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Donovan thrusted out his hand. “Its going to come out a milky looking reddish substance.”

             
The guard looked at Ashwin, seeing him give his approval, the guard cut Donovan's finger, and just like he told them, the red diluted liquid oozed out.

             
The party moved closer to the entrance, when a small group from the village approached.

             
“Kern, let me introduce you to Donovan and Rachel. This is our village chief Kern,” said Ashwin.

             
Donovan instantly liked Kern. The kind wrinkled face showed his gentleness and wisdom.

             
“Please stay with us, three nights has a gesture we mean you no ill will,” Kern offered.

             
“I'll accept, if you'll offer Rachel a permanent home,” Donovan countered.

             
“Hold on a minute,” Rachel replied growing angry, “he has saved me several times, he would be a asset to your village.”

             
Low gasp could be heard from those who had gathered.

             
“Don't insult those who offer you a good safe haven,” Donovan insisted.

             
Rachel lowered her tone, to the chief. “I'm sorry Kern, but when Donovan leaves, I'll go with him. We would enjoy your gracious offer of staying three days.”

             
“What is the name of your village?” said Donovan, he actually felt grateful she wanted to stay at his side.

             
“Our village is called Nv-Ya,” Kern proudly stated, “meaning rock.” 

             
The group then entered the narrow entrance into the village.

             
“Your not going to take away our weapons?” Donovan asked very surprised.

             
“Do you plan on giving us just cause of taking your weapons?” Ashwin questioned honestly.

             
“No.”

             
“Then you may keep them, for the same reason we are allowing you into our village.”

Chapter 11

              Individual homes could be seen carved into the rock formation. Stone paths lead about from one abode to another.

             
Donovan grabbed Rachel's arm. “I think you should stay here.”

             
“We don't even know these people, I certainly don't know if they can be trusted.” she whispered.

             
Ashwin stopped on a path leading to a empty home. “You must think of us has being harsh.”

             
Donovan only shook his head, “no, I...”

             
“I don't understand, you're allowing him to enter the village, but after three nights, he must leave?” she interrupted Donovan.

             
“We can't change rules to fit the need of one person,” Ashwin briefly explained.

             
“I would not expect you to do so,” Donovan replied in kind. He saw that Rachel was about to continue her protest, but his stare made her back down.

             
Resuming his walk, he led them to a modest home. “We have several empty homes, you may use this one. I will have a hide placed over the opening to offer more privacy.” He stepped to the side, allowing them to enter into the abode first.

             
Looking around the walls were chiseled out, to a fine finish showing excellent work. They were a beautiful soft hue of yellow. The sparse furniture was crudely made.

             
Donovan had to duck low to pass from from one entrance to another.

             
Ashwin, stood at the main entrance, “our evening meals are always had the main abode. I will have a lad come over to be your guide, should you decide to adventure into our humble village. There is always someone willing to trade any goods with you.”

             
Other then the main room, there were two small carved out rooms clearly made for sleeping quarters. Donovan entered one. Laying down he fell right to sleep.

             
“Mom, I don't feel very well.”

             
Mercedes walked over to touch his forehead. She felt a high fever raging from his skin. “I will take care of you son, go get into your pajamas.”

             
She watched him climb up the stairs, then proceeded to make him some chicken soup. Even though the krago, could make any meal within seconds, she firmly believed in some things made the old fashion way.

             
While the chicken cooked in boiling water, she took her medical scanner, to check up on her son. He laid quietly in his bed looking at his mom.

             
Waving the scanner over his body, she masked her growing concerns.

             
“Whats wrong with me mom?” he questioned.

             
She double checked her device. “Looks like you have a nasty advanced cold, son. I will call your father and have him bring home some things. Meanwhile, you just rest, while I go make you, some of my home made chicken soup.”

             
Walking down the stairs she wiped the tear from her eyes, she didn't like her son being so ill. She hoped she could get Benjamin to come home early, but knew how the Alliance felt about such things.

             
“Donovan are you going to sleep all day?”

             
Stirring from his sleep, he contemplated at his latest dream and knew it was more of his memory coming back. Laying there a moment, he wondered where his memories of being a adult went? Maybe they were lost when he woke up in the pod, but it would seem the early childhood memories would be lost has well. He didn't know. “No I'm not going to sleep all day,” he finally replied.

             
Rising up he bumped his head on the low ceiling, he held his tongue in check, which angered him even more.

             
“You shouldn't be so tall, and clumsy.” Rachel grinned a little at his misfortune. “Let me introduce to you, to Red Sam. Red Sam this is Donovan.”

             
Donovan gazed at the young man. Like the rest of the villagers his skin was dark, but he had red tinted hair that hung down about his shoulders
.
Even at his young age he projected a fierce brave aura.

             
“Hello Donovan,” the lad struggled to pronounce.

             
“Greetings Red Sam.” Donovan was not offended the lad stared at him. He figured being half human, and who knows what else was rare enough around here. He then wondered just how much of him was implants. “Can we take our weapons and goods into the village. I would like to do some trading please.”

             
“Of course.”

             
“Thank you kindly, we shall be ready shortly.” Rachel replied. She took a vessel of water with her, to freshen up.

             
Meanwhile, Donovan looked over their gear, all while under the scrutiny eye of the lad.

             
The center of the village contained a number of people bartering and trading goods, some were busy cooking, preparing food for later.

             
Red Sam, nodded at the direction of one building. “That is where we gather for the evening meal.” The building was naturally the largest in the area. The smell of smoked meats filled the air making Donovan grow hungry.

             
Rachel had a look of anticipation, for the idea of finally getting a solid meal was wonderful. She had a hard time driving the thought out of her mind.

