And jokes.
Stars above, Nuri hated the jokes.
Hey, Nuri! Nuri! Were you born on the speedway? You know that’s where most accidents happen, right?
Nuri, there are genuine freaks in existence. Thank you for making me understand that.
The planet’s full, Nuri. Go home.
If I toss out a rat corpse, you’d leave, right?
Well, the others thought these were jokes, and more recruits laughed at them when the facilitators weren’t watching. Mei, if she happened to be around, would place a restraining hand on Nuri’s wrist and squeeze lightly, her psi-whisper of Let it go, firefly a caress in Nuri’s mind.
Yet it was Stasja, with the perfect platinum bangs and violet eyes, whose claws dug a little too deep that morning in the bathroom.
Nuri could have cursed herself for the moment of inattention as she exited the shower cubicle into the steam-filled room, her towel wrapped around her. She only saw Stasja giving her the stink-eye when it was too late. Usually she’d ghost the girl, but here, in the close confines of the bathroom, that was impossible.
“Nice bruises,” Stasja sneered, her eyes lingering on the fading marks that marred Nuri’s pale skin. “And you really should go to a dermatologist about those scales. Hope they’re not contagious.” She offered a moue of distaste.
“Haven’t you heard? Getting shoved down a flight of stairs by murderous idiots is all the rage,” Nuri shot back. “At least my genetics weren’t ordered from a catalogue.”
“Oh, look who’s getting all mouthy. Maybe I should go to a little more trouble and pay someone who can actually do the job properly next time.”
Don’t lose it, don’t lose –
But Nuri’s world grew bright around the edges, her skin tighter as she drew in a breath and gripped her towel – which was better than scratching out Stasja’s eyes. Yet that anger that swarmed through Nuri’s veins refused to be limited by flesh and bone. The kernel of fury detonated, expanded, and set off a chain reaction that pulsed outward.
Stasja’s shriek pierced Nuri’s hearing and left a strange ringing echoing after, followed by a muted impact and the scattering of fragmented glass. As Nuri’s vision cleared, she saw that the lights had grown dim and green, flickering and buzzing, and both she and Stasja were weightless, floating in a thick sea of mirror shards. Horror was stamped on the other girl’s features, her hair loose from its braid. Behind Stasja was an impact crater, spidering cracks spreading from where their psi-strikes had met. As fast as Nuri had attacked, Stasja had blocked.
Their gazes remained locked, and for a few stolid heartbeats, a connection sizzled into life.
Mother and Father are so proud of Ben for being stationed on Gaden and now he’s an envoy for Elder Essom Pai. [Envy]
I must succeed. I must become an avatar. Then Mother and Father will be proud of me. [Determination]
Byron won’t look at me as if I’m anything more than just a recruit. All he does is talk about this Nuri creature, worthless space trash. He hasn’t even come to see me since I’ve moved to another dorm. [Disgust]
The link snapped and they both dropped to the ground, on their knees, amid a shower of fragments. Nuri gasped for air she hadn’t realised she’d not been breathing. Sound rushed back with a whoosh, people screaming, running footsteps approaching. Stasja’s eyes shut, and a thin trickle of crimson escaped her left nostril. The girl slumped with a sigh.
Nuri shook with the effort of remaining out of reach of the black threads of nothingness that tried to wrap themselves around her, drag her into unconsciousness.
“What’s going on here?” a woman shouted.
Nuri looked up into the face of a Heran facilitator who, though she was much smaller in stature than Nuri, still packed a surprising amount of strength as she dragged Nuri onto her feet.
More people came in until facilitators barked orders to clear them from the bathroom. Numb and exhausted beyond all reason, Nuri allowed herself to be dressed and bundled out to the clinic.
Not again …
Her dismay wanted to well up and drown her, but she was simply too tired, as if she’d been robbed of her entire essence and being. The carers wanted her to lie down in a darkened ward, and she allowed them to lay her on the bed as others brought in scanners and assorted sensors. The AI and two fussy doctors – one human, the other Heran – clucked over her while discussing the results.
