Under Nameless Stars

by Christian Schoon

  Another Transvox sounded from off-cam, a female voice with a lilting, unidentifiable accent.

  “Ja, I hunted that lurker since first I was placed aboard the Tson,” the voice said. “This jävla fiskar’s attacking of the submarine made a quantity of noise. This was its grossa mistake.” The cam shot zoomed out. Floating in the water next to Jules was a sleek, thirty-foot, black-and-white patterned body.

  “Zenn Scarlett,” Jules said, “I wish you to meet my First Promised. Inga Hammerfest, I introduce my very good friend Novice Zenn Scarlett.”

  Zenn understood now how Jules’s First Promised had been able to help.

  “An orca,” Zenn said. “Your First Promised is a killer whale? That’s… great.”

  “It is thoroughly great, is it not?” Jules beamed at the whale, and it nuzzled at his side with its broad, toothy face. “Inga killed that lurker thing as it held us. But the submarine ship still continued to sink in the water and she could not hold us up. We were being crushed severely by pressure. Water came in at all sides. But then there was a bright light, and a strange feeling, and the sub was all at once aboard the medical ship. Myself, and Treth and the boy Liam. Aboard and not crushed. And you were there, too. And we had all come back here to Sol space.”

  The mention of Liam made Zenn wonder again where he was. No one had heard from him since the Indra had transphased the ships home again. Where had he gotten to? Would he come back to Mars, face the charges against him for his unwilling part in sabotaging the cloister?

  “And now,” Jules said, “Inga and I will proceed onward to the ocean-world of Mu Arae, as was her plan in the start. Its seas are awash in wonders. The coral reefs of the Bensarus Oc archipelago are in fact intelligent, but I am told their language is inscrutable even to a Transvox unit. In any case, it will be a majestic environment to witness. We have a multitude of expectations. I will visit you before we go on this trip.”

  “You’d better,” she said.

  “I will come down as soon as my walksuit is repaired and functional. I will say farewell for now and wish that you continue to improve your health.”

  The screen flickered off, and a voice drew Zenn’s attention to the doorway.

  “Novice Scarlett, recovering well, I trust?” It was Ambassador Noom, peering in

  from the hallway. She fluttered in to hover at the side of Zenn’s bed.

  “Thank you, Ambassador. I am.”

  “We are all gratified to hear it.”

  “Gratified,” one of her consorts chimed in from where he floated in his clear-skinned sphere. The others agreed: “Pleased.” “Overjoyed.” “And relieved, feh?”

  Noom addressed Zenn’s father. “I have just come down from the infirmary on the Nova Procyon. Lieutenant Travosk is being held there. Attended by a military guard. He seems to be suffering from some sort of post-traumatic shock.”

  “He’s admitted his part in the plot to destroy the Indra fleet?” her father asked.

  “Oh, he’s proud of the fact,” Noom replied. “Insists he’d do it all again. That he owes it to someone. Valia? Lena? I can’t recall.”

  “Vremya,” Zenn said.

  “Vremya Travosk,” her father said. “I looked into that. I just got the full story from the Authority on Earth.”

  “So, she must have been Stav’s wife, or sister,” Zenn said.

  “Sister. Sort of,” her father said. Zenn gave him a questioning look. “Turns out Vremya was Lieutenant Travosk’s opposite-gender clone. Part of a secret breeding program of some kind. The details are still foggy. Illegal, of course. Just one more black mark for the New Law.”

  “She was an op-gen clone?” It was Treth’s voice, followed by her walking into the room. The Groom winced as she smiled down at Zenn, favoring the side where Stav’s shot had caught her. “It is said the bond between such beings can be unnaturally intense.”

  “That’s what I’ve heard, too,” Warra said. “I suppose the way she died would explain Stav’s obsession with taking down the Indra fleet. And using Zenn to do it. Of course, it won’t mitigate the charges against him. He’ll be going away for a very long time.”

  “I should hope so,” Noom interjected. “And of course I must say that I am utterly mortified by my own part in all of this, unaware of it as I was.”

  “But how could you have known?” Zenn said.

