Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount owns STVoy. Mores the pity! Other characters are mine.
Dakota – Apache.
Friend – Enemy
by lizzy74656 May 2001
Restarted June 2007
Takes place 18yrs after White Dream. Year is 2394 – spring. Episode alluded to: Endgame – STVOY.
The freshening breeze stirred across the sun-drenched landscape of the wide meandering river valley, with its sprawling urban dwellings. No two buildings were alike, yet surprisingly the mismatched houses blended well with each other; only the main admin building stood tall and smooth sided above the sprawl around it. To the east side stood a collection of large barn-like buildings around the top end of a long wide runway. Here shuttlecrafts moved about, along with the land hover vehicles.
Here upon the valleys rolling hillsides everything in Kaldora's First City seemed small and insignificant, from the elevated viewpoint. Light hazel eyes gazed at the scene in worried reflection, feeling the breeze strengthen, causing the person to shiver – not because it was cold – but for the winds of change that were sweeping through the city below; winds that did not bode well for her or those she loved here. Sighing resigned; she gathered up her wind blown long silver hair and re-fastened it into its practical ponytail as she walked toward her hover-flyer. The female was tall, slim and of athletic build; strong lean limbs and about in her early twenties. Her face was a long heart shape with high cheekbones beneath her soft honey coloured skin – if not for her hair colour – she could have passed for a native Kaldoran. Yet her silver coloured hair – from which she took her name – marked her as alien/different. Her figure was covered in the standard dark green one-piece coveralls of her profession, that of tactical engineering. She stepped into her personal hover vehicle and flew it back to the landing fields; to resume her job.
The usual hustle and bustle at the big shed was rather absent, as she parked her vehicle, with only a few people milling around and none that she knew well. So she decided to make her way home, feeling very on edge knowing something was very wrong. People stared at her as she passed, most with open hatred others turned away shunning her, their usual pleasant greetings missing, as she walked the quiet streets. How grateful she was to see her parents home just ahead of her.
Suddenly three burly youths blocked her path; although they were stronger in build than she, she didn't feel threatened only quietly alert and ready to defend herself, knowing there would be no one to help her. Brandon's gruff voice broke the silent menace, forcing the rather sullen three to give her room to pass. One of the males caught her arm and held it tight, as she moved to go between them.
"You've got away this time. Caste!" he sneered; roughly throwing her forward. She kept her feet and continued to walk steadily to Brandon, her adopted father, who stood solidly in the open doorway of the family home. The big gruff, now a little grey at the edges, protectively ushered her into the house, where Rowena embraced the young woman, pleased she was home, safe and sound.
"Father? What is going on?" she asked worried now.
"Hush, Little One. We'll await the others," he said, having closed the door firmly behind him. She knew her questions would remain unanswered until he chose to tell her; so she went through into the large lounge to wait.
The days shadows lengthen as the sun westered, yet still Brandon remained silent saying nothing even after the rest of his extended family came home safely. Olan; silver-haired and of the same build as his father's adopted daughter, joined the female who was five years his senior, along with his half-twin sister, Owissa. The humanoid female took very much after the build and colouring of her parents; with her father's ginger hair and her mother's green/hazel eyes. Both new arrivals sat together wary, sensing the general unease.
Their other three siblings joined their mother in the warm kitchen; having read their father's brooding expression and decided to stay well out of harms way; not that their father would have physically harmed them, better to be safe than sorry.
A knock at the main door made them jump. Brandon quietly walked over and let the caller in; cautioning the young male not to say a word. He was a tall solid built individual, though slimmer than his host; red/gold hair a mass of youthful curls around his open sunny face; bright blue eyes taking everything in. He was just getting over the gawky late teenage stage; in a few years he would be quite handsome. Even now the girls hankered after him, not that he noticed, as he went about his job as shuttle pilot; dressed in the standard dark reddish/brown coveralls with silver wings on the left breast pocket and two silver pips on the collar. Not a word or sound broke the silence among these five waiting people as the darkness settled around them. Rowena closed the long drapes at the windows and lit only one lamp within the room; she gently kissed her husband's cheek as she passed him, before returning to the kitchen and ushered her other three to their beds, amidst their gentle half-hearted protests.
