Kusac grinned, displaying a row of white, even canines that made Skai wince.
“They should be at the meeting place well before us, and they won’t come without meat, believe me.”
“I hope not,” she said. “I suppose we’d better contact them before we start off again.”
“You contact Vanna. You spent quite a lot of time with her yesterday, and if I know you, you were tuning in to her every now and then. I’ll give you the extra power you’ll need.”
His thought followed immediately. We cannot risk merging for this contact, Leska. It would leave us unprotected with Skai, and I don’t trust that one.
Are you sure I can contact her on my own?
I’ll be with you. You won’t be alone.
“All right,” said Carrie, making herself comfortable as Kusac took her by the hand.
Crossing her legs, she rested their clasped hands on one thigh, letting the other fall limply in her lap. Eyes closed, she called to mind Vanna’s face, trying to sense her presence. As the image sharpened, she saw the Sholan woman’s eyes widen as she became aware of them. The picture began to fade slightly, and, hurriedly, Carrie drew on Kusac’s strength. Vanna’s face became clearer. Quickly, she passed on an image of the swamp and their meeting that evening. Feeling Vanna’s acceptance, she let the link dissolve, breathing deeply before opening her eyes.
“Vanna got the message,” she said tiredly, releasing Kusac’s hand and rubbing her eyes.
“Well done,” he said. “No one could have done it better. You progress well.” He touched her cheek with his hand before starting to pack away their things.
“You rest for a moment while we clear up. I’m afraid we can’t afford the time to let you rest properly.” He reached for her rucksack and pulled out a slightly fluffy trail bar. “Eat this. It’ll help,” he said, trying to pick off the fluff before handing it to her.
“By my reckoning, we have about seven days till midpoint,” said Skai, breaking his silence. “A reasonable safety margin.”
“It’s too close for comfort,” she said. “I have a bad feeling about this whole pod business. How long has it been on the planet, Kusac?”
“About twenty years, I think.”
“That’s a long time in the type of swamp that Skai has described.” She shook her head as she got to her feet. “We know the pod’s been partly disabled. How do we know there’s anything at all working in it? The whole thing could be a mess of rusty wiring and metal by now.”
“No,” said Kusac firmly. “It was designed to survive all reasonable types of climates and animal life. Even if the exterior sensors and transmitters have been damaged, there are still the manual units inside. As well as being a remote biosphere laboratory, it does have emergency life-support facilities on board. There’s a manual transmitter, food rations, a medical kit—anything that could be of use to an investigatory team in difficulty.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, because if we aren’t in difficulty, I don’t know who is,” said Skai dryly, gathering his bits and pieces together.
Getting to her feet, Carrie kicked dirt over the fire, stamping it down well. “Time to leave,” she said, picking up her backpack. “Who’s blazing the trail this time?”
“I will,” said Skai, taking the machete from her.
It was fully dark by the time they reached the fringe of the forest where the Sholans had set up their temporary camp. They were well back from the water’s edge, under the cover of the trees so that their small camp fire could not be seen.
“Captain,” said Kusac, stepping into the firelight, followed by Carrie and Skai.
There was a collective rustle as four guns were replaced in their weapons’ belts.
“We’ve been listening to your approach for quite a while,” said the Captain.
“I expect you have,” replied Kusac, hunkering down by the fire. “Terran feet are not as quiet as ours, and we’ve had to hack our way through the bushes.”
The Captain nodded. “This is our guide?” he asked, pointing at Skai, who was still standing on the edge of the circle of firelight.
Kusac turned round and gestured to the man to join them.
“Yes. Be careful with him. He is an opportunist and I sense there are several things he is concealing from us, but my oath forbids me finding out under the present circumstances.”
“Your oath can be damned convenient at times,” growled Guynor.
“Also beware of the fact that this Terran, in common with all the others on Keiss, is not used to dealing with Aliens other than the Valtegans,” continued Kusac, ignoring Guynor’s interruption. “He does not trust us, and it will take some time before he does.”
