Looking for the Age of Aquarius
Chap 37 ("You Shall Find Me Apt Enough")
When Drake and I entered the sitting room, Loraine asked, "You two had a good night. Did you get any sleep?" in a feigned light tone I knew sooo well.
"We did," I replied the same time Drake said, "Enough," as he sat on the sofa and pulled his boots out from under the coffee table, then handed me mine.
Either he was unaware of her mood or simply ignoring her provocation. I promptly slipped them on, adding, "They haven't turned the water on have they?" before she could make any kind of dig about not being my maid in regard to sorting out our clothes from the night before. I didn't need her irritating Drake; he tolerated so much from me as it was.
"No, it hasn't been turned back on – I checked," she stated. "Didn't you pay the bill?"
"Ha, ha," I said as I gathered said clothes to put them on the bed in our bedroom, leaving Drake's hoodie behind for him.
Loraine handed me my water ration container upon my return.
Drake grabbed his hoddie. "Are the two of you ready?" he asked, looking pointedly at Loraine. She looked abashed but smiled at him as he held the door open for us to exit.
We left to line up to receive our water rations. As the line progressed, I noted that everyone had to show our wrist bands for recognition authentication and place our left thumb on fingerprint authentication readers. After following the new procedure to get my water, I watched Drake's face as he did the same, however, even though I knew he was annoyed, his face remained impassive. Surprisingly, neither of us were shorted water.
However, instead of waiting for Loraine, Drake said, "Take his back for me; I have to go," and hurried off.
"What's up with him?" Loraine asked.
"I'm not sure," I replied as I watched Drake run down the street until he disappeared down a side street. I looked about. I'd half expected General Burch to come to the Sector looking for us today, but there was no sign of him. In fact, Col. Gavin was conspicuously absent as well. From what I could see as we walked back to the pod, there were very few soldiers were in the Sector today: only the ones dispensing water and the armed soldiers on all the guard posts and in the guard towers.
Our usual crate of food sat by our pod door and we took into the kitchen with our water rations. We'd been given a fish, a large one; enough for three people if we ate sparingly. Again. As usual.
Together we began preparing our daily soup, opting for baked fish for dinner rather than fish soup.
"So where do you think Drake went off to in such a hurry?" Loraine asked, chopping some type of leafy green.
I inhaled deeply with my eyes closed, mentally reaching out to seek out Drake, and thanks to my connection to him, I could easily sense not only where he was, how far from me, but his emotions as well. I could also feel his strength; it had become a rock for me, a pillar when I felt weak or afraid. In fact, I'd learned that unless I was careful and kept a tight control on my own feelings, my emotions could and would reflect his. At times I enjoyed this small benefit, especially when we were intimate, and it was very helpful when I'd been held by General Burch and Ms. Johnson, but I had to keep my head when he was particularly angry, violent or feeling fear – well, not exactly that I'd felt him afraid of anything in particular – but I know he'd been afraid for me.
But now I could sense him, feel his seriousness. "I think he's handling something or another," I said, opening my eyes. "He's in the east side of the Sector."
"He's in... What? How do you…? Maureen, are you suggesting that you are suddenly sahykik?" she asked as I dumped in the sweet potato I'd chopped.
"Am I – What? No! I don't have – no," I told her, for some reason still not telling anyone about my spolzuthetik ability with Drake due to the fact he'd used too much of his ciper infused blood to save my life so that he'd caused me to burn with vmemogh – ciper fire – thereby leaving an imprint of sorts within me. "Loraine, when we're done, I'm going to find Roman and catch up on some Iksen business. If you can, check in on our friends and make sure they are all right, especially Aria, she's shy and young and I want to know if she's doing all right. Tell Tyson to stick with Roman as much as possible and to visit me when he can. I want updates. "
"All right, but he won't like spying on Roman," she said.
"He can carry messages for him. Oh, and one more thing, tell Krista to keep close to Sophia."
Loraine gave me a crooked smile. "Sophia is with Quinn most of her days now. I'm sure they don't want a chaperone."
I shot her an incredulous look. "Look, I'm being monitored 24/7 and I don't want them getting caught in the crossfire."
She dropped the towel on the counter. "Why do you think they've been keeping their distance – we all know the military snatches you for any trumped up provocation. I check on everyone daily. I have even been befriending Teri, believe it or not, and I'll tell you, that girl has changed since her... school."
"Thank you, keep it up," I said, feeling relived. She really had been acting as my Aviasstenlo, my First Hand, in my stead. "I'm going to go find Drake." She wished me, "Happy hunting," and I laughed as I headed out.
I was certain that if Drake was on the east side, Roman would be there too, I thought, wondering why I was so sure about that. I had no idea what Roman did on a daily basis, not that I had a clear picture of what Drake did all day long either. As we set the soup to simmer, I decided that today I'd change all that.
After my check up with Ohannie.
As usual, my door was guarded, this time by Pahul and Ward. I greeted them and made my way to the ground. Pahul was quite chatty this morning, asking what I thought President Wells would do. "If I knew, I'd inform the Ikseyan and the elders of the tribes, but I have no idea what he intends to do," I said, but he wouldn't let up, until Ward said, "Dude, to let it go."
Outside Behkiie and Ohannie's pod, I told the guys I'd be there for hours and dismissed them. This didn't thrill Ward, and Pahul seemed put out. I liked Pahul, I did, but he wasn't quiet nor discreet and I didn't need that today. When Ohannie opened the door, I walked in, leaving the guys outside.