             
Red Sam, guided them to a area. “Place your goods here and allow some to see what you have.”

             
“Wouldn't it be more appropriate, if we see what the others have?” Donovan reasoned.

             
“You are new here and that is fine to question our ways, however allow us to gain some trust in you. There will be plenty of time for both of you to look.”

             
Donovan nodded but said nothing farther about it. He laid out the goods and items, he was willing to trade, everything else stayed in the backpack.

             
The villagers slowly came up to the newest group and looked some of the things over. For about a hour, Donovan showed and explained the devices he had and finally demonstrated the laser rifles he had. A few were curious about VS-771 pills he had, however no one seem to believe their function. The village's only true technician, named Simon was able to get the HO-2 machine working.

             
Slowly the device began producing small amounts of water, catching the curiosity of the villagers.

             
Everyone started gathering about the large building, for the evening meal. Donovan could sense most were scared of him, but he understood, taking no offense to it. Red Sam, guided him to a place on the floor in one of the corners, Rachel insisted on sitting next to him.

             
“I can tell many do not like me,” Donovan whispered to her.

             
Rachel rested her hand on his shoulder. “Give them time, Donovan.” She was sympathetic to his feelings but knew he was right. That was when she caught the attention of a mighty looking warrior sitting perched on seat made of rock that was caddy corner to their own resting area.

             
Looking at him, his eyes were intense. Long locks of black hair shined brightly, as they rested on his shoulders. He was wearing leather pants and matching vest. She considered him very handsome, she finally had to look away.

             
Kern and Ashwin finally entered, taking their own respected seats located at the center of the building.

             
The food was passed around each taking a humble portion. The couple followed suit.

             
“How did you manage to cross the desert?” Kern asked.

             
Donovan enjoyed the smell of all the different foods, looked at Kern, who was sitting to his left. “We walked, living on VS-771 and what water the HO-2 machine had produced.” he was fearful to tell them they had been tracked by alliance stalkers, confident however they were no longer being pursued. Some doubt lingered in his mind.

             
“He carried me the last thirty-six hours however. How he managed it is beyond me,” Rachel added humbly.

             
“How can any machine produce water?”

             
Donovan could sense Kern's skepticism, but didn't know how to convince him.

             
“Chief, I saw and repaired the machine, I watched it work, it produced nearly a cup of water in several hours,” said Simon.

             
The sound of amazed voices lifted in volume. “We are not use to such technologies,” Red Sam explained.

             
“How did you come about being here?” asked Donovan.

             
Red Sam placed the fork on his plate. “We migrated from the rising waters a great distance from the southeast.”

             
“Is it dangerous traveling south?” Donovan questioned.

             
Red Sam took a drink of water, and took another plate of food that was being passed around. “I don't know, that was years ago.”

             
Donovan took the plate of food, and passed it to Rachel, “but where did all these villagers come from?”

             
“Mostly from the east. We migrated south to avoid conflicts and it wasn't easy living in desolate places, but we managed, then our homes to the south began flooding, from storms.” Red Sam looked around, thinking how this was his home now for several years. “We’ve been here now for quite some time.”

             
Donovan contemplated where he would go. No matter what direction he intended on going it sounded dangerous. He really wanted Rachel to remain here, but he knew her mind was made up.

             
Rachel innocently touched Red Sam on the shoulder. “Red Sam?”

             
“Yes Rachel?”

             
“Who is that gentleman sitting on that rock?” she motioned her head in the strangers direction.

             
“That is Narendra, he is one of our bravest warriors.”

             
“Narendra?” she never heard a name like that.

             
“Yes, it means lord of men.”

             
Suddenly Rachel couldn't enjoy the delicious food. She quickly glanced at Narendra, then at Donovan. Maybe she should stay here. Donovan did encourage her to stay, but she had already been through so much with Donovan. No I will go with him, she argued to herself.

             
Kern lifted his hand signaling for silence. “Donovan where do you plan on going when you leave?”

             
“I don't know Kern, where would you recommend?”

             
“The snake river, where Ashwin found you travels to the south. That is where our homes use to be, before the flooding. Perhaps you will find your solace there?”

             
“My solace?”

             
Kern gave a gentle wave of his hand extending it to Donovan. He then moved his hand in a soft arc. Kern continued his hand gesture has he guided it back towards ground. “I see it in your eyes a reflection of your soul a battle raging in your heart and mind. You must decide which one to feed in your soul.”

             
Maybe that was why Kern didn't want him to stay? He did have a never ending fight going on. Donovan continued to be angry at his parents, for doing this to him. Unable to recall any of his adult memories, also made him frustrated. “Thank you Kern,” Donovan softly spoke.

             
The two men gazed at each other and slowly Kern's face broke into a understanding smile. Donovan could see pride and strength in Kern.

             
Donovan turned to face Red Sam, “I wish to retire for the night.”

             
Simon hearing his request, stopped his conversation with Rachel. With a polite gesture of his hand stated,“Its fine Red Sam, I'll walk Rachel home.”

             
Donovan and Rachel glanced at each other, before parting ways. She realized she had not be apart from Donovan for quite a while. Suddenly she felt empty. “Tomorrow Simon, I'll show you the chips that have all the information on them.”

             
Rekindling the conversation, Simon was interested in learning what was on the chips. “I assure you, I'll find the means to download the content of the chips.” She also realized there were only eight other females. There had to be more about the village, she reasoned to herself. She did like Simon, he seemed to have a calming effect, with his silent strength and gentleness, something of a father figure. “Have you seen anyone else from sector seven?”