Matrivani Chronicles by vaega

One

What am I doing here? Kaligan Firehawk asked herself as she unconsciously tugged the hem of her dark blue Imperial uniform for the hundredth time, and winced as her back muscles spasmed from overuse. I should be back on my ship, playing chess with Que.

Kali and her partner, Que, had just gotten back from their five-month trip to the haunter homeworld of New Iceland. Que’s home had been ransacked by an offending clan, and he and Kali had been two of the hundreds to volunteer to help rebuild before the winter snows came. This had been Kali’s first time seeing one of the levantinians, whose near-effortless telekinetic abilities made them in high demand as movers. But the worst of it was the rush to get the buildings rebuilt before the killing winter storms. No one had slept much, and everyone was worn out. Kali had pushed herself as hard as she could. Unfortunately, her back had protested the treatment and took every opportunity to inform her of that fact.

The Imperial Alliance Federation was the most powerful community of genus in the history of the universe. The Alliance was composed of seventeen Federation species: jura, silex, khrahn, ghatta, kreeth, ekansi, yolkai, haunter, dooka, duraal, rakasha, levantine, saldrake, tarian, llexas unen, and last but not least, the human genus.

No one knew anymore what genus began the Alliance. Many had bets on the duraali, the strange, short-legged, stork-like birds. The colorful peacocks was the only genus that was still mostly an unknown to the Federation Information Agency. The duraali kept to themselves in their glorified “tree-houses.” It was hard to hold a decent conversation with any duraali, for they ranged so many topics, it made the conversee’s head spin. Many said their minds were like steel traps, never forgetting a single thing they had witnessed or learned.

The arrogant jura styled themselves the masters of the Alliance, despite the fact that they were legally only one out of seventeen. Most never failed to lord their “superior” ways and intelligence over many of the other genus included in the Alliance. The only ones they stayed away from were the rakasha, though no one knew why. The jura looked a lot like blue Earth draft horses in body type, only with a reptilian upper torso, reptile feet, and snake head with three black fins that swept back from the head. The jura had found the scientific formula to allow them to change their shape for another; however, they would never share that knowledge.

The greedy bastards.

If Kali felt unflattering, the ghatta were nothing more than glorified Earth cats that had doubled in size and acquired a mental speech pattern. But if the ghattan cats from the planet Bastet were originally Earth cats, they weren’t telling. As arrogant as some of the ghattan cats were, most were never overbearing to others.

The rakasha were a law unto themselves. Not many were seen outside their own homeworld. There are many in the Alliance who didn’t believe the rakasha were true members of the IAF. Only a few of the red and black demonic-looking snakes took an active part in the Federation Alliance. Rakasha, on average, sit about six to six-and-a-half feet tall, but are roughly about three times that length. Their coils are usually tightly wound, to avoid people stepping on their tails.

To most humans, the silexi looked like a crossbreed of a wolf and a large grass cat. Although they were more cat-like in appearance, they considered themselves as rock wolves. Silexi are slightly larger than four feet at the shoulder and are a uniform dark gray all over. Their long manes and tail tufts are almost black. Their long claws are sharp and able to grip stone at almost a 90-degree angle. Silexi eyes are unique in the fact that they don’t see colors as others do; they see heat. To them, there are hundreds of colors to the different varieties of heat. Because of this, silexi can see better than humans and kreeth in the daytime, and better than anyone else at night. Darkness is no barrier. Their eyes are so sensitive to heat that even an archaic fire extinguisher wouldn’t hide someone from their heat-sensing abilities. Despite usually being adept at “sniffing” out criminals or other hard-to-find things, silexi are always optimistic and friendly. A young silexi will usually bowl a stranger over in an attempt to get to know them. Silexi are unusually friendly and endlessly cheerful.

Rarely would anyone see a dooka get upset or angry at someone; the six-legged cats had endless patience. Dookas are born a very light tan with large brown spots on the rump. The older a dooka get, the darker their fur turns. They also acquire spots all over their bodies, like leopards. Eventually, they become completely black with only a hint of spots near the belly. Although dooka have hands, they are not as dexterous as humans and kreeth.

Khrahn look as thoroughly reptilian as a lizard. These huge seven-foot lizards are in major demand for any type of work possible. Khrahn have four arms and are very quick. Many would call them tense and sporadic, but a khrahn would say they are very, very alert and observant. Kali knew it to be true, as she had sparred against them. But the uniqueness about khrahn was not their size, or their speed and agility in manual tasks, but their intellectual originality. Kali knew not many members of the Imperial Alliance knew the khrahn’s secret; maybe not even anyone outside of the FIA, or Federation Information Agency, knew. A khrahn’s real body was nothing more than a bulb of a head and a very long tail that is almost six times the length of its head. Khrahn created a better body for what they needed. How they did that without any hands, Kali didn’t know. Now, a “real” khrahn could not live without their seven-foot reptilian body. One of the few things that help others to tell one khrahn from another is their tattoos. The older a khrahn gets, the more tribal tattoos one has. Kali had met one ancient khrahn who’s hide was nothing but pure black, completely covered in tattooed ink.

