strongholdrising (75 page)

* * *

Lijou looked up as Rhyaz came into his lounge.
"Didn't expect to see you for a while yet," said Kha'Qwa from her position curled up in front of the fire at her mate's feet. "Where's Alex?"
Rhyaz' eyes glazed over for a moment before he replied. "She's over in cryptology with Kai, working on some project of their own."
"Has Konis gone to his room?" asked Lijou.
"Yes. He's lying down for an hour or two before joining us for second meal," said Rhyaz, taking the chair at the other side of the fire and leaning forward to warm his hands. "His pilot hasn't enough experience of our weather patterns to risk flying home tonight. It's begun to snow quite heavily now."
"Did you go to see Carrie and the cubs?" asked Kha'Qwa.
"Not yet. I didn't want to disturb them. I'll visit them tomorrow."
"How was Konis?" asked Lijou. "Has he gotten over seeing Kusac off?"
"I don't think so," said Rhyaz, holding his hands out to the blaze. "He wasn't happy at all."
"I wish we hadn't needed to involve him but he knows the current political situation with the Primes better than us. Knowing he's got to go back home and publically condemn his son for treason must be the hardest thing he's ever done."
"I didn't want to send him either, but it was the only way we could send Kusac without being involved in accusations of treason ourselves, Lijou. No one can hold us responsible for the actions of a renegade who's known to be mentally unstable."
"I wonder why Kezule left the Primes," said Kha'Qwa, filling the silence that had fallen. "And why he wanted to meet with Kusac. You'd think the last Sholan he'd want to see again was one of those responsible for bringing him forward in time. He should have been glad to be back home among his own people. He'd married the doctor from the
Kz'adul
, hadn't he?"
"I believe so, but why he left is just one of the many answers we hope Kusac will find," said Rhyaz. "When I went to tell him Noni had called to say the cub had been born, he already knew. I wonder if he would have gotten his Link to Carrie back if this message hadn't come."
"I know he would," said Lijou. "His Talent was back, it was just sleeping. Her mind would have awakened it, and he knew that. I'm concerned at the wisdom of sending anyone, Rhyaz, I still think it would have been better put in the hands of the Prime Ambassador."
"Kusac wanted to go, despite every other consideration," said Rhyaz uncomfortably, remembering Kusac's threat. "He knew what was at stake."
"You're wrong, he didn't want to go," said Lijou. "It was as if he were driven. I still fear this is a trap and the General will try to kill him."
"I made sure Kusac can kill Kezule if necessary," said Rhyaz, his hands now thawed out enough for him to lean back in his chair. "I left one of our prototype chemical guns and a spray available for him to take, and he took it."
Lijou looked at him in shock. "He's got the la'quo gun? Are you mad? I thought you wanted information from Kezule! And if he gets hold of them from Kusac, he's got a way to buy his freedom from the Primes by letting them know we've developed a chemical weapon to use against them!"
"He won't get it from Kusac. If he's threatened with capture, all he needs is one shot into the room, or one spray of that chemical and all Valtegans, or Primes, will be out cold for a couple of hours. When they wake, Kusac and his crew will be long gone, and those like Kezule will no longer have that aggressive edge over us. I've also taken other measures to ensure none of our people get captured."
"Chima," said Lijou. "Yes, I know about Chima, and I've sent someone too."
Rhyaz looked startled. "You knew?"
"Don't underestimate my mate, Rhyaz," purred Kha'Qwa, leaning back against Lijou's legs and looking up at him. "He's as much Brotherhood as you for all he's more compassionate. He is the other side of your coin, after all."
"Apparently," said Rhyaz dryly. "You briefed Banner, didn't you? What's his objective, Lijou?"
"Only to ensure fairness," said Lijou. "Kusac doesn't deserve this, Rhyaz. He's not unstable. I know that when it comes to it, he'll do the right thing. I couldn't in conscience let him go on this mission without someone he could rely on, considering you foisted Dzaou on him as one of his crew."
Rhyaz nodded, a very Human gesture. "I'll concede that. Dzaou's presence is designed to test his patience and stability. Banner's a good operative. He'll be there for him but won't let sentiment get in the way."
"He'll be scrupulously fair," countered Lijou. "This mission is fraught enough without sending someone as xenophobic as Dzaou on it. Hell, Kusac's bad enough over the Primes!"
"Again, insurance. Chima isn't likely to be fooled by Kezule, and controlling Dzaou's xenophobia will help Kusac control his own. I picked the crew carefully, Lijou. I want Kusac to succeed. If his team fails to return, we get no information as well as losing several good people."
"I hope when he gets back that the row between him and Kaid can be patched up," said Kha'Qwa. "You realize he's lost almost everything he had here, including his freedom, don't you? At this moment, he's got nothing to come home for— except his daughter, and a son he doesn't know he has."
"It was necessary," said Rhyaz. "No one but those involved must know about this mission, including Kusac's Triad-mates, otherwise his supposed treason won't be believable. We're relying on their assumption that he's become psychologically dependent on the Primes because of what happened to him on the
Kz'adul.
"
"What if it's true? What if he is dependent on them and that's part of the reason he hates the Primes?" asked Kha'Qwa. "What if that's why he knew he had to go to the rendezvous?"
