by Elana Brooks
Dovex shuddered. Yes, that’s exactly what the Humans’ bonds resembled. How disgusting to think they would enter into that state voluntarily. How could any being bear to have another in such intimate contact at all times? The Human had said that it and its partner valued each other above all others of their kind. It was like what those delusional Bleaters preached about friendship, only much, much worse. Loathsome, sickening, appalling.
And yet perversely fascinating.
A powerful mental voice echoed through the ship, tearing Dovex’s thoughts from that dangerous direction. Seraphim! On behalf of the people of Earth, I request to speak with your leader.
Dovex tensed, then sped toward the bridge as Sarthex’s voice, even more powerful, replied. Human, present yourself here. A vivid mental image of the bridge accompanied the words. Guards, let the creature pass unharmed, but remain alert. If I give the word, destroy it.
A wave of assent blasted from the sphere of guards that surrounded the ship. The Human’s voice followed. Thank you. I will follow your instructions.
Dovex burst into the bridge. Sarthex hovered in the center, gazing out the viewport with lazy amusement. Order Police flanked the Commander on either side, but those three were the only ones in the space. “Commander! I request to be present while you meet with the Human.”
Sarthex’s midfins waved. “Why?”
“I wish to learn as much as possible about them. The knowledge will help me with the task you gave me.” Dovex eyed the two Order Police skeptically. They were large for their kind, but still only Eff-castes. “And to help defend you and the ship should it become necessary.”
“I’m more than a match for any single one of them,” Sarthex said. “In addition, as a precaution, a whole division of Order Police wait just beyond the walls. You need not fear the ship will be in danger.” Golden eyes swept Dovex from nostrils to tailtip. “So you failed to extract sufficient information from the Human in custody to let you neutralize their bonds?”
“I never expected one interrogation would provide everything I need. Observation of other individuals will be vital to obtain a thorough understanding.”
Sarthex snorted. “Of course. Very well, you may stay. Just keep your words and your thoughts to yourself.”
With an obedient midfin flick, Dovex assumed a place deferentially off to the side. Everyone waited in silence.
After a few minutes, an astral form in Human shape passed through the glass of the viewport into the bridge. It bent its body just above the place where its lower limbs forked, in the manner the Humans considered a gesture of respect. Roughly equivalent to a flick of fins, although whether highfins, midfins or lowfins varied by context. Sometimes it even served the same purpose as veiling.
Sarthex regarded the alien, all three sets of fins still. “What do you have to say, Human? Are you here to bargain for the release of my hostage? I warn you, I’ll demand significant concessions in exchange, if I’m willing to consider it at all. The creature is intriguing, and the puny attacks you’ve conducted so far have barely rippled the surface of my awareness.”
The Human was large for one of its species, toward the higher end of Eel-caste size. Its torso was bulky around the joints where its upper limbs attached. Its shape and the style of the cloth that swathed its body indicated that it fell into the class the Humans termed “male.” Its skin was on the pale end of the limited spectrum of Human colors, and the fur on its head was yellowish. Despite its modest size, it addressed Sarthex boldly, staring into the leader’s face with the arrogance of a fellow Ex-caste. “I don’t know what dealings you’ve had with members of the Covenant, and I don’t care. They’re my enemies, as they’re yours. I’m here to propose an alliance between Angel, the organization I represent, and your people. We have a great deal to offer you, and you have the ability to give us things we need. A partnership would benefit both of us.”
“Interesting.” Sarthex swam a slow circle around the Human. It didn’t move, not even tracking the motion with its eyes. Dovex approved. This one seemed much better prepared than the other Humans who’d come to the ship.
When Sarthex completed the circuit, the Human said, “My name is Robert Anderson. Whom do I have the honor of addressing?”
“I’m Commander Sarthex. Tell me about this faction of Humans you represent. I might be willing to strike a deal with you, if I’m sufficiently interested in what you offer.”
The Human curved its lips into the shape that Dovex had learned expressed pleasure. “My organization, Angel, understands and accepts what most of the rest of humanity chooses to deny. Our planet is close to disaster because of our greed and stupidity. We’ve poisoned our atmosphere with our wastes to the point it can’t support us much longer. We don’t have the technology to correct the problem, but you do. We ask for your help to heal our planet so that our species can survive.”
Sarthex regarded the Human shrewdly. “What do you offer in return?”
The Human spread the fringe at the end of its upper limbs. “We know you lost your own planet in a disaster not of your making and wish to take up residence on ours. We understand that in order for our planet to provide a hospitable home for your species, the oceans will need to be increased in volume until their salinity matches that of your native seas. We’re willing to let you to do that. We’ll help you as much as we can.”
Sarthex made a scoffing sound. “You only speak for one small portion of your species. What of the ones who are determined to prevent us from taking up residence on your planet? I think they’re both more numerous and more powerful than you. You can’t call off their attacks and order them to stop opposing us, can you?”
The Human didn’t flinch. “No. But we can fight them for you.”
Sarthex’s tail undulated. “Now that is an interesting proposal. Tell me more.”
