Note: It has been well over a month since I last posted: work on the run up to Christmas was crazy busy and I just didn't have the time or energy to give to the story. However, I'm back to the story now, which starts on a new day, Day 27 of the tale. I hope all of you had as good a Christmas and New Year as you could in such trying times and that you are all well. Here's to a hopeful and bright 2021...
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DAY 27 – Visiting the Past
Chapter 28 – A New Journey
The thick built up layers of ice coating the paths of Tjaru had thinned this morning, a warmer push of air having turned the snow to rain in a long overnight downpour which had melted through the dangerous ice and had yet to refreeze again. It had meant that the walk down from the Governing Complex had been less treacherous than normal at this time of year, and clearly an extra application of grip salt across the city's streets had helped.
Torren had not quite expected as much attention as his walk through the streets had attracted. The Complex Guards were not always seen in the streets of Tjaru en mass, and in their ceremonial uniforms and glowing golden warm winter capes, they were quite a spectacle for people to enjoy as they escorted him down through the City to the Portal. But it was clearly more than just the show, for news had spread of the significance of today's trip. It was not very common for him to leave Athos, it being part of his mandate as elected Leader to remain on Athosian soil for every night of his life in service, but short official state visits off-world to the Councils or to fellow trading partners was relatively standard.
But today would be a unique first. One that no other Athosian Leader had undertaken in centuries, if at all.
For it was to be his first official visit to the Ancestral City of Atlantis.
As such, he had dressed in his very best clothes and was wearing everything he found sacred; his Mother's bracelet with an Ancestral carving across it, his deep red cloak that had been gifted to him on the day he had assumed leadership of the Athosian worlds, and the golden belt-buckle he had been given by his favourite Aunt as a boy. She and Mother had used to spend hours retelling him tales of the Ancestors and, in particular, the brave deeds and kindness of Madumo, the Athosian born Ancestor who had stayed to defend Athos. One favourite tale in particular had been playing through Torren's mind since he had awoken and dressed this morning; the story of Madumo's telling of the Ancestral City and her promise that it was not lost and would, one day, be found again. The tale told that upon its discovery, that Athos would be reborn into an age of peace. That age seemed in almost all ways upon them. It had been decades since the Wraith had last culled here and the Alliance had carved out a vast safe territory, so Madumo's promise seemed to have come to fruition, but even more so in that Athos was now allied with Atlantis through Teyla and John's marriage. And today, he was going to travel to the Ancestral City himself. He was going to walk where the Ancestors, where Madumo, had walked.
He wished he could take all his people with him, but it was, of course, not possible. Though, he had decided to discuss with Colonel Carter whether he could arrange small visits to Atlantis for his people and, in return, those of Atlantis could regularly visit Athos or shown other places within the Alliance. But until that could be agreed, he knew his visit today was fulfilling a symbolic, and almost prophetic, meaning for his people, as proven by the vast numbers of his people lining the streets at such an early hour this morning. They had thrown numerous handfuls of petals high in the air, the delicate pieces falling over him and his guards. The petals had been so great in number that it had been clear that people had been saving them up, ready to celebrate this day.
And he felt that weight on him as he had walked through the Gateway, under where the historic statues of Madumo and been placed and destroyed repeatedly by the Wraith. But Madumo's promise had still been realised and today his people celebrated it.
He had taken the spontaneous decision to stop partway through the Gateway upon leaving Tjaru, pausing to look up at the small walkway overhead that linked the two towers and where Madumo's statues had once stood. He had felt Teyla pause at his side and heard the faint soft creak of her sword harness as she had shifted and looked up as well. It had felt a powerful and beautiful moment, one which he hoped Madumo would be witnessing from her place with her fellow Ancestors. Cheers had filled the cold air behind him and he had looked back over his shoulder to see the streets packed with his people, many clearly wiping their eyes and others still throwing petals in the air.
Almost overcome himself with emotion, he had lifted an arm to wave to them and then strode on, drawing his mind away from symbols and lost people and onto the very practical task of walking the more uneven and frozen muddy ground out beyond the City. The walk down the road to the Portal had still be celebratory, with traders' carts passing by throwing more petals and cheering, but he had turned to Teyla at his side and asked her again for details of Atlantis. Everything had been planned for the day apparently, Colonel Carter having been working with Mr Woolsey, Hakon, and Teyla to fill his day visit to the Ancestral City with as much as possible. Though he was not the only guest, for he had brought with him John's Honour Guard, whom John had invited in thanks for their part in saving him on the Genii Homeworld, and also Abas the Guard assigned to accompany any of John's people when they visited. Abas had outdone himself in that task and had already been promoted for his good work, but, glancing back at the young man, Torren considered once again that perhaps it would be best for Abas to be given some staff to form a specific department to care to visitors from Atlantis. It was a role that could be expanded, for trade with Atlantis would need to remain high priority to ensure that the new ties between them were not lost.
