She risked touching his cheek, her fingers gently checking the still swollen cut and the yellowing flesh surrounding it. He was healing very slowly for him, but he was healing. Sighing, she lay back down, drawing comfort from the fact that her body warmth was helping him.
*
“I want those test results,” said Fazzu from the bio-scanner console. “Why haven’t they come up with them yet?”
“Takes time,” said Dzyash, hovering behind him. He disliked it when the physician took over his station like this, and he’d been doing it a little too frequently of late. “Now they know he can manufacture chemicals almost at will, they’ve been working on the cadavers as well. They’ll have the findings soon. I’m sure they’ve told you that already.”
“No need to be snippy with me, boy,” growled Fazzu, pushing the chair away from the work counter and getting to his feet. “Get on with your job and leave me to mine!” With that he stalked out of the room.
Dzyash resumed his seat, his frown changing to a slow smile as Nayla reached out a comforting hand to pat him.
“Don’t take it personally, Dzyash. He’s as concerned as the rest of us,” said Zhyaf, glancing over to him. “It makes him irritable.”
“We’re all worried for her, Zhyaf,” said Nayla, “but we don’t all behave like Fazzu.”
Zhyaf shrugged and turned back to his work. “I’ll be a damned sight happier when I know what Kezule pumped into her,” he growled. “She’s focusing too much on him, unheathily so. I’m afraid she’s going to try approaching him again, and next time, she might not be so lucky.”
“Not a lot we can do,” murmured Nayla.
“Don’t be too sure about that,” muttered Zhyaf.
Dzyash turned to look at him. “Don’t do anything unorthodox, Zhyaf,” he warned. “That could cost her her life. We don’t know how she’s supposed to be reacting to that bite. It could be this is what he’s intended. She’s sure as hell as protective of him as a mother with a cub!”
Zhyaf snorted contemptuously. “This is no mothering response, believe me! I take your point, though,” he sighed. “I’ll leave her alone.”
*
Keeza lay in the dark, looking at the ceiling. It had been over a week now since he’d last woken. It couldn’t take much longer, surely. Faintly, as if at a distance, she sensed an alarm go off.
*
A buzzer began to sound in the control room. Everyone froze, looking up at the alarm light set into the wall above Dzyash’s station. Dzyash was the first to react. Dropping the mug of c’shar he’d been fetching from the dispenser, he ran to his monitors.
“Vartra’s bones, we’re losing him! His readings are dropping off the monitor!”
“Checking for system failure,” said Nayla quietly, patching through to his console.
“I’ll call for the physician,” said Zhyaf, reaching for his comm.
“No time. He’s flatlined,” said Dzyash, activating the cell lights then spinning round for the medikit. “I’m going in. You two, cover me!”
“Don’t be so damned foolish!” said Nayla, trying to grab him as he went past. “Help’s coming! It isn’t our job to…”
He pulled away angrily, slapping his palm on the door mechanism. “If he dies, so could she! We don’t know what that bite did yet! Come on!” Grasping her by the arm, he hauled her out into the corridor and down to the entrance to Kezule’s cell.
“This is madness! He’s dangerousâ he could escape!” Nayla said angrily.
Dzyash slammed Nayla’s hand against the lock, holding it there long enough for it to be scanned, then released her. “He’s dying, dammit! He’s not capable of hurting anyone!” he snarled, putting his own palm on the plate. Seconds later, the door began to slide open.
*
As light flooded the room, Keeza sat up, blinking in the sudden glare. What was happening? It wasn’t time for the lights to go on. Then the door opened, and two Sholans rushed in.
She rose, spanning Kezule in a four-legged stance, pelt bristling and rising around her face and neck, teeth bared, watching them as they skidded to a stop.
“It’s all right, Keeza,” said the male, holding out a placating hand. “I’m a medic, here to help him. He’s dying, Keeza.”
“You lie!” she snarled. “He’s in laalgo!”
“No. His heart’s stopped. He needs medical attention now,” said Dzyash, edging slowly closer.
Bunching her thigh muscles, she leaped across the still form, landing on the floor in front of the bed. “You’re not touching him!”
