Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven) (3 page)

Knacayn didn’t say anything as he walked with Kenzie to the meadow. The
weather was warming up. Today was going to be a good day to be outside. When they
reached a nice clear spot, she realized he had to have painstakingly cleared a
path on the ground for them to sit. Still they wouldn’t be able to stay on the
blanket for long. The ground was still frozen solid.

Knacayn gestured to her spot on the blanket and then sat opposite her.
His long legs stretched out reached off the blanket.

“What is wrong?” Kenzie broke the silence between them.

Knacayn thought for a moment before answering her. “I was wondering if
that is how you really feel. What you said to the Rebel male. That we are not
dating. I had thought…” he trailed off and she hurried to fill the silence.

“I’m sorry Knacayn. I was only telling the truth as I see it.” She was
fighting feeling anything for him, guilty she was feeling anything at all, and
angry at the detour her life was taking. She knew it wasn’t his
fault,
but she couldn’t seem to make herself
stop lashing out. “We have met for lunch a few
times,
and I enjoy your company very much. However,
I would not consider us
dating
.”

Like a
poisonous
fog, Bradley and
Weston’s words wormed around in her head. The males felt she was a traitor to
her community because she had chosen an outsider over them. Even the males she
had grown up with agreed with Bradley, she could see it in their eyes. Before she
could stop herself she continued, “There is so much turmoil to be expected
during this transition period, I don’t think it
wise
if I show preference to a male from Terraneu right now. Taking lunch together
after the meetings was a mistake. I know you only have three more months, and
then you will return to Terraneu. I will be staying here to help further
integrate the Rebel population into the new joint community. I think it best if
we are able to part as friends. Putting some space between us might be for the
best.”

Her heart squeezed painfully saying the words. She wanted nothing more
than to get closer to him, not put more distance between them. However, wanting
something and making it work in the real world were two different things.

“I see.” The look on his face was enough to make her bite the inside of
her cheek. She wasn’t going to relent. She had to stand firm. “Is it because of
what the male said? That you would be a traitor to your people if you chose a
male from my world?”

Kenzie was feeling trapped by her own words and those of Weston and
Bradley. “I am the Rebel liaison and it means a lot to me I was selected. I
have worked my whole life to be seen as a valuable and respected member of my
community. Weston and Bradley can’t be the only ones who feel that way. If the
others are starting to question my loyalties, it could harm my position.”

“I understand your desire to be useful to your people Kenzie. You have
great
diplomatic ability and I see how you
serve those around you, but when are you going to do something for yourself?
The communities are going to be combined soon enough and then what? Are you
going to spend the rest of your life jockeying for power?”

“As opposed to what?” Kenzie could feel her ire rising. She didn’t want
to be fighting with Knacayn. How had her happy day gone so horribly wrong?

“As opposed to leaving Earth…” he blurted and she froze.

“
Oh,
Knacayn.” He had jumped up and
she went to stand also. “I have so much I am doing here. I never thought to
leave Earth. Even if I were to agree to date you, it would be an open
relationship.”

“Males from Terraneu are not good at open relationships.” His face was
implacable
. She had obviously hit a sore spot.
“Everyone needs a partner to lean on. You cannot keep going as you are without
letting someone get close to you.”

“Shhh,” she was suddenly stiff and alert.

“You may not like what I am saying…”

“
Shhh,
” she repeated more
adamantly. Her eyes were frantically scanning the area around them.

“You need to let me help you. I want us to be closer—”

Kenzie used all of her strength and tripping skills to get Knacayn on his
back.

“This is not exactly what I had thought...” he
started,
but she slapped a hand over his mouth.

“Listen!” Their heavy breathing was the only sound
in
the air. They were in a
meadow,
but there was no bird sounds in the
trees, no construction noises from the community. Nothing.

He nodded his head that he understood and she was about to take her hand
off his mouth when she was abruptly pulled straight into the air.

Screaming at the suddenness of floating in the
air,
she frantically tried to get her bearings. She was about five
feet off the ground, held there by her jacket which was digging into her
throat. Before it could become uncomfortable, she was shifting. Reaching over
her head, she tried to strike or grab whatever had a hold on her jacket. With a
violent shake that made her see
stars,
she was moving forward.

“Kenzie!” Knacayn was struggling to get to her but wasn’t moving forward.
“Let her go!” He was doing a strange dance in place. His arms were behind him
as he thrashed to get to her. Kenzie had seen Knacayn doing his military
training as well as physical workouts over the three months he had been on
Earth. He was a very fit man. Adept, as far as she could tell, in all forms of
self-defense. If something could hold him back
,
it would have to be very
strong to
accomplish
it.