Another knock at the main door caused Brandon to sigh with relief as he went to let the caller in. He made sure the door was firmly closed before speaking.
"I didn't think I'd make it," the male said, breathing heavily. Brandon guided his friend into the lounge and the four waiting expectant faces. "You haven't told them, then?"
"No Jabez. I haven't. I was awaiting your arrival," the big males tone measured. The newcomer looked at him a little startled. "Please be seated," he said, feeling his wife join him and slip her hand comfortingly into his. For a moment he didn't speak, just gazed sadly at the people in front of him, knowing it would probably be the last time he saw any of them.
"Kitto. How did the Starship's test flight go?"
"Like a dream. She is beautiful," the young redhead said his blue eyes bright. "I can't wait to fly her in deep space. We've still to sort out and connect the transwarp; otherwise I think she's about ready to go," his tone excited and over eager. He was pleased that his host smiled at his enthusiasm. Rowena left to answer a gentle knock at the rear door. She soon returned with an auburn haired female, who went and sat with the surprised Jabez; her husband.
"You may get your chance sooner than you think, Kitto." No one said a word. "Did you do as I'd asked?" The young male nodded dumbly. The silver-haired female stood and looked about to say something, frowning puzzled by the feelings coming from her father, but he spoke first: "Most of you will be taking a trip in the Starship, tonight." His words caused everyone to start speaking at once, yet he just stood there and let it wash over him, waiting for the hubbub to die on its own. "All of you, with the exception of Jabez and Tatiana will make for the Starship tonight."
"Why, father?" asked his true first daughter. He held out his hand to her, which she took and was enfolded into his large embrace.
"Magan; is Judge of Justice." Silence reigned as each realised what that meant for each one of them within the room. The male had made no secret of the fact, that he disliked the idea of space travel and all the various technologies it entailed. But it was his intense hatred of the N'de and those who looked after them, the Silver Keepers, which made him a real danger.
"He certainly didn't waste anytime," Kitto muttered sourly. "It isn't even a full week since…" he couldn't continue the thought, head bowed. Tatiana put a gentle hand on his arm, as she too remembered that odd day when they'd honoured the death of Phelan; Kitto's Grandfather – who had been Kaldora's first Judge of Justice, over the last 16yrs. Their eyes met sorrow and shared grief passed between them, only to be broken by Jabez:
"Brandon. I'm staying here with you. You'll need all the support…" he trailed as his friend shook his head.
"No Jabez. Phelan and I discussed this a long time ago. He knew how Magan felt and what he would do. No you and Stella must leave with the others," he gently squeezed his daughter and then moved toward his friend and clasped his shoulders. "I'm entrusting you to be guardian of my family." Startled gasps sounded in reaction to this news. Jabez stared with wide dark hazel eyes at his ginger haired friend, knowing what a heavy responsibility had just been placed upon him.
"I accept," he said simply swallowing hard, feeling the eyes of all the youngsters upon him, sad, surprised and yet trusting.
"Good," sighing with a broad smile of relief. He'd been afraid Jabez would fight him to stay and remove Magan from office. Brandon then went on to explain his plan, his voice light but his eyes sad. Everyone knew they would not be returning to Kaldora once they'd left and made the most of Brandon and Rowena's company, sharing a small meal together, before leaving just after midnight. Silently those who were to go to the Starship slipped out into the darkness, hoping not to be followed by Magan's minions.
