea? They seem very bonded. Their colors tangle.”

  “Very. It’s a love story and not mine to tell, but I’m sure they’ll tell you. They love telling their story. All I’ll say is they would die for each other. Nearly did, too. Genji and Kalea look very similar, although Genji is taller. When Kalea dances...well, it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. She’s tall like you, but is dark, with thick black hair that flows down her back. She and Genji have mirror tattoos.”

  Wren paused. “They’re Nuri, but I’ll let them explain that, too, because I’m sure you’re going to start getting confused if I give you too many details. And I still need to tell you about Mink and Wade. Let me just finish with Kalea and Genji by saying Kalea asks nearly as many questions as Genji. They’ll never get bored.”

  Perin giggled. “You’re very entertaining, Wren.”

  “Thank you. I think,” She snorted. “Lastly, we’ve got Mink and Wade. They came with the ship. Met them on Longwei. They know this vessel inside and out.” She paused and chuckled, “Although with all the remodeling that goes on here, I’m not so sure anymore.”

  “Remodeling?”

  Wren slid her hand over her coilmats and sighed. “Yeah, yeah. We have a module committee who got a little too carried away. Nobody could agree about where to put what module when. Too many people and too many reasons why, is what I say.

  “I stayed out of it. But it sure was annoying. You’d just get used to where one section was and it would be swapped out with another, which changed all the perimeter corridors because not all modules are the same size. It was like an ever-changing maze for a while. We all kept getting lost.

  “It came to a head a few days ago when the committee moved the ship’s Navigation Bridge without consulting our two pilots. I did get involved then. We finally took a vote and put a stop to it.

  “Anyway,” Wren continued, “Mink and Wade. They’re both techs, so if you need to know how anything works on the Valiant, they’re the ones to ask, although Genji, Spider, and Kalea are catching on fast. And Aiko and Grale rule the Navigation Bridge.” Wren uncurled her legs. “And there you have it. Our crew.”

  “Wait. Mink and Wade. What do they look like?”

  “Oh, sorry. Uh, let’s see. Mink is shorter than you but taller than me, and has a fuller figure. She’s light-skinned, has green eyes that change colors depending on what she’s wearing. Wears her blond hair short, which suits her personality, I think. It’s curly. She’s got a twinkle in her eye. Wade is more serious. Tall, slender. Even features. Dark hair and eyes. Quiet. Even quieter than Spider.”

  “What about you?” Perin asked.

  “Me?”

  “What do you look like?”

  Wren laughed. “I don’t know. Nobody’s ever asked me to describe myself. I’m small like Aiko. Pale skin. Dark red-brown hair, more red than brown, that I’ve got in coilmats cuz it’s so easy to take care of that way. And I’ve got gray eyes.”

  She stood and stretched. “Listen, Perin, I need to shower, so I’m going to leave you to get settled. We’ll be eating in a couple of hours, and either Eloch or I will fetch you and take you to the galley. You won’t want to miss the meeting after dinner to plan our trip.” She leaned over and touched Perin’s hand. “Think you can make it over to the bed where your duffel is?”

  Perin nodded and smiled. “We counted steps, so I should be fine. Thank you for taking the time, Wren. And for making me feel welcome.”

  “You are welcome,” Wren said as she moved to the door and touched the panel. It slid open. “See you soon,” she said before the door slid shut.

  Later, enjoying the solitude of her stateroom, Perin reflected on their conversation, linking Wren’s descriptions to the colors her Inner Vision provided when she was introduced to the crew.

  Having met Wren, felt her warmth, and basked in the lovely orangey-pink of her aura, Perin understood a little better why Mouse and Max came to care for the woman who was Eloch’s mate. Wren took her responsibility for the people under her care very seriously. Even after the little time she had spent with the woman, Perin knew who was the true leader of this mission.

  She had assumed it would be Eloch, but it was Wren. Eloch and his mission might be the why of the group, but Wren was the how. She was the one who created the cohesiveness that made it all work. And she did it with love and respect for each of the individuals, innately understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Perin smiled. In her way, Wren was very much like The Lady.

