“The General and the Doctor were given a suite of rooms at the empty Summer Palace for their bridal holiday,” said Zsurtul. “There is a very old and extensive library there with many books and maps from his past.”
“I’ll bet he spent a fair bit of time there looking them up,” said Kaid, entering in their password to log onto the Brotherhood.
“You’re going to find Kusac. What can I do to help?”
“Call Ruth and tell her you’re staying here tonight,” said Kaid over his shoulder. “Yes! I’m in. We’ll need you to translate the maps for us.”
“Astronavigation wasn’t my best subject,” the Prince admitted, “but I will try.”
“Can this library be accessed on-line?” Kaid asked.
“No. Most of the information is in actual maps or books, and after the Fall, we utilized our data banks for more important information. The locations of the Outposts were not in that category any longer.”
T’Chebbi got up. “You want to take Zsurtul to lounge to call Ruth, or make coffee and c’shar?” she asked Carrie.
“I’ll take Zsurtul,” she said, rolling off the sofa. “While he’s doing that, I’ll go raid the kitchens for snacks for later.”
It took several hours before Kaid found the map made from the plaque and downloaded it. Understanding it was another matter. Zsurtul could tell them what the words referred to but could recognize no common reference point from which the map had been drafted. It was nearing dawn before they decided to call it a night.
“If we could run this through a ship’s nav comp, we might get somewhere. Its point of reference should be the Prime world K’oish’ik,” said Kaid, trying to stifle an enormous yawn as they walked along the corridor to their rooms after showing Zsurtul to the guest room.
He stopped outside Carrie’s suite, but taking his arm, she urged him past it. He was surprised but pleased when they went to his. It had been several weeks since she’d come to him of her own will.
“But with Rhyaz having the spaceport guarded, and no doubt keeping his people outside the estate perimeter, we’ve no chance of doing that,” he continued, yawning again.
“What about the Couana? Maybe Toueesut could help,” suggested Carrie.
“Good idea. In fact,” he said, stopping dead, tail swaying excitedly, “the Couana is the one ship no one could stop coming here! If the Speaker and his swarm would let us borrow it, we could be on our way to Haven tomorrow!”
“He might not be willing, considering Kusac stole it in the first place,” sighed Carrie. “But we can at least ask.”
“Toueesut was very understanding about that,” said Kaid, leading the way through his lounge to the bedroom. “He refused all Raiban’s attempts to get him to file charges against Kusac. I think he’ll help us.”
“Tomorrow,” said Carrie, firmly, shutting the bedroom door behind them.
Kij’ik Outpost, next evening, Zhal-L’Shoh 30th day (January)
Kusac hesitated briefly in the doorway of the assembly hall, looking round the sea of faces for the black and gold uniform of M’kou. Finally catching sight of it, he began to thread his way toward him through the throng of Ch’almuthians and civilian Primes.
“Captain, thank you for joining us,” said the young Lieutenant, the relief in his voice just barely concealed. “It seems we have a slight problem.”
“You could say that,” Lirtosh said. “We were told we could use the rec facilities on the starboard side and now we find they’ve been allocated to the Ch’almuthians!”
“Where are we supposed to go if they are there?” Kzellish, the Ch’almuthian leader, demanded angrily. “You have your own facilities on the port side!”
“The port side ones are for everyone, not just those living there. You don’t need to have recreational facilities exclusively for yourselves,” said Kusac. “As I understand it, Kezule told you that you could make use of them for a day or two on your own, until you settled in, then they would be opened to everyone.”
“A day or two isn’t long enough to settle in,” objected Kzellish, pulling his overrobe more closely around his middle.
Kusac took the middle-aged Ch’almuthian by the arm, drawing him away from the crowd, gesturing for M’kou and Lirtosh to follow.
“Let’s look at this calmly,” he said. “You chose to come here and settle with the Primes, so keeping yourselves apart rather defeats that objective, wouldn’t you say?”
Kzellish hesitated. “I suppose so,” he admitted. “But some of us prefer to take our time ...”
“Why?” asked Kusac. “Yesterday, we integrated the mealtimes and there were no problems. Last night your younger adults came along to the rec and joined in with everyone there. Is there any reason for you to keep yourselves separate from the Primes?”
“No, but ...”
“Captain,” interrupted M’kou. “Kzellish was telling me yesterday some of his people saw that there was once a store on this level and asked if they could reopen it. They also asked for facilities in which they could carry out some of their traditional crafts—weaving and such—so they could make more of their goods to sell them as luxury items.”
“That sounds like an admirable idea, M’kou,” he said, jumping at the young Prime’s suggestion. “I’m sure there would be many of the Primes who would like to learn some of those crafts. However, I know the General will not want to make extra facilities available until he is sure that the two communities are making real efforts to integrate,” he added, fixing first Kzellish, then Lirtosh, with a look.
“That is the case, Captain,” said M’kou. “He has actually allocated some rooms that they can use, and given permission for the store to be reopened.”
Kusac nodded. “As I’m sure you can both see, everyone will benefit from making concessions to each other. Lirtosh and his people have many skills, and facilities that they can share with your people, Kzellish. The starboard rec was scheduled to be opened as a games room, with some larger table-sized games available for all of us.”
