Valence (Confluence Book 4)

by Jennifer Foehner Wells

  Alan thought immediately of the battle they’d waged above Pliga. “Could they be changing into something more like Kai’Memna? It can’t have been just me that thought his brain powers were much stronger.”

  Schlewan’s ears pulled back sharply. “It’s a shame we don’t have his remains to study.”

  Yeah, Alan thought, a real fucking shame.

  No one said anything for a while. Everyone was probably wondering just how much like Kai’Memna Brai and Pio might get. Not pretty thoughts, considering that neither of them was yoked anymore.

  “Well, keep me informed of any other changes you discover,” Jane said abruptly.

  Pledor stepped forward. “With your permission, Qua’dux, I’d like to show Huna the Greenspace Deck?”

  Pledor and that deck, man. He was all about that deck.

  Jane nodded. “Of course.”

  Pledor and Huna started to leave, but stopped when Jane said, “And please personally escort him back to the Tree when he’s ready to go, Pledor.”

  Pledor’s ears pulled back, but his head dipped in acquiescence. “I will treat him as an honored guest.”

  Alan had to work hard not to roll his eyes or snort. Pledor’s idea of treating guests well had left something to be desired when he had hosted them on Atielle.

  Ryliuk followed them. “I will accompany them.” He probably wanted to get out of the hot seat before Jane started asking more questions about his kuboderan “training” sessions. And show off his fuzzy pet plant to Huna. It was better not to leave Huna alone with Pledor anyway, so it was a good idea. Though Alan had doubts about whether Ryliuk was any better at playing host.

  Everyone else seemed to be lingering around the console that monitored the two squid like they weren’t sure what to do next. It had been a damn weird day. Total information overload. Maybe he should try to lighten the mood?

  He sidled up to Jane and put an arm around her waist. “Well, they’re cohabiting now. They’ve got a dog. What’s next? A minivan? Popping out babies?”

  Schlewan and Jaross stared at him blankly. Ajaya sighed. Ron snickered. Jane slapped his ribs lightly and turned to Schlewan. “Please stay and monitor them for the remainder of this shift. Tinor and Ajaya will relieve you in turns after they’ve gotten some rest. Yes?” She looked pointedly to Tinor and Ajaya, who both seemed agreeable to the plan. She left them to work out the details.

  Alan followed her to the nearest deck transport. He stayed quiet because he was uncertain about her mood. Maybe he’d put his foot in it with the dog joke. But mostly, she just looked tired and worried. He knew how that felt.

  “I’m starving,” she muttered as she tapped the symbol for the crew deck.

  Add hungry to the list.

  He was hungry, too, now that he thought of it.

  They ordered up some food cubes from the food printer and sat down. It was time to taste test his newest creation. He was going for pizza-flavored food cubes, but so far the closest he’d gotten was sort of like SpaghettiOs. He wasn’t calling that a fail, though.

  He cleared his throat. “Do you think Huna burned some bridges today on the way back here? He certainly hopped to it. I wonder if this will help his cause or make his situation worse.”

  Huna had correctly interpreted the seriousness of the situation and abandoned all pretense of walking like the other pligans while leading them back to the egress tower nearest the Speroancora. All along the way, they’d heard other pligans chirping at him. It had sounded a lot like scolding.

  Jane looked thoughtful, ignored the terrible pun, and took a sip of water to wash down a food cube. “I’m not sure. I don’t feel like I have a very good grasp on their cultural conventions. If I had to guess, I would say that the more he deviates from what they deem standard behavior, the more likely they will be to let him go. From what he says, they’re committed to their orthodoxies at some great cost.”

  “Getting rid of the rebel would make them feel more comfortable, you mean.”

  Jane nodded. “Yes, but at the same time he’s one of their most valuable resources. They may decide to simply hide him away from the general population instead, so he’s not giving young people any ideas.”

  “I got the feeling that he preferred to be alone.”

