* * *
Raiban took Konis to her office to set up a vidiphone conference with Captain Skinner on Keiss.
Pleasantries and news were exchanged, then they got down to business. Some time later, Raiban escorted Konis to the landing bay for a shuttle back down to Shola.
"I'll choose a Telepath from among the Humans at the Guild," he said to Raiban as they left her office and headed for the main shuttle bay.
"It goes against the grain to rely on a Terran with, as we see it, an untrained Talent," he continued, wincing slightly at the chill from the hangar floor on his bare feet. "At least they've all had some Guild tuition. However, I want to know we have an absolutely reliable line of communication with the Chemerian cargo shuttles around Jalna. So for the Telepath on the Chemerian ship, I want a Sholan."
Raiban nodded. "Wise. We know we can rely totally on our own people. If for any reason the Terrans should be unable to communicate with our agent, then he or she can read their minds to get the information."
"It's not quite that simple, Raiban," said Konis, stepping through the hatch before turning round to face her. "You know our code of ethics. We never take, we ask. At least our Telepath will be able to contact any of the team and ask for the information."
"So long as it works," she said, "I'll leave the details to you. I'll be getting in touch with Stronghold later today. I want to actually see these bones for myself. Then I'll want to interview your son and his friends."
"His friends, yes, my son and Carrie, no, not even for you, Raiban," said Konis, baring his teeth in a grin that had nothing to do with humor.
Raiban put out a hand to stop him as he turned away.
"What's this Leska of Kusac's like?"
Konis frowned. "Still probing, Raiban? She's no security risk to us, quite the opposite in fact. I'm concerned for her. She's fitting in too well with us and will have nothing to do with the Humans at all."
"Why?"
"It's never easy being the first, Raiban. You should know that."
She grimaced. "A hit," she conceded. "Your son's either a brave young male, or a fool."
Konis grinned, putting a hand out to grip her briefly by the arm in farewell. "He's no fool, Raiban. He life-bonded with her."
* * *
As he entered the passenger area, Konis saw Nesul waiting for him.
"Governor," he said, going over to sit with him. "I thought you'd have reached Shola several hours ago." He could sense the other male's anger and frustration and knew he'd delayed purposely to see him.
"I waited for you," said Nesul through clenched teeth. "I need your help."
"Of course, Governor. What can I do?"
"I'm sick of being treated by our military people as if I was some kind of congenital idiot! Dammit all, Konis, they may have positions of power and authority in space, but there's more to life than out here! They have no appreciation of what it's like on Shola, or the needs of the ordinary person. And I've no real idea of what it's like off-world," he said, his voice dropping.
"I need to know more about the broader political issues, about the different species— about everything! I don't even know what I need to know, dammit, Konis, and no one will take the time to tell me! How the hell can I rule this planet of ours properly with my hands tied by Esken on the council, and space denied to me by military personnel who seem to think I should go and make mudpies instead of being on the High Council!"
"I hadn't realized your problem was so severe," said Konis quietly. "Naturally, I'll do everything I can to help. I did give you my word on that last night."
"I know you did," Nesul said. "This is part of the same problem, one that's getting worse with every session of the High Council. There must be something you can do. What about a mental implant of the information I need? Esken would never countenance it, but you could, as head of AlRel."
Konis could feel his hopes, sense how frustrating his lack of knowledge was to him. He genuinely wanted to do his best for Shola, on a Council that he, Konis, had discovered to his horror last night was riddled with corruption.
"Very well," he said abruptly, "but you'll have to come to the estate. It's the only place I can do it other than at the Guild, and that's obviously out of the question."
"When?"
"No time like the present," said Konis as the engines started up. "What could be more natural than that we have second meal at my home because we traveled back together?"
Nesul stood up and beckoned to his aide who was standing just out of earshot. "Hanaz, I'm dining at the Aldatan estate. Rearrange my schedule please."
"Yes, Governor," said Hanaz, a harried look crossing his face. "Perhaps you've forgotten that you ..."
"Rearrange it, Hanaz," said Nesul firmly.
* * *
Kaid's call at the crack of dawn had found Kusac awake, waiting anxiously for him to return with Carrie. At last he felt the damper field removed and he was once more in full rapport with her.
Where are you? he demanded anxiously. How are you?
I'm fine, but still tired, she sent. We're on our way home.
You feel better.
I am. Even my leg and arm feel easier. Noni is a fine Healer.
But what? he insisted. I can sense you're disturbed about her.
Not disturbed. She's just strange, that's all. You've picked up my dream?
Yes. I think we should talk to Ghyan about that, he sent. You've had too many strange dreams lately.
She could feel his hesitation. I need to talk to you about the En'Shalla rituals, he sent.
I know. We have to take the Margins' ritual or we'll never be free of Esken, Ghezu, or Lijou.
