“Bain,” Rhiann blurted, “I thought you said—"
“He has the wrong idea,” he shot back, speaking through clenched teeth.
“Indeed I do,” Caderi said with a chuckle. “Better than Spacers? In what way? If the ancestors of Leapers controlled this base, I would be a wise man to ally with them."
“Leapers ally with no one,” Herin said. “We trade equally and freely with everyone, or we trade with no one."
“That implies the power to enforce such a rule."
“Not power. Not the way you think of power,” Bain said. He didn't like the feeling of desperation, to get the truth out but not give Caderi any ideas.
“Then explain it to me.” Caderi turned so he faced Bain a little more, still with his foot up on the cot so he impressed his power on the sisters.
“Spacers go through Knaught Points, to cut space travel time from years to months. Leapers don't need Knaught Points. They link directly into their ships and go from one star to another without all that travel time.” Bain swallowed hard when he finished and said another silent prayer that he had done the right thing.
“Indeed?” Caderi glanced down at the sisters and flashed them another smile calculated to charm. “And how is this done? Can I buy the equipment to make my own ships do this?"
“You can buy the equipment, but you have to be born a Leaper,” Herin said. “It's a genetic gift, just like being a Spacer is genetic."
“And where have you Leapers been, that I haven't heard about you? A breeding project of the Commonwealth?"
Herin looked to Bain, questions in her eyes. Did he understand what she was trying to ask him? He nodded, hoping that he understood and she understood. Caderi had to be impressed with the potential of Leapers so he would leave them alone. They couldn't afford to tempt him with mysteries and the chance he would use his power to hold or force or even harm the sisters.
“We've been living in other universes,” Herin finally said. Bain almost cheered; that was exactly the right response. Let Caderi know they could get away as easily as stepping across a line in the sand.
“Other ... universes.” Caderi's eyes lost their focus as the man visibly digested that concept.
“If anybody harms or even threatens Leapers, they'll leave our universe and never come back,” Bain hurried to say. “They don't need weapons. They'll just vanish and we'll never see them again."
“Yes,” the man whispered. “I understand. A potent weapon, this simple threat. If it is real."
“Your father would believe us right away."
“My dear father is, sadly, very dead.” Caderi smiled with a cold glint in his eye that told Bain who was responsible for that death. The cold reached out from Caderi's eyes and filled him.
* * *
Chapter Twelve
“Please, let us go back to our—” Rhiann began.
“Ship,” Herin interrupted. “We came down here to explore and get historical data. Our ancestors came from this planet."
“Yes, you said something like that before,” Caderi murmured. “Just the three of you? No, there were four of you, weren't there? Pity, that accident. He pulled a weapon on my bodyguard, after all. It was an accident."
“An accident,” Bain echoed. He thought of the dead crewman, left in the hallway with his shattered face and skull, and felt his stomach start to turn over. Everything was catching up with him now.
“Interesting,” Caderi continued. “The universe—this universe, at least—is filled with such coincidences. I was actually preparing to head out to look for Spacers. I need to set up some business contracts for long-term work, merchant houses I want to ally with on other planets. I need a reliable source of transportation, not playing guessing games when the next Spacer will deign to visit Erenon.” He smiled at Bain. “How fortunate that you came here. Where is dear Captain Lin?"
“She's back on the Leaper ship. She stays there to make sure I take care of Herin and Rhiann."
“Bain!” Rhiann squeaked.
“The little one doesn't like what you said,” Caderi observed. “Why?"
“She doesn't know what her father told me when he sent us down here to explore. She's just a little girl, after all."
Caderi watched Bain now. Out of his line of sight, Herin's face had calmed and she nodded slowly. She understood what Bain was doing, trying to paint a picture of Leapers as someone not to threaten, someone with bite behind their friendly offers.
