Chapter 3
The sealing of the door triggered lights to blink on. Squinting herunaccustomed eyes, Xera looked around.
They were in a tunnel, six feet wide and forty yards long, its rockwalls lined with a series of recessed tubes providing illumination.The Scorpio were already moving forward, sleds, injured and all.Unwilling to rest so close to the doors, even the weariest of Khan’screw followed.
Xeratook a step and staggered as pain shot up from her foot. She musthave been too scared in the mad rush to safety, or too pumped full ofadrenaline, to notice how it hurt. She was feeling the pain now,though, along with many smaller aches she’d shut out in themadness.
“There’sheat in your right foot,” Delfane said, glancing down. “Hold on.”He swung her up on a sled without asking permission. Perchedprecariously on several tarp-covered parcels, she gritted her teethand tried to ignore the surge of pain that electrified her leg.Sitting wasn’t much better than standing, not with her legsswinging as they were.
Atthe end of the tunnel they entered a two-story cavern a little longerthan it was high. The floor was solid dun rock, and the atmospherewas a surprisingly comfortable temperature. Stone stairs ran up onewall and opened onto a second-story balcony. Dusky light filtereddown from that level, making Xera shudder. Surely there weren’twindows up there! Some things she didn’t need to see.
TheScorpio did a quick reconnaissance. Satisfied that they were alone,they made camp.
Xeraslid off the sled and hobbled over to a bench carved into the wall.Exhausted, she drained her water bottle and then tackled her boots.She had to get the injured foot out before it burst the leather, andthere was probably enough sand in there to build her own beach. Evenher eyes were gritty with it.
Ittook an effort to pull her boot off without whimpering. Once free,her foot throbbed with a vengeance, doubling with the pain of herblistered, raw soles. She pulled off a sweaty sock and hissed at thefeel of the cool air on her tender skin. What she wouldn’t give forsome warm water and antiseptic! Instead, she lay down on the benchand closed her eyes. Maybe she should be grateful just to bebreathing.
Shemust have slept, for she was woken by a nudge. Blearily, she wipedgrit from her eyes and looked up. It was Brirax.
“Youneed to tend your injuries. You can’t afford gangrene.” He handedher a bottle and a packet of gauze. “There is medicine in thewater. Use it to clean your wounds.”
“Thanks,” she muttered as he walked off, still groggy. It wastempting to go right back to sleep, but he was right. A nap couldwait until she made sure her limbs wouldn’t rot off.
Shesat up stiffly and washed her feet, hissing every time the gauze madecontact with a sore. Walking was going to be painful for the next fewdays, what with all the blisters, but it was comforting to know shewouldn’t be the only one sore-footed. While she was at it, sheswiped at the gash over her eye and washed her face. She was unableto see what she was doing, but such ministrations were probablybetter than none at all.
Finished,she glanced around, seeing many other tired, dispirited souls. Thesewere in the human camp, really. While the aliens were quiet, theydidn’t seem overly distressed. But, of course, this was their turf.
Ryvenhad watched the woman lie untended for a half hour before heintervened. It had been a small thing, to send the medicine, but heshouldn’t have had to do it. Among his people the most badlywounded were attended first, then the women and children. Warriorswith minor hurts would delay their own comfort.
Thisprotocol was in contrast to that of the humans. The square-headedhuman captain hadn’t bothered to see to the only woman in hisgroup. He’d immediately flopped his body down on a bench and lethis men tend themselves for a good ten minutes, only rousing himselfto give orders when hunger stirred him. His group’s translator,possibly one of his best assets, he’d ignored.
Therewas another difference: Ryven hadn’t needed to order his men tomake camp. They knew what was necessary to do and did it.
Hispeople were stronger than humans; he could see that now. While tired,they had not suffered nearly as much on the march. He would almosthave been impressed by what the humans, with their limited physiques,had managed to do...if they hadn’t neglected their woman so. Sheneeded ice for that foot. Even from here he could see the faint heatsignature, an angry, painful-looking red.
Thistime, he chose to take it himself rather than send Brirax.
Xeralooked up, mildly surprised to see the alien leader. He plopped acold pack onto her foot. “Use this.”
“Okay,”she said slowly. While the gesture had not exactly been gentle, sheappreciated the ice, if not the source. She would not forget thatthis man was a killer. In all fairness, though, he had no reason tolove her people. She forced herself to accept that, too. “Did youneed something?”
