In short order the tiny Rxyl stomped its way out of the egg and began to move about in fits and starts. Once it got far enough, Sh’tar used one of her giant paws to scoot the youngster out of the way, and settled herself over the two remaining eggs. The hatchling was only about eight inches long, and was a more or less uniform medium brown color. Sh’tar allowed the little one to scramble over and around her clawed forelimbs, sniffing and licking with its tiny brown tongue.
What happened next took Kiren completely by surprise. Sh’tar used her front forelimbs to catch and hold the hatchling in place, while Sh’zul reached over and pierced the soft flesh of its tail with the very tip of a sharp spine. The wound began to ooze an ochre colored fluid which Kiren assumed was blood. Sh’tar and Sh’zul began to alternately lick the wound, and in seconds the bleeding stopped. After another minute, the wound was completely healed and Sh’tar allowed the hatchling to escape her grip.
Kiren became aware of the link at the same time the hatchling did, amazed at how quickly it formed. Now she understood how what happed to her earlier in the day was simply an extension of what all Rxyl experienced. Something in the saliva of the adults triggered the awakening of the mind voice, and she was amazed once again it actually worked with her, and that Sh’zul was bold enough to try it in the first place. She focused on the simple thoughts being exchanged between the hatchling and its parents, and was startled when Sh’zul suddenly spoke to her.
It is a female. She wishes to taste you.
Kiren took off her glove and extended her hand towards the little one. She crawled over and sniffed Kiren’s fingers before licking them with her tiny tongue. Somehow she lost her balance, falling over on her back, unsure of how to get up. Kiren took the opportunity to gently rub the very tip of her index finger along her soft belly. The little Rxyl stopped squirming and lay very still, evidently enjoying the soft caresses. The end of her tiny tail began to thump against the cold stone beneath her, and Kiren’s amusement flashed across the link like a warm blanket. She reached out to gently scoop up the clumsy hatchling, and set her back on her feet.
“Thank you for allowing me to be here. She’s beautiful. What will you name her?”
She will be called Sh’ren. When she grows she will want to link with you, if you are willing.
Kiren held back her tears, though her feelings were likely flooding the link at the moment.
“I would be honored. Tell her and Sh’tar I will return as soon as I can to see them.”
As they turned to leave, another large female arrived to help watch the little one while Sh’tar continued to warm the other eggs. Sh’zul was quite confident the others would be hatching very soon, eventually allowing Sh’tar to return to her normal activities. Kiren was led out of the birthing chambers and back to one of the main tunnels.
Darkness ends soon. We will rest. It is not far.
Kiren realized she really was tired, and struggled to stifle one yawn after another as they continued on their way. She experienced much in the last few hours, and the time flew by without her noticing. It wasn’t long before they left the main tunnel and branched off in another direction. When Sh’zul slowed to a stop, she looked up to find herself in a large open cavern, carved into individual sleeping chambers. It was difficult to tell how roomy they were inside, but based on the spacing of the entry holes, they were not very big. It made sense, really, since the Rxyl didn’t seem to need furnishings or collect personal belongings.
Sh’zul led her deeper into the cavern until they came to a secluded corner which contained only one entry hole.
This is where I rest. Come.
Kiren climbed in after him but stopped to put on her night vision goggles, as it was very dark inside. She found two large sleeping areas, one on either side of the entry, and both of them strewn with multiple layers of brown moss. Sh’zul chose the area to the left of the door, and settled himself so he was facing the entrance. Kiren crawled over to the other side, surprised, and grateful, at how soft the layers of bedding were. She unstrapped her pack, and then used it as a makeshift pillow when she finally lay down. She found a comfortable position, and allowed the peaceful thrum of her link with Sh’zul to put her to sleep.
Chapter 9
The long night Sahara’s President predicted came to fruition, and except for quick catnaps, denied Morales and Flynn the rest they so desperately needed. They had plenty of company through the night, as most of the constabulary and numerous scientists and experts in several fields were called in for various tasks. Arrests were made, leads followed, and investigations begun which were still on-going, even as a new day dawned.
The recordings made by Thea Chilton were declared authentic, and a special team was now working to corroborate as many of her claims as possible. Morales roused several people out of bed, including University historians and even Museum experts. In the end, it might only be Chilton’s unverifiable account of what happened, which was not enough to hold up in court.
What they needed was Odyssey’s computer core, which according to Chilton, was taken from the ship by the First Officer, a man named Justus Kirkwood. Chilton claimed he attempted a last-ditch effort to thwart Captain Roux’s plans by removing the core and hiding it in order to make certain the truth could not be covered up. When the Captain took an armed party to look for him, and came back empty handed, Chilton assumed Kirkwood was dead and the core destroyed.
It was then the story of a catastrophic computer virus became the official explanation. Most of the officers and crew believed the Captain’s story, leaving very few people who knew the truth about what happened. Still, even if only a portion of her tale was true, it filled in some of the serious gaps in the history of Sahara’s founding, something which troubled historians for decades.
