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  Chapter 08 - SITTING PRITI

  9 August 2173 – Tuesday

  HD –19373 [Iota Persei]

  IWG-SS JOHN A.WHEELER

  Xiu-Li regained awareness and then opened her eyes. Space, that had been something – but she was going to be in so much trouble…

  DAY ONE –

  8 August 2173 – Monday

  DISTRESS CALL : NSS KOLTAAR

  Takaguchi studied his sensors. “Captain!” he called out.

  At the same instant, a chime pulsed out of Tania Manda’s comm board. “Niv rescue alert beacon!”

  Captain “Bert” Matisou stood up, stretched surreptitiously, and walked to the Tactical station. His first officer, Commander Jason Takaguchi, was ready with his usual full report: “Captain, I detect weapons fire into a Niv ELECTRON Class science ship from an unidentified ship...” he looked down. “Which has now docked. Weapons fire inside now.” He looked up. “The rescue beacon is in an area just outside the system, bearing in through the ecliptic at almost ninety degrees.”

  Matisou took a deep breath. “Sounds like we’re here just as they skid through the system.”

  “No weapons are pointed in our direction,” reported the Tac officer. He crossed his arms and scowled. “They’re just heading right for us!”

  Matisou frowned. “No. We’ll pass with plenty of distance. No – I would say these are raiders.” Comm beep from engineering. He hit the panel. “Bridge, Matisou.”

  “All drives ready sir,” reported Chief Engineer Aria Threnody.

  “Captain,” called Takaguchi. “I have identified the ship as Niv science ship NSS KOLTAAR.”

  “Umm... sir?” Threnody sounded surprised.

  “Something?” he asked quietly. Matisou had learned that things surprising Threnody were often very serious, and he was always aware that people on the bridge were the eyes – and, most critically, ears – for the rest of the crew. He could hear the strain in her voice, even over the comm link. Uh-oh, this is a tough one.

  “It’s the ship of Tybok and Selena Fareyes.”

  “On screen, sir,” called out Debitts from the helm.

  The Niv ship had been grappled by the other ship (using long extendable booms ending in magnetic pads studded with piercing points to secure a hull), and the two of them were now heading straight through the plane of HD-19373’s ecliptic. The Niv ship’s engine section was scorched and possibly even holed.

  “Vidlink to Threnody. You getting this, Chief?”

  Threnody’s face appeared in a corner of the viewscreen. “Yes, sir.” She was placid, calm and composed.

  Matisou knew that meant she was in such turmoil she had dropped her “Sol human behavior set” and he was now watching a pure Niv at work – the one who had the sharpshooter’s eye and, if aroused, the spirit to dominate in battle.

  “Aria, I presume these are two of the greatest, most revered, intellects etcetera?” he said grimly.

  “Ahh... not quite. But they’re very well known, sir.”

  He took a deep breath and nodded. “Please stay on link, Chief.” At least I’ve got my ‘A’ crew on here! “Action Stations.”

  Ensign Xiu-Li Chen was stretching out when the alarm sounded for Action Stations. She jumped up and ran to the ready area near the shuttleRunner bay; she was on Tactical Response Team B, and was responsible for shuttleRunners and any internal problems in the aft areas of the ship. And if a shuttleRunner team needed a Tactical team member, she would go (another planet trip?)

  “Action Stations” meant get ready. She was ready. Now she waited...

  On the bridge, Matisou cracked his knuckles. “Mr.Debitts, move for urgent intercept. Mr.Takaguchi: a shot across their nose when you are ready.”

  “Aye, sir!” Enronn had already prepped a course; he tapped enter, and the IWG-SS JOHN A. WHEELER responded smoothly.

  “Aye, sir! Firing!” Takaguchi hit the button.

  WHEELER fired. The plasma pulse slid just ahead of the ships.

  “The raider is powering engines,” called out Takaguchi.

  “Weapons?”

  “No, sir... Captain! Number of lifesigns on KOLTAAR are dropping!”

  “Fire another shot across their bow!” said Matisou, slamming a fist into his palm. “They’re killing them!”

  The ship disconnected after the second shot – it just fell free, sending two bodies tumbling loose into space from the lock in their hurry to depart the Niv ship. Manuvering jets spurted the raider further away.

  Matisou looked at Takaguchi. “Anyone left?” His voice was taut with rage.

  Takaguchi looked up and said, “Yes, sir.”

  Matisou’s eyes glittered with anger as he looked at the raider, just getting its MirMat drive going, then he scowled and looked at the Niv ship. “We’ll need to check for any survivors.” He sounded sad.

  Takaguchi twitched. “Sir, we should be careful about proximity to a damaged engine section.”

  Matisou sighed and nodded. “Raiders left on board as well – who’s Tactical Q.R.T. on the shuttleRunner team today?”

  Takaguchi checked. “Ensign Chen.”

  Matisou nodded in satisfaction. “Chief Engineer Threnody, the doctor, and Ensign Chen.” He saw Aria nod. “Lieutenant Commander Threnody: first, don’t take chances, especially if there are raiders still on board, and then make sure it hasn’t been rigged to blow up.”

  She gave him one of those cool little glances, just to remind him who was Niv here, said, “Aye, sir!” and signed off.

  Takaguchi walked over. “Captain,” he asked softly. “Is this a rescue mission or an armed response mission?”

  Matisou looked at him sharply, frowned. “Hmm, good point. It’s a little of both, Jason... once again.” He looked at the image of the damaged Niv ship. “Issue arms accordingly. R.O.E. One.” That Rules level permitted lethal force.

  Takaguchi looked grave. “Are you sure I shouldn’t go join –?”

  Matisou shook his head. “I feel the same way, Jason – but if that ship comes back, alone or with friends, you and I will need to keep both of ours safe until we get them back.” He sighed. “No. We stay here.”

  Takaguchi straightened to full attention. “Permission to arm and personally brief Ensign Chen on R.O.E. One, sir.”

  Matisou nodded. “Very good, Commander. Proceed.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Xiu-Li looked up to see her boss standing there looking terribly concerned.

  For a moment she was afraid he was going instead, but he wasn’t getting into a vac-suit. He had a magrifle in his hands. She zipped up her vac boot and snapped to her feet. “Sir!”

  Commander Takaguchi – her boss – saluted back. “It’s another R.O.E. One. You already drew your magpistol; you still need this.” He handed her the magrifle. “It could be hair-trigger over there. So long as you don’t shoot any Niv, I’ll back up any use of force used.” Takaguchi turned and saw Threnody and Doctor Truhart had entered. “Well, good luck.” He gave her a salute (smartly returned, “Aye, sir!” of course) and dashed back to the bridge.

  The plan was for Threnody and Chen to check out the ship while Truhart stayed inside the shuttleRunner. They would move any survivors to Truhart – while risking only themselves (and preventing any stealing of their ship). Everyone wore vac-suits in case there was a blow-out, but wouldn’t close the helmets up unless that happened.

  Xiu-Li was happy. Aria not only let her observe as she flew the Runner, she gave instructions – it was Xiu-Li’s hope to get checked out on piloting, which would add another career skill (and one of the pathways to a captain’s chair, maybe, someday... )

  Aria was calmed by teaching Xiu-Li; she again felt intense satisfation that she had met a Sol human who understood so much!

  How like Matisou she was – yet Captain Matisou was still so much more... and Aria had “learned” Xiu-Li from different perspectives than she had “learned” Matisou. Xiu-Li was like a Niv as far as being deeply studied in ei
ght to ten areas, with full and complete knowledge within them, but Matisou had mastered – fifteen? Twenty? More? – and he still kept moving on, and seemed to always want to learn more.

  It was a trait all three of them shared; perhaps considering Xiu-Li as a younger, female, future Matisou was more appropriate.

  Interesting! Being female – that should not make the difference it did, but there was sexism despite chronic attempts to prevent it – while past wars had finally resolved racism to an unexpected degree (reinforced by the exobiologic effects of the colonies), there was still sexism and economic discrimination on Earth – even now. At least they are aware of it and keep trying to do better.

  Except perhaps where Niv are concerned…

  As Aria watched Xiu-Li duplicating flight movements, she took a moment to reflect on what sort of officer an older, more experienced Xiu-Li would become. She’d make the crew learn how to meditate!

  She might appreciate that image later...

  The airlock was intact, although open to space. The raider had simply disconnected and floated free, undocking with two of their people still in the lock – last seen tumbling suitless to their deaths out into the frozen void.

  They docked on their first pass, Threnody at the controls. IWG hardware/software recognition chips quickly got the airlock rebooted and repressurized with Aria and Xiu-Li in it.

  Air still registered on the other side of the inner lock door. They opened it.

  The stink of burnt meat and manure filled the lock.

  Aria gulped, stumbled back into the lock, turned white as the blood rushed from her face, then closed her helmet. Xiu-Li heard the air hissing in, and got a look at Aria’s face and shuddered: the Niv woman was scowling, and looked furious.

  “We are on R.O.E. One, Ensign,” said Aria, her voice now coming from an external suit speaker. “Watch out for raiders. And ensign –” Aria stopped at her side, and Xiu-Li looked at her. Aria looked cold and angry, but still had her quirk of mischief. “Please be quite certain you do not shoot any Niv.”

  Xiu-Li’s heart pounded. “Aye, M’am!”

  They slipped into the ship.

  The lights were flickering slowly. The ship was alive with many creaks and groans from shifting air pressures and frame damage.

  Aria tapped into a panel. “There are control failures. The other two locks are open, and I cannot shut them.” The wreck would soon lose all air; even hand-sealed compartments would eventually just run out. In the meanwhile a large blow-out of any compartment could decompress the main wreck in minutes – or seconds.

  “M’am, do you know the number of crew?”

  “Seven adults; four teenaged and two younger Niv, per a StarPress report in the database from six weeks ago.” Aria looked down the corridor. “This way.” As they moved on, she continued: “On our approach, the number of lifesigns dropped; if it was not raiders, it was the crew.”

  They reached the central deck access staircube. Aria looked down it, then up, then at Xiu-Li. “I will check the engine area for any devices. You will have to move up to the next deck and check the main section until I can join you. Signal and wait fifteen seconds before you start to clear the deck, and again before you enter the forward cabin; if conditions permit me, I will answer.”

  “Aye, m’am.”

  Aria started to descend, then stopped. “Ensign Chen – don’t take chances. That is an order from the Captain himself.”

  “Aye, m’am.” Xiu-Li started to climb up the ladder.

  Xiu-Li peeked over the edge of the main deck. The corridor ahead was silent. She beeped Threnody.

  After a moment, WHEELER’s chief engineer responded. “Xiu-Li, there is nothing unusual in all the sections I could reach, but the primary compartment is open to space, so I will have to find a way out there.”

  “Yes, m’am. I’m starting to clear the compartments.”

  “Proceed with care, Ensign.”

  “Aye, m’am.” As Xiu-Li crept forward she passed door after door, stopping to roll in with her weapons ready and “clearing” each compartment. All the doors were wide open, all ransacked: labs, stores and closets, offices... cabins.

  In one cabin was a dead raider, lying face down in a huge pool of blood.

  Well, someone fought back, Xiu-Li noted. Had they survived beyond escaping this cabin?

  The two lifesign readings were centered in the command cabin, which made sense. Xiu-Li now checked her weapons and their settings very carefully – she was getting a reputation and wanted to be certain how much force she was using, so later she could answer anyone (like her Captain) simply.

  She hated to kill, and had always known that simple reasons for doing it were always best (like there was no other choice). If she had to, she would; but she had decided that professionalism meant always have eight options short of killing, and never fearing option nine.

  The magrifle she set on “stun” – it carried a heavier stun charge than a magpistol. Her magpistol was “live” and would kill – anything not dropping under a magrifle’s stun pulse was likely to be dangerous.

  The hatch to the command section was closed.

  She clicked her comm, and Aria answered. Xiu-Li swallowed. “I’m at the hatch, Chief; it’s closed.”

  “Acknowledged. The engine spaces are clear so far. I estimate fifteen minutes to finish.”

  “Aye, M’am.” Well at least we won’t blow up while I’m clearing the last compartments – not the sort of skill that IWG usually taught, but one Commander Takaguchi had added, using their January rescue of Orlando Timbers and the others on Cape Of Velvet as case study material).

  Xiu-Li took a deep breath. When she had started on the Response Team as a medic – the part of her application package that had earned her a “Crew” assignment to JOHN A. WHEELER – she had demonstrated fearlessness she knew was driven by fear she would fail others. When her skills as a martial artist saved others, she had started a career path in Tactical. She had just “cleared” all the rooms she knew were empty, and in ten seconds she would storm and clear a “hot” room – all alone.

  Easy as a board break!

  As she opened the hatch, she kept thinking how lucky it was they wouldn’t blow up while she did this. A stench of burnt meat, blood and fekk rolled out of the compartment. Too late...

  She rolled in silently. The compartment was lit, and silent.

  There was a pile of bodies heaped in one corner. On the other side of the compartment lay a bent metal slat screen.

  The bodies were all Niv humans, six adults and three teens. One was a beautiful woman whose face was twisted with a sort of rage Xiu-Li had never imagined a Niv could show – and she was covered with wounds.

  She put up the fight! She was the one who did whatever damage to them she could until they got her, and left her raped and stabbed.

  The other adults had been summarily close-range blasted. The teens, two girls and a boy, probably had also been raped before they were slaughtered as they lay there. Red blood was everywhere.

  Xiu-Li heard a thump. Next compartment.

  She opened the door silently. One body just inside – a raider, head twisted backward, looking startled –

  Two figures: a large, burly male lying on top of a smaller figure.

  He turns and sees her standing there. His eyes seem to sparkle fire.

  He raises a blade in his right hand, point down, held high –

  – another flashes up, away from the figure’s throat, through the air –

  Xiu-Li grunts – Ouch!

  His now empty hand drops around the throat he’s going to stab –

  She fires the magrifle, which slips loose (Xiu-Li’s unable to grip it with a knife sticking fully through her left forearm – hey! That’s a nice blade!) –

  The stun blast disperses (he’s got some sort of shield on!) –

  – his other blade starts to drop down – to kill his victim!

  No options left.

 
; Xiu-Li fires her magpistol. The blast pierces his torso and carries him across the cabin until he smashes into the back of the command chair and flops lifeless onto the deck.

  Xiu-Li holstered her magpistol. She bent down, picked up the magrifle strap and slung it over her shoulder.

  The victim had rolled into a crouch behind a console.

  Xiu-Li raised her hands. “I am IWG Ensign Xiu-Li Chen, InterWorld Group Science Survey Ship JOHN A. WHEELER.” She sagged down to her knees. “It’s okay. I’m here to help.” She took out a tube of imobilfoam and sprayed it all around the areas where the blade had pierced her arm, immobilizing the knife in place.

  Then she sat down. It was all sort of, well, strange, this clearing of rooms and injuries in the line of duty...

  Two things broke the wonderment: hands touched her strangely feeling arm, and her comm beeped. “We must evacuate, Ensign,” said Aria Threnody. “There is a fusion device locked down near the main antimatter unit of the MirMat drive. Did you find any survivors?

  “Yes, m’am, one.” Xiu-Li looked over.

  Dark hair – much darker and longer than Aria’s. Slender, strong fingers pressed here and there – suddenly the pain was gone. Large, huge, dark eyes looked deep into hers.

  “We are h-heading toward the exit n-now, Chief,” said Xiu-Li.

  The survivor was a young Niv girl in her mid-teens: skinny, long legged, already more hauntingly beautiful than even Aria – Xiu-Li hoped the Chief Engineer was truly unable to feel irrational jealousy, or this could be a Niv looks-struggle.

  “Are you injured, m’am?” Xiu-Li asked the girl at last, finally realizing that she herself must be in shock. A Niv looks-struggle?

  The girl said, “I am uninjured.” Her tunic and pants were torn and filthy, but roughly intact.

  Thank space! “We have to get going.”

  To her consternation, the girl was limber enough to jump directly up to a standing position, then offer a hand. Only after they were walking back toward to central stair did she realize how unusually free the girl had been about touching her – unusual for a Niv.

  “One moment please, Ensign,” said the girl, and she disappeared into one of the cabins.

  Xiu-Li turned to admonish her, then shut up. The girl was a Niv, she knew all the risks, and would only have stopped for something of the utmost importance.

  She returned with a carryall pack slipped over her shoulders, and it had taken less than ten seconds to retrieve it. In moments they were both running toward the airlock.

  Threnody stood there with her Eng DPaT scanner. “Quickly,” she called as they dashed past her.

  Xiu-Li activated the hatches behind her as Aria brought up the rear and went directly to the controls; Dr.Truhart threw a blanket over the girl, who had begun to shiver.

  “All clear, m’am!” called Xiu-Li, who collapsed into a seat.

  The Runner twitched and dropped free. “Runner to WHEELER, Threnody here, we are clear and moving off to our rendezvous at coordinates.”

  Dr.Truhart looked at her arm and tsked. “I did not know you were so determined to collect mementos of your missions, Ensign Chen.”

  Xiu-Li managed a tiny smile, but she felt pretty tired and rested her head on the back of the seat...

  XIU-LI

  Ensign Xiu-Li Chen had a lot of new duties and responsibilities, but had never expected that child watching might be one of them.

  The doctor waited until he had completely wrapped her left forearm before telling her she’d been asked to report to the bridge.

  She used the torn-off sleeve of her uniform to wrap the now cleaned and sterilized blade. As she was leaving, she heard the Med Section shower open.

  “Doctor, may I have the robe you referenced?” It was the Niv girl.

  The doctor had hit his knee and banged his head by the time the door closed. Xiu-Li smiled, wondering for just a second if she was actually standing there naked, and what a flustered Dr. Truhart would look like...

  Being called to the bridge for personal congratulations was to be savored to a degree, but as the shiplift moved upward she was starting to review her actions – and getting worried instead. It made her arm throb, and she relaxed; no one in IWG was so political as to deny the right of self defense when one’s own blood was spilled.

  In fact, the bridge hum grew quiet with expectation as the lift doors opened and she walked out. Captain Matisou was pacing in front of tactical; Commander Takaguchi gave her a neutral nod.

  The boss nodded; that’s something at least. “Ensign Chen reporting, sir,” she said quietly.

  There was a generally pleasant buzz after that. Well done so far. From the science station the new Science Division officer, Lieutenant Harmony Speeter, gave her a speculative look.

  Xiu-Li saw they were back in realspace, with a bright star not far away – six light hours due “north” of HD-19373, the original point in space they were to meet a special services ship, then both ships would do a system survey.

  Matisou nodded pleasantly at looked at the wrap on her arm. “Problem?”

  “No, sir. A cut, it should heal quickly.” His eyes studied her. Takaguchi was watching her with his arms crossed, but she was used to his reserve. At least he’s not glowering at me. This is probably good.

  The Captain nodded. “I believe our new passenger is still in medical?”

  “Yes, sir. She’s resting at the moment.” She waited.

  “Any ideas on origins of the raiders?”

  Xiu-Li shook her head. “No, sir. The ones I saw were human, wearing straight ship crewper jumpsuits.”

  He looked at her. “You did another fine job today, Ensign... Perhaps even took a few chances you shouldn’t have. Any thoughts on that?”

  “I managed to survive, sir.”

  Matisou looked at her. “True. Any critiques of your work?”

  “Yes, sir.” Xiu-Li shot a glance over at Takaguchi. He was impassive. “If he had a gun, he could have shot me, sir.” The looks she got from the bridge crew were awe and approval.

  “Mmm... Were you the only child in your family?”

  What did that have to do with –? “Yes, sir.”

  “Oh. You never had the joy of caring for a sibling – especially a younger one.”

  “No, sir.” Was that why she couldn’t kill in cold blood? “I had a cat, a few times.” Xiu-Li waited for further questions.

  However, the Captain said, “After meeting with Commander Takaguchi and reviewing the intial action reports, we found you have the following qualifications for a special assignment: one, you are of Female biosex, two, an Ensign, three, are ‘Available,’ i.e. your roster can be re-set and all of your watches covered.” Matisou’s eyes twinkled.

  “Yes, sir.” That was a good, neutral non-answer.

  Takaguchi’s head tilted slightly; he appreciated subtlety.

  Matisou looked away. “I could probably assign her to Aria, but then she’ll be underfoot in engineering. Harmony is still getting her Science Division set up, and I don’t want kids hanging around up here.” He shook his head. “This Priti – on Niv she’s well known as ‘The Daughter of Science,’ I’m told, so having an ensign, a female officer, as an escort and a bodyguard for her honor is a big consideration.” He looked at Xiu-Li. “She must be perfectly safe.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Matisou nodded. “Yes. Well, as to watches, there are duties which are safe for both of you to do and others that are...” He looked at Takaguchi.

  Bad news coming, Xiu-Li!

  Takaguchi said, “Your main mission is to be available to her while keeping her out of the way, really –” He kept his eyes level on Xiu-Li, studying her response to his words. “– So your bridge tours will have to be reschedulled.”

  Ouch.

  “And any field ops slots.”

  Space!

  “And any other planet time will be postponed.”

  Well, that was no big deal.

  Takaguc
hi still wasn’t finished. “As to appropriate duites –” he looked at Matisou, who looked at her.

  “I would suggest brigwatch and weapons upkeep,” said Xiu-Li. “She can also assist in the Runner Two Conversion Project, and the optics line run, if she’s still on board. And sir? An educational program, perhaps one designed by Lieutenant Commander Threnody and utilizing our compuSys databases, might also be well received by – uh, by whoever.”

  Takaguchi’s eyes twinkled and he nodded in approval. He appreciated good talent with quick ideas.

  Matisou beamed. “Now, that is a great idea!” He looked around the bridge. “I guess Aria’s still down in medical with her.” He smiled at Xiu-Li. “Ensign, this is what makes it possible for me to do my job – your work, your heart, your brain, and your approach to using them.”

  She blushed. “Thank you, sir. It is an honor to serve the Fleet on board your ship.”

  Matisou nodded in return and went over to the comm board. “Tania, let’s get a hypercomm ready for Fleet. We’re what, seven hours early?” They went to work.

  Takaguchi checked his tactical board. “She’ll be next door to you once she’s done with the doctor. We’re putting a spare bed in – cramped, but we’d like to discourage any callers.” He half smiled, nodded. “Well done, Xiu-Li. Nasty work.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  He peered at her arm. “Are you keeping the knife?” He grinned. “Adding it to your captured collection?”

  “No, sir.” No point trying to hide it from the boss. “I thought I might give it to her.”

  Takaguchi snorted. “Niv are pacifists. That’s not a cheese cutter.”

  “Nevertheless, sir, there are blades in Niv culture. And some blades have memories with them.” Xiu-Li was uncertain whether to tell him there had been already been one dead raider in the command cabin, and the girl was likely already as physically strong as Takaguchi was – perhaps even stronger.

  Takaguchi stiffened and grew serious. “Yes, of course.” He glowered at his board for a moment, berating his little gaffe. Gruffly: “Well – I am informed by the doctor this injury puts you off regular duties for thirty six hours. You will assume your special assignment immediately you meet the new passenger, and acclimate her to the ship until you report to the doctor in thirty-six hours for regular duty clearance.” He looked at her. “You’re still capable of R.O.E. One while you recover, correct?”