Tatiana looked at her parents of the last eighteen years; with such deep love and longing that she thought her heart would break. Rowena held her close silently telling her that they would always love her, no matter where she went, they would always keep her close to their hearts. Brandon held them both within his large embrace. Emotions running high she kissed them both and then retreated to her room. Unable to settle she decided to gather up her personal belongings ready for her departure in the early morning. Jabez and his wife Stella had gone to their own home to do much the same, only that Stella would be transported aboard the starship before it left the planet entirely. Using only the single light source in the hallway, so as not to attract undue attention to her being awake; she brought out the one item she knew she could never leave behind. Removing it from its special hiding place she sat on her bed and held the smooth stone with its special markings, quietly remembering where, when and who had given it to her:
The male had taken her via his quarters instead of directly to the transporter room. Not a word passed between them as he brought the unusual bundle from its hiding place and then carefully unwrapped the skin covering. Inside were three items; a blackbird's wing, a small rectangle device and the stone. His strong fingers caressed it before picking it up and gently placing it in both her small hands. He'd knelt down to her level so their eyes met; hazel and deep brown. In them she saw not herself but the image of how she'd first met him. Softly blinking away the tears she looked at the stone and then him. His smile was warm; there were still no words for none were needed. They'd then resumed their journey to the transporter, with her precious gifts tucked into a soft pouch that included the reed flute.
Looking again at the special stone it blurred with her tears, feeling the warmth of the man's smile in it. Carefully she put it back in the soft pouch along with the reed flute, which was added to the holdall containing the rest of her things.
As dawn broke she said a quiet farewell to her half-siblings, as the half-twins had done last night. They all hugged her tight; only the eldest was dry eyed at that moment.
"Good hunting, Tatti," he whispered, hazel eyes now misting with his tears.
"To you also, Shikasha," she responded. Breathing deeply to keep her own torn emotions under control, she pulled herself erect and calmly walked away from the house without a backward glance, Jabez beside her. Together they walked the empty streets to the landing fields with heavy hearts, yet their heads high. No one saw them, thus they arrived at the shuttle shed without mishap.
It wasn't long before they fired up and off into the glory of the morning sky and left Kaldora far behind.
The web spun around and around, no way out of the silver strands. A pattern of stars shone brightly amidst the webs soft strands, coming together to form into a large white furred lupine with deep amber eyes. He turned his noble head to look at the dreamer; over his left eye was the tribal mark that appeared to mingle with the webs silver strands.
Suddenly he lunged forward, causing the dreamer to wake startled, heart pounding and stare up at the dream-catcher swinging in the dawn wind above her head, with part of the constellation of Lupus visible through the tepee's smoke hole. From her perspective it looked as if the fading stars were caught in the web of her silver stranded dream-catcher.
She laid there her heartbeat slowing quietly recalling the dream.
It wasn't the first time he'd come to her in the dreams of the night, but it was the first time he'd moved so dangerously toward her. The young female sat up and looked round the tent, where the rest of her family slept on blissfully unaware. Quietly she got up and moved outside to take in the early signs of the dawning sun. Lupus shone down in the ever-lightening sky above her. As she watched the white lupine formed within the constellation; his dark eyes regarded her with a deep sadness that puzzled her. Then he shuddered from nose to tail and then vanished, leaving only the brightest stars shining in the sky. A soft breeze sprang up rustling the spring leaved trees around her, causing her to shiver, hearing a call faint and distant.
"I'll come," she whispered, the breeze and call dying with the strengthening sun as it poked its nose over the hidden horizon, banishing the last of the stars from the sky; except one. It seemed to brighten and then vanished.
The silver-grey haired male looked up hearing the soft call in the dying breeze. A shudder coursed down his spine making him feel cold in spite of the strengthening warmth of the rapidly rising sun. Coming toward him, white hair flying was the young female, Wenonah; she raced across the spring grass of the obelisk river valley urgency in her straining stride. He waded across the shallow river to meet her, gently halting her mad dash. Breathing laboured the young eighteen year old stood panting before him her amber eyes beseeching.
"I heard," he finally whispered as her breathing started to slow to its normal rhythm. "Now we wait. The Silver Keepers will come," turning his eyes toward the western mountains.
