fortuneswheel (25 page)

* * *

Kusac's mother held Kaid back as Meral and Sevrin followed Kusac out. "They'll be safe for the moment with them. I need to talk to you."
"As my Liege wishes," said Kaid. "May I suggest that I contact you shortly? I have commitments within the next few hours that I can't easily put off."
"Very well," said Rhyasha. "But see you don't leave it any longer."

* * *

Kaid followed the others for a few meters, then as they passed one of the washroom facilities, he ducked inside. Checking to make sure it was empty, he dug a small communicator from his pocket and keyed in to Dzaka's comm.
"Dzaka," he said. "Seven, nine, Green, zero. Location level fourteen, six by twenty-four. Single male, identity known."
"Confirmed. Problems?"
"Delays, nothing more. I'll be in touch. Out." Pocketing the device, he slipped back out into the corridor.

* * *

Vanna ushered Kusac into the intensive care area and while Jack prowled around the lab, fascinated, they undressed Carrie, placing her on the raised formfitting couch. Seeing the torc, Vanna looked over at Kusac, the shock visible on her face.
He shook his head. "Leave it on," he said. "It's hers now. She accepted it when I offered it to her."
He hovered at the side of the bed as Vanna turned away from him and switched on the monitors, then lowered the hood over Carrie's body, leaving only her head exposed. Checking the readings, she spoke to the two nurses on duty, giving them instructions for the tests she wanted to run.
"Now you," she said, turning back to Kusac.
Kaid came into the room on silent feet and took up a position by the door.
"What can you tell from the readings?" asked Kusac, pointing to the displays above the bed.
"Only what we know already," said Vanna. "She hasn't passed from unconsciousness into sleep yet, and her respiration and pulse are nearer Sholan rate than Terran. Once I've settled you, I'll set up a brain scan to see what electrical and chemical activity there is. All I can say is her vital signs are stable at the moment."
"I've got something I must do first, Vanna," he said. "It'll take about a quarter of an hour, then I'll do anything you ask."
Vanna flicked her ears. "Are you actually trusting her alone with me?" she asked in mock disbelief.
Kusac frowned, his nose wrinkling. "Of course I trust you. It'll only be for a short while." He looked across at Kaid, beckoning him over. "I want you to stay here till I get back. Make sure no one else comes into this area, especially her father— he just might try to do something foolish. Do what is necessary if she's threatened in any way."
Kaid's ears flicked sideways. "I know what to do, Liegen," he murmured. "I have Meral and Sevrin on guard outside, too."
Kusac nodded. "Get a telepath to imprint Jack now," he said to Vanna. "It'll make your work a lot easier. Have your medical knowledge transferred, too, then he can assess the Sholan data properly. Get someone to call the Mentor and say I authorized it."
Vanna nodded. "That makes sense. Remember, only a quarter of an hour," she warned as he left.

* * *

Sub-Commander Kolem and Mr. Hamilton had just left the Commander's office. Raguul sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
"Not the medicine this time, Myak. Get me some of that Chemerian spirit— you know the stuff I mean," he said tiredly.
"Certainly, sir." Myak went to the cupboard reserved for drinks.
"That was one job I didn't want to do, Myak. I'm not even a father! What the hell do I know about daughters?"
"Your explanation sounded excellent, sir," said Myak, pouring the Commander a generous measure.
Raguul grunted. "Well, it's Mnya's problem now, and I wish her well of it! Gods, what a shambles! Who'd have thought he'd row with her in public like that?"
"It fits in with their culture, Commander." Myak handed him the glass. "Unlike us they don't attempt to control strong personal emotions in public. They don't appear to have a sense of pride in how they behave. For them it's more important to stand up belligerently for what they believe in, and try to get what they want that way."
Raguul downed the contents of the glass and handed it back to Myak. "You've been working on the orientation program," he said.
"As an unofficial member of the Alien Relations team, my insight has been asked for. They were particularly interested in my comments as I see a great deal of the other species in my service with you."
He took the glass and went back to the cupboard to refill it. "The Mentor should be able to deal with the rest of Mr. Hamilton's questions tonight. If we don't start the talks for another day or two, it gives the guild and First Contact time to get their revised program together."
"Schedule a briefing with the section heads for the sixth hour tomorrow. We'll discuss it then. All we need is for her father to accept the situation, he doesn't need to like it, damnit! I expect Konis Aldatan will have a great deal to say about it, too."
"The Clan Leader seems to be giving them her blessing, sir," said Myak putting the full glass and the bottle down in front of the Commander.
Raguul eyed the bottle, then Myak, before picking up the glass. "That was a turn up for the books. Who'd have thought she'd back them in public, and so soon?"
"She knows her son, Commander," said Myak. "He'll have the Terran as his mate whether his family wishes it or not, and if she doesn't go with him on this, she'll lose him. She won't risk that."
"Despite the problems his Link to the human girl has caused us, I liked what little I saw of him tonight. I hope the politics of those groundlings on Keiss and Shola don't spoil what they have. I have a feeling their only chance for the life they want may well be with us."
He picked up the bottle in his free hand and got to his feet. "I'll see you in the morning, Myak. We'll see what we can salvage out of tonight's shambles at the briefing tomorrow. Your idea to delay the talks has a lot of merit. Perhaps as well as a new orientation program, a tour of the
Khalossa
would do some good. Let her father and the others see how we live up here. Trying to understand a culture in isolation from its people isn't easy."

