by A. C. Katt
I need to figure out how to shield my thoughts or do I wear some kind of lead hat! I hope they all can’t read me like that, shit. I need to ask them or better yet, Mark. Damn, another male to whom I owe an apology.
“They’re right. I need to shower, get dressed, and find something to eat, then take the time to think. Tigger, don’t knead the bedcovers,” she said absently as she rose from the bed.
“Well, they have to care a little, they brought Tigger.”
I’d say they care a hell of a lot.
“Dammit Tigger, someone was in my head again.”
The cat cocked his head at the sound of his name and purred loudly.
Chapter 7
“O, what may man within him hide,
Though angel on the outward side!”
—William Shakespeare
Sarran Calendar: Cycle 9435.B114
Earth Calendar: June 24th
Tonas entered the StarRoom. “Mark, Bane.” Tonas acknowledged the two WarriorPhysicians. He settled in next to Jonal. Theirs were the only two of the six chairs around the table that viewed all three entranceways and holographic consoles. Tonas extended his arm to Jonal and froze. Examining Jonal’s flightsuit, he frowned. Beast hair clung to the bottom of his sleeve. Tigger tufts were omnipresent, covering every flat surface. Fine yellow hairs even floated from the airshaft. Tonas looked down in horror, his own flightsuit was covered.
Jonal noted his lover’s distraction with a sigh. Tonas’s concern with the condition of his wardrobe bordered on an obsession.
In his research on Earthen culture Jonal had found quite an apt comparison, The Odd Couple, he was Oscar to Tonas’s Felix. Jonal broke out in a smile. The script struck a chord of familiarity. It so amused him that he had communications tap into library archives to view movie and the television versions. Jonal had drawn comfort from the recognition that the human condition was not so different from the Sarran condition. The episodes had Jonal laughing out loud—absorbed in the domestic comedy. He anticipated a future evening at home on Sarran, sharing his discovery with his lovers, all chortling at his and Tonas’s exaggerated character quirks.
He was humming the musical theme under his breath, when he sensed that Tonas’s level of annoyance had ratcheted up a notch. He looked up. Tonas was wiggling about attempting to clean Beast hair off his seat, but the fur flew either back to the chair or onto his uniform. Minor annoyances had erupted out of proportion for the last two risings. Winning the heart and trust of their fem was a painstaking process. Delay in completing the Bond resulted in sexual frustration. They had waited so long for complete union. Better not to dwell; it would come when it would come.
Mark shot Bane a smirk. Both men were aware from Tonas’s expression that he was suffering from more than a surfeit of cat hair. Jonal broke into a smile for his partner, ::Annoyed at the mess, My Light? I understand if you stroke the cat with a brush, the hair will be on the brush and not in the air.::
::Since you know so much of cats, Tigger can be your job,:: Tonas zinged back.
::I think you are more frustrated with the care and feeding of his Mistress than her Beast’s hair.::
::And you, Firefly, are you any less cursed in temper?:: Tonas deflected. ::I recall you living up to clan reputation on many occasions recently. The carpet here bears witness.:: Jonal rolled his eyes and the tension in the room dissipated.
“Sirs,” Bane began, “Mark and I feel that something needs to be brought to your notice.”
“And that is…” Tonas leaned toward Bane, waiting for Bane to speak. Tonas tensed. He took their current stalemate with Anya personally. Jonal knew that a discontented, grudging Tonas was a man with little patience. He had loathed leaving the suite, feeling that every moment should be devoted to easing Anya into their lives. A wave of tenderness for his lover overcame him. These last risings had seen a reversal of their accustomed roles. It was his turn to calm, to soothe and distract his lover.
“Mark,” Jonal interrupted, “I see you have found a substitute for your hair wax. I have not seen your sun stripes so slicked since you left Manhattan General. What is the Sarran substitute? Tierest oil?”
“Something like that. Bane likes it when I slick back my hair. It oils my palm,” came Mark’s salacious retort.
“Pardon, Admirals, he meant no disrespect.”
Bane was toadying. Tonas didn’t like it. “Do not worry, Bane. Jonal, Mark, and I understand each other very well.”
