ADDICTION
Chapter Two
Ensign Travis Mayweather sat down at the table in the empty mess hall. He was tired but he couldn't find sleep no matter how hard he tried. The young boomer stared at the cup of hot cocoa he held between his hands. They had been searching for any trace of Commander Tucker for hours with no luck. Sub-commander T'Pol had discovered that there were twenty vessels that had left the city of Silota around the same time the chief engineer had allegedly been shipped off planet.
"Ensign?"
Travis looked up into the smiling face of Dr. Phlox.
"May I sit here?" asked the Denobulan.
"Of course, Doctor," replied Travis, nodding his head at the chair beside which Phlox stood. "I'm sorry. I didn't even hear you come in."
Dr. Phlox sat down then looked across the table at the boomer. "Anything new in the search for Commander Tucker?" he asked.
Travis shook his head. "Of the twenty ships that left Silota, fifteen of them were heavily shielded. Sub-commander T'Pol couldn't even tell if there were Silotans on-board let alone a human." He shoved his cup away from him in frustration, spilling a bit of the cocoa on the table. He took his napkin and wiped up the mess. "The captain is having the sub-commander guess at the ships' trajectories then she's going to search the Vulcan database for any information on any planets along their paths. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, Doctor."
"We'll find him, Ensign."
"I'm not so sure," Travis responded quietly. "I think our luck may have just run out."
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I thought target practice would take my mind off the commander but it's not helping at all. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn tonight," sighed Hoshi in exasperation.
"It's alright, Ensign. We're all worried," replied Malcolm. He picked up a phase pistol and took aim at the tiny sphere that darted around the room. He fired, missing the sphere cleanly. He grunted. "Seems I can't hit the barn either."
"I wonder what's happening to him."
Malcolm paused a moment then fired at the sphere again, this time hitting it dead center.
"Well if I know Commander Tucker, he's probably giving someone an earful right this minute," he said as he aimed again. He squeezed the trigger and hit his target.
Hoshi chuckled softly. "And he has such a way with words. Remember when he let Ambassador Soval have it? Didn't he call the Vulcans pathetic?"
Malcolm looked at her and smiled at the memory. "I think everyone of us, including the captain, wished we had said that. I know I certainly did."
"Oh yeah," laughed Hoshi. Then her smile faded. "Saying what's on your mind can get you killed in prison, sir," she said, her voice hushed.
Malcolm felt his stomach clench. He remembered vividly the sight of Trip's bruised and swollen face during the engineer's recorded farewell to Captain Archer. Malcolm could only hope his friend could stay out of harm's way until they reached him. Wherever he was.
T'Pol was becoming frustrated. As hard as she fought to push down the emotions, they were still bubbling just under the surface. She took a deep, cleansing breath then focused again on her screen. Commander Tucker's very life depended on her ability to do her job no matter how long it took her. She could ill afford to lose her control now.
As she keyed in her data, T'Pol recalled the incident that had landed the commander in trouble. She had met Tucker outside the geological research center and while they walked back to the shuttle pod, he had relayed all he had seen while visiting the ship construction yards. He had been happy and excited and more at ease then she'd seen him in weeks. As they neared the edge of the city, their attention had been drawn to a Silotan man yelling at his companion, a small female. When the man had begun striking the young woman brutally, Tucker had hesitated.
T'Pol's fingers paused on her keyboard. The commander had indeed hesitated. She saw him clearly in her mind's eye as he watched the scene before him. He had taken a moment to weigh his options then had decided in mere seconds to interfere. Perhaps the volatile young man had learned from his experience with the Vissians after all. The Tucker of only a few weeks ago wouldn't have hesitated at all. Yes, he had still interfered but he had thought about his actions first.
As her fingers began skimming the keyboard again, T'Pol felt an odd sense of pride. Yet another human emotion, she chided herself. But she did feel proud. Maybe there was hope for the commander yet. She stopped again briefly as she remembered the security personnel grabbing the engineer and forcing him to the ground. She had seen his face as it contorted in pain then she had been swept away in the transporter beam.
"Any luck?"
T'Pol glanced up to see Captain Archer step out of his ready room, his dog Porthos right on his heels. Although she had grown accustomed to the scent of her crewmates, the smell of the canine still bothered her. She schooled her features to hide her disdain.
