Note: Since I was so quiet for awhile, I thought I'd post a second chapter for the week...
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DAY 27 – Visiting the Past
Chapter 29 - Zio
John and his people had selected the most perfect place for the meditation. The room was even more impressive than in the images that John had sent her. The ceiling stood perhaps three levels high, with glass and subdued warm colours across the walls, and the end wall of the room was made entirely of glass, affording a magnificent view towards the centre of the great Ancestral City. In the middle of the view, the tallest central tower rose up above the other elegant spires of Atlantis, the sun glittering off differing lines of buildings that surely were more artistic in design than function required.
Teyla considered that this room and its windows appeared purposefully angled to give the very best perspective of the centre of the magnificent city. The view seemed to reinforce the impressive strength and height of Atlantis while also drawing the eye further upwards, as if every building were together forming an arrow up towards the bright sky above it. She had not considered before whether the Ancestors would purposefully construct such a view with a particular thematic purpose or intention, but she could not help but notice it now. An arrow pointing up to the heavens, to the vastness of the space beyond this planet, and to all life within this universe. Or was it intended as an inspiration for the Ancestors in their ascension process?
Such a spiritual interpretation seemed rather appropriate today, since the atmosphere in the large room felt highly focused, yet deeply peaceful. She lowered her gaze from the amazing view to the large group of people sat on the floor, their backs all to her as they faced the wall of windows. Comfortable looking cushions of various sizes and colours had been set out across the floor for her people for their meditation, and candles had been set around the space, the small points of dancing flames the only lighting present outside of the sunlight through the windows. The scent of Athosian incense lingered lightly yet inescapably in the air, creating the final perfect touch for Father's meditation time in the City of the Ancestors.
Teyla shifted her attention forward across the quiet seated room, towards where Father sat at the front, just in front of the windows, Colonel Carter sat cross-legged and still on his left. It had been obvious that he was going to love Atlantis, but Teyla had been surprised by how emotional she had found it watching her noble Father's reaction as he had arrived in the city. He had never been one for overt and strict adherence to formality, though he always carried himself with complete calm control, but today, as he had arrived into Atlantis' Gate Room, he had stood in uninhibited wonder, turning on the spot, as he had taken in the Ancestral City around him. Nothing had given her such satisfaction in her family life more than in that moment being able to have helped facilitate this trip for Father. He gave every minute of his life to their people, to serving and doing the very best he could in everything he did, but today had been for him. For so many years of her childhood she could remember he had told her and Zabetha the tales of the Ancestors, but it had been obvious that his favourite subject of those tales had always been the Ancestral City. He had always spoken in hopeful security that Madumo had promised the ancient city would one day be rediscovered, and now that it was fact, he was finally able to walk through its halls and sit in silent meditation on the momentous moment in his, and Athos', life.
Teyla could not currently see his face, having selected a place at the back of the large room, as it would not be appropriate for an Elite warrior to be seen showing any form of Ancestor worship, but she knew the value of what she was witnessing. And it was not just a wonderful experience for Father, as sat just behind him were the Honour Guard, their backs straight and shoulders relaxed, Abas beside them, and the majority of the Complex Guard had been permitted to join in meditation. The Guard's Lead and three others stood at attention around the room, stood seeming companionably beside Atlantis own watching guards. The room was almost entirely silent, with just the occasional clearing of a throat and people adjusting their legs. She suspected that Father would use the entire hour set aside for this meditation, taking every moment he could to sit in silent contemplation of being in the Ancestral City before the more standard official visit would continue. Colonel Carter and Mr Woolsey had offered a vast range of ideas for Father's visit, the different departments and experts he could see, the different parts of the City he could visit, so with some help from John, she and Hakon had been able to slim down the list of tours and discussions to a manageable amount that they knew Father would most enjoy.
It would be a full and informative day, but this silent hour was just as important, and it pleased Teyla no end to see that Colonel Carter and her people respected it. That Colonel Carter had selected to sit alongside Father had surprised Teyla somewhat, though it pleased her, and a further ten or so of John's people had asked if they could join Father in the meditation. The request had clearly pleased Father, and he had beamed brighter as he had willingly welcomed them to join in. Sat among, but mostly behind their visitors, John's people appeared to be as still and comfortable with the seated meditation as her own people. She had noticed that a few of them held long strings of beads that they were either wearing or moving slowly through their fingers as they meditated. She would have to ask John about that later.
Speaking of which, she glanced towards John stood beside her. They were at the very back of the room, and though they were in view of the few Guard and Atlantis security around the sides of the large room, they were essentially stood apart from everyone else. John had shifted his stance a few times in the silence, perhaps from boredom or discomfort, but she had not missed that it had brought him considerably closer to her side. She shifted her weight onto her right leg, which caused her arm to brush faintly against his arm, and he looked round instantly.
