Authors: Lisanne Norman
Tallinu lay looking up at the ceiling. He was due to send in a report, to his employer if not to the Brotherhood. The time was fast approaching when he'd have to make his evaluation of the situation, even if he didn't share it with Ghezu and Lijou. Was Kusac's just one of the rare rogue talents that turned up every few years? What about the human? She was a totally unknown quantity. How could he begin to assess her? Usually it was more clear-cut, with either the Talent or the owner so unstable that there was no option but to terminate. That was one of the reasons why traditionally the Brotherhood had to work outside the law, so the Telepath Guild could order these terminations without considering themselves murderers. In the remainder of cases, and by far the rarer, the person under observation simply disappeared.
But this unlikely pair? Rulla hadn't been that far off the mark with his guesses. He, Tallinu, knew something was about to happen, something that would affect all their lives. Was it them— this human female and one of their males? Was it their lives— or deaths— that would change everything? It could be either. The God knew Shola needed changes. For too long the Telepath Guilds had been the real power behind the world council, the Telepath Guild of Valsgarth in particular. Telepaths might represent a tiny proportion of the population, but the old fears of them, though buried deep now, were still there. So the guild ruled from behind the scenes: that power had to be broken one day soon if their society was to evolve. Guild Master Esken of Valsgarth didn't like change.
With a sigh, he got up. So the God was walking the halls of the Dzahai Stronghold, was He? Maybe it was time for him to visit the temple again. Perhaps the familiar sounds of the rituals and the smell of the incense would let him achieve that state of mind where the God could reach him.
* * *
Chyad's comm beeped at him from the corner of his room. Going over to the desk, he sat down and activated the vidiphone link.
"Kaedoe, I thought I told you not to call me," Chyad began, but the other cut him short.
"Have you heard the news? There's been an accident in the shuttle bay. An explosion. Naisha and Khay were working on it when it blew. They're dead, Chyad. Like Ngalu. That's three of us gone. I tell you, they're on to us."
"Kaedoe, stop panicking," said Chyad, forcing his ears to stay upright. The news had shocked him. "There's nothing for anyone to find out, remember? Now tell me what happened."
"I don't know. I tried to contact Khay and was told he'd had an accident. When I went to Personnel, they told me he and Naisha had been killed while working on an engine fault in a shuttle. It's not a coincidence, Chyad. They're after us. We've got to get out of here!" Kaedoe's ears were flat with fear.
"Kaedoe, pull yourself together," said Chyad. "You should hear what you're saying! You're talking absolute rubbish. The Forces don't have people blown up, they arrest them. We've done nothing but talk, and talk isn't illegal. Just carry on normally, and stay calm."
"What about Ngalu?" Kaedoe demanded, his voice getting more frantic.
"A freak accident. They're investigating her death, they'll investigate Khay's and Naisha's, too. There would be a cover-up if the authorities were involved. Just keep your head and everything will be fine. Now I have to go. Remember, just stay calm and try to forget about it."
Chyad cut the connection. Kaedoe's news had worried him more than he dared let on. He needed to see Maikoe. It was still possible it was a bizarre coincidence. Six months ago, a scouter had blown in the central landing bay, taking a crew of eight with it. There hadn't been enough wreckage left to be absolutely sure what had caused it.
He felt a shiver run up his spine. Getting up, he headed for the door. Maybe Kaedoe was right and getting out was the sensible thing to do.
* * *
Commander Raguul had been handed the report of the second freak accident in sixteen hours.
"So this one is as inconclusive as the other," he said to Myak.
"Yes, sir. There were no fragments from the conduit found in Ngalu's chest, yet her suit had been ripped open by something. Even allowing that the breach exposed the outer casing to liquid oxygen, it shouldn't fracture like that."
"And the actual cause of death?"
"Explosive decompression," said Myak.
"Messy. What about the shuttle accident?"