  And she liked to run! An added blessing. Perin looked forward to getting to know her more while they explored the ship the next morning.

  “Good news!” Wren said when everyone was seated at the galley table. “Now that Perin is here—and welcome again, Perin—it’s time to leave. Aiko just informed me we have a spot and are slated to cast off tomorrow morning.”

  “At last!” Mink said. She raised her glass. “This deserves a toast.” She lifted her glass higher. “To smooth sailing and positive outcomes,” she said, quoting the traditional colonizers’ pre-sailing toast.

  “Smooth sailing. Positive outcomes,” they all replied in unison.

  “I’ve got some notes here that I want to go over after we eat,” Wren said. “So let’s dig in,” she said, setting down her glass and raising her fork.

  Spirits high, the group enjoyed a spirited and good-natured conversation along with their meal. Topics mainly revolved around Perin, as they shared experiences with her and listened to her own. Then, their meal over, the group waited in comfortable companionship while Spider and Mink cleared the table and Grale refilled people’s glasses with their beverages of choice.

  Drinks refilled, Wren cleared her throat and held up a piece of paper scribbled with notes. “Genji and Spider have located the wormhole jump that will begin our trip to Vela Kentaurus. It’s pretty far, nearly twelve years out.”

  Grale whistled and paused refilling Kalea’s glass. “The first one? There will be more than one?”

  “Oh, yeah. We really don’t know how many. It’s uncharted territory, but Genji here thinks at least three or four.”

  Grale shook his head, “We’ll be too old to move even before we get there. Either that or we’ll be shriveled up with boredom,” he said as he topped off Kalea’s beverage.

  Spider snorted, taking a seat beside Genji and making room for Mink.

  Wren grinned at Grale, “Yeah. So, we’re going to go Cryo. Take shifts. Eloch and I were figuring we could do two three-year shifts, with an overlap year in between.” She looked at Mink and Wade. “How’s that sound?”

  Wade glanced at Mink. “Good decision. I’d recommend we rethink the length of time after we go through the first wormhole and locate the next.”

  “Can we stop and investigate if we come to a solar system with intelligent life?” Genji asked.

  “I’ll second that request,” said Spider.

  Wren glanced at Eloch, who gave her a brief shake of his head. “How about we note them and visit on the way back? We can’t lose sight of why we’re doing this. One Sister has already died over in Vela.”

  She paused and lifted a brow at Genji, who nodded.

  “Great. Moving on, then. Eloch and I went over all our strengths and weaknesses and came up with two separate groups, but I want to get everyone else’s insights before we proceed. Some of us may need extra training so we have all situations and responsibilities covered. Don’t want to have to wake anyone before their time.”

  She waited for Grale to reseat himself between Aiko and Perin. “Spider, we’ll start with you. You’ll sleep while Genji and Kalea are awake and vice versa. Grale sleeps while Aiko is awake. Mink and Wade, you two can sleep, since you’re partnered, but you’re going to have to train someone to work the Cryo beds.”

  Mink glanced at Wade and raised her hand. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea about us,” she said after Wren nodde
d for her to continue. “We’re Cryo partners, but not really partnered.” She looked at Wade.

  “She’s right,” he confirmed. “We were sort of the leftovers back on Longwei and wound up with each other.”

  “Not that it hasn’t been great,” Mink said.

  “No, I’m not saying it wasn’t,” said Wade with a grin. “But what we’re trying to say is we’re open to being split up.”

  “And,” Mink added, “I think everyone on board needs to know how to operate a Cryo bed. I think it should be mandatory. You just never know.”

  “Good thinking,” Wren said with a grin. “Caution First is the way I like it. Mink, you’re a woman after my own heart. We all will be trained on the beds then.”

  She wrote something on her paper, then looked at Perin. “Even you, Perin. And since Wade and Mink don’t mind, I’ll split you up. I think each shift should have an expert working with the Cryo equipment.”

  “I’d like to be awake when Eloch is awake,” Perin said. “I feel my Seeing is tied to him, is meant to serve him.”

  “I will be awake the full time,” Eloch said.

  Wren nodded. “It’s true.”

  “Then I will remain awake as well,” Perin said quietly.

  “But you’ll age, Perin,” Wren said. “The whole reason for us traveling this way is so we will still be in our prime and able to cope with whatever we find out there in that next galaxy.”

  “I understand,” said Perin, “But I have promised The Lady I will use my skills for this endeavor. And my age won’t change my ability to Dream True. Plus,” she smiled briefly, “we people of Talamh are known to live nearly two hundred years.”

  “Shall we compromise?” Wren asked after a brief pause. “Shall we revisit this idea twelve years from now, after the first wormhole jump?”

  “Of course,” said Perin. “Although I doubt my mind can be changed.”

  “How are we going to decide who takes the first shift?” Aiko asked.

  “Let’s wrestle for it,” Grale said as he leaned closer to her. “I’ll go easy on you, Kitten.” He winked.

  Aiko glared at him.

  “Play nice, you two,” Wren said before Aiko could respond. “We’re going to flip a coin.”

  She glanced down at her scribbled notes. “To recap, here are the two groups, although it’s gotten a little uneven.” Wren glanced at her notes and made a couple of notations. “Aiko, Genji, Kalea, Wade, and I make up one group. Then Mink, Grale, and Spider are the other group. Eloch and Perin will remain awake. Everybody happy with this?”

  She waited a few moments. “We can switch things around if you’d like. I just need to keep the pilots and the science officers separate.” She glanced at Spider and Genji. “That’s you two, with Kalea helping Genji. Genj, think Spider’s up to the task?”

  Genji smiled at Spider. “He’s more than ready.”

  Spider beamed.

  Aiko eyed Grale and wondered what it would be like to be without him for three years.

  When he caught her watching him, he grinned wickedly. “Gonna miss me?” he asked in a voice only she could hear. “We can still wrestle if you want, Kitten. Just say the word.”

  She rolled her eyes. “No thanks, Grale. I’m good.” She leaned away, trying to ignore his teasing chuckle. Maybe it will be nice to have a break from that gargantuan ego, she thought and then turned back to the group’s conversation.

  “I think we should remain in Cryo state longer,” Mink was saying.

  Wren glanced at Eloch and sighed. “Can we revisit that after the first jump gate as well?” she asked. “It’s all new for me and”—her cheeks flushed—“I frankly don’t want to be separated from Eloch for so long.”

  Mink nodded. “Understood. But it doesn’t feel long once you get used to it.”

  “It will for me,” Eloch commented.

  Aiko blinked at the vulnerability in his voice.

  Wren reached out and touched Eloch’s hand before glancing around the table. “This okay with all of you?”

  She paused and when no one spoke, she continued. “Okay, then.” Wren pulled out a coin from her pocket. “Perin, since you’re not affected by this, why don’t you call it?”

  “Call what? I don’t understand,” Perin said, reminding Aiko of the first time she met Eloch on his home planet. Perin had the same combination of innocence, power, and wisdom. It made her curious to see what Perin would be like in a few years, after having adjusted to a more technological existence.

  Wren laughed, “Oh, sorry, Perin. I’m flipping one of the new Talamh coins. Have you heard of them?”

  Perin nodded. “Yes, I’ve held one. On one side is an image of The Lady and on the other is the planet.”

  “That’s it,” Wren said, “Our Mouse designed them. Okay, to continue, I will toss the coin in the air and catch it, covering the coin with my hand. You say which side you think will be exposed when I take my hand off it. If it’s The Lady, Aiko’s group sleeps first. If it’s the planet, Grale’s group goes first. Does that make sense?”

  “It’s like a game,” Perin said.

  “It can be a game, but it’s also a good way to make a decision to keep things fair or if the leader doesn’t want to make the decision.”

  “You don’t want to make the decision?”

