1.37{Part One}

Planet R'ouglia
circa 1709(Earth Years)

It had been years since he’d last held a ontaki in his hand. Decades actually. And what was he doing with it now? He remembered meditating. Embracing the physical pain to forget the emotional and then…
His body had felt weightless and he’d been drifting. No worries, no cares. Then he could hear Kava’s voice. And was that Ty? Why were they calling him? Was something wrong? Maybe he should go back…and then the bright light of his home planet. His home planet? His hearts skipped several beats.
“Karrick K’atri! At this rate you will never make warrior status. Why do you stand there looking at the weapon instead of swinging it? You ask for my assistance and yet you do nothing I have instructed.”

Karrick looked up to see Uz’asi glaring down at him. Uz’asi. One of the best warriors that R’ouglia had ever known. He had fought and killed hundreds. Been in battles that Karrick had only read about. He was legend. He rarely instructed but it was a great honor for those that he did. Karrick had been astonished when he had approached him and said to meet at the beach when the two moons first appeared in the sky.
“What troubles you Karrick? Why do you stand there staring as if I am an apparition? There is more that I wish to teach you but first show me what you already know. Or perhaps it was wrong of me to expect you to have mastered the use of our most deadly weapon?”
Karrick could hear the challenge in his voice and he responded in kind.
“I prefer my hands.”
“Ah!” He nodded approvingly as he hit his chest with his fist. “What true R’ouglian warrior relays on weapons when he always has these,” he held up his fists, “at the ready? Maybe you have the potential after all. Come. Show me what you can do with your fists.”
“Do you mean…you want me to spar with you?”
A grin passed over Uz’asi face. “Yes. And for every blow you land I’ll remove an hour from your practice time.”
“An hour?”
“Yes, I have you scheduled to practice for the next eight hours. Close your mouth Karrick. You look like a dying Hortriran. I slit one’s throat one time and its mouth opened and closed like yours before it had the dignity to die.”
Karrick shook his head in amusement before he started to climb out of the water.
“I would like a word with Karrick before you start pummeling him Uz’asi.”
“Master.”

Spinning around Karrick placed his hand high on his chest and bowed his head. That voice. It was so calm and serene. It soothed a million people just by saying a word. A hand on a shoulder could reduce a warrior to tears.
Anon O’tavi. One of the only Wise in history who lived among the people. He said it made him understand the suffering more if he had to live among it instead of observing it from a distance. Karrick could feel his eyes on him.
“Of course Master. Karrick and I will continue our bout another day.”
“Perhaps not when I tell him that you intended to add an hour to his studies for every blow you landed.”
“Ever are you right.” Karrick could hear the thread of amusement in Uz’asi’s voice. “However, if I had stuck him it would have been days before he would be able to resume practice.”
“Which means you would have worked him even harder.”
“Once again the truth falls from your mouth Master. Come Karrick. Master O’tavi would like words with you. We will resume practice another day.”
Reaching down he helped him out of the water before clasping his forearm and slapping his shoulder.

“Perhaps one day we shall fight in battle together. I know you have it in you to become a warrior Karrick. You must leave behind the fear and embrace the unknown. When you do that there is nothing to stop you.”
Karrick stared into his face. Uz’asi had inked his own tattoo onto his face. He had done it publicly which had started the tradition that every warrior now followed when getting their mark. It read that he never flinched. That he had stood in front of the glass and carefully placed the intricate mark on his face that now proclaimed him part of the warrior caste.
Inwardly Karrick shook his head. This day was like a hazy memory. There was something that he wanted to tell him. Something that he always meant to say but the words eluded him.

“I will remember these words Uz’asi and try to live by them.”
It suddenly hit him when Uz’asi nodded and released his forearm. In a battle, two weeks from now, he would fall. He would be killed and his head sent back to R’ouglia as a warning. Karrick opened his mouth to say something but cool fingers wrapped around his arm and pulled him away.
“I must speak to Uz’asi Master. I have something to tell him.”
“You have nothing to tell him Karrick K’atri," Anon said as he tugged him away.
"Do you think to change the course of our history? You change one thing and who knows what else could change. It’s like tossing a pebble into the pond. The ripples go on and on. Do you think my hearts don’t weep at the knowledge that we will lose Uz’asi? My sorrow runs deep but changing the past is not what brought you back here.”
Karrick stumbled. “Y-you know?”
“Of course I know. It was a foolish stunt to pull without the proper aid but nonetheless you are here. The memory I safeguard is what pulled you here. Come, let us walk.”

