Page 83 of Stars on Fire

‘We feared this would be the case. So what can be done?’ The question was fielded by L’Ogano Rai, the sallow-faced, tall and extremely thin head of the Interior Ministry.

‘I’ve got an idea, but I’ll need to move fast.’

‘Do what you need to,’ urged the Commerce Minister, Genevieve Ravi.

She bowed, as did the rest of the Free Dunia Council members. They parted so Selene could move past them while Kainan prowled behind her.

Selene grabbed Rina’s arm as she strode forward. ‘I need to get to the grotto. Now.’

Rina’s face fell, confused. ‘Why?’

‘I’m going to speak with the planet’s spirit, its sentience.’

Rina’s eyes widened. ‘Younowthink you can talk to the planet?’

They hurried past the gates and into the well-armed facility.

‘But I thought you didn’t have the gift?’ Rina continued.

‘Remember the night I visited the grotto before I flew to Eden II?’

Rina nodded, perplexed.

‘Something happened. I think I heard a voice in the grotto,’ Selene said.

Rina arched an eyebrow. ‘Really?’

‘Call me crazy, but it felt like a presence was in that pool, place, whatever. It spoke to me. Maybe I can reach out to it now, and it’ll listen.’

‘I think you’re utterly mad, but if you believe this can work, get your ass out there!’ Rina said, pushing Selene forward. ‘As Her Honour said, do what you need to.’

Selene nodded to her friend and the Council members hovering in the background. Then she took off at a jog. She heard footsteps, and in seconds, Kainan comfortably loped beside her.

The meta suits made their run effortless, and before long, they were striding over the jungle behind the Enclave, helmets held in their hands. Despite the storm, waves of tiny, glowing creatures rose from the forest floor, creating bioluminescent patterns around their feet.

Selene caught Kainan’s awestruck expression as he gently brushed off the shimmering lightning bugs fluttering around his face.

She quickly found the flight of stairs leading to the grotto’s cobblestone path. She ducked under the overhanging entrance while Kainan contended with the vines tumbling down the cave’s natural awning, reaching out to ensnare him.

He pushed them away, allowing him to step beside the stone wall enclosing the deep blue pool of water dotted with lily pads and blooming lotus flowers.

He looked around him in wonder at the carved rock figurines, the flickering lamps and draped lotus blossoms. Selene watched him, and felt a pang of longing, wishing she’d brought him here under different circumstances.

But she’d no time to waste.

‘I’ve got to get in the waters.’ She set her headgear down on the edge of the stone wall and rapidly shed her meta suit and boots, leaving only the soft, smart under suit.

She stepped barefoot into the water under Kainan’s watchful gaze, gasping at the cooler temperature against her hot body.

The pool’s mirrored veneer stirred around her hips, and she ran her hands under the surface, lifting them out and watching droplets fall away.

She studied the surface of the water for a moment.

‘Well, Dunia,’ she said awkwardly. ‘Where do I start? I’ve no idea what exactly to say, but here goes. First, I realise it’s not easy to distinguish attacks from space or mid-air as being friendly or enemy fire. The armada circling the skies above Dunia is friendly. They are an alliance between our people and those of Eden II. Together we’re an incursion fleet, here to fight off The Technocracy’s army and a coalition of traitors who killed the Prime and tried to take over the planet. They’re here to help me take back control. So please let them land as they’re not the enemy.’

She paused for a moment. ‘Secondly, the sooner you let them land, the quicker they’ll be able to liberate the cities and help keep more of our people alive.’

Her voice fell away, leaving only the sound of the lapping water and the distant call of birds outside. Selene waited for a minute or two. Nothing happened.

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