He frightened me! she sent in justification. I wasn’t used to Sholans then.
“Papers,” the guard said, holding his hand out imperiously for them. His eyes roamed across Carrie’s slim figure, noticing the sword pommel protruding above her left shoulder.
They handed them over and waited.
Armed to the teeth with an array of bladed weapons, the guard still carried a pulse rifle slung negligently over one shoulder and a pistol in the holster at his hip. His face, an old battle scar creasing one swarthy cheek, looked Human but there were subtle differences to the planes.
Kusac’s papers were given the same cursory glance and returned. Carrie’s documents, however, he retained.
Trouble, she sent to her mate.
We expected this, he replied, standing his ground to wait for her.
“You’re Jalnian,” said the guard, his voice deep and gravelly. He reached out to take hold of a lock of her hair, rubbing it between callused fingers. “No aliens like you exist. Posing as one is a serious offense. These papers are a forgery. I reckon you’re one of the rebels we’ve been hunting. You should have waited an hour, then perhaps we could have come to some arrangement.” Mouth widening in a slow smile that held no warmth, he let her hair go. “Carrying weapons, too. Women face the death penalty for that alone.”
“She’s a Solnian,” said Kusac. “First of her kind to visit Jalna. Look at her papers.”
The guard glanced at him, frowning. “Collaborating to smuggle her in? That’s serious, Trader. I suggest you leave the lady to me and get on your way.” His free hand moved to rest negligently on his pistol butt.
“Look at her eyes,” said Kusac. “What Jalnian has eyes like hers?”
Taking her roughly by the chin, the guard tilted her face up and studied it. “Her eyes look normal to me,” he said, beginning to get angry.
Kaid reached out and took Carrie by the arm, pulling her into the full glare of the gatehouse lighting. “Now look.”
Again the guard took hold of her face. Carrie’s irises shrank rapidly to narrow vertical slits rimmed with a faint touch of amber. Her dark brown eyes blazed back furiously at him as she reached up to catch his hand and twist it away. As the guard yelped in pain, she released him.
“Solnian, is she?” he snarled, looking at her papers. “I’d keep a close watch on her if I were you, or you’ll lose your comm officer to one of the Port’s whorehouses! Many a man would pay good money to beat some decent respect into the likes of her!”
Radiating fury in every direction, Carrie snatched her papers from him and stalked through the gate.
Kusac let his own anger show as his hackles rose around his face and neck. “She’s under my protection,” he growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. He opened his mouth, lips curling back to reveal an array of carnivore’s teeth that stood out starkly against his black pelt. “I have no fears for her safety.” Then he followed her.
As if by some unspoken agreement, the Sholans found themselves at the center of their Sumaan crew as they turned toward the lights of the spacers’ town.
From beside him, Kishasayzar’s head snaked down to look at Kusac. “Though unwelcome, the guard’s advice is sound. She is too like the Jalnians for comfort. Had your mate been of your own species, would not be this problem.” There was a curious look on his face, but he didn’t pursue the matter.
“We anticipated this,” said Kusac, replying in the same Jalnian-based patois they’d grown used to using with the Sumaan. “Carrie, now might be a good time to try protecting the discouragement field we’ve been working on. Try not to direct it at us.”
Carrie nodded and gradually there grew about her an alien coldness, an air of grim purpose, that though it wasn’t directed at them was felt by everyone.
Tone it down a bit, advised Kusac as their Sumaan colleagues made startled noises and looked at her in puzzlement.
It was put to the test almost immediately as a couple of drunken Jalnians came out of one of the nearby inns. Laughing, they staggered backward into the center of the group, knocking into Kusac, then Carrie. One of them turned to apologize, but the look on his face swiftly changed to one of horror as he caught sight of Carrie glowering at him, gun half drawn. Then he saw her companions.
“Your pardons, Lady,” he stammered, backing off hurriedly, dragging his friend with him.
