Dance of Time Read online

  Zez waited until the turtle was just about to enter the area where the surf would touch her, and she froze her.

  “Go. Now. I am holding her.”

  A stream of scientists coursed down the beach, and Zez held the turtle in a moment of time. The turtle was fighting her the entire way.

  Immune moved down the beach and posted himself between the naturalists and the turtle. He was the protective measure in case her prisoner got loose.

  She relaxed and focused on holding the deadliest creature she had ever seen, outside of her own mirror.

  Chapter Four

  The gathering took sixty eggs and left the rest. Zez was happy to see that they were following her directions carefully. They smoothed the sand and arranged it into the swirls that matched the flippered swipes originally in the sand.

  “Are you ready?”

  The team was halfway up the hill, and Zez hoped it was far enough. This creature was old, and fighting against time was second nature to her.

  Zez remained on her perch on the hill.

  When Immune gave her the signal, she released the turtle and nearly moaned with relief at the lack of pressure on her mind.

  The turtle turned slowly and looked directly at her. It turned back to the nest site and nudged the sand a few times before returning to the sea.

  It seemed that she was content with the situation.

  Zez was drawn to the sand and the water. She drifted down the hillside and walked to the edge of the sea, staring into the distance. There was something about the expanse of the water holding entire worlds of species beneath it that drew her.

  “Zez. Hold very still.”

  A rush of water later and she was face-to-face with the turtle.

  The animal had huge, soft grey eyes. They gleamed and glittered as the turtle took the measure of Zez.

  The question pressed in her mind of why they took some eggs.

  “They wish to ensure that all of your children hatch and grow, to inhabit this world once again. The beings who live here upset the balance and only more of your kind can restore it.”

  The question rose in images. If the turtle wanted to kill Zez, could she?

  “You could kill me, if I let you, and I would not allow it. I am attached to survival, and that is why the doctors here have taken a portion of your babies. If the naturally hatched ones all live, that is great, but if more can be introduced, it will be better.”

  The image filled her mind of dozens of small, deadly turtles flapping around.

  “I think it will be a very good thing as well. You have done well and survived this long. Survive a few clutches longer and your kind will return to this world.”

  The turtle nodded slightly and eased back into the water.

  Immune came to her side. “What was that?”

  “She had a few questions, and I could answer them.”

  “She spoke to you.”

  “We were looking at one of the last of the dominant, intelligent, natural species on this world.”

  A few feet from shore, the turtle rose again. This time, she had an image of micro people crawling around, and Zez and Immune watching the combination of their genes.

  Zez smiled. “It doesn’t quite work that way, but I will be happy to explain it to you during your next clutching cycle if you would let me.”

  The turtle sank back beneath the waves.

  Zez looked to Immune. “How much did I earn for that?”

  He chuckled. “A day per viable egg.”

  She shrugged. “Hopefully that is still two months.”

  “They are examining them. Let’s go find out.”

  Together, they walked up the hill and to the research centre.

  Incubators covered every wall; they were all filled to capacity.

  Immune asked the doctor, “How many are viable?”

  “All sixty. We expect them to hatch in ninety days. This is fantastic.” The doctor smiled brilliantly.

  “I will be checking on them. Their mother is willing to accept the experiment.”

  That got his attention. “She is sentient?”

  “She is. For the right mind. She speaks in pictures.”

  He blinked. “I see.”

  “No, you don’t. Get the Citadel to send a Minder here, and they can probably set up a communication solution for you.”

  The doctor looked out the window where the bulk of the turtle could be seen watching over her clutch. “I think I might do that. Thank you.”

  Immune touched Zez on the arm. “Our mission is complete.”

  She nodded. “Right. Good incubating!”

  She followed her partner out and down the other side of the hill to the shuttle.

  “We already have our next assignment waiting.”

  She smiled. “That was quick. Where are we going?”

  “To a wedding. Clothing has been provided for this sort of contingency.”

  “Why am I needed at a wedding?”

  “Two warring families and plenty of death threats. Once the ceremony is completed, the bride and groom will end two hundred years of conflict.”

  “And I have to make sure that the ceremony is completed.”

  “We have to. I will be on my own best behaviour for this, keeping my eyes out for any dangers.”

  “Fine. Set the course for the wedding.” Her sarcasm bled through when she said, “I can’t wait to find out what I am wearing.”

  He smirked. “Neither can I.”

  Korlin resumed his more casual-clothing appearance, and Zez got herself a cup of tea while he did preflight checks.

  She sat next to him as they headed skyward and watched Lecidia disappear into the blackness of space. This was her life now. One visit to one world at a time.

  The fitted bodice was a little on the snug side, and the skirt was attached with silver rings. She brushed her hands down the silken fabric and grimaced.

  Dressing for occasions had been part of her training, but it still felt weird to be in a skirt.

  She covered her clothing with the cloak that had been provided and headed to her seat so she could watch their approach.