  Wren chuckled. “Not really, for personal reasons.” She glanced at Eloch. “Eloch and I had quite the discussion,” she said, then swallowed and took a deep breath. “Unlike you, my argument for remaining awake wasn’t good enough. Eloch told me he could still contact me while I’m in a Cryo state if he wants to discuss anything or just connect. Not sure if I believe it, but time will tell, I suppose.”

  Time did tell, sooner than Wren wanted. When she flipped her coin, Perin chose the Lady (no surprise there, Wren thought wryly), and Aiko’s group, herself included, would be heading into Cryo first.

  “Okay,” Wren said. “I guess that’s that. Let’s wait a couple of weeks to make sure the Valiant is behaving herself while we get used to our new habitat. I want Perin to feel comfortable with the ship and crew before two-thirds of us fall asleep on her for three years.” She pushed herself away from the table. “And now I’m heading off to bed. Early day tomorrow. Perin and I are taking a run around the ship first thing, and I don’t want to miss our departure.” She looked at Eloch. “You ready for sleep?”

  He smiled at her and rose, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. “Lead on,” he said.

  “You okay, Eloch?” Genji asked. “You’ve been pretty quiet tonight.”

  Eloch frowned and shook his head slightly. “I’m fine, Genj. In a thoughtful mood, I suppose, because I’ve been reflecting on the tremendous responsibility we’ve taken on to make sure this journey has a positive outcome.”

  Genji nodded. “And the heaviest responsibility falls on your shoulders.”

  Eloch nodded. “It does indeed.”

  “We will do all we can to help you, Eloch.”

  “I know that, Genji, and I appreciate it.” He studied the group, “Frankly, I couldn’t have gotten even this far without all of you. Thank you for your loyalty and sacrifices.” He looked at Wren, who was smiling up at him. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Good night, all,” she said as they moved toward the galley’s exit.

  Kalea turned to Perin, “Genji and I are just next door to your stateroom module, Perin,” she said. “May we accompany you?”

  “Yes, please,” Perin said. “I’m looking forward to getting more acquainted with you. Your colors are beautiful,” she added.

  Genji took Perin’s elbow to guide her out of the room. “Our colors?” he asked.

  She nodded, following his lead and sensing Kalea on her other side. “Yes, you are both so warm, almost like a fire burning within you. And your colors are all different shades of orange, red, and yellow. They swirl around together when you are near each other. You are very bonded to each other.”

  “I like that,” said Kale
a. “It sounds like a sunset.”

  “It’s very lovely,” said Perin with a smile.

  “So you see colors?” Genji asked. “I was under the impression that you’re blind.”

  “I cannot see as you do. But I do see the colors and shapes of living things with my Inner Vision,” Perin answered.

  “Does that make it easier or more difficult to maneuver?” Genji asked.

  Kalea laughed. “You must forgive Genji if he gets too personal, Perin. He is always full of questions.”

  Perin smiled and shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. It’s easy for me to avoid running into people, but until I memorize my surroundings, I will run into things since I can’t see anything that isn’t alive,” she told Genji.

  “Will you need help in your stateroom?” the two asked in unison.

  Perin smiled, feeling better and better about her decision. “You are both very kind. Wren has taken me around my room and shown me where things are. Since then, I practiced and learned while I unpacked this afternoon. I am a fast learner and feel quite capable of putting myself to bed and getting ready in the morning.” She hesitated. “I may need help with my hair, however, without my handmaidens to assist.”

  “Oh, blessings!” Kalea exclaimed. “I would love to help you fix your hair. My sister and I used to spend hours decorating each other’s hair. And yours is so beautiful, like golden sands. It would be my pleasure, if I may?”

  Perin laughed delightedly at Kalea’s enthusiasm. “Thank you, Kalea, very much.” They came to a halt. “We’re here already?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Genji confirmed.

  “Oh, dear,” she said. “I was enjoying our conversation so much, I again forgot to count the steps,” she laughed. “I forgot to count them when Wren took me to my room, and forgot again when Eloch came to bring me to dinner, and now I have forgotten again.”