Ohannie checked me over, finding me dehydrated and underfed, but in better health than before. She gave me more odurodzen so I'd not get pregnant and promised to bring me a highly concentrated tea of which I was to drink a cup full every night before bed. "Amwur Atedi, I must warn you about something – the remaining Trags… there's been talk… about retaliation," she said, lowering her voice.
"Remaining Trags? I thought they had all been—?"
"They haven't – they're all but disbanded. Those who were less circumspect about their affiliation and views have been arrested and many of them have been executed; but those who were cagey enough to evade authorities, they want vengeance against you – you and Roman." I tilted my ehad slightly as I considered what she'd said. She must have thought I didn't understand her; she added, "Ever since you've come to the Sector, the Hwatab has cracked down on them and they see it as your influence on Roman and their Hwatab."
"But Roman was fighting against them before I came here," I pointed out but she shook her head.
"The Hwatab did little to deter them and therefore many under Hador's and then Vega's leadership were boastful and arrogant, spouting their mantra and complaining about the Hwatab's ineffectiveness. But not all were so audacious. Those few left blame you and Roman for their downfall. I fear for you. Leglas atezi, be careful."
"Asoluviv, I'll be careful." I took her warning seriously; strong leaders did create animosity and opposition occasionally, even hate and resentment. It was inevitable. I'd have to be more vigilant here. Except I was never alone; Drake saw to that.
She invited me to come by later in the week, if just to visit. "Asoluviv, I will," I repeated, this time with a smile. "Tell Behkiie, Alyakson and I wish her well, for me."
"I will; I know Behkiie will be sorry to have missed you."
When I bid her good-bye, I was surprised to see the walkway was empty, except for a family returning to their pod. I leaned over the handrail and nearly chuffed a laugh, seeing Ward talking animatedly to Juchwy and Zayn. No Pahul? Good. At least Juchwy and Zayn were discreet. "Okay, time to ingratiate myself on the boys," I muttered to myself, using my Drake compass to let me know which way to go.
I walked casually to the ladder, climbed down to the side street, and kept going, keeping close to the crates. I crossed the main street along with a few other people, exchanging greetings when spoken to. No point attracting undue attention. Meaning the soldiers posted on guard. I strolled purposefully down the first street I came to and stayed to the side as much as possible, although I knew that Ward, Juchwy and Zayn followed me, and headed for the Vwasak quadrant.
I took the next street and followed a long stretch of crates, and turned on another narrow street, finding myself at the familiar three-way intersection facing a tall wall of crates. I knew the stack was two to three crates deep set end-to-end from my previous times here. So, smiling, I turned right, ignoring Ward's questions and protests, and slipped through first the narrow gap between crates and emerged out onto a darker alleyway. Only Drake was not to my right as I expected, down the alley where he'd been the last time I was here – he was to my left. Concentrating on connection with Drake to guide me, I moved cautiously, knowing he was on an upper level.
However, these were a mixed combination of 20' and 40' crates with Atrian locking mechanisms on the heavy latches for each pod door on the ground level, and the lowest walkway was on the third level. I started walking, looking for the ladder, however a man who'd been leaning beside the crate in the shadows, reached out an arm and pulled me to the side, whispered in a low voice, "No, Amwur Atedi. Do not go down there."
"Excuse me!" I said as I turned and instinctively moved my arm to release it from his grip, seeing a young man I had not met before. "Who are you?" I asked as Sijhig emerged beside me, saying deep and low, "Let go of her, Jhun."
But Jhun's fingers had given way with the slightest resistance. "I know who you're looking for," he said to me, ignoring Sijhig as Ward moved to my side. "But this is neither the time nor the place."
"Why…?" I started to ask, but Jhun stiffened. I turned to see what distracted him and saw a woman with short, dark hair approaching from the other side of the stacks.
"You're not supposed to be here," Jhun said as Juchwy and Zayn stepped into the alley behind him. Juchwy and Jhun exchanged words, less than civil towards each other before Jhun turned and sprinted down the very alleyway he told me I couldn't go.
I started to follow him, but Ward reached out and clasped my arm with gentle but firm fingers. "No, he's right. Not now. Let's go back."
"Okay, now I'm suspicious. What is everyone keeping me away from? What is Drake up to?"
"Not what you think," Sijhig said as Hawx ran up to Ward, jutting his chin at me.
"What is she doing here?"
"She's stubborn," Ward replied.
Hawx scowled at Ward. "You know she can't be here—"
"Tell me what's going on or I'm going to march right up there and find out," I interrupted, angrily pointing at precisely where I knew Drake to be. "I hate being kept in the dark – and something is going on," and if it involved Drake, "I want to know what it is."
"No you are not," Hawx growled, but he was looking around, not at me.
"As your Iksen—"
His gaze snapped to my face. "Roman is my Iksen, Mahureen – Iksen of the Tgorasad. He is the High Iksen here in the Sector," Hawx stated. I stepped back and paled, my annoyance increased, but he pulled me closer to him, and hissed, "Drake is the leader of Roman's resistance, and you'll leave off and let him do what has to be done."
"I know that." Roman's resistance? "And Drake has been in contact with my people. I want to know what they are doing." I jerked my arm free. "Let me pass."
"Ra rzekt. Aciekie czka. Come with me," Hawx said, and I struggled against him as he made tried to make me go with him. "Will you hush?" he snarled under his breath. "You are tracked. Constantly – every minute, even when you are asleep – you're monitored."
"I know the fleet monitors me!" I stated as he grasped my arm.
"No. By the—" he said, interrupted by a boy with shoulder-length light-colored hair who'd ran up to us and hissed, "Soldiers!"
