Shards [Book Two] Page 6

  The formalized greeting procedure concluded, the final invitation sounded great. As I said, prolonged phasing was an exhausting way to travel, especially for teens like me, and we had just done eight hours. I picked up our bags and followed Susie onto the porch and into the house.

  Some people moved to the desert to avoid the cold, then cooled their houses to avoid the desert heat. Others came to enjoy the distant scenery, then decorated their yards with the trappings and plants of another terrain. A very few came to the desert to adapt to it, accepting what it offered, enjoying the extremes as much, if not more, than the moderate features. Yet even then their homes would still carry the traces of where they had come from, their first home.

  Rachel and Thomas Kovin were none of these. They were from the desert country of the Arizona, New Mexico lands, and they had no other home. The adobe look of the outside was real, as was the abode inside. The rough-hewn wooden logs hanging dark and heavy from the ceiling they supported were also real. The standard amenities I saw were designed to contribute to the overall feel of the house. No doubt others were hidden away until needed. I don't know what Susie was thinking, but I was very, very satisfied.

  “We don't have much, but it is yours for as long as you stay,” Rachel offered with honesty. “This probably isn't as fancy as—"

  “Are you kidding?” I broke in, surprised and elated. “This is great! Oh, I feel perfectly comfortable right now! I love your home! Is that a real kachina? And that wedding vase? Is that from the White Mountains? And how did you—ow!” Susie had kicked me in the shin.

  “Forgive her, please. She's sixteen.” Susie seemed to think that alone was enough explanation. Judging from the amused smiles on the Kovin's faces, it probably was, too. “Your home is very lovely, and we are both glad you have allowed us to visit."

  I bowed in apology. “I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Kovin. It was rude of me."

  She waved it off. “Don't worry, child! It's nice to see some excitement in the house again! And please, I'm Rachel and he's Tom. Anyone who fights NATech has our immediate friendship. Tom, why don't you take the girls’ things into their room."

  “Certainly, Mother.” He picked up our bags with no effort. He glanced at me. “Tell me, Abigail, how did you know about our little collection?"

  “I was born in Arizona and grew up near here, Mr. Kovin. In fact, my home was only about ten kilometers south of here."

  “Don't call me Mr. Kovin. You'll make me feel old.” He frowned. “Ten kilometers south, eh? I don't recall there being anything there in quite...” He broke off, obviously remembering. “Your pardon, young lady. I'll move these things into your room. We have a separate bath and bedroom for you two. I hope you don't mind sharing a bed. It's pretty big, though. Mother? Why don't you draw some drinks for us? I'll have a tequila, please. Um, perhaps one of you could help me? I'm not in the habit of pawing through other people's suitcases, so you may want to unpack yourself."

  “I'll come with you, Thomas,” Susie volunteered. “Rachel, may I try a Mexican beer, if you have one? Abby's told me all about them, and our bases are dry.” She coughed delicately. “In fact I'm a little dry, so it should ... ummm ... ‘hit the spot'. One of Abby's phrases.” She followed Thomas down a short hall and around a corner.

  Rachel walked over to the open kitchen and started getting the drinks and setting out a bowl of tortilla chips. I stood quietly, my hands behind by back.

  “So, Abigail, you're from here? That's why you feel so at home. I'm glad! We don't get to host soldiers on leave too often. Could you look in that cupboard? I think I have some salsa in there. As I said, we don't get too many visitors, so it's a pleasure to serve, and a double pleasure to serve a native."

  “I couldn't believe we were lucky enough to get you! It's so nice of you to put up perfect strangers."

  She chuckled. “Well, you're neither strangers nor perfect, Abigail. We've known about the Third's personnel for some years now. Thomas and I have kept up on Susie's service, and we even know a little about you.” She paused. “I have to admit that you're the first Cue we've ever hosted, though.” She had poured out Thomas’ and Susie's drinks and looked up questioningly at me.

  “I'm sorry, I didn't ask you what you might like. I have some lemonade, sun tea.” She seemed a little hesitant. “Or I could get you a beer, too.” She smiled weakly. “I'm afraid I don't keep up perhaps as much as I should."

