Shamara (35 page)

"Silence!" Gunnar roared. "I will decide when we conduct business. Right now I have questions for Turlock."

"D-don't believe anything Rafar has to say, your Lordship," Turlock stammered. "He's a lying bastard."

"And what are you?" Gunnar asked.

"I'm your business partner. I'm going to—"

"You told me the iridon shipment had been confiscated by the Controllers; that you were working on acquiring more," Gunnar hissed.

"Th-that's true!" Panic edged Turlock's voice. "I—"

"Yet according to Rafar, you sold that shipment to the Jaccians, for twice the amount you and I agreed upon."

Jarek noted the sudden energy surge from Gunnar's ship. The Leor was priming his laser canons. Turlock apparently also noted that fact. His voice quavered with fear. "No! Rafar lied. The Controllers took that iridon. I swear it!"

"I went to Orlan and personally verified Rafar's story. You betrayed me, Turlock."

"No! Listen to me, your Lordship! It wasn't good iridon. It was cut with other minerals. You wouldn't have wanted it—"

Three laser cannons simultaneously discharged from Gunnar's ship, burning massive holes into the hull of Turlock's ship. There was no way he could seal off that kind of damage. He'd be dead in moments. His final bellow of terror and pain reverberated over the comm link. Then silence fell.

*  *  *

Sitting on Gunnar's lap at his weapon console, Lani drew back from the discharge pad and clapped her hands in glee. "Oh, that was too fun! Who else can I destroy? How about that awful Vaden? He's despicable. Selling his own niece for personal gain. Really!"

"Bloodthirsty female," Gunnar chided indulgently. "Would you disintegrate everyone you do not like?"

"Absolutely," Lani declared. She looped her arms around his thick neck and kissed his chest. "Violence stirs my passions."

He growled in that primitive way she adored. "We must finish with the business at hand. Then we will see about these passions of yours."

He would, too. Lani sighed, her toes curling in anticipation. Gunnar had the most amazing stamina. Even she was hard-pressed to keep up. But she would give it her best attempt.

"Just don't keep me waiting too long," she urged. "And please go easy on Eirene and Jarek, sweetness. They can't help it that fate threw them together. I'm sure if Eirene had met you first, she would never have looked at another male. I'm lucky she met Jarek instead."

She swirled her tongue around Gunnar's nipple and stroked his thigh to emphasize her point. The loincloth bulged against her, and she smiled in satisfaction. The bigger they were, the harder they fell.

Only she was falling just as hard herself.

*  *  *

Jarek could only stare at the scanners in amazement. Sabin and Chase were watching and waiting along with him, but there didn't seem to be anything prudent to say. Gunnar was in control of the confrontation.

Jarek figured he was next on the firing line, since he'd kidnapped the Leor's intended bride. Reaching out, he took Eirene's hand. He intended to plead for her life, and prayed Gunnar had a modicum of mercy beneath that tough exterior.

The Leor commander didn't keep them waiting. "I have no further desire to do business with you, Kane," Gunnar said. "You did not deliver my bride as agreed upon, and thus forfeited your trade route."

Why was he turning on Vaden Kane, when Jarek was the one who had taken Eirene from Gunnar?

"Of course you wouldn't want my niece now," Vaden agreed quickly. "She's probably tarnished. Certainly not to your liking." It was obvious Eirene's uncle hoped to gain a lot more than a single trade route on her, now that he believed she was an Enhancer.

"But we have many beautiful virgins on Travan," Vaden continued, growing bolder. "Surely we can still reach an agreement."

"I no longer wish to deal with you or anyone from Travan."

"But, I—" Vaden sputtered to silence, as Gunnar's laser canons locked onto his ship.

"I suggest you abandon this sector immediately. Do not approach me again, or I will send you to your Fires."

There was a pause, and then Vaden snarled, "You won't get away, san Ranul. Neither will you, niece. I'll track you down to the ends of the quadrant. You can be sure of it." He nosed his ship around and the thrusters surged, taking him away.

Jarek tensed, awaiting Gunnar's next action.