“I understand where you’re going, Captain,” sighed Kzellish.
“Good,” said Kusac, smiling brightly and slapping him on the shoulder in a friendly way. “Then Lirtosh, you can start moving your equipment into the other rec now. Kzellish, if you send someone along to Security to find M’zynal, I’m sure he’ll contact the General and make an appointment for you to see him about opening this store of yours. I take it you have brought some of these luxury goods with you?”
“Yes, we have, as well as our looms and other equipment, but ...”
“Then that’s settled.”
“Thank you, Captain,” said Lirtosh, trying to hide a grin. “If you’d like any help setting up your store, Kzellish, just let us know.”
“I suggest we take Kzellish to inspect the store, M’kou,” he said as the civilian Prime leader disappeared with several young males. “Has power and atmosphere been routed there yet?”
“The General had it restored last night,” said M’kou. “And activated the requisite air locks so we have access.”
Flustered, Kzellish looked around, beckoning to some of the younger males until his eyes lighted on one of the long-robed females hovering nearby. “Liyak, come with us,” he said. “I’ll need you to take notes for me. We may need some raw materials, Captain.”
“Give a list of your requests to Lirtosh,” said M’kou as they began to walk toward the starboard exit. “He’s the leader of the civilian side here. He’ll let you know what’s available. I’ve been told we can open four of the Officer suites on the other side of corridor K as craft rooms. They’re outfitted in a modular mode, so we can remove interior walls and fittings to suit your needs.”
“When could we get the keys for those areas, Lieutenant M’kou?”
“In a week or two,” said Kusac smoothly, answering for him. “Everyone has to undergo basic safety training first. Then, while the younger adults are helping with stripping the Zan’droshi, the rest of you will do
ubtless be putting the store to rights. Remember, these privileges will remain yours only as long as your people make a concerted effort to integrate.”
“What about the council here? Do we have any right to representation?”
“Of course,” said M’kou. “Lirtosh will doubtless approach you in a day or two, asking you to choose representatives to sit with him and the current civilian council.”
As they stopped at the first iris, Kusac stepped back to allow M’kou and Kzellish through. As he did, the person behind stumbled into him, startling him into turning round with claws flexed and body slightly crouched, ready to attack.
“Your pardon,” stammered the young female, stepping back hurriedly, her face paling as she drew her shawl across it in fear. “I meant no harm.”
M’kou stepped instantly between them. “Our Sholan friends are highly trained Warriors,” he said pleasantly, escorting her past Kusac. “It’s not wise to crowd them, or us, from behind.”
Retracting his claws and relaxing his stance, he followed them through, annoyed with himself for overreacting. Something about her set his teeth on edge, though.
“I was told this wasn’t a military establishment,” said Kzellish testily, waiting for them on the other side of the second iris.
“It isn’t, but I know you were made aware that we do have a military presence here,” said M’kou. “You’ll soon get used to our ways.”
His nose prickling with the dust that had been stirred up, Kusac picked his way through the rubbish toward M’kou, almost tripping over the female yet again.
Muttering, he dodged round her and the remains of collapsed shelving.
“There’s little of value here,” he said to M’kou, stifling a sneeze. “Only crumbling uniforms and old medals. Can you cope alone?”
M’kou nodded, rubbing at his streaming eyes with one hand.
“Don’t,” said Kusac, stopping him. “You’ll only make it worse. You’re covered in dust. You need to get the ventilation system scrubbing the air in here, then clear out the garbage wearing some kind of protective gear. Didn’t you check this room out when you first got here?”
“We did,” M’kou confirmed, blinking furiously. “And left it alone because there was nothing we needed.”
He grunted, taking the half-blinded M’kou by the arm and turning to lead him out of the store only to find his way blocked by the female again.
“Some water?” she asked, hurriedly holding up a small bowl.
He shook his head, biting back a low rumble of annoyance just as she turned away in response to a call from Kzellish.
“What is it, Captain?” asked M’kou sharply, once again reaching to wipe his eyes.
“Nothing,” he growled, again pulling the young Prime’s hands away from his face. “I’m getting you out of here, M’kou. You need to wash the dust out of your eyes, and so do I,” he said, steering him toward the upper exit.
He leaned against his washbasin, waiting for M’kou to finish sluicing water over his face and eyes, handing him one of the towels when he was done. “Pat yourself dry, don’t rub,” he advised him.
“Thank you, Captain,” said the young Lieutenant, gingerly touching the towel to his reddened eyes. “I can’t believe how irritating that was.”
“Fine dust like that will do it every time. Get some of your maintenance people to help the Ch’almuthians clean up in there, and stay away yourself. Have them put the garbage in sealed containers. You don’t want it tracked all through the Outpost.”
M’kou nodded. “I’ll see to it now,” he said, walking over to the rack to replace the towel while checking the time. “I’m afraid that took longer than we anticipated. It’s past time for you to meet with Shaidan. I’ll take you down to Command with me now.”
“Is it a sleepover tonight? I’ve lost track because of the trip to Ch’almuth.”
