by Viehl, S. L.
“I don’t know, but something is wrong,” Reever said.
My ClanBrother had assembled all of his department chiefs in the command center for the briefing, and none of the Jorenians looked particularly happy to see us. After offering a terse gesture of greeting, the captain asked Reever to report on what had occurred on-planet.
As my husband related our experiences, I turned my attention to Shon.
“Dagar said that when the crystal completely solidifies over the surface of a planet, it cannot convert back to its liquid phase,” I said. “How does he know what it does?”
“Our scientists conducted many tests on the crystal,” Shon said. “They found that once the crystal solidifies completely around any living object, it alters the composition so that it cannot change back. Not even Cu2Au can change it back to its liquid phase.”
I could deal with that. “So once crystal has hardened on the outside of your body, it should not be able to turn liquid again and retreat back into your bloodstream and organs.”
“In theory, no.” He gave me an uncertain look. “What are you thinking of doing?”
“If I can somehow force the crystal to emerge onto your skin and solidify, and I determine how to cut through it, I can surgically remove it.” I saw his eyes. “Before you suffocate.”
“Is there something you wish to contribute to the discussion, Healer?” Xonea said.
So we were back to calling each other Healer and Captain. “No.” I looked at my ClanBrother’s impassive features, and felt a little guilty for ignoring the ongoing briefing. “Major Valtas and I were discussing his condition. I will wait until this is over to continue.”
“Major, you have considerable knowledge of the oKiaf defense capabilities on the planet, do you not?” Xonea asked abruptly.
“It has been some time since I have lived here,” Shon admitted. “All I know is what we saw while underground, but it appears to be considerable. I think the oKiaf will be able to easily repel any future attacks by the mercenaries.”
For a moment Xonea almost looked disappointed. “We intercepted a signal from a League vessel that indicated oKia as its destination. Have your people allied themselves with the League again?”
“No, Captain, they have not, and I can assure you, they have no interest in rejoining the League.” Shon gestured toward the viewport. “If they come to oKia, they will be treated like any other invader.”
“I am glad to hear it. The League has meddled enough in our plans.” Xonea turned to Reever. “When you could not raise the ship, did you attempt to contact Joren?”
“Our transceiver was damaged, and then there wasn’t time.” My husband leaned forward. “I assume you did.”
“I saw no reason for it. We were able to defend the ship adequately.” Xonea rose to his feet. “Very well, I think we have covered all the pertinent issues for now. We will transition in a few minutes.” He turned to gaze at Shon. “Major Valtas, the oKiaf authorities have signaled and expressed a wish to speak with you privately. If you wish to respond, you should do so now.”
Shon rose to his feet and headed for the communications center.
“I need you back in medical as soon as you’re through,” I called after him. To Xonea, I said, “Are there any wounded?”
“Some of the crew sustained minor injuries, but the medical staff treated them.” My ClanBrother didn’t seem concerned as he dismissed his officers. “You should go to your quarters and rest while you can, Healer.”
“I have to see to Shon and the wounded first.” I turned to Reever. “You should check on the crystal in the survey lab.” As distracted as we had been with the oKiaf and their killer crystal, I’d given little thought to the specimen we’d left behind on the Sunlace.
Reever touched my arm. “Signal me as soon as you get to medical, and let me know about the wounded.”
“Why?”
He glanced past me. “Something is not right. I cannot say what it is, but Xonea is not acting like himself. I don’t like the way the rest of the Jorenians were looking at us, either. All I sense from them and Xonea is hostility.”
“That is usually the mind-set of the warrior fresh from battle.” I sighed. “I know what you mean. I feel it, too. Once we’re back on Joren and surrounded by the HouseClan fleet, I’m sure everyone’s spirits will improve.”
I took the nearest lift to medical bay and mentally went over what I would need to continue the filtering treatments to keep Shon alive while I searched for a cure. As I walked into the bay, I expected to see most of the berths filled and the staff busy attending to them. The echo of my footsteps rang against my ears as I surveyed the emptiness.
Every berth had been made up perfectly. Equipment trays stood neatly arranged and waiting to be used. The floor itself glowed, as spotless as if it were brand-new. I knew in my absence Herea would have taken her responsibilities very seriously, but in the wake of the battle, there should have been some disorder.
“Herea? Charge Nurse?” I called out, walking around the unoccupied bay. I found everything in its place, but no one on duty. Frowning, I went to a com panel and signaled Command. “Xonea? No one is here in medical. Did Herea set up a temporary triage in one of the cargo bays?”
The panel must have been malfunctioning, or the captain was ignoring me, for no one responded.
“Fine, ClanBrother. I will go and find it myself.” I walked out and down the corridor to the survey lab. The panel was no longer secured, and I opened it to find another empty room—this one stripped of all the special equipment Nalek Kalea had installed. The black crystal was also gone.
“Reever?” I started to cross the threshold, and then stepped back. The door panel closed in my face.
A terrible bleakness washed over me as I hurried to another com panel in the corridor and attempted to signal command. When I received no response, I tried a second panel, and then a third, and sent signals to command, communications, engineering, and the galley. No one on the ship responded to my signals.
