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TWENTY

The Home of Quass Leghef

“Old” Makaum

2150 Hours Zulu Time

L
et me assure you that we're not here to make things worse for your ­people, Quass Leghef,” Colonel Halladay said. “We're trying to bring some balance in these troubled times.”

Halladay's words sounded weak even to Sage, but he didn't know any other way to state their reasons for being there. Fort York had been built on Makaum with the intention of helping the local populace. Also to potentially keep the Phrenorians at bay. But they were there to help.

“Perhaps you'd like to point out where I have erred in my summation,” the Quass countered.

Halladay reddened a little. Despite all the maneuvering he was used to in the Army, this one little woman was throwing his game off. Sage was impressed, and equally grateful he wasn't the one under fire.

“Before we get to that,” the Quass said, “perhaps it might be better if we got to know each other a little more. After all, you are in my home as my guests. I would be remiss were I not to extend some courtesy.”

“Yes, Quass,” Halladay said, looking like he'd just been granted a stay of execution. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Except that they didn't have time for playing games, Sage thought. They needed to be moving now. The ­people who attacked the fort could be disappearing as they spoke. Besides that, he didn't trust the old woman to lighten up. More like she had a whole minefield planned for the colonel.

“Where were you born?” Leghef asked.

The question caught Halladay by surprise. “I was born in London, Quass, but my father was an officer in the Terran Army. I grew up in a lot of places. Mostly military bases on different worlds.”

“So change has always been a part of your life.”

“Yes. We moved every two or three years. My mother got used to it and looked forward to decorating our new home each time we moved.”

“Then you might not know what it means to put down roots.” The Quass switched her attention to Sage. “What about you, Sergeant?”

“I grew up in a village, ma'am. A little place called Sombra de la Montána. The name is Spanish, a Terran language.”

Interest glimmered in Leghef's eyes. “What was growing up in Sombra de la Montána like, if I may ask?” The Spanish words came out twisted but she made it through them okay.

“Life was simple there. The ­people hunted for food in the jungle. Game and fruits and nuts. Other things. They gardened. They built their own homes near a stream that provided fresh water.”

“No technology?”

“No, ma'am. It wasn't needed and it was too expensive. Some of the ­people had a few things, but life was hard there. Everybody had to work to get by.”

“You two came from the same world, but you lived such different lives.”

Halladay let Sage answer since the Quass was focusing on him.

“Yes, ma'am, I guess so. Despite everything you might see on holo ads on the comm, Terra is not one huge world filled with technology. There are still places where ­people have to do a lot of manual labor just to survive.”

“What did you do there in that village?”

Sage grinned a little, thinking he could deflect the question, become uninteresting. “I was a kid, ma'am. I hunted, I fished, I tried to get out of chores every time I could. But when it came time something needed to be done, I was there. My mother made sure of it.”

“You must have a very good mother.”

“I did, ma'am.”

The Quass sat a little straighter and took a breath. “I'm sorry. I didn't intend to bring up painful memories.” Her discomfort and embarrassment were small things, but they were there.

“No, ma'am. The memories are good ones. What happened in the end wasn't so good. The Colombians, ­people who lived south of Sombra de la Montána, were at war with Mexico, ­people who lived north of my village. For a long time, the war stayed away from the mountain because the country was hard and it wasn't easy to travel, which is why not many other ­people lived there. But one day the Colombians invaded our village and killed most of my mother's ­people before they could escape.”

“Forgive me for asking, but is that how you lost your mother? In that attack?”

“No, ma'am. My father and I lost her to sickness a few years later. My father was a soldier. He and his group got us safely off the mountain and to the United States.”

“Your father was not from the village?”

“No, ma'am. He was a soldier from the United States. He'd been assigned as part of a deep insertion team in the area. A guerilla. Someone who operates behind enemy lines.”

“He met your mother there.”

“Yes, ma'am. He stayed on throughout the war when he could have walked away or rotated out.”

“It sounds like he loved your mother very much.”

“Yes, ma'am, and that made the Colombian War even more personal to him.”

“So you and the colonel both have a legacy you follow.”

“I suppose that's right, ma'am.”

“Your father is not an officer?”

“No, ma'am. He was a sergeant. A good soldier.”

“ ‘Was'?”

“He died in battle against the Phrenorians only a short time after I enlisted in the Terran Army. He chose to be a soldier all his life.” Sage could still see the death notification in his mind. It was permanently recorded there, as were the doctor's words about his mother's passing.

“I'm sorry for that loss as well.” Leghef regarded him in quiet speculation. “You have experienced all of this, being caught in the middle of opposing forces, and losing family because of it, and now you're here to advise me to allow you to arrest some of my ­people, knowing the hard feelings and distrust such an action will set into motion.”