  “Aye sir. It’s an injury to my non-dominant arm, and I am already well enough to aim and fire a magpistol with it as well.” She hesitated. “The blade is a Gem Isle ceramglas composite.” She took out the folded cloth and handed it to over to Takaguchi. “The Doctor fully scanned it and it’s been clearchecked: nothing.”

  He looked at it and whistled. The bridge paused – one or two caught a glimpse of the wicked killing blade inside the folded cloth.

  Takaguchi’s eyes narrowed. “How would a raider get that?”

  “Good question. It’s an expensive blade, special operations type; it’s not a tool knife or a tourist’s souvenir, sir. It cost a lot of money.”

  Takaguchi blinked. “Of course.” He shook his head. “Ensign, you are giving me a run for the money.”

  “It will take me years to learn what you know, sir.”

  He looked down at his board, giving it a sour glance. “We shall see, Ensign Chen. Dismissed.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Matisou watched Takaguchi look up from his board at Chen’s departing back and shake his head, rueful smile on his face.

  ARIA

  Doctor Truhart had already told Priti she was physically stable, and Priti had agreed to keeping her pet in quarantine for 48 hours.

  “Thank you, Doctor,” said Priti, as she put on the uniform given to her.

  “Uhmm – yes.” He was engrossed in the scan read-outs of her areas of brain activity and her serotonin, vassopressin and oxytocin levels.

  Priti finished dressing and stood looking into the cage where her pet curled, sleeping.

  The door beeped: “Threnody.” Aria entered and went over to Truhart. “Doctor.” She nodded formally to him, looked over at Priti. She looks like Selena, but has Tybok’s dark eyes.

  It was a curious thought to have; on the other hand, it was not Irrationalist to appreciate beauty, and Priti was beautiful.

  “There are no physical injuries.” Truhart nodded toward the panel and Aria picked up the cue. Her eyes swept over the readings and her brows arched in surprise for a moment.

  She looked over at Truhart. He shrugged.

  Aria took a deep breath. “Thank you, Doctor.” He looked over at Priti, and suddenly his eyes widened. Aria looked over as well.

  Priti was standing in a relaxed “parade rest” in front of the quarantine cage. Her pet was awake now and standing on its hind legs, in a sort of “parade rest,” and seemed to be looking at her.

  As if Listening.

  Truhart and Aria exchanged glances. “I shall update the captain,” she said.

  Priti straightened and met her as she walked to the door.

  The recent run-in against the “renegade Qet” had unfortunately resulted in several vacant quarters, including one next door to Xiu-Li Chen, and Priti was given those.

  Maintenance had already removed the big desk/cabinet wall unit and put in another bed with a smaller standing cabinet and a compsys station with a Sci DPaT for her use. The quarters were typically small, but had been decorated in a green rainforest motif no one had packed away when Clarissa D’Arial’s things had been stored for return to her family, after her loss in May on HD-19373.

  Priti stood in the center of the room and looked around. “Thank you, Lieutenant Commander. This design reminds me of home.” She looked at Aria. “My home – Jade, where I was born and raised until I was ten. Then we moved to the equatorial region on Heart. Both were hot, but humid. Not like Niv.” She took a deep breath and said softly, “Must I go to Niv now?”

  “That decision does not rest with us, Priti.”

  “This playing of politics with my near future is irritation defined!” said Priti, giving emphasis while keeping a neutral tone.

  Aria looked down. “Agreed,” she said softly, “I have many times experienced the same since I joined WHEELER.”

  “And if I refused to participate with this decision?”

  The cooler expression returned to Aria’s face. “Is there rational sense in resistance to this direction of authority?”

  “If the primary concerns about my future are my education, health, and safety, those are available anywhere. Is it rational to declare that these things can only be provided on Niv?”

  “And what of your culture?”

  Priti looked down for a moment, then back into her eyes. “I am past my First Fourteen. All I have known of Niv has been from databases, smaller semblances of Paleo Camp and rituals, and the memories of others. Despite the greater range of information and richer tales, I know of Niv the way I know of Earth, or any other planet. I am new to them all. There is no argument favoring Niv over any other planet in my mind, and I found relations between myself and my Niv peers disharmonious.”

  Aria felt surprise. “Explain.”

  “I did not like them,” said Priti, quite simply.

  Aria was staggered. That was not a Niv sort of statement at all. “Please amplify so I may understand.”

  “They ridiculed my lack of social references and envied my physical skills and knowledge of science.”

  “Those are irrational responses.”

  Priti’s dark black eyes flashed. “My observations were exact.” She stared right at Aria now. “Are we all not proud of the many accomplishments Niv civilization has made? Has the pride of senior Niv led to political divisions and actions which might be just as rationally have been handled in some other manner?” Her voice dropped. “Is the daughter of a Threnody prepared to engage in a full discussion at this time?”

  Aria bowed her head and sighed in resignatio
n. “I will see what alternatives exist.” She looked up. “If you are well enough, the Captain would be honored if you could accept an invitation to dinner.”

  Priti took a deep breath. “I apologize for that loss of control, Lieutenant Commander Threnody. I meant no disrespect. Besides my mother, you have long been an example for me as a Niv Scholar prepared to fight, and I appreciate your words. My thanks to you and to the w-woman who s-saved me. It is the honor of my life to accept the Captain’s offer.”

  Aria bowed her head again. “The honor is mine... please wait here. Someone will come to escort you to the officer’s mess.”

  The hesitations in Priti’s speech had had been slight, almost missed… but they confirmed the brain chemistry findings.

  Hmmm...

  “Captain, our passenger does not want to return to Niv.”

  Matisou looked at his chief engineer and frowned in puzzlement. “What?” he said blankly.

  Aria looked away into neutral space.

  Wow, does she look uncomfortable, thought Matisou.

  “Priti says her education, health and safety can be provided anywhere and sees no rational reason in going to Niv. She did not like the peer children who joined her when she was ten, and does not want to visit Niv at this time.”

  Matisou rubbed his eyes, then peered at her. “Wait, what? She didn’t ‘like’ them?”

  Aria’s voice took on the dry tone of amusement she used. “She submitted that Niv are proud of the achievements of our new civilization, that irrational pride motivates certain political decisions and actions, and that pride is an accepted irrational feeling in our Niv culture – albeit one not discussed.” She avoided the grin on Matisou’s face – one of his peeves were “smug Niv,” and her observations since starting her IWG service and Earth contacts, she had seen at least six rationally indisputable instances in which she had no other conclusion for the actions taken. “Priti is a Niv who does not seem to have certain basic social conventions, having been raised by eccentric scientists in many environments.”

  “Eccentric? There are eccentric Niv?”

  Aria gave him a flat look. “There are –” her face twitched “– extremes of behavior in every culture, sir. There are religious orders which disagree most strongly, or schools of thought about thought itself, and those who seek knowledge and want to promote those who do as well – and they disagree about whether they are progressive or liberal by definition, while the views of both sides is that the other is ‘irrationally reacting.’” She stopped suddenly. “I do apologize for citing so many examples, sir. Her parents were known for highly original, yet rigorously defended approaches to theory and science, and they left Niv to survey Jade and Heart. Priti has never really lived on Niv. Although her parents trained her, her environments and surroundings did not reinforce their training. Priti has all of the disciplines but applies them – differently.”

  “She’s prone to being ‘irrational’?” His eyes twinkled.

  “Not in a human cultural sense, sir. She is indisputably Niv, using a rationally-based thought pattern, but many would regard her as –” Aria paused. “– undisciplined in thought.”

  Matisou frowned and sighed. “Aria, I respect you greatly. I have seen you make your own use of rational thought to decide your own pathway many times, and I know that path has at times not been the one you were advised upon by Niv authority.” He paused to check her reaction, found her waiting expectantly. “Using you own level of discipline as a gauge, where would hers be thought of? Relatively speaking.” He held up his hands. “I’m just trying to imagine how much trouble she’d get into on Niv.” He chuckled. “Hell, just imagine how much trouble we would get into!”

  Aria took a moment, then looked at him – innocently, it seemed. “I myself would at this time be thought of as ‘in rather poor company,’ sir, which is not quite the same as ‘undisciplined.’ It indicates an acceptance of irrational thinking, which many would reject outright.”

  “Am I correct that it’s my irrational thinking you’re accepting?”

  “Yes, sir – among others,” she added quickly.

  “But she doesn’t have irrational thinking, just ‘undisciplined’?”

  “No, sir.” Threnody took a breath, “Perhaps this is put better: she is a Niv with opinions who uses rational argument to support them. Most Niv do not have ‘opinions,’ they have ‘conclusions,’ and they are not offered lightly.” A tinge of red blushed her cheeks.

  Matisou looked perplexed. “She’s opinionated, she’s bossy, and she’s about fourteen?” He shook his head. “She sounds like any normal teenager to me,” he said.

  They exchanged glances.

  His smile abruptly faded. “A-ha. Hmmm…” Niv girls of fourteen were not supposed to act like “normal Earth teenager” girls – Matisou didn’t need the exact details. He frowned.

  Aria’s brows twitched. “Captain, something else. I believe she has achieved some degree of telepathy, evidently a result of her training and environment. She has developed contact with a Corvel’s Tube Cat, evidently an exercise from her mother.” She took a breath. “Tybok and Selena were scientists with wide ranging interests. Tybok was a physicist, astronomer and philosopher, Selena was a physician and archaeologist. Tybok’s life work in physics was in quantum tunneling and quark crystallization, which are both a part of Tachyon Transport Field technology. Selena was still trying to track the neural pathways of logic and Deep Image Meditation. They had one daughter – Priti, our passenger – and their ship was chartered by the Niv Exosciences Institute five years ago, for survey missions on Heart.

  “Among the dead is Lorenz Vishak, son of the operations chief in the Niv Space Service, and his wife Shara, the daughter of Admiral Kal, and their two children. The last couple had three other teenaged children, and the ship’s master was also killed.” These relationships filled in the early raw numbers of “seven adults, three teens, and two children dead,” suggesting possible Niv political considerations.

  “Thanks.” Matisou nodded. “While you were busy settling our guest, I received a comm from Space Fleet. NSS KOLTAAR was our partner survey ship. We will now be meeting with NSS SNOWLEOPARD, now en route to investigate the KOLTAAR situation, while a new survey ship is found.” He sighed. “They will also assume responsibility for Priti Fareyes, ‘the Daughter of Science.’”

  “I wish them luck.”

  Matisou nodded slowly. “Mmm-hmm... for the time being, we need to keep her safe, her honor intact, and everything above board. I’ve asked Commander Takaguchi to assign Xiu-Li to be her guide and guard, and we’ll try to keep her fairly occupied and out of the way.” He rubbed his chin. “Do you think you could use our databases to devise some sort of teaching schedule? I’d hate to miss any aspect of care.”

  Threnody tilted her head. “Yes, Captain.”

  Matisou’s face became grave. “If she was someone else’s daughter, I’m sure other options would be possible, but IWG ComDiv and the Niv have spoken. We’re going to have to give her to the Niv if they say so.” He looked at her. “All things being equal.” He held her gaze a moment.

  “Aye, sir.”

  It was clear Aria would have to come up with something to change the equation.

  XIU-LI

  What she could use was a nice massage. Some dinner would also be nice. Right now, just the shower would be heaven...

  The door chimed. Xiu-Li tapped the pad for open.

  Aria Threnody stood just outside the hatch door frame.

  “Lieutenant Commander. Please come in.”

  Aria entered her quarters and stood there stiffly, even after the door closed.

  Oh, it’s one of those visits. Too bad, I could use a hug!

  After a moment Threnody said quietly, “You were superb, Xiu-Li.”

  Xiu-Li blushed. She was such a sucker for praise from the right people, and although not a hug, it was actually pretty satisfying, now having been said. “Thanks, Aria.” I still need a
hug...

  Aria looked around the room.

  Xiu-Li waited. She’s embarassed. This is about the Niv girl...

  “I’ve spoken with you of our – cycles?” Aria paused, but it was a rhetorical question. “You’re aware of the – adaptations – Niv made in the Change to live on our planet.”

  Aria was clearly struggling, enough that Xiu-Li could even see it. Wow, this must be deep!

  “The cycle of periods... it was, well, so...” Aria took a deep breath. “Doctor Joanna Thilkspoon-Helix felt the menstrual cycle was inefficient. Cramps, tissue sloughing, fibroids, blood loss, and all of that, on a planet full of land-based scent predators. Orgasm once every four weeks keeps Niv females from having periods. Abstention from a release for four weeks causes a hormone surge, promoting ovulation, then ten days in which to impregnate, followed by one menstrual period if no pregnancy results.”

  Xiu-Li was staggered. “An orgasm prevents your period?”

  “Yes.”

  Xiu-Li whistled. “That I might envy! “ The IWG used hormone-based birth control systems and were good for four to six months; they usually prevented periods, but the Niv system was all natural, and probably more fun.

  Aria cleared her throat. “Dr.Thilkspoon-Helix devised a system modification that promotes responsible planning without denying pleasure. It makes becoming pregnant an extremely conscious decision for a Niv female... and after four weeks of abstention, generally an extremely pleasurable one to start with.”

  Xiu-Li nodded.

  Aria looked away. “At certain ages we form highly intense bonds...”

  “You mean a crush?”

  “Umm... I am unfamiliar with that word. A ‘Mad passion’ or ‘a mad pash’ is the idiom we use.” Her cheeks were bright red now.

  Xiu-Li frowned. “Hmm... I think that’s a BritLish phrase.” That made sense; both Doctors Watson Helix and Joanna Thilkspoon-Helix, his wife, the nanodevice and genetic architects of the Great Niv Change, were from Britain. “And?”

  “Priti has one... for you.”

  Xiu-Li looked surprised, then sighed. “She’s the right age for one, the wrong age to do anything about it,” she observed. “A very delicate situation. Does it mean you and I can’t be friends?”

  Aria blinked. “No. Not... rationally. What does one have to do with the other?” She was quite puzzled.

  Xiu-Li sighed, and tears filled her eyes. “Please, Aria, I really, really need a hug!”

  Startled, Aria opened her arms and let a suddenly shivering Xiu-Li step into them.

  “I-I’m, I’m sorry, Aria,” sniffled Xiu-Li, “Right now, I’m just...” It was aftershock, adrenaline crash, and echoes of all the recent actions she had been through – especially the last one..

  “Your observation is sound. You are in need of a hug.” Aria, in control again, with no tenseness in the arms encircling her.

  “Ummm-m-m-m. Thank you, Aria.” I survived... again.

  They stood there several moments and gradually...

  [ They were together on Xiu-Li’s Deep Image Meditation beach in the sun, Aria looking out at the water. “Why do you always put water in?” She was simply curious.

  Xiu-Li laughed. “The sand is your desert, the sea is my Sol, the sun is ours together; does the humidity trouble you? I think it’s very good for the skin…” Xiu-Li sighed in contentment.

  Aria studied her. “You are now her hero, Xiu-Li. Priti is... vulnerable... at this time in her life...” They stood on her beach there for a moment and then Aria smiled. “I am being irrational. Of all the humans and sisters I know, no one could do better.”

  With a shake of her head – ]

  …Xiu-Li brought them back to her quarters on WHEELER.

  She and Aria stood there and hugged gently. As Aria’s eyes opened with a question, Xiu-Li laughed again. “I think the sun was getting to you. You were smiling at me.”

  Aria’s left brow arched. “You have done well in your Deep Image Meditation exercises. I think you will be able to sustain a virtual view on your own soon; if your progress continues, a reward would be appropriate.” Her lips twitched in amusement. “I have found that Sol humans respond particularly well to incentives. At present, you have twenty minutes before you must escort Priti to dinner at the invitation of the Captain.” She gave Xiu-Li one last hug.

  Xiu-Li squeezed her gently in return, then stepped back. “Aye aye, M’am!”

  Aria nodded and left.

  Xiu-Li slid off her day jumpsuit, quickly washed her face and arms, then gave herself a few squirts of scent in the space between her breasts. She put on her dress uniform and ran a comb through her short, jet black hair. It was impossible not to look tired, but at least she had “an alert appearance” as the rulebook advised (although a real shower would have been nice), and she felt reasonably pretty (she imagined other officers would be present, and it did no harm to look good).

  She had eight minutes left. She took three minutes to put her sleep-kit and nightlies together and into a bag, then took a deep breath. Five minutes left.

  She left her quarters and chimed the next door down the hall. “Ensign Xiu-Li Chen, here to escort you to the officer’s mess, m’am.”

  The door opened. Priti stood there, wearing a simple crew uniform. “Ensign,” she said, coolly enough.

  Slightly warmer than Aria, though. “Ahh, I’ve been given the honor of being your guide and protector while you’re with us on IWG Survey Ship JOHN A. WHEELER.”

  “I am Priti. Thank you for saving my life, Ensign Chen.”

  “Please, call me Xiu-Li.”

  Priti studied her seriously. “But you are Ensign Chen, my rescuer and an IWG officer.” Her dark black eyes suddenly flashed and twinkled.

  Xiu-Li smiled. “Perhaps in private?” Priti nodded, moving back into the room and Xiu-Li, suddenly dry-mouthed, went in and put her sleep-kit bag on the spare bed, then took a deep breath. “Wow, I really need to rehydrate.” She looked at Priti. “We’re supposed to be there in two minutes. Are you feeling well enough for this? You went through a lot today.”

  Priti blinked. “I agreed to the honor of this obligation freely. Mourning does not preclude my nutrition, and I am curious about your ship and all those who serve on her.” She looked away. “I’m just... curious...” she said softly.

  Xiu-Li blushed. “Well, let’s not be late then. Few things impress the men more than an on-time entrance.”

  PRITI

  The Captain was a nice human (species “Homo sapien” in the language of science) and she was also impressed with his officers. “Sol humans” were easier to read than the raiders, who seemed to have been a mix from the Colonies; these humans had many of the initial physical reactions to her the raiders had, but they had discipline, and the ability to redirect their thoughts (or even hide them – like Xiu-Li) were impressive.

  Priti knew the males were generally as excited by her body as the two raiders left behind had been when they had discovered her and pulled her from the access tube her mother had thrown her in.

  Selena Fareyes had burst into the quarters where Priti was studying. Covered in blood, a wild look in her eye, she’d grabbed Priti and dragged her out and hid her in the after drive compartment.

  The raiders had but one drive on their minds and would not waver. These “Sol human males” were still excited by her, even as they all spoke aloud of other intellectual topics; she was evidently a little young by their ethics (although Sol human females could become pregnant after “menarche,” at around age 13 – a biosign that their maturation had advanced).

  Priti did not detect the same excitement from the women or the Captain or first officer, but she had heard Sol was still not as willing to cuddle in the cold of a deep starless night as Niv. So she did not expect it from the women, or senior IWG officers who kept their command faces straight at all times... but the other men...

  Priti was impressed with their control, but also with their style of restraints con
struction. She had not cared at all why Xiu-Li had been assigned to her, although by sub-text it quickly became clear it was so no one would attempt to have a sexual encounter with her; she almost laughed out loud when this realization came. Instead, it propelled her into a very pleasant mood indeed, and it only got better when she looked at the meal on the long table, as the captain stood at the head and smiled.

  There was both meat and some vegetarian Niv-style main courses, a salad, and fruitmeade, wine, or hot drinks. She sat next to the captain, among the senior officers – across from Doctor Truhart, and tactics/first officer, Commander Takaguchi, and next to Chief Engineer Threnody and pilot Ensign Debitts. At the end of the table sat Xiu-Li, sitting as straight as any Niv – but she looked fatigued compared to the rest.

  Threnody passed her the vegetable dish and she took some; Priti passed it back for Threnody and took the salad from Takaguchi, who gave her a big smile.

  “Commander, what is the origin of the meat protein?” she asked him.

  He blinked and looked completely startled. “It’s, uhh, I think it’s...” he looked over at Matisou for help.

  Priti saw all eyes were on her. This is why I don’t want to go “home” to NIV!!

  “I believe it’s beef,” said Matisou. “This is a traditional ‘roast beef.’ It’s from a neo-bovine herd on Heart.” He looked at Threnody.

  Priti reached out and picked up the meat plate. “I can see you are all aware of the general observation that most Niv are vegetarians for philosophical reasons.” She took a piece. Matisou, Takaguchi and Debitts all exchanged glances, while Threnody studied her plate – not tense, but awaiting explanation for what was the best proof yet that Priti was a singularly independent Niv.

  Priti looked at Matisou, who was curious as well. “You may know my father was a philospher; you can imagine the arguments with my mother about consuming animal protein. If we were not in danger of literally starving to death, he’d never have consented, but he could not in the end justify my death because of a crash in the arctic wastes on Jade and total lack of other rations or vegetables.” Threnody looked up at her. “I may eat it rarely, but it honors memory and feeds my body, and provides a perspective I find helpful – my mother’s, which was forcible and immediate regarding matters of my survival.” Priti looked down at the pitcher on the table. “Might I have some fruitmeade, please?”

  It was Commander Takaguchi who poured it and Captain Matisou who passed it to her. But it was Xiu-Li’s eyes she felt warming her with their concern when Priti looked over. It was absurdly irrational – even for her – how safe she felt!

  While she ate, Priti worked on her control. She was Niv and she would honor her parents. She caught the slight nod of Aria Threnody, and was grateful – Aria was so beautiful and self-assured, but in a naturally low-key way, unlike most Niv Priti had met all her life (who were either more overtly proud and haughty, or nervous and fawning around her parents). Threnody is coexisting with these loud, florid, so very vibrant Sol humans; walking her own quiet Path, fully holding her own – she had the respect of every Sol human present.

  As the meal continued topics moved around. They finished the main meal, and slices of a sweet fruit bakery product – “A berry pie” – came last.

  Priti turned to Matisou. “Captain. May I have a glass of wine with this?”

  He studied her face for a moment and then poured her a glass.

  Priti nodded her head formally as she took it from him. Conversation had faltered at the other end of the table, an awareness of a formal tension now at the head.

  Priti looked around the table and then at Matisou, and everyone fell silent. “Captain, I thank you for your efforts to save us. I also thank Doctor Truhart, Lieutenant Commander Threnody, and Ensign Chen.” She looked around the table again. “The raiders came from nowhere; they hit our engine section, stormed onto our ship, and killed the ship’s master. My mother hid me; they herded everyone together and killed two, and then they raped some. Your ship arrived and most ran away, but not all of them, and the last two still on board began to kill. Finally everyone else was dead.

  “Then they discovered me; if it hadn’t been for Ensign Chen, I would be dead as well.” She looked around, in total and marvelous control, but still conveying her loss. “Both of my parents were scientists. Everyone on the KOLTAAR was. Our primary dangers were always from nature, we had been told. I applaud your mission and approach, which will in the future reduce the other dangers the universe presents.” No one had yet asked her what had happened; this was a memorial of sorts, as well as thanks.

  XIU-LI

  The table was silent. Matisou slowly raised his glass. “To peace and science.”