“I don’t understand Master. Why am I back here?”
“Well, you know about hypnotism yes?” At Karrick’s nod he continued. “I put a trigger in your memories to pull you back here if something unforeseeable happen. I always knew, it brought me joy to know, that you would be the harbinger of a new race.”
At that thought Karrick’s hearts squeezed and he looked away. “Perhaps not.”
Anon waved his hand in the air in dismissal. “There is no perhaps. Humans are creatures that are ruled by their emotions. That is what makes them human. Tyrese Jameson let his emotions overrule his logic. We are not pedophiles. Most of our true hearts mates are recognized at an early age but Kaylee’s child is different. They both are actually but that’s neither here nor there. Tyrese will come around.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
Anon shook his head. “I have seen what will be.”
“But that’s only a possibility. We can’t be certain-“
“Karrick K’atri!” When Karrick fell silent Anon shook his head. “I am tired. I am old. It’s time for me to take my final walk. The two girls are almost ready. But I have seen what shall be. It won’t be easy. Of course nothing involving humans ever is. However, the results will keep our race alive.”
“I don’t want to bond with someone just to keep our race alive. I want-“
“What Kaylee and Ty have. Is this not what your hearts of hearts yearns for even though you try to deny it? You’ve spent years with them. They are as much a part of your family as Kavanh. You yearn for that same bond.”
Karrick bowed his head. “Yes.”
The gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked in silence. A cool breeze brought the sound of waves crashing and the smell of freshly dug crops.
“Why does this make you sad?”
“I never wanted a true hearts mate. And now that I’ve found that I have one of my own…I want nothing more than to-"
“Be loved. Being loved is nothing to be ashamed of. Even warriors love Karrick. Come with me into the Hall.”

Karrick paused outside the door. “Warriors are not allowed into the Hall.”
“Warriors are allowed into the Hall once they’ve shown that they walk the way of the warrior not because they enjoy killing and maiming but because they live to serve and protect. You have shown your valor Karrick. However, if it will make you more comfortable…”
Anon waved a hand between the two of them again and Karrick felt a slight tingle course through his body. He looked down but nothing seemed to have changed. “What did you just do?”
Anon shrugged. “Shifted our molecules around a bit. We are now as solid as air and as visible. Come, step into the Hall with me.”
Karrick took a hesitant step forward but when no one said anything he stepped all the way into the Hall. He ignored Anon’s smile as he looked around.

The Hall was a place of peace. No matter what battles were being fought off planet anyone could come here to meditate, to relax and there would be no ridicule, no retaliation. Many came here to seek asylum and many ended up staying to live out their life here on R’ouglia. R’ouglians weren’t a war seeking people but they also knew war was inevitable which is why the warrior caste had been invented. However, to make those that were seeking a safe haven more comfortable warriors were not allowed to roam the Hall.
“There is such peace here. You can feel it.”
“Yes, most of those that come here lived on planets that were ransacked by wars or they do not want to be part of the raping and pillaging that their own planet is doing to other planets. Their spirits were broken when they came here. Now, they are almost whole. It does my hearts good to see such change.”

“Master, I should be serving you tea!” Karrick said horrified.
Anon chuckled. “Karrick, call me Anon. I am already dead and gone and Nirvana and J’enshi have taken over. They have done well yes?”
“They have done very well.”
“I knew they would. They have each other to lean on.” A sad look crossed his face before he shook his head.
“But that’s neither here nor there. You have questions. I have the answers. Now it’s up to you to seek them.”
They silently sipped their tea before Karrick cleared his throat.
“Why did you want me to come back to this specific time and place?”
“Ah…we get right to the meat of it eh? Karrick, you were never meant to be a warrior.”

Karrick’s hearts froze in his chest and he stared at Anon who calmly sipped at his tea.
“I beg your pardon?”
Anon choked and started to laugh. “Oh, that is such a quaint phrase. Karrick, why did you become a warrior?”
“To protect our people.”
“Hmm. That’s a polished answer. Now tell me the real reason.”
Karrick ran his finger around the lip of the cup as he thought about the question then he heaved a sigh. “I needed something to do. I would not make a good scientist. I can never make things grow as the farmers do. I did not want to be drain on our society.”
“All our people have a purpose. Your purpose is to be a father.”
Anon showed no reaction when Karrick slammed a fist against the table making the saucers jump. “I am neither a breeder nor a donor.”
“Why do you look down on those that further our race?”
“I do not look down on them.”
“No, you don’t. I suppose you were born with the knowledge that our family units aren’t exactly useful for forming bonds with our brothers and sisters. But they work for us Karrick.”
“I know Anon. But-“
“But you want to be more than a donor who never sees that child or even worse one who doesn’t know who their child is. I understand. Now, cleanse yourself of your anger before we head upstairs.”

Getting up Karrick walked over to the water vessel. He carefully dipped his hands into the water and immediately felt a calming effect take over. The water tingled as if it weren't mere water but something else entirely.
He glanced over to see Anon balancing himself on the edge of a meditation pool.
"The water is placed there to ensure that all who entire the Hall do so for the proper reasons. If you are here for the wrong purposed the water will feel like fire as it courses through your body. Of course, those that have felt those effects don't live to tell about it."

