That irony. Here, they worked franticly to save the crops, and then, came a rainfall. So big, it threatened to make a new disaster.
Bleylock looked out the window, at the pouring rain as he stood in the main hall. He saw I'Son came from his room, ready to head out to the last location before they went home. He too seemed surprised by this rainfall.
"Any good ideas to stop this I'Son? Instead of draught, we now got floods. It could kill all the crops planted, making our work here be for nothing" Bleylock said.
I'Son shook his head.
"This is not my field of expertise General. The draught problem, I happened to have a solution for, floods..that takes a solution that requires more, it needs tools, mechanics, and other means to stop the water. and that is not an area I feel comfortable with. Maybe because I lack training in this area of expertise" he confessed.
Bleylock nodded.
"We are done here anyway, only got that one last little post on the program. That trip to inspect the area inside the mountain, that could be used for growth. Hope you are prepared, it will certainly be a wet trip" he commented.
I'Son nodded, and looked at his outfit. Rubber boots, and rain gear. Perfect for the occasion.
"Are you two gentlemen ready? The heavy rain is creating an issue with the planned route, we need to divert some to make a safe entry. But it takes more time. Sorry for the inconvenience, I know the two of you have a long ride back to Technoid base" Bleylocks father said.
I'Son could sense how Bleylock tensed up at the sound of his fathers voice. It seemed clear to him, Bleylocks father was an ice cold individual, and completely obsessed with power. It had become evident to even him, when he managed to look beyond the theatrical act that was put up in front of him. A people enslaved, not paid for their work, and hardly no children, and no one below the age of ten. He had found that strange. But Bleylock had told him, he would explain everything when they returned to Technoid Base. Here, it was simply too dangerous to do so. Then, it was Bleylocks siblings. His sisters, both older than him, had been married off into families that gave his father more power. If this was all Bleylock was to him..a bargaining chip for his father to grow more power.. I'Son felt sorry for his lover. This was so not how he was as a person. Bleylock was capable of true love, of feeling, and also, being compassionate. He had witnessed it himself.. At times, it was like seeing a delicate flower carefully opening. That insecure man he truly was.. To let him in, and allow him to help him.I'Son knew, that was the version of Bleylock he truly had fallen in love with. The version of Bleylock that would hold him close at night, kiss him goodnight, caress his face, and at times, make sure to leave small surprises, like concert tickets or other small signs of affection was found here and there in the house,so the two of them could socialize and enjoy time together, outside their own house. That was whom Bleylock wanted to be. And here..he would never be free to be his true self. It was clear as day. I'Son shook the memories. Not the time or place. He needed to stay focused. He and Bleylock would be on their way home later that afternoon. Till then, he needed to stay focused on the job...
It was pouring down as they reached the entrance to the mines. Some miners, with dirty faces and soaking wet was waiting to greet them. In the corner of his eye, I'Son saw a familiar face. The kid from when he arrived. Bennett he recalled his name was. Bennett looked at him, and had a suspicious look in his eyes as he glanced over at Bleylock and his father. I'Son remembered the warning. He remained silent as they entered the cave system. It was not even a long walk. I'Son could see that something that resembled grass had started to grow inside the hollowed out area. It also seemed to have a rather impressive drainage system, keeping the water drained away, so it would only use what was needed. And then, there was doors in the tunnels, marked with warning signs. Some even looked like it could hide a large weapon. Military equipment no doubt. He had seen soldiers with watchful eyes too, and the miners seemed weary of them, like there was something else going on here, something that was not his place to worry about. As they continued to walk deeper into the cave. Finally, After some time, led by miners with a special torch,they reached what seemed like a man made clearing. Bleylocks father now turned his attention to him.
"What do you think I'Son? Is this a suitable place to grow vegetables?" he wondered.
I'Son said nothing at first. He checked the walls, and the moisture levels. He had brought a few tools that would help him map put what else needed to be done, to make this area fit for vegetable growth. Shadow and moisture was fine. Some soil and extra fertilizers..and it should be fine. It also seemed a kind of barrier had been made to keep the water out, keeping the area in question dry enough for plant growth. Normally, this was the kind of science that bored him, not really the state of the art kind of research he was fond of,but it worked on a more fundamental level. Elemental Science was foundation for all other science. So he had taken it in, however, it still bored him. Now, it seemed he for once could make use of that knowledge.
"This should not pose a problem. As long as it stays like this, it will be a good place to grow vegetables that need shade and dark areas to grow" He said.
