Rhian was right. Dressed as she was, she blended in amidst the colorfully dressed Sholans. She was glad to sit down and let the general hubbub of noise wash over her. In the more familiar company of Vanna and Garras— Mito having been unable to come— Carrie began to relax.
Kusac arrived, fur still damp from his shower. He took the seat between Carrie and Rhian.
“Sorry I’m late, I had some business to attend to,” he apologized.
“Your first meal back on the Khalossa and you didn’t even bother changing,” scolded Vanna.
“It is a clean jacket. I didn’t want to keep you waiting any longer,” he said, turning to Carrie, his hand briefly touching hers in greeting.
“It’s as well you didn’t,” said Garras, an amused look on his face. “You might not have had a Leska waiting for you. We’ve had to fend off at least two hopeful young males.”
“Excuse me?” said Carrie, startled.
“Pheromones,” stated Vanna. “Jo has to be right.”
“Are you trying to tell me…? You mean they weren’t just being friendly?”
“They were being very friendly, until we suggested they leave,” said Askad with a grin.
“How could they!” exclaimed Carrie. “Surely they know I have a Leska,” she faltered, glancing at Kusac.
“There’s no need to take offense,” said Rhian, puzzled by the human female’s reaction. “They were very careful to behave courteously.”
“Carrie’s people form a bond with only one person,” said Kusac quietly.
“Ah, like the Touibans,” said Askad.
“No harm was done, Carrie, nor insult intended,” said Vanna, leaning forward to pat the girl reassuringly on the hand. “In fact, the opposite.”
“I said more than Kusac would find you attractive, didn’t I?” said Rhian with a laugh that bordered on a purr.
“Let’s get some food,” said Kusac abruptly, getting to his feet and waiting for Carrie to join him.
Confused, she reached out for him as she got to her feet. Mentally and physically, he lent a steadying hand.
It’s the Sholan way, cub, he sent. Look at the memories you gained from me when we Linked the first time. You’ll understand it better now. Vanna or Rhian can tell you more about our ways. Ask them.
Are your women often approached like this?
It depends. Often they do the approaching, too. He hesitated. There are ways I can prevent this happening if you wish.
I wish! Do it now.
No one will approach you when we’re together, he said, his hand tightening on hers. We’ll talk of other ways later
Reassured, she moved closer to him as they approached the serving area.
“Did Rhian lend you those clothes?” he asked. “You look really good in them. They suit you.”
“She wanted me to wear the Telepath Guild colors.”
“Sensible. It gives you the protection of my guild from the first. Now, let’s see what they’ve got to eat today,” he said, stopping at a board of glowing cursive script.
The meals she’d shared with them so far hadn’t prepared her for the food on the Khalossa. The Sholan diet was rich in meats, but the variety of sauces they were either cooked in or served with was extensive. Vegetables and fruit were numerous, too.
After they’d eaten, they made their way from the mess through to the main concourse, the communal leisure area of the Khalossa. It was very different from what she had seen of the ship so far. Here was no narrow corridor of identical doorways all painted a utilitarian restful gray.
The first thing that struck Carrie about the concourse, apart from how large and open it was, was the view. The blackness of space lit by a myriad of tiny pinpoints of light gleamed beyond the transparent wall. She could only stand and stare in wonder as the limitless vista called to something deep in her soul.
She reached out, fingers tentatively touching the window. In her mind she could feel Kusac’s gentle amusement.
This is why you and I left our home, he sent, his hand closing on her shoulder. A new life and new worlds among the stars.
It’s so beautiful, I had no idea!
How could you, tied to one world? He gestured with his other hand toward the stars. That’s where the future lies, and we’re part of it.
Yes, she sighed, laying both palms against the cool surface. No barriers to stop us, just the vastness of space before us. I don’t think I could bear to leave it.
“I don’t want to hurry you,” said Vanna’s voice from behind them, “but you’ve been starstruck now for the last ten minutes! Do you think we could leave now? I’d rather like to get a drink.”
