‘You’re harmless,’ she adopted his previous stance on the matter. ‘Right?’
‘I wouldn’t say that.’ He clinked his glass against hers and served her one of his deviant grins.
‘You’re a worse flirt than I am,’ Kalayna noted with a laugh.
‘I’ll drink to that.’
‘You’ll drink to anything,’ Kale commented, as he and Aurora joined them on the balcony.
‘Hi Kalayna, I’m Aurora.’ The lovely blonde on Kale’s arm held her hand out to Kalayna. Kalayna took hold of her hand, glad to make her acquaintance, and felt the same deep spark of recognition shoot through her being that she’d experienced when she’d first met Kale. The event made them both smile.
‘Great to meet you,’ both women said at once and then laughed at the synchronous moment. Kalayna could tell right away they were going to get along, which was a shame really, as a week from now she’d be in space.
The idea seemed so surreal, especially without Kale, but seeing him with his daughter, his girl and his father, clearly his place was here. She’d heard Aurora call Kale Starman right before she’d knocked on the door. Kalayna considered it such an apt nickname for him, as he’d certainly helped launch her into a career among the stars and for that he had her eternal loyalty. She would forget his secret when she left this day and would never speak of it again.
PART 3
THE LAUNCH
11
RINGBALIN MALACHI —
THE EMOTIONAL
SYMPATHETIC
AMIE was a huge craft comprised of six interconnected modules of a squashed sphere shape. One module sat atop the vessel, one module beneath, and the four remaining modules comprised the mid-deck level. The top module (Module F) was the command module and would house the flight deck and the docks for their air and land exploration craft. The four modules that clustered around each other in the centre housed the offices and living quarters for the staff (Module A), hospitality (Module B), the greenhouse (Module C) and recreation (Module D). The module on the base of the vessel was the marine department and sub bay (Module E), which would launch the submersibles. Module E was a submersible itself, as was the entire craft. Each module featured a ring of windows around the outermost rim of each sphere, which from the exterior appeared completely black. The remainder of each module had a smooth exterior finish, which turned a pearly pale pink tinged with gold in the light. With AMIE’s exterior lighting off and the shield windows drawn, the highly reflective surface would camouflage their vessel in space and render it virtually invisible.
During the years AMIE was being built, Taren continued to write the scientific papers and theses that she would have, had she been attending university. She was painfully aware that her research had a major role to play in the further development of AMIE and it was imperative that she still got the information out there for the consideration of other scientists. Originally, she’d been published through the University of Esponisa on Maladaan, but since Maladaan’s falling out with the United Systems over the psychic rights bill, Taren had no chance of having anything published there. The psychic revolution that was now taking place on Sermetica and Frujia, however, had come out of the closet on Phemoria as well. This meant that Taren’s theories about photon-light being the great communicator behind all life, and a key player in her Grand TOE, were being more openly accepted and considered. She sent articles to publications on Sermetica mainly, although the theories found their way to publication on other planets as well. Taren made especially sure that her work on morphic fields and biophoton emissions — which in layman’s terms meant cell coordination and communication — made it into the scientific botanical publications on Heavens-Gardens. And just to make sure the message got through to the right recipient, she personally mailed a copy to Ringbalin Malachi.
In her previous time line, Taren had found a low-intensity electromagnetic field that was communicating the growth pattern of the cellular body at a quantum level — weak light emissions that she suspected were orchestrating body growth in living organisms. She posed that this light field was responsible for getting proteins to cooperate with each other and carry out the instructions of DNA. From using her photomultiplier, Taren had found electrical fields in the seedlings of plants that resembled the eventual adult plant.
