Harry's Sacrifice (13 page)

“There is the little matter of the drug,” Hara seemed to be reminding the Patriarch.

“Ah, yes. Roshin, I assume the skin patches I gave you are still among your possessions.”

“Yes, Patriarch,” came the quick reply.

“Then I believe the time has come to apply them. One for yourself and one for Cormac 7.”

“Wait just a minute.” Predictably, it was Cormac who objected. Harry couldn’t really blame him. To his orderly mind, it must seem as if his life had suddenly run off the rails.

“Cormac 7,” the Patriarch addressed him directly, “while I understand your objection, I would hope you will see reason and agree to become part of our order. For that is what I am offering to you. If you take the treatment along with Roshin, I will grant you all the rights and privileges of the
Zxerah
Brotherhood. If you do not, I will have no choice but to order that you be restrained until such time as you are no longer a threat to our mission.

“And your mission is?” Cormac asked bluntly.

“Of course, you have a right to know what you are involved in. Roshin can explain in more detail, but know that our end goal is the sharing of this planet with its native inhabitants. I now believe that will be accomplished through a blending of our races so that we no longer stand separately as Alvians and humans, but together as a new evolution of both. I believe that will also mean restoring emotion to the current Alvian generation. Although my predecessors were among the first to participate in the genetic experiments that landed us in this predicament, I believe all evidence points to the fact that the grand experiment to remove emotion is an utter failure. We are diminished as a people by our lack of understanding. Observation of my human Brethren over the years has convinced me of this fact. I am therefore slowly rolling out the cure among my sect and a select group of others.”

“Cure? Do you mean the skin patch you referred to? What does it contain?” Cormac seemed to be taking the news better than Harry had expected. Of course, the man was a scientist in addition to being a soldier. He had shown to this point that he had an analytical mind. He was gathering information and weighing his options before making a decision.

“Are you aware of the genetic experiments of Mara 12?” The Patriarch paused for just a moment. “Perhaps not. I will forward the information to you.” Harry could see the Patriarch manipulating the controls on his com station while he talked. No doubt, he was sending the data directly to the ship for them to examine in detail later. “There is currently an experiment underway that has led to the restoration of emotion in several successful instances. In at least two of those treated, they have gone on to discover their true Resonance Mates shortly after being treated. I now believe the sharp decline in Resonance Mating is due to the corresponding decline in emotion. Harry can tell you about Davin, the throwback who is Callie O’Hara’s Resonance Mate. I have witnessed their Hum myself and I can tell you it is pure and sweet. I would wish that for all our people rather than the emotionless, loveless, unwittingly lonely lives we now lead.”

Cormac was silent as the Patriarch trailed off, his expression pensive. Good. He was thinking over the Patriarch’s words. Harry agreed wholeheartedly with his conclusions, but to be fair, the decision to take the treatment or not had to be Cormac’s alone.

“I will look over the data you have sent. How long do I have to decide?” Cormac said at length.

“A few days. I don’t mean to rush you, but time is of the essence. If you choose not to take the treatment, you will remain behind on the ship—a prisoner until Hara decides otherwise.”

Attention shifted to the big man in the hover chair. “You should know that eventually I intend that all Alvians take the treatment. The Patriarch is correct. Our race has become an abomination. Emotions are hard—I know that as well as any other—but they make us who we are. Without them, we are shadows of what we could be. Echoes of mediocrity. Pale imitations of real people who are capable of doing terrible things in their ignorance. With luck, we’re going to change all that. I would rather have your willing cooperation now, Cormac, but I will give you time to consider.”

“Thank you,” Cormac said formally. “I will read the material and make my decision shortly.”

“Roshin, I authorize you to speak freely and answer any and all questions Hara or your companions may have of you regarding our Brotherhood,” the Patriarch said, regaining everyone’s attention. “You should also know that Hara was and still is one of our number. In fact, he was the first Patriarch. He handed the role to my ancestor when he left Alvia Prime with instructions for this very day. I am only glad the ancient plan has at last come to fruition during my time. It is my great honor…” the Patriarch bowed his head to Hara, “…to serve our people at your direction, Elder.”

