CHAPTER FOURTEEN
 

Sivya looked around at the people in the Throne room, then looked at the Empress.  She wasn't quite sure why she was there or what she was supposed to be doing.  Nothing so far had twinged on her extra abilities.  Nothing so far had set off her Thinker's powers, that which told her what was a lie and what was not, or the thoughts of strife and power getting to one.  Someone had been lying earlier and she had subtly caught Constantine's eyes to let her know of that.   The Empress had gone ahead anyway.  So she really wasn't needed.  In the halls she could hear people fighting and knew a few of those voices.  It was almost enough to make her want to wince.  The petitioners in front of the Empress left and the next set came in, still arguing of course.

Constantine looked down at the bickering people. "Stop it, you're giving me a headache."  The argument stopped and they all bowed to her.  "What's wrong?"

"The trade agreement is falling through again," one of the sides complained.  "Our peoples do not like what was brokered.  They claim that we're being cheated."

Sivya coughed.  "You agreed to those terms," she pointed out.  "It took you three month cycles to figure out what each side could pare down.  You can always add to it later on."

"That's not the point," the other ambassador said, stopping himself before he could call her Empress.  "Both our peoples believe the terms are too limiting and we're being gouged on things."

"Then sit down at the table and listen to them," she suggested.  "At the very least, looking it over in light of those complaints would not be amiss."

"We can't do that without a mediator.  Each sides claims the other is cheating," the first ambassador reminded her.

"Point."  She walked closer.  "If Constantine allows, I will mediate.  It would not be the first one I mediated nor probably the last."

"I like that," Constantine agreed.  "From now on, you're handling all trade negotiation disputes."

Sivya bowed.  "As you wish, Empress.  Come to me later.  I'll be at home.  Or send me the document and the suggestions.  I'll look them over with an eye to what may be wrong."  They nodded, smiling as they left. "Are there others to be heard?" she called.  The guards shook their heads.  The outer doors crashed open to belie their words and both women sighed as a large woman strode in.  Sivya stiffened, something was off about this woman.  She looked at the guards, raising an eyebrow.  He shook his head, he knew something.  She calmed herself.

"Empress, there is a situation on Riven that we cannot deal with," the woman said without bowing or preamble.  "There's a pirate with ship problems.  He's causing local problems.  We know you dealt with such matters in your past.  Do you have anyone who could come mediate?"

"A priestess of Aragoness is always listened to in such matters," Sivya told her.  "There is one here."

"Thank you," the woman sighed.  "He's being a pain.  He either can't or won't negotiate. Can you tell this priestess to jump our way as soon as possible?"

"I can," Sivya agreed.  "I'll be there tonight."  The woman gave her a long look so she shrugged.  "I am what I am."

"Good point."  She looked up at Constantine, who nodded.  "Thank you then, Priestess.  May your pleasures be great."

"May your pleasures and your wealth equal each other out," she replied.  The woman nodded and Sivya looked up at stepdaughter.  "I'll look over those arguments on the way and on the way back."

"Fine.  Have fun on Riven.  Don't stay too long.  Father will be quite upset."

"Of course he will," she agreed dryly, heading off to take a kabaan back to the house they were sharing in town.  She walked in and closed the door, leaning against it when her husband looked up from his reading. "I've got to go to Riven to settle a dispute.  There's a pirate who's broken down and he won't negotiate," she explained as she headed for the bedroom.  "Am I taking Cabiael?"

"No," he snorted.  "The baby's fine right where he is.  Constantine knows you'll come back quickly if he's here."

"Fine.  Let me change and get some pictures of him then for my friend."  She found her official outfit in a drawer, neatly folded together.  She pulled it out and went to shower one last time. Her ship's shower was fairly weak since it had such a small water tank.  She came out, drying off and pulling on the black pants, the tight black undershirt, the black overshirt in case she got cold in space.  Then the boots were put on.  She sat down to put on her veil, sighing in frustration when it wouldn't stay in her hair.  She decided to improvise and stuck it with some older gilt pins.  It wasn't technically correct, but she was the wife of a pirate and she could be shown off very well.  She stood up and grabbed her cloak, heading out to ready her ship.

"Those pins look odd on your veil," he husband said as she walked past him.

"They won't stay otherwise."

