The Transformation Solution

By Arwen Jayne

Mars’s core is still rumbling with earthquakes but the planet’s facilitator Naira has more than that on her plate of worries. What to do with the old guard of Lyreans who still sleep in stasis in the bowels of the city, one of them her own father? Octopuses have colonized the Martian ocean but no-one except Emily knows much about them. And then there’s how to deal with the disharmony in the galaxy that is being broadcast from a source close to the galaxy’s center. The lives of many will entwine before the end. Elise wants to let go of her past and remake her life, hoping to build relationships based on trust. Kjartalan, knowing he needs to work on his own issues, finds himself transported across the galaxy. An Arcturian, on a mission, wants to walk into a vacant body. And Chesten finds a surprising ally, though not of the two legged variety. Their city will be threatened by events beyond their control. In the midst of all this Naira must turn to an old foe but is he to be trusted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arwen Jayne
• Release date: Aug 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005982133

Arwen Jayne

My passion is writing paranormal fantasy romance with a metaphysical twist. When I'm not writing I'm either reading other people's romance and erotica novels, gardening or learning about the myriad of things that interest me: meditation, brain change, metaphysics, linguistics, genetics, myths, magic and the odd bit of science and engineering.

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Disclaimer

While reference has been made to some actual historical events or persons and some real locations all other names, characters and places are fictional; the product of the author's overly imaginative mind. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses or places is purely coincidental.

This is a piece of fiction, enjoy it but if you’re looking for science facts you might find it lacking. The story is purely a creation of my imagination.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Sandrine for reading the draft and suggesting I add more backstory. To Jen and Robyn for helping with the editing. To my partner and my mother for their unending support and encouragement. To all those who take a chance on an indie author and read my books, you keep giving me a reason to write.

Cover photo credit

Cover artwork by Alain Seigné PHOTOGRAPHE

https://www.alain-seigne-photographe.fr

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Previously

Breathing was a tough ask. Valiantly he pulled in air through his dust covered throat and into his constricted lungs as he struggled up the gravelly ravine, wondering, not for the first time, what the hell he was doing here. Oh, that’s right, his grouchy boss. The notorious head of their mining camp had decided Erik should be the latest fool to go in search of his rogue torturer, Roland, who’d gone AWOL.

At least he could breathe without a space suit. Sort of. The emerging primitive life on Mars had been producing an abundance of oxygen of late, along with all the other necessary components that made up a healthy atmosphere; healthy for humans that is. The planet’s core was once again molten, a massive earthquake having devastated the mining camp a while back. The upside of that was that the atmosphere stayed, rather than floating off into space as it had in the past. But the mechanics of it all was too much for his rapidly chilling brain. He needed to find this bastard or at least some sign of him before the night-time freeze hit. Enough to report so he could brave facing the CEO, Sakla. The man wasn’t known for tolerating failure. Sakla had a reputation for disemboweling people on the spot if they deigned to disappoint him. Hmm, maybe he’d just opt for being killed by the frost. If he stayed out after dusk that would be inevitable. It might be the better of the two options.

The absence of slime mold on the ground alerted him to an area of interest. The planet’s primitive lifeform was noticeable for the way it avoided those beings it thought might harm it. Almost as if it was sentient, which was a ridiculous thought. It kept well away from the mining encampment but out here it was everywhere, except for a trail that led to a rocky outcrop in the distance. He followed that trail.

The cliff face was steep and rugged. The trail hung to it like a thin bridge, threatening to crumble into the valley below. He daren’t look down.

Gingerly crossing over a particularly unstable patch of ground he found himself outside the entrance to a cave. Screams reverberated through the angry gash in the rock. Erik’s stomach clenched. He knew without a doubt he’d found Roland’s hideout.

It had been a busy day so far but Naira’s heart gladdened when her brother’s face came up on the screen, Zak. How are things down there on your blue-green planet?

Excellent. Civil unrest has settled since we enshrined equal rights for garlic eaters into the constitution. With the caveat, of course, that they must inform any Lyrean who seeks to feed on them. To do otherwise is to risk exile.

That should discourage them, Naira thought, Karpathia wasn’t a place you wanted to be chucked out of, And Adelaide and Andrei?. The ex-headmistress and the colonel were the loves of her brother’s life.

Adelaide’s pretty busy with the Institute of Metaphysics but she makes sure the three of us get plenty of time together. She’s pretty committed to work-life balance and ensures we get it too. We teleport to the mountains for picnics or to Boswell to catch up with friends whenever we get odd moments.

