Sedom pointed to him, amused. “Good idea. Just stop at level ten. Level twelve has a situation, I need to tend to personally and I haven’t the energy to deal with it right now,” she mentioned.
“Something I should be aware of?” he asked.
She searched through the computer pads, finding the one with the notes she had taken on the lower levels. “Between us, history wasn’t exactly how it was written. The war followed my grandfather here. Something happened that caused him to gas the levels below level eleven.”
Danstu’s eyes grew distant as he read her report. “How many?” he asked.
“Three-hundred thousand, maybe more. I feel guilty not burying them, but…” she drifted off, caught up in a lingering thought.
“We’ll deal with it when you return,” he offered. “I guess until then, we have an Emperor to sabotage.”
TWENTY-ONE
Sedom strolled into the cafeteria, amused to find nearly every seat had been taken. Suddenly, everyone stood at attention and saluted her. Sedom’s face lost all expression. She wasn’t prepared for anyone seeing her let alone saluting her. She calmly gulped back her anxiety and walked further into the room.
“At ease, everyone,” she called.
Everyone slowly took back their seats, allowing Sedom to find the man she came looking for. At the far end of the cafeteria, she found Norton eating late meal. She took a seat next to Norton. He continued to stare at his coffee, his eyes bulging. “You know,” Sedom took a sip of his juice, “Rokaa looked exactly like you last night. I guess Rook can't hold their liquor.”
“You talked to the Marnet?” he asked excitedly. Sedom nodded, her lips still tugging at the glass holding her juice. “And?”
“He'll call you here later today. I'm sure he'll be sleeping in. He was up all night celebrating Jasper's twentieth birthday,” she mentioned.
“The Braum’s birthday? Are you sure he'll be calling today then?” he joked. “Glad to hear he'll listen to reason. I guess it helps to have someone like you,” he flirted.
Sedom laughed. “Right. He was drunk when I talked to him. He may sober up and realize his foolishness.”
“Do you want the Mandicien to die?” Norton accused.
Sedom glanced to the door, noticing Garric enter with Ratisha.
“Come inside and sit. We'll see what's going on,” Ratisha's voice whispered, but Sedom could still hear her words.
She frowned uneasy, seeing the two together. What are those two up to? She stood, “Garric, come here,” she demanded from a distance away, stirring those around them.
Garric's head spun to meet Sedom stern expression. He hurried over to her side, bowing her head. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen.” Suddenly he fell over crying out as he held the back of his neck.
Two new recruits stood from a nearby table to render aid. Sedom held up her hand, holding them back. “What happened?” Sedom questioned, turning to Ratisha. “Ratisha!” Sedom demanded. Ratisha's shaking hand fell away from the arm of her hover chair. She maneuvered the chair to face Sedom, panic clouding her eyes. “What's going on?” Sedom asked, calmly.
“Please, Chadon. She had nothing to do with it,” Garric gulped, unable to lift his head.
“Tell me what in Enos is going on!” Sedom demanded to Ratisha.
“Chadon,” one of the recruits spoke up. “His collar,” he mentioned, causing her to turn her eyes to Garric.
Ratisha nodded nervously as she approached Garric. She moved his hair away from the back of the collar, showing that the collar was malfunctioning. The two spikes that attached to the brainstem were halfway out of Garric's skull.
“I found him convulsing out front. When I tried to help, the collar fell out.” She removed the collar and held it out to Sedom.
Norton rose from his seat to examine the collar. “Isn't this mine?” he asked.
Sedom grunted, picking up the collar. She ordered the two recruits to help Garric into a chair. “How long has it been like this?” she asked.
“Only a few minutes, I guess. I didn't realize it would--” she gulped.
“Save it,” Sedom barked. “Did it malfunction or just stop working?” she asked, looking into Garric's eyes. His eyes were wide, darting about as if hallucinating.
Norton waved his hand over Garric's eyes, causing him to jump back. Garric fell backward, hitting his head. He scurried to his feet and hid beneath a table, holding his arms over his head.
