Finish the Sci-Fi Story III - Murder Mystery

Cafe Society
41

Cori stepped in and dropped her attache case on the table. For all her attitude and affectations, she was a stellar advocate and commanded great fees for her services. The last time she had lost a case was nearly 15 years ago, and she had been able to prove the judge had been corrupt. In addition to winning her client’s freedom in that instance, she had had the satisfaction of seeing the judge sentenced to life in prison.

Her quick eyes ascertained the room was sealed, and that no one could overhear her conversation. Nevertheless, she pulled out a small white machine from her case. A punch of a few buttons, and a low whirring sound began.

“A combination jamming/white noise filter,” she explained. “I’m not always paid in coin.” She then placed a recording device in front of M’Artel.

“Start talking. I want to know everything that happened from the time you left my hotel to the time you came in here. Don’t leave anything out. I want to know when you took a piss, when you scratched your tail, and when you brushed your teeth.”

M’Artel smiled evilly. Cori’s eyes narrowed. Something was very wrong. Then, to her surprise, an invisible change came over him. “Cori, help me. I can’t remember what happened. I woke up covered in blood, missing a claw, and a dead woman in my bathtub.”

“Do you feel like someone is with you?” Cori waved her hands helplessly, not sure how to explain it. “Like someone else’s presence is inside you?”

M’Artel shook his head. “I went to sleep and woke up to this nightmare. Help me.”

Cori went to the door and opened it. She motioned Kark over. “I want a doctor now,” she said quietly.

Kark looked at her and then M’Artel, who had his head in his hands. “Why?”

“Because there’s something going on and I want a doctor to look at him. Did you notice anything odd before I got here?”

Kark reluctantly nodded. “He turned to the camera and smiled. It seemed very out of place.”

“I want a copy of that recording and I want a doctor here now. And, Kark,” Cori paused, frowning.

“Yes?”

“I want two security droids in there with us.”

Kark’s jaw dropped. The tenacious, brilliant, focused Cori was terrified.

42

Kark made the arrangements Cori had asked for and then made his way to a semi private booth with link access. In the back of his mind he was wondering why Pelas hadn’t at least checked in yet. He should be done with 13KU7L7’s quarters by now.

Punching up his office desk, he entered the string of variable codes that served as a password of sorts. He sat still for the metaread, a security that was virtually impenetrable. Still, he knew that if someone really wanted to, they could get past the security screens. The blending of space, nonspace, and crystalline technology was making security more and more of a race between code makers and code breakers. But, it would have to someone with an awful lot of resources and/or ability to get past both the Tharn and his own security screens.

He looked for the information he had missed about the Sykoft assassin. And here it was. Who had he been working for? Speculation only, but evidence pointed to an off world business consortium, shielded by numerous false fronts. For the monkeys not to have penetrated this mystery meant whoever it was was being very careful.

The target had a 99.8% probability assigned to it. Kathy Swanson. Motive was listed as 72% only, but was very worrisome, none the less. Fomenting interstellar war.

Just then, alarms went off all over the building. His semi private access booth shut down and a priority warning was coming through, both telepathically and on his comm link. Telepathic comms usually meant one thing, extreme danger.

Answering both comms, Kark yelled out over the confusion, “Hingman here. Report nature of emergency!”

As he rushed to the interrogation room, the security computer reply was, “Kel on premises. Kel activity has been detected in Interrogation Room 12.”

After listening to all Gr’Vinnia had to say, Cowd calmed her fears with his well practiced abilities. She left feeling better about everything overall, and even more strongly attracted to Robert.

Turning to his old style book case, he removed a non descript book and opened it, revealing a touch screen device. He wrote in what had just happened and asked, “What do I do now?”

The answer came unnervingly quick, considering both the distance of the communication and the importance of the message. It read, “Do nothing. I will send a Kel.”

43

Darson let out a final shriek, then lay panting, sweat pouring from his body. The agonizing pain was gone suddenly, like a balloon popping. He could barely move, much less check his body to ascertain his Change.

For a timeless time he lay motionless, gathering strength. Then, he stood, swaying. The room swam around him, then, slowly, his eyes focused.

