Trails
15 Jul 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Third planet, Dryooe Flyou KN-A d14-57 System
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The scene was one which could have been ripped from some ancient Earth history book. The section chiefs and gathered elders all sat around a central campfire. The discussions were lively as each weighed and debated the pros and cons of venturing further—pathfinding new mining routes between various locations.
There were good arguments for continuing reputation building in Colonia, countered by the reminder of how the clan was welcomed while referencing the region as being akin to a backed-up zero-g toilet. Humorous as the simile might be, none could say it was not colorfully correct. There was more distancing of opinions on what constituted humor than on the next course for the clan.
Xochitl kept her thoughts to herself, wanting the chiefs and elders to debate the issue. From the moment they left the bubble, to their arrival in this region, the decisions had been hers. They had their say, but the ultimate course was non-negotiable. The decision would still be hers, regardless of their decision, but learning how to come to a consensus was what she needed from them. Once they had cleared that hurdle, then they would be better advisors.
Avery was privy to Xochitl’s thought processes, calculating that it was an interesting approach toward developing her subordinate leaders. The method was not without historical precedence or simile in that it was learning through repetition. The area of concern was in the statistical modeling which dictated that potential cliques would form, leading to the one thing Xochitl neither could nor would tolerate.
Cliques were caustic to the larger community surrounding them, creating fragmentation with the larger structure, generating a sense of exclusivity, and leading to gatekeeping, which would disrupt the clan’s power dynamic, generating social tension. A house divided cannot stand. This far out into deep space, that road had only one end.
As the night wore on into the later hours, the eyes of those present began to look toward her more and more. Xochitl already knew the questions on their minds, as she leaned forward, showing her attentiveness in the growing debate. She knew there would come a time when she would need to make her intentions known, but that time was not yet.
Xochitl’s cybernetics allowed her to listen to the conversations of those clan members who were nearest to the circle. The rumors were already beginning and now she knew, it was time. Like cliques, rumors were caustic. Holding her hand up, she looked at each of those present.
‘We make our own trail. Our home is with each other. Our path is in the stars up there. It is on any of the planets it contains. There will be other worlds. Gather from this one what you can, and leave it as pristine as we found it. Tomorrow we leave.'
Miahuaxihuitl and Carlos looked across the fire at one another, a smile on their faces.
Medical Bay
Utley Hub, Kokoller System
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Inspector Monty Gladsen could not avoid the flood of imagery coursing through his mind. Nightmarish images of bodies scattered throughout the bar area of a destroyed tourist facility. The melted rocks sealed the entrance to a cave, on a moon that had developed a new crater from the release of energy from a hydrogen fusion reactor. The sight of two battle androids rushing. Too quick to avoid the inevitable, blinded by the flash of their joint detonations.
The readings on the medical monitors began to rise as a recurrent sound played in his mind. It was human, but not completely. It sounded artificial. The sound was familiar as the image of a person began to appear, but not completely human either. I know this person, Monty thought to himself, as the medical android on duty paged the human nurses and doctor, who began running to the room.
His eyes fluttered open as the first nurse arrived, her black hair draped over her shoulders. Monty grabbed her arm, gasping in the shock of awakening from his experience. His eyes locked on the hair. ‘Xochitl!’ He cried out, as his eyes rolled back, as other medical staff entered. As consciousness faded, he heard a voice whispering from beyond. ‘To become.’