"No, sir," T'Pol replied. "I have completed projected courses for four of the fifteen vessels with nothing to report."
"Is the energy field still in place around the planet?" Archer asked the young crewman who sat at the communications station in Sato's place.
"Yes, Captain. I'm still trying to find a way through it."
Archer expelled the breath he'd been holding. "Keep working at it. Sub- commander, I'll be in engineering if you need me."
Jon stood near the door, Porthos tucked in the crook of his arm. He rubbed the little dog's head absently while he watched his crew at work in engineering. Trip's crew, he reminded himself. He knew they were loyal to him as the captain, but their hearts belonged to their chief engineer. Jon smiled as he watched the image of his friend bounding across the top of the huge warp reactor only to land at a run on the platform that hung suspended several meters above the floor. His eyes followed the image as it bounded down the stairs with ease then headed up the steps to stand at the control panel at the front of the warp core. Jon's smile left him and he pulled Porthos more tightly against his side.
"Where is he, boy?" he asked the little dog softly.
Trip felt the gentle bump as the transport ship landed. He stood up and walked over to the bars of his tiny cell, trying to ignore again the fear that had been a constant over the two days since his arrest. Kamella rounded the corner and approached him followed closely by her father, Finn. Trip had only briefly talked with Finn but had instantly liked the tall Silotan.
"I'm sorry, Trip," Finn said. "If I could help you, I would."
Trip nodded in understanding. "I know, Finn, I know."
Kamella looked up at the engineer with sad eyes and Trip smiled at her.
"Come on then," said Finn softly as he unlocked the door and swung it open.
Trip stepped out of the cell then knelt in front of Kamella. He reached up and ripped the patch off the shoulder of his uniform and handed it to her. "If you ever see this ship, would you let it's captain know where I am? His name is Captain Archer."
Kamella looked up at her father who tipped his head in response. She looked back at Trip with tear-filled eyes and nodded.
"Good girl," Trip said. He placed his hand on the top of her head affectionately then stood up straight. "Okay, Finn. I'm ready."
The minute the transport door slid open, Trip was grabbed by two Silotans, one male the other female, and hauled forcefully away from the little ship. He was brought to a halt in front of a short slim man with thinning white hair. The man circled Trip with appraising eyes.
"Well Omara finally sent me someone with some muscle, I see," the man said. "If we're lucky, maybe we'll get more than a year's work out of you." He turned to Finn. "What species is he?"
"Human, sir," replied Finn.
"Human," repeated the smaller man. "I've never heard of humans before." He turned back and looked up at Trip. "Thank you, Finn. You may go," he said over his shoulder.
"But Breenan, what about my wife? I need to see her!" pleaded Finn.
Breenan swung around and stepped close to the taller man. "You were two hours late, Finn! I will not permit you to see your precious wife. Now go! Maybe next time you'll keep closer tabs on your schedule!"
"Please, sir! I must see Kaea! Please!"
"Leave! If you're not gone in ten minutes, I'll add a year to your wife's sentence!" growled Breenan. The man turned back to Trip then nodded at the two guards. Trip was dragged away. He looked back quickly to see Finn staring after him, a look of shock and sadness on his face.
The sun was just setting when Trip was shoved into a large room occupied by a few other prisoners. He landed on his knees hard and grimaced from the pain. Pain, he thought. The bruising to his knees was nothing like what he'd endured earlier at the hands of the prison doctor. He could still feel the harsh probing and poking, the prick of the needle as the doctor injected him with something. Trip saw the physician's face vividly and knew the woman had enjoyed his torture. He felt sick.
"Come over here," said a gentle voice suddenly.
Trip looked up into the face of an old Xyrillian male. The man took Trip's arm and helped him over to sit against the wall. As Trip tried to get comfortable, the other occupants of the cell gathered around him, their eyes full of apprehension. The old man knelt beside him and smiled kindly.
"Thank you," Trip said. He took in the faces of his cellmates. The others were all Silotans, two women and three men. None of them looked like criminals at all to him.
"Welcome to our humble abode," continued the Xyrillian. "My name is A'Tal."
"I'm Trip. Nice to meet ya."
A'Tal patted Trip's arm gently then sat down beside him. The other five visibly relaxed.
"So what treacherous crime did you commit, Trip?" asked the old man.
The engineer described his offense and everyone nodded sympathetically.