The Human bobbed its head. Dovex tried to think of it by the name it had given. Robert said, “As long as your ship is far away from our planet, only a few of you will be able to travel astrally to Earth, the same way only a few of us are strong enough to reach your ship. You can’t fight the Covenant on Earth. Angel can. If you give the word, I’ll have my people launch a full-scale attack against the Covenant and all its members. You’re right that there are more of them than us, and they do have more strong talents, although I and a few others match the best of them. But there are enough of us to do serious damage to their organization. Using the strategies we’ve been devising for many years, we can sabotage everything they plan to do to stop you. And we can draw their attention away from you, forcing them to use their manpower and resources against us instead of you. By the time your ship reaches Earth, they’ll be so weak it will be easy for you to wipe out the last of them.”
Dovex curled a lip in distaste. Back home, the various city-states had warred against each other for all of history. Dovex’s community hadn’t offered their rivals from other communities places on the colony ship, not even the handful of Ex-castes they could have made room for, not even when it became obvious that everyone left behind would die. Yet it was still hard to imagine even the fiercest of their enemies allying with an alien species against their own kind. That this Human wanted to do so was further proof that their species was inferior in every way.
But Sarthex’s frill spread and flexed forward. “All you seek in return is an adjustment of your planet’s atmosphere? It sounds as if we would need to make those changes in any case, if it’s as bad as you say.”
“That, and your promise to allow our species to live in peace on the land that remains when you’re finished with the oceans.”
“We have no interest in what happens on land.” Sarthex swam around Robert, much faster this time. “How soon can you begin taking action against the Covenant?”
“As soon as I return to Earth and give the order.” Robert’s body was taut with easily recognized excitement.
Sarthex twisted to face Dovex, who stiffened with surprise at the unexpected attention. �
�Can you extend the precognition shielding to cover actions undertaken by Robert and the rest of Angel?”
Dovex considered the design of the shield. “Yes, Commander.” It would take careful tweaking, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.
“Do so.”
Dovex swam over to the telepathic amplifier and spent several minutes adjusting the shield’s parameters. The changes would propagate at the speed of light, reaching Earth well before Robert could return, even if the Human was capable of Ex-caste level speed. “Done, Commander.”
Sarthex turned back to Robert. “I accept your offer. We will correct the damage to your atmosphere and allow your people free use of the land. You will mobilize your organization to hinder the Covenant to the greatest extent of which you are capable, beginning immediately upon your return to Earth and continuing until they’re neutralized or our plans are fully realized.”
The curve of Robert’s mouth widened, exposing square, stubby teeth. “Where I come from, we’d shake hands to seal a bargain like this.”
“I’m familiar with the custom from your broadcasts.” One of Sarthex’s midfins shimmered and distorted into the shape of a Human forelimb.
Robert seized the offered forelimb and pumped it vigorously up and down. “This has been a pleasure. I always knew our species could work together toward a common goal. Thank you for proving me right. If you don’t mind, I’ll head back to Earth immediately and get my people started doing our part.”
Dovex broke off a horrified stare. What was Sarthex doing, touching the creature’s flesh? Even though it was only astral contact and not physical, the sight made Dovex feel ill. Contact between bodies was avoided whenever possible. Even during combat it was rare. There were rumors the Bleaters used astral and even physical contact in their rites, but Dovex doubted they were true.
Of course the Humans observed no such restriction, as was abundantly evident from their broadcasts. Nevertheless, Sarthex consenting to take part in the Human ritual was shocking. This agreement must be far more important to the Commander than Dovex had thought.
Sarthex ignored the reactions from Dovex and the two Order Police. When Robert released the forelimb, it shimmered back into its normal fin shape. “Do so,” Sarthex told the Human. “Return here with a report in a few days’ time.”
Robert bent his body again—‘bowed’ was the term, Dovex remembered—and turned to leave the way he’d come, through the viewport. Before he made it out of the bridge, Sarthex called, “One more thing.”
Robert turned back. “Yes?”
“These bonds that some of your kind have with other individuals. ‘Soul bonds,’ they called them. What do you know about them?”
Robert drifted closer. “As much as anyone. My wife and I are soul bonded.”
“Do you know how they can be neutralized?” Sarthex swam closer, watching Robert intently.
The skin above the Human’s eyes wrinkled. “They can’t. I only know of two ways a bond can end. One of the partners dies, leaving the other free. Or one of them betrays the other, and the bond breaks and kills them both. No external force can break or destroy a soul bond.”
“But can they be blocked, physically or psychically?”
Robert spread his upper limbs again. “Not that I know of. It’s limited to lightspeed, of course, so distance delays the effects. If something happened to my wife while I was here, I wouldn’t know until several hours later.” The Human’s voice betrayed slight stress. “Otherwise, no.”
Sarthex twitched, frustrated. “All right. Thank you for the information. You may go.”
The Human bowed once more and floated through the viewport. Dovex watched the glowing shape speed toward the guard sphere and through, accelerate until it was a blur of light, then disappear.
Sarthex watched for a long moment after all evidence of the Human’s visit was gone. Then, so suddenly Dovex’s body reacted as it would to a predator, a surge of hormones throwing it into fight-or-flight mode, the Commander whirled on Dovex.