Saldrakes are, to put it bluntly, fire salamanders. They look like huge, red and orange lizards about the size of komodo dragons on Earth; almost eight feet in length. Saldrakes lived in the molten lava inside the volcanoes of their homeplanet, Namtar. Their tears are said to bring natural healing to anything organic; though if it was true or not, no one knew. The legend that saldrakes can breathe fire she knew to be completely ungrounded. Fire and lava does not hurt a saldrake; if anything, such intense heat heals a saldrake. Only the ancient salthen and levantine can breathe fire.

Levantinians are very interested in the world around them. Levantine are very polite, considerate and caring dragons. Being a little over 15-20 feet in length and standing no more than five feet tall, they were very approachable. Levantinians resembled the small Oriental dragons of old, having a long, serpentine body, males having a white beard, and fur behind ears. Levantine have a long white mane down their back, ending at a clump of fur on the end of the tail. The colors vary from snow white, which is as rare as a bronze salthen, though accepted much better, to green, dark blue or even black. Their defense is their long, black claws and fangs and the long, two-pronged black horns. Many levantinians enjoy good jokes and will often levitate an offending creature to amuse themselves. Their natural telepathy is a great asset to the rest of the Federation, as it was a levantinian scientist who gave the ability to the rest of the IAF. Levantine make great teachers for their patience knows no end.

The yolkai are a winged race of humanoid reptilian beings. Yolkai have two huge hawk-like feet, with two large, muscled arms and two huge oversized-looking leathery wings. Many humans have described them as gargoyles, though the yolkai dislike being called such a “degrading term of insentience” as they put it. Kali knew that there were actual creatures on the yolkai homeworld called a gargoyle: ugly little critters about two feet tall, with a mouthful of fangs, too many horns, and an eternally mischievous expression.

Haunters are the most mischievous genus ever found in the Alliance Federation. Though they are only about a foot long, they are one of the busiest genus in the Alliance. Haunters have a tendency to try anything new. They love change, and many of the things a haunter will try, they succeed at. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds. The unique thing about haunters is their hands. A haunter’s hands are completely free floating; neither hand is connected at all to their long, dark blue body. Plus, haunters gave their children the hardest names to pronounce in Alliance history. Their names were literally a genealogy of the last five generations in the specific house or clan.

Tarians are the only water-dwelling genus in the IAF. Like many fish, their rubbery skin cannot stay out of the water for very long, so they must have specialized suits, complete with mask and eyewear, to survive. Humanoid in basic appearance, their feet resemble earthen frogs, with three webbed toes and two joints. Tarians have very short tails to propel them through the water of their ocean home. Tarians also have rather blunt snouts, and a huge fin down their back. Their ears are long and pointed, which makes for very good hearing, especially underwater. Tarians stand only about five feet tall, but add to that their huge brown eyes, and their overall appearance makes them look like water puppies, though they swim like otters. Echolocation allows them to orient themselves in the darkness of the deep sea.

Though kreeth are similar to human in body shape, few in the Alliance could ever confuse the two. Kreeth have light green skin, and long, black, spiky hair. As kreeth age, their hair turns silver, then white. If a kreeth is ever embarrassed or frightened, their skin turns a darker green. Most of the time, their eyes are gray, but the color often reflects their mood. The lighter or paler gray it is, the more content they are. Usually. Kreeth actually stand about six inches to a foot taller than most humans. Males have spiky hair that stands up in a thick, bushy mohawk. A female kreeth’s black hair is still spiky, but not as much. Kreeth have slight points on the tops of their ears. Many humans envy kreeth, as they have no other hair on their bodies to speak of.

Ekansi are the healers of the Alliance. Their natural ability allows them access to any part of the Alliance and Federation space, though not many ekansi are active members of the Alliance. In general, the lower half of an ekansi’s body is one long brown coiled tail. Similar to rakashai in that respect, that’s where the similarity ends. Ekansi skin is dark brown and leathery, while rakasha actually have scales. Their arms are much larger and more muscled in comparison to their long bodies. Their snake-like head is slim with a rather blunt nose. There is no ornamentation on an ekansi’s head, just the eyes and nostril slits. Some believed, at one point, the ekansi were amphibians, or at least able to live in water. Their nose is designed so that an ekansi can close it at will. Ekansi are almost as cheerful and friendly as silex, but not quite.

