Traveling with the Shukurae was definitely a novelty.
Theodore feared the novelty would wear thin before they finished the short
three day journey to Afon. Much to his relief, distractions came in many
forms. Talking with Anna never got old, but it was much to his relief and her
fascination, there were people of other races on the dreadnaught as well,
humans, Kiarazar as well as Taiks of all varieties: Highlanders, Altshea and
Kulpgurie.
Lt. Katchmel, a Taik from the Kulpgurie Republic, had
quickly become the pair's guide for their short trip. “A great many peoples
transfer or volunteer to work with the Shukurae. Everything from people
wanting to see the galaxy, adventurers, police, paramilitary to front-line
assault troops. The Shukurae travel far and wide and do contract and emergency
work just as far and wide. There are all kinds here. The one thing that we
all universally agree on is action: no pencil pushers here! Everyone is here
for the real world experience.”
“And you,” asked Anna bright eyed and curious.
Katchmel grinned, “Maritime rescue and salvage is my
expertise. I free dive to a hundred meters unassisted and have over a thousand
hours of Heli-Ox deep water dives.”
“Maritime?” asked Theodore slightly surprised.
Katchmel laughed, “Yeah, that catches a lot of people at
first. Think about it, if orbital ships, or especially escape pods, do an
emergency landing on a typical habitable world...”
“Odds are they may hit an ocean!” grinned Theodore finally
catching the point. “Most colony worlds are about two-thirds ocean...”
“Or more,” Katchmel grinned.
“So you are more on the humanitarian side of the house,”
offered Anna. Suddenly she looked disgusted, “That was a
horribly
species
centric choice of words. I'm terribly sorry!”
Katchmel just laughed again, “Nah! Don't worry about it,
ma'am... There are a
lot
of things that come across weird in
translation. You have to roll with it around here, there are so many species
working together all sorts of expressions come out to getcha! Some of the
Shukurae ones are just weird. Other expressions, like the Highlander's 'paint
your fur blue,' are so thoroughly obscene to the Kiarazar that they will clam
up and not talk for an hour or more.”
Anna grinned, “Okay, normally I'm terribly curious, but I
think I’ll let it pass on that one!”
“Good! I think that one is best left to the over-twenty-one
crowd!”
“Too much information...” grinned Theodore.
“Well, it's about dinner time, let me get you two over to
either the mess hall or the canteen. The canteen is actually kinda sedate this
time of day, so it might be a better choice. Don't eat too much tomorrow
night: drop ship flight down to the Highlands of Afon is almost always a very
rough ride.”
“Why so rough?” asked Anna.
“Very, very strong and turbulent magnetic fields in the
upper atmosphere... once you're down to 10-15km, it's a nice and smooth ride.
But the upper layer, wow! It can be nasty!” Katchmel grinned at Anna sensing
the obvious next question, “We
think
the disturbances are caused by the
Gatehouses and their little perpetual wormholes. We say 'think' because every
time the physics gals run the numbers it doesn't make sense: if the wormholes
were causing the problems then there ought to be even stronger distortions near
them. Not so much...”
Anna grinned with giddy anticipation, “I've
heard
of
the gatehouses! Those ought to be amazing!”
“The carvings on them are just as amazing,” offered
Theodore. “At least ten thousand years old and absolutely no sign of
weathering.”
“This is going to be so cool!” beamed Anna.
Katchmel grinned, “Highlands are all fun and things until
you miss the videos or movies...”
“Ah, but live theater instead!”
Katchmel grinned knowingly, “I think someone is thoroughly
hooked! Well, at least you'll fit the seats well; we use human dropships over
the highlands normally. Human ships seem to cope the best and the pilots have
some amazing coordination.”
“Hey, humans are good at something,” beamed Anna.
Katchmel laughed, “Hey, you humans are good at
lots
of things. Really sharp eyes for one. Now, if we could just work on your
sense of smell...”
Suddenly Anna went pale, “You know about that?”
Katchmel looked confused, “I thought it was well known that
humans sense of smell wasn't that articulate.”
Anna flushed, “Oh! You meant humans in general! I'm sorry
about that...”
Katchmel just grinned as he changed the subject, “Come on!
Food! The canteen should be good for a couple more hours.”
Minutes later Anna and Theodore were seated comfortably in a
booth at the canteen eating simple, but tasty and well prepared food.
Theodore's mind raced with curiosity, but his sense of propriety kept
dominating.
Anna looked up at him and offered a feeble smile, “Just ask
it. I know you want to.”
Theodore's ears flushed and his fur churned, “Um. I'm
sorry...”
Anna laughed and beeped Theodore on the nose, “Synesthesia.
My brain doesn't process smell like normal people. I don't talk about it
much. Makes people feel kinda uneasy around me when they find out.”
Theodore slowly shook his head, “Pardon my ignorance, but
I've never heard of the word before.”
Anna forced a smile as she poked at her food, “My brain
mixes things up and I
see
smells. Mostly as color...”
“That sounds pretty cool actually,” offered Theodore
honestly.
“Seriously? Not weird or creepy?”
“Nope. Just different,” replied Theodore with a smile.
