Grass and vegetation grew denser as Jack led the way further from the ocean. Not so dense as to inhibit walking, but more than it had been near the beach. The wind shifted several times, making it difficult to follow the sweet scent of oranges. When the wind shifted from the direction of the ocean, the salty scent of the ocean would blow away the orange scent, and when it shifted from the north, a cool scent with the hint of snow would clear the air. Jack didn’t come from a world where snow was common. Most of the population lived on islands scattered throughout the tropic zone north and south of the equator. There were places to the far north and south of Aeden that did experience snow, but Jack had only seen the white snow caps from orbit in the Gate Command Space Station. He had experienced snow once, but only briefly when passing through a world that had an abundance of snow. He hadn’t stayed long, it had been an unpleasant experience. Tan had seen snow, as it often snowed during the winter in the city he lived on his home world. He told Jack of the games he used to play in the snow when he’d been a child. Jack tried to imagine speeding down a snow covered hill on a piece of wood, or sliding around on blades attached to the bottom of his shoes. Neither of which sounded fun, but he had to agree the breeze from the north was a pleasant relief to the growing heat of the day. Luca came out of his V.R. once, only to let out a cry of pain and quickly retreat back into the painless V.R. environment. Jack told Tan of how Aeden soldiers, mortally wounded, would retreat into their V.R. to save themselves an unnecessarily painful death. “What’s it like,” asked Tan, “when you die while you’re in V.R.? Jack’s eyes flicked to Luca. He knew Tan was really asking if Luca would suffer. “I’ve heard it’s quick and you don’t even know it happened.” Tan’s fingers tightened around the inert body of Luca. Jack turned his head away and pretended he didn’t see the tears in Tan’s eyes. They had been walking all day and still hadn’t seen any signs that people lived on this planet. “Can I be with him?” asked Tan. Jack nodded. “Yes, but the moment his brain stops, the A.I. will eject you from the V.R. and lock her memory files in case there is an investigation later. We won’t be able to use his A.I. again.” “He’s getting very weak,” said Tan. “I don’t think he’s going to make it through to morning. You’ll stand guard tonight and I’ll go in to be with him.” Jack picked his pace up to get away from Tan, so he wouldn’t have to talk about it anymore. He had to figure something out, Luca was going to die if he didn’t. Guilt washed over Jack as he remembered the moments of jealousy he’d felt as Tan and Luca had grown closer. But he had parents, he shouldn’t have felt any jealousy, Luca didn’t have parents anymore and needed Tan, and Tan needed Luca. “Come on, Jack, think, think,” he whispered to himself. He caught a whiff of the sweet orange scent and changed directions to follow it. “Where do I know that scent?” Jack started up a steep hill. The scent was stronger now. “That’s a pretty steep hill,” Tan called after him. Jack looked back. Luca wasn't particularly heavy, but Tan had been carrying him for hours, he was probably getting tired. “I think the scent is coming from up there, I’ll climb up and take a look. You stay there and take a rest.” Tan didn’t argue. He lowered Luca to the ground and knelt next to him. Jack continued up the hill. He had to grab roots to pull himself up at several points. The rocks slipped a few times and scattered down the hill behind him. He made it to the top of the hill and… “Oh my gosh! That’s where I know the scent from. Holy Sky Gods!” Jack turned around and looked back down at Tan. “Come up here, quick!” Tan scooped Luca up in his arms and rushed as far up the hill as he could, but the steepness was going to be a problem. Jack slid back down and between them, they were able to get Luca to the top of the hill. Tan stood with Luca in his arms and looked out at the valley beyond. The valley was filled with trees, and they were… on fire? No, they appeared to be on fire? Tan blinked and the illusion kept changing. The leaves of the trees were the most brilliant oranges and yellows he’d ever seen, as if they were burning with the brilliance of the sun. “What are they?” asked Tan. “That’s the Sunth,” said Jack. “We call them Sun Trees. Ja-cuub of the Ruk left three of them on our planet. They are the oldest species in the Universe. I went on a school trip to see one of them once. We weren’t allowed to get too close, but we could smell them, and at least see in person what they looked like.” Tan knew of the Sunth, having been given a brief history of the five origin species of the Universe. The Sunth were the only known sentient plant life, and had a symbiotic relationship with the Ruk. “If the Sunth are here, the Ruk must be close,” continued Jack. The walk down into the valley was easier and on a gentle downhill slope covered with tall grass and wild flowers. The first Sun trees they came to were saplings, and though their leaves were few, they were just as bright and vibrant as the taller trees. Further away towards the center of the valley was the largest tree Tan had ever seen, with a canopy of leaves that must have covered a full seventy acres. Jack dropped to his knees in front of the saplings and held his hands out with his palms facing upward. “Greetings, I am Jack Aestar of the Aeden,” said Jack. Tan wasn’t sure what he expected as a reply, but what he didn’t expect to hear was hundreds, maybe thousands of pre-adolescent voices shouting out an excited greeting. It wasn’t a vocal sound, though there was a melodic hum in the air. He was hearing the voices in his head, but not the way the A.I. spoke in his head. When the A.I. spoke, it was a mechanical sound, riding along the surface of his mind, and easily ignored. No, this sound was deep inside his mind. He was certain that these Beings knew everything about him, and he hadn’t spoken a word yet. “Happy…Joy…Greeting…Aestar is friend…Elders say so," the youthful voices in Tan’s head shouted together. Jack laughed and the sound made Tan smile, he was fairly certain he’d never heard Jack laugh before. Vines and roots shot up out of the ground and wrapped around Jack, but Jack showed no fear and only laughed and said it tickled. The vines and roots deposited orange and white flowers in Jack’s hair until they formed a crown. Tan heard more voices, older voices, as a young adult might make. And then an older voice telling the younger ones to move aside. Tan saw the trees move… no, the trees were people? No, it was in his mind, the trees were ethereal beings gathering in a crowd… No, that wasn't right either, it was happening in the real world… no, it was in his mind. Tan blinked but couldn’t sort out what was real and what wasn’t. An older man was walking towards him, but no, it was the big tree in the center of the valley, but, no, he was walking to the big tree… “I can’t tell what’s real?” shouted Tan. The old man stopped in front of Tan, or Tan stopped in front of the old man/tree. “Calm yourself, little one, your mind is very young. Hold your son out to me so I might see him.” “He’s not my son…” Tan began. “Those that gave him life have gone, do not ever doubt again your role in his life,” scolded the old man. The voice was so old, so ancient and carried such power and wisdom that Tan obeyed. He held Luca out to the old man/tree. Vines dropped down/ hands reached out. Tan shook his head to try and clear the double vision. The vines pulled the Teddy Bear from Luca’s grasp and tossed it aside. Luca’s eyes flew open and he cried out. “It hurts,” cried Luca. The hands/vines pushed what Tan thought was a leaf into Luca’s mouth. Whatever it was, Luca calmed immediately. And then a smaller tree/person was in front of Tan and taking Luca from his arms. Tan could do nothing to stop them. It was as if he were swimming in warm water. Another tree/person took Tan by the arm and led him away. “Your son will be safe, we have him now,” whispered the tree/person.