"So Omara is still at it. I was hoping after Kaea here, the government would open its eyes and see what he was doing," said one of the women. She nodded her head toward the other woman in the group. "I guess you were right, Kaea. The corruption goes all the way to the top."
"Kaea?" said Trip turning to the other woman. "Are you Kamella's mother?"
Kaea's face lit up with a smile. "Yes! You know my Kamella? How is she? How is my husband?"
"They're both fine, ma'am. I'm sorry Breenan wouldn't let you see Finn."
"I haven't seen Finn in just over six months, Trip. Since the day I was arrested."
"But Finn told me that each time he brings a prisoner here, he is allowed to see you."
"Maybe that old bastard Breenan has one shred of decency in his body, huh Kaea? At least your husband knows you're still alive," groused one of the men. "Probably lets the poor guy see you just so he keeps doing his job."
Kaea ignored the man's comments and focused her attention on Trip. "Finn is transporting prisoners?"
Trip nodded. "Yeah. Kamella said Omara agreed to reduce your sentence because of your husband."
Kaea's smile faded. "My sentence was ten years, Trip. Reducing that won't make a bit of difference."
"Why?"
"No Silotan has ever survived Tria for more than 14 months, Trip," explained A'Tal gently. "The addiction becomes too strong and the withdrawals eventually kill them."
"Addiction? Withdrawal? What are you talking about?" asked Trip.
A'Tal shared a look with each of his cellmates before he turned back to the engineer. "We're all here to harvest a narcotic called Triasaphen from a plant indigenous to this world. The drug is highly addictive to Silotans if taken in high quantities. Breenan and his minions keep them addicted to insure their cooperation. Were you injected with something when you arrived?"
Trip nodded reluctantly.
"I thought so." A'Tal leaned his head back against the wall. "I'm the lucky one," he said bitterly. "The drug doesn't affect me. I've been here fifteen years."
Trip was stunned.
"Hey maybe you'll be lucky, too," said the other woman, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Be quiet, Alta," said Kaea angrily. Alta grunted then moved across the room to stand in silence in the corner.
"Alta's been here thirteen months, Trip. She needs more of the drug then she's being given. She knows her time is getting close. This withdrawal cycle may be her last," explained A'Tal. "Berryl and Nate have been here, what, seven months already? And Jett has been here nine. We just lost our friend, Tam, three days ago. You're her replacement."
"Withdrawal cycle?"
Kaea sighed sadly. "The cycle of the harvest lasts three weeks then the cycle of heat lasts for one week. During that one week, we are no longer supplied the drug. We go through withdrawals, painful withdrawals. This last week was awful for Alta. I doubt she'll survive the next cycle of heat."
"Are we the only ones here?" asked Trip, his voice unsteady even to his own ears.
"We're the only ones who harvest," said Berryl. "There is a large prison complex several kilometers away where all the violent criminals are placed. At least Omara has some sense of justice. This hellish world is the perfect place for a penal colony!"
"What happens to this drug? This Triasaphen?"
Nate snorted. "It gets shipped back to Silotan Major so that all the high- powered diplomats like Omara can get their highs!" he spat. "Welcome to our happy little world, Trip!"
"Nate," scolded A'Tal.
Trip watched as both Berryl and Nate moved off to sit next to each other against the opposite wall leaving only Kaea, A'Tal and Jett. Trip looked closely at the remaining Silotan male. He was very young, not much older than Kamella, Trip guessed. The boy looked back at him in youthful defiance then he, too, moved away to settle himself in another corner.
"Jett is still very much a child, Trip," explained A'Tal in a hushed voice. "He turned sixteen the day Tam died."
"What is he here for?"
"He stole some food for his family," replied Kaea, her voice laced with sadness. She settled herself against the wall on the other side of Trip. "Would you tell me about my daughter and my husband?" she asked quietly.
As the light that filtered in through the high, narrow windows slowly faded, Trip told Kaea what he could about her family. When darkness finally filled the room, he heard her muffled sobs. Then slowly the room fell into silence.
"A'Tal?" whispered Trip, breaking the quiet.
"Yes," came the response from the dark.
"What happens tomorrow?"
There was silence and Trip thought maybe the old Xyrillian had fallen asleep. Then he heard the old man shift slightly.
"The harvest cycle begins."
