fortuneswheel (3 page)

"I think you'd better come and see this for yourselves," called Davis from his concealed position at the mouth of the cave.
Garras, sitting near the entrance, pricked his ears, turning to face the circle of daylight.
Mito leaped to her feet and ran outside. "They've come!" she yelled, her voice all but drowned out by the now audible sound of high level airborne vehicles. There was a general rush to the cave mouth as everyone surged into the open to stare up at the approaching craft. Even as they watched, a group of them banked toward the Valtegan base, the faint glow of energy weapons lancing down. Plumes of smoke began to rise, accompanied by the sounds of distant explosions.
"All right!" yelled Davies, waving his rifle in the air as a salute to the avenging craft.
"My God, the sky's almost black with them," said Skinner, watching as more vehicles headed out toward Geshader and Tashkerra.
"They certainly know where they're going," said Nelson. He turned to Mito. "Just what did you put in that message?"
"The location of every strategic Valtegan unit," she said smugly. "It seems they got the message correctly."
"Get under cover," ordered Skinner. "We're far from safe yet, this is only the beginning." He pointed to the south where some Valtegan craft had just taken to the air. "If they see us, we've nowhere to hide. Believe me, within hours this planet will be crawling with Valtegans trying to escape capture. Get moving!" he bellowed as everyone hesitated, torn between a desire to watch the forthcoming aerial battle and the need to remain hidden.
There was a mad scramble to get back under cover and to secure a good vantage point at the mouth of the cave. Garras took advantage of the confusion to have a quiet word with Skinner, who glanced sharply at Guynor, then nodded. Casually, he went over to Anders and Hughes, drawing them aside. A few words with them and they returned to the group at the cave mouth, flanking Guynor on either side.
Having observed the interchange, Kusac limped over to where Carrie stood on tiptoe, trying vainly to see over the heads of Jo, Edwards, and Davies.
"I told you they would come," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You were right," she said, her tone somber. "Time doesn't stop for anyone."
Kusac tightened his grasp reassuringly. "You see your future up there in the skies, not Sholan war craft. I understand," he said.
Come, it's safer if we move away from them,
he sent, nodding in the direction of Guynor. Anders and Hughes had just taken hold of the Sholan male, placing him under close arrest.
Now the
Khalossa
is here, Garras doesn't trust Guynor's
parole. His hatred of us is so strong he may not wait for the
results of my hearing or his court martial before deciding to
take the law into his own hands.
Carrie turned away from the cave mouth, moving out from under his hand.
"I wish I had your confidence in the future," she said, unwilling to look at him.
Acutely aware of her growing unease and withdrawal from him over the last few days, Kusac took her by the arm, urging her farther into the cave with him. He led her past the group gathered round the Sholan transmitter, toward an empty table at the far side of the main cave, sensing as he did so her reluctance to be alone with him.
Carrie, I think it's time we talked.
For a moment he felt her resist. Then, as he eased himself down with his back to the wall, she slipped onto the bench facing him. Inwardly he sighed, trying to block his annoyance over yet another of her unsubtle hints that she was a person in her own right, apart from him.
"I prefer to vocalize," she said in Sholan.
Kusac shrugged, leaning his elbows on the table. "It makes no difference to me," he said mildly. "I said it was time to talk, and it is. I know you can shield some things from our Leska bond, and should I choose to pry, I could probably find out what." He held up his hand to forestall her as he felt the indignation and denial that rose to her lips.
"I choose instead to ask you," he continued. "So tell me why this is the first time in three days that we've been alone."
Carrie examined her hands. "I'm not avoiding you, Kusac," she said at length.
"True," he agreed amicably. "You're just avoiding being alone with me."
"I'm not really. I only want to spend what time I have left on Keiss with my own people. It came as a shock to realize how soon I would be leaving everything I know behind, and how much there was to leave."
"You've said these words before, Carrie. While I recognize their truth, I'm listening for the words you've not spoken."
Carrie looked up with a faint smile. "I forgot that half truths aren't possible between us."
