Page 132 of Return of the Nine

Eventually, Vida’s obsession with looking for their parents had driven Ianka to seek silence on the far side of Gaia. She had requested, and been granted, one of the sled-like transports, and every six months, she returned with samples of faraway lands.

“Ouch, Vida. That is quite the download.”

She quickly broke their hug. “Sorry, Ziggy. This trip has gotten me all wound up.”

Ziggy smiled and linked arms with her. “It is fine. So, it has been a while since you saw her?”

They walked down the walkway and into the ship.

Vida was glad that she was using her eyes and not her other senses. There were people everywhere, and they all looked fascinatingly strange.

She prodded Ziggy, “I know that there are supposed to be nine races, but this looks like considerably more.”

“Ah, just like with the Gaians, there are variations in size and function. Each race has its own hierarchy. Light, dark, air, water, forest, rock, beasts and, of course, then there are the two that you will be dealing with.” Ziggy wrinkled her nose. “They areharder to describe.”

“How so?”

“Well, we have the Fury and the Balance. The Fury look like ancient Earth demons and the Balance... well they look like pieces of starscapes come to life. You don’t run into them that often. They don’t mix well with the other races. Well, they do, but the other races get uncomfortable.”

“Why will I be dealing with them?”

Ziggy rubbed the back of her neck. “For what Apolan described and knowing what I do about your talents, a power boost seemed a safe bet. The Balance are nothing but power.”

“And the Fury?”

“They are some of the best pilots and most aggressive fighters. Their auras make them hard to look at, so most folk just look right past them as if sensing evil and not wanting to tempt it.”

“Are they evil?”

“I have spoken with their magistrate on this matter. He seems polite and well spoken.”

They paced up to a pod on a rail platform. Ziggy tucked her inside and sat next to her.

“Where are we going?”

“To the medical bay. According to the news reports, you ended up with a bolt through the shoulder, though the news didn’t name you... as always.” Ziggy sighed heavily.

“When do I meet your husband?”

“Once you have been healed. Rothaway is always eager to meet new Gaians, especially ones that I consider to be friends. Once you have been up here for a while, you will appreciate Gaians just as much as I do.” Ziggy smiled.

“I only want to remain here long enough to find the trail and follow it.”

“We will see what the doctor thinks. She’s a lot of fun once you get to know her but a little hard to get used to. She is one of thepeople of the Rock, but one of the taller ones. We would call her a giant.”

Once they arrived in medical, Vida had to admit that Ziggy wasn’t kidding; the doctor was indeed extremely tall.

“Stand in the scanner, miss. We don’t want any infection to set in, so I need to get a check of your general health.”

Vida winced and stepped into the scanner, knowing what was going to be found.

“Madam Potential, please leave the room. I need to have a talk with your friend.”

Vida sighed. “Anything you want to tell me, you are welcome to do in front of Ziggy.”

The doctor read the scans and focussed them on several points. “Your bones are not strong. You have broken over a dozen individual bones in your lifetime and several of them have been broken more than once. I am amazed that the trip up here didn’t crush you. It is like you are made of pressed paper instead of calcium.”

Ziggy scowled. “So you are telling me she is not fit for space travel.”

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