“Wanted Sholan approach codes. Gave them Haven’s instead. Guess I got it right since you’re here.” He moved his hand, drawing Carrie’s to his mouth, licking her palm gently.
“You did it right, Kusac. Followed exactly what I told you,” said Kaid.
“There’s a female doctor in danger . . .” Kusac began, trying to turn his head but Jurrel reached out and stopped him.
“Don’t move your head, Kusac. The implant’s still live and unstable.”
“She’s fine,” said Kaid. “You got used in a plot to kill their prince, but they got the one responsible.”
“I’ve got to get him up to sick bay now,” interrupted the physician. “This can wait, surely.”
Kusac flicked his ears in assent, squeezing Carrie’s hand gently before letting it go and reaching for Kaid’s. “Look after her. At least I got J’koshuk.” His speech was becoming slurred now, and his eyes began to flicker upward.
Kaid pulled Carrie back. “Let them take him now,” he said, swinging her well away from him.
“What is it?” she asked, panic in her voice as she tried to look over her shoulder.
He prevented her. “He’s having a seizure. You do not want to see it, and you’d only be in the way.”
She looked at him, eyes wide with fear. “I’ve got to go with him.”
He took her by the shoulders, looking into her face. “If you go up to the sick bay, you’ll have to go alone. I can’t spare anyone from here. They’ll leave you sitting outside, on your own, possibly for hours. You’ll worry, and I’ll worry for both of you when I should be concentrating on these Primes. Or you can stay and help me. You’re not the only one capable of reading a Valtegan mind, Rezac can, but I’d rather it were you, no offense to Rezac. We can lose ourselves in our work and support each other while we wait for news. Now, what are you going to do?”
“I’ll stay,” she said quietly, knowing he was right. Kaid was all that had kept her going since she’d first thought that Kusac was dead. She needed him no less now they knew he was alive. And she could feel that Kaid needed her just as much.
He held her close, lowering his head so he could rest his cheek against hers. “Well done. I’m proud of you, and so will Kusac be when he wakes.”
Footsteps made them turn round. Approaching them was the female doctor they’d talked to a few minutes earlier.
“The commander asked me to come and see how Kusac is,” she said.
There was a familiarity about her voice and scent that they both recognized. “You’re the one we took along with Zsurtul,” said Kaid. “Why did you lie to your commander about the energy pistol?”
“I didn’t want to cause trouble for Kusac,” she said, looking away from him for a moment. “However he managed to do that, I know he wouldn’t use it indiscriminately.”
“He’s convulsing, maybe because I shot the implant,” said Carrie abruptly.
Zayshul paled, turning several shades lighter. “The implant controls his hormone production and the seizures,” she said. “The TeLaxaudin physician has offered his help. They designed the implant, no one knows its workings better.”
“Why use a device meant for your people on him in the first place?” demanded Carrie.
“It was all we had left to try. We don’t know enough about your species to use much in the way of our drugs. We could have caused permanent damage.”
“What the hell do you call that thing on his neck?” she asked angrily.
The female took a step back in shock at the anger directed at her. “It was not my decision, it was Chy’qui’s, but it was, we think, done for the best reasons. I don’t understand your anger.”
“I’m his mate, and his Leska—or was, till Chy’qui started experimenting on him!” She felt Kaid’s restraining hand on her arm.
She’s not to blame, Carrie, he sent. “You said TeLaxaudin. You work with them?” asked Kaid.
“They’re our allies.”
“I’ll pass your kind offer on to our medical section,” said Kaid. “I must consult with my advisers now. We’ll meet again in about half an hour, as I said.” Call sick bay on your comm and tell the medic on duty to pass their offer of help on to the physician when they arrive.
Carrie did as he asked while he excused them. They headed for the negotiating table, where the other Sholans on their team had taken up a position, realizing they’d been constantly shadowed by T’Chebbi, Rezac, and Dzaou. Kaid began unfastening his armor as soon as they reached it.
“I’d prefer you suited,” said L’Seuli from his chair. “One casualty is enough. How is Kusac?”
