CHAPTER 1
HAL
After delivering some much-needed supplies to the humans and a few of my brothers who were stranded in place by the massive anomaly moving through this sector, the comforting sound of the snow crunching under my feet helps my mind relax. I am making my way through the thick Timbers, the trees that protect this planet, searching for KyT and the female the others said should be with him. By the look of the Timbers and the fauna in the surrounding area, I know time is not on my side. As much as I want to locate them, if KyT did not make it back to his main ship, the horror of what I might find almost makes me stumble.
Thankfully for the ones living here, the massive asteroid that has caused all this mess on Ethra seems to be moving out of orbit, and I can already feel the temperatures rising. However, this only makes me walk faster, since my body’s natural insulation makes it hard for me to tolerate much warmth. My eyes scan the area. I need to find them before it becomes unbearable and I am forced to leave this moon.
Walking along, I ping KyT’s personal comm unit several times, expecting to pick up a signal. But so far, my scans have noteven detected any heat signatures beyond the animals that have learned to burrow deep, as this moon’s atmosphere is never consistent.
I know KyT would have rooted his ship near the main settlement to be closer to the ones he is helping here, but since I lack his ability to talk to the plant life, I am walking around blindly, as all the tracks have been covered by snow.
That is … unless he decided to reside in the Timbers as he did as a youngling. When that thought hits me, I stop and look up, only to ascertain that if he is up there, I will never be able to see him from ground level. Times like these are when I realize we have come to rely way too much on technology and our AI helpers, but that is why we have them.
“ANDI, can you hear me?”
“Yes HaL, but the static is still heavy.”
“Can you pinpoint me on the surface, give me some directions, or a few landmarks where KyT’s ship was located before the storm hit? I became distracted by Dawn earlier and forgot to ask about this before I disembarked.”
“Our little humans are experts at being distracting but oh, they are so much fun. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. My scanners are still having issues penetrating the atmosphere, but I know KyT’s ship was west of the main compound, on the opposite side of the largest water reservoir on the moon, and the mountain ranges.”
“Frack, I have been heading in the wrong direction. I will check back in if or when I find them.”
“Confirmed and safe travels.”
Turning, I make my way deeper into the main forest area, my eyes looking for anything that seems out of place, as I know his ship always mimics the area when it roots itself after landing. I am just about to turn in another direction when I finally spot it.
Walking up, I stare at the massive ship, marveling at how it blends seamlessly into the surrounding area, but there are no lights or other outward signs that they are even here. The only reason I noticed the ship at all is the multiple platforms and viewers sticking out of its massive trunk. The large roots holding the main ship high above the ground are covered in snow and are so intertwined that they have me walking around it several times before I finally find the lower entrance. This ship is an engineering marvel in disguise, as most would walk right past it, never knowing it was not part of the original landscape.
Knocking on the main entrance several times without an answer, I stick my ear against the door. When I do not hear anything, I decide to climb up onto one of the lower platforms to see if I can get in another way. After a few close calls with the ship’s natural defense systems and several slips, I finally pull myself over the woven-limb railing that is now covered in snow and dead leaves. Putting my face against the viewer, I try to block out the glare with my hands, only to be shocked at what I can see. Thick limbs and vines obscure the interior from the outside.
“Greetings, anyone home?!”
Pressing my ear against the viewer now, I hear a faint sound from inside. Instantly, my gut tells me something is wrong. Looking around the platform, I realize this one is sealed on the inside, but I know at least one must have an outside control panel. By the time I maneuver my massive frame to the next platform, I am cussing. I am too large of a male to be swingingfrom place to place. This door is also closed, but I can see a faint light between the limbs and branches.
“KyT, you in there?”
Suddenly, small fingers slip between the vines, then a pair of dark eyes peer out at me. “Hello! … Can you help us?”
“Please, don’t be scared … I am HaL, one of KyT’s many brothers. Are you in need of assistance? Can you open this door?”
“I’m not sure how.”
I can tell she is practically screaming just for me to hear her. “Are there any levers or screens next to the doorways or viewers?”
“The vines have blocked everything. I can’t get my hands between them to see.”
“Where is KyT?”
She points at the vines themselves, and I realize we have a serious problem here.
“I am not leaving, but I need some help in order to get to you. I am stepping away from the viewer, but I am not going anywhere until we get you out of there. It just might take some time.” Her fingers disappear and I turn away, hitting my comm unit. “ANDI, can you get a message to Father?”
“HaL, I believe he will be in open space shortly. Were you able to locate KyT?”
“Yes, but Frack … as far as I know, Father is the only one who can override any of our ship’s security measures. KyT has somehow slipped into stasis, and I believe the human female is trapped within his branches. Notify MeK and BuK of my location andsee how quickly they can get here. I am going to need some assistance getting inside his ship.”
“Confirmed.”
