Chapter 3: Lights, Camera, enter former lover.
Earth: Present Day: USA
Swallows World: Interlude
The sun felt wonderful on her fur, it was one of only a few things in life that Swallow actually enjoyed. Now when there were so few things that gave her pleasure she could at least bask in the sun. She stared out onto her adopted parent's back yard where a giant oak tree gently oscillated in the wind. To her this was paradise, out there so many fears and problems plagued her but it was here she was safe and contented. The sun's warm embrace, so gentle, so peaceful; she never wanted to leave here. It was all so bright here that shadows dare not enter, she wouldn't allow it. Shadows were evil things that hid behind darkness, ready to seize upon you when you weren't expecting it.
This room did have one though, it was her own but she paid it little mind. She was busy in her own pleasure. Standing beside her was Endora; a shining light in all of this pain and confusion. Swallow reached out to her for comfort. Endora took her paw as they watched the tranquil scene together.
As Swallow watched, she was distracted by the very soft sound of a door closing. She quickly turned her head around to catch the slow movement of her bedroom door closing. For a split second she thought about getting up to investigate but her mind stopped her; it knew what lay beyond the door. A world of pain, anguish, a world that did not accept….monsters. So she turned away and returned to her paradise. She looked up at Endora and she just smiled, she reassured her that she had done the right thing.
She briefly wondered why her door had opened and obliviously closed, but it was something she soon dismissed. Her paradise awaited her attention. Unbeknownst to her something did leave the room: it was her shadow.
As Swallow watched the outside world from the safety of her window, Endora watched over the real Swallow from her bedside as the monitors beeped constantly and unchangingly She wished her daughter a speedy and safe return from the bottomless pit where her mind had fled.
Planet Tarra: Location, Cloud City.
Cleo's circuits struggled with the implications of what had happened over the last couple of days. No one explained to it anything of what was going on, so it had to get all its information by listening and scanning Afain's files. Seems that care of an individual was not clearly defined in its programming. Defense and protection yes but care…no. Its programming did allow for modifications in that aspect and it had started on those immediately after Afain's fall. The changes were slight so Cleo thought but as the days went on it felt different in many ways. It found that it wanted to research the ailments that plagued its new owner and to find a suitable solution in helping her. This went against its original programming but it felt that it was doing the right thing. "Felt"….now that indeed was different it thought.
Afain's head felt heavy as she awoke to bright lights. She had to squint until her eyes adjusted to what seemed to be a totally sterile environment. There were no scents in the air to grab a hold of and it threw all of her senses off, "Where am I?" she thought. Her mouth felt horrible as she rolled her tongue across her teeth to rid herself of the awful feeling. She rubbed her head and studied the room; it was a light grey with little furnishing but one thing was recognizable, Cleo. It floated just in front of her, a silent guardian by her side. She thought it should have strings attached to it and reached up to push it, however Cleo sensed her state of consciousness and moved slightly out of reach.
"Hello Afain, you're awake." Cleo said.
She was glad to see the shining ball, to her surprise. Being in a nice bed, warm and comfortable she assumed she was safe, Cleo had rescued her.
"It's nice to see you as well." Afain said softly, her voice was raspy and she needed a drink. She looked and found some water next to her bed and she took a sip of the cool liquid.
"I didn't….!" The sphere said but was interrupted.
"Shhhh." Afain said putting a finger to her muzzle, then placing the glass back on the table where she had found it. "Where am I Cleo and how long have I been here?" She felt down her body and did not feel anything broken; she was a bit sore and stiff but it was nothing of consequence. She was extremely curious though just how long had she been here.
The sphere did not move, just floated there seemingly without aid. "You are in Kahn Hospital in Cloud City and have been here for two days."
"Two days!!" She exclaimed.
"Yes, you fell into a light coma soon after arriving here."
To Afain's fine hearing, Cleo's voice changed when it said those last few words. There was an obvious tone difference but Afain couldn't reason why? Then a thought came to her, "Did the little machine feel guilty that it couldn't help her or even have warned her???"
She shook her head it was an absurd notion, machines were intelligent but none cared about the welfare of an organic being. However she thought she might voice her thoughts and see where it led to.
She smiled and saw her distorted face in Cleo's reflective surface, "It's ok Cleo, you didn't know I needed medication, it was stupid of me for not taking it." She waited to see if her theory rang true. Her waiting wasn't long.
