Zion paused, allowing Danstu to join him. “Hey, would you happen to know where I can find information about Gathow?”
“Like?” Zion questioned.
Danstu shook his head uneasy. “Lolum offered me a position here to help Sortec, but I doubt she’ll be forthcoming. I need some basic stats, weapons, food, general population, and most important…what this military base is capable of?”
Zion chuckled. “I wouldn’t know. But if Lolum gave you the go-ahead, it’s probably a good idea to introduce you to Sortec.”
Danstu frowned in question. “We’ve already met.”
“She has three types of people she recognizes, those she met, people she calls friends and those she employs. Come on, she needs to know you’re working for her.”
Inside the gym, Sedom’s fist flew, connecting against the leathered punching bag. Before her stood the tanned skin of Talenvanc, filled with sand and crafted into the perfect punching bag. She slammed her fist into the bag again and again until she lost all her breath.
“Sortec!” Zion called out from the doorway, briefly gaining her attention.
She grabbed hold of the bag, leaning over to catch her breath against it. “What?” she yelled.
“You’ve got company,” he called out as he and Danstu approached.
She wiped away the sweat from her eyes then turned to the door. “Tasbola-sotla,” she grumbled noticing Danstu with Zion.
“This is Danstu Keriney—“ Zion began.
“Yes, I know. We met in the tunnels. Again, what do you want?” she barked.
Danstu stepped away from Zion, keeping his distance from Sedom. “Lolum asked that I come speak with you about the job.”
“Job? What job?” she groaned. She slammed her fist into the bag again and continued to as he spoke.
“The assistant position,” Danstu clarified.
“Who’s assistant?” she asked as she continued to punch.
“Yours,” Zion spoke up. Sedom didn’t respond. “You need someone who can help guide Gathow in the right direction. This is your man,” he encouraged.
Sedom nodded, recalling her conversation with Lolum. He had mentioned to her Danstu was someone she should employ. She wiped the sweat from her nose and continued to punch. “What can a twenty-six-year-old Crehail man, with taboo shoes, do that I can’t?”
Danstu started to speak only to be held back by Zion. He shook his head, telling Danstu not to say anything. “I suggest we give him some space and see what he’s capable of,” Zion requested.
“Space?” Sedom grunted. “What kind of space?”
“You have key positions that need to be filled. I have the means to fill them. I know a lot of people who would jump at the chance to join your cause,” Danstu spoke up.
“My cause?” Sedom questioned.
“Our cause, Chadon,” Zion corrected.
Sedom grunted her amusement. “If,” she slammed her fist into the bag, “you hire someone that means to do me or Gathow harm, I will personally cut you up, inch by inch, and feed you to the Gawain. Understood?” she asked. Danstu nodded. Sedom didn’t hear him nod. “UNDERSTOOD?” she barked louder.
“Yes, Chadon,” Danstu called back.
“Fine. Start with finding me one-hundred people to work the basic military operations of Gathow. I’d like to know if we’re about to be attacked,” she explained.
Danstu bowed. “Right away, Chadon.” He waited a moment, wondering if Sedom was going to say anything else. She didn’t.
Zion grabbed him by the arm, leading him out of the gym. “That went well,” he said smirking.
Danstu glanced back, watching Sedom punch her bag. “Was that…?”
Zion grunted. “The man responsible for killing her family, yes. The orbs killed him when he entered Gathow uninvited. She’s been pissed-off over it ever since,” he answered.
“Over him entering Gathow?” Danstu asked to clarify.
He shook his head. “No, that she wasn’t the one to kill him.”
Danstu cringed. “She almost seems the type to go off on a blood vendetta,” he mentioned.
Rosanheer hurried over to the two as the two exited the gym. “Have you seen Sortec?” he asked.
Zion motioned inside. “I would wait. She’s beating up your tocom,” he joked.
Rosanheer’s dark skin paled. “Damn. We’ll it can wait. Danstu,” he said, bowing slightly to Danstu. He hurried off without looking back.
