The Book of Ominiue: Starborn (5 page)

The sun rose on the final day and everyone was in high spirits. A couple of times Kíe drifted behind Shayne and talked with the Brigadier and sung more songs for him while the robots recorded them. The songs were mostly simple and joyful ones, including one about a lionman warrior who claimed to be the greatest warrior in the world. It was a very simple tune and one of the favourites amongst lionmen children and in taverns.

Kíe also began to teach the Brigadier some words in their common tongue. The Brigadier did not require these lessons, they were already on his portable computer and if required the androids could also teach him, but he took the offer in friendship. Hanniver found joy in the lionman’s lessons; he happily repeated the words and shared the English equivalents. Hanniver was not the best of teachers, he found it difficult to convey meaning and would have been completely hopeless if it was not for the robots, but they both went through their words happily and enjoyed themselves.

The party briefly rested upon a hill at midday, the great plains of the north visible from their vantage point. When they continued on the view of the grasslands faded, only to be seen again as they climbed each hill, but steadily the landscape flattened out as they marched. The thick foliage shadows of the forest gave way to bright green canopies and the thinning trees became so widely spaced that even armoured land vehicles could pass unobstructed.

It was not long before Shayne saw the break in the trees. A feeling of elation rose as they finally reached the border. The lionmen were especially pleased, their faces a mixture of excitement and relief.  When they finally stepped past the last of the trees everyone gave a unified sigh and two of the lionman fell to their knees, bowing to the grasslands before them. The radiant heat from the sun beat down upon their faces and the company knew that the days would grow hotter as they moved into the first weeks of the Iraquis summer.

The Earthmen looked at the scene before them. The steppes stretched beyond sight in the north-eastern direction. To the west the grasslands were bounded by the Great Dividing Mountain Range. The mountains curved out from the forest where they came from and made its way around until it was but a faint landmark before them. It was a scene that brought pleasure to the Earthmen after a week of dense and sometimes suffocating forest. Looking back from where they emerged the great mountains still dominated the landscape with great peaks capped in snow all year round.

‘There is the village we must travel to.’ Kíe pointed north-west. Shayne shaded his eyes and saw in the distance a small settlement protected by a stakewall. There were grazing beasts moving lazily between them and the village and Shayne thought he could make out a lionman walking amongst them. ‘That is Danarie, in the Dídrandom of Palerman, one of the villages that I have been calling home for almost a year now.’ Kíe smiled as he glanced across at Shayne and gave him a friendly slap on the back causing the Starborn to stumble forward. ‘Come Star Ta’Orians, Bohaníde awaits.’ With that he headed towards the township, his staff in hand as he sang a joyful tune about returning home. The other lionmen fell into step, singing along with him.

Chapter
02

Warhorse

“So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings”.

                                                                                               -
J.R. Tolkien

General Medical Report:

Star Born Causality 823: Shayne Bran Forrester

The subject number Star Born Causality 823 exhibits strange behaviour atypical for a Starborn.  Brain mapping indicates beyond
Superior Star Born
status, with high ability in cognitive and independent thinking. Differences from superior Starborn status indicates 823’s semantic memory is still largely intact and the subject also retains some procedural memory. IQ before the degeneration was tested at 167. IQ upon the first weeks of awakening was at 113 and currently is 131. It is uncertain at this stage if it will return to its former level. This is far beyond any other Starborn so far recorded and may reflect the unusually high classification before the Starborn deterioration. Also interesting to note that subject still retains his accent, whereas all others learn to speak with the Astronauts neutral accent suggesting possibility of only partial infection. Subject displays an accelerated ability to learn and to understand. He also has superior observational skills, possibly a ghosting of his former life. It is not known if the behaviour is due to the subject being of high intelligence or that the region affected is not enough to subject him to a complete Starborn pattern.

The patient shows many phantom signs including: time tracking, language and motor skills. Testing also indicates areas of the brain became active when participating in a memory test. Main areas of heightened activity occur when viewing basic quantum mechanical equations and cosmological equations, and also in areas of culture; including viewing images of many famous Earth landscapes and hearing classical music, most notably Beethoven and Bach. When queried about the subject matter the patient is unaware of any knowledge but admits to having a vague recollection, as the following interview demonstrates:

“... I don’t recall anything, but I do have a sense of familiarity. It’s as if my mind sees an image but when I try to focus on it, it’s gone and I cannot retrieve it. It’s like, for a brief moment I remembered something and then it is no more with nothing left except for the memory that I knew something ...”

Brain damage during cryogenic status occurred to the patient mainly in areas of memory and memory recall. The patient is able to hold new information with increasing accuracy, with his ability to withhold knowledge on an eidetic level still intact. Previous memories are so far absent. Probability of full memory recovery is 0%, probability of partial cognitive memory recovery 7%, probability of individual memory “moments” recovery 43%. 