I still have to explain it to you, he sent. You need to know exactly what it entails, then if you have any doubts....
What? she sent, her tone gentle. We agreed about this several days ago. Leave it for now. Wait till I feel stronger.
Very well. I need to find out more myself, then we'll talk. How long till you're home?
Kaid says soon.
I'll meet you.
* * *
Kusac was sitting waiting on the steps when his father and Governor Nesul arrived.
"Is Carrie not back?" Konis asked as they drew level with him.
"The Healer wanted her to stay overnight," he replied, getting to his feet. "They should be here any time now." He nodded to the Governor. "Governor Nesul."
The Governor stopped, holding his hand out to Kusac, who politely touched fingertips with him. "Liegen Aldatan," he said. "Thank you for your help last night. I'm sorry to hear the Liegena is so ill. I hope she'll recover more speedily now. When she's well, I'd like to meet her. Perhaps your father could arrange it," he said, glancing at Konis. "Something informal, a family afternoon, perhaps?"
"I'm sure that can be arranged," said Konis smoothly as he sent a brief version of the morning's events to his son.
Kusac's eyes glazed over momentarily as he tried to assimilate the meaning of the sending. "Of course, Governor Nesul," he murmured. "We'd be pleased to visit you."
"Good. I know that Leska pairs like you and your bond-mate will be seen more often on Shola, and I'd like to establish personal ties with you as their leader," said Nesul, mouth opening in a smile as he turned away.
Kusac's ears flicked in surprise and he sent a question mentally in his father's direction.
Konis merely raised an eye ridge before turning to escort the Governor into the house.
It doesn't take much of a mental leap to make that assumption, he sent as he disappeared inside with his guest.
When Carrie returned, Kusac was there at the door of the aircar almost before it had landed. He insisted on carrying her up to their room where Vanna examined her and changed her dressings.
"Fresh air," said Vanna, repacking her medikit. "Take her down to the garden, Kusac, or better still, to the coast. Let her enjoy the last of our summer while she can. It'll be winter soon enough and she needs the sunlight for her health, unlike us."
; "The garden?" said Kusac in surprise.
Vanna flicked her ears in assent. "She's doing fine. Fresh air is what she needs. It'll improve her appetite. You are going to eat now, aren't you?" she asked Carrie, a mock stern look on her face.
"Don't worry," Carrie said. "I don't know what it was Noni did, but I feel a lot better— and I'm hungry."
"There you are," said Vanna, turning to Kusac. "I've got to go in to the Guild today, so I'll see your mother about a meal for her while you organize the garden."
"Is it wise to visit the Guild just now?" asked Kusac.
"I'll be fine. Garras and Lhea are accompanying me. I need to get started with Jack now so we can collect my files, and decide what equipment we'll need when we have to set up on our own."
"I'd forgotten Jack was here," said Carrie.
"You'll see him later today. You may be better, but I still don't want you overtired. Rest until this afternoon, and you'll see Jack when we return from the Guild."
"Say hello for me," said Carrie, lying back against the pile of pillows.
* * *
Lhea stayed on guard outside Vanna's office while Jack and Garras accompanied the physician inside. The door was still locked, as she'd left it, but once inside, Vanna found herself unable to access her research files. Her authorization into the main data banks had been canceled.
"Damn Khafsa and Esken! All that data lost to us! They'd no right to do that!" said Vanna, leaning forward on her elbows as she rested her face in her hands. "There's nothing I can do about it, Garras."
"Perhaps you can't," he said, reaching out to touch her head, "but I can." He raised his wrist comm to his mouth as he activated it. "Alpha 2 to Base."
A matter of seconds later, Kaid's quiet voice could be heard. "Base here. What's the problem?"
"Vanna's been locked out of the main comm. She can't access her data. Can you get the Clan Lord to clear it?"
"Stand by."
"Kaid'll see to it," he said reassuringly. "Is there anything else we can do while we're waiting?"
Vanna sat up and turned away from her console to look up at him. "We could start a list of the equipment I'll need," she said. "If I give you the comp pad, will you enter it for me?"
"No problem," said Garras, pulling up a chair and sitting beside her.
"Jack, if you come over here with me and tell me what you think you'll need, I can explain the purpose of any of the equipment you don't recognize."
"That's likely to be all of it, m'dear," he said with a grin.
Garras got up and moved aside. "Physician, you sit here, please," he said to Jack, indicating the chair.
They'd been working for about ten minutes when Kaid called them back.
"The Clan Lord has cleared your access to the main comm at the Guild, Physician Kyjishi," he said. "Currently your data will automatically be relayed through the Clan Lord's comm here at the estate. He wishes to monitor your files for the moment, and to make sure there is a current copy of them here for you to work on should you wish to do so."