He got up to help her, kissing her gently.  "Come back quickly our son will fuss if you don't."  He stole another kiss.  "I've started the loading.  Remember to take food."

"Yes, dear," she agreed with a small smile for him.  It was nice that he worried.  She grabbed her gunbelt, tying them around her waist and around her thighs, holstering her blasters on each hip.  She grabbed some food from the cupboards and headed out to finish readying her ship.  Within minutes she was ready for takeoff.  Her ship contacted the Imperial tower to get permission while the roof retracted.  Here on Central Worlds you had to get the Empress's permission for anything like this.  Fortunately her stepdaughter wasn't going to complain this time.  She took off, heading into space.  "Ship, check values I've input," she ordered.

"We're going to Riven?"

"Yes, they need a priestess there."

"Fine.  Maximum speed?"

"If feasible."

"Very well."  The ship went into jump mode, speeding off through space to the world of pleasure.  "What is going on?"

"A stranded pirate making trouble.  He won't negotiate."

"Very well. I'll alert the local brethren that you're going as a priestess.  Are you using the usual cover?"

She stretched then sat down in her chair.  "Please.  I don't think I could take a welcoming party today."

"Very well, Sivya.  Relax.  It'll be a few hours at the most.  We're faster than most military ships."

"Tell me if we get yelled at for going too fast," she murmured, falling asleep right there.

"Of course I will," her ship said sarcastically, his voice deepening some. "Do you never sleep, woman?"  She shifted some and he upped the temperature for her.  She was always so cold in space.  Really, wasn't she a pirate?

~*~*~*~
 

Sivya looked out across the space port.  She could already see the ship she needed to head for.  It was well marked and there was a wide space around it.  She checked her veil again, heading out into the blustery day.  Thankfully she still had her cloak.  She saw a friend and smiled at her.  "Blessings, sister."

"Blessings, priestess."  She looked at her, then gaped.  "You switched?"

"Yes.  After Brailian nearly died, I was told to take my trials.  I'm a vowed priestess of Aragoness.  Which is good considering my son puts me out of Alia's temple except as a worshiper."  She showed off the pictures on her wrist computer, making her friend squeal.  "Cabiael is very sweet, but he's got fire talents."  She shook her head.  "He hates to take baths."

Her friend hugged her, still laughing.  "There's an ambassador from Zapaseia here.  Should I ask him if he's got a minute?"

"Please," she agreed happily.  "His godmother who is another priestess suggested he get some training from them.  Now, where is my brethren?"

"He's the one in front of the ship.  We're watching as he tries to steal women."

"Hmm."  She walked that way, staring at the man until he looked up and blanched, then slowly smiled.  "Any passengers you have must either have agreed to go with you of their own free will or have paid," she said in greeting.  "This is not how you win the favor of the locals."

"Priestess, you came to help me?"

"Only if you're not stealing women."

"I would never *steal* a woman," he said smoothly.  "Which one are you?"

"Sieren."  He nodded, holding out his hand, which she clasped properly.  She whistled, making the other pirates flinch. "Put them down!"  They dropped the girls and went to hide in the ship.  She looked at the Captain of the ship.  "You're in deep if those girls are drugged.  I like Riven.  They're very friendly, but even they protest being stolen.  They're wonderful but they're not treasures."

"It's legal," he defended.

"Only if it's a contract for a kidnaping."  She let him go and crossed her arms over her chest.  "You've got about a minute to explain why you called me away from my son.  If it's not good, I will beat you."  He snickered so she pulled the energy whip off her holster and flicked the beam on, hitting him with it.  He flinched and backed away.  "Time's moving on."

"Priestess, we mean no harm," he offered, backing away some more.

"Halt!"  He stopped, all pirates knew to obey a priestess no matter what.  "Which clan are you disgracing?"

"Marak'd," he said, frowning at her.  He walked closer, looking at her earring.  "You're her!" he accused.

"No, really?" she asked dryly.  "As I said, you're taking me from my son."  He backed up again and a few more pirates came out.  She disarmed them as well with her whip, then pointed at the ground.  "Any other unwilling treasures of the flesh should be deposited there.  That will have to be done before we can negotiate for repairs."

"I will not negotiate."

