The Entean Saga - The Complete Saga

by C B Williams

  “Oh.”

  “You seem sad about it.”

  Wren shrugged. “I was hoping Flick would be a grandfather by now.”

  Eloch unthreaded his arm and drew Wren close. “Flick is fulfilled.”

  Wren nodded against his side and listened to his heart beat, slow and steady. “Do you talk with them very often? The Sisters?”

  “I tell you when I do, Wren.”

  “Not so much, then.”

  “Like I said, I’m still learning how to contact Them. They have a much easier time reaching me, but They are busy with their work—maintaining the balance of Their creations. And of course They’re concerned about what is happening in Vela Kentaurus. They are impatient for us to get there and stop whatever that something is that’s coming for Them. Whenever I reach out to Them, I hear the same questions and feel the same impatient frustration. And so,” he said after a pause, “why bother?”

  “Why bother,” Wren agreed. “The waiting is always the hardest.”

  “It’s good our comrades have other interests so they aren’t struggling with impatient frustration.”

  “True,” Wren said. “You as well.” She straightened and pulled back a little so she could look up at his face. “Which reminds me. What if something were to happen to you? How could we control this ship now?”

  “What could possibly happen to me?” Eloch chuckled.

  “Probably nothing, but you know me. Caution First. Makes me nervous without a safety net.” She took a sip of her ale. “Mmmm, Entean ale.”

  Eloch shook her head. “Nope. This is my ale.”

  Wren grinned. “Elochean Ale? What’s next? Elochean Ferment?”

  He winked. “Perhaps. The men and I are talking about making some honey wine from Perin’s beehives.”

  “I’d like to sample some of that. Sounds sweet and tasty. But let’s get back to Caution First. Both times I’ve come out of Cryo sleep, there’s been less and less for us to tend to. You’re doing it all. You going to start breathing for us, too?” She glanced at him. “That’s a joke.”

  “I knew that, Wren. But me controlling the ship is what I do, what I need to do. The ship is my creation.” He saw her frown. “Why is that a bad thing?”

  “We don’t want to take too much responsibility away from our people, Eloch. Like the wormhole jump, even though I now know you could do it too. But Aiko and Grale are pilots. We don’t want them to feel useless.

  “And remember Caution First. Every aspect of life support, all navigation, it’s all being controlled by you now.” She shrugged and looked up at him. “It doesn’t mean you can’t continue to do so, but I’d be a lot happier if there was a backup plan. Just like how we’re all trained to do more than one thing on this ship, and we all know how to bring someone out of Cryro sleep. It just makes sense, is all.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “If it would make you happier, then I will create a switch that takes the Valiant out of my control and puts it back into yours.”

  Wren sighed. “Thank you, Eloch.”

  “Of course, my heart.” He was silent for a moment. “It’s done.”

  She blinked. “That fast?”

  “It was easy enough. The switch is in our sleeping area, on the table on your side of the bed. It will recognize only your touch.”

  “But—”

  “Only you,” he repeated. “You are the only one I trust to make that choice.”

  Wren nodded, and, after a while, she turned to him and cupped his face. “I need to explain something to you because what happened when you created that switch just hit me.”

  She brushed her lips over his. “When I see you, Eloch, I see Eloch. You. My wonderful mate. And you’re more than that, but I’m still wrapping my head around the fact you’re actually this ship, too. It just never crossed my mind what it really meant...the ramifications...when I asked what I just asked. I feel...I feel...humbled and...honored to be trusted.”

  “And who is more deserving of my trust than you?” he asked softly, covering her mouth with his.

  “Refill?” Mink asked, holding a pitcher of ale in one hand and a pitcher of ferment in the other. She nudged Spider with her hip.

  He glanced up, and she dimpled at him.

  “Please! Ferment for me,” Kalea said and held up her glass, which Mink immediately refilled. “For all of us.”

  “You think?” Genji asked reluctantly.

  Kalea giggled. “Isn’t this ceremony for remembering all our loved ones who have passed? This is what Nuri do. We drink.” She took a long swallow. “Then we dance.”