Abas noticed his attention and smiled, clearly excited at today's visit. Torren smiled back at him and looked back to Teyla at his side. All of the many guards, the Honour Guard Abas, and himself wore thick warm cloaks to keep out the cold and protect against any rain or snow on the walk, but Teyla remained in her thick Elite coat. It was a deep dark brown with good long sleeves and high neck, inside of which there was a nice thick lining to keep her warm, and protruding from her back were the two hilts of her swords and, at her waist and thigh, various weapons of her trade. It was not all that often that he saw her in her full Elite warrior's attire, unless she was leaving or returning from battle, but her choice today seemed very symbolic. There was obviously no need for her to wear all her weapons on visiting Atlantis, but today she had arranged for passage for her full weapons. He assumed it was in part for the rest of their party to witness, but perhaps it was some form of Elite tradition as well. He did not often ask her of such things, thinking it all most to do with blood and warfare, but today he could see the powerful mantle she wore upon her as she walked at his side, guiding him to the Ancestral City. That, of course, was far from symbolic, but true of fact. It was her connection with John and Atlantis that had formed the contact with Athos and allowed him to forge fast and strong ties with John's people. After all, to him, it was simply fulfilling Madumo's prophecy and simple good sense to ally with such strong fellow children of the Ancestors.
That Teyla had gone on to marry one of Atlantis, Earth, and a literal descendant of an ancestor still felt amazing to Torren. That she had clearly found a companion who meant so much to her felt even more profound.
He just wished that Tagan were here to see it all.
Teyla looked up from her electronic pad from which she was reminding him of the day's plan events in Atlantis. He nodded, but just watched his beautiful daughter, so strong and capable, and let his heart ache for her mother.
"The space Colonel Carter is provided for meditation is set out from the main part of the city," Teyla informed him. "John reports that it has a nice tall room with a full wall of windows from which we can look towards the main part of the city." Torren nodded, amused to see the faint little smile that always lit up her expression now when she spoke John's name. "He also requested some incense, so I suspect he – and Colonel Carter's people – are providing a nice space for us."
Torren nodded at that news. He had made one simple request of Colonel Carter for his visit today, that he and any of the Guards accompanying him could sit in silent meditation somewhere in the Ancestral City. Colonel Carter had been very willing to agree to it and had set aside an hour of the day's schedule for that purpose, and it sounded like extra attention had gone into the room selected.
"That is very thoughtful," he said out loud as the road started to turn towards where the Portal stood in the distance. It was not active, which was unusual, but he could see ahead of the leading lines of Complex Guards that the traders were lined up to watch the spectacle rather than use the Portal.
"I have repeated the order to the Complex Guard that they are to surrender any weapons requested of them by Atlantis Security," Teyla repeated a comment she had made earlier, her tone becoming slightly more clipped and formal, her Elite training sliding into place no doubt.
"Of course," he agreed as he waved to the watching line of trading carts and waving traders, their families clearly with them this morning to watch the event. Torren smiled brighter and made sure to wave directly to the traders' children balanced on edges of carts and on parents' shoulders.
"But, Colonel Carter understands that the Guards are allowed to carry their battle batons and one stunner."
Torren nodded. He left such defence and security to his Guard and, apparently for today's visit, Teyla herself.
"However, the Honour Guard have been given special dispensation for today and future visits," Teyla added offhandedly as ahead of them the Complex Guard called out an order and the procession came to a sharp, efficient halt before the Portal's open space.
Upon stopping himself in the central protective rectangle of the Complex Guard, Torren looked over his shoulder towards John's Honour Guard and Abas behind him. The Honour Guard had clearly shined up their armour today, everything even faintly metallic on their more subdued uniforms catching the early morning sunlight. They stood in a perfect line behind him and Teyla, their chins up and one hand resting on their preferred weapon of choice on their hip. It had not taken all that long for the Honour Guard to prove their worth, having helped save John's life on the Genii homeworld. Teyla was clearly immensely proud of them and had been the one to award them their commendations. Vakalis, the Lead Honour Guard, nodded to him and Torren nodded back. They hid it well, but he could tell they were very much looking forward to the visit. Abas however, was not even trying to hide his glee. Torren smiled at the younger guard and he smiled back eagerly.
