turningpoint

by Lisanne Norman

  "Wait a minute. We don't have life pods with transmitters. The only one on the planet belongs to the Valtegans."

  "No. Kusac's people have one."

  Kusac emerged from the shadows and squatted beside Carrie in the full glare of the camp fire.

  Skai took a deep breath. "Ah. You're that Carrie, Peter Hamilton's missing daughter. I should have remembered immediately. I guess I was just thrown by how much you look like Elise. And your cat... isn't, is he?"

  Kusac showed his teeth in a grin. "I'm Sholan. Our scout craft was shot down on this planet several weeks ago. The life pod is ours and was dropped here years ago when we first surveyed the planet."

  "If we can get to the pod, we can signal my people for help, and they can contact Erasmus. But we need to negotiate the swamp. Will you help?"

  Skai pulled against his bonds, trying to get his anger to override his fear.

  "You expect me to trust you when you treat me like this? How do I know you're any better than the Valtegans? We could be just changing one set of overlords for another," he exclaimed. God, look at the size of him! Skai shuddered and tried to suppress the thought.

  "You're the only human apart from me who knows Kusac is an Alien. Do you think I'm fool enough to give you that information near Seaport where anyone could overhear us, or you could run to your superiors? We need someone who's man enough to act on his own without a committee decision. As you said, we have only nine days before Erasmus reaches midpoint, and we've still got to find the pod. Are you going to help us or not?" demanded Carrie.

  The silence lengthened as Skai tried to come to terms with the dual problems of a second race of Aliens— possibly friendly ones— and sitting opposite his dead lover's twin.

  "We're the only chance you have," said Kusac finally.

  "I know, damn it! It doesn't make you the right one, though."

  "He's cautious," said Carrie. "He's afraid for his own skin."

  "And you aren't, I suppose," said Skai bitingly. "You're willing to throw your lot in with these Aliens and risk all the people on Keiss, not to mention the millions on Earth, just on your say so? How can you be so Goddamn sure? Elise was sure she knew what she was doing, and look where that got her!"

  "If you knew he was an Alien, how come you didn't tell us earlier, when there was time to come to a reasoned decision?" Skai pulled angrily at the ropes again.

  Carrie sighed. "Release him, Kusac. He isn't going anywhere."

  "Until a few days ago, I didn't know he was anything more than a forest cat," she said as Kusac leaned forward.

  Extending his claws fully, he slashed through the ropes binding the man to the tree.

  Skai rubbed the circulation back into his chafed wrists, keeping a wary eye on the Sholan. He didn't want to get too near those claws.

  "I'm a psychic. I know these people, I know how they feel. They share many of the same hopes and goals that we have. They won't betray us."

  "God! That's all I need. An hysterical female who thinks she's a psychic as the first human contact these folks have!"

  "Show him, Carrie," said Kusac. "Give him the proof he wants."

  Carrie reached mentally for Skai, finding the rhythm of his thoughts and tuning in to them.

  Skai stiffened slightly, a look of utter shock coming over his face.

  Send him the images of your two colony planets, Kusac. Show him what the Valtegans did to your people.

  Kusac complied, and for several minutes Skai remained rigid while he "saw" the devastation that was all that remained of the Sholan planets murdered by the Valtegans.

  When Kusac released his contact, Skai slumped forward, breathing heavily.

  As he opened his mouth to speak, Carrie forestalled him.

  "No, it isn't a trick. That's what you were going to say, wasn't it? Kusac's people have psychics, too, but to them it's a respectable profession, bound by its own rules."

  "Do you believe us now?" she asked.

  "I have no choice," said Skai, his voice ragged from the shock of the contact and the mental images Kusac had sent him. "As you said, they're our only chance. Yes, I'll help you."

  "Good," said Carrie. "Now let's eat. You look like you need a good hot drink."

  "Do you really know your way through the swamp?" she asked as she pulled out their only mug and the remains of the coffee.

  "Lady, you don't know how lucky you are," said Skai, gratefully holding out a shaking hand for the hot drink. "We all do a tour of duty in the swamp, watching the Valtegan base on the other side. I just came off duty last week. Yes, I know the dry paths through there, but it's a dangerous place. There are flesh eaters of every shape and size, not to mention the quicksand. It's a tidal swamp, and if you don't pick the right time, the safe route can kill you."

  "The swamp goes right up to the coastline where the base is. It's a dangerous trek even for those who know the way. We had to lead the next detail through the path to show them the changes in the land. What's safe one week isn't necessarily safe the next."

  Kusac threw him a trail bar and a strip of dried meat.

  "We should reach the swamp by this time tomorrow," he said. "I'll hunt for a midday meal, then we can contact the rest of the crew. They can meet us there tomorrow night with provisions. When the tide is right, you can lead us to the pod. By then I'll be able to 'show' you where it is mentally."

  Skai nodded.

  "How many of you are there on Keiss?" he asked.

