The Fallen

by Paul B Spence

  "Okay? He's amazing."

  "So listen to what he tells you."

  "I thought you wanted me to think for myself."

  "What? I –" Tonya sputtered, then laughed. "Okay, you got me."

  Ana studied the woman. There was pain there, but Tonya was a good person; Ana could sense it. She didn't know what Tonya had been through growing up, but she thought it must have been very bad. Tonya's tough attitude was a cover for what was underneath, the vulnerability that she didn't let anyone see, least of all herself.

  "So," Tonya drawled, "what's the plan for when we land?"

  Ana realized suddenly that Tonya's accent was similar to her own. "We'll need to see the emperor first, and then I'd like to visit my old house. I've been told that it was preserved for me. Other than that, I'm not sure. I want to visit with my sister, and I need to speak to the elders of my people in the city. After that, we might travel a bit."

  "You have a sister?"

  Ana nodded. "She is a couple of years younger than I am, and prettier. She's married, also, so don't get any ideas."

  Tonya smiled. "Were you close to her?"

  "I was when we were young, but after I was sold, she was married off," Ana said. "And then our parents were killed when a mob burned down the family's tavern. I tried to talk to her after I was freed, but she was too embarrassed to talk with me."

  "I imagine things will be different this time," said Tonya.

  "I hope so."

  "Ana, if you don't mind me asking, what was it like? Being a slave?"

  "Not as bad as I sense you think it be, but I had a good mistress. She treated me more like a daughter than a slave. She even left her house and fortune to me in her will, along with my freedom."

  "Sound like a good woman," Tonya said. "Makes me wonder why she would own a slave in the first place."

  "She was getting old and needed someone to do the housework and prepare her food."

  "What I mean is, why didn't she hire someone to do that?"

  "Why, when a slave is cheaper?"

  Tonya sighed. "You really don't see that as a problem, do you?"

  "Is that what you think of me?" Ana asked. "That I liked it? I didn't, okay? I was sold to her because my parents needed money. I'm lucky she turned out to be such a nice person, but most of my people don't fare as well. If I had been sold to one of the men I've heard about, I probably wouldn't be alive today."

  "I'm sorry," said Tonya.

  "That will have changed," Ana replied. "The emperor was already trying to reform the laws before he became the emperor. He has made it illegal to own slaves. He is a good man who treats people fairly, regardless of race or color. You'll see."

  "You're sure he isn't just a hypocrite? People in power often are."

  "I'm sure," Ana said. "I had a girlfriend that was one of his slaves. She was treated with honor and dignity."

  "A girlfriend?" Tonya quirked an eyebrow.

  "I wasn't married yet."

  "Hmm. You ever think of looking her up while you're here?"

  "I can't," Ana said softly. She felt a bit guilty about not having thought of Myra since she met Hrothgar. Once she'd met him, she hadn't wanted Myra anymore. "She was killed during the revolution."

  "I'm sorry," Tonya said.

  "We weren't really close," said Ana. "I was sorry to hear of her death, but I didn't really love her. We just made each other feel good." She found herself wondering how good Tonya could make her feel, but suppressed the thought.

  "We're coming in for a landing now," interrupted the announcement from the pilot.

  "Saved by the bell," Tonya muttered.

  Ana brought her air screen up again and watched as the ship circled over the city. It was morning on Cedeforthy. The reddish light of the sun glinted over the river and bathed the buildings in a rosy glow. Ana's heart lurched in her chest to see the city from the air. She still loved Bellejor, despite the problems she had faced here.

  Besides, she had met Hrothgar here. That was enough to make any place precious.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  The Arcadia transited into the 61 Cygni system at fifteen light-minutes from the sister planets of Prism and Kaleido. Torenth had the navigator immediately begin calculating a jump to safety, just in case the Federation ships in orbit decided to play rough.

  "Send our message, Lieutenant," Torenth ordered.

  "Transmitted, Captain."

  "I've six... no, make it seven Federation Fleet vessels in system, sir."

