The Ice Warrior

Chapter 40

Reaching the mountains under the cloak of invisibility was far too easy, and it gave Silv too much time to think, something that she didn't wish to do. She felt that if she thought about everything, about her situation, she might fall apart. That was something she couldn't allow herself to do since there were too many humans and aliens who depended on her.

"My mistress?" Arthur said, snapping Silv out of her unwelcome reverie.

"Weren't you supposed to stay with grandma, keep her comfortable?" Silv asked.

The moment the words left her lips, she knew she sounded ridiculous. How could a dead person be comfortable or feel anything at all?

Yet, she felt the need to protect her grandma's body, to show it as much respect as she deserved. It was the least she could do for the woman who raised her, the woman who showed her that there was more to the world than the Government and its rules.

"Yes, my lady. That is why I wished to see you," Arthur said cautiously.

It felt to Silv as if he was addressing a dangerous animal, and at that moment, her emotions were on such a high alert that she wasn't sure he was far off the mark. The anger, the sorrow, the guilt, all of them mixed together, made a terrible brew that was ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

"Explain," Silv said shortly, doing her best not to snap at the one who deserved it the least.

"I believe we should discuss her burial," Arthur said.

"What do you think we should do?" Silv asked, needing a voice of reason to calm the storm of her emotions.

"Perhaps we should bury her inside the mountain. The land there is not completely frozen. At least it isn't in some of the deeper places. I think she would have liked that." Arthur said.

"Very well, prepare everything for the transport of her body. Ask Wir Eis for help. I am sure they have some kind of vessel to accomplish that." Silv said.

"Mistress?" Arthur asked.

Silv raised her eyebrows in confusion since the AI had never done anything but comply with their orders, no matter how mild and friendly they were. It was unheard of for an AI to question anything.

However, Silv was more fascinated by it than anything else as it gave her something safe to ponder over. Something to help her focus on something besides her grief and her need for revenge.

Though she knew that the chances of meeting Denis again were slim, she did wish to see him dead. It was something that she had never felt before, and it scared her more than she was ready to admit even to herself.

Thus, Arthur's odd behavior was like a breath of fresh air in the stuffy room that her life had become.

"What is it?" Silv asked as gently as she could muster, given her state of mind.

"Would it be alright with you if I asked Sei Eis for assistance instead?" Arthur asked.

"Sei Eis? Doesn't she hate all of us? Why would she want to help you? I haven't even seen her since the rest of the humans came aboard." Silv said.

"She and I...Well, we understand each other at some level. She doesn't hate me. She is intrigued by my existence. And frankly speaking, I am interested in learning more about her as well. I find her fascinating." Arthur admitted.

Silv couldn't help but think it odd. However, in the world that she had stepped into a few days prior, anything was possible, so why not an AI-alien friendship?

"Okay, then you ask her for help, and I'll be there as soon as I can. I just have to do the maintenance check for the vessels we picked up and give a few instructions to Evanescence." Silv said.

"Yes, my lady," Arthur said, leaving.

Silv set out to do what she planned, but she found the ship to be sluggish. It wasn't something she was used to from Evanescence, so it got her worried.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Silv asked.

"No? Then what is the problem?" Silv said as she could feel that the ship was physically intact.

As she got no reply, Silv figured that Evanescence was entitled to her secrets and didn't press her on for the answers. After all, they had more pressing matters than a pouting ship.

Besides, she followed Silv's commands without problems though there was some delay. As long as everything worked well, Silv decided to let it go.

Upon finally finishing all her tasks, Silv pulled her hands out of the green liquid and whipped them ungracefully on her jeans. Then she proceeded to the docking bay, hoping that was where they took her grandmother's body.

She got there just in time to see Sei Eis bringing her grandmother on something that resembled a hovering stretcher. As far as Silv could see, it appeared as if Sei Eis controlled it with her mind since her hands weren't supporting any parts of it.

"Is everything ready?" Silv asked.

"Yes, everything is prepared, my lady," Arthur said.

"Very well. I checked for enemy vessels, and there are none close by. It's safe for us to go." Silv said.

"What about the others?" Justin asked, appearing next to her.

"This isn't an expedition. It is a funeral. Whoever knew Rose and wants to show their respect can come, but the rest should stay inside. They are still shaken and would be utterly useless in any endeavor." Silv said coldly.

"Okay. I am coming with you then." Justin said.

Only then did Silv notice how truly shaken Justin was. It made her wonder how often they had contact with her grandmother. There seemed to be so much that she didn't know about Rose and wouldn't have a chance to ever learn, which was adding another layer of pain to her already broken heart.

"Fine," Silv said.

Then they moved towards the exit, Silv leading the way. She wanted to make sure that the place was truly as safe as an eternal resting place for her grandmother should be. After all, she would be the first human to get a burial in years.

The Government usually cremated the deceased, spreading their ashes on the snow. They said it was more practical that way, but Silv was no longer sure if that was true. Perhaps they just found it less troublesome.

Lost in her thoughts, Silv was surprised to note that she hit a solid surface, even though she was positive she opened the exit beforehand. It was as if the blue, shimmering wall had just appeared, blocking her path.

"Wir Eis, what's going on?" Silv asked.

"Not sure," Wir Eis said.

As he said that, he approached the wall of light that was too firm for Silv to go through. However, when Wir Eis tried to put his hand through it, it yielded without any effort.

"What is the meaning of this?" Silv asked of no one in particular.

A screen appeared in front of her of the empty control room, tinged in a strange, depressing color.

"Evanescence scared. If Silv leave. Not come back." Wir Eis said.

"That's ridiculous. I'll be right back. I just want to give my grandmother a proper farewell." Silv said.

"The Ice Warrior said he be back. He never come back. Rose die when go out." Wir Eis said as if translating the strange colors that flickered on the screen.

"Well, no one is going to stop me from showing respect to my grandmother! Let me out immediately!" Silv yelled.

When Evanescence didn't obey, Silv started slamming her fists against the energy wall until her knuckles started bleeding.

"Let me go!" She sobbed as she slid to the floor in a heaving mess.

"Silv, you need to calm down. Maybe there is another way. We don't want to anger the ship. Right now, she is the only one who stands between us and freezing to death." Justin said, picking Silv up from the ground.

"What do you suggest? To just leave my grandmother to rot here?" Silv asked, sniffling.

"No. Wir Eis help." Wir Eis said.