"Commander, we thank your for your assistance," Sabin said, as if matters were settled.

"Do not make the mistake of thinking it was an act of mercy," Gunnar responded. "San Ranul, you are seeking an entry to another part of the galaxy?"

How could he possibly have known that? Jarek replied cautiously, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Do not play games, Captain. We have heard that you were looking for special machinery—equipment that could navigate hyperspace. Now you have traveled to the twelfth sector, the location of a black hole. It is easy enough to conclude you are seeking other territories for your people."

Jarek had heard much about the Leors and about their intelligence and shrewd bargaining abilities. He could see the stories about them were well founded, and he had no desire to reveal anything to Gunnar. "Commander, if my plans were common knowledge, my people would be in even greater danger. I'm sure you can understand my reluctance to share those plans with anyone."

"I can, Captain. However I believe you are now indebted to me. I would claim first negotiating rights on any trade routes that come out of your explorations."

Jarek was amazed the Leor commander didn't plan to seek retribution for losing Eirene. He considered the surprising conversation that had just occurred. Damned if Gunnar wasn't turning the situation to his advantage. Relief swept through him as he realized the full implications. Gunnar intended to let him and the others go, to continue on with their plans—as long as his demands were met.

He didn't have to think about the Leor's request very long to conclude he had no choice but to cooperate. Besides, it wasn't money from trade routes the Shielders were seeking, but shamara. The Leors could have the routes, for a vow of secrecy. Their word was good. It had been honored as far back as he could remember.

"If the Shielders find any unclaimed trade routes, the Leors will have the first chance to bid on them," he told Gunnar. "However, we would have to insist on total confidentiality."

"I will consider that a binding agreement," Gunnar replied.

"You have my word on it, Commander."

"Then you and the others are free to go. May the goddess shine a thousand suns upon your endeavors."

Jarek could hardly believe this stroke of luck. "Thank you, Commander."

"Gunnar, sweetness, are you done yet?" came a high-pitched feminine voice over the comm. "I'm waiting."

"Signing off," Gunnar rasped. The communication was abruptly severed.

"Well," Moriah's husky came over the comm after a moment of surprised silence. "That's very interesting. I was going to ask Gunnar what had happened to Lani. I guess we don't need to worry about her anymore. Radd was right."

Sagging back in relief, Jarek squeezed Eirene's hand. She looked at him, her eyes huge. He managed a wink and a grin. "See? The good guys always win."

"You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"

"Always." He turned to power down his lasers.

"What do you say we go find ourselves a wormhole?" Chase said.

"We?"
Jarek asked.

"We'll take my ship," Chase said. "It's better-equipped for medical emergencies."

"What are you talking about?" Jarek demanded.

"Nessa and I discussed it, and we're coming with you. You might need our help."

"I can't let you do that. It's too dangerous. What about your children?"

"Raven is seventeen now, Brand is twelve, and Celene is nine. They’re all pretty self-sufficient. We left them on Risa, under the care of the adults there."

"It's too risky. All I need is a ship. I don't want you and Nessa placing yourself in danger."

"Mori and I are coming, too," Sabin interjected.

"I can't allow it. Moriah is pregnant. We don't know what lies ahead."

"True, but we do know there's no hope remaining if we don't forge onward," Moriah chimed in. "We  don't want our child living in fear every waking moment, and always struggling to survive. We
are
coming with you, Jarek."

"If you want a ship, you'll have to agree to take us along," Chase said.

Jarek ran his fingers through his hair, wanting to refuse, but acknowledging they had him in a bind. His spacecraft was completely inoperable. "I don't even know if we can move the sphere," he said finally.

The comm link crackled with static and a whispery voice said, "Captain san Ranul, is there a problem?"

Jarek wasn’t surprised that the Shens appeared aware of all that had transpired. "Just a slight change of plans, Phylos. My ship is inoperable and we need to move to another one."

"I am sure you are concerned about the sphere," Phylos replied. "Allow us to assist you. Open your cargo bay and have Captain McKnight do the same. We will transfer the sphere for you."

"Who is Phylos?" Chase asked. "And how is he going to move equipment from your ship to mine?"