"Then you're obviously not really a pirate.  I haven't met one yet that wouldn't sell his inner being to have his ship running."  He opened his mouth so she cracked the whip beside his head, making him flinch.  "Shut up.  Get all of them off your ship.  You have two minutes, Central."  They rushed around, getting the other captives off.  Then the door was closed.  "Fine.  We'll tow you into space and you can limp along," she agreed.  She looked around, finding her friend and another man.  "They've decided to be launched again and limp along.  Are those all the ladies?"

"We're missing one male," her friend said.  Sivya pulled her blaster and fired on the door, denting it.  The boy was tossed out a back hatch, then the ship was sealed again. "Fine.  I'll have someone from the navy tow them back into space."  She bowed to Sivya, who bowed back.  "You're quite impressive. Is your blessing the same way?"

"Cabiael is very impressive.  He's just learning how to make noises," she said proudly, smiling at her.  "The rate of aging between mine and Brast's people is quite good. He's only a few months old and is right on track."  She looked at the other man, recognizing his people from the red lines tattooed on his forehead. "Thank you for waiting on me, ambassador.  I wished to ask you to put in a request for a trainer for my son.  As I mentioned, he is still very young, but a fellow priestess identified a fire ability and suggested that one of you should be his trainer."  She unclipped the light deflector on the dual collars she wore, one denoting her Thinker status and one denoting her abilities with nature's energy, specifically water.  The chain joining them showed that she could use them in tandem.

"So you wish to find someone for when he is old enough?"  She nodded. "No special favors?"

"I would not expect any," she assured him, smiling at him.  "I'm not like that.  As I proved time and again, I'm not like that."  She paused as the naval ship came down to tow the other into space.  "Tell them to let them limp along once they've been turned loose.  I'll alert the brethren around here."

"Thank you, Sivya," her friend said with a smile. "He's really gifted?"

"According to what we've seen.  That's why we're looking for a teacher now.  That way we can start negotiations and save up for what he'll need."  She looked at the ambassador.  "I have no idea how deep his gifts go, he's not old enough to tell yet."

"Very well.  I'll add you to our list of people to contact about future negotiations.  In two years you think?"

"He should manifest before then but we should be able to dampen it.  Fortunately I use water instead."

"Who trained you, if I may ask?"

"I was trained on Alectran at the Thinker's academy, sir.  There was a nice man there who only ever wore sandals, had very short hair so he wasn't Riven even though he wore the non-attire of one."  She smiled a bit more.  "He was very happy, always very happy and smiling.  He had other water gifts and some minor earth gifts as well.  He trained two of us at once, using us to test each other and to learn control on each other. He had green skin, light blue hair and the most amazing blue eyes."

"I know of him," he admitted.  "Not many fire priests travel," he noted cautiously.

"If we must, we would think about coming for his training."  She looked down at herself, then back at him.  "It's been seen that he'll be a priest of Aragoness as well."

"I see.  I'll put you on the list and make note to contact you in about a year, Ki."

"Second ki," she said modestly.  "I hope never to have to prove it either."  She bowed in the manner of their people, arms crossed over her chest.  "Thank you, ambassador.  I'll leave you to your pleasures.  I'd better get back before my son tries to fuss his father to death again."  She smiled and hugged her friend.  "The next time you're our way, stop in and have lunch."

"Of course."  They shared a gentle kiss of friendship, having both been priestesses in the past, though of different faiths.  Then Sivya jogged back to her ship to send out the messages she needed to, including to the temple to watch out for that one.   Her husband's face appeared on the screen in front of her. "Isn't he fine?" she asked worriedly.

"No, he's fine, Sivya.  You upset a slaver?"

"Are they?  They claimed pirate status," she said with a shrug. " I wasn't nice to him in the least. He was trying to steal people so he wouldn't have to negotiate.  Said he refused to negotiate.  I pointed out any real pirate would have given anything to have their ship fixed.  I almost took his head off with my whip.  Ohh, there was an ambassador from Zapasiea.  I asked to be put on the list for teachers to talk to.  We should have about a year to two years to save up for the negotiations."

"That's fine," he agreed with a small smirk.  "Come home.  There's pacing diplomats."

"Your daughter named me in charge of trade disputes," she admitted with a small shrug.  "I'll be home tonight.  Tell him that. Have him leave papers for me to read over."

"Sure."  He cut the connection.

She readied her ship and took off once they had clearance.  The messages went to the Guild once she was out of orbit, that way they couldn't be intercepted.  One of the Guild Representatives appeared on her screen next.  "Yes?"

