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Arca Book 9
KAREN DIEM
Copyright
Copyright © 2024 by Karen Diem
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Any trademarks appearing in the book are the property of their respective owners.
Version 1.0 Published October 23, 2024.
Cover by Deranged Doctor Design.
To contact Karen Diem or subscribe to her newsletter, go to http://www.karendiem.com.
Dedication
This is dedicated to all the witty dedications I could’ve written and didn’t.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Languages Glossary
From the Author
Arca Chronology
Chapter One
Space... kind of sucked.
The stars, planets, and moons were gorgeous. Once Andy got going, the color shift was kind of interesting, but nothing happened in the vast expanse at any appreciable speed.
In her Arca form, the one similar to her natural one save for the face, hair, ears, and fingerprints, Zita Garcia alternated doing lunges and squats up and down the huge feathered back of Andy’s massive bird form. She tried to curb her impatience.
Traveling this way had been the only option. It’s comfortable, too, she assured herself. Riding on Andy’s back or in his claws was like watching scenery move through a window with no outside sensations intruding.
So boring.
Some change in the soft, springy feathers beneath her bare feet alerted her that he was turning and she rushed to check their position.
Ganymede glowed beneath them, swirling, marbled brown with white starbursts splattered here and there. The electric colors of two auroras wrapped around it, and crater pockmarks interrupted long grooves and ridges.
Given it was twice the size of Earth’s moon, she hoped Andy’s avian eyes could pick out where they needed to go quickly. Had he been in human form, she would’ve expected him to use a grid pattern to search, but he operated more on instinct in this form.
While she could respect that, she hoped it wouldn’t keep her stuck on his back for much longer. The question slipped out, despite her best intentions. “Are we there yet? Do you see the ship with the stranded astronauts? What about the broken General Aetherics robot thingy?”
The bird didn’t deign to answer, ignoring her question as he’d done all the previous times she’d asked. He did bank though, veering toward darker terrain on the tidally locked moon. His angle changed as he dipped closer to the ground. Here the striations on the ground were deeper and more jagged, appearing sharp enough to cut even though they were still thousands of feet up.
If he’s going lower, this has to be the right place, she thought.
He circled.
She glimpsed a dark shape on the barren surface below, something different from the rest of the surface. A few smaller craters pockmarked the surface near the unusual shape. “Is that the anomaly? The drone broke on its way there, right?”
Andy swooped lower still, slowing.
“Let’s grab the robot, get the ship from orbit, and go home to more interesting things!” Thrilled to be doing something, Zita shifted to a gargoyle, jumped off his back, and spread her wings wide.
She fell like a five-foot-tall granite statue without a parachute.
Carajo.
Zita teleported.
As was her habit, she teleported a few inches above the dimly lit ground rather than on it, so she could appear as if she’d flown and landed. She flared her wings automatically, and then rolled as her claws hit the frozen ground.
Her spread wings made it awkward, and while she kept herself from falling, she skidded on the ice. Flailing her arms, she jumped to avoid colliding with a large rock, sending herself farther and higher than expected.
Warmth unfurled in her mind as party line, the telepathic link Wyn could create between the three of them, connected.
Zita threw out her arms and staggered to a stop, dropping to one knee.
Are you okay? Is she okay? She’s on our link, so she’s alive. Wyn’s mental voice was frantic.
Fine, I’m fine. That was kind of fun, actually. I should’ve realized the whole no-air moon thing would mean I can’t fly. Zita crouched, one arm on the ground and the other half-raised.
Relief followed amusement on party line, and she glanced behind herself. Now in his human form, Andy hovered above the ground. A smile spread across his face. I didn’t think to warn you before we left for here. Sorry, Z. I tried to catch you, but you teleported too fast. Nice superhero landing pose, though. Did Caroline teach you that one?
No hay bronca, mano. What pose? I didn’t want to hit that rock face first. Guess I need to figure out how to move in almost-no gravity without flying. Are you doing okay, Wyn? I know talking to our brains from Earth is rough on you. Zita stood and dusted ice crystals off herself. As a gargoyle, she didn’t feel the subzero cold the way she would’ve as a human, but the only time she’d felt a similar dull, constant ache from it was when she’d been on Earth’s moon.
Wyn sent a wave of affection. Praise the Goddess! I’m fine for now, but perhaps you should start searching before prudence requires termination of our party line to preserve my strength for later? Did you contact the astronauts?
Not yet. We just got here. Zita stretched and scanned around them. The landscape held nothing but rocks in every size, covered in ice. While the view was stunning with nothing to impede the stars in the sky, the surface showcased shades of brown, with long grooves and craters keeping it from being completely flat. They stood at the base of a gigantic crater, one bisected by a wide line.