"Dzdury. We're leaving," Hawx said.
"Not until you—" I started to say, interrupted by Hawx when he said, "Not here; stop being so bemogi and come with me," as I was literally dragged along between Hawx and Ward with Sijhig, Juchwy and Zayn following us. Hawx pulled aside the door of a crate and Ward shoved me inside, followed by Sijhig. The long space looked like it was being reconstructed into a single living unit; dividing partitions made out of wood pallets with crates and corrugated siding pieces stacked and propped up about randomly.
As soon as we were out of sight of the soldiers, Hawx asked me to remove my tritajie and tossed it to the young man, asking for him to give me his kurtka. He quickly handed me his kurtka, put on my tritajie and pulled the fabric up over his head. "Head to her pod and then give them the slip. Hopefully they'll think you're her."
"At least until they see his face," Ward stated as the light-haired boy nodded and left quickly. Sijhig slid the door shut and turned to face us as I headed toward the ladder.
But as I started to climb the ladder, I heard Hawx say, "You should go with him."
I turned when Sijhig replied sarcastically, "Asoluviv. I'll stay."
"Then stay here," he told Sijhig.
"I'm her strazhic seinskyu," my protective shadow, he replied, coming toward us. "I go wherever she goes – one of her ochrikujen."
"He does – he is," I stated.
"Look, Mahureen, he's not to be trusted," Hawx said, indicating Sijhig, then said offhandedly, "No offence," to him.
"None taken, Trag," Sijhig replied as the men squared off to each other.
"He's not a Trag," I said, confused. Hawx was on Drake's and therefore Roman's side in all this. I was sure of it.
"Chce kład?" wanna bet? Sijhig repied.
I gapped at him. "What do you mean he's a Trag…?" I asked, gapping at Hawx. He was Drake's cousin, someone I thought a friend, a protector. Ohannie warned me about that the remaining Trags wanted vengeance against Roman and me. But the way Sijhig said it – threw it out accusingly, and the fact that Hawx's expression remained unchanged… defiant. "You're a Trag?" I gasped, pulling away from Hawx in disgust. "I'd trusted you! – and-and you're one of them?"
He stepped toward me, his face flushed slightly, his eyes narrowed from my accusing tone, and I instinctively backed up. "Odd reaction coming from an Iksen who isprdrecani one," he replied snidely.
Yen? Did he say – screwing? my mind stammered. "Hawx! Don't take it out on her!" Ward snapped as I shot back, "How dare you say that to me!" at his insult.
"Drake's not a Trag anymore!" I countered. He wasn't.
"Once you make the oath – you're a Trag, for life," Sijhig snarled, and Ward moved forward, defensively.
I shook my head and moving my hands apart while saying, "But Drake, he's—"
"You're one to talk, nepicel," Hawx snapped.
"He's not a spy…" I started to protest, but Hwax scoffed at me, he and Ward giving me identical 'wanna-bet' looks.
"Yes, he is. Sijhig is a odrajca, a powiedza. Drake and I warned you about him, always lurking in the shadows, zpiegow on everyone and—"
"Those were Vega's lies!" Sijhig growled soft and low. He looked at me, his scars showing white against his anger flushed face. "That is why I never joined. Once Hador and Vega started spreading their dissent, undermining Nox, ignoring the Ikseyan, defying the Hwatab —"
"They were willing to do what was necessary to save our people and preserve our way of life," Hawx stated. "You were to cowardly to join the cause—"
"But…" I looked at Sijhig. I trusted him. He'd kept me safe.
"I refused to be used." Sijhig snarled. "We never stood a chance – there are seven billion people on this planet and we numbered maybe sixteen hundred." Sijhig turned to me. "Oh, Hador tried recruiting me, sure, even tried threats," he stated, then sneered at Hawx's doubtful smirk. "He insisted I could be bleached – use my singular talents – do what I could do for their cause. Byk ekuje." He looked me in the eyes. "I didn't join them because I didn't trust them. Period."
Okay. But I trusted him. I did. His actions proved I could.
"Yea – your specialty, ynek biekt?" Hawx sneered. "Go on, tell her about your wiwariu of zatruk, cizna, ksyczn…"
What? I narrowed my eyes at Hawx.
"They aren't poisons; they're algrezy and iszaj – biodiversant hydrofauna—" Sijhig started to explain but Hawx cut in saying, "Kwitna – that poisonous toxic phytoplankton – sar ænov cybækˈksyczn – those rzekt Cæveh yælɡactria' released in the Sekrowno and Tlyentyckimhorze."
I held up my hands. "The toxic phytoplankton bloom from the Straight Sea and Tlyentyck Sea back home? Here – how? Wait! You're blaming the Cæveh for the phytoplankton bloom back home?"
"He's got tanks of Cæveh yælɡactria in his pod," Hawx stated.
"What?" I gasped. I looked at Sijhig, shaking my head. "What is he talking about? How?"
"Adanha – she is my father's cousin – she sent me some of the yælɡactria; it's showing up in the bayou, Lake Maurepas and into Lake Pontchartrain."
"Adanha – she's an Iwabas botanist, isn't she?" I asked, and looked at Sijhig, seeing him nod. He's been in touch with the Iwabas in the bayou? "But how did you…" Teri – the Iwabas swimmers?
"And you've snuck out to her, haven't you?" Ward said accusingly."And now you're poisoning the waters around Eljida."
"She is not poisoning the water of the bayou," Juchwy stated firmly. "We're trying to eradicate it!"
