“Thank you.” Garras took a c’shar pack and one of the less revolting looking packages of stew and put them in the heater. While he waited for them, he sat down and took out the package containing his orders. Ripping it open, he scanned the page quickly, his feelings ambivalent as he read the letter from the Brotherhood.
He knew exactly who to thank for this. “You bastard, Kaid,” he muttered under his breath. It had been fifteen years since he left Stronghold, and now not only had he been recalled to active service by Kaid, but he’d requested him for an undercover job.
The heater chimed. Folding up his orders, he stuffed them into his inside pocket, then got up to collect his food. He bit the end off the drink sachet and poured it into a disposable cup. Sitting down again, he pulled the tab on his meal pack and began to suck the contents. He hated eating processed food. There was no texture to it.
So Kaid would meet him at Nazule Guild and brief him, would he? Well, he had a few things he wanted to say to him, too! Then a slow grin crossed his face. Dammit, but life had grown too staid. After his experiences on Keiss, the routine flights had left him bored out of his mind. The thought of returning to the merchant routes was almost as bad. The skills they’d both learned were never forgotten. They were ingrained into your body, not just your mind. Then there was Vanna. His grin faded. If there was still trouble looming for Kusac and Carrie, then Vanna could be in danger, too.
He heard footsteps on the ladder outside as the Captain came aboard.
*
Kusac, accompanied by Meral and Sevrin, was taking some time off to visit his mother at the estate. His father had been gone a week, but there had been no news from him as yet.
They were heading for the vehicle park to hire an aircar, the secondary reason for their journey. Kusac had his own vehicle at the estate and he was intending to bring it back to the guild to be kept there.
Kusac paid the fee, then they followed the assistant down into the bowels of the underground park. Sevrin let Kusac walk ahead of them with the assistant and touched Meral on the arm to draw his attention.
“Someone following us,” he whispered.
Meral’s ears swiveled round, listening for the slightest sound. He started to shake his head, then he heard it too. The faintest click of claws on metal. As one they loosened their jackets, drawing the slim energy pistols. Meral gestured Sevrin to go ahead and warn Kusac.
He scanned the park in more detail now, checking the pools of shadow at the back of each empty bay, the concrete supporting pillars, the half-height landings fronted with open railings. A few meters ahead was a doorway, another potential hazard.
Sevrin had stopped them and was gesturing for them to duck behind the vehicle in the adjacent bay. Kusac started to move, but the assistant’s voice rang out in the silence.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” As she stepped toward the doorway an energy bolt hit her square in the back. Without a sound, she pitched forward onto her face, dead before she hit the ground.
Kusac flung himself into the bay, rolling across the ground till he was out of range behind the small private craft. As he came up in a crouch against the side of the vehicle, he heard the sound of another discharge followed by a grunt of pain from Sevrin as he staggered backward. He hit the side of the vehicle, the gun falling from his hand as slowly he slid down to the ground.
Keeping his head down, Kusac inched cautiously back to him, picking up the gun as he came to it. Carrie’s presence flared in his mind, then was still. He knew she’d alerted Kaid.
The front of Sevrin’s chest was a gaping seared wound and his breath came in short pants. He turned his head toward Kusac, eyes full of pain. Already they were beginning to dim. Kusac reached for his hand, aware of his agony but unable to help. Sevrin’s eyes flickered once, then closed, his body suddenly becoming still and limp.
Deep in Kusac’s throat an angry growl began to build. Letting Sevrin down to the ground, he checked the gun then mentally sought for their attackers. Meral was three bays away to his left and beyond him he could feel two minds intent on more killing.
Carefully he raised his head above the nose of the aircar, seeing the semidarkness of the park lit up with flares from the weapons. Meral was pinned down, safe for the moment but unable to reach their assailants on the half-level above.
Measuring the distance to the doorway, he waited his moment then dived away from the aircar, rolling across the open park and coming to rest by the door. A kick and it was open. He tumbled through.
