Thomas sat in his usual spot reading over the latest message from his daughter, explaining that they would be landing on the Fringe soon, without having put in an exact location. It was good that she was at least trying to stay in contact with a message every few days, especially since she had left so quickly. He had woken up to Henaiah sleeping as always, and his Bible placed gently on the bed along with a message waiting on his info pad. It had been important that they go, and while he didn't feel like it was entirely necessary that she accompany Illya on this trek, he understood perfectly well why she had. He would have given anything to have been there when his beautiful Henaiah had gone on her last mission.
His hand crept over to his wife's and covered it gently. Sometimes at the touch, she would sigh in her unconsciousness with a long breath in and out between the quiet little huffs under her own power. This time she let out a long breath and her hand twitched under his. That was something new. A jolt went through the old professor and his eyes shot up to Henaiah's grey toned face. Her eyes were open.
Jumping to his feet, he took up her hand in his and held it tight to him. "Henaiah?" Her once green and vibrant eyes were dull, and some of the blackness from the poison had seeped into them, making them look like deadened marbles. She didn't respond at all to him, and panic set in. "Henny," he croaked, "Can you hear me?" The council woman's eyes didn't move or shift in the slightest, instead she simply blinked staring straight into the florescent lighting. With his free hand, he hit the emergency button to call the nurse and kept asking if she could hear him, without receiving any reply. It only took 5 seconds for the nurse to appear in the doorway quickly followed by the doctor.
"She's not answering," Thomas told them, "She's not answering at all."
The doctor tried to speak to her but received the same treatment, other than her fingers twitching under Thomas' hands. "I will need to run some tests. We knew the extent of the brain damage was wide, but it will be impossible to tell if this is entirely due to an issue of her brain, or if her eyes are too damaged to detect external stimuli."
"You're saying she might be blind?" he replied.
"I'm saying, that we need to test for all possible causes, brain damage or severe trauma to the optic nerves." If she wasn't responding to vision or sound, it could be that her brain damage was far too extensive and had yet to recover, or that the actual nerves themselves were still too damaged to function. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but it had been the hope that the general's bone marrow along with the booster shots would repair a large amount of the dead tissue. The fact that she was awake was a good sign, but the rest of her recovery would still be a long one, and no one knew how much of her body would return to normal.
*******
Calysta got up with Illya and dressed in her usual black tunic with its usual silver belt, before getting started with the day. He had volunteered to do the dishes, so she let him head off to the kitchen as she went to the cockpit. It looked like all the read outs were normal. They would have enough fuel and to make it the four days to G'koe where they would refuel and resupply before using the jump gate to the Delta quadrant. She had never been through the jump gate, though a promotion had been in the works at Skycorp to send her on less domestic missions across the quadrants before the war. Word from pilots who had been across the gate was that it was an interesting experience, as it was even faster than the most power of jump drives. Checking over their heading, she made sure they were on the correct course. There was a small nebula they would be entering soon, but it would be no trouble when she had a read out of the gasses that were inside. Low conductivity and high water content.
With that done, she passed Illya leaving the engine room and gave him an odd look. Hadn't he been doing the dishes? Shaking her head, Calysta continued into the engine room where she found the gears had already been well oiled, but that the rest of the room hadn't been checked. Rolling up her sleeves, she started working making sure their most essential parts were in good working order. They had many light years to travel now. Making a list on her pad of emergency parts she wanted to pick on in G'koe, it took about an hour to finish up in the engine room and then she made her way to the bedroom. Calysta found her clothes were out of the floor, but the bed hadn't been made. With a little smile, she made up their bed, fluffing the pillows and tucking them under the soft sheets before opening the shade on the window in front of the small desk. Sitting in the little anchored chair in front of the desk, Calysta pulled out her pad and began constructing several different messages, most of which were replies to her father, and small translations for Tikan. There was even a message from Haza that took forever to process, but contained a picture of Rose with a large toothy grin, flanked by Cypher in his little seat, and Haza's baby boy Sien. It was good to see them all together and know that Cypher would have a playmate as he grew up. The thought of them growing up hit her a little and she sighed. What if they didn't come back from this? Who would tell sweet Cypher about his father? Or how much his mother loved him?
Calysta thought for a moment on what she would want in case that happened. Typing back, she made a short statement of general things that she and Illya would probably agree on. Rose and Cypher would remain in Haza and Ehud's care where it was safest, while her father would of course could visit. She also asked that Rose stay in school and for her boy to start school at the right age. Knowing her friend, these would be easy requests. Having done that, she thought she would feel sad, but it was actually comforting to know her children wouldn't grow up alone and in a community who looked down on them as she had. Saving the new picture to hologram coin, Calysta stretched a little and then went into the kitchen, where she found the sink full of water and half of the dirty dishes sunk to the bottom. He hadn't finished the dishes? Slipping off her tunic, she laid it across the counter top and went to work on the remainder of the dishes. It didn't take long for her to finish them, and while she worked, Illya had passed by the doorway rushing off to one end of the ship or the other. What in the Wilds was he up to? He was more scattered brained than ever, and when she thought about it, the more wonderful that seemed. It was a normal day at home with her Chip. Chuckling to herself, Calysta cleaned up the rest of the galley, then headed off to the cockpit to design a program that would help her chart the new systems they were going to and to download the Delta quadrant specifics from the data base. She wanted to know what all the places were like that they were going.
After hours of work, Calysta put down her pad and sniffed at the air. She hadn't realized what time it was, and something delicious was wafting through the entire ship. Illya was cooking? More than likely he got hungry and decided to make dinner for himself, but it smelled so good, Calysta rose from her seat and wandered down the hallway. Poking her head into the galley, she found Illya at the stove shoveling a pile of food onto a plate. He had cooked for her like he used to do. The thought made a little smile spread to her lips and she took as seat at the bar like table across from him, looking down at her plate. There was meat piled with rice and stir fried vegetables on top of that, sitting on crispy flat bread like Yvonne had shown her to make once. It looked as though he had been trying to make about three different things at one time, something akin to a Kaerelean vegetable, a Terran meat and Chippeoquti bread to make it right. As strange as the combination sounded, Calysta picked up her fork and tucked into the plate for a first bite. The seasoning was mild, but deliciously balanced and she went in for another bite, then another. How had she gotten so hungry? Hardly a word passed between them as she down the food with surprising gusto and then scurried to the pan for more. She rarely ate seconds, but this was too good to pass up. Ladling more of the stir fry on top of the sweet bread, she returned to the table and smiled up at Illya who was giving her a surprised look. "It's great. I don't know what it is, but it's delicious."
She finished up her second plate and offered to take Illya's plate to the sink, but he took hers instead. Not doing the dishes had its perks, but she wanted to spend some time with him and knew he wanted to talk. Maybe now he would be ready to tell her what it was that he had mentioned that morning.
Calysta dried the dishes as Illya handed them to her, swabbing each one down with the freshly laundered hand towel. First the pan, then the plates and cups, lastly the silverware, each getting dried it in turn. There was a comforting feeling of standing next to Illya doing the dishes together like they used to after a good meal. It was one of their times together where they could talk and just goof around a little after a long day. Illya must have been thinking the same thing because as he fished around for that last little fork buried under water and suds, he commented on how it would be a good time to talk. Brightening some, Calysta smiled and nodded to him, taking the last fork from his tan hand. "Aye, I think it is. Maybe I'll make us some tea too." She dried off the last fork and stowed it away before standing on her tip toes to reach for the tea container on the top shelf.
While Kalizda reached for the tea Illya drained the sink and rinsed it out. Since she was busy mixing the tea he decided to get out a large mug for each of them. "Kalizda I tink about some tings and..." taking a deep breath he glanced at her. "Sometimes et feels like maybe I dun tell yah tings yah should know. Ets nut right and I want ta fex et." They were possibly in trouble and he was mentally kicking himself for not talking with her about this earlier. "Kalizda I was agreed before yah and I had a baby girl. Dey are bot gone now, but dat's nut what boters meh. I tink ets nut right dat I dun tell yah I remember. Dere are a lot of tings I start tah remember. For long time yah tink yah onleh one ta remember our past togeter. Many times we talk I dun remember what yah said den, but I know what we did. I keep all dis to mehself because I worry for long time." Lowering his gaze slightly he reached for her one hand and he held it gently between his large, hot, brown hands. "I tink maybe I nut as honest as I should be ef yah meh agreed. Dah necklace I ask yah ta trust meh. Kalizda I work ta trust yah. We dun need secrets? Yah meh agreed, meh translator, and meh best friend. I know dis again."
She set the tea box down and opened it to find not one but two satchels inside, one was the warm lavender and chamomile she had put in there and the other smelled like cinnamon with some thing else. A little pink ribbon was tied around the top and Calysta smiled some. Rose. She didnt interrupt Illya as he started to talk and brought up Isla and Lahna too. It was the first time he had mentioned her since his accident and Calysta stopped working on the tea, to gaze up at him. He remembered? She swallowed hard, hearing that he remembered more than he let on as his calloused hands encircled hers. What did she say to something like that? Her grey eyes searched over his tan face. He was trying to be open and honest with her. Slowly, her expression softened from surprised to gentle. "Illya...I know the last year has been so hard. You had people expecting so many things from you. I didnt want you to think I expected you to just be as you were." She paused, gathering her thoughts before stepping a little closer. This was a hard subject and not at all what she expected. "You didn't tell me because you were worried? What were you worried about? That I would expect you to be like before? You're my best friend, memory or not. I don't want secrets between us."
