"Now that depends. Do you have a place for my wife? She's a healer---about to be certified as a Tech Three---been in space before."
"I prefer Tech Fives, but I'd take a Tech Three to get you. You said she's a psionic healer?"
"Dawning---saved my life. We're psi-mates if you remember."
"Yes." The other man nodded. "I guess you wouldn't leave her behind." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Can't say that I've ever met psi-mates before---might be interesting. Hmm."
Chelle moved beside Hankura, greeting Captain Beras politely.
"Nice, very nice," said Beras. "You think about it Hankura, and get back to me in, say---no more than a week."
"Fine, sir." The Aledan nodded.
"All right then, stand by and Dana will give you coordinates and channel codes for contacting us," said Beras. "We'd be glad to have you join us. A few of my crew are a little leery of psions, but nothing like the prejudice you have on Aledus."
"Glad to hear it. I'll let you know as soon as we decide."
A few minutes later, a golden-skinned woman with short, kinky blond hair appeared on the screen. She fed the necessary information into their telecom computer, then ended the transmission.
"I guess Gray and Kaara really want us to sign up with them," Hankura said and set the telecom to record any further messages. "Beras is a good man. He would treat us fairly. He doesn't think much of Aledus."
"But he must think highly of you---and you want the job. I know you do."
"There's so much to consider, though." His expression grew serious. "Space exploration is dangerous business---even for medical people . . . Sometimes more so for them. If they need anyone, they usually send techs with the landing parties. Who knows what you could be exposed to? Disease, hostile beings, poisonous environments, radiation---it could mean any number of things."
"You just about summed up Earth, if you ask me." She smiled and draped her arms around his neck, looking him straight in the eyes. "And there are plenty of hostile beings there . . .."
"I can't argue that." He hesitated. "At least we'd be trained to deal with the dangers, though. They don't care to lose their people. We'd have to sign for five years with the option of an extension. And we have been considering that possibility before this happened."
"Then why don't we? You know I'll go anywhere with you."
"You really want to go?" Hankura grinned. He knew she wanted to go as much as he. With a flourish, he swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply. "Morning's soon enough to com them. Right now, I'd rather continue what we were doing. You didn't want to sleep tonight did you?"
"I just want you, tonight."
Teasing and laughing in the midday sunshine, Hankura and Chelle walked through the garden in front of their dome, headed to the air wedge on their way to Salla. In the corner of his mind, Hankura still mourned DaVonne's senseless death, and he hadn't gotten over his anger at what Theron had tried to do to Chelle. He no longer blamed her. They weren't going to try to fit into a world that didn't want them---anymore. They were going to the stars.
"Captain Beras gave us more time than I expected," Chelle said, waiting while Hankura opened the air wedge hatch. They climbed inside.
"Umhmm. Two months'll give us a nice long stay on Belderon with Casir. I'm really anxious to see him again. I didn't realize how much I missed him until I saw him on the view screen last night. I just know you'll love him."
"And Jana and Delara?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Hankura added with a wry grin. "They always did like Casir better, but they are still my friends, and I love them."
Chelle laughed. "I know that. There have been so many before me. If I'm jealous of one, then I'll have to be jealous of all of them."
"None of them were as special as you---"
"What about Carianne?"
"Lovely lady." Hankura shook his head and sighed. "But, you're my only psi-mate." He chucked her under the chin and kissed her lightly. "Set this thing for Salla and let's get going. I want to get to the Medical Center before Mikal gives up on me."
"Are you going to tell the others what happened yesterday?" She pressed the ignition sequence, and the craft came to life, lifting slowly into the air.
"No, I don't plan to tell anyone unless Mother pries it out of me. But, she's been behaving herself lately. I doubt she'll try."
"Natar certainly won't be happy when you tell her we're leaving . . .."
"That can wait---and if you don't mind, it's something I should do alone."
Chelle looked at him intently. You're afraid she'll be angry and blame me.
"It's possible--but that's one of the bogies I have to face on my own. Anyway, she's grown fond of you in her own way."
"She'd like me better if I gave you a child," Chelle said dryly. "She reminded me the other day that I don't have to carry a child full term the way those barbarians still do on Earth; as if I didn't know . . .."
"But you haven't forgotten about Lania's dead child at the nurtury," Hankura finished. "Well, Mother will just have to wait for us to have children. We have to get our own lives in order before we have children to worry about. I am Aledan born, but Aledus can never be our permanent home. It's only a stopping place for us. There won't be any children before we leave the explorations. We've printed the contracts."
" Natar won't like that, Hank. I know she won't. She still hopes we'll decide to stay after all."
"Don't worry, Chelle. I'll take care of it."
"Speaking of children, when does Lania deliver?"
"Two and a half months. I was looking forward to it. I haven't delivered a baby in a long time."
"Who'll Mikal get in place of you?"
"Probably Fargo. He's not much for psions, but Mikal can trust him. He wouldn't let Lania out of his sight during the birth anyway."
"And will you be there when I give you your first born?"
"Count on it." He grinned. "But have a partial neural block, or I won't be good for anything until it's over. I'm sensitive to other people's pain, but I feel yours as though it were my own. If I were as empathetic with others, I could never be a physician."