  He tasted the first cube. Holy crap. He’d gone a little too far on the flavor component he called “Italian-esque Seasonings.” He considered making something else to eat, but decided to struggle through.

  “Yes and no. Solitude may feel like a relief because of the pressure they put on him when he’s in public. But I got a sense of wistfulness when he talked about that. I could be wrong, but I think he’d rather just be able to be himself among others.”

  “Even if all the others are aliens. Man, that’s messed up,” Alan said dryly. “What I don’t get is why they have any say at all in whether he stays or goes. He’s clearly an adult. He’s got free will. If he wants to leave, he should leave.”

  “It sounds like he wanted to leave some time ago and they objected to him taking one of the ships. I think he’s counting on the fact that if he’s made other arrangements they will not stop him. It didn’t seem to me that he was asking for their permission, merely breaking the news to them. But I don’t know.”

  “I guess we’ll know eventually. Whenever they get around to talking about it.”

  Jane didn’t reply. She looked so… sort of… pinched.

  “He’s going to be okay, Jane. They both are.”

  She exhaled heavily and looked up at the ceiling, breathing through her mouth, like she was actively struggling not to cry. “It was close. Too close. I… should never have believed it was safe out there for them. I should have insisted…” She broke off and stared down at her hands. A tear dropped onto the table.

  “They’re adults, Jane. You aren’t their parent.”

  She looked up, anguish clear in her features. “Aren’t I? In a way? I’m their leader. Well, Brai’s, anyway. Pio is so fragile after all she’s been through. And they’ve never had opportunities to learn how to be in the world. They need guidance. In some ways they’re like children. They’ve been sheltered to such an extreme.”

  He frowned. He hated seeing her beating herself up like this. “Don’t be absurd. Are you telling me that you would have denied Brai the experience of swimming free? There’s no way in hell you would do that. It’s a bizarre situation, but you did the right thing. They had to learn this lesson the hard way.”

  She threw up her hands. “By nearly dying in the mouth of a shark? I should have searched the entire geographic region myself, looking for predators. I should have made them stay close to the ship. I shouldn’t have been so sure that their barbs and beaks and speed would be enough to protect them.”

  “And in the future, we’ll do that, if that’s what you want. But I don’t think the old Squidster will like it. From his point of view, he’s gained lifetimes of experience from hitching rides in sectilian brains as they tromped around the galaxy.”

  “That’s different!”

  “I agree with you. I agree with everything you’re saying. But I’m still saying you didn’t make a mistake. It’s a shame it got this bad. It is. But, Jesus, Jane—do you really think he would have complied with strict restrictions, once he got out there? I don’t. It was exciting for them. I could sense their euphoria and I barely pay attention to them. They were living—truly living for the first time. That had to feel great. It’s good that they got to experience that.”

  She looked unconvinced.

  He kept at it, hoping to get through to her, to alleviate some of her crippling guilt. “Look, I know what it’s like to be out rock climbing by myself or with just one other person and taking stupid risks because you think you’re invincible. You learn pretty quick what your limitations are when you find yourself in a life-or-death situation that’s difficult to get out of. Now he knows. They both do. Any restrictions you put on them now will be more palatable.”

  “Maybe.”


  “Definitely. It’s in the past. You can’t redo it. So stop beating yourself up over it. Lessons have been learned. Move on.”

  She looked suspicious. “When did you get so wise?”

  He laughed. “Always. You just didn’t notice. You wanna try one of these?”

  She leaned back and eyed his pile of food cubes, which obviously wasn’t disappearing very fast. She’d tried some of his other creations and hadn’t been impressed. “I think I’ll make some tea.”

  “Coward. You tired? Wanna get some rest?” He attempted to waggle his eyebrows at her suggestively, but he was so damn tired he probably looked like he was having a seizure.

  Her lips twitched and she stood, giving him an amused sidelong look. “You go ahead. I know you’re tired. It’s early. I’m going to check on how the pligan work crews are progressing on the hull. Try to estimate how much longer it will be.”

