Circle's End

by Lisanne Norman

  “Hurry up! I want to get my hand seen to.”

  “We need a medic to see to him as well. Let me put him in the recovery position so he doesn’t choke if he vomits again.”

  That done, and the door locked, both of them made their way to the common room where the Cabbaran medic was. There they got their cuts attended to before they escorted him to Shaidan’s room and stayed with him while he examined the cub.

  “It’s a concussion,” Sivaar said after using his portable scanner on the unconscious cub. “Nothing serious, but you should keep him quiet for the rest of the day. Likely he will be disoriented and problems understanding what you say at first may have, due to concussion. A lot better tomorrow he should be. His ribs will take longer before the bruising goes down, about a month. Really necessary to throw him at a wall, then kick him?” he asked Tyakar. “Your violence counterproductive. Punching it insensible not solve everything!”

  “You stick to your job, Sivaar, I’ll stick to mine,” said Tyakar.

  Ghioass, Camarilla chamber, same day

  Needaar was trying in vain to keep order in the Council chamber as they discussed the latest potentialities. The new nexus and the one they knew to be the Hunter had clashed spectacularly. In fact, they had been able to see it as it happened. Then a third nexus had appeared, been identified as the child of the Hunter, only to disappear completely from their projections.

  Annuur was speaking to the assembly, and he wasn’t mincing his words.

  “Instantly removed from M’zull cub was. Only two ways—use of translocators, which he didn’t have, or through Unity. Unity cannot initiate contacts or transports, so must have come from us. Which party would find cub of use? Isolationists, I say!”

  Khassis was picked to speak as Needaar reminded the assembly that those who made too much noise would be removed from the hall.

  “How would Isolationists use the Hunter cub?” asked the TeLaxaudin Elder. “We Moderates wish to know.”

  “Cub can disappear. Not visible in potentialities at some times, there at others. This I have seen. Knowing how to conceal themselves from Unity be useful for Isolationists. Already they manage to make and use device to look like Phratry leader Kuvaa.” There was an outcry at this, with Leader Needaar calling for silence.

  “Unity, confirm what I said about Isolationists masquerading as Kuvaa,” said Annuur.

  This I can confirm. Protocols were initiated by Phratry Leader Kuvaa to stop this happening again. The person affected by this subterfuge was Giyarishis, who is now missing from sand-dweller world, and this one.

  “I say Giyarishis been abducted by Isolationists same as Hunter cub because monitoring the cub he was, had information on him for Camarilla. Now he prevented from giving us information—information that could allow others to hide from Unity! Who would want this information?”

  Again the clamor of voices, all in their own tongues, and all translated simultaneously by Unity.

  When the noise died down again, Khassis was able to continue. “I see pattern here, desire for ways to work under cloak of secrecy. This is not Camarilla way.”

  Annuur pointed to Dhaimass, a TeLaxaudin Elder, indicating she was next to speak.

  “As Elder in Isolationist party, object do I to this assumption our members are at fault. What proof is there of deceiving Giyarishis of Kuvaa’s identity? Only your word!”

  “Unity, show images of Kuvaa on day “she” spoke to Giyarishis, but it was not her,” said Annuur. “Show image of real Kuvaa same day side by side.”

  On the large screen was the image of Kuvaa with her new tattoos while on the other side was “her” talking to Giyarishis without the tattoos.

  “As clear to see, Kuvaa had new tattoos, but Kuvaa who spoke to Giyarishis did not,” said Annuur. “Date on each image also clear.”

  “Not aware of this was I,” said Dhaimass, eyes whirling as she focused on Annuur after looking at the screen. “Who responsible?”

  “Not one person,” said Annuur. “Giyarishis felt different handlers, different times. Not easy being agent, not needing this happening!”

  Needaar came running over to the lectern. “Stop, Shumass! Or arrested you will be!”

  Annuur looked to the exit where the TeLaxaudin was beating a hasty retreat toward the doorway.

  “Halt, on order of Camarilla,” said Annuur, but the TeLaxaudin kept going.

