Shades of gray, p.60
Shades of Gray, page 60
The other blanched, his bronze skin going a dull ocher color as he swirled away inside the Council chamber.
“Be careful,” hummed Aizshuss from behind him. “We are capable of violence if pushed, and he has a reasonable tech arsenal at his disposal. Even for the sake of losing him, I don’t want you harmed.”
“He ambushed me,” objected Annuur, dropping down onto all fours again to enter the chamber.
“Even so, our path is dangerous enough. Do not risk yourself. We need you,” said Aizshuss, following him.
“Glad you do,” he muttered. “This meeting not enjoyable. Censure for me again is top of their agenda.”
“Better they do that than take action.”
They filed in, sitting among the cushions of their own party. Greetings were passed across to each other, and Annuur was pleased to find that the majority of the Reformists, and even some of the Moderates supported his return. As the last few hurried to their positions, a general quiet began to descend on the auditorium, and Khassis, the Head Speaker, rose from among a small group of Elders of both species and walked up to the lectern.
“I called this meeting because of unprecedented decision of Chief Agent Annuur to dismantle Unity network on Kij’ik, and the Palace of the Sand-dwellers. He also sent home all field Agents in both locations. Though just returned, Phratry Leader Annuur agreed to Speak to us of this controversial decision.”
“What Chief Agent?” demanded Zaimiss angrily from his cushion. “When he designated such?”
Unseen by him, a gray-pelted Cabbaran rose to his haunches.
“Speaker recognizes Elder Needaar,” said Khassis, clasping her hands to her chest and dipping her head in his direction.
“The young today are lacking in manners,” he said in a voice that though low with age was strong nonetheless. “You, I forget your name, are merely member of the Council. You think we Elders, who raise and lower Council members and appoint Agents, commune with such as you?” He shook his head. “Good you have long life ahead, lot to learn have you! We appointed Annuur many years ago.”
Annuur rocked back on his haunches, surprised at the support from that quarter. He’d not expected his cover to be exposed so quickly.
“What?” demanded Zaimiss, eyes swirling in anger. “You …”
“Be silent, Zaimiss, or ask to Speak,” said Khassis, using the voice amplification in the lectern so her words thundered out around the chamber. “Another incidence of this and I call guards to expel you!”
Hissing in rage, his drapery swirling from cool blues into hues of yellow and red, Zaimiss rose to his feet. “I wish to Speak,” he said, voice humming stridently.
Beside Annuur, Aizshuss leaned his head toward him and whispered, “See the danger of adopting latest mood fashions.” He let out a low rattling hum of laughter, swiftly stifled behind a small hand.
Annuur glanced at Shvosi who sat beside the Reformist Leader. She rolled her eyes, nose wrinkling in a grin. “Not all tech is to advantage of wearer,” she murmured softly.
He settled back in his cushions, deciding he’d been too long away from the Council if there were such rifts as these developing, not just between the factions but also between the Elders and the Isolationists. Always restrained in their views and participation, it seemed some of them at least were stepping outside their usual roles, if this support of him and censure of the Isolationist Leader was becoming a trend.
“Speaker recognizes Isolationist Leader Zaimiss,” said Khassis with scant courtesy.
Zaimiss took a deep breath, glanced at the Elders, and bowed to Khassis. “I will await Annuur’s speech with interest,” he murmured then sat down abruptly.
Khassis’ head bobbed once. “Then I call upon Chief Agent Annuur to take the floor and Speak of his mission decision.”
Moving back from the lectern, she waited for him.
Annuur rose to his feet and began to thread his way out to the aisle, feeling the hands of his Reformist comrades briefly touch his shoulder in a show of support as he passed them.
Up the path edged with tiny sparkling lights he trotted, stopping briefly at the fountain to dip his muzzle in the spray in a gesture of reverence for the liquid that was Life to them all. Then he approached the lectern, and Khassis was bowing to him. His nose wrinkled in worry. What were they planning? This was not at all what he had expected.