Turning back to the Portal, Torren watched as the Complex Guard began a well executed separation of numbers, half the guard moving to each side, leaving a smaller group around Torren who would be the protection detail physically accompanying him to Atlantis. There were twenty of them going with him, as well as Abas, Teyla, and the Honour Guard, but he rather wished he could bring all of the watching Guard. All of them would surely wish to join him. He idly wondered how those coming had been selected and turned to Teyla as she approached from talking with the Portal Guards, who were currently carrying away the departing Guards' cloaks, and one approached to take his. Torren unclipped his cloak and drew it away from his neck and shoulders, scattering trapped petals around him to the ground. He smiled at the moment and handed his cloak to the Portal Guard with thanks.
"How were the Guard accompanying me selected?" He asked Teyla as the Lead Complex Guard's calls to attention were called and the Portal began to turn, dialling into the Ancestral City.
"There are two who are descendants of Madumo's line and the rest by lottery. It was felt that fate rather than competition should decide," Teyla replied.
Torren nodded and smiled at his Elite daughter. "I imagine that is far from how you and your warrior compatriots decide such things."
Teyla smiled. "No, it is not, but we leave plenty of space in our decisions for the ever-changing and unpredictable circumstances of battle."
He nodded, his smile slipping slightly at the reminder of the realities of her dangerous life. "Very true," he uttered as he focused forward on the Portal as it turned.
Around him, he could feel the Complex Guard become more focused and still, despite the cold that was creeping upon them without their cloaks. Torren ignored the chill and waited as the last part of the dial began and he watched, feeling the weight of his people's collective focus on him, as the Portal filled with light and the crashing forward rush of its power filled the air. Blinking away from the brightness for a second, he watched the Portal's power settle into its glowing surface. He could hear the Portal Guards talking just inside their station hut, in communication with Atlantis, and, a moment later, a Guard called the all clear to proceed.
At the front, the first line of Guards strode forward, the brave ones who always walked first into the unknown, even if it was to known allied greeting, but one could never know for certain each time. Torren watched as their backs disappeared into the light, his excitement abruptly bubbling up in his middle, and he felt not unlike the little boy he had been sat with Mother and Aunt, begging to hear the stories of the Ancestral City again. It felt, in his heart, almost as if he had always known this day would come.
A further all clear call was made by the Portal Guards, received from the first line of Guards in Atlantis, and the rest of the protection detail ahead of Torren began forward. Walking at a calm pace, but his heart hammering in his chest, he headed towards the Portal, Teyla at his side, watching the Guards just in front of him disappear into it, and then it was his turn. Talking the instinctive breath in that always felt right upon Portal travel, he stepped forward through the light.
And into the wide open colourful space of Atlantis.
His eyes were instantly drawn up, up above the semicircle of John's people, and up away from his Guards forming their standard protective circle. Up past a wide tall staircase, up colourful columns, large windows of glass ahead pouring sunlight in, and the highest point of the ceiling with decorations he had seen reflected in the hallways inside the Gateway.
The City of the Ancestors.
Built by Ancestral hands, filled with their powerful knowledge, and holding countless stories of Ancestor lives lived within these walls.
Completing his turn, Torren watched as the Portal closed, revealing a beautiful irregularly shaped pane of glass behind it, through which light and blue sky could be seen. Torren shifted his gaze from the window to the Ancestors' own Portal standing tall above him. It looked the same as the others he had seen, but presumably it had been the first in this galaxy, and the one through which Madumo herself had walked.
Turning onwards, he completed his circle to face forward once more, and he drew his eyes down towards Colonel Carter where she stood in front of him, her pale and elegant face grinning.
"Welcome to the Ancestral City of Atlantis, Leader Torren," she smiled as she bowed her head.
He bowed his head in turn. "Thank you, Colonel, for your invitation and hospitality this day," he replied, aware that he had let formality and procedure slip.
Movement to both sides of the Colonel were familiar faces approaching:, John, Mr Woolsey, the other officials who had helped form the trade agreement, and the forceful face of Colonel Sumner, whom Torren had spoken with via the Portal on many occasions. Torren greeted them all in turn, but turned last to John, his Son by Marriage's grin as big as Colonel Carter's had been.
