Part Ten
It was dark as Ayari carefully slipped out of the house, closing the door behind her. It had been a long time since she had visited the Archives, before the troubles began against the Mortalists, but she knew the way. Hoping her long dark blue hooded coat would help camouflage her, she made her way through the twisted back streets, the long abandoned houses giving the night an even more eerie feel. Finding the main road into the old city, she hurried along, listening and watching for trouble. After what seemed forever, she arrived at the plaza in which the Archives stood. Cautiously, she tried the main door. To her surprise, it opened, with what seemed a horrendously loud creak. Looking nervously about her, Ayari slipped inside, closing the door behind her. The place smelt musty, although there were signs to suggest that people had been there recently. Hopefully they were curious Mortalists like herself. There were no lights on, however there was a sort of twilight in the building from outside sources. Ayari passed through various different sections, stacked floor to ceiling with books and other memorabilia that contained knowledge. She found the technology section, and took out a small torch to enable her to read the titles of the books. She picked out several that seemed most interesting, and put them in the bag she had brought with her. Again, she glanced about her. The ordeal she had been through in prison had made her cautious. Spooked by her own nerves more than anything in the Archives, Ayari ran as fast and as quietly as she could out of the building. She tried to open the main door as quietly as she could, but couldn't prevent the creak. After a check to see if there was anyone about, Ayari made her way back home. When she got in through the front door, she closed it behind her and leaned against it, letting out a sigh. She suddenly felt elated that she had managed to do what she knew was considered a foolish and dangerous thing. Clutching the bag containing the precious books, Ayari made her way up to bed.
All of Ayari's spare time was dedicated to studying the books she had taken from the Archives. She kept them hidden in her room so that the others would not discover them. Most of the books turned out to not be very useful, some of them were far too technical for Ayari to understand. But one book was of a very interesting read to her. It focused on the types of aircraft used during the Insect Wars, hundreds of years ago. Somewhat ironically, the aircraft were insects themselves, albeit genetically engineered to the point where they were little more than living machines. The book described how the craft were developed, how they operated, in a way that Ayari could understand. She felt confident that she could actually create one herself. But the drawback was finding a place to grow the craft, and the necessary parts. So it was back to the Archives to find more detailed information. Once again, she waited until everyone was asleep, and crept downstairs. She felt a little bolder this time, as she knew exactly the route to take, and what to expect. Again, she slipped through the creaking door of the Archives. In the dim light, she took out a list of items she would need to set about growing an insect craft. They more or less grew themselves, but Ayari was going to have to do some work herself. She decided to try and find a room in the Archives that would be suitable. There was no way that she would be able to grow the insect at home. She made her way to the biology section, picked out another selection of books and scurried back home.
Ayari spent much of the next couple of months slipping out of the house to go to the Archives. The hard part had been getting hold of the necessary materials. Some of them she managed to get herself, though some things she got Bejan to get for her. He knew various people who could get hold of anything from cake to string.
"What do you need all of this stuff for?" Bejan had asked, after being presented with a list of what seemed to be junk.
"It's for a new hobby," Ayari said. "I'm making something."
"Well I'll be interested to see the finished result," Bejan said.
"It will be interesting," Ayari told him. Bejan smiled at her and went on his way. He got her all of the stuff eventually, and Ayari transferred it all to the hidden place in the Archives. She began to set about creating her Insect Craft, carefully following the mechanics necessary. It was a painstaking process, but gradually the craft began to form, tucked up inside its cocoon. Ayari visited it every other night. She tended it carefully, as if it were a cherished pet. She could hardly believe that she seemed to be succeeding in her task. Then the realisation hit her that soon it would be time for her to leave. She drew a deep breath. She couldn't change her mind now, not after all the risks and planning that she had done. She gave the cocoon a last check, before closing the door behind her and making her way home. The journey didn't seem so arduous now, but that didn't mean that she didn't let her guard down. Quietly, she closed the door of the house, and prepared to make her way upstairs. Before she could, someone grabbed her from behind, and put their hand over her mouth. She struggled at first, but then she heard a familiar voice.
"Ayari! Calm down!" Reyden hissed in her ear. Ayari did as she was told, and Reyden let her go.
"What do you think you are doing?" she seethed at him, her heart still beating fast.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Reyden said.
"I wanted some air," Ayari replied. Reyden shook his head.
"You were gone a long time just for 'some air'. I saw you go when I got up to see to Jayse," he said. Ayari said nothing. Reyden pressed on. "In fact, you've disappeared at night a lot recently." Ayari hung her head.
"I've been going to the Archives," she admitted.
"Why?" asked Reyden.
