“Lord Tarolyn,” said the one called Lanris as he rushed over. “We know nothing about her kind. She may not be the same as us,” he began.
“Rubbish! All young come into the world the same way,” said Railin brusquely, glancing back apologetically at Jo. “Get some of your gear stripped off, man, and lend a hand!”
“Lord Tarolyn,” said Jo, looking in confusion to the soldiers.
The nearest one nodded. “Lord Railin Tarolyn, Lady. Our Lord.”
Jo found herself suddenly sitting on the ground looking into the blurry face of the soldier who’d just answered her. His face cleared as she blinked up at him. He held the spout of a waterskin to her lips.
“Drink, Lady. You just fainted, that’s all.”
She held onto the skin, drinking greedily till her thirst was quenched, then pushed it aside. “Does he do this often?” she asked.
The soldier looked from her to his Lord then back, and he grinned. “That he does, Lady. Says it keeps him in touch with what’s going on. It’ll be the death of him and us, one day, being as we’re his special guards. But there’s worse jobs, as they say.”
A yowl of pain from Zashou brought her back to what she was supposed to be doing. With a smile, the soldier offered to help her to her feet. She shook her head. “I’m better sitting down now,” she said.
A shadow falling across her made her look up as Kris approached and squatted down beside her. “I’m not much use back there, but I can help you reach Carrie,” he said. “Rezac says to tell you now he’s Linked with Zashou, he knows the cub’s dead.”
“Oh, no. To go through all this pain and have no child at the end,” said Jo, sadness for them both welling up inside her. She sighed. “I’d be glad of your help, Kris.”
Sitting beside her, he offered her his hand. She took it. It was cool, his skin rough and alien to her touch, so used was she now to Rezac’s furred hand. Mentally, she reached for Kris, establishing a link so she could use his energy to power their search.
The shuttle, sent Kusac, reining in his beast as they rounded the hill. It sat beside the track some thirty meters away.
And exactly where we said. Well done for Ashay, Carrie replied as she slowed her mount.
The cabin air lock opened to reveal Ashay standing in the doorway, rifle slung in a ready position, grinning at them.
“Good time, you make,” he called out.
Their mounts, nervous enough with Sholan scent, began to snicker in terror as they caught Ashay’s predator’s smell.
“Beasts not like Sumaan,” he said, his tone regretful. “Sad. I like to touch them. See if their hide is as soft as it looks.”
They dismounted, grabbing their packs then releasing the animals. They needed no encouragement. Nostrils flaring, with tiny shrieks of fear, they were gone.
Running to the vehicle, Carrie grasped Ashay’s outstretched hand first. He seemed to give only a gentle pull and she was sailing through the air to land with a jolt on the deck beside him. She’d just time to clear the entrance before Kusac was beside her.
They headed into the cargo area where the containers substantiating their claim to have been picking up goods were stowed.
“Five minutes, Ashay,” said Kusac to their pilot as the young Sumaan closed the air lock behind them. “Good navigating. You were right on target.”
He joined Carrie, helping her release and stow the inner bulkhead that concealed their tiny medical facility. While she locked the drop-down treatment bed into place and located the various drugs and hypos, he continued releasing sections of paneling that formed the seating for their passengers. The craft was capable of seating ten in the back plus three up front. A multipurpose vehicle, it was a military prototype outfitted to their specifications for this mission.
Carrie, satisfied that all she needed was at hand, headed back up front where Ashay was observing them in wonder.
“Amazing what you can find behind bulkheads, isn’t it, Ashay?” she said with a grin.
“Indeed. Had I not been seeing it for myself, I would not be believing it.”
She settled herself in one of the remaining front seats and had just finished fastening her safety restraint when she sensed Jo’s presence.
Carrie, thank God you’re there! We need your help. Zashou’s in premature labor; there’s no way we can make the rendezvous.
We’re with the shuttle now. Where are you?
Fifteen miles northeast of Galrayin, on the caravan trail from Kaladar. How soon can you get here?
