by Pelaam
Chapter Two
The journey back to Planet Alpha was uneventful. Nakai relaxed a little to hear that the Xyran had successfully pulled through the surgery. Nec was cautiously pleased with the outcome, although more operations could be necessary.
Nakai had contacted his personal physician. Kele would meet him at the base when the ship docked at the Alphan space station. Nakai tapped his fingers on his desk. Normally a debriefing lasted not more than a few hours, depending on whether anything happened during the mission.
In his case, not only was he bringing in a sequestered Xyran ship, there was a good cache of plundered gems, as well as the human and Xyran. Nakai expected no issues regarding the human. He was male and therefore of no real interest to anyone but him.
The Xyran, however, was something entirely different.
Nakai closed his eyes picturing the powerful male. Xyrans controlled the changes to their skin color to varying degrees, but Sukh was injured, so that ability could easily be compromised. When attacking in the cell, Sukh’s skin had been vivid red. In the medical bay bed, it had toned down to a light reddish-brown. Nakai was quite certain that as tall and broad as he was himself, the Xyran was bigger still.
He frowned as he dwelt on the Xyran’s build. There was something fascinating him about the Xyran that Nakai couldn’t quite work out. The easy option for him would be to leave the Xyran in military hands. Since he was a prisoner himself, he would be eventually deemed innocent of piracy, and sent back to Xyran. In the meantime, Nakai could take the human to his new home and court him.
Nakai sighed and shook his head. He couldn’t do it. That kind of duplicity wasn’t in his nature. If he was denied responsibility for the Xyran, that was something entirely different. Otherwise he fully intended to take both men to his home. With time, the human would be his. He would court the man carefully and thoroughly.
As to the Xyran, only time would tell.
He looked at his screen as an alert sounded. “Nakai here.”
“We’re approaching Docking Station Epsilon, Captain.”
“On my way. Nakai out.”
Sitting in the command chair, Nakai took his place on the bridge and looked out as they slowly approached the huge space station. From the station, he and his men would take shuttles back to Planet Alpha, and as this was the last mission of their current duty assignment, they would all be able to go back to their homes and resume their normal lives. Nakai smiled as he pictured his home, orchards, and vineyards.
As captain he would remain on the ship until all his crew had disembarked. Normally he would travel with just the heads of the ship’s sections, but this time there would be the human and Xyran to consider. He contacted each section chief in turn. They were all happy to escort him, and the injured men, to the station.
Nakai knew at that point he’d be separated from the rest of his crew while he escorted the human and Xyran to Planet Alpha. He stood and took a deep cleansing breath. He could only hope the debriefing went smoothly.
****
While the human and Xyran were transported to the base medical facility, Nakai took advantage of being able to take a hot shower. He stood under the water, enjoying its play on his skin. He soaped a thick sponge liberally and ran it over his body. A soak in a bath would be better, but the base was practical, and an individual bath an unnecessary indulgence, although there were several communal baths.
His first round of debriefing had taken longer than usual, as he’d fully expected. Now he wanted to feel clean again, and to eat. His next debriefing was with the Admiral himself. As such, Nakai wanted to feel fully refreshed before facing his superior.
When he exited the shower he wrapped a robe around him while he ate the meal provided. Good, plain and hearty fare, so much more flavorful than the dried and synthesized food he’d eaten for the last month. But as good as this was, he longed for the meals his own cook would prepare when he got home. He licked his lips in anticipation of the sweet treats he’d be preparing even now.
Clean and replete, Nakai redressed. He went to the computer and logged in advising he was ready for his second debriefing. The message back was polite, but informed him that the Admiral would contact him when ready to see him. Nakai sighed heavily. Normally the debriefing was a formality. He’d known his was far from that. However, he’d hoped to have begun the process swiftly.
He scrolled through the library of books the computer system had online. Settling into the chair, Nakai began to read. An hour passed before an alert drew Nakai’s attention. He stood and smoothed out non-existent creases from his uniform.
The Admiral was ready to see him.