  “I could help you relieve some stress…” He dangled the carrot, hopefully enticingly.

  She didn’t bite. She filled up a beaker at the hot-water station and dumped in some herbs Pledor had brought up from the Greenspace Deck. “I need to know how much more time we’ll likely be spending here. It will inform how we handle Brai and Pio’s recovery as well as our interactions with Huna. Enough work has been done that I should be able to figure out an average and estimate how much time is left.”

  “Good luck with that. Sometimes Bigu brings fifty folks, sometimes twelve. I’ll be going back out there again tomorrow with Ron, Jaross, and Ryliuk. I’ll try to do my own estimation.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So, about that rest—”

  Pledor stormed in, his ears pulled back so far that his beak of a nose stood out even more than usual. “I would like to register a formal complaint.”

  Jane took a deep breath, like she was bracing herself, then sat down with her tea and turned her gaze on Pledor. “What seems to be the matter?”

  “Huna! He said he would bring just one tree onto the ship—that that would be all he needed. I thought we would just remove the Dart Bell tree to make room. It doesn’t produce anything edible. It’s only ornamental. But he wants to clear out fully one-quarter of the productive space. I must protest! I’m feeding nine people. Surely that must be held in account!”

  “I’m sure we can find a compromise, Pledor,” Jane said tiredly.

  “It’s simple,” Alan interjected. “Put Huna on the Oblignatus instead. We have two ships. Two Greenspace Decks.”

  Pledor looked from Alan to Jane, then back and forth again.

  Jane said, “Maybe that would work. I don’t know if Ei’Pio intends to travel with us. She is free to do as she chooses.”

  “Oh, please. She’s coming with us.” Alan leaned back in his chair and sprawled out.

  Jane gave him a quelling look over her tea. “I won’t speak for her. We’ll have to wait until she’s well enough to decide for herself.”

  Alan shrugged. He didn’t think there was any question. The two cephalopods were thick as thieves. But he saw why Jane had to be diplomatic about it.

  “Where is Huna now?” Jane asked.

  Pledor visibly balked. “Master Ryliuk escorted him back to the Tree.”

  All softness left Jane’s expression. “I asked you to personally escort him back. You said you would treat him as an honored guest. I hope you didn’t make him feel ill at ease. We’re indebted to these people. We can’t afford to sour this relationship.”

  “I merely wished to make my concerns known to you. I’m sure I’ve given no offense, Quasador Dux Jane Holloway.”

  “Good. I’ll take your concerns into consideration.”

  Jane frowned into her tea as Pledor skedaddled.

  Alan was about to say something to her when Ryliuk lumbered in and filled a massive bowl with food cubes. He lifted his own bowl as an offering, but Ryliuk waved it off.

  Damn. He might have to eat all of these.

  Jane straightened. “You accompanied Huna back to the Tree?”

  “I did. He is a most fascinating individual.”

  “How did the visit go on the Greenspace Deck?”

  “It was unremarkable. Huna expressed an interest in the botanical variety. Pledor graciously showed it off to great effect. They discussed potential placement of a juvenile specimen. Then I walked back with him because Pledor said he had an errand.”

  A little more of the tightness in Jane’s jaw eased. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Of note—Huna resumed his awkward posture upon his return. He was greeted unfavorably, I would say. The pligans in the near vicinity seemed displeased with his prior behavior. That was the general atmosphere of the place. His mien was one of discomfort, though he did not remark upon any of this. I don’t perceive much from this species, though I would likely grasp more if they were trained in anipraxis.”

  “That’s good to know. Thank you, Ryliuk.”

  He said nothing more and left the room.

  Alan raised his eyebrows at her. “I think you’re right. I think your job must be a lot like parenting.”

  15

  “HOW CAN I HELP?” Jane asked.

  She’d seated herself on a low bench in a corner room with Gili. He’d sent someone down to the ship to ask her to come up to the Tree after three days with no contact. During those three days none of Bigu’s work crews had come to work on the ship. They hadn’t heard anything from Huna either.