“Please, Ronin, call me by name. You and I will both play vital roles in what is to come. I am only glad to see the Brotherhood in such capable hands.” Hara was complimentary and humble, which appealed to Harry. His words held no echo of falsehood that plagued so many important people in political life. Hara was genuine. Anyone who heard him would know that.

“I am honored.” The Patriarch again inclined his head in polite acknowledgment. “As I said, I have been slowly rolling out the treatment among the Brotherhood. Our human Brethren have been invaluable in helping with the transition to feeling. With your leave, I will accelerate the process to include the winged Brethren.”

“Winged?” Cormac asked sharply.

“Another genetic experiment,” Harry told him quietly. “It’s run by Mara Prime, leader of my mother’s genetic line. He took historical samples of Avarel DNA and bred for selective traits, but I had no idea his test subjects were
Zxerah
.”

“You are well informed, young Harry, but you don’t know everything,” the Patriarch’s tone was almost teasing as he smiled at Harry.

“Clearly,” Harry agreed.

The meeting went on for a while longer, the Patriarch and Hara discussing particulars of the schedule for rolling out the genetic treatment. Bits and pieces of information Harry had known through family connections about the former lab tech, Jaci, and her new mates, started to make sense. Different images from visions began to coalesce into something Harry could get excited about. Something that might really mean freedom for his human kin—for all humans everywhere.

They ate food from stores that had been put into stasis much like the men had been. It was surprisingly fresh and the best thing he’d had to eat in a while. They needed sustenance because the discussion continued for several hours.

Percival had provided the food for the three newcomers while supplying himself and Hara with some kind of liquid nutrition. Hara grimaced at his first sip but didn’t complain. He was taking notes on the plans he and the man he called Ronin—otherwise known as the
Zxerah
Patriarch—were making. They would work in tandem to prepare for Hara’s return, which was sure to cause an uproar in Alvian society.

When Ronin signed off with a promise to have another conference in a few days, Hara and Percival launched into a discussion of their physical rehabilitation program. Surprisingly, they wanted Harry, Roshin and Cormac to assist with the later stages, though they didn’t specify exactly how. All three agreed to help the two ancients get back on their feet, and Percival laid out a detailed schedule for the next few days.

When the meeting showed signs of beginning to break up, Roshin claimed all their attention. She had reached into a secret pocket in her tunic and come up with two small, flat, wrapped packets.

“These are the skin patches,” she said unnecessarily. “I will put mine on now, with witnesses, so that if something goes wrong, you will all know what I have done.” Her eyes were kept lowered, her demeanor very serious as she contemplated something Harry knew would change her life forever. “I suspect I will need your help getting through the transitional period. I hope those of you with emotions will closely monitor my progress.”

“I’ll take care of you, Ro. Don’t worry,” Harry offered quietly, trying to reassure her.

“I’m not worried exactly.” She turned her puzzled gaze to his. “I merely want to confirm with you all as witnesses that I am about to begin the experiment. I wouldn’t like to do this without supervision and support.”

“You have both, young Roshin,” Hara said in his steadfast way. “I am pleased by your courage.”

She took a deep breath, opened the package and quickly prepared the skin patch for application. All it took was a lift of her sleeve and she stuck the patch on her shoulder.

Harry paused, finding the moment significant. If his visions held true, Ro was just the first of many. The first of a long line of Alvians who would embark on the adventure of a lifetime with the simple action of putting a skin patch on their arms.

Let the revolution begin.

Chapter Seven

Over the next two days, Percival and Hara rearranged things, directing the newcomers and the ship’s systems to stow the stasis pods. A free space opened up in which the two men directed the setup of a rehab area of sorts.

The two ancients slept in that area, under med monitors. Hara strongly suggested that until he was able to walk, Roshin should use his bed chamber, with Harry and Cormac sharing the double room.

