Warrior Spirit

by Laura Kaighn

  “Yes.” Vesarius stopped their trek to lean against the wall and cross his arms. “Perhaps this is what I need right now, a challenging hunt to stimulate my brain cells.” Snapping his fingers at her, he posed a new activity. “Care for a re-match, Miss Jade?”

  “Uh, uh,” Dorinda negated sternly. “I can’t trust you alone. Lonnie and I need to have you in constant view. You’re liable to drift off in mid-step.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him from the wall, leading him further down the corridor.

  Shrugging, Vesarius took back his appendage and conceded, “It was a thought.” When they arrived at the arboretum, Tundra and Noah greeted them cheerfully but were soon romping about the grass again in a Kinpanion version of tackle football.

  “Ah, to be free to roll in the grass. Together,” Dorinda whispered strolling along the stone path beside him. Vesarius watched her idle hands cross to rub absently at her slender arms.

  The warrior chuckled, his sensitive ears able to discern her wish. “Someday,” he murmured just as quietly. Then he offered another suggestion. “We could check on Moxland’s special herb garden.”

  “That’s right,” Dorinda asserted her lips taut with anticipation. “Michael’s birthday is less than two weeks away.” She scrunched up her eyes in dismay. “But I don’t know what to get him for a present.” As the pair wandered their way toward the Pompeii’s public vegetable plot, Dorinda shrugged her complaint. “What could he possibly need?” Ahead, the garden was a place where the normally grease-fingered space travelers could get their hands dirtied in genuine Earth soil, and their noses full of its earthly scent.

  Vesarius’ nostrils flared at the loamy richness. “Perhaps we can together think of an appropriate gift. Bear enjoys surprises.” Watching his Kin grab Noah by the tail and give a hard yank, Vesarius chuckled. “Tag and ‘it’.”

  “I need inspiration,” Dorinda contended shrugging again. “Michael enjoys the target range, but he already has the finest plasma pistol on the ship. It’s got the biggest sight on it I’ve ever seen.” In illustration she stretched her forefingers out to nearly thirty centimeters.

  “I presented that to him three years ago ... on his birthday.” Vesarius explained, “He needed to improve him aim.”

  “What else can he use?” They had walked a quarter-way along the main path and were nearing the quarter-acre strip of cultivated pseudo-land. Vesarius spotted Moxland and her tiger Kin Neesha busy on knees and paws, weeding. Beside him, Dorinda continued her musing. “Maybe something from his Lakota heritage? A shield might be nice. Men sometimes like cologne or comfortable leisurewear.” Dorinda rambled more to herself than her attendant mate. Vesarius was challenged simply remaining vertical, his mind’s processes slowed to autopilot. “Come on, Sarius. What could Michael really use?”

  “A companion,” he mumbled.

  “What?”

  Vesarius blinked from his own mental wanderings. “What did I just say?”

  Concern pierced Dorinda’s emerald stare. “You said Michael needs a companion. Do you mean a lady friend?”

  Sighing, Vesarius twisted a leaf from an overhanging branch then drifted off the path into a shady copse of trees. “I suppose I meant Bear needs a Kin Companion. Someone to share his free time. His work, his responsibility.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Dorinda chimed following him to a white-barked birch. “What kind of Kin would best suit him?”

  “There is the problem,” Vesarius countered tossing the mangled leaf from his kneading fingers. “Bear refuses to take another Kin. After Achilles was killed, he never desired another. Dr. Sheradon has tried to influence him, but Bear is adamant.”

  “Well, if it’s good medicine, maybe we ought to just hold his nose and pour it down his throat.”

  “A metaphor?” Vesarius asked sinking to the grass and crossing his legs. Absently he stroked the living green shafts beside him.

  “An analogy,” Dorinda corrected and joined him on the growing carpet. She leaned into him. “So, what kind of Kin would be best for Michael?” This close to her, Vesarius’ brain squabbled for reason. His nostrils flared at the scent of her shampoo, the perfume of her silken skin. Oh, to just lie down amid the grass and drift asleep breathing into her hair. “Sarius?”

  Vesarius blinked free of the spell. “He would require a highly intelligent creature, yet one with little urge to be planetside. During missions, Bear is often confined to the ship. It complicates his isolation.”

