Alpha Field: FERTS, #3

ALPHA FIELD

(Book 3 of FERTS)

GRACE HUDSON

ISBN: 978-1-63587-292-7

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead is purely coincidental.

~ Copyright©2017 Grace Hudson ~

Cover by Sanura Jayashan

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without express permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Table of Contents

Title Page

– 1 –

– 2 –

– 3 –

– 4 –

– 5 –

– 6 –

– 7 –

– 8 –

– 9 –

– 10 –

– 11 –

– 12 –

– 13 –

– 14 –

– 15 –

– 16 –

– 17 –

– 18 –

– 19 –

– 20 –

– 21 –

– 22 –

– 23 –

– 24 –

– 25 –

– 26 –

– 27 –

– 28 –

– 29 –

– 30 –

– 31 –

– 32 –

– 33 –

– 34 –

– 35 –

– 36 –

– 37 –

– 38 –

– 39 –

– 40 –

– 41 –

– 42 –

– 43 –

– 44 –

– 45 –

– 46 –

– 47 –

– 48 –

– 49 –

– 50 –

A Note to Readers

To my partner.

– 1 –

The door to the weapons store cabin opened with a shudder, the light streaming through across Beth 259201’s face. She looked up, wiping the sweat from her forehead and tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Her olive skin was darkened by the days of training in the sun and her arms had begun to fill out, the muscles defined under her tan tunic. She wore her dark brown hair in a plait, her usual messy locks secured out of the way as she leaned over the grindstone, spinning it with regular presses to the foot pedal. She held a piece of metal to the spinning wheel, sharpening the tip. Sparks flew from the edge of the stone where the tip made contact. Laid out before her were rows of crossbow bolts and the white ash shafts that would soon house them.

201? said Rafaella, her tall figure silhouetted in the doorway, her blonde plait curled over her shoulder. She wore a tan tunic fastened with a leather belt, her saber housed in its usual sheath. She made her way to the weapons table, examining 201’s efforts. Not bad, not bad at all, she said, turning the bolt tip in her palm.

Raf, said 201. You’re here early.

You’re getting better at this. Rafaella fastened the tip to the wood. Almost as good as Jotha.

I don’t know about that, but its better than my first efforts, said 201, taking her foot off the pedal.

She rolled her shoulder, feeling the muscles bunch and tense under her tunic. She ran her finger along the raised purple scar, its appearance rope-like and twisted.

It looks better today, healing nicely, said Rafaella, lifting 201's sleeve. You should get Cal or Lina to take another look, but it’s not infected, that’s the main thing.

201 pulled the sleeve back over her shoulder to cover the scar. So you haven’t told me why you’re here.

Rafaella smiled, raising an eyebrow. She opened the door to the cabin, the sun streaming across the training field.

201 squinted, shielding her eyes against the brightness of the midday sun. Shouts and cheers echoed between the fields and cabins of the camp. She spotted Jotha, his hands waving in the air, holding some kind of drink in his hand. Adira ran between his legs, trailing a bright yellow scrap of material behind her.

The strange convergence of pitches resonated within 201, filling her senses.

Rafaella wandered past the weapons cabin entrance, tapping on an empty barrel.

I needed you to help me with this, said Rafaella.

Where’s Cal?

She’s gone to talk to Renn.

201's eyes widened. Isn’t he…

Dead? Yeah, she visits his grave to pay her respects. Especially now, at this time of year.

201 stared at her blankly.

A grave. You know, a stone, carved with his name.

You venerate a stone?

The stone is… it’s a symbol. It’s how we remember him.

How strange…

Not really, not for us, anyway. So, are you going to help me with this or not?

201 watched as Rafaella wandered into an adjoining cabin, emerging moments later with a new barrel. Its contents sloshed inside as she dragged it across the threshold. She pushed the barrel through the doorway, leaning on the edge as it righted itself. Rafaella blew a stray piece of hair from her eyes.

You have no idea what’s going on, do you? 201 shook her head, eyeing the barrel with interest.

This, she tapped the barrel, listening to the dull thud. This here is, well I guess you could call it cider, but it’s really spirits. It’s made from cattail roots. And potatoes. Do you want some?

201 nodded. Rafaella loosened the lever on the barrel, pouring out a tiny stream into a mug. She handed it over. 201 took a sip and scrunched up her nose. The liquid burned her throat and nose, the sharpness darting throughout her head.

My eyes hurt. 201 blinked, eyes red and watering. Rafaella chuckled, pouring a little more in 201’s mug.

