darknadir (68 page)

* * *

Zayshul slowly backed away from where her people were huddled together. Everyone's attention was on the approaching Sholan and Human. With luck, her actions would go unnoticed. A shiver of fear ran through her as she recognized the Sholan male. He was the one who'd almost shot her when they were escaping. She prayed he wouldn't see her now, but she had to get to J'koshuk's body.
She'd seen him backing off from the main group, just as she was doing now, and fiddling with his wrist. There was only one explanation for his behavior and Kusac's aggressiveness— he was using a control unit on the Sholan. And the person who'd shown him how to use one, whose assistant he was, was Chy'qui.

* * *

The Valtegans with sidearms pulled them out, aiming at them as they approached. Kaid ignored them, pushing them aside till he faced the commander.
"Who ordered Kusac to be implanted?" he demanded. "He's being controlled by one of you through that device on his neck!"
A female pushed forward to the front. "Not me," she said hastily as Kaid turned toward her. "Commander, I think I know who's behind this, and I believe I can prove it." She handed Q'ozoi a slim tape. "Someone searched my office last night. I believe it was for this. I took it from Kusac's room a couple of nights ago and didn't realize I still had it."
Q'ozoi took it from her. "What is it?" he demanded, turning the tape over in his hands.
"Kusac's sleep tape. I was called because his monitor alarm went off. His hormone levels were much higher than they should have been. I adjusted them and removed the tape. I think his tape was switched for this one."
"What's the purpose of the tape?" demanded Kaid.
Read them, Carrie!
Zayshul turned to look at him. "We use them for healing. Soothing and uplifting sounds and images. They're used for learning as well."
"Are you saying he could have been programmed to kill the Prince?" asked Q'ozoi.
"It's possible, yes. The tape will prove it one way or another."
"Who do you think is responsible?"
"The only person in the area at the time was Doctor Chy'qui. He was treating J'koshuk in the next room, one with a door leading into Kusac's." She handed him something else. "And I found this on J'koshuk. A wrist control unit for the implants. Kusac was being controlled by him, that's why he was so aggressive."
She's telling the truth,
sent Carrie.
The Prime backing off, near the shuttle, he's Chy'qui.
Rezac, bring him here!
ordered Kaid.
Aye!
"It's been melted," said Q'ozoi, looking at the control unit. "How did it get melted?"
"J'koshuk was killed with some kind of energy weapon," said Zayshul, aware that the truth was quite different. "I saw the priest wearing and using this. It's what we use to control the guards when they're off the
Kz'adul,
Commander. J'koshuk is Chy'qui's assistant. He was doing the rounds of our M'zullians with him a few days ago. Chy'qui is the only one supposed to be using a unit here."
They heard a scuffle breaking out by the shuttle and looked around to find Chy'qui being dragged toward them by Rezac.
"Does this tape hold evidence of a plot against my life?" Zsurtul asked, his voice deceptively quiet.
"I protest, Commander! This is a further Sholan violation of our neutrality!" said Chy'qui, trying to shake himself free of Rezac. "First they kill J'koshuk, and now they take violent hold of me."
"Does this tape incriminate you?" the commander demanded.
"It's nothing to do with me, Commander. Zayshul's been jealous since I came on board. The plot is hers to discredit me."
"You took charge of the Med Research unit when you boarded this vessel at K'oish'ik," said Q'ozoi. "You were responsible for the actions of the priest and, I believe, for this attempt on Prince Zsurtul."
"He's wearing a psi damper," Carrie said. "On his armor somewhere. Take it off him and I'll tell you if he's guilty."
"Strip him," ordered the commander. "Psi damper?"
"They suppress our telepathy," said Carrie.
Q'ozoi shook his head. "We don't have anything like that."
Carrie traded glances with Kaid.
Chy'qui. He's the one who separated us.
"While we were with you, our telepathic abilities were limited by a damper field outside the room, and on an individual basis," said Kaid. "I know I was given psi-inhibiting drugs and their antidotes several times."
"Chy'qui ordered the drugs," said Zayshul. "I know nothing about the dampers."
"When you get back to your ship, I suggested you look around the suite we were in. You'll find a damper unit somewhere," said Kaid.
Chy'qui brazened it out, continuing to protest his innocence, but once he stood clad only in his fatigues, Carrie was able to get the information she wanted.
"He's guilty. The tape has the evidence you need. He's also responsible for the death of someone in your computer section. Something to do with locked files."
The commander handed Chy'qui's control unit to Zayshul. "Reactivate the guards, Doctor. Counselor Chy'qui has committed treason against your person, Prince Zsurtul. He'll be questioned tomorrow, but he must be returned to the City of Light to face Emperor Cheu'ko'h."