“Watch her,” said Zhyaf’s voice from the doorway. “She’s prepared to kill.”
“Then do something, dammit! Mind-zap her or whatever the hell it is you do!” said Dzyash angrily.
Keeza crouched lower, tail lashing from side to side in warning. “Leave him alone! You caused his injuries, you’ve done him enough harm!”
Guards pushed Zhyaf aside, training their guns on Keeza. “Move away,” ordered the lead one, waving his rifle at Keeza. “Let the medic through.”
She remembered the pain of the last time and glanced over her shoulder at Kezule. Did he need help? He said not to let them wake him, but if he was dying, surely that was different? Confused, she backed up till she felt the bed behind her then turned to touch his face. Cold, icy cold. She heard a movement and looked up at them again, growling warningly.
“Keeza, we’ve got no time! Let me examine him, please,” said the medic.
He was right, she should let him check Kezule. He mustn’t die because of her. She’d be failing in her trust if she allowed that to happen. Still growling, she moved aside, not taking her eyes off the guards and their guns.
Dzyash was at the bedside in an instant, pulling back the covers, feeling at Kezule’s throat for a pulse.
Nayla joined him, opening the medikit he’d placed on the bed. Searching through it, she drew out a vial and began loading the hypo.
“Epinephrin compound,” he snapped, holding out his hand for it.
“Loaded,” she said, passing it. “Standard dose for resuss. You could kill him…” she began.
“He’s dead if I don’t,” he said, putting the hypo to Kezule’s neck. As he did, the Valtegan’s clawed hand closed round his throat.
With a full-throated roar, Kezule surged from the bed, shaking Dzyash once as he took in his surroundings. Turning, he saw Keeza’s eyes widen briefly before she flung herself at the Sholan opposite her. Feeling blood trickling down his hand, he remembered the one he was holding. As if he weighed no more than a chiddoe, he lifted him and threw him at the guards.
Hearing the mewl of fear from beside him, he reached out and pulled the female in front of him as a shield. Keeza, he saw, had hold of the other, and his gun.
“Bring him here,” he ordered, moving toward the fallen guard. With his foot, he snagged one of the rifles, pulling it closer. Shifting his grip on her, he took her by the throat and carefully leaned down to pick up the gun.
Dragging her captive with her, Keeza raced across to join him, landing a vicious kick to the head of the guard who was scrabbling for the one remaining weapon. He collapsed and seconds later, she had the rifle.
“We’re leaving,” Kezule said, aiming at the two guards blocking the doorway. “Move, or die.”
Beside him, Keeza fired. One of the guards collapsed, screaming in agony. She fired again, and his screams were silenced. The other dropped his weapon, and arms held high, backed away from the door.
“Better safe,” she said, looking at him. “They want you too much.”
She was right. He’d been out of the field for too long. “Do you know this place?”
She nodded, and taking her captive in a similar neck hold, began to move forward. “I know the way out.”
“They’ll have exits covered. Need a different way,” he said following her.
As they emerged into the corridor, they could see the guards at the far end, alerted by the noise, comin
g toward them.
“Main exit’s through them,” said Keeza, making sure to keep her prisoner in front of her.
“Behind?”
“More rooms, an elevator, no exits.”
“Windows. We need a room with windows.” He shook the female, careful of his strength and claws. He needed her alive. “Take us to one.”
Nayla pointed down the corridor. “Down there,” she croaked.
“We go this way,” he said to Keeza, heading down the corridor, keeping his back to the wall. “Which one?” he hissed in his captive’s ear. “Trick us, and you’ll die like your friend. Help us, you’ll go free.”
Keeza hit the door lock on the cell before following him.
The guards at the far end were approaching slowly. Hearing a familiar faint whine, she flattened herself and her hostage to the wall, reaching out to press Kezule back as an energy bolt hissed past them.
“Tell them not to shoot,” said Keeza, twisting the male so he was facing the advancing troopers.
“Don’t shoot!” he said, his voice shaking as he clutched at the hand gripping his neck.
