Since he first saw them, the Anashi form had always been interesting to him; slender people with exaggerated, coal black eyes gleaming from smooth, elliptical heads that seemed ill-suited to the harsh environments they so easily mastered. Her face showed a gentle bump and two tiny, vertical nasal slits where a human nose would otherwise be. On each side, crescent-shaped auditory membranes blended smoothly, unlike Norris’ ears Qural once flicked with amusement in private moments as they teased each other so long ago. Thin, lavender lips that rarely frowned hid two rows of dazzling white teeth. In those earliest days, the odd dental arrangement reminded Norris of a shark and he called Qural ‘Mako’ until she found an image of the deadly fish in his ship’s information database and demanded that he dream up another, less insulting nickname.
He thought of the time before when he was young and mesmerized by the strange aliens who had taken him from a nightmare of confusion to a place that had become a second home. Her long arms and legs seemed exaggerated, yet somehow proportionate to her body and they moved slowly and deliberately with no wasted effort. Her smooth, pale skin that falsely suggested a sickness by its lack of color was so warm to the touch. He watched her and remembered the same effect when Hesset—his other ‘first’ encounter with the Anash—comforted him in the squalor of Bera Nima’s sixth tier. But most of all, he smiled in spite of himself as he regarded Qural; a dearest friend who shielded him from the fear and confusion, now restored to him once more.
Norris glanced toward the stairs, hoping Rantara had finished applying the last details to her considerable and vast field of black and magenta eye shadow when Rentha’s assistant called Qural to a comm console. Norris followed as the quiet Anashi male nodded toward his display.
“They are in orbit, Ambassador.”
Norris looked on and smiled at a stern face staring out from a monitor—the ship’s captain at his command station.
“I’ll be damned,” he said with a nod; “Orendala.”
“Sir?”
“An old friend,” said Qural, turning toward the lawn where three shuttles would soon arrive.
Rantara walked slowly to where Norris stood, finally satisfied with her makeup.
“You’re annoyingly calm,” she said.
Norris pointed through the windows.
“Should I kill myself now and save them the trouble?”
“We’ll see,” she replied with a grin; “when my sister and brother are finished with you an hour from now, you may wish you had.”
She wiped the perspiration from her hands on a sleeve, but Norris saw it and couldn’t resist teasing her.
“This is fun, watching you get nervous,” he said with a little boy’s smile.
“It’s humid here,” she insisted.
“Nice try, Onallin.”
She turned him by his shoulders to even the collar of his tunic and said, “You’re not the one who has to explain all this to my family if it goes wrong.”
“Are you getting soft and sentimental on me, Sergeant?”
She leaned close and whispered, “I still have time to strangle you and dispose of your body before anyone notices, Darrien.”
Norris smiled and pointed over the assistant’s shoulder to an image of the huge cruiser’s identification code and position in low orbit.
“Look familiar?”
Rantara glanced at the display.
“Premara?”
Norris nodded with a suggestive grin.
“Scene of our first crime, remember?”
The image of that night poured into her thoughts. Their cautious, first touches, then a slow embrace that transformed into a frenzy as two, suddenly and inexorably, became one. She wrapped an arm around his waist and whispered, “Yes, I remember, dirty little boy.”
He laughed loudly, even if the assistant didn’t understand the bawdy joke. She looked closer.
“It is strange, though.”
“What’s strange about it?” Norris asked with a raised eyebrow.
She pointed at the display.
“Why would they bring them out to us on a big cruiser?”
“Who cares; they’re here, right?”
“Maybe.”
“What’s the difference?”
“No difference, I suppose, but I don’t like surprises. I can see using one of their fast command ships, or even a frigate to deliver my brother and sister, but the same ship that brought us from Sannaris? This doesn’t look right.”
Norris shook his head in amazement.
“You are relentlessly suspicious, I swear to God!”
She looked at him with a dull expression.
“Yes, and I’m relentlessly alive, Darrien; notice the connection?”
Rentha’s assistant smiled up at them as Norris patted his shoulder in mock reassurance.
“Ignore her—she’s spent too much time with humans.”
They watched as the contact indicator tracked the small landers from their orbital position, speeding down through the Fells Moll atmosphere barely a hundred kilometers to the west. Norris and Rantara decided to wander outside and join Qural as the shuttles raced in on a wide arc from the north, easing onto the grass one after the other. Even before the odd whine of a dozen lift engines eased, the hatches of the little ships opened quickly. From the second and third shuttles, a stream of tall, solemn faced soldiers exited quickly and silently on a tangent to form a tight group near the corner of Qural’s house; the Khorran half of the assault team had arrived. In minutes, they would receive final orders and board a transfer shuttle bound for a staging area deep inside Revallan space to wait and prepare for the last phase of the mission. Norris watched them—shock troops all—moving silently and with deliberate precision. Rantara watched, too, shaking her head quietly at such a sight.
“It’s hard to imagine, even now. I don’t know if I could’ve done this when I was in service; a joint mission with Anashi troops?”