Cleo's answer came almost immediately, "It wasn't in your files Afain and I had nothing to compare your biological readings, I am sorry."
Afain raised her eyebrows it was true!!!! The machine did care, it even said it was sorry! This was indeed something new, "It wasn't your fault Cleo." She moved closer to touch the sphere, knowing it really wouldn't make any difference to it but it just seemed the right thing to do. This time it didn't move out of her reach.
"I'm betting though, that it won't happen again, right?" Its surface was cool to the touch, as the pads on her fingers caressed the shining sphere.
She was sure by now the little machine had gone through every database and medical file to research her condition. What she had was rare but not unheard of; some Morpher's had extreme difficulty carrying a hatchling. If left untreated they wound up very ill or in extreme cases dead. The condition was irreversible if left unchecked.
"Yes Afain it will not happen again. I am now monitoring your system with the highest accuracy. I have even equipped myself with some of your medication so I can administer it to you if needed."
She smiled at the sphere and thought that it was learning and adapting at a tremendous rate. The fact that it cared was a big step in the right direction. She had to get used to the notion that a machine could actually care for her well being; this was a very interesting development. "Thank you for getting me here."
"You're welcome Afain." The machines voice again changed and sounded pleased, it wasn't much, not like before but she noticed it. She made a mental note to listen carefully for changes in its voice for she now knew that she could detect whether or not it had an opinion on something. It was interesting now that she could read a bit into what the machine was thinking. Now she wondered if she had done any damage to herself. Her mind panicked as horror struck her, the hatchling!!!!
Cleo registered Afain's blood pressure elevating quickly. "The hatchling!!! Cleo." She felt her belly but nothing stirred. Her muscles ached but she really didn't feel any real pain.
"The hatchling is fine, no complications have arisen from your fall. You received a blow to the head, when you fell. I was able to alert the medical staff here and they arrived in time to treat you before any permanent damage occurred. They have stabilized your condition with the necessary medication." Afain's erratic readings began to drop, to Cleo's relief.
She was relived: she would have never forgiven herself if something had happened. "That's good to hear. Thought I had gone and done it and pushed my luck too far." This wasn't the first time this had happened, she had been forgetful on several occasions; nothing this serious though. If Cleo hadn't been there, she shuddered at the consequences.
The room she was sure had a view but the privacy mode of the windows had been engaged. "View!" She commanded and the window' cover seemed to dissolve and the room became lighter. She looked out past the iperium (glass) and saw that she was up high and had a good view over Cloud City. A floating marvel of Imperial technology that was erected over 100 years ago and still hung in the sky like a gentle giant. Not as big as her sister city but still a marvel just the same. She had come here several times to visit one of her cousins that lived here. She liked the open spaces of the country though and if she had a choice she would rather be there instead. "This is a very nice room, Cleo." And she was sure it was.
"It is a private room reserved for the emperor's staff and aids."
She smiled, she was going to like what Cleo represented. Since she really didn't have to worry too much about her health several different things came to her mind.
"Then I take it the old world ship is to arrive… tomorrow?" If she had heard the minister right.
It took Cleo a few seconds to answer, "Yes it has been transferred and is on its way, it is to arrive at 10:15 tomorrow morning. It is to be stored in a hanger in Blamute province."
She sighed for she didn't like the way this was going, "Drat, I wanted to give her more time." She sighed; this wasn't going to be easy.
"Whom are you referring to?" Cleo's question was a valid one for she had not mentioned her former mate at all.
Afain guessed it was time to explain, she sighed. "Her name is Kira Sanmanta, she was my companion for awhile and it is her hatchling I carry." Afain knew she wasn't going to be too happy to hear that she had purposely kept that important information from her. They didn't really part on very good company. Those memories she wanted to forget, but they were always there to haunt her. The news of her pregnancy had come a few days before Kira had left, her heart felt heavy. She had always meant to tell her but as the days wore on her workload increased and then it happened. It didn't matter it was inevitable now.
"Cleo, could you see if you could find where Kira is posted? I know it's off world, one of the colonies I believe, I will need a vid link to her as well if possible." The one thing she didn't know was how Kira would react to the news of her hatchling. She rubbed her abdomen lightly and a tear trickled down her cheek.
Cleo did not understand the meaning of the tears that Afain was shedding, it was a mystery to it but it was something that it would have to research. "Understood."
