Gaze (3 page)

It took twelve hours before the first of the ill parties began to rise and stagger around the space. More ships with better equipment arrived. They set up clean rooms for the workers to rest and installed air scrubbers to remove the traces left in the environment. It was a hard thing to sterilize an occupied station, but it seemed they were making headway.

An airlock ran a sterilization protocol, including a blast of heat that should have killed the occupant. “Guardian Shiver requesting that the
Blue Fairy
dock for boarding.”

“
Blue Fairy
complying. Docking at port sixteen.” Gaze eased the ship into position and settled the seals.

“Acknowledged. Proceeding to the entrance. Sterilization protocol is complete.”

“Appreciated.”

The seals locked, the link pressurized and she opened her hatch to the new Guardian.

Shiver walked in, waited while her ship’s systems ran a complete purge on him and then strode onto the decking of the
Blue Fairy.

The ship sent her avatar down to lead him to the command deck while Gaze detached the hatches and prepared for launch.

“Nitza, I have possession of Shiver. Where am I taking him?”

“Thank the stars. I was worried. I am giving you coordinates. He is on his way to officiate at a wedding. Better get a move on, you have a long way to go in a very short period of time.”

“I will. I hate to be late to a wedding.
Blue Fairy
and Gaze, engaging in transport.”

“Acknowledged. Advise me of arrival.”

“Will do. Gaze out.” She disconnected the com link, letting the
Fairy
fall completely away from the station. Once out at a safe distance, she took the coordinates and mapped the destination through three systems and around the edge of a nebula.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and she turned her head. “Welcome to the
Blue Fairy
.”

The armoured form stepped lightly for such a huge bulk. “I thank you,
Blue Fairy
and Gaze, for your offer of hospitality.”

Gwyn smiled. “You are most welcome. The avatar you followed is the
Fairy’s
personal representation. It changes now and then, but she usually zips around the ship in that bright ball of fun.”

The ball in question hovered in front of the armoured suit; only the dedicated vision of a true seeker could see the tiny figure inside. It was fun to see the reflection of the glowing blue in the golden armour.

“I shall look forward to her presence. Now, shall I remove my helmet or do you prefer me to converse this way?”

She chuckled. “Dress yourself in any way you like. I wear this bodysuit because I have to. Within these walls, there are no rules aside from keep it neat.”

He nodded, and he unsealed his helmet, revealing features that were so perfect, Gaze had to recalibrate her implants in an effort to find a flaw.

“Wow. You were not kidding. You are stunning.”

He blinked at her with golden eyes framed by sooty lashes.

There was something weird about his pupils, but without using her enhanced vision, she couldn’t tell what it was.

His skin was an even mahogany; his braids were thick and heavy. As he shook his head, the braids slipped out of the body of his suit and swung across the slick surface of his suit.

He neatly tucked his helmet under one arm. “Can you or this charming ship show me to my quarters?”

Gaze grinned and put the ship in high gear, not that it had gears, but it was a phrase she had heard often enough back home. Once the
Fairy
knew where she was going, she would make a beeline for the jump site.

She released the jacks and wiggled her hands and feet before she stood. She had gauged his height correctly. He was six and a half feet as a minimum estimate.

He looked surprised as she got to her feet.

She snickered. “You thought I was fused to the chair?”

He laughed. “Something like that.”

“Come on, this way.”

She led him down to the centre level, and instead of the larger left room, she had to show him the room on the right. “Sorry about the accommodations, but my last guest was a real jackass.”

“A small closet would be fine.”

“Oh, I can do better than that. Baby has scanned you, so you can come and go to any areas of the ship that are open for public access. Basically, that means anything except my quarters.”

“Understood.”

“You are free to un-form if you wish. With a little more exposure, I will be able to identify you no matter what form you take.” She opened the door and stepped aside.

Shiver passed her, and he smiled brightly as he took in the neatly arranged space. “This is more than I need. Thank you. Is that a com station?”