“Malfunction,” Norton mused.
Sedom followed Garric, but kept her distance. “You two,” she pointed to the two recruits, “please take him to the infirmary and have him sedated.”
Norton held up his hand, forcing everyone back. “I can help. Let me handle this.”
Sedom stepped back to Ratisha, watching the white-haired Norton talking Garric out from under the table.
“Who is he?” Ratisha asked, enamored by Norton's persistence and patients.
“He’s my friend and the previous owner of the same collar. I rescued him a while back when I was living in the forest,” Sedom explained.
Norton guided Garric out from under the table. His hand held tight around the Garric’s neck. “Let's get you to the infirmary.”
Sedom glanced over at the two muscular recruits, wondering if they were needed after all. Garric was a small man in stature and under Norton’s direction he seemed to be doing well. But then she remembered he was still a Marisheio, regardless if she considered him a friend, he was a friend with a slave collar. “Follow them to the infirmary,” she ordered the two men.
She glanced back to the group, which had already moved on towards the infirmary. Ratisha rolled past moments later. “I’ll stop by in a little while and see how he’s doing.”
Ratisha nodded. She took Sedom’s hand, keeping her from walking away. “Sedom, remember I’m on your side,” she whispered.
Sedom squeezed her hand. “I know. I’m just under a lot of stress,” she admitted low. “I don’t blame you for what happened.”
Ratisha grinned. “I’ll let Doctor Noral know what happened,” she said and continued to roll down the street.
Norton followed close behind Sedom, his aged eyes digging a chasm into the back of her head. “I can't believe you used my collar,” Norton cursed. “You know what that damn thing did to my head. To even think of using it on another --”
Sedom paused, turning to him as they took Garric through the infirmary’s doors. “Look… it was available. Besides, I thought I got all the quarks out of it,” Sedom admitted, though she felt like she didn’t need to explain herself.
“You'll be lucky if your man recovers.” Norton swung the infirmary door open, following the group inside.
Sedom continued right behind Norton. “Garric will be fine. He’s a strong man.”
Norton turned back to her, glaring at her. “Why the hell would you use a collar on a man anyhow? I thought Narkoy were above keeping slaves?”
Sedom looked the man square in his eyes, shaking her head. “Who do you think designed these?” she asked cryptically, holding up Garric’s collar in her right hand.
She continued over to the bed they had laid Garric on. He was calmer now, but his eyes kept darting about the room in a panic. She pressed her hand to Garric's neck seeing the images in his mind. “He'll recover fine.”
“You’re lucky it didn’t kill him,” Norton grumbled from behind her.
Doctor Noral carefully removed the rest of Garric’s collar, handing it to Sedom. “I’m not sure what you want me to do,” he said to Sedom.
“I'll have to take that collar apart and see what’s wrong with it. Until then, keep him sedated. He'll take a long nap, which he needed anyway.” She paused, taking the broken piece from Noral. She held both pieces up to show Norton. “If we manufactured them, it would go to reason we once used them.”
“The Narkoy aren’t as peaceful as they led us to believe,” Norton pointed out.
“No…” Sedom sighed
deeply to center herself. “My ancestors were bloody savages, hell-bent on dominating the galaxy, much like the Marisheio. It was a small faction that managed to see the errors in their ways and escape here to Gathow,” she explained.
“What happened to the others?” Doctor Noral asked.
Sedom shrugged bitterly, not wanting to go into a history lesson. She caressed Garric's cheek, causing him to shudder. “This wasn't my choice, it was his. If I could trust him, I'd gladly remove it. But there's too much history involved.”
Danstu poked his head from around the corner, clearing his throat to gain Sedom’s attention. “Chadon, sorry to interrupt, but Marnet Desvin is on the com looking for Faylar Helli.”
“I guess he's sobered up,” Norton mused. “Show me the way.” Norton left with one last scolding glance to Sedom. “Danstu Keriney? I haven’t seen you since…” Norton’s voice faded as he followed Danstu out the infirmary doors.