"Honoured Son," Torren lifted his hands to John's shoulders, and John's gentle hands handed on his shoulders in turn. Torren leaned his forehead forward, meeting John's, and Torren whispered a silent pray of thanks to Madumo and the other Ancestors for this day and the man who had become his family.
"Welcome to Atlantis," John added as their foreheads part. "Honoured Father," he added hurriedly, having forgotten to use the official greeting. Torren squeezed the younger man's shoulders.
"Thank you for facilitating this, Honoured Son," Torren told him.
"That's okay," John replied with faintly embarrassed pleasure. He was never one to enjoy being in the centre of things, which was hugely ironic to Torren, since it was clear that his new son stood at the very destined centre of events here. "We're happy to have you here."
Torren saw John's gaze slide away to the left, which was possibly towards the Honour Guard and Abas, but Torren suspected it was Teyla and Teyla alone whom John was truly the most happy to welcome.
Smiling at the beauty of young love, Torren turned and introduced Teyla, for formality's sake, then Abas and the Honour Guard for Colonel Carter and her watching people.
Hands were shaken and words exchanged that were so easy and familiar to Torren that he could listen and respond but still let his eyes lift to the Ancestral walls around him.
"Our day is due to start with a guided tour of the central tower," Colonel Carter proclaimed, drawing Torren's full attention to her, "but," she smiled, "I thought you might first enjoy one particular spot in the city." He smiled at the intriguing suggestion. "This way," the kind Leader smiled as she indicated the wide glorious staircase, her watching people parting to provide space. Walking at her side up the stairs, his Guards on either side of them, Torren tried to take in as much as he could of the room around him, including the beautiful Ancestral writing on each step. Once at the top of the staircase, Colonel Carter led the way towards a part of the wall that slid open to reveal a rush of fresh air and a bright blue sky above.
"This is one of the best spots from which to see the city," Colonel Carter reported as she led him towards what was now clearly the railing of a balcony, and, below, stretching out across a seemingly unending ocean, the reach of Atlantis was revealed.
Torren let his mouth hang open as he rested his hands on the ancient railing and took in the majestic view. Teyla had described how Atlantis stretched out in all directions, like a child's drawing of a star, fingers of the city stretching out over the ocean, but it was far more glorious than he'd imagined.
"It is magnificent," Torren whispered as he heard around him the quiet gasps of appreciation as his people saw the view themselves. Reverent whispering started; the Honour Guard talking with Colonel Sumner and Abas with John, but Torren tuned it out.
He focused his attention down at the Ancestors' creation, picking out small buildings nestled within the circle of larger ones, all of varying sizes and shapes. There were open spaces between them and long walkways along the edges of the protrusions out across the water.
It was a true city, but so massive. He estimated that Tjaru could fit at least twice into it, and that was not accounting for the height of many of the towers. He looked up, turning to look up at the top of this 'central tower' as Colonel Carter described it. He had never seen anything so tall, not even of Military or Ancestral construction before. Behind him, he could hear Abas asking John how old the city was and how it could sit on the ocean. They were good questions.
Torren returned his gaze to the furthest reaches of the city below. John, Teyla, and the stories handed down from Madumo had all described Atlantis as sitting upon the ocean, and that it had been hidden beneath it, but, until now, he had thought that more metaphor than actual fact. He had thought that Atlantis sat upon a small island, and that the Ancestors had hidden the city somehow, perhaps flooded it by raising the sea level on their world, but now, stood looking down at the city... Everything about what he saw was constructed. The lines of the city were unnatural, mechanical in their construction, yet sat upon only water. This city was something far more than simple buildings and protrusions across the water. It was a whole, something created with function that could sink under the water at will. John had said that Atlantis had once been on his planet Earth, which again Torren had taken as metaphorical, that the Ancestors had begun again in this galaxy, but now... now he could believe the truth in the story. Atlantis appeared to be something far more magical and powerful than a simple city.
Suddenly something new stirred in his chest and mind, whispering new understanding as to why Madumo had been so clear in her promise that this city would endure. Atlantis was not just a city, but a place of destiny and power. As the soft breeze danced through his hair, all the old stories of the Ancestors seemed to tumble together into a new pattern for him. Stories of preparing the way, of the ethical use of technology to defend those in need, and building to protect and endure.