“It is. It is a secure link so that you can file your reports without me directly listening in.”

“Good. I need to do some catching up. Where is my next assignment?”

“At a wedding in the Gollani cluster. You are the official conducting the wedding.”

“Excellent. I do love a wedding.” He smiled, and with that grin, she was almost blinded.

“Right. Well, I am heading back up for a meal before we reach the jump point. You are welcome to join me.”

He inclined his head. “I will join you as soon as the Guardian dispatch has my status report. I will have them request official’s robes for me when we land.”

“Excellent. As you are not particular, I will make a few selections for you, and they will be ready when you are.”

She headed down the hall and back up the steps. The strange feeling of being a good host was one she enjoyed and rarely got to indulge.

Gaze got a platter of tidbits out and put them in the heater. She enjoyed having food with different shapes and textures in front of her. The delight of attractive snacks was something that she had not even suspected before she gained sight.

A quick check on their position let her know that she had two hours before the first jump. It was plenty of time to have a nice meal if Shiver joined her.

She prepped some tea and removed the platter from the heater. She settled down on one of the bench seats and took a few of the small items, placing them on a plate and nibbling them one by one.

The heater had brought them up to room temperature, which allowed the vegetables and meats to shine in their individual portions between a dazzling array of breads. It was a treat to eat and look at. The caterers had outdone themselves on this one.

She linked with the ship and checked on Shiver. He disconnected the call on the com and exited his room. He was on his way.

She straightened and touched the side of the teapot. It was still hot, so she poured another cup and set it across from her.

Shiver arrived a moment later. “This is quite the ship. I have never gotten such a swift connection before.”

“It is one of the miracles of the Nyal Imperium.” It was actually living com systems, but she didn’t know if he was cleared for that.

“Interesting.”

“Isn’t it? Do you have details on the wedding we are heading toward?”

He beamed, his perfect features shifting slightly into a more distinguished arrangement. “My protection-daughter is getting married. It is why I have been summoned to perform the ceremony. She wants me there.”

“I didn’t know that Nishans had that kind of social structure.”

“We don’t. I met Hargu’s parents when I was an officer in a police action. They were trapped in a falling building, and I got them out. Hargu was just at the age when she needed a protection-father, so in the rubble, I was given the duty of protecting her whenever she should call on me.”

“And this week, she called.” Gaze smiled. “It is a good thing to deliver a Guardian to a joyous event for a change. Have you met her betrothed?”

He shook his head and sipped at his tea. “General Haynin is supposed to be the best protector that their world has seen. She will be a good wife.”

Gaze blinked and cocked her head. “Both females?”

“Indeed. It is encouraged in the Gollani cluster to choose the mate of your heart. Hargu has found that mate, and I respect her choice, though I do look forward to meeting the general face to face.”

“Your features are shifting. Is that normal?”

“When I was in the Gollani cluster, I looked different, and so, I will return to that form for this event.”

Gaze looked at him and saw the life pattern that her enhanced vision gave her. It was definitely distinctive. A few more days and she would be able to find him anywhere. It was like staring into a lava stream made of molten gold and copper.

It was as stimulating as it was soothing.

Two days later, they were in the Gollani cluster and the
Blue Fairy
was following the beacon to the wedding venue.

“This is the
Blue Fairy
requesting landing authorization.”

Gaze sat immobile in her chair and tried to ignore the large Guardian hovering in the corner of her vision.

“
Blue Fairy,
you are cleared for landing at pad three. Your party will meet you on the ground. Welcome to Agathon.”

Gaze raised her brows and took the
Blue Fairy
down to the surface.

Shiver was fidgeting. “When we land, address me as General Korwait. Is that what you are wearing?”

She laughed. “I have to wear this kind of suit. Bear with it. I don’t plan on joining the festivities.”

He blinked. “You have to attend. This will be one large party. Everyone for miles around will be there.”