“Louder!” She jabbed the gun into his side.
“Don’t shoot! They’ll kill us!” he yelled, dropping his arms and trying to steady himself against the wall.
*
At Stronghold, L’Seuli charged unceremoniously into the Guild Master’s bedroom, activating the light as he entered.
“Kezule’s broken out,” he said, picking up Rhyaz’s clothes and handing them to him. “An aircar’s being readied for us now.”
“What?” Rhyaz rubbed the sleep from his eyes and reached automatically for what his aide was holding out to him.
“Kezule’s escaped,” repeated L’Seuli. “He and Keeza have Zhyaf Rakula and Nayla Kiolma as hostages.”
Rhyaz was up in an instant. “Inform the Aldatan Estate,” he ordered, pulling on his robe. “And get an…”
“The estate’s been informed and a speeder is waiting in the courtyard. I’ve also told Father Lijou.”
“Any casualties? In Vartra’s name, how’d he get out?” he asked, buckling on his weapons belt and moving toward the door.
“Three casualties. Dzyash Liosoe, the medic on duty with Zhyaf and Nayla, and two of the guards. The medical alarm was triggered by Kezule’s bio-sensor, and they went in. We don’t know any more yet because he’s taken the surviving team members,” said L’Seuli, running to keep up with him.
*
Garras reached for his wrist comm and, picking it up, stumbled from the bedroom into the lounge. Activating it, he slumped down in the nearest chair.
“Whatizzit?” he mumbled.
“Garras, Ruth here. It’s Mara. Something’s happened to Zhyaf! I need Vanna’s help now!”
“What?” he demanded, instantly awake. “Mara? And Zhyaf? He’s at…”
“Shanagi, I know! Can you get Vanna here as quickly as possible?”
“On our way,” he said, already heading back to the bedroom. He’d scarcely entered the room when L’Seuli called from Stronghold.
“Kezule’s escaped and taken Zhyaf as a hostage,” the Brother said.
“I know. Just had Ruth call about it. Hold on, I need to wake Vanna.”
Vanna was already sitting up. “I heard. Mara?”
“Ruth needs help. You head over there, I’ll arrange a sitter for Marak and join you.”
She nodded. “Wake Jack, I’ll need him, too,” she said, scrambling out of bed and grabbing her clothes. “Get the center alerted. I’ll be taking Mara there.”
Garras nodded and returned to his call. “What happened?”
“No real details at present. All we know is he and Keeza are at large in the building and Zhyaf is one of two hostages. Neither of them know he’s a telepath, which could be to the good or not. I need you to keep a line of communication open to us. You’ll probably know more about what’s going on than we do.”
“Vanna’s taking Mara to the medical center here. Patch through to them and we’ll pick you up there. Keep me posted, L’Seuli.”
The line cleared, Garras grabbed his robe, slipped it on, and fastened it quickly. That done, he headed back for the lounge and started his calls.
*
For a wonder, Mara had seemed quite calm and had readily agreed to accompany Vanna to the center. Clutching tightly to Ruth’s arm, she now sat on the edge of the bed in one of the private rooms.
“It’s Keeza that’s got Zhyaf,” she said, “not Kezule. He’s got the other one, Nayla.” Her eyes were wide and she was shivering.
“What is Zhyaf seeing or feeling at the moment?” asked Vanna from her chair opposite the young Human girl.
“Keeza’s using him as a shield. He’s worried about the guards. He’s afraid they’ll shoot him by accident.”
Garras, entering the room quietly, heard her last remark. “They’ve been told,” he said. “They will do nothing to endanger his life, believe me. They’re going to try to negotiate with them.”
Mara turned to look at him. “Negotiate? What can you offer him?” she asked, the first real note of panic in her voice. “He’s alone, a captive on a hostile alien world, stranded in time, for God’s sake! What can you possibly offer him?”
Garras said nothing as he looked at his mate.
“Let’s see what happens, Mara,” said Vanna, leaning forward to hold her hand. “He might want to negotiate, you don’t know. Is Zhyaf capable of speaking to them?”