That was when I became aware of the emptiness around me. The ship was about to transition; the corridors should have been bustling with crew members preparing for the interdimensional jump. The passages were instead completely deserted. In fact, since leaving command, I had not seen a single member of the crew. It was as if I were the only one left on board.
I ran to our quarters and found them empty. With shaking hands I filled a server with water and drank it to ease my tight throat. Sweat had dampened the native garments I still wore, and I decided to change before I went back to command and demanded some answers from my ClanBrother.
As I went to retrieve fresh garments from the storage units in our bed chamber, I saw Jenner and Juliet sleeping on the end of our berth. I went to scratch Jenner’s head as he looked at me with his big blue eyes, and then froze as I remembered.
We had left the cats back on Joren.
“No.” I reached down to seize the cat by the throat, and my hand passed through the image of it, causing a brief static disruption of the holographic image.
I ran to the com panel and initiated a ship-wide signal. “Reever, if you can hear me, respond.” I waited a few seconds and tried again. “Duncan, this is an emergency, please respond now.”
Reever didn’t reply to my signal. Neither did anyone else. When I attempted to leave our quarters, the door panel refused to open.
I went to the storage units where I kept my garments and weapons and found them empty. The furnishings turned out to be more holographic images. The only thing the prep unit would produce was water. I searched frantically, but found nothing I could use to defend myself.
Through the viewport I saw the dwindling image of oKia, and rested my brow against the plas.
“Duncan,” I whispered. “What have we done?”
“The door panel opened behind me. “Your husband is here, Dr. Grey Veil.”
I whirled around to see a short-statured, dark-haired Terran and two mercenaries holding Dunca
n and Shon, who were bound and gagged. The Terran held a device in his hand, and when he pressed a switch on it the image of our quarters on the Sunlace vanished, replaced by another, unfamiliar chamber.
“This is a secured cell,” the Terran said to me. “You will be kept here during our sojourn. Follow instructions, and you will be treated fairly.”
I knew him now, and the sight of him horrified me.
Reever suddenly broke free of his bonds and shoved one mercenary into the other. As he bent down to grab the rifle the mercenary had dropped, the Terran produced a pulse pistol, turned, and shot my husband in the right arm and both legs. I screamed as Reever went down and blood spurted from the massive wounds in his limbs.
I ran, uncaring of the pistol the Terran pointed at me, and knelt in a pool of Reever’s blood.
“Duncan.” I tried to staunch the flow with my hands, and then Shon was there, cut free of his bonds. He gently moved my hands aside and rested his paws over my husband’s leg wounds.
Light poured out of the edges of Shon’s tunic as he closed his eyes and his expression turned to one of great concentration. When he lifted one paw to place it over Reever’s arm wound, I saw the terrible gaping hole in my husband’s thigh had disappeared.
I looked up at the Terran, who was smiling.
“We had to be sure we had the touch healer,” he told me as he tucked the pistol in his belt and walked out.
Shon opened his eyes and sagged back against the wall of the cell. “He will be all right.”
“Where are we?” I asked. “Whose ship is this?”
“I don’t know.” He was breathing heavily now. “But this is not a League ship.”
More mercenaries came into the room and dragged me to my feet. When I fought them, one hit me over the back of the head with his weapon, and I lost consciousness.
I came to in a different place, my body sprawled on a deck. Beyond me, a long row of observation panels showed a vast expanse of stars and blackness. The Terran who had shot Duncan stood looking out, but when I propped myself up, he turned around.
“You are awake. Good. It’s time we talked.”
Joseph Grey Veil began walking toward me.
Seventeen
I knew that he was Joseph Grey Veil. I recognized him from a few pictures that I had found among Cherijo’s possessions. His features also told me who he was. Looking upon him was like gazing into a distorted mirror.
I also knew that Joseph Grey was dead, murdered on Terra by Cherijo’s brother.
No. Something shriveled inside me, cold and shuddering. It can’t be him.
“It’s been such a long time, my dear.” The Terran came to stand over me, and offered a hand to help me up.
Don’t let him touch me.
I crawled backward away from it and stood, reaching for the blade I had tucked beneath my belt.
“The guards took the knife,” Joseph said. “You should not have fought them. They wouldn’t have hurt you if you had obeyed my orders.”
Who is he? “Who are you?”
“They said you had experienced memory loss due to a head injury.” He studied my face. “I am Joseph Grey Veil.” He waited for me to say something, and took a step toward me. “I am your father, Cherijo.”
I have no father. I was made, not born.
I backed away. “Joseph Grey Veil died on Terra years ago.” My shoulders hit the wall behind me. “Who are you?”
“You still believe that your brother Jericho killed me. Small wonder, then, that you look so frightened.” He smiled at me. “That man who died was a clone, like you. He was, in fact, the oldest of your cloned brothers. In dangerous situations I often used him as a double. I was quite put out when Jericho murdered him.”
He’s lying. Look into his eyes. I can see it.
My head throbbed and I felt as if I might puke. “I don’t believe you.”