“Send for some drinks for us,” Kaid ordered a passing Brother. “I don’t know,” he said shortly. “L’Seuli, do you honestly think that if they didn’t shoot us during that chaos, they’re going to shoot us now?”
L’Seuli looked round the others, waving them away with an abrupt gesture. A muted chorus of grumbles met his command but they complied, stopping out of earshot.
“Kaid, Father Lijou gave me advice about dealing with you. I wish to the Gods someone had given you some about dealing with me!”
“What did I do?” he asked, looking up from the lock he was unfastening on his side. “Oh, chain of command and all that. Sorry. Got a lot on my mind right now.” He sniffed the air. “Gods, but it stinks of burnt lizard!”
Carrie pulled off her gloves, then reached out to help him.
“They’re going to flush the hangar’s air supply as soon as the Primes have allowed us to dispose of the body. You’ll remain in your suit, Carrie,” L’Seuli warned her with a frown.
Do it, Dzinae, he’s right, sent Kaid as she supported the chest pieces till he got his arms pulled free. He sat down carefully, pulling first his tail then his leg out. “Glad you sent them off, L’Seuli. I’ve got news for you. How well briefed are you on the Jalna treaties?”
“Fully. Why?”
Kaid pulled his other leg free, dropping the suit on the floor with relief. “Never could stand suits. The spaceport on Jalna was built mainly by the efforts of the Jalnians and three alien species, we were told. I’m betting there were four, and that the original idea came from the fourth un-mentioned species.”
“The Primes,” said Carrie, pulling up a seat. “Zsurtul said they’d done something for the Jalnians but refused to go into any details.” She was trying hard to keep her mind off what was happening to Kusac.
“What draws you to that conclusion?”
“Need. Who needed the spaceport? Not the U’Churians or the Cabbarans, or even the elusive TeLaxaud; they’d all been trading in space for some time already. Nor the Jalnians. They didn’t even know there was anything beyond their atmosphere. It was the Primes. They call in every fifty years to collect soil and plant samples. Much easier to do it openly at a spaceport as the Jalnian population expanded. Not just that, if the Primes are as secretive as they seem to be from the Free Traders’ viewpoint, then by helping fund such a venture, the Primes can get their good friends and allies, the TeLaxaudin, to collect trade goods for them without any need for them to expose their weaknesses to any other species.”
“Their lack of a warrior line,” said L’Seuli. “You’re telling me that the TeLaxaudin are allied with the Primes?”
“Yes. Had we realized it, Giyesh, from Tirak’s crew, actually saw one when she was abducted with Jeran. Their doctor has just offered us TeLaxaudin help for Kusac. They designed the implant for the Valtegans.”
“We could already be allied to the TeLaxaudin,” said L’Seuli thoughtfully. “I need to call Stronghold as soon as possible. It doesn’t mean we’re allies of the Primes, though.”
“No, but it could frighten them. Here we are, the only species to have ever beaten them, and suddenly we turn up in their private little trading post in pursuit of Valtegans who have destroyed two of our colony worlds. Valtegans that scare them spitless because they aren’t capable of defending themselves.”
“Then you believe this story
about needing warriors.”
“I do. Did you see them out there? The minute they thought their guards were about to shoot Kusac, they dropped them to the deck. They’ve no idea of tactics, either defensive or offensive. And that’s the crew of a vessel knowing it’s coming to make a treaty with us, the fearsome telepathic warriors.”
“That’s why they want Kezule and the M’zullians. To breed their own warriors,” said Carrie.
“Exactly. With what Vanna knows about our genetics, if we do get involved with the Primes, we could possibly guide them, influence them so they don’t end up with psychotic warriors like the M’zullians.”
“A pact with the devil,” murmured Carrie.
“Why say that?” asked Kaid sharply.
“We have a saying, better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t. Seems to me that we’re forgetting just what the Primes did to us, especially to Kusac.” And your conviction they’re breeding us, she added mentally.