Wish you’d given me a clue what this is about, he sent to her as he reared up to touch hands with her before she retreated to the Speaker’s cushion a few feet away.
Night had fallen as they’d entered the chamber, and now the only lighting was that of the lamps among the oases of trees and bushes around the edges of the chamber. In front of him was a sea of faces, but they were indistinct in the gentle half-light.
Through Unity, he could feel a mixture of emotions washing from them to him—expectation, support, and of course censure, but for now, the latter was in the minority.
He rose up and placed his hoofed hands on the edge of the lectern, balancing himself, taking the strain off his hindquarters and back.
“I return today with news not welcome to you,” he began, looking around the gathering. “Many field Agents have we. All but those in Hunter Alliance are returned to here. Even now in mountain village awake the children of my family, placed there to wait out this crisis. Same true of other Agents with families of U’Churian children. Why do I take this step so drastic? To protect them all.”
He stopped, gratefully accepting the small bowl of water brought to him by one of the U’Churian Council servants. Lapping till his throat was no longer dry, he placed it in the holder to one side of the lectern.
“Apologies. Just landed have we after arduous mission I undertook to protect the one assigned it by you. The nanites have been delivered to the Hunter, at great risk to my own hide. It had to be done in such a way he thought he had gained the aid from me. Unity, replay the moment from my memories,” he said, leaning forward and opening his mind to Unity.
“As you wish, Phratry Leader,” murmured the soft voice.
Behind him, the massive wall screen began to lighten, and images formed, of him running through the township, dashing into piles of baskets and sacks of produce, pulling them over to create a barrier behind him. As he obviously glanced over his shoulder, the screen showed a herd beast with widespread horns not far behind. Crouched on its brown pelt was a hunched black form.
The view pulled out as Unity extrapolated, showing Annuur as well as the beast that was chasing him. As the Cabbaran left the town and headed out into the scrubby land beyond, the beast was getting closer and closer. Foam coated its mouth, spraying out to either side. It let out a pained lowing as the figure atop it leaned to one side, making it change its direction.
It overtook Annuur and the black shape resolved itself into a Sholan, who suddenly launched himself from the beast’s back onto the Cabbaran, mouth and teeth gripping him around the throat. Over and over they rolled, finally coming to a halt with Annuur lying on his back, belly and throat exposed to the Hunter who straddled him.
When it was over and the images faded, Annuur tiredly lifted his head. “The Camarilla’s will has been done,” he said. “What cannot be seen is how much he remembers. He knows Naacha hypnotizing him to forget, as you heard. He and Sand-dweller Warrior know what was done on Kij’ik, how we altered the Warrior’s memories, gave him ancient ones, how we prepared the Outpost for him, made him choose to leave their world and go there with a party of his people—there is little they do not know! And how do they know this? Because of two things! We ignored requests to watch the Hunter cub, and we were never more than marginally in control of Hunter.”
He stopped to drink again, and as he did, a low hum of conversation broke out.
“Speaker! I wish to Speak!” called out Shumass, standing up, his hands waving in agitation.
Annuur waved a hand absently as he continued to drink. All the dust he’d tumbled in was still in his throat. For him, it had been a scant hour since the Hunter had jumped on him.
“How we know they have this knowledge? We expected to take Annuur’s word?”
“Phratry Leader, Chief Agent Annuur to you, you impudent grasshopper,” growled the Cabbaran Elder Nkuno.
Shumass glared at the Elder then added sarcastically, “Phratry Leader, Chief Agent Annuur.”
Putting the bowl down again, Annuur looked over at the TeLaxaudin. “Unity, confirm the Hunter and Sand-dweller Warrior know these things.”
“Unity confirms this.”
“No,” he said, showing his teeth, “my word is not all you have! More they know. I left small portion of Unity behind at Palace, and confirmed it is they know even more. They know nearly everything we have done to Hunter and Sand-dweller!”
Gasps of shock and mutters of rage underscored his words.
“You withdrew all Agents before this event,” countered Shumass. “How you explain that?”
