“Are they going to be all right?” Corban was rather upset by the discovery.
“They should be fine as soon as I activate the decryo sequence however I am getting some strange readings from the first boy. I'm only getting trace organic readings and mostly ice. I will wake the other two first but need to be careful with this one.”
“He is a waterbender but what you are describing is a water elemental. I have heard of some water benders becoming water elementals when exposed to high temps so I suppose a water elemental may shift for the first time when exposed to cold. My medical training on the topic of elementals was a little sketchy on cryo stasis induced elementalism.”
Alec raised an eyebrow as he downloaded Corban's file. “Level three medical? I fear that you may be more qualified than me in bender issues. I'll work on the other ones and you can take the lead on this one.” A few more taps and all three of the cryo pods levitated out of the alcoves and floated onto the beds. Another tap and the cryo pods dissolved from Fred and Addy. Corban began a deep scan on Jeremy. Another tap and a force field formed over Fred and Addy. The deep scan complete and compiling, DNA was intact, cellular structure intact, life signs unstable. Addy was the first to wake up, Corban suspecting the worst compressed the air around him and Jeremy and deflected a couple arrows before Alec re-erected the containment field.
“She should be fine when Fred wakes up.” Corban suggested as Addy thrashed.
“If this one is Fred then he will wake up within the next minute. How is that one?” Alec sounded concerned.
“Jeremy's DNA and cellular structure is intact which is the main thing. His life signs are unstable but I can manage that if I boost his regeneration. The problem is that he may not be able to control the change so he needs to do it in a containment field.” Corban seemed to be thinking out loud.
Alec responded. “I will handle the field modulation you focus on Jeremy.” The containment field appeared around Jeremy and the cryo pod dissolved.
“Control the temperature at a constant climb from what it is at five degree increments.” Corban directed as he began to connect with Jeremy's energy. After a couple hundred degrees of change he gave the order to stop. He stabilized Jeremy and then told Alec to complete the decryo sequence. Jeremy began to melt then lost containment and turned into a puddle. Corban reassured Alec and waited for Jeremy’s unconscious mind to take control. Another few seconds and the puddle began to take form, a moment more and the quiet form of Jeremy lay before them.
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The strangest dream, Jeremy didn't want to wake up. It felt so nice, cool so, unrestricted. The feeling faded as the memory of the last few minutes returned. He felt wet like he had just been swimming. That was it, the alien must have found him and thrown him in the lake. Wonder he hadn't drowned. The wet feeling was going away too. Feeling a sheet settle over his bare skin he woke with a gasp. Sitting up quickly made his head spin. There was so much light and there was voices and figures. Jeremy felt a hand on his shoulder and his head almost instantly cleared.
“What happened?” He was finally able to say words after finding his voice betrayed him.
“You hid in a cryo stasis pod and inadvertently activated it.” Corban explained only the necessary details. There was so need to elaborate on the other issue. “You are lucky we found you, you could have been in stasis for days, weeks or even months.”
“The others, Fred and Addy are they OK?”
“They are fine, Fred just woke up and Addy tried killing us all so I assume she is fine also.” Corban informed Jeremy. “You need rest, lay down and get some rest. You should be fine by morning and then Kiyan will be by.”
Jeremy laid back down, Kiyan is here that must mean that I am on one of the ships. If Kiyan is going to see me in the morning then I must be after when they phased the planets. They can't send me back now, was the last thing he thought as he faded back into unconsciousness.
Corban sensed his thoughts as he monitored him, smiling to himself he muttered under his breath, little rascals, his parents must be worried sick. Turning to Alec he asked if it was possible to send a message to the refuge worlds.
There is a slight fold in space where the worlds were, we should be able to send a one way message through if we send it in time. Alec turned his attention back to Addy and Fred. Addy was much calmer but still seemed suspicious of Alec. Alec wondered why and seemed to understand when Corban explained how Addy was mildly telepathic, Alec was an android so had no telepathic profile. To Addy, Alec shouldn’t really there.