"Hakan?!" she said, worried and frustrated at his calmness.
"Hush. Patience, little one, patience. You'll see," his tone wise with the wisdom of his forbearers. "Have you broken-fast?" he asked quietly; she shook her head. "Come we will do so together," taking her hand, his amber eyes gentle as he led her to his small wick-up in the stand of trees to the south of the alien obelisk, which hummed softly.
She'd always enjoyed these flights across the blackness of space to the planet that their shuttle's sensors said wasn't there, yet to their eyes through the shuttle's main forward portal glowed a soft blue/green jewel colour. Jabez worked the pilot controls manoeuvring into position for their entry in through the planet's shields.
"You'd better set the command frequency and tell Olan to do the same," he said not taking his eyes off the console. Tatiana felt her half-brother's voice in her mind, telling her he was ready whilst she opened the channel to the obelisk on Abnaki – Morning Land. Her heart felt heavy now realising she and her fellows had no home, no purpose or goal, feeling the obelisk computer scan her DNA. Slowly a gap opened in the planet's defence shields, allowing them entry to the planet surface that their sensors said was there below them. Carefully Jabez guided the small craft through the window, the new Starship close on their tail; following the path set for them by the obelisk, to land in the river plain.
Below two sets of amber eyes watched the two vastly different ships fly in from the west. The first was the usual small streamline shuttle craft they'd been use to over the many seasons, it had visited, capable of carrying up to three persons with limited space for some cargo storage. The second ship was larger and yet more graceful than the shuttle. Its smooth surface shone in the sunlight, tracing the curved body and up over the high swept-up tail and along the leading edges of her broad swept back and downward pointing wings. Hakan felt he was looking at an oversized metal swan; such was her silhouetted shape. Both ships landed safely, the shuttle close to where he and Wenonah waited; the larger ship behind. On seeing the silver-haired female emerge from the smaller craft, he bounded over to her like a young puppy, rather than as the elder stately male he was. The female stayed where she was trying to ignore the way her male friend and mentor was disgracing himself – well in her young eyes – with the tall slender upright woman.
Tatiana knelt down and held Hakan close, his musky scent warm and comforting; she held his muzzle in both her hands and gazed into his amber eyes. Jabez didn't interrupt as he disembarked the shuttle, knowing that the two were communicating.
Slowly the woman stood her hand in the thick neck ruff of the silver-grey N'de, her eyes sad and distant.
"Tatti!" a voice called from the direction of the larger ship. The male ran toward them his red/gold curls bouncing. Panting he reached her and repeated her name questioningly. She blinked at him as if she'd been far away; he quietly put an arm round her, noticing the tears.
"Kitto! He's dying!"
"Who, Tatti?" he asked softly, holding her a little closer.
"Kindred Spirit," she whispered, moving into the male's warm embrace. He held her tight feeling her body shake with her sobs, whilst he gazed at the N'de who sat looking forlorn behind her. Jabez leaned against the shuttle for support feeling drained, knowing he need not contact the others aboard the Starship; for Olan would have said, being linked to Tatiana telepathically.
Owissa stood close to Olan at the free standing double computer console that sat up and behind the pilot and navigator's console sighted in the ship's nose and watched the scene outside through the area's large oval window that arched gracefully over the whole of the bridge, giving them all round vision. From the outside though it was if the ship had no visible windows, as the Perspex glass was one-way vision only, out not in. Stella felt as if she would cry, sitting on the side couch the tears welling in her hazel eyes.
"What now?" she asked quietly, though not really expecting any answer, hearing the others enter the area via the turbo-lift at the rear of the bridge.
"There is only one thing we can do for now," said her husband, Jabez, his tone determined. "We get this ship up and running to full working space worthiness. Olan…."
"I know. Tatti has explained," smiling softly.
