Fortune's Wheel Read online

  Kusac tightened his grasp reassuringly. "You see your future up there in the skies, not Sholan war craft. Iunder-stand," he said.

  Come, it's safer if we move away from them, he sent, nod-ding in the direction of Guynor. Anders and

  Hughes had just taken hold of the Sholan male, placing him under close ar-rest.

  Now the Khalossa is here, Garras doesn't trust Guynor's parole. His hatred of us is so strong hemay not wait for the results of my hearing or his court martial before deciding to take the law intohis own hands.

  Carrie turned away from the cave mouth, moving out from under his hand.

  "I wish I had your confidence in the future," she said, un-willing to look at him.

  Acutely aware of her growing unease and withdrawal from him over the last few days, Kusac took herby the arm, urging her farther into the cave with him. He led her past the group gathered round the Sholantransmitter, toward an empty table at the far side of the main cave, sensing as he did so her reluctance to

  be alone with him.

  Carrie, I think it's time we talked.

  For a moment he felt her resist. Then, as he eased himself down with his back to the wall, she slippedonto the bench facing him. Inwardly he sighed, trying to block his annoy-ance over yet another of herunsubtle hints that she was a person in her own right, apart from him.

  "I prefer to vocalize," she said in Sholan.

  Kusac shrugged, leaning his elbows on the table. "It makes no difference to me," he said mildly. "I said itwas time to talk, and it is. I know you can shield some things from our Leska bond, and should I chooseto pry, I could probably find out what." He held up his hand to forestall her as he felt the indignation anddenial that rose to her lips.

  "I choose instead to ask you," he continued. "So tell me why this is the first time in three days that we've

  been alone."

  Carrie examined her hands. "I'm not avoiding you, Kusac," she said at length.

  'True," he agreed amicably. "You're just avoiding being alone with me."

  "I'm not really. I only want to spend what time I have left on Keiss with my own people. It came as a shock to realize how soon I would be leaving everything I know behind, and how much there was to leave."

  "You've said these words before, Carrie. While I recog-nize their truth, I'm listening for the words you've

  not spo-ken."

  Carrie looked up with a faint smile. "I forgot that half truths aren't possible between us."

  The smile faded and she sighed, reaching for his hand. She held it between both of hers, stroking the darkfur be-fore turning it over to look at his palm. It was much like hers, flesh-colored, the fingers long andnarrow. The sharp tipped claws were retracted now.

  "You know what I feel about you, Kusac," she said, as he turned his hand to clasp one of hers. "Our Link makes it im-possible for me to hide it, and I know what you feel for me. Your conviction that our Leska bond must be like the Sholan one—linked as life-mates, body and mind—frightens me."

  His hand tightened on hers, claws automatically coming out, to be retracted almost as soon as theytouched her.

  "Do you wish the Link hadn't been forged?" he asked, trying to keep his voice and thoughts neutral.

  "No," she replied quickly, frowning. "I don't wish it un-done, but I wish I had had a choice! It seems that all my life other people or circumstances have dictated what I do. Just for once I'd like to have some say in the matter."

  "What do you want to do?" he asked, cursing inwardly as his tail gave an involuntary flick against her

  legs. "Do you want to remain on Keiss?"

  "I don't want to stay here," she said. "No, I intend to leave with you. Apart from anything else, we have to attend your guild hearing and Guynor's court-martial. I wouldn't let you go through those alone no matter what I felt for you."

  "Thank you," he said dryly.

  "So much has happened since we left my home," she said, her eyes taking on a distant look. "Do you

  realize it was only about a month ago? Who could guess so much could happen in so short a time?"

  She came back to the present, giving herself a little shake, a gesture that was almost Sholan.

  "I just need some time to adjust to the changes in my life, to decide what I want to do." She looked

  intently at him. "Could you do that? Would you let me have some time to myself?"

  "If it means so much to you, then take the time that you need," he said, carefully keeping his voice level.