To Be Continued
Chapter Two
Ensign Travis Mayweather sat down at the table in the empty mess hall. He was tired but he couldn't find sleep no matter how hard he tried. The young boomer stared at the cup of hot cocoa he held between his hands. They had been searching for any trace of Commander Tucker for hours with no luck. Sub-commander T'Pol had discovered that there were twenty vessels that had left the city of Silota around the same time the chief engineer had allegedly been shipped off planet.
"Ensign?"
Travis looked up into the smiling face of Dr. Phlox.
"May I sit here?" asked the Denobulan.
"Of course, Doctor," replied Travis, nodding his head at the chair beside which Phlox stood. "I'm sorry. I didn't even hear you come in."
Dr. Phlox sat down then looked across the table at the boomer. "Anything new in the search for Commander Tucker?" he asked.
Travis shook his head. "Of the twenty ships that left Silota, fifteen of them were heavily shielded. Sub-commander T'Pol couldn't even tell if there were Silotans on-board let alone a human." He shoved his cup away from him in frustration, spilling a bit of the cocoa on the table. He took his napkin and wiped up the mess. "The captain is having the sub-commander guess at the ships' trajectories then she's going to search the Vulcan database for any information on any planets along their paths. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, Doctor."
"We'll find him, Ensign."
"I'm not so sure," Travis responded quietly. "I think our luck may have just run out."
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I thought target practice would take my mind off the commander but it's not helping at all. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn tonight," sighed Hoshi in exasperation.
"It's alright, Ensign. We're all worried," replied Malcolm. He picked up a phase pistol and took aim at the tiny sphere that darted around the room. He fired, missing the sphere cleanly. He grunted. "Seems I can't hit the barn either."
"I wonder what's happening to him."
Malcolm paused a moment then fired at the sphere again, this time hitting it dead center.
"Well if I know Commander Tucker, he's probably giving someone an earful right this minute," he said as he aimed again. He squeezed the trigger and hit his target.
Hoshi chuckled softly. "And he has such a way with words. Remember when he let Ambassador Soval have it? Didn't he call the Vulcans pathetic?"
Malcolm looked at her and smiled at the memory. "I think everyone of us, including the captain, wished we had said that. I know I certainly did."
"Oh yeah," laughed Hoshi. Then her smile faded. "Saying what's on your mind can get you killed in prison, sir," she said, her voice hushed.
Malcolm felt his stomach clench. He remembered vividly the sight of Trip's bruised and swollen face during the engineer's recorded farewell to Captain Archer. Malcolm could only hope his friend could stay out of harm's way until they reached him. Wherever he was.
T'Pol was becoming frustrated. As hard as she fought to push down the emotions, they were still bubbling just under the surface. She took a deep, cleansing breath then focused again on her screen. Commander Tucker's very life depended on her ability to do her job no matter how long it took her. She could ill afford to lose her control now.
As she keyed in her data, T'Pol recalled the incident that had landed the commander in trouble. She had met Tucker outside the geological research center and while they walked back to the shuttle pod, he had relayed all he had seen while visiting the ship construction yards. He had been happy and excited and more at ease then she'd seen him in weeks. As they neared the edge of the city, their attention had been drawn to a Silotan man yelling at his companion, a small female. When the man had begun striking the young woman brutally, Tucker had hesitated.
T'Pol's fingers paused on her keyboard. The commander had indeed hesitated. She saw him clearly in her mind's eye as he watched the scene before him. He had taken a moment to weigh his options then had decided in mere seconds to interfere. Perhaps the volatile young man had learned from his experience with the Vissians after all. The Tucker of only a few weeks ago wouldn't have hesitated at all. Yes, he had still interfered but he had thought about his actions first.
As her fingers began skimming the keyboard again, T'Pol felt an odd sense of pride. Yet another human emotion, she chided herself. But she did feel proud. Maybe there was hope for the commander yet. She stopped again briefly as she remembered the security personnel grabbing the engineer and forcing him to the ground. She had seen his face as it contorted in pain then she had been swept away in the transporter beam.
"Any luck?"
T'Pol glanced up to see Captain Archer step out of his ready room, his dog Porthos right on his heels. Although she had grown accustomed to the scent of her crewmates, the smell of the canine still bothered her. She schooled her features to hide her disdain.