“I’m sorry, Vanna,” said Carrie, turning around. “It’s just so beautiful!”
“I gathered you were somewhat impressed by it when your eyes glazed over and you started stalking across the concourse. It was as if nothing else existed, the way you were prepared to walk through anyone in your way!”
“I didn’t,” said Carrie aghast, looking round in embarrassment. Sholans sitting around the tables by the window were regarding their little group with indulgent amusement.
Put your shield up, cub, came Kusac’s warning. They aren’t laughing at you, they’re just enjoying your pleasure. It reminds them of their first time in space.
Carrie concentrated on building a mental barrier as they moved off toward one of the doorways with tables and chairs outside it.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“This is called the concourse,” said Garras. “Over there are the main stores for both ship levels. That’s where we get all the day-to-day essentials like brushes, soap— stuff like that.”
“Over there,” said Vanna, pointing to the opposite side, “that’s where you get the few luxury items that the Khalossa carries. Hair decorations, cosmetics, some leisure clothes, snack foods— things that make life a little more varied on a starship like this.”
“In the center they sell memory cubes for the comms and the notepads, ones with books on them,” said Kusac.
“Books? What kind of books?”
“Whatever you want,” said Vanna. “Some are stories told by our leading storytellers, others you read yourself. You can get them on any subject you want. Like the clothing, if they haven’t got it in, they can order it for delivery on the next supply ship.”
“Would you like to go into the store?” asked Rhian.
“No, thanks,” she said, moving closer to Kusac as she became aware that she was the focus of many curious looks. Suddenly the concourse seemed full of people. A headache was building and all she wanted to do was sit down in a quiet area away from the noise and bustle.
Remember your shield, cub, sent Kusac, picking up her distress.
As she strengthened her barrier again, the headache began to fade and the noise seemed to lessen.
“It’s shift change,” said Vanna. “That’s why it’s gotten so busy. Let’s get settled before all the seats are gone.”
The bar was not dissimilar to her father’s, having a long counter with several tall stools placed beside it as well as the surrounding tables and chairs. They chose to sit at the counter, the six of them forming a little knot at one end. Perhaps because of the semifamiliar surroundings, or perhaps because of the company, she finally found herself slipping back into the easier relationship she’d had with Kusac before the raid on the Valtegan base. She’d found a referent to counter the culture shock that had suddenly begun to hit her.
Since leaving Rhian’s and Askad’s quarters, she’d been watching the Sholans, trying to see them as a people now that she had the opportunity. They were gregarious, liking to be in groups rather than couples. As Vanna and Kusac had said, there were far more males than females but that didn’t stop their clothing from being on the flamboyant side. Her outfit was nothing spectacular compared to some.
They were also a highly tactile species, as she had already guessed. Within their groups, they frequently touched their partners or frie
nds. The exceptions were her telepath companions. She’d already picked up Rhian’s and Askad’s reluctance to touch anyone not of their guild, but they showed their affection for their friends in the featherlight touch of fingers against their cheeks.
The same was true with Kusac, though tonight he touched no one but her, his hand straying frequently to where hers lay on the counter. His need to touch her, as if for reassurance she was there— not to mention her growing reciprocal need— was no more than others were doing.
She sat quietly, sipping the rather heady drink she’d been given and listened to them discussing the reports they were due to hand in to the Admin office in the morning. She leaned against Kusac, pleased when he put an arm around her shoulders, his fingertips gently stroking her neck for a moment or two.
“Kusac, what happens when you’ve to go back to work?” she asked. “What do I do? Come to think of it, what do you do?”
“We’re on leave for the moment,” he said. “After what we went through on Keiss, we’ve been given ten days off.”
“You’ve got longer,” said Askad. “New Leska pairs get an extra five days, fifteen in all, so as to get to know their partner better. During that time they meet with their Tutor to assess their working capabilities. Once that’s been done, then they’re reassigned to appropriate duties. I presume the same will happen with you.”
