Jemma~
I'm so glad your training is taking in illegal…extra work! Maybe you can help me render the Half-Life Draught useless. I've found out from Lenoi that that's what it is that made zombies of our family and Chingri.

I have so much to tell! I finally landed the pod of some planet a few stellar days ago, and have learned much since I looked out of the cockpit's windshield and saw a place completely beautiful! There were plants and water and animals and even our own kind! Fellow exiled ones, they tell me. I've been searching for a way to counteract the Half-Life Draught here with my friends, as they have made me well! There was never a time I was so frightened as when I was ill (they say it may come back though, and they're not sure if or when…) and being made better myself, I had hoped to do the same for our parents and all the others. But I want to tell you more about the landscape, because it's so magical that I don't want to waste a moment in relating it's beauty to you! The beautiful pink sky is dotted with stars that twinkle during the day, and turns from pink to orange to green to purple at night, and I can see where the colors change in the sky; it's like paint has been striped across the sky and mixed so well that the distinction from one color to the next is impossible. The nights are baling, the days are intoxicatingly warm--the air is thick with the seductive smell of the flower the locals call "mykolean" which has a star shape formed of delicate petals and is of a pale blue. The stems twist and curl out of the ground and stand about one hand off it. A Chakran lady with glowing blue skin and cerulean eyes told me that the woman who plucks the first flower of the evening after the sun has set and before the blooms droop in the sleepy pose they assume at night on her birthday will meet the love of her life within a day. Th flower will never wilt as long as the man and the woman vow their love will never do the same and hold fast to it, so she says. You remember it was my birthday two days ago? Well…

I was in the field where the mykolean grows, and the sun was setting. The sky danced its progression to purple as I pulled a pretty specimen from the ground. The root, which is bright white and sparkles like stars in the day, came up too and the wind stopped. My fingers wrapped around the stem ad locked themselves there. A beautiful hushed whisper came from the very center of the flower. It told me to close my eyes and lie down on my back. I did. It told me to place one hand over my mouth and nose, to stop my breathing, and the other one above my heart. To hover and inch in midair above my heart and to breathe from there. I did. I felt more alive than I have ever felt! It was as though I no longer needed lungs! The whisper said that I was to remove both hands simultaneously. I did. It told me to close both of my eyes. I did. Then, as I lay there, dear, I heard the whisper---from my heart! It was like feeling instead of hearing! The whisper told me to cover my mouth and my throat and then to say what same to me. I spoke from my heart in a voice I've never heard before! The only word that came was "Lenoi". The whisper then told me that I could love forever, as I had the capacity to breathe, hear and speak from my heart, and that Lenoi, my intended, would come to me. It told me I was worthy of being loved forever, and that my flower would never wilt. I went home to the abode of my new hospitable friends, and slept peacefully, which has not happened in a long time.

I awoke to the sounds of a koori bird. I saw the pale pink sky, and the blue mykolean standing free, suspended in air beside my bed (I've got my own room!) Lenoi would come today. I walked through the fruit market today, choosing puki's and lipa's for breakfast, when a crowd of people running down the street stampeded by me. A tall, indigo-skinned Chakran-looking fellow said "Sorry miss, but my friends are a little…enthusiastic." My Gods, what a warm smile he had! It was like the starts glittered through his very presence! I felt so alive and so frozen to my spot at the same time! I dropped a puki. It's pulpy inside burst from the delicate skin and it splatted and I could smell the wet, sweet aroma of it as it lay open and exposed on the street. Neither of us said or did anything for an eternity that didn't last long enough---he broke the silence (but yet somehow not the spell) by saying "Sirikaan?"

"Lenoi?"

"Yes. I knew you'd be lovely. But you don't seem to know who I am. We were intended! When I was still a young one of Chakra, my parents took me to see Mebba, the old witch, as all parents with male children do. She spat over each shoulder, set her smoldering orange eyes on my heart, breathed fire on me, becoming a snakelike creature and frightened 'Sirikaan' out of me--she did this to see whom I would turn to in times of trouble. Then, to check, she put me in a drugged sleep, in which I experienced ecstasy." He said. "I spoke 'Sirikaan' again. They knew. I knew. I know. And here you are. We need to act quickly, though. We must kiss the mykolean's five petals, or else be doomed to our worst fears made manifest through our entire lives!"

We set off at a run, while I told him about the whisper from the mykolean. As soon as we had kissed the flower, it's petals became brighter and it began to float just a little higher. I stood near Lenoi, and could feel the heat he radiated. His green eyes locked with mine and he stretched out a hand. I took it-- mine felt so small inside his huge one. He had the kindest eyes gleaming at me. He drew me closer, and began, slowly, to fold me up in his arms. After all that has happened, Jemma, I've finally come to peace and security! Here I can almost forget the Admiral, but I won't. No one, even if I find love and become the happiest Chennian alive, gets away with poisoning my family and lives to tell. That's just not right. I can't allow it.

