Chapter 4.

From the journals of Jain’Steen

Green fractals have historically been the rarest of the color families. Critical to the life cycles of several sapient species and highly desirable for mankind they grant Life Power. Chartreuse fractals are associated with Longevity, Dark Green with Healing of Self, Emerald with Healing of Others. Over time the variation in colors becomes less relevant and a person with Self-Healing will naturally live long enough for the fractal to grow in strength and grant Longevity and Healing of others. A Dark Green Healing fractal will afford the wearer a longer life and allow it’s bearer to Heal Others. Green fractal powers are not inherited as strongly as the physical fractals. (Red, magenta and orange.) They can be tinted with any other color. One of the most famous host of a Green fractal in recent times was the Monarch LleonSteen of Chinquaar (b. c307 B.P.W d.199 A.P.W. ) Although starting with a chartreuse fractal until his assassination he is best remembered for his benevolent Healing. At his death it was reported his fractal had grown to encircle his entire torso.

People needed predictability in their lives. It's streamlined the decision-making process. If you had tried a delicacy from Jiuliing previously and it didn't return unpleasantly a few hours after consumption it would be reasonably safe to try the same dish again.

Once you had walked to a long-forgotten tunnel and only just made it back to your suite before collapsing, it was obvious the trip couldn't be made regularly. Dereniik loved laws, procedures and consistency. The uncertainties he now faced due to health restrictions were almost as painful as the physical limitations themselves.

It was a valid assumption to conclude access to the language on the device would assist in decerning it’s function.

A visit to the library was on the agenda but an accurate copy of the script that looked like the doodles from the tunnel Kyd had showed him may also yield interesting information.

His left-handed script was unintelligible, even to himself.

He needed to recruit the help of someone who had excellent scripting skills.

Someone who owed him a favor and would see the task as worthwhile.

There were a great many people around the capital that owed him favors, but not all of them were enjoyable company, and most would not relish the challenge.

If one had a limited time left to live, spending that time with interesting, intelligent people became a priority.

The canteen Dereniik had chosen to partake of his first meal specialized in Jiuliing cuisine. Closest to his suite it was accessible, and it was a place frequented by Lady La’navikyya. Viky to her friends.

Dereniik waited. She had settled into the pattern of coming every second day and they ate together. Discussed, Caleoos, Arch’yyl or another philosophers. The Venessian Prophecies, the many legends of Kyyl Anderseen or works of Pavaan the Elder. Her life partner Jieleen had invited him to their suite a couple of times since his involvement with a case involving them both and the emerging friendship was casual and stressless.

Vicky strode into the canteen, head high, bright red waves heedlessly escaping her head band and cheeks flushed. She'd been training again. It wasn't typical ladylike behavior, but Dereniik was in no position to offer comment or criticism. Like most people from The Rifts, Viky was short in stature with a powerful compact body. Her animated face was round, eyes an exotic mixture of lilac and purple and skin brown with a distinct red undertone. On seeing him she spontaneously grinned.

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“What good today?” Viky asked, heading towards the smorgasbord.

“Lady Viky, welcome. You will enjoy anything on the Jiuliing Green crockery. I don’t think you have tried the Aranaak it’s the porridge-like dish thick enough to cut with a spoon. It’s only available at this time of the rotation, no in the tureen next to the seed roll’s.”

“Do you want some? Is that mushroom or meat sprinkled through it?”

“The dish is usually vegetarian, sometimes other things are added. The ingredient that is glistening with a burnt toffee colour, is crystallized honey. So, the dish is sweet and spicy. Don't worry about bringing any to me, it's too messy to eat with one hand.”

“I could cut it up for you.”

Viky stopped heaping food onto her plate and turned to look at him.

“That won’t be necessary,” Dereniik needed to retain some dignity.

“Is that because of your Hunn customs or your lack of humility.” she teased.

“Possibly a little of both, and the fact spicy foods are currently off my menu.” It was difficult enough to keep bland food in the proper place.

“Never did ask you why people from Hunnaal can’t eat with implements.” Viky brought two generously stacked plates to the table.

“The origin of the custom dates to before the Great War. If there was ever a logical reason, it’s been long lost.” Dereniik had once asked his parent the same question and found the lack of an answer dissatisfying.

Viky went back to the smorgasbord, and selecting mugs poured generous quantities of caraff. Ideally it would have been better to wait for a fresh jug to be provided. Having stood and slightly cooled a bitter after taste could now be expected hi. Dereniik didn't like to say anything, and Viky didn't seem to notice.

“You'll never guess what I saw yesterday. A Digger, here in the Capital.” Viky sat and started to attack the food on her plate.

“That is unusual. Did they look well?”

“As far as I could tell. I have only seen them once before, must have been three or four rotations ago. A group were passing through. My clan traded with them.”

“Be careful who you share that information with my little friend. Trading with Diggers is not looked upon with favor by the Coalition.” Dereniik sipped at his caraff.

“Why not?”

“Do they need a reason? Why does the Coalition Hate the people of Xiaan?”

“Ethnic differences? Intolerance? They're different races, aren't they? But it wasn't always this way, what changed?”

Dereniik stopped chewing. He could not very well tell her of the asinine stupidity and mental gymnastics necessary to create and maintain racial hatred. The coalition dedicated a huge number of resources and energy to make sure the right propaganda continuously filtered throughout the population.

“Uncharacteristically silent, Commander Dereniik, you know I don't do subtlety, why do you think the Diggers are hated?”

“Anyone not in heart harmony with the Coalition will suffer in one way or another. It's not a perfect system, but in the aftermath of the Power Wars, individual rights and freedom were forfeited to keeping a viable population alive.”

Viky pulled a face, didn’t like his answer.

Dereniik didn't either.

Time for a distraction. He pulled the device from his cowl and slid it across the table.

“What do you make of this?”

Turning the object over, running her fingers over the etching, and twisting the top circle she gave the device a detailed inspection.

“These symbols are language related; they repeat. Not in a sequence that I can understand, but it looks more like a language than a code or cypher.”

“That was my thought as well. I have located some more of the same script in an abandoned tunnel.”

“Any idea what the object does?”

Dereniik was slightly disappointed she did not volunteer or ask about the abandoned tunnel.

“Not at present. I'm hoping once I have an opportunity to study other available representations of the script a clearer picture will emerge. I know it's not as exciting as your previous adventures, but do you feel like an academic challenge?”

Viky’s face broke into an enormous grin. “I'd love to help. Not even Jaileen’s paranoia would extend to helping with script work.”

Dereniik returned the smile. “It's right for your Life Partner to highly value you. Do you want to be linked with a man who is not concerned about you?”

“Men, always sticking up for each other. I should have known I'd get no sympathy from you.” Viky’s grin had returned.

“Do you feel up to exploring and making a copy off the script for me? I can requisition at the supplies; you will not be put at an inconvenience.”

“I'll do it, but not for you. If you want me to make a copy I want to be involved. I want to be part of whatever you discover.”

Dereniik nodded. He expected no less from her. “My lady, as always it will be a pleasure to work along with you.”