In the distance he heard the elevator whining as it began to move. Playing a hunch, he headed toward it at a run.
Dhyshac stepped out of the elevator into the landing bay. He’d never been down here before on his own and was a little intimidated by its size. Moving away from the elevator and keeping close to the wall, he headed for the Landing Control room.
Excitement surged through him again. They were near, very near. It wouldn’t be long now. He could feel his brothers’ and sisters’ presences in his mind anxiously waiting for news from him.
A warning klaxon sounded and the crews working on the parked shuttle and fuel tender ran to the sides of the bay. He snuck forward, peering round the Landing Control room, trying not to be seen as he stared at the pale blue shimmer of the force field across the entrance. Just beyond it he could see an approaching craft.
A hand fell on his shoulder, gripping him firmly but gently. “Dhyshac! What are you doing down here? You know you’re not allowed in the landing bay alone!” said Tanjo.
“They’ve come for us,” the cub said, watching the craft—he could see it was a shuttle now—approach.
“Who has?” asked Tanjo, confused.
His body taut, Dhyshac waited, totally focused on what his inner senses were telling him. He was on the shuttle, he could feel his presence even though he knew nothing else about him. Blood was calling to blood, and he couldn’t have ignored it even if he’d wanted to.
Automatically compensating for the lensing effect of the field, he could see the shuttle growing larger and larger.
“We shouldn’t be here,” said Tanjo, attempting to draw him back to the elevator. “Accidents happen, Dhyshac, and particularly when a craft is landing. It’s a very dangerous time.”
He tried to dig his claws into the metal flooring, resisting the senior Brother’s attempts to move him. “No,” he said firmly. “They’re almost here. I need to see him.”
Slowly the shuttle penetrated the shield, bringing the high whine of its engines with it. The dissonance dropped down several notches as it nosed its way into the bay until it reached the large cross painted in the middle. It almost appeared to hang suspended in the air, then gradually, it sank to the ground, the wailing of the engines becoming louder until it finally touched down. Then silence fell abruptly.
From behind them, ten armed Brothers erupted out of the elevator, taking up positions facing the shuttle’s air lock, their weapons held upright but ready.
As the air lock opened, Dhyshac pulled away from Tanjo and began to run over to it.
“Dhyshac!” yelled Tanjo, heading after him.
He could see them coming out onto the ramp. Ducking and weaving to avoid the landing crew now chasing after him, he kept going. He had to reach them, find the one whose presence called to him, for all their sakes! Through the ring of guards he could see the lead male on the ramp stop to look in his direction. A jolt of recognition ran through him, then he felt the touch of the adult’s mind, heard it say his name.
Dhyshac!
Only feet from his goal, he stumbled, almost losing his footing in shock.
From behind, hands grabbed at him, lifting him in the air. “Got him!”
As the dockhand turned away from the guards and the shuttle, he struggled frantically, knowing he couldn’t get free, knowing he couldn’t allow them to deprive him of this meeting. For the first time in his very short life, he opened his mouth and screamed piercingly in anger laced with terror.
With a matching roar of anger, Kaid, closely followed by Rezac, launched himself off the ramp, running for the male who’d grabbed the cub. He heard the whine as ten rifles were powered up and centered on them. Ignoring it, he rammed aside the guards trying to block him. Skidding to a stop, his face a mask of fury framed by a halo of raised hair, he grabbed the dockhand and swung him around.
“Give me my son!” he snarled, reaching for the struggling, screaming cub.
Dhyshac’s hands scrabbled at him, trying to find a grip on his jacket as the dockhand hurriedly released him. As the cub held on for dear life, his legs frantically attempting to find a foothold, Kaid, used to holding Kashini, grabbed hold of one windmilling leg and wound it round his waist. Pulling him close against his chest, and with Rezac pacing him, he backed off to the shuttle ramp.
“Stand down!” a voice, recognizable as L’Seuli’s, roared over the comm as Tanjo strode into the scene knocking the rifles of the nearest Brothers aside.
“You will not point guns at a cub!” Tanjo roared at them.