  "Only four others. We lost three in the crash."

  "Let's eat and sleep," said Carrie. "Questions can wait till tomorrow. We'll have to be up at dawn. Time is short for us."

  She settled down beside Kusac, taking the emergency blankets out of her backpack and handing one to Kusac. Wrapping hers around herself, she lay back and leaned her head on the now thin bag while she munched on her meat and biscuit.

  Kusac threw more wood on the fire, then, putting his blanket over them both, stretched out beside her, his tail curling protectively over her. He luxuriated in the warmth from the fire for a few moments, then closed his eyes.

  Skai regarded them, part of his mind wondering if he could manage to escape once they were asleep, or at least get his gun back from the girl. The other part saw Carrie lying there, so like Elise— and there was an Alien beside her.

  What was it with those Hamilton girls? Weren't their own men good enough? Could he have done more to stop her? Elise had known how he felt, but it hadn't stopped her, she'd still left him. Perhaps he was getting a second chance with Carrie.

  "Don't. Like your cats, I sleep with one eye open," said Kusac, his voice slurred to a velvet purr. "I know you're not fully convinced, but stay around. You will be. Meanwhile, leave Carrie alone. She's not her sister."

  Just what did he mean by that? Skai wondered. Faced with the inevitable, he gave up and settled down to sleep.

  * * *

  Skai wakened before the others. He lay staring at Carrie, wondering about her. He only knew what all the guerrillas knew— that she was the sister of Elise and the daughter of Peter Hamilton, head of the Passive Resistance, and that she and her cat were missing. Except the cat was an intelligent Alien, one of a race with more than two well established colony planets, and probably faster than light spacecraft. God alone knew how wide the technical gap was between them!

  Wait till Captain Skinner heard about the Aliens. What did she say they were called? Sholans, that was it. Shame the girl had to be their first contact. He would have driven a hard bargain for their help. He'd have demanded access to some of their higher technology, but she'd just offered it for free. Just like a woman. No sense of the value of things.

  He was drawn to her. It wasn't surprising considering his unfinished affair with Elise. She had long hair like her sister and he liked women with long hair, they looked more feminine. Most of them on Keiss kept their hair short, said it was more practical. He'd have to try and get her away from the Alien.

  He frowned as Kusac stirred in his sl
eep and curled more protectively round Carrie. What was the Sholan after anyway? He was a bit too familiar with the girl. Surely they couldn't be lovers.

  Never mind. He was something the Alien could never be, human like her and that was what would count in the end. He could charm a country girl like her, no problem. That's the way it had started with Elise, but then she'd gotten under his skin.

  He fingered his wrist communicator thoughtfully. By rights, he ought to contact the Captain at their base. He could play this his way and maybe come out looking pretty good. And there was Carrie. He wouldn't be missed for a day or two, so he had the time to play with. It could be an interesting few days.

  Carrie stirred and began to stretch against Kusac, waking him, too.

  I see our guide is still with us, came Kusac's thought.

  Of course. Had he tried to leave, he would have found it impossible, like walking through a solid wall. I planted that thought last night before you let him "see" your two colony planets.

  But that's mental manipulation! sent Kusac.

  So? It was necessary. We can't trust him.

  That's a crime among my people, Carrie. You can't do that.

  Kusac, it isn't a crime for me. We have no code of ethics for telepaths.

  You mustn't do it, Carrie. You will have to adopt a code if your people have many more like you. Telepaths mustn't take advantage of others by using their Talent. It infringes on the rights of the individual. Can't you see?

  Yes, but we're at war at the moment, and that changes the rules. We cannot afford to lose him.

  It doesn't matter Please do not use your Talent like that again.

  His tone was so worried and concerned that she relented a little.

  I'll try to stick to your code, but I can't promise. Now come on, we have to get moving.

  Carrie stretched again and smiled across at their guide, who was beginning to show signs of life.

  "Good morning. I'm afraid we didn't introduce ourselves officially last night. This is Kusac," she indicated the Sholan, who was rekindling the small fire. "As you surmised, I'm Carrie Hamilton."

  "Skai," he responded, smiling and holding out a friendly hand.

  Hesitantly, Carrie took it. His touch was firm yet gentle, almost a caress. She was glad when he released her.

  "What made you leave your settlement?" he asked.

  "I wanted to join the guerrilla forces," she replied shortly, handing the kettle to Kusac. "We need some water," she said. "Can you smell any nearby?"

  "There's some not too far away," he replied. "I'll not be long." He melted silently into the bushes at the edge of their campsite.

  Carrie handed Skai a piece of dried meat and began chewing one herself.

  "How far is the beginning of the swamp from here?"

  "Thanks to you, I can only guess where 'here' is." said Skai, moving round to sit beside her. "I take it we're traveling by dead reckoning?"

  Carrie nodded, chewing hard on her food.