"Thank you, Kaid," said Vanna, leaning over Garras' wrist.
"Our thanks, Base. Alpha 2 out," said Garras.
Vanna sat back, grinning. "The Clan Lord doesn't hold back from the kill, does he? He's made sure that my data can't be kept from me again. I can imagine how Esken and Khafsa have taken this!" Her smile faded. "Brynne's coming, and he wants to talk to me."
"I'll get Lhea to take Jack down to the mess for a drink," said Garras. "If I stay outside it'll give you some privacy at least."
"It might be less confrontational if it was Lhea outside," said Vanna quietly.
"If that's what you want."
"No, it's not!" she said with an anger that surprised her. "But it's what I have to do!"
Garras stood up, then hesitated. "Send to me if you need me," he said very quietly. "I'll hear you."
Stunned, Vanna looked up at him, but his face was unreadable.
"I'll not be far," he said before turning to Jack. "I'm afraid we need to leave Vanna for the time being. Her Leska's on his way here."
"Ah, fine. A drink, you said? That would be welcome," said Jack, getting up and following him to the door.
Garras stopped to have a brief word with Lhea before they left. As they walked down the corridor, Brynne passed them.
"That, I take it, is Vanna's Leska," said Jack. "Not in an agreeable mood, I think."
"I'm afraid not," said Garras neutrally.
"I thought Leska Links were pleasant, something both people enjoyed," said Jack.
"Not always. Kusac and Carrie aren't exactly an exception, as most couples get along tolerably well, but relationships as close as theirs are rare— even leaving aside the peculiar closeness of their Link."
"I see," said Jack.
Garras turned to look at him. "I'm afraid you'll have to ask Vanna herself if you want to know any more about her Leska. It isn't really for me to say."
"Oh, I quite understand," said Jack hurriedly. "It was just that I assumed you were her partner."
"No, we're companions at the moment. Shortly we plan to take out a five-year bonding contract."
"A bonding contract? What's that?" asked Jack, following Garras down the stairs to the lower level where the mess was situated.
"A renewable short-term marriage." He looked at Jack again as they entered the mess. "The cub she's expecting is Brynne's. Like Carrie, she can only have his children, not mine. I'm sure she's told you this."
"Some," said Jack. "She asked me to deliver her child."
Garras' expression lightened. "I'm glad," he said. "There's no one else I'd trust her with."
"D'you mind telling me just what's going on here?" asked Jack as they approached the service counter. "No one's said anything much to me, but I've got eyes in my head and what I'm seeing is confusing me mightily."
Garras frowned. "I'm sorry, Jack. Like everyone else, I presumed you'd been told. Once we sit down, I'll bring you up to date, since it looks like you're going to be around for quite a while."
Jack grinned. "Lad, if I can wangle it, I'm not about to go back to Keiss at all!"
* * *
Brynne swept past Lhea into Vanna's office. "I'm glad to see you've had the consideration to return to the Guild," he said, his tone sarcastic. "You do realize what tomorrow is, don't you?"
"Yes, Brynne, I do," said Vanna, turning away from him back to her comm. "That's why I'm here, as well as catching up on my work."
"You're moving onto his estate." It was a statement.
"If you mean am I going to live there rather than here, yes, of course I am. After the way the Guild treated you I'd have thought you'd be glad to do the same."
Vanna suddenly found the back of her chair swung round till she faced him again.
"At least have the decency to look at me when we're talking," he said angrily. "I've no intention of living there and you know why! What do you think it would be like for me with everyone knowing you'd rather be with Kusac? I don't know how Garras puts up with it! I couldn't!"
"What the hell do you think it's like for me when everyone knows you'd rather be with any other female than me?" she demanded. "You haven't got a monopoly on hurt, you know!"
"Don't give me that, Vanna! You don't care for me and we both know it, so what difference does it make? I've found one of my own people, a woman, and I'm moving in with her. I just came to tell you that. And I don't need a bloody bodyguard, so call off your friends and tell them I'm perfectly able to look after myself!"
"It isn't up to me, Brynne. You'll have to talk to Kaid or the Clan Lord about that. You know all about Esken, and the danger he poses. Nothing would suit him better than to be able to hold us to ransom through you."
"I think you're all overreacting."
"You didn't think that after Khafsa kidnapped us!" she replied tartly.
"I intend to keep out of his way," said Brynne.
"Excuse me," said Vanna, turning her chair round again. "I've got wo
rk to do. If that's all you came to say, then you've said it."
Brynne reached out and grabbed hold of her arm to prevent her moving. As he touched her, Vanna felt the faint beginnings of the sensitization to each other, and she felt it echoed in him.
"Let go of me, Brynne," she said angrily. "Our Link day isn't till tomorrow. You've no right to make demands of me now."
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