Ancient Hunter

The receptionist smiled at Ljufu. “Hello Commander Weredale I haven’t seen you for a while?” she turned to me her smile never faltering. “You must be the Hero of Saros it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

It wouldn’t be pleasant if this went wrong. I’d turn from hero to pariah. “I have an appointment with Jennifer Valden?” I hoped I did. It wouldn’t be good if I was turned away now.

The woman glanced at her terminal. “That’s fine.” She looked at me. “We can be a bit informal here. I’m Cindy, Jennifer’s and Thomas’ PA.” She held out her hand in a familiar gesture.

I shook it and Cindy’s smile grew wider. Pressing a button on her terminal she announced. “Jennifer, Commander Weredale and Gwen Hunter here to see you.”

Cindy had an earpiece so I couldn’t hear what was being said but Cindy was nodded happily. “You can go in.”

I stopped Ljufu before she could follow. “Um, Ljufu I need to see Jennifer on my own.”

Ljufu stared at me as if I’d slapped her face. “You’re leaving me out of the loop again?”

I winced at that but if this went wrong she’d at least be safe from the recriminations.

“Ok I tell you later.” Then added to placate her. “Make that two nights at the hotel.”

“Ana will be delighted,” Ljufu replied.

If got out of this in one piece I’d keep my promise. Ljufu settled on one if the couches. I moved past Cindy and walked toward the door I glanced back at her. Cindy wasn’t wearing regulation footwear she’d exchanged them for a pair of fluffy pink slippers. The door slid open and I entered.

The room was larger than I expected. There were no windows only a set of holo screens. I knew they were holos as the view in them kept changing. Dominating the room was a curved desk and behind the desk were shelves with crammed with books and other objects. There were three holo terminals on the desk. Seated at the desk was a figure. Jennifer if I could guess it correctly. I remembered her from the Gala. She was the same with her long chestnut mane and brightly coloured dress. She rose from behind the desk as I entered.

“Gwen Hunter,” she said. “You asked to see me as a matter of urgency?”

I noted she hadn’t raised her hand in greeting. “Yes,” replied.

She frowned I was sure that was faked she knew where I’d been. “The cavern under those desert ruins isn’t about to explode?” Repeating what Ljufu had asked earlier.

I threw away what I was going to say and went straight for the jugular. “I here about the missing Keepers or Janari as you like to call them!”

“Who are these Keepers or Janari as you think I’d call them?” Her reply would have sounded plausible if I hadn’t been sure she was lying through her teeth.

I felt my temper flare when I should have taken a calmer stance. “You know damn well what I mean First One!”

Jennifer sat down her finger hovering over a button on her desk. “Who or what is a First One?” she enquired.

I had enough of playing games I just wanted to know what she knew about the Keepers. “Moon Shadow!” I called out.

Moon Shadow appeared at my command. “Mother?” she said and dropped to her knee her fist pressed in the carpet her head bowed. “First One,” she said respectfully to Jennifer.

Jennifer removed her hand and placed both of them onto her lap her expression neutral. When she spoke it was in the weird language of the Keepers, words no Human could duplicate. Moon Shadow stood her wings partially open her face defiant. Moon Shadow spoke to Jennifer in the same tongue. It was impossible to follow the conversation.

Jennifer turned to me. “I see.” She paused and looked at me directly. “Very clever of you Gwen Hunter. I could have had you dismissed as a raving madwoman.” She waved her hand in the air. “I can’t do that now can I?” She eyed Moon Shadow as she said that.

“First One?” Moon shadow said rising from the floor she still had her head bowed.

“Yes child,” Jennifer replied gently almost in a caring way.

“Can I ask where are the rest of mother’s children?”

“On the world we made for them.” Jennifer sounded puzzled as if she doubted her answer. “Where the rest of you should be?”

“Me, I mean mother and I cannot contact them.” This time Moon Shadow looked up.

“You should be able to. Our only prohibition is Gwen Hunter. She has much too much influence over you. Just look at the way you are acting now?”

“We did take from her without her permission. Her essence is now ours, we are our mother’s children.”

I decided it was time for me to have my say. “The Keepers are my flesh and blood are you denying that?” I said to Jennifer directly. “They were hatched, grown call it as you may from my ovaries.” Adding, “Was not the First Ones who told Mouse they was looking after me?”

Jennifer frowned. “And that is the fundamental problem they should have not done that. As to the other you are correct but that was Thomas’s project.”

“But they did and here we are. As their mother I need to know if at least that they are still alive?” I stepped forward. “I can’t do that since you blocked me out?” I wasn’t sure if my pleading would get me the results that I desired.

Jennifer looked from Moon Shadow to me she sighed. “Alright I’ll seek them out,” she grumbled. She stood deathly still her eyes distant.

I waited wondering what she was doing. She blinked breaking herself out of her trance her eyes wild. “No!” she said hoarsely. She blinked again a stared at me. “We need to go now!” Jennifer sounded afraid.

I wasn’t sure what would scare a First One so it must be pretty bad. “We?” I asked carefully.

She gathered composure and shook herself. “You and I,” she stated sounding more like herself.

“What about Moon Shadow?” I looked across to Moon Shadow standing there still and silent.

“Go back to the safety of your haven,” Jennifer said to Moon Shadow with a nod.

“Mother, First One.” Moon Shadow bowed and vanished.

I was alone with the First One. I wasn’t sure if I was to call her Jennifer of First One. “I best let Commander Weredale know that I’m going with you?”

“She’s already left I made her go home.”

I blinked at that wondering how she’d done that since we were still in her office. Were we still in her office I knew the Keepers were capable of great feats. The First Ones did build a world for the Keepers. “She’ll worry about me.”

“Not with the memories I’ve implanted in her mind.”

I felt my temper rise. “You did what?”

“Made her believe you went home on your own and I sent her home.”

“You can do that. Of course you can!” I hadn’t meant to be so combative. “You can alter someone’s memories just like that?”

“Yes but I normally don’t do that This is a special circumstance. Her worry will only put stress on the child she carries. A child she plans to call Gwen.”

Jennifer had a point although I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth that Ljufu was going to call her next child Gwen. I don’t think Ana would have approved of that.

What she was correct on was the stress levels. “Ok where are we going?” I had a bad feeling I wouldn’t get the chance to pack.

Jennifer held out her hand. “Somewhere familiar to you. It’s a long journey and I haven’t time for explanations.” She waved her hand at me. “Take my hand I can’t transport you otherwise.”

With some trepidation I took her hand finding it feeling as flesh and blood as I was.

Her hand grasped mine hard. “Don’t let go!”

Suddenly white light engulfed me and I felt as if I was moving.