Leaning forward, Carrie punched several buttons on the nav screen display. Beside her she felt the thumps of Ashay resuming his pilot’s seat and Kusac joining her.
“Ten minutes if I go fast,” said Ashay, beginning to start his ignition sequence.
“Make it five,” said Kusac.
Between five and ten minutes, she sent to Jo.
The cub’s dead, Carrie, but Zashou and Rezac are bad.
We know what to expect, Jo, sent Kusac. Carrie had our cub in the field like this.
You have a cub?
A daughter. We’ll talk later, Jo, sent Carrie.
Carrie, one more thing. Railin—he’s Lord Tarolyn, leader of the rebellion.
With only another three customers, the Haven was quiet at this time of morning, and it was cool. Already the heat outside had built up to a level that promised another scorching day. Kaid and T’Chebbi collected their drinks and headed to a table off to one side of the entrance.
As she sat down, T’Chebbi pressed something to the table’s underside. “Two,” she said.
Kaid nodded and turned to look toward the window. “I think I see something,” he said, getting up. “Back in a moment.” He made a show of peering out before he returned.
“Three,” he said.
“How many more?” T’Chebbi asked as she sipped at her ale and grimaced.
“Another couple ought to do it,” he said, leaning across the table toward her. A slightly glazed look came over his face for a moment, then he refocused on her.
“Carrie?”
He nodded. “They’re on their way again. Zashou’s in shock but stabilizing, and Rezac’s fine now that she’s been given psi suppressants.”
“The cub?”
He shook his head. “Dead. Malformed, too, which made it worse for Zashou. Never would have survived. Must be the effects of this damned la’quo. They’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
T’Chebbi nodded. “Is for the best, then. This telepathy is useful,” she said, in an attempt to change the conversation. “Makes mission easier. No batteries to get wet, run out, or comms to break down.”
“Has its uses, but anyone can use a comm, only the telepaths can use their Talent. Knock them out and your line of communication has gone.”
She made a grudging sound of agreement. “Is good backup then.”
“Definitely. What you think, one over by the game machine?” he nodded his chin toward a long holo machine set off-center from the main seating area.
“Think I see what games it has,” she said.
While she was away, his wrist comm warbled in a pattern of sound he’d given to Strick as a signal to let him know when his folk were ready.
“Our local is ready,” he said when she returned. “Quin and Conrad are watching for the shuttle and he says he can see Kisha.” He grinned briefly at her. “We’re ready, all we do now is wait.”
Nearer the time, they ambled up to the window, looking through it as if watching for a friend. T’Chebbi loosened her outer robe, letting it fall open.
“Is getting hot,” she said.
“Mmm,” he said, watching how the street and the spaceport were beginning to come to life. They were going to need the extra support not only of Strick, but of Tarolyn and his soldiers on the shuttle.
We’re in, Kaid, sent Carrie, but a wagon’s blocking us. We can’t get into the Hkariyash. We have to land to the left of the main ramp.
Get Jo’s party in, then have
Tarolyn’s males move it. He let the connection drop, turning to T’Chebbi.
“We go.”
They headed across the room toward the stairs. As they started up them, Kaid slapped another device on the wall.
Catching sight of them, the barkeep began to yell. “Hey, where the hell you think you’re going? That’s off limits to you at this time of day!”
Ignoring him, they took the stairs two at a time, pausing at the top only long enough to trigger the incendiaries. As they turned the corner into the corridor to Tesha’s room, they heard them blow simultaneously, a bang that shook the whole building.
“You sure you got the mix right?” asked T’Chebbi as they stopped outside Tesha’s door.
It flew open, and the Sholan female ran straight into them. Pushing her back into the room, they closed the door behind them. A klaxon went off. Then, in the distance, they heard the wail of the Port’s siren start to build.
“You,” she said, recognizing Kaid.
T’Chebbi pulled the robe off and handed it to her. “Put it on. Not much time to get you out, so hurry.”
She stood looking at them, holding the robe, too stunned to move.
“You ready to go home, to Shola?” Kaid asked her.
