Beyond (8 page)

Whew!
She had just passed her first engineering test.

Feeling a tad cocky, she waved her hand at the wall and it dissolved into an empty corridor.

She looked at her hand.
Wow
.

With a quick glimpse in each direction she saw that the coast was clear. She jogged towards the right because
right was always right
.

The lust to escape had waned and the reality that she had no clue where she was settled in. The iridescent corridor looked conical at both ends as if each way led to obscurity. Aimee scanned the immediate area and felt her knees buckle in relief. She sprinted toward the floating tablet several yards away, snatching it from the air and slamming her palm on it.

“That’s not necessary, Aimeeeeeee.”

JOH’s black orbs lolled slightly and then fell back into place.

“JOH!
Thank God I found you.”

“I have 9022 gods listed in my database. Must I thank all of them?”

Aimee fell back against the wall and laughed because suddenly that was the funniest thing in the world. She was so grateful to see this stupid blue face staring quizzically at her.

“Aimeeeee, Raja is asking where you are. She is quite desperate.”

“I shouldn’t have run away,” Aimee conceded. “I was just starting to panic.”

JOH’s head squished into a line and then righted itself. “Chara is nearby. She is coming.”

“Are you speaking to them while you’re speaking to me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how to keep secrets, JOH?”

“You treat me like I am inferior, Aimee.”

The tone of affront nearly made her chuckle.

“I know what secrets are,” he continued, “and yes, I’ve been motivated to keep one or two.
But not many.”

“Fair enough.
I don’t want to hide right now,” she rationalized. “I am lonely, and I am afraid.”

“Aimee—”

Aimee jumped at the gentle touch on her shoulder. She pivoted and fell under the spell of Chara’s sloe-shaped eyes. There was empathy in that gaze. And the soft curve of shiny lips made Aimee feel she was in the presence of a benevolent deity.

“Aimee,” Chara started again, “I know you are afraid and overwhelmed by everything that has happened to you. I cannot offer you false promises of returning home swiftly, but I can assure you that you are safe and you are with good people. It is the best we can offer right now.”

Some of the tension left Aimee’s shoulders. “I acted a bit irrationally, didn’t I?”

Chara smiled. “You did nothing that I
wouldn't
do if I found myself alone on your planet.”

When it was put that way, Aimee had to agree.

“Come this way,” Chara beckoned, leaving the floating JOH behind only to pass another one twenty feet later. “You are just in time to catch the young ones practicing.”

“Practicing what?”

Ahead the deceptively conical corridor broadened into an arch similar to the one that marked the entrance to the assembly hall. This arch was crafted with artwork of industrious people in fanciful gardens fenced by vine-laced pillars. Aimee hesitated under the broad portico, studying the figures. Initially it looked like ancient Greece, but there was a modern element to the imageries. Some people stood atop roaring streams on mystically suspended bridges. Others hunkered over small crafts the likes of which she had never seen. One wore a crown with rays shooting from its rim.

“Aimee.”
Chara waited a few steps ahead.

Aimee blinked and followed Chara into an undersized version of the auditorium she had been in this morning. It was empty except for a group of ten to fifteen children all dressed in petite silver body suits. They varied in age from as young as five years, to as old as maybe eleven or twelve. An awkward screech filled the chamber. The echo of that semi-melodic noise rumbled in the dark corners of the amphitheater.

As she approached the group, she discovered that they were playing musical devices.
Instruments that resembled an alto clarinet.
Shiny.
Gold-plated.
These shafts had tiny holes bored through them and a tube that flared at the bottom. The holes seemed ridiculously small. No wonder they produced the off-key chorus of squeaks. Aimee winced as the child closest to her filled his cheeks up and blew for all he was worth, producing a hellish peal that fell into a wobbly, but solid note. She couldn't resist. She applauded his efforts by clapping. His whole face either turned red from embarrassment or effort, but he gave her a bashful smile and peeked at her from under long blond bangs. She estimated that the child was about nine or ten years old.

Curious, Aimee smiled back and asked, "Can I try it?"

Green-flecked eyes widened and he held the instrument out at her, casting a quick glimpse towards Chara for approval. In her periphery she saw Chara nod.

"What's your name?" Aimee asked as she gripped the tube, still warm from his hands.

"Gordy," he mumbled.

"Gordy?" she repeated. "That's an awesome name."

His smile grew.

"That's not his name." A slightly older girl spoke out. Her hands were planted on her slim hips and long tawny hair was tossed back over her shoulder. "His name is Gordeelum. When he was little he could only say Gordee."

Gordy looked down at his silver boots, embarrassed.

"Are you his sister?" Aimee asked.

"I am." The girl stood straight, her hands still on her hips.

Aimee stifled a snort. Girls don't change no matter what galaxy you are in.

"Who are you?" The girl challenged. "I don't recognize you. You look like you're from that last planet we stopped at. They were all tall too."

Aimee frowned and glanced at Chara. "How is it that everyone speaks my language?"

"JOH enacted the system-wide translation program the day you came on board. It's common practice with visiting dignitaries. Consider it an honor."

"What if someone more important than me shows up?"
Hah, that sounded hysterical.

Chara sat down in one of the sphere-shaped chairs and draped her hands atop her crossed legs. "Then JOH will have
you
go through the translation program."

"Oh right. I'm going to learn an alien language in a matter of minutes."

Chara didn't flinch. "Yes. You will. The words are fed to us electronically from our uniforms."

