The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) (32 page)

As James exited the accommodation building with Kira, the Wilarn star was just setting over the edge if the chasm, high above him.

It feels much more comfortable now that the temperature has dropped,
he thought to himself.
What’s that smell?
James filled his lungs with air.
Wow, what a lovely scent
, he thought, looking around at the colourful display of wild followers, which appeared to be growing everywhere.

As soon as he started to walk, Kira’s ears pricked up and she immediately ran off into the distance.

‘Kira!’

Damn, where’s she going?

‘Kira!’

After a minute Kira returned but then ran off again in another direction.

I need a lead or something.

‘Kira, come here!’

He continued to walk and soon realised, that although Kira seemed to be ignoring him, she always returned, so he decided to stop calling out to her.

It must be the first time Kira’s been out in the open air for many sykals. No wonder she wants to run around so much.

As he neared the communal area, he passed by several bland and basic buildings, which lowered his expectation of what the communal area would be like. However, when he rounded the final corner and entered the area, he was pleasantly surprised to see what looked like shops, places to eat and a few small bars. Everything was full of colour and the place was buzzing with people.

There’re children!
James thought, pleasantly surprised.
Up to now I haven’t seen any.
The children were running around, playing, and this made him feel uplifted.

James wandered along, looking in through the shop windows, and eventually decided to venture into a very small bar, attracted by some music playing inside.

I wonder if kiols are allowed inside.
He looked at the signs near the door.

Kira had now returned and was sitting by him.

‘What a lovely kiol,’ a young woman said, as she passed. ‘We don’t see many of those anymore. You’re very lucky to have one.’

‘Look, a kiol, mummy,’ a small girl said.

‘Ah, it’s, so cute!’ her mum said, as they walked over.

James smiled, he felt a bit nervous. He was now aware that quite a few people seem to be attracted by Kira. A few came over to give her a fuss. Kira seemed to enjoy it and rolled over on her side.

I can see she’ll be ok. What about me!

James looked into the bar once more.

Nothing to say kiols aren’t allowed, but I think Kira will probably stay outside, anyway. Doesn’t look like she wants to move!

As soon as he entered the bar, he instinctively put his hand in his back pocket.
Damn, I don’t have any money. Money! What am I thinking; maybe they don’t use money, and maybe it’s some other type of payment Qinants use. Whatever it is, I don’t have it!

The bar was brightly lit by a number of lights positioned in the centre of the tables and from many set into the walls. The walls were covered in colourful elaborate patterns. Looking around, he wished Londuo was there with him.

James was about to turn and leave when suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and saw Antaio.

‘James, you look a bit lost.’

‘You could say that, Antaio,’ James replied.

‘I thought I recognised Kira in amongst all those people outside. Come on; cheer up, Londuo’s going to be fine. Let me get you a drink.’

Antaio approached a small bar. There was no barman, just three consoles and a large board with many pictures of drinks on it.

‘What would you like?’ he asked James.

‘I’ve no idea what they are,’ James answered, looking at the board.

‘Right, let me explain. Those up there are from the kalti plant…’

What’s a kalti plant?

As Antaio continued to explain, James felt more and more confused. James’ expression said it all and Antaio stopped.

‘I’m not making any sense, am I?’ Antaio said.

‘Sorry; nope. You could have been talking about the weather for all I know,’ James said.

‘Right, let me try again.’ Antaio pointed to the top row. ‘Kalti drinks will intoxicate you, whereas the dolu ones will make you more alert.’

Antaio looked at James.

‘No, you don’t look like you need dolu; looks like you need something stronger. I’ll get you a kalti ginom.’

Antaio pressed two symbols on the console and a few moments later retrieved two large metallic jugs from a nearby hatch.

‘Whatever you do, never go for any of the yilko drinks, they’re Telecans. I’ve tried them. Trust me, they taste disgusting,’ Antaio said and smiled.

‘Thanks, I’ll remember that.’

They both sat down at a nearby table, which appeared to be made of a wood. James ran his fingers over its surface; he felt a very coarse grain, but it was also very cold to the touch. The table had a single tall lamp in its centre.

Antaio handed him one of the jugs.

‘Thanks, Antaio,’ James said, raising it towards him in appreciation.

‘Try it. You won’t be disappointed.’

A young man walking past the table suddenly recognised Antaio.

‘Antaio, I wasn’t expecting to see you in here tonight!’

‘Er… No.’

Antaio hesitated.

James noticed he seemed to be slightly caught off-guard by the young man’s comment.

‘I… I saw James come in, so wanted to say hi,’ he replied.

‘Let us know if you’re up for a game of pinsop. We’re going to be over there in the corner,’ the young man said, pointing past the bar.

Antaio acknowledged him.

James tried the drink. It reminded him of a strong cider.

It must have something like alcohol in it.

‘What do you think?’ Antaio asked.

‘Not bad,’ James replied. ‘Did you have to buy them? I’m afraid I have no way of returning the favour.’

‘No, they’re free, but there is a kalti limit over which you are not allowed to drink. Excessive kalti drinking may hurt your health, so they track what you consume.’

‘How?’ James was curious.

‘The bar has several scanners to detect who’s there and also who is drinking what, and each jug has a transponder in it to measure precisely the quantity of kalti each person drinks.’

‘But how do they stop you from drinking too much?’