  It wasn’t the traditional Toast, but... everyone drank a sip, then looked at Xiu-Li; as the most junior officer present, she made the next toast, and could choose either one.

  Xiu-Li had been thinking about the empty quarters next to hers. “To the losses that inspire our resolve and final success – and to our absent friends.” There was a lump in her throat: to Clarissa D’Arial, a past friend, now gone... Lissa Martines... “Dopey” Jimmy Herkle...

  “Absent friends.” All intoned the solemn service traditional phrase of memorial – their own eight dead friends lost to the Qet still painful.

  After a moment, Priti rose. “To the service – past, present, and future.” She raised her glass up high; it was the Fleet’s other Traditional toast.

  Matisou beamed, stood up, and everybody scrambled to their feet: “The service: past, present, and future!” they roared.

  It was a mood swing of 180 degrees, to something closer to a defiance of death, (the “more usual collective atmosphere” found in a group of humans moving through vast space in their tear drop bubble of life).

  Xiu-Li caught Aria’s flush of undeniable pride – Priti had taken the time to look that up or ask about it, and a simple traditional Fleet toast turned her instantly into a princess (Aria could see Priti had the gift of charisma and shrewdness along with rational thinking, gaining the best ways of thinking both her parents had).

  The men were all goofy by now, but they would all be competing to be on their best behavior – the toast to some degree neutralized the essentially sexual cuteness she had, made it seem wrong to think about her “that way” despite her charms.

  They’re more like chaste knights of old now, she thought. There had never been any risk to Priti’s “honor” on WHEELER (and it was totally absent now!) but preservation of decorum was both diplomacy and insurance.

  Suddenly Xiu-Li shivered, and sat down. Oh, yeah, that little thing about “a mad passion” –

  Priti’s rousing toast had turned the somber mood upon itself and raised it once more. The men began to talk about the next mission (never quite discussing the recent one) and they ignored Xiu-Li. Matisou, Aria, and Priti were in conversation, and Xiu-Li had a moment to reflect.

  Then she felt Matisou’s eye on her. Xiu-Li looked up and saw his concern, then very similar expressions on both Niv faces. She shook herself mentally and gave them all a nice smile – let’s go, let’s go, “an alert appearance” – and almost laughed.

  The two Niv looked at each other, then at Matisou. Priti leaned over, Matisou nodded, and Priti rose. Her standing led to silence.

  “I must retire, but I again give you my thanks,” she said. Priti nodded to Matisou, who had remained by his seat (a signal the evening would continue) while everyone else also now rose to say goodnight and commend her eulogy. As Priti acknowledged them, Matisou caught Xiu-Li’s eye.

  His face said it all. Even if preliminary reports had hinted what Priti and her family had been through, her statement – amazing for a Niv, but perhaps not for an omnivorous one – now confirmed it. Matisou also knew what Xiu-Li’s experience had been: clearing all those rooms, finally facing contact, and then having to kill a man.

  He motioned with his head – a nod for her.

  Xiu-Li rose, and they all
said goodnight to her next. They’re all getting buzzed, and I’m the one who saw action but is now babysitting and going to bed early.

  Then she caught the eye of Aria Threnody – her look of concern touched Xiu-Li again. Well, I am pretty tired; I had a busy day. Okay, that’s wine talking. She said, “Goodnight, everyone,” and left, Priti following.

  Xiu-Li thought about taking a shower but was too exhausted. Priti seemed to detect her fatigue and was quiet as Xiu-Li mechanically took off her uniform and bra, pulled on her sleeptee, and fell onto her bed in a heap, falling into a deep sleep.

  PRITI: NIV DREAMS?

  Priti fought. Did she dream?

  She had killed the first one.

  The first one had been upon her and clubbed her with his massive arms, his blows stunning her, until she was in danger of losing consciousness. He did not know Niv strength, so the slender arms reaching up and the hands carressing his face did not threaten him.

  Then Priti gripped his skull and twisted, gave it a tremendous wrench that tore his muscles and snapped his spine.

  Priti tangled herself into her sheets.

  They had killed the men outright. They had raped the women and teens and killed them all.

  Her mother had killed one – used an artifact to carve him open, then collected up a stunned Priti and run into the aft command cabin, throwing her into the air vent access shaft and then killing the raider who had caught Selena Fareyes closing the cover. She had used his body to prop against the air vent access shaft door.

  Priti saw the round-up and then the carnage.

  They had killed Selena while they raped her. She would not stop struggling. When she bit the first rapist he took out a combat knife and gutted her with one swipe. It was too much – she could no longer struggle, but it took a long, long time to die.

  Those finished with taking pleasure (or waiting until later) search the ship.

  They move the dead raider’s body as they are searching it.

  The door swings open –

  Outside the ship, WHEELER fires.

  They all begin to flee –

  She is seen in the vent access tube. She kicks the grating into them, knocking two of them down, then she crawls out and runs into the command cabin –

  Right behind her, a stay-behind decides to enjoy life before death and follows her in – Priti kills him quickly, using Movement 22 of the First Meditation Form – grip/twist –

  Priti is unprepared for the crackling and other sensations in her hands, heard by her ears...

  She killed the first one.

  The second one fires a stunner that mostly hit the dead one, but numbs her legs, sends her toppling over as the first raider’s body falls.

  The second one chortles and shuts the door. “Ta’hm ta gitcha FEKKED!!” he roars.

  He falls on top of her. She can smell –

  Priti jerks awake.

  The rancid smell of filthy flesh still fills her mind, but a careful sniff tells her she is safe and on WHEELER. She was fine.

  Her rescuer was asleep across the room, guarding her, and she sensed the familiar presence of Cat Fareyes, her Ceti Cat, at her side, summoned by her distress, now trying to nuzzle up against her.

  I’ll be better in a moment.

  Her breathing resumed a more regular pattern. That’s better.

  I’m fine... Priti begins to shiver.

  After a moment, Priti wasn’t fine… I can’t stop shivering. I’ve lost my discipline. I’m losing it all, I’m going to die-die-die –

  XIU-LI : NIV TEARS

  The slender arm had firm muscles and smelled faintly of citrus and shipsoap.

  It clung to her, and then Xiu-Li heard a sniff – and felt hot tears strike her shoulder.

  Priti had crawled into her bed and now clung to her, crying, sobbing. The teen felt cool and clammy, without the usual warmth of a higher regular Niv body temperature.

  Shock.

  Xiu-Li turned slowly, and Priti molded to her. And I thought I needed a hug before!

  Xiu-Li hugged Priti and let her cry, rubbing her back until she had stopped shivering. The chrono said it was three hours since they’d gone to sleep. She knew how vivid Niv dreams could be.

  As she held Priti, she could smell IWG soap and shampoo, and a citrus note... one that grew stronger as the girl, who had stopped sobbing, gave a great post-cry sigh.

  Xiu-Li lay there. I knew I should have showered! Niv noses were so much more sensitive than human ones, and she could smell her own sweat and perfume. But she was content, somehow – lazily content. Why not? Had she not “rescued the princess?”

  And what a princess lay below that icy Niv mantle...

  Priti whispered, “Do you like cats?”

  “Yes-s-s…” Xiu-Li’s breathing shallowed out. Deep Space! Then she heard a purr.

  “I have a cat – a Corvel’s Tube Cat. It purrs like that.”

  Xiu-Li reached out and pressed a button, turning her red light cube on low, suffusing the “rainforest” with a warm cherry red light. Another button and the audio chip came on. Priti sighed and hugged her.

  The crisis was past. Xiu-Li thought she saw movement on Priti’s bed, but that was impossible, of course, and another look showed just rumpled sheets – naturally.

  Priti slithered off the bed but blocked the way when Xiu-Li stood up, kneeling there on all fours. It took Xiu-Li a moment to realize the Niv girl wasn’t moving.

  It was playful, but quasi-sexual.

  This is a novel task – turn her down gently, maybe without ever really doing so, if I’m lucky... Xiu-Li tried not to get angry, but it did strike her that this was the most delicate and dangerous thing she had ever done. So far this is no worse than goofing around in the dorm. We can’t go any further or else I’ll be in deep fekk.

  Priti kissed her ankle.

  Mmm-Hmmm! Xiu-Li shivered... nope. “Tell me, my little Cat, did sister Aria speak with you?” Lightly said, but clear.

  Priti froze for a moment, then rubbed her warm cheek across Xiu-Li’s ankle. “It has been traditional on Niv to reward a hero in this manner regardless... or... do you... not wish it?” she whispered.

  Hmmm... Priti reacted to and evaded the question, and there was an ultimate escape clause – thank Space! “One warrior need not grovel at the feet of another, Priti. I cannot believe that is traditional.”

  Priti froze again, then retreated back until she was sitting crosslegged on the floor.

  Oh, fekk, what’ve I said now? Xiu-Li sat down crosslegged as well, facing the Niv teen.

  “I did not know that you knew.” Priti’s face was grave.

  “I know that the taking of a life can cause profound disruption in a Niv’s life.”

  Her eyes flashed. “You took life as well.”

  “Yes.”

  “What are your – feelings? Do you regret it?”

  Xiu-Li shook her head. “No. I would have preferred it had the cosmos not placed me in a moment in which the actions of another inevitably caused their own death by my hand, but this – as all the deaths I have caused by my hand – was justified.” She took a deep breath. “Do you regret it?”

  Priti shook her head. “No. I find it hard not to feel satisfaction in a technique of defense well executed.”

  “What did you use?”

  Priti raised her arms. “Movement Twenty Two of the First Meditation Form.” Her fingers wide apart, she made a gripping twist. “Using false submission I raised my arms, stroked his face to gain better physical advantage, then applied the movement. He partially shielded me as the other raider fired a stunner at me, but my legs were struck and I fell down. He had two knives and I...” She took a deep breath.

  Xiu-Li was about to reach out, but then Priti’s voice, cool and calm, went on: “I have not yet attained the Second Meditation. I decided to wait, to seek an opening for an application from the First Meditation.” She looked at Xiu-Li. “I had... had already seen them disembowel Selena
for struggling, so I was trying to delay his efforts without overt resistance.”

  Selena – that was her mother. Xiu-Li swallowed.

  “He had just pulled down my pants when you arrived,” Priti finished simply.

  “That was close, then.” Xiu-Li shivered. “I don’t know if I thanked you for helping me after I got hurt.” She stretched out her legs. “Ouch – I’m stiffening up.”

  Priti was immediately concerned. “I must apologize for my –”

  “– not at all, you –”

  “– emotions, I am not –”

  “– had a hell of a day.” Xiu-Li held up her hand. “Stop.” She smiled. Priti fell silent. “You spoke of past times. Could you please massage my back a little, and tell me more?”

  Grateful for a specific task, Priti bowed her head. “Of course.”

  Xiu-Li rolled over and lay on her stomach. It was easier than usual to lie down on the deck now because the table had been removed by the team from QM-Eng Maintenance when putting in the second bed.

  As the strong, skilled fingers dug into her muscles, Xiu-Li felt them relax and willed her mind to follow. Just like a dorm party.

  “There were some larger creatures that preyed on meat,” said Priti. “In the earliest days of Planetfall, we had to kill the big ones we couldn’t get to avoid us, and the result was our very own Niv tradition of the hero.” A dry tone entered her voice. “It is interesting how classic heroes of Earth are perceived from afar. Especially from the face of an essentially unknown planet, with so many real monsters in the woods.”

  Xiu-Li shivered despite herself. It was common knowledge out in the colonies that their planets were all still relatively unexplored even now, almost a century after first Planetfall at Epsilon Eridani in 2099 (Darkworld; the Alpha Centauri plantesimals had been reached in 2091 but that was just another Belt, not a new planet – same with the Gem Isles at Procyon A/B).

  “There were plenty of big things and we had limits on the weapons and ammunition we had brought with us.” Priti paused as she rubbed the flat of her hands across Xiu-Li’s shoulderblades, then continued: “You know we are a culture of scientists, but we had little infrastructure to build the weapons we could dream up. To meet the challenge, we went back to the earlier technologies of hunting.

  “We picked the most environmentally friendly ones: sharpening stakes, using arrows, spears, blades, digging traps, and all the crude ways, supplementing the few modern guns we had. There were response teams called by beeper, who flew in to intervene if needed – I believe we had the most industrially advanced proto-human hunting teams ever assembled. So the Niv coped, using the best mix of practical old and modern advanced technologies, and we have our own true stories of valiant heroism in the face of monster sized terror.” Her voice had a wistful pride in it.

  “That is not in the history as provided,” said Xiu-Li. “It sounds horrifying.” She shivered again. The alien “monsters” she had met so far had chosen to be so, she was trying to believe.

  “Do not be frightened, Xiu-Li, they are on Niv. But that is why we have an active tradition of celebrating heroism, and the need to do so. It is so human to be heroic in the face of death, is it not?”

  Oh, thought Xiu-Li. Ohh, yes, now I do see... “Very much so, although no one is expected to be. Perhaps exactly because no one is expected to be.”

  “I have discovered my rescue was not the only instance where you have saved others. You have always acted that way.”

  Xiu-Li blushed, feeling her cheek grow warm against her folded hands as she lay there, feeling the muscles of her spine relax under Priti’s trained hands. “It is the action to take in the moment. I am not always correct.”

  “You do not trade on your actions.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Xiu-Li wasn’t sure how one did that, even though Priti was not the first to observe it about her.

  “Precisely,” is what Priti said now, which didn’t advance Xiu-Li’s knowledge by much, but she decided to ignore it.

  Priti began to tap-massage along Xiu-Li’s ribcage. “We were on our way to this planet to investigate for signs of an alien culture. My mother let me review all the reports available, even the ones that my father kept secret, which included a session listed as ‘truncated’ from a debrief on Heart, regarding an encounter in May here on HD-19373. Was that censored?”

  Xiu-Li took a deep breath. No one had ever told her whether or not her information about her Qet experience was secret or not, and the phrasing of this question from a leading Niv scientist’s teenage daughter indicated thorough knowledge of what the recorded logs from her debrief on Heart would have read.

  “No.” Priti had lost her parents; Xiu-Li decided she might as well treat her like a kid sister, at least. “I’m not sure how the IWG has classified this information, but they were ended abruptly. As to any censoring, I don’t know what you read. ‘Truncated,’ hunh? Mmpf.”

  Priti started tapping across the firm muscles running down the backs of Xiu-Li’s thighs. “I am amazed and intrigued by what I read.”

  Xiu-Li blushed again.

  Priti continued. “These sentients represent a potential threat if their tendency to ‘flock’ and ‘pack’ extends to territorial imperatives. It appears they like the same atmospheres and star system schemes that humans do.”

  “Our WHEELER anaylsis team felt that way.”

  “The aliens honored you as a warrior, did they not?”

  Xiu-Li tensed up – she couldn’t help herself.

  Priti’s fingers just continued to work the muscles. “That must be considered more, hero. Experience confirms you as a true warrior – your actions led to their defining you as one, hence their attempt to ‘serve you with honor,’ as they put it.”

  Xiu-Li closed her eyes as tears filled them. Clarissa! ‘Dopey’ Jimmy! Markis – Julissa!

  Priti continued quietly. “In defining you by their code, they recognized that part of your nature; this delayed your own death long enough for you to plan and start an escape, which they did not seem to imagine you capable of.”

  Xiu-Li took a deep breath. Why were they talking about this now? “I was just lucky enough that Aria showed up before I got killed, and then I used something like your ‘Movement Twenty Two’ to get loose.”

  “Mmm. Yes-s-s-s...” Priti rubbed her shoulderblades and Xiu-Li sighed and relaxed once more. “The timing is remarkable... so like yours today. Tell me, what do you know of the bladed weapon you saved me from? I know it is a ceramGlas blade.”

  This time Xiu-Li didn’t tense. If anyone could talk to her about these things it would be Priti, who had lost so much but had been saved just before losing her life, and none of the canons of ethics and pages of IWG regulations changed that. “Yes. A Gem Isles weapon, available on military contract to the IWG and others.”

  “An expensive piece of kit.”

  “Yes. And a classified one.” Xiu-Li grinned. “A nice addition to any blade collection, if it can be acquired.”

  “How does a space renegade get such a weapon?”

  “Either through murder, or because they are undercover.”

  Priti’s tapping faltered. “What?”

  “Murder someone who has a blade and take it.”

  “And the other way?”

  “Someone made an attempt on my life recently, on Heart. No one has been found. In this case we have renegades – I do not believe a true squad of operatives would have been so sloppy – but loose minds are easily manipulated by those well trained in covert operations. Given a bit of advance information, guided by an operative dedicated enough to select the right stay-behinds, and even stay behind himself, and all of this will be blamed on ‘renegades lucky enough to catch you.’ No one knows the set-up. But then things go poorly. A well armed undercover operative fails.”

  “Yes-s-ss... you were wounded in saving me from such a blade today, my hero.” Hot droplets splashed onto her leg – Priti was crying again. “I apolo
gize – I have such tears of – of – of joy, I would define it – oh, I am losing my control again, damning it!”

  Xiu-Li rolled over and put her hand on Priti’s arm. This girl is burning up! “Did you say ‘damning it’?”

  “Yes. Colloquial phrases and slang increase one’s acceptance among peers.”

  “Well, it’s ‘damn it.’ If I hit my leg on a chair and say, ‘damn it’ or even’you damn chair’ then I’m damning the chair.”

  “You are angry at the chair?”

  “No, I’m in pain and angry at myself for hitting the chair, so I express frustration.”

  “With the chair? Hmm. And can a physical mis-step alone provoke anger?”

  Why am I taking about this now?! “Yes.”

  “This is most interesting –”

  “Look, damn it, I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

  Priti frowned. “What is the ‘it’ you are damning now?”

  Xiu-Li didn’t answer, truly annoyed with herself. I’m forgetting that Niv women are always Niv first, even the odd ones. She reached over and took hold of Priti’s hand.

  Priti’s face immediately relaxed back to neutrality. “I confess, Xiu-Li, I am – n-nervous. You are, I mean –”

  Poor girl. “It is a fact that I saved you, Priti. Still, you are my sister warrior. Are we agreed?”

  Priti looked down. “Yes, Xiu-Li.”

  Xiu-Li took a deep breath. Here goes. “You say I am your... ahhh... hero?”

  The luminous dark black eyes flashed up, smoldering. “Oh, yes, Xiu-Li!”

  Okay then. Xiu-Li smiled. “Well, this hero of yours is tired. Let’s go to sleep now and we’ll talk some more in the morning.” She said it firmly, and smiled wider. “Okay?” Priti could sleep there but ‘No fooling around!’

  “Thank you.”

  DAY TWO

  9 August 2173 – Tuesday

  IWG-SS JOHN A. WHEELER

  ARIA

  “Captain, the NSS KOLTAAR did not explode after we left the system.”

  Matisou sipped his morning coffee and walked over to to the Science station where his Chief Engineer sat. “Explain.”

  “In the course of filing my full report, I reviewed all sensor unit scans and all images from the action and during our exit from the system. Commander Takaguchi’s sweeps for incoming ships scanned the ranges we would use for outgoing ships, and nothing was found.” Aria looked at him.

  Matisou nodded.

  “I was not present at this phase of the action, but it is rational in the moment to focus more on new hostiles and a safe exit from the system prior to imminent nearby drive explosion.” Aria pointed to the screen. “These sweeps also indicate no outgoing drive signatures, even though we lost contact with the raider, and then no engine explosion as we left. Our aft navigational imaging unit would have captured any blast flare, pre-hyperflight. There was none. The databall still in-system is still sending data in hypercomm, and review to last update is still without a drive explosion flare.”

  Matisou nodded thoughtfully. “They hid behind a planet or moon or in the asteroid belt, and they deactivated the bomb when we left.” He looked at her. “They’ll take it as a prize.”

  “Quite likely, sir.” Aria took a deep breath. “Ensign Chen did not see any children in her sweep. It was presumed they were dead elsewhere. A further refinement of scanning data images taken during our approach suggests two smaller sized beings with slightly elevated body temperatures and low-range heart rates may have been taken off the ship just before it undocked. If the infrared signature ratios are accurate, that scan signature is consistent with Niv children.”

  “Hmmm...” Matisou saw Takaguchi walk out of the shiplift for watch and waved him over. “Morning, Jason. It seems things are not as we thought when we last left NSS KOLTAAR.” Matisou shook his head. “Enronn, how long to the rally point at present speed, and how long for return to 19373 at best speed?”

  Debitts looked at his console and tapped in data. “Sir, I make it fifty eight hours to our new rendezvous point; we could get back to 19373 in – ten hours, if Lieutenant Commander Threnody can find the power this early in the day.”

  Matisou rubbed his eyes. It was pretty early in the day to buck the orders of both the IWG and the Niv Command, but rescuing two captured Niv children would be difficult to criticize. Aria had for some reason decided to seek a reason to unequalize the equation – which he had certainly implied he would listen to – and now she had found one. As he was presently closer to those kids than he was to that rendezvous...

  “Mr.Debitts, bring WHEELER about and set a course back to the19373 system. Engineering –” He looked over at Aria, who only then realized she had convinced him. “Lieutenant Commander Threnody, I’m afraid you’ll have to heat your coffee on your drive units this watch, as we need best speed back to our last port of call. There may still be other survivors in that system.” He nodded. “Good work, Chief.”

  There was a pause, then a very serious, formal, “Aye, Captain.” Aria keyed the comm. “Engineering, Threnody to Lobo: Drive to Nav Delta status one, on my way.”

  “Aye, Chief!” snapped back Lieutenant Lobo. She stood up and headed toward the shiplift.

  “Whenever we’re ready, Mr.Debitts.”

  “Aye, sir.” Enronn Debitts grinned.

  Matisou went over to the shiplift. “Were you up all night?”

  Aria turned. She felt tired but less worried than before. “I have been here for the last three hours, sir.”

  It was not the answer to the question he’d asked, but Matisou knew better than to bring that up. “It seems we will have to delay our Niv rendezvous. Your educational program may have to be extended.” He smiled. “It seems we’d better allow for it, at least.”

  Aria immediately gained new energy. “Aye, sir.” But she remained preoccupied as she stepped into the shiplift.

  XIU-LI

  She regained awareness and then opened her eyes. Space, that had been something... but she was going to be in so much trouble...

  Niv didn’t like to snuggle. Episodes of telempathy via body contact made snuggling a thing of the days pre-Helix’s Change for most Niv, lost in the transition to Rational Living. Even during sex the contact was limited to actual, highly passionate sex – more “mindless passion” than “romance and foreplay,” and not much snuggling between those sleeping together. Only certain Niv couples had managed to achieve the ancient art of snuggling.

  It had been noted that Niv who trained with Corvel’s Tube Cats had a much higher tactile tolerance (and stronger “filters” against tactile mind touch) due to the casual contact nature of a Corvel’s Tube Cat. (Xiu-Li had learned all this gently from Aria, who had been game to try, with mixed results – post-sex worked, but the times they had actually spent an entire night together, they had usually fell asleep together and then moved apart overnight).

  Well, if Xiu-Li was going to be in trouble, this was a pretty nice way to start the day.

  And in trouble for... what? I mean... ?

  The slender body entwined with hers – secure within her arms.

  What happened last night?