  Jane had never gone to the Tree without an invitation, so she’d stayed away. Schlewan, however, had a habit of shadowing pligan teachers and students every day to learn pligan genetic techniques, and she continued that practice during Gili and Bigu’s silence. Schlewan reported that many of what might be considered the elders of the community were closeted away in conferences over Huna.

  Jane was bracing herself to hear the worst—that they were about to be banished from Pliga because of Huna’s interest in joining them. There were still sections of both ships’ hulls that were damaged and would be in danger of leaking air if the work wasn’t finished. They could seal them off, but it wasn’t ideal.

  Oddly, Gili had very specifically asked that Jane bring Schlewan along when he’d sent word to her. The sectilian woman sat next to her, cross-legged but silent.

  “I am not feeling like smiling for you now,” Gili said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?” Jane asked.

  “There has been much discussing with Huna. Such distressing goings-on.” He repetitively rubbed a suction-cupped fingertip over a knuckle on his other hand. “We were telling him how much we’re needing him, but he’s not caring about that. He has been saying he will not be working with us anymore, that he’ll be secluding himself, living alone, far away, if we are not letting him go with you on your ship. Either way, he will not be being with us any longer. He says he is not living an optimal life here.” Gili’s throat fluttered with his distress.

  Jane swallowed and made fleeting eye contact with Schlewan. “Oh.”

  Gili made a distressed, creaking sigh. “What we are not knowing is if you are even wanting to take him with you when you are leaving.”

  Jane nodded slowly. “We are not opposed to giving Huna transport. But we will only do so if you do not object. We are friends of Pliga. We do not wish to offend.”

  “No one is offending!” Gili said quickly. His large, metallic eyes blinked slowly. “It is seeming that I should be telling you… We have a tradition. When an individual is being needed for a specific type of work, or for breeding certain traits, we would be negotiating with other parts of the Tree, sometimes from very far away. When all needs are being satisfied, then we would be trading the people. It is being beneficial for all involved. We are needing Huna, but there is… no one replacing him.”

  Jane drew her brows together. “I see.”

  “Are you seeing?” He turned to Schlewan. “Are you seeing?”

  Schlewan looked thoughtful but didn’t say anythin
g.

  Jane leaned forward a little. She felt it was best to be direct. “Do you want Schlewan to stay, to replace Huna?”

  Gili’s throat fluttered. He merely watched Schlewan.

  Schlewan looked grave. “I am near the end of my lifespan. Huna is very young. I have not been educated in your genetic techniques. It is not a fair trade.”

  “The teachers are saying you show much promise. Your life experience is being very attractive to us. You may be finding you could be living longer here.”

  Schlewan looked into the distance. “I would require a great deal of education in your methods, and special accommodations would have to be made to meet my nutritional needs.”

  Gili chirped. “But of course! We will be making all necessary accommodations.”

  Schlewan stood. “Then I accept. I will go gather my things now, if you don’t mind, Qua’dux?”

  Jane stood too, her mouth gaping. “Ah, of course. Please take anything you think you might need from the ship. Take your time.”

  Schlewan walked away and Jane stood there, looking after her. She wasn’t sure she liked this turn of events. She was losing a competent doctor. It had happened so fast. Had Schlewan known this invitation was coming? Was this really what she wanted, or was she doing it for another reason?

  “Are you finding the trade satisfactory as well?” Gili asked. He looked far more at ease now.

  Jane felt for words carefully. “Schlewan must decide for herself what path her life will take. I won’t decide for her.” She hesitated for a moment. “I am surprised you would want an offworlder in trade. Didn’t you say that offworlders had no luck with your technology?”

  “Oh, no. You are misunderstanding. In the past, offworlders visit, learn, and want to take Existence away. But Existence must be remaining here with us. There is no impediment to learning—only to taking Existence away. We like offworlders. They bring novel ideas with them. Novel ideas are what move us forward. If we cannot be having Huna, we will be having someone who will also be benefitting our people.”