Fred was the last one to wake up and only relaxed when he was told that he couldn't be sent back home and that a message was being sent to his parents telling them that the boys were safe.
Chapter Eight: War
Kiyan lay sleeping. It felt strange unconsciously feeling only a couple other minds. It felt like void, until a whispered reminder floated from Ray that he was never truly alone. The depths of sleep dragged Kiyan from the semi lucid state he had been in. Another dream. Kiyan had become somewhat used to it. This time he found himself on a desolate planet standing on the edge of a great sea. There was nothing around him except for mountains on one side and the crashing waves from the other. There was a shimmer as a giant drakken appeared in front of Kiyan. Surprising himself with the speed that felt natural Kiyan stepped aside from the blade that swung at him. Still not knowing what to do he sidestepped another swing. This can’t do, he thought. Stepping back he reached out with his energy and found a sword in his hand that burned like the sun. Swinging it up and blocking the next swing he was shocked at his own strength. The drakken’s sword melted and with a roar he sprang at Kiyan. Kiyan tried to sidestep and raise his sword at the same time but wasn’t fast enough. Waiting for the impact he looked up into the yellow eyes of the lizard. There was a crack as sound shattered in the path of a weapon and the yellow eyes became confused. Moving in the opposite direction now with a half dozen thorns in his chest, crumpling in Ray’s jaws the drakken expired. Flames licked out and engulfed the crushed form of the drakken as Ray vented his rage, his black scales glittering in the light.
Looking behind him Kiyan saw Fred and Addy. Addy was in full battle state and Fred was different somehow. Looking forward Kiyan saw a whole army of drakken taking aim with their blasters. The memory of Fred’s death was sharp in his mind as time slowed. Trying to throw up a plasma shield like he had seen Corban do Kiyan watched in detached horror as it dissolved under the barrage of the first few blasts. The next blasts passed through without even slowing. Turning and looking at Fred helplessly Kiyan watched in shock as the blasts ripped through Fred’s cloths without so much as burning him. Almost as if his skin was somehow harder than stone. Addy wasn’t even singed either. Looking back at the drakken he saw they were looking at the sea with terror. The water seemed to have a life of its own and raising up it flowed after the fleeing drakken and crushed them under a mighty wave. When the wave had receded all that was left was the lone figure of Jeremy. Seeing the sand at his feet the words burning in fiery light read, From the light of the unborn, great power is given, the child of time’s shadow is never empty.
Kiyan woke from a deep sleep, momentarily dislocated until he saw the metal and glass of the ceiling. Realization of where he was set in along with the feeling of no return. Home was safe from attack. He was committed to a war he hadn't started. Casting out his senses he realized the ship was moving. Where to he had no idea. Ray was in the form of a small black winged lizard curled up on chair by the door. Stretching as he uncurled he shifted into his human form and a uniform shimmered into view around him. Sensing Kiyan’s question he sent a description of a nanite holographic generator that Alec had given him to use with transformations. Feeling hungry the duo made their way to the mess hall. Kiyan wondered at the meaning of the dream. The light of the unborn, whatever that meant. Also Fred and Jeremy were safe on the planet so what were they doing in the dream?
Kiyan saw Corban a moment before he
glanced at his wrist then up at Kiyan with a smile. Making a note of the fact that there was only four other people in the large room Kiyan stopped in his tracks. Impossible, it had to be another dryad. Fred had said that Addy had sisters that had chosen humans so there were others. His entire explanation crashed to the ground when he saw Jeremy look up from his plate of food. After Kiyan recovered from the shock he noticed that Jeremy was glowing a deep icy blue without Kiyan even having to think about life bending. A choked yell from Fred made him forget his curiosity. Addy just about instantly wrapped Fred in her vines and squeezed making Fred spit out a chunk of food that he had inhaled. Corban admonished Fred that swallowing his food instead of inhaling it was far safer. After the greetings were over the story of how the boys had come to be on the ship was told. Kiyan wasn't sure if he should be glad they were with him or if he should be sad that they were leaving home also however the boys only seemed a little sad about the separation.
“We sent a message back to the planet telling their parents that they were safe.” Corban explained. “After you eat breakfast I have a surprise for you all.”
“Breakfast was nearly as good as Marisa makes.” Kiyan complimented Alec.
“I strive to achieve culinary arts of that level then.” Alec responded good naturedly.
“I didn't mean that, it was good but good in a different way than mom makes it.” Kiyan was a little embarrassed.
“In my study humans I have found it rare that anyone can cook as well as one's mother so I will take second best as a high compliment.” Alec said with a glint in his eyes.
“I thought that you were running the ship so how do you have time to be a cook also?” Kiyan inquired.
“Chef to be more accurate, what you see in front of you is only one of my androids that are currently active. I have seventeen active right now. If the commander of this vessel appoints me the ship's AI then I can integrate with the ship's systems and be active in many times that number.” Alec explained.
“Who is the ship's commander?” Kiyan wasn't sure he wanted to know but he was curious. He had hoped to be with Kendra or Theo.
“The truth is that that I can't tell even if I knew.” Alec smiled then continued preparing a dish for someone.
After Kiyan finished eating and reminded Corban about his promise.
“Before we do anything I need to get all of you to promise not to hide in cryo bays.” Corban said with a wink.
Fred and Jeremy both began exclaiming about how that would never happen again. Kiyan almost succeeded in stifling a laugh that bought him a glare from the other two boys.
“It is not funny, we could have been trapped like that for months.” Jeremy chided Kiyan in an attempt to impart the true gravity of the predicament.
“I know but it is a little funny, you hid in the only place where your life signs would not have shown up on the initial scan. Besides you also missed seeing the how big the ships are.” Kiyan teased.
“How are we going to train on a spaceship?” Jeremy asked after they walked for a little time.
Corban smiled as he walked with them through one of the corridors. Taking a turn they entered a large white rounded room. It was spherical with a flat area near the bottom. About a couple hundred feet in diameter it dwarfed the group.
“It is a particle synthesis holographic simulator. It is used for training and using the inertial dampers and gravity generators it can replicate most anything the ship scans. The particle synthesis generators actually replicate matter so it can be used for bending training.” Tapping his wrist a screen appeared around Corban's hand and a couple more taps the walls seemed to disappear. There was a quiet hum as the familiar scenery of the training ground behind the water falls appeared.
“Go ahead try it out.” Corban offered.
Kiyan reached out and felt the water around him, it felt real. Reaching out further he was unable to sense anything but nearby was a perfect replica. Kiyan connected with the water and swirled it around him.
“How far does it go?” Kiyan inquired.
“If you get separated from the rest of us you will be placed in a simulation of your own but still in the same simulator with the rest of us. There really is no limit as to how far you can go.” Corban explained briefly.
Kiyan took a run towards the edge of the platform and hardly noticed the flicker of the sim separation. Leaping off the platform he free fell for a moment. Gathering the water into glider wings he flew over the lake, feeling an elevation loss he fire bent giving himself a little thrust. Gliding over the village he came in for a landing and warping the water around him he settled down in front of his house. Walking inside everything was as he remembered it, down to the eating utensils in the cabinets. Glancing around was too much, missing home all over again he turned and ran from the house. Flames burst from his hands and he took flight again. It was nice knowing he could come here if he wanted but it hurt remembering everyone he missed. Glancing up he saw Ray’s dark shape gliding towards him. Gaining elevation he turned towards the ridge by town and settled down as Ray flew under him. “Let’s go see the glow woods for a bit, I need some time alone.”