  That was more than usual for a Federation system, but not a surprise considering the military base on the planet was often used for shore leave. "Keep us ready to jump away, helm."

  "Aye, Captain."

  The response took thirty-five minutes. By then, four of the Fleet vessels had come to within a hundred thousand kilometers of the Arcadia, well within missile range. The only thing that kept Torenth from ordering a withdrawal was the fact that none of the ships had opened their missile ports. It made him uncomfortable nevertheless.

  "Arcadia, this is Captain Joseph Jin Rai of the FSS Manticore. On behalf of the Earth Federation Fleet, I'd like to thank you for the rescue of our personnel. How would it be best for us to proceed with the transfer of the crew of the Centaur?"

  Torenth sighed in relief. He really hadn't wanted to get into a battle, but he didn't like to run, either. "Greetings, Captain Jin Rai. This is Captain Raoko Torenth. Your people came aboard in three assault shuttles; we also have a pinnace and several shuttles we could use to help ferry them over to your ship. There are many crewmembers that my medical staff feel are in too critical condition, and therefore unsafe to transfer, as of yet. My pilots are standing by to transfer the remainder of the personnel whenever it would be convenient for you."

  "Thank you, Captain. Perhaps it would be best if we moved closer to the planet. I dare say many of the crewmembers are going to need better medical aid than we can provide on our ships. If you would follow us in, we'll escort you into orbit and provide the coordinates of a landing field at Camp Forester, our base on the planet. We have an extensive hospital there. I'll notify them of your arrival and see if I can get clearance for the shuttles."

  "That would be quite acceptable, Captain," Torenth replied. He wasn't happy about being that close to the gravity well of the planet, but he knew his ship could jump from there if they needed to.

  "Captain," Jin Rai said hesitantly. "Would you and your senior officers care to dine with me aboard the Manticore? As a token of our thanks? There is much we should discuss."

  Torenth nodded his head in satisfaction. He knew from studying the list of names he'd been given that Captain Jin Rai was loyal to Admiral Meleeka. "We'd be delighted to, Captain."

  The pounding on her door woke Rachael Vardegan from a very pleasant dream that had involved piles of fur, grapes, and scantily clad, uber-muscled men waiting on her every need, and she had plenty of needs.

  "What?" she demanded as harsh reality intruded and she woke up completely.

  The pounding continued.

  She stumbled up and opened the door. Her strange passenger was there, and she tried desperately but unsuccessfully not to hate him.

  He smiled as if he'd read her thoughts. "How long would it take to get to a place called Prism?" he asked.

  "Prism?" Her mind still felt muddled. "That's 61 Cygni. It's next door, three light years. It would take just a few days."

  "I want to go there."

  "I want to get rid of you, but we can't always have everything we want. I'm sure you could charter a cruise," Rachael answered with more nerve than tact.

  "Now, Captain."

  Rachael sighed. "Right away, sir!" she quipped. "Francesca?"

  "Yes, Captain?"

  "Lay in a course for 61 Cygni, would you please?"

  "Of course, Captain. I'll notify space control and get us in the queue for departure."

  "Happy?" she asked the man.

  "I will be," he answered. "You said it will take t
hree days?"

  "About that, yes."

  He paced for a few minutes. "This is going to take too long, Captain."

  "Damn it!" Rachael exploded, turning on the startled man. "You've hounded me constantly! I'm sick of it. We are doing the absolute best we can. And if you don't like it, you can get out and walk!" She didn't care anymore if he killed her. She suspected he was going to in the end, anyway. She might as well get it over with now.

  "I've considered it," the man said evenly. "It would be faster, but a bit conspicuous."

  It took her a second to realize he was talking about walking. Rachael closed eyes and shook her head slowly. "You have got to be the strangest, most irritating man I have ever met."

  "I don't mean to be so irritating," the man said quietly. "I'm just afraid that I will once again miss my... objective."

  "What are you?" Rachael asked. "An assassin or something?"

  The man grinned. "Not exactly."

  His answer did not reassure her.

