strongholdrising

by Lisanne Norman

He shut his eyes briefly. “Very well. We’ll be at Chagda Station in seven days, Vanna. We’ll be transferring to the shuttle Venture for the journey planetside. Get yourself set up to receive a cryo unit, and I want a medical telepath standing by.”

  Vanna’s mouth fell open in shock. “But what…? Why…?”

  “Remember the Khalossa,” he said tiredly. “And the files I sent you.”

  “Stop talking in riddles, Kaid,” snapped Taizia. “What’s happened to my brother? Why’s he in a cryo unit?”

  “Taizia…” he began, but she cut him short.

  “Someone’s going to have to tell our parents. It might as well be me. What’s happened to Kusac?”

  “He’s tried to commit suicide,” said Vanna, finding her voice.

  Kaid had to give Taizia her due: she didn’t flinch, though her ears disappeared from sight.

  “How?” was all she said, her voice very quiet.

  “Drugs and alcohol. He got the drugs from a medikit, probably on Haven. He’s stable, but on a respirator until he’s strong enough to place in cryo. We can’t risk him trying again.”

  “I’m not equipped for cryo resus,” said Vanna. “You’d do better taking him to the Telepath medical center at the Guild.”

  “No. I want this kept as quiet as possible, and he’ll do better coming round in familiar surroundings. The unit’s self-sustaining anyway, it has its own resus system. We’ll land at the edge of the village. You have a grav sled waiting for us to transport the unit to your medical center, and a room to put it in. We’ll revive him there, then you can transfer him up to a ward. I need that telepath medic there to scan him when he comes round. He’s gotten himself behind so many mental shields that none of us can get through without forcing a contact.”

  “Even now?” asked Kitra. “When he’s…”

  “Why didn’t you sense what he was doing?” demanded Taizia.

  “He’s on the Couana, not with us,” said Kaid quietly. “Most of the telepaths are with me on the Hkariyash.”

  “He traveled separately from you and Carrie?” asked Vanna incredulously. “That’s not like him.”

  “He hasn’t been himself since we got him back, Vanna. I have to go. Carrie doesn’t know yet. One last thing,” he said. “Tell Noni. Ask her to come to the estate— as a kin-favor.”

  “Send me what medical files you have on him,” she said hurriedly, pushing aside her shock and curiosity over his last request.

  “Sending them now,” he said before the screen went black.

  *

  He didn’t have to tell Carrie when she woke. It was there, in the front of his mind, inescapable. She listened anyway, gradually letting her grief surround her like a blanket, making her retreat that little bit more from him and the world around her.

  TeLaxaudin ship above Jalna, the same day

  He’d waited till his ship was empty before calling the cruiser hovering high above Jalna’s surface.

  “Skepp Lord,” he said, lifting his face briefly upward.

  “Your message most timely,” said the other, acknowledging him with a gesture showing equal deference. “Able we were to send Kz’adul to help. Confirmed was your report. To find them together was not anticipated.”

  “Was inevitable,” said the first. “As you intended, your children roam far. What of their request? Phratry Leaders say new circumstances alter matter. Intervention now of benefit to both.”

  “More data Camarilla needs before further intervention can be considered. Involvement costly for us both. Must be worth price we pay.”

  “It can be done? Beyond Naacha’s skills alone.”

  “Matter is of small difficulty only. Repercussions larger. Not forget, we both wish to remain in background. Observe, not do. Intervention likely traceable to us both.”

  “Have responsibility…” the first began.

  “To branch, not tree,” interrupted the other firmly. “Situation becomes complex, too many variables now they meet. Too much at stake. Discovering past not desired.”

  “We know better than you what at stake.” The first made an impatient gesture. “Phratry Leaders say remind you your children already cost us much in people and resources. Again this your error.”

  The other regarded him with still eyes. “Matter compiler went missing in jump space. Ship was untraceable, no action could we take. No potentialities flowed from its loss then. Each intervention must be researched, planned, all future potentialities examined. All know this from past experience. No more room for errors say Skepp Lords. Already action needed with sand-dweller returned to Kz’adul. Is enough. We wait for now, discuss further at Camarilla. If Phratry Leaders want further intervention, provide proof is necessary; then I support you. You alone of Camarilla in a position to observe and record potentialities for future.”

