by Shana Rae
Needing to take a break, Evahlia left the office and headed over to the training hall. Inside she found Katagh in the middle of training. Taking a seat, Evahlia watched as the young warriors practised Vorin-dra.
Katagh saw Evahlia and went and sat by her side.
"I knew your father Evahlia, I'm glad the truth is finally out."
"Can you tell me more about him, I've just been reading his files, but it's not the same as talking to someone about him."
"As Vysani said, he was on of our best warriors, I fought alongside him in many battles. You could truly trust him with your life. And I remember the day he came to me, to confide in me that he was leaving the Clan because he'd fallen in love and he knew the child your mother was carrying was female."
Katagh took hold of Evahlia's hand.
"I never betrayed his confidence Evahlia, this is the first time I've spoken of it. You have your father's fighting spirit, he would be so proud to see you now, what you have become. He told me that his hope was that one day you would know the truth and return to the NightStorm Clan and claim your rightful place as a warrior. I think he believed it was only a dream and would never actually happen."
"Thank you Katagh, I do sense his spirit with me when I'm training…"
The two warriors had stopped fighting, they walked over to Evahlia and Katagh.
"It is an honour to meet you Evahlia, I am Valiori and this is Sagael. We are both looking forward to becoming CyberTelepaths and being trained by you."
Evahlia looked up at Valiori and Sagael.
"You still have a lot more training ahead of you before you will be strong enough to handle the implant."
"We will prove ourselves worthy Evahlia."
Evahlia stood up to leave.
"Then I shall leave you to your training and await Katagh's report on your progress."
Evahlia thanked Katagh again before leaving, then headed for Vysani's office.
"Are you busy?"
"No Evahlia, come in."
"I've just left the training hall, I spoke to one of the trainee warriors, they are very eager to become CyberTelepaths, too eager and that concerns me. How many CyberTelepaths are we looking at creating?"
"Well I hope that all our warriors will eventually become CyberTelepaths."
"You're going to give the whole Clan implants?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"I thought we were creating an elite force, a select group of warriors to turn into CyberTelepaths, not the whole Clan."
"It's natural evolution for us Evahlia, you know there is no other Clan that trains as hard as we do, or that integrates meditation into warrior training."
"I know, but I think you will face a lot of opposition from the other Clans, especially the IceWarriors. We could have argued for an elite force…but the entire Clan…"
"We'll do it in stages, as you said, some of the new warriors aren't yet strong enough to have the implant fitted."
"Well I'm not happy about it, but if that is what you want to do, who am I to argue. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to get some rest, back to training tomorrow."
"You won't be training tomorrow, I need you to go to Kalocia to pick up some supplies, you'll meet with Mharnan, he'll have the package ready for you."
"Fine, I'll leave first thing in the morning."
Before Vysani could reply, Evahlia left the office.
When she got to the accommodation building, she went to Xacalei's quarters, he took a while to answer the door.
"I'm sorry did I wake you?"
"It's all right Evahlia, just practising my flying."
He grinned at Evahlia as she walked in to the room.
"Did you find the data about your father?"
"Yes and I spoke to Katagh about him, he shared some personal insights."
"And how are you feeling now?"
"Well I was fine until a few moments ago."
Xacalei could sense something was wrong, he sat down next to Evahlia.
"Do you know how many CyberTelepaths we're creating?"
"I'm not sure of the exact figure, but I imagine it will be a small elite force, why?"
"Vysani has just informed me that it will be the entire Clan."
"That isn't what he told me."
"He says it is natural evolution for our Clan because of the way we train warriors with meditation. I told him I wasn't happy about the idea. Can you imagine the reaction from the other Clans, especially the IceWarriors?"
"Instead of helping to maintain the peace, it could start another war…this is not good news Evahlia."
"I can't see any way of stopping it either, there's no reasoning with him."
"Well if you can't make him see sense, none of us stands a chance."
"There was something else too, I didn't give it much thought at the time. I told him that nothing happened between us when we went to the mountains, he said…no wait, do you mind if I show you?"
"Go ahead."
Evahlia linked to Xacalei's mind and revealed what Vysani had said about taking her to his bed.
"Do I understand by the intonation of his voice, that at some point he will try and exert power over me, or am I imagining it?"
"That was the impression I got Evahlia, I really don't understand what is going on."
"Neither do I, when Vysani first got his implant, we shared a very intimate moment through telepathy. When I came here after my Shi-kelryn, I assumed that Vysani and I would start a relationship, but he's deliberately distanced himself from me."
"To be honest Evahlia, that surprised many of us, we all felt that Vysani wanted you by his side and that was the reason why he was fighting so hard for you to join the Clan."
"I wonder how Vysani would react if I left Del'ghao?"
"I don't think that is advisable Evahlia."
"Well what do you suggest I do, I can't let him proceed with his plans to turn the whole Clan into CyberTelepaths."
