Arnica Read online

  Arnica

  Prologue

  The gong sounded in the hall, announcing a request for admittance. When the vibration faded the Emissary rose from his seat, signaling they were ready.

  "Enter!" the attendant boomed in the near empty audience hall.

  Sitting among a handful of council members, Lord DeMonte peered surreptitiously over his steeppled finger at both the new members and old that were present. His bright orange hair, a characteristic of his mother's side of the family, was worn in the manner of the older warriors. It was drawn back out of his face, braided in one tail reaching to his shoulder, and bound in leather. Lord DeMonte's clothing befit his rank in both clan and within the new United Worlds Planetary Council, revealing neither his shape nor what may be hidden within the cloth folds. His eyes caught the dim outline of guards as they moved to a more alert position when the doors opened. The physical presence of armed guards, though not as effective in subduing actual violence as modern security technology, could be mistaken for part of the decorum.

  The group that entered with military precision were officers from various militaries, composed of members from two galaxy powers, the Collective and the old Galactic Committee of Families and Communities. Though the UWPC had not officially formed a military structure yet, there were officers from the old GCFC among those gathered.

  When GCFC was dissolved, it was agreed the military personal would come under the jurisdiction of their home planets to keep formation and disciple intact. For those with no home planet Lord DeMonte absorbed them into Mendoca's forces. No one wanted to see the seasoned and current training go to waste until a new council was ready to reform a new military. The new structure would have stronger guidelines in deploying troops and the qualifications of who was to command them would be higher. Civilians that had never served as an officer need not apply or look to be appointed.

  The council waited for them to neatly line up. Lord DeMonte could feel the officers' tension. It was from the excitement of exploring the unknown, and the possibility of interacting with new species. The political powers in the known galaxies were still adjusting to their own expanding borders, and had not set out on any long explorations since the development of faster, larger, and safer vessels. However companies that wished to make a profit on selling chances to the fool hearty to settle on frontier settlements that were investigated solely through robot-attended ships had sent out people to establish settlements in the companies interests. The colony freighters were one-way trips for millions of people, sleeping their way to their distant destination with whatever equipment and supplies they may need for two years, or so the contract read.

  No one knew better than the settlers on their arrival at the new worlds of what little they were given to survive at all. Who could they complain to but their fellow travelers and the natives of the planet they were abandoned on?

  Forty-seven officers stood before the council, ramrod straight and proud, filling the audience room. They represented the crew of over two thousand.

  The crew for Catching Butterflies was in the last stages of preparation. This meeting was merely a formality with key officers assigned a specific task, to reaffirm the purpose of their mission. Catching Butterflies was composed of military and nonmilitary personal, who were being sent across the vast stretch of space into another part of the unexplored galaxy to Arnica. They were to bring back the late Alan Fermin's soldiers, and see if any damage control measures would have to be made on Arnica.

  "Reporting for duty, High Council." Newly promoted Captain Malchi, head of a special security team, moved one step forward from the others then stepped back in line.

  She had been elected to represent the group of officers assembled as they were elected to represent the ship.

  Emissary Si'en from the Council of the Rings spoke for all parties that had interests in Catching Butterflies business, since the Council of Rings was nonpolitical.

  The COR was the highest authority in dealing with matters between the various galaxy political parties and any species deemed in danger by another's aggression.

  "By being here for this final bid of good sailing, you have all agreed on your assigned duties and will act according to the Rules of Kamahi, a warrior's code of ethics.

  One of the most important rules is that you follow the laws of the planet you visit --

  Arnica. There's no killing and no needless violence. You have your orders, Captain Malchi. Render Alan Fermin's metrasoldiers harmless, bring back as many as you can, preferably alive, clean up whatever mess they created without creating a worse problem…and return safely. My heart to your hearts."

  The group moved out of the room. Their excited murmurs were cut off as the council doors closed behind them.

  Lord DeMonte slipped out a side door. He did not want any more continued talk with Lady Varina whose presence made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, nor to be cornered by C'hi A from another group that he didn't trust. Their joint effort of cornering him before the meeting, thus preventing him from talking to Lady Ja,uma, made him all the more suspicious that they wanted a delay in their meeting. However, they were too late. He had met with her the previous week and her informants affirmed that Varina and C'hi A, though enemies, made a temporary truce to send agents to investigate potential business on Arnica, something that COR had firmly stated was not to happen. There was to be no prospecting or politicking on Arnica.

  He waited for the elevator on the next level. The door opened and Captain Malchi, her first, and second officers, were standing in the elevator silent, as if the stopping of the elevator halted their conversation.

  Lord DeMonte stepped in and inserted a key. The car resumed its movement to the next stop. The group got off and crowded into a secured room.

  "What did you find?" DeMonte asked.

  "There are twelve spies among the officers and about fifty-six among the crew.

  However, we don't know what their intention is."

  "Was everyone checked for biochips?"