Llexas Unen are much more similar to horses than even the jura. The llexan look like horses with a humanoid torso where the neck ought to be. Their colors are the same as any horse, though they would be mortally offended should anyone call them horses or compare them to the animals. Llexan are powerfully built, and their scientists were a great asset in the search for a common language. Not much is known about the llexan, being rather aloof creatures to the rest of the Federation.

Because of the many different genus in the Alliance, every place and building is made to accommodate two- and four-legged creatures as well as the two slithering genus, rakasha and ekansi. This has turned many buildings into sprawling campuses, and the city itself has grown many miles across the face of the planet.

The huge outside square Kali was currently standing in was in front of the main building of the FHT5, or Federation Headquarters on Tarka V. The park-like square was in the exact center of the FH complex. Normally, it was just a tree-dotted park. Today, though, it was filled to the edges of everyone who could get there for the award assembly.

Because our dear Captain Tyaak must be honored for his bravery in yet another battle, a disembodied voice answered her thoughts, along with the gentle “brush” of a thoughtsenser’s greeting. Anyone who belonged to the Alliance could now boast the ability to thoughtspeak, or mindspeech, as most called it nowadays. It was one of the many successful marvels of the Intelligence Scientists team.

And you would be…who? Kali suppressed the automatic reaction to a stranger; plus, the mindvoice was male. The only males she trusted were Que and Ranek. Unfortunately, said haunter was hovering with others of his genus, no doubt having a silent conversation with them and Ranek was never around when she needed him. And how could you hear me?

Apologies, my lady, but you were broadcasting, the voice replied, sending a mental grin. My name would be Hakaer Arroyo, first-rate tactician.

Kaligan Firehawk, sergeant gunnery fighter, she replied, without turning. She felt a gentle hand on her arm. She flinched, memories flooding back unwanted, and her back objected to the movement. The stranger’s hand disappeared quickly.

My sincerest apologies, Miss Firehawk. I fear that camaraderie is a habit I have yet to break, Hakaer Arroyo whispered quickly.

There is nothing wrong with being friendly, Mr.…Hakaer…Arroyo, Kali had to think for a moment before she could say his name correctly.

Kali heard the soft whistle behind her to the left. That whistle placed what Hakaer Arroyo was. He was one of the rare ekansi. She kicked herself mentally for not recognizing his species by his name. Each species of the Alliance had their own special way of naming littles. Some are even allowed to name themselves when they are old enough.

You may call me Spaz, if you prefer, his voice was rich with laughter.

Thank you, I prefer Spaz, Kali’s mindvoice returned his laughter.

Applause erupted then, breaking their conversation for the moment. They cheered as the great kreeth captain walked off the steps toward his crew.

“Attention, citizens of the Empire,” the dooka on the mike bellowed to be heard above the applause and cheering. “May I have your attention, please!” Finally, everyone quieted down.

“I am pleased to inform you of our most recent experiment.” The six-legged dooka was a member of the SE, or Scientific Engineering. “We have developed, along with the masterful help of General Electrics, a new type of fighter ship. It not only fights well, but it will also be used as a carrying vessel for flammable or destructive material. Also, this new type is much faster, more maneuverable, and has more firepower.”

Applause erupted once again, as well as murmurs flying everywhere, everyone wondering who the lucky proto-team would be.

“This new ship is much smaller than fighter jets used today, as to be more agile in space. The new ship may be used for planet-bound travel.” All present groaned. Every ship was made to be possibly planet-bound. Even so, they still made the announcement.

“But who’ll be her new crew?” someone called out, impatiently. All non-humans present rolled their eyes.

“Humans,” a nearby kreeth muttered, purposefully and rudely bumped against her, then made a show of brushing his sleeve off. Kali did nothing. Inwardly, she sighed. There were still many who believed humans should never have been allowed into the Imperial Alliance.

“Humans are always butting into everything,” another kreeth agreed with his brother. A few humans nearby gave the two kreeth dirty looks. Kali knew they were trying to bait her and the other humans nearby, so she did nothing. Which was a good thing, for the speaker was answering the question.

“Our gracious Captain Tyaak has agreed to lead the new crew,” the catlike announcer replied. “Captain Tyaak has decided to settle down a little from all the fighting.”

Applause thundered through the square once again. The captain nodded to everyone acknowledging their applause. His crew looked sullen, but resigned.

“New crew?” another called out. “Who’s to be the new crew?”

“I’m getting to that.” This time, the speaker sounded a little irritated. Kali was surprised. Even though dookas hated to be interrupted, they were notoriously patient. “There will be four others.”

The crowd hushed to hear more.

“The crew will have a gunnery fighter, a navigational officer, a tactician, and a technician. Anyone who those four jobs apply can come to The Office and sign in. The new crew will be notified either tonight or in the morning. Thank you for your attention. That is all I have to say. Assembly is over.”

