Chapter 16
Greetings, everyone! Tensions continue to escalate, while Volu announces one decision and makes another.
###
"I hate when you treatment me like a child!" the blond snapped, eyes blazing in fury. In a whirl of hair, feathers, and spitfire, she turned away and stormed out of the facility lounge. The few Etagllots relaxing during their time off were whispering and shooting sideways glances his way.
"Ettwanae, I didn't-" but she was already gone. 'Shit!'
Tensions were running high. Seven days they'd been at the Etagllot facility. Seven days of living with people that belonged behind bars with no chance for parole. He understood the reasons why and how the Shozen used their illicit organization, but that did not negate that the scientists performed experiments on people. The Esha'Aru clones housed at the facility were just one example. It was a constant thorn in the Volu contingent's collective side.
That they had bedded down with amoral scum was loathsome.
Hercjell from Ymoz was Warren's personal source of agitation. While Ztar had never shared in detailed what she'd done to them while they were her captives, he did know she tried to activate the nannites and had stopped his heart in an attempt to trigger the technology. Bitch!
Then there was Ettwanae. In the days since arriving, she had devolved into a maelstrom of fluctuating emotions churned into a frenzy by her flow-blown molt. One minute she was frustrated, the next scared, followed by sweet and loving, then so angry she made the Tasmanian Devil look like a Pooh Bear. Logic had flown the coop. The only time she was close to normal was during their meditative sessions with Den-neer, and even that was hit or miss.
And there was the unresolved issue between Volu and Bae. The daughter could not yet bring herself to forgive her Mother's hostile actions. Didn't seem to matter why Bae did what she had done – Volu wasn't in a conciliatory frame of mind.
He sighed heavily. Still uncertain what he'd said wrong, he slipped out of the lounge and down the corridor. Despite the erratic behavior adding to the tense environment, he couldn't blame Ettwanae – the molt, her mother, innate tensions within the facility, the potential end of the galaxy…who wouldn't be stressed out?
Perhaps quiet repose in the single outside area granted the facility inhabitants – the walled garden. Meditation may be in order, followed by some airtime. During the year following Sat'rey when he'd focused on healing his badly damaged psyche, the practice had worked its magic. A year later and countless hours of therapy, he felt mostly healed. Meditation had fallen to the wayside since, but given the level of stress he was enduring since meeting Ettwanae, performing the calming interludes regularly once again would be wise.
First, a stop by Volu and his bedroom to retrieve the personal cloaking device provided by the Etagllot for a post-mediation flight, then back through the corridors to the exit. As soon as the door slid aside, he saw her on the bench, knees pulled up, back to him.
Ettwanae was crying. Wings drooped, their longest feathers pooled on the ground. The feathered appendages looked ragged from the molt, reflecting her emotional state. His heart hurt.
Should he approach or let her be?
The decision wasn't hard. He walked quietly; then sat tentatively. The woman did not acknowledge his presence, but did wipe at her face. "Stay or go?"
Hesitation followed, yet did not last long. Within moments, she spun sideways and almost climbed onto his lap to wrap her arms around his neck.
"I'm so scared!" she sobbed with renewed vigor into his shoulder. He wrapped arms around the trembling woman and held tight.
"Me, too."
###
"Hello, Charles! Wish I had caught you. Communication is hit or miss because of where we are, so I likely won't get a return comm. I'll just leave a message."
Warren paused the recording to gather thoughts as he sat on the edge of the bed facing the PI sitting on the storage container nightstand in his tiny, makeshift bedroom. He had really hoped to speak with his old friend. Should he try again later? No, best to send a message instead while he could instead of risking never being able to do so. If the Shozen were wrong about the timing of the Dark Coming, the end could come unexpectedly. Need to reconnect with old friends and home was growing. He wondered if Flint and Gatebi were feeling likewise. Did they want to be with loved ones should the end be unstoppable? He would talk with them. If they did, he'd try to make it possible somehow.
The question loomed – should he tell Charles? Warren spared Ztar; should he do likewise with Charles? Would the Shozen permit such a message through if he did? He had to assume they monitored and could intercept comnet transmissions, even ones sent via Volu's security-busting technology. But really, as with the Turzent ruler, what good would the knowledge do?
