Water and Power Read online

Centuries or perhaps longer ago, the Wyorans realized that members of their population were unable to reel in their own minds. Their minds sought out others and manipulated them to their purpose. Links were trained to protect their own mind while helping those wild telepaths gain control over their own abilities.

  So, Stanik controls Veera?

  He protects parts of her mind that would normally be exposed. He gives her privacy, and in return, she can offer it to others. Her family was worried that she would go mad.

  She has family?

  She was born to a group of travelling performers. They found a world that could shelter her, and she offered silence for the dead. It worked well until her mind began to expand and touch the shores and cities miles away.

  And then someone sent Stanik in?

  Her family brought him in. They sought help for her, and once that was established, their link was forged and she began to function as a normal telepath again. Fixit came later.

  Is that normal for the people at the Citadel?

  Many here have been captured, abused, tortured, and all for their talents. You are not alone.

  Mora looked around and saw several women walking with young children. Where did they come from?

  They were taken from the same station where Fixit’s people were being held. The women were bred against their will to create a stronger talent in the next generation.

  That is horrible.

  And yet, the children are loved. They have a home here, and while their mothers would be despised in their own cultures for breeding outside their species, here they are citizens of Balen.

  They look happy. She watched as a little girl carefully carried a tumbler full of juice.

  Each step sloshed the juice out of the cup and Mora acted on impulse. She caught the juice before it hit the floor and created a little parade of blobs that hovered in the air behind the little girl. When she was seated with her mother, Mora brought the splashes forward and spun them in the air just above the table in a pinwheel that expanded and contracted until it turned into tiny juice Yaluthus that hopped into her tumbler one by one.

  The little girl was staring at her cup with wide eyes, and when the final beastie waved its arm and dived into her tumbler, she clapped wildly.

  Her mother looked around and Mora gave a shy smile and waved. The woman grinned and Mora felt relief. Not all mothers would enjoy the idea of someone playing with their child’s juice.

  Mora looked back to Tranoth, but he was busy finishing his food, a smile around his lips.

  Plink demanded another handful of seeds, so Mora held it for her.

  Twenty minutes later, she felt a tapping on her arm. “Lady? Mum said that you made my juice move.”

  Mora looked down at the wide-eyed pale blue face. “Yes, I did.”

  The little girl held up a nearly empty cup. “Can you do it again, please?”

  “Certainly, since you have asked so politely.” Mora pulled the ounce of juice up and turned it into a Yaluthu walking the edge of the cup and flapping its stubby wings.

  The little girl was enraptured. Her mother stood behind her and smiled. “Thank you. She was thinking that someone was playing with her mind. She has no shields, so this was important.”

  Mora swallowed and extended her hand. “I am Mora.”

  “Twineth, this is Eska.”

  Eska was staring at the creature on the edge of her cup and ignoring the adults.

  Twineth smiled. “She is a chatterbox, so don’t be surprised when a tiny horde of children start following you when you are here, each carrying juice.”

  Mora grinned at the image the words conjured up. “I will work on my storytelling.”

  “I wish you well with your recovery. Come along, Eska.”

  “Recovery?”

  “You attracted a Yaluthu on your first steps here. You must have needed companionship and healing more than you needed a place to live.” Twineth smiled.

  “I think I did.”

  The juice Yaluthu flapped its little wings frantically and Eska opened her mouth. She smiled as the liquid resumed its nature on her tongue. “Thank you, Lady.”

  “You are welcome.”

  Tranoth was smiling at her and he poured her another cup of tea. “What are you thinking?”

  “Is there a career option where I can make juice tell stories?”

  He chuckled. “If there is, I am sure you will find it.”

  That moment had brightened her darker thoughts and she finished feeding Plink, streaming water into her little beak until she was replete.

  “I believe it is time for bed, Plink.”

  Tranoth agreed. “I will show you the limited dispenser in your room. It will provide you with water, tea and sandwiches. You will have to come down for all proper hot food.”

  They got to their feet, and she and Plink led the way up the stairs. It was time to get a good night’s sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Every morning, she worked on her knowledge of the base, and she picked out courses to attend. Her list of tools, materials and space requirements had been handed off to Stanik, and he had told her that the students were going to work on their stone and woodcraft, bringing it to life.

  Eska was indeed chatty. Each morning, she came down for breakfast and a line of little people with juice glasses waited for her. While she ate, a few ounces from each cup turned into fantastical creatures and went swimming from one cup to the next.

  When she finished her meal, Plink chirped a warning for them and each little person opened their mouths to receive their little creature as it turned back into juice.

  Tranoth was off doing whatever was required of him at the Sector Guard base, so Mora was getting used to meshing with a new community.

  Today’s morning class was botany and flower arranging. She looked forward to seeing some of the alien plants grow.

  She helped the instructor with administering the water supply to the plants that he was force growing. Mora monitored the soil and put the water where it was needed.

  The flowers bloomed in minutes, and she was lost in the wild scents that she had assisted into the room.

