“Good thinking. I’ll have Keeza’s background thoroughly investigated, and pass on to Master Sorli Brynne’s comments about the trial telepath, and speak to L’Seuli. Now that you mention it, I remember him being concerned about Keeza at the time, but he never said anything to me. If an injustice has been done, then thank the Gods it was Keeza we chose. At least she’s still alive. Meanwhile, have Garras and Ni’Zulhu cut the estate off from all incoming and outgoing transmissions and visitors. Isolate yourselves, except from the Stronghold operational frequency,” said Rhyaz. “We don’t want Raiban getting wind of this and trying to march in and take over.”
“Already done. Ni’Zulhu wants to force an entry to the lab but Garras has overruled him. For now, he wants to do it Kezule’s way.”
“Get Garras to try negotiating with Kezule. See if there’s anything else he’ll accept. I wish I felt confident enough to tell the Aldatans that Carrie’s safe, but until the Profit arrives at Haven, I daren’t risk raising their hopes. How are they coping?”
“Vanna’s persuaded them to rest at the villa, even managed to get them to take a light sedative. They’ve spoken to Keeza about Kezule, and she managed to reassure them somewhat. What worries me is that Kezule has nothing left to lose any more. That makes him more dangerous than he was at Shanagi, when he had at least the hope of escape. He’s got to know that’s impossible this time.”
“Tell him we’re in negotiation with Valtegans and we’ll give him safe passage to their ship,” said Rhyaz. “He might just fall for it.”
“We aren’t in negotiation yet.”
“I know that, Lijou, but we already know who they want, and we will be in a couple of days’ time. Lie for now! Hell, even if we have to hand him over to save the hostages, it’s worth it! We were getting damned little information out of him anyway.”
“I’ll tell Garras.”
“Are you sure Keeza’s no danger to you? She’s not still protecting Kezule, is she?”
“Absolutely not. I told you how she and Brynne came to meet. There was no way it could have been planned, Rhyaz. Besides, Brynne would know about it by now.”
“I’ll take your word for it. Stay in touch, Lijou. And, well done.”
“Rhyaz, I need to talk to Kha’Qwa,” said Lijou awkwardly. “Our cub’s due in just over three weeks.”
“That soon? I’m sorry, Lijou. This is a bad time for you to be away from here. I saw Kha’Qwa a couple of hours ago, she’s fine. I’ll get her to call you in an hour, how’s that?”
“I’d be grateful.”
* * *
Day 39
The sound of pattering feet and a strange yet familiar scent drew Kusac’s eyes to the door. Coming toward him was the alien he’d seen just before he’d been shot. Slightly over three feet tall, it wore an assortment of colored strips of transparent gauzy material that hung from a band above its broad hips. Its bronze-colored limbs were spindly, the joints large, and the three-toed feet wide and splayed. The stick-thin arms were bent across its body, hands held up near its face, the three long fingers moving restlessly.
Kusac looked higher, seeing the large eyes with their strange dual lenses. Below them, at the lower end of the oval head, was a small mouth with quivering mandibles. Round its neck it wore more of the bright strips, and as it drew closer, it brought with it a cloud of scented air.
Beside it walked a Valtegan, the skin a slightly darker green than that of the commander he’d seen earlier. This one’s skull was totally smooth, but around the eyes and across the cheeks were bands of iridescent skin.
They stopped a few feet from his bedside, and he saw that the Valtegan carried a metal tray. Despite the many short periods of sleep he kept having, he was still exhausted, but he forced himself to concentrate on his visitors. This must be the treatment the commander had spoken about.
“I’m Doctor Zayshul and this is my colleague, Kzizysus. He’s a TeLaxaudin, and our medical bio-engineer. We’ll be looking after you until we reach our destination.”
The species name was familiar. “One of the founders of the spaceport at Jalna,” Kusac said.
“Yes,” said Zayshul, her tone pleased. “We’re going to get you fit to rejoin your own people. The TeLaxaudin design and make the implants for us, so he’ll be adjusting that for you under an anesthetic.”
“You’re different from the commander.”
