Later that evening, Jason sat around a table in the crew mess hall with a mixture of the security and science staff. There was Genhyl, of course, accompanied by Officers Hunter and Flor'oa. Hunter was a burly human with dark hair and deep-set eyes. Flor'oa, in contrast, was a pale and thin Argoran, with eyes of ice and hair that was the color of dried lilacs. Jason often dined with them, as the men were good friends of Genhyl.
Also at the table were Dr. T ycal, Science Officer Cardeta, and Medical Officer Shinleta. Dr. Tycal was one of the heads of the inter-dimensional travel department. He was a humanoid with large brown eyes and untamable brown hair. Medical Officer Shinleta was a short, frail P'dela native. Her eyes, like all of her people's, were kept shut at all times. She had long black hair that shone green under light and reached down to fall even with the thick red robes she wore. Currently, she was enjoying a dish of noodles, and the sight her eating noodles effortlessly with her eyes closed was a little strange for Jason. He turned to the last member at the table, Science Officer Cardeta. It was a non-humanoid alien that resembled a gargantuan flee. Officer Cardeta was about two feet tall, with a round body protected by a deep tan exoskeleton. Its eyes were the color of cream and shiny. It was currently speaking rapidly to Tycal in a series of short clicks and squeaks. As Jason watched, Tycal burst into giggles... it was quite an odd sight. Meanwhile, Hunter turned towards him across the circular table.
"So, Walbrook, when are you going to join in a game of rugby with us?" He asked, and Flor'oa nodded enthusiastically. Jason grinned. The security staff was the only group of people he knew that called him by his last name. He didn't take offense though--they addressed each other in the same manner. Jason was also amused by the idea of a rugby game played with aliens. It was amazing that in a separate dimension, there were so many familiar things... humans, rugby... he had found out that humans even originated from Earth, which was located in the same area of the galaxy as it was in his dimension, and in the same solar system. Jason had begun to think that perhaps dimensions were linked in some way, a theory he often discussed with the inter-dimensional crew.
"Oh, I don't know..." He said. Rugby sounded like fun, but some of the security officers looked as though they could break every bone in his body, and as he remembered it, rugby was a pretty harsh game.
"To busy with the old egg and chain, eh?" Hunter asked teasingly.
"Now, now, boys, dragon raising is a tedious but noble profession," Jason said grandly, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that said he was teasing.
"Yeah, yeah..." Flor'oa said, waving a hand. "You're just scared of being pummeled into the ground." He and Hunter laughed.
"Well, if you'll excuse us, we need to get back to our own 'tedious but noble profession'. It's called serving and protecting." Hunter and Flor'oa lifted their trays and dishes. "Hey, you coming Gp'tal?" He asked Genhyl, who hadn't stirred.
"Sorry, I have someone to wait for today. I'll catch you back at dispatch later."
The two security officers left, muttering a few farewells to the table as they went.
"We also must be going," Cardeta said, clicking its mandibles. "Lunch break is nearly done."
"I'll see you later, perhaps," Jason said. He wanted to check in on the progress with the talisman. The science and medical officers nodded and left the table. Genhyl and Jason were the only ones remaining.
"So, would you like me to leave?" Jason asked, not sure who Genhyl was waiting for.
"No, she's already here," Genhyl said, gazing over Jason's shoulder. Jason turned and saw a cloaked figure striding slowly towards the table. Her face was cast in shadow underneath the thick brown material she wore, but Jason got the impression that a warrior's face lay there. The strange woman came and, without a word, sat down at the table a short distance away from the two men.
"Greetings, Alexei," Genhyl said. The figure nodded.
"Greetings, Genhyl," she said. Her voice was deep and stern, but also had an airy quality to it, like a voice echoing from somewhere. Her voice was not at all muffled by the cloak she wore. "I thank you for seeing me."
"What can I do for you?" Genhyl asked.
"The temples are in danger," Alexei said ominously. "Recently, a powerful group of aliens with weapons and equipment has been searching the temples, taking valuable artifacts and angering the gods. The Azru cannot defend the temples from these invaders, though many have died trying. The planet will be thrown into chaos unless they are stopped. We need help."
"Alexei, I work for the Auto-Beta Star Station now... I cannot command help to your planet. I cannot help you." Genhyl said. Jason could hear sympathy and anger at his limited position in his voice. "There is nothing I can do."
"I see..." Alexei said. Her head dropped a few inches. "Then the temples shall fall, and our world will be brought to darkness." She started to rise, but Jason spoke.
"Wait!" He said. The cloaked head jerked upwards in surprise. Genhyl too, turned towards him quickly. Jason swallowed, knowing that he was probably overstepping some boundaries with his actions. "Please." He finished. After a moment, the woman sat down again. Genhyl stared at him, obviously trying to read some purpose in his face. Jason met his eyes for a second, but then continued before he lost his nerve.
"I cannot let you leave here without help," Jason said. "It wouldn't be right. I was taught that to aid those in need was the greatest honor. I could not stand by while your people face an invading force that threatens the lives of your people and the treasures of your culture."
Genhyl was staring at Jason as though he thought him insane. Jason himself wasn't certain why he was doing this... that was, until he felt a flicker of blue flame at the back of his mind, angry and enraged. Char? He thought, trying to reach her, but he was no telepath and all he picked up was her ire. He stared at the strange hidden woman and awaited a reply.
"You have more power than you realize, Jason," she said, startling him. She had to be a telepath, for no one had mentioned Jason's name. "I accept your help, and thank you."
"Wait, Jason, you can't!" Genhyl said, sputtering to life. "You're insane! You've barely arrived here; you know nothing of our ways or culture. Now, you offer yourself to a duty that is more dangerous than you could ever imagine. I won't let you do it!"
"He will not be alone, Genhyl," Alexei said knowingly. "He has strength behind him."
"What are you talking about?" Genhyl demanded of her, tiring of cryptic words and mysteries.
"Char," Jason said. "She's talking about Char. She was the one who wouldn't let Alexei leave. Char is set on helping her and her people."
"Our people," Genhyl corrected, not looking happy. "I was planning to try to get some help from some friends I have... try to send backup for the Azru. However, if you're going, Jason, there's no way I'll stay here. I will come with you, back to L'mdana. The station will not refuse me... I haven't taken leave in a very long time, and I believe they will agree that you cannot travel without a security escort."
"Then it is settled," Alexei said. "Now, we must wait."
"Wait?" Genhyl said, with a look on his face that told Jason he thought the entire group mad. "For what?"
"For Char," Jason said, his mind drifting back towards the nursery. From Char's determination, he was quite sure they wouldn't be waiting long.
Background from Absolute Background Textures Archive. Storyline and characters created by and copyright © Rachel "Indyana" Gratis, 2001-2004. Dragon from Veniam Mactare.