He was looking as handsome as ever, his eyes sparkling with barely repressed eagerness to talk with her. They had not managed much time to talk during the initial tour of the central tower, as he had been talking with his Honour Guard whom he had specifically invited to Atlantis today. Vakalis had led the Honour Guard's many questions of John about the city, appearing to have taken to heart Father's order that they were guests today, not on duty. John was clearly pleased to show them his home and had answered each question eagerly and thoroughly, making various jokes as was his way. She had initialled walked with General O'Neill and Colonel Sumner during the tour, leaving Father to engage with Colonel Carter and the IOA members. It had also been clear that the General and Colonel were eager to ask her if there were any updates on the research and scouting trips to discover the whereabouts of the Skerti. She had been prepared for such questions, and she rather enjoyed General O'Neill's company, so she had answered all their questions, which was not a great deal to report in all honesty. There had been some early results on the garlic plant that Atlantis had provided to the Mad Moon, which initial tests seemed to show might have an effect on composition of the Skerti cells, but as they only had dead Skerti cells to test, it was unclear exactly what the effect of the garlic would be on a fully grown living Skerti. General O'Neill had reported that Dr Beckett had discovered the same and then the General had regaled her with some theories on how the garlic could be utilised as a weapon, some of which had been rather humorous, but obviously further testing would be required.
As the tour had reached its final stop before this meditation space, she had looked round to find John at her side, his Honour Guard then talking with Colonel Sumner and the General. Of course there had been no time or privacy for her and John to greet each other the way they really wanted, but they had exchanged pleasantries that were polite enough for any watching. She was somewhat used to being careful of her expressions around John, but she had been amused to see that he had clearly also been struggling to restrain himself. In an endearing moment, he had asked if she was alright, having noticed that she was not feeling quite herself, and she had told him of her upset stomach since eating the Satedan stew. He had looked sweetly concerned and suggested she might want to visit Dr Beckett. She had assured him that she now only had a faintly uncomfortable stomach that did not limit her. By that point, they had been brought here for the meditation, so she had had no further time to talk with him, and with the intense silence of the room, there appeared little chance now either. Still, she could enjoy simply being at his side and the dark centres of his eyes as he grinned at her and leaned faintly closer to her.
"Seems to be going well," he whispered, his voice barely audible so to avoid being overheard in the quiet room. His words had still seemed loud to her, or was that simply due to her flush of warmth at his brief, almost teasing, leaning in closer to whisper to her. He drew back to a more 'respectable' distance all too quickly though.
So she leaned towards him this time. "Father is definitely enjoying himself," she assured him in as quiet a voice as she could manage.
"You think the Honour Guard and Abas are too?" He asked next with another lean in, only to quickly pull back, his eyes darting away. She looked in the direction of his brief glance, to see that Colonel Sumner was stood to one side of the large room, his eyes sweeping around the room. Teyla held still and kept her gaze forward as the Colonel's eyes brushed over them and then away. She found it suddenly very difficult to hold back the smile that wanted to break her control, the moment feeling highly amusing, as if she and John were young and about to be caught for breaking rules.
She waited until she was certain Colonel Sumner was focused elsewhere and then leaned faintly closer to John. "They are also definitely enjoying themselves," she answered his previous question.
She saw him nod in her peripheral vision as she watched Father shift on his cushion, most likely switching round his legs in his cross-legged position.
John's warmth grew close against her side, closer than before. "And you?" he asked, his tone now as deep as it was quiet, "you enjoying yourself?"
She barely suppressed the smirking smile that seductively toned question provoked. She kept her gaze forward for a beat though, letting the tension faintly build for him as to how she might answer. She then glanced round at him, sliding her eyes to meet his waiting gaze. "I always enjoy it," she whispered back to him.
His eyebrows kicked up his forehead, his sudden grin bright and flirtatious with little restraint, clearly very pleased with her answer.
She looked away, directing her attention back towards the windows and magnificent view, but let her smile show, knowing he would see it.
He shifted beside her and cleared his throat faintly. She smiled further, amused to have aroused him so easily.
Colonel Sumner glanced round again, and Teyla quickly schooled her expression, holding herself strong and alert. She met the Colonel's gaze this time and he sent her a polite nod, which she returned and looked away. Clearly the Colonel was not one for meditation, but was showing his high skill in monitoring a room and ensuring all was in order. It was a shame really.
John shifted beside her again and she suddenly felt his touch against her closest elbow, suggesting with a gentle tug that she move backwards. She followed his lead, a little surprised at the move, but took several long steps backwards alongside John until they were in the overhang of a hallway leading off the large meditation space.
"Did Sumner ask you about the latest on the Skerti?" John asked, his voice still quiet and he was still looking forward.
She copied him, keeping their former positions, just now a little further back from everyone else. "Both he and General O'Neill did," she answered.
"I may have suggested that you might be more willing to talk to me about it," John replied quietly.
She frowned at his meaning. Was he implying that she would breach Elite rules on the exchange of military information with him? He would never normally suggest such a thing. She looked round at him with a frown.
"I said I would see if I could talk to you alone for a bit while you're here," he added, his eyes shifting pointedly towards Sumner and then back to her.