So tired.
So very tired …
When Nuri slipped into the darkness, it was with a sense of relief. Maybe she’d never wake again, and that was also fine …
* * *
You’re in deep trouble – those four little words didn’t even begin to describe Nuri’s predicament. The syllables were hammered deep into her heart the moment she opened her eyes and saw Raphel slumped in the armchair next to her bed.
He appeared to be sleeping, head tilted to one side, but when the beeping of her monitor quickened, he shot straight up, rubbing at his eyes.
“How’re you feeling?” he asked.
Nuri blinked slowly. Her skull felt too tight, and when she pushed herself into a seated position, her head pulsed as if it might explode or perhaps even drop off her neck, bounce onto the floor and roll out the door. She had to stifle a mad giggle at that image.
“Like hell,” Nuri croaked. “I’m in deep, deep pandor poop, aren’t I?”
“A little,” he said. “Though, you might find yourself somewhat vindicated since it’s come to light that you are not wholly guilty.”
“Hey? How so?” She’d trashed the female bathroom and nearly obliterated a girl everyone knew she was having a feud with.
“However, you and your squad are remiss for not having reported the escalated incidents to your facilitators, and for taking matters into your own hands.”
“I didn’t mean to –”
“Don’t tell me. Tell the senior facilitators. I’m to notify them as soon as you are able to attend a special meeting. Besides, I’ve already had several earfuls from your comrades on this sequence of unfortunate events.”
Nuri groaned and sank back into the bed. The last thing she wanted now was to face Facilitator Alda and the others.
“And you lot didn’t survey this and figure it out yourselves?” she asked.
“We were aware of tensions, but the AI hadn’t allowed for this degree of escalation.”
“So you guys are partially to blame, aren’t you?” Nuri said.
Raphel spread his hands in a helpless gesture. “That I cannot say. It’s something you’ll have to bring up with them. And I’d advise getting this behind you sooner rather than later.” Raphel’s smile was grim.
“I hate interrogations.”
“Don’t we all. I’ve already been hauled over the flames for not having nipped this entire sad affair in the bud.”
“But if you knew …” Nuri started. “Why didn’t you do anything about it?”
“It’s not our place to meddle in the pecking order. Don’t think that this training facility is merely about class lessons and obstacle courses. We’re evaluating all the Chosen based on how they interact with each other and resolve conflict. We just didn’t expect … the unexpected.”
Nuri groaned. They must have loads of awful evidence about her, F’Thr and the others by now.
Raphel laughed. “Trust me, you and your little gang are hardly the worst. Just yesterday we had to withdraw two Chosen who were found to be stealing from the third-floor dorms.”
“But it’s all right for some privileged snot to victimise someone who’s a misfit?” Nuri had to pinch the skin on the inside of her wrist to stem her bubbling anger.
“Do you think there’ll be facilitators out there beyond orbit one day? Who’ll intervene if someone says nasty words to you?”
“Vella tried to have me murdered!”
Raphel sighed and glanced down at his hands, which were loosely clasped in his lap. “That is where we misjudged, and we are incredibly
sorry.”
He sounded so remorseful that most of Nuri’s ire faded.
“So, what happens now?” she asked.
“Here’s where it gets interesting.” He leant forward, ease returning to his expression. “Your psi has gone off the charts since your last reading. You were above average before, but now you’re in the one percent.”
“Huh? I thought I was just – er – a little bit gifted.”
He nodded. “It would seem that when placed under undue stress, you broke through a barrier, so to speak. This may be part of your unknown DNA coming to the fore now that you’re reaching maturity.”
Nuri grimaced. “I almost killed Stasja.”
“Yes. There is that. And your lapse will need to be addressed. But …” His smile was so wide it made Nuri’s teeth ache.
“You’re actually excited about this?” she asked, incredulous.
“Of course! Something this extraordinary has never happened on my watch before. I was drilling cadets for the military base only a handful of months ago. Even if you don’t bond with the star-jumper, you’ll most likely get snapped up by the military for psi-ops. This could be your big break!”
