"No! NO!" she screamed at his retreating back. There was no time for thinking now. Khuharkk' reared up toward the animal even as it spun to meet him, their challenging screams matching each other's ferocity.
"NONONONO!" she shouted, her voice as loud in her ears as their enraged roars. The pulse-gun was in her hand without her even being aware that she'd reached for it. She aimed the weapon cleanly over the Simiu's head and struck the rearing Long-Neck between its heavily ridged eyes.
It bellowed, flinging its head back as Khuharkk' sank his teeth and claws into its snaky throat. Etsane fired again, hitting it below the jaw where the beam could pass through to the brain. The heavy creature crashed heavily to the ground, Khuharkk' clinging grimly to it. It was dying now, its reactions automatic. A powerful arm swung heavily against the Simiu, claws gouging a trail over Khuharkk"arm and shoulder, but still he clung to the animal through its death spasms.
"Khuharkk', no! Let go!" Etsane yelled, firing again at the head. Like the mindless shark that could kill even when it was dying, the monster rolled, pinning Khuharkk' beneath its bulk, then rolled again with the Simiu atop it.
I need a clean shot to the base of the skull to sever the spine, Etsane realized, then ran around behind the flopping creature. Forgetting all her fears for her own well-being, she drew too close, and the flailing foreleg of the paddling creature scraped the bare skin of her forearm. She ignored the stinging pain to locate the one spot--
--and, with great deliberation, she fired squarely where the spine met the skull.
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With a last, great sigh, the beast stilled and collapsed into a lifeless heap.
Only then did Khuharkk' lift his bloodied head and meet her gaze--as she stood facing him, the hated weapon firmly in hand.
"I couldn't let you die," she blurted. "Not to save my life. If I'd kept my head, reacted faster, maybe I could've gotten away and you wouldn't have done this. I couldn't let you die because of me. I'm so sorry about the weapon--"
He was beside her now, the smell of the alien animal's blood fresh on his fur.
"You had this all along?" he rumbled, indicating the pulse-gun.
She was trembling, shaking from head to foot as the adrenaline rush left her drained. "I didn't want to use it. I know it offends your culture. But I couldn't let you die!"
Gently, he patted her arm. "You hid this from me out of respect for my Honor.
Allowed me to battle the creature. Etsane, you could've been killed yourself, all to spare my feelings."
She blinked, realized he was--chuckling?
"Young human, do you know how long I have worked with your people? I understand your culture and respect it; I have for a long time. I know that it is different from my own. That you would endanger yourself so greatly to honor my culture--it has been a long time since any human has honored me so. I thank you. And I thank you for saving both our lives."
So surprised was she at his reaction, she felt the last vestiges of her strength fail, and she grabbed at his right shoulder to steady her shaky legs. His fur was wet. She blinked. Her own arm gleamed moistly. She lifted the eyeshade and stared. In the white moonlight, their blood ran red.
She could hear voices chattering over the com unit, hear scrambling up the slope as help arrived.
"Our injuries are minor, but they will scar," he commented, sounding oddly smug. "We'll have a good story to tell, won't we, Etsane?" He sounded winded, as if the
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mad tackle of the creature had taken everything he could give. "Etsane, you fought with great Honor."
"Even--even with a weapon?" she said dazedly, hardly believing his acceptance.
"You saved my life."
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save mine." Khuharkk' gripped her shoulder. "We share more now than just professional honor. We share an Honor Bond."
"That's great." Etsane felt dizzy again, and weaved as she stood in the cold night air. "What is it?"
Khuharkk" laughed weakly. "It's what Simiu warriors share when they've faced down death together. Come now. The others are here to help us. We will not last much longer on our feet."
And as the first rescuers approached them with med-kits, weapons and stretchers in hand, the two warriors sank to their haunches in the sand, leaning against one other to keep from collapsing as bonelessly as their enemy had.
Even as Doctor Strongheart hurried to them, Khuharkk' assured her, "If we lean on each other, then neither can fall."
Closing her eyes in weariness, relief, and intense gratitude, she let the warmth of his body sustain her as she realized how very right he was.