Now, where the MSS had taken this research and turned it into a means to hunt psychics on their planet, Ringbalin Malachi — a young unassuming biologist, who had mastered in bonsai — had used Taren’s research and her photon counter to measure the photon emissions of plants. He discovered a living system must maintain a delicate equilibrium of light; any excess was rejected, for too much light could inhibit the ability of cells to do their job. Photon emission varied from one living organism to another, depending upon its position on the evolutionary scale — the more complex the organism, the more photons it rejected as more light was being produced internally and maintained by the cells of the body. Armed with this knowledge, Ringbalin was able to identify a strong healthy plant in its seedling state. This aided his work with bonsai, and in developing miniature bio-domes to grow them in. These tiny self-contained eco-systems, which Ringbalin had yet to even unveil to the world, would become the basis for AMIE’s Module C.
One year out from the due launch date of AMIE, the external shell was complete. The internal structure was bare bones and ready to be outfitted for life in space. It was time to start chasing up their crew.
The first concern was Module C — the greenhouse, nursery, biology labs and fishery. Its conception had been timed to perfection, as in return for Taren’s steady supply of scientific theories, Ringbalin had sent Taren reports on his developments and invited her to Heavens-Gardens to see his bio-bonsai any time. Yet, he’d no doubt been rather shocked when she and Professor Gervaise accepted his kind offer.
‘So how did this meeting go last time you had it?’ Taren queried Lucian, as they caught a cab from their hotel in Heavens-Gardens to the restaurant.
It took a second to think back that far, and he grinned. ‘Well, last time around, we had invited him to a meeting, so he at least had some inkling we were approaching him about a position, and he was keen. This time, he’s invited us … so he probably hasn’t got a clue why we are really here, and it’s difficult to predict what his reaction will be when he realises.’
‘I think just the premise that we’ve flown all the way from Frujia might be enough to get him thinking?’ Taren suggested, but Lucian disagreed.
‘You forget how modest Ringbalin is. And as you plan on being so open with him about our aspirations, well … I suspect this proposal might be a little more shocking for the lad than it was the first time around.’
‘Everyone will have to know sooner or later,’ Taren said, as their cab pulled up at their destination.
‘I’m not questioning your methods,’ he replied, and paid the cab driver.
It was true: Taren intended to be more open about AMIE’s sub-agenda with their crew for, unlike in the previous time line, AMIE was to be more than just a research vessel. It would be the secret operations base for the Zagriata, whose aim was to protect Oceane and Azazèl-mindos-coomra-dorchi from discovery at all costs. Therefore, for the first five years of the project’s existence it would run on a skeleton crew, as it had in their original time line — post being declared outlaws — and every member would be Zagriata. Good food was a primary requirement for an extended life in space, and so Ringbalin’s involvement was imperative. Not only because he was a brilliant biologist and horticulturalist, but because Ringbalin possessed a rare power that made his green thumb absolutely foolproof. Able to impress his emotions onto others via skin contact with them, his hatred could kill and his love could cure any living thing, no matter how damaged it was. He much preferred plants to people — they didn’t mind having their emotional states controlled to their own benefit and good health; plants did not freak out and interpret their healing as an unnatural phenomenon. Ringbalin was wel
l aware, as Taren was, of the healing power of positive intention — for intention directed the light field that was the orchestrator of absolutely everything in existence.
Taren had reserved a small private room within the restaurant for their business lunch, with a lovely view of the tropical exhibit here at Heavens-Gardens.
When Ringbalin arrived wearing a clean white shirt and dark trousers, clean shoes, skin, and hair tied back neatly in a ponytail, Taren barely recognised him. She’d never seen him so clean, and just couldn’t wipe the amused delight off her face. He was carrying a rather large box, which he placed on the table.
‘Pleased to meet you at last, Ringbalin.’ Taren rose from her seat and merely bowed her head to him, as did Lucian. They knew that offering to shake his hand would put Ringbalin in the awkward position of having to make up an excuse as to why he could not. ‘In all the pictures I’ve seen of you, you’ve been much grubbier.’ She motioned their guest to a chair on the opposite side of the table, and again took a seat beside her husband.