"Now, what is the first lesson that a warrior learns?"
"Work through the pain, embrace it until you are numb. Only then will your body become the instrument it was born to be."
"A perfect pupil Karrick. You don't enjoy being a warrior. Not like Kavanh. She lives and breathes for it. Wishes to die on the field of battle surrounded by the bodies of her enemies. You, on the other hand, wish nothing more than for the warring to stop. However, you embraced that precept and made it work for you. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."
Anon moved effortlessly from one position to another before he balanced the weight of his body on his fingertip.
"We are what we are Karrick. We can do nothing to change that. To try and change who you are would be to become something you're not. You make a good warrior but you will never be a great one. That is good. You will become a father and-"
"Will I be the one to carry it?"
Anon laughed as he straightened. "Do you think it will be easier if you know which infant is yours? I think not. I think it will drive you mad which is why Nirvana and J'enshi have muted the flow of that child's energy to you. When they come of age only then will their energy flow into yours once again."
Karrick opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. It was for the best. Anon nodded.
"Here," he waved his hand and Karrick was clothed in comfortable pants. "I tire of staring at your nude body," Anon said with a grin. "Now, let us go upstairs."

Karrick looked down as he carefully walked toward Anon. Anon looked over his shoulder. "Karrick, it is a floor. Built this way so that the scientists could see if enemies tried to raid the Hall. The people down there can not see up here. Walk as you normally would."
"Is that a hot tub? And a chess table?"
"Hmm? Yes. Sometimes I see things from the future that intrigue me so I build them and bring them back here. But never mind that. Come here. I wanted to show you this."
"What is it?"
"It is our planet's heart...and it is dying. At one time we were unable to store it in a room but now its essence has faded and all that is left is this small surge of energy."
"How long have you known that the planet was dying?"
"For decades."
"And you have done nothing to prevent it? Why did you not tell anyone? We would have-"
"Done what? Creating a panic would have only ensured that those living their lives would have cowered in fear. They would be too afraid to live. We are what keeps our planet alive. But lately, with the mysterious illness and the children dying, our hearts are fading as well. Too many of our people have decided to go to their rest."
Anon rubbed a hand over his chest in the vicinity of his hearts. "Too many of our people have turned away from R'ouglia, have decided to settle elsewhere."

Karrick was stunned. He hadn't ever really paid any attention to the comings and goings of the planet. He had heard about the deaths of the children and had assumed that the unknown illness plaguing the people would be fixed by the aide of the scientists.
"Who else knows this?"
"Myself, the scientists that were working on a cure, some still are working on a cure, and now you."
"When you say scientist do you mean-"
A hush fell over the lab and Karrick looked over his shoulder to see a woman striding in from the balcony.

She walked with her back straight and she looked neither left nor right as she headed to join the woman sitting at a table. He sucked in a breath when he realized who he was looking at.
"Hannah!" he hissed.
"Is that what she's calling herself on Earth?"
"That or Mother," Karrick spat out.
"And why does she call herself Mother?"
"Because she claims the inhabitants of, Serenity Cove, the small town where we crash landed are her children. She watches out for them, she says. She's placed fear and distrust in their hearts of our race. She preys on their children, does experiments on our people that are foolish enough to trust her."
"Venshai always had a black core. She hides it behind a facade but if you look into her eyes..."
"Did you know?"
"Did I know what Karrick?"
"Did you know she was the one killing off our children? Drinking their blood?"
"Not until it was too late. She rarely, if ever, came around me. I made her uncomfortable for some reason. Now hush and let us eavesdrop on a conversation that has always been hidden in the back of your mind."

"What news from off world do you have me for Annu?"
"An army is gathering preparing to attack a planet not far from here. Their leader said he will drop off the chemicals that you requested at a holdover station. From there he leaves the rest up to you."
"Tell me exactly what he said Annu." Her voice was soft and there was a pleasant expression on her face but there was a cold undertone to her words. The woman, Annu, shifted in her seat.
"He said that he cares not for your ways of annihilation. Only cowards poison. A real warrior faces their enemies head on. And they do not go about murdering innocent children. He also said-"
"Enough," she hissed. The woman standing behind her smiled. "Anastasha, you will pick up the chemicals and handle the matter that we discussed won't you?"
"Of course 'Shai."
She turned to look at Annu.

"Thank you for your loyal service Annu. Without your help none of this would have been possible. I have one more request of you."
"Of course."
"You find that leader and you slit his throat. I won't no word of this getting back to anyone here."
"Can no one else hear this conversation?" Karrick asked as he watched Hannah get up and leave.
"No, Anastasha actually dabbled in the dark arts for a time before becoming a scientist. She has cast a listening wall. Anyone listening will hear something completely different and remember nothing."
"If Anastasha is so good why didn't she detect you?"
"Because I am better. Now, what did you just gather from that conversation?"
"Hannah-"
"Her true name if you please Karrick."
"Venshai is the one who started our planets slow decline. The reason why it is still racked with pain and filled with the dying."
"Exactly. What does this mean?"
"She must be stopped."
"And her secrets must be uncovered. Our planet will die either way. But with your help the ones left here will live and be able to find another home."
"I don't understand why she would do something like this. What did she hope to gain?"
"She wanted to be a Savior to our people. But she didn't take into account how quickly the chemicals would kill us off...or that the cure would not work."
A small silence stretched before them before Karrick asked the question that had been weighing on him for years.
"How much time is there?"
Anon smiled sadly. "There is never enough time when the clock is ticking."