I saw the ship on the way down. From the outside, it seemed undamaged and functional. They’re not in any imminent danger since I’m not getting the urge to rescue them, so we’ll get the rover and then handle them. Unlike some people, I was paying attention when they gave us details on where to search for the rover, Andy added with a sly grin.
Zita glanced at the device strapped to one of her forearms and stuck her tongue out at him. I remember what I need, like how to use the General Aetherics text device so the astronauts know what’s going on before Andy grabs their ship for the trip back. It’s not my fault the science dude giving us info was so boring.
Wyn ignored their teasing. Good. It’s a shame such a historic flight had to end this way.
Nothing happened when Zita flapped her wings while standing still. History or not, it’s got to suck for the General Aetherics astronauts in orbit here. First, the drone they sent down to investigate some anomaly gets stuck, and then their ship conks out in space. It’s a miracle nothing else seems to be affected.
The astronauts were told to expect you at their most recent contact. They said that their tests still haven’t found any major issues thus far, but the error message means they cannot safely utilize the experimental drive. All other key systems are operating within standard parameters. I suppose it is a minor consolation that they made a journey in months that would normally have been measured in years before it broke. Wyn’s mental voice was softer than usual with the distance.
Andy was ogling the scenery with that dorky grin he reserved for something she would not understand, like physics jokes. He meandered to the side and hovered above a deep hole they could’ve driven a semi down, although it was small compared to the enormous one they stood in.
Zita took another couple of exploratory steps, then switched to jumps, sending herself on giant leaps. A tremor underfoot distracted her enough that when one clawed foot came down on a slick spot, she slipped again but recovered. Andy’s in geek heaven—
Of course I am! Who wouldn’t love flying on a moon? Plus, seeing Zita do the bunny hop is hysterical, especially when she almost lands on her butt. When was the last time we saw her fall like a normal person? he sent. With a last glance back at the hole he’d been studying, he floated after her slowly.
I make it look awesome, and that wasn’t my fault. This place has these tiny earthquakes, Zita said, testing the different types of ground.
It wouldn’t surprise me if there are cryovolcanoes or some tectonic activity, but you make it look hilarious, not cool. It’s a pity you can’t be here to see it, Wyn. Andy was chuckling, even if he didn’t make a sound.
Ignore him. He’s loco, but yeah, it’s a shame you couldn’t come, too. I’m surprised you don’t have a space suit spell yet. Zita replied absently as she determined which types of frozen ground had enough dust and irregularities to provide friction when she landed so she didn’t slide again.
Why would I have a spell that acts as a space suit? I don’t have one for deep-sea diving and that would let me visit Atlantis. If I go to space, I’ll ride Andy’s back. I will have a delightful cup of hot tea and some cookies in your honor, though, Wyn sent back.
Zita leapt over a rock, testing out how much strength she needed in the reduced gravity. Oh, sure, you’re a giver like that. The government asked you for a deep-sea spell back in December. Even if they don’t need it anymore, I thought you’d make one just to see if you could. If you came up with one, I bet they’d love a way to go search for the Atlantean portals.
The government may covet whatever they wish, but that does not require me to bow to their acquisitive ambitions. I try to stay within the natural bounds of the Goddess’s creation. What part of a space suit spell works with that? Wyn’s mental voice was prim.
Amusement accompanied Andy’s contribution. The coolest part?
I don’t know, because you have a spell for everything? I mean, you have one that automatically cleans your cats’ litter boxes as soon as they use it. Not that I’m not happy about that, but just saying. Zita shrugged and rolled her eyes. She adjusted her stride to one that was fun, but wouldn’t send her skidding across the rough, icy surface on her face if she hit another slippery patch.
Andy grinned.
Cats soiling their boxes is natural. My magic speeds up the cleaning bit. Don’t roll your eyes at me. Wyn somehow managed to sniff over their mental connection.
Zita blinked. You saw that?
No, I just know you. Now, you said you saw the anomaly? I can feel a headache starting, Wyn said.
Andy’s mental voice sobered. Yes, I spotted it as a bird. We should see it right on the other side of the hill we’re walking away from. Zita’s, ah, creative landing got us a bit off track.
Zita twisted around to squint at him.
With a grin, he did a half turn and jerked his chin at an exceptionally deep furrow in the battered moon surface behind them.
Another tremor shivered across the ground under her claws.
Guess I got turned around. The stars are different here and there aren’t a lot of landmarks. Zita shrugged and began bounding the direction he’d indicated.
That’s okay, Z. We know taking big-girl steps is distracting for a half-pint like you, Andy teased.
His words weren’t entirely untrue. Zita switched to a more interesting topic. I should hit up the moon and practice under these conditions. I’ll definitely need to work in some sparring in low gravity.