"The engine compartment where the two crew members were working is just so much molten slag fused around their bodies. Even taking the volatiles on board into account, there shouldn't have been that large an explosion or that much heat present."
Raguul looked at Myak and handed him the files. "I want these incidents tidied up satisfactorily. I'm sure you can see to it. I also want the Brother contacted immediately. This has gone far enough. I expected these people to be brought into custody."
"I'm afraid I can't contact him, Commander," said Myak, taking the papers from him. "He's involved in the final phase of his orders." He began to move unobtrusively toward the cupboard.
"That's not acceptable, Myak," snapped the Commander, a pained look coming on his face. "Yes! Get me my bloody medicine, but get me that damned male here as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Commander," said Myak.
* * *
Vanna had called on Kusac and Carrie in the midafternoon of the following day to check on Carrie's injury. It had only been a shallow flesh wound and with the help of the drugs she'd used, was already beginning to heal. She'd declined an invitation to accompany them to the reception as she had just moved into her new medical lab and wanted to finish organizing everything to her satisfaction.
* * *
Evening came, and with it the need to get ready for the reception. Carrie sat grooming Kusac until his fur shone almost black in the subdued lighting of the bedroom. The fur on his head, much more like hair now it had begun to grow again, had a slight spring to it unlike the rest of his coat. She ran the brush through it, enjoying watching the way it coiled free of the bristles.
Kusac turned over onto his back. "I won't have any left if you brush me any longer," he said, reaching out to take a handful of her long fair hair. "Yours feels so soft, and the color is unlike any shade of ours."
"The differences seem to bring us closer," said Carrie, rubbing her palm against his chest.
He reached up to pull her nearer just as a discreet knock sounded at the door.
"Damn!" he swore, the mood broken. "I told you having others around would ruin our privacy."
"We haven't had much of that yet," said Carrie ruefully, moving away from him and pulling her robe tighter.
"Enter," said Kusac, sitting up.
Kaid opened the door. "Could I have a word with you in private, sir?" he asked.
Ears pricking in surprise, Kusac got up and followed him out into the lounge.
"What is it?" he asked, closing the door behind him.
"I thought you might like to know that a barque from Shola is docking in the main bay. Your mother, Clan Leader Aldatan, is on board and is requesting that you meet her."
Kusac stood looking at Kaid. "My mother? Here?"
"Yes, sir."
He stood there, his mind numbed by surprise.
"It would be better to meet her there, sir, rather than let her arrive here alone," prompted Kaid.
"Yes. You're right," he said, turning back to the bedroom. He hadn't had time to discuss it with Carrie before, and now it was too late. There wasn't time. Gods, why did events rush upon them like this! He pushed a barrier to the front of his mind, knowing what he must do before his mother arrived.
"What's wrong?" Carrie asked.
He went over to her, his hands going up to the torc round his neck. "I've got to go out for a while, there's some business I have to attend to. You stay here and rest," he said. Sitting down, he took his torc off and held it out toward her. "I want you to wear this tonight," he said.
She looked at him, puzzlement foremost in her mind. "Are you sure?" she asked, taking it from him.
He nodded. "Will you wear it for me?"
"I'd love to, if you're sure you don't mind me borrowing it," she said, turning it over in her hands.
"Let me." Taking it back from her, he held the ends apart and looped it round her neck. "It's a gift. I want you to keep it," he said, pulling her close to kiss her briefly. "It will look good with your clothes for this evening."
"What's going on, Kusac?" she said, putting her hand up to touch the warm metal as he moved away from her to pick up his uniform. "You're blocking your thoughts again."
"I've some personal business to attend to, that's all. I won't be long," he said, concentrating on putting on his jacket and buckling his belt over it. "You rest, I'll be back shortly. A sleep would do you good. After all, we didn't get much last night!" he grinned, sending relaxing thoughts to her.
She returned the smile, the tension visibly leaving her as she curled up on the bed.
He left the room to rejoin Kaid. One of the Warriors was waiting with him.
