Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  “Planet is dangerous for several reasons. First, is a barbarian backwater—even more barbaric than Shola.” His tone was disparaging.

  “I’m sure it couldn’t be that bad,” murmured the Commander, trying to keep his mouth from twitching.

  The Chemerian inclined his head slightly, stretching his spindly neck to the point where Raguul irreverently wondered if it would snap under the sheer weight. He had learned the hard way that it was essential for him to have a sense of humor when dealing with these people, otherwise their innate arrogance and paranoia only gave him colic.

  “Is worse,” the Ambassador said, with a rare flash of directness. “People are warlike and quarrelsome. Have only basic idea of what is for mutual benefit. Just spaceport is open to traders, rest of planet is proscribed zone controlled by local Overlords.”

  Carefully placing the cube on the Commander’s desk, Taira edged it forward with one of his small nonretractible claw tips, still avoiding eye contact. “Here is all our data on planet. Several species trade there, none you have met.”

  Raguul leaned forward in his seat to pick up the data cube. His good humor had totally evaporated. “Why do your people have trade agreements which don’t involve us, Taira? The Allied Worlds are on war alert, guarding our common frontiers against any possible threat from the Valtegans. This is apart from the trade treaties between our people. Yet you purposely conceal the existence of a world where not only you, but several unknown species all trade! Where is trust and good faith, Ambassador?” demanded Raguul. “This planet’s very existence could have a bearing on the whole issue of who the Valtegans are and where they come from.”

  Taira straightened in his chair, glowering at the Sholan. “Not need to know about Jalna before this,” he said angrily. “Our business private, no concern of yours till now! Trade items for us, species-specific. Inappropriate you use! Be content we telling you now.”

  “I think we should be the judge of what concerns us,” growled the Commander. “What exactly do you acquire from Jalna, and why are you suddenly telling us about it now?”

  Ambassador Taira looked away and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The robes covering his lightly furred body rustled loudly in the silence.

  “Not your concern,” he said abruptly. “What concerns you, and why am ordered to give you data cube, is fact that during last few weeks, missing Valtegan battleship visit planet. Two shuttlecraft land, one in spaceport, one in mountain range in proscribed zone where crashed. Other returned safely to battleship and left.”

  “I need hardly ask if you followed it.”

  “You think we mad?” He sounded offended as he looked up, his eyes blinking slowly as he forced his ears to remain open. “We sensible race, not go looking for trouble! Our Sumaan reported Valtegans traded peacefully with Jalnians, then left. One, perhaps you say several, of trade items were Sholans.”

  Commander Raguul, taken totally by surprise, managed to control the flicking of his ears that would have betrayed his interest to the Chemerian.

  “Sholans, you say? I don’t see how that could be possible.”

  “You have no records of who actually killed on your colonies. Is not impossible Valtegans took prisoners,” said the Ambassador, blinking and shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

  “We observe Jalna for some time because of illegal drugs traffic to one of our worlds. No evidence yet found of identity of smugglers,” Taira continued.

  “Do you know how many Sholans were left on Jalna?” asked Raguul, toying absently with the cube.

  The expression on the large pale-furred face was reproachful as the Chemerian Ambassador once more looked up at the Commander.

  “Of course. Four. Two are telepaths.”

  Commander Raguul sat back in his chair, regarding the Chemerian. “I’ve never known you to give us information for free, Ambassador Taira. What are you hoping to gain in return for this news?”

  “Information is gift this time,” Taira said, looking him squarely in the eyes. “Have concerns on several counts. First time Valtegans seen in our sector. We know Chemer’s troops of Sumaan mercenaries give us adequate warning system and degree of protection, but still we feel uncomfortable about sudden appearance of your adversaries in heart of our home worlds.”

  “They’re hardly our adversaries, Ambassador,” objected the Commander, taking a sip of his drink. He didn’t need to be a Telepath to know that the Chemerian thought he was gaining the upper hand.

