Chapter 55

chapter 55

CEPHARIUS

I propelled myself through the water as fast as I was able, until I was back at the spaceship's side. It hadn't closed up its main door, so I went in, and called out for it on the 'qa.

"Have you returned with the energy? " the ship asked me, sending me reeling with the force of its intent. "Where is it? "

I grasped hold of the nearest walls with my tentacles, like it speaking to me might blow me back outside. "I haven't yet. Things got hard—but I need your help."

" Time is flowing, " the ship said with concern, and I got the impressions it'd been running through Elle's exceptional imagination about urgency and the massive loss of life it would experience if it didn't get batteries in time. " Our energy ebbs. "

"I know." I swam into the room and lifted my gaze up. "How far can you project your thoughts?" It showed me pictures of expanding circles pushing through the waves. "If I tell you what to say, can you get a message out?" I knew there had to be another kraken somewhere within fifty-thousand lengths.

I felt the ship's hesitance like a physical thing. "Only if energy is guaranteed. "

Because it would cost the ship more of its precious power to communicate.

I sank back—but I wouldn't have lied, even if the ship hadn't been in my head.

"It is not." I took a moment to show it what had happened on the 'qa—how a situation that we thought we might have had in hand was now wildly off-center: Elle trapped, and the other two-legged demanding tribute. "But if you can get a message out to others of my kind telling them that Cepharius needs them, I know they will come to help us."

The ship did not respond—and for the first time since it'd interfered with my 'qa, I was angry at its lack.

"You know me," I said, spinning slowly beneath its shifting colors. "You know my whole life! You wrote it on your walls!" I shouted. "And you know if I make a promise, I will do my best to keep it!"

Everything was quiet between us and then I felt a burst of sensation, rippling all over my skin.

"Your message is sent. "

I sagged. "Thank you." Before I could recuperate—a hexagonal slab separated itself from the matrix of the wall and started floating toward me, like a strange crystal, the width and length of my arm.

"Take this one back with you. It will prove you have been here. " The walls of the "crystal" went clear, revealing Elle's little Snout inside. The end plate opened, and the alien swam out.

"I can't," I refused. My pearl would never forgive me.

"It is not your decision. They are curious and brave. It is their choice. They want to see. " the ship told me. "Return with energy. "

I took hold of the hexagonal box the alien creature had brought with him. "I will try my hardest," I said, then paused. "But before I go—where did you put the suits of the other men who came here?"