thefiremargins (60 page)

* * *

Carrie hiked her robe up yet again as it got tangled between her ankles.
"Damned thing!" she muttered. "Never could stand skirts!"
"Ground's uneven here," said T'Chebbi from in front. "Watch your feet, Liegena."
Reaching out for the tunnel wall, Carrie used it to steady herself as she cautiously picked her way among the fallen debris. T'Chebbi's torch shed enough light for her to see by and she silently thanked Vartra that she had functional Sholan eyes. Had she had Human eyes, the journey would have been virtually impossible for her.
The first part had been easy. While she maintained a light contact with Kaid through the crystal, Kusac had mentally checked the tunnel ahead. Though not that dependable a talent, it made them feel more secure. Garras entered the code Kha'Qwa had given them into the keypad set into the concealed entrance in the hillside.
The technically abandoned tunnel was kept clear— mainly by students who had overstayed the curfew— of any small rocks and rubble that broke off from the roof or walls. They knew they'd come to their turning when they saw a brick wall off to one side. Blocked off a generation ago, it only took the removal of the loose bricks that Kha'Qwa had told them about, and they had a space large enough to crawl through. But the floor of the tunnel ahead was littered with the debris of countless minor rock movements.
Suddenly Carrie collided with T'Chebbi, letting out a surprised gasp. Behind her, Dzaka came to an abrupt stop.
People ahead. Friends of Kha'Qwa, I think,
Kusac sent as they all started moving slowly again.
Beneath her fingers, the wall was damp and, in places, slimy to the touch. With a shudder of distaste, she pulled away from it, touching it only with her fingertips. T'Chebbi's flashlight glinted off the veins of crystal embedded in the rock walls around her.
Up front, Kusac and Garras disappeared into the darkness. The gap between the two groups had gradually increased as Carrie had slowed down.
We'll check out who's waiting up ahead,
said Kusac.
Take your time, Carrie. This ground's treacherous.
I'll have to! I'm having difficulty maintaining any contact with Kaid!
Why?
His mind's still behind those barriers of his. All I can really do is keep track of where the crystal is.
If they move him, let me know!
I will
.

* * *

They weren't far behind Kusac and by the time they arrived, one of the females was telling him that unless they took out the main power system, there was no chance of disabling all the dampers. A couple of people were going after a few selected key units, though. With any luck it would allow them to communicate with Lijou and the outside world.
Among the group of half a dozen Brothers was a telepath Kusac recognized from his father's description— Vriuzu.
Catching Kusac's curious glance, Vriuzu's mouth opened in a slight grin and he held out his palm in greeting.
"Didn't think I'd ever see any of the Telepath Guild again," he said as Kusac responded. "I know you're not with them now," he added.
"It's good to know you're safe, and that you've found peace with your talent," said Kusac.
"I owe the Special Operatives my life. I'll gladly do anything I can to help one of them."
Kusac nodded his thanks, then turned to Carrie. "Have you still got a fix on Kaid?"
"Just. As I said, it's more of a fix on the crystal than him now. I can barely sense his presence," she said tiredly, leaning back against a dry section of the wall.
You shouldn't have come,
Kusac sent, looking over at her, ears flicking in concern.
You need me to find him. What I'm getting is so faint, I could never have picked it up from Noni's. Besides, we owe him. Without him that sniper could have killed us during my Challenge.
Kusac could feel her still raw memories of that day. "Where is Kaid?" he asked quietly.
"West of here, on this level," she said, waving her hand in the direction they needed to take.
"She's right enough," said Rhayna, the obvious leader of the group of Brothers.
"I've got contact with Lijou," said Vriuzu suddenly. "The dampers are down between us and him."
"Make sure no one overhears you," warned Kusac. "Keep him up to date. We'll let him know when we need him. Right, let's go, Rhayna."
Rhayna took the lead as they turned a corner and stepped through the heavy wooden door that was the entrance to Stronghold.

