Rash'Tor'Ri (Soulguard Book 4), page 9
"What could go wrong?"
Pelin stood, chuckling, and turned to the door.
"Everything's peaceful right now. Right?"
She just shook her head as she left the room, still laughing.
"That's right," I muttered. "You know when I'm right."
Her laughter echoed inside my head. Damn telepaths.
I didn't have much left that I wanted to do, and the report gave me a great excuse to step away from the pile of paperwork, so I left my office to find Lyrica. She would be at the hospital in Wichita, or the medical facility on the base. I opened my sight and looked around.
Souls are a beautiful thing, for the most part, and none more beautiful to my eye than Lyrica's. It burns brighter than the Souls around her, most of the time, because of the huge Soulstream that feeds it. I picked hers out immediately from the others in the base med facility.
I felt a sense of dread. The last thing I wanted to do was upset her. She'd spent all the time and money on setting up a wedding on short notice. What if I couldn't get back in time? I know Pelin had been joking around but I'd learned something over the years. Things never go as planned.
I saw her flash of joy as she saw me approaching, something I cherish more than anything. Then I saw the flow of suspicion that rolled across as she saw my dread. Then worry. She met me at the door to the facility.
"What is it?"
"I just got another report. The Ferrara'Ti are on Cerres. They won't stay more than a week and I have to push up the trip. I know it's not what we planned but I promise I'll be back for the wedding. Just keep getting' everything ready…"
"No," she answered. "The wedding can wait. I'll be going with you."
"But you've spent so much time and money setting up this…"
"None of that matters," she said placing her hand on my face. "What matters is you and I. The wedding can wait until we get back. Marking these Kresh is more important than the timing of our wedding."
"You amaze me every day, woman."
"Of course I do. That's my job," she said with a grin. "When do we leave?"
"Probably tomorrow. I have to meet with Paige and tell her, then get everyone rounded up early. I may be late tonight."
"I'll pack our things," she said. "Marriage or not, I plan on enjoying the trip to another world."
Chapter 17
As usual, nothing truly follows any plan I lay out. It took two days to get everyone set and ready to go. Lyrica had packed us each a duffle that we had strapped over our shoulders. Each of the training cadre had a duffle. There were none in the group who weren't Soulguard so our trip would be unlike the last trip I had taken to Cerres.
"When we cross, we'll head up through the building to the rooftop," I said. "We'll travel from roof to roof until we reach the Cerres Facility. Those of you who are going to Parlais will leave from the Cerres Facility and travel the same way with new guides."
"Any chance we go through the area where the graffiti is?" Jacobs asked.
"Other direction, but there's a good chance your new boss on Parlais might be able to give you the tour at some point."
"Still hard to believe he survived that damn explosion," Jacobs said.
"I know what you mean," I agreed. "It's a shame he had to return to Parlais before we got there. Would have liked to see him."
"I'll tell 'im when we get there," he said. "I see you found Gallagher and Campbell."
"Them and quite a few more."
I could see the excitement and anticipation in his aura. There was much the same in Gina's, except there was a sadness in hers as she was leaving family behind for an unknown amount of time. I had almost chosen not to ask Jacobs because of Gina's ties to Kansas, but I couldn't pass them by if they wanted it. That's why the whole thing was voluntary.
Soldiers had been going to far places all throughout history. Some had families at home and some didn't but they still went.
Another of the cadre arrived. His duffle carrying what looked like nothing but books. He carried a couple more in his hands.
"Gunsmithing?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Riley, is it?"
"Yes, Sir," he answered. "Riley Carpacci. Been gunsmithing for the last thirty years as a hobby. Might come in useful over there."
"Very much so," I agreed.
"I thought as much," he said. "I also brought some early metallurgy texts, as well."
"Good thinkin', Riley."
"There's a few others, too," he said. "I grabbed anything I could think of that might prove useful. Some basic medicine texts. Hopefully we can get more stuff sent through but you said we might be out of touch for a while if things don't go right with your deal on Cerres."
"Very true," I said. "I never even thought of this stuff. Glad you were part of this."
He nodded and joined the ranks of those crossing.
"Damn, that guy is gonna be useful."
"Yeah," Jacobs agreed. "Hope we didn't double up on our text books."
"You brought some?"
"Yeah, I've got some early aviation stuff and some of the metalworking books."
"Everybody is thinkin' ahead except the one who's supposed to."
"That's why you picked us, Boss."
"Well, true enough."
"The folks on Cerres were Marked weren't they?"
"Yeah, I wish they weren't, but it was done before I even knew it."
"It's been a blessing from what I've heard from your Shak'Tar," he said. "We can't depend on the population of Parlais to just embrace our people like Cerres did. We may need to put our power behind a leader there and work it slow."
"I figured Ric probably has somethin' in mind about it. I've been perfectly fine with backin' his decisions."
"I don't fault that," he said. "Just tryin' to figure as much in advance as I can. God knows, if there's one person you can trust it's Rictor Hughes. The man's been loyal as they come. You know they used to call him the Soullord's Pit Bull? He knows you well enough to know what you want done."