  Genji held up his glass to Mink. “She said dance. I think I’ll need more if I’m going to dance.”

  Mink laughed, filled up Genji’s glass, then raised an eyebrow at Spider. “You? Ready for more?”

  Spider held up a finger, drained his glass, then held his glass out for Mink to fill. “Ale, please.”

  “Wade?” Mink asked as she gestured toward him with her pitchers, “Ferment or Ale?”

  Wade shook his head. “I’ll pass.”

  “How about you, Perin?” Mink asked their Seer. “A little more?”

  Perin hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her expression.

  “Have a little more, Perin,” Kalea urged. “Then we will all dance.” Her expression sobered. “I will dance the most beautiful dance for my mother. A queen deserves a beautiful dance.”

  Genji squeezed her hand.

  “A little more ferment then,” said Perin. “Please.”

  Mink poured for Perin, refilled her own glass where it sat at her place, and set the pitchers down on the table where they had gathered. “Scoot over, Spider, you’re sprawling,” she said, sitting down as he hastily made room for her.

  Spider glanced down at Mink, who was leaning against him. “Look who’s sprawling now,” he muttered. “I don’t envy you that hangover you’re working on.

  She hadn’t heard him. She was looking at Kalea. “Only you dance, Kalea,” Mink was saying. “Only you can honor your mother with dance.”

  “Look,” Aiko said, propping her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “Kalea is dancing.”

  “So she is,” Grale said.

  “Beautiful,” Aiko murmured.

  “Yes.”

  They watched as the Nuri swayed her hips, her graceful arms and hands telling a story.

  Grale took a sip of his drink. “She’s so much like her sister.”

  Aiko nodded. “Her twin. I remember.”

  “Back on Longwei,” Grale hiccupped, “spent more time with Makini.” He snorted. “Tried to seduce me once.”

  Aiko shot him a glance. “She did? What happened?”

  “Told her I didn’t do virgins is what happened. So, nothing happened.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Hmmm? What do you mean by ‘hmmm?’”

  “Didn’t realize you were such a nice guy, Cowboy.”

  Grale snorted. “Nothing nice guy about it, Kitten. Virgins are a lot of trouble. They cry.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Stop with the ‘hmmm.’ They do cry, and that’s the trouble.”

  Mink studied Kalea’s graceful gestures and foot and hip movements. “I know this dance,” she whispered, then glanced across Spider at Wade.

  Wade nodded. “The Dance of the Dead,” he said.

  “What is that?” Perin asked softly, her eyes following the energy trails left by Kalea’s dance.

  “It is danced on the planet Longwei to honor a loved one,” Genji said. He moved closer to Perin. “Let me describe it for you.”

  She nodded. “Please.”

  Quietly, so he wouldn’t disturb the others, Genji described the moves and the hand gestures, painting a picture for Perin as Kalea, his mate, danced. After a time, his throat closed and he couldn’t go on. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  Perin touched his arm. “What you have described makes sense of the light streaks I am seeing as your beloved moves. It is beautiful, a
nd I thank you.” She sucked in her breath. “Oh! She’s shifting.”

  “Yes,” Genji said. “Excuse me.”

  “You’ve got this?” Wren asked dreamily, surrendering to the warm, fuzzy, soothing effects of the ale.

  “Yes,” Eloch said gently, cocooning his adorably woozy mate while he enlarged the doorway, ceiling, and halls to allow passage for two Nuri, wings unfurling on their way to the Solar Farm.

  Grale drained his glass. “Well, show’s over,” he said setting his glass down. “May I escort you to your cabin, Kitten?”

  Aiko narrowed her eyes at him.

  He laughed, his eyes glittering. “Nothing more than an escort. I don’t do kittens, either, Kitten. They’ve got claws and like to dig in.”

  Aiko knocked back her drink and accepted his outstretched hand. At her cabin door she paused and turned toward him. “Thanks for the escort, Cowboy.”

  “No problem, Kitten.” He held out his hand. “Friends?”

