"STAR AND CIRCLE: THE SEEKER'S FIRE"
EPISODE NINE: "THE WOLVES OF THE DEEP"
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(disclaimers and associated descriptions in overture)
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<<ACT THREE>>
Aboard the starship EXCALIBUR, the technomage named Galen sat alone, as he often did at this time of night, while the transport car whisked him from place to place within the body of the mighty starship. A good deal of the rest of the crew were asleep, of course... including Matthew. They were still waiting at the rendezvous point, , as he had suggested... holding position, but for how much longer would the game be allowed to continue? He knew what was going on, of course... that the Rangers who crewed the Ranger vessel named SHARD OF NIGHT were now undertaking another right of passage -- but even Matthew's patience would run out eventually. And then, inevitably, they would move from this place.
Not that it mattered... the crisis moment would be behind them by that point. Although, to be sure, the time when Matthew and young Julia crossed paths for the first time was still a notable signpost to be observed in the future. That time was coming... but it was not yet here.
* * *
The flock did not have individual names, as such -- this was unnecessary for a species that spoke to one another the way the Fen did. All had their own voices, and all the voices were known. Nevertheless, their personalities were distinct ones... and the youngling Fen who cried out {!} with every thought was growing ever more inquisitive, as the gradually weakening current reminded {!} that they were drawing near to the feeding-ground at long last. The Fen of its-flock had been holding the visitor-things tight for some time now... would the small-creatures inside those shells survive if they let them go now, before they reached the feeding-ground?
{!} shivered then, its tendrils shaking in the current. The Elder would be most displeased if letting-go they did, so that was not a path to pursue at this time.... it did not wish to be cast into the jaws of the eaters quite yet (something the Elders threatened the younglings with before learning-all they had). It wished to die the peaceful death at the place of Final Resting... but that time was not yet -- life was yet long. For now there was much current riding to pursue, and fun to enjoy... much to see, and much to do!
And then... it remembered something it had forgotten during the long ride from the place-of-discovery. It remembered the Singer that lived within the shell it was holding with its fellow-Fen. And finally, it grew brave enough to extend a tendril-of-thought down into that shell's interior, looking for the curious light in the darkness-within that was the Singer. Where.... where....
There. Quietness, necessary, it thought furiously -- the elders would speak *harshly* unless this was handled properly.
* * *
"Don't you ever sleep?" Sakalia asked as he emerged onto the bridge of White Star 121 to find Sheynell standing in the observation area on the bridge, looking out on the vast congregation of hyperspace creatures drifting along upon the hyperspace current. The creatures that had captured them over eight hours before.
"I will sleep," she informed her fellow Ranger, as she took a deep sip out of the thermal mug of coffee that another member of the crew had given her some time before, "When we are out of danger, Mr. Sakalia. Remember that we do not even know what we will find at the hyperspace 'node' we are moving towards -- the node that represents the heart of this entire region..."
She blinked then, however, and had to steady herself as a sudden flash of headache passed across her, and was gone... an episode that seemed to be accompanied by a distant *whining* sound of some sort. "Did I, or did I not just see you nearly fall over?" Sakalia retorted, as she carefully set the cup down. "You may be third in command of a much larger crew, Miss Keynes, but until Maerann recovers this is *my* command, and as such..."
<!Listen-to-usss --- hearsss, do you hear usss?!>
Oh... my. Sheynell whirled away from Sakalia, then, to look out at the creatures that were gently, if *firmly* holding them on this odyssey through hyperspace. "Did you say that?" she whispered, her eyes wide. "Are you trying to speak to me?"
<!Trying, trying! Language-hard, strange thoughts - not home, from black, from blueholes. Help we did, grateful-are-you?!>
"Oh, *yes*!" she replied, as a confused Sakalia watched on from outside the conversation. "We're very grateful! Did you know the bubble was coming, is that why you came back?"
"What's going on?" Sakalia finally managed. "You're not..."
"Yes, I *am*!" She insisted. "I told you they were telepaths -- now be *quiet while I talk to it!"
