[The White Raven, Chapter 21, Giddy’up] [Mulae Farael Battle Group, House Sparrow Carrier, Edge of Darai Solar System] Pesa listened to the command shouts being passed up and down the tube, but she didn't have a clue what any of them meant, and she was about to die. “On-down.” “Clear-down.” “Chain-up.” “Clear-up.” “Frozen on seventeen.” “Chain-hold.” “Get off the ladder, Chirp,” shouts someone. Pesa clung to the ladder, her eyes closed. She had seen the lift heading up towards her at an alarming speed and didn’t know what to do, there was no place to go. “Didn’t you hear the order,” shouts the voice again. “You’re clear up one level, hurry up and get off the ladder.” Pesa opened her eyes, the lift below her had stopped inches from her feet. She scrambled up the ladder and someone pulled her into a narrow corridor. “Chain clear,” the young crew member shouts. “Chaining up,” a voice replies. Pesa watched the tube she had just been in, there were two ladders, each on opposite sides of the tube, and then two lift chains against the sides of the tubes to the sides of the ladders. The lift rose past her, carrying crates of supplies. The lift had grooves that fit around the ladders, anyone on the ladder would have been sliced in half from foot to head. The crew member grabbed her arm and twisted her to the side. “You aren’t certified to be here,” he points at her upper sleeve, and then his. “See this, until you have one of these patches, you don’t come into the outer hull.” “But… I’m Bridge Crew, I’m authorized to go anywhere on the ship,” argues Pesa. “Anywhere on the ship is not here,” shouts the crew member over the loud chain lift. “This isn’t the ship, this is outside the ship.” “I didn’t know,” says Pesa. “The big red sign at the bottom that says ‘Warning, Gun Crews Only’ didn’t clue you in?” asks the crew member. “I’m looking for Tonae, Gun Turret 173,” says Pesa defiantly. “Official business.” The crew member steps up to a control panel next to the tunnel and pushes several buttons. “Off chain, clear tube, 17 to 21 up,” shouts the crew member. “Chain lock,” a voice shouts back. “Mentally damaged Bridge Chirp on ladder, 17 up 21,” shouts the crew member. A series of voices shouts back… “18 lock… 19 lock… 20 lock… 21 lock, on receive.” “Okay, make it quick,” orders the crew member and pushes Pesa back towards the tube. Pesa grabs the ladder and swings out and starts climbing. She can see down fifty-two decks to the curvature of the ship and up the same distance. She knew the Carrier was big, but seeing it from this angle put it in perspective. A crew member on Deck 21 grabs her and pulls her into the corridor. The decks don’t match with the main decks of the Carrier, it’s a completely different world here between the main hull and the secondary hull. “You better run,” says the Deck 21 crew member pointing. “We’re sealing the hull in four minutes for TDS.” Pesa takes off at a sprint, the sounds of the shouting commands for the tube behind her continuing. The corridor is perhaps three feet wide, and has a hatch to a Gun Turret Room every fifteen feet. Many of the hatches are already closed, but she can see inside the ones still open. Two crew members are inside each room preparing their Gun Turret for TDS. She glances at the numbers painted on the wall outside each room. Gun Turret 97… 98… 99… Pesa picks up the pace, she doesn’t want to be trapped out in this corridor alone - is there even atmosphere maintained in the corridor? Pesa passes an open room on her left, it’s a small kitchen. The hot table is built into the wall, and on the other side is a silver stove, cold storage, boxes of supplies and cans of food. The kitchen is only an eight by ten area, it must serve the gun crews in this section of the corridor, the cook is pulling a sliding door-hatch closed as she runs past. The lights in the corridor are flashing red now and she counts the Gun Turrets as she runs… 114… 115… 116… All the hatches to the Gun Turrets are closed now, she has to hurry. At Gun Turret 150 she passes another kitchen, but this time the cook grabs her and pulls her into the kitchen. “What in the blazes are you doing here?” demands the cook. “You’re not authorized to be in the outer hull.” “I have to get to Tonae’s Gun Turret,” replies Pesa. “Don’t you see the flashing lights?” says the cook. “All Gun Turrets are sealed, he couldn’t open the hatch for you now if he wanted. You’re blasted lucky a fuse blew and I’m late sealing the hatch on my kitchen.” The cook, an older Daraian, pulls the sliding hatch-door shut and it clicks and seals with a hiss. She’s trapped in the kitchen now. “Foolish girl, the corridors are purged before TDS,” scolds the cook. “I had to see Tonae,” says Pesa. “Tonae, I know him, Gun Turret 173, he’s one of my gun crews,” says the cook. “How long before we can open the hatches?” asks Pesa. “Couple hours, crawlers check hull integrity first,” says the cook. “You scheduled for duty somewhere?” “Not until this evening,” replies Pesa. “What am I supposed to do until the hatches open again?” The cook pushes a gallon can of tomato