  Dorinda straightened atop the grass. “Well, a rabbit’s out of the question,” she muttered sarcastically. “He had a dog once. Would a canine Kinpanion be appropriate?”

  Shaking his raven-haired head, Vesarius disagreed, “It would remind him too much of Achilles. A tiger Kin would be intelligent enough, but too bulky on the bridge. Bear needs something more compact, able to stay by him.”

  Shrugging, Dorinda plucked a grass blade. “Even Noah’s bulky underfoot. He’s a seven foot slinky.” Raising her eyes to meet his, Dorinda asked with curiosity, “What other Kinpanions are there? I mean, are there dolphin Kin, or cow Kin, or for heaven’s sake rat Kin?”

  “A rat would not be intelligent enough. A dolphin needs a specific environment.” Vesarius creased his eyes in forced concentration. “He needs something more.”

  “Sarius, I know!” Dorinda exclaimed grabbing his arm. He flinched alert. “A parrot. A macaw or a cockatoo. A bird is small, but its brain capacity is nearly equal to a chimpanzee’s. It’d be perfect!”

  “Where would we get one in two weeks?”

  Dorinda’s shoulders sagged. “Oh, no. You’re right. Even if I had Moxland put a requisition in for one, there’s no way we could have it delivered to the ship.” She waved her arms to indicate the space around them. “Not here in the middle of cockroach central.”

  “It is possible, Dorinda,” Vesarius countered quietly. “In two weeks, we could be back in Alliance space. If negotiations continue as planned, the ambassador will be staying to arrange trade agreements, and the Pompeii will be returning home with the Orthop delegates in tow.”

  “Well, then, I better go talk to Moxland.” Dorinda pushed herself to her feet. “Even if we can’t pick the parrot up in time, we can promise Michael an IOU. Surprise him later.” Then she paused in her retreat. “Oh, how much would a Kin cost? Plain, run-of-the-mill parrots were over two thousand dollars in my time.”

  Vesarius shrugged tiredly from the grass. “Kin Companions are raised and owned by a government agency, supplied to the frontier in accordance with Alliance recruitment protocols. But there are expenses. Tell Moxland to put it on my credit. Sule knows, Coty’s friendship is priceless.” Then Vesarius smirked. “You can cover the transportation fee with your credit.”

  Harrumphing in irony, Dorinda grinned. “My little credit? I’d sooner call it an allowance from Big Brother than a salary.”

  Shrugging again Vesarius replied tiredly. “Until you are an Alliance citizen and the official SAR officer on the Pompeii, your account is a gift from Central for living expenses. Reparation for your untimely accident.”

  “That’s funny, Sarius. I thought I was your search and rescue officer,” Dorinda countered. “I’ve already pulled you from the fire countless times ... most just in the last few days.”

  Chuckling, Vesarius rolled forward and climbed from the grass. “You are my guardian, my protector,” he corrected gazing into her emerald eyes, velvet with trust. “True. It is a thankless job, without its monetary rewards.”

  “Oh, but I get other rewards,” Dorinda asserted stepping toward him. “Money isn’t everything.” When she leaned up to kiss him, Vesarius gently pushed her away.

  “Go talk to Moxland about the Kin,” he said with a squeeze to her shoulder. “I will wait for you with ours.”

  Dorinda hesitated in her answer. “All right.” She checked her footing before leaving him.

  Vesarius scowled. He disliked rejecting her affections. Dorinda was just the sort of motivating distra
ction he needed to stay awake. But it was not appropriate. The ship knew of her regard for him, their friendship. For it to seem more than that, the pair had to allow the crew time to become comfortable with the idea. He was Vesar ... not human. Yuri, Jonas, Moxland, Sheradon. They would only slightly more agree with the relationship because he was not Orthop. A warrior’s blood was hot, pumping with Fury. There was still fear of it.

  Sighing and forcing his shoulders back in a semblance of dignity, Vesarius strode farther out of the trees and back onto the winding path. He avoided looking in Dorinda’s direction. He knew she was kneeling beside the Pompeii’s communications expert. His peripheral vision could discriminate their animated speech even at thirty meters, amid the bustle of morning joggers and rambunctious Kin.

  Striding back toward the open grass, Vesarius had to dodge Tundra’s feisty snap with a controlled weave of his upper torso. “I have no energy for play, boy. Forgive me.” With an empathic whine, Tundra resigned to licking his Bondmate’s hand then trotting off with Noah and the newly arrived Neesha. It seemed the striped feline had grown weary of gardening.