Personality shows usual Starborn behaviour, with damage to the
Deep Limbic System
incurring limited activity. He has approximately 30% more activity than the typical Starborn. Some small regions were reported to light up with the memory test; suggesting that at least one ghosting memory connected with emotion, with 11% probability of regaining some level of emotional behaviour.

Problem solving tests show an advanced aptitude to spatial, logical and mathematical problems. Reintegration into the academic community is possible. With current rate of learning and current intelligence it is highly probable to reteach the patient his former qualifications.

Conclusion: still in speculation stage of whether to classify 823 as a full Starborn. Recommend review of status with continual observation of actions in the colony environment. He does not fit the criteria of complete Starborn degeneration.  Patient has a high probability of functioning successfully either in the military as an officer, or as a scientist in research. Report requires further investigation. 

Further Suggestions: allow a degree of freedom to watch and observe his actions and decisions. We suggest not to be made into a Star Born Soldier, but be given opportunities in the areas that he excels within, such as intelligence and areas that require great detail. Highly recommend reintegrated into his old profession.

***

The village was no more than a couple of kilometres away. Kíe led them through the Oxen-like-beasts where a female lionman shepherd watched them approach. At first she bowed to them as they passed, but the strangeness of the scene was too much for her and she left the herd. She followed droid marvelling at the way it gleamed in the sunlight, how it moved and the faint sounds it made. She wondered greatly what it was but she never spoke a word. She shifted her attention to the Earthmen and examined their strange uniforms: the fullerene-armour, nanofabric clothing and the cultural designs were so foreign to her. As she moved from each individual, examining them without any shame she came upon Shayne who glared coldly at her which caused her to falter. She backed away and continued to feed her curiosity away from his dreadful gaze.  When they reached one of the village gates she reluctantly returned to her herd.

The village was a farming community that housed up to forty families, but the sight of the spaceships turned the small remote region into a staging area. Bohanese soldiers crowded into the town and tents were erected to house them all. There were also visitors from neighbouring villagers who heard rumours of the expedition and made their own way to Dunarie to awaited the return of the search party.  The smell that accompanied the township was not pleasant either, with the soldiers only adding to the typical odours of a small primitive township. 

Upon their arrival the local lionmen children came running out to greet them. They jumped around while laughing and waving. ‘Where are the dragons?’ they called, when realising that it was not the legendary Dragonriders that emerged with the exploration party, but strange Ta’Orians who had skin and hair colours they had never seen in a human before. The children’s disappointment quickly faded and was replaced with a new excitement. They welcomed Kíe with outbursts of joy for it had been over a month now since their party originally set out. One of the cubs ran straight for the scholar, he bent down and picked her up raising her high in the air, laughing at their joy. The other children gathered under him, pulling at his robes and talking over each other, but when the cubs saw Shayne and looked him in the eyes many of them became afraid and fell silent.

The company made their way to the adult contingent at the village gate, a dog-like creature bounded forward and sniffed at Red Rocket, with her tail wagging madly while Red Rocket gave an uncertain snarl, warning the canine off. Other creatures were intermingled amongst the lionmen, but they mostly stayed out of the way, sneaking glances at the strangers, or paying no interest in them at all.

It was here that Shayne confirmed without a doubt Kíe’s youth, the town held people of all ages and now he saw the journeyman was at the beginning of mature age; he looked incredibly young with his short mane and almost no extra fur growth on his jaw, something that the Starborn now understood was a great source of pride for the males of the species. 

The villagers were dressed simply, their tails were free like Kíe’s and not wrapped tightly around their bodies. The lionmen did not require as much clothing due to their coat of fine fur and the mild seasons caused by Iraquis’ small axial tilt. Even the warriors waiting their return were dressed differently. The search party soldiers were heavily armoured and had thick furs and heavy boots with long spears. The ones that stayed behind in the village wore thinner fabrics and sandals, like the ancient Romans. Looking back at their entourage Shayne saw that the expedition lionmen looked uncomfortable in their winter gear. They only carried essential provisions into the forest and did not change as they descended the high lands of the forest. Kíe on the other hand was able to shed his warmer clothing, he now wore lighter garments with the academic’s half-cloak on top of a dark shirt bearing only his arms and head to the sunlight.

The children guided the company to the gates, dancing and running around as they went. The party stopped before the crowd that waited for them. A decorated female soldier stood before them, her helmet in her hands and a red cloak that reached the ground.