"This is Meral. He'll accompany you, Liegen."
"Not dressed like that he won't!" said Kusac. "I thought we'd agreed they should wear an ordinary uniform."
"Tonight is an official reception, they need to be traditionally dressed. Besides, it's a fitting escort for you to go to greet your mother, sir." Kaid said.
"I haven't got time to argue," growled Kusac, heading for the door closely followed by Meral.
* * *
They reached the bay as his mother was disembarking. His thoughts were in such confusion that he hadn't had time to think about what he was going to say to her. At the moment she was in conversation with Sub-Commander Kolem and Myak.
Gods!
He had to tell her about Carrie before they did. He hurried forward.
She turned immediately to look at him and he was aware of her gentle touch at the edges of his mind. They stopped a few feet apart while she studied him carefully, then she stepped forward, her long robes rustling softly as she walked.
"Kusac." She held her hands out to him and he came forward to take them in his.
"Mother," he said. "What brings you here?"
"I'm here as the chief negotiator from Alien Relations," she said. "Your father is needed at home, so the duty fell to me. Besides," she smiled, "I thought you would rather see me than him." She put her arm through his and drew him toward the exit.
"Yes, Myak," she said, letting her voice drift over her shoulder to the adjutant as he padded along behind her, followed by her attendant. "I will let you escort me to my quarters, after I have visited with my son. For the moment, you can see to Miosh. Now tell me about your Leska," she said, hugging Kusac's arm. "Through your father I have felt the echo of her mind, but only just. Is she young? Is she pretty? Come, I want to know it all. How did you meet her?"
"Not here, Mother. I'll tell you all of it, I promise. Wouldn't you rather go to your own suite first and freshen up after your journey?" he asked, looking round for Myak.
"No, I wouldn't," she said frankly. "You've been gone for over a year." She stopped, taking his face in her hands. "You left in the night with no warning, leaving no word of where you had gone. No news of you in nearly a year, my son," she said. "I want to be with you now." She released him, stepping back to study him more closely.
You've grown thin. No, you've grown up in the last year
I can see marks of suffering on your face.
She touched his cheek briefly with her hand then linked her arm in his again.
"This Leska of yours, you're in love with her, aren't you? I see it in your face and I can feel it in your mind. You've finally met the female who means everything to you. I'm glad."
"Mother," he said, "please, we've got to talk first. I need to explain..."
"We'll talk," she said, drawing him inexorably on to the elevator. "But first I will meet your Leska."
Meral and Myak accompanied them, leaving Miosh to organize the ratings who were seeing to the luggage. Like Kusac, they traveled up in silence, he listening to his mother's chatter about his sisters. It would have given him time to think had he been capable of it, but his mind remained blank. Now that the moment was here, he found himself with nothing to say.
As they entered the suite, he turned to her again. "Mother..." he began.
"Well come, my Liege," said Kaid.
"Kaid," she said, with a faint flick of an ear as she swept past him toward the bedroom.
Kusac sent a look of panic at Kaid who merely raised an eye ridge. For the first time Kusac sensed the other's mind, feeling the faintest touch of ironic humor at his predicament. He hurried over to the door, managing to slap his hand over the control panel before her.
"Wait, Mother," he said firmly. "We must talk first."
She stopped, and he felt her take in the set of his ears and the anxious flicking of his tail. She shook her head. "No. I will meet her first," she said equally firmly.
"Why?"
She locked eyes with him. "Because you are so protective of her."
They stood like this for several moments, then Kusac looked away. Moving his hand, he pressed the control. The door slid open.
Carrie lay asleep in the center of the bed.
"So this is your Terran," his mother said, stepping into the room and going over to look down at her.
"No, this is my Leska." Kusac moved to sit protectively beside her.
His mother bent down and reached out her hand toward the girl's face.
Kusac tensed, but her fingers barely touched Carrie's cheek.
Have you lost your trust of me, Kusac?
she asked before moving a finger down to the torc that glinted at the human female's throat.
