Shades of Gray (58 page)

“How can they go there to destroy matter transmitter when they know nothing of its existence? Do you propose now we tell them?” asked Azwokkus sarcastically. “Retrieving female is reason for going! As for using unit to create means to destroy it, not possible.”

“Female needed for breeding program,” said Khassis. “Is vital to mix their genes and produce strong leadership for final species Sand-dwellers will become.”

“Then give Hunter poisoned nanites when he goes there and means to destroy the unit! Be rid of both once and for all,” said Zaimiss, his humming voice rising in pitch.

There was a moment of shocked silence from the whole chamber then suddenly the buzz of conversation broke out, almost rising to a fever pitch until Khassis rose to her feet and stalked forward to replace Zaimiss at the lectern. Reluctantly, he stepped down, but he remained beside it.

“He twists the Council for his own use!” said Kuvaa, shocked, to Azwokkus.

The TeLaxaudin made hushing noises to her.

“There will be silence!” Khassis’ voice thrummed in a beat that, amplified by Unity, resonated in everyone’s mind.

The noise died down abruptly.

“We create, we do not destroy,” said Khassis. “No more will there be talk of poisons or destruction of the Sand-dweller Warriors. Such a decision those who live there must take, not us. Potentialities predict danger to us if we take such action.”

“I challenge your right to say that,” said Zaimiss. “That is decision of Camarilla, not yours, even as Chief Speaker. Unity, confirm!”

Emitting scents of victory, Zaimiss continued. “I Speak for sending poisoned nanites with Hunter on his mission, and the means to destroy the unit after he’s programmed it to replicate enough poisoned units to end this nest of Warrior Sand-dwellers.”

“I Second that,” said Shumass from the floor.

“I protest not all are gathered today. No prior knowledge had we of seriousness of topic,” said Azwokkus. “Full meeting should decide this, not just those here.”

“You have members missing, is your misfortune. More attention need they pay to Unity’s lists,” said Zaimiss. “Legal number here gathered. Vote can go ahead. As for potentialities, we retreat from intervention after this, we be safe from repercussions.”

“Then vote,” said Khassis, mandibles clicking in anger. “Remember, Camarilla exists not for our convenience but to help all. Unity, record the vote. Those for Zaimiss’ proposal.”

Slowly, the For votes came in.

“Those Against,” said Khassis.

The votes were faster, but fewer.

“Thirty votes For Zaimiss, twenty-six Against, and nineteen Abstentions. Zaimiss wins the vote,”
said Unity.

Zaimiss took the lectern from Khassis as she returned to her seat, a wave of scents of disappointment following her.

“Kouansishus is here. He should return to the Prime Sand-dweller world with poison nanites for Giyarishis to ensure the Hunter unknowingly takes with him on his mission. He should be given knowledge of how to program unit to create more and means to make it destruct after a given time. I leave details to our science departments and field operatives with instructions they must obey.”

 

After the session was over, as Azwokkus, Shvosi, Kuvaa, and Aizshuss stood in a small knot in the foyer of the meeting hall, Azwokkus’ personal messenger chimed softly.

He read it, then looked up at them. “We are to meet with Khassis at our U’Churian safe house. Did not know she knew of this place,” he said, obviously worried.

“More and more she seems dissatisfied with the Isolationists,” said Shvosi. “Perhaps now she ready to join us in reforming Camarilla.”

“We not find out waiting here,” said Azwokkus. “We must split up to go there.”

“I know delicacy shop with exotic treats even you like,” said Shvosi in a slightly louder tone to Aizshuss. “Come, I take you. Is in the U’Churian town just outside our city. Is not far.”

“My homekeeper is ill,” said Azwokkus to Kuvaa. “Your presence choosing gift for speedy recovery be appreciated. He is one of our Children. You know more of their kind than me.”

“Have not been to U’Churian sector,” said Kuvaa, playing along in what she hoped was a convincing way. “Only those here I know. Be interesting to see their own town.”

Questions were burning the tip of her tongue, demanding to be asked right there and then, but she knew they had to wait until they had left Unity’s realm behind for the privacy of the U’Churian town.

