Dark Nadir

by Lisanne Norman

  “They won’t be trying to take us back on board in a hurry,” observed Tirak. “Or follow us.”

  “They don’t appear to be powering up their weapons, Captain,” said Mrowbay.

  Kaid began punching details into the nav comp as Sheeowl continued to run the pre-jump checks with Nayash.

  “Ready to jump, Captain,” he said a few minutes later.

  “Engage jump,” said Tirak.

  * * *

  “You read the messages?” asked Rhyaz.

  “Yes. Thank Vartra they escaped!”

  “My feelings entirely. The first arrived this morning, the second several hours later. Our Brothers have been mobilized and are on their way to Haven. I’ve put Kheal in command of the forces gathered there. L’Seuli is taking charge of our negotiators’ escort, and I’m remaining at Stronghold to coordinate. General Raiban is already complaining at the lack of our personnel, and the fact that we took her ships and left her crews.” He opened his mouth in a wide grin. “She won’t be bothering us, though. The arrival of the messages has given her more than enough to do. Maybe next time they’ll listen to us. Couldn’t get in touch with you sooner, I’ve been up to my ears in complaints and protocol, among other things.”

  “Your plan worked well, then. Are they finally increasing planetary defenses?” Lijou asked.

  “Yes, and sending an Alliance presence to Jalna. The Chemerians are screaming that they’re most at risk, as usual, and as usual no one’s taking the slightest notice of them. The M’Zekko is still there, after all. One surprise. Kishasayzar, captain of the Hkariyash, which is still berthed on Jalna, requested coordinates for Haven. Says he wants to help his Sholan and Human friends. Not like the Sumaan to desert their Chemerian merchants.”

  “Most unusual. What did you do?”

  “Gave him coordinates to meet up with an escort ship to take him there. Worth keeping an eye on that captain. He’s not far from completing his indenture to the Chemerians. If it’s not too much, we might be able to buy him out. Wouldn’t do any harm to have an independent Sumaan ship and crew as our own allies.”

  Lijou flicked his ears in agreement. “A useful, if unexpected, ally. When do you expect the Profit to arrive? Is this Prime ship likely to be following them?”

  “Message said five days. I’d believe them, they’ve got Cabbaran navigators. And, yes, I’d be surprised if the Prime ship wasn’t following them.”

  “Warn our people to be careful, Rhyaz. Remember Brynne’s vision of conflict. No news of Kusac yet?”

  “At best, he’s dead. At worst, he’s still on the Prime ship,” said Rhyaz, ears dipping in regret. “Kaid does have a bargaining point, though. A Valtegan, an officer or something. If Kusac’s still alive, then perhaps an exchange can be arranged. As you saw, the second message was brief. We’ll have to wait till they reach Haven for a full debriefing. Meanwhile, we prepare for the worst.”

  “I take it you’ve contacted the Chief Instructor.”

  “Yes, I have. I’ve apprised him of how many we need to crew our vessels. I need you to confirm the request. Do it when I sign off. This line is secure.”

  Lijou nodded. “How many are you requesting?”

  “We need to more than double our current number, that’s all you need to know.”

  “Do you need me to return?”

  “No, stay where you are for now. Brynne might come up with something new. Don’t say anything to Clan Lord Konis till we’ve spoken to Kaid personally. The Leska telepaths arrived an hour ago. All sworn in and signed up to the Brotherhood now. Pleasant couple. They’re in touch with Haven on the comm link. Seems they can sense Vriuzu and Jiosha while they’re using it. Useful.”

  “Very,” agreed Lijou. “While I’m here, do you want me to recruit the gene-altered telepaths on the estate? They’re all En’Shallans and so are ours by right.”

  Rhyaz hesitated. “Do it,” he said. “Vartra forbid we need to call them up because of their telepathic Talents, but we can if they’re Brothers.”

  “What about Kezule? Any sign of him yet?” asked Lijou. “They had a scare out here ten days ago. Someone briefly picked up a strange mental pattern. They sent a couple of units out to search the land around the main gatehouse but found nothing.”