“Hunter’s memories returning. He confronted us, and Naacha was just able to hide knowledge from him again—then his mind gone, taken by those Entities like the Hunter priest you Isolationists entrapped!” He pointed at Zaimiss for emphasis. “Now priest back among these Entities, and we have them against us too! Think we not know you torture him? Lucky for us all he escaped when he did! Longer in captivity would enrage them more!”
“What do we care about those Entities?” scoffed Zaimiss, rising and getting permission to Speak. “Entrapped one already we did, can do again!”
“That one not a real Entity!” snarled Annuur. “You not know the full rage of even a Hunter, never mind a Hunter Entity! Be afraid. They have empowered the Hunter, made him their Avatar, his geas to bring Justice to the Hunter Alliance. Think you we will escape?” he demanded. “Think again! You want proof? Unity, reveal the potentialities in time!”
The screen darkened, showing ribbons of light crisscrossing each other, flashing briefly then dying, and at the heart of them was a light, a brightness tinged with red, that was slowly expanding.
“That is the Hunter. He will bring destruction on a scale never seen, or bring light of Justice to those needing it. His decision, tempered by our treatment of him. Unity, replay scene before Sand-dweller King crowned when Hunter dispensed Justice to traitors! I remind you how swift and lethal his Justice is!”
The screen blanked, then reformed with the image of Kusac at King Zsurtul’s coronation.
“Execute all the altered ones with tattoos except the leader. We need him for questioning,” said Kusac abruptly.
“We don’t know who the leader is, despite questioning them,” said Kezule, glancing up at him.
“I know who he is,” said Kusac, scanning the faces of the assembled nobility and soldiers. He was picking up small areas of fear accompanied by anger.
The scene changed.
Kusac pushed past the General, drawing his pistol as he did. Without breaking his stride, the single pulse of energy from his gun hit the thug between the eyes, dropping him like a stone, leaving his guards struggling to support his dead weight.
At the last one, Kusac stopped. “Zoshur,” he said, grasping him by the arm and pulling him free of the guards. “Here’s their leader,” he said, hauling him forward, then flinging him down on his belly before the throne steps. “You don’t need the others.”
“Execute them,” said Zsurtul, tiredly. “Have this one returned to the cells to await questioning.”
“K’hedduk’s counselors are next,” said Kezule quietly as Zoshur was hauled off and the remaining two were taken out to the balcony to be publicly executed.
“Bring Prime Counselor Shyadd to me first.”
“He’s being treated for injuries right now, Majesty,” began Zayshul as a small commotion at the rear of the hall drew all their attention.
“Shyadd,” said Kusac, without even glancing in that direction as he continued to keep his senses and eyes roaming over the gathered crowd.
Kezule signaled to the guards at the rear of the hall.
“Majesty.” Shyadd bowed his head in respect when he reached the foot of the throne. “Your counselors were forced to work under K’hedduk. Please, don’t judge them too harshly. They did what they could to protect your people—except for one or two who were more … enthusiastic in helping K’hedduk.”
Sparing a glance at him, Kusac took in the bandaged hands and the signs of bruises and cuts on the Prime’s face.
“They could have refused, as you did,” he said.
“Not as easy to do as say,” Shyadd murmured. “We Primes are not known for our bravery.”
“Time some of you were,” Kusac said, going back to scanning the assembly as the counselors were brought before their King. He could sense something in a small group toward the back of the hall, near the exit to the balcony, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint those concerned.
Ignoring the excuses and pleas from the counselors, he concentrated instead on them. Jumping down into the crowd, he pushed his way through as he strode toward them. As he did, one began to back away, then suddenly turned and fled toward the large broken window behind him. As the Prime leaped into the air, Kusac’s shot caught him full in the back, propelling him out and down to the courtyard below.
“Garras, see he’s dead,” he subvocalized into this throat mic, increasing his pace till he reached the others.
They tried to scatter, but those around them prevented it. “He’s Fabukki,” said one, pointing at one of the small group. “He was Head of Security in the Palace!”
“They’re lying,” said the Prime, a look of outraged innocence on his face as he stood his ground. “Using your presence to settle old jealousies.”
