by Sharon Rose
Netlyn nodded, though several navigators made sounds of scorn or disbelief.
Piert scowled and declared, “We are no more afraid to fly the debris field than you are. We are willing to do our part.”
“It’s not a question of daring or willingness,” Delf said. “I know a lot of you can scan for composition, but there is a huge difference between that and scanning for trajectory. And once we’re flying, it’s trajectory that matters most.”
“All true,” Netlyn said, “but the scientists needn’t do both. We’ll assign two navigators to each craft. We’d do that anyway, so one can monitor the extended range while the other pilots. The scientists can focus entirely on identifying samples.”
“It will still take too long,” Giddech said, “for them to get the composition data they need.”
Netlyn shook her head. “Not as long as you think. I’ve taught a lot of them enough about projection so they can keep their scans focused, even for unstable movement. They already knew the basics, and they do fairly well. We can fit eight extra scanning consoles into each of our two transport craft and use them as command ships. The mid-sized craft will each hold two to four extra consoles. They can do additional scanning while the navigators work on collection. The hardest part is, we will all need to fly during the entire period and take turns sleeping en route. Considering capacity and timing, we should be able to make three runs, there and back. I’ve worked the numbers. It’s tight, but doable. I estimate we’ll be able to get about 90 percent of the material they really want.”
Dhgnr leaned close to Hrndl and whispered, “Will this work?”
Hrndl said, “Netlyn knows scanning better than anyone on the Ontrevay. She also knows how to assess skills and train. This is the best proposal I’ve heard yet.”
Ghent looked around the room, his eyes sweeping across each face. “Other suggestions?”
No one looked happy, but no one spoke. He focused on Kena.
She nodded. “I concur.”
He turned to Delf, who exhaled and said, “I can go with it.”
“All right; we’ll do it,” Ghent said, at last, moving his hands over the console as he spoke. “We’re only nine hours from final launch preparation. Krdn, pick minimum staff to stay on duty. All other navigators are now off duty. You’ll have time for third meal, then sleep. The same goes for any of the scientists who’re going out. You’ll be flying until the window closes, so get rested now. If any of you have inflexible sleep cycles, talk to Metchell. I’m sure he can artificially alter them.
Ghent looked around at specific individuals. “Krdn, Netlyn, and Piert, I want you in my consult room in ten minutes for crew assignments. Dhgnr, you may as well come with me, now. Remlishos is on his way to meet with me already. The maintenance crews don’t sleep until the craft have been outfitted with the extra consoles.”
Ghent headed for the door. In his peripheral vision, he saw Hrndl lean close to Kena’s ear, then hurry to her feet. He was hoping to talk with Dhgnr alone, but Hrndl came with him, rendering the discreet inquiry he’d wanted to make impossible. He waited until the three of them were alone in the hallway before saying, “Hrndl, forgive me for prying into your personal affairs, but I need to know how long you’ll be able to fly.”
“Metchell checked my hormone levels yesterday evening. I should be able to make it to the end of this expedition.”
“I’d like Metchell to check on you each time you bring in a collection. Do you want to fly with Kena?”
“Beyond doubt, but I’d so much rather have Dhgnr check on me than Metchell.”
Ghent glanced over at her. Not only were her eyes tilted upward, but her thin eyebrows also slanted toward her temples. Dhgnr appeared to be massaging her lower back as they walked, much to her pleasure. “You can have both of them,” Ghent said. “Is there anything else you need?”
“No, not unless you’d like to confine Rnl and Frdn to their quarters for the next few days. I could probably get them to fight, if you need an infraction.”
Ghent laughed and led the way into his consult room. “I’d rather just keep them busy, if you don’t mind too much.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kena took her time, while everyone else converged on the dining hall. It would be best if the others were settled before she arrived. She didn’t intend to eat there anyway. She felt an urge to spend the evening before this particular mission alone. How convenient—and how predictable—that Hrndl had already chosen her mate. That whispered information left Kena one last little duty.