Crouching low he hugged the walls, making his way carefully up the few steps till he reached the next floor. The door opened inward this time, giving them no warning of his location. Keeping his head down, he waited till he heard shooting, then ran for the opposite side, diving between two vehicles. Keeping one vehicle between him and them, he checked for their minds. Awareness of Carrie’s passive strength flared within him and using their combined energy, he carefully probed at their two assailants. They weren’t yet aware of him.
He ran the length of the vehicle, stopping at the wall. There was a gap just large enough for him to squeeze through. The same with the next aircar. Carefully he moved forward to the front of the craft, looking round it to visually check on their position. Suddenly one of them came into view, backing into the accessway between the two rows of bays.
Eyes fixed on his target, Kusac brought the gun up, pressing the trigger as the male came into range. The beam hit him, flinging his body through the air like a broken toy.
A brief silence followed, then with a blur of movement too fast for him to react, the second male leaped forward from the gap, disappearing between the vehicles on the other side. Kusac heard the hollow metallic thump of someone landing on a vehicle and using it as a springboard, followed by the flash of a body scrambling up to the next level. He was gone.
Kusac stayed where he was, reaction finally setting in as he sat there mentally searching for any more attackers.
“Kusac!” He recognized Meral’s voice. Although several hundred meters away, it sounded loud to his enhanced senses. With a brief mental acknowledgment to Carrie, he stopped searching.
“Here!” he called. “I killed one. The other got away.”
“Sevrin?”
“Dead.”
A short silence. “Stay where you are, I’ll join you.”
Within five minutes, Meral appeared in front of the adjacent vehicle. “The area’s secure now,” he said, crouching down beside him. “I checked the body. Nice shot. Pity you had to take his head with it. We’ll need a DNA typing for his identity.”
Kusac’s eyes narrowed. “I wanted to be sure,” he said shortly. “We’ve to wait here for Kaid. The Protectors are on their way.”
Meral nodded, squatting down like him with his back to the aircar, gun cradled ready for use. “Who’s watching Carrie?”
“Armed Protectors,” he said shortly.
They sat in silence. Now was neither the time nor the place for talk. Later, when they returned to the Guild, he’d have plenty to say. For now he was keeping watch with his mind. The skills they’d learned the hard way on Keiss once more were proving invaluable.
*
It took a lot to unsettle Kaid, but this silence from Kusac had him more rattled than he cared to admit. On the way out, he’d contacted the Brotherhood from the aircar, alerting them to the need to round up all suspects and start a search for the remaining assailant. It had to be one of the two ground troopers from the Forces. No one else on Shola had a reason to do this.
He was blazing with anger himself. He and his two males were supposed to be the final link in a chain of surveillance designed to stop any attempts like this. Instead, they had turned out to be the main defense. He intended to speak to Ghezu about that later.
Meral was flying their vehicle while he sat in the back with Kusac. An escort of two armed Protector craft had accompanied them, circling overhead as Meral brought the aircar down to land in the guild forecourt.
As they climbe
d out, Carrie came running across to meet them. Kusac had never been more glad to see her. Sevrin’s death had reminded them how vulnerable flesh and blood were. They held each other close for a moment, then Kusac turned to Meral and Kaid.
“We’re going to talk. Now.” He turned, his arm still around Carrie, and started toward the Guild House.
Kusac closed the door and turned on the two males. “Just what the hell is going on?” he demanded. “You told me the attack on the Khalossa was unexpected, out of the blue, yet it’s happened again. I want to know why. You also said all the dissidents were dead. If so, why were we attacked?”
“The attack on the Liegena wasn’t premeditated,” began Kaid.
“Don’t lie to me, Kaid,” Kusac warned quietly, walking past them toward his desk. He turned, leaning against the edge of it. “I’m remembering all the security people that rushed forward when Carrie was shot. At the time it was the last thing on my mind. Not now.”
