Chapter 2
Lana stirred, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Movement was difficult and it did not take her long to realize that she was restrained more completely than she had been before. She opened her eyes, scanning the room. Medical monitors. An IV feeding sedatives into her bloodstream. Medical equipment. Cameras. An armed guard. She reached for him mentally, scowling as she realized that the drugs left her too weak for telekinesis.
Nothing could ever be easy...
She turned her head to look at the guard, her mind working quickly in spite of the medication. He was young, not more than twenty-five, and therefore potentially quite impressionable.
"Please, may I... may I have some water?" she asked, pleased when her voice shook of its own accord. Yes, let him think her weak and frightened. "My throat is so sore..." she added plaintively. "And my head hurts!" she added, sniffling and forcing several tears by biting her tongue hard enough to draw blood.
"I'll get the doctor," he began.
"No, please!" she whimpered, shaking her head frantically. "Please, don't... They'll hurt me again!"
She bit back a smile at his alarmed and angry look. Almost too easy to begin to win one's trust. If eight years as a child prostitute had taught her one thing, it was that most men were easy to manipulate. They tended to have a weakness for young and 'defenseless' females.
"Why am I here?" she asked abruptly. "What do you want with me?"
"Hey, I was just told to stand guard..." he said, holding up his hands. "I have no clue why you're here..."
"Please, may I have a drink?" Lana asked again, her voice tremulous. "I'm so thirsty..."
"Uh..." He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, sure. Hang on," he murmured, walking to the sink and pouring a glass of water. He found a straw and carried both over to her bed. "Here, take small sips so you don't choke on it," he said, putting the straw between her lips. "What'd you do anyway?" he asked as she sipped at the water.
"I don't know," she moaned, letting a few more tears trail down her cheeks. "I was out jogging and all these men came at me and..." She trailed off, sniffling. "I'm scared," she whispered, biting her tongue again.
"Oh, come on, sweetie, don't cry," he urged gently, shaking his head uncertainly. "I'm sure you're going to be just fine..."
"Dad must be so worried," she whispered, staring up at him. "What's he going to do without me?" More tears and a few sobs followed her words. "I'm all he has left since mama died! He must be so worried..."
"Oh, sweetheart," he whispered, staring down at her with wide eyes.
He had joined the military to help people, not to abduct and terrorize teenaged girls. No one had told him why this particular young lady was so dangerous, but he could not think of anything that might justify the way she was being treated.
"He must be so worried," she repeated quietly, staring up at him with wide doe-eyes. She could almost feel his resolve crumbling. "It would be different," she began slowly, "if he knew that I was okay. He wouldn't worry so much..."
"I don't..." he began, shaking his head. He straightened as two men in lab coats entered. "Doctors," he greeted them, turning away from Lana.
"Get away from her, Reed!" one of them snapped. "We told you she was dangerous!"
"She was thirsty. I just thought..."
"You mean you didn't think!" he interrupted, shaking his head and none-too-politely shoving Reed away from the bed.
Lana could tell that the young Airman was unhappy with this development and she took the opportunity to advance her own case with him. "Let me go!" she cried, struggling against the restraints. "What'd I do? What do you want with me? Please, let me go! I didn't do anything! For the love of God!"
She continued crying and pleading until the Doctor injected something into her IV, then she went limp, panting.
"You, Reed, stay here and don't go near her again," he ordered, turning and leaving.
"They don't want me making friends," Lana said dully after the other had left as well. "You might start feeling sorry for me."
"I'm already sorry for you..."
"I'm scared. And I'm worried about my Dad."
"What's your name?"
"Lana. My name's Lana." She closed her eyes, pleased. She was almost there.
"What about your father?"
"Julius. His name is Julius," she whispered, staring up at him with wide eyes. "Can you call him. Just let him know that I'm okay? Then he won't have to worry. The doctor says that he shouldn't worry. His heart..."
He hesitated, exhaling deeply. "I could get court-martialed for even talking to you..."
"You don't have to any more. I understand. But... Daddy..." She forced more tears and fixed him with a pleading stare. "I'm not asking you to tell him anything except that I'm safe. That can't hurt anyone..."
"No, I guess not," he agreed quietly, nodding. "What's his phone-number?"
