X-Calibur: The Trial Read Free Page B

area. “What kept you?”
    “Human problems,” Caran Doc replied. “A cryptic message from the Mori hive.”
    “Are you sure this alliance is a good idea?” Silan Daltas asked.
    “They're good people,” Caran Doc said. “And they've proven themselves, more than once. We might find their ways a little strange, but yes, I think it's for the best, for all of us.”
    “Then if we're going to stay,” Silan Daltas continued, “I'd like to discuss my next project with you.”
    “Over dinner?” Caran Doc replied, smiling. “I can never say no to you when you offer me your home cooking.”
    Silan Daltas smiled back at him, though it looked a little forced, more mournful than happy. Home cooking had ceased to have the same meaning, her home gone and the crops and produce she was so used to using now only grown in a laboratory. She had never understood the Followers of Ajoch and their rejection of technology, but part of her had always enjoyed her time on the surface of Teela, walking amongst the fields and watching the birds in the sky.
    “Miltren's began examining some of the Earth creatures,” she said. “It's not my usual field but his enthusiasm is infectious. He believes he can modify the genetic codes of Teela's plants and animals to allow them to thrive on Earth.”
    “Really?” Caran Doc asked. “That's remarkable.”
    “With time,” Silan Daltas continued, “we could even terraform a region of Earth to look and feel exactly like home.”
    Caran Doc was taken aback, her comments not what he was expecting. Though he had spent much of his adult life in space, aboard the Ardent Dawn or one of the other enormous vessels, Teela was and always would be his home. He had mourned the loss of his planet, and the countless lives that had been lost along with it, but now Silan Daltas was saying they could bring some of that back? It wouldn't be the same, but it was more than he had ever thought possible.
    “Perhaps the North American continent,” Caran Doc replied, thinking aloud. “I'm sure I could convince the Followers to allow technology amongst them for such an important project. I'm assuming it wouldn't need to be there permanently?”
    “Not once the plants have taken hold and begin to grow,” Silan Daltas explained. “The animals will take longer, but even so, can you imagine it Doc?”
    “I can now,” Caran Doc replied, smiling over at her. “That would be, perfect.”
    “But what about Arthur and the Round Table?” Silan Daltas asked. “Will they be so agreeable?”
    “I don't see why not,” Caran Doc told her. “Leave it to me, I'll speak to them once this current crisis is over.”
    “Thank you,” Silan Daltas replied, placing the hot meal in front of him. “To bring a piece of Teela to our new home, it really would help everyone.”
    “It would,” Caran Doc agreed. “Tell Miltren to request whatever he needs. Let me worry about the Round Table.”
     
    *****
     
    It took three jumps for the probe to get close enough to the hive ship to decipher the entire message. The sky was dark over Camelot, but Arthur and the others were eager to hear it as soon as it was available. As they hurried into the hangar atop the Tor, Gar-Wan was already there, waiting for them.
    “What does it say?” Lance asked as he slowed his pace.
    “We've been waiting for you to arrive,” Gar-Wan replied.
    “Well, we're here,” Arthur said. “Play it.”
    Merlin's image shimmered as he contacted the Ardent Dawn and requested they transmit the amplified signal. A hologram of Caran Doc appeared beside him just as the message began to play.
    “Arthur,” it said, the voice clear and terrified. “Camelot has fallen. Mordred has taken control. His forces are unstoppable. Save us, please. You're our only hope.” As soon as it was finished it began again, a never ending loop of fear and desperation, tinged with a need for hope.
    “That's all of it?” Arthur asked, just as confused as before, if not more so.