<!Speech, is.!> the Fen replied with the mental equivalent of a shrug. <!Life, is. Eaters hurt you, we convince old ones-who-lead to help before ride to feeding ground on current begun. Old ones agreed to request -- we help you.!> This last sending was an emphatic one, and she winced. The Fen were *so* alien -- it was then that a thought came to her. Lt. Matheson, the EXCALIBUR's first officer, was also a telepath... why hadn't he heard the mental voices of the flock they'd encountered? Perhaps it was because he was a weaker telepath then she was...
"Oh!" the Fen who had reached out to touch her had suddenly become alarmed. "What's wrong?"
<!Bad rumblings, bad bad bad! Elder noticed send, upset, is...!>
The mindvoice of the Fen abruptly faded away, and Sheynell whirled away from the view, and grinned at White Star 121's still-nonplussed commander. "Why don't I put us all out of our misery," Sakalia noted a moment later, "And get your captain on the line?"
* * *
<--What you do?--> the elder angrily exclaimed, as the flock prepared itself for the final approach to the feeding ground. <--Not permission you had to reach out to speak to Singer!-->
<!Did what needed to be done!> the upstart youngling defiantly replied. <!And right thing to do, proved this I did! Learned from Singer voice of small-creatures -- not angry we helped when current came, Singer sheynellkeynes happy instead! Was afraid for us when found-out I was by angry elder...!>
The elder writhed its tentacles in irritation -- youngling was smart... too smart for own good -- for all-Fen good! Now no going back there was... ah, hasty, hasty! Many fears there were, return to time of black-screamers and brave Fen lost to deathcolours -- but was youngling right in insisting that this alien voice named sheynellkeynes (long name!) seemed to be a friend to the Fen? Perhaps... so be it. <--Re-establish touch, then, you shortly will.--> it resignedly allowed.
<!This the way?!> the shocked youngling replied. <!Did good?!>
<--Some good... but careful you will be, and scrutinize the conversation most closely, we will. Speak with Singer I may as well, if all goes well...--> it finally allowed, much to the delight of the youngling troop. <--But time grows short -- near to feeding-ground we draw.-->
* * *
Above and behind the swarm of prey, the two eaters had watched events progress with great interest. The metal-thing that had been attacked by mistake had been met by what appeared to be a senior, more evolved version of the same species -- and then, shortly before the arrival of the expected current, the flock of prey they had been pursuing for some time now had returned... and before the eyes of the astonished eaters, the younger prey in the swarm had enfolded the metal-craft in their tendrils, and when the current had come, had taken them away upon it!
A most unusual situation, this was... not seen before in memory was this action. <Bad thought,> the smaller eater sent to its comrade. <Memory we have of metal-things attacking both prey and ourselves... what if metal-things guard prey at feeding ground?>
The larger eater rumbled ominously at this thought but then grew quiet as it considered the matter more thoroughly. Unlike its more junior partner, this eater had direct memories of the time-refered-to... and the more it thought on the matter, the angrier it became. <No!> it insisted, <Not like before -- small-craft we tried to eat, and it did not see us coming!>
<Warned them, you did!> the other eater hooted. <Should have taken bigger bite.>
All it said was the truth... an action was required -- not a common one, but sometimes necessary. This much prey had not been seen in one place for a very long time... the lure could not be ignored. And if its comrade was correct? If an alliance had been made between the prey and the outsiders, what then?
The eater shivered. There was no other choice -- it opened itself to the currents-of-thought, and sent out the call to its brothers-of-pack.
* * *
"You haven't slept yet, have you?" Julia critically observed.
Sheynell gritted her teeth, and tried very hard not to scream. "All right, fine, okay... so what if a *few* of the things I learned during my time with Mr. Bester are still with me after all this time? He didn't sleep much *either* when he was focused on something as important as this, as I recall!"
"Says the lady with the inside angle on the whole situation." Dawson wisecracked from outside the field of view.
"You worked with *who*?" Sakalia managed.
"Mr. Alfred Bester, P12, former Psi Cop." she replied. "You heard correctly."
