Clan and Conviction (Clan Beginnings)

by Tracy St. John

  Instead of heading down the corridor towards the shuttle bay, Gelan ran in the opposite direction. Wynhod’s steps faltered for only an instant before following him.

  “Gelan?” The Nobek’s tone was understandably confused.

  “I know, I know. I want Krijero to go with us. I need to know how to handle this.”

  Gelan hoped the Imdiko was on his game today. The stakes were incredibly high.

  Chapter 13

  The hostages were being held in their home in the Blidmo Mountain Complex where Gelan and Wynhod lived. Clan Sorp, the victims in question, lived only two levels higher than Gelan’s. Their section possessed a fountain in the middle of the interior space, shopping, and family-friendly eateries. One could walk to everything he needed if he lived here. Gelan knew there was even a running path cut into the outside of the mountain at this level, accessible solely to those who made the seventh level their home. One had to have a full clan with children or the potential for children to reside in this section. Nobek Huk had chosen his target well.

  Gelan, Wynhod, and Krijero arrived at the scene. Enforcers, snipers, and other personnel were crowded in front of one housing unit with a blaster-proof containment screen between them and the closed door. Most were milling around, the Nobeks of the group looking particularly fierce and eager to do something … like storm the home and snatch innocents away from the danger. A sense of anticipation rose from the group as they saw Gelan and Wynhod hurrying towards them. Krijero lagged a little behind, his anxious gaze taking in the tableau. He had been extremely reluctant to come along, only convinced by the fact children were endangered and he might be able to help keep them alive.

  Gelan spotted one of the precinct’s negotiators, a Dramok named Fritom. Noticing Krijero dragging his feet, Gelan grabbed the lanky Imdiko by one arm and tugged him over to the negotiator who held a com in a white-knuckled grip. Despite the protective barrier keeping them safe from anyone who might burst out of the home with a blaster, Wynhod stuck close. He even placed himself so that his body shielded Gelan and Krijero’s.

  The moment they reached Fritom, Gelan nodded to the negotiator. “I hear Nobek Huk is looking for me.”

  Fritom’s jaw clenched tight as he looked up at Gelan. “He’s most anxious to speak to you. Quite frankly, I don’t know what talking to him will do besides put off the inevitable. Nobek Huk feels he has nothing to lose.”

  Krijero wasted no time on niceties. “How many of the hostages has he killed?”

  Fritom regarded the Imdiko with narrowed eyes. His sharp face registered displeasure with the interruption. “None. Who are you?”

  Gelan did the introductions. “Negotiator Fritom, Criminal Psychologist Dr. Krijero. The psych is working on the Delir case with me.”

  The negotiator looked Krijero up and down. Gelan had become so used to the Imdiko’s usual messy state that he only now noticed how wrinkled his tunic was. As usual, his cowlick kept half his handsome face hidden.

  Fritom, apparently unimpressed, turned back to Gelan without bothering to acknowledge Krijero. “Trust me, Investigator, a psych isn’t going to help matters. Holding this Nobek’s hand and trying to get him to open up about not having a clan or a reason to live won’t save these people’s lives. I think you’d better be ready to send in the enforcers. That will at least give us hope the two children in there will be rescued.”

  To his credit, Krijero wasn’t so easily put off. “What are Huk’s demands, exactly?”

  Fritom scowled, not bothering to hide his exasperation with the psych. For Gelan’s part, he was getting pissed off with how the other Dramok seemed determined to dismiss Krijero.

  He repeated the Imdiko’s question, adding in a little growl for effect. “What are his demands, Negotiator?”

  Fritom blinked. His slightly slanted eyes widened as he looked from Gelan to Krijero and back to Gelan again. This time he answered. “He wants to discuss a new identity and safe passage out of the Empire. He says he’ll talk to only you, and it has to be in person. Otherwise, he’ll start killing hostages.”

  Gelan glanced at Krijero, who seemed to be thinking things over. After only a couple of seconds, the Imdiko asked, “Has he harmed any of his prisoners yet that you know of?”

  Fritom’s voice was tight. “No, but I expect he will soon. He says the children will be the first to go.”