  She reached up and smoothed back a wild curl from his brow. “Hmmm,” was all she said, then disappeared into her room

  For several moments Grale stood where he was, staring at the closed door. Then he laughed, shook his head, and found his way to his own cabin.

  Chapter 8

  Sixteen Years into the Mission

  Sixteen Years into the Mission…

  Perin sat straight up in bed, eyes wide. “It’s coming,” she whispered and reached for her robe. Using her fingers as her guide, she hurried to where Eloch and Wren slept.

  Eloch met her halfway.

  “It’s coming,” she told him.

  “I know,” he said. “I felt it. But we have time. Let me take you back to your room. Sleep.”

  She nodded and took his arm, allowing him to guide her back down the corridor to her room. “This is what we have been seeking. It seeks us, now, Eloch. It seeks you.”

  “I know,” he said softly.

  “You are in great danger.”

  “It will be all right, Perin. Here we are. Can you find your way around your room?”

  “Yes, of course. But Eloch, you are in very grave danger. Remember the True Dream so many years ago? I just dreamed it again. Only this time I understand it. I’m afraid for you.”

  “It’s late, and we can discuss this in the morning. We’ll hold a meeting. Sleep now.” Her door panel slid open.

  Perin nodded and paused before she entered her room. She turned to him, fists clenched at her sides. “I will Dream for you, Eloch,” she said fiercely, “I will Dream a way out of this, I promise.”

  “Listen up, people,” Wren said. “We’ve got some news.

  They were gathered around the large rectangular table in the galley, Eloch next to Wren, she and Perin flanking Eloch. Across from them sat Aiko, Wade, Genji, and Kalea.

  “This sounds serious,” said Wade. “Do you want me to wake the other three?”

  Wren hesitated and looked at Eloch.

  “It’s not necessary. Maybe later, when we know more.”

  “Know more about what?” asked Genji.

  “Are you talking about the anomaly the ship’s sensors picked up last night?” Aiko asked.

  “Anomaly!” Genji exclaimed, his pupils slitting. “When were you going to inform us of this anomaly?”

  Kalea touched his hand. “Calm your Nuri, Genj,” she whispered. “It senses your anger.”

  “I’m telling you now,” Aiko answered. “I just noticed the readout, told Wren, and Wren called this meeting, so I figured I’d tell you all now.” She glanced at Genji, “Didn’t mean to excite the lizard,” she added dryly.

  Kalea snorted.

  “Simply put,” Eloch said, interrupting the banter, “the thing we’re seeking is seeking us.”

  The room fell silent.

  “I think I should wake the others,” Wade said.

  Eloch shook his head. “It’s not necessary. It’s still far away.”

  “How far?” asked Genji.

  Eloch looked at Aiko.

  “Hard to say,” she said. “It comes and goes from the sensors. But it’s still far enough away that I can’t get a clear read.” She shrugged. “I’m guessing maybe two to three months?”

  Genji sat back. “Plenty of time for analysis. It may not be out there. It may be faulty readouts.” He looked at Wade. “I’d like to do some systems checks.”

  “Sounds like something we should be doing,” Wade agreed.

  “That’s it? Do we have any more of a plan?” Kalea asked.

  “We’ll sit and wait for it,” Eloch said.

  “Set up an orbit?” Aiko asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Eloch is in danger,” Perin blurted. “I have Seen it. A True Dream from long ago.”

  “Have you dreamt that dream lately?” Wren asked.

  Perin nodded. “Just last night. The danger exists. I sense it.” She looked at Eloch. “We both sense it.”

  “It feels like I’m being hunted,” Eloch acknowledged.

  This time Genji put his hand on Kalea’s. “We have time to study the anomaly, Kalea,” he told her quietly. “We will be able to protect Eloch.”

  “Do you need help, Genji?” Wren asked. “Should we wake Spider and Mink?”

  “It’s better for the sleepers to remain in their cycle,” Wade said. “Less stress on their bodies.”

  Genji glanced at Wade. “I think Kalea, Wade, and I can handle it for now. With two additional people, we might just get in each other’s way. It’s happened before.”