"Thank you, thank you," Lana whispered, smiling tremulously up at him.
She quickly reeled off the number to Zin's private line. It would take Zin's people less than thirty seconds to trace any phone-call to that number, and then they would know where to find her. Or, at the very least, where to find a man who knew where she was being held...
"As soon as I'm relieved, I'll call him," he promised, hurrying back to the door at the sound of footsteps in the hallway. "Don't worry, Lana. It's going to be okay."
Lana closed her eyes and nodded, content with the knowledge that he was right. She opened them again as more soldiers joined them in the room.
"Dismissed, Reed," one with a Lieutenant's bars told him.
"But, sir..."
"Dismissed!" he repeated more firmly. "You were ordered not to speak with her or go near her. You're lucky you're not in the brig. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," he muttered, saluting brusquely before turning and leaving.
"Webster, Perkins, Klein, the same orders go for the three of you. You are not to talk to her, approach her, or respond to her in any way. No one of you is to be alone in this room with her for any length of time, no matter how brief. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," the three MPs answered in unison.
"Good." Nodding sharply, he left.
"What'd she do?" Perkins asked.
"I don't know and I don't care," Klein answered. "Lieutenant says 'national security' and that's all I need to know. You, too."
"She looks harmless."
"They always do," Webster contributed quietly, leaning against the wall.
Intelligent, that one, Lana reflected, closing her eyes and trying to rest. She was too tired and weak to do much else. With luck, Reed would get in touch with Zin and she would be able to rest in her own bed by nightfall.
***
"Who's your friend?" Mel asked when they arrived at the park where Lana had been jogging.
"Her name is Mara. She's helping."
"That wasn't part of the deal!" Vic protested.
"It is now," Zin told him. "Scientists and school teachers aren't exactly known for their ability to storm secure facilities, Detective. Mara has extraction training."
"From which academy?" Cole asked, eyeing the young woman curiously. She did not have the feel of a member of the warrior caste.
"Tlaloc, sir," Mara answered at a gesture from Zin. "As a Skimmer." Glancing at Zin for permission, she added, "I took top marks in stealth and speed and earned my certification in urban skirmishing."
Cole nodded faintly. "Okay."
"You sure?" Mel asked dubiously.
"Her expertise will be very helpful, Mel."
"I don't like this," she grumbled, but conceded with a nod.
Vic scowled at Zin but remained silent.
"I don't know your name from the Sar-Top logs," Cole told Mara. "Which line do you belong to?"
"In other words, how did her family afford to sponsor her into Tlaloc?" Zin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Too much time with the humans, boy. You're starting to develop a sense of subtlety."
"Doctor Zin was kind enough to sponsor my admission," Mara explained, smiling at him with overt gratitude. "I am... not of a warrior caste," she admitted.
"She's of Lana's line," Zin clarified. "My mistress."
Cole raised an eyebrow. "It must have been difficult to forge identity papers for her."
"When have I ever said no to a challenge? To business, then? Mara?"
"Doctor Lana is in the habit of running five miles in the morning. Weather allowing, she does this outside, as today. The ambush was there," she said, pointing down the slight rise they were standing on to a curve in the trail. "Witnesses report that the men who assailed her were dressed in black, wearing gloves and ski-masks. They were not wearing uniforms, but their weapons were undeniably of military issue."
"Professional job," Vic murmured, nodding faintly and getting into his crime-scene mindset. "How many?"
"Estimates range from half a dozen to fully a dozen," Mara answered. "With between four and seven falling to Lana before she was taken, there reasonably must have been closer to a dozen."
"She took out a half-dozen of these guys?" Mel asked, incredulous. "But she's tiny!"
Zin smiled faintly, shaking his head. "What do you know? Guess size isn't that important after all…"
Mara nodded faintly, contributing, "Doctor Lana is quite powerful, even for a Vardian. They'll know now to keep her heavily sedated. It could make extraction more difficult."
Zin's smile faded at her words. "She doesn't have the constitution to stand repeated high doses of most medications. Mara, call Neko."
"Yes, sir." She fell back a step and pulled a cell-phone out of her pocket, dialing quickly.