* * *

Suddenly the light came on. Kaid stayed where he was, having no reason to move.
The door didn't open immediately but when it did, Zhaya stood in the doorway. He was alone. Moving to the side of the open door, he gestured with his stunner. "Get up," he ordered.
Kaid leaned on the bed with his good arm, levering himself tiredly to his feet. Cradling his right arm and hand, he turned and moved slowly toward him.
"You know what this stunner can do," said Zhaya. "So let's keep this civilized, shall we?" Holding him firmly by the good arm, he dragged Kaid along the corridor.
Kaid tried to keep his mind blank, to think of nothing, but gradually the forgotten memories of his last visit with Ghezu began to seep through from his subconscious. As Zhaya opened the door, he remembered the smell of his own freshly spilled blood so strongly he could taste its metallic tang in his mouth.
His tongue flicked out to moisten his lips only to find he'd bitten himself again. He thrust the memories aside, forcing his mind to become still once more. Attempting to control the pain was difficult enough without remembering and anticipating what was to come. He needed to focus all his attention on now. When his moment came, he had to see it and take it: he'd never get a second chance to end this.

* * *

"He's been moved," said Carrie.
"Where?" demanded Kusac, turning back to her.
"I don't know. All I felt was a sudden flare from him, then silence again. He's in danger, Kusac, that much I did get."
Kusac looked at Vriuzu.
He shook his head. "My Talent's sending, not receiving," he said.
"Rhayna, where would they take him?"
"It could be anywhere. Depends what they're doing with him. It wouldn't be to any of the common areas of Stronghold, that's all I can tell you."
"Lijou says try the interrogation rooms," said Vriuzu.
"Where?" demanded Kusac.
"Here," said Rhayna. "This level's where the old holding cells and interrogation rooms are. They're never used now because their facilities are so primitive."
"Take us there. Carrie, for the God's sake, try to find him!"
She nodded, her face pale with concentration and worry.

* * *

Ghezu was sitting at the desk when Zhaya and Kaid entered. He looked up from his comp pad.
"Sit down, Kaid. I'll be with you in a moment."
The wooden chair was in the same place as before. Kaid found himself walking over to it as if it was part of a well established ritual. How often had he been here? Once— or more? The fact that he didn't know disturbed him profoundly. Silently, he sat down, watching Zhaya walk across the room to stand behind his chair.
Ghezu continued to study the pad for several more minutes before putting it aside and getting to his feet.
"How's the hand today?" he asked, coming round to stand in front of him. As he reached out toward him, Kaid pulled back.
"It's your own fault," Ghezu said. A flick of his ear and Zhaya stepped forward to grasp Kaid by the shoulders, holding him firmly against the chair back.
"All you had to do was give me the codes. I'm not unreasonable." Again Ghezu reached out for Kaid's hand.
This time he couldn't pull away. As Ghezu took hold of him by the wrist and pulled his hand forward to examine it, a low mew of pain escaped him, and for the first time, he looked down at his injuries. His hand was distended, the fur matted with blood. Agony lanced through it and up his arm when Ghezu touched the two swollen outer fingers. The fourth one, the smallest, was missing.
"Nasty," said Ghezu, ears flicking in false concern. "The whole hand's badly inflamed. Still, we did a good job of cauterizing that finger, even if I do say it myself."
His touch was light but it was enough to make Kaid cry out again and try to twist free. Ghezu let his hand go and turned to walk back to his desk. "The others are only broken, Kaid. They should heal, given time."
Kaid held his hand close against his chest, barely conscious, the room seeming to recede around him. Rather than holding him still, Zhaya was now holding him upright.
"Let's start again, shall we?" he heard Ghezu say. "We'll use your left hand today, give the other one a chance to heal. Remember what I said to you. If I have to cut the information out of you an inch at a time, I'll do it. It's a matter of how many fingers you're willing to lose. Bring him over, Zhaya."
Zhaya hauled him to his feet and dragged him over to the desk. His left hand was pressed down onto the desktop and held there as Kaid fought to remain conscious and on his feet. Between his spread fingers, he could see the blood-stained white scars already in the wood's surface. His blood. Once again, his senses began to swim.
Gods! It was too soon! He had to do something before ...! His mind veered away from that. Leaning forward, he took several large breaths, trying to focus his thoughts. Already he could feel the sweat starting to form across the back of his shoulders.
Suddenly Ghezu leaned forward to grasp the leather bag hanging from Kaid's neck.
"What's this? Why haven't I noticed it before?" he asked sharply, using the thong to jerk Kaid's head closer.
"Leave it."
"Something else she gave you? Maybe I should take it, too."
Kaid said nothing, just stared.
Ghezu twisted the thong round his hand and pulled sharply, breaking it. He let it dangle in front of Kaid.
"I'll take everything you ever had, or hoped to have, Kaid. I already hold your life, and Khemu's bracelet. Now this little trinket." He began to open it.
The pressure on his left hand had eased a little. Zhaya was as intrigued as Ghezu as to what was in the leather pouch.
Concentrating all his remaining energy, Kaid twisted round and swung the elbow of his injured arm backward, catching Zhaya hard in the pit of his stomach. As the guard released him and doubled over retching, Kaid, hardly able to see through the haze of pain the blow had cost him, staggered away from the desk. Sight didn't matter, he
knew
where Ghezu was. Regaining his balance, he dropped into a crouch, ready to leap.
"I wouldn't, Kaid," said Ghezu, pointing his energy pistol at him. "It won't work. I can stop you without killing you, but do you really want to lose a leg? Isn't one finger enough?"

