Alien Redemption [Clans of Kalquor 06] (35 page)

Conyod ushered Rachel in ahead of him. “We’re reporting for our appointment.”

Govi smiled and rose from his seat. “It’s good to see you again, Matara. You look wonderful.”

She answered him in Kalquorian. “Thank you, Dr. Govi.”

“Not too strange to be back is it?”

Rachel waved her downward facing palm in the air, indicating it was a little odd. Conyod’s superior nodded, unsurprised. “Well, it’s only for a visit. How are you doing out there in the wide world?” He ushered her into a seat and indicated Conyod should sit beside her before taking his own chair.

Rachel looked at Conyod, and his heart stuttered a little to see the warmth in her eyes. She really loved him. Her gaze, so full of devotion, made him vow anew to see her happy for all her life.

She turned back to Govi. “We good. We clan. Happy.”

Govi’s eyes widened and he also looked at Conyod. It was impossible to tell exactly how the head psychologist felt about the situation.

Govi smiled at Rachel. “Congratulations. I am so glad you’ve found a clan you’re happy to be with. Your Kalquorian is coming along quite well too.”

Rachel nodded. “Sletran teach. Much patient.”

Govi raised an eyebrow and his smile grew. “I admit I had my concerns what with Dr.

Conyod being your primary psychologist, but you look so content. Both of you.”

Conyod started to relax now that Govi seemed to be all right with the turn of events. His supervisor turned to him. “Have you noted any adjustment concerns? It can be difficult to go from the safety and routine of the hospital’s familiar surroundings to total freedom outside.”

Conyod said, “If she’s had any, she’s hiding them quite well. I’ve detected no anxiety.

She’s shown no signs of being overwhelmed.”

Rachel typed on her handheld and handed it to Govi with a wink. He read her message and laughingly handed it to Conyod to read.

I’m great, Dr. Govi. I’m a tough old gal.

Snorting with amusement, Govi answered, “I’m not sure about the old part, but you are an amazing survivor. I wish half my patients had your strength and will. Why don’t you stop back in after your regular therapy session with Dr. Donib next month? I want to stay informed on how you’re continuing to improve. And of course if you need to come in sooner, don’t hesitate.”

She nodded her affirmation.

Conyod took her hand and said, “Ray-Ray, do you mind if I speak to Dr. Govi in Kalquorian? It’s a somewhat private matter. Not that I don’t trust you with confidential matters

—”

She waved him off with a shake of her head. She typed,
Don’t worry about offending me.

Your work with other patients is none of my business.

“Thank you, my Matara.” By the ancestors, he loved calling her that. He addressed Govi.

“Doctor, if you have an extra moment?”

“Absolutely.”

Conyod took a breath. “I have some new concerns about my Nobek.”

Govi’s expression remained open and friendly, no doubt for Rachel’s benefit, but Conyod saw how his eyes narrowed slightly. “Is he still showing signs of post-traumatic stress?”

“He’s doing a little better. Being my mate’s Nobek is giving him renewed purpose.”

“Nobeks need a higher purpose. Being on leave has cut him adrift. I’m glad to hear he’s doing better.”

Conyod bit his lower lip. “He’s still struggling in some respects. He disappears from home, and when he returns he has no idea where he’s been.”

Govi frowned, remembered Rachel was there, and made his expression smooth. She took no notice, absorbed in studying Kalquorian vocabulary on her handheld.

To Conyod he said, “That’s not good. I guess he’s still under that gag order you told me about?”

Conyod chose his words carefully. He couldn’t admit Erybet had told him everything, not when it could get him court-martialed. “He is, though I have learned a little. Enough to know what he went through was horrific. The secrecy is part of the problem, I think, but it doesn’t look like the military is going to lift it any time soon. Do you have any idea how I might help him through this?”

Govi pursed his lips, tapping his jaw with his fingertips as he considered. “If he’s responding positively to helping your newest clanmate, I would build on that. Give him back his sense of self-worth, and that could go a long way towards healing a few of those wounds. Has he returned to his volunteer work?”

“Not yet, though he’s looking into it. The Imdiko self-defense classes were only once a week anyway.”