"So," she said, straightening up and looking across at him. "I knew I was right."
He nodded, reaching out to touch Carrie as she stirred and began to wake.
His mother turned and moved toward a nearby chair. "This explains everything," she said.
"I'm sure it does," he said. "But I really don't care any more, Mother. All I want is her."
Carrie stirred and feeling his touch turned to him, still more asleep than awake. "You're back," she said, reaching out to pull him close. Then she froze, sensing the other person in the room.
"We've company," said Kusac quietly, his face only inches from hers.
Who?
My mother.
Oh, damn, I'm sorry.
She let him go.
Kusac sat back, giving her room to move. She sat up and, keeping a tight rein on her thoughts, tied the belt on her robe and turned to face his mother.
His arms came round her, holding her close to him for reassurance.
Eyes as amber as Kusac's looked calmly back at them.
"Mother..."
She raised her hand, motioning him to silence.
Through their shared Link they both felt her gently touch Carrie's mind as her eyes flicked first across the girl's face then her son's.
Anger began to flare in Carrie. "He's done nothing wrong," she said. "You've no right to judge us."
"No, he's done nothing wrong," said Rhyasha slowly, letting her mental touch fade. "Had he acted otherwise, he wouldn't be my son."
Carrie felt the tension suddenly evaporate from Kusac as his mother held out her hand toward Carrie.
Come, let me
greet you properly,
she sent.
Kusac released her, urging her to go.
There was nothing for it but to scramble in an undignified fashion across the bed to the other side. Swinging her legs round, she stood up, unsure what to do next.
Rhyasha went to her, sweeping the Terran into a warm embrace, her cheek touching Carrie's briefly. "Well come, Carrie," she said, her voice a low purr in the girl's ear before she let her go. "Cub, is it?" she asked Kusac, returning to her chair. "Then cub she'll be to me. Now, Kusac, we'll talk. Once you have ordered some c'shar for us."
As he went to the door to speak to Kaid, Kusac relaxed all but one of the barriers in his mind. It was a relief knowing he needn't fight against his mother.
Carrie sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to stare. Kusac's mother was striking to look at, the amber color of her eyes being echoed in her fur. Her hair, lighter by several shades, was long and worn in a mass of tiny braids into which had been woven silver beads. Her robe of light purple was plain, its color relieved by an edge of silver at the neck and wrists.
Kusac returned, bearing a tray with three mugs on it.
"Ah, they've anticipated us," said Rhyasha as he passed one to her.
"Kaid says we only have an hour before we need to get ready," he said, passing a mug to Carrie before taking the last one himself. Putting the tray down, he sat on the floor and leaned against her.
"Rubbish," said his mother. "We'll take what time we need. I've only just arrived, after all. Myak can see that they delay the start for us."
"How did you know about Carrie?" Kusac asked.
Rhyasha put her mug down on the table beside her. "For the last three or four months, your father has been picking up stray images which he was convinced came from you. He was unable to make sense of them until nearly three weeks ago when they became even stronger. Between us we were able to pinpoint them to here. Your father contacted the
Khalossa
and was able to ascertain that you were among the crew." She picked up the mug again, taking a drink from it.
"Then a week ago when it became obvious that the negotiations were getting into problems, it was decided I should come here in an official capacity. That was when we both sensed you and your Leska."
Kusac's ears flattened and he glanced away from his mother to Carrie.
"Your father and I had been sent the initial reports concerning your crew's first contact with the humans living on the planet, including details of the injured crewman who had been helped by one of the Terrans. Then he spoke to you."
She hesitated a moment before continuing. "Your Link is unique, Kusac, in more ways than the obvious one. The feel of your minds is different. There was just enough of an alien quality then for me to realize that perhaps your Leska wasn't Sholan, especially when we heard that there was a Terran telepath. Now that quality is stronger."