* * *

With a cry of pain, Carrie clutched her head and stumbled into T'Chebbi, who just managed to catch her before she fell.
Kusac was at his mate's side. Taking her from T'Chebbi, he held her close.
"What is it? What happened, Carrie?"
Although she was still trembling, she'd already begun to recover. "The crystal. Ghezu took the crystal from him," she said, pushing him away. "We've got to get there
now,
Kusac! Kaid's trying to make Ghezu kill him! Go! We'll follow!"
Are you sure you're all right?
Go!
He went, followed by all but Dzaka and Vriuzu.
"Send to Lijou now, Vriuzu," she said, leaning against the wall. "Tell him to bring Noni. She'll be needed." She looked up at Dzaka. "Don't even think of following them," she said, her tone uncompromising. "You're here to protect me, not get yourself killed because of Ghezu's Contract." She held her hand out to him.
He took it, pulling her upright till she could lean on his arm. "I'll say with you, Liegena," he said.
"You don't need to like it," she said, aware that her tone had been sharper than she'd intended. "Believe me, I'd be there with them if I could, but I've got other responsibilities too."
Dzaka looked down at her, mouth opening in a small grin. "So we have, Liegena. Thank you for reminding me."
Her hand tightened reassuringly on his arm. "I'll know as soon as Kusac does, Dzaka. It's almost as good as being there. They'll be in time, don't worry."