The investigation into Chilton’s death turned up some very interesting leads. Mylissa White, the Administrator at Manor House, was called in for questioning. It seemed she very recently acquired a large sum of money, transferred into her account from an untraceable source. Two other nurses and the receptionist from Manor House were also questioned, with all fingers pointed directly at White. If they could get her to talk, it might give them the direct evidence they needed to arrest Roux.
As far as Roux’s cohorts were concerned, Jenks, Beade and Hartog were apprehended and charged with various crimes, including blackmail, extortion, terrorism, destruction of public property, burglary, misuse of public office, subversion, illegal weapons, and several more which would guarantee very long prison sentences. Oren Carruthers, though no longer under Jenks’ blackmail threats, was questioned and fined heavily for various financial indiscretions. In addition, he would be required to publicly renounce his recent handling of the news, and assure the public Carruthers Media Group would strive for fair and unbiased reporting in the future.
The other media outlets were extremely busy, covering story after story since before the break of dawn. Never had the people of Sahara been so overwhelmed with corruption on such an enormous scale. Many were embarrassed and ashamed three of their own Senators would be involved in such heinous crimes. All were relieved the phony Sahara Freedom League was shut down for good before anyone else was injured or killed. On the positive side, President Morales and her administration were riding very high approval ratings, as Saharans rallied to her support. They were equally appreciative of the generous technical assistance by their Pacifican guests, a fact often mentioned to media representatives. Those who were seduced by the anti-Pacifica misinformation campaign began to change their tune, and were now embracing a closer relationship between the two worlds.
The public was still unaware of who masterminded recent events, or that he was still at large and had yet to be charged with a crime. His name was curiously absent from the media coverage, and those seeking comment were turned away from his home. Worden Roux hadn’t been seen in public since the previous day, and people began speculating as to why the political firebrand was being so quiet.
&nb
sp; It was also true the public were unaware the sand dragons, currently being studied, were at the heart of a looming crisis which would dwarf the political scandal they awakened to just this morning. They were ignorant of Thea Chilton’s claims, of Roux’s suspected complicity in her death, and of Kiren Perry’s secret mission. Those in power were grateful for the increased support and confidence of the people on the street, because it would very soon be tested. Memories, like goodwill, were notoriously short lived, though it remained to be seen how the people of Sahara would respond to the news they were illegal squatters on someone else’s property.
####
Interrogation cells were never intended for comfort, and this one, buried in the bowels of the Constabulary headquarters, was no different. Mylissa White was handcuffed to a plain metal chair, sitting before a plain metal table, surrounded by plain white walls awash with bright light. The darkened one-way observation window was the only thing which broke up the monotony of the depressing little room she now occupied. She was awakened in the middle of the night, transported to the Constabulary, and charged with the murder of Thea Chilton. White growled in aggravation at the disruption of her carefully laid plans. She was prepared to resign quietly and enjoy her retirement, but now everything was ruined!
Getting rid of that crazy old battle axe was no skin off her nose, but Roux promised no one would be the wiser. It was obvious the bitches she worked with tried to put the blame on her. Well, they couldn’t prove a thing! It was certain Roux would never implicate himself, and certainly not to save her hide. With her assets frozen, she didn’t even have the money to hire a decent attorney. Even if she told them everything she knew, there was no way she could prove her mysterious benefactor was Worden Roux. It’s not as though she could just call him up and... wait a minute! It just might work after all, and if she could give them proof it was him, they might go easier on her. Mylissa began shouting for someone to come back in and listen to what she had to say.
####
Roux ate his evening meal alone, in the peace and quiet of his well-appointed dining room. The only other people about were his security team, and they were all assigned to guarding the exterior of the property. In less than an hour, it would be nightfall, and he could implement his fallback plan. The time for patient careful planning was over, leaving direct action as his only choice. Like everyone else, he monitored the news all day, viewing with amusement the arrests of Jenks, Beade and Hartog. His personal security measures meant nothing could be traced directly back to him, no matter how they might try to implicate him.
All his records were securely encrypted and safely sealed where no one would ever find them. The only loose end was Thea Chilton, and she was safely dead - something he should have attended to years ago. Somehow Seth Poulter escaped both arrest or mention in the news, confirming he was the traitor who leaked information to Morales and her stooges. Taking him out of the equation would only require a minor adjustment of his plans, and it would be personally satisfying to remove the fool who caused him so much trouble.
Roux finished his meal and brought the dishes back to the kitchen. He checked in briefly with the security team and told them he was retiring for the evening and was not to be disturbed. After changing into appropriate clothing and gathering up his supplies, he headed down to the lower level. The carefully concealed panel slid aside at his coded voice command, and then closed and sealed behind him. The secured room and its attached passageway was installed years ago by his forward-thinking Grandfather. He chose the items he would need for the evening, and calmly walked down the tunnel and through the hidden exit to the surface. If all went as planned, he would be back in a few hours, and no one would be the wiser.
####
Morales sighed impatiently as her comm panel beeped with an incoming message. By the unique tone, she knew it was Sam, and though she was anxious to finally leave the office, there was no choice but to answer it. Flynn’s smiling but weary face filled the viewscreen, and it was anyone’s guess what vital bit of news he felt the need to share with her. He spoke before she could chastise him for the interruption.
