Meronym closed the journal, taking a deep breath. . Meronym couldn't help but to be enamored by the couple; it was obvious Hae Joo fell for Somni, and she for him, that was certain. Love grew despite such a time and place. She was frankly surprised exactly how much Hae Joo had written on the matter. Maybe Hae Joo just wanted to portray their affair as the beautiful thing that it was, and dispel any assumptions that he was taking advantage of Somni's innocence. The last sentence in this section was a blatant statement to Union, and General Apis, that Hae Joo saw nothing wrong with what happened between them.

"Good for you." She said, softly. All the doubters could go to hell.

She shook her head and returned to think about her own issues, in her own time. She freshened up and headed out, down the hall to the common area in the back of the ship. She raised her head and saw Catkin and Zachry heading her way. She sucked in a breath; she would have smiled had she not been so upset with him by this point…

"Meronym!" Catkin said and pulled Zachry along. He seemed distracted. They walked closer.

"Hello all…"Meronym said, looking intently at Zachry, who noticed when his eyes rose to hers.

"Um. You lookin well Meronym. Happy to be out, cog be the truth…" he said, with a forced smile.

"Yes I happy to be out. Been keepin me busy I swearby…" she said. Catkin looked at Meronym, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Something makin you crosswise, Meronym?" Catkin asked meekly.

"No, not really. Why the query?" she said. Meronym looked at her a little uncomfortably. Catkin shrugged her shoulders. Zachry was silent and stalwart.

"Wanna show you all treasures made at prescient school." She said, smiling. "After suppin?"

"Sureby, Catkin." Meronym looked intently at Zachry. She could hold it in no more. "Zachry, where you been?" she said softly, only a little of her dismay showing. Zachry's eyes rose slowly. To Meronym, he seemed a little angry.

"I cog forget somthin' in the room…" Catkin said, realizing the tension, slinking away. Zachry watched her enter the room and their door close. He sighed and returned his glance to an intense Meronym.

"Been helpin menfolk in the hold below. They say we landin soon prescient home, need everything packed up right tightsome. Asked my help." he said. "Glad to what able…Leastn to move and lift." He said. Meronym nodded.

"Tis true, we close to Prescient home. Be there soon but…" she shook her head in frustration, and huffed. "I cog…I see you earlier…" she said. "Specialwise this day…I just…" His eyes drifted down to the ground, then back up at her, his face somber.

"I see you last night" he said. "Then you leave when called." She looked at him quizzically. Maybe he was embarrassed?

"You sorry we talk last night?" she asked gently. He looked up at her.

"No.." he answered quickly. "Ridin' demons good for soul. Stone and talisman better restin' on ocean bed." He said.

"Then what troubling your soul?" she asked. He looked down.

"I sorrysome, Meronym." He started. "I cog you probly seen nough of me all this time." He sighed. "Don't want be bothersome.." She reached out to his arm. She was still upset, but much less so. Why did he think this way?

"Zachry.. No bother, that truesome." She smiled a little. He looked up at her again, his blue eyes potent." I just disappointed I not see you this morning. Reckon I getting used to you." She said. He smirked and looked down.

"Problem is a man out of place. Soon we land and you back to your life go." He said, and then his eyes rose. "Back to plans made for life made to wait." He turned and put his back against the wall. "No place in prescient land, Valleyman belong." He shook his head. "Burdensome don't wanna be but choice not mine to make."

"There cog you wrong. In prescient land, we just like farmers stay live. Grow greens and grain, raise cattle…goats…" she said. "Always another helpin hand need for that." She said. "And your hands good for helpin." He looked up again.

"Alright…" he said. "then where we go?"

"You both come stay with me. Honorby share my home."

"Don't want be no trouble…" he said, looking confused.

"No trouble. Work for your stayin'." She said. "I live close to prescient village. On compound, make what we need to live. You and Catkin be welcome." She said. "If you like." He kept looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Thanksome…be just until make my own way if I can…" he said, standing back up to face her. "But…"he started. Her messager buzzed,

"Transmission from Teramar, Viceriene Blanchette" the communication device interrupted. Meronym's eyes widened.

"Mother! Didn't know we close enough to receive vidicalls…" she said. "Got to go." She said, opening her door. She stopped and looked back at Zachry. "Be seeing you soon, OK? We suppin tonight?" she said.

"Alright." He said, his expression still a little quizzical.

She ran in the room, and, just to satisfy curiosity, she switched on the video that showed outside her door after it closed behind her. Zachry was just standing in the hall. He raised his hand and touched her door, then shook his head heavily. He turned away slowly, entering his own quarters. Meronym was now the one confused…

"Viceriene Blanchette" the device said again. Meronym touched the communicator in her temple.