It’s a pity you can’t come up here, Naira bemoaned.

Zak saddened at her comment, You know why. The world’s governments still see a risk from the slime mould that covers your planet.

It’s sentient. It won’t invade or go where it’s not wanted.

I know that but how do you propose we convince others that such a simple life form can, well, talk back to you?

By meeting it, Naira sighed. She guessed her planet was going to stay in an effective quarantine lockdown for the foreseeable future. You could come to Mars but you weren't allowed to return to Earth if you did. Only those they called Meta beings could travel between because, apart from the fact they couldn’t be infected by anything, who was going to stop them? Changing the subject. So, Andrei?

Zak was equally glad to drop the touchy subject, Andrei’s recruited a military contingent to work with the Sentient Species Alliance on special ops. He works closely with Thex from Boswell. Thex has retired from active combat and is concentrating on training instead.

He’s earned a change. The Malakim, aka an angel, who’d fought the Din for millennia deserved some family time. I believe he’s got grandchildren now.

Zak laughed at the joke of the big man handling that delightful rabble, he’d met them. He has. And you sister? How fare’s things up there, on the old planet?

Pretty damn good actually. Three of the old cities are functional. The last two took the brunt of the ancient cataclysm. Harry has plans of doing some archeological digs in them to see what we might find of use there. Sakla’s mining operation is leaving us alone. At the moment the truce is holding. And we have three recent arrivals from Earth. The woman, Emily, happens to be the grandmother of one of the scientists here, Belinda. To look at her you wouldn't think Emily was in her eighties.

Aged backwards because of taking the retrovirus that Boswell developed, Zak assumed.

No, actually, she creates her own physical reality. Apparently it’s something the Shang taught her.

The reclusive aliens who lived underground in the Himalayas. Zak wasn’t surprised by the extent of their knowledge as Adelaide’s own brother, from a previous life, was one of their number. And the other two?

Her mates. A stiff shirted, reserved, civil construction and acoustic engineer. From a country called England. The other is a young anthropologist whose PhD thesis is on the ancient shamanic cultures of South America. There’s not much he and Emily can’t heal. And they’ve worked with Callan to evolve new life forms. Would you believe we now have birds and butterflies?

Interesting. They obviously don't die in the night-time freeze.

They hide in crevices and caves, slow their heart rate down to next to nothing. And there’s some kind of chemistry to their cells and bodily fluids that stops them freezing.

Excuse me Naira! Thallon knocked on the door of her makeshift office.

Naira gave her apologies to her brother, Got to go. Duty calls.

Doesn’t it ever. Love you sis. He ended the call and the screen went back to the worksheet Naira had been viewing before. She hadn’t even gotten to tell him that thanks to the new humans they’d been able to wake up two more Lyreans. She had no worries about the Sancturian diplomat, Fionnalagh, but she hoped like hell the newcomers could tame the other. Kjartlan had run blackops for the old guard. She still had some doubts about the wisdom of bringing him out of stasis. Though that still left hundreds still in stasis pods, including her own father. Officially he went by the title of Bog but to those who knew him he was simply Mihai. Her memories of him were filled with her own frustration at his authoritarian and patronisingly protective nature. And that was her quandary. What to do with those of the old guard whose values didn’t match the society the current Martian inhabitants were building. What’s up Thallon?

A contingent has arrived from the mining camp. Apparently one of their number has gone missing. They’re still trying to ascertain who. And some others are here wanting to talk about the new lifeforms that have been evolving.

Naira frowned at the notion of helping the mining camp. As if they didn’t have enough problems of their own to deal with. Sakla wants us to help search for the missing man? It wasn’t as if the mine didn’t employ enough people for such a search. Certainly more in his employ than those currently in her city, as long as you didn’t include those in stasis who were awaiting long-term blood donors.

No, it’s the underground asking for assistance. Those loyal to your brother and the alliance. Sakla’s not interested in searching for the man, he’s only interested in finding his missing torturer, Roland, who this man was supposed to find. Sakla’s been ‘volunteering’ his least favoured staff to look for Roland but none of them have returned.

Bastard. The conference room then. Make them comfortable. I’ll be there in a second.

Your wish is my pleasure maker.

Naira rolled her eyes towards the ceiling and sighed. Stop calling me that, Thallon. In accordance with our new Martian constitution you’re my equal now, not my servant.