“I’m not. I think Kusac’s treatment was an exception, due to Chy’qui and J’koshuk. As for the rest, we may never know the full truth of the matter, unless they let us probe Chy’qui. At least we can sit down and talk to these Valtegans, Carrie,” said Kaid. “The others were too busy trying to tear us limb from limb or commit suicide. That’s a hell of a big difference. We need someone between us and them, someone the M’zullians will listen to, and so do the Primes. Given the right breeding and training, in time we could have a group of soldiers who can infiltrate M’zull, fight them from within as we did in the past.”
“If that assassination attempt’s anything to go by, then not all of the Primes are in favor of a treaty,” said L’Seuli.
“Chy’qui is one of three advisers to the Emperor,” said Carrie. “He disagreed with the treaty idea. I picked that up when we went over to find out about J’koshuk.”
“We’re no better concerning internal disagreements. Look at the case of Esken. A treaty with Keiss wasn’t a popular decision at the time, but it didn’t stop it being made and working,” said Kaid, spying the Brother returning with a tray of c’shar and mugs. He beckoned him over. “Find out if we have signed a treaty with the TeLaxaudin yet, L’Seuli. Get Captain Zhaddu on it. It won’t affect my decision, but I’d like to know.”
The Brother put the tray down and left. Kaid grabbed three mugs and began pouring. “I’m finished with my say. The others can come back unless you’ve anything more to add,” he said, passing him the first mug.
L’Seuli accepted it. “I know why Master Rhyaz appointed you and me to this mission,” he said, sipping his c’shar.
“Why’s that?” asked Carrie, accepting her mug gratefully.
“So I could learn that by the book is a good rule of thumb, but not necessarily useful when matters descend into chaos.”
“Depends on the book,” said Kaid, sending to Brynne to tell them they could come back.
“If it had been done by the book, I have a feeling this would have degenerated into a firelight.”
As the others settled around the table again and helped themselves to drinks, Kaid’s wrist comm buzzed.
“Get the TeLaxaudin up here if you can,” was all the medic said.
He looked at Carrie. “They want the TeLaxaudin,” he said. “You stay here with Brynne. T’Chebbi, you’re with me.” Then he looked over at Dzaou. “You come, too.”
Carrie watched them head for the Prime shuttle. In her hands the mug of c’shar began to shake slightly as reaction set in.
“Kusac will pull through, I’m sure of it,” said Brynne, wincing as he leaned forward to pat her shoulder. “He managed to link into our mental web and take energy from us, as well as control the gestalt. His mind’s obviously Okay and the wound was minimal.”
“I don’t have any experience of this gestalt,” said Vriuzu, “but to take so much power into himself, there could be a backlash effect. He could have burned himself out.”
“I really needed to hear that,” said Carrie, putting the mug down. “We’ve done it before. At least,” she amended, “I have. Back on the Khalossa. And what I know, he knows.”
“He looks a strong male,” said Zhiko encouragingly. “That helps a lot in recovery. Don’t listen to him, he knows nothing of Leskas and Triads, only you do. They’ve got more chance of helping him now the people who designed the implant are involved. I think this is good news, not bad.”
Carrie smiled over at her. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.” She turned back to watch the shuttle. As she did, she felt something damp and furry nuzzle her hand. With an exclamation of shock, she looked round to find Belle crouched on the table. “A jegget!”
“Not another,” said Rezac.
“Another?” asked Brynne, as his pet began to twine herself round Carrie’s hands. “I thought she was the only tame one.”
“Kris has one. Better keep them apart, his is male. We’ll be snowed under by the damned animals in a couple of months if you don’t!”
Picking her up, Carrie turned back to watch Kaid, taking comfort from holding the small, purring creature.
Kaid spoke to the guard outside, then waited. A few minutes later, a bronze-limbed TeLaxaudin, resplendent in pastel-colored gauze strips emerged. In an almost hesitant, rocking gait, it stalked beside the Sholans as they headed back toward them. Before they reached it, however, the elevator opened to disgorge a Cabbaran moving at a speed she’d not thought possible.
Past the end of their table he went, making the Sholans leap up in an effort to stop him. Dodging them nimbly, he came to an abrupt stop in front of the TeLaxaudin. Rearing up on his hind legs, he burst into rapid speech which his translator began to render in U’Churian as Kaid ordered his people to leave Annuur alone.