Then we did it right then. Come on, help me with this barrel. And don’t drink that too fast. Rafaella clapped her on the back, taking hold of the barrel on one side, waiting patiently for 201 to pick up the other side.

201 and Rafaella rounded another cabin to find the training grounds transformed in various bright shades and an array of wildflowers adorning the cabins and tables. A strange sound filled 201’s head, the jumble of tones familiar yet utterly foreign to her ears.

Jotha ran between Caltha and Bonni, waving his drink and cheering as they grinned at him, Bonni shaking her head and calling out to him as he retreated. Liam sat on a rock nearby, a serene grin on his face. A mug sat at his feet, tipped over in the grass. Ginnie, Lina and Symon chatted on a long, carved log, gesticulating wildly and chuckling to themselves. Kap, Vern and Petra stood near the middle of the training grounds, watching the proceedings with detached amusement. Former Vassal Beth 259292 chatted to the Epsilon Fighters Beth 259263 and Beth 259277, laughing and sipping cattail spirits.

A former Zeta Internee, Beth 259234 sat on a wooden bench, dressed in a bright tunic, her once emaciated features flushed with vitality. She held her little one, Beth 259301, bundled in an oversized tunic and a woolen hat. There was a pinkness to the little one’s cheeks that wasn’t there before. Little 301 watched the array of bright flowers and constant activity with wide eyes, a tiny grin emerging from her oversized cheeks. The former Zeta Internees were dotted throughout the training grounds, their arms slightly fuller, a semblance of vitality returning to their once hollow faces. 201 smiled at her new companions as she passed by, one hand hooked through the barrel handle, muscles straining.

What is this? I mean, why do you do this? 201 turned to look at Rafaella.

It’s our harvest celebration. All of us at the camp like to celebrate the beginning of the harvest. It is the time when we reap the grains, pick the fruits and drink the spirits we've made throughout the season.

So, you venerate food?

Yeah, but it’s more than that. It’s a time for enjoying food, yes, but it’s more about celebrating our ability to grow our own food, have a drink, enjoy the time and be with our friends. Rafaella grinned at her. You know, fun.

201 scrunched up her face in confusion, glancing around at the food lining the tables, taking in the lively sounds and the smiling faces. She looked back at Rafaella, the hint of a smile on her lips.

I'm not sure I fully understand it but I like it. This is a good idea.

Yeah, we thought so. Come on, let’s get some more barrels, they seem to be running low again.

After a few more trips to carry barrels and food, 201 leaned against a log, Rafaella perched close beside her, sipping from her mug.

Near the edge of the gathering, Caltha waved over at Rafaella and 201, Adira standing on a log, waving and jumping on the spot. 201 noticed the burlap targets beside them. They were adorned in bright outfits, with sticks resembling arms and bunches of wildflowers dangling from the ends. She reached out, stroking her fingers along the petals.

Adira pulled at 201’s tunic. 201 looked down to find Adira’s little hand holding out a plate to 201. Look! Lina showed me how to make honey cake!

Oh… thank you, Adira, said 201.

Adira grinned, waiting for 201’s reaction. 201 tasted the cake, the flavors overwhelming her senses. It tasted of the roses that grew by the main cabin, with a hint of sweetness, a sticky, pleasant sensation.

Thank you. It's very nice.

Adira jumped on the spot, clearly pleased with her efforts. I’ll show you how to make it. It’s easy, said Adira.

201 took another bite, nodding enthusiastically. I’d like that, she mumbled.

Ooh! It’ll be so fun! She grabbed 201’s hand, leading her off towards a wooden table draped in cloth, filled with more strange and wonderful creations. First, you get the flour. We grow it in fields, you’ve probably seen them out past the big waterfall. Then we have to grind it. Then come the eggs, we have chickens too, lots of them. Have you ever had eggs? Ma says you might not be used to them because you only had white squares for dinner, and lunch, and even breakfast!

201 held back a smile, listening intently and following Adira’s lead as she continued to instruct 201 on the intricacies of creating a honey cake. Anyway, then you mix butter with the flour and add the eggs, and… and this is the best part… you add the rose petal water and bake it in the oven until it’s done.

201 nodded mutely, searching the table for something else to eat. She settled on a small cake filled with a creamy mixture and topped with a layer of bright red fruit.

Ooh, strawberries! I love strawberries, said Adira. Ma says these ones are the best. Jotha bought strawberry seeds from a merchant in one of the townships. I wanted to go but none of us can go there, only Jotha. Anyway, we grow them in straw. That’s how they get their name. Straw-berries!