"Priestess, you treated them very unfairly," he protested gently.

"They were stealing people so they wouldn't have to negotiate.  It was either me treating them unkindly or them dying and their ship being used as scrap for it."

"Good point," he allowed.  "Are they flying?"

"Barely."  She got comfortable.  "They're very slow.  Their drive blew by the marks on their tail."  He shuddered.  "They had a navy ship put them back into space so they could limp off."  She heard another beep.  "Give me a moment.  Ship, open communications?"  A new face appeared, this one smudged and tear streaked.  "What's wrong, child?' she asked gently.

"My father's ship is injured," she cried.  "We're stuck in space.  We can't move."

"Tell me where you are.  I'll come to you," she promised.  Coordinates raced across her screen. "Ship, input coordinates and get there as quickly as you can."

"Yes, Sivya."

Sivya looked at the Representative, shrugging.  "Sorry, that's more important.  If you feel I treated him wrong, I'm sorry."

"No, it was probably right in those circumstances.  Tell me if you need help with that one.  I'm not sure which clan she's from."

"I'll call once I find out and have them safely on my ship."

"Very well, Priestess.  I thank you for handling that."  His face disappeared.

She looked at the girl.  "Ship, how long?"

"Two hours."

She looked at the girl, opening communications again. "I'm on my way but it'll be a few hours.  Can you sustain yourself that long?"  She shook her head.  "Blast!  Ship, can we go faster?"

"Not without crown approval."

"Call my spouse, have him get it.  Go faster now.  There's lives in danger."

"Agreed."  The ship sped up with a shimmy.  "We've got to fix that loose nut in the drive."

"As soon as we get back.  Brast will show me how."  She looked at the girl again.  "We're speeding up.  I'll be there as soon as I can.  Leave this open so you can yell if necessary.  Send my ship a diagnostic so we can figure out how best to help you."  She nodded, going to do that.  "Good girl.  What's your name?"

"I'm Myrnia, from the Demarth Clan."  She wiped at her face.  "I'm sorry I'm panicking."

"In your situation, I'd panic too," Sivya promised.  She heard another beep.  "If that's a military cruiser, inform them I'm answering a distress call of a stranded ship with injuries."

"Very well, Sivya."  Her ship made a clicking noise.  "They're sorry.  They're following but they're sorry."

"Which planet?"

"Alectran."

"Fine.  It can only help if her father's too injured and they can't possibly take him into custody without a reason."  She looked at the girl.  "I'll send them away if you want."

"My father's not wanted."

"Good," she agreed with a smile. "Then we won't have any problems."  That got a small smile.

"Eminent arrival if I can do a small jump," the ship offered.

"Sure, you're better at those than I am."  The ship lurched again and did a small space jump, coming out just out of sight of the other ship.  It initiated docking procedures and moved in close to the other ship.  As soon as the boarding walkway was over, Sivya opened the hatch to let the girl onto her ship.  "Ship, run a diagnostic on their ship and ready the medical bay."  She walked over, looking at the people lying on the floor.  "Blast!" she said quietly.  Three adults.  "Ship?"  No answer.  "Ship, this is a priestess of Aragnoness.  Are you responsive?"

"State name," it said mechanically.

"Sivya."

The computer paused. "Accepted.  Owner and wife are seriously injured.  Daughter is injured.  Passenger is on your ship."

"Very well."  She got them over to her ship, putting them into the medical bay so they could be looked over, even if they were on the floor.  "Judge injuries, give me a list," she ordered.  "Is the other ship towable?"

"Yes.  Setting life support functions at minimum in case of other beings."

"They have another being?"

"There is a four-footed beast of some kind.  I cannot tell if it is Ferganis or not.  It is in the kitchen, under the heating device."

"Thank you.  Let me get it."  She walked over and found the small pet, petting it gently as she brought it back to her ship.  The walkway disengaged and withdrew, letting her close her hatch fully.  The other ship was picked up on a tow beam and they started off. "The military?"

"Following, ki," the ship reported.  "I have reported their injuries, a healer wishes to pop over."

"Can he through space? Not many can."

"We can temporarily dock," the ship offered.

"Please.  Where is the passenger?"

"The child is up here watching out the port view portal."  The much larger military ship came closer, docking with them.  "Docking engaged."

