“Could you imagine what we could do if we found the Nukari’s main hub?” Seigie said.
“We still need to find the Nukari beasts’ factory,” Osuto said.
Seigie looked at Katen. “Could it be with the central command area?”
“Jencho had no concept of where the beast factory was.” He nearly spat the word. “Had it been among the central command structures, he would have had some memory of it.”
Mencari said, “Mini-T, can you get an update from Toriko concerning the Wise Men’s progress to find the beast factory?”
“Sure thing!”
“I wonder how long the Nukari will go before realizing Jencho was captured. They already know we have Decreta.”
“Mencari, Eden has just received a report stating the Nukari beasts have destroyed an entire Xiteb’rn outpost near the planet Ruul,” Bob reported. The antenna of his holographic body twitched.
“Looks like they might know Rhysus was involved in what happened there too?” Seigie said. “They might be a little slow, but they seem to have some way to review events and identify you were there.”
Seigie was right. Maybe next time the Nukari would identify him while the mission was in flight.
“I still think they’re trying to draw you out with their beasts, maybe hoping to get Decreta back,” Seigie added.
A tone rang out, followed by a diagram of the asteroid base. The projection showed a plume of debris from the topside vent.
“Looks like Naijen and the others are training hard,” Seigie said.
Mencari assumed the same thing. Overly showy maneuvers had become Naijen’s calling card. He seemed to get a rush from the reactions of allies and enemies alike. With Speru’s boosting power, Naijen had more at his command.
“Nikko wanted me to remind everyone she’s finally doing her dance for us tonight—a kind of welcome home,” Osuto said.
Mencari had forgotten about that. From the time she had arrived on the asteroid base she wanted to do a performance for the group. It seemed something always led to deferring the event.
A different tone drew Mencari to a side console. There, one of Toriko’s data-feeds exploded with information. A new projection appeared directly next to the display showing a star map, drawing hazy lines slowly across it. An entire region of space began to glow yellow, then extruded. Taking up meters of space before him, a solar system projected, revealing a handful of planets orbiting a supernova. Lines drew in from the edges of the solar system and converged on one planet.
“The Wise Men found something,” Mini-T cheered. “Toriko is currently reviewing the information.”
“Where the Nukari beasts are?” Mencari wondered aloud.
“Incoming communication from Toriko,” Bob chirped.
“Open the channel,” Mencari said.
“Hey!” Toriko’s wide eyes danced in delight. “We found something!”
“That’s what we’ve heard,” Mencari said and smiled.
“It’s not near any of the cosmic markers from Decreta’s mindwalk. But there’s a ton of recent Nukari and/or mercenary traffic there. Eyani is pulling together all the data we have on that world. As soon as I have it, I’ll send it to you. She wanted me to ask if your team can check it out?”
Mencari said, “We’ll be ready. And, ‘your team’?”
Toriko hesitated, then shook her head, embarrassed. “Sorry, she said ‘your’ and I just said it too.”
Mencari smiled. “No worries. Just giving you a hard time. Good work.”
She nodded shyly. “As soon as I have more I’ll send it, okay? Bye-bye!”
* * * * *
“Wha’s this all about?” Naijen said, more annoyed than usual.
“You’ll see. Here, just sit,” Allia motioned to the makeshift benches under a large tree. Her grotto, dubbed “Allia’s Grotto” by Osuto, had grown so much while they were gone. The fact that Mini-T kept the environment perfect, and that Ujaku had added special enrichments to the soil, most likely contributed. The grotto was beautiful, peaceful. Even the exotic flowers from Luon, a dense plume of deep purple petals that sat atop eight thick, thorny vines, grew in majestic clusters all around.
Katen had mentioned using part of her grotto as a garden. She kind of liked how everything was. But the grotto was pretty large, and having fresh vegetables and things could be a tasty treat. It would beat the usual dehydrated meals they ate. She had plenty of time to dwell on that later. Right now there was a show to put on!
While Naijen begrudgingly sat, Allia skittered around a slightly raised platform and around the corner where Nikko waited.