Illya wasn't sure how she would take it the news. It was difficult and he didn't like to think that it probably hurt, but more than likely it did. The man waited for several seconds to answer her question. "I was worried about yah, Rose, and Cypher. No matter how strong I can't stop war and dere are times dat I won't be enough ta protect yah. I tink for long time ef I try nut to get too close et would be easier."
Calysta didn't reply right away. He had been saying things and doing things. Meaning them and feeling them, but holding back from her because he was scared. It was easier not to. The words were almost like the ones he spoke on the night before the wedding and it made sense for a man who didn't remember that conversation to go back to thinking as he had. As logical as it was, the knowledge didn't sting any less. She drew in a deep breath and let it out, before returning out of her own mind. "Neither of us can stop this war and there is no going back. It's going to test us, hurt us, and already has. But what is there to fight for is not things like Rose and Cypher? And this." She put her little free hand over his and her thumb brushed over his knuckles lightly. "I used to think that way before I met you. No one wanted a half breed, and it was easier not to let people get close. You showed me that wasn't true. We can't stop this war, and what might happen scares me, but we can protect each other. That's what family does." She was rambling and knew it and she highly doubted any of it was comforting or even logical to him, though it was how she felt.
"Sometimes I tink for all meh years dat I am nut so smart." Illya looked at her hand for a moment and then he shifted his gaze to her face again. "Having yah and the dah kids makes et more important for meh. I have someting more ta fight for." This was a small talk that he'd been avoiding and he didn't really want to go over, but it had to be done. "Meh beautiful Kalizda. I tink dere es more hurt in coming time, but I dun want ta hold back anymore. We bot share even ef ets difficult news eh?" That was perhaps the one thing that struck him. He had thought that her hiding information from him was horrible and dishonest only to find that when he examined himself that he had been far worse.
For all of this time, she thought it had been the brain injury and her. It was a relief to know that it wasn't, though if he had said something sooner, it might have been easier. Than again, was she any better? She hadn't been trusting him with some things out of fear and habit, but she could only do it for so long. " For a long time, I thought it was my fault, but I understand now. There will be more hurt," she replied, her voice a whisper, "We dont hold back anymore and face it together no matter what." Whether by design or war, life was too short and moments were too precious not to enjoy them fully.
Since it seemed the hard part was done Illya smirked a little when she leaned up to kiss him. It felt natural to let his arms sneak around her waist and he lifted her up slightly so her little feet came up off the ground. "While I hold yah captive maybe I kiss yah." With a little growl he planted a big kiss on her lips. "Now, dat was all I had ta tell yah." It wasn't so easy, but it had to be done.
Calysta gasped and laughed as he lifted her up off the ground and out of instinct her hands latched on to his shoulders as he kissed her playfully. It was something she had seen spots of, but not like this. This was her Chip through and through. A smile grew under his lips and she gazed at him when he pulled away, her feet still hovering over the floor. "Oh is that all," she chuckled, leaning in to give him a little peck. "I'm glad you did." The hot water for the tea was ready, but she was reluctant to leave his arms for the moment, until it was absolutely necessary. He sat her down and helped her pour the water over the tea herbs , and into the cups. It smelled good, and things felt better between them. Like a haze of uncertainty had been lifted and she could breath for the first time in a long time. Given their new promise to be open and not keep secrets, plus the mood he was in, she decided it might be time for her to learn more about where they were going and what sort of situation to they would be getting themselves into. She couldn't protect him if she didn't know. Taking a sip of her tea, she leaned against the counter top, and looked over her Chip. "I know we are going somewhere dangerous for us both. You know that's not anything new for us," she said, with a small chuckle, "But I am curious. Are we the first to ever go back to Qouti?"
The Chip watched his little woman carefully while she poured the tea. She seemed to be much happier. He couldn't tell if it was for the moment or not, but he had half a feeling that the mood had changed semi permanently. It was going to be difficult to talk with her sincerely about some things and he didn't want to talk about other parts of his life, but he knew it was necessary for them to move forward. In many ways he had missed the way they had shared their lives before. There was no telling what it would be after they got to Quoti, but he wanted to make the most of it now and from there on out. As soon as they were seated at the table Illya leaned over his mug and breathed in the spicy scent. Nothing was better than tea and good company. He would have been just as happy to sit here in silence and drink the tea with Kalizda, but she was right to business with her question. "We are dah first" he answered quietly and lifted his mug to take a sip. There was no telling what they would find there. "Maybe I'm glad to have meh little bird wit. Et es good dat we sort out problems."
She followed him to the table and sat down beside him, before taking another sip of her tea. This had to be a mix of something Rose made herself. It had cinnamon and clove, her favorite flavors mixed with Illya's and it wasn't altogether a bad brew, though the flavor was certainly unique. The thought of her little girl and son at home on Pyrta without them made her chest ache a little, but traveling with Illya had been needed and she didn't regret coming along for a second. In fact it had been the best thing for them now that she thought about it. Her hand crept to his free one, and she let her fingers play over his palm simply because she could while she listened. "Aye, no matter how we fight or argue, I'll always be glad to be right here." She let the moment pass while she thought over the other part of what he said. "If we are the first to return, I imagine we will be a shock. I don't know as much Chippeqouti history as I should. Yvonne trained, me but I don't think she had a trip back to the home planet in mind when she did," Calysta admitted, "The Chippeqouti split for differences in tradition. What kind of differences?"
There were a bit of questioning and Illya figured it was only natural for her to want to know what the differences were over. "Dere was originally war wit Chippequoti over dah agreements we had wit outsiders. Some of us wanted tah be left alone in our ways. Den some of Chippequoti wanted tah make more trade and dey start ta live different. Dey mix wit outsiders and dey begin tah deal wit money instead of trade wit each oter. Et was nut good change. So den war starts and too many liked dah way outsiders made life. So we leave and in time we make our own Quoti and we trade wit each oter and only trade when ets impossible nut to. We make trade wit outsiders because we must to survive. War was bitter and many Chippequoti die on bot sides. Dah traditional Chippequoti much better fighters, but dey were killed by new weapons and outsiders. Dey hunt us and den exile our kind."Calysta kept her nails lightly brushing over his palm and watched his fingers twitch when she found a ticklish spot between the callous. it sounded as though they would be stepping into a very embittered situation, knowing how severe it was to kill a fellow Chippeqouti. Exile wasn't the worst that could have happened. She wouldn't call all of the change a bad one necessarily. "Maybe things have changed even more," Calysta said, thoughtfully, "It's been a long time and maybe they would at least be willing to listen rather than kills us on sight for returning from exile. How long ago before this did you fight the Tannas? "
Chippequoti history was one of Illya's favorite and he didn't mind too much when Kalizda asked even if he was starting to run into territory that he didn't know the dates on quite as well. He remembered the fighting and the styles and methods along with the major battles and outcomes. All the things that his schooling would have entailed. "Eh....I dun remember dah time. Quoti have many try tah take dah land. Ets mountains are rich wit metals and mines. Deserts hide treasures, but onleh dose dat live in desert do well dere. Too harsh for oters." Illya sighed. "Tannas enslave Chippequoti for about 200 years and den dere was revolt and Chip's kill almost all Tannas. Rest of dem fled. Dey were more successful den most. Chippequoti still fear dem."
It answered some of her questions, at least to give an idea that the Tannas were a common enemy to both factions of Chippeqouti and tell her that these beings were powerful enough to enslave such a resilient race. The knowledge also told her that her own people likely didn't stand a chance against them alone. Scooting a little closer, she took a sip of her tea and stared into the cup for awhile before nodding. "They remind me of the mysetemyn" she said quietly, "An old legend on Kaereal. A night mare to scare children really. A creature made of the mists from the Wilds stalks at night looking for anyone who dared to cross its path. It would suffocate you, swallowing up your soul so when you died you never reached the light of the twin moons. You stayed trapped in the mist below in the Wilds, bound to the earth where the light can't reach you. It's only meant as a story, but for many of the people on Kaereal it would be a nightmare made real." Taking another quiet sip into her tea, another question came to her mind, and an important one at that. "I saw the one on the ship trying to take form into something that looked like a man. Can they take any shape?"
Talking about the Tannas was uncomfortable and necessary. Illya nodded slowly while she told the story. From sounds of it they had not carefully documented the Tannas and made them a legend. Her people knew of them. "What would keep the Tannas in the mist?" Was there a metal down there? Something that would make them want to go underneath the people? Had that been where they fled after the war and then built themselves back up? Despite his general dislike for the Pytran's Illya didn't want to see them suffer under the cruelty of the Tannas. "I tink dey be whatever dey want. Et es someting I will read about ef we get ta Quoti and dey let us use dah hologram history." It would be helpful to see if what he remembered was correct. "I used tah know dis part of history better, but et was almost 140 years since I learn dis."
"I'm not sure if it was the Tannas or if it's just an old story to explain why the mist was deadly," Calysta said, "There are certain metals on the continents though, or there used to be. Most of it has be mined to create air craft and more, because it was light and could withstand even the hardest of explosions. In the past there have been attempts to synthesize it, but all of them failed. It's very rare and very expensive now. Maybe it isn't same metal, but perhaps it works the same way?" Hearing that the Tannas could take any form fit with the legend, and also made the situation even more disturbing still. "We'll learn more, hopefully when we get to Qouti, but I think it would be good for us to make a code of some kind in case we bump into them and they can look like anything. Something only we would know with each other."
