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Q SCOWLED AT NAT. “WHY are they coming this time? We don’t have any work for them.” The Travelers were too good at finding out secrets, and Saree and Ruhger had a lot to hide. Saree’s three weeks of active treatments had just finished, and still no word from Lightwave. They were all starting to worry. They didn’t need the Travelers’ inquisitive minds poking around.
Nat shook her head, mockingly. “Such intolerance. Shame on you.” She sighed. “Has it dawned on you that they aren’t welcome in a lot of systems? That we’re one of the few places they are? And we have food and other materials to sell them. After the Sirius attack, systems are even more suspicious of the unknown, and the Travelers fall into that category. Besides, I think they’re dropping a student or two with the medico school.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t understand why you dislike them so much. Yes, they all flirt terribly. But they don’t push. Just say no and they’re gone.”
“I don’t think I should have to. I’ve already been clear.” Every time the Travelers visited, she had to turn down invitations from what seemed like everyone on board. Invitations to travel with them, invitations for sex, invitations for gambling, for worship; it was exhausting. And when she asked them why they were so determined to bring her onboard, they never answered. They wanted something from her, and if they weren’t telling her what it was, she wanted no part of it. She was done with liars and users. Although, at this point, she was ready to leave with them just to get away from Secundus.
“Get over it, Quinn.” Nat tossed her head and went back to reading something on her e-torc. Probably the Travelers’ provision requests, which Q should be handling but wasn’t. Not for the Travelers.
Sister Lashtar entered. “Come, I need both of you.” She left without waiting for them.
Ruhger’s voice rumbled from Lashtar’s office. “So, I guess where and when is the question.”
Lashtar’s voice was unusually cheerful. “Oh, that’s easy. Here. As soon as the Travelers fold in.” Lashtar waved a hand at Q. “Quinn will help you navigate our suppliers. Nat will organize the party and invite the locals. I’ll invite the Travelers.” She grinned, and Q stared in astonishment. Lashtar never smiled these days. “Do you want me to officiate? Or do you have some other religion in mind?” She shrugged. “There’s lots of them here, now.” She sat behind her desk, and Q moved to her shoulder. Whatever Lashtar needed, especially something that made her smile, Q was happy to help with.
Saree looked at Ruhger and shrugged at the same time he did, and they laughed. Wow, whatever they were planning, it must make Ruhger and Saree really happy. Laughter from both of them and Lashtar? Must be spectacular.
Ruhger had eyes only for Saree. “The Sisters are the only religious tradition I’ve ever been a part of, no matter how peripherally. If you’re comfortable with Lashtar, I am.”
Saree smiled back at Ruhger. “Yes, Lashtar, please officiate.”
Officiate what? Q looked between the two of them. Oh! Yes!
“Excellent. This will help in more than one way,” Lashtar said. Saree and Ruhger finally broke their stare and turned to her. “As a new couple, you’ll be left alone. You might get a break on your transport, since new couples are given gifts to help them establish their joint households. For the Travelers, that often means one person leaving their clan and joining a new one, since marriage inside the clan is discouraged. And throwing the Travelers a party is always a good idea. Be careful at any Travelers parties—their alcohol and drugs are particularly potent. They also use some to enhance spiritual awakenings and travel.”
They were leaving? I want to go too! But with the Travelers? Q wasn’t so sure about that part.
Saree shrugged. “I can’t use drugs or alcohol, not for the foreseeable future. It’s just too risky with the head injury.”
Ruhger said, “And I won’t. Can you make it clear to the Travelers that Saree’s health would be endangered?”
“Of course.” Lashtar snorted. “I’ll take one for the team and drink your share.”
Q looked at Lashtar, a little surprised. She knew Lashtar was ready to make a change, but drinking wasn’t one of the changes Q had considered.
Lashtar laughed harder. Ruhger—and Saree—were just as surprised, glancing at each other.
Eventually, Lashtar sobered. “What? Life is short.” She motioned at her bionic leg. “I came here,” Lashtar spread her arms, encompassing the Sisters’ compound, “because I needed to do something else, something life-affirming rather than life-taking. Helping people makes me happy, and the girls needed me. Especially over the last year. But,” she slapped her hands on her desk and rose, “that’s not the case anymore. Nat’s been leading us for six months. We adopt out children faster than we get them in. I’m not particularly useful with the abuse victims because I’m just not outwardly sympathetic enough. I can’t even get through to Ruth. The medicos are in charge of her. She’s not a potential Sister. We’ve made all the security improvements possible with this location and mission. I’m just a figurehead to a dying religion.”
“That’s not true!” Nat said. “You’re our spiritual leader. The one who keeps us on the straight and narrow.”
The Sisters might not have a lot of members, but Q didn’t think they were dying. The religion was important, something for women, especially those who’d been abused, to grasp when everything else had gone wrong and everyone else turned against them. She’d certainly found comfort in the Mother, especially after her years with Familia, both at the Academy and on Indomito.