“Everyone here?” Nikko said.
Allia’s head bobbled enthusiastically. “Everyone who can … I wish Toriko was here.”
“Mini-T will be recording it for her.”
“Yeah. Well, let’s not keep them waiting!” Allia bounded back around the corner, then she paused and looked out over the audience.
Toriko … Allia sighed inwardly. The two of them got along like sisters, but not the catty kind, the good kind, the kind she always wished she had. She envisioned Toriko and Spark sitting at the far bench, waving and whistling for the show to begin. Hopefully she’d see them for real again soon.
“Ready Mini-T?” she called out.
In a fountain of light, Mini-T appeared. “You know it!”
“You jus’ gonna stand there all day?” Naijen quipped.
Speru punched Naijen’s arm, resulting in a less-than warrior-like cry of surprise. “Back off her.”
“You lucky it’s you who did that,” Naijen said with a glare.
“You’ve all waited for this,” Allia started.
“Not me,” Naijen said just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Undeterred, Allia continued. “Bumped a few times due to … stuff, it’s been a long time coming. I’d like to introduce the one, the only, Nikko!”
Allia gestured to Mini-T, who started the music. With wild claps, she moved offstage. Cogeni whistled from his seat as dark and edgy music blared. The heavy bass throbbed off the stony grotto walls. Nikko whirled onto the stage, turning and twisting in perfect rhythm. Her movements were strong, decisive, flowing, and beautiful.
Allia shyly danced in the darkened side-stage, trying to copy Nikko. She couldn’t help herself. Nikko’s dancing just made her so happy, even more so than usual. She stifled a cry as she twisted her ankle trying to mimic a high kick and quick turn. Oddly, the pain went instantly away despite the fact her foot could no longer bear her weight. Ichini ran behind Allia as she fell back, bracing her. She slumped to the ground, disappointed, but settled for snuggling into Ichini and watching Nikko.
* * * * *
Mencari felt his furrowed brow, wrinkled by stress, soften as he watched. This was quite a treat. In fact, he wished Nikko could dance for them all the time. Her every gesture felt soothing, every movement entrancing. Her hands and feet had mesmerizing grace. Something about her boundless energy was infectious too. He found himself involuntarily swaying along. He smiled, knowing he was under full control of her empathic abilities.
* * * * *
Despite his intentions, Naijen couldn’t look away. The more she moved, the more tense he became. Something wasn’t right here. She was using her abilities, wasn’t she? It was happening again, just like the first time he saw her back on her world. Something deep inside raged against her feminine trickery. Despite his struggle, a contentment attempted to overtake him. He wouldn’t allow himself to be tamed. He was revolted by the happy feeling. A part of him wanted to revel in it. Being happy wasn’t a bad thing, just a weak thing.
He took pride in finding the greatest joy within himself, mostly from his accomplishments, and from the terror he inflicted. Yet, there was something inside him, like a parasite, that felt good just now. He felt threatened by it, vulnerable.
His eyes drifted from the stage, across the others, stopping on Speru who was on the verge of standing and letting loose his own moves.
He watched the boy struggle to suppress his dancing urges. He thought if he counted down from five, Speru would be up on his feet flailing about just like the woman.
The sight made him smile. Smile? The realization surprised and confused him. He didn’t want to admit he knew why. He’d like to think it was just because Speru was useful—talented—a kid whose boosting ability made Naijen even more powerful than he was alone. He could even argue the kid could hold his own with those firelight sabers, and made a decent warrior. But that wasn’t it. Someone had finally cracked his hard exterior, somehow. He actually enjoyed spending time with Speru, especially while training.
Memories of the pair training in the mines flashed through his mind, regressing to the first encounter: the trap on Ruul. The kid didn’t look like much initially. But then he started glowing and doing crazy stuff with Seigie and Cerna. It was impressive, but who would have thought the kid would become so much more?
Maybe, just this once, it was okay to smile.