Slowly, the crowd dispersed, conversing about the latest events. Suddenly, Que – annoying, loving Que – popped into the air above Kali’s shoulder, grabbed her uniform, and translocated them in front of The Office.

“Hey! Que, no!” Kali grabbed his tail, yanking him back towards her. Her back protested, she winced and absently tried to massage her neck.

“You all right?” Que asked concerned, floating in front of her, rubbing his tail absently. “You worked pretty hard these last few months, Kali.”

“I’m fine, Que, I’ve told you before, I’m just sore,” she replied, exasperated. “And we are not signing up!”

“Why not?” Que asked with his head cocked sideways. “This is a chance of a lifetime for us, Kali. You’re a gunnery fighter, and I’m a navigational officer. We’re the best of the best, especially as a team. Our own leading sergeant said so. Why not?”

“Because…” Kali hesitated, not sure why she didn’t want the job.

“C’mon, Kali. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Que’s nimble paw gently tugged her ponytail.

“You know very well I have no sense of adventure. And I was hoping for some time off, Que,” she said triumphantly brandishing an excuse. Others started coming down the street.

“You’ll get your time off on the trip. It can’t be that stressful,” Que quipped, and shot off into the building.

“Famous last words,” she muttered, but sighed. It was no use arguing with Que when he had his heart set on something.

“Well, well, well. What have we here?” a drawling, barely-suppressed snarl sounded from behind Kali as a huge, male jura walked around in front of her.

The jura was standing tauntingly close. Too close. Kali backed up, warily. Her hand unconsciously went to the hilt of her laser sword. Last time she had seen this jura, she was at the wrong end of his sword.

“Well, if it isn’t our beautiful, little Miss Kaligan,” the jura drawled, then laughed. “I can tell you remember me. I’m so glad, my little Firehawk.”

“Piss off, Arnek Yorrulen Sorkae,” Kali responded, her emotions tightly controlled. She had no trouble saying his name. Instead, he grabbed her arm in an iron grip. Unfortunately, that only made her shoulders hurt worse.

“Oh, but don’t you want to come have dinner with me? We can have some…entertainment afterward.” Arnek’s friends laughed with him. Kali just tried to get out of his grip. It was illegal to draw a weapon in the city limits on another of the Alliance, but Kali almost didn’t care. And the pain was getting steadily worse. She hadn’t had a moment’s peace since they had landed planet-side for her to relax and meditate a little.

“I don’t believe she wants to this time, Arnek,” a low voice said, quietly from behind a helpless Kali. Arnek’s snaky head snapped up at his name.

“Arlix! My brother! How well you look!” Arnek dropped Kali and clasped his brother’s arm. “It’s been too long since last I saw you.”

“Not long enough, I see,” Arlix responded, dryly. Kali crawled out from under the two jura’s clawed feet and bolted for the alleyway beside The Office. Safe.

After a few moments of tense waiting, Kali relaxed against the wall, listening to the juran voices. Slowly, she collapsed to the ground, forcing her muscles to relax. Arnek would leave her alone for a while. Thank you, Lordy. She slid into a light relaxation trance.

Que’s voice brought her back into a now pain-free world. Kali? Where are you?

I’m in the alley, she responded, standing up and walking out into the suddenly bright sunshine. Que was floating a few feet from the door. Kali stayed in the alley’s entrance, avoiding the sudden mob in the front of The Office doors. When he spotted his companion, he floated above the crowd and settled on her shoulder.

“Where to, Missy?” Que grinned at her.

“To the ship, and don’t spare the horses,” Kali responded with a slight grin of her own.

Sudden nothingness flooded through and around her. An instant later, they were inside their parked ship. Kali went to the controls, flipped on the console, and called to the flight deck.

“Ranek, this is your conscience speaking. I am asking permission for takeoff.”

Static crackled as the silexi traffic controller on duty set his intercom.

“No! Don’t leave me! I need you, dear conscience! I can’t live without you! Noooooo…!” Silence. There was a loud thump and the two friends heard muffled laughter.

“Is that good enough for you, darlin?” Ranek said distantly over the laughter. Kali laughed.

“Smarty-paws,” she retorted. Kali could hear Que snickering in the background, and she glared at him.

“All right, darlin. Where ya going?” the cat-like wolf said, growling at his mates in the tower.

“Just to the other side of this freaking planet,” Kali responded, dryly. “I’m a-going home, baby!”

“Where do you live, darlin?” Ranek said slyly. “I’ve got a friend for you.”

“You already know my house number, you ditz,” Kali retorted, groaning. Matchmaking was a genus-wide hobby. Unfortunately, most were horrible at it.

