With that strategy in mind, Velia started for the kitchen. She stopped short when the door signaled another visitor.
“Well, aren’t we the hub of society today?” Velia said, swinging around to face the entrance. She wondered if she should answer.
Retav might have forgotten something. Or it’s Arga, making sure Retav went to get checked out. No doubt he told the doctor where to find his guardian.
But when she opened the door, it was not Arga or Retav. It was an unfamiliar woman. Taller and somehow more regal than the soft-yellow-colored Salno. More striking than deep-green Trez. Gray, white, and black, she was elegance and ice. She looked down at Velia as if she’d come across a strange bug.
Come on, now. The women are reserved, not arrogant. Be nice.
She greeted the visitor politely. “Hello. I’m afraid Jape isn’t home.”
“I am here to see you, Earthling. I am Ehar, head of Cas Village’s Elders Council.”
The gold tiara should have been a hint that she’s someone important. Velia wondered how such a musical voice could sound so unemotional. “Oh, Jape’s mentioned you. Would you come in?”
Ehar dipped her head, though her attention remained riveted on Velia. “We have much to discuss.”
The head elder probably wasn’t destined to be her biggest fan. The snatches of conversation she’d witnessed between Arga and Retav put Velia on her guard, because Ehar supposedly wasn’t thrilled with Earthlings.
Still, as the village leader, she held a lot of the cards when it came to major decisions. She could send Velia home. And perhaps offer proof of the Monsuda’s more nefarious leanings.
Time to put my best foot forward. Velia ushered Ehar in. “Can I get you something? A drink, perhaps? I’ve learned how to make a couple of your herbal brews.”
“You’ve made yourself familiar with Jape’s home?” Ehar glided past Velia. As she headed to the visiting area, she glanced toward the bedroom.
Velia’s face heated. Thank goodness Jape wasn’t a slob. He’d straightened his bed before heading to work.
Ehar settled in a chair with a high back. Velia admired her effortless grace, her ability to turn a mere seat into a throne. The lady has some serious ’tude going on.
“How about that drink?” she asked, hoping for the chance to go to the kitchen and collect herself.
Ehar pointed to the couch across from the chair. The command was clear though unspoken. Sit, peasant.
Jape wasn’t the only condescending Risnarish. The council head had him beat by a mile.
Velia sat. Her pleasant expression sat tight and uncomfortable on her face.
Ehar wasted no more effort on pleasantries. “You are not supposed to be here.”
“Bad luck put me in the portal chamber when Jape showed up. Then the soldiers rushed in as I was greeting him. In the confusion, Jape felt that grabbing a hostage was his chance to escape.” Worried that things might go badly for Jape if she said too much, Velia changed the subject, hoping to kill two birds with one stone. “It could be my unexpected visit works out for both sides. For Earth and Risnar.”
“In what way?” Ehar’s tone didn’t invite an answer. It said she wasn’t interested in anything Velia had to say.
There’s that Jape attitude. Earthlings are bad for Risnar.
Velia had been a woman in a boys’ game for too long to be put off by a dismissive attitude, especially when she was sure she had a good idea. Using her most professional tone, she explained why she wished to visit the frozen humans in the Yitrow hive, so she could present her findings to her leaders. “They need an eyewitness account of the truth of the Monsuda from a trusted source,” she explained.
“Do you think they will listen? Anneliese was not so certain,” Ehar said.
“I know the man in charge of the site where the Earth portal is. He’ll listen to what I have to say.”
Ehar considered for several beats. “If I send you home to Earth, you’ll take our case to him?”
“Absolutely. I’m not a diplomat, but I’ll be happy to arrange talks between Earth and Risnar as soon as you’re ready to meet face-to-face. But first, I do need to see these humans who are in stasis.”
“System, present file footage of the Earthling evacuation of the Cas hive, stasis subjects.”
Velia had grown used to the holographic screen. It shimmered against the wall. The stasis chamber Jape had taken her to appeared on its surface. Only in the recording, the coffinlike pods had faces in them. Earthling and Risnarish faces. Risnarish women and men tapped controls on the pods, opening them and removing the unconscious occupants, placing them on stretcher platforms that were floated out of the room.