  “I come from nine generations of Cepheian diplomats, Novice. My instincts should have alerted me. When he said I had been recalled to Earth, it was just a ruse to get himself off the Helen before it was hijacked. I was used. There is no excuse. I should have sensed his duplicity.”

  “So, what will happen to him?”

  “The lieutenant will stand trial in the Accord Central court,” Noom said, adding quickly, “I have already agreed to provide evidence against him. It is the least I can do. And when the Skirni leaders hear of their betrayal by the New Law faction, I feel certain they will testify against their former co-conspirators as well. To save their own flesh, if nothing else.”

  “What about the rest of the New Law, on Earth?” Zenn asked.

  “Once the truth is known, it is certain the Authority will purge them,” Noom said. “With the New Law xenophobes discredited, the Earth will certainly allow Indra ships back into Sol space. And I, of course, will have much explaining to do when I return home. My lack of awareness in this affair is unforgivable, a diplomat of my standing.”

  “Most unfortunate.” “Decidedly awkward.” “Hardly bearable.” “Feeling regretful, feh?”

  “It is a difficulty of your own making, Drifter,” Treth said. “And in any case, our attention should be on the Novice. You are experiencing no ill effects?” Treth tapped the side of Zenn’s head.

  “From the Indra tissue?” Zenn’s hand went to her temple. “No. It’s just sitting in there. Taking up a little space.”

  “Otha ran a full brain and body diagnostic,” her father said. “There’s no sign of damage, or any residual effect from the Indra neurons. The working theory is that the tissue became inert after the Indra tunneled.”

  “I am curious,” Treth said. “The communion you had with the Indra, and with the other creatures. Will you miss it?”

  “Yes… and no,” Zenn said. She’d been thinking hard about it, but couldn’t decide if the sensation was one she’d ever want to experience again. “I think maybe I’m glad to just have myself to myself again.”

  “You’re no longer sharing brain-power with the Indra?” Noom said. “That is probably for the best, lest you transphase additional submarines hither and yon.”

  “Submarines.” “Transported.” “Perilous.” “Extremely dangerous, feh?”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Zenn said.

  “And what of the Indra themselves?” Noom rotated to face Treth. “Are they all viable? Able to tunnel?”

  “Several are in need of attention, but nothing life-threatening,” the Groom answered. “Generally, they are all in good health. We can at least thank the Khurspex for their vigilance in that regard.”

  “Excellent,” Noom said, drifting toward the door. “Then I will be able to say that Indra-ship traffic will soon be back to acceptable levels. A favorable report on this matter will go some way to helping my case on Eta Cephei.”

  “Normal traffic.” “Healthy Indras.” “Best outcome.” “All’s well, feh?”

  Noom’s consorts continued to chatter as she propelled herself out of the room.

  “Now, then, Novice Scarlett.” The Groom crossed her arms, her anitats putting on an especially colorful display. “The Indra I mentioned. While none face imminent danger, several suffer from malnutrition and minor injuries. Once you are strong enough, my sister grooms and I could use the services of an experienced exovet like yourself.”

  Zenn grinned at the words.

  An experienced exovet. I like the sound of that.

  “Of course. I’d be happy to help.” The mere prospect of being near an Indra again, of being useful
again, was enough to make Zenn feel that she’d recuperated quite enough. “I could start now, today.”

  “Easy, kid,” her father said, patting her shoulder with a soft laugh of the sort Zenn hadn’t heard from him since… she couldn’t remember when. “There’s plenty of time for you to get stronger first. The ships have to be separated again; lots of work to do before they’ll be going anywhere.”

  “And speaking of this work,” Treth said. “I am needed elsewhere just now. Rest and be well, Novice.”

  “You’ll let me know how I can help?”

  “Yes. But there is ample time. Our Indra will survive until you are up and about.”