He went into his bathing cubicle, stripped, and taking a deep breath, turned to look at himself in the full-length mirror. He twisted and turned, bent and lifted, a horrible realization slowly dawning on him.

He hurried to his computer and typed some information in. The Tharn database confirmed his worst suspicions. Darson gritted his teeth.

“If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to kill that frelling human. Slowly, and with great pain.”

Darson had to keep his metamorphasis quiet, otherwise he would be arrested and executed. He quickly dressed and contacted Kark.

“My Change is complete. Do you need my assistance?”

“Yes, come down to the security center. How did your Change turn out? Did you become what you wanted?”

“With all due respect, Kark, that is not a matter we discuss with off-worlders. You caught me in the midst of my Change and offered support. Other than that, you are entitled to no further information.”

Kark frowned at the image on his display. He understood so little of Tharn sexuality. Few did, including many Tharn. But he knew enough to know that Darson was hiding something.

Kark shrugged. It had nothing to do with his investigtion. “I’ll see you shortly?”

“You can count on it,” Darson replied.

44

Not quite paying attention to his conversation with Darson, Kark had made his way to Interrogation Room 12, where he had left Cori, M’Artel and several security droids. Brandishing a weapon given to him by Zora sometime ago, he tried to enter the room, but of course, the room was sealed.

“Computer! Override security seal! Hingman, nine alpha seven!”

The door hissed and slowly opened, revealing a remarkably clean and tidy room, especially considering what he had been expecting. Cori was sitting in the far corner, puffing on the Xavvian equivalent of a cigarret and M’Artel was standing near her, his tail twitching. As he entered the room, he was filled with dread and confusion. Cori caught his eye and glared at him, then indicated with her eyes to look over there, idiot.

He turned that direction and caught sight of the Kel creature standing motionless among a pile of inert droids. Quickly taking aim, he pressed the contact switch of his pistol-like weapon and it flew from his hands, the charge hitting a light panel in the ceiling before the weapon clattered to the floor.

The Kel pulled its tail back from him and said, “I did not decapitate you. But I will if you try anything else.”

Trained not to be frightened of any creature or any threat, Kark calmly asked the creature, “What do you want? Why are you here?”

The door closed behind Kark as the Kel answered, “I will ask the questions, Human. And, based on your answers, it is quite possible that none of you will die. Yet.”

45

Cowd had drawn Gr’Vinnia out, for as brainy and talented as she was, she had made the mistake of truly having develped an affection for Robert. Her emotions were involved, and clouding her judgement.

What would Robert think of her if he found out? She’d thought this would be such a simple assignment, for the same business consortium that had employed her once before. Now she’d done something that was a cliche in the fiction of so many worlds and races, and fallen for her target. Gr’Vinnia attempted to console herself with the thought she was only supposed to keep and eye on Robert, see who his and M’Artel’s contacts were. She was not supposed to hurt him.

She decided, for a while at least, to try and keep her new feelings from her control. Grivvy wasn’t especially interested in politics, but even she knew that the consortium that used him was owned, in majority by q’Lit’Liav, who might harbor resentment at anyone(like Robert) even remotely connected with the nephew, q’Stant’Lit, that had replaced him in line of succession to the Xavvian throne.

Oh Mother, there must be some way to get out of this job!

46

Darson waited impatiently in the security center for Kark to emerge. He had seen him go into the room, but too quickly to call to him.

He eyed a Xaavian doctor standing nearby, a female, wearing the standard medic center uniform. From the stripes on her sleeve she appeared to be a fourth year resident. He nodded politely to her, then quickly looked away, realizing what was going on.

“Damn the human,” he muttered to himself, “Damn fragile Tharn genitals, and damn the Change.”

“Did you tell Kark I’m here?” he asked the security droid stationed outside the room. The droid beeped and whirred, and replied, “Unable to communicate with stated recipient. Communication device has been deactivated.”

Darson looked at the closed door, wondering what the frell was going on.

