Sheeowl sighed. “You’re right, of course, and they aren’t really children, as Manesh says. I suppose putting them in cryo is in their best interest as it prevents them from feeling they should get involved.”
“Captain, I think I should point out that it is possible that the two females are not from the same species. After all, the eyes of the one called Carrie are very different from Kate’s,” said Manesh.
“You saw them, too?” Tirak gave an involuntary shiver. “Uncanny, eyes like that in such a face and body. I’m inclined to believe they’re both Humans.”
“Or both Solnians,” said Sheeowl.
“Humans,” said Manesh. “This Kusac and the other two are posing as U’Churians so they’re obviously working covertly. Kate and Taynar aren’t. I say we hear the truth from them.”
“Nothing has changed, I want all four of them kept under surveillance as we discussed last night. I want to know what’s going on here. At least we’re a few steps ahead of them. We can be pretty sure that it involves the Valtegans, and rescuing that female in the Spacer’s Haven. I’d trade my tail to get a look at that crashed craft! I’m sure it’s a crucial factor.”
“Didn’t the female tell you much?” asked Sheeowl with a grin as she took a sip of her drink.
Tirak shot her an angry look. “No, she refused to talk about her past.”
“So, did you?” she prompted, eyes like saucers looking at him innocently over the top of her tankard.
Tirak gave a rumble of annoyance and shoved his empty one across the table to her. “I paid for information, not sex! Do something useful. Get me another drink.”
When she’d left, he found Manesh still regarding him. “Might have been useful to get that close to her. You can learn a lot about a species from their intimate habits.”
“What’s with this sudden intrusion into my privacy?” Tirak demanded, ears flicking edge on then lying sideways. “Go follow them! See they are heading for the Port Hotel!”
“Sayuk is doing that,” Manesh replied urbanely. “Two of us will attract their attention. I am better in here, watching to see if anyone takes an unusual interest in this Solnian cargo.”
With a hiss of annoyance, Tirak resumed his scribbling.
Chapter 15
“What d’you want?” asked Jeran, not bothering to look up from the container he was checking.
“May the sun shine on you today,” said T’Chebbi quietly in Sholan.
Jeran froze, then swung round to see who’d spoken. The look of surprised hope faded slightly as he looked at what he thought were two U’Churians. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said cautiously in the same language. “Off-worlders aren’t allowed in here.”
“You’re quite a distance from home yourself,” said Kaid. “Sholans don’t usually travel this far.”
Jeran moved closer to them, reaching out to touch the gray tunic the male wore. Closing his eyes briefly, he sniffed the air. “Sholans. Gods, you are Sholans, and Brotherhood! I’d all but given up hope! The others, have you found the others yet? How’d you get here? Has Miroshi recovered?” The questions came tumbling out as he grasped Kaid’s forearm with both hands.
“You are first,” said T’Chebbi.
“She was so ill, I was afraid she’d die!” He stopped, realizing what she’d said. “Only me? I’m the first?”
Kaid loosened Jeran’s grip, clasping him by the arm and drawing him back into the shadows from which they’d come.
Stopping only to pick up his clipboard, T’Chebbi followed them.
“If the others are alive, we’ll find them,” Kaid said reassuringly. “We don’t know much about you, not even your names. Only that there were four of you.”
Jeran began to sway as he passed a shaking hand over his forehead. “Four. Yes, there are four of us.”
T’Chebbi guided him to a container, urging him to sit down. Putting her hand against his neck, she checked his pulse. “Is only shock,” she said. “Which one are you?”
“Jeran Khesrey, Life-Support engineer from Szurtha,” he said automatically. His eye ridges met in a frown as he looked at her tunic. “Gray with purple? Only telepaths can wear purple, Miroshi told me.”
Kaid squatted down in front of him. “Some of the Brothers are telepaths. Is Miroshi a telepath? We heard there were two.”
Jeran turned to Kaid again. “Yes, a truthsayer from the offices. We were on our way from the Chakuu Mining Corporation moonbase to Szurtha on leave when they took us. I guess we were the lucky ones?”
