Freedom's Challenge (32 page)

Then one morning at the crèche, Kris' com unit bleeped. It was Beggs. “Admiral Scott requests that you proceed immediately to the hangar, and be prepared to stay at your destination for several days.”

“How several? Can I bring Zane with me?”

“I have given you the information I have, and no, the child would not be an asset.”

Just like Beggs to consider Zane an “asset” but she gave him a long smacking kiss and told Maizie that she would be back soon and left Maizie clinging to Zane as if he were the elder of the two. That didn't do her mood any good but she borrowed a runabout, slammed into her cabin and, as she was throwing a change and other needs into a pack, realized she had liquid dribbles drying all down the front of her. Fortunately she did have a recent issue of clothing and changed, cursing under her breath as she hauled the belt tight and then had to let it out over her expanding middle. As she stormed out, she got madder and madder—with Beggs and Scott. She was only halfway to the hangar when she heard the familiar sound of a spaceship coming in to land. Her heart beating faster, she threw the speed bar as far across as it would go and had the pleasure of being on the landing field when the KDL landed.

“Now, Emassi Zainal,” she murmured, “you've some explaining to do.”

“Kris, come on. It's only touching down to pick us up,” Scott called over the loud noise of the idling ship engine, beckoning her to hurry. He looked her up and down with a very admiralish stare that made her realize that he was sharply dressed, too.

“If you don't tell me what's going on, Admiral Scott…” she began as the ramp extruded partway: enough to jump up to the personnel hatch open in the cargo door.

“I'll explain it when we get where we're going. Climb aboard.”

She did because he was hauling away at her arms, and she refused to be manhandled even by Admiral Ray Scott.

She caught just a glimpse of a lot of people sitting or lying on the cargo level, and then he was guiding her toward the bridge, past Ninety who seemed to be standing guard. Which he well might have been because she realized that all the faces had been Catteni.

“What the hell…”

“They're the women and children of the dissidents who were based on Catten and therefore at risk,” Ray said, briskly urging her toward the bridge.

Well, she could understand the wisdom of getting dependants safely away from Eosian retaliation. The abuse that Zainal's two sons had suffered certainly made that a priority.

“Zainal got them out?”

“Ah, more or less. We're installing them in the largest of the enclosed valleys. They'll be safe there.”

That made sense because not all of the Headquarters valley's buildings had been taken down, so expanding that facility was a perfect solution. Then there was another aspect of a shipload of Catteni arriving at Retreat. One Catteni, even four, wouldn't raise much resentment at Retreat, but an influx of mates and children could be a source of irritation.

Gino waved a backhanded “hi” in her direction, and Raisha shot a quick look around as the two pilots lifted the ship from the hangar field. Everyone else on the bridge gave her a nod or a smile. They were all, Kris noticed, those who had a fair knowledge of Catten.

“Kris,” Gino began in an odd voice and paused to clear his throat, “the plan is that you'll act Emassi to our…guests. Zainal said you'd had practice. He said them knowing there was someone in charge of them might help in the long run.”

“What long run?” Kris asked casually.

There was a long pause.

“Oh, it's just a contingency idea.”

“Gino, you don't lie very well,” Kris said, folding her arms across her chest and glaring around, her gaze ending at Ray Scott.

“It
is
a contingency,” Ray said, but he stopped right there, without specifying for what. “We agreed to give
sanctuary to relatives of Kasturi, Tubelin, Kamiton, and several other key dissidents. A precaution. When the dust settles, they can return.”

“I've a letter from Zainal explaining…” Gino paused again. “It's in my cabin. Just let me land, and help us get these people settled. It explains everything. Ah, see, we're nearly there.”

“I'm not a fool.” And Kris swept the entire bridge complement with a stare.

“No one has ever accused you of that,” Ray said. “But you're tall, imposing, you speak good Catteni, and you act Emassi without half-trying. It'll make settling the dependants easier. I will pretend,” and Ray accorded her a smile and a little bow, “to be under your command. Now assume it!”