A light metal and withstanding explosions. It all sounded like something that the Tannas would want. Illya almost laughed when Kalizda said that she wanted to make a code. "I tink we can smell dem jes fine." If there was a Tannas nearby it wasn't best to call them out. "Maybe I jes say dat I dun want tea tonight." That sounded like something he wouldn't normally say and she would know what he meant. If she remembered that was what it was supposed to mean.
He laughed, but Calysta was a little serious about this idea. She didn't like the idea of sniffing any part of a Tannas to know it was there. "I think that would work," she replied, "Just in case we're in a position where we can't smell, like in a space walk suit and I need to know if its you. I say the same thing if you have to ask." Finishing the last of the tea, she felt a little more prepared to face what was coming, and much better about things between the two of them. An easy silence fell between them before she shifted on the stool and a little smile came to her face. "How much of what we did, do you remember, if I can ask."
Kalizda was almost giddy with the idea of changing conversation. He didn't blame her. The Tannas were difficult to talk about without getting uncomfortable. However, Illya found humor in the way she shifted on her seat and then proceeded to ask a question that had very little logic to it. Perhaps it was rude to laugh, but this was truly a laugh worthy question. "Kalizda, I remember et all. Ef I dun remember et I wouldn't know."
She stuck her tongue out at him with a playful nudge. He very well knew what she meant, but enjoyed teasing her nonetheless about the phrasing on the question. Mostly, she didn't want to make a reference to the past, and have it be a mystery. A little spark of an idea came to her and she slipped off her stool, a little hand trailing over his back as she walked around him. "You remember it all, hm? Then you remember how we traveled on the Ekram, and we went to Terra before, how you taught me to hunt, and we ran together on Reylia....you would remember how very fast your little bird is." With that, she pecked him with a quick kiss on the cheek and scurried to the door. Memory or not, it didn't stop them from having a little fun now.
A big grin came to Illya's face. He loved giving her smart answers like that. It just seemed that she was never quite expecting them to come out of his mouth. For the most part he was serious, but there were some moments he couldn't quite pass up. "Eh...." Already she was rattling a few occasions off and he was not remembering them all. He did remember the race. "I tink I belly flop. Yah call et dat eh?" The look on her face told him everything he needed to know. "I tell yah I dun remember quite what et was like ta have meh Kalizda sit on meh lap." Grabbing her around the waist he pulled Kalizda onto himself and he kissed her on the cheek and then her mouth. "Mmmm....I dun remember a lot of tings. I tink I forget what ets like ta kiss yah. Short memory tonight."
At mentioned of the belly flop, Calysta couldn't help but laugh openly. It had been such a sight and it was no wonder he remembered that moment. Illya grabbed her up, and pulled her into his lap while she laughed, making her giggle all the harder. "I don't think you mentioned that," she said, between the kisses. Even after everything he was all the more sweet and tempting to her. "I think I should remind you of a few things." Her hands crept up his chest and to the nape of his neck with each linger kiss, until they tangled with his hair, and she pulled back to gaze him for a moment with a grin. "Remembering yet?"
"Oh yah tink dere someting I forget?" Illya ran a hand to her leg and gave it a gentle squeeze. She started to slip her hand behind his neck and he more than remembered where this would go. Illya shifted a little in the seat and moved one hand to go under her knees. "Mmmm...I tink I need some more reminders."
As soon as his hands brushed the back her knees, she gave an involuntary jerk and exploded into a pile of laughter in his arms. She had managed to keep that ticklish spot hidden for quite some time, but he's hands snuck around to just the right spot and it simply wasn't something she could help.
The little jerk was surprising to say the least and Illya tensed momentarily. Her giggles only seemed to indicate that she was ticklish there and he stood up with her in his arms. "I tink ets safer ta get away from table eh?" She was still curled up with her laughter and he nuzzled in closer so he could kiss the side of her neck and nibble at her earlobe. "Meh little bird. She es enticing. I tink I remember dat part."
She was still laughing from being tickled when he lifted her up and covered her neck in kiss. The giggles went from uproarious to little ones accompanied with pink cheeks while he nibbled. "I could think of a good place to go," she said, almost shyly now that she was all bound up in his arms.
****************
They're arrival at G'koe was both exciting and slightly nerve wrecking. A small splinter force of the Kaerlean fleet still guarded the jump-gate, allowing cargo ships and more to go between the two quadrants in relative safety. Upon recognizing their call numbers, the fleet allowed the a docking space close to the port and an excelerated jump appointment. Sometimes it was good to the the Chippeqouti general and his diplomat translator. Since their take off would be happening much sooner than she anticipated, Calysta had to split the tasks between herself and Illya, rather than going together. "It will 5 days before our first stop in the Delta quadrant, so I've made a list of canned food that will last longer mid flight. While I'm making the arrangements for extra water and fuel, would you mind stopping by the store?" The Chip gave her skeptical look, but she assured him that everything he needed was written in bold letters on the list. She couldn't be everywhere at once, and because she spoke Kaerelean the docking process would be much easier if she handled it while he dealt with others. If he had any trouble, the store clerk would help him out. Feeling confident he would be fine because it was listed and about food, she went to work dealing with the Kaerelean dock workers.
The store clerk watched as a large man entered the lobby and looked around with a creased brow, before picking up a basket from the rack nearby. She hadn't seen anyone like him around before, and for living on G'koe one of the largest inter-galactic hub that was saying something. He was tall, broad with caramel colored skin and striking bright eyes that was catching more than her attention, while she was staring at him an older woman came up to the check out counter. Swiping items across the scanner, she watched as the handsome man took long strides down the aisle. "Hey..hey...young lady." Blinking a few times, she looked down to see the old woman offering up her credits and looking grumpy. "Oh uh, sorry." Taking the money, she bagged up the womans purchase, handed her the items, then quickly flipped of her available sign before smooth down her hair. She hadn't see the man leave yet, which was perfect. Embarking down the aisles, she went on her casual search for the hot stranger in case he needed any help. It only took her a few minutes, to find him wandering around the canned vegetables. "Ahem, is there anything I can help you with," she asked sweetly, as she walked over.
For whatever reason inherited the wonderful task of shopping for canned foods. Not that he minded going to get food, but he would have liked it so much better if he could have got something fresh. Eating food from a can sounded somewhat terrible. They were traveling and he doubted that he would get much else for the next several days. Taking a little basket Illya stared at the list and wandered aimlessly down the aisles. He'd never been in a trade store like this before. There was something called asparagus spears and Illya had tried to look for anything that would look like whatever those were. Finally he decided to go find the green beans and peas. Those were things he'd come to find out about, but he wasn't sure how they looked in a can. A young woman came up and she sounded friendly. Flashing the list to her he shrugged. "I dun know what aspergus es. Nut even sure I pronounce et right."
The young woman nearly froze when the man looked at her, but composed herself long enough to glance at the list he brandished at her. "Oh, its right here," she smiled, with a little flip of her hair. Taking a few steps to the aisle, she made sure to stretch nice and tall to reach the jar of asparagus spears on the top shelf and then let out a little sigh when her heels touched the ground again, jar in hand. Offering it up to the stranger, she chuckled. "You have alot of canned food on that list. Sounds like you'll be traveling through the jump-gate, hm? I can help you find anything you need."
Illya figured he was in the right aisle since it was all canned goods. He just didn't know what the cans were supposed to look like and he didn't want to read them all. However, that was a little bit lazy of him. Taking the jar of asparagus from the woman Illya put in the basket. "Well, ef ets all here den I tink I jes read real slow and find every ting I need. Tanks."
Feeling a bit disappointed, the woman's eyes seemed to lose a little bit of their sparkle until a little idea came to her. With a demure bat of her lashes, she gave the man a slight bow. "It should be all here, but you should have a look at our meat department. There are plenty of travel food options there as well, nothing like a little fresh meat. Oh and going through the gate can wreak havoc on your stomach if you aren't careful. There's some medicine that will keep you from getting sick if you're in need."
At the mention of meat Illya looked at the woman for a long moment. "How fresh es dah meat? I like et jes killed. Should still be able tah smell dah blood and den ets good." As for the medicine Illya didn't see why he would be needing any of that. His stomach was almost always fine. There was no reason to worry about it and he doubted that Kalizda would get sick.
"Oh very fresh," she said confidently, "If fact we had some small livestock perfect for butchering as you want while you're in flight." Waving him down the aisle, she guided him to the butcher's block located at the back of the store. An array of fresh meats from all over the galaxy was on display, some hanging fresh from hooks, others dried and cured. A gruff man was behind the counter chopping through a bone with a large cleaver when they walked up. She gave him a friendly wave and nodded. "Hi Gustav, we're just browsing." There were also caged behind the butcher filled with animals, ranging from medium sized for whole spit roasting and small for fileting. Pointing to one of the smallest cages containing a litter of fuzz ball creatures, the woman gave Illya an even broader smile. "That's the freshest you'll get. They travel well in space, take up little to no room and eat vegetable scraps. No need for special feed for them. The meat is sweet and you'll find they're easy to butcher.
Livestock to butcher in flight was the best possible answer Illya could have hoped for. The Chip nodded. Following her to the back he momentarily forgot about the vegetables he was supposed to be getting and went to look at the meat stock with the woman. When she pointed out the little animals Illya nodded. "Good. I want 20 of dem."