  "Yes, Lord DeMonte. With the new information we have, we can scan for them easily. Those members will all be replaced on our first stop." Captain Malchi frowned. "I hope those officers haven't figured out yet that this ship is more than a deep space science vessel."

  "We'll find out soon enough when they're taken in for questioning. If it's anything you need to know, the kone will be sent a message. L'uenbeng, guardian of Merker's Portal, has given us a few gifts from his laboratory that you're to test without the general ship's population knowing about. Unless you deem it necessary, let the captain know.

  This ship is far in advance of any ship known in our two galaxies. Don't lose her."

  Captain Malchi nodded with a grin. "Aye, Lord DeMonte. She is a prize. It'll take years to learn all her secrets."

  "Your contact on Arnica is Commander O'Malley, the Queen's protector. The shaman's are not willing to say any more about Queen M'Lu other than she is a powerful force and an old soul. Keep in mind, that once you are in Arnica's sphere, anything you do, say, or think, Queen M'Lu is aware. Don't make the same mistakes as Emperors LastChance. "

  The officers nodded that they understood.

  "May you all ride the tides of adventure with good fortune and health."

  "We shall bring Lady Alexandra back safely, Lord DeMonte."

  A quick grin appeared on his face. "Likely it will be that she brings herself back."

  They smiled and laughed softly.

  That night Catching Butterflies sailed from her dock a week early and with no fan fare, leaving behind unwanted crew members. After a few gate hops, she picked up better screened replacements.

  After a busy week of doing a shake-down and getting acquainted with their new ship the entire crew retired to their sleep pods for the r
est of the ride. A Sha'Kar, an unseen passenger for most, moved alone in the corridors and other spaces on board, pinning for a friend.

  Chapter 1

  Arnica

  The moon was on the other side of the planet, leaving a canopy of glittering stars.

  An occasional luminous pair of eyes blinked as they peered through the forest fauna.

  Leaves rustled from a cool breeze fluttering through them, carrying the smell of the nearby sea mingled with odors of the surrounding life. The potpourri of scents was a delight to a sensitive nose.

  Nearby a slight ghostly figure paced restlessly on the grass. Bare feet knowingly missed the dirt border that separated the grass from the herbs and flowers neatly arranged in Mandela patterns.

  Her fists balled up in frustration and then relaxed, sending little snaps of electromagnetism to prickle the space around her. Turning again to pace to the other side, she once more reviewed the myriad of thoughts, feelings, and sensations near, and far that she could call to her awareness.

  Still there was nothing that appeared out of the ordinary. She could not identify what or where this anomalous sense was coming from.

  Why did she think it a menace?

  Knowing what dimension it was coming from would be helpful. Her eyes lifted to stare past the garden and into the forest backdrop. Pausing mid stride, she turned toward the rose covered archway that opened into her garden.

  Another breeze wafting by brought the smell of someone familiar with mute sounds of soft footsteps, and rustling fabric. Her handmaiden came rushing through the archway with a robe, wrapping it around her small figure and than tying the sash securely. Her thin sleeping gown was covered completely by a thick, soft golden robe that fell to her ankles.

 

 

  The woman bowed and paused, staring down at the glow of white against the dark. No slippers. She gave a disapproving clucking sound.

  When her handmaiden left the garden the tall Micas, commander of the Kiuzi Warriors, stepped forward. His six-foot athletic trim figure filled the archway as a dark silhouette against the stars. His tall form barely passed through the flowered archway; however, a strongly released scent from a bruised petal suggested that his braided hair had bunted a bloom. He was not wearing his uniform, as the outline on his shoulders were round and smooth, without the epaulets flat shape. She didn't have to look to know that he had no weapons.

  "Commander O'Malley. Blessings upon you and your family," a child's voice greeted.

  He bowed to her, and stepped forward where a whispered conversation could be carried on.

  "And to you and yours, High Priestess."

  The form of address indicated to her the subject of the visit.

  "The Temple of Ilo has requested the presence of the High Priestess to authenticate a reading," his deep voice continued, heard as a drone to anyone a few feet away.

  "I shall be at the beach in a quamit."

  The commander bowed and returned to the boat. By the short period she gave herself to be ready he suspected she had anticipated this request.

  Commander O'Malley stood in the dark forest near the path leading to the beach, watching for the High Priestess. The damp night air didn't bother him as much as the pounding surf that could mask the movements of unwanted visitors. Night creatures called out, and wisps of benign spirits floated about. It was like any other night when most solids did not wander least they intrude in others' business. He almost missed the small figure dressed in a dark robe as she moved intentionally unseen to most. She was abreast of him when she revealed herself. He followed her to the shore, glancing around to be sure that not even a creature noted their passage, though he knew Priestess M'Lu had taken care of that.

  The boat quietly pushed off into the ocean smoothly cutting through the waves with the wind blowing loud past their ears. The engine remained off to avoid the heat signature. The commander suspected that the power the High Priestess exerted would get them to their destination quicker than the engine. And so it did. Their speed belied her calm demeanor, and this urgency weighted on his mind. Mentally, he accessed where each regiment was, and their degree of training, thinking this call had something to do with the off-world soldiers that were disrupting life on their planet, Arnica.