Ringbalin saw the humour in Taren’s comment. ‘This is indeed the cleanest I’ve ever been, apologies if I am a little hard to recognise. I am very honoured to meet you both, and went to every effort to make a good impression.’ He raised the box on the table to reveal one of his bio-bonsai domes.
‘Allocasuarina torulosa,’ Taren identified the species of tree featured on the top of the grassy island, surrounded by a mote of water inside the glass tube. It was not that Taren had any great knowledge of trees; this had been the very gift that Ringbalin had given her when they first met the last time around — although this specimen was smaller, having had six years less growth.
‘Forest Oak, that’s right,’ Ringbalin said, winningly. ‘Please accept it as my gift to you for your hand in its invention.’
‘Thank you so much.’ Taren clapped her hands together in front of her heart, admiring the gift — it was a lovely sunny day inside the bio-tube at present.
‘You’re more than welcome,’ Ringbalin replied.
‘But you know, Ringbalin, you made a sterling impression on us, long before today.’ Lucian poured their guest a glass of water, for he rarely drank anything else.
‘I am glad to hear that.’ The young biologist smiled, with an inquisitive expression — his blue eyes peering over the rim of his glasses. ‘I am, however, still yet to fathom what prompted you, Dr Lennox, to send me your fantastic research, when I had yet to even complete a degree?’
At that moment a waiter entered to take their order, and Taren could almost feel Ringbalin mentally holding his breath until the conversation could resume.
As soon as the waiter left, Taren looked to Ringbalin to put him out of his suspense. ‘At great personal risk to myself, I am going to answer your query, Ringbalin, because I believe you should know.’
He frowned, curiously. ‘Whatever the reason, you have my word I shall not repeat it.’
‘It is easy to trust someone, when you already know they will never betray you,’ Taren admitted, to take a little of the tension out of the air, but Ringbalin was puzzled.
‘How do you mean?’
‘Do you know what precognition is?’ Taren asked by way of an answer.
Ringbalin was stunned to an awkward smile. ‘The ability to see the future.’
‘I am precognitive.’ Taren smiled winningly, and Ringbalin’s face went completely blank in shock. ‘Long before you had completed your degree, or invented your bio-bonsai system, I knew that system would become the basis of our project’s greenhouse in space. Thus, we are here today to offer you the opportunity to step up to that destiny.’
‘Ha!’ Ringbalin found his expression and grinned, as he caught his breath. ‘You are offering me a job, in space?’
Taren and Lucian both nodded.
Ringbalin was overwhelmed. ‘I am completely honoured that you would consider me for the position, but I …’
‘You are now feeling discomfited by the reason why, and wondering just how much else I know about you?’ Taren concluded.
Ringbalin nodded, appearing a little pale. ‘Are you telepathic too?’
Taren grinned. ‘No … but I will know people who are.’
‘You’re so open.’ Ringbalin finally voiced his concern.
‘Only with those I know I can trust, and only in an environment I know is completely safe,’ Taren replied. ‘Believe me, this is rare, but a very necessary risk.’
‘Necessary, why?’ Ringbalin seemed almost too afraid to ask.
‘I think you know why.’ Taren phrased her response as delicately as she could, but Ringbalin was spooked and rose immediately.
‘Excuse me, won’t you?’ He turned and fled the room.
Taren looked to Lucian. ‘Do you think he’s coming back?’
The waiter entered carrying the entrées and Lucian shrugged, unsure. ‘Well, he has three courses to lose his fear. Let’s see how long it takes?’
Taren grinned; knowing Ringbalin was a champion on the inside, she had every confidence that he’d be back sooner rather than later.
The waiter was on the way out when Ringbalin came rushing back in and managed to duck inside before the door slid closed. ‘Sorry about that.’ He sat down. ‘I realise the subject matter is no longer taboo on this planet, but I have —’
‘Trust issues, I know,’ Taren assured him. ‘I did, too, once.’
‘Same here,’ Lucian added with good cheer, and shocked Ringbalin yet again, only the lad’s smile was warm this time.
