Sang the Setari

24. S4-Report

I put a hand on North's shoulder to pull him back. Luke was up to his normal antics, but without Aggele mou around to calm North down, Luke was perilously close to pushing too far. Actually, her absence was the root of the whole squad's restlessness. She, Vic and Gabe had been on Tare for over a kaone, while the rest of us continued the assignment at Arenhon. We were back in Camelot and they were returning today.

While waiting, a few of us had started skipping stones on the lake. The weather had warmed enough to melt the ice and snow, but the air was still chilled and my breath came out in visible puffs. I tossed a smooth stone across the water and used a touch of hydrokinesis to keep it going.

"Forty-six," came Kota's voice behind me. He stepped up beside me and asked, "Is that the extent of your talent?" From someone else that might have sounded like a challenge, Kota was just honestly curious.

"I could push further," I replied. He watched as I sent another stone skipping at least 70 times.

"Nice. I managed 52 with telekinesis, but I was stretching the distance between skips as far as possible and there was a wind factor to account for," Kota said and rattled off a bunch of calculations. He did so without a hint of boasting. It wasn't about competition for him. I think he was just especially anxious for Sang's return. There were other Setari who needlessly made everything a competition. I glanced over at Rocky, now on Eighth Squad who had been assigned a tour on Muina. With the blossoming population of scientists, technicians, and other KOTIS staff came the need for increased security. The Massive attack at Nurioth showed that we couldn't rely on the dhura completely, Setari were still needed to battle the Ionoth here. I just hoped the squads still actively completing Rotations on Tare were not spread too thin. I think the only reasons Fourth Squad hadn't been cycled back to Tare yet, were Tsee Blackbourne's Sight abilities and Sang's status as this Aveonix figure.

I heard a shout and my attention was drawn to a rapidly descending tanz. Finally! I followed my squadmates to the landing zone, but held back when the ramp set down with a thud. Nathan and Luke swooped in first to grab Sang, only to be pushed aside by North. Her musical laughter sent a pang through my chest. After greeting the others she turned to me and smiled brightly. I opened my arms wide and she ran, jumping a bit when she reached me. I caught her under the thighs and lifted as she wrapped her legs around my waist. Our lips crashed together.

After a fierce melding of mouths, she rested her forehead against mine. I adjusted my grip to better support her slight frame.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you, too, Aggele mou," I whispered back. I wished she could stay in my arms forever, but too soon the inevitable interruption came from a subdued Gabriel.

"Sang, uh...we..."

"What?" Her clipped tone surprised me.

Uh oh. That did not sound good.

"Tsaile Rinst requested our presence at the communication platform. They want to conduct some test," he explained blandly.

What? Not one curse word?

Sang nodded and I released her to slide down. She started off at a brisk pace and only briefly turned to ask, "Silas, will you escort me?"

I followed cautiously, glancing back at Gabe. He looked like someone had ripped up his favorite painting. After heaving a great sigh, he set out after us.

What had happened between those two?

"From Near-Space we have observed an anomaly in the platform use when Ena manipulation talents make contact. We have a few technicians and Setari guards stationed there now. We would like to see if this same anomaly occurs with you, Tsen Sorenson," Tsaile Rinst explained once we assembled in the room at the base of the Gorliath village amphitheatre.

First, Sang just reached out and touched the platform as before. We waited for the observation team to relay their findings. Then Tsaile Rinst asked her to try standing on top. Sang was about to climb the steps jutting out along the sides of the platform when Tsee Blackbourne said, "Wait."

Everyone paused and turned to him. He wore his most pensive expression.

"There is something..." He trailed off, then ordered, "Tset Coleman, you first."

They traded places, Sang refusing to meet Gabe's gaze as they passed one another. After a few joden of Gabe standing atop the platform with no new readings coming from the team in Near-Space, Tsee Blackbourne instructed Sang to join Gabe.

She ascended the steps and it was like time slowed. Step, step, stumble...she reached out to steady herself on Gabe's shoulder and they were suddenly....without any warning... GONE...there was no flash, no sound...they just disappeared.

I think my heart stopped. I couldn't breath. It was like a direct punch to my gut. I gaped helplessly...wordlessly...frozen in shock.

My head jerked toward Tsee Blackbourne, the same as the others. We always looked to him in crisis. Time was still moving at a crawl and I watched his face transform...emotions parading across. There was disbelief, which mirrored my own. Then flashes of fear and guilt...and when I was expecting a mask of cold, steeled resolve, instead came an explosion, a North-worthy bellow of rage:

"FIND HER!"