Lashtar turned and sat on the edge of her desk. “Nat, maybe it’s time to let this particular straight and narrow go. Most of you want to move on and do other things. We’re not necessary for this world, and we’re losing members. The work for abused families will continue without our religion. I think we make this not only a ceremony for Ruhger and Saree but a final ceremony for us too.”
“But...” Nat stuttered, shocked.
Poor Nat. Q glared at Lashtar. Why say this to Nat, a true believer? It was a terrible thing to do, no matter how much she might want to escape. But doing it this way also made it shockingly clear to Nat that Lashtar was serious. She wanted out. Maybe this was Q’s chance to leave too?
“I know I just sprang this on you, and I’m sorry. But I’ve been thinking about it for a while. We’ll meet in Circle tonight.” She grasped Nat’s shoulders. “No matter what, I’m resigning this position. You truly have been in charge since I lost my leg. I lost more than my leg, I lost my passion. I haven’t lost my faith in the Mother, but I’ve lost interest in leading others to faith. I’ve been hanging on, grimly, but I need to do something else now. Something fun. Something different.”
Yes! That’s what I want too. It would be a lot easier with a partner, especially one who’d been everywhere and could defend herself. They’d make a good team. But would Lashtar see it that way?
“What exactly are you thinking, Lashtar?” Ruhger asked warily.
She laughed over her shoulder at Ruhger. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll join the Travelers with you.” Lashtar chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll make my own deal and accommodations. But I need to travel, move, go places, and see things. Not take care of anyone but me. Be selfish.”
Now was her chance, maybe her only chance. If Lashtar left, Nat and Brin would rely on Q more and more, and she didn’t want to stay here. She was done with Secundus. And if Familia was still looking for her? Well, they’d get what they had coming. Q laughed loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. “Hah. I’ve been thinking the same thing. I’m tired of taking care of everyone else. I want to go, to explore, to see new things, meet new beings.”
“That didn’t work out so well for you last time, Quinn,” Ruhger cautioned.
Q smirked at him. “Well, I’ve learned a few things since then, Dad. A lot of things.” She grinned at Lashtar, hands on her hips. “You’re right. Nat’s been in charge, and she’s good at it. You can leave the Sisters in her hands. You know more about the universe than I do. Want to go adventuring?”
“Yes, I think I do. We’d make a good team if you can quit calling me Sister.” Lashtar raised one brow.
Q snorted. “Oh, I think I can do that, Lashtar.” With Familia’s indoctrination on titles, it might take some work, but she’d do it.
Saree and Ruhger glanced at each other. He shrugged.
“What about me?” Nat said, with a bit of a wail. “I’m not sure I want to stay here either.”
Well, that was just silly. Nat was a true believer, and she loved it here. She especially loved leading the entire compound. She was born to be in charge of something big.
Lashtar smiled at her. “There’s nothing to hold you back if you want to go. You can train someone to do your job and leave in a few months. But I think you find this work fulfilling. That, and I’m not sure you and some of the others want to let the Sisters of Cygnus go.” Lashtar grimaced. “I’m sorry, I was wrong to call it a dying religion. I still believe, and many others do too. There are many ready to take on spiritual leadership. Some of the women we’ve taken in have become entirely devoted. There’s every reason they should take the reins and make it their own, a true refuge for body, spirit, and mind.”
“Maybe, Sis—Lashtar,” Q said, chuckling at herself for the slip, “it’s more than time to make our religion more flexible. Why shouldn’t women come and go as they please? There’s no reason to tie anyone down, restrict anyone. Perhaps living here, in our compound, means staying celibate, unattached, and sober, but living in the community, women and men can still worship but live their own lives as they need to. Raise children, travel, do all the things. I think the complete control over individuals is part of what led to Ferra’s fall.”
“Yes,” Lashtar said, smiling gratefully at Q. “That’s a much better idea. You’re right, there’s no reason to hang on to old ways.” She turned back to the bewildered and shocked Nat. “You know it’s time for me to step down. I’ve seen you chafing under the necessity of justifications. You’re ready to fly on your own, make your own rules, and it’s better if I’m not here when you do it. You all know why.”
Lashtar was right. She had to leave, or everyone would keep coming to her rather than Nat. That made it the right time for Q to leave too.
Nat bit her lip, but as Lashtar spoke, her confidence returned. “I hate to see you go, but you’re right. It’s been annoying for a long time, a useless process slowing everything down. It’s frustrating when so many won’t agree with me unless you’ve agreed with me publicly, and you haven’t disagreed with anything I’ve decided for months.”
Lashtar snorted. “And that’s not because I agree with every decision you made, but it was more than time for you to make your own mistakes, find your own way.” She shrugged. “Develop your leadership style.” She nodded once, sharply. “You’re ready, and I’m ready. It’s time for me to fly.” She laughed. “I have a new target. I aim to misbehave.”
Q and Saree joined Lashtar’s laughter while Ruhger and Nat looked skeptical. Ruhger finally huffed a chuckle and shook his head. “Well, you used to be pretty good at that, Lashtar.”