Hisface gave nothing away. “We’ve activated the temperature controlsystem. The thermal grills for cooking are on-line. You will beallowed access to water, but your people will have to forage fortheir own food; we will not share our rations. Whatever you broughtin your packs will have to suffice, though we will show you how toseek what food can be gathered. If you are diligent, you will notstarve.”
Well,there was great news. “Anything else?”
Hewalked away.
Apparentlynot. She sighed. And things were about to get worse. She wasn’tlooking forward to talking to her captain, but here he came.
“Whatdid he want?” Khan demanded, eyeing her icepack suspiciously. Hesifted his weight from foot to sore foot.
Sherelayed the information Atarus had provided. “Did you want somewater now?”
“Water?”he shouted. “Water? What I want is to get off this blasted rock!”His piggy eyes narrowed. “Did he say if a ship was coming forthem?”
“Ihave no idea,” she admitted, wishing she did. It would change a lotof things, knowing there might soon be more of the Scorpio. Shedidn’t relish being a prisoner of war. “I don’t think they’dtell me if they did.”
Khangrunted at her. “You seem mighty cozy with them.”
Shelooked at him tiredly. “Sir, I’m the only member of our crew thatspeaks their language. I’d be happy to coach you and everyone elseon it, though. God forbid I should drop dead and leave you all withno idea what they’re saying or plotting.”
CaptainKhan grabbed her shirt in a rough grip. “Watch it, Harris-d. If weare stuck on this sandpit, we won’t be seeing any more of the GE.Rules of discipline be damned, I’ll jump at the first chance toteach you to watch your mouth. Remember that.” He released her witha shove and walked away.
Withmixed emotions, Xera watched the man stalk off. Granted, she couldprobably kick his butt if she needed, but not if the crew backed himup. Besides, doing that would just invite being attacked in the darkone night, which would of course end badly. She wasn’t inclined topick a fight, and the alternative was lying low. Swallowing againstthat bitter reality, she lay back down and stared at the ceiling. Godhelp her if the GE didn’t show up to save them. Much as she hatedtheir politics, her employers were the only thing likely to save herfrom what was coming.
Itwas morning by the time she woke. Groaning at her stiffness, sheglanced at her watch and saw she’d slept for almost twelve hours.She was surprised she’d been allowed to rest so long, but a lookaround showed everyone else was moving slowly, too. She gingerly satup. It was amazing how comfortable even a stone bench could be whenyou were dead tired, but she was paying for lying on it with evenmore aches.
Someonehad thrown a survival blanket over her during the night. She brushedit aside, thankful for the thin material’s added warmth. She’dhad one in her pack but had been too exhausted to dig for it lastnight.
Shehad to limp along the wall, using it to steady herself as she soughtout Brirax. He saw her coming and met her halfway.
“Ineed to know where the…bathrooms are,” she told him,trying not to be embarrassed. For some reason it was harder to ask analien this question. It didn’t help that she didn’t know theexact words to use.
Hisbrows drew together. “What?”
Shesighed. “I drank too much water.”
Hisface cleared. “Follow me.” He watched her hobble for two steps,and then motioned her to stop. “Wait.” He hurried up the stairsto the balcony where the Scorpio had moved all their stuff. He cameback down with a laser rifle, which he handed to her. “It’sunloaded.”
“Thanks,”she said, surprised by his generosity. The weapon made for acumbersome cane, but it helped get her across the room to where sheneeded to go.
Inthe area the Scorpio indicated, there were several doors right nextto each other. She went through one and shut the door, then took aquick look around. There was a seat and something that looked likesome kind of composting unit. There was nowhere to wash her hands,however. Finished, she opened the door and asked Brirax about it.
“Runyour hands in front of that stone,” he instructed, pointing to anarea in the back of the restroom. “The energy kills the....” Shedidn’t exactly understand what he said, but she got the drift. Headded, “If you would like to cleanse your entire body, press thestone and stand there for a count of seventy.” He closed the doorto let her check it out.
Itwas like a solar shower, and she didn’t even have to undress to useit. She’d heard of the concept but never experienced one. Greenrays surrounded her, dissolving the dirt and oils from her clothesand body. In slightly over a minute she was as clean as if she’dnever been chased through a desert by monsters. Even her muscles feltbetter, as if she’d had a long, hot bath.
“Cool,”she told Brirax as she stepped out, using the Scorpio word withoutthinking.
