Exile's Return Read online

  “Yeah,” I said slowly. “I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable,” I replied, still embarrassed.

  “Uncomfortable? No, but it does explain why you’ve acted so squirrely since we got here. It must be driving you nuts.”

  I felt my world brighten a bit. “A little, but I understand. You're busy,” I said quickly. “I just wanted you to know.”

  “Ah screw the reports. I've about worked myself cross-eyed,” he said, and tapped a spot next to him on the couch. “I took the liberty of downloading a movie. How about some R and R.”

  “Sounds good!” I hopped up next to him on the couch, and he started to massage a bit just behind my ears, making my leg thump.

  “Snow, I want you to know it’s OK, and I feel the same. You've been a damn good friend to me, but please, no marriage proposals,” he said, with amusement in his voice. “I’d never be able to explain it to my poor mother.”

  “Stuff it, Charlie!” I replied, giggling through my collar.

  Chapter 25

  The strange Mendian woman in rags was in my dreams again. I still felt that anger and disgust every time I saw her, but I didn't know why. It continued to plague me, and I felt uneasy. Then, suddenly, Darnack was there and said. “There is time for that later.”

  I woke up and for a brief moment I didn't know where I was, but there was a feeling of warmth and safety, a welcome opposite to that of my dream. Opening my eyes, I scanned the room. There was no indication of the time but it felt early in the morning. Starting to stretch, I realized I was curled up in Charlie's lap.

  Using my hind paw I drummed his leg a few times, waking him.

  “Yeah? I'm up, I'm up. God, is it reveille already?” He stirred, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

  “Charlie, wake up.” I nudged him again. “We fell asleep watching the movie.”

  “Oh, great. What time is it?” he asked.

  I looked around for a moment and then I simply knew. “It's 0530, Charlie.”

  “Yeah? So why am I up at this ungodly hour?” he asked.

  Suddenly, almost unbidden, there was new information in my head. “We have a meeting with Darnack at 0700. We should get ready.”

  “OK, Snow, sure, but how do you know that? I haven't even checked the schedule today.”

  I paused for a moment, reflecting and then it hit me. “I think I just pulled it from the Link, Charlie.”

  Charlie tapped his workstation a few times and sure enough, I was right. “Well that's convenient.”

  “Indeed, but still, we should get ready.”

  “Aye, aye,” Charlie said.

  The hour passed quickly, and we went over the schedule for the day. We were to be shown to the command center of the Lethine; then we were to have our first official meeting. I felt the familiar butterflies again but I was eager to get underway.

  Charlie had emerged in his dress uniform and had the look of a professional career soldier, all spit and polish, ready to face the day. He was holding a box in his hands and he set it down in front of me.

  “Open it,” he said.

  “What's this?” I asked.

  “The point of a present is that you don't know. I had this made back on the Roam. I thought it might be helpful,” he said, smiling.

  I tore off the bow, and popped the top off of the box. Inside was a harness. It was black and had gold lettering down each side just above where my rib cage would be. On one side it read United Earth Alliance and on the other, my name and title, Ambassador Snow Dawkins.

  “These are common with the less blended morphics on Earth. I thought you might appreciate having a uniform. Bradley gave me the idea.”

  I held it up and worked my way into it. The nano-cord merged and cinched itself home. “It's great, Charlie. I love it! Thank you,” I said, feeling deeply touched by the gesture.

  “I'm glad you like it,” Charlie said.

  Just then, there was a knock at the door.

  “We are here, Snow, and I have knocked as you requested,” Darnack announced through the Link.

  “Darnack is here,” I said.

  Charlie tapped the panel and Darnack entered, appearing more formal than he had the day before. This time he was wearing a white robe adorned with gold braid down the sides that seemed to sparkle and catch the light, displaying prisms of color depending on how you looked at him. He was wearing a head covering, similar to a helmet. Silver wire bracelets chased up his arms to what I assumed were his elbows. He looked regal.