sauce in front of Pesa. “You can make yourself useful and open that, I’m making spaghetti for lunch.” Pesa slides the big can opener up in it’s vice holder, the kind with the crank handle on it and found in most commercial kitchens. She slams it down on the can of tomato sauce, drops the handle, and turns the crank. “You’ve worked kitchen duty before,” says the cook. “Kind of, my family owns a cargo ship and we have a big kitchen for when we have cargo handlers on board loading the pods.” The cook pulls a large pot out and fills it full of water, then sets it on the stove and hooks the latches so it doesn’t slide off the stove when the ship maneuvers. “I’ve seen the ship diagrams but I didn’t know so many people lived in the outer hull.” “This is the real heart of the ship,” says the cook. “No nonsense here, and usually no foolish Bridge Cadets running around. So, what was so important you broke ship rules and came here.” “Tonae’s my mate, sort of, we haven’t first bonded yet. But anyway, we had a fight and haven’t talked for a week,” explains Pesa. “We should talk it out.” The cook stops what he’s doing and turns around to look at Pesa, and then shakes his head. “Your name is Pesa, isn’t it?” asks the cook. Yes, how did you know?” “Pesa, I’ve seen this before, do yourself a favor. When the hatches open don’t embarrass yourself, high-tail it out of here.” “But I need to talk with Tonae,” says Pesa confused. “You’re a Bridge Cadet, you can’t afford to make a scene, just drop it. I’ll have someone waiting to escort you out.” “I don’t understand, what have I done wrong?” asks Pesa. “These things happen, especially on a war ship,” says the cook. “What things happen?” The cook shakes his head again. “Damn, I don’t need this kind of drama on my deck. Pesa, Tonae took a mate three days ago.” “You must be mistaken,” says Pesa shocked. “I served the cake at the First Bonding Ceremony,” says the Cook. “Best thing you can do is get out of Gun Country and head back up to the Bridge where you belong.” “But…” “Take this as a lesson, Cadet Lieutenant” says the Cook. “Don’t mess around with the enlisted gun crews, and stop spreading your wing-blades for every male in a uniform.” “I’ve never done that, he asked me to be his mate,” says Pesa. “Good Goddess, Cadet Lieutenant, do you have any sense,” shouts the Cook angrily. “Since when do Daraian males ask the female?” Pesa’s eyes start to tear up. “I… I…” Pesa backs up against the wall wishing she could turn and run away right now. Look, there’s no reason to ruin your career before it even starts. You’ve had your little fling with a Gun Monkey, now don’t cause a scene and I won’t report you for gross acts of fraternization and immoral conduct unbecoming of an Officer.” Pesa tries to identify the Cooks rank, she hasn’t memorized all the ranks yet. “You’re a sergeant, right?” “Master Sergeant,” replies the Cook. “Thank you, Master Sergeant, I’ll do what you say. Please have that escort ready, I won’t cause a scene. You won’t tell Tonae I was here, will you?” “No, as long as you leave off peacefully,” says the Cook. “And stay off the Gun Decks.” Pesa nods and drops into her own thoughts, she won’t let Tonae embarrass her, she’ll just pretend she doesn’t know. But, Tonae is going to pay for this. ***** [House Eagle, Eagle Cliffs, Supply Cargo Ship Four, Planet Darai] Moeth pulled the wings out from behind the crate, they were in two pieces, the harness had been removed. Raen looks up from the crate he was searching for rope in and laughed. "Another set with the harness pulled off?" asks Raen. "Yes, hatchlings find a set a wings they like, but the harness doesn't fit so they take the harness off another set," says Moeth. "Hatchlings will be hatchlings," says Raen. "Well I wish they wouldn't try and hide them," says Moeth. "They should just tell us so we can put the wings in the spare parts pile until we can buy new harnesses." "You know, we need a feathersmith," says Raen pulling several coiled ropes from the crate. "Found them." Moeth drags the discarded wings over to a pile and deposits them, the pile is getting out of control. Some of the wings are in terrible shape, and they were hand-me-downs to begin with. The accident yesterday was proof enough that the wings needed maintenance, it was just fortunate that Mergan and Kit had been right there and was able to rescue that poor hatchling with the broken wing. "The Demonians are right next door, maybe we can hire a Demonian Smith to open a school here in House Eagle," suggests Moeth. "That's a brilliant idea," says Raen. "If we had our own Feathersmith School, we could open it to other Houses. Do you know how much tuition that would bring in for us?" "Add that to your list of things to do," says Moeth. "My list now includes a Dining Cabin, Sleeping Cabins, Greenhouse, Research Facility, Watershed, Barns, Farmland, Orchards, School Houses, Warehouses, Airfield, Vid-Station, Theater, Water Tower..." "I know, I know," interrupts Moeth. "We can't build an entire city over-night." "I told Vas to stop building the sleeping cabins," says