by C. J. Barry
She'd never thought about what she would do after he was gone. He had. By all rights, she should be grateful. Instead, she felt trapped. Grey Stone had obviously come a long way for her, just for her. Although he did unnerve and irritate her, she knew that Syrus would have never put her in any danger. If anything, he would have found the best way to keep her safe. She knew without a doubt that she could trust Grey Stone completely.
Stone had one particular point she could not deny. Since the Avion government had banned Kin-sha ten years ago, any use of it would be disastrous or worse. All those years of training would be wasted if she stayed.
She drew in a deep breath. Her choices were depressingly limited. There was nothing left here and nothing to lose. After acceptance gained a foothold, excitement followed. Her future. Could it be possible? Until now, she had no future but the endless isolation of the sanctuary.
The possibilities flooded over her. A treasure hunter. Sounded exotic and exciting despite what he had said. As she gazed up at him, she suspected working for the man would be anything but tedious.
More physically overwhelming than any man she'd ever met, he dominated space. He looked even bigger now than he had outside. More civilized perhaps, but no less intimidating.
Unruly curls of his dark hair glinted in the candlelight. Those penetrating eyes, she was sure, could see in the dark. So sharp and intense, they complimented the hard lines of his face. Even his mouth had a chiseled edge, perfectly shaped and more tempered than the rest of him. She found it strangely bewitching, tantalizing. Suddenly she looked down. How long had she been staring at him?
Beside her, Barrios ate ravenously, talking between bites. “With the main Kin-sha facility dismantled, we've been secretly training a few students in private residences, but it's pretty risky. So far, the locals have left us alone but no one can say how long that will last. I'm afraid if we don't take the chance, the art will be lost forever."
He shook his head. “Avion has changed a lot in the fifteen years since you left, Stone. I doubt it will ever recover from the Dakru incident. That cursed Ximenes Plague. We don't get much news anymore. Is it still out there?"
Grey nodded. “It's taken a few billion lives on hundreds of planets and shows no signs of slowing down. Last I heard, it was spreading through the Sankaran sector."
He grinned at Barrios. “As far as I know, Avion is still the only supplier of an effective vaccine. You can be grateful for that."
Barrios snorted. “You would think so. We thought it was such a blessing, being the first to develop a vaccine for the worst plague of the millennium. Avion, the pride of the galaxy. And the money.” He waved his hand in the air. “It made Avion rich, but I'd gladly give it all back. The cost was too great. That missing vaccine shipment to Dakru spelled the end for all of us. Those idiots in the Avion government blamed the whole mess on the Chief of Security and his Kin-sha unit. And you know that Avion will never forgive the Kin-sha for tarnishing their pristine image."
Grey asked Barrios, “You must have known Avion's Chief of Security then. Jarid Faulkner, right? He was in charge of vaccine deliveries. Any idea what really happened to that first Dakru shipment?"
Barrios stopped mid-bite. “The vaccine shipment vanished along with a full Kin-sha crew."
Before Grey could respond, Barrios looked up and pointed his fork at him. “It left as planned, I can assure you. Jarid Faulkner was the finest Chief of Security Avion ever had. A master strategist. He had a contingency plan for everything. That vaccine shipment headed for Dakru with escort just as he ordered. On schedule.” He punctuated each word with a fork jab. “Something went very wrong."
Grey glanced at Cidra and frowned. She listened in rapt attention, her jaw clenched tightly. Her fingers were white around her fork. Strange.
Building momentum, Barrios continued. “It disappeared without a trace. No transmissions, no distress signal, nothing. Jarid never found out what happened to it or the crew. The worst part is that it took Dakru too long to notify Avion that the shipment never arrived. By the time they did, the plague had claimed another half a million Dakruians. Another half million died before a second shipment could be dispatched."