"Definitely trust his judgement," I said. "I haven't had my people dig too deep into his business over there. He knows I trust him."
Jacobs nodded.
"I suppose we're ready to get this show on the road," I said and stepped forward to stand in front of the group of forty Soulguards and five Soulmages.
There were varying amounts of excitement rolling through their auras. This wasn't just an assignment to another post in the US. It wasn't even a post in another country, which many of them had done over the years. This was another planet, something only dreamed of up until the portals became available to sneak our people through. I could see the same excitement in Lyrica, the same excitement I had felt the first time I had traveled through gateway.
At least we didn't have to disguise ourselves this time. My forces held the facility on the other side for the moment. I strode through the Great Gate that was open in the middle of the clearing in Kansas. No need for secrecy this time with my clans on the other side. Travel through the portals is interesting, to say the least. I've seen movies of wormholes and such but it was nothing like that. As you pass the surface of the gate, it is like a curtain. No transition through tunnels or anything, just stepping through a doorway.
The technology was amazing, I had to wonder how they created it. I knew it tapped the Source like my Source weapons. I had learned it needed a person to activate the machinery. But how it worked, I had no idea.
A familiar face awaited us on the other side, several familiar faces. At least familiar to me. Kil'Sin'Deres and Tor'Vas'Reman stood to the left side of the platform. To the right were several Soulguards, Sam Keller and Gorvelis. Touran Gorvelis looked quite different than he had on my first visit. His Soulstream was knotted as a Soulguard. His Soul was brighter and he looked a bit younger.
"Sam, Touran," I nodded to them and looked to my left. "Kil'Sin'Deres , Tor'Vas'Reman."
"Welcome back, Rash'Tor'Ri," Kil'Sin'Deres smiled, which can be a little disconcerting to those that don't know him. He stepped forward and looked at Lyrica, "Greetings. It is an honor to meet the mate of Rash'Tor'Ri. We have heard many things about you after the Clan returned from Doran."
I smiled as I saw the doubt in Kil'Sin'Deres aura.
"Don't doubt it, Kil'Sin'Deres," I said. "She's the one who ended the war over there."
"Then Rash'Tor'Ri has chosen wisely," he said with another of those disconcerting smiles.
He stepped back so I could greet the others.
"Good to see you, Sam," I shook his outstretched hand. "You look like this place is good for you."
"Never been better, Colin," he said. "Who would have thought I would have to leave the planet to find my true element?"
"I'm glad you have," I said. "You never were all that happy back there."
"There was too much history with the former Council."
I nodded. He stepped back and Touran shook my hand.
"Greetings, Rash'Tor'Ri, Miss Jayne," he said. "There is much to talk about, but we can do that on Cerres. Shall we proceed?"
"Let's do it," I turned to the gathered group. "Follow these two, men. When we get to Cerres, we'll get you set up with your guides to Parlais."
The group fell in behind Sam and Gorvelis and moved toward the central stairway that led to the top of the building. Lyrica and I held back just a bit before following the group.
"This place is enormous," she said, looking around in wonder.
"Wait till you get to see the whole city from the rooftop."
"I've seen these in your memories but in person it's so much more real."
"You'll definitely enjoy the view from the top, then."
"I have no doubts," she said and slipped her arm around my waist.
We followed the others and just enjoyed our time together while marveling at the sheer enormity of the building. I had never had the time to just look at Hub on my previous trip. Perhaps we could explore a little as we made our trek back from Cerres.
As we stepped out the door on the upper platform, I heard the gasps of more than just Lyrica. We looked out at a pristine blue sky. Larger cities on Earth had a miasma of smog at the top from the industry and vehicles. Here there was none of that. Just a great big sky and an endless view of these enormous buildings. We turned to look behind us at an enormous plain with vegetation just a little off color. Everything had that feel of "just a little off" about it but it wasn't a bad thing.
Gallagher had come to a dead stop.
"Yo, Derrick!"
He shook his head and started moving again.
"I've got to draw this," he said. "Amazing."
"When things are settled on Parlais, you might get the chance to check it out from the Parlais facility," I said.
"That would be awesome."
"You were right," Lyrica said. "This view is spectacular. Why don't the Kresh use the tops?"
"Their size makes any of the upper floors uncomfortable for 'em. They just stay in the open areas. The majority of 'em don't ever even come to Hub."
"There's so much to learn about them," she returned.
"If we manage to end this war, maybe we can," I said, looking out over Hub. "I learn more and more every time I deal with Kresh. It scares me how much they're like Humans. It was so much easier to see monsters and evil."
"The more that die in this war, the harder it'll be to have a peaceful resolution with them."
"I'm afraid so," I said. "The mark seems to be the only peaceful solution and I don’t like it."
We came to the edge of the building and, one by one, the group leaped across the area between the buildings.
"Looks like we're taking the route around the outer ring," I said.
"There may have been some issues in closer to the center last time Rash'Tor'Ri came to visit us," Gorvelis returned.
"Some issues, indeed," Kil'Sin'Deres laughed.
Jacobs was looking askance at the large Kresh.
"It takes gettin' used to," I said.