Warren restarted the recording. "We've parked ourselves on a planet in The Barrens – that's like Star Trek's Neutral Zone, only this is between the Turzent Empire and The Systems Commonwealth. Looks like we'll be here a little while as guests of the…locals. Exciting news – we found Ettwanae's mother! She's in stasis and not doing well, but we think we can save her, or rather Ettwanae can. She needs to train first in a technique called Ura'maalei. It's risky and involves an infusion of lifeforce energy. Ettwanae is strong and determined, though – she'll do it if anyone can."
Thoughts of his would-be lover's resolve brought a smile. "Speaking of Ettwanae, we learned that her race was originally called Esha'Aru by their creators – the U'larr. That bit of knowledge surprised everyone. Been hard getting used to the correct pronunciation. The U'larr created both the Esha'Aru and their living ships, the Eshaar'ne.
"The other big announcement is we may have the location of Etxan'Ir – that gigantic library I told you about. First, we revive Ettwanae's mother, then we head for a planet in The Commonwealth. Apparently, the planet acts as a portal to the library. If we're lucky, we'll gain access and get more answers."
He paused the recording again. The message was so edited and didn't settle right. That wasn't how he wanted things between himself and Charles; it dishonored their relationship. Charles was both friend and surrogate father. Warren had worked hard to leave behind his former ways of keeping others at arm's length and shed emotionally repressive habits. The narrative smacked of exactly that. Charles would be disappointed.
'I'll tell you everything when this whole mess is over,' he promised the man silently. Warren hoped there would be opportunity to do so. The Dark Coming made everything tenuous and uncertain. Best to simply leave Charles with reassurances he was alive and well. 'Don't add to his worry, Worthington.' But if the message were too filtered of concerns, Charles would be suspicious. Then he smiled as the perfect topic came to him.
"Sorry about the pause; had to gather thoughts. There is one thing that's been a bit of a difficulty, and it's full of irony. Ettwanae's molt. It's her time of year and, well, Charles, to put it bluntly…she can be a bitch." He smirked at the comm device. "You can stop chuckling any time! Turnabout and all that…yes, I know. It's no fun. But to me, a woman, or at least Ettwanae, going through molt mood swings is different from how I react. I mostly seethe inside. She directs more externally and lashes out." Then he laughed at himself. "I can hear you, Charles – self-deception and whitewashing! You're probably right. I was an asshole during the height of the more intense molts. I have much more respect for what you and the others put up with now that I've been on the receiving end." Warren snickered again. It was all so true.
"But the molt should be peaking and hopefully she'll begin the return to normal soon. And I think it's only right that you be the first I tell...I've fallen love." He leaned in toward his PI with narrowed eyes and feigned frown. "I know what you're thinking: 'Again?'" He spread his arms in feigned dismay. "True, I've said it several times before – I always was one to make the declaration too easily. Think I so desperately wanted someone to want me for me that I believed it was love when it was the idea of being in love that I had fallen for. Candy was true love, and maybe Betsy, though that wasn't a healthy version – we were both too broken for it to be healthy. But the others?" He shook his head.
"With Ettwanae, it feels different in ways I can't put into words. I don't doubt she loves me. There's this strange thing with Esha'Aru called soulbinding – mating instinct in overdrive combined with love-at-first-sight sums it up best. Two compatible Esha'Aru see each other and that's that – together for life. Pretty much what happened when she saw me." He felt heat unexpected rise to his cheeks. Even as he said it, he knew how it sounded. "Apparently, it's not limited to Esha'Aru – I'm obviously enough like the species to trigger the response. Been an interesting ride, to say the least."
More than that, he'd not share. Charles didn't need to know about his soulbinding to Ztar and all its ramifications. Let Charles believe he and Ettwanae were enjoying each other in all ways – it would please the man to think Warren had found female companionship, even if in the arms of another alien.
"I should wrap this up. Hope the transmission comes through clearly given we're in the middle of nowhere. I'll comm again in a couple weeks with an update. Til then, we're all healthy and safe here. As I said before, if you comm back, I'm uncertain about reception abilities even with Eshaar'ne technology at our disposal." He smiled reassuringly at the comm recorder. "I hope all is well with you and the others. Give my best to everyone. I think of you all often."
With the send command, Volu transmitted the message across subspace to seek out the nearest Turzent comnet buoy.
"Do you think it'll get through?"
"Etagllot blocks are not insuperable."
That garnered a chuckle in appreciation of the Eshaar'ne's security-busting skills. "Thanks for your help, Volu."