  “Thank you, Specialist Morakil.” Botanist Tenyo smiled softly.

  “It was fun.”

  She took a seat at the table and watched as he showed those gathered how to harvest the flowers for the optimum length of time on display.

  She got out of her chair when Veera entered the room.

  “Specialist Morakil? Would you come with me please?”

  Mora could see Veera’s nervousness as she approached.

  The moment they were outside, she walked quickly, “Mora, I have an assignment for you if you will accept it.”

  Mora scampered to keep up, holding Plink on her shoulder. “What is it, Veera?”

  “Two systems over, a meteor crashed into a moon, shifting the orbit and causing a tidal event. There is a city of five million being evacuated, but they need time to get everyone to safety. Tranoth has offered to help with maintaining power for vehicles and equipment, but we need to know if you can hold back the incoming tide.”

  Mora felt Plink’s strength in her thoughts. “I believe I can.”

  Veera’s shoulders shifted in relief. “Thank you. Has Tranoth been in contact?”

  Mora chuckled. “No. He and I agreed that it would be rude to interject into each other’s mind if we couldn’t be seen. We might have to surrender that thought for this event, but currently, rules are rules. Is there a chance at getting the moon back in proper position?”

  “There is but not for two days. We are the closest base, and we can have you there in two hours. Saru and Balen have agreed on an in-system jump. They will handle the spill-over of energy.”

  Mora nodded and followed Veera out the door to the transfer point where a skimmer was waiting.

  Veera paused. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I am sure that
no one should die if I can stop it from happening.”

  Plink chirped in solidarity.

  “Specialist Morakil, please accept the thanks of Balen Citadel for your service. Good luck.” Veera shook her hand and smiled.

  A moment later, Mora was flying over the valley toward the Sector Guard base and the feel of Tranoth’s mind. He was waiting, and he was both excited and nervous. They didn’t need to talk anymore because they could feel each other, all day every day.

  She joined him on the ship, and he stroked at Plink for a moment, scratching her under her beak until her eyes closed. The action put him close to Mora, and they revelled in the excuse to be in proximity.

  The Guardsman urged them to strap in and a special harness was provided for Plink to place her in Mora’s lap. The sleek silver ship lifted, and they were off to save a city of millions.

  So, how was flower-arranging class? Veera mentioned it.

  I only got to see the flowers being cut. I hope they will repeat the course at a later time. I used to love having flowers in my room.

  Do you? I never suspected. He smiled at her from across the seating area.

  I never expected you to have an interest in the classes I am taking.

  I have an interest in everything about you. You know that. It preceded the linking of minds.

  I know. I just have no frame of reference for this kind of situation. I don’t know what happens next.

  What happens next is we drop onto Jalku and you hold the water from their city while I keep the vehicles going for the evacuation. If all goes well, the moon will be back where it belongs in a matter of hours. If it doesn’t, at least we get the people to safety.

  Right. Lives first, property second. Damn, do we have food for Plink?

  Yaluthu food is packed into all Balen ships now, just in case.

  Smart.

  Plink chirped in confirmation.

  They sat in outward silence while they silently spoke the entire trip.

  When the ship entered the bucking atmosphere of Jalku, they were both ready for action and deeply calm with their connection refreshed.

  The moment the pilot opened the door, she stepped out and breathed deep. The air smelled wrong. The sea was churning and clawing at the city down below.

  “I am going to work. I will rest when the tide recedes.” She took Tranoth’s hand, squeezed it and took the path that led down to the edge of the water where it was licking at the stone of the city.

  As she approached, she pushed the water back, into a tumbling coil of churning fury. She eased the water up and over, back on itself, holding the pattern of the water and keeping it from taking the city as its own.

  Behind her, she could hear people calling out in relieved sobs, but they were not for her to concern herself with. Mora had to hold the ocean back across five kilometers of structure. It required concentration.

  A woman grabbed her and sobbed her thanks. The coil of water buckled and wavered. Hands pulled the woman away, but Mora had to fight to regain the control she had just lost.

  Sighing, she allowed a column of water to flow in, and she used it as a fence between her body and those of the citizens. If that hug had proved anything, it had shown that they needed to leave her to her work.

  * * * *

  Tranoth was topping up the batteries of the transports that would take folks inland. He heard the cries of amazement and looked briefly toward Mora.

  She was a tiny figure in the distance with a green blob on her shoulder. Ahead of her was a coiling wall of water half a kilometer high. She held it there, away from the public and kept the city dry.

  The surge of the crowd toward her sent fear through him. A figure hugged her and the wall of water buckled and surged back toward the city. More figures in the crowd came forward and pulled the hugger off Mora. It had been a near thing.

  A column of water moved out of the coil and shifted to cut off Mora from the crowd. She was taking her safety into her own hands, so to speak.

  Tranoth smiled and turned back to his work. Star Breaker and Stellar Storm were on their way. If anyone could shift the moon back to its proper alignment, it was them.

