“Um, how so?"
“Well, for one thing, out of all the people who took that tour, only five made the trip out to Site Seventeen. Then, there was our guide—he was really weird. Tall. The tallest and thinnest man I have ever seen. Pale. Pale as death, with an almost ridgeless face—you know, almost no brow—small, narrow and straight nose ... stuff like that. It makes me shiver just thinking about him. A creepy guy."
“Go on."
“Funny—feelings that strong after all this time. Anyway, he was big, strong looking, maybe even a little mean, and his eyes were colorless—no, not colorless—sort of pink. Pink eyes ... awful."
“And?"
“He singled out Trina and me for some reason, but he talked to Trina more than he did to me. At the time I thought he was attracted to her. He took us around to the far side of the wreck and showed us a ravine that was a product of the last Days of Disturbance. He told us that, if we were quick about it, he'd turn his back while we looked to see if anything had been dislodged from the wreckage. He said if we found anything we might want to take it for a souvenir and he wouldn't see anything. That's where we found the chip—in the ravine. It was almost as if he'd led us to it. Funny—we didn't think about it at the time."
“The Council Guards, where were they?"
“I don't know. There were no guards around while we were there."
“Uh-huh. And this guide, how do you suppose he knew there might be something in that ravine?"
“I don't know that, either. Maybe he didn't. Maybe he was just trying to be friendly, or guessing, or something."
“'Or something’ is more like it, I think."
“Niki, you're not suggesting—"
“I'm not suggesting anything. I just think it's a little strange, that's all."
“We wanted to ask him about it but he left on another rover before we had a chance. You think he put it there, don't you?"
“Maybe—maybe not. It's just interesting. And four know of its existence, not three."
Niki looked out at the stars, and a restless feeling shot through him. An insistent feeling that there was something he had to do, and time was running out. Vegamtu was climbing higher, shining brighter with each passing night. It wouldn't be long, not long at all.
“Niki?"
“Huh? What?"
“Don't you think we ought to talk about what to do with you?"
“Uh-huh, I suppose we should. Maybe one of the hotels?"
“Not a good idea. C-card, remember?"
No, he hadn't remembered. To get a room he would have to use his Council Identification card. How did the untracs do it?
“Can we get a counterfeit made?"
“At eleventh hour and thirty?"
“Guess not. What, then?"
Pasha leaned across the console and laid a hand gently on his leg. Niki flinched. In Vegamtu's pale silver light she was all the more lovely. His throat suddenly went dry, and his palms began to perspire.
“Niki,” she began, her voice soft as the single petal of the tamaran flower, “they probably don't know about me, yet. Would you feel comfortable staying at my place for a few days? That is, until we can come up with something better."
Better? What could possibly be better? He swallowed hard, and it hurt. His voice, when he found it, came out like the croaking of the thorn toads that had invaded Sochi every Quarteryear as they migrated south to the shoals for the coming winter.
“Well-l-l, if you think it's all right—sure, I guess."
Stupid. I get a chance for a romantic opener and that's all I can say? Stupid.
“Niki,” she said sweetly. “Aside from being a rare Delta, you're one in a million. Are you in love with me?"
“What?"
“You heard me, silly. Answer the question."
“Well, I ... I think ... I mean I—"
“You think what?"
“Yes, I ... I think I am."
“You're undecided about it?"
“Well, of course I'm sure ... I mean I—"
“That's better. Not terrific, but better. For your information, I've known it for quite a while. I hope I'm not being too assertive for you, but I want you too, so why don't we go to my place where we can discuss what to do about it in more pleasant surroundings?"
His voice was gone, and he had turned a bright red, but it didn't make any difference to him. It had happened. She had told him what he'd wanted to hear coming from his own lips but was unable to say. He was paralyzed, and he didn't care. Then ... he recoiled inside. She was the wrong line. Damn it—she was the wrong line.
* * * *
Shan was met by two Enforcement officers and the Deputy Medical Examiner for the region as he stepped off the air transport in Nucanda.