Norris moved close.
“Don’t look now, but you’re about to.”
“This is not as easy for me as it is for you, Darrien. We were taught to hate them back then; we were expected to kill them all.”
“But you don’t feel that way about Banen and Hesset or even Qural, do you?”
“Of course not.”
“Things have changed, Onallin. I’m not sure how much these troopers know about our mission, but they must’ve been told enough to understand how serious it is. They look pretty disciplined to me, like the ones who…”
Rantara knew the rest of a sentence Norris couldn’t complete. She watched the sudden change in his expression as he saw again in his mind three Khorran scout ships speeding across the desert wasteland of Karroba 118 only moments before he engaged in a fight for his life, marooned and alone on a strange, alien world.
“See what I mean?” she said. “It’s different when you think of those moments, isn’t it? You and I are inseparable today, but you didn’t feel that way about Khorrans after our scouts attacked and destroyed your shuttle, did you?”
Norris shook his head slowly.
Rantara reached for him, wishing at once she hadn’t used his first, terrifying moments on Karroba to make her point.
“Well, at least we know why they brought everyone out in a big cruiser; there was no way to fit them and their equipment into an ordinary command ship.”
“You’re probably right,” Norris answered, quietly grateful to leave thoughts of the crash behind.
After a moment, all eyes turned to the lead shuttle as the shuttle’s crew chief stood in the narrow hatchway, steadying an elderly Khorran female while she stepped cautiously onto the grass. Tindas walked to her at once and took an arm and even from that distance, Norris and Rantara could see they were well-acquainted. Behind her, three others waited—two Khorran military officers and another female. Rantara turned to Norris with an expression he couldn’t decide was excitement or terror.
“It’s Tograz! What the hell is he doing here?”
&n
bsp; “A friend of yours?”
“Hardly. Tograz is one of the most senior officers in the entire Khorran Army, Darrien; he was a Lieutenant General in my unit when I was just a private.”
“So why is he here; does he know Tindas?”
“I doubt it; there has to be another reason for a high-level, flag officer to be this far into Anashi space, especially on one of their cruisers; something’s wrong.”
“Don’t get into a lather until you know for sure, Onallin; maybe he’s pals with the old lady standing next to him. Who is she, anyway?”
“That is Magistrate Raniru Ven.”
Suddenly, she took Norris’ hand and led him quickly to the shuttle. Without a word, she exchanged an embrace with two of them before motioning Norris to join her.
“Darrien, this is my brother, Arros and eldest sister, Ellimox.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Norris said cautiously, clasping his hands in the Khorran tradition. At once, Ellimox moved forward to return the gesture as the others arrived. Qural began the introductions.
“Welcome to my home; it is our distinct pleasure to have you with us. And now, allow me to introduce Lieutenant Darrien Norris, retired from the Terran Colonial Navy, and former Sergeant Onallin Rantara from Twelve Brigade. With them are Doctor Banen Oreil and Senior Lieutenant Theriani Doleval, on extended leave from the Revallan Navy’s Guards Select.”
There were nods, but still no one spoke. Tindas continued.
“Darrien, this is Grand Magistrate Raniru Ven, representing the Ministry of Law and Records for the Prime Assembly, and Marshal General Ular Tograz. They have journeyed from Belex to be with us today.”
“Magistrate; General,” Norris began, “it’s an honor.”
Ven regarded him for a moment before returning a slow, deliberate nod.
“We’ve heard many interesting details about you in the last few days, Lieutenant,” she began. “I was curious to see what a human looks like in-person, so you will have to forgive my manner.”
“I understand, Magistrate,” Norris replied.
She looked at him a while longer, the way old people often do; she had lived far too long to be concerned with what others might find awkward. At last, she turned to Tograz, but her gaze had shifted instead to Rantara.
“She is the Major’s famous sister?”
“One of mine, as I recall, in my own Twelve Brigade days?”
“Yes, sir,” Rantara replied softly.
Norris wondered if speaking in third-person of another only a meter away was common among Khorrans, but Ven returned an odd, knowing smile and moved close.
“Your actions created quite a stir after the attacks that destroyed Bera Nima, young lady.”
Rantara could only blink as Ven continued.
“The theft of our assault vessel was understandable, under the circumstances, but we wish you hadn’t found it necessary to leave it a glowing crater in the middle of a Sannaran desert.”
“I’m sorry, Magistrate, it wasn’t my intention to…”
“Never mind that now; you did what was necessary, wouldn’t you agree, Ular?”
“I think we can excuse it, all things considered,” he shrugged.
Rantara shook her head a little and said, “I hope they’ll understand it so clearly at Fleet Command.”
“They can be reasonable if encouraged properly, Sergeant,” the Magistrate smiled. “Admiral Degrem might be able to help with that if we ask him politely.”
Tograz bowed his head in respectful deference to Ven’s gentle suggestion and it was clear to anyone looking on the power she wielded within the Khorran government was considerable.
“Ozel is an old friend,” Tograz smiled; “I believe he would agree to intercede.”