"I'll have to remember that," grinning at the young eighteen year old. "Right time to get started, we've a lot to accomplish. Just as well Brandon told us about those stores," his eyes sad. Stella went to him and put her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek softly.
"Having something positive to concentrate on will help. But we all need to come to terms with what is happening," she advised.
"You're right, my sweet," he said, sighing deeply; tone brisk he gave his orders. Olan knew his task – the obelisk; Kitto was to deal with the stores and stow them on board along with the shuttle; he and Tatti would check the engines over and get them fully operational. "Whilst you two women get supper," his expression cheeky; ducking his wife's scornful yet playful swipe at him. It eased the emotional tension as they set off to deal with their assigned tasks.
Wenonah watched them feeling a little left out of things, yet wanting to help in some small way. Hakan trotted beside the red/gold haired upright male as they made their way along the half-ravine valley behind the obelisk. A silver-haired male went up into the base of the humming alien structure - via the open square - that Hakan had opened. Curious she went closer. Her mentor had always advised her to leave not long after the shuttle had arrived on the planet, so she had no idea what was happening within the strange structure. All the times that the Silver Keepers had come she'd been told to return home, now it was if Hakan had forgotten she was still around; therefore she now had an open opportunity to discover why these uprights came to Abnaki. Head on one side she studied the open square hole, seeing the steps leading downwards, her nose testing the air, ears alert to the sounds within. Slowly she stepped forward and descended the steps.
Inside the structure, Olan worked steadily beneath one of the wall consoles, he worked to install the new piece of equipment – a data link node. He loved dealing with problem solving especially if it involved working out a new computer program or a mathematical problem. Therefore he was unaware of the visitor until she spoke.
//Hello!// said the soft hesitant female voice, startling him that he banged his head as he came out from under the console. //Sorry!// the female said, looking worriedly at the male as he sat rubbing the painful area of his skull.
"I've suffered worse," he said ruefully, sitting still looking at the female, her amber eyes wary. "Do you have a name? I'm Olan – inheritor," he explained quietly gazing at the white Lupine/N'de. For a moment he wondered if she would respond, slowly she relaxed and sat back on her hunches.
//Wenonah – firstborn daughter//
"Pleased to meet you, Wenonah," he smiled. It lit up his honey coloured face with such warmth and trust, it so surprised the young female that her ears shot up straight. "You'll do," he teased. "Want to help?" She nodded, still a little in awe of the male, but he asked her to fetch his tool roll from near the steps, whilst he disappeared back under the console once more. Wenonah heard his voice more in her mind than her ears, which at first puzzled her, yet the mental images she received along with the words helped her to work well with him as he installed the new device that would keep her people safe on Abnaki.
Hakan and Kitto passed the sealed cavern that housed the remains of the Silver ones who'd perished when the obelisk had scrambled all computer functions within range over eighteen years ago. The two halted and stood there for a silent moment; although Hakan didn't understand the upright's grief, he respected it. Kitto mentally shook himself and scratched behind the silver/grey's ears and then they moved on. This first flowering/new leaf day was really beautiful; birds sang greeting the morning with such a joyous sound that it was hard to remain sad. Hakan gave a yip-bark sound, amber eyes quietly laughing and picked up the pace. Kitto smiled and jogged along, red/gold curls bouncing. Soon the two of them were racing for the sheer fun of doing so and being very much alive; at the high meadow they cut a swathe through the tall grasses, before lying down hidden among the tall stems, panting, yet happy. The male pulled the Lupine close to him, hugging the creature, feeling his warmth and musky scent.
"If only life could always be like this," he sighed closing his blue eyes.
//Unfortunately it is not// the male N'de said. //Even here on Abnaki there is hardship. It is how you deal with it that makes life worth living//
"Words of wisdom, my friend," he teased, looking into the amber eyes standing above him.
//Don't mock!// came the scolding voice.
"I wasn't. My apologies, Fiery," Kitto said, sitting up hugging his knees to his chest. "It's just so easy to forget…things here," he said wistful gazing out over the meadow.