The smile faded and she sighed, reaching for his hand. She held it between both of hers, stroking the dark fur before turning it over to look at his palm. It was much like hers, flesh-colored, the fingers long and narrow. The sharp tipped claws were retracted now.
"You know what I feel about you, Kusac," she said, as he turned his hand to clasp one of hers. "Our Link makes it impossible for me to hide it, and I know what you feel for me. Your conviction that our Leska bond must be like the Sholan one— linked as life-mates, body and mind— frightens me."
His hand tightened on hers, claws automatically coming out, to be retracted almost as soon as they touched her.
"Do you wish the Link hadn't been forged?" he asked, trying to keep his voice and thoughts neutral.
"No," she replied quickly, frowning. "I don't wish it undone, but I wish I had had a choice! It seems that all my life other people or circumstances have dictated what I do. Just for once I'd like to have some say in the matter."
"What do you want to do?" he asked, cursing inwardly as his tail gave an involuntary flick against her legs. "Do you want to remain on Keiss?"
"I don't want to stay here," she said. "No, I intend to leave with you. Apart from anything else, we have to attend your guild hearing and Guynor's court-martial. I wouldn't let you go through those alone no matter what I felt for you."
"Thank you," he said dryly.
"So much has happened since we left my home," she said, her eyes taking on a distant look. "Do you realize it was only about a month ago? Who could guess so much could happen in so short a time?"
She came back to the present, giving herself a little shake, a gesture that was almost Sholan.
"I just need some time to adjust to the changes in my life, to decide what I want to do." She looked intently at him. "Could you do that? Would you let me have some time to myself?"
"If it means so much to you, then take the time that you need," he said, carefully keeping his voice level.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "I know what this costs you." She released his hand and rose from the table, smiling before she left.
Left alone, Kusac clenched his hands into fists, his claws drawing blood from his palms. The pain stopped him thinking, stopped her picking up the worry that would otherwise be in his mind. Facts about telepathic links, Leska Links in particular, were what he needed. The Telepath Guild's files on board the
Khalossa
held the information. Once there he could access them; then he would know for sure what at least a normal Sholan Leska Link entailed.
For now he needed a distraction, something to do to keep his mind occupied. If only Vanna's medikit carried some psychic suppressants, he could have escaped the constant awareness of Carrie that was rubbing his senses raw. Her decision to keep him at a distance mentally and physically was exacerbating his situation. Unfortunately, investigatory teams like theirs didn't normally include telepaths, so the drug wasn't contained in the standard medikit.
He heard a cry of pleasure from the direction of the transmitter and looked up.
"We're in contact with the
Khalossa!"
shouted Vanna, catching his eye.
Kusac grinned and, unclenching his hands, pushed himself to his feet and went over to join them.
"How're things going?" he asked her.
"Fine. Six or seven Valtegan ships made it off planet, but were tracked by our craft. Two have been allowed through the cordon, the others were destroyed."
"Why let two through?"
She shrugged. "I presume to warn the Valtegans that their R and R planet has been returned to its rightful owners."
Kusac digested this for a moment. "Surely they'll retaliate?"
"Garras thinks not," said Mito. "If they used Keiss as a relaxation base, then it must be far enough from their war zone to be safe. Being at war, they won't want to start another one with us, will they? It would split their resources."
"I expect they'll leave well alone now that they know there are two races capable of retaliating in this sector of space," said Garras.
"Any other news?" Kusac asked him.
"They plan to airlift us out of here as soon as possible and take us to Seaport to rendezvous with the Tarran leaders. They're sending down our top negotiators to begin the treaty talks."
"Seaport's a good choice. Part of the original Terran craft is there with their computer records and transmitters. Any news about the Terran colony ship?"
"They've sent a message for two escort ships to meet it and bring it directly here," said Vanna. "Keiss is shortly going to seem very crowded."
Kusac nodded. "Life moves on," he said.
Vanna frowned as she looked at him. "That's a strange thing to say."
"It just seems a very rapid solution for a problem that was almost insurmountable a few weeks ago."
"You're being too profound," she said, showing her teeth in a wide Sholan grin.
"There're two personal messages for you, Kusac," said Mito, looking up at him, a strange expression on her face.
