strongholdrising

by Lisanne Norman

  Rhyaz came to her aid, helping her position the weapons comfortably on her belt. As he was about to straighten up, Alex looped an arm around his neck, holding him back. “Thank you for not treating me like a kid,” she said, kissing him.

  Startled at the show of affection, he nonetheless returned her kiss. He might not have wanted this Link, and though he found her aggravating for much of the time, he wasn’t blind to her charms. Her lips were warm and soft, and as he touched them, he could almost taste the magic of the Link they shared.

  We have to leave now, Alex. Our Link day’s starting earlier than I thought. We must be on board the Chazoi before the compulsion starts. Make sure your psi damper is on full. He stepped reluctantly away from her, just catching sight of Lijou and Chaddo exchanging indulgent smiles.

  “Don’t say a word!” he said, arching an eye ridge at the elderly Brother.

  “No, sir, not one,” Chaddo said, schooling his face into a neutral expression. “But it’s good to see you’ve found someone to keep you interested, if I may say so. Always were a lively lad, not unlike the young Djana herself.”

  Rhyaz huffed in mock anger as Alex began to snigger. “You get away with murder, Chaddo,” he said. “Be thankful it’s the start of our Link day or I wouldn’t be so amused.”

  “Yes, sir, absolutely. Won’t happen again,” Chaddo murmured, exchanging another glance with the head priest as they left.

  Lyand had a speeder waiting for them in the courtyard. “We’re a little behind time, Commander,” he said as they climbed in. “I’ll need to make it up now or we’ll miss our window for Chagda Station.”

  “Do it,” said Rhyaz, nodding to Nezyk and M’Azul before sliding into his seat and helping Alex buckle her safety harness.

  *

  The walk through Shanagi Spaceport was very different from the one she’d made the last time she’d been here. This time, she was very aware of being with the Guild Master of the Brotherhood. Flanked by Lyand, M’Azul, and Nezyk, the crowds melted in front of them as they headed straight for the military entrance to the landing field. Checkpoints were a matter of Lyand flashing their IDs while the other two did their bodyguard bit and then they were through. No prolonged questions or delays, just crisp salutes, even from the Forces personnel on duty.

  Even so, people stopped to look, not only at Rhyaz, but at her, wondering what a young Human female was doing with the Brothers.

  The short flight up to Chagda was in one of the regular shuttles, but in First Class. She’d never traveled in such style. It was laid out like a lounge, with comfortable seats arranged in pairs. There was even a personal comm screen she could access if she wanted.

  Life was certainly looking up, she decided, thinking of the prospect of flying lessons and more on the Chazoi.

  She stole a sideways glance at Rhyaz. He was leaning back in his seat, eyes closed for now. The last ten days had been difficult for both of them as they came to terms with their relationship. The last thing she’d wanted was a permanent boyfriend. Getting so much attention from the young Sholan males at Stronghold had been exciting. She’d been aware of Rhyaz’ interest in her, and had enjoyed playing him off against the students, but she’d never actually considered responding seriously to him, until he’d kissed her in the temple and things had gotten out of her control.

  For one thing, at forty, he was a lot older than her, even though his people lived longer than Humans. She’d had to revise her opinions of him, however, and was still doing so. Compared to him, the students were just kids, too young and unsophisticated for her. Not Rhyaz. On the two Link days they’d had so far, there had been nothing old about the way he’d made love to her. He’d been telling the truth, he was experienced. And he was good-looking, for any species of male. Kha’Qwa had been right about him having a great body, and he was hers.

  “Finished assessing my virtues?” he asked quietly, his voice rich with amusement.

  She flushed and looked away. His hand covered hers, his fingers curling round into her palm where it lay on the chair arm beside him.

  “I know you’re a free spirit, Alex, and I’ll try to make sure you’ve room to spread those wings of yours, as they say in your language, but you need to work with me. I run the Brotherhood along with Lijou. A great many lives depend on our decisions. As you found out, you can make my life very difficult, or you can help me. I don’t want us to be adversaries.”

  “Did you mean what you said that first night?” she asked abruptly.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You said I’d succeeded in teasing you beyond my wildest hopes.”

