Silence in the Stars

 

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Introduction

Hello and welcome to Silence in the Stars.  These characters are very dear to me, having been around for about a decade at the writing of this book.  I'm very excited for this story, but also am using it as a personal exercise.  I'm not very good at writing sci-fi in terms of the technical side, so this a way to expand my writing repertoire~.  The story will be done in four iterations, with four chapters per iteration.  I love experimenting with organizational style so I'm trying out this one to see if I like it.

Dedicated to all my friends, both old and new, online and offline, because you made these characters and this story happen in some way, shape, or form. :)

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Iteration 1 Bleeding and Screaming- Chapter 1: Sister My Sister

    Phiat, the capital of the Planetary Alliance, was bright and busy deep into the evening.  The sun, a relatively small star the industrial planet revolved around, was in its descent, and the lights of the buildings and neon signs would frighten away the shine of the stars overhead once it was gone for the evening.  The sound of parties that lasted all day and all night, of the factories and their never stopping mechanics echoed throughout the city and into the more rural areas miles away.  Smog was dense the air, giving the sky a grey tint be it midnight or when the sun was at it's peak.  While the denizens of Phiat were used to it, the smog gave off a rancid burning smell that choked newcomers, both inter and outer planetary.

    Only the Central Business District was displayed in advertisements.  Glitz and glam were thrown everywhere on telecommercials, billboards, and fliers.  "Come to Phiat!" they said.  "You'll never go hungry.  There are warm beds for everyone.  No one is discriminated against.  The Silenced will have easy access to care for their hearing aids.  Sickness is nonexistant and the best doctors in the quadrant can treat you."

    It was partially true, Kyro had come to realize.  There was healthcare and food and shelter for those that came already well endowed in units.  For those that had come to start over, to escape, to find themselves... well... that was an entirely different story.  Kyro found herself fresh off the ship with  nowhere to sleep but an alleyway, nothing to eat but scraps, and no way to communicate with anyone given that her hearing aid was broken.

    It's not all bad, she told herself.  She was thrifty and had made herself a guitar-like instrument from scraps and broken variations of the instrument; playing for tips in the inner city park usually earned her enough units for one good hot meal a day and a little left over to save for aid repair.  Being Silenced had made her immune to disease, and Phiat did not suffer from famine like Cynder had.  Sleeping on garbage bags, going hungry most of the day, being surrounded by people that, while as poor as her, were not dying in droves... it was all heaven compared to where she'd been before the missionary ship had taken her away from the dying planet.  That and she was getting very good at reading lips, seeing as how people did speak to her in Phiat.  The Silenced had been pariahs on Cynder, but there were enough of them living in the city of the other planet that they were a relatively common sight.

    It wasn't too hard to tell if one was Silenced.  Years before, a terrible virus had ripped it's way through the galaxy, deafening it's victims and eventually short circuiting their brains if they were unlucky before it was contained and neutralized in thanks to the efforts of science and the Alliance of Planets.  About a fourth of those infected lived to tell the tale, but not to hear it.  As so many had been affected, the governments of the AP manufactured special hearing devices that could restore auditory sensations to the victims.  Early models were very glitchy and broke easily, but some of the newer ones were very high tech and could even amplify a Silenced's hearing to levels above what they were before the virus. 

    Kyro had a model 1.0.  It had worked fine until the atmospheric shifts and gravitational pulls of the ship she'd been on while traveling to Phiat had fried the interface.  Earning enough for repairs would take a while, especially given that she was adamant about getting at least one good meal a day.  She'd promised on her mother's grave (figuratively, as her mother was not given a real grave when she died) that she'd take care of herself, live her life to the fullest that she could, and one day maybe find the rest of her family.

    The thought of her mother brought a blight of sadness through her normally unwavering optimism.  She'd always told her she was a strong, willful girl and that her stubbornness would take her far beyond the reach of the stars.

    Well, she was right, Kyro thought, failing to bite back the bitter tone as it sounded in her head.  I've been on four different planets and I'm only eighteen.  I've been Silenced, yet I can share my voice through my songs.  Yes, this is good.  It could be much worse, after all.  Soon I'll have enough saved up to fix my hearing aid and then I can get a proper job and maybe somewhere to live and then I can start looking for Cal and Zee and Dad...  Yes, baby steps.  And in the right direction.  I'm doing everything right.  No need to be bitter or mad at mom for sending me away.

    Those who were actually paying attention to her strumming song were beginning to bore, she noticed, in an effort to turn her mind elsewhere.  Clearing her throat, she began to hum along as best she could to the song.  The crowd perked up, and more inched closer to the girl seated at the bast of a fountain in the park.

