ship
activates in reentry. Windows darken so the bright flames don’t
blind. Less than a minute later the fires went out when they slowed
down to supersonic speeds and still continued slowing.
Ahead lay the city of Loke, named after
Andrea Loke who found what is now known as a Solarian nursery
pyramid, commonly called the Tower of Loke. She still lives here
even after five centuries since its discovery. Air traffic wasn’t
bad enough to be coordinated like Verard or Earth and they flew
single file behind the shuttle piloted by Renee herself. They flew
down between snowcapped mountain peaks and into a wide valley. Much
of the city was located near the large lake that supplied fresh,
crystal clear water. Following the travel plans they headed to a
personal ship parking area and before landing Oliver got a full
view of the grand nursery.
The pyramid had all open sides, but were
reflecting lights shone from angled lamps. The walls were made of
clear crystal so compact it has withstood eons. The floors numbered
just a simple ten, but was more than thirty stories tall. Four
sides. The base width was four kilometers wide so it was no small
structure. Each floor was made of metal and had lasted well. It was
a scientific marvel as well as a historic sight, but right now
there were no tours being made.
After the single pass Renee led them to land
at an empty lot, but standing waiting was an average height woman,
hair as midnight dark as the night itself and wearing a lab coat
over black jeans and a blue shirt. Judging by her expression she
had been waiting for some time, but was barely containing an
abundance of overexcitement.
Renee touched down and as soon as she opened
the hatch to exit the black haired woman of caramel skin asked “You
must be Renee!” to grab her arm.
Hating being grabbed, she punched the woman
in the abdomen which knocked the wind out of her. “Don’t grab me
again. Who the hell are you?”
Sparky walked up to her side
to stare down at the gasping woman out of curiosity before slipping
into the woman’s mind to tell everyone with a great deal of
surprise “Renee, you just punched Andrea
Loke herself.”
“ Well I’m not apologizing.
What do you want, Professor and why are you here? Papa told me to
expect someone, but I never would imagine it would be
you.”
Andrea swallowed, but recovered enough until
she noticed the Flare land and out stepped Oliver putting the
shield back under his cape and sniffed the air which was a bit
thinner than normal. “By the Stars!”
Forgetting all pain, Andrea nearly ran over
to look over him with wonder. Oliver held still after stepping out
as this little woman poked his firm middle, covered in armor, but
then grabbed his cape and went to grab his sword till Renee grabbed
the woman’s arm and glared. “What the hell is wrong with you woman?
You just can’t go doing shit like this.” Renee let go.
“ My apologies.” She stared
up at Renee and had to really lean back to stare at Oliver. “I knew
Solarian men were much taller than their women, but you are a
magnificent specimen. Is that armor for intimidation purposes or
are you really that muscular underneath?”
“ Red, I don’t know what to
do.” Oliver said.
“ What a voice! You must make
panties of every woman drop if you sang.”
“ Take it down a notch,
Girl.” Jessica put a hand on Andrea’s shoulder. “Looks like my
brother is up to his tricks again. How much did he tell you? You
obviously know Oliver and my niece’s heritage.”
“ Oh, Jake and I go back a
long time when I was mated to him and Isabelle. We were a trio for
about two decades, three centuries back. He gave me full disclosure
as he knows I can keep my research quiet as he tells the Empire
what he discovered. But to see a live Solarian has been a dream of
mine most of my life.” Her gaze laid on Oliver. “I still cannot
believe it, but he is large, even for a male. So? Are you really
that big or not?”
Steven