Kusac’s tail flicked, his ears trying to fold down. “No,” he said sharply. “Not like her sister. I have more to give her. Elise gave only pain.”
Jack leaned forward, frowning in concern as he patted Kusac on the hand. “Now, don’t take me wrong. I never meant that. I can see you care about her. I do have a personal interest in you both, you know.”
Kusac relaxed slightly, again moving away from Jack’s hand.
“What is it?” asked Jack, picking up on the gesture. “Have I done something I shouldn’t? Your people seem to be free of many of our taboos. Don’t you touch unless you’re related?”
Kusac grinned. “The scientist at work again. Yes, we’re very tactile but telepaths are a rule unto themselves. We don’t like being touched unless we invite that intimacy. I told you, our bodies sense as much as our minds. Imagine being touched by someone who dislikes you. You can’t avoid sensing all that hate directed toward you.” Kusac wrinkled his nose. “It’s far from pleasant.”
“That sounds more of a disability than an advantage,” said Jack, sipping his drink. “I suppose your own people know better than to touch you. I’m sorry if I caused you any distress.”
Kusac shook his head. “Only a little discomfort,” he said.
“Can you pick up knowledge through your telepathy?”
“Oh, yes, but it doesn’t give you the experience to use it. It has its limitations.”
“Have you picked up anything about our culture from Carrie, other than what you saw when you lived with us?”
“I know everything she knows,” said Kusac, “as Carrie does with me.”
“Then you two are the only people with a working knowledge and understanding of both our cultures. I hear you’re being posted back to Shola. It would make sense to pass on that knowledge to someone before you leave.”
“To you?” grinned Kusac. “Certainly, Jack. Come and see us tomorrow and I’ll arrange for you to meet our First Contact team personally. You’ll be the leading Terran xenobiologist yet!” he laughed.
“Good,” grinned Jack. “It’s refreshing not to have to conceal one’s small ambitions. Quite a glittering gathering, isn’t it?” he said, looking around the room. “Your people have a barbaric splendor tonight.”
Though slightly smaller than the average Sholan, the Terrans stood out because of their more sober clothing.
“Everyone is wearing ceremonial clothes,” said Kusac. “We dress for show, not warmth or nudity taboos like you.”
“What about that fellow,” said Jack, nodding at the Warrior standing resplendent in black and red near Kusac’s chair.
“Bodyguard,” said Kusac briefly. “One of the Warrior Guild.”
“I notice Carrie has one, too.”
“We keep getting told we’re a bridge between our species and they can’t afford to take any chances with our safety,” said Kusac tiredly.
“Have there been threats against you?” asked Jack, looking worried.
“No, none. In fact, most people present are untroubled by our bond. Most Sholans, that is,” he amended. “There was an incident on Keiss concerning one of the crew of our scouter and myself, but that was dealt with several days ago.”
“What happened?”
“I’m sorry,” said Kusac tersely, “I don’t wish to go over the incident again.”
Jack nodded, content to leave the matter. “I wish I could say our people are being more tolerant of you two, but some of them aren’t.”
“David,” said Kusac quietly.
“Yes. He’s trying to cause trouble by stirring up sympathy for himself over what he sees as your interference between him and Carrie.”
“Is anyone believing him?”
“One or two who are here tonight are half-convinced he has a genuine grievance, but in the main, no. However…”
“Carrie’s father?” asked Kusac, taking a drink from his glass.
Jack nodded.
“He intends to have the truth from you tonight.”
“I was afraid of that,” said Kusac, running a hand through his hair in annoyance.
“If I can offer some advice, go to him first. Take him aside and tell him privately because there’s no way you can soften the situation for him, and he’ll let everyone know how displeased he is.”
“Perhaps I should introduce him to my father first and tell them together,” Kusac grinned mirthlessly. “They don’t sound very different.”
“Fathers aren’t, essentially,” said Jack. “I’ll come, too, if you want. Perhaps I can explain the situation in a way that will ease matters.”