"You have to find a way to let Zareli know…"
"I think I have an idea, I'm not going to tell you in case Vysani tries to scan you at some point. Just leave it with me. Now I must get some rest, I have to go to Kalocia in the morning…"
Evahlia stood up and smiled at Xacalei in such a way that he understood what she intended to do. She left the room and headed for her quarters.
25
Early the next morning, Evahlia left her quarters and walked across to Vysani's fighter. She sent him a telepathic message that she was leaving for Kalocia as she went on board, and received an acknowledgement back.
Evahlia quickly launched into orbit, as she set her course for Kalocia, she sent a telepathic message to Zareli to meet her there urgently and not to tell anyone. Evahlia knew it was a big risk she was taking, but allowing Vysani to turn the entire Clan into CyberTelepaths was worse.
Because she didn't want to have wait too long for Zareli to arrive, Evahlia took her time travelling to Kalocia. As she entered orbit, she scanned for any sign of Zareli, but couldn't detect anything. Taking the fighter into land, she saw Mharnan waiting for her.
She disembarked and walked over to him.
"Evahlia, my apologies, there has been a slight delay with the package. I was assured it would be in my office this morning, so if you can excuse me, I'll go and find out where it's got to."
"Fine, just don't be long, I'll go and wait in the bar instead of standing around in the rain."
Evahlia headed down the street, as she got to the bar, she received a telepathic message from Zareli. She smiled to herself as she entered the bar and made her way round the room to a table in the corner. Zareli looked up at her.
"I swore we'd never meet again Evahlia, there'd better be a good reason for this."
"Let me get my story straight first, I have come here to wait for Mharnan, he has a package for me to take to Vysani. You came to Kalocia to sort out some business, saw me, followed me to the bar and being so obsessed with me, tried to force yourself on me. As y
ou linked to my mind…you discovered something disturbing…"
"What are you talking about Evahlia?"
"Just leave the bar making sure no one sees you, then follow the story, I can't say any more in case Vysani scans me."
"All right."
Zareli stood up and quietly slipped out of the bar.
Moments later he walked in and looked around the room, saw Evahlia in the corner and walked over to her.
"Zareli…"
Evahlia stood up to leave.
"Going somewhere Evahlia?"
"Yes, I have business to attend to."
Zareli grabbed hold of Evahlia and forced her against the wall.
"We have some unfinished business first Evahlia."
Pinning Evahlia to the wall, Zareli kissed her and pressed his body against her before linking to her mind. Evahlia made an attempt to block him, but not before he'd scanned for the information she'd wanted him to find.
"You bastard Zareli, let me go!"
Evahlia unleashed a burst of energy, Zareli staggered back and stared at her. She knew by his stare that he was shocked by the information he'd found. Then Mharnan came into the bar and ran over to her. He pointed a gun at Zareli.
"I suggest you get out of here while you still can."
Zareli glanced at Evahlia.
"You haven't heard the last of me."
Then he stormed out of the bar.
"Are you all right Evahlia?"
"Yes, thank you, I wasn't expecting him, I didn't sense him until it was too late. Your timing was impeccable. Do you have the package?"
Mharnan handed it to Evahlia.
"I'd better escort you back to your fighter, Zareli seems very persistent."
"I should have been on my guard, I scanned for his presence as I approached Kalocia and didn't detect anything. He must have been blocking his thoughts."
Evahlia and Mharnan headed for the landing zone, when they got to Evahlia's fighter she quickly got on board. Powering up the fighter, Evahlia launched into orbit and set a course back to Del'ghao.
Once Evahlia had landed safely, she went straight to Vysani's office.
"Damn that bastard Zareli."
She put the package on Vysani's desk.
"I scanned as I approached Kalocia in case he was there, not a trace. But he was there all right, found me in the bar while I waited for Mharnan."
"Did Zareli hurt you?"
"Only my pride, I didn't sense him until it was too late, he shouldn't have caught me off guard. Luckily Mharnan wasn't far behind. Zareli has obviously learned how to block my thoughts, very disturbing."
"Well if he'd have known what was in this package, he might not have let you go so easily"
"What is in the package?"
"Material for the implants."
Evahlia laughed.
"That is quite amusing, so blinded by his passion for me, Zareli failed to realise that the package was more important!"
"So have you overcome your objection to all the Clan becoming CyberTelepaths?"
"Yes, it was just a bit of a surprise, I think I was overwhelmed at the thought of so much training. Talking of which, have you seen Xacalei?"
"He's in the training hall."
"Good, I want to discuss setting up a comprehensive training plan with him. Unless there's something else you want me to do?"
"No, go and talk to Xacalei."
Evahlia left the office and walked across the square to the training hall. As she opened the door, she sensed a message from Zareli and stopped dead in her tracks. Xacalei saw Evahlia stood in the door way and walked over to her.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, I just remembered something I forgot to tell Vysani, I'll be back in a moment."
Evahlia ran back across the square. As she entered Vysani's office, the security alarms activated.
"What's going on Vysani?"
He turned to his terminal.
"What the…"
Evahlia heard the sounds of ships overhead.