Around them, the guards began to stir, getting to their feet. The sight unnerved Kaid. It was like watching toys receive new energy cells. They stood motionless, guns ready, waiting for fresh orders.
"Secure Counselor Chy'qui so he doesn't escape," Q'ozoi ordered the nearest one. "Return him to the shuttle and remain with him."
Rezac handed him over to the guard.
"Fire!" yelled someone, pointing to the now thick cloud of smoke hanging above J'koshuk's body.
As the Primes scattered, Kaid saw flames begin to lick at the edges of J'koshuk's clothing. The air began to reek with the stench of burning flesh. "I don't believe it," he murmured. "Kusac must have fried him from the inside out."
Sholans with extinguishers rushed past them.
"I need to see Kusac," said Carrie, beginning to move away from him.
"No," he said, grasping hold of her wrist. "When he's been seen by the medics, I'll come with you."
"Let me go," she said, squirming in his grip. "I need to see how badly I hurt him."
"Dammit, I can't come with you now!"
She broke free and headed off across the bay at a lope, slowed down by the weight of her armor.
He turned to the nearest Prime. "Go back to your shuttle till we've cleared this mess up," he said, indicating the smoldering body of J'koshuk and the fire-fighting team. "We'll meet again in half an hour."
Zayshul nodded, and Kaid took off after Carrie.

* * *

The physician looked up briefly as Carrie lumbered over. "Good shot. Took the head right off this little device and disabled it. You only just grazed his neck."
Kusac was on a floater now, a drip attached to his arm. His tunic was spattered with blood. One medic was carefully swabbing more off the side of his neck while another— Jurrel— was checking the implant, making sure the circuits weren't shorting.
"How is he?" she asked the physician, trying to crouch down beside him.
"Unconscious. He's high as a kite on epinephrin, but we're bringing him down now. For the rest, I won't know until I do a detailed analysis in sick bay, especially because of this implant. I don't even know what the hell it does." He stood up, taking her by the elbow and drawing her aside. "Get him ready to move," he said to Jurrel over his shoulder.
She turned back, seeing Jurrel begin to fasten the restraints. "What are you doing?" she demanded. "Why are you tying him down like that? He's no danger to us!"
Kaid arrived, taking in the situation immediately. He placed himself firmly between her and the floater as it rose up to a comfortable towing height. "Let them get on with their job, Carrie. We know he's had at least one set of seizures. If he has another on the way up to the sick bay, he could fall off the floater."
How can you stay so calm about it all?
she demanded.
Because I have to. The situation's too explosive, Carrie. All our lives are at risk. This could still end in war.
"He's waking," said Jurrel, looking over to Carrie.
She pushed past the two males to Kusac's side. Pressing the release on the nearest wrist restraint, she took hold of his hand.
"Lo, cub." His voice was a barely audible murmur. "Your aim's improved. Say thanks to T'Chebbi for me."
"Kusac." Her voice broke and she couldn't continue. Instead she lifted his hand to her lips.
"I've missed you so much," he whispered, his voice growing a little stronger. "My mind's been empty without you." The he saw Kaid. "Codes. You had to know if you gave him the codes."
Kaid looked puzzled, then put his hand to Kusac's face, stroking the edge of his jawline with his thumb. "You just rest," he said. "You're safe with us now."
"Asked me to tell you when I knew. Worked it out while I was with them. Ghezu."
"That! Gods, it's not important now, Kusac."
"Wanted Sholan approach codes. Gave them Haven's instead. Guess I got it right since you're here." He moved his hand, drawing Carrie's to his mouth, licking her palm gently.
"You did it right, Kusac. Followed exactly what I told you," said Kaid.
"There's a female doctor in danger..." Kusac began, trying to turn his head but Jurrel reached out and stopped him.
"Don't move your head, Kusac. The implant's still live and unstable."
"She's fine," said Kaid. "You got used in a plot to kill their prince, but they got the one responsible."
"I've got to get him up to sick bay now," interrupted the physician. "This can wait, surely."
Kusac flicked his ears in assent, squeezing Carrie's hand gently before letting it go and reaching for Kaid's. "Look after her. At least I got J'koshuk." His speech was becoming slurred now, and his eyes began to flicker upward.
Kaid pulled Carrie back. "Let them take him now," he said, swinging her well away from him.
"What is it?" she asked, panic in her voice as she tried to look over her shoulder.
He prevented her. "He's having a seizure. You do not want to see it, and you'd only be in the way."
She looked at him, eyes wide with fear. "I've got to go with him."
He took her by the shoulders, looking into her face. "If you go up to the sick bay, you'll have to go alone. I can't spare anyone from here. They'll leave you sitting outside, on your own, possibly for hours. You'll worry, and I'll worry for both of you when I should be concentrating on these Primes. Or you can stay and help me. You're not the only one capable of reading a Valtegan mind, Rezac can, but I'd rather it were you, no offense to Rezac. We can lose ourselves in our work and support each other while we wait for news. Now, what are you going to do?"
