Afterburn

by S. L. Viehl

  “No.” She hated mogshrikes, hated what they did to other aquatics, but she wouldn’t be an executioner. “It deserves a chance to live, just like anyone.”

  “It’s not a person, Mom,” Dair said, straining against the ’shrike’s weight.

  “That’s what the pod said about you,” Teresa said, panting the words. “They wanted me to let you die, and I knew you probably would, but I couldn’t do it.” She knuckled some sweat out of her eyes. “Why isn’t it fighting us?”

  “Maybe it knows you want to help it.” Dair grimaced. “I hope it smells better in the water.”

  Onkar sniffed the air. “That isn’t the ’shrike.”

  Between the three of them, they managed to drag the baby down to the water.

  “Push it in,” Teresa said, “but don’t get into the water. I don’t want this thing taking a chunk out of you.”

  The ’shrike’s eyes were rolled back into its head now, and its gill vents barely fluttered. Yet the instant water touched its hide, it began writhing, trying to work itself toward the sea.

  Dair and Onkar got behind the ’shrike and, with Teresa, shoved it over the last few feet of shells and into the water.

  “There it goes,” Teresa said, straightening and resting her hands on her hips to watch the ’shrike as it turned to swim off. “We did a good thing, guys. Thanks.”

  “I’ll remind you of this the next time there’s an attack on the pod,” Dair said.

  “I’m sure you will.” Teresa shaded her eyes with one hand but didn’t see any sign of Noel in the second inflatable. “What’s taking them so long?”

  “Teresa.” Onkar placed one fin edge on her shoulder. “Look at the ’shrike.”

  The baby wasn’t swimming away. It was hovering near the edge of the wrill island, and it was looking up through the water at Teresa.

  “Go.” She made a forward gesture with both arms. “Shoo.”

  The ’shrike’s eyes narrowed, but it didn’t move away. Instead, it seemed to be inspecting them.

  Onkar, who was breathing in deeply, turned around and walked a short distance away from the two women. He dropped down and began digging into the wrill shells, then rose. “Dr. Selmar, please come over here.”

  Teresa could hardly drag herself from the sight of the well-behaved ’shrike, but something in Onkar’s tone made her go. She joined him at the hole he had dug in the shells. “What is it?”

  Onkar bent and lifted a dark gray piece of dorsal fin out of the hole he had dug. “This belonged to a ’Zangian. It’s what I’ve been smelling since I climbed up here.”

  Teresa went down on her knees and dug through the top layer of shells with both hands. Under the molt there were more ’Zangian body parts. “Here’s another dorsal fin, and a piece of a fluke.” She looked up at him. “These might be the two guards who went missing.”

  “Why would they be so far away from the coast? Who buried them under all these shells?”

  Teresa shook her head, then heard the sound of an inflatable approaching and shaded her eyes. “There’s Noel. We’ll recover the remains and bring them back to the ship, Subcommander.”

  They walked down to the shore, where Dair and the baby ’shrike were contemplating each other.

  “It just sits there as if it wants to watch us,” Dair told them. “It’s not natural.”

  The ’shrike lifted its head out of the water, opened its mouth, and uttered a sound. Teresa didn’t understand it, but the sound had a violent affect on Dair and Onkar, who stumbled back from the edge of the water.

  “What?” She looked back at them. “What is it?”

  “A pulse.” Dair clapped her hands over her ears, as if she meant to block it out. “It pulsed.”

  Teresa frowned. “Mogshrikes don’t produce pulses. They don’t have vocal cords.”

  “That one does,” Onkar told her.

  CHAPTER 16

  Liam Mayer finished his examination and checked the scanner display. “Other than missing a hand, and evidently having a spine made of pure arutanium, you are in excellent health, Dr. Hkyrim.”

  “I am glad to hear it.” The Omorr moved to sit on the edge of the medical berth and examined the stump of his arm. “It is odd. I know it is gone, but at times I can still feel it there.”