  Zenn settled back into her pillows. Her thoughts returned to Liam, but she consoled herself that he was one towner boy who could probably take care of himself. She just wished he’d let her know he was OK. She had to admit that, at last, all things considered, it was permissible to luxuriate a bit in her surroundings – familiar faces, familiar food, the clean, soft, pleasantly scented sheets. Yes, there was ample time, now. Time to heal, time to attend to the Indra, to get reacquainted with the animals in the cloister clinic and, best of all, time to get to know the father she’d nearly lost.

  THIRTY-TWO

  Later that night, Zenn was reviewing a V-film status report on the cloister’s patients when there was a soft tapping at the room’s open window. Startled for a second, she then saw a blond sheaf of hair. Liam! She went to the window.

  “Scarlett. Thought I’d drop by.” She could only stand, staring. “Mind if I come in?”

  She stepped back from him, shaking her head in wonder. He pulled himself through the window, crossed to her and brought her body to his, giving her a brief, tight hug. He released her, and they stood close but not touching, grinning at each other, then laughing out loud.

  “Liam, what are you doing here? How’d you get onto Mars?”

  “Oh, nice to see you, too. I’m fine, thanks.”

  “I can see that,” she said. Same old Liam. “I mean, you just disappeared. No one knew what had happened to you.”

  “Remember that Fomalhaut with the waspworm?”

  “Yes, the one down in steerage.”

  “He actually turned out to be a pretty good guy. Except for the animal fighting thing. He had business here on Mars. He’d won a couple of berths on a private ferry drop. Don’t ask how, OK? Anyway, I came down with him. Nobody else knows I’m here.”

  “That would explain the window,” Zenn said.

  Katie had jumped off the bed and came to sniff at the boy’s foot.

  “Hey there,” he said, bending to pet her. “How’s my rikkaset?”

  “Oh, so she’s your rikkaset now? She’s fine. And I’m doing fine, too,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”

  “You? I never doubted it. It’d take more than a New Law plot to destroy civilization to keep you down.”

  Katie was up on her hind legs, sniffing Liam’s back pocket. He pulled out a small paper bag.

  “Dried grasshopper,” he said.

  “Crunchies!” Katie signed. “Crunchies for Katie?”

  “I happen to know they’re her favorite,” he said.

  Trilling loudly, Katie snatched the bag from him, hopped up on the bed with it and began feasting intently.

  “You know they’re looking for you, right? Will you stay on Mars?” She realized she wasn’t prepared for him to say no.

  “Turn myself in, you mean?” He made a sour face.

  “Liam,” Zenn said,”Vic and Graad forced you to help them sabotage the cloister. And you exposed what they were doing. And then you helped us escape, helped stop Travosk and all. You’re a hero. There’s no way they’d do anything to you. They’d never put you in prison with Graad.”

  “Yeah. Maybe. Maybe not. Fact is, guys like Graad always know other guys like Graad. Guys who aren’t in prison.”

  “But what would you do? Where would you go?”

  “That’s kinda why I’m here,” he said. Zenn gave him a puzzled look. “Liph Kenis, the Fomalhaut I came down with. He’s got this idea. Now that the Rift is going to be over, he wants to go to Earth and start a business. He’s asked me to help.”

  “You? What sort of business?”

  “Waspworms. He says Earthers will be ready to buy off-world pets again. And his worm is apparently some kinda champion bloodline, you know, a purebred, with papers and all.”

  “Liam, what makes this Kenis person think you know anything about business or breeding insectoids?”

  “Well, I told him about my work here at the cloister clinic, you know, with the animals.”

  “Mucking out stalls and hauling feed?”

  “I might’ve tweaked the details of my resume a little. The main thing is, I’ve got an escape plan. And this might be my one shot, you know, to see Earth.”

  “But what if you talked to Ren? He’s a constable, Liam; he must have ways of protecting people like you. People who did the right thing and deserve–”

  “Ren Jackson? He can’t hardly patrol the territory he’s got now. And Graad Dokes has a reputation for getting even with people he doesn’t like. I’m at the top of that list. No. No choice, here. I’ve got to get off Mars. And, Scarlett…” He took her hand in one of his. “You should go with me.”

  “Me?” She let go of his hand and stepped back. “Go to Earth?”