An obscure impression slowed her steps. Disquiet. No other word for it. She examined the feeling, turning her attention toward the one who never left her. Their conversation was always in progress, even without wrapping words around it. She listened, but felt only his presence. Give me wisdom, please, she said within herself. I don’t want to say the wrong thing.
Stay alert.
Hmm. Unexpected.
The door to the dining hall slid open as she neared it, and she scanned the room. Good. Almost everyone was seated and eating. She avoided eye contact, but she couldn’t help noticing Inewin. His passing glance became a double take, encompassing the Grfdn table. At least one person was aware.
Rnl and Frdn sat before an array of dishes Hrndl would not eat from. They both faced the door with expressions of stone, watching Kena approach. She sat down opposite them, rehearsing the traditional Grfdn statement Hrndl had primed her with. Brief, direct, and cold. No doubt the best way to communicate with these men.
Keeping her voice low, she said, “Hrndl has chosen her mate: Dhgnr. You will cease courting her. You will not approach Dhgnr or Hrndl until her seclusion has ended.”
Frdn began the formal acknowledgement. “I accept her choice and honor th—”
A growl vibrated within Rnl’s throat, rising to drown Frdn’s words.
So boorish! Now what? Hrndl had said nothing of what to do with such a response. Most likely, he would not have dared it before a Grfdn woman. Rnl stood, and Kena rose, eyeing his movements.
“I will not take this from you. Dhgnr twisted courtship law, and I will not—”
“Do you accept Hrndl’s choice,” Kena demanded, “or do you refuse her the right to choose her own mate?”
His throat worked.
“No answer?” Kena asked. “This will be so noted, should the matter need to be raised before a Grfdn khn. I repeat: You will not approach Dhgnr or Hrndl until her seclusion has ended.”
Kena turned her back and strode for the door, listening for movement behind her. A heavy foot struck the floor.
Shouts erupted, all uttered at once.
“Rnl, stop!”
“Kena! Beware!”
“Duck!”
She snatched a quick look back.
Rnl’s shoulder drew back as he raised his fist. A growl thundered from him. How fitting that he sounded like an animal.
Kena folded at the hip. His punch whiffed above her back as she jabbed a sharp back-kick to his right knee.
His growl faltered and he struggled for balance.
She straightened, bracing a fist into her hand and driving her right elbow back into his head.
The blow caught him beneath the chin and toppled him. Kena jumped away as he fell. His back thudded hard on the floor, his breath forced out as a grunt.
She glared down at him from a couple meters away. Chairs scraped as several men leapt up, but they were still too far away. Rnl shifted as if to rise.
“Do not stand!” Kena’s order reverberated in the breathless silence of the hall. Her gaze pinned him to the floor. “Frdn, is Rnl’s behavior legal on Grfdn?”
“No!”
“Nor is it legal on Earth,” Kena said between her teeth.
Remlishos came to a halt near Rnl’s head. Kena let out a deep breath and dragged her eyes up to his.
“I’ll take care of it,” Remlishos said. “Nice defense, by the way. You are not injured, are you?”
She shoo
k her head.
“Get your rest, then. This need not concern you.”
Kena left, adrenaline quickening her stride.
Footsteps hastened after her. Inewin said, “May I escort you?”
“If you wish, but I’m fine. It’s not necessary to interrupt your meal.”
“I’m in no hurry. If you’re fine, why are you rubbing your elbow.”
She huffed a wry laugh. “Because Rnl’s chin is quite hard. Not to worry. A bruise maybe, nothing more.” She walked in silence for a moment, pulling peace from within and slowing her stride. “Thank you for your warning. Were you watching the whole time?”
“I was. Hrndl’s and Dhgnr’s absence was—concerning, shall we say.”
A couple minutes after they reached her quarters, Delatin arrived with a container of food, which he placed on the table between them. He looked closely at her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, of course,” she said with her easy smile. “Thank you so much for bringing me dinner.”