  “Phantom pains,” Mayer told him. “They’ll come and go over time.” He looked across the berth at the willowy Terran woman standing on the other side. “That was a very brave thing you did, Ms. Kim.”

  Emily Kim only went to the view panel to stare outside.

  Hkyrim watched his Terran friend. What he had forced her to do was barbaric, and he knew she had been utterly terrified. She was still pale, her eyes haunted, and she had spoken very little since helping the medics bring him to emergency services.

  “Your theory proved correct, Doctor,” Liam told Hkyrim. “The wrill specimen was infected by nanites. We’re keeping the specimens sealed until Enviro can figure out how to neutralize them.”

  “I believe from what I observed and experienced that the nanites are DNA resequencers,” he told Dr. Mayer. “Programmed to alter only aquatic life-forms.”

  Liam frowned. “Why would they attack you, then?”

  “Ancient Omorr were sea-dwellers. We still carry some of our ancestors’ aquatic characteristics, such as our gildrells. It likely sampled my DNA and decided I was an aquatic.” Hkryim reached for his tunic. “I would like to return to my living quarters, if I may be excused from working the remainder of my shift.”

  Emily whirled around. “Are you crazy? Get back in that berth. My God, Hkyrim, you just lost a hand.”

  “I have two others.” He glanced at Mayer. “Doctor, would you excuse us for a moment?” Liam nodded and departed. “Emily, I apologize for the discomfort I caused you. It was not my intention and I will always regret having placed you in such a position.”

  She stared at him. “You’re apologizing to me. Hkyrim, I came here to have lunch with you, and ended up cutting off your hand.”

  “I would have preferred the meal,” he admitted, “but once I realized I was infected with nanites, there was little alternative.”

  She scrubbed her hands over her face. “You are completely nuts, do you know that?”

  He dropped his tunic and went to her, using his two uninjured arms to encircle her waist. “You saved my life, and very possibly the lives of many others.”

  “Hooray.”

  He pulled her close. “I was afraid, too, Emily.”

  “Oh, God, I never want to feel that scared again,” she whispered, resting her cheek against his chest.

  From the wetness Hkyrim felt, and the sounds he heard, he knew Emily was crying. He held her for a long time, stroking her hair with one hand, until the sounds and the wetness tapered off.

  She lifted her face. “Don’t you ever ask me to amputate your hand again, do you hear me?”

  “I will do my best, Emily,” he promised.

  She looked at his stump. “I guess there’s no way they can clean it and sew it back on.”

  “Not safely.”

  “What were those things?”

  “Nanites. A bio-organic mechanism that measures only a billionth of a meter in size. Nanites are a type of drone that functions at the atomic and subatomic level. They can be programmed to do many things, such as duplicate, construct, deconstruct, and resequence atoms.”

  “Microscopic drones?” She appeared astonished. “Why would someone build them that small?”

  “Medical application of nanotechnology is still in its infancy in many parts of the galaxy, but we have begun using them as probes and to treat certain diseases. We design viruses now that attack and destroy other viruses and diseased cells, as well as build healthy replacement organs from diseased organ cells.” Absently he used a gildrell to wipe the last tears from her cheeks. “These are not medical nanites, however. I believe they are DNA resequencers—nanites programmed to alter a life-form through direct manipulation of its DNA. It
is a type of nanotech that is illegal to create or use.”

  “Is that what they did to the wrill? They altered it?”

  “No; that is why I didn’t know what they were when I examined the specimen. The nanites were lodged in the wrill’s brain, but they had not altered its cells or DNA.” He recalled the wrill’s burst skull and wondered if the nanites had been responsible for the damage. “It was only when they attacked me did I make the connection.”

  Emily frowned. “But if the nanites didn’t reprogram the wrill or whatever they do, why was it infected with them?”

  “It is probably being used as a carrier, to deliver the nanites to the intended victims.” Hkyrim looked out through the view panel and saw a group of ’Zangian pilots crossing the FreeClinic commons. “Highly evolved aquatics.”