And where before the significance of today as a symbolic confirmation of Madumo's promise to his people had sat upon him, now it transformed into a new understanding. One that told him this was not the end of the circle or the end of the tale, but only the beginning. That the story had not simply been a promise to bring him and his people here, but that Athos was needed here. That there were forces ahead of them that would need the vital profound ties between Atlantis and Athos.
That the very survival of all life might be at stake.
He looked round from the view and the new knowledge it seemed to have given him, and looked into the intelligent blue eyes of Colonel Carter, his counterpart in this new endeavour for the future. And in her eyes, he swore he could see understanding of what he felt, of a mutual holding of the weight, of the pressures of leadership and responsibility for their people and all life.
He swore to himself in that moment, that he would do everything he could to hold this bond of their worlds and their respective galaxies, for the ties that now bound their peoples had to be protected at all costs.
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The trading space was excessively busy today, clearly everyone over their nervousness to visit trading space-stations following the Rogue Hive's invasions of Alliance space. Or perhaps there was some sort of sale deal that had drawn so many here today, either way Madesh was feeling a little uncomfortable in the busy marketing hall. He shifted a little further towards the wall behind his back to create some space for himself next to the plant stall. The proprietor had initially tried to persuade him to buy some new plants she had in, had even started flirting with him to help her sale, so he had quickly explained he was here to meet someone. That had not gone down overly well and she had asked him to give space to those who actually wanted to buy her produce.
Madesh had retreated round to the side of the stall, out of the woman's view behind a tall trellis of her growing flowers. Unfortunately more than a few customers had thought he was there to sell the flowers and had started asking him for the price of various plants, so he'd edged a little further away from the flowers.
He was not entirely sure why he was here, but Seeal had asked him for a favour. He was off-rotation today so he'd agreed to meet her by the plant stand on this space-station. A glance at his timekeeping device told him there were still a few minutes to go until Seeal was due, though, considering how many people were filling the trading halls and no doubt using the Portal, it was likely Seeal would be delayed. Still, it was preferable to being on the Sythus right now. The ship's repairs were finally complete, which only meant that every system and procedure was being checked and rechecked obsessively.
It was positive that the Sythus was repaired, but with the new additions of the zero-gravity secure lines on every level and more detailed emergency procedures now in place for loss of atmosphere and gravity, it meant that the Elite and department Leads were determined to repeatedly rehearse and check every procedure in intense detail. There had been at least two major drills everyday so far, and he was fast growing a little impatient with the ship-wide evacuations and role playing. It didn't matter if you were not on duty, you were still expected to join in the drill, just like if the emergency was occurring for real. This morning there had been a simulated breach of the hull and boarding by Wraith. A large group of the security staff had acted out the roles of the Wraith, wearing large masks and wielding actual Wraith stunners.
Therefore, the opportunity to be off the ship for even a short while was very appealing, especially as it meant spending time with Seeal. That felt especially relevant considering the intense drills, because it surely meant that a mission was inevitably going to follow soon. Once that happened, the Sythus would be launched and there was no telling when he'd be back and able to spend time with his friend again. So he was determined to enjoy as much time of Seeal's company as he could.
Though, her lack of clarity about the 'favour' she needed and that she'd made him promise to come alone concerned him a little. Hopefully, she was not going to ask him to be involved in anything illegal. Those days were far behind him now.
That was if she was even able to get here with the Portal no doubt busy with so many people visiting this station. He glanced at his timepiece again. She was-
"Madesh," she abruptly appeared at his side.
"Seeal," he grinned at her, reaching out to give her a hug. He'd started the greeting since Honoured Elite Oneakka had been so sick, when she had clearly needed the emotional support. She'd not protested his initial hugs, but he had sensed that being embraced was not something she was used to in her life. He knew what that was like, so he'd kept the new ritual going and she appeared to joy it.
However, today's hug was a little encumbered by the two large bags she was carrying.
"What have you got there?" He asked as they let go of each other.
"Our disguises," she smiled brightly.
This did not sound like it was going to be a simple favour.
"Disguises?" He asked worriedly. "What for?"
"You'll see. Come one," she grinned before heading away through the crowded marketing hall.
He had a bad feeling about this and let out a heavy sigh before hurrying after her. As he caught up, he reached for one of the bags so she didn't have to carry them both. She glanced round, seeming surprised at his taking the bag, but she let go of it. "That one's yours anyway," she informed him.