  “We know as much about them as you. The few Valtegans we captured on Keiss went catatonic the minute we started questioning them and despite everything we did, died within a few hours. Not even our Telepaths were able to sense anything from them. All any of us know for sure is that they’re not at war with any of the Alliance Worlds. I suppose we can assume they aren’t in conflict with the worlds that trade at Jalna?”

  “Correct,” said Taira, straightening up in his chair and folding his hands in his lap. “Your data on new Leska pair shows them mind reading Valtegans on Keiss. Why you not utilize their talents on prisoners?”

  “We did. While they were still on the Khalossa, we captured our first live Valtegan and had him brought off planet. All they found out is what you’ve already been told: that the Valtegans are fighting far from here, and they were using this sector as a bolt-hole when they discovered Keiss.”

  “Others captured. Why they not interrogate them?” demanded Taira.

  “The team, Kusac and Carrie, had been posted to Shola by that time. There was no point in sending for them as the prisoner they questioned also died.”

  “Still, you not request their presence,” said the Ambassador, frowning.

  “Our policy decisions are not your affair,” replied Commander Raguul, sitting forward again and allowing some of his anger to show. “I don’t see your government consulting us on certain of your decisions, Taira, like keeping Jalna a proscribed world.”

  “May be I speak hastily,” said Taira, blinking rapidly and looking away from Raguul as the edges of his ears threatened to fold over again. “We not wish Valtegans to learn location of our home worlds. Are concerned what information Valtegans obtained from captive Sholans before selling on Jalna.”

  “Jalna deals in people?” Raguul was stunned.

  “Told you Sholans were trade items. Jalna is barbaric world, they deal in any commodity. We have scruples, they have not. Valtegans get information, then sell Sholans.”

  The Commander growled softly. “I would be careful what you say, Ambassador,” he warned, beginning to get legitimately angry. “No matter the cost, our people would not betray us.” On the table, his claws began to flex outward.

  “Caution could lead to us anticipating the worst,” admitted the Chemerian hastily, averting his gaze again, ears this time folding over at the edges in fear. “Perhaps reflection shows Shola not so backward after all. Am sure they not tell Valtegans anything.”

  “I’d be damned careful about accusing our people of crimes against the Alliance if I were you, Taira,” said Raguul, his voice menacing as his claws began to tap his desktop.

  “Have message for you from Government on Chemer,” said Taira hurriedly, trying to change the topic. “Have decided it advisable for agents to land on Jalna. They discover what can about Valtegans—why suddenly appear and depart our sector of space, what wanted there, who at war with.”

  “You have decided, Ambassador?” purred Raguul. “Are you perhaps sending a couple of your own people? If so, I’m sure Shola has no objection to that.”

  Taira was totally taken aback at the suggestion. His fear of Raguul vanished and he almost rose out of his seat in indignation. “Out of question,” he snapped, eyes wide and ears once more fully unfolded. “Chemerians not risk themselves on such mission! Gravity and light on Jalna prohibits even thought of such outrageous notion!”

  “Yet you are willing to have us to send our people down to such a dangerous planet,” growled Raguul.

  “Movement on g
round difficult for arboreal beings, logical that ground dwellers go,” Taira protested. “Agents need be unremarkable among locals. We not. To investigate crashed ship and try discover why it in proscribed zone, need to work outside spaceport. If agents had special skills, would be their advantage.”

  By now Raguul was irritated beyond concealment. “What precisely are you requesting Ambassador?” he asked sharply, annoyed with the roundabout way that the Chemerians—Taira in particular—conducted all their business.

  “Three different species trade with Jalna, but native population is Terran in appearance. Among traders is species not unlike Sholans in appearance. None like Touibans or Sumaan. Our mercenaries cannot move freely except within spaceport zone.” Taira hesitated. “We feel team made up of Terran and Sholan able to gather information we all require. Team that includes Telepaths who probe Alien minds, and fight, is best.”

  The Commander took a deep breath. “Now we have it,” he said. “You want Kusac and Carrie to go down to Jalna.”

  “Data you make available to us shows are admirably suited for job. Chemer government wishes them sent.” His tone was almost pleading.