  Xiu-Li had mentioned meditating, Priti had followed up.

  Xiu-Li, wanting to show off, had entered into her Deep Image Meditation on the Beach – the one she’d worked on with Aria...

  [ Something was wrong. They were lying on a beach, in the sand.

  Really! A real beach – real sand!

  In a meditation?

  “I... how are we...”

  Priti smiled. “A gift for a hero. We thought you might like this.”

  “Oh, yes – you and your Cat.” It was curled at Priti’s feet.

  Priti looked alarmed. “You will not tell anyone?”

  “Relax. Just so it’s back when Doctor Truhart checks.” But it was staggering to see the Cat had gotten out and back, several times over. That would be impossible without...

  She felt fur rub her ankle
. The Tube Cat was rubbing her, and she picked it up. It was about a third of a meter long, surprisingly heavy, and it started rumbling immediately. “You are the first human Cat has ever liked,” said Priti. “But Cat has only met two others. One of them did not like Cats at all, so that was a mutual rejection.”

  “The Cat is not the sole reason we’re here.”

  “No. You are capable of attaining Niv Deep Image Meditation contact. Your range is this island, which means all energy is being channeled into one set of meditative construct memes. Those have become energized and especially vivid, and they will become self-perpetuating.”

  Xiu-Li shivered with joy. “I will keep this?”

  “Yes. And it can be shared with others – as we are doing now.” Priti watched the expressions range across Xiu-Li’s face, usually so relaxed and unperturbed. “Repeated meditative exercise will, of course, improve ability and range. As will continued contact with the meditative environment.”

  Xiu-Li looked at Priti. “You are very thoughtful.”

  Priti smiled. “I am... well studied.” She looked down. “Perhaps in a few years, we will meet again and say hello under different conditions.” Her eyes rose and caught Xiu-Li.

  Xiu-Li blushed, and giggled. “You know, I can honestly say that nothing would make me happier right now, Priti. I don’t have a clue what’s going on with me these days.” A great weight lifted from her.

  Priti smiled. “I’m honored, my sister from space.”

  Xiu-Li frowned. “Are you calling me a space sister?” She was teasing.

  “Well, that is hardly a centered or rational statement,” said Priti, affecting severity. “Actually, I have heard the human expression is, ‘if you want to say you are, then I guess you are.’”

  Xiu-Li grinned. “Just how ‘advanced’ is this meditation we’re sharing here?”

  “What test of it do you propose?”

  “I propose a three point light contact sparring match to see if I’m a space sister or if you are for calling me one.”

  Priti frowned. “Perhaps I could just apologize?”

  Xiu-Li grinned again. “Why? Are you chicken?”

  Priti looked mystified. “Who is ‘Chicken’? Have I met them?”

  Xiu-Li shrugged. “Actually, I’m curious about your martial art system and this illusion. ‘Chicken’ is a flightless meat bird and what Sol humans call others they believe are afraid. It’s a taunt, and I was teasing you in this situation.”

  Priti frowned. “Teasing me – in what way?”

  “Affectionately, as a friend might. I suppose more formally I would’ve said: ‘Priti, would you practice martial arts sparring with me in a three point light contact match?’ Instead, I approached it more lightly.”

  Priti nodded seriously. “Thank you for explaining, as I at first thought you were using the meat bird definition – irrational, but it was entirely as outlandish as your other explanation, which is risible and unworthy of a response, unless it is an ass handing you want.”

  “An... an ‘ass handing’?” Now Xiu-Li was mystified.

  “Yes, when someone ‘hands your ass to you’ after kicking it.”

  Xiu-Li grinned. “That would just be an ‘ass kicking’ then. The other term is something sexual. Be careful how and when you use them as one’s for fun and the other gets trouble.” She flexed her fingers. “So, the girl from Niv thinks she can kick my ass?”

  “Barehanded? Well, yes, I do!”

  “Three point match, light contact sparring.”

  Priti stood up. “I warn you now, I am an advanced student.”

  “Yeah, I know, we’re both killers here. Now shut up and spar!”

  Priti started to move around. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I’m curious about this environment and your martial arts skill. We’ve got a moment here for me to learn about both, so why not? It’ll be a help in the future.” Xiu-Li looked concerned. “You don’t practice to kill, right? You do things like sparring?”

  Priti grinned – proudly, eyes glittering. “My mother taught me how to fight. Three points, light contact.”

  Xiu-Li giggled and darted in with a punch – retreating in time to see the clawing try for a grabbing take-down – followed by a spinning kick that sailed over her head as she crouched and then countered with a kick to Priti’s ribs that connected just enough to send her back. “One.”

  Priti laughed. “Very refreshing.”

  Xiu-Li nodded. “Thought so.”

  Priti jumped with a punch –

  Xiu-Li dodged and countered –

  Priti tried to sweep her legs –

  Xiu-Li slapped the side of Priti’s head, just lightly. “Two.”

  Priti took a deep breath. “That was impressive.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You could have killed me, had that been a punch.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I am willing to resign.”

  “Instead, see if you can come back. If you can’t get me with controlled fatal shots, I’ll only have to work harder in training you.”

  Sure enough, Priti got in a nice crescent kick to sweep the arms away from Xiu-Li’s torso for a following sidekick and punch combo.

  “One,” said Xiu-Li. She dodged the next flurry and tried a counter – meditation or not, this was tiring.

  The ridge hand that hit her chest was startling (especially the sensations across her breasts) but counted, and had fatal potential. “Two – that was a very good shot.”

  Now they were even again and down to one point. They circled, each thinking over tactics. Both had gotten points from defense and offense, so which to try for the last clash?

  Xiu-Li launches herself forward, behind a punch –

  Oh that old move, thinks Priti, stepping back, turning to throw a spinning backfist – Where is she?

  – the punch curves down as Xiu-Li puts her hand on the ground, pivots as she helicopter kicks–

  Priti stumbles back, just out of range, now off balance –

  – Xiu-Li lands on her feet and springs low –

  Priti feels the thump on her tummy as Xiu-Li passes her, and rolls up just out of range, ready to counter. “Three. This space sister just kicked your ass.”

  Priti nodded. “Yes. But after you gave me a second chance, it was closer.”

  “Yes, closer than it should have been.” Xiu-Li grinned. “My mother taught me too, and I think she’d be angry with me.” She laughed. “Well, this is very nice. I thank you for your wonderful present.”

  Priti beamed with pleasure. “You are most welcome. Would you like to take a swim now?”

  “Oh, Space, can I?” yelled Xiu-Li... ]

  Xiu-Li took a shaky breath – there had been a swim, but...

  No sex, thank Space!

  – no, a meditation on her Island as Xiu-Li had never experienced before... enhanced by the Corvel’s Tube Cat she had found curled between them when she awoke at last, eyes wide with wonder.

  The dream/meditation... so real she thought there was sand between her toes even now. Xiu-Li had a good visual memory and imagination, but this was so unbelievably vivid! The “island” had always existed with her eyes closed when Xiu-Li went there, except with Aria...

  Except with Aria!

  Meditating with Niv had boosted Xiu-Li’s ability to visualize the meditation. She saw her “island” with her eyes “open” during those times, all the colors and sensations actually visible, not just “seen through closed lids” in her head.

  Last night though... no, she had been there, they had walked on a beach and gone swimming! She had laughed, seeing Priti jump like a dolphin as her sleek furry Corvel’s Ceti Tube Cat flashed alongside, happy as a sea otter.

  Xiu-Li looked at the Cat. The eyes opened, and it looked like –

  Ooops! Now how could a cat faced sausage with legs radiate embarassment? But the eyes and face weren’t scared at all.

  Xiu-Li smiled. Relax, little one. Thank you. It pu
rred, went back to snoozing.

  Since Xiu-Li had been relieved from watch duties for thirty six hours – minus ten and counting – there were only “special duties” for her today, like drawing Priti’s new gear from the quartermaster, taking her on a tour of the ship, and meeting with Aria to set up Priti’s educational sessions. But they had all day for that, and it was only 0720. They had to report to the mess by 0900 (she usually made it by 0630 and went to her 0730 watch station 15 to 30 minutes early on a normal day – so they had really slept in, and it had been needed by both of them).

  Xiu-Li looked at Priti and thought about the day ahead for them on the ship – not a bad day, but if one could choose to be anywhere in the universe then where might – how about – hmm, I wonder, what if we were on the beach, and...

  [ In a moment, they are on her beach, a hot sun overhead.

  Priti rolls over and stretches. “You are extremely creative. Do you never stop?”

  “Just checking. It’s time to wake up.” ]

  And they were back in Priti’s quarters, lying on Xiu-Li’s bed, a Corvel’s Tube Cat purring away between them.

  Xiu-Li slid off the end of her bed. “I’m sorry, kitty, we can’t spar right now...”

  Priti gave her a ‘sad kitty’ look.

  Xiu-Li smiled. “But thanks.”

  Priti brightened instantly and bounced out of bed. “You have achieved a fantastic degree of control, Xiu-Li.”

  Xiu-Li nodded. “Thanks. I have had two exceptional teachers. In fact –” She stepped to the comm panel. “Ensign Chen for Chief Engineer Threnody.”

  It took thirty seconds. “Threnody.”

  “Ensign Chen seeking teaching session update for schedule planning purposes.” Priti turned toward the water room.

  “Please meet me on the bridge at 1330.” There was a pause.

  “There have been no significant problems, if the Captain inquires,” said Xiu-Li. Everything’s okay so far.

  “Thank you, I will inform him.” Aria sounded distinctly relieved. “Please inform Priti that we are on a return mission to the system as there is evidence NSS KOLTAAR did not explode after we left.”

  That’s news that can wait for during breakfast! “Aye, m’am.”

  For the moment, she headed toward the water room.

  ARIA

  What is wrong with me?

  Aria carefully straightened in her chair. They were almost halfway to the system, running smoothly. She was entering the last parts of a self-study tutorial using all their available databases – a task she’d been doing on the bridge for the past three hours, when she wasn’t trying to scan the system ahead, or thinking about search patterns... nothing her Niv disciplines couldn’t handle, even on such little sleep.

  Maybe she needed the same exercises she had designed for Priti; well, it was fortunate no one else could teach her the Second Meditation. Aria would need to find some safe “blades” to use; it would be some time before Priti could use a real blade safely in the form.

  Xiu-Li would be fascinated by such a display... Niv women with flashing blades... mmm, that thought has excited me! Do I...

  I want to impress Xiu-Li... I am competing with Priti! – despite the Sisterhood... despite being Niv!

  The thoughts turned over as Aria reviewed the Movements of the Second Meditation in mind. She took a deep breath. There would be much to do before they reached the system – and even more to do once they did.

  Her path was clear – she would borrow a blade and demonstrate the Meditation for them both, showing off to Xiu-Li the truth of her own past. She would remind Xiu-Li of the talents and qualities she had, the very ones Xiu-Li had often whispered her admiration of...

  What is WRONG with me?

  At 1315 Xiu-Li hailed her. “Confirmation of appointment location and time, m’am.” Aria’s lip curled in amusement and admiration. She’s a good officer, thinks options out for her seniors in advance.

  Aria looked over at Matisou, who was waiting for a response to his message reversing their course and changing the rendezvous. He and Takaguchi had been trying to figure out what their best approach to this possible problem would be, and he was in an irritable mood.

  “Change in location, Ensign Chen: please report to your shuttleRunner station with my student for a briefing and physical training session.”

  This was a chance to be neither third officer nor engineer, but still assist their mission. Xiu-Li’s station ready area was not otherwise used and had room to lecture, and it was close to both hangar and gym – each with room to teach Priti the Movements.

  Matisou looked over. “Tactical mission meeting at sixteen thirty.” He managed a grin. “Good luck in the classroom.”

  Aria found Priti as attentive and quick as she expected. Priti followed the orientation to the syllabus and accessing the compuSys to study and asked few questions. Xiu-Li looked tired, gave Aria a wan smile and started to check the gear lockers, unable to resist doing work.

  It did not take long to establish a syllabus Priti would study until further notice, with one hour per day to be spent with Aria (thirty minutes mind, thirty minutes body).

  Aria looked up when Xiu-Li returned from checking the hall gear lockers. “I believe it is time to teach the physical body.” Aria started taking off her uniform. “We have to be out by 1500 today – Maintenance and engineering will start their pre-flighting of the shuttleRunners so they will be ready before we arrive in the system. Now, however, I would like to demonstrate the Second Meditation to you, as it is this Meditation you will be working on during your stay.”

  Aria was wearing a sport bra and gym shorts under her duty uniform, and there was something about her poise and matter-of-fact confidence and beauty that seemed to impress them both – especially Xiu-Li, whose expression seemed to speed and warm up Aria’s blood “for some reason.” By pupil dilation alone, Xiu-Li was enthralled.

  Priti had watched Aria with silent intensity but fairly radiated excitement when the Second Meditation was named. “Th-thank you, Aria. It is an honor to learn it from you, if I am able.” She quickly stripped down to the gym shorts and crew tee (one of Xiu-Li’s) under her own uniform.

  XIU-LI

  In the light of a new morning, and breakfast, the day before – and its evening – were especially dreamlike.

  Her healing left arm vaguely ached and felt weak, which was normal.

  People nodded to them as they just about made the end of morning mess. Priti asked some questions about foodstuff sources and continued to choose widely. Xiu-Li had a cheese omelette with beefbacon and some buttered toast, but she always ate heavily after an action. Chef smiled on those who served with honor and Xiu-Li ate very well.

  After a proper breakfast they went to Medical for general clearances, then to the quartermaster for Priti’s set of uniforms and crew stores. Then back to sort and store. Lunch introduced Priti to “cesar salad” and then it was time to meet Aria.

  Xiu-Li checked over her own gear, taking advantage of the thirty minutes the two Niv spent going over Aria’s syllabus and the access code Priti would be using to enter the compuSys and work in the databases. Xiu-Li was “off duty,” but the service could make demands at any moment and so it was best to be forever ready.

  She could hear them murmuring in the ready room while she checked the hallwall gear locker just outside, and she was glad for the break. Her head needed some space to process Priti and the night just past – one of the most incredible nights of her life (going swimming in some sort of virtual meditation?)

  Yet it was Aria that Xiu-Li was missing – Aria who Xiu-Li wished she could talk to about this.

  At least there were these routines to occupy her mind for a while... but was it really possible she had an Island like that in her head now?

  By the time Xiu-Li finished her check-out and walked back in, they had finished creating the syllabus and it was time for some physical education in meditation.

  Aria led Priti i
nto the shuttleRunner hangar and Xiu-Li followed behind them.

  Aria turned and faced them, and they fell into a line of two, as if in martial arts class.

  Aria bowed; they bowed.

  Aria looked at Xiu-Li, who bowed again, then asked, “May I observe, m’am?”

  “Yes, Xiu-Li. Perhaps in a future session you might demonstrate one of your own forms.” She smiled.

  “Yes, m’am.” Xiu-Li smiled shyly, walked over to the near wall and sat down crosslegged.

  Aria faced Priti. “You know the Codicil.”

  “I do.”

  “We prepare but do not seek,” said Aria.

  “We do not seek but we prepare,” replied Priti.

  “I teach but do not direct.”

  “What I learn, I must choose to use.”

  Aria looked directly in Priti’s eyes. “Yes.”

  There was a silence, a silence that began to stretch, and stretch...

  Abruptly, Aria stepped back, as did Priti, both at attention.

  Aria closed her eyes, took three deep, slow breaths and then opened her eyes, face serene. She raised her right hand – she had a Space Fleet Tactical Division issue knife in it. She rotated, drawing a big circle in the air around her, then executed a reverse backflip that drew a circle on a vertical axis through it.

  Her landing was the spring point for a full two minutes of the most unbelievable series of moves Xiu-Li had ever seen in gravity. There were some traditional Chinese acrobats and a few other Wu-Wei Do practitioners who came close (which made sense, as their moves had been adapted by the Niv and modified for muscle strength and reflex speeds at two or three times the original human creators).

  It was beautiful.

  And Aria Threnody, doing it, was beautiful.

  Xiu-Li knew that Aria knew it, was actually showing off, and felt herself flush, feeling quite flattered. And the way Aria caught her eye told Xiu-Li that her Niv friend knew that now as well.

  The combinations of twists and rolls, punches, blocks, blade slashes and thrusts, linked and flowing, exploding and resolving like water splashing loose and rejoining together...

  It was beautiful. Deadly, but beautiful.

  Wow.

  ARIA

  Her skin tingled as she rubbed it dry. They had showered in silence after the work-out, using the double shower in the ready-room area.

  “Gross lifesigns might not tell you where they are,” said Priti, sliding the fleet-issue underwear up her legs. They were discussing how to find the missing Niv children.

  “Conceeded. State your proposal.”

  “I have met these children and have a degree of neural bonding with them. I must go to get them.”

  Aria zipped her uniform up and paused. “That is... intriguing. The irrational flaw lies in convincing Captain Matisou to let you risk your life.”

  “I will be able to sense them, and I know they will come to me!”

  Most Niv would try to calm their face and aura, thought Aria, but Priti’s intense, forceful glare continued. She still had arms and legs like sticks, but suddenly looked both older and sleeker. “And if permission is denied?”

  Given a question to answer, Priti’s face again calmed. “I will meet the shuttleRunner and assist Doctor Truhart to the best of my abilities.” She resumed dressing. A certain stiffness in her gestures still indicated what course of action she had concluded as the most rational use of limited resources!

  Aria arched an eyebrow. “I will present your proposal and its argument to the Captain.”

  Matisou didn’t like it.

  She presented it quietly, just before the tactical meeting; Aria apologized for bringing it up so late. “Captain, she has requested it as a point of honor. This step... elevates her request.”

  He shook his head stubbornly. “They were about to – If they did that to me or my –” He broke off and took a deep breath. “If she gets hurt or killed, what would the Niv say? Would her death make problems for the IWG from Niv?” Matisou was pained; thinking about how he would feel in Priti’s situation had made him start to look for new solutions. “Look, I already know I’d catch hell from the IWG – but that’s my problem. There are other factors bigger than us here; risking ‘the daughter of science’ might cause problems with Niv-Human diplomatic relations. Why do that if I can just send Jason and you, and a Tactical Team, and avoid the problem?”

  “Niv will not find excessive fault in either her request, or in granting it. In any event, I do not know if I am capable of doing what she proposes.”

  “Could it work?”

  “It is... possible. But it requires previous interactions.” Aria looked at him. “I have never met these two children. Further, they have been traumatized by violence and, at their age could be quite, mmm... feral.”

  “Feral?”

  “Yes, sir. It means they –”

  “I do know what feral means, Lieutenant Commander.” Matisou exhaled. “Eccentric Niv, feral Niv – and I just thought I had problems with smug, moody Niv!” He held up his hands. “Okay. Takaguchi, you, and Priti, for now – let’s see how many lifesigns we pick up, and exactly where they are before we finalize anything.”

  “You did not mention Ensign Chen.”

  He shook his head. “She’s on sick leave – it’s one thing keeping an eye on the kid here on WHEELER, another doing it on a mission. No, Lieutenant Commander Threnody – I’m afraid you are bodyguarding the ‘Daughter of Science’ on this mission. But I think Chen could learn something from a tactical planning session like this, so please ask her to the meeting, okay?”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Xiu-Li didn’t like it either, but only a brief frown rippled her face before she said, “Aye, m’am.” They were in Xiu-Li’s quarters, where she was getting a change of clothes to bring next door.

  It was very hard not to respond to such discipline of thought; Aria smiled, cleared her throat. “Well, let’s not keep the Captain waiting,” she said, motioning. “He thought you might benefit from observing the tactical planning meeting. Priti will work in her quarters until you return.”

  “A-Aye, M’am!” Xiu-Li’s look of surprise and pleasure gave Aria unseemly satisfaction.

  XIU-LI

  Takaguchi and Matisou were working as they had been for several hours, discussing strategies and tactics and waiting for clear data they could plan for. Would they have to search a ship, platform or ground base?

  Trying to stop, board and search a hostile spaceship was virtually impossible without surprise and a disabling attack; hitting it to stop it without totally destroying it was also nearly luck.

  A platform, base or asteroid habitat was “stationary,” but could be waiting and prepared; in those cases, there might be return fire as well.

  A ground base alone meant the captors and prisoners were not on a ship, they were not using ship supplies (the ground base would supply itself from the land around it), and if the area was desolate (in the case of HD-19373, devoid of other human life altogether), then there was nowhere to escape to.

  As they had learned on Cape Of Velvet this past January, a ground base could be taken. But this was different; these were skilled and ruthless criminals. They would kill without hesitation, so the plan required speed and precision and the correct amount of force.

  Lieutenant Kimonetti and Ensign Phil Knight were there – they would be the Tac team first and second squad leaders. This was not a seat-of-the-pants improvisation, and Xiu-Li’s stomach tightened; it would be a big operation.

  Matisou looked at them. “We’ll have to do a blink and wink. The databall we left there ran out of juice, so we’ll drop a new one and take a short look before transiting back in hyper to a Norclip point.” He looked at Xiu-Li. “Ensign Chen. For what length of time should we blink?”

  “No longer than the span of Standard Unit light time, sir,” Xiu-Li replied promptly. “The ratio of five hundred light seconds per standard unit distance from the target.”

&n
bsp; It was a measure of distance based on the ancient “astronomical unit” (the distance between Earth and Sun) and it was the length of time it took light to travel it. Coming out of hyperflight at one unit from a target for less than eight minutes meant no one 8.3 light minutes away would be able to see them before they vanished again (into hyperflight). It meant the signals and physical evidence of their passage were limited, harder to detect, and easier to miss altogether: a streak out there, if even that, especially at the longer distances.

  Matisou nodded. “Our primary concern at blink point?”

  “Databall positioning and any other physical pre-prepared far distance objects, sir. We won’t get much more on our ship scans than they might, but our ‘wink’ results will follow us on hypercomm.” Xiu-Li swallowed. “Gear placement and positioning is the actual limiting minimum time of a blink.”

  Matisou nodded. He looked at Knight. “You may have to do some hurting, Ensign Knight. This is a large field we’re covering.” He gave the room a look. “Commander Takaguchi is going double or nothing on a kilo of exotic decaff that they are fully ground based. I think they are in an asteroid or ship, something more mobile than a planet. Our job is to be ready for all three, although there isn’t too much we can really plan ahead for.” He looked at Takaguchi. “Jason?”

  “If it’s a ship, we probably quit, drop back and follow, monitor, and wait for back-up, which will be meeting us here soon. If it’s base, we make slow haste, sizing it up before deciding a play. If it’s on the ground, we get down, and take a little look around.” Takaguchi smiled grimly. “Go for a walk and talk, if not an outright takedown.”

  “Very nice.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Matisou looked at Kimonetti. “You have a SquadRunner roster ready, Lucas?”

  “Aye, sir.” He tapped his DPaT and the Captain’s DPaT chirped acceptance of the list, which also went to his desktop unit. Matisou studied it and nodded.

  Matisou looked around the room. “We’ll be arriving shortly. Our response timings depend on what we find, or we’ll all meet again at 2000 for a P.M. Divisions to update. Any questions?”