“Hey, LoverBoy, your girlfriend’s blushing!” Que sang, popping into view right in front of the ‘com.

“Shut up, you floating reptile!” Kali snarled, glad she hadn’t turned the visuals on.

“What? Oh, hey, Kal, don’t leave yet,” Ranek said, calming down suddenly.

“Well, I was going to just flap my arms and unbolt the ship on my own, but if you insist…” Kali growled. Muffled laughter sounded through the ‘com.

“I’ve got a radio pad for ya, Kal,” Ranek replied, ignoring her sarcasm as always. “It asks for you and Que to stay there and meet someone.”

“Who?” she asked, warily.

“A jura. His name is Arlix Kahr Helynral. Know him?”

“Um…not really,” she said. “What does he want?”

“Just says he wants to talk to you,” Ranek said. “That’s it. Oh, he’s here. Send him on up, darlin?”

Kali covered the ‘com with one hand and turned to Que, explaining what had happened outside The Office. Her back twitched in sympathy, and she absently rubbed it until the pain subsided.

“Let him try anything, and see where it gets him,” Que snarled slightly.

“Yeah, Ranek. Go ahead.”

“Engaging transporter.”

A few moments later, the ship shuddered as the transport flat connected itself to the ship’s docking bay.

Permission to enter, Miss Kaligan, a gentle voice interrupted her scattered thoughts.

Que paused, his hand over the button, but Kali gave him a terse nod. The door slid open, and the jura daintily stepped through.

“Can I help you, sir?” Kali asked, politely, but keeping her distance.

“Look, whatever my brother has done to you, please do not condemn me or my race as well,” Arlix said, instantly. “He may be my brother, but I don’t really care for him anymore. Arnek seems to think otherwise.”

“You didn’t just come here to apologize for Arnek, did you?” Que said, glaring at Arlix.

“No.”

“Well? What did you come here for then?”

“I don’t have many companions planet-wide. Any ones I do have seem to be more of my brother’s friends than mine. Even the crew I work with isn’t too friendly,” Arlix explained. “I was simply hoping for another acquaintance.”

“How can we know you weren’t there with your brother that night, Arlix?” Que said, bluntly.

“I was hoping you could trust me. You don’t know I was there. Please, at least give me the benefit of the doubt.” And he grimaced. “I am not my brother.”

“Why come to us for friendship?”

The jura sighed and glanced at the blank viewscreen. “I guess there is no real reason for picking you two. I just want company. Well, we do have a common enemy.”

Que glanced over at his partner, but her face revealed nothing, not even to Que.

“If it helps, I signed up for that new crew job,” Arlix offered. “If anything, I will be chosen and we won’t have to see each other again.”

Kali didn’t say anything. Arlix was just about to leave when,

“I’ll think about your offer of being acquaintances, Arlix,” she said.

“I can’t guarantee anything more, besides that.” The jura smiled.

“That’s all I can ask for, Miss Kaligan,” he replied with a dip of the head, and turned back to the transport flat.

“Ranek?” Que asked as he shut the door. “Transport flat can return. Sorry, but there’s no gift from your girlfriend.” Static crackled once again.

“Darn. Engaging transport.”

The ship shuddered again as the transport flat disconnected itself from the ship. A few minutes later, Ranek gave them permission for take off. The ship rocked once more as the traffic control tower unbolted their ship. Instantly, Kali took control of the ship and expertly floated it out of the docking port and into the sky.

On the way to their apartment, Que mentioned cautiously that he liked Arlix. Kali shrugged, but didn’t answer.

“He never mentioned what job he signed up for,” Que continued, but one look at her and he gave up. Kali had her moods. When that happened, it was useless to try to get her to talk. Even Que couldn’t get a response from her; he’d tried.

About an hour later, Kali hovered above the landing garage as Que went through the identification security. Once parked and on their way toward their rooms in the elevator, Que spoke up once more.

“No doubt your little fiends – I mean friends – will be happy to see you,” the haunter said, dryly. Kali smiled slightly.

On their own floor, no sound could be heard from outside. Their apartment was so deep in the bosom of the earth that it was like a tomb. Many of the occupants jokingly called it The Caves. The lighting was extra bright, as if to dispel the phantom gloom. Not many people lived down this far. Usually only those who couldn’t afford anything on a higher level. But Kali liked it. It was cheap, and she was more of a night person anyhow. Haunters really didn’t care, so long as they had room.

Just before they reached their door, a khrahn came shooting out the door on the other side of the hallway, screaming.

“Kaligan Firehawk! Those monsters of yours were attacking my pets again,” he screamed, grabbing a hold of Kali’s shoulders and shaking her till she couldn’t see straight. “I want those weasels dead! You hear me? Dead!” The khrahn threw her against the wall with a tinkling crash. “Third time this week!” Kali collapsed with a grunt, her pain-killing trance backfiring with a vengeance.