  'Thank you," she said quietly. "I know what this costs you." She released his hand and rose from the

  table, smiling before she left.

  Left alone, Kusac clenched his hands into fists, his claws drawing blood from his palms. The painstopped him think-ing, stopped her picking up the worry that would otherwise be in his mind. Factsabout telepathic links, Leska Links in particular, were what he needed. The Telepath Guild's files onboard the Khalossa held the information. Once there he could access them; then he would know for surewhat at least a normal Sholan Leska Link entailed.

  For now he needed a distraction, something to do to keep his mind occupied. If only Vanna's medikitcarried some psychic suppressants, he could have escaped the constant iwareness of Carrie that wasrubbing his senses raw. Her de-cision to keep him at a distance mentally and physically was exacerbatinghis situation. Unfortunately, investigatory icams like theirs didn't normally include telepaths, so the drugwasn't contained in the standard medikit.

  He heard a cry of pleasure from the direction of the trans-mitter and looked up.

  "We're in contact with the Khalossa!" shouted Vanna, catching his eye.

  Kusac grinned and, unclenching his hands, pushed himself to his feet and went over to join them.

  "How're things going?" he asked her.

  "Fine. Six or seven Valtegan ships made it off planet, but were tracked by our craft. Two have been

  allowed through the cordon, the others were destroyed."

  "Why let two through?"

  She shrugged. "I presume to warn the Valtegans that their R and R planet has been returned to its rightfulowners."

  Kusac digested this for a moment. "Surely they'll retali-ate?"

  "Garras thinks not," said Mito. "If they used Kei^s as a relaxation base, then it must be far enough from their war zone to be safe. Being at war, they won't want to start an-other one with us, will they? It would split their resources."

  "I expect they'll leave well alone now that they know there are two races capable of retaliating in this

  sector of space," said Garras.

  "Any other news?" Kusac asked him.

  "They plan to airlift us out of here as soon as possible and take us to Seaport to rendezvous with the

  Tarran leaders. They're sending down our top negotiators to begin the treaty talks."

  "Seaport's a good choice. Part of the original Terran craft is there with their computer records and

  transmitters. Any news about the Terran colony ship?"

  "They've sent a message for two escort ships to meet it and bring it directly here," said Vanna. "Keiss is

  shortly go-ing to seem very crowded."

  Kusac nodded. "Life moves on," he said.

  Vanna frowned as she looked at him. "That's a strange thing to say."

  "It just seems a very rapid solution for a problem that was almost insurmountable a few weeks ago."

  "You're being too profound," she said, showing her teeth in a wide Sholan grin.

  "There're two personal messages for you, Kusac," said Mito, looking up at him, a strange expression on

  her face.

  "Personal?" repeated Kusac, looking startled.

  "Yes. Rhian and Askad, Leska telepaths on board the Khalossa , thank you for the message and say that

  all has been arranged and they will meet you at Seaport."

  "Ah," said Kusac, glancing sideways at Garras, ears flick-ing with embarrassment, but the Captain

  appeared engr
ossed in listening to the transmission.

  "And your father says he is glad you are well. He says he awaits with interest the pleasure of meeting you

  and your Leska."

  Kusac took a deep breath. "Damn!" he swore.

  All the eyes of the little group were now on him.

  "Is there some problem?" asked Vanna quietly.

  "Just more complications I could do without," he said, sit-ting down beside her and stretching out his

  injured leg. "I'd hoped to tell him myself. I should have known better."

  "How, in a military emergency such as this, could he get a message through from Shola?" asked Mito.

  "How did he know you'd found a Leska?" asked Vanna. "Did someone on the Khalossa inform him?"

  "I don't know," said Kusac, shrugging. "Just leave it, please."

  "It seems there's more to you than meets the eye," said Garras, glancing appraisingly at him before

  returning his at-tention to the transmitter.

  "He must know someone important to be able to use the military communications to send a personal

  message during a state of war," Mito continued, unwilling to leave the matter alone.

