Perchance to Dream, Part 1
Etain Antrim
Voice of Yale:
We have settled into our second winter camp on this new planet. Our dismay at having to spend a second winter in the mountains is mitigated by the knowledge that New Pacifica is only a few weeks travel farther.
The night was still as only a snow-laden winter night can be. Even Walman on guard duty made little noise as he walked slowly through the camp. Two crescent moons covered by a light haze showed the dark outlines of trees and hills; the camp lights lit only their immediate area. The perimeter laser fence lit the occasional snowflake as it drifted silently. It was the dark quiet time before the sun rose in the East.
Alonzo's arms were wrapped around Julia as she slept curled into him. The cool night air in the tent slipped under the covers whenever there was an opening. Alonzo moaned softly and twitched slightly, possessed by a dream. Julia moved in her sleep to close the distance that had been created between their bodies, drawn by his heat. He twitched once more, then slept quietly, wrapped around her soft warmth.
Camp noises woke Alonzo, voices outside the tent and the sounds of people moving about. Julia mumbled and shifted as he raised his head.
"Alonzo?"
"It's morning Doc. Time to get up."
"I could sleep longer. Something about these cold, dark days." She snuggled in a little closer.
"I know. But we should get moving." He leaned forward and kissed her, then jumped out into the cold air and hastily pulled on his clothes. As he dressed, Alonzo thoughtfully looked down at Julia, who was still huddled under the blankets while she watched him. He held her shirt out to her so that she could put it on without leaving the warmth of the bed. She smiled sleepily at him as she put it on.
"Hey Doc?" Alonzo sank back down on the cot so that he was sitting next to her.
"Yeah?"
"I had a dream last night. I want to talk to you about it before I talk to the others. It affects you." Alonzo took her hand in his.
Julia looked at him with concern, "So?"
He paused to take a deep breath, then spoke in a rush, "The Terrians want me to come stay with them for a while. They said that they want to make sure that I have as much control as possible on the dreamplane when the colonists arrive. They are concerned that they will need lots of communication with us once the syndrome families arrive."
"How long would you stay with them? And where?" Julia's expression had frozen into a blank.
"At the caves the local tribe uses, you know they are just a few miles from here. I'm not sure how long I'd stay, they are always so fuzzy about time, but I think it would only be for a few weeks."
"Weeks!?" Julia was unhappy. "How do you feel about it? Do you want to go?"
"I like the idea of getting more comfortable on the dreamplane. It is important that we be able to understand each other. I wish Uly was older, so that he could take on more of the exchange. But as it is, I'm the one. You know that." Julia nodded as he continued, "I hate the idea of being away from you, but I do think it would be interesting and fun, at least as much fun as anything could be without you." He winked at her with his old fly-boy smile, dimples showing.
Julia nodded again, "Well, if you have to... I'll miss you. When do you need to meet them?"
"Today."
"Today! Alonzo, that's not much time to get organized." *Or to prepare myself*, she silently added.
"Hey, I know. But you know how they are. No concept of time or relationships. That's why I need to go, so they understand us better, and we them."
"Well, you better go talk to Devon and Danziger and the others." Julia said coolly.
Alonzo gave her a quick kiss and a hug, then left the tent. He smiled to himself as he walked toward the common room. Julia was busy putting on her professional face, like she always did when public emotion threatened her. Luckily, he knew the inner woman.
***
The rest of the crew were no more happy about Alonzo leaving for an indeterminate time than Julia was. Devon, in particular, thought this boded ill for Uly's future with the Terrians. *They are always so rigid,* she thought to herself. *No warning, just come NOW.*
"Well, I don't see that we have many options," she said aloud.
"Damn Diggers! Always have to have things their way." Danziger fumed.
"Whoa! It's okay, I don't mind. In fact, I'm looking forward to it." Alonzo interjected. "I just wish I didn't have to go for so long. But I'll send messages via Uly." He winked at the boy, who smiled back with a feeling of adult importance.
Devon frowned even more at that, but didn't say anything. The rest of colonists worried silently over how different life was here on this planet. They didn't like the loss of control they felt almost daily here, and couldn't understand how Alonzo coped. No one spoke.
"Danziger, I'll need someone to drive me over to the cave entrance. You'll want the vehicle while I'm gone."
"I'll do it. We can take the 'Rail. When do you want to leave?"
"Thanks John. Give me a couple of hours to pack. I'm going to take some food along too, if you don't mind Devon?" When she nodded, he continued, "I'll come get you mid-morning."
***
Before he left, Alonzo said 'goodbye' to Julia privately. He steered her into their tent, tugging gently on her hand. Once they were inside, he pulled her into a hug. As his arms went around her shoulders, he sank his hands into her silken hair and, looking into her blue eyes, kissed her gently. She deepened the kiss, and her arms encircled his waist. With a sigh, she moved so that her cheek rested on his shoulder.
"'Lonzo, I don't want you to go. It'll be lonely without you."
"Hey, Doc, I know. I know. But it's just for a little while. I'll be back before you know it. And I'm only going to be a few miles away." He pulled back to see her face and said roguishly , "I'll dream of you."
She smiled up at him. "Great, then you'll really confuse the Terrians!" Her smile faded, "Well, I guess I'll just have to cope. I'll be fine."
Alonzo nodded and looked her directly in the eyes with his calm brown ones, "I know you will. But I'm glad you think you'll miss me!" He laughed and gave her another squeeze that left her breathless.
Julia joined his laugh, and pushed him playfully. "You brute!" She sobered, "Well, I guess it's that time."
He nodded and kissed her again. "Guess so."
They walked together out of the tent and over to the DuneRail. "You've got that med-kit I put together for you?"
"Got it safely packed, along with enough supplies to see me through the winter. Bess seemed eager to clean out the pantry. God help the rest of you; I don't think there's any food left in camp." Alonzo climbed into the 'Rail, joining Danziger who was ready to go. He waved and blew a kiss to Julia as they pulled out of camp.
***
John pulled up at the cave entrance. "Do you want me to stick around awhile until you know whether or not they're serious about this?"
"Thanks John, but no. I know they're serious. I've got my gear in case something comes up." Alonzo climbed out of the vehicle and started to unload his supplies. John helped him, then at Alonzo's insistence, drove off, leaving the pilot surrounded by food and clothes, not a Terrian in sight.
End of Chapter 1.
Story Notes:
Okay folks,
Here is my third story. This one is a bit different from the last two, and considerably longer, so I hope y'all enjoy it. Three of our best writers require thanks for wading through this beast and giving me well thought out comments. Vicky's comments on my original sketch spurred me to sit and write the thing and helped me focus on what I wanted to achieve. I hope you like the extra scene, Vicky. Rosa was, as always, a careful reader whose comments helped me close some inconsistencies. And Jayel read through the final (but one!) draft and gave me tons of great feedback. As always, she saw more clearly than I. I am grateful for all the help.
As always, please send any comments, positive or negative.
Etain Antrim
Here is my third story. This one is a bit different from the last two, and considerably longer, so I hope y'all enjoy it. Three of our best writers require thanks for wading through this beast and giving me well thought out comments. Vicky's comments on my original sketch spurred me to sit and write the thing and helped me focus on what I wanted to achieve. I hope you like the extra scene, Vicky. Rosa was, as always, a careful reader whose comments helped me close some inconsistencies. And Jayel read through the final (but one!) draft and gave me tons of great feedback. As always, she saw more clearly than I. I am grateful for all the help.
As always, please send any comments, positive or negative.
Etain Antrim