“Yes, Bane, Dr. Stern is good for our egos,” Jonal added.
::Let him speak, Tonas. There is ship business other than our problem with Anya. Saxon and Lunas may have temporary command, but Bane’s visit necessitates our attention. This wasn’t a social call,:: cautioned Jonal. Aloud he said, “Bane?”
“Some of the single crew are churlish to the UnBonded women,” said Bane.
“I expected that,” Jonal admitted, his inflection flat. “Anything else?”
“Yes. Flagen,” Mark followed.
Jonal’s body clenched at the mention of his name. “What about Flagen?” Jonal demanded.
Tonas’s fingers gripped the lip of the table. Jonal lost all objectivity upon hearing Flagen’s name. He was sensitive to Jonal’s antipathy toward Flagen and knew he was the cause. Jonal never believed that it was Tonas who delayed their Bond, not Flagen. Jonal’s sin was temper. Tonas needed information, choices. Choice was only available through information. His devil lived in detail. When confronted by the BondStir and his own overwhelming response, he attempted to diagram and dissect the emotion. A halftide had passed and with each rising the urgency for his BondMate grew. It grew until it became compulsion. He realized that emotion was unavailable for dissection. You felt what you felt. When he got to his Firefly, Jonal was almost mad with grief, believing that Tonas preferred Flagen. He shook his head, permitting his mind to rejoin the conversation.
“As you know sir, the majority of the crew are single Warriors. It was determined that singles should join the crew in case the ship was left short-handed with all of the WarriorPairs seeing to the welfare of their fems,” Bane stated.
“I know,” said Jonal. “I wrote the order.”
“Yes, sir. Some of the UnBonded Warriors are refusing to accord the Earthen females Sarran fem status. A vocal contingent claim the Earthen as a sub-species whose genes would contaminate our clans.” Bane was hesitant, but his body sung a song of its own. His demeanor was closed off, his mouth was dry. Mark’s arm came around his shoulder, pulling him closer.
::Tonas, look at Bane. He’s frightened and Mark is in full protective mode. I’m inclined to trust his instincts.::
Tonas’s brows furrowed in concentration, something wasn’t right. “How do you know this, Bane?” probed Tonas.
Jonal made eye contact with Mark, inviting him to join the conversation.
::You were right, Firefly. We do need to focus here, I do not like the stink of this.::
Bane replied, “My brother—Flagen and I had decided before this mission not to pursue a PairBond; to avoid or refuse it, if that was possible.”
“It is a formidable foe to battle,” Jonal offered in sympathy.
“I had no idea of the power of the Bond, sir. When I saw Mark, it was as if I fell into a vortex. It takes an incredible amount of will to deny the Bond, even for a short time. I only held out for…”
“I believe it was two risings, Bane,” Mark rejoined grinning broadly without a trace of the usual cynicism. Bane gave him a look that promised retribution.
“I have been there,” Jonal confided. “Tonas held out for a halftide and drove me near insane.”
::Does he know your history with Flagen, Tonas?::
::I think not, but there was no history, Firefly. There was no connection other than friends. He never approached me for anything more. I know I never approached him. In conversation over study, Flagen may have mentioned a twin, but he said they were no longer close. Since there was no relationship, Flagen couldn’t have
spoken of me about a brother he rarely, if ever, saw.::
::I always thought that they were identical, not fraternal twins. There have been rumoured incidents between fraternal twins on Sarran,:: Jonal said, his mind turning darker.
::What type of incidents?:: Tonas asked. ::You usually pay gossip no heed.::
::When the gossip concerns underage FireClan femspring subjected to abuse, I listen,:: Jonal hissed. ::Bane is uncharacteristically cautious. That caution becomes evident in Mark’s overprotective reaction. Bane does not want to be here. He is here at Mark’s insistence. Why not take it to Saxon and Lunas if it has nothing to do with us? Why would Mark insist, Tonas?::
::Shush, Jonal. Listen,::Tonas spit back.
“My Bond with Mark taught me that there is enough compatibility between us to Bond without genetic aids,” said Bane. “I mean, Mark had neither the vaccine, nor the antidote, and yet the Bond was recognizable and complete as any Bond with a Sarran. To test that hypothesis further Mark asked and I agreed to give him a dose of Sarran genetic material. The Bond proved. We will even be able to form a Triad,” Bane concluded.