Be that as it may Naira, I will always happily serve and protect you, he turned and went.

The automated protectors never ceased to amaze her. What had started out as an experiment on a bunch of silicon nanites she’d played with programming became a way to create beings who would protect the Lyreans during their long stasis. Over millennia the deep learning algorithms she’d programmed into them had created beings with independent thought and unique personalities. Enough they had no wish for the old guard to be reawakened either.

Naira affectionately stroked the purple discoloration on her arm and went to meet the delegation.

Thallon entered the newcomers room bringing clothes for Aston and Fionnalagh to replace those torn during Fionnalagh’s first feeding. Briefing in the conference room in five minutes. I’m to escort you.

Emily stretched and sat up, pleased to have her own clothes still on, having managed to feed Kjartlan without him having his way with her or Steve. They’d feed Kjartlan but anything more would be on their terms. Thanks Thallon. Steve stirred beside her. When everyone was ready they followed Thallon to the conference room.

It was a full room. Naira was flanked by her ‘life-blood’ Harry as well as her android-like guards, otherwise known as APs or automated protectors.

Russell was there with Harry’s sister Sam. The scientists grouped together as did the remaining APs.

Russell introduced Ulv and Ilya, medical personnel from the nearby mining camp and a quietly reserved man named Kenzo.

Also at the table were representatives, APs, from the other, still functioning, Lyrean cities.

One chair remained vacant but strangely everyone avoided it.

Naira knocked on the table to quell the chatter in the room. Thank you all for coming at such short notice. Some of us are fully or partially telepathic but not all. Most of you speak or at least understand English so I will use that, although be aware that I am still new to it so I will be relying on Harry to interrupt and correct me if I lose the meaning of what I’m saying. Seren will translate for those who only understand Lyrean. I believe, Fionnalagh, that you are fluent in our dialect of Lyrean. She assumed the Sancturian diplomat spoke several languages and dialects, but she wanted to be sure.

Seren translated and Fionnalagh nodded.

Very well then. We have several matters to discuss. Our newest city residents Aston, Steve and Emily have agreed to be ‘life blood’ to two of my kind. On behalf of my people I thank you for your generosity. It is therefore with much pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to Fionnalagh from what was the planet of Sanctuary and to Kjartlan, of this planet.

Kjartlan let out a string of words that sounded accusatory. Everyone looked to Seren to translate but Naira replied before she could. No Kjartlan. It is by agreement with all those here that we have chosen not to awaken the old council at this time. We want to forge a new civilisation on our reawakened planet. A culture that respects all the beings now living here including the humans, the automated protectors, shapeshifters, etheric beings and the planet’s main lifeform. This is not just our home anymore but theirs too. We doubt the old council would see it that way.

Also, Naira continued her reply to Kjartlan, who seemed unconvinced, The old ways did not serve our women. Those of that gender among us want that changed. The humans in particular come from a society that no longer closets women. They wish to continue their full and active lives on this planet, as they are used to. As we awaken more Nova Lyrean females we hope to encourage them to participate as equals, as respected and capable beings, able to make their own decisions.

Kjartlan made a sound, a growl?

Sam and Fionnalagh clapped resoundingly. The rest, including the men, Kjartlan not included, smiled, gave thumbs up, nods and other general signs of approval..

Now, Naira continued, if I may return to the matter of our new human friends. They have already shown surprising abilities to work with Callan. You have probably noticed the new life forms Callan’s host has evolved into. I am hoping this means we can accelerate the rebuilding of our planet. Naira looked expectantly at the trio.

After a quick telepathic conversation Emily answered for them, We’d be happy to but we need some clarity about what you intend to create.

Naira considered that then nodded, Sam is a marine biologist, Callan a soil scientist and microbiologist. Eadaoin, Naira nodded towards the one strangely empty chair in the room, will want input as well. They’ll be your reference group.

Um, Sam we can talk to, but I haven’t a clue how to contact the fey?

Naira looked sternly at the empty chair. Various people around the room let out a collective gasp as a beautiful androgynous winged being took form, Very well, I will show myself to you for this purpose. Though I am Earth’s queen of Faerie, I am not bound by space and time so I can be here as you need. She surveyed the three of us then manifested a charm out of thin air which she gave to Steve. Put your hand on that and call me when you have need of me, then she vanished. Probably she was gone but given space and time weren’t boundaries for her who could tell?