“Run away, run away!” Q’s relief bubbled through her like a soda spring. She would leave Secundus with someone to watch her back. And with just two of them, they could hide easily. Q knew exactly where to pull their escape credits from too. She’d finally found a clue to another of Enzo’s personal accounts. “We’ll find a quest and have a good time.”
Lashtar chuckled. “We’ll have to come up with some funds, get some weapons, get a few short-term jobs, but I’ve done it before. We can do it again.”
Q snorted. “Oh, I’ll get the credits, don’t worry about that. Plenty of slimeballs who need a little lesson.”
“Quinn, I thought we’d discussed this,” Lashtar said, scowling. “We’re not stealing.”
“If it’s already stolen, then I’m not stealing.” Familia stole more than credits—they stole lives. They deserved to lose their ill-gotten gains.
“It can go back to the original owners.”
Quinn shook her head, sadly. The majority of those beings were gone. She always tried to find the original owners first. “Not when they’re dead. Where do you think I got the credits for our rebuild?” Lashtar wasn’t that naïve. But Nat was.
Lashtar and Nat scowled at her. Ruhger snorted, but his look was approving.
Q told them, for what had to be the four-hundredth time, “Look, I can show you where it came from, and you’ll agree I’m more than justified.” She took a breath. Time to move on from this never-ending argument. “More importantly, Lashtar, you’ve been a leader in this community for a very long time and never taken a salary. The Sisters owe you more than a little. I think we can fund your escape.” Quietly, she added, “And mine.” After all, she’d never taken a salary either. And she’d repaid the Adzari Academy fees many times over.
“Well, since you’re more likely to find a job, Q, I’ll go as your bodyguard, and we’ll see what happens.” Lashtar grinned.
Q jolted up. What a perfect idea!
Ruhger snort-laughed, shaking his head. “Right, that will work out just great.”
“Back to the issue I came here for,” Nat said. Determination and mourning seemed to war for supremacy on her expressive face. “You wanted me to plan a wedding, right?” She looked between Saree and Ruhger.
Ruhger pointed to Saree. “All yours, Saree. As long as there’s a lifetime vow, I don’t care what the ceremony looks like.”
Saree chuckled. “I don’t either. I’m just ready to do this.”
“Well, then, let me do it,” Nat said. “Nothing fancy, just a simple ceremony, right?”
“Yes. Use whatever the Sisters use,” Saree told her. “I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
Nat nodded. “Come on, Quinn, we’ve got work to do.”
Well, she’d rather stay, but Nat would need some help with planning this party. Q followed to Nat and Brin’s office. “Standard invite to everyone for a communal meal with a commitment ceremony?” The phrasing was deliberate—a commitment could be between people or between a person and an organization, or several other circumstances.
“Yes. Just tell anyone who specifically asks that ‘Rufus and Sarah’ decided to tie the knot after her recovery.” Nat looked at her, with a mix of sadness and anger. “Look, I know you haven’t been happy here. But you still have Familia on your tail. The minute you leave, your Gov Human military cover is blown.”
“Not quite the minute, but you’re right. Once I leave Secundus, General Kerr doesn’t have to cover for me anymore.” Q grimaced. “That was the deal. I stay here, she ‘enlists’ me on her flagship. But if I’m careful to stay in the fringes and away from Familia systems, no one should ever know.”
Nat frowned. “I hope you’re right. But I’m also worried about Ruth. She relies on you.” Nat held up a hand. “No, that’s not a good enough reason for you to stay. But maybe Ruth should go with you. Think about it.” She looked away. “And get Brin in here. She needs to find someone to train as a deputy. Make sure you leave your net security deputy with everything except Sisters-only things.”
Q shrugged. “Already done. Jeffe has been running net admin for everything but the Sisters for more than six months. K’tleen has the Sisters’ net admin. They’re both more than adequate for Secundus. They need more challenges, actually.” Q sent Nat’s message to Brin, with a high priority tag.
“I thought so. I just wanted to confirm.” Nat scowled at her desktop and then at Q. “Sand flea. I can’t believe you’re leaving us.”
Q sighed, got up, and hugged Nat. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay. Really, you’re all safer this way. The Gov Human trick was going to fall through eventually, so it’s better if I’m already gone.”
Nat held on to her. “I know. But I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” And she would.
#
Q RUBBED HER EYES. She was so close to breaking this final code for Enzo’s account. But was she too tired to continue? If she messed up, she might have to run, right now, possibly leaving tracks for them to follow, so she couldn’t go with Lashtar and Lightwave. But if she quit now, someone could discover the progress she’d made so far and lock her out. Then, she’d have to start from zero.
Stupid. She was letting her desires rather than her needs drive her. It was time to quit and go to bed. She could finish this tomorrow or even on Lightwave. Suns, it would be easier to do from someplace with better connectivity, especially on a folder. Then, if Q’s scripts were discovered, she wouldn’t be because they’d fold away and be long gone before someone could track her down physically.