47

Zora received Jade’s message shortly into fourth-cycle at the Academy. He chuckled as he listened to the reason for going to Forsetti. Always the same old scamp. I wonder what he’s got into now. His chuckle abruptly died as he recalled some reports he had heard while on active duty, much of which he hadn’t been able to share with Jade. Frell. I best see if anything serious is going on there.

Any good officer in the Alliance’s Security Forces has friends in low places and Zora was no exception. He just hoped the ones he needed were still alive. “Messages, outgoing,” he said to his terminal. “Alpha Centauri Relay, two-four-two.” The image on his terminal jumped and a large plant came into view. It appeared to wave.

Zora smiled. “Yes, yes, nice to see you, too. I trust you’re being treated well?”

The plant bristled its leaves.

“I’ll see what I can do about that. Look, I need to know if there’s something boiling over in Glitnir’s kitchen wing. Call back with whatever you find. Zora out.”

On Alpha Centauri Station, an intelligent plant started using some of its limbs to enter a message bound for another of its species ensconced in Forsetti’s Central Depository.

48

Robert opened the doors of his new, temporary housing to let in Gr’Vinnia. She had been trying to contact him crystally for over a full standard day now and he finally gave in to tell to come over in person. Though he had been a courier for several years now, he had never quite gotten used to it, and in fact, somewhat resented his father’s insisting he get implanted. A Human courier military leader was something that had not been seen in the Confederation for well over a thousand years. Certainly no other Earther Human had ever been in such a position. Not only was the elder Harker looking out for the company, he also wanted great things for his son. His son was beginning to doubt if he would ever want to be any part of the company. What was happening now was simply the gnardl that broke the trnuipict’s back.

As Grivvy moved gracefully into the room, Robert couldn’t help but notice that she smelled ever so slightly of spice, a sure sign of Xavvian female sexual arousal. Though she was not boosting (in fact, she was using a boost control drug), she still was capable of sexual congress and, to be truthful, rather enjoyed it.

Unions between species were not totally uncommon but it usually did require that the ‘parts’ be at least somewhat compatible. Though there could never be a mating between Xavvian and Human (not without major surgery and gene splicing), normal-ish sexual activity could take place. (Even among totally physically incompatible species, pairings did exist, both legally and common. Sometimes true love, whatever that really is, sees beyond any logistical problems. That, and not all races were as sexually active as Xavvians, Humans, Thosti, et al… Some species of the Federation and beyond did not even reproduce sexually at all. But, that’s another story.)

Making small talk, Grivvy maneuvered Robert to the couch, where she cuddled him and cooed soothing noises to him. Even if she hadn’t had her hand where it was, she could’ve sensed Robert’s arousal. Standing up off the couch for a mere moment, she removed what little clothing she was wearing and climbed back into the position she had been in. Allowing himself to link crystally with her, Robert and Gr’Vinnia experienced their unique pleasure with each other.

In the interrogation room, Kark and the Kel creature stood motionless before each other.

“Once again, you Humans tread where you ought not,” growled the Kel. “Why are you holding my servant, M’Artel?”

A gasp could be heard from the other side of the room. Kark recognised M’Artel’s voice saying in hushed tones, “You’re Xol? No. it can’t be!”

49

Basking in the afterglow Robert grinned lazily at his partner. “Grivvy, what’s a nice girl like you want with a nerd like me?”

She frowned in puzzlement. "What does nerd mean?

“Ah, forget it” he chuckled, “some things just can’t be translated. I got it fro a vid M’Artel loaned me, that he got from Tobermory, that’s q’Stant’Lit to the rest of us common folk.”

“That’s right, you have friends in high places, don’t you? One who will be my emperor, his friend, the human woman who’s even been to Council here, and her husband, the ace businessman and ship designer.”

“When did I talk about Tobe and Kathy?” It was Robert’s turn to frown, but then he laughed again as he stroked her ears. “Maybe that’s it! You just want me for my friends!” as they nestled together.

