Chaper 22:
Arrival
Margret and Colm stroll through the long hallways, hands
intertwined. “His room is in here.” Colm stops.
Margret pauses hesitant, “I’m a little nervous about this.”
“I know. I can feel it.” Colm leans in and kisses her
forehead and Margret begins to feel a calm
pressing against her nerves.
“You don’t have to try and calm my nerves.” she shakes her
head.
“Of course I do.” He grins opening the door and allowing her
to enter.
She gives him an unapprovingly glance before entering.
The room is much like all the others, plain and colorless,
translucent shields keep digital labeled bins snug, hovering above one another.
“Hello, Margret,” the gentlemen eagerly greets her with a
hug, as if this was not a first meeting.
He had an odd but pleasurable smell to her nose, an aged
Cepaen still displaying many attractive features.
“She is a bit nervous.” Colm deciphers.
“Not to be.” He insists. “Hakim is the name.” He removes the
translucent door, ejecting a bin and taking from it.”
“Should I sit?” she hesitates.
“If you choose, it can bring a slight dizziness, but only
for a couple seconds.” He turns and smiles.
She looks at Colm for a moment. ‘If it makes you feel more comfortable sit, my love’. He intrudes.
She slowly sits, searching for the item Hakim holds in his
hand. “So, I’ll be able to understand thousands of languages, in the universe,
once it’s implanted?”
Hakim titters, “Oh no, Margret. You will be able to
understand three billion languages, to be exact.”
“Are there that many to know?” she wonders.
“I am sure more than that. We haven’t discovered them all.”
He grins. “Ready?”
“It’s very small?” she wonders, “I won’t be able to feel
it?”
Colm kneels down to her, “Like a blade of grass, but
thinner, shorter, and not green.”
“You have one, you said?” she seeks the reassurance from her
love.
“All us Planeteers do.” He reminds her.
“So since, I’m partial human it will still have the same
effect on my brain? You are sure of this?” She questions Hakim.
Hakim shows her the small rectangle, device with a yellow
lit dot on it. “I attach it to your
cerebral cortex, up here, underneath your hair,” he points, “I then release the
device, causing this small light to turn orange, it’s as thin as one of these
hairs on your head. Acupuncture like, you will not feel a thing. The mechanism
then guides the thin device to attach itself to Wernicke’s area of the brain.
Once there the mechanism light will then shine red, informing it is time for
removal.”
Colm chimes in, “Then once we step off the ship, there won’t
be a country on your planet that will sound foreign. You will be able to speak
all their languages and understand. You will be the same of us Planeteers, and importantly
we will not have to decipher languages for you.”
“I remember.” She sighs flatly.
“Ready then?” Hakim politely asks, already searching for
placement upon her skull before she can answer. “Hold still. Don’t move.”
“What happens if I moved?” she suddenly wants to know, not
being able to see the device is attached and light switching to orange.
“Size of a folic of hair, is still an interruption in the
brain. Don’t want to disturb the path and chance it slicing through a part of
your brain that it shouldn’t...”
“Oh, good to now
know.” She grabs to the chair steading her. “Okay I’m ready.”
The small device light flashes to red. “You’re already
done.” Hakim smirks.
“Really? That’s it?” she exhales a sigh of relief, feeling
Colm squeezing her hand.
“That’s it, Margret. It has been such a pleasure finally
meeting you. I’ve heard so many wonderful things pertaining to you.” Hakim
compliments stepping away.
“Why thank you, Hakim. Likewise.” She grins humble.
“Thank you, Hakim.” Colm nods leading Margret from the room.
“Time we join the others.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel to European countries. The
thoughts… of Paris… Wow. Never did I
think that it would be like this,
though.” Margret’s eyes lock on Colm’s causing him to grab her in an embrace
and kiss her passionately.
“I promise, I will take you to Paris, after this over.” He
softly gives her lips a last peck. “Your images are amazing.”
“They are only of what I’ve seen on television.” She admits.
He tugs on her hand leading her to a large room, so many
winged creatures in one area, the radiant and beauty made Margret envision what
a heaven must appear to be; their features so perfect and precise as if
Michelangelo carved each one from hand.
Natika approaches, of course embracing them in a group hug
for speaking. “This is it. We are here,” she tries enthusiasm but her voice
quakes a bit. “I’ve never been to another planet or met another Earthling,
other than you, Margret. I must say my stomach feels rather fickle.” She tries
to grin.