  “You look dreadful, Commander,” someone commented dryly.

  Turning his head, Vesarius nodded acknowledgement. “I have been rather busy, Cpl. Zlenko. You have business with me?”

  The dark haired woman stood upon the pebbled path, feet apart in solid confidence. Vesarius swallowed his embarrassment. He must be slacking; he hadn’t heard her approach. “Message from the captain,” Zlenko said. “He wants to discuss the Orthop situation with you. He thinks you should make a public showing so the rebels still believe you’re involved in the negotiations.”

  “I am, Corporal. The mission has never left my attentions.” Did she think him a slacker also? “Does Coty wish to see me now?”

  “Yes, Sir.” The woman snapped to attention. “I’m to escort you to his office.”

  “I know the way,” Vesarius grumbled. “An escort is unnecessary.”

  “Capt. Coty insisted, Commander. Ever since your kidnapping, he’s had concerns.”

  “He has spoken of them openly?” It was hard to believe Coty would reveal his reservations.

  “Everyone suspects foul play, Sir. No one has to say it aloud. You’ve been off duty from the bridge since your return.” With a tilted head, the big-boned woman inquired, “Am I incorrect in my suspicions, Commander?”

  Vesarius could not lie, even if it meant admitting a weakness. But he could be noncommittal. “No, Corporal. There are legitimate concerns. I have been under constant observation. So far I seem ... relatively safe.”

  “Then as a precaution, Vesarius, may I walk you to Coty’s office?” Zlenko offered an outstretched hand toward the arboretum’s double doors.

  “Yes,” he acknowledged with only a mild blink at her form of address. “I will come with you -”

  “Call me Roshana,” the woman interrupted as they twisted for the exit. She entwined her hands at her spine as they walked. “Jade’s talked some about you. We’ve become friends of sorts. Considering our crashing start, I feel we should learn to accept our differences and work together. Don’t you?”

  “We will work together, Corporal,” Vesarius confirmed leading slightly. “Our personal feelings must never interfere. I know you do not like Vesar. As long as those sentiments do not jeopardize your responsibilities, you may continue to hate us. Trust must be earned.”

  “But that’s just it, Sir. I do trust you.” Roshana swallowed and gestured with a flattened hand. “As silly as this may sound, you’ve given me inspiration. You’re the most atypical Vesar I’ve ever met. Please, don’t take offense. You ... intrigue me. I have hope for the rest of your people now.”

  Stopping along the path just short of the arboretum door, Vesarius considered her earnest face. “Hope, huh?” He twisted a dry smirk. “Then I will take that as a compliment ... Roshana.”

  Roshana Zlenko responded as Vesarius had never seen her. She smiled with genuine humor. “Good. Then let’s go see the captain.”

  With a curt nod, Vesarius followed the security officer from the Pompeii’s verdant environment and into the more confining lift. Rubbing the back of his neck, he cursed the constricted, pulsing carotid there. Perhaps his headache would vanish once he had gotten a good week’s sleep. Sule knew he would need at least that long to recover from his depravity.

  * * *

  “Tundra, where’s Vesarius? Noah, did you see him leave?” Dorinda scanned the surrounding greenery. “You two didn’t let him crawl off to sleep somewhere, did you? He wouldn’t do it on purpose, but he’s supposed to be waiting for me here.” The two Kinpanions only negated their replies, Noah confirming that they had been too preoccupied romping with Neesha at the time. “A big help you are, Slink,” Dorinda reprimanded. “I’ll be in deep zilmon if I don’t find him. Tundra. Call to him.”

  After a moment of repressed panting, Tundra yipped reassuringly. Having had the Alaskan malamute as Kin herself, Dorinda well understood his body language. She sighed in relief. “Well, then, where is he?” Concentrating on the image he wanted to project, Tundra answered her. Smiling Dorinda quipped, “Thanks, boy,” and trotted to the nearest lift for the captain’s office.

  As the magnelift doors opened again, she marched out to dodge around her quarry. “Sarius. I was just coming to find you. I ... What’s wrong?” The Vesar’s face was slack with resignation.

  “Bedtime has been postponed,” he rumbled. “I am to be on the Vragjok, en route to the surface, in two hours.”

