Treasure of Light (The Light Trilogy) (72 page)

The grown-ups all looked down at the floor or up at the ceiling and Mikael started to cry. Sybil reached over and squeezed his hand good and hard, then she stepped out in front of him so people couldn’t see his face.

She brushed brown curls out of her eyes. “Ari?” she said. “You know I have dreams.”

Ari nodded. “I know.”

“I have to go,” Sybil pleaded. “My mom won’t mind. You just tell her I had a
funny
dream about it. She’ll understand. But I
have
to go. That Captain Erinyes is a mean man.”

Halloway’s brows drew together, like she knew it, too. Mikael lifted a finger and tucked it in his mouth, sucking softly, trying to cover the sound of his cries.

“Yosef,” Ari said, “what if we go with them both? With us there as guardians, I bet Rachel would give her permission.”

Sybil smiled up at him and ran over to hug him around the leg. “Sure, that sounds great. Doesn’t it, Mikael?”

He nodded hurriedly. Uncle Yosef didn’t look like he was so sure about it. Mikael started to hiccup. It always happened when he got really scared, but it made him mad. He figured there had to be better times for it than right now. He tried to swallow them as soon as they came up.

Finally, Uncle Yosef breathed out through his nose and frowned at Halloway. “Will Captain Erinyes accept us going with Mikael and Sybil as guardians?”

“I think I can arrange that, sir. You’ll take responsibility for Sybil?”

Yosef and Ari both nodded at the same time. “Yes.”

Halloway lightly pounded a fist on her chair arm. “All right. Please get down to Transportation. I’ll inform Erinyes that he has four guests coming.” She waved a hand to Samual Lovejoy. “Sergeant, could you escort them?”

“Aye, Lieutenant.”

The man jumped out of his chair and ran toward them. Mikael walked back into the tube and huddled close beside Sybil. Her arm felt cool against his. She looked at him through smiling brown eyes.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “We did it.”

He inhaled a shaky breath and smiled back. “I know, but I’m still scared.”

Mikael looked up at Yosef and Ari. They were talking quietly to each other about what would happen when they were all on board that big enemy ship. It made Mikael’s stomach hurt. He dropped a hand to rub it.

The tube opened and they stepped out into Transportation. When they got to the landing bay, Mikael saw a black triangular ship sitting on the white tiles. Six guards with guns trotted down the gangplank and surrounded them, forcing them into the ship. Mikael went to sit on one of the long benches in the long cigar-shaped room behind the command cabin. He felt the ship lift and twisted his hands nervously until Sybil scooted over beside him and put her arm around his shoulders. Ari and Uncle Yosef sat down on the opposite side of the ship and four guards sat at the ends of the benches, giving them mean looks.

“It’s okay,” Sybil whispered confidently. “We’re going to be okay. Don’t worry.”

Mikael sniffed his runny nose. “Sybil? What if Magistrate Slothen won’t let us go back to Horeb? What if we never get the books?”

She blew out a breath and lifted a shoulder. “I guess we’ll have to figure out some way to win the war without them. But you know what? I don’t think God would let Slothen keep us from winning the war. God can do anything.”

“Yeah.” But Mikael thought about all the terrible stories his grandfather had told him about the last Gamant Revolt. Lots of good people had gotten killed in the fighting before Zadok came back from heaven. If God could do anything, why had he let that happen?

The ship made a soft bumping sound and all the guards got up and pointed their rifles. In a little while, the pilot and copilot came out from the front of the ship and the side door to the shuttle slipped open. A new landing bay gleamed outside. Mikael gripped Sybil’s hand tightly and stood up.

“Calas?” the pilot ordered, “take the kids and go first. Funk, you bring up the rear.”

Mikael heard Ari whisper something about purple-coated asses. Sybil dragged him forward to stand behind Uncle Yosef, then they walked down the gangplank.

A bunch of people marched across the bay toward them. One of the men had a braided beard and wore a red robe embroidered with gold threads. He looked like a Gamant, but…. Mikael leapt sideways when Sybil let out a shriek. She threw down his hand and raced forward, clawing and screaming at the man.