Uh, now she understood. He had prepared the way for them to have an excuse to spend some time alone together.
It was certainly tempting.
She often broke away from official meetings and visits anyway, and had a long history of speaking privately with John. Still, it might be a little obvious.
"Carson said he'd love to see you if you have time," John quietly added another excuse to leave overlaid over the first.
"I would enjoy visiting him," she added, even though she knew Father was scheduled to visit the Atlantis Healing Bay later anyway.
"And I've made a couple of changes to your side of our quarters."
She glanced round at him. "Oh?"
He nodded, pretending to be watching the meditation and not her. "I added a new rug by your tea table," he reported, his eyes sliding to her.
"That was very kind of you," she replied quietly.
"If you wanted to see it, check you like it..?" He let the invitation and excuse hang unfinished in the quiet air between them, his eyes sparkling.
She looked away to the waiting Guards and meditating backs, and considered the offer.
After today's visit, she had no idea how long it might be until she would see John again as they had not yet booked their next shared time and, with the Sythus repaired, there was no way to know how long it would be until she was sent on mission again. The moment a trace of the Skerti was found she would be leaving on the Sythus... So, this could be her last chance to be with John for quite some time, even if for a very brief moment.
She looked back round at John with a smile. "I should probably inspect the rug to be sure I like it."
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It was exceptionally windy outside today, the air misted with thin rain and leaves dancing through the air. Trade had been slow as a consequence, but there had still been a few of his most dedicated regular customers in to collect their orders. His large bags of dried tea sold well locally and he had good trade with some of the local eateries around the main market spaces, so at least that business could always be relied upon during such bad weather.
The quiet day had allowed Zio the time to go through his books and calculate up his expenses and profits for the last season count. Unsurprisingly, his most popular items of high quality dry Athosian tea and Litan Ceremonial tea mix imported in from across the border from the Alliance had again surpassed the rest. Looking through the numbers, he saw that outside of those, his fifty most common varieties were selling as well as normal, and a good half of the new loose teas he had brought in from starting farmers were selling reasonably well. The weather outside indicated the changing cycle on Isper, but so did the recent increase in his Smoked Vine tea mix which people had been buying to treat a new nasal infection that had started spreading among the local market traders. First Winter was clearly here, which meant he should start preparing the warming mixes ready for the deeper Second Winter cycle that would not be too far away. The poultice preparations to treat bruising and muscle pain had dropped in sales for the last two seasons, but if the icy weather was on the way, then injuries would start soon and the preparation would be in demand.
He leaned one elbow on the countertop and considered the blustery weather outside the shop windows. A harsh First Winter usually foretold a cold Second Winter, so perhaps it would be worth buying more of the warming mix ingredients than normal? Though, he had been considering bringing in more of the high quality Athosian tea again as he had run out of that stock twice this last season. He was reluctant to invest more in Alliance imports though, since he preferred to work with non-Alliance suppliers to increase their business over the rich Alliance worlds. Still, he had a good contact on Athos and it was very popular tea...
He picked up his stylus and started a quick cost analysis of how much he could afford for extra purchases for the next cycle count.
The bells on the shop door clanked gently as someone entered and Zio smiled towards the trader who entered, a burst of overly fresh air following him in.
"I shall be with you in a moment," Zio informed the man, wanting to finish his calculations, besides the man was unfamiliar and would therefore likely need time to browse.
"Thanks," the trader replied and glanced away. He was dressed in a scuffed coat of his profession and looked like he had had a busy day of his own. A bag around his back looked full and his boots were dirtied, with a large leaf from outside plastered to one of them thanks to the misty air. Zio liked to keep his shop clean and tidy, so would keep an eye on where the leaf fell.
He lowered his attention back to the cost assessment as the trader wandered towards the medicinal tea section. Perhaps he wanted something to raise his energies for his work, many did.
Zio ran through the numbers again and underlined the final amount he could use. Settling his stylus down, he gave his full attention to his customer. The trader had picked up a bag of mixed tea that was for the effects of overconsumption of alcohol. It was another one of Zio's most popular mixes, along with the Smoked Vine and Male Virility mixes.
"Do you have any questions about that mix?" Zio asked. "I can always vary the ingredients if you're looking for the resolution of a particular aliment, headaches perhaps?"
The trader turned towards him. The man had a far more developed body than on first glance, his shoulders clearly stretching out the seams of his coat. Odd that the coat had not given out under the strain before now considering its age.
"I was thinking of this mix for a friend," the trader approached, the bag of tea in his hand, looking as if this would be a nice quick sale. "He is part-Satedan and over-indulges."
Zio smiled at the stereotypical opinion. He did not know enough of the Alliance Satedan people to know for certain if it was true, but this man seemed certain.
"A good choice then," Zio nodded as the trader handed over the mix. "With which currency would you like to pay?"
