“Let’s do it,” Cyrus said. “Let’s head to the Crab Palace.”
The Maze lived up to its name. It was a warren of corridors, chambers such as the one they’d first entered, and hundreds of metal kiosks and open-air shops. Men, women, and children abounded. They mostly wore loose garments such as Larl had possessed. A few had the synthi-leather pants and jacket as Cyrus presently wore. People avoided looking at him and they stared anywhere but at Skar.
“You’re a sore thumb,” Cyrus said. “You’re terrifying people. You should wear a disguise.”
“I do not think there are any Vomags in the Maze except for me.”
“That’s not going to help us. Wait here.”
“I must guard you.”
“Wait here,” Cyrus said. “I have to get you something.” Seeing that Skar obeyed, Cyrus eased over several stalls and approached an old woman on matting. She had various articles spread out, including the loose robes so loved by many.
“Are those for sale?” Cyrus asked.
The old woman had a wrinkled face and lacked teeth. She squinted at him suspiciously. “I’ve never harmed you.”
“I’m not talking about that. Are those clothes for sale?”
“Semper Fast protects me. If I whistle, he will come and fight you.”
“What do you think I’m asking you?”
“You protectors are all alike, greedy thieves with murder in your heart.”
Cyrus took out his toldecks, flashing them before the old woman’s eyes. She stared at him in surprise.
“How much do you want for those robes?” he asked.
She bit her lip. “Why do you torment an old woman?”
Cyrus peeled a note from the others and let it flutter to her crossed knees. Then he scooped up the robe, wadding it in his arms.
“Are we even?” he asked.
She snatched up the note, staring at it in wonder. Then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Is this a prank?”
“It’s an exchange, woman. I’m asking you if it’s fair. Tell me yes or no.”
“Yes,” she said, making the note disappear.
“Then I’m taking this, too,” Cyrus said. He grabbed a scarlet scarf.
“Yes. Now go,” she said, “before I whistle for Semper Fast.”
Cyrus took the clothing to Skar and talked the soldier into donning them.
“Wrap this around your face,” Cyrus said, indicating the scarf.
“You are clever,” Skar said.
“Let’s hope so.”
Soon, Cyrus purchased food and drink and they continued through the Maze. Now people glanced at Skar and they gave Cyrus a more critical study.
“Do you know what protectors are?” Cyrus asked the muffled Vomag. Only the soldier’s eyes showed.
“I know the direction to the Crab Palace. I know the Maze is for outcasts and thieves. More than that, I do not know.”
“You could have just said no.”
“We must hurry,” Skar said. “Soon, the Kresh will unleash the Guardians. If that occurs… Come, we must hurry while we can.”
6
In despair, Jasper studied his watery surroundings and himself. He was stark naked except for an odd breathing mask. Every time he exhaled, bubbles wobbled to the top of the aquarium, the one he floated inside. He couldn’t spy a tube from his mask to an oxygen tank or to an air cylinder outside. Perhaps the mask extracted the air directly from the water around him just as a fish did with its gills.
The aquarium appeared to be a ten meter square, with no surface water, no tiny air level.
They’ve trapped me in here. And he had no idea why. The only similarity was to the tank in the tele-chamber aboard Discovery. He wished he were back on the Teleship heading for Sol. He’d even accept an inhibitor in his mind, anything to escape these treacherous aliens. Why had he ever lowered his mind shield? That had been the worst mistake of his life.
I acted the part of a fool. They tricked me.
The mask had goggles and he swam near a flat, vertical surface. Looking through the glass, he found that he was in a large chamber with many strange machines. He didn’t like their look or the cameras obviously monitoring him.
The inside of the aquarium was clean. If he defecated, a sweeper soon took the excess away.
He recalled little since the space battle. The aliens had taken control of Chief Monitor Argon. Jasper hadn’t expected that. The chief monitor’s plan of keeping him subdued had been a joke, well, almost a joke. Argon had a powerful mind shield, and it would have taken Jasper time to control the man. In that time, Argon might have pressed the switch to shock him.