“It’s him!”
Sybil raged.
“Ornias! Ornias!”

“Get this brat off of me!” the man shouted and two guards gripped Sybil and wrestled her away.

Mikael watched in mute horror. Sybil fought and shrieked, biting at the guards until they shoved her down on the floor. She curled onto her side and cried.

Anger burned through Mikael. He
hated
these people! He ran forward and sat down beside Sybil. He patted her brown hair. “It’s okay, Sybil,” he said quietly. “It’s okay. I’m right here. Don’t be afraid.”

The ugly man in the captain’s uniform glowered at Mikael, then turned to one of the lieutenants and barked, “Monti, get on the com and tell Lulen to fly us out of here and initiate light vault before Bogomil begins his attack run. We can’t afford to be in the vicinity when the heavens burst wide.”

“Aye, sir,” Monti said and strode away.

Mikael reached down and hugged Sybil. Her shaking shoulders scared him worse than the coming attack. He hugged her tighter. “I love you, Sybil,” he whispered into her ear. “It’s okay. Don’t cry.”

In a choking voice, she whispered back. “I love you, too, Mikael.”

CHAPTER 55

Tahn and Rachel stepped down to the wet sand and Rachel’s black boots sank two inches. Misty rain poured out of the heavens, drenching the cliffs, turning the pale desert plants into jade green walls of brush.

Twenty soldiers came trotting up, rifles humming on full power, all pointed unambiguously at their middles. Tahn lifted a brow. “Sergeant Manstein,” he demanded of the thin bald man in front. “What’s all the hardware?”

Manstein made an apologetic bow. “Forgive me, Captain. Major Lichtner saw your approach and requests information on the nature of your visit.”

Tahn looked surprised and outraged. “I beg your pardon? Is this a Magisterial installation or not? I don’t
need
his permission, mister!”

Manstein swallowed convulsively. “The nature of your visit, Captain?”

Tahn’s gritted teeth set his jaw at an awkward angle. “You tell that slimy sonofa. …” He took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Inform your commanding officer that he promised me a tour with somebody who
knew
something, and I damned well plan on having it!”

“Certainly, Captain. Please wait here a moment.” Manstein took off his belt com and walked a short distance away. His low voice grated on Rachel’s nerves.

Tahn stamped around cursing expertly, glaring at each and every guard; they responded by stiffening their necks and refusing to meet his angry gaze. When Tahn walked near her, he threw her a fleeting look of worry and then went back to cursing.

Rachel watched the scene with silent intrigue. The rifle in her hands grew clammy with her sweat. Finally, Manstein walked back.

He bowed deferentially again. “Forgive me, Captain. Major Lichtner says it slipped his mind. He’ll set up a tour immediately. Please follow me inside.”

“I’ll bet it
slipped.”
Tahn growled and walked briskly toward the gate. Rachel followed professionally, throwing the guards nasty looks.

When they entered the compound, she gazed around at the tall gray buildings and the immensity of the camp. It seemed to stretch forever. The photon shield glimmered like a wall of ulcerated gold twenty feet over the fence top. Above it, the red cliffs leaned precariously forward. Rachel hid a shiver. Everything about this place made her feel in danger.

Manstein strode up to Tahn’s side. “Captain, the major requests that you meet him in his apartment.”

Tahn gave the man an evil look. “Then let’s go. I’ve got a ship to run, Sergeant. I haven’t got all damned day like Lichtner has.”

Rachel strode briskly along at Tahn’s side. They walked down a narrow alleyway to a black gate. Manstein placed his palm against the gray patch on the left side and the door instantly opened, revealing a small square surrounded by six-story buildings. They entered a beautiful courtyard. Rachel took in the flowers with her eyes, wanting to bend down and touch the old-style brown tiles that formed a lattice beneath her feet. Stone benches sat beneath sheltered arbors. It felt so peaceful she longed to sit down for a while and study the splash of colors. How long had it been since she’d seen such manicured beauty? Aeons.

They approached a shadowed doorway and Manstein stepped forward, hitting the door com. “Uman? We’re here.”

