Knacayn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Seven) (4 page)

Kenzie held Knacayn’s hand tighter in hers. She couldn’t believe this is
how it was going to end. She knew she would die eventually. She had expected it
on more than a few occasions. She just didn’t think it would be at the hands of
artificially intelligent androids. In
a world
already crazy enough, who would have figured this would happen too?

All around her, the MAN units were gearing back up. Their armor was hardening
and she knew it was a matter of moments before they would end this. When she
chanced a glance at the others, it was to see the Terraneu females had all
moved to be in contact with their mates. The Earth factions were all huddled
together in the same places when this all started. Steph was holding onto
Mallex, who had come around sometime during the explanation. Her friend was
crying silently, and with a start, she realized she was too.

She was proud she had
helped
those
in her community. Looking back, she wished now she hadn’t spent so much time
doing it. Her only regret was not taking even a small bit of time for herself.
Seeing the males closing in she took in a racking breath. This was it then. She
wanted to close her eyes, but couldn’t make herself do it. Straightening her
back she faced death with her head held high and eyes wide open.

Which was a good
thing.
If she had
closed her eyes, she would have missed it. Suddenly there was a shimmering in
front of their group. To her amazement, standing there was a small form.

“Stand down.” A female voice called from the armored head. “You are not
authorized to eliminate the Earth humans.”

“State authority?” the MAN unit asked of the small female.

“On the authority of Kynan.” The female stated.

The MAN unit cocked his head again, “Kynan? That does not compute.” He
kept moving forward as did all the other units.

“I mean One.” The female called out exasperated. Around the
circle,
there were more shimmers and more small
figures appeared.

“One is in another sector. It is by his authority we are authorized to
cleanse Terra.” The MAN unit argued. He was getting awfully close.

“You were authorized to inspect Earth, not cleanse it
you
idiot!” The small female sighed when the
MAN units didn’t back down. “I was hoping you would not want to do this the
hard way.”
 
Turning her head she called
out. “Brennae,
Marcael
…run for the port
pad. It is active.”

Kenzie swung her eyes to the
couple
who just stood there shocked. Brennae broke out of her
stupor
long enough to yell, “The port pad isn’t active for another
three months.”

There had been multiple small forms landing all around them, their armor
shimmering in the light. There were now as many small figures as MAN units. The
small female who arrived first absorbed her helmet long enough for her face to
be seen. All Kenzie could make out was luxurious black hair, amber colored
eyes, full pouty red lips and the face you would see carved in marble. “I have
my ways. Trust me!” The small female yelled.

“Star!?” Kenzie could see Knacayn’s sister take a small step forward.

“We found others like us Brennae! The male I called
Kynan
is the MAN unit that was originally
programmed with your
grandfather’s
memories and likeness. These units call him One because he was the first to
achieve
self-awareness
. He was right
behind us in a ship he named
The Hedal
.”
The smaller female forms were somehow holding off the MAN units. Either the
women were better fighters or the MAN units weren’t
authorized
to hurt them. Kenzie watched as Star ran to Brennae and
hugged her. “I am not sure how
Kynan
will
take me stopping the MAN units from killing you. Take your people and get to
Terraneu! I will keep the MAN units from using the port pad to follow you. They
only want Earth, so it should not be hard to keep them here.”

Brennae looked uncertainly around, then let her go. “Thank
you,
Star!”

It was all the encouragement the crowd needed. Everyone made for the
portal dome. Kenzie was swept into the crowd as the males pushed all of the
females behind them and toward the dome first. Before she could protest, she
was in the
porting
dome, waiting in line
to go through the somehow working portal to
Antilles
.

“I can help.” She yelled and struggled to get out of line so she could
run back
outside
.

“Kenzie.” She heard Amber over the crowd. “Be reasonable. We are going to
need your help on
Antilles
keeping
everyone calm. A lot of these people are Rebel faction and are going to follow
your example.”

Kenzie noted there was a lot of shoving and yelling going on. All of it
from the people she knew, Rebel and Government. Taking a deep
breath,
she
demanded
,
“Everyone remain calm.” She had to do some pushing of her own to get the crowd
to listen. Soon enough she had a reasonable line of…well, refugees from Earth
heading through the portal to
Antilles
.
Keeping everyone moving fast was an imperative because you could hear the
fighting getting closer. Her friend Steph had just gone through with a group
when the building was rocked by some type of blast.

“You have to go through!” Kenzie yelled at Amber, Gwen, Mairi and
Brennae. They were the only females left. The rest of the Earth refugees had
already gone ahead. “They won’t know what to do on
Antilles
. You four need to get them organized.”