As he reholstered his own weapon, Kusac realized Kaid and T’Chebbi had been just as trigger ready as himself. They were all twitchy because of the episode at the gate.
Good, but try toning it down a little. It’ll be too strong for the inn, he sent to her.
As Carrie reduced the force of her sending, the Sumaan began to relax. It’s just a matter of fine tuning.
The main street in the shanty town wasn’t wide. One side, that nearest the inner perimeter fence, belonged to the stalls selling all manner of foods and trinkets. On the other, the permanent buildings stoodâ the inns, the taverns offering entertainments, the various shops and currency exchanges. The milling, bustling crowd of aliens and Jalnian port workers parted easily for their Sumaan escort and within a few minutes they had reached their destinationâ the inn usually frequented by the crew of the Hkariyash.
“Stay with us for the moment,” said Kishasayzar quietly in Kusac’s ear as they threaded their way through the Jalnian section of the tap room to the area where the spacer crews were seated. “The U’Churians will approach you soon. They are a curious species, unable to keep their snouts out of business not concerning them. A bit like yourselves. Your tale will carry more conviction if you are seated with us.”
“A sensible suggestion,” agreed Kusac as they followed the captain over to a partially vacant table where another Sumaan crew sat.
As they settled themselves on the benches, Kusac was aware of Carrie mentally scanning the nearest group of U’Churians.
Found one. Link, and we’ll have their language.
Kusac strengthened their mental link, letting her use him as a reservoir of energy. Kaid’s mind, brought in by Carrie, joined them, and on the extreme outer fringes, he could just sense T’Chebbi. Moments later, the chatter from the U’Churian tables began to make sense.
I don’t think T’Chebbi got it all. Will you make sure? she asked, raising a weary hand to rub her eyes as she let the intense link fade. She’s not quite sensitive enough to absorb it without help.
T’Chebbi’s surprised look made him smile as he redid the transfer carefully, mindful of the fact that she wasn’t a telepath.
“Is good,” she nodded. “Have it now.”
A barmaid came over and took their orders and while they waited for the food and drinks to arrive, friendly relations were established with their table companions and news began to pass between the two crews.
During their meal, one of the U’Churians padded up beside Kusac. Resting a huge pawlike hand on the table, he bent down toward him.
“Mind if I join you?”
Kusac nudged Carrie in the ribs and they slid up the bench to accommodate him.
“You’re from the Hkariyash, I see,” he said, pointing to the emblem they all wore on their clothing. “Working for the Chemerians. Why?”
“My family wish it,” he replied with a shrug of feigned indifference. This was the cover story the Chemerian authorities had provided for them. He prayed it wouldn’t come unstuck. It wasn’t unknown for the younger males in leading U’Churian families to be apprenticed to a Chemerian to study the language and to learn the art of trading. The price of such tuition was high, but when balanced against the future gains, it was acceptable.
The U’Churian nodded and indicated Carrie, leaning past Kusac to sniff the air in her direction. His mobile nose, more of a muzzle than the Sholan’s, wrinkled with the effort. “This one. Does she travel with you?”
“She does. Like me, she learns the trade.”
He sat back again. “I don’t recognize the scent. She smells too strongly of you and…” He indi
cated the Sumaan. “A new species? She’s not Jalnian, I’ll wager that. They wouldn’t let their women become involved in trading.”
“A Solnian. The first of her kind to visit Jalna. Assadou Chekoi says she’s an honored visitor in his House. Her people hope to be trading in the open market here soon, so she travels with us to see what goods are preferred.” Carefully he touched the edges of the other’s mind with his, backing off hurriedly as he sensed a strong mental barrier that prevented any contact.
“I’m Tirak, Captain of the Profit. Like you, we’re stuck here with engine troubles.”
“Kusac,” he said, then introduced the others. They’d decided to use their own names as the sound of them was close enough to be acceptable. He saw Tirak’s brow raise questioningly and from his newly acquired knowledge of U’Churian culture, he added, “We’re from the Outlands.”
Tirak nodded again. “What goods do they bring here? Anything new?”
