Worlds Collide

by Tracy St. John

  “The Assembly is wrong to side with members of an inferior race, which works with our enemy. Earth cost Cas the lives of better men, warriors who protected their village. We hold them responsible for that.”

  Damn the woman, she sounded bored. Velia shouted, “You can’t leave him there! They think he’s the enemy, when all he wanted to do was help! They might kill Jape!”

  Retav shook with emotion. “Ehar, the Earthlings are not inferior. They are misguided, led astray by the Monsuda.”

  “They are not our problem. Risnar is. Cas is my sole concern, and I have had enough of Earthlings disrupting my life.” She turned her back on Retav to address the men with the antennalike rods that Velia was sure wouldn’t tune into Top 40 radio. “Take the alien to the portal. Send her to Earth.”

  Retav gave up on any calm pretense, stepping in front of Velia to shield her. “Her life is in as much danger as Jape’s if she returns to the Earth portal.”

  Ehar’s ears flicked, as if dismissing him. “The fact her own people would do her harm shows how immoral her race is. They must be stopped from accessing Risnar. We cannot have such barbarism loose on our home.” Still facing Farem, she said, “Destroy the Cas hive’s portal access once you’ve gotten rid of this creature. We’ll lead the way to keeping Risnar safe and peaceful for us to live and meditate. We will show the mistake the Assembly has made.”

  Retav finally shouted, “This is not the will of the All-Spirit! The Assembly rules Risnar, not you!”

  Ehar ignored him. As soon as she’d finished ordering the warriors, she had started for the door on the opposite side of the room. The other elders followed on her heels, none looking at Velia or Retav.

  Farem pointed his antenna at Retav, the tip hovering a foot from the older man’s chest. “You are not from Cas, but you are an elder. I do not wish to harm you. But Ehar has spoken. You and this Earthling must comply.”

  After all Retav had already suffered, Velia was not going to let Farem threaten him. She pushed in front of him, glaring at Ehar’s henchman. “Touch him, and Arga will tear your throat out.”

  “Velia—”

  She shook off Retav’s restraining hand. “Fine. Make me go to Earth. But I call you a coward and a traitor and worse. You desert Jape out of fear. Out of vengeance. That makes you no better than the worst of Earthlings.”

  She may as well have saved her breath. Taking his cue from Ehar, Farem didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, he asked Retav, “Will you heed us, Elder? Will you obey our esteemed council?”

  Retav’s touch settled on Velia’s shoulder again. “They do not hear, Velia. We have no choice but to return to the portal. Come.”

  He tugged at her arm. Velia had a lot more to say to Farem and his goons, but a glance at Retav stifled her. The poor fellow had appeared old before. Now he seemed ancient, shrunken. It was as if Ehar had finished what the Monsuda had started. She’d ripped away Retav’s spirit.

  For an instant, Velia glared at the door the council members had gone through, wanting to charge through it and throttle the cold, uncaring Ehar. But with Retav pulling at her, whispering her name in that broken voice, while the warriors gestured threateningly with their antenna-weapons, Velia trailed behind her friend.

  At least I’ll join Jape soon, whatever hell he’s in. Maybe we can figure a way out of this.

  It sounded like a cry of hope where there was none. A lie, as vicious as those Ehar had told.

  * * *

  “You look terribly uncomfortable,” General Thomas told Jape. “But taking a point-blank shot in the back—well, that’ll slow any man down.”

  The Earthling sat easily in a chair that rocked and swiveled. The endless creaking that came from the piece of furniture made Jape wonder if it would break soon. Watching Thomas sway made him feel sick. Or maybe the nausea came from the waves of pain pulsing from the middle of his back. He couldn’t remember ever hurting so badly.

  The surroundings didn’t help his state. The room was clean and filled with objects Jape would have found interesting had there not been so many of them. The computer unit was not part of the desk, but a device among so many others littering the surface. The walls had row upon row of small hangings. Many flags on tall stands, busy with pictures on fields of red, different shades of blue, pristine white, and one great pennant that incorporated multiple hues. Jape’s skull ached at the bright, chaotic colors.