 

The town of Tharash was connected to the capital, Zuwassoo, by regular shuttle flights. Compared to there, Tharash was noisy, bright, and brash. Street vendors shouting out their wares lined the road that wound among the Cabbaran-made adobe houses from the shuttle station to the center. There it suddenly opened up into a large plaza lined with many stores and cafes. In the center, a water fountain filled the air with cooling moisture and the pleasant sound of running water.

“So different,” breathed Kuvaa, finding something new in every direction she looked.

“The bustle I find sometimes tiring, others energizing,” Azwokkus admitted, trotting beside her on his spindly legs.

Though an unlikely pair, no one spared them a second glance other than to make sure not to crowd them. They were not the only ones there; a group of Cabbarans sat outside a cafe in its small fenced courtyard, enjoying drinks in the cool shade of a tree.

“We must get my gift first,” said the TeLaxaudin, heading across the plaza to one of the stores.

“Why do we need a safe house?” asked Kuvaa, suddenly remembering all her questions.

“A place to speak without the presence of Unity,” said Azwokkus. “There we can switch on a privacy device we have that makes us invisible to Unity, even though the net doesn’t extend into this town by agreement with the Children.”

Kuvaa digested this as they entered the small shop. Entranced, she gazed around at the many flickering rainbows of light that reflected on the white walls.

“Crystals,” she said, looking up at the many different shapes and sizes hanging from the ceiling.

“Yes. My homekeeper collects them and turned me into collector too,” he said, lenses swirling as he adjusted his near vision to see them better. “I find the colors soothing as they play upon the walls.”

“You honor my shop once again, Skepp Lord,” murmured a soft U’Churian voice.

Kuvaa turned to see the brightly dressed female U’Churian bob her head deferentially to Azwokkus.

“Your crystals delight my senses as always,” hummed the TeLaxaudin. “I will have that one there,” he said, pointing to a teardrop-shaped one the size of his palm that sent a multitude of smaller rainbows chasing across the walls as it spun gently in the faint breeze from the air coolers.

“Your taste is excellent as always,” she purred, reaching up to take it down from the ceiling. “This one was new in yesterday.”

Their purchase wrapped up securely and tucked into a pouch on Azwokkuss’ belt, they made their way into one of the nearby streets. Within minutes, Kuvaa had lost her bearings in the maze of alleys.

“You will soon know the way,” Azwokkus assured her. “Time for you to learn the abilities possessed by Camarilla members. Has Shvosi started your training yet?”

“Not that I know of,” she said dubiously, wondering how many of the meetings with the tattooed fellow Cabbaran she actually remembered.

Azwokkus gave his dry little laugh. “Perhaps she has then. Time to earn your own tattoos, Kuvaa.”

 

Shvosi and Aizshuss had arrived before them and were comfortably ensconced in a back parlor. When Khassis arrived, their U’Churian hosts brought refreshing drinks to suit each palate. While Shvosi spread the delicacies she and Aizshuss had bought on the low table, Azwokkus presented his homekeeper with the gift of the crystal.

Once their hosts had retreated, Khassis started their meeting.

“Getting all Reformists and Moderates together not possible without drawing attention, so we leaders of the parties meet in privacy. Kuvaa, you here as concerns you deeply. You are handler of Giyarishis.”

“Zaimiss set the topic deviously so Reformists not all be there,” hummed Azwokkus. “This decision must not stand.”

“Agreed, but legal number present, I could not stop the vote.”

“So what we do now?” asked Shvosi, picking up a piece of fruit to nibble on.

“We have Kuvaa tell Giyarishis why he must not follow orders of Camarilla, that it not representative decision.” said Khassis.

Kuvaa stirred at this and looked at the TeLaxaudin female. “I am unsure what is right here, Skepp Lady,” she said, dipping her head deferentially. “I swore to uphold decisions of Camarilla, and this was one. Like you, I not like it, think wrong, but . . .”

“Reticence does you credit,” said Khassis. “Potentialities do not favor our intervention in so terminal a manner. If we do, disaster for us it predicts. Zaimiss blind to this in desire to cut ties to younger worlds and isolate us.”

