darknadir (58 page)

* * *

Even though he was back home now, Brynne was bored. Though not confined to bed, he was expected to rest and, between them, Jurrel and Keeza were making sure he did. However, Father Lijou was in the next room talking to Keeza, Jurrel was busy downstairs, and he'd been left to his own devices. He remembered talking to Father Lijou several days earlier about his ability to travel mentally in space, and it had been suggested that he try to see if he could reach Kaid on the
Profit
when he felt up to it. Now would be as good a time as any to try.
He lay back against the pillows, and starting with his ankles, he began to relax each pair of muscle groups. Gradually, he felt himself growing heavier as his mind began to drift and reality began to fade. He let his mind roam, heading out into the darkness of space toward Jalna. As he began to think of Kaid, Kusac came to mind.
The sudden brightness of the white-tiled room almost blinded him. Blinking, he saw before him a bed, with two alien figures bending over the occupant. One was definitely a Valtegan; as for the other, he'd never seen its like before. Bronze in color, it most nearly resembled some outlandish humanoid grasshopper. This wasn't the
Profit,
he realized, it was the Prime ship. Why was he here? He thought they'd all escaped. Then he remembered Kusac was still missing.
He moved closer, needing to see the figure on the bed. The black pelt showed up starkly amid the white sheets. It was, indeed, Kusac, and the insectlike alien was doing something to the side of his neck.
Something nudged at his mind, but the scene in front of him was what he needed to focus on, so he ignored it. The nudging became more insistent, until he realized it was Kusac he was "hearing."
Everything moved more slowly when he was far-seeing, and it seemed an age before he could turn round, but there was nothing behind him save the other wall of the hospital room.
Brynne! In Vartra's name, listen to me, Brynne!
Kusac?
Straining to hear him, he turned again, looking back at the still form lying in the bed.
What are they doing to you?
I don't know. When the Primes woke me, they said I had had seizures, so they used an implant to stop them. They took our ship, and the Valtegan one from Keiss that attacked us. They want a treaty with us against those who destroyed our colonies.
I know. We had a message from Kaid. They're safe on their way to Haven.
Thank the Gods they're safe! We're heading for Haven. Warn Kaid. I don't trust them. They used one of them, a red-robed priest, to question me— the one who tortured Carrie's twin. They know about Kezule. I think they want him. I'm to be returned to you there, they say. The implant, they control it and me. They said it had neutralized my Talent. I can't send any more. Tell Kaid to be on his guard, even with me.
But you're sending now!
They gave me la'quo. It loosens your bonds in space and time. It's how we traveled back to Vartra, how Kaid visited and spoke to Carrie in our Shrine when he was imprisoned in Stronghold by Ghezu.
Your thoughts are beginning to fade, Kusac!
I must be waking. Warn them, Brynne.
Then he was gone, and as Brynne looked at the bed, he saw Kusac move, his body beginning to go into convulsions.

* * *

Shock sent him spinning backward, away from the room and Kusac, into the utter darkness of deep space. Fear filled him and he began to panic as he realized he hadn't returned to his body. He tried to turn round, to see what lay behind him, in the hope that at least he'd see some distant stars, but there was nothing: the darkness was so complete he couldn't even tell if he had turned round.
His panic grew as he tried to move and realized that here he had no body, there was only him, an awareness of identity and self. He tried to call out in the faint hope that someone would hear him, but if he made a sound, he could not hear it. Panic escalated to hysteria and fear to sheer terror as he realized he was utterly trapped in this dark prison.

* * *

"For him too much fast change. Keep sedate. Little by little we do. Implants not for Sholans. Dangerous is. Wrong Chy'qui insists," grumbled the small TeLaxaudin as, his patient finally properly sedated, he began again.
"Are you telling me Chy'qui insisted you fit the implant? He said it was one you'd adapted for the Sholan."
He looked up at her. "No adapting. All same."
"Can you remove it?" asked Zayshul, doubt about Chy'qui entering her mind for the first time.
"Maybe, not maybe. Never this asked. First try on him advise not. Weeks take. Try first on animals."
"That's no use. He has to go back in exchange for Prince Zsurtul in two or three days."
"Anyway do. Experiment useful. Worry not. Control himself by then." He stood up, looking at her, mandibles quivering. "Sleep tapes start you now."
"At least he's shown he's strong-minded, able to resist the implant. It should be easier to free him from it. Can we accelerate his healing? J'koshuk left him covered in bruises, deep cuts, and scratches. I want those gone before the exchange."
"Interferes not with work of mine."
"I'll go fetch something. Chy'qui isn't to be allowed near him, remember. Commander's orders, Kzizysus."
"Heard."
Satisfied, she left for the dispensary.