//Come//he softly commanded, licking the male's cheek. They'd gone some distant back to toward their objective when Hakan spoke//I do understand// Kind hands played with his ears telling him without words that the young male appreciated his company and concern.
Back at the river valley in the engine room of the new starship, Jabez – his dark golden hair standing on end – checked the console in front of him before the transwarp drive as it ticked over. On the over side of the core he could just make out the silver-haired head of his companion – Tatiana – working on one of the wall panels.
"Readings are within normal parameters," she said her tone clipped and almost devoid of emotions. It distracted him from his own readings, prompting a gentle reminder from the ship's computer. They continued to work, for the most part in silence, speaking only when necessary, bringing all the systems on-line and to full working order.
"None of these systems have been fully tested," he said casually, still checking the data on the transwarp drive. "Although we know most of it works in theory."
"Not until we get into open space, will it be fully tested," her voice quiet in his ear, making him jump not realising she'd moved to stand near him. "I'm sorry." He smiled at her, his hand over his hammering heart.
"No apology needed, Tatti. We're all on edge," he sighed wearily. Then Stella's voice echoed over the com-system:
"If you want to eat; better come and get it."
"We'll be right there," he replied enthused, but it seemed Stella didn't hear him. Tatti grinned.
"I think we'd better sort out the com-system. After we've eaten," they said the latter in unison and laughed.
"You know what Stella is like if we're late," he noted softly, a mischievous grin on his face. Tatti beat him to the main entryway of engineering as they ran through the ship's corridors to arrive at the mess area, rather out of breath but still smiling broadly. Stella glared at them both and asked what had kept them.
"Oh nothing much," Jabez said, winking at his young companion. Owissa watched the happy banter feeling more at ease, seeing her friends happy. Olan arrived with a young white N'de trotting at his heel. On seeing the other uprights, she half hid behind his legs.
"This is Wenonah," he said and proceeded to introduce all the uprights to the female N'de. Tatti moved closer carefully and squatted down to Wenonah's level and took the youngsters muzzled into her hands and gazed deep into the amber eyes. It was some minutes later when they broke eye contact, that the N'de moved forward and licked the woman's nose.
"I think she likes you, Tatti," Olan said amused.
"Who likes whom?" asked a male voice.
"Wenonah," said the silver female, standing to her full height with a gentle smile for the red/gold haired newcomer. Kitto smiled back, pleased; Hakan at his side. The two N'de nosed each other and then a voice exclaimed:
"Isn't anyone hungry!?" her tone indignant. The responses were varied with 'starving', 'sure', 'famished', etc; laughter echoed around the area as they sat down for their first meal together aboard the new starship that had yet to be given a name as well as a purpose.
Meantime back on Kaldora, Magan sat in the office chambers that had been those of the first Judge of Justice, Phelan. He congratulated himself on getting elected without any undue problems or hassle, to the position that he felt was his by rights of birth. The only stumbling block that he could see to his remaining Judge for the foreseeable future was Brandon.
"Now how to get rid of him," he said softly to himself, his scheming mind working overtime on the problem as he saw it. Magan's private musings were interrupted by a polite knock at the chamber's door. "Come," he said, remembering where he was and what his function was. In stepped – surprisingly – the man of his dark thoughts.
"Brandon!" he exclaimed, trying to cover his surprise as he stood to greet the male. The other said nothing just quietly sat down in front of the desk behind which Magan stood warily eying the big male.