Aimee frowned. “So if you don’t have the uniform on you would not be able to speak to me?”

Chara smiled. “We retain what we have been fed. The translation stays in us. We’re pretty
quick
as you might say.”

"So,
are
you?" The girl demanded, interrupting their conversation.
"From Sureen?"

"No." Aimee shook her head. "I'm from a planet called Earth."

"Hmmph," she frowned.
"Never heard of it.
Whatever.
As you can see, Gordy can't learn how to play the
Tak wand. He's hopeless."

The Tak wand, Aimee mouthed and then looked at Gordy who still stared at his feet.

"What's your name?" Aimee asked the girl.

"Wanza."
Her chin tipped up.

"Nice to meet you, Wanza."

Aimee returned her attention to the Tak wand. Those holes were tight.
Nothing more than glorified pinpricks.
Couldn't they give kids on this ship something easier to start with?

The mouthpiece did not have a reed—the thin slab of wood affixed to the air hole that gave it the vintage woodwind sound. Instead, this mouthpiece was carved into something resembling a fishhook. Aimee slipped it between her lips and affixed her fingers over one of the center holes. The closest she could liken to the note, G. She tightened her lips and gave a brief puff of air. A melodic note came out of the instrument. It staggered her as she was used to the sound of the clarinet, which in her mind was as symphonic as a set of bagpipes.

"Wow." Gordy looked up. "Do it again."

She took a deep breath and mastered the single note before letting her fingertips toy with the other holes. Soon she got the hang of what sequence sounded best and the tune she played was pleasant even to her ears.

"Can you show me how?" Gordy took a step towards her.

"Of course."
She dropped down into one of the sphere chairs so that she could be eye level with him. "The trick is to put this in your mouth and press your lips together so tight...as tight as you can. This way, when you blow, it will all go into the—" she struggled to recall the name, "—
Tak
wand, and not leak out. Here." She handed Gordy the instrument. "Put it in your mouth and press tight."

Gordy took the Tak wand and put his lips around the fishhook mouthpiece.

"Squeeze your lips," Aimee emphasized. She took a gamble and added, "Pretend you're eating
Sumpum."

The
boy's nose
wrinkled up in distaste and his lips flattened around the mouthpiece.

"That's it! Now blow."

Gordy’s cheeks puffed slightly, but he kept his lips pressed firm and the air flew through the instrument and came out the fluted end with a melodic sound. He jumped back wide-eyed.

“Perfect!”

Within seconds she was immersed in a crowd of children, all crying, “Show me!”

***

Distracted by the flourish of activity, Aimee realized that someone was standing in the shadows watching her. She didn’t see him at first on account of his dark suit, but he stepped forward into the ring of light. He was an intimidating profile that dwarfed everything in his perimeter. Even from the shadows she could feel his eyes on her. One more step and he was close enough that she could see them, so sharp and intense.

“Zak.” Chara broke the spell.

Zak strode down the aisle. In this group he looked like a giant. He cast a quick smile at Chara and then his eyes returned to Aimee. His lips dropped into a straight line. She swallowed self-consciously.

Around her the children all tipped their necks back and stared up at him, slack-jawed.
Gordy,
stirred at her side and braved a step forward. "How many ships did you get, Zak?"

Zak crossed his arms. The form-fitting black uniform glistened over muscular shoulders. With his focus on Gordy, Aimee stole the opportunity to stare.
His hair was dark and short and looked much different than the flaxen style that seemed predominant amongst the males of the ship. His jawline was sculpted into a permanent look of conviction. His cheekbones were high and lent an exotic
air
to his face. When he smiled at Gordy, Zak's profile was truly handsome, so much so that Aimee realized she was holding her breath just waiting to hear his husky voice.

"At least four, Gordeelum."

"Were you scared?" Gordy asked.

Zak grinned.
"Oh yeah.
I was scared. But I couldn't let you down now could I?"

Gordy giggled. "You did
good
. I can't wait until I can be a warrior." He pointed his finger and this time his cheeks puffed up to make explosion sounds.

"If you're as good in the seat of a
terra angel
as you were on that Tak, you'll be a great warrior."

"You heard me?" Gordy beamed.

"Yeah.
It sounded great."

Gordy glanced up at Aimee. "She taught me."

Aimee felt the golden eyes converge on her. Again his grin slipped.
Why?
She tried to over-compensate with an
exaggerated
smile. "He had it in him all along. I just gave him a little guidance."

Zak said nothing.

"Thank you for saving our lives today," she added.
Oh God, that sounded lame.

Again he remained mute. After an awkward moment of silence he addressed Chara. "I managed to board the Koron’s ship. I have some samples for the atrium."

Chara's dark eyebrows descended.
"Oh Zak."
She looked sympathetic. "You didn't have to board their ship. Are you alright?"

Zak's expression was strained and his answer was curt. "Yes."

Uncomfortable under Chara's compassion, he continued. "Vodu wants me to take her there." He jerked his head at Aimee.

Aimee came alert.

"That's a great idea," Chara agreed, rising to her feet. "Alright, everyone, show me what you've learned today."

She stood tolerant as the circle of children wrapped around her.

Aimee glanced at Zak and he gave a curt nod. “Follow me."

***

Out in the corridor, Zak reached for a floating table. Atop it rested an object concealed beneath a cloth.
Zak touched the chrome
corner of the table and set it into motion as it progressed down the
corridor at a measured pace before him. Aimee quickened her step to match
his stride.