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CHAPTER 9 Trap
The next afternoon Etsane was busy at her desk in the Lab, puzzling once again over the ancient Na-Dina language, when Sumiko came out of her office, stood by the Lab's front entrance, and glanced at her watch. "Time for the big show," she called to Etsane. "We've got a front-row seat for the second coming of A-Um Rakt."
"What?" Etsane had been concentrating deeply, and it took her a moment to catch up. Then her brain clicked into gear. "You mean they're bringing the sarcophagus down to put it in the Security Chamber? Here? Now?"
The woman nodded. "Yes. I just got the message. They're up there attaching the a-grav units right now! Very shortly the Golden Barge of A-Um Rakt will float out of his Tomb, down the ramp, and over to our little establishment.
Accompanied by the crown jewels, of course."
"Including the Mizari relics?"
"Naturally."
Etsane noticed that the Japanese woman's statement had caused a stir among the other researchers. Ttalatha looked up from her computer screen, her masked snout wrinkling excitedly. She began grooming herself, trailing retractable claws through her short, creamy fur. Beside her, Hrashoi 148
the Shadgui shook its slothlike shoulders, the Gui toad part of the symbiont visible as a flash of red hiding among the long black fur of the Shad's thick neck. The Gui's saucer- wide eyes stared at the front entry, seeing for its sightless host. Natual waved at her from his station beside Eloiss, the female Drnian who did the floral analysis of materials brought in by the Na-Dina dig crew.
Etsane looked back to the waiting Lab Chief, who wore a white lab coat over her shorts and blouse. "Sumiko, can you see what's going on over one of the remotes?"
"Sure can. Want a blow-by-blow description?" the Lab Chief called, as she stared at the screen of the holo-vid unit in her office.
An affirmative cheer went up. "Okay, then," Sumiko said cheerfully, "here goes! They're starting down the rampway. Doctor Mitchell is running around the a-grav unit, clucking like a mother hen checking her eggs."
The audience chuckled appreciatively.
"Dr. Strongheart is bringing up the rear, both paws on the back of the barge, keeping it perfectly level. Khuharkk' is handling the a-grav controls.
Professor Greyshine is dancing around, alternating between two and four feet, waving for the Na-Dina dig crew to get out of the way. Esteemed Lorezzzs is actually slithering along underneath the barge. I sure hope that a-grav unit doesn't hiccup! Then there's Ambassador Mahree, who is trying to keep everyone calm."
Another chuckle arose from the assembled researchers. "And, don't let me forget. Axum is there, overseeing the workers, trying to keep them out of Greyshine's way as they make obeisance to the King's sarcophagus. And of course there's Beloran, who is walking along, swishing his tail and wearing a snotty expression--so what's new?" Laughter rewarded her sallies, and she grinned unabashed.
"And ... they've reached the bottom of the ramp safely, and they're heading straight for us! Okay, so where's the applause for my stellar announcing skills?"
Etsane clapped wildly. Natual did likewise. Eloiss copied
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him hesitantly. The Shadgui watched. But Doctor Ttalatha jumped up and down like a youngster.
"Coming through!" Gordon Mitchell bellowed moments later from outside the door that Sumiko held op
en.
Sumiko grinned excitedly as the barge "sailed" past her.
The golden sarcophagus was easily three meters long, a meter wide, and it came to a halt hovering about one meter above the Lab's stone floor.
Mahree, Khuharkk', Greyshine, and Axum crowded in after the dust-covered figure of Doctor Mitchell. He looked at Sumiko, his face lighting up with a big grin. "Once we close the door of the vault, I'm going to be able to get my first decent night's sleep since we found this thing. Is everything ready in the Security Chamber?"
"Yes, Gordon," Sumiko said, rushing to the front of the line. She reached out to touch the hand-tooled gold of the barge, her fingers trailing reverently over red and yellow cloisonne glass inlays, silver plaques, bronze bosses, and the slim snake-head of A-Um Rakt. "Ohhh! I couldn't resist."