Kaid nodded. “They destroyed Szurtha and Khyaal.”
Jeran closed his eyes. T’Chebbi put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “All gone?” he whispered. “No one left?”
“Nothing,” said Kaid. “I’m sorry, but I have to push you now. We may not have long before we’re disturbed. The other two. What are their names?”
“Tallis Vrenga, he’s the other telepath. He was one of the supervisors. And Tesha Freyash. She was in communications. I don’t know where they are. They separated us, sold us off like livestock… .”
T’Chebbi gave him a small shake. “Enough,” she said not unkindly. “Soon it will be over. Not yet, we have others to find, but soon.”
“Can you leave this area?” asked Kaid.
“No, they keep me here because they know I’m an engineer. I check cargoes but if they need me to work on anything, I’m available.”
“Do you get called on often?”
Jeran shrugged. “Rarely. They don’t want the U’Churians to see me and start asking questions. You know there are Sumaan here?”
“They only involve themselves in their employers’ business,” said Kaid. “They’re true mercenaries.” He looked across at T’Chebbi. “Maybe our ship has life-support problems, eh?”
“Assuredly. Smelled burning seals when they tested it this morning.”
“Ever worked on Sumaan systems?” he asked the young male.
Jeran’s ears were pricked forward now, listening to their every word. “No, but how different can they be?” he asked.
Kaid let his mouth fall open in a grin as he stood up. “We’ll be in touch. Do nothing to draw attention to yourself in the meantime. We have more than you to rescue.” He turned to leave, then stopped.
Can you receive me? he sent, studying Jeran’s face.
“What is it?” he asked, looking puzzled.
“Nothing,” said Kaid, grasping him by the shoulder. “Stay strong. As she said, it’ll soon be over.” Pity. It would have been useful, he thought to himself.
A puzzled look crossed Jeran’s face and he shook his head. As he did, the pendant he wore glinted at the neck of his tunic. “Did you say something?” he asked.
Kaid could do nothing but stare speechlessly at the green stone.
Following his gaze, T’Chebbi gave a small grunt of surprise. “What is it?” she asked Jeran, pointing at his pendant.
Surprised, Jeran lifted it up and held it out by the length of its thong for her to see. “A local talisman. We all have to wear them.”
“Talisman for what?” asked Kaid in a hushed voice. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. A Valtegan la’quo stone here, on Jalna? “How could it be possible?”
“Excuse me?” Jeran, obviously confused, looked from one to the other.
“Is nothing for you to be concerned about,” reassured T’Chebbi, reaching out her hand for it. “Can we borrow?”
“I can’t,” said Jeran, face creasing in concern as his hand closed over the pendant. “The Jalnians insist I wear it. They say it protects me from the madness that comes at this time of year.”
“Take it off for a moment, please,” said Kaid, finding his voice again. “Let T’Chebbi hold it. We won’t keep it, you have my word. We’ve seen its like before.”
“Where?” Interested now, Jeran took it off and handed it to the Sister.
Can you hear me now? sent Kaid, this time forcing the contact.
Jeran took a step back, ca
tching his heels on the container behind him and sitting down heavily. “Better than when Miroshi does it! You are a telepath! But how? Brothers can’t …”
“Can now,” said T’Chebbi grimly, holding the pendant close for Kaid to see. “Don’t touch it,” she warned him.
The sound of distant voices could be heard coming toward the warehouse. Kaid reached out a finger. “I have to,” he said, his voice equally grim. As his finger grazed the surface, he felt the familiar wave of nausea and weakness pass through him. “La’quo,” he said. “Without a doubt. Give it back to him, T’Chebbi, we’ve got to leave.” Vartra’s bones! It was too much for him to take in right now. He forced himself to concentrate on what was necessary. “Leave it off when you can,” he said to Jeran. “We can’t contact you if you’re wearing it. Remember what we said, wait for work on the Sumaan vessel Hkariyash. When it comes, take it. We’ll have time to talk then.”
The pendant spun through the air toward him and Jeran lunged to catch it. When he looked up, they were gone.