“Yes, just a little girl,” the man said softly. He glanced now at Herin. “I am truly sorry for frightening and hurting you. Consider the climate of this planet, Mistress. Desperate, poverty-stricken pirates at one pole, and more pirates at the other pole. It's winter on N'horba, and that makes it raiding season. The two groups battle each other, trying to take control of the water reserves and what little plant life grows here. And here I and my men sit in our little fortress provided by the ancestors. We spend our days investigating, trying to understand the bits of equipment left behind. Trying to stay alive and out of the conflict."
Bain doubted that. If anything, Caderi and his men probably did everything they could to pit one side against the other, so they could step in and take everything when both sides had wiped themselves off the face of the planet.
“Strangers are automatically a danger,” Caderi said with a shrug and what was an attempt at a sheepish smile. “You expected this place to be deserted, didn't you?"
“Of course,” Herin said. “We came to pay our respects to the tomb of Mother Elin and to explore a little, and then go on our way."
“To Centralis, of course. To announce your return to your home universe and set up trade relations. That's the sensible plan of action. Would you consider trade with my people, as well?"
“Your people don't belong to the Commonwealth?” she asked with a little widening of the eyes that made her seem surprised. Herin glanced at Bain, testing his reaction to her charade.
“Unfortunately, no. We prefer our freedom.” Caderi glanced at Bain and his grin widened and took on an edge. “Young Spacer Kern will tell you otherwise, of course."
“Of course,” Bain echoed.
“This tomb of your Mother Elin. Where is it?” He gestured down the hallway, toward the stairs. “Can you take me there? How did you get onto the stairs? Every door is locked and coded closed. We don't have the equipment to break through."
“How did you get onto this floor, then?” Rhiann asked. She scowled when her words prompted laughter from Caderi.
“We took advantage of a crack in the wall, of course.” He stepped back, finally taking his foot down off the edge of the cot.
Bain appreciated that. He had feared the man might suddenly grab one of the sisters, or both, and hurt them. He stood so close to them, and Bain sat so far away, there was nothing the boy could do to protect his friends. If he got up from his place on the floor, the man would know what he was trying to do, and react. Bain knew his only weapons at this point were his brains and the cooperation of his friends.
“It's sad,” Caderi said with a sigh. “I want to believe you. The idea of what Leapers could do is intriguing. But, you see, I have only your word for it."
“Our being here should be proof enough of that,” Bain said.
“Perhaps. Believing on circumstantial evidence is what killed my dear father. I want proof of what you say you are."
“You mean, take you up to our ship and take you through a Leap?” Herin said. A faint flicker of a smile touched the corners of her mouth. “Take it from me, if you're not born a Leaper you won't like the experience."
“Try me,” Caderi said through a grin that bared his teeth.
“Why not, Herin?” Bain said. “Take him up to the ship and show him. What harm could he do?” He envisioned getting Caderi alone and either sending him back to the surface of N'horba in a life pod, or dropping him back at Erenon. Either way, Herin and Rhiann and he would escape.
He felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold
stone wall against his back. What if Caderi had his men out looking for anyone else who had come down to the planet's surface with them? What if they ran into Lin, Captain Lorian and Dr. Haral? Would the adults be any more alert to trouble?
Bain suspected the adults wouldn't have given in to the temptation to go down a flight of stairs into unknown territory and miss clues like a lack of dust in the stairwell and lights glowing where there should have been no lights. The adults wouldn't have fallen into the stupidly simple trap Caderi had sprung on them.
“A great deal of harm, Master Kern,” Caderi said softly. “One of you, or maybe two of you, will stay here with my men while I go up to your ship and see this Leap technology for myself. If I don't come back, then none of you get to go home."
“You don't understand,” Bain said, and shoved himself to his feet.
“I understand perfectly.” The taller, stronger man shoved Bain hard against the wall, almost knocking him off balance. “I need proof you are what you say you are, and can do what you say you do. I can be a very profitable ally to have. Even with the strong threats you've made, I can be a powerful enemy you don't wish to make."
