‘It is said of journeys that the first step is the most important one, and while I agree that it is important, I do believe that second step is more important than the first… but the third is more important than the second, and so on…’

-The Wisdom of Zug Twill

Nell’s head was throbbing as he woke up. The image of a stone bridge over an angry ocean, a dark forest, and the back of the armoured man, burned into his mind yet again as the same dream faded away once more. Nell was aware of a terrible stinging still at the back of his neck. As memories of what had happened flooded to Nell’s mind, he grumbled a curse under his breath, and with his teeth gritted furiously he opened his eyes. He was surprised to find that he was laying on the floor of the command deck, right beside the whisper-image table. Genesis was kneeling beside him, looking down at him, concern in her pretty face.

When she saw Nell’s eyes were open, she nodded to him, and he took it to mean she was asking if he was all right.

‘I’ll live,’ Nell grumbled climbing to his feet and rubbing the tender spot at the back of his head. He turned to glare at the whisper-image of himself that was smiling smugly. ‘I should pull out your circuits!’ Nell spat.

‘It was the most efficient way, Nell,’ the whisper-image said. ‘I downloaded all you need to know… hopefully you’re advanced enough to concentrate, in which case you’ll be able to start accessing all you need… for instance, we need our second step; a location we can fly to.’

Nell glared. ‘Well we need to get into space, don’t…’ he let it trail off as he turned to the forward window and stared, wide-eyed at the vast velvety star-speckled mat before him. ‘Oh, my,’ he gasped.

‘So?’ Ha’dun said impatiently. ‘As you pointed out, we don’t have that much time.’

Genesis stepped to Nell and kept him from sending an angry glare at the whisper-image. She grabbed his forearms in her hands and faced him. When Nell tired to sneer at the whisper-image, she took him by the chin and turned him to face her. She looked straight into Nell’s eyes, her expression taking on a serious cast. Nell could tell she was trying to lighten the mood too, because of the cuteness she put into her countenance, and the way she had her bottom lip poking out a little.

Nell couldn’t help the small smile that bloomed on his face.

Genesis beamed at him. Then she nodded, as if asking him if he was ready.

‘I’m ready,’ Nell told her.

Genesis hesitated a moment, staring into Nell’s eyes. Then stood a little straighter, throwing back her shoulders a bit. She closed her eyes and let her face become placid.

Nell stared at her beauty for a moment.

How she looked like Alathor...

How did I not know I liked her so much… all I’ve been seeing is Hart… why now is Alathor so… bright?

Genesis opened one eye and pouted at Nell.

‘Hmm?’ he asked.

‘Concentrate,’ Genesis mouthed at Nell.

‘Oh, right. Sorry,’ he said.

Genesis smiled at him.

‘Yes, concentrate if you can,’ the whisper-image, Ha’dun, snarled, scattering smoky tendrils of light that faded into nothingness.

Nell made to turn again, but Genesis caught his face and turned him back to her. She gave him a cute look, and made a v-shape with her index finger and thumb, placing her chin in the crook, drawing the man’s attention firmly to her.

Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out.

‘Right,’ Nell said, ‘right. Eyes closed, concentrate.’

Genesis waited until Nell had closed his eyes, before she did the same.

Unsure of what he was supposed to be concentrating on, Nell just opened his mind and thought of what the fifteen had said. He thought of the Hell Gate and the missing pieces that needed to be found, and the quest they were on to stop a Hell War from erupting, and…

Then he saw it, an enormous twisting spider web of rock, covered in trees, lakes and mountains, alive, in the deep of space, but somehow, Nell felt that it shouldn’t be. What it was, he was truly unsure. He noticed that the strange place was surrounded by odd, brown ships – things that looked almost like beetles, three horns sticking out the fronts.

Unusual vessels to be sure, Nell thought.

Then, as if separated from his body, he was falling toward the strange living tangle of a world. He sped through trees, along a path, and then stopped, hovering over a deep, dark pit. And then it was down the pit, to the very bottom. The darkness didn’t seem so dark down here. It was as if Nell could see through the darkness, and in the dark he saw something, a statue of a giant – it was strange, with a squat nose, and a wide mouth, and large eyes, dressed in heavy armour. Its stony hands were outstretched, and in the lower one was a dark crescent of black stone that was covered in writings Nell couldn’t read.

Suddenly, and with a gasp, Nell snapped back to himself and stared – his legs wobbly – at Genesis, who was smiling approvingly at him.

‘Oh, wow!’ Nell exclaimed, and pulled away from Genesis, leaning on the edge of the whisper-image table to keep from falling.

‘You’re not going to pass out again, are you,’ Ha’dun grumbled sounding truly bored.

Nell looked up at the whisper-image of himself and he shook his head. ‘No,’ he told the ship, ‘but I think I know where to go.’

‘Yes, I saw it,’ the ship told him impatiently.