Anyway, he’d wanted out of the New Eden system. The aliens had tricked him. They’d altered his thoughts. The idea had infuriated him then as it did now. He was the new breed, the god among the humans, but a god with feet of clay.
Now he was caught like a rat in a trap, or a fish in a barrel. He attempted to use his telepathy. A light flashed on the wall. It startled him, but it didn’t halt his attempt.
Then a jolt of pain stunned him. He stopped his attempt. The aliens had rigged an anti-telepathy device in the aquarium.
Jasper swam from one wall to the next. Why had they taken his clothes? It was another strike against these evil bastards. He wished there was some way he could hurt them. That was the worst of it: He could do nothing to strike back at his tormenters.
After several minutes of swimming, Jasper noticed a door-shaped panel appear in one of the chamber’s walls. The panel slid aside into a hall. A lean humanoid with a tall cranium and baan encircling his forehead entered. A nine-foot Kresh stalked behind the human.
Jasper blinked in surprise at his knowledge of the alien’s race name. He recalled something new now: smaller humanoids had hooked him to a machine earlier and afterward, one of the Rarified had mentally force-fed him information.
The Kresh ruled Fenris. Within the star system, the Kresh fought the Chirr, and now they fought Web-Minds, raiders from interstellar space.
As he floated in the aquarium, Jasper watched smaller humans enter, going to the machines, turning them on and remaining to run them.
He knew other things. The Kresh were non-psionic, but the insect-like Chirr were psionic. The Kresh had modified humans, searching for psi-abilities. To control the psionic humans, the Kresh made the Rarified love them. It was an involved process that began at birth. If a Rarified showed non-love, the Kresh eradicated the offender. The Kresh had also built anti-psionic suits, which protected them from various psionic attacks.
Can you hear me? a Rarified asked. The tall humanoid standing before the aquarium wore a voluminous robe, with his hands hidden within the sleeves. When he spoke, he failed to move his mouth.
He’s using telepathy.
I hear you, Jasper said, also using telepathy. This time, he didn’t receive any shocks. In spite of the terrible situation, the strength of the humanoid’s telepathy impressed Jasper. The humanoid’s mental powers were nearly his equal.
You have the honor of floating before Chengal Ras, the 109th, the Rarified told him. You belong to him now. Bow to acknowledge his superiority over you.
Jasper’s eyes flashed. The Kresh, this Chengal Ras, watched him keenly. The reptilian creature was big, and it was awful to witness the eyes studying him, realizing this thing with its crocodilian snout controlled his destiny.
It’s a monster. It isn’t my superior. It’s an alien.
The tall human with his voluminous red robes stared at him, almost seeming to warn him with a look. The look asked a simple question: Do you want to die here in this aquarium? It can happen like that.
Jasper did not want to die. Reluctantly, as he floated in the ten-meter tank, Jasper bowed his masked head to the raptor-like alien.
You are tractable, the Rarified told him. It proves you are wiser than your confederate.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jasper said.
The Rarified concentrated. An image
appeared in Jasper’s mind. He saw Cyrus sprinting for a large entrance. The young man ran past trucks as a Kresh shouted at him. Good for Cyrus. Jasper hoped the lad gave them hell.
You recognize him, the Rarified said.
We were on the ship together.
I sense greater union than that. You plotted together on your home planet.
Jasper clamped down on his shield, enraged that this tall freak could read some of his thoughts. Afterward, he managed a shrug.
You are powerful, Jasper. You are equal in strength to the greatest of the rarified. It is for this reason that Chengal Ras allows you your chaosict mannerisms, at least for now. Our master is a logician of amazing profundity. He climbs the ranks and will soon join the One Hundred.
They’re the rulers of the Fenris System? Jasper asked.