  “We’ve found nothing either. Raiban finally gave up on the spaceport idea, though we still have a small presence there, and I’ve had to reassign those at Chezy. I’m afraid we’ve got larger problems right now. If the estate’s secure, Lijou, that’s the best we can hope for. I have to go. Raiban’s baying for me again on another line. I’ll be in touch.”

  “I may move up to the main house when we have concrete news on Kusac.”

  “Very well.”

  Lijou sat looking at the blank comm for a few minutes before mentally shaking himself and getting up. It wasn’t fair to keep Ghyan out of his office for much longer. Kusac dead but Carrie still alive? He knew that the three of them had shared a full Link. The Gods knew they were all Level One telepaths, but had Kaid been able to step in as her Leska? It had happened with Josh and Mara. He sighed. Things were changing fast these days. It would be a tragedy to lose Kusac, but at least there were still two of them alive.

  He realized he hadn’t told Rhyaz that Brynne could see distant places. It could wait now until he’d gotten him to try his skill out properly. Maybe he could reach Haven. Was there anyone there he knew? Not yet, but he could request an image of the station interior, perhaps the area where Vriuzu worked. Maybe just seeing and talking to Vriuzu on the comm link would be enough. It would be a good test for him.

  On his way out, he thanked Ghyan, and with a heavy heart, headed back to Vanna’s and Garras’ home.

  * * *

  It was some time later before Kaid was able to go to sick bay to check on T’Chebbi for himself. Mrowbay had already been in to find Carrie had redone his quick dressing from their own medikit and had given her the appropriate shots.

  T’Chebbi, however, refused to lie down and rest, and had remained sitting on the bed with Carrie beside her.

  “I’m fine,” she said testily as Kaid came over to her. “Only a scratch. Bloody fuss over nothing. Will heal in a few days.”

  Carrie got up. “I’ll catch you later in the mess,” she said to Kaid.

  “No need for you to go,” said T’Chebbi.

  “I’ll see you later, too,” she said, firmly, leaning forward to brush her cheek against T’Chebbi’s.

  Kaid sent her a grateful thought as she left. He took her place. “I was concerned for you,” he said awkwardly. “I had to see to locking our guest safely away from Rezac before I could come.”

  “Wise.”

  Tentatively, he put an arm around her shoulder, urging her closer till she leaned against him.

  She scowled up at him. “You’re going soft,” she muttered. “You treat all your operatives like this?”

  “No, only those who’re my lovers,” he grinned, ruffling her ears, glad she’d lightened a difficult moment for him. “You should rest, sleep if possible. Do you want me to take you to our room?”

  She sighed, but it was with contentment at being asked, and for this time alone with him. “No, you need your privacy with Carrie. I’ll be fine here.”

  “You’d not be intruding,” he said.

  “Not for you, but she’s not used to our ways, only what telepaths do. She’s not at ease yet with your new relationship, and if she isn’t still having nightmares of J’koshuk, I’d be surprised.” Her voice was getting drowsier. “Dammit, she gave me too strong a dose,” she muttered, trying to sit up, but Kaid prevented her.

  “You need me, too,” he said, scooping her carefully into his arms and standing up. “No need for you to give up your bed. Carrie agrees with me.” Not strictly true, she did, but she had a few concerns about their lack of privacy, despite the movable partitions between the beds.

  Standing up, he carried her to the room opposite that they’d shared with Jeran and Tesha. “Only
Jeran here now, and I reckon he’ll be trying to arrange something with Giyesh.”

  “Kaid, these new Valtegans, the Primes. They’re not so strong out of their armor. Or as violent. Very different from what you said Kezule was like.”

  “You’re right,” he said thoughtfully as he pulled back the blankets on her bed and sat her down. “I’d noticed it, even told J’koshuk he was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it till now.”

  He watched her fumbling with her belt and gave her a hand to strip, then covered her up. “You sleep,” he said. “I’ll wake you at mealtime.” He reached inside the covers and pulled her long plait free. He knew she hated getting caught up when she lay on it.

  “Got no option thanks to Carrie,” she grumbled, turning on her side.

  “She gave you the right dose,” he said, leaning down to run his tongue across her cheek.

  * * *

  Day 37

  Tirak’s off-duty crew had been conducting a minute search of the ship for any sabotage or tracking devices but had turned up nothing.