Kusac nodded, turning his head as he caught sight of a heavily armed Sumaan approaching him.
“It looks like the Chemerian Ambassador wants me,” he said. “I hope it’s nothing more than curiosity.”
“He’s a bit too like the Valtegans for my taste,” muttered Jack, looking suspiciously at the tall reptilian being coming toward them.
The Sumaan stood six feet tall to his shoulders. A sinuous neck which extended his height another two feet, was topped by a large crested head. He walked upright, his muscular legs like pillars above feet with nonretractable claws. His powerful arms ended in mobile clawed hands with three fingers and an opposable thumb. Behind him his tail, almost as thick as his thorax, was carried several inches off the ground.
“I wouldn’t say that,” said Kusac. “The only common factor is that they’re both reptilian. Even their skin color is different. His is more of an earth-brown color. He’s a Sumaan, the hired bodyguard. The Chemerian is the small furred being in the chair by the other guard.”
Jack glanced back to the Chemerian, noting the small robed body perched in the chair. Large dark eyes regarded them intently, then looked away to blink rapidly. The semicircular ears set on either side of the face quivered, almost folding over themselves before the ambassador managed to straighten them.
“They don’t like maintaining eye contact for long,” said Kusac. “They interpret it as confrontational. It’s one of the few ways to unsettle them without even trying.”
The Sumaan stopped in front of them, effectively blocking their view of his employer. Curving his neck down so his face was level with Kusac’s, he addressed him in halting Sholan while displaying a formidable array of teeth.
“Liegen Aldatan, Ambassador Taira demands you and Terran female.”
“Tell the Ambassador we will approach his presence shortly,” said Kusac.
The Sumaan’s tongue flicked briefly out toward Jack. Then, turning back to Kusac, he raised his hand in salute and left. They watched him threading his way back to his diminutive employer, trying to prevent his heavy tail from knocking into anyone.
“They live partially underground and their eyes see in the infrared range. As you can see, they’re built for speed and strength. The Chemerians, on the other hand, live in cities constructed in the upper branches of the trees that cover their world. They have few needs in common so they don’t compete with each other for resources or planets to colonize. It makes the Sumaan the perfect mercenaries for such a paranoid species.”
Jack sighed. “Before tonight I almost wished I was going to Shola with you. Now there are all these exotic new people to meet and study right here!”
Kusac laughed and got to his feet. “I can see I’ll have to make sure you get access to our data on the Sumaan and Chemerians, too! Nice to see you again, Jack. If I need your help tonight, I’ll call. Otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow morning in our suite about the third hour.”
*
He made his way over to where Carrie was talking to Skinner.
“Have you come to take care of her yourself?” asked the Captain. “I’m running out of excuses to keep her out of her father’s clutches.”
“I’m afraid it’s duty that calls,” he said, touching Carrie’s cheek gently with a finger as she smiled up at him. He turned to Skinner.
“The Chemerian Ambassador wishes to meet us. Have you been through
that scrutiny yet?”
Skinner grimaced. “Unfortunately. They’re almost rude with their curiosity, or is it just because we’re the new boys?”
“No, they’re like that with everyone. The trick in dealing with them is to be that bit more arrogant and unconcerned than they are. Didn’t someone brief you?” he asked, a frown appearing between his eyes.
“No, but you seem to be pretty well-informed.”
“A Clan Lord’s son is involved in interspecies diplomacy from an early age,” said Kusac. “It was one of my more interesting duties.”
Skinner narrowed his eyes. “Quite the dark horse, aren’t you?” he said as Kusac turned to go.
Kusac grinned and inclined his head, turning away. He drew Carrie’s arm through his as they walked toward the diminutive Chemerian Ambassador who sat curled in a chair, flanked by his two massive Sumaan guards.
Someone stepped in front of them. “I want a word with you two,” he said in Terran.
Kusac sized up the tall middle-aged man in front of him. “Mr. Hamilton, may I suggest we leave this conversation until tomorrow,” he said, aware of Carrie’s sudden wave of fear.