Can’t wait, Andy sent, his tone wry. Nothing bolsters my confidence like being unable to land a punch. Assuming I can find the time. I’ve been working extra hours for Dad so I can afford an engagement ring for Caroline, and I’m still trying to figure out wedding rings that won’t get destroyed when we punch things. The only thing that might work would mean cloth rings and asking Brandi...
Zita winced. Oye, asking the ex to make the wedding rings for your current girl? Even I can see the problems with that.
Wyn’s amusement radiated across their link. Don’t worry, you’ll have the time to figure it out and we’ll help if we can. It’s February. Zita won’t have time for sparring trips to the moon with the hours she’s been working for the tax season, getting ready for the Atlantis conference next week, and that date with Freelance she squeezed in between conference events. Her calendar is why you’re searching Ganymede at midnight our time.
Zita had been trying not to think too hard about the opening in her schedule. Date’s off. I thought the timing had more to do with the threat of the astronauts being stranded in space and us wanting to hide Andy’s actual top speed.
Wyn ignored all but one part of her reply, her tone distracted. Oh? You took my advice and rescheduled it? I admit I would prefer to enjoy a tour of historical sites or an art museum or three over covering for you if something came up.
No. He canceled. Again. Despite what he texted at Christmas. As she moderated her gait, Zita stared at the ground. A thick, uneven layer of ice covered everything, including the rocks that made up most of the barren landscape. A few had almost recognizable shapes, but nothing matched the robot they’d been told to search for.
I’m sorry, Z. I know you’ve been looking forward to jumping off a bridge like a madwoman with him, Andy sent.
Wyn murmured her own apology, but couldn’t resist appending more. Did you have a chance to have that talk with him we told you to have? Perhaps it’s time to consider other romantic options, as he seems to be pursuing interests other than you.
Zita did another hop, flying over the edge of the enormous crater and landing on the other side, nearly colliding with a weird skeletal, curving object, barely visible through a sheet of ice. No, we haven’t. I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s focus on finding this missing drone.
Andy took the bait, though she couldn’t tell if it was sympathy or the need for the correct term. Probe or rover, not a drone.
The expensive robot doohickey. Zita took another couple of hops and spotted the anomaly as the ground shivered underfoot again. In front of it, a wide track with treads like those of a tank ran in a large circle, ending at a deep crater the height and width of a subway car.
She squinted. Found tracks that might belong to the robot going into a deep hole in front of a... thingy. It’s got to be our anomaly.
Beside Zita, Andy’s jaw was hanging open.
Ice covered the anomaly, giving it a glistening, surreal sheen. Prior to its collision with the moon, the object must’ve been immense, nearly the size of a city block and made of a dark material spread across the paler moon crater and beyond.
The end that had hit the ground and been driven into it was so crumpled and battered that its original shape was impossible to guess. Now it was an L-shaped mess, with an opening yawning from where it had snapped in half. Blackened metal ribs protruded from the gap. Even destroyed, the angles were too sharp, regular, and precise for nature, though the proportions had thrown her off initially. In the debris field near her, frost encrusted an almost perfect cube.
Zita finally sent, Mano, does that look like what I think it looks like, or am I loca?
Andy closed his mouth and rubbed his chin. The anomaly is a space ship.
What? While keeping abreast of space exploration news is not a regular habit for me, I don’t recall any probes landed there. Galileo was destroyed entering Jupiter’s atmosphere, wasn’t it? Wyn sent.
Andy shook his head. No, it’s an actual ship. Not a human one.
It’s gigantic, like the love child of a cruise ship and an aircraft carrier on steroids, even though it’s got huge-ass holes in it and is missing parts. You can borrow my eyes. Zita braced herself.
The crowded, uncomfortable feeling of someone else in her mind filled her head, the warm connection of party line fading away. She turned and slowly surveyed the behemoth so Wyn could get the entire view. As they lacked cameras, they would have to depend on Wyn’s perfect memory to record the sight.
It was a relief when party line returned, leaving Zita almost alone in her mind again.
Wyn’s tone was contemplative. This would explain General Aetherics’ insistence on the rover’s return, rather than abandoning it on the planet as is done with most autonomous planetary exploration vehicles. I am relieved current space travel limitations will prevent the inevitable pillaging and wars to possess the information that ship undoubtedly contains. If we could verify that the rover had not already sent back data, I might have suggested that we forget its existence and claim we could not retrieve the rover. Given their only other source of information on it is damaged, perhaps we could downplay it as odd rock formations, not a ship?
With a frown, Zita continued studying the ship. Pues, I don’t disagree about the war stuff, but hiding the ship’s existence would be a mistake.
What? Why? Wyn’s surprise accompanied her questions.
Andy flew forward and studied the hole that the rover had likely fallen into.
Zita tried to put a vague feeling into words. She ran a hand back and forth over her smooth stone ponytail. One, I’d rather not lie if we don’t have to. Two... there was that bug in the barn in October. Near Mamá.