    Being deaf, Kyro was much more attuned to the physical aspect of sound, the vibrations each wave gave off.  The vibrations she hummed felt similar to those coming off of the guitar, and since no one seemed to be wincing or covering their ears and running for dear life, she was confident that her guesswork lead to some decent music.  

    And oh look!  Tips!  A Silenced using her voice, even if just humming and sounding decent, did take practice after all, and just the smallest amount of skill.

    Kyro was not going to take it any further, despite glances between bystanders that looked that they might be intrigued by such a prospect.  Oh no, she didn't trust her voice that much.  Humming was easy.  Speaking... she fret way too much when she couldn't hear herself.  Was her tone okay? Her inflection? Was she saying the right words, or even pronouncing them correctly?  With all those worries going through her mind it was hard to focus on the vibrations, and led to a lot of sputtering and people getting fed up with her.  It was much easier to be silent.

    Eventually her fingers began to ache and her crowd dissipated.  Kyro set aside the guitar and stretched. She opened an eye, glanced at her tip jar, and smiled.  All in all a good day.  Just a few more days like this, probably about a week if she wanted to be realistic, and she would have enough to get her aids fixed.  After that she could sing and that would really bring in the spare change.  

    The sun was setting and the park was mostly empty now.  The other performers were packing up and heading out to the streets for either night performances, or to stake out a good alleyway to sleep in for the night.  That actually sounds like a good idea, Kyro thought, groaning at the ache in her knees as she stood.  Oh wow I should have not sat that long.  My back is killing me... and my knees... and my neck... Wow everything's sore.  Note for next then.

    She rested her guitar on the edge of the fountain, carefully so as it would not fall into the bright neon-tinted water.  It almost did when someone bumped into her.  Kyro scrambled about, quickly grabbing the guitar and held it close to her chest as she looked around wildly.  Whoever had bumped into her was quickly making his was down the path leading out of the park and into the city.  

    Kyro narrowed her eyes at him, something about how fast he was moving away from her made her stomach feel uneasy.  She looked down at her feet and gasped, realizing why.

    He's stealing my tips!

    Slipping the strap attached to the guitar over her shoulder and positioning it on her back, she took off after him. 

    No. She couldn't lose a good day like this.  She was so close.  So close to hearing again.  A set back like this would through everything she had planned out the window...

    The man running away might have had longer legs than her, but once they reached the crowds of the city street, Kyro had the advantage.  She was small and nimble; it was easy for her to tip toe quickly through the crowds while still deadlocked on her target, who found his size slowed him down as he pushed through the crowds.  He glance back a few times, and was well aware she was after him.

    Kyro's heart pounded in her chest.  It was getting hard to see him as the crowds thickened.  The thief would find it very difficult to move, but Kyro would also being a near stagnant position if this continued on any longer.  Luckily as they passed an alley, the thief pushed his way out of the hoards of people and down it.  Kyro was right on his heels.

    It was dark now, and she could barely see him in the shadows of the high rises, but she could hear his footsteps loud and clear still, so all hope was not lost just yet.  

    Then he stopped.  Kyro skidded to a halt as well as she saw him take out a laser gun and point it right at her.  He snarled and yelled something at her, probably not realizing that she could not hear him.  Kyro bit her lip and shook her head as her eyes watered.  What did he want her to do?  He was still pointing the gun at her and approaching her fast.  Kyro frantically pointed at her ears, still shaking her head.  She put up her hands in front of her and backed away slowly until her back was pressed against the side of one of the buildings lining the alleyway.  The thief was still talking and pointing the gun.

    She began to cry.

    His finger moved to the trigger.

    And she screamed.

    An invisible force threw the thief backwards until he smashed against the opposite alley wall.  Low lying windows shattered and waste receptacles bent inwards.  The thief did not get up.

    Kyro's knees gave out and as she sank to the ground she began to sob.  A stray thought made its way through her head as the alley became still and presumably silent once more.  Why am I crying?  Why do I still feel fear in me?  Something, I don't know what, just saved me.  It's a miracle!  You should be in awe, Kyro, not cowering like child.  Get up, dust yourself off, get your money, then leave.

    It was easier said than done.  Her legs left like gelatin, and her face and neck began to ache from the sobs racking her small frame.  She was much too frazzled to even notice the tell tale vibrations many footsteps gave off as a troupe of Metro PD officers hurried down the alley.  A few went over to inspect the body of the thief while two came over to Kyro.  At this point, she was too nervous to even move, so she just sat there with her lip wobbling.