“What do telepaths do on the Khalossa? What do you do?”
“I don’t so much do, as work with people and advise them about what needs doing,” he said vaguely, keeping his eyes turned away from Rhian and Askad.
“Yes, what have you been doing, Kusac?” asked Rhian, her tone a little sharp. “You’re wearing a grade five badge, but I’ll warrant that isn’t your true level.”
“It was suggested that I needed the experience, so I’ve been working with the military protectorate in the troop levels. You know the sort of thing,” he said. “Assessing situations and advising what level of telepath is needed to defuse any potential trouble. Glorified crowd control.”
“Hm,” said Rhian, obviously not convinced. “It’ll be interesting to see what you’re doing three weeks from now.”
“You want to know what we do,” said Vanna from across the curve of the bartop. “Well, I’m up in the medical section taking my turn in the wards with any of the injured or ill, or I’m in the labs running tests. I was included on the Sirroki because it was on a three-month mission, and they needed a medic on board.”
“I pilot scouters,” said Garras. “Normally I’d be plying the trade routes for my clan, but I was drafted in to fly the scouters doing reconnaissance and survey work. Again, I’ll be on leave for the next few days. After that, who knows what they’ll find for me to do?”
“It’s not exactly leave,” said Vanna. “We’ve still to be properly debriefed. AlRel will want to talk to us, then they’ll want us to have medicals. The Telepathic Medics have scheduled a session for you tomorrow morning, Carrie. It won’t be too much of an ordeal as they’ve been told you’re a healer. That means no psych profiles and a minimal physical examination. Rhian and I will be with you, so you won’t have to go through it alone,” she reassured her. She looked over at Kusac. “Your session is in the afternoon.”
“Are they afraid I’m carrying some strange germs or something?” asked Carrie.
“No, of course not,” she laughed. “We all went through decontam as we came off the shuttle. You’re a new species, they want some tissue and blood samples so they can run their batteries of tests. If you take ill, they have to know how you’ll respond to our drugs. They also need to key your physiology into the computers so we know how to reproduce your blood, plasma— all those things.”
Underlying Vanna’s voice, Carrie was aware of the sound of Terrans coming into the bar.
“Why do they want to see me?” asked Kusac.
“They don’t, I do,” said Vanna. “I’m curious to see if there have been any chemical changes in your brain because of your Link. And I want to check on your leg wound. The bandage needs changing.”
Kusac frowned thoughtfully.
Carrie meanwhile had leaned back to glance quickly toward the door. It was Skai and the rest of the Terran party. She ducked back against Kusac, trying to make herself invisible in the faint hope they wouldn’t recognize her. Several of the Sholan women she’d seen wore their hair long.
Skai spotted Vanna and called out a friendly greeting just as Kusac picked up Carrie’s distress.
“I hear there’s a Terran woman on board,” said a loud voice, “keeping company with one of your males.”
Kusac, leaning down toward Carrie, froze.
“That’s him,” said Lawson, the owner of the voice as he walked over toward them. “The telepath. Found one of your own kind instead, eh?” His ribald laugh died as Kusac turned to face him, exposing Carrie.
“So they were right,” Lawson continued, his voice low and full of venom. “You’re the one from Geshader. Bloody little no-good tramp!”
Kusac began to snarl, lips pulled back to expose his large and deadly canines. “How dare you talk to my Leska like that.”
Skai tried to pull him back. “Leave it, Lawson. You met her sister, not Carrie.”
“So?” said the man belligerently, pulling away. “Some bloody family they are! Both of them no better than…”
“Shut up, Lawson!” said Anders, cutting him short and trying to step between him and Kusac. “You’ve had too much to drink. Leave them be, they aren’t harming anyone. It’s none of your business.”
Carrie moved back, trying frantically to get off her stool. Fear and anger warred in her in equal proportions, and she knew Kusac could feel it.