Gr’Vinnia’s conscience poked her hard, but she didn’t think now was the right time to try and explain herself. Besides, she liked it here being like this, with the simple, honest adoration Robert had for her. Time for a distraction. “Here, love, move over and let me…” but she didn’t finish the sentence as the two were both nearly startled out of their skins by the room’ comm unit that had accidentally been set too loud. Still tangled up they fell off the couch, and laughing got up. Robert damped the comm’s jangle and answered it. Gr’Vinnia dressed hurriedly before realizing the unit was sound only.

Robert came back, and quickly pulled his own garments back on, stuffing a couple of pockets with those small items so many sentients seem to burden themselves with. “Sorry, Grivvy, got to run. That was a call from Corianav. Something weird is happening to M’Artel and he’s asked for me.”(Gr’Vinnia filed this tidbit away for later) “Thanks for some excellent therapy!”

“Believe me Robert” she teased “the pleasure wasn’t all yours!” and they left, taking seperate transports. Neither one of them noticed, yet, that Robert, in his haste, had picked up a small comm unit belonging to Gr’Vinnia.

50

Gr’Vinnia had nearly reached her own rooms when she suddenly remembered that mixing “business with pleasure” had caused her to forget a scheduled call to her control. She hurried over to the small alcove that served her as a study, sat at the desk, and reached into her carryall for the comm unit. She needed to plug it into the larger reciever in order to recieve more than an audio transmission. “Oh frack” she muttered to herself “where is that stupid comm?” She cast her mind back, trying to recall when she might have had it out for ordinary communications, and now she remembered falling off the couch amongst her and Robert’s clothes and personal items. "OH Mother, no! she moaned, and immediately left the apartment again. She hoped the comm had been merely left behind, kicked under the couch or something. Racing back to find Robert, and hoping he hadn’t found the comm, she began murmuring a Xavvian prayer for forgiveness.

Robert’s transport had nearly reached the Security complew when there was a beeping he didn’t recognize. It seemed to be coming from his left pants pocket. Surprised, he began digging through the things he had stuffed in there until he finally pulled out a comm unit he didn’t recognize. It couldn’t be his, it was one of those expensive multi-purpose units, not the simple calling device he usually didn’t like to carry around with him. “Must be Grivvy’s” he decided,. The comm started beeping again this time louder than the first, and Robert figured it must be Gr’Vinnia, using a different unit , and trying to find this one by calling her own code. He flipped open the reciever cover to speak to her.

51

“Yes, I am Xol,” the Kel said, as it morphed into the unnamed consort of the Great Mother of Xavvian religion. “Do not rage at me! You Xavvian adepts have always been a favorite of mine to use. You so want to believe!” A laugh that sounded more like a meteor impact than glee escaped from the Kel’s mouth.

M’Artel, shaking with rage, was barely able to hold back from attacking. Not only had his honor been attacked, but his very core value system was taken away in one wicked laugh.

Morphing back to his ‘normal’ shape, Xol continued, “You see, Human, the friend of foolish Xavvians can have either a great tool at their disposal, or a serious hinderance. The Sykoft was interfering with what I have purposed. Kathy Swanson can not die. Not yet.”

“So,” Kark offered cautiously, “You killed the Sykoft?”

Laughing again, the Kel Xol answered, “You are as stupid as you are simple, Human of a different planet. I am amused enough by this to let you live. My servant, the adept M’Artel most certain did kill the Sykoft assassin. But not as murder. Rather, as an act of war. The war has already begun, fools. Do you know where to find it?”

Still in command of his skills and always the investigator, Kark asked, “So, you used him, some sort of linkage, based on his being an adept in his religion…”

“Very good, you almost earned your oxygen for the day,” hissed Xol.

“Then,” continued Kark, “You also used him to eliminate your human spy?”

“Enough! You insult me by asking anything. I am Xol. I am the Consort to the Great Mother! Fear me or die. I will give you some time to find my war, though. This game may just end up being fun.”

With that, Xol left the room, jaunting out as silently as if nothing at all had happened.

Looking at the reactivated viewscreen of the room’s console, he saw a Tharn was attempting to communicate with the room.

Kark keyed it to answer and barked at Darson, “Release M’Artel!” Glancing scornfully at the two Xavvians, he left the room through the now open door. His posture and gait showed that he was very, very angry.

