by neetha Napew
“Remember there is no great misfortune, Cherijo, without some small benefit,” Alunthri said. “The NessNevat will thrive again.”
I had no idea what the small benefit was, but I hugged my friend, and the big cat didn’t say a word about the wet patch my cheek left on its fur.
Adaola and the other nurses on duty had sent a gorgeous yiborra grass basket they had all worked on. It was filled with real flowers that, according to Xonea, Adaola grew in her quarters as a hobby. Xonea’s gift, the alien prismatic nodules I’d admired in his quarters, trilled a lovely handful of notes as soon as I opened the package.
One present had no label, but when I opened it I knew who had sent it.
“Is that to aid cleansing, Healer?” one of the kids asked.
“No,” I said, and put the elegant brush and comb set aside. “It’s to keep my hair tidy.”
When Tonetka joined us a short time later, she handed me a metallic cylinder.
“For you, with my wish that your path continues in beauty,” she said.
I opened the tubular case. Inside was an actual paper scroll. I carefully unrolled it. The smooth surface was filled with the beautiful but incomprehensible pictographs of Jorenian written language.
“I hope these are not my marching orders,” I said.
Ktarka leaned over my shoulder to see, then shook her head.
“No, Healer.” Her cheek brushed against mine for a moment as she gave me a quick hug. “It is a deed of naturalization. You are now a citizen of Joren.”
My jaw dropped into my lap. My boss looked smug.
“I assured the Ruling Houses you would bring honor to us,” she said, and made an airy gesture. “As you say, no big deal.”
On the contrary. “I’m Jorenian now?”
“As much as if you were born Torin,” Tonetka said. She laughed. “May the Mother of All Houses help us.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Art and Soul
My birthday would have been perfect, if I hadn’t accessed my relays after the party. When I returned to my quarters, I made myself a server of Ktarka’s tea, then accessed my display. After the surprise party, I’d expected a few signals.
A few? My intership file was packed.
Some of the crew had a good idea of what a birthday was. “Greetings on the anniversary of your nativity-“
Others stuck with conventional blessings. “May the Mother of All Houses grant you prosperity-“
A few seemed to think I’d given birth myself. “Healer! Joyous time of delivery-“
Then there was the good old standby, journey philosophy. “We wish your path commencement commemoration to be smooth and trouble free-“
I had a good time until I found one relay originally routed to Ship’s Operational. I checked the file, but there was no tag. Odd. Probably a mix-up, I thought, and signaled the S.O.
“Ndo, I think I’ve received one of your relays by mistake.” I transferred the relay to his terminal.
The second in command made an embarrassed gesture and transferred it back to me.
“Your pardon, Healer Cherijo. I did not label it as I meant to contact you first. Since the attack, however, we have been busy.” Operating Command from the lower level while crews worked to repair the badly damaged upper levels had kept everyone on double shifts. “This relay was originally meant for you.”
“Where did it originate?” I asked.
“It was transmitted by one of the mercenary ships,” Ndo said. “From your parent, Healer.”
I toyed with the idea of destroying the relay without ever accessing it. “Thank you, Ndo.” I terminated the signal and sat at the display for a while.
My parent. Well, that was one word for him.
Dr. Joseph Grey Veil began his career as a brilliant surgeon, then went into research, developing new and better techniques in thoracic surgery. Over the years, his work (mainly creating cloned, disease-free organs for transplant patients) had saved millions of lives.
For years I had believed my “father” had dedicated himself to the preservation of life. He had. Just as long as they were human lives.
Joseph Grey Veil had organized a group of fellow rabid xenophobes and had the Genetic Exclusivity Act passed as World Law. Through his efforts, nonhuman immigrants were forever prohibited from settling on Terra.
His place in history secured, Joseph decided to apply his genius to one more project. He wanted to create the perfect human. The ultimate physician.
That’s where I came in.
