by C B Williams
Mouse huffed. “So it means we’re back to you being able to read everybody’s mind.”
He squinted at her. “Is that so off-putting?”
She straightened. “Thoughts are personal things. Some people like to keep their thoughts to themselves.”
“And there are plenty of thoughts I do not wish to invade. As an example, I would not wish to be in your head while you are experiencing Space Sickness.”
“I don’t even wish to be in my head while I’m experiencing Space Sickness.”
He chuckled and imagined what it would be like to be able to read some of her thoughts, what she thought of him, for example, and instantly schooled himself, wondering if changing her wardrobe had been a good idea after all. Perhaps selective thought reading was the answer? “It’s all in the proper wording.” He tapped his lip. “Perhaps if the thoughts regarding my personal welfare and those regarding Spur’s, or anything that falls under my responsibility.”
“Might work.”
Max leaned back in his chair and looked skyward. “If only I had more than one day to hone this down.” He glanced over at Mouse. “Hurried decisions are not my forte. I prefer to turn over every stone. More than once.”
“Sometimes life doesn’t work that way.”
“Mmm. Sometimes. Now, if you will excuse me, I’d like to ponder on my own for a time. I’ve called a meeting of my most trusted contacts. They’ll be here in an hour, and I trust you’ll be here as well. I’m not yet kill-proof.”
“Kill-proof?”
“Another offering from Talamh.” He waved his hand in a shooing motion. “Off you go. I have much pondering to do and not much time in which to do it.”
With a short nod, Mouse rose and smoothed her skirt. “I’m going down to find Manabu at the restaurant,” she said, but doubted Max heard her. He was staring off into space, deep within his pondering.
She found the grizzled pilot sitting and eating at a table in the small restaurant attached to the hotel. With a polite murmur, she slipped into the chair across from him. “Do you mind?”
Manabu blotted his mouth with a napkin. “No, not at all. What can I order for you?”
She looked at his half-eaten plate. “Looks good. What is it?”
He shrugged. “Something native. Raw greens and, I think, some sort of fish. And it is as tasty as it looks.” He signaled as a harried young girl rushing past.
“Be right back,” she said, which she was.
Mouse placed her order and waited for her meal. “Don’t wait for me. Keep eating,” Mouse told Manabu when she noticed he’d set his fork down. “They might think you’ve finished.”
She watched him eating for a bit, then decided it was now or never. “So, Manabu,” she began. “What do you think about taking a short trip up to Dock 4?”
Manabu paused, fork and eyebrow lifted.
“Max believes the ship is being held because the Ring is being reestablished and they need a colonizer vessel. I bet that’s where Wren is.”
“They say it’s guarded,” he commented, and resumed eating.
“It still couldn’t hurt to look. Maybe if I told the guards I was connected with Max they’d let me get closer?”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“On whose side they’re on.”
“What if we just look? What if we make an early morning call? At the shift change, when people are tired?”
Manabu took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Dawn? Tomorrow?”
Mouse sat back and folded her arms. “Perfect. Thank you.”
“Not at all. I’m curious too.”
Her plate arrived. Not only did it look good, it smelled wonderful. She ordered a second to take to Max before his meeting. On the way back to the room, she could sample it to ensure it wasn’t poisoned.
Max was unaware she had been sampling everything he ate and drank since they arrived and his personal chef remained on their yacht. Had he known, he might have laughed, but she saw it as an important aspect of her job.
Two hours later, Mouse stood by the door, arms crossed, fingertips touching the knives in her sleeves, and surveyed the room. It amazed her how Max gathered information, yet made it seem he’d known all along what was happening.
Only because he’d discussed it with her did she realize how little he had actually known about the power struggle on Talamh since the Ring disbanded. With few left to oppose him, Eaton Currington was coming out on top. However, with Max’s sudden appearance, the balance of power could easily be overturned. Max had a reputation for fairness which Currington did not. Max also had the backing of a planet. Spur. And, Mouse noted, Max was very persuasive.
He made it very clear his intention was to end Eaton Currington’s reign before it ever began. She could tell he was pleased when all eight of the people in the room applauded. And from their body language, she knew they meant it. She watched as Max, eyes lit with excitement, began to explain his plans. In another thirty minutes, the meeting adjourned amiably.
After seeing the last woman out the door, Mouse turned to look at Max, who was reclining in his chair and sipping a brandy. “You seem pleased,” she said.
“I am. Very. This time tomorrow, when we reconvene, I will know exactly what each of them is thinking and be able to put the finishing touches upon my plans. What did you think?”
“What did I think? About your meeting?”
“Yes, of course. You are an excellent judge of character, Mouse. Were there any dissenters in the group?”
“None that I could tell. They seem relieved, actually, because someone they trust has taken charge.” She paused. “Do you want to know what I think?” she asked as she took a seat on the adjacent sofa.
“Always.”
It was the tone of his answer, she decided, and placed a hand on her stomach to quiet the flutter. “I think this happened because there was no Max to help with the transition from one seat of government to the next. Spur’s people had you, but none of the colonies had anyone.”