  “They even put the cryo unit back,” said Mrowbay, helping himself to a drink at the galley. “And patched the hull breach in the workshop. Nothing special, just a good, temporary repair.”

  “Well, they had us long enough,” said Giyesh. “Manesh wants us to move our stuff. He and you, Sayuk, are on the passenger deck opposite the hostage. Rezac, would you and Jo, Zashou, too, if she doesn’t mind, move down to the cabin next to them.” She looked over to Carrie. “You know where you and Kaid are.”

  “Where are you? And Jeran, I presume,” asked Sayuk.

  “Where Rezac was, with Sheeowl and Nayash.”

  “Cozy,” said Mrowbay, checking out the cupboards above the sink for nibbles. “And what does the captain think of that arrangement?”

  Giyesh gave him a withering look. “I’m not going to mention it unless I’m asked. Kate, you and Taynar stay where you are.” She looked from one to the other of her crewmates. “Well, go on, get shifting your stuff. Mrowbay, you and I can move Sheeowl’s and Nayash’s kit and pack up the camp beds. Jeran can help.”

  They disappeared, leaving Carrie with Kate and Taynar until Kaid joined them. He looked around the deserted mess.

  “Where’s everyone?” he asked, nodding to Kate and Taynar as he went to help himself from the drinks unit.

  “Changing cabins,” said Carrie, taking another mouthful from her mug.

  “Any idea what our guest would drink?” he asked as he waited for his beverage. “I’m going down to question him now. Coming?”

  “Why take him a drink?”

  “Because so far he’s been cooperative. It’s worthwhile fostering that attitude. I suppose water’s as good as anything till we know.”

  “There’s a galley on the passenger deck,” offered Kate. “You can get him what he likes from there.”

  Taynar began to grin. “There’s an entertainment console in the lounge down there! I’d forgotten about that! Coming, Kate?” he asked, getting to his feet.

  The two younglings disappeared, leaving them alone. Kaid joined her at the table. “Didn’t get the chance to tell you earlier that you did a good job back there in the hangar when you took over from T’Chebbi.”

  “I only did what I was trained for.”

  He reached across the table, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. “Then you learned it well.” He let his hand drop to the table beside hers, turning it palm side up as she took hold of his. “Is it always like this?” he asked, voice low. “When you’re with me I want to touch you. It’s like a physical need, almost a pain, if I can’t.”

  “In the beginning,” she said, feeling a bittersweet love for him flow through her. She slipped her fingers between his, lacing them with his as he responded. “You get used to it eventually.” She could feel his heartbeat increase as she saw his eyes begin to glow. “It’s strong now because tomorrow’s our Link day.”

  “I will never get used to it,” he said, voice roughened with intensity. He took his hand away reluctantly. “Let’s go before I get too distracted.” Finishing his drink, he got to his feet.

  * * *

  As they went past the passenger lounge, they could hear Kate and Taynar playing on the entertainment console.

  “That’s all those younglings should have to worry about,” said Kaid. “Instead of which, they’ve suddenly been thrust into an adult world.”

  “They seem remarkably untouched by it,” said Carrie.

  “The damage is there, just pushed deep down for now. It’ll surface in time.”

  They could see Manesh sitting on a chair outside the cabin door, one of the Prime trank rifles held across her knees.

  “You’ve come to interrogate him,” she said. “Captain said you’d be along.”

  “I want to take him to the galley,” said Kaid. “We need you as the guard.”

  “You still armed?” Manesh asked.

  Carrie nodded, patting the pistol she wore in the belt of her one-piece fatigues.

  “If he makes a break for it, and I can’t get him with the trank, hit him somewhere non-lethal. I’m not having him loose on my ship,” said Manesh, getting up.

  Aware of Carrie’s hesitation, he grasped her shoulder briefly. You can cope. He isn’t like J’koshuk.

  I know. It’s their scent, it reminds me of . . .

  J’koshuk’s was that of a rutting male. His mental tone was harsh. This one’s will be fear. Break that association, conquer the fear now, or it conquers you.

  She nodded as Manesh unlocked the door.

