By the time Acorna, the Mack box, all the chrysoberyls any of them could carry, Becker, Mac, and RK were back aboard the Condor, she was as happy to leave Makahomia as she was sorry to leave Nadhari and her new friends.
They promised that when the cat guardian population had been replenished, the Linyaari might come to them once more to claim kittens. In case the source of the elusive pahaantiyirs, which the aagroni averred were not precisely the same species as the Temple guardians, was never located, the Temple cats would be good substitutes.
Finally the Condor was heading back for MOO in a comfortable convoy with the Balakiire and the Arkansas Traveler. Captain MacDonald said he thought it likely Hafiz might be able to use a tractor or two, and joined them.
The bridge was quiet. RK was grooming Becker's hand with his tongue while Becker groomed the cat's coat with a brush. Mac was beating himself at five-dimensional computer chess.
Acorna showed Mac and Becker the box and said, "I wish to play the message."
Becker said, "No can do. Not on this ship. That's rigged for some sort of antique pre-Linyaari jobbie and I've got all Federation stuff on board now."
This had not occurred to Acorna. She tried to keep the bitter disappointment from her voice as she said, "Oh."
Mac spoke up. "I can play it, however. I have modifications that allow me to interpret the messages from such boxes."
Acorna handed it to him.
Becker said, "This is what the priest gave you from Aari, right?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Come on, cat. Let's leave the young folks alone. If there's anything in it you want to share, Acorna, let me know. But I think you should be private with it."
"Thank you, Captain."
Mac already had the box open and inserted the modifications he had made to his right hand into the box. To Acorna's amazement, when Mac spoke again, it was in Aari's voice.
"Khornya," he said, "if you can hear this, then you have already come to Makahomia and fulfilled the mission you were destined for there. I know about this because I have been doing much time sliding with Grimalkin, who is one of the Friends. Unlike the others, Grimalkin is good, extremely empathetic, and uses his knowledge to help others. He began the cat race on Makahomia, and we go now to where the planet will need pahaantiyirs.
"I am sorry I cannot be with you right now. But in the course of all of this time sliding and traveling, Grimalkin says there will be a moment when I will be able to save Laarye from starving to death during the Khleevi invasion without damaging other lives or changing events that must occur. I have to do this if I can. I hope you understand that, and that I will return to you as soon as I can.
"I miss you very, very much, Khornya. I leave you this message so you will know that, and know that I love you and feel pain worse than the Khleevi gave me to be so far from you, to know you must be trying to find me. When I have saved Laarye, he and I will be coming home to your time and you and I can begin our life together again. Until then, my Khornya, my spirit lives with you and I will not be whole again until we are together once more."
That was the end of the message. Mac shut off and rewound it, then asked, "Do you want me to play it again?" in his own voice.
"Yes," she said, still hearing Aari's voice and mulling over his words as she looked out the viewport into the vastness of space and wondered where exactly pahaantiyirs came from, and how long it would take to get there in the Condor.
Glossary of' Terms and Proper Names in the Acorna Universe
aagroni-Linyaari name for a vocation that is a combination of ecologist, agriculturalist, botanist, and biologist. Aagroni are responsible for terraforming new planets for settlement as well as maintaining the well-being of populated planets.
Aari-a Linyaari of the Nyaarya clan, captured by the Khleevi during the invasion of Vhiliinyar, tortured, and left for dead on the abandoned planet. He's Maati's older brother. Aari survived and was rescued and restored to his people by Jonas Becker and Roadkill. But Aari's differences, the physical and psychological scars left behind by his adventures, make it difficult for him to fit in among the Linyaari.
Aarlii-a Linyaari survey team member, firstborn daughter of Captain Yaniriin.
Aarkiiyi - member of the Linyaari survey team on Vhiliinyar.
Acorna-a unicorn-like humanoid discovered as an infant by three human miners-Calum, Gill, and Rafik. She has the power to heal and purify with her horn. Her uniqueness has already shaken up the human galaxy, especially the planet Kezdet. She's now fully grown and changing the lives of her own people as well. Among her own people, she is known as Kornya.
Ancestors - unicorn-like sentient species, precursor race to the Linyaari. Also known as ki-lin.
Ancestral Friends - an ancient shape-changing and spacefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns (or Ancestors) from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhiliinyar.
Ancestral Hosts - see Ancestral Friends.
Andina-owner of the cleaning concession on MOO, and sometimes lady companion to Captain Becker.
Aridimi Desert -a vast barren desert on the Makahomian planet, site of a hidden Temple and a sacred lake.
Aridimis-people from the Makahomian Aridimi desert.
Arkansas Traveler-freight-hauling spaceship piloted by Scaradine (Scar) MacDonald.
Attendant - Linyaari who have been selected for the task of caring for the Ancestors.
Balakiire-the Linyaari spaceship commanded by Acorna's aunt Neeva.
Basic-shorthand for Standard Galactic, the language used throughout human-settled space.
Becker-see Jonas Becker Bulaybub Felidar sach Pilau ardo Agorah-a Makahomian Temple priest, better known by his real name, Tagoth. A priest who supports modernizing the Makahomian way of life, he was a favorite of Nadhari Kando before her departure from the planet. He has a close relationship with his young relative, Miw-Sher.
Calum Baird-one of three miners who discovered Acorna and raised her. chrysoberyl-a precious cat's-eye gemstone available in large supply and great size on the planet of Makahomia, but also, very rarely and in smaller sizes, throughout the known universe. The stones are considered sacred on Makahomia, and are guarded by the priest class and the Temples. Throughout the rest of the universe, they are used in the mining and terraforming industries.
Condor-Jonas Becker's salvage ship, heavily modified to incorporate various "found" items Becker has come across in his space voyages.
Declan "Gill" Giloglie-one of three human miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.
Delszaki Li-once the richest man on Kezdet, opposed to child exploitation, made many political enemies. He lived his life paralyzed, floating in an antigravity chair. Clever and devious, he both hijacked and rescued Acorna and gave her a cause - saving the children of Kezdet. He became her adopted father. Li's death was a source of tremendous sadness to all but his enemies.
Dinan-Temple priest and doctor in Hissim.
Dsu Macostut-Federation officer, lieutenant commander of the Federation base on Makahomia.
Edacki Ganoosh-corrupt Kezdet count, uncle of Kis la Ma njari. enye-ghanyii-Linyaari time unit, small portion of ghaanye.
Fagad-Temple priest in the Aridimi desert, who spied for Mulzar Edu Kando.
Felihari-one of the Makavitian Rainforest tribes on Makahomia.
Feriila-Acorna's mother.
Fiicki-Linyaari communications officer on Vhiliinyar expedition.
Fiirki Miilkar-a Linyaari animal specialist.
Fiiryi-a Linyaari. fraaki-Linyaari word for fish.
Friends-also known as Ancestral Friends. A shape-changing and spacefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhiliinyar.