The doors opened with a mechanical hum that reverberated through the deckplates under Nickolai's feet.The doors opened with a mechanical hum that reverberated through the deckplates under Nickolai's feet. His heart beat faster as he remembered two years ago when he had walked through this gateway, or one just like it, going the other way, leaving Jofuran behind, separating them both until he could come back, could really consummate the love he felt for her. It had been too long since he had seen her or heard her voice. Garth nudged him. "Doors are open, Nickolai." He looked up as the crowd shifted forward, walking out the door. Outside he heard a voice repeat the welcoming introduction he had heard two years ago. "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. As you have been informed, this is now late in our nighttime cycle, and we would appreciate if you would move towards your hotels and become situated. My name is Illyana, and I am your tourguide." Nickolai found the guide's presence reassuring. She emphasized for him that Pendor really did start right outside those doors, and he was ready for whatever happened once he was there. He stepped forward, pushing his way with the rest of the crowd through the four-by-four meter portal onto Parma Space Station. As the crowd flowed leftwards, another voice, this one ringing even louder bells in his memory, whispered "Nickolai, turn right." He looked around, wondering who said that. "Sean?" "Yes. Turn right and walk through the crowd. Step over the barrier when you get to it." Nickolai grabbed Garth by the upper arm. "Come on!" "Where are we going?" "Following instructions!" He pulled the bewildered Felinzi until they found a barrier of rope supported on posts. He stepped over the barrier and walked out onto bare carpet of a presently unused portion of the concourse. Garth followed. Suddenly free of the crush of humanity, he looked around. Two figures were approaching them, and his chest grew tight; the taller one was Jofuran. She still dressed much the same; a loose-fitting blouse with a soft collar, desert-yellow dress and boots. Still an archeologist and archeologists' daughter, and still the rodentine Markal. |