When Worlds Collide (MxM)✔

Chapter 20 - Anatomy Lesson

Warning! Awkward spice!

Kade and Aino stood before Toca, listening to the news in disbelief. What the king had described couldn't be possible.

According to the letter, strange sightings were reported by citizens of the Carnivore Kingdom. And while no one there understood what they were seeing, the descriptions were familiar to the two inventors.

Kade, because he had seen such things before. And Aino, because Kade had told him about them.

Airplanes.

"You know of these strange metal creatures?" Toca asked, surprised.

"One moment." Aino had to rush back to the lab and dig up Kade's old sketches. The Terran was not very professional when he got back and unceremoniously plopped the schematics on the king's lap.

Toca didn't mention his behavior as he scanned the drawings.

"Is there a chance someone copied these and made their own?" The king asked.

"It could be possible if they snuck in at night."

"So we've been compromised."

"I can't say without seeing it for myself. The letter described them as 'metal winged animals'. For all we know it could be a new species with a shiny coat."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Aino collected the papers in thought. "An expedition might be best. We could go see if these things are real and determine if they're the same as our designs."

"That'll be risky. They were sighted over the jungles near the Carnivore border. Nyx would want to have his people come along."

"We would need a guide anyway. It can't be helped."

The more he listened, the more Kade's heart sank. Everything was pointing toward being separated again.

Toca also looked displeased by the thought and rested his chin on his palm. "I can't risk losing a Royal Inventor."

"The only people who know anything about these plans are Kade and I. We'll both need to go."

"Both? Both! You can't be serious." The king straightened. "I've been telling Nyx for years that I couldn't let you serve as an Envoy because I needed at least one Royal Inventor. Sending both of you would counter everything I've told him!"

"You mentioned you've found other scientists, haven't you?" Normally Kade would have kept quiet and let the two hash out their disagreement, but he didn't like where this was going. "Why not designate one of them as a stand-in in the meantime?"

"They have not been vetted."

"Why not vet them now?"

"This needs to be looked into." Aino intervened. "Your majesty, please."

Aino had a sincere look that made Toca's authoritative air crumble. "What about your season?"

"The doctor has offered to let me try some experimental suppressants. I can take them with me."

Toca signed. "Very well. Since you're already making plans, I will not stop you."

"Thank you, Toca."

The two were dismissed, and Kade stayed beside the inventor so they could discuss what to do next.

"We'll need to prepare to depart soon. Tomorrow would be best. We can have Toca send a letter to notify Nyx." The gears in Aino's head were going full speed. "I don't know if I should be excited or upset. Flying metal carriages sound too fantastic to be possible."