“Some unusual beverages, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, drugs, technology, and craft work. The usual range.”
“The same but different,” agreed Tirak. Lowering his voice, he said conspiratorially, “You and your followers will join us later for some relaxation in the town?”
“Maybe,” said Kusac. “Business first, and I have to look after her personally.”
The eye ridge disappeared into the mane of hair this time. “There are more interesting females in the Port. They’ll keep you warmer than this one has.”
Fighting hard not to grin at Carrie’s outraged thoughts, Kusac shrugged expressively. “Duty. I have to keep this one sweet tempered.”
Tirak gave a deep throated laugh. “Duty can be carried too far! I’ll leave you to your cold comfort. When you get bored, get a Jalnian to sweeten her and join us. As I said, we’re here for a while.” As he rose, he clasped Kusac briefly on the shoulder before rejoining his own table.
How dare he! How’d he know anyway? she demanded.
Their sense of smell is sharper than ours, Kusac sent placatingly, touching her hand briefly. He can smell our scents on each other. He knows we’re paired at the moment.
That’s to the good, sent Kaid. He’s less likely to be suspicious of us.
She muttered audibly under her breath as she spooned the last of her stew into her mouth and pushed the bowl aside.
Keep touching us, bumping into us all, you know the kind of behavior I mean, sent Kaid. That way we’ll all have a similar alibi.
I can’t be seen as an effective warrior and a clinging vine! was her tart reply. You and T’Chebbi will have to do some bumping into me yourselves!
Not a problem, sent Kaid urbanely.
Kusac turned to the captain, grasping him by the arm to attract his attention.
“Now that we’ve landed, I’m in charge of this venture, no matter what Assadou has said. I need you to behave as you normally do when on leave here, but keep your ears and eyes open for news of any Sholans on the planet, or anything to do with the Valtegans.”
“You have our help until it conflicts with our contract with Assadou. It is surprising that given all the Valtegans on Keiss, not one of them spoke of their purpose before dying. Perhaps you should have been firmer with them.”
Kusac tried not to wince. The Sumaan could be less than gentle when policing Alliance disputes, and worse when fighting their own kind. “We used telepaths, but found nothing of any use before they died,” he said.
The captain sighed. “We trade here for many years and never hear of the Valtegans until their two visits just over a year ago. They have not returned since. I feel we’ll learn little about them. As for your people, to be slaves here for that length of time…” He left the sentence unfinished.
“We couldn’t come sooner,” said Kaid quietly, feeling stirrings of anger and suppressing it. “The authorities should have accepted another team instead of waiting for us.”
The captain looked at him in surprise. “You should take no offense. I merely state a fact, not make a judgment.”
“The delay annoys us all, Kishasayzar. Retrieving our people should have been a priority, but the Chemerians wanted the information on the Valtegans more and refused to allow another team to come to Jalna on a rescue mission.”
“The Chemerians do not understand warriors,” hissed Kishasayzar, coming as near to criticism of his employers as one of his kind would ever countenance. “We will see what we can discover. We stay here only one night, but you will find us in here at dusk every evening.”
“We need to head up to our rooms now,” Kusac said, getting to his feet. “We’ve work we must do. I assume that during the day there will be someone on board working on our engine failure.” He emphasized the last two words.
“Yes. We will be ready when needed. Now I must go to see the Port Controller.”
“Will there be trouble?” asked T’Chebbi.
Kishasayzar shrugged. “They can do nothing. Is another ship like us as Captain Tirak told you. A fine, no more, and not paid by us!” He grinned.
“Good. We’ll join you for the evening meal tomorrow and see if you’ve any news.”
They stopped at the bar to collect their keys, then headed up the rickety steps to the bedrooms. The building was made of timber, crudely but solidly constructed. In the passageway, oil lamps sat on high shelves, shedding pools of light that relieved the darkness only a little.
“I’ll go first,” said Kaid, holding his hand out for the key. “No point in taking chances.”