* * * * *
Cerna sat uneasily, unmoved by the show. She remembered a time when royal dancers graced the majestic, marbled floors of her court. How interestingly similar this style of dancing was. Perchance did Nikko study under a long-removed relation to one of her subjects? Unlikely. For the moment, Cerna realized her thoughts were mercifully bound to the happy times on her world. In fact, for once, there wasn’t a single image that conjured torment or guilt. She felt herself relax. The tension eased out of her shoulders, which, begrudgingly, dropped inches.
* * * * *
So she can pick decent music, Kiyanna thought. Beautiful and talented, at least the girly girl had that going on. She didn’t seem much use back on K’pec, but from what the others said she could hold her own in battle. That remained to be seen. Maybe she’d still be useful in the combat that was coming.
Kiyanna didn’t usually go for dance shows. But something made this one palatable. To her surprise, she realized her foot was tapping, helpless to resist the heavy beats and the attack of the harsh riffs of stringed instruments.
Maybe it wasn’t fair to judge the dancer just yet. There was something about her that appealed, something Kiyanna couldn’t quite put her finger on. What Kiyanna did know was that she couldn’t take her eyes off Nikko.
* * * * *
This is my bliss, Nikko told herself. Her body moved as one with the music. She didn’t have to think about it, or orchestrate it; she just allowed the music to command her at will. Energy welled with every move.
For the moment, there was no world beyond the stage, no worries or trials, no responsibilities or failings. She was in perfect union with all existence, a pure ecstasy that touched every fiber in her body. But this came with a price. The thoughts and feelings she knowingly suppressed in the others were being absorbed by her. As she gave them pleasure, she took their burdens.
She would need to seclude herself after the dance, to overcome the sadness that would overwhelm her. So was the fate of an empath. But this was her calling, her duty, the one thing she alone could offer them. Even if the others never understood what was happening. Not even Cogeni knew of her burden.
Back on her world, it was easy to conceal from him, with his late-night shifts at the dock. The asteroid base might pose an interesting problem, one she didn’t care to dwell on for the moment. The dance, that’s all that matters right now.
* * * * *
Allia watched, mesmerized, as Nikko’s hair flared wildly while her body moved with growing power and intensity. The dancer’s golden aura began to radiate, casting light around the grotto, building in waves with the music. As the end neared she stood tall, her body moving in the rhythms, hands caressing over her hair, across her face, down her body; in this way, she allowed herself to slink down into a collapsed heap.
A wave of elation ripped through Allia. She jumped up and down squealing in delight as the grotto exploded in cries and applause.
CHAPTER 10:
Leather & Lace
“You’re a liability,” Kiyanna said. Someone needed to say it. It might as well be her. From the looks around the control room, including the look on Eyani’s projection, more than a few agreed with her.
Mencari’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“From Decreta’s mindwalk. They know who you are.”
“Then there’s the beast attacks on the Xiteb’rn outpost after the operation on K’pec,” Seigie added.
Osuto asked, “What if we’re not so lucky next time?”
“I’ve always led the missions,” Mencari said, his defensive tone showing his surprise.
“I’ll take them,” Osuto said.
The old man looked a bit better than before, but he was in no shape to lead a mission. “No. You’re recovering yourself. You’re needed here at the base—”
Eyani’s projection bloomed with images of a world surrounded by multiple space stations and satellites. “I’m sorry, Rhysus, but Keros is heavily guarded, with a great deal of surveillance in place. Their Homeworld Security force is known for invasive monitoring practices. If the Nukari tapped into any of their feeds, you’d be exposed right away.”
“Rhysus, surely you agree we can’t take that risk,” Seigie said.
“I’d rather find the Nukari than have them find us,” Allia said.
Mencari scratched his head in frustration. “Seigie, then?”
“I’m no leader. I don’t want it.”
“Then who?” His frustration grew. He pretended to overlook Allia’s flailing hands.
Kiyanna looked across the group. This was her moment. Maybe she had a chance to really do something here. Sure, she didn’t know much about the group, or their collective abilities, but she was a quick study. She’d already learned a lot with that alien, Osuto. She was born to lead.
“Me,” she said, taking a confident step forward.