  "I said enough, Mito!" said Kusac, standing up. "Captain, I claim a telepath's privilege of solitude. I need

  to leave the cave. Have I permission to go?" he asked curtly.

  Garras glanced briefly at Vanna, obtaining an almost im-perceptible movement of her ears in assent. Therisk of him encountering Valtegans on the run was outweighed by his need for solitude.

  "Granted. If you find game while you're out, it would make a welcome change to our diet."

  Kusac nodded and, spinning round, left, barely aware of Carrie's startled reaction to his outburst.

  * * *

  By late afternoon, a Sholan craft arrived to ferry them to Seaport. They landed in the square in front ofthe Eureka . It was a huge metal edifice, only a fraction of its former height iut still dominating every otherbuilding in Seaport. Skai I and the other guerrillas headed off to the local inn, Skinner accompanying Carrie and the Sholans through the entrance.

  Garras stopped briefly to talk to the Sholan guards inside, ¦anding Guynor over to their custody. Thatdone, Skinner led the way, passing by the elevators to the upper levels where the communications andrecords departments were housed, heading for the room that had been the Terrans' council hall beforethe advent of the Valtegans.

  It still bore the scars of the occupation, but had b^en re-turned to the semblance of human use by thelocal towns-folk. A huge carved wooden table sat in the center of the room surrounded by chairs. At thefar end of the table, a small group of Sholans and Terrans sat. They looked up as the new arrivalsentered.

  "Carrie! Richard!" called their father, getting to his feet and coming forward to meet them.

  Richard threw Carrie a rueful glance.

  "I didn't think we could avoid him for long," he said qui-etly.

  "What possessed him to bring David, too?" she said.

  Kusac stepped closer to her. "David's here?"

  She looked up at him. "Yes, but don't worry. I can handle him."

  Kusac flicked his ears in irritation. "I dislike him. The man is cruel and self-opinionated."

  "Carrie," her father said, hugging her when they reached him. "You shouldn't have left like that. We were

  extremely worried about you. Thank God Richard found you."

  "I was fine, Dad. I had Kusac with me," she said, return-ing the hug.

  "Ah, yes. Kusac." Peter Hamilton regarded him critically.

  Kusac bore her father's appraisal patiently, knowing it was only the first of many obstacles that he and Carrie would have to face. Briefly, his viewpoint altered, and he saw himself through both his Leska's andher father's eyes. Tall, dark-furred, and fairly powerfully built, the pointed ears added to his feline look. The face was humanoid yet still catlike with vertically slitted amber eyes set above high cheek bones. Thenose and mouth, though bifurcated like a feline's, appeared more humanoid.

  A wave of dizziness hit him along with the realization that Carrie was making sure her father saw theperson that he was rather than the animal he had impersonated during his stay at the Inn. Then his visioncleared and he sensed her fa-ther's conclusion that his appearance, despite the heavy musculature thathinted at a strength beyond that of the Terrans, was pleasing rather than threatening.

  Gods, cub, you need to learn some subtlety ! he sent.

  Time for that later, she replied.

  Her father was nodding and holding out his hand. "It seems we owe you everything. Had it not been foryou, we wouldn't yet be free of the Valtegans. Been wounded again, I see," he said, looking at thebandage around Kusac's thigh.

  Kusac took the hand, holding it lightly and releasing him-self before Peter Hamilton's grasp triggered hisclaws.

  "It's almost healed," he said. "I owe your family my life. It seemed a fair exchange."

  Peter Hamilton smiled and turned back to his children.

  "Richard, I see you've managed to keep body and soul to-gether."

  Richard grinned. "Just about," he said.

  Her father turned to allow David to join the group.

  "I've brought someone with me who's very anxious to see you, Carrie," he said.

  "Hello, Carrie," said David. "You really shouldn't have left so precipitously, you know. Not exactly a mature act, was it, to cause so much distress? Still, you're back with us now." He stepped forward to give her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.

