Baswin

by Aurora Springer

  The interior was furnished like a galley with a serving counter, tables and benches. Wall screens displayed landscapes, both familiar and alien, and views of Earth or Mars from space.

  Scarcely registering the furnishings, Holly surveyed the occupants, one human woman in a wetsuit and several Warrish men. Her gaze focused on the man with the striking crest of orange hair who sat with the Black Arrow Triad. Baswin was still on Europa.

  Holly froze, her nerves flaming with elation.

  Baswin stepped toward her, holding his arms wide and calling her name.

  Her eyes wet with sudden tears, she ran into his embrace.

  Hugging her tightly, he said, “You’re crying. What has made you sad?”

  She sobbed, “I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “Don’t cry,” he murmured, kissing her ear.

  “I’m happy,” she said. “Happy to hold you. And happy because Rosie and I are going to Rishalt.”

  “Urish. I was sure you would qualify for the tripilot school.”

  Ennis said, “She can sense hyperspace. In truth, the first six candidates we tested have all qualified for further training.”

  A new, female voice broke into the conversation, “Hey, guys, I hate to break up this loving reunion, but can we get on with this psychic search? Our luma pup might be injured and unable to swim home.”

  Reluctantly, Holly released her hold on Baswin.

  He whispered, “We’ll be on the same starship flying to Rishalt.” Keeping an arm around her waist, he rotated her around to face the interrupter.

  A slim woman bearing a zigzag silver mark on her right cheekbone held out her hand. “I’m Nikki Bell. We’re grateful you’re willing to help find Tic.”

  Shaking her hand, Holly said, “Holly Moon. I’ll do my best to scry on your baby luma.”

  “We’re especially concerned because the last hunting party reported chasing off a siork. They’re vicious predators like spineless sharks.”

  “I’ll bet you’re worried. We were warned about the siorks.” Recalling the introductory TriD about the hazards of the ocean, Holly shivered. Simultaneously, Baswin tightened his hold on her waist. Was he remembering his own experience with sharks? She rubbed his back in sympathy.

  Nikki said, “As soon as you arrived, Kiron went to fetch a pup. You wanted to see one?”

  Holly gave an emphatic nod. “Absolutely. The luma pup will help me to focus on Tic. In most cases, I’ve located familiar animals that lived with our neighbors.”

  The rapid pad of a bare-footed person announced a newcomer with a small animal snuggled in his arms. The Warrish man had unruly mouse-colored hair and a plain white tunic. His left cheek bore a jagged scar tinged with silver and matching Nikki’s triad mark.

  Her voice warm with relief, Nikki said, “Here’s Kiron with Tac.”

  Hurrying toward Holly, Kiron laid the pup in her cupped hands. “Tac is the second oldest pup and also male like Tic. They’re similar in size and appearance, except Tac’s fur is a paler color.”

  The luma pup resembled a baby otter with reddish-brown fur, bare flanks and a scaled tail. It fit neatly across her hands with its nose bumping against one of her thumbs and its tail hanging down between her forefinger and other thumb. Snuggling into her clasp, it mewed and licked her fingers.

  While Holly stroked the little animal, Kiron glanced at his partner. “Silna’s upset. She didn’t want me to take Tac. She hissed at me.”

  “I’m sure she misses Tac.” Nikki’s sympathetic tone hardened and she focused on Holly. “What else do you need for this psychic search?”

  Holly looked around the room. Ennis and Mia had taken seats nearby. The three Black Arrows sat around a table. Tonnor grinned at her. The Blue Star brothers were lounging by the counter and drinking a greenish fluid from glass-like flasks. Four other Warrish men sat at different tables, chatting or playing unfamiliar games of chance. The hum of low voices filled the space, broken by occasional cheers from a successful throw or bursts of laughter. She said, “A quieter spot. I prefer no distractions while I focus on the target.”

  “Do you need to be alone?” Nikki asked.

  “Not always. My sister often sits near me, and once Baswin stayed with me while I entered the trance.”

  Hugging her waist, Baswin said, “My cell is quiet. If you like, I’ll take you there for your farseeing.”

  “Brilliant.” She explained, “If my psychic talent works properly, I’ll be able to see the missing pup. I’ll describe its physical condition and what I can see of its surroundings. Would you recognize the place from an outsider’s description?”