"Umm," the trader frowned and reached into one of his deepest pockets, seeming unsure what he had. That was not unusual with traders, since they took any currency going, and Zio was used to working in almost any denomination, including Alliance credit. The trader pulled out a small pouch from which he drew out a series of rolled up paper currencies. Clearly the man was not without good trade. "How is Apt Currency?" The trader asked, pulling the distinctive faintly green papers free from their roll.
"That is fine," Zio agreed and glanced towards his conversion tables.
"I make that 14,000 Apt?" the trader calculated first though, confirming his familiarity.
Zio had reached the same number and so nodded his agreement. There seemed something a little odd about this man though, something in the way he avoided catching your eye, but if he had this much currency variations, then he was clearly good at his work. "Thank you," Zio replied as he took the papers from the trader and recorded down the sale. "Would you like the bag wrapped against the rain?"
"No, its fine, thank you," the trader replied politely as the bag of tea disappeared into a deep protective pocket of his coat.
Zio put away the currency and straightened to give the standard polite wishes to have a nice day, but the trader didn't appear to be ready to turn away and leave. Zio suspected he was about to asked for some local information or even an offer of tea trading.
"I've heard good things about your teas," the trader added, his demeanour a little different now.
"That is always good to hear," Zio replied. He had only a small shop, but he liked to think he was growing in stature within the Guild.
"From a friend of ours," the trader continued though, "Neby."
Zio froze, fixing his eyes on the trader, caution racing up his spine.
Seeal?
Did this trader truly know her? Or had he taken the codeword from her forcefully?
Suddenly the strong shoulders stretching the trader's coat took on a whole new relevance and felt instantly imbued with threat.
Who was this man? Hunter, scum, or, perhaps, even Alliance investigator?
The trader's eyes slid away to the beaded-curtain through to the back sections of the shop. "She said you have some good teas in the back." His tone was softer now, suggesting he might be a messenger rather than potential hunter.
Zio held still, watching him carefully. "She said that?"
The trader nodded his head emphatically. "Neby said the area is clear," the man added, clearly seeing his distrust.
But in what situation and state had Seeal told him that? Zio considered the man a little more closely; he didn't appear hostile and, noticeably, both of his hands were resting palms down on the countertop.
If Seeal really was here... He had worried unendingly about her since her last visit, when she had burst through the shop's backdoor, soaked through and her panic obvious. She had been running from an attack and he had never seen her so affected by something. Once she had gotten dry and into her spare clothes, he had given her a soothing tea and she had returned to her more usual controlled self, but he had still been able to see the fear in her eyes. Since then, he'd heard worrying stories about Creass' organisation, about the degenerate mess that Dreamstation had become, and Jantina had said Seeal had disappeared...he had worried so much.
But if she was now here, waiting by the backdoor for him...It was worth the risk to take this stranger at his word.
Zio slid out from behind the counter and glanced through the beaded-curtain to the distant locked backdoor and there, in the tiny slip of light that shone through the crack under the door, he saw a shadow move.
Was it truly her then? Alive and well?
He hurried quickly to the front shop door, locked it, slid the 'closed' sign into place, and drew down the bind. "Who are you?" He asked of the 'trader'.
"A friend," the man answered.
For now, Zio had to take that as truth, and quickly headed back across the shop, through the curtain and headed straight for the locked backdoor.
"Neby?" He whispered loudly through the wooden door, his hands ready on the two locks.
"I'm here," her voice replied from outside.
It was her! She was alive.
Relief and joy burst in his chest as he quickly turned the locks, drew the door open a little and stepped back, allowing her to push it open the rest of the way as normal. The door pushed open further and, sure enough, she entered, turned and immediately pushed the door closed again and turned the locks with long familiarity.
As was often for her, she was dressed in an unusual outfit and a wig, but it was definitely her.
He grinned with delight as she turned fully towards him. "Seeal," he sighed with relief and reached for her, drawing her into an embrace. "I had feared the worst."
She allowed the embrace, even squeezed her arms around his back in return. "Why?" She seemed to chuckle as they pulled apart. It was so very like her to use that wry humour to so easily dismiss the risk in which she placed herself. More than once he'd tried to convince her of the good honest trade that could be made on Isper; that he could use the company and assistance in the shop.
That he could provide her a good life here if she had wanted it.
"The last time you were here, you were running from someone dangerous," he reminded her as she stepped back from his embrace, glancing around the room and through the curtain to the shop, assessing her safety.
"Oh yeah," she nodded, strangely choosing to smile at that fearful moment in her life. "He's not a problem anymore."
He frowned at her dismissal. "I was worried."
She straightened her expression. "I'm sorry I worried you, Zio, but I'm fine."
"I've heard stories, Seeal," he stressed.
Her attention focused more intently on him. "Oh?"
Zio glanced back towards the curtain through to the shop, where her 'friend' was watching the front windows. "Who is he?" Zio asked her softly. Was the man still a possible threat? Just because she was smiling didn't mean she wasn't under some form of duress, in fact sometimes a smile from Seeal meant just the opposite of what it normally did.
