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I shivered in the cold wind that blew, unchecked, across the vast expanse of the Das. In my shipskins I would never have noticed it, but they were gone. I had to get used to the plain pants, shirt, and boots that represented my future.
Several Ritto approached from the base of the ship ramp to surround me with their large, ghostly-pale bodies. I wondered if they meant their action to shield me from the wind or to protect me from a tiny, poison dart seeking warm flesh out in the isolation of the port—possibly the High Jerak's parting gift to me.
Would my death even matter?
Saura was back in the hands of the Tabi Empire Universe Force, to whatever fate she faced. She refused to discuss it during the few moments of parting time her people allowed us. Mathet wanted us off world quickly, in case Seok had some crazy second thoughts and decided to storm the Tabi embassy for revenge. I understood. Besides, it made the ordeal of saying goodbye easier. It was an abbreviated exchange of words; if I hugged her, she would have stabbed me with a claw for exhibiting weakness.
The assassins and I exchanged a formal nod. But as he was turning away, Meeroush winked and grinned. Shoff gave a sniff of irritation when she saw him, but I swear, her ears softened a little bit.
The kid was a different thing. Under other circumstances, we could have been family. But not where I was headed. Life as a scrub, scrounging and begging on a station dock or space platform was nothing to offer a child. Just being there would put her in danger.
The Tabi ambassador graciously extended the custody of the Tabi Empire over Liri, temporarily guaranteeing her safety from the Endar or other curious seekers. The kid had grown close to my ex-partner in the few hours they shared, and the Tabi were letting her travel to their first jump point with Saura. At least Liri would know someone for a while, but they made it clear: devoting a star navigator to her care was not an option.
They weren't the most affectionate species around, but they would find Liri a good home and family. It could not be Makima, but it was a chance at some kind of life. She promised she would keep her telepathy in check, to be good, and we both cried at parting.
I had ensured that for her. Not perfect, but it was more than I could ever do for Anthy.
Mother Universe, my throat felt tight!
My own destination was the EA Outer Rim and the first Human settlement where the Ritto could safely set me off. The Tabi Empire had supplied me with some Whooex cred. It wasn't enough to get back the things I'd lost, but it would take me a little further into EA space without having to beg for food and a bed for a while.
Eyes on the future, Zant. I locked on the ship hull, not wanting to look around the Das. I was leaving so much behind on the Moneyworld.
Why did doing the right thing feel so wrong?
The hatch to the Ritto-ssa ship looked like a section of their hull was melting around the opening. I hadn't noticed that the day I arrived here: my eyes had only been for the little kid skipping off the ship behind me.
There was some kind of disturbance at the base of the gangplank. A Ritto was grappling with—Liri? Blood roared in my ears until I realized the figure was taller than the kid, then everything snapped cold and still inside me.
The Threadmaster? Shit! What had we done to contain his specific threat of mind control? I began to run.
He was spitting and fighting, but the Ritto had him securely restrained as I skidded to a stop. No, no, my brain screamed. I didn't want to deal with this!
"Must help me," he cried. "Want claim sanctuary. Sanctuary! Is word?"
"How did you get here?" Did he already have control of the Ritto-ssa crew around me? How could I tell?
"Ported." He glanced about nervously as he tried to edge toward me. "Need you protect."
But the Endar controlled the Das and its teleports... "I can no protect." Not where I was going. I tried to walk past him.
"Humans must help me!"
"Why?" I just wanted to leave this world.
"Because me help you."
Help? Shit! "How?"
"Fix vote so Humans come here," he said.
That stopped me cold. "What?"
"Fix vote so Humans come here," he repeated. "Change Steyl order before Minders go home, tell members vote Humans yes."
A Ritto caught my arm as my knees tried to fold beneath me.
I clenched my teeth to keep from screaming in rage and frustration. I was so done with all this! Duff, the MoMo—someone else had to deal with it.
"Must go," the Ritto beside me said in its low, whispery voice.
How did I know if this ship and crew were even bound for the EA now?
"Must help me! Two people cannot go back Zam Fiella. Two people see, know Humans exist. Cannot return home. Cannot stay. Endiel will kill!"
It made terrible sense. Things had happened so fast. We had considered the effects of returning Liri's knowledge of things outside Zam Fiella back onto that world. How had we missed this serpent in the larger equation?
I couldn't abandon this dangerous being here. His action—if really meant to help us—was a major setback for the High Jerak, who was already in a rage over what he had agreed to in order to protect the Primacy from humiliation. And now, thanks to this viper, there would be a bright, sparkly EA delegation—ignorant of the Makima threat—which he could snug up to if he remained here.
My instincts screamed in protest. This was someone else's problem!
I could leave him, to disastrous effect, or take him with me and have some control over the slimy bastard, up to and including the option to slit his throat.
But I could never take him into the EA...
I forced a smile while my mind churned with confusion. "Then the Earth Alliance owes you our appreciation." Mother Universe, those words tasted bitter!
In that heartbeat of a second, I saw his eyes narrow and I knew: he hadn't acted for Human benefit. He was simply not accustomed to dealing with someone who could read his body language and expressions. He would remedy that quickly enough.
A Ritto touched his shoulder and he collapsed to the rough surface.
"Dangerous creature distresses you," the Ritto whispered. "What want do?"
Don't do it! It's over! My mind screamed in protest. I looked at the beings around me.
They were asking me.
"Can you put him in a SAC and bring him along?" I wanted to shout: say no! Tell me no and leave him here!
The Ritto made a gesture toward the hatch, which I took as assent, and I trudged on without looking back.
I was abandoning Lirilune, and trading Saurubi for a treacherous Makima asshole who wanted to destroy Humans.
There was no justice in the universe.