Antaio smiled.

‘Once you get to your limit, then a transponder within the jug is activated, and the kalti liquid is neutralised. Basically, it becomes a soft drink, so you can carry on drinking without worrying.’

‘That’s brilliant. I wish they had that back on Earth when I was there!’

Suddenly the lamp on the table disappeared, startling James. He almost dropped his jug.

‘What the -…!’ he said.

Antaio appeared unmoved. The surface of the table changed to a black mirror-like finish. A smaller cube-shaped lamp then appeared in the centre of the table. The lights in the bar dimmed, and the music changed.

‘James, you seem confused.’

‘The table! It just changed.’

James looked around the room. ‘In fact, the whole room’s changed! I could be in a different bar.’

All the tables were different, and the walls were now blue.

Antaio laughed.

‘Of course, you’ve never been in a bar before.’

‘What happened?’

James ran his fingers over the surface of the table. It was now very smooth.

‘The only thing I know that could do something like this is a Kimlo table.’

‘I’m impressed,’ Antaio replied. ‘They are Kimlo tables. It must be late,’ he said and looked at the time on his komkey. ‘They change the mood of the place at nine to appeal to the youngsters. The walls have Kimlo generators in them too.’

James was impressed.

‘I hope they didn’t change my drink as well! Maybe, I’m not drinking at all, it could be a hologram!’

They both laughed.

Antaio and James went on talking and laughing like old friends, and after a couple of drinks their conversation became more personal.

‘I’ve known Londuo for about seven sykals now,’ Antaio said, ‘and this is the first time I’ve known her to get so involved with anyone.’

James smiled back.

‘She’s fantastic. We just seem to have a connection. I’ve always longed to meet someone like her.’

‘Believe me, many men have fallen in love with her; after all she’s beautiful and very self-confident,’ Antaio said. ‘But up to now she’s always pushed them away.’

‘I must be very lucky then,’ James said, thinking of her.

‘You look like you really miss Londuo,’ Antaio said.

She must be on Brinoli by now,
James thought.
I’ll need to find the convalescence ward in the morning.

‘Don’t you? James!’

‘What?’ James replied.

‘I said, you must miss her,’ Antaio repeated.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘I would say you’re both in love,’ Antaio said.

‘Yes, but what future do we have, Antaio? I can’t see an end to this war.’

‘I wouldn’t say that. Thanks to you, we now have a way of killing the Treitans.’

‘I know, but it could still go on forever. I’m really worried about Londuo. Those fighters are so vulnerable.’

‘James, Londuo is the best pilot I know. She has an unusual ability to pull off impossible manoeuvres. Did you know she instructs all the new pilots?’

‘But I nearly lost her on Dagnamk.’

‘I think that was the first time she ever had to eject, James!’

James was surprised.

‘I’m telling you, James, you have nothing to worry about; In fact, I expect she’s more concerned about you.’

James looked puzzled.
Why would she be worried about me?

‘You’re a captain of an incredible ship. The missions you’ll be asked to do will be far more dangerous.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘Make sure, you, or that strange computer of yours, don’t do anything unnecessary.’

‘You mean Kalrea…?’ James replied.

‘Not sure I’d trust a computer if my life depended on it.’

‘Antaio, her name’s Kalrea, and I don’t treat her like a computer.’ James replied, slightly annoyed by Antaio not calling Kalrea by her name.

‘Londuo speaks of Kalrea like she’s a person too,’ Antaio said.

‘To me she is a person, Antaio. Kalrea is unbelievable, and I would trust her with my life.’

‘I suppose she did save our lives on the
Lonori,
when we had to get that blast door closed.’

‘That’s exactly what I mean. And Kalrea is far more intelligent than us. She’s as alive as you or I.’

‘How do you keep in contact with it?’ Antaio raised his hand apologetically. ‘Sorry, I mean Kalrea. You seem to be able to give her instructions whenever you want…’

James showed him the telementor on his wrist.

‘I can communicate with Kalrea through this.’

‘But it looks nothing.’

‘I’ve no idea how it works, but Kalrea’s able to place images and thoughts into my mind and read them. I have to say it took a bit of getting used to, and it’s not very private.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘She knows everything I think: every personal thought.’

‘Not sure I could handle that,’ Antaio replied.

‘I couldn’t at first, but you get used to it, and Kalrea’s knows now that I do need some privacy.’

Seeing James had finished his drink Antaio got him another one. James was feeling slightly light-headed.

Antaio sat down and asked,

‘Are you in contact with Kalrea now?’

James nearly replied but then remembered Kalrea’s warning about Antaio.
What if she’s right? I can’t tell him I’m not in contact with her now. He’ll ask why.

James decided to lie.

‘Yes.’

‘Can you thank her then for saving our lives on the
Lonori
?’

‘Kalrea said “You’re welcome Antaio”,’ James replied.

‘That’s incredible! So I could ask you any question, and you would know the answer just by thinking it to Kalrea?’

Antaio seemed excited.

‘What’s the diameter of Brinoli? What’s the… No. How many combinations of tpol are there in a game of pinsop?’

James had to think quickly. He had no way of answering any of Antaio’s questions.

‘Antaio, Kalrea is not a toy. I’m not even going to ask her.’

Antaio smiled.

‘I’m sorry. If I had Kalrea, no one would beat me at pinsop.’