“Normally the people I’ve guarded don’t want to know what’s happening around them,” said Kaid, equally quietly. “I work better without interference.”
Carrie came over to stand beside Kusac. “How many telepaths have you guarded?” she asked. “Enough to know that we can help if we’re aware of what we’re facing, if we know there’s danger around us? Or are you too much of a loner to want any help?”
“The attack on the Khalossa was not premeditated,” Kaid repeated, “but I was expecting an attack to be made at some point. The rest you know.”
“What about this attempt?”
“Two males were involved, one from the Khalossa, one from the Rhyaki. They were due to meet up with the antiTerran faction here. They were the two who attacked you today.”
“There’s still one of them at large,” said Carrie.
“Not for long,” said Kaid, his voice becoming a low growl. “The Brotherhood and the Protectors are looking for all of them now.”
“What of these others?” asked Kusac. “Are they also determined to stop the treaty with Earth by killing us?”
“According to my informant, they plan merely to demonstrate their disapproval of the Earth treaty and would have nothing to do with the two troopers. They only wanted information from them, not your deaths.”
“In future I want to be kept informed, Kaid,” said Kusac. “I want to know how much danger we’re in. It’s our lives, not yours.”
Carrie indicated the gun Kusac still wore stuck through his belt. “I want a gun, Kaid, and I want to learn how to use it properly,” she said. “If there ever is a next time, I want to be able to protect myself.”
“The Warrior Guild keeps contacting me, asking when we can schedule sessions with them,” said Kusac. “I’ve been putting them off until now. I think it’s become a necessity.”
Carrie frowned up at him. “The Warrior Guild? Why do they want us?”
“Part of our orders were to attend their guild to have our ability to fight assessed,” Kusac reminded her.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, Liegen,” said Kaid. “Do you want me to see Master Esken and liaise between here and the Warrior Guild?”
“Please.”
“What happens to Sevrin now?” Carrie asked in the silence that followed.
“The Warrior Guild will inform his family that he died in the line of duty,” said Kaid gently. “His body will be released to them for cremation on the family estate.”
“I’d like to go to the funeral if the family wouldn’t object,” said Carrie. “I liked Sevrin. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“I’ll contact his parents personally,” said Kusac. “You organize the transport, Kaid. Would you also find out what you can about the female who was killed? I want to speak to her family, too.”
“I’ll see to it, Liegen,” said Kaid. “The Commissioner of the Protectorate has insisted in the interests of public safety that greater security measures should be initiated here at the guild. From now on, armed Warriors will be guarding the lower levels and the grounds. Esken will just have to live with it. Snipers and assassins don’t care if the innocent are hurt as this afternoon demonstrated.”
*
The funeral was held the following day at dusk. Sevrin’s body lay on a bier in front of them. He looked peaceful, as if a touch on his shoulder would waken him. Carrie shivered. The night air was chill and she stood beside Kusac wrapped within the folds of a woolen cloak. At her side, the unfamiliar weight of the energy pistol on her belt felt comforting.
Even with her shields well up, she could still sense the utter shock that Sevrin’s family felt over their loss. Mingled with it was pride that he had died while on duty protecting the life of his Liegen, and that his Liegen was there with them, sharing their grief.
The night was lit by the blazing torches held by the members of his immediate family, and by Kusac and Carrie.
“Who’s that?” asked Carrie, nodding toward a figure wearing a simple long brown robe. He was looking directly toward them and as Kusac glanced in his direction, he tilted his head in acknowledgment. Beside him stood another figure in a black robe.
“Ghyan. He’s the old friend I spoke of,” he said quietly. “He’s a priest of Vartra. I don’t know the other.”
Carrie kept her eyes on him, aware of his curiosity. Then he turned his attention away from them and gestured the gathering to silence. All that could be heard was the sound of the wind whipping the flames of the torches.