“Ma'am,” Sage said, wishing the Quass had never gotten him to talking, wishing he could have remained invisible, “I think the colonel can make a better case for what we're proposing.”

“You came here together, so I'm assuming you both agree on a course of action.”

“Yes, ma'am, we do.” Sage wasn't going to leave Halladay swinging in the wind. “Those ­people who attacked the fort have to be made an object lesson of so that we can continue to push for peace.”

“Then I want to hear your proposal from you. Explain to me why I should allow you to arrest the ­people you think are responsible for the attack on your fort.”

“I don't just
think
those ­people attacked the fort,” Sage said. “Noojin identified them.”

Concern flickered in the Quass's eyes. “Is she all right?” Accusation turned her words into jagged shards that bit.

“She's fine, ma'am.”

“Then why didn't she come with you?”

“She feels like she betrayed her ­people. She's not ready to deal with that guilt yet, and I don't think she was ready to face you. I think she would have liked to speak to you before she answered my questions.”

“Yes, I think she would have wanted to do that. She's young. This whole experience has been a hardship for her.”

Sage didn't say anything. The Quass was also accountable for the situation Noojin had been left in, and everyone in that room knew that.

“I only have your word that Noojin has been treated well.”

Sage looked at Halladay, but the colonel shook his head, leaving the discussion in Sage's hands. Feeling a little uncomfortable, Sage continued. “I can let you talk to her over the comm, ma'am. Noojin is with Sergeant Kiwanuka. I can call the sergeant and get a connection for you.”

“Is this sergeant holding Noojin prisoner?” The Quass's voice tightened and her gaze became steely.

“No, ma'am. Noojin is with Sergeant Kiwanuka for her own protection.”

“From your soldiers?”

“No, ma'am. There are civilians working at the fort. We thought it was possible that some of the ­people behind the attack might want to keep Noojin from talking. It isn't hard to think maybe someone might have wanted to harm her.”

The Quass shook her head in dismay. “This is what we have come to? That my ­people will now kill each other?”

“To be honest, ma'am, yes.” Sage held his gaze steady on the old woman. “That's why Colonel Halladay has had soldiers placed around you all day. In case someone tried to hurt your granddaughter.”

“Telilu?” The Quass glanced at Pekoz.

“Telilu is fine, Quass,” Pekoz stated. “I checked on her as I was making tea. She's sleeping.”

Looking a little relieved, but angry at the same time, Leghef returned her attention to Sage. “I have seen no soldiers.”

“No, ma'am, you weren't supposed to. They're dressed like civilians but they're armed to the teeth. We've rotated them in and out so the same faces aren't out there all the time.”

“You think the men who attacked your fort will try to attack my family?”

“The attack this morning changed things, ma'am. I know you stopped the violence this morning, but the ­people who did this, they'll get more and more brave the longer they get away with this. Other ­people will see that those attackers are unpunished and may decide they're unhappy enough to strike out at the fort too. Or at a soldier who's in the sprawl on duty or on leave.”

“You could keep them at the fort.”

Sage nodded. “We could, but then we wouldn't be doing the job we've been sent here to do. So far no one has been killed, but once that happens, all bets are off.” He paused for a moment. “You can feel the tension ratcheting up in this sprawl. I can feel it. Since I've been on Makaum, your ­people have been torn about whether or not they want offworlders here.”

“Many of us would like to return to the life we knew before you offworlders found us.”

“Ma'am, all due respect, but that's not a decision anyone gets to make anymore. If the Terran Army pulled out tomorrow, you ­people will be left to the mercy of the corps and the Phrenorians, and it won't take the Sting-­Tails long to send the corps packing, then the Sting-­Tails would own you.”

Leghef returned his gaze full measure. “Why should I think Terrans are any better than the Phrenorians?”

Sage decided to be blunt because Quass Leghef seemed to favor that. “This conversation we're having right now, ma'am? This wouldn't be taking place if that attack had been against the Phrenorians. They would have already tracked down those ­people responsible for the attack, or some ­people they claimed were guilty of the attack, and put their heads on pikes out in front of their embassy.”

Quietly, the Quass put her teacup and saucer to the side. “You have the names of the ­people you suspect?”

“Noojin named three men she recognized. There were more.”

“
Corok
melons grow on the same vine.”

“Yes, ma'am. I'm guessing if we find the three, we'll find the others soon enough.”

“Tell me this: How did you get Noojin to give you those names? She can be quite stubborn.”

“I just told her the truth, ma'am.”

“What truth?”

“That Jahup would find out the names from her, and he would go after those men on his own. I've seen that in him.”

The Quass took a long breath and let it out. “Jahup has much of his grandfather in him. As his grandmother, I knew that would be the case. And I wanted him to be protected. I wanted you to find those men without my permission if you felt it needed to be done to save Jahup from his pride. But I cannot always be a grandmother. I also must be Quass. So I wanted to hear your argument in this matter.” She turned to the comm and waved a hand over it.