52

Corianav had remained silent during the exchange between Xol, Kark, and M’Artel. She’d managed the quick call to Robert, and hoped he would arrive soon.

Cori had no idea what to do about M’Artel. She had many talents, but empathy was not one of them. M’Artel was curled up in a ball, despairingly keening some religious chant, and she had no faith either.

Wearily she got to her feet and pulled M’Artel up with her. Might as well get out of here while the getting was good. She didn’t quite believe M’Artel was really off the hook, even if he had killed while “possessed”. The Kel was devious, had he been telling the truth? Had M’Artel really killed? or was it the Kel, or someone else?

The proud self confident M’Artel shuffled along like a feeble ancient, as Cori led him out the door.

Robert answered the comm and a human man’s face appeared. "Gr’Vinnia! Where the frell have you been? You missed your report… " Seeing it wasn’t Grivvy he stopped short and blanked off. Robert was puzzled but shrugged and slipped the comm back into his pocket. Turning a last corner in Security he too was shocked by M’Artel.

“Here, take him, I don’t know what to do for him” Cori commanded Robert. “Both of you go to my suite. I’m going after Kark” and she hurried off.

M’Artel sat silently in a transport, staring vacantly into space. What would he do now? he wondered. That Motherless Kel! But was there a Mother, even? Robert, beside his friend, watched him worried. Dragging the listless Xavvian into Cori’s place, he watched as M’Artel dropped to the floor and curled up again. This had to stop! Making a sudden decision, he dropped to the floor beside his friend, sat cross-legged, and, closing his eyes, began focusing on his crystal. He and Grivvy had been practising long distance, but this call would be longer than he’d ever dared try.

53

Cori hurried back to the security center to find Kark in an animated discussion a Tharn. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the Tharn. Her steel-trap mind flipped through her brain, pulled out a file named Tharn, subtitled Gender Issues. A tidbit rose to the surface, and a rare look of compassion came over her face. She shook her head in pity.

In any event, the Tharn was not her concern. She strode up to the pair and tapped Kark on the shoulder.

“We need to talk. If Kel are involved then we have a bigger problem than we thought.”

Kark nodded in agreement. “Darson and I were just discussing that. Care to join us for lunch?”

Putting aside her hatred for this human, and somewhat intruigued by the Tharn, Cori agreed. Secretly she hoped there was someway she could indicate to the Tharn that there was another possible end to his life than execution.

54

As Robert attempted his long distance crystal linking, his body’s organs began straining, both to try to supply some biogenic energy to the crystal, and to keep from failing under the non space intrusion of cell walls. This is why only certain individuals can be implanted in the first place, and why so much training is required of all but the most adept of any race.

Robert’s consciousness was stretched out and dribbled among the non space structures that represented planets, people, events, and things as yet unknown. Robert had sent too much of himself through the crystal. His physical body was dying as his mind was separated further and further from it.

An odd sensation came over Kathy Swanson. Learning to trust her instincts, she dove into her crystal to strengthen whatever sense it was that she was unconsciously using. As she did so, she ‘felt’ a weak, tenuous wisp of thought that seemed somehow familiar to her.

Robert? Robert Harker? Is that you? she asked the wispy thought patterns in front of her. She didn’t have to actually ask for confirmation. Every courrier is unique in the pattern they hold. Still, Kathy had felt unknown patterns before, including some very good imposters.

But, this was no imposter, she was sure of it. It was Robert. But something was wrong. She half wondered if Robert had died and she was feeling the first ever proof of some form of life after death.

But, no, he wasn’t dead, just almost dead. Quickly making a very important desision, she jaunted away from the audiance she had with the current Xavvian emperor, going to her private quarters so as not to be disturbed.

First, she had to somehow figure out a way to save Robert’s life. Next, she had to find out why he risked death in order to contact her.

*Robert. Listen to me very carefully. You must trust me completely. Open to me. I can help you, but not from here. I have to be inside your own crystal. Trust me… Open to me… *

55

He was floating in space. No worries, no cares, well, hardly any. There was the tiniest feeling that he should be doing something, but what did it really matter? This was wonderful, and there was that beautiful, glowing rainbow over there that was growing brighter as he drifted towards it.

