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On The Loose
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Dedicated to those who distort reality
by Phoebe North
On the Loose, by Unknown
On the loose to climb a mountain
On the Loose where I am free
On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be
Though I've only got a moment
And a whole world yet to see
I'll be looking for tomorrow on the loose.
***
5-17-3000 ESY
1-1-1333 TSY (Titan standard years)
Tekaera D'huna Zerra raised her fingers to Titan's vast expanse of orange sky. The fire atop the great clock warmed her nude body and made her oblivious to the impending cold of night. She was wiry and small compared to the other priests, but it made no difference to any of them. Not now anyway. Their voices were chorused in the Zerran chant of rebirth. Each was focused on the prayer of the new year, it's rythms hiding badly beneath the chant.
"Oh'ghoska, Medellka, Doreeeva, Manei. Ter'ana killana caalian mor teerth. Oh'ghoska, Medllka.." Terkaera said in a hoarse voice. Her vocal chords were swollen from days of prayer and weeks of preperation. At least she was only a Roujeer-a second level priestess. If she had been of the third level, her chants would have been reduced to a succession of wordless whispers.
"Ter'ana Killana caalian mor teerth.." the fire let out a loud crackling noise. Tekaera's eyes opened automaticly, and her voice stopped in uncomfortable silence. Her gaze fell directly on the Christian-Earth years on the great clock. It was a holy year for those Earthers too: the three thousandth year since their messiah had supposedly been born. Her eyes quickly drifted upwards to the Zerran-Titanian caldendar year. It was nearly the one thousandth, three hundredth and thirty third year since her people had moved to Saturn's great moon, Titan. 1333. 3000. The number three was infinately important to followers of the Gods and Goddesses of Zerra, and even moreso to the priests of those gods. There were thirty three Gods and Goddesses who sat in the chairs at the palace of Zerra. They had chosen to create life in the three hundreth year of the universe's exsistance.
"And they chose priests and priestesses to pray. You should be praying." Tekaera's head swung back over her shoulder. Behind the other priests of the second level, and behind the youngest ones, the ones of the first level, loomed a creature of enormous stature. She was two man-lengths tall, with glossy deep-violet scales covering her entire body. As the creature returned Tekaera's stare, she shifted her veiny green wings that took the place of the expected arms.Her gaze was extremely stern and intimidating, but Tekaera knew of the softness that laid beneath, of the childish giddiness, and of the explosive rage. Not one of the other priests noticed the dragon (for that is what the creature was) For she was invisable and intangible to all but Tekaera herself.
Ausiavera, the young priestess sent a telepathic message to the dragon, in the place of words, I told you not to come tonight. The rebirth festival...well, you know I'm glad to see you. It's not that I don't want you to be here...
"Oh stop fussing, Tekkie," Ausiavera teased the girl with her nickname, "You know how the other priests see me. Well, even if they don't _see_ me. Too close minded, but they think I'm a good sign. What better sign at a rebirth festival then a dragon? Anyhow, I overheard the headpriest saying that you would get your third-level assignment tonight. I wanted to be here to watch you progress!"
"Wh-" Tekaera placed a hand over her lips, What?! My third level?! But I'm only 14...
"He was saying it's the perfect age," the dragon snorted with a flare of her nostrils, "For this assignment. Just wait one moment, and he'll call you." Tekaera bit down on her lip in anticipation. A million years seemed to be contained in a few moments. Then a name echoed into her inter-communication implant(ICI) in the side of her head. From the sudden movements of the others, she knew they heard too.
"Tekaera D'huna Zerra," the voice in the ICI was saying, "Please come to the main hall for your third-level assignment." a sigh of relief escaped Tekaera's mouth. Wearing a broad grin, she pulled her robes over her sweaty body and shoved passed the other priests, feeling their jealous glares on her back. As she slipped by Ausiavera, she directed her smile to her.
"Thanks Aus." she said softly, not letting the stares of the others stop her at all.
"Tekaera D'huna Zerra, you came quickly." The elderly priest lurched forwards on his reedy mat and rose, "A good sign. Are you eager to receive your assignment?"
She studied his eyes carefully. They were kind, honest, but not testing. She answered truthfully, "Of course, Ferrli G'h Zerra," she addressed him by his name. It seemed to please him, "Isn't everyone? but I must ask: why now. Most priests don't receive their third-level assignment until they are at least 16. I'm two years younger!" The old man laughed.
"You were alwaya inquisitive. But it is a trait that serves us priests well. When researching this ship you are to be assigned to, we found the average age on board was just your level."
"Oh.." Tekaera said slowly, "Ship?"
"Correct me if I am wrong: your father served on a starship titled the Aurora12?" She felt herself draw in a sharp breath. He had served, and died on that ship. BUt that was before she had even been a priestess. Before Ausiavera had appeared.
"Yes, Kelau served on the Aurora12." she answered finally.
"You have been on the ship?"
"On two occasions. Once, when I was three months, and again at two years." Ferrli nodded his head throughtfully, his once rainbow greying hair showing beneath the hood of his robe.
"Good. You will know somewhat of it's layout then. You will nnot be serving with the original crew, the one your father was a part of. There was a second...children of your own age."
"I will advise them?"
"Yes. And keep them on the correct path so that no tears in the space-time continuum will be made."
Tekaera found herself grinning. She had a feeling this would be fun, "Sir?"
"yes, Tekaera?" he replied. She started towards the door.
"Thank you. For not giving me a boring assignment like an evolution watch." Ferrli watched her leave, chatting with the air excitedly. He had a feeling this would be interesting: everything that the young priestess did seemed to take on a surreal edge that distorted reality. Like talking to dragons.
***