"I'll stay," she said quietly, knowing he was right. Kaid was all that had kept her going since she'd first thought that Kusac was dead. She needed him no less now they knew he was alive. And she could feel that Kaid needed her just as much.
He held her close, lowering his head so he could rest his cheek against hers. "Well done. I'm proud of you, and so will Kusac be when he wakes."
Footsteps made them turn round. Approaching them was the female doctor they'd talked to a few minutes earlier.
"The commander asked me to come and see how Kusac is," she said.
There was a familiarity about her voice and scent that they both recognized. "You're the one we took along with Zsurtul," said Kaid. "Why did you lie to your commander about the energy pistol?"
"I didn't want to cause trouble for Kusac," she said, looking away from him for a moment. "However he managed to do that, I know he wouldn't use it indiscriminately."
"He's convulsing, maybe because I shot the implant," said Carrie abruptly.
Zayshul paled, turning several shades lighter. "The implant controls his hormone production and the seizures," she said. "The TeLaxaudin physician has offered his help. They designed the implant, no one knows its workings better."
"Why use a device meant for your people on him in the first place?" demanded Carrie.
"It was all we had left to try. We don't know enough about your species to use much in the way of our drugs. We could have caused permanent damage."
"What the hell do you call that thing on his neck?" she asked angrily.
The female took a step back in shock at the anger directed at her. "It was not my decision, it was Chy'qui's, but it was, we think, done for the best reasons. I don't understand your anger."
"I'm his mate, and his Leska— or was, till Chy'qui started experimenting on him!" She felt Kaid's restraining hand on her arm.
She's not to blame, Carrie,
he sent. "You said TeLaxaudin. You work with them?" asked Kaid.
"They're our allies."
"I'll pass your kind offer on to our medical section," said Kaid. "I must consult with my advisers now. We'll meet again in about half an hour, as I said."
Call sick bay on your comm and tell the medic on duty to pass their offer of help on to the physician when they arrive.
Carrie did as he asked while he excused them. They headed for the negotiating table, where the other Sholans on their team had taken up a position, realizing they'd been constantly shadowed by T'Chebbi, Rezac, and Dzaou. Kaid began unfastening his armor as soon as they reached it.
"I'd prefer you suited," said L'Seuli from his chair. "One casualty is enough. How is Kusac?"
"Send for some drinks for us," Kaid ordered a passing Brother. "I don't know," he said shortly. "L'Seuli, do you honestly think that if they didn't shoot us during that chaos, they're going to shoot us now?"
L'Seuli looked round the others, waving them away with an abrupt gesture. A muted chorus of grumbles met his command but they complied, stopping out of earshot.
"Kaid, Father Lijou gave me advice about dealing with you. I wish to the Gods someone had given you some about dealing with me!"
"What did I do?" he asked, looking up from the lock he was unfastening on his side. "Oh, chain of command and all that. Sorry. Got a lot on my mind right now." He sniffed the air. "Gods, but it stinks of burnt lizard!"
Carrie pulled off her gloves, then reached out to help him.
"They're going to flush the hangar's air supply as soon as the Primes have allowed us to dispose of the body. You'll remain in your suit, Carrie," L'Seuli warned her with a frown.
Do it, Dzinae, he's right,
sent Kaid as she supported the chest pieces till he got his arms pulled free. He sat down carefully, pulling first his tail then his leg out. "Glad you sent them off, L'Seuli. I've got news for you. How well briefed are you on the Jalna treaties?"
"Fully. Why?"
Kaid pulled his other leg free, dropping the suit on the floor with relief. "Never could stand suits. The spaceport on Jalna was built mainly by the efforts of the Jalnians and three alien species, we were told. I'm betting there were four, and that the original idea came from the fourth unmentioned species."
"The Primes," said Carrie, pulling up a seat. "Zsurtul said they'd done something for the Jalnians but refused to go into any details." She was trying hard to keep her mind off what was happening to Kusac.
"What draws you to that conclusion?"
"Need. Who needed the spaceport? Not the U'Churians or the Cabbarans, or even the elusive TeLaxaud; they'd all been trading in space for some time already. Nor the Jalnians. They didn't even know there was anything beyond their atmosphere. It was the Primes. They call in every fifty years to collect soil and plant samples. Much easier to do it openly at a spaceport as the Jalnian population expanded. Not just that, if the Primes are as secretive as they seem to be from the Free Traders' viewpoint, then by helping fund such a venture, the Primes can get their good friends and allies, the TeLaxaudin, to collect trade goods for them without any need for them to expose their weaknesses to any other species."
