Aurora Saga 2 Immortality for Life (33 page)

One thousand, two hundred and sixty-two

years later, on the planet of Kalzor.

*****

Now what’s he doing?
Cherip thought, watching her eight-year-old son, Ferin, while she was sitting in the shade of a tree. Ferin was edging out onto a branch of a small tree nearby, which he had climbed.

He’ll never learn.

Then she turned to look to her daughter, Kalri, who was ten.

‘Come on you two, it’s time to go,’ she said. ‘I need to get inside. This heat is really too much today.’

‘Oh, mum, can’t we stay a while longer?’ Kalri said, as she swung from a piece of wood slung beneath a branch of a tree. She had a pitiful expression on her face, trying to change her mother’s mind.

‘No, you’ve both had enough time to play, we need to get home,’ and then directed at her daughter, said, ‘Go and help your brother down from that tree.’

‘I’m fine. I can-’ Ferin slipped and fell from the tree onto the ground.

Cherip rushed over. ‘Are you ok?’

Ferin was feeling the back of his head. ‘Ow! That hurts, mum.’

‘Well you shouldn’t climb trees then!’ she replied slightly annoyed and then helped him to his feet. ‘Kalri, we’re going!’

Kalri jumped off the swing.

‘I’m coming!’ she said, running over. ‘Are we going past the temple, mum?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘Can I come in too this time?’

‘Well you are a young lady now, so I suppose you can. But only if you’re quiet and hold your brother’s hand.’

‘Do I have to?’ she said, looking to Ferin, who stuck his tongue out at her.

‘Yes, you do.’

They strolled along a narrow winding footpath in the trees until they reached a clearing. In front of them was a large domed stone structure with an arched entrance directly in front of them. Carved in stone over the entrance were the words, “Guardians of Kalzor.”

‘Now behave! Both of you! If not, I’m not bringing you in here again. Do I make myself clear?’

The children nodded reluctantly. Kalri took hold of her brother’s hand as they entered a circular entrance lobby.

Cherip felt the temperature drop to a much more comfortable level, and thought,

Ah, that’s better.
I could stay in here all day.

Directly in front of them, in the centre of the lobby, was a large stone tomb with a statue of a teenage boy on top of it, which was being illuminated by light streaming in through a window directly above it.

‘Who’s that, mum?’ Kalri asked, as they approached it. Her voice echoed around the room.

‘That’s where Zoren’s buried,’ Cherip said quietly. She placed her hand on the tomb and bowed her head for a moment.

On a plaque, at the base of the tomb, was written, “In death he gave life. May we never forget, Zoren, husband of Sabri. Died age 19.”

‘Who’s Zoren?’ Kalri asked.

‘He’s a very famous person,’ Cherip replied. She pointed to the walls. ‘See all those names carved in the stone. Well, they’re the names of all the Agonians he saved.’

‘And those names?’ Kalri said, pointing to another list, which was carved into the floor. ‘Who are they?’

‘Those are the Agonian lives that were taken by some nasty people.’

They circled the statue of Zoren and then ambled through another large archway that led into a tall domed circular room, which was over eighty metres in diameter. Directly below a large round window, in the centre of the room, was an altar, at the top of which laid an open seatra. Carved on the steps leading up to it was one word, “Kalrea”.

They slowly approached the altar.

Cherip bowed her head before climbing the steps. The children followed. At the top, Cherip and the children peered down into the seatra, which was covered with a glass top. Inside laid Kalrea’s drone, her eyes shut almost as if she was sleeping.

‘Who’s that?’ Kalri asked.

‘That’s our God, Kalrea.’

‘Why is she in there?’ Kalri asked.

‘She’s sleeping so we must be quiet. If you look up you can see the sky and at night the stars. As Kalrea sleeps she can gaze up at the stars too.’

‘But that’s silly,’ Ferin said. ‘She can’t see when she’s asleep.’

‘Oh yes she can,’ Cherip replied.

‘Mum, what’s that on her head?’

‘That’s called hair.’

‘She’s beautiful,’ Kalri commented as she gazed at her face. ‘Can I have some hair when I’m older?’

Cherip smiled. ‘We don’t have hair, I’m afraid.’

‘She looks younger than you, mum,’ Ferin said.

‘She never ages,’ Cherip replied.

‘So why is she asleep?’ Kalri asked.

‘Kalrea watches over us. She keeps all the demons away so you can sleep at night.’

‘Really?’ Ferin said.

‘Yes, the last time she woke was over seven hundred years ago. Some demons thought they could come here, but she sent them away.’

‘Wow!’ Kalri looked intrigued. ‘Did she hurt them?’

‘I think so. Some of the old books mention she fought the demons above the planet. They say there were bright lights in the sky. They never came and you can still sleep safely at night. I need to talk to Kalrea for a moment.’

‘But she’s asleep mum,’ Kalri said.

‘I know, but I hope you will do this one day. You see, one of your great ancestors…’ Kalri looked confused, so Cherip then added, ‘A very old mother of mine once knew Kalrea. Her name was Asnica. Kalrea told her that if she spoke to her, she would hear. She passed that tradition down through the family to the oldest child and this is why I want to speak to her now.’

