Chapter 6 -- Luck of the Draw

Cole had gotten enough experience with acting inconspicuous in the past 11 months to be able to move unchallenged through the hospital and into the ICU. He slipped into a changing-room and pulled on a pair of scrubs, which allowed him unchallenged access into the rooms of patients in the isolation ward of the ICU as well. No one had yet made the correlation of the symptoms of this patient to the symptoms of the previous outbreak, which meant that there was not yet a quarantine in effect.

He quickly found the one he was looking for. The patient's chart was hanging on her door. He picked it up and read over it, leaning casually against the wall as he did so. He frowned, wondering if two trips through the wormhole in such rapid succession had caused the virus residing in Tev to mutate. The symptoms were, undeniably, those of the virus Tev had infected himself with: respiratory depression, skin lesions, iron and potassium deficiency, a surplus of copper and several other minerals in the blood, erratic heartbeat, high fever. They were all there, symptoms of a hundred other diseases, but combined in a way that pointed irrefutably to Tev's genetically-engineer infection. But, at the same time… the progression was far too rapid.

Cole frowned, wondering. He walked into the room and looked at the woman on the bed, hooked up to monitors and IVs and a ventilator, wires and tubes everywhere. Her eyes opened fractionally at his approach, taking a few moments to focus on him. They betrayed recognition even before the 'woman' spoke.


"Daggon. You came back for us," the person lying in the bed whispered in a weak voice.

"Tev," Cole whispered. He had automatically assumed that the patient was a victim of Tev. It had never occurred to him that it might be Tev himself.

He was awed by the rapid progress with which the disease had ravaged the host body. In a female body, Tev would have had no way of cleansing himself of the disease. That was only possible in a male body. He was dying as he had condemned all those human women to die, as he had condemned the Cirronian ambassador to die. It was ironic, what Mel would have called 'poetic justice', and he was half-tempted to leave Tev to this incredibly painful death. Especially after what he had tried to do to Mel.

But it was Mel's own words that kept him from turning on his heels and leaving Tev to his fate. I think that a little anger over that is perfectly natural… The important thing is what you do with it. Leaving the Nodulian to die would have made Cole no better than him, than Zin, than all the others.

"Bad luck," Tev rasped. "This body… Gambled and lost…"

"You should have stayed on Sar-Top," Cole told him gently, producing his Collector. "All of you."

"Gambled and lost," he repeated weakly. "Luck of the draw. Didn't think you'd come back for us. Bet… wrong side."

"Who organized the second escape?" Cole asked. "Tell me, Tev."

"Zin, Lana…"

"Etala?"

Tev shook his head. "Don't think so. Don't know." Abruptly, he groaned in pain, one of the monitors beeping loudly for a few moments before resuming its previous, steady tone. "Please, take me now," Tev moaned, writhing.

"Yes." Cole nodded and moved towards the bed.

"Cameras," Tev breathed, nodding towards the video cameras.

Cole nodded gratefully and disabled both with quick blasts of energy before walking to Tev's side.

"Thank… you…" Tev whispered.

Cole nodded. He had felt so much anger at Tev after his attempt on Mel, but now Cole could feel nothing but pity for the man who was dying the worst death imaginable. He quickly Collected the Nodulian.

"Gambled and lost," Cole muttered as alarms shrilled all around him. "One down," he added with a sigh, turning and leaving. The doctors and nurses rushing past did not even spare Cole a second glance. "Five hundred and thirty left." God it was going to be a long night…

***

Cole walked straight upstairs when he returned to the Watchfire, not even noticing Mel trying to get his attention across the crowded barroom. He transferred Tev's life-force into containment, took a drink, and then typed a brief report. The Nodulian Tev has been recaptured. 527 more of Zin's subordinates to capture; also Zin, Etala, and the Vardian Lana are confirmed planet-side.

"Daggon?" a voice chirped over his speaker a few moments after he had hit the 'send' key.

"Go ahead, Bendal," Cole said, typing the commands to transmit the Nodulian's hologram into the room. "Do you have my report?"

"Yes. That's why I called. Good work, Daggon."

"Pure dumb luck, actually. The full details of the apprehension will be in my log."

"That's just fine, Daggon," Bendal said. "Now, where should I forward your winnings?" he asked cheerfully.

