Chapter 23 #3
“The child can access it. Through her, the waystation will share what it knows.” The display flickered, and a new pattern of light flowed down towards Ari. “Touch her hand to the central crystal. The download will be painless and complete.”
Emma hesitated. “Is it safe?”
“The Aurelians were designed for this purpose. It is as natural to her as breathing.”
Doren met Emma’s eyes. “It’s your call.”
She looked down at Ari, who was watching the swirling lights with obvious fascination. The baby reached towards the display, her silver fingers grasping at the patterns like she wanted to play with them.
Trust your instincts.
“Okay,” Emma said softly. “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s see what they want to show you.”
She lifted Ari’s hand and pressed it gently against the central crystal.
The light that flowed into Ari was softer this time—golden and warm, like sunlight filtering through water. The baby went very still, her dark eyes reflecting patterns that seemed to come from somewhere beyond the holographic display.
Emma watched, barely breathing, ready to snatch her away at the first sign of distress. But Ari didn’t seem frightened. If anything, she looked peaceful, her tiny face serene as information flowed into her in ways Emma couldn’t comprehend.
It lasted maybe thirty seconds. Then the light faded, and Ari blinked, looking up at Emma with an expression that seemed... older, somehow. More aware.
“Bah,” she said, and patted Emma’s cheek with her small hand.
Emma let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, baby. Bah.”
“The transfer is complete,” the voice announced.
“The child now carries within her the locations of two more waystations, as well as partial information about three of the remaining Keys. As she matures, she will be able to access this knowledge consciously. For now, it will remain dormant, awaiting her growth.”
“So we need to find the other waystations,” Doren said. “Each one will give us more information, more pieces of the puzzle.”
“Correct. And you must move quickly. The Grorn are aware that a Silver Key has surfaced. They will not stop hunting until they have her—or until she is beyond their reach.”
“Beyond their reach how?”
“The Vault itself is protected by defenses that even the Grorn cannot breach. If you can reach it with all seven Keys, you will be safe.” The voice paused. “But gathering the Keys will take time. And time is not on your side.”
Emma stood, her legs steadier now. “Then we’d better get started.”
Doren looked at her, something fierce and proud in his golden eyes. “You’re sure? This isn’t going to be easy. The Grorn, the other species, the distances involved—”
“I’m sure.” She smiled at him, then down at Ari. “We’re a package deal now, remember? Where she goes, I go. And where I go...” She reached out, touching his arm. “I’d rather have you there with me.”
For a moment, he just stared at her. Then he closed the distance between them, pulling her into a kiss that was part gratitude, part promise, part something deeper that neither of them had words for yet.
When they broke apart, the ancient voice spoke one last time.
“Go with our blessing, travelers. The galaxy’s future may well rest in your hands.”
They emerged from the outpost into the pale light of Ashtar’s dying sun. The moon’s surface stretched around them, barren and silent, but Emma barely noticed. Her mind was still reeling from everything they’d learned.
Ari wasn’t alone. There were other Aurelians out there, hiding in plain sight, waiting for... what? A signal? A leader? Someone to tell them it was safe to come out of hiding?
And somewhere, scattered across the galaxy, were six other species who held the keys to technology that could reshape civilization itself.
“Hey.” Doren’s hand found hers as they walked towards the ship. “You okay?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “It’s a lot to process.”
“Yeah.” He was quiet for a moment. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here. I couldn’t do this alone.”
“You wouldn’t have to.” She squeezed his hand. “That’s the point, isn’t it? The Precursors didn’t design the Vault to be opened by one person, one species. They wanted cooperation. Unity.”
“The Grorn won’t see it that way.”
“No.” Emma looked up at the stars, at the vast darkness that held so many secrets. “But maybe that’s why they’ll fail. They’re trying to force something that can only be given freely.”
Doren smiled, slow and warm. “When did you become a philosopher?”
“About ten minutes ago, I think.” She grinned back at him. “Keep up.”
They boarded the Vagabond, and Emma settled Ari into her crib while Doren started the launch sequence. The baby was already half-asleep, exhausted by whatever had happened in the waystation, her silver skin glowing faintly in the dim cabin light.
“Sleep well, princess,” Emma murmured, brushing a kiss against Ari’s forehead. “We’ve got a long way to go.”
The ship hummed to life around them, lifting off from the ancient moon and heading for the stars.
Somewhere out there, the other Keys were waiting.
And Emma was determined to find them all.