Authors: Lisanne Norman
* * *
Captain Kishasayzar's distinctive voice filled the
Hkariyash
's mess area. "Sholans, go to Trader Chikoi's lounge for briefing."
"Not another of Assadou's damned briefings," Carrie groaned as she got up from the dining table. "We've had more in the last three days than in the month it took to get here!"
"He's Chemerian," said Kusac. "The closer we get to landing on Jalna, the more paranoid he becomes. See it from his viewpoint. By being involved in this mission, he's risking his House's trade contracts in this whole sector. And as I said, from the looks of the
Hkariyash,
they're lucrative contracts. Not many Sumaan captains have indentured vessels of this caliber. Kishasayzar is being kept busy by Assadou."
"He's got as much to lose as Assadou, but you don't hear him complaining," said Carrie, heading round the corner to the Chemerian's quarters.
"It's not in their nature to say much. What they think is another matter, one they don't tend to communicate with other species."
"I still can't understand why they didn't tell us about Jalna."
"Not all the Sumaan know about it. Only those families contracted to Chemerian Houses come here, Carrie, and the Sumaan never discuss their employer's business," he said patiently.
"Why don't they go there on their own? They're Alliance members, traders in their own right."
"Not exactly," he said, palming the lounge door lock. "The Chemerians brought them into the Alliance a couple of hundred years ago, funding them and leasing them ships. Most Sumaan Captains are mortgaged to the hide to one House or another, trying to buy out their ships and become independent. They're getting there slowly. There're about half a dozen independent Sumaan ships around at the moment."
"So they're totally dependent on their employers? Upset them and they get no work?"
"And their debt to the House increases. You got it," he nodded as the door slid back.
"They're sharp traders," Carrie muttered. "Why don't your people do something about it?"
"It's a legitimate business practice," he whispered, nudging her into the room.
Conrad, Quin, and Kaid were already there. They joined them on the settee opposite Assadou, who, as usual, was flanked by his two personal guards.
Gods, it must cost him a small fortune in retainer's fees! Do they even have to sleep in that artificial forest he calls a suite?
she sent to Kusac.
Kusac patted her hand.
Calm down, the waiting's almost over. We'll be landing shortly.
She subsided with a few mental grumbles.
The door opened again to admit T'Chebbi, pelt still damp and a towel in her hands as she continued to rub at her hair.
"Apologies. Dye needed darkening," she said, quickly taking one of the chairs. "Briefing not expected when was one earlier today."
Assadou frowned in her direction, his large ears crinkling in disapproval. He turned his head, saucerlike eyes looking unblinkingly at them.
"As we enter Jalna's atmosphere, Captain will initiate a series of maneuvers to indicate our craft in difficulties. Will make a forced landing to drop two Humans posing as Jalnians, then, after suitable time, take off and head for the spaceport. There we land more conventionally."
I really needed to hear this yet again,
sent Carrie, using a mental channel they could all pick up.
He's being direct even for him,
was Quin's comment.
He must be worried.
A change in the wind worries them.
Kaid's thought held an underlying purr of amusement.
Our Captain will execute his maneuvers without risk to us; he's one of the best. Don't get drawn up into Assadou's paranoia.
"You make your way to the Port town and see what can discover about Valtegans," continued the Chemerian, unaware of their silent conversation.
The rebellion,
corrected Kusac.
And the missing people. They are our main concern. Through these rebels, in particular one called Strick, we may get news of Jo's group up in Kaladar.
Don't rush things,
warned Kaid.
We have all the time we need. The
Hkariyash
will be berthed here for some time undergoing repairs for this engine failure we're about to experience.
You're not the only professionals, Kaid.
Conrad's tone was acerbic.
I told you, we've quite a bit of experience of our own in special military ops back on Earth.
Kusac sighed inwardly. Since Kaid had joined them, Conrad had, for no apparent reason, started developing an antagonistic attitude toward the older Sholan.
That's why I asked for you.
Kaid's thought was unruffled as he turned a calm gaze on the taller of the two men.
Cool it, Conrad,
sent Quin.
We got a job to do.
"You," said Assadou, pinning Carrie with a stare, "must pose as members of my crew and..."
"Initiate engine failure in three minutes. Each person in acceleration couch in sixty seconds," said the captain over the comm.
Assadou's ears started to fold over at the edges. "Too soon, fool of a captain! Not finished briefing!" His voice was high-pitched with tension as he activated his powered chair. It rose swiftly from the ground, and he circled it to head for the inner door, followed by his two guards. "Leader Aldatan, your people I will see after second landing!"
With a low sound of anger, Carrie got up and headed out into the main crew area. Kusac followed, reaching out to rest his hand on the back of her neck and knead the tensed muscles there. "At least we won't have the pleasure of his company all the way back," he said quietly. "We'll rendezvous with one of our own ships a short jump from here."
"Where?" she asked, sitting down on one of the padded reclining seats.
"The satellite orbiting Chemer," he said, helping her fasten the restraint harness. "AlRel is determined to have a permanent Sholan presence in Chemerian space now that we have them at a severe disadvantage over this matter. They've kept us out until now." The warning klaxon began to sound just as he finished and he had to dive for his own couch.