And, ah, how do we talk to Callan? Emily wondered, slightly peeved Eadaoin hadn’t given her the charm.

Harry? Naira asked, looking for advice.

Honestly, I think all they have to do is open their minds to him. They ate those mushrooms he produced for them so they should already be contaminated.

Emily coughed, Contaminated?

It’s why we only allow one way travel to Mars at this time. Callan’s host is quite invasive. Although these days he likes an invite.The ‘music’ you made was his invite, Harry explained. You called him.

Hmm, Emily wondered if they’d truly been aware of the consequences at the time but it had felt right. Fair enough. So just open my mind. Give me a moment. She searched through the psychic threads that surrounded her until she felt one that might be Callan’s, can you hear me?

Loud and clear. Nice to meet you Emily. Er, you’re not angry with me are you? Steve’s song kind’ve hit a chord with me.

Emily felt his need to be welcome, an integral part of the society that was forming. I have no regrets Callan, we knew when we came here what we were getting into. That it was a one way trip and why. I’m pleased that we were able to make your acquaintance so soon after arriving and in a most enjoyable way, if I may say, she reassured. We’ve established contact, Emily explained to the rest of the room who might have been wondering at her silence.

Excellent! Naira was genuinely pleased. Once you’ve restored life on Nova Lyra, sorry Mars, we have bigger challenges for you.

Bigger than re-engineering the biosystem of a planet? But at that moment Kenzo’s communicator buzzed. Excuse me, I need to take this. He excused himself.

We chatted among ourselves while we waited for his return. I turned to Aston and Steve, So can you guys hear Callan too? Emily wondered.

Steve nodded, I heard your entire conversation with him.

And you Aston? she queried.

Once Harry said I just had to open my mind I tried one of your visualization techniques, seeing a door open in my mind to a path that would lead me to Callan. It was a patchy connection at first but I managed to tune it in. It’s just another frequency after all, like a radio. I’m sure once we understand these things better we’ll find there’s a scientific explanation for everything we’re encountering here.

Of course it was Aston who would come up with the theories. His mind went well beyond that of even the average engineer.

Why thank you Emily, Aston grinned.

She groaned, You really are getting better at this telepathy aren’t you?

Just then Kenzo came back in the room. He went directly to Naira and spoke in her ear. She nodded her understanding then knocked on the table again to get our attention. Kenzo’s just told me that the missing person from the mining camp still hasn’t returned.

Who is it?, this from Russell.

Naira beckoned Kenzo forward to answer, A new guy named Erik Hjálmarsson. Came up in the last batch of employees Sakla recruited to replace those who died when the Earthquake leveled part of the mining complex.

Is he one of us or one of them? Russell wanted to know, whatever the distinction meant.

Ulv interrupted. He’s not Alliance. He’s a miner but we don’t think he’s one of them. It may be they recruited him and tried to possess him but the possession didn’t take for some reason. I saw him help someone to his feet the other day when the man tripped. You’re average Din possessed human doesn’t do that. It may even be why Sakla decided he was disposable and sent him in search of Roland.

Emily raised her hand to interrupt, not sure on protocol.

Kenzo acknowledged her, Yes, Emily?

What’s a Din?

Haven’t got a lot of time to explain right now but let’s just say they’re a combination of a carbon based life form, in this case humans, and the evil entity that possesses them. The entity serves one named Sakla, an evil as old as whatever you can imagine. The Din have only one interest, greed, and they’ll do anything to get what they want including enslaving whole planets.

Emily had a sudden uneasy realisation, based on the strange colour of his aura. You’re one of them.

Kenzo laughed. He looked to Naira, With your permission. Can I show her?

Naira nodded, They need to know.

Kenzo’s form shimmered, his body replaced by a large upright lizard looking creature with a huge lion-like head and front facing ‘arms’. With a deeper voice he explained. This is what inhabits Din infested humans. Thanks to Russell’s boss, the Earth goddess Ma, I’ve had my karma purged and been given a second chance, integrating both beings into one. I can still take this shape in her service. He shimmered back into his human form.

Th...ank you, Emily was a bit stunned. She now studied Ulv and Ilya with new knowledge but Ulv noticed and shook his head.

No Emily, we’re just shapeshifters. You might call us werewolves. We serve Naira’s brother. He noticed Kenzo’s glare, I’m trusting you with our lives to keep that to yourselves. Ulv and Ilya had been careful to keep their nature hidden, especially from those in the mining underground.

