Part 34 (1/2)

Zical pulled his knife, his expression fierce. ”If they want violence-”

”Put that away,” Dora snapped. She peered at Avanti and Deckar. ”Can't you claim we're on secret and official business?”

”One check into the computer,” Avanti said, ”and that approaching guard will know the truth.”

”Let me handle the computer,” Dora and Ranth went to work. Since Ranth was now free, he needed little guidance from her, allowing her to follow the conversation, around her in a way she'd never done before. It was like listening to a conversation while a holovid program played in the background and she caught pieces of each.

While she and Ranth plunged into the Kwadii system and eradicated all efforts to capture them, she held on to Kirek who stirred in her arms. As a Pirinja yanked open the door, she and Ranth quickly and efficiently erased the soldier's orders to capture them.

”Why have we been stopped?” Deckar asked with all the authority behind him of the cla.s.s who'd ruled Kwadii for ten thousand years.

”Orders, sir.”

”I suggest you recheck your orders,” Deckar demanded in a commanding tone that expected immediate obedience. ”We are on a clandestine mission of vast importance.

You've drawn attention to our presence and placed lives at risk.”

Avanti added her weight to the order, I'll hold you personally responsible if you delay our departure another minute.”

The Pirinja swore under his breath, apologized, and waved back a squad of men.

However, he kept his weapon aimed at the skimmer, checked his wristvid for orders an frowned. ”Something must be wrong.”

207.

”Something's very wrong,” Zical snarled. ”You soldier, are stopping the Oracle.”

The Pirinja's gaze went from his vidscreen to Zical. As if sensing his presence was required, Kirek opened his eyes. ”Dregan h.e.l.l. Why has my sleep been disturbed? Is there no rest for Tirips's messenger?”

The Selgrens soldiers skepticism pulled his lips into an ugly sneer. ”My missing order is highly unusual. I must check with my superior-”

”We have no time.” Zical tried to reach out and close the door.

The soldier placed a boot in the way and consulted his holovid. ”You will please wait one moment. I could lose my rank if-”

”Here.” Kirek flipped the man a credit chip.

The Pirinja caught the credit chip in midair He eyed it suspiciously, then as he saw the credit amount on the chip his eyes widened. Dora wondered where Kirek had acquired a large amount of Kwadii credits. ”Sorry to have delayed your trip.”

As the Pirinja closed the door and stepped back smartly from the skimmer, motioning his men to raise the net, she surmised the bribe had worked. Relief flowed through Dora as Deckar punched the engine and they zipped toward the s.p.a.ceport. She hugged Kirek against her, smoothed his hair, and hoped he'd return to sleep. When she gazed down at his sleepy face, a smile flitted across his lips. And when she looked up, she caught Zical's burning gaze on her.

He was looking at her with a hungry expression of approval and need. She'd waited so long for him to look at her with that kind of regard, that for a moment she'd thought she was imagining it. But no. The burning in his eyes remained steady, and she realized that despite all the problems on Kwadii she would remember the planet with fondness. This was the world where she'd first made love. And this was the world where she and Zical had connected.

He'd picked a fine time to allow his pa.s.sion to show. While in a crowded skimmer.

While she held a child in her arms. While they fled for their lives.

During the last few days, she'd had little time to dwell on their personal relations.h.i.+p. And this was not the time either.

Deckar expertly parked the skimmer at the s.p.a.ceport. And as they all exited the vehicle, Dora linked with Ranth and monitored communications. They'd already sent the s.p.a.ceport's security detail to the far end of the tarmac to check out a bogus smuggling operation.

So far no one appeared to have noticed their alterations to the Kwadii computer systems. And they remained alone on the pavement. As their stars.h.i.+p landed, she held her breath, half-expecting someone to stop them, or worse, shoot the s.h.i.+p out of the sky.

But when Vax opened the hatch and it was time to depart Kwadii, Kirek surprised her by waking completely and wriggling from her arms. He held out a hand to Deckar and Avanti in an odd gesture. Then he gazed into their faces, and spoke solemnly. ”If you truly seek to find Nevanna, you must join our mission.”

208.

”Join you?” Avanti asked.

”On the stars.h.i.+p,” Kirek told her.

Kirek's words took Dora by surprise. Until now, she'd believed Kirek was playing a role to help them escape Kwadii. But now she was no longer sure. Why would he invite Kwadii from two warring factions to join their mission?

Did Kirek believe that unless the two leaders were aboard the s.h.i.+p, the Kwadii would stop them? Or could Kirek's mind have snapped during his sleep deprivation?

Had he insisted that he was Tirips's Oracle for so long that he now believed it?

Fear for him triggered her every protective instinct. But Kirek didn't need her protection. His words had stunned Deckar and Avanti, their faces paling.

Deckar recovered first. ”If you will have me, I will be honored to accompany you on this mission.”

”Our mission is to reprogram the Sentinel and stop the Zin, not find Nevanna,” Zical told them as a boarding ramp uncurled. ”However, if you wish to join us, please understand you will be under my command and must abide by Federation law.”

Dora was surprised that Zical hadn't refused to take these strangers along, but then, he'd held the boy in high regard since long before he'd been born. She remained silent, wanting to talk to Kirek in private.

Deckar and Zical strode toward the s.h.i.+p. Dora waited for Kirek, who still clasped Avanti's hand. The child gazed at her with wisdom too mature for the eyes of a four- year-old. ”You do not believe in Tirips, do you, Selgren Avanti?”

”No.”

Kirek winked at her. ”But apparently your belief is not necessary, only your presence.”

At Kirek's mischievous wink, Dora didn't know what to think. The child was asking Avanti to leave her world, to go on a mission of faith when she had none. Dora expected to say good-bye and depart.

Zical and Deckar were already motioning them to hurry. They had to leave Kwadii quickly before the authorities realized they'd escaped. And still Kirek waited.

”It is difficult to leave one's world behind'' he told her. But sacrifices must be made.

And you have been chosen for the task.”

”Come.” Dora tugged on Kirek's hand. ”We can't linger. You are only the messenger. If she chooses not to listen, it's not your fault.”

”You are correct.” Kirek released Avanti's hand.

Dora and Kirek hurried to the s.h.i.+p, leaving the Selgren leader behind on the tarmac. Dora glanced over her shoulder once and caught a pensive expression on Avanti's face. With Kirek and Dora about to climb through the hatch, Avanti had mere seconds to change her mind.

Chapter Twenty.