Chummy rubbed his rounded belly and fell over onto his side. Pi was sprawled out in the center of her bed snoring. The Peekaboo was surrounded by fruit, nuts, and an assortment of odd trinkets that she had found fascinating.
“You know, you two really need to keep your treasures in your own beds, not mine. It will take me an hour to clear everything off,” she gently admonished.
Chummy smacked his lips and pulled himself over until he was curled up next to Pi. Raia knew it was a pointless argument. They did this every time they journeyed anywhere. Her bed always seemed to be their go-to place when they got back from their exploring.
Sighing, she shook her head and decided she would grab a hot beverage and check the scanners. Despite never meeting anyone here, old habits die hard. The last thing she wanted was to become complacent.
She exited her cabin and walked the short distance down the corridor. The sound of a woman’s voice drew her to Behr’s cabin. The door was open, and she paused at the entrance.
“Post supernova: Year Four hundred twenty-five: This documentary is provided for any returning survivors in the hope that it will help them understand what has happened here in the event that none of those who remained behind survive.
“Several generations ago, scientists predicted the star we called Nebulona was on the verge of going supernova. The inhabitants of the closest planets began evacuating to the Marastin Dow home world. The star’s instability increased more quickly than expected. Fear spread that the binary star gravitationally locked with it would also explode, destroying all life in this star system. The decision was made that an exploratory mission was necessary. A group of our highest-ranking officers were dispatched to find a suitable planet for the inhabitants of our world. There was hope that we could settle on the Valdier, Sarafin, or Curizan worlds, but the commanders believed we would not be accepted. We wouldn’t know until they returned.”
“How far have you watched?” she quietly asked.
Behr looked up from where he was sitting on his bed. “Just the first part,” he responded.
She walked over, sat down on the bed, and scooted up until she was sitting next to him. He placed a pillow behind her back. The simple, thoughtful gesture sent a wave of warmth through her.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“I had to modify the vidcom reader to get it to work,” he said.
Raia looked at the portable vidcom displayer. Behr had removed the outer casing and adjusted the drive bay to hold the crystal in place so the laser could read the information.
“You’re pretty creative when you need to be,” she teased.
He chuckled. “It has come in handy at times,” he admitted.
“I guess we should find out what happened next,” she said.
He nodded and pressed the play button. The frozen image flickered. She unconsciously reached down and grasped Behr’s hand when the woman began to speak again.
“The description of the final events of our civilization is based on written and verbal documentation left by those that survived the initial blasts that hit the planet. Post Supernova: Year One: The first waves of destruction from the supernova destroyed the home worlds of the Tiliqua, the Gelatians, the Antrox, and the Dregulons. The ripple effect from the first shockwaves caused severe damage to our planet. Tsunamis, earthquakes, intense weather patterns, and volcanic eruptions were reported worldwide, with ninety percent of the cities destroyed. There was a prediction of stronger shockwaves and tidal waves to follow. With the fear of a second explosion, the Council of Scientists decided that an immediate evacuation of the planet was necessary. Only a few key scientists would remain.
“No one really understood the amount of devastation that was to follow. Reports began coming in of a large asteroid field between our planet and deep space. Four thousand and six ships out of five thousand were lost. The asteroids were remnants of the destroyed planets and were said to contain a magnetic property that pulled the ships toward them. Reports intercepted during the mass evacuation relayed there was a living parasite inside the asteroids that engulfed the ships, entrapping them. Attempts to rescue the passengers ended with the rescuers becoming entrapped. No one was spared.”
“Ander reversed the magnetic field on the outer hull. I did the same to the EA II. That is how we were able to get through,” she murmured.
“A negative against a negative or positive against a positive, thus repelling each other,” he murmured.
“A decision was made today for the evacuation of those remaining on the planet. Our engineers have made a break-through on engine technology, and we believe that we can safely navigate through the asteroid belt. A rudimentary jump gate has been constructed and will be deployed once we make it off the planet.
“I’m hesitant to leave, but there are so few of us left. Any hope that others will one day return have faded. I’ll admit that I’m scared. My fear is that no one survived, which is why they never returned. Most of my peers believe that the survivors concluded this planet is no longer viable—or perhaps doesn’t even exist any longer.” The woman looked down at her hands and was silent for a moment before she looked up again. “My expertise is in horticulture. I understand how plants survive—and know how difficult it will be to keep them alive in space. If we do find others of our kind still alive, I hope that once they know our home world is still habitable, they… I can return. If you are watching this, then my dream has come true, and I would like to be the first to welcome you home.”
The holographic image flickered before fading out. Raia’s heart twisted with grief when Behr took a long, shuddering breath. She squeezed his hand in sympathy.
“There have always been rumors of a forgotten world. I was young, but I remember some details and I do have fragmented memories of my mother. She loved digging in the soil. I remember that she used to carry me on her back as she walked along rows of vegetables she had cultivated. She wasn’t like the other women. She was gentle and kind. My father seldom talked about her. I remember asking him once why she was different. He said that she came from another world—a world far different from the one that the Marastin Dow lived in now. He was searching for that world when he was captured by Maradash,” he murmured.
Raia twisted around until she was facing him. She lifted a hand and smoothed back a tuft of his hair that had fallen forward over his forehead. It was still slightly damp from his shower.
“I found the crystal disk in the spine of a book Ander gave me on the day the Marastin Dow attacked us. He had gone to an antique dealer’s shop on Sanapare. Do you think it is possible that your father gave the disk to Ander to keep it safe from Maradash?”
“He must have. They were a lot alike. I don’t remember my father ever talking about Ander; but then, he seldom mentioned names to me for fear that they would be intercepted by my superiors,” he admitted.
“Do you know what happened to your father?” she asked.
“He was executed fourteen years ago,” he said.
Compassion filled Raia. “I’m sorry,” she said.
Behr caressed her cheek. “You are an extraordinary woman, Raia Glossman,” he murmured.
Raia leaned into him when he slid his arm around her. She slipped her leg over his until she was straddling his lap. Desire filled her, and she knew that tonight she wouldn’t have to worry about cleaning off her bed—at least she hoped she wouldn’t.