“Um, if you haven't noticed, I'm a Taik and you are a human. Lots of things
are just different!”
Anna finally let loose an honest laugh, “Yes, yes I did
notice we are
very
different. Not the least of which, you are a boy!”
Theodore grinned, “Noticed that did you? Even behind all
the fur?”
Anna grinned, “Yep, even behind all the fur!”
Theodore was beside himself as he stared out the window of
the dropship to view the Highlands below. It was always so majestic seeing the
lands from so high up; it always just made things seem so simple and peaceful.
The ride was far from peaceful, the ship buffeted violently on the descent and
he had his concerns about Anna.
Anna for her part was hooting and hollering like she was on
a roller coaster ride. She looked like she might throw up at any moment, but
was having a marvelous time regardless. “Oh, the Eastern Mountains are so
pretty! They stay covered in snow year round?”
“Yep, they range from 4000 way up to 8000 meters. Darn cold
and thin up that high. The range in the far northwest is actually higher, but
is also way, way north! The range starts at just above the arctic circle.
Here come the clouds!”
They both laughed as the puffy white clouds started to bathe
the ship. Their laugh was complimented by the noticeable decrease in
turbulence. By the time they broke through the bottom, it was whisper smooth
sailing. Their glorious view of the alpine forests was cut short as the
standard safety drill for landing commenced. With seat belts tightened, but
probably not as much as they should have been, they finally touched down in a
large meadow outside of a peaceful town. The pair giddily exited with their
meager belongings and stood well clear and waved as the craft quickly returned
to the sky.
“We the only two?” asked Anna.
“Apparently! Come on, we've got four hundred miles to go
before we get to my parents' house!”
Anna face went wide, “Four hundred miles! Why did they drop
us off here?”
Theodore grinned, “Um, for one, this is one of the
standard
places they land. And, um, two... you are forgetting...”
“Gatehouses!” beamed Anna.
Theodore grinned as they took hands and walked across the
alpine meadow to the nearby town. It was a modest town, stone and timberframe
buildings lined the streets while water fountains of all shapes and styles
graced almost every corner. There were people about on the streets, going
about their daily routines. There were smiles and waves all around to be had.
“Um, humans here often?” asked Anna as she waved to another
passer-by.
“Not common, but often enough. Most of the tourism in this
area is from Lowlanders. They are easy to pick out by their dress.”
“This place is
clean!
I mean really!”
Theodore laughed, “A lot of humans comment on that. Many
show up expecting some primitive backwater place that had never heard of indoor
plumbing! When you have fur everywhere and a really keen sense of smell,
cleanliness comes quickly!”
They threaded their way through the charming town and were
soon on a well maintained road heading into the woods. Less than five hundred
meters later, they turned into a clearing with a massive stone structure in its
center. Easily forty meters tall, it was carved top to bottom in intricate
detail. The front offered a simple entryway into a series of long halls.
Anna gasped as she admired the carvings up close and her eyes twinkled as she
gazed on the first wormhole inside the massive structure.
“It's so perfectly clear! No shimmering or anything to give
it away, but that,
that
doorway goes to someplace far from here! The
trees on the other side aren't even close!”
“That is our turn, actually,” grinned Theodore. “East Black
Forest. Right at two hundred miles from here over land.” Theodore laughed as
he watched Anna run back and forth across the threshold of the great wormhole.
“Save for the wind on the other side, there is no sensation
that it isn't just another door! The wind doesn't blow through the wormholes?”
“Nope! No clue how that works out. Come on through and
stay
through!”
Anna grinned and took Theodore's hand, “Hey, the Gatehouse
on this side is really small!”
“Yep, there are a bunch of big ones that have multiple
gates, and a giant sprinkling of smaller ones that have just a single gate.
Don't slow down now, we've got a ways to go before the next Gatehouse!”
They quickly passed through a far smaller, but no less
charming town, before heading into the deep woods. It was fairly dark, under
the tall trees, but it was comforting to Theodore nonetheless. The cities,
well... they just seemed oppressive and tight at times. Theodore laughed as he
looked at Anna, wide eyed and giddy at the new environment. “Not been in
natural forest much?”
Anna just grinned, “Not since I was about four! And this
one is far more impressive! The trees are massive and,” she laughed out loud,
“no mosquitoes!”
“Yeah, blood sucking bugs could ruin many things!” grinned
Theodore. “There is a traveler's fountain about an hour up the road. You going
to make it?”
“Of course!”
Three long and wonderfully peaceful hours later, they
arrived in the next town. Lunchtime was fast approaching so they made the easy
decision to take a break and eat at an outdoor café. Theodore had an amusing
time helping Anna navigate the menu: while she knew what most of the words
meant, that didn't really go far to explain what the food was.
“Battered, deep fried and covered in gravy!” laughed Anna.
“How can you go wrong with that!”
Theodore grinned, there was sort of an honest truth to that,
“Oh, by the way. Most of the drinks they serve at lunch
are
alcoholic.
But it's a really low proof.”
“Hey,” grinned Anna, “why wasn't
that
on the travel
brochure?”
“There was a travel brochure?”