* * *

Jurrel scratched on the door to the den. A moment later, Father Lijou opened it.
"It's Brynne, Father," he said. "Can you come and look at him? There's something wrong with him. I can't wake him."
Lijou frowned. "You're a paramedic, Jurrel. Your knowledge of medical matters is far greater than mine."
"I don't think it's a medical problem, Father. When I touch him, I'm usually aware of him mentally. Now I feel nothing. It's as if he's in a very deep trance."
Lijou turned to speak to Keeza.
"I heard," she said, joining them. "I'm coming with you."

* * *

The darkness suddenly shattered into a thousand, thousand fragments, blinding Brynne with the brightness beyond it, sending him spiraling back into his own body. He gasped for air as he sat up, then moaned in pain as the staples in his wounded side pulled. He was back, and Jurrel was there.
Heart racing, still gasping for breath, he grabbed hold of Jurrel, holding onto him for dear life.
You're back safely with us, Brynne,
sent Father Lijou.
The calming presence of the priest in his mind, and the familiar scent and feel of Jurrel holding him, helped fight back the fear that had overwhelmed him in the darkness. Keeza's hand touched his head, stroking back his hair. Gradually his breathing slowed and he was able to let go of Jurrel.
A towel was given to him, and he wiped his sweating face with it, discovering his hands were still far from steady.
"What happened, Brynne? What were you doing?" asked Lijou quietly, as Keeza took the towel from him and handed him a mug of water.
He accepted it gratefully, taking a long drink before handing it back to her. "I tried far-seeing to the
Profit,"
he said. "And I got trapped. I couldn't get back." Keeza leaned against him, making soft, purring sounds of encouragement, as he began to shiver at the memory. "How did you get me back?" he asked. "Where was I?"
"Only within your own mind," said Lijou reassuringly. "What did you see that caused you such distress?"
He reached for Jurrel's hand, needing the extra reassurance that he was really back in his own home on Shola.
"I didn't go to the
Profit,
" he said quietly. "I saw Kusac, on the Valtegan ship."

* * *

After talking to Brynne, Lijou borrowed the on-duty staff lounge to contact Rhyaz. He'd just activated the comm when a call came through from his co-leader.
"I know about them wanting Kezule," Lijou said, and proceeded to update him on what Brynne had seen and heard.
"I'll contact Kaid immediately," said Rhyaz. "You get Garras to put the Primes' offer to Kezule now, if he hasn't already. The Brotherhood needs Kusac back, Lijou. He and his Triad, they're figureheads for us, we can't afford to lose them. We have to get Kezule out of that lab as soon as possible."
"I know we need Kusac," said Lijou tiredly, trying not to think of what the young male must have gone through at the hands of the priest, or that he might be permanently mind-dead. "At least we have full confirmation of Brynne's visions now, enough even for you. Detailed down to the fact of the red robe of this J'koshuk."
"I need to be skeptical of visions, Lijou, just as you need to be susceptible to them. That's the difference between our roles in the Brotherhood," Rhyaz said quietly. "I didn't say that I personally doubted them. I'm giving Kaid the authority to decide whether or not to accept this treaty."
Surprised, Lijou asked, "Why?"
Rhyaz hesitated. "Let's just say I had a broad hint from the God that this was none of my concern."