As they walked, he pulled open the top of the bag and peered in to see the promised clothing inside. Slightly used clothing as it appeared, but then any good disguise required used clothing rather than anything brand new. He closed up the bag again.
"Why do I need a disguise?" He asked her, wondering if Honoured Elite Oneakka knew, or would approve, of this 'favour'.
"I'll tell you once we're through the Portal," she didn't explain with another smile.
"Where are we going?" He tried next as they made their way through the dense press of people.
"To Milioc Primary," she replied as they dodged around a particularly large man who was dressed like a circus performer, his clothing bright, sparkly and skin-tight.
Madesh frowned at the strong man's star-laden back as they headed away. "That's out near the border edge," he recalled of Milioc Primary. "There's nothing but farms and small homesteads."
"It's just a place to change and then use the Milioc Primary Portal to go where we're actually going."
That definitely didn't sound official.
She had led them out of the marketing hall and was now heading across the large main lobby towards the long line of people waiting to use the Portal off the station.
He waited until they were in the queue and could gain her full attention. Once in place, he leaned closer to her, keeping his voice low. "Is this going to be something illegal?" He asked her carefully.
"No," Seeal objected like it was an insult as she set her bag down on the floor between her boots.
"Then why do we need disguises?" He asked as he lowered his own bag. Judging by the snaking length of the queue, it was going to take some time to use to the Portal.
"Because we're going outside the Alliance," she replied as she straightened up, her eyes staring right into his, challenging him to use his gift.
He didn't really want to, but he allowed their gaze to hold just long enough for a brief burst of his 'superpower' as she called it. It was all he needed to understand that whatever this trip was about, it was a purely personal mission for her and that she trusted in him to help her. However, he could also tell that it was not wholly without potential risk.
Still, he felt pleased that she'd asked for his help.
"You're at home outside the Alliance and you know trouble when you see it," she explained as if the first part of her argument had been his reading her and this was her continuing the 'conversation'.
"What kind of trouble am I going to be looking for?" He asked.
She smiled, understanding that he was agreeing to help. He realised that she had smiled a lot more today than was usual, in fact she looked strangely cheerful about this trip outside the Alliance. Whatever her mission, it was not only personally important for her, but also meaningful. How could he say no to helping her?
"No trouble in particular," she replied as she used her boot to push her bag along the floor as the queue moved forward a pace. "I just need someone to help me."
"Okay," he agreed as he reached down to pick up his bag now that the queue was moving forward again. "Won't us going to Milioc Primary from here be somewhat strange?" He asked as he watched her use her boot again to push her bag forward. The Marketing stations had good systems in place for the large amount of foot traffic coming and going off the station, but he had to wonder if they would question dialling such a new Alliance world. "They're only a newly allied planet."
"They've been in the Alliance long enough now," Seeal disagreed. "Their people are visiting these stations regularly already, and traders are going out to them all the time. It's not unusual, to quote a good song."
He wasn't sure of the joke's reference, but she clearly found it amusing. Her continuing relaxed state told him that she wasn't worried, but that she'd decided to ask him to help her suggested that she wasn't overly certain either.
"You seem excited," he realised.
"This is something I've been meaning to do for awhile and it'll be nice to leave the Alliance for a bit. I promise you, it's nothing illegal, because I know you'd never agree to anything like that."
"Unless you're keeping the illegal part from me in order to manipulate me," he narrowed his eyes at her, as much to tease her as to push for details.
"I wouldn't do that to you," she insisted firmly. "Mainly because I'd never hear the end of it and you'd run straight to Oneakka to tell him."
"Honoured Elite Oneakka," Madesh corrected her automatically. "Is he well?"
"I haven't seen him yet today, but yesterday he was doing really well," she peered down the queue. It was moving, but clearly not fast enough for her.
"He was looking a good deal stronger when I visited him the day before yesterday," Madesh considered. "He was walking almost unaided around the room. It is so impressive how quickly he is healing from such a significant injury." One that had so nearly killed the great warrior.
"Not fast enough for him," Seeal replied. "But he's behaving himself for the time being and its paying off."
Madesh glanced away, hiding his wince at her disrespect at the great Elite warrior, reminding himself that she and Honoured Elite Oneakka had a special connection and that she didn't mean any real disrespect.
"I saw that," she commented.
"I was just looking at the queue," he pretended with a faint smile.