“Hey!” Que yelled brandishing one of his fists in front of the khrahn’s long snout. “You leave her be! Those ‘monsters’ are as much a pet to us as your snakes are to you! And they’re not weasels, they’re ferrets. Get it right!”

The khrahn spluttered indignantly.

“I don’t call your snakes ‘toads,’ do I, you risslan diyhin?” Que finished. And with that, he grabbed a hold of Kali’s uniform and translocated them both into their rooms.

It wasn’t until an hour later that Kali finally woke up. Que had gone, looking for the healer nearby. There was always one in the building. Distantly, she heard the door slide open and shut, and then voices.

“…And then he just threw her against the wall. I thought she just hit her head, but she’s been out for more than an hour, Doc,” Que finished, worriedly.

“Well, we’ll just see here,” the familiar voice of Dr. Good responded cheerily. “Ah, Miss Kaligan, you’re awake. How are you?”

Kali tried to sit up, but her head and back exploded in pain. She gasped and the doctor gently pressed her back down to the couch.

“Head…hurts,” Kali managed, and shut here eyes from the blinding light. The spots also made it hard to see clearly.

“Hmm,” Doc muttered, gently prodding her neck. She gasped again in pain. “Not good.”

A knock came from the door.

“Yes?” Que answered it. It was Spaz.

“Is this a bad―”

“Ekansi! Good. I need another opinion,” Doc interrupted.

Instantly, Spaz was at the couch side, holding Kali’s head in his gentle hands.

“Not good,” he muttered. His hands jerked twice in quick succession. Kali flinched and passed out silently.

“What happened?” Que was frantic. “What’s wrong?”

“Her neck was snapped,” Doc replied, seeing the ekansi in a healing trance. “And her collarbone, so it seems–”

“What?!”

“…as well as quite a few pulled muscles. What have you two been doing?” Doc finished.

“What?!”

“Hush, haunter,” Doc admonished. “Yes, her neck was broken. How could she move?”

“Will she be able to walk after this?” Que asked, glancing at the entranced ekansi.

“Yes,” Spaz replied, straightening out of his trance suddenly. “She’ll be just like new. I’ll have a talk with the authorities about this. How could she even move? I’ve never known anyone to be able to ignore pain other than my own kind.”

A second knock came from the door. “Permission to enter.”

“She can ignore pain for quite some time. I have no idea how,” Que answered, and opened the door. “Come in, sir.”

A young man in an Imperial uniform walked in. He had the golden messenger badge on his shoulder.

“I have a radio pad for a Miss Kaligan Firehawk and a Mr. Qugon,” he replied diffidently.

“We’re both here,” Kali replied, faintly.

“I am…” he started, and then saw her white face for the first time. His eyes widened. “Are you alright, Miss?”

“I will be,” she said, smiling. “The message?”

“I am pleased to inform you of our selection of the new crew. Miss Kaligan, you are to be the new gunnery fighter. Mr. Qugon, you will be the navigational officer.”

“And who will be the tactician?” Spaz asked.

“What’s your name?”

“Sp…ah, Hakaer Arroyo,” he replied. Que snickered when Spaz stumbled over his own name.

“Ah, congratulations! You will be the tactician.”

“And who’s the technician?” Que asked, as Kali still couldn’t speak from shock. She was going to meet the famous captain, Tyaak.

“One jura, named Arlix Kahr Helynral,” the messenger replied.

“What?!” That brought Kali out of her shock. Then she gasped in pain.

“Yes. Arlix Kahr Helynral,” the messenger repeated, surprised by her outburst. “Is there a problem?”

“Slightly,” Que said, glancing at Kali.

The messenger raised both eyebrows. “I…see. Well, I can have you two taken off the final list. The Office can simply pick someone else.”

Kali squeaked, trying to say something, but couldn’t.

“That won’t be necessary, sir,” Que replied, quickly.

“If you’re sure…”

“We’re sure,” Que assured the man.

“Here’s a list of what you’ll need. You have two days to pack. Meet your crew on IAC landing deck 422 to see you new ship. That is all,” the messenger said, then, his job done, he bowed himself out and walked out the door.

“Well, that went well, I think,” Spaz commented, then turned to the still standing healer. “I can handle this, Doc, but thank you. Don’t worry, I know her already.”

“All right. Thank you, Mr. Arroyo,” Doc replied, and left as well.

“Well, it looks as if I’ll be seeing more of you two,” Spaz said, then suddenly yawned. “Hoo, boy.”

Kali just nodded. She was still sort of shocked about being chosen. I will meet the great Captain Tyaak, Que!

A third knock sounded from the door. The three in the room looked at each other.