He stabbed a piece of meat viciously. “Then that Dakru Commander, Tausek, began condemning Jarid and his Kin-sha team. Some nonsense about the Kin-sha trying to destroy his precious d'Hont fighting force.” Barrios snorted. “I'll tell you, the d'Hont are no more than cold-blooded killers. No morals, no honor. They made it sound as if Jarid murdered all those people with his own two hands. Tausek kills that many slaves in those blasted Thoriate mines every year. He had the entire sector riled, including our own people."
Suddenly Barrios threw his fork down. “I still can't believe the Avion government let those filthy d'Hont get their hands on Jarid."
Grey stilled. “What do you mean, they let them?"
Propping his elbows up on the table, Barrios put his round face in his hands. “The d'Hont knew everything. How to infiltrate the planetary defenses, where to find Jarid. They even knew when Jarid would be home. They were in and out of here before anyone noticed."
He leaned back, his chair groaning under the strain. “It was an inside job all the way. Personally, I think the Avion government handed Jarid over to pacify Tausek so he wouldn't attack the entire planet."
Grey shook his head. “And in typical Dakruian tradition, they killed the entire family, too. A shame."
Barrios looked at Cidra and folded his arms in front of him. “Well, not quite."
Grey's eyebrows arched up. “What?"
Barrios reached over and took Cidra's hand in his. “He doesn't know, Cidra. You better tell him."
Grey slowly turned to Cidra. For the first time since he had met her, he noted real fear in her eyes. An unpleasant sensation rumbled through his gut that his fantasy image of her was about to be permanently altered.
Cidra looked back across the table at him in defeat. She had hoped to leave her past behind her and start over in a place where no one knew who she was or from where she came. But there was no sense avoiding the inevitable. Eventually Stone would find out. He deserved to know the truth, even if it meant the end of all her hopes and dreams.
"I'm Cidra Faulkner. Jarid Faulkner's daughter."
He stared back at her, his face a strange mix of incredulity and disbelief. A sickening wave of disappointment rolled over her. She wondered how long it would take him to bolt.
"I heard everyone was killed,” Grey declared coolly.
"I escaped. I guess they never bothered to count the bodies.” She squeezed Barrios’ hand so hard, he flinched.
Barrios leaned forward. “Syrus rescued Cidra right afterward."
He made a sweeping gesture with his hands. “He brought her here to the sanctuary where the remaining Kin-sha had gathered. He introduced her as his niece, Cidra Almazan. No one questioned it.” Shrugging, he said, “Probably because Jarid was a great man and none of the Kin-sha believed what the Dakruians charged was true.” He glanced at Cidra. “Even if it were true, no one deserves to die like that. They couldn't even ID the bodies."
Grey eyed Cidra with wary respect. He couldn't imagine how much strength it took to carry the condemnation of an entire planet on your shoulders, not to mention the fear of discovery day after day. He had guessed right—indomitable spirit. But from the hollow look in her eyes, that spirit was in desperate trouble.
He took a deep breath. Talk about trouble. He didn't even want to think about what would happen if word of this got out. He was a treasure hunter, not a bodyguard. Leave it to Syrus to omit a few minor details. The old man had set him up and now she was his problem. He would keep his promise to Syrus, but he would do it his way.
He picked up his glass of wine, watching her over the rim. “I think it would be best if we continued to introduce you as Cidra Almazan."
Cidra muttered, “Right. I wouldn't want to give you any bad publicity."
With a smirk, Grey replied,
“Actually, I'm thinking more of your safety. I doubt even I could protect you from the entire planet of Dakru."
Barrios chimed in. “He's right, Cidra. If Tausek finds out you are alive, there will be no stopping him. His hatred for your father is complete. He rules Dakru now. Vengeance and power are a deadly combination."
Cidra blinked at her old friend as the realization slowly sunk in. Lulled into a sense of safety within the sanctuary, she had nearly forgotten the fact that her mere presence could be dangerous to those around her.
She turned to Grey. “I won't jeopardize your crew. Under the circumstances, you should not feel obligated to keep your promise to Syrus."