The voices had gotten closer and were quite audible now. “I don’t care what you thought you saw, you’re not authorized to go into the warehouses!” He knew that voice. It was the supervisor.
“You want one of those tarnachs roaming round free?” demanded the other. The spacer patois had a distinctive U’Churian burr to it.
Jeran snatched up his clipboard and, at a run, headed back to the consignment he’d been checking. A tarnach running free! It wasn’t possible! They were barely controllable at the best of times.
“No tarnachs around here,” said the guard at the entrance. “All the beasts but those on patrol are in the kennels. You been drinking too much ale, spacer!”
“I tell you, we saw a tarnach!” The door burst open and two U’Churians pushed their way in. They stopped dead, looking at Jeran.
A moment, then the female recovered herself. “Did a tarnach come in here?” she demanded of him.
“No, Lady,” said Jeran. Then on impulse, “I did hear something snuffling around outside when they took their break fifteen minutes ago.”
“Break? What break?” demanded the supervisor rounding angrily on the guards.
The female’s mouth widened in a slow grin and she tilted an ear at him. “We owe you,” she mouthed at him, then spun round and stalked back to her companion. “Was here, but didn’t come in,” she said. “Our cargo is safe.” With that, they went, leaving the supervisor and the two guards shouting at each other.
After the coolness of the air-conditioning in the Meeting Point, going outside felt like walking into a furnace. The crowds on the street were beginning to thin as the Jalnians who lived and worked in the town headed back to their homes to prepare the evening meal. Several of the daytime stalls were beginning to pack up, leaving their pitches for the night traders.
Did you learn anything of interest? Kusac asked as they made their way toward the checkpoint for the Port Hotel and Lord Bradogan’s Keep.
A few things. I know how to make both Jalnians and U’Churians uneasy in my company. They dislike seeing a hunter’s eyes in a humanoid face. Their curiosity vanishes rather quickly!
Useful, agreed Kusac. Sholans don’t seem to mind. I wonder why it affects the Jalnians and the U’Churians?
Possibly because they’re used to each others’ species, whereas the majority of Sholans we know met me before any other Humans.
Could be. Have your pass ready, he sent as they approached the gates. Reaching into one of the pouches on his belt, he pulled his papers out, handing them to the guard. Carrie did the same.
The Jalnian studied them for a moment, returning Kusac’s while taking a second look at Carrie’s. A quick glance at her face then his eyes slid back to the pass. Hurriedly he returned it to her, waving them through.
I get the feeling he doesn’t want us to linger. Kusac’s tone was amused as he put his papers away.
Told you, came Carrie’s smug reply.
Through the high, electrified fence they could see that the spaceport was fairly quiet in comparison to when they’d arrived the day before and, taking their time, they ambled leisurely over to the hotel.
The Keep looks very plain, Kusac observed. Featureless. Just four sides and a large entrance with steps.
It’s a fortress. They were designed to be as siege proof as possible. At least they were on Earth, she amended. Your enemy would camp outside the keep, unable to get in, while you were safe inside with all the livestock and water you needed.
That was how they fought? Kusac looked at her in surprise. Strange way to fight a battle.
The point was, there was only one way in—through the front doors—and they were protected by a portcullis—a large metal gate that was lowered down in front of the doors when the keep was being attacked. It’s an old building, so Bradogan’s land must have been contested many times over the last few hundred years. Look, on the wall above the door. Those narrow slits are for archers to look through. They can shoot down on the attackers without being at risk themselves. Same with the crenellated wall right up at the top.
Built as a stronghold against any enemies. He guards himself well.
Doesn’t he just, she agreed as they drew closer to the hotel.
This building was unashamedly modern, owing much of its design to the advanced technology of its visiting aliens. Passing the ubiquitous Jalnian guards, they pushed open the large transparent doors and entered the main foyer. Their eyes were instantly assaulted by a confusion of functional ship design overlaid with barbaric opulence.
Ouch, sent Carrie, looking round and wincing. At least they’ve got air-conditioning!