What could Sedom do? It wasn't like she wanted to keep Garric as a slave. Yes, it had its advantages, but the idea of owning a slave wasn't complementary to her position. She was fighting against slavery. Or was she? Before starting the Tasgool she cared nothing about slavery. She didn’t even know that slavery existed, let alone wanted to fight against it. Her purpose was to keep the Marisheio from taking over her world. If that meant keeping them from taking slaves, so be it.
Tears formed in Garric's closed eyes. “Marida,” he wept, holding his hands close to his face.
He was dreaming of his wife. She recalled him saying her name once before, but it was unlike him to talk about his family. His hands balled into fists, hitting his forehead with both.
“Hush now, it’s okay,” Sedom soothed, keeping him from hitting himself.
Garric's eyes opened wide darting around. “Do you see them?” He jumped back, curling himself against the back of the bed. “Get them away! Get them away!” he screamed.
Sedom sat on the bed next to him. “They're not real,” she soothed. She wrapped her arm around Garric making him relax against her. “I have you. You're safe.”
Noral and Hasapoi rushed over to Garric’s bedside. Noral pressed an air syringe to his neck. Garric relaxed against Sedom’s shoulder. She guided him back, wrapping his blanket around his body.
“I'm not sure what you want me to do with him. I know the laws for slaves--” Noral started.
Sedom turned to Noral, shaking her head frustrated. “The laws don't apply here in Gathow. The collar was only for the city's protection. Keep him sedated until I return. If you have to, confine him for his own safety.“
She continued into Gathow once she decided Garric was calm enough to leave his side. Outside Zion was waiting for Sedom, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
“Your pet having a headache? Collar too tight?” he asked. Sedom ignored him, continuing to walk towards the science labs.
“You're following me, why?” Sedom snarled.
Zion handed her a computer pad. “Team's set. I chose Danstu instead of Dranium. He has a good head for technology and knows how to shoot. And I'm keeping Rosanheer. Clove or not, I don't want to be the only male warrior going into hostile territory. Besides, his looks could come in handy.”
Sedom paused, thinking. “I can respect that. As long as you warn Rosanheer of the risks involved. Danstu... agreed to this?”
“He thought it was odd, but said it would be an honor to serve beside us,” Zion mentioned.
“Before or after he wet himself?” Sedom laughed.
“Yes, well…” Zion grumbled.
“No, I need him here. Someone has to manage this chaos while I’m gone. I want you to ask Tremble to join the team and have her recommend someone she trusts. Preferably a good shot… maybe Zello. Zion, seriously, what do we know about Danstu? I've been so preoccupied that I haven't even thought about looking into his background. Which... which is foolish considering how many responsibilities I've given him lately. He does seem quiet... adept at his job.”
“I'll send you my report. I think you'll be impressed,” he mentioned.
“I have a few items to take care of then we'll get the group together,” Sedom decided. “If anyone else needs me, I'll be in the science lab fixing this damn collar, again.”
“Can you install a new personality as well?” Zion joked.
Sedom started to walk away, then paused. “If it were so easy I'd have a collar around your throat,” she smarted back.
She disappeared down a long alleyway and through the doors of a four-story white building. From the outside of the building, it was nothing fancy. Inside, the floors were crafted from glass so clear it looked like she was walking on ice. She looked up, able to see the three floors above her and everything within them.
She turned down another hall and immediately opened a door to her right. The creaked open and the lights blinked on immediately, revealing a lavish, well equipped lab.
“Good. I thought I read the map correctly. Now, where are the parts?” she questioned to herself.
Sometime later, she noticed the squeaky door to the lab opened. Danstu appeared inside the lab. He glanced around the room, inspecting the science equipment. “Impressive,” he stated. “I've never seen a lab so well equip. I know some Windrits that would die of envy.”
“It would be if half of it still worked,” Sedom grumbled. “Have a seat, we need to talk.”
Danstu pulled up a stool and sat next to Sedom near the workbench. “What do you need to talk about? You’re not thinking about using that on me, are you?” he half-joked.