“I did my best and felt—still feel, actually—the other colonies are stable,” He was quiet for a moment. “Granted, I didn’t see Currington making his move. That was a rather large mistake on my part. But I’m more wary now. I can recheck the other colonies’ governing officials.”
“When you speak with Talamh tonight, you may want to include being able to read the thoughts of anyone conspiring against you or any of the colonies.”
He took another sip of brandy. “I just may. What do you fancy for dinner? I’m feeling rather peckish. Lunch, although delicious, was but a mere morsel. Plotting and scheming always make me ravenous. I also have more pondering to do before my midnight rendezvous with the Lady Talamh.”
Once again Her presence woke him. He opened his eyes, sat up with on hand covering a yawn. He congratulated himself his heart wasn’t racing...much.
He bowed his head. “My Lady.”
“Have you made your decision?”
“I have,” Max said. “As it is Spur’s wish, I am yours to command.”
Talamh smiled. “Nicely said. Then I shall empower you as we discussed. When you have settled your dispute with your enemy, contact Me, and I will bring you to My Champion. I shall feel such relief when Our two peoples have merged. I thank you for your willingness. Prepare yourself.” She raised her arms.
Max put up a hand. “A moment, My Lady.”
“Yes?” She cocked her head, “You wish to speak?”
He hoped he was not reading displeasure in Her voice. “I do, My Lady. I gratefully accept the gifts you are about to bestow upon me. However, I believe those around me who are not my enemies or enemies of Spur or Yourself, would be uncomfortable by my being able to read their thoughts.”
“Then do not tell them.”
“True. I could do that, but, you see, I would not wish to invade the minds of those I care about. Thoughts are such personal things to humans. They’re very private and should be honored.
”
Talamh nodded at Mouse sleeping quietly beside him. “Not even that one?”
Max felt sheepish. “It is true, I do at times wish to know what she thinks of me, but her privacy takes precedence over my selfish curiosity.”
“But you say you are greedy. You should want to know.”
“Perhaps I am not as greedy as I think myself to be?” Max asked.
“And you are a little afraid about what you may learn,” Talamh stated with a smile.
Max smiled too. “That as well.”
Talamh raised her arms. “Very well. I will do as you asked. You will read the thoughts of those who have evil intentions toward you and Spur and Talamh.”
"And all the other colonies. To protect your Sisters, of course.”
“To protect my Sisters, agreed.”
“And who have evil intentions toward anyone I care about,” Max added.
“Agreed, although that is not the request of a power-hungry man.” She said, arms still raised “You will also be invulnerable to attack of any kind that seeks to destroy your person for the rest of your life. Prepare yourself.”
Since he didn’t know what he was preparing for, Max closed his eyes and sat very still.
When Eloch gave back his youth, he had felt a gentle, nearly pleasant tingle flush through his body. This was an entirely different sensation. He had to clamp his jaw to keep from crying out while a current of energy, foreign and powerful, coursed through his body at a cellular level. He felt he was being simultaneously pulled apart and recreated. The pain was unbearable, but brief. By the time he thought he couldn’t take any more, it was over.
Panting, Max opened his eyes to discover he had fallen back onto the bed, his muscles twitching involuntarily. He felt too weak to even raise his head, and he found he was unable to speak.
When She spoke, Talamh’s voice was soft and soothing. “As you are not of Me, the pain could not be helped, and I am sorry for that. Rest well, Spur’s Champion on My Land. When you waken, the pain will be a mere memory.”
Then She was gone as before, leaving a fading glow where She had been.
As the light faded, Max suppressed a groan when he turned his head and looked at Mouse where she lay, her chest gently rising and falling. She’s going to be disappointed she didn’t see Talamh, he thought and reached out with a trembling hand to smooth her hair. But before he touched her, he thought better of it. He smiled softly and watched her a little longer. I really must take the time to sort out what these feelings mean, he told himself as drifted off.
When he woke, he was alone.
Chapter 17
“We’re here,” Manabu said. “As soon as you hear the chime, it’ll be safe to exit.”
Mouse glanced out the window she’d been avoiding and couldn’t help gasping. “How does the air stay in?” she asked, as she gazed at the huge steel girders, prominent against the blackness.
“Shields. Keeps the atmosphere in. It’s why it’s important to wait for the chime.”
“I’ll say.” She tried not to look at the vastness out her viewing port, focusing on the mammoth structure instead. She glanced at the way they arrived and saw, in the center of the dock, a large, modular hub. By the number of windows, she guesstimated it held about twenty or so rooms. Dorms for the dockworkers? She wasn’t sure. She glanced back at the mammoth structure near their arrival bay. If the hub was where workers ate and slept, then what...? “Manabu, is that,” she paused. “Is that structure The Valiant?”
He grinned at her expression. “That’s her. Enormous, isn’t she?”
“How does it even fly? Wren said it was big, but I had no idea.”
“Flies just fine. No gravity. No resistance. I’d forgotten myself how large those colonizers are. Gotta be. Built to house 10,000 people.”
“It’s a city in space.”
“One way of looking at it.”
A loud, ear-piercing chime sounded.
Mouse jumped and swore.
