Chapter Five

 

 

With the thought of flying in her mind, Addy braided her hair the next morning. She also kept breakfast light, just in case.

“He will be arriving in a few minutes.” Rocky’s voice was low, so as not to surprise her. It was a tactic he had taken on when he realized that the normal speaking volume freaked her out in the morning.

“Thanks. How do you know where he is?”

“Technology and reality. I have monitors all over the area, and his mind is mine. This is when he would guess you were awake and ready.”

She chuckled. “Far less arcane than what I imagined.”

“Most things have a simple explanation.”

Addy was already in her exo suit, so she paced and finally asked, “What are you doing today, Rocky?”

“Following up on the transmission that was sent to Terra yesterday evening. It is not a direct connection, so it will involve requisitioning relay stations and such. Very boring communication stuff.”

She snickered at his mimicry of her speech patterns. The word stuff was a very new addition to his vocabulary.

“Thank you for making the call.”

“You are most welcome. He’s here.”

The shift in conversation sent a ripple of adrenaline through Addy, but she kept it contained.

She took the helmet band and clutched it in one hand as she watched the entry door.

It swung open without announcement. Rokar stepped inside with confidence. “Good day, Adelheid.”

She inclined her head. “Good day, Rokar-Iratho.”

“Just Rokar, unless he is speaking.”

Addy nodded, “Rokar then.”

“Are you ready to fly?”

She lifted the helmet band and smiled. “Ready.”

“You won’t need that. I would recommend that you attach it, but keep it turned off.”

“Okay, how do I do that?”

He came toward her, took the band, and settled it into place. With the flick of his fingers, she went from being in a wind proof setting, to feeling the warmth of his hand on her skin.

“There. Now you can enjoy with Iratho has to offer.” He extended his hand toward her, and raised his brow. “Shall we?”

She inhaled, exhaled slowly, and nodded, heading toward the exit. Addy wanted to see Rokar’s wings in action. The vague memory wasn’t satisfying at all.

The air outside was still. The storms bubbled along the horizon but didn’t approach.

Addy’s fingers clenched as she tried to keep from triggering her mask. She felt a light curl of wind on her cheek, but she managed to remain serene as Rokar stood next to her.

“I will have to touch you in order to take you on the tour. May I?”

“Yes.”

“If you feel unwell or nervous at any time, let me know, and I will bring you back to your base.”

“Thanks.” She kept her mind blank as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. His wings opened, and he didn’t even have to bend his knees. When she watched his face, his eyes went gold, and they lifted smoothly off the ground and gained altitude swiftly.

She got up the nerve to look downward, and she was shocked. “What is that?”

“Your island. It is suspended on a gas cloud, which gives you your peculiar weather systems.”

“They aren’t mine, they are yours, Iratho.”

He chuckled. “Iratho is flying us, but I am in control of my mind and body. Confusing, I know.”

“I thought the eyes were a giveaway.”

“Do they change? I feel that they do, but I never stare in the mirror while flying.”

“They do. I was expecting your voice to change.”

“It only happens when he controls everything. Not often. For the most part, he lets me live my own life, such as it is.”

She stared at the wide crevice that surrounded her island, as they flew over it through a gust of hot air. Their trajectory didn’t change; they continued to fly out over the landscape, leaving her home behind.

 

Four hours of exploration and views of completely empty landscapes and they were taking a break on the mountain ridge of the island.

“So, when does the population arrive?”

Rokar quirked his lips slightly. “Pardon?”

“This world is getting ready for fish, plants, animals, and sentient beings. Everything you have shown me is for the incoming personnel. When do they arrive?”

He sighed. “They will be here within the month. I insisted that you be settled in before anyone arrived. I know you would never forgive yourself if you caused an injury.”

She smirked. “Right. That.”

“Can you focus it?”

Addy frowned. “What?”

“Can you focus your talent? I know you can control it, but can you focus it, and project it?”

“Frankly, it has not been a priority to find out.”

“Try it.”

She stared at him in shock. Their perch on an outcropping of the mountain range suddenly seemed less secure.

“Now?”

“Is there a better time? You are relaxed, a little hungry, and your body is at peace. Try it. Aim for the blue mountain in the distance, and see what you can do.”

She twisted her lips and got to her feet, walking to the edge of the cliff that supported her. The feeling of tension, the rumbling, ran through her, and she held it back until the ground under her feet was humming.

With a thought to the comics she used to read, she raised her hands and tried to let the tension peel off her skin and come out through her hands. The rush of energy left her staggering, and as Rokar caught her, she watched to see what happened.

“I think I missed.”

The mountain in the distance flexed and blew apart.

Rokar chuckled. “No, you hit it. Well done. Now, we will go and check the damage.”

He didn’t ask her if she would give him permission, he simply wrapped an arm around her waist and they were off.

The check of the strike zone made her ill. “That hole is bigger than the town I grew up in.”