“I know you are already running late for Chrissa’s birthday party, but you will want to hear this. I got a call down to the Constabulary about an hour ago regarding some new evidence in the Thea Chilton murder. Apparently, Mylissa White was able to provide the secured comm code given to her by her ‘benefactor’. We set it up for her and used one of the buoys to trace the call to it’s destination. It terminated in the home of Worden Roux.”
Morales earlier annoyance was quickly forgotten, as this was the break they were waiting for.
“You’re right – I did want to hear this. Give my regards to the investigator and his team. Is Roux in custody yet?”
Flynn shook his head.
“In process. I’m still waiting for confirmation from the team, but it should be anytime now. White is asking for a reduction in her sentence for implicating Roux. We didn’t make any promises, but I think she would be happy with a life term rather than the death penalty. Either way, she will never go free and we have reasonable proof to charge Roux with accessory to murder. I also contacted my source, and he is willing to testify once Roux is in custody. He should be on his way shortly.”
Morales opened her mouth to speak, but paused when Flynn turned his head to listen to someone out of the pickup. When he turned back to Morales, his red face was contorted with barely suppressed rage.
“He got away from us Olivia! I don’t know how, but his home is empty, and his security detail claims he went to bed some time ago. We already know he’s not in his office, and the buoys are conducting a search of the city. As soon as we find him...”
The comm link was cut off abruptly as a series of explosions rocked the Presidential offices. The building partially collapsed, burying Morales’ office suite in the rubble. Sirens pierced the night as emergency crews scrambled to respond. Within minutes another set of explosions erupted close by, as the personal residence of Sahara’s President went up in flames. Samuel Flynn, tears streaming down his face, was rushed to a secure area deep beneath the constabulary building. He understood the people of Sahara needed him, so he set about ruthlessly shoving his anger and grief into a safe corner of his mind until he had the time to deal with them.
As soon as he reached the emergency offices beneath the building, the comm panel lit up with a request from Expedition. Sam keyed in the acceptance, and the face of Rear Admiral Arlington lit up the viewscreen.
“We stand by to assist you. The buoys traced the missile launches to somewhere near the Alpha site. We are sending reinforcements to further secure the area and protect the Rxyl and our crewman. We have someone here who wishes to speak with you.”
Arlington stepped aside to reveal a very welcome face indeed. His mind ground to a complete halt at the impossibility of what he was seeing, and his jaw dropped in wonder. It just couldn’t be...
####
Meanwhile, below the surface...
Aside from a crick in her neck, Kiren awoke shortly before sunset feeling well rested. The link to Sh’zul was no longer a hazy background buzz, and with a little concentration, deduced he was deep in a group conversation. Apparently, the Rxyl were discussing what to do about the humans and the offers of help Kiren outlined the day before. An insistent growling from her stomach broke her concentration, and she sat up and opened her pack to retrieve something to eat. The time spent underground confused her sense of night and day, but she knew on the surface people were engaged in early evening activities. She wondered if anything interesting was going on, but concluded she would simply have to wait a while longer to find out.
Kiren finished her meal quickly, closed her pack, and crawled out of Sh’zul’s sleeping chamber. She was not surprised to find a scout waiting for her, though had no idea who it might be without Sh’zul to introduce her. The Rxyl simply turned and waited for Kiren to follow him out of the chamber and into the connecting tunnel. Her mind
was strangely quiet as they traveled, and she found it almost odd to have nothing but her own thoughts for company. It hadn’t taken her long to become accustomed to the mind link with Sh’zul, and realized she rather missed it. As they approached their destination, the strength of the link increased greatly, and she received an image of the large meeting place where they met together yesterday.
When they arrived, her escort went before her all the way to the large rock where the First One was waiting. She climbed up, removing the pack and gloves, and seated herself beside Sh’zul. Once again, the room was filled to capacity, and all eyes were on the two of them.
We have come to know Kiren and be known. This Human brings new thoughts, and we have considered them.
Every tail in the cavern, including Sh’zul’s, began to thump rhythmically against the smooth stone floor. Kiren’s eyes welled with emotion as Sh’zul shared the trust and goodwill of the assembled Rxyl with her. She, in turn, filled the link with her admiration and desire to protect them no matter what they decided to do. After several moments, every tail stilled and Sh’zul continued.
We wish Deviri to be made as it was before the taking. The humans may remain here until it lives again and the Rxyl are strong. We will come to know them, and they us. Kiren will take our thoughts to the First One of her people and return. She will bring others to link with us, and we will go to their nest. It is decided.
Once more, the cavern was filled with the thumping of tails on stone, and with a thought of dismissal, the gathered Rxyl began to disperse. Joy and relief brought tears to Kiren’s eyes when she heard Sh’zul’s pronouncement. There was new hope for the Rxyl, and she wanted to continue working on their behalf if her superiors would allow it. As the chamber emptied, Sh’zul interrupted her thoughts.
Odyssey (Galactic Neighborhood Book 2) Page 13