Continuing now was a great way to mess everything up. Plus, Saree and Ruhger were leading a special meditation session tomorrow. She didn’t want to miss that—or fall asleep because she was too tired to pay attention.
Q chuckled, the sound echoing in the empty office. Now or later, Enzo would pay. Q carefully backed out of her script locations, leaving them running, shut down all her active transmissions, and disconnected the dedicated comm link to the fold message center, making sure there was no way to trace anything back to her. Then she got up, stretched high, enjoying the movement of stiff muscles, and headed for her bed.
#
Q FLOATED, SECURE IN the arms of the Mother, in tune with the universe. A ripple passed through her consciousness, bringing a sense of discordance. It increased, then gradually smoothed away, like it had never occurred. Environmental disturbance noted, Q returned to her meditative state.
“You return to full awareness. Your breath pulls in...pushes out,” Ruhger rumbled, growing louder, firmer. “You feel your muscles working, your heart beating, your diaphragm, your chest, your legs, your arms, your head.”
Q took a breath and took stock of her body. A little stiff from lying on the yoga mat for so long, but overall, she felt good.
“Remembering your sense of peace and beauty, come back to your body. Become aware of how it feels. When you are ready, stretch a little, roll back and forth, and return to a sitting position.”
Q sat, feeling relaxed, yet energized. A very good y’ga meditation—Ruhger was an excellent leader. But he should be—he’d been doing it his entire life.
“Gentle beings, I thank you for joining us tonight,” Saree said. “Thank you for trusting us to lead you in meditation. As I said during the introduction to this advanced session, I had a specific reason for offering it. As you may have heard, there is a human clock maintainer working for the Time Guild now, tuning fold clocks.”
Q snapped her head around to look at Saree. Really?
“Those rumors are true. The Time Guild is looking for more humans with this ability, the ability to sense something we call ^timespace^. One of the ways we find humans with potential is through meditation. Some of you may have noted something during this session, something that wasn’t inside of you. I’m not going to tell you what it was because it may look different to everyone, and I don’t want to plant a false memory. But if you did note something exterior to yourself and you want to explore the notion, knowing the job itself can be hazardous, come talk to me. Now or later.” Saree smiled serenely.
Interesting. Q had definitely noted something, and she already had trouble on her tail. If she had a talent, one that was useful to the Time Guild? That might offer more protection than harm to her. She’d noticed Saree didn’t confirm or deny she was the human Clocker. While Q had heard rumors of a human clock maintainer many times, she always thought it was wishful thinking or a ploy by Gov Human to keep humans safer in the universe. Time to find out if this was the big secret Saree had been keeping all this time. She waited for everyone to leave. A few people stopped to thank Saree or Ruhger, but no one stayed to talk.
When everyone was gone, Q padded over to where the pair were rolling up their mats. “Saree?” Quinn asked. She sounded so tentative. Yuck.
Ruhger spun and Saree peered around his ridiculously large shoulders. “Yes?”
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Quinn flashed a grin at Ruhger. “Girl stuff.” She shrugged. This would be hard enough with just Saree, she didn’t need Ruhger hovering.
Saree blinked at Quinn and motioned to the mediation mats. “Let’s talk.”
Ruhger walked away. “I’ll leave you two to it and check in with Lashtar about the Travelers’ status. See you back at the shuttle, Saree?”
“Yes. Thanks.” Saree shot the last word over her shoulder, a soft smile on her face.
They were perfect for each other.
“So, what did you need, Q?” Saree asked.
Q sighed. “I think I might have seen...something.” She shrugged. It wasn’t really explainable, but she had to find some words. “There was a ripple, a disturbance, a wrinkle? Something I noticed, then pushed away, like you normally push aside things outside of yourself during meditation.”
Saree’s mouth twisted. “I guess I should have given different starting instructions, then. Blast. I didn’t consider the normal response.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Something for next time. Anyway, as you’ve undoubtedly guessed, I’m the human clock maintainer. I access ^timespace^ through meditation and use the frequencies of transuranic metals to tune the clocks to the universal standard. I’m still not sure if I’m only tuning the clock or ^timespace^ itself or both, but ^timespace^ is disturbed by fold. The more folders, the worse it is and the more often the clocks need maintenance.”
“So, what does this ^timespace^ look like to you, Saree?”
Saree shrugged, with a tiny smile. “Initially, it was a place of beauty and peace, and I’d just drift there. The Sa’sa taught me to look deeper in ^timespace^ for the fundamental frequencies of the different transuranic metals used in the varieties of fold clocks and then ^pull^ them into my consciousness, for lack of a better term. Then, I ‘tune’ the atomic clock to that frequency. That ensures that all Time Guild clocks across the universe are telling the exact same time. It’s a pretty difficult thing to do at first.”