  "Hello, David," she said, sidestepping him to stand beside Kusac. "I see you haven't changed. You

  shouldn't have bothered to come, you know. We said our good-byes the day I left Valleytown."

  David stopped abruptly, an angry look crossing his face.

  "Carrie, that's hardly any way to talk to someone who's been as concerned over you as David has,"

  scolded her fa-ther.

  "I don't give a damn what David thinks or feels, Father. I want nothing to do with him. He needn't stay on

  my ac-count."

  Let's leave, Kusac , she sent.

  Kusac put an arm around her waist, drawing her to one side. He inclined his head briefly to her father.

  "You will excuse us, sir, but we have to see my com-manding officer. I'm sure you understand that Clan

  matters have to come second to duty."

  He drew her toward where the Sholans were grouped to-gether round a section of the table, aware ofher father's and David's puzzled anger at their abrupt dismissal.

  "Carrie, come back," her father called. "You shouldn't be here. These are important discussions, not

  some social event." 't

  She stopped, turning to face him again.

  "I am here officially, with the Sholans. I have another mental link, this time with Kusac. It makes me part

  of his ship's crew now."

  "Mental link?" said her father, confused.

  "A link like I had with Elise. I told you I wasn't returning home and I meant it," she said, her voice and

  face unyield-ing. "When the ship leaves Keiss, I'm going, too."

  "What nonsense is this, Carrie? Just because you looked after Kusac and helped him find the rest of his crew doesn't mean his people want you on their ship. That's work for the diplomats, not you. It's time for you to return home to your family and friends."

  "I have no friends on Keiss, and you were prepared to barter me to David against my wishes for the sake

  of the family."

  "That's different…" he began.

  "Yes, it is. This is what I choose to do."

  Kusac's heart began to lighten. Maybe there was hope for them after all.

  "Don't talk utter rubbish, girl," her father stormed. "You'll do as you're told!"

  A voice from behind interrupted them, the heavily ac-cented Sholan breaking the angry group apart.

  Kusac released Carrie and turning sharply, saluted the of-ficer behind him. There fol
lowed a briefinterchange before Kusac turned back to them.

  "Sub-Commander Zyan asks that this discussion be de-layed until we join the others. There are many facts that need to be investigated before the matter can be fully re-solved. He also asks that I act as interpreter until I have im-printed the knowledge of your language to a telepath from the Khalossa who will then remain with you as your perma-nent interpreter."

  "Telepath? Language imprint?" echoed Mr. Hamilton, looking thoroughly confused and exasperated. "I'm

  afraid I don't understand. And what's all this got to do with Carrie?"

  "I'm sorry but I have to ask you to respect our security. This matter is not for public discussion," said

  Kusac, throw-ing an evil openmouthed grin at David.

  "As one of the leaders of the Terran community on Keiss,

  I am sure you are aware of the need to keep certain matters confidential. If you would rejoin our peopleat the table?" Kusac stepped back, indicating that Carrie's father should return to his place.

  David moved to follow him, but before Kusac could bar his way, Richard reached out and grasped himby the arm.

  "Sorry, mate, but if I'm not included, then you certainly aren't."

  David tried to shake free. "Anything that concerns Carrie concerns me," he blustered.

  Richard forcibly led David away as Kusac escorted Carrie after her father and the Sholan officer.

  "I think my sister has already made her opinion of you clear," said Richard, his voice drowning out David's com-plaints. "No matter what deal you and Dad have hatched, if you go near her again, you'll not only have Kusac to deal with but me as well."

  Once the group around the table was settled again, Kusac performed the various introductions, noddingbriefly when he introduced Rhian and Askad, the Leska telepaths.

  Sub-Commander Zyan began to talk, and Kusac turned again to Carrie's father.

  "The Sub-Commander wishes to touch on the matter of your daughter, since he wants to get Clan

  matters dealt with first."

  "He realizes you do not have a recognized Telepath Guild amongst your people, so he asks that you bear

  with us and accept what we say until the matter can be proved to you."