Nakai walked smartly along the stone floor, his footsteps ringing out. No one paid any attention to him, so his surmised that having a Xyran on the base was still being kept as confidential, at least for the time being.
He strode into the ante office where a secretary looked up at him from behind his desk.
“Captain Nakai to see the Admiral.”
“Yes, Sir.” He tapped into his computer and waited for the response. “Please go straight in. He’s expecting you.”
Nakai went into the inner office and saluted smartly.
The Admiral returned his salute, and indicated a chair set in front of his oversized desk. “Good day greetings, Captain Nakai. I’m pleased that you and your ship returned home safely. You did well in capturing the pirate vessel with so few casualties, and with its stolen cargo intact. Congratulations on a job well done.”
“Thank you, Admiral. The capture of the vessel resulted in more than merely recovering pirated gems as I’m sure you are aware.”
“Indeed I am. I know you well enough, Captain Nakai, not to be surprised that you wish to claim the human. He is yours to care for as you wish. However, the Xyran is another matter entirely.”
“I fully understand and appreciate that, Admiral. However, the captain’s log on the pirate craft will show that this Xyran was a prisoner, and not one of the pirates. I don’t understand the dynamics of the relationship between him and the human, but the human cared only that we found the Xyran prisoner. I feel it my duty, given the Xyran’s innocence in regards to the piracy, and given his injuries, to take care of him since there is a connection between the two men.”
“I see. I’ve asked that the base physicians bring the Xyran out of stasis, but keep him lightly sedated while I question him. I feel it my duty to be personally assured of any lack of complicity on his part. You may return home if you wish. Take the human with you. But until I am certain, the Xyran will remain here.”
“Then so will I, Admiral. I don’t know if my presence will be beneficial, but perhaps once Sukh understands where he is and what I propose, he will be more assured if I am actually here.” Nakai bore the intense scrutiny from the Admiral without flinching.
“Very well, Nakai. I expect a full report of everything on my desk first thing in the morning. I will then question the Xyran. If he proves cooperative and I judge him to speak honestly in the matter, we can see what can be done tomorrow. Enjoy your rest. Dismissed, Captain.”
Nakai stood and saluted. “Thank you, Admiral.”
Back out on the corridor Nakai sighed heavily. He hadn’t truly thought the Admiral would do any less. It was his job to be certain Sukh wasn’t one of the pirates. He shook his head. The Xyran log would substantiate Sukh’s innocence. He would have to wait and see what the next day brought.
****
Nakai ensured his report was ready as the Admiral requested. Then he settled to wait. A couple of hours went by before he was summoned to the Admiral’s office. As he entered, the Admiral’s grim look told him things were not going well. He saluted sharply.
“Sit down, Captain.” The Admiral returned his salute and indicated the same chair as the previous evening. “I’m afraid that if the Xyran continues to behave as he has so far, your request will be denied.”
“What happened?” Nakai fought down a sudden surge of agitatio
n. This wasn’t a scenario he’d made provision for.
“We have him sedated, but conscious and secure. I’ve visited him twice explaining who I am and what is needed if he is not to go on trial as a suspected pirate. He has refused to answer anything. Without him clearly stating who he is and what his involvement was, I will have no choice but to keep him here, and allow him to have his say during a trial. After which he will either serve a sentence, or be returned to Xyran as an undesirable.”
“May I speak with him? Perhaps I can get the answers you desire.” Nakai didn’t know if the Xyran would be more cooperative with him, but he wasn’t giving up.
“I would be most grateful, Captain. In an hour, if you will.”
“I thought a private discussion, Admiral,” Nakai said.
The Admiral smiled. “Don’t worry. The Xyran will think only you are present. An hour, Captain. Dismissed.”
The next hour passed with interminable slowness. Nakai couldn’t relax. He paced back and forth in his room. He’d thought the Xyran would be only too happy to declare his innocence and get out of the base. His assumption was wrong. He rubbed the back of his neck. Why wouldn’t he be keen to show he was a prisoner?