  Nikki wrinkled her forehead. “Possibly. The ocean’s a big place.” Placing a hand on her partner’s shoulder, she said, “Kiron is more familiar with the ocean near the base.”

  Kiron said. “I lived here for years as a Watcher and I loved to explore the ocean. It kept me amused and free from boredom and bullies.”

  “An expert on the region around the base would be great.” Pivoting around, Holly smiled up at Baswin. “How about you and Kiron watching me? If you promise to be quiet, I can do the scrying in your room.”

  “If Kiron agrees, it’s a deal.”

  Kiron flattened his hand over his heart, saying in a sincere tone, “Brisa Moon, I’ll be glad to watch and interpret your description.”

  Shifting the luma pup onto her arm, Holly grabbed Baswin’s hand. “Okay, let’s go to your cell.”

  Baswin tucked her hand under his arm, nodded at Kiron, and led them out of the central chamber. Nikki also followed, walking beside her partner.

  The passage followed a semicircular path, past the vestibule with the gate to the ocean, and into a corridor with doors on both walls.

  Nikki halted by a door and said, “I’ll check on Silna and Toe. Let me know as soon as you learn anything about Tic.”

  “Urish,” Kiron murmured.

  Waking two doors farther, Baswin placed his fingers on a side panel to unlock the door. The cell, as the Warrish insisted on calling their bedrooms, was smaller than the standard cabins on the spaceship. It contained one padded mat, the size and shape of a narrow bed. A pair of boots by the door, a backpack and a white tunic on wall hooks must be Baswin’s sole possessions.

  Surprised by the cell’s sparse contents, Holly exclaimed, “It’s quite small.”

  His tone stilted, Baswin said, “Please excuse the absence of comfortable furniture. This base has no luxuries. It was designed as an outpost for Watchers.”

  Hiding her disappointment, she said brightly. “Where can I sit?”

  “You can sit on the bed pad.”

  Kiron offered, “I can fetch a stool.”

  Dismissing his offer with a smile, Holly sat down on the pad, stretched out her legs and leaned her back against the wall.

  The two men took positions nearby. Baswin sat beside her the mat, near but not touching her, while Kiron squatted on his heels facing her.

  She unsealed the pocket of her suit and took out the case with her mirror. Patting her thighs, she said, “Put Tac on my lap. Touching the pup will help me locate his lost brother. Once I’m in the trance, you can remove the pup if he begins to fidget.”

  When Tac was in place, she ruffled his fur with one finger and opened the mirror one-handed. Still touching the pup, she gazed into the reflective glass. Iridescent lights rippled across the surface, and the center of the mirror gradually darkened. She focused on the black circle. Nothing changed. Did it show somewhere in the lightless ocean? How could she find Tic if she could not see him? She had worn special light-sensitive goggles when she swam in the ocean. But she did not really use her eyes for scrying. She used psychic vision. Surely, her psychic vision could pierce the darkness.

  Spurred by this realization, she gained confidence and tweaked her psychic senses. In an abrupt twist, the black circle cleared. Something moved inside the circle. The luma’s small head appeared, its mouth gaping, and its tail twitched. No. Not a tail
, a thin tentacle curled over the pup’s body.

  She shuddered in alarm. The tip of a second tentacle swung into view. The pup shut its mouth, proving it was alive. As more details became visible, she recognized the tentacles were the extended arms of a jelsquid. Would a jelsquid harm the pup? The weird creatures had been friendly at the dance arena, but she knew little else about them.

  She scried farther, scanning the surroundings. The pup and jelsquid seemed to be inside a cavity. A pale light filtered through a narrow slit at one side of the space.

  Shaking free of the trance, she inhaled a deep breath of the damp, salt-scented air in the Warrish base.

  Baswin touched the hand she rested on little Tac. “Did you see the pup?”

  “Yes.” She leaned her head on his shoulder, while he traced circles with his finger on the back of her hand. His caressing touch swept away her tension. After a moment, she relaxed and looked at Kiron. “A jelsquid is holding Tic. I couldn’t tell if the pup was injured.”

  His green eyes fixed on her face, Kiron asked, “Is Tic alive?”

  “The pup’s alive. It opened and shut its mouth.” Hesitantly, she asked, “Would a jelsquid eat a luma?”