"He's someone I trust," Seeal answered though, "I promise." She reached across the space between them and touched her hand to his arm. The willing contact was more than enough to reassure him. Though they had occasionally shared far more intimate contact, when Seeal chose to reach out, it was always significant to him.
"What stories have you heard?" She asked, her hand dropping from his elbow.
"That Dreamstation has descended into chaos, a warzone between rival clans and gangs, and that Creass has lost all interest in it. People are whispering that he's gone mad, and that he killed you in a fit of rage."
"Really?" Seeal chuckled, clearly surprised. "I didn't predict that one."
"Did he try to kill you?" Zio pushed. "Was he the one chasing you that day?"
"No," Seeal shook her head with a dismissive frown. She had never seemed frightened of Creass in all the long years of her service on Dreamstation, but then Zio had rarely seen her afraid of anything, instead appearing either indifferent or frustrated with people. He had used to think that their friendship gave her a trustworthy haven, and had hoped that, one day, she might turn their occasional intimacy into something lasting, but one could never hold onto the wind. The time they spent together had always been fleeting, and he knew that he had been a quick stop on the trip or mission on which she was travelling. Any time he had suggested she stay longer, it seemed as if she only left faster and the gap until she next appeared seemed longer.
"But you've left his organisation?" Zio asked. "I heard from a user of the gambling tables only a few days ago that Creass was almost assassinated by one of the clans looking to claim full ownership of Dreamstation. You would never have let that happen had you been there."
"I did leave," she confirmed. "Did they hurt him?" She asked with a concerned dark turn to her features.
"I don't know," he replied as he considered her face. The greying wig changed her appearance quite considerably, but there was something else different about her. Her face was softer than usual and she appeared stronger in stature. Knowing her in intimacy meant he knew for certain what some might interpret from the outside, and that was that, despite her height and wide shoulders, there had been little to her. She had been only bone and lean muscle. It was the same build one saw on the hungry abandoned wolf-hounds that hung around the edges of the open markets, looking for scraps of food while avoiding any aggression. A wild state of existing on the edge of survival. Now though, she looked...healthy. He took in the lines of her shoulders, her bare arms showing below of the large short sleeves of her top, seeing strength and a fullness of flesh that he'd never seen on her before.
"You look well," he noted.
She smiled back. "I'm living in the Alliance now."
He had not expected that. How could she do that when she was wanted and in such danger? "Safely?" He asked.
"Yes, I had to agree to some coding work for that safety, but I've managed to avoid imprisonment." Most likely by changing her identity and keeping low to the ground he suspected. Or perhaps having started a new trade? He glanced back through to her colleague, seeing the similarity in both their strong and well-fed bodies. Seeal was a highly skilled person, highly prized in the past by those looking to steal her away from Creass. Had another organisation from within the Alliance succeeded where others failed? Had she bartered herself time in the Alliance by agreeing to work for unseemly types?
He considered the man beyond the beaded-curtain. He was built to fight and he was watching the locked door like he was waiting for trouble. A mercenary perhaps? Or a member of the bounty hunter association? Such a group would certainly benefit from someone with Seeal's skills. But such work was dangerous and, even with a licence to work in the Alliance, surely it would not keep her safe from Alliance Enforcement given her history.
"Are you sure that you are not replacing one violent life with another?" He asked carefully, looking back at her.
"I'm fine, Zio," she replied firmly, her hand touching his arm again. "In fact, I'm here to take my case."
"The whole case?" He asked, shocked at the news.
"Yes, the whole thing," she nodded.
He couldn't speak for a moment, not just because it was so surprising, but it suggested that perhaps she wouldn't be coming back here again. Why would she do that? Was she burning up her past, perhaps to enshrine her new identity? Was she afraid that someone might find her things here?
"You know it is always safe with me," he checked.
"Of course, I've never doubted that."
He frowned at her, lowering his voice again. "Are you sure something bad hasn't happened?"
"Surprising maybe, but not bad," she considered, not supplying much detail.
He frowned at that unclear answer. They had always agreed that he remain unaware of the details of her work and actions. It kept both of them safe and, he felt, had always provided her with that safe haven with him away from her violent and dangerous life. But, if she was taking the case, whatever had happened to her since he'd last seen her had been dramatic.
"I feel safe where I am, for now," she added, her dark eyes holding his with that bold direct quality she had.
He blinked. 'Safe'? He had never heard her use that word regarding her life, though, obviously, it was also a wonderful word to hear from her. Still, he felt something small and painful break inside his chest. She had found safety elsewhere. Not with him. And she wasn't going to come back.
He glanced back round towards where her colleague – her friend – waited in the shop, watching out, helping protect her here.
He should be pleased she was living a safer life, though her interpretation of that word might differ to his. He still wanted that for her, but it was so unexpected, so...painful. Not just in losing her visits, but perhaps to another man?
He looked quickly away from her 'friend'. "Then I am pleased," he told her as positively as he could manage.
"I'll ask Jantina to find you someone else to take up my storage space," she added.
"You've seen Jantina?" He smiled now. Good, the two survivors of Dreamstation had reconnected.