“I’ll get it,” Kali said, finally. “I have a feeling I know who it is.”

“Kaligan,” Spaz objected. “I don’t think…”

Spaz trailed off as the door slid open. A kreeth stood hesitantly in the doorway. Kali gasped in mingled fear and surprise, and backed up several steps.

“You must be Kaligan Firehawk,” Captain Tyaak said, giving her a winning smile. All she could do was nod.

“And you are?” the Captain asked of the other two.

“I’m Hakaer Arroyo, you new tactician, and this is…” he paused to let Que give his name.

“I’m Ricyn-tamof-binya-tazzi-qugon,” Que said his full haunter name with a flourish. “Your new navigational officer, Captain, sir.”

“Swell,” Captain Tyaak muttered, dryly. “That’s all I need. A haunter aboard my ship.” Que just grinned back. Haunters were notoriously mischievous.

“And you, my dear, must be the new gunnery officer,” the captain turned back toward Kali. She nodded and then winced in pain.

“What’s wrong, my dear?” Tyaak asked, worried.

“Someone attacked her today, sir,” Spaz replied, grabbing Kali as she collapsed again and gently set her back on the couch and began examining her neck and back. “Twice.”

“Twice?” Tyaak repeated.

“Ah, what a fool!” Spaz exclaimed.

“What? What is it, Ha-Haykerr?” Tyaak jumped. Spaz’s mouth twitched.

“Get her uniform off her. I think I missed something,” Spaz started muttering to himself, cursing himself in his own language. Que squeaked in protest, but Spaz overrode him.

They tried to get Kali’s uniform off quickly, but in the end, Spaz’s tense worry ended up overriding his caution and he simply tore the fabric. The kreeth froze when her top came off, revealing large, full breasts captured in a C-size bra. Que snickered at the kreeth’s expression, but Spaz ignored them both. He softly traced the strange pattern of tattoo markings across the entire left side and stomach of the unconscious woman. Kali’s back was covered in whip scars.

“Who did this to her?” Tyaak cried. “This is horrible! No member of the Alliance would do this!”

“Yes, sir, they would,” Que said, quietly. “And did. Half of them were kreeth, so please be careful around her. Kali is rather paranoid.”

“Yeah, well, I know my people aren’t always perfect,” Tyaak said, wryly. “What else is wrong with her? That you’re cursing yourself for, Hay-Hakayer.”

“That,” Spaz pointed to her back. Blood came off on his finger.

“When Dsorri threw her against the wall, I remember hearing something. I guess the wall sconce shattered when she hit the wall,” Que offered, uneasily.

Tyaak poked his head outside the doorway, and nodded. “There are several humans out there cleaning up,” he said. Then, he came back and sat down on the couch next to Kali, while Spaz and Que meticulously began picking tiny shards of glass from Kali’s back.

“Not only the glass shards, Que,” Spaz commented quietly. “Her back muscles have been pulled too far. Add to that the three spinal disks out of place, and we have a problem. I’m almost speechless that she is even alive at all.”

When the ekansi was done, he gently wrapped up her torso in a blanket Que retrieved from her room. Carefully, Spaz and Tyaak turned her back over on the couch.

“Captain? I suggest that you’d better stay away when she wakes, sir,” Que suggested, carefully. “The only person she trusts is me.”

The captain looked a little hurt, but nodded and moved to a nearby chair. When Spaz finished with his healing, he told the two others that it would be best if they waited until she woke up on her own.

“Why does she not trust anyone but you, Que?” Tyaak asked, trying to make conversation.

“I’m afraid I must let her tell you, if she will, sir,” the haunter answered. Tyaak sighed. Abruptly, Kali moaned in her sleep.

Instantly, the captain was at her head, comforting her. She settled down with a sleepy smile. The ekansi looked at Que and raised his brows. The haunter looked just as confused.

I don’t know. Don’t ask me, Que said, silently. As far as I know, Kali has never met him.

No, she didn’t, Spaz said. I could tell by the way she reacted when she opened the door.

Ah, yes.

“I do believe our dear Captain Tyaak has fallen in love,” Spaz whispered and then grinned when Tyaak’s face went dark green in embarrassment. Que chuckled.

“I have only two things to say,” the captain replied, glaring at them, yet trying to hold back a grin. “One, my friends and crew call me Cloud. And two, I’ve been in love with her since the first time I saw her. That was almost 9 years ago.”

“Nine years?” Que raised his eye ridges at that one. “That long ago?” Cloud nodded.

“Ooooo. Wait till she finds out,” Que grinned evilly.

“Don’t you dare!” Cloud hissed.

“Heh, heh, heh.”

“Evil reptile.”

“Heh, heh, heh.”