His last three words were tantamount to an order that he intended she would obey. She looked him in the eyes long and hard, and he did not flinch. He did, however, steady her when they landed with a little thump.

Wheeling, she looked out to the quiet scene of the HQ valley. The main hall, only half-finished when she had last been here, was completed. There was even smoke coming out of the chimney. Several large houses, with half dormers for sleeping lofts, were interspersed with small accommodations, scattered throughout the lodge-pole forestry. It was certainly a lot better housing than the First Drop had had. She took a deep breath.

“Ninety,” she called, turning again on one heel and moving back down the corridor.

“Yo!” was Ninety's unexpectedly army response.

“Prepare to unload,” she said in Catteni, having no trouble at all sounding harsh. “Is there a list of who's who?” she asked in English over her shoulder.

Ray offered her a clipboard, presenting it to her with a smart bow, thus showing the women that Kris was the superior officer. Kris looked down at the board. All the
names were in Catteni glyphs, which she couldn't read, but also in English and she recognized the English script was written in the bold, forceful style Zainal used. Unexpectedly her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away, pretending that the sun was glaring in her eyes and shielding them as she took a position at the head of the ramp.

Ninety had opened the cargo hatch and the loading ramp was down.

“Just this level, Drassi?” she asked in Catteni.

“Yes, Emassi Khriss,” he said, staring straight ahead.

Emassi Khriss turned to the passengers, the sunlight streaming in. The women were all standing now: the children, the youngest showing some fright, the others very silent and wary, grouped around them.

“As your name is called, come forward and leave the ship. Follow the Drassi who will lead you to your quarters.” She noticed that each name had a number after it, indicating the number in the party. Flipping the top sheets, she noticed that each family had already been assigned quarters. She had only to call them out. She had no trouble remembering Catteni counting. She also remembered enough of what Zainal had told her about Catteni women: that they were almost as subservient as Drassi or Tudo and would have to be shown what to do. “You will be safe here.”

One woman stepped forward and cleared her throat, bowing her head for addressing an Emassi without first being spoken to.

“We were told that no Eosi can come here. Is that true?”

“You are…” and Emassi Khriss impassively awaited an answer.

“Sibbo, Kasturi's mate. These are his sons and his child.” She bowed again.

Well, at least one of them had some guts, Kris thought with relief.

“Ah, I know Kasturi well. He has been here,” Kris said. “Eosi have not been able to penetrate the shield that surrounds this planet,” she added with as smug a smile as she had ever seen on any Catteni face. “You are safe. We have
made
you safe. Go with this Drassi to the quarters prepared, Sibbo. Place twelve.”

Sibbo and her children picked up their bundles and they started down the ramp after Ninety. Crew members stepped forward to escort each group called.

It took a while to work her way down the list. She had one interruption, an older woman, who bowed.

“Drassi Khriss,” and she bowed an almost embarrassing depth, “are there no Rassi or slaves to assist us?”

Kris was so surprised that she blinked, her mind racing to find an answer. She pretended to consult her list. This was the oldest of the women…ah, Nitin's wife. How like him to have a critical mate!

“Rassi do not leave Catten, as you know, Milista. There are no slaves on this planet. You will do what is necessary yourselves.”

“But,” and there was real consternation on the woman's lined face as she spread out her hands in a helpless appeal, “we have never been without slaves.”

“Oh, my God,” Gino muttered behind Kris. “Never thought of that.”

“Well, by God,” was Scott's equally low but quite firm addition, “they're going to damned well learn how to cope without them.”

“All the food is Catteni, with pictures on the sacks or boxes,” Ninety said. “We did that special.”

“With recipes?” Gino put in hopefully.

“I dunno. Can't read that much Catteni,” Ninety added.

“Bummer,” was Gino's final remark.

“Any ration bars?” Kris asked.

“Yeah, lots of those.”

“Let them eat rations, then,” Kris said, startled to find
herself paraphrasing Marie Antoinette. She turned back to Milista. “It is enough that you are safe and have food to eat and shelter. You will take what is provided and be grateful.”