It took almost half of an Alliance standard hour to get to the front of the queue, through which Seeal had muttered that the station should have more than one Portal. But finally they were close enough to the front to request their Portal address to the attendant and, after one dial out and one more in, they finally stepped forward as the Portal activated to Milioc Primary.
At Seeal's side, he stepped through from the busy station and out into the sandy hot space of Milioc Primary. There was a wide flattened area in front of the Portal and Seeal strode down across it like she'd been here before. There were several carts lined up to one side, into which two traders were stacking Alliance standard boxes, presumably to be carried out into the further sandy land of the planet.
Seeal however led him round to the left, where a large cloth tent rippled in the breeze, a few people just visible in the overhanging shade of the wide entrance. As Seeal led him inside, he saw that it was actually a large restaurant, half full of various looking people. A trading station, he guessed, and a place for a cool drink and meal out of the hot sandy air for those moving things to and from the Portal.
Seeal wasn't interested in the food though, for she led him around the tables and through an open flap at the back corner of the tent. He followed her back out into the bright sun again, blinking round to find that it was an enclosed space formed with stacked boxes on both sides. Off to one side, there was a gap in the walls of boxes which created an avenue that appeared to lead around towards a row of narrow tents that Madesh guessed would be the toilet facilities.
However, Seeal headed round to the left, where there was an enclosed space among the boxes. She set her bag down on a box with a flourish, "Time to change."
Madesh selected a sturdy looking stack of boxes for himself, set his bag on top and pulled it open again. He drew out a black short-sleeved top, a flat brown leather hat, and then the bulky weight of a long scuffed trader's coat. He recognised the style easily enough from his former days outside the Alliance, the unofficial uniform a regular enough sight in trading markets in and out of the Alliance borders. He pulled off is current slim jacket and then his top, glancing around cautiously for anyone watching. No one was, so he pulled on the black top and then the long waxed coat. As was usual with these trader's coats, there was a large heavy hood that hung down around his upper back and, when drawn up, the thick supported hood could cover a trader's head and enough of their front to allow them to keep trading even in a downpour.
"There's an extra wrist timepiece in the bag too," Seeal instructed. "Make sure you throw some sand over your boots."
He glanced at her as he dug into the bag for the timepiece. She had pulled on a long brightly coloured, and somewhat flouncy, skirt over her thin dark trousers and was currently pulling on a white top with a large lacy collar. He had to smile at the big puffy short sleeves, which was definitely not her usual style.
As he tied the second timepiece around his wrist, he spotted that she had done the same herself. The two timepieces were another traders' habit, each timepiece set to a different time zone on another planet or moon. He'd seen some traders before with two timepieces on each wrist. In the Alliance, traders used electronic pads to show them the time wherever they needed, but out beyond the border, the simple multiple timepieces was a true sign of a trader.
He folded up his usual shirt and jacket tightly, spotting that the bag she'd given him was actually reversible. He pulled it inside-out, revealing a far more common brown trader-like bag, and pushed his things into it.
Seeal was still rummaging in her bag, pulling out a hand-sized mirror, a small box, and then a wig. He realised that she had prepared her hair already, not wearing it all pined up in separate sections like normal, but in a tight bun that she had pinned down against her scalp. He watched her set her head into the woven underlay of the long wig and flip her head back, tugging the wig into place. He reached for the mirror, holding it up for her as she set about adjusting the long light brown and grey wig.
"So, where are we going?" He asked as she slid pins in under the wig, securing it in place.
"Isper," she replied around a pin held between her lips.
"I've been there," he reported.
In fact, he'd been there many times. It was a very common and well respected place of trade, set close enough to Alliance territory to trade in Alliance goods, and its system had a dense nebula which had helped reduce the frequency of Wraith cullings. It was seen as a place of good quality merchandise, but with a rebellious attitude to resist any expansion of the increasingly approaching Alliance border. Isper's Portal Town was run by a Traders Guild who had kept the town, and planet, free of dominating would-be warlords. Unrestricted commerce was essentially the religion on Isper, so anyone attempting to take control of it was quickly dispatched by the Guild. It had resulted in a planet with surprisingly low crime, but well known to allow every type of person to trade unrestricted. If a Wraith wanted to trade, the Guild would probably let them free in the markets and shops. Madesh had used to enjoy the occasional visit to Isper, but the planet was slightly tainted now considering that the last time he had been there had been on a mission for Iketani. She'd sent him there to collect testing equipment that the evil traitor had supplied for her imprisoned Earth Healer Doctor Beckett.
