Page 8 of His to Worship

Out of nowhere, the ship's computer announces, “LOCATION DETERMINED. NOW ENTERING…SYSTEM NUMBER 2189 UNDER INTERGALACTIC CODE NUMBER 2946 —EMERGENCY OVERRIDE ENGAGED.”

We all share a look before rushing out of the control room and down the hallway until we reach a row of windows. Parking in front of one, I press my face against the glass like everyone else. Every breath in the room hitches at what’s before us.

An expanse of swirling planets, dotted with a myriad of moons and bathed in the light of two—no, three blazing suns. The whole thing seems to be filled with asteroids. I bet it was one of them that strayed and hit us, ensuring we’d end our lives in this planetary system.

The ship quakes again beneath my feet, sending shockwaves of fear rippling through my body. With each impact, the alarms blare mercilessly louder and the computer announcements get increasingly worse.

“WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! CONTROL SYSTEM DOWN! AUTOPILOT DISABLED! MANUAL CONTROL DISABLED! OXYGEN STORES DEPLETED! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!”

My heart races as my mind frantically searches for a solution to our dire predicament. When the ship shakes violently with yet another impact, I know we only have one option left. At least the only one I can see.

“I’m getting in my pod.” I don’t stop to argue, and I don’t stop to see if the others follow me.

When I finally reach the shipping crate room and stop at my pod, I notice that all of them have followed me. Renata is the last to enter and closes the shipping crate from the inside. We give each other one last look of support, and then we step into our pods. The moment I close my pod door over me, it begins to fill with gas. Darkness claims me quickly, but through the muffled sounds of alarms and warnings I make out the computer’s words:

“IMPACT CRITICAL! REPAIR NEEDED! EMERGENCY LANDING PROCEDURES BEGINNING NOW!”

FOUR

- kuvier -

When I awake to find the Great Mother’s eyes brightening the sky, I believe it will be very much a typical day. The bright season is well underway, which means Atiqarii is full of endless light and never-ending cold. However, it also means that the clan’s hunters are at their most busy, as we use the long days to prepare for the dark times to come.

Going about my morning as normal, I do not worry that my mother is not in our shared hut. She had already told me that she would be up early, tanning hides and making more leathers for the new babe born to Aptuu and Esa last dark season. My mother spends much of her time catering to a clan that will never fully accept her. And yet, where may I judge? Do I not do the same when I bring home choice meats and offer them to others with the intention of finding an ounce of appreciation in their eyes?

Speaking of, I am wasting the hours to hunt. I stoke the fire for my mother once more, bringing it lower so it may continue to bring some warmth to our home. With reluctance, and nothing left to prepare and procrastinate over, it is time for the task I wished to avoid for as long as possible.

I must see my atan.

I am out of my hut and steering my body toward him far sooner than I would like. I am not surprised to see that few are awake at this time. With only one eye blinking in the sky, there is much left of the dawn. Many are still asleep, but I know that the atan will not be.

As I near his hut, the air thickens with the scent of the smoke that rises from the central fire pit. A few mated females are gathered around the large flame, roasting an uunaht head. They look up as I pass, but do not greet me. I ignore them as they do me, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Approaching the entrance of the atan’s intricately decorated hut, I can hear the low murmur of voices inside—Junq is not alone. This is less than ideal. Junq is difficult when he is alone, but even worse with company because the male has the habit of performing when in front of crowds. Somehow, I always end up the laughingstock of every performance.

I force myself to remain composed, despite the urge to turn around. If I want the assistance I seek and the permission I need, I will need Junq, which means playing the dutiful hunter.

I use a finger to knock the bone chimes hanging next to the covered hut opening. Junq’s voice calls out for my entry and I do as I am told. When I step inside, I see that Kuvit and a couple of elders are present. The flickering fire casts long shadows on the walls, making the space feel even more oppressive.

“Kuvier, what a surprise,” Junq greets with a distinct lack of hospitality. I clap my fist over my chest and give a short bow.

“My atan, elders,” I incline my head at each of the elders present before skimming over the last form in the room. “Kuvit.”

“Clansman,” Kuvit greets back, giving me the slightest nod of his head, his face schooled into an indifferent look that looks so much like my own, just lighter in color.

“Why do you seek your atan?” Tiqii asks with reproach. Of all the clansfolk, Tiqii’s hatred of me is the most fierce. She was mated to the late Atan Kuuv, whose infidelity conceived me, so I cannot say I blame her.

“Atan Junq,” I choose to address him directly, “I seek your permission to investigate strange tracks I found during my last hunt. They are unlike any animal tracks I have seen before, and I believe they warrant further exploration.”

Viquum speaks up, his tone wary. “We are on the brink of the dark season, Kuvier. Every hunter’s focus is needed to ensure we are prepared.”

“I understand, Elder,” I reply, maintaining a respectful tone. “But if these tracks belong to a new predator, it could pose a threat to the tribe. It is better to understand what we are dealing with than to be caught unawares, especially in the dark.”

“A new animal?” Tiqii scoffs loudly. “You likely saw a mangled track. An aktar for instance. We rarely see those.”

“I am sure of what I saw.” Breathe, Kuvier. Restrain yourself.

“I agree with Tiqii, it is probably a scrambled track we have already seen.” Junq waves his hand at me, dismissing my statement. “There are no new animals. The Great Mother would have made such a gift clear.”

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