Alien Outcast

by Tracy St. John

  “Ulof will make a full recovery?” Terig’s delight showed he’d already forgiven his clanmate for shoving unwanted, half-assed psychiatric revelations in his face.

  “Doesn’t his temper tantrum tell you that? I’m happy to report that everyone is bouncing back from their brush with the virus.”

  “Just as Piper said they would. It was never lethal.” Ulof aimed a kick at Nako.

  The Dramok slapped his foot away in casual defense without taking his gaze from Zo. “The crew’s good health isn’t what’s turned you mouthy with delight, Doctor. What are these preliminary results you’re talking about?”

  “The Matara claims she carries a version of the same virus that the women in the death ship are infected with. A weaker form, but at its root, the same thing.”

  “Which means?”

  “Which means, we might be able to develop a vaccine for the deadlier variety. Matara Piper could very well be the source for a cure.”

  Chapter 18

  Piper neared Medical, wondering how to answer Ulof’s inevitable questions on how the dining hall was being handled. His underlings were smart enough not to disturb how he had things organized, so that was a plus. But the food they served, while decent to someone who’d eaten nutrient cakes in captivity, was a far cry from his culinary talents. No doubt he’d start another argument with Dr. Zo about being allowed to return to work right away.

  She entered Medical and stopped short to see Nako and Terig by Ulof’s bed. Her stomach dropped and she turned to leave.

  Zo’s call brought her up short. “Matara, wait! I need to ask you some questions.”

  She slowly pivoted. Terig’s expression was gentle—as gentle as his fierce visage allowed—lending her hope that he didn’t hate her. Though Nako’s demeanor would probably make up for that and more, she couldn’t help but glance at him too.

  He held her gaze for all of a second before his eyes dropped to stare at the floor. She couldn’t fathom how he looked. Surely Nako wasn’t ashamed of being angry at her duplicity?

  When Piper showed no sign of moving closer to the group, Zo came to her. “Matara Piper, are you aware of the Bi’isils developing any vaccines or antidotes to the virus? Yours or any other versions of K-U-Three-Z?”

  “Of course not. Dr. Wari’det and the rest weren’t interested in a cure. They wanted to wipe you Kalquorians out.”

  “The men who caught the virus from you while you were on the lab station—what happened to them afterward?”

  The memory left her heartsick. “They were kept around for a little while after they recovered. Wari’det and his associates tested and analyzed them for several weeks. Then they were used in other trials for a few months, but in the end, Wari’det had them—he had them executed.”

  That was such an antiseptic word for what had happened to the Kalquorian test subjects. Wari’det had ordered them marched to an airlock and blown out into space.

  Tears threatened. It had been nothing short of a massacre of men who had been unfailingly kind to her. She had known a few of their names. They hadn’t deserved to be disposed of like garbage.

  “Matara, were they exposed to those women who are on the death ship? Or others carrying that same version of the virus?”

  Struggling with the heartlessness of the Bi’isils, Piper shrugged. “I’d been pulled out of the labs by then. I would guess not, since they didn’t die of it.”

  “Were those particular Kalquorians killed before or after the Bi’isils came across the fatal strain?”

  Piper thought. “After. I remember because Dr. Wari’det was still celebrating his success.” He’d issued the execution order almost offhandedly while hosting a congratulatory party for his team.

  While she struggled with the horrific and unnecessary loss of life, Zo tapped his fingers on his chin, musing silently. Piper swallowed against the ache in her throat and waited for his next question. She avoided looking in Nako’s direction.

  At length, Zo said, “Why would the Bi’isil researchers destroy perfectly good lab subjects? The Kalquorians recovered. Surely long-term testing would have been in order, at the very least, to see if any other effects from their exposure to Piper were to be noted.”

  Terig wandered close. “You reported the virus is highly infectious. It spreads easily and quickly. Those men could have corrupted the whole testing supply.”

  “They could have been quarantined. I know if it had been me, I would have tested later versions of the virus on both them and those who’d not been infected before. It’s scientific protocol to try all avenues, and the Bi’isils are extremely thorough if nothing else.”