  “That will be impossible,” snapped Raguul. “I take it you aren’t aware that Carrie Aldatan has been injured and will be unable to do anything for at least several weeks?”

  “Government will be highly disappointed, but of such importance is matter that we delay until she recovered. Can brief them on situation,” he said hopefully.

  “I can’t do even that,” said Commander Raguul. “They’re unreachable at present. Apparently they’re recuperating somewhere on Shola and only their families can contact them. Clan Leader and Clan Lord Aldatan are refusing to pass on any messages.” He stood up, indicating the interview was at an end.

  “I will notify the military headquarters on Shola of your request, Ambassador Taira. I’m sure they, like myself and the Allied Worlds Council, will want this matter expedited as soon as possible rather than left until the Aldatans are available.”

  “This matter of great priority!” said Taira, his voice beginning to rise again in anger and distress. “I report your lack of cooperation to Allied Worlds Council. Pressure be brought in quarters to ensure we have them on Jalna soonest possible! Is Sholan duty to protect vulnerable peoples of Allied Worlds!”

  “You are at liberty to contact whom you wish, Ambassador,” said Commander Raguul, nodding to his adjutant to open the door. “Now if you will excuse me?”

  Angrily the Ambassador signaled for his bodyguards to help him to his feet and with the briefest of nods to the Commander, hobbled out of the office to the comfort of his mobile chair.

  Once they had gone, the Commander sat down and turned to his adjutant.

  “Turn those damned lights back up!” he snapped. “What did you pick up from Taira? What’s that tree-climbing, fruit-eating, double-dealing little runt up to?”

  Myak raised an eye ridge at the Commander. “Species prejudice?” he murmured.

  Raguul shot him a dark look, then grinned. “You’re damned right!” he said. “You name me anyone who likes working with the Chemerians.”

  “They have a different outlook from us, Commander,” said Myak. “While I was in a light rapport with him, virtually everything he said and did was consistent with the way his species views life.”

  Raguul began to growl. He picked up his goblet, draining the rest of the contents.

  “However,” said Myak hurriedly, “he was acting out of character at times. It was very evident from the turmoil in his mind that he was most unhappy at being the one chosen to reveal his people’s duplicity over Jalna. His anger was fabricated to cover the embarrassment.”

  “Anything else?” demanded Raguul, picking up the second goblet. He noticed the Telepath’s glance. “It settles my stomach,” he growled.

  “Nothing, Commander. The rest is as he told it. The Chemerians want our mixed species Leskas to investigate on Jalna partly because they genuinely believe that they stand the best chance of survival on the planet, but also because they want to see how they perform in the field as agents. The Ambassador believes Jalna to be every bit as dangerous as he said.”

  “Hm. You’d better raise Clan Lord Aldatan on the comm,” Raguul said.

  “Is that wise? Wouldn’t it be better to let it go through official channels?”

  “No. If it goes through channels we’ve no chance of getting a message to Kusac and Carrie. If they’re the ones best suited to the job, then we need them.”

  *

  “I’m not part of the military Forces, Commander,” said Clan Lord Aldatan frostily. “You’ve made your request but you cannot order me to do anything. My son and his life-mate are still on sick leave, and will remain undisturbed until they’re declared fit. Good day.” He cut the connection.

  The Commander stared at the blank screen and cursed loudly. “Get me the Sholan Councillor for the Allied Worlds,” he said, “and a cup of c’shar. I want those four Sholans off that Godforsaken world as soon as possible! When you’ve done that, get this cube into the computer and scan it for me. I want a summary of its contents yesterday.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Myak, catching the cube as the Commander threw it to him and deftly sliding a glass of multicolored liquid in front of him.

  Raguul eyed it with suspicion. “What the hell’s that?”

  “Your stomach medicine, Commander,” he said, keeping his expression bland. “You said you wanted it to be made more interesting.”

  Chapter 5

  At first light, Kaid was up. What little sleep he’d had had been haunted by God-Visions to the point where he wasn’t sure if they were real or merely dreams.