Saree smiled just a little. “These days, I can easily access ^timespace^. I’ve been doing this a long time and working hard, learning to talk to the Sa’sa in ^timespace^, so I’m always somewhat aware of it unless I’m actively blocking it out. I don’t know how hard it will be for other humans to learn. It may be easier for me to access ^timespace^ because I’ve been sensitive to the Sa’sa since puberty. I wasn’t born on the Sa’sa homeworld, but I grew up there, and that’s how they found out about my talent—I was dreaming and interfering with the juvenile Sa’sa clock maintainers. I don’t know if a connection to the Sa’sa is necessary to easily access ^timespace^ or not.”
Q frowned. “I didn’t notice anything like a place of peace and beauty. I only noticed a strange...disturbance running through my consciousness.” Her nose wrinkled. “Kind of like a single wave across water, it rolled through and was gone.”
“Interesting.” She raised her brows, with a challenging look. “Are you willing to go through some training? And endure the danger? The risk of abduction is real.”
“Really?” Q snorted. “Familia is already looking for me, hard. Why not give them one more reason?”
Saree chuckled. “Indeed, why not?”
A memory struck Q. “So, that’s why I remember you as a Scholar! It was your secret identity!”
Saree laughed. “Yes, it was. I traveled the universe as a Scholar of Ancient Music, studying an unknown field of folk music called filk for many years. But eventually, the cover wore thin. Big data processors matched traveling beings with clock tunings, and I ended up on a shortlist of suspects.” She sobered and tapped a little rhythm on her thighs. “We’ve been running and hiding for longer than I thought we’d be able to.” Saree gave a tiny shrug. “But we’re safer now that I’m known to be a Time Guild member because I can call on the Sa’sa Warriors for help. They’re pretty terrifying.”
Q grimaced. She’d seen pictures but not the real beings. “They seem scary. I don’t speak Sa’sa. Do they speak Trade?”
Saree tilted her head. “Some. But if you can do what I do, you can call on them in ^timespace^, which requires a lot less translation. It’s not really a language, more of a place of impressions, thoughts, and emotions. You have to learn how to push your thoughts—folders incoming!” She jumped to her feet and ran out of the Circle room.
Q sprinted to catch up, then passed her. “Come on, I’ll get a lifter; we’ll pick up Ruhger.” They pounded down the hall, everyone flattening to the sides, and out the door. Using her e-torc, Q selected one of Security’s all-terrain lift vehicles and started it remotely while she ran down the hall, Saree right behind her. They sprinted out the door, across the yard, and to the charging station. Jumping in, Saree didn’t even try for the driver’s seat. Which was good because Q knew the compound far better.
“He’s in the stable with Lashtar,” Saree yelled.
Q drove like a racer, taking what might look like a roundabout way to the stables, but no one would be on this path this time of day, and it got them headed in the right direction. She came around the backside of the stable, immediately spotted Ruhger sprinting toward the shuttle pads, and pulled up next to him.
“Jump in,” Saree shouted.
Q slowed a little, but Ruhger jumped and grabbed the roll cage behind Saree, rolling into the cargo area behind them. “Go!” he roared.
Q pushed the power up, bouncing along the narrow, muddy path, and brought the lifter to a skidding stop just outside the shuttle’s marked blast radius.
Ruhger was sprinting for Beta shuttle before Q halted the lifter; Saree was right behind him, and Q ran all out to catch up before he reached the hatch. Ruhger put his hand up for the DNA sample while entering codes in his holo, and the hatch swung open. “Saree, you’ve got security.”
“Copy,” she yelled, running past Ruhger.
Q squeezed past him too, bringing up the shuttle’s net and the backdoor she’d left. Would it still be there or did Katryn find it? But her regular profile was still active, so no reason to find out right now. She logged in, a vibration jolting through her as the main thrusters warmed up. Ruhger slammed into the pilot’s seat. Q told him, “I’ll take the weapons.”
“Sure.” Ruhger entered more security codes and another DNA sample and then swept the weapons over to her.
Q checked the weapons status; all fully charged and ready. No surprise there.
“Stand down,” Ruhger said, pushing a surveillance picture to the shuttle’s screen. “It’s the Travelers. And, believe it or not, Lightwave.”
“Really?” Saree said, incredulous relief clear in her tone.
Ruhger laughed, and Q stared at him. He was so much happier and relaxed these days. It was so strange to see. But she was relieved too. What if it was a remote army or Gov Human military gone rogue? There was so much turmoil in the human-controlled constellations right now.
“Really. Suns. I wasn’t looking forward to searching for them.”
“I wonder how they managed to get in with the Travelers?” Saree said.
Ruhger huffed. “I’m sure it was Chief. He did a lot of different things before he came to Phalanx Eagle.”
Grumpy Chief? That didn’t seem likely to her. Q told him, “It could be Loreli or Grant too.” They were both a lot more outgoing and friendly.
Ruhger laugh-snorted. “Not likely. Grant’s more likely to have started a blood feud by seducing a daughter, son, or both.”
“Not anymore,” Saree said.
Grant was kind of a flirt but nothing worse. A nice guy.