Hundreds of people. Velia was horrified.
“I cannot send you to the hive in Yitrow to view in person the victims still stored there. Is this evidence from Cas hive sufficient?” Ehar asked.
Velia swallowed. Seeing the victims taken out of the pods was awful. Noticing the grim, tear-streaked faces of the Risnarish freeing them convinced her that they had not been behind the abhorrent scene. How could Ehar be so emotionless with the footage playing? Knowing those people must have suffered as Retav had?
Maybe she can be cool about it because she’s seen it too often. Maybe that’s all it is.
The horrified voice in her head argued. A person can’t look at this and not care. Right? If I saw it a million times over, I wouldn’t get over it.
“This is plenty for me to report to my superior.” She wiped her eyes.
“Excellent. System, end replay. Access the file on the operation of the portal collection pod and play it in the Earthling’s language.” Ehar regarded Velia. “You’ll pilot it to your place of origin.”
Her order surprised Velia from her grief. “I—well, yes. I can do that. Then I’ll return after I’ve spoken to General Thomas, if he’ll let me. He may come himself.”
“Very well. But only the leader. Some here are suspicious of Earthlings.”
“I’ve noticed. I’ll tell him your terms.”
Ehar was firm. “Sending you to Earth must be done quietly, in order to not panic the warriors of Cas. We’ve endured a lot over the last few months.”
Velia nodded, accomplishment burning bright inside. She’d done it. She’d convinced the elder to start talks between Earthlings and Risnarish.
As she listened to the operation procedure of the collection pod, noting it was exactly how the portal team had guessed it was meant to be done, Velia’s thoughts drifted to Jape. It was too bad he hadn’t understood the wisdom of her cause, but he’d had his reasons. With success came understanding. His wounds run deep, and he needs space for them to heal.
With him on her mind as the tutorial ended, Velia told Ehar, “I understand how the people of Cas feel after the trouble you’ve gone through. I see how it’s affected Jape. He doesn’t believe Earthlings and Risnarish can work together.”
“Many do not.” Ehar stood, eyeing the golden sun in the sky. “With him so bitterly opposed, you cannot tell him you’re leaving. And you must leave immediately to accomplish the task.”
Velia blinked. She stared at the elder, trying to catch up after the abrupt announcement. “Now?”
“The portal chamber is scheduled to be empty at this hour. All I needed was confirmation that you understood our position, and your assurances that you would fairly present the case against the Monsuda.”
Velia’s mind reeled, trying to catch up. Ehar had come with the express purpose of sending her home?
The elder’s gaze held hers. “I will send you to the hive with my most trusted warrior. He’s waiting outside, ready to escort you to the portal.”
Velia stood. An odd urge made her hesitate. “But why not tell Jape? Shouldn’t he know I’m going?” And why isn’t he, as head enforcer, your most trusted warrior?
E
har’s tone was as smooth as a used car salesperson’s. “After you leave for the hive, I will go to the enforcement dome and inform him of my decision. Your mission. No doubt, he’ll want to hear all about it when you come back.”
With that, she took a few steps toward the door. When Velia didn’t follow, stuck in place by confusion, Ehar turned to her. At last she showed a sign of emotion. With a twinge of surprise—surely not irritation—she prompted, “Well?”
Velia floundered. She wanted to go home to Earth. She’d met her aliens, drank and spoken with them, had lived among them. Hell, she’d had sex with one. It was time to leave.
She had every reason to go where she belonged. Jape would be relieved to be rid of her even temporarily, should she be allowed to return. For him, Velia was a terrible reminder of the deaths of his friends.
I’m welcome to come back. I can push the general for that, what with my connections here. This isn’t really goodbye. I shouldn’t feel bad about walking out without saying “see you later” to Jape.
Besides, Ehar was the queen poo-bah of Cas. She even had a gold tiara. Velia had no choice but to concede to her wishes.