  I felt his curiosity through the Link. “So this is the formal dress of your people?”

  “Yes.” I nodded, “Though there are far fewer traditions associated with mine than with Lieutenant Commander Steven's uniform.”

  “Ah! Intriguing!” He slithered over to Charlie and towered over him, examining him closely. Charlie swallowed hard and smiled, trying not to appear nervous.

  “Oh, quite fascinating. Quite fascinating indeed!” He reached out and touched Charlie's mortarboard.

  “Lieutenant Commander. What doesss thissss mean?” he asked, speaking outside of the Link.

  “This is called a mortarboard. It basically details the medals and achievements I have earned in my time in the military,” Charlie answered. “The larger the board, the more medals and achievements that soldier has earned.”

  “Fassscinating! You wear your record of honor! We have not done sssssssuch in many cyclesss. And now we have much to do today. Come... thisssss way.”

  Darnack was leading us through the labyrinthine corridors again, as Charlie and I followed quickly after him. After a few minutes we rounded a corner and I could see large tubes set in the wall. Darnack moved towards one and the tube opened. It was an elevator.

  “Right thisss way,” Darnack said, and slithered onto the platform as Charlie and I followed. As soon as we were on, the platform moved, rocketing us up through the decks. One after another they passed, faster and faster. I closed my eyes and tried not to think of roller coasters as my stomach lurched.

  “Why are you nervous? We are perfectly safe,” Darnack said through the Link.

  “It's hard to explain,” I replied.

  “Hmm, what is this roller coaster you think of? It sounds fascinating.”

  “It is for some. I will have to explain later,” I said, keeping my eyes shut.

  “Excellent. I will look forward to it.”

  The lift halted and I could see stars. We exited into a large room and it appeared as if there was nothing separating us from space. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The room was filled with about seven Mendians working at holographic stations. One by one they left their station, came before me and bowed slightly, each saying, “Welcome Shifted One of Earth.”

  Charlie and I stood, jaws agape, admiring the design. Darnack slithered over towards us, while the rest of the Mendians returned to their duty stations.

  “I sense you are impressed, Snow. Welcome to Ship Command,” he said.

  “Darnack, it's like we’re out in space! What type of glass is this?” I asked, overwhelmed.

  “Not glass! Interactive holographic projection. Watch.” He began scanning the star field. As he came across a highlighted yellow star, he reached up and plucked it from the sky, pulling it down to him.

  “This is what you call Sol system. Earth, your home, is there,” he said.

  I looked and there was our tiny yellow sun, with its eight planets orbiting between his claws.

  “I am glad you are impressed but now, we Leap.”

  “Leap? Oh! You mean jump without gates?” I asked, excited.

  “Indeed,” he said, as he reached out, plucking a highlighted asteroid belt.

  Darnack made a small gesture at the asteroid belt and for a moment the room was enveloped in prismatic colors that danced across the interface. They quickly faded to a deep red, then black, and began to trail back up the visible spectrum ending in a brilliant white light. There was no sensation of movement; only the new star field now before me gave any
indication we had moved. The asteroid belt was in full view and distorted strangely as we again entered normal space.

  “Welcome, Snow and Lieutenant Commander Charlie Stevens to our Nest,” Darnack said.

  “The Nest? You mean your home world is out in the asteroid belt?” I asked.

  “No, our home is the asteroid belt. This is where we chose to rebuild two thousand years ago,” he said through the Link.

  “Holy cow,” Charlie exclaimed, looking out into the belt. There were ships like the House Lethine stretched out as far as we could see. Interspersed among them were giant white spheres that could only be space stations. The scale defied imagination. I looked but none of the asteroids appeared inhabited. They simply built their homes, their space stations, amongst them.

  Darnack motioned towards what I assumed was the astrogator on the bridge and the House Lethine began to move towards one of the white spheres. As it grew larger, Darnack spoke, outside the Link.