"Thought you might," Seeal replied, unaware of his last trip's ties to Iketani. He watched as she slid a final pin up near her temple with quite a hard shove, but it looked like the wig was straight and looked pretty realistic. She then started styling the hair, drawing the long fronts up and back and securing them with a small tie.
"Why are we going to Isper?" He asked, still holding the mirror for her as she combed her fingers through to the ends of the wig.
"I've got something to pick up," she answered as she frowned into the mirror one last time and then reached for it.
He handed over the mirror, but kept his eyes on her. "Something?" He pushed.
She set about putting the box of pins, the mirror and her formerly worn shirt into the inside-out bag and finally straightened up to look at him. She looked very unlike herself in her wig and atypical clothing.
"When I was living on Dreamstation, I didn't want to keep anything there that was important to me or could be stolen from me, so I kept old keepsakes and stuff, along with most of the currency Creass paid me, off the station," she explained.
Ah, now he understood her unusual excitement. She was retrieving her things from outside the Alliance.
"I kept various stashes in different hiding places on different worlds where no one could possibly find them," she continued.
"And one of your hiding places is on Isper."
She nodded. "There's an old friend there who runs a tea shop. He's kept things safe for me, and some other friends of his, for years."
"Criminal friends?" Madesh asked cautiously.
"No," Seeal shook her head. "Zio is an honest man and has nothing to do with anything relating to Dreamstation or any of the scum there. He just has a little side business where he keeps things safe for those in the know."
"And for a price," Madesh nodded.
"Of course," she turned back to her bag and slid the long strap, which was only now visible on the new outside of the bag, over her head.
"So if he's an honest man, why are we in disguises?" Madesh asked.
"We're not disguising ourselves from Zio," she answered as she settled the trader's bag against her back. "It's a precaution, because there could be people on Isper who might recognise me."
He nodded with understanding. "And who might have heard that someone has been sharing smuggling secrets with the Alliance?"
"Exactly," she answered. "Plus, Zio and I had a codeword for my sneaking in through the back door of the shop, so I need you to go into the shop, looking like you're interested only in buying some tea and, once no one else is around, tell him that 'Neby' sent you to visit him to see if he had any of the really good tea leaves that he stored in the back."
Madesh had to smile at that. "Neby and tea leaves in the back?"
"Don't start," she rolled her eyes and pushed past him as she headed down the side avenue of boxes. He followed her, adjusting the heavy warm weigh of the trader's coat. It was not the best item of clothing to wear on Milioc Primary. He paused for a second though to reach down and throw some sand over his clean boots, rubbing the grainy material over the material to make them look more worn in. That complete, he followed after her, heading around the side of the big restaurant tent rather than back through it and back towards the open space in front of the Portal.
There wasn't going to be any need to wait to use this Portal, as the former carts had already started rolling away and no one was waiting to use it.
"What if some of your former enemies are watching Zio's tea shop?" Madesh asked as Seeal entered Isper's address into the Portal's dialling device. "It could be a good trap to catch you."
"No one knows about Zio's connection to me besides Jantina, and she won't have told anyone," Seeal replied as the Portal started turning.
"Who is Jantina?" He asked with a frown.
"A prostitute from Dreamstation," Seeal answered as the Portal turned. "She's not there anymore, don't panic."
"I'm not panicking."
"She works for Saoka's 'escort palace' now," Seeal added. "I can probably get you a cheap deal if you want."
Shocked at the suggestion, Madesh looked round only to find her grinning mischievously at him. Feeling annoyingly red-cheeked, he frowned at her. "Someone could have forced the information out of her."
Seeal made a loud scoffing noise. "Jantina only gives away what she chooses. I've seen men, and women, promise her their livelihoods to just sit by her feet."
Madesh frowned at such a thought.
"We're friends," Seeal added. "Trust me, no one knows about Zio," she stated with full confidence.
He nodded, accepting that she believed it at least.
The Portal spat out the rushing swirl of power and drew back loudly in the hot clear air of Milioc Primary.
"You still happy to help me?" Seeal asked without moving forward.
He looked at her with a smile. "Of course."
She grinned and started forward.
He fell into step with her towards the Portal. "So, Zio?" He asked. "He's just an old friend, right?"
"Don't start," Seeal repeated her former dismissal as he followed her into the bright light of the Portal.
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TBC