There was a long silence from the Eshaar'ne that grew uncomfortable. Warren waited, sensing she was deciding whether or not to bring something up. Finally, she broke the stillness.
"Warren, you are a quandary."
He tensed. "How so?"
"You say you love Ettwanae and your actions speak that it is true. You represent a constant threat. You have lied and withheld information. You have risked yourself for her. You have displayed nobility and bravery. You have shown glimpses of ruthlessness. A quandary."
"Sounds Human to me. I'm not perfect…flawed by nature. I try my best, though, to tip the scale in favor of being honorable."
"The contradictions have made it difficult to trust you."
Her statement confirmed what he'd long known, but he was puzzled as to the timing of the admission. "Is there a purpose to telling me this?"
"Confessing to realization that sometimes trust cannot be based solely on the observable."
It took a moment, but then comprehension hit. "The Shozen."
"Yes. The observable told us they were the enemy. Sometimes, one must set aside what appears as evidence and place trust on less tangible factors."
"You're talking about faith, Volu."
"I am."
He cocked his head. "What is your confession is really about?"
"You."
Warren held a mental breath. Had the Eshaar'ne had a change of heart? He understood the reasons he hadn't earned her full trust…some of them his own fault, the rest due to circumstances beyond his control.
"Ettwanae has never lost faith in you. She saw within you something not always demonstrated in the observable."
"And?"
"I have decided she is correct."
Until that moment, Warren hadn't realized how much he wanted Volu's trust. Out in space, she was their breath, warmth, light…she kept them alive and safe. To be so dependent on someone who distrusts you was a subtle, wearing tension. Besides, he liked Volu and wanted her to like him. Having her full support, especially in the Ettwanae department, would make the situation less complicated.
"And?"
"Despite some of your previous actions and the nannites and the feral episodes, I have concluded that you have always acted honorably even when I did not understand your motives."
He let out a slow sigh of relief. "Are you saying I've earned your trust?"
"I am placing faith in that you will continue to act honorably, Warren. Faith is tentative conjecture. Trust is based on historical evidence and the observable. Hence, everything you say and do will either build trust and confirm my faith or erode and contradict. Repeated contradictions will eventually force me to alter my faith."
"So if I screw up occasionally, faith will give me a pass?"
"Occasionally."
"That's good to hear. Being perfect isn't a typical Human trait." He gave Volu a quick, good-natured chuckle.
"I have no record of a species that is, if by perfect you mean without moral flaw."
He nodded. "Thank you, Volu. Have to admit, feeling you didn't trust me was difficult."
"You understand why I needed to be cautious?"
"Ettwanae." Several quiet seconds passed. "I'd never hurt her intentionally."
"It is the unintentional that often hurts most deeply."
"True." Then he wanted to change the subject. "Her molt is peaking, right? She's lost several flight feathers already."
"Yes, the physical and emotional evidence supports the observation."
A sigh escaped. "Looking forward to that coming to an end."
The atmosphere lightened, and Warren was certain the Eshaar'ne was smiling. "Warren, you and I are completely aligned on that sentiment."
###
After Warren exited to join the others for the evening meal, Volu came to another decision. Someone else was waiting patiently for her to regain faith and let go of anger.
Volu transmitted a single word.
"Mother?"
###
al'Verta was not happy. First, another comm from Director Sident emphasizing yet again the urgency of her team's success on the channeling bionites. She got it already. What did they expect – her staff to get no sleep? That would lead only to errors and apparently, those were unacceptable, as well. She huffed in irritation.
Eight ISDs earlier, security alerted her that the facility would be accommodating 'guests.' What in the name of Paiiz did that mean? All too quickly, she had her answer – Archangel, whom was immediately labeled as off limits; an up-and-walking Eshaaru that she also incredibly couldn't touch, a couple of tagalongs, and their oh-so-intriguing ship.
Not only did a researcher's dream land at her doorstep, but one 'guest' could possibly help lead to project success, yet they all were totally, completely, unequivocally untouchable. The order was issued from the very pinnacle of Etagllot power – the Prime Director herself – baffling both Hercjell and her boss.
A snort of frustration escaped, causing two of her team to look up from their work with a curious glance. She stepped away from the scanner. The latest batch of bionites was another failure. Schematics sent to her weren't the problem – the bionites designed by others to open an interdimensional portal seemed to be functioning properly. They were to be coupled with her team's bionites to funnel energy like a pipeline from the target dimension. To do so, the bionites needed to withstand vast amounts of an energy Director Sident called Source.
