Sunlord (68 page)

On the far side of the campfire Capac raised
his head weary with age. The eloprin's eyes were unblinkingly wide
in contemplation. "You think their idea will work?"

Shaun shrugged. "The Hartrias and Federation
scientists have been working together on this for over three months
now. The theory checks out - a drive fuelled by antimatter has long
been in the textbooks, except up til now there has been no use for
one with jumptunnels in existence." Shaun laughed softly. "There
has been minor scuffles over who will pilot the thing in its arc
around the sun; the Hartrias claim their pilots can manoeuvre it
closer but the Federation want to play it safer."

"They still war?" Riel sat upright and alert, a
child matured far beyond his years.

"Harmless bickering," Shaun clarified.
"Jostling each other just to prove they are still in control. But
no, they are not stupid. They realise only a combined effort will
get them back home."

Riel nodded. "How many are leaving?"

"Two, maybe three hundred in this first ship."
Shaun outstretched his palms to the fire to warm them. "Most of the
others are quite happy to remain here, what with the new city in
construction and all."

"The technology will benefit us all," mused
Riel.

"Yeah, well that remains to be seen. We'll
probably see extinction of some species, the beginnings of global
warming and pollution before the year is out."

For a moment Riel's eyes glowed in
determination. "Then we have a little to teach the
Sunlords."

"You think your craft will succeed?" asked
Capac.

"I think so. From what I have seen of the
calculations it will work out; the initial pass close to the sun
will manufacture the antimatter which will power the ship at a
constant one point eight gee for five years, then flip around and
decelerate. It'll be a long trip home."

Aged brown eyes glistened in the firelight.
"Are you going with them, Shaun?"

Inhaling, Shaun finally indicated negative.
"There are duties enough for me here, the establishment of the
first joint Hartrias-Human city for a start. Besides...I'm getting
to like the place."

"This will be the last time I shall see you, my
friend." Capac's gaze did not falter, his words ringing of
finality. "Time has caught up to me; I shall not be long in the
land of the living."

"That isn't true," interceded Shaun lamely.
"I'll return - "

"By all means return, for the son of Ashian and
all of the tribe will welcome you." Capac's brows furrowed. "I've
done enough for one lifetime."

Shaun smiled. "Stopped the ten-year war, for a
start. That's not bad going."

"I did what I had to do." Capac broke off as a
coughing fit overcame his chest. Still wheezing he continued. "We
all did."

For a stretch of minutes Shaun was silent with
his thoughts, reflecting upon the instigator of the whole affair,
Ashian. Deep in his heart Shaun still grieved Ashian's death, and
wished the currach could be here to see the fruits of what he had
aspired to.

From the corner of his eye Shaun saw a small
speck of light break through the canopy of trees, slowly weaving
its way down towards the firelight. A low humming pervaded his
eardrums moments later and he knew that the skimship had
arrived.

"My craft." Shaun stood as the searchlights of
the ship lanced downwards through the thick winter mists, beaming
downward in a search pattern.

"May you walk with Abas and the Forest Mother."
Capac raised a weak hand clawed by age. "Make the new world for
us."

Shaun raised his hand, his shadow cast sharp by
the spotlight at his back, his hair whipping in the breeze of
exhaust vents. He did not say a word yet none were
needed.

Between heartbeats Shaun thought he saw
movement between the trees. Refusing to believe in spirits Shaun
shook his head and blinked, and when he looked back the two figures
standing at Capac's shoulder had disappeared.

Taking a step backwards Shaun entered the
skimship as the hatchway sealed closed once again. Engines picked
up once again and the craft lifted and arced into the
air.

Quickly it pulled away from the earth with the
dull throb of mechanics, tracing out lazy curve before winking out
of existence among the stars.

Light faded, and soon there was only the sound
of the forest.

THE END