A/N: Wow, I'm so sorry for the delay. I had this chapter half finished for about a week before I could figure out how I wanted to finish it out. I don't know why, but for some reason writer's block decided to afflict me. All better though! Here you go. Two chapters and an epilogue to go, methinks. Although knowing me, that will change.

-T.

Chapter Eleven

Hope

Layek took me back into the medical center. There were four sick Pemalites on the beds – one of which had suffered no injury on the home world. They were all unconscious. I averted my gaze from them and concentrated instead on the computer console Layek approached. He was drawing up a list of planetary schematics.

"Here." He said, and a holographic image appeared. It was a small planet, about a third of the size ours had been. It was the third in a system and the only one with a habitable atmosphere. There was only one sun – a medium sized yellow ball of gas which was much paler than the light we were used to.

"It is different." I said, stating the obvious. I looked more closely at the readouts. The planet had a massive amount of plant and animal life including, it appeared, a sentient race.

"I know I said that we shouldn't inhabit another species' planet." Layek said quickly, "But we are running out of time, and the creatures that inhabit this planet are barely sentient. Then exist in small communes, completely unaware of life beyond their world. They are hardly aware that more of their own kind exists. We would not interfere."

"How can you be sure that we wouldn't…disrupt them?" I asked. I was uncomfortable with the idea of hiding out on a planet that had already been claimed.

"We can't." Layek admitted, "But it is a risk we will have to take. The only other planets that come close to our requirements are heavily populated by much more advanced species than these."

"This is…good news." I allowed, giving Layek a smile.

"E'rok," Layek said, sensing my unease, "The Pemalites thrive in open space, with room to run and play. Surely you know that – you are programmed with the same basic needs. If we are to give my people hope of survival, we need to give them a home first."

"I know." I said, "I suppose that any new planet will take some getting used to."

"Yes, that is certain." Layek nodded, "But we will be able to get used to it together, as the Pemalite survivors and their Chee companions."

"Yes." I agreed, feeling a twinge of hopefulness. Perhaps Layek was right, and we had finally found our fresh start.

"Should we make an announcement?" I asked, glancing towards the door that led to the main area where, no doubt, the games celebrating Tirah were still going on.

"Not yet." Layek said, his eyes fixated on the computer. "When they finish celebrating the release of Tirah's soul. Then we will tell them."

"Alright." I said, lapsing into silence. For awhile I stood there, watching him. Something was nagging at me, but I was unsure whether or not I should voice it. Finally I spoke up hesitantly, "Layek?"

"Mmm?"

"What exactly is a soul?" I felt foolish asking the question, but it seemed important, and the knowledge had not been programmed into me. I had only become aware of the word when news of Tirah's death spread and I had a feeling that perhaps it was a subject only talked about in tragedy. The look Layek gave me confirmed that I was at least partially correct.

"A soul…well, E'rok, that is a very complicated question." Layek said, scratching his left ear with one paw: a nervous habit of his.

"Why is it complicated?" I asked, my curiosity growing.

"One can't simply define the word soul." Layek said, sounding frustrated, as if I had pointed out some sort of inadequacy in him. "If I could, then you would already know what it was."

"Is that why it isn't a part of my programming?" I questioned.

"Yes. Partially. I could give you raw data and explanations, but a soul is so much more than that. A soul is your essence, it's your being. Yes, it can be quantified, but it can't really be explained unless it can be felt."

"And you…all of you…have souls?" I asked, not entirely sure that Layek was answering my question, but also unsure as to whether I liked the way this conversation was going.

"Yes." Layek nodded, "A soul is a part of every Pemalite. A part of any organic being, really. It is the raw energy which forms a person. Why do you think Siran and the others are always so happy? When they play their joy comes straight from their soul. It is pure."

"I see…" I said slowly, although something Layek had said struck a chord with me. "You said any organic being. Does this mean that I don't have a soul?"