They were so close to success. The portal opened. Source lay beyond. The bionites channeled it as soon as optimum frequency was attained; a frequency courtesy of the dying Eshaaru in her lab. So far, so good. But then the bionites quickly burned out. Why? They shouldn't. Energy funneling was old technology. Granted, they were attempting to channel a heretofore unknown force, but she had adjusted for its unique characteristics.
What was faulty? The test? The biotech? The portal? Something with the unique frequency? If only she could run comparative tests using a natural channeler – the walking, talking Eshaaru named Ettwanae. But unfathomably, that tool was forbidden.
al'Verta needed to come up for air.
Leaving Lab 2, she strode determinedly down the corridor intent on gaining some perspective and perhaps a stroke of inspiration in the facility's garden. When she rounded the last corner sharply, she ran headlong into another corridor traveler. Face plastered against a muscular chest, she snarled in auto-reflex, ready to snap at whichever staff member so carelessly turned a corner blindly.
Shrugging off the hands that dared to grab her upper arms, realization hit what the flash of whiteness caught in her visual periphery was.
"Archangel," she greeted sternly while stepping back. "You really should watch where you are going." The glare she got in return pleased her.
"Me?! Cut the crap – not in the mood." His arms crossed and the scowl deepened. "Bad enough we're stuck here with you and your degenerates. I won't put up with narcissistic putdowns."
The man was actually quite handsome, she had to admit; even being of another species. He'd look even better back on her examination table.
"I've been called far worse. At least I have a purpose. Seems to me that you and your traveling companions have little to do but lay around my facility consuming valuable resources and distracting staff from their work."
He dropped his arms and exhaled sharply. "I don't have time for this," he shot back and moved around her to continue down the hall.
al'Verta wouldn't let him go so easily. "Time is all you do have, Archangel. Perhaps you could spend it productivity and convince your lover to help us with our work. Her channeling abilities are what we're trying to replicate."
Archangel halted dead in his tracks and swung back around, the face exuding incredulousness. Hercjell wasn't high enough on the organizational ladder to know why bionites that could channel were needed, but she had long ago accepted secrecy as part and parcel to her career path. And why the urgency was also unknown to her, but she was desperate enough for success to skirt around the "hands off" orders concerning their guests. If you could not go the direct route, indirect was always an option. Her orders did not say that the Eshaaru couldn't volunteer to help.
"And why in God's name would she want to help you?"
Hercjell had faced worse than Archangel's scathing tones and did not flinch. Inspiration hit. If she could convince Sident to go along, she may have some bargaining power. It was a long shot, but maybe…
"For an opportunity to communicate with her mother."
Intensely blue eyes narrowed menacingly as wings rustled. An errant shiver traced down her spine. Despite beatific appearance, the man could be quite intimidating if he wished to be.
"Her mother is in stasis and comatose. Esha'Aru mental shields are impenetrable. I don't see how you can make such an offer."
"You're stuck on telepathy. There are other means of communications. I make no promises, but there is a chance she can at least make some sort of contact with E5…T'Qilla. The procedure I hear Ettwanae hopes to use may not work if she doesn't want to live. I may be able to help Ettwanae let her mother know she is here."
While the Director had never given al'Verta E5's name, you'd have to be deaf not to have heard the interlopers mention it. Also obvious was the younger female's obsession with regaining her parent.
"I don't believe you."
Hercjell shrugged. "Suit yourself, but given Ettwanae's prickly disposition, I would not want to be you when she learns you kept the possibility from her." With that, she started down the corridor, her shoes clicking softly on the stone floor. One step, two steps, four, five…
"Wait."
She smirked, stopped, and slowly turned heel. "I'm not given to obeying commands of anyone other than my superiors, but I'll make an exception this once…for your sake."
The fire and animosity that lit up those blue orbs would put a fevered shinzqit's bloodlust glare to shame. Oh, how she did enjoy a good riling, especially at the expense of someone who caused her to expend time and energy on demarche.
"You do nothing for my sake, bitch – or anyone's, save your own. Ymoz illustrated that perfectly."