‘Can we speak to her too?’ Kalri asked eagerly.

Cherip smiled. ‘Yes, of course you can.’ She glanced at Kalrea and said, ‘I’ve brought my children, Kalri and Ferin, today, Kalrea. We’ve now finished the new house. The children love it,’ and then looking to the children added, ‘Don’t you?’

‘We have our own rooms now, Kalrea,’ Ferin said loudly. ‘I don’t have to sleep in the same room as my sister anymore.’

‘Shush, Ferin!’ Cherip said, looking sternly at him. ‘The whole town will hear you.’ She continued, ‘My husband is still worried about the crops this year. The rain is later than usual and the temperature is the highest it’s ever been.’

‘Dad said the rain would be here by now,’ Kalri said.

‘Did he? Well I’m sure it won’t be too many more days,’ Cherip replied. ‘Oh and the Glonvis that live next to the house, have had three flecs.’

‘Yes Kalrea and I’ve named two of them,’ Kalri said pleased.

‘I wanted to name them!’ Ferin said, looking annoyed.

‘Children! Please, not here,’ Cherip said, looking very seriously at them. ‘We’d better get back home. Your father will soon be home from the fields.’

Cherip walked down the steps and Ferin followed her. However, Kalri was still staring at Kalrea.

‘Come on Kalri,’ Cherip said.

‘Mum! Her eyes opened,’ Kalri said. ‘We’ve woke her up.’

‘Don’t be silly. Now come on!’

Kalri ran down the steps. ‘But mum, her eyes opened!’

Cherip froze when she heard a hiss of air as the seal on the lid of the seatra broke. Her hearts quickened. She turned to see the glass lid being moved sideways. A hand gripped the side of the seatra.

Kalrea got to her feet.

Cherip gasped and then quickly knelt on the floor, her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her.

What have I done? Kalrea’s awake! Have I upset her?

‘Mum, she’s getting out,’ Kalri said.

Cherip’s hearts were pounding as she stared at the ground.

I shouldn’t have brought the children in here.
Then a foot appeared in front of her.
What do I do?

‘Why are you kneeling, Cherip?’ Kalrea asked her.

Cherip kept her head bowed. ‘Kalrea, I’m… I’m sorry I woke you.’

‘What are you talking about, Cherip! Come on, that floor’s very cold. You shouldn’t be kneeling on that.’ Kalrea held out her hand to Cherip.

Cherip hesitantly peeked up at Kalrea’s face.

Is she mad at me?

Kalrea shook her head slowly and then took Cherip’s hand. She pulled her up off the floor. Cherip kept her head bowed.

‘Hello Kalri, Ferin,’ Kalrea said to the children. ‘Have you been to the playground again today?’

‘Yes…’ Kalri replied nervously.

‘How do you know our names?’ Ferin asked bluntly.

Cherip saw Kalrea smile out of the corner of her eyes. Kalrea then replied, ‘I know all your names. Why is your mother acting strange?’

‘I don’t know!’ Kalri replied. ‘Mum?’

Cherip looked hesitantly to Kalrea, wondering what to say. ‘I… I… You’re… You’re a God, Kalrea. I’m sorry if I offended you.’

‘Don’t be silly, you didn’t offend me, and I’m not a God, all right! No one needs to kneel to me.’ Kalrea sounded slightly frustrated. She gazed around the vast room and then shook her head. ‘Why you wanted to build this place, I’ll never know.’

Oh! She’s a lot different to what I’d imagined.

Kalrea marched out into the lobby. Cherip and the children followed quickly behind her.

‘Now this, I can understand,’ Kalrea said, gazing up at the statue of Zoren.

Cherip watched as Kalrea circled the statue, running her hand over its form. She then glanced at all the names inscribed around the room.

‘He should be in there, not me,’ Kalrea said, pointing to the altar. ‘It’s good to see you again, Zoren,’ Cherip heard her say quietly.

She seems very ordinary. No different to me.

‘Kalrea...’ Cherip said nervously, ‘Why... Why are you here?’

Kalrea’s expression dulled as she turned to Cherip, who then said, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not my place to ask-’

‘No... I wanted to come back here to...’ Kalrea seemed troubled. ‘I wanted to make sure you were all fine,’ Kalrea said, now looking sad. ‘I had to know you were all safe because... because... I’m dying, Cherip.’

** THE END **

Thank you for reading
Immortality for Life
!

Dear Reader,

I need to ask a favour. Reviews can be tough to come by these days, and as an author they are invaluable for future projects. Whether you loved or hated
Immortality for Life
, I do value your feedback. If you’re so inclined, I hope you may be able to take a few moments to post a customer review and rating on Amazon.