"Dateline, hyperspace..." Sakalia wisecracked, "Ranger ships saved by former protege of war criminal. More news to come as events warrant."
"My oh my..." Julia replied, with a twinkle in her eye for only Sheynell to see, "He does take his time getting to the point, doesn't he?"
"Don't mind me." the male Ranger finally said, as he threw up his hands and went back to sit down in the captain's chair. "The peanut gallery is now shutting up before the third witch gets herself involved."
Luckily for Sakalia, Klairika was asleep.
"...The important thing," Sheynell finally managed, "Is that I've actually made contact with the Fen -- and as near as I can tell, they're pretty intelligent as well as more-or-less friendly -- sure, they make mistakes once in a while, but once we've talked for a bit, I'm sure all the misunderstandings can be worked out."
"I suppose," Julia allowed, "That we *should* thank them for saving them from the worst of the hyperspace current. If we'd hit that gravimetric front without their help..."
"It would've been bad, let's just leave it at that, shall we?" Sakalia commented. "The wave-front would have probably turned this ship into paste, and I don't really believe you would've done much better... Val'na. Anyways -- once we can actually get off of this rollercoaster, can't we just politely thank the Fen for their aid, and then go on our way?"
"I'm not so sure it's that simple..." Sheynell critically replied. "As near as I can tell, this 'feeding ground' the Fen mentioned seems to be a popular hangout for packs of 'eaters' like the one you ran into earlier."
"Oh... you mean the buzzsaw that tried to eat us for lunch? The critter that started this whole ball rolling?"
"That's right. And once we reach the feeding ground, my guess is that 'buzzsaw' or one very much like him will attack the Fen, probably accompanied by several of his friends..." And that was when a light flashed in front of her eyes -- and Sakalia erupted out of his seat to catch her as she fell.
<!Sorry! Too fast-too hard?!>
"A little..." she whispered. "The elder wasn't too angry with you, I hope?"
<!Not told elder about contact, elder displeased!> the Fen confirmed, its mental tone apologetic. <!But explanation once given quieted tone-of-thunder, decision change made...>
"Decision change?" she replied, curious to find out exactly what the giant hyperspace creature was getting at this time around, as she got back onto her feet with Sakalia's help. "What do you mean?"
<--GREETINGS, SINGER--> another voice rumbled. <--HONORED WE ARE TO MEET YOU, SHEYNELLKEYNES-->
Oh... boy. "Are you... the elder?"
<--So we are called by the younglings, yes--> the elder replied, its tone now amused... and *much* quieter. <--Bold they are, hasty also... but time we do not have to discuss freely the actions of those-who-follow. We come to the feeding-ground, warn you we do that tide of life is about to fail. Talk more we may once arrival is complete, sheynellkeynes... but for now must concentrate on arrival-action. Inform small-creatures all will be well -- Fen will release you once current has departed.-->
"We're coming to the end of the current, Julia!" she cried out. "The Fen say to get ready for arrival."
"That is confirmed." Dashael announced, his eyes wide. "The gravimetric current is beginning to subside. There is... something ahead of us, Anla'shok Sakalia. Something...*big*."
Sheynell turned around, then, adrift between two worlds, and walked out into the observation area. And she watched with the rest as the glow of the current began to fade around them, back down towards the familiar hyperspace background glow as the tendrils of current parted around the obstruction ahead of them like water around a rock. And a moment later, the two Interstellar Alliance warships, still held securely by their Fen comrades, fell out of the flow and into the bubble of relative calm around that 'obstruction'.
And silence fell. But only for a moment, as Sheynell began to laugh, as she reached out her hand to touch the crystal in front of her, transfixed by the sight she was seeing. "The feeding ground?" she asked.
<!The place-of-birth!> her suddenly-humbled Fen contact replied a moment later.
<!Now we let you go!>
* * *
"They have released us..." Larieken confirmed, as Julia finally tore her eyes away from the sight of the feeding-ground and moved over to the holographic imager, where another member of the bridge crew had already called up a three-dimensional representation of the hyperspace 'artifact' the now-dissipated current had carried them to.