Beloran entered the Lab, his fan-ears laid back with displeasure and anxiety, his tail twitching. "Female Philosopher, please show us the way to the Chamber."
The Lab Chief recaptured her usual cool poise. "Of course, Liaison. It's right back here, behind the artifact shelving."
Etsane watched the bustling entourage trail along after the floating a-grav unit and its unique cargo. Going around the Secondary Receiving Tables, the group walked down the far sidewall of the Lab, passing out of sight behind long rows of artifact shelving.
At the rear of the building lay the climate-controlled room for perishables, where organics were kept, taking up one-half of the rear portion. The other half was the vaultlike room dubbed the Secure Storage Chamber, or SSC.
Doctor Mitchell had ordered the door to the SSC when he'd first found the tomb of A-Um Rakt two months ago. The heavy steel door had been forged by the Na-Dina to Mitchell's specifications, and had been completed and 150
flown in via jumpjet the day before yesterday.
The time lock that would ensure the security of the SSC was one of Professor Greyshine's contributions. The door had been made to fit around it, and yesterday, Doctor Mitchell and Khuharkk' had spent hours welding it into place and hanging the door.
Now, Doctor Strongheart could more easily do her tissue sampling and genetic analysis of the King's remains inside the Lab, while the Na-Dina Council of Elders--and fussy Beloran--would feel much more reassured knowing the Tomb treasures were protected by a steel door and a time lock.
The SSC was also fitted with an emergency radio transmitter that could be used to call as far as Spirit in case of another smuggler attack.
Natual came over to her after the raucous, order-giving retinue had passed out of view. The alien's dark brown skin looked warm and smooth where not covered by his loose tunic and short, knickerlike pants. His red eyes gazed down at her appreciatively. Etsane knew by now that Natual was interested in her, and that he was interested in being more than just a friend. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
Natual was nice, and they got along well, and enjoyed their time together.
But... he wasn't human. Etsane had heard of aliens and humans having relationships, though it was comparatively rare. Sometimes love happened between people of different species. And, from what little she knew of Drnian physiology, it might be possible for a human and a Drnian to mate.
Once or twice she'd found herself thinking along those lines and her mind had just shut down. She just wasn't ready to consider anything so major as the idea of having a romantic relationship with an alien.
But Natual obviously didn't share her misgivings. Etsane knew he liked her; he made that flatteringly obvious. As she gazed up at him, wondering what to say, he held out a large glass of water still cold from the Lab Chief's refrigerator. "Are you thirsty?"
Etsane realized she was, and the thoughtfulness of the
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gesture touched her. "I sure am. Thank you so much." She took a long drink as Natual moved to perch on the edge of her desk.
"You are very welcome," he said. His black wiry hair shone in the bright light of the Lab, and his small, round mouth tried to curve upward. He'd evidently been practicing trying to smile in the human manner. "I wonder whether you would like to come over to my tent tonight. For dinner, which I will be pleased to make for us. It's much better than Refectory food."
His red eyes held hers compellingly. "We could discuss the reactions of our respective species to death and neardeath experiences. You had what Doctor Mitchell referred to as 'a close call' last night."
"Yes, I did," Etsane admitted. "When I saw how big that long-neck was, it was pretty scary." She hesitated, but then thought, Hey, even if Natual isn't human, he's still a gentleman. It's not like he wouldn't accept no for an answer. Just eating dinner with him doesn't commit me to anything. So, aloud, she said, "Sure, Natual. I'd love to try some of your cooking. What time?"
Natual bobbed his head, obviously pleased. "About an hour after sunset?"
"That's fine," Etsane said. "I'll be there."
Mahree stood at the back of the room, craning her neck and standing on tiptoe, trying to see the treasures of A-Um Rakt. But she was not a tall woman, and there were too many people in the way. The crowd was too thick for her to edge closer to the sarcophagus. The gold gleamed with a lustrous sheen under the lights of the room, and she found herself longing to touch it and the other beautiful things she could see. What would it be like, she wondered, to touch something that was six thousand years old?
