I watched him walk away, only a slight swagger in his walk. David walked beside him, already discussing what he'd done to repair the hyperdrive.
"How long do you think we'll be gone?" I turned toward Randl, who'd just finished his food.
"I think we'll be back when the Conclave is set to start again," Randl shrugged. "Until then, we'll be hunting for the one who stole your designs, if what I can read from Trent and Travis is correct."
"Then that's what we'll be doing," I blew out a breath. "I really wasn't ready to face my father so soon after breaking Alliance laws." I couldn't contain the shiver that shook my body. Dad wouldn't be happy about this—I could almost hear him shouting that I'd placed myself in much more danger than usual.
"There are worse places to be," Randl said, his voice soft.
"You're right," I agreed. "I've been to some of those."
"Me, too."
Turbak, Jaledis
Fergue Biing
"You really fucked the reptagator when you let Sabrina go," my best friend, Akrinn Lemm, slid onto the chair opposite mine at the best coffee and tea shop in Turbak.
"What makes you say that? She's not set to inherit the business, you know." I toyed with the mug in front of me, considering a refill of my favorite coffee drink.
"Hmmph. It's because she has her own business, separate from his. If Kend dies, then Sabrina's mother and her two little brothers inherit that part. She doesn't need it. Is that why you got caught cheating on her? I know you're better than that," Akrinn sniffed.
"Look, it cooled off between us, mostly because she's stingy with her—ah—affections."
"Then why get caught getting what she's not giving out? Man, I thought you were smarter than that."
"Maybe, maybe not." I lifted my mug to tell the server I wanted another cup. The coffee-bot made the familiar sound of steaming milk almost immediately. "Look, I like Ula a lot more than I ever liked Sabrina. You're the one who suggested I go out with Sabby. It was all right at first, until she wouldn't give me the goods."
"So Ula gives you the goods, as you put it."
"Sure does. All the time."
"Fergue, you're the sixth son of a politician, and your inheritance will be pitiful. If you don't marry well, you'll be stuck on some backward planet as an ambassador or something."
"I won't. Ula and I have plans. If those don't work out, we'll find something else."
"You're really that stuck on Ula, aren't you?"
"We get along really well. Sometimes, that makes a big difference. Sabby was always talking above my head, with designs and schematics and shit to save the Alliance or something."
"Well, you have been schooled as a third-generation politician or ambassador. Why wouldn't she talk that shit with you? You could be in a position to employ those ideas someday."
"I told you that's not what I want to do."
"That's what your father wants you to do."
"Don't remind me."
"Maybe I'll ask Sabrina out, then, when she gets back."
"You do that," I grumbled. "Just leave me out of it, all right? I tried to make it up with her at your suggestion. She called me names and says she'll never see me again."
"Then I'll ask her out," Akrinn rose from his seat and nodded at the server who set my fresh drink on the table. "See you around."
I barely acknowledged his exit—Akrinn always had somewhere else to be nowadays.
BlackWing X
Travis
Jaledis is less than two day's journey from Pyrik, and a perfect run to test David's work on the hyperdrive. So far, it was working perfectly. David sat on a chair at the communications console with an I-told-you-so expression on his face.
I'd forwarded Sabrina's signed agreements to Kooper already, and only waited for word back from him before telling her she was a part of the BlackWing Pirates network. Sure, we'd keep the Raptor II logo and call sign up as long as we were working this case—unless we were called out unexpectedly.
I heard from Mom, too. She said Uncle Karzac was working on a way to remotely examine the afflicted bodies, so that no contact would be made with actual humanoids—only robots. It was time to see if anyone could decipher what the affliction actually was and how dangerous it could be.
If we were looking at an epidemic, the sooner we knew that, the better off we'd be. I told Mom about the medallions sent by Zaria. She'd gone silent for several seconds, before speaking again.
"If she says wear them constantly, then make sure that happens," was all she'd told me.
Mom was powerful in her own right.