“Thetemperature was cold?” he asked. “I will have to inspect it.”
Shelaughed, realizing her mistake. “No! It was a compliment. I thinkyour technology is wonderful.”
“Oh.”He looked as if he hadn’t understood all her words, but seemed toprocess enough. “I will show you where to get water. Gather yourcrew after that and we will explain how to forage.”
CommanderAtarus acted as their guide. Captain Khan and all of her crewfollowed along for the tour. It was tiring, hobbling around the cavewith stiff muscles and a bum foot. Xera finally broke down andaccepted an offer from an ensign to be a human crutch. He’d seemedespecially eager to help her, but she was too grateful to be wary.
Thewater was no big deal; it came out of a faucet in a wall alcove. Theforaging was harder. They had to descend some stairs that opened outinto a lower cavern. It was cool down there, populated with fungusand shadows. Something crunched under her feet. Atarus shown aflashlight at her boots and she yelped. The ground was swarming withfat slimy things.
“Ah!Worms! And bugs!” She tried to move away but just stepped onothers.
“Protein,”Atarus corrected with some amusement.
Shestared at him. “You’ve got to be joking,” she said in her ownlanguage, too grossed out to use his.
“What’she saying?” Khan demanded. “What are all these worms doing here?”
“Dinner,”Xera said softly, feeling sick.
Herwords caused an uproar. Atarus just looked at the humans witharistocratic unconcern until the noise settled down. He waved a handat the fungi. They looked like pulpy fans and grew on the stonecolumns, floor and walls. “The stone fungus is edible once cooked,and this lichen makes a tea that will provide valuable nutrients.”He indicated a glowing green plant that resembled dead leaves. Xerawondered if she’d start glowing, too, if she drank anything made ofthat stuff.
Herensign crutch was a braver man than she. “Can’t be worse thanmom’s cooking,” he said philosophically, and began gatheringingredients.
Xerafelt sick. She started to hobble to the stairs. Step, crunch. Drag,step, squish. She shuddered. Reaching the steps, she hurriedup. Brirax, Delfane and their captain had been either slow to leaveor were waiting for her. They didn’t say anything. Ataruswordlessly placed a hand under her elbow and supported her as sheclimbed.
“Tired?”he asked as they reached the upper cavern and blessed light.
Nota bug in sight. She sighed gratefully and tried not to think aboutthe condition of her boots. “Some.”
Shockingher, he swung her up into his arms and strode off toward her bench.None of her crew was there to see it, and his own people didn’tseem fazed.
“Whatare you doing?” she gasped, panicked. She struggled, but he waseven stronger than he looked. Was he going to try something now thatno one was watching?
Heset her down on her bench. “Stay off the foot if you want it toheal. There is little for you to do now but translate, anyway.”
Shegave him an unfriendly look. “I don’t like being carried.”
“Youdo not seem to like bugs, either, but you will eat them,” he said,unconcerned. “What is the name of the man who helped you down thestairs? You should have him for your help.”
“EnsignTrevor, and I won’t need help long.”
“Good.”He walked away.
Shewatched him go, her gut still swirling with unease. She began towonder how much of Delfane and Brirax’s help was his doing.
Shewas still wondering a little while later when Delfane brought her abowl of gray soup. “What is it?” she asked warily.
“Don’task,” he advised her.
Sheclosed her eyes, took a deep breath and told herself it was mushroomsoup. Of course it was. It wasn’t bad, really.
Hehanded her a mug of faintly glowing green tea. His eyes crinkled withamusement. “Your face reminds me of my daughter when she triessomething new. Her face always twists just so.”
Surprised,she asked, “You’re married?”
“Yes.Drink your tea.”
Cautiously,she complied. It wasn’t great, but it was drinkable. Kind ofreminded her of kelp.
“Good.Now you will finish the soup and translate the making of it for yourpeople.”
Itwas a lot easier to finish the soup than it was to explain toeveryone else how it was made. She turned a little green, much to theamusement of the Scorpio. She saw several of them laughing to eachother and talking quietly but animatedly as they gestured in herdirection. She’d have thought they were jerks, but noticed thatseveral of them were eating the gray soup, too. Maybe they thoughtshe was finicky, or they were making the best of a less than gourmetmeal by cracking jokes. Even Atarus seemed amused.
Toher surprise, her own captain slurped the slop right down. Must notbe a picky eater, she assumed, or he just liked a full belly.