There was more curiosity of Anna's presence than at the
first town, but it was politely met and received. The locals were pleasantly
surprised at Anna's skill in the Old Tongue. While by no means perfect, it was
happily received. Theodore marveled at Anna's ear, she latched on to the regional
accent almost immediately, only her grammar gave her away... well that and the
lack of a fur coat...
With lunch pleasantly put away, they casually continued
about their way. Another pair of Gatehouses and they were in deeper woods
yet. Deeper, but not darker, the canopies of the great trees let in precious
light, but there was no arguing with the nature of the trees! Massive,
swelling more than a hundred meters into the sky. Another hour wore on and the
pair was starting to get tired. It was pleasant enough, but they had put some
distance on their legs that morning. But the path finally broke free to a
clearing that revealed a moderate sized town beyond.
“This is it! My parents live well outside of town, but at
least it is
this
town!”
Anna perked up as she looked ahead, “Hey! It's a pretty
one, too. A little bigger than the last?”
“Yep! Nice comfortable sized. Marionsford. And the river
it straddles...”
“The River Marion?”
“Guessed it in one! Come on!”
They both picked up their pace a bit as they strolled into
town. It was a charming place, not that the others hadn't been as well, but
one's hometown always has a certain feel to it. They grinned as they watched
couples kissing on the bridge when suddenly Theodore spotted someone and called
out, “Emily! Second Mother! I'm home!”
Emily, with Rose in hand and little Abby tight across her
shoulder, quickly came bounding over to Theodore. One warm hug later and
Emily's warm smile suddenly vanished, “You're home early! Something went wrong?
Your grades were still stellar...”
Theodore hugged his nervous mother again and held her free
hand tight, “My grades were fine, I'm on leave for a semester. There was
another attack, so I thought it best to come home and enjoy the break while the
police tried to sort it all out.”
Emily nodded nervously, “You'll need to tell us all about
it. Best get you home so you don't have to tell the story a dozen times!” Her
face melted as she made eye contact with Anna, “You were the pretty girl that
helped us before! You and your good doctor mother! Are you in trouble, too?”
“Yes, ma'am,” replied Anna with a polite smile and her best
effort yet at the Old Tongue. “I... I got sucked up into the mess again...
We figured it might be safer for me to hide out here too! I have some money
and I'm perfectly willing to get a job to help...”
Emily just laughed and kissed Anna lightly on the cheek,
“We'll worry about such trifles later! Let's get you two back to the house!”
Anna just beamed, “Thank you.”
“Would you like to carry Abby? You seemed taken with her
before...” asked Emily with a broad smile.
“Yes, ma'am! I'd be delighted!”
“First Mother, I'm home!” beamed Theodore as he entered the
front of their small but dignified home.
Fiona, First Mother and Charlotte, Third Mother, quickly
came out to greet the group. There were many smiles flashed around but just as
quickly as with Emily, a nervous air soon filled the room. His father, Aidden,
soon joined them and they all crowded around the dinner table while Theodore
recounted the last week's hectic activities.
“Good you came home. Both of you,” began his father. “It
is far safer here than back in those cities. A stranger here, no matter how
polite, is still a stranger and easy to pick out.” He turned and looked to
Fiona knowingly.
Fiona smiled broadly back at her husband before turning to
face Theodore and Anna. “I concur and gladly invite you to stay, Anna.” She
offered a brief laugh, “We'd offered you that before for summer, and well, it
seems rough hands have brought you to us half a season early, but no less
welcome.”
Anna beamed, “I'll do my best to be a gracious guest. I do
have some of your money and I'm perfectly willing to help around the house,
cook, clean... or in town as needed!”
Fiona grinned, “You are a good girl indeed! We'll find
something to make do of your idle time, but exploring and learning your way
around our town should be your first priority. They are all good people and if
they know you well, that forms our first line of defense. We are, after all, a
community!”
“You and your mother did well with the wounded at the
port...” reflected Emily.
“My mother is a doctor and I have emergency medical
training,” offered Anna.
“Ever handle deliveries? The midwife in town could use some
help,” observed Emily.
“I've done quite a few actually, and I'd be delighted to
help where I can!”
Fiona just laughed, “The poor girl has been here less than
an hour! Don't try to put her to work so quickly!” She smiled broadly at
Anna, “You have a good heart about you, don't let the evil that has passed your
way temper that.”
Anna just blushed, “Thank you, ma'am.”
Fiona just laughed and tutted Anna, “Call me Fiona, please.
Or First Mother, if you like. I respond to both!”
“If we clean out the attic and move that stuff to the shed,
it's just a fresh coat of paint away from being civilized up there,” offered
Aidden.
“I can paint walls, and it's probably easier for me to clean
up afterward. No fur!” beamed Anna.
Fiona just laughed, “And what type of host would I be if I
put you to work on day one? No! You youngsters head out! Emily, you're back
early. I take it they interrupted your shopping?”
“Yes, Fiona. Want me to take them back into town?”
“Please, please! Show them around! Introduce them to the
midwife if you like even. Just don't volunteer our poor guest for anything!”
Anna grinned as she shifted Abby on her shoulder, “Can I
volunteer myself?”
“Shoo!” laughed Fiona and herded them toward the door.