Joseph Grey Veil created me by cloning his own cells. I wasn’t the first of his prototypes, but so far the only successful one. Nine other clones had been created before me. None of my “brothers” had developed properly in Joseph’s experimental embryonic chamber.
That was a shame. I’d hated being an only child.
My creator had extensively refined my DNA, changing my gender and fine tuning just about everything else. Nine months later he became daddy to a seven-and-a-half pound bouncing baby girl. He even named me with the project’s acronym: Comprehensive Human Enhancement Research ID: J Organism-C.H.E.R.I.J.O.
That was twenty-nine years ago, today.
I took a deep breath and pulled up the relay. An austere face appeared on my display. Joseph Grey Veil was an attractive, if somewhat remote, Terran male. His silver-black hair (like mine) was kept short and perfectly groomed (unlike mine). He didn’t like his slight stature (like me), because he worked hard to maintain his over-developed physique (unlike me).
Women were initially drawn to him. Some even lasted a few minutes in his company. My creator limited himself to two topics of conversation: What a Genius I Am, and My Future Brilliant Plans. No wonder he had resorted to test tubes for procreative purposes.
Curiosity proves lethal to many life-forms. Jenner had enough sense to scamper out of sight when I played back the message.
“I send this message for the nonsentient designated Cherijo Grey Veil.” Joseph’s attitude hadn’t changed. By claiming I was nothing more than an experiment, he had convinced the Allied League of Worlds to help him recover his “property.”
“I am informed many among the crew of the Sunlace were injured during the recent recovery attempt by League loyalists.”
“Recovery attempt? League loyalists?” I scoffed. “Is that what they’re calling unprovoked attacks by bounty-hungry thugs now?”
He didn’t respond to that. It was a prerecorded relay-he couldn’t. “You must realize the risk you present to the Jorenians,” he said. “Your oath as a physician directs you to do no harm. Surrender to any Allied League world. I will personally negotiate on your behalf.”
“I’d enjoy that. About as much as Anteberran Orifice Disease.” I studied the image. He looked remarkably calm and unruffled. Not a sign of weakness. But something...
I stepped closer to the display. Something wasn’t right. His eyes seemed strange. I expected the usual “I’m God, you’re clay” sneer. But my creator had changed. This Joseph Grey Veil looked almost... feverish.
His message continued. “Your willing surrender would ensure the League’s magnanimity. As long as my field trials continue, you may expect to be lavishly rewarded.”
“What I want won’t fit in a culture dish,” I said. Okay, so he couldn’t hear me. I couldn’t help myself.
“Your cooperation would guarantee you virtually limitless compensation.”
“There you go,” I said. “When in doubt, fling credits.”
He paused for a moment. Ah, there was that superior smirk I hated more than anything in existence. I’d almost missed it.
“Twenty-nine years ago I took you from an embryonic chamber. You owe me your life.”
“Joe, you remembered my birthday. I’m touched.”
The feverish glitter in his eyes intensified. “Come back to me, my dear child.”
My jaw sagged. The man I once considered my father had never called me my dear anything. Never. He was either drugged, or losing
his mind. I didn’t know which to root for.
“Disembark on any League world. Your allies will not be prosecuted. I will allow-“
Allow? God, he loved that word, didn’t he? I terminated the relay and keyed my console to erase the message. That was progress. His last message had made me so mad I’d destroyed an entire console.
Before I moved away, a general announcement was made. The Sunlace was preparing to transition, and begin orbit around the planet Garnot. Alunthri’s new home, I recalled. We were there already?
I waited out the transition, and subsequent brief disorien-tation. All at once I felt exhausted, drained of all emotion, and barely made it to my sleeping platform.
“Comprehensive Human Enhancement Research ID: J Organism,” my creator’s voice hissed.
I was thrust into blinding light. Through a fluid, distorting wall, I looked at a slightly younger version of Joseph Grey Veil.
“My finest achievement.”