"That's what happened to Casir, isn't it?"
"Yeah. He was doing fine until he came to people in pain. He needed so much mental effort to block out their suffering, he couldn't effectively help them. So, he switched to engineering."
"Does he like it?"
"He seems to. Engineering was his second choice, and it was a hard decision for him."
"I am really looking forward to meeting him in person after all this time. I feel as though I already know him through you."
"You do."
The air wedge settled down at South Salla Hoverport close to the subway terminal. The power pack shut off, and the hatch opened automatically. Hankura and Chelle climbed from the craft and headed toward the tubes. Six uniformed Enforcers stood near the entrance. They could sense the Enforcers eyes on them.
A cold shiver crept up Chelle's spine. She suspected their intentions. "What do you think they want?" she whispered shakily to Hankura.
"They want me."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"No! Don't let them take you." Chelle gripped his arm. We have to get away. You haven't done anything wrong . . ..
"They think so. Theron lied to them. They believe I attacked him without provocation." He turned to her and grasped her arms. His eyes were dark and intense. If I run, it will just make things worse. There's no way I can get off world before the catch me.
"It's my fault." She shook her head. "I should have listened to you about the University in the first place."
"No, we settled that. It's his fault. He lied!"
"What'll they do to you?" She glanced warily at the armed Enforcers moving closer to them.
"State the charges and arrest me. I'm a psion. The case is already decided." He paused scanning their minds. "Mother of Life! I've been sentenced to six months’ solitary confinement. Then I'll be exiled from the citi
es for a standard year."
"Oh, no! What can we do?"
Hankura shook his head miserably. "There's nothing we can do. Theron only had to charge me. He's a Normal. I'm guilty until proven innocent. I want you to go home and tell Trevin what happened. He'll go with you to tell Mother and Father. I'll contact Mikal."
"Will they let me see you?"
"No. Remember, I told you that. Psions aren't allowed visitors." He held her, pressing his cheek against her soft auburn hair. But, they can't keep you from touching my mind.
"I still don't want them to take you." She looked up at him, trying to blink back tears. She was afraid for him and afraid of being separated from him. They hadn't been apart more than a few hours since they left Earth.
He cupped his hand against her cheek. "Don't cry. I don't really want to go, but no one'll hurt me if I just go with them. Promise me you won't come to Salla alone while I'm locked up. I won't be able to protect you from jail. I don't want anyone to hurt you." Reluctantly, gently, he put her out of his embrace.
"I promise," she managed.
The Enforcers surrounded him. The man in charge recited the charges of criminal assault with intent to kill along with the sentence just as Hankura predicted. Then, he added, "Come with us willingly, or we'll use force."
"You'd like that," Hankura muttered and walked toward them slowly, looking more confident than he felt. He paused to cast a wistful glance at his wife just before he disappeared into the Enforcer's special tube system within the subway terminal.
Chelle watched them go, staring after them in shock for a long time.
"You damned psions never learn," taunted the smug Enforcer as he motioned for Hankura to go into the windowless cell. "Maybe reconditioning is what you need to straighten you out."
Hankura bit back an angry retort and stepped into the small cubicle. The door slid shut behind him immediately.
The room was nearly empty except for a narrow pullout bunk on the far wall and a vid com seat to the left. He'd get three hours vid com time per month of his stay here.
At the other end of the room was an in wall holocube beside a tiny sanitary closet and food dispenser. The food would be bland with little selection, but it would sustain him during his stay.
But six months locked in here alone! He could see no one; no guards, no visitors---no other prisoners until his release.
Hankura flopped on the bunk, feeling thoroughly frustrated and discouraged. He was guilty of nothing. All he'd done is defend his wife against a brutal attack. Was he just supposed to let Theron beat and rape her because she was a Psion and Theron was a Normal? Like hell, he would!
Still, Chelle should have been more alert to Theron's mood. She should have gotten out of the lab cell before he could corner her like that. No, that was unfair. She was doing required lab work, and Theron was harassing her. Ignoring him was her primary defense because of the Psi Laws. And she was sharing his grief for Davonne
Hankura understood all of this, yet he resented her part in the whole mess. That just brought him back to realize what he'd known all along; he should never have brought her to Aledus in the first place. He loved her, but marriage and pledging under the circumstances had been a reckless move. He had been fool enough to believe that love would give them strength to meet the challenges of Aledus.
But was it enough? He wondered. Until they'd locked him alone in this tiny cell, Hankura had never questioned it. Feeling his need to come to Aledus and face his past was enough to make Chelle find the courage to journey through space with him. Hankura had no right to blame her for anything.
He flicked his glance around the cell and squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering as the walls seemed about to close around him. He felt none of the peaceful solitude in that tiny cell that he'd experienced traveling alone in space in his Arius Mran. His increasing sensation of claustrophobia had him on the verge of panic. What if they never freed him? How could he stand this loneliness?
You aren't alone, love. Chelle's assurance crept soothingly into his mind. I don't blame you for being angry with me. I made a stupid mistake, and I am sorry. But I can't take it back . . ..