Immediately, several rectangles showing faces of a ­couple dozen Makaum men and women formed in the holo above the comm. All of ­people at the other end of the link listened attentively as Leghef faced them.

The Quass took a brief count. “We still represent a majority of the Quass and you have heard the facts these men have stated representing their interest in this matter. Those of you who agree that the Terran Army should have the authority to make arrests in the matter of the attack on the fort please vote now.”

Sage glanced at Halladay, who shook his head, letting Sage know he hadn't known they were being recorded either. Evidently Quass Leghef was more knowledgeable about technology than she let on.

 

TWENTY-­ONE

The Home of Quass Leghef

“Old” Makaum

2209 Hours Zulu Time

I
n his rectangle on the holo projection, a burly Makaum man with a shaved head and full beard looked displeased. He frowned and the scars on his face deepened. Sage recognized the warrior's scars. This man had fought for his life on several occasions. He spoke with grim authority. “Leghef, it is my opinion that we should be the one to enforce the laws.”

“The attack took place on the fort, Quass Tholak,” Leghef said. “As we have agreed under treaty, this places the onus of justice on the Terran Army.”

Tholak slapped the table in front of him. “When are we going to start taking our lives back from the offworlders? We cannot let them continue to take everything from us. If we allow them to arrest our ­people . . .”

“We already allow them to arrest our ­people,” Leghef cut in. “Whenever Makaum ­people are guilty of trading in drugs or weapons, or anything else that we have declared illegal, the Army takes them into custody.”

“And they give those ­people to us,” Tholak said. “That is why we now have a containment building for our ­people that we have never had before.”

“Those ­people are counseled and returned to their families, Quass Tholak. Even repeat offenders are given to us.”

“Except for those who are killed,” Tholak replied.

Sage knew that less than a dozen Makaum ­people had been killed during arrests. The soldiers had been careful of the local population. More Makaum had died at the hands of offworlder criminals and other Makaum than under the guns of soldiers.

“Those ­people made their own choices,” Leghef declared. “They were lost to us before they died.”

Several others were lost who left on ships, signing on as crew or with criminal organizations. Makaum had a dwindling native population. Most of those departing were young ­people, and Sage knew the Makaum feared losing the future to the vices and to the freedom of space.

“What is going to happen to those who are accused of attacking the fort?” Tholak demanded. “Will they be returned to us as well?”

Leghef looked at Halladay.

“Our intent is to lock them up in the Army stockade for a time,” Halladay said. “To make our point. The actual time and punishment of those men will be left up to you ­people. But this attack was personal. Our response needs to be the same.”

“We cannot agree on this, Leghef,” Tholak stated, shaking his head vehemently. “I will not condone an offworlder action in this matter. If we give them this, we are giving them all our liberties. I would sooner die.” His screen blanked immediately.

A few more screens blanked out as well, leaving noticeable gaps in the original pattern.

Leghef gazed at the holo. “We still have a majority, so the vote can go forward. How many are in favor of allowing the Terran Army to go after those who attacked them?”

Answers came quickly, with only two voting no.

“Well,” Leghef said, “we appear to be deadlocked, Quass Kekish. You are the only one who has yet to speak. How do you vote?”

A young man on the lower left side of the holo shot Leghef a calculated smile. He was perhaps in his mid-­twenties, surely the youngest member of those assembled. His black hair was neatly groomed and came to a point over his forehead, shadowing his dark eyes. His mouth was narrow and he had thin lips. His clothing was an offworlder style, sleek and expensive.

Sage tried to place the name and couldn't, but it sounded familiar.

Kekish put his hands together in front of him, obviously very much filled with his own self-­worth. “As you know, Quass Leghef, since my father abdicated his place in this assembly and nominated me to take his seat, you and I have not often agreed on many things.”

“No, Quass Kekish, and I didn't often agree with your father before you either.”

The young man chuckled. “I am moved to vote ‘no' regarding this matter, simply because you and I agree on so little. But I also know that when these arrests take place, our ­people are going to want to know who allowed them to happen. Perhaps the Quass assembly will have voted for it, but it is
your
name our ­people will remember as being the person who championed the offworlders in this matter.”

Leghef said nothing, merely waited in quiet dignity.

“So I will give you your deciding vote,” Kekish went on, “and I hope that it will be enough to poison your roots.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Quass Kekish,” Leghef said in a tone that was still pleasant. “Thank you all, and I will give you information regarding this matter as I receive it.” She waved her hand over the comm and the holo blanked. She leaned back in her chair. “I do detest that yipping little
ageew
and his self-­important airs.” She let out a breath. “But he is of his vine as well. His father is Roddarsay, one of the wealthiest men in Makaum.”