Zaria—who knew what her limits might be?
"How close are we?" Trent folded onto the bridge and dropped onto the chair next to mine.
"Another hour and a half before we dock," I said. "Want to eat in Turbak?"
"Sure. Sabrina can show us around, I think."
"I'll give her the good news," I said and stood. I'd been sitting too long watching stars flash past us. Mom always says it's like watching stripes on the highway fly by. I'd had to ask Winkler what the hells she was talking about.
Chapter 8
Sabrina
An alarm sounded throughout the ship when we approached Jaledis' space station. If we were selected for inspection, we'd be required to stand outside our quarters while the port authorities walked through the vessel.
Only the Captain and the bridge crew were allowed anywhere else, and they'd be on the bridge and approached first.
"We're cleared," Travis' voice announced moments later. "Stand down." Only a few seconds later, he added, "We'll have dinner in Turbak on the company tonight. Sabrina's picking our restaurant. Make it a good one, Agent Kend."
I went still.
I was Agent Kend—the forms I'd signed said so. After I'd pledged all but my newborn children to the ASD.
I knew a really good steakhouse in Turbak, too, but you'd need reservations—unless your name was Kend. I lifted my comp-vid and tapped in a code. Travis and Trent should like it—they cooked in the Falchani style, or so they said.
It was owned by Falchani, too, or they bore a good enough resemblance to pass for Falchani. Either way, the food at Cedar Falls was excellent and a favorite of mine.
Reservation confirmed—S Kend and up to ten guests in the River Room, flashed on my comp-vid.
I wished for mindspeech, then, so I could inform the swaggering captains that I had a decent reservation for all of us, including the cooks, if they wanted to come.
Instead, I sent Travis a message by comp-vid, and included a copy of the reservation for Cedar Falls.
Good choice, his mindspeech sounded in my head.
I considered asking him if he'd been there before, but held back. Finding something appropriate to wear for dinner was now my top priority.
Randl
"I don't think I've ever eaten Falchani-style," I admitted as we walked toward the security gate at the space station. A scan of our wrist-chips was required to get onto the planet, after the ship had docked and the crew approved by the Port Authority.
We'd get a shuttle to the surface, once we passed security. The same shuttle would take us to the restaurant, too, for an extra fee.
I realized then that I'd never be forced to answer security questions for Amlis again, and it made me feel so free I felt I could fly.
Would I have alternative identification, like many ASD agents had? Travis would know, I suspected. I'd ask when we were aboard ship again. My case was a special one, after all, and I had no idea whether other identification was necessary.
"Is he blind?" The security agent asked Travis, who led our small group through security.
"Yes, but he's quite talented in making his way," Travis replied smoothly.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone who stayed blind," the guard said.
"He hears very well," Trent said while holding his wrist over the scanner. "And he's very intelligent, too. Randl, tell this man something he doesn't know."
> "He has a winning lottery chip in his pocket," I said.
"It's a winner?" The man blinked at me in surprise. "Wait, please," he held up a hand, preventing David from passing through the gate. "I have to check this." Pulling out his comp-vid, he tapped it, then waved the lottery chip over the scanner. His eyes became huge—as they should—the winning numbers had been released less than an hour before.
"Oh, my—I've won ten thousand credits," he whispered, staring at his comp-vid and then at me.
"I'd suggest never telling anyone that he saw this in you," Terrett moved forward and locked eyes with the man. "Now, we're hungry, and we'd like to move along, please."
Until then, I'd barely heard Terrett say three words—as if he preferred not to speak.
"Of course." The security agent stuffed the comp-vid and chip in his pocket and watched as we walked through, scanning our wrists as we went. Soon enough, we were at the outer gate and looking for a shuttle.
"If I set my mind to it, I can see all sorts of things," I explained to Sabrina as the shuttle carried us toward the surface and the city of Turbak. "Usually, I try not to pry too much, because it's an invasion of privacy. I see things on the horizon—mostly those that place people in danger." I shrugged. It was something I'd always had, and was normal to me.