Her visible skin darkened, turning almost black. “Of course. You were on Keiss. You’ve only met M’zullian males. And Kezule. I’m one of the female members of our crew. How did you get hold of Kezule?”
“Our God gave him to us, in the temple in the plains.” He could remember telling J’koshuk that. “It was ruined, there were ancient devices . . .” He let his voice trail off tiredly, hoping she’d not pursue it. A female Valtegan, sentient and almost friendly. He’d be past being surprised now, if he could feel any emotions at all.
She lifted a device from the tray and reached out to apply it to his neck. “This will relax you, make you sleep for a short time. The procedure isn’t painful, but it is unpleasant, I’m afraid.”
He reached up to stay her hand. “He said you put the implant in because I had seizures.”
“I wasn’t present when you were awakened, I’m afraid, but Doctor Chy’qui said that’s what happened. You were a telepath, weren’t you?”
Past tense. “Yes.”
“The doctor tells me the implant has neutralized that ability because it was threatening your life. There’s a lot to be grateful for, though. At least he saved your life.”
Either she was lying, or telling what she thought to be the truth. When J’koshuk first took him, he could use his Talent, if he was willing to endure the pain. When he awoke after that first time, his mind had been quiet until J’koshuk had gone to Carrie. Then, for a brief moment, his Talent had returned. Even now, a tiny portion of it remained, but not telepathy.
A humming sound seemed to come from the TeLaxaudin. An electronic voice began to speak in Sholan. “Begin we cannot until hand remove. That shouldn’t he be able doing.”
Kusac let his hand fall back on his lap, realizing he might have given himself away. “I’m tired,” he said, closing his eyes.
He felt the faint sting of the hypo, then the surge of the drug rushing to his brain. Lassitude and nausea gripped him, and he knew immediately what he’d been given. La’quo. Shock made him fling his arms out, hands grasping the sides of the bed. Didn’t they know what it did to Sholans? He couldn’t tell them he knew what it was because it would betray a knowledge of their past that he’d been denying. He tried to remember more about the drug. It caused hallucinations, and the images seen depended on the state of mind at the time it was administered. Kaid had fought the stronger narcotic version Ghezu had given him. He’d only taken the weaker sap when they’d traveled back to the Fire Margins. This had to be the narcotic version.
The hypersensitivity began to build. He could feel every hair in his pelt, could hear the blood surging through his body. He focused on that, trying to slow it down, then realized it was futile. The drug had already reached his brain. Now he felt light-headed and disembodied, and the particles of the TeLaxaudin’s scent hurt his nostrils—his lungs felt as if he were breathing in perfumed fire. It hadn’t worked this fast with the plant extract.
A gray mist was beginning to fill the room, everything was losing its color. He felt lighter than air and utterly terrified.
* * *
Even though he was back home now, Brynne was bored. Though not confined to bed, he was expected to rest and, between them, Jurrel and Keeza were making sure he did. However, Father Lijou was in the next room talking to Keeza, Jurrel was busy downstairs, and he’d been left to his own devices. He remembered talking to Father Lijou several days earlier about his ability to travel mentally in space, and it had been suggested that he try to see if he could reach Kaid on the Profit when he felt up to it. Now would be as good a time as any to try.
He
lay back against the pillows, and starting with his ankles, he began to relax each pair of muscle groups. Gradually, he felt himself growing heavier as his mind began to drift and reality began to fade. He let his mind roam, heading out into the darkness of space toward Jalna. As he began to think of Kaid, Kusac came to mind.
The sudden brightness of the white-tiled room almost blinded him. Blinking, he saw before him a bed, with two alien figures bending over the occupant. One was definitely a Valtegan; as for the other, he’d never seen its like before. Bronze in color, it most nearly resembled some outlandish humanoid grasshopper. This wasn’t the Profit, he realized, it was the Prime ship. Why was he here? He thought they’d all escaped. Then he remembered Kusac was still missing.
He moved closer, needing to see the figure on the bed. The black pelt showed up starkly amid the white sheets. It was, indeed, Kusac, and the insectlike alien was doing something to the side of his neck.