“All right, you two,” Spaz grinned. That’s enough.”

“So, what are those ‘monsters’ of Kali’s?” Cloud asked, gently brushing her hair out of her face.

“Ferrets,” Que said. “Here, I’ll let ‘em out. Careful, though, she’s got hundreds of the buggers.”

Que floated over to the other door and palmed it open. The skinny, fuzzy critters boiled out of the room as soon as the door opened enough.

“Let’s see,” Que paused, then pointed to a couple. “That’s Flip. That one is Laidy. And there’s Mimic, Whiz, Socks, Bags, and Preppy. That’s all I’ve remembered. Ask her sometime, she knows ‘em all. Oh, and that one is Sleepy.”

“She knows all their names?” Cloud gasped, laughing as Sleepy crawled up into his white hair and snuggled in.

“Yup,” Que replied. Suddenly, Kali tried to sit up, knuckling her eyes.

“Careful,” Que warned. Half of the ferrets jumped from wherever they were to Kali. Everyone laughed at the “monsters.”

The woman stiffened. Her eyes slowly traveled upwards towards Cloud’s face, then back down again to his slightly opened coat uniform. It had been a hot day and the coolness of the underground tunnels was a blessing to those who could escape below. Her eyes grew a little wider. She was unaware of Que whispering urgently in her mind. Kali swallowed once, twice, before anyone did anything.

“Kaligan,” Cloud started, and reached towards her hands.

Her eyes followed his hand, then suddenly looked at her own hands, sitting in her lap. Suddenly, she realized she didn’t have anything on except a blanket, and bandages.

Kali screamed, and vaulted over the back of the couch, taking the blanket with her. Cloud happened to have been sitting on the end of the blanket, and he collapsed to the floor when it was yanked from underneath him. The ferrets scattered, then raced after her into the other room.

“Kali!” Que shot after her, but was almost smashed by the closing door, translocating just in time as it slammed shut.

“What did I do?” Cloud asked, dropping his head into his hands. “Is she modest? Does she distrust strangers? What did I do wrong, Ha-hakeer…Hakayeer?”

“It’s more than that,” Spaz said, quietly. “You did not do a thing wrong, Cloud. I can’t claim to know what happened, I wasn’t there. All I can say is what Que has already told us. She’ll tell us if, and when, she’s ready.”

Cloud sighed and fell back into the chair. Spaz slid into the kitchen to make something for everyone. His last parting comment was directed to Cloud,

“And it would be easier if you just called me ‘Spaz,’ Captain.”

“Yeah, that would be easier,” Cloud muttered. The ekansi’s laughter floated through the door.

Abruptly, Que materialized in front of the captain. Cloud jumped.

“I’m going to have to get used to that,” the captain muttered, and then looked up. “What is it? She want me to leave?”

“No, sir,” Que replied, sadly; serious, for once. “She does want you to understand that because of what happened to her, she can’t fully trust you for a while.”

“You mean she still likes me?” Cloud replied, hopefully.

“Yes, sir. She still likes you. She adores you, Captain Tyaak,” Que answered, pointedly.

“What did I tell you about my…oh, I see,” Cloud started, then trailed off.

“Cloud, she knows you wouldn’t do anything, but seeing your chest, and then realizing she was nude, well…” Que explained and shrugged. “She didn’t think. She just reacted to what she assumed had just happened. My dear Miss Kali is rather paranoid about many things.”

“But I would never―!” Cloud protested.

“I know you wouldn’t, Cloud,” Kali interrupted him, slowly coming across the room and standing behind the couch. She had on a second uniform.

“Kaligan!” Cloud started toward her, but caught a glance from Spaz in the doorway. He stopped, and swallowed slowly.

“Please, call me Kali,” she said, then smiled a little. “All my friends do.”

“Kali,” Cloud replied, returning her smile. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. Had I known…”

Spaz snorted, Que laughed, and Kali’s smile grew wider, as her eyes flickered to Spaz. The ekansi took the chance and slid toward her, and gave her the tray he was holding.

“Here is thy supper, Miss Kali,” he grinned, slipping into his original native brogue.

“Would you like to stay for the night?” Que offered. “You can start packing in the morning.”

Kali glared at him, but he grinned back innocently. Then, he winked at Cloud. The kreeth rolled his eyes and collapsed back into his chair.

“Actually, I’ve already packed,” he said. “I knew about this last week.”

Just then, the clock chimed, indicating it was 2200.

“I’m late!” Kali disappeared back into her room. Que chuckled.

“Late for what?” Spaz asked. “She’s not a night shift, is she?”

“No,” Que laughed. “She goes to bed at 2150, and she considers herself late if she’s not sleeping by now.”

“This is going to be a very interesting command,” Cloud said, to no one in particular. The other two laughed.