“My pleasure. Rest well.”
Delatin hurried back to his kitchen, and Kena opened the meal container.
“Why the pensive look?” Inewin asked.
“Just thinking about how long it will take for the rumors to reach Hrndl.”
She took a bite of bread and entered a message to Hrndl and Dhgnr on her computer. “Just to let you know, I’ve informed Frdn and Rnl. Frdn responded honorably. You may hear rumors of Rnl’s idiocy, but all is well. You will not see him. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Before she could finish her dinner, she received three messages asking if she was all right, and Jorlit, who had not been in the dining hall, stopped by her quarters.
“Really, I am fine, Jorlit,” Kena said. “The rumors must be wildly out of hand.”
“All I heard was that Rnl attacked you. How could you possibly not be hurt?”
Kena shrugged one shoulder. “He is slow. I am fast. Blows don’t hurt if you aren’t there when the fist arrives.”
“You’d understand if you had seen it,” Inewin said. “I hardly knew she was about to move before she stopped.” The door chime sounded again, and Inewin stood. “You aren’t going to get any rest at this rate. Shall I get rid of whoever it is?”
“That might be awkward. This one is Ghent.” Kena touched the door control and stood.
Jorlit asked, “How do you know?” as the door slid open.
“I can sense him.” She acknowledged Ghent as she returned dishes to the container. “Inewin,” she said, “if you’re going back to the dining hall, will you take these things?”
“Of course. I’ll do what I can with the rumors.”
Jorlit left with him, and Kena turned her attention to Ghent.
“Are you being inundated with—”
Her message signal interrupted him. Kena rolled her eyes, and Ghent chuckled.
“Excuse me a moment,” Kena said, “while I restrict messages.” She tapped her computer, indicating the few people whose messages should be announced, and set her status to sleep.
“You are blessed with many friends,” Ghent said. “Were you referring to me a moment ago when you said you could ‘sense him’?”
“Yes.” Kena moved to the couch and sat against the curve of one end so she could face Ghent.
He took the opposite end. “I didn’t realize your sensitivity to me remains. Is my emfrel still disturbing?”
“Not at all. I can feel every non-Human, but it’s only a faint awareness.”
“Sounds distracting,” he said.
“No more than having a person stand next to you.”
His quick nod ended the subject, and his voice grew choppy. “Let’s get the annoying matter out of the way first. I’ve linked with Remlishos. His formal report states that Rnl attacked you from behind and you defended yourself. Rnl is confined to his quarters; only Remlishos or I can release him. That will not happen for the next few days, at the very least. Any concerns?”
Kena angled her head. “Sounds perfect.”
“I thought you might approve.” His speech smoothed. He ran through crew and craft assignments and additional details of the mission. “I am giving you command of the beta crew. That’s a little touchy, since Hrndl has several more years of experience than you do.”
He paused. Kena guessed at the question that troubled him. “I still value her experience even though I have command,” she said. “We’ll be switching tasks, anyway, and must pass command back and forth in order to sleep. When we’re both awake, we’ll be working as a team, as we always do.” His expression hadn’t changed so she added a little more. “To me, the designation of command is for clarity of direction—for those rare moments when decisions must be instantaneous and unquestioned.”
“Not everyone sees command in that way,” Ghent said.
“True. Among Humans, as well. Are you concerned about my perception or Hrndl’s?”
“Both,” he said, “but I’ve already spoken to Hrndl about it. She doesn’t take it as a slight.”
“Are you afraid it will inflate my ego and turn me into a despot?”
Ghent leaned back and laughed. “In spite of your confidence, I have yet to find a delusional side to your ego.” His expression grew serious again. “I am thinking of the future. You assume command readily. Be equally ready to relinquish it, for I will likely give Hrndl command of the next mission. Will that be a problem for you?”
Odd. Had she overstepped or been too foreward at some point? “Not at all,” she said, shaking her head. “That is just not the way I think.”