“Mr. Shan?” one of the officers inquired as Shan's feet hit the ground. “I am Sergeant Gant and this is Chief Investigator Steen of the I-team. This gentleman is Dr. Wau from the Coroner's Office. Will you come with us, please?"
“Good day, gentlemen,” Shan said. Then, turning to Dr. Wau, “Is there some reason why such a high-ranking official is here, Dr. Wau?"
“Oh, yes, Mr. Shan, there most certainly is,” Wau said. “It's just a bit complicated, so I shall explain it all to you on our way to Law Apps, if you don't mind."
The four of them moved quickly across the landing pad to a waiting Council transport. The short walk to the transport took long enough for Shan to realize that he shouldn't have forgotten his jacket.
“Getting cold, isn't it?"
“Yes, Mr. Shan,” the one named Gant said. “The snows should begin in a couple of periods, maybe less. Ah, here we are,” he replied as he reached down and opened the rear door of the transport. “Watch your head, please."
Gant locked onto the track for Nucanda Center, and the transport sped off into a building wind. Wau turned to Shan and said, “Mr. Shan, two days ago you called here inquiring about the whereabouts of a Mr. Mando Washton. You were advised at that time he was here in Nucanda, but that Apps was unable to locate him. Is that correct, Mr. Shan?"
“Pretty much,” Shan replied. “That's the reason I'm here. I'd like to talk to Mr. Washton about his relationship with the late Lon Su of New London, as I told them when I called. Why the interest?"
“Because, Mr. Shan, he and another poor fellow, Dag Lanno, have joined Mr. Su in the Big Beyond—not that anyone is grieving about that one. You knew of their previous association before they became permanent constituents of Pazian soil.” Wau shuffled around in his seat and continued, “I hate these government transports. Not in the least comfortable. So, let's see—oh, yes—anyway, the manner in which they departed was not pleasant. Not pleasant at all, and certainly not the way I would like to go. There was barely enough remaining of them to identify. Thankfully, I had plenty of bone to work with."
Wau waited a thoughtful moment, wiggled a bit more in his seat, then said, “Not as thorough as one would have expected when considering the lack of any other evidence. It was almost as if they wanted us to know who the victims were. Can you think of any reason for that, Mr. Shan? Why they would want us to know?"
“No. No, I'm afraid I can't.” Wau had surprised Shan, and he didn't want it to show. “Hey, Sergeant Gant, can you turn up the heat in here?"
“See what I mean, Mr. Shan? Not at all comfortable, these government transports. Nor can we. Maybe it is not us they wanted to be informed as to the identities of their victims. Perhaps they wanted to pass a message to someone else? A warning? What do you think of that idea, Mr. Shan?"
“Why does a shagrat dig three tunnels when it only uses one. Makes the same amount of sense to me. Besides, I knew nothing of this before now, and you still haven't told me why all the interest in me?"
“Mr. Shan, the only reason you weren't picked up by Apps before making the trip up here was the difficulty I had in finding a marker for Mr. Washton. The other mound of ash had one here in Nucanda Center. He was easy."
Wau fidgeted in the seat.
“Your Mr. Washton had replaced all the markers on file for him with the map of another man so that we would not be able to associate him with the crime he committed in New London—so that he could not be tracked by the traces he would leave here and there. In Lon Su's house, for example."
“All right. I can see why he would do that. But what is it you want from me?"
“I am coming to that, Mr. Shan. Anyway, as I was about to say, today at sixth hour—while you were still in the air—not a natural thing to do, you know—flying around in the air like that."
Wau couldn't seem to hold still, and his constant movements were getting on Shan's nerves. “There, that's better,” he said. “So, where was I? Oh, yes, Law Apps found a match at Shipton Business College where he had lectured on the importance of integrity in negotiations—from his Council record, I found that one to be quite amusing. Anyway, it turns out he was the pleasant fellow who did Paz the favor of removing Lon Su from our midst. He did it with a paperweight. Can you imagine that? A paperweight, of all things."