  Krijero nodded and looked at Gelan. “Huk won’t do it. He wants to live. He knows if he starts killing, that’s it for him.”

  Fritom gaped at him. “You’re pretty cavalier with the lives of little ones, Psych. No way I’d bet on that.” He pointedly turned his entire body towards Gelan, cutting Krijero out. “Are you ready to talk to Huk, Investigator? We’re running out of time. His deadline to speak to you is up in three minutes.”

  Gelan stared at the negotiator. In the coldest tone he could summon, he told Fritom, “Not until I get my psych’s recommendations on how to handle him. Krijero, come over here and talk to me.”

  This time it was Fritom who was dismissed from the conversation as Gelan turned his back on him. He didn’t miss the man’s stunned expression and felt a stab of pleasure. He took an equally stunned-looking Krijero by the elbow and pulled him away. Wynhod followed.

  Gelan was happy to show Fritom he’d take Krijero’s opinion over his any day. Let the officious little prick chew on that.

  * * * *

  Krijero didn’t protest Gelan’s hand on his arm, hauling him all over the scene. He knew the Dramok had no interest in him other than the help he could offer on the case. It left him free to enjoy contact with the handsome investigator. Gelan defending him to the negotiator was a big plus. Had the situation not been so dire, Krijero would have let himself get a little giddy over the attention.

  When they had gotten away from the main crowd, Gelan stopped. He and Wynhod crowded close, and Krijero had to firmly set aside the rising warmth in his belly. Now was not the time to indulge in fantasy. Not when lives were at stake.

  Gelan’s expression showed he remained angry. He said, “Now that I don’t have to listen to that smug ass who thinks he knows everything, tell me what you believe, Krijero.”

  Just like that the Imdiko’s head cleared, his momentary lust withdrawing. “I can’t be sure without actually hearing him speak, but I really think this Nobek Huk doesn’t want to die. He’s not committed suicide like so many of the others. He’s been in hiding, so he knows the rest of his fellow gang members have been captured or executed. He’s taken hostages and called you out, wanting a chance to live.”

  “What about not killing the hostages? Do you really think he’ll let them go?”

  “He knows killing them, especially the children, will be his death warrant. I think you can get him to let them go if you offer him something in return.”

  Wynhod’s face went dark, his tone urgent. “No way we can let him go, Gelan, even if we did make deals with hostage takers. Huk is one of the known upper tier gang members, maybe just a step below the leadership itself. He’s responsible for hundreds of deaths traced back to Delir.”

  Krijero thought fast. “Start small. Get the little ones out if you can, maybe tell him you won’t come in unless they’re released. Don’t ask for any more than that. He’ll talk to you, and that might give you the opportunity to take him down.”

  The Imdiko couldn’t be sure of anything he told Gelan to do, not when he hadn’t seen any interviews with Huk himself. He had looked over the man’s background in the hopes of tracking him down, as he had with all the missing Delir gang members. All Krijero had to rely on was the Nobek’s current actions and his own instincts. It was damned little.

  The only thing he knew for sure was Gelan was one of the most resourceful men he’d ever met. It didn’t matter the Dramok was not the most in-depth thinker he’d ever come across. Gelan was smart in his own way, and experienced to boot. Krijero would have been completely comfortable placing his life in the man’s hands. Of course, Krijero had never been
in such a situation, and he felt out of his depth. He hoped the Dramok had an idea or two of his own when it came to figuring this mess out.

  Gelan considered for a moment or two. He looked at Wynhod, and Krijero felt something pass between the pair. Even though their features were completely different, their expressions were identical, making them look similar to each other.

  Then Gelan’s eyes were on him, and the investigator nodded. “Thank you, Krijero. I knew you’d have the answers I needed.”

  The Imdiko swallowed. “Great. No pressure to be right.”

  Gelan chuckled and patted him on the arm. He walked off with Wynhod, their heads close together as they spoke to each other in low tones. Krijero watched them move away, two hulking, utterly primal creatures who radiated strength like no other men he’d known.

  The warm feeling low in his belly returned. He drew in a deep, shuddering breath.

