The theos, p.13
The Theos, page 13
part #5 of The Survivors Series
"It sounds like you know this from experience," Leonard said lightly.
"Could be. Natalia may or may not have witnessed it," Magnus said, looking sideways at Nat.
"But you didn't have a Slate around to catch the kid then," Nat said.
"It's gone," I whispered. The device Suma had given me wasn't in my pocket, where I'd left it for safekeeping.
"Hand it over," Slate said, lifting the rodent thief higher.
"I don't have," the rodent said.
I finally got a look around us and couldn't help but be reminded of a futuristic Times Square. Sky-high towers rose in every direction, reflecting stunning sunlight with a purple hue. The ground was golden even here, apparently a color the people running Bazarn couldn't get enough of. People of all kinds milled about, and now a few of them made way for two figures approaching us.
"What is the problem?" one asked. It spoke an unknown language to me, but my translator still allowed me to communicate.
"This thief took something from me. Knocked me down," I said. Slate lowered the perp to the ground but kept a firm grasp on its shirt.
The newcomers were dressed in black cloaks, their faces hidden from sight. I saw a badge of sorts on their left breast. These must be the Protectors the guards had mentioned.
"What did she take?"
"She took something of value to me. Small device. It has to be on her." I pointed at the rodent's pockets and the small pack on her back.
"Fine. Here," the attacker said, deftly flipping the gift from Suma between crooked clawed fingers.
"Come with us." Slate relinquished his hold on the rodent to the Protector, and they hauled her away, but not before offering a word of wisdom. "Watch your backs. There is always something looking to do wrong, even in paradise." He tossed the device in the air, and I caught it, quickly slipping it to another pocket.
His last words were said with a hint of sarcasm, and I wondered how safe this world was going to be. It reminded me of Volim, the Padlog home world. Above ground, everything seemed elegant and innocuous, but there was a seedy underbelly, like in every city, in every country, and now on every world.
There were others in the promenade, appearing from thin air and looking around with wonder. Beings of all shapes and sizes: some were corporeal, while others looked to spend only part of their existence on the same plane as us, as they vanished and appeared at will.
Lines of small ships formed at the end of the square, and Sarlun led us to one. Smells of every nature hit me as we crossed the way, and I was surprised to see food stations set up along the other side to the promenade.
"Food trucks? At Bazarn?" I asked Sarlun.
He shrugged. "They recently wanted to cater the experience to the well-off. Most of them won't travel to their own world's city centers, so they built a safe version filled with the sights and smells of over a dozen major shareholders' worlds."
I was about to remind him I'd been mugged two seconds into my trip but didn't bother. Maybe that was part of the experience. Leonard looked around, and I saw him making mental notes for his comic series. The kid was always thinking of his big cover shot, and it inspired me. He was still doing something he loved, even among the chaos of our new lives.
Nat and Magnus stayed ahead of us now, seeming to know our destination. Only Slate stuck close to me, his watchful eyes scanning every alien we walked by.
We neared the ships, and Sarlun went to speak to one of them. We were then ushered into a shiny golden transport vessel, its gullwing doors opened on either side to let us in. It reminded me of a minivan with wings.
Sarlun tweeted something I didn't hear, and we were off. I sat at the window, curiously staring out at the square below. Smoke from the restaurants poured into the sky, hundreds of people moved from point to point like ants, and I saw it for what it was. The whole area was walled in. Within the walls of Bazarn's entrance was the city feel, but as we lifted above and away from it, I saw the real Bazarn.
Lush green landscape carried for as far as the eye could see to the left; widespread hotels ran along impressive bodies of water. Huge trees rose from the ground, so high we had to lift up in the transport vessel to avoid one. Nestled above the ground was an intricate city among the trees. Streets led from one tree to the next; lights were on inside round windows cut into the hollowed-out tops.