She tilted her and produced a wry smile. "In retrospect, your and Ztar's performance on Ymoz was impressive, though we both know your miraculous escape was not unaided." He was going to snap back, but she wouldn't give him the opportunity. "Tell me, Archangel, have the nannites stirred at all since then?" That hit a nerve – she was certain…the pupils dilated and the wings twitched. "Interesting... A pity you weren't on my examine table at the time," she added with a sad shake of the head.
His jaw worked making it was clear Archangel was holding himself back physically with great effort. The man was seething. It was turning out to be a good day after all.
"Get back to the topic. What can you do for Ettwanae, and what is the price?"
###
Around a corner, Den-neer listened with ears and mind. He disliked Hercjell from the moment he had the displeasure of meeting her. It had taken a scant minute to determine the Parma-Sentois born scientist was egotistical, single-minded, driven by personal gain, and devoid of compassion. However, those qualities were part and parcel to most of the upper-level Etagllot. Thus, Den-neer tolerated her, but avoided the irritating woman as much as possible.
That was about to change.
###
It was a quiet evening in Volu's gathering room. Warren wrapped up telling of one of his X-Men adventures to end Flint's nagging when the teen had, shockingly, declared he was growing tired of playing LanicWorld and "bored outta my mind." Both Gatebi and Flint had sat through the tale mesmerized. Even Volu had chimed in an occasional "goddess!" when one of the heroes nearly succumbed to the enemy.
"Your world is a dangerous place," Gatebi concluded.
Warren could only nod in agreement. "Too many people with too much power granted by nothing more than a genetic roll of the dice. But so far, the good guys usually win in the end."
The Alcab was silently contemplative for a few moments. "Having extraordinary gifts, as you call them, makes it far too easy for those with ill intent to impose their will upon others. Mutant abilities, particularly powerful ones, would create fundamental societal imbalances. I'm referring only to physical and mental attributes…eliminating economic influence and political power variables from the equation. In all other species I've studied, the individual members are generally on par with one another biologically and intellectually. Degradation of that baseline equality would lead to all manner of upheaval and conflict."
Flint blinked like a deer in the headlights. "Gabby, what the hell you talkin' about?"
Warren grinned. It wasn't often that the woman let her intellect peek through.
The tolerant look the redhead received Warren read as, 'Sorry. I'll dumb it down for you.'
"It's like giving one group in LanicWorld all the best weapons and leaving everyone else without. What do you think would happen?"
Flint got it with that. "Yay, I see what ya mean. That's kinda the way it is between mutants and non-mutants on Earth. We've got cool, kickass weapons regular people don't, right War?"
Before Warren could respond, Ettwanae walked in, spread wings slightly to avoid sitting on them, then plunked down heavily next to Flint on the lounger.
"You look both sad and happy, if that's possible," he pointed out in quick assessment. Seeing the Esha'Aru resurrected his recent conversation with Den-neer. The Shozen agent had said Hercjell's offer was off the table concerning Ettwanae. Before he could drill for details, the operative was gone. Thankfully, Warren had hesitated relaying the message knowing Hercjell wasn't to be trusted.
"Yes, it is. Phai and I were talking." An indignant sniff followed. "More accurately, she was talking, and I was listening. She was telling me that I might be ready to perform Ura'maalei in another few days, if I work hard."
"But that is good news, isn't it?"
Ettwanae gestured affirmatively at Gatebi, but without enthusiasm. "It is and isn't. It could also be when I loose my mother. If I make a mistake…"
The Alcab leaned toward her winged friend. "If anyone can save her, it is you. Love and determination will carry you both through."
Ettwanae looked on the verge of tears as elbows came to rest on knees and wings drew forward to hug her shoulders. "I hope you're right."
Flint appeared uncomfortable with the suddenly emotional atmosphere. "Ya need a distraction. War just finished telling us a story. It was about a big battle he and the X-Men had years ago against Magneto and his gang of no-goods. Lots of action."
The blond head came down on hands in a huff. "I missed that for a Phai lecture."
"I think you should share a story," Warren suggested. "Or are you too tired?" Ettwanae's face instantly said the idea wasn't enamoring. "Maybe one of your own adventures? Perhaps before you met up with Flint and Gatebi?"
"If I may suggest, Poda. I do not believe you have told Warren the full story of our first meeting." Then what sounded/felt like a chuckle reverberated through the living ship. "You did not share my enthusiasm in finding you."
A slight smile crept across Ettwanae's lips as she locked eyes with Warren. "I seem to recall a similar reaction when I found a certain someone. You were so suspicious."
