Her father got to his feet and reluctantly turned to leave. “What did she say?” he asked. “When she spoke, what did she say?”
“She used an archaic form of Sholan, spoken only for ritual purposes now. She said, ‘Refuse me, and I’ll Challenge the Clan,’” said Myak as he led him away.
“How did she know that? Who told her?”
“She has Kusac’s memories,” said Myak as the door closed behind them.
“Our Attitude program isn’t working well enough with the Terrans,” Raguul said to the Mentor. “Someone should have anticipated this problem. You and the First Contact Team have slipped up somewhere.” He gave Mnya a hard look. “I thought you’d dealt with this specific issue in the Terran program.”
Mnya got to her feet. “So did we, Commander. Obviously it didn’t work on him. We’ll need to rethink our approach. Clan Leader, can I call on your skills to help us? I think we’re going to need to tailor something specific for Mr. Hamilton.”
Rhyasha nodded. “Of course. Janahi has regained consciousness,” she said, looking round to see one of the stewards helping the telepath to his feet. “Carrie drained him of energy, but he’ll have recovered by tomorrow. I was just able to prevent her draining the rest of us.” She turned back to her son. “How do you feel, Kusac?”
“I don’t want to talk,” he said tensely. “Just get Vanna.”
“She’s here,” the Mentor said as the physician rushed over to them.
At a glance, Vanna took in the knots of people still grouped nearby. “Get this room cleared. I want no one here but the Terran doctor and yourself,” she said brusquely to the Mentor. She pushed past Rhyasha to get to Kusac and Carrie. “Leave unless you’re needed by the Mentor,” she said.
“I’m his mother,” said Rhyasha, moving out of Vanna’s way. “I’d prefer to stay.”
“Then stay out of my way,” she said, squatting down beside them. “What happened, Kusac?”
He looked up, holding out his hand. Reluctantly she took it, closing her eyes at the flood of information that suddenly assaulted her mind. He released her, waiting while she sorted through the new memories, trying to make sense of them.
Not wise, Kusac, murmured his mother. She isn’t a full Telepath.
I haven’t time to explain, and she has a minimal Talent.
Vanna sighed and reached out to take Carrie’s pulse. Leaning forward, she checked her eyes. She gave a gasp of shock. “Gods, her eyes have changed! They’re like ours!”
A stunned silence greeted her remark. The Mentor moved closer again, squatting down to get a better view.
“She is changing, Vanna. There’s something happening and I can’t stop it,” said Kusac, fear in his voice and written in every line of his body. “I can feel it, like a tingling going through her.” He held her even more closely, his ears flat and laid to the side, the fur on his tail bushed out.
“Kusac, keep your fear under control,” said his mother taking him by the shoulder and shaking him firmly. “You know better than that!”
He jerked free, turning to snarl at her, a feral look on his face.
“Kusac, control yourself! I can’t sense anything happening. I need to touch her. Let me feel it for myself,” said his mother.
Kusac looked at her. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head several times in an attempt to push back the fear. His eyes began to lose the glowing haunted look as he forced himself to be calm. With an effort, he managed a nod of assent.
“Give me your hand, too,” Rhyasha said after a moment. “Yes, she’s tuned in to your body rates, Kusac— breathing when you do, her heartbeat the same as yours. Ah, now I can feel the tingling. It’s as though her whole body’s been charged with energy.” She let go of them quickly, giving her hands a little shake. “I’ve never come across anything like it before. I’m sorry, Kusac, I don’t know what’s happening either. I think Vanna’s medical equipment will be of more help.”
“Is she becoming Sholan?” asked Kusac, his ears still flicking. “Surely her anger couldn’t have driven her to that.”
“Kusac, you’ll need to let me see her,” said Vanna. “I can’t examine her when you’re holding her so close.”
With obvious reluctance, Kusac relaxed his grasp, letting Vanna straighten Carrie’s limbs so she could examine her properly.
Quickly, she began checking Carrie for any other obvious changes. “I didn’t know telepaths could change themselves.”