  None were forthcoming, and they adjourned.

  MATISOU

  IWG-SS JOHN A. WHEELER dropped out of hyperflight for four minutes and twenty eight seconds, four Standard Units below the plane of the ecliptic by design and about five SU from “19-3-73,” which was what they were calling the planet this time.

  It took only eighty seconds to get all of the databall and other gear updated and then deployed from the ship (a fascinated Priti watched as Xiu-Li Chen got the TacHawk package going; seeing them enter the Tac Bay with five minutes to go, Takaguchi had shaken his head and muttered about hoping Truhart or the Captain didn’t stop by in the next six minutes, and then gratefully scrambled out of the drop operator seat so Xiu-Li could take over its launch, and he could monitor all of the others).

  WHEELER re-entered hyperflight, moving to a point above the plane of the ecliptic five SU (about 42 light minutes) “north” of the star’s northern pole, emerging on a stationkeeping track. The databalls and other drone remotes left they behind were following whatever ops they had been tasked for, one of them going in on a single-use hyper G MirMat drive to a much closer position (a databall ‘bot took the risk of pushing 45-50 Gs worth of velocity, successfully in this case) as others used conventional MirMat to move in more slowly. Some just floated there, already looking and listening.

  They found KOLTAAR in orbit around the moon near the planet called 19373.

  “We’ve been there before,” said Matisou. He looked at Tactical and Takaguchi, then Science Officer Speeter. “Any ships or structures out there?”

  A critical question, and one answerable only as a percentage guesstimate.

  Sensors and scanners were subject to basic laws of physics, so the ranges and times to detect things visibly or through other energy disturbance measurement were “restricted.”

  It took two hours for light to reach them from the star (or any ships, platforms or camps in the system orbiting the star) in realspace, or for a ship sensor (radar, as an example) to reach a target in the system. All of their “real time” sensing was being done from the remotes closer in, and they still had physics restrictions, even at their closer distances.

  They would deep radar 19373’s moon while the Belt remotes would use optics and radio to look for either outer belt base chatter or movement, especially movement toward the inner system (and hypercomm that data immediately) – but it was a big system, with plenty of places to hide a really sneaky base.

  As long as they were operating, new data would be coming in. At any moment something might come up...

  On the other hand, the ship itself was safely away, and detecting it was also subject to the restrictions of realspace physics. WHEELER was a tiny, motionless dot to anyone looking above the star’s north pole, and it was a dot whose light would not reach their eyes or telescope or detector for another forty minutes by the ops clock.

  Lieutenant Harmony Speeter began sifting through the reports coming in from her science analysts. Ships usually “leaked” all sorts of signals, but asteroid and platform bases could be shielded over time, and those required deep radar to look for habitat spaces, or the shielding that gave away gross presence but might prevent futher probing. That process took time, so they clearchecked the moon and worked their way out from the planet from one direction while the Belt units were already scanning rock after rock on autoprogram.

  After about fifteen minutes they had checked enough for Speeter to give their first guesstimate: There were no ships or loose structures (platforms), no radio or other signal activity in the system, just the NSS KOLTAAR – without an atmosphere, probably awaiting final engine compartment stripping.

  No radio or signal traffic on the planet, either.

  Takaguchi was watching the planetary observer scans, looking for a camp of some type. The absence of radio traffic made it more difficult. What if they had just parked KOLTAAR and taken off? It might be an empty system.

  “Captain – MirMat disturbance trail, exiting the system – decay spread corresponds to an hour ago,” called out Lieutenant Speeter from the science station. “It extends out to a practical jump point.”

  Takaguchi scowled at that news.

  Matisou rubbed his face as he processed her information. He looked at Takaguchi. “It would be nice to know how far out they were going, and when they’ll be back... still...” Matisou grinned. “Okay, Mr.Debitts, let’s jump to our mission initiation point and get this going.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Matisou looked at Speeter. “Shout if you get any anomaly or a hint of any shimmers, Harmony. We’ll sustain the jump if it looks odd.”

  “Aye, sir. Science station ready.”

  He nodded, and looked at Tactical. “You too, Tak.”

  The bridge and engineering alerts blipped.

  “Hyperjump,” said Debitts.

  It took about twelve seconds to cover the distance, which was five times the distance from Earth to Sun, or about the distance from the Earth to Jupiter when their orbits were “close.” Hypercomm kept the data coming in from the active probes during hyperflight, and Takaguchi suddenly blinked, frowned...

  “What?” asked Matisou.

  “Realspace in five, four, three, two, one. Back,” said Debitts. “On station at M.I.P. and following profile.”

  “Thanks, Enronn,” said Matisou absently, distracted by the look on Takaguchi’s face. “What?”

  “Heat bloom, sir... a great big square one.” The first officer grinned. “Somebody’s down there.”

  XIU-LI

  They were in the library, monitoring the science net and using it to deduce the tactical situation when Priti gasped, grabbed Xiu-Li by the arm, and squeezed. “They –” she started, then stiffened. “Oh!”

  Xiu-Li reached out and put an arm around the young Niv. “I’m here, Priti. You’re safe on WHEE
LER with me.” She could see that Priti was elsewhere, her Niv mind now seeing other things...

  Priti growled.

  Xiu-Li shivered... and that little shiver seemed to ripple through the state Priti had tranced into. She shook herself and took a deep, gasping breath. “They – they’ve just killed the one who... who killed my mother!” She looked at Xiu-Li in bewilderment. “They set the guard building on fire!”

  They both looked at the thermal imaging scan and saw the bridge was now specifically honing in on the square heat bloom that was so clearly artificial in nature.

  Priti looked at her. “I guess we know where we’re going now.”

  Xiu-Li was wondering how Priti had known what was going on down there on the ground, and who “they” were. “Umm, I think you and Aria will be going with Commander Takaguchi.”

  Priti tilted her head a moment, then shook it. “I don’t think so.”

  “What?”

  MATISOU

  “Bridge, engineering.”

  “Matisou.”

  “I need a staffing opinion from you, sir,” said Chief Engineer Aria Threnody.

  “Okay, on my way,” said Matisou, casually enough. “Mr.Debitts, you have the bridge.” The captain stood up. “I’d like some coffee anyway.”

  “Aye, sir.” Smoothly enough.

  Matisou waited for the shiplift. He’d been on a ship once, there had been a mechanical problem with the drive, and the numeric code for that was used to pass the information, which meant thirty minutes of crew fear and trepidation for a minor intermittent manuvering thruster problem (technically it was part of “the drive.”)

  Matisou had decided then there were better ways to handle sensitive information about anxiety provoking things like starship drive problems until he could assess the problem (or they blew up while he was on his way there – which was supposed to be painless, given the amount of antimatter that would be annihilating uncontrollably in that particular scenario).

  For this year, they had decided that Aria Threnody “needing a staffing opinion” was the sort of thing that sounded sensible enough to cover the fact that something was wrong with the ship’s drives.

  He found Threnody and Lobo scowling at the hyperflight board.

  Threnody looked up. “The pre-flight won’t clearcheck for next jump. I think we’ve just about got it down to this jump-chip, and just have to clear it from the chamber.” She exhaled. “I think an hour should do it.”

  “Good.” He nodded. “You’re off the land operation. Sorry, Aria.”

  Threnody had been so lost in her ship she’d forgotten all about the rescue mission. Now she frowned, looking serious. “Aye, sir.”

  He looked at Lobo. “In your absence, Chief, I believe we will need Mr.Lobo in his capacity as Engineering Quick Response Team B leader. Can we spare him safely, or is there someone else to send?”

  Threnody grinned. “No to both questions, sir, but as I can’t go, I need a challenge to keep me occupied and my new lieutenants busy. We’ll have to make do without him.” She looked at him. “Good luck, Lone Wolf.”

  Lobo saluted. “Thank you, m’am.” He turned to Matisou. “My instructions, sir?”

  “Ground uniform. Expect reinforced barriers, buildings, sensors, and possible hard emplacements… at least one building’s on fire, so it might even be firefighting. You’re piloting Runner One on the command team, with Commander Takaguchi.” Matisou saluted. “Get going.”

  Lobo’s face lit up and he grinned, saluting. “Aye, sir!”

  Matisou looked at Threnody, who had already gone back to her screens. “You’re sure this is just a chip glitch?” A tactical operation from which they could not escape into hyperflight would be very dangerous to start.

  Threnody nodded. “Ninety five percent.”

  “Jason will make sure Priti does okay down there.”

  She nodded again. “I know, sir.”

  “You certain you don’t need Lobo here to help?”

  Threnody looked at him. “I think both Taz’ri’an and Luna will do fine, sir. It’s a good little task for them with me watching, and I think Lobo needs some field experience.” She nodded. “Just a chip glitch, sir. We’ve got all other drives and power.”

  Matisou straightened and grinned. “Sorry, Aria. Just fretting.” He saluted. “Thanks. Carry on, Chief.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  PRITI

  In the event, Priti herself spoke with the Captain.

  It was in the runner docking bay. He came down to wish them all well, and Priti took him to one side. “Please permit Ensign Chen to continue as my escorting bodyguard.”

  He frowned slightly. “She is on medical leave.”

  “Although I trust Commander Takaguchi, Ensign Chen has already proven her skill.”

  “I don’t doubt that.” The frown went away.

  “Captain, please –” and she smiled at him! Matisou looked dumbstruck as Priti continued: “She has volunteered, and both of us know she is quite fit enough for this task. These children are acutely sensitive. To gain their trust, I must completely trust others. Although I do trust Commander Takaguchi, we need one more person with us, and a female would be least threatening to the children, as Lieutenant Commander Threnody is unavailable.”

  The impact of a smile – Matisou was quite dazzled by her and looked over at Takaguchi. The Commander was impassive, amused, and curious what Matisou would do next: he was immune to that charm in general, but...

  Takaguchi looked at Priti and smiled as Matisou stepped over to the comm panel. “Bridge, Matisou; tactical station, Ensign Chen.”

  “Tactical station – Aye, Sir!”

  “Please report to the docking bay. Field gear.”

  “Uhh – Aye, Sir!!”

  Xiu-Li appeared eight minutes later, zipping her field uniform shut as she entered the bay. Priti felt her stomach flip slowly when she saw Xiu-Li stride through the door and come to attention.

  Matisou nodded his head. “No false pride here, Ensign – are you fit for this mission?”

  “Yes, sir. I formally volunteer to continue acting as Priti’s Tactical guide.”

  He sighed. “Very well then, Ensign Chen. Proceed.” He watched as Xiu-Li checked the locator and other gear on Priti’s uniform, and then looked over at Takaguchi. “We’ll keep an eye and ear out. Keep us well informed, and don’t take silly chances, Tak.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Now he looked at Xiu-Li. “Ensign Chen – I expect you to keep our guest from taking chances as well, and I would hope –” (this last directed at Priti) “– no guests will subject my personnel to excessive risks.”

  Priti paused and gave Matisou a rather cool look, just that second to jog his memory who was a Niv here (as if it were even possible to act so irrationally as to risk others!) then looked down. “I understand, Captain.” She looked back up. “My great thanks for your consideration.”

  He raised an eyebrow and nodded his head – in a way not unlike Threnody would, looking quite wise and knowing. Priti felt Xiu-Li tighten a cinch strap and step away.

  Matisou looked at Takaguchi and nodded his head.

  Takaguchi looked at Kimonetti.

  “OPS CREW –‘TENSION!!” screamed the intense tactical officer, and the bay clacked with feet coming together before silence settled. Kimonetti gave them a rather baleful glare and faced forward. “Team present, Commander.”

  Takaguchi turned and saluted Matisou. “Mission team ready and available, sir.”

  Matisou nodded gravely. “Cleared to depart, Commander Takaguchi.”

  “Aye, Captain Matisou.” They saluted. Takaguchi nodded. “Let’s get going, folks.” The crews quickly filed into their designated Runner ships.

  Xiu-Li and Priti followed Takaguchi toward Runner One. A dour young man joined them – “Hey, Phil,” said Xiu-Li, introducing comm officer Ensign Phillip Drury to her. He looked worried, and pale.

  They stepped through the hatch. “Okay, Lone Wolf,
about two minutes,” Takaguchi called out as he cycled the hatch shut.

  Priti saw Xiu-Li flinch. Interesting...

  Takaguchi looked around. “Xiu-Li, you take right seat for ship comms and nav during the fly in... watch how Lobo does it, see how it compares to the sims. Priti – buckle in, but I’ll need your help once we’re on our way. Phil – just buckle in, son, and keep a bag nearby, unless that’s your usual color.”

  “Th-thank you, s-sir,” said Drury.

  Priti had grabbed a seat where she could see the cockpit and watch them enter the atmosphere.

  Lieutenant Lobo was in the pilot seat – he was a good looking young male with a relaxed, confident deep pool of center. He flew smoothly, with a light touch, focus, and was still able to listen to comms and ask questions. He didn’t appear to object to Xiu-Li watching him fly (in fact, Lobo rather welcomed both her company and attention, it seemed to Priti; and Xiu-Li was looking a bit flushed). Lobo was also the team’s “Tac engineer” and the two exchanged some nervous humor about the hackbreaking of doors and hatches.

  Xiu-Li now turned in her seat and gave Priti a thumbs up and smile.

  If you felt that way, you wouldn’t be talking to him –

  Priti looked down at her new DPaT, heart pounding. Helix! What was that?!

  Xiu-Li is performing comms duties – she must talk with Lieutenant Lobo, who happens to look... really good, flying there...

  What strange things to think!

  Takaguchi leaned over. “In five minutes, we’ll make sure the mission kit bags back in the gearhold are all carrying what they’re supposed to. Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yes. Why do you ask? Do I seem ill?”

  Takaguchi grinned. “Well, you look okay, but Captain Matisou will want to know if I actually asked you, so I asked.”

  Priti blushed. “I am somewhat in awe of this effort.” She felt her blush deepen. It was such a fascinating exercise in team deployment that she didn’t know what to say.

  She did not want to spoil it by telling them none of it was needed, and they would either have no problems at all, or a problem that could easily kill every single one of them.

  XIU-LI

  It had taken a few weeks to appreciate the Niv in Aria, who had been around Sol humans for several years and created buffers. It had even taken Xiu-Li a while to see the differences, which most of the time weren’t especially odd or remarkable.

  Aria was much stronger and had faster reflexes, responses and senses. She could meditate in 3-D (a Niv thing – which I can do now!) and was very, very smart. Whether naturally or by decision Aria “muffled” her more exotic Niv qualities and was regarded admiringly as “a pretty tough geek” but not a freak.

  Priti was a pure Niv; she was young, beautiful, exotic, just a bit scary, raised by two “eccentric Niv” (Inquisitive? Differently thinking? Odd?)

  Xiu-Li knew Niv had advanced neural pathways, capacity, and ways of thinking to take advantage of them. Priti had not only been linked somehow with the Niv children on the planet, she had also been aware of whatever had prevented Aria from going on the operation, and aware of both despite significant distances.

  And the way her large, dark eyes glittered when she was on the prowl for data... Priti’s demonstration of the First Meditation and first moves on the Second Meditation, blade flashing... she was so fast, but she was rough.

  Xiu-Li realized that was it.

  Aria was both polished, practiced, and had decided to meet Sol humans halfway, then established a structure to do that; Priti was learning, but still restless and raw, stuffed full of facts and her exotic but lonely experiences on Jade, and then on Heart.

  Now Priti was on another adventure, with Sol humans who had rescued her, and...

  …and although she’s a Niv, she’s a kid, and an “adventure” for her might be hazardous to other people’s health – anyone who wasn’t a Niv and wouldn’t move as quickly, be as strong, or think as clearly under pressure as a Niv. Even a teen like Priti would be very “Rational” under pressure, her mind capable of great focus...

  Right, Xiu-Li; like I’m not half worried what might happen to Wolf, like I’m not distracted by him just sitting there, flying. Like I’m just totally centered (as Wolf is), or totally relaxed and steady (as Commander T is), or merely thrilled (like Priti).

  Well, at least I’m not flightsick like Drury seems to be.

  Wolf said, “Right on the path?”

  Xiu-Li checked the screen. “Dead center.”

  He looked at her, nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Sure.” She felt flushed.

  He looked back to his flight array and keyed their shipcomm. “Air stable in three. Land in twelve.”

  “WHEELER, Runner One, land in twelve,” Xiu-Li said into the link to the OpsNet they were using, passing that internal update into the net.

  Back came (-ACKN-), a quicktext from Tania Manda. Then: (-DRURY SICK? HOW IS DREAMBOAT?-)

  Xiu-Li looked at Wolf, who couldn’t see that screenlet. She typed a text to send with the next exchange: (-YES / U R BAD / MOCHA L8R.-) And Xiu-Li took a deep breath and relaxed (which was why Tania asked).

  There was always mocha... and with Aria, and even Lobo.

  After the mission.

  Suddenly she looked back at Priti, who looked at her, then at Lobo, then down at her new DPaT.

  Fekk! She knows something... and I hope that wasn’t her being jealous! Oh, fekk, nobody told me I’d have days like this!

  It disturbed Xiu-Li that Priti was holding back... except Priti was a Niv, and they were so “private/secretive” that the whole thing might just be one of their cultural corners Xiu-Li still hadn’t earned a look into yet.

  Xiu-Li was too busy to meditate and link with Priti that way, and it was not like she could discuss something like telempathy or whatever it was Niv were capable of, while in the middle of their landing drill… Let alone bring it up in public, especially if on top of everything else, she’s jealous of Lobo or me or at all, which isn’t rational, but that’s what it looked like to me – sort of wounded, scared/angry look!

  And fekk, this was no time to feel flattered!

  For fekk’s sake, Xiu-Li, get another grip here!

  Wolf looked up at the formation board. “Good grouping today.” He checked the forward screen. “Air stable... windowshields clear.” Lobo looked at her. “Now comes the fun part,” he said, grinning, then he keyed the shipcomm. “Flight operations commencing.”

  “WHEELER, Runner One, flight operations commencing,” Xiu-Li relayed, sending her text as well. Keeping her eyes moving between mapscreen and window.

  “Acknowledged, Runner One. Stand by for tactical update.”

  Lobo peered ahead out the window. “Eight minutes,” he said. He gave her a quick grin. “Lucky fours.”

  She grinned back. “WHEELER, Runner One, eight minutes.” (-ACKN-) read the ops text screenlet. She looked at Lobo, pointed to herself, held up four fingers, then two fingers. Four twos.

  Wolf laughed. “Beats me.”

  Xiu-Li studied the site map, keeping an eye on the approach path map and the view ahead out the window. The final run tactical update would be delivered in the last three or four minutes, so it would be as current as realtime could be.

  Takaguchi and Priti returned from the rear section and buckled back into their seats as it came in:

  “AllComm: This is Captain Matisou for final tactical update. The target structure has burned completely and there are no apparent living heat signatures detected in the area. Nothing else is stirring, either on the planet or in the system.” His voice grew solemn. “This may be a forensics visit, but everybody stay ready to move fast if things change: it’s a big system to hide in, and as we all know too well, we may get visitors at any time around here. Commander Takaguchi, you have ground mission command. Matisou clear.”

  Takaguchi keyed in. “Aye, sir. TacNet AllComm, this is Commander Takaguchi. Land and deploy, update for go
. Stay in touch. Stay alert. Stay alive.”

  “SquadRunner, aye,” replied Kimonetti.

  “Runner Two, aye,” replied Lieutenant Day. She headed the medical team in an otherwise empty Runner that served as reserve space for the survivors to travel back in... had there been any.

  Xiu-Li looked out the window and saw the smoke. “Smoke –”

  “Smoke sighted,” said Lobo at the same time. “Prepare for landing in thirty seconds. Looks smooth my side.”

  “Right side clear... clear... clear...”

  THUMP! They were down. On the far side of the smoking camp building the other tactical SquadRunner set down.

  “TacNet AllComm,” said Takaguchi. “Squad and One, down and ready.”

  “Runner Two steady on station.”

  “Matisou, acknowledged. Proceed.”

  Takaguchi sighed. “Keep your eyes open, Let’s get started.”

  MATISOU

  He had made certain to get his coffee and appear fully confident and “just strolling along” on his way back to the bridge.

  Once in the shiplift Matisou, put his lock-out code in and rode up on slow so he could just take a few deep breaths and re-center himself on his own.

  He had a long love-hate relationship with the planet down there. On his first visit, it had taken five crew including the woman he’d loved (and their dog), and eight of his crew on the second. Nobody was calling the planet “Percy” any longer, and now they were back for the second half of their third visit, with a crewper already injured (of course, said crewper was already going back into harm’s way).

  Well... 19373 had also been the site of critical times in the lives and Fleet careers of he and Jason Takaguchi. Surviving and performing well and assisting in bringing almost everyone home was what first officers were supposed to do, and he’d done his part on CALIPER.

  He’d known Takaguchi since University, over twenty years now, and it was his nature to be hopeful... Matisou did not want his oldest, closest friend to be part of any third group lost on 19373.

  Matisou took a few more breaths. They have plenty of back-up this time. This should be almost a training exercise... He put the shiplift back in service and straightened as the door opened.

  Matisou walked onto the bridge and sat down in the command chair. The screens showed views from all three Runners and a plot of their approach. The background chatter was just slightly louder, but not urgent. No problems, as expected...

  He sipped his coffee and nodded.

  “Captain,” said Speeter. “High resolution infrared and other scan images do not suggest any living humans or Niv for a twenty four square kilometer area around the burning structure.”

  He nodded again as he leaned over to key his comm and give the final tactical update. That meant no one down there had made it, which was deeply unfortunate, but it also meant that no one would be shooting at anybody else.

  For once.

  XIU-LI

  When it actually happened, the spear went right through the leg, at least…

  Their operation’s main focus was the camp’s building, and since it had been reduced to a pile of ash, WHEELER’s teams were now all busy with setting up a perimeter and collecting images and samples instead.

  Xiu-Li took Priti to one side. “What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Xiu-Li looked at the young Niv, wondering just how defiant a teenaged Niv might actually get. “We’re Sol humans, Priti. Not Niv. People are going to get hurt here.”

  Priti looked a bit less truculently confident. “They’re both out there. I have to get them.” She straightened. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Listen, you little pseudo-Scholar. I understand irrationality, and that’s your whole operating principle here. Knock off the heroic martyrdom and tell me what –”

  A shout from across the way. Phil Knight had just burned himself on a hot coal, came the TacNet call.

  Priti frowned, and then there was a scream, this one longer and agonizing.

  Now Priti looked stricken.

  It was a pit-trap. Stuart Marsh had dropped through it, and the sharpened wood stakes in the bottom had pierced his feet and legs.

  Priti grabbed hold of Xiu-Li’s arm and tugged hard, leading her away from the group now gathered to get Marsh out. “The children are feral,” whispered Priti. “It is what Aria feared. They have reverted. I cannot say if they will see you all as other than enemies, like the captors they killed.”

  Whoa! Xiu-Li froze. “Ensign Chen to WHEELER, technical link for Chief Threnody, Tac Q.R.T. priority.” She concentrated on her Tac DPaT and the comm protocols, trying not to be angry with Priti.

