Diverse Similarity

by Sharon Rose

  “Do you think she would object?” Hrndl asked in innocent surprise.

  “You know perfectly well, that is not what I meant. I have no intension of prying into personal affairs, but I am concerned.”

  Hrndl gave up trying to avoid his true meaning. She looked aside for a moment, considering her answer. Then, she stood and replied with calm dignity, “I am still capable of conducting my affairs. However, I do not forget your profession and your vital contribution to the crew. If I do find myself in need of your skills, I will inform you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must relieve Netlyn.”

  Metchell stepped aside and let her leave.

  His gaze seemed to cling to her, even after the door closed.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A few hours later, Hrndl glanced up as Metchell came into astro section.

  He leaned over Kena and said something about movement therapy, then they left together.

  Had he timed his arrival, shortly before third meal, for Hrndl’s sake, as well as for Kena’s? Hrndl straightened and curled her tense fingers. Unnecessary interference. The break from her suitors had been wonderful, but the intensity of her mating instinct could not be ignored. Nor could her stomach’s demand.

  She made her way to the dining hall, where Rnl and Frdn awaited her. Dhgnr was absent, as she’d expected. Two craft had sustained damage while retrieving samples that afternoon. He would monitor repairs.

  Throughout the meal, Hrndl’s preoccupation with navigational problems thwarted her suitors’ attempts to hold her attention. They made little effort. The proverbial appetite of a mating woman was in full force. She’d consumed nearly everything they brought her before the subdued conversations and whisperings in the dining hall finally penetrated her abstraction.

  “What’s going on?” she asked the two men.

  Rnl jerked his head back. “Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

  “I’ve been in the astro section all day. With Ghent, I might add. How could I hear rumors?”

  “No one is repeating it directly to the Grfdn, anyway,” Frdn said. “We’ve only overheard bits and pieces, but some believe Kena’s craft was sabotaged.” His tone ground, and he shifted aside. “Krdn’s name is mentioned.”

  Hrndl stared. Every nerve, every muscle in her body went to high alert.

  “It could have been someone else,” Rnl said. “Why must they assume—”

  “Who else?” Hrndl demanded.

  “I once heard that Delf has no great liking for her,” Rnl said.

  Hrndl shrugged off his stupidity. “He was angry with her once, but that was weeks ago. He respects her skill and treats her as a friend.”

  “How would you expect him to act,” Rnl asked, “if he was planning a subtle revenge?”

  She uttered a contemptuous growl. “I know both Delf and Krdn far better than you do.” She rose and scanned the room. “Where is Ghent?”

  A nearby navigator glanced over her shoulder and said, “He just left a minute ago with some of the section chiefs.”

  Hrndl turned and ran from the dining hall. She reached the corridor outside the consult room just as Ghent was about to enter it. Ignoring the half dozen section chiefs in the hallway, she called out, “Ghent!”

  He stopped and looked toward her, his hand resting on the doorframe.

  She forced herself to slow down and tried to sound calm. “Your pardon, sir, but I need a moment with you in private.”

  Ghent stared at her for a few seconds. So still. Less than pleased, it seemed. He glanced over his shoulder at the section chiefs and said, “Two minutes.” To Hrndl, he said, “Come,” and walked into his consult room.

  The instant the door slid shut behind her, Hrndl asked, “What caused the accident to Kena’s craft?”

  “I assume you’ve heard rumors,” Ghent said. “I suggest you ignore them. It’s not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident. There is no evidence of sabotage, only supposition that it could have happened.”

  “I see. I would like to inspect the damage.”

  “I have already ordered it repaired.”

  “Under these circumstances?” she demanded.

  “Yes, Hrndl. I have to think of all the circumstances, and we need every craft. I was the first to enter after Kena’s injury, and I stayed to inspect the damage after Metchell took her to med section. I examined it thoroughly, and—I repeat—there is no evidence of sabotage.”

  Hrndl’s words tumbled faster, emphasizing her guttural accent. “But if we don’t know the exact cause, we cannot rule it out. Please tell me what you did find.”