"Don't speak to me like that," Ayari retorted. Reyden scowled at her, but then relented and gestured for her to follow him into the sitting room. She did as he asked, and together they sat down.
"Please tell me what you were up to," he asked, almost pleadingly. Ayari would have laughed if it hadn't been about what was quite a serious matter.
"I'm building a spacecraft," she said.
"You're what?"
"I've been building a spacecraft for myself so that I can leave Brunnis2," Ayari stated. Reyden continued to gawp at her, but then came to his senses.
"Why do you want to leave?" he asked, and Ayari could sense hurt in his voice.
"It's nothing personal," she said. "It's something that I've been thinking of for a long time, since before Kai was born."
"Really?"
"Yes. And since I lost Turin and Kai, it's all I've wanted," Ayari said, candidly. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders with the admission.
"But we're your family now – Ezala, Bejan…how do you think they'll feel about this?" Reyden asked. Ayari sighed and lowered her head, but she remembered her resolve, and looked Reyden in the eye again.
"I know that it will hurt them," she said. "But they will understand. Bejan was Turin's best friend, and Ezala is just such an open person…"
"When were you planning to tell us?"
"Soon. My craft will be ready in another three weeks," Ayari said. Reyden shook his head.
"I can't let you go," he said.
"This isn't the house back in Lynsin-Al. You're not in charge," Ayari retorted.
"It doesn't matter. I won't let you do such a stupid thing," Reyden fired back.
"It can't be any worse than life here," Ayari said.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I have some ideas," Ayari replied. She had also looked at books on astronomy in the Archives.
"You'll be killed," Reyden said, barely managing to keep his voice down.
"I'll be killed here," Ayari answered, just as fiercely. Reyden got up from his seat, his face twisted from trying to hold back something.
"I should have left you to be killed by the High Council," he blurted out, and then left the room before Ayari could say anything else or see his face. Ayari sat in shock for a few minutes from Reyden's harsh words, but then recovered herself and decided that he didn't mean it. She guessed that he still had feelings for her, but that didn't take away the sting of what he had said. She got up and crept quietly back to her room, relieved to see that Reyden had gone back to his own bed. He'd be okay in the morning.
Reyden himself wouldn't have agreed with that statement. As was usual when he worked himself into a rage, he couldn't sleep. He couldn't believe that Ayari would desert them. He didn't want Ayari to desert him. As she had thought, his feelings for her had never gone away. Far from it. When Ayari had been taken prisoner, and was missing for weeks, Reyden realised that he was completely in love with her. That had spurred him on to find where she was, and to help rescue her. Would he have done that with Leorie, even though she was the mother of his child? Reyden wasn't sure. In his eyes, he had become Ayari's protector since Turin died, even if she was not aware of the fact. He knew that Ayari would never reciprocate his love, for although an uneasy friendship had struck up between them, in her heart, Ayari would always love Turin. She adored Jayse, but would always think of Kai. Leorie, her best friend, was also gone. Leorie. Reyden felt a pang when he thought of her. Despite not loving her anymore, he missed her, and was sorry that Jayse would never know her mother. He had hoped that Ayari would be a surrogate mother for his daughter, and that plan seemed to be going well until he found out that Ayari had other ideas. Reyden had first discovered Ayari's late night excursions a fortnight before, when he had got up to see to Jayse. He had heard the front door close, and had looked out of a window to see Ayari disappearing up the road. The next night, the same happened, and he waited for Ayari to return a couple of hours later. The following few nights, he had purposefully watched to see if the same happened, then decided to confront her. He never imagined that she was building a spacecraft. He didn't really know what to expect. One thing he did know was that he couldn't let her succeed in her ambition.
The next night, Ayari was preparing to sneak out to the Archives. She knew that Reyden would in all probability be waiting for her, so she decided that she would climb out of her window and sneak out that way. She had worked out a way down during the day. Fortunately, there was enough light for her to see as she climbed out of the window and shakily made her way down to ground level via a drainpipe and a ledge. Taking a backward glance at the house, she hurried along to the Archives. As usual, she crept through the creaky main door, and made her way to the room where she kept her key to the future. Before she got there, she heard a noise, like someone muttering to themselves. She hid behind a bookcase, her heart beating. Just as she thought that she had been hearing things and was about to step out, she saw a figure approaching the door to the room that her craft was kept in. She recognised the sillouette as being Reyden. Her eyes widened as he forced open the door, and stood there, obviously in awe of what he saw there. Then he seemed to gather himself, and stepped into the room, something in his hand. Ayari crept up to the door, and saw Reyden raise his arm, the object he was carrying turning out to be a metal bar of some sort.