  Once he’d gotten tired of sitting and swaying in his chair, doing nothing but staring at Jape, Thomas had done all the talking. Despite his platitudes over Jape’s injury, he did not speak with sympathy. In fact, he seemed quite merry about the whole thing as he gazed across his desk at his prisoner, handcuffed to a seat that mercifully didn’t move. Four guards stood over Jape, their weapons pointed at him from only inches away. Nothing would stop those projectiles from finding vital organs from so close.

  The irritatingly cheerful voice needled him. “That business of your skin turning to armor...that’s an amazing adaptation. You’d probably be dead without it, taking such a shot.”

  In the last hour, Jape had learned that this particular Earthling had a penchant for stating the obvious. It grated on his nerves almost as much as the pain.

  The torment, the general’s smugness, and not knowing what was yet to come couldn’t displace the relief of Velia’s escape. With her in mind, Jape pursued the hopeless task of making Thomas listen.

  “You are making a huge mistake in trusting the Monsuda. They have a single goal, and that’s to enslave the Earthlings they don’t kill. That’s the only reason they won’t murder your children, not because you’ve struck such a clever bargain.”

  His CPP was still in its pouch on his belt. Laid on the general’s desk, it picked up his voice and translated it for the Earthlings to understand. Thomas eyed the device with interest. He pulled it out of its carry pouch and eyed it, turning it over and inspecting the myriad controls.

  “This is similar to our phones or tablets? A computer device you carry around? Quite different from what our allies on your world provided us. I’m sure our scientists will find it fascinating. We’ll need to keep the translation program intact.” He laid it on his desk again. “What other technology could you offer us? How do you protect yourselves from the Monsuda?”

  “Come to my planet. I’ll show you.”

  Thomas frowned. “Or you’ll kill me. I like a sure thing. I’ve done all they’ve asked, and in return, they’ll spare my family and the children of Earth. You have to give me the means to save my planet for me to take you seriously. Not empty promises, but real weapons.”

  It was ridiculous for Jape to continue trying. He did so anyway. For Velia. For the innocents led by men such as Thomas, who had been terrorized into giving his world up. “Why would I do such a thing, General? You offer me no reason to trust you with our technology. If you want to block the Monsuda from attacking Earth, destroy your portal access. Convince the other countries to do the same.”

  “They don’t require the portal access to get to us. They show up anytime, anywhere they wish. All we can do is minimize the damage they’ll do. We’ll have a better chance of that if you’ll supply me tangible assets to fight them with.” Even though he spoke with desperation, an avaricious gleam lit the Earthling’s eyes. Greed remained in play, though he was faced with the end of his civilization.

  Perhaps Thomas held out hopes that he could use the DIE and the portal against the Monsuda, somehow turn the tables on them. He might dream of coming out with his people safe and in possession of fearsome weapons to threaten human enemies with.

  Thomas was hedging his bets, playing all angles as best he could. Now his sights were set on what he might be able to win from Jape’s people, whether by forcing his prisoner to share or perhaps by exchanging Jape for advanced weaponry.

  Even if Risnarish technology was his to give, Jape would not hand it ove
r to such a shortsighted creature. Not unless he could share it with every village on Earth, if only to prevent one from aggression against the rest.

  Steeling himself for the inevitable rejection, Jape sighed. “I can only assure you that we’ll do everything in our power to stop the Monsuda from harming you.”

  “Promises are easily made. Just as easily broken. Perhaps you’ll change your tune in time.” The general smiled as if he possessed all the answers. “We have plenty of that. Time, I mean.”

  “You have less than two years. That doesn’t seem very long to me.”

  Thomas didn’t answer. Instead, he addressed the silent guards. “Take our guest to an empty office in the yellow access wing.”

  “Yellow, sir?”