I know Chelle. I'm just feeling discouraged. I have never felt so trapped in my life---six whole months in here alone . . . Not to touch you or hold you or feel your body close to mine . . .. Mother of Life, I can hardly stand the thought!
Hold on, love. They've gone too far, this time! Theron won't get away with this.
What are you going to do? Hankura wondered uneasily. Yet, he was heartened by her stubborn determination.
Something. I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know when I figure it out.
Chelle, be careful. Don't do anything reckless.
Who me? I would never!
When she returned to the complex, Chelle could sense only Trevin's presence within the family domes. She went inside and took the tunnel to his dome to talk over the situation with him before facing Ludren and Natar with the news.
"Come in." Trevin motioned for her to enter when he answered the courtesy signal. "I see you're not attending lecture in Salla today."
"I won't be going back to the University anymore." She looked at him glumly. "Where is everyone?"
"Lenth, I think. I just got home---I've broken off with Vera," he told her dully.
"I'm sorry," Chelle said, steeling herself against the mixed feelings of sadness and longing that were directed at her. Outwardly, they were friends. But Trevin still wanted her, and he didn't always hide it very well from her or Hankura. Trevin was in love with her.
"Aw, hell, don't be. It was a pitiful relationship anyway. There was little more than sex between us. A dozen others could give me that just as well. And I'm rather fond of Floria, my new free-mate. She may even like me a little, I don't know yet." He shrugged ruefully.
"Trev, do you know when Ludren and Natar will be back?" she asked, only half listening to what he said.
"Sometime this evening, I think. Is something wrong?"
"Yes. Hankura was arrested a little while ago," she said slowly.
"What?" He looked stunned. "What did he do?"
"Oh, Mother. It's not fair," she muttered and went on to tell him everything that had happened the day before.
"Didn't they even let Hankura answer the charges?"
"Trevin, he's a psion. Theron charged him so he's guilty until proven innocent because Theron is a Normal. Hankura got six months because he wouldn't let Theron hurt me."
"Theron is lucky Hankura didn't kill him."
"No, Hankura is lucky," Chelle mused bitterly. "They would wipe his mind for that. Oh, Trevin! How am I going to tell Ludren and Natar? She's going to hate me!"
"I'll help you Chelle," he quickly assured her, and it helped a little. "What we need is a legist. It seems there is a way to get Hankura a hearing---but it's been a long time since I studied civil law. Capra should know . . .."
"Of course! She's a law intern." Chelle brightened. "Did she go to Lenth, too?"
"No, I think she's in Salla with Stefan. We'll check with the vid com."
Chelle followed Trevin into his comcell and waited while he keyed in the code for Stefan's tower flat in Salla. Shortly, an annoyed Stefan materialized on the view screen.
"To what do I owe this untimely interruption?" Stefan demanded haughtily.
"Is my sister with you?" Trevin asked, unruffled.
"Yeah, wait a minute."
Then, Capra appeared, pulling the belt on her dressing robe tighter and shoving her fingers through her tousled curls. "This better be good, Trevin."
"Hankura was arrested this morning."
"For what?" Capra demanded in an outraged tone.
"Chelle will tell you." He stepped aside and let Chelle go through the story again. "Can we help him?" she asked finally.
"Yes. Petition the Council of Seven for the Test of Truth." Capra answered without hesitation. "It might be hard, though. We have to get prints from six Normals, not blood related to the accused b
efore they will consider it. Do you know enough people to do that?"
"His techs at the Medical Center. That leaves three more. Hankura and I are less than popular here. We have very few real friends because I am an off world psion, and we're both unconditioned."
Capra turned to look at Stefan inquiringly.
"Do you know what that would do to my reputation if I were to intercede for a psion?"
"Do you know what six months in solitary confinement will do to my brother?" she countered. "You don't have to speak for him. We're only asking for the truth."
"I don't know." His face took on a haunted look, and he turned, pacing away from the screen. "That would still leave two short. I don't know anyone else who would petition for a psion."
"Well, if you won't," Capra told him, "I'm putting on my clothes and packing my things. I'll leave for good. We're not just talking about some psion. We're talking about my brother. No matter what they say; he's a good man. So make your choice."
"Capra!"
She turned to face him. "I mean it," she said with grim determination.
Stefan grimaced as she came into view again. "All right. If you can get the other two, I'll give my print as the sixth---only because he is your brother."
"Thank you, Stefan." Chelle smiled gratefully. "Hankura would do the same to you. I'll com you when we have found the fifth."
Ending the conversation, Chelle turned back to Trevin. "Do you know anyone?"
He shook his head no. "I'm ashamed to say. Most of my friends don't like psions any better than most of the other Normals on Aledus. Haven't you noticed that none of them ever come here? Vera wouldn't. First, it was because of Mother, and then you and Hankura came. I love you all, but I'm ashamed of you to my friends," he admitted miserably. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Trev." She touched his arm gently. "Hankura and I understand. But, I don't think you're ashamed of us. I rather think you're trying to spare our feelings by letting your friends stay away and by keeping your social life separate from your home life. You're not ashamed to escort me in public at the University. It helped a lot, you know."
The Aledan PSION: The Aledan Series Book 1 Page 19