Flanked by Sevrin’s parents, Ghyan stepped forward and said a few quiet words over the bier before turning toward the rest of the family and friends. He called for the blessing of Vartra upon them, and asked that the God receive Sevrin’s spirit. This done, he stepped back and took his place amongst the mourners.
Sevrin’s father threw the first torch onto the bier, followed by his mother. Then the rest of the family went forward, Carrie and Kusac bringing up the rear.
The wind fanned the flames, making them leap high. As Kusac threw his torch, the last, a low keening began to build around them. It rose in pitch until it became a howl that echoed round the courtyard. Again Carrie shivered. The sound was unbearably sad.
Kusac’s arm came round her shoulders, holding her firmly against his side. She felt his sorrow at losing Sevrin, as well as his fierce relief that they would never have to do this for each other. They would live, and die, together. The thought chilled her even as it comforted her and she turned into his arms, pressing close against his chest, aware of how near death had been.
The gathering broke up, following the parents back to the house. The all-night vigil would be kept by Sevrin’s fellow guild members, Meral foremost among them. As they turned to leave, Ghyan came over to them.
“Funerals sadden me,” he said. “His was a brave spirit from what I sense from his family and friends. He will be missed.”
“Yes,” said Kusac, “he will.”
Ghyan put his head on one side, trying to see Carrie’s face within the folds of her hooded cloak. “This must be your Leska,” he said.
Carrie lifted her hood back and looked up at him. His ears were smaller than average, yet had the width of Kaid’s. Brown eyes set above wide cheekbones regarded her with a faint look of amusement.
“You’re from inland, aren’t you? One of the highlanders,” she said, holding out her palm. “And a telepath,” she added, gently touching the edges of his mind before he touched her hand.
Ghyan’s mouth dropped in a smile. “You’re learning our ways,” he said, his fingertips touching hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carrie, though I’m sorry it had to be at a friend’s funeral. Kusac has told me a lot about you.”
Carrie’s eyebrows disappeared under her fringe. “Oh? All good, I hope.”
“But of course. Kusac,” he said, “you must bring her to see me some day soon.”
“I will.”
“Have you had your strange dream again?”
“No,” said Kusac.
“Yes,” sai
d Carrie, glancing sideways at her Leska.
Kusac looked down at her. “You haven’t mentioned it.”
“I didn’t see the point,” she said. “The images were all confused, like a memory that’s begun to fade. I couldn’t make any sense of them.”
“Is that why you wake in the night?”
She nodded. “Mostly.”
“When you come to visit me, you must tell me about these dreams,” said Ghyan. “I must go now, I’m afraid. Sevrin’s parents will need to speak to me.”
“We’ll see you again, Ghyan. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye, Kusac. Guard your little cub well,” said Ghyan, his fingers fleetingly touching Carrie’s cheek before he left.
Carrie turned to Kusac with a frown. “What did he mean?”
“That he appreciates your qualities,” he said ambiguously, and wouldn’t be drawn further.
They took their leave and returned to the guild with Kaid.
*
Once they had gone to their room, Kaid contacted the office of the Protectorate, the civilian police force on Shola. He was put through to the Commissioner of Valsgarth.
“Any news yet, Commissioner?” he asked.
“Nazule has rounded up all the protesters you spoke of. Their papers have been checked and their files run through the comm. They’re all clean. They had no charges on which to detain them, so they let them go this morning after AlRel had a word with them. No sign of this other trooper. We did establish that the dead one was from the Rhyaki. I think it’s unlikely our missing male will return to the Khalossa.”
“I agree with you,” said Kaid. “Have you displayed his image on the public comm nets?”
“It’s going out every two hours with the newscasts. As you requested, we’re not mentioning Liegen Aldatan. Someone is bound to have seen our missing male.”
“Let me know the minute there’s any news.”
“I will.”
Cutting the connection, Kaid switched off and was about to leave his room to check with the senior security officer when the message light buzzed.
“Kaid,” drawled a familiar voice, “remind me to return the favor someday. I really enjoyed my free bed last night.”
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