"Yes, she's also safe, for now, and has found herself a place worthy of her skills," she smiled.
"That is her way," Zio smiled, but it cut at him still. It felt like times were abruptly changing around him, all without his permission. "Let's get your case then," he decided as he turned away quickly and headed towards the side room.
"We're going into the basement," Seeal called to her 'friend'.
"You sure?" the man asked, a doubting protective tone in his voice. Zio glared round, annoyed this unknown man would question Seeal's safety with him.
"Yes, it's definitely a basement," Seeal purposefully misunderstood the man and Zio had to smile as he entered the small side room and reached down to pull aside the central rug to reveal the hatch down to the basement. He pulled it open on its well oiled hinges and led the way down the wooden steps into the basement.
Seeal followed a step behind him, like they had done countless times over the years, descending into the dark subterranean level, leaving her 'friend' upstairs. At the fourth step, Zio reached out and tapped the control for the Alliance electrical powered lamp, and the basement lit up to its highest light level. As was standard on Isper, he had set out the basement as a living space in case of a culling or other emergency, but it wasn't the real secret down here. He pushed aside a chair and the largest cupboard to expose the concealed deeper hatch in the basement's floor. He crouched down by it, Seeal kneeling next to him, as he triggered the secret button in the wall panelling and the hatch's handle released.
He held back from opening the hatch straight away though, turning to Seeal now they were alone. "Are you honestly friends with the man upstairs?" He checked quietly across the tiny space between them.
"Yes," Seeal replied back at the same volume. "He's a real friend and a ridiculously honest one too."
"He is?" Zio asked. He had never considered a mercenary, or possible bounty hunter, to be honest. "Do you work for him?"
Seeal scoffed as she reached to open the hatch herself. "No," she stated as she pulled the hatch open.
He reached into the small revealed space and drew out the large toolbox that gave some appearance of a reason why he had this hidden space in the floor of his basement if anyone found it. The Alliance energy weapons hidden in the base of the toolbox were also practical, however it was what was hidden near the toolbox that was important. None of his customers for storage space had any idea how he accessed the storage boxes, but Seeal knew because she had helped him install them. When she had first asked him to look after her things when she went to work on Dreamstation, they had formulated the idea of it being a business for him, and between them they had designed the storage system. Jantina had been the second customer and, over the years, the two women had sent only their most trusted associates to use this secret part of his business, and it had nicely supplemented his business income to allow him to build up some savings. The toolbox removed, he reached down to the closest wall of the hidden space and slid aside a concealed panel to reveal the computer panel that operated the storage system.
He glanced over his shoulder out of habit and caution, confirming that her 'friend' was not watching from the basement hatch above them. The open hatch remained unobstructed, so he typed in her storage box reference - number one - and tapped in his release code.
"Is he your lover?" Zio asked as the system confirmed his code and a small pop echoed across the room as a section of the basement wall panelling released.
"No, Zio," Seeal confirmed as she climbed up to her feet, "he's not my lover," she added with a noticeable roll of her eyes before heading across the basement to her revealed storage box.
Feeling faintly chastised, but also wondering if perhaps she might not tell him even if the man upstairs were his replacement, he focused on covering up the computer panel and returned the toolbox back down in front of it and closed the small hatch. He supposed, given how infrequent her visits were, and how even less frequent their casual intimacy had been, perhaps he did not have a right know.
"He's a friend," Seeal stressed again with a loud grunt from across the room.
He straightened up from the hatch and looked round as she pulled the tall thick black case out from inside her storage box. Over the years, he'd so often watched her simply reach into the narrow storage space, open the top of her case and add her latest batch of currency, but she had never removed the case before. He frowned at the noticeably bulging tall case on the floor in front of her feet. Despite the fact that the case had been living in his basement for almost ten years, it seemed so unfamiliar stood out in the light.
He watched as she opened up the top of the case and reached inside. He hoped she wasn't checking that everything was there, thinking that he might have helped himself to what was kept inside?
"I'm sure Jantina can send you someone else to take up my space," Seeal repeated, her attention focused on what was inside the case.
"I can leave it in your name if you want," he suggested, a little too hopefully, "in case you want to bring anything back?"
She straightened up from the case and looked at him with that direct stare of hers that he always missed between her sparse visits. "You can make more profit now you can rent this space out," she stated as she stepped over the case and walked towards him. "But, if I need to hide anything again, I know where to come." He nodded, but sensed the finality she wasn't directly confirming.
"Here," she added as she held out what she had retrieved from the case. A thick wedge of various planetary currencies, both paper and thin metal bars, filled her hand.
He frowned at the massive value she was holding out to him. "You don't owe me anything, Seeal. You funded building this system. I won't take your currency."
"Then take it as me buying out my part of the business," she suggested, which made no sense.
"You've not taken any profit from the business. You owe me nothing," he stressed.