"Mother! Hello?" She said. "Just a minute, I'm going to turn on the vidi link now." She grabbed her orison. She sent it spinning over the table.

"Oh Meronym!" a pleasant ladies voice said, over the intercom. The screen on the table popped up. Vicereine Blanchette was still partially obscured by static. Meronym smiled widely at the trim, distinguished looking older woman, silver and black streaked hair above a high neckline, her hair adorned with multiple gold and multicolored colored pieces. Her clothing was regal. "I have missed you so much, my child." She said.

"Likewise, mother." Meronym said. Blanchette looked at her daughter with concern.

"I heard you were not well, daughter. You look pale…" Meronym smiled and nodded.

"I am much better now. Mom…it is done. I sent the transmission." Blanchette took a deep breath.

"Thank the heavens above. Now we have but to wait." She said. "And see if our celestial brethren still live, and are willing to aid us." She seemed sad.

"How is it back home?" Meronym asked softly. "How is Canai?" She was almost afraid to hear the answer.

"Oh my dear, we are still besieged. Our numbers are falling. The plague has taken its toll while you were away. Your brother is strong, but his wife…she is not well." Blanchette said sadly, shaking her head. Meronym leaned closer.

"Tell her to hold on, don't lose hope. I think we found something that can help." Meronym said excitedly. Blanchette nodded. "We think we found a cure…"

"Could it be?" she gasped. "How did you find it? How do we know it works?" Blanchette queried. Meronym leaned back.

"It is a long story, mother, one fit for an afternoon over a cup of tea in the garden." She smiled. "In short, the Valleymen have a berry they use for its medicinal qualities. Zachry used these berries to help me from the radiation poisoning I got on Big Island." She said. Her mom gasped. "But it also seems to have an effect on the plague."

"Why did you get radiation poisoning? Meronym, I told you to be careful…" Blanchette lectured. "I would rather a live daughter than a shot in the dark transmission." She paused. "And who is Zachry?"

"Mother…if this works we could all be saved." Meronym insisted.

"That would truly be a miracle, Meronym." Blanchette looked down and shook her head. "The fresh water wells are getting worse and worse."

"I was worried about that. Actually I have to talk to you about Zachry…" she said.

Meronym explained what happened with Zachry, his tribe and the Rumna berry treatment. Her mother listened intently, and then adamantly agreed that the Valleymen should come and live with them. Her mother seemed a little more relaxed.

"So…how is my handsome young Duo?" Blanchette said. "I am so glad he was there to take care of you during your illness." She smiled. "I trust you had some time to spend with each other." Meronym was taken aback. Her mother had always liked Duophysite.

"Why yes, he is the ship's doctor. He was very kind and attentive. Just like an old friend should be." Meronym insisted, with the proper emphasis. "Zachry never left my side during the worst of it." Meronym said. Blanchette raised an eyebrow.

"I see…" Blanchette said. "I must meet this…Valleyman." She looked away, to her side, where an aide got her attention. "I am sorry, I must attend to some business my dear. I so look forward to you coming back home." She said smiling pleasantly.

"I can't wait to see you all, and Teramar ." Meronym said, signing off. Her mother was one of the governing council; with some of the council away on the ship or sick, much of the governing of their homeland fell to Viceriene Blanchette. The management of their rather fruitful compound, Teramar, fell to her brother, Canai. With his wife ill, he would need help. Meronym sighed. Returning to Teramar would mean returning to the politics and sadness of a people who's future once looked bleak. Meronym hoped that would change.

She looked at the time; there was still a little time left before going to supper. Maybe then she could figure out what was going on in Zachry's head. She looked at the next entry in the journal.

My eyes opened to the faint predawn light. I saw Somni curled up, lying before me, dressed in her blue dress, eyes closed, breath even in restful sleep. I put my head to rest on my hand, looking at her features. I wonder when during the night she had arisen; I am usually a light sleeper and wake with any noise. I didn't want to move much to awaken her; I wanted this precious moment to last as long as possible.

I still could not believe what happened last night, and if it weren't for my state of undress beneath the cover, I would have been able to convince myself it had all been just a very good dream. As I looked at her I lamented all my past lonely days. I had always felt something was missing. I now realized what it was. I thought that was just not in my cards, until now.

But why now? At the turning point of Union's plan, when the stakes were high, when the actions of a single fabricant could launch the next phase of the revolution…the same fabricant now sharing my bed.

And why her? Why did my heart now beat only for this fabricant? And how did it happen so quickly, so completely? I sighed and looked towards the window. What was I doing? This was so complicated.