“Home? Yes!” she said, suddenly galvanized into action. As she pulled the robe on, tying it with the attached belt, she looked from one to the other. “I take it the fire’s your doing?”
“Shuttle’s just landed beside the Hkariyash, Captain,” said Giyesh from her post monitoring the outside vid screen.
Tirak was there in seconds. “What the hell? The Human, and the Sholan? They’ve been outside the Port?” He could hardly believe his eyes. “Jalnian soldiers coming off her, too? What the hell are they up to?”
The sound of the Port siren, relayed automatically through all ship comms, wailed throughout the Profit.
“Fire? Pan the camera along the town, Giyesh,” he ordered. “I want to know where that fire is.” He watched in silence till the Haven was in view. On the rooftop of the next building he could see, amid the swirling smoke, three tiny figures. “It’s them! It’s got to be them,” he snarled. “Arm yourselves. I want everyone outside in sixty seconds. We’re going to the Hkariyash. I want to know what the hell’s going on! Manesh, seal the ship behind us!” He turned and ran for the arms locker.
“Captain, the fire!” wailed Giyesh.
“Move it! That fire’s been rigged, there’s no real danger!”
Bradogan was in the entrance hall of the Keep as the siren went off. He stood to one side, out of the way of the guard as they streamed out for the town. Fire drills had been drummed into them; there was no need for him to concern himself yet.
Accompanied by his personal guard, he made his way outside to the perimeter fence to watch the proceedings. The fire appeared to be at the far end. One of the taverns, doubtless. People were abandoning vehicles and wagons, beginning to stream out of the town and back into the Port, returning to their ships. Then something caught his eye. A shuttle, outside the Sumaan ship? He’d requested no shuttles, and certainly none should have landed anywhere but on the pad! He narrowed his eyes. The design was unfamiliar, not one belonging to the Port. Then he saw them, the U’Churian with the Solnian female. They, in the company of another two U’Churians, were heading toward one of the warehouses at a run. But the night watch had told him they’d left at dawn on the caravan for Galrayin!
He turned to the nearest guard. “Take half a dozen men over to that shuttle,” he said, pointing to it. “Place the crew under arrest until I join you. The rest of you, follow me.”
Pulling his gun, he began to run toward the gate. So they thought they’d played him for a fool, did they? They were about to find out just how wrong they were!
Tirak and his crew arrived just as Bradogan’s guards decided the only way to implement their orders was to open fire on the shuttle. Caught in the open with Zashou in his arms, Rezac was an easy target. He was not prepared for the arrival of three burly people looking so like Sholans that it defied belief.
They placed themselves between him and the attacking Jalnians, and hauled him behind the shuttle to safety. Face to face with Tirak, there was little he could do.
“Sholan?” asked Tirak.
He nodded.
“Is she injured?” The question was a bit redundant Tirak realized even as he asked it. The female was obviously far from well.
Rezac looked at him blankly. He couldn’t understand a word.
“Take them to the Profit,” Tirak ordered Mrowbay and turned his attention back to what was happening on the other side of the shuttle.
As he did, the air lock on the port side opened. A phrase in what they recognized as the Human language was yelled at them. The words they couldn’t understand.
“Lower your weapons,” Tirak said quietly to Mrowbay, Nayash, and Giyesh.
Tirak turned around as, guns trained on them, the three Humans dropped to the ground.
Again they spoke and this time Tirak spread his hands in a gesture he hoped would convey his inability to understand them. Suddenly a blinding pain hit him between the eyes, almost making him black out. It lasted perhaps a minute then was gone.
“Not again,” he moaned, putting his hands to his head and massaging his temples. “You damned telepaths are a pain in the ass!”
“He’s met both our kinds,” said Jo to Rezac.
Tirak lifted his head. “Thank the Gods someone understands us!”
Jo looked at him. “We understand each other,” she said coldly, pointing her gun at Mrowbay. “Let him go. What do you want with us?”
“We’ve come to help,” said Tirak. “You’re cut off from your ship. Take her to ours. We’ve med facilities onboard.”
