REBIRTH

          The Star Crystal began glowing amethyst, the omen of danger. A warning that time was short and that the assembly must take place immediately. Nèlle knew that their world was in great danger of dying. As leader of the Sky Chasers, the crystal spoke to her. She knew that she must sound the alarems and make preparations for her guests.
          The Sky Chasers had mastered the technology of ‘reading’ crystals many, many millenniums ago. They lived in the clouds high above Bor in great crystal cities. The Groundmasters, Waterpennas, and Treeskalers looked to them for leaderships and counsel. They were the watchers, healers, and protectors.
          As the alarems were being sounded, the great Antechamber was already being prepared. The Star Crystal was carefully removed from its place of reverence and moved to the exact center of the large space. A large green crystal was placed at the eastern end of the hall, a large blue crystal was set at the western end, and a large red crystal to the south. Nèlle’s crystal was situated at the northern end looking out to the suns. These would provide the leaders of each peoples with the needed environment. Their placement was critical both to her guests and to the cabal.
          The first to arrive was the young Yesak, leader of the Waterpennas. Fear was written all over her face. She was led to the blue crystal area. Drặchir arrived next. He was led to the green crystal, but remained standing. As leader of the Treeskalers, he was the natural choice to lead the pivotal group in the cabal. He was strong of mind and body. Nedla was the last to arrive. He was taken to the red crystal. He was leader of the Groundmasters and very old and wise.
          Nèlle spoke, “Welcome. Welcome. My friends, my allies. It is good to see you all again, especially under these difficult circumstances. Grim matters have brought us here today. Shall we all be seated?”
          All eyes turned toward the Star Crystal as they sat. Fear, curiosity, and wonder shone in all these eyes. Understanding, calmness, and strength shone in Nèlle’s. The Sky Chasers were, after all, blessed with much wizardry, technology, and omnipotence. While in the Great Antechamber, all would be as one. All would understand. The urgency would be clear!
          The twin suns of Bor were starting to dim. Reports had been coming in from all over Bor about colder water temperatures, ice formation, and snow. Concern from Nèlle’s friends has been mounting, but the crystal had to be heeded first. It held the answers and the counteraction.
          Nèlle’s people had settled this world many millenniums ago when it was young and the suns were new. They had erdaformed this paradise and had welcomed the diverse groups of colonists as per the Star Alliance of their father’s fathers. The crystals had provided the settlers with the appropriate environments.
          “As you can see, the Star Crystal is glowing amethyst,” stated Nèlle. “We must all understand that this is the warning of impending disaster.” Nèlle’s voice displayed no fear, just fact. “The suns grow dim as you all know. We have much to do.”
          “Wha - wha - what can be done?” asked Yesak. She was trembling with fear. The Waterpennas were the most fragile life form on Bor. Most were very young and reserved.
          “What can we do to help?” Drặchir questioned matter-of-factly. Strength and determination emanated from his voice.
          “Can we help?” stated Nedla dismally. “If so, my people will certainly do their best.” His voice belied his fear.
          “My people have faced this doom before,” began Nèlle in a voice that was at once strong but nurturing. “This time we have a solution, but the cabal will be dangerous and tiring. My people cannot leave the clouds. They have much to prepare for and must rest to conserve every ounce of vital energy for their crystals. We will need your help and support to allow us all to live. We must work as one for the benefit of all.”
          Drặchir spoke up. “I swear on the lives of my children that my people will do everything in our power to aid you. When do we begin?” His voice was strong, but without visions of heroism.
          Nèlle smiled. She knew her heart had spoken well in the choice of Drặchir to lead the cabal in the Astro cruisers. “Good. Good, my friend. First, we will need six of your most intrepid people. They must follow directions without questions and not waiver in their convictions, especially in the face of danger. Meanwhile, Yesak, we will need your people to set up optical reflectors in strategic locations in the waters of our world. Nedla, we will need your people to set up large machines filled with gases, heat, and crystals in the montanea. When all is in readiness, we will meet back here. Go now, in haste. Time is short, for the cabal must begin within one and one-half rotations of time. Our very lives and the lives of all we will be, depend upon everyone working orderly and persistently. Our assembly will begin in five half times. Good fortune!”
          While the others went about the task of recruiting their best people, Nèlle and her people began sorting the crystals required. She would need her mate, Redle, to instruct Drặchir and his people to maneuver the Astro cruisers and map the star angles needed in order to circle the rays at the exact moment ordained by the crystals.
          At the appointed time, the leaders returned with their chosen best. “Drặchir, this is my mate, Redle. He will instruct you and your people in everything you need to know in order to carry out the cabal,” said Nèlle. “Our fate depends upon your ability to absorb crucial knowledge quickly and accurately. Nedla, you and your people will work with my sister, Edäj. Her energy is powerful. I will go with Yesak to the waters. Heed each other well, and good fortune be with us all.”
          While making preparations to go to the waters, Nèlle thought about how she and her mate had been as one for three hundred years. Together they had discovered the truth about their beloved Bor and its twin suns. Through Redle’s unwavering convictions, she had worked through the Star Crystal with the Sky Chasers to find a resolution to save their home and to protect the others. Finding suitable homes for everyone would be inconceivable. Too many worlds in this Astroquadrant had died already. Bor was the last oxy bearing world in this sector. Travel would be out of the question if all could not go. No one was disposable! This cabal had to work. She grabbed a handful of blue crystals and went with Yesak to the waters.
          The task proceeded quickly. Yesak and her people were very diligent and engineering. The reflectors were installed in no time flat with great accuracy. Fine tuning could be accomplished from the Great Antechamber.