"I'll have them all ready for you at the counter," she said brightly, "Just come up to my line when you're done, unless there's anything else you might need help with?"
Illya nodded to the woman and almost forgot to even say anything. After a second he realized she had an expectant gaze. "Uh, tanks I will be at counter wit rest of dese tings in a bit." Waving the little list slightly he grinned and then took himself back to the aisle to dig through the painfully long list of canned goods.
Since it seemed that was it, the clerk had it arranged for the little animals to be waiting for him at the counter. Maybe the handsome stranger would give her a good tip and an even better night.
Later in the evening, Calsyta walked by the kitchen to see Illya at the counter with something strange in his hand. Clasped between his thick fingers was something small and fuzzy. At first, she thought it was a mouse, but this looked different. It had cute little ears, and button eyes, not at all like a mouse. The creature was purring happily in Illya's hand and she got excited. He'd brought home another pet! It was strange to think that she would miss it, but it was something she admittedly had wondered about. This one wasn't an unwieldly bear or bug hungry lizard. "It's cute," she said happily, walking into the kitchen to inspect the animal. Reaching up she used her fingers to stroke its delicate head between the ears. The fur was very soft and cuddle worthy as Keysha as it purred. "What's its name?" Hopefully, he hadn't named it yet, because she wanted to help come up with some good ones for the tiny thing.
*************
Calysta positioned the ship in front of the gate with shaking hands and waited for the signal that it was their turn to enter the swirling web on energy. That energy would grab their ship and rocket them so far into space that they would arrive in the Delta quadrant within 2 hours instead of 2 months. Her fingers stayed light over the controls, as she took a deep breath and glanced at Illya. He seemed a little nervous too, but she doubted that it was for the same reasons she was on edge. They were both strapped in and when the gate monitor gave the go-ahead, Calysta punched the jump drive and hurtled them through the gate. It was obvious when the energy web kicked in, as she felt a tug in her navel which grew harder and harder, until the automatic stabilization turned on, lessening the force. The guidance systems went down after that. They would be flying blind through space in a single direction for roughly an hour and a half.
"Well, barring an all out attack mid-jump, we should be well on our way to the Delta quadrant," she said to Illya, unclicking her seat belt. it wasn't near as bad as some of the pilot had made her believe. She wasn't horrible sick, though it had felt a little strange on the stomach until the stabilizers kicked in. "I'll go check the engines just to make sure there aren't major issues." The readouts indicated maximum potential, but it was always good to do a physical check, considering this ship had never made the jump before and neither had she. When Calysta tried to stand, her legs felt a little wobbly, as if someone had replaced her knee caps with a swivel. "Oh." Was all she managed to say before easing backward to sit down. Rather than an easy landing, her legs gave out half way through and her bottom plopped into the seat, making the puffed up pad air escape with a little whistle form below. "Maybe just give it a minute," she added sheepishly, her cheeks turning a rosy shade.
***********
Calysta was in the navigation room, sitting in the comfortable leather chair with her legs folded over each other and a mug of warm tea clasped in her hands. It mid afternoon, but they were on the 3rd day of a 6 day stretch till their next stop. The messages from home were taking longer and longer to send and be received simply because there were no Kaerelean net hubs this far and traditional methods took time to travel through space. Responses took a day or more now. She was staring at the last they were likely to receive. One was from her father and it was not good news. Henaiah had woken up a few weeks ago, but it had been determined that her brain was severely damaged enough that she was little more than a soul trapped in a frail body. She was blind and unresponsive to anything that had been done, other than to give her father an occasional squeeze of his hand. Given time, her Kaerelean cells combined with Illya's bone marrow may improve her condition, but she would never be as she was. Her heart ached for her father who could do little more than love her and take care of her at this point.
The second message was from Haza talking about how the children were. Rose had made perfect marks in school in every subject except history, for which she claimed to find boring, even though she tried very hard. Calysta chuckled, knowing that sounded like her daughter, but a 4 out of 5 mark was still good. Good enough for her to bring back something for good grades as a reward when they made it home. Cypher was doing well, and was cutting his first tooth. It was a little early for cutting teeth, but he had been fussy and running a fever with the effort. Calysta wanted to hold her boy, and be there for him, but this was important. This would save his life if they were successful. Maybe he would forgive her for being gone so long one day.
When the messages were done, Calysta let the hologram coin continue playing random clips from over the last few years. Images of Rose standing in her favorite pink dress and pony tail on her way to school for the first time. Kirit's birthday and standing with the young man who was waving happily with his unbroken arm as Illya hauled him off. Christmas pictures of them all. Rose sat in her lap, holding Cypher and looking up at the recorder with a joyful grin on her freckled face. Herself leaning up to kiss Illya on his cheek mid recording just to surprise him. More continued playing, and it wasn't until she noticed the shadow on the floor behind her, that she turned to see Illya watching too.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and then he sat down in the chair beside her, watching the images with her. They sat together for a long time, just watching the holograms of their family and friends play backwards through time, even to a few of them back on Nuen. Her hand crept to his across the gap, and her fingers snuggled into his palm where it was warm and she was close. Neither of them said anything and that was alright. They didn't have to. She would read the messages to Illya when they went to bed, but for now all she wanted was to sit close with him in the quiet, and secretly pray their trip was successful.
************
Calysta was pulled from sleep by a gentle nudge. They had begun sleeping in shifts and that in itself was hard simply because the bed was terribly empty when they retired and the other took command, not to mention they were also in deep, otherwise uncharted space. Anything could happen at any moment and they were due to arrive at old Qouti soon, making things even more on edge. The fact that there was a warm hand gently nudging her awake meant one of two things. Trouble or they had arrived at their destination. She opened her eyes, and knew by the look on his face that it was both. It was a good thing she had been sleeping fully clothes and armed too. It wasn't exactly comfortable, save for the peace of mind not being caught with your pants down brought.
It wasn't long before they were standing in cabin of the ship and armed Chippeqouti were coming through a boarding portal. Her heart started to pound, at the sight of them coming aboard, the adrenaline stirring her into a heightened state of awake. This was it. These were in what looked like more military informs and most of them were even taller than Illya, with a creamier color to their skin. A mix? She didn't know and she wasn't given time to ask or even spoken to as Illya put his hands on his head and announced that she was with him. It was good that he did, because the memory of the first time. She copied Illya, putting her hands on her head but kept alert. "My name is Kalizda Monroe," she said evenly, in Qouti, "He is my agreed."
The announcement went seemingly ignored. One stern looking Chip man bent down, and looked at her but there was a lack of recognition in his eyes as he patted her down and pulled the pistol from her hip carefully. Once they were patted down, they waited in the same position until she felt their tug ship bring them down for landing. It could have been smoother, but she had never known any Chippeqouti to be as graceful a flyer as a Kaerelean. No one had spoken directly to her, but she had been listening. The language was a little different, which was to be expected given the time frame the two groups had been separated. A fair few of the words were the same but the syntax was off and they spoke it with an inflection that made it harder for her understand more than a few snatches of conversation. For what she could understand, they had caused a stir.
They were escorted off the ship and into the bright Qouti sun. Calysta could feel the heat immediately soak into what exposed skin she had and she had to squint into the brightness of the day just to see anything that was happening. They were surrounded on a dock and nudged down the ramp, before a wizened old man with a cane came into view. With a decisive shove to her back, she was forced in front of the man were stared back at them, almost accusingly with his bright eyes, though his gaze was focused on Illya. She could only assume he was an Elder and it theory was confirmed when Illya bowed. Calysta quickly followed suit in the Chippeqouti style rather than the Kaerelean greeting bow, and listened as her Chip spouted off name after name. His father, his grandfather, and long before that. When he reached one of the names a murmur set through the gathered crowd and it didn't sound good.
Without so much as a warning or word, a tall Chip woman in flowing robes appeared with a device in her hands and an needle with it. She shoved it into Illya's arm, read whatever information was garnered from it, then moved over to Calysta. What was that thing a meat thermometer and they were checking for done-ness? With the sun sitting high over head, the woman would probably find her to be well-done shortly. Calysta could feel her pale skin burning under the lamp-like heat already. The woman jerked her tunic sleeve up her arm and then jabbed her with the needle. Calysta didn't wince at the pinch, or show any sign of pain, but she had the urge to ask what it was they were testing for.
For now they seemed satisfied, and the Elder pointed to a cliff in the distance. Apparently, that's where they would be going. Picking her way through the jagged rocks, Calysta had a moment to survey the planet. The land itself was pretty, and not in the same way Nuen was. Red sands and rocks, flecks with browns and oranges stretched into the cliffs beyond the horizon. It was made even more impressive when they reached the cliffs and she realized that they werent only rocks, but also a city and included an temple hewn from red rock right out of the side. Her mouth slipped open as she looked up into the impressive building. "It's beautiful."
With a few pointed nudges to her back, she was reminded to keep moving until they were inside. The temple was so much cooler inside and her burnt cheeks appreciated the relief. No sooner had they gotten inside, were they being separated. Illya was being forced on down the hall and her own guards were guiding her towards a set of smooth chiseled stairs. The thought of being apart made her sick at her stomach. They could easily kill him and take her, or kill her for being an outsider, any other terrible combination of the two. It might very well, be the last time she saw him. Giving his retreating shoulders a final glance, another nudge forced her to start climbing the stairs. "I'm walking," she sighed. Her hands clenched together at her sides, but she obeyed until they reached another landing that appeared to be a theatre of sorts, she was guided to a box seat and flanked by two guards. Her eyes settled to what was happening below, namely that Illya was standing there looking a bit nervous and there were others Chippeqoti all around them. She and Illya had come all this way to find them, and so they had. Whether or not it would kill them, remained to be seen.