"I'll come straight to the point of my visit," Brandon began carefully as the other male sat down slowly. "My family and I will be moving to the new territories in the north," pausing to let his news sink in. "I have all the necessary paper work here signed and sealed," putting a neat small flat file with the Justice's office seal on the cover on the desk between them. Stunned Magan stared at it then Brandon who stood. "Goodbye, Magan. Judge of Justice," he said formally, bowing slightly and then took his leave. He sat there just staring at the file with its silver seal – a winged delta shape. He couldn't understand it; Brandon, Phelan and even Jabez were or had been stumbling blocks that had stood it his way ever since they'd come to Kaldora; now at least two of them were gone. Another knock at the door interrupted his whirling thoughts again, but this time it was only his personal assistant. A woman in her mid thirties who'd been Phelan's personal aide, during his time as Judge, entered, closed the door, shut the electronic blinds over the windows and put a small data block into the computer slot on his desk and then left, closing the door firmly behind her without having spoken a word to him.
#Hello, Magan#
"Phelan!" he whispered startled and then noted that the holo-imager was working, projecting an image of the old man sitting on the chair opposite him.
#This is to welcome you to your new office. I hope you care for your new responsibilities wisely#. The voice still made Magan squirm in his seat feeling uneasy.
Although to most outsiders, Magan had appeared to be Phelan's right-hand man, the truth was far different than appearances would have led people to believe. He had hated being in Phelan's shadow, always at the man's beck and call. Not that Phelan had treated him harshly or ridiculed him, because he hadn't. Phelan had always treated him in a kindly manner with a firm hand to keep Magan from going astray or from upsetting the status quo. In all the 16yrs Phelan had been Judge he'd never once said anything or reprimanded Magan over the events on Abnaki. Nor had he mentioned them to Brandon. Their first two years on Kaldora had been used to learn about their new home and settle in. Once First City had been established Phelan had accepted the people's urgings that he be their first legal adviser and permanent leader.
#I wouldn't try switching this off. It is set to run complete and then it will be wiped clean# the voice of the ghost said; making Magan jump away guiltily from the computer to look at the image opposite him.
#Brandon will have already visited you with his papers for re-location to the Northern Territories as teacher of geological studies. Governor Merlyn will be apprised of the situation as soon as this recording is complete# the image looked directly at Magan making him squirm in his seat again. #I know you, Magan# pausing, his tone quiet and firm. #I'm aware that I am not a well man these days; therefore it is only a question of when. That is why I have tied up all my affairs, both professional and personal, so you need not worry about those. As for funding to the continuation of the Space programme#. Magan wondered what was coming, puzzled by the intensity of the holo-images' gaze. #It has been withdrawn and all research into warp and hyper drives etc will have being scaled down. Sciences have been moved to new facilities in the North-west Mountains, with the mandate to continue our High Council's research into this solar system using ground base and satellite monitoring devises#. Magan was not pleased, but that mandate had come with them, so there was nothing he could do about it, even if their home planet was no longer alive.
#As to Jabez and the Silver Keepers! They will no longer be on Kaldora. As to where? Only they will know that#. The image smiled softly. I Phelan wish you Magan Judge of Justice well in your new office. Wear the mantel comfortably. Adieu!# with that the image vanished and the data block whirled and then ejected, startling Magan.
He stabbed the button on his desk to summon his aide; she entered quietly, re-opened the blinds and laid the data block on the desk ready for reuse.
"What do you know about this?" he demanded coldly.
"Nothing, Judge Magan; only that Judge of Justice Phelan asked me to make sure that you viewed it after it was given to me," she said calmly, ignoring his muttered cursing. It hadn't escaped his notice that in relation to Phelan she'd used the full title, but with him only 'Judge'. That irked him as if he was still living in Phelan's shadow. "Judge; Sir. Phelan made no mention of the contents of the data block to anyone, only that Brandon would give it to me for you to view alone. I did ask Brandon if he knew what it contained. His answer was an honest no, Sir." She stood waiting as he digested what she'd told him. "Judge Magan. Your orders, Sir?" she asked politely.
"What?" he snapped startled.
"Your orders, Judge Magan," she calmly repeated.
'Wear the mantel comfortably' he thought, almost hearing the voice that had uttered those words. "Yes, of course," feeling uneasy. "Can you check on the whereabouts of Jabez and the Silver ones? Then report back to me," he smiled, doing his best to squash the growing uneasy in the pit of his stomach.
