POWER OF PERSUASION
Kabibi sat silent in his presidium, just taking a moment to reflect on everything that had happened since discovering the Yellow Rover as Delly called it. The past few cycles since his return to Fonantis were challenging him in every facet imaginable. Aside from setting up a new household for himself, Citera and their nushies, Kabibi also had to endure multiple probations from what was left of the Directorate hierarchy.
While he remained forthright throughout each polemical interaction, Fonantis was still in a state of disarray due to the unsuccessful Paprijian upheaval. This made him a Fonantian of considerable interest. He was the only one who had seen Menphemas’ deviousness up close.
He also was compelled to disclose his connection to Delly and the rest of her humankind. However, as upsetting as the fallout from this tribulation had been on him and his loved ones, that he was allowed to return to his research indicated that this distress eventually would pass. The unspoken truth was that Fonantis needed his capability.
Kabibi respired. Once these probations were over for good, all he would need was for Citera to engage with him once more. The other unfortunate outcome of their Paprijian confinement was that Citera was no longer interacting with him, a vexing development to be certain, considering they were still under the same roof.
Make no mistake, her anger towards him was justified. However, Kabibi did everything he could to keep them safe, including risking Fonantis itself—an indignity that will exist with him until his expiration. The possibility did exist that Citera would have been more sympathetic had he informed her of Altarhi’s betrayal. But even that would have proven to be a tedious discussion.
After all, he was the one who had appointed Altarhi as his protégé to begin with. At some point, the culpability would have fallen on him and him alone. Now was the time to bury the past and restart anew.
“Did we come at a bad time?”
He raised his eyes to see Viyondr standing just inside his entranceway, with Prukosa standing further behind.
“No, no. Of course not.” Kabibi stated. “Is there anything I can get you?”
Viyondr approached and rested against one of his open-backed chairs.
“Interesting choice of words, because that is exactly why we are here.”
“Your probation has been completed.” Prukosa stated.
Kabibi respired while putting his left hand to his chest. At last, he could put the scrutiny behind him. Hopefully, this would allow him to mend his relationship with Citera.
“However, we have another matter that requires your specific skillset.” She continued.
“What is it?”
“We would like an audience with your vakatas.” Viyondr spoke once more.
Kabibi was speechless. While a part of him hoped that he would be able to see Delly and her kind once more, he never expected to hear this from potentiaries like Viyondr.
“In going over your probations, you mentioned that you discovered the vakata’s vessel in the batstu. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And that after your liberation, the vakata took you back to their vessel, where you in fact, discovered a second vessel. Is that also correct?”
“Yes.”
“So, is it in your estimation that these vakatas are otherworldly?”
“It is.”
Viyondr and Prukosa exchanged looks with one another, before the Directorate honch turned back to him.
“Since our inception, Kethyrie has been our culture’s birthplace. However, if these otherworldly vakatas truly possess the capability to traverse the unknown as you state that they do, then it would be in our best interest to acquire such knowledge for Fonantis. This is a decree from the finest echelons.”
Kabibi remained patient, although the revelation that a discussion regarding him was had with the finest echelons, was almost enough to leave him lightheaded.
“I understand.”
“I figured you might.”
Viyondr rose to his soleplates.
“It will be through you, Kabibi, that the vakatas give us exactly what we desire. When is the soonest we can go?”
“As long as Iscoa is above us, we cannot. The batstu—”
“Yes, of course. Then we’ll wait until darkness. Make your preparations. I’ll have Onicex return to retrieve you.”
Viyondr turned and exited as Prukosa followed him out the door. Kabibi’s newest apprentice, Akoiku, entered a few moments after they had gone.
“I’m sorry, Kabibi. I tried to tell them you were busy.”
He raised his hand to quell her.
“I need you to send a message to Citera and inform her that I have responsibilities to the Directorate and that she is not to worry.”
“You want me to speak with her?”
“Considering she still isn’t speaking with me, I don’t have much of a choice in the matter.”
<>
The Gunwinggu flew over the batstu as Iscoa had nearly disappeared in its entirety. By the time they reached Delly and the Yellow Rover, the salimites would have returned to their cyclical dormancy. Kabibi sat beside Onicex, who operated the transport. They were nearing their destination.
“Is that it?” Onicex pointed.
A bluish type of galvanic convexity enclosed the vessels, which protected them from the elements and the predators of the dreaded batstu. While Delly had been gracious to provide him with a walkthrough of both Rovers, the only thing he could remember was seeing the headless artificial beings, one of which clung to the ceiling. He had spent much of his time there recuperating with Citera and their nushies, before they were taken back to Fonantis via the Koyokons. While the circumstances surrounding Kabibi’s return were not ideal, however, he would make the best of it.
“Yes. That’s it.”
“We’re almost there!” Onicex bellowed.
The convexity did not change the closer they got to it. A part of him was worried that they might see the Gunwinggu as a threat and attack. The regioner decelerated the transport and descended to the batstu’s surface. The Gunwinggu’s interior shook as Kabibi felt every bit of it. He respired. It had been intervals since he had traveled in one of these. Ground transports like the Nanjemoy were more his speed. A hand touched his shoulder as he looked back. It was Viyondr.
“Are you ready?”
“Does it matter?” Kabibi answered.
Viyondr sneered and walked to the transport’s rear. He unfastened his harness and followed behind, while Onicex remained seated. Viyondr and Prukosa awaited. The rear opened, revealing the darkened batstu. For a brief moment, Kabibi was reminded of just how much Altarhi loathed this environment. Even in darkness it felt dangerous.
“When you make contact, use the combadge to notify us.” Viyondr stated.
“Of course.”
Kabibi took his time exiting the Gunwinggu. He touched the surface. His soleplates could instantly feel the difference between the two terrains. He walked towards the galvanic convexity as he could hear the transport’s rear closing up behind him. He was on his own once more. The elements of the batstu were frigid as his ears tingled. He reached just beyond the convexity and brought the combadge to his lips.
“I’m outside. Awaiting contact.” He stated.
He waited and waited and waited. He shivered, confused as to why they hadn’t provided him with some form of outer protection. With his patience exhausted, he began walking back to the Gunwinggu. A moment later, the path before him darkened as he stopped.
“Kabibi?”
He turned around to see Delly standing side by side, with the rest of her kind. The convexity surrounding the Rovers had disappeared.
“What are you doing here?” She stated.
Kabibi lowered his head and respired. This was not his idea. He turned back to the Gunwinggu and waved his arms, hoping that either Viyondr or Prukosa would finally join him to explain.