Warren laughed. "Hey, I had reason to be! You must admit, what you said was little hard to swallow from my perspective." He continued to chuckle as memories flooded back. "Volu's right – you told me generalities about how Volu rescued you on Sat'rey, but not the details. But if it's too painful…Bhenra and everything…"
She pulled ankles up to sit cross-legged and settle in. "No, it's fine. You already know most of how I found him and that he told me to leave our house as people were after me."
The redhead nodded. "And we know that ya flew out into the desert, but the bad guys found you."
Warren was puzzled. "How? Weren't you cloaked?"
Ettwanae's eye grew wide. "That's the amazing part. Phai said the Shozen learned Mother had sold items to Bhenra when I was an infant, and that could be the same way the Dark Ones found me. The rest they managed to figure out, I guess. Unfortunately, the wrong people got to us first."
"Once you were outside of Yaunra, you hid, correct?" Gatebi queried, getting the story back on track.
"Yes, but the Dark Ones somehow found me even with my cloak."
"If I may inject, the only explanation is that they had previously recorded the specific signature of your Sat'reyan guise."
The Esha'Aru's arms wrapped around herself protectively. "Which means they figured out who I really was before that day. That's the scary part – how long were they watching me and Baumpa? Anyway, before I could get away, they hit me with a concussion gun."
"But Vo got there before they could nab ya."
Ettwanae nodded energetically.
"She dived down and saved Twae's ass at the last second!" the teen injected with gusto and swoop of a pantomiming arm.
"And Volu came because you activated the amulet?"
"Correct, Warren," the ship confirmed. "Her summons broke the stasis field T'Qilla and T'Azrued put me into when Bae found me dying of ru'zha many years earlier."
Warren wanted a clarification. "You were unconscious when Bae found you, which is why they didn't know what had happened to you."
"Yes. Mother mentally heard my death cries as our kind often can from their dying children, but by the time she reached me, I was unaware. However, since I had auto-generated a new amulet, they knew my Other was either dead or separated from me for a long time."
Flint leaned forward with a question obviously about to jump out. "Vo, speaking of born…did Bae tell ya 'bout what happened to the Eshaar'ne that was your dad?" Flint's hand jumped to his neck, which meant only one thing. "Hey! What's that about? Thought you was over your problem with nicknames?"
Mirth filled the room. "I have grown lax in reminding you that my name is Volu, but that does not mean I condone the abbreviation. To answer your question, Bae said he left."
"So he didn't hang around?" Flint wondered.
"No. He departed as soon as mating was accomplished."
Flint snorted. "Those wild bastards aren't to be trusted. He knocked up your mom and then took off."
"He was feral, Flint, perhaps orphaned shortly after birth. Wild animals are driven by instinct."
Something dawned on Warren. "You and Bae are on speaking terms?"
"We are."
The answer was crisp and did not encourage further inquiries. "Are there many wild Eshaar'ne?"
Ettwanae shook her head firmly. "Exceedingly rare. It's believed they stay away from areas where space travel is common. According to the memory node, Mother and Father were traveling through just such as area when it approached."
"Wasn't your mother's sister traveling with your parents? Did Bae allow herself to be impregnated so Tiaera had an Other?" Gatebi speculated.
An odd frown crossed the perfect visage. "That would make sense, though little is mentioned about Tiaera in my family node in the later years. It does say that when Volu became of age, she left, but no mention that Tiaera went with her or if she was even still traveling with my parents at the time. These are questions I hope Mother will answer."
"Have you asked Bae?"
Ettwanae leaned toward her fellow female. "Yes, and she says that it is Mother's story to tell. She's told me next to nothing about my family."
"Phai says her name with a 'P' in front and you don't. What's with that? " Flint questioned in a surprising display of attention to detail.
Ettwanae looked confused. "I've never explained the prefixes?" Heads shook. "Thought I had. Anyway, when two Esha'Aru become soulbounds, they chose a prefix letter for their names. My parents were Qilla and Azrued before they became soulbounds. Once bound, they selected the prefix and became T'Qilla and T''Azrued. Since Tiaera had the prefix when Phai knew her, she must have become soulbound at some point after the last mention of her in the nodes."
Gatebi tilted her head questioningly. "Since your dad is gone, does your mom keep the 'T'?"