The sphere shifted into a flat screen and came to rest in Afains paws . She dreaded the upcoming conversation, she wanted to give Kira a lot more time to think about this. However it didn't look like it was going to happen now. She knew of no one that could do the task that was put before her. It was going to take an expert like her in the field of programming to accomplish what seemed like the impossible. The screen came to life and the lovely county side of Tarra came into view. The scene slowly scrolled across the landscape and Afain found it incredibly tranquil. She really enjoyed seeing this. "Cleo?"
"Yes." The screen answered.
"Where are these images coming from?"
"A geological Satellite, I tapped into it to pass the time. I thought you might enjoy seeing them while you wait. The task you have given me will take me some time. I can stop showing them if you desire."
Again the machine was thinking of her, very curious, "No….don't I am enjoying them, thank you."
"You're most welcome."
It took Cleo almost an hour to locate Kira but she finally made a connection. "I'm putting her through now." Afain gulped as the screen switched.
Suddenly a bright green Zargozian appeared on the screen looking a bit bewildered. Her fur was all on end. "What the… !" She exclaimed in astonishment.
The sight of her put Afain in emotional turmoil; she longed for Kira but she would be forever denied her company. She regained her composure and tried hard to not let it show. "A pleasant day to you to Kira, it is good to see you well." Said Afain in a low voice, trying to remain level headed.
"Afain!" Although it looked as though Kira was not exactly pleased to see her. "This is an Official Government Channel reserved for the Emperor and her Ministers. What are you doing on it?"
Afain sighed, this wasn't a good start to things, "It's a long story but for now I will make this to the point. I need you here." Her paw was trembling she was an emotional wreck inside.
Kira didn't look at all impressed by that statement. She couldn't believe this…. "After all this time with no word and now this. Afain I just can't leave here I have important work to do!"
Kira's small ears were drawn back, she wasn't happy Afain noted and sighed, "This is really important." She said with sincerity.
"Well you're gonna get yourself arrested using this channel and I want no part of it." Her work meant the world to her and now Afain had dragged her away from it. She was into something that really needed her attention, this was costing her valuable time. Afain using this executive channel was poor ploy for sympathy she thought.
"Kira listen I know we are now on different paths, but this is something I really need you for."
"Oh, now you need me!" She said sarcastically. "Afain you should have thought about that a long time ago."
"But….but Kira this is extremely important, it's for the Emperor."
That did it, Kira thought, she is grasping at straws. "I just bet it is." She motioned her hand to turn off the link. "Just like all the other times, sorry Afain but we had our time and its over." She turned away and a faint "Good-bye" could be heard as the monitor went dead. As the monitor went dead she thought she saw Afain crying. She shook her head and headed back to her project, not giving much thought as to what that was all about.
"Wait! You don't…" She never got to finish for the line was cut from Kira's end. She wiped away her tears and slumped.
"Do you wish for me to retry?" Asked Cleo.
Afain shook her head, "No, it won't do any good." She sighed. "You know, Cleo, she is never going to forgive me for what I'm about to do."
"I don't understand."
"Please try to contact Minister Garan."
"Understood."
It took Cleo a few more minutes to contact Minister Garan but finally her face appeared. "Please forgive my intrusion Minister." She gave a paw gesture that symbolized an apology. She wanted to give a good impression considering her first meeting was somewhat awkward.
"Yes Historian #1 Afain, is there something I can do for you?" Her face showed no emotion what so ever.
"I need a certain person brought here. She is on one of the outer colonies, she said she was doing something important but I'm not sure what that was. It may not ….." She was interrupted by the Minister.
"This someone, she is needed for the project?"
"Yes Minister."
"The name please."
"Kira Sanmanta Programmer #2. Cleo please transfer the information of her location to the minister."
She waited and watched as the Minister disappeared from the screen then reappeared.
"She'll arrive at 5 am, information of her flight and location has been sent to your Guardian….I mean….. Cleo." She raised an eyebrow seeing that Afain had named her protector. Her's had no such designation to her it was just a machine, that's all.
That was quick she thought, they must be really pushing this project; putting all else aside. Kira wouldn't be happy but at least she knew she had the right person, that's if her temper's cooled enough to allow them to work with each other. "Thank you Minister Garan." She made a symbol of thankfulness trying to make good relations.
She nodded, "Anything else I can help you with." Then the minister's face changed, "You're in a hospital!" She exclaimed. "Are you ill?"
"I have been but I'm getting better, thank you Minister Garan for your concern." This was a welcome change from what had happened earlier.