“I want to talk now, not tomorrow.”
“This is neither the right place nor time,” said Kusac. “It’s a public gathering and several of the Sholans present understand your language, not to mention your own party. Our presence has been requested by the Chemerian Ambassador.”
“I’m the Terran Ambassador and I insist on talking to you here and now,” Mr. Hamilton said angrily, his face flushing above his beard as he reached out to catch Kusac by the arm.
Instantly, the warriors stepped forward, swords drawn and pointed at the Terran. With a curt gesture, Kusac dismissed them.
Though obviously rattled by the guards’ instant reaction, Hamilton was by no means intimidated and kept hold of Kusac’s arm.
“If you insist, Mr. Hamilton, but shall we go to one of the smaller rooms here?” Kusac suggested, releasing Carrie’s arm in order to disengage himself from her father’s grip.
Leave us, cub. He’s in an unreasonable mood. There’s no needfor you to be involved in this scene, Kusac sent quickly.
Carrie began to back away.
“You stay where you are, miss!” her father said, not taking his eyes off Kusac. “I’ve several things I want to say to you, too.”
Kusac sighed. “Very well, Mr. Hamilton, since you seem determined to deal with this in public, what is it you want?”
“I want to know exactly what’s going on between you two,” he said angrily. “There’s a conspiracy of silence here. No one will tell me anything about either of you. Just what little game are you playing?”
Carrie stood there, her anger building as she realized she was almost incidental to their row.
“We aren’t playing any games, Mr. Hamilton. Your daughter and I share a telepathic Link known as a Leska bond. You’ve been told that.”
Her father made an angry gesture. “Don’t give me that rubbish! There’s no such thing as telepathy! Every time I’ve seen you together you’ve been touching her! What’s your interest in her?”
Kusac was peripherally aware of Jack Reynolds and Skinner, and from farther away, his mother, heading over toward them.
“I’ve told you, she’s my Leska. We’re Linked together, mind and body as one.”
“So you do have a physical interest in her!” He swung round on Carrie. “As for you, how could you get involved with him? He’s an alien, not one of us. He doesn’t even look human…” he began.
Jack put a restraining hand on his arm. “Easy, Peter. Watch what you’re saying. Apart from your daughter, you’re insulting the son of the Sholan Ambassador.”
Peter Hamilton shook him off roughly. “I don’t care who he is! I have no intention of letting this relationship between him and my daughter continue,” he said, beside himself with rage. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself, my girl! You’ve completely ruined your reputation. No decent man would have you now!”
Carrie stepped forward, her face white with fury. “You won’t let me?” she demanded, her voice shaking. “The choice isn’t yours to make!”
Kusac felt her pulling on their Link, felt the energy start to swirl between them.
“No, Carrie, don’t!” he cried, feeling reality start to fade briefly as he was physically tugged toward her. He could feel the power continue to build as she began to tap into the other people in the room.
There was a cry of pain as the Sholan interpreter, another telepath, crumpled to the floor.
He saw Carrie’s father reach for her. “Leave her alone!” he said, his voice sharp with the fear of what could happen if she initiated a total mental merging. He fought the Link’s domination of his senses, trying not to let it control his body as he was forced, against his will, to move closer to her.
“What the hell’s happening?” demanded Skinner, holding his head as he, like everyone else present in the room, experienced the onset of a stabbing headache.
Kusac felt himself being physically pulled nearer and nearer to the maelstrom of Carrie’s anger. He tried looking for a way to break the gestalt Link, but all he sensed now was Carrie changing.
Her body had begun to shimmer. He saw a strange almost rippling effect that made him feel nauseous. Her anger built in him, reaching a white-hot pitch then, abruptly, the shimmering stopped.
A honey-colored fur began to spread over her hands and face as the lines of her body altered subtly, becoming longer, more feline. For a moment she stood there, a Terran overlaid with Sholan features as Kusac finally reached her side.
In a voice that was pure Sholan, she shouted an angry phrase.