  “I’ve already spent twenty minutes going over the fine details of this with Dhgnr. I don’t have time to do it again. I suggest you discuss your concerns with him—after all repairs are finished.”

  Ghent’s eyes swept over her. She stilled the unconscious movement of her hands sliding up and down her thighs.

  “You’ve done enough for today,” he said. “Take some time to refresh yourself.” Her face must have betrayed her, for he said, “I don’t want you looking at any navigational data for at least two hours. Understood?”

  Hrndl hid her emotions. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.” He ushered her out and looked down the hallway where Rnl and Frdn waited, before motioning the section chiefs into his consult room.

  Hrndl let her suitors guide her steps, not caring where they went. They found an empty common room and sat down with her, vying continuously for her attention and favor. Her thoughts wavered between mating and the horrible suspicion that Krdn was trying to kill Kena.

  Finally, she demanded, “Why must you go on and on about trivialities in a situation like this?”

  Dead silence.

  Rnl broke the long pause. “I know the flying is more stressful with all this explosive debris out there, but I’ve heard you’re a good navigator. If you’d like, I’ll talk with Ghent about how Krdn assigns your flights and make sure he doesn’t send you into danger. In the meantime, let me get you something to eat. You didn’t get a chance to finish your meal.”

  Hrndl stared at him, her breath coming fast. “What are you talking about?”

  Rnl stammered, and Frdn seized the opportunity. “What did Ghent tell you about the accident?”

  “The cause is unknown. There isn’t clear enough evidence to prove it was sabotage.”

  “I’ll do some checking,” Frdn said. “I know some of the maintenance crew and might be able to find out something.”

  “Don’t you understand? It’s not enough to prove sabotage. I have to stop it from happening again.”

  “I’ll work on finding out who could have done it,” Rnl said. “I’ll check out who had access to that craft, who assigned it to her, and who knew about it. The only problem is, quite a few people could’ve had the opportunity. Are you sure it’s really worth all this trouble? Kena is recovering, so no long-term harm was done.”

  Hrndl growled. How could they be so obtuse? “Intentionally injuring a navigator on a solo flight is attempted murder. We must stop this…this criminal before he tries again.”

  “If we aren’t sure who he is,” Rnl asked, “how are we going to stop him?”

  Hrndl jumped up and paced. Her suitors stood, but refrained from following her back and forth across the room. “Oh, I know who he is. It couldn’t be more obvious.” She paced faster. “First, he gets away with killing Frethan and injuring Kena. I was coordinating, but I’m forbidden from charging him here. How can I possibly fulfill my duty to Kena with such a restriction?”

  Frdn tried to soothe her. “Ghent is sending him to Grfdn as soon as this mission is over. He’ll be charged and tried there, which is far better than a trial here.”

  “Are you blind? Kena, herself, is the proof of the charge against him. She suffers a mysterious accident. Doesn’t that suggest something to you? If Krdn gets away with this, he will try again.”

  Rnl grasped Hrndl’s hands and stopped her pacing. “I will go to Dhgnr, if y
ou like, and explain your concerns. He’s as angry as you are that Krdn has shamed us. He will not let him do it again.” Hrndl stared at him, panting, and he hurried on. “If that’s not enough, I promise you will have my support in any form you like.”

  Frdn laid a hand on her arm and said, “We will work out a method to protect Kena. You know Krdn’s opportunities better than I do. Just tell me what is necessary, and I will do it for you.”

  Hrndl looked from one to the other, her lips a hard line. “Krdn used to make promises to me, too, but he never fulfilled one of them.” She thrust their hands away.

  Rnl clenched his fists. “He was never worthy of you.”

  “I will fulfill what I have said!” Frdn declared. “Only tell me what you desire.”

  “I desire that Krdn know, today, that he cannot escape punishment for this attack or any other. I desire that he pay, today, for both times he has injured Kena. I desire that he suffer, today, all the pain that she has suffered and more. I know where he walks in the evening. If your promises mean anything, come with me now.”

  Hrndl swept out of the room, certain that both men followed, eager to prove themselves.

