Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (5 page)

“Probably not. After all, I haven’t met anyone like me in ages,” he replied with a chuckle and descended to the ground. “So, what does it mean when your moons get lighter? Does it mean you’re having fun?”

“Yes,” she lied. Took a moment to catch her breath. “And I thank you. I must admit this is the most fun I have had since being here. You are a formidable opponent. But I must retire for the evening...”

“Yeah, early start...”

“Thank you for the spar, Adam.”

“Anytime, Tiva.”

Tiva extended her hand as she had seen done so many times before. He took her hand in his and lightly kissed it. She blinked and her markings pinked. Smiling kindly, she slipped her hand from his.

“Goodnight.” She moved toward the exit.

“Goodnight.”

She glanced back once to see him step back and draw his sword. He swung it at nothing, merely practicing. She was tempted to watch and learn his fighting style, but instead, she silently took her leave.

Captain Maar called Tiva and the others into his office soon after they arrived in Bayo space. Hill and Raife seemed tired while everyone else looked fine. Adam was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. Emerala and Aliri were sitting in front of the captain’s desk chatting softly. Tiva was the last to enter, and stayed near the door, waiting.

Hill handed Maar a datachip. He took the chip and placed it on his computer pad. The screen on the opposite side of the room lit up.

“We have two things to discuss, one is the Bayo situation, the other the salvagers.” He crossed the room. “Caedm and Nassut have analyzed the data from the cruiser. Their information is detailed, but from their readings, the level of radiation near the star is extremely high. Our shields are strong enough to keep the crew safe for a while from a healthy distance, so we’ll have to work fast. Once we reach the sensor range of the star I want everyone sweeping the area.” He turned to Aliri. “Have Teer take any empty sectors offline for additional power.” Both began making notes on their datarecorders. “Cooper and Nassut, you will have to monitor the ship, we’re not sure how long we can last, but be ready for anything. Boon, I want your entire team on duty in the morning. Make sure each of them is carrying a medkit. Hill and I will be downloading readings from the Bayo probe. It’s been near the star for two weeks, the data is imperative to the calculation of the explosion.”

The crew continued to listen as the captain went over the type of searches needed, and the warning signs to look for. Hill then presented the crew with the newest displayer shots of the star. It whirled violent colors of deep orange and blue. Tiva stood amazed. The star looked like a painting from the imagination of a child. Seeing the stars and planets blurring past her never had this affect. She watched the screen mesmerized. Hill broke into her daydream and began explaining the darkened spots and various flares on the surface.

Aliri moved closer for a better look, and mentioned the thin beams of light beginning to break through. “This star is going soon. Two days tops, I can tell just by looking at it.” She turned to the crew. “I need to start my sweeps.”

“All right, head to your post, we’ll update you with the other situation later.” Maar glanced back at the displayer and frowned. Aliri rushed out without missing a beat. “Cooper came to me about the salvagers, his personal information has given us another species name. Pizilite, from the Arillo space, has anyone heard of them?”

The group didn’t seem to have any idea about the species. Blank faces and the slight shaking of heads followed. Maar took a seat, and Cooper moved over. His wings twitched slightly and his hand caressed the hilt of his sword. Tiva ignored the twinge of jealousy that rose within her and paid attention.

“These are the buggers who can teleport. They have a weakness however and it’s not the device. Water slows them down. I haven’t a clue why, but I cornered one in our arboretum and it fell into a spit of water and couldn’t zoom-zoom anymore.”

“We can add moisture to the envirosystem next time we come in contact with them. That may slow them down,” Emerala offered.

“Good, good.” Hill grinned. “What else do you have, Mr. Cooper?”

“All I can remember outside the datachips is that they were working with the salvagers back then, it appeared to just be a few, they were on the same ship, but I never found out who the other race of aliens were.”

“And how did you identify the Pizilite’s?” Raife asked.

“I had a piece of shrapnel, and it had writing on it, from a console or something,” he said, and shrugged, his wings moving in sync. “It took me a few years to find someone to translate it, but they told me who they were and that’s about it.”

“Perhaps we should ask the Joran crew members. They reside in the same system, it is a possibility they know about them,” Tiva added.

“I can take care of that.” Raife lifted his hand slightly.

“Good, good.” Hill turned to the captain. “We are making progress, sir.”

“Agreed, contact Ovvella and relay our information, I want them apprised of everything...and find out if they have anything to share.”

“Aye, captain.”

“Back to stations.” Maar tapped on his computer closing off the screen. The group dispersed taking their posts from the junior staff.

Tiva told Axium to rest before morning shift, and then began sending messages to the rest of the team for when they woke. She had some time before Emerala would need to siphon power from her sensors, so she initiated the internal sweeps. As the scan began, Tiva noticed she was still excited to see the supernova up close or at least closer with the image on a displayer. In a few hours, she would see the energy and power of the collapsing star in full view as it continued to consume itself. A natural phenomenon in space, and yet, something she never imagined seeing. Her daydreams as a child of seeing beyond her own stars were a reality, and every so often, she marveled at the truth.

She was the first person to leave Abennelp and travel beyond her own realm, the first of her kind out exploring the universe. If it were not for the circumstances, Tiva might have been overjoyed. Still, she couldn’t help being taken in by the awe and enlightening experience on occasion, and allowed herself to enjoy the moment.

The sweep finished while Tiva was still in thought, but she slid her fingers over the panel to power down the array, and access a few files to send to Hill. He said they were making progress. It was true, but some of the crew was still worried. Once the possibility of a third race being involved came to light, the crew tensed, some more than others.