  “Hear me out. Just hear me out,” he said, pacing in front of her excitedly as he spoke. “I told Liph all about you, about what you did aboard the Spex ships, the Indra in-soma thing. And all your training here at the school. He said an exovet like you would be really valuable to his operation at the waspworm farm or whatever you call it.”

  “I’m still just a novice. You know that. It’ll be years before I can legally practice medicine.”

  “Hey, Liph isn’t the kind to worry about that kinda thing, trust me.”

  “Liam, listen to me… you know I like you.”

  “Yeah, well, I was kinda hoping we’d gotten that far.”

  “No. I really do. Like you. Everything you’ve done for me, for all of us. But there’s something I’ve been trying to explain, about me–”

  “Oh, no.” His face darkened. “This isn’t the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ talk is it? Tell me it’s not that, Scarlett.”

  “What? No. I mean, sort of. But not like you’re thinking.”

  His expression shaded from disappointment to utter confusion.

  “Nine Hells, Scarlett, what is it, then?”

  “I’m sorry, that’s what it is, Liam. That I can’t go with you. That I can’t be what you want me to be. I don’t know how.”

  He turned , faced the wall, then spun around and leveled his gaze at her.

  “You don’t know how, or you don’t want to know how?”

  “I just can’t, Liam. I just don’t know what to do, how to act.” She went to sit on the bed next to Katie, who was still focused on her treats. “I know it’s supposed to come naturally, that it’s built-in, instinctual. We’re mammals…” She picked up the rikkaset and set her on her lap, stroked her fur. Katie kept eating. “I should know how to behave like one. But right now, I feel like I’m just learning how to be around you, in… that way. But I’m a slow learner.”

  “You?” Liam said, “Zenn Scarlett, who devours books like candy? Who has more medical stuff crammed into her head than an entire school library? You. Learn things slow. Give me a break.”

  “Liam, this isn’t something you find in a book. This is me, growing up like I did, with the experiences I had. More to the point, experiences I never had. In a place with not all that much chance for me to learn the finer points of… the romantical element.”

  Liam came to sit beside her.

  “Fine. So you’re slow. I can wait. I’m a patient guy. Sorta. But if we had time and a whole new life on Earth–”

  “Liam. I can’t just drop everything.” She put Katie back onto the bed between them. “I’m going to be an exovet. I�
�m going to finish school, do my internship, get my license and be a full-fledged exoveterinarian. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve worked really hard just to get this far. And I owe it to myself to see this through. I owe it… I owe it to my mom, Liam.”

  “Your mom?”

  “She devoted her life to the animals that needed her. She died doing that. She didn’t get to have the time she should’ve had, to live the life she wanted. I can do that for her, Liam. I can help all those she wasn’t able to help.”

  “Nine Hells, Scarlett.” He stood up again. “OK. I get it. About your mom and all, but… I just thought we could make a fresh start. I never thought about… I’m such an idiot.” He shook his head. “I never thought about you, about what school means, why you’re so damn intense about it all.”

  “Yeah, I guess I am. Intense.”

  “No kidding.” He went to the window, leaned against the sill, looked back at her. “But, Scarlett, I’ve gotta go. I can’t stay here. I may never get this chance again.”

  She went to stand behind him, put her arms around him and leaned into his back, felt his warmth, realized that even after all his time off-world, he still carried the faint scent of fresh-cut hay. She thought again of her mother’s words, that sometimes, making the right choice was the most frightening thing you could do. Her mother hadn’t mentioned it could also break your heart.

  “You’ll send word of how you’re doing?” she said, still pressed in close, not looking up, afraid of what would happen if she did. “I want to know all about what Earth is like. And how your wasp-farm turns out.” Her voice was breaking now. She took a long, deep breath to steady herself before she pulled away. He didn’t face her but continued staring out into the night.

  “Damn, Scarlett, you’re really killing my ego here, you know that you don’t you?”

  “What?” she said, smiling to keep the tears back. “Your girls in Arsia didn’t act like this?”

  “No. They did not.” He turned to her. “But, hey, you warned me before. You’re not like the other girls in Arsia.”