“I won’t. I have no clothing appropriate for a ceremony.”

General Korwait grinned. “That can easily be remedied.”

Gaze snorted. “I do have one nude suit. It would be easy to put something over it.”

“Does your kind have a taboo against wearing alien clothing?”

“No, I don’t have any thermal control. If I don’t wear one of my suits, I can suffer hypo- or hyperthermia depending on the external temperatures.”

“Is that normal for your species?” He seemed concerned.

“No. I am a special case. It was a childhood injury that should have killed me.” She tried to make light of it, but it was a deep ache that went to the bottom of her soul.

“I see.”

“No, you don’t. No one does. I wear the suit for a reason.” She straightened her shoulders and flexed against the chair. She could feel the pressure on her skin, the barrier of circuits, coolants and fabric were now as familiar to her as her own flesh.

“I see.”

She snorted and ignored the expression that had tormented her all her life. She had never been able to
see
and only two years of therapy had just begun to stop her jaw from flexing when she heard the term.

Gaze followed the beacon down to pad three, settling the ship neatly in position. The moment that she was down, a crowd converged on the ship.

“There she is. Hargu is the one in the centre of the crowd. I am assuming that General Haynin is the woman next to her.” General Korwait smiled at her through his grizzled features.

He had shifted into a more dignified and much older appearance. His armour was the same, and she realised that he hadn’t brought any luggage with him. He certainly travelled light.

A polite knocking at the hull made Gaze smile. “Your protection-daughter is here. You had better answer the door.”

He inclined his head. “I shall. You will be invited to the festivities. An escort will come for you later.”

“Is that a threat?” She raised her eyebrows as she unlocked herself from the ship and began her landed protocols.

He winked and inclined his head. He left her on the command deck and went to greet his party.

She checked the ship for damage, weak connections and supply situations. She watched General Korwait until he wasn’t visible in the crowd of folk bobbing and weaving around him. His protection-daughter was holding his arm, and her fiancée was smiling shyly. It was a strange expression for such a tough-looking woman, but the scarred face was tender when she looked at her bride. Gaze sighed with a smile. It looked like a good match.

She moved about the
Fairy
, checking in with Nitza and moving inventory around. Two hours after landing, there was a knock on the hatch.

The monitors displayed a solitary figure in the comfortable and draped garb of the wedding party. He was holding a box in his arms.

Curious, Gaze headed down to the hatch, and she opened the door with defenses at the ready.

A handsome young male stood there with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. “Transport Specialist Gaze?”

“Yes.”

“I am Nikowaik. I have been sent to bring you to the festivities, requested by the brides themselves.” He extended the object in his arms. “Proper attire has been arranged.”

She snorted. “Come in. I would be honoured to attend.”

She took the box and gestured for him to enter the cold storage area. Well, it was the area full of cryo tubes, so cold storage was about right. “Look around all you like but don’t touch anything. Those tubes are set for automatic trigger.”

He snapped her a salute and grinned again.

As she climbed the stairs to her quarters, she wondered why Shiver was going to such lengths to pretend he was someone else. It wasn’t her business, but she did think it was odd.

When she put the box on her bed and opened it, the emerald fabric made her smile. Her hair was a dozen shades of gold and honey so this matched her most flattering colours. It would even make her blue eyes pop a little within their white gold markings.

She chuckled and reached into her wardrobe, pulling out the neutral suit and removing her brown and gold suit with practiced movements.

The nude suit was just what it was supposed to be, almost invisible. When she draped the fabric over her and fastened it with the heavy chain belt, she looked like she was only wearing the garb of the locals and not the heavy tech underneath.

She turned from side to side and slipped on the sandals that were included in the box. Gwyn felt pretty and almost normal as she headed back down the stairs.

Nikowaik was meditating in the centre of the cold area. He opened his eyes and smiled as she approached. “Lovely. Even better than imagined.”