"No! Reyden, don't!" she shrieked. In the moment of surprise, she ran towards him, the force of her charge managing to throw them both to the ground. The bar flew out of Reyden's hand, and rolled away to somewhere. Ayari realised that she was holding onto Reyden's wrists, but he shook her off. They both sat up and stared at each other.
"How dare you," Ayari said, furious.
"I said I won't let you leave," Reyden said.
"So you thought you'd come along and destroy my craft?" Ayari asked. Reyden nodded. "Do you know how much effort I've put into that?" Ayari said.
"I know that it means a lot to you," Reyden said. "But you mean a lot to me." Ayari sighed.
"Reyden…" she began. He interrupted.
"Please…Ayari. Listen to me."
"I don't want to hear it, Reyden. It isn't going to change anything. I'm still going, and you have got to accept that. All of you," Ayari told him.
"I'm not going to," Reyden said, fiercely.
"If you destroy that craft, I'll run away anyway," Ayari replied. It was a childish response, but then, she thought Reyden was being childish. She took hold of his hands, and looked into his piercing blue eyes.
"Let me go, Reyden," she said softly, meaning more than one thing. He tried to stare back at her, but ended up looking away, for once unable to stand a confrontation. He let out a sigh, and Ayari knew that it was time to go. She stood up, and pulled on his hands, bringing him up beside her.
"Come on, let's go home. In the morning, I'll tell Ezala and Bejan what I'm going to be doing," she said. Reyden didn't say another word as they left the room, Ayari carefully jamming the door and making it look as if nobody had disturbed the area for years. Together they slipped off into the night, one with not a lot to say, and the other with much left unsaid.
Morning came, and one by one, the five occupants of the house appeared for breakfast. Ayari surveyed the other three adults that sat at the table. Together they were four survivors of a terrible persecution. They were not alone, of course, but they had been through much together. Not for the first time, Ayari thought about the fact that four years ago there used to be twenty of them living together. She could remember it, but curiously, could not imagine it. Then, with a shuddering sigh, she remembered that next week would be Kai's fifth birthday. Ayari herself was now twenty-four, a long way away from the nineteen year old that had given birth to a baby boy on that dark night. She had become much harder, and although she remained a beautiful young woman, someone who looked deep into her green eyes would see a person old beyond their years. But she remained determined not to be sucked into a life of despair, as Leorie had been. Ayari still believed in making a better life for herself. Perhaps she hadn't changed too much on the inside, after all. Ezala smiled at her.
"Daydreaming?" she asked. Ayari smiled wanly.
"I was just thinking that it's Kai's birthday next week. He'll be five."
"Really? Gosh. Well, I hope that he's safe and well," Ezala said.
"So do I," Ayari replied. She could feel Reyden's eyes boring into her, and decided that it was time to share her plans. "Anyway, I have something to tell you."
"What's that?" Ezala asked.
"Bejan, you remember all that stuff I asked you to get me a couple of months back?" Ayari asked. Bejan nodded. She continued. "Well, I've done something with it."
"Yeah?" Bejan asked, interested.
"I've made a spacecraft. Well, not quite, but it's very nearly done," Ayari said. There was silence. Ezala found her voice.
"You've made a spacecraft?"
"Yes. I went to the Archives, and found a book to do with the insect craft our ancestors used during the Great War with the Insects. I've managed to create one," Ayari said.
"What are you going to be doing with it?" Bejan asked, curious. Ayari took a deep breath.
"I'm going away," she said. "I'm going to leave Brunnis 2."
"Leaving?" Ezala said in a whisper. "Why?"
"I've already told Reyden that it is nothing personal, that it is something that I have been thinking about for a very long time," Ayari explained. "I feel that I have to do it."
"Where are you going?" Bejan asked.
"I have several options," Ayari said. "I will decide sooner the time I leave."
"When will that be?" Ezala asked.
"Just under three weeks," Ayari replied.
"That soon?" Ezala asked.
"Yes. I'm sorry that I have kept it a secret from you for so long, but I needed to work without any problems," Ayari said. They all sat in silence again, the only sound being Jayse scraping her spoon along the table.
"I've told her that she can't go," Reyden said. Ayari glared at him, as did Ezala. Ezala had always been Reyden's equal, and was therefore not afraid to stand up to him.
"Nonsense, Reyden," she said. "She should go if that's what she really wants."
"It's too dangerous," Reyden replied.
"As opposed to? Ayari has lost her partner and her child. What has she got to loose?"
"We've all lost people we love," Reyden replied.
"Of course we have," Ezala said, and turned to Ayari. "It's going to be hard to say goodbye to you, but I know that you are doing something that you believe in. I have every faith in you."