He gave a nervous laugh; almost too afraid to believe he was actually having this conversation. ‘Who are you people?’
‘We are your chance to collaborate with fate,’ Lucian said as he handed over the first draft plans for Module C to Ringbalin, and then tucked into his food.
Once Ringbalin looked over the specs there was no way he was handing the opportunity back. ‘Wow. So what’s the catch?’
‘There is no catch.’
‘Unless you have a problem with psychics,’ Lucian added, as a casual afterthought.
‘There is that,’ Taren warranted, turning back to Ringbalin to explain. ‘Every member of this crew will have a Power, which they will be expected to use to the benefit of the project and their fellow crew.’
‘I’m stunned that you would risk telling me so, at this early stage?’ Ringbalin stalled as he weighed up his lifelong fear of exposure against the greatest opportunity of his life.
‘That’s how sure we are that you are our man, Ringbalin,’ Taren ventured to say.
‘That would also tend to indicate that you believe I have a Power?’ Ringbalin pointed out nervously. ‘What if I don’t?’
Taren shrugged. ‘You will. It is inevitable.’
Ringbalin was struggling. ‘Then, how do I know that you guys have not been just manipulating me for years to join some secret undercover operation that’s going to land me in the shit?’
‘That’s exactly what has been happening.’ Taren shocked him with the answer. ‘Only hopefully we can avoid landing in the shit this time around. The mission is to save Maladaan from being swallowed by a black hole in six years’ time. Are you up for it?’
Ringbalin’s mouth was gaping open, although his funny bone had been tickled as he gave a couple of nervous laughs of disbelief. ‘You say that like you’ve already lived this once before.’
‘And if I have?’ Taren challenged, rather than deny it.
Ringbalin was so dazed by her answer that he didn’t notice Taren reach across and place her hand on his, and the contact made him jump; he was so unused to it.
Taren knew that normally he would have pulled away, as he did his best not to influence others with his feelings, but in this instance he was feeling her Juju and was currently being bombarded by a feeling of calm, trust and affinity. ‘Just come have a look at AMIE. I’m pretty sure she’ll feel like home.’
‘I will do that,’ he said, and as Taren withdrew her hand, his eyes turned back to
the plans in his hand. ‘This is just amazing,’ he commented. ‘There’s not a thing I’d change.’
‘Funny about that,’ Lucian said, raising his glass to Ringbalin.
The lad roused half a smile, still a little wary, but completely intrigued.
Two weeks later, Ringbalin arrived at the AMIE pier in a maxi-cab with a pile of equipment that was unloaded onto the roasting hot sun-exposed sidewalk next to him. He couldn’t see anything of the construction from out front, although if the huge hangar at the end of the wharf was any indication, the AMIE vessel was every bit as large as he’d imagined.
‘Ringbalin!’
His attention was drawn to the left to find Dr Lennox walking down the sidewalk toward him, from what looked to be the project units further up the beach.
‘Good morning! Welcome to Frujia!’ she called as she made up the distance between them. ‘I was hoping you wouldn’t change your mind.’
In considering whether to join AMIE, Ringbalin did what he always did — trusted his gut instinct. When he thought about passing up on this opportunity he felt sick; when he decided to come, he felt fantastic. So, here he was. ‘The thought of living among people I don’t have to hide from was enough to get me here …’ To be open about his Power in the presence of others would be an entirely new change of pace for him; he suspected it would be rather liberating. ‘That, and my ego won’t give up the possibility of having the first successful greenhouse in space.’
Food for space travel had always been of the pre-packaged, snap-frozen, reheatable variety. Off-planet hotels and inter-system transports had their food exported from the city they were closest to, or departing from.
‘Praise the universe,’ Taren declared. ‘I’ve tasted your produce and I refuse to go into space without you!’ She led him off down the pier toward the huge premises at the end.
Ringbalin didn’t know what to say to that. He just stood there wearing the same silly grin of disbelief he’d been unable to wipe off his face the last time he’d met her.