The Cries From Dead Worlds
Chapter Nine: The Outward Cost
"Tomorrow morning Atrus and I are heading back to Narayan," Six said. It was late afternoon in Tomahna. Atrus had left for Releeshahn shortly after they had gotten back. He had gone with little word other then a quick goodbye to his wife and daughter.
"Afterward, would you like to go to Tay for lunch? Sunny has invited us to his home," Katran asked as she pinned laundry to the clothesline not far from the washroom at the bottom of the canyon. Six handed her another pin as she nodded her agreement to the plan.
"So long as everything goes as planned in Narayan," Six said.
"Wonderful," Katran said. She placed the last article on the line and wiped her hands down on the front of her plain skirt. Six put the pins she was holding back where they belonged and the pair left the room, heading up a staircase cut into the rock. "With your help I have completed all of my tasks for the day. All the remains is Atrus' chores, but he prefers to do them before bed."
"So what do you want to do now?" Six asked.
2
"I found agave," Six said, returning to their campfire and Katran who was taking notes in her journal. "This has got be my favorite plant. It's saved my life a couple of time during long treks in some pretty inhospitable places. This sap can be used in cooking if you don't have any sugar. If you want to make your own alcohol, some can be made from this."
"Oh? Is it good?" Katran asked.
"Tequila is fantastic," Six replied, sitting down on the other side of their fire. "I'll make some before I leave. Anyway, agave is also a good binding agent if you need food to stick together, and you can drink the sap if you're wandering in the desert and out of supplies. You gotta be careful though, some versions of the plant can cause nasty rashes. Best test it before eating it." She placed the collected leaves in a pouch for later and wiped her hands on her jeans. "Okay, you want to learn how to shoot. I mean, all I got are energy weapons, and they aren't as much of a stand in for guns as you might think they are."
"Why not?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. Katran had tied her many braids back to keep her long hair out of her face.
"Energy weapons are a bit lighter than guns, and the recoil doesn't kick as much. Usually. Depends on the weapon. You also have to be more careful with maintenance. The stuff inside is nasty even if you're wearing gloves. You have to check over your energy weapons often to make sure nothing is leaking," Six explained. "Anyway, let me go set up some targets. I found a couple of things on my walk."
Six stood to set up target of varying size at different distances. She looked back to see Katran turning her Compliance Regulator over in her hands. If all went well, that would be her Compliance Regulator.
When Six rejoined her friend, she showed Katran how to properly hold the weapon. Six stood just a little off to the side as she helped Katran aim the first shot.
"Remember our talk on safety and you'll be fine," Six said quietly. "Now, take the shot."
The trigger was squeezed and the laser was out. It went wide of the rock she was aiming for, but only just. The recoil, despite prior warnings, surprised Katran, but she had kept a firm hold on the weapon.
All and all, it was a better first shot than some of the other disasters she had seen before. On one memorable occasion, the person firing hadn't been holding on tight enough and the kickback made the gun fly back into his face, breaking his noses. It didn't help that he had been firing a .44 and had muscles like wet noodles.
"Let's try again," Six said, helping her aim once more.
Another shot, this one grazing the rock.
They continued to practice, Katran getting marginally better as the day wore on. Six showed her more techniques, and at one point was driven to take apart the Regulator by Katran endless question about the inner workings.
When Katran managed to disintegrate a cactus, Six couldn't keep her own question silent. "Why do you want to learn this anyway? You and Atrus have always been as nonviolent as can be."
"Because it could not hurt," Katran said, reloading the stun gun exactly as Six had showed her. "Atrus dislikes violence in all of its forms—though he made an exception out of desperation on Terahnee—but I know that you can't always avoid a fight. Being captured on Riven proved this to me. As a girl, my father taught me how to use a knife and I can use some smaller firearms if the situation requires it. Knowing how to use your weapons is just more knowledge among others I have acquired throughout my life."
"I understand," Six said, nodding.