Bleylocks father seemed pleased with this. The visit was over, and they could return to the mansion. Bleylock could hardly wait to leave. He just wanted to get away from this place now, get back to Technoid base, his own home, and be with his beloved I'Son, and just hold him in his arms, to make up for the days when they could not. So, he rushed to get out of the cave, and back to their car. As soon as they reached the mansion, they would be out of here.
The rain could have blinded him slightly, no one really knew what happened and caused it, but all of a sudden, one of the miners on the outside yelled in panic.
"Watch out, we got a mudslide"
I'Son was a few steps behind Bleylock, and saw how he was washed away in the slide.
"NOO, General Bleylock!"
I'Son wanted to storm forth and follow, but was stopped by two miners that held him back. All the time, he locked his eyes on where he saw Bleylock got buried in the masses that washed forwards. As soon as some threes in a seemingly wooded area, one Bleylock had told him was used to create various forms of building materials, broke the slide, these threes were resilient, almost like rubber, I'Son tore himself free. He knew where Bleylock would be buried, and time was not on their side.
"We need to dig him out, he will suffocate if not" he yelled at the Abraxian soldiers who just looked strangely at him.
This man, an Akillian, acting so emotional, this was strange to him.
But for some reason, Bleylocks father also snapped out of it. And in a rare moment, he sided with the far more emotional Akillian that was getting ropes ready to reach the spot Bleylock had gone under.
"He is right. We need to dig my son out, now!" he ordered.
I'Son used a rope to secure himself, in case more slides would come. This way, he would be found and fast. Then, he reached the point where Bleylock went under. I'Son did not hesitate. He started digging, first with a shovel. Then, as he found Bleylocks hand, he put the shovel aside, and started digging with his hands, to avoid hurting him. The soldiers was hesitant. But I'Son did not care. He had to get Bleylock out of there. He focused on getting his face free,so he could breathe. Small pebbles still indicated more could come. I'Son did not care that he was soaking wet all the way through. Bleylock was not going to die if he could help it. It became some gruelling hours, where they fought the threat of more slides. The soldiers did not think this was safe, but I'Son stubbornly refused to give up. And then, thanks to his relentless efforts, they were finally able to get Bleylock out. He gasped for air as the soliders lifted him. I'Son secured a line around him, and agreed to be lifted out at the same time, securing his friend as they reached the top, and others rushed Bleylock into a waiting car. Then, he and his father also rushed into the car and drove back to the mansion as fast as the weather would permit, I'Son held Bleylock through the trip, cluthching his hand,telling him to hang in there. As soon as they got out of the car, Bleylock was taken to his room in the mansion, where a doctor was called. I'Son only now realised how cold he himself had gotten. Soaking wet, he started to shiver. And Bleylocks father noticed. This man had just saved his sons life. They had to be pretty good friends. The world outside Abraxor was alien to him, but clearly, it had its sides. He could see I'Son shiver and tried to rub his arms to get warm. He still had not changed. At this rate, the young Akillian would contract a phnemonia. And his son had only borrowed him from his department. The young scientist needed be tended to as well, especially after this daring rescue.
Bleylocks father stopped one of the servants.
"Have a hot bath made ready for I'Son. He acted very heroic today. If not for his efforts, my son would be dead by now. If he stays in those clothes much longer, he will get sick. Make sure he is taken properly care off. I will go see to my son" he said.
The sevant bowed and went to do as told. Bleylocks father gestured for I'Son to follow him. A source of heat was turned up in the room, to see to it I'Son would stop shivering. Bleylocks father turned his back on the young scientist.
"Today, you became a hero I'Son. You saved my only son. And in a most heroic manner. I am eternally grateful for that. And to show you my gratitude, I will now present you with a gift only a few select people outside our planet has ever received. I know my son dont speak highly of his home, that he wants something else for himself. But in time, even he will have to follow the duty that falls on his family. But till then, he is free to do as he soon as you have had a hot bath and put on dry clothes, I want you to come see me in the cave. Your bravery will not go unnoticed here. You will be presented with one of the highest forms of reccomandation we Abraxians can give. And I ask you to please accept the gift, as it will be a token that can greatly help you in the future" he said.
I'Son could only now, his teeth were chattering from the cold. The servant returned, telling that the hot bath had been prepared.
Bleylocks father sent I'Son off to be taken care off. A recepient of the Abraxor dagger was entitled to special treatment, and he intended to make sure this young man was well cared for the time they had left before leaving...