I held up my hand. "Have you – snuck out?" I asked, still staring at Sijhig.
He exhaled loudly and nodded. "Once, when there was a way out, I took it," he said, then shook his head, "but she said I had to go back."
I asked him what he meant he sighed heavily. "I knew about Eljida, and I know about Ukænos – the places that Lundis built in the sinkhole. I know where it is." My eyes narrowed as I shook my head slowly, about to make him explain, and he inhaled deeply. "I never told anyone; Adanha warned me – Jhina and Adanha didn't want the Trags to know its location." He looked at Ward and Hawx. "But we're not trying to kill the people there, Adanha sent me samples to systhaze – to see if my pryba... zetyba sawka..."
"You have wiwariu – a vivaria – in your pod?" I asked him, and he nodded. "For research on ways to kill the plankton?"
He nodded again. "Without destroying the environment and the human ecosystem, yes," he said. "I like microorganisms, Adanha thought I could help."
"And some of the more interesting of the Iwabas plants," Zjayn stated.
"Will you show me your research?" I asked him.
"Off course," he replied.
That was good enough for me. I knew a little about phytoplankton from our homeschooling; Dynæn used to collect phytoplankton before the alligator took off his leg. "Okay," I said nonchalantly. "Are you coming?" I asked.
I heard Hawx say, "Are you kidding?" as I climbed up the ladder to the adjacent crate.
I entered an unfinished pod, sectioned off into living spaces with partition walls indicating rooms, and there were windows and doorways marked out – one roughly cut hole in the corrugated wall but no exit… except the hole for the ladder.
"Look, Mahureen, you can't say you still trust him?" Hawx asked coming up behind me as I looked around.
"Why? Because he didn't want to be a Trag?" I asked Hawx. "I've been fighting against the Trags all year – and I've just learned you're one of them. I trusted you – and you're part of that seditious Atrian terrorist group." He glared at me. "And you're not denying it. At least Drake got out. But to answer you, yes, I trust Sijhig – just as I trust Juchwy, Kurst and Zjayn." And when the walls come down, I'm going to ask my Avizitan Ochrokaje, Byrne, to make them official.
There were noises coming from the back of the pod, and I could tell Drake was closer, as if he were approaching me. I walked toward him, nearly colliding with Roman as he and Drake came into view around a partition wall. "What is she doing here?" Roman asked.
"I—you're here," I stammered, looking from him to Drake.
Drake's expression turned from questioning to stony. He looked past me to Hawx. "She can't be here."
"Tell her that," he replied.
I drew myself up into full Iksen mode, ready to argue my case, but Roman said, "Might as well," with a shrug. However, Drake crossed his arms, regarding him. "They want her response, not mine."
I titled my head. "Who – the fleet? I thought we sorted that—?" I asked Roman, barely registering someone say, "Well, be quick about it – they track her," in the background behind him.
"The Russia President – they told the world that you are the High Iksen," Roman stated.
"But I never!" I exclaimed. "Roman, I always said you and I were…" Oops, I had. "Because I had that teleconference with them before I was interred here – that's why they think… But it happened at elven at night – I couldn't bring you."
"I understand that," he said calmly. "However, Japan, Taiwan, the Chinese – the whole Asian coast is in an uproar over the tsunami from our torpedo. We've been monitoring the BBC channel and CNN; there have been reports that the tsunami waves are crossing the Pacific: Hawaii was hit pretty hard; four hours after the torpedo hit the waves hit Alaska, twelve hours the waves hit Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia, then reached China, Taiwan, the Philippines and New Zealand… the whole eastern coast."
"Followed by larger consecutive waves from the detonation explosion and the rush back – the ripples slammed into their coastal cities for at least a good hour or more – even South America had high tidal surges," Thruji stated. I hadn't seen him, leaning on the doorframing,
"The Asian countries are recoiling from the impact of the tsunami from eight years ago, and are now dealing with the impact along their coasts from our demonstration on San Francisco. Reasonably, they are frightened by the fact that it's only a demonstration, and they are very apprehensive of the fact that we've scheduled anotherattack on the U.S. west coast. They are trying to put pressure on the White House to prevent the next detonation – or what they perceive as being our first preemptive strike against humanity – an actual attack by the fleet. War."
"And they are afraid that it's actually come down to war between our fleet and the humans," I said with a sigh and Drake and Roman both nodded.
"That is what's coming," Roman said.
"And Adremandzu Andam declared that if our people are not released and your demands met – our fourth target will be on major cities," Drake stated.
"He can't do that without Hwatab approval!"
"He had approval," Drake stated.
I gapped at him. "Who—When?"
"We don't know," Drake stated. "But he claims he has received and confirmed his orders and has the authorization codes allowing him to do what is necessary."
"But he can't! It's not possible – you wouldn't! My Iksen wouldn't have," I stammered but the look in both Roman's and Drake's eyes were absolute. Someone had. "If not – so who?"
Neither responded, looking away for a moment; clearly they didn't know who. "Teri's people? Could she have?"
Roman shook his head. "I asked her, she said it wasn't her. The Iwabas that swim out are under Ghianni's orders and they – she supports our efforts. It wasn't her people as far as we know."
My heart fell in my chest. "The threat of attack on the human's major cities, exactly as I said we'd do if…" I said, and Drake nodded. "J'sna guwno!"
"Adremandzu Darquis is to make a slightly escalated demonstration – taking out two ports. The force needed will have a large impact; the countdown is ticking," Thruji stated.
"That's why President Wells didn't come down the day before," I breathed heavily, and Roman nodded.
