Between Darkness and Light (79 page)

Escorting the small TeLaxaudin into the center of the room, she released him to join Shrulo and stepped back beside Kaid.

“Security has been called,” he said. “They will disable the drives of your shuttle. You'll remain here under house arrest until Alien Relations have been informed of your crimes against the En'Shalla Clan and decided what action to take. Your short-range communication systems will not be touched and you will be able to contact us by those means if necessary.”

“Blame not mine,” said Kzizysus as he stood there visibly trembling, his hands and mandibles making rapid, jerky movements of distress. “I tell mate this. Chy'qui threaten harm. No defender on
Kz'adul
. No option but obey.”

“I was there,” said Zsurtul. “I spent a lot of time down in the medical area with Doctor Zayshul. You could have told either of us.”

“This attack to us I see will break treaty with our peoples,” said Shrulo. “Primes, Sholans, and Humans. No more treaty.”

“Your governments may think otherwise when they hear the facts,” said Kaid.

“The treaty wasn't in force then,” said Carrie. “There had been no hostage exchange. What you did to us was tantamount to an act of war! As for you, Kzizysus, if you were forced into doing this, why, after Chy'qui was exposed, didn't you tell anyone?”

“Too late know. Tanks on K'oish'ik. Too late,” he said, wringing his hands.

“Leave it, Carrie. We'll let the diplomats sort this one out,” Kaid said in disgust. “This is not our problem. Retrieving our cubs is.”

“I will also be putting in a formal complaint,” added Zsurtul. “Against the TeLaxaudin. This is an act against us, too, because it was done on our ship when you were supposed to be our guests, not prisoners, or creatures in a laboratory.”

“Security's arrived,” said Carrie, putting her pistol away. “I'll go let them in.”

Minutes later, a team led by Rulla entered.

“We'll take over now, sir,” he said, giving Kaid and Carrie a crisp salute.

Kaid nodded. “You know your orders. Post two guards in the corridor by the air lock at all times. I want their engines and long-range communications disabled for now. And see to any injuries either Shrulo or Kzizysus may have first. I'll not have us being accused of neglecting their health.”

“Yes, sir.”

While he was doing that, Carrie glanced at Ray. “You all right?” she asked.

He nodded. “Couple of bruises, nothing more,” he said quietly. “You really overreacted, you know. There was no need to hit me like that.”

“Sorry, but you should have done what you were told and stayed put. You had no right to interfere.”

“I thought you were killing him.”

“It was still none of your business, and if I was, there would have been a good reason for it,” she said.

He stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.

“I was working, and you touched me,” she tried to explain. “You have no idea how painful it was, nor the damage you could have done both to me and Kzizysus. Shola has a law specifically designed to stop that happening. It's a criminal offense here for a non-telepath to touch one of us, unless invited.”

Leave it, Dzinae,
sent Kaid.
He'll never understand. He isn't one of us.
“We should get Zsurtul to Vanna,” he said, taking her gently by the arm. “Are you sure you're all right?” he asked Ray, as Carrie relaxed against him.

“Yeah,” he said ruefully. “Nothing but my pride. I'll survive.”

“Might be as well to get Vanna to check you out. I know how hard Carrie can punch.”

He shook his head. “I'll head back to Ruth's, let her doctor me up,” he said.

Kaid reached out and took him by the arm. “What you heard here is not to be repeated,” he said. “Understand? This is interplanetary politics, with the danger of the possible dissolution of major peace treaties. It must not be discussed.”

“I understand,” he said. “I heard enough to know how explosive this is, believe me.”

“Good.”

 

“You did well, Zsurtul. I'm proud of you,” said Kaid as they waited for Vanna to finish dressing the bite on the hand he'd got from Shrulo.

“Really?” He looked over at Carrie and Kaid, his face breaking out into a huge smile.

“What did you do to him?” Carrie asked, amused.

“I just used the training you gave me,” he said. “He tried to follow you when he heard the translator making all those noises, so I attempted to stop him.”

“If you hadn't, Carrie would certainly have been in trouble. I appreciate you looking out for her, guarding her back.”

“I was guarding Carrie's back,” he said, obviously liking the sound of it. “Ouch!”

“Sorry,” said Vanna as she sprayed on wound sealant. “I warned you it would sting.”

“Would you like to start training again here, in the gym?” asked Kaid.

“Yes. I enjoyed it when we were at the Warrior Guild. At least here there is no one to beware of, like the M'zullians,” he said. “One day, I'll have to lead my people, and I must be able to fight, to know what to do to defend them.”

“You'll be able to do that,” said Kaid. “Being a Warrior is something you have inside you, something indefinable, but part of your personality. And you have it. You don't have to be like the M'zullians to be a Warrior, you know.”

“I know that because I've watched you and the people here,” said Zsurtul.

“All done,” said Vanna, as she finished tying a plain gauze bandage over the wound. “That's only to help you remember to keep it dry,” she said. “A week at most and it'll be healed. It wasn't a deep bite, and we got it before any infection could set in.”

“Kaid, when I heard what Kzizysus said,” Zsurtul began, getting up from his seat.

“We'll talk about that later,” said Kaid, interrupting him. “Come up to the villa with us for the night. We do need to talk. You can call Ruth from the house.”

Zsurtul nodded.

IT took a warm herbal drink, followed by an equally warm, comfortingly viscous nutrient bath prepared by a very supportive Shrulo, followed by yet another warm drink before Kzizysus had calmed down fully. Using one of the Camarilla's own communications devices, he contacted his Skepp Lord.

“Skepp Lord Aizshuss,” said Kzizysus, making the gesture of respect with his hands to his superior.