At the foot of the ramp, surrounded by the rest of his team, Kaid stopped and adjusted his grip on his son.
“Dhyshac,” he said, stroking his sobbing cub’s head. “Relax, I have you.” He looked up at the brown-pelted figure of the Instructor as the older male finally turned to face them. “Well met, Tanjo,” he said, flicking both ears as he tacitly acknowledged the debt he owed him.
“He knew you were coming,” said Tanjo. “Before you arrived. I don’t know how.”
Kaid nodded. “I sensed him, too. Where are the others?”
“Safe,” said Tanjo, moving closer so he could use hand signals to Kaid without being seen by the guards.
They’re quartered with Tanjo and his Sleepers, Kaid relayed to the others. “What’s with the welcome party?” he asked casually. “We didn’t come here to do battle with anyone.”
“I don’t know. Probably Captain Kheal’s orders. I was in the Shrine with Dhyshac teaching him religious duties when he suddenly bolted down here,” Tanjo said with a smile. “I should have known nothing would keep you two apart.”
He felt Dhyshac move in his arms, lifting his head to look at the others in the group. “Is she my mother?” the cub asked, rubbing the tears from his eyes as he stared down at T’Chebbi.
“No, she’s your Aunt,” he replied. “Carrie, my mate, will be your mother. Will you go to her for now, taiban?”
“I’d like to meet you,” said Carrie, coming to stand beside him. Your father needs to deal with the guards, Dhyshac, he heard her send.
Reluctantly the cub nodded and began to loosen his hold on his father.
Don’t worry, Kaid sent, no one will take you from me now. Still keeping his eyes on Tanjo and the guards, he lowered his son to the ground, holding his hand as he passed him back to Carrie. Immediately he sensed the others forming a living shield beside him in front of Carrie and Jo.
“Where’s Commander L’Seuli?” he asked.
Tanjo looked behind him. “Probably on his way,” he said.
Minutes later, L’ Seuli, his black robes billowing, came striding across to them. “Stand down,” he ordered the guards as he passed them. “You can see there’s no threat, especially now he has the cub.” He stopped in front of Kaid. “I’ve been expecting you,” he said.
“Obviously.”
“L’ Seuli! How nice to see you,” said Carrie, pushing through the others, still holding Dhyshac by the hand. “I hear you’ve a Leska now, too! When do we get to meet her?”
L’Seuli smiled wryly at her. “Hello, Carrie. Nice move, getting the Touibans to bring their ship for you. It wasn’t anticipated, but then you never do what we expect, do you?”
“We try,” said Carrie with a grin. “How about showing us some hospitality, or do you and Captain Kheal intend us to stay here and chat at gunpoint?”
“Of course not, now that we know you’re not storming us by force,” he said, half turning. “Dismissed,” he said to the guards. “We’ll go to my office.” He looked at Tanjo. “Bring the other cubs over, Tanjo, please.”
Tanjo bowed and turned to go.
“Tanjo,” Kaid called out as he reached to pick Dhyshac up again. “You have the thanks of my Clan.”
The Brother smiled before he headed over to the other shuttle.
In the elevator, Carrie leaned forward to stroke Dhyshac’s cheek. “You’re so grown up,” she said, grinning at the child. “Almost a youngling.”
Ka
id leaned quietly against the back of the elevator as his cub’s mind tentatively reached for his. He responded, letting his son experience his emotions at their meeting, letting him know how he was acknowledged and welcomed, and loved.
Dhyshac’s mind opened up to his father’s little by little as each feeling of loneliness and isolation, of being an object of uncertainty even at Haven, was met and answered with his father’s simple reply. I’m here, you’re my son, we belong to each other always, and I love you.
Carrie leaned against him, her presence on the edges of theirs, letting the cub know that she felt the same. When she sensed that Dhyshac no longer needed the continual mental reassurance, she said quietly to Kaid, “Shall I do the introductions, or will you?”
You do it, he sent, resting his head against Dhyshac’s. I’m still getting to know my new son!
“You’re going to be a little overwhelmed, I’m afraid, but it can’t be helped,” she said with a smile.
