"Guilty as charged," Father said, with a sad smile.
Uncle Joh took a deep breath. "Okay, then. Well, as your captain and your social secretary today, I need to tell you that there are some other people here to communicate with you."
"People? Who?"
"It's us, Aari dear," Grandam Miiri's voice said. "Your father and I have a plan we need to discuss with you."
Two Standard days later, Elviiz, Khiindi and Khorii waved goodbye as the Condor headed back to Vhiliinyar, accompanied by Kaarlye and Miiri.
Khorii could hardly breathe for the tightness in her chest that had nothing to do with the plague. Her parents and the Condor crew were returning to their homeworld, where Kaarlye and Miiri would guide them to a special private enclave built for the Ancestors, who were the oldest beings on the planet and said to be the wisest as well. Khorii had reassured everyone that the strain of the plague Mother and Father carried could not attack her grandparents any more than it had attacked her. Therefore, they and the elders should be safe. Although she had been able to cure Captain Becker and RK of the mutant strain, her horn had no effect on the strain surrounding her parents, nor had she been able to disinfect the Condor totally. So all of them, Mother, Father, Uncle Joh, RK and even Maak, would wait with the Ancestors while she and her friends, human, feline, and Linyaari alike, searched for the malevolent entity who had created the plague and for a permanent cure.
It was only a temporary measure, Khorii told herself. She had no doubt that soon they would all be together again for good, but it could never be soon enough to suit her. And woe to the person or persons or beings or whatever who had caused so much suffering throughout the galaxy, for as she stood on the bridge watching the Condor fade into space, Khorii vowed to find the entity that had done this and bring that entity to justice.
It was her mission. And it was a mission that she would pursue if it took her to the end of the galaxy or beyond.
Glossary of Terms and Proper Names in The Acorna Universe
aagroni-Linyaari name for a vocation that is a combination of ecol-ogist, 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.
abaanye-a Linyaari sleeping potion that can be fatal in large doses.
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.
Ali Baba-Aziza's ship.
Allende, Jalonzo-a young genius from the planet Paloduro.
Ancestors-unicorn-like sentient species, precursor race to the Linyaari. Also known as ki-lin.
Ancestral Friends-an ancient shape-changing and space-faring 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 MacDonald.
Asha Bates-teacher on the Maganos Moonbase.
Attendant-Linyaari who have been selected for the task of caring for the Ancestors.
Avvi-Linyaari word for "daddy."
Aziza Amunpul-head of a troop of dancers and thieves, who, after being reformed, becomes Hafiz's chief security officer on MOO.
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 in his young relative, Miw-Sher.
Calla Kaczmarek-the psychologist and psychology/sociology instructor on Maganos Moonbase.
Calum Baird-one of three miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.
chrysoberyl-a precious catseye 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 across the universe.
Commodore Crezhale-an officer in the Federation Health Service.
Condor--Jonas Becker's salvage ship, heavily modified to incorporate various "found" items Becker has come across in his space voyages.
Crow-Becker's shuttle, used to go between the Condor and places in which the Condor is unable to land.
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. Dinero Grande-a world in the Solojo star system.
Dolores M. Grimwald-Captain of the ship La Estrella Blanca, deceased, an early victim of the space plague.
Domestic Goddess-Andina's spaceship.
Dsu Macostut-Federation officer, Lieutenant Commander of the Federation base on Makahomia.
Edacki Ganoosh-corrupt Kezdet count, uncle of Kisla Manjari.
Egstynkeraht-A planet supporting several forms of sulfur-based sentient life.
Elviiz-Mac's son, a Linyaari childlike android, given as a wedding/birth gift to Acorna and Aari. According to Mac, the android is named for an ancient Terran king, and is often called Viiz for short.
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 Rain Forest 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 space-faring race responsible for saving the unicorns from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhiliinyar.
Gaali-highest peak on Vhiliinyar, never scaled by the Linyaari people. The official marker for Vhiliinyar's date line, anchoring the meridian line that sets the end of the old day and the beginning of the new day across the planet as it rotates Our Star at the center of the solar system. With nearby peaks Zaami and Kaahi, the high mountains are a mystical place for most Linyaari.