Madan’rah came forward. He knelt down to his superior, the Nida Kushnalor
[6]
Pan’arden and spoke briefly, ‘We have returned from the sacred forest and present to you the Hama Ta’Orians and the warrior of prophecy, the Afrada ala Hama.’ The waiting crowd gasped with shock at this revelation and a murmur rose from amongst them.  The High Captain herself looked up in surprise at the small group of humans.

‘And which is the one?’ asked Pan’arden. Kíe and Kushnalor Madan’rah turned, directing their gaze at Shayne, who stared back at the officer in his emotionless way, his dark eyes pierced hers. She shifted uneasily as all do when his gaze falls upon them, a subtle action that was not lost on the other soldiers and all looked upon him with fear and awe. After the moment’s hesitation Pan’arden knelt down upon one knee and lowered her head, all the soldiers and villagers followed her lead, bowing lower with their faces to the ground. Shayne remained standing, staring silently at the lowered forms before him, unsure of what to do.

Kíe then stepped forward breaking the moment, ‘The Star Ta’Orians wish to seek council, they wish to travel to Taríth to parlay with the Varda.’

Pan’arden was the first to stand. Regaining her composure. She was quick to respond to Kíe, ‘Of course Journeyman, we shall see to it.’ With that the others stood but their faces remained downcast in his presence. Afterwards as the Earthmen moved amongst the villagers most gave him a wide birth except for the odd brave soul who would reach out and touch his clothing before slinking off again.

‘It seems the power you hold over the natives is stronger than anyone could’ve possibly imagined, Starborn.’ The Brigadier-General Christov Hanniver approached Shayne after the three leading lionmen disappeared into a nearby home. ‘At first I was so damn angry that they’d only talk through you, but this proves better relations than any other scenario could
ever
bring.’ The Brigadier smiled at Shayne, the first time any Earthman other than an Astronaut to do so. ‘Don’t get me wrong Colonial, I still don’t trust you.’

‘Perfectly understandable,’ Shayne replied.

‘Just remember Starborn, that you’re still in review, ok?’

Shayne did not reply. He did not need to, for the Brigadier knew he would only speak when he needed to. Hanniver then gathered his men and they went into the village centre to rest while they waited. The Brigadier’s pet Tasmanian tiger followed closely, her mouth in her usual wide grin as she panted happily behind him, leaving Shayne to wait for Kíe. 

The Starborn stood there for a while before he noticed a small lionman cub watching him. He shifted his attention down at it not knowing if it was male or female, they all looked alike to him.

‘What do you want?’ he asked in the common tongue. The child let out a little gasp of fright and ran away.

‘You really should not do that,’ came a voice. Shayne’s eyes snapped across to Kíe, his eyes dancing with amusement.

‘Do what?’ The comment confused him, though his face did not show it.

‘Scare her.’

‘I did nothing; how could I have scared her?’

‘There is something about you Afra’hama, it sends one into a frozen terror. I have known you for a while now and you still scare me.’

‘I do not see it,’ replied Shayne, his companion’s scrutinising easy smile.

Kíe’s green eyes studied him. He tilted his head, his usual smile merging into a thoughtful half one, ‘No, I guess you do not.’ With that he moved in the direction of the house. ‘Come on,’ he called back as he walked towards the building. The expedition lionmen tended to lower themselves a bit when talking to him, this village was no different. He did not know if this was a form of respect or a natural stance when conversing with the much shorter humans. He knew that this planet also had a native human species. Most planets they discovered did and they all shared similar genetic codes revealing a common ancestry, it was one of the great mysteries of space travel. The lionmen presences was the first example of true alien species, but even they suspected they might not be true aliens, so far all life shared the same DNA blueprint. As far as these native Iraqian humans go, Shayne knew the lionmen lived and communicated amongst them and that many of their countries were bipartisan, but he did not know to what extent their relationship existed, or on what level that relationship changed as a country moved in favour to one race.

They came to one of the outer buildings. The door frame towered over Shayne’s head. If the Earthman was not in the presence of two-and-a-half-metre tall creatures, he would be forgiven for mistaking it for a hall entrance rather than a simple homestead. Upon entering the dwelling the two senior soldiers stood to attention, they were slightly hunched over in a room that was small by lionmen standards. Pan’arden offered a chair to Shayne but he rejected it; preferring to stand when in the presences of others; a Starborn habit perhaps. It was dark inside, an attempt to keep the little home cool, the only light came from the open door behind them and a small window that had light coloured cloth draped over it. Shayne saw a large dog-like creature lying in a darkened corner, half concealed by a cavity in the wall. All that he could make out of it was the faintest hint of a shaggy coat and its eyes reflecting yellow eyeshine as it turned its large head to look up at him. It never moved from its shadowy bed but its gaze remained fixed upon him.