Something nudged at his mind, but the scene in front of him was what he needed to focus on, so he ignored it. The nudging became more insistent, until he realized it was Kusac he was “hearing.”
Everything moved more slowly when he was far-seeing, and it seemed an age before he could turn round, but there was nothing behind him save the other wall of the hospital room.
Brynne! In Vartra’s name, listen to me, Brynne!
Kusac? Straining to hear him, he turned again, looking back at the still form lying in the bed. What are they doing to you?
I don’t know. When the Primes woke me, they said I had had seizures, so they used an implant to stop them. They took our ship, and the Valtegan one from Keiss that attacked us. They want a treaty with us against those who destroyed our colonies.
I know. We had a message from Kaid. They’re safe on their way to Haven.
Thank the Gods they’re safe! We’re heading for Haven. Warn Kaid. I don’t trust them. They used one of them, a red-robed priest, to question me—the one who tortured Carrie’s twin. They know about Kezule. I think they want him. I’m to be returned to you there, they say. The implant, they control it and me. They said it had neutralized my Talent. I can’t send any more. Tell Kaid to be on his guard, even with me.
But you’re sending now!
They gave me la’quo. It loosens your bonds in space and time. It’s how we traveled back to Vartra, how Kaid visited and spoke to Carrie in our Shrine when he was imprisoned in Stronghold by Ghezu.
Your thoughts are beginning to fade, Kusac!
I must be waking. Warn them, Brynne.
Then he was gone, and as Brynne looked at the bed, he saw Kusac move, his body beginning to go into convulsions.
* * *
Shock sent him spinning backward, away from the room and Kusac, into the utter darkness of deep space. Fear filled him and he began to panic as he realized he hadn’t returned to his body. He tried to turn round, to see what lay behind him, in the hope that at least he’d see some distant stars, but there was nothing: the darkness was so complete he couldn’t even tell if he had turned round.
His panic grew as he tried to move and realized that here he had no body, there was only him, an awareness of identity and self. He tried to call out in the faint hope that someone would hear him, but if he made a sound, he could not hear it. Panic escalated to hysteria and fear to sheer terror as he realized he was utterly trapped in this dark prison.
* * *
“For him too much fast change. Keep sedate. Little by little we do. Implants not for Sholans. Dangerous is. Wrong Chy’qui insists,” grumbled the small TeLaxaudin as, his patient finally properly sedated, he began again.
“Are you telling me Chy’qui insisted you fit the implant? He said it was one you’d adapted for the Sholan.”
He looked up at her. “No adapting. All same.”
“Can you remove it?” asked Zayshul, doubt about Chy’qui entering her mind for the first time.
“Maybe, not maybe. Never this asked. First try on him advise not. Weeks take. Try first on animals.”
“That’s no use. He has to go back in exchange for Prince Zsurtul in two or three days.”
“Anyway do. Experiment useful. Worry not. Control himself by then.” He stood up, looking at her, mandibles quivering. “Sleep tapes start you now.”
“At least he’s shown he’s strong-minded, able to resist the implant. It should be easier to free him from it. Can we accelerate his healing? J’koshuk left him covered in bruises, deep cuts, and scratches. I want those gone before the exchange.”
“Interferes not with work of mine.”
“I’ll go fetch something. Chy’qui isn’t to be allowed near him, remember. Commander’s orders, Kzizysus.”
“Heard.”
Satisfied, she left for the dispensary.
* * *
Jurrel scratched on the door to the den. A moment later, Father Lijou opened it.
“It’s Brynne, Father,” he said. “Can you come and look at him? There’s something wrong with him. I can’t wake him.”
Lijou frowned. “You’re a paramedic, Jurrel. Your knowledge of medical matters is far greater than mine.”
“I don’t think it’s a medical problem, Father. When I touch him, I’m usually aware of him mentally. Now I feel nothing. It’s as if he’s in a very deep trance.”
Lijou turned to speak to Keeza.
“I heard,” she said, joining them. “I’m coming with you.”