"Thank you."  Sivya looked at the personnel that came through.  "Just treat them. I'll get them back to their clans."  They glared at her.  "Don't start, boys."  She continued to pet the animal.  "If you want, the other was a passenger, I'm not sure where she was headed."

"Priestess," one of the healers said.  She stared at him and he tested her mind.  "Very well, *Sivya*," he said firmly but quietly.  "These people need help.  They've been poisoned."

"Really?" she asked, looking out at the child.  "Dear, what happened to them?"

"We were hit," she reported, looking over at her.  "The ship rocked.  It scared me.  They're taking me to my family."

"Fine.  Are you sure it was a hit?  Was it a meteor hit or a debris hit?"

"I don't know," she said miserably.

"That's fine, wait out there, dear."  She closed the medical bay doors.  "Options?"

"I can travel with you," the healer offered.  "I do know some pirates. I've treated them after they were arrested for no reason."  She grimaced.  "I know, but it was not my decision. I am always gentle."

"Fine, but I cannot let the other ship know where we're going."

"Very well.  Then I suggest they meet us somewhere like the mall."

"That is more than doable.  Ship, take that suggestion."

"Agreeable.  Sending out an all points for the clan on the father's earring."

"Thanks."  She looked at the healer.  "Are you sure?"

"I am.  They'll need a real person who has a clue what he's doing," he said tolerantly.  "You look good with that beast.  Missing the ferganis?"

"Very much," she agreed.  She looked over as the hatchway closed and the military released them.  "You told them?"  He nodded.  "Good job. I'm not that subtle."  She left him to it, going back to her seat, once she had moved the child from it.  "Thank you.  We're going to call the representatives of both clans and have them meet us somewhere like the mall, dear.  That's on the way actually so it'll get them to the clans faster."  She nodded.  "Now, you're of the Demarth clan?"  She nodded.  "Fine.  Ship, which other clan should we acknowledge?"

"Marak'd."

"Ooh, wonderful," she said dryly.  "Is there other brethren of that clan here?"

"Two ships responding to the other. Should I tell them that we're bringing them to the mall?"

"Open communications with the top ranked ship."  A scowling man's face appeared.  "Greeting, brethren.  I'm Sivya.  I answered a distress call from one of your ships.  You have three downed clan members plus the passenger they were carrying.  I'm on my way back toward Central worlds and we have a healer from a military ship who agreed to treat their injuries on the way there.  Would you prefer we hand them over now?  They are in grave condition.  Otherwise I was going to have the guild pick them and the girl up."

The man looked at her.  "Is he hurting them?"

"According to his scans, they had been poisoned somehow.  The child claims the ship was hit.  It is in rough shape. I've got it on a tow beam."

"Which members?"

"Ship, can you scan his earring and send it over?  I dare not remove it and dishonor him."

"Of course."  The healer squeaked, making the ship laugh.  "I scared him.  Scanning done and sending file now."

The man straightened up.  "They were already poisoned?"  She nodded. "The healer?"

"Is one who has treated others who were captured.  He is from Alectran."  The man nodded.  "He said some of you may know of him."

"I do.  He was fair if he's the one I'm thinking of.  Healer?"  He stuck his head out.  "Send me their conditions.  We've only got limited space here."

"On it's way," he agreed.  He linked his computer up to the ship's, letting it send it.  "There you go," he said calmly.  "Child, let me look you over as well."

"What clan is she of?" the older pirate demanded.

"Demarth."

The pirate looked at the person on his left, who let him see the file.  He looked at Sivya.  "Call the Guild, priestess.  They'll need some deep healing."

"As I thought.  I had plans of them meeting us at the mall since it's on the way to Brailian's world.  Is that fine?"  He nodded.  "Then are you escorting?"

"Yes, priestess, we will.  We will be there for our kin."

"Very well.  Feel free to call the healer for updates.  Ship, make sure they get regular updates."

"Of course, Sivya."

Sivya looked at him again, giving him a small shrug. "I'm sorry about the scuffle with your brethren earlier.  They were stealing people and refused to negotiate to fix their ship.  I respect the Rivenites."

"I understand.  I hold no onus against you.  That one was young and impatient. Most of us would have fixed it ourselves.  We sent over an engineer for them.  Did him good to be kicked by a woman."

"Thank you," she said with a gentle smile.  "Let me call the Guild back.  Did you want to tow the ship instead?"