“I will note your warning,” replied Garras. “Before this state of war, I was involved in escorting Trade missions to the Chemer on the planet Terney. I have some experience of early, if not first contact.
“Now introduce us. Vanna, give them some food. We’ll talk while you eat.”
Vanna handed Carrie a chunk of roasted meat. “It’s good to see you again,” she said. “I was surprised to get your message.”
“After Kusac, I know you best,” she said. “For now, I’m just grateful to sit down,” she continued, settling herself next to Kusac. “If I never see another bush or tree, it will be too soon!”
Skai’s pallor was beginning to fade as he concentrated on breathing evenly. Somehow the Sholans, though about the same average size, seemed to mass larger and he felt dwarfed by their presence. He tried to concentrate as Kusac introduced them one by one, but he was only aware of the Alienness of them. Gratefully, he accepted the meat offered to him and bit into it hungrily. Life had ceased to be clear cut for him; it was full of gray areas of which he was unsure. Common sense took hold as he began to feel less ravenous and by the time he was offered a hot drink, he was able to look around at the assembled Sholans with a bit more equanimity.
Laboriously, Kusac asked him questions in English, then translated his replies to the Captain in a language that was lyrical in tone, yet had many guttural sounds.
He doesn’t lose much of the accent when talking English, Skai thought.
After some time, Carrie interrupted Kusac.
“Why don’t you give Skai the knowledge of your language telepathically? We can’t pronounce yours very well, but what’s to stop us understanding it?”
Kusac looked at Garras. The Captain’s ears dropped and his eyes narrowed. “No,” he said. “I don’t want him understanding all we say. He knows enough about us for the present if your reading of his character is correct.”
“This exchange of information is taking too long. If we need to know something in a hurry, the delay could be fatal,” said Kusac. “I can give you the ability to speak their language. You could then understand and talk to him, but our language would remain Alien to him.”
“That makes sense, but give all of us this knowledge. If the swamp is as dangerous as he says, we will need to heed his warnings immediately. Yes, go ahead and do that,” nodded Garras.
“It will be less of a drain on me if Carrie helps.”
“As you wish. This is your field, not mine.”
“Carrie, you deal with Vanna, please. Hold her hand. It makes the transfer easier,” said Kusac, reaching for the Captain’s hand.
“What do I do?” asked Carrie. “I’ve never done this before!”
“Tune in to her brain pattern and project a concept of your language to her. It’s similar to what you did earlier today. You’ll know how to do it when the moment comes. Use your intuition,” he said.
It took several long minutes for Carrie to find the right level from which to work, but once found, the rest was easy. She could feel Vanna’s initial resistance fade, to be replaced with a sense of wonder.
So that’s where the main differences lie! Carrie heard her think. Look, this is us.
Almost immediately, Carrie received a flood of information about the Sholans’ schema of their world. She
broke contact when it was done and sat there stunned while her subconscious mind tried to assimilate what she had learned.
“It must be marvelous to work directly with the mind itself,” said Vanna, in a tone that Carrie now recognized as one of awe.
“I don’t know,” she replied, pulling her scattered thoughts together. “I’m new to this myself.” She gave a shy laugh as Vanna squeezed her hand. Carrie withdrew it hurriedly when Vanna’s claws pricked her flesh.
“Oh, sorry,” said Vanna contritely. “I keep forgetting you haven’t got fur to cushion our touch.”
“It’s all right,” said Carrie, surreptitiously rubbing her hand against her trouser leg.
Kusac had finished with the Captain and, like her, was recouping his energy.
“That’s some Talent you have,” said Garras, his ears twitching rapidly as he blinked to clear his head. “Skai, can you understand me?” he asked, his tongue stumbling over the unfamiliar sounds.
“Ah, yes,” said their guide. “How come you’ve learned English so fast?”
“Kusac has given me your tongue. We will all be given it so we can talk more easily, yes?”
“Yes,” said Skai hesitantly, unsure of himself again in this new world of rapid changes.
“Kusac, teach Guynor and Mito.”