"Keep them," Cole said, shaking his head. A year's salary at 100 to 1 odds and he could not have cared less. He would have spent it all on one more drink. "Donate them, invest them. I… don't care. This once, I wish I had been wrong."

"You aren't the only one. It's going to make your job down there a kree of a lot harder."

"I know." Cole sighed and nodded. "How are things there?"

"This report will help change them," Bendal told him. "I've already transmitted a copy of it to the Security Council. Looks like we all get to keep our jobs and our life-forces."

Cole sighed again, nodding. "I could use you down here, my friend."

"I know, and I would come in a heartbeat, but… things up here…"

"I understand. Eijan needs you, too."

"She could use you, too." Bendal gave him an apologetic look. "But I guess this Earth place is your home now?"

"Yes, Bendal, it is."

"The… human woman? How is she?"

"Like the rest of us. Anxious, upset, not sure what comes next."

"Understandable."

"I… want to commission her to the Tracker Corps." Ignoring the surprised look Bendal was giving him, he continued, "She's part Cirronian. She can help me. I need her help."

"I'll get the paperwork started. Nallyn is talking about a sociological expedition to Earth."

"No." Cole shook his head firmly. "Not until Zin is taken care of. It's too dangerous."

"Life is a lot more dangerous everywhere than it was this time yesterday, my friend."

"So I noticed," Cole sighed. "I'll need some things."

"Let me get a data-pad," Bendal said. He quickly retrieved one and looked at Daggon again. "Go ahead."

"Another Collector for Mel. A second storage unit to accommodate all the prisoner life-forces. A mobile energy-source. A… an atomizer." Cole sighed.

"Since when do Cirronians carry weapons?" Bendal squealed, startled.

"It's for Mel, until I can train her fully."

"I'll do what I can on the last one. What else."

Cole quickly reeled off the list which he had been composing in his head of items which would make his job easier and keep the woman he loved safer.

"I'll do what I can. Conditions will be favorable to establish a wormhole to Earth in… half a cycle."

Cole nodded. Better than he could have hoped. The equipment would be there by morning. "Wonderful news, Bendal. Just dump it all in the Vault."

"Yes, Daggon. No promises on the atomizer, though."

"I understand." Cole nodded. "Something, though. Anything. I want Mel to have a weapon."

"I'll see what I can do. Shielding on the energy source might be a problem. We may not be able to get it to you."

"I understand," Cole repeated, nodding again. "How long until the next wormhole?"

Bendal hesitated. "A little over one rotation."

Cole gaped. That was… 15 months. "So I'm cut off from help for another rotation?" he asked softly, sighing.

"Unless conditions change substantially, yes. I'm sorry."

"Not your fault, my friend." Cole considered. "How much more equipment can you get me? I want to be prepared for this."

"What do you need?"

Cole considered for a few moments. "Two of everything on my list."

"If I can get one, the odds are good I can get two," Bendal assured him.

"Great. Throw in a basic electrical tool-kit, will you?"

"Shouldn't be too hard to scrounge one of those up."

"Wonderful."

"Eijan says you'll be reporting back to me, not the Council. I'm not sure what she's playing at, but that's what she says."

Cole frowned and nodded. There were too many Vardians on the Security Council. Any number could be in league with Zin, or just paid to look the other way. "Eijan is a wise woman, Bendal. You remember that and you'll live longer. You can trust her like you used to trust me. She will keep you safe."

"Thank you for the advice, my friend." Bendal looked over his shoulder. "I must go now. I look forward to your next report and… our next conversation."

Cole nodded. "Likewise, my friend. Stay safe." Cole sighed as the hologram faded. Bendal had not been able to tell him as much as he could have hoped. "I need a drink," he sighed, shaking his head at the realization that the bottle was empty. A year's salary at 100 to 1 and he really would have traded it all for another drink. "Damn, this is turning into a problem," he whispered. "Again."

***

"I can't exactly pick this stuff up at the Home Depot, Cole," Mel pointed out, sighing. They were sitting in the dark, empty bar, talking.

"I know, Mel. But these are the things I need to make this a safe place for you to be."

Mel sighed and nodded. "Tell me where I can find them, and I'll get them."

Cole nodded. "I'll make a list, Mel. Conditions will be favorable for a wormhole tomorrow. Bendal and Eijan are sending me some supplies. It will make our work easier."