Ettwanae grew instantly glum. "Not if our people were alive in good number. Now, I don't think it matters."
'Time to shift focus,' Warren decided. They'd drifted far from the story yet again, but curiosity still had questions. "We know Volu was found by Bae and Volu was in stasis for years. Where was she all that time?"
It was the Eshaar'ne who answered Warren. "At first, they hid me on a small planetoid around a dead star hoping one day to have a child and I would be that child's Other. Later, Ettwanae was born and the problem of halting my ru'zha was in hand, but Ettwanae had to first grow to the age of maturity, and then she had to use the amulet to call to me."
Ettwanae nodded, a smile chasing away all remnants sadness. "When my summons broke the stasis field, Volu was in a very depleted condition, but she still came. My courageous Volu," the Esha'Aru said into the air with pride and tenderness.
"Where were you? How far away?"
"Not far, Warren. When T'Qilla decided to leave Ettwanae with Bhenra, Bae towed me from the first hiding place to one of Ompuer's moons and buried me. That act and my induced phased state shielded me from detection."
Warren recognized Ompuer as the outermost planet of the Sat'rey system. "So about two years ago, after you found Bhenra dying, you used the amulet to call Volu."
"I did – out in the desert. I followed Mother's instructions from her message chip. Just before he died, Bhenra told me where it was and to watch it. Volu heard and came. She arrived just in time."
Flint laughed. "But I remember you sayin' how it wasn't a love fest right off. You gotta tell War what ya told us."
Ettwanae actually blushed, batting thick-lashed blues at Warren making his heart – and other things – tingle.
"Weelll, I was scared and Volu did drop out of nowhere and was a bit…pushy…"
"Poda, you can say it, and I will not be offended. You believed me to be a renegade AI ship that was not quite sane."
The mirth in Volu's tone spurred Ettwanae on. "Oh, that's exactly it!" she laughed. "You were all over me like a lost paquid pup! I didn't know what to make of you." Her renewed giggles made everyone chuckle.
"What's a paquid pup?"
"I will show you, Warren."
A holo image popped up. To Warren, the small creature resembled a rabbit, less the long ears, with larger and deep brown eyes, thicker fur, and six legs.
"Cute."
"And they use that cuteness to get the attention and love they crave," Gatebi added. "Many people on Alcab have them as pets. They are a common companion animal many places in the Empire. Paquids are native to Thael."
Warren raised his eyebrows trying to imagine Volu acting like a love-starved bundle of cuddly fur. "Volu, is that a valid comparison?"
Her version of laughter filled the room. "Perhaps, though I was more reserved than the comparison suggests."
"Vo, you're just tryin' to hang on to some dignity! I believe Twae's version."
Laughter all around.
"I was thrilled beyond words to have an Other call me. Coming out of stasis, which I had no idea why was in, left me bewildered, disoriented, and weak. Being summoned gave me a reason to live and a purpose. When I realized my soon-to-be Other was in mortal danger, my protective instincts took over. I was so overjoyed to have saved her; words cannot accurately express the feelings."
Warren nodded. "Understandable."
Flint gave his fellow male a mock disproving look. "You're taking her side? You need to hear more!" He waved a hand at the Esha'Aru. "Tell 'im, Twae, like ya told us."
"First, I wanted to know who she was, and Volu kept talking about joining and me being her Other. At that time, I had no idea what she was referring to. But another shuttle was coming and I knew it had to be the people trying to capture me, so I went inside Volu. She seemed the better of two dangerous options."
"You obviously made the right decision," Gatebi pointed out with an amused grin.
"But I wasn't so sure for awhile. More talk about joining and Others and meant to be together – none of it made sense." More laughter. "I was beginning to think Volu wasn't quite…right. I refused to do the joining ritual until she replayed a message from my mother that she'd recorded when she left Volu near Sat'rey. It explained Volu was my Eshaar'ne and had been hidden away for years waiting for me."
"After that you joined?"
"Not immediately," she admitted with a defiant uplift of the chin. "I knew nothing of my people's way, Warren. Getting linked mentally to a stranger was frightening idea, but with a different species? I didn't know Volu, didn't know her kind, and had no idea what to expect from such an intimate connection, so I put it off."
"But there was nothing to be frightened of, was there, Poda?" Volu's tone was gentle and sweet.
Ettwanae grinned widely. "No, there wasn't. Afterward, it felt so right and normal that I wondered why I was so hesitant. That's the story!"