Raen. "Okay, where do you plan on putting everyone," asks Moeth. "We'll build one warehouse," explains Raen. "Everyone will sleep there for now, and we will still have it to use later, but sleeping cabins would have to be replaced with houses eventually, and that's a waste of resources." "I'm listening," says Moeth scrounging through the pile of wing spare parts to repair a few of the wings. "I'm going to build a main street with twenty commercial buildings on each side of the street, and then auction those buildings to the oldest eagles first, and then the eagles just coming of age." "What are they going to use for money to bid in the auction?" asks Moeth. "Time, we start the bidding at fifteen years for each building," explains Raen. "I get it, they will bid years of service to the House," says Moeth. "You're jump starting an economy." "Yes, everyone will go on a paycheck, even the youngest hatchling," says Raen. "Those that get one of the buildings will start a business of their choosing, start-up costs are supplied by the House and paid back over the term of the bid years of service, plus forty percent taxes to the House. Everyone will start paying for the things they want, the economy will grow naturally." "We still need cabins, or houses," says Moeth. "The merchants will live in their stores, but they will have to hire workers, and pay and house them. Everyone else remains in the dormitory warehouse until they are of an age to move out. Once the basic infrastructure is in place, we will start building housing outward from the center of the town, and auction each house for years of service." "I don't know, sounds like we could end up being a slave state," says Moeth. "We put a cap on years of service, fifteen years for a merchant, five years for housing," explains Raen. "That will give us the work force we need for community projects." "Okay, but lets drop it to ten years service for merchants and four years service for basic housing," says Moeth. "And, they get to chose where they wish to perform their House Service. I don't want to press anyone into military service the way House Sparrow, House Hawk, and House Raven does." "Sounds fair," says Raen. "We'll be more along the lines of House Grackle. I've been reading House Grackle's Constitution, I think they have the best model for us to copy." "Take a look at House Swan's Constitution," says Moeth. "They had some very good ideas." "We can pull ideas from the best of all the Houses," says Raen. "I wish we hadn't been forced to sign the Declaration of Allegiance to the Commonwealth Senate," says Moeth. "They can't make us a puppet state as long as we have strong allies," says Raen. “Hey, we’re getting ready to leave,” says Rip sticking his head in the cargo ship. “Okay, coming,” says Moeth. Moeth drops the wing she was working on back on the pile of parts and heads down the ramp with Raen following. A large group of hatchlings were gathered around two Dart ships being loaded for the trip to House Cassoway, and the cattle drive. “You decided to take two Darts?” asks Moeth. “We couldn’t fit everyone and the supplies in one Dart,” replies Rip. “Has anyone seen the High Priestess?” ask Raen. “She already gave us the Goddess’ blessing and went back to that mysterious garden she’s building next to the river,” says Rip. “Okay, so who’s going?” asks Raen. “Myself and Tear, Avocet, Sander, Aliaen, Caedon, and Kit will be on the ground, and Teal and Willet will fly,” says Rip. “Kit?” asks Moeth. “You’re okay with that Mergan?” “They will need a medic,” says Mergan. “I’ll stay here with the hatchlings.” “So we have Gini, Clap, Vel, Ring, Mergan, Moeth and me staying here,” says Raen. “And Peli and Vas will be back from House Raven with our new fighter Darts in a few days.” “You got everything you need?” asks Moeth. “We’re ready,” says Rip. “Let’s load up.” The Moeth Alliance cattle drovers piled into the two Darts with the shouts and cheers of the entire House. Raen added to the festive atmosphere by slapping the side of the lead Dart and yelling. “Giddy’up!” The Dart Ships lifted into the air and banked around to head out over the desert for House Cassoway on the northern shore of Struthio, nearly fifteen-hundred miles away. Raen and Moeth watch the ships disappear over the horizon and then turned to the watching hatchlings. “Well, don’t you all have work to do?” shouts Moeth. “Yes, Mother Eagle,” shouts the hatchlings in unison, and then run off to do anything but work, it was hot and time for another dip in the cool river. Moeth notices a hatchling standing with Mergan she doesn’t recognize, it must be one of the hatchlings from the Demonian camp. She walks over and smiles at the hatchling. “Hello there,” says Moeth. “I heard from the Demonian camp a few hours ago, they asked if the Daraian hatchlings could stay a few extra days. Would you like that?” The boy nods his head and moves in closer to Mergan. Moeth knew Mergan had a way with hatchlings and would take good care of the visitors. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” asks Moeth. “Cody,” says the boy shyly. “Okay, well, we’re glad to have you as long as you want to stay,” says Moeth. “I hear we’re having hotdogs and tater-tots tonight for dinner, how’s that sound?” The boy nods his head again and Moeth walks off with Raen. Mergan looks down at Cody and smiles. “I won’t hold you to your promise,” says Mergan. “But if…” Cody interrupts. “It won’t hurt, will it?” “No, dear,” “Okay, I promised,” says Cody. Cody follows Mergan to the Medical Ship Ring had salvaged from the Demonian solar system and given to her for the House Eagle Hospital. She takes Cody to one of the examination rooms and seals the door behind her. Kit had been a little angry, he knew she was getting him out of the way so she could examine the Eagle. Cody strips his harness and shirt off, and then spreads his wings out. “I won’t do anything that hurts, I promise,” says Mergan. “Our species lost their wings long before written history, we know almost nothing about what Daraian wings were like, or how they functioned. I’m going to examine, scan, and x-ray every bone, blood vessel, muscle, cartilage, and feather you have.” “Will it help you?” asks Cody. “Yes, darling,” says Mergan. “What I learn from your wings will help make sure what happened to the hatchling you rescued never happen again.” Mergan feels guilty as she begins her examination of the Eagle. The High Priestess has her schemes to try and bring wealth to House Eagle, and Raen has his schemes as well, but she knows that those could easily fall through. House Eagle is holding on by a thread, the real wealth of the House is right here in this boy. The Eagle will show her how to make a set of wings never before seen on Darai. House Eagle will become the leading producer of glider wings, and possibly the most powerful House on Darai as a result. Mergan’s hands tremble as she runs them across the wings, living wings… eagle wings. Cody watches her and that makes her feel even more guilty for using the boy, she shouldn’t be doing this, but the House is almost out of money and food. Cody reaches up and grabs her trembling hand and locks his eyes on hers. She sees a flicker of something so ancient in his eyes for the briefest moment that she nearly collapses on the ground. Cody smiles and Mergan comes close to fleeing, the look in the boy’s eyes is terrifying. He’s telling her something, and she realizes the source of her fear. She is twice the size of this hatchling, but she has no doubt this hatchling raptor could tear her apart if she hurt him. She doesn’t think he’s doing it on purpose, but his natural instincts are sending out a warning to her. No… that’s not right… she’s dealing with something different. Where is this irrational fear she’s feeling coming from? Mergan watches the boy’s eyes flick to a tray of needles. Of course, she’s frightening him and he’s responding with an aggressive defense mechanism. She runs a scanner across him… the hypothalamus is nearly three times the size of a normal Daraian. Could he be producing a defensive pheromone? Mergan takes down an emergency oxygen bottle and fits the mask over her face. Almost immediately the feeling of fear begins to subside. He does have a defense mechanism, but how? Cody watches the doctor as she uses different machines to examine him, and his wings. He tolerates the poking and prodding, so far she has kept her promise not to do anything that hurts. The doctor makes sketches, and pictures of Cody’s bones appears on Vid-screens on the wall. The exam continues for several hours and Cody starts to get bored, he wants to go play. “There’s a ship coming,” says Cody. “We’re inside a sound proof room,” replies Mergan. “You can’t possibly hear a ship outside.” “There is,” says Cody. Mergan flips on a monitor and checks, there’s a medical transport ship landing. How could he have known? “Can I go play now?” asks Cody. “We’re not done yet,” says Mergan. “If I let you use that on me,” asks Cody pointing at a needle on the tray. “Then are we done?” “It would help to have a blood sample,” says Mergan. “Okay, then is my punishment over?” asks Cody. “Punishment?” asks Mergan. “For getting caught,” says Cody. “No, darling,” says Mergan. “This wasn’t punishment.” “Take my blood,” says Cody. “Then I can play.” Mergan might never get this chance again, she quickly draws several vials of blood from Cody. “I didn’t like that,” says Cody pulling his shirt and harness back on. “I’m going to go play now.” Mergan opens the door and Cody runs out of the ship. The new ship is near and the strangest looking person he’s ever seen is coming out of the ship. She is completely white, even her wings, and there’s two older hatchlings, almost chirps, with her. “Hi,” says Cody. “Hello, I’ve never seen you before, are you a new orphan?” asks the white lady. “No, I’m visiting,” says Cody and runs on. He can see the other hatchlings are playing near the river. The White Raven scans the eagles new camp, there isn’t much to see yet, and it’s hot. The sun is brutal, but she won’t be here long. She needs to continue her search for the Eagle, he is out there somewhere, and she must find him.