The Lost Aria (Earth Song Book 3) Read online

  “What is wrong, young Chosen?” a voice asked in somewhat broken English. An elderly female member of the tribe was walking up with a look of concern on her face and Minu bit back the urge to blow her off.

  “Just got some bad cramps while running,” Minu admitted, then almost stumbling from the pain.

  “Come to my hut,” she invited, “I am a healer in Naomi and would be honored to help our new Chosen daughter.”

  “I can just get a pill from my kit.”

  “Pills,” she said and made a rude noise, “your pills can offer nothing that I cannot do.” Afraid to offend, Minu agreed. At the worst she could take a muscle relaxant after she'd obliged the old woman and eaten her herbs, or whatever.

  Her hut was only a short distance away, for which Minu was glad. The cramps had her almost bent over double as she entered through the fabric screen/door and sat on the offered mat. Now that her legs were less of an issue there was no longer a need for her to sit in a chair. “When did these cramps start?” asked the elderly healer.

  “About half an hour ago,” Minu grunted as another wave hit, “while I was running.”

  “I see, lie back please and remove your pants.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Minu, I am a healer, like your doctors. Now please remove your pants.” Minu nodded her head and reluctantly shed her shorts before lying back naked on the mat. Her abdomen contracted as she stretched out, making her hiss in pain. Shortly she felt the age toughened fingers of the woman feeling her stomach, low, just above her pelvis.

  “I think it might have been the stew last night,” she suggested. Minu could feel the woman pressing on her abdomen and suddenly yelped in pain as the woman nudged something that was the center of the cramps.

  “It was not the stew,” the woman said. Minu was about to ask her what she thought it was when she felt the woman press a cloth between her legs.

  “What the?” she yelped and sat up suddenly.

  “Minu, you do not know what is happening?”

  “I don't know what you’re trying to do to me, old lady, but please don't touch me there.”

  “Look at the cloth.” Minu looked down at the cloth. There was a tint of red on the white cloth. “Take it away and look.”

  Her fingers shaking she pulled it away from her groin to see it covered with dark red blood. “Am I hurt?”

  “It is your moon time, Minu.” Minu looked confused, then with a grumble spread her legs wide and against the nasty cramps bent double to look. With a gasp she replaced the cloth. She was bleeding all over the mat she’d lain on. “You are having a menstrual cycle, Minu, and unless I miss my guess, it is your first.”

  “Um, yeah, it is. Why, I mean how, uhh, oh shit!”

  “You are unusual for starting so late in life, this is sure. You are nineteen, like Cherise?”

  “Eighteen.”

  “I see. Still, not completely unheard of. The cramps are your uterus squeezing out the blood and dead tissue. It is also a way your body practices for having a baby.”

  “Ugh, stop already, I've had anatomy classes,” she said quietly. Of course that was many years ago, back in Plateau, when the other girls all started having their periods. She'd been so secretly grateful that she didn’t share those experiences that as the years went by she'd all but forgotten. The last time it came up was two years ago during a routine physical. The doctor was a Chosen physician who didn't seem overly surprised. He'd explained it was likely due to her very low body fat, and she'd quickly forgotten about the subject. Now she was sitting on a mat in a town thousands of klicks from a modern pharmacy, bleeding like a stuck kloth.

  “What is this scar from?” the woman asked, her finger gently tracing the small scar just above pubic hair. “It’s from a knife, right?”

  “Yes, long story.”

  “It may have damaged your uterus; it’s in the right place. That could also account for your delayed moon times.”

  She just nodded her head. What bothered her most was all the times she'd been hurt, even the last time with two mangled legs, and the blood never really bothered her. Now she felt like she was about to puke. She decided to chock it up to the period. Then she did puke.

  For some reason the hardest part was explaining to Cherise what was going on. Her friend was almost in tears before Minu finally told her what was wrong. Cherise got a surprised, then a sad look on her face. Minu started to cry and then they were holding each other just bawling like little girls. Minu hated to cry, really despised losing control, and despite her best wishes it just poured out.