  "Is there some reason you couldn't make your way home from the ship?" Tebrey asked Emerald as they walked through the woods north of the marine base. Emerald was back to looking humanoid, and Tebrey had brought a spare jumpsuit for him to wear.

  "To be honest," Emerald began, "I was hoping I could convince you to come with me."

  "That's what I thought," Tebrey said sourly.

  "I don't think you understand just how important you could be to us, to the war, to your own people."

  "I told you before, I have other responsibilities, not the least of which is the fact that I have a wife out there." He gestured angrily at the sky. "I have enough trouble dealing with these creatures when I do encounter them. I don't need to go looking for trouble."

  "And what if trouble comes looking for you?" Emerald asked. "You've been acting against them for over a year now. You don't think they haven't noticed, do you?"

  Tebrey grimaced. "I'll take care of that when and if it happens."

  "Are you going to get in trouble for the whole Murcat thing?" asked Emerald. It seemed that a change of conversation was in order. He hadn't given up on Tebrey, but he knew better than to push any more just then.

  "Probably," Tebrey said with a grin. "But what are they going to do about it? Fire me? My term of service is over. I haven't signed up for another term. I'll be going home just as soon as I can catch a ship back. I might even hitch a ride on the Arcadia. I miss my wife and friends."

  "Of course," Emerald replied. "Would you mind if I stopped in, now and again? I still have hope that you'll change your mind, you know."

  "That would be fine. I'd like for you to talk to Admiral Shadovsky in the Sentient Concord. They're trying to organize resistance to these things. You might try Fleet Admiral Meleeka, too. She has been very helpful here. Will you be able to find me?"

  "I've tasted your mind," Emerald said. "I can find you."

  "That's not a very pleasant image."

  "Sorry, I didn't know how else to say it."

  "Listen," Tebrey said quietly, "I really am sorry that I can't join you. I just want to live out my life in peace. I hope you understand."

  "I do, but what hope is there of that with those things out there? I'll be around if you change your mind."

  Tebrey laughed and shook his head at the man's stubbornness. "I really should get back to the base. Hunter is waiting."

  "Take care, Hrothgar Tebrey. We'll meet again."

  "Goodbye," Tebrey replied, but he was speaking to the trees. Emerald was gone.

  I hope I've made the right choice, he thought.

  You did, Hunter replied. Come back now, and then we can go home.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Ana stood outside her sister's house. People that passed her and Tonya on the street stared with curiosity, but Ana didn't sense any hostility. She and Tonya were both dressed as offworlders. Ana had thought about changing into some of her old clothes when she was at her house, but the clothes all looked shabby and poor to her now.

  The city of Bellejor was cleaner and smelled better than it had before, but didn't really look that different. The hospitals and schools had been built in existing structures where possible. The streets were still cobblestone, but draft animals weren't allowed in the city anymore, so it was much more sanitary.

  Tonya smiled at her reassuringly. "Want me to knock for you?" Her eyes held a challenge.

  "No, I'll do it," Ana said. She stepped up and knocked clearly.

  The door opened after a moment, and Eeva stood there, staring at her. Ana didn't move to embrace her. She wasn't sure if Eeva would reciprocate. Her sister had put on more weight since Ana had seen her last, and looked like she might be pregnant again. She was shorter than Ana remembered.

  "So," Eeva said. "You've come back."

  "I'm married now, Eeva," said Ana. "And I am the honored guest of the emperor."

  "And you think that this changes things?"

  "Ana? What's going on? Is this your sister?" asked Tonya.

  Ana realized that they had been speaking Lyonan, which Tonya didn't know. She answered in Normarish. "This is my sister, Eeva. She isn't happy to see me. Could you give us a moment?"

  Eeva was looking suspiciously at the taller woman. "You're not married to her, are you? That would be like you."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "I mean all you've ever done is bring shame to the family. I wouldn't put it past you to marry an offworlder woman and makes things worse."

  "My husband is a good man," Ana said defensively. This wasn't going like she had hoped it would. "He is the Lawbringer – surely you've heard of him?"

  "That's supposed to be any better?"