Or co-opted by a high-class criminal overlord. How much did Fadhil already know about her?
Nuri simply couldn’t summon Raphel’s level of excitement. In fact, a pall of queasiness settled in her stomach, and she wasn’t sure if it was the remnants of whatever drugs they’d administered or the lingering aftereffects of the bathroom mishap.
Because, she had to face it, she was the one who’d snapped, despite her better intentions. And now they were rewarding her?
“Is Stasja all right?”
“She has withdrawn from the programme.”
Oh. Nuri wasn’t sure how she felt about this revelation: equal parts relief and shock.
“She blocked me, you know. She’s just as strong as me. I’d have killed her, otherwise.”
“I know.” Raphel’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Her parents insisted, actually. The diplomatic corps has positions open for ones as talented as she is. Though I have my doubts as to whether she has the right mettle. Then again, diplomatic corps needs connivers … Perhaps the training there will be more to her taste.” He pulled a face that made him look as if he’d eaten a sour plum.
Nuri nodded. “Makes sense.” Stasja had been envious of her brother and eager to please. Too eager, all things considered.
“It’s all right for you to be relieved, you know,” Raphel said.
“I feel kinda awful for being glad she’s gone.”
“More will go. The sooner you realise that, the easier it will become for you. Don’t get too attached to your friends.”
Nuri narrowed her eyes at him. “Yet you’re obviously quite fond of me, if you’re taking all this time to guide me.”
He shrugged. “That’s what facilitators are here for, luv.” Raphel winked. “And I’m allowed to be glad something has turned out for the best, aren’t I? Now come and get ready.”
He rose and went to the cupboard, where he brought out fresh coveralls, new shoes and a pair of fresh socks. Then he gave her the privacy to get changed.
Bitterness lodged at the back of Nuri’s throat. She wasn’t ready for any of this, and while Raphel had come across as easy-going, she was certain the higher-ups wouldn’t let her off as lightly. A spherical AI bot hummed in on its overhead rail to scan her, and her interface unit chirped, with a message for her attention – particular symptoms she might have, and possible side-effects of the medication that she needed to take for the next five days. Nuri filed away that info for later.
The little green light flashing her discharge from the clinic was pleasing enough.
Raphel was leaning against the wall, chatting to one of the nurses when she came out. He straightened the moment he noticed her. “Ready?”
“No,” she grumped.
“C’mon, luv, let’s get this over with, all right? Your mates are nearly pestering me to death about when you’ll be allowed back.” He rolled his eyes dramatically.
While Raphel didn’t exactly hurry her along, he did set a quick pace, and Nuri’s head still throbbed with each step. None of the staff or Chosen they passed in the corridors said anything, but the weight of their attention pressed down on Nuri in a way that she’d never sensed before.
How did those with high psi-ratings, especially in the telepathic ranges, deal with their sensitivity?
As if picking up on her discomfort, Raphel turned and whispered. “Deep breaths, Nuri. You can do this.”
They climbed into a lift and ascended to the same floor where Alda’s office was, so far as Nuri could tell. All the offices in the admin block were the same, their doors uniformly blank and grey.
As it turned out, it was Alda’s office that she was brought to, and seated there was the same trio that had interrogated Nuri on her arrival at the facility – the human Alda; the J’Veth drone T’Atmar; and the wizened Heran, Katha. Raphel squeezed Nuri’s shoulder momentarily, before he departed without a word, leaving the ghosts of his fingers. Nuri shivered.
“Come, take a seat.” Alda’s face was a neutral mask, which was worrying. So far, Alda had always been warm to Nuri.
The other two didn’t do anything to hide their ire, and T’Atmar looked as if he’d spit ink, his skin had gone so dark. Katha was frowning, his face a nest of wrinkles. This did not suit him, in the least. Not that Nuri had ever felt well disposed towards either of Alda’s colleagues.
Reluctantly she took the seat in front of the senior facilitators. Why was it that she never knew what to do with her hands or where to look in situations like these? Nuri settled for clasping her hands loosely in her lap and fixed her gaze on a crystal desk ornament – at least she thought the chunk of amethyst-like mineral was a desk ornament. For all she knew, it could be an alien plant that fed on unsuspecting fingers.