“But I am here for other purposes,” Ven continued. “Ommit told me of your unfortunate encounter with Mozam Creel when you were young. I knew him and it doesn’t surprise me what he did, nor the state in which they found him. I am sorry for what happened, but we will repair at least some of the damage very soon now.”
“Thank you, Magistrate,” Rantara replied. Norris watched closely; he had never heard contrition in Rantara’s voice and the effect would’ve been amusing in another place and time. Ven turned once more to Tograz.
“For the moment however, I believe Ular has something for you.”
The General moved forward.
“Onallin Rantara, I now authorize your immediate reinstatement into active duty. Accordingly, and in observance of your outstanding service to the Khorran Army, you are hereby awarded the rank of Lieutenant. The administrative details have been arranged, and we brought your new uniforms, equipment and weapons. My aide will take them inside momentarily, but allow me to offer my congratulations.”
Rantara stood motionless and silent with confused eyes darting between the General and Raniru Ven.
“I don’t understand, sir.”
“It’s clear enough, isn’t it? You’ve been promoted—you’re an officer now.”
Tindas leaned close and whispered, “You are the ground assault mission commander Darrien wondered about yesterday, Lieutenant.”
Qural went quickly to embrace Rantara but she seemed to understand only when Arros smiled and held doubled fists to his chest in the traditional Khorran military salute.
“Thank you, General,” she said at last, just as Rentha arrived from the house.
“Ambassador, the refreshments are ready if you will step this way, please?”
As they followed her toward the temporary pavilion, Norris grinned and winked at Rantara, surprised just a little to see her return a smile. As they took up their respective positions to mingle, Ellimox moved suddenly in front of Norris.
“My brother and I were also interested to meet you, Lieutenant. I’m sure you can understand our curiosity, and I hope we haven’t offended you by it.”
“Not at all, Miss Rantara, I understand completely and…”
She cut him off.
“Call me Ellimox, please; I don’t think we need to hold so tight to formality at this point, do we?”
Norris nodded as she turned to Rantara.
“Mother and Father are…”
“You don’t have to explain,” she answered abruptly.
“This has been difficult for them, Onallin, please try to understand.”
“I do understand and it’s not a surprise.”
“Aniesse asked us to send her best wishes as well, but her duties at the university prevented her from coming with us.”
“I’m sure she’s very busy.”
They were civil toward each other, but it seemed little more than a polite façade. As he looked on, Norris wondered how deep the animosity ran. The moment was awkward and did little to disguise the obvious tension between sisters. Arros saw it, too; it was time to intervene.
“Onallin, this has been confusing for them. Like the rest of us, they had no knowledge of these alien creatures, and…”
Rantara’s expression changed suddenly to one of disbelief and irritation. Before she could speak, the Major saw his mistake and turned at once to Norris.
“I apologize, Lieutenant. I meant to say we didn’t know your people even existed until a few days ago, let alone our sister’s connection to you. None of us were aware she had left her post in Tremmek’s prison, but now we are told you both will leave very soon on a highly classified mission we know nothing about, and from which you might not return; it has been unsettling.”
“No apology needed, Major; I’m still getting used to being the only one of my kind in this part of the galaxy.”
Arros nodded, relieved that Norris understood and had not taken offense. Rantara remained silent, but Norris wondered if her own family had become conditioned to avoid angering her. The Major was an imposing figure, yet even he seemed unwilling to risk a confrontation with his lethal sister. In the uncomfortable pause, Norris could only imagine the effect on Rantara’s family; a sudden, unexplained truce with the Anash, their y
oungest daughter’s attachment to an unknown alien, and a mysterious, considerably dangerous mission without details—all of it must have come at them like a freight train, he thought in silence.
Qural appeared suddenly and guided Arros to where Theriani waited. Rantara and Norris understood her special connection to Arros made for an opportunity to meet and reconcile moments from a time only they could appreciate. The unfortunate events from a shared past on Sannaris long before entitled them to a few private moments near the edge of the patio. As they turned, Qural motioned for Rantara to follow, leaving Norris alone with Ellimox; she understood what must follow and the importance of the moment in Khorran culture. Ellimox saw her opportunity and gently moved Norris away from the others. He remembered Rantara’s cautionary note hours before and the obligatory family grilling was about to begin.
“You’re a naval officer?”
“Was,” he corrected. “I’m retired now.”
“I’ve never met a human, obviously, but you seem far too young for retirement.”
“It wasn’t my decision,” he said, ever cautious not to mention his first trip through the Plexus seventeen years before.
“I see,” she replied warily. “Arros would have much to discuss with you from a military perspective, but I’m afraid separate considerations have drawn his attention in other directions, as I’m sure you can understand.”
She was probing, but Norris remained cautious.
“What considerations are you referring to, if I may ask?”
“Please do not be offended, but my brother was disappointed with this sudden arrangement between you and Onallin, Lieutenant; he finds it difficult she holds such disregard for our traditions, you see.”
Norris feigned confusion.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Echoes of Esharam Page 11