shades of green, grass-covered meadows with interspersed
flowers blooming in a kaleidoscope of colors and more streams merging into a
large river in the distance that appeared to meander its way around distant
hills, perhaps emptying into a faraway sea, all seemed too real for him to
fathom. The sheer vastness of the space was unbelievable. No, he realized. That
was an optical illusion. He was just seeing it with more visual acuteness. In
addition, if there’d been animals, birds or insects, he would’ve heard them
too. Only the stream, fountains and breeze made sounds. He concentrated a bit
harder. He was able to hear his own breathing and heart beating. Without
looking, he also knew the flame in the stream was extinguished for the moment.
He gazed down the
path that led to the exit before shifting his attention in the direction Evana
had taken last evening to fetch the wine. Ah, yes, the wine and relaxing pool,
he mused. They were probably both from a planet far away. He gave the pool and
empty glass a suspicious look, thinking for a moment they most likely came from
the planet Ambien.
No, he didn’t feel as
if he’d awoken from a drugged sleep. In fact, he felt incredible. He rubbed his
chin, feeling the same amount of stubble growth he’d had last night. It was
odd. Maybe he’d only slept for a few hours. He decided to explore the dwelling
Evana had mentioned. Maybe a shower and shave would be nice before he went on a
search for her, or Nemesis. Thinking of the latter, he hoped to find some more
clothes too as his had apparently disappeared.
Evana had been
correct. He found everything he needed at the dwelling. Refreshed after shaving
and showering, he also discovered some clothes laid out for him to wear. They’d
appeared on the countertop along with a huge towel before he’d stepped from the
stone enclosed shower area. Well, maybe clothes was too generous a term for
what he actually felt like he was wearing.
The sleeveless
tunic and calf-length pants reminded him of a karate uniform, only of a lighter
weight material with a snug fit. The clothing allowed for total freedom of
movement. He refused to think of them as tights, and since they were obviously
too large for Evana, he had to assume they were meant for him. He didn’t find
any shoes. He studied his bare feet and guessed he could get used to traveling
in outer space without any. Giving it more thought, he imagined if he were a
living ship, he might not want anyone stomping around inside him with hard-soled
boots either.
He left the bath
area intent on exploring the rest of the dwelling. He snooped around, thinking
it looked more like what he might have called a bath house on Earth. He
discovered a few odd shaped bottles in a cabinet. Wine, he guessed. Maybe this
was the kitchen area, he figured, but there were no signs of appliances or food
anywhere. Drake thought about asking out loud for a cold beer just to see if it’d
appear. He changed his mind almost immediately. He really didn’t want one, and
all at once, the whole idea just seemed juvenile.
Not seeing anything
else to interest him, he stepped out the door and returned to the lounge where
he’d spent what was left of last night. It suddenly occurred to him that he
didn’t have a clue as to what time it was or exactly how long he’d slept. He decided
to change his plan of action, turned and took the path he hoped led to the
door.
No opening
appeared. “Evana?” No answer and no opening. He shouted her name. Nothing.
Hoping he was doing the right thing, he tried something different. “Nemesis?”
“Drake, I am
pleased you are awake. I have been waiting for you.”
Oh shit. Not sure what she
meant by “waiting for him” and even less certain in which direction to ask
another question, Drake answered hesitantly, “Waiting for me?”
“Yes. While Evana
is occupied this is a good time for us to talk. Do you require anything?”
“No!” he blurted,
then said more evenly, “No,
flowers blooming in a kaleidoscope of colors and more streams merging into a
large river in the distance that appeared to meander its way around distant
hills, perhaps emptying into a faraway sea, all seemed too real for him to
fathom. The sheer vastness of the space was unbelievable. No, he realized. That
was an optical illusion. He was just seeing it with more visual acuteness. In
addition, if there’d been animals, birds or insects, he would’ve heard them
too. Only the stream, fountains and breeze made sounds. He concentrated a bit
harder. He was able to hear his own breathing and heart beating. Without
looking, he also knew the flame in the stream was extinguished for the moment.
He gazed down the
path that led to the exit before shifting his attention in the direction Evana
had taken last evening to fetch the wine. Ah, yes, the wine and relaxing pool,
he mused. They were probably both from a planet far away. He gave the pool and
empty glass a suspicious look, thinking for a moment they most likely came from
the planet Ambien.
No, he didn’t feel as
if he’d awoken from a drugged sleep. In fact, he felt incredible. He rubbed his
chin, feeling the same amount of stubble growth he’d had last night. It was
odd. Maybe he’d only slept for a few hours. He decided to explore the dwelling
Evana had mentioned. Maybe a shower and shave would be nice before he went on a
search for her, or Nemesis. Thinking of the latter, he hoped to find some more
clothes too as his had apparently disappeared.
Evana had been
correct. He found everything he needed at the dwelling. Refreshed after shaving
and showering, he also discovered some clothes laid out for him to wear. They’d
appeared on the countertop along with a huge towel before he’d stepped from the
stone enclosed shower area. Well, maybe clothes was too generous a term for
what he actually felt like he was wearing.
The sleeveless
tunic and calf-length pants reminded him of a karate uniform, only of a lighter
weight material with a snug fit. The clothing allowed for total freedom of
movement. He refused to think of them as tights, and since they were obviously
too large for Evana, he had to assume they were meant for him. He didn’t find
any shoes. He studied his bare feet and guessed he could get used to traveling
in outer space without any. Giving it more thought, he imagined if he were a
living ship, he might not want anyone stomping around inside him with hard-soled
boots either.
He left the bath
area intent on exploring the rest of the dwelling. He snooped around, thinking
it looked more like what he might have called a bath house on Earth. He
discovered a few odd shaped bottles in a cabinet. Wine, he guessed. Maybe this
was the kitchen area, he figured, but there were no signs of appliances or food
anywhere. Drake thought about asking out loud for a cold beer just to see if it’d
appear. He changed his mind almost immediately. He really didn’t want one, and
all at once, the whole idea just seemed juvenile.
Not seeing anything
else to interest him, he stepped out the door and returned to the lounge where
he’d spent what was left of last night. It suddenly occurred to him that he
didn’t have a clue as to what time it was or exactly how long he’d slept. He decided
to change his plan of action, turned and took the path he hoped led to the
door.
No opening
appeared. “Evana?” No answer and no opening. He shouted her name. Nothing.
Hoping he was doing the right thing, he tried something different. “Nemesis?”
“Drake, I am
pleased you are awake. I have been waiting for you.”
Oh shit. Not sure what she
meant by “waiting for him” and even less certain in which direction to ask
another question, Drake answered hesitantly, “Waiting for me?”
“Yes. While Evana
is occupied this is a good time for us to talk. Do you require anything?”
“No!” he blurted,
then said more evenly, “No,
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