“You come to aid the injured ally. New, they are. Good ones. We help you.”
The TeLaxaudin cocked its oval head on one side, mandibles flicking as it listened carefully. Then it made a gesture with its hands and resumed walking.
“Useful is Cabbaran helping always. Come,” he said.
Kaid ordered T’Chebbi and Dzaou to accompany them up to the sick bay and returned to the table. He could feel Dzaou’s resentment and anger simmering just below the surface, and his fear that the telepaths would pick up his reluctance and report him to the commander. Kaid sighed. It wasn’t so much what Dzaou thought but what he did that mattered. He needed to stay out of sleep for longer this tour and really get to understand both the Sholan and Human telepaths.
“Today is just full of surprises,” murmured L’Seuli.
“Female doctor’s on her way over again,” said Ngio, ears flicking in the direction of the shuttle.
Zayshul was, indeed, running toward them. She stopped a few feet away. “Let the Cabbarans help Kzizysus. If I’d thought about it, I could maybe have done more, and Kusac’s injury wouldn’t have had to happen.”
“Excuse me?” said Kaid.
“The Cabbarans are the only species that can understand the TeLaxaudin properly. Something to do with their language being more versatile. Trying to explain exactly what you want to them can be a problem. If they can even neutralize the unit, remove the surface panel, this would be very good. Then his own system would take over again, I think.”
“Thank you,” said Carrie.
She smiled, then saw the jegget in Carrie’s arms. “Oh!” she said, impulsively reaching out to touch her. “How lovely!”
Belle stretched out her long neck, offering it to be stroked as she continued to purr gently.
“Would you like a drink?” asked Kaid, indicating the mugs and the jug. “It’s safe. Kezule has had some and survived it.”
Zayshul hesitated, glancing back to the shuttle. “Yes, I would,” she said firmly.
* * *
Just before the half hour was up, Kaid escorted Zayshul over to the elevator to wait for Dzaou and Zhiko to bring Kezule down from sick bay.
“How, exactly, was the general injured?” she asked.
“He to
ok powdered la’quo resin in an attempt to return to his own time,” said Kaid.
“Time traveling.” She shook her head. “And killing J’koshuk from a distance. It’s hardly credible. Your people have very strange mental abilities.”
“Kezule’s the one who discovered the trick. He stirred up one of the desert nomads in our time until he believed Kezule was his deity and his mission was to destroy all telepaths.”
The elevator doors opened, and Zhiko emerged, towing a floater bearing the still unconscious form of Kezule. They stopped just in front of the Valtegan Prime physician.
Quickly and efficiently, Zayshul examined him with her hand scanner, finally checking the fluid drip attached to him.
“He’s been in that coma state for four days,” said Kaid. “We’ve given him no treatment but the fluids. Like you, we don’t know enough about your species to do much more.” He was seeing Kezule through her eyes, giving him a unique perspective of the person he’d known briefly only as an adversary.
Kezule was not as old as they’d thought, but he was just past his physical prime. Kaid could see the marks and lines of age on his face and hands, see the features that characterized him as an individual, subtleties a Sholan would take time to notice—the angle of the jaw, the breadth of bone around the eye sockets, the shape of the mouth.
Zayshul looked up at him. “He is, indeed, General Kezule. He was a junior member of the royal line of the late—very late—Emperor Q’emgo’h.”
“Another lost royal?” he murmured. “A little careless, aren’t they, of their safety?”
“You make a joke?” she asked, her wide mouth twitching at the corners. “He may not be injured. This state is like a laalgo trance.”
“He did that a couple of times in captivity,” said Kaid. “What is it?”
“Warriors are different from us, you must understand. They evolved to fight, therefore they have the capacity to heal themselves faster than us, and to take a long sleep—to let much time pass until the danger is gone.”
“Useful, but surely you all have that ability?”
She hesitated briefly. “That’s true, but not the same ability to heal that the warriors had. He will be an interesting person to study. His line was a combination of the best of the warriors and the intellectuals of his day.”
Dark Nadir Page 66