Kusac grunted in agreement. I need it with this longer pelt. I’d be prepared to stay here for that alone.
The lobby, set to the left of a staircase, was illuminated by a transparent domed ceiling. Crimson carpeting led the way to the reception area where, behind a plain functional counter, a Jalnian in brightly colored robes stood on duty. An array of comm controls could be seen behind him.
Floor-length crimson velvet curtains, looped at midpoint with golden ropes, lined the pale gray walls. Apparently placed at random, groups of matching crimson and gilt easy chairs sat around ornately carved low wooden tables. Between them, tubs of flowering plants, their blooms a riot of clashing colors, had been placed in the hope of creating an atmosphere of quiet and privacy.
This was designed by people who have no concept of relaxation, sent Kusac as they made their way over to the receptionist.
I prefer our inn, even if it is hotter, she replied as they approached the counter.
“What can I do for you, Trader?” the receptionist asked, eyes narrowing as he looked past Carrie to Kusac. There was an edge of condescension in his voice.
“Inform Trader Assadou Chikoi that his agent and the Solnian Representative are here,” said Kusac, flexing his claws as he rested his hand on the counter.
“Solnian Representative?” The man glanced back at Carrie.
“No one could fault your hearing,” said Kusac, beginning to tap the surface with a claw tip.
“Certainly, honored Representatives,” he said, dipping his head in a gesture of respect as he backed away to reach his comm. A few moments later he turned back to them. “Trader Assadou is expecting you, Representatives,” he said. He indicated the stairs. “First floor, suite ten. Or there is an elevator around the corner.”
Kusac nodded and turned toward the stairs, took hold of Carrie’s arm. That son of a she-jegget thought you were a qwene! he sent, his hand tightening protectively as he shepherded her toward the stairs.
How was he to know different? I think you’re overreacting a little.
Kusac gave a brief, muted growl as they started up the steps. I don’t have to like it.
They nodded briefly to the Sumaan who opened the door to them. Assadou was sitting in state in a large armchair, well propped up with soft cushions. A drink and a plate of Chemerian fruits sat on the table in f
ront of him.
“Sit, sit,” Assadou said, indicating the settee. “You are prompt, that is good. Is all well where you lodge?”
“Fine,” said Kusac, speaking in Sholan. “I presume the room is clear of listening devices?”
Assadou turned to look at the Sumaan behind him.
“Is clear,” the guard confirmed.
“Have you managed to accomplish anything with regard to our permits?”
“Have only just arrived! Need time settling in, making appropriate gestures of goodwill!” Assadou exclaimed. “Have no idea how to conduct true business, you Sholans. Too much haste!”
“Assadou, we’re not sitting around waiting for a week while you and Bradogan send polite messages to each other,” said Carrie. “We have to get moving now! The longer we delay, the greater the chance of us being discovered.”
Assadou’s ears twitched slightly at the edges. “When put like that, perhaps haste is not unseemly,” he agreed reluctantly. “I send message, with Solnian trinket to whet his appetite for more. Then he will ask that I come to him. You, perhaps, could accompany me. But unlikely you get permit. He dislikes spacers on Jalna.”
“We will accompany you,” said Kusac. “We spent the day at the Meeting Point. The Lord we want is Killian, but he seems to have no agent here at present.”
Assadou inclined his head in agreement. “Is so. I discover agent is regrettably on way to Kaladar with caravan. Not back in Port for several weeks.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. Unfortunately, I’ve already put the word around the agents we did meet that you have a cargo of new goods from Sol to show them,” said Kusac. “I’ve said I’m authorized to set up a meeting between you and any of them who wish to examine the goods for themselves.”
“You wish me to sell the bulk of our Terran items to this Lord Killian’s agent,” surmised Assadou. “I can hold out for better prices and delay sale till he returns.”
“I’m not happy about waiting that long,” said Kusac.
“If not able to go to Kaladar, then next city is Galrayin. Lord Tarolyn is favorite of Lord Bradogan. Maybe that would do? Cannot wait for long, as you say. When trading, must cut losses and take next best thing to what you wish.”
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