“No,” said Guynor unequivocally.
“You will not disobey my orders,” warned Garras.
“I will not let his thoughts pollute my mind, nor will I let the language of such hairless beasts pollute my mouth!” he growled, rising to his feet.
“You will do as you are ordered,” repeated Garras, his voice a low snarl as his ears flattened and flicked out to the side.
“Why do you order me to submit to these ... animals? Are we not superior? I say again, I will not!”
“Are you Challenging me?” Garras’ eyes had narrowed to vertical slits as he prepared to leap to his feet. “If I can learn from these people, then so can you. Submit!”
“It is your fault! You caused this corruption!” Guynor lunged toward Carrie.
“You cannot Challenge the girl,” said Vanna urgently, rising to her feet and blocking him with her body. “She is not of our kind. It would only bring you shame.”
“Kusac, then!” Balked of his prey, he wheeled round on Kusac. “He is the one who sank so low as to pair with this creature. I Challenge him!”
“Nor Kusac!” shouted Vanna, grabbing at his upraised arm. “He’s not your Grade. You cannot in honor Challenge him!”
Gods, thought Kusac, his mind spinning as he leapt to his feet. It’s happened. The confrontation he had feared, and it had come too soon. He wasn’t ready for it. Neither was the girl.
He glanced at Carrie. She was ashen, her face a mask of shock. He thrust her behind him as he felt the adrenaline surge into his system. His head began to swim and his stomach turned over.
“Honor?” growled the enraged Sholan, crouching lower. “Where was his honor when he entered her mind and used her? Or when they paired? I claim the Blood-rite Challenge, to purge the crime!”
“Denied!” snapped Garras, leaping to his feet. “We’re at war. I can’t afford to lose any more people. If there is a crime to answer, he will face a court-martial, not you.”
With a snarl of rage, Guynor launched himself at Kusac, talons ripping across his exposed flesh, knocking him to the ground.
From far away, Kusac heard Carrie start to scream, but he was too busy fighting for both their lives.
Chapter 7
Kusac hit the ground hard, barely noticing the chest wounds as Guynor landed astride him. Automatically, he raised his hands to protect himself. Guynor’s face was a snarling mask of fury inches from his throat and it was taking all of his strength to keep him from getting closer.
The First Officer had chosen his time well, a detached part of Kusac’s mind observed. Utterly exhausted after their journey through the forest, he had virtually no energy left for this, even if he didn’t have a Telepath’s inhibitions.
He felt Guynor’s legs move and knew the vicious hind claws were going to rake his stomach. He relaxed briefly and as the claws caught on his belly, managed to twist just enough to throw his enemy off balance. The claws slashed shallowly across him, but the injury was slight compared to what could have happened. Pain exploded in his shoulder as Guynor sank his teeth into it and with a yowl of pure rage Kusac retaliated, catching him by the ear with his teeth.
Shock at Kusac’s attack made Guynor release his shoulder enough to pull his teeth free and jerk back out of range. Blood from the torn ear was pouring down his face, blocking his vision. He shook his head, sending droplets splattering over everyone.
The fresh agony of the teeth ripping free made Kusac cry out again. Frantically, he pushed the pain to one side—he couldn’t let it distract him, too much was at stake.
The mist of pain cleared and Kusac was able to take advantage of Guynor’s surprise to pull his leg back and kick him squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward. He pushed himself up and dived at the Sholan, landing on him with his full weight and knocking the breath out of him. Propping himself up on his hands, he pressed down on Guynor’s shoulders trying to reach the other’s throat.
Guynor’s arms were in his way and as he snapped at them, catching the left forearm in his teeth, Guynor grasped his injured shoulder and dug his talons deep into the already torn and bleeding flesh.
A wave of fire screamed through Kusac’s body almost making him black out. Kusac released Guynor, giving an involuntary low yowl of pain. His arm, unable to support him, buckled and he fell against Guynor’s chest.
Feeling Kusac weakening, with a growl of triumph, Guynor moved his free hand to reach for his throat.