That was a name that Sage remembered. Roddarsay was one of the first Makaum to start dealing with the corps and had secured a fortune for himself by licensing specialized healing plants he'd hybridized. According to the intel Sage had read, the man had already been wealthy before the deals with the corps.

“I know who he is,” Halladay said. “I've had some dealings with him.”

“Then you know how difficult Roddarsay can be.”

“I do.”

“There are days I think Roddarsay put Kekish on the Quass solely to torment me. Then I see how much Kekish offends others and I know he's not my burden alone to bear.” Leghef sat up straighter. “The last I heard from my grandson, he was with you, Sergeant, so where is Jahup now?”

“Back at the fort, ma'am,” Sage answered. “I had the doctor give him something to help him sleep till we figured out what we were going to do about this. Frankly, I didn't want him involved in this until we'd decided on a course of action. Having him run loose could have complicated matters.”

“I agree. As you have stated, he would have gotten the names from Noojin and the present situation would have grown worse.”

“He needed the rest anyway.”

“You look like you could use some rest yourself, Sergeant.”

“Soon, ma'am. Soon as I can. Once this is taken care of.”

“There is one thing that I ask.”

“If I can, ma'am.”

“Jahup has been assigned to you in his expertise as a scout. Take him with you when you arrest these men. That way ­people will know that he is there because the Quass has allowed these arrests to take place. And it will satisfy his need to punish those who tried to hurt his sister and Noojin.”

Sage looked at Halladay.

Halladay nodded.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Can you look out for him while you're doing this?”

“I look out for all of my ­people, ma'am.”

“This thing is best done quickly. I will deal with the repercussions from the ­people as best as I can, but now that the other members of the Quass know what's going to happen, news will spread.”

“Thank you, ma'am.” Sage stood.

The Quass stood as well and searched him with her eyes. She looked tired, but compassion sounded in her voice. “I have heard the sadness in your voice when you talked of your lost village and lost parents, Sergeant. These are terrible losses to bear. But I would like to offer you this, if I may.”

She reached to one of the bookshelves and took down a bracelet made of purple and white wood that swirled in a complex pattern, weaving and separating. A silver medallion on the bracelet's front held a single bright orange seed that had been carefully worked into the wood so that it was level with the rest of the surface.

“Ma'am, I can't accept a gift.”

“It's not a gift. It is a symbol of my authority and you will take it. Many ­people in Makaum will recognize this piece and pay more attention to you because they will know where you got it.” Leghef took Sage's big hand and slid the bracelet over it, not stopping till the bracelet bottomed out against the AKTIVsuit's sleeve on his wrist. Her hands were unexpectedly strong and callous.

Sage was surprised the ornament fit because he had big hands and thick wrists. The bracelet stood out against his dark skin.

“That was my husband's,” Leghef said. “It's called a
draorm
, which translates in your language, I believe, into ‘seed of my seed.' Each
draorm
is unique, and none may be copied. They are made from different woods, from the heart of a mighty tree, and then carved in a single piece. Every Makaum parent makes one for sons or daughters on our Counting Day, when a child is declared an adult and chooses his or her vocation to serve our ­people. My husband's father gave this to him.”

“Ma'am, I really can't take something this personal—­” Sage started to slip the bracelet off.

“No.” Leghef laid her hand on Sage's wrist, halting his efforts. “Vergit, my husband, would want you to have this. He would have seen the sadness in you too, and he would have seen the strength you carry with you. This wasn't made to gather dust on a shelf, Sergeant. It was made to adorn the wrist of a man who helped us stay safe and strong and true to ourselves. I did not allow this to be buried with my husband because I could not let all of him go. I'd thought I was wrong to do that. I'd thought I was being selfish. But now I see that there was a reason for me to hold it back.”

“Ma'am—­”

Tears glimmered in her eyes as she patted his hand and he relaxed, knowing he couldn't refuse the gift.

“Among our ­people, the
draorm
is believed to bring good luck, and to be a constant reminder that we are all seeds. When we landed on this planet all those generations ago, we had to move to elude predators, to find lands that we could tame, to find a place where we might anchor ourselves and flourish in spite of all that stood against us. We did. Each child is a seed as well, a part nature has promised us to spread and change and become more than we are. You too are a seed, blown from your Sombra de la Montána to our world. So take the luck the
draorm
gives you.”

“Yes, ma'am. Thank you.”

Quass Leghef released Sage's hand and he stepped back. Pekoz appeared and guided them back to the door. Sage respected the woman's determination to take care of her ­people, but he couldn't help wondering if she'd feel so certain of the future if she knew about the Phrenorian base.

Outside the home, he and Halladay pulled their helmets on, opened their comms, and set about organizing the raid they had planned.