  He laughed quietly, releasing her hand to lift the dividing chair arm and pull her against his side. “Haven’t I just said so? I was ready to strangle you, or…Well, let’s say I got what I preferred.”

  Pleased, she leaned her head against his chest, enjoying the gentle flow of thoughts and energy between them, and dozed for the rest of the journey.

  *

  Lyand fell back beside him as they walked across the docks to the Chazoi’s berth.

  “General Raiban’s up ahead, sir,” he said quietly.

  “I see her. Contact the Chazoi. Backup might be useful if she decides to get stroppy.” Alex, Raiban is…

  I know. Found the information, no need to brief me, she sent.

  Say nothing and let me handle this.

  She glanced at him. Of course. You’re the Guild Master.

  “Commander Rhyaz,” said Raiban, stepping in front of them as they drew level with her. “What brings you here? And with a young protégée. Recruiting from among the Human cubs, now, are you?”

  Rhyaz winced inwardly. He’d forgotten how young Alex looked. “Like you, I’m on business, Raiban,” he said.

  “A domestic run, perhaps? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your young— Companion? Wasn’t she one of the two illegal visitors that the Humans were attempting to return to Earth?”

  “It’s thanks to them we know Earth was breaking the treaty regarding recruiting their telepaths.”

  “Very altruistic of them to come all that distance to bring it to your attention. But you still haven’t introduced me.”

  “Alex,” he said, “This is General Raiban, President of Sholan High Command, and this is Alex Ward, my Leska. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Raiban, I have pressing business to attend to.” He took advantage of Raiban’s stunned surprise to draw Alex with him as he neatly sidestepped her and continued on down the dockside.

  “She doesn’t like you,” said Alex as they headed up the gangway into the Chazoi.

  “The feeling’s mutual,” he said as Nezyk retracted the ramp and began closing the air lock behind them. “She threatened Kha’Qwa and Lijou while I was on Haven. Distressed her so much she fell and nearly lost her life and her cub’s. This way,” he said, leading the way to his office. “Tell them to disengage and break orbit now, M’Azul. I’ll be— we’ll be— in my office if I’m needed.”

  “Aye, sir. Captain Fyshar says they’ve picked up a Striker in stealth mode standing off Chagda. It’s his opinion they plan to follow us.”

  “Tell him to put the station between us and them and initiate our chameleon shields. It’ll give us the opportunity to test them against the best Raiban’s got. I’ll be damned if she’s following us to Anchorage or any of our outposts.”

  Valsgarth estate, evening, the same day

  “Stop worrying,” Kaid said quietly to Carrie as they sat in the small waiting room in Vanna’s hospital. “Tirak told us all was going well with Kusac. Rezac’s been fretting enough for everyone.”

  Carrie sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. “I can’t help it. After all he’s been through, it seems cruel to leave him shut away on his own. How’s Jo doing?”

  “Almost over, from what I can tell.”

  “She seems to have taken a lot longer than I did.”

  “You had an accelerated pregnancy because we went back in time. It usually takes at least thi
s long according to what I’ve read. I’ve studied birthing, I don’t intend to get caught like that a second time.”

  “This time I want security and a soft bed,” she said.

  “You won’t find me arguing with that,” he said. “Here’s Zashou.”

  Carrie looked up, seeing Zashou through the transparent partition between them and the corridor.

  “I’m not too late, am I?” she asked as she came in. “I had to block Rezac out for most of today, but I picked up the change in his mental state a few minutes ago.”

  “No news yet,” said Kaid. “But I think it’s over.”

  Ten minutes later, Vanna opened the door. “You can come and see them now,” she said. “Noni delivered their son ten minutes ago. He’s healthy and hungry!”

  *

  Jo was sitting up, looking tired but happy. Rezac came toward them, holding the tiny cub carefully. A bemused grin was spread across his face.

  “We have a son,” he said in a hushed voice. “See. Isn’t he beautiful?” He tilted his arms so they could see him.

  “He’s just like you,” said Carrie, touching a gentle finger to the tiny dark brown cheek. “Have you chosen a name for him yet?” she asked, looking over to Jo.

