(The excerpt below is from Chandra's Quest book 1 chapter 8: Carlos.
Carlos is relating his story to Chandra of when he escaped from the slave pirates)
“In all the slave auction facilities across the
system, the physicians implant new arrivals with a pinhead size nano chip. It
suppresses memory, and provides a way of communication between species.”
He hesitated and looked
back. Keeja is keeping Shy’raan distracted with idle talk. Carlos continues, “It is used as a universal
translator--I think. I don’t know much about its function but the nano chip
implant enables us to understand THEM--I am certain of that.” Chandra thought
about what he said.
“So, are you saying that without it we would not be able to understand
THEM?” Carlos nodded.
“That’s what I think,”
he said. Chandra is fascinated by his story so far. “The slave traders took me to Dyna. I was implanted there,” he paused,
inching his way a little closer
to her.
“Then they loaded me and the people who were
in my group onto a transport ship. We were on our way to the planet Eurleau for
auction, however the ship never got there. Slave pirates attacked the ship.” A
grim look shadowed his face.
“Oh wow…. really?” Chandra said, intrigued.
“Yes, it’s true and while I was in the custody of
the pirates, I met an alien, he told me that he is a changeling, aka a shape
shifter. He said that he would be able to help me escape."
“So, do you remember everything? About Earth and…”
“Shh,” said Carlos, placing his finger over his lip,
looking back at the guard. Shy’raan shifted from idle talk to hugging and
kissing. People passing by paid no attention to them. Chandra owes Keeja a big
favor. She knows Keeja is not comfortable letting Shy’raan paw her.
Keeja gave Chandra a sidelong glance, rolling
her eyes as Shy’raan kissed her on the neck, his hands making their way down to
her buttocks. Chandra grimaced. “How did the alien help you?” She asked, turning her
attention back to Carlos.
“He physically transformed into one of the slave
dealers so that both of us could escape. No one would suspect him of being a
changeling. After we escaped, he took me to a place called Avolea, a heavily forested area on
the continent of Lyvia.
“Lyvia is across the ocean to the East, right?”
Carlos
nodded, “Good, then you know where it is.” Chandra rubs her chin, thinking. “Well, yes and no, I’ve never been there myself but I’ve heard of Lyvia. Some
of our customers come from that continent,” she said.
Carlos continues, “I
followed the changeling through a doorway carved into a
large stone structure…”
“What made you decided to follow him?” Chandra interrupts.
“Well, I would much rather retain the
“What did I miss?” Keeja asked. Carlos looks toward
the shop and sees movement inside. He shifts uncomfortably on the bench and
ignores Keeja’s question.
“After passing through, we were both engulfed in a thick fog. As we walked
onward, it dispersed and a beautiful garden
appeared in front of our eyes.” “What garden? What is he talking about?” Keeja
asked.
“Hush,” said Carlos. “It was there when I met Linnea
a very beautiful Dryadian priestess with long flowing white hair, clear blue
eyesand her skin smooth and
flawless, she looks almost Elfish in appearance.”
“Elfish?” Keeja whispered to Chandra.
“Shh, not now.” Chandra replied, worried that Carlos would not have
enough time to finish his story.
“This is what I remember; she cupped her hands on my head and everything
that I had forgotten rushed back
like a strong ocean wave, and then I blacked out.”
“Did she ever explain to you why they put implants
in humans?” Chandra asked, eager to hear more about the implants.
“No, she never did but she helped me remember everything and I am eternally
grateful for that.” Chandra eyed him, skeptically yet a part of her does
believe him. Keeja tapped her on the shoulder.
“Uh-oh, look,” she pointed toward Arin, Adara and
Xenos walking toward them. Lara is not with them.
“I wonder where Lara is,” Keeja whispered. Chandra
shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know or care,” she responded, indifferently.
“What did you do after that? Did you wander the forest? Wasn’t it dangerous?”
Chandra asked Carlos.
“Linnea supplied me with resources. She reassured me
that I would be fine. The forest will guide you,” she said. I didn’t understand
what she was talking about but I trusted her.” He leaned in, “The forest did in
fact come alive…. literally and it was then that I understood.”
“How did it come alive?” Keeja asked, naively. Carlos’s story seems
unbelievable to her but she finds it entertaining,
nevertheless.
“The forest came alive, I don’t know how else to
explain it. Linnea gave me levon stones….”
“What are Levon stones?” Chandra asked.
“They are coming,” Keeja warns. Adara’s eyes narrow as she nears. She
sees them talking to Carlos. Carlos continues his story, “A scout ship spotted
me as I wandered into a clearing. They picked me up and I was taken to the city
of Ba’kur, where my Keeper bought me.” Carlos tapped his head with his finger
and whispered.
“He is unaware that my implant is inoperable.”
Chandra gasped. “Do you
think he’ll ever find out?”
“No, not yet,” he responded, glancing back at the approaching party.
“I wonder if I have an
implant.” Chandra thought. She
waited to hear Soran’s voice, but heard nothing. She smiled, letting out a sigh
of relief.
“What happened to the changeling?” She asked.
“He stayed with Linnea. I haven’t seen him
since."
“Have you ever tried to escape from your Keeper?” Keeja asked. He shook
his head, frowned and pointed to his collar.
“Oh, I see,” said Chandra. She did not notice the
collar wrapped around his neck.
“I tried to escape once and I got zapped. The collar lets out an electrical
charge and the shock is very painful. It temporarily paralyzes you. You do not
ever want to experience that,” he gulped.’’
“Hu’jy!” A voice thundered from inside the shop. Suddenly, Carlos’ body contorted,
a fierce jolt of pain went through him sending a shock wave through every
nerve. His breathing became heavy as he struggled to regain his composure.
mild adult language
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