“Are you ready?” Osuto challenged.
“I can do it.”
She felt Mencari’s eyes judging her, or perhaps it was his own vulnerabilities showing, just being judged by others.
“I’ve led platoons before I left the military on my world. I’m ready.”
Silence. She hated silence. Give her a quick, decisive decision against her any day, just don’t sit there and think. She’d hold her gaze, directly into his. He’d see she was fit and capable.
“So when do we leave?” Allia said, in clear support of Kiyanna.
“Wait,” Mencari protested, “we—”
“We should give her a chance,” Cogeni said. “We’ve seen her in action.”
She didn’t expect the others to get behind her. It was a nice surprise.
“Anyone object?” Osuto said.
The others remained silent. “The group has decided,” Osuto said. “Keep us informed throughout the mission.”
Kiyanna nodded again.
Osuto motioned. “Pick your team.”
Was this happening? A fluttering filled her, followed by the burning of anticipation.
“I want a few members to remain in the event there’s a bailout,” Mencari said.
“Assuming failure?” Seigie said with disapproval.
Mencari shook his head. “That’s not what I mean.”
Seigie barked back, “What did you mean?”
“I’m being responsible, making sure if I need to assist, I have means to.”
“Go ahead, Kiyanna,” Osuto said, defusing the argument.
She looked over the group and took note of those missing. She had only been with them a short while, and seen only a few in action. They were going to neutral territory with a high probability of finding the Nukari. She needed brains and brawn, but if they ran into trouble she’d need support forces. Naijen was an easy pick for brawn—if he’d go. Rhysus will make him.
But Seigie was tough too, and not insubordinate, just slower. Maybe Seigie could double for support? Kiyanna had seen enough to know the old stone held more than a few tricks with those crystals.
Allia? Sure, they’d been training in the mines together, but nothing she saw led her to believe a child could hack this kind of mission. From what she was told, Allia had been among the first Rhysus brought into this group. There must be a lot more to the girl that she just didn’t understand. Regardless, no, she wasn’t bringing a kid along.
Speaking of kids, what about Speru? He might be older than Allia, but didn’t carry himself with the confidence of a warrior. Though Naijen seemed to have plenty of faith in him. She hoped it was more than just animal attraction. What a pair, the barbarian and his sidekick twink. What if the Neanderthal’s interest was all there was to the boy? She didn’t want to be leading deadweight.
Then there was Cerna. She certainly had size going for her, and knew how to swing the glaive. From training together, Kiyanna knew her ability to reconstitute the abilities of others into something new was an interesting skill. But she didn’t seem to think for herself. Sure, she’d take orders well, but when it came down to it, she had to rely on the instincts of her team to get through a situation, not micromanagement. Besides, the guilt-riddled rarely made good soldiers—too self-sacrificing and emotional. It was clear Cerna had a failure complex; that in itself would make directing her difficult, if not grating.
Her eyes fell on Cogeni and Nikko. She wouldn’t mind having someone easy on the eyes along. But a girly girl? The last thing she needed was to see such a beauty cut down in front of her. But what about her husband? Kiyanna recalled something about him using stones as a weapon. Stones. Stones? What was this guy, a caveman?
The best strategists and fighters were either recognizable to the Nukari or already battle damaged. She cursed inwardly. Osuto and Mencari made this look so easy. How could they possibly have gotten this group this far?
Her thoughts wandered to Katen and Decreta, wishing they were options. She knew they would at least go down fighting. Go down fighting? Did she, too, feel this mission carried dire risk? Would the two creature members be more expendable than the others? Certainly as warriors, each of them must already realize the potential deadly outcome of any mission. Then again, it was hard to take the “kids” seriously as real warriors. So who truly was more expendable? If it came to it, who was the meat to be thrown to the wolves to let the others get away? The ones capable, battle hardened, and posting a tactical threat to the Nukari, or well-intended civilians? Suddenly Mencari’s bailout made sense. Putting in a B-team and holding the more-capable members for later might be the best strategy after all.
D'mok Revival: The Nukari Invasion Anthology Page 82