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Corban knew it was going to be hard on Kiyan but he also thought that it would help knowing that home wasn't totally gone. After watching Ray shift into a dragon and launch himself into the air Corban turned to Fred and asked him to continue what he had been working on in the last lesson. Jeremy took the hint and bent some water into a few pools on the platform and set to practicing ice bending. Corban was about to have him try something new but decided to observe him instead. Corban watched as Jeremy's energy grew until it was flooding the area. Glancing at Fred he saw that he also was seeing it. A quick thought stopped Fred from making any comment, Corban wanted to see what Jeremy was going to do. A few minutes and the water that Jeremy was bending began to glow the same color. The energy began to build up until there was a flash.
Jeremy yelled and stopped bending when he felt the change. Looking at his arm or what should have been his arm with something akin to terror. The water he was bending was frozen solid extending from his hand. His hand was clear and fluid, he felt his hand but it was different. It felt like the water that he had been bending yet it felt like it was his hand. Shaking his hand it was back to normal again. Still staring at his hand he jumped when Corban spoke.
“Surprisingly you became a water elemental when you were trapped in the cryo pod. What happened is not abnormal for a strong bender after they change. It will take some time to learn to control it but there really is no danger. You subconsciously have complete control like when you shook your hand. If you lose control your subconscious takes over and returns you back to your normal form.” Corban wasn't sure Jeremy was actually listening as he examined his hand.
“But it was water, like real water? How?” Jeremy hadn't been listening.
“That's because you are a water elemental you dummy.” Fred was a little less diplomatic about it.
Jeremy was stunned for a moment before the situation began to sink in. “I’m a what?”
Corban decided to try again. “You are a water elemental also known as a water former. You changed when you got trapped in the cryo pod. I found out when we resuscitated you.”
So that wasn’t a dream then. Jeremy was thinking about the strange feeling he had had when he woke up. It felt like what his hand had felt like when it had turned to water. Being a water elemental was something he had always wanted to be but he had hadn’t known it would feel like that. I wonder if I can do it again he thought to himself.
Corban and Fred watched as Jeremy began to glow again as he began to focus on the water again. The glow intensified until it the water glowed the same color. There was another flash as Jeremy began to transform. The change crept its way up his arm and over his body.
Jeremy was feeling more in sync with the water than he had ever felt before. The change complete he could sense every drop of water in the simulator. Feeling a
little dizzy the world began to spin until he couldn’t take it anymore. Feeling the ground approaching he put out his hand to catch himself. Landing shocked him back to his senses, looking at himself he realized that he wasn’t wearing a stitch. Embarrassment washed over him in waves and he wished he could melt through the floor.
“Its ok none of us are looking.” Jeremy was relieved when he glanced up and saw the wall of vines that Addy was growing.
“If you are going to be doing that very often I suggest you talk to Alec about one of those holographic uniforms they wear.” Corban offered when Jeremy finished drying his clothes and put them on. “Also it takes time to learn to control elemental states. It took me weeks of practice to learn to even control the transformation. Fire elementals are different than water elementals however. To shift into a fire elemental one has to transform into a form of energy. But to transform into a water elemental it is merely a matter of adjusting the arrangement of molecules in the body. The truth is that if you get hurt you might heal as fast as you can shift back from water. “
“What do you mean?” Jeremy was still a little light headed.
“Here let me show you.” Corban touched Jeremy’s hand and constructed a psychic reality. Jeremy’s head felt fine in a moment as he looked around. The room as it seemed couldn’t be defined as such by conventional terms. He wasn’t worried as Corban had shown him different water bending moves here before.
“I can’t harm you here but I can show you what would happen if you got hurt.” Jeremy watch with a little apprehension as a knife appeared in Corban’s hand. Stabbing himself in the hand Corban showed his hand to Jeremy. The cut wasn't bleeding like it should instead it looked like the edges of the cut were flowing back together like a liquid. Looking closer Jeremy could see that the area around the cut was indeed water. In another moment there wasn’t a sign of the injury. I am a fire bender so I had to show you here. Feeling an impulse from Jeremy he decided not to release him just yet.