"We're under attack Evahlia, get the hell out of here."
As Evahlia turned to leave, a massive explosion shook the building. Large pieces of masonry fell all around her. She turned to Vysani.
"Who's attacking us?"
"The IceWarrior Clan…damn I can't activate our defences…"
Evahlia sensed a message from Zareli, she knew she had to leave.
"Leave it Vysani, let's get out of here."
As Vysani got to his feet, there was another explosion which blew the wall out behind him sending him flying across his desk. Evahlia rushed forward to help him, then realised that the ceiling was about to collapse. She turned and ran out of the door.
As Evahlia got outside, another explosion tore the building apart, blowing her off her feet. She hit the ground with such force it felt as if she'd broken every bone her body. Evahlia managed to stand up, she turned round to see the building collapse, she knew Vysani was dead, she couldn't sense his energy. Evahlia collapsed to her knees, overwhelmed by pain, she blacked out.
When Evahlia opened her eyes, she was lying in medlab with Xacalei sat beside her.
"What happened?"
"You tell me Evahlia?"
"I just remember explosions…"
"You know it was the IceWarrior Clan Evahlia, they killed Vysani. It would have been better if you'd found a way of dealing with him through the Clan. When you said you'd speak to Zareli, I had no idea you'd go this far."
"This wasn't my idea, I thought Zareli might threaten him, but not this…"
"Well there'll be no more CyberTelepaths now, all the data was destroyed in the explosion."
"I tried to get Vysani out…there was nothing I could do, if I had known what was going to happen, do you think I would have returned to Vysani's office?"
"Yes, if you wanted to confirm that's where he was so the IceWarriors would know where to attack."
"I can't believe your accusing me of being responsible for what happened. This is my Clan too, unless you've forgotten."
Xacalei got to his feet.
"They have asked Katagh to take over as leader, as he is the most senior warrior. Once you have recovered from your injuries, there will be a meeting called where you will explain your actions, they will then decide your fate."
Evahlia tried to sit up, but the pain was too much, all she could do was watch as Xacalei left the room. She lay back down, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
26
Early the next morning, Evahlia was woken by Corin shaking her.
"They're waiting for you, I told them I didn't feel you were well enough, but…"
Corin helped Evahlia out of bed. Once he'd helped her to get dressed, he took hold of her arm and led her out of the room.
As they walked across the square, Evahlia felt a sense of foreboding. Corin opened the door of the training hall and indicated she should go inside.
Evahlia looked around the hall, all the senior warriors were sat along either side. In the centre of the room, Katagh and Xacalei were stood waiting. Slowly she walked over to them.
"Evahlia, you have been called here to explain your part in the recent assassination of Vysani."
"Katagh, I played no part in it."
"You deny speaking to Zareli about Vysani's plans for the future of our Clan?"
"Yes, he must have scanned my mind when he attacked me on Kalocia."
"Which you planned, I believe the night before you went to Kalocia, you told Xacalei that you were going to talk to Zareli about stopping Vysani, do you deny this?"
Evahlia stared at Xacalei.
"It was your idea to speak to Zareli, you were opposed to Vysani's plans…"
"You know I made no such suggestion and how could I possibly be opposed to Vysani's plans when I am a CyberTelepath myself."
Evahlia suddenly realised that Xacalei had set her up by suggesting she talk to Zareli. He, like all the other warriors in the hall had never been happy with accepting a fem
ale into the Clan as warrior. They had forced her into removing Vysani, as a way to get rid of her.
"None of you have ever truly accepted me have you, that is what this is all about isn't it?"
Katagh stepped forward and stood facing Evahlia.
"We have all agreed that you should leave Del'ghao immediately, and will no longer be regarded as a member of the NightStorm Clan. We have also agreed there will be no reprisals against the IceWarrior Clan, to start a war because of you is risible. The ship belonging to the LightStar Clan that you first arrived in, has been re-fuelled, goodbye Evahlia."
For a moment Evahlia was too stunned to move, but slowly she turned round and walked out of the hall.
When she got to her ship, Evahlia boarded and sat down. She barely had the strength to launch, but she managed eventually. As she headed into orbit, she sent a telepathic message to Zareli, then set a course for Iosera.
As Evahlia went into land on Iosera, she saw Zareli waiting for her. He ran on board and picked Evahlia up in his arms.
"You're safe now."
He gently kissed her as he carried her off the ship and over to her quarters.
"I've told Brykesi what happened and that you'll talk to him when you're feeling stronger."
Zareli laid her down on the bed.
"Help me get undressed please, I don't think this outfit is suitable any more."
Zareli helped Evahlia take off her clothes, he pulled the covers over her and sat down next to her.
"Xacalei set me up, they were all still opposed to me being a member of the Clan. So in assassinating Vysani, you did them more of a favour than you realise."
"It wasn't an easy decision to make Evahlia and I'm sorry it turned against you."
"No you're not…and to be honest…neither am I. I'm happy to be back here with you. Now are you going to just sit there or get undressed and…"