"No, you've got it secure," he offered.  "Thank you, priestess."

"I live to serve," she noted.  She hung up and looked up.  "Call the Guild reps back."  A meeting area was shown on the screen, so she coughed.  "I need pick up for there severely injured brethren of an outcast clan, Marak'd.  They've been poisoned.  They were escorting a member of the Demarth clan to her family."  They all stared at her. "They were poisoned."

"Where?" one of the reps asked.

"The Mall.  Neutral, closer.  I've got a military healer from Alectran here.  He said he's worked with some who were captured in the past.  I believed him, his mind showed no lies."

"He's the nice one?" Halley asked.  He was her Guild rep and a friend.

"Apparently.  The top Marak'd clan head following me said he was fine."

"Fine.  I'll send a healer's ship to you," one of the guild reps agreed.  "Even though they are outcast."

"Yes, and I ran into one earlier who was trying to kidnap instead of bartering for his ship to be fixed," she said dryly.  "These three were not.  They're a family unit.  The girl is fine, she's watching space."

"I'll tell her clan she's on her way," one of the reps agreed.  "Safe travels."

"Thank you.  Ship, how long before we get to target of the mall?"

"Approximately sixteen hours."

"I heard that," one of the reps assured her.  "More than enough time."

"Thank you.  Peace, brethren."  She signed off and went back to petting the creature in her lap.  "You can rest on the bed, child.  I'll sit up."  The girl nodded, heading back there.  The healer came out a few minutes later.  "How are they?"

"Stable.  I've been able to stop the progression.  It's been going on for a while now.  I'm not sure who did it."

"Neither am I," she admitted, smiling up at him.  "That's why I've only stated what was going on."

"Very wise, Ki."  He patted her on the shoulder.  "Your shields are very slim."

"It's never been my strength.  I was trained for academic and business tasks," she said sheepishly.  "I still have a stress outlet."

"Very well.  I can help you with that.  The Court must hurt you."

"Often," she agreed dryly, smiling at him. The screen beeped, showing her husband.  "Hi, dear.  This is the healer who's helping the brethren who were injured. We're meeting some guild ships at the mall to hand them and their passenger over."

"Are you all right?"

"So far.  Why?"

"The Marak'd clan is not known for being nice."

"They'd never hurt me, Brast.  You know that. So do they.  It'll take us about sixteen hours to get to the mall and then I'll speed home from there."

"That's fine, Sivya.  Hopefully no more emergencies occur.  I've sent away the ambassadors.  They've left files for you and said they'd be back in a few days since I told them you were answering an emergency yelp for assistance."  He smiled at her.  "Come home soon."

"As soon as I can," she agreed with a gentle smile.  "Bye, love."  She hung up and looked up at the healer.  "Will they survive?"

"With some good help.  It may be a long recovery for the youngest.  She's the worst off."

"Thank you for helping them."

"They're beings of thought and reason, that's all I need until I'm attacked."  He went back to check on his patients.

Sivya continued to pet the calming beast.  It was very nice, nearly as nice as a cub.

~*~*~*~
 

The healer came out to check on their savior, frowning when he saw her sleeping in what looked like a very uncomfortable position.  He checked her pulse before laying a hand on her forehead.  What he got sounded like delirium babble.  "Computer, can you scan anywhere on the ship?"

"Affirmative.  We have scanners in each room."

"Thank you.  Scan her please.  Is she suffering from the same illness?"

"Affirmative. Spots have broken out along the back of her neck."

The healer tipped her head forward then sighed.  "Ship, scan patients.  Is this a poisoning or a virus?"

"All indications point to a lesser space virus," the ship told him.

"Do I show symptoms as well?"

"Affirmative."

The healer considered it.  "Can you call back the people meeting us?  They need to know about this."

"Affirmative.  On both screens."

"Thank you, ship."  He bowed to them.  "I'm healer Arlian Kahrdis.  I'm the one treating the...brethren on this ship.  All of them now.  It's not a poisoning as it looked.  It's a minor space virus.  She's got it too."  He sat down in the second chair.  "We're going to need seclusion if possible.  It is contagious.  I have it now as well."

"Fine.  We'll meet you on your side of the mall," Halley said seriously.  "Which one?"

"With the purple spots on the back of her neck and the fever babbling she's doing in her head, I'd say Ygranthes."  The pirates all looked grim. "Would any of them had any of the vaccinations available?  I don't know how your clans do that. I know our military does innoculate yearly."

"She wouldn't have," Halley admitted. "She's only been in space now for about a year.  She went from the temple to the Yards."  He looked at the others.  "The child?" he asked finally.

"Computer, can you scan the child?  Is she ill? She's been so quiet I've been assuming she's been asleep."

"She is a carrier but she is sleeping with some minor dreams," the computer admitted. "Should I wake her?"

"No, initiate quarantine procedures, authorization Alectran-A Kahrdis.  Only let ships dock who have necessary quarantine parameters set for this disease."

"Allowed," the ship agreed.  "Should I initiate call to her spouse?"

"No, I'll do that.  I'll call 'em both," Halley offered.  "We'll meet you soon, healer.  We've heard good things about you from the others.  I know it could only be one of you if those Marak'd boys said you're a good guy."  He shrugged.  "Stay the course, ship.  Rendevous before the mall.  Do not go near populated areas.  Wait off the traveling lanes for us."

"Allowed," the ship agreed.  "Turning on quarantine beacon."

"Thanks," the healer said, smiling at Halley.  "If I can be of any help while I'm ill, just let me know.  Or should I call my own ship?"

"Call your ship, boy, we can put you up," another pirate offered.  "Those who protect our people and care for us are welcome."

"Thank you."  He bowed again.  "Are you sure I can't call her spouse for you?  I'm good at that, I have to do it all the time," he offered.

Halley smirked at him.  "Nah, he'll expect it from me, boy.  Besides, there's more'n one of them.  They made her swear when one was near death.  She passed her tests and he suddenly got better."  He waved.  "See you soon."  He hung up, going to call Brast.

~*~*~*~
 

Brast hung up and hung his head for a moment.  "Damn it!"  He got up, startling his son, who had been sleeping beside him.  "Come on, son.  We've got to visit your sister."  He picked him up and gathered some things for the poor thing.  "Don't worry, I'll bring your mother home as soon as I can.  You be good for your sister."  The baby cooed and patted him on the nose.  "Thank you, son."  He gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, then grabbed what he'd need to take with him this trip.  He headed up to the palace, going past the guards.  The last ones tried to stop him so he kicked one in the stomach. "It's my daughter.  I don't care if she is having sex, my wife is ill."  He walked in with the briefest of knocks.  "Your mother stopped to help a stranded and broken ship," he reported.

"Of course she did," she said dryly.  "She's like that, father.  What's wrong?  Did you hurt the guard this time for doing his job?"

"I only kicked him a bit," he admitted, handing over his son.  "The people she picked up were thought to be poisoned."

"A space virus?" she asked with a wince.  He nodded, giving her a sour look.  "Say hello to Brailian for me while you're gone.  I'll watch him, of course."

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you.  Shouldn't be too long.  This is probably the first she's had and she didn't get any of her inoculations."  He walked out, heading to his ship.  He closed the door in someone's face, not answering when they knocked.  "Not now, Sivya's in the healer's hands for a space virus.  I'll bring the files with me for her to read."  The knocking stopped and a file was slid under the door.  "Thank you."  He snatched it and the others, heading out to his ship.  "Ship, start loading and take-off procedures while I get some food."

"Ship may not move.  We are under Imperial orders."

"Try again.  It should be cleared soon."

"Very well."  The ship started to do the stuff it needed to do, checking back now and then.  Finally the ship couldn't wait any longer.  "Brast, Imperial Tower still not responding."

"Blast," he muttered, calling his daughter from the ship. "You've still got me locked down."

"Sorry.  I'll call up there immediately."  She waved the baby's hand.  "There he is, little brother.  He'll be back very soon with the mother so I don't have to go insane."  She smiled and waved.  "Have fun."

"I'll try," he said grimly, lifting off once the locks had been removed.  "Be good, son.  Your mother wants to be proud of you."  The baby squealed and bounced a bit on his sister's lap.  "Good boy, Cabiael.  I'll see you soon."  He cut the connection and lifted off into space, sending the order to lock the house from everyone but him and his wife.  Then he headed off at top speed for Brailian's world.  It was where all space virus cases went, to the temple there.
 
 
 

To Index

To Chapter Fifteen