* * *

As Kaid hesitated, the door exploded inward in a shower of splinters and smoke. Kusac and Garras appeared in the opening, rifles trained on Ghezu and the still retching Zhaya.
"We've got a warrant for your arrest, Ghezu," said Kusac, his voice cold and dispassionate. "High treason. I suggest you put down the gun and surrender quietly."
Ghezu moved swiftly, grabbing Kaid and pressing the pistol to the side of his head. "I think not," he said, backing away toward a door at the rear of the room. "You want your friend alive, don't you?"
The sound of running feet could be heard echoing in the corridor behind Kusac and Garras.
"Just keep your people under control and no one need get hurt," said Ghezu, stopping at the door. As he changed his grip on Kaid to fumble for the door handle, his gun knocked against his captive's injured hand. Soundlessly Kaid began to crumple, dragging Ghezu down with him. Dropping him, in one fluid move, Ghezu had the door open and was gone.
"Damn!" swore Kusac, running toward the door, Garras close behind him. "Where does it lead?"
"No idea. My bet is it joins the lower corridor," said Garras. He turned to the Brothers behind him. "Four of you double back and cut him off at the other end," he ordered. "The rest, come with us." A movement at the main doorway caught his eye. "Dzaka, stay here with Carrie and see to your father. T'Chebbi, see to Zhaya." With that, he was gone, hard on Kusac's heels.
Carrie ran across the room and knelt down beside Kaid. His injuries, past and present, were only too visible.
"Oh God," she said softly. "What has Ghezu done to him?" She looked up at Dzaka, who was obviously as shaken as she was.
"We need to move him. He can't lie here on the floor," she said.
"I'll see if there's anyone outside," Dzaka replied, straightening up.
"No need," said Lijou as he and Kha'Qwa entered. He glanced momentarily at the shattered doorway. "We can lift Kaid between us. Noni's not far behind."
Carrie got to her feet and looked hastily round the room. "The desk," she said. "I'll clear it if you lift him."
Running over to it, she picked up the comp pad and swept the rest of the clutter onto the floor. The pad she placed on the wooden chair.
As Lijou and Dzaka gently laid Kaid on the desk, Carrie saw the expressions on their faces.
Lijou looked up, meeting her eyes. "If I'd known what was happening ..." he began.
Carrie reached out to touch his arm. "It's not your fault, Lijou. It was your warning that alerted us to the possibility of Kaid being here. There was nothing more you could do without risking your own life. Ghezu had the place damped. You weren't to know it was because of Kaid."
"There are times when I wish we telepaths
could
inflict pain, because as Vartra's my witness, if I could get my hands on Ghezu now ..." he growled.
A small whimper of pain, quickly silenced, came from Kaid as he began to stir.
"I suggest we leave," said Kha'Qwa, touching Lijou on the arm to attract his attention. "For Kaid's sake."
Lijou looked up at her. "Yes. Of course. We have to see to the rest of the Brothers now. They need to be informed of what's happened. I'll call an assembly in the temple. You can handle Zhaya, can't you? T'Chebbi ought to remain here with them."
"With pleasure," said Kha'Qwa with a growl, going over to take him from T'Chebbi. Zhaya, still doubled up in pain, his wrists secured behind him, was unceremoniously dragged from the room.
Kaid's body spasmed, jolting him back to consciousness.
"Lie still," said Carrie, moving round till she was sure he could see her face. "It's over, Kaid. You're safe now."
Eyes more than half-covered by their inner lids looked blindly at her. She took his face between her hands, leaning closer, trying to catch his gaze. "Kaid, this is Carrie. This is real. We're here. It's truly over now."
Slowly his eyes began to focus on her. His left hand came up to take hers, carrying it to his mouth and placing her fingers inside. His tongue touched them, pressing them gently against the roof of his mouth.
Puzzled, she glanced at Dzaka.
"He's tasting your scent," he said quietly. "It's more sensitive than using our noses."
She looked back at Kaid as he removed her hand from his mouth.
"You're real this time, aren't you?" he mumbled, tightening his grip on her hand as he lowered it to his chest.
"It was all real, Kaid. Even the first time you saw me," she said, reaching out to stroke his forehead. "Noni will be here any moment. Rest for now."
His eyes flickered briefly, then he lapsed into unconsciousness again.
"Dzaka, see if Noni's out there yet," said Carrie, looking over to where he stood opposite her.
He shook his head. "I can't, Liegena. I've been told to remain with you. And I want to stay with my father," he added.
"T'Chebbi, you go, please," she said, fretting as she looked over toward the doorway.
Minutes later, T'Chebbi called out to her. "The Stronghold physician is here, Liegena."
Carrie looked up, torn between knowing Kaid needed treatment now and her desire to wait for Noni.
The physician solved her problem by ordering her to move. His examination was quick but thorough, and in short order, Kaid had been given the drugs he needed to relieve the pain and deal with any infection.
"I'm giving him a sedative too," he said, administering a final shot. "If this Noni of yours is going to see to his wounds, it would be better if he wasn't conscious. Why you want to use an unqualified, guildless female, I've no idea," he said, packing away his instruments.
"Cos they got more sense than you have," barked Noni as she stomped in leaning on her stick. "If he's sedated, you could have brought him to me on one of those floater things," she grumbled as she made her way over to them. "I hope Kaid realizes I don't do this for just anybody. First time I've come this far to a patient in fifteen years!"
"I just hope you know what you're doing," the physician said, preparing to leave. He handed a small phial of bright green liquid to Carrie. "You'll need this," he said. "The drug should be out of his system by now, but if it isn't, at least I've got what's left from that damned medic of mine!"
"Drug? What drug?" demanded Carrie, catching hold of him to prevent him leaving.
"The drug Ghezu gave him." He indicated Kaid. "It's an off-world one he got for that desert maniac, Fryak, or whatever he's called— except that's the refined drug, and it's far more powerful than the sap. Ghezu wanted me to use it on your friend and I refused. It hasn't even been analyzed yet, we don't know what it does! In the end, Ghezu bribed my medic to use it."
"Who gave it to him?"
"I already told you, Ghezu, and my medic," he said, using his free hand to pry himself loose from Carrie's grip. "I know nothing more about it. Now, if you don't mind, I've got duties elsewhere. Finding my medic for one! I'll see he's expelled from the Medical Guild for this!"
"We'll sort it out, never fear," said Noni. She looked hard at Carrie. "So you've decided he matters to you and you're going to have him, have you? Huh! Might be the most sensible thing he's done in years, if you can get him to bed you!" she said, ignoring Carrie and Dzaka's outraged exclamations. "Now, both of you, get out of my way. Give me space to work. Go and sit down somewhere."
In the distance they heard the sound of an alarm.
"The meeting call," said T'Chebbi as Carrie and Noni glanced fearfully at the doorway.