"That is good to hear, please take time to recuperate Historian #1 Afain. We need you to be at your best. Now if that is all." She paused.
There was something and Afain felt she had the right to ask, "If I may Minister Garan, I feel we will be working somewhat close together; I do not oppose the idea of dropping our titles when in confidence; if that's agreeable."
The Minister looked at her with a stern look, titles were very important in their society, "It is true that our titles seem to get in the way of private conversations, you have shown our Emperor and myself the proper courtesies. I will agree to your request Afain, do not abuse it." She gave Afain a stern look. "Now if there is no further business Afain, I will bid you good day." She waited.
"There is nothing further Garan."
"Then a good day and good health to you." The line went dead.
Afain rubbed her head, "She's gonna kill me, Cleo." She said softly, suddenly the sphere glowed and positioned itself above her. A protective force shield surrounded her faster than she had seen anything do. "What! Cleo?" Her paws instinctively reached out and touched the field.
"Defense mode on. What are your orders?" Cleo's voice again changed to a more stern sounding presence, it was cold and she didn't like it.
She couldn't fathom as to what happened then it occurred to her. "Oh Cleo, it was only a figure of speech. Meaning that Kira will be angry with me. You can put down your force shield, I am in no danger."
"Understood." Cleo said coldly as Afain watched as the energy field collapsed, at least she thought I have protection, good protection.
Several doctors came by soon after her talk with the Minister, by coincidence she wasn't exactly sure. They told her she could leave tomorrow and to take her pills regularly. They stressed to her how important they were. She nodded understanding and told them not to worry she would. She also informed them that Cleo was monitoring her systems, which seemed to ease their conscience. She knew another foolhardy mistake like this one could cost her, her life.
The day went by slowly, she worried about Kira and other things but in the end decided she would study some data that had been translated long ago by scholars on the 2nd Dynasty. She looked at the prospects of learning the language of the ancients and quickly fell into despair. The Ancient language was only known by a few and she wasn't sure how many of them were still alive. History was something that as a society they had forgotten easily and it had gotten so bad that a lot of it had just disappeared. Even things that had only had happened a few hundred years ago, had been shoved aside for what seemed more important things. The wars had a devastating effect on documentation, no one wanted the task of picking up the pieces. It had taken them too long to realize that war solved no one problem, it only created many others.
Now she was talking about a thousand years ago, what had been lost since was substantial. Plus the fact there was hardly anyone to translate all the texts from that era. It was a historical disaster; Historians were a dying breed, no one wanted to get into the field. Afain and those like her were rare and she was about to enter the final phase of her education. She needed to train with a Historian 0 and they were almost non existent. It was to be a 10 year term with 4 to 5 years learning the ancient language. Then there was the larger task of finding her successor, it wasn't going to be easy at all. The position paid little and its rewards were few and far between. With Cleo at her disposal though, it might be an easier one. She still had to make the arrangements to learn the Ancient language's secrets as quickly as she could. She then pondered the changes that had transpired the day that ship had come into her life.
She placed a call to make an appointment to have an audience with Malvahcore Historian 0. She wasn't going to be too impressed with what she was going to propose. Moving the archive was going to be a feat in itself but she felt it necessary. Working with them where they were now would be impossible. Also the fact that some of the Ancient Tomes were in very poor condition; this was going to make the job an even worse nightmare. Many of them would have to replicated, a very slow process if they contained any information pertinent to the ship and its journey. She told Cleo to do a search for anyone with skill in Ancient language and prayed that its search would be fruitful. She then settled down and closed her eyes and dreamed of a life that she knew she could never have.
In the early morning she had her list, it was quite short, two of the candidates were on their deathbeds. At this point she might have to invoke a special order, it was only done in extreme emergencies; this she thought could be classified as one. She told Cleo to send a personal message to Minister Garan to see if this was feasible. One on the list was the Historian 0 she had an appointment with. This wasn't going good, now she was going to have to use her authority to push for the relocation and to be taught the Ancients Language. This was a lot more than she bargained for.
The trip to the spaceport was uneventful, no one was around at this time of the morning. She had tried to prepare herself for this meeting but she really didn't have a clue as to how. She really wasn't looking forward to seeing Kira for she knew how angry she was going to be. She waited with Cleo at the gate, then she saw the guards.