"Apparently. The newscasts show him in meetings at the White House. There is now global concern regarding our attack on the LA harbor," Roman stated. "Three days wasn't enough time for the other countries to react – I anticipated that the Asian countries would put pressure on the president now, if just to prevent us from striking again."
"So what now? The strike is set for the day after tomorrow," I stated, looking from Drake to Roman.
"Japan, China and Russia want you at the summit and to negotiate terms for peace," Thruji stated. "I expect you'll have military transportation to get you there."
"Not without my delegation," I stated firmly. "And I want you on the plane," I said to Thruji. He looked surprised. "You're an imposing figure and a warrior." I looked at Roman. "I want Drake, Sophia, Loraine and Quinn with us as well. Can you think of anyone else we should take?"
"Shouldn't you take the Hwatab?" Thruji asked.
"If Roman brings the Iksen from the Sector, I will have to bring my Iksayen and I'm not willing to expose them yet," I said with a shake of my head. "No, for now, Roman, I suggest we keep it between us and those closest to us."
"If Quinn will act as my adreka also, I'll take Zoyva and Tyson as my Aviasstenlo, if that's all right with you," he said.
"I'm sure Quinn will be honored, and Tyson will be thrilled to serve as your First Hand," I assured him. I had no idea who Zoyva was.
There was a pounding on the door from the crate below, clearly heard through the hole in the floor. "They're here," Sijhig said.
I looked around, thinking, "I'll have to go down and face them."
"No, they will try to arrest you," Thruji stated. "You shouldn't be in this section."
I was about to ask why, when Thruji suggested that Drake take me up a few flights, to the new housing. "If she's seen there, we can say it's for her people, the ones we've been trying to settle."
"Right," Drake stated, taking my arm. "This way."
I scanned the pod space as he led me back the way he'd come. "These are being set up as housing? For my people?" I asked as I followed Drake up another ladder, hidden behind a partially constructed partition.
"No, not this one, but the ruse will work," he said, opening the sliding panel so we could climb up into the pod above us. He heaved himself up through the hole and reached down to give me a hand, pulling me up.
I looked about cautiously as he closed the hole and laid the carpet back into place. It was a simple single pod space. Few books, small rickety tables, a plush, well-worn couch… maybe just shy of 30' long. Two stools at a counter divided the front area from a small kitchen and an open doorway – the back portion clearly a 10 x 8' space for a bedroom.
"Most of these are two level – this one had three."
"That's why the walkways are on every other level," I said. "This one was part of the space below?"
He nodded. "Brothers. However this one can be closed off."
I considered that, looking around. The sparse furnishings and miss-matched décor was obviously not being used. "For whom, if it's not to be used by one of my people?"
"Why did you come here?" he asked, ignoring my question.
I turned on him. "If you and Roman will not include me in your plans, then I'll have to ingratiate myself—"
"Not included? What do you think we're doing? Running around Edendale fighting National Guards?"
"Apparently you're doing quite a lot," I said, my hands clasped behind me. "You're very well informed as to what is going on out there."
"So are you," he stated, but one side of my mouth curled as I shook my head.
"I expect to be informed," I said. "Not just when I ask you – all the time. I expect to be included. That's why I came to find you."
"About that," he said, crossing his arms. "Exactly how did you find me?"
I sucked my lips inward, then let them roll out slowly, wondering if I should tell him.
"Don't say intuition, this is a difficult place in the Sector to get to. Even the soldiers don't come here."
"Then who was trying to ram the door open down there?" I asked, pointing.
"They followed you," he stated. "Don't change the subject."
"You could say I followed you," I said, not trying to be coy, but I was hesitant to tell him the truth.
He turned his head and I waited. "Come on," he said, opening the door for me. We walked a ways on the walkway before he asked me to open another crate with my Iksen key. This one was set up with the common areas on this level with three bedrooms off a narrow hall on the upper level, accessed by a narrow circular stairway. He led me to another, then a fourth on the fifth level. It was like the other two, but the crates seemed deeper than the previous one.
"You're going to put my friends from the apartment here?" I asked after he showed me the fifth empty pod in this stack.
"That was Roman's idea, but we had to get permission first."
I turned to look at him. "Who lived here before?"
"Trags, people who were executed." He led me through four more. "Will they do?"
"Beggars can't be choosers," I stated, locking the last door. I looked down into the dark alleyway. "Lighting will have to be added and more ladders for accessibility." I looked up; there were floodlights on the uppermost corners. "Maybe the military will allow lights—"
"They won't," Drake stated. "The old walkways had better illumination."
I walked down the grate walkway to the ladder. "How soon before the pods are finished for my people to move in?"
His gaze traveled up the stack. "That's the problem – the pods are wired for electric, most have some furnishings, but not much. So they either have to do the work themselves or barter to have it done," he replied.
I leaned against the wall of the crate. That did pose a problem; my people didn't have anything to barter with; they had been shoved in here with only the clothes on their backs. A few of the pods seemed to be undergoing remolding, but they looked as if they'd been looted. They probably had been. Those that had furniture, the furnishings were sparse – but serviceable. Nevertheless, the pods were at least livable, temporarily. However, even though the individual rooms were close to the same proportions, my people were not used to living under these conditions – those from the houses especially.
Granted, the people who took my friends in shared what they had, but unless I could inspire help from the people of the Sector, living here was going to be tough for my people.
"There are more available – most all were owned by people executed. I have a list," Drake said, breaking into my thoughts. "Once the Hwatab approves, they can move in."