  * * * *

  Gelan finished his quick conference with Wynhod and lengthened his stride to rejoin Fritom. Not bothering to try for politeness, he told the negotiator, “Let me talk to Huk.”

  Fritom kept his face neutral as he punched a few buttons on his com.

  A low snarl issued from it. “You’d better have good news for me.”

  Fritom said, “The lead investigator Dramok Gelan is right here, Nobek Huk. He’s ready to discuss your terms.”

  “Put him on.”

  Gelan took the com from Fritom. “Investigator Gelan here.”

  The animal on the other end of the frequency had the gall to sound triumphant. “I’ve got a blaster right up against this kid’s skull. You’re going to come in here and we’re going to make a deal right now.”

  “No.” Gelan enunciated the word carefully, so there would be no chance of mistake on Huk’s end.

  Fritom gasped and looked at Gelan in horror. In a whisper he hissed, “Investigator—”

  “Shut up.” Just to make sure Fritom would make no mistake either, Gelan bared his fangs.

  Meanwhile, Huk nearly screamed through the com. “What the fuck do you mean no? Do you think I won’t kill these people? Both these brats?”

  Gelan’s voice was even, emotionless. “I think if you do, you’re a very dead man. I also think you you’ll die an even nastier death at the hands of those you’ve been working with. You need to talk to me, and you’ll do it on my terms. So here is what is actually going to happen: you’re going to send the children and their mother out, and I’m coming in to discuss how we can keep you alive.”

  He waited, noting that Krijero had drawn near to listen. Good, the psych was getting what he needed: to hear Huk speak so he could get a more accurate handle on the man’s state of mind. Without thinking about it, Gelan angled his body to keep himself between the Imdiko and the entrance to the home.

  After a long, nerve-wracking pause, Huk came back on. His voice came out in a growl, but he sounded otherwise composed. “I’ll let the kids go. The Matara stays. You come out from behind the barrier and I’ll send them out.”

  Krijero met Gelan’s eyes and made a motion to ensure the Dramok didn’t transmit.

  Gelan asked in a low voice, “Okay, you’ve heard him. What do I do?”

  “He definitely wants out of this alive. Unfortunately, he’s also more resigned to die at law enforcement’s hands than the first report led me to believe.” Krijero drew an unsteady breath. “You just got his final offer. Take it.”

  Gelan triggered the com. “Done, Nobek. I’m on my way. I’ll enter the home as soon as you send out the children.”

  He handed the com back to a wide-eyed Fritom. Ignoring the negotiator, Gelan asked Krijero, “Last impressions?”

  The Imdiko swallowed. Gelan thought Krijero might actually be worried for him, which almost made him smile. The psych’s words ended that urge.

  “He’s reached the point of resignation. This is his only chance to get out of this mess alive, as far as he’s concerned. Failing that, he’s opting for a quick death over what the gang will do to him. If he decides you’re not going to give him what he wants, he kills the clan, you, and himself.”

  Gelan nodded. He turned to Wynhod. “See you inside. Just like we discussed.”

  His Nobek nodded, his expression stoic. “Watch yourself.”

  Gelan grinned at him. Without another word, he went towards the barrier.

  Behind him, he heard Wynhod call, “Let him through. The children are coming out and he’s going in.”

  Gelan’s heart beat hard and quick, but not in fear. He might be walking straight to his death, but that didn’t frighten him. Instead, he felt exhilarated, ready to face off with the enemy. This was, after all, what he was made for.

  He waited for the enforcer in charge of the barrier field to code him through. At the Nobek’s nod, Gelan crossed over. He went halfway to the home’s door and stopped. For several breathless seconds he stood waiting.

  The door slid open. Two boys, one not even old enough to have been categorized to a breed, stood framed in the opening. They cast frightened looks over their shoulders to the dim interior of the quarters they left as they came. Both were crying as they looked to Gelan.

  He called to them. “It’s all right. You walk to where I am right now. I’m going to go into your home and get your parents out.”

  The older boy, perhaps around nine or ten years old, stared at Gelan, his expression wretched as only a sensitive Imdiko’s could be. For some reason, he made Gelan think of Krijero.