“Yes, I can. I was there during the initial investigation. But I still don't understand what all that has to do with me. Why are we going to Law Apps? I have all the information I need now."
“Yes. Yes. You may have all the information you need, but Apps does not have what they need, Mr. Shan.” Wau slid around on the seat until he was perilously close to winding up on the floor. “They, and I, want very much to talk with you. They believe you know more than you have been willing to say and, frankly, Mr. Shan, so do I. What is it like, Mr. Shan? You know, flying about up there?"
* * * *
Niki awoke to the sound of Pasha's singing in the kitchen. Such sweet music. He felt the most refreshed he'd been in periods, having slept most of the night without a single bad dream. He rolled out of the bed and staggered into the kitchen where Pasha was pouring two cups of the best smelling massak in the history of Paz.
“Morning,” he beamed at her.
“Great day, Niki. How did you sleep?"
“The best I have slept in a long time. Not one dream."
“Uh-oh. Not good."
“Huh? Oh, that. Don't worry, I'll have more of them—I know."
“Good. I don't want Trina to break us up because you're sleeping well.” She laughed that wonderful melodious giggle, and Niki felt the warmth rush through him again.
“Why are you up so early?” he asked. “Don't you have the day off?"
“Not this morning. I need to be there for the men from supply, and Mr. Washton may call. Once he does, I'll come right back. Promise.” She looked at him over her shoulder with a mischievous grin and said, “When I get back we can review last night's activities. I think we need more practice."
Niki blushed crimson while she giggled and handed him his cup. Then his mind flashed back to the men in his apartment.
“Pasha,” he said, his tone serious. “Do you think it's safe to go in today? I mean, with what happened last night—"
“Of course it is, silly. I'm a secretary, and I have no knowledge of my employer's affairs outside of the business.” She smiled for him and said, “You, Mr. Kaznov, are worried about me, aren't you?"
“Yes, I am. What if the men who were in my apartment go to your office? What then?"
“Oh, Niki. If they do, it won't be in the middle of the day. If they know about Mr. Washton, which I seriously doubt, they'll already have gone through the office, and I'll have to call Enforcement to report the crime. When they finish investigating, I'll have a mess to clean up, that's all. So don't worry. I mean, I think I like being fussed over, but it isn't necessary, and I'll be all right, believe me.
“If you say so, but I'll worry anyway. Do you think I can go out to the museum this morning?"
“I don't think so, Niki. Why don't we play it safe until we have more information about what's going on, huh? I'm sure we'll have some answers in a couple of days, then we can figure out what to do, all right? In the meantime, take a nap. Dream a little just to make Trina happy, and I'll be back as soon as I can get away from the office."
She took his cup from him, set it on the counter and pulled him to her. “Nothing but the direst will keep me away from you. I warn you, Niki Kaznov, you're going to get tired of me."
“Mmm,” he moaned. “I don't think so—not today, anyway.” He cradled her head in his hands and kissed her tenderly. “Be careful, huh? Call me if anything even feels wrong?"
“That's not such a good idea, either, Niki,” she said, looking into his eyes. “If they're listening in on the office link it would give us away. Be patient, my sweet. I'll be back before you know it."
Niki loved the smell of her, the feel of her. His father would have been delighted to see this—though he would have had fits about the improper genetic coupling.
Poor Papa.
“All right, but I'm not going to like it."
In the recesses of his mind there was a growing, nagging and gnawing uneasiness about her being away. Out there anything could happen, and he would not be able to do a thing to help her. He was a simple fisherman from a small island village—and now his old self seemed a lifetime away from him, shrouded in the mists of time gone by. His new being—elated by this woman called Pasha and wanting nothing more than to be with her for all time—was terrified of the future.
“Listen to you now, silly,” she laughed. “Wasn't it you last night who was saying you didn't see the reason for our concern? I'll be fine, you'll see. Now,” she said and pushed away gently, “I must go or I'll be late, and I'm never late. Must not do anything out of the ordinary, you know."