"No, sir," T'Pol replied. "I have completed projected courses for four of the fifteen vessels with nothing to report."
"Is the energy field still in place around the planet?" Archer asked the young crewman who sat at the communications station in Sato's place.
"Yes, Captain. I'm still trying to find a way through it."
Archer expelled the breath he'd been holding. "Keep working at it. Sub- commander, I'll be in engineering if you need me."
Jon stood near the door, Porthos tucked in the crook of his arm. He rubbed the little dog's head absently while he watched his crew at work in engineering. Trip's crew, he reminded himself. He knew they were loyal to him as the captain, but their hearts belonged to their chief engineer. Jon smiled as he watched the image of his friend bounding across the top of the huge warp reactor only to land at a run on the platform that hung suspended several meters above the floor. His eyes followed the image as it bounded down the stairs with ease then headed up the steps to stand at the control panel at the front of the warp core. Jon's smile left him and he pulled Porthos more tightly against his side.
"Where is he, boy?" he asked the little dog softly.
Trip felt the gentle bump as the transport ship landed. He stood up and walked over to the bars of his tiny cell, trying to ignore again the fear that had been a constant over the two days since his arrest. Kamella rounded the corner and approached him followed closely by her father, Finn. Trip had only briefly talked with Finn but had instantly liked the tall Silotan.
"I'm sorry, Trip," Finn said. "If I could help you, I would."
Trip nodded in understanding. "I know, Finn, I know."
Kamella looked up at the engineer with sad eyes and Trip smiled at her.
"Come on then," said Finn softly as he unlocked the door and swung it open.
Trip stepped out of the cell then knelt in front of Kamella. He reached up and ripped the patch off the shoulder of his uniform and handed it to her. "If you ever see this ship, would you let it's captain know where I am? His name is Captain Archer."
Kamella looked up at her father who tipped his head in response. She looked back at Trip with tear-filled eyes and nodded.
"Good girl," Trip said. He placed his hand on the top of her head affectionately then stood up straight. "Okay, Finn. I'm ready."
The minute the transport door slid open, Trip was grabbed by two Silotans, one male the other female, and hauled forcefully away from the little ship. He was brought to a halt in front of a short slim man with thinning white hair. The man circled Trip with appraising eyes.
"Well Omara finally sent me someone with some muscle, I see," the man said. "If we're lucky, maybe we'll get more than a year's work out of you." He turned to Finn. "What species is he?"
"Human, sir," replied Finn.
"Human," repeated the smaller man. "I've never heard of humans before." He turned back and looked up at Trip. "Thank you, Finn. You may go," he said over his shoulder.
"But Breenan, what about my wife? I need to see her!" pleaded Finn.
Breenan swung around and stepped close to the taller man. "You were two hours late, Finn! I will not permit you to see your precious wife. Now go! Maybe next time you'll keep closer tabs on your schedule!"
"Please, sir! I must see Kaea! Please!"
"Leave! If you're not gone in ten minutes, I'll add a year to your wife's sentence!" growled Breenan. The man turned back to Trip then nodded at the two guards. Trip was dragged away. He looked back quickly to see Finn staring after him, a look of shock and sadness on his face.
The sun was just setting when Trip was shoved into a large room occupied by a few other prisoners. He landed on his knees hard and grimaced from the pain. Pain, he thought. The bruising to his knees was nothing like what he'd endured earlier at the hands of the prison doctor. He could still feel the harsh probing and poking, the prick of the needle as the doctor injected him with something. Trip saw the physician's face vividly and knew the woman had enjoyed his torture. He felt sick.
"Come over here," said a gentle voice suddenly.
Trip looked up into the face of an old Xyrillian male. The man took Trip's arm and helped him over to sit against the wall. As Trip tried to get comfortable, the other occupants of the cell gathered around him, their eyes full of apprehension. The old man knelt beside him and smiled kindly.
"Thank you," Trip said. He took in the faces of his cellmates. The others were all Silotans, two women and three men. None of them looked like criminals at all to him.
"Welcome to our humble abode," continued the Xyrillian. "My name is A'Tal."
"I'm Trip. Nice to meet ya."
A'Tal patted Trip's arm gently then sat down beside him. The other five visibly relaxed.
"So what treacherous crime did you commit, Trip?" asked the old man.
The engineer described his offense and everyone nodded sympathetically.