“Good luck,” said Manabu as the shuttle door hissed open. “I won’t be far.” He nodded toward an area shadowed by modular wall. “In those shadows.”
Mouse shot a glance at the four martials, armed and standing near the gangway to The Valiant. “Good. I may need to leave in a hurry.” She felt for her knives, then eased her way out of the shuttle, trying to look as harmless as possible.
One of the martials came to meet her.
“I’m sorry, but no civilians beyond this point. It’s not safe.” He was young, but already had the manner of an officer.
She hadn’t thought this through, she realized. “I…uh...” Thinking fast, she drew herself up, and glowered, glad for once she’d decided to wear her grays. “Do you know who I am?” she demanded crossly. “I am the one called Mouse.”
Without warning, the dock lurched, and she shuffled to catch herself. A sensation of vertigo ran through her, and she found it hard to focus. Her stomach jumped, and she clutched it. She glanced up and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. “Gods,” she gulped. “They didn’t tell me the whole station spins.”
The martial put out a steadying hand. “It’s how we make our gravity,” he explained. “You okay, Miss?” He peered at her. “You got the Sickness?”
Mouse nodded miserably. For once she was grateful a martial was close at hand. Probably be the last time, she thought. “I need to do what I came here to do so I can get off this station.” Her stomach heaved and she clamped a hand across her mouth.
The martial looked down at his glossy black boots and back at her. “It’s against protocol but, seeing as you’re married to who you’re married to—and, yeah, I’ve heard what you can do—I’ll give you the clearance you need.” He squinted at her. “What did you come to do?”
“I’m here to meet with the inhabitants of that ship there,” she nodded to The Valiant. Now the vertigo was passing, she noticed she felt better, unless she looked at the spinning stars beyond the steel girders.
He snorted. “Good luck. Once you see it’s impossible, you’re free to leave.” He led her over to where the other three martials waited and explained Mouse’s intentions.
They looked at Mouse warily, stifling a couple of snickers, which she ignored. They were young, merely boys. The list of those whose opinions she cared about was very short. She nodded at them and then turned to face The Valiant.
She headed toward the ship’s entrance, a door wide enough to march twelve abreast, yet it was still dwarfed by the vessel’s size. It was sealed shut, of course. Manabu told her what to expect, and she looked for the mysterious force field. She spotted it, a shimmering, nearly invisible sparkle. There was only one person who could create such a field, and if he was monitoring the doorway, he’d see who it was and allow her entrance.
At least it’s what she hoped.
She deliberately lifted her face so she could be seen. Her stomach lurched again, and she hoped the colonizer had very few portholes. The spinning coupled with the vastness of space beyond the girders was a cocktail she couldn’t tolerate much longer.
She walked up to the field and stood there for a moment watching its iridescent shimmer. Should she touch it? What would happen if she was wrong?
Only one way to find out.
She took a steadying breath and slowly raised her hands, palms forward, towards the field. One of the guards shouted from behind, but she ignored him.
She gasped when she touched it.
Cold fire shot through her, and she suddenly stumbled as she was literally hauled through the barrier.
Mouse turned and took a deep breath to calm herself. As she slowly let it out, she shot the four gaping martials a smirk and waved before she turned and watched the huge door open. As the gangplank slid out, the black, blurred body of a sniffer hurtled toward her.
A gurgle of fear filled her stomach. Would Little Sister remember? She held still and palmed a throwing knife.
Ten yards away the huge sniffer leapt at her, throwing her to h
er back, its enormous, clawed paws on either side of her face. She dared not breathe as she waited, knife still in her hand.
Little Sister lowered her head and sniffed.
A deep rumble of pleasure rose from the beast’s throat, and Little Sister began to wash Mouse’s face and nuzzle her neck.
Heedless of being soaked with saliva, Mouse dropped her knife to wrap her arms around the huge beast’s neck and nuzzled back, delightedly soaking in the loud purrs. Not until that moment had she realized how desperately she missed Little Brother and regretted leaving him behind with Ingot. Before gently pushing the huge beast off, she ran her hands up and down its smooth coat, feeling the powerful muscles which gave the beast such strength and beauty.
Wiping her face on her sleeve, she stood, brushed herself off, and snatched up her knife. This time she didn’t bother to look back at the martials. Alongside Little Sister, Mouse strode toward the figures backlit by the bright interior of the ship. A grin tugged on her mouth as she anticipated the reunion with her friends, Spider included.
But as she drew near, her stomach sank. She only recognized one person, and readied herself for trouble, glad for the weapon still in her hand.
Aiko grinned broadly and said her name.
“Aiko.” Mouse nodded to her and scanned the three strangers. “Who are these people?” she asked, and tightened her grip.
Chapter 18
Aiko held her hands out and patted the air gently before her. “Easy, Mouse. These are friendlies.”
Mouse studied the group again. They didn’t look hostile, but they did seem tense. “Then who are they, and where’s Wren?”
Aiko gestured toward the couple standing beside her. “Mink and Wade are cryo partners. They literally came with the ship and volunteered to come with us on Eloch’s mission.”
Mouse nodded to the pair.