  He’d seen the statue in the temple at Stronghold rise up and walk the corridors—but had it been a dream, a vision, or autosuggestion caused by Carrie’s dream the night before? Was everything he’d seen merely a replaying of ancient memories as Rhuna had said?

  Sighing, he headed out to the aircar to call Kusac.

  *

  “She’s fine, Liege,” Kaid reassured him. “She ate well last night, and Noni will make sure she has a good first meal before allowing her to leave.”

  “She threw me out mentally last night,” he grumbled. “Ask her to turn the damper off, will you?”

  “May I suggest that the Liegena might be better persuaded to eat if she knows she can’t reach you till she leaves?”

  Kusac growled. “I’ll be waiting,” he said and signed off.

  *

  Kaid lit the ancient stove and made himself a cup of c’shar, then sat there nursing it, deep in thought, until Rhuna came in.

  “Got a mug for me, then, Tallinu?” she asked in her usual gruff voice. “Dry as the Ghuulgul desert, I am.”

  He got up and went over to the stove to pour her a drink, bringing it back and setting it down in front of her.

  She flicked her ears in thanks and sat sipping it for a few minutes.

  “The Human slept all right, then,” she said.

  Kaid roused himself. “Yes, she did.”

  “She slept better than you did, at the bottom of her bed.”

  Kaid ignored her, taking another mouthful.

  “So you’re to be the third one, are you?”

  He frowned. “What d’you mean?”

  “Ah, got your attention now, have I?” She laughed gently and took another sip of her drink. “That’s the bond between you,” she said. “You’ll be the third, joined to him by her when they take the En’Shalla path through the fire.”

  “Don’t talk rubbish, Rhuna,” he said. “They’re not taking the En’Shalla path, and even if they were, they wouldn’t choose me.”

  “Don’t contradict me,” she snapped. “I know what I see! I tell you, you’ve been chosen since before you met them; you know you have!”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to remain aloof from her, not wanting to be drawn into her game this time.

  She l
eaned forward, one taloned finger poking his arm. “Don’t give me that, Tallinu. You know damned well what you saw, and I know what I saw! You’ll walk the Fire Margins with them, like it or not.”

  He moved his arm away, reaching into his pocket with his claw tips for the crystal. He placed it on the table in front of her. “I won’t be part of your plottings, Rhuna. I know you left something of her in this, and I don’t want it. What do you think I am? Some lovesick youngling to be molded to fit your vision? Forget it!”

  The crystal lay between them, the light sparkling off its translucent blue depths.

  Rhuna raised her eye ridges. “It isn’t mine anymore, Tallinu. It’s yours—and hers. Keep it. You may need it some day.” She gave a little laugh as she rolled it back toward him. “Enjoy it. It’s all you’ll have of her until after the first En’Shalla ritual.”

  The ovoid crystal came to rest against his hand, making the fur there stand on end.

  “See? It knows you!” she laughed.

  He moved his hand hurriedly away from it. “You’re babbling, Noni. It’s only static. I don’t want either it or her. I told you, she’s life-bonded to my Liege.”

  “Take it up, Tallinu, she’s waking,” said Rhuna, sitting back and nursing her mug. “She mustn’t have it. It’s yours now.”

  Behind him, he heard the bed creak as Carrie began to stir.

  “Take it up,” she urged. “It would be wrong for her to see it yet.”

  “I told you …” he began angrily.

  “Kaid? Is that you?” came Carrie’s sleepy voice from the other side of the room.

  “Pick it up, you fool!” hissed Rhuna, leaning forward urgently. “For her sake, if not yours! She mustn’t know it exists yet!”

  Angrily he picked it up and thrust it into an inner pocket of his jacket, baring his teeth at Rhuna as he did so. “I’ll not be party to your plots, Rhuna!” he snarled. “I don’t know what you hope to achieve with this, but it won’t make me go to the Fire Margins with them!”

  Rhuna laughed softly. “It won’t be me that makes you go, Tallinu, it will be Vartra.”