  "Kusac can sense where the swamp is, but we have no idea of the distance involved."

  "Judging from the amount of walking we did yesterday, I'd say we'd reach it by nightfall. We can't attempt to cross the swamp in the dark, so we'll have to camp again tonight."

  Skai reached out to touch a stray lock of her hair.

  "You have lovely hair," he said, fingering it gently.

  Carrie brushed it back out of the way.

  "Don't," she said sharply.

  "Don't you like to be admired?" he asked softly.

  "No. I've had enough of the Valtegans leering at me and— Elise," she said bitterly, moving away from him.

  "I'm not a Valtegan, though."

  "Just let's leave it, Skai. I don't want to talk," she said, while sending a short reassuring thought to Kusac, who was clamoring to know what had angered her.

  "I didn't mean to bring back bad memories," Skai apologized.

  "Look, I'm not in the market for a man, so you don't need to impress me with your concern," she said coldly.

  Skai sighed. He wouldn't have thought her such a cold fish. Pity. Still, there was plenty of time. Perhaps when she got used to his company she would thaw a little.

  * * *

  "Tell us more about the swamp," said Carrie, falling back to let Kusac take his turn using Skai's machete to cut through the dense underbrush.

  Daylight did little to break the perpetual gloom that pervaded the heart of the forest through which they now worked their way.

  "I told you. It's a tidal delta, thickly overgrown with swamp grasses and a rambling network of trees. Every high tide changes the dry areas slightly, and by the end of a fortnight, the safe route you took in no longer exists. Parts of it do, but our scouts have to adapt to the ever changing geography."

  "Boats?" asked Kusac, hacking through the trunk of a particularly resilient bush.

  "Too overgrown. The whole thing resembles a lake covered with strips of shifting sand and vegetation."

  "So how do you manage?" asked Carrie, hitching her backpack into a more comfortable position.

  "We rotate every two weeks while there are still some identifiable swamp marks, and we leave markers that only we would notice."

  "What about the shift coming off duty? You said they guide the next shift in."

  "One man takes them in, showing them the new markers."

  Carrie nodded. "Makes sense. You've just come off duty, haven't you? Think you can guide us through safely?"

  "From one side to the other, yes, but you want to reach some object..."

  "The life pod."

  "... buried in there," continued Skai. "I can't guarantee we can reach it safely."

  "How deep is it? Can we wade or swim through it?" Kusac called back.

  "No way. That water is alive with creatures you wouldn't want to meet. Leeches like small eels, with teeth to match, crocodiles, carnivorous fish— you name it, if it's nasty and has teeth, it lives there. You wouldn't survive more than a minute in the water."

  "Then there're the insects."

  "Great," groaned Carrie, catching a branch that threatened to lash her in the face, "I don't think I want to know any more for now. What do we do if we can't reach it?"

  "Worry about that when the time comes," growled Kusac. "Let's just get there and find it first."

  * * *

  The passage of time was difficult to gauge in the flickering gloom, but eventually there came a point when muscles ached and bodies were too tired to stand any longer.

  To call it a clearing was a misnomer, but at least the undergrowth was less dense. A small area large enough for the stove was cleared and a larger one was trampled down for sitting.

  Skai activated the stove and put the water they'd carried with them on to boil while Carrie kneaded the worst of the cramps out of Kusac's shoulders.

  "I don't know why you're bothering with hot water," she said. "We used the last of the coffee this morning."

  Skai smiled, taking a packet out of his jacket. With a flourish, he produced some muslin tea bags and a small quantity of sugar.

  "We guerrillas carry a few emergency rations of our own," he said, grinning.

  "Tea!" exclaimed Carrie. "I haven't tasted any since the Valtegans took over the tea plantations up by Geshader. And in bags, too."

  "We have our sources," said Skai. "Unfortunately, I haven't any milk."

  "Now, how about giving my shoulders a rub when you've finished with your friendly Alien's?"

  Carrie stiffened, but a flick of Kusac's ears relaxed her.

  He stretched, rising to his feet. "I must hunt now, before I stiffen up. I will not be long, Leska," he said. Reverting to a four-legged stance, he loped off.

  Skai gave an involuntary shudder. "It's uncanny how he does that. Inhuman."

  Carrie grinned mirthlessly as she moved behind him. "He isn't human, he's an Alien."

  "I know. Perhaps it's because he resembles a cat that he doesn't seem... Ouch! Do you have to be so rough?" he com
plained as Carrie kneaded his shoulder and neck muscles vigorously. "... quite so Alien," he continued, still wincing a little.

  "If you want to get rid of the stiffness, then it's going to hurt," she said, trying not to smirk.

  Skai grunted. "What are the rest of the crew like?" he asked.

  She thought for a moment before answering.

  "Different from Kusac. The Captain seems a fair man, but Guynor, the First Officer, he's suspicious and belligerent. The two women seem friendly— at least one of them does," she amended.