Afterward,she gave language lessons. Occasionally she had to ask an alien forconfirmation regarding the meaning of a word. They seemed willingenough to talk to her, if especially aloof around her crew. Thefeeling was mutual.
Well,she reminded herself, the two groups had been shooting eachother out of the sky just yesterday. Feeling more like an ambassadorthan an interpreter, she often stood between the two races, using herbody as a kind of buffer.
Itwas tiring work, and she excused herself after an hour to hobble backto her bench. She lay down, inserted her ear buds and listened tomusic. The device was small enough to fit into a necklace andcontained millions of files, many of which she’d still never heard.Now, given time and the lifetime warranty on the battery, she mightjust get a chance. She shoved that image out of her mind as soon asit formed and concentrated on other things. It had been a gift fromher sisters on her last birthday and contained many family photos.She flipped through them as she listened to music, feeling wistful.She missed them and wondered what they’d be told about herdisappearance. They’d worry. For that matter, she was worried..
Thedownside of teaching everyone the language was that she was helpingherself out of a job. She didn’t think it would change hersituation, though. What might? She couldn’t think of anything, soshe concentrated on simply doing her job. Any intel she might getfrom the aliens about their culture or language would be a powerfultool if she ever got back to the GE. To cheer herself up, sheimagined herself being in high demand as an expert on the Scorpiorace. Of course, not knowing when they might be rescued, she mightfind out more than she wanted to know about their mating habits....
Stoptorturing yourself, she ordered herself sternly, and sat up. There’dbeen no comb in her pack, so she tried to untangle her hair with herfingers. The motion was soothing and it gave her something to do.
EnsignTrevor must have noticed. He came over and offered his comb. “Here.I don’t need it.” His hair was cropped regulation short.
Shesmiled gratefully. “It’s short now. Give it time. But, thanks.”She couldn’t see what she was doing while she combed, but at leastshe now had a prayer of undoing the rat’s nest.
Trevorsat down on the bench next to her. “Quite a hike yesterday, huh?Felt like I’d been sucked into a horror movie.”
“Itisn’t over. There’s still the food,” she said with a grimace.
Helaughed. “Yeah. At least there is food.” He let his gazetrail aimlessly around, clearly stalling. At last he spoke. “Look,Harris-d, I was thinking we could do each other a favor.”
Shestilled. He didn’t meet her eyes, or he might have flinched at thesuspicion there. She’d had too many come-ons start with that veryline.
“You’vereally got a bad situation here, and I’m sympathizing with that.Being the only woman and all.” He looked at her out of the cornerof his eye. “I was thinking maybe I could help you out.”Shewaited. She’d thought he was all right, maybe a little geeky, buthe was no different than the rest. He was making a play for her. Shewanted to hit him for trying to take advantage. In her presentmindset, that was the only way she saw his offer.
“Itwould really help if you had a guy on your side, you know. I’mwilling, if you like.” He got a little red-faced. “If the othersthought you were taken….”
“Soyou want sex in exchange, is that it?” she asked coldly.
Heflinched. “Well, it would be nice, but I’m not trying to forceyou or anything. I just thought I’d offer. It’s not like we…Imean….” He stumbled to a verbal stop, his face glowing red.
Shecouldn’t speak right away, didn’t trust herself. She’d alwayshad a temper, but she had common sense, too. He stood up. She almostlet him walk away. “I’ll think about it,” she choked out.
Hepaused, looked over his shoulder. “Okay,” he said.
Hehesitated, then moved on. Xera gripped the comb so hard it bit intoher hand. Suddenly she didn’t care about her hair.
“Thefirst one’s approached her,” Toosun observed softly. He wassitting with his brother, and the two men watched the quiet sceneunfold across the room, just as his brother had predicted. Ryven alsowatched the way Xera just sat there, staring at her feet after thehuman ensign left. It was a dead giveaway.
“Yes,”he said. He continued sharpening his blade. The eight-inch knife hadthe same shifting coating as his uniform and was already razor sharp.An enemy would not see it coming in the dark.
“Willher captain permit her to go to another man?”
“Thatone? He’ll let her service anyone who asks, then demand her forhimself when he wants her. She will not be permitted to refuse.”Ryven’s eyes were shuttered, deceptively focused on his task.
“Wewill keep watch, then. If she chooses a man of her own free will, dowe still intervene?”