Danstu turned to Zion in question. “Tocom, the Zalmin word for—”
“Father? Yes. Rosanheer is Talenvanc’s only son. Sortec holds no vendettas, only grudges. And she wasn’t joking about killing you. It’s something I know her capable of and I certainly wouldn’t put it past her.”
Danstu closed his eyes, holding back his anxiety. “I know. Any advice?”
“Keep your head down and do a good job,” Zion joked.
“Goes without being said,” Danstu grunted.
Zion took Danstu by the arm, forcing him to remain. “Deep down, she has a kind heart. If she calls you friend, she will go to the ends of the universe for you. Regardless of how she may act, she is still a child who has been through hell and back. Remember that when you’re talking to her. And don’t bring up her family.”
“Got it.”
***
Rosanheer paced outside the gym, trying to gain the courage to go in. He welled up his nerve and entered. From the front door, he could hear Sedom’s grunts and her punching something.
“Sortec, a word?” he called from afar.
Sedom turned to Rosanheer, instantly stopping her workout. “Rosanheer! Oh, uh, it must be important for you to come in here,” she called back. She waved him closer as she covered her punching bag with another black bag.
“Um… thank you,” he said, motioning to the bag.
“It wasn’t appropriate for you to see,” she mentioned. “I should probably store it someplace else.”
“My father was a son-of-a-sool, you have every right,” he admitted. Sedom stared at him for a long, uneasy moment. “Oh, I wanted to know what your plans are for the orphans.”
She toweled off her face. “As far as I know, we only have three. Two children have been taken in by others and the one who’s in the infirmary we’re waiting to see how he is. I was told he was forced to watch his parents tortured to death. I can tell you from personal experience; it can really mess with a child’s head.”
He leaned against a bench, cupping his hands in front of him. “I would like to take the boy in.”
Sedom shook her head as she tossed her towel into her bag. “You did hear me, right? The Marisheio tortured his parents in front of him. You really think that’s wise?” she mentioned, motioning up and down to his Marisheio looking exterior.
“It hasn’t seemed to hurt his affections towards me. Sortec, I want to care for the boy,” Rosanheer admitted.
“And you can do that while maintaining your duties?” Sedom questioned.
“Other’s here have children. We’ll figure out something,” he spoke honestly.
Sedom grabbed her bag and motioned for him to follow her. “You’ve already proven yourself, so I know you’re sticking around. I don’t care if you want to take care of the boy, but the Crowarl citizens might. Talk to Nokinil or… Danstu and see what they have to say.”
Rosanheer nodded as he thought. He turned his attention back to the door. “You’re giving Danstu a chance?”
Sedom shrugged as she toweled off. “Lolum seems to think he’s worth it and Zion is… well, he’s practically worshiping the man. I’m willing to give it a try,” she admitted. “I gave you a try and so far I haven’t been disappointed.”
***
Ratisha rolled into the infirmary and towards Noral’s office. One of the patients coughed. She turned to see who coughed, her face paled. “Alree?” She gulped.
Noral poked his head out of his office to see what happened to Ratisha. “What is it?” he asked concerned.
Ratisha raised a shaky finger over to Alree’s bed. “Is that Taraam Alree?” she asked within a gulp.
He poked his head out further to see who Ratisha was pointing to. “Yes, I believe that’s what Rosanheer called him. Problem?”
“If he’s here, yes. The Marisheio will know exactly where we are.”
Noral held up a small jar filled with liquid. “We removed three tracking chips. He’s not a threat.”
“Says you,” she grumbled. She rolled over to his bedside, looking down at his sleeping face.
“Heard you got caught,” he spoke low. “You okay?”
“Stuck in a chair for the rest of my life, but yeah I guess I’m okay. Why’d you leave Sidoc?” she asked, her words like sandpaper on ice.
Alree opened his eyes. “I slept with one of his women and he found out. Left before he could kill me.”
“He’ll kill her, you know that?” She whispered.
Alree shook his head. “I dropped her off at a starbase near Londerwon. If she keeps her head down, she’ll be fine.”
Ratisha glared at him. “You’re a stupid bastard, you always have been. I hope Sortec realizes what you are, and sticks you in a cold cell somewhere.”
Alree grinned. “I missed you too.” He reached over, patting her hand. “I promise to stay out of trouble while I’m here,” he said.
Ratisha glared back at him. “Are you planning to cooperate with Sortec?” she questioned.
He nodded. “If she can keep me safe and fed, then I’ll tell her everything she needs to know. There’s no way in hell I ever want to return to the Midossier. Besides, Sidoc will kill me.”
“Good to hear,” Zion spoke up from behind Ratisha. “Makes my job far less stressful,” he mentioned.
Ratisha turned to him with a questioning gaze. “Zion?”
He motioned over to Alree. “I’m supposed to question Alree. Is he well enough?”
Ratisha crossed her arms over her chest. “Rosanheer joining you?” she questioned tensely, knowing exactly what kind of interrogator he was.
Zion grinned, feeling her anxiety. He could tell that she didn’t trust Alree, but she didn’t want to see anything happen to her old friend. “I don’t see the need… right now. He said he was going to talk willingly.”
She moved aside, allowing Zion to take her place. As he passed her, she grabbed his hand gently. “Find me after,” she requested. He agreed.
Nearly an hour later, Zion strolled into Ratisha’s lab. He cleared his throat, making his presence know. She glanced over at him through magnifying spectacles. “How’s the research going?”
She turned back to her experiment, shaking her head. “Not well. How about Alree?” she asked back.
He strolled further into the room, leaning back against one of the counters. “Decently. He’s missing a lot of information, but I can tell it isn’t entirely his fault. His mind is scrambled.”
“A little like mine?” she half-joked. Zion watched her, waiting for an explanation. Without saying anything, she lifted a section of fake brown hair, revealing a six-inch scar. “I figured you could tell. A lot of my mind was destroyed when I left Lord Wyice’s service. I have three chips in my brain to help me reconnect my thoughts.”
Zion frowned, uncertain if he wanted to ask. “Why would he do that?”
“Partly out of revenge for leaving him and partly because he didn’t want me to do,” she held up a vial of yellow liquid, “this. Patto and I didn’t exactly fall in love as I mentioned. He was part of a Rycal team who was supposed to arrest me and my co-contributors. But when he saw me, he knew I wasn’t a threat to anyone. I barely knew my own name. He smuggled me away and helped nurse me back to health. Truth told I don’t remember who I was or how to do this. But I can’t tell Sortec that, she wouldn’t believe me.”
“But… you’re a doctor. I’ve seen you heal people,” Zion pointed out.
She nodded. “That’s how I retrained my mind. Patto had medical books on his shelves, so I would read while I hid and healed. Before this,” she motioned to her scar, “I was a bio-engineer.” She turned her chair to face him. “Alree probably went through something similar, if Sidoc allowed him to leave. Sidoc is a sadistic sool and he doesn’t allow anyone to leave his service unless they’re useless or they’re dead. If he doesn’t have this same scar well--”
“What are you saying?” Zion questioned concerned.
“Alree’s probably a spy,” she stated with a grumbling sigh. “He’ll tell you what you want to know and then some. But by him just being here, he’s managed to gain far more information than he could ever provide us,” she pointed out. “Think about it. He disappeared right after arriving, didn’t he?” she mentioned.
Zion’s eyes glassed over. “Son-of-a—“ he rushed out of the lab back towards Alree’s room.
“You’re welcome,” Ratisha whispered.
TEN
Inside a dark bar, Danstu found an older Crehail man sitting at the bar, his rear end barely able to fit on the stool. In front of him sat a dusty glass. At the bottom of the glass was an inch of purple liquid. He took a seat next to the man, not saying a word. The man took another glass next to him and proceeded to pour Danstu a drink.
“I figured you’d be the only one to find the last drop of alcohol in the place,” Danstu mentioned. He downed his drink, seething from the liquid burning down his throat. “Damn! What is it, engine fuel?”