“I’m Rezac, your father’s brother—your Uncle,” said Rezac, grinning down at him. He pointed to the dark-haired Human female beside him. “This is my mate, Jo, your Aunt. I understand what it’s like to have no family one day, then suddenly have brothers and Aunts and Uncles, because it happened to me.”
“And this is Garras, and T’Chebbi,” Carrie said, pointing to the two beside L’Seuli.
“A family outing,” said L’ Seuli dryly, with the ghost of a smile.
“I haven’t met your kind before,” Dhyshac said, looking back to Carrie.
“We’re Humans,” she said, reaching up to touch him again. “I brought you a vid of your other brother and sisters since they couldn’t come with us. I’m afraid they’re very young, still infants.”
The elevator doors opened and they stepped out into the corridor.
“My office is over by the Command area,” said L’ Seuli. “I imagine you still remember your way around here.”
“How could we forget?” asked Carrie as they headed off to their right.
“Jiosha’s waiting for us,” said L’Seuli.
“I’ll look forward to meeting her again,” she said.
Carrie took Dhyshac from Kaid again as they settled themselves round the table in L’ Seuli’s office.
“You shouldn’t be here, you realize that, don’t you?” said L’Seuli. “Lijou and Rhyaz both ordered you to remain on Shola. I’m disobeying my orders in letting you even see the other cubs, but since Dhyshac had foreknowledge of your arrival, I know the others are aware of your presence. I figure there’s no point in preventing you from meeting the rest.”
“They know,” confirmed Dhyshac.
“You have two cubs of mine here,” said Rezac, his voice tense. “If Dhyshac can sense his father so strongly, then they will because I can. I have no intention of being prevented from seeing them!”
Jo put her hand on his. “L’Seuli has just said we can meet them, Rezac,” she said soothingly.
“I want more than to meet them,” he said forcefully. “They’re staying with me!”
“Let’s get this settled now,” said Kaid smoothly. “Clan comes before anything else, you know the law, L’ Seuli, and these children belong to our Clan. We’ve come for them.”
“You know the situation,” began L’Seuli.
“They’re Clan,” interrupted Rezac with finality. “There’s nothing more to discuss.”
“Kaid,” said L’ Seuli, looking at him.
“My brother has said it all.”
Carrie looked over at the priest and within moments, his face creased in distress and he looked away.
“That was unfair, Carrie,” L’Seuli said. “I know Dhyshac wants to be with his father, I didn’t need you sending me his feelings on the matter.”
“Yes, you did,” she said. “This cub, like the others, was dragged into the world by uncaring beings to be used against us. Tanjo has looked after and cared for them very well, and I know you and Jiosha have done your part, but they need the love of their parents and the rest of their family now. They need to know they belong, and that they are precious and wanted, things only we can give them.”
“I can’t allow it,” he said, his voice hardening. “When their existence is discovered, it could destroy not just the treaty but the Alliance. Too much depends on it.”
“They’ll be taken to the estate, L’Seuli,” said Kaid. “No one outside will see them. How can it threaten the Alliance? We’ve no intention of taking the matter further and exposing them to the reporters and the newsvids. All we want is our children—and Kusac.”
“I can’t give you him either. We’ve had no word from him or his crew since they left several months ago.”
“You must have some idea of where they met Kezule.”
“None,” said the priest.
Kaid felt Dhyshac stir both mentally and physically beside him, before Carrie sent him a warning.
I know, he sent to Carrie on a tight mental wavelength. The cub had a good idea of the location, how, Vartra alone knew, but it could prove useful.
“You can’t leave here, Kaid, you realize that, don’t you?” continued L’Seuli.
Kaid raised an eye ridge. “And how long do you intend to keep us here?” he asked. “Until our cubs back home are ten? That’s impossible. Be realistic, L’Seuli.”
“The Touiban Speaker has been told to return to Shola,” said L’Seuli, ignoring his question. “You will remain on Haven for the present. As for the cubs, they can stay with you for the time being at least, but they will have to resume their studies in a few days.”