Mel nodded. "I don't suppose that they're sending anyone to help?" she asked hopefully.

"No, Mel. None can be spared at present."

"How bad is it, Cole?" Mel asked softly.

"I am no longer being openly called a traitor." Cole shrugged. "Which is something. Bendal and Eijan will be allowed to retain their positions at Sar-Top. This is great news, Mel. They're two of the most trustworthy members of the Tracker Corps. Eijan was my training officer when I joined. She must have saved my life… half a dozen times." He shook his head. "I wonder what became of Kallissa," he murmured absently.

"Who?"

"She was… regional head of security on Cirron when I went to Sar-Top. Only Welyn was above her. She had… eyes…" He looked up at Mel, reaching towards her face, his hand hovering a few inches from it, near her eyes. "They were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. The color of yours. Not like any other Cirronian I've ever known. Less than ten percent have eyes that are not brown. Most are green. Kallissa's… they were like yours." He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair out of her blue-gray eyes. "When Nallia… died, Kallissa was there to pick up the pieces. She stayed with me until Zin arrived, almost a week. She was away from her family that whole time."

"She sounds like an amazing woman," Mel said softly.

"She was, Mel. Like you in so many ways. I've often wondered if you might be related. Those eyes." He shook his head. "It's not important. I just… so many things that I never thought I'd miss. I miss them all now. Not because I may never see them again, but… because…"

"Because our friends help us through times like this." Mel nodded her understanding and gently rested her hand on his.

He smiled up at her, nodding. "Yes, Mel."

"Maybe you can introduce us some time," she suggested.

"Maybe." Cole nodded. "I want you to meet everyone I love in Migar, Mel. Nallyn and her family, Kallissa, Eijan, Bendal, Alicia… they've all been such wonderful friends to me, Mel." He smiled at her. "I've always been lucky in my choice of friends."

"Except Zin," Mel whispered.

Cole sighed. "Zin was not… always as he is now. I would not have survived Nallia's death without him. He took care of me until I could take care of myself." He shrugged. "Etala, his wife, was… I think she was scared for him when he came to me, a Vardian on Cirron after what Rhee had done. She did not want him to come, but he did anyway. He stayed with me in my home, and came with me when I went to Sar-Top. He stayed there until I was settled, too." He sighed and shook his head. "He was… badly treated by his peers on Varda. It doesn't excuse what he has become, but… it doesn't change what he was, either, Mel. He was a good friend to me for many years."

"Well, I'm sorry you had to lose his friendship then," Mel said softly. "Especially the way you did."

Cole nodded. "He has always wanted to reshape the universe into a shape of his own making, Mel. When he was a young idealist, this was a glorious thing, but… he grew older and more cynical. Eventually he became bitter about the way he was treated. I… try to tell myself that when he started planning he was not serious. It is… likely that he wasn't. A wormhole to a planet 100 light-years away, a stable one? It seemed an impossibility until Zin made it happen. He was a good friend, Mel, and a gifted scientist. He allowed his anger to consume him."

"What about Etala? Where does she fit into this whole thing?"

Cole shrugged. "I am not honestly sure. She stayed behind after Zin came here to take care of their children."

"Zin has kids?" Mel asked, blinking. Talk about a dysfunctional home environment.

"Four, Mel. A boy and three girls. His oldest, the boy, adored Ashi. Zin used to joke that they would end up mates when Ashi's time came. It was… only half a joke, I think. I believe that they very well might have married in spite of the differences between our peoples." He shook his head. "Zin adored his offspring, Mel. His son was his heir, his daughters his little princesses. I don't think he ever spoke a cross word to them. He is a good father."

"Except for the part where he's an evil mad scientist," Mel muttered. "Who left them for almost a year…"

Cole nodded. "I think this must hurt him very much, Mel. He… if he were able to bring the Migar Federation to its knees, Mel, if it were his… it would be theirs. He would make a gift of it to them." He sighed. "I am not trying to excuse anything, because Zin's actions this past year are inexcusable. But… he loves his children, and this I can understand. If Cirron had been mine to give, Ashi would have had it."

"Every dad wants to give his little girl the world," Mel whispered, smiling at him. There had been a period of a few years in her own life where she had shared such a relationship with her own father, so she fully understood.