“Why don't we show him Mother Elin's tomb, Bain?” Herin said. She slid off the cot and stood up. For a moment, she held out a hand to regain her balance. Her eyes lost their focus. Rhiann stepped in and let her sister lean against her. She grimaced and turned to Caderi again. “We can prove we know this fortress by opening the doors and taking you up to the next floor. Will that satisfy some of your doubts?"
“Very much.” He swept her a bow and offered her his bent arm. Herin regarded him many long moments, visibly weighing her options. With a regal tilt of her head, she stepped up to him and rested her hand on his arm just above the elbow.
“All of us,” she added, as the man led her to the door. She met his glare and didn't back down.
Caderi burst out laughing, tilting his head back. His outburst brought the guard into the doorway to stare at him.
“Follow,” Caderi ordered him. “Watch those two,” he added, gesturing at Bain and Rhiann.
“Come on.” Bain held out his hand to Rhiann. They followed as close behind Caderi and Herin as they could without treading on their heels.
Someone had moved the crewman's body. Bain saw smears of blood where the man had hit the wall and fallen to the floor. He hoped Rhiann didn't look. The guard from the doorway stayed close behind them, his footsteps hard and loud on the stone floor.
Several of Caderi's men emerged from the different open doorways they passed. To each one, Caderi gave a tiny wave of his right hand. Bain assumed it was an ‘all-clear’ signal, because no one followed their odd little group. Sometimes Bain was able to get glimpses of the contents of the rooms they passed; shelves full of clothing or ration tins; medical supplies; weapons; computer monitors and transceiver drives.
That last made Bain wonder where Caderi's ship was. How did Caderi get to this planet, after all? Did a Spacer bring him here? If so, what happened to the Spacer? Did the Spacer know what the man was doing? Anyone should have questioned coming near N'horba.
Bain shook his head, knowing those questions wouldn't do him any good right at that moment. Later, when they were all safe, then he could ask.
At the top of the stairs, Caderi made a show of stepping back and letting Herin tap the code into the keypad while his head was turned. Bain watched their guard. He stood on his toes, trying to see over Bain's head and read the code. From his scowl, Bain guessed the man had failed. Then the door opened. Caderi let out a muffled exclamation and nearly dragged Herin into the garden room with him.
This time, the garden room didn't hold the same sense of mystery. Bain felt like an intruder. His gaze strayed to the black square of Mother Elin's grave marker, and he wondered if her ghost protected the place.
Caderi moved quickly through the room, stopping a few times to dig a finger into the sterile soil in the planter boxes or pick up the desiccated remains of vines and stems. He paused for all of ten seconds to stare at the sculpture in the dry fountain. Then his attention caught on the glossy black square in the wall and he hurried down the steps toward it. The whole time, he kept a grip on Herin's wrist, forcing her to move with him.
Bain dragged his steps. Because he held her hand, Rhiann was forced to lag behind with him.
“It's going to be all right,” Bain assured the younger girl, speaking as softly as he could.
“You do what the master says, sure it will,” the guard said, speaking for the first time. He nudged them with his gun's muzzle and grinned when Bain turned to look at him.
“Tell me about Mother Elin,” Caderi commanded. He let go of Herin's hand to trace the letters engraved in the glossy black stone.
“She risked her life for the sake of her children,” Captain Lorian said from the doorway. “She destroyed anyone who harmed them. Her children follow her example."
“Ah, and who might you be, Mistress?” Caderi said, executing another grand bow. He laughed and leaped after Herin when she tried to run to her mother's side. With one arm around her waist, he dragged her backwards so his back was against the wall.
Bain turned, pivoting on one leg and kicking out with the other. He felt his hard boot connect with the guard's knee, letting out a sharp cracking sound. The man yelped and tumbled. Still turning, Bain shoved Rhiann in the direction of the door.
Lin appeared from behind Captain Lorian, then Dr. Haral and the last crewman. They pulled out powered wands and aimed at Caderi and the downed guard.
Bain hesitated, trying to decide if he should add another blow and incapacitate his enemy as Jax had taught him, or if he should use the distraction to run. He chose to run.