Rezac began to rumble in anger. “Their education is not your decision to make,” he said.
“What are they being taught?” asked Jo.
“How to use their Talent,” said Jiosha.
“We know that,” said Dhyshac. “We were taught with sleep tapes made from the mind of Kusac.”
Exclamations of shock and surprise rippled round the table.
“How do you know that?” asked Jiosha, staring at him. “You never mentioned this before.”
“It wasn’t important till now,” said the cub, leaning against Carrie.
“In which case, they’re fully trained Telepaths, L’Seuli,” said Kaid. “There’s no need for them to be educated here; Rezac is right.”
L’Seuli got to his feet. “I think you and I should continue this discussion later, Kaid, alone, when you’ve all eaten and rested,” he said. “Jiosha will show you to your quarters. We have four double-occupancy rooms where you can stay. Meals are at the usual times. When Tanjo returns, I’ll have him bring the cubs to you.”
Kaid got to his feet, bending to lift Dhyshac from Carrie. “Very well,” he said. “But you won’t change our minds.”
“We need access to our shuttle,” said Carrie. “We have overnight things we need.”
“I’ll arrange for two of you to be escorted down,” said L’ Seuli. “And, Kaid, I’ll want your weapons.”
Kaid raised an eye ridge. “What weapons? We left our side arms in the locker on the shuttle, and they’ll stay there.”
L’Seuli sighed as they left.
T’Chebbi and Garras had returned with their overnight bags before Tanjo arrived at their room with the other cubs, holding a very nervous Gaylla in his arms.
“Liegena,” he said as the other three clustered close around him. “Gaylla knows neither of her parents are here and feels ...”
“I understand, Tanjo,” she said, reaching out to take the little female from him. “We know about Gaylla. Hello, sweetie,” she said, smiling at her. “My, you’re heavy, aren’t you? I swear you’re heavier than Dhyshac!”
Gaylla surveyed her from enormous eyes, keeping her fingers firmly in her mouth.
“I’ve got something in my bag for you and the others,” she said, carrying her over to the bed. “I bet you’ve never had candies before, have you?”
Gaylla shook her head as Carrie put her down beside Dhyshac.
“You’
ll like them,” grinned Dhyshac, holding a lollipop out to her. “They taste really nice. I chose this one, with a face on it, for you.”
She took it from him and looked at it, unsure what to do next.
“I promise it tastes nicer than your fingers,” said Carrie, gently taking the cub’s fingers out of her mouth and urging her to put the lollipop there instead. An expression of surprise, swiftly followed by delight, lit up her features. Carrie turned back to Tanjo, looking carefully at the other three cubs, frowning slightly.
“This is Vazih,” said Tanjo, urging the light brown-colored female forward before the two young males. “Zsayal and Shaylor.”
Gods, this is a mess! she sent to Kaid, paling slightly even as she welcomed them and urged them to help themselves to the candies on the bed. I’m the mother of both those little males, and one of them is Rezac’s!
Don’t worry, it seems for some reason, the blood link is stronger to the father.
I don’t know how I feel about it, Kaid. He’s my son, too!
Then you share him, said Kaid calmly, resting his hand on her shoulder. Let’s see which of you they’re drawn to. You see to Shaylor, I’ll get Rezac and Jo.
By the time the introductions were over, and they’d all eaten, it was obvious that despite the cubs’ obvious desire to be with their parents and family, they didn’t want to be separated.
Reassured that they wouldn’t be except at night because of the physical limitations of the rooms, they’d bedded the cubs down, leaving Gaylla with Dhyshac and Shaylor so they could use the room Garras and T’Chebbi were sharing as a lounge until they all retired for the night.
Gaylla had attached herself to T’Chebbi, wanting to sit with her in the mess and following her around as they walked back to the bedrooms. When she’d offered to have the little female in with them overnight, Carrie had accepted gratefully.
“Can they really keep us here?” asked Jo, as they were finally able to relax. Kaid’s and T’Chebbi’s search of the room had turned up only two concealed listening devices, both of which were now sitting in coffee dregs in the bottom of a disposable cup.
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