He watched as she went out the door, waited until he heard her transport pull out of the dock, then felt suddenly, completely empty. Now he knew what his father had meant about the woman you care for becoming a part of you. Part of him had pulled away from the dock and gone. Empty. Alone.
Niki remembered his father's comments about the difference between real pairing and commercial mating contracts. His father had been right—this was the most powerful emotional experience Niki had ever had and it was ... painful. He closed the door reluctantly and tried to make himself comfortable in front of the V-screen. After all, it would only be a few hours, and there were plenty of programs available here in the city.
It didn't work. Pasha had been gone no more than an hour, and he was already going crazy. One short hour and he was suffering deep anxiety. He tried to tell himself the feeling was justified in view of the fact that bad things were happening—things very much out of his control.
He rose from the chair and silenced the hero's diatribe with a slap at the switch as the villain went down to his well-deserved end. He made his way to the bedroom and threw himself onto the bed, face down, thinking a little nap would help the time pass. Sleep came quickly, but there was no mercy found in it because the dream pounced on him just as quickly.
He was flying one of the shuttles over a coastline of high cliffs, similar to those around New London, but not quite the same. They were an odd shade of green and not the white, chalky cliffs of the New London City area. The green was that of tarnished copper, all the way down from a grassy plain at the top to where the rock plunged into the waves. There were blackened spots in the cliff wall, sharp and distinct, but too far off to make out any detail.
Flying in closer, the blackened spots revealed themselves to be entrances to caves, but they were not caves in the ordinary sense. No, these caves could not have been formed by natural means. The openings were rectangular, the edges sharp, as if cut by high-energy lasers of the type the mining companies used to excavate their tunnels.
The caves were located midway up the cliff. A voice told him to get closer, and he obeyed. Once in close he swooped down from his position off the cliffs and landed on the edge of one of the openings. The walls of the shaft were smooth, copper-covered, and there was lettering on them in an unknown language near the entrance. Niki, frustrated, clawed at them and hammered his fists against the wall of gre
en copper where the writing was. The words remained unintelligible.
“By the Ancients, damn you,” he cried out. “Tell me what it is you want me to know. Tell me what to do."
His voice echoed down the shaft, coming back to him turned inside out, and the letters began to ripple as if written on the surface of a copper-colored pool into which a pebble had been dropped. On the wall in front of him the letters changed slowly into recognizable shapes of blood red.
"The cores you seek will be found in this place. Go deep into the third labyrinth where a chamber lies hidden beneath the floor of another. It will be marked by three pads. One of the pads functions and the others are—"
The lettering began to ripple again, fading into indistinct gibberish.
“No,” Niki cried. “Don't do this to me."
The familiar gray behemoth, La Paz, replaced the fading words on the wall. As it raced through the cosmos, and the voices sang to him, “We are coming, we are coming ... be ready.” The dream was becoming reality. He could feel it. He was being changed. He fought back against the force of the vision as it pressed down on him. He didn't want to be different—he just wanted to know. But his struggle was to no avail. Niki lost his grip on the edge of the cliff and sank into the dream like the flotsam of the Southern Sea was sucked down the maelstrom that formed at the south end of Nurusha during the Days of Disturbance. And the dream went on and on and on...
* * *
Chapter XI
Rammix started processing data at a distance of three years. At one year it started the reanimation sequence for the crew, an operation that required eight months of minute changes in temperature and chemistry specific to each of its biological charges. Rammix filed a note for future study, regarding the possibilities of standardizing biologicals, then carried out its orders to the letter.
At the same instant the damage assessment program was activated for the last pulse-down period, gathering the information its Alex biological would require to make those repairs that the Rammix system could not accomplish.
The Rammix discovered major erosion damage in the particle collector array, carefully weighed the pros and cons of reduced efficiency against expending fixed fuel reserves, then opted to disconnect the array and convert all propulsion to the onboard fuel supply.
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