There was something else Warren had asked a couple of times, but hadn't gotten a detailed. "How exactly is joining accomplished?" When Gatebi and Flint's attention visibly heightened, curiosity ratcheted up.
The teen shot a look to the Alcab. "She ever tell ya?"
Gatebi gestured negative. "Not details, only that it involves a ritual with the amulet."
A bemused look took over Ettwanae's features, and feathers ruffled. "A woman has to have some secrets!"
Flint burst out laughing. "Twae, I swear you're really Human and that fancy image inducer only makes ya look Esha'Aru!"
Ettwanae was perplexed. Warren helped her out. "What you said is an old saying about women where we come from."
She blushed for some reason. Aru found that appealing. Urgings that had been blessedly quiet that day stirred to life. 'Not now,' he sighed internally. Nothing he couldn't deal with for while, though.
"Is it a secret, or are you willing to share?" he queried, curiosity on high alert.
"Well…" she glanced at the threesome, seeming to enjoy dragging out their anticipation. "Volu, do you mind if I enlightened them?"
"Not at all."
Flint snorted and leaned forward. "Yeah, Twae – what's the big secret?" he asked in feigned accusation, resting elbows on thighs.
She smirked at the teen so coyly that Warren's libido ratcheted up. He stifled a groan.
"The first step is to place the amulet in its spot on the bridge, sit in the chair, and lean back. I closed my eyes, but Volu said that wasn't necessary. I differ from her in that opinion. Closing your eyes is definitely a good idea."
Green eyes widened. "Why?" Intense interest blended with concern in the teen's voice.
Ettwanae leaned toward Flint. Warren caught a mischievous glint in the crystalline-blues. "You see, Flint, in the top of the chair back there is a needle-like probe. At joining, that gets poked into the base of the skull."
The teen looked grossed out. "God, really? A fuckin' needle to the brain?!"
Ettwanae nodded. "Not all the way into the brain, Flint. Eshaar'ne embed an organic neuro-bundle into the skull of their Other…it allows them to exchange thoughts."
Flint jerked rod straight. "Jesus, Twae! You let Vo do that to ya? Shit! That's like mad scientist stuff. Couldn't it just be like a ring or something? Why does it hafta be jabbed into your head?"
Ettwanae's crystalline-blues twinkled as she obviously enjoyed freaking Flint out.
Volu offered the explanation. "External devices can be lost. Once the node is positioned, bone grows over the device and it cannot be removed except surgically. That ensures Others will not lose contact with one another unless very powerful shielding separates them."
"Like those on Hydeera or Tider's shop," Gatebi offered.
"Yes. Unfortunately, the races have advanced to the point of being able to circumvent the neuro nodes my species creates."
Volu's remark drove home what she'd shared months ago with Warren – worry that she was becoming obsolete. The up and coming races were indeed overtaking her ancient U'larr-based biotechnology.
He grinned widely trusting Volu would see. "You still kick ass, Volu."
The Eshaar'ne version of laughter filled the room. "I believe thank you is the appropriate response."
Warren eyed Ettwanae. "The version you gave me before did not include needles," he retorted in feigned accusation, but added a smirk to ensure she understood he wasn't serious.
Blue orbs went wide in mock surprise and lashes batted. Libido squirmed. "It didn't? I can't imagine why not…"
Flint chuckled; then piped up for one last opinion. "It's still freakin' gross. You'd never catch me letting someone stick a probe in my head!"
"That's why I say it's a good idea to close your eyes. When Volu said there'd be a slight pinching sensation at the top of my neck, it was a bit of an understatement." Ettwanae spread her wings slightly and upturned her hands.
The gesture ignited Aru in a breath-robbing flashover that shook Warren to his core. Fists clenched and eyes squeezed tight, he fought to maintain control. 'Why now? Why so intense?' Through the veil of lusty desire, he heard his name in concerned tones. He was afraid to open his eyes…afraid if he saw her, he'd lose control.
Sucking in breath and exhaling, he reopened his eyes and smiled passed the sexual wantonness and aching groin with great effort.
"Sorry, need to excuse myself for a minute." Standing on less than stable legs, he fervently hoped Etxan'Ir held the solution they wanted.
Then his brain clicked.
###
Brain clicks are never a good thing. Stay tuned to find out what happens next. Hopefully, you'll find C17 a nail-biter!