Ryvenlooked at him. “In this situation, will any choice of hersconstitute free will? Even if it did, it would not change my plansfor her.” Toosun nodded. “The men are settled, then. Shall westart with drills this morning? They need to stay busy.”
“Yes.After they’ve bled off some energy, they can participate in morelanguage studies with the translator. Also, ask for volunteers to dorecon outside the shelter; we need to know more data about ourenvironment, need to see if there’s any recoverable equipmentoutside. If your group finds remains, burn them with lasers. Burialis too hazardous now. You have one hour. If you do not return on timewe will send out a search party, but anyone left outside at dusk isexpendable.”
Thebrothers held each other’s gazes. They had done this often enoughthat nothing else needed to be said. They had love but also duty. Ithad always been that way.
“We’llrecover what we can and stay on the rocks. That should keep thediggers at bay, and the fliers are sleeping until dusk.”
“Justdon’t walk into any caves,” Ryven said dryly. After a moment headded, “Ask the humans if they’re brave enough to go.”
Toosungrinned. “The translator won’t tell them my exact words.”
Ryvenflashed a brief smile in response. “Be discreet, then. I wouldrather our numbers be even; not that they impress me as warriors.”
“No.I will ask her.” Toosun hesitated. “What about their weapons?Will we take them soon?”
Ryvenknew his brother wouldn’t question the wisdom of his decisionsdirectly, but he was sure his men were all wondering. “We will waita little longer. Let them think they have nothing to fear; it willlull them.” There had been enough casualties. There would come anopportune moment, and then he and his men would act.
Hehadn’t forgotten his objective; the interlopers would pay for theirindiscretion. They were trespassers, and would be treated as such.Even the woman would learn her place…as soon as he decided whatthat place should be. It seemed a waste to send a woman like her toprison. He darted a glance her way. He had to think about thepossibilities.
Xeraeyed the Scorpio second-in-command, Toosun, and contemplated whathe’d just said. As she didn’t feel like hobbling over to hercaptain just then, she caught Khan’s attention with a gesture. Itwasn’t hard; he’d been watching her with alarming frequency,especially whenever one of the Scorpio spoke with her.
“What?”he demanded as he approached. “You too lazy to bring a message toyour captain?”
Shegestured to her bound foot. “I’m still recovering, sir. It’llheal faster if I stay off it.”
Khan’ssmall eyes gleamed with nasty satisfaction. “So you’re only goodfor sitting on your butt or lying on your back, eh? That’s about….”He broke off as the Scorpio shifted toward him, just enough to makehim wary.
“TheScorpio are making up a reconnaissance party,” she explainedquickly, keeping her voice even. “They want to know if any of us isbrave enough to accompany them. They plan to be gone an hour.”
“Braveenough?” Khan snarled. “Any of us is braver than a stinking,filthy alien. Cort! Trevor!” he bellowed. He looked at those twomen, who hurried over. “Get ready for a recon mission. I want toknow what these guys know at all times! Grab any gear you happen tosee lying around outside.”
Themen paled but hurried to do what he said.
CaptainKhan turned to Toosun and eyed him arrogantly. “What else do theywant?” he asked Xera.
Shekept her sigh to herself, though she was suddenly exhausted. In hisown language she told Toosun, “They are getting ready. Is thereanything else?”
Toosunlooked at her and ignored her captain, who practically breathed downhis neck. “My lord has told our men to watch out for your safety.It is not our custom to see women mistreated. If you become afraid,you may move your sleeping place to our side of the shelter. You willnot be disturbed or harmed.” He gave her a slight nod, then turnedand looked down at Khan.
Facedwith the Scorpio and his superior height, much of the captain’sbravado leached away. Khan turned his back and stalked off.
Adark expression flashed through Toosun’s face. It was leashed butnot gone when he nodded to Xera and returned to his own men.
Xeratook a slow breath then exhaled. She’d just been offered protectionby people she knew nothing about. Unfortunately, she knew too muchabout her own kind. She’d better be down to zero options before shetook such a huge risk She took her laser rifle crutch and hobbledover to sit by a few of her human companions. They were fiddling witha radio, clearly waiting to get reports back from the imminentreconnaissance mission. In response to the few curious looks theyshot her, she said, “You might need translation help on that.”She wasn’t going to give Khan another chance to say she wasuseless.
Thecommunications officer nodded and handed her a headset.