I knew this place. I looked around the huge bubble I was floating in. Everything seemed perfect normal. I lived here. This was the place of new beginnings, something told me. The passage to...
Suddenly the fluid began to drain rapidly from the capsule. I felt myself clawing at my face, unable to breathe in the liquid that kept me alive. Hard hands pulled my tiny body into cold emptiness. My eyes were scalded by merciless light. A tube was roughly inserted into my tender mouth. Cold, metallic-tasting air filled my lungs. I pushed it out at once.
“Yes, yes,” a voice said. “Breathe.”
“Give her to me.”
The woman’s voice penetrated my terror. I felt myself moving. Through blurred eyes I saw a familiar set of features. Wonderfully gentle hands cradled me against a yielding breast. The tube was adjusted, supported.
“Cherijo,” she whispered. A finger caressed my face. “Yes, little one, you are safe. You made the passage.”
“Put it down on the table so I may begin the examination.”
“Her, Joseph.” The woman sounded angry. “She’s a little girl.”
“It’s a clone,” he said. “Until we know it will survive, it is foolish to form an emotional attachment.”
I managed to open my eyes. I looked from the woman’s taut, unhappy face to the cold visage and large hands of the man reaching for me. The tube was removed. I open my tiny mouth. Drew my first voluntary breath. Used it to scream.
The dream twisted, changed abruptly. I was dragged from the terrifying lab to another familiar place. I was in the benign and comfortable chamber again. The light was dim and the air soft against my skin. Something warm seemed to draw me forward, leading me into the shadows.
“Outcast,” a beautiful voice said. Hands stroked my hair and face. “Belonging to no one.”
I felt the pain of my loneliness and isolation at once multiplied tenfold. My tears were smoothed away by a soft caress.
“I don’t want to be alone,” I said.
“That is what brought us together. I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you. Nothing will ever harm you again.” Lips touched mine. When I would have jerked back, the hands held me fast. “No, let me show you the path.”
The hands became more insistent as they moved down my body. The alien touch didn’t arouse me. I felt my skin crawl, and pushed the hands away.
Fingers curled into fists. “You dare?”
Something slammed into me, over and over and over-
“Stop it!”
I was sitting up in bed, shouting.
Jenner peered at me from under “our” favorite chair. Stop screaming already! His eyes were huge and frightened. I got out of it!
The vivid quality of the nightmare shook me. Made me nauseous. I scrambled off the bed, hunched over with the memory of the pain. I had to get clean again. Wash away the nightmare. Ignoring the bruised sensations, I stumbled to my cleanser unit and proceeded to scrub myself thoroughly.
My door panel chime rang repeatedly, forcing me to leave the stall. I dried off quickly and pulled on a robe.
Xonea stood outside. “Cherijo.”
I knotted the belt of my robe securely and checked to make sure nothing was on display. “What are you-“
“You were heard crying out.”
“Oh. Sorry. I had a nightmare.”
“May I come in?”
“Of course.” I stepped aside. I was shocked to see Captain Pnor following him. “Captain?” What was he doing here? I confronted the two Jorenians uneasily. Xonea kept staring at my wet hair and state of undress. He seemed almost revolted.
I started with Pnor. “Sir? Is there a problem?”
“Healer,” Pnor said, his expression stern. “You know I would never violate your privacy.”
My privacy?
“We were coming to speak with you, and encountered Hado Torin. He reported while passing your quarters he heard you cry out, several times.” The Captain looked around, as if trying to spot someone else.
“I’m fine.” No, I wasn’t.
“Pnor, you see how she is,” Xonea said. Fierce white eyes peered down at me. “You felt defiled, did you not? That was what compelled you upon waking to cleanse yourself?”
“Yes, but...” I stared at my bare toes. I don’t know why I felt so ashamed. It wasn’t as if taking a shower was illegal. This wasn’t making any sense. Why couldn’t I focus?
My ClanBrother didn’t let up. “In this nightmare you spoke of, Cherijo, what happened to you?”