Shocked to the core, Kusac saw his own hands changing, too, starting to lose their fur and claws, becoming Terran.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. Carrie, once more Terran, slumped unconscious against him. As he staggered under her unexpected weight, Skinner put out a hand to steady them.
“Don’t touch them!” said Rhyasha, hitting his hand violently out of the way. “They’re still too closely Linked. Your touch could kill them both!”
Stumbling to his knees, Kusac grasped Carrie tightly.
“Get Vanna,” he said, his voice harsh with fear. When everyone hesitated, he lifted his head looking round them as if at strangers. “Get Vanna now!” he roared, his voice a fullthroated Sholan cry.
Chapter 7
The Sholans stood rigid with fear. It was a legend come to life! Carrie had quoted the words last spoken by Khadulah Aldatan, which had resulted in the fatal Challenge that changed forever the laws regarding telepaths.
The Warriors came to their senses first. Sevrin left at a run while Meral and Kaid tried to push back the crowd that was gathering round Kusac and Carrie.
Jack bent down beside him. “Kusac, let me look at her. I’ve been her doctor for years, I know her system well.”
“No! No one touches her till Vanna arrives,” he replied, baring his teeth and raising his hackles. He gathered her unconscious form closer, her blonde hair spilling across his knees onto the floor beneath them.
“What’s her mental state, Kusac?” demanded the Mentor, also crouching down. “Can you still sense her? Did that power backlash through her?”
Rhyasha motioned to Kaid. “Get the suite cleared of everyone but us,” she ordered. “Mnya, don’t be a fool. Even I can sense her presence. Kusac, what can you feel through your Link?”
“She’s unconscious. I can feel her presence but nothing else. I don’t know if she’s been burnt out.” His voice caught and he laid his head against Carrie’s. “The gestalt phase has gone now.”
“It’s happened before? Why wasn’t that in your notes?” demanded his mother as she crouched beside him.
Kusac looked blankly at her. “You didn’t tell me you’d had them.”
“Tell me about the gestalt,” she said, ignoring his comment.
“I can’t. We don’t kn
ow what it is. I couldn’t find a reference to it anywhere in the guild files.”
“What triggers it?”
Kusac’s eyes began to focus on her. “Why are you bothering me about this? I don’t want to talk, I want Vanna!”
“What triggers it, Kusac?” his mother insisted.
“I don’t know!” he said angrily. “Now leave me alone!”
“I’m trying to help,” Rhyasha said more gently, her hand touching his cheek now that she knew he was no longer in rapport with Carrie. “If I know what’s happened, then I may be able to do something.”
The room was emptying steadily with only a few people now remaining. Peter Hamilton pushed through the group around them to kneel beside Kusac and his daughter.
“What in God’s name have you done to her?” he whispered, putting out a tentative hand to touch her.
Kusac snarled and bared his teeth at him, ready to snap at the reaching hand.
Jack pulled him back. “Don’t interfere, Peter. They know what they’re doing. I haven’t the foggiest what’s even happened, let alone how to treat her.”
Kusac took a deep breath and forced his lips back down. “Mr. Hamilton,” he said in Terran, looking up at him. “I’ve done nothing to your daughter. It was you who angered and upset her, you who triggered our gestalt Link. Even I don’t know what’s happened to her. If you’d done as I asked and left the matter until tomorrow, this need never have happened! You’re responsible, not me!”
“Mr. Hamilton…” began Myak, touching the Terran on the arm to get his attention.
Kusac interrupted him. “If you can’t accept that our relationship is more important to us than the breaking of your petty taboos and morals, then I’m sorry for you, but you won’t make us ashamed of our love! Commander,” he added, lapsing back to Sholan. “Get him out of here! I refuse to have Carrie exposed to his presence. I don’t care what it takes, keep him out of our way!”
Raguul made a sign to Myak. “My office, now.”
Myak nodded, turning to Mr. Hamilton and taking him by the arm. “I think you’d better come with me, Mr. Hamilton. Your daughter will be well cared for, but the fewer people around her, the better.”
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