  Korlin was in contact with air traffic control, and he made their way through the access corridor, the escort ships were ready to blast at them with a moment’s notice, so he stayed on course.

  “You aren’t in your formal wear.” She commented in a low voice.

  He shivered, and a moment later, he was wearing an outfit in shades of gold and brown.

  “So, you know what I am wearing.” She smirked.

  His clothing was an echo of hers in a masculine style.

  “Of course. I chose it.”

  She was less surprised than she should have been.

  Zez kept an eye on the threatening ships on either side of them as they pulled into the spaceport.

  A security team was waiting to escort them to the facility where the wedding was going to take place.

  The officer who would be performing the ceremony embraced them both. A security guard removed Zez’s cloak, and she was left standing with the breezes stroking her and ruffling her skirt.

  “My name is Magistrate Elbrod, and I am delighted to have you here. This is a very tense moment for my people.”

  He had gill slits that fluttered nervously.

  “Your people are amphibious?”

  “Yes. We have land and sea disputes, and if all goes well, today will bring in a forced truce. So, once the wedding is officiated, they have to consummate it. That is the final point for the union. You will be on duty until after that blessed interaction.”

  Zez nodded. “Where do you want us?”

  “Behind me so that you can see all of those assembled as they enter the hall.”

  Immune commented, “And they can see us.”

  “Well, you only look vaguely like law enforcement, but you are also dressed for the occasion in something other than uniforms. It will confuse folks enough to make it easy for you to perform your duties and k
eep everyone safe.”

  Zez nodded. “Would anyone be alarmed if we disarm the guests without saying anything?”

  Magistrate Elbrod smiled. “That would be why we have asked you here. If you can disarm them without causing a fuss, that would be appreciated.”

  Zez looked at Immune. “If my partner and I could have a moment to plan, that would be welcome.”

  “You have seven minutes. The families are preparing to exit the water.”

  Zez pulled Immune away from the magistrate and smiled. “If I freeze them, can you pat them down for weapons?”

  “Of course. When do you wish to do it?”

  “Once everyone is inside. If there is any violence before that, I will grab them.”

  “Fair enough. Am I looking for anything in particular?”

  “These folks like poisons. Spikes, vials and projectiles.”

  “So, I will keep an eye on the upper levels. You will monitor the guests.”

  He had caught onto her hint that assassins might be lurking in the upper levels. She noted thin tendril of his mist crawling up the walls to scan the balconies.

  Zez watched the incoming guests. Each family entered from a separate door, and the hall was filled with silent and hostile men and women in wet formal wear.

  The bride was dressed in wet green silk, and her groom was in a yellow, long tunic that stuck to his skin.

  The magistrate rang a gong, and the happy couple approached him.

  Zez froze everyone and nodded to Immune. “They are held.”

  “Frisking.” Immune disappeared as the thick fog that was his natural state filled the chamber.

  Weapons began to appear, and they were piled in front of Zez’s feet.

  It only took five minutes, but she had an arsenal in front of her. No wonder they had been called in.

  He re-formed next to her and held her hand. “Ready?”

  She nodded and the procession resumed.

  A few of the guests patted their pockets and frowned, but the magistrate began the ceremony.

  Zez was finding it hard to concentrate on the crowd as Immune stroked his thumb across the back of her hand. The slight touch was distracting, but she had a job to do.

  When the magistrate pulled out the binding needle that would be used to pierce the hands of the couple, binding them together in blood and pain, Zez moved forward, freezing the assembly again.

  She took the needle and examined it. With a frown, she took it to the side of the room and grabbed a bottle of wine.

  “What is it?”

  “At first guess, it is poison.” She used a napkin and wine to clean the needle.

  She repeated the cleansing three times before she was satisfied that anything remaining would not be toxic.

  “The magistrate?”

  “Or someone who wanted to implicate him. Either way, it will be fine. The needle won’t kill anyone.”

  She set it back in the magistrate’s hand and returned to her position, taking Immune’s hand again. “We have to look the same.”

  He chuckled. “I am not complaining.”

  The magistrate brought the needle down through the hands of the young couple.

  Zez watched for flickers of disappointment or confusion in the expressions of those assembled, and to her surprise, it was the bride.

  This was an arrangement that had nothing to do with the couple sealing it. The bride had wanted a war and a scandal, and instead, she had gotten married.

  Zez watched the bride carefully as the wounds were bound and the couple filed to the couch that was arranged at the back of the hall, behind the spot where Zez and Immune were standing.

  A gauze curtain was drawn, and Immune squeezed her hand. She froze the room again.

  He sighed. “I didn’t check the bed.”

  He quickly rifled through the bedding and patted down the grim couple, “This is a rough start. They are both armed to the teeth.”

  The weapons joined the pile at Zez’s feet.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Killing people is far easier than keeping them from killing each other.”

  He chuckled and took her hand again. “As soon as the consummation is over, we can leave. They can destroy each other all they like once the truce is in place.”