Bleylock slowly woke up. He found himself in his own bed in the mansion. And he recalled hearing I'Son scream his name, with a look of pure horror in his eyes, as the mud had swallowed him. Since he was here...it seemed he was still made to live in this hell for yet some time. Bleylock coughed, when he came to notice a shadow in the room.
He winched as he realised, it was his father.
"Father?"
Even his voice sounded scared, and tiny. Bleylock hated this weakness within himself. His father turned.
"You are still with us Son, I dont know if it is luck, or misfortune that so is the case. But thanks to your young friend, I'Son, you will still be around to pull your share of the weight of being an abraxian and of the Bleylock family line. Your friend is quite the hero. He seemed to have no regard for his own safety as he secured himself to try to save you. A remarkable friend you have there. And now, you are in debt to him. The entire family is. I know you want to get back to your work, so I wont stop you. But before you leave, there will be a small ceremony. I'Son will be receiving the Abraxian dagger as a token of our familys gratitude." his father informed him.
Bleylock felt his heart skip a beat. The Abraxian dagger?I'Son was awarded the dagger? Bleylock knew what receiving such a high honour meant. Maybe..if he gave it some time, his dream could be fulfilled. Someone that received the dagger had a special status in Abraxor. His father would accept I'Son now. And if he played the cards right, he could have the future he wanted.
"I'Son..where is he? Have you told him of this? What kind of gift this is?" he managed.
His father looked at him, for some strange reason, with a small smile.
"You are the one that brought him here, he is clearly a valued friend of yours. So why dont you tell him what the dagger means, son?" he suggested.
Bleylock tried to sit up. He was lost for words, wich did not happen often.
His father stopped him from getting up.
"I will ask him to come see you here" he said...
I'Son felt slightly uncomfortable among all these abraxians. The looks from all these girls.. Like he all of a sudden became a person of interest to them. He looked at Bleylock. He had been very silent since he had told him what the dagger meant. The dagger he had been given just a short while ago. It was sheeted, and had beautiful ornaments, with a leather handle. They had to stay for a few hours longer than planned, anything else would be seen as impolite. But it was clear, Bleylock started to itch to get out of here, and frankly, so did he. After a meal, Bleylock and I'Son prepared for the trip home. Their ship was already ready for the trip. After a little while of polite phrases, they excused themselves, they had a long trip back, and I'Son had to report to his team early the next morning.
As they sat down, I'Son looked at the dagger. He knew Bleylock had been excited he was awarded this one, but he was not entirely sure Bleylock did not misread his fathers intentions. To him, the dagger was a sign of gratitude for saving his son. Bleylock seemed to think, if they gave it some time, this meant his father would accept I'Son as Bleylocks legal partner, and also, spouse. Not that he had given the idea of marriage any thought. He was still young, and had his life ahead of him. But if this was what it took, he was no stranger to travelling that road. Bleylock took off from the astroport, and soon after, as they were in orbit, he engaged autopilot.
I'Son smiled as he felt Bleylock push him into the seat, while he hungrily kissed him. It had been days with no physical touch. And clearly, Bleylock had every intention of making up for that. I'Son replied to the warm kisses, as Bleylock had him get up, so they could go to the bedroom in the back of the ship. Right now,all he wanted, was to wrapp his arms around his lover, and just fall asleep in his arms...
I'Son woke up, as he heard the ships system signal approach to Technoid base. He felt Bleylocks arms around his waist. This rest had done him good. The entire week had made him tense while with his family. At least, now, he was able to relax again. I'Son carefully freed himself, and got up. The signal needed be checked. As soon as he looked at it, he found it to be odd. They were far off Abraxor now. Who would be calling from there? He decided to play up the message.
A set of eyes..dark, evil eyes, stared at him. I'Son shuddered. He tried to make out the facial features of whomever was behind the creepy eyes. Not a word was spoken, just a heavy breathing.
"This is a private channel on a ship sent from Technoid base to assist in a hunger disaster. On board is I'Son Danvers, scientist from Technoid, and General Bleylock. Please state your buisness, or this transmission will be cut off" I'Son said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. This creeped him out. The heavy breathing just continued. I'Son had enough. Someone had to have stumbled upon their channel by share coincidence and decided to play around. He was about to terminate the connection, when Bleylock, who had also woken up, grabbed his hand. And he was pale to look at.
"We have been found out..on Abraxor.." he whispered, with terror in his voice...