  “Not so. I on another mission…”

  “Abandon it. Manipulate new circumstances.” The reply was short, clipped in both sounds and words. “If Phratry Leaders want to aid them, must convince Skepp Lords.”

  above Shola, Chagda Station, Zhal-Ghyakulla, 6th day, Ghyakulla’s month (June)

  When the Couana and the Hkariyash reached Chagda Station, they found two adjacent berths had been cleared for them as requested. Their arrival caused a stir, with both ships’ comms constantly barraged by newscast journalists and minor station officials hungry for news and interviews. In desperation, Captain Kishasayzar switched off, leaving open only a direct line to the Station Controller for essential communications. On the Couana, Captain Shaayiyisis did the same. The Sumaan were baffled by the attention their arrival had generated. As far as they were concerned, their passengers were only Warriors who had done their jobs. They deserved the respect of others, but not this.

  In light of the unwanted attention, Kaid decided they’d transfer personnel between the ships off-station, using the Couana’s pinnace as they’d done at Haven.

  Kusac’s cryo unit, sealed for spaceworthiness, was loaded into the Venture, then securely lashed down. Seating for six, plus pilot and copilot, meant Kaid could take all their rescued personnel down to Shola with him, leaving Banner and Jurrel in charge of transporting Dzaou and the others on the Couana. They would land in the goods park outside Valsgarth Town and be ferried home by estate vehicles.

  “I don’t want a fuss,” said Carrie tersely as the Venture sped toward the Valsgarth peninsula. “You told them that, didn’t you?” she asked Kaid as she scanned the land ahead through the shuttle’s windshield. The sight of the forests and plains she loved so much failed to bring her peace— even the thought of seeing her daughter again was not the comfort it should have been.

  Kaid made a minor adjustment before glancing at her. “That’s why we’re using the Venture. We can land right in the heart of the estate, at the far end of the village main street.”

  She nodded, forcing a smile to her face. “They’ll be there, though, won’t they? His parents and sisters.”

  He put a comforting hand on her arm. “Going through all the reasons why neither of us should feel guilty is pointless, Dzinae,” he said quietly. “It’s out of our hands now, beyond anything we who love him can do, even his birth family. It’s up to the telepath mind physicians and Vanna.”

  “I want Jack involved,” she said suddenly, seeing in her mind’s eye the tall, slightly portly, middle-aged Human doctor.

  “Jack?”

  She could feel and hear his surprise. “Kusac’s part Human, Tallinu. I’m not having him at the mercy of only the Telepath Guild medics.”

  “There’s Vanna.”

  “She’s also Sholan, and it’s not her field of expertise,” she replied, her face taking on a determined look. “Master Esken may no longer run the Guild, but his attitudes were shared by many of his staff at the medical center. They don’t just go away because Sorli’s the new Guild Master! I’m not having them encourage Kusac to give up on us!”

  “As you wish. As female Clan Leader and his life-mate, your wishes
will carry more weight than anyone’s.”

  She sensed his reserve. “Do you disagree with me?”

  Kaid began cutting back their speed as in the distance, the hill on the Valsgarth estate began to emerge from the skyline. All commercial air traffic had been cleared for their approach, allowing them to use speeds normally prohibited on their world.

  I think you’re being overly cautious, he sent. You forget he’s a Clan Leader in his own right as well as the only son of the Clan Lord. Finding medics with the courage to treat him is more likely to be our problem than subverting his will.

  I think not. Between them, Konis, Rhyasha, Father Lijou, and Master Sorli will make sure he has top specialists, regardless of their personal opinions in this matter.

  And they will have taken all the necessary precautions to see they support our Triad, replied Kaid. Trust them, Carrie.

  The village was approaching rapidly now and the whine of the engines increased as Kaid began slowing down to an appropriate landing speed. As they passed over the half dozen or so streets that made up their home, Carrie could see that the village was deserted.

  They must all be at the landing site, she thought, tensing as it came into view, but only a handful of folk stood looking up at their approaching craft.