  “The spinners are intelligent. They would realize it wasn’t a native of these oceans.” He hesitated, shaking his head. “Excuse my slip, spinner is the Watchers’ name for jelsquid. We’ve known of the animals for decades, but not of their high level of intelligence. Nikki was the first to communicate with them. She convinced us the spinners required special protection.” Lifting Tac off her lap, Kiron held the pup and stroked it. “Silna has danced with jelsquid. They’re familiar with her, although they haven’t met the pups yet.”

  Holly said, “The jelsquid and Tic were in a cave with a narrow opening. I couldn’t see anything else. Does that help you to pin down the location and retrieve the pup?”

  His face expressed doubt, although he said, “Jelsquid often hide in caves.” Pulling the pup against his chest, he straightened to stand erect. “Let’s tell Nikki. She’s the expert in talking with the tentacled spinners.”

  He rushed out of the cell before Holly had restored her mirror to the suit pocket.

  Baswin pulled her onto her feet. “Hurry, my favorite scryer.”

  Hand in hand, they ran after Kiron. He was entering the second room along the corridor from Baswin’s cell. They followed him inside.

  Nikki sat cross-legged on the bed mat, stroking the mother luma, who lay in a basket with the youngest pup.

  When they entered, Nikki jumped up and stared at them, a dawning hope in her expression. “Did you find Tic?”

  While Kiron restored Tac to its mother, Holly described her vision of the luma pup in a cave with a jelsquid.

  “Jelsquid,” Nikki exclaimed, rapping her knuckles on her forehead in disgust. “Styx. Why didn’t we think of them earlier? They roam all over the ocean and they can squeeze into tiny cracks. We can ask the jelsquid to look for Tic.”

  Baswin said, “Holly, can you sense the distance to this cave? Or its orientation from here?”

  Shutting her eyes, she envisioned the scene in the cave and scried around it. She felt a psychic nudge toward the lost luma. Swinging her arm, she pointed to the place. “It’s in that direction. I can’t tell exactly how far away it is.” She frowned in concentration. “Closer than Bathos. Probably closer than that dance arena.”

  Looking up from the basket of lumas, Kiron sent a speculative glance at Holly. “Can you scry underwater?”

  She pressed two fingers on her lips and wrinkled her forehead. “Probably. I’ve never tried.”

  “Brilliant.” Nikki beamed. “Let’s swim to the closest arena and call the jelsquid.”

  Kiron suggested, “We can bring Silna to remind the jelsquid if somebody will watch the pups.”

  Nikki nodded. “Good idea. I’ll ask Ennis and Mia. They’ve finished testing psychics for today. Wait here.” She dashed out.

  Apparently accustomed to his partner’s bursts of energy, Kiron explained, “The sisters sleep in the next cell. They’ll either be resting in the cell or else in the central chamber.”

  Chapter 30

  AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, Nikki returned with Ennis. “She’s willing to sit with the pups.”

  “Urish.” Ennis knelt by the basket and drew the blanket over the two pups. Looking up, she smiled. “If you’re away for too long, I’ll swap with Mia.” Her wide brows crinkled in a frown. “Ask a Watcher triad to swim with you. They would serve as guards and they’re also anxious to find Tic.”

  “If I can find off-duty volunteers, I’ll follow your advice.” Nikki bent to touch the mother’s luma’s head. “Silna, swim with us. We’re going to hunt for Tic.”

  The silvery luma mewed as if she understood. She nosed Tac toward his sister and licked Ennis’s hand. Hopping out of the basket, Silna loped to the door.

  Tugging on Kiron’s hand, Nikki hurried out with the luma, calling over her shoulder, “Come on, guys. Let’s recruit a triad in the rec room.”

  The two couples jogged along the curved passage after the luma. Silna halted at the vestibule to the membrane-sealed entrance, looking expectantly at her people.

  Kiron smiled. “She’s eager to dive out.” Patting Nikki’s arm, he said, “I’ll wait with her while you net an escort.”

  Nikki nodded. Continuing toward the common chamber, she slowed to a brisk walk.

  Curious about the Watchers, Holly followed and Baswin kept faithfully by her side.

  When the entered the big room, two triads were sitting at separate tables. Three men bore the blue Mohawks of the Blue Star Triad, while the other set had spiky maroon-hued hair.