"Okay," I drawled out slowly, "but that's not why you were here – scouting available pods," I stated, staring boldly at him.
He smirked. I knew he was avoiding telling me something. What? I ran things over, what I knew he'd been doing. Cisterns? But the alleys around this section were narrow but not flat… the dirt was concave and soft. "It's too far from the river for a… a – pool," I said and felt an acute awareness of surprise flicker though the connection. "A submersion pool," I said assuredly, getting a stronger sense of wariness. "You dug a submersion pool here – and that pod, the one… its underneath."
His face remained impassive, as if he were unwilling to acknowledge what I felt stirring within him. "But I wasn't to know it was completed, was I?"
"How could you possibly…? No," he admitted. "It's not that I don't want you to submerge…"
"But my appearance will shock the Russians when we meet, the fact that I'm still barely recovered from General Burch's and Ms. Johnson's mistreatment, the harsh conditions here – it's why neither you nor Roman have submerged – so we look sick when on camera." Even Teri and Sophia looked dawny and sienwalty.
He nodded briefly, even though I could feel the tension in him; he expected me to be upset and stood out of reach. "It makes sense," I told him. "Gain sympathy, maybe."
Drake was taken aback by my acceptance; I could feel his confusion. "You're not – I thought you'd be mad."
I smiled and shook my head.
"Ghianni's idea. With our friends still trying to promote Atrian acceptance, trying to get people to support integration, she thought that it would have a greater impact if we look unhealthy."
"Too bad Lukas doesn't have any new images of me," I stated. "He could do Before and After articles."
"Well, he does," Drake said, running his hand over his hair. I gapped at him as he dropped his arm. "I have a camera, it's hidden, but I had the guys take candid shots of you when you look your worse."
I laughed, and he looked stunned, which made me laugh harder. "I'd love to know what Meheka – no Me-ma would say if they saw those."
"Byron and Byrne were shocked," Drake said, adding quickly, "Not that you look that bad."
Who was he kidding? "I'm down almost two stones since I came here," swinging a hand down my front, "I'm still dehydrated, dawny and my hair is lank and stringy," I plucked at my hair indignantly, "and – I'm an absolute fright." I dropped my hand. "How can you stand being with me?"
He smiled and pulled me close. "I just imagine we're ninety and still able to get it on," he replied and kissed me, although I started laughing against his lips. "You find that funny?"
"I do," I said, my arms around him. "You don't feel ninety at all."
"Shut up and kiss me," he snarled playfully. Nah, he didn't kiss like he was ninety either, although he let go sooner than I'd like and took me by the hand as we walked away.
"Where too?" I asked, frowning when he said, "Home."
"How about we go see Roman at his pod?" I suggested.
Drake stopped and faced me. "Okay, here is the problem; they don't want you and Roman together."
"Who? The Military?"
He looked away for a second. "No. Well, when you are, they pay more attention, but I…"
I titled my head slightly and tried to catch his gaze. "The Trags?"
He looked down.
"Ohannie told me," I confided what she'd said.
"There are a few here still who resent you."
"Hawx – he's still one of them?"
"That's complicated." He made to walk away, still holding my hand, but I held firm.
"Explain it."
He turned back to face me.
"I need to understand if I'm to continue to trust him. I can trust him, can't I?"
"Yes, you can trust him." He looked at our clasped hands. "He's still Trag as far as they are concerned, but he is my cousin." Our eyes met. "They think he's keeping them informed as to what we're doing – but he's keeping me informed as to what they are. We know who the last remaining are and if they manage to sway anyone to their side. But all new possible recruits are given warnings about joining, some are followed, others, well – we handle it."
"So we don't have any more arrests," I said with a nod.
"So we don't have any more executions."
"So, I'm to stay away from Roman. Fine, I'll go see Sophia," I suggested and moved to go.
"Mahureen—"
~~o~~
I spent the entire afternoon with Sophia, Krista, Tyson and Loraine. Quinn showed up an hour after I did, and to my surprise, Teri joined us for a while.
But Roman was suspiciously absent.
It had been pleasant, lounging with my friends, listening to music and talking about matters within the Sector that didn't have to do with the impending detonation on Los Angeles and the possible war with the Americans – which could escalate into a global engagement. Our expecting mothers were thankfully getting enough water to avoid miscarriages, and our children were sufficiently hydrated as well. However, those sufficiently hydrated had been asked to keep to their pods as much as possible, and I had no idea why. Surely they didn't pay that close attention to us.
"So it looks like your people are moving into my quadrant," Teri suddenly said, watching me as she ate a slice of atkriew root Sophia cut up for us to snack on.
"Drake showed me a few pods that are available," I said as delicately as possible.
"Ghianni said, no matter who they are, we have to accommodate and accept them,'" Teri said.
"There was no one to welcome me, facing hostility with complete confidence, but I came, seeking peace, to offer acceptance. I came, having no evidence of reciprocation, yet embracing the possibility for unity and cooperation," I stated, reciting my favorite quote from Jedax's speech on the Gwyzna skoplawyz when he'd spent a year in the Tgorasad Wyzgore Rhod Seckep. Krista and Loraine smiled, knowing the quote well, but Teri looked at me oddly; so did Sophia. "Jedax's entreaty for peace between the Itrejivil and the Tgorasad." Sophia cocked her head. "I – the basics for the treaty proposed by Jedax II."
"And the reason so many Tgorasad were on the ship," Sophia said, nodding.
"Well, it means we're going to be neighbors," Teri stated. "You're to be given Hador's pod."