  Later in the afternoon, her friend again showed how faithful she was when she showed how her tribe’s women dealt with those womanly needs. A simple absorbent cotton pad and a light strap to hold it in place dealt with the blood. It involved checking several times a day to avoid ‘accidents’ as Cherise informed her. Then the other girl insisted she wear a necklace. A simple piece of twine holding a teardrop shaped piece of hematite. She wouldn’t explain why and it was much later when Minu realized that none of the boys were trying to get her attentions. Only the youngest boys who'd pursued her looked at her with curiosity, and a little confusion. The necklace was a tasteful and simple notice; “I am having my period, please leave me alone.” With the cramps (reduced by an herbal tea from the healer) went a headache and slight moodiness. She found herself very grateful Cherise insisted on the necklace after all.

  The next day her 'situation' hadn't changed so Minu took a short jog and a stop at the healers hut. She thanked the older woman, who she finally found out was named Jasaise, and accepted a many month supply of the tea. Minu assured her she would use the tea. Later she sat in on a training session with the young male fighters. This time she only watched, and was disappointed she couldn't really participate. One look at the hematite necklace and she was simply invited to have a seat. Since wearing three golden stars on her sleeve she'd felt her sex less and less of an obstacle. Today was one of those painful reminders that boys didn't have as many issues to deal with in basic reproductive health.

  After an hour of practice they broke for a rest and Minu chatted with them about styles. They were open to interacting with her; they just refused to let her join in the actual practice. After the break, a new man was escorted to the workout area by some older tribesmen. He was easily as old as Ted Hurt, maybe seventy, and had the complete respect of every young man there. To her surprise, as the practice resumed, he skinned down to just a loincloth, common dress for men fighting here, and joined the much younger boys. By this point Minu wasn't really shocked when he started beating the kids one after another. What did surprise her was that he used only a single long stick.

  “He is Ojanbique,” explained one of the young men already beaten and sent to the sidelines. “He is a wanderer from our tribe who travels the desert teaching and living off the land.”

  He came over and smiled when he saw her there, his busy and bright eyes quickly noted her build, skin color, flashing copper colored hair, then the necklace she wore. He spoke in the tribe’s native language, translated by the same young man who'd told her who he was, and held out a hand. “I am pleased to meet the tribe’s new daughter, Chosen Minu Alma.”

  Minu laughed and took the offered hard. “A pleasure to meet the great Ojanbique,” she replied.

  “My legend precedes me?” he asked, and gave the young man a serious look. The boy smiled big, said something in their language and shrugged. Ojanbique chuckled and shook his head. “I understand. You have enjoyed my lessons?”

  “Very much, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to participate.”

  “As am I. Another time, perhaps? Is it true you have fought alien monsters hand to hand?”

  “I'm not sure if they are monsters, but aliens yes. But I have to say, watching you now gives me a bit of a revelation. Would you consider coming to the Steven's Pass facility of the Chosen in a month or so?”

  “I have no means of transportation or even getting in touch with you,
” he admitted, “I'm a simple traveler.”

  “I could leave word here with Casan for the details when I have them worked out. He could send me a message, and I'll come get you personally.”

  “I've never left the desert,” he admitted and scratched the light beard covering his chin, “but it interests me. After eighty years perhaps it is time.”

  “You are eighty years old?” she gasped. He simply nodded his head.

  “It may be months before I am back here, is that a problem?”

  “Not at all. Can you tell me a little about how you use the long stick?”

  The next morning Ojanbique was gone. He'd left her with a promise that he would stop in Naomi regularly for word from Minu. She’d been up late after talking with him, yet another idea of how to make the soldiers more effective fighters. It was the first time she could honestly say she enjoyed a vacation, even if it was more rehabilitation than relaxation. Her legs no longer bothered her at all and she felt nearly one hundred percent. In fact with her mastery of the new legs came their increased endurance and jumping ability. Not as profound as what her arm could do, but still considerable.