Grey's eyebrows went up in surprise. “I always keep my promises. There's no problem as long as your real identity is kept secret. We leave in the morning. I have a business to run.” He downed the rest of the wine and set the glass back on the table hard, effectively closing the subject.
Cidra stared at Grey's grim expression. She'd been right about one thing. He was not pleased when he found out who she was.
Without warning, Barrios abruptly jumped up from the table. “Good Lord, I almost forgot!” And with that, he lumbered out of the room.
Cidra and Grey looked after him, then at each other.
"He's your friend,” Grey said.
Cidra smiled weakly. “I never said he was stable."
Grinning from ear to ear, Barrios returned with a small wooden box in his hands. “Syrus gave this to me a few days ago. He told me if anything happened to him, you should have it."
He shoved the dishes aside and placed the box in front of Cidra. She touched it lightly, running her fingers along the exquisite inlay on the lid. In the center was the ancient Kin-sha crest, faded and delicate.
"I don't ever remember seeing this before. Are you sure it belonged to Syrus?” She glanced up at Barrios, who was still smiling away.
He snapped out of his reverie to answer her. “Umm, it looks vaguely familiar, but I'm sure it was Syrus'. He handled it like a newborn babe."
Cidra sat in silence, not entirely sure she wanted to know what the contents were. Syrus had been rather mysterious lately. Lord knows what he might have put in a box in his state. She breathed deeply, leaned forward, and pulled the latch.
So far, so good. At least nothing came flying out at her.
She lifted the lid wide and peered inside. Papers, some odd objects, a holographic recording cartridge. She sighed in relief and smiled. Nothing unusual.
Barrios gasped. Grey's eyebrows shot up. They both leapt forward at the same time.
Cidra ducked out of the way as Barrios went for the papers and Grey grabbed a small vial, neither giving the precious box any regard.
"Am I missing something here?” she demanded in bewilderment.
Examining the label on the vial of black liquid, Grey snapped, “Where did this come from?"
"Government. Classified. Military. How did he get these?” Barrios tore through the documents.
"Thanks for clearing everything up. Never mind, I'll find out for myself.” Cidra reached in for a letter marked “Cidra” in Syrus’ neat handwriting.
She opened the letter and drew both men's full attention as she read it aloud.
My Dear Cidra,
I want you to know how much you meant to me during the past ten years. You brought sunshine into my dark times. It broke my heart to watch you suffer for your father's guilt when I knew the allegations were not true. Please forgive me. I possessed neither the means nor the strength to pursue the truth.
You, on the other hand, now have both. I have contacted Grey Stone. He is a good man, much like your father, honest and trustworthy. He can provide the means.
You must provide the strength, Cidra—to discover the real fate of the Dakru shipment, clear your father's name, and save the Kin-sha. To free yourself. The time has come. The two of you are ready.
I collected all the evidence I could find. I know your father was innocent. I do not know who framed him and the Kin-sha, but I can get you both started on your quest.
Cidra, I loved you like my own. Travel with care, my child.
My eternal love,
Syrus
Silence filled the room. Grey muttered something under his breath.
Cidra gripped the paper in her fingers. Your father was innocent. The words burned in her mind. Words she desperately wanted to hear. Words that healed her soul. In her heart, she had always believed her father was innocent. He was Kin-sha. He was honorable. Innocent. And it was up to her to prove it.
She looked at Grey and smiled. “Well Stone, it looks like we're partners."
Grey's gaze slid up from the note in her hands. Her breath caught as she looked into the dangerous eyes of a caged animal. His voice was steely and tight. “I don't do partners."
He tossed the vial back into the box. “So, how long did it take for you and Syrus to dream up this little plan?"
Cidra's mouth dropped open. “What are you talking about?"
Grey snorted and shook his head. “You sure have the innocent act down. Just so you know, it won't work on me."
"Do you think I would have been hiding on this planet for all these years if I had known about this before?” Cidra snapped.
"Without a ship? Yes.” Grey leaned toward her. “It just so happens I have one hell of a ship. But you already knew that."