At the allotted time, Nakai stood outside the room Sukh occupied. At a signal from one of the guards, he entered. He glanced around quickly. Sukh’s bed was fixed securely to the floor in the middle of the room. His leg was encased in a brace, but straps pinned both down, and his wrists were secured with chains that kept him secured to the bed’s frame.
To the left was a large mirror. Nakai disregarded it quickly. Now he understood why the Admiral had said the Xyran would think only he was present. He recognized it as a two way mirror, and Nakai wondered if Sukh would, too.
Sukh was bare-chested. Seeing the Xyran sitting up for the first time, Nakai could now see the Xyran’s powerful chest. Nakai considered himself a strong warrior, but Sukh’s physique was impressive even to a seasoned soldier like himself.
Sukh’s eyes opened, and he stared at Nakai without speaking.
Nakai came forward and stood at the foot of the bed. “My name is Captain Nakai. I rescued you from the cells of the Xyran vessel that attacked my ship. I need answers to some questions.”
The Xyran didn’t reply. Instead he closed his eyes as if dismissing him, but Nakai wasn’t giving up so easily.
“We also rescued a human. He’s currently on the base, too. Once you answer the questions, I can arrange for you and him to be moved from here.”
The Xyran remained silent and unresponsive, so Nakai changed his tack. “I do not want the human to die here.”
That got the Xyran’s attention. His arms jerked, rattling the chains that held him to the bed. His dark eyes snapped open, and he stared at Nakai. “He ails, Alphan?”
“He received a severe beating. His body is frail. A fever has claimed him. My personal physician is assisting in his care. The human needs far more personal care and attention than can be provided at a military medical facility. Therefore I would like to take you both to my home, where you can rest and heal. This is no place for the human.”
The Xyran’s eyes flitted to the mirror, and Nakai made a mental note not to underestimate the Xyran’s intelligence.
“What questions, Alphan?”
“Your name, your involvement with Captain Vachir, who the human is, what you know of Vachir’s mission.”
“I am Sukh. I belong to the Altan tribe. I was sent to discuss a treaty with the Qulan tribe but was attacked by Vachir’s men and taken as his prisoner. He was apparently intending to buy human sex slaves. But as his prisoner, I wasn’t privy to information regarding specifics. The human’s name is Einian. He, too, was Vachir’s prisoner.”
Nakai nodded. From his perspective, that the Xyran classed the human, Einian, as a prisoner and not belonging to Vachir was the most telling part of Sukh’s speech. Yet the Xyran wasn’t claiming him. Interesting.
“So you knew nothing of any gems aboard the ship?” Nakai asked.
Sukh glowered at him. “If there were, I’d expect them to be stolen. Vachir is a man without honor who would sell his own ancestors to further himself. I hope one day he and I meet again. If it hadn’t been for the coward hiding behind a half dozen bodyguards, he would not be alive today.”
Nakai nodded. Sukh’s skin had turned from a pale lilac to red. He assumed it meant the Xyran was becoming angry. There were so many contradictory stories about Xyrans’ supposed chameleon-like abilities, no one could be sure of the truth.
“I see. Thank you, Sukh.”
The Xyran scowled. “You spoke truly of the human?”
“Yes.”
Nakai felt as if the dark eyes bored into his soul, but he held the gaze levelly. He had to. Slowly the Xyran nodded. “There is little else I can tell you. If I uncover the one who betrayed me, I will tear out their intestines and crush them beneath my feet. Should my path cross that of Vachir, I will reach into his chest with my bare hands and pull out his black, still-beating heart.”
Nakai inclined his head but didn’t respond to the implied threat. “I will convey your answers to my Admiral. He may wish to speak to you personally. Answer him as you have me, and this place will be just a memory. I have one other question. When we opened your cell, the lights weren’t on. Were you purposely left in darkness?”
“No. On board a ship, I am skilled in electronics. I sabotaged the lights hoping one of Vachir’s men would be foolish enough to come inside. Where I would have killed him.” Sukh held Nakai’s gaze for a few more seconds before closing his eyes.