  Hardly had the boat beached on the island when the priestess was out and her form quickly swallowed up in the darkness. The commander gave a sign to his two warriors to stow the craft and return to barracks. He didn't need to tell them to remain silent of their mission. They were Kiuzi Warriors.

  The wet gray mist that had blanketed Temple Ilo and the surrounding environment was evaporating as warmth spread from the mid morning sun. It left behind structures dripping with moisture that collected in heavy drops, and then trickled in rivulets to the ground. M'Lu stood on the ornately carved temple balcony, peering through the last residue of the mist on the island's beach. Idly, she watched the birds engaged in their roles as one of the oceans many caretakers. If she chose, she could become one with the winged hunter as it joyously dived through the mist into the cold dark green waters, plunging deep enough to catch its morning breakfast, and then pop up on the ocean surface further down the shore, taking time to swallow the tasty morsel. But that was for another day to enjoy. Breathing in deeply, she held the cold dampness in her lungs, delighting in the heavy brine taste it left on her palate, grounding her in a solid world with the simple mundane pleasures of her environment.

  She lifted her shoulders that were covered in a heavy dark purple cloak, interwoven with gold threads in a floral design unique to her, and then dropped them, relaxed as she expelled the air in her lungs. She wore dark brown pantaloons and a lighter shade of brown and green blouse with the same gold floral design pattern found on her cloak. Resting heavily on her flat chest was a medallion with a dull stone matching the one in her signet ring, the same design as on her clothing.

  M'Lu had been groomed for her position from conception, and still learning at twelve winters. She was Queen M'Lu of Allint, and High Priestess of Drosu. Sometimes referred to as Dorsuans, they were enlightened peoples of the 1st continent Allint, and undisputed stewards of the planet Arnica.

  Absentmindedly her fingers played with carved beads, while her other senses sought for anything amiss on Ilo. Flux, chaos, renewal, and harmony. Life weaving its multitude of rhythms through all things that lived and shared consciousness with the island's ecosystems channeled to her. Nothing wasted, but rather transformed into another form of energy, moving in a constant renewal, rising in consciousness at each completion of existence.

  She moved her eyes and thoughts toward the distant shore of Allint, still hidden by the damp haze. Her senses pierced the barriers of space and mist, seeing the lush green forest that grew close to the beach. M'Lu knew the forest and lives that it teemed with intimately. The thought of their sudden disappearance, and the repercussions along the many streams of consciousness was profoundly unsettling.

  What made the inhabitants of Allint stand out from commoners was not an easily discernable physical difference, though some claimed they could tell, for they were of the same mixed and unmixed species that claimed to be among the higher functioning inhabitants that resided on Arnica. Allintans were different in that they were sensitive to all life around them and were able to view the various subtle energy bodies surrounding the physical one due to their life practice of Drosu techniques for higher energy vibration.

  However, M'Lu sighed disappointedly, it was not any of the inhabitants on Allint, but a neophyte to the temple on the island Ilo that had asked the right question and received a disturbing answer.

  Behind M'Lu the novices of the temple were preparing for their day. She could feel their life force; hear their movements, thoughts, and their whispered prayers as they moved from their sleep areas to the bathing area. Their day began by sanctifying their bodies, both the physical and spiritual. Order displayed in thought, ritual, and body movements, from inhalation to
exhalation, were a part of their lives, making the mundane tasks more profound than a commoner could understand. She personally found sharing space with an animal in the wilderness to be more liberating, inspiring, and insightful in understanding the underlying rhythm of life in its many dimensions. However, she was just as studious in her daily practice of breathing and physical exercises in her material form, as she was in her other studies.

  Standing in a corner, quietly waiting was the commander of her Kiuzi guards. His body still but the energy around him was vibrating. He was deciding how to go about examining his warriors for deceitfulness, starting with his top officers.

  The clicking of beads identified someone higher than a novice was approaching, and by the pace, it was someone with a mission.

  M'Lu turned to face the pale orange robed figure that halted at a respectful distance waiting for her. His face and head had not received their daily shave yet, showing a red shadow on the monk's usually shinny head and face. The old man was from a species mix of Human and Maligro. With his head shaved and his nails neatly clipped, his Human side was more evident than his Maligro. Even the purple shading around his eyes was faded as it did happen with older Maligros.

 

  "My Priestess, the Council is only awaiting Gi and Talara's presence." He gave a respectful bow, one hand placed against his heart charka, fingers splayed, and his other holding his prayer beads still.

  "Time."

  "In one meca."

  By the time she finished her climb they would be present. No doubt they would be transmitting from a temple on Padma, probably from the Valley of Quadrang.

 

  M'Lu was well aware beloved Allint had been contaminated but to impress upon her followers of a lapse in vigilance she needed them to see for themselves. It was serious enough to warrant mindspeak rather than a vocal affirmation. There was no need to alarm the acolytes at this time.