  A signal from Needaar and the two U’Churians nearest the exit immediately placed themselves where they could apprehend him.

  Shumass stopped then, looking around for another way out of the chamber.

  “Prevent translocator from working,” snapped Annuur, guessing correctly what the panicking member would do next.

  The two U’Churians moved swiftly forward to apprehend him, grabbing his arms and holding firmly onto him.

  “You will surrender your weapons to the duly appointed lawkeepers, and accompany them to the detention center,” ordered Needaar. “We will know why you tried to flee the council hall when duplicity from your party over Kuvaa was disclosed!”

  In the uproar, Elder Khassis came up to the lectern to talk to Needaar, then took over from Annuur.

  “In view of these events—disappearance of Hunter cub, and person masquerading as Kuvaa, I say we imprison all Isolationist leaders until truth of matter is known. Those for my motion?”

  A forest of hands went up at this.

  “Those against?” A few hands, mainly those of the Isolationists, went up as once again the babble of voices threatened to drown out any speakers.

  “Silence!” Khassis called out. “Unity, what is the result of the vote?”

  Thirty against the motion and one hundred and sixty-five for it. The motion is passed. Records will show that the leading members of the Isolationist party will submit to the lawmakers until the truth is known about the disappearance of the Hunter cub and who was involved in pretending to be Phratry leader Kuvaa.

  “Lawkeepers, you know your duty,” said Khassis, standing back from the lectern as the U’Churians around the hall stepped down to take the leading members of the Isolationist party into custody.

  * * *

  Azwokkus and Shvosi were going frantic, using Unity trying to search out all the areas they could think of where the Hunter cub could be concealed. At last Kuvaa came to join them at the Reformist HQ office.

  “Kuvaa, ask Unity if anything more about the Hunter cub can it disclose,” said Azwokkus. “Have searched all known locations for him and nothing.”

  “I have more to tell you of cub,” she said, grabbing a handy lounging seat and stretching out on it. “Have not this mentioned before. Hunter cub found Unity on sand-dweller home world at node left in pool area. Isolationists put there to track Hunters and sand-dwellers both. Unity initiated contact with cub.”

  “What?” asked Azwokkus, his large eyes swirling as they focused on her and not on the screen before him.

  “You must be wrong,” said Shvosi. “Unity cannot initiate anything without our instructions!”

  “Unity, did you communicate with Hunter cub?” asked Kuvaa.

  I did communicate with the cub known as Shaidan, said Unity.

  “Who initiated this contact?”

  I did, Phratry leader Kuvaa.

  “Why did you do this?”

  I wanted to learn more from him.

  “What did you discuss?” asked Azwokkus.

  I taught him the history of the U’Churians and about how the sand-dweller home world had been—the plants, trees, and animals.

  “Did you bring him to your core, Unity?” asked Kuvaa quietly.

  I did. I wished him to know my nature.

  “Unbelievable as it may seem, I think Unity was making friends,” said Shvosi.

  Kuvaa nodded her head. “I think this, too. Teaching he was. More advance
d than we thought has Unity become.”

  “Can you tell us who brought Shaidan here, Unity?” asked Azwokkus once again.

  I am not at liberty to tell you who brought him, or where the Hunter cub known as Shaidan is. I can only tell you that the order to transport him here did come from an Elder.

  “Which Elder?” asked Kuvaa. “Your records should show this.”

  Elder Tinzaa requested Shaidan’s transfer.

  “At last!” muttered Azwokkus. “Where was he transported to?”

  I cannot say because the location is not known to me. I sent the cub there, and the location was gone from my memory. If possible, Unity sounded perturbed at this.

  “Have you asked for lists of known Isolationist-owned buildings?” asked Kuvaa.

  “Yes,” hummed Azwokkus. “And asked Unity to list who was in them.”

  “Did you hear that all Isolationist leaders have been arrested?”

  Azwokkus nodded his head, mandibles clicking. “About time. Also I asked for list of all people in those buildings. Seems not only Hunter’s cub missing, also several of the top Isolation personnel as well. I now believe them to be in the same location.”

