Xiantha (The Ammonite Galaxy Series, Book 3)

Chapter 11

WHEN THE DONOR Headquarters on Xiantha finally rolled into view the following day, it turned out to be an imposing building which reared out of the Great Plain, a modern anachronism in the semi-desert, almost like a mirage.

They left their canths to forage on the outside of the installations, and walked up to the solid doors, which opened for them automatically to pass inside. There were, after all, signs of technology on the planet. They must be running a generator to keep the place at this low temperature, too. Six gave a whistle. They had certainly not been expecting this show of luxury here.

A small woman came forward to greet them. “Valhai Diva,” she said, inclining her head, “this is indeed a great honour for us.”

“You know who I am!”

The woman looked shocked. “Of course I do. You are the only living Valhai to ever visit our installations. How could I not know who you are? You and your friends are most welcome here, and I am at your disposal.”

“I was hoping to see what has happened to my . . . err—”

“Your progeny, I understand. If you would come with me . . .?”

Grace pulled back. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d rather stay here while Diva and Six go to see some of the children. I would like to talk to the director, if that could be arranged.”

The woman bowed again. “Certainly.” She waved an arm towards a luxurious couch. “If you would like to take a seat, he will be with you shortly. I will tell him that you have requested his presence.”

“My name is—”

“—We know exactly who each of you is,” she said. “Your fame has preceded you.”

“Told you so!” whispered Six.

“Shh! Are you staying with me, or going with Diva?”

Six gave a sigh. “I promised I would go with Diva. Will you be all right?”

Grace smiled at him. “Of course. You go with Diva. We will see each other later on.”

“Fine. Take care.”

“As if anything could ever happen on this idyllic planet!”

Six shook his head. She didn’t know much. “Never call the wind when Kwaide is looking to Lumina,” he muttered.

“What?”

“Never mind.”

“OK. See you later!”

Six lifted and lowered his head to say goodbye, and turned to follow Diva, who was already disappearing with the small woman along a long corridor to their left.

DIVA AND SIX soon found themselves in a clinically sterile room filled with magmite furniture and rexelene containers and test tubes. They looked around with interest. The whole facility seemed in opposition to the rest of the planet, colourless amidst the splash of vividness which was Xiantha.

“Valhai Diva!” An old man with hideous teeth scuttled forward, and touched hands with her. “What an honour! Xiantha has waited so long for one of the Valhai to visit! You grace our day and bring colour to this laboratory.”

“I wanted to find out what happened to my . . . my progeny,” she said, using the word the woman had used.

“Naturally. When we heard that you had come to Xiantha we assumed that you would wish to see some of them. The vehicle is ready and waiting for you. If you would like to come this way?”