I knew I didn't have time to do sightseeing, but the young Dean inside me wanted to spend a night there, with nothing but three hundred feet of air between me and the ground. The ultimate tree fort. It would be a quiet paradise with Mary at my side. I shook the thoughts away and focused on the impending reality before me.
To my right, I peered over Natalia and Magnus, seeing a yellow-gold desert. Sand carried forever, its undulating dunes mesmerizing. The only respite from the sand was occasional resorts, their floating swimming pools showing rare water among the dry landscape. Just how many biomes did this world have?
"We're not far," Sarlun said.
"Quite the place," Magnus said from beside me.
"It is. I wonder where we're staying?" I asked. Sarlun hadn't told us much about our arrangements, just that he'd take care of it. We hadn't had a lot of time between getting home and coming here, so it was a whirlwind. I hadn't even told Sarlun about my Theos theory yet.
The transport started to lower as we passed the borders of both the desert and the lush tree city, and entered a rocky scene. White-tipped mountains rose from the ground before us, incrementally getting larger the deeper we flew into the region. They reminded me of shark teeth, and I had the feeling we could easily get eaten on Bazarn.
"This is it," Sarlun said from the front of the vessel.
"This?" Slate asked from the back.
We lowered toward the tip of a huge mountain. As we got closer, I saw the building hidden on the side of the peak. It was carved out of the curve of the mountains, and as the sun was lowering behind the far side of the crag, lights were turning on to highlight the natural beauty of the lodging.
The ship settled on a flat outcropping in front of the complex, and the doors opened simultaneously.
Without preamble, we exited and watched the ship rise into the sky, leaving us behind atop the mountain.
Two lumbering shapes headed toward us, and the ground shook slightly with each step.
"What are those?" Slate said under his breath. Only Sarlun didn't look concerned by them.
"They work here. The Peaks of Duup are legendary, and when their star threatened to die, they were transported here. The Duupa came with them," Sarlun said.
The Duupa arrived, and I looked up to their towering ten feet. They were half again as wide, and they looked to be cut from stone themselves.
When one spoke, it sounded like gravel rubbing against pebbles. "Greetings. Welcome to the Peaks at Bazarn. Can we assist with anything?"
The low grumbling speech translated for us, this time from small speakers on their belts. I was still amazed they had our language in their system, or that their software could recognize us as human. Sarlun had explained that once he'd loaded it into his database, it was shared with countless other worlds.
The Duupas' heads seemed to melt into their shoulders, which gave the appearance of an absent neck. They wore thin gray outfits; the uniforms rested loosely but were unable to hide their tree-trunk legs and bulky chests.
"We're fine," Sarlun said. "Our things are inside already."
"Anything else before settling in?" they asked as another transport vessel sat down behind us.
"Can you send me details on the Eklack hours? We have some work to do this week." Sarlun stepped forward, and the two hosts separated, creating a path.
"Of course, sir. They will be in your rooms. Please don't hesitate to buzz, should you need it." The larger of the two passed Sarlun a tiny pen-shaped object. "Have a wonderful stay at the Peaks."
Four beings fell out of the vessel behind us, thick smoke following behind them. They were furry, with no faces or eyes in sight, and wore something akin to brown leather on their bodies. Each of them held a bottle of pink liquid, and judging by their inability to stand straight, they were here to party.
We turned and walked toward the hotel. It was amazing, and I forced myself to remember why we were here. I needed to find everything I could about the Theos, and more importantly, about the portal stones. They were the key I needed to solve our nightmare. Mary was out there, waiting for me to retrieve her. I knew it.
I walked behind our group, wondering how many suites must be in the place. It was at least a mile wide, but I had no way of knowing how deep it went. The ground changed from black slate to patterned rocks, indicating a pathway to the hotel's lobby. Massive stone pillars were cut out of the rock face, the same symbol repeatedly carved into each pillar. It must have been the portal symbol for Duup. I wondered if it was still there, or if the star had destroyed the world after all. Had the Theos inhabiting the stone died with the world?