"I can believe that," he answered.
Chapter 18
Fourteen times we had jumped across the gaps between the buildings before landing on the top of the Cerres facility. There were a number of Soulguards waiting on the rooftop. These were all new people to me but I also knew them all. They carried my Mark and I knew their names as well as my own. It was a bit disconcerting.
"Rash'Tor'Ri," the first of the party stepped forward, "We welcome you to Cerres."
"Thank you Simollin," I returned, using the man's name.
"We are here to escort your party to the Parlais facility," he said.
I nodded, "Alright guys, this is where we part ways for now."
Jacobs stepped closer, "I'm gonna miss you, Boss. Try to get this took care of as quick as possible."
I embraced my friend, "Hate to see you go, buddy. We'll get it done, one way or another. You guys be ready for anything, and be careful."
He nodded and stumped off on his shield prosthesis. I really was going to miss him. Gina stepped close and hugged Lyrica. She nodded toward me and followed Jacobs.
Sending my friends off to another world was harder than I expected but I knew it was a necessary thing. They were well suited for the task ahead of them and I knew Rictor would appreciate a familiar face. He'd had ample opportunity to return to Earth but he'd found people that needed his protection and stayed. I know my friend well enough to know that was what had happened. He'd found a cause that required him to stay and fight.
"We'll end this one day, my love," Lyrica said softly. "Then we can travel all you want to and see them all again."
I smiled at her, "I sure hope so."
We strolled over to the edge of the rooftop that overlooked the plains outside of Hub and stood for a few moments looking at the slightly different landscape before us.
"I can already see the difference in you after crossing to an area where they have your mark."
"I know," I said. "I feel like I belong here."
"You do belong here," she returned. "One day we can come back and be here."
"If we can survive the wave that's comin'."
"We have to," she said. "These people need you. They need you more than our world could ever need you. You're changing a race. Making them into something that can withstand the ages alongside mankind instead of over or under it."
"They may not need me for that anymore."
"They still do," she said. "There may come a time when they don't, but it'll be a while."
"I wish the Mark wasn't necessary to bring the change," I said.
"It is all we know Rash'Tor'Ri," Kil'Sin'Deres rumbled from behind us, "We could never have learned what you have taught us on our own. We didn't have the basis to even comprehend what you have brought us. These that join us don't really have any idea what they are about to do. They think they just bring themselves to join a sort of alliance. They don't really believe a Human can Mark them. They truly came here to watch you fail. They will know better after."
"Their impatience has made you change your schedule and they look at it as a sign that they can steer where this Clan of yours goes from here," he continued.
"And when the Mark hits 'em?" I asked. "Will they submit or do like the former master of the Shak'Tar?"
"The group of Ferrara'Ti that originally decided to do this will submit. A later addition, Jas'Tor'Kalamet, is a mystery to me. He is much stronger than any of us and I cannot read him as I can the others."
"How strong is this, Jas'Tor'Kalamet?"
"He is much older than I, and considerably stronger. If he joins his Clans to yours, it will be a huge victory. He, like the others does not understand what is about to occur. In the end he will have to accept it."
"Or he'll react like the other one."
"Doubtful," Kil'Sin'Deres returned. "He is here knowing that the Mark will be attempted. Sol'Kor'Vanas was taken by surprise and could not handle the changes. Never in his wildest nightmares had he expected to be Marked by a human."
"I suppose we should get this show on the road," I said. "How long will it take to move all of the ones who don't want to be marked over to here?"
"A day should be sufficient."
"Good," I turned back to Lyrica. "Shall we?"
She slid her hand into mine and smiled. We strolled to the doorway that led to the central stairs. Kil'Sin'Deres ducked and slipped through the opened door and we followed.
"I will take the direct route, Rash'Tor'Ri. It will be much more comfortable for me."
Kil'Sin'Deres slipped over the rail into the center shaft with a grace that would surprise most people, considering his size. I'd seen him in action and his fluid speed was no surprise at all.
"Feels strange not trying to kill them," Lyrica said.
"It felt strange to me, too, up until the Mark. Now they feel like the people in Oklahoma feel to me. They're my family, now, sort of. It's a little different than family but there are similarities. It's hard to explain exactly where they lie in that regard."
"I imagine so," she returned. "His Soul looks much different than those we saw before. The other one that was waiting when we got here has some of the same colors as Kil'Sin'Deres. Is that from your mark?"
"It's part of the change they're goin' through," I said. "Their souls change as soon as the mark hits but they keep changing afterwards, too. The longer they are marked, the more pronounced the change. I think it may make a difference if you embrace the change as Kil'Sin'Deres has done. He wanted the change before he ever had the mark."
"I see the difference in you, too."
"What?"
"The second we stepped through the gate, you were among those you marked. Much of the chaos that's normally there was gone."
"I do feel at peace when I'm around 'em," I agreed. "Like the way I can relax around the folks in Oklahoma."
"That was something I knew about, the ones in Oklahoma, but I've seen how you react to the presence of Kresh in the past. It was very far from peaceful. It was a surprise to see you grow calmer when in a city full of them."