“True,” Ruhger said, bringing Q’s attention back to him. “Loreli usually makes friends on planets where she can get new foods. If it’s been grown or raised in space, she’s already eaten it.” He started writing Chief a message. It was addressed to Charani, registered to the Romani system in Draco.
Q commanded the weapons back to standby and checked to make sure everything was recharging correctly. Then she secured her status in the net. It took her a while to work around Katryn’s security, but since she had a crew profile and full access affirmed by Ruhger’s DNA, it wasn’t too hard.
Ruhger said, “Are you all right?”
Q looked up. Oh, he was talking to Saree, lying there with her eyes closed.
“Yes,” she said, turning to look at Ruhger. “I’m just minimizing screen time.”
“Makes sense. Okay, you sit there. I’ll button us back up but in warm standby mode this time.”
Q recalled their conversation after the meditation session. If Saree was the human clock maintainer, and fold disturbed ^timespace^, she might not feel so good with... nine folders coming in. Wow. That was more than the Travelers normally brought. She should ask. “Saree, are you really okay? There are nine folders in close proximity. It must have disturbed ^timespace^ a lot.”
Saree sat up. “Really? I’m not going deep in ^timespace^ now, that’s for sure. I wonder why they’d do such a thing? Everyone knows you have to spread arrivals as much as possible.”
“The Travelers do what they want, when they want,” Q told her. “If there are consequences, they’re usually long gone before it’s a problem for them.” Like all their flirting. Some of the younger girls and boys found that out the hard way, no matter how often they were warned. But that wasn’t fair either; Q knew the Travelers were upfront about their lack of commitment. Sometimes, people heard what they wanted to hear. After all, people fell for Familia’s blast and rad all the time. The Travelers were completely honest; they just omitted details. If you weren’t smart enough to ask...
“You have experience with them?” Ruhger turned to ask, glowering a little.
Q frowned at him. “A little.” More than she wanted. “I worked with them during the medico school build. They have an interesting type of honor. They’re way better than Familia though.”
“There’s no reason you have to do anything with them, Quinn,” Saree told her, her eyes still closed. “We can take care of it.”
Quinn waved her concern away. “It’s no big deal. Just be careful what you ask for and what you tell them. They’ll take advantage of you if they can.”
Ruhger huffed. “Most beings will. Better to learn that lesson now. A large group or extended family of some sort is just easier to target and blame. Everyone’s looking for an advantage.”
Q snorted at his lecturing tone. “Okay, Dad.”
Ruhger turned and mock-glared. Q grinned at him. A smile flickered, then he turned back to the shuttle command and control. “Quinn, you’ve already integrated yourself into the Beta shuttle permissions, right?”
“Yep. Done.”
“All right, let’s head back to the compound. There’s no reason to stay in the shuttle, is there?”
“Nope,” Quinn said, popping the end “p” loudly. She led the way to the airlock. If they wanted a commitment ceremony, she had a lot of work to do.
“No, I don’t think so,” Saree said with a heavy sigh. “I’ll tune the clock before we fold out.”
“Roger that, let’s go,” Ruhger said. “We’ll give it time to settle. By the time we fold out, ^timespace^ should be better, right?”
Q looked back at them, embracing. They were so sweet together. And sweet was the last description she’d ever thought she’d use for Ruhger.
Saree said, “I hope so.”
“We’ll worry about it then. Ready?” Ruhger let her go.
“Sure.” Saree stepped away from him but didn’t let go of his hand.
The hatch opened, and Q bounced down to the pad. “Okay to walk, Saree?” She nodded, so Q sent the lift vehicle back to its charging station. She wasn’t the only one wanting to expend the energy of adrenaline.
About halfway back, Ruhger said, “Saree, I just got a message from Chief. Everyone’s safe. He also says no ‘big’ issues. I guess we’ll find out what issues exist when they get down here.”
“Can’t be soon enough for me, now,” Saree told him.
Ruhger opened the chow hall hatch.
Lashtar waited for them. “I’ve told Nat the ceremony will be tomorrow night.” She smiled. “I’m assuming you’re both still going ahead with it in the same format?”
“Yes to both,” Ruhger said as Saree said, “Of course.” Saree continued, “We’ve told you the ceremony is up to you. The form doesn’t matter that much to us.”
Lashtar chuckled. “Tomorrow night, then. We’ll have the ceremony, then a party.” She sniffed. “I’d have a feast, but Loreli would never forgive me.”
Ruhger laughed. “Sure, she would. If you tried to label it a Loreli feast, then she’d never forgive you.”
“Right.” Lashtar shrugged. “Well, whatever you call it, there will be a ceremony, food, drink, and music. We’ve arranged for a local band to play, but I’m sure the Travelers will bring a group down too. They can trade off or play in another building. I’d like to hold the whole thing outside, but you know it’s likely to rain.”
“Doesn’t it always?” Ruhger asked, shuddering. “This place is terrible. Space is much better.”
Lashtar held up her hands, turning and inspecting them. “I’m always surprised I haven’t grown fins or flippers yet.”
