Dalshon

Chapter 4

Carla's commlink beeped. Firuun closed the back of it and handed it to her.

"Captain to Whitestar 97. What's going on?"

"No activity out here, Captain."

"What was interfering with communications?"

"EMP. Not us, you."

Carla looked up at Firuun for interpretation.

"That wouldn't harm a Whitestar's control systems," he told her. "But our links, and the local comnet, both went out. The police commo gear must have been shielded."

Carla told the young ensign on the bridge, "As soon as they get the pressure doors open I'll call for a shuttle pod. We'll start bringing the crew back aboard. Captain out."

Carla thought about what Firuun had said. She had to translate the technical term for herself into English to understand the implications. Then she asked, "You mean that was a nuclear explosion?"

"A small one, but yes," Firuun said.

"Are we… radioactive?"

"I doubt it. Do you remember how they had a walk through device at the evac center? They told people it was a weapons scanner, but if it was I'll eat my wrench."

"Oh. Antiradiation treatment?"

"That would be my guess. I suppose they didn't want to start a panic."

Carla glanced around the room her crew had taken over. Except for Firuun and herself, they were all young people just starting their lives. She lowered her voice, "Firuun, the crew. Your clan, in Valen's name, this is practically the whole generation. Except for Dilis."

"The ship's doctor will have to check everyone out, when we get back."

"Do we need to speak in private?"

"Yes, but not about this. About Lennier."

"Alright." Carla nodded and got to her feet. The room twisted for an instant; bleeahh, she really should give up beer. Well, at least it wasn't the damn knee again.

Carla and Firuun walked until they found a deserted section of corridor.

"Carla," Firuun began, keeping his voice to a whisper, "I've never talked about this with you because it never seemed relevant, and because I didn't think you'd want to hear it. But if Lennier is really a deserter, there's a problem. A special problem. When we get back to the ship, we ought to call John. Privately. Are you sure Lennier really deserted?"

"I'm sure. When it happened the rumor was all over the Anla'shok in an hour."

"You're sure he's not just on a deep cover assignment?"

"I know, you're wondering why there's no arrest order. I can only assume it's because Entilza Delenn still considers him a friend, despite his desertion. A favor. For old times' sake."

"We need to find out what's really going on," Firuun said.

"You said call John, not call Delenn. What is it that you haven't told me?"

"You know I served as John's Alternate at the Ritual of Endurance."

Carla expected to shudder, and was surprised at herself when she didn't. She nodded.

"And Lennier was his Handler. I saw him—I saw Lennier phrase him. Twice."

Carla's jaw dropped. "You don't mean…"

"I'm sure of it," Firuun said. "John bragged about being loribonded. That's how we won. He'd brought along a vial of Dream. Well, two vials. His opponent wouldn't take it. We won because the drug couldn't hurt John anymore, so he was willing to take it and Recnar wasn't. And twice during the Ritual—and at no other time, ever—Lennier said 'Starkiller'. And issued an order. An order which was obeyed."

Carla put a hand to her chest, short of breath. "God. In Valen's name, you're saying Sheridan is loribonded to Lennier?"

"I'm sure of it. When it was all over and we were back on the ship, Sheridan chased us all out of the room so he could be counterphrased. He thought he was keeping it a secret, but it was obvious what was going on."

"What were the two orders?"

"'Don't concede'. That was one, and that could just have been advice. But the second one was 'Don't scratch'. Lennier and Comac—he was there as the Handler's assistant, because Lennier didn't know what he was doing with the, the equipment. They used the baltor mar."

This time Carla did shudder. And found herself picking at the bandages on her left arm. As if they itched. "And he didn't scratch? Just from being told not to?"

"Yes."

"You're right. Nobody can do that just on willpower. It must have been a loribond command."

"Do you see what this implies?"

Carla shook her head. "No, what?"

"Maybe there's no arrest order because John overrode it. Not by his choice."

"Oh God. The same kind of crap people thought about me all those years. Except that Lennier isn't in prison where he can't communicate with the outside, like Control was. He could call him up and phrase him and say 'leave me alone' or 'call off the search' and Sheridan would do it."

Carla thought for a moment. "But that wouldn't work on Entilza Delenn. He couldn't interfere with her orders."

"He could make John ask her to cancel the order."

Carla closed her eyes, shaking her head shallowly. She wilted like a neglected vase of flowers. "You're right. But that means we should not call Sheridan. Not until after we've captured Lennier and we find out if he's issued any loribond commands regarding himself."

They walked back toward the crew room. They did not notice a Pakmera child inside the vent grill near the floor. A child with a recording device, and now—something to sell.

End of Chapter 4