  “Why? Coty knows you -”

  “The ambassador ordered it. He believes I have been shirking my responsibility.”

  “Oh, no. But I told him you’d been mistreated, injured -”

  Vesarius was shaking his head. “Bruises and cuts heal almost overnight,” the warrior reminded. “I must go down to save face.”

  “Then I’m going with you,” Dorinda stated. Without a chance to debate, she spun to the lift and pressed the hail pad.

  “I would rather you not,” Vesarius countered to her solid spine.

  “Tough turkeys, Mister,” Dorinda threw over her shoulder. “Now, we have a breakfast date and some Tai Chi before we leave. Let’s go.” From the open lift, she heard him sigh in defeat then step to follow. Dorinda frowned in sympathy. The warrior was too exhausted to mount a decent protest. Dorinda just hoped this trip planetside would be a short one.

  In the galley, the partners settled into chairs across from each other and ate silently of toast, fruit salad, and eggs. Then, just as wordlessly, the two entered the gym, changed into judogi robes, and began to warm up. Their movements on the mat were soon synchronous, as if a mental link were directing their muscles. Though Vesarius was lagging in his usual strength and flow, Dorinda matched his effort and added a more graceful shadow to his routine.

  Dorinda could not have known of their audience, as she closed her eyes and posed in echo of her friend. From the smoky, translucent panel between the gym cubicles, a pair of dark, shadowed eyes watched with curiosity, shading to appreciation, then envy. After several minutes of observation, Ambassador Tolianksalya drew away to complete his own workout with the jousting pole. When he had finished, the Vesar dignitary showered before heading back to the observation lounge in preparation for their expedition planetside.

  “Sarius?” The commander was frozen in pose upon the mat. His eyes were creased with crow’s feet beneath hooded lids. Then he opened one ebony orb to consider Dorinda’s concerned gaze. She released a relieved breath. “For a second, I thought you’d fallen asleep on your feet.”

  Smiling slightly, he straightened to a stand. “Perhaps I did.”

  Dorinda beamed in response. “Even in exhaustion you keep your sense of humor. I would’ve thought Vesar extremely irritable when tired, especially as tired as you must be.”

  “Who says I am not irritable?” Vesarius countered patting his sweaty brow with a proffered towel. “You have learned much of Tai Chi. How did
you become so proficient?”

  Dorinda hesitated. She couldn’t admit she’d been taking lessons behind his back. He’d think her headstrong, manipulative. “I’ve had a good teacher. Besides, I’ve been practicing.”

  “That is good. We must both be at our best if we are to succeed Vwafar´ee.”

  Dorinda’s lips trembled. “You mean … us? Both of us?”

  Sighing and lowering the towel from his flushed cheeks, Vesarius answered, “Yes. If the ambassador permits it.” His ebony eyes were visibly shadowed with worry. “It will be my responsibility to protect us both. I will try not to fail you, Green Eyes.”

  “Oh, you won’t,” Dorinda assured gratified that he had finally admitted his plan. Now she could tell him. “I’ve been preparing all along. Hours and hours daily, since you broke the flute. I just hope I don’t fail you.”

  “You are not afraid?” The Vesar’s sight was wide with skepticism. “Failure would mean death.”

  “No, I’m not afraid,” Dorinda admitted, aloud to herself for the first time. “We’ll do this together, and we’ll live to see the bonding ceremony.”

  Vesarius nodded once as if with some inner satisfaction. “We must be granted the opportunity first. That may not be possible now.”

  Dorinda laid a hand on the Vesar’s hot arm. “We’ll earn back your soul, Sarius. Your mistake ... It’s past history.” Then, lowering her gaze, she asked the question that had been searing her conscience. “The ambassador told me about ... the crystal shipment.” She cleared her throat before continuing. “Sarius.” Dorinda raised reluctant eyes to his. “Was it an honest mistake? Or did you purposely not tell your parents what you’d promised Tanoki?”

  Watching him, Dorinda saw the warrior’s compliant demeanor suddenly harden, like quicksilver gone stone. The walls of Fury were erecting, blocking his heart behind seething emotions. Dorinda knew the truth would not be offered.

  “That is not a subject for discussion, Dorinda,” he growled in response. “Excuse me.” Vesarius cast down his towel then pushed past her to the exit. Dorinda tottered for a moment, watching him leave.