His hand crept over to his wife's and covered it gently. Sometimes at the touch, she would sigh in her unconsciousness with a long breath in and out between the quiet little huffs under her own power. This time she let out a long breath and her hand twitched under his. That was something new. A jolt went through the old professor and his eyes shot up to Henaiah's grey toned face. Her eyes were open.
Jumping to his feet, he took up her hand in his and held it tight to him. "Henaiah?" Her once green and vibrant eyes were dull, and some of the blackness from the poison had seeped into them, making them look like deadened marbles. She didn't respond at all to him, and panic set in. "Henny," he croaked, "Can you hear me?" The council woman's eyes didn't move or shift in the slightest, instead she simply blinked staring straight into the florescent lighting. With his free hand, he hit the emergency button to call the nurse and kept asking if she could hear him, without receiving any reply. It only took 5 seconds for the nurse to appear in the doorway quickly followed by the doctor.
"She's not answering," Thomas told them, "She's not answering at all."
The doctor tried to speak to her but received the same treatment, other than her fingers twitching under Thomas' hands. "I will need to run some tests. We knew the extent of the brain damage was wide, but it will be impossible to tell if this is entirely due to an issue of her brain, or if her eyes are too damaged to detect external stimuli."
"You're saying she might be blind?" he replied.
"I'm saying, that we need to test for all possible causes, brain damage or severe trauma to the optic nerves." If she wasn't responding to vision or sound, it could be that her brain damage was far too extensive and had yet to recover, or that the actual nerves themselves were still too damaged to function. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but it had been the hope that the general's bone marrow along with the booster shots would repair a large amount of the dead tissue. The fact that she was awake was a good sign, but the rest of her recovery would still be a long one, and no one knew how much of her body would return to normal.
*******
Calysta got up with Illya and dressed in her usual black tunic with its usual silver belt, before getting started with the day. He had volunteered to do the dishes, so she let him head off to the kitchen as she went to the cockpit. It looked like all the read outs were normal. They would have enough fuel and to make it the four days to G'koe where they would refuel and resupply before using the jump gate to the Delta quadrant. She had never been through the jump gate, though a promotion had been in the works at Skycorp to send her on less domestic missions across the quadrants before the war. Word from pilots who had been across the gate was that it was an interesting experience, as it was even faster than the most power of jump drives. Checking over their heading, she made sure they were on the correct course. There was a small nebula they would be entering soon, but it would be no trouble when she had a read out of the gasses that were inside. Low conductivity and high water content.
With that done, she passed Illya leaving the engine room and gave him an odd look. Hadn't he been doing the dishes? Shaking her head, Calysta continued into the engine room where she found the gears had already been well oiled, but that the rest of the room hadn't been checked. Rolling up her sleeves, she started working making sure their most essential parts were in good working order. They had many light years to travel now. Making a list on her pad of emergency parts she wanted to pick on in G'koe, it took about an hour to finish up in the engine room and then she made her way to the bedroom. Calysta found her clothes were out of the floor, but the bed hadn't been made. With a little smile, she made up their bed, fluffing the pillows and tucking them under the soft sheets before opening the shade on the window in front of the small desk. Sitting in the little anchored chair in front of the desk, Calysta pulled out her pad and began constructing several different messages, most of which were replies to her father, and small translations for Tikan. There was even a message from Haza that took forever to process, but contained a picture of Rose with a large toothy grin, flanked by Cypher in his little seat, and Haza's baby boy Sien. It was good to see them all together and know that Cypher would have a playmate as he grew up. The thought of them growing up hit her a little and she sighed. What if they didn't come back from this? Who would tell sweet Cypher about his father? Or how much his mother loved him?
Calysta thought for a moment on what she would want in case that happened. Typing back, she made a short statement of general things that she and Illya would probably agree on. Rose and Cypher would remain in Haza and Ehud's care where it was safest, while her father would of course could visit. She also asked that Rose stay in school and for her boy to start school at the right age. Knowing her friend, these would be easy requests. Having done that, she thought she would feel sad, but it was actually comforting to know her children wouldn't grow up alone and in a community who looked down on them as she had. Saving the new picture to hologram coin, Calysta stretched a little and then went into the kitchen, where she found the sink full of water and half of the dirty dishes sunk to the bottom. He hadn't finished the dishes? Slipping off her tunic, she laid it across the counter top and went to work on the remainder of the dishes. It didn't take long for her to finish them, and while she worked, Illya had passed by the doorway rushing off to one end of the ship or the other. What in the Wilds was he up to? He was more scattered brained than ever, and when she thought about it, the more wonderful that seemed. It was a normal day at home with her Chip. Chuckling to herself, Calysta cleaned up the rest of the galley, then headed off to the cockpit to design a program that would help her chart the new systems they were going to and to download the Delta quadrant specifics from the data base. She wanted to know what all the places were like that they were going.
After hours of work, Calysta put down her pad and sniffed at the air. She hadn't realized what time it was, and something delicious was wafting through the entire ship. Illya was cooking? More than likely he got hungry and decided to make dinner for himself, but it smelled so good, Calysta rose from her seat and wandered down the hallway. Poking her head into the galley, she found Illya at the stove shoveling a pile of food onto a plate. He had cooked for her like he used to do. The thought made a little smile spread to her lips and she took as seat at the bar like table across from him, looking down at her plate. There was meat piled with rice and stir fried vegetables on top of that, sitting on crispy flat bread like Yvonne had shown her to make once. It looked as though he had been trying to make about three different things at one time, something akin to a Kaerelean vegetable, a Terran meat and Chippeoquti bread to make it right. As strange as the combination sounded, Calysta picked up her fork and tucked into the plate for a first bite. The seasoning was mild, but deliciously balanced and she went in for another bite, then another. How had she gotten so hungry? Hardly a word passed between them as she down the food with surprising gusto and then scurried to the pan for more. She rarely ate seconds, but this was too good to pass up. Ladling more of the stir fry on top of the sweet bread, she returned to the table and smiled up at Illya who was giving her a surprised look. "It's great. I don't know what it is, but it's delicious."
She finished up her second plate and offered to take Illya's plate to the sink, but he took hers instead. Not doing the dishes had its perks, but she wanted to spend some time with him and knew he wanted to talk. Maybe now he would be ready to tell her what it was that he had mentioned that morning.
Calysta dried the dishes as Illya handed them to her, swabbing each one down with the freshly laundered hand towel. First the pan, then the plates and cups, lastly the silverware, each getting dried it in turn. There was a comforting feeling of standing next to Illya doing the dishes together like they used to after a good meal. It was one of their times together where they could talk and just goof around a little after a long day. Illya must have been thinking the same thing because as he fished around for that last little fork buried under water and suds, he commented on how it would be a good time to talk. Brightening some, Calysta smiled and nodded to him, taking the last fork from his tan hand. "Aye, I think it is. Maybe I'll make us some tea too." She dried off the last fork and stowed it away before standing on her tip toes to reach for the tea container on the top shelf.
While Kalizda reached for the tea Illya drained the sink and rinsed it out. Since she was busy mixing the tea he decided to get out a large mug for each of them. "Kalizda I tink about some tings and..." taking a deep breath he glanced at her. "Sometimes et feels like maybe I dun tell yah tings yah should know. Ets nut right and I want ta fex et." They were possibly in trouble and he was mentally kicking himself for not talking with her about this earlier. "Kalizda I was agreed before yah and I had a baby girl. Dey are bot gone now, but dat's nut what boters meh. I tink ets nut right dat I dun tell yah I remember. Dere are a lot of tings I start tah remember. For long time yah tink yah onleh one ta remember our past togeter. Many times we talk I dun remember what yah said den, but I know what we did. I keep all dis to mehself because I worry for long time." Lowering his gaze slightly he reached for her one hand and he held it gently between his large, hot, brown hands. "I tink maybe I nut as honest as I should be ef yah meh agreed. Dah necklace I ask yah ta trust meh. Kalizda I work ta trust yah. We dun need secrets? Yah meh agreed, meh translator, and meh best friend. I know dis again."
She set the tea box down and opened it to find not one but two satchels inside, one was the warm lavender and chamomile she had put in there and the other smelled like cinnamon with some thing else. A little pink ribbon was tied around the top and Calysta smiled some. Rose. She didnt interrupt Illya as he started to talk and brought up Isla and Lahna too. It was the first time he had mentioned her since his accident and Calysta stopped working on the tea, to gaze up at him. He remembered? She swallowed hard, hearing that he remembered more than he let on as his calloused hands encircled hers. What did she say to something like that? Her grey eyes searched over his tan face. He was trying to be open and honest with her. Slowly, her expression softened from surprised to gentle. "Illya...I know the last year has been so hard. You had people expecting so many things from you. I didnt want you to think I expected you to just be as you were." She paused, gathering her thoughts before stepping a little closer. This was a hard subject and not at all what she expected. "You didn't tell me because you were worried? What were you worried about? That I would expect you to be like before? You're my best friend, memory or not. I don't want secrets between us."
Illya wasn't sure how she would take it the news. It was difficult and he didn't like to think that it probably hurt, but more than likely it did. The man waited for several seconds to answer her question. "I was worried about yah, Rose, and Cypher. No matter how strong I can't stop war and dere are times dat I won't be enough ta protect yah. I tink for long time ef I try nut to get too close et would be easier."