  The child called, “Don’t let him hurt them.”

  Gelan smiled encouragingly. “I won’t. Start walking. It will be okay.”

  He took his first step towards the boys. The older child grabbed the younger one’s hand and pulled his brother along. They neared Gelan, and two pairs of purple eyes stared up at him from tiny, fearful faces. They paused.

  Gelan said, “Keep going. The officers will keep you safe while I go inside and take care of your parents.”

  The smaller child, standing no taller than halfway up Gelan’s thigh, poked his lower lip out. “Bad man in there.”

  Gelan ruffled his black curls as he walked slowly past them, coming closer to the dark maw of the home ahead. “I know. You’ve both been very brave. Keep going until you’re with the rest of the police.”

  He looked over his shoulder to make sure the children kept walking. They were so young, and one was an Imdiko. It made it quite possible they would try to run back inside to their parents. Imdiko boys had a bad habit of taking the blame when people they loved got hurt, even when it wasn’t their fault. Even as children, they fell automatically into the role of caregiver.

  Fortunately, this one had a younger brother to take care of, probably the only reason his parents had been able to convince him to leave them behind. He kept pulling the younger boy with him until he passed through the barrier and into safety. Krijero, of all people, waited right there to greet them. He flipped his hair back with a jerk of his head, displaying that lovely face gentled with a compassionate smile. His lips formed words that were no doubt comforting. The Imdiko lifted both boys in his arms and took them out of Gelan’s sight.

  Wynhod was nowhere to be seen.

  Gelan blew out a relieved breath. The biggest fear he’d had to face had been surmounted. He kept going towards the home the boys had just departed until he stepped into the dim interior where five people waited. The door shut behind him.

  Chapter 14

  Back among the squad of enforcers Wynhod had rounded up, he watched Gelan disappear into the quarters of Clan Sorp. The door shut behind his lover and partner, cutting him off from sight.

  Gelan’s plan was good. It didn’t mean Wynhod liked losing sight contact with him, not when he now faced a dangerous killer with no conscience. At least he could still hear the Dramok via an earpiece and Gelan’s open com frequency.

  Listening to what went on inside the home, he turned to the other enforcers. “Are you ready?”

  The squad leader, a Nobek
named Rebu, nodded. “On your command, sir.”

  Wynhod was about to give the order when he noticed someone hovering nearby and gave his attention to that man.

  It was Krijero. He’d handed off the two boys to the nearby medical team, and now he watched Wynhod. His hands twisted, grappling with each other nervously. The Imdiko’s eyes, filled with worry, peered from behind a thick fringe of hair.

  “Just a moment,” Wynhod said, moving towards the apparently upset psych.

  Krijero gave him a scared look. As Wynhod neared, the Imdiko mumbled in a hoarse voice, “By the ancestors, I hope I didn’t give him any bad information. If I told him anything that will get him killed…”

  Wynhod grabbed the other man’s shoulder, not even thinking about the act of comfort. It simply felt right to reassure the gentle Imdiko, even when he wasn’t reassured himself.

  He told Krijero, “If Gelan had any doubt about what you thought, he wouldn’t be acting on your recommendations. You helped him get those children out, our biggest priority. This mission is already a success.”

  The Imdiko shook his head. The torment in his expression refused to be erased.

  Wynhod was out of time, as much as he wanted Krijero to know no one would blame him if the situation ended with Gelan dead. After all, their job made a violent end all too possible.

  Instead of telling him that, Wynhod settled for, “No matter what happens now, you’ve done well, Krijero. For a member of the brain trust, you’re not half bad.”

  Krijero made noise that sounded like a choked laugh. Wynhod didn’t wait around any longer. He motioned to his team, and they went on the move.

  The squad leader asked, “Do you want the perp alive or dead?”

  Wynhod thought about Gelan, face to face with a man who didn’t care at all that he was Wynhod’s clanmate, the only Dramok he’d ever wanted. Perhaps they hadn’t caught the people ultimately responsible for the Delir horror, but they’d dismantled the damned thing. Delir was done. Despite what he’d told Krijero, Wynhod wanted little more than his Dramok alive.