Dream Walkers

Part 1 Chapter 1

Allison sat back in the chair and scowled at the link's screen. Her shoulders and back ached. She rubbed her eyes as they felt scratchy. I've been sitting here all cool day, and every cool day since I came home at the beginning of the hot season. Have I had any free time? No! And for what? These disjointed ramblings of someone who's been on Earth so long they talk in Earth jargon! "Ambassador Seekay!" she said to the screen. "Why couldn't you have given more background detail? UN is United Nations, but which nations? Scorch it! It'll take forever to get you to reply! I so wish Earth had accepted our tech."

Leaning back in the chair, she stretched and looked around. Her father's study wasn't the most soothing of places: no plants softened the straight lines of the desk or the windows. For fun she imagined a dwarf tree in the corner with vines hanging from it. "Dad would never accept it." She smiled, but her frown returned when she looked at the study link. She had to finish the last report from the archives.

An hour and several minutes later; "At last! Finished!" she wanted to dance, but was too stiff. She stretched her arms above her head, interlinked her fingers and faced her palms outward. "Ohh," she groaned, as her tense muscles protested. She stood up, to pace the wooden floor. Her bare feet making a soft slapping sound.

When she had calmed somewhat, I suppose I best let Dad know, and sent the thought, 'I'm finished' to her father. He should be here soon to test me. She sat down and closed her eyes to mentally run through the countries and leaders mentioned. Satisfied, she waited at first patiently but as time passed she found she was yet again pacing the small room, her fur rippling with annoyance.

"What's keeping him? Has he forgotten we're supposed to do the Mirror Tree Ritual!"

Making a decision, she sat and tried to calmed herself. Then composed a respectful request, but sent it using as much mental persuasion as she could. He came, dark fur bristling.

"Yes, I do know it's the conjunction today! Your mother has rehearsed your brothers. She says the game room is a mess and not suitable to be viewed. Go and ready it for the tenth hour." He left, stiff backed with his fur still in ridges. Allison felt hollow in her chest. She tried to swallow a lump, and had to rub her eyes. She slipped on her thick-soled sandals and hurried up the covered walkway to the main living complex.

When she arrived at the game room her watch had only a few minutes to go till the tenth hour. Kim and Jeff were both hurrying with armfuls of toys to the toy boxes. Allison looked around at the play equipment scattered across the large room. Not enough time! Imaging a bike floating over to its rack by the study link she put more power into the command when she felt the weight tug at her mind.

"Wow!"

"No time for sightseeing. Dad and Mum are coming soon and Dad's in no mood for delays. I'll do the heavy stuff, but keep working."

As the last pieces dropped into their boxes, Allison felt the gentle touch of her mother's mind, 'We're coming.'

"Get ready, they're on their way."

Dad's never been this stiff backed before. I wish I hadn't used command tone when I called him the second time. He seemed really angry. How am I going to make things right? Allison's fur bristled. This is no good. Must concentrate on the here and now or Kim and Jeff will notice and I don't want to have to tell them that Dad's angry with me.

The large oblong room was tidy now that all the toys had been put away. The flight simulators were switched off.

Again, she stretched, in an attempt to ease her neck and shoulders. Her young brothers walked back and forth over the wooden floor, near the end wall. Both boys seemed to be practicing the words for the ceremony: their lips moved silently as they paced. Kim had dust on the golden fur of his knees; Allison sent him a thought to knock it off. Jeff, though almost two years younger, was as usual immaculate.