Huh. Q had never realized Lashtar was funny.
“Or developed rust to go along with the ground-in mud,” Saree said. “Everything else has both.”
“I never knew cerimetal could rust until we moved here,” Lashtar said, laughing. A shadow crossed her face, and her laughter stopped. “I can hardly wait to leave. This place is terrible.”
Q felt her eyebrows raise. Was this really how Lashtar felt all along, or was it the relief of letting go of all her responsibilities?
Ruhger gripped Lashtar’s shoulder.
“Let’s grab some tea and see what last-minute chores Nat has for us,” Saree said.
Ruhger smiled at her. “Excellent idea.”
Lashtar snorted. “I’ll leave you two to deal with Nat. She’s not my problem anymore. I’ll finish packing.” She turned down the passageway. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“See you then,” Ruhger replied. Q followed them, sure Nat had more for her to do too. Even if she didn’t, Q did. She had an account to crack and a head enforcer to annoy.
Q walked through the halls of the Sisters’ main building and up to the security offices, plopping down in one of the chairs in the small area outside the main offices. There was never anyone here, and the chairs were surprisingly comfortable. She retraced her steps through the scripts she had running in Valenti and found they’d finished and done their work. She had the account numbers, access instructions, credentials, and tokens she needed. Enzo thought he was clever, hiding his credits in an Antlia bank used by lots of Gov Human personnel, but he wasn’t smart enough on his own. He’d done the transfers from Indomito, and she still had access to the comms there. He really needed a net expert to help him—his paranoia was his downfall. Q considered for a moment. It was a little surprising—she was sure they would have found her comm sniffer by now, but if they had, they were trying to use it to track her down. Since she was routing the traffic through the addresses the Gov Human military gave her on General Kerr’s flagship, they’d be hitting some pretty solid blocks. Q chuckled evilly, punching both fists to the ceiling.
After a short celebration, she got back to work, sending the scripts that would back her out of the security holes she’d exploited and wipe her traces from Valenti’s nets, along with a couple of little traps for anyone following her back on the route she’d used. She erased her current profile from the fold message centers throughout Cygnus and all her history. Since she had administrator access to Secundus’s fold message center, that part was easy.
Using a brand-new identity at the Cygnus Secundus messaging center, she sent the formal request to transfer all the credits except the minimum balance from Enzo’s account in Antlia to her new accounts on Nexus Station. Then she transferred half the funds from all those accounts to a numbered account she’d set up back on Valenti, administered by the “Emergency Worker Relief Fund” she’d set up for the families of those unfairly targeted by the enforcers on Indomito. Angelo and Roberto’s spouses ran the board. They were careful to keep the amounts distributed directly to each service worker’s family small, so no one got suspicious. A lot of the credits went to the food bank network and free medico clinics.
Then Q swiped at her e-torc again, sending an order to her Nexus bank account to transfer the remaining credits to four different accounts, three of which were at other banks. From there, she’d transfer several more times, but eventually, most of the credits would go to the Antlia bank account set up for her Gov Human military pay, the same one half of the new Fleet recruits used. Ten percent would end up here, with the Sisters.
Ironic, because the amount she’d stolen from Enzo was about the same number of credits she’d earn in a thirty-year military career. Q laughed. Once again, Enzo would lose. She could almost see his face growing purple, his teeth gritting, and his fists clenching. Hah! Q strikes again! She got up, bopping around and chortling for a minute, then went to check on the big ceremony.
#
Q STOOD JUST BEHIND Lashtar, Nat and Brin beside her, on the hastily erected stage at the front of the dining hall. She was flattered Ruhger, Saree, Lashtar, and Nat had all insisted on her involvement in the actual ceremony. Ruhger and Saree walked slowly toward them down parallel but separate aisles in the crowd. Both were throwing big grins at each other the whole way. Q couldn’t help but smile—their happiness was contagious.
The dining hall was packed. Even Ruth was there, at the very back of the crowd. She stood with a wall at her back, scanning the crowd for threats.
Saree wore an amazing dress with huge, gorgeous jewels. The dress was a deep, rich red at the shoulders and bust, matching the giant rubies in her necklace, then it faded to orange and finally pale, pale yellow at the bottom. Saree let them touch it—Tazan silk was so soft, so comforting. Ruhger wore Chef Loreli’s kerchief, the blindingly white triangle of Tazan silk around his neck. The two met in front of Lashtar, grasping hands. Sister Lashtar looked regal in the Mother’s ancient white, silver and gold robe, and Her blackwood staff.
Ruhger leaned in and kissed Saree quickly.
Aw. They were so cute.
Lashtar chuckled softly. “Ready?”
“Of course,” Ruhger answered, with Saree saying, “Yes!” at the same time.
Lashtar nodded at Brin. She rang the Sisters’ Circle bowl and let the tone ring. Whispers and conversations ceased, everyone gazing up at them.
Ruhger smiled again at Saree.
Q muttered, “Look at that, he does smile!”