  “I want him away from red, with no chance to access the portal. Take him topside, Private.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Make sure no one sees him. Armed guards stationed at the door. All other personnel kept out of that section, no explanation required. If anyone breaches the area or asks too many questions, drop them.” He flicked his gaze to Jape. “You’ll be the first prisoner we’ve held, as we have no brig here. In a facility such as this, we don’t have need of it. Misdeeds are punished permanently. Don’t try us, Tiger Man, or aggressive methods will be employed.”

  Much of his specific meaning was lost on Jape, but the gist of it got through. If he attempted escape, he would die.

  Thomas continued, “We’ll let the scientists have their first crack at you in the morning. Maybe later, you’ll be more in the mood to tell the truth.”

  Jape’s hearts sped up at the word “scientists.” He could hardly dare to hope for the mild types of researchers found in Risnarish temple labs, but Earthling scientists wouldn’t be as monstrous as the Monsuda.

  If they were, perhaps that permanent solution wouldn’t be such a bad option after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  It was the darkest part of night, after Cadi set, when Velia and Retav, escorted by Ehar’s platoon of heavies, arrived once more at the hive. Even at such a late hour, Velia noted the corridor leading them to the portal chamber seemed to be busier than when they’d left. Far busier, with Risnarish men striding the length of the main corridor.

  Farem, who led the group, slowed. He hailed a familiar tiger-hued warrior sauntering down the hallway. “Insaf, why all the activity?”

  Insaf cast a glance at Velia. He held her gaze for a moment before answering, “Elder Ehar informed us we were to be on alert, in case the Earthlings try anything once we’ve sent their spy back to them.”

  “She said nothing to me on the matter.” Farem’s brow creased.

  “Does the head elder answer to you?” Insaf snorted and waved him on his way.

  Farem scowled, clearly not liking the situation. However, one of the other men noisily sighed. “Can we do this? It’s bad enough I was hauled out of bed in the middle of the night.”

  Farem shot him an irritable glare, but he jerked his toward the end of the corridor where the portal chamber waited. “Come on.”

  The march went on. Velia wondered if Arga hadn’t put some sort of scheme in place. Hope stirred in her heart, but when she darted a glance at Retav, he showed no sign of sharing in it. His whole body looked sunken.

  Farem didn’t stop again, but his expression grew more and more suspicious as they neared the chamber. “Pick up the pace. Come on,” he said in a low voice to the others.

  They didn’t slow until they reached the entrance to the portal chamber. A man Velia thought she recognized from the erawots, one who had been friendly to her, stood there.

  “Hold up a moment, Farem,” he said, stepping in front of the door. He grasped Velia by the arm and nodded to Retav. “Go in and wait with the others.”

  “What’s this about, Mirtan?” Farem said, his wand moving in the other man’s direction.

  “Elder Ehar just contacted me. Let Salno and Arga prep the Earthling for transport while we discuss what’s supposed to happen once she is on her way.”

  “What are you talking about? The council said we were to destroy the portal as soon as she was gone. And I’m her point man on such matters, so—”

  As Farem vented his frustration, Mirtan kept tugging Velia toward the portal chamber. Retav seized her other arm. Velia glided past Farem, who started to grab at her before he belatedly realized he had his CPP in one hand and the shock wand in the other. He must not have had the presence of mind to form a tail to detain her with.

  “We’ll see about this,” he said, clicking his computer device and letting Velia continue toward Arga and Salno, who waited by the control podium. “I’m calling the head elder myself and straightening this matter out.”

  “All right, but move over here. We don’t want the Earthling spy to hear any of this.”

  Mirtan steered Farem a couple of steps from the opening. At that instant, Salno pressed a button on the podium. The door slid closed behind Velia and Retav, shutting Ehar’s guards out. Thuds and yelling told Velia Farem was none too happy about this turn of events.

  Retav straightened from his dispirited hunch, pride shining as he looked to the man he’d raised. “Well done, Arga. And you, Salno.”

  “I would say the same of you, guardian. Though you seem too tired for my liking.”