“We call it butterflies, feels like they are fluttering in
your stomach. Nervous feeling.” She warmly grins, unexpectedly finding herself
touching Natika for a bit of comfort. “Where’s Zulima?” she quickly switches
gears, eyes searching the room.
“She’s out of transportation with Mother and Father. They
are speaking to France government officials, meeting the commander of the
Franco-German Brigade regiment that is located here. Now we wait.” Natika
informs.
“Do you know where here
is?” Margret wonders.
Natika nods, “It’s called Metz. Metz-Frescaty Airforce Base.”
Colm gives a toothy grin. “She has no idea where that is.”
Margret playfully elbows him in the side, “Must you tell
everything?”
“France?” Natika tries to remember. “The country France?”
“Much more helpful to me. It all comes together now.”
Margret blushes.
The door fades from the barrier to the outside, and Father
appears in the door. “It is time to meet your joining forces. Zulima will stay
in your company. Mother and I will depart from here to the city, Geneva. We
will stay in direct contact with our devices. The devices operate on Earth as
they do our planet. Please, leave inquiries for Zulima, once we all depart from
this Air Base. Please remember that their army has never seen winged people.
They have however been prepared for the appearance.”
Natika quickly falls back to Colm’s side, Margret close on
the other, biting her lip. Margret’s heart suddenly becomes joyfully heavily,
realizing at the same time as Colm, that two of their best friends have just
entered, with Hakim close behind them.
“Opal.” And endearing relief falls from her lips, quickly
nuzzling the handsome steed between her arms. Her fingers stroke his neck,
feeling the softness and subtle twitching on her skin. His velvet muzzle finds
her and gives a comforting sigh, misting her skin from his breath. She kisses
Opal’s squishy muzzle, “I’m going to keep you safe. No one will hurt you.”
Her head tilts toward Colm who strokes Nacreous, promising
the same reassurances.
“What will you do?” Natika ask Hakim bringing Margret and
Colm’s attention directly toward him.
“I wait.” He nods. “My duty is here. I’m not alone. We will
keep things close and safe until you all return.”
“All is a kind
word.” Margret feels her heart heavy, for a moment, of the thought.
Hakim’s lips tighten and he gracefully nods, “Until then.”
He gives the three of them a hug and then nods toward the door, the clearing
becoming easy access.
Colm grabs Margret’s hand and Natika locks his arms tightly.
“Let’s do this.”
*****
Tsunami is in awe of the Bahamas, it is much more like home,
than what she had seen of the United States Country. Marlin had already
departed with the Bahamas defense forces, and Acquavodians’ warriors. They are
to join other forces throughout the countries, once it was figured why, walking
reptiles are now walking cities along the coastlines. The only planet ever
known of such a thing was Surraja, which seemed irrelevant to Earth or the
Divobitian planet.
Kae retrieved the communication essentials for their
division and then, the two were taken to an extravagant luxury, ironically
called Atlantis. Dressed now, in
clothing of Earth custom, to ‘blend in’,
yet followed by two beefy men to assure their safety. One appointed to Tsunami
and one toward Kae, though neither of them were comfortable enough to separate
one another.
Tsunami and Kae sat watching magnificent ocean creatures
trapped behind a piece of glass, viewers ‘ooing
‘and ‘ahhing’ over their miraculous
beauty, pointing and lifting their little Earthlings for better looks, not one,
feeling the display of captivity, could be wronged.
“It is odd, don’t you think?” Tsunami lets the thought roll
from her lips as she observes.
“It’s relaxing.” Kae tries positivity, “Perhaps it is what
soothes them?”
“They find knowledge in this custom as well.” Tsunami adds.
Kae looks at her curious, “You’ve read this?”
“Pure observation, Kae,” Tsunami smug, “Watch, some of the children’s
parents, they’re reading those plaques to them, they explain what the creatures
are. I believe it is a visual learning tool they need to understand the life in
their waters.”
“What’s on her forehead, Mommy?” Tsunami sees the tot
pulling at the mother who now blushes.
“No pointing.” The mother scolds, “I apologize.” The woman
tells Tsunami, as if it were her words. She then begins to scurry the child
along.
“They are different type of Oppenheimer.” Tsunami calls
toward her.
The child halts intrigued struggling to walk back toward
Tsunami. ‘Thank You’, the mother
silently mouths pushing the child along to the next exhibit.
Kae shakes his head, “If they returned, curious, would you explain
the significance and dimension, of each degree of Oppenheimer that rest above
your brows?”
“I would not admit their power, if that is what you are
asking.” She grunts, “You are now starting to sound like Bruinen or Marlin.”