As expected, Kira arrived in grand fashion, a guard was carrying her over her shoulder. The Elite Guards were a subspecies of their own. They were at least a head taller than most Zargozians and always were strong and powerful. This one seemed to be having no trouble at carrying Kira. She was white and it contrasted with Kira's green fur. The guard stopped right in front of her and announced herself.
"Are you Historian #1 Afain?"
"Yes."
The guard nodded, "I have the citizen Programmer #2 Kira Sanmanta, is this the person you requested?"
Afain cleared her throat, "Yes she is." Her voice was harsh but Kira didn't move. She wasn't sure why she was so quiet. "Is she ok?"
"Yes, we had to sedate her for she would not leave."
"Oh…..that would be Kira. Cleo, form a transportation platform so as to carry us."
The sphere became a platform and the guard helped Afain get Kira comfortably aboard. After a few moments and seeing that her delivery was finished the Guard signed off and bid her good day. She watched as the guard took off in haste probably glad to be rid of Kira.
After returning home, Afain put Kira in a soft bed at the house and then waited in the kitchen. She remembered some of Kira's favorite foods and began to prepare a small meal. In about an hour she heard the bellowing of her former mate echoing through the house. "Hello!!!!!" The voice echoed through the residence.
"Keep coming forward you should be able to find me." Afain shouted back.
In a few moments she did find her and she did not look happy. "YOU!!!! You're responsible for this!" Kira said as her fur began to rise, Afain could almost see her breath.
"I have need of you." She gulped.
"Since when do you have the right to…to…" She was furious and waving her hands and fists at her. "To take me away from my work!"
"Since now, as I said I have need of you." Afain didn't care to be yelled at, and ordered Kira to simmer down.
She toned it down a bit but not much "Yeah, I heard you the first time, but I didn't think you would drag me back here! Where ever here is?" She made pointed gestures and looked around at the strange surroundings.
Afain saw that her fur was ruffled on almost every part of her body. Plus her right paw was trembling, she was really, really mad. Still she looked good, Afain had taken the time to remove her clothing, for it was what Kira liked. She had always found clothes restricting. She looked good, no extra added weight, in fact she almost was too thin.
"You're back on Tarra."
"What!!!!!!!! You're kidding me." She looked for a window but there was none in the room.
"No I am not."
Kira grabbed Afains arm and it hurt, "What have you done??"
Cleo moved out of the corner and fired a stun beam at Kira, she fell to the floor immediately after.
"OW stop you're hurting me." Afain cried and watched as Kira fell to the floor from Cleo's attack. "Cleo!! What have you done???"
"You were being attacked I took appropriate action." Afain felt for a pulse and found one, she was only stunned.
Afain knew this would provoke Kira even more, she sighed heavily and got Cleo to help get Kira back to her bed.
Kira awoke again in bed this time she ached all over, what had hit her? She traveled back to the Kitchen to where she again found Afain. This time she sat down and spoke softly.
"Sorry I didn't mean to hurt you but I'm not happy."
"I can see that, if you would remain calm I will explain. I have made, Parfel trafuel for you." (An equivalent to a sandwich)
Kira nodded, she didn't say much. She took a bite of the trafuel and sighed, she always did like Parfel. "Ok……. you got me here, spill." She still ached and wondered what Afain had done to her.
"I cannot tell you just yet, finish your trafuel."
"Right! Listen Afain if you don't tell me I'm walking."
"Don't talk to me with your mouth full of food, later."
Kira sighed and ate her trafuel, but she also eyed Afain, something was very different about her, something…….she got up out of her seat quickly then put her paw on her belly. Her mouth was agape in surprise. "You're with hatchling!!!!!!" She exclaimed.
Afain took Kira's paw off her abdomen and stepped back. "Yes I am."
A look of shock poured over Kiras face, "Is…..ah she here?" She knew her mate had to be around somewhere.
"There is no one here."
"Huh…?" Realization came quickly to Kira. "No…….ah no way!!!!" She shook her head.
"The hatchling is yours." She said it and turned away leaving Kira to ponder the situation.
Kira sat back down again and in silence thought about things back to a time which she didn't want to remember. "You knew….." She said more in control now.
Afain turned and looked at Kira a tear had formed and it gently rolled down her cheek. "Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because your work was more important to you than I was or even a hatchling." Afain said with a hint of anger to her voice.
"Oh…..no don't blame this all on me……you too were involved, as you called it, imperative translations and research….remember!!!" It was retaliation but it was also a statement of truth.