  Waving her hand above her head, Nikki called, “I’m looking for volunteers to join the hunt for our missing luma pup.”

  The First of the red-haired trio glanced at each of his brothers and then at Nikki, saying, “We have guard duty at the gate in a third of an hour. Kalpar’s orders.”

  “The Blue Star Triad will swim with you.” The big blue-haire man stood and strode toward Nikki. A giant of a man, the largest in the room, his head and shoulders towered above her.

  “One triad will be sufficient,” Nikki said. As the three Blue Star brothers gathered by her, she said, “Thanks, Tollar. We’re jetting to the dance arena to ask the jelsquid to help us find Tic.” Gesturing at Holly, she said, “Our kind psychic trainee saw the pup with a jelsquid in a cave.”

  Tollar swung to face Holly. “Farseeing Brisa Moon.” He flattened his right hand on his chest and touched the blue star of his triad mark. “Underwarder Tollar Gavarish Sandir, First of the Blue Star, with my brothers, Kindath and Ronal. We are honored to serve you.”

  Holly’s cheeks burned with embarrassment mixed with pleasure at this unexpected tribute. She thanked him sincerely. Her status had risen dramatically since she had left her home in the small village of Hampton on the Wold. In this alien society, woman held higher status than men, and tripilots were valued more highly than the average woman.

  A small sound came from Baswin, like an exhaled sigh.

  She turned to examine his face. He stared at the floor, his expression neutral. Was he jealous of Tollar’s impressive size? She squeezed his arm, and when he looked at her, she gave an encouraging smile.

  “You don’t need me to swim with you,” he muttered. “The Blue Stars can better protect you.”

  “I do need you,” she insisted. “Your touch eases the stress of my scrying. And, I want to be with you.”

  “The Brisa favors you.” Tollar’s deep voice held a hint of amusement. “Do as she wishes.”

  Baswin’s bleak expression brightened, and his lips twitched in a rueful smile. “Holly, I will go wherever you wish.” He secured her hand under his arm and conveyed a gesture of thanks to Tollar.

  Her voice sharp with impatience, Nikki said. “Okay. Let’s go.” She swiveled around and marched toward the exit.

  Holly and Baswin hurried after her, and the
Blue Star Triad strode at the rear of their procession.

  They reunited with Kiron and the mother luma at the intersection of the curved passage with the outer gate into the ocean. Silna lounged across Kiron’s shoulders with her tail dangling over his chest.

  Kiron greeted Tollar warmly, “I’m glad the Blue Star Triad are willing to join our expedition.” Patting the luma, he said, “I’ll have to carry Silna. She can’t keep pace with our jets.”

  “Where are we swimming?” Tollar asked.

  Nikki said, “We’ll go to the smaller dance arena and call for a jelsquid.”

  In the vestibule, the men removed their white tunics and donned harnesses with diagonal straps crossing their bare chests. Nikki and the Warrish men fastened jet tubes to the straps on their backs.

  The Blue Stars, being familiar with the equipment, were ready first. After taking harpoons from the weapon rack, they dove through the rippling membrane into the ocean.

  Moving with a lithe agility, Silna leaped after the Watchers, and Kiron hastily followed her.

  Nikki waggled her forefinger at Baswin, saying, “Your task is to look after Holly.”

  Gazing at Holly, he said, “An important and pleasant task.”

  As she stretched her hands to the membrane, Nikki called back, “Don’t dawdle, guys.”

  Left alone with Holly, Baswin helped to secure the jets on her back.

  He said, “Don’t worry about being a drag on our search party. I’ll hold you and steer you on the correct course.” Planting a quick kiss on her lips, he pushed her toward the iridescent membrane. “Dive out and swim toward the light. I’ll catch you in a second.”

  For the third time that day, Holly plunged into the dimly-lit ocean. She touched a finger to the membrane, creating a violet-ringed dimple. Satisfied of its pliability, she leaped, breaching the surface and emerging in a dark crevasse. Living fronds brushed against her exploring fingers. Beneath the waving fans, luminous flickering lights signaled the presence of tiny sea animals.

  She edged away from the slime-coated cliff wall and looked up. Directly overhead, an irregular ribbon of light marked the rim of the subterranean gorge. Kicking into motion, she swept her arms down and swam up to the lighter opening.