Kris didn't have any trouble acting Catteni just then. She was thoroughly annoyed. Surely Kasturi or even Tubelin would have thought to tell Zainal, or someone, that the women were accustomed to servants. Not that she'd ask anyone to serve Catteni women. They could bloody well learn how to do for themselves as the colonists had.

“All work will be shared, Milista. Learn that now.” She gave a curt dismissal to the woman who backed away before she turned. Indignation and fury were obvious in the way she stalked down the ramp, carrying a very small bundle, which she kept hitching or changing from hand to hand. Briefly Kris wondered what Milista had brought with her that could be heavy. She didn't know if Catteni women had jewelry, and if that was all Milista had brought, instead of clothing, she was going to get very tired of the one wrap she was wearing.

With mixed emotions of chagrin and irritation—and the latter was stronger—Kris crisply called out the next name. The gall of the woman, wanting servants as well as safety. Maybe once she'd had a taste of—Shut up, Kris, it's not Milista's fault.

She got through the rest of the unexpected and generally unhappy guests. She'd been so busy ushering them out, she hadn't seen that there were Humans boarding the KDL on the far side of the ramp. Some carried just tools while others humped excess building materials aboard.

The last few arrived as the final Catteni family of seven was led off to cabin thirty-five. So Kris nearly gasped when Sarah passed her with a wink. Joe was right behind her, carrying carpentry tools. Sandy stalked up the ramp last.

“They wanted servants,” Kris muttered savagely to Sandy, who burst out laughing.

“That'll be the day. Did you hear what Kris just said?” And Sandy was spreading the remark, causing both chuckles and exclamations of surprise.

Kris was about to turn away, to retract the landing ramp, to get away from her before she lost her cool entirely. Then she paused, looking out at the tranquil valley. The scene was all wrong, even disturbing. Not a soul was in sight and the mess hall and quarters looked as empty as when they had landed.

“Kris?” Sandy came to stand beside her. “What the hey?” And she frowned. “What's wrong with them? Sulking?”

Kris listened intently, but apart from an odd mechanical creak or a hiss from a vent, she didn't even hear crying or angry voices.

“Hell, any normal kid would have been out and snooping about by now.”

“Maybe when we leave,” Kris said. “They've had a bit of a shock.”

“Ha! About time!” Sandy took Kris' arm and drew her inside. “D'you know how to close this?”

Almost absentmindedly, Kris depressed the right switch and the ramp slid up and inside, and the cargo hatch made a low, well-oiled rumble as it slid shut.

Kris strode along the corridor to the bridge.

“We're ready then?” Raisha asked, looking up from her pre-flight check.

“Can I have a rearview screen as we take off, Raisha, and do a slow ascent, huh?”

“Sure, Emassi Khriss, whatever you say, Emassi Khriss,” and Kris managed a little smile for Raisha's teasing.

“You do a swell Emassi act,” Gino said, entering from the captain's ready room. He had an envelope in his hand
and his expression was carefully neutral as he gave it to her.

“Positions, please, for takeoff,” Raisha said in warning. Not that strapping in was needed with the smooth vertical lift she achieved.

Kris watched the rearview screen as long as she could but the valley might have been uninhabited for all she could see. Then the KDL was over the enclosing wall and beginning to level out for the flight back to Retreat.

“Well done, Kris,” Ray said, clapping one hand lightly on her shoulder. Then silently he gestured toward the captain's room Gino had just vacated.

Kris looked down at the envelope in her hand as she walked toward the privacy the room would offer. She had an awful feeling about what the letter would say to her. Sliding the panel shut behind her, she sat on the nearest surface and looked down at the message. It was upside down and Zainal's distinctive script made an interesting pattern of her name from that angle.

She turned it around. “Kris.” She spoke her name aloud.

“Well, waiting's not going to change a single word inside,” she said and, with a decisive nail, opened the edge of the sealed flap and then ran her finger up, spreading the paper. She also tore the corner out of the envelope with the force of her action.

There were two sheets. Well, he tended to sprawl his words across a page, even if the sentences were exceedingly straight…as if he'd followed a ruled line.