* * *
The darkness suddenly shattered into a thousand, thousand fragments, blinding Brynne with the brightness beyond it, sending him spiraling back into his own body. He gasped for air as he sat up, then moaned in pain as the staples in his wounded side pulled. He was back, and Jurrel was there.
Heart racing, still gasping for breath, he grabbed hold of Jurrel, holding onto him for dear life.
You’re back safely with us, Brynne, sent Father Lijou.
The calming presence of the priest in his mind, and the familiar scent and feel of Jurrel holding him, helped fight back the fear that had overwhelmed him in the darkness. Keeza’s hand touched his head, stroking back his hair. Gradually his breathing slowed and he was able to let go of Jurrel.
A towel was given to him, and he wiped his sweating face with it, discovering his hands were still far from steady.
“What happened, Brynne? What were you doing?” asked Lijou quietly, as Keeza took the towel from him and handed him a mug of water.
He accepted it gratefully, taking a long drink before handing it back to her. “I tried far-seeing to the Profit,” he said. “And I got trapped. I couldn’t get back.” Keeza leaned against him, making soft, purring sounds of encouragement, as he began to shiver at the memory. “How did you get me back?” he asked. “Where was I?”
“Only within your own mind,” said Lijou reassuringly. “What did you see that caused you such distress?”
He reached for Jurrel’s hand, needing the extra reassurance that he was really back in his own home on Shola.
“I didn’t go to the Profit,” he said quietly. “I saw Kusac, on the Valtegan ship.”
* * *
After talking to Brynne, Lijou borrowed the on-duty staff lounge to contact Rhyaz. He’d just activated the comm when a call came through from his co-leader.
“I know about them wanting Kezule,” Lijou said, and proceeded to update him on what Brynne had seen and heard.
“I’ll contact Kaid immediately,” said Rhyaz. “You get Garras to put the Primes’ offer to Kezule now, if he hasn’t already. The Brotherhood needs Kusac back, Lijou. He and his Triad, they’re figureheads for us, we can’t afford to lose them. We have to get Kezule out of that lab as soon as possible.”
“I know we need Kusac,” said Lijou tiredly, trying not to think of what the young male must have gone through at the hands of the priest, or that he might be permanently mind-dead. “At least we have full confirmation of Brynne’s visions now, enough even for you. Detailed down to the fact of the red robe of this J’koshuk
.”
“I need to be skeptical of visions, Lijou, just as you need to be susceptible to them. That’s the difference between our roles in the Brotherhood,” Rhyaz said quietly. “I didn’t say that I personally doubted them. I’m giving Kaid the authority to decide whether or not to accept this treaty.”
Surprised, Lijou asked, “Why?”
Rhyaz hesitated. “Let’s just say I had a broad hint from the God that this was none of my concern.”
* * *
Kitra stirred and, moaning, put her hand to her brow where a large lump had formed.
“How d’you feel?” asked Dzaka quietly, taking hold of her other hand reassuringly.
“My head aches,” she said, opening her eyes and looking up at him. “What happened?”
“The trolley and you hit the wooden workbench. You took one look at Kezule and passed out. You’ve been out for some time. Kitra, you took a hell of a risk rushing in like that. Kezule could have shot you, thinking it was an attack.”
“Your female’s awake,” observed Kezule, looking up from the workbench. “Good. I’ve finished the bracelet.”
“Huh?” asked Kitra.
“Don’t talk to him unless he asks you something,” said Dzaka, keeping his voice low.
“Why not?” She reached up to touch the collar around his neck. “It was for you. Why?”
“It was what they used on telepaths in his time. It activates his bracelet and warns him if a telepath is trying to use his Talent. Then he can send a shock through the collar.”
A horrified look crossed her face. “But you’re not a telepath!”
“It’s safer than the alternative. I know what he’s capable of, Kitra.”
“I’m going to test the bracelet,” Kezule said. “It will be painful, but I will keep it short. Consider it only a taste of what you’ll feel if either you or she disobey me.”
As he spoke, a searing pain flowed through Dzaka’s body. Crying out, he fell to the floor. As abruptly as it had started, it stopped, leaving him moaning and gasping for breath.
Dark Nadir Page 56