Kusac mentally checked the room for intruders before Kaid unlocked it. When they entered, they found a lamp had been lit for them and in the grate, a small fire burned. Furniture was sparse. A wooden chair at either side of the fire, a small table, and a chest at the foot of the double bed was all it contained. The one window was shuttered against the night air.
T’Chebbi headed for the window, opening it to check for alternative exits. “Can get out here if need to,” she said, closing and latching it again, satisfied they were secure. “Looks out onto back yard,” she said. “If necessary, can climb down from here. There’s a pipe beside the window. Best keep it closed lest others use it as entrance.”
“But the heat,” moaned Carrie. “Why do they have a fire in this weather?”
“Ignore it. We have to,” said Kaid. He was at the other side of the room, trying the door set there. “It connects us to you,” he said, opening it. “I suggest we keep it unlocked in case of emergencies.”
“Sounds wise,” agreed Kusac, going over to look into the room. It was identical to theirs apart from the two single beds. “We’ll knock if we have news from Quin and Conrad for you.”
T’Chebbi followed Kaid into the room.
“See you at first meal if not before,” said Kaid, closing the door.
Carrie had carried the lamp over to the bed and was turning down the covers, examining the bedding. “I just hope it isn’t flea-infested,” she muttered, flinging the covers back up.
Kusac took the lamp from her and set it on the night table before throwing his pack down on the bed. “Stop fretting. If fleas are the worst of our worries, then we’re doing well.” Pulling his sword free, he slung it, then his belt and baldric beside the pack.
“Bring one of the blankets over,” he said, squatting in front of the fire. “I want us to be comfortable while we work. Having said that,” he muttered, standing up and reaching up under his tunic.
Carrie watched him in surprise. “What are you doing?” she asked, beginning to laugh at his antics.
“Getting this damned underwear off!” he said, pulling the decorated cord tie free and grabbing for the offending breech cloth as, unsupported, it began to fall down.
“It isn’t that funny,” he said, looking over at her. “How anyone can stand to wear these things is beyond me!”
“Modesty,” she laughed. “They need to wear them, you don’t. Imagine being…” she began.
“I can imagine it myself,” he growled, throwing the ga
rment onto the chest.
Still chuckling as she moved his belongings aside, Carrie pulled the top cover free and threw it over in his direction before taking off her own weapons and belt. By the time she joined him, he’d spread the blanket over the floor in front of the fire and was sitting there, leaning against the heavy chair.
“Sit with your back to me,” he said, reaching up to tug her down beside him. He pulled her closer until she was leaning against his chest.
She sighed, and he could feel the tension drain out of her. Wriggling a little, she made herself more comfortable, then leaned her head back against his shoulder.
“Are you relaxed enough?” he asked gently, his voice soft in her ear.
She nodded.
“Then let’s search and see if we can find any Sholans apart from ourselves nearby.”
Their minds linked and Carrie focused their thoughts on the area surrounding the Port. Even among so many aliens, if there was a pattern that was uniquely Sholan, they’d find it. For a long time they searched, quartering the area mentally, almost as if they could see the spaceport spread out below them like a map. Once there was something, almost a flicker, but it faded, lost among new alien presences they’d never sensed before.
“Not U’Churian or Sumaan,” said Carrie, finally giving up.
“The Cabbars? Kishasayzar said there were some in Port,” Kusac hazarded.
“Possible. Shall we look for Quin, then stop for tonight?”
He licked the edge of her ear. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“I’m fine,” she said, beginning to still her mind again. She reached for Quin’s mental signature, seeing his face before her, then sent their combined thoughts in his direction.
Almost instantly, they sensed his presence.
We’re in a village some ten miles from the Port. Found ourselves a reasonable inn to put up in. Decent beer and the food’s edible. The locals are friendly enough and have accepted us as Jalnians. I don’t anticipate any problems. How’s it with you?
Fine. We’ve acquired a working knowledge of U’Churian now. Kusac will send it to you, replied Carrie.
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