Trust me. Open to me. Open your mind to me, open your mind The voice was insistent, but soothing and gentle as well, like the voice of…

Momma? Is that YOU? Are you waiting for me? Robert’s mother had died when he was born, and his father had never remarried. The military life could be hard on a family.

No dear came the voice again This is Kathy. Do you know me now?

Are we dead, Kathy?

A mental chuckle. No we aren’t, but you are in danger. Are you still with me? You are? Please, Robert, concentrate, I’ll lend you the strength you need. You have been very brave I think, and strong, just hold there and I’ll help.

As Robert felt a flow of energy renew him, the gorgeous colors of the glowing rainbow cloud grew dimmer, and receded in space. He was momentarily regretful, it would have been so fine. Then, abruptly, he was back in his body, awake and aware. M’Artel was still curled up, but now seemed to be asleep. Every part of Robert’s body seemed to ache, and he had a raging thirst and hunger. Frell, how long had he been out? But now a voice as clear as crystal was in his mind.

“Robert! It must be urgent. What possessed you to risk yourself like that?” came the urgent “voice” of Kathy Channing,nee Swanson.

"Odd that you should mention ‘possessed’ he replied, and with a speed the crystal made possible he filled her in on current events.

“Another Kel?” Kathy grated "Well, Tag did say the game wasn’t over, or words to that effect. Let me make some calls and arrangements. This is going to be hard. And I have a peeved Xavvian royal to mollify. But I’ll do it. In the meantime, keep an eye on M’Artel. Try not to leave him. "

“I won’t”

“Good man. I will be in touch as soon as possible. But don’t try distance calling again, not yet.”

Robert thought of the light again, but in a firmer voice promised “I won’t” He felt her pass from him, but he didn’t collapse. Swiveling to look at his friend, Robert decided to spend the time reading further on Xavvian religion, in the hope he could find something to ease M’Artels mind. He got up and keyed open the 'net link that was part of the suite’s amenities. With one eye on his friend he began to study.

56

Being already familiar with many aspects of Xavvian religion, both through association with his friends and though his naturally Human curiosity, he found it quite easy to navigate the links to just what he needed to know now.

One thing that surprised him, though, was how closely Xavvian religious and scientific thought were. Take the origin of their species, for instance. It had been proven, to almost everyone’s satisfaction, that the Great Mother and her Consort were indeed the first modern Xavvians. There were no other fossil records of anything that even came close to resembling the Xavvian family. And that Xavvian family sprang up from out of nothing and nowhere. Robert found it odd that he didn’t see any references to extra Xavv origins, as that was the first thought that entered his mind. Because if the Xavvians didn’t evolve on Xavv, then they had to come from somewhere.

But where? Was this some sort of millennia long conspiracy to hide the truth from the masses? Or was it just so taken for granted that it didn’t matter? Considering how scientifically advanced they were from such early times, Robert decided it was the latter. For whether they were seeded, planted by some ultra advanced race, or created by some unknown and unnamed god, the result was the same and the facts were, pretty much, indisputable. The Great Mother and her Consort begat all of Xavvians and this happened some 250,000 years ago.

Now, here was where it got interesting. A race that old should have advanced far beyond where Xavvians were now. Either that, or shown some tendency to adapt and at least start to evolve. Neither thing had happened. Granted, thought Robert, true natural selection would take far longer than 250,000 years, but the markers would be there. There would be some tendency towards change. But, there wasn’t.

What there was were cycles of civilization and savagery. As soon as Xavvians almost achieved a scientific utopia of sorts, they would be plunged back into an extremely superstitious darkness. It Robert’s mind, it almost looked as though there were outside interference. Now that he knew that the Kel were involved in several recent incidents, recent as in from 3000 years ago to now, it made sense to wonder if they weren’t somehow involved in times far past.