“No, I won’t shut up,” said Lawson, staggering slightly as he pulled free of Skai for the second time. “I want to know why she keeps screwing aliens! Is she a pervert or something?”
Skai backed off, trying to catch Carrie’s eye, but it was Vanna who was staring at him.
“Nothing to do with me, honestly,” he said, spreading his arms.
Anders grabbed for Lawson as the fourth member of their group ran to help. Together they tried to haul him back toward the door.
As Kusac leaped off his stool, Carrie lost her balance and tumbled off to be caught by Garras. She was thrust unceremoniously toward Vanna as he left the bar to circle round the side of the angry group.
Slowly Kusac padded over to where Anders and Perry had managed to haul Lawson. He was in a half crouch, tail lashing, ears so flat and to the side they were almost lost against his black fur. The hair across his neck and shoulders was raised and from his narrowed eyes, the pupils glowed red.
Carrie sensed Lawson through Kusac’s huntersight. He had focused on his prey with the concentration and singlemindedness of a telepath. His need to kill this… person… for such a mortal insult was paramount.
“Garras!” Carrie called out frantically. “For God’s sake, stop him! He’s Hunting!”
Kusac stood before the human, trying to force back the tide of anger racing through his blood. At his sides his hands clenched, fresh pain shooting through his already injured palms, but by doing that he managed to keep his claws retracted. He’d had enough of Terran bigotry.
Lawson, with the strength of the drunk, pulled free of the two men and crouched down in a parody of Kusac’s stance. The large man spread his arms. “Come on, kitty. What’re you going to do, eh?”
“He’ll do nothing,” sneered Norris, who till now had kept out of it. “He’s got no guts, he’s only a Telepath! They can’t fight. Stupid bitch couldn’t even choose a real cat!”
The angry group had spread to the center of the room by now. Around them, the Sholans were hurriedly leaping out of the way, one or two of the braver souls hauling the nearest tables clear.
Instinct suddenly took over and Kusac lashed out at Lawson’s head. The human went sprawling, crashing into Anders, then staggering to a halt against a table.
Kusac leape
d after him only to find Garras there first. The Captain pushed Kusac back, then caught the blow intended for the telepath in a fist twice the size of Lawson’s. With his other fist he landed a blow of his own, hitting the Terran on the jaw and felling him like a male rhakla. The two Sholans exchanged a brief glance, then turned to face the other Terrans.
“First bar brawl?” Garras asked Kusac with humor, keeping his eyes on their opponents. “Enjoy it, just get out of the hunter/kill mode,” he growled, landing Kusac a stinging blow across the ears.
“Hey!” said Kusac, shaking his head and blinking, but it had had the desired effect. The killing urge had gone. Perversely, he wished it hadn’t.
Skai and Anders, hands held up at shoulder level to show their neutral state, were backing off, leaving Perry and Norris. Hurriedly, Perry joined them.
Likewise, Garras moved away from Kusac.
“Well, now,” Norris drawled, looking round. “Looks like it’s just you and me.”
Kusac’s mind was suddenly swamped by Carrie’s memories of his last fight, the Death Challenge that Guynor had called. Mentally he called Rhian, telling her to get Carrie out of there and back to their quarters, then he blanked his Leska out.
Norris took advantage of his apparent hesitation and came barreling in, determined to get as close as possible before the deadly claws could get him.
The first blow caught Kusac in the stomach, winding him and causing him to double up. This gave Norris the opportunity to land a couple of punches before Kusac was able to recover enough to retaliate.
Shoving him backward, Kusac swung at the Terran’s head but missed and hit him a glancing blow on the shoulder instead. His hand drew back ready to try again, then he was roughly seized from behind.
“Enough!” a voice bellowed in his ear as his arms were pulled backward and pinned behind him. He remained still as the security personnel pounced on Norris, Garras, and the Terrans.
Oblivious to his own situation, Kusac sent again to Rhian, demanding to know if they had gotten clear before security arrived.
We’re clear and on our way home, she replied.
*
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