Nat said, “Shh,” and kicked her lightly. Brin picked up the Sisters’ ancient worship text and opened it carefully, holding it so Lashtar could read it easily.
Lashtar’s voice rang out, sure and yet humble. “Gentle beings, welcome one and all. You witness the binding of these two human beings into one, partners for life, under the Mother’s care. Does anyone here object to this binding?” She waited for a moment, then continued, “Can anyone here attest to the good intentions of this couple, someone who has seen their fidelity and devotion demonstrated, who believes this partnership will endure forever?”
Chief Bhoher, standing just below them, said, “We, the crew of Lightwave, attest to the good intentions of both Saree of Jericho and Ruhger, Captain of Lightwave Fold Transport. They have proven their love and loyalty many times.”
Chief used their real names? Surprising. Everyone knew there were big rewards for information about Lightwave, her crew, and especially Saree. Well, they were all leaving immediately after the ceremony—the perfect way to bow out of the Sisters forever.
“So attested.” Lashtar looked at Ruhger, then Saree. “Both of you, repeat after me. I, state your name, swear to love and honor you for the rest of my days.”
Ruhger said, “I, Ruhger, swear to love and honor you, Saree of Jericho, for the rest of my days.”
Saree echoed him, “I, Saree, swear to love and honor you, Ruhger of Lightwave, for the rest of my days.”
Lashtar continued, “Do you swear to cleave only to each other, forsaking all other romantic and sexual attachments? To open communication and full disclosure? To nurture each other in every way possible? To act in each other’s best interests ahead of your own in balance with the greater community of living beings and the Mother?”
Ruhger and Saree both answered, “I do,” to each question. Somehow, Saree’s voice projected, even though she wasn’t yelling. She was a singer, so it must be something she’d learned to do.
As soon as the last, “I do,” rang out, Q turned back and carefully picked up the binding cloth. No one knew how old the cloth or the worship text were, so they handled them as little as possible. Lashtar took the long, narrow, roughly woven cloth from her, and Q breathed a sigh of relief.
Lashtar wrapped the cloth gently around the couple’s clasped hands. “As the faint reflection of the Mother in this universe, I hereby bind you, Saree of Jericho, and Ruhger, Captain of Lightwave, to each other forever.” She raised their hands high. “What is now joined, let no other part.”
Q yelled, “Yes!” while Nat and Brin said, “Mother bless you!” Applause, whoops, and blessing from the crowd were almost deafening. Lashtar eventually brought their hands back down and carefully unwound the ancient cloth, handing it back to Q. She carefully rolled it on the holder and placed it back in the case. Whew.
Ruhger pulled Saree into his arms and kissed her.
Nat stepped forward and announced, “Let the celebration begin!”
Ruhger released Saree, both of them turning to accept blessings from Nat and Brin. Q waited for her turn and got a hug from each of them, vaguely aware of Nat and Brin removing the Sisters’ precious relics. Ruhger jumped off the platform and lifted Saree off too. They got hugs and congratulations from their crew, joining into one giant hug, Lashtar with them. Q didn’t feel like she was quite family yet but maybe someday.
“Okay, enough of this for an old man,” Chief mock-grumbled, pulling out of the group hug. “I need a drink to cut all this sweetness and light.”
Lashtar laughed. “You and me both. I’m done. Nat and Brin can make sure no one gets too out of hand.”
Thanks be to the Mother Lashtar hadn’t named Q—she had every intention of celebrating her goodbye.
Chief grinned and put his arm around Lashtar’s waist. “Good. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Let’s go!” They disappeared into the crowd, the rest of the crew following. Ruhger and Saree were caught in a crush of congratulations, well-wishes, and blessings. Q sent a reminder to Saree that they’d stocked Beta shuttle with food and drink for them.
A message from Ruth popped in, and Q swiped it up. “Caught a sneaky lizard. Come to the north treehouse, now.” Blast. Q glanced at the party below her. She really wanted to celebrate, but if Ruth needed her, she had to go. She made her way to the back of the stage, dropping her borrowed Sister robes, and exited the rear door, checking to make sure it locked behind her. Then, she summoned a lift bike from the nearest charging station—she really didn’t feel like running tonight—and steered it virtually to meet her at the north gate.
Exiting the gate, Q was happy to see, from the messages on the security net, that Security was doing their jobs, rather than being completely distracted by the party. They were aware Ruth caught an intruder and were looking for more. Q sent a quick message back, thanking them, then pushed the power up on the bike. Night meant taking it slower, but she knew this route like the back of her hand, so it wasn’t long before she reached the treehouse and climbed to the top.
Peering up over the edge, she saw a man, upside down, swinging gently back and forth from ropes at his ankles, and Ruth, tapping her toe next to him. She was wearing hunting gear, including a head net, which not only kept the insects off her face but also concealed her face enough to confuse a stranger.
“New toy?” Q asked.
Ruth almost smiled. “I guess you could call him a cat toy.”
Q chuckled. “He does rather look like one.”
“Now, he does. Before, he looked like a scavenger, trