She felt a growing sense of inner satisfaction with the knowledge that what was to come only vindicated the training and care that the Old One took, but also that it would strike a blow at the Sirona. The taste of revenge would be like cold ashes in her mouth after so long. There was no real way it could made up for what they had done, but she was sure it was going to make it difficult for such a thing to occur again.
They weren't there yet, but soon they might be. With all the memories, she suddenly felt very much alone. She ached for Chutzpah's company and that was something she had to remedy very soon.
After discussion among themselves, they decided not to use the jump again if they could possibly help it. The discovery of her new ability was enough. Knowing they had access to the drive if they needed it, gave them a sense of security, but it still took nothing away from the realisation of their situation. They had no way of knowing whether the Sirona could detect their use of the drive and they didn't believe they could afford the risk.
By the time they re-entered normal space in the region of New Helvetica, Pellis had been working hard. He formulated a lengthy message to his CoCee superiors planetside setting out the situation and what they had discovered.
As soon as The Dark Falcon entered the region inside the orbital defence perimeter he sent a high-burst encoded transmission. He didn't wait for a reply but immediately sought permission to dock and arranged a berth before heading the ship in for landing. His message was clear. There was to be nothing planetside to draw attention to the ship or to its crew. They would establish their own contact and took things from there.
Mahra was surprised at the confidence with which Pellis issued his instructions. He clearly had a level of superiority great enough to issue commands and have them followed, for when The Dark Falcon eased to a stop, there was no sign of any activity out of the ordinary dockside routines. They sat for a while watching, but there was absolutely nothing to give them cause for alarm.
"Right," said Timon. "I'm going to see some people. Jay, you find us somewhere to stay. I think it’s better that we don't stay aboard The Dark Falcon for the time being, considering. Mahra, you go with Jayeer."
"Um, Timon," she said shaking her head. "I have other plans."
"What do you mean? We have things to do, Mahra."
"Yeah. So do I Timon, or had you forgotten?"
Pellis paused for a second, then shook his head and grimaced. "Of course, Mahra. I'm sorry," he said contritely, slapping his forehead with his fingers. "I was coming over all efficient and reasonably insensitive, wasn't I? Jay can show you where you should go. We'll meet at the main entrance, what, about six?"
Once he'd organised their accommodation, Jayeer gave Mahra directions and she wound her way impatiently through the back streets to the address he had given her. New Helvetica was fairly well serviced in the needs of animal medicine. The resort set liked their pets.
Eventually she found the establishment and was immediately impressed by what her crewmates had done. The facility was at the upper end of the scale, large, shiny front, and glass all over. It shouted expense. She could barely contain herself as she pushed through the doors at the front and headed for the reception desk.
The girl who sat there was not quick enough for her, but there was little Mahra could do. Nobody could be quick enough for her the way she was feeling at the moment. She could sense Chutzpah close, sense the touches of his familiar alien mind caressing the edges of her senses and felt his presence filling the emptiness within her. She wanted him back so badly.
When finally she reached the room, he was there waiting for her. He launched himself from the table surface at the same time as she rushed across the room toward him.
"Chutz, oh Chutz. I've missed you so much," she murmured into the small ears nuzzling at her neck. She stroked his short fur with gentle caresses, carefully avoiding the patch of skin at the top of his head where no hair had yet grown. "Have I got some things to tell you. So many things."
Satisfied that he was in a fit state to leave, Mahra pulled out her card. The girl told her that everything had been taken care of. She really did have a lot to thank Pellis and Sind for when she saw them.
On the way to meeting the others, people avoided the strange woman talking to the creature perched on her shoulder. Mahra didn't care about the curious stares. She felt almost whole again.
Chutzpah seemed only a little worse for wear. There was, of course, the patch at the top of his head, but apart from that, he seemed to be his old self. He even playfully nipped at her ear once or twice making sure he had her full attention.
While she walked, the shaved patch on Chutzpah's head reminded her. In all the excitement of the last few days, with so much going on, she'd forgotten about the implant in her leg. She'd get Jayeer to take it out once they were secure in the hotel room and that would be that. She doubted they'd be seeing their friend Milnus again, so whatever it was, it was dispensable. There were more important things to think about.
Timon had been busy in her absence and he looked tired when they met. He forestalled their questions, suggesting they retire to their hotel first. They would be met in the morning by some people he had been talking to during the afternoon, but until then, they had their own talking and planning to do.
The hotel Jayeer had chosen was out of the way and small, discreet enough to give them the privacy they needed at the moment. They were aware they were still at risk, but they were less likely to suffer any direct threat soon because of the nature of their escape. If their luck was with them, the Sirona ships may have missed their use of the drive.
They retired to the lounge once they had settled in. Mahra found it difficult to concentrate. So much had happened and she had Chutz back with her. Despite his return, her perception was still dogged by traceries interfering with her vision, but she was becoming used to it. It looked like whatever had been woken within her was here to stay. It was just that she felt such a sense of purpose as a result of her discoveries — about her success and about the knowledge that she had something they might be able to use against the Sirona, that she paid little attention to the sensations. For now, after so long, she finally had a real target for the hurt and pain that had followed her through the years. Even after all this time, and all she had been through, she could find within herself a hunger for revenge.