“I don’t know, exactly. I could feel six fingers-“
“Mother of All Houses.” Pnor turned away from me. “It cannot be.”
Xonea hissed something my vocollar decided not to translate. Pnor faced him. They looked ready to start swinging at each other. Which made even less sense.
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on?” When neither man answered or broke their deadlock stare, I rubbed my eyes. “Look, it was just a bad dream-“
“Someone violated her.” Xonea’s huge hands became even bigger fists. “Of our House, Pnor.”
The Captain only shook his head.
I stared at Xonea. “Violated who?”
He glanced at me. “Hurt you while you were unconscious.”
“Wait a minute.” I noticed his rigid shoulders, then the way Pnor had his fists clenched. To keep the claws from emerging, I guessed. What the hell was going on here? “Hurt me? How?”
“There will be physical signs,” the Captain said. “Perhaps an infuser mark, if drugs were administered.”
I turned my back on both men and jerked at my robe. Sure enough, there were several big bruises already darkening on my breasts and thighs. A yank at my sleeve revealed I’d also been injected in the forearm with something very recently. There were no indications I’d been raped, but I’d still have to have an exam to be sure. I wrapped my robe tightly and belted it again.
“Someone broke into my quarters, drugged me, then assaulted me, didn’t they?” Pnor didn’t respond. “Didn’t they?”
Xonea rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “Yes.”
I started pacing. I’d just gotten out of the cleanser, and I wanted to go straight back in. And stay there. For a week.
Someone had come into my quarters. Come in here. Drugged me. Violated me. My skin crawled. I began compulsively rubbing my palms against my arms. A horrible iciness descended over me.
Whoever had done this was going to pay.
Pnor never stopped watching me. Xonea, on the other hand, went to the viewport, as if he couldn’t bear the sight of me. Xonea’s collection. Yes, that was what I needed. Something that would inflict a great deal of pain. Slowly. “I want a weapon.”
Xonea turned around. “I will attend to your defense.” As he said that, the Captain made a strange gesture I’d never seen before. Xonea returned it with another odd motion.
“I can defend myself.” My body shook as I wrapped my arms tightly around my abdomen. “What now?”
“There is little data we have on suc
h an-aberration,” Pnor said. “You will need a physical examination, and counseling, Healer.”
“Space counseling. I want some answers.” Brave words. My legs gave out and I sat down. “How could anyone do this to me?”
In a strained voice, Pnor told me the rest. How during the nonverbal period in their long history, Jorenians used fear as a weapon. Especially to subjugate captives.
“Male captives were often tortured,” Pnor said. “For females, however, it was much worse. No greater dishonor could be imposed on a Jorenian female than to force her to mate with her captor.”
When I didn’t say anything, Pnor made a suggestion. “Perhaps you would feel more at ease speaking with one of our females-“
“No!” For some reason, I didn’t want any of the women on board to know about this. I tugged the lapels of my robe together under my chin. It was completely irrational, yet I was adamant. “No,” I said in a more controlled tone. “I’ll have Tonetka perform an exam, then I’ll talk to Reever.”
Xonea went back to staring out the viewport. Pnor frowned at his back before he addressed me again.
“Healer, while we respect your outrage and pain, we must put an end to this quickly. A deviant who assaults an unconscious female is a highly disturbed individual. One who presents a danger to the entire HouseClan.”
“Has this happened to anyone else?” I asked.
All at once the Captain wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Not to our knowledge.”
“I’m confused now. Why were you coming to talk to me?”
“Healer, there has been some discussion of your involvement with the death of Roelm Torin and the mercenary.”
“Some discussion?” I glanced at Xonea. “What sort of involvement, Captain?”
“You had direct contact with both victims. As a healer, you possess both knowledge and opportunity to inflict such injuries. You performed both autopsies, during which evidence as to cause of death could have been overlooked or eliminated.”
“You think I killed them?”