"Personal?" repeated Kusac, looking startled.
"Yes. Rhian and Askad, Leska telepaths on board the
Khalossa,
thank you for the message and say that all has been arranged and they will meet you at Seaport."
"Ah," said Kusac, glancing sideways at Garras, ears flicking with embarrassment, but the Captain appeared engrossed in listening to the transmission.
"And your father says he is glad you are well.
He says he awaits with interest the pleasure of meeting you and your Leska."
Kusac took a deep breath. "Damn!" he swore.
All the eyes of the little group were now on him.
"Is there some problem?" asked Vanna quietly.
"Just more complications I could do without," he said, sitting down beside her and stretching out his injured leg. "I'd hoped to tell him myself. I should have known better."
"How, in a military emergency such as this, could he get a message through from Shola?" asked Mito.
"How did he know you'd found a Leska?" asked Vanna. "Did someone on the
Khalossa
inform him?"
"I don't know," said Kusac, shrugging. "Just leave it, please."
"It seems there's more to you than meets the eye," said Garras, glancing appraisingly at him before returning his attention to the transmitter.
"He must know someone important to be able to use the military communications to send a personal message during a state of war," Mito continued, unwilling to leave the matter alone.
"I said enough, Mito!" said Kusac, standing up. "Captain, I claim a telepath's privilege of solitude. I need to leave the cave. Have I permission to go?" he asked curtly.
Garras glanced briefly at Vanna, obtaining an almost imperceptible movement of her ears in assent. The risk of him encountering Valtegans on the run was outweighed by his need for solitude.
"Granted. If you find game while you're out, it would make a welcome change to our diet."
Kusac nodded and, spinning round, left, barely aware of Carrie's startled reaction to his outburst.

* * *

By late afternoon, a Sholan craft arrived to ferry them to Seaport. They landed in the square in front of the
Eureka.
It was a huge metal edifice, only a fraction of its former height but still dominating every other building in Seaport. Skai and the other guerrillas headed off to the local inn, Skinner accompanying Carrie and the Sholans through the entrance.
Garras stopped briefly to talk to the Sholan guards inside, handing Guynor over to their custody. That done, Skinner led the way, passing by the elevators to the upper levels where the communications and records departments were housed, heading for the room that had been the Terrans' council hall before the advent of the Valtegans.
It still bore the scars of the occupation, but had been returned to the semblance of human use by the local townsfolk. A huge carved wooden table sat in the center of the room surrounded by chairs. At the far end of the table, a small group of Sholans and Terrans sat. They looked up as the new arrivals entered.
"Carrie! Richard!" called their father, getting to his feet and coming forward to meet them.
Richard threw Carrie a rueful glance.
"I didn't think we could avoid him for long," he said quietly.
"What possessed him to bring David, too?" she said.
Kusac stepped closer to her. "David's here?"
She looked up at him. "Yes, but don't worry. I can handle him."
Kusac flicked his ears in irritation. "I dislike him. The man is cruel and self-opinionated."
"Carrie," her father said, hugging her when they reached him. "You shouldn't have left like that. We were extremely worried about you. Thank God Richard found you."
"I was fine, Dad. I had Kusac with me," she said, returning the hug.
"Ah, yes. Kusac." Peter Hamilton regarded him critically.
Kusac bore her father's appraisal patiently, knowing it was only the first of many obstacles that he and Carrie would have to face. Briefly, his viewpoint altered, and he saw himself through both his Leska's and her father's eyes. Tall, dark-furred, and fairly powerfully built, the pointed ears added to his feline look. The face was humanoid yet still catlike with vertically slitted amber eyes set above high cheek bones. The nose and mouth, though bifurcated like a feline's, appeared more humanoid.
A wave of dizziness hit him along with the realization that Carrie was making sure her father saw the person that he was rather than the animal he had impersonated during his stay at the Inn. Then his vision cleared and he sensed her father's conclusion that his appearance, despite the heavy musculature that hinted at a strength beyond that of the Terrans, was pleasing rather than threatening.
Gods, cub, you need to learn some subtlety!
he sent.
Time for that later,
she replied.