Wide terraces were cut into the front of each suite, and even from here, I could see unknown beings standing on them, admiring the view as a family.
Before we entered the Peaks, I spun around, catching the breathtaking vision. I'd been so hung up on the hotel that I hadn't taken the time to look in the other direction. With the sun behind the mountain we stood on, the valleys below were dusky. A large flowing river wound below, looking like a tiny garter snake from this vantage point. Other buildings were etched into the various mountains around us; some had lights on, smoke pouring from chimneys. I imagined the Duupa lived among them, a race without a home planet any longer.
We had something in common.
"Dean, you coming?" Slate urged from the doorway.
I ran to catch up and patted my young friend on the back as I passed him. The air was thin and cool up here, reminding me of the time I'd been up the crater on Maui.
Another giant Duupa greeted us and led us through the lobby, which was lit by torches on the walls, and down a hall wide and tall enough for their race to easily maneuver through. I looked at Slate and Magnus and thought how happy they must be to finally be somewhere with ample room for their large frames.
"Here you are." Gravel spilled out as words as the Duupa opened the door to the suite on the left and scanned each of our hands with a device. "You will each have room access now, and also to our amenities. May I recommend the hot stone meditation?" He glanced at Natalia, who did her best not to scowl at him.
I knew Nat just wanted to get the information we came for and get out of there. It was all over her face. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, and when it came to battle, it was all anger.
We all entered the double-wide doorway, and then the room. I'd expected it to resemble a cavern like the lobby, but inside, it was like something out of a palace. Polished gray stone floors led to an open room full of shelving stocked with art from around the universe. A circular fireplace sat in the center of the area, a low flame glowing hot already. There were chairs and cushioned seats atop pieces of carved rock.
"Everyone has their own room," Sarlun said. "Go refresh yourselves if needed, and we'll make a plan."
I grabbed my pack and picked the room farthest from the living space, and laughed at how universal our needs were. I threw the bag on the soft bed and spotted a shower capsule, as well as some sort of universal toilet. It appeared it would cater to any sanitary needs an alien might have. I hoped there was a manual on the thing, because it was already calling my name. I spent a couple minutes struggling with it before relieving myself.
The day had been long, and I was happy to have a home base on this elaborate world. I decided to change clothing for the evening and shut the door.
I jumped back at the small blue form hiding behind it.
Twenty-One
"What the hell are you trying to do, kill me?" I asked the short girl. It translated into her native Molariun.
"Dean, I need your help," Rivo said as her four clear-white eyes blinked at the same time.
I stepped back and took a seat on the pillowy bed. It was so soft, I sank backward into it. "How did you know I was here?"
She tapped the side of her hairless head, and though there was no visible ear, I assumed that was what she was pointing at. She meant she was listening.
"Okay, so you found out I was here. Why sneak into my room?"
"Something bad is happening. I have no one I can trust. You... when I heard you arrived, I knew I had to bring it to you. Everyone's always wanted something from me. Being the eldest daughter of Garo Alnod brings a lot of attention, and not always in a good way."
She still wasn't making sense, and she was testing my already frazzled patience. "Tell me what you need."
She looked shocked at my tone. "I hear rumors my father is going to be attacked at the Eklack."
"What's the Eklack?" I said the word and recognized it as the same place Sarlun had mentioned outside.
"Bazarn Five is home to the largest gathered secrets in the universe. That's the Eklack. Do you live under a rock?" she asked, her thin mouth twitching into a grin.
I couldn't have the library getting shot up just before I found what I needed from it. Once again, I felt like my timing was more than a fluke. I resolved to hear her out and get to this Eklack as soon as possible to start searching it.
"How do you know he's going to be attacked? Actually" - I went to the door and opened it, walking into the hall beyond - "come with me. Let's include everyone."
She looked admonished that I wanted to share her plight with anyone. "If you trust me, you can trust each and every one of them," I assured her.