Zin watched her with a faintly troubled expression for a moment before turning his attention to Cole. "Have you found a probable holding-location yet?"
"No." He shook his head faintly. "What about you?"
"None of my sources know a thing. We're still looking, though."
"We must move quickly," Cole said. "There is much they can learn from her through simple observation."
"The less time they have with her the better," Mel agreed, nodding.
"For once we seem to be in accord," Zin sighed. "If I know her, she'll get herself killed trying to escape. One way or another…" He shook his head. "Daggon, any luck tracing her energy signature?"
He shook his head. "There are many Vardians in this area."
"Right now, I'm only interested in one. Time is everything, Daggon. If those monsters cut her apart--"
Mel laughed at Zin applying the term 'monster' to anyone else.
The Vardian scowled at her. "She's a child!" he snapped. "And right now she is weak and alone…" He shook his head faintly, trailing off. "We have to find her."
"He's right, Mel," Vic said. "I may not like having to work with him, but I like the idea of the government knowing about you guys a lot less. What's to keep her from selling you out to buy her own life?"
"Nothing at all," Zin told Vic quietly. "Mara, dear?" he asked as she returned to his side.
"Neko is less than optimistic, sir. Lana's health has always been questionable and there is substantial strain engendered in the sort of attack she endured. Sedation will only aggravate this. He urges us to make all haste in her recovery and he will have the infirmary standing by."
"Good girl. See to the arrangements."
"Yes, sir." She saluted sharply and turned to leave.
"Mara," he murmured, catching her arm.
"Sir?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Thank you," he whispered, kissing her gently. "I appreciate your help."
"All in your service," she murmured, bowing her head and giving him a reassuring look. "We'll bring her home," she promised, turning and jogging off.
"She seems very devoted to you," Cole noted quietly.
"Lana's choice," Zin told him. "The girl always went out of her way to make me happy..." He sighed softly. "We can't let them cut her open, Daggon."
"We won't," Cole promised, patting his shoulder. "Come on. I want to run another scan..."
"Of course. You're right," Zin agreed, nodding. "I must go home for a few minutes. I'll meet you back at the Watchfire as soon as I'm done there."
"We'll be waiting for you," Cole assured him. He glanced at Mel and Vic who were eyeing Zin suspiciously. "Let's go," he called to them.
"Cole, are you sure this is a good idea?" Mel murmured as Zin turned and walked off.
"We don't have a choice, Mel. If they knew, really knew..."
"They'd mobilize, I know," Mel sighed, nodding and leaning into his arm. "Let's get home. I need a drink."
***
"Where is my wife?" Zin asked the guard as he entered the mansion.
"Her room, sir."
"Thank you." Zin nodded sharply and started in that direction.
"Sir," the guard began, his voice anxious.
"Yes?" Zin asked, smiling benignly at him.
"She... left orders not to be disturbed."
"I'm sure she did," Zin murmured, shaking his head and stalking across the foyer towards the living quarters.
Etala was, predictably, not alone.
"Get off of my wife!" he snarled at Meterand, telekinetically throwing him from the bed.
Meterand lay on the floor, panting and struggling to compose himself. Unarmed and naked, he was acutely aware of his vulnerability.
"Get out," Zin ordered, grabbing a robe and tossing it on top of him. "I need to have a word with this faithless whore."
Meterand stared at him with wide eyes for a split-second before scooping up the robe and scrambling from the room.
"Zin, I can--" Etala began.
"Spare me," he suggested bitterly. "You think I'm blind? Stupid?" he demanded, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You think it's been lost on me that the girls all have white fur around their muzzles? That the trait exists in neither of our lines?" He shook his head. "I'm no one's fool, Etala."
"I..."
"Shut up," he suggested. "You're allowed as many affairs as you want, but foisting another man's children on me is criminal and you know it. You could lose everything."
"Only if you accuse me," she whispered, bowing her head.
"Which you know I won't. It doesn't matter," he assured her. "That isn't why I'm here. I love you. I love Meterand. I love the girls more than both of you together... My only question is where they're keeping Lana."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You've been trying to put the child out of the way for years now. This must be a sweet moment for you. Hmm?"
"I didn't turn the slut in to the humans, Zin," Etala scoffed, shaking her head. "Your sentiment blinds you!"