* * *
How long the uneven acceleration, followed by the sickening stalls and swoops lasted, Kusac couldn't tell. Finally, with a screeching of metal, they came to a grinding, slithering halt on the ground. All the while, over the ship's comm, they could hear the terse exchange between their ship and the Jalnian Port official.
They sat there patiently until the shuddering in the hull finally subsided. As soon as they'd been given the all clear, Conrad and Quin were off their couches and heading for the main air lock, stopping only to grab their packs from a locker beside the exit.
"Be seeing you," said Quin with a wave as he followed Conrad down the ramp.
"No assistance required," repeated their comm officer firmly in a patois of the local language. "Repairs underway. Take off imminent."
As the outer hatch closed, the smell of ozone and seaweed filled the ship.
"He managed a beach landing," said Kaid, looking over at Kusac with a grin. "Told you he was good."
"I get the feeling that some of his fancy flying was for real," said Carrie as they listened to Kishasayzar snapping out terse commands to his crew.
The Port official was cursing them graphically, threatening them with fines for breaking the treaty by landing outside of the designated zone. Patiently the Sumaan comm officer repeated the message, not deviating from their cover story.
A figure appeared at the doorway opposite them. Six feet tall to his shoulders, the crewman's crested head sat on top of a long sinuous neck. This neck was now curved downward, bringing his head level with his shoulders.
"Captain apologize delay. Bird blocked intake. Make mess." The lips on his muzzlelike face pulled back in a grimace of distaste. "Trying to remove it now." Turning, he retreated to the bridge, his thick tail held close against the back of his legs.
"I wonder if Chemerians get travel sick," said Carrie softly. "Hope they do."
T'Chebbi gave a snort of amusement.
"What? There's got to be justice somewhere along the line!" Carrie said.
"I'm afraid they don't," said Kaid, "but if it's any consolation, he'll have been terrified throughout our approach in case we really were suffering an engine failure. That's probably why Kishasayzar sent someone to tell us what had happened rather than announce it."
They waited patiently while each thruster was tested. One of them made some peculiar noises before finally settling into an almost soundless hum. Within a few minutes, the craft rose ponderously into the air and headed for the spaceport.
* * *
This landing, while nowhere near as dramatic as their last, was also troubled in order to sustain their cover. At last they were safely berthed and while the engines were shut down, Kusac released himself from his couch. As he stood up, he realized the internal gravity had been cut and they were now experiencing the slightly lighter Jalnian conditions.
"We'd better head back to the lounge and Assadou," he said as the others began to get to their feet.
"Must we?" groaned Carrie, stumbling slightly. Kaid reached out a steadying hand which she accepted gratefully.
Assadou's guards stood on either side of the outer door this time. At their approach, one of them activated the lock, opening the door. Assadou was already there.
As they entered, they were aware of the long appraising look that he gave them.
"Look like U'Churians," he said.
They did. T'Chebbi and Kaid were both as dark-pelted as Kusac now, and all three of them had fur that was a good four inches long. It added bulk to their already impressive size, making them seem larger than normal.
"Even clothing is right," the Chemerian added.
U'Churian traders dressed to individual taste, the basic garment being a mid-thigh length tunic held in by a pouched belt through which a diagonal leather baldric was worn across one shoulder. From this, a sword could either be back-slung or suspended at waist level.
"Can you use swords?" Assadou asked.
"It's part of our basic training as Warriors," said Kaid.
Assadou dipped his head forward in acceptance, then looked specifically at Carrie. "The Human, can she also use them?"
"Your government thinks so," said Carrie dryly, staring unblinkingly at him. "They requested us personally."
The Chemerian's ears quivered briefly in annoyance, and he looked back at Kusac.
You shouldn't bait him,
sent Kaid, his tone gently reproving.
Why not? He's been a pain in the butt with all his briefings!
"Remember, my profession is dealing with Lord Bradogan. Many years it takes me to build training reputation here. Do not destroy it. Sample goods, if needed, I have for your use, but are valuable. Do not give them wastefully. You remember our escape plan?"
Kusac nodded. "We've been over it a score of times," he said with an amused glance at Carrie. "We'll do our jobs, you just arrange for us to get passes to take us out of the Port and up to the mountains, Assadou."
"Spacers not allowed out," the Chemerian objected, ears once more beginning to tremble and curl inward. "Told you this several times."
"Then get us an interview with him so we can argue our case."
Assadou let his breath out in a nervous sigh. "Will try. I will be at hotel inside this perimeter. And remember, speak only Jalnian! If use Sholan between yourselves, will be noticed!"
Carrie looked offended. "We're telepaths! We use mind-speech when we need to keep our conversations private!"
"I know!" Assadou said, beginning to wring his hands in agitation. This time his ears did curl over until they were hardly visible against the side of his head. "Apologies! Am concerned for safety of us all! If you should be discovered, then I will be involved, too!"