“Who authorized this experimentation, Dr. Bane? I don’t recall Jonal or I approving a genetic transfer to Mark.”
“I have the vial and I am trained in its use, although the practice is usually overseen by an elder, it was not necessary in this case. There was no one whose interests needed protection,” said Bane.
“Perhaps, but who saw to Mark Stern’s interests?” Jonal reproached.
Bane’s face blanched. ”I did not think…” Bane stuttered.
“No, you did not,” Tonas snapped.
“But I did,” Mark asserted. “It was my body, my call. I refused to complete the Bond with Bane unless there could be a fem and children. I would not ask him to give that up for me.”
“Wait. We have a test that recognizes a Bond has formed. Do you know of this, Jonal?” Tonas demanded.
“A potion exists that all medics carry by Codex, Sarran law. The elders use it in the Rites of Dissolution or Challenge. The first rite exists as a safeguard against fraudulent Bonds; claim of Bond where none exist, or Bond initiated for personal or political gain. The second use is complicated. If there is more than one claimant of BondStir with either a PairBond or Triad, the potion and the accompanying rite determine the outcome. The desired mate has blood taken by a medic. Both Elders and public witnesses supervise the procedure. The Elder and medic allow the blood to mix with the contents of the ampoule. The Medic injects a portion of the formula into the first claimant. If there is no unusual result, the Bond is real and reaffirmed to the first claimant. If the Bond is not complete or compromised, the claimant becomes violently ill, losing control of his innards for a moment. It literally and physically displays that the claimant was full of shit. A false Bond gives an opportunity to the second claimant to prove his case. No Warrior would risk such very public humiliation unless he was sure of his Bond.” Jonal added to Tonas in private, ::I did some research, long ago, My Light, I thought I faced a challenge for you.::
::I would not have challenged the Bond, Jonal. Don’t you know that by now? Haven’t I proved over and over again to you that once we met, you were always my choice?::
::I never doubted your heart, Tonas, once you gave it. I expected a challenge from him. I know I would have never given you up,:: Jonal argued.
“You have me curious,” Mark said. “Death is the only way to break a Bond, or so I was told. However, the Rite is named Dissolution. You didn’t mention dissolution.”
“True. Dissolution is so horrendous, so torturous that few Sarrans will discuss its existence,” Jonal stated. “A mate asking for Dissolution is publicly abjuring the Bond. The petitioner, by requesting the rite, has declared their mate so horrific, so foul, that they are ready to risk death to be free of him. A true PairBond, once completed, ties you into your mate’s soul. Dissolution of a true Bond is torture. I have heard it described as having your beating heart pulled from your chest and living long enough to watch it crushed under a boot heel. It is worse for a Triad. Few survive. It is never done.”
“Merrrrrrrrrrrrow?”
All four heads turned at the sound. Mark barked, “Who has access to…?”
“Ah, Mark, it’s the Beast. He goes everywhere,” answered Bane.
“Yes, he does. I don’t care to think how, but the computer has been programmed to let him roam as he wishes.” Jonal laughed.
“And we have ample proof that he wishes to roam everywhere,” answered Tonas, brushing more hair from his uniform.
“Anya used to have a special sticky brush for that, Tonas,” Mark said, smiling.
“I’ll import them by the cargo load, if it keeps the shed away from my flight suits,” Tonas bantered back.
“I don’t think it keeps the hairs away, My Light, it removes them once they are there. To stop the Beast from shedding you have to use…”
“I know, a brush,” Tonas responded, resigned.
Tigger walked around the table twice, tracing Jonal’s path. He jumped up onto the empty chair next to Tonas then bounced from the chair to the middle of the Star table and curled up in the starlight.
'''Beast' is an apt description,” Tonas sighed.
::Be careful, My Light, he understands…::
“Should we not be discussing the topic at hand?” Jonal interrupted with a smile for the cat. “I believe you were concerned for the fems.”