Kenzo stopped glaring. He didn’t like having been kept in the dark but he was Alliance. He would keep their secret. As I was saying, Erik’s gone missing. We can only assume he’s been taken by Roland, a particularly nasty Din who finds joy in torturing and mutilating his victims.

Naira was familiar with the tale. Seren’s previously scanned the akashic field looking for Roland and thinks he’s established himself in caves, old lava tubes, near one of the volcanoes. Probably Tharsis and probably in an area the humans call Alba Mons.

Russell, who no-one had noticed disappear, reappeared with a map in hand and handed it to Kenzo. Kenzo spread the map out on the table to pass around. It’s a lot of distance to cover and I probably don’t need to remind you we have only a couple of hours left until the nightly freeze. We may not find any sign today. Those of you who can non-local travel, that is teleport, can cover ground quickly and would be a great asset to our search. That includes Callan, I believe.

Harry nodded, It does.

Kjartlan said something in the old Nova Lyrean dialect to Seren. Seren relayed, Kjartlan says that if his old cargo-ship is a goer he could cart other searchers to the search site.

Naira looked to their resident electrical engineer Karina, The cargo bay is at the East entrance. Aston, I know you might not be familiar with spacecraft but …

Count me in, Aston answered before she could finish. Everyone could see the enthusiasm written all over his face. A new toy to play with.

Karina urged Aston, Come on then, this way.

Naira wasn’t finished. Russell, can I ask you to head up the search team?

Russell tensed, Naira, you know that as a meta being I can’t intervene. This guy’s ventured off on his own, of his own free will, he emphasised the free will. I’m happy to offer transport for the searchers but, in this matter, that is all I can do.

I’m sorry Russell. I’m not well versed in the constraints Meta beings like yourself have to work within. I’m aware that Callan has asked you to take on guardianship of this planet. For that alone we are truly grateful.

Russell muttered, I haven’t exactly said yes to Callan yet.

But you will, Naira seemed sure.

Kenzo paced and Russell noticed. Sorry Kenzo, I know we need to get going on this. Can I suggest Fionnalagh. I gather she has as good a knowledge of the terrain of this planet as any here, perhaps better.

There’s the small matter that she doesn’t know our language, Kenzo pointed out.

Russell didn’t see the problem, So, she just needs to mindshare with someone who does, someone’s mind she doesn’t mind sharing that is, He looked pointedly at Emily and she nodded.

Russell grinned, Perhaps Steve could do likewise for Mr Grumpy.

Both Steve and Emily laughed at that. Kjartlan looked at them mystified.

Steve approached Kjartlan, telepathically explaining what he wanted to do. Thankfully Kjartlan nodded his assent, though his eyes continued to watch Emily. Steve nudged him to go into an adjacent room.

Fionnalagh came to stand before Emily, just bend your head to touch mine, when we touch we will share. It’s like telepathy but somewhat more invasive. Are you sure you don’t mind?

Emily shook my head, not at all. I don’t know why but I trust you.

I sense you as a kindred soul as well. Shall we?

Fionnalagh knelt so that she wouldn’t strain her neck when she bent down to touch her forehead to Emily’s.

Emily had no idea what to expect but visualized her mind opening and letting her new friend in. Nothing could have prepared her for the vastness of Fionnalagh’s very long life. Her wisdom. Her courage. Her fierceness in battle. And her enormous pain at the loss of her family, her people and her planet. To be left the only one of her kind, possibly. She knew some of the Sancturians, Fionnalagh’s sub-branch of Lyreans, had fled to Earth but had no knowledge of what had happened to them. Following a hunch Emily led Fionnalagh’s mind into her own very limited knowledge of the ancient celts, a large empire or culture, no-one was sure which, that had once covered all of Britain, much of Europe, a large chunk of the Iberian peninsula and some part of what was now Turkey. She showed her what she knew of their art and the tiny bit she knew of their languages and history.

In turn she felt Fionnalagh’s pride in her, how Emily had coped with the respective losses of her daughter and husband, how she had raised her daughter’s children and done her best to teach her grandchildren to be resourceful, responsible for their actions and most of all to question. She saw her travels after Bob’s death, all that had fascinated her, all that she had learned.

Emily saw Fionnalagh’s skills in battle and negotiation, as if they were her own skills. It was like it was all being downloaded into her brain and becoming part of who she was. And yet she understood that at her core she