Page 1 of Twins for the Barbarians

1

Alicia

It’s been five years, and my memories of life on Earth fade a little bit more with each passing day, though I know they’re all still in me. Experiences, knowledge, sensations. They’re all deeply embedded and a part of who I am. I will never forget that. But my life here on Sunna has taught me that all I can do is take what I know and apply it to this place, to this world, and its people. Truth be told, I’m living every anthropologist’s dream. I’m neck-deep in a different culture, exploring its history and traditions and trying to figure out ways to help an entire people survive.

I’ve become emotionally involved. I fear I’m getting in as deep as Amber and Cynthia. There are moments when I envy Jewel for the platonic friendship she’s managed to build with the Kreek brothers, Yossul and Fadai. Of course, Cynthia and Amber keep snickering about it, telling me it’s only a matter of time before Jewel and I acknowledge the bonds that have been forming over the years. Late at night, when I’m trying to fall asleep and I’m alone with my thoughts, I think about it, and part of me knows they may be right. I just have too many reasons not to get involved with Helios and Kharo at such an intimate level.

I have a civilization to save. I’m devoted to my field and my profession as an anthropologist. It has become my life’s mission, my life’s work. And our quest is far from over.

“Valen is joining his fathers on scouting missions,” Amber says as we sit on the ledge of the steam pool.

The Sky Tribe’s raid never touched the obsidian cave, and even though we’ve moved three towns to Sapphire City, the four of us still come here once a month to catch up, plan for the future, and enjoy the relaxing hot waters. These waters are loaded with precious minerals that have done wonders for our health, our skin, and our overall mood. Something about Sunna has a profoundly mystical layer. I’m dying to get to the bottom of it.

“I’m nervous. It might be dangerous,” she adds with a slight frown.

“He’s almost eight now,” Jewel replies. “It’s the right age for him to begin his rite of passage.”

“They don’t get to be boys here for long,” I remind Amber. “It’s different from Earth, remember? Salem will follow in his big brother’s footsteps soon enough.”

“Don’t remind me,” Amber groans.

The four of us are buck-naked and melting into the steam pool, my muscles already relaxing. It’s one of the few places that feels truly safe in this realm. For some reason, the Sky Tribe won’t touch it. Cynthia thinks it’s because of its therapeutic properties. They’re hoping to use these caves when they reclaim and repopulate the entire territory.

“I just wish my boys had a safer world to grow up in. It’s not fair that they have to contend with a plague and a bloody civil war. It’s been going on for too long.”

“We are tired and worn out,” Cynthia agrees. “It won’t be any easier for my Kala. She’s a hybrid female, immune to the plague and able to bear children someday. Imagine my dread at the mere thought of the Sky Tribe somehow capturing her.”

Jewel shakes her head vehemently. “Not going to happen. We’ve made great strides against the Sky Tribe. And while that meeting with their leader, Shaytan Hull, didn’t yield a truce, at least we have a cease-fire over Sapphire City. The more united our clans are, the better our chances of keeping the city and taking over more.”

“More?” I ask.

“We were talking about Emerald City next. We’ve already destroyed their hangar and the starship they were hiding there,” Jewel replies. After we took Sapphire City, we found a mother lode of weapons, jets, and drones. We’ve got more firepower than ever before, so why not use it?”

Cynthia nods slowly. “The Sky Tribe leadership is faltering. The best thing to do right now is kick them harder while they’re down. They’ve got three starships left. If we take out all three, we destroy their chances of reaching Earth again. Afterward, I’ll be more than happy to see Emerald City, Ruby City, hell, even Diamond City fall back under the Fire Tribe’s authority.”

“I’m working with the Kreek boys on this,” Jewel says. “Our intel says the Sky Tribe moved one of their starships close to Ruby City.”

“South along the river? That’s a tad too close to ground zero for the plague.” Cynthia’s eyes twinkle with renewed interest. “Then again, Kai and Maur would never let me go there.”

“Why would they? They love you to the moons and back, and you’re raising their daughter,” I exclaim. “Of course, they’ll keep you in Sapphire City for your safety.”

Cynthia sinks into the hot water for a few seconds, then comes back up and rubs her face gently; the caramel shade of her skin glistens against the sparkling surface of the pool. “We’ve managed to inoculate every single Sunnaite female in Sapphire City and within the Fire Tribe, but it won’t be enough. I need a cure for this wretched plague, and all of my research so far points me back to Red Rock and Kaos, ground zero for the infection. They isolated the entire area quickly, and something tells me precious information is hidden there.”

“The Hadana twins won’t let you out of their sight,” Amber says.

And then it hits me.

We’ve been getting too comfortable behind Sapphire City's giant blue walls and glistening watchtowers. Kai and Maur have been doing an excellent job of running the city. They have plenty of support from the Tallas and Hadana clan leaders, naturally, and the girls and I have been participating in their council as well. But it’s time to step out of our comfort zone. We’ve talked about this before, but it’s time to take that step.

“I’ll go,” I say to my closest, dearest friends. “I can make my way down to Red Rock, then Kaos. After all, I am immune to the plague, so there is no risk for me.”

“Kingo could join you,” Cynthia adds. “He might end up carrying the plague back, but since all of our Sunnaite women have been inoculated, it wouldn’t do any damage. And I can keep working on synthesizing new treatments from Kala’s and my blood. I’m so close, girls, I can almost taste victory.”

Cynthia’s lab work is tedious and time-consuming, yet she still needs more information about the virus. It has mutated over the years, so going back to its source and studying the Sunnaites’ first brush with the disease might yield better lab results. Once we find a cure, once we destroy those starships, it’ll be game over for the Sky Tribe. The survivors of this species will embrace a better and safer future, and they will be able to pick up the pieces and move forward without dragging other innocent human women into this mess. I’m fine with being one of only four to sacrifice their lives on Earth if we succeed. I’m fine with living out the rest of my days on Sunna.

“Kingo does have the knowledge and expertise to assist me,” I say. “He could definitely come in handy down there. I’d focus on the investigative side, and he’d gather all the evidence and samples you might need for your work in the lab, Cynthia.”

“And should you need any help, I could send some of the Kreek boys over to protect you,” Jewel says. “I dare say we did the right thing when we chose not to move into Sapphire City with you guys.”

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