  Wren nodded. “Well, if you do need extra help, don’t hesitate to wake them up.”

  “I’d like to set up a watch,” Aiko said, looking at Eloch for approval. “I don’t like how the sensors sometimes pick up the anomaly and sometimes don’t.”

  “It could be just the distance, like you said,” said Genji.

  “That was before Perin said Eloch is in danger. I think it’s prudent to set up the watch.” She glanced at Wren. “Caution First and all.”

  “It could be the solar winds are messing with the sensors, too.” Genji said.

  “It could be a lot of things,” Aiko said.

  “I’ll take the first watch,” Wren said. “You guys start gathering your data.” She looked at Eloch, “And you will be...?”

  “I will be where I’m most needed,” he replied. “For now, I’m going to the Solar Farm.”

  “Great, then you can take Little Wonder with you. She could use a good prowl.”

  He grinned and headed for the hall, Little Wonder loping to catch up.

  “And we need a name other than Solar Farm to describe that expanding world you’re creating in there,” Wren called after him.

  “We will vote on it at the next meal gathering,” he said as he strode from the room.

  Aiko rose. “The Knack Man has spoken,” she said. “You can find me on the Bridge.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Wren said. “Right after I have a conversation with Perin.” She reached over to Perin and touched her hand. “Will you come with me so we can talk?”

  “Of course,” she said. Reaching for her tapping stick, she got to her feet and strode beside Wren.

  The serenity of the Blue Room always calmed Wren. Over the years, it had become one of her favorite haunts when she wanted to be quiet and reflective. Often she found Perin quietly playing her lute, which added to the peace. Sometimes she joined her, but often she would simply sit and soak in the atmosphere created by Perin’s music.

  Once, Wren asked Perin how she knew when she needed peace and quiet, Perin told her it was the colors she saw when she looked at a person. Normally Wren’s colors were bold and bright. When Wren was troubled, they became dull. “It’s the same with everyone,” Perin said. “Eloch is the easiest to read because he is so blindingly bright to begin with.”

  Today the Blue Room didn’t calm Wren, but it was where she gravitated nonetheless.

  “Have a seat, Perin,” she said. “I’m sure my colors
are pretty dull at the moment,” she added as Perin settled in her usual spot in the chair where her lute leaned within easy reach. “Don’t bother trying to play me into a peaceful mood. I think a run is more what I need,” she said as she paced in front of where Perin sat. “Good thing the Navigation Bridge is so far from here. I can jog over there when I join Aiko.”

  Perin sighed. “I can imagine how you must feel, knowing Eloch is in danger.”

  “Can you tell me about this dream?”

  Perin hesitated. “What I saw doesn’t seem possible,” she finally said. “That in itself is troubling because True Dreams show events exactly. And if it’s impossible, then I must interpret this one as a metaphor, you see.”

  Wren stopped in front of Perin, studying the woman’s upturned face. “I don’t understand. Why would this True Dream be any different than the hundreds you’ve dreamed in the past?”

  “I don’t know, Wren. All I know is what I saw is impossible.”

  Wren folded her arms, cocking her head to the side. “Define impossible, will you? Maybe I can help.”

  Perin sighed and rubbed the knuckles of one hand. “I saw two ships occupying the same space. One was ours and one was...” she hesitated. “A ghost ship? I don’t know. It was seemed solid enough, but we couldn’t see them and they couldn’t see us.”

  She paused again. “That’s not quite true. I saw the others on the ship, and one person on that ship saw me.” She shook her head. “The ghost ship had a weapon which they fired straight at Eloch’s heart. He collapsed.”

  Wren slowly sat in the chair facing Perin. She cleared her throat. “Did he die?”

  “I don’t know. But Wren, True Dreams are sent to me to help. We can alter these events.”

  “How?”

  “I don’t know.” She turned her sightless eyes toward Wren, “Somehow?”

  Wren chewed her lip. “Caution First,” she said at last. “Where did these events take place?”

  “I-I’m not sure, but from what you’ve described to me, I think it was the Navigation Bridge.”