Somni stirred and her eyes opened slowly. Through sleepy lids, she smiled at me. I leaned over and wrapped my arm around her. She moved closer and I leaned over to kiss her forehead, her cheek, her little nose and her lips softly. She smiled, her eyes caressing my face. She nuzzled up to my neck and wrapped her arm around me. I breathed her in deeply. It felt good, I had to admit. My eyes closed as I drank in the pleasure of her proximity, her touch.

Maybe it would be best to look at this simply. The connection between us was undeniable. I adored her. She adored me. She came to me last night; I did not instigate this…but I was more than happy to comply with any request. Maybe I should just enjoy the very human act of loving another human. No ulterior motives. No greater sociological agenda. I felt comforted with that thought.

Soon the sun would rise, the day would begin.

"Somni, there is something I want to show you." I said, getting up quickly, grabbing my discarded clothes.

"What is it?" She asked sleepily, a light of curiosity in her eye.

"You will see…" I said. I pulled some warm clothes from my clothing chest. I handed them to her.

"Please, put these on." She looked at them, puzzled. "I don't want you to feel cold." I explained.

In short order, we were both dressed warmly in black, riding a jet bike, racing up the mountain to the south of Old Seoul. It was actually a short ride from where we were, through flooded back streets to the base of the mountain chain that now rose like islands above the new shallow body of water now called Seoul Bay. I had swiped this bike a while ago; I disabled its navigation and homing device so I could use it undetected. Too suspicious to ride discretely in New Seoul, it usually just remained hidden in an abandoned building on the edge of Old town. It could only be used in the mountains and the hinterlands that were not routinely patrolled by Unanimity.

It was not easy or safe to ride to this mountain. It was almost completely cut off from the mainland by the rising waters. The steep grades of the slopes were too much to make building higher worthwhile for Unanimity, so they left it alone. I had scouted it out for Union. They were planning to use several now abandoned buildings on the western side for future endeavors. I was glad to speed by unhindered by several outposts, to find them deserted on our way. The road we traveled had been condemned for years. It was still led to a reasonably dry path up the mountain, however.

Through the whole ride I was distinctly aware of Somni's arms wrapped around me, the movements her body made against me as she looked from one side to the other on our way. She moved instinctively with me. I am quite sure she had not seen much of what was on our path before in her life. It was good to be out of Old Seoul for a while.

We arrived to the eastern side just in time to catch the sun peeking over the horizon. I hid the bike in some overgrown brush and pulled Somni along to a look out. Her eyes soaked everything in as she gazed out over the bay to the horizon in wonderment. I smiled, remembering the first time I saw that look. My chest warmed again. It seemed long ago, like it was another world, another time.

Somni turned to me, smiling widely upon witnessing the grandeur of the rising sun. I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her; I held her in silence. Her soft, small hands rested on mine. I closed my eyes and pulled her close. I promised myself I would cherish these moments, etch them into my brain. As the sun rose further, it was more difficult to look directly east, so we walked on until the majority of the bay was in our view.

"What are those?" She asked, pointing to the jagged, half crumbled buildings jutting out of the water.

"When the waters rose, the ocean reclaimed this land. What you see is the skeletons of a once thriving metropolis." I said. "They concentrated on building the damway to protect the financial centers and the higher parts of the city." She looked out on the immense expanse of destruction. "To make sure there was a place for the more affluent."

The water came so fast, no one living in these areas expected it. In actuality, the academic community knew and warned Unanimity frequently. Yet the officials did not warn the people. Some had difficulty moving out fast enough. I believe that was part of the plan.

"Why did the waters rise?" She asked.

"It is complicated; in the end it is our fault, as humans that the sea level raised up." I sighed. "We have done so much damage to this world." I lamented. Somni looked up at me solemnly.

This was a very difficult topic to discus with anyone. But, there was no need for me to be this way. I looked at the sky, brightening each second by the rising sun. The stillness of morning was giving way to a gentle breeze.

"Yet the sun still rises to greet us like this." I said, looking up. I looked back down and she was looking at me with those adoring eyes.

"One cannot change the past. One can only change the future." She said. She looked away and back to the ocean. I smiled. How simply true.

I turned around and looked north to the hinterlands. Unanimity had acquired most of those fertile plains and pooled their agricultural power, displacing many private estates, landowners and private farmers. My forefathers were on the losing end of that deal; they were once rich with land.

"Those men, back in Union. They had many questions for me." She said, her eyes gazing back where we came from.

"Just as you had for me, a short time ago." I answered. "You did well." She smiled at me and nodded. I looked around; my senses growing wary with the rising light. "It is time for us to return." I said

"Can we come back again?" she said. "It makes me feel…at peace." I smiled and nodded. We would have to first return to the squalor of Old Town. And await word from Union Command.