  I smiled. “I'll have a lemonade, please. And Rachel? Please don't be nervous around me.” I held my arms out and turned a circle. “I'm exactly what you see, a sixteen year old girl. My behavior earlier was proof of that. I have a lot more experience and memories than a normal kid my age. And I have managed to hold onto some of the tact I once had, though it's harder now. But inside and out, I'm a teenager with no drinking experience as who I am now. If I had a beer, I'd probably throw up.” I looked off, remembering. “Though there was a time when I loved a beer and a shot."

  She stared at me, and I giggled. “That was a long time ago and a very different person. A very different person. But still me, too."

  She pulled down another glass and put iced lemonade into it.

  “That should make it a little easier, I suppose. I raised two daughters, so I can probably keep you under control, too. Well, not under control, but...” She set down the glasses and stomped a foot.

  “My! But this is starting off wrong! Let me be up front, Abigail. I just don't know how to treat you. What can I ask about you? I don't want to be rude, but I'm so very curious and finding out the rules right up front is the best way."

  I was getting to like this woman a lot. She reminded me of a no-nonsense teacher I'd had back in the fifth grade. Be blunt, offer no offense, and things would clear up quickly.

  “Fair enough!” I replied cheerfully. I noticed Thomas returning, listening in. “This will be easy: Feel free to ask anything you want. Anything."

  “You don't mind? I know it isn't polite, but..."

  “Not polite? As long as we're laying out the guidelines, I'll be honest, too. I know a little about you and Thomas, Rachel. You two have done so much to help people like me that I can think of nothing I would refuse you. Besides,” I giggled, “being the center of attention is a real ego stroker. So, please, ask away."

  They seemed very happy with that, and a sense of relaxed familiarity settled in. So for the remainder of the evening we sat on the two couches and talked and snacked and had a wonderful time. Rachel and Thomas were fascinated by my story, and seemed a little unbelieving that a girl my age could speak with such knowledge. But they were most excited about my being from an Arizona of six centuries ago. I found it impossible to satisfy their curiosity about the city and area. They knew that Arizona and New Mexico had been states, only portions of the much larger USNA, but were surprised to find out even then had been considered linked by history and culture.

  It was less than an hour for me. I was still a growing teen, and didn't have the endurance of the others. And the day's travel had been wicked on my whole body. Somewhere along the line, I drifted off, falling asleep with my head in Susie's lap, listening to the soft, pleasant conversation. Slowly the words drifted into mumbles, then murmurs, then snips and snatches of dreams.

  I partially awoke some time later. Thomas was carrying me to bed, an impressive feat of strength despite my small size, and I had my arms hugged tightly around his neck. He placed me gently in the bed and murmured good night. Susie moved about, and I felt my shoes getting tugged off, and then I was asleep again. I remembered thinking—in that groggy, nonsensical type of logic that precedes unconsciousness—that I really hoped it was tonight, and not tomorrow night. This was far too nice to be cut short by an arbitrary date line.

  * * * *

  Thomas pulled the door shut—inside the house the Kovins used old style wooden doors—and Susie began getting Abigail ready for bed. Long distance phased travel is grueling on adults, but it was just short of devastating for children and teens. It depl
eted their endurance and left them exhausted. That Abigail had lasted even this long was a surprise—though just a mild one to Susie. Abby had proven herself very resilient. Still, the day had finally taken its full toll, and she was completely out now, and would stay this way for the night.

  She debated trying to change Abby into her nightclothes, but decided against it. Abby wouldn't wake up, and it was just too much trouble. Instead she pulled off her shoes, socks, blouse and skirt, then pulled the sheet up over her sprawled form. She was decent enough, and far more modest now than at their quarters where she would sleep in the tiniest of tops and skimpiest of bottoms. Susie never said anything about it, but it had taken her weeks to get used to the outrageous things Abby wore at night. She was thankful for her own very dark skin; it hid the blushes until she adapted to it. Fortunately, Abby was a proper girl in any form of mixed company. Looking at the sleeping girl, Susie always marveled how at peace Abby was when she slept. Looking at her lying there, it just wasn't possible to believe the history that lived behind that quiet, gentle face, that soft, gentle form. She laid out a long cotton nightgown for Abby to use in the morning. She kissed her lightly on the forehead, then went back to the great room, quietly shutting the door behind her.