Her father was nodding and holding out his hand. "It seems we owe you everything. Had it not been for you, we wouldn't yet be free of the Valtegans. Been wounded again, I see," he said, looking at the bandage around Kusac's thigh.
Kusac took the hand, holding it lightly and releasing himself before Peter Hamilton's grasp triggered his claws.
"It's almost healed," he said. "I owe your family my life. It seemed a fair exchange."
Peter Hamilton smiled and turned back to his children.
"Richard, I see you've managed to keep body and soul together."
Richard grinned. "Just about," he said.
Her father turned to allow David to join the group.
"I've brought someone with me who's very anxious to see you, Carrie," he said.
"Hello, Carrie," said David. "You really shouldn't have left so precipitously, you know. Not exactly a mature act, was it, to cause so much distress? Still, you're back with us now." He stepped forward to give her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, David," she said, sidestepping him to stand beside Kusac. "I see you haven't changed. You shouldn't have bothered to come, you know. We said our good-byes the day I left Valleytown."
David stopped abruptly, an angry look crossing his face.
"Carrie, that's hardly any way to talk to someone who's been as concerned over you as David has," scolded her father.
"I don't give a damn what David thinks or feels, Father. I want nothing to do with him. He needn't stay on my account."
Let's leave, Kusac,
she sent.
Kusac put an arm around her waist, drawing her to one side. He inclined his head briefly to her father.
"You will excuse us, sir, but we have to see my commanding officer. I'm sure you understand that Clan matters have to come second to duty."
He drew her toward where the Sholans were grouped together round a section of the table, aware of her father's and David's puzzled anger at their abrupt dismissal.
"Carrie, come back," her father called. "You shouldn't be here. These are important discussions, not some social event."
She stopped, turning to face him again.
"I am here officially, with the Sholans. I have another mental link, this time with Kusac. It makes me part of his ship's crew now."
"Mental link?" said her father, confused.
"A link like I had with Elise. I told you I wasn't returning home and I meant it," she said, her voice and face unyielding. "When the ship leaves Keiss, I'm going, too."
"What nonsense is this, Carrie? Just because you looked after Kusac and helped him find the rest of his crew doesn't mean his people want you on their ship. That's work for the diplomats, not you. It's time for you to return home to your family and friends."
"I have no friends on Keiss, and you were prepared to barter me to David against my wishes for the sake of the family."
"That's different..." he began.
"Yes, it is. This is what I choose to do."
Kusac's heart began to lighten. Maybe there was hope for them after all.
"Don't talk utter rubbish, girl," her father stormed. "You'll do as you're told!"
A voice from behind interrupted them, the heavily accented Sholan breaking the angry group apart.
Kusac released Carrie and turning sharply, saluted the officer behind him. There followed a brief interchange before Kusac turned back to them.
"Sub-Commander Zyan asks that this discussion be delayed until we join the others. There are many facts that need to be investigated before the matter can be fully resolved. He also asks that I act as interpreter until I have imprinted the knowledge of your language to a telepath from the
Khalossa
who will then remain with you as your permanent interpreter."
"Telepath? Language imprint?" echoed Mr. Hamilton, looking thoroughly confused and exasperated. "I'm afraid I don't understand. And what's all this got to do with Carrie?"
"I'm sorry but I have to ask you to respect our security. This matter is not for public discussion," said Kusac, throwing an evil openmouthed grin at David.
"As one of the leaders of the Terran community on Keiss, I am sure you are aware of the need to keep certain matters confidential. If you would rejoin our people at the table?" Kusac stepped back, indicating that Carrie's father should return to his place.
David moved to follow him, but before Kusac could bar his way, Richard reached out and grasped him by the arm.
"Sorry, mate, but if I'm not included, then you certainly aren't."
David tried to shake free. "Anything that concerns Carrie concerns me," he blustered.
Richard forcibly led David away as Kusac escorted Carrie after her father and the Sholan officer.
"I think my sister has already made her opinion of you clear," said Richard, his voice drowning out David's complaints. "No matter what deal you and Dad have hatched, if you go near her again, you'll not only have Kusac to deal with but me as well."