“My guess is its five-hundred-year-old cooth. Burns going down, but it does the job,” the man returned. “After a day like this, I needed something to take the edge off. Have you thought of what might have happened if the Marisheio found you?”
Danstu nodded. “They’d have to kill me if they did. They wouldn’t risk the Windrit coming after them,” Danstu mentioned. “Sortec offered me a job. I thought you might want to join me.”
“Doing what?” The man returned, speaking into his glass as he drank.
“We need people. You’re good at social development. I thought you might want to lend me a hand.”
“Social? Do I look social to you?” The man laughed so hard, he nearly spilled his drink. “I know what you’re asking, and it has nothing to do with being social,” he accused.
Danstu turned on his stool to face the door. “We’re inside a military base, armed to the teeth and splitting at the seams with ships. What we don’t have—“
“Is any sense,” he grumbled back.
“Come on, Terman. This is what you do, what you live for,” Danstu said, attempting to entice him.
Terman poured himself another shot. “How many people do you need?”
“We have a lot of space here and the Chadon wants this base filled. Find as many as you can,” Danstu answered.
Terman forced himself off his stool. “Least I could do for her saving my life, hum? I’ll see what I can dig up.”
Danstu patted his shoulder. “Good. Let me know what you find. Since I don’t have an office yet, let’s meet back here, same time tomorrow.” With that said, he hurried out into the street. Once again, he turned the corner, bouncing off of Zion. “What’s with us always bumping into each other?” Danstu cursed.
Zion grimaced. “It’s intentional, this time. I’m looking for you. We’re having an issue with the water supply. I thought you might want to have a look.”
“Water?” Danstu huffed. “I’ll look, but I’m not sure what I can do.”
He followed Zion to the arboretum and then inside. The lush foliage caused him to gasp. “This is amazing.”
“I thought so too before I knew its purpose,” Zion said cryptically. He waved Danstu to follow. “So far I’ve found every level has an arboretum. It provides fresh fruit and vegetables. Beneath it contains our water supply which is fed from the local mountains. The problem is…” he paused, waving Dranuim over. “Dranuim, Danstu,” he introduced quickly as he pulled up a hatch near a rock wall. Beneath the hatch, the water barely trickled. “Somewhere between the river and
here, we have a blockage.”
“We’re only getting a fraction of the water we need,” Dranuim added. He tapped a sequence of numbers on a keypad attached to the rock wall. “If Sortec wants more people to live here, we’re going to need to fix this or we won’t have enough water for everyone or to cool the systems core… which could blow and well…” he motioned with his hands that everything would explode.
Danstu nodded several times, ingesting the information while he thought. “Do you happen to have a list of the survivors?” he asked Zion.
Zion took a small computer pad from his back pocket and handed it to Danstu. He took it, skimming over the names. “Good, she’s alive.” He pointed to a name on the list. “Toral Serk. She handled the city’s sanitation department for over twenty years. I’ll talk to her and see what she can do to help,” he decided. “Now, is there anything else I should be aware of?”
Zion glanced back at Dranuim, who cleared his throat uneasily. “I’ll put together a list,” Dranuim offered.
“Something tells me I’ll be handling a lot of lists,” Danstu smirked as he handed Zion back his computer. “You’re in charge of the computer systems?” he asked Dranuim, who nodded in reply. “How are communications? I need to make some calls.”
“Well… they’re a bit sketchy right now,” Dranuim began. “The only access to the outside world we have is in the Chadon’s quarters and on the bridge. I’ll see what I can do for you tomorrow.”
“The bridge?” Danstu questioned, turning to Zion for clarification. “Where is that located?”
Zion took Danstu’s shoulder, leading him towards the exit. “I have a few hours to kill. How about I give you a tour?”
ELEVEN
Around midday the next day, Danstu found Cidele sitting in the library surrounded by several stacks of computers. He was dressed in the clothing she had left for him by his front door.
“Oh good, you got them,” she said while she stood. “I wasn’t sure of your size, but it looks like I guessed right.”
The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 Page 16