  She sighed and let things commence.

  Chapter Five

  She removed the formal clothing and put on her daily suit the moment they got back to the ship.

  She got herself and Korlin cups of tea as he lifted off and took them out of the atmosphere along the authorized corridor.

  She hung onto his tea until they were on their way to wherever they were needed next.

  “That could have gone better.” She murmured it while watching him key in the next round of coordinates.

  He chuckled. “It was official and consummated. The rest is up to them.”

  He extended his hand to her, and she put the cup of tea in his grip. “Thank you.”

  She sighed and stared out at the stars. “It is still a miserable way to start a life together.”

  “They were forced together and obviously don’t like each other.”

  She sighed. “It isn’t at all like Mikki and her beau.”

  “They are in love?”

  Zez snorted. “They like each other and have a mutual attraction. I don’t know if love comes into it.”

  He sighed. “So, you don’t think they live for each other?”

  “You can’t really live for someone else. You can live with them and want the best for them even if it costs you, but their life is their own, as is yours.”

  “And yet, around the universe, acts of bravery and atrocity are all carried out in the name of love.”

  “Which is just an excuse for impulsive behaviour.”

  Korlin chuckled and sipped his tea. “You never dreamed of finding love?”

  She snorted. “I don’t dream. Existence is hard enough without bringing fantasy into the mix. Well, except for the fiction I read. That is just fun.”

  “So, all the tales of those Terrans doesn’t stir something within you?” He sipped at his tea.

  Zez grinned. “They do, but that can be taken care of with three minutes of privacy.”

  He pivoted in his chair and sprayed tea away from the console. Korlin looked at her with a strange smirk. “Three minutes?”

  “It kills the urge, and I get on with my day.” She sipped her tea with her feet up on the edge of the console.

  “Interesting. I have never thought much about the sex drive of the Citadel Specialists.”

  She shrugged. “It isn’t just the Specialists. The impulse to procreate is a strong one. I am just happy that my body is so easy to fool.”

  Korlin ran his hand over his face.

  She smiled. “You have your physical mannerisms down.”

  He gave her a wry look. “Thank you. I was a peacekeeper when I left my home, and after a few years of behaving like a solid, I think I blend in fairly well.”

  “You do. So, why did you leave home?”

  He twisted his lips and set the programming for the next destination. “I wanted to meet other races and find someone whose soul resonated with mine.”

  “Oh. Interesting. How has the hunt gone so far?”

  He chuckled. “Not well. I have had a few relationships, but the idea of a disembodied mate is not something that they were willing to entertain for the long term.”

  “Narrow minded.” She smiled. “You can reach everything under the bed and in the top cupboards. Nothing wrong with that.”

  His shoulders were shaking. “You make a very valid point. I will have to add that to my social resume.”

  She set her cup down and rubbed her temples.

  “Headache?” Korlin frowned.

  “Yeah. It is either push through it or sleep. Personally, I would like to see where we are going next before I try and figure out what I have to do.”

  Tendrils of mist trailed away from him, and she felt a cool touch again
st her scalp. “What are you doing?”

  “I am giving you a massage. I am fairly experienced at removing headaches.” He smiled and opened a data file.

  She sighed and closed her eyes as the tendrils of cool mist trailed over the tension spots and applied gentle pressure.

  She groaned as some of the pain left immediately and sighed as the rest was slowly rubbed away. “You have practiced this frequently, I suppose?”

  He chuckled. “Learning different species’ pressure points is par for the course when you are a peacekeeper.”

  She rolled her neck and turned her head into the pressure. “Well, thank you. It is helping tremendously.”

  She twisted her lips and stifled a moan as the tendrils moved to her shoulders.

  The strange feeling of being touched without contact was pushed aside when the pressure massage was giving her relief she hadn’t had in years.

  She slowly slumped in her chair as her body surrendered to the lack of tension.

  When she was boneless, he queued up the display in front of her and showed her the next mission. She had to work with animals once again and freeze a herd of wild creatures while they were inoculated.

  She chuckled. “So, you will be wielding the needles?”

  Korlin sighed. “Fifty at a time. The inoculations are necessary.”

  “Yeah, I can see that. One introduced species has endangered everything.”

  A bird had been the contaminating feature. One pet, one escaped animal had brought an infection that spread rapidly through the beasts of Krilatico.

  The beasts that she was going to freeze were the lynch pin of the ecosystem. If they could gain a resistance to the infection, they might just survive.

  Zez chuckled. “I never thought of myself as a vet, but this is beginning to look like a trend.”

  Korlin smiled. “I am a little relieved at the options. There are situations out there that you don’t need to face. At least not yet.”

  She made a face and nodded. Right, she was a murderer in his eyes. “Right. Excuse me. I am going to grab that nap after all.”

  She headed to her quarters and flopped down on the bunk. For a moment, she had forgotten what she was in his eyes. She wouldn’t make that mistake again. The emotional crash was too painful.