  “We need to find where that is,” said Shvosi, her long, mobile snout wrinkling in distress. “If Hunter arrives here distressed at missing cub, then prey for him we will surely be!”

  “We will have many of perpetrators of kidnapping for him at least,” said Azwokkus.

  “Would that be enough for one of us if offspring involved? Not known for subtlety, cub may be injured by them as well. Have to find him!” said Shvosi.

  “Unity, watch movements of all major people in Isolationist party. Watch where supplies are moved to, anything unusual happens connected to Isolationists, inform each one of us here,” said Kuvaa. “That should give us some information.”

  I shall be pleased to do as you ask, Phratry leader Kuvaa. I am anxious to find Shaidan, too.

  * * *

  The Council Hall was quieter now that, one way or another, the Isolationists had left. The rest of the members had either gone outside to gossip about what had happened or were sitting relatively quietly to see what the potentialities showed.

  Khassis and Needaar looked at the large screen. There were two nexuses now, one they knew was the Hunter, and the other was the Hunter’s cub. There had been a third one briefly, but it had flared then died as the Human Carrie had been defeated by her son.

  “As can be clearly seen, the second, smaller nexus is located on this world, and the larger one is still on the sand-dweller world,” said Khassis, her eyes swirling as she changed her focus from the screen to the people in the hall.

  “Obvious it is that the Hunter will come to Ghioass. Not long will it take him to realize son here,” said Needaar. “Yes, Htomshu.” She indicated the Moderate Party Elder.

  “How will the Hunter know to come here?”

  “Cannot say. Will have to do with something Hunter cub, his son, has already done, probably on sand-dweller home world. There he finds clue to us.”

  Needaar indicated Shoawomiss.

  “Should we not try to destroy such a clue? Prevent him from coming? On Prime world I work.”

  “No,” said Khassis and Needaar together. Khassis bowed her head to the Cabbaran.

  “Worst we could do is that. Cooperate we must, or all we work for is naught. Destruction of Camarilla not best for everyone,” said Needaar.

  Zoasiss of the Moderates was next. “M’zull world—were the sand-dwellers there not to be poisoned on vote won by Isolationists? Seems they are not dead.”

  Needaar looked to Annuur for clarification. “Ah, well,” he said, dipping his long mobile nose down and wrinkling it. “Seems nanites we gave to Hunter were not poisoned. Memory wipe they will do instead so sand-dwellers can be reprogrammed. One caste not three they become in time, but to forget their dreams of conquest now.”

  “How we know this works?” demanded Htomshu once she was recognized to speak. “Distasteful was idea of poison, but at least an ending of their empirical ways.”

  “Touibans will monitor and help reprogram them,” said Annuur. “They make it work.”

  “Hmm. Will see from potentialities after current crisis is over,” she said, sitting back down on her nest of cushions.

  M’zull, outer grand courtyard, midafternoon

  His wounds dressed, Kusac headed over to check on Carrie, who was beginning to come round.

  “Ohh, my head,” she moaned, putting a hand up to her forehead. “I have a hell of a headache. What happened?” Then she realized where she was. “Oh, Gods! We’re in the city, and I’m Human—and you’re all Sholans!”

  “It’s all right,” said Kusac, crouching down beside where she was sitting and reaching out to touch her cheek comfortingly. “The nanites have activated. Annuur’s plan worked.”

  “Kusac,” she said tentatively. “Why am I in all this metal armor?”

  “Someone gave you the crown of Tashraka and it morphed you into her,” said Kaid, handing her something for the headache.

  “Who gave me the crown? And I turned into her?” Carrie looked at Kusac’s wounds. “The legend. Tashraka. She . . . I . . .” Her look was one of growing shock. “Did I hurt you?”

  “A little, but not badly,” said Kusac. “It was Shaidan that stopped you. He jumped onto your back and dragged off the crown. It looked like the legend had to play itself out once more. Let’s just be thankful the result wasn’t the same as the first time.” He pointed to the forgotten pain medication in Carrie’s hand. “Take it. You’ll feel better.”