“Knacayn!” She screamed
again
as
she picked up speed toward the domes of the new community. “What’s happening?”
she couldn’t see him and hoped he was okay.

“I do not know.”

She was relieved he seemed to be right behind her, but her relief didn’t
last long. When they reached the center of the planned community, right before
the new Square of Four was the rest of the workers and Knacayn’s family.
Bunched together in groups they huddled, and Kenzie noted Weston was in the
circle. Some of the females from the Rebel and Government communities were
softly weeping. Kenzie noted all of the Terraneu females were standing stoically
with their mates.

She was suddenly tossed to the ground. She hit her knees hard but refused
to stay down. Jumping awkwardly to her feet, she hobbled for a second before
her legs took her weight. Knacayn landed next to her a few seconds later and he
was able to raise himself with much more dignity than she had managed.

 
“Kenzie!” She turned when she
heard Steph’s frantic voice. “What…?” Before her friend could continue talking,
she grabbed her throat as if she was choking. Mallex was dragging along behind
her and both of them hit the ground near her. Steph gasping for air and Mallex
out cold.

Kenzie stood frozen to the spot. Knacayn moved to stand closer to her
side. His hand taking hers to squeeze. They had been fighting before this
started and she didn’t care. His fingers were solid and comforting. She held on
tight.

Knacayn stood on the edge of the Square with the rest of the community
waiting for something to happen. It was not a normal circumstance when he was
outmuscled
by an invisible force. Even if the
Earth Government dissidents, led by Jeromy Rousard had gotten hold of their
armor technology somehow, it would not explain the incredible strength. There
was no logical explanation for Kenzie appearing to levitate and his inability
to break free from the force holding him.

Seeing the puzzled look on his father’s face and the intense one of
concentration on his Uncle Kneus’ he knew they were having the same thoughts as
he was. Gaining eye contact with his father, he discerned a small nod of
reassurance, and then there was a gasp from Kenzie and multiple others. His
attention was drawn forward again and he barely contained his exclamation at
what he saw.

All around them forms were appearing from under some type of cloak. The
square was surrounded by figures, all in a very strange type of armor. He
noticed in front of him were six bodies, the others fanned out in a
semi-circle. The others were all much smaller in stature than the ones in front
of him.

One of the six was a few steps in front of his five counterparts and
Knacayn waited to see what would happen next. At some unknown signal, the
male’s armor began to “melt” away. It was like liquid mercury being absorbed by
their skin. Starting at their feet and moving upward the armor disappeared.

“Who are you?” his father had taken a few steps forward and placed
himself at the front of their huddled group.

“I was going to make the same
inquiry,
”
Knacayn noted this male had a monotonous tone to his voice. “State your
designation.”

“My designation?” his father looked puzzled for a moment. “You mean my
name?”

His uncles and Marcael were moving to place themselves behind his father.
Since he was already toward the front, he didn’t have to move. He
did, however,
step in front of Kenzie to her
apparent annoyance because she pinched him on the hip in frustration. He
ignored her for the time being.

“Name?” the male intoned, then seemed to focus even harder. “Yes. A name
will suffice.”

“I am called Kniam.” His father explained. “Those around me—”

“We need no further explanation as to your designation.” The male
interrupted. “Accessing protocol 10010101. You are Kniam
Allian
Sylvias. First born son of Kynan Allian Sylvias.” The male’s
eyes went around to his uncle. “You are Knollig Ameril Sylvias, the diplomat.
You are Kneus Aerony Sylvias, the scientist. I do not see Knaleg Armman Sylvias
in this group.” His eyes fell to Marcael. “You are the King’s
Knoet’un
,
sent on an urgent undercover mission to infiltrate the Queen’s guard.” Knacayn
felt the strange eyes fall on him. “We do not know you.” The sensation of being
examined was unnerving. “Your DNA is of Kniam Sylvias, but you are not a
clone.” He went silent again and searched the crowd. Even with a wall of males
between him and the females, he stated, “Your DNA is part of the small blonde
haired female. Explain.”

“She is my
mother.” Knacayn stiffened. This male could read their DNA just by scanning the
group. What was he?

“The term
‘mother’ is in our database. Transmitting information.” The male turned to the
five behind him and at some communication from the leader, their armor slowly
dissolved away.

“Kneus.” His
father turned to his brother. “What is going on?”