“Your call expected,” said Aizshuss calmly. “The hunters, as anticipated, have discovered your part in the breeding of the hybrids.”

“Yes, Skepp Lord. The Human hybrid Clan Leader laid hands on me, shook me violently in air!”

“Regrettable, but understandable. You are unhurt.”

“Yes, but ...”

“Warned you were fieldwork dangerous,” said Aizshuss sternly. “No other way we give them information without suspicion of us and Cabbarans.”

“Am under arrest, in shuttle. Armed hunter guards inside air lock,” said Kzizysus quietly, realizing that he'd been told to remain on Shola after the Hunter had gone to the sand-dweller outpost for this one reason.

“Is temporary. Tomorrow they will be removed. Already message to Alien Relations telling them of
Kz'adul
happenings and your part. Explains you vulnerable, had to do, but sent message to us. Message delayed, only just found so we tell them immediately. All will be resolved peacefully.”

Kzizysus sighed, lowering his head. So the assault on his person, and Shrulo's, would go unpunished. At least he was not being sacrificed to save Camarilla face.

“Wish to return home now. Not enjoy being shaken.”

Aizshuss unbent a little. “Work you do vital for Camarilla,” he said. “Promise you show. One day you likely join us. Remain on hunter world and continue medical work. Need more understanding of these two species Linking and breeding, as well as hybrids. Need know where they fit in pattern of potentialities. Relax, enjoy meal, bath. Your work for Camarilla for now is done.”

With that, the Skepp Lord broke the connection.

Kzizysus stared at the screen glumly, his mandibles still twitching spasmodically. He'd had a bath, and it hadn't helped enough.

“Food is good idea,” said Shrulo, getting to his feet. “I prepare meal for us, bring scent-blender to lounge. Soon you feel better.”

Kzizysus gestured his appreciation. He was touched. Shrulo knew it relaxed him, but didn't like it when he used the scentblender—the Cabbaran's nose was a little too sensitive, so its use had been confined to his own quarters. To suggest he bring it into their main lounge was a major concession to his continuing overanxiousness.

Konis was busy when Kaid tried to reach him, so he was put through to Falma.

“Master Konis has just received a communication from the TeLaxaudin regarding this matter,” said Falma. “He's busy dealing with their Ambassador now. The general feeling is it should be kept under wraps for the time being as they are not directly responsible. It was Chy'qui and the Directorate, both of whom no longer exist.”

“Someone must be made to answer for it!” said Kaid angrily.

“The matter's in hand,” said Falma firmly. “Master Konis will get back to you tonight if he can, and if not, tomorrow morning. We are not taking it lightly, I assure you, Kaid.”

Despite it being very late at Stronghold, after speaking to the TeLaxaudin Ambassador, Konis was in conference with Rhyaz and Lijou.

“Did you know about this?” Konis was demanding. “It's obvious that Kezule has these cubs and that's why he wanted a meeting with Kusac.”

“We decided to keep the matter as quiet as possible, Konis, given the obviously explosive nature of it,” said Rhyaz. “You know how much we need that treaty, we cannot let it be disrupted, even by something as serious as this. Those responsible for creating them are dead.”

“The TeLaxaudin isn't!”

“Konis, listen to yourself,” said Rhyaz soothingly. “You're enraged because this affects your son's clan. You have to distance yourself. There's far more at stake here. The TeLaxaudin are close allies of the Primes and have been for fifteen hundred years. We cannot hold them responsible and not endanger the Prime treaty.”

With an effort, Konis forced his ears back up and took a few deep breaths. “You're right,” he said shortly. “I've spoken to the TeLaxaudin Ambassador and he wants this kept as quiet as we do. Right now, only you and I are aware of it. I take it you do have the cubs.”

“Yes,” said Lijou. “They're safe and well at Haven. They're ten years old, Konis. Somehow the Directorate accelerated their growth. We can't return them to Kusac's estate because it is only too obvious they are hybrids. That's the other reason we said nothing to you.”

“They belong with their parents, Lijou,” said Konis coldly. “You have no right to keep them.”

“How do you explain their existence to your clan members without telling them how and by whom they were created?” asked Rhyaz. “They have to stay at Haven.”

Konis fell silent, only too well aware that Rhyaz was right. “Where's Kusac?” he asked at length. “You didn't even tell me he'd returned.”

“He went back to Kezule for a sixth cub,” said Rhyaz. “As you know, the General left K'oish'ik with a group of civilians and some of his sons, bred the same way the hybrid cubs were. He's setting up house on an old Valtegan Outpost and wanted Kusac's help to train them. Kezule kept back one of the cubs to make sure Kusac returned. The good news is all his crew apart from the female member, went with him. He's not out there alone, Konis.”

“I don't intend to lie about my part in this, Rhyaz,” he said, after another pause. “So don't expect me to when they ask me about it. Kaid and Carrie will add it all up and head out to you very soon.”

“Say as little as you can. In fact, if I were you, I'd have pressing business at the capital. We'll play it by ear when they come, Konis, see how much they know first. We'll take the brunt of their anger. It mustn't be allowed to damage you as a family.”

“From what they told Falma, they know all about the cubs,” said Konis. “After that, everything else is blindingly obvious.”

“That doesn't mean they know we have them,” said Rhyaz. “Can you keep this matter from our government?”

Konis nodded. “So long as I have Kaid's and Carrie's cooperation, and right now, they understandably want heads to roll.”

“Do what you can. Pass them over to us if need be.” He hesitated a moment. “You do realize that we still can't exonerate Kusac publicly when he does return, don't you? Not without all of this coming out and doing irreparable damage.”