  Thomas and Rachel were still relaxing on the sofa, talking in low voices. Both had thoughtful looks on their faces. Thomas stood at Susie's appearance, then sat down again after her. Susie looked at them expectantly.

  “So, what do you think? Something else, isn't she?"

  “She's all that,” Thomas admitted. “She must have good stamina to have lasted this long after your travel. I was expecting to carry her straight from the hov into bed. Most kids would have been worn out long ago."

  “Abby's got a strong will. When we first rescued her, she managed to wake herself out of Healer's Sleep. She did it again two months later, just after her first shard. We still don't know how."

  “Why don't you just ask her?"

  “We did. But that strong will can be pretty stubborn, too. She told us how she did it might come in handy again, and that she'd keep such information to herself. It's times like that when it's very easy to see she worked for NATech."

  “That young thing?” Rachel sounded doubtful. “I've read everything you and Betty, rest her soul, have logged on her. It's so incredible, even for a Cue. She's such a sweet girl."

  “She's a very sweet girl, Rachel,” agreed Susie, “but during a raid against NATech five nights ago—a raid she planned to the smallest detail—that very sweet girl killed two soldiers and badly wounded two others in close combat. She's also the regiment's best and most feared fighter. Abigail and her two wingmen can destroy an entire NATech cohort in seconds. Her earlier life's combat solutions from 650 years ago are still used as a model by the very elite NATech Xeno Forces and by some of the larger city police special forces."

  While she talked, the Kovins’ look shifted from thoughtful to slightly stunned. Both of them had been very diligent in keeping up with Abigail's progress. For very good reason, as Susie knew. Thomas shook his head as though to clear it.

  “It's difficult to comprehend, Susan. We knew a good deal about her, though not as much as you've told us. And we knew she was only fourteen when she was Cued. But to put those two facts together when we actually met her...” He paused. “I suppose it will take time."

  “It sure will, Thomas. We've been roommates two whole years, and Abigail still knocks me off stride on occasion. The first time we had combat drill, I pushed her too hard and she nearly killed me. I mean that literally. I was lucky Raul stepped in when he did."

  “But she must be able to do more than just fight, dear,” said Rachel. “While Thomas and I have been kept up to date, we haven't been given a whole lot of detail. Just that a few people in the Resistance have big plans for her."

  “You're right, Rachel,” Susie nodded. “She can do a lot more than fight. She was one of the main forces behind NATech during the early 21st Century. Back then, she tells us—and I believe her—NATech was a benevolent psuedo-branch of the North American political region known as the United States. NATech was located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, but she's not told us where."

  “Isn't that a little suspicious?” Rachel had less than little love for NATech: she hated it with a passion that only a mother who had lost two daughters could. One was killed when the Fourth was destroyed; the other had joined NATech and was never heard from again.

  “Ordinarily, yes, it would be, Rachel. But this is far from ordinary. We believe she's withholding information because she's formulating her own plan to bring down NATech. We've spotted some trends in her strategies over the last nine months that seem to be part of a grander scheme that we estimate will take from five to twenty years."

  “Estimate, Susan? You can't mean to say that your best people can't figure out what she's up to?"

  “I mean to say exactly that, Thomas. When it comes to creative planning, imagination, and incredible foresight, we all readily admit Abby has no equal. As John Wyeth, she not only oversaw the legendary Pisces project, there's every indication she conceived, planned and, as her first ripe, implemented it."

  “She created the Pisces project? Susie, if that's true, you've stumbled onto one of the most important people NATech ever had!” Thomas nodded his head. “I can see now why you're willing to take these security risks."