  “A Sholan name,” she said. “We’re calling him Rhion.”

  “A lovely name for a lovely boy,” she said as the cub began to mewl.

  “He’s hungry,” said Rezac, looking slightly startled. “He sent to me!”

  Carrie laughed. “Give him to Jo,” she said, shoving him gently toward the bed. “All our cubs touch our minds when they’re born, but it usually doesn’t last.”

  “Everything about newborns surprises their fathers,” said Noni from her chair beside Jo. “The novelty will soon wear off, more’s the pity!”

  Rezac handed his son carefully to Jo, then pulled up a chair to sit beside her. “Not for me,” he said, reaching out to stroke Jo’s cheek. He looked over his shoulder at Kaid. “I missed my first son, I don’t intend to lose a moment with Rhion.”

  “Go and have a look at him,” Carrie said to Kaid. “He won’t bite you— yet!”

  “Be your turn next, Tallinu,” cackled Noni. “Only eight weeks now, isn’t it, child? Now that’ll be a sight! You wearing the idiotic grin of a new father!”

  Kaid smiled gently as he went over to look down at the cub. “I’m sure I will. I couldn’t spoil your fun, could I, Noni?”

  Noni laughed as she got to her feet. “In that you’re no different from any other male, Tallinu, as I’ve no doubt you’ve been discovering lately. I’ve seen the way you look at Carrie. You’re already as proud as any father-to-be over her pregnancy. Mark my words, you’ll melt when you hold your own newborn. Then there’s T’Chebbi due just before midwinter!”

  “He’s lovely, Jo,” said Kaid, gently touching Rhion’s head before leaning down to press his cheek against Jo’s. “Congratulations.”

  “Stop teasing him, Noni,” chided Carrie, going over to her. “Time we got you back home. Zhala will have hot food ready for us.”

  “Aye, I must admit I’m tired, child,” she said, leaning on her stick as she made her way slowly to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jo. You make sure you get some rest tonight! No sitting up looking at your berran all night. He’ll still be there come morning.”

  Jo laughed. “I can’t promise I won’t, but I’ll try to get some sleep as well. Good night, Noni, and thank you.”

  *

  Kzizysus had placed the imager over Kusac’s unconscious body again and was watching the progress of the nano-virus. Tirak was at the nursing station, trying to read his comp pad. The regular tone of the monitor was lulling him to sleep.

  “Take meal break, Captain,” said Annuur, sitting up on his haunches to look at his U’Churian friend. “Rest a few hours. Come back later. Nothing happen here tonight.”

  Tirak yawned and put his pad down. “Can’t, Annuur. I told Kusac I’d stay with him.”

  “He not know.”

  “But I would,” he replied. “I can get Sheeowl to bring me something, if you’ve no objection.”

  “Can, but still have to leave here to eat it. Must take nourishment. Sokarr will make something for you. Ask him. Quicker. I be here.”

  Tirak nodded and got up. “Do you or Kzizysus want anything?”

  Annuur considered it for a moment. “Yes. Make meals for all of us. Tell when ready.”

  When he’d gone, Annuur joined Kzizysus. He didn’t like lying to Tirak, nor to Kusac and his family, about the procedure they were using, but there was too much at stake for scruples. Getting the TeLaxaudin’s attention, he tapped his translator, mimicking turning it off.

  Kzizysus did as he was asked then returned his attention to the imager. He pointed to the area displaying Kusac’s brain tissue. “Active tendrils show green,” he said. “Inactive area is now red. Process almost complete, very little green left. Check anesthetic levels. May need replacing now. Also hydration fluids.” He glanced up at the life-support monitor. Satisfied by the readings, he returned to watching the imager.

  Annuur did as he was asked. Kzizysus was the expert here, his part had been developing the virus used to sensitize Kusac to the biological component in the torc, and the carrier for the nanos.

  “Will he develop a fever like the jeggets did?” he asked.

  Kzizysus turned round, eyes swirling. “Will be, but when I not sure. Could be soon, could be once we start next drug. No seizures though. Is good. You get regenerator drug now. Want it set up ready to switch on when this finished.”