  “Threnody.”

  “Feral Niv children, tactical concerns in working with them.” Xiu-Li sighed and finally looked at Priti, who now looked rather miserable. “…and in assisting in their recovery.”

  “Paleolithic weapons and tools, adaptations to the local environment.”

  “I don’t think there’s time for twisting up ropes.”

  “Presume lines, wires, and other items were available in the compound if not on board the ship. Presume they planned this from the moment they regained consciousness. Snares, pit-falls, spiderholes, swinging spike logs, spears, possibly arrows.” Aria sighed. “Good luck, you two.”

  “Okay, out.” Xiu-Li put her hand on Priti’s shoulder. “C’mon, kiddo, we better get this moving.”

  After listening, Takaguchi looked half convinced. “You’re telling me that after killing all the guards and anyone else in the building they burned down, those two kids are out there setting Stone Age booby traps?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Xiu-Li.

  “If we didn’t have Marsh down and another pit-fall trap that nearly got Westphal, I’d just start laughing. How old are they again?”

  “A ten year old and an eight year old.”

  “How would they know this stuff?”

  Xiu-Li had wondered that too, but she didn’t want to pressure Priti. It might be impolite to ask, and wasn’t needed to solve the problem. “Sir, I’m fine taking Chief Threnody’s word on this.”

  Although still worried, Takaguchi’s face cleared. That was also good enough for him to start tactical planning. He looked at her. “Suggestions?”

  Xiu-Li looked around. It was just the three of them, off to one side of the main rally point. She looked at the Niv teen. “We need your help, Priti. Somebody’s going to get badly hurt or even killed because they won’t see a trap ahead, and it’ll get them.”

  Priti looked over at her. She was frightened.

  Xiu-Li took a second and thought of an image of her beach, and the sun on it, and she looked into Priti’s eyes and tried to send that warming sunlight image to her. Xiu-Li then looked at Takaguchi. “Sir, I think we might consider returning most personnel to the Runners, and then Priti can lead a small team through these hazards and talk with the kids.”

  Takaguchi seemed to consider this.

  A shriek sounded from the clearing and Ensign Mary Kiernan went zipping up into a tree, upside down on the end of a snareline. She wasn’t hurt so much as wrenched a bit, mostly shocked to have everything upended like that.

  Takaguchi watched the ops team respond, took a long, pissed-off deep breath, then looked at Xiu-Li, avoiding eye contact with Priti. “Who do you want? Think about it.” He keyed his comm. “TacNet, all units fall back to Runners. Watch for snares, trip wires and pit-fall traps in the area as you walk, and try to retrace paths you took here.” He keyed off. “Well?” He looked back at Xiu-Li.

  “Sir,” said Priti. “They have no interest in escape or our ships, and no weapons they could use on them. The ships are safe for the crew, and needed for our return. I believe the fewer who track, the better.” She looked at Xiu-Li. “Ideally just Ensign Chen and I.” She was confident once more.

  Takaguchi turned his head and looked at her. Priti’s eyes went wide, and she paled slightly at the flat coldness in his, h
er confidence faltering.

  Priti bowed her head. “I am unused the differences between Niv and Sol human cultures, Commander. I did not brief you adequately. I bear responsibilty for the injuries your crew has received, and I do apologize.”

  He considered that, looking at Xiu-Li

  She looked at Priti, then back to Takaguchi, and shrugged. “I’ll take my chances with her anyway, Boss.” Xiu-Li grinned. “It’s only human to give a second chance.”

  Priti looked up. Takaguchi caught her eye. “I believe making the best of a second chance is found in both our cultures,” he said gravely.

  Priti straightened to attention. “Yes, sir.”

  He nodded to her and looked at Xiu-Li. “Get going, Jool. Stay in touch. We all want to get back to the ship as soon as we can.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “I’m really sorry I didn’t say more. I got caught up in all of the excitement and acted very irrationally.” Priti led the way, with Xiu-Li just creeping along in her wake.

  “Mm-hmm.” It was difficult work, keeping up with the Niv girl. She moved with an effortless grace through the trees and brush as they headed toward a valley leading to the river northeast of the building site. There were house sized boulders covered with moss to dodge around (they loomed up through the riot of green leaf stripes like dark green icebergs), thickets to renegotiate, and many hillocks under foot, broad rock domelets carved in swells, undulating beneath it all.

  It was mid-morning here and the sun was hot. Dropping down from a starship’s “evening” to a planetary timezone (an instant “bio-clock shift,”) was typical of the weird things ground operations from orbit might require: not merely operating without sleep, but doing so suddenly, at strange times of the local day, or going from habitat to habitat, environment to environment, sometimes all within several hours.

  Xiu-Li wasn’t tired, however. The difficulty was that Priti moved with a certainty the cat footed Xiu-Li envied, permitting greater speed. Priti seemed to know where she was going and why. Xiu-Li managed to keep up, but with less of the graceful smoothness.

  Stopping in the shade of one of the house sized boulders, they split a water ration.

  Xiu-Li leaned back against the cool rock and let the water filling her mouth slowly trickle down her throat. Priti peered at the boulder, then used her Sci DPaT to scan it. Priti looked much older when she applied her focus to science or her Meditations, and she looked serious now.

  Suddenly she looked up at Xiu-Li, then turned her head – she was Listening, the Niv called it, DPaT forgotten – no, she saw Priti’s fingers continuing to press pads to enter scan instructions, doing two or three things at once.

  Xiu-Li smiled in admiration, because she was watching a young Niv woman applying herself at what she liked and did best, and that meant the best of the best. Better be ready... Okay, Chen: feet don’t hurt, feet don’t hurt, feet don’t hurt –

  Priti whipped around, looking ahead. “We must move!”

  So it was back to bushwhacking, trunk dodging, leaf slapping, and now there were thickets of a familiar looking slim, vertical, hard plant – like bamboo, but this wasn’t the Earth version, it was a version she had seen on Cape Of Velvet, 53.5 light years away. It was scattered throughout a boulder field they were crossing, big enough to break the jungle up into pocket clearings (although some pockets in the jungle were clear without boulders as well).

  The clearings let them move more quickly, as did the bamboo, which wasn’t dense enough to be a problem. They ran under a hot electric green canopy that flashed with brilliant sunlight, kinetic, dazzling. They ran and ran...

  Xiu-Li was the fittest Sol human crewperson on WHEELER, and she had no current major leg injuries or problems. After six minutes at top speed she was tired, after twelve minutes she was feeling exhausted, and after fifteen minutes, she didn’t know how she was managing.

  Priti wasn’t in any distress at all, moving with a relentless ferocity; she had been raised on Jade, 31 light years north of Earth, around a star called Mufrid, in the constellation Bootes. That was a very “green” planet, much like Cape Of Velvet or this area of 19373, and Priti moved like a kid raised in a jungle.

  The spears came from nowhere.

  Already stumbling along, Xiu-Li just dropped, heard one thunk hard off a tree behind her. The other one –

  “Aaah!” Priti fell.

  Xiu-Li rolled forward, taking a quick look back.

  The spear meant for her hadn’t bounced off the tree, it had buried itself very deeply into the wood and hummed gently there –

  Hands grabbed her and pulled her –

  Through some bush branches, into a thick patch of underbrush.

  The spear meant for Priti had hit her leg, skewering her calf. “We must move!” she whispered urgently. “Cut the ends off for now!”

  “No, I have to –”

  Priti reached down and broke the pointed end off, jerking the spear around, making blood run more thickly from the wound.

  “Okay, okay.” Xiu-Li used her diamond edge S.A.R. retrieval cutter to lop the other side off more neatly. The spear had a notched end.

  “Atlatl – a dart throwing stick,” gasped Priti. “Increases the power and distance. Now…” She stood, dragging Xiu-Li up to her feet like she was a limp doll. “MOOOO-OOOVE!” roared Priti, and both of them started running, Priti quickly in the lead despite her bloody leg.

  Xiu-Li again found herself whacking leafy branches as Priti flickered in and out of her view ahead, and suddenly the path ahead was clear – where was Priti?

  “Ttssst! Jool!”

  Oh. So up the tree she went... and then along through the trees!

  This time Priti moved slowly, and used interlocking branches and trunks – no jumping from branch to branch (but more than once, she had seen Priti tense to do so, stop herself, and pick a route that Xiu-Li could survive).

  Finally Priti dropped them into a copse of heavy bushes. “Water break,” said the young Niv woman softly, looking around... and at Xiu-Li.

  Xiu-Li passed out a ration each, tore off the lid and drank half. She opened her thighpack, took out her trauma kit, and started fixing Priti’s leg. Xiu-Li trimmed the other end of the spear flat and sprayed Clinistat One (cleaner, pain killer and antibacterial) over both entry holes before she laid imobilfoam around it all – Truhart could surgically remove the wood core later, on the ship, whereas pulling it out now would cause more trauma than already present.

  Priti had good skin color and vital signs, but looked remote, and now gave Xiu-Li a rather bitter smile. “Hubris. I can hear my father now. An old corollary trait found with self absorbed Niv.” She closed her large, dark eyes. “As for my mother...” They opened again, looking into Xiu-Li’s. “I just want to be human.”

  “Well, I suppose not trusting is human.” Xiu-Li sighed. “We’re a tribal species, after all. ‘Us and them’ is hardwired from the brainstem through cortex to neocortex.” She gave the Niv a tired smile. “Trust is one of those civilization and cultural structures added later. We trust someone because we now think they are an ‘Us’ or I find I agree with ‘Them,’ or might even change tribes myself and actually become a ‘Them.’”

  “Mmmm.”

  “Can you tell me how two Niv kids are capable of making a throwing spear that stuck into a tree and would have killed me?” A twinkle appeared in her eye. “I think we’ve both got a more personal stake in this now.” Xiu-Li opened her kit bag and took water rations out for them.

  “Thanks, Xiu-Li,” said Priti. She sipped one. “Mm. All Niv learn Paleolithic subsistence techniques for ultimate survival in the event of any actual planetary or interstellar civilization collapse.”

  “All Niv?”

  “All Niv. I mentioned our paleolithic response teams... those skills are taught. Starting at age five, and one’s First Camp.”

  “Is this sort of a game then?”

  Priti considered that. “No... but it is not a solemn as th
e Meditations would be. Many families often Camp together every year. It’s lighter in many ways, but...” Priti shook her head. “Lives are at stake here.”

  “Not yours, though.” She studied Priti.

  “What do you mean?”

  “The spears came from two opposite directions.” Xiu-Li crossed her forearms in an X. “They wanted me dead, but aimed for your leg and got it.”

  “Yes. The plan was to kill you and prevent me from running away; rapid movement was our only option to fully thwart it. They are aware I am in pursuit, but I believe they presumed you to be Niv as well, causing a mistiming error in their throw. Nevertheless, in another ten seconds they would have been attacking us.” She gave Xiu-Li a look. “You are presuming that incapacitating me was not merely to kill me later.”

  This kid, out here tracking other kids, all of them survivors of a horrible episode, got speared through her leg and ran almost two kilometers before I could stabilize it.

  Xiu-Li slumped back against a tree. “I’m sorry. My trust didn’t last very long.” And I survived mostly because I’m a sloppy and slow footed Sol human. “Some hero.”

  They rested there a moment in silence. Priti touched her arm. “You should finish your water. We’re only human.”

  Xiu-Li finished her ration. “So this is like Camp? You really know what you’re doing? Against booby traps, I mean.”

  Priti nodded. “My parents were multi-year winners when younger, and any Niv with us or in the system would attend, and we would compete against each other, a sort of mini-Camp. Not many other Niv, but every year there were always a few on survey.”

  “Wouldn’t it be easier to, like, try and meet the kids on the beach? Meditate to them, do that Niv thing?” Xiu-Li frowned. “I’m sorry, that sounded really stupid.”

  Priti grinned. “‘That Niv Thing?’ “ She shook her head. “Not exactly...” The grin faded. “They are hard to reach at this stage, because they are operating as if the worst case has happened.”

  “Priti, the Niv have modern technology now. What sort of ‘worst case’ leaves you with Paleolithic technology as your only hope?” She asked it teasingly.

  Priti looked at her. The great dark eyes were solemn and deep. “Suppose you land on a planet, have no way to leave it, and then discover there are intelligent aliens in the universe, but the evidence indicates past violence or conflict as well. What level of threat should your ‘planned civilization’ plan for? How would you ensure our species could survive on the planet, even if things go on around it that cause damage to it? If the threat becomes directed at humans, how would you prevent, or at least slow, the discovery of Earth and the other colony planets?”

  Xiu-Li frowned. “You don’t mean this planet and the Qet?”

  Priti shook her head. “No. I speak of Niv.”

  Xiu-Li shivered. “You found something.” She thought about it, and was glad she was lying down. “The Change – that wasn’t just to adapt to the conditions at Tau Ceti. You –” She swallowed. “All of your heroes and Meditations and Paleolithic Life Camps are...”

  Priti smiled. “A dreadful sham, my father said.” She sighed. “He used that to buttress arguments about my not missing any of the experiences I’d get on Niv.”

  Xiu-Li shook herself. “Umm... what’d your mom say?”

  Priti looked down for a second, then up at Xiu-Li. “She was able to say that you and Aria Threnody proved we were right to get ready. She couldn’t wait to meet you.”

  Xiu-Li rubbed her eyes. Is it mocha time yet? She took a deep breath and looked at Priti. “How do we help these kids? If what you say is true, they’re better adapted to living here than we are. Should we back off and wait for Aria, or SNOWLEOPARD?”

  Priti’s gaze was steady. “What do you really feel?”

  Xiu-Li closed her eyes again and took a deep breath. “I don’t think it’s very good for kids who’ve been through what they’ve been through to be running around an unsecured area with Large Deadly Fauna.” She took another deep breath. “As to what to do... I don’t have a clue.” The tree trunk seemed to be getting softer against her back...

  Xiu-Li took another deep breath...

  [ She stood on her beach. She looked around.

  Priti sat there, arms and legs crossed, huddled and grumpy.

  Priti looked up and scowled. She didn’t have to speak, but bratty kids, Niv or not, were nothing new to Xiu-Li; and, even if not totally in the spirit, Priti was there. No, Xiu-Li was curious if...

  Two younger children sat with their backs to her.

  She thought, Fekk, I wish I had ice cream!

  Nothing happened.

  “I told you,” said Priti. “It doesn’t work that way.”

  Frustrated, Xiu-Li watched the Deep Image Meditation start to fade ––– wait: had those two heads turned? ]

  Priti had fashioned a crutch and used it to stand as Xiu-Li opened her eyes.

  “I apologize,” said the young Niv. “You were correct to make the attempt. I was able to sense their direction.”

  Xiu-Li stood up. “I can’t wait to go D.I.M. swimming again.”

  They moved slowly along the sun dappled trail as insects and birds both reported their presence and ignored them. Priti was using the crutch more like a probe and had hardly a limp as she went.

  Suddenly she stopped, listening. Xiu-Li froze.

  “Yaaa!” Priti whirled and knocked the dart spear from the air with her walking stick.

  Xiu-Li ducked, stepped out of the way –

  “NO!” screamed Priti, grabbing for her –

  It was some kind of snare. It got her ankle, and off the trail and down the hill Xiu-Li went, a vision of Priti’s staring eyes receding into the green distance, following her into the darkness. Leaves, stalks and twigs battered her as she twisted and rolled, trying to protect her face and head.

  At some point the sliding tree trunk the snare was attached to stopped falling, and Xiu-Li slid onto the valley floor at last, bruised from head to toe, coughing dust. She sliced the snare loose, pushed herself to her feet – fell over, took a deep breath, and pushed herself up to her feet again.

  Okay, Chen: Nothing hurts, nothing hurts...

  They were around the bend.

  Xiu-Li walked around a large tree and a rough fence of leaves fell down to reveal a young Niv male holding spears, resting on hooked sticks, one in each hand. Too far away to jump him; the trail narrowed in either direction, and it was an easy choke point.

  There was a rustle and a slightly older Niv girl stood there as well, bearing another of the throwing stick spears as well, on a different angle of fire. Both wore ship overalls, but these had been carefully stained green and brown with leaves and dirt, creating a very effective camouflage pattern.

  So much for kids and the beach if there’s no ice cream!

  They were studying her.

  Xiu-Li detected no emotion or even a flicker of inner thought, but they were curious. “I lost my father when I was ten,” she blurted out.

  They paused.

  That registered!

  The girl looked uncertain, but not the boy – he merely blinked twice.

  Finally, the boy growled, and his arms shifted backward to hurl his spears –

  Xiu-Li found herself thinking about waking up that morning with a new friend and a warm furry CT Cat purring away next to her, and now ending the day speared by two traumatized, feral Niv children. It was quite a tremendous swing in fortune, and very unfair…

  Suddenly the girl dropped her spear. The boy dropped both of his.

  They fell to their knees, staring at Xiu-Li’s feet.

  There was a Corvel’s Ceti Tube Cat sitting there.

  It was orange and white, differently colored than Priti’s. Stance and posture made clear it was in the way, shielding Xiu-Li, despite coming no higher than her knee.

  It looked up at her for a second, but mostly kept its eyes on the children, who were starting to blink a lot.

/>   Priti loomed up beside her. The imobilfoam had cracked off her injured leg during her scramble down the hill, and she was bleeding again. There were broad tear tracks in the dirt on her cheeks, but she paid no attention to the pain in her leg.

  They exchanged glances and Xiu-Li motioned with her head to the kids. Priti moved over to them.

  Xiu-Li looked at the Tube Cat now swirling around her ankles and purring. Of course – besides beaches and ice cream, most kids like snuggly and furry. “Why, thank you, little one. Where did you come from?” It did not object when she picked it up and rubbed its short, soft fur while she watched Priti, seated on her knees, speaking to both children, whose eyes and faces were far more mobile now.

  And suddenly crumpling into tears.

  Priti looked across the clearing at Xiu-Li. Were Niv too Rational to hug when they cried? she wondered.

  Then Priti opened her arms and put them around the kids.

  Who both jumped up and grabbed her hard, crying.

  Xiu-Li keyed her comm. “Commander Takaguchi, Ensign Chen. We have them, they seem to be coming around... we’re about thirty minutes away.”

  “SquadRunner, depart when ready. Ensign Chen, find us a landing space. We’re coming to get you, E.T.A. ten minutes overhead.”

  “Aye, sir.” She heard the radio messages ripple out over the TacNet in response to hers and sighed, looking at the Tube Cat. “Thank you again.”

  It half cracked an eye, purred louder, and pressed itself against the fingers rubbing it.

  The NSS SNOWLEOPARD was twice as big as IWG-SS JOHN A.WHEELER but had such sleek lines that it made the smaller WHEELER look like a fat and chubby Sno-Cat.

  Xiu-Li was going off watch when her DPaT chirped. “Chen.”

  “Ensign Chen, you have been requested to escort our guests to their next berth aboard NSS SNOWLEOPARD,” said Matisou. “How do you plead?”

  She laughed. “Thank you, sir. Ensign Chen available in twelve minutes.”

  Xiu-Li had rarely seen Priti, who spent all her time in the medical section with the kids. There were plenty of guards posted to keep everyone on the correct sides of the doors (Matisou was polite, but not about to let recently feral Niv kids loose on his ship), so Ensign Chen had resumed all regular duties upon their return to the ship and the end of her sick leave.

  That had been something of a relief.

  Aria had been distant. She was working with her new lieutenants, and the three younger Niv had an effect on her psychic weather (even though that topic was “irrational, non-existent, specious, and out of bounds!” as Xiu-Li had once been heatedly informed).

  Lobo and the new lieutenants were also busy, checking the chipware subsystems. He wasn’t around much either.

  Neither development had been a happy one for Xiu-Li.

  They couldn’t start any surveys or take any chances as long as the Niv were aboard. That annoyed people, and so did the injuries to crew on the ground party. Most crew recognized insanity, but some chose to make out the kids as more calculating fighters, deliberately trying to hurt or kill.

  Xiu-Li had suggested the Paleolithic training was unique to these quirky science kids, something that had been picked up and seemed to make sense – but some still said it was part of a Niv hidden agenda to turn themselves into super soldiers and then take over Humanity.

  That had been immediately mocked by any who heard the three or four people who suggested it: exactly how would Paleolithic training and tools help Niv take over Humanity?

  That had kept it light, and no one was very serious about “sinister Niv,” but it had come up, and was not a rare view among Sol humans (even in the weird Belt habs) in all of the colonies and Earth/Sol.

  Xiu-Li thought about a culture where every single person went to “Paleo-Camp” and learned group hunting skills – frighteningly impressive. Add a tradition of heroes (especially based on recent historical colony experiences), and martial arts training inside the system of Meditations, and one has a cultural operating system for humans with bodies suitable for super soldiers.

  Right agenda, wrong mission profile.

  Xiu-Li caught up on her own workouts and flight sims while they waited for SNOWLEOPARD to arrive. Once or twice she found herself thinking about a naked Aria Threnody hurling a spear with a throwing stick... but she didn’t dwell on it, she’d just pretend she was flying Wolf Lobo somewhere instead... mmm!... but in realspace, they were both still too busy to take a break.

  Finally, NSS SNOWLEOPARD had entered the system.

  The senior officers were there to see the kids and Priti off, and a handful of crew she had become friendly with. No one could argue Priti hadn’t been helpful (after some early communication problems), and in that “cosmic scoreboard of justice” Sol humans were still followers of, Priti herself had been injured as a result of unsound planning.

  She’d paid her price to learn something just like any new Crew did. She was “Okay,” and her caring for the kids touched many so far from home.

  Now Priti caught her eye, nodded, and smiled.

  Xiu-Li grinned. Priti’s become honorary Crew. She was proud of the young Niv woman for making any connections at all.

  The Niv kids were more like kids now. They were still rather stiff, but that was likely to be Niv culture, and they had proven to have senses of humor. All three had new Stooge Working Group crew tee shirts in their new gear bags, already stowed on board Runner Two.

  Whatever sort of rational training they’d had, they still both got flustered when they saw her there, then they looked at each other, calmed themselves, and nodded to her, eyes level.

  Xiu-Li nodded back. Kids.

  She was about to step through the hatch when she realized no one else was moving toward it. Xiu-Li paused.

  “Problem, Ensign Chen?” said Matisou.

  “Sir? Isn’t anyone else going?” In fact, they were all clearing the bay for launch.

  Matisou smiled, shook his head. “Lieutenant Commander Threnody is piloting.” He exchanged glances with Takaguchi. “You know how tricky diplomatic requests can be, Ensign. This one seems straight enough.”

  “They’ll probably want to ask you a few supplemental questions.” Takaguchi grinned tightly. “You’re cleared to answer.”

  “Aye, sir.” Xiu-Li stepped through the hatch, wondering why they both looked so worried then...

  The kids were up front, to watch Aria fly.

  Priti sat in the rear section and waited for Xiu-Li. “I wanted to thank you,” she said.

  Xiu-Li sat down and buckled in across from her. “For what?”

  “For being a true big sister for me. I know I had a mad passion for you, and you were really good to me.” Priti smoothed her uniform. “Many I have met would not have restrained themselves.”