Calysta didn't reply right away. He had been saying things and doing things. Meaning them and feeling them, but holding back from her because he was scared. It was easier not to. The words were almost like the ones he spoke on the night before the wedding and it made sense for a man who didn't remember that conversation to go back to thinking as he had. As logical as it was, the knowledge didn't sting any less. She drew in a deep breath and let it out, before returning out of her own mind. "Neither of us can stop this war and there is no going back. It's going to test us, hurt us, and already has. But what is there to fight for is not things like Rose and Cypher? And this." She put her little free hand over his and her thumb brushed over his knuckles lightly. "I used to think that way before I met you. No one wanted a half breed, and it was easier not to let people get close. You showed me that wasn't true. We can't stop this war, and what might happen scares me, but we can protect each other. That's what family does." She was rambling and knew it and she highly doubted any of it was comforting or even logical to him, though it was how she felt.
"Sometimes I tink for all meh years dat I am nut so smart." Illya looked at her hand for a moment and then he shifted his gaze to her face again. "Having yah and the dah kids makes et more important for meh. I have someting more ta fight for." This was a small talk that he'd been avoiding and he didn't really want to go over, but it had to be done. "Meh beautiful Kalizda. I tink dere es more hurt in coming time, but I dun want ta hold back anymore. We bot share even ef ets difficult news eh?" That was perhaps the one thing that struck him. He had thought that her hiding information from him was horrible and dishonest only to find that when he examined himself that he had been far worse.
For all of this time, she thought it had been the brain injury and her. It was a relief to know that it wasn't, though if he had said something sooner, it might have been easier. Than again, was she any better? She hadn't been trusting him with some things out of fear and habit, but she could only do it for so long. " For a long time, I thought it was my fault, but I understand now. There will be more hurt," she replied, her voice a whisper, "We dont hold back anymore and face it together no matter what." Whether by design or war, life was too short and moments were too precious not to enjoy them fully.
Since it seemed the hard part was done Illya smirked a little when she leaned up to kiss him. It felt natural to let his arms sneak around her waist and he lifted her up slightly so her little feet came up off the ground. "While I hold yah captive maybe I kiss yah." With a little growl he planted a big kiss on her lips. "Now, dat was all I had ta tell yah." It wasn't so easy, but it had to be done.
Calysta gasped and laughed as he lifted her up off the ground and out of instinct her hands latched on to his shoulders as he kissed her playfully. It was something she had seen spots of, but not like this. This was her Chip through and through. A smile grew under his lips and she gazed at him when he pulled away, her feet still hovering over the floor. "Oh is that all," she chuckled, leaning in to give him a little peck. "I'm glad you did." The hot water for the tea was ready, but she was reluctant to leave his arms for the moment, until it was absolutely necessary. He sat her down and helped her pour the water over the tea herbs , and into the cups. It smelled good, and things felt better between them. Like a haze of uncertainty had been lifted and she could breath for the first time in a long time. Given their new promise to be open and not keep secrets, plus the mood he was in, she decided it might be time for her to learn more about where they were going and what sort of situation to they would be getting themselves into. She couldn't protect him if she didn't know. Taking a sip of her tea, she leaned against the counter top, and looked over her Chip. "I know we are going somewhere dangerous for us both. You know that's not anything new for us," she said, with a small chuckle, "But I am curious. Are we the first to ever go back to Qouti?"
The Chip watched his little woman carefully while she poured the tea. She seemed to be much happier. He couldn't tell if it was for the moment or not, but he had half a feeling that the mood had changed semi permanently. It was going to be difficult to talk with her sincerely about some things and he didn't want to talk about other parts of his life, but he knew it was necessary for them to move forward. In many ways he had missed the way they had shared their lives before. There was no telling what it would be after they got to Quoti, but he wanted to make the most of it now and from there on out. As soon as they were seated at the table Illya leaned over his mug and breathed in the spicy scent. Nothing was better than tea and good company. He would have been just as happy to sit here in silence and drink the tea with Kalizda, but she was right to business with her question. "We are dah first" he answered quietly and lifted his mug to take a sip. There was no telling what they would find there. "Maybe I'm glad to have meh little bird wit. Et es good dat we sort out problems."
She followed him to the table and sat down beside him, before taking another sip of her tea. This had to be a mix of something Rose made herself. It had cinnamon and clove, her favorite flavors mixed with Illya's and it wasn't altogether a bad brew, though the flavor was certainly unique. The thought of her little girl and son at home on Pyrta without them made her chest ache a little, but traveling with Illya had been needed and she didn't regret coming along for a second. In fact it had been the best thing for them now that she thought about it. Her hand crept to his free one, and she let her fingers play over his palm simply because she could while she listened. "Aye, no matter how we fight or argue, I'll always be glad to be right here." She let the moment pass while she thought over the other part of what he said. "If we are the first to return, I imagine we will be a shock. I don't know as much Chippeqouti history as I should. Yvonne trained, me but I don't think she had a trip back to the home planet in mind when she did," Calysta admitted, "The Chippeqouti split for differences in tradition. What kind of differences?"
There were a bit of questioning and Illya figured it was only natural for her to want to know what the differences were over. "Dere was originally war wit Chippequoti over dah agreements we had wit outsiders. Some of us wanted tah be left alone in our ways. Den some of Chippequoti wanted tah make more trade and dey start ta live different. Dey mix wit outsiders and dey begin tah deal wit money instead of trade wit each oter. Et was nut good change. So den war starts and too many liked dah way outsiders made life. So we leave and in time we make our own Quoti and we trade wit each oter and only trade when ets impossible nut to. We make trade wit outsiders because we must to survive. War was bitter and many Chippequoti die on bot sides. Dah traditional Chippequoti much better fighters, but dey were killed by new weapons and outsiders. Dey hunt us and den exile our kind."Calysta kept her nails lightly brushing over his palm and watched his fingers twitch when she found a ticklish spot between the callous. it sounded as though they would be stepping into a very embittered situation, knowing how severe it was to kill a fellow Chippeqouti. Exile wasn't the worst that could have happened. She wouldn't call all of the change a bad one necessarily. "Maybe things have changed even more," Calysta said, thoughtfully, "It's been a long time and maybe they would at least be willing to listen rather than kills us on sight for returning from exile. How long ago before this did you fight the Tannas? "
Chippequoti history was one of Illya's favorite and he didn't mind too much when Kalizda asked even if he was starting to run into territory that he didn't know the dates on quite as well. He remembered the fighting and the styles and methods along with the major battles and outcomes. All the things that his schooling would have entailed. "Eh....I dun remember dah time. Quoti have many try tah take dah land. Ets mountains are rich wit metals and mines. Deserts hide treasures, but onleh dose dat live in desert do well dere. Too harsh for oters." Illya sighed. "Tannas enslave Chippequoti for about 200 years and den dere was revolt and Chip's kill almost all Tannas. Rest of dem fled. Dey were more successful den most. Chippequoti still fear dem."
It answered some of her questions, at least to give an idea that the Tannas were a common enemy to both factions of Chippeqouti and tell her that these beings were powerful enough to enslave such a resilient race. The knowledge also told her that her own people likely didn't stand a chance against them alone. Scooting a little closer, she took a sip of her tea and stared into the cup for awhile before nodding. "They remind me of the mysetemyn" she said quietly, "An old legend on Kaereal. A night mare to scare children really. A creature made of the mists from the Wilds stalks at night looking for anyone who dared to cross its path. It would suffocate you, swallowing up your soul so when you died you never reached the light of the twin moons. You stayed trapped in the mist below in the Wilds, bound to the earth where the light can't reach you. It's only meant as a story, but for many of the people on Kaereal it would be a nightmare made real." Taking another quiet sip into her tea, another question came to her mind, and an important one at that. "I saw the one on the ship trying to take form into something that looked like a man. Can they take any shape?"
Talking about the Tannas was uncomfortable and necessary. Illya nodded slowly while she told the story. From sounds of it they had not carefully documented the Tannas and made them a legend. Her people knew of them. "What would keep the Tannas in the mist?" Was there a metal down there? Something that would make them want to go underneath the people? Had that been where they fled after the war and then built themselves back up? Despite his general dislike for the Pytran's Illya didn't want to see them suffer under the cruelty of the Tannas. "I tink dey be whatever dey want. Et es someting I will read about ef we get ta Quoti and dey let us use dah hologram history." It would be helpful to see if what he remembered was correct. "I used tah know dis part of history better, but et was almost 140 years since I learn dis."
"I'm not sure if it was the Tannas or if it's just an old story to explain why the mist was deadly," Calysta said, "There are certain metals on the continents though, or there used to be. Most of it has be mined to create air craft and more, because it was light and could withstand even the hardest of explosions. In the past there have been attempts to synthesize it, but all of them failed. It's very rare and very expensive now. Maybe it isn't same metal, but perhaps it works the same way?" Hearing that the Tannas could take any form fit with the legend, and also made the situation even more disturbing still. "We'll learn more, hopefully when we get to Qouti, but I think it would be good for us to make a code of some kind in case we bump into them and they can look like anything. Something only we would know with each other."