  Minu was contemplating reporting for duty ahead of schedule, then discarded the thought. She could make use of the final two weeks. She wasn't even overly annoyed at the emergence of her monthly cycles. Cherise was a big reason for that. Part sister, part lover, Minu didn't know what she'd do without her.

  Cherise woke up as Minu finished packing, unusual for the typically late sleeping woman. “It's not noon, sure you don't want to go back to sleep?”

  “Very funny,” Cherise mumbled as she stumbled into the simple bathroom of her little house. “You didn't think I'd let my new sister leave without saying goodbye, did you?”

  “It's not like I'm dying, just going back to Tranquility to get some work done. I love it here, but I need more computer access. It might be possible here, but I'd suck up almost all the bandwidth you have. And there are kids here trying to learn...”

  “I know, we've talked about getting another network transceiver, it just hasn't happened yet.”

  “Casan is a wonderful leader, Naomi is very lucky to have him.”

  “I agree,” she said as she emerged from the bathroom. Minu zipped her bag and turned to face her. A tear was rolling down Cherise’s beautiful dark cheek. “I will miss my new sister, my lover.”

  Minu blushed but she stepped forward and they embraced, finishing with a full mouth kiss. “I've really enjoyed our time here, and glad you were with me when my body suddenly decided to turn on the baby factory.”

  Cherise laughed and patted her on the cheek. “I've always felt a little like your older sister, even back during the trials.”

  “Then why did you let me lead?”

  “Older does not necessarily mean wiser, Minu.” The blush deepened. “You are the smartest person I have ever known, yes including the 'egg heads' as you call them, because you put it all together and do what has to be done, regardless of the price or consequences.”

  “You sound a little like Jacob.”

  “Screw him,” Minu giggled. “You know what I mean. The difference between what I'm saying and what he says is that from me, it's a compliment.”

  “Thank you.”

  A few minutes later she was standing at the center of the town square, just like two weeks ago, with the residents of Naomi singing her another song. This one felt more sad than happy and Minu couldn't help but feel hot tears rolling down her cheeks. In only a few days, these people had become her family, and she was going to profoundly miss them. As the song wound down they came to her, one at a time with the youngest first, and kissed her gently on the cheek, then whispered a word of their language in her ear. She favored those she knew best with a special smile, or a nod, or more tears. Jasaise got a hug and a kiss in return, the young troupe of fighters, respectful nods. Cherise received an unashamed kiss and a torrent of still more tears. They’d lived as lovers for two weeks; a pair of women openly sharing affections. She’d never imagined such a place of freedom like Naomi existed.

  Casan came last. “Return to us, my daughter, as soon as you can, or when your heart can stand it no longer.”

  “I will,” she said solemnly, and meant it. “One question?” she asked and he nodded, then she inquired as to the word they'd all whispered in her ear.

  He smiled and whispered it in her ear as well, then added; “It means friend.”

  Chapter 4

  May 3rd, 521 AE

  Coma Care Ward, Plateau Mercy Hospital, Tranquility, Plateau Tribe

  The tea was terrible, but what did you expect in a hospital? Minu drank it anyway and tried to enjoy the conversation. Cynthia was sitting next to her in the austere hospital room, also drinking the terrible tea, and telling Minu about her job in Tranquility. “The bank is not as interesting as the theater was in Chelan, and this is such a big city, but the pay is good, and I have an apartment a block away so I can see Pip twice a day; at lunch and then after I get off work.”

  Minu nodded and looked at her old friend where he lay under a light cotton sheet. His face looked older now and someone obviously shaved him regularly (Cynthia?), but his eyes only intermittently opened, and when they did they stared straight ahead. That phenomenon started a year ago and had caused momentary excitement. Unfortunately the doctors pronounced it an autonomic response, and not a sign of coming wakefulness.