Kusac frowned. "The alien feel?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. I felt it when I met you in the landing bay. Your minds are so closely bound together now that you no longer feel completely Sholan. I've never known a Leska pair so completely Linked as you are."
"Carrie has many more talents than we have," he said slowly, "and some of them have crossed over to me. We've done things I never dreamed possible, like finding the pod in the swamp and contacting our crew. I've compared our Link to the normal Sholan Leska Links and the differences are marked. Perhaps that's what you're sensing."
"It may be," she agreed. "I'd like to see a copy of your findings. I can study them during my stay on Keiss."
"I'll see you get a copy."
Rhyasha looked at Carrie and smiled. "So, cub, you would be part of our world, would you?"
Mother, don't mention it yet,
Kusac sent to her using the private Link they'd always shared.
I've told her nothing of
my life at home.
But your commitment
...
My commitment is to her, no one else, and she accepted it,
he sent firmly.
You've touched her mind, you know what she
feels for me. Let that be enough for now.
As you wish.
"I don't have much option, do I?" Carrie said. "But, yes, it's what I want."
"I came here as much to meet you as to lead the negotiations with Keiss," Rhyasha said. "I needed to know what you felt for each other. I know now. You'll need all that fighting spirit you both have if you are ever to have the life you want. You realize that, don't you?" she said, looking at them each in turn.
"I don't just mean your father, Kusac, I'm referring to the Forces and our guild. Already the reports mention the potential military benefits of telepaths who can easily sense and read alien minds and who can also fight. They'll try to use you for their own ends, running endless tests and studies on you till you're no more than jeggets in a maze to them. Don't let this happen."
"We'll be careful," said Kusac. "I'd already anticipated that." He felt Carrie's concern and mentally reassured her.
She nodded. "I was sure you would. You always plan ahead carefully."
"Except this time," he said wryly, looking up at Carrie. "This cub came at me unexpectedly."
Rhyasha laughed. "You were the one who felt life was too predictable! Are you complaining now that it isn't?"
"No, not at all. You know that."
His mother stood. "Miosh is reminding me that we must get ready for this reception. We'll talk again later. Come and give me another hug. I've missed you."
Kusac rose and went to her.
"You, too, Carrie," she said. "You're part of our lives now."
Carrie went to her, sensing through her Link his mother's genuine liking of her son's mate.
"Call me Rhyasha, cub," she said, once more touching her cheek to the girl's face as she held them both close.
"You can walk me to my suite, Kusac," she said, releasing them and moving toward the door.
Meral and Myak accompanied them at a discreet distance.
"You've placed me in a very awkward position, Kusac. I'll stand by your decision for tonight," she said, "but you must tell your father yourself, and soon. I don't want him knowing that I've given public approval to your actions and kept it from him. Once you've done that, I'll help you all I can."
No words were needed to convey his thanks.
"I have to ask you if you're sure this is what you really want," she said.
"I lived with Carrie and her family for six weeks before we left their village, and all that time she thought I was only an animal because on Keiss there are forest cats that resemble us," he said. "I got to know her well during that time, and I found myself attracted to her. When I finally told her who I was, she had to see me as a person not an animal before her feelings could come to the surface."
He glanced sideways at his mother. "What we feel for each other isn't something that happened suddenly. It isn't because of our Link either," he said, coming to a stop. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Mother, exactly what I'm giving up."
"I know," she sighed, reaching out to touch his cheek. "but I needed to hear you say it. Now go back to your Leska before she comes charging out to your rescue," she smiled. "I like her, Kusac. Vartra has indeed blessed you, even if she is Terran. There's a lot about her that is almost Sholan."
"More than you think," he grinned.
"Off with you, scamp!" she said, laughing. "Go and get ready for this charade we have to play out for the dignitaries. I'll send Miosh over to help Carrie get ready."
"I don't think she'll need any help," he said.
"Perhaps not, but having another female around to help you look your best for your first public appearance is very calming, believe me. Now go. I'll see you shortly."