  “Dispirited, not tired. Ehar’s rebellion against the Assembly is not in question. And all because she’s desperate to have things the way they were before we became aware of the threat to Earth.”

  “You knew she’d try to send me to Earth all along.” Velia marveled at Arga.

  “I feared something bad might happen, but I’d hoped most of the council wasn’t compromised to this point. It’s hard to believe they’re turning their backs on Jape and sending you into a dangerous situation.”

  Retav touched the CPP on his belt. “I transmitted our entire meeting with Ehar and her supporters on the council. Arga heard everything going on.”

  “And I transmitted it to the trustworthy warriors who would help us. Once they understood exactly what was happening, they joined me here at the hive.” Arga turned to Salno.

  She dipped a nod. “A full recording and explanation has been sent to the Assembly in Yitrow, as well.”

  “Notlin has the irrefutable evidence she asked for.” Velia blew out a breath. “But what about Jape?”

  Arga grinned. “Ehar insists you to go to Earth. So we’ll send you to Earth.”

  As he explained the plan he and Salno had come up with, Arga gave Velia two belts constructed of a strange, flexible metal, a vest for protection, and a shooter. He also gave her three Monsudan devices. He followed outlining his scheme with explanations on how to use them.

  Velia held up the silver disks covered in hieroglyphics. “How do these short ’ports do in highly magnetized environments?”

  “It’s interesting you’d ask such a question,” Salno said. “We discovered they don’t do well. We’re using that knowledge to buffer our defenses.”

  “They won’t work within Camp Noname, then. Jape and I will have to get clear of the base before we can use them.”

  “Can you do so?” Arga asked.

  “Do we have a choice? Finish your instructions and leave that to me.”

  No sooner had Arga wrapped up when the door opened about an inch. It slammed shut again, but Salno warned, “Ehar’s loyalists are about to come through.” She stepped forward to hand Velia a small box with tiny levers. “Notlin has made her final decision about the links between Earth and Cas, though she wishes it were otherwise. Jape will understand what to do with this once you find him. It should have enough power to do the job.”

  She took it, her heart hammering. “You trust me to go in alone to rescue him and sever the link?”

  A flicker of concern tightened Arga’s jaw. “We don’t know the l
ayout of your installation, and I have to remain behind to protect the portal from Ehar and her loyalists. If you don’t think you can do it—”

  Her thoughts flew, building on the plot he’d hatched. “If I show up at the right place, I might be able to pull it off. Sneak in, find Jape—our chances of getting out aren’t fantastic, but there is a chance.”

  “I don’t want to send you into danger.” Arga was beginning to second-guess himself.

  “I’m in plenty of that here already. At least you’re not sending me straight into the military’s waiting arms.” And it was Jape’s best hope. She had to try.

  Salno stared at the computer podium before her, her face scrunched with worry. It was the most overt emotion Velia had seen from any of the women. “I suppose it’s too much to ask for an exact latitude and longitude to send you to?”

  “I can give you that.” Velia was grinning, continuing to tick off the steps she’d take upon her return. Maybe she could get Jape home to Risnar...as long as he was healthy enough to move on his own.

  “Run the plan past me, so I’m sure you’ve got it,” Arga said.

  “You dump me off on Earth, bring the ship back here so it can’t fall in my government’s possession, and I pull Jape out and take him to a place where we’ll be hidden.” Velia ascribed her eager anticipation to the rush of adrenaline pumping through her. Shockingly, she wasn’t scared—she was raring to go.

  Maybe I’m a bit of a warrior myself.

  The door opened an inch again. Salno couldn’t program it to close. She called out to the yelling men on the other side, “I’ve almost got the mechanism fixed. Give me a moment more. Meanwhile, we’re sending the Earthling on.”

  Velia had a thought. “Does anybody have a clue as to what time it is where I’m going?”

  “Late afternoon. You have about three hours until full darkness.”

  Arga escorted Velia to the pod. He gave her the palm-to-hearts salute before she stepped through the hatch. “From my spirit to yours, may the All-Spirit guide you and keep you safe.”