"It wouldn't be the first time. I married you, after all."
She narrowed her eyes. "We both know that had less to do with love than politics."
Zin laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Were you involved in her apprehension?" he asked quietly.
"No."
"You sure about that?"
"Could I reveal her without also revealing the father of my children?"
"Which father? Which children?" He shook his head and rose. "You'd never hurt Meterand, I'm sure, but your hatred for Lana is well-known. If I find that you had a part in this, I will accuse the two of you openly."
"No, you won't," she said, scowling at him. "You love the girls too much. They'd suffer, too."
"Mmm, so they would." Zin nodded faintly, knowing that she knew him too well to believe for a second that he would do anything to harm any of her children. "Heard from them recently?" he asked lightly.
"Three days ago. You received a copy of their letter."
"Yes, I did." Zin nodded faintly. "Nally's growing up so fast, isn't she?"
"She is," Etala agreed quietly, frowning at his tone.
"When she comes of age, if Lana has graced our estate with a boy child, they will be married," he told her, rising.
"No!" Etala snapped, jumping to her feet. "No daughter of mine will wed the son of a common prostitute!"
"Won't she?" Zin asked, raising an eyebrow. "How will you stop such a match?" he asked, smiling faintly.
"You son of a--"
"Say it," Zin suggested, shaking his head. "Say it, wife. Give me some excuse to retaliate."
She stood in silence, glaring at him.
"What you are, of course, most worried about, is that a son of Lana's might also be a son of mine. Isn't that right?" he asked, grinning at her. "Which, of course, raises a number of disturbing possibilities when marriage to one of your daughters is considered..." His smile widened as he continued. "Contest it if you will. Call the match incest. We both know it would not be. And, if you should chose to fight me in the matter, the entire Migar Alliance will know as well."
"I hate you," she breathed.
"That is, of course, your right," Zin agreed easily. "But let us not forget that you started this all. Twelve years now you've been cuckolding me, Etala. You've fathered not one but three of another man's children on me. I would be perfectly within my rights to have you publicly disgraced." Shaking his head, he turned to leave. "Your next child had better be mine," he added as he slipped from the room.
Etala snarled in frustration and a nearby vase shattering under the force of her anger.
***
"Ah, there you are!" Zin called expansively as he entered the bedroom.
"Sir, I can--"
"Spare me, Meterand," Zin suggested, shaking his head. "I've just come from a pleasant discussion with my wife and now I wish to have a few words with my best friend."
Meterand gave a shaky nod and reached for his clothes.
"Don't bother. I'm sure Etala will have need of your services soon."
"Sir, I..."
"Love her, of course. She loves you, too." Zin shrugged. "Neither here nor there, really. You both hate Lana."
"I don't--"
"Don't you?" Zin asked, raising an eyebrow. "As I recall, you used to take malicious pleasure in terrorizing the child."
"That was..."
"Simply because Etala disliked her, of course. Etala still hates her, Meterand, and so you must as well, by necessity." Zin shook his head. "Did you have a part in this?"
"What kind of question is that?" Meterand demanded, scowling at him.
"An honest one." Zin shrugged. "I thought perhaps Lana's capture was of Etala's contrivance."
Meterand shook his head. "No, Zin. She hates the girl, yes, but she's no fool. She understands what's at stake."
Zin eyed him thoughtfully for a moment, nodding faintly. "Good. Because this is deadly serious. We can not succeed in this without her and you are wise enough to know it."
"I know. There's no love lost between us, but... she remains useful."
"Yes, she does. You'll do well not to forget it, too." Zin sighed, shaking his head. "I love all three of you. Why must you put me in a position where I have to take sides?"
"Sir, I--"
Zin shook his head, cutting Meterand off. "Don't."
"Etala thinks you went to the Tracker for help."
"Etala is a perceptive woman," Zin pointed out. He sighed and approached the other Vardian. "No more children, Meterand. I mean it. You understand?"
"Yes, sir." He bowed his head. "You did go to the Tracker, didn't you?"
"Who else?"
"I--"
"Hush." Zin shook his head. "Etala is, no doubt, in need of your comfort. Go to her," he advised, turning and leaving the room.