A light metal and withstanding explosions. It all sounded like something that the Tannas would want. Illya almost laughed when Kalizda said that she wanted to make a code. "I tink we can smell dem jes fine." If there was a Tannas nearby it wasn't best to call them out. "Maybe I jes say dat I dun want tea tonight." That sounded like something he wouldn't normally say and she would know what he meant. If she remembered that was what it was supposed to mean.
He laughed, but Calysta was a little serious about this idea. She didn't like the idea of sniffing any part of a Tannas to know it was there. "I think that would work," she replied, "Just in case we're in a position where we can't smell, like in a space walk suit and I need to know if its you. I say the same thing if you have to ask." Finishing the last of the tea, she felt a little more prepared to face what was coming, and much better about things between the two of them. An easy silence fell between them before she shifted on the stool and a little smile came to her face. "How much of what we did, do you remember, if I can ask."
Kalizda was almost giddy with the idea of changing conversation. He didn't blame her. The Tannas were difficult to talk about without getting uncomfortable. However, Illya found humor in the way she shifted on her seat and then proceeded to ask a question that had very little logic to it. Perhaps it was rude to laugh, but this was truly a laugh worthy question. "Kalizda, I remember et all. Ef I dun remember et I wouldn't know."
She stuck her tongue out at him with a playful nudge. He very well knew what she meant, but enjoyed teasing her nonetheless about the phrasing on the question. Mostly, she didn't want to make a reference to the past, and have it be a mystery. A little spark of an idea came to her and she slipped off her stool, a little hand trailing over his back as she walked around him. "You remember it all, hm? Then you remember how we traveled on the Ekram, and we went to Terra before, how you taught me to hunt, and we ran together on Reylia....you would remember how very fast your little bird is." With that, she pecked him with a quick kiss on the cheek and scurried to the door. Memory or not, it didn't stop them from having a little fun now.
A big grin came to Illya's face. He loved giving her smart answers like that. It just seemed that she was never quite expecting them to come out of his mouth. For the most part he was serious, but there were some moments he couldn't quite pass up. "Eh...." Already she was rattling a few occasions off and he was not remembering them all. He did remember the race. "I tink I belly flop. Yah call et dat eh?" The look on her face told him everything he needed to know. "I tell yah I dun remember quite what et was like ta have meh Kalizda sit on meh lap." Grabbing her around the waist he pulled Kalizda onto himself and he kissed her on the cheek and then her mouth. "Mmmm....I dun remember a lot of tings. I tink I forget what ets like ta kiss yah. Short memory tonight."
At mentioned of the belly flop, Calysta couldn't help but laugh openly. It had been such a sight and it was no wonder he remembered that moment. Illya grabbed her up, and pulled her into his lap while she laughed, making her giggle all the harder. "I don't think you mentioned that," she said, between the kisses. Even after everything he was all the more sweet and tempting to her. "I think I should remind you of a few things." Her hands crept up his chest and to the nape of his neck with each linger kiss, until they tangled with his hair, and she pulled back to gaze him for a moment with a grin. "Remembering yet?"
"Oh yah tink dere someting I forget?" Illya ran a hand to her leg and gave it a gentle squeeze. She started to slip her hand behind his neck and he more than remembered where this would go. Illya shifted a little in the seat and moved one hand to go under her knees. "Mmmm...I tink I need some more reminders."
As soon as his hands brushed the back her knees, she gave an involuntary jerk and exploded into a pile of laughter in his arms. She had managed to keep that ticklish spot hidden for quite some time, but he's hands snuck around to just the right spot and it simply wasn't something she could help.
The little jerk was surprising to say the least and Illya tensed momentarily. Her giggles only seemed to indicate that she was ticklish there and he stood up with her in his arms. "I tink ets safer ta get away from table eh?" She was still curled up with her laughter and he nuzzled in closer so he could kiss the side of her neck and nibble at her earlobe. "Meh little bird. She es enticing. I tink I remember dat part."
She was still laughing from being tickled when he lifted her up and covered her neck in kiss. The giggles went from uproarious to little ones accompanied with pink cheeks while he nibbled. "I could think of a good place to go," she said, almost shyly now that she was all bound up in his arms.
****************
They're arrival at G'koe was both exciting and slightly nerve wrecking. A small splinter force of the Kaerlean fleet still guarded the jump-gate, allowing cargo ships and more to go between the two quadrants in relative safety. Upon recognizing their call numbers, the fleet allowed the a docking space close to the port and an excelerated jump appointment. Sometimes it was good to the the Chippeqouti general and his diplomat translator. Since their take off would be happening much sooner than she anticipated, Calysta had to split the tasks between herself and Illya, rather than going together. "It will 5 days before our first stop in the Delta quadrant, so I've made a list of canned food that will last longer mid flight. While I'm making the arrangements for extra water and fuel, would you mind stopping by the store?" The Chip gave her skeptical look, but she assured him that everything he needed was written in bold letters on the list. She couldn't be everywhere at once, and because she spoke Kaerelean the docking process would be much easier if she handled it while he dealt with others. If he had any trouble, the store clerk would help him out. Feeling confident he would be fine because it was listed and about food, she went to work dealing with the Kaerelean dock workers.
The store clerk watched as a large man entered the lobby and looked around with a creased brow, before picking up a basket from the rack nearby. She hadn't seen anyone like him around before, and for living on G'koe one of the largest inter-galactic hub that was saying something. He was tall, broad with caramel colored skin and striking bright eyes that was catching more than her attention, while she was staring at him an older woman came up to the check out counter. Swiping items across the scanner, she watched as the handsome man took long strides down the aisle. "Hey..hey...young lady." Blinking a few times, she looked down to see the old woman offering up her credits and looking grumpy. "Oh uh, sorry." Taking the money, she bagged up the womans purchase, handed her the items, then quickly flipped of her available sign before smooth down her hair. She hadn't see the man leave yet, which was perfect. Embarking down the aisles, she went on her casual search for the hot stranger in case he needed any help. It only took her a few minutes, to find him wandering around the canned vegetables. "Ahem, is there anything I can help you with," she asked sweetly, as she walked over.
For whatever reason inherited the wonderful task of shopping for canned foods. Not that he minded going to get food, but he would have liked it so much better if he could have got something fresh. Eating food from a can sounded somewhat terrible. They were traveling and he doubted that he would get much else for the next several days. Taking a little basket Illya stared at the list and wandered aimlessly down the aisles. He'd never been in a trade store like this before. There was something called asparagus spears and Illya had tried to look for anything that would look like whatever those were. Finally he decided to go find the green beans and peas. Those were things he'd come to find out about, but he wasn't sure how they looked in a can. A young woman came up and she sounded friendly. Flashing the list to her he shrugged. "I dun know what aspergus es. Nut even sure I pronounce et right."
The young woman nearly froze when the man looked at her, but composed herself long enough to glance at the list he brandished at her. "Oh, its right here," she smiled, with a little flip of her hair. Taking a few steps to the aisle, she made sure to stretch nice and tall to reach the jar of asparagus spears on the top shelf and then let out a little sigh when her heels touched the ground again, jar in hand. Offering it up to the stranger, she chuckled. "You have alot of canned food on that list. Sounds like you'll be traveling through the jump-gate, hm? I can help you find anything you need."
Illya figured he was in the right aisle since it was all canned goods. He just didn't know what the cans were supposed to look like and he didn't want to read them all. However, that was a little bit lazy of him. Taking the jar of asparagus from the woman Illya put in the basket. "Well, ef ets all here den I tink I jes read real slow and find every ting I need. Tanks."
Feeling a bit disappointed, the woman's eyes seemed to lose a little bit of their sparkle until a little idea came to her. With a demure bat of her lashes, she gave the man a slight bow. "It should be all here, but you should have a look at our meat department. There are plenty of travel food options there as well, nothing like a little fresh meat. Oh and going through the gate can wreak havoc on your stomach if you aren't careful. There's some medicine that will keep you from getting sick if you're in need."
At the mention of meat Illya looked at the woman for a long moment. "How fresh es dah meat? I like et jes killed. Should still be able tah smell dah blood and den ets good." As for the medicine Illya didn't see why he would be needing any of that. His stomach was almost always fine. There was no reason to worry about it and he doubted that Kalizda would get sick.
"Oh very fresh," she said confidently, "If fact we had some small livestock perfect for butchering as you want while you're in flight." Waving him down the aisle, she guided him to the butcher's block located at the back of the store. An array of fresh meats from all over the galaxy was on display, some hanging fresh from hooks, others dried and cured. A gruff man was behind the counter chopping through a bone with a large cleaver when they walked up. She gave him a friendly wave and nodded. "Hi Gustav, we're just browsing." There were also caged behind the butcher filled with animals, ranging from medium sized for whole spit roasting and small for fileting. Pointing to one of the smallest cages containing a litter of fuzz ball creatures, the woman gave Illya an even broader smile. "That's the freshest you'll get. They travel well in space, take up little to no room and eat vegetable scraps. No need for special feed for them. The meat is sweet and you'll find they're easy to butcher.
Livestock to butcher in flight was the best possible answer Illya could have hoped for. The Chip nodded. Following her to the back he momentarily forgot about the vegetables he was supposed to be getting and went to look at the meat stock with the woman. When she pointed out the little animals Illya nodded. "Good. I want 20 of dem."
"I'll have them all ready for you at the counter," she said brightly, "Just come up to my line when you're done, unless there's anything else you might need help with?"
Illya nodded to the woman and almost forgot to even say anything. After a second he realized she had an expectant gaze. "Uh, tanks I will be at counter wit rest of dese tings in a bit." Waving the little list slightly he grinned and then took himself back to the aisle to dig through the painfully long list of canned goods.