Sedom continued working on the collar. “Funny. No, this is Garric's. Thankfully, we had extra collars in storage. I had already programmed this one to fit him, so I'm switching out the parts,” she explained. “So who is Danstu? I realize I know little about you. I don't even know if you have a second name.”
“Keriney, Danstu Keriney,” he said. “I came to live with my uncle a few months ago to help out after my mother died. Before that, I served as a political advisor to a government official on Loos called Marion No'nee who is now a Calembras. Um… I can provide you with his contact information if you wish. I'll admit he wasn't happy losing me and I didn't leave on the best of terms.”
Sedom nodded several times, concentrating too deeply on her task to reply.
“As for schooling, I have training in political and diplomatic studies from three of the top schools on Loos. I graduated with high honors and hired directly by No'nee.”
She glanced up at him amused. “Three? Usually one is all you need,” Sedom questioned, finding it rather odd the man would switch schools so often.
“I attended all at the same time. I sought out only the best professors to hone my skills,” he explained as he handed her the tool she needed.
“Windrit, hum? Take it you had no social life?” Sedom grunted finding it rather odd that a Crehail man would intentionally seek out a Windrit school. “Is it true about them playing with your head?”
Danstu watched Sedom for a moment, studying her words. “Only if you allow them. It takes a lot of skill to keep them from your thoughts. The Windrit are a ruthless bunch, partly why I wanted to study their techniques. If I could battle against the best and survive that meant I was worth my keep.”
A flash of light gleamed from Sedom's laser tool sparkled against her goggles and across her golden eyes. “And speaking of battle, I take it you haven’t seen much real action in the field?”
“I've been trained as a protector, that’s all. The only time I’ve spent in the field has been here. I always carried a weapon when I traveled with No-nee. It was part of the detail of serving as an advisor. I once killed an assassin. No'nee gave me an extra week vacation for that. I never used it.”
Sedom looked up, her eyes magnified by the goggles. “Not much vacation time here, unfortunately. Maybe in the future. If you have so much training and experience, why work for me?”
Danstu rose from his seat, his face placid. “Norton Helli left a short ti
me ago. He said it was urgent he leave immediately and to thank you for your hospitality. The Marnet agreed to return to J-Q. Mr. Helli is flying out now to meet the Marnet on Carmintor.”
Sedom grunted. “Can't say I'm happy to hear the Marnet's returning. That's going to complicate my life,” she huffed. She moved the goggles away from her eyes and to the top of her head. “Zion mentioned you were coming with us?” she brought up, still trying to understand why Danstu wouldn't answer her question.
“Yes, I agreed. I will go where you need me,” he offered.
“What I need is you here, handling the affairs in Gathow while I’m away. Besides, if something happens to my team, I’m going to need you to figure out a way to get us home,” she explained in earnest.
At first, Danstu’s eyes turned to his shoes. He blinked several times, nodding as he thought. “I suppose I’m going to need to replicate new shoes,” he said, startling Sedom with the sudden change of subject.
“Shoes?” she questioned.
“I’m still wearing the same leather shoes everyone told me you hate. I think it’s time I start conducting myself as more Narkoy…” he paused, noticing her rather odd expression. “If I am to help lead a Narkoy city, I better look the part,” he pointed out.
Sedom chuckled, amused at his statement. “You know my agenda. At this point, I don’t care what you wear as long as I get what I need,” she explained. “Actually, I’d prefer you wear a uniform,” she mentioned.
He shook his head. “I’m a politician, Sortec. Uniforms don’t suit me,” he mentioned honestly. She rolled her eyes, waving him on as if it really didn’t matter. “Okay,” he said, then left without saying anything more.
“Okay,” Sedom huffed. She returned to the collar, lowering her magnifying glasses over her eyes. “What have I started?” she asked herself in a mumble.
Later that evening, Sedom settled back in her com seat and dialed in the call number to Danstu's former employer. A young Windrit woman's face appeared on the screen, grinning.
“Hello. You've reached Colembras No'nee's office. How may I direct your call?” she asked.
The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 Page 29