“Nuri,” Alda said.
Nuri jerked her head upright with a gasp, belatedly realising this wasn’t the first time Alda had said her name during the past few seconds. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Would you like to recount your version of the events that led to the incident in the female bathroom?”
Again. As if they hadn’t been listening in on the conversation she’d just had with Raphel. She sighed, reached deep inside for the serenity that wasn’t there, and began. Ancestors, at least they would let her talk. She relaxed when they didn’t jump down her throat the way Vadith occasionally had.
“No Chosen is to use his or her powers in such a blatant disregard for another’s safety,” Katha said once Nuri was finished.
“I’m sorry.” Nuri hung her head. Well, she was mostly sorry. She hadn’t expected to draw so much attention to herself, even if she had nearly killed Stasja. Who’d been able to defend herself, after all – so it wasn’t all bad, was it?
“Sorry isn’t going to cut it,” Katha sniped.
Nuri’s helplessness closed up her throat. “It couldn’t be helped, all right? I was so … angry!” Her world buzzed a bit around the edges.
“And therein lies the problem,” T’Atmar intoned. “She cannot control her emotions. This facility is not equipped to deal with the likes of her.”
“And yet …” Alda steepled her fingers and rested her chin upon them. The way she looked right into Nuri suggested she had a lot on her mind, and Nuri wasn’t certain she’d like those thoughts, whatever they were.
“And yet what?” Katha whipped his head around to Alda.
“She’s surprisingly level-headed, despite the outbursts.”
“Outbursts the other patrons are going to demand we have a better handle of lest their charges be damaged,” T’Atmar blurted. “You know this is hardly according to the conventions as laid down by section 569B of the –”
Alda held up the flat of her palm at the J’Veth. “I’m well aware of your precious rulebook, Facilitator.”
Oddly enough, T’Atmar didn’t finish what h
e wanted to say. Judging by how thin and tall he’d become in his chair, and how dark his skin had gone, he was beyond merely upset. Yet he remained submissive. Nuri wasn’t sure what to make of that situation.
Katha hissed out a long sigh. “You two should stop talking about Nuri as if she isn’t here, you know. It’s mortifying for her.”
Nuri exhaled, only now understanding why she’d been clenching her hands so hard it felt as if her finger bones were creaking.
Katha leant across the desk, suddenly so close that Nuri could see her twin reflections gazing back at her from the Heran’s liquid-black eyes. She started when the membrane that served as a third eyelid slicked over with his blink. “You do realise, youngling, that this is not a game, right?”
Nuri choked back a sob. Katha had been the empath all along, subtly reading her throughout every interview. She had not expected this. He’d been so … devoid of interest or actual emotion. Just like Vadith, actually, and he caught her every damned time.
“Y-yes,” she stammered.
Katha sat back, his thin mouth twitching into a tight smile.
Alda spoke. “You will attend additional classes, young Nuri. Specialised psi-training with Katha here, every alternate study period until we are satisfied that you can control your outbursts. In return, we will ensure that the … antics … embarked upon by your fellow Chosen will cease.”
“They never should have been allowed to proceed to that point in the first place,” T’Atmar groused. “She has been shown a privilege that many have had to pay dearly for. Why we should elevate her when she’s clearly shown that –”
“Facilitator.” Alda said the word so quietly, but the underlying authority in her tone was unmistakable.
Nuri wriggled deeper into her seat, her mouth dust dry.
“This entire project is under scrutiny now it’s come out that we’ve circumvented the conventions.” T’Atmar swivelled in his chair so that he could give Nuri the side-eye. “This –” He swallowed back whichever harsh word he’d intended. “Now that this youngling’s presence at the facility has been made public knowledge, our integrity is being called into question. Especially with regard to the admission process. Some are even attempting to claim back their fees, now that their Chosen have withdrawn. Despite the terms and conditions.”
Sing Down the Stars Page 10