  I would like to wish you well, Administrator Hansen, Carada said after Ana had delivered the standard opening greeting for the summit meeting. I am told that you are to be, what is it called again, Miglan? The Ylydii bent to hear her assistant’s mutter. Ah, yes. Married. To whom is this commitment being made?

  Ana politely gave the ambassador the name of her fiancé, Dr. William Mayer.

  A healer? And you are in Administration. Carada seemed amused. Well, you may have little in common, but if you can be satisfied with one male for the remainder of your existence, I suppose it is an acceptable practice. You certainly won’t ever have to wonder who sired your pups.

  Shon saw Ana’s brief, startled reaction disappear as she graciously accepted the ambassador’s congratulations and continued on to the schedule of discussion topics planned for the session.

  I am not finished speaking, Carada said, interrupting the Terran woman. I found this concept of monogamous commitment quite interesting. It has definite applications in other areas that concern us.

  Now Shon was startled, but not for long.

  We have been at an impasse since coming to this planet, Carada continued, apparently oblivious to the three-way alliance that the other members of the summit had been gradually forming. I did not come here to waste my time arguing over issues; I intend to solve them. I see now that the application of fresh ideas and a new direction are the only sensible ways to proceed and to accomplish anything while we are here.

  Nathaka, the ’Zangian delegate, gave the other aquatic a puzzled look. What do you mean?

  “I think that is very generous of you, Lady Ambassador, to bring such an open mind to the negotiations,” Ana said. “I’m very flattered that my engagement inspired you as well. Now, if you would introduce these new ideas of yours as we bring up each topic—”

  There is no need to wait, the Ylydii assured her. My proposal is a simple one, very easy to understand. She turned to face Urloy-ka. The Ninrana need water, and the Ylydii will provide the technology to replenish the planetary water tables, along with enough water stores to enable your survival until your world recovers.

  “What do you wish in return?” the obviously suspicious Ninrana delegate asked.

  A symbol of your commitment to lasting peace between Ninra and Ylyd, Carada told him. You are the leader of your world, are you not?

  “I am the chief over all the Red Basin tribes,” Urloy-ka acknowledged. “That is the majority of the population on Ninra.”

  Excellent. Then you will marry my daughter, Liana.

  Before Urloy-ka or any of the delegates could react to Carada’s proposal, one of the Ylydii males darted to the front. You cannot give her to him! He will eat her!

  Shon had never noticed the little male before, but there was no mistaking the ferocity of his response. One of the Lady Liana’s admirers, no doubt.

  Silence, Carada said, shoving back the smaller male. To the Ninrana, she said, This will be a political union between our worlds, with equality of position for both partners. As spouse to the ruler of Ylyd, you would have involvement in our government. As spouse to you, Liana would have involvement in yours.

  “And this is all you want in return for the tech and the water?” the Ninrana demanded. “A marriage?”

  I prefer to think of it as a permanent and lasting alliance, Ambassador Urloy-ka. I will be quite happy to sign a contractual agreement as to the specific terms. However, be aware that I do not offer my child lightly, nor do I intend to languish about for another week while you argue with the others over it. Accept or refuse, and do it now.

  Ana gave Shon a stricken look. She knew, as he did, that it was just the sort of solution that would appeal to the desperate Ninrana.

  “What about the Skartesh?” Shon asked. “Are those I represent to be cast aside and ignored while such preferential treatment is shown to the Ninrana?”

  Carada made a dismissive gesture. You have already negotiated having your colony established on the moon belonging to the ’Zangian delegate. We will leave you to work out this matter with them.

  She is mine! The small Ylydii male surged forward. I won’t let you throw her away on a mouth-breather!

  Carada’s expression became long-suffering as she turned to two of the Ylydii female guards. Remove the noisemaker at once.

  Shon had no choice but to do what he could to derail Carada before Urloy-ka responded. “The Skartesh object to the prejudiced nature of this proposal, which will not benefit two of the species involved in this summit. We strongly insist that it be retracted at once.”