Nakai hesitated for a second or two more. “Thank you, Sukh.”
The Xyran’s eyes didn’t open, but Nakai noticed Sukh’s eyelids flutter, and he smiled. He headed out of the room and was stopped by another captain.
“The Admiral asks you come to his office after lunch, Captain Nakai.”
Nakai saluted the officer and headed back to his quarters. He decided to have his meal in his room, but his mind was focused more on the upcoming meeting with the Admiral. He pushed aside the half-eaten meal. He paced back and forth. Why was it suddenly so important that he take Sukh home? The man was a Xyran. Their worlds and peoples were vastly different. They weren’t even friends.
Yet he knew that if the Admiral refused to grant him permission to take Sukh home, he would appeal. Although he would take Einian home. Then he realized where he’d seen the tooth that hung around Sukh’s neck. The same tooth was tattooed onto Einian’s left breast, just above his heart. As he understood it, in some tribes the necklace a Xyran wore held a tooth from their first kill, worn as a celebration of their step from boyhood to manhood. Sukh may not have claimed Einian in words, but he felt certain that the tattoo branded him as Sukh’s.
Nakai was acutely aware of time dragging by, and he was a good ten minutes early outside the Admiral’s offices. He went inside, and the secretary greeted him with a quizzical look.
“The Admiral isn’t ready yet, Captain. But I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Nakai waited. As the allotted time came around he was allowed through to the Admiral. His expression was unreadable as Nakai sat at his invitation. He steepled his fingers and gazed at him intently.
“The Xyran’s answers are corroborated by the entries in the log of Captain Vachir. There is no mention of specific betrayal regarding him, although something I read can be seen as implicit. The human isn’t mentioned at all. Therefore from my perspective, there is no reason for either to remain here.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” Nakai said.
The Admiral shook his head. “Are you so sure you want responsibility for the Xyran? I listened to him. It seems to me that there was an implied threat at the end.”
“I think in his shoes, I would want vengeance on the men responsible for my kidnapping and beating.”
“I meant against you. You will be his jailor by any other name until he recovers.”
“I hope to make him see that isn�
��t the case,” Nakai said. “However, I can assure you, Admiral, that I will take all precautions regarding my personal safety and that of my household and my community.”
“I can see you’re quite determined on this course, my friend.” The Admiral smiled. “Very well. I will prepare your paperwork, and you will be free to leave by later this afternoon. You’re quite welcome to stay overnight and return to your home in the morning.”
“Thank you, Admiral. I need to speak to my physician regarding the human and make sure he is fit for travelling.”
“My apologies, of course. Good luck, Captain Nakai. I have a feeling you will be in need of it.” The Admiral extended his hand, and Nakai shook it.
Nakai wasn’t surprised Einian had been forgotten. Had he been female, even the Xyran’s importance would have been secondary.
He headed straight to the medical facility and was thankful to see Kele emerge from the human’s room.
“How is he?” Nakai asked.
“Sleeping. The fever seems to have broken. But I want to keep a careful eye on him through the night. Any word on the Xyran?”
“Permission to take him home is in process of being granted. We can leave whenever you think Einian is fit.”
“Einian?” Kele asked, his expression blank.
Nakai laughed. “The human. His name is Einian.”
“Ah, good. I’d like to call him by name. If his temperature remains stable, we can leave in the morning. I’ll be glad to get home.”
“As will I. May I sit with him a while?”
Kele smiled indulgently. “He won’t be aware of you, but yes.”
Nakai squeezed Kele’s shoulder and headed past his friend and into the room. Einian was asleep, but Nakai didn’t care. He settled into a chair, to watch over the human and to think.
Chapter Three
Strolling through his orchards, Nakai stopped and breathed deeply. He finally felt free and relaxed. His captain’s uniform had been exchanged for a comfortable, plain, green robe. He looked around and smiled. This was where he was happiest and felt most at peace. He loved his trees and vines. He could sit or wander for hours in his orchards or vineyard.