Rhiann reached the adults first. Her mother went down on her knees and hugged her, all the while keeping her gaze focused on Caderi and Herin. Captain Lorian released Rhiann and stood, putting herself between her daughter and the enemy. Then Bain reached the safety of the adults. Lin didn't hug him, but her nod and tight-lipped smile were all the approval he needed.
“I am Captain Lorian K'veer of the Leap-ship Estal'es'cai,” the woman replied after only a moment. “I speak for all Leapers when I tell you to release my daughter now, or this universe will never see Leap-ships, never ally with them, never benefit from their services. My friends will make sure the universe, both Commonwealth and Conclave, knows that the loss is all your fault."
“Then what's to keep me from killing your daughter?” He brought a knife from inside his vest and pressed the tip against Herin's throat.
“I won't surrender, even for the life of my heir.” She looked straight at Herin. Something passed between mother and daughter, because Herin nodded slightly and a crooked smile caught one corner of her mouth. “There is more at stake than just one life, one family's sorrow. The history and tradition and sacrifices of Leapers and our ancestors demands a higher consideration. I betray my daughter if I betray my vows to save her life."
“Haddan,” Lin said, “you should be warned that if a Leaper captain or any of her daughters is even bruised by a citizen of another universe, the entire universe is considered an enemy. Do you want that on your shoulders?” She chuckled. “That's very bad for business, and I know your father taught you much better than that."
“My father taught me better than he knew,” Caderi growled. His scowl deepened, a shadow seeming to grow on his face as he stared at Captain Lorian.
Herin held perfectly still in his grasp. She could have been stone like the statue in the fountain. Bain couldn't even see her chest move as she breathed. For all he knew, she had stopped breathing.
“Hard woman,” Caderi finally said. He nodded, then lowered the knife and released Herin. “I pride myself on my own hardness—and my common sense.” He caught hold of Herin's hand again when she started to step away, and raised it to his lips. “Believe me, Mistress, I would not willingly harm you. As your mother said, there are greater considerations."
“What sh
e means and what you mean are two separate things,” Herin said in a cool voice. Bain was amazed as how calmly she could speak. He remembered how he had shivered after escaping someone who threatened his life.
“Perhaps.” He turned on his charming smile again and kissed her hand, turning it at the last moment to kiss the palm. “Common sense doesn't preclude an eye for beauty. I am a good friend to have. Please consider the benefits of an alliance."
“Common sense,” she echoed. “I will consider it, I promise you.” Then Herin turned sharply on her heel and strode across the floor until she reached the safety of her family and friends. She paused a moment to look back at Caderi, then continued on through the door.
* * *
Chapter Thirteen
"It makes me furious to think of those pirates having access to the fountain room and Mother Elin's tomb,” Captain Lorian said in a chill, quiet voice. No one else had spoken since they returned to the shuttle and launched.
“What are they going to do with the place? Try to clone her from the dust of her bones?” Lin asked. She reached across the gap between their seats and held Lorian's hands when the woman just stared at her, wide-eyed. “I know Haddan Caderi. He'll weigh the selling price against the cost of removing it from the fortress, and he'll decide not to touch anything in that room because it won't bring him any profit. If he's as smart as I think he is, he'll protect that room to keep on Leapers’ good side."
“I hope so,” Herin said. She rubbed at her hand. “Papa, do you have any disinfectant?"
“What's wrong?” Dr. Haral asked. He reached under his seat for his supply pouch and brought out a spray bottle.
“I'm going to be sick.” She snatched it from his hand and sprayed her hands, then rubbed the disinfectant on her neck where Caderi had touched her.
Bain looked at Rhiann and she looked at him, and both grinned. Then Bain looked at Herin and saw the shudders start to move through her body. The laughter died in his throat.
“It's okay to be scared, now that you're safe,” he said. “I just about threw up when somebody tried to kill me."
Leap Ships [Sunsinger Chronicles Book 7] Page 11