  “Two thousand, five hundred of your years ago two large houses, Detraxia and Ugarat entered into conflict for the leadership of our planet, Nasaria. Over the next five hundred of your years, more houses joined the battle, until all were led by either Detraxia or Ugarat.

  “Gradually the Detraxians lost their hold on the lesser houses that had come to serve under them. While Ugarat held even the smallest houses in esteem, and honored their contribution to holy battle, Detraxia treated all those that were not of their house with contempt. They believed it was the destiny of their house to dominate Nasaria, and to bring all houses under the dominion of their sword.

  “Fate did not smile on Detraxia's quest for power. In their quest to decimate Ugarat, they left the path of honor. Hiding behind a lie of benevolence they claimed to be repairing our star, lengthening its life, but what they created was a terror weapon, built to silence their enemies, and all challenging houses, forever.

  “The Warriors of Ugarat fought bravely but were unable to stop the Detraxian House from activating their weapon. What was meant to destroy Ugarat, and all her lands, destabilized our star. At what you would call noon, in our capital, a multi-chromatic pulse of dimming light flooded the sky, followed by a brilliant lone flash of white. It was the death cry of our solar system.

  “Over the next week our star grew darker, our world grew cold. We evacuated everyone we could onto ships, jumping them far away from beloved Nasaria, but it would never be enough. Not two weeks after the Detraxian heresy, our bright blue star went super nova, destroying Nasaria, and with it twelve billion of our people. Where once our race was born, there is only a black hole now.”

  “Darnack, your story honors me, moves me, but tell me how did you come to live in the asteroid belt? Why not find another planet to settle?”

  “Ah! That is a fine story, but it is for another time. Come, we have much to do.”

  The House Lethine docked as semi-transparent tubes emerged, linking with the ship at key points. Almost instantly I saw the shapes of slithering Mendians moving back and forth between the ship and the station.

  “I can sense your curiosity. I am honored you wish to know so much of our people. I promise, all will be revealed in time,” Darnack said, noting my wonder.

  “I look forward to it,” I said.

  Chapter 26

  Negotiations were to begin aboard the Mendian space station within the next hour and I was traveling back to my quarters with Darnack and Charlie to retrieve the official diplomatic papers that were to be shared at the meeting. Rounding the corner I noticed a figure in tattered black robes waiting by my door. I felt a shiver go through me. It was the Mendian female from my dream.

  Through the Link I could feel her. There was a strength to her but also a weariness and shame. Darnack stopped us in the hallway, reaching out and speaking to her through the Link.

  “Matron of dishonor! You dare to insult this honored one with your presence?”

  “You know why I am here. You have seen her come to me in dreams these last two nights,” the female replied.

  “Yes, and I have told her of the dishonor of your House, Matron of Detraxia. You have nothing else to share,” Darnack replied, barely containing his anger.

  “Oh, but I only seek to share my perspective, Seeker,” she said. For me, her word almost oozed a darker mystery.

  “Silence! You will be gone from this honored one’s door, or I shall remove you, Matron! You lost the right to share the history of our people, when you gave the order which ended our world,” Darnack replied. Two Mendian security personnel came up behind her.

  “Very well, but from what I have seen these humans still have much to learn. Be careful, Darnack. They may yet surprise you,” she said, and slithered away.

  For the first time, Darnack appeared flustered. I could sense worry inside of him but mostly I was confused. Were we in danger?

  “Shifted One… Snow... Please let us go inside. We have much to discuss,” Darnack said, looking weary.

  “What was all that about?” I asked. Charlie stood beside me, confused. Everything had been said within the Link.

  “Please, please just come inside,” he said and motioned towards the door.

  “Charlie, I’m going to need to speak to Darnack alone for a moment. I’ll do my best to fill you in after I’m done,” I said and hopped into our quarters.

  “Roger that, Snow. I'd personally love an explanation,” Charlie replied.

  Darnack and I were in my office, the door was sealed, and I could still feel the concern inside him.

