A Crisis in the Sky by Marc DeGeorge

Author:Marc DeGeorge [Marc B. DeGeorge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MuseMarc Studio LLC
Published: 2023-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-seven

Everyone protects their own interests.

As much as I wanted to make it home, Tekino was closer, and Chi needed to be checked out before any long-range flying could be done. It was also a chance to have the skilled technicians of the Manuhke clan have a look at my ship. Much of the electronic equipment inside is of their design and manufacture. If anyone knew the nuances of the computer in my Swallow, they would.

I very much enjoy visiting Tekino, with its shiny composite decking reflecting the oranges and reds of the sky and its singular massive building that encompasses every part of their island, save for the port and the rear dock. It is a wonder of technical achievement. There’s been a pervasive rumor that the island is the last remaining section of the colony ship that brought our ancestors here. We now know that not to be true. Much of that ship lies down at the core of this planet, still intact.

Chi leans on my mother as we head toward the atrium entrance of the Manuhke building. She’s more tired than anything else, I think. My cousin has kept an optimistic demeanor on ever since we left the exiles’ island. But even though she didn’t see what happened, she heard it. And if it shook my mother and me, I know it affected Chi, too.

“Toume.”

I blink and turn, refusing to believe that I just heard Karima’s voice. And yet, she’s there, behind us. Shifrat and two priestesses are with her, looking more distracted than anything else. I am anything but. Elation, mixed with a little confusion as to why she’s here, is more of my mood.

“Camandla told me you were stopping here,” Karima says, which explains part of it but doesn’t elaborate on her decision to come, though I will not protest it.

The edges of my mouth lift high as I approach her, anticipating the embrace that we will share. I’m travel-soiled, so I hope she won’t mind, or will at least tolerate it until I can get clean. She opens her arms to me, and I feel a twinge in my heart at the thought of being in them. I move closer, ready to be near to the woman I will soon marry.

Only to be cut off by Chi.

Karima laughs as my cousin throws her arms about Karima’s waist and presses her head into Karima’s stomach. She drops her hands on Chi’s back and rubs as if my cousin was some kind of pet. Perhaps in this moment she wants to be appreciated on that level.

The light moment soon turns somber as Karima’s smile fades. Chi retreats, and I reach out to Karima, bringing her into the embrace that likely she’s been looking forward to as well.

“We have something to discuss with Camandla,” Karima says as she presses her cheek to mine. “And it cannot wait.”

I pull back and our eyes connect. Karima wants to tell me what it is, but she can’t. Not here. Whatever it is, it’s worrying her, which means I should be concerned, too.

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