The third book in the Aurora Saga is
Kalrea’s Legacy
, which I expect to complete by the end of August 2014. Nevertheless, each of the books in the Aurora Saga can be read as a standalone story. If you have the time, here’s a link to my author page on Amazon. You can find all of my books here:
http://amazon.com/author/adrian_fulcher
. Feel free to also write to me at
[email protected]
or visit my blog at
http://adrianfulcher.blogspot.com
.

Once again, thank you so much for reading
Immortality for Life
and immersing yourself in my universe.

In gratitude,

Adrian Fulcher

AGONIAN - former inhabitants of the planet Linud.

ANTROLIAN - a race from the planet Antrolo.

ANTROLO - the Antrolian homeworld.

ASNICA - the daughter of Supora and older sister of Doine.

AURORA
- Qinant science ship that is controlled by an AI named Kalrea.

BELIN, DOCTOR - Gullin doctor from Onliv.

CAFEOR - Gulco’s wife.

CATUOP - a spherical telekinetic exchanger used to transfer the soul of an Agonian into a Xangol.

CHERIP - mother of Kalri and Ferin. She is Agonian.

DARREND - an Agonian boy.

DE’FEGO -
Lady Sathodee’s ship.

DOINE - the daughter of Supora and younger sister of Asnica.

DOLHA - a raised bone that runs over the top and down the back of an Agonian’s head.

DOUMP - a Gullin pet that clings to its owner’s leg.

DIEAN - she is an Agonian.

DIO-PLASTIC - a very durable blue material from which furniture is made.

DRULFIAN - a race.

DUIN - name given to one of the baby Glonvis.

EVENT HORIZON DRIVE - the
Aurora’s
propulsion system.

FERIN - the son of Cherip.

FOUNDERS - the name given to the six Agonian survivors from Linud.

FRINDUL - the race of the mercenaries employed by Lady Sathodee to take the Agonians from the Polnozoo.

FUIN - name given to one of the baby Glonvis.

GALCOLIAN - the most widely spoken language in the Xinp galaxy.

GLONVI - a small furry animal.

GOLM - the moon where the
Aurora
was found, before being moved to the Polnozoo.

GULCO - leader of the Agonians and premier engineer. He lost his left arm in an accident.

GULLIN - a race.

HIFMO - man who works for Lady Sathodee.

HONRT - a race.

INUPLE CAP - an ornate cap to cover the stump of an arm.

IOP - the Agonian God.

JAMEILO - Lex’s son.

JILNOR - the Agonian historian.

KALREA - the female artificial intelligence that controls the
Aurora
.

KALRI - the daughter of Cherip.

KALZOR - the new Agonian homeworld.

KARNLIP - a vegetable.

KARUNET - Lex’s wife.

KORYE, DOCTOR - Agonian doctor.

LEX - he was Kalrea’s first pilot.

LINUD - former homeworld of the Agonians.

LIYP - the name of a rehabilitation prison within the city of Uir, on Onliv.

LONDUO - the name of the Qinant whose body Kalrea’s drone is a copy of.

MIAR - a two-year-old Agonian girl.

MICNORIT NURONIC CONSTRUCTION DRONES - robots that maintain the
Aurora
.

ONLIV - the Gullin homeworld.

OPITO - a container in which a patient is place to be operated on.

PILCO - he is an Agonian.

PLYAN HULL - the hull of the
Aurora
.

POJIN LIFT - lift which allow persons to travel directly between locations on the
Aurora
.

POLNOZOO - a zoo in space.

QINANT - inhabitants of the planet Qintaino. They built Kalrea and the
Aurora
.

QINF - a star system.

QINTAINO - the homeworld of the Qinants, which is located in a distant galaxy.

RAXOM, H’FURNI - Gullin man who bought some of the Agonians.

RINGAL -
a Frindul destroyer, used by mercenaries.

SABRI - wife of Zoren.

SAMOLO - Zoren’s father.

SATHODEE, LADY - Xangol who is immortal. She took the Agonians from the Polnozoo.

SAYLMON, LORD - Lady Sathodee’s son.

SEATRA - container where people are placed in suspended animation while sleeping.

SIMTONS - the race who built Xim’gu.

SUPORA - friend of Zoren, husband of Valon, and mother of Asnica and Doine.

TELEMENTOR - watch-like device, which enables Kalrea to protect its wearer.

TIO-BANK - the bank of Xim’gu.

TRAFTH - a planet used by the rich for holidays.

UIR - a city on Onliv.

UKOPI - the star that consumed the Polnozoo.

UMO - the currency used on Onliv.

VALON - husband of Supora, and father of Asnica and Doine.

VINUAR - he is an Agonian.

VORLIRE - a planet.

WEIGO - a small island on the planet of Trafth.

XANGOL - a race of people who can achieve immortality by taking the soul of an Agonian.

XIM’GU - a planet in the Qinf star system.

XINP - the galaxy in which the Agonians live.

XINT NURONIC COMPUTER - a computer with a consciousness.

YEK - the currency used on Xim’gu.

YIGOT - the name of a landing zone within the city of Uir, on Onliv.

ZOREN - (main male protagonist). Husband of Sabri.

ZUKI - she is an Agonian engineer.