A few more hours and her team would be in position, and the
Tolox
would enter range of the star. First, they had to take readings of the sun as they passed, Aliri had already sent Raife a mock flight pattern, and he was busy plotting it. The distance to sensor range of the star would take them another hour, so the crew was bound to relax some and focus on the phenomenon rather than the salvagers. The hurt many of them felt at the loss of one of their own, at times, was overwhelming. Many kept on a façade, the junior crew were more vocal about it. Luckily, the crew was loyal, and all believed in what they were doing. No one sought revenge, only answers.

They did not make plans to destroy the enemy, they wanted to learn and help. Or bring them to justice, whichever was easier. Many variables skewed the puzzle. But from what she had seen already, she knew this crew would find the answers.

~*~

The sun filled the
Tolox
‘s displayer. Its enormous surface churned and pulsed with energy and heat. Raife magnified it again; Tiva watched as whips of gleaming orange fire struggled violently with their captor. The deep blood red tips snapped out and back, as the orb absorbed the flare back within its womb.

Another shot up like a spike impaling the darkness of space, then curled back in on itself as if it missed the warmth and comfort of the sun. It was beyond beautiful. Taking her eyes from the sight was impossible until Hill ordered Raife to display the collapsing star far in the distance. The star was in its final stage, past the supergiant phase, ready to set the shattering explosion into motion.

Emerala shut down the security station to boost the sensors. The security teams were patrolling the ship, so Tiva had little to do, and for the first time, did not mind. Aliri’s attention shifted to her several times, she was amused and happy. Tiva sensed her glee without looking.

The sensors reached their capacity, data streamed into the ship as Aliri categorized the star. Shockwaves would dissipate somewhat once they reached the sun, but they needed more data to determine if the planet was in danger, and they were running out of time. The entire planet of Bayo was waiting for their recommendation. They had less than twelve hours before deciding if an evacuation was in order.

When the command crew gathered in the captain’s office again, there was only talk of the star. Every science expert on the
Tolox
had been working non-stop for six hours. The deadline was nearing. Each took a turn giving Maar an update on their progress. He seemed pleased, to an extent, but like the rest of the crew, he was anxious. After everyone spoke, Hill made a final statement.

“The star will nova in a day and a half. We’ve ordered an evacuation of the Bayo moon colony. A shockwave will hit the planet, but with the sun’s interference and the planetary shield they have…it’s survivable. ” He scratched the side of his neck and met the eyes of all the crew. “We will stay in the system as long as needed. Bayo will require medical assistance. The science teams know the planet will suffer from earthquakes and violent weather for a week or so. And unless the Union says otherwise, we will stay near and help.”

The second day came quickly. Tiva stood watching the view of the star fall away. Though magnified on the displayer, it almost felt the same as being near it. She watched as long as she could, aware her time on duty was waning.

This sight was darker, and brutal. Black spots covered the multicolored sphere twisting in a wild frenzy. The thin beams of blue and green light tore through the shell like a beacon showing the way to its core. Tiva knew the crew was studying it for scientific reasons, but she absorbed the image into her mind as an inspired visitor. The glittering sight changed constantly, moving, defying, and accepting its fate with every second that passed.

It was amazing to watch. She knew the light from the star—when it went nova—would spread out across the entire galaxy illuminating the dark abyss of space. She’d watch the recording another time, and sighed slightly as she headed off the command center. Hill ordered her and the security detail to ready the empty rooms for medical triage. There would be seriously injured people on Bayo; they needed to be ready. Despite her desire to watch the star go nova first hand, she obeyed and did her duty.

Several days of continuous work consumed her. Thousands of injured were shuttled to and from the
Tolox
. Earthquakes, floods, massive gusts of wind, and the like, tore at the planet of Bayo. Buildings collapsed, people were lost. Prayers seemed to help little. Though many of them were grateful and optimistic, they understood the situation might have been worse, and it almost had been.

The people Tiva cared for in triage ripped at her heart. She had to force herself to remain focused and help these people the best she could. The bodies of those who perished were scattered around the oversized room.

Memories of the war flooded her mind. The faces of those she struck down stung her like the bite of a char-beast, deeper than she was prepared to admit. She knew, however, that this time it was not a war which brought these people to their death.

When the last of the injured were tended to, Doctor Hino ordered Tiva to rest. She had not slept in three days, nor eaten in two. She made her way to the mess in a fog, and was unprepared for the clatter of conversations as she entered. Sitting down at the bar, she ordered a bowl of Joran soup and a juice.

“You look like you were wrestling with a dragon, Tiva.” Adam was suddenly next to her.

“What is a dragon?”

“Oh, something I saved the damsels from back in the day. Big fiery beasts.” He smirked. “You all right?”

“It has been a trying few days, for us all.”

“Yep, but I’ve seen worse. These guys will be all right, they are strong and hard workers.”

“Indeed.” She nodded her thanks as Vinni placed her meal on the counter. Then she turned to Adam. “If you will excuse me.”

“Leaving?” He frowned. “Why don’t you hang out here for a while, get your mind off things, relax, eat…”

“I will attempt to do so, but I need to be alone.”

“You sure? I’m full of stories that are bound to cheer you up.” He jumped up from the chair and held out his hand for her tray. “I’ll make us a picnic. You’re the only one on this ship that I don’t know, and I want to remedy that. After all, we are going to working together for a long time.”

He was persistent, but it brought a smile to her face and she agreed. Handing over her tray to him, she gathered her juice, and exited the mess.

Tiva made herself comfortable under one of the few trees scattered about the arboretum. The mist from the watering cycle still lingered in the air making it cool and comforting inside. She sipped her juice and ate her soup as Adam told her stories of his youth.