“I can’t go without Kniam.”

“Knollig…”

“Kneus…”

“Marcael…”

“You have to go!” Another blast shook the building. Kenzie hated to do it
but grabbed Amber and pushed her into the swirling portal. Before Mairi could
react she had dragged her over and into the portal as well. Turning to Gwen and
Brennae,
she raised her eyebrow, “Do I
have to drag you?”

“What about you?” Gwen yelled over the sound of fighting.

“You have to come with us.” Brennae insisted her eyes huge in her pale
face.

 
“I am right behind you.” Kenzie
lied. The females
believed
her and ran
onto the port pad and were swept away in the portal.

Turning and running toward the door, she ran into what felt like a brick
wall. Strong hands steadied her and she looked up. It was Knacayn with the
other males of Terraneu right behind him.

“Kenzie.” His voice was thick with concern. “We have to hurry. Spacecraft
have arrived. I do not know how long the shield around this dome will last.” He
started dragging her toward the port pad.

“No Knacayn.” She was shaking her head. “I am staying.”

“You cannot.” His voice was sad and harried at the same time. He waved
for the males to go around him. Mallex and others ran around them on both sides
into the portal and disappeared. Kenzie saw Weston with the males rushing past
her. At the port
pad,
he paused.

“That small female and her people can only hold out for so long Kenzie.
Be reasonable.” His face was white with fear and Kenzie didn’t blame him, she
was sure to be the same hue.

“No.” Kenzie shook her head harder. “I need to get back to the Rebel
camp. There are people there I can help. Weston can take me.”

“It is impossible
,
” Knacayn stated
gently. “You know that.”

“No!” Kenzie denied more firmly. “I need to stay here to help.”

“Kenzie…” Weston made to
argue,
but
Knacayn ordered him through the portal. With one last glance at her, he
disappeared.

Before she could continue arguing the female named Star ran in. “What is
taking you so long?”

“We are going.” Kniam looked pointedly at her.

“No—”

“There is no time for this. Kynan has been very patient with me, but I
fear he is going to be very angry with my interference.” The tone of her voice
hinted she wasn’t worried about his anger.

“Are you happy Star?” Marcael had moved to her side.

“We all are.” She smiled widely as another blast shook the building.
“Well, except for Red perhaps, but that was to be expected.” She gave Marcael a
quick hug. “We will see each other again.”

“How—” Marcael went to speak but she looked over her shoulder.

“You have to go.” Turning
back,
she
smiled
mischievously
, “If you leave an
active portal on Terraneu I can find it. Kynan, and the others like him, only
want Earth.” Shrugging her shoulders as if she found it odd, she added, “I
promise I will keep Terraneu safe. Even if I have to relent and give him what
he really wants. Now go!”

“No, I am staying.” Kenzie knew it was foolish in the extreme, but her
mind was reeling and it was all she could do to stay on her feet.

Kniam had heard enough. “Pick Kenzie up and carry her.”

“No.” Kenzie started struggling against
Knacayn’s
hold. “Let me stay here.”

“It is a death sentence.” Knacayn’s voice was gruff, “Do not ask me to
leave you here.”

“I don’t want to go when so many are being left behind.” Kenzie was in
misery.

“Let me help.” Kenzie heard the deep voice of
Marcael
and had just turned her head to look when she felt a sharp
hit to her chin. Stars danced in her eyes
and
she blacked out.

“Kenzie,
” Knacayn called her name
one more time in the hopes of reviving her. The refugees from Earth, his
family, and other males of Terraneu were all at the Antilles base. They had
established a permanent Command Base, along with medical units and living
quarters many years ago. That way they could use the port pad to Earth every
six months and station supplies and men here in case of the need arising.

His mother and aunts had already returned to
Terraneu
to make
preparations
for their arrival. The refugees from the Earth Rebel and Government factions
were being stationed near the port pad to Terraneu. Some of the males from his
community had been sent back to Terraneu. The rest were helping in whatever way
they could, along with the native
Antilleans
.
He was in the medical unit with his father and Marcael. His Uncles Kneus and
Knollig were busy at the port pad.

“She is not ready to wake yet Knacayn.” His father advised. “Leave her on
the medical bed and come help with the others.”

“Maybe if Marcael had not hit her so hard.” Knacayn’s voice was raspy.

“I did not strike her hard. The medical unit has fixed the small bruise
on her chin already.” Marcael defended himself. “Besides, we did not have time
for her hysterics—”

“She was not hysterical.” Knacayn defended Kenzie. “She was just—”

“Hysterical.” Marcael finished for him.

