Hathor Legacy: Burn (20 page)

She turned and walked away, her hands balled into fists at her sides. Jogging to keep up with her, the bodyguard weaved through the maze of tables, narrowly avoiding a collision with an aut
omated server.

Watching as Karin left the café, Nadira slumped back in her chair. Exhaustion threaded through her awareness, taking what little energy she had with it. Over the past couple of days she'd been hit with one thing after another, and now it was like she'd hit a wall.

Was Mikal working with Ron, or investigating him? According to Tragg, he'd been the one to call Lt. Lin. Though he'd claimed he hadn't given her the tip, Nadira didn't believe it. For the Lieutenant to know about the warehouse, someone had to have told her. But to believe that, she'd have to believe that he and Dakar were behind all of it.

Cradling her cup in her hands, she looked out over the crowded boulevard. What now? Everything she knew was tipping on the edge. If Dakar was involved, it would destroy the Guardians, and everything that held Hathor together would be blown away with them.

*****

Giving up wasn't an option, but she was running out of ideas. What was she supposed to do, wait around for the next fire? Let more people die because she didn't know how to help them?

A half hour later, Sgt. Tragg's transport pulled up across the street from Maji's house. During the ride back, he'd told her that while she'd been in the café, his commander had called him with news. He was being assigned to a unit in the North for a while. At least while he was there in one of the sleepy seashore towns, he'd have time to regroup.

"Thanks for helping me," she said. "I'm glad about your a
ssignment."

"It'll be quieter. Maybe it's what I need for a while." Tragg rested his hand on the seat between them. "Sorry I won't be able to help out with the rest of the investigation."

"At this point, I'm not sure where it's going," she admitted.

"So, will your dinner partner be back soon?" he asked, an amused look on his face.

She knew why he was asking. As flattered as she was, all she could think about was Jonathan. Where was he now? If only she could feel his energy. "Yes, I'm going to make sure of that."

The cheerfulness in his eyes faded a bit. "You do that. Well, I guess this is it." He held out his hand.

"Yes, I guess so." She grasped his hand and shook it. "By the way, do you know who's overseeing the warehouse investigation?"

"Probably Captain Dias. She's the commander at my post. Are you going to talk to her?"

"I just might do that. Thanks again." The door slid back and she climbed out of the transport. "Take care."

"Look after yourself, Nadira."

As much as she'd been glad to have him around, it made her feel better to know he'd be going to the North. Not only was it her favorite part of Hathor, she and Jon had spent time there. Though it hadn't been a pleasure trip, parts of their time there had been very pleasurable.

Maji opened the door before she could press the fingerpad. "Everything taken care of?" she asked, looking past Nadira. "I see your security officer friend is leaving."

Nadira turned to watch Tragg's transport pull back into the traffic lane and head down the street. "He decided to wait while I gave my statement so he could bring me back." She brushed by Maji and walked into the house.

"Yes, I know what you said. But don't forget the Kasema aren't just healers, we're also capable of seeing things others don't."

"Are you trying to tell me something, Maji?" Cups were sitting on the dining table, and the aroma of burnt coffee was wafting in from the kitchen. "Where is everyone?"

"Azure went out and Varyn is out back." Between the rustling of her skirt, which seemed to be made of yards of black netting, and the clicking of her boots across the wooden floor, there was no way that Maji could enter a room quietly. "And I'm trying to tell you that you can't do it all alone. You're not recovered yet. Go and rest."

"Rest? I can't sit by and not do anything." She wasn't quite herself yet. But she wasn't going to let that stop her.

"And that attitude almost got you killed in that warehouse." Maji picked two of the cups up off the table. "I know you think you can't depend on anyone, but you can depend on us. The Elders were wrong not to heal the wound when your connection with your mother was broken. But everyone is not going to leave…or be taken away."

Why was this coming up now? Maji was seeing things that she didn't want to deal with. "What do you know about it?"