The remains of the third ancient Alvian were treated with ceremonial respect as they were boxed and stowed in a place of honor in the small hold of the ship. Hara and Percival were solemn, as were Harry and Cormac, who did the actual labor of bearing the casket into the hold.

Roshin cried.

The tears rolling down her face seemed to shock her most of all. It was the breakthrough Harry had been looking for. If not for the solemn occasion, he would have smiled. As it was, he waited until the small ceremony had ended to go to her. Wordlessly, he took her in his arms and let her cry quietly until she was done.

Hara and Percival passed them on their way out of the hold, gentle expressions of understanding on their faces as they returned to the galley to share a quiet cup of tea. Cormac looked puzzled and mildly intrigued. He watched from a few feet away, clearly trying to understand the emotional reaction he had no experience with. It was also clear he didn’t trust Harry to be alone with Roshin. He had appointed himself her protector and kept a close eye on her.

By the same token, Harry didn’t trust Cormac to be alone with Ro either. The result was she had two protectors who were warily watching each other lest someone step over the line.

Hurting her was the farthest thing from Harry’s mind. She was quickly becoming precious to him. Seeing her cry for the fallen ancient both broke his heart and gave him hope.

“What’s happening to me?” she whispered, her head resting on Harry’s shoulder.

“You feel sorrow.”

“Is that what it is? It’s like a band around my heart, making it ache with…” she trailed off.

“Sadness. You feel sad, Ro.”

“Really?” She raised her head off his shoulder to meet his gaze.

She looked so vulnerable in that moment, so lost. His lips were only inches from hers and it felt natural to bridge the distance and kiss her.

The explosion of feeling and the light in his heart was almost overwhelming. No woman had ever felt so right in his arms. No kiss had ever inspired this kind of feeling.

A large hand on his shoulder dragged Harry from the reverie of kissing Ro for the first time.

Cormac.

Harry ended the kiss reluctantly, pulling back to see a delightfully dazed expression on Ro’s face, her eyes closed, her lips parted as if waiting for more. She was beautiful.

Cormac’s hand tightened on Harry’s shoulder.

Harry turned his head, ready to glare at the other man, but when he caught sight of Cormac’s face, the impulse died. Cormac looked confused and almost…yearning.

“You Hum,” the soldier stated simply.

“What?” Harry and Ro spoke in unison.

“Do you not hear it?” Cormac replied to both.

Ro’s head cocked to the side as if she was listening to something. Harry was shocked by the telltale Hum that signaled resonance. He hadn’t been paying attention, but now that Cormac had pointed it out, there it was under everything else, a pleasant little Hum. Great.

“Is that what that is?” Ro’s expression was full of wonder as she turned to Harry. “Does this mean you are my mate?”

Harry was shocked at the idea. “I believe there are a few more tests to be certain, but it is possible. Humming proves that we are compatible. Though I’d always assumed I’d have a human mate.” Harry stepped back, releasing Ro, his mind in conflict with his body. He didn’t want an Alvian female. Not for life. He wanted the warmth and understanding of a human. Someone like his adoptive mother and family. Not a cold Alvian.

He didn’t want to hurt her, but he had to think. He needed some space.

Harry left the hold without explanation. Ro looked after him, confused by the riot of emotion crowding in her heart.

“Why did he leave?”

“He appeared confused.” She hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud until Cormac answered.

“As am I.” Roshin turned to contemplate the tall warrior. She’d never been attracted to someone of warrior stock before, but Cormac was different. He had a keen mind she respected. She found herself intrigued by him, and as her emotions came online, she felt… She didn’t know what to call it. But when he walked into a room, her whole body perked up in anticipation of…something.

It was very frustrating to suddenly feel things and have no names for them. She thought she recognized some things from dealing with her human Brethren, but until she had more experience with her own feelings, she’d still have to guess much of the time.

Cormac was staring at her. It made her uncomfortable but flattered, which was an odd combination.

“Why do you look at me, Cormac?” In the cozy confines of the ship, she had stopped using numbers. Among the
Zxerah
, numbers were used only for formal identification, not among friends.