  They found Krdn passing through an empty common room. One look at the three of them, and he pressed his back to the wall.

  “I find it very strange,” Hrndl said, approaching him with measured steps, “that the one person who can establish the exact time of Frethan’s death has suffered a dangerous and mysterious accident.”

  Krdn held silence. He drew his head back and stared down at her.

  “Did you sabotage her craft, Krdn?” Hrndl asked. “Why don’t you answer me?”

  His face was like a mask—impossible to read. “If I didn’t do it, I would say no. If I did do it, I would still say no. Don’t ask me stupid questions, Hrndl.”

  That was more than enough provocation. All three attacked. Krdn brought his arms up to shield his face, but Rnl and Frdn pummeled his head from opposite sides. Hrndl drove her knee into his gut.

  Kena paused on the way to her quarters from med section. Was that…? Yes, muffled thuds and grunts came from the hallway to her right. She followed the sounds.

  Kena stopped at the entrance on the far side of a common room. Three Grfdn were attacking someone. Rnl kicked the victim’s legs out from under him, and Frdn followed up with a kick to his chest. Krdn struggled to keep his head out of their range.

  Kena raised her voice. “Forgive the intrusion, but I’m curious. Do you intend to kill him, or merely beat him senseless?”

  The three attackers turned to stare at Kena. Krdn took advantage of the lull, slowly pushing himself up to sit against the wall. He drew one knee to his chest, but the other leg settled awkwardly.

  Rnl growled at Kena. “This is not your concern. Out!”

  Hrndl stopped him with a hand on his arm. Her eyes met Kena’s, and their corners lifted. “Kena must think he needs help.” Turning to survey her victim, she sweetened her tone. “Perhaps she is right.”

  Krdn swore deep in his throat, while the other two men laughed.

  Frdn caught Hrndl’s hand and drew her aside. “Better let her through, so she can care for him.”

  Kena strolled forward. Would they continue beating him if she left? How to get rid of them?

  As Kena passed her, Hrndl murmured, “No closer.”

  Kena stopped a few meters away from Krdn. Not a pretty sight.

  Through clenched teeth, he growled, “Get out. I won’t have your help.”

  “That is such a pity,” Kena said, “because I don’t intend to change my standards to pander to your supposed honor.”

  Hrndl laughed and ran from the room, her suitors following. That worked rather well.

  “I still have strength enough,” Krdn said. “Dare touch me, and you will feel it.”

  In the hallway, Frdn stepped back into her line of sight. He made not a sound, nor did he let Krdn see him.

  “My intention is merely to prevent your premature death. Can you stand?”

  “Get out!”

  “As you wish.” She turned and left, taking one backward glance toward the opposite doorway. Frdn was gone. She headed for her quarters, frowning over what to do. Her insult had gotten rid of Krdn’s attackers far better than a reasonable request would have. But it wasn’t enough. She suspected internal injuries and doubted he could walk.

  That hallway was not the direct route to anything—it could be hours before he was found. She had to tell someone he was hurt, but who? Metchell was the obvious choice, but his questions would bring Hrndl’s involvement to light. The last thing Kena wanted.

  What about Dhgnr? True, he conversed with her more easily than the other Grfdn males did, but it seemed more like a means of excluding her. Would he be angry or pleased if she sought him out? Impossible to guess, but two things were certain. He would protect Grfdn honor, and he would keep the navigators available to Ghent.

  Kena pulled her computer from her belt and used it to find Dhgnr’s quarters. A few minutes later, she touched the panel beside his door and stated her name. Several long seconds passed before the door slid open, but still not enough time to figure out what she should say.

  Dhgnr stood rigid in the middle of his sitting room. She stepped across the threshold into beige hues, sunny lighting, and right-angles. The door closed with a faint whoosh.

  “Why do you come to me?” Dhgnr asked.

  “Because I have found a Grfdn—seriously injured—on the floor of a common room. I doubt he can stand or walk.”

  Dhgnr quivered as she spoke until she said the word he. Then his rigid stance deflated, and his breath eased out. Oh, now that was interesting.