She answered through clenched teeth, “I didn't. Syrus did.” She leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and regarded him coolly. “He must have picked you for some good reason."
Barrios stifled a snicker.
Grey narrowed his eyes at her, at the speed in which she had turned the entire conversation around. As if by divine intervention, his comm link beeped. He stared at Cidra's defiant expression a few more seconds before rising and striding into the kitchen. He flipped on the communicator.
"What is it, Decker?” Grey snapped.
On the other end, Decker paused. “Captain, you said to contact you when I found, uh, our little problem."
Grey clenched the comm unit. He did not need this tonight. “Who is it?"
"You're not going to like it, sir. It's Mora.” His voice was down to a whisper.
Mora, a spy? It couldn't be. “Are you sure?"
"Positive. I found her last message to Sandor Wex, the only encrypted message sent off the ship during the time period you specified. Mora told him to stay close because we were moving in on the Mask of Teran. What do you want me to do now?"
Grey fought back the pure, red rage of personal betrayal that he had come to know so well. He needed to think clearly. “Where was the message's destination?"
"Hold on.” There was a pause. Then Decker swore and came back. “Vaasa, Captain. Home. From what I can tell, that's where they've been meeting, too."
Right under his nose. Grey hissed though his teeth. Anger rose in a torrid wave. She had already betrayed two of his lucrative finds to Sandor Wex. There would not be a third. “Notify the crew that we're heading home to Vaasa for a few days."
There was silence.
"That's all?” Decker finally blurted. “Aren't you going to do anything to her? You know how much we lost on those two finds they jumped. And you've done enough preliminary work on the Mask's location to give Wex a good target area."
Grey gave a short laugh. “Not a chance. The man can't find his way through Thendara Market without getting lost. Besides, I haven't told a soul where I really think that Mask is. Go ahead and notify the crew. And Decker, don't restrict Mora's transmissions. I want her and Wex on Vaasa at the same time."
"Yes, sir."
"We'll be coming aboard tomorrow morning. Out."
Grey pocketed the comm unit and leaned back against a cabinet, aware that every muscle in his body was on fire. Mora. His ship's cook. The last person he would have suspected. They'd had a brief affair aboard his ship a year ago and had ended it on good terms. Or so he thought. Grey dragged a hand through his hair. He
had trusted her. Like a fool.
Standing in the kitchen, he realized something else. He was about to lose his cook. He surveyed the neat kitchen and slowly smiled.
* * * *
Moonlight spilled through the second floor window of the same bedroom Grey had occupied long ago as a Kin-sha student. With restless energy, he folded his hands behind his head and shifted position again on the narrow bed. In the half-light, the bright colors of Syrus’ wall paintings faded to subtle shades of gray.
It had not been a good day. He had buried his old friend, been betrayed by a former lover, and somehow been saddled with a strong-willed, potentially dangerous woman and a dead man's mission. And the crush of old memories was undermining his normally logical approach to problem solving.
The moment in time came back in a painful flash: standing beaten and shaking at Syrus’ door the night he had run away from his father, Lassiter Stone. The only lesson that lying bastard ever taught Grey was that you couldn't trust anyone, not even your own blood.
That night Syrus took in a bitter young man and did what he did best: bestow the gift of Kin-sha. His gentle ways, so different from Lassiter's heavy, heartless hand, epitomized effortless patience, tolerance, and the real meaning of friendship. Kin-sha emphasized the balance of mind and body, demanding absolute control over both. The standard training gave Grey the tools to defend himself, control his anger, and command his future. But Syrus had also taught him by example, living as a gentleman of honor and a man of his word. The lessons of life and living.
It was a debt Grey now had a chance to repay. Still he felt trapped, forced into a situation beyond his control or choice. As much as he cared for the old man, he couldn't help but be furious with him. He was en route to the final location of the Lost Mask of Teran when Syrus summoned him. This little detour had blown his schedule all to hell. He wouldn't have put his operation on hold for anyone else. And he wouldn't take on a mission like this for another person except Syrus.