"More than you realize. But maybe you should ask Azure when she returns. Now, go and rest."

"Don't dismiss me."

Maji set the cups back down and perched her hands on her hips. "Please, Nadira. Can you just accept that maybe someone else knows more than you do in this case?" She snatched the cups off the table and went into the kitchen.

Considering how this day had gone so far, what was the point of arguing with her? Besides, Maji had taken her in and was looking after Varyn. As much as she protested, she was helping them. And what about Azure? What did she know about what had happened to Nadira's mother? It always seemed that everyone else had information she didn't have, and it was time for that to change.

26
Revelations

Whatever was going on downstairs, the conversation was loud enough to wake her up. Nadira swung her legs off the bed and stuck her feet into her shoes. At least the room wasn't completely dark and she could see what she was doing.

Lit by the pinkish-golden glow of the setting sun, the walls were less stark. The room had a warmth it hadn't had when she'd first seen it. For a moment, she wanted to sit and enjoy it. It wasn't often that she had the time to enjoy a sunset. And she wanted to take it in, before the heaviness of the past few days started to wear on her again.

Weary, in spite of her nap, Nadira headed downstairs to find out what was going on. She heard a deep, male voice that sounded familiar, yet she couldn't identify who it was.

Taking her time to descend the spiral stairs, when she reached the lower level, she paused to watch the scene at the dining table. Varyn was there, and so were Maji, Azure, and Elder Lange. They were deep in conversation, passing plates of food among them as they talked. Aromas of cooked meats, spicy vegetables, and sweet sauces filled her nose and her mouth began to water. She'd forgo
tten to eat anything today, and now her stomach was reminding her that she'd missed a couple of meals since breakfast.

"Elder Lange," she said, as she approached them. "I didn't know you were coming."

Lange was seated at the end of the table. He jumped up and greeted her by pressing his cheek against hers. "How are you doing?"

"Much better." She was glad to see him. Lange had been one of the friendlier Elders she'd met the Gathering.

Maji was seated at the other end of the table. "Have a something to eat before you go back up to rest."

Azure and Varyn were sitting across from each other. Nadira sat next to Varyn. "I've rested enough, I think." She took a cup from the middle of the table and reached for the ceramic pitcher next to it. "What's in here?"

"Fruit wine," Varyn replied. "But it doesn't get you drunk."

"Too bad." Nadira filled her cup. "Getting drunk might not be a bad idea right now."

"We were discussing Dakar," Azure said, as she speared a piece of meat with her fork. "Lange met me over there. We saw him and he's very ill."

"Worse than that," Lange added. "He doesn't see anything wrong with retaining Mikal, even after Elder Azure told him what he did to you. I couldn't believe it. Things are worse than I thought."

"He looks terrible. I'm surprised he could sit long enough to speak to us." Azure said. "But he refuses to make a statement about the fires or Varyn's account of what happened to her."

"Do you believe me now?" Maji asked. "You've put your trust in a man who doesn't deserve it. He's like his father in every way."

"I disagree, Maji." Azure put down her utensil. "Dakar stepped in when his father died. He put aside his own desires."

Maji made a sound that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a cough. "Joachim groomed him to take over. He didn't have any desires to put aside. You make it sound like he sacrificed hi
mself."

"Well, his sister Jen wanted to work for Novacorp. Joachim wanted to force her to be a Guardian," Lange said. "She had to wait for him to die before she could do what she wanted."

"How could she be a Guardian with no abilities?" Maji asked "That's absurd."

"He must've thought she'd develop them." Lange poured wine into his cup. "But it never happened."

"Enough gossip," Azure picked up her fork and pushed food around on her plate. "Dakar has been selfless. He's only wanted the best for us."

"Are you serious? After you saw him today and he still didn't take any action?" Maji shook her head. "His own assistant attacked Nadira and Dakar did nothing? And you still have faith in him?"

Azure kept her eyes on her plate, her lips tight.