  “Umm...” That kiss on the ankle... that was close.

  Priti smiled. “We can reintroduce ourselves some day. I want to go to Earth and possibly specialize in recontact studies at Earth Space University.”

  Xiu-Li blinked and laughed in delight. “Wow! That sounds like a bold and forthright plan.” She tilted her head. “You’re thinking of IWG Space Fleet? Really?”

  “Maybe.” Priti smiled. “You have to be very good to get in.”

  “Why not the Niv Space Service?”

  Priti took a deep breath. “Aria was unhappy for years on Niv. It was a gift of JoHelix when it was decided to send Niv to serve in IWG Space Fleet, because Aria could just leave Niv and join.” A shake of her head. “I would have indulged my parents and gone back to Niv, but they are gone.”

  “But you’re going back now.”

  Priti sighed. “The kids need me,” she said simply.

  Xiu-Li studied Priti. Life had matured her greatly over the past several days, and she had experienced a variety of emotions, from the very worst to some of the best (and not all of them, thank Space!)

  The young Niv giggled. “I’ll remember you always, of course. For the rest of my
life.” Priti shrugged. “I know that’s a burden for you, but that’s okay.” She smiled. “I suppose you shouldn’t save me next time, and then you won’t have that problem.”

  “Priti, I’ll save you every time I get the chance to.”

  “Even though I’m a cold, imperious, demanding brat?”

  “No, in spite of those things,” Xiu-Li said affectionately, obviously teasing. “Because I’ve watched you hug those kids, and seen you play with your Cat after you’ve put them to bed. I’m glad I met you.”

  “Even though I’m scary sometimes, and you didn’t trust me?”

  Xiu-Li sighed. “I was right to not just go with untrustworthy gut feelings and instead wait to see what would actually happen.” She nodded. “Life is an ongoing process for me, not a menu of endless rational steps until death.”

  Priti nodded. “I did not intend to frighten you.”

  Xiu-Li shrugged. “That’s okay. It comes with the job.” Then their eyes met... “It comes with living life,” she added softly. “I was worried. A lot of things were going on.”

  “I’m sorry I was jealous.” Priti grinned. “Between my mad passion and my jealousy, I was a poor example of the Rational Mind in Action over those days.”

  Xiu-Li smiled. “I’ve heard much of your parents. I believe your actions honored their teachings. I think you did well under incredible stress. And we all survived.”

  Priti’s eyes flashed. “Yes! Most true! We are Darwinian in this one!”

  “Ahh... yes.” Xiu-Li laughed.

  Priti smiled. “You have two other new fans as well, of course.”

  “They seem nervous around me today.”

  “They are truly pure Niv, and only recently off the planet. They are in shock, lives overturned, and they are returning to be placed with family.”

  “What about you?”

  Priti looked haughty. “I am not ten or eight years old.”

  “Please, Priti. The other parts that apply as well to you?” Their eyes met and held. “Who will watch after you now?” Xiu-Li asked softly.

  “Oh.” Priti swallowed. “My aunt, Sara. My mother’s sister. She will have family charge of me until age seventeen.”

  “Do you like her?”

  “Yes.” Priti nodded. “She’s sort of like Aria. She has a seven year old daughter, though.” She looked thoughtful. “She seemed to learn everything each of my parents did, and always saw things a lot like my mother... but differently... and they had some disagreements.” She blinked, and blushed. “I apologize for such personal –”

  Xiu-Li reached over and tapped her shoulder. “Hey. I wouldn’t be much of a hero if I couldn’t keep things private. I was an only child from a gigantic extended family that I had to go live with when I was ten.”

  Priti nodded her head. “Life slurps.”

  “Ahh – life ‘slurps’ ?”

  Priti frowned. “Oh, damn your fiendish colloquialisms!” Then she grinned. “How was that one?”

  “That was very good. ‘Fiendish’ is classy, which befits the Niv sensibility, and the ‘damn’ was straight on.” Xiu-Li laughed. “If this continues, perhaps one day the Daughter of Science will become a Niv comedian.”

  Priti winced and giggled. “I don’t think my parents would have approved of that path as a life career, whereas my aunt would likely volunteer to produce the show.” She shook her head, thinking. “Opportunity within such large tragedy and loss: enigmatic. Neither rational nor irrational.” Her eyes drifted forward to the cockpit. “Those children were going to be living as I did, far from Niv. Now they’ll live more conventionally, be more fully Niv.”

  “Is that better? I like the way you’ve turned out so far, Priti.”

  Priti smiled, but was still thinking about it. “I was lonely, Jool. There was always something to do, and I had my Cat, but really...” She looked at Xiu-Li. “My parents, my Cat, my compsys. We moved from nowhere to nowhere to set data points, and make it Somewhere. But it was still nowhere.” She sighed.

  “The very first people to see those newest Somewheres.”

  Priti nodded, looking sad.

  What would Niv be like for her now?

  Xiu-Li gulped. “Well... while you’re on Niv, think of it as a cultural survey. Do some sightseeing, treat it like any other planet. And remember, sometimes it turns out that no matter what you do... life just sucks.”

  Priti swallowed and smiled bravely. “Ahh – life sucks.”

  Xiu-Li nodded solemnly. “Yes – but only sometimes.” There was a whoop from the front. She smiled. “Not today, though. Even if I’ll miss you.”

  Priti looked wistful. “Maybe I’ll see you on your beach.”

  Xiu-Li laughed. “Maybe. Leave me a coconut shell message if I’m not there.” She kept it light, keeping away from deeper currents. Priti had not been the only one struggling with “passion,” after all.

  Priti gave her a knowing look. “Good luck with the Lone Wolf.”

  Xiu-Li blushed. “I always get so nervous around him.”

  Priti giggled. “He seems relaxed around you.”

  “Thank Space one of us is.” She took a deep breath. “And I’m also...” She shook her head. Her feelings for Aria were no less, just very different.

  “Space drives humans to snuggle.”

  Xiu-Li looked puzzled. “That sounds familiar. Who said that?”

  “You did.”

  “Oh.”

  Priti smiled. “Space Fleet and the crew on WHEELER seem to be quite reasonable about that. It is something I have decided to consider in my career planning.”

  “And the Niv Space Service doesn’t?” Xiu-Li was shocked.

  Priti pretended to be serious. “Provoking irrational actions over time, no matter how rationally handled, intimate physical relations are not permitted.” She shook her head. “As if this were possible. But Niv will get in career trouble if caught.”

  Xiu-Li sighed. “Well, we’re all discreet adults. Supposed to be, anyway.” The docking cycle alert beeped. “We’re here.”

  She had hoped to see the Niv ship on the approach but instead had spent the time with Priti. Xiu-Li could always look at a ship; she was glad they’d just plain talked. But now she couldn’t wait to see the ship.

  It was not to be.

  The Niv security man who entered the Runner bay was obviously that: he was as big as any Qet or other huge male Xiu-Li had ever seen, and he was graying at the temples. He would be immune to mistakes of inexperience and skilled in Meditations even Aria Threnody had never danced.

  He looked at Xiu-Li, bowed his head, and said politely, “Please stay here until called for, m’am.” The hatchdoor behind him closed as if to accent his words.

  It was disappointing, and she tried to find an angle to see it as other than an insulting quarantine – but took a deep breath, gave him a smile and said, “Thank you.” The Niv had always been very private, and she would go by their rules. Xiu-Li looked at Aria and, seeing the fury building there, gave her a nod. “We all have protocols.”

  Aria blinked at her, nodded back, and looked away, still furious.

  Priti looked stunned and confused, but the “Daughter of Science” was a popular title and a perception, not a Niv Space Service rank or social power, after all. She looked from Aria to Xiu-Li to Aria to the security man, all of them with stony, set faces. It was so unexpected that Priti had no idea what to say or do.

  The young girl broke it. She stood a little bit taller than his waist, but she went over and stood in front of him. “Mister Kennel,” she said, with quiet, serious intensity. “I told myself if I ever got back here, I would show her my room. That’s where we’re going.” She looked over at Xiu-Li. “Come on, Xiu-Li.”

  Kennel straightened. “I’m very, very sorry, Liana –”

  A Corvel’s Tube Cat twisted itself between Xiu-Li’s legs and jumped from there up into the Niv girl’s arms. It was orange and white.

  How... ?

  Kennel actual
ly staggered backward.

  “See?” said the girl, Liana, in scornful triumph, as the Ceti Cat in her arms began purring so loudly they could all hear it. “Xiu-Li walks with Cats. Now, perhaps people have been mourning the loss of my parents, and worried about us, and have not paid full and proper attention to the way my parents practiced honor. As the only granddaughter of Admiral Kal, I will tell you now, Mister Kennel, you will be restraining me or escorting us to my room, which harbors no secrets critical to Niv security.”

  It was quite an elegant, civilized social threat.

  Xiu-Li noticed Kennel ignored everything the girl said, probably never actually hearing a word. His eyes were cycling from the so very apparently unconcerned Ceti Cat in Liana’s arms to Xiu-Li, who was a bit nervous to find Corvel’s Tube Cats popping into existence all around her. They were very cute, and she could imagine worse problems, but how were they getting there? And why?

  Kennel looked worried and concerned, and she realized he had no idea what to do about that; very disconcerting for a Niv, especially a Security man.

  The hatchdoor behind Kennel opened.

  “What’s the hold up?” The woman who entered looked a bit like an older version of Priti... or the data image of Selena. She looked at her niece Priti, then Kennel, the girl, the Cat – and then at Xiu-Li. “Ah.”

  She looked around the room. “Well, hullo, everyone. In the interests of rational efficiency, we need these three young Scholars in our medical section, while I debrief Ensign Chen and Lieutenant Commander Threnody.” She looked at Kennel. “Perhaps you could escort them to medical, Mister Kennel?”

  “Of course, Doctor Catsmile,” he said smoothly. “All others I leave in your hands at this time.” Kennel nodded to them. The orange and white Ceti Cat seemed to wink at Xiu-Li as the girl carried it out with her. Before Priti left with Kennel, Sara gave her a hug.

  Sara then looked at the two WHEELER crew and bowed her head. “I apologize if the Vishak family retainer gave any impression of insult. Such a cruel and irrational event has a disturbing effect on many.” She looked at Xiu-Li. “Your presence is forever welcome on Niv, Xiu-Li Chen.”

  Xiu-Li’s mouth dropped open. In five minutes it had gone from “don’t leave your ship” to “come by and see us any time.”

  Niv were not “fickle;” there were political undercurrents at work here.

  Sara studied Aria intently while the Niv Chief Engineer stared back, their expressions difficult to decipher.

  Suddenly Sara gasped and looked away, and Aria looked down. “You did deserve better,” murmured Sara.

  “As did you. I am sorry events ended as they did, Sara.”

  “You do not need to apologize for events never in your control.”

  Aria gave her a rather thin smile. “Then why make me?”

  Sara shot her a glance.

  Aria looked down. “Sorry.”

  Xiu-Li suddenly wished she were elsewhere. “Undercurrents at work” was an understatement for this situation!... hey that was a Niv chuckler.

  “Please, Aria...” Sara touched her arm. “You have been missed greatly. It is fitting you return with such success.”

  “I am just the pilot today,” said Aria, smiling slightly, looking at Xiu-Li. “It was Priti Fareyes and Ensign Chen who achieved success.” She looked back at Sara, still smiling. “She has a way of doing that.”

  Sara nodded. “So I have read.”

  Xiu-Li realized she had never heard Priti’s last name before. It really suits her... big, dark eyes... Priti Fareyes... nice.

  She felt both women looking at her, and her cheeks burned.

  Sara smiled. “There will be a ceremony of safe return and mourning shortly, once the doctor is convinced all is well.” She motioned with her hand. “Please follow me.”

  The corridor was carpeted and had inlaid designs on the walls, along with inset holo screens set to Classic Earth paintings. It was much more richly appointed than InterWorld Group survey or big utilitarian cargo or colony ships, closer in the look and feel of quiet elegance to one of the big, fancy “cruisers and liners” for paying passengers.

  There was no one else to be seen during the short walk to a fairly big cabin space, suitable for a gathering. It had a very large crysglass window; they could see WHEELER on station, and the brilliant blue-white-green planet 19373 below.

  They went over to the window, because everybody always did when there was something to see. They had just reached it when the door opened behind them and an angry man stomped in.

  “What are you doing here?” He was in his mid to late thirties, had brown eyes, tan brown hair, and many white teeth. Decent. But very angry.

  “Talking while we wait for the ceremony,” Sara answered, not the least perturbed. Aria had gone stiff as a board.

  “On whose authority?!” He was yelling now, and an angry Niv male was new for Xiu-Li. She could appreciate now why so many Sol humans felt threatened, although she still did not.

  Sara fixed him with a glance. “Mine, of course.”

  He wanted to stay angry and remain on the offensive, irrational though it might be (he was still an angry human male, after all), but in a very short period of two breaths his face cleared and he was just in a mode of steely disapproval. Very civilized and rational.

  The man looked at Aria and nodded. “Aria.”

  Aria was so still it was worse than anger. “Miles.”

  Xiu-Li felt a chill run up her spine; this was the Niv warror woman who had killed an armed Qet warrior bare handed, and that will to execute had come across in one word.

  He just sighed and switched to Xiu-Li. “Ensign Chen. Family Threnody thanks you for saving Aria.” He bowed his head. No anger at all, just a civilized, rational acknowledgement – his ability to shift mental gears on the fly was very impressive.

  “As she saved mine first, Family Threnody is welcome,” Xiu-Li replied, nodding back. “And you are…?”

  “Miles Threnody, Security Officer, NSS SNOWLEOPARD.” He smiled. “I apologize for initial delays in meeting you.”

  She didn’t know what to make of his smile, since it would be his Division rules that would be responsible for all access to the ship, so any orders keeping Xiu-Li in the Runner bay came from there. “Thank you.” When in doubt, be diplomatic; and what did that make Sara in the command structure?

  He nodded. “I also bear thanks from Admiral Kal.”

  “It would have been impossible to find those children without Lieutenant Commander Threnody and Priti Fareyes. I was just along to assist.”

  Miles Threnody nodded politely. “That is not what the children are saying.”

  “Well... you know kids.”

  He frowned seriously and opened his mouth to respond when Sara said, “Miles, do you know when the captain will be here?”

  He swallowed and looked at her. “Within another six minutes or so. The children will be cleared by then.” He looked at them all. “I fear I must start a report to the Admiral. Excuse me, and it has been an honor to meet you, Ensign Chen.”

  She nodded.

  He went to the door, and as it opened, stood back. “Captain.”

  She saw Aria was no longer still and hostile, but was nervous… for other reasons, so it seemed.

  “Miles,” said a voice – a wonderfully rich, mellow voice. “Come ahead.” Miles Threnody walked out, and the Captain walked in.

  He was about forty, and his eyes swept the room and checked them all in one quick sweep. They were black, as were his hair and moustache, his skin a light tan. Tall, trim, powerful, he had twice the confidence the older security man had radiated. He was almost as handsome as Wolf Lobo, but a fair bit older.

  And he had charm – immense charm.

  His eyes fell back to Xiu-Li’s as he said, “I am early because I wanted to meet you. I am Captain Cristofer Gatto, NSS SNOWLEOPARD, and I am very pleased you are here today.” He smiled at Aria, who responded weakly in kind, and then continued. “
Xiu-Li, not only have you made a friend in Admiral Kal, and the Niv, you have as well with me. I am impressed with your actions to date, especially those on this planet.” He looked back at Aria. “And I am very happy to see you, Aria. You are well?”

  Aria swallowed. “Yes,” she said weakly. “Quite so.”

  Gatto grinned, looking almost roguish. “Good.”

  Xiu-Li managed not to smile.

  He looked at Sara (as a flustered Aria Threnody tried to recover) and nodded his head. “Your niece is fine. She felt strongly she should assist in the recovery of the children, who have some minor external injuries of the body, and some of the mind that are perhaps deeper.” His face grew somber. “She herself would benefit with some help, although naturally, she denies a need.” Gatto looked at Xiu-Li. “We will be on station about three weeks here with you.”

  Xiu-Li nodded. “Priti went through hell. If I can be of any help, just let me know.”

  He smiled. “We who have made that journey before must help others.” She saw his eyes cut from hers to Aria, then back. “I thank you again.” He did it with great skill, and Aria missed it.

  Xiu-Li bowed her head. “I have already been rewarded by their continued presence in my life alone.” Aria had recovered enough to look over at Xiu-Li, and she stood tall and looked back.

  Aria looked away, unsure what she had missed, but pleased.

  Good. Xiu-Li knew the charismatic Captain Gatto and observant Sara Catsmile had missed none of it. They exchanged glances and seemed pleased... like a couple happy for a friend. Even better.

  Xiu-Li felt something brush against her leg. It was the orange and white Corvel’s Ceti Tube Cat. It looked up at her, then it jumped up into her arms. It began purring immediately, if that’s what the peculiar rumbles were.

  She looked up and saw Aria looking at her fondly, the other Niv with something closer to wonder.

  Gatto looked just a bit uneasy – good! And Sara was just as delighted as could be.

  The door opened (she caught a glimpse of Kennel) and in came the kids, now wearing clean robes over loose pants and shirts.

  “Oh, there you are then,” said the girl, Liana, looking from the Ceti Tube Cat to Xiu-Li.

  “I told you that’s where it went,” said her brother, smiling at Xiu-Li. “Hi, Xiu-Li, I’m glad they let you out.” As direct as any eight year old could put it.

  His sister cut in immediately: “I didn’t say I didn’t believe you, Pito!”

  “Yes, you did! You said it was an irrational supposition.”

  She glared at her little brother. “That’s because it is, really, but I still didn’t say I didn’t believe you.”

  He had to digest that a moment.

  The girl turned, smiled, and said, “Hello, Xiu-Li.” She looked like any kid at a Popular Star Fan Reception for her favorite media idol, but she was also trying to demonstrate Niv restraint.

  Xiu-Li smiled. “Hello, again, all of you.” She looked at the Cat, which cracked an eye for just a second then closed it and stretched before falling asleep in her arms, flicking its ears when Priti walked in. She was still wearing her Space Fleet uniform; Gatto noticed it and blanked his face, which had been very expressive until then.

  Priti saw it happen, and they exchanged a glance.

  There was a second of silence as the other Niv looked away from this silent exchange, which Xiu-Li realized too late she wasn’t “supposed” to see (a Niv would just look away and... oh, so that’s how they did it).

  Despite whatever past “hell” Gatto had been through, the young Niv woman before him had just survived her own.

  “Captain Gatto, it is very, very nice to see you,” said Priti Fareyes, in a steady, clear voice. “Thank you so much for coming to our assistance.” Her face was calm, tranquil, and her eyes serene... but unwavering.

  Gatto looked from her to Sara, then up at the ceiling. When he looked down, he seemed resigned, but happy. “Priti Fareyes, you have certainly had an eventful First Fourteen.” He grew solemn. “We should begin. We cannot borrow crew from the good ship JOHN A.WHEELER for too long today.”

  Everyone grew somber and stood straight now.

  “We speak now, at this moment, of those lost on the ship KOLTAAR, all of who were in peace with the Universe. The few words said now are no match for the many, many memories that will long remain.” Gatto nodded at Xiu-Li. “To our knowledge there has never been cause or reason for anyone not from Niv to be at such a ceremony. Today there is reason, and Xiu-Li Chen of Earth is here.” His eyes flashed, as they had at first, and Xiu-Li felt herself tingle all over again. “I am to risk calling you Mariposa Xiu-Li Chen.”

  Feeling quite dazzled now, Xiu-Li just nodded.

  Gatto smiled at her, then looked at the children.

  They looked at each other; the girl spoke first. “I want to learn more about Sol and what we can do about facing this future together, as we should be.” Liana looked at the stiffly smiling Gatto. “Both of my parents taught me to respect education and compassion, and to remember that true attention to the Codicil demands sacrifice, including that of long held ‘positions of thought’ when circumstances change.”

  This time Gatto and Sara exchanged two looks: first their own reactions to Liana’s words (Gatto unhappy, Sara pleased), then their reactions to each other’s first reactions (Gatto was annoyed, and then Sara grew cold).

  That’s more like a couple headed for divorce, thought Xiu-Li.

  It was quick, and the boy missed their interplay as he spoke: “I am still interested in quantum tunnel engineering. I don’t think Sol will help me much there.”

  Gatto looked pleased, and so did Sara, but perhaps not as radiantly.

  Then the boy continued: “The Gem Isles. That is where I want to study. At Natasha’s Garage!” He said it as plainly as an excited, rationally righteous eight year old could.

  Gatto scowled. “Didn’t that place get blasted apart by O.P.P. when they destroyed the R and D Yards there?” he muttered to Sara.

  “No,” said Sara. “None of the private facilities, including The Hensridge Engine Works, were touched.”

  Xiu-Li tried not to giggle in relief. Nate was okay then! She felt lightheaded, she wanted to sing, dance, kick, jump...

  Priti was smiling at her, when she was supposed to be serious. “I see this news has lightened your heart. I am happy for you.” Priti looked at them all. “I have seen my friend Xiu-Li struggle, as I have struggled. I am here today because of her directly. These children are here today because first Xiu-Li saved me, then Aria Threnody found the truth left behind on the planet.

  “We returned, and Xiu-Li risked her life to stay with me, no matter how irrational I acted as I struggled with my loss.” She took a deep breath, and so did everyone else. “But I am Niv. I have been taught, and I have learned. I am Niv. These two children are the best I have faced yet, spurred by their intense crisis.” She looked at Xiu-Li, then the others. “Xiu-Li and I and all the others were lucky – merely lucky – to have survived with as few injuries as we did.”

  Priti looked at the kids and smiled, then looked back over to Xiu-Li, with some friendly awe. “Xiu-Li is more than lucky to have survived. She walks with Cats; why this is so, only Schrodinger knows...” Priti grinned at a very clearly disconcerted looking Gatto. “We have seen it enough to get their point to us. It would be fitting to give consideration for the Name of Katcallr to her, had Aria not indicated how many meanings ‘Mariposa’ already held for her.”

  Xiu-Li looked at Aria, whose gaze was warm and steady. The name referenced Xiu-Li’s butterfly sword, of course, but it had also been the nickname for one of Xiu-Li’s best friends, recently killed by the Qet.

  Priti cleared her throat, bringing Xiu-Li back. “Working with the crew of science ship JOHN A.WHEELER taught me that there will be much talk before Niv and Sol truly effect full Re-Contact. I want to assist in that. When it is time, I am going to attend Earth Space University.”


  Gatto was resigned by now. He listened with a fixed but pleasant smile that told Xiu-Li these probably weren’t his problems to solve anyway, so he could be diplomatic and wait. Sara seemed pleased, but restrained by the moment.

  Gatto looked at Xiu-Li. “It seems you might have company one day.” He was neutral, but not opposed to it; perhaps he had just been taken by surprise in all the sudden interest in Sol Earth, which upon reflection would not be unusual after such recent exposure to Sol culture.