“I believe it expanded as it travelled, or it would not have stopped at this peak. It is as if you put out exactly enough power to get the job done.”

He was hovering above the wreckage and making small observances as he travelled.

Addy watched the damaged pieces, and when he got her close enough, she reached out and touched the rock. “Why is it warm?”

“Is it? Hm. Resonance is a lovely thing. You send waves of silent sound out and you tailor the sound to the object you would strike. The world you were held on was something you hated, so that was what you destroyed.”

She nodded. “So the heat is friction, and the shattering is the response to the molecular square dance that is going on.”

“I don’t know what a square dance is, but yes, you destroy on the molecular level.”

There wasn’t much she could say to that. “Can you take me back to the base? I think it’s lunchtime.”

“Of course.” He wheeled on one wingtip, and directed them back to the base.

“Can I practice making tea?” She really needed something to look forward to.

Rokar chuckled. “I would be delighted to gauge your progress.”

“Excellent. I am looking forward to seeing if Rocky has made any progress in calling Terra. I know it has only been a few hours, but I am rather curious to see if he has gotten closer.”

“You wish to speak with your people?”

“I want to know who is still alive. I had several siblings when I left, and I am wondering if my twin is still alive. I know that my people say that a twin knows when the other one is alive, dead, or injured, but I was asleep for a very long time.”

He landed next to the entry port and made sure that she was steady on her feet before he let her go.

Once inside with the tea ready, she felt like asking, “How many rations are in the station? I mean, if there is no edible plant matter yet, I am just wondering how long this stuff is going to last.”

“You have enough rations here to feed you for two to five years depending on what your body requires. If more personnel are stationed here, they will arrive with ration packs suitable for their biology.”

She nodded. “That sounds reasonable. How does this look?”

He peered over her shoulder. “It smells right. You were watching when I prepared it.”

Addy grinned and brought the tray over to the common area, setting it down on a low table. “I learn by watching. That was why I ended up out here. I was an excellent candidate for visual learning and working with quiet species. It was thought I would be able to do a lot with my hands instead of my voice.”

“Interesting. So, you were going to go submerged?”

She grinned. “That was the plan. I was going to be altered into something that could breathe water, and I have to admit, the idea was heady. As it was, that particular plan never had a chance. We were grabbed on our way to the warship at the edge of our solar system, and from there... well, you know.”

“Ah, yes.” He nodded and picked up the tea that she served him. “Good. Half a spoon less of the leaves. This will bitter very quickly.”

She nodded. “Right. So, this is the one thing that Iratho is growing right now?”

He chuckled. “How did you guess?”

She grinned and sipped the tea, agreeing that it was exceptionally strong.

They talked about food and their favourite tea flavourings when Rocky interrupted.

“I apologize for the interruption, Adelheid, but I have your sister on a direct communication.”

Addy stood suddenly. “Where do I need to go?”

“Your room is fine. I will patch the signal through.”

Addy bobbed a curtsy to Rokar. “Thank you, pardon me, but I have really been waiting for this call.”

“Take your time. I will be here when you return.”

She really wanted to tell him to leave and come back later, but by the time she realized that, she was standing in front of the display in her room and the screen was flickering to life.

A version of her own face, thirty years older with light hair where Addy’s was dark, faced her.

“Addy?” The pale blue eyes sparkled and shone with unshed tears.

“Gerty? Oh, I had better use more sunscreen, you look terrible.”

Her sister belted out a laugh then a sob and then the tears were let loose. Addy laughed, and her own tears made their way down her cheeks.

She wanted nothing more than to hug her sister, but the long-distance call was going to have to be enough.

 

* * * *

 

Rokar looked toward the door, and he smiled at the laughter, gasps, and occasional sobs coming from her personal quarters.

“Thank you for hooking this up, Rocky. I know that the relay communications are difficult if not cost prohibitive.”

The voice answered, “It was no issue. The Alliance has an extensive account for her, considering that she was under their protection when she was caught.”

“Ask the Citadel if they want to accelerate the transfer. I am ready to accept the plants, animals, and insects that were discussed. Also, I am interested in a Gaian plant. Something called coffee. Find out how we can lay in a supply.”

“Avatar, there may be exchanges for that sort of thing.”

Rokar grimaced. “If they insist on putting one of the creatures here, I will accept it, but only one. All of its offspring must leave as soon as it is feasible. Iratho will not become infested with Yaluthu, no matter how useful they are.”

“Understood. I will see what I can do.”

“Thank you. She has enough control that she isn’t a danger; it is time to give her a people once again. The folk on the station may make their way down to the surface.”

“It may take a few days.”

“Then, it can take a few days, but it is time to get this world occupied. She should not be alone anymore.”

He looked away from the closed door of her quarters.

“Avatar, with you here, she is not alone.”

“No, but she is not among her peers either. We will sort out our situation when she has every option and advantage that can be offered to her. That includes the friendship department.”

“Yes, Avatar. I am on it.”