  “Is this leading anywhere, Doctor?” Nako joined them. Though she feared looking at him, Piper’s whole being centered on his nearness.

  I wish to God I hadn’t screwed things up with him. But I don’t deserve him.

  Zo’s excited tone drew her out of feeling sorry for herself. “What if exposure to Matara Piper’s virus had a permanent effect on those Kalquorians? What if being sickened and recovering made them completely worthless, or even detrimental, to the project?”

  Terig gaped at him. “You think her strain offered immunity to the deadly form of K-U-Three-Z?”

  Piper started. Zo believed she’d somehow inoculated the Kalquorians against the virus carried on the death ship?

  Zo tempered his enthusiasm with effort. “Maybe. I don’t suppose you heard any news to that effect, Matara?”

  “No. But I was strictly forbidden to enter the lab area again, under any circumstances. I also overheard Dr. Wari’det arguing with Prince Yel’ek that I was too docile to present any danger to the project, that there was no need to euthanize me too.”

  Nako’s tone offered no clue as to his opinion. “Assuming Zo is right about this, Wari’det must have liked you to have kept you alive.”

  “He acted as if I were a pet.” Cleansing hatred for the monstrous Bi’isil researcher washed away the guilt and pain. The murdering piece of shit had tortured Ob and others, and he’d destroyed too many lives. Replaying the moment she’d stuck the knife in him offered a cold satisfaction. “Seeing him close to death was one of the best moments of my life.”

  Zo trembled with eagerness. “I need to run more tests.”

  “I’m at your disposal, Doctor.” Piper attempted to not get her hopes up. She was cursed, after all. She couldn’t possibly offer real prospects of help to the Kalquorians.

  One of Ulof’s assistants came in, bringing a tray of food to his boss. The group’s conversation quieted, possibly to keep the discussion secret. Or maybe it was to gauge Ulof’s reaction to the meal coming from his kitchen.

  The assistant apparently thought so. He put the tray on the table next to Ulof. With barely a word of greeting, he tried to make a hasty exit.

  “What the hell is this shit?” The Imdiko shouted, as he sniffed the bowl of purplish stew.

  His assistant didn’t answer. He ran out.

  Ulof glowered at Zo.

  “Fine. I want you out from under my feet while I work on this anyway. You’re released.” Zo held up his hand when Ulof bounded to his feet. “Go straight to your quarters. Stay in bed, Imdiko, until I tell you otherwise.”

  “Are you crazy? Did you try this?” Ulof held the bowl of mystery stew towards Zo.

  “I wasn’t that desperate. Trust me, I’ll happily sign off on your return to the kitchen as soon as possible. Probably as early as tomorrow morning. Don’t argue with me about spending at least the afternoon off your feet, or you’ll stay in here,” the doctor warned him.

  “I’ll make sure he goes to our quarters,” Terig chuckled. “Come on, my Imdiko. We all want to eat a decent breakfast tomorrow, so we need your full recovery.” They left a few minutes later.

  Piper was as good as her word about letting Zo analyze her. She submitted to an hour of more tests and questions.

  Nako remained the entire time. He and Zo, apparently not the best of friends, ignored each other. Piper
was aware of the captain’s gaze holding steady on her, though he kept his distance. She grew more and more nervous as the minutes ticked by.

  He’s waiting to confront me again about not telling him the truth. It must be an earful for him to stick around so long.

  At last, Zo gave her a break while he retreated into his office. “I need to consult with the medical crew Admiral Piras left behind and see what they think. But I’m sure I’m on the right track in believing your virus vaccinates us against the other strain.”

  He left her alone with Nako. The captain wasted no time in approaching the examination table she perched on.

  To her shock, he took her hand, holding it as gently as he might a newly-hatched bird. “My earlier actions and words toward you were unforgiveable. I wish I could erase them.”