201 closed her eyes, marveling at the taste. Adira continued to chatter, but 201 had contented herself with sampling the array of food spread out before her.

Anyway, when the cake is done, you get the honey syrup mixture. Did I tell you about that? I don’t know, it’s easy anyway, and then you pour the mixture over the cake and that’s how you make honey cake! Adira stopped to nab a strawberry topped creation, taking a bite.

You’re very clever. I’m not sure I can remember all that, said 201, catching Caltha’s eye.

Caltha made her way to 201, an amused expression dancing on her features. Is Adira wearing you out yet? She likes to talk. A lot.

It’s okay, said 201. I like talking. Adira is very good at it.

Caltha chuckled, ruffling Adira’s hair and sending her off to greet Lina, who arrived carrying yet more plates of food.

201 shook her head. After that I feel like I know how to make honey cake, but I’m sure that actually doing it would be very different.

Don’t worry, I’m sure Adira will help, but she'll probably eat all the syrup before it gets to the cake. Here, this is for you. Caltha handed 201 another mug of cattail and potato spirits.

201 wrinkled her nose, taking a sip. The taste was bitter compared to the sweetness of the strawberries.

Don’t worry, said Caltha, laughing. You’ll get used to the taste. Maybe.

The celebrations continued late into the day. The sun had begun to nestle behind the twin cliffs, the air taking on a chill, despite the lack of a breeze. 201 seated herself next to Caltha on a long wooden log. Some of the logs had been arranged in a huge ring, surrounding the beginnings of the largest camp fire 201 had ever seen. Jotha and Rafaella busied themselves with the piles of wood, laying them in a complicated arrangement, the logs stacked highest in the middle. Rafaella scratched a dark stone against her knife, sparks falling on to a pile of moss. Adira sneaked up behind Rafaella and tried to blow on the moss, extinguishing it completely.

Adira, said Rafaella, hooking her arm around Adira’s shoulders. "You have to wait until the sparks take hold. And then blow gently. Here, watch me. And just stand back a bit, you’re too close."

Adira stepped back and watched intently as Rafaella scratched the stone once more with her knife, watching the moss glow and crackle. She blew gently on the base of the moss, waiting as the glow intensified. She placed the moss underneath a pile of dry kindling, blowing patiently until it caught on the twigs, the flames snapping and crackling as the fire spread, weaving its way through the layers of wood.

The sun was fading now, a muted pink and orange hue spreading across the sky, tinging everyone’s faces with a golden glow. The fire flickered, picking up intensity, still too new to radiate a powerful, steady heat. Large rocks surrounded the blazing fire, keeping the logs from falling out of place. Puffs of dirt drifted through the air as silhouettes moved from their logs, returning with food and mugs, the sounds of laughter rising up in waves.

201 could not fully comprehend the activities surrounding her but she appreciated the feelings she received. Adira ran around the fire, laughing and squealing as Caltha chased her, calling out a taunt that made Adira scream and run faster, her little face flushed and shining. A feeling of warmth settled around 201, much like the coverings that enveloped her when she tried to sleep. Though this feeling was different. She felt safe somehow, comfortable. It was an unfamiliar feeling to her, but one she hoped she would grow to appreciate more often.

A buzzing tone started up from 201’s right. She turned to find Kap holding a carved wooden object, strange, twine-like lines running from one end to the other, vibrating under Kap’s fingers as he plucked them, one by one. The sound filled 201’s head, awakening a warm, pleasant feeling within her being.

It’s music, whispered Rafaella.

201 nodded, tilting her head to the side, taking a sip of her cattail spirits. I like it. It is a pleasing sound. At night in my quarters we had something like this, but it was dull, in fact it was irritating, especially when I was trying to sleep. But this… this is different, brighter somehow. 201 took another sip. This tastes horrible when I drink it. I thought you said I'd get used to this.

Rafaella slapped 201 on the back, doubling over with laughter. Don’t worry, we’re not used to it either. After a while you probably won’t care about the taste. But drink it slowly, or you’ll end up like Symon over there. Rafaella pointed, nodding her head. Symon’s face was flushed, his blonde hair falling over his eyes.

I heard that, Raf! Symon stood, swaying slightly, stretching his arms wide, sparks from the fire surrounding his head as he cackled. Rafaella shook her head, turning back to 201.

Like I said, drink it slowly.

Raf?

Hmm? Rafaella took