Bravo slipped through space as anonymously as the days. One week stood between them and rendezvous with the other Hynerian vessel, which all sensors said was still there, drifting tomb quiet on the solar wind. Kyra kept mainly to herself and the rest of the crew seemed caught in the somber world of their own past, guts queasy, as if about to see an old flame who had made another choice two years hence.
The Kulmykian command carrier was never heard from again. Arn, the leader of the brotherhood, seemed equal measure amazed and concerned as Kyra appeared more and more disinterested. Against John's advice, he had tried to approach Kyra. She had raised her arm and an aching coldness had penetrated his bones. His bloated tongue had refused to move. He didn't try a second time.
Rog and Yul spent most of their time in Yul's quarters. No one really noticed their absence. Em discussed her options with Dr X and he explained they could try to restore her natural sight (low probability of success) or they could use a mechanical accoutrement (high probability of success). Either way, there would be no second chance. She was recovering in her room, Trev by her side as faithful as sunrise. They would know in a couple days if the procedure worked.
Von spent his time in meditation, unable to shake a tremor that had started in his hands and had since traveled up his arm, roosting as a tic below his right eye. Like a moth to the flame, he was drawn to the vessel. And like the moth, he would fly into the fire, to be cleansed or consumed was not clear.
"Captain," intoned Snazzle, "we have visual contact."
"Thank you Snazzle. Are you able to interface with the logs?" asked Kyra.
"Yes Captain. Would you like me to play the last distress signal?"
"No, no. I'll be right there. And Snazzle. Do not notify anyone else we have those logs."
"Yes Captain."
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Two years prior:
Zeke reached into his dusty rucksack. He pulled out an old ragged copy of his treatise on Luin, a work he completed in the early days of the Tao and used in training. The copy was worn and highlighted with copious notes in the margins. Standing in the still dim light, he flipped to the front page. In his own handwriting was his inscription: To Kyra, The Jewel of my Life. Below his inscription, in the handwriting of a child, she had written: My Papa wrote this.
Zeke put the book down and rubbed his eyes. "Ceru?"
The flap of the tent opened and the spitting image of Von stood silhouetted against the black canvas of space.
"There is nothing more you can do here," said Zeke.
9 comments:
Where to start...
"drifting tomb quiet on the solar wind"
"guts queasy, as if about to see an old flame who had made another choice two years hence."
"His bloated tongue had refused to move."
Just a few of my favourite quotes from this episode.
The anticipation is killing me... I have to move on to the next post!
Miladysa, your kindness of comment is noted and appreciated. Thank you. :-)
Like Miladysa, I've good mind to quote you back several passages. If I did, it would be a repetition of the ones that she chose. It seems redundant somehow to mention how well you do openings, for you do middles and endings just as well, but what is so notable about your beginnings is how quickly, regardless of what came before or how long ago it was, they draw one back into the world of Kyra and the crew. Like one never left. And honestly, I don't think that I do any more, I carry them with me. The first passage is beautifully written. The word sombre is mentioned within, sombre is what surrounds this passage, permeates it though and through, a case in point once again as you are apt to show of less being more. The metaphor about the old flame works exceedingly well to conjure up an idea of how they must be feeling, along with of course the remainder of that telling.
And as they move apart from the story, we learn for the first time a name connected to the brotherhood, like a proper farewell given. Couldn't help but smile at Kyra and her no nonsense approach, she was quite obviously not in the mood to hear an argument on a subject for which she had no inclination of changing her mind. How could she not have attempted to reach the vessel again, given all that her previous decision was based upon or influenced by, and though they failed that first time, the reasons for going have not diminished and this comes across well in this second passage also.
No change for Rog and Yul, thank goodness. Waiting on Em and so glad to hear that Trev remains by her side, that the exquisite and memorable recent chapter of heartbeats hammering have meant this to them. Faithfulness through this time of healing.
roosting, just that one word, the use of it, was a rush of reading pleasure. Having just read the above, I cannot comment upon the happenings here without being influenced thereby, but the last sentence in this passage deserves special mention too as testament to your great talent for simplicity and within it, perfect deliverance.
The mere appearance of Papa gives rise to a feeling of wanting to celebrate by sitting closely, listening intently so as not to miss a moment. Worn pages and notes in the margin evoke warmth, the love affair that can exist between reader and written words, worn at the thumbs of Papa and then passed on to Kyra, an inscription from he to her and her pride in it. Again, simplicity to perfection and one of those occasions where I'm left smiling at the wonder of you.
..silhouetted against the black canvas of space.., the appearance of Ceru, and it may have something to do with the sounds of the words used, flap, spitting, silhouetted, black, the image appears instantaneously and with contrast and clarity.
I loved, loved, loved this chapter. Wish I had the time to comment earlier when I read it, independently of the chapter above, I would have had a lot more to say. :-)
Sweetest, I can't tell you how good it felt to be home and have the mind to write. I miss my characters when I'm away from them for too long. As always, your kind words are deeply appreciated. :-)
I have some catching up to do.
And I smile knowing Rog and Yul are having fun playing together.
Would it help if I bent over and moaned just right while stroking my bat? :-D
Moaning always helps, Tree.
Moaning is good stuff.
I really like the reference to seeing an old flame to convey their discomfort, a very common human experience used in an unexpected way. I also like the presence that Kyra has, that she can stop him in his tracks without a word. I think I would like to be like her, have that kind of strength. This is all so well written. Jennifer
Jennifer, when I imagined them seeing Bravo again and I tried to put myself into their emotional shoes, that was the metaphor that sat like stone in my gut.
Kyra is one of a kind, the love of my literary life. I kinda like her too. ;-)
As always, thanks for the engaged comment. Much appreciated. :-)
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