His intent gaze filled a silence. He slowed his words. “Even though we have spoken often, Kena, I still don’t feel I understand the way you think.”
What to say? It almost sounded as though he hoped she would offer to link with him. But for what reason? Plynteth linked freely among themselves and telepathic races, but surely he must know Humans did not link without significant purpose.
Ghent gestured toward the book on the low table by the couch. “Are you reading tonight?”
“Yes, I was planning to.”
“Will you permit me to stay and listen?” he asked.
So intriguing that he liked to hear her read. “You are welcome to.” She picked up the Bible and flipped to the ninety-first Psalm. “This poem is about protection and security in the midst of danger.”
“How appropriate, considering what you’re flying into tomorrow.”
A smile sufficed to answer him. She read, letting the words unroll in their lyrical beauty, savoring their meaning, absorbing their promise. Her beloved was with her, embracing her.
When she finished, comfortable silence lay between them. How nice that Ghent didn’t feel the need to disturb it. For a few minutes, she leaned back with eyes closed, drifting in the arms of her love.
Her beloved spoke within her. He is so puzzled.
She opened her eyes to Ghent’s gaze. Yes, his fur-covered brow was puckered.
“Hrndl told me once,” he said, “that she enjoys your quarters because it’s so peaceful here. I thought she must mean the sights and sounds of nature, but—it’s not that.”
Her eyelids dipped then opened. “No, it is not.”
Ghent turned his head, and his brow fur twitched into a vertical pattern. “You seem both relaxed and vibrant. Intensely so. How can you simultaneously be in such opposite states?”
She chuckled deep in her throat, pleased that he interpreted with such clarity in spite of the paradox.
Her beloved’s words whispered through her spirit. Let him see.
Now? When I am so stirred by your presence?
His presence lightened. It did not leave; rather, it drew back from her mind, settling within her spirit.
“Kena…” Ghent licked his lips. “If it will not stress you…will you link with me?”
Her breath halted for an instant. He really did want to link. Strange—and yet, perhaps not. She would have avoided th
is, but the prompting a moment ago changed all that.
Concern flickered in his eyes at her silence. “I know you must control the link. I do not mind, at all. And I also understand that Plynteth are overwhelming to a Human. The link can be very brief. I don’t want to tire you.”
She prepared herself, breathing her words out gently. “You will not overwhelm or tire me. You think that you understand, but you don’t. If you wish to link, reach for me.”
“But—if you are to control the link—do you not prefer to initiate it?”
Her words were hardly more than a whisper. “Reach for me, Ghent.”
Strange. How exactly was this supposed to work? Ghent held his telepathic energy in check as he extended his awareness ever so slightly. Then, he sucked in a breath.
She was all around him. Had been there before him. His mind reeled.
She contained him. Like hands surrounding a fluttering bird: touching only where the feathers brushed, slowly enfolding to still his reaction.
All is well, The thought swept through his mind like the hushing breath of a gentle wind.
The peace he had recognized—it was her! He’d thought he glimpsed its abundance, but that had only been a thin, outer layer. And even more surprising, she was restraining the revelation—only showing another layer. How deep could it be?
He absorbed her internal response. She smiled at his amazement. The expression contained fond pleasure. Not that he could see her face, but he knew what this smile looked like. His understanding pleased her. More than he would have thought possible. Yet, even this was restrained.
She was drawing back, now that his first reaction had eased. Be still until you’re accustomed.
He was supposed to be remembering something. Oh, yes. Not to tire her. They laughed together at the absurdity of it.
Her silent words formed in his mind. What do you wonder?
Had there been something specific? Ah. I have wondered about your range—how it could reach so far. I know that now.
That brought a memory of Frethan to his mind and an answering memory in hers. Impressions touched his awareness: the moment when she had comforted Frethan and his reaction to her. So quick, barely there. As their sadness brushed past one another, the sting of his pain faded. Then, she took them beyond the memory.