She turned her head, found Doctor Strongheart standing beside her. "I'd really like a private tour," she said to the Heeyoon. "Maybe I should ask Gordon to give me one tonight, after dinner."
"Why don't you?" Strongheart said. "I'm sure he'd be 152
pleased to show off his finds." The physician showed her teeth in a wolfish grin. "Not to mention that he'd then have you all to himself, Mahree. I sense that he would not be averse to that idea."
Mahree found herself blushing hotly, and for a moment she remembered her dream at Blue Pond. "Strongheart, you're as hopeless as your mate, trying to play matchmaker with every human that comes along."
"What is wrong with a bit of romance?" the doctor asked, feigning innocence, widening her golden eyes. "Here we are in a remote location, far from civilization. Rob Gable is far away, and Gordon Mitchell is here. Among my people, such liaisons are not unknown, and the same is true of your people. I know, for I have watched Robert Gable's films many times at the Academy. I saw Casablanca several times."
Feeling a pang at the mention of her lover and the father of her child, Mahree just shook her head. It wasn't that she'd never known any man but Rob over the years ... sure she had, from time to time. Short-term flings while spending six months or more away from Rob were something that she'd indulged in a few times. She suspected that Rob had done the same, over the years. He and Janet Rodriguez, for example...
But they'd made it an unspoken policy never to ask and never to confess their extra-relationship involvements. It made things easier that way.
And it was true that Rob Gable was the only man she'd ever loved.
"I don't think I should bother Gordon with a request for a private viewing,"
she told Strongheart. "He's so busy these days, he barely has a moment to himself."
The Heeyoon cocked her ears sympathetically, but said no more.
"I'm getting claustrophobic from the crowd," Mahree muttered, edging back from the press of scaled, furred, and human bodies. "I'm going to take a shower before dinner."
"I will see you later," Strongheart said.
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Later that same night, Beloran stood in the dark shadows cast by the Lab and watched as the Burroughs female left the Refectory, heading for her dome-tent. Dinner had run late, due to the excitement caused by the removal of the treasures, and it was only a few hours until midnight.
Beloran blinked, watching the human's quick, purposeful strides as she reached her dome-tent and went inside. Good ... very good. Now she would find the message he had left, laboriously copying it from words that Infidel Mitchell had used in his written re
ports. Nobody suspected that he, Beloran, could both read and understand (though not speak) the main human language, but he had had months to learn it, and, once he had realized that the humans were his primary enemies, he had applied himself to studying it assiduously. After all, he was a scholar in addition to being a Merchant.
The message had been simple--block letters printed on a sheet of datafax flimsy, saying, "Meet me in the lab before midnight and I will give you that private tour." Beloran had not attempted to reproduce Infidel Mitchell's signature, but had just scrawled a capital "G" at the bottom of the message.
He'd been standing right behind the human and the Infidel Heeyoon when they'd had their talk, and his fan-ears had swiveled to catch every word--just as they had caught Infidel Mitchell's "private" command to Khuharkk' on the day he'd finally had the pleasure of killing Waterston.
When Beloran had heard the Infidel woman talking about wanting a private tour of the King's treasures, he'd known it was time to arrange another
"accident." The first one had failed--though, from what he'd heard from the gossip around camp, not by much. Infidel Burroughs and Krillen of the Law had nearly been caught by a lava flow when the batteries he'd sabotaged had failed, stranding them in his skimmer.
Beloran hadn't even figured he'd be lucky enough to have them fail during a lava flow. He'd just hoped they'd die far enough from civilization that the weak Infidel female would have succumbed to the heat from Mother's 154
Eye. But Krillen, it seemed, had managed to save them.
The Liaison silently cursed the Investigator. He was a traitor to all of Halish meg a-tum!
The human female walked into her dome-tent, switched on the light, moved about for a few minutes, then came back out. Standing in the yellow rectangle east by her tent light, she looked toward the Lab. Beloran held still, nearly certain the Infidel did not possess the Na-Dina ability to adjust her sight to draw in more light. In the dark shadows cast by the low-hanging Mother's Daughter, his blue scales should be invisible.
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