Chapter 5
Hadronic Ocean, Fleur seaport, Kratom Continent, planet: Makatea, Year: 300
For once, Kaemon and Terron agreed that they should sleep in separate staterooms. What led to that decision was that they acknowledged they needed to fulfill their current responsibilities. Also, they had to figure out ways to gain closure on past choices that were now returning to haunt them in unexpected circumstances.
"I'm glad that we chose to remain out here for a while yet," Kaemon said. He sensed that Terron was unusually reserved and distant, so he avoided touching him. He recognized the signs.
Terron was really in a quandary. "Would you care to tell me what exactly were the conditions of those demands?" Kaemon finally asked since Marron was no longer around.
Terron hesitated and nodded. "Yes, we can talk here." He looked around with a sigh. "It won't matter if we're overheard or not."
That didn't sound encouraging at all to Kaemon. "Hmm, okay." He leaned against the wall of a pillar. "So, what is going on?"
Terron sighed. "Marron did have a valid point about us having to keep an eye on the zealots," he admitted. "I had also heard rumors of a summoning ritual being made into reality."
There went any hope of having a calm voyage. Kaemon frowned. "So, you think they're why we're even having this wave of revived belief in deities and only being allowed to choose one?" He disliked the entire concept.
Terron nodded. "I'm not too pleased with this situation either." He shivered convulsively. "I have a bad feeling that we will be separated soon." He sighed. "Unfortunately, this also means that I must consider the possibility that we'll become strangers once more." His mouth compressed. "I just need a night alone."
Well, at least Terron told him why he wanted the night alone to think about what the future held or didn't hold for either of them. Kaemon might've been hurt, but on the other hand, he also felt relief. "I think we've been feeling pressured way too much about how we should handle the relationships we once had before coming together."
Terron slanted his gaze. "You need proper closure with her, huh?" Kaemon felt relieved that he wasn't angry about the situation.
"Yes, and I think you, too, need closure with Elmont Torlav." Kaemon watched as Terron winced. "Especially since he's the one who negotiated the cancellation of the engagement in the first place." Kaemon suspected Elmont had more than a little grievance against him and Terron.
Terron sighed. "Yes, this will be a problem until we face what some ill-thought choices have wrought for our uncertain future." He pecked Kaemon's check. "Have a good night, Kaemon."
Kaemon gave him a return kiss and a hug. "You do the same." He stayed outside to watch the stars flicker. Many of them were Novas and super-Novas about to explode. Hmm, maybe he could incorporate that into a novel, too. That would likely be a different series instead. "Time to go to bed." Kaemon could barely keep his eyes open anymore.
Even though Kaemon was exhausted, he'd made a point of completing the final draft of his novel. He'd ensured no obvious grammar or typos within the written submission. He also included photos of what he'd seen and noticed during his time on the waters of the Hadronic Ocean. When he checked everything for the last time, Kaemon was pleased to discover that he'd submitted it well within the expected deadline. "Wonderful, now I have time to kick back and not worry about anything else."
Cheerful, Kaemon fell into a deep slumber. However, it only remained with some disruption within the dream state. That he could've done without viewing. Kaemon turned over with a slight grumble. "Let this remain a dream, please. No more otherworldly complications. We don't need this in our damn lives..."
*
Marron made it to his stateroom and locked the door behind him. He sat at his desk and immediately created and finished several reports. "Wow, times have changed and for the better in some respects." Marron reflected as he tapped on different programs. He needed to check on sales reports and such. That would make or break Kaemon's ability to remain separated from his parents longer.
Marron knew that Kaemon wanted to end his parents' suffocating demands on his time. While that was admirable, the way that Kaemon handled certain situations could have been better. "Although he has improved quite a bit over the past two or three years, now I think about it. If his sales continue to improve, Kaemon can become completely independent in the next three months." Marron nodded in approval as he scanned all the reports for sales. There were other notations coming in that caught Marron's attention. "Now, what's this?" He hoped there wouldn't be further conflicts with zealots. "Damn, he's managed to pull it off." Excitement slewed through Marron's veins. He had yet to believe that Kaemon could pull off a successful career in publishing. "Huh, so the audiobooks he spent so much agonizing over while recording millions of words have finally paid off."
Marron realized this was the ultimate moment that Kaemon should be proud of. It was a huge step towards success. Now, if only the animated versions would turn out just as well. That was for the future, though. Marron knew he was getting too excited if he was thinking of animation for these novels.
"Well damn, that'll be a stick in the eye for sure toward his parents." He sighed as he thought about the past years. A smile curved his mouth. "I wonder if Terron provided more than a little inspiration to Kaemon after all." Of course, Marron knew that Kaemon would deny the speculation. It would be an insult to his writing capabilities.
A smirk curved his mouth. "Oh well, this should be interesting no matter what happens." He created a final report and sent it to the publishing company.
Unaware of what would happen in the next few days, Marron undressed, showered, and crawled into bed. He fell into a deep sleep of someone who'd done a well-done job.