“He’s too frightened, Vanna! All I’m getting is coming through our Linkâ he won’t communicate with me. They’re using Nayla to lead them to a room with a window.” She stopped suddenly, looking over to Garras again. “If you tell them what’s happening, they’ll know! They’ll kill him!” she said, her voice rising in fear. “Zhyaf told me weeks ago that Keeza’s become sensitive because of him. She’ll know, Vanna! She’ll feel him if he sends to me!”
Vanna looked at Garras. “She’s right,” she said. “If they find out he’s spying on them, telling us what they’re planning…”
“Knowledge that could also help save their lives,” said Garras. “We have to tell them at Shanagi, Mara. Let them decide. They’re the ones on the spot after all.”
“No!” There was a note of hysteria now as she clung tighter to Ruth. “Zhyaf isn’t risking it, I won’t!”
Vanna patted her hand again and got to her feet. “All right, Mara. We won’t push you. I’m going to leave you here with Ruth for a moment. I’ll just be next door if you need me.”
Mara nodded, and Vanna could feel her eyes boring into her back as she left the room. She sent to Garras, asking him to join her. Once outside, she drew him over to the nursing station opposite, where Jack was sitting with the on-duty medic.
“You will not press her for details of what’s happening,” she said firmly to her mate. “Both of them are frightened enough without that! She’s no more than a youngling, and she’s staring her own death in the jaws here, amid what should be the safety of her friends!” A shudder ran through her at the horror of the situation and she reached out to touch Garras for comfort.
“We need the information, Vanna,” he said, drawing her close. “Rhyaz and L’Seuli are on their way there now. We can’t afford to let him get free, nor Keeza in her present state!”
“Two lives are at risk, Garras,” she said, then stopped. “Gods, I forgot Josh! He’s Linked to her, too!”
“Only a minor one,” said Garras, “but we should have him here in case.” He looked over to the medic. “Call him, get him over here, but leave the explanations to us.” He turned back to Vanna. “Three lives have already been lost. If they escape, many more will be at risk, perhaps even ours. They must be stopped, Vanna.”
“Let me go in and speak to the lass, Vanna,” said Jack. “I know Ruth’s with her, but I’ve been involved in similar situations on Keis. Ruth, bless her, hasn’t.”
“I have to look out for the welfare of my patients, Jack. I don�
��t feel it’s in her best interests to push her! If she gets hysterical, what do we do? Sedate her and risk Zhyaf collapsing, too? And what if they do kill Zhyaf?”
“We unfortunately get the chance to try out that technique we were discussing,” said Jack.
Garras looked at him with interest.
“Sholans expect to die if their Leska dies, but Humans haven’t been brought up with that belief,” the doctor said. “It might be possible to keep her alive if Zhyaf is killed.”
“How?” Garras looked skeptically from one to the other.
“The Triads are the key. We’re hoping that the third partner can replace the missing Leska,” said Vanna.
Garras’ expression softened. “I can understand why you’d like to think it possible, but I really don’t believe it is. Mixed Leska pairs are much more strongly Linked than the Sholan ones. Look at the pair we lost. The lad died and so did the Human female. And Josh isn’t even a fully Talented telepath.”
“They hadn’t been allowed to pair even once, and they weren’t a Triad,” objected Vanna. “As far as we can tell, it’s the shock of the other’s death that kills the partner. If we were able to cushion her, support her mentally, have Josh there, too, it might work.”
“Would she want to live with Zhyaf dead? Prolonging life for the sake of it isn’t right, Vanna.”
“Mara? Yes, she’d want to live. She gets on with Zhyaf now they don’t have to live together, but it’s Josh who’s the love of her young life.”
“Shall I go in, then?” asked Jack.
“Yes, you go in, Jack. I’ll wait for Josh with Garras.”
“I need to be there to relay what we find,” objected her mate.
Vanna looked at him. “Give Jack a chance to talk to her without her fearing her every word is being passed to the troops at Shanagi.”
Garras sighed. “Very well.”
*
“The next room,” whimpered Nayla, her voice trembling with fear.
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