A shriek rang out as someone was hit. Jo looked at the others, then back to Rezac. “Your choice,” she said. “It’s not safe here and we can’t get on the ship.”
The siren continued to shriek its warning as Rezac hesitated.
Tirak searched his mind for something he could say that would break the deadlock. “His partner. You’re his Human partner,” he said. “Linked mentally, aren’t you? We’ll not keep him from you, you have my word. I know you’ll die if separated. If we stand here like this any longer, we’ll all die!” he added.
Rezac nodded. “We’ll go,” he said. “Are you coming, Jo?”
She shook her head. “I’ll stay and fight. You go on, I’ll see you when it’s over.”
Mrowbay took Rezac by the arm again. “Come,” he said, urging him gently. “We know something of the Sholan system. I am a medic, I can treat her.”
“Jo!” Rezac called out as she turned away. For the Gods sake, take care, Jo! I don’t want to lose you either.
She nodded, turning her back on him as she faced the others.
As they ran across the spaceport to the warehouses, Carrie looked briefly over her shoulder. “Gods, there’s a fight over at the ship!”
Forget it! sent Kaid. Remember your training. Focus on what we have to do.
Dodging round the abandoned wagons, they came to the warehouse where Jeran was kept.
Skidding to a halt, Kaid hammered on the wooden doors. “Jeran! You there?”
“Yes! What’s happening?”
“Diversion, that’s all. Stand back. Going to shoot the door open,” Kaid yelled over the sound of the siren. Checking to see that the others were behind him, he aimed at the lock and fired. Splinters of wood flew everywhere and the door slowly creaked open.
Kusac ran forward, pulling it wide enough for Jeran to push through.
From the rear, Carrie glanced around, realizing that the figures she’d assumed were running for the Port gates were getting closer—far too close. Bradogan! she sent. Heading for us with a half dozen guards!
Kaid spun round, looking for cover for them. “The wagon! Head for it!”
T’Chebbi grabbed Jeran by the arm and pushing him in front of her, ran for the wagon.
Flattening himself against the wall, Kaid returned fire, his weapon sending bursts of energy toward the leading figures. One stopped, falling back slightly as the others scattered and passed him.
Carrie lifted her gun and aimed. As she pressed the trigger, she felt a sudden warmth at her side. Surprise made her shot go wide but she kept her attention to the men in front of her.
Carrie, run for the wagon, sent Kaid. We’ll cover you!
The fire increased, sending Bradogan and his men scattering for cover. Pushing herself away from the wall, she began to run, aware of the two males close on her heels. A sudden pain in her ribs made her stumble and she pressed her hand to her side, surprised to find that it came away damp.
Behind the wagon, she had time to catch her breath. Now her side was starting to hurt. She looked down, seeing blood beginning to stain her coveralls. “Oh, hell,” she said quietly.
Bullets zinged around them as she crouched there, wondering what to do. Seeing her so still, T’Chebbi glanced round, seeing the blood.
“How bad?” she asked.
“Dunno,” said Carrie. “Doesn’t hurt.”
“Stay down with Jeran,” she said, moving over to cover her.
“Ashay!” yelled Jo. “What can you see?”
“Bradogan’s men still shooting at us!” he yelled down.
Jo tapped her foot on the ground, thinking furiously. Fighting was breaking out all over the Port now. They couldn’t go on like this. One of Tirak’s crew was down already. If she remembered right, when they’d come in there had been an empty bay beside them. There was a clear line of sight straight to the huge stone Keep between the two perimeter fences.
“Your friends are in trouble, too,” said Tirak, grasping her arm and pointing down toward the far end.
She looked. A group of Bradogan’s men had them pinned down behind a wagon. Suddenly her mind was made up. “Boost me up,” she said to Davies, pointing back to the shuttle air lock above them
“What?”
“Boost me up, dammit!”
He did and as she scrambled back into the cockpit of the shuttle, she turned. “Pull all our people back,” she ordered. “I’m settling this one now.”
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