Desperation made Kusac faster. He knew his strength was spent and he could take no more. The risk was worth it. As soon as the arm moved, he stretched upward for the now exposed throat and clamped his jaws firmly round it.
Guynor stiffened, knowing he was in a death grip. He loosened his hold on Kusac’s shoulder and began desperately trying to break free, hands scrabbling at Kusac’s mouth.
Kusac tightened his jaws, his canines breaking the skin. He tasted blood and loosened his hold slightly. He had no wish to kill Guynor. Bringing a hand up to the Sholan’s throat he encircled it at the base of the neck and pressed. Guynor began to gasp for air.
“Submit!” he heard Garras shout above the sound of his own panting. “Enough of this madness, Guynor! Submit. You have lost!”
A gargling sound came from Guynor. With difficulty, Kusac opened his hand. Drying blood was sticking their fur together. He felt sick.
Still Guynor could not speak.
Kusac opened his jaws a fraction. He dare not loose his grip any further.
“I submit,” Guynor finally managed to gasp.
Kusac was aware of people taking hold of the Sholan under him.
“It’s all right, Kusac. You can release him now. We have him,” said Mito, touching his uninjured shoulder.
Kusac released Guynor. Hands grasped his arms and helped him to his feet. Staggering, he almost fell, but Vanna was there to steady him. He wiped his face across his forearm, but the smell of blood seemed worse. He held onto her for support while he tried to steady his breathing, to ease the burning ache in his lungs. His stomach began to spasm and he bent over, starting to retch.
“No,” said Vanna, pulling him upright by the fur between his ears. “You won’t throw up. Take deep breaths, fill your lungs. That’s it,” she said as his breathing became less erratic and he began to straighten up.
“You’ve done fine,” she said quietly. “Your woman is safe and you fought well. Now let me see to your wounds.”
Kusac shrugged free. “I’m fine; see to him.”
“Kusac, I need to stop the bleeding,” she said.
“I’ll see to Kusac,” said Mito firmly from behind him. “You see to Guynor. Don’t worry, Kusac,” she said as he turned round. “He�
�s in no state to do anything. The Captain is dealing with him.” Her ears dipped slightly as she put her head to one side.
All this was lost on Kusac for he was looking over to where Carrie sat huddled against a tree with Skai. When the fighting had started, he’d had the presence of mind to grab her and haul her clear of the combat.
“Kusac,” Mito said softly, putting out her hand to touch him, but Kusac brushed her aside and walked over to the Terran girl.
He held out his hand to her. “Come,” he said.
“Just a minute ...” began Skai.
“Carrie, come,” he ordered, reinforcing the words with a mental command.
Carrie looked up, her eyes no less glazed with pain than his. She shivered convulsively and got to her feet.
Blood glistened darkly on his shoulder, running sluggishly down his left arm.
Kusac took her hand, holding it tightly despite her feeble effort to release it.
Ignoring the five pairs of eyes watching them, Kusac drew her with him away from the camp into the forest. He led her unresistingly back along the path they had cut only a few hours before—now an eternity—until they were far enough away not to be overheard. He stopped and turned to face her.
“We have to talk,” he said.
“Yes,” she said dully, refusing to look at him.
Kusac cupped her face in a hand now gentle, talons retracted.
“Look at me. Please.”
“Why?” she asked tonelessly.
“I need to see your face,” he said simply.
She looked up. He watched her eyes move across his face, taking in his Alienness, the aftermath of that bloody fight. Each second was like a death for him. He daren’t listen to their Link for fear of what he would find.
“What do you have to say?” she asked at length.
“I wanted to talk to you, to get to know you as a person, to tell you about our Link, but we haven’t had the time. We’ve been so busy for everyone else, both our races—No, by Vartra! Call it what it is, our species!—that we’ve had no time for ourselves. I have to tell you ... Oh, damnit!” he swore, turning away and pounding his fist against a tree. “Why is it suddenly so hard to talk to you?”
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