"Then as I said, we have the rest of the team. They know what to do," said Rhyaz, his voice taking on a touch of hardness.
"Vartra help him," murmured Kha'Qwa, pressing herself closer to Lijou.
Lijou looked over to the empty place on his shelves where a certain wooden casket had rested until he'd given it to Kusac. "I pray that Vartra will," he said softly.
Stronghold, later that evening
"I can only apologize, Toueesut," said Konis. "I don't know what has gotten into him lately. The Physician here at Stronghold thinks he's headed for the Prime world."
"Why going Prime world when not tolerating Primes on Shola, Master Konis?" demanded Toueesut. "Not making sense. If Primes looking for him warn them we not wanting
Couana
damaged nor Kusac. Cannot believe our Clan Leader would do this after his Talent returned even if taking time to manifest itself for him again." He sighed gustily, shaking his head. "We will not be pressing charges against him, Master Konis."
"You have my thanks, Toueesut. I'll make sure the Primes are aware of the need to call us rather than attempt to take back the
Couana,
" reassured Konis. "I'll be in touch as soon as we have any word."
The connection closed, he turned to Lijou. "Can't we get word to Kusac? Tell him he has a son?"
Lijou sensed Rhyaz about to speak and sent him a private imperative telling him to leave the matter to him.
"Konis, it's been hard enough for him to leave Shola as it is," he said, getting up and going to his friend's side. "Telling him of the birth of a son he didn't know he'd conceived would be cruel at this time. Believe me, he's better not knowing."
Konis sighed and slumped back in his seat. "How long before Raiban starts jumping up and down?" he asked tiredly. This had been one of the longest nights of his life— as long and worrying as the night the twins had been born.
"Soon," began Rhyaz as the door burst open to admit Alex.
"How the hell could you do this to Kusac?" she demanded. "I just figured it out! You've thrown him and his crew not only to the Primes, but to Raiban and the military! I thought you were a good person, Rhyaz, someone I could respect, but this stinks! Kusac isn't a renegade, he's ill!"
"Alex," Rhyaz said warningly, getting to his feet. "I've told you before about not interfering in my business."
"Don't try to shut me up," she said, slamming the door behind her and stalking into the room. "And you, you're his father!" she said, pointing at Konis. "You should be supporting him, not helping these two sell him out!"
"Alex, be quiet!" thundered Rhyaz. "You've no idea what you're talking about!"
"Then explain it to me," she said, glowering at them all. "Justify it, if you can!"
"He's on a mission, Alex," said Konis from his seat at Rhyaz's desk. "We can't officially send him out to meet with General Kezule. If we did, it would cause a bigger incident than the one that we're letting happen now. Do you think I'd let them sacrifice my son if the safety of Shola didn't depend on it and he hadn't agreed to it?"
Alex looked at the Clan Lord, seeing the anguished set of his ears for the first time. Uncertainly, she looked over at Lijou.
"You know what's at stake here, Alex," said the priest. "Rhyaz and I have to make decisions like this all the time. It's what we do for the good not only of our species, but the Alliance as a whole. As Rhyaz' Leska, you'll have to get used to the fact that sometimes individuals have to be sacrificed for the good of many more people. Kezule asked for Kusac by name. He had to go. Believe me, when he comes back, we'll do everything we can to see any charges against him are dropped. But we must know why Kezule wants him."
"He agreed to go?" she asked in a small voice.
"He agreed," confirmed Rhyaz. "But even if he hadn't, I would have done my utmost to persuade him. There's unrest on the Prime world and we must know more about it."
Lijou rose. "Konis, perhaps we should go visit Carrie and her cubs in the infirmary," he said. "Noni should have them settled by now. Alex, you must keep this information to yourself. Only we four know they are on a mission for us. Carrie and Kaid must not find out. Do you understand me?"
She nodded mutely.
Konis stopped to put his hand on her shoulder as he went past her. "Your heart's in the right place, child. Thank you for defending my son."
"I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions," she said quietly. "I should have known better. I apologize, Clan Lord, Father Lijou."
"No harm was done. The Brotherhood needs another conscience, Alex," said Lijou, stopping by the door. "Sometimes I feel I'm in a minority." He smiled as he watched Rhyaz go over to her, knowing his friend was going to take the time to explain the situation to her. "Perhaps you should brief Alex more often, Rhyaz. She's surely shown she can be trusted now with sensitive information. It would save misunderstandings like this."
"I know she can be trusted," said Rhyaz, putting an arm round her shoulders. "I was trying to spare her the less palatable side of our work, that's all."
"It takes time to adjust to having a Leska," said Konis. "But despite the disparity in your ages, it'll be easier if you work as a team."
"What disparity?" asked Alex, giving Rhyaz a sideways glance. "You should see him when he relaxes."
Rhyaz cuffed her gently, making the other two males smile as they left.
"Nicely done," said Rhyaz, stroking her cheek gently. "You made them forget for a moment."
"I still want that explanation," she said.
The comm buzzed discreetly and Rhyaz sighed, letting her go. "Raiban," he said.