I'm to… what? I had just taken a bite of atkriew and forced myself not to choke on it. Hador's pod? As in move me to… I looked at Loraine, but she was answering Quinn, Tyson leaning in to hear her, but my mind was in turmoil. 'I can't,' I wanted to say, but said nothing. Move out of Drake's pod?
When Maia came in, Teri and I made our excuses to leave. However, Teri suggested I go with her. Sure it'd give me an opportunity to visit Tyria and Felicia and maybe get to know Teri better, but I wanted to find Drake and ask him about my relocation. Was he in on this?
I followed Teri, hoping to draw more out of her, sensing that Drake was not far from where we were going, but although Teri was being affable, she wasn't very forthcoming. "This is it," Teri stated, stopping before a large crate door.
It was a tall pod – what Patrik called a high cube ocean container. The door had a strong security bolting, heavy Atrain lock and reinforcements. "This is yours?" I asked, confused.
"No, mine is over there," Teri said, pointing to the stack across the street, maybe two levels up from where I knew the, well, one of the Iwabas grow-pods were. "My mother's is on the right."
I looked where she was pointing and saw Roman, Drake, Thrji and Ghianni on the forth-level walkway. Roman tapped Drake's chest, and Drake's head turned in my direction. I felt his surprise when he spotted me. I made my way down, across and up to them, joining Roman, Drake and Thrji as Ghianni led them though the empty Iwabas pods, finally coming around and stopping at the pod door Teri had taken me.
"This one was Hador's. My key will not open the lock, but you have your father's key," Ghianni was telling Roman, but I didn't want to go in. I was so attuned to Drake I could almost feel his hearts beat.
Drake ushered me in after the Ikseyan, (I hadn't realized Roman had opened the door) and I watched him as I preceded him into the pod, wondering if this had been his idea.
It was dark. Someone turned on the lights, and I immediately fell into Iksen mode, least my emotions show to vividly. Grey leather sofas and stiff black upholstered chairs on a red and black rug on the floor, silver and white hanging lamp, grey metallic wall sconces, shelves made of grey cinderblocks and boards painted a shiny black, black pipe-style tables with glass tops… the kitchen painted white and black… stripped Mexican blankets hung in the doorways, and metal stools, table and chairs for eating.
I didn't like the space. It was large. Roomy. Foreboding.
I half-heartedly listened to Ghianni and Roman talk about the pods, accommodations, numbers of rooms with interest, agreeing or disagreeing depending on the question. But Drake was quiet and forcing down his emotions, making him hard to read. "I'll have a list made up of which people to place in which available pods to present to the Hwatab," Roman was saying.
I wanted to leave, but keeping my Iksen poise well secured in place. Why this pod? I couldn't live here. Sure the bolting mechanism was more secure, but why move me?
I was completely relieved when we all turned to go. Down on the street, I bid my goodbyes and turned to go to Drake's pod. Most of the pods I'd seen were acceptable. Hopefully if Ghianni, Auheyn, Thruji and Roman supported putting my people in these pods, there would be little unrest, but I was quiet as Drake and I walked, wondering if the remaining Trags would resent the placements.
I caught a glimpse of a person in camouflage cargo pants, boots and a black hoodie, looking around the section of pods as he walked. It wasn't his attire – lots of our men wore them, well not so much anything in camouflage print anymore, but something in the way he moved, in a slow, sweeping movement, a hand on his ear…
No wrist monitor – he wasn't wearing a monitor.
He turned the corner and, leaving Drake, I strode to the intersection after him and turned the corner, but the man was gone.
"Mahureen?"
I paused, confused. "I saw someone go down here." The street was quiet: no doors opening or closing, no voices; no sounds at all. I entered the street, walking quickly, but glancing about at everything. There was no one on the fire escape stairs, nobody on the landings or walkways. A child cried in a pod above me, and muffled sounds of people talking in the pod nearest me. I walked a ways, watchful and attentive.
"Amwur Atedi," Sijhig said, suddenly appearing near me.
"Did you see a man in camouflage cargo pants and a black hoodie go this way?" I asked him, scanning the street.
"Yes," he replied. The angle of the light made his scars more pronounced.
Still trying to see where the man had gone, I asked, "Did you see who he was – where he went?"
"It's that reporter," Sijhig replied.
"Owens?" I gasped, alarmed. Drake made a slight growl behind me.
"Yes," he said, and he looked up at Drake. "He says he snuck in before security tightened and became trapped in here. Mals and I are keeping an eye on him."
"Ra rzekt, I'll inform Aujheyn and Roman," Drake stated.
"But… Why?" I stammered. "What is he doing in here?"
"We've been guiding him as he does his investigations. He asks questions, films the conditions here, the water rationing, to show how bad things are and it's transmitted to his people," Sijhig stated and look up at Drake. "He's not getting into any place he should not see."
I knew what he meant: the new pools, cisterns and grow pods… the places we didn't want the humans to know about. "I should talk to him!" I said as I faced him again.
Sijhig shook his head. "No, Amwur Atedi, you shouldn't – not yet. If the military sees your broadcast they will retaliate. Col. Gavins is looking for any excuse."
"Mahureen, he's right – it's not a good idea. If he's broadcasting, it will only give the military a reason to arrest you." Drake explained. "Roman and I are trying to keep you safe – I'm trying to… Besides, what more could you tell him than you haven't already said?"
"The more visible I am the better," I stated, or at least I thought.
Sijhig looked up at Drake, making a nonverbal exchange. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to protect you in here?" Drake asked me. "I don't have the resources; there are only so many people I can truly trust."