Now that I'm done describing, there's a bit of explaining to do. First, there's little chance that I could have been given the same potion as our family. I'm not even sure the Admiral knows that. Soon before I landed, I developed a fever that wracked me, and made me so delirious that I almost couldn't see or land the pod on the planet. The Chakrans I met carried me, almost convulsing, back to their home. They immediately treated (not cured, but treated very effectively-) me, and set about making me feel at home. I asked them to just call me Siri and never mentioned my station in life before I arrived. By law, if they find out, my title must be used and I fear because they're starting to see things (telling things) about me that set me apart. As you know, only Lenoi can legally address me as Siri. We're working (they're all exiled scientists) on a cure for my ailment and at least an effective treatment for the Half-Life Draught. Do, please, though, keep up your own research.

Is anything…fun (wink, wink) happening between you and the other recruits? I'm sure that there has to be someone who recognizes true beauty when he sees it…?

OH! ONE OF MY TEST BEAKERS IS BOILING OVER! GOT TO RUN!

Love and hope,
Siri
P.S. I'll send another data-stream soon!
Siri~


I'm so happy that things have been working out so wonderfully for you! I was quite worried from not hearing from you in so long. I too have good news, although not the type of news you hinted at in your datastream. Tre'lis has let me do more hands-on work in my training, and I've managed to get all the ingredients prepared save for one: the Fenral dew, which for the life of me I can't seem to find. Perhaps you would have some on this strange new planet of yours. If you could provide me with the plant, I shall take my trip back to Chenna in a few days. Hopefully it isn't too late for the family. I've been worried sick over you and the rest of them, you have no idea how wearing it is. Such added stress to my duties (along with my midnight training) has worn me quite thin and pale. I'm afraid others have begun to notice as well. Last week Felicity commented on it when we woke.

"Jemma, are you feeling quite all right?" she whispered to me, pulling me aside to not risk her reputation. I, in an utter state of exhaustion, was confused.

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

"You look pale as a ghost." She said. "Are you sleeping all right? I've heard you rustling sometimes late at night. Maybe you should see the medics for a sleeping pill." I shook me head vehemently and silently cursed myself for my clumsy actions. I took off towards the bathing room. One look in the mirror showed that stress had caught up with me at last. My hair hung in flat copper strands around my shoulders as opposed to its usual auburn curls. My face was indeed pale as ivory, pulled taught with faint lines of stress, and I had dark blue bags under my eyes, which were a faded hazel instead of their piercing green. I employed the help of Felicity's much-dreaded make-up. Although it really did look as though I had pasted a new face on, I managed to bring my coloring up to its usual rosy hue and to curl my hair enough so that it wasn't quite as limp. The visual changes covered, I rushed to catch up with my squad.

Ander, per usual, began to harass me over my tardiness. I did a three second meditation (which have become increasingly easier to accomplish and have proven quite useful) and answered back calmly for once. I think he was surprised by my even temper (which I myself was shocked at, as was the rest of the squad) for he didn't say much else for the rest of the day save to threaten some absurd punishment.

It was strange, but I didn't have my usual passion for squad training as I usually do. I would like to say that it was just my tired state of mind that kept me from trying me best, but I know that wasn't the case at all. I've outgrown my training. There is no challenge in planning warfare and diplomatic exchanges. The combat we study is for foot soldiers at best. While my squad struggles through various situations General Sevil gives to us, I find myself daydreaming and running through my midnight training in my mind. Unfortunately, this has caused even more friction between my squad and me. I don't mean to upstage them, but I do it nonetheless. The feelings of isolation grow stronger, though now that it's coupled with such a sense of pride that it no longer bothers me as it used to. I don't know why I seem to be the only one undergoing this special training. If it is a mistake, which it well might be, I shall take advantage of it for as long as I can. I shall say nothing and try to get the most out of this experience as possible before I am found out.

Do you recall the strange shimmer I had been noticing beside General Sevil for some time now? I've seen it more frequently, and much more of it. There seems to be a direct coalition between my meditative training and the things I am noticing. The other day I was watching the shimmer in a sort of trance. I was imagining the silver light to almost have arms and legs, and I was so absorbed in this observation (which quite easily could have been a trick of the mind) that I nearly missed the General's lecture. We were sitting in a lecture hall with three other squads, and the General was berating the lot of us for not caring enough about our assignments and training, and generally making everyone feel downright miserable.

