Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [117]
The unnatural storm built to a higher pitch, until finally his mother cracked into a spiderweb of fractures, as if she were an ancient crumbling sculpture. Karla Tamblyn dissolved into spangles of dust that swirled in the remnants of the harsh winds.
At last, the wental storm dissipated, leaving nothing at all where Karla had been--neither the tainted wental nor the woman who had been his mother.
In the background, the Plumas water mines roared with venting steam, tumbling ice, and gushing water, but compared to the storm it sounded like a vacuum. Mindless again, the remaining nematodes flopped away to drop into the iron-gray sea.
Eventually, surviving water miners crept out of their hiding places. The wounded groaned for help. His three uncles ventured from their shelters. "I don't understand what I just saw," Caleb said. "I'm not sure I want to know."
Jess couldn't speak. He should have left his mother entombed in the ice where she'd died long ago. Because he had disturbed her--and because he could not control the wental energies within him--he had caused this disaster.
"It's over," Cesca said to the shocked miners, as if remembering her role as Speaker. No one here had even seen Cesca since the destruction of Rendezvous, and they certainly didn't know what had happened to her. "You're safe now. You can start putting things back to normal."
Old Caleb looked at the devastation and blinked his bloodshot eyes. "Normal? With the drogues attacking gas giants, and the Big Goose hunting us down, and now this, it's been a long time since anything's been normal."
67
ANTON COLICOS
As soon as Tal O'nh's warliners arrived at Hyrillka, the process of unloading supplies, crew, and equipment became a massive undertaking. Thousands of dedicated Ildiran engineers and heavy laborers streamed from the landed warliners, carrying crates and operating machinery, all of them eager to get to work.
The planet had been brought to its knees twice: first by a hydrogue attack and then by the mad Designate. But the Mage-Imperator would not brush aside one of his worlds, even if the rest of his Empire was at risk.
During the initial operations, Anton and Vao'sh accompanied Yazra'h while she encouraged the young Designate aboard the flagship. He had gone to his private consultation chambers to meditate (or hide? Anton wondered) before facing his responsibilities on the ground. Tal O'nh issued orders to manage the extensive operation, but Ridek'h could only wait and worry.
"I am already worn out, and we haven't even started yet." The boy stared out the warliner's windowport.
Watching the Isix cats rubbing against Anton's legs, Yazra'h turned back to Ridek'h. "I am anxious to begin the heavy work, as you should be. We have been on this ship for too long." She flexed her arms, loosening her muscles. "We are up to the task, Ridek'h."
"But I am not a worker, or a fighter. I am a noble kithman."
She regarded him skeptically. "And thus you are helpless in the face of a difficult challenge? Nonsense. I am noble-born as well, but I can outfight any soldier and outwork any laborer. I will train you to govern Hyrillka." Yazra'h tossed her bronze hair. When Anton noticed her turn a secretive, feral smile toward him, he had the strange impression that she was actually trying to impress him.
"Rememberer Anton and I would like to be on one of the first ships down to Hyrillka," Vao'sh said, "to better observe these important operations."
"Do we have to go down right away, Yazra'h?" Ridek'h sounded plaintive. "It is more comfortable and . . . organized here."
Yazra'h shot him a sharp glance. "Are the people of Hyrillka comfortable and organized, Designate Ridek'h? Your place is among them, learning what they suffer." Outside the broad viewing window, the large planet filled much of space as the multiple warliners inserted themselves into orbit. "Speak