  “That would be very nice.” Xiu-Li decided he meant in the IWG, as she had no idea when, if ever, she’d be posted back on Earth, or that it was a posting to be sought after any time soon (perhaps one day it might be nice to be there as a captain or an admiral, but those were lofty aspirations, for somewhere off in the misty future of her career).

  And then it was over, and everyone relaxed slightly.

  The Ceti Cat wiggled and jumped from her arms. It went over to the girl Liana, who picked it up and looked at Xiu-Li, smiling shyly. Her brother was looking out the window at WHEELER, talking quietly to Aria; probably about the drives, if his comments reflected his current interests.

  Gatto nodded formally at Xiu-Li and walked out. He might be neutral and diplomatic, but he was not pleased. Sara stepped over to her. “You have a number of new fans.”

  “That seems to keep happening.” Xiu-Li smiled. “I’m not sure I deserve them.”

  Sara smiled. “Among Niv, the ability to call Cats is rare and treasured, deserved or not.”

  “I wondered about that...” She saw Aria turn and look over at her – time to go. “This has been quite an honor.”

  Sara sighed. “I wish I could properly show you the ship but we have time and other various constraints; perhaps on a future visit.” She gave Xiu-Li a long look. “I know the children will want to see you before we leave station. I will likely see you during our site survey.” She smiled, looking at Aria and then back. “I think Aria can tell you about Corvel’s Tube Cats. If you should have any more questions, you can always contact me.” She looked into Xiu-Li’s eyes. “Any time.” Sara Catsmile held her gaze for another second and then bowed her head politely.

  Priti and the kids – and the quiet Mister Kennel – escorted them back to their Runner. The girl put down the Cat and hugged her, the boy shook her hand very seriously, and Priti looked oddly distressed. Aria took the kids to see the outside of the Runner drives, while Xiu-Li took Priti to one side. “Are you okay, Priti?”

  “I am not upset. Why would I be upset?”

  Xiu-Li put an arm around her shoulders. “It would only be human to be so.”

  Priti shrugged and sniffled.

  “Hey, we can always talk, and I’ll come back as often as they let me on board.”

  Priti smiled weakly. “Or do that Niv thing.”

  Xiu-Li swallowed. “Umm...”

  Priti giggled. “Just teasing.” She grew more serious. “I would like to meet you and Aria in a meditation on your beach.” And there was a warm, furry Ceti Cat pushing against Xiu-Li’s ankle (and then she blushed bright red, recalling a kiss there... not now!)

  Priti giggled, delighted. “You remembered!”

  She shivered. “I won’t ever forget it.” Thank Space it’s over!

  Priti smiled. “I was – call it playing. Trying something out...”

  Xiu-Li sighed gratefully. “I’m glad you gave me an island I can really visit instead.” She looked down at Priti’s Ceti Cat. “Thank you as well, little one.” The Cat blinked at her.

  Priti nodded. “Well, that was playing too, and I knew you would not be a human likely to give in.” She looked down. “At the time, it was rather a disappointment– ” she gave Xiu-Li a sudden grin. “But I feel and know better now. Cultural normals differ between planets.”

  Aria Threnody cleared her throat and stepped into view. “Oh, there you are. The Captain wants to get us back and put the ship to full night levels.” She smiled at Priti. “Thanks, Priti. See you soon.”

  “If they won’t teach me, can I meet you on the beach?” said Priti softly. So softly that no device or monitor would have heard it over the cycling pumps.

  Aria looked stunned, then did a quick look around. Then she looked at Xiu-Li.

  Xiu-Li felt a lot in that look, including fear – the fear Aria had felt when Xiu-Li was on a Tactical operation. It was an emotion the Niv woman had not expected to feel as part of a relationship, even one that had begun with their surviving a violent encounter, and Aria had been working on it. At least Aria knows I can handle myself; what is she looking at me for, permission? Hmmm... wonder why?

  Xiu-Li nodded her head just slightly. It sounded like a good idea to her, and they both knew the value of being trained to fight when one faces an uncertain, perhaps violent, cosmos at large. She hadn’t realized there might be a question about Priti’s continued learning of The Second Meditation.

  Aria looked at Priti. “I would be surprised if Sara did not pick up where we left off, but I would be willing to discuss this if you ask.”

  Priti looked from Aria to Xiu-Li and bowed her head. “Thank you.” She looked around the docking bay. “I see I am preventing the docking team from their sweep. I must be going now.” She gave them a smile. “We’ll speak again soon,” Priti said, half to herself, then she turned and headed for the hatch.

  After Xiu-Li cycled the Runner hatch closed, she went forwad to the cockpit and found Aria sitting in the right side seat. Giving her a glance, WHEELER’s Chief Engineer casually said, “Commander Takaguchi and I thought you might like to fly back to WHEELER, once we’re moved clear of SNOWLEOPARD.”

  Xiu-Li’s heart began to pound: this would be her last step before formal testing for pilot/flight status, and although she had spent hours in the Virtual box...

  “Yes, m’am,” she said formally, sitting down in the left hand pilot’s seat. Most of this short hop was monitoring the auto systems – they were flying in an “on station” formation and the course would be compsys controlled, but performing the clearcheck, monitoring the flight program and being ready for unplanned course deviations was more critical than ever when distances were short.

  So that meant clearchecking a Runner for flight, and there was always some manual input (flying) even on a short hop – okay!

  Easy as a board break...

  With Aria pretending not to watch every step, Xiu-Li completed the clearcheck and called in to the SNOWLEOPARD dock team, who acknowledged promptly and started cycling the Runner forward onto the launch rail for extension out into space and drop-launch.

  “So far, so good,” said Aria. “You’re doing very well.”

  Xiu-Li nodded. “Rail release, five minutes. Uhh, when we get a chance, will you tell me more about Ceti Cats?”

  Aria looked... nervous? “I’m not on duty until tomorrow,” she said, looking down at her arrays.

  Is she nervous about that, or me, flying? Xiu-Li took a deep breath. Calm yourself either way, Chen. You are not yet a butterfly... just a caterpillar, moving one line at a time, until the structure is complete... “Rail release in one hundred and twenty seconds.”

  “I.W.G. Runner Two, prepare for rail release and approx eighty seconds of magnetic guidance to flightzone,” said a male voice on the SNOWLEOPARD docking comm frequency.

  Aria stiffened.

  Since Xiu-Li was flying, that put Aria on comms. She took a deep breath and clicked on, responding calmly: “SNOWLEOPARD, Runner Two, A-C-K.”

  Xiu-Li noticed the letter code and glanced over, saw Aria was white faced and still. Xiu-Li went back to flying. Later for that stuff.

  “Rail release in six, five four, three, two, one...”

  They felt the faintest of “clicks” ripple through the frame, then they were free from the launch rail and moving along magnetically to the flightzone. It was all programmed and routine and Xiu-Li watched her arrays like a Velvet bladehawk as everything went off perfectly.

  “Runner Two, SNOWLEOPA
RD, clear and free in flightzone. It was good to see you. Please be careful. NSS SNOWLEOPARD out.”

  Aria was watching both of her arrays intently. “SNOWLEOPARD, Runner Two, we A-C-K,” she clipped out. As Xiu-Li did a visual sweep of her cockpit (she was flying!) her eye caught Aria’s. The Niv woman was deep in decisionmaking about whether to say anything more when their eyes met.

  Xiu-Li tilted her head just a second before moving on with her visual sweep and then back to her controls. Okay, now. “Runner Two, E.T.A. to WHEELER sixteen minutes total. Drives in fifteen seconds.”

  “SNOWLEOPARD, Runner Two, clearing flightzone...” Aria sighed. “And being very careful. Thank you. Clear.” She looked out the front side window. “All clear this side,” she mumbled (it was supposed to explain her looking out the front side window).

  “Okay, on the flightpath... mm-hm, see what you mean. In realspace it’s a lighter touch.”

  “Yes.”

  In fact, the flight was technically uneventful from start to finish. The moment the docking cycle was complete, WHEELER went into full nightwatch, which meant all the stand-by teams could relax and now everybody who was offwatch could sleep.

  Xiu-Li clearchecked through the ship shutdown list, and as she cut the main power, silence fell as the last unit died.

  “Wow.” Xiu-Li stretched. “It’s mocha time.” She looked over at Aria. “Thanks for letting me get some practice in.”

  Aria blinked, puzzled. “Practice?”

  Now Xiu-Li was puzzled. “Yes. Thanks.”

  Aria’s weird mood seemed to lift. “Ensign Chen, who does the flight certifications on the JOHN A.WHEELER?” She used a teasing/serious tone.

  Xiu-Li swallowed. “I am guessing that would be you, m’am.” At the twinkle reappearing in Aria’s brown eyes, Xiu-Li went on hastily: “In your capacity as Chief Engineer, IWG-SS JOHN A.WHEELER.” Aria smiled. “M’am,” Xiu-Li added, mock contritely. Did that mean... ?

  “I’m surprised you didn’t know this.”

  “I thought the Captain –”

  Aria nodded. “The type of people chosen to entrust Runners and give flight operation codes to, the ones selected or encouraged to apply, that is where captains and first officers give input. But only a Certified Flight Test Engineer can give final certification to new pilots.”

  “As it should be, m’am” said Xiu-Li. “Of course.”

  Aria sighed. “Relax, Xiu-Li,” she said softly. “Please. I’m just teasing you, I feel like I haven’t had a chance to in weeks.”

  “Which part were you teasing me about?”

  “Well,” Aria began seriously. “Perhaps my tone was...”

  Xiu-Li suddenly giggled. “So I really am a pilot now?”

  Aria looked puzzled. “Yes. I explained that.” She looked at Xiu-Li. “Do you tease me back, or are you being provocative?”

  Xiu-Li slowly unbuckled the belts and lifted herself up out of the chair as if on a stage, and then she smiled. “Both. I’m a pilot, and they tend to be cocky.”

  Aria looked skeptical. “Yet you are not equipped that way, as we both know.” But her eyes had followed Xiu-Li’s every move, and she looked more like the Aria of old: sardonic, cool, relaxed, and usually looking happy to see Xiu-Li. She was even teasing her friend again.

  Xiu-Li put her hands on her hips. “And you, m’am, are delaying the clearance of my Runner, so the dock gang can get to it.” The ‘Very By The Book’ Look.

  Aria grinned and unbuckled herself. “These pilots you speak of, do they also tend to become pedantic pickwillies?”

  Xiu-Li jerked. “‘P-pickwillies’?” She began to giggle.

  Aria stood up. “Pickwillies.” She smiled, enjoying Xiu-Li’s laugh.

  “Can a girl even be a ‘pickwillie’?”

  The Niv woman pretended to think hard. “Umm... to my knowledge, anybody can be a pickwillie. But what kind of pickwillie... that’s a whole different menu.”

  Xiu-Li smiled. “Not just ‘pedantic,’ then.”

  Aria shook her head. She looked nervous again. They were standing close together inside the Runner, dimly lit by Entry lights. It was nice and quiet and private in here.

  “I missed you, Aria,” said Xiu-Li, taking Aria’s hand. “Let’s go get something to drink, and you can tell me all about Ceti Tube Cats.”

  Takaguchi was getting some coffee when they arrived at the Continuous Overwatch, a tiny room where general drinks and snacks were always available. He nodded at them, and then at Xiu-Li. “Nice trip back?”

  She smiled. “Yes, sir. Thank you sir.”

  “There are six months of flight probation and regular VirtuSim testing times ahead. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She saluted.

  While Aria went to a wall comm to check in, Xiu-Li loaded up a bowl with cookies (made by recently promoted ship chef Lieutenant (j.g), Atilio Hapgood, who had night-and-overwatch duty) plus a mocha for her and a milk shake for Aria – both also made by Hapgood himself, who stepped in and took over from the ensign on duty. “Hey, Five Star. Good to see you.”

  “Atilio.”

  “Five Star?” asked Aria, walking up as Hapgood finished making the milk shake. “Mmm, looks nice.”

  “Thank you, m’am.” Hapgood grinned and nodded his head at Xiu-Li. “Winner of the 2171 and 2172 E.S.U. Arts Skills Tournament. Five Stars in the books. Quite a fighter.”

  “Oh, I know,” said Aria, matter of factly. “Amazing, right?”

  Hapgood nodded vigorously. “Yes, m’am. I wish I could have seen her training!” He chuckled. “They never let her spar or train with us at the University, being too advanced for us.” He looked at Xiu-Li. “They ran digividlink of the Finals, of course.” He was still in awe, trying to figure out how she’d prevented a single point against her. “Wow.”

  “Mm... thanks, Atilio. These cookies look delicious.”

  The wall comm chirped. Hapgood looked at the text message there and straightened, looking sheepish. He hit a button and turned. “Just a moment, there’s something here for you.” He disappeared into the rear section.

  Aria smilled at her. “Another fan.”

  Xiu-Li blushed.

  Hapgood returned with a large mission kit sized bag. Inside was a hard, relatively heavy object. “This was part of the return shipment food exchange supplements from SNOWLEOPARD.”

  Aria motioned to Xiu-Li’s full hands. “I’ll take it.” She hefted the bag. “Mmmmm...”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m going to guess it’s something good with cookies.”

  Then they went to Xiu-Li’s quarters.

  Now she felt nervous, while Aria seemed to relax more every minute she was back on board WHEELER. In fact, she put down the kit bag and threw herself on Xiu-Li’s bed, sighing deeply. “Space!” She wiggled her feet. Xiu-Li sat in her chair, drank some coffee, and took a deep breath – home.

  “Mmm, it feels good to be back here,” said Aria, softly. “May we listen to puresource jazz? Miles Davis? The song SO WHAT ?”

  “Of course.” Xiu-Li got it and some other Miles Davis on the compsys and started the program. “Nice.” She checked the date. “Wow.” A performance over two hundred years old. “Really nice!” She picked up the kit bag and opened it.

  Aria sighed happily. “Delicious, isn’t it?” She looked over at Xiu-Li. “One advantage of isolation is a deeper appreciation for the far past, for first origins.” She smiled. “You have heard of rock, the rhythm and blues, classical, and so on?”

  Xiu-Li laughed. “My family had a number of musicians, on a variety of instruments and levels. Artists as well. I had little choice but hearing and seeing a little of everything.”

  “That explains your Scholarly attributes.”

  Xiu-Li sighed. “Makes me a truthful smart-ass.”

  “I like that quality. You’re hardly the worst on board, anyway.” Aria stretched out. “Rrrrrrr.”

  “You sound like a big cat.” Xiu-Li took a big box
out of the bag.

  Aria’s eyes were on her now. “You... walk with cats, so... I suppose that’s to be expected around you.”

  “Aria. Cat culture on Niv. Whatever this is. Please explain.” She sat down in her chair with the square box at her feet, looking at Aria.

  “Open it.”

  Inside were two spheres and two spoons. She took them out and found the top half slid around to reveal a frozen dessert. She looked at Aria, who just smiled lazily, watching her.

  She scooped out a spoonful and it was fruit ice creamy, deliciously sweet/tangy frozen, and the second spoon was even more so. She heard Aria laugh; she must have been making quite a face. “Deep Space, Aria! What is it?”

  A smoky chuckle. “Koo berry freeze. It is a classic Niv dessert served in an inner chilled bowl, also classic Niv design.”

  “There’s a note... Bless your steps. And a paw print?” She held it up.

  Aria narrowed her eyes a moment, then nodded. “Yes, that’s a paw print.” She giggled. “You’re even making four footed fans.”

  “Mmmm...” She figured Priti had helped, or maybe Liana... but she wasn’t certain any longer. “Aria. The cat culture on Niv. Please.”

  Aria smiled. “Schrodinger’s quantum cat exercise is one part –”

  It was one of the classical quantum physics “thought experiments” that used the possible poisoning of a cat in a box as part of the set-up (if the box is sealed and the toxic is on a random number fuse, then the cat may be either dead or alive in there – a state that is undetermined without opening the box, the whole analogy devised to illustrate indeterminate states at quantum levels).

  Xiu-Li frowned. “That always sounded mean to me.”

  Aria laughed. “This is why you walk with Cats. On Niv, we replace the toxin with a kitty treat, and the quantum state regards a fat cat or a hungry kitty. But homage to a physics thought experiment is one reason; a problem with local predators that ate all the dogs is the other. Then it seemed our cats – feline Domesticus, the house cats – developed their own relationships with local cat-like creatures, as descibed by Damon Corvel, who studied them.”

  “Corvel’s Ceti Tube Cats.” She put down her empty bowl.

  “Yes.”

  Xiu-Li ate a cookie. “Mmm... butternut dryberry.” She took a deep breath. “And my... walking with them?”

  Aria’s eyes narrowed. “That... worries you?” She was trying to read Xiu-Li, who finally just nodded when her eyes teared up. Aria patted the bed.

  Xiu-Li went over and sat down. “I know it’s silly. They are so-o cute... but they just seem to...” She didn’t want to say it.

  Aria took her hand. “Pop out of nowhere, and leave the same way? Arrive when called for?”

  “I didn’t call for it. Down on 19373. I was just...”

  Aria rubbed her palm slowly. “You thought about Priti’s Cat.”

  “Yes. That one is dark brown. The one on the planet was orange and white.”

  Aria smiled. “It’s Sherbet, the ship Cat on SNOWLEOPARD. It was the one Cat that knew where it needed to be that moment, instead of sleeping on SNOWLEOPARD. It came when you called for it, and it found Liana again.” She rolled over on her side and put her other hand on top of Xiu-Li’s. Her eyes were luminous – not the dark black abyss of Priti, but a warmer, sweeter brown... “Evidently you are a Friend of Cats, as far as they are concerned... and welcomed as a Friend of Niv.”

  “That was a lot of stuff, all at once... that was a formal Niv diplomatic invitation, then?”

  Aria looked mock-pompous. “It bears all the markings of one.” She chuckled. “Ship’s protocols aside, you did personally save the ‘Daughter of Science,’ and ‘helped save’ the grandchildren of Admiral Kal, as Liana said.” She shook her head. “Ohhh, that was something. Kennel must have had a near meltdown, trying to figure out why the Cats would choose a rather thin, obviously angry Earth woman to walk with.”

  “Angry I understand. What do you mean thin?”

  “It’s just the differences in muscle mass distribution; Niv men are often heard to describe even heavily trained human women as ‘thin.’”

  “Do you think I’m thin?”

  Aria sighed. “I find you closer to perfection every day, and I am concerned by the irrational aspects of this.”

  Xiu-Li took a few seconds to digest that. “Th-thanks,” she said at last. “Umm... Aria, don’t people who, ahhh, ‘come together’ act in irrational ways, even on Niv? I mean, romance and passion have a depth and range that can be, well... irrational.”

  “Mmmm... my concern is not on Niv.”

  Whoa! Xiu-Li shook her head to clear it. “Why have the Cats chosen to walk with me?”

  “We don’t know,” replied Aria. “Once a Cat becomes attached to a Niv it tends to show up around them, regardless of distance, should there be some indication of threat, or other need.” She sighed. “You are an absolute nexus for Chaos Theory Dynamics, Xiu-Li... but the Cats have never harmed a Niv, in the seventy two years since their initial discovery on the colony planet then called Gaia. I have always heard them associated with luck, and believe it myself, as irrational as that sounds.” Aria smiled. “The Cats seem to encourage that.”

  “I feel dizzy,” said Xiu-Li, which was both true, and a cover to buy time to think about things. She really wanted to know who Miles Threnody was, and what history the sexy Captain Gatto and Aria might have had – but those questions might not help the mood… and she had missed Aria... and she was dizzy because her heart was now pounding so hard, and her palms were sweaty.

  The Niv woman released Xiu-Li’s hand and rolled on her back, closing her eyes, a smile on her face. “I was Paleo-Camp Champion in the Atlatl Throw for three years.” Aria looked up at Xiu-Li, studied her a moment, then nodded. “That is a Threnody family tradition.” A look of both pride and anger there.

  Xiu-Li, lost in confirmation of a passing image she’d had, almost missed the significance: Aria had told her something (and her face had shown something more) about her family. “You holding a throwing dart is a warrior image to rival mine, Aria.” She recalled heated arguments about Scholars of Niv and left it at that, although she wanted to say more.

  Aria grinned. “You are being naughty, I can tell. After you saved my life, you knelt over me, naked and bleeding from your injuries, and asked me if I was hurt. I can’t see how you might see –”

  “– how the power and beauty of a naked, oiled Aria Threnody throwing a dart half a meter deep into a target might not be erotic in some way?”

  The Niv laughed. “What would the IWG psychologists say about that image? That goes all that way back to Vienna’s Freud.”

  “Oh, Aria, sometimes a spear is just a spear.” Her eyes bore into the other woman’s. “It’s you I’m looking at, anyway.”

  Aria blushed. “Well, maybe next time I get suitable materials.”

  Xiu-Li did not look away. “You have all the materials you need with you, Aria. Just your mind... and your body.”

  Neither had ever been quite this overt about the other, or their feelings; their stayovers had been closer to University, which was the general way ship life was. But this was a bit more serious...

  Xiu-Li swallowed. “I mean, you saved my life by clobbering a Qet male with a boulder and rattling some rocks. How do I make that into a warrior’s image?” She was backing down.

  “You don’t need an image. We don’t need the beach. I am right here.” Aria laughed. “Like one of your Cats.”

  “Did you have a Cat?”

  Aria smiled fondly. “Yes, I was lucky. As far as I know, it has a family on Niv several times over.” Her eyes narrowed. “We are dancing here, yes? Why?”

  “I’m, uh, I’m...”

  Aria began to laugh. It was relaxed and pure, and it sounded great, even as Xiu-Li blushed bright red.

  “People see people for different things and different reasons, Xiu-Li. You told me I needed a friend, and you were right, and he
re we are. Very Niv. Well, I tell you that Wolf Lobo is a gentleman and diligent thinker, and if you feel the same, you are as free to spend time with him as you would be with anyone else. It is irrational to act otherwise in this situation.” A shake of her head. “On Niv we treasure the moments and work for more but know better than to demand things from the universe. It is clear to all you are attracted to the Lone Wolf, and I do appreciate how rational and yet fun he is.” Aria smiled. “He feels the same about you. So do I. I’m here now, so are you. There is no competition; I cannot rationally compete with a good looking, intelligent man like Wolf. It was amusing; I had to laugh.” Her brown eyes sparkled. “Because I am here. With you. Usually, I can’t be, but tonight, it has worked out. When the things you want to think and talk about, or do, are with me, we should see about spending time together, just like we are now. Tonight.”

  Xiu-Li took a deep breath. Wow.

  Aria chuckled. “Or is that just ‘too rational’ to work?”

  Xiu-Li mock-frowned. “You keep changing the topic. We’ve gone from Cats to spears to the Lone Wolf.”

  Aria stretched. “That is because I am relaxed and you are not.”

  “It’s been... quite an evening.”

  “Then perhaps lying down here for a neuro Chakra point massage would help... perhaps your stint as a pilot has made you tense.”

  “Oh. That’s right.” Xiu-Li chuckled.

  “Space, Xiu-Li! You didn’t forget!”

  Xiu-Li unzipped her uniform. “I was distracted.” She shrugged it off her shoulders, letting it fall down slowly. “I’m only human.”