The Alejandra Variations by Paul Cook

Author:Paul Cook [Cook, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: E-Reads
Published: 2001-02-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

THEY TRAVELED ACROSS what seemed to Nicholas an endlessly beautiful panorama of plains and low, forest-studded hills. They journeyed for days on end, rarely stopping, even at night.

The Clantrams, all twenty-five of them, kept their slow, steady passage over the earth at an intentionally calculated crawl. The wheels turned slowly, but turn they did. As far as Nicholas could tell, they had no particular destination. They followed the contours of the land, forded rivers where they appeared, and avoided large mountains or thick forests. The computer—or Unit—acted like something of a forward scout. It always knew where to go, and where not to go. Roads were nonexistent, and nowhere could Nicholas find any sign of civilization.

That a world such as this could have descended from a past that had known a full-scale nuclear exchange seemed impossible. Still, the sunlight seemed wan and tired, supporting the facts. Hundreds of thousands of years had indeed gone by.

The Unit of the Clantram, though, was remarkably poor in information. It contained no history, no dates of importance—merely guided them through this innocent world.

Ariuzu insisted that his first days and weeks with the Clan be as stressless as possible, and Nicholas took that as a tacit hint that few questions were to be asked, and even fewer answers given. Nicholas protested, but the medication he'd been given to revitalize his body kept those protests from being effective. It fired him up, yet calmed him down. For the time being, it was enough to enjoy paradise as the Clans lumbered over the earth.

Cesya was with him often, mostly during meals, which were taken always in motion—but the meals were long and pleasant. She had developed some patience in her courtship, for she expressed no immediate need for any kind of union, either social or physical. Ariuzu also insisted upon this time of peace.

Their search for a place of Blossoming—whatever that was—continued. The medication continued. Nicholas felt much better. Cesya was playful with him when she had the time. Her duties were many and mysterious, often taking her to the other vehicles.

During their third week of steady continuous travel an incident occurred which caused Cesya so much concern that Nick felt it necessary—if only for his future survival—to immediately wring some history of the Clans out of her.

His chambers were in the rear of the lead Clantram, next to Cesya's and Ariuzu's. He had been sailing in the euphoric effects of his medication, lost in the Clantram's easy swaying, when the vehicle ground to a halt. It was a clear, starry night. Nicholas put on his kilt, and stepped outside in the corridor. Cesya had been in her own bower, preparing herself for sleep, and emerged obviously alarmed.

"What is it?" he asked.

Then the lights in the vehicle went out entirely and the engines cut off—or were intentionally shut down. He couldn't tell.

They passed through the large stasis chamber which was now strewn with ornately decorated pillows. The couch had been disassembled. Ariuzu came out of her chamber in a bulky robe, sleep crusted in her eyes.

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