fortuneswheel (5 page)

* * *

Chyad waited impatiently for Maikoe to open the door.
"The rumors were true," he said, before she had a chance to greet him.
"What rumors?" She moved aside to let him enter.
He nodded cursorily at the others as he stepped over them toward the chair that Kaedoe hastily vacated. "The ones about the Terrans coming on board," he said, turning to face her as she let the door slide closed. "I traveled up in the elevator with one of them, a female."
"What are they like up close?" She returned to her seat.
"They smell strange," he said, perching on the edge of the chair. "Like us but different. Unsettling. This one was either small or a youngling. Her face was flatter than ours and her skin is hairless except for on her head."
"Hm," she said, looking thoughtful as she picked up her mug. "Oh, help yourself to a drink if you want one."
Chyad got up and went to the dispenser.
"I've just been telling the others about my interesting day," she said.
"What did you find out?" he asked, returning to his seat.
"There were Terran collaborators. Mostly their females, many of whom went to work in the domed cities. The female telepath was one of them. I'll bet it was her you saw."
Chyad grunted in disgust.
"Naisha found out that one of the
Sirroki
crew is facing a court-martial for Challenging their own telepath."
"Who?"
"Guynor," said Naisha. "You remember him, surely? He's one of us. He came from Khyaal."
"I saw them taking someone off the shuttle under guard. Thought he looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. Why'd he Challenge the telepath?"
Maikoe put her mug down and sat back in her chair. "He Challenged the female first, but he was stopped, so he Challenged the telepath instead. He went all the way, too: a Death Challenge, no less."
Chyad sat forward, ears pricking with interest. "For what?"
"Because of the female Terran. He accused him of using his talent to make her pair with him."
"And did he?"
Maikoe shrugged. "The trooper I spoke to didn't know any more."
"I don't like it, Maikoe," he said, shaking his head. "Why didn't the Valtegans kill the Terrans? They killed everyone on Khyaal and Szurtha. What was different here on this world? I have a strong feeling that this could be a trap. Allying ourselves with the Terrans could be the worst thing we've ever done. There are bound to be collaborators still on the planet, and having betrayed their own kind once, they won't have any qualms about betraying us."
"This world has fewer people on it," volunteered Khay. "It could simply be that they didn't see the few Terrans here as a threat."
"I don't agree with that," said Ngalu. "If they let them live, there has to be a reason. I think Chyad's right. They could be laying low, ready to signal the Valtegans when they think we're at our most vulnerable."
"There's got to be something we can do," said Maikoe. "There's an official get-together for those of us who lost family in the seventh level mess in an hour's time. Maybe if enough of us protest about this treaty, they'll listen to us."
"Don't hold your breath," said Chyad. "In fact, don't say anything about how we feel if you go to the meeting. If we want to do something about this treaty, then we'll have to do it ourselves, and we can't do anything with the military protectorate looking over our shoulders. Believe me, if they get the faintest notion about how we feel, the protectorate will have us in the brig so fast our feet won't touch the ground."
Naisha looked uncomfortably at the others. "Look, I think we might be overreacting," she said. "We've no proof that these Terrans are in league with the Valtegans. They'd been here for years before our colonies were destroyed. The Terrans could be victims just as our families were."
Chyad took a swig of his drink and put the mug back on the table. "You could be right, Naisha," he conceded. "What we need more than anything else is reliable information. Most of us work in different departments. Let's see what we can find out. Does anyone know any of the
Sirroki's
crew?" He looked at the other five people in Maikoe's crowded room.
"I've flown with Mito Rralgu before," said Maikoe, "but I wouldn't say I really know her. Khay has, too."
Khay looked over at her in surprise. "I don't remember her," he said.
"Just take my word for it," Maikoe said.
"Well, see if you can get the chance to talk to her. The rest of you, see what gossip you can substantiate. Jakule," he said, turning to the only trooper in the room. "You see what you can find out from any of your cronies running ground patrol duties."
Jakule nodded. "I'll see if I can get down planetside to talk to some of the Terrans," he said.
"Just do as you're asked, Jakule," said Chyad, his tone sharp. "I don't want you drawing attention to yourself. Ask your friends in the smoke den, see what they know. They must have managed to set up some black market deals in new narcotics by now." His tone was full of contempt. "You'd better get on your way if you plan to make that meeting," he said, looking round the rest of them. "I'll be in touch. Remember, say nothing to anyone else at this moment, and let me know if you hear anyone else talking out against the treaty or the Terrans."
He waited till they'd gone before getting up to fetch another mug of c'shar.
"What are you planning?" asked Maikoe, following him with her eyes. "You agreed far too readily with Naisha."
"One or two of the others believe we're right, but they're all easily led," he said. "I meant what I said. If we want to stop this treaty, we'll have to do it ourselves."
"You haven't answered my question. What do you plan to do?" she repeated.
"I'm thinking that the quickest way to stop the talks is for there to be a Terran death on the
Khalossa."
Maikoe's mouth fell open in shock. "You plan to kill one of them?" Her voice came out almost as a squeak.
Chyad frowned. "These talks aren't going to take long. Can you think of a better or quicker way?"
"Aah, um. I haven't actually been thinking along those lines," she admitted.
"Then start thinking that way now, because I can't see any act more guaranteed to make the Terrans back out of the talks."
"It sounds like a suicide mission, Chyad," she said. "I don't feel like departing this life yet, thank you."
He drained his mug. "I've no intention of getting us caught. That's why I told them to say nothing of how they feel at this meeting. I'll get in touch with you tomorrow. There're one or two people I need to speak to. Try to find out where your friend Mito is and have a word with her. See what she thinks of the Terrans' relations with the Valtegans."
"Why are you so against the treaty?"
"Because I know the Terrans are in league with the Valtegans."