“We can’t,” said Kusac, “but there’s a legend of shapechangers in Carrie’s culture.”
“I think it’s more that she was identifying so closely with you that briefly she appeared to be Sholan,” said his mother. “Our medics can create visible auras, and you managed to create the illusion of being Valtegan, didn’t you?”
“What about me? It’s happened to me, too. When I touched her just now I began to change, too.”
“It’s probably one of those crossovers from the Link that we were talking about a few days ago,” said Mnya.
Finished, Vanna sat back on her heels. “As far as I can see, apart from her eyes, externally she’s still Terran. I can’t do any more for her here, so I want you both— yes, both,” Vanna emphasized as Kusac looked up in surprise, “in my lab on monitors. If something is happening to either of you, I want to be the first to know.”
“I’ll send for a medical team,” said the Mentor, standing up.
“No need,” said Vanna. “Earlier today I organized a twenty-six-hour emergency team with access to the Terran data. I alerted them before I left. They should be waiting in my new lab.”
“Efficient,” murmured Rhyasha.
Kusac shifted Carrie’s limp form until he held her comfortably in his arms before getting slowly to his feet. “Which way?” he asked.
“I’ll lead,” said Vanna, picking up her medikit.
“Shouldn’t you get a trolley or something?” asked Jack, silent until now because of his inability to follow the conversation in Sholan.
Vanna looked at him wryly. “There would be no point, Mr. Reynolds. Kusac wouldn’t put her down even if we had one. I’ll have trouble enough as it is getting him to lay her on the bed and get into a separate one himself.”
“I see,” he said, with a slight smile. “He’s that protective of her, is he? What can I do to help?”
“I intend to hook them up to monitors to check their telemetry, then run a series of tests on their blood, hormone levels, and genetic typing. I want to see what, if anything, is changing. You can help me with the Terran data.”
“I saw Carrie’s eyes. How the hell did that happen?”
Vanna took Jack by the arm and led him in front of Kusac. “Carrie’s a healer. I saw the wound on Kusac’s shoulder vanish in one day. If she has the ability to do that, who’s to say that she can’t alter herself— and him.”
“There’s a big difference between closing a wound and creating new tissue,” said Jack skeptically.
“Kusac’s wound was comprised of several deep tears caused by Guynor’s teeth ripping his flesh in a Challenge. Carrie regenerated the tissue, she didn’t just seal a cut! For whatever reasons, Carrie has acquired eyes with vertical pupils and nictitating inner lids. I don’t know if they are fully functional or not, but tests will reveal that. Who knows what can happen when two alien minds merge so completely? I just pray it doesn’t destroy them both,” she said as they entered the elevator up to the medical section.
*
Kusac’s mother held Kaid back as Meral and Sevrin followed Kusac out. “They’ll be safe for the moment with them. I need to talk to you.”
“As my Liege wishes,” said Kaid. “May I suggest that I contact you shortly? I have commitments within the next few hours that I can’t easily put off.”
“Very well,” said Rhyasha. “But see you don’t leave it any longer.”
*
Kaid followed the others for a few meters, then as they passed one of the washroom facilities, he ducked inside
. Checking to make sure it was empty, he dug a small communicator from his pocket and keyed in to Dzaka’s comm.
“Dzaka,” he said. “Seven, nine, Green, zero. Location level fourteen, six by twenty-four. Single male, identity known.”
“Confirmed. Problems?”
“Delays, nothing more. I’ll be in touch. Out.” Pocketing the device, he slipped back out into the corridor.
*
Vanna ushered Kusac into the intensive care area and while Jack prowled around the lab, fascinated, they undressed Carrie, placing her on the raised formfitting couch. Seeing the torc, Vanna looked over at Kusac, the shock visible on her face.
He shook his head. “Leave it on,” he said. “It’s hers now. She accepted it when I offered it to her.”
He hovered at the side of the bed as Vanna turned away from him and switched on the monitors, then lowered the hood over Carrie’s body, leaving only her head exposed. Checking the readings, she spoke to the two nurses on duty, giving them instructions for the tests she wanted to run.