"So Omara is still at it. I was hoping after Kaea here, the government would open its eyes and see what he was doing," said one of the women. She nodded her head toward the other woman in the group. "I guess you were right, Kaea. The corruption goes all the way to the top."
"Kaea?" said Trip turning to the other woman. "Are you Kamella's mother?"
Kaea's face lit up with a smile. "Yes! You know my Kamella? How is she? How is my husband?"
"They're both fine, ma'am. I'm sorry Breenan wouldn't let you see Finn."
"I haven't seen Finn in just over six months, Trip. Since the day I was arrested."
"But Finn told me that each time he brings a prisoner here, he is allowed to see you."
"Maybe that old bastard Breenan has one shred of decency in his body, huh Kaea? At least your husband knows you're still alive," groused one of the men. "Probably lets the poor guy see you just so he keeps doing his job."
Kaea ignored the man's comments and focused her attention on Trip. "Finn is transporting prisoners?"
Trip nodded. "Yeah. Kamella said Omara agreed to reduce your sentence because of your husband."
Kaea's smile faded. "My sentence was ten years, Trip. Reducing that won't make a bit of difference."
"Why?"
"No Silotan has ever survived Tria for more than 14 months, Trip," explained A'Tal gently. "The addiction becomes too strong and the withdrawals eventually kill them."
"Addiction? Withdrawal? What are you talking about?" asked Trip.
A'Tal shared a look with each of his cellmates before he turned back to the engineer. "We're all here to harvest a narcotic called Triasaphen from a plant indigenous to this world. The drug is highly addictive to Silotans if taken in high quantities. Breenan and his minions keep them addicted to insure their cooperation. Were you injected with something when you arrived?"
Trip nodded reluctantly.
"I thought so." A'Tal leaned his head back against the wall. "I'm the lucky one," he said bitterly. "The drug doesn't affect me. I've been here fifteen years."
Trip was stunned.
"Hey maybe you'll be lucky, too," said the other woman, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
"Be quiet, Alta," said Kaea angrily. Alta grunted then moved across the room to stand in silence in the corner.
"Alta's been here thirteen months, Trip. She needs more of the drug then she's being given. She knows her time is getting close. This withdrawal cycle may be her last," explained A'Tal. "Berryl and Nate have been here, what, seven months already? And Jett has been here nine. We just lost our friend, Tam, three days ago. You're her replacement."
"Withdrawal cycle?"
Kaea sighed sadly. "The cycle of the harvest lasts three weeks then the cycle of heat lasts for one week. During that one week, we are no longer supplied the drug. We go through withdrawals, painful withdrawals. This last week was awful for Alta. I doubt she'll survive the next cycle of heat."
"Are we the only ones here?" asked Trip, his voice unsteady even to his own ears.
"We're the only ones who harvest," said Berryl. "There is a large prison complex several kilometers away where all the violent criminals are placed. At least Omara has some sense of justice. This hellish world is the perfect place for a penal colony!"
"What happens to this drug? This Triasaphen?"
Nate snorted. "It gets shipped back to Silotan Major so that all the high- powered diplomats like Omara can get their highs!" he spat. "Welcome to our happy little world, Trip!"
"Nate," scolded A'Tal.
Trip watched as both Berryl and Nate moved off to sit next to each other against the opposite wall leaving only Kaea, A'Tal and Jett. Trip looked closely at the remaining Silotan male. He was very young, not much older than Kamella, Trip guessed. The boy looked back at him in youthful defiance then he, too, moved away to settle himself in another corner.
"Jett is still very much a child, Trip," explained A'Tal in a hushed voice. "He turned sixteen the day Tam died."
"What is he here for?"
"He stole some food for his family," replied Kaea, her voice laced with sadness. She settled herself against the wall on the other side of Trip. "Would you tell me about my daughter and my husband?" she asked quietly.
As the light that filtered in through the high, narrow windows slowly faded, Trip told Kaea what he could about her family. When darkness finally filled the room, he heard her muffled sobs. Then slowly the room fell into silence.
"A'Tal?" whispered Trip, breaking the quiet.
"Yes," came the response from the dark.
"What happens tomorrow?"
There was silence and Trip thought maybe the old Xyrillian had fallen asleep. Then he heard the old man shift slightly.
"The harvest cycle begins."
To Be Continued