"That is some gift you carry," Sabrina shook her head. "No, I don't want it," she laughed and held up a hand. "I'm better off not knowing, I think."
To be honest, I was fascinated by the gift Terrett carried. That was certainly useful, in my opinion, as long as it was employed in an ethical fashion.
"We're here," Travis announced. He and Jayna climbed out of the shuttle first, followed by Trent and David, then Susan and Bekzi, the cooks, and then James and Nathan, the pilot and navigator. Sabrina and I got out last.
The sound of a waterfall greeted me the moment I stepped out of the shuttle—I suppose it was to simulate the Falls in the capital city of Falchan.
"Come on, I'm starved," Travis motioned for us to follow.
"He won't get in unless I'm there," Sabrina grumbled beside me. When we made our way inside the restaurant, we found Travis hugging another man—a Falchani, I could see it easily.
"Trent, you rascal," the man let Travis go and turned to hug Trent.
"Hello, Uncle Turtle," Trent slapped the man on the back.
"Uncle Turtle?" Sabrina blinked at me in confusion.
"Not his real Uncle, but someone he grew up calling Uncle, so almost the same thing," I reported what I saw in the Falchani man. "He's a real Falchani warrior, too, and can slice someone in half before they have time to blink."
"And there I thought I was giving them something they might not ordinarily get," Sabrina fumed quietly.
"I think you made them very happy," I said. "Stop worrying about it."
"I really should stop worrying about it?"
"Yes. They're all happy. You did a good deed. Let's eat."
She turned away from me for a moment, but when she turned back, I saw her struggle not to laugh.
"Go ahead," I told her. "It's good for you."
I smiled as Sabrina giggled all the way to the River Room.
Trent
I'd begun to think Kooper had a devious way of torturing Travis and me. I didn't miss the looks Sabrina sent our way now and then. According to ASD rules, superiors didn't date those under their command.
Three fucking years before we could step forward and say anything to her other than what would normally pass between Captain and crew. The reasons were obvious—you have a falling out—you're screwed. You make the crew think there's favoritism—you're screwed.
Any way you looked at this, we were screwed.
Sabrina sat cross-legged on her cushion at the low table, talking and laughing between Randl and Jayna. Travis and I sat opposite those three, with Uncle Turtle and Uncle Flyer, who'd joined us for dinner.
Travis and I thought Turtle and Flyer were crazy for opening a restaurant here, but they'd done exceptionally well with it. In fact, it was one of the most exclusive restaurants on Jaledis.
Why did you choose Jaledis? I sent mindspeech to Uncle Flyer. He'd made the best noodles on Falchan after serving in the Falchani army for decades. Turtle had run a bar that had excellent food after his stint in the military.
They'd parlayed their cooking experiences into a successful restaurant in the oddest place you'd think to find it.
It was a suggestion—from Zaria, Flyer returned.
I held my breath for a moment before releasing it. Yes, he and Turtle had worked with her before. That had slipped my mind.
Of course, Zaria would send them where they'd do some good—and serve excellent food at the same time.
You can stay with us while you're here—the compound is big enough for two large families, Turtle's mental voice contained a smile.
Sounds tempting, I said. Travis and I will discuss it and get back to you.
"The steak is wonderful," I nodded my appreciation to Turtle and Flyer.
"I like the noodles," Jayna said. "I've never had noodles this good."
The meal was served family-style, and there was plenty of everything. Steaks were cooked table-side and served straight from the portable grill. Randl had never used chopsticks before, but he was a quick study and now employed them easily to eat his meal.
Bro, you want to stay at Turtle and Flyer's compound? Travis sent. Looked like Uncle Turtle had been working on him while Flyer worked on me.
I'd like to—you think the ship will be all right?
I can ask Kooper for a shield, Travis replied. We'll know for sure if anybody comes close that shouldn't.