* * *

As Dzaka changed from his robes into a tunic of neutral color, he ran several scenarios through his mind. Deciding on one, he sat down at his desk and keyed in to Kaedoe's comm. It was a matter of a few moments to patch into the unit and check whether Kaedoe was in and if he was using the comm. Good, he was there, and even better, the comm wasn't in use. He set the message down, making it suitably cryptic, then hesitated. Deciding a name wasn't needed, he pressed the transmit key. Now all he had to do was wait for him in the empty smoke bar.

* * *

Followed by Meral, Kusac headed to the communications office on the floor below.
"Liegen Aldatan," said the Sholan on duty, leaping to his feet and saluting. "What can we do for you?"
"Get me a personal line to the Clan Lord Aldatan on Shola," Kusac said.
"I'll have to go through the Commander's office," said the junior officer, punching a series of numerals into his keyboard. "A communications block has been imposed on all ships."
"Just make it quick." Kusac paced up and down the office impatiently. "I'm sure the Commander will authorize the call."
"He has. I'm being connected now, Liegen Aldatan. If you would take the call in that office there," he pointed to a small clear-paneled room across the corridor.
Kusac nodded and went over to the room. He sat at the desk, switched the comm on and waited. No point this time in trying to conceal anything from his father.
"Kusac, have you any idea what time it is?" asked his father, rubbing his eyes and trying not to yawn. "I trust this isn't just a personal call."
"No, Father, it isn't," he said. "There's something I should have told you this morning."
"What was that?" Konis asked, trying and failing to smother an enormous yawn.
"It concerns one of the Terrans from Keiss."
"Oh?" said his father, all trace of tiredness vanishing. "What about this Terran?"
"My Leska is a female Terran, not a Sholan," he said, his voice brittle.
There was a lengthy silence. Kusac cursed inwardly that he was unable to pick up even the faintest nuance of what his father was thinking.
"A Terran, you say."
"Yes. I've just had to deal with her father an hour ago. They have a less casual attitude to pairing than us, and I didn't enjoy our talk. I want you to realize that I don't intend to go through similar arguments with you."
"I see," said his father slowly.
"Either you accept her, or we won't return to Shola," said Kusac.
"Which particular Terran is your Leska?" his father asked, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
"The current Ambassador's daughter, the one who saved my life on Keiss."
"Ah, I can see your problem," sighed the Clan Lord.
"Then you'll understand my position. I won't have her insulted and hurt any more," Kusac said, the residue of his anger with Peter Hamilton sounding in his voice.
His father flicked his ears sidewards, angrier still. "You've met with prejudice from the Terrans? I hope our people didn't have the same attitude."
"No. Those we've met have only been concerned for us."
"May the Gods be thanked for that! I wondered why my reports seemed to be lacking certain areas of information. Now I know. It seems that many people have been making it their business to see that you and your Leska are protected. From what, I wonder. My anger? You seem to assume so."
"Father, I can't stay much longer. Stop playing your word games with me. Tell me straight, will you accept her or not?" demanded Kusac, irritated.
"She's your Leska. Whether she is Terran or Sholan, the bond is irrefutable. She'll be welcome here. I presume your mother has met her?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll speak to her tomorrow. I can't say it's what I'd wished for you, Kusac, but the Gods bless us as they choose. I take it that your relationship with this Terran girl has also caused problems with the treaty talks."
"I've no idea, Father. I'm not involved in them."
Konis nodded. "Very well. Your mother can brief me tomorrow. As I said before, I shall look forward to meeting your Leska— what is her name?"
"Carrie Hamilton."
"I'll look forward to meeting your Carrie when the time comes. I presume that's why you have business at the guild."
Kusac nodded.
"See to it that I'm now sent full reports on the Keissian situation, and all matters concerning you and Carrie. Unless you clear it, I assume no one will tell me," he said dryly.
"I'll see it's done. Good night, Father, and thank you," he said, beginning to breathe more easily.
"Good night, Kusac."