* * *

As the shuttle set down in the landing bay, Carrie woke, yawning and stretching.
"Why are my arms and legs never long enough when I want to stretch them?" she asked, stifling another yawn.
Kusac opened his mouth in a grin, the outer edges of which were beginning to curve, Terran style. "Are you sure you have no Sholan blood, cub?" he asked with a deep purr as he sat up.
Maybe it's catching,
she sent with a grin of her own. "Where do we go now?"
"You go with Rhian and Askad for the moment. I'll have to accompany Captain Garras and the others for a debriefing. I'll join you as soon as I can."
The
Sirroki
crew left the shuttle last, accompanied by Rhian and Askad. Carrie hesitated briefly at the top of the ramp, then Kusac's steadying hand was there to reassure her as they stepped out into the chill and glare of the landing bay. As the cold air struck her, she shivered, remembering the last time she'd been in a spaceship. It was as cold here as it had been on the cryo level on the
Eureka.
This isn't the
Eureka,
Carrie,
Kusac sent.
We don't have
cryogenics on board. What happened to your mother can't
happen here.
I know,
she replied, giving herself a small shake.
I'm all
right.
It was with relief that she noted there was no sign of the Terrans. All around her was the hustle and bustle of the various craft being serviced and refueled. At the far end of the bay, through a group of disembarking Sholans, she saw the retreating backs of Guynor and his guards.
We're holding the others up,
he sent gently, his hand tightening on her arm briefly.
She nodded and made her way down the gangway with him. At the bottom of the ramp her meager bag of possessions lay waiting for her.
Vanna sniffed the air dramatically as they all headed across the bay to the main exit.
"Gods, but it's good to be home again!" she said. "The familiar smells of reprocessed air, my own room, a shower, and a comfy bed! Shall we meet up for a meal in an hour or two?" she asked, looking first at Carrie then at Kusac.
"Sounds good," said Carrie.
Kusac nodded.
"Rec level mess?" asked Vanna, as they stopped outside the elevator, waiting for it to return to their level.
Reluctantly, Kusac nodded again.
The doors slid open and they stood back, waiting for those on it to leave. Carrie moved surreptitiously behind Kusac, trying to avoid the openly curious looks.
They piled into the lift, crowding toward the back of it to make space for the pilot and crew of one of the shuttles.
Sensing Carrie's need to orient herself, as well as her slowly rising tide of panic, Kusac leaned down to speak to her. "We docked on the lower level bay, our main one. Now we're going up to the ship level where we change elevators."
"Ship level?"
"The ship has two types of levels. The first thirteen are where our ground forces live and work, the levels above that are the ship levels, where all the officers, pilots and those involved in running the
Khalossa
live."
"Why separate levels? Aren't you allowed to mix?"
"Yes, of course, but apart from the main mess and the concourse where the supply store and the bars are, the troopers tend to stick to themselves. Being ground troops, they don't have a lot in common with us."
The doors opened, and Rhian touched Carrie gently on the arm, drawing her attention. "This is our level," she said.
Panic welled up and she was unable to take that first step away from Kusac's side. She looked up at him.
"I'll join you as soon as I'm finished," he reassured her. "You'll be fine with Rhian and Askad."
"I'll see you later, too. You won't get rid of me that easily!" joked Vanna as Carrie took a deep breath and followed the Leska pair out.
The doors closed and they continued on up to the administrative level.
"Is going to the rec level mess so soon a good idea?" Kusac asked, his voice low. "Wouldn't one of the smaller mess areas be better?"
Vanna shook her head. "She'll have to mix with the rest of the ship's crew soon enough, Kusac. Now is as good a time as any."
"I think it's too soon," he said. "Everything we do is being rushed. Too much too soon," he repeated.
Vanna shrugged. "The decision is yours, Kusac. You know her better."
"That's just it, I don't," he said tersely.

