Into the Abyss: M.I.A.
Chapter 10
OK, so I only got 2 reviews. *cries* But I like this story way to much to stop. So, here
we go again...
The next morning Mariat took Kali, Lania, Melian, and the twins on a tour of the gardens.
The twins were giggly and happy during the entire thing. On the way out of the gardens
they were stopped by two young men. The taller of the two looked like a younger replica
of Heroth. The shorter looked like a male version of Ana.
Mariat smiled at the two boys, “Ah! There you are! Where have you too been?”
The taller boy rolled his eyes, “We were hunting Mother.”
Mariat didn’t look convinced but she didn’t press the point. “Well, Kali, Lania, Melian. I
would like you to meet my sons. Darnel, he is Ana’s twin. And my eldest child, Griffin.”
(AN: He is 19)
Melian and Lania smiled at the two boys, Kali simply nodded.
“Mother, where is father?” Griffin asked.
Mariat frowned, “His office I suppose. Don’t you go bothering him unless it’s important.”
Griffin silted his eyes for a moment. “Don’t worry about it mother, I would never dream
of it.” The bitter sarcasm in his voice quite obvious. Darnel shot his mother an apologetic
glance as he followed his elder brother out of the gardens.
Mariat sighed, “I’m sorry you had to witness that. Ever since Griffin turned 15 he became
rude and hard to control. I don’t know what to do with him.”
Lania shrugged and smiled at the older woman. “That’s all right Mariat. He is actually a
bit like someone we used to know.” Lania exchanged amused glances with Kali. They
were of course talking about Malfasha. Mariat shook her head. “Come, enough talk
about this. Lets go in find your male companions. We can have a meal and talk. I’m sure
my daughter’s have question’s for you. They are all curious about off-world places and
beings.
That meal was a peaceful one. Akria and Ana bombarded them with questions, which the
crew answered. Ayana was fascinated with the twins and shyly helped Melian feed them.
The crew of MIA spend two weeks on the planet. The time was a sort of vacation for the
crew. Even Jared was relaxed. On the day of departure Heroth seemed distracted and
distant. For once since the crew arrived he seemed worried about something.
Mariat hugged all of them before they got onto the ship. Dyro went quite red when she
hugged him. “I will miss all of you. Please return soon and visit.”
Kali smiled, “I don’t know if we will ever pass this way again but if we do we will surely
stop.”
Mariat smiled at the young woman. Melian gave Mariat an extra hug. The two women
had formed a special bond. Mariat was raising/raised 5 children and Melian wanted advice on how to do it right.
Everyone had exited the Drop ship but Jared. He had stayed behind to shut off all the
systems and close it up. He heard a sound from inside one of the ‘empty’ storage closest.
Upon opening it he found Ayana. The youngest of Mariat’s children, hiding inside. She
gave a little squeak and then smiled brightly. “Hi!”
Jared shook his head and motioned for the child to follow him. They walked silently for a
while. Ayana stealing glances up at the tall man beside her. She tentatively took his hand in her small one. Jared, although surprised, returned the gesture.
Kali and Lania were on the main deck. Melian had insisted Dyro’s help in getting the
twins in bed. Both girls raised there eyebrows when Jared came on deck with the little girl clinging to his hand. Jared shrugged as he let go of the girls hand, she looked
disappointed. “Stow-away. Found her in the drop ship.”
Lania knelt down so she was eye-level with the child. “Ayana! What are you doing
here?” Ayana blinked but didn’t say anything, she just looked up at Kali.
Kali bent down as well. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” Ayana walked closer to Kali
and hugged her. Kali was so surprised she didn’t move.
Ayana spoke into Kali’s shoulder. “My brother Griffin told me to hide in your ship. I
thought it was a game. I didn’t even know you were leaving today. What’s going on?”
the child sounded near tears.
Kali picked up the child and turned a confused look to Lania. She had never held a child
before and didn’t quite know what to do. Lania took the scared eight year old and told
Kali to contact Mariat.
Kali tried calling Mariat but there was some sort of interference. “MIA, what is causing
this?” Kali asked the computer.
“There seems to be a large masked ship, just behind the largest moon. It is sending out a jamming signal.”
“Can you override it? Jared asked.
“Negative. It’s nothing my databanks have ever encountered.”
Without warning MIA began firing up the engines.
“MIA? What the hell are you doing? We have to return Ayana.” Kali almost yelled.
“I detect a large destructive force entering the atmosphere of the planet we were orbiting. I have moved us a safe distance away.” The three adults shared looks. There was suddenly a large explosion that rocked the ship.
Meilian and Dyro walked onto the main deck, “What was that?” Dyro asked.
“MIA, show us the planet.” Jared spoke sharply.
“I cannot.”
“Why not?” Lania asked.
“There is no longer a planet to show.”
AN: What did you think of that? I hope I surprised everyone.
Ayana’s survival wasn’t in my orginal plan but I thought it was a good idea. So I guess
that is all for now. Let me know what you think, my e-mail is on the main page. Please put something in the topic line so I know what the e-mail is about and I don't delete it.
Return to the Index
Return to the Madness