Then ask. You know Turtle and Flyer's compound will be heavily shielded. After we start poking around, we might need that.
I was thinking the same thing.
Sabrina
I worried that I'd have to call my father after dinner to let him know I was back. A reprieve came in the form of Travis and Trent's Uncles offering a place to stay while we were in Turbak.
Their compound was huge—larger than what Dad built near the research facility, and that was enormous.
I learned that one uncle lived in the west side of the compound, while the east side was occupied by the second uncle. A large courtyard separated the two. Travis, Trent, Terrett, Randl and David had rooms in Turtle's half, while Flyer's side housed the rest of us.
Travis and Trent shut down the ship and brought bags back for the rest of us. I had mixed feelings about them collecting clothing for me, but didn't say anything. I didn't have to; the heat of my face probably told them everything they wanted to know.
Snatching my duffle from the pile in the courtyard, I marched toward Flyer's compound, my back as straight as I could keep it. At least nobody laughed—while I could still hear it, anyway.
Randl
She's embarrassed, I informed Travis, whose left eyebrow lifted as his eyes followed Sabrina's stiff walk across the courtyard.
I know. It's kind of hot, Travis replied while a grin spread across his features.
I sorted out that he wasn't referring to the heat rising in Sabrina's face. He'd voiced something I'd already suspected; I'd merely avoided it until now.
There was a great deal of attraction between the brothers and Sabrina. It crushed the small bit of hope I'd held that she might look my way at times.
It's nothing more than I've seen in hundreds of faces in hundreds of places, I reminded myself. People pining after what they couldn't have. I hadn't thought I'd join their ranks—until now.
Stop setting your sight so high, I chided myself. Who'd want a blind man who could see everything else? In Amlis' case, it had been a disaster. Perhaps I was destined to be alone—for the sake of anyone I might come to love.
Or already loved—at least a little.
"Come on, bro," Trent slapped me on the back. "We have training early in the morning. If you want a beer before bed, follow me."
"Yeah. Beer." I turned
to follow Trent's broad back, well-muscled from years of training. I wasn't foolish enough to think that was all Sabrina found attractive about him. Fuck being a realist, I decided. I'll have two beers.
"Where did the weights come from?" I asked. On a flagstone-covered square at the center of the courtyard lay several racks of weights. Travis and Trent hadn't wasted time calling us out of bed, either. At least the courtyard was shaded; the sun would have blinded the others. I already had that affliction, but it could still damage what I had.
"From the weight store," Travis laughed at my question. "Come along, my lazy crew. It's time you discovered the pleasure of aching muscles."
"I have some from yesterday," Sabrina grumbled behind me.
"No complaining," Trent barked. "First, we'll stretch, to keep the aches at a minimum. Then we'll start out light and work our way up. You need arm strength and upper body strength if we're expected to turn out a fighter who can take down something stronger than an eight-year-old."
"An eight-year-old what?" I heard Sabrina's soft mumble.
"Straighten up and pay attention," Travis snapped. "Do what I do. No talking."
The stretching exercises turned into something that resembled a dance. The movements were slow and deliberate; I could feel my muscles complaining after only a few minutes of activity.
This was payment for years of walking as my only form of exercise. My legs felt better than my arms for a while, until both began to ache.
"Sit," Trent said. "Cross-legged, with your hands resting on your knees." He dropped gracefully to the flagstones and was in the required position swiftly with no wasted movement.
This graceful, efficient way of moving was from the Falchani; that was easy to understand. I imagined he'd rise the same way—with smooth grace and a minimum of effort.
I found myself wanting to do it, too.
"Close your eyes and empty your mind," Trent instructed. "If your thoughts intrude, shove them out as many times as it takes."
For me, that was easy. Bright stars invaded my mind and I focused on the emptiness between them. Yes, they'd appeared in my dreams since I was a child, but I had no idea of their meaning.
MindSighted: BlackWing Pirates, Book 1 Page 11