Katran looked at her steadily. "I would appreciate it if you did not tell Atrus I-"
"Don't want to worry him," Six cut in. "Yeah, sure. I don't think it should be kept from him, but it's also none of my business."
Katran smiled at her. "Thank you. I just do not think it worth mentioning with the worry it will cause Atrus."
"We're not just talking about guns now, are we?" Six asked, thinking back to the supposed trouble that was happening in Tay.
"I am afraid not," Katran answered.
"We'll be talking about it over lunch tomorrow, won't we?" Six gently took the Compliance Regulator from her.
"I am afraid so," she answered.
3
"Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies, do I see-"
ED-E stopped playing Sinatra and a second later the Sun Room's door creaked open. Six heard the door from Katran's office open on hinges that needed oiling. She looked up from the journal—the one that Atrus used to record his thoughts while he was writing Releeshahn—before looking back down at the inked words.
"How was your afternoon?" Atrus asked pleasantly.
"Great. Kat and I bonded. Swapped recipes. I'm making dinner tonight. I hope your feeling adventurous," she replied.
"Is it lizard?" he asked. "Because I have had that before."
She grinned up at him. "Bloatfly sliders. I brought the meat with me."
"I hope you are joking," he said, deadpanned.
"Yeah. I'm making beef wellington with a side of desert salad," she said. "You want tequila?"
Atrus considered that for a moment before saying, "I am not much of a drinker, but that does sound nice. I have only had tequila once before. Unfortunately, we do not have any lime."
Six raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"You're supposed to drink tequila with salt and lime," he answered.
"Why?" She had always had it straight.
He shook his head. "Nevermind."
A moment of silence passed where Six continued reading and Atrus stood in the doorway awkwardly. Eventually, she looked back up and asked, "Was there something you wanted?"
"No, well, I suppose." He walked over to sit on the other side of the bench. "You really think it is a good idea to take my infant daughter to meet Achenar?"
"Sirrus too," she added.
"Maybe," he said. "Maybe it would be a good idea. Perhaps they should meet Reilly as well."
"Good thinking," she replied.
He looked at her. "You know, your visit to Haven and Veil has made Catherine think. She wants to see them without the cages in the way. Normally, I wouldn't have allowed it, but you were all right. Would you be willing to…"
"Act as a body guard? Sure," she agreed. Six looked up at her silent companion. "ED-E what about you? Up for it?"
"^&!#"
Six looked back at Atrus. "Yessir, we'd love to."
He nodded. "Perhaps we can work something out after my sons meet their sister. Behind the safety bars."
She shrugged. "Whenever you're ready."
"Did your find any more of Saavedro's diary in Voltaic?" Atrus asked, changing the subject so fast it took her a moment to catch up with him.
"Yeah, but in the interest of his privacy, I haven't read them," she answered.
He nodded, looking away. "I understand."
The silence that fell between them was a comfortable one. Atrus stared off into the New Mexico desert for a time before saying, "My friend?"
"Yeah, pally?" she asked, not looking up from the journal.
"Tomorrow is going to be a trial, isn't it?" he sighed.
"You can stay here," she suggested.
He sighed. "No, no I can't."
Six finally gave him her full attention as she recited a piece she had long ago committed to memory, for some reason she heard it in her mind with Colonel Autumn's voice.
"I sat upon the shore
Fishing, with the arid plain behind me
Shall I at last set my lands in order?"
End of Chapter Nine
Up Next: Back to Narayan.
Author's Notes:
Six is quoting a very small part of The Waste Land by TS Eliot. In case you were curious.
We are getting closer and closer to Saavedro's reappearance. I doubt he'll be in the next chapter considering how short I plan on making them, but he ought to be in the one after that.
If you celebrate a holiday this season, have a good time. If you don't, have a nice week all the same.
Thanks for reading,
Home On The Wastes
PS: Don't expect another update until sometime after Christmas. I am going to be super busy.