His uncle
cleared his throat and stated, “I am not entirely sure. I think they may be
robotic.”

“Robotic?” the
male in front of his father did a dramatic snort. “We are MAN.”

“Men?” his
uncle asked.

“MAN.” The male
repeated. “It stood for Memory Android Nodes—” At this statement his uncle
interrupted.

“I think I
understand.” His face shone with excitement and he took a small step forward.
“Can you explain your programming?”

“Protocol
prohibits me from discussing programming status.” The male intoned.

“Override protocols.”
His uncle insisted, “Voice authorization Kneus Aerony Sylvias.”

The male cocked
his head and eyed his uncle. “Processing authorization request.” Looking at his
fellows behind him, he turned back, “Authorization approved. Accessing
playback.”

Before Knacayn
could blink, another form was standing in the front of the group. He had chills
before the holograph even started speaking. “I am Kynan Sylvias, if you are
seeing this you have accessed the programming protocol of the MAN unit. I have
some hope that it is you Kneus. If anyone could do it, I know it would be you.”

Everyone in their
group was stunned speechless. This was his grandfather! He was tall and regal
looking. His black hair was swept off his face, his eyes were bright and
intelligent. The high cheekbones, patrician nose, square chin and full lips he
thought he got from his father, actually came from his grandfather.

“After I sent
my living sons into space to avoid Elyon and Knuan, I sanctioned the creation
of the MAN units. They were to store all known history of Hedal, along with our
personal memories and likenesses. In the event my living sons did not flourish
on the planet we chose, or they were unable to reach Hedal on the port pad. Our
history would survive in some form. If it is my sons that have found the MAN, I
want to say how proud I am of you all. I could not have asked for more in sons
that I was blessed with in you.”

Knacayn could
feel Kenzie clasping his hand more tightly. His grandfather's last wish was for
his line to continue. That was to be expected. It was the emotion behind his
sentiment that had his father, uncles and himself tearing up. If not for his
insane grandmother and equally mad uncle, his family line would have continued
on Earth.

To what end?
The thought suddenly popped into his mind. What had become of the once great
kingdom his grandfather ruled over? According to his mother, there had been no
knowledge of its existence. At least sending his father and uncles into space,
he had saved them from that fate. His grandfather's genetic line was thriving
on Terraneu, he had succeeded.

“If it is not
my sons hearing this message. I hope you find some helpful knowledge in the MAN
units. May you avoid the fate that is sure to have befallen my beloved Kingdom
of Hedal.”

The holograph
ended and the MAN unit blinked a few times. “End of playback.”

 
“What did my grandfather mean by “likenesses?”
he asked before the MAN unit spoke again.

“I was created
in the image of my maker, a scientist of Hedal. Those behind me were created in
the image of the King’s sons. Over the years, we have been forced to make
repairs so the exact resemblance is not attainable.”

Knacayn
realized with another jolt the male spoke the truth. There was a hint of all of
his uncles features in the MAN units lined up behind the leader.

“Do you still
carry those memories and histories?” his uncle asked excitedly.

“We do not.”
The MAN unit took a step back. “Our protocols have been enhanced. One has
fought for thousands of years to see us move past our original programming.”

Knacayn didn’t
like the sound of this.

“Explain.” His
father had stiffened as well. “Please,” he added as an afterthought.

“We have
attained a higher awareness. The memories and history of the old Hedal were
erased in order to utilize the space for our own purposes. We are self-aware.”

Knacayn
grimaced. He was right. He wasn’t liking where this was heading.

“What is your
purpose now?” His father asked grimly.

“One sent us
here, to Terra. The human life forms were almost eliminated and we were going
to start fresh here. In the place of our beginning. The human numbers started to
recover, with help from you. We cannot allow this. We are to liberate Terra,
for the purpose of advancing our civilization.”

“Your
civilization?” his uncle asked warily. “There are more of you?”

“That is the
case. Yes.” The male stated. “We are tasked with finding human populations on
Terra, and ending them. One has decided the time to recover Terra is now.”

The crowd had
been muttering slightly. A cough here or there and some whispered exclamations.
At those words, the voices got louder. His fingers tightened unconsciously and
he realized he was squeezing Kenzie’s hand. He loosened his grip and tried to
focus on the MAN unit and what his father was arguing.

“You cannot
just—”

“We are sorry
you are here Kniam Sylvias. You should not be.” The MAN unit’s armor was going
back over his body.

This was not
good. This was not good at all.