  “Rival suitors often fight,” Dhgnr said. “Why not tell Metchell? I am no doctor.”

  She blinked. “It’s Krdn.”

  “Ah! Wh—” His eyes narrowed. “Why do you come to me instead of Metchell?”

  Kena licked her lips and chose her words with care. “He will likely ask me questions. Since I disapprove of lying, I would need to speak of—various Grfdn who were present when I found Krdn. It occurred to me that you might prefer to find Krdn alone and inform Metchell yourself.”

  His gaze held hers through a slight nod. “Do you have any suggestions on where I should stroll, this evening?”

  “The vicinity of D34 might be a good choice,” Kena said.

  As she left, Dhgnr’s footsteps headed the opposite direction, his emfrel receding from her awareness. It had settled—unlike what she’d sensed that first moment in his quarters, the instant before he’d realized the injured Grfdn couldn’t be Hrndl. So, his disinterest was a front. Not surprising, but why? Why didn’t he court her? Why hide what he felt? Particularly, considering how irritated Hrndl was with Rnl and Frdn.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kena paused in the middle of spooning strawberries over the Tenelli version of a pancake. A Prednian she barely knew chattered at her from across the buffet.

  “Did you hear what happened to Krdn?”

  “No. Nor do I have any particular interest in Krdn.” She resumed serving herself.

  “But he was beaten. Bad!”

  “I see. Now that I know, I hope I don’t have to hear anything else about him.”

  The poor guy looked taken aback, but his eyes perked up when Hrndl came to the buffet. “Hrndl, did you hear—”

  Kena dropped her voice an octave. “She has less interest than I do.”

  They walked to the empty Grfdn table, where Hrndl insisted that Kena sit in the chair Dhgnr had occupied of late. Did she dread a conversation with him?

  Dhgnr joined them and sat directly across from Hrndl. “Rnl and Frdn will not be with us this morning,” he said.

  Hrndl nodded.

  Dhgnr kept his voice quiet. “It would seem that you had an eventful evening, Hrndl. Did it satisfy you?”

  She nodded again.

  “Good, because Rnl and Frdn will not participate in such an activity again.”
>
  Hrndl took a deep breath. “I understand.” She picked up her glass and took a slow drink.

  After a moment, Dhgnr spoke in a more natural tone. “Do you need the presence of a khn, Hrndl?”

  “That will not be necessary.”

  His face revealed nothing. “Do you know, yet, whom you will work with today?”

  “I assume Kena, unless…” she looked sideways to Kena.

  “Metchell removed the bone regeneration tubes a half-hour ago. I shouldn’t need to leave.”

  Conversation drifted to them from the nearest tables: speculation about Krdn. Hrndl’s nostrils pinched, and her breath thrummed.

  The rest of the day followed the same pattern. Rumors abounded on all sides. Rnl and Frdn made things no better over lunch. Brilliant. The details escaped Kena, for much of the conversation was in Grfdn, but Hrndl sounded about ready to beat them as viciously as she had gone after Krdn.

  Later, Hrndl stayed close as they left nav section for third meal. More talk of the beating followed them in the hallway. Hrndl scowled.

  Kena glanced at her and said under her breath, “I’m not listening to this through another meal. Care to join me in my quarters?”

  “Beyond doubt,” Hrndl whispered.

  They slipped away then shared a leisurely meal, surrounded by a Terran forest. When Hrndl showed no desire to leave, Kena indulged her with conversation far removed from both navigation and mating. Tension faded from Hrndl’s face; yet, every now and then, the outer corners of her eyes lowered while she stared at nothing.

  All too soon, the door chime interrupted, and Dhgnr asked for admittance.

  Kena hesitated. At Hrndl’s tightening expression, she used a comm channel to answer him. “I’m resting and do not desire more visitors.”

  A pause. Maybe he would leave.

  His voice came over the comm channel again. “I will not disturb you for long. Hrndl is missing and doesn’t answer communications. Do you have information I can use to locate her?”

  Kena’s mouth crimped at the corners. She said to Hrndl, “Looks like we can’t avoid this.”