“Of course you don’t. You are in shock,” he advised me. “In time, you will come to accept that I am alive, and we will be together from now on.”
No. No. NO.
Fear crawled all over me, inside and out, and all I could think was that I had to get as far away from this man as I could. “Why did you abduct us? What do you want?”
“You are my daughter, Cherijo. In fact, legally you are still my property. I am simply recovering what belongs to me.” He went to a prep unit and dialed up a server of tea. “You haven’t stopped drinking chamomile, I hope.”
Run.
I ran to the door panel and tried to open it. He had secured it. “I want to go back to my husband.”
“Duncan Reever is not your husband. You are not classified as a sentient being, so you cannot marry.” He filled a clear server with a light amber liquid. “You will need it to be sweet for the shock. Do you prefer sugar or honey?”
He’ll use it to cover up the taste of the drugs. Don’t drink it.
Sweat stung my eyes as it streamed down my face. If I could have crawled up the wall to get away from him, I would have. “Take me back to Duncan.”
“I think honey is more soothing.” He stirred something into the server and brought it to me. “Here. Drink. It will calm your nerves.”
Throw it in his face. Blind him.
I couldn’t bring myself to do that, so I slapped the server out of his hand. “Get away from me.”
“Why are you so afraid?” Something gleamed in his eyes. “I created you. I raised you. You have known me most of your life. I never harmed you, did I?”
He is not my father.
I turned and pounded on the door panel, shouting for someone to help me. When I felt a cold hand settle on the back of my neck, dread made me freeze.
Oh God oh God no please don’t—
The voice inside my head abruptly went silent.
“That’s better.” Still holding my neck, he turned me around to face him. “I am sorry I did not come for you before now. By killing my double, your brother caused a great deal of trouble for me, and then I was blamed for the war between the League and the Hsktskt. Fortunately, I had some colleagues in the research field who knew better and helped me go into hiding. In all the years that we have been kept apart, I never stopped thinking about you, Daughter. I came to find you as soon as I could.”
Uorwlan had warned us about the one sending the mercenaries after us . . . a wealthy Terran with friends among the League.
“You are the one who put the bounty on me and Duncan.” I wanted to shout it, but the only thing that would come from my throat was a thin whisper. Sweat now soaked my garments, and I trembled all over.
“I could not personally search the entire galaxy for you,” he explained as he steered me over to the observation viewer. “Offering the bounty was the quickest and surest method of finding you.”
My father would never trust mercenaries with me. He despised offworlders.
Some of the inexplicable fear drained out of me. “Are you taking me back to Terra?”
He laughed. “No, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be very welcome on the homeworld.” He released his grip on me. “I can’t discuss my plans with you just yet. Later, when you are thinking more rationally, perhaps I will.”
I still felt enough terror squeezing my insides to make my voice shake. “Then take me back to my—to Duncan.”
“In a little while,” he said. “First, I would like you to tell me where Marel is.”
God, he knows.
“Marel?” Surely this was the worst of my nightmares. “I don’t know that name.”
“You should. You and her father picked it out together.” He chuckled, as if it were all a jest. “Cherijo, did you really think you could hide her from me? I have been waiting for years for you to make me a grandfather.”
I would kill myself before I acknowledged my child’s existence. “If you are referring to the one pregnancy I had before you abducted me the last time, I miscarried the fetus. You confirmed that yourself when you examined me on Terra.”
“I know
your immune system wouldn’t allow you to carry a child full-term, as I designed it that way,” he agreed. “But recently, the Omorr have made great strides toward the creation of an artificial womb to sustain premature infants delivered in the first trimester. The bulk of the research and design of the chamber was done by an Omorr surgeon. The same one, as it happens, who attended you during your miscarriage.”
I said nothing.
“Tell me where she is, Cherijo, and I will see to it that you’re reunited with her as soon as she can be retrieved. She belongs with us.” He tried to touch my face, but I jerked out of reach. “If you don’t tell me, you’ll never see her again.”
“There is no child,” I insisted. “I lost my baby. The Jorenians will give you the medical records to prove it.”
“Of course.” He sounded thoughtful. “The Jorenians would do anything to protect you, wouldn’t they? Part of the problem in finding you was always getting past them. I want to show you something.”
When I made no move to follow him, he took me by the arm and hauled me across the deck to a vid panel set into the wall.
“I took great interest in the Hsktskt who was alterformed into a Jorenian,” he said as he switched on the screen. “Jorenians, like the Hsktskt, refuse to live as slaves, and to attempt to abduct one is to sign one’s own death warrant. Acquiring samples of their DNA, however, only involves briefly interrupting one of their funerary probes on its flight into their star. I believe that is how the Hsktskt acquired what they used to create PyrsVar.”
I saw the image of a young Jorenian male in an empty isolation chamber. He appeared frightened, and moved restlessly around the room.
“I commissioned the alterforming of this slave-born crossbreed to serve as a subject for my viral research,” he said, indicating the image. “It took some months, but with my help the geneticists were able to alter his DNA and his body to make him approximately ninety percent pure Jorenian.”