Plain of Sorrows
Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: The only things I can claim are the cat-people…
Rating: PG-13
Author's notes: Hello again! Another chapter down, not sure how many more to go…
Chapter Twenty-Four
John Danziger looked down at the sleeping form of Devon Adair, and wished heartily that he didn't have to wake her.
They'd made good time, getting back to camp a couple of hours before dawn. Things had looked peaceful…but looks could so be deceiving. He'd stood just outside of the perimeter, N'Merra at his side, wondering just what had been happening in the day he'd been gone. He was desperately worried about True, but he needed to speak to Adair first.
One of the cat-people – John didn't know his name – had come back with the location of Devon's tent. It had been far too easy sneaking past Walman; it looked as if he was asleep on guard duty again. Adair would've been totally pissed off if she'd caught him…Danziger didn't see the need to wake the man, especially since it got him into camp unseen.
And, now, he stared at Devon, realizing that he'd never actually seen her so vulnerable. It was hard for him not to lean over and brush the lock of brown hair away from her forehead, an act that he'd never dare do if she'd been awake.
Well, he wouldn't dare it now, either.
Instead, he put his hand over her mouth, to keep her from raising the alarm. Her eyes flew open, surprise and fear warring for control until she saw just who had accosted her.
Then they widened in what Danziger could only describe as pure joy.
He removed his hand. Devon sat up, touching his arm as if to make sure he was real. "John?" she whispered.
"Hey, Adair." He, too, kept his voice down. "Let's not wake the kid, shall we?"
She glanced over at her son, sleeping on the cot across from them. "You're right. Let's take this outside."
"Just what I was thinking."
He held out his hand, to help her up. To his surprise, she accepted it.
They silently left the tent, moving out of camp a short distance. He could see N'Merra waiting for them.
Adair spoke first. "Now, will you please tell me what the hell is going on, Danziger?" She planted her hands on her hips, in what he thought of as her "I won't take any shit from anyone" pose.
John had to admit he was desperately glad to see her. He and N'Merra had spoken about taking the risk and giving Adair the whole truth; she could very easily have been one of those messed with by the Changed. But John had prevailed; something in his gut told him that Devon would be safe, an ally. N'Merra had trusted his judgment.
And, now, he explained everything. Danziger left nothing out, knowing that Adair had to know all the facts before they could make a plan…which as far as John was concerned, meant pulling up stakes and getting the hell away from this place before things went down the shit hole.
He had N'Merra to thank for that idea. She'd been adamant about leaving the Changed to her people, and John had had to agree. His people had no way of taking on beings who could twist a mind through dreams…and he doubted that even Alonzo, with his experience in Terrian dreaming, would have been able to handle that situation.
As the story unfolded, he watched Adair react; going from take no prisoners, to concerned, and finally ending at downright afraid yet trying to hide it. This was the reason he trusted her; she wouldn't let anything get in the way of her saving the rest of the crew.
"That…certainly explains a few things," she said, as he finished.
"What's been going on?" he demanded, knowing then that he was too late, that things were swiftly moving out of control.
"Uly felt something to the north, something that he said hurt the ground."
"Way to go, kid!" he applauded. "Yep, that would be the spaceship."
"Alonzo and I were going to find it in the morning…well, in a couple of hours, since I suppose it is officially morning now."
"It's…best if you don't, Adair. Not that I think a few mummies would bother you…"
"But it's only respectful to leave those people in peace," she finished. "Besides, now that you're back…there's really no need."
"Exactly." He was glad she understood.
"Your story…also explains why Morgan's been acting so peculiar."
"Martin?" Danziger snapped. "What's he been up to?"
As he listened to Devon's recounting the discussion she'd had with Bess, John's heart sank lower and lower. He glanced at N'Merra; the cat-girl was visibly upset.
It is as we feared, John Danziger, she said, as Devon finished. Already the Changed have begun to corrupt your own people. I…am sorry we were too late in warning you. This is my fault.
"No, it's not," he denied.
"What?" Adair asked.
John relayed what N'Merra had said. "She can hear me?"
Please tell Devon Adair that I can, indeed, hear her.
"John's right," Devon said, once he'd translated for her. "There was no way you could have known the Changed would move so quickly. And, from what John's said, you couldn't even be certain they'd be able to affect us, since our minds appear to be incompatible without…aid."
I can certainly understand why you like her so much, my friend.
Danziger felt himself blushing. He just hoped Adair wouldn't be able to see it…
Please tell Devon Adair that I shall place my people on guard around your camp. We shall attempt to find the ones that the Changed have touched; hopefully, it has been just this Morgan Martin. Although, I suspect there will be others… we will do what we can.
"Thanks," he replied. "I'll let her know."
N'Merra bowed, then left to gather the unChanged.
"Let me know what?" Devon asked.
"N'Merra is going to put her people on guard, and to see if they can find out if anyone else has been messed with."
"Good. In the meantime, I think the best thing we can do is just keep moving. We've estimated that we'll leave the plain in about three more days."
"Sounds good. I suppose I should make my reappearance…although I think my current condition's going to be the talk of the camp."
"About that, John…is it permanent?"
"Nah…according to N'Merra, it can't be. She says that the changes in my genetic make-up will start to fade out soon. Although, how soon that'll be, I don't know. The problem dealing with the dead is that they have a rotten sense of time. I've only met one of them who feels time passing, and unfortunately he's an engineer, not a geneticist."
"What's it like? I mean, if you don't mind my asking?"
"I don't mind. It's just gonna be hard to describe…" He took a deep breath, catching Adair's scent on the wind. It was a nice one, he had to admit…like flowers on a spring day. "All my senses have been enhanced. I can see better, farther, clearer than ever before. I can make out the differences in how the wind blows around the tents, around the vehicles, and the music it makes through the grass. I can smell things, too; and feel…" he lowered his eyes, embarrassed at just how poetical he sounded. "Well, that's what it's like."
"I think you described it quite well."
He looked at her; she was smiling. Yep, he'd definitely missed her smile.
After a moment, he cleared his throat. "How's True?"
"She'll be fine, once she sees you again." Adair sighed. "Julia had to sedate her…oh my God, John…Julia says she's been having nightmares…"
Danziger's heart stopped. "You mean they've touched my daughter?" He was so very angry…how dare they mess with his True! He wanted to scream, the pain and fury tore at him with a physical pain so strong he suddenly couldn't breathe.
Adair's hand on his arm brought his attention past the agony. "We'll figure this out, John. It might just be innocent dreams…"
He shrugged her off. "Damn me to hell, Adair, I should have known they'd pull something like this...the unChanged take me, the Changed take my kid!" Now he knew just how angry D'Lorrak had been when his own child had been taken from him.
And thinking of D'Lorrak brought the cat-person to his side.
Calm yourself, John Danziger, came the whispered reply. We will get your child back to you. This I promise you, even if it means my own existence on this plane. No one shall take your daughter from you. Do you believe me?
And Danziger did.