“It’s a start, though. I’m sure there are many other outlets for Sle—for your clanmate’s abilities. There are at-risk Nobek shelters which could use his help.” Govi’s eyes widened with sudden inspiration. “Conyod, we’re still hiring security here at the hospital, especially in the wake of the recent abductions. For that matter, the Earther Matara complex is also beefing up their security force. He could possibly get temporary employment that way.”

Conyod felt a burst of excitement. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Govi looked pleased. “Get Sletran on a routine again, one filled with meaningful work.

Even healthy Nobeks can’t cope with too much idle time. It’s completely against their nature.”

“You’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before.” Conyod shook his head at himself.

Govi gave him a kind look. “You’re too close to the problem. It’s hard to think dispassionately when it’s a clanmate you care about.” His brows creased together. “You know, I think you should take some time off, Conyod. You have a new Matara to celebrate and a Nobek who needs you near. You’ve put in more hours than you should the last few months, though I think the reason for that is a little closer to home now?” He gave Rachel a meaningful glance.

Conyod gaped at him. Time off? It would be good, but the workload on the department was tremendous. “But my patients—”

Govi interrupted him. “Assign your current cases to the other members of the team, including myself, for the next week. Depending on how your Nobek does, we’ll see if you need more time. We’ll handle it, Conyod.”

The younger Imdiko was stunned and humbled by his supervisor’s compassion, especially since Govi didn’t know the full story of just how traumatized Sletran was. He swallowed.

“Thank you, Dr. Govi. I really appreciate it, especially since I know how much everyone here already has on their plate.”

Govi sighed and grinned at him. “There is always so much work to be done, but sometimes clan comes first. We can’t forget those who need us most.” His smile faded and he tried to look stern, a look he didn’t do very well. “Our broken Mataras need us at our best. If you’re worrying over the situation at home, you can’t give them your best, no matter how hard you try.”

Conyod nodded. He rose, which got Rachel’s attention. “We’re done,” he told her.

She stood and addressed Govi, who had also gotten to his feet. “Thank you for all you’ve done to help me. Thank you for letting me be with my clan.”

She’d asked Conyod to teach her those phrases on their way in that morning since Sletran had been sleeping when they’d left. Conyod had told Erybet privately about Sletran’s late night disappearance. The Imdiko tried not to think about frightened Erybet had looked when he’d learned their Nobek had secretly left their quarters.

He made himself pay attention to the here and now as Govi responded to Rachel’s gratitude with feeling. “You are very welcome, Ray-Ray.”

He showed them to the door. Rachel took Conyod’s hand as they walked out, and he smiled, refusing to let his Nobek’s night journey worry him anymore. Not when he had some hope. Govi was right, of course. Sletran needed more structure, more duties. And some private consultation when the opportunity presented itself for the two of them to talk.

* * * *

After her therapy session with the very capable Dr. Donib, Rachel spent time flipping through still pictures on the large wall vid in Conyod’s office. She was scrolling through points of interest on Kalquor. Meanwhile Conyod worked at his computer to assign his cases to co-workers for the upcoming week. They were both so engrossed in their activities that neither noticed Erybet and Sletran’s entrance until the Dramok said, “Hello, clanmates. We’re here.”

Conyod jerked and Rachel gasped. Chuckling at their surprise, the two men moved to embrace Rachel and peered at what she was viewing.

Sletran’s brows rose. “The undersea ruins of the first Kalquorian city. Does archeology interest you?”

Rachel shrugged and tapped on her handheld. Her message appeared over the coral-dotted walls of what had once been some sort of power station tens of thousands of years ago
. I’m
curious about my new home now that I’m not stuck in here. I’d like to visit all over the planet, if
it’s possible.

Erybet looked delighted at her interest. “Of course. There are many places to see. Tell us where you’d like to go first, and we’ll arrange it.”

Rachel grinned.
Let me think about it. In the near future, I wouldn’t mind going back and
riding the kestarsh soon. And riding any other beasts I might find there.

Sletran snorted and shook his head with a broad smile at her brazen flirting. Erybet and Conyod returned her lascivious grin.

