When they reached the top of the crest where the land leveled out, away from the beach, he realized that his initial instinct was very much right. There should have been Rhimodians nearby, preparing for the eclipse and returning to Sol-3.
Even if they had somehow missed the transport, a small group of Rhimodians usually remained to ensure there were no issues with equipment during the eclipse.
The eclipse blocked any inter-planetary communications, so returning to the main world was imperative. Otherwise, the Rhimodians could not get new orders. He could not get new orders.
All the meditation in the stars would not solidify the connection to Master System. He would be on his own.
They had some time yet to return, but not much. So, where were his people?
He waited at the top of the rock line for the Ambassador.
She struggled with her heavy red clothing, but the fabric seemed to dry out as she moved. It trailed behind her, creating a train of marks in the sand like a heavy rock had been dragged.
The waves from the ocean lapped against the shore, washing away most of their outlines where he'd laid her and himself after the swim to shore.
He had needed a short time for the nanites to heal his exhaustion. They would help her as well to feel better.
Already she seemed to have more agility than she had when she'd first woken. She had sweat on her brow, and it made her face glitter in the dimming light. Kian estimated she would need nourishment soon.
"Is it only me, or are we actually alone out here?" she asked as she made her way to his side.
"It would appear so," he answered.
"Well, that's odd," she said.
He glanced at her. What did she know about the Rhimodians and their way of life? Had she accessed some sort of information?
During the war, no Terrans had legally crossed their shield that protected Sol and its moons.
It was the Rhimodian's best defense against the Terrans.
Their best defense against anyone. The Galactic Alliance was not taking a position in the war, and the Rhimodians were on the losing side.
And many others knew it. So the Rhimodians did what they had to--they pulled back their attack and refocused on defense. Occasionally, marauders and others of nefarious intent were known to travel through the edge of the Sol system. They wanted to get to Disguised Serenity and other trading posts and avoid the monitored space routes, including the Terran Empire’s territories.
But none ever came to Sol or the moons.
Master System, protocol diagnostics on defensive shielding.
Diagnostics running.Scans complete. System nominal.
The Ambassador put her hands on her hips. "All this equipment. One would think, logically, at least a few would be here, for custodial reasons." She gestured to one of the buildings. "Why have all those quarters, ready to go, if you didn't leave anyone here? That is what those are, correct? Quarters for residents?"
He opened his mouth to speak when his sensors alerted.
He shoved the Ambassador to the ground and lay atop her to hide her from sight.
He wove his arms into the blue-green grass. His skin shifted to blend.
"What in the--"
"Shh," he whispered.
Her eyes opened wide. “How dare you! I am—”
“Shh,” he snapped again as he looked through the tall grass for the lifeforms that had set off his sensors.
They had to be out there.
