Authors: Lisanne Norman
* * *
The maintenance communicator chimed. "Ngalu, report to sector three landing bay. They have a breached oxygen pipe."
"On my way," responded Ngalu picking up her tool kit and emergency air supply. Slinging the portable breather unit over her shoulders, she loped off to the nearest servicing elevator.
The landing bay was aft of the ship and housed a quarter of the available eight-person scout ships that were flying patrols over Keiss and throughout that sector of space. The bay doors were currently open, the faint blue glow of the force field that kept the atmosphere in lending an eerie cyanic glow to the parked vehicles.
All nonessential personnel had vacated the area before she arrived; only the chief engineer on duty remained.
"Where's the problem?" she asked as she joined him at his station.
His ears flicked to the bay doors. "Over there. Looks like one of the scouters may have caught it as they entered. I'm in the process of topping up the liquid oxygen levels so the blow-out detectors are disabled. I've stopped the refueling sequence, but there's still liquid in the system."
She looked over to the open doors, eyes narrowing to focus on the array of pipes to the left.
"I see it," she said, catching sight of the thin stream of gas as it emerged from the break into the warmer atmosphere of the landing bay.
"Can you isolate the pipe manually?"
He shook his head. "Not from here. I'll have to go up to the gallery to access those controls."
"Do it, then. I don't want to run the risk of a fire down here. Let's have the bay doors shut."
"Not possible. There's a patrol due to land in fifteen minutes."
"Advise the bridge of the problem in case we need to reroute them. We'll do it by the book. I want this area depressurized. I don't anticipate any problems, but there's no point in chancing fate with those fuel lines in operation. I'll give you the signal when I'm ready."
While the engineer proceeded to route his controls up to the gallery, Ngalu went over to the lockers. Putting her repair kit down, she pulled out an emergency pressure suit. Releasing her breather unit, she placed it in the locker out of the way. By the time she'd climbed into the suit and sealed her helmet, the engineer's voice was audible over her comm unit.
"Oxygen feed line has been isolated, Maintenance. I'm ready to depressurize on your command."
"Depressurize now," said Ngalu, picking up her kit and making her way over to the bay doors.
As she approached the breached pipe, she could see the slight rime of frost surrounding the crack. The stream of gas was lessening now that it had been isolated.
She reached out to touch it. There was a bright flash followed by a searing pain in her chest, then darkness.
* * *
When Vanna returned to the medical section the next morning, she found Kusac curled up beside Carrie. She reached out and shook him awake.
His eyes flicked open, and Carrie began to stir.
"How is she?" Vanna asked. "Did she have a peaceful night?"
"She woke in pain, so the nurse gave us the pills you'd left," said Kusac, blinking in an effort to wake.
"I notice your leg hasn't been bothering you."
"It stopped hurting so I took the dressing off a couple of days ago," he said.
"There's no point in having a personal physician if you don't do what she says," said Vanna, checking the logbook on the nightstand.
"You'll come?" asked Kusac, lifting his head up to look at her.
"I'll come," she agreed.
"I'm glad. And Garras?"
Her ears flicked in a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. "Doesn't anyone around you get a private life?" she asked.
"I haven't used my..."
"Hey, I'm only teasing," she said quickly. "He'll visit me."
"I don't need to look," he said. "You both have a contentment you lacked before."
Carrie woke, eyes flying open in panic till she got her bearings and realized Kusac was with her.
"Maybe you were right after all, Kusac," said Vanna quietly. "How do you feel this morning, Carrie?" she asked.
"Bruised and sore," she said, sitting up. "And hungry."
"Your arm will hurt for all that it's a shallow wound." Vanna put a small container on the stand beside her. "Take one of these when you need it, but no more than six in a day," she warned. "They're the same tablets you had before. They should help. Now if you two will get up, Myak is waiting to talk to you."
"Myak?" said Kusac in surprise as he slid out from under the cover. "What's it about?"
Vanna shook her head. "You'll have to ask him."
"Can someone pass me my clothes, please?" asked Carrie.
Kusac went over to the chair for them.
Clothing taboos,
he sent on a tight thought in Vanna's direction.
A startled look came over her face.
Kusac went back to Carrie with them. "I'll be outside with Myak," he said, touching her cheek lightly.
