Query by Viola Grace Page A

that would be transported with her.
    It was a little daunting, but she kept her hands tight on her bag until she was inside the shuttle. A long bed with a glass cover was waiting for her, and she handed her pack to the attendant before snatching it back. She pulled Sneed out and took him into the tube with her. When she was settled, she cuddled him against her and squeezed tight when the intravenous line was started in her arm.
    She felt sleepy, but the familiar feel of his fuzzy self kept her from panicking as the dome closed over her.
    She was ready for shipping.
    Freddy felt the shuttle rumbling underneath her as they lifted off. She drifted off as she was taken into space with her stuffed dragon at her side.
     
    She felt cold and sluggish. Freddy opened her eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It was etched metal panels that were gracefully elaborate. She liked them very much.
    “Oracle, please sit up if you can.”
    A woman with hair in shades of deep red came toward her and smiled, showing fangs in her pale-blue face.
    Freddy concentrated and pushed herself upright. “How is that?”
    “Excellent. You are prone to shipping shock. Something you need to be aware of in the future if you travel.”
    “Not to be rude, but who are you?”
    The woman smiled. “I am Ember, Guardian of Reekor. Well, one of them.”
    “I am in the Nyal Imperium?” Her preparation to travel had included a basic understanding of the two main governments she could be dealing with.
    “You are. We are at the Guardian base in Heraken City.”
    “Oh. Why do I feel so heavy?” A moment later, she looked around and said, “Where is Sneed?”
    Ember chuckled. “I imagine you are referring to the object you were holding?”
    “Yes.”
    “It is being decontaminated. You had a bit of cellular rupture in transport. He got bloody.”
    Freddy looked down, and she was only wearing the sheet. “My clothes, too?”
    “You will be provided with clothing appropriate to your station.”
    Freddy held the sheet to her breasts. “Great. When?”
    Ember laughed, her hair swirled around her and she turned toward the door. “Rescue is on his way with the gowns. We were not sure of your exact arrival time, and then, it was all hands to keep you alive.”
    “So, I was sick?”
    Ember rocked her head a little. “Sick, dead. Either one could apply.”
    “Who is Rescue?”
    “He is one of the Guardians posted here. His skill is resuscitation.”
    “Oh. How many others are there?”
    “At the base or in the city?”
    “Either.”
    “Six Guardians are posted at this base. You will reside with us when you are not taking petitions at the temple.”
    She looked around. “Please tell me that this isn’t my room.”
    Ember laughed. “No, Oracle. This is our medical chamber. It is easier to clean than the other rooms.”
    “Why are you calling me Oracle?”
    “Because your true name is yours to share at your discretion. Oracle is what you will be called when you are working, so I am getting you used to it.”
    A male came through the door holding an armload of rainbow fabrics.
    Ember hissed and took the dresses from him. “Rescue, these are fine silk. Wrinkles are not the best way to start Oracle’s day.”
    He smiled. “I think wrinkles are the least of her problems.”
    Ember sorted through the fabrics and picked one that she liked. “Here you go. Would you like help getting dressed?”
    “I will call for help if I need it.”
    Rescue was standing and smiling at her. He appeared to be the same species as Ember, but his hair was darker, and his body was the ideal superhero shape. Wide shoulders, a narrow waist and thickly muscled thighs and arms showed her a man that could be counted on to live up to his name.
    She scowled. “You can leave or turn around now.”
    He grinned and turned his back.
    Ember let out a blast of air. “Oh no. You are getting out of here.”
    She walked up to his turned back and shoved him forward. She was either stronger