  “Is there enough inactive material for regenerator nanos to transform?” he asked, trotting over to the cooler to fetch the drug pack.

  “Plenty,” affirmed Kzizysus. “Any excess will be excreted with nanos. No trace be left of our procedure.”

  Returning, he placed the pack in the second delivery unit and set about unsealing a fresh feed line.

  the Couana, Zhal-S’Asha, 22nd day (October)

  “The treatment took two days,” said Kusac. “Tirak told me that. They were destroying the implant tendrils on the first day, and on the second, using a neurotransmitter virus to redirect the connections that had been lost or misconnected because of the implant. I remember coming round with one hell of a headache and fever.”

  Valsgarth Estate, Zhal-Oeshi, 29th day (August)

  He was burning up and his head ached as if a vise were trying to crush his skull. Trying to move, he found he couldn’t.

  “You’ve got a fever, Kusac,” he heard Tirak say. “They’ve had to restrain you. Try to lie still.”

  He felt hands touching him, and smelled a strange alien scent he half remembered from somewhere else. All he could see was an expanse of white above him. Memories of torture and pain came rushing back and he began to struggle frantically.

  Cold, wet cloths were placed on his body, making him cry out in shock, but it eased the fire and the aching in his joints.

  “Increase sedation,” he heard a translator say and within moments, the whiteness began to fade as he passed out.

  *

  The fever was gone the next time he woke. Experimentally, he moved his head and saw Tirak sitting on a chair beside him.

  “You’re awake,” the U’Churian said, leaning toward him. “Do you remember where you are?”

  He licked dry lips before speaking. “Annuur’s sick bay?”

  “That’s right. You had a fever and woke sooner than expected.”

  “I couldn’t move,” he said.

  “You were restrained because of the catheters. Would you like to sit up?”

  “Please.”

  As part of the bed began to rise, he attempted to pull his arms out from under the cover. They felt heavy, as if they were made of lead, but by the time he was sitting up, he’d managed to get them free.

  Tirak held out a glass of water and he accepted it gratefully. Kzizysus and Annuur came in as he was handing the empty glass back.

  �
�How you feel?” asked the Cabbaran.

  His head was clear, and though his body felt physically exhausted, he actually didn’t feel that bad. “All right,” he said. “Hungry,” he added as his stomach growled.

  Kzizysus came over to the side of his bed. “Reach out,” he said through his translator. “Reach with your mind.”

  He looked at the TeLaxaudin. “The pain,” he began.

  “Is gone. Try.”

  He looked at Tirak who raised his eye ridges expressively.

  “Lower mental shields,” said Kzizysus.

  He turned his thoughts inward, gradually lowering his shields one by one until they were all down. He listened, then shook his head. “No difference,” he said.

  Tirak got up and went round the other side of the bed, opening the cupboard and pulling out his wrist comm. “You left the psi damper on,” he said, passing it to him.

  Sighing with relief, he turned it off and passed it back to Tirak, waiting for something— anything— to happen.

  “Nothing.” Dispiritedly, he lay back against his pillow.

  Annuur and Kzizysus began to talk rapidly, the conversation going back and forth for some time.

  “Maybe you just need to get used to having that ability again,” said Tirak eventually.

  “It’s either there, or it isn’t,” he said.

  “Take off torc,” Annuur repeated.

  “Why?”

  “Do it!” the Cabbarran ordered.

  He reached up and removed his torc. Suddenly his mind was flooded with sounds and emotions and the hissing of white noise. Keening in pain and shock, he dropped the torc, clapping his hands to his head.

  “What the hell?” exclaimed Tirak, lunging to catch the torc before it hit the floor.

  “Replace torc,” Annuur ordered the U’Churian.

  As soon as the torc touched his neck, quiet returned. Shaking, his eyes streaming, he let go of his head and looked up at them.

  “Is no doubt treatment worked,” he heard Annuur say. “Problem is with regulator in torc.” He looked across at Kzizysus. “Need adjusting.”

  “What happened?” he asked, blinking and rubbing his smarting eyes. “What was that?”