* * *
"Moving again?" said Kusac incredulously. "Why?"
"For your safety, Liegen," said Myak.
"Where?"
"One of the ambassadorial suites."
"No. I refuse. We'll stay where we are."
"Orders, Liegen. Commander Raguul sends his regrets at the circumstances that make it necessary, but it is the only place we can guarantee your safety until the matter is dealt with."
"Who was the male that shot at us?" he demanded. "Did you get him?"
"He was a member of the ground forces, a petty criminal. He was given a recreational drug cut with a dangerous narcotic and wasn't in his right mind when he encountered you and your Leska, Liegen. He's dead. One of our men killed him as he shot at you."
"So what remains to be dealt with?"
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you, Liegen," said Myak firmly. "I have with me your adjutant, Kaid. He'll act in an assistance capacity in any way you need him. He will also accompany you when you leave for Shola." He beckoned Kaid forward.
Kusac looked at him briefly, then back at Myak. "This is ridiculous. I don't need an adjutant, nor do I need to move into the ambassadorial rooms! Either I'm a member of this crew without the rank to justify having an adjutant, or I'm a civilian who does. Which am I, Myak?"
"Your rank is Lieutenant because your grade is first among the telepaths. Your records have been altered accordingly," said Myak stiffly. "Your Leska has the same rank, and for the moment shares your grade until the guild has assessed her. Therefore, your status within the Forces demands you have an adjutant."
"Ye Gods," swore Kusac, turning away from them. "Tell the Commander I will follow his orders under duress! And stop calling me 'Liegen'!"
"Yes, sir," said Myak. "I will leave you in the capable hands of Kaid." He flashed Kaid a quick look then left.
Kusac turned around to look at Kaid. His eyes narrowed. "Haven't I met you before? You look familiar."
"Yes, sir. I was living in the quarters next door to you," said Kaid.
"Well, we're stuck with this ludicrous situation, so we'd better make the best of it," Kusac sighed, responding at last to Carrie's calming influence.
A moment later she emerged with Vanna. "I'm going to have to get some new clothes," she said ruefully. "Rhian's tunic was ruined, so Vanna kindly lent me this one for now, but I'll need some of my own."
"We'll see to it," promised Kusac.
"I'm fine," she said, responding to his unasked question. "Are they sure the gunman was under the influence of drugs? He wasn't another Guynor, was he?"
"I give you my word that neither of you was the intended victim," said Kaid.
Kusac regarded him for a moment. "Well, let's get on with this move, then," he said, tail flicking.
* * *
As the elevator opened and they stepped out, they were stopped by armed guards carrying energy rifles. Kaid flashed his pass at them and they stepped back to their posts.
"This is ridiculous," muttered Kusac, taking Carrie by the arm.
"It is standard security for this level, sir," Kaid explained. "We have the Chemerian Ambassador on board at present."
Kusac grunted in reply, slightly mollified.
Kaid stopped in front of a door flanked by two more armed guards. Over their heavy leather jackets they wore ritual swords strapped to their backs with body harnesses. On the right shoulder of each was the Warrior Guild flash of red. Each one carried an energy weapon holstered to his belt as well as a rifle.
"What are they doing here?" Kusac asked icily, aware of Carrie's sudden fear.
"The Commander appointed them as personal bodyguards to you and your Leska," murmured Kaid. "At present, you are the two most important people on board the
Khalossa,
a bridge between Shola and the Keissian Terrans."
"I don't care who appointed you, you are dismissed," Kusac ordered them, his voice full of barely controlled fury.
"I'm afraid you can't dismiss them, Liegen Aldatan. I'm sure you're only too aware of the consequences should anything happen to either of you. Had the attacker been successful yesterday, we could now be at war with the Terrans. If you had been accompanied by guards yesterday, then your Leska might never have sustained an injury at all."
Carrie's thoughts penetrated his anger at last.
Kusac, let's
leave it for now,
she sent.
I'll be glad of them for the moment.
They'll follow us around everywhere, drawing attention to
us. We'll never have any privacy.
They're outside the door Once we're inside, we're alone.
If you're worried about them being noticed, ask for one in a
Forces uniform to accompany us, rather than two in War-
rior's gear
Kusac gave her a surprised look.
If you feel safer with
them around, and the Commander will agree, I suppose I
could live with it.
