Mana Pool Snippets - The Days After

Four

"Personal shield device. Custom Vyroken hybrid tech."

"Vyroken." Katie thought.

"Don't think too hard. In fact, don't ask about them. Ever," Jaruka said. "It's what prevented your brother from breaking my neck, and that guy with the gun. Any threat and it protects me. Gives off a nasty kick and some whiplash sometimes but I never wander without it." The shirt was lowered back down. "Make this your only choice. Leave. Me. Alone."

The only sound was the military helicopter flying overhead, then leaving. Jaruka's black eyes and gold iris' made certain the terrans and totems understood, yet the husky wanted to blab.

"Well...what about holidays? Or when we are bored and what to bug you?" Keeji suggested, but he was ignored.

Scott's hands went to his hips. "That's it? You stay under a shield for two years?"

Jaruka paused and then said, "Pretty much."

"There is food and cabin fever," Katie said.

Jaruka rolled his eyes. "I have immunity nanites in my veins. Watching races will be figure out soon. I can eat your food when I want to, but not really. I've seen your 'fast food.' Makes me sick just looking at it."

"We have organic alternatives."

"I don't trust it. I'll manage," Jaruka beamed.

"Alright, fine. Keep your honor," Katie stood, but kept talking. "Those symbols, on your stained clothes and your shoulders. What are they?"

"Come on, Katie, not now," Scott pressed.

"Hang on, just hear me out. This is important."

It was one thing to see and meet Jaruka face to face, but learning about his past was another. Katie was the most curious since Area 51, asking countless questions about other aliens, technology, magic, and certain spells correlating to the Wave. Jaruka was grateful that when he answered, Katie was satisfied. She was a curious woman and he was careful to not share sensitive information that could be used against him.

Jaruka leaned over to the trash bag and fished out the stained white tunic, showing the left sleeve. "This symbol is mine, my signature."

"Got it," Katie said. "And that one?"

Jaruka grumbled. "The middle symbol is Nova Company's emblem. Rank. Class." 

"And the red one?"

"What are you getting at?" Scott asked her.

"Watch. And the red one?"

"This," Jaruka started, and an instant, memories flashed through his head. "The red one is called a demoncatcher, a symbol of the Kuzi species meaning 'patient hunter.' Earned that for fighting in the Goomash Raid. And these two..."

He ripped off his loner shirt's sleeves clean off the seams to show two identical symbols on his shoulders; a circle, with one line connecting to a ring around his biceps. "These are Wadik acceptance tattoos. After I rescued a politician's daughter from a war-stricken world, these make me an honorary Wadik citizen. Since then those magical beings got me out of a lot of jams."

Arana nodded. "You must have tons of connections and respect."

"Tons is an underrated word in space," Jaruka said, "and I can't call any of them."

Katie sighed. "Then why not have respect from us? Honor from us? Why did you make that second shield and save those people? It's not right to burn this bridge just on prejudice alone."

"Your point?"

Katie pocketed her hands and her tail swished from right to left. "I just said it. Don't shelter yourself from us. We're not here to annoy you. Brill told us to take care of you."

"I can't see that happening."

"Fine. Be that way," Scott said, "but don't come to us dirty and smelling of gym socks again. Come on, Katie. Let's leave him alone." He tugged on Katie's arm, and did not question the gesture.

"Oh, one more thing," Katie said holding out the brown bag to Jaruka. He had not asked about the bag, but no doubt the shape was similar.

"Not that. He said he'll live without earth food."

"I can't help it," she said. "Jaruka, you saved us, and pretty much we helped save you. We're even. But if there's any humility in that alien brain of yours, show it." She set the bag on the bench, it clanked on the metal. "A welcoming gift, from us."

The paper bag was tied shut with a dark red ribbon, the Walsh Estate Winery symbol printed on the front. A bottle spout stuck out from the top, sealed tight in black plastic.

Jaruka stared at it, and said nothing.

Scott rolled his eyes.

"The winery is organic," Katie said. "Always has been. If for any reason you need help, let us know. Be calm about it."

Jaruka sniffed. "Are you done?"

Katie rolled her eyes. "Yeah. We're done. Come."

The totems entered their hosts as the couple left. Scott stood in front of the open hatch, looking back at Jaruka. "Welcome to Earth," he said.

Once the hatch closed itself, Jaruka was alone, staring at the wrapped wine bottle.