* * *

Though the rest were dismissed after only a few hours of grueling questioning, Kusac's continued presence was requested by the officiating member of the Alien Relations Guild. Half an hour later he made his way to the nearest communicator booth with the official's words still ringing in his ears.
"Have you any idea of the political implications involved in your Link with this human girl? You have? Well, I'm glad to hear it, because I'll want a full explanation of why and how it happened from you and the Telepath Guild within the next few days! Her father is their equivalent of a planetary governor, and I'll wager he'll be none too impressed when he realizes the connotations of your association with his only daughter. Nor will he be overly pleased to discover she's now part of the Sholan Forces because of that association!"
That was the least of what he'd said. Even the memory of the interview made Kusac wince. He keyed in the code for Rhian's quarters but received a busy signal, then a message from Askad saying Rhian and Carrie were waiting for him in his room.
Cursing, he headed downward. He should have arranged to meet them in their quarters rather than let them assume she was moving in with him. With her human frontier colonist morals... Within five minutes he was palming open the door.
Rhian rose as he entered. "You were quicker than we anticipated," she said. "I expected you to be another couple of hours at least. I'll see you both later, once you've settled in."
"Isn't this your room?" asked Carrie, looking from Rhian to Kusac.
"Good gracious, no!" she said with a laugh. "This is a single room. You'll be moved to Leska quarters but probably not till tomorrow."
"I thought I was staying with you," said Carrie, getting up from the chair. "No one said anything about me living with Kusac. I can't do it. I won't." There was a rising note of panic in her voice.
Rhian hesitated, sending a puzzled look in Kusac's direction.
"It's all right, Carrie," said Kusac, remaining where he was by the door. "There's no need for you to stay here. It was just assumed that you would. I'm sure Rhian wouldn't mind you living with them for a few days till we sort things out."
She's not ready for this yet. She needs a little time to get
used to our ways,
he sent to Rhian.
Can't she stay with you?
"Of course you can stay with us," said Rhian, "if you're sure that's what you want?"
"Yes," said Carrie, grabbing her bag before the Sholan female changed her mind. Then, as she realized the implications, she looked at Kusac. "It isn't that I don't..." she faltered.
Kusac made a dismissive gesture with his hand, tail flicking briefly. "It's all right, cub," he said. "I understand. Stay a few days with Rhian and Askad till you know your own mind better."
"If we're going to meet up with your friends at the mess, we'd better hurry," said Rhian. "I'll have her there in about an hour, Kusac."
Kusac shut the door behind them, tail twitching in annoyance as he walked over to the bathroom. Unfastening his belt, he pressed the seals on his jacket, taking it off and flinging it on his bed in passing. He was tired, mentally and physically tired, of trying to understand Carrie and keep pace with her moods.
He'd studied the Touiban and Chemerian cultures and even worked with them for a while, but that had been on Shola and those aliens had been experienced space travelers. She was not. He'd never been involved in First Contact before. Studied it, yes, but the reality was entirely different, especially when the alien involved was his Leska.
Despite their Link, despite their closeness, every forward step he tried to take with her was like moving through a thornbush. He needed time to think through what he'd picked up about her culture during his stay with her in Valleytown and compare it with the memories he had assimilated from her. Maybe then he could anticipate the problems before they appeared. At the moment they seemed to stumble from one crisis to another and that was no way to build a relationship. Perhaps some time on his own was what he needed, too.
He stepped into the shower, turned on the water, and reached for the soap container. What was Carrie's problem anyway? They both knew how they felt about each other, so why the difficulty over their pairing? Her people took one partner for life and though his didn't, he was offering her the same. She wouldn't lose status among Sholans by being his Leska, quite the opposite. It was considered a mark of favor by the Gods, Vartra in particular, to have a Leska. But an alien Leska? How would that affect his life?
He sighed, stopping that line of thought and letting the hot water sluice over him, washing the soap and grime away and easing some of the tension from his muscles.
His mind began to drift again. Leskas. Now that he was back on board the
Khalossa
he could find out what a Leska link involved. Hurriedly, he switched off the water and, grabbing a towel, headed back into his bedroom. Switching on the desk comm, he keyed in his ident and logged into the Telepath Guild library for their files on Leskas.
He toweled himself absently as he scanned through the general information; then, as the subject divided into detailed topics, he found that certain files were sealed.
Damn! That boded ill. It was even more vital that he have access to those files. He sat down, weighing the risk of discovery now against the certainty that his identity was going to come out into the open within a few days. Resolutely he punched in his own security code, opening up the remainder of the files. As he read further, he forgot everything else.
A chime sounded from the comm and he blinked, taken by surprise. Reaching out, he keyed in the vidiphone channel; Vanna's face came on the screen.
"Is everything all right, Kusac?" she asked, an ear twitching in concern. "Carrie's already here with us. Are you coming?"
Mentally he gave himself a shake. "Yes. I'll be there in ten minutes," he said. "Sorry."
She nodded. "See you."
The screen blanked, returning him to his files. He closed the channel and switched off, realizing with a shiver that he was still damp.
Picking up the discarded towel, he began to rub himself vigorously but it did nothing to dispel the chill he felt inside.