“Good.” He stresses, “The Earthling children are adorable,
no doubt, but please stop trying to cater to their curiosity. It will only end
up drowning us.”
She rolls her eyes standing.
“Where are you going?” he insist.
“I’m tired of sitting here. I’m ready to go outside and
explore.” She begins walking and he quickly follows, noticing the guards hidden
in the shadows, now moving.
The heat is heavy once she steps outside, but toward the sky
only one blazing star makes it a tad milder than what she is used to her on her
planet. She stops and watches the ocean, the clear waves crashing against the
coast, families’ frolicking in the waves or sunbathing on the sideline. “How difficult it is, not to engage with the
ocean the way I know.” She sighs.
“Soon enough you will be engaging with it in a way you have
never known.” Kae reminds her.
She turns toward him and his eyes suddenly widen, pulling
her face into his shoulder, leaning against his thin chest.
“What are you doing?” she struggles to push away.
“Tsu, your forehead, its’ lighting up. The jewels…” he
panics.
“Okay, let me go. I’ll cover them with my hair and we will
retreat inside somewhere.” She pulls away from him letting parts of her hair
dangle in front her face.
“Has that happened before?” he ask.
“Never.” She explains, “But we’ve never been this close to
ancient stone.”
*******
Coming into the crisp air of Earth, it felt a little smugger
than what she had become accustom to on the Cepae planet. The Brigades eyes, uncontrollably,
wide toward all the winged beings standing before them and then suddenly wider
noticing Opal and Nacreous following close behind. As her feet hit the runway
she found her head protectively grasping Opal’s cheek, as if a mother protective
of a child.
“That is everyone.” Zulima announces, the Franco-German commander
gives a nod, then spouting a command that
causes the military to turn and march.
The Cepaen warriors follow behind, with no current
formation. “Our formations are in flight,” Colm whispers to Margret, again must
be prying upon her thoughts.
She wants to be annoyed but is in relief that he is so close
to her. They walk through the large air force base, the military men in France
now talking among the Cepae warriors, harmonizing. The commander fraternizes
with Zulima, who appears so far ahead. The unipegs follow close behind, Margret
curious to how nothing was concerned upon their entry. Do they know Unipegs will find their way outside if they need to
relieve themselves… she wonders, finding herself searching Colm’s face,
seeing if he were listening once again.
Instead, he is engaged with Natika, participating in mild
chatter and brief laughter.
Margret struggles to not feel envy of their friendship, and
decides not to pry, instead admiring the experience, flinging a small peck
against Opal’s muzzle.
Up ahead, Zulima and the Commander pause, causing the
reaction among everyone. “I am Commander DuPont, again for those of us meeting
the first time.” He begins. “And again, this is Zulima, who resides next to my
side.” He introduces, following with a speech, in French, Margret sure to not
understand if it weren’t for Hakim’s implant.
“Let us unite among each other, find a harmony of peace and
understanding as we move forward together in joining other European forces to
stop the spread of the vampire into our world.” He continues, “It is our honor
to work alongside a planet as peaceful and loving as yours, that we find trust
and security as you fight above, to what we cannot reach. We are eager to learn
your ways as we hope you are eager in learning ours, let this be a defining
moment in truce between France, Germany and the Cepae planet as we move forward
into a combat we not know what yet awaits for us.”
The earthlings begin to cheer, the excitement contagious to
the loving Cepaens, who in return, begin grabbing random military, and in doing
the thing they know best, hugging them. Margret finds too much humor in the
loving but chaotic scene and begins with uncontrollable laughter; finally, her
not the only victim to the huge amount of hugs, of the flawless, Cepaen people.
“We should contribute,” Colm grins.
“You go; I’ll stay next to Opal and Nacreous.” She insists.
“They are fine. Nothing is going to happen to them.” Colm
tries to reassure her.
“Keep telling yourself that,” she squints toward him, “These
two rarities, on Earth, will make someone very rich if they were to get their
hands on them.”
She feels Colm trying to pry further in her mind and she
quickly blocks him. Mind yourself. She
mentally scolds. He returns a sly glance and he joins the crowd in
introductions.
A man, walks to Margret, “They are magical.” His eyes light
up. “May I touch it?”
Margret thinks for a moment meeting the unipegs sweet faces,
feeling Opal’s flattery. “They are flattered. Yes.” Margret decides not to deny
the unipegs their glory. “They are unipegs.”
The man gently holds out his hand for a moment, before stroking
their velvety skin. “I feel as though I am in a dream today. Tomorrow I will
wake, and everything will be as it always was.”
