Argel: Book Two - The Ssh'fah War

Argel

Book Two

The Ssh’fah War

By B.B. Humphrey

Copyright 2013

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All characters and situations in this novel are entirely fictional and any resemblance to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Copyright © B.B. Humphrey 2013

All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work.

Chapter One

_______________________

Aboard the Adventurer, the worried threesome stood in the teleport unit trying to gain their equilibrium. Settled first, Kyla stepped into a clear plas box, which locked behind her with an ominous click. Within seconds, it buzzed, the door released with a hiss and she staggered out, gasping for breath. Your turn, David. I am now clear of all foreign microbes.

After the men completed the procedure, they joined her. Kyla wrinkled her nose. The smell. Disgusting. What is it?

David pulled out the neck of his tunic and peered inside. Not me.

Recycled air. Troy looked up at a vent with a frown. We’ve become accustomed to fresh air.

A uniformed cadet stepped up, his eyes flickering over their Elfin attire. Please follow. The captain requires your presence. Immediately.

The three fell into step behind the cadet, through stark grey passageways, and narrow hatches. Kyla shuddered. I’m really dreading this.

After a bit, David muttered, God help us.

As they reached a large steel door, it silently retracted. They entered a tunnel, floated up, grabbed the overhead handrail, and followed the cadet, hand over hand.

I will be so glad to be assigned a ship with decent gravity in the passages. Walking with hands, like a tree animal, is simply not conducive to the human condition, Troy said.

I don’t know about that, Kyla said, the Taryn do all right. She snickered.

Aren’t they primates?

Not really. I’ll tell you why I think they are some form of human later. Right now I’m too nervous to think.

They arrived at a port door displaying the insignia of a tram capsule, passed through the door, and entered the conveyance. The second the wall-mounted belts automatically clamped around their bodies, the tram darted ahead and soon reached its maximum speed. The forward motion flattened them against the wall as the tram sped through dimly lit gray tunnels.

In seconds, they slowed to an intersection, the cadet punched directions into the console, and the tram responded by dropping ten stories.

Laughing at Kyla’s glum expression, David said, Nothing like our good and faithful friends the rhosynhorns, is it?

More obedient. Troy’s expression matched Kyla’s.

Exiting the shaft, the tram turned left, sped through the ubiquitous gray tunnel for several thousand feet. Kyla’s stomach rebelled when the carrier stopped with a whoosh. They came into the normal gravity of the antechamber to the captain’s quarters. After the exit from the tram, they stepped into the receiving room and stood at rigid attention.

The captain, a tall man with broad shoulders and stiff military posture in a perfectly tailored uniform, appeared at the inner door. Kyla could almost feel the anger he broadcast with his demeanor. From the collar of his uniform to the top of his crewcut, he flamed red.

He barked, Inside. He walked around his desk, covered with communication equipment and a bank of screens. Sit.

After the three sat in stiff, straight-backed chairs facing him, he stared at them with narrowed eyes. He dropped into his chair and his lip lifted in a sneer. What kind of get-up is this? You know better than appear before me out of uniform.

Kyla cleared her throat. Sorry, sir. The cadet indicated urgency and escorted us directly here. We didn’t expect to be zipped back from Argel right away.

The captain ignored her. Don’t you fools realize I almost attacked Javet 111 because of your stupidity? For the moment, I cannot trust myself to control my temper or talk rationally—so, this is what we’re going to do.

He jerked his chair forward, put his elbows on the desk, and clasped his long, elegant hands. Two of you, go outside and wait while the other gives me a complete report. A comparison will be made of the three. Your only way out of this for it is to report in detail and in complete honesty.

I’m the one most responsible for what happened. David abruptly stood. I’ll go first.

Kyla, her face frozen, left the office, with Troy trailing behind. The captain’s door started to open and she heard David say, Just a moment, sir. He ran over to Kyla, reached inside his tunic, pulled Twitter out, shoved him into her hand, and ran back into the office.

Twitter sat in her lap and looked up from under his brows, with a shamed expression. Kyla could only stare at him. He began to twitter and she placed her hand over his mouth and shook her head. His eyes leaked silent tears.

She sputtered, Oh, shit. We’re in for it now.

Troy stared at Twitter and then looked at Kyla. Pardon me for saying so, but in the utterance of the Argelians, David is the ass end of a rhosynhorn.