Layek hesitated, as if unsure how to answer. His pause was the only answer I needed. I excused myself and left the room, feeling his eyes on my back with every step. For a moment I felt better as I left the medical center behind, the open, grassy main area beckoning to the playful side of my programming. But one glance at the throngs of blissful Pemalites brought the wall back up.

I wasn't sure why the thought of not having a soul bothered me so. After all, until moments ago I hadn't even known what a soul was. I still wasn't entirely sure I understood completely. Still…something in the way Layek had talked around the subject made me feel as if a soul was essential to being alive.

Don't be foolish. I rebuked myself immediately. Of course I wasn't alive, in the traditional sense. I was no more than a highly sophisticated computer system, designed to generate feelings and desires. Faded mockeries of what 'organic beings' were capable of.

"E'rok?" Siran pulled me from my distressing line of thought. He seemed a bit perplexed at my expression, "Are you still sad over Tirah?" he asked, providing me with an acceptable excuse.

"Yes." I said, nodding my confirmation. "Siran…maybe you can help me with something."

"What is it?" One ear perked with interest.

"Well, when Tirah's soul was…released…where did it go?" I watched carefully for the same aversion to the topic that Layek had displayed. Siran didn't seem to mind, however, and he was eager to please.

"It went everywhere!" He exclaimed, as if this were the most wonderful – and obvious – explanation ever.

"Everywhere?" I asked, still unclear.

"Yes, of course." Seeing that I didn't quite understand, Siran continued on, "When we die, our souls have no use of our bodies anymore. How silly it would be to remain in a lifeless corpse! You couldn't play, and how dreadful that would be! So the soul leaves, and without a body to focus it, it has no limitations. When a soul is freed it can go anywhere and play the most marvelous games! But of course, we cannot see that." He seemed a little sad at this fact, "It is something we will have to wait to find for ourselves."

"I see." I said, nodding as I stored the information away for later use. "And what about us Chee?"

"You?" Siran laughed at the question, as if I had told an exceptionally funny joke, "What do you need a soul for? You won't ever die! A soul is required to continue existing after death…if you don't die, why bother?"

"Ah…" I trailed off, thinking.

"E'Rok, I wish you would stop that." Siran said suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"Looking so sad all the time." His tail wagged once, hopefully, "We are on a grand adventure! Even Tirah, when she was awake in the end…" he paused, and I wondered if it hurt him to speak of her, "she was happy for the little life she had left. And she was excited for her soul to be released. You should be happy too."

"Siran, your entire planet was just destroyed. You lost your mate, and more of you are falling ill each day. How could I possibly be happy?" And I have no soul. I added silently.

"Because if you are not happy, you will be sad." Siran said, cocking his head to the side curiously, "Who would choose to be sad when they don't need to be?"

I sighed in resignation. I knew it was no use arguing with the Pemalite. In an offhanded way, I supposed he was right. At this point there was nothing I could do to change the fate of my masters – or of myself. Perhaps it was just best to sit back and enjoy what I could of my existence. Besides, our misery could very well be nearing its end, with Layek's new discovery…

"Siran…" I began, lowering my voice, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course!" Siran cried eagerly, his ears pricking.

"Well…" I grinned, feeling my spirits begin to rise with the excitement of sharing forbidden knowledge, "Layek thinks he's found us a new home."

"Oh!" Siran's eyes widened with excited shock, and for a moment I thought he might break his promise immediately and shout the news for joy. His tail was wagging so hard I worried that it might fall off, "What wonderful news! E'Rok, we have a new home!"

"Shh…" I cautioned, "Don't tell anyone yet. Layek still wants to do some research. But it looks good."

"Of course, of course. Oh E'Rok, I'm so happy! Come on, let's celebrate!" He took off running, not giving me time to respond. My programming took over, though, and before I knew it I was chasing him and laughing giddily.

Perhaps this will all work out for the best. I thought, as I ran through the habitat that was as artificial as I was. I imagined a new world, full of alien sights and experiences. I thought of exploring that world with my masters, while creating new and exciting games.

For a being without a soul, my contentment at that moment felt marvelously real.