Do not attempt to hold onto your antiquated concepts. That would be a mistake of the first order. You belong to Chengal Ras and must begin your life anew. Your former concepts… The Rarified shook his head. I perceive that you come from a star system of wild humans. Their thoughts are loose and ill founded. It can be no other way, for they do not have the Kresh to guide them.
We don’t need the Kresh.
The Rarified smiled. It was a gesture of tolerance for a foolish statement. Your unfocused reasoning will soon fall into line with your master. And these wild humans of the solar system, they will soon learn order and the harmony of living under Kresh guidance.
You plan to conquer Sol?
Chengal Ras made a swift gesture with one of his smaller arms. It almost appeared to be one of annoyance.
His robes billowed as the Rarified turned to the Kresh and bowed low. The humanoid moved more slowly as he turned back to Jasper. You absorbed a tremendous amount of information a short time ago. Even a powerful mind like yours needs time to sort the knowledge into the proper categories. Still, it is wise to know your place. You do not question a Kresh, any Kresh, and certainly, you do not question Chengal Ras the 109th, your master. That means you do not question me. Here in this chamber, I am the mouth of Chengal Ras.
Jasper decided to bide his time. He needed to get out of this aquarium before he could think about anything else.
I understand, he said.
No, Jasper, I sense you do not understand. You are like your companion creature, the one you named as Cyrus. He broke ancient tradition by fleeing during the Docking Ceremony. He must die in a hideous manner to erase such blasphemy.
In spite of himself, Jasper grinned within his mask. If anyone had a chance on this mad world, it was the lad from Level 40.
You mock your master? the Rarified asked in amazement.
Chengal Ras made a hissing noise. In the background, one of the humans manning the machines threw a lever.
Shocks of pain bolted through the water and slammed against Jasper. He screamed and bubbles fled from his mask. He writhed in the water, a small fat man under assault.
Do you know what it feels like to drown? the Rarified asked.
I do not, Jasper gasped as the shocks subsided.
You may soon have the opportunity to learn if you continue in this useless resistance.
But I’m a powerful telepath, Jasper said. You told me I am. Surely, the Kresh could use my talents. Therefore, it’s a waste to harm me.
Do not attempt to rate yourself. You are the property of Chengal Ras. Property can never mock its master. That is blasphemy against rightness. Do you wish to join your companion in the Grand Agonizer?
I do not.
Then cease all mockery and bend your thoughts toward love of Chengal Ras.
Jasper swallowed uneasily. I will try.
Your life hinges upon your success.
I understand.
The Rarified moistened his lips. He hesitated before saying, You will now begin telling us all that you know about your companion.
Jasper blinked several times. It was clear he should tell the alien everything. The creature held all the advantages. Only a fool would resist in such a situation. Yet Jasper found that the more he considered it, the more he admired Cyrus Gant. The young man had courage, and he’d managed to escape from the aliens who had tricked them all. It would be a pity to help these creatures find young Gant.
Are you refusing to aid your master? the Rarified asked.
Jasper didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to drown. I’m not refusing. What do you wish to learn?
Something shined in the humanoid’s eyes. It was hard to tell what through the glass, the water, and the goggles. It seemed to be disappointment and maybe even a hint of contempt.
It caused Jasper to bristle. Who was this slave of the reptilian alien to have contempt for him?
You must tell me everything you can about the blasphemer Cyrus.
I—
Chengal Ras hissed, and he lashed his tail. With a sharp movement, he tore a metallic streamer from a talon and let it flutter to the floor.
The Rarified turned pale, and his shook head.
What’s wrong? Jasper asked. Did I do something wrong?
You have failed to love, Jasper of Sol. Chengal Ras was curious to know if a wild of your power could learn the civilized arts. The techs have been monitoring you and I have detected falsity in your words.
Fear swept over Jasper. He blinked rapidly and found that his mouth was dry. What… what are you going to do with me?
Your query of me points to the truth of your barbarous manners. I told you that property never questions its master. Yet, you have disobeyed once again.
Give me a second chance, Jasper said. He swam closer to the glass and aimed his words at Chengal Ras. Give me a second chance to show love.