Kusac grasped him by the arm and thrust him toward the two Touiban guards who had rushed to his side.
“We need him alive. He’s a M’zullian,” he said, surveying the three who had been with him. Mentally, he reached for them, forcing through their shielding to scan them, leaving them holding aching heads.
“Collaborators,” he said, losing interest in them to check the rest of the assembly. “They sold out their own to K’hedduk.”
“Take them into custody,” ordered Zsurtul. “They will be judged later. Bring Fabukki here.”
“Dead,” Garras confirmed through his headset.
He paced through the crowd, his senses intent now on finding the other two M’zullians. He was aware of Carrie and Kaid at the edges of his mind, demanding an explanation, but he shut them out, needing all his concentration for the job at hand. The Primes around him moved aside, giving him a wide berth, some even flinching if they thought his gaze fell on them. He stopped; the fear-scent was getting thick now, masking those he wanted. A slight movement from the extreme left caught his attention, and his head swiveled around to track it. He had them now!
He pounced, grasping each by an arm and dragging them up to the dais to give to Kezule’s guards. “Two more M’zullians,” he said, stepping back to the General’s side. “Members of K’hedduk’s crew. The one I shot was also one. We have them all now. They’ve got mind-blocks; I can’t read them yet.”
The screen blanked.
“That is the Hunter’s Justice,” said Annuur. “Swift and merciless. The cub found the fragment of Unity I left behind and showed his father. Who was it said, “Ignore the cub, he is worthless”? So worthless he found what we concealed from Hunter.”
“Speaker?” said a voice from the Elders’ corner. Annuur looked over to see another TeLaxaudin standing.
“Speaker recognizes Elder Zoasiss,” said Khassis from where she sat.
“Had you not recalled Agents, would Hunter have discovered and questioned them?”
“Absolutely. He hungers for information.”
“Ghioass—would he have knowledge of our location?”
“Yes.” said Annuur shortly. “For now we are safe. Rescuing kidnapped Sand-dweller female and setting up base in mountains on M’zull important now.”
Zoasiss nodded, gesturing at Annuur as his eyes swirled. “Thanks of Elders you have for prompt action. Well founded was our trust in you.”
Annuur bowed to him as the Elder sat down.
Shumass raised his hand again.
“What now?” growled Annuur.
“I say your actions precipitated return of Hunter’s memories,” said Shumass. “Choice of giving nanites to him caused mental trauma. Hypnotizing him, then planting nanites not have this result! Yours is error of judgment.”
“Perhaps, had I not recalled Agents earlier because of return of memories. Reunited with family he is, no chance to approach him with any methods we can use now! Forget that he is enhanced? Not just by us, but by his Entities too! Untouchable he now is.”
“Why you think we Spoke for pushing him away from family?” demanded Shumass.
“It was done far outside City, where we cannot reach with Unity!” snapped Annuur. “You blind yourself to truths in effort to throw blame onto me.”
Khassis got to her feet and joined him at the lectern. “Exhausted you are,” she said with compassion in her voice. “We thank you for coming here so swiftly. Are any more questions?” she asked, looking around the chamber.
“Yes, Speaker,” said Shvosi, getting up. When the older TeLaxaudin nodded at her, she continued. “I Speak for ending this session. Much evidence put forward by Unity and Chief Agent Annuur. Time to digest it needed, and time for Chief Agent Annuur to rest and recover.”
“Sound suggestion,” said Khassis, nodding. “I Second that. Additionally, I want summaries of actions from all Speakers in this whole Hunter matter. Will be reviewed by Council of Elders, then results dispersed to you by Unity. Then to Chamber for open discussion we will come after reviewing all evidence.”
“I Speak for laying charge of incompetence, of acting too hastily, on Chief Agent Annuur,” said Zaimiss with heavy sarcasm on Annuur’s title.
“I Second that,” said Shumass.
“Out of order,” said Elder Nkuno. “Investigation into whole matter now ongoing. Apportioning blame now out of order. Wait for reports we will.”