  Their hostage was still sitting where Kaid had left him. His gold tabard lay discarded on the bed beside him. He looked up as the door opened.

  “You hungry? Want a drink?” asked Kaid, standing in the doorway. He beckoned to him. “Come on. Let’s go get something. What’s your name?”

  Surprised, the Valtegan got to his feet and slowly approached the door. “Zsurtul.”

  Kaid stood back, motioning him out. A few steps more and he saw Manesh standing with the rifle. He froze, looking from her to Kaid.

  “A precaution,” said Kaid. “No tricks, I assure you.” He’s only a youngling, Carrie!

  I know. He can’t be an officer, surely?

  Hesitantly, Zsurtul stepped into the corridor. Kaid took him by the arm, drawing him past the storeroom to his right and right again into the main corridor.

  “The food you served us, is it what you eat?” asked Kaid, “or do you prefer your meat raw?”

  “Cooked. We have always eaten it cooked.” His voice was light, the Sholan well spoken, as if it had been studied, with very little of the sibilance Carrie was used to hearing from Valtegans.

  “The ones on Keiss ate their food raw,” she said.

  He looked sideways at her. “You met only the warrior caste, and from a different world.”

  They’d reached the galley. Kaid took him over to the food dispenser. As he turned to ask Manesh to translate the U’Churian script, Zsurtul pointed to an item, naming it in equally flawless U’Churian.

  “You speak and read U’Churian, too,” said Kaid in surprise. “How many more languages do you know?”

  “A few more,” he admitted, letting Kaid select the meal for him. “When you have dealings with a species, it makes sense to communicate with them in their own language if at all possible.”

  “You’re the Valtegans that visit Jalna,” said Carrie. “The science ship, was that the one we were on?”

  “The Kz’adul hasn’t called at Jalna, but her sister ship has,” he said, picking up his plate of food. “I’d like a dish of maush to drink, if I may,” he added, moving toward the long dining table.

  Manesh got him the drink, keeping her eyes and gun trained on him all the while. Then, snagging a chair, she took up a post by the door.

  We need Rezac, sent Carrie. This Valtegan is so unlike any I’ve known.

  Ask him to join us. “Which world are you from?” asked
Kaid.

  “K’oish’ik. Ours was the world at the heart of the old Empire,” he said, accepting the cutlery from Kaid. “We had four worlds of our own then. Those who destroyed your colonies and ruled Keiss are from M’zull. They are at war with another world called J’kirtikk. It’s a war for dominance. That, after all, is what warriors want.” He began cutting up the meat and eating it with obvious pleasure.

  Can you read him? asked Kaid.

  Yes, if I force the contact. The barrier natural to his kind is stronger in him. But then, everything about him is different.

  Rezac came in and helped himself to a drink, sitting halfway down the table on the opposite side from Zsurtul. I can read him.

  Not yet, Rezac—if at all, sent Kaid. “So. You’re not warriors. What are you then?” he asked.

  “Intellectuals and scientists. A curious people interested in learning about others.”

  “That’s why you kept us prisoner and kidnapped us from our rooms to do experiments on,” said Rezac, an angry rumble in his voice.

  Startled, Zsurtul looked over at him, fork poised halfway between plate and mouth.

  Go easy, Rezac, warned Kaid. He’s being cooperative.

  Too damned cooperative if you ask me! was the acerbic reply.

  “We found you on the M’zullian vessel, I told you this. We studied you only to see how you’d changed in a millennium and a half, nothing more.”

  “You remember us from back then?” asked Carrie.

  Zsurtul’s eye ridges creased in confusion. “Not you, the Sholans.”

  “Genetic memory?” asked Kaid.

  “And data banks,” said Zsurtul. “The City of Light withstood the Empire’s collapse, though those outside didn’t fare well. We were self-sufficient and lost nothing during the years of the Fall. Ask him. He lived then.”

  “How do you know about me?” Rezac demanded. “Did you get the information from me under drugs when you took me from my companions?”

  “You are named on our database. We were sent to Jalna because our previous ship received an ancient transmission from the planet as it left. It hadn’t the authority to investigate, but we have.”

  Carrie frowned. “What signal?”