“Now you,” she said, turning back to Kusac.
Kaid came into the room on silent feet and took up a position by the door.
“What can you tell from the readings?” asked Kusac, pointing to the displays above the bed.
“Only what we know already,” said Vanna. “She hasn’t passed from unconsciousness into sleep yet, and her respiration and pulse are nearer Sholan rate than Terran. Once I’ve settled you, I’ll set up a brain scan to see what electrical and chemical activity there is. All I can say is her vital signs are stable at the moment.”
“I’ve got something I must do first, Vanna,” he said. “It’ll take about a quarter of an hour, then I’ll do anything you ask.”
Vanna flicked her ears. “Are you actually trusting her alone with me?” she asked in mock disbelief.
Kusac frowned, his nose wrinkling. “Of course I trust you. It’ll only be for a short while.” He looked across at Kaid, beckoning him over. “I want you to stay here till I get back. Make sure no one else comes into this area, especially her father— he just might try to do something foolish. Do what is necessary if she’s threatened in any way.”
Kaid’s ears flicked sideways. “I know what to do, Liegen,” he murmured. “I have Meral and Sevrin on guard outside, too.”
Kusac nodded. “Get a telepath to imprint Jack now,” he said to Vanna. “It’ll make your work a lot easier. Have your medical knowledge transferred, too, then he can assess the Sholan data properly. Get someone to call the Mentor and say I authorized it.”
Vanna nodded. “That makes sense. Remember, only a quarter of an hour,” she warned as he left.
*
Sub-Commander Kolem and Mr. Hamilton had just left the Commander’s office. Raguul sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
“Not the medicine this time, Myak. Get me some of that Chemerian spirit— you know the stuff I mean,” he said tiredly.
“Certainly, sir.” Myak went to the cupboard reserved for drinks.
“That was one job I didn’t want to do, Myak. I’m not even a father! What the hell do I know about daughters?”
“Your explanation sounded excellent, sir,” said Myak, pouring the Commander a generous measure.
Raguul grunted. “Well, it’s Mnya’s problem now, and I wish her well of it! Gods, what a shambles! Who’d have thought he’d row with her in public like that?”
“It fits in with their culture, Commander.” Myak handed him the glass. “Unlike us they don’t attempt to control strong personal emotions in public. They don’t appear to have a sense of pride in how they behave. For them it’s more important to stand up belligerently for what they believe in, and try to get what they want that way.”
Raguul downed the contents of the glass and handed it back to Myak. “You’ve been working on the orientation program,” he said.
“As an unofficial member of the Alien Relations team, my insight has been asked for. They were particularly interested in my comments as I see a great deal of the other species in my service with you.”
He took the glass and went back to the cupboard to refill it. “The Mentor should be able to deal with the rest of Mr. Hamilton’s questions tonight. If we don’t start the talks for another day or two, it gives the guild and First Contact time to get their revised program together.”
“Schedule a briefing with the section heads for the sixth hour tomorrow. We’ll discuss it then. All we need is for her father to accept the situation, he doesn’t need to like it, damnit! I expect Konis Aldatan will have a great deal to say about it, too.”
“The Clan Leader seems to be giving them her blessing, sir,” said Myak putting the full glass and the bottle down in front of the Commander.
Raguul eyed the bottle, then Myak, before picking up the glass. “That was a turn up for the books. Who’d have thought she’d back them in public, and so soon?”
“She knows her son, Commander,” said Myak. “He’ll have the Terran as his mate whether his family wishes it or not, and if she doesn’t go with him on this, she’ll lose him. She won’t risk that.”
“Despite the problems his Link to the human girl has caused us, I liked what little I saw of him tonight. I hope the politics of those groundlings on Keiss and Shola don’t spoil what they have. I have a feeling their only chance for the life they want may well be with us.”