"Thank you," Ayari said, glad that someone supported her. Everyone looked at Bejan. He smiled at Ayari.
"Turin always said that you were determined to do something with your life," he said. "I know that he would have supported you in this, so I will too."
"Turin always said I was crazy," Ayari replied.
"Well, he said that too," Bejan replied. They all laughed, except Reyden. He pretended to tend to his daughter, in order to avoid being questioned. He knew that he couldn't fight Ayari any more. He was going to have to let her go.
The next three weeks passed by fast. Ayari took the others one by one to show them her newly completed insect spacecraft. She was as much in awe of it as they were. Following the books, she had carefully tested it the best she could, learning all the controls. Bejan gathered together supplies for her, and Ezala helped with her plans. The nearest place Ayari could reach safely would be a mysterious planet inhabited by a being known as the Time Prophet.
"Do you think she really exists?" Ezala asked.
"All the factual books say so," Ayari replied. "I should try there first anyway, to see if she has some advice for me."
"And then where will you go?"
"It depends. Who knows what the future holds?"
"I think that yours will be an exciting one," Ezala said.
"Why's that?"
"I just have a feeling you're going to be okay," Ezala replied, rather mysteriously. Ayari had left it at that. The riskiest part of the plan would be smashing the large window of the room Ayari's craft was in so that she could fly it out. The easiest way to do this, would be to actually fly the craft through the window. Ayari didn't want to damage the craft, so she and Ezala had collected sturdy material to wrap round the vulnerable parts of the crafts skin, using methods described in a book on the Insect Wars. The date was set, and suddenly Ayari began to have doubts if she was doing the right thing. She shook herself. Of course she was. This was what she had been dreaming of for such a long time, and now the time was here. There was nothing left to do, other than ensure everyone knew what their role would be. The plan was that Ezala and Bejan would not come to the Archives with Ayari and Reyden. It would be far too risky for four people to be hanging around that place, especially with the noise that Ayari would inevitably make, with her breakout. Besides, someone had to look after Jayse. Bejan had argued that he should go with Ayari, rather than have Reyden endanger himself, but Reyden refused point blank. Ayari knew the break in the shield that she should head for. She remembered the little aircraft that she thought she had seen once. She never did find out what they were. Perhaps the answers lay up in the shield.
She was about to find out, for the day of Ayari's "escape" finally came round. They held a special dinner in her honour, reminiscing about the past, and speculating about the future. But soon it was time to say goodbye.
"I'll miss you Ayari," Ezala said.
"I'll miss you too," Ayari replied. "Thank you for everything."
"That's okay," Ezala said. They were unable to stop themselves from crying, and gave each other a final hug. Bejan managed to keep his composure, despite being upset at Ayari's departure. He had promised Turin long ago to look out for Ayari if anything happened to him, and part of him was aggrieved that he could no longer keep his promise. Despite this, he wrapped Ayari in a bear hug.
"Good luck, Ayari."
"Thank you, Bejan," Ayari said. She cuddled Jayse for the last time, looking into the youngster's sky blue eyes. Leorie's eyes.
"You be a good girl," she said, softly. "I want you to grow up and have a good life." She kissed Jayse on the forehead, just below the gentle black curls that had began to grow long. Ayari sighed, then smiled at everyone.
"It's time to go," she said. She gave Ezala and Bejan a last hug, then she followed Reyden out of the house for one last time. Before they left completely, she went to Turin's grave.
"I don't know if this is goodbye or not," she said quietly. "Sometimes I think that you are with me, but I don't know what there is after life. One day I'll find out." She blew a kiss. "I love you."
"Ayari, we don't have much time," came Reyden's impatient voice. Ayari looked at the grave again, smiled, then followed Reyden. They had decided to risk using the transporter, so that Reyden would be able to make a quick getaway. They didn't say much to each other during the journey, both apprehensive. They reached the Archives, parking the transporter in a hidden place before making their way over to the building. Ayari pulled open the door.
"Hey! You there! Stop!"
"Run," Reyden commanded, not giving Ayari a chance to look at the person from which the voice came. He pushed her into the building, and shut the doors behind them. Ayari ran as fast as she could, thankful that they had already stowed everything on board the craft. Reyden caught up with her as they made their way up the stairs. Behind them, they could hear one, possibly two sets of footsteps.
"Tonight of all nights," Ayari panted.
"Keep going," Reyden said, equally out of breath. The fire from a weapon whistled past them as they rounded a corner.
"Enforcers," Ayari muttered.