Still, Velia wished she could speak to Jape before she left. What if Earth didn’t agree that she was their best representative? What if General Thomas wanted to visit Ehar alone?
Will Jape be angry I’ve gone? Or hurt?
How much had their tryst the night before meant to him? Had it meant anything?
Velia could make no sense of her warring emotions. Ehar prodded her. “Do you not wish to help us after all?”
This might be my only chance to get to General Thomas. To prove myself to Jape. That decided Velia, cutting through the noise of how he would react...and whether or not she’d see him again.
“Let’s go.” She followed Ehar out of the dome.
Chapter Fifteen
The tan-and-white escort awaiting Velia outside increased her disquiet. She recognized the man standing next to a dartwing as the one who Jape had confronted at the erawots.
She stopped. “Excuse me, um, ma’am? I don’t think your friend likes me.”
Ehar also halted. She glanced from Velia to the man, who didn’t acknowledge Velia at all. His attention focused on his village leader. Her expression hinted at nothing.
She motioned the man closer. “Farem, do you have a problem escorting the Earthling to the hive? Of making sure she uses the portal to leave?”
He shot a quick look at Velia. His expression was pleasant, but his eyes narrowed. “No, Head Elder.”
“I am sure of Farem. He and I are in complete agreement with the mission,” Ehar told Velia. “You have nothing to worry about where he is concerned.”
Velia wasn’t so sure. She glanced around, wishing someone would come along, that someone would emerge from one of the nearby domes. That Efno would trot by on some Bonch errand. That Retav would return, or Arga would stop by.
She wished for Jape most of all. She didn’t miss the irony of that.
Ehar drew a deep breath, as if summoning patience, though her nonexpression never rippled for a second. “The time to go is now. Otherwise, those who do not have faith in your intentions as I do will protest.”
“You make it sound as if I’m in danger.”
“Many dislike you being here, but they will have suspicions about you leaving too. Your situation grows more precarious by the moment. Why else would Jape keep you in his home? There is no other reason, is there?” Ehar’s silver eyes riveted on Velia’s face.
Velia refused to respond to the insinuation. “I was under the impression I wasn’t so unpopular.”
Ehar pulled a tablet device out of a pouch on her belt and checked it. “You are. If you’re leaving, you’re running out of time to do so. Those who might stop you will soon resume their daily tasks at the portal access.”
The situation felt wrong. Velia attempted another stab at delaying, to give herself a few minutes to weigh all the angles. “I’d like to let Jape know I’m going.”
“I told you I would take care of that for you. Why would he care?”
There. A note of discord in Ehar’s demeanor, in the minute sharpness of her tone.
Velia was distracted from the notion when Farem took a step toward them. “Head Elder?”
Ehar glanced at him, and he stopped. He said nothing further.
The Risnarish woman turned to Velia once more. Her tone softer than before, she said, “You’ve been among us. Spoken to us. Lived with us for two days. Do you not agree that we are no threat to Earth?”
“I’ve seen nothing but goodness from everyone. Yours is a peaceful society,” Velia concurred, thrown by the change. “I don’t think you wish to harm my planet in any way.”
“Will you go? Will you tell your leaders for us? Will you be our voice, speaking so that Earthlings understand?”
Before that sincerity, Velia relented. The village head knew her people, as Velia knew hers. Ehar was putting her faith in a stranger, placing her trust in someone she could only hope would help her save both their societies.
Duty first, before friends. Before love too, had that been a factor. Velia could almost hear her father reminding her of that.
“I’ll go.”
“Thank you.”
Velia headed for Farem and his dartwing. He opened a hatch on the belly of his craft. “It’s best if you travel in the cargo hold. No one will notice you leaving for the hive. It won’t be the most comfortable ride, but you won’t have to deal with it for long.”
He watched her with far too much interest, as if he’d spring on her and shove her into the small space if she changed her mind. Though the hold was padded, with room to lie in comfortably, Velia didn’t like the situation.