    The MPD officers were quick to assess that Kyro was Silenced.  One brought out a pad of paper and pen and quickly jotted down a note, showing her it when done.

    Are you alright, miss?

    She nodded.  The officer continued writing.

    Can you tell us what happened here?

    He handed her the notepad and pen; granted she did try, but her hands were still shaking badly, so all that resulted was a mess of scribbles.  She shook her head and handed the items back.

    You will have to come down to the station with us while you calm down so you can give us a statement then. Do you understand?

    Kyro nodded once more, albeit unhappily.  One of the officers inspecting the body came over to those by Kyro, holding the jar of tips that started it all.  The two exchanged words, and evidently put two and two together as the officer began to write more on the notepad.

    Did this man steal from you?

    She nodded, wincing as a headache, consequences of the crying, began to set in.  

    Did you kill him?

    This time she shook her head furiously, her long, light blonde locks whipping about.  Tears began to bubble up in her eyes again as she motioned for the pen and paper.  Her response was still shaky, but legible at least.

    No!  He was going to shoot me.  You see his gun, yes?  I don't know how, but he flew back and hit the wall and didn't get up.

    The officer and his partner looked it over and began talking amongst themselves, the others looking like they were giving input on occasion as well.  Then another from further up the alley came onto the scene, accompanied by a well dressed stranger.  The stranger held himself high despite his lithe form.  His long black hair was tied back in a low ponytail, red streaks showing through in his bangs.  Kyro couldn't get a good look at his face, but he was holding a briefcase with the official Planetary Alliance symbol on it.

    Oh no, she thought as her mind began to race.  They're going to just kill me and erase all the evidence and cover it up.  It's like the hobo I met last night was saying.  It's all a conspiracy.  Trust no one.

    The MPD officers all began to focus on the body and securing the crime scene while the stranger knelt down in from of her.  He opened his briefcase then reached up towards Kyro's face.

    This is the end.  I'm going to die.

    And he pulled off her hearing aids off.  He reached into the open briefcase and pulled out a newer pair, setting the old ones down before slipping the newer on.

    Sound flooded her ears as her eyes widened in shock.  The stranger's eyes met hers, both the same shade of dark forest green.  A warm smile spread on his face.

    "Hello Kyro," he said softly.  "Can you hear me now?"

    "H-how do you know my name?" she croaked out, her voice scratchy from lack of use.  

    "I'm not surprised you don't remember me," he said.  "It's been a long time and we've both changed so much.  I almost didn't realize it was you at first when I saw you running through the crowd.  But I followed my gut and now here we are."  He looked behind him and addressed the officers.  "No need to take her down the station.  I'm taking her home and will get you all a full report later."

    Kyro inadvertently latched onto his arm as they both got to their feet.  "W-who are you?  Wh-what's going o-on?"  But her questions went unanswered as one of the officers replied over her words.

    "It's against protocol, Senator Veera."

    "It's not against protocol when my sister is involved," the stranger said.  "You owe me a favour anyways.  We'll work this all out tomorrow.  I'll come down to the station during my lunch and sort everything out.  Okay?"

    The officer thought it over for a few seconds and nodded.  "Fine then.  See you tomorrow Veera.  You take care of that girl, okay?"

    Kyro was silent. She thought. Thought hard.  Dug through almost two decades of memories.  It couldn't be.  And yet, it was.

    "Calin," she whispered as the other held onto her, supporting her as they walked out of the alley.

    Calin smiled down at her.  "I've missed you," he said, voice barely about her whisper.  Kyro could see his eyes watering, and his restraint at holding back his emotions while in public.

    I wish I could do that.  Then I wouldn't be such a cry baby like I was back there.

    "We'll figure everything out, Ky.  Okay?  For now, let's just get you home and feed and bathed and in decent clothes.  You can keep the hearing aids.  I'm glad I chose today to get Sasha a new pair.  She's going to love you.  And wait till I tell Zee!  And then I have to write Dad and.... I'm rambling."

    They stopped and Calin pulled Kyro into a tight hug, sniffling.  "I've looked so hard for you... for so long.  And now you're here in my arms.  All grown up.  I wish I could have been there."

    Kyro slowly tightened her grip on him, as she began to finish processing what was happening.  Calin.  Her big brother.  Here. Holding her.  Getting her out of trouble again like he used to before she and Mom had to leave.  And was he saying Zerzee was here too?  And he knew where dad was?  And who was Sasha?  Kyro didn't know, but she already loved her.  She was out of tears but that did not stop an elated sigh from escaping her throat.  

    "Cal...  I missed you too."

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