* * *

Kitra stirred and, moaning, put her hand to her brow where a large lump had formed.
"How d'you feel?" asked Dzaka quietly, taking hold of her other hand reassuringly.
"My head aches," she said, opening her eyes and looking up at him. "What happened?"
"The trolley and you hit the wooden workbench. You took one look at Kezule and passed out. You've been out for some time. Kitra, you took a hell of a risk rushing in like that. Kezule could have shot you, thinking it was an attack."
"Your female's awake," observed Kezule, looking up from the workbench. "Good. I've finished the bracelet."
"Huh?" asked Kitra.
"Don't talk to him unless he asks you something," said Dzaka, keeping his voice low.
"Why not?" She reached up to touch the collar around his neck. "It was for you. Why?"
"It was what they used on telepaths in his time. It activates his bracelet and warns him if a telepath is trying to use his Talent. Then he can send a shock through the collar."
A horrified look crossed her face. "But you're not a telepath!"
"It's safer than the alternative. I know what he's capable of, Kitra."
"I'm going to test the bracelet," Kezule said. "It will be painful, but I will keep it short. Consider it only a taste of what you'll feel if either you or she disobey me."
As he spoke, a searing pain flowed through Dzaka's body. Crying out, he fell to the floor. As abruptly as it had started, it stopped, leaving him moaning and gasping for breath.
Kitra yowled in fear, leaping down to his side, trying to cradle him in her arms.
"Don't touch me," Dzaka gasped, flinching away from her. "It still hurts."
"Just a demonstration," said Kezule, slipping the bracelet on. "I can intensify the pain, and make it last as long as I wish. He will tell you the rules while you get food and drink for the three of you."
Dzaka could sense Kitra readying herself to shout her anger at Kezule. Despite the pain, he reached out, grasping her arm with his unsheathed claws, making her start. "No! He means what he says. I can't take that again, Kitra."
On the other camp bed, Kashini had awakened and was mewling in distress.
"Don't antagonize him, for Kashini's sake, if not mine," he whispered, trying to push himself up on his still shaking limbs.
Kitra steadied him as he got back onto the camp bed. "I'll see to Kashini. You're not up to it," she said as he collapsed on his side.
Going over to the cub, Kitra untied the rope and set her down on the floor, holding her hand as they walked slowly back to Dzaka. As Kashini climbed up to sit with him, Kezule spoke again.
"I said eat now. Unless you want to miss the meal altogether?"
Kitra shook her head in answer, not sure if this was an occasion when she could speak or not.
"The food's in the cupboards on the far wall, behind Kezule," said Dzaka, as Kashini cuddled up to him, making crooning noises as she stroked his face.
Giving Kezule a wide berth, she went over to the cupboards and dug around in them choosing three self- heating field ration meals. Finding a box of Kashini's cereal biscuits, she took it, too. Grabbing three spoons, she headed back to them.
A wrist comm buzzed and Kezule answered it.
"General, there's no point you sitting in there waiting for the Aldatans to return. They're lost, we don't know where they are. But we've made contact with a ship belonging to your people. They're from K'oish'ik, your Emperor's world, and they've offered to take you on board. Will you accept this? We guarantee you safe passage to them," said Garras.
"I don't believe you. I've told you, I wish to return to my own time. I'll wait for the Aldatans."
"They're missing, probably dead, Kezule. We couldn't return you to your own time, even if they weren't. The way back has been destroyed."
"Stop bothering me with your lies and fictitious offers," Kezule hissed. "I will wait, or I will get the two I have to take me back." Cutting the connection angrily, he glowered over at Kitra and Dzaka. "Is it true? Are they missing?"
"Yes," said Dzaka. "They failed to make a scheduled transmission five weeks ago. No one can find a trace of them."
Kezule picked up one of the green resin stones. "Then you will take me," he said.
"We can't take you," said Dzaka. "It took three powerful telepaths, my father and the Aldatans, to go back to your time. I'm not even a telepath, and Kitra's barely more than a child."
Kezule looked over at her. "She's your female, so she's of breeding age. That makes her an adult. As for you, what's the difference? You have a mind talent."
"I can't read minds! I only know how people feel," he said in desperation. "Telepaths are far more powerful than me."
Kezule bared his teeth and hissed in rage. "Again I must deal with females! What worm has eaten into the minds of your kind to allow them such freedom?"
"It's the way it is with us, General," said Dzaka. "Females are our equals, different from us but never inferior. We value their differences."
"The female takes charge then," snarled Kezule, getting up to go to the cupboards for a bowl. "I care not which of you does it, so long as it's done. I have the drug we need."
"But I can't do it," wailed Kitra. "I don't know how or where to go! Without that knowledge, we could all die."
"I know. I will tell you," said Kezule angrily. "No more discussion. I will make up the drug now. You'll eat and feed the child, then get ready to sleep."