  "You've changed, sister," Ana said. "And not for the better. What has happened to make you hate me?"

  "I don't hate you, Ana," said Eeva. "I don't think of you at all." She shut the door.

  Ana sat down heavily and tried, without success, to keep the tears from her eyes. She had so wanted to be able to reunite with her family. She had often fantasied about this moment, about her sister welcoming her home with an embrace. She had imagined joy, not this horror of indifference.

  "You okay?" Tonya was squatting on the steps.

  "No." She turned her face away to hide her tears, knowing it was useless to try hiding emotions from a psion.

  Tonya moved next to her and put her arms around her. Ana embraced her in return and cried into her muscular shoulder. Tonya caressed her head and back softly, comforting, not trying to seduce.

  "I'm sorry," said Ana, wiping her nose.

  "Don't be," Tonya said softly. "I'm glad I could be here for you. You're a remarkable woman, Ana. Your sister is an idiot."

  Ana felt a hesitant touch on her mind and looked across the street to where Ghost was watching from the rooftop.

  You're good for her, Ghost thought to her. She needs a friend.

  Thank you for talking to me, Ana thought back.

  You're okay, for a sort-of-human, Ghost replied.

  Ana laughed; that sounded like something Hunter would have said to cheer her up.

  Tonya looked surprised. "What's funny?"

  "Ghost."

  "What about her?"

  "She's trying to cheer me up."

  "Wait a minute," said Tonya. "You can hear Ghost?"

  "Only when she wants me to, of course."

  "Of course, she says," Tonya replied, "like anyone could do it. You really are remarkable. Do I want to know what she said?"

  "I think it was meant for me only. Sorry."

  Tonya looked like she wanted to argue, but didn't. "So now what?"

  Ana wiped her face and stood up. "I'm hungry. There's a restaurant that I always wanted to try but couldn't, because they wouldn't serve my kind there. Would you care to join me?"

  Tonya grinned. "Now, that sounds like it could be fun. They wouldn't dare keep you out with you wearing that medallion from the emperor, but they aren't going to like it much, either, are they?"
/>
  "You know what? I don't really care if they like it or not."

  "That's my girl."

  Ana blushed as they walked together from her sister's house. She and Tonya had been around each other for three weeks now. There had been other intimate moments besides the one on the steps, and Ana had seen her naked several times now, since she didn't seem to have a nudity taboo. Ana had liked what she'd seen. It was weird: she didn't love Hrothgar any less, but she felt like she could easily fall in love with Tonya.

  I think that you would be good for her, thought Ghost.

  I can't, Ana thought back desperately. I can't do that to my husband.

  You so sure he would mind? Ghost asked.

  I can't without knowing that I wouldn't lose him if I did. I couldn't do that to him.

  Ghost sighed in her mind. Well, even having a good friend will be good for her. She doesn't make friendships. She's afraid of being hurt.

  I can understand that, Ana thought. I can tell she was hurt in the past.

  She had a bad childhood. Very bad. And there have been bad things since then. She needs you.

  I'll do what I can.

  As will I.

  Chapter Fifty

  Hunter met Tebrey in the light forest just outside the base. The late afternoon sunlight through the leaves dappled his fur, bringing out the faint pattern of spots, black on black.

  Something is going on in the base, Hunter thought. MPs are scouring the place. They're looking for someone. I don't like this.

  There're probably looking for us, Tebrey replied.

  I told you that bringing Emerald here would be a bad idea, said Hunter. Why do you never listen to me when I have these feelings?

  I do listen. I just make up my own mind about it. Even if they are looking for us, we don't know that it has anything to do with him, Tebrey said. Maybe they heard from Admiral Meleeka.

  What are we going to do?

  I'm going in there to talk to them. I want you to stay out here, though, just in case.

  If they do something to you, Hunter replied seriously, I'm coming in after you.

  I think I can handle it. If it goes badly, I'll get my armor and meet you at the shuttle field. We won't have much time, but we can try to steal a shuttle. We might not make it out of this alive, but we can try.