  She took the pill and let it dissolve on her tongue, pulling a face at the taste of it. “Have I anything else to wear here, or is it all back at the den?” she asked.

  Kaid gave a small laugh. “Trust a female to worry about that.”

  “You’re not the one dressed in uncomfortable chain mail,” she retorted. “So that’s it?” she asked. “It’s all over now? Where’s Shaidan? I thought you said he was here.”

  “No, it’s not over,” said Kusac, his voice heavy. “Shaidan’s been taken. The matter transformer was damaged by K’hedduk attempting to blow it up, and somehow Shaidan was the one who came to bypass it. He helped to break the spell on you, and then he just vanished. Now the matter transformer’s vanished, too!”

  “How did Shaidan get here in the first place?”

  “I wish we knew,” he said. “He should have been safe at home—unless someone like Vartra brought him here!” They could all hear his anger building again.

  Kaid shook his head. “Not Vartra’s style. He’d take one of us in a heartbeat, but not a cub. It is Shaidan’s style, though, volunteering to do this.”

  “But how would he know we needed that help? Who could have told him? No one but us knew that the transformer was broken,” said Kusac. “And where is it now?”

  “The answer to both is likely to be on the Prime world,” said Kaid.

  “It didn’t take Shaidan three weeks to get here,” said Kusac harshly. “It damned well better not take me three weeks to get to K’oish’ik!”

  “Looks like the Touibans are arriving,” said Rezac, pointing to the sky as a fleet of ships began to descend.

  Within half an hour, what remained of the courtyard was full of units of the Touibans, marching off to set up processing centers where the soon to be awakened M’zullians would receive their new memories. Other units were heading for areas like the underground Palace to get those people still there to the surface, then to set charges to destroy it once and for all. Through it all, Kusac paced like a caged beast at the necessary delay before he could start looking for his son.

  “Stop pacing, Kusac,” said Kaid, reaching out to grab him by the arm and hold him still. “You’ll wear yourself as thin as you’re wearing this concrete. You’ll be in no fit
state to deal with any emergency that comes up. Look at Carrie. She’s as worried as you, but at least she’s sitting down with T’Chebbi and Jo and talking about it!”

  “She went back to the den with the others to get changed and collect her things,” he said, nodding to where his wife sat. “I’ve had to wait here!”

  “I think I recognize that swarm,” said T’Chebbi, getting their attention. “Toueesut, if I’m not mistaken.”

  Kusac looked round. “Shazzuk, I need you to meet a friend of ours. He’s an Ambassador for the Touibans to Shola, my world.”

  “This is the Touiban you spoke of?” asked Shazzuk. “What do I have to do and say?” There was a note of panic in his voice. “I’ve never had any dealings with alien races!”

  “Yes, you have, with us,” said Rezac. “Just be yourself with them. They can’t expect anything else.”

  “Friend Kusac!” said Toueesut, dancing up to him. “Glad I am to be seeing you so well even if covered in bandages and wearing a most peculiar garment. Is this being the fine male you said would be our contact on this world?”

  Kusac looked down at himself, realizing he was still wearing a loincloth from when he’d been fighting Kezule. He shrugged and put his hand on Shazzuk’s shoulder.

  “Shazzuk is the leader of the villagers you see here. They’re all awake because they’re already all three castes merged into one, unlike the rest of the population. Shazzuk is also the direct descendant of the last Governor of M’zull, so it’s fitting he take over governorship under your people until the population is ready to go it alone.”

  “Pleased to be meeting with you, Shazzuk,” said Toueesut, his mustaches bristling with pleasure. “Be coming with me to meet the Admiral in charge of this operation as he be wanting to meet with you.”

  “Just look at them out of the sides of your eyes till you get used to them,” Kaid whispered clapping the stunned M’zullian on the back. “You’ll get used to their constant movement, I promise. And, congratulations, Governor Shazzuk!”

  Toueesut bowed deeply, taking the new Governor by the arm. With Shazzuk in tow, he danced off with his swarm, his bright turquoise coat with the maroon-and-gold embroidery on it eclipsing the large number of gold chains that he wore.