  He put his focus back into powering the vehicles and getting the people to safety.

  * * * *

  After six hours of holding back the ocean, the tide receded and Mora was ready for a break. Plink was hungry, but she hadn’t wanted to complain.

  Mora dropped the water back to its normal levels and wearily climbed back up the hill toward the ship.

  I am taking a break, Tranoth. The next tide will be in five hours and I need to rest up.

  Understood, Mora. Have some lunch, feed Plink and I will meet you there when I can.

  I will put a pot of tea on for you.

  Thanks.

  She grinned and found the Yaluthu food in the dispenser while she was ordering some herbal teas. While waiting for her own meal, she fed Plink. Her stubby tail wiggled happily while she ate the seeds and nuts that were provided for her.

  Her own soup and sandwich were bolted down with one hand while she found and folded out the bunk that was hers. She set the chronometer to wake her in five hours and lay down with Plink cuddled against her.

  * * * *

  Tranoth stroked Mora’s cheek and smiled. She was doing an amazing job and the evacuation was gaining ground. Another twelve hours would see the city empty and they could return to Balen. Whatever happened next was beyond them.

  With one more touch to her cheek, he returned to his station and he worked at refitting the batteries with additional power. Too much energy and they would short out the vehicle systems and too little, they would not make it back. It was quite the attention-requiring activity, but his thoughts were in the ship with the woman he wanted.

  * * * *

  When the chronometer woke her up, she asked Plink, “Do you want to come with me or stay in bed?”

  Plink hopped onto the pillow.

  “Deserter. Fine. You know where I am if you need me.”

  She scratched Plink under her chin until the little wings flapped, and then, Mora went to grab another sandwich before resuming holding back the sea.

  Mora skipped down the path with her food in one hand and a canister of tea in the other. This was going to be more violent than the first day. The water was angry if water could be such, it was churned up beyond its pattern and the world under it rebelled.

  She set her picnic at her feet and raised her arms, pushing back the encroaching water and holding it behind a wall of water and another. She was forcing it to hold itself and she was confusing matters.

  This tide was harder, angrier, and deep in the sea there was a volcanic rupture. She had to tell someone.

  I apologize for the intrusion, Tranoth, but there is a volcanic issue erupting in the sea. Can something be done?

  I will notify the Sector Guard and Citadel Balen. They will advise.

  Thank you. The water is warming gradually, but it should not be getting that warm that fast.

  Understood.

  Mora kept working to hold back the ocean, and when he told her that assistance was arriving for the moon, she felt the relief in her bones.

  Eight hours of pressure on the water, coaxing her element to turn on itself, had worn her out.

  Mora waited and confirmed that the waves were not endangering the city before climbing back up the hill and dropping into bed. Four hours until the next tidal pounding and she need sleep more than food.

  Plink settled next to her a moment before everything went dark.

  Chapter Eight

  When the chrono went off, she pushed herself into motion and got Plink’s food first, putting the small bowl on the table and boosting Plink on cushions so she could reach for herself.

  Mora ate mechanically and swallowed water with a focus on returning to work.

  It is over, Mora. The moon has been adjusted.

  How?
<
br />   Star Breaker and Stellar Storm. They used another meteor to strike the moon back into place. That is what took so long.

  Oh, thank the stars. I will check the ocean temperatures and make a report if I may.

  If you like, but we have also brought in that volcanic specialist. She is waiting to speak with you, actually. She is one of yours.

  One of my what?

  She is of Resicor.

  Mora was out the hatch and looking around in seconds. A woman with a shock of green hair was waiting against one of the equipment bins. She wiggled her fingers. “Greetings of the day.”

  Mora walked up to her and blinked. “You are really from Resicor?”

  “I am. I did some time in the dome. You?”

  “I was the water supply for New City.” Mora bit her lip.

  “I am Hahvi.”

  “Mora.”

  Unable to hold back, they hugged, sisters under the skin.

  “Who got you out?” Mora muttered against her shoulder.

  “Citadel Morganti. You were brought out by Citadel Balen?”

  “Apparently. You are the volcanic specialist?”

  “Fire elemental, apparently. My fire just happens to be wrapped around melted stone.”

  “Water elemental.” Mora finally released her new friend. “I thought that the dome folk were stuck in their suits.”

  Hahvi made a face. “We were. The first one to be pulled out was the baseline for removal. They skinned her and then healed her. It was the only way, but they got better at it once there was a second suit and a third.”

  Mora felt her stomach flip. “That sounds horrible.”

  “Less horrible than living in the suits. Trust me. They did it to keep us from breeding inside the dome. No comfort was to be allowed, even physical contact was blocked by their machinations.” Hahvi smiled. “Well, now, is this your first assignment?”

  “Yes. The city is still standing so that is something.”

  Hahvi laughed. “It is indeed something. Now that I know where you are, I will tell the others. Expect to get some calls from some very odd women in the next few weeks.”