M’kou nodded. “It is. I’ll contact our mess and have them send you a decent meal tonight. The food in the dispensers is nutritional, but lacks taste,” he said, pulling a face. “My thanks for your help in there.”
Automatically he flicked an ear in acknowledgment.
“I’ll take that as a yes for the meal,” said M’kou as they left.
His sleep was unsettled, full of disturbing images of home and those he’d loved. The sound of Shaidan’s whimpering finally awakened him. Still groggy with sleep, he reached out for the light, switching it on at the dim setting, then held his son’s trembling body closer to his own.
“What is it, korrai?” he mumbled as the cub wound his hands in the longer pelt on his chest. “What’s wrong? There’s nothing to be afraid of, we’re safe here.”
“You were upset,” Shaidan said, nuzzling his face up under his chin. “I felt them, the pale female and another, talking about you.”
He froze, all traces of sleep gone from his mind. “What did you say?”
“I sensed them from you, the ones I think I remember.”
“You can’t have,” he said automatically.
“I did. You could feel them, far away, and it upset you,” insisted Shaidan. “Who are they? Are they coming here?”
“No, they won’t come here,” he said through numbed lips, retreating slowly behind shields that even his son couldn’t penetrate as he thought of the message he’d left for them. “They don’t know where we are.”
They couldn’t come to Kij’ik, why would they? There was nothing he’d said on the crystal to make them come, he’d made sure of that. All he’d done was give them clues as to the cubs’ true heritage, and try to reassure them he’d been on a mission and not guilty of the crimes he knew would be laid against him.
“Who are they? Why could you sense them?” Shaidan yawned.
What should he tell him? What could he say? “She’s a Human, my life-mate, and she was mind-linked to me,” he said slowly, his arms tightening slightly round his son, the words hurting even as he spoke them. “He’s my sword-brother. I had to leave them behind when I came here.”
“Will I meet them one day?”
His son’s voice was fading as he slipped slowly back to sleep.
“Perhaps,” he whispered as their faces refused to be banished from his mind’s eye. Had he somehow been aware of them while he’d slept, and if so, how could Shaidan possibly have sensed them from his thoughts? Why now, of all times? Were they contemplating trying to find him? These questions and more made sleep almost impossible for several hours. Banner’s fears might not be so far off the mark after all. He had to ensure that if Carrie and Kaid did turn up, the weapons that would protect Kij’ik couldn’t be turned against them.
Zan’droshi, Zhal-L’Shoh 31st day (January)
“Your helmet cam’s down, Dzaou,” said Banner, looking at the display terminals. “Power it off and on again.”
“Copy,” said Dzaou, his voice sounding distant.
“Problems?” asked M’zynal.
Banner shook his head as the static on Dzaou’s screen went blank. “Probably just a loose connection.”
“You should have vision now,” said Dzaou over the comm system.
“Negative,” he said, glancing at the large wall display they now had to see the telltale tracer that marked Dzaou’s position on the deck plans also blink out. “Your tracer’s out now. You could have power problems in your suit. Head back to HQ immediately and get maintenance to check it out.”
“Copy that.”
Reaching out, Banner toggled on the ancillary tracer he’d hidden in the older male’s suit. For a few minutes he sat watching as the red light began moving in the general direction of their HQ.
“Want me to send out a rescue team to him?” asked M’zynal, glancing over from his own screens.
“No, he’s not too far from here,” said Banner, suddenly aware that he’d been tapping his claw tips on the desktop. “I have a backup tracer in his suit.” He lifted his hand, reaching out for the water pack at his side. “He’ll be fine.”
For
the last few days, Dzaou had been keeping an unusually low profile. He’d been expecting him to do something, which was why he’d planted the extra tracer in his space suit. Automatically, he replied to calls from Khadui and Jayza while watching as Dzaou turned off the main route back to maintenance and headed down a side corridor that would take him close to an area that was marked out as possibly holding an armory.
Leaning forward, he scanned the names on the monitors, matching them with their nearness to Dzaou. The older Sholan may have cut his camera and the tracer, but his comm system was still functioning.
“Maintenance bay crew, be advised we have a possible malfunction on your power routing,” he said. “I’m sending a team to investigate. Zhalmo, take a left and head for the terminal in corridor 3. I’m getting slight fluctuations in the power readings from there. I don’t want it cutting out on the team in the maintenance bay.”
“Copy that, Lieutenant,” she said. “On our way.”
Satisfied, he sat back, watching as Zhalmo’s group began heading in Dzaou’s direction. M’zynal swung round in his chair to glance at him, before returning to study the wall display. Dzaou had now reached the prohibited area and had stopped there. Moments later, he turned sharply and after a brief hesitation beside an intersection, began heading directly to maintenance. Banner made a mental note of the location. Second meal break was coming up in half an hour. He’d have a word with Khadui and get him to check out the intersection when they returned to work.
It was a couple of hours into the afternoon shift before Dzaou was able to return to the small pile of tangled wreckage under which he’d stashed the two energy cells. Carefully he moved aside the small pieces of twisted metal and torn carpeting. In the center was a piece of paper. Swearing softly to himself, he picked it up and read it.
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