‘Eh?’ Nell asked.

‘When I downloaded the knowledge, I also implanted you with a chip that connects us. It’ll save time… for instance, I’ve already plotted our course for the Durmul Expanse that you saw. We’ll be there in a few hours.’

Nell stared at the whisper-image, feeling a little wrong yet again.

Meanwhile, out the forward window, the stars elongated as the ship flashed off into Hyperion-space.

‘Anyway,’ Ha’dun added, ‘you should go and relax for a bit. Genesis wants to show you to your quarters.’

Nell looked to the girl. She beamed at him, winked, and then took his hand and led him off the command deck.

*

Genesis led Nell away from the command deck toward the room she’d selected for him. When they reached the door, she motioned to it with both hands, twisted, and leaned on the wall beside the door. She winked at Nell again and brought two fingers up, framing one eye.

Nell smiled at the girl and her bright and happy personality that seemed so full, despite everything.

She was like a great pillar of hope. She made Nell feel… safe, even in his uncertainty.

Genesis opened the door to Nell’s room and guided him inside. It was fair-sized and nicely, but sparsely, decorated. Across from the doorway was a large window that looked out on the flickering colours of Hyperion-space. A bed was set near that. Everything was coloured in white and blue.

There was a computer terminal in the wall, near the door. There was a couch, on the wall to the right of the door, with a picture over it - some alien world with a giant flying whale, and an alien village built on its back. A vid-monitor was placed across the room on the opposite wall.

Close to the couch was a door that led to a small, neat bathroom.

Nell stepped past Genesis and looked about the quarters he’d been provided.

‘These are really nice,’ he said, looking over his shoulder at the white-haired girl.

She smiled at him, and moved up behind him, bumping her shoulder lightly into his back, looking up at him as she gave him a bright smile, and again framed her left eye with two fingers.

She was so different from any girl he’d ever met. She made him feel a little strange. He felt a little uncomfortable and though he didn’t know why, he tried to repress the smile that struggled to form on his face.

It came out as an awkward smirk.

Nell felt like he was smiling too much.

This was serious business they were involved in, why was Genesis so… chipper?

She furrowed her brow and stepped around, in front of Nell, looking up at him, a slightly concerned expression on her face. By the look in her eyes, she seemed to be asking what was wrong, or if Nell was all right… or something along those lines.

Nell wished the fifteen had got it right and given Genesis the ability to talk… it would make all of this so much easier.

‘You’re wondering what’s wrong?’ Nell asked with a sigh, stepping to the bed and sitting on the edge. ‘It’s got to be what’s wrong,’ Nell reasoned, ‘women always ask that question – well, Mum and my Sister do, and always…’

Genesis had cocked and eyebrow and looked confused, sitting beside him.

Nell chuckled humorlessly. ‘Yeah,’ he told Genesis, ‘I’m rambling, aren’t I?’

‘It’ll be okay,’ Genesis mouthed soundlessly, and she smiled warmly at him.

‘It’ll be okay,’ Nell repeated, blinking in surprised. ‘So you know how to talk,’ he said, ‘you just… can’t?’

Genesis nodded, sadness back in her face.

Suddenly her eyes lit up though, and she stood from the bed, hurrying across the room, toward the computer terminal. She started it up, opened a file, and began typing rapidly on the keyboard. Nell stood up and curiously walked over to join her. When he reached her, the screen was filled with writing, and Genesis stood up, motioning for Nell to sit and read.

He hesitated, but did as she instructed.

When he began reading, he read out loud.

‘I wish I could speak… I really do, I’ve been preparing for our task together for a long time… I’ve been taught about you, studied you, and prepared to meet you and work with you, just as the ship has… I have to admit, after all this time, I find it a bit of a thrill, not only to have a flesh and bone body, but also to be with you.’

Nell stopped reading and looked up at Genesis. ‘I think you overestimate my company.’

Genesis shook her head, put on a fake pout, and pushed his arm playfully with one hand.

Nell couldn’t help smiling. He looked back to the screen. With just a little more left, he read, ‘I’ll try to communicate with you as best I can in this situation… Oh, also! Thank you for being patient with me.’

Nell chuckled softly and smiled, leaning back in the seat. He turned and looked at Genesis. ‘The feeling is mutual,’ he offered.

Genesis beamed at him, and she continued for a time – a time that drew out to be a little uncomfortable.

‘So,’ Nell said, breaking the moment, ‘this is fun, with the awkward staring and-’

Genesis bit her bottom lip and turned away shyly.

Nell stood up, feeling ashamed for embarrassing her. ‘Hey,’ he offered, smiling warmly, and causing her to look at him again, ‘I didn’t mean to embarrass-’

Genesis reddened all the more and shook her head, turning away, heading for the door.

‘Wait!’ Nell called after her, but she didn’t so much as look back, leaving Nell alone.

‘Smooth,’ he growled at himself.