Right before the attempted genocide by Tag 3000 years ago, Xavvians had developed, on their own, interstellar capabilities. In fact, it was a team of adepts and priests who had discovered it. Again, the melding of science and religion both amazed and intrigued Robert.

He unlinked as M’Artel suddenly woke up and started the adept exercises for preparation of Rites.

“What Rite are you planning on?” asked Robert of his friend.

“None. I just need to do this. Get centered. I’ma fraid some really bad stuff is going to come of this. And I don’t mean for me. I’m talking about our Xavvian way of life itself.”
Robert nodded, and joined his friend in the dance, both as a show of support, and because, after his experience trying to reach Kathy, he felt he needed some centering himself.

57

As swift as the journey had been, Dr. Innison was glad to see the end of it. She had indeed got some sleep and re-read the religious and historical material she’d brought with her. But the military food, shudder. Jade was a woman who liked good cooking and now she wanted a good meal, a hot shower, and to get down to work. What little luggage she had she could carry herself, so she was able to disembark quickly. Checking her directions, she saw that the Alliance port was a couple of hours away by tube from the planetary point she was headed for.

After waiting half an hour she was able to catch the transport. As it sped away from the port she tried making comm calls to nearly everyone on her list, but something weird seemed to be going on. Nobody seemed to be answering, all she was getting were offers to “record your message”. But finally she reached Kark Hingman.

“Kark? Uncle Kark? Yes, it’s me, Jade, I finally got in… I’m on my way now, in the tube… Should be there in less than an hour…Do you have anything you can send me now? You do? Alright, I’ll wait…okay, recording…Oh my, that’s peculiar… Where can I meet you? Security? See you there…Wait! I called Dad…I wouldn’t be surprised if he took an interest in this…Uncle Kark, you watch your language! Be seeing you, Jade out”

As Jade left the transport she noticed a large number of Voss crowded around the outside of what looked to be an apartment dwelling. She hadn’t thought there would be that many Voss left on the entire planet of Forsetti. Shrugging her shoulders, she headed for the Security station.

58

Having spent almost an entire day just sitting and cruising the links while watching M’Artel sleep, Robert welcomed the chance to exercise his muscles and clear his thoughts with the Xavvian rites warm-ups. After about an hour of alternatively stretching and exerting to the point of breathlessness, Robert suggested that they go running through one of the larger habitat areas, a regular part of their fun time with each other. At least, they were fun times til recently.

“You realize, of course,” said M’Artel, “That the closest romp rooms are in the same area that that Sykoft was killed.”

“Oh,” said Robert, “Yeah. Right. Well, we could tube over to the Downs.”

The Downs were a series of large bubbles in the planet of Forsetti. Built in gravity generators and holo-weather machines allowed an almost infinite array of planet scenes to play in. The area of the four bubbles was greater than any two average sized planets, so there was an awful lot of room to play with.

“The Downs,” mused M’Artel, ”Yeah, what the flup. Let’s Go!”

Grabbing their ID packs and comm. units, they left for the long distance tube access port. The short tube ride to the long distance tubes went right past the area where the Voss mob was milling.

As they went past, Robert could hear the odd chanting and what sounded like a pounding of feet. They were well past when Robert finally recognized what was so unusual about hearing that.

So did M’Artel. “Robert! Did you HEAR that!? I mean, Great Mother! To hear something through these insulated capsules… What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, friend, but…”

“Yeah, I know you predictable Human. ‘I got a bad feeling about this.’ Goodness, I should’ve never given you those classic holoviews for your birthday.”

“Still,” countered Robert, “That there is something really weird going on is completely evident, don’t you think?”

“Sure, buddy, it’s so odd I am all tingly about… Hey! Are you reading anything? I mean your crystal?”

“No! How about you?”

“Not a frelling thing.”

They sat in silence for almost ten whole minutes.

“We’re going back, aren’t we,” asked Robert.

“So sue me. I guess I’m predictable, too.” Said M’Artel, as he keyed in the new command to the tube capsule.

59

It seemed to Jade like she hadn’t taken a step, when the sound of the crowd of Voss changed. There was a deeper note to the chanting, and although a single Voss is not large, when a huge number of them start stomping, the vibrations resonate in your bones.