Since it seemed that was it, the clerk had it arranged for the little animals to be waiting for him at the counter. Maybe the handsome stranger would give her a good tip and an even better night.
Later in the evening, Calsyta walked by the kitchen to see Illya at the counter with something strange in his hand. Clasped between his thick fingers was something small and fuzzy. At first, she thought it was a mouse, but this looked different. It had cute little ears, and button eyes, not at all like a mouse. The creature was purring happily in Illya's hand and she got excited. He'd brought home another pet! It was strange to think that she would miss it, but it was something she admittedly had wondered about. This one wasn't an unwieldly bear or bug hungry lizard. "It's cute," she said happily, walking into the kitchen to inspect the animal. Reaching up she used her fingers to stroke its delicate head between the ears. The fur was very soft and cuddle worthy as Keysha as it purred. "What's its name?" Hopefully, he hadn't named it yet, because she wanted to help come up with some good ones for the tiny thing.
*************
Calysta positioned the ship in front of the gate with shaking hands and waited for the signal that it was their turn to enter the swirling web on energy. That energy would grab their ship and rocket them so far into space that they would arrive in the Delta quadrant within 2 hours instead of 2 months. Her fingers stayed light over the controls, as she took a deep breath and glanced at Illya. He seemed a little nervous too, but she doubted that it was for the same reasons she was on edge. They were both strapped in and when the gate monitor gave the go-ahead, Calysta punched the jump drive and hurtled them through the gate. It was obvious when the energy web kicked in, as she felt a tug in her navel which grew harder and harder, until the automatic stabilization turned on, lessening the force. The guidance systems went down after that. They would be flying blind through space in a single direction for roughly an hour and a half.
"Well, barring an all out attack mid-jump, we should be well on our way to the Delta quadrant," she said to Illya, unclicking her seat belt. it wasn't near as bad as some of the pilot had made her believe. She wasn't horrible sick, though it had felt a little strange on the stomach until the stabilizers kicked in. "I'll go check the engines just to make sure there aren't major issues." The readouts indicated maximum potential, but it was always good to do a physical check, considering this ship had never made the jump before and neither had she. When Calysta tried to stand, her legs felt a little wobbly, as if someone had replaced her knee caps with a swivel. "Oh." Was all she managed to say before easing backward to sit down. Rather than an easy landing, her legs gave out half way through and her bottom plopped into the seat, making the puffed up pad air escape with a little whistle form below. "Maybe just give it a minute," she added sheepishly, her cheeks turning a rosy shade.
***********
Calysta was in the navigation room, sitting in the comfortable leather chair with her legs folded over each other and a mug of warm tea clasped in her hands. It mid afternoon, but they were on the 3rd day of a 6 day stretch till their next stop. The messages from home were taking longer and longer to send and be received simply because there were no Kaerelean net hubs this far and traditional methods took time to travel through space. Responses took a day or more now. She was staring at the last they were likely to receive. One was from her father and it was not good news. Henaiah had woken up a few weeks ago, but it had been determined that her brain was severely damaged enough that she was little more than a soul trapped in a frail body. She was blind and unresponsive to anything that had been done, other than to give her father an occasional squeeze of his hand. Given time, her Kaerelean cells combined with Illya's bone marrow may improve her condition, but she would never be as she was. Her heart ached for her father who could do little more than love her and take care of her at this point.
The second message was from Haza talking about how the children were. Rose had made perfect marks in school in every subject except history, for which she claimed to find boring, even though she tried very hard. Calysta chuckled, knowing that sounded like her daughter, but a 4 out of 5 mark was still good. Good enough for her to bring back something for good grades as a reward when they made it home. Cypher was doing well, and was cutting his first tooth. It was a little early for cutting teeth, but he had been fussy and running a fever with the effort. Calysta wanted to hold her boy, and be there for him, but this was important. This would save his life if they were successful. Maybe he would forgive her for being gone so long one day.
When the messages were done, Calysta let the hologram coin continue playing random clips from over the last few years. Images of Rose standing in her favorite pink dress and pony tail on her way to school for the first time. Kirit's birthday and standing with the young man who was waving happily with his unbroken arm as Illya hauled him off. Christmas pictures of them all. Rose sat in her lap, holding Cypher and looking up at the recorder with a joyful grin on her freckled face. Herself leaning up to kiss Illya on his cheek mid recording just to surprise him. More continued playing, and it wasn't until she noticed the shadow on the floor behind her, that she turned to see Illya watching too.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and then he sat down in the chair beside her, watching the images with her. They sat together for a long time, just watching the holograms of their family and friends play backwards through time, even to a few of them back on Nuen. Her hand crept to his across the gap, and her fingers snuggled into his palm where it was warm and she was close. Neither of them said anything and that was alright. They didn't have to. She would read the messages to Illya when they went to bed, but for now all she wanted was to sit close with him in the quiet, and secretly pray their trip was successful.
************
Calysta was pulled from sleep by a gentle nudge. They had begun sleeping in shifts and that in itself was hard simply because the bed was terribly empty when they retired and the other took command, not to mention they were also in deep, otherwise uncharted space. Anything could happen at any moment and they were due to arrive at old Qouti soon, making things even more on edge. The fact that there was a warm hand gently nudging her awake meant one of two things. Trouble or they had arrived at their destination. She opened her eyes, and knew by the look on his face that it was both. It was a good thing she had been sleeping fully clothes and armed too. It wasn't exactly comfortable, save for the peace of mind not being caught with your pants down brought.
It wasn't long before they were standing in cabin of the ship and armed Chippeqouti were coming through a boarding portal. Her heart started to pound, at the sight of them coming aboard, the adrenaline stirring her into a heightened state of awake. This was it. These were in what looked like more military informs and most of them were even taller than Illya, with a creamier color to their skin. A mix? She didn't know and she wasn't given time to ask or even spoken to as Illya put his hands on his head and announced that she was with him. It was good that he did, because the memory of the first time. She copied Illya, putting her hands on her head but kept alert. "My name is Kalizda Monroe," she said evenly, in Qouti, "He is my agreed."
The announcement went seemingly ignored. One stern looking Chip man bent down, and looked at her but there was a lack of recognition in his eyes as he patted her down and pulled the pistol from her hip carefully. Once they were patted down, they waited in the same position until she felt their tug ship bring them down for landing. It could have been smoother, but she had never known any Chippeqouti to be as graceful a flyer as a Kaerelean. No one had spoken directly to her, but she had been listening. The language was a little different, which was to be expected given the time frame the two groups had been separated. A fair few of the words were the same but the syntax was off and they spoke it with an inflection that made it harder for her understand more than a few snatches of conversation. For what she could understand, they had caused a stir.
They were escorted off the ship and into the bright Qouti sun. Calysta could feel the heat immediately soak into what exposed skin she had and she had to squint into the brightness of the day just to see anything that was happening. They were surrounded on a dock and nudged down the ramp, before a wizened old man with a cane came into view. With a decisive shove to her back, she was forced in front of the man were stared back at them, almost accusingly with his bright eyes, though his gaze was focused on Illya. She could only assume he was an Elder and it theory was confirmed when Illya bowed. Calysta quickly followed suit in the Chippeqouti style rather than the Kaerelean greeting bow, and listened as her Chip spouted off name after name. His father, his grandfather, and long before that. When he reached one of the names a murmur set through the gathered crowd and it didn't sound good.
Without so much as a warning or word, a tall Chip woman in flowing robes appeared with a device in her hands and an needle with it. She shoved it into Illya's arm, read whatever information was garnered from it, then moved over to Calysta. What was that thing a meat thermometer and they were checking for done-ness? With the sun sitting high over head, the woman would probably find her to be well-done shortly. Calysta could feel her pale skin burning under the lamp-like heat already. The woman jerked her tunic sleeve up her arm and then jabbed her with the needle. Calysta didn't wince at the pinch, or show any sign of pain, but she had the urge to ask what it was they were testing for.
For now they seemed satisfied, and the Elder pointed to a cliff in the distance. Apparently, that's where they would be going. Picking her way through the jagged rocks, Calysta had a moment to survey the planet. The land itself was pretty, and not in the same way Nuen was. Red sands and rocks, flecks with browns and oranges stretched into the cliffs beyond the horizon. It was made even more impressive when they reached the cliffs and she realized that they werent only rocks, but also a city and included an temple hewn from red rock right out of the side. Her mouth slipped open as she looked up into the impressive building. "It's beautiful."
With a few pointed nudges to her back, she was reminded to keep moving until they were inside. The temple was so much cooler inside and her burnt cheeks appreciated the relief. No sooner had they gotten inside, were they being separated. Illya was being forced on down the hall and her own guards were guiding her towards a set of smooth chiseled stairs. The thought of being apart made her sick at her stomach. They could easily kill him and take her, or kill her for being an outsider, any other terrible combination of the two. It might very well, be the last time she saw him. Giving his retreating shoulders a final glance, another nudge forced her to start climbing the stairs. "I'm walking," she sighed. Her hands clenched together at her sides, but she obeyed until they reached another landing that appeared to be a theatre of sorts, she was guided to a box seat and flanked by two guards. Her eyes settled to what was happening below, namely that Illya was standing there looking a bit nervous and there were others Chippeqoti all around them. She and Illya had come all this way to find them, and so they had. Whether or not it would kill them, remained to be seen.
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