Chronicles of Han: Preserving Creata: Part 1: Learning Curve
Chapter Twenty-Nine

We entered the Northern suburbs that stretched up into the mountains. This was prime property and only the richest people could afford to live here. About halfway up Upper Hill we turned into a massive driveway.

A huge, old building was nestled snugly into the mountainside. Half of it was exposed, the other half was dug into the mountain itself. It did not look like a friendly place, but the grounds were kept impeccably neat and I expected the house to be the same.

There were two vehicles already parked in the driveway. I recognized the Captain’s vehicle as one of them.

Tucker’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“That is the vehicle that Skinner uses. He’s with Missing Persons.”

It was already in the early hours of the morning. This was not a good time to be missing a person.

We were met at the door by Captain Truman. Looking past the Captain, I could see a middle-aged couple in the lounge with Skinner.

“The ransom note was delivered yesterday,” Captain Truman informed us. “The Partry’s sorted the funds out today and were promised their daughter back by nightfall. The ransom was paid, but their daughter is still not home, nor have we received any information as to her whereabouts. Steve only contacted me after midnight.

He is a personal friend of mine and little Georgia is my god-child. Please Han, if there is anything you can do for us. I would like to handle this as quietly as possible.”

This was serious. The Captain was actually begging me and he never used first names.

“Where’s her room?” I wanted to know.

“Come.” He led us to an upstairs bedroom.

Tucker requested the Captain to wait downstairs. “We’ll come down as soon as we’re done.”

It was a typical little girl’s room with loads of soft toys and dolls. Pink and white frills decorated the fairy world of this child.

Looking around for a catalyst, I decided on her pillow. It was unwashed and still had her smell on it. It was ideal.

Tucker stood guard with his back to the closed door, effectively blocking any unwanted entry.

“Please, whatever happens, let me finish in my own time,” I advised.

Tucker nodded, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the carpet, hugging the pillow, I allowed my spirit to be pulled out of my body.

At first I thought that I would go to Georgia’s life-memory file. Instead, I found myself hovering on a dark plane with hundreds of pinpricks of light upon it.

In my wildest dreams, I have never imagined such a place to exist.

What I was experiencing was the actual pulsating lights of entities in the city. Each light represented an entity of high intelligence. Tucker’s aura was recognizable around his light essence and, as he was the nearest to me, I definitely knew it to be him.

Already having picked up on Georgia’s vibration, or particle signature through her pillow, I set out seeking for it.

I shot, what felt like upwards, until I could see more auras and lights.

Resting a while at this high place, I focused all my attention on Georgia’s essence, silently asking for Georgia’s spiritual Guardian to help me replace her.

Similarly as I perceived Sensaii enveloping my aura and light, keeping me safe from harm, I knew every person had such entities around them. I felt that Georgia’s Guardian might be able to help.

Sensing a pulling sensation towards what I perceived to be the lower regions of the city, I allowed myself to be pulled down towards a handful of lights.

Totally surprised by the sudden sharp lights and noise, I blinked.

*Who are you?* A little girl’s voice said inside my head.

I was sharing Georgia’s body and it felt extremely cramped.

*I’m a friend of your daddy’s and I’m going to send someone to take you home. Right now, I need your help to replace out where you are. Okay?*

*Yes. I’ll help you.*

It was amazing that the child was acceptable to what I was making her share.

Through her eyes I saw that we were in a warehouse. Everything smelt of fish, so it was definitely one of the fish packing plants. Our tiny body was not injured in any way and not restrained. We were in a small room filled with cans of fish.

Georgia was too little to have learnt to read, so I quickly scanned the labels. We took a pallet of fish to the door, struggling, for it was very heavy.

Eventually we had it at the door and clambered upon it. We barely managed to see out of the sliver of window by standing on the tips of our toes.

There were people arguing outside and we were able to hear snatches of the conversation. Some of the people were arguing that we should be returned to Georgia’s parents. They’ve already paid the ransom and the Security Forces were not yet involved.

Some wanted to leave us here in this place, and some wanted to get rid of us. They all seemed to be waiting for someone.

I softly separated myself from the little girl. She did not want me to leave, but she already knew that I would bring help.

I hastened back to my own body . . .

I took a huge gulp of air as I settled within myself. This experience was not as draining as dealing with the actual life-memory of someone.

I opened my eyes.

Tucker rushed over and took my hands. He seemed relieved that I was not too cold and helped me up.

“She’s unharmed, for now. She’s in the Constant fishery packing plant. In one of the back rooms. We must hurry. They are deciding what to do with her as we speak.”

Tucker hurried out to Captain Truman while I slipped out to our vehicle. The less everyone knew of me, the better.

As Tucker started the vehicle, he announced that we were to go home to wait.

“Skinner has everything under control. He has a squad standing by in every quadrant of the city and there is a squad in the vicinity of the docks already moving in.”

Tucker’s comm beeped as we entered my home twenty minutes later.

After a short conversation, Tuck enlightened me.

“Captain said they found her and made some arrests. They also recovered the ransom. A great night’s work, don’t you think?”

I merely shrugged. I was feeling drained all of a sudden. It was almost time for normal people to go to work, but I did not think we would be missed too much at work today.

“I’ll crash on your couch if you do not mind” Tucker told me. “It seems such a waste going home, just to come out here again in a few hours.”

I did not bother to reply, going straight through to my room. I only managed to take my shirt off before falling into bed.

I was asleep almost immediately.