  “Is it my turn to tell you not to worry now?” I asked, amused at the irony.

  “Ah, very good, Snow! A good joke!” he replied, seeming to relax.

  “What did you mean out there, Matron of Dishonor? Is she a descendant of House Detraxia?” I asked, wondering at the extent of their honor culture.

  “No, she is not descendant. She is the Matron of House Detraxia, the leader of the dishonored ones,” he replied.

  “But that's not possible. The cataclysm was two thousand years ago; that would make her ancient,”

  “Oh indeed, she is quite ancient to your perception. She has seen many stars in her lifetime, and caused the destruction of her own,” Darnack said.

  “OK, hold on a moment. Are you telling me the Mendians are immortal?” I asked.

  “What is immortal?” Even through the Link, I couldn’t tell if it was a rhetorical question, or true ignorance of the concept. “We live enough cycles and then, when we have seen enough stars, we cease. It is simple. You too will understand this, in time,” he replied cryptically.

  “So then, if that’s the Matron of Dishonor, the leader of Detraxia, that would make her at least two thousand of our years old. Were you there, too?”

  “I served under House Lethine, bound in service to Ugarat when I watched our star die at the claws of Detraxia. I led our young warriors in the final battle against Detraxia, and failed,” he said, the wounds still somehow fresh after two millenia.

  “With our star doomed, there was much talk of leaving Detraxia to perish with the world they had damned to win, and indeed many of the Detraxian House perished with our star, but I guided the council of warriors. I ensured that the Matron and the generals of Detraxia would survive, dishonored, to live their shame.”

  “You led the council of warriors?”

  “I did, young Snow. I had led the final battle against Detraxia so it was I who ultimately determined their fate. After our star was destroyed, there was much talk about resettlement, but I convinced the council to resettle here in this vast field of dead rocks. Here there would be no shortage of materials for ships, no shortage of space for all houses, and no stars to destroy. Gradually we rebuilt here amongst the stars.”

  I stood there speechless. I had no words for what I had heard. I looked at Darnack, regarding the ancient being before me with a new respect and awe.

  “You must certainly have questions, Snow. The meeting can wait. It seems the time has come for you to
know more of the story of our people,” he said.

  “With respect, why do you call yourselves Mendians now? I would think you would call yourselves Nasarians, in honor of your dead world,” I asked.

  “Ah, yes, a good question indeed,” Darnack replied, looking up, reflecting on my words.

  “We found our home in this asteroid belt, but we still had not found our purpose. The spirit of our people was wounded after the cataclysm. Our honor was no longer enough to sustain us. A new direction had to be found, a new purpose.”

  “The Path of the Other.”

  “Yes, Shifted One, the Path of the Other. What we could not find in ourselves, we would find in the living of other lives, other ways, from other perspectives. Our honor culture was insufficient and we had to find a new way to live, we had to find new reasons to be. Everything that we were to that point had caused the destruction of our star. It was a way for us to live again.”

  “The council met and it was determined that one of their own would first undergo this journey and would bring it to the people. Lead them into a new way, and a new dawn. This leader would be called mendia, or seeker in your language.”

  “Does the mendia still live, or has he already seen enough stars? It would be a deep honor to meet him,” I replied.

  “Snow, you honor me with your words, for I am mendia. I am Mendia Darnack of House Lethine, and leader of my people. The Seeker of the Way. I was the first to walk the Path of the Other. I lived four hundred years as a purple krozsnaogor, a purple raptor native to our home world, then returned to the form you know now.”

  “I... I... do not know what to say.” I bowed deeply, the shock of standing before an ancient leader of an ancient people.

  Darnack returned the bow. “You honor me with your words and your actions, fellow seeker, but this is enough history for now. If you are still curious we can reschedule the formal negotiations for tomorrow and I will arrange for a tour of the house museum before we dine.”

  “I would like that,” I replied.

  “Then I will make the arrangements, Snow,” he said.