She smiled, and it was a strikingly soft and strangely new smile. "Yes, I do, Zio. You've been a true friend and have kept this safe for me all these years," she looked round at the case behind her. "I've kept all of my oldest, most precious tattered things in this case," she looked back around and he met her eyes, seeing true openness in her gaze.
He hadn't realised her most precious things had been in this case alone, since he knew she had other hiding places, and he felt emotion well up in his throat. She had trusted him above all others, just as he had hoped.
"You've lost profit in not getting rent for my storage space, so this is my thanks," she continued as she moved closer. "Use this to expand your tea business, or keep it stored away for emergencies, but I want you to take it."
He frowned down at the currency she held out. It was a considerable amount and could completely change his business, but it also spoke of an ending.
"You're really not planning to come back, are you," he whispered.
She stepped forward again, right into his personal space now, and she pressed the currency into his hands. "My old trainer used to say that nothing stays hidden forever," she said quietly, "whether voluntarily revealed or not." He frowned at her, hearing the soft, almost sad tone in her voice that he had only heard her use when she had talked about her old pit fight trainer. "It's possible that I've made even more enemies," she continued, her eyes moving from one of his to the other, "I can't risk your safety anymore."
"No one knows about me, do they?" He asked.
"No, but maybe if I keep coming back here," she said firmly, "I can be more easily traced now." He frowned at that strange comment. "I need you to take this currency, Zio. Build your business and enjoy your life."
He dropped his gaze down to the currency in his hands. The dream of her one day staying here with him permanently, and of him not just waiting for her next spontaneous arrival into the shop, evaporated away. It had probably always been an unrealistic dream, but hope was a powerful and dangerous thing.
"And I have the opportunities now to make up for my past mistakes," she added, stepping back a fraction from him, leaving the currency in his hands. "To do honourable things."
He looked up at her, surprised by that revelation. "To come out of hiding?" He considered with a smile.
She nodded with a chuckle, but quickly turned away, moving back towards her case. So her new life wasn't just safe, it was something she believed in. Something that might be able to give her what he could never do.
And if that meant the man upstairs could provide her with those things, then he could not argue with that.
He watched her return to her case and close it up again for the last time in his presence. "I'm going to miss you, Neby."
"Miss me sporadically bursting through the shop's backdoor needing somewhere to hide for a bit?" She laughed.
"Yes," he confirmed.
"You have a serious saviour complex that you need to do something about."
He chuckled at that. "If you can, will you send me a message occasionally via Jantina? Just so I know you're still safe."
"I will," she smiled. "And if something bad happens, if you need help, contact me."
"The way I have of contacting Jantina via the trading routes isn't very fast," He considered the practicalities.
"That's a good point," she glanced aside thoughtfully and then back to him. "Do you still work with that same Athosian trader?"
"I do," he confirmed.
"He has a niece who works in the military who I know. If you contact him, he can get a message to me."
He nodded, pleased to have a significant link to find her again if he needed. "Which name do I give him?" He checked.
"My real one. Well," she angled her head, "the one I gave myself."
He smiled at that. "Seeal is your real name." He considered her. "You're always the Free One."
She smiled, but didn't answer that as she reached own to pick up her case by its thick handle. He idly wondered if it would still hold after all this time, and considering the clear weight of the overly full case. She grunted slightly as she picked it up and walked towards the stairs back up to the floor above. He didn't offer to carry it for her, knowing from experience what her response would be. The mere suggestion of weakness was not something a pit fighter allowed, and that tendency had never left her. So, instead, he just followed her up the stairs.
Once up on the ground floor again, he closed the basement hatch and smoothed the rug out over it once again. He took his time doing it, putting off the approaching heartbreak in saying goodbye to her. Though he had a way now to reach her if he needed to, it was possible he might never see her again. Of course that had always been a possibility before given the dangers of Dreamstation and those she had stood up to, but now he would be saying goodbye to that foolish hopeful little romantic dream he had held onto for too long.
The rug in place, he finally followed after Seeal into the back room of the shop. Seeal had set the case down near the backdoor and was waiting for him, her 'friend' hanging around close by.
Zio resisted the urge to glare at the man, wishing he and Seeal still had their privacy, but he focused on Seeal alone as he approached her.
"Zio," she said sternly, "I need you to promise me two things before I go."
He paused in front of her. "Anything."
"I can't give you details," she replied, her expression dark, "but there is a possible new threat out there. Not Wraith, but something close." He frowned at that strange news. "If you get even a hint that something is going on in nearby sectors, attacking people, ships or planets, you need to get through the Portal and get into Alliance space. If you hear stories or warnings, promise me you'll take them seriously."
"I will," he promised her. "What's the second request?"
Her expression softened again. "The day will clearly come when the Alliance absorbs Isper into its territory," she stated. "You need to accept it."
He dropped his jaw open at that request. "This is coming from you? Have you been brainwashed by some Alliance propaganda?"