  She relaxed a little, but kept her mind closed, fearful of any contact with those below.

  Ruth’s there, sent Kaid as he gradually lowered the craft to the ground. She sends that she wants to get Kate and Taynar settled in at her place as soon as possible.

  Carrie twisted in her seat to look back at the passenger area, trying not to let her eyes be drawn to the dark cylindrical shape of the cryo unit behind them. “Ruth’s waiting for you,” she said to the two teenagers. “You’ll like her and her Companion, Rulla. She’ll tell you all you need to know for now, help you settle in and make friends on the estate. We’ll get together in a day or two.”

  Kate nodded. “It’ll be good to be on firm ground. I thought I’d never see the sky or feel the earth beneath my feet again.”

  “Neither did I,” she said, then turned back as Kaid finished the power-down procedure and switched the engines off.

  After the weeks of living with the constant subliminal hum of engines and recycling plants, the silence was almost deafening.

  Kaid unfastened his safety restraints and stood up, turning to face the others. “We’re home, but we’ve still got work to do before this mission is finally over,” he said quietly. “I want the cryo unit unloaded first. Rezac, I’d appreciate it if you would help T’Chebbi get it ready to move out. Keep the shielding closed. Carrie, you help me with the main hatch. We’re going to have to bring the grav sled into the Venture to load it. The rest of you, stay in your seats for now, please.”

  *

  Outside, Taizia clutched her mate’s arm. “What if they can’t wake him?” she asked. “What if he’s gotten worse in cryo?” Her tail began to sway in distress.

  “There’s no danger of that,” said Meral, patting her hand reassuringly. “Vanna knows all about cryo resus, and he can’t have gotten worse. Everything slows down almost to a stop in cryo.”

  “You shouldn’t have come, Clan Leader,” she heard Vanna say quietly from behind her. “There’s nothing any of us can do until he’s resuscitated and that will take several hours.”

  “He’s my son, Vanna. Did you think I wouldn’t be here?” she heard her mother reply.

  Taizia was about to turn round when the cargo hatch swung open and the ramp began to extend. Moments later, Carrie and Kaid appeared in the opening, blinking in the strong sunlight.

  *

  It was like walking into an oven after the controlled environments they’d been used to. The heat surrounded her and as Carrie put her hand up to shield her eyes, she heard the sound of clawed footsteps coming rapidly toward her on the ramp.

  Her heart sank as she recognized the scent. “Rhyasha,” she said as her bond-mother stopped beside her.

  The hug was warm, but even through her mental shields, Carrie was aware of Rhyasha’s fears for Kusac.

  “Vartra be praised you’re home with us at last,” said Rhyasha, trying to peer past her into the dim interior of the shuttle. Then she was released as her bond-mother laid a tentative hand on Kaid’s arm. “Thank you for bringing everyone home safe,” she said. Then almost faster than the eye could follow, she darted past them into the Venture.

  “Is he in there?” she asked, slowing as she advanced on the dark cylinder. Almost reverently, she touched the smooth metal surface with her outstretched fingertips.

  From behind her, Kaid gestured to Rezac and T’Chebbi, signaling them to let her be.

  “Why is it sealed?” she asked, the tremor in her voice audible. “Why can’t I see him?”

  Kaid decided the truth was best. “After what happened on the Profit, it was safer to have the unit prepared for vacuum. Then if anything had happened to us, at least he’d stand a chance of survival.”

  Carrie watched Rhyasha’s eyes widen in fear as her bond-mother put her hand to her mouth. A sudden movement to her left made Carrie look at the passengers. Zashou had stood up and was staring slack-jawed in shock at Rhyasha. They could have been mother and daughter so close was the resemblance between them. Both had pelts as pale as summer grain, with hair a shade lighter and worn woven into a myriad of tiny braids adorned with beads.

  Carrie glanced at Rezac who’d also stood up. Even he was looking from one to the other, bemusement written large in the set of his ears and tail. Seeing an opportunity, she stepped forward, taking Rhyasha by the arm and turning her to face the couple from their far past.