“Enough.” His father moved to leave the tent. “I will see you outside.”

Taking his argument with Marcael to mind
speak,
he said, “
She was just in shock. Given
enough
time,
she would have been much
more reasonable.”

“Do not bite my head off Knacayn. I
have already said I have a high opinion of Kenzie. Stop trying to pick a fight.
I miss Brennae and with the day we have had, I just might accommodate you if it
is a fight you want.”

“I am sorry Marcael. It has been a
trying day for all of us.”
Knacayn tucked the blanket firmly around Kenzie
and stood up. “I am just worried how she will react when she wakes up. I think
I will try to find her friend Stephanie and bring her in here.”

“You might make a diplomat yet if all you call this day is ‘trying’.”
Marcael gave him a small smile and Knacayn knew his friend was trying to make
light of the situation. “As for her friend Stephanie, look for Mallex if you
wish to find his
mate,
” Marcael stated as
they walked to the opening of the medical dome.

“Mallex has asked her to be his mate already?” Knacayn was a bit
surprised.

“Why are you surprised?” Marcael shielded his eyes from the sudden light
when they stepped outside. “Not all males are as slow to
admit
their attraction to their mates as you. I
think you must take after Knollig and Knaleg in that regard.”

Since his uncles had denied their feelings for his aunts he could not
exactly argue against the similarities. In his defense he knew he had feelings
for Kenzie, she just wasn’t co-operating.

“It would seem I have a lot of time now.” Knacayn frowned. “If Kenzie can
come to terms with what has happened.”

“I have come to terms with what has happened Knacayn.” He heard
Kenzie’s
soft voice behind him and he jumped.

“Kenzie.” He blushed hotly at being caught talking about her. “How are
you?” he almost slapped himself. “That was a dumb question. You are not well of
course…” his voice trailed off. He was such an idiot.

“I am fine.” Kenzie tried and failed to smile, it came off as more of a
grimace. “
Okay,
that would be a lie. I
should have said, I will be fine…eventually.” Turning to look
around
her she asked, “Where are the rest of
the Earth refugees?”

Before he could answer he heard his Uncle Kneus calling, “Knacayn.” He
turned and spotted his uncle coming toward them, “Your father is at the Command
Base and is asking for both you and Marcael. Kenzie you are welcome to come
also. Since you are still the
liaison
with your people this information might come in handy for you as well.” His
uncle had reached them and they all started toward the Command Base. “We are
getting strange readings from the port pad. I think the STARR unit Brennae
befriended on
The Elyon
has done as
she told us she would. It is the only explanation for the readings I am
getting.” His uncle continued to talk about the readings and Knacayn turned to
whisper to Kenzie.

“My sister was taken prisoner aboard a space vessel named
The Elyon.
There she befriended
a STARR
unit
or Sexually Trained Authentic Recreational Robot. The female that just saved us
chose the name Star when my sister mistook her acronym for a proper name.” They
had reached the Command Base and he paused at the door. Pulling Kenzie
aside,
he let the others pass them and
continued. “I am not sure how much of our history you know. Am I telling you
something you are
already
aware of?”

“I have heard bits and pieces. I wasn’t aware of the STARR units. Thank
you for filling me in.”

“If there is anything you are not sure of, just ask.” Knacayn drew her
into the Command Base and they moved to the table where a holograph was showing
the breakdown of readings.

“It is as I thought.” His Uncle Kneus was saying, “The readings all point
to the
Earth
port pad being destroyed.
Star must have done it just after we got through. She did say the MAN units
were obsessed with Earth. This port pad is the only link we had with them. We
will not be using it again.” Turning to his father, his uncle stated, “I advise
we destroy
ours
as well. As a
precaution
.”

“Should that go to a vote of the councils?” his Uncle Knollig asked.

“I would advise we move quickly. Star was trying to protect us and we
need to utilize the chance she is giving us. As advanced as they are, even
destroyed, the MAN
units
could repair and
utilize the port pad. I would not recommend waiting.” His uncle stressed his
opinion, and in this
matter,
Knacayn was
inclined to agree.

“I agree.” His father looked around at those gathered. His eyes fell on
Kenzie and he saw her stiffen slightly. “Kenzie. Can you relay what we know
about the port pad to the Earth
refugees?
Steve Howard returned to Terraneu to help arrange domes and supplies. I am sure
you two can work together getting the others settled once we are on Terraneu.”

“I am fine with that.” Kenzie went to leave, “I will
explain it to them right now. Let me know when
you are ready to start moving us to Terraneu.” She did a small bow and left the
Command Base before he could volunteer to go with her. All he could do was
watch in frustration as she left the dome.