Four Worlds by Maureen A. Miller

Author:Maureen A. Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: young adult, space travel, outer space
Publisher: Maureen A. Miller

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“That should do it,” Corkos exclaimed.

Aimee hovered over his hunched shoulder.

“What did you do?”

“Well, sending a signal on the tracker might go unseen if our antagonists have no savvy technology, so instead I have embedded a message in the communication system on Aulo. It says simply, The sun is shining in Solthum Valley today.”

“Who would hear this?”

“Everyone in Aulo. There is a midday summation of local events that is transmitted to everybody wearing garments outfitted with auxiliary communication, and broadcast in the courtyard before the Town Hall. Perhaps the statement will sound odd and ill-placed. I doubt anyone will have ever heard of Solthum.”

“But anyone from that valley will take note of the message and try to locate its origin.” Aimee filled in.

“Discreetly, I imagine,” Corkos grinned. “But, yes, it will lead them back to me. Me,” he emphasized. “They will come find me. You cannot be here.”

Aimee glanced at her wrist. It was a reflexive gesture, but there was no watch there.

“My husband will be wondering where I am. I can’t seem to connect with him from inside this cave. Are you sure your message made it out?”

“Quite.” His tone of affront was so familiar.

“I will go,” she conceded, “but I will come back with support. What if someone tries to attack you?”

“Worry about yourself. I have looked after myself for a long time now, and I’m still alive.” He swiveled a slab, rotating a hologram image of the Bio Ward below. Another nudge of his fingertips and Aimee could make out the path up the hillside. “No one can find their way into this cave, and I can detect if anyone approaches.”

“I don’t know how to enter your cave. You pulled me in, but I want to come back, with my husband. I want to help.”

Corkos looked dubious.

“I understand your desire to keep this low-key,” she added, “but don’t tackle it by yourself. Let us help. We will be discreet.”

“I don’t trust anyone.” He frowned. “Why would I possibly trust you?”

Aimee considered that as she rubbed the fine fabric over her stomach.

“Your JOH. He trusts me. He has protected me in the past. I therefore am indebted to his creator. And, my husband, Zak and I–neither of us are from Anthum. We have no prejudices.”

“Why are you here, then?”

“Well, that’s a long tale. Trust me, it is because we are peaceful and believe the people of Anthum are peaceful as well.” Worry settled on her face. “Right now, though, our primary goal is to find our friend. He was in the last Horus module. It had to ditch after being flung from the wake of the ship before it.”

“Ah, yes, I saw that ship go down on the tracker. Ironically, it is not far from the Solthum Valley.”

“You saw it?” she jumped. “Can you tell if everyone is safe?”

“As best the tracker revealed, there were no casualties.”

Slumping back against the table, she murmured, “Thank God.”

“You need to go,” he hastened, anxiously pacing back and forth between active monitors.

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