The door slid back and Tahn marched by everyone. Rachel followed him into the apartment to stand beneath the most magnificent crystal chandelier she’d ever seen. Its diamond-shaped pieces cast the light of a thousand rainbows over the red and green rug at her feet. Her gaze lingered on the clocks. She’d never seen anything similar before, but they looked like emerald—long thinly sliced panels of the rare gem adorned the timepieces.

From her right, a brusque, high voice—almost shrill—called, “Tahn, I’d forgotten your impudence in wanting a ‘scientific’ tour. Forgive me.”

A tall man with light brown hair and a drooping mustache stood regally poised on the staircase. His square face and sharply pointed nose accentuated his paper thin lips. He wore dozens of medals across the chest of his purple uniform.

“Listen, Lichtner,” Tahn said with repressed violence. “I’ve only asked for common courtesy—the ordinary things due from one commander to another. Now if you have objections, let’s get on the com to Palaia and get this worked out.” He pointed a finger sternly. “Because I won’t stand for any more insolent treatment from you or your people!”

“Insolent?” Lichtner scoffed, laughing. “I capture Baruch and rescue your ship and you call—”

“My ship? What the hell are you talking about? The
Hoyer
was never in danger!”

Lichtner looked spitefully confused. “But I thought—that is, Bogomil suggested—”

“Brent didn’t know what the hell was going on aboard my ship! We’ve had a major com malfunction for the past week. Our communications have been erratic at best.”

“Then how did Baruch—”

Tahn threw up his arms angrily, “
I
made a mistake and he took me hostage, forcing me down here with him.”

Lichtner blinked in surprise, then a gloating smile twisted his mouth. “Indeed? Do you blunder as often as it appears, Captain? The Magistrates should find that intriguing.”

“I suspect they’ll find it about as intriguing as the ethics charges I’ve decided to file against you, Major.”

Lichtner lifted his blunt chin, fuming, but worried enough that his eyes darted nervously over Tahn’s face. “I hardly think this the time for accusations, Captain. My scientific staff is still running trying to prepare for your visit. May I pour you a whiskey while we wait?”

Tahn glared.
“No.”

Lichtner came down the staircase with the poor grace of a bad mime artist. He swaggered by Tahn, heading to an elaborately carved liquor cabinet across the room.

Tahn followed. Rachel matched his long strides and could smell the pleasant musky odor of him, could see the perspiration beading on his forehead. Ethics charges? For what? Rachel’s steps floundered when she saw the
Mea
lying in a coil on the table. Lichtner must have confiscated it from Jeremiel.

Tahn slumped into a chair and Rachel cautiously took the seat beside him. The
Mea
seemed to sense her presence. The blue glow dimmed to a dusty slate color.
Aktariel? Can you hear me now? What’s happening? Talk to me!
She forced herself to look away to Lichtner. The major reached up and grabbed a beautifully faceted whiskey bottle and stopped—as though seeing her for the first time. His barely parted lips half-hid the glint of wolfish canines. He brazenly looked her up and down.

“Who is your security officer, Tahn?”

“Sergeant Eloel.”

Rachel inclined her head. “Pleased to meet you, Major.”

Lichtner sloshed a glass of whiskey for himself and brusquely set it on the table, then came around the chairs and made a blundering bow. “Miss Eloel, how refreshing it is to have someone of your beauty on our dirty little planet. May I offer you a drink?”

“No. Thank YOU.”

He lifted his eyes, unsettled. “Not even a glass of sweet dessert wine or—”

“No.”

Tahn gripped Lichtner’s sleeve and gruffly pulled him away. “She’s a temperance advocate, Major. Leave her alone!”

Lichtner scowled and took a seat opposite Rachel; he smiled deprecatingly as he swallowed his whiskey in one quick bolt, then poured himself another.

Tahn glowered at the action and got irritably out of his chair to pace. “Major, the camp seems uncommonly quiet today. Why is that? I saw no one out and about.”

Lichtner waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, we’re culling boys on the other side of the camp. It will take another hour or so. Until that time, all of the participants in our programs are ordered to stay inside their barracks. They get so distraught over routine elimination procedures.”