  “We have to let them take Kusac to Vanna’s medical unit,” she said. “We have guests, Rhyasha. This is Zashou Aldatan and her Leska, Rezac Dzaedoh. They’re from the time of the Cataclysm. Zashou is kin to us, and Rezac is brother to Kaid.”

  “Well come,” said Rhyasha automatically, barely taking in their presence as she tried to turn back to the cryo unit.

  Behind them, Carrie could hear Vanna and the others coming up the ramp with the grav unit. She persevered. “The younglings are Taynar Arrazo and Kate Harvey. They’re the Leska couple the Chemerian Ambassador kidnapped. And you’ve met Jo. She’s become third to Rezac and Zashou.”

  She felt Taizia’s mind touching hers, demanding contact, but she ignored it, retreating even further behind her mental barriers till she was no longer aware of her bond-sister. Never, in her worst nightmares, had she thought their homecoming would be like this. It was taking all she had to be strong for her bond-family.

  Kaid’s hand touched the small of her back, feeding her some of his energy, reminding her she wasn’t alone.

  Social ritual finally took over and Rhyasha gave some of her attention to the newcomers. “You’re all well come to our estates. Taynar, your family will be relieved to know you’re safe. Kate, you are most well come. My daughter, Kitra, will be pleased to meet you. There are few Leska pairs of your ages on my son’s estate.”

  Aware of the quiet voices behind her, Carrie knew they were now ready to move the cryo unit. Unable to look, she kept her back to them. Kaid sent to her, telling her to evacuate their passengers now.

  Carrie gestured to the civilians, indicating that they could now leave their seats. As they made their way toward the exit, she forced a smile on her face and greeted her bond-sister.

  “Taizia,” she said, putting her hand lightly on the other’s shoulder. Gods, she’d forgotten how like Kusac she was! She had the same almost blue-black pelt, the high-set ears and dark-skinned nose. Thank Vartra Taizia’s eyes were brown not amber, she thought, feeling her own start to sting with tears. Looking away, she blinked rapidly a couple of times. “Can you take Zashou and Jo to the villa, please?” she said, shocked at how husky her voice sounded.

  Taizia’s arms were suddenly around her. “Carrie,” was all she said. It was enough: her bond-sister’s emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

  She
pushed herself free, lowering her mental barriers for the first time in days. Please. Taizia. I’m barely coping as it is…Later, please. There’s nothing we can do but wait right now.

  Reluctantly, Taizia nodded. Will you be waiting with him? she asked, turning to lead the two females away.

  We’ll see Vanna start resus, then join you, interrupted Kaid firmly, glancing at Carrie as he supervised the guiding of the grav sled under the cryo unit supports. “Carrie, will you introduce the younglings to Ruth?”

  *

  Five minutes later, flanked by Kaid and T’Chebbi on one side, and Meral and Rezac on the other, the grav sled emerged, the cryo unit resting securely on top. Carrie and Rhyasha fell in beside Vanna and the two medics she’d brought with her.

  Carrie felt strangely disembodied. Events had taken on an almost surreal quality. The heat of early summer beat down on her head and shoulders; a faint breeze blew round her, carrying with it the scent of blossoms. Childhood memories of watching state funerals on television came back to her, images of the family of the deceased walking behind the coffin sprang to her mind, making the dark cylinder of the cryo unit seem even more menacing. She shivered, feeling the emotions she’d tried hard to suppress beginning to well up, threatening to break free.

  Cold and calm, Carrie, sent Kaid. You can manage till we’re alone.

  She took several slow, deep breaths, steadying her nerves as she pushed her emotions back deep into her subconscious then rebuilt the wall around them.

  Kaid glanced back at her as she took Rhyasha’s arm, right ear flicking in acknowledgment of the effort he knew it had taken.

  *

  Vanna had adapted a small IC ward on the second floor. Two of the three beds had been removed and replaced with a solid wooden table. While the males manhandled the cryo unit off the grav sled onto it, Carrie stood with Rhyasha at the nurses’ station on the other side of the transparent wall, watching.

  As soon as it was unloaded, Vanna and the medics set about initiating the resus program.

  Kaid joined them outside, leaving the others to remove the grav sled. “It’ll be three hours before he wakes,” he said. “I suggest we go home, get some food and some rest while we can.”