Miserable, they waited in the antechamber without further talk. Twitter began squirming and holding onto the front of his pant. She didn’t look at him, attempting to manage her apprehension. An hour later, David walked out of the captain’s quarters, and it seemed as if hours had passed. He motioned for Troy to go in and then sat beside Kyla. She shoved Twitter into his arms and glared at him. David, Twit needs to go to the bathroom. You are a complete idiot to bring this child with you. He might not have lived through transport.

Yes, you are right, but it’s not my fault. Twitter wrapped his arms around David’s neck and nuzzled his neck.

Creation’s sake, if not yours, who’s?

I don’t know. Suppose he jumped from Awel’s arms and onto me just as we transported. I didn’t even know until we were back.

Kyla snorted. Guess we’ll have to work it out somehow. She took a breath, blew it out, and then asked, How’d it go?

True to his words, he didn’t ask a single question—did not say a single word. I think it would’ve been easier, if he yelled or something. He shuddered with over-done drama. Downright chilling.

David sat beside Kyla for a moment, and then stood up. After taking care of Twit’s problem, going to the mess hall. He placed Twitter on his shoulder, and said, You and Troy come, soon as you can. Gotta feed this imp. He gave an encouraging pat to her shoulder and left.

Later, when Troy came out of the office, he slumped down beside her. The captain says he’s heard all he can stand for the moment. He’ll deal with you later.

Did he calm down any?

Well, his color returned to normal, if that’s any indication. Troy rubbed his face and squared his shoulders. He didn’t say a word, except for the message to you and a dismissal.

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. Guess I’ll have to continue to think the worst until he sends for me. Let’s go to the mess hall and meet David.

Yeah, I need to tell him we are in limbo until the Board of Regents is ready to see us.

After Troy walked from his office, Captain Rachelle called out, Come out ladies. Two women entered through a partially open door where they had listened to the reports. What do you think Lieutenant Commander—Dr. O’Brien?

Marian Montgomery, a Union of Evolved Planets forensic guardsman, a thin intent woman, set her portable equipment on the edge of his desk. See here, she said, pointing at the screen, as far as I can determine, they were truthful. Of course, each being extremely different in nature does have individual viewpoints. No matter, I can testify to their honesty, should it come to that. Do you agree, Dr. O’Brien?

The doctor placed her hands on her knees and settled back in her seat. The captain eyed her compact, curvaceous body with admiration. Her clear, grey eyes focused on the distance. As an empath, I feel they kept something to themselves. Their experience deeply affected them emotionally. Maybe it was too personal, or inappropriate, to put in an official report. She pushed a curling lock of chestnut hair back over her shoulder.

How do you propose we pursue this? The captain included the Commander of Security in his questioning look.

Dr. O’Brien said, "If you find it acceptable, I would like to question the girl. I think she’ll be more inclined to discuss with me any emotional entanglements with which they may have become involved. Also, I’d like to hear more about the priests’ examinations. Why did they do it? What was the outcome and how did it affect them?

Marion shifted in the chair and smoothed her trousers. Sounds like some ignorant, barbaric hokum-pokum to me.

Dr. O’Brien glanced at the woman and sweetly smiled—too sweetly. Such as what I do? She turned to the captain and nodded toward the technician. I’d like Commander Montgomery listening when I talk with Kyla, if you think it’s acceptable, and if Kyla will agree.

The captain stood up. Yes, have it done before she turns in for the night, please. I have to digest this information and decide what, if anything, I need to pass on to the Board of Regency tomorrow. I hope the Regents won't find it necessary to report their escapade to the Personnel Evaluations Department of the UEP. Thank you, Doctor—Commander. Please get back to me after you’ve finished.

* * *

The three outlaws met later in the mess hall, properly dressed in uniforms, and quietly discussed their troubles as they dined. A hand dropped onto Kyla’s shoulder and she looked up into the gentle expression on Dr. O’Brien’s exotic face. Kyla, after you’ve finished eating, please come to my quarters. The captain agreed for me to take your report.

Kyla pulled in a great gulp of air. Thank God for small mercies. I’ll be there. Thanks. The doctor drifted away as the three watched her.

That’s one strange woman, David said as he watched the empath as she seemed to float away.