She laughed at that. "No," she smiled. "But I've seen what they can do, Zio. The Alliance is far from perfect, but I've seen up close what they're prepared to do to fight back the Wraith and protect their people. How they can work together. Living outside their territory was incomparable to living inside it." He considered the firm shake of her head and honest wide eyes. "Living without the threat of a culling is," she sighed, "something I didn't really think about before." She looked towards her 'friend', the two sharing a meaningful look and Zio saw the man nod his agreement. He had history outside the Alliance too then.
"You need to take it seriously," Seeal continued. "I know politics and trade aren't that simple, but there's a damn good reason we've seen a ton of the best traders all retire into Alliance territory, Zio. You need to do the same when the time comes."
He glanced away, his instinctive resistance to such Alliance whispers of conformity making him purse his lips. He could barely believe she would be saying this to him. "As a member of the Traders' Guild-"
"You will need to weigh in on the side of the Alliance, not to surrender, not to give up who you are, but to make Isper safe. The planets in Alliance territory have ridiculous populations, Zio. They have cities across whole planets, all safe from the Wraith. Think of the trade opportunities."
He shook his head at her cajoling. "I'll think about it," was all he could agree.
She pulled a face at him. "Alright," she unwillingly agreed, but a smile shifted across her face. "That's all I ask."
He nodded, struck again by the changes to her, not just physical but apparently in attitude as well now. What had happened to her since he'd last seen her? "Will you promise me something in return?"
"What?" Seeal asked, one eyebrow lifting with suspicion.
"Always remain who you are, the Free One. Promise me that," he asked her.
"I don't know how to be anything else," she smiled with a nod.
He had to share her smile, but the time was upon them. She was leaving.
He reached out to her arms, drawing her in for a final embrace. Her arms slid around him and he held her tightly, turning his head to bury his nose in her hair one last time, except, of course, it was a wig and not really her own hair. That felt oddly poignant.
Her arms tightened around him and then started relaxing away, so he made himself let her go, drawing back. Though, at the last moment, he shifted his head to share what they had often done, a quick brief press of lips, but as he moved to do so, she turned her head a fraction so his lips met her cheek instead.
It was true then.
The man watching was not just a 'friend'.
He stepped away completely, dropping his hands from her arms and forced himself to look into her eyes.
"Stay safe, Zio," she smiled, but he saw the shimmer of water in her eyes.
"You too, Seeal," he replied.
She pursed her lips and turned towards her waiting case, and her 'friend' began crossing the room. Zio didn't look at the man, just watched as Seeal unlocked the backdoor, collected up a trader's bag he hadn't noticed she had brought with her, and then heaved up her case.
Holding back the urge to cry, which was something he had rarely ever done in his life, he watched her carry her full to bursting case out the open door, into the winter weather outside. The rain had stopped, but the wind danced out her wig and flapped the large sleeves of her top and skirt. Her new male followed her, moving around to her far side.
Through the bad weather, Zio was still able to hear the 'friend' say to her "Let me carry that for you."
"Fine, you've got to use those muscles for something useful," Seeal replied and Zio watched, shocked anew, as she handed over the handle of her case to her 'friend'. The man revealed the true strength of his overstretched shoulders and lifted the case higher than Seeal could manage and headed forward, leading her away and out of Zio's life.
Except, she paused and looked back.
Zio lifted his hand to wave goodbye.
She did the same and, with a sad smile, she turned and walked out of view.
He stayed where he was though, the backdoor creaking back and forth in the cold winter breeze. He wasn't sure if he was waiting to see if she would come back again, or just to prolong the sad moment longer than it needed, but he simply stood watching the leaves in the air as they floated and dancing across the small yard behind his shop and home.
Then finally, once the rain began to fall again, he reached out and closed the door, turning the two locks into place.
He wandered back into the side room to where he had left the stack of currency she had given him. He picked it all up, shocked again at the weight and thickness of the stack. With just a fraction of this he could easily order in those extra warming mix ingredients and more of the high quality Athosian tea. In fact, hadn't there been another new top tea brand his Athosian trader had suggested he buy? He'd dismissed it out of cost, but now...
Heading back through the beaded-curtain into the shop, he set the currency on the countertop and began to separate it out into different denominations, working out how much there was. Years ago he had used to imagine buying the shop next door, expanding into it and increasing not just stock and shop floor space, but also his living space upstairs. He could even have a room just for preparing the tea mixes and, maybe, offer hot brewed tea for sale, not just the dry packs anymore. That was how he had started when he was younger, but standing out in the cold selling tea to traders and customers hadn't been as comfortable as selling the stock here from a warm dry shop. He would have to ensure he only sold his own product and only for people to take away with them, then he wouldn't be in competition with the eateries and seated drinks spaces around the main markets.
And if Seeal was right that the Alliance border was going to encroach a lot sooner than predicted, maybe it would be worth him establishing himself here to a greater degree now. Maybe starting with increasing his Athosian trade. That wouldn't be unseemly to the Guild, as Athos was still an old and respected trading partner to a lot of non-Alliance worlds.
Yes, he decided, he would message Elkaska tomorrow and see if the trader wanted to visit Isper to share some tea and talk further trade.
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TBC