"Your siecatka acting as my strazhic ochrikujen – Sijhig, you're not just… as my serpilnow…" I exhaled heavily. I was so used to the houses, the safety of my people. But anonymity had its advantages. Everyone knew me in here.
"You are very lax regarding your safety. I can only do so much," Drake stated as if finishing my thought.
I nodded slowly. He was right. As usual. I looked up at Sijhig. "Keep Owens safe."
Sijhig nodded. "As I knew you'd want me to. He will be safe and will not be caught by the soldiers."
"If the president doesn't meet with us tomorrow, I am going to talk to Owens." Both guys scowled at me.
"And if the military arrest you, the fleet will react," Drake stated.
"But it won't matter, we will be at war, and—"
"I don't want you sent to the crates," Drake stated adamantly.
"LA will be hit in two days! And we can't serve as szef na-czelne-odowodze zatwocy from inside the Sector!" I turned my head. "If I'm arrested, Roman can assume command. He can finish what we've started."
"Aciekie czka, stop assuming meczenik! Niez wyn-isi aa cirpetnik!" Drake said, frustrated, accusing me of being a martyr.
"I'm not—"
"You do! You sacrifice yourself – not caring what it means—"
"If not me then who?"
"Ja-nie widzialec – Me!" He turned, rubbing his hand over his head.
"Drake, losing you is not an option. If they arrest you they will execute you. I can't let that happen – I won't!"
He stared at me. We both knew it was true; if he was ever caught, arrested, he'd be killed – as an example. He backed away, angry.
Sijhig moved closer to me. "Leglas atezi– he's right. Wait. Go with Drake." He jutted his chin in the direction I'd come. "Let him keep you safe. You are our hope, Amwur Atedi. You and Roman need to stay with the warriors. I will follow the reporter and keep him out harm, but your safety means more to me than that reporter's does."
I turned as Sijhig ran off. Drake was standing a few feet away with his back to me, and as I approached him, he punched the wall of a crate. I struggled with what to say. "Drake..." He tensed. "I – I can't... if they find any reason to arrest you they will kill you... can't you see? Me – if they lock me up, our fleet will attack them. But you – they will make an example of you, if only to destroy us – destroy me. I can't let that happen – I won't!"
"You are driving me dziki." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward, turning as if doing a dance move, except I ended up backed up against the crate with a force that nearly took my breath, Drake looming over me. "I want to – na jistyes – I want to…" His hand smacked the metal siding. "Asa ijita idi," he leaned over me, face to face, "I will not let them take you to the crate, too."
Too? Like his mother. "I – I can't lose you! Can't you see that? If I lose you, I lose my wytrzywnosc – my strength," I stated. I could feel it from him: his fear and concern mixed with a rock hard fierce determination to protect. "You are my rock, my pillar – it's an ancient saying, but you are. Don't you understand? I need you – I can't do any of this without you! I—"
He kissed me, hard, pinning me to the corrugated metal at my back. I raked my nails down his back, kissing him ardently with a fierce need. My need, I think, but kissing him sent my senses reeling, my hearts thumping.
He reached for my chest, and I stroked him in return, feeling him press himself against my palm. But instead of undoing my buttons, he pulled out my Iksen key, grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him. He used my key in a lock and pulled the handle on some type of electrical box. The door gave, and he drew me inside, closing the door firmly with a loud shulick. Soft light filtered in around us, the strangled old growth of sempek stems, nitjide vines, zakida, studded with bizarre-looking kyter, dangerous bylek with balha pods creating dense jungle shadows in the heavy misty chill.
We quickly divested each other of our clothes, dropping them on the planting table behind me. His flesh was warm and hard under my hand; he brushed my nipples with his thumb, slowly as he kissed me lingeringly, in spite of his own apparent urgency. He put his mouth against my ear and both hands firmly on my bottom. "I wouldn't be too loud in here; it will echo."
"I'll try to refrain," I replied, breathless and so utterly turned on.
"I rather hope you won't," he said, his teeth scraping my markings, and I dug my fingers into the muscle that rippled under my fingertips.
"Just don't cry out too loudly."
"Exactly." He lifted me up and set me down between the zabvour on our discarded shirts and hoddies and pressed himself between my legs. I invited him in, eagerly, nonverbally encouraging and accepting our increasing mutual need, finding thorough intimacy a way to shut out the world and everything around us and know only each other, moving in perfect sync, in mutual bliss.
I clamped my mouth on his shoulder as I came undone, right over his markings and felt him hiss, thrusting fiercely. "Oh, er-doli," he said at last, his back rigid, our hearts pounding, both pulsating where we joined. He came down slowly, his head on my chest, his heart beating heavy against my ribs. I ran my fingers down his sweaty back, loving the feel of him, as we both relaxed. "Oh, er-doli, what you do to me," he murmured softly.
He leaned over me for a bit longer, neither of us wanting to come apart and get dressed, though the table was hard and the possibility of discovery increasing with each passing minute.
But instead of withdrawing, he began moving gently, and I felt him stir as he hardened inside me. The second time was slower, less urgent, an exquisite sensitivity made by gentle touches, light kisses and a leisurely examination of each other. A reacquainting of sorts, listening to each other's soft responses and throaty sounds. However as always happened between us, our own physical urges grew, my body aroused to his, the depth of my response as I wholeheartedly accepted and returned what was offered without reservation. We matched each other's want with a passionate rhythm. If anything, my second orgasm came on slower but racked through me with surprising intensity.
We left some time later, walking hand in hand for home.