"I'm concerned," Lange began. "Dakar kept saying the co
mpany was going to replace us with people they've been experimenting on. I have to say, I'm starting to doubt that anything like that is in the works. He's being paranoid."

"Like his father was before he died," Maji said.

"What do you mean?" Nadira asked.

"Joachim read thoughts, but he didn't guard himself. He ended up picking up other people's energies and losing himself in their experiences. By the end of his life, he was losing his grip on rea
lity. He had to be locked away. Fortunately his heart gave out and he died before he could inflict more damage." Maji glanced at Azure as she popped a bite-sized vegetable into her mouth.

"That is the Kasema version of events," Azure said.

"And is the Guardian version different?" Nadira asked, as she looked from one of the women to the other.

Azure shook her head, her eyes still downcast. "Joachim never got over the deaths of his wife and daughter. It always haunted him. I think that is what drove him mad."

"But if he worked with Novacorp to create the rules for the Guardians, and he was unbalanced, why did people go along with it?" Nadira asked.

"He wasn't always like that," Lange said. "At least that's what I've been told. People believed in him because he was a strong leader. They wanted stability and he provided it."

"It was more than that." Azure pushed her plate to the side and folded her hands in front of her. "Once TTM began to lose their grip on Hathor, powerful families took over the land and resources and fought each other for control."

"What's TTM?" Varyn asked.

"Terran Terraforming and Mining company," Lange replied. "They're the company that was forced off the planet by Novacorp."

"They deserved to be forced out. When they were in charge here, our people were marginalized and exploited. Joachim fought back, and for his trouble, he was expelled from Hathor."

"But that didn't last, did it?" Maji popped another bite of vegetable into her mouth. "He made a deal with Novacorp. If they helped him, he'd help them to conquer the planet. And that's what started the Corporate Wars."

"Yes, the company brought him back with troops to help him while he gathered our people together. We helped to defeat TTM and the factions. In the end, Novacorp rewarded us." Elder Azure sat back in her chair, a contented smile on her lips. "The Corporate Wars ended fifty-five years ago. And once they did, and Joachim became the Elder, there was only peace for our people. We were safe and able to create our own destiny."

"Except that you all had to become what Joachim set up for you. You're either a Watcher, Protector or Administrator. You can't go open a shop or become a shuttle pilot--you must follow the path that's been determined," Maji said. "That's not freedom."

"Maji, I will not continue this discussion. What do you want? A return to chaos?" Azure threw her napkin down her plate and pushed back her chair.

"Elder Azure, Maji was only making a point." Lange reached out his large hand, gesturing for her to stay seated. "Some things trouble me as well. Such as taking children with abilities from their parents. And how some people were forced to take partners Joachim chose for them."

Nadira winced when she heard Lange mention children being taken from parents. Dakar had gone out of his way to defend it.

"If the parents aren't Guardians, then I could see Joachim's reasoning. We needed to control their training. We still do. But you know that forced partnerships have not been done since Dakar took over," Azure replied. "Guardians can partner with whomever they choose."

"Elder Azure, with all respect, you know that is a lie." Maji dropped her hands to the table. Her copper-colored bangles clinked together and sounded like glass breaking.

Silence descended over them like someone had dropped a heavy curtain. From Nadira's vantage point, it looked like Maji and Lange had locked eyes. And in the middle, Azure's gaze was on her abandoned dinner.

Beside her, Varyn nudged Nadira gently with her knee. When Nadira looked at her, her eyes were wide and questioning. What was this about? If she had to guess, she figured that the Elder's words had hit a nerve--not just with her, but with Lange and Maji.

"I don't care if it was because of Joachim or Dakar, taking me from my mother was wrong," Nadira said. "Maybe things were done to help us, but that doesn't make them right. Just as the Deshtu weren't treated with respect either."

Lange cleared his throat, picked up one of the platters and bu
sied himself with scooping more food onto his plate.