  Piper blinked. She replayed what he’d said, because she’d surely misheard him. He was trying to apologize? To her? She choked out, “You didn’t say enough when you found out what I’d held back. I should have told you all of it. I had no excuse.”

  “You were scared. You were positive you were no threat to us. Now, I find your very presence could save the empire if the fatal virus gets loose.” Nako grimaced. “Ulof’s right. I’m a damned coward.”

  “You? Not in a million years.”

  “Oh, I can meet an unstoppable enemy without shaking. I can laugh when destruction is but an instant from happening. But if I feel there’s potential to be tossed aside like so much garbage—no. I have to be the one to walk out, not be walked out on. I hate it. I fear it.”

  Piper stared at him standing before her, his teeth bared in a sudden surge of fury at himself. “Why are you afraid of being abandoned?”

  “Because that’s what happened when I was a child. My Imdiko father walked out on our family, as if we were nothing. As if I were nothing.”

  “I’m sorry, Nako. What a terrible thing to have to go through.”

  He drew a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “I started to feel something for you. It’s hard to put my heart out there for others. It still amazes me that I was able to do so for Terig and Ulof. You came along, and I began to become attached. Vulnerable. I suppose it scared me so bad, that I jumped on the first excuse I could find to escape.”

  “It sounds as if you have serious trust issues.” Piper laughed bitterly. “Not the healthiest mix when I feel I’m to blame for everything, huh? My guilty conscience must be setting off all your alarms.”

  “Not when I’m used to Terig, who has the same problem. And just as you view each setback as proof you don’t deserve happiness, we have Ulof, who takes every mistake as evidence that he’s unteachable. It’s a wonder any of us can function among normal people.”

  She gazed into that scarred but handsome face, wondering if fate was indeed smiling on her—or setting her up for more heartache. When would the debt be paid?

  Unable to believe it ever would, she tried to give Nako a graceful out. “I can’t figure out why you’d stand in the same room with me after I made everyone sick.”

  “I want to be in the same room with you, Piper. That, and much more.” He leaned down and kissed her.

  Even with his lips against hers, Piper couldn’t quite credit that Nako had forgiven her. He shouldn’t have. The man was desperate—or insane.

  If she’d been less selfish, she’d have pushed him away, insisting he save himself a lot of trouble. But she was weak when it came to Nako. With Terig and Ulof, too.

  They offer everything I could desire. And maybe they’re strong enough to withstand the misfortune I bring.

  She surrendered to the kiss. Smothered herself if it, in the hope she wouldn’t leave destruction in her wake yet again. Once more, Piper dared to dream she was forgiven by whatever forces judged misguided mortals, that after all this time, she could grasp happiness.

  When they ended the kiss reluctantly, Nako smiled at her, hope shining in his eyes. “What comes next?”

  “I don’t know. I never dreamed you’d offer me another chance.”

  “You deserve every chance, every day. If you say otherwise, I’ll have to punish you as I did before.” He gave her a mock-stern look.

  Piper thought of the discipline he’d given her, the marks of which she continued to wear. Of the excitement and relief she’d discovered under his strap. She licked her lips. “I wish you would.”

  Pretended severity gave way to heat. His voice almost a growl, he said, “The first opportunity I get.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” He kissed her again to seal the oath.

  * * * *

  In lighter spirits than since he could remember, Nako marched onto the bridge. “Com, hail that piece of shit Maf. Keep calling until the asshole answers.”

  It took almost an hour and a gauntlet of rebellion officers insisting the Basma had no intention of speaking to Nako. In the end, Maf appeared on the large vid at the front of the bridge. Looking hollow-eyed and ready to bite, he snarled, “What is it, Nako?”

  “My ship’s doctor has verified the virus we’ve contracted is nonlethal.”

  “What of it?”

  “I assume your medical officers have done the same?”

  “And that matters, because?”

  “Because it might also be the answer to stopping the lethal variety heading in our direction. We have reason to believe we’re now immune.”

  The ire in Maf’s attitude flickered for an instant. “Proof?”