"Their lack of a warrior line," said L'Seuli. "You're telling me that the TeLaxaudin are allied with the Primes?"
"Yes. Had we realized it, Giyesh, from Tirak's crew, actually saw one when she was abducted with Jeran. Their doctor has just offered us TeLaxaudin help for Kusac. They designed the implant for the Valtegans."
"We could already be allied to the TeLaxaudin," said L'Seuli thoughtfully. "I need to call Stronghold as soon as possible. It doesn't mean we're allies of the Primes, though."
"No, but it could frighten them. Here we are, the only species to have ever beaten them, and suddenly we turn up in their private little trading post in pursuit of Valtegans who have destroyed two of our colony worlds. Valtegans that scare them spitless because they aren't capable of defending themselves."
"Then you believe this story about needing warriors."
"I do. Did you see them out there? The minute they thought their guards were about to shoot Kusac, they dropped them to the deck. They've no idea of tactics, either defensive or offensive. And that's the crew of a vessel knowing it's coming to make a treaty with us, the fearsome telepathic warriors."
"That's why they want Kezule and the M'zullians. To breed their own warriors," said Carrie.
"Exactly. With what Vanna knows about our genetics, if we do get involved with the Primes, we could possibly guide them, influence them so they don't end up with psychotic warriors like the M'zullians."
"A pact with the devil," murmured Carrie.
"Why say that?" asked Kaid sharply.
"We have a saying, better the devil you know, than the devil you don't. Seems to me that we're forgetting just what the Primes did to us, especially to Kusac."
And your conviction they're breeding us,
she added mentally.
"I'm not. I think Kusac's treatment was an exception, due to Chy'qui and J'koshuk. As for the rest, we may never know the full truth of the matter, unless they let us probe Chy'qui. At least we can sit down and talk to these Valtegans, Carrie," said Kaid. "The others were too busy trying to tear us limb from limb or commit suicide. That's a hell of a big difference. We need someone between us and them, someone the M'zullians will listen to, and so do the Primes. Given the right breeding and training, in time we could have a group of soldiers who can infiltrate M'zull, fight them from within as we did in the past."
"If that assassination attempt's anything to go by, then not all of the Primes are in favor of a treaty," said L'Seuli.
"Chy'qui is one of three advisers to the Emperor," said Carrie. "He disagreed with the treaty idea. I picked that up when we went over to find out about J'koshuk."
"We're no better concerning internal disagreements. Look at the case of Esken. A treaty with Keiss wasn't a popular decision at the time, but it didn't stop it being made and working," said Kaid, spying the Brother returning with a tray of c'shar and mugs. He beckoned him over. "Find out if we have signed a treaty with the TeLaxaudin yet, L'Seuli. Get Captain Zhaddu on it. It won't affect my decision, but I'd like to know."
The Brother put the tray down and left. Kaid grabbed three mugs and began pouring. "I'm finished with my say. The others can come back unless you've anything more to add," he said, passing him the first mug.
L'Seuli accepted it. "I know why Master Rhyaz appointed you and me to this mission," he said, sipping his c'shar.
"Why's that?" asked Carrie, accepting her mug gratefully.
"So I could learn that by the book is a good rule of thumb, but not necessarily useful when matters descend into chaos."
"Depends on the book," said Kaid, sending to Brynne to tell them they could come back.
"If it had been done by the book, I have a feeling this would have degenerated into a firefight."
As the others settled around the table again and helped themselves to drinks, Kaid's wrist comm buzzed.
"Get the TeLaxaudin up here if you can," was all the medic said.
He looked at Carrie. "They want the TeLaxaudin," he said. "You stay here with Brynne. T'Chebbi, you're with me." Then he looked over at Dzaou. "You come, too."
Carrie watched them head for the Prime shuttle. In her hands the mug of c'shar began to shake slightly as reaction set in.
"Kusac will pull through, I'm sure of it," said Brynne, wincing as he leaned forward to pat her shoulder. "He managed to link into our mental web and take energy from us, as well as control the gestalt. His mind's obviously Okay and the wound was minimal."
"I don't have any experience of this gestalt," said Vriuzu, "but to take so much power into himself, there could be a backlash effect. He could have burned himself out."
"I really needed to hear that," said Carrie, putting the mug down. "We've done it before. At least," she amended, "I have. Back on the
Khalossa.
And what I know, he knows."
"He looks a strong male," said Zhiko encouragingly. "That helps a lot in recovery. Don't listen to him, he knows nothing of Leskas and Triads, only you do. They've got more chance of helping him now the people who designed the implant are involved. I think this is good news, not bad."
Carrie smiled over at her. "Thanks. I hope you're right." She turned back to watch the shuttle. As she did, she felt something damp and furry nuzzle her hand. With an exclamation of shock, she looked round to find Belle crouched on the table. "A jegget!"