He picked up the bottle in his free hand and got to his feet. “I’ll see you in the morning, Myak. We’ll see what we can salvage out of tonight’s shambles at the briefing tomorrow. Your idea to delay the talks has a lot of merit. Perhaps as well as a new orientation program, a tour of the Khalossa would do some good. Let her father and the others see how we live up here. Trying to understand a culture in isolation from its people isn’t easy.”
*
As Dzaka changed from his robes into a tunic of neutral color, he ran several scenarios through his mind. Deciding on one, he sat down at his desk and keyed in to Kaedoe’s comm. It was a matter of a few moments to patch into the unit and check whether Kaedoe was in and if he was using the comm. Good, he was there, and even better, the comm wasn’t in use. He set the message down, making it suitably cryptic, then hesitated. Deciding a name wasn’t needed, he pressed the transmit key. Now all he had to do was wait for him in the empty smoke bar.
*
Followed by Meral, Kusac headed to the communications office on the floor below.
“Liegen Aldatan,” said the Sholan on duty, leaping to his feet and saluting. “What can we do for you?”
“Get me a personal line to the Clan Lord Aldatan on Shola,” Kusac said.
“I’ll have to go through the Commander’s office,” said the junior officer, punching a series of numerals into his keyboard. “A communications block has been imposed on all ships.”
“Just make it quick.” Kusac paced up and down the office impatiently. “I’m sure the Commander will authorize the call.”
“He has. I’m being connected now, Liegen Aldatan. If you would take the call in that office there,” he pointed to a small clear-paneled room across the corridor.
Kusac nodded and went over to the room. He sat at the desk, switched the comm on and waited. No point this time in trying to conceal anything from his father.
“Kusac, have you any idea what time it is?” asked his father, rubbing his eyes and trying not to yawn. “I trust this isn’t just a personal call.”
“No, Father, it isn’t,” he said. “There’s something I should have told you this morning.”
“What was that?” Konis asked, trying and failing to smother an enormous yawn.
“It concerns one of the Terrans from Keiss.”
“Oh?” said his father, all trace of tiredness vanishing. “What about this Terran?”
“My Leska is a female Terran, not a Sholan,” he said, his voice brittle.
There was a lengthy silence. Kusac cursed inwardly that he was unable to pick up even the faintest
nuance of what his father was thinking.
“A Terran, you say.”
“Yes. I’ve just had to deal with her father an hour ago. They have a less casual attitude to pairing than us, and I didn’t enjoy our talk. I want you to realize that I don’t intend to go through similar arguments with you.”
“I see,” said his father slowly.
“Either you accept her, or we won’t return to Shola,” said Kusac.
“Which particular Terran is your Leska?” his father asked, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
“The current Ambassador’s daughter, the one who saved my life on Keiss.”
“Ah, I can see your problem,” sighed the Clan Lord.
“Then you’ll understand my position. I won’t have her insulted and hurt any more,” Kusac said, the residue of his anger with Peter Hamilton sounding in his voice.
His father flicked his ears sidewards, angrier still. “You’ve met with prejudice from the Terrans? I hope our people didn’t have the same attitude.”
“No. Those we’ve met have only been concerned for us.”
“May the Gods be thanked for that! I wondered why my reports seemed to be lacking certain areas of information. Now I know. It seems that many people have been making it their business to see that you and your Leska are protected. From what, I wonder. My anger? You seem to assume so.”
“Father, I can’t stay much longer. Stop playing your word games with me. Tell me straight, will you accept her or not?” demanded Kusac, irritated.
“She’s your Leska. Whether she is Terran or Sholan, the bond is irrefutable. She’ll be welcome here. I presume your mother has met her?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll speak to her tomorrow. I can’t say it’s what I’d wished for you, Kusac, but the Gods bless us as they choose. I take it that your relationship with this Terran girl has also caused problems with the treaty talks.”
“I’ve no idea, Father. I’m not involved in them.”
Konis nodded. “Very well. Your mother can brief me tomorrow. As I said before, I shall look forward to meeting your Leska— what is her name?”
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