Cole nodded, happy tears in his eyes at memories of all the wonders of the universe that he had shared with his beautiful Ashi. "Yes."

"And I'll bet that whenever she used to say 'I love you', you would say 'not as much as I love you'," she whispered.

Cole stared, startled. And here he had always thought it a dreadfully clever and original comeback. Smiling, he bowed his head. "Yes, Mel."

"Yeah. Dads everywhere are the same, I guess," she laughed softly.

"Yes, Mel. It does seem that way."


They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Mel asked, "So, is Etala an innocent third party or a partner in crime?"

Cole sighed as he considered. "It is not impossible that she knew of Zin's plans, even that she aided in them. Her own interests leaned towards Sociology rather than physics. She would have been a useful resource to him in learning about human culture, and we know that this is what she was researching when the first escape occurred. Whether she knew what Zin had planned, I honestly don't know. My instinct would be to say no."

"Why?"

"Zin would not want her afraid or in danger. He would have kept the truth from Etala to protect her and her children."

"Innocent third party," Mel sighed. "Poor woman. Did she even know what kind of man she was married to?"

"Etala was not without ambition, Mel. She selected Zin as a mate because she knew he had potential, that he would stop at nothing to achieve his ends. That was always my mistake, not acknowledging how far he was capable of going. But Etala… she saw with great clarity Mel."

"So she knew that he was up to something, just not what?"

Cole nodded. "This would be my guess. It is… not unlikely that she thought Zin planned on using the people of this planet as a… labor-pool."

"Labor-pool?" Mel repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Slaves, Mel. Zin and Etala were firm believers that… 'lesser species' should be enslaved and… made productive."

"Lovely," Mel muttered. "Didn't the other members of the Migar Federation have a problem with this?"

"Of course they did, Mel. So did I, but… it all seemed so theoretical that… no one bothered to make an issue of it. I never thought that Zin would perfect his wormhole technology, so I saw no reason to object to his occasional ramblings about 'lesser species' because I did not think that he would ever have access to a non-Migar species." He bowed his head, ashamed. "We had… agreed to disagree. I'm sorry, Mel."

"Shh," she murmured. "You have got to stop blaming yourself for what a bastard Zin is."

Cole sighed. "He was my friend. He is my responsibility. Him, Etala, Lana, all of them."

"What do you know about Lana?" Mel asked.

"I met her… a handful of times. She traveled with Zin when Etala was otherwise occupied. Zin stopped bringing Etala and the children on our vacations together. He wanted to spare me the pain of seeing him with his family. But Lana frequently came with him. She was a sweet child."

"Were they lovers?" Mel asked.

"Rumors called them that, as I said." Cole shrugged. "I never believed it, though. Zin loved Etala."

"Why'd she join him on vacation if they weren't involved?" Mel asked, not buying it.

"Like a… personal assistant, Mel, or a secretary. Zin worked non-stop, even on vacation. Lana's presence made that easier and… she was someone he could bounce ideas off of. He always said he was lucky to have her. She was a brilliant child, Mel, smarter than Zin, even."

"Smarter than Zin?" Mel repeated thoughtfully. "And, with our luck, a hell of a lot more evil, too…"

Cole shrugged. "She was… dedicated to Zin, Mel. His cause is hers. I wouldn't call her evil, Mel, but… she is… amoral."

"Which can be worse half the time," Mel muttered.


Cole nodded. "I doubt she's ever felt guilt or remorse. She was trained, brought up, not to."

"Yay, one more Vardian wacko to worry about," Mel sighed.

"You should rest now," Cole suggested gently. "It's late."

"Right." Mel sighed and rose. "Um… I'll… see you in the morning."

Cole sighed and nodded. "Yes, Mel. Good night, Mel."

He rose and walked her to her bedroom as he had so many times in the past. And, once more, he stood with her at her door for a moment, told her to sleep well, and watched her vanish into her room. He sighed and rested his palm against the closed door, allowing himself a few moments for regret. Shaking his head, he walked into the war-room, looking around. This equipment had, amazingly, allowed him to make due for almost a year now. With material support from Migar, it could be upgraded substantially, making his job easier. But there was so much more at stake now than ever before. He looked up at the sound of a familiar voice over the speaker.

Sighing, he activated the translation matrix. "Go ahead, Eijan."