Troy also gazed after her. You know what she reminds me of? Those priestesses on Argel. She has the same ethereal persona.

Kyla nodded her agreement. Troy, what are you going to do about Jason?

I truly don’t know. If we get permission to stay on Argel, it’s simple; if not, then somehow I have to sort out my feelings and deal with Jason. I experienced more emotion in the short time we were on Argel than in all the time he and I have been together. The way we were raised, it’s no wonder we’re overcome by our experiences.

David bowed his head while Troy and Kyla waited for his comment. I suppose my life on Earth as a child made the experience easier for me. I love what I felt. Touching of my own humanity and someone else’s—but, I almost wish we had never gone to Argel. He shifted the furry body to his other arm. Life on ship will seem rather empty and sterile now. He kept up a rocking motion with his body as Twitter slept, peaceful as a baby.

Yeah, Troy said. I suppose the old adage, ‘ignorance is bliss,’ really applies here, doesn’t it? He hesitated, and asked David the question on everyone’s mind. I understand the three royals made it possible for the rover to make it through their shield. If we have a chance to go back, how will we get through?

David continued to rock Twitter. Remember, I spoke to Eiddyl immediately before we transported? I ask that each week, on the same day, as the sun rises over the meadow, have the crystal workers open the shield for fifteen minutes. If they’re willing for us to come back, they’ll do it.

Kyla stood up and gathered her dishes. I’m off to see Dr. O’Brien. See you guys later.

She had never visited the counselor before and when Kyla entered the doctor’s quarters, it was a pleasant surprise. Contrary to the ship’s institutional harshness, this small space glowed in the light of glimmer sticks placed in strategic places around the lush living area. They reflected endlessly in smoky mirrors covering most of the walls. The furnishings were dressed in soft gray velvet and an exotic, floral fragrance filled the air.

Dr. O’Brien met Kyla at the door in a simple flowing robe. She motioned toward a low lounging seat. Come on in, Kyla. Find a seat and I’ll get you a drink.

Juice, please, Doctor.

Please call me Kelly, while we are together in an informal gathering.

She brought a glass fogged with precipitation and placed it on a table by Kyla. Commander Montgomery will join us momentarily.

Kelly settled across from her, arranged peach-colored material around her legs, and smiled. Please relax, Kyla. I’m not an interrogator of crime; I would simply like to know more about the emotional aspects of your visit with these people.

Kyla stared beyond the doctor at the aquarium wall, mesmerized by the sea life and wondered what this woman really wanted. A rose-colored fish, trailing shimmering fins and tail, flickered in the clear water.

She shook her head to get the vision from her head. Then she spoke of how David, Troy, and she grew tired of the ship’s confinement, and their curiosity drew them to the planet under investigation. She explained how they confiscated a rover with the intention of merely having a closer look at Javet.

Holding up her hand, the doctor interrupted. Kyla, I know all that from the reports given by Troy and David. I want to know about this method of communication of which David and Troy spoke.

Commander Montgomery came in from the hallway and smiled at Kyla.

Kelly motioned to a seat across from Kyla. Come, be seated, Marion. She’s about to describe her encounter with the people on Javet 111 for us. Kyla meet Marion, she is the Commander of Security.

The commander sat beside Kyla and looked to her with eyebrows arched in question. Go ahead. I’m very interested. Especially in your psychic experiences.

It’s hard to describe. It was dream-like and very intimate. Not only could I sense their thoughts and they mine, there came an additional awareness of their feelings.

Did it make you feel uncomfortable? Marion scrutinized Kyla’s face in such a way it made her squirm.

She blinked her eyes and continued. Sometimes it seemed a bit intrusive. We all become expert at hiding our feelings and being cautious about what we say in our world. That doesn’t work with people who are telepathic. Kyla tried to control the emotions running rampant through her body, but knew her face betrayed her.

Dr. O’Brien leaned forward and placed her hand on Kyla’s knee. It’s clear to me, you were deeply affected by your experience.

I believe we all were.

Tell me about what occurred with the priests.

Kyla struggled to find words to express what happened. I don’t know how to explain it. I fell into a deep state of relaxation but aware of being monitored down to the cells of my body.

Your cells? Marion and Kelly leaned forward with raised brows.

"Yes, as if the