"Who're you talking to?" Natalia asked. She was already back in the living room, sitting on the rock sofa, where she held a clear tablet.
"Guys, this is Rivo." I looked behind me, and she wasn't there. "Come on out."
The short blue girl hesitantly stepped into the hall. I recalled hearing her aboard the pirate ship before I saw her. Her song had been so lovely, so poignant and sad. I also remembered that her significant other had been killed by the pirates sent to find her father's riches. In that instant, the confidant woman she was becoming was hidden beneath a frail outer shell. She was really scared.
"Hi, Rivo. I'm Magnus, and just so you know, I had a hand in ending a couple of those pirates when they boarded us. Thanks for shooting us free of their grasp." He hulked over the girl and stuck his hand out. It was clearly an unfamiliar gesture. She grabbed his thumb and shook it.
"That's good to hear, and you're welcome. I would have done anything for my hero. I was going to die on that terrible ship." Rivo entered the living room and nervously looked around.
"What is it that has you so on edge?" I asked her.
Sarlun entered, and I introduced her to the Gatekeeper. "I've met your parents before," he said. "Curious. How did you find Dean Parker?"
"One of the guards is on my payroll. I like to know who comes and goes. Someone mentioned my name and said he was looking for me. When he described you, I knew there could be no other human searching for me." She fidgeted with a purple gemstone around her neck. I felt for my own pendant under my shirt. It was still there.
"What can we do to help you?" Slate asked from the edge of the couch. Leonard was beside him, sketching on a notepad.
"And who wants to do your father harm?" Sarlun added.
"Who doesn't? He's always being threatened. But after we were attacked, and Nico... killed, the rivalry is only getting stronger." Tears formed in her four glistening eyes.
"Who's the rival?" Sarlun was standing, his posture telling me he would know the enemy of her father.
"Lom of Pleva." The second it took the translation to pass to Sarlun's Shimmali language was enough to change Sarlun's face. His snout twitched in surprise and his black eyes widened.
"Lom of Pleva is dead!" he shouted, his voice sterner than I'd ever heard it.
"No, he's not. He's back. Father doesn't believe the rumors, though."
"Okay, okay. Who or what is a Lom of Pleva?" Magnus asked.
Sarlun stalked across the room and tapped a screen on the wall. Part of the partition slid open, revealing over twenty bottles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. He took a blue crystal glass and splashed in some orange liquor. He downed it in one fell swoop and poured another.
"Who is Lom, Sarlun?" I asked more forcefully than Magnus' playful tone.
Sarlun's back was still to us. "He's a ghost. If there's anyone wealthier than young Rivo's father, Lom is it."
"So does every rich guy out here have to be an evil genius or something?" Slate asked from the couch.
Sarlun ignored him. "Lom's had a hand in many bad things. Things that may even have affected you and your race," he said.
My pulse raced at his words. "How?" I asked slowly.
"Hybrids. He funded the technology. Call it a pet project." He shook his head side to side and downed his second drink. "I was one of the few to see the images of his early cross-DNA projects. The horror he created. Those poor creatures. Did you ever think to wonder how the Kraski got human DNA for their plan?"
I shook my head. Truth was, I hadn't given it much thought. There had always seemed to be something more pressing happening.
"Lom spent years stealing samples from most inhabited worlds." Sarlun poured another one.
"You're telling us some of those ramblings about flying saucers stealing drunks out of cornfields could have been true?" Slate asked.
Sarlun nodded now, confirming Slate's question.
"You're serious? He took unsuspecting victims from Earth?" I thought of the models they'd cloned. Janine had been made after the image of a woman this Lom had stolen from Earth. Who had she been?
"And many more worlds. Many." Sarlun finally turned to us, and I saw something I hadn't seen in Sarlun's dark eyes before.
Fear.
"You say he's dead?" I asked, pressing the subject.