  “Our head medic is searching for it. However, based on everything he’s seen and the reports from the Matara who witnessed the trials, his confidence in the theory is growing.”

  “Hardly an ironclad verification.” Maf glowered again.

  “I’m willing to test my doctor’s hypothesis, along with Matara Piper’s account, by boarding the death ship and coming in personal contact with the infected women on board.”

  “Well, that will leave us with one less fool flying around.”

  Nako had seen a glimmer of interest from him, however. He had Maf’s attention. Now all he needed was the bastard’s assurances he’d let the Earthers live. “Listen to me, Maf. I’m willing to risk myself on the matter. I will personally expose myself to the fatal illness on that vessel. There is no need to attack it without discovering if there’s a cure to the virus.”

  “Or, we could just destroy the death ship and its diseased cargo.”

  “Bi’is will still retain the means to unleash it later. I’m not surprised to hear your answer, though. Unnecessary butchery has become your calling card. It’s the mark of a coward.” Nako spit on the floor.

  Maf’s visage darkened, and the raider captain thought perhaps he’d be treated to another sudden com termination. However, the traitor relented. “Fine. My fleet will eliminate the escort and let you have your useless suicide. When you’re dead and I’ve drunk to it, then I’ll exterminate the plague.” His image disappeared.

  “The frequency has been shut down on Maf’s end,” Atar said.

  Terig gazed where the Basma’s face had hung a moment before. “He’ll go after the Earther women, even if the virus makes you immortal.”

  “I know. All we can do is hope Admiral Piras brings us some backup before Maf decides to race off to Bi’is space and ruin all our plans.”

  “The fleet had better hurry. I get the idea we’re running out of time.”

  Chapter 19

  Ulof sprawled on his sleeping mat and stared at the ceiling of the clan’s quarters. He wanted to go to the kitchen. He needed to find out what kind of mess his staff had made of it. He ached to cook something. Anything. Slapping a mere sandwich together would be better than lying about.

  Standing on the bridge and counting the stars on the observation vid would be more fun than this. Or picking lint off the floor.

  He’d become so desperate for distraction that he’d even opened up the terraforming tutorials Piper had accessed for him. He’d read the beginning of the introductory unit and worked
a couple of simple simulations. He’d enjoyed it as much as growing restlessness had allowed him to, until the need to be up and moving had become an overwhelming distraction.

  Now he couldn’t recall a single damned procedure he’d performed in the tutorial. All that remained was the memory of contentment that had come with indulging in his cherished dream.

  I’m hopeless.

  But then, that had been the consensus when he’d been assigned to clean up in the prison’s kitchen. Washing down floors, cabinets and counters by hand, because automation wasn’t a privilege enjoyed by inmates, he’d been fascinated by the hands-on food prep and cooking done by fellow prisoners. The way they’d transformed the most basic of foodstuffs into dishes he enjoyed—it was magical. Ulof had watched the cook staff day after day, amazed and envious of their art. Until finally during a shift, he noted someone had missed adding wedi to a stew that called for it and alerted Dramok Asam’s attention to it.

  I remembered that ingredient. That’s all it had taken for that crazy murdering bastard to notice Ulof, to make him his pet project. To change the learning-challenged Imdiko into someone worthwhile.

  Dramok Asam had taught Ulof, more or less patiently, how to cook. Usually, less was the category his instruction had fallen into. Tempers had flared on several occasions, with punches thrown.

  Ulof remembered one occasion they’d gotten into a particularly ugly altercation. It had landed them both in a cramped containment cell, so small that they had to take turns lying on the floor to sleep. It had been then when Ulof had at last asked the question that had plagued him ever since Asam had taught him the proper way to hold a vegetable cutter.

  * * * *

  “Why are you pushing me so hard to learn? Why bother with someone as slow as I am?”

  Asam’s glare through the eye not swollen shut softened. “You remind me of my younger brother. He had trouble keeping shit from leaking out of his brain too, the poor fucker. The other Nobek boys at training camp made his life hell. I guess I hope you’ll end up better than he did.”