The Rarified shook his head. Now you attempt to give orders. Chengal Ras was merciful before. With your barbarism you have spit in his face.
What’s wrong with you people? Jasper shouted. I’m not like you. I haven’t grown up kissing the tail of an alien. It takes time to learn that.
You are barbarous, the Rarified said. It has now become clear to your master that you cannot possibly learn obedience quickly enough to be of use. Therefore, we will continue with the original goal.
What does that mean? Jasper asked.
You are in the first stage of the mind extractor. Since you are such a powerful telepath, Chengal Ras has deemed it unwise to use the rarefied to scour your thoughts. It would also take too much time. Instead, your master will sweep your thoughts and put them onto a memory spool.
Is that painful? Jasper asked.
The pain will cease to matter once your thoughts are on the spools. Then you will be a simple, mindless thing and quickly put out of its misery.
What?
If you believe in spiritual entities or some afterlife, prepare to meet him, them, or it.
In desperation and rage, Jasper shook a fist at the Rarified. Then he concentrated his telepathic powers and hurled a mind bolt at the mocking humanoid.
The tall rarefied clutched his head and screamed. He must not have been ready for such desperation. The humanoid staggered backward as his robes billowed once more. In a moment, his eyes rolled up into his head and he slumped onto the floor.
Jasper glanced around at his confinement one more time. There was no help coming for him. He was in a cage that he could never escape. Even gods could die, it seemed. But he would do this his way and he wouldn’t give the aliens anything. It was a gesture. It had been his failure that had ruined the voyage for everyone involved, but especially for him.
It is time to die.
Jasper began ripping the breathing mask from his face. Chengal Ras roared, and the techs slapped buttons on their machines.
It was Jasper’s turn to scream as pain slammed against him. Then a terrible thrumming began in his mind. He knew it was the beginning of the mind extraction. He pulled his mask harder and the pain shocked him into immobility.
I tried, Jasper thought. Then he endured pain as the first level of mind extraction began.
7
The Crab Palace neither served crabs nor was it a palace. It began in a larger chamber crammed with the most pitiful cases Cyrus had seen so far.
The crippled, diseased, and twisted lived in this chamber. They wore rags instead of robes and stank of pus, defecation, and urine. There was endless coughing, wheezing, and the last brays of the dying. The overhead lighting was spotty: shadowy in places and bright in others. The property limits seemed to be the extent of a person’s rug or mat. Altogether, it was a depressing and disheartening place.
Skar led and picked his way through the packed throng. Some watched him. Others averted their gaze. The worst were the children who stared with the bulbous eyes of the starving.
Cyrus scowled. Skar had called these people outcasts. Didn’t the Kresh care what happened here? Or was the Maze like a rat-hole? That would make these people rats, living in the crevices or in the insulation of the space station’s outer walls. How many of the people were sick with radiation poisoning?
Skar headed toward a portal in the wall, surrounded by several metal kiosks. A gunman in synthi-leather stepped out of the first kiosk.
“Well?” the gunman asked. “Who are you from?”
“I have hunted in the stars,” Skar said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I am Vomag.”
The gunman looked more closely, and he turned pale, re-gripping his weapon. “Look. I don’t know what you’re—”
“We seek the Reacher,” Skar said.
The gunman froze.
“Is there a problem, Cast?” a bigger gunman asked, coming out from another kiosk. The man had a yellow scarf tied to his throat, with crusts of dried blood in it.
“No!” Cast said. “These two, take them back. They want crab.”
The second gunman pulled out his weapon, aiming it at Skar.
Cast turned toward him. “I said no, you fool. He’s Vomag.”
“We’re dead,” the second gunman said listlessly. “We never should have listened to the old one. This was a bad—”
“Can’t you think?” Cast asked. “If the masters wanted us dead, we’d already be dead. Take these two back and serve them crab.”
Alien Honor (A Fenris Novel) Page 25