Hurriedly, they entered the room that the craft was stowed in, and barricaded the door. They were too late though, for the Enforcers had seen them enter the room, and were trying to get in.
"Hurry up Ayari," Reyden said. Ayari opened the craft.
"Get in, Reyden."
"What?"
"Get in. It's the only way you'll avoid the Enforcers."
"I'll be fine. You go."
"Stop playing the hero and think of your daughter!" Ayari hissed, grabbing onto his tunic. Reyden finally obliged, seeing that the door wasn't going to hold up much more. Inside the craft, Ayari brought the biomechanical insect to life. She looked at Reyden.
"Well…it's now or never," she said. Before he had time to say anything, she had got the craft airbourne, scattering dust and old papers everywhere. Behind them, the door finally gave in.
"What is that…?"
"Ayari!"
"Okay, here we go!" Ayari pulled on the controls of the craft, and sent it hurtling towards the window. For once in his life, Reyden was terrified. Ayari was too, but self-preservation won through. They both couldn't help yelling as they crashed through the glass, leaving behind two very bewildered Enforcers. As the craft rose into the air, Ayari couldn't help laughing. Reyden recovered slightly.
"Is it okay?" he asked. Ayari performed some checks.
"Perfect," she beamed. Gradually, she became more confident with the controls, and took the craft right up. She held it in the air.
"What is it?" asked Reyden.
"Look. Isn't it pretty?" Ayari asked. Reyden looked out, and saw the city spread out beneath them. It looked so familiar, yet so strange. He was glad he had a good head for heights.
"I wonder what the planet looks like?" she said, softly. Reyden was tempted, but remembered what was at stake.
"That's for you to find out, but I need to get home," he said. Ayari nodded, and took the craft lower again, looking for familiar landmarks to guide her. Eventually, she landed in an open space fairly close to what was her home.
"Not bad," Reyden said. He got out of the craft. Ayari did too. "Aren't you supposed to be going?" he asked her.
"Not without saying goodbye," she replied. Reyden swallowed. He had tried to avoid this bit.
"I can only say what the others have," he said. Ayari nodded.
"I know we've never been the best of friends, but I have so much to thank you for," she said. "I won't forget you."
"I won't forget you, either. I could never forget you," Reyden replied. Ayari suddenly gave him a big hug.
"Take care, Reyden," she said.
"You too," he answered. Ayari hesitated.
"Reyden…if you somehow, somewhere find Kai…"
"I'll make sure he is okay," Reyden assured. "I'll make sure they're all okay." Ayari looked at him, questioningly.
"It's just something I've been thinking about recently," he said.
"Care to elaborate?" Ayari asked.
"Shouldn't you be going now?" Reyden said, sharply. Ayari smiled at him, and gave him another hug. He hugged her back tightly, blinking away tears. Finally, Ayari got into the craft, and waved at him as she rose up into the air. Reyden stood watching as the craft got higher.
"I love you!" he yelled upwards, surprising himself. He didn't know if Ayari heard, but at least he had said it. Reyden followed the craft with his eyes as it took Ayari up into the night sky and out of his life forever.
Ayari thought she heard Reyden shout something, but she wasn't sure. She saw him disappearing below her, as everything began to merge into one in the dark. Only the lights of some buildings and street lamps gave any distinction as to what she was looking at. Higher and higher she went, past the point that she had flown with Reyden. The craft was easy to fly – in fact, it practically flew itself. Soon she saw something above her. The shield. The Great Shield that the Brunnen G had constructed many moons ago to keep outsiders away from their society. And to keep their society in, no doubt. Ayari easily saw the break in the shield and headed for it. As she neared, she saw that some of it looked as if it had been repaired recently.
"So I wasn't mistaken," she said out loud. "There really were aircraft up here." She saw the inviting blackness of space in front of her and headed straight for it, finally leaving the atmosphere of her home planet. She realised at that moment that she might well be making history, for she felt sure that whoever worked in the aircraft wouldn't dare pass into space. Ayari headed away from the planet at first, then turned and faced it. The view brought tears to her eyes.
"It's amazing. I wish someone else could see this too," she said to herself. She shook her head. How could something that looked so beautiful be home to such a dead society? She didn't know how long she sat there, admiring the view. She thought of her friends that she had left behind, both alive and dead. She thought of Turin and Kai. Ayari knew that she was truly on her own now, and to turn back would be to admit defeat. She got out her star charts, and worked out which direction she should go in. She took a deep breath.
"Goodbye everyone. I'm going now," she said, softly. She pulled on the controls of the craft, and headed towards the planet, flying straight over it. Without a backwards glance, the first Brunnen G for millennia to leave her homeworld set off in search of her dreams.