"Believe me," said Kusac sharply, beginning to get as irritated as Carrie, "we value our hides as much as you do yours! Now, unless there is anything really urgent you need to discuss with us, Trader Assadou, we need to go and collect our packs and debark!"
"Go, then!" he said, urging them away from him with rapid hand movements. "Contact me only if necessary!"
"Meet in five minutes at the port air lock," said Kusac as they left Assadou's suite.
Kusac had to grin to himself as Carrie almost danced back to their room. He could feel her jubilation. At last they were doing something concrete. He was, if truth be told, as pleased as she was at the prospect of getting away from the Chemerian. Assadou might have stayed in his own quarters throughout the trip, but he'd made his presence known regularly.
"If anyone's going to give us away, it'll be him," said Carrie once they were in the privacy of their own room. She headed for her locker, digging out her backpack and glancing round the room a final time to make sure she'd not forgotten anything.
"He shouldn't. Beyond arranging the permit, all he has to do is continue his normal trading." He went over to his own locker, pulling out his pack and their swords. "Come over and I'll fasten your sword on for you."
Stopping only long enough to stow her energy pistol in its holster, she joined him, standing patiently while he secured the scabbard to the retaining rings. When he'd finished, she rotated her shoulders and reached up to readjust the baldric, settling the weight of the blade more comfortably.
He turned, fastening his own at waist level. "Check you can draw it quickly if..." He stopped as he saw the flicker of light on the steel blade that pointed at his throat.
"I have," she said, grinning up at him as she resheathed it.
He smiled back as he tied off the scabbard and stood up. "What am I to do with you?" he asked, pulling her close for a moment. "Like Jack says, you have the face of one of Terra's angels and the soul of a warrior."
She ran her hand across his cheek, smoothing down the long pelt. "What you usually do. Just love me," she whispered, flicking his nose gently, then ducking away from him. "Let's go! I want to get off this ship and onto firm ground again! I want to see the sky! I've had a bellyful of Assadou!"
He turned back to his locker, drawing out the rifle and slinging it over his shoulder. "You won't see much, I'm afraid. It's night here."
She grasped his arm as he opened the door, holding onto him. "It's an alien world, Kusac! The first I've visited. Aren't you even a bit excited?"
"Don't know that excited is the word for it," he said as they joined the other two. "Curious, certainly."
Kaid and T'Chebbi were standing with their rifles ready, looking concerned. "Kishasayzar says there's trouble outside. Port authorities warned us not to get involved, it's a private matter."
"What kind of trouble?" asked Kusac, unslinging his gun.
Kaid shook his head. "No more information. His crew are already checking it out." Turning, he activated the outer air lock.
One of the Sumaan was there, obviously standing guard.
"Is safe," he said, turning his neck and looking down at them as they approached. "Rebels try to board cargo unit. Port Controllers chase. We see they not board
Hkariyash.
"
Now they could hear the sound of angry voices shouting to each other. Kaid, rifle ready, took the lead, with T'Chebbi behind him as they began to descend to the surface of Jalna.
It was still dusk, and by the last remnants of light they were able to see the figures running toward the warehouses on their right. They were closely followed by a group of four Sumaan and three others.
"U'Churians," said Carrie from her position behind T'Chebbi.
"Looks like our cover will be put to the test sooner than we thought," said Kaid dryly. "Let's hope the scent neutralizer works on U'Churian noses."
"If it doesn't, you're all going to have to do what Vanna suggested, keep coming to me for hugs," said Carrie with a nervous laugh, not taking her eyes off the pursuit. "You all say Human scent is stronger than yours. Have you noticed how many Sumaan there are around here?"
"Mercenaries take work where they can find it," Kaid reminded her, obliquely referring to his years in exile from the Brotherhood.
"Is bad, this," said T'Chebbi. "If they catch them and they talk, give names of leaders, could compromise our mission."
"Kris said they belong to cells for that reason," said Kaid. "I don't think they'll let themselves be taken."
Energy pulses lit up the gathering darkness, and screams rang out.
"Let's hope Strick wasn't one of them," said Kusac.
"Not likely. He organizes the caravans and works mainly within the perimeter. He'd be too cautious of his privileged position to risk it in a venture like this. I'll wager it wasn't rebels, only renegade dock crew trying to steal."
They waited until the bodies were brought out and loaded onto one of the Controllers' ground sleds. People were returning to their craft and their posts now that the excitement was over. Still keeping his rifle at the ready, Kusac took the time to look around him.
He counted seven craft besides theirs within the inner perimeter, mostly, as the Chemerians had said, powered cargo pods or short-range shuttles. There was one other spacecraft, though. Larger than them, it stood two berths away. The design was unfamiliar.
"U'Churian," said Kaid, indicating with his rifle barrel the two black-furred people still standing looking their way. "Could be watching the gate, but I don't think so."
"Not the gate," said Carrie. "Us. Definitely."
Kusac glanced over his shoulder at her. "You can pick them up from here?"
"The surface thoughts, yes."
"Can you read either of them? Pick up the language to make sure those recordings of Ambassador Taira's are accurate?"
"I'll try," she said, leaning back against him for support while she gently probed at the U'Churian's mind.