“Is precedent,” said Azwokkus. “When Camarilla voted on bringing your species into it, was such a set up vote. Voted No they did under Isolationists.”

“This is so. I was young then, but remember well. I helped bring first Cabbarans to Ghioass and into Camarilla chamber. Was almost rioting, most amusing,” Khassis said reminiscently.

Kuvaa’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “It was . . . You did?”

“We did. Forced Camarilla’s hand that day, had to decide Yes.”

“This depends on you, Kuvaa. You hold key to what happens,” said Azwokkus. “Report us you can, or join us.”

Her head was spinning with facts and decisions that she felt she had not the experience to make. “The potentialities showed disaster,” she murmured, thinking it through slowly. “Impossible to recall all field Agents, and what of rest of our species? Will look suspicious if those in key areas disappear. Ones left will take the wrath of Child races. Only way Zaimiss’ plan could succeed is if all of both our species vanish. Even then, still danger as draws more attention to us both. Search for us, they will, never stopping till they find us.” She looked up at the expectant faces around her.

“Present course must be continued,” she said. “Foolish and dangerous to all is any other decision.”

“How you answer why should we involve ourselves with their war?” asked Shvosi.

“War been going on long time. Was born involved,” she said dryly. “Ambition of Warrior Sand-dwellers knows no bounds. Destroy or enslave all species they will. Vote was not majority will of Camarilla.”

“Then it is decided,” said Khassis. “Plant imperative to find and destroy matter transmitter in Hunter we must.”

“Hunter I wish to discuss,” said Shvosi. “Sadly, Camarilla not place to talk. Annuur concerned Hunter is more hardened to fate of prisoners. Violence he uses, and his abilities he uses to rip knowledge from them. This not predicted. Disturbs his triad and the female Sand-dweller. Why happen?”

“Naacha can check when subliminals he plants,” said Azwokkus. “Annuur also talk to Giyarishis.”

Khassis rose to her feet. “Time for leaving. This meeting must not be suspected.”

“Kuvaa and I must leave soon. Her tattoo she must get proclaiming her of Camarilla now,” said Shvosi.

“Be proud,” said Khassis, preparing to leave. “You understand spirit of Camarilla as well as laws.”

Kuvaa bobbed her head to the elderly female. She’d thought Azwokkuss was making gentle fun of her when he mentioned tattoos, but apparently not. Receiving tattoos was a momentous happening in a Cabbaran’s life because it was a permanent record of achievements or social rank.

“Most welcome you are to come,” she said shyly to Azwokkus and Aizshuss.

“I must return to home now,” said Azwokkus regretfully. “Much to do with homekeeper ill.”

“I come,” said Aizshuss. “New experience this will be.”

 

In a private building on the outskirts of the TeLaxaudin town of Zuwassoo, a small group of the Isolationists were meeting.

“How you progressing?” demanded Zaimiss as he stalked into the meeting room, his green draperies exuding the scent of purpose and determination.

“It goes slowly,” admitted Kouansishus. “His reality we try to warp with drugs, and we administer pain, but his mind is strong.”

“I want his mind broken,” hummed Zaimiss angrily. “Not assume we have long to do this. Hidden from Unity are we for now, but risk is high.”

The Cabbaran Elder Tinzaa stirred. “Why the need for this?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. “Agreed to help I did, but this is not what I expected. Preventing him from contacting the Hunter we are. Why is more needed?”

“He meddles! No business has he coming to where the Hunter is, or the Sand-dweller world. Message we send the Hunter Entities that they not interfere with our mission.”

“Others may not be the same,” Tinzaa murmured, wrinkling her long snout. “You tread on dangerous ground. Distancing myself from this venture of yours, I am thinking of.”

Shumass hummed in displeasure. “You have no stomach for this! I not thought you Cabbarans were so weak. He will break soon, Leader Zaimiss, I know this. Weak these Entities are. Food they need, and water. None as mortal as they can withstand the forces we can bring to bear on him.”

“Then do it quickly,” hummed Zaimiss, turning to leave.