“It’s my brother, my twin. He disdains the new fems and is very vocal. I’m torn because he’s family, but it’s not right…” Bane trailed off.
Mark picked up Bane’s hand and kissed it on the inside of the wrist. “It’s okay, dear, I’ll do it.”
“No, Mark, I have to,” Bane began. “At the hospital, just before Flagen went for Beast, I told him that I'd Bonded with Mark. We argued. He did not want me involved with anyone from Earth. He thought they were an abomination. He was angry enough about the fems, but well, Mark put him over the top. We had promised each other not to Bond to anyone but a Sarran Warrior and Sarran fem. He told me to wait, that everything would come about. I told him I made up my mind. I didn’t see him again until we were aboard Brightstar.”
Tigger approached Bane, sniffing in the delicate way of cats. He sat down, placing his long body between Bane, the Admirals, and Mark.
Bane continued, “When we got to Brightstar, Flagen was enraged. I’d never seen him like that. When he saw Mark, he swore at me and lifted his hand to strike out. He recovered himself well enough but has rarely spoken to me since. When I sought him out, I heard him speaking to other Warriors, playing on their fears, stirring trouble. I can’t tell which of the single crew are grumbling or which are actually a threat.”
“Has this matter been brought to the attention of Commanders Saxon and Lunas?” asked both Jonal and Tonas, speaking as one.
“Saxon and Lunas are currently investigating an anomaly in the communications log,” Mark replied.
::The good Doctor cuts a wide swath, Firefly.::
::I also heard some disquieting rumors, so I asked Mark two days ago to keep alert for anything that seemed unusual,:: Jonal responded silently to Tonas.
“Saxon and Lunas have no fem, gentlemen. I suggested to Bane that the issue was better taken here,” Mark stated.
“You do have a point, Mark,” Jonal said, “A very unpleasant point. Bane, you have given us much to ponder.” Jonal stood and moved away from the Star table. “Dr. Bane, you are dismissed. I believe your name is on the duty roster.”
“Mark, would you mind taking a quick look at Anya?” Tonas asked.
“Sirs.” Bane stood and saluted. He grabbed Mark by the shoulder, pulled him into a quick embrace, and left.
* * * *
The atmosphere in the StarRoom deadened. “Report,” demanded Jonal and Tonas.
“From the time of my original briefing in Central Park with you, Jonal, and General Morgan, I’ve kept close watch on the twins.” Mar
k paused. “I’m not sure that Bane is the traitor. If he is, I think I would know, but it also strikes me that if he isn’t, I should know that too. Our Bond feels real, unexpectedly so. I’ve always be bi-sexual, so it isn't out of character. My agency training says trust no one. Despite my training, I’m not able to act with impunity here. Bane is Bane.”
Mark took his off his glasses and wiped them with a cloth from his pocket. “Bane brings out all of my protective instincts. However, I can’t swear he isn’t guilty. I don’t have the evidence to clear him yet. Moreover, I resent the block in my head that prevents him from knowing all of me. This is the fucking reason I left covert operations. I feel like I’m doing harm, not good. After my stint in Afghanistan, I got out. When they found out I was going with you guys, they dragged me in again by the balls. I have something going here that I will not fuck up. I can tell you this much, you have more than one set of covert operatives and saboteurs on this sky boat.” Mark stood and began to pace. “There is someone in Communications who is sending covert messages to a shadow ship. He is working with one of the Alliance Observers. The Observer is Juraens, from Muranskya. But before you string him up; send your Elders a coded message on a secure channel. Juraens is more than he seems. His paperwork is too perfect. He could be Elder Security. They had to have sent some. I would have. The mission is too crucial to Sarran survival not to send backup. Juraens doesn’t stay in a room for long once I’ve come into it. Can’t get a read on him and I don’t like it. Flagen has been stirring up the non-Bonded crew, but openly. I believe he has his own agenda. Your security arrangements sucked. Who was your security chief?”
“Jotus and Natem, a BondPair, suicides, both, lost their fem to the Ipz. They held on after helping with security for the research teams. They had a son just about to enter the academy. Jotus and Natem spent two phases working side by side with us planning this mission. It didn’t make sense that they took their lives.” Jonal shook his head.