"Can now actually *pilot* this ship again?" her grumpy helmsman inquired. Out of all of them, she noted, Dasouri had been the *most* upset to be captured by the Fen.
She laughed. "To your heart's content, Dasouri -- keep us within the swarm for now, however. Larieken?"
"Val'na?"
"Take White Star 121 in tow -- we probably shouldn't let them stray too far away, in case there's more of those 'eaters' lurking nearby."
Her eyes narrowed then, however, as Larieken complied with her order... was this thing an artifact, or was it natural? The 'current' or maybe it was 'currents', had likely been carrying debris to this location from elsewhere in hyperspace for millenia... if not longer. What did it look like... now *that* was hard...
She squinted... and then she nodded. But of course!
Dawson, being the engineer, got it almost the same time she did. "Well I'll be damned..." he muttered. "Every time I think I've seen it all, we go and find something even weirder. It's a giant buckyball, isn't it?"
"Not... precisely." Larieken drolly replied, as the SHARD and its companion vessel, still surrounded by the Fen, slowly fell towards the multi-sided hollow geometric sphere ahead of them. "Since the molecule your race calls 'buckminster-fullerene' does not form at this scale -- but the resemblance *is* a close one, I will admit."
"How big is it?" she asked.
"Somewhat more then thirty human miles in diameter." the Minbari replied a moment later. "While thin, by comparison, projections extend from the surface of the artifact for approximately another one hundred and twenty-six miles."
"Thin?" Dawson exclaimed. "In comparison to what? Each one of those things has a bigger diameter at its base then Babylon 5!"
"In comparison," Larieken clarified, "To the artifact itself... interesting."
"What *now*?" Julia asked.
"The Fen are moving down towards the outer surface of the artifact -- it would appear that the hypothesis made by the IPX agent serving on the EXCALIBUR was not entirely correct. Our sensor network has detected several hundred large swarms of small creatures near to the artifact's surface. Correction, several *thousand*..."
"Now, we know why the Fen call it 'the feeding ground'. But what about the eaters? Can you see any?"
"Not yet." Larieken replied, his tone now ominous. "We should be watchful -- the encounter that Anla'shok Sakalia and his crew had with the 'eater' that attacked them suggests that these creatures are capable of great bursts of speed. And in this place, they may be more numerous..."
* * *
<--Stay close...> the elder warned, as the younglings descended towards the feeding-ground, towards the feeding-clouds that hung above the hollow-place far below. <--Eaters very quick -- if careless we are, they will take. Even if careful we are, and all goes well, some almost always taken.--> The last said, with regret.
<#But what of Singer and new friends?#> one youngling insisted. <#If eaters come, will not newfriends help Fen?#>
Trust was hard to come by in this hostile life, the elder realized. The old stories told by his elders and their elders before them were engraved deep upon the consciousness of the Fen -- how the small-creatures were not to be trusted... that all who came and went through the holes-in-home would turn on them eventually.
<--Soon enough, we will see--> it gravely replied, as the flock entered the feeding-cloud, their new-shelled friends close behind. <--Soon enough-->
* * *
Far above, the two eaters hung stationary, pondering the scene below. The prey were feeding, now... always most vulnerable at this time, they were -- while the visitors were nearby, the small one they had attacked and the larger as well, connected to each other by lines-of-bright... and still, the more experienced eater was not sure how the visitors would react to the prey-hunt. Would the hunt proceed as it always had? The outcome was uncertain... and because this was so, the call had been made... and now, that call had been answered.
Out of the red murk, the pack emerged -- brothers, all... and quietly they exchanged word, looked down upon the prey below... and made their plans. And soon enough, a decision was arrived at.
The time to strike was coming... very soon now.
*Very* soon indeed.
* * *
"And they walked upon the waves." Julia whispered, as she watched the Fen feed. "And they watched, and they waited... and hoped for the best. But this was not their day -- for the wolves of the deep were watching.
And they hungered..."
"That is original, I take it," Larieken observed, "And not a quote?"
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To be continued...
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