  “And there's more, too, though I'm not at liberty to say. Ever since we rescued her, I've remained her friend and confidant. Her friend by choice and her confidant by choice and by duty. My work in research has taken second priority, and I am no longer a Cue counselor. I've given my promise to Abigail not to tell, and I won't, but she's, umm ... developing something now that makes the Pisces project look like a child's plaything."

  “It's a pity the Rock destroyed the Pisces,” Thomas interjected. “I've always wondered what they as a race would have accomplished."

  “They did leave a legacy though, Thomas,” Rachel said softly. “Without them there would have never been a Resistance."

  Thomas nodded in agreement and Susie continued.

  “Abigail was devastated when she found out about the Rock. I have an idea that's one of the things she holds NATech accountable for."

  “So she wishes to bring down NATech because of revenge? Or hatred?"

  “I don't think it's that, Thomas.” Susie thought a moment longer, then shook her head definitely.

  “I know it's not that. I think it's a combination of a deep sense of justice and more than a little guilt. The NATech of her era was not even close to this. But it is the same NATech, and she was one of its earlier and more influential members. She feels a heavy responsibility for our present and—as she calls it—stagnant culture, and wants to make what amends she can. The best way is to clean out the worst rot, which is NATech. And we're going to help her out any way we can."

  “She's a very special person,” Rachel murmured quietly. She looked up at Susan with misty eyes. “I had a daughter like that, once. She was very firm in her convictions, and was willing to pay the price for them. I only hope the price Abigail and you have to pay, Susan, is not as high."

  “What can we do, Susan?” asked Thomas, equally quiet.

  “Just providing us a home for this week is already a lot. The extra work you've done setting up our identities will help, too. And I want to thank you for the generous account you've given Abby and me.” Susie laughed. “I only hope she doesn't spend too much on clothes. Our hov is pretty small, and we've almost no extra room in our quarters. She may have been and still be one of sharpest minds around, but she's also an impulsive teen now! One of her strengths has been her smooth transition into this new life and physique. She is genuinely enjoying the differences, challenges and advantages. No,” said Susie, getting back to the first thought, “you've both done a great deal already. Thank you."

  “You ask too little. We've enjoyed getting active in this side of the resistance again, so what we've done is
nothing. Shall I call the TAU Council?"

  Again Susie was undecided. Susie knew that Thomas Kovin held a high position in TAU. How high she didn't know. If he could call the Council, it was likely he actually knew one of the three who presided as Those Above Us. The TAU Council would eventually have to be called, but Susie wasn't sure that the time to tell Abigail about it had arrived. After a moment's thought, Susie shook her head.

  “No, not this time out. Let Abigail continue to think you two provide only a host home for dogs on leave. I'm not saying we should deceive her. Not only would it be wrong, it would be risky. Let's just not bring it up. She's just come out of a pretty bad sharding episode, and she can use the diversion. I want this to be a real vacation.

  “About the only other thing I can ask is to try to treat Abigail just as you are doing now. Be up front and honest with her, and let her feel and act her age. This is her first real leave, so I don't know what to expect."

  Rachel chuckled. “That is one area where we do know more than you, Susan. A sixteen-year-old, on vacation? She'll have a wonderful time! I only hope you can keep up with her."

  “I have to,” Susie said simply. “As quick-witted as she is, she's also very much a product of her own body, so she has frequent mood swings and can be tactless, impetuous and headstrong, despite her more mature soul. It could be a disaster if the wrong people found out she was a Cue. Not only for her, but for yourselves as well."

  No one wished to linger on the consequences of that mistake, so the talk drifted off to other subjects. Susan slowly began to feel the same comfort Abigail had when she first met the Kovins. Years of hard experience and constant living so close to danger had made it difficult for Susan to warm quickly to those she didn't know. She envied Abigail her openness and her trusting soul.

  Later, as she readied for bed, Susan thought back to their conversation. She looked into the quietly reposed face of Abigail, softened further by the blurry shadows of the starlight pouring in through the large window. So much behind her. So much ahead of her. And for better or worse, the Resistance had begun shifting their hopes onto this young woman's thin shoulders. Susie hoped, as Rachel did, that the price that Abigail finally paid for this trust would not be too high.