“I need you to discover a way to block soul bonds. They make these Humans far too strong. Victory is so close I can taste it. The Humans will devour each other and leave the way open for us. Nothing must be allowed to interfere. Do you understand?”
Dovex ducked, midfins waving, the closest an Ex-caste ever came to veiling. “Yes, Commander.”
“Tell the hostage whatever you like. The information will never reach Earth. Just find a way!”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Now!”
Dovex ducked again and fled.
Chapter 12
Present
Rosalia emerged from her third session of the day to find Adrian waiting for her in the break room, dressed in workout clothes. He grinned ruefully at her. “I’m here to take over for you. Rabbi Sensei wants you to leave your body in the meditation garden at the LA office and report to him astrally at Headquarters in New York as soon as possible.”
“All right.” Rosalia hid her astonishment. Adrian was perfectly capable of handling the recruiting sessions. He’d run them for months until she replaced him a few weeks ago. But his soul bond with Beverly had increased his strength greatly. He was practically a member of the Eight now, since Beverly had taken Keiko’s place. Surely he had more important things to do.
Of course, if she did end up bonding with Steve, she’d be in much the same position. “We’ve revised some of the procedures since the announcement. Want me to fill you in?”
“I’ll talk to the others. Rabbi Sensei doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Adrian’s voice was cheerful, but there was a seriousness in his manner that Rosalia couldn’t ignore. She thanked him and headed out of the convention center, pushing through the crowds that had at least doubled since yesterday.
The Covenant would have paid for a cab, but here in her home city it was faster and simpler to catch a bus. She hopped off only a block from HBQ’s office building. It was smaller than the one in New York, but had the same general layout. She checked in at the front desk and took an elevator up to the meditation garden.
Steve’s body lay on one of the cots, unconscious. A pang of worry shot through Rosalia when she spotted him, but she shrugged it off. The guardians were monitoring the sensors embedded in the cot. If a problem arose, they’d be quick to take action. And Steve had plenty of experience with astral travel. He knew how to keep himself safe.
A lot more experience than she did. She’d only learned how to leave her body when she’d started training with the Covenant two years ago.
A surge of the old resentment shook her. Why hadn’t Steve told her about the Covenant sooner? He’d spent three long years knowing that everything she’d told him on their first meeting was true before he’d deigned to contact her. Even though he knew how much she longed for her gifts to be accepted as real. Even though the Covenant desperately needed all the talented people it could find. He could at least have given them her name and phone number, even if he couldn’t bear to face her himself.
Rosalia snorted. “You didn’t want to admit you were wrong, that’s why,” she told Steve’s oblivious body. “Typical man. Was it really that hard to apologize?”
Once he’d finally worked up the courage to deliver it, his apology had been more than acceptable. It had been her own stubbornness and fear that had doomed their second attempt at a relationship.
Steve’s face was so relaxed, so peaceful, so vulnerable. All the worry that had shadowed his eyes of late, all the bravado he normally projected, all the control that was such a deep aspect of his identity, had fallen away. Was this how he’d look if the Seraphim had never infected his brain with nightmares and he’d grown up free of the awful fear?
Rosalia sighed and resolutely turned away. She settled onto the closest cot and lay back. A moment of concentration loosened the connection between body and soul, and she sat up in astral form, leaving her physical self behind.
She checked her tether, which was thick and strong as always, th
en reflexively looked for Steve’s. It sprang from his chest and stretched toward the eastern wall before fading out. He was undoubtedly still in New York with the rest of the Eight.
Rosalia dove through the wall and soared into the sky. She sped faster and faster, leaving California far behind, accelerating until the land beneath her was a blur and the sun crept visibly down the western sky, flying over mountains and plains, past fields and towns and cities, across the continent.
She slowed as New York’s skyscrapers loomed into view and traced the streets to a certain building, one among the hundreds of mid-sized towers that blanketed the island of Manhattan. She’d been here a few times, once in person, the rest astrally. Enough to know the protocol expected of someone summoned by the Eight.
She halted, hovering outside the building’s top floor. This is Rosalia. You asked me to come?
She hoped to hear Steve’s voice in her mind. But instead Solomon Mandelsky, the leader of the Eight, known informally to his students as Rabbi Sensei, answered her, his mental voice both powerful and warm. Welcome, Rosalia. Come in.
She passed through the outer wall of the building into a large conference room. Eight astral forms were seated at chairs around a long table. They swiveled to face her. Her heart leapt when she saw Steve seated at Solomon’s left, an empty chair beside him, but she kept her attention focused on Solomon. Since they were in astral form, all their communication was telepathic, but it was considered courteous to move your mouth and create the illusion of audible speech unless there was some reason not to. “Hello. What do you need?”
“Thank you for coming. Have a seat.” Solomon gestured to the chair beside Steve. “Steve told us about your theory. If you’re right that he’s immune to the Seraphim’s precognition shield, and you’re able to exploit that immunity to get visions of what they plan, it would be of enormous benefit to the Covenant. Some of us are skeptical your idea will work, but we all think it’s worth a try.”