“I completely understand.” She finds herself speaking the
French language. “I at one time too felt this could only be a dream.”
“To be on Earth?” he decides.
She pauses for a moment, wondering if she should reveal her
imposter self, but instead thinks of it being easier to not explain at all,
“France. It’s lovely, from what I’ve heard, and I’m anxiously waiting to explore.”
“I can show you.” He enthusiastically offers. “Oh, may I?”
he suddenly changes the subject pulling a small, black felted bag from the
hidden pocket beneath his uniform. “May they have this small treat? It is
called a sugar cube. It is what we give our horses. They look much similar
without the horn and wings.”
“You’re an animal lover to carry around sugar cubes?”
Margret’s lips purse as she sizes up the man’s integrity.
He finds a smile, “I am. I ride at night when I leave here.
Our horses are nothing as impressive as your creatures, but I’d be honor to
introduce you to them.”
“Honestly, I am not sure if they should have the cubes,” she
quickly changes the subject, remembering Colm’s story of how horses came to be
on Earth in the first place, “We have them on a strict diet from our own planet.
It’s important they stay on it.”
He nods, “No offense taken. Of course.” Packing the sugar
cube away, I can take you on that journey tonight though, if you’d like, we
could invite some others from your planet if it would make you more
comfortable.”
“Perhaps, not the horses so much as the city itself?” she suggest.
Colm returns to Margret’s side. “We have a night here before
we depart on our journey.”
“Oh, yes, um…I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name?” Margret
inquires toward the Franco-German solider.
“Lucas.” He smiles.
“Nice to meet you Lucas.” She turns toward Colm, “Lucas will
take us out to see the city.”
“I’m not sure. Everyone is staying in; we don’t exactly fit
in out there.” Colm unsteadily tries
to explain.
“Nonsense. We do. We don’t have wings hanging off our back.”
She disagrees, “I want to explore Metz while we are here. Please come with.
Maybe Zulima will even join, some of the other healers?”
“Look, I do not want to cause friction, it was merely an
offer. Please find me if you decide you want to go.” He nods giving Margret a
kiss on her hand and turning away to some of his other men.
Colm is blind to Lucas’ subtle flirtation, “Very well. One
night we see the city, but I feel we should seek Zulima’s approval.”
“Of course.” Margret agrees turning to the unipegs, “Don’t
worry, you’ll stay with the warriors. You’ll be safe.”
******
Tsunami exits the restroom, short, thick bangs dangling
above her brows, “Better?” she ask.
“Oh, yes, I can’t see them at all.” Kae stands. “Are you ready to check out this place?”
“I am.” She excitedly admits.
*****
The night air is smooth against her face; the salty, ocean
scent, falling heavenly against her nose. They walk into the casino area of
Atlantis, now booming with nightlife. “That man over there has drinks. Let’s
see what an Earth drink taste of.” She suggests.
Kae hesitantly follows her to the bar. “What can I get you?”
the bartender asks.
“Uh…. A drink.” Tsunami decides.
“What kind,” he tries to hurry her along.
“My first time here, surprise us.” She smiles.
“Okay, your surprise then.” He nods his head, then mixing
liquids, shaking, pouring and garnishing; Tsunami’s head swings back and forth
trying to follow the man’s sudden movements.
He slides two blush, iced drinks, with floating orange slices,
cherry and topped with a decorative umbrella.
“That’s eight.” He instructs.
“Only two…?” Kae questions.
Tsunami quickly whispers toward him, “Their currency,
remember. They do things with paper or that plastic stuff, here. Do you have
that thin card thing, they gave us?” she ask.
“It’s in the room.” Kae sighs. “I have that card key they
gave us.”
“You room here?” The bartender chimes in.
“We do.” Tsunami nods.
He slides over a piece of paper and gives her a pen, “Just
write your room number here and sign.”
She observes the pen for a second and then spies a man
across the bar using the writing utensil. She watches as he confidently scribbles
and slides the paper across the wood and walks away with his drink. She chews
her lip for a moment and then subtly, lets the ball point tip touch the paper, lifting
and witnessing a small microscopic dot against the paper. “Hmmm, look at that,”
she grins writing their room number and making a line across the paper where
her signature belongs. “Our penmanship is slightly different.” She hands it back
to him.
He eyes her oddly, “Well, okay.” He swipes the paper and
quickly falls into the next customer.
Tsunami hands Kae his drink and with a grin at one another
they begin sipping, the sweetness sparking against her tongue, followed by a
faint burning, trailing down her throat. “Wow.” Her pupils exploding against
the taste.