  “No need of that, Major,” Urloy-ka said. “She is right, your species has already found their place on the ’Zangians’ moon.” He looked at the Ylydii. “Very well, Ambassador Carada. As long as the contracted terms are acceptable to me, I will marry your daughter, and you will give my people what we need to restore our world.”

  When Fokrej appeared at the opening to Liana’s cavern, Graleba tried to send him away. My lady is resting now, male. You may come back later.

  Later she will not be here, the male said. Two of his gillets were torn, and his snout was swollen, as if he had been beaten. Later he will come for her, and she will be taken away.

  Liana came out into the light. What are you babbling about, Fokrej?

  Carada has struck a bargain. The smaller Ylydii male could not seem to keep still. He darted back and forth in the center of the cavern. After all I have done for her, she defers to that dirt-dweller. His stunted veils thrashed the water. Marriage. To an alien mouth-breather. Is she insane?

  Liana looked at Graleba, who only finned confusion. Fokrej, what has Carada done?

  Your mother has formed a political alliance with the Ninrana. She is giving you to him. He went to Graleba and shoved her toward the opening of the cavern. Get out. Get out!

  Frightened by the uncharacteristic behavior, the attendant fled.

  Fokrej turned back to Liana. I will help you, but you must come with me.

  Come with you?

  I have a ship. I will take you back to Ylyd, to the synchrony. I will protect you from her and that filthy mouth-breather. He advanced toward her. You know it is what you want. You are of the green. I am the only one who can satisfy you now.

  Liana braced herself for a blow. No.

  You know she will make you do it, and you would spend the rest of your life on a desert planet, Fokrej told her. A planet where they have been eating off-worlders for centuries. If they didn’t dine on you, you would have to live in a tank. Like an animal on display. Forever, my lady. Forever.

  But you would take care of me, I suppose, she said. When you are not torturing me.

  I would give you what you want. I am fertile. I understand your needs. I would give you time to whelp, and then we would go back to our play. He displayed his barbs for her. I am the only one with a heart as dark as yours is, Liana. Only I can please you. We will go back to Ylyd and take refuge among the synchrony. They will never permit her to come near you again.

  Liana felt sick, and backed slowly toward the opening. No.

  You will come with me now. Fokrej whipped his fins across her face.

  Something inside her snapp
ed. Something that had been held rigid and unbending for too long. NO!

  Liana hurtled at the smaller male and drove him into the cavern’s rough rock wall. His body bounced off the hard surface, but before he could swim away she barreled into him again. And again, and again. When he hung limp and motionless, she fled the cavern.

  She would not allow him to touch her again. She would never go to Ninra. It was decided, finished, over. She could not do this anymore.

  Liana swam as fast as she could, streaming over the caverns and turning until she was on a direct course for the shore. There she would beach herself, on some remote stretch of sand where no one would find her body until it was too late. If it was not a fair exchange in the eyes of the goddess, or the creator, or whoever had chosen to give her this existence, it was too bad. She was through with all of it.

  Two ’Zangian males came up on either side of her. They were pacing her and trying to say something to hear. Liana abruptly changed direction and darted away from them. She nearly collided with a third male, who had been following her from behind.

  Get away from me, she said.

  Incredibly, the male gave her a look of blatant interest. You are on the small side. Are you fully grown for your kind?

  Liana flipped around him and swam toward clear water. The water on either side of her soon filled with other ’Zangians, all males who seemed to be trying to catch her eye. A few fell off pursuing her to tussle with each other, which was even more confusing. Soon Liana couldn’t find a way out of the mass of eager males crowding around her.

  Why doesn’t she run?

  I don’t know. She’s not ’Zangian.

  Beautiful, isn’t she? I will have her.

  No, I want this one. Our pup will be unique.

  A huge, dark form knocked aside several males and came up on Liana’s side. It was Burn, and he was furious.

  What are you doing?

  Trying to get away from them, she snapped. Why won’t they leave me alone?

  They smell you. Everyone can. And you’re swimming too fast. Burn closed his eyes for a moment before turning to look at the other males. She is mine. You will not chase her anymore.