"If you let this attitude of indifference continue, you will all permanently remain footsoldiers, I will make sure of that." His lip curled. "We went through quite a bit of trouble to find you lot, and if you don't work for your station I assure you, I'll make sure you're nothing better than minute-men out in battle."

"Or minute-women." Felicity muttered under her breath. The General silenced her with a bone-rattling stare.

"This training is one of the most important things that you will go through, and there are still many more levels that you must pass if you have any aspirations to succeed. Where you're at, you would hardly know what to say if a messenger came to you and asked you to fight in a battle between the Bellians and Larnians. Your knowledge is so limited that you would chose inappropriate action. Mr Ander." He called roughly. Ander leapt to his feet. "Tell me, do you think you could solve this problem?"

"Sir, yes sir." He replied smartly.

"Well, tell me then. What would you do? Whose side would you support?" the General leaned back on his desk and folded his arms across his chest. Ander fidgeted a moment, obviously trying to save face by giving the best possible answer. After thinking for what seemed to me an infinitely long period of time, he spoke carefully.

"I'd support the Bellians." He said. The General raised an eyebrow and gave a look that said he wanted an explanation. Looking even more uncomfortable, Ander continued. "Everyone knows that the Bellians live on a planet rich with metals, and are highly intelligent…they would obviously have the abilities to make superior weapons." He quoted almost directly one of the lessons we had learned earlier. General Sevil nodded solemnly and scratched his beard stubble silently, which allowed him to hear me trying to contain my snickering. He looked at me sharply and I could feel Ander's red hatred on my spine.

"Miss Jemma." The general called smoothly, and I bit my lip hard. "Do you have a better idea? If you find Ander's actions so humorous, please, enlighten us to the proper way this should have been handled." He mocked, as Ander sat down furiously and all heads turned to me. The silence was so oppressing that I could hardly breathe. Slowly I stood.

"Sir." I replied evenly, though my heart was beating hard with shame at drawing so much attention to myself. "I would find out what this messenger was trying to pull, if I may be so blunt. The Bellians have two known titles, and the other is the Larnians. They are one and the same people. Knowing the history of the planet, it is clear that he likelihood of a civil war is so unlikely that there must be some plot against them from an unknown enemy. The people are nomadic and peace loving. While they are highly intelligent and do live on a planet of metal, it is common knowledge that they use their prowess to invent harmless things, and would never stoop so low to build weapons." I paused and looked at all the faces of my peers. Many were scowling, and others looked awe-stricken. I realized I had said the wrong thing. "At least, I thought it was common knowledge…" I tried to amend, then hastily sat down again. I chastised myself for being foolish enough to let my extra training information come through.

I remained silent through the rest of the lesson. No one would look at me. I used my time to think over my other training, afraid that perhaps I wouldn't be able to go any more. At the end of the lesson, the General called me up to speak to him while everyone was leaving. There were a few snickers from passing squads: apparently Ander had turned them against me as well, and I boiled with anger. After everyone had left, I walked to the General's desk and stood waiting for him to talk.

"Cadet Jemma." He said formally, and I waited for his harsh words with a grimace. "I must admit that I was rather impressed by your display in today's lesson." I raised my chest proudly; this was hardly what I had been expecting.

"Thank you sir." I replied. He continued with a frown on his face.

"However, I must ask you to refrain from such displays in the future. It takes away from the training everyone else goes through. I've noticed these past few weeks have been running you a little ragged, but you must keep with the levels the other cadets are at. Not only does your conduct make you look bad in front of your peers, but it makes me look bad as well. I do my best to keep everyone in line, and I would appreciate it in the future if you would oblige me by doing the same."

"Sir?" I listened intently, but if it makes any more sense to you than it did to me, I'd be amazed. I couldn't believe he was letting me off the hook! I didn't completely understand some of what he was saying, but it almost seemed to imply that he knew something of my training with Tre'lis. Whether this would be a good thing or not I still don't know, but I didn't (and don't) want to press my luck any further. I gave a quick salute and hurried on to the next training session.

So you can see where things are standing over here. It's got me in such a state of confusion, but I'm terribly excited as well. My training with Tre'lis continues unhindered, and I remain quiet during regular training. General Sevil seems pleased by this, and has spoken quiet complimentary words to me in passing, which boosts my energy levels some from the low point they've been maintaining. Ander still harasses me, but I am freed from my temperamental remarks to him.

As an older sister, I remind you to be careful! I'm happy for you and your newfound love, but treasure your childhood still (you know what I mean, dearest, and don't make that face I know you're making. It's unbecoming and I have every right to say what I did). Please keep your eyes open for a vile of Fenral dew, and remember everyone in your prayers. Blessings upon you, sister.

Your affectionate sibling,
Jemma