          Upon her return to the hall, Nèlle was surprised to see Edäj and Nedla back already. “Welcome back my sister,” greeted Edäj. “Our mission went very well. Nedla and his people are most proficient and systematic. How did you fare?”
          “Excellent. Excellent,” replied Nèlle. “Have you heard from Redle?”
          “Drặchir and his people are keen-minded and eager learners. They will soon be ready to proceed,” replied Edäj.
          “Good! Rest now while I finish the preparations here,” responded Nèlle. “I must locate Arặbrab and our father.”
          The time limit was fast approaching when Nèlle got the message that all were back and waiting in the Great Antechamber. Arặbrab, Edäj, and her father joined her. Everything was as it should be. This would be their only chance, but she would not voice this thought aloud. When the cabal began, it would take ten rotations of time to complete, provided all went well. If they had miscalculated, all would end in twenty rotations. The Sky Chasers would then do all that they could to make everyone as comfortable as possible until the end.
          “Thanks be to all of you for the speed and accuracy with which everything was accomplished,” began Nèlle. “All is in readiness here. As soon as Drặchir and his people reach the coordinates in the Astro cruisers, we shall begin. The time has now come for your people to go to the designated protection sectors. Go now in prayer and great spirit!”
          As soon as the signals were received, Arặbrab began reading the Ancient, sacred scroll, father began playing the hallowed Nāgrō, and Edäj began operating the reckoner. Nèlle used her crystal to fine tune the reflectors. The rest of the Sky Chasers began meditating with their crystals.
          Nèlle approached the Star Crystal and began the prayer. It began to grow deeper in color and pulsate. The other crystals in the Great Antechamber began to glow and their minds merged with Nèlle’s. All the known components of light began to radiate and rays reached toward the reflectors which in turn activated the machines that Nedla and his people had installed high in the montanea.
          Nèlle turned toward the north. As she did, the Star Crystal began to lose its color. She raised her arms towards the suns. The crystals around the room emitted light into the Star Crystal. The pulsations grew greater. She heard the Nāgrō and looked straight at the suns. The pulsations grew stronger. Immediately, Nèlle lost all sense of everything around her as the power of the Star Crystal flowed into her and through her fingers towards the suns. She collapsed in a heap on the floor, but no one dared approach her. Nothing must disrupt the ceremony.
          Suddenly all the crystals glowed with such brilliance that the colors were blinding. The reflectors did their job by mirroring the rays upward towards the machines. The machines heated the gases and crystals which were then released and carried upward on the rays. Drặchir and his people in the Astro cruisers began circling at twice the speed of light as these beams approached them. The Autersphere caught on fire and then a giant blast shot upward under great pressure toward space, toward the suns. Drặchir gave the command for his people to quickly retreat to the other side of Bor.
          All those in the Great Antechamber saw the blast streak towards the suns, but still no one could move. Not yet.
          Within one quarter time, the blast hit the suns. Nèlle was still on the floor. Abruptly the blast hit. The explosion immediately burned out the eyes of all who dared to look up at it. The crystals began to dim as Arặbrab finished the last word of the scroll. Father stopped playing the Nāgrō. Edäj fell to the floor on her knees sobbing uncontrollably.
          Now the waiting would begin. Father and Arặbrab ran to Nèlle’s side. Redle was summoned. Nèlle did not move. She did not breathe.
“Nooooo!!” shrieked Redle. “Why? She did everything for the good of humanity. Why?” He grabbed Nèlle in his arms and began to pray. “Bring her crystals,” he sobbed. “We must help her. I cannot bear to be without her.”
          Drặchir and his people landed the Astro cruisers back at Nèlle’s city. Upon entering the Great Antechamber, he beheld the tears, the urgency in Redle’s wail. “What is wrong? What has happened?” he asked confusedly.
          “It is Nèlle,” sobbed Redle. “She does not move. Does not breathe.”
          “She must live,” bemoaned Drặchir. “She has saved us. The cabal went exactly as planned. She - she must live.” Tears glistened in his eyes.
          Her crystals arrived and were placed upon her eyes, her heart and her hands. Redle knelt at her head. Father at her feet. Arặbrab and Edäj knelt at each arm. They joined hands and prayed. The Star Crystal began to slowly glow pink, the sign of love. Drặchir knew not what to do, so he began to pray to his god. Other Sky Chasers appeared and began to chant. Suddenly, Nèlle opened her eyes. Redle jumped up and laughed, “Nèlle my love, my life, you live, you have come back to us.” Nèlle sat up.
          “The suns. The cabal,” she whispered barely audible.
          “It is done! All went well!” uttered Drặchir. He was grinning ear to ear.
          “We cannot be sure yet,” observed Nèlle very softly. “I am very weary. I must rest. Go to your people. See that they are well. We will meet again soon. Thank You! Thank All!”
          Nèlle rested for five rotations of time. Her strength returned slowly and soon she was up and about.
          On this sixth rotation of time after the cabal had been carried out, Nèlle invited Drặchir, Nedla, and Yesak to an abundant festum. Damage had been minimal and life had returned to normal for most of the people of Bor. It was still cold even though the suns had stabilized. No change had been detected thus far. The Sky Chasers continued to meditate with their crystals. The Star Crystal was still in the Great Antechamber, still colorless, still watching. Nèlle still prayed. Redle continued to give her his strength. She still worried, but did not let it show.
          As the seventh rotation neared, the Star Crystal began to glow yellow, a sign of unanswered prayers. It was moved back to its niche of honor and protection. Nèlle sounded the Affirmation of Joy and Life. The suns were slowly merging into one. The cabal was confirmed. It would continue to give life to Bor for many millenniums to come!
Pink