Tech Tack (7 page)
She cleared her throat. Her skin burned. “What is the third?”
He got up and tugged her to her feet, kissing her gently until she went up on her toes to deepen the connection.
He still smelled like conifer, and she enjoyed the feel of him against her.
When he backed away, he smiled.
“How many stages are there?” Ainora pressed her hand on his chest, and the steady thudding picked up the pace.
“Thirty-seven. I hope you have patience and self-control.” He grinned.
“I do, I also spend a lot of time in bed, so we can speed things up a little as necessary.”
He paused, “Do you think you want to check out the other males at the Citadel first? Check your options?”
She smiled. “No. I have worked with many men over my time on Resicor, and I know the qualities I am looking for when I see them. I see them here.” She stroked his cheek.
“Are you using your talent on me?” He took her chin between forefinger and thumb.
“No. I am using instinct and intellect. Combined, they are very powerful forces.”
He kissed her again and put his arms around her completely. “I agree. I just didn’t want you wanting me for my parts.”
She chuckled. “That has to be at least stage nineteen.”
He laughed and hugged her tight. “Twenty-two but good guess.”
“Why such a slow courtship?”
“To slow it down reminds the male that he must woo and win the female every day, and she becomes used to the attention and then demands it as her due. It becomes part of their lives.”
“My parents do not need such reminding. They know that their happiness resides in the other at all times.” She smiled and kept her hands flat to his chest.
“We are both bound by the traditions of our people. I will learn yours if you learn mine.”
“Deal.”
She had to reach behind her to shake his hand, but his laugh was well worth the effort.
“What was it like growing up with that kind of fear in the air?” They were sitting and watching the stars go by.
“It was hard, but my family tried to make it easier for me. My skills were apparent when I was five. My father taught me to control it, to subdue it by humming classical music when it manifested. It still works, but I haven’t been doing it when I need to open my talent wide to everything around me. I believe that is what has been taxing my system. I haven’t been focusing.”
“What was the society like?” He seemed determined to keep asking.
“It was a strange atmosphere. Everyone was afraid, and if you were a talent, only your family could hide you. No one else would make the effort. There was fear in the air. So much fear.” It was strange that she was finally free to say it.
Once she started, she couldn’t stop. “Every family had a story about a friend or relative taken by the government, forced to work, some encased in the dome, others just disappeared.”
“This was accepted?”
“It was one percent of the population. Ninety-nine people out of one hundred lived normal lives, untouched by the panic, the fear. But with every child, with every adolescence, they feel that fear. The talents would gladly leave, but we have nowhere to go.”
He nodded, “And Resicor will not let you leave.”
“No. They have a plan at work; that much I was able to see, but I don’t know why they hold us so tight when we would gladly leave.” She rubbed her forehead. “If only I could see the whole pattern, I would understand.”
“Do you think anyone does?”
“I am beginning to think Urikara does. There has to be a reason for her to have arranged the escape when she did.”
“Probably, but she is known to have sight beyond sight. It is how she can pinpoint the jump sites at any given time. She can see the big picture and that is why she is guarded so heavily.”
“Sight beyond sight. I wonder what colour her robes would be if she wore them?” Ainora mused and watched their approach to Morganti.
“That is a good question. Put your mind to it and work it out.” Lyon chuckled. “I will bring us home.”
* * * *
Deep under the surface of Morganti, Urikara greeted her visitor. “Hello, Kale-Gant.”
“Greetings, Seer. How are you this fine day?”
“Concerned. How long do you think it will take Lyon to consummate his union with my great granddaughter?”
Kale-Gant cocked his head. “I don’t know. Are you talking the physical act or the courtship itself?”
“The courtship. She won’t be safe until they are together as a unit. They need to be bonded physically as well as emotionally. It is important.”
“Important to the plan?”
Urikara sent an exasperated snort through the speakers. “No, it is important to her happiness. She needs a life and she needs to put Resicor behind her. I would not object to a great-great grandchild, but that can wait.”
Kale-Gant asked, “Do you need anything?”
“No, but thank you. I am keeping track of Ainora. They named her after my mother, you know.”
He smiled softly. “No, I didn’t know.”
“Ainora Arborough, the greatest diagnostic talent ever to work in a hospital. I am guessing that my grandson had good instincts when his child was born. She looks just like my mother.”
“I believe she looks just like you.”
“That reminds me, how is Junior?”
“Growing fast. We still have no idea what sex will be chosen, but Carella is making comments that lead me to believe she wants another. I have no objections to another Berhar running around, but the waiting is driving my dear wife nuts, and she is not very tightly wrapped at the best of times.”
Urikara looked into Junior’s future and saw what the child would become. She laughed.
“What do you see, Urikara?”
“I see your child surrounded by siblings. The Berhar will make their way back, but it will take some time.”
“Anything about Junior?”
“Not that I am willing to tell you. The child will grow healthy and strong and make a decision based on reason and not on the sex of those around it.”
Kale-Gant checked the equipment and nodded. “I will wish you a good day. I need to return to my stubborn child.”
“Good day, Avatar. I will be here if you need to talk, as always.”
Kale-Gant left and Urikara was alone to contemplate the future and continue mapping jump points.
To think that all those years ago when she had piloted the escape pod of the Raider ship to Morganti, she had thought she was destined to die.
The tank she was in helped her stay alive to see her people out of their troubles, but the effort it took to remain upbeat was exhausting. Seeing Ainora running around and becoming the woman that she was designed to be was enough to give Urikara energy through to another generation. She hoped that it would be enough.
* * * *
Ainora curled up on her side against Lyon with her head leaning on his chest and one leg bent over his knees. She rubbed her cheek against the light furring on his chest and smiled.
They had skipped a few numbers on the way to twenty-two, but Lyon didn’t complain when she made the first move in her quarters at the Morganti Citadel.
The rest of the moves had been all up to him, and to her surprise, he had been careful not to scratch her with his arms.
“So, I have shamed my ancestors by jumping into bed with you.” Lyon sighed deeply.
“Will you get over it?”
He laughed and rolled her to her back. “I think I already am. My ancestors will just have to hope that the next generation is more honourable.”
Ainora looped her arms around his neck. “That sounds like a solid plan. My ancestor is in a jar somewhere. I hope she is happy with how things have turned out.”
Lyon kissed her and started to work down her body. “I don’t think that things are done turning.”
She shivered and leaned into him. “I hope you are right. I am just getting started.”
So, the name got a little silly. I enjoyed the changing face of analytical application.
Eye in the Sky
will cover a woman with the ability to see through anything and a man who can get her airborne.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