"Shall I bring the day's agenda in, Sir?" having noted his request.
"Yes, yes of course. Please do." The female left quietly a soft knowing smile on her face.
"You've really taken the wind out of his sails, Phelan," she said softly to herself, picking up the agenda file, about to return to the main chamber she spoke to her subordinate: "Shari. Please check on the whereabouts of Jabez and the Silver ones," she said over her shoulder to the younger female.
"Ma'am?! I believe they left this morning via shuttlecraft. As they always do on this day," Shari responded somewhat startled and puzzled by the request.
"Check it anyway," her tone firm and then re-entered the chambers.
"Yes, Ma'am," she acknowledged, accessing the local com-net.
Night creatures went about their nocturnal business ignoring the new white shiny interloper that stood proud on the river plain below the alien obelisk that added its usual quiet hum to the night star dusted air. Suddenly a howl of anguish and fear cut across the night scene. The creatures of the night shadows became still and alert; yet not really alarmed. The only change in the scene was that the white interloper had many lights shinning around it. Seeing and hearing nothing threatening the night creatures again went about their business.
Inside the white metal bird things were very different; restlessness throbbed through the still air within as four paws paced nervously around the bridge.
//He's never done that before!// she said anxiously her amber eyes wary.
"You've dreamed of him before, Wenonah?" Tatiana asked quietly, hoping to calm the pacing N'de. The other uprights had returned to their beds and their disturbed sleep. Only the two silver-haired ones and Hakan sat with the young female as she paced the deck.
//He has always been there. But lately the dreams of him have become more frequent, more clear// her heart racing within her as she thought about this latest dream. She stopped in front of the seated Tatti and put her muzzle on the woman's knees. //He attacked me// she admitted softly. For a moment no one said anything.
"You are sure of that, Wenonah? I'm sure he didn't mean…………"
//No, Olan. He really attacked me// pacing again. Tatiana quietly called to the female, getting her to sit in front of her again and took the white muzzle gently in her hands. She gazed into the frightened amber eyes.
//Let me see// was all she said mentally.
The web spun around and around, it was not being made/woven or unwoven, it just spun like a dream-catcher caught in the wind. Stars in the form of the Lupus constellation shone among the web's silver strands; then the tribal mark that panned out to reveal the Great White Lupine that she – Tatti – had first met 18yrs ago. His amber/brown eyes turned to her, filled with many emotions. At first they were just one maelstrom whirling around and around, until slowly they steadied to reveal pain, loss, sorrow and a dying love or life, she couldn't be sure about the last. Suddenly he lunged forward going for her throat, at which point she woke up, but not before she'd registered the regret in his eyes and heard his mournful cry.
Tatti blinked rapidly letting go of Wenonah's muzzle. Olan put his arms around her shaking shoulders his light hazel eyes concerned.
"I sensed some of it. Mainly fear, loss, sorrows. Tatti what is happening to him?" his voice worried and deeply concerned.
"I don't know, Olan," breathing deeply to calm herself, her own hazel eyes worried. Hakan nudged her. "Sorry, Fiery. I know you sense him too. Perhaps between us, we can work it out," she sighed, playing with his silver-grey ears.
//After we have broken-fast// his voice calm in the otherwise whirling ocean of emotions. The two silver-haired uprights smiled knowingly at each other. They said goodnight to the two N'de and left to return to their beds; leaving the area bathed in the soft luminous glow of the night lighting.
Wenonah stood gazing out the large viewport, her silver-white hair gleaming in the starlight. Hakan stood behind her and gently plaited her thick hair into a single braid down her back. When he'd done she leaned back against him, feeling drained.
"All will be well, First-born daughter. You'll see," he said his tone echoing the wisdom of his forbearers. She just sighed deeply, feeling the calm of the still night fill her being, making sleep a possibility once more.