Chapter 6: Guardian Descended

Chapter 6: Guardian Descended

Tom 

Records were left to their own devices. Most Zen chose not to associate with the historians of their race without just cause. It was disconcerting to think of someone remembering every single word or action without effort. 

Perfect recall was the one gift all members of Records shared in their bloodline. 

In exchange, Records were unable to connect to the rest of their kin with the ease all other Zen families possessed. 

Guardian descended with the stately grace of a much smaller vessel; alarms were sounded to signal Zen to begin their descent protocols. Everyone had a job. Except Tom. Avoiding the thought to spare John any discomfort, Tom focused all his energy on feeling calm, cool, and collected. 

Earth was going to be their new home. Earth was a new planet. Earth would need all of Tom's focus for a time as he tried to learn its history to place it alongside the history of their lost planet of Zon. 

Zen would expect Tom to understand this new world in spite of its newness. He would expect him to have answers. The only thing Records could be counted on for were answers. They had bred out all of the particulars of their kind in favor of being the ones who would always have answers. 

Who had thought memory was more important than making connections with their own kind? Which of Tom's ancestors could he blame for being crippled?

"I'm going to need to be in the first wave off. You should be at my side."

John was always so courteous of Tom's failures. He spoke aloud in private as if it were normal for Zen. Tom knew he could say 'yes' to the offer to disembark with his heart brother and John would defend his right to be in the first wave. No one would sway his thinking: John always placed Tom first.

"No. I should be with the scientists. They will expect my help more than any others."

Thinking was the only thing he was good for as the last of Records. All those in the first wave would be expected to be able to defend their people if necessary or represent their people as shining examples of their kind. 

Tom was no fighter and he was distinctly flawed: he did not deserve to be at John's side in the first wave. Only John would think he did which was why Tom loved him so very much.

"I don't care who expects your help. I'll lose you if---"

"You can never lose me. You will never lose me. We have a pact. A time of separation won't hurt either of us. We can go to register together once a system for us has been provided. You could find me in a crowd even if I could not call for you, yes?"

John was already nodding an agreement as he murmured, "Yes. I could find you. I can always find you."

Both of them were freed from their security lashes as the ship completed landfall. 

Tom tried to take in as much of the air between them as his lungs would hold. One breath was all he could allow himself before the berth doors opened to release them to their separate paths. If he could only capture the scent, the taste, the feel of them together one more time inside himself, Tom knew he could be of use during landfall. 

"Wait."

John grasped Tom by the bicep, pulled him against his chest and tilted his head up to initiate another kiss. 

"Don't look so afraid. I will always find you."

Savoring the kiss, Tom spoke as he leaned away from John, "I am never afraid when I'm with you."

"Then stay with me!"

Tom smiled, shaking his head to the negative, "I am with you even when we are apart. Your mind voice is the only one I can always hear."

John frowned, asking with his mind, "Always?"

"Always."

Tom kept his smile in place as John moved out of the berth to follow the rest of Security from their level. He would find the scientists on his own. They would be easier to locate than other brackets of Zen as they would come from an even higher level than theirs.

Science was a revered study among Zen. Tom wondered if the scientists would find his perfect memory an asset or a hindrance. They could rely on him to recall previous encounters of the Zen with other species and worlds. Tom knew he would not be the most innovative with new ideas however because his mind was steeped in his memory, in the past, in what came before while they were all focused on living now.

"Recordkeeper," Chief Scientist bowed in the Zen fashion to Tom as he joined up with them at the exit bay, "Have you a preference on perspective? I am speaking for Science. Scientist Serena -as she has chosen to name herself among humans- will be in charge of samples from the surface for potential farming options."

"Tom is the name I have chosen among humans. I will be pleased to remain with whom you feel would benefit most from my observations."

Science were the only ones who knew the weakness of Records for certain. Rumors existed regarding Records, but Science alone knew they had limited mind voice abilities. Tom had been seen by Chief Scientist since his birth in attempts to do more to help him integrate with others of his kind. 

Serena was a scientist who had examined him before which was comforting as she too spoke aloud for his benefit, "I would humbly request your presence at my side until we go to our registration, Tom. Will you join me after settlement as well?"

"Until registration?"

Tom did not understand why she would mention registering on disembarkation. They weren't going to register immediately, were they? How would he register with John if John was being sent to greet the human emissaries? 

Feeling panic rising in his chest, Tom tried to steady his breathing, "Are we to register immediately? I am meant to register with---with John of Security as he has chosen to call himself in the human fashion."

How would he explain his need to register with John? Their pact was not the kind other Zen would understand as it did nothing to further their species. They could not reproduce together. They could not form a full family unit as a result. John could find Tom always, but Tom? Tom could not find John.

"We are to register as soon as we exit Guardian." 

"I need to find Security. Before my registration. I will need---"

"I will take you to find him," Serena offered smoothly, offering her hand to him, "Security is already on the exit landing. We must run."

Tom didn't hesitate. He took her hand with his own and ran with her as she raced him through the other Zen at the exit bay. 

He needed to find John. 

Everything else could wait: he had to register with John. They wouldn't be able to justify remaining together if they were separated by registration.