It’s all right. Farem left the erawots last night, but he didn’t threaten me. Ehar made it my choice whether to stay or go. I’m not being forced to do this, and I’m in no danger.
Most importantly, she had to talk to General Thomas about what the Monsuda were. He needed to be told they were not the allies they claimed to be.
She just wished she could speak to Jape before she left.
It occurred to her that she wanted to say a proper goodbye, in case there wasn’t another opportunity. With all their differences, he’d come to mean something to her.
Wasn’t that funny?
“Velia?” Ehar tilted her head, a slight line appearing over the bridge of her nose.
Velia squared her shoulders. Duty, Farrah. Before all else, loyalty and duty. Her father’s words had never sounded so loud and clear in her head.
She marched to the dartwing, crouched down to crawl into the hold, and stretched out on the padding. At least the accommodations weren’t uncomfortable.
Atta girl. You find that silver lining, and you polish the fuck out of it, keeping your back to the clouds.
Unfortunately, the clouds seemed a lot heavier as Farem closed the hatch, locking her in semi-darkness. A glowing line overhead illuminated just enough to let her see her soft blue-cushioned surroundings.
Silver lining: I’m not in the dark. That is great. That is awesome-sauce. Otherwise, it would be as if I’d been stuffed in a coffin. By a strange man. So much for the advice to never get into cars with strangers. I’ve flunked Safe Kid One-Oh-One. No, I didn’t. This isn’t a car. I’m okay, then, right? Nobody ever warned about not climbing into dartwings with strangers.
She thought Ehar spoke, but the engine whirred to life, drowning out the woman. A scent that reminded her of ozone wafted into the space, the same Velia had smelled riding in Jape’s cockpit. Only a hint that didn’t override the sweetly scented grasses that perfumed the air of Cas.
Nothing to be afraid of. Nothing to be afraid of.
After a few seconds, there was the sensation of movement.
Off to the hive. The por
tal. Hey, I get to pilot the pod! How cool is that? It’s the coolest. The abso-fucking-lutely coolest.
Velia pep-talked herself with nonstop interior monologue, trying to keep panic and tears at bay.
Yeah, this was great. She hadn’t fucked up at all.
Velia counted off the time it took to fly from the hive to Cas, trying to remember how long the reverse trip had taken with Jape. She had no idea, as she’d alternated between the thrill of being on an alien planet and fear of what would happen to her there.
Her best guess was five minutes. If she reached that and they continued to fly, she’d tell herself it had been ten. If ten minutes passed—and Velia was definite that had to be the longest the flight could have taken—she’d give herself permission to freak out and tear apart the compartment.
She concentrated on the passing seconds, forcing herself to breathe steadily as she tallied them. The activity did a better job of distracting her from what had clearly been a huge mistake, keeping her from screaming and banging for Farem to let her out too early. Her heart thundered in her ears as she observed the dragging moments, as she forced back the sting of tears.
She’d counted four minutes thirty-seven seconds when the sensation of movement slowed. There was the impression of settling then the engines cut off.
The timing is right. We’re at the hive. Ehar didn’t lie. Farem didn’t take me somewhere awful where he can dispose of my body without anyone finding it.
The hatch opened. Farem bent down to peer at her. “Come on. We don’t have long.”
Velia crept out. Relief left her weak when she saw the dark hole that led down into the ground, into the hive. Her fears had been for nothing.
Sorry I was such a suspicious twit, Ehar. I’ll have a little more faith next time.
“I’ll go slightly ahead, to make certain no one is around who would question your activities,” Farem muttered. “There will be chambers you can duck into and hide if I signal.”
“Okay.” Velia’s voice was hesitant, as she suddenly wondered why a respected community leader had to resort to subterfuge with the peaceful Risnarish. Retav’s explanation of his government spoke of transparency, of people who trusted their council and its head to move in its best interests. If a debate arose, it was usually due to concerns over an established policy. That had been the case in Hahz, when Jeannie Gardner had stumbled in from the forest and many had feared she might be a Monsudan creation.
Worlds Collide Page 14