It was clear to the trio they couldn't stay on New Helvetica. That would present too much of a risk. The Sirona were obviously monitoring what went on around the world and they would be sure to be discovered. The longer they could keep out of sight, the better they'd be prepared to deal with what had to be done. It was even unclear to Mahra what those things might be for the moment. Somehow, they were going to have to fade from view and yet remain accessible to those who needed them.
After discussing the matter some more, and unsavoury though it might be, the choice was fairly clear. There was only one real place in the system where they could disappear while being in the middle of things, and that was Belshore.
Mahra didn't mind that thought so much. In many ways Belshore was her sort of world. Much more than the made-up face of New Helvetica. Despite their experiences there, she could probably feel at home in the rawness of Belshore, at least for a while. She had spent a lot of time on worlds like Belshore. Sind and Pellis however, were a little less enamoured of the idea.
The other thing that was clear was that they had to ditch The Dark Falcon, at least in her present state. She was too much of a give-away. The pain was clear upon Timon's face as the decision was made, but he knew as well as they did there was no other choice. So, Belshore it was to be and without The Dark Falcon.
Mahra decided that now was as good a time as any. There didn't seem to be any more decisions to make.
"Jayeer, if we're done here, I wonder if you might do me a favour."
Sind raised his eyebrows in query.
"In case you'd forgotten, and I know I had, I'm still carrying this thing around in my
leg. Do you want to help get rid of it?"
"Yes, that's right. Of course, Mahra. Look, I'll have to get my kit from the ship, but that shouldn't take too long. I'll meet you in your room later if you want."
Mahra nodded. Sind excused himself and headed off to get his med kit. It looked like she wasn't going to get any conversation out of Pellis; he was brooding and deep in thought. She said good night to him and made her way up to her room to wait.
There was still so much she had to come to terms with. Chutz was back with her, though still a bit fragile, she had this new ability that she had to learn to use — yet another thing setting her apart from everyone else — and then there was the Sirona.
"I just don't understand, Chutz," she told him as she mounted the stairs. "How could they get away with it?"
He clearly didn't have an answer for her.
Sind appeared almost an hour later. "Sorry, for the delay," he said as she let him in. "There were things going on back at the ship."
"What sort of things?" she asked.
"I suppose they're checking it out. They looked like technicians. They were clearly our people and I knew better than to ask, but I tell you, if they do anything ... " He shook his head. "Right, let us get you fixed up. Now, which leg is it?"
Mahra sat on the bed and showed him her thigh. He bent down and examined it, finally locating the point of the insertion.
"Hmm, it almost seems a shame to open it up. It's virtually completely healed. I'll try to be as quick as possible." He hyped the area and proceeded to make a small incision. After digging around for a moment, he withdrew the small package, slapped some plas-skin on the area, and stood. He took a moment wiping the implant clean.
"Well, look at that," he said.
"What? What is it, Jayeer?"
He bent to show her. "See here? This hole here? It must have happened when you took that knife in the leg. Pierced right through. Well, it's of no use to anyone now, and it doesn't seem to have done you any actual harm." He tossed it casually into the waste receptacle. "Right. Well, if you're okay, I'll say good night," he said packing away the rest of his kit.
"Yes, thanks, Jayeer."
He nodded and left, and Mahra went to the shower and let Chutz back out. She found some nuts for him in the room and started preparing for the night. Same old Chutz. He was as greedy as ever. She looked across at him as she prepared for sleep and smiled. It was so good to have him back. It was like a missing part had been restored.
Another night without her patterns. Her leg was going to start looking like a relief map if this kept up. She sighed and made ready for bed.
As she closed her eyes she was thinking about her patterns. Those thoughts drifted to the Old One and Aleyin, and the Cradle and she started to float.
Her flyer descended and behind her the mountains erupted in a sheet of fire. She grabbed her comp. Pieces of the landscape exploded all around her. She turned her head this way and that, looking for a way out. Her heart pounded and her mouth was so dry she couldn't swallow.
There, there was her avenue of escape. A corridor ran off between the flames and the exploding ground ahead. It was so far away. She ran for it, but the closer she got, the further away it seemed. She couldn't run any more, but she had to.
She looked back over her shoulder. There was no way back. She turned, desperately seeking some way out. Then she was there. The thin corridor led on ahead and she rushed up it, her feet pounding into stones and rocks. She gripped her comp tightly in her fist. She mustn't lose it, mustn't drop it. She knew she had to keep hold of it.
The walls of destruction gave way and opened out into a flat smooth place. The ground beneath her feet had changed. Now it was metal, and her feet made ringing sounds as she desperately strove to get to the centre. The pain in her chest was like a knife now, digging into her heart. She had to get to the centre.