Kae chugs his down and when he comes up for air grinning,
“I’m ready for another. That was quite invigorating.”
*****
Three hours later they find themselves stumbling against one
another over man made rocks, decorated through imaginary streams, caves,
decorated with aquariums of fish. “I feel a bit dizzy, Kae and tired.”
Kae begins to chuckle, “Look at those Earthlings over
there.”
“What are they doing?” Tsunami slurs, “Talking to the fish?”
“Do you think the fish understand?” Kae laughs.
“Perhaps we should take note, maybe they are cleverer than
we have thought…” she tumbles up to the couple who quickly quiets their
laughter, judging her “Are you talking to the fish?”
“Ooooooh, I thought you meant the fish more clever. Not the
Earthlings!” Kae howls.
The man laughs with them, “We were. Oddly, talking to the
fish, that is.”
“Wow.” Tsunami’s mouth exaggerated. “When did Earthlings
require this gift?”
“Uh…Well…” words lost, he turns to his lover.
“We’ve always had it.” She smirks. “Look at the fish; he
just keeps staring at us. Observing us as much as we observing him.”
“Yes! He is. Though he
is obviously a she.” Tsunami
laughs trying to lean her body against the wall and falling over. Kae runs to
pick her, struggling and falling over her.
“Have fun tonight you two!” the couple calls back to them
quickly hurrying away, “You get too drunk, the hangover is awful under the
sun.”
“What’s drunk?” Tsunami pouts to Kae, trying to push herself
off the ground, she surrenders resting her head down on the concrete and
staring up at the fish swimming over her.
Kae cracks up laughing, “I’m not sure Tsunami. I need to get
some of these drinks for back home though.”
*****
Margret’s head rises to the night sky, hitting the peak of
Cathedrale Saint –Eteinne, even more massive under the spotlights, defining the
huge stain glass window in center. “It’s breathtaking.” She sighs.
Colm pulls her into his side, “The structures here are
magnificent. I’ve never seen such royalty owned, in simple buildings such as
this.”
“Because they aren’t simple at all. Not only does the
magnitude of the beauty amaze you, but the history of them, it burns a curious
flow deep in your veins.”
Colm brings her in, embracing her, “Come let us see more
before we need to meet up with the others.”
Margret and Colm run through the city, dancing past the
fountain of the Opera-Theatre and traveling in taxis to the Temple Neuf and
further; the full moon adding light to their exploration.
The night finally ends them at Vivian’s Pub Fairy, where
Zulima sits at a table with some military
men, including Lucas, and Cepae’s healers.
“It’s a shame that Natika and the other warriors don’t get to
experience this.” She thinks aloud.
“I agree. But they are having their own festivities with
some of the other people of Franco-German resident. A gala of a time. Even our
unipegs are there.” Colm beams with the excitement, “After our meal here, let’s
join them.
“Okay,” Margret agrees, then hesitates, “Wait, how did you
know about the other festivities.”
“Natika contacted me when we were out, of course.” Colm
approaches the table.
“Of course.” Margret mumbles from under her breath.
Margret’s body quickly drifts toward Zulima, wrapping her
arms around her. Zulima pulls a chair from another table allowing Margret to sit
beside her, feeling suddenly important, as Zulima has felt untouchable since
they have arrived. “Commander DuPont, this is Margret, your very own Earthling
I have spoken of.”
“Margret, what a pleasure and honor it is for you to be part
of such a beautiful planet, yet were grounded here on Earth, with us at one
time.” He tries to compliment.
“Thank you, sir.” She nods, “It is indeed a honor. Zulima
found me, here on Earth, became the mother I’ve always wish to have.”
Zulima’s lips widen warmly as she slightly lets out a
bashful burst of laughter, “Really, Margret often talks up a rare moment that
presented itself. I merely acted and fell in love with the dear child.”
“Modest too, if you noticed, Commander, Sir,” Margret finds
Colm chatting toward the end of the table, meeting her hazel eyes for a brief
moment and giving a twinkle. She returns the gesture as he returns to his
conversation, her head toward Zulima and the DuPont, yet her eyes shifting. One
long table, laughing soldiers and healers among one another; Cepae and Earth,
two planets sitting in the same pub, Metz, a city of France… Margret’s heart feels
warm as she lets her head fall against Zulima’s shoulder, the laughter, the
French people’s inappropriate pub humor, falling upon the peaceful night… now
becoming interrupted with horrid visions of death…
Read Chapter 23: Rogue
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