* * *

Rhyasha sat in her room at her mirror while Miosh, her friend and attendant, unbraided the beads from her hair.
"I should call Vanna now," she said. "I know they're in good hands with her, but I'm worried, Miosh."
"It will take an hour or two to run the tests," said Miosh soothingly. "By then there should be some news."
"When she changed, Miosh, her eyes remained Sholan! What are these Terrans that they can alter their appearance like that? What kind of Talents have they?"
"There's bound to be a rational explanation for it, Rhyasha, you know that," she said soothingly, beginning to draw the brush through her hair. "When they go to the guild, they'll chart her Talents. It won't seem so strange once we understand them."
Rhyasha sighed. Miosh's rhythmic brushing was working its usual magic. "I know you're right. I can't help but worry; he's my son."
"Yes, and he has to find his own way in the world. He's a fully grown male now."
"Did I tell you she spoke the words used by Khadulah? I pray this isn't a bad omen for them."
"Yes, you told me, but it was the Terran who said them to her father, not your son to you. It can't possibly be an omen for you or Kusac. You're fretting over nothing, Rhyasha. From what you said of her father's behavior, she's the one who will have to turn her back on her Clan if she wants your son."
"I hadn't thought of it like that," she said pensively. "I'm sure you're right. If it were an omen, the Gods would surely send it through one of us." She turned slightly to look up at her friend. "Now tell me about this Terran female, Miosh," she said changing the subject. "How did she behave while you helped her this evening?"
"She's not used to attendants, that was very clear, but she listened to what I had to suggest— and we compromised." The female smiled at her in the mirror.
"She has a mind of her own, then?"
"Oh, assuredly. She would have none of my suggestions to braid her hair, she preferred to let it hang loose. Nor would she use any of our cosmetics, saying she'd prefer to try them herself another day. She was right," said Miosh candidly as she put the brush aside. "I realized that to make her look like us would be a crime. She is so much more striking as she is."
"She's certainly striking beside my son," said Rhyasha. "They couldn't be more physically different!"
"The Terrans are pleasing to look at, Rhyasha," said Miosh, dividing her hair into three handfuls and beginning to braid it into a thick plait.
"They are, but it will take a little time to get used to her," admitted Rhyasha. "How were they with each other?"
"As any new couple would be, happy to be together. When all is said and done, Rhyasha, no matter their species, they're only young people in love."
"You're right, Miosh. As a telepath, I see the inner person first, not the outer form. I'd do well to remember this now. I hope Konis does," she sighed.
"There, I've finished. Will you take your shower now?"
"No, I think I'd prefer to soak in a bath," Rhyasha said getting up. "The hot water will finish the relaxation you've begun. Then I'll call Vanna."

* * *

The boarding across the bar's entrance was loose, Kaedoe discovered when he touched it. Not only that, but behind it, the door gave. It was open.
"In here!" a voice hissed.
Startled, he looked carefully around; then, pushing the board to one side, he slipped through into the darkened room. For a moment he stood there, his back to the wall, sniffing the air. The walls were so ingrained with the smoke of many years that he could smell little but that. He turned his head slightly, feeling the sudden movement of air passing over the tiny hairs on either side of his nose and brows. A sudden blow to his throat sent excruciating pain exploding through him. His head collided with the wall behind as, gasping for air, he clutched at his neck, doubling up in agony.
Dzaka grasped him by the scruff of the neck with his left hand, pulling him forward onto the blade. It slipped easily between his ribs and Kaedoe was dead before he reached the ground.
Leaving the knife where it was— it was standard issue to all troopers— Dzaka took two drug-laced cones out of his pocket and dropped them beside the body. Turning, he made his way across the room to the bar, going behind it to the sink used for washing the glasses. He held his hands under the stream of water, making sure that any overt signs of blood were removed before drying them on a bar towel. Then it was back out the way he'd come, through the ventilation system.