* * *

"Has Speaker Toueesut pressed charges?" demanded Rhyaz.
"You know damned well he hasn't," snarled Raiban.
"Then this is an internal Clan matter and outside your jurisdiction."
"What do you mean, a Clan matter?"
"Speaker Toueesut considers his swarm members of Kusac's Clan. They applied for permission to live in the Valgarth Estate village and Kusac granted them that right."
Raiban's growl of anger almost made him wince.
You got her good and mad this time,
she sent with a mental chuckle.
"There's still the matter of an unauthorized take-off from Lygoh space port and the disruptor he and the one called Dzaou planted! It put communications out for over an hour!"
Rhyaz shrugged. "What can I say? We're not responsible, Raiban. Whatever they're doing, they're doing it independently."
"They've gone renegade?" Raiban pounced on the news.
"We're dealing with it, General," he said coldly. "You confine yourself to matters that concern you, like last week's laundry bill for the Forces."
"Don't take that attitude with me, Rhyaz! If you're dealing with it, you catch them then! I've issued warrants for their arrest. They all face several years in a correction facility and I intend to see they serve out that time in full!"
"Noted, General. Now if you'll excuse me, I've matters of my own to see to."
"You shouldn't have fought to remain independent of us, Rhyaz. Had you been part of the Forces, we could have kept this quiet. As it is, it'll be splashed across all the media nets by tomorrow. Doesn't look good, you know, the founder of your En'Shalla Clan going renegade on you like this. Still, your choice." She grinned widely and broke the link.
"She's right," he murmured, sitting back in his chair. "They'll have a field day at our expense."
"It must be worth it or you wouldn't let him go," said Alex.
"We won't know that until after Kusac has returned from his rendezvous with Kezule."

* * *

"He's done what?" said Kaid in disbelief when Lijou told him later that night outside Carrie's room in the infirmary. "He's damned lucky Toueesut didn't press charges! At least Banner is with him. Do you know who else went?"
"Not yet. It won't be difficult to trace them, though. Very few senior Brothers and Sisters are left on Shola now."
"I noticed how empty Stronghold was," said Kaid. "At least if he turns up at K'oish'ik, the Primes will return him to us." He stopped and looked sharply at Lijou. "They will return him, won't they?"
"So long as he doesn't commit any crimes against them."
Kaid shrugged. "Then let's hope he's retained some shreds of common sense. You'll excuse me, but I've wasted enough time talking about him. My place is with Carrie and the twins at this time."
Troubled, Lijou watched him leave. Kaid might affect uninterest in Kusac's situation, but he knew better— he could feel the pain the other male was trying desperately to hide, even from himself. Whatever Kusac had said to alienate Kaid, it had worked only too well because the hurt had gone deep, very deep.