  Once Minu had leaned over and looked into those eyes, so familiar yet so empty. But they weren't dead eyes, just vacant. Like a hotel room patiently waiting for the occupant to return. Bed made, covers turned back, a mint on the pillow. The doctors said they knew there were higher brain functions, complex functions in fact. He may well be completely conscious and aware inside his head, and unable to interact with the outside world. She tried not to think about what that would be like, but couldn’t completely avoid the idea. A never ending nightmare where you were surrounded by friends and family. Did he scream for them to hear him, only to be ignored?

  “How're your legs?” Cynthia asked, surprising Minu from her reverie. Cynthia saw her confusion and laughed a little. “Gregg and Aaron were here a week ago and we talked. I mentioned I hadn't seen you in a while and they explained you were in rehab, and what happened.”

  “Glad to hear it didn't make it into the press after all.”

  “They don't like you much, the press. The story they wrote about you saving Serengeti was…sort of a backhanded compliment. I think they're still mad about that bit with the beamcaster years ago.”

  It was Minu's turn to laugh and smile when she recalled that day. They'd been trying to fund the construction of the HERT. The High Energy Research and Testing facility. Of course the press was against the 'needless waste of money’. Her boss then, Bjorn Ganose, in charge of the Chosen science branch, called a press conference to show them how the new beamcasters worked. Under his instructions, she'd fired the weapon at a target only a few meters away, and at full power. The explosion injured several of them and nearly deafened them all. Bjorn had been certain that he and Minu were standing behind a shield, safe from the explosion. They'd gotten the funding for the HERT, and earned the ire of the press in the same fell swoop.

  “Yeah, they don't think much of me.” She pulled up one leg on the jeans she was wearing, still avoiding donning her Chosen jumpsuit while recovering. Cynthia leaned over and examined ugly pink scar tissue gashes running up from mid-calf well past her knee.

  “Looks bad,” was her observation.

  “I’ve had worse,” Minu said and flexed her right arm. Cynthia’s eyes narrowed when she regarded the three fingered hand, a nearly universal reaction. “They had to replace most of my leg bones, knees, and muscles.” Minu chuckled. “About all that’s left in there that’s me is skin. Dr. Tasker, the cybernetic physician, says that all these replacements came from a big cache the Chosen bought a few years back. After the battle last month, there are quite a few more Chosen with gray limbs.”<
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  “I've seen a few in town,” Cynthia said. She sighed and looked at Pip then checked her watch. “It’s getting late, but I can't help spending every minute I can here.”

  Minu nodded then thought about it. “What's wrong?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I've seen you on and off enough over the last few years to know you fairly well. Something is wrong, isn't it?”

  Without warning the slightly overweight girl started crying and couldn't look away from Pip. Minu leaned over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and before she knew it they were holding each other. Minu let her wind down and waited patiently. “The doctors include me in the family meetings,” she sputtered, producing a tissue and blowing her nose. “They didn't do that when he was still at Steven's Pass, but his family insisted here. His uncle calls me daughter.” Minu smiled and nodded. Bjorn was Pip’s uncle, and his kindness to her was in keeping with his gentle nature. A few more tears before she continued. “The neurologist says we're running out of time. The machines that help keep him alive are slowly killing him. Something about how the machines override his body systems and such, the brain is slowly giving up control. They said if it was properly tuned to our physiology that wouldn’t be a problem. At that point they said eventually the individual organs will start to fail, and soon after that he will be gone.”

  Minu remembered some of that from the doctors back when Pip was first injured. There had been some tiny amount of hope for a cure, or his own spontaneous recovery, or even Concordian tech to heal him. When they moved him to Tranquility and the coma care center, she'd known it was because there was no real hope of recovery. It was a warehouse for the living dead. “I'm sorry to hear that,” she said as Cynthia used another tissue to dry her face. “How long do they think?”

  “Six months, maybe a year. He had a spat of renal failure last month, but they got that under control with drugs. The doctor said it was the first sign that his body was starting to fail.” Minu sighed and looked at her fallen friend, thinking it might have been better if he'd died quickly back then instead of slowly wasting away like this.