fortuneswheel Read Online Free PDF Page A

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 rightful owners."

Kusac digested this for a moment. "Surely they'll retaliate?"

"Garras thinks not," said Mito. "If they used Keiss 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 another 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 going 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 flicking with embarrassment, but the Captain appeared engrossed 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, sitting 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 attention 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 imperceptible movement of her ears in assent. The risk 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 of the Eureka. It was a huge metal edifice, only a fraction of its former height but still dominating every other building in Seaport. Skai and the other guerrillas headed off to the local inn, Skinner accompanying Carrie and the Sholans through the