"He's the leader of the Shens," Jarek explained, heartened by this turn of events. "Aldon is nearby, although you can't pick up any readings. Just open your cargo bay. Transporting objects appears to be a Shen specialty."

He watched the scanners as the sphere drifted, seemingly of its own accord, to Chase's ship. Then he sealed off his cargo bay. "Again you have come to our aid, Phylos. We thank you."

"It is always a privilege to serve. The One be with you." The odd voice faded, leaving only static on the transceiver.

One more problem dealt with, in a most surprising manner. Accepting that matters were out of his hands and had been all along, Jarek resigned himself to the new traveling arrangements. "Ready to initiate docking, Chase."

He looked at Eirene. "Then we'll be on our way."

*  *  *

It was time. The instrument readings indicated they had come as close to the black hole as they dared without crossing into the event horizon and being sucked to ultimate destruction. The instruments had also picked up a gravitational lens effect, the bending of light due to gravity, and an indication of a probable wormhole. They hoped the wormhole was running through the black hole at a perpendicular angle, with its entry and exit well clear of the event horizon.

They had discussed the premise of the wormhole and the Enhancer equipment at length during the three-cycle trip, speculating on how the sphere would actually work. Eirene had limited scientific knowledge, but her contact with the sphere convinced her it was ultrasophisticated, highly advanced equipment. She sensed it would do everything that was necessary: locate the wormhole entry, turn the ship that direction, open the vortex, and guide them through.

All the speculation was simply that, anyway. None of them knew for sure what would happen. But Eirene suspected what the personal cost might be to her. She glanced at the faces surrounding her in the cargo bay: Chase, Nessa, Sabin, and Moriah. She'd come to genuinely respect these people during their short time together, to appreciate their courage and determination in the face of impossible odds.

She was grateful they would be with Jarek, that he wouldn't be completely alone and isolated if something happened to her. "I want everyone to leave the cargo bay," she said. "I don't know how the equipment might affect observers, and I'd feel better if I was alone."

That was true; she was still afraid of energy spillage, or someone being injured. More importantly, she didn't want them around if she didn't survive the drain, didn't want them to try to help her at risk to themselves.

She saw the protest on their faces and headed them off. "I won't operate the sphere if anyone is here."

"I agree it would be best for everyone else to stay in another part of the ship," Jarek said from behind her. "But I won't leave you."

She turned and met his determined gaze. Her heart did the odd little flutter it always did whenever she looked at him. She wanted to stroke his wavy brown hair back from his forehead, to run her fingers along the rugged planes of his face.

She'd fallen more deeply in love with him these past three cycles, sharing his dreams and his passion, lying in his arms at night. She would never regret what had passed between them, would cherish the memories through all eternity. Reluctantly, she tucked her feelings away. It was time to focus on the matter at hand.

"I want to be completely alone," she insisted. "I don't want any distractions."

"I won't distract you. But I refuse to leave you here alone. If you're going to help us, then let's start the process."

She saw the implacable resolve in his expression, knew he was determined to stay with her. She didn't like it, but she wasn't going to renege on her promise. "All right."

"Good luck," Chase said. "Don't hesitate to use the comm if you need us."

"Spirit be with you," Nessa said softly.

Sabin slid his arm around Moriah. "You two be careful," he said gruffly.

They filed from the bay, turning almost in unison for one final glance, their expressions both concerned and hopeful. Then they were gone.

Eirene stared at Jarek, drinking in one last look to carry with her, perhaps even into eternity. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but didn't want to place that burden on him. She knew he would feel guilty if anything happened to her and didn't want to complicate it with emotional baggage.

"Ready?" he asked.

She drew a deep breath. "Yes. Let's hope this works."

His gaze remained on her, steady and confident. "It will. It has to."

She started to turn, but he caught her hand and tugged. "First, come here." He pulled her to him, crushing her against him. He raised her chin and kissed her. She kissed him back, clinging to him, reluctant to let go.

He drew away, sliding his hand along her face. "For luck," he said, his voice unusually deep. He released her and stepped back. "Better get to it."