The Imdiko said, “Easily done.” He told Erybet and Sletran, “Govi has given me the next week off, more if I need it. I think he means it as a clanning present.”

“How very kind of him. Then we must go while you have the break.” Erybet looked more pleased than ever.

“I’m re-assigning my patients to the rest of the team. It will take me a little while to get everything in order.” He stared into Erybet’s eyes. “You should take Ray-Ray shopping. She needs to start thinking about decorating her rooms. Sletran and I will catch up in a little while.”

The other two men exchanged a look and nodded. It was an opportunity for Conyod and Sletran to discuss the Nobek’s problems in private.

Erybet turned to their mate. “That’s fine with me. Rachel?”

She gave Conyod an evaluating look, obviously knowing something was up, something she was being kept out of. To her credit, she seemed to trust them. She nodded her agreement.

Conyod winked at her, thanking her for her understanding. “Have fun.”

Erybet sighed. “We’ll be shopping. How can we not have fun?” He rolled his eyes.

Rachel laughed and typed,
Typical man. At least I don’t have a purse for you to hold.

“What is a purse?”

Rachel shook her head. She kissed Conyod and Sletran goodbye.

“No makeup or perfume,” the Nobek called after her as she walked out of the office. She stuck her tongue out at him and took Erybet’s hand.

Conyod settled back on his seating cushion. Sletran sat across from him. The Nobek looked him steadily in the eye. “I suppose you want the whole sordid tale.”

His tone was light, but Conyod heard the tension underlying the fake casualness. “Let’s start by talking about where you went last night.”

Sletran blinked. “Last night? I – I was home. Wasn’t I? Erybet didn’t say anything.”

“That’s because I asked him to let me discuss it with you.”

Sletran sagged, his expression dejected. “No wonder I slept so late.”

“I woke up to find you missing. You’d taken your shuttle. You don’t remember anything about leaving?”

“No.” He looked at the Imdiko through the veil of his hair. Then he sat up straight, shaking the short strands back. His tone determined, he said, “I will not fail her, Conyod.”

Conyod bit his lip. “I know you won’t, not willingly anyway. Tell me about New Bethlehem. Tell me about the massacre.”

Sletran winced and closed his eyes. “I swear to you, I verified everything the way I was supposed to. Everything was go. I gave the order. Then…”

He stopped, shuddering. Conyod got up and came around the table separating them, settling back down next to his clanmate. He gripped the Nobek’s shoulder. “Tell me. Let me help you.”

Sletran drew in a breath and released it, visibly fighting to keep calm. He swallowed. In a low voice he said, “We could see the movement of people inside the target building. Shutter fields over the windows were activated so we couldn’t see who was inside, but all our intelligence confirmed it was insurgents.”

“You had no reason to believe otherwise?”

Sletran rubbed his forehead. “High command had been careful given the number of innocent colonists in the area. You see, New Bethlehem was supposed to be a peaceful farming colony. It was only towards the end of the war we discovered a secret military base had been placed there by Earth’s forces.”

When he faltered, Conyod pressed him. “My understanding was that they surrendered after Armageddon. After Earth fell.”

Sletran nodded. “The commander at the base did. And there were a few weeks of peace. A few companies were sent in to dismantle the military base and make sure no weapons of mass destruction remained. Peacemakers showed up to make sure the colony had all the supplies they needed since nothing would be coming from Earth anymore.”

“So what went wrong?”

“Some of the Earther soldiers didn’t want to give up the fight, even though their world was as good as dead. They wanted revenge for their losses. The attacks were sporadic at first, then they got worse. The rebels got better organized and turned to guerilla fighting measures. They went after the other Earthers, the colonists. People who came to us for help were attacked, sometimes killed for being sympathizers.”

Conyod shook his head. He couldn’t imagine that kind of rage.

“We were turning the tide, though. We’d captured or killed all but the core group, a group of highly trained military specialists. And we finally found out where their headquarters was located. Intelligence relayed to high command reported comings and goings from a community center on the edge of one farming collective.”

“So you were sent in.”

Sletran nodded. “It was a couple hours after dark. My group was given the privilege of ending the nightmare, once and for all.”