He turned to Kaid. "Would you lead the way in?"
The entrance hall was large and sparsely furnished with hard-backed chairs set against the walls and occasional low tables between them. A corridor led through to the interior area.
"Kaid..." began Kusac, his hackles beginning to rise again despite Carrie's calming influence.
"You presented us with the problem, Liegen Aldatan," came the urbane reply. "We've merely tried to solve it to the best of our ability. Where else but in the Ambassadorial Quarters can we house you in the utmost security? I assure you it was not chosen for reasons of your rank."
Kusac shot him a fulminating glance. He hadn't expected the
Khalossa
to have staterooms on board comparable to those in the Governor of Shola's palace.
"If you have any more surprises like these in store for me, I suggest you tell me now," he growled.
Only the rigidity of Kaid's ears betrayed the fact that he was aware of the need to proceed with caution. The male in front of him could not be pushed further. Being a telepath, he couldn't be manipulated or coerced into cooperating.
"None, sir, save for a formal reception tomorrow to welcome the visiting Terran dignitaries. Your Consort's father will be there," he said, inclining his head toward Carrie.
"Never again refer to the Liegena Carrie as a Consort," snarled Kusac, baring his teeth. "That I will have understood from the outset." He took a step toward Kaid.
Ears flattening slightly in apology, Kaid backed away, crossing his arms over his chest and bowing low. "It shall be as you wish, Liegen Aldatan. No insult was intended."
Kusac let some of his anger drain away, aware not only that he was blaming the adjutant for a situation that was beyond his control but that he was adding to Carrie's anxiety. As it was, she was afraid of coming face-to-face with her father.
"I'm sorry, Kaid. I hate all this," he said, indicating their surroundings. "Your job, as far as I'm concerned, is to keep this world as far away from us as possible. I like things simple and straightforward."
"It shall be as my Liegen wishes," Kaid said.
"Please show us the rest of the suite."
Kaid led them through the various rooms, explaining that the
Khalossa
had several of these suites, each one capable of being environmentally adapted for the Chemer and the Sumaan as well as Touibans or Sholan dignitaries when they were guests on the vessel.
As they returned to the ample lounge, Kusac steered Carrie over to the settee.
Rest. You're looking tired,
he sent.
"In fact, sir," continued Kaid, "from tomorrow, Liegena Carrie's father and the rest of the Terran party will be resident in a suite nearby."
"I think it would be best if Mr. Hamilton was kept at a distance," said Kusac.
Carrie nodded. "Tomorrow evening is soon enough. Perhaps at a public function I can avoid having him ask questions I don't want to answer."
"I'll see to it, Liegena."
"Thank you. Will we meet any Chemer and Sumaan?" she asked.
"You'll meet the Chemerian Ambassador tomorrow evening, Liegena, along with his Sumaan bodyguard."
"It should be quite a gathering," said Kusac dryly.
Kaid tried not to smile. "The suite is equipped with kitchens and there is a food dispenser with an extensive menu. The data terminal and your desk are there," he said, pointing to a corner of the lounge, "and a secretary will be available if you wish one. A female rating can also be provided to help Liegena Carrie for tomorrow evening and she'll be on hand at any time should she be needed. I have a room at the rear and I'm in charge of the smooth running of the whole, and here to see your personal wishes are met, Liegen."
Kusac sat down beside Carrie. "What about a personal medic?"
"Medic?" echoed the startled adjutant.
"Medic," repeated Kusac. "After yesterday's incident I want a personal medic who'll accompany us to Shola. If my Leska took ill, who would treat her? One of our medics with no knowledge of her physiology? What provision has been made to cover that?"
"Ah, none, Liegen," said Kaid, caught without an answer.
"Then I suggest you look into it."
"Do you have someone in mind?"
"Physician Vanna Kyjishi."
Kaid looked thoughtfully at him. "I'm sure it could be arranged, if Physician Kyjishi wishes it."
"I've already asked her, and she's agreed."
"I will attend to the matter immediately, sir," said Kaid.
"One other item. The bodyguard. I refuse to be followed about by those two in Warriors' dress. If we must have them, then get them wearing an ordinary military uniform, something to make them blend in with everyone else."
Kaid's jaw dropped in a slight grin for the second time that day. "Certainly, sir. There should be no problem in doing that at all."