"Dakar's home burned down when he was eleven. His mother and youngest sister were killed. His father always blamed TTM for their deaths. And since the Deshtu were descendants of their wor
kers, he didn't care what happened to them." Azure addressed Varyn. "I'm sorry for you to hear this, my dear. These things were decided decades before you were born."

"And you accept it? Torture and corruption are okay as long as we have stability? You're giving Dakar respect he doesn't deserve." Nadira's words burst out of her before she could stop them.

This time Azure did get up from the table. Clasping her hands in front of her, she walked into the kitchen. A moment later, they heard the back door close.

"That's what gardens are for." Maji sat back and folded her arms. "To hide in when things get unpleasant."

*****

"Security continues to investigate the ambush at the warehouse in the Entertainments District. So far Guardians have not been able to identify the criminals threatening the citizens. At the same time, allegations of Guardian involvement are raising new concerns."

The news alerts continued to drone on while flawlessly perfect, holo newsreaders, presented the important updates for the city. Computer generated or not, it was disconcerting to see someone deliver news about an ambush with the same cheerful expression they had when describing the launch of a new restaurant.

Maybe watching Novavision had been a bad idea. When she'd turned it on, they'd been talking about entertainment and other harmless topics. After the dinner conversation, she'd wanted to take a break from thinking. If that was possible. The way things were going, it wasn't possible at all.

Varyn sat across from her in a chair next to the window. Every now and then she'd look out at the street.

"Nova City Board of Directors Chair, Eli Santos had these words to say about the rampage of arsons and destruction," the holo continued, his perfect white teeth glistening.

The scene dissolved to show a man about Elder Dakar's age standing in front of the copper-colored Novacorp logo. From the looks of it, he was in a conference room. Though Nadira could only assume his age based on how long it took someone to rise up the corporate ranks. Santos' appearance was just as perfect and impossibly ageless as the holo's had been. No doubt he had the credits for the best surgical procedures.

"Our citizens deserve protection and we are focused on resol
ving this reign of terror without delay!" As was the style with most company men, his curly hair hung down to his shoulders. When he shook his head to emphasize his words, he had to keep brushing it out of his face. "The Novacorp Galactic, Incorporated executive council has given me authority to take appropriate action. If the Guardians are unable or reluctant to locate the offenders, we will take charge of the situation." Another headshake for emphasis and the picture dissolved.

"And there you have it." The holo newsreader nodded to the pink-haired, female holo next to him. "Next we'll visit the hot, new dance club, Illusions. Open twenty-four hours a day for the most exclusive clientele."

"Are they really that afraid?" Varyn asked. "Why didn't they care what happened to us when we were in that house?" She scratched the regen skin on the side of her face.

She wanted to give Varyn an answer. But she didn't have one. They didn't care because no one cared what happened to the D
eshtu. Even though what had happened to her had been a crime as far as the company was concerned, it still wasn't the reason people were upset. They were afraid of becoming victims themselves.

Maji walked into the living area, followed by Lange. His long strides were still not enough to keep up with her quick steps. They both walked out the front door and it closed behind them.

It had taken about an hour for Maji, after a lot of back-and-forth with Lange, to go into the garden after Azure. Not expecting a peaceful resolution, Nadira had suggested to Varyn they head into the living area.

The door opened again and Maji marched in. She stopped at the vid screen and glared at the newsreader, who by now was gushing about the grand opening of a clothing store.

"How can you two watch this nonsense? Show me flowers!" she called out.

The image of the newsreader dissolved into a sea of sunflowers waving in the breeze. Maji perched her hands on her hips. "This is boring. Show me ocean."

Crashing surf splashing against a shore of grey sand replaced the tranquil flower scene. It was so dramatic and loud that had Nadira closed her eyes, she'd have believed herself to be sitting by the sea.

The last time she'd been on a boat, she and Jonathan had been heading to the North. Jon had been seasick, though he'd never a
dmit to that now. According to him, he never got seasick just like he never snored. He'd be arriving on Astarte in a few hours.