There was a palpable tension in the air. She took a few more steps and turned back to see what else was going on. On the far side of the crowd, next to the building, a Voss draped in odd robes, and swinging what looked like smoking censers, was gesturing, as if beckoning the “congregation” into the structure. The noise rose higher and higher, and Jade could see several frightened faces looking out from upper windows. Residents who hadn’t left before this whatever it was had begun? She didn’t know. Nearby business establishments had closed up, and most people, of whatever race, were beginning to hurry away.

From the opposite corridor Jade could see approaching a line of Security troops, in full protective gear. The body language of the few Security officers already present exhibited relief, but it was still a ten to one outnumbering. The entrance to the transport tube stop was about to be blocked, so she decided to keep on in the direction she’d been going, to the Security station she’d already been headed for.

At the very back of the crowd of Voss one “congregant” seemed to be hanging back. He was a little taller than the average Voss, but the only other thing about him that was exceptional was that he didn’t seem to be as absorbed as the rest of his people. The Voss was attentive, but not rapt , and seemed to be scanning the few remainging specatators. As Jade passed him by she felt a peculiar stab of uneasiness, and stumbled slightly, dropping one of her bags.

The Voss whirled on her, eyes blazing, and with a piercing shriek that was heard even over the noise of the milling Voss, screamed “Infidel! Unclean! You have profaned me and this holy rite!”

Jade scrambled upright again, and saw the crowd turn towards the new noise… The Voss was still screaming that she had profaned him. When he actually pointed her out the group of Voss began to move towards her, ignoring the cleric and his gesturing.

“This is not good” Jade muttered to herself, and turned to run, letting her things drop, in order to make better headway. She raced down the corridor as the crowd lumbered in her direction. She heard the sound of stun rifles and pulser bullets being fired by Security, but hIgher pitched screams behind her sounded made it clear she wasn’t the only one caught up in this craziness. She couldn’t understand the new chant she began to hear, but it wouldn’t have helped her to know it was from a Voss legend, and meant “Kill the Unbelievers!”

60

The black void sprinkled with rainbow ribbons dancing about tinged with green. “You see, that is how the game is played,” laughed streamers of yellow that corkscrewed into being. “Genocide is not a game!” hissed a cloud of blue that danced with violet confetti. “Not the way you play it! You never have any fun, do you?” a streamer of yellow expanded and popped with a burst of white noise.

“Those Bastards have begun raping the Kes again. There is no time for your games. With the Humans involved too, their rape of our Kes is escalating. We have to stop them all and that Swanson must be stopped now. Our mandate is to stop the tumors. Why did you interfere in our operation?” violet confetti bursts popped through the void.

“You are so 6th-dimensional in your thinking,” laughed a yellow streamer as it chased it’s tail. “You need to think of the big picture,” a bubble of yellow expanded nova-like and dimmed. “No need to send assassins to the far reaches when you can lure the prey to you. You just work on the tumors not connected to Forsetti and I’ll take care of the disease.” The green tinged void coallesced into a dark green cloud with lightning streaks of yellow. “Do not interfere with my players. There are sacrifices in every war and if some crystals must die for the greater Kel, so be it.”

A violet swirl spun into a column and glowed into the void, “The Kes are not just crystals, so do not take this game of yours too lightly. Their life is too important to allow the Bastards and Humans to gain a foothold with them. Bastard q’Stant’Lit and Human Swanson ride the Kes, channel their life force, and talk freely through them and are the worst rapists. If they learns to talk “to” them they will reach the next level and all their Couriers will feast on the debauchery. We stop them now as we have before.”

“That’s just your problem. Time and again we knock the Bastards back and let them build again. I am working to stop them forever,” another bubble of yellow drifted out of the cloud of green. “They cannot all be destroyed or the Kes will die too,” a shiver of violet ran up and down the column of blue. “Yes, but they can finally be lobotomized and I’ll show you how!” laughed a swirl of yellow. The green cloud danced around the column of blue and they all spun into a swirl of white before winking off elsewhere.