The Old One's voice echoed in her ears. "Focus. Reach that place where you feel right."
She stretched as she ran, trying to reach it. But suddenly, the circle was no longer empty. It was full of people. They wore the robes of The Cradle and they sat huddled in the middle. They looked up at her as she ran toward them, pleading expressions on their faces. She stretched out her hands. But then there were others. They wore leather and their hair was long and matted. They carried rifles, and as they strode forward, they used them to club and beat those who sat. The people raised their hands to ward off the blows, but one by one they were beaten to the ground.
"No!" she cried out to them. "You can't do this!"
They clubbed and clubbed until all lay bleeding on the ground. Then they turned. They were coming for her, and they were grinning.
Mahra screamed at them. "No!"
And woke, sitting bolt upright on her bed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
They were met the following morning by a man who joined them for the light breakfast that was normal in these places. At least they had decent kahveh.
The man was crisply dressed and spoke the same way.
"So," he said. "This is Mahra Kaitan." Timon nodded. The man seemed to be studying her, and she was not sure she liked the look. Her nerves were frayed after her troubled night and she didn't feel like putting up with someone who clearly thought he was in authority. "Well, Mez Kaitan, you're CoCee now. You'd better get used to it."
"And who are you?" she asked. Timon raised a finger to still her.
"My name is not important, Mez Kaitan. I just wanted to make your situation clear. All you need to know is that I'm speaking for the CoCee. From now on, you will receive your orders directly from Commander Pellis."
Mahra frowned and narrowed her eyes at him.
"I trust we have your full cooperation?" he continued. Mahra said nothing. The man turned to Timon and started outlining plans. Mahra listened, her resentment growing with each minute.
"You will be leaving here in an hour's time. Passage has been arranged for Belshore. The people there have already been informed of your arrival. Further instructions will be issued when you arrive."
"One hour?" said Timon, "But — "
"Commander?" the man said.
"We need to get some things, and well ... "
"Too late for that. The Dark Falcon is gone."
"Damn, so that's what — " said Sind.
"What? What do you mean gone?" said Timon, the disbelief written clearly on his face.
"Commander, I would advise you to moderate your tone," said the man glancing around the small dining room. "Just what I say. Now, we'll expect you at the docks in one hour, as I said."
With that he picked up a napkin, dabbed it against his lips, dropped it on the table and walked out without another word.
"Timon, who the hell was that?" asked Mahra.
"As he said," said Timon, his lips tight, "his name is not important. Suffice it to say that rank has its privileges. The Falcon's gone?" He shook his head slowly. "Bloody liberties."
"Now, Timon," said Jayeer. "There is not a lot we can do about it. Things are out of our hands now. It's back to following orders."
Timon grunted and looked away.
"Well, I don't have to follow orders," said Mahra.
"Mahra, you heard what he said," said Jayeer, looking at her over the top of his lenses. "Things are beyond us now. We're part of something much larger. What do you want? You said you had an old score to settle. Well you need the CoCee, and to be clear about it, the CoCee needs you. Please don't make this any harder than it is. Forget about the chain of command and the man who was just here. Think about what you want."
Mahra bit back her reply and thought about what he was saying. He was right. Timon always said Jayeer was the voice of reason in their operation. It surprised her in a way.
"Well, time's slipping away," said Timon. "We had better get our things together and be on our way." He stood and headed out of the dining room with a troubled expression on his face.
"Timon — " said Mahra.
J
ayeer stopped her. "No, leave him. He'll be fine. He's right, we'd better get underway." Mahra nodded and they both headed off to their separate rooms to prepare, then made the way to their transport in silence.
They slipped into Belshorian space virtually unobserved as part of a routine cargo mission. Timon was cursing the absence of The Dark Falcon all the while. Mahra had little time for his complaints, she had Chutzpah back and although she sympathised, that and making sense of all that had happened was what really mattered at the moment. It was funny the way Chutzpah's absence had shown her how much of a part of her life he really was.
When they at last arrived on Belshore, Mahra didn't even mind that she had to wear her blade concealed. Chutzpah's presence kept her calm. Sind muttered to himself as usual as they travelled in one of the local trans through the wide and then narrow streets of the Belshorian capital. It didn't take them long to reach their goal, and this time the trip was without incident.
Garavenah's place looked exactly the same as it had on their last visit. The entrance to the vast warehouse complex boasted a similar group of guards, vehicles, and rituals. There were no charades from Timon this time. Somehow it seemed the events of the last few days had sobered him. What they were doing was too important.
Garavenah was waiting for them at the top of the staircase when they finally gained admission and she walked down to meet them at the bottom, bidding them welcome.
"So, my friends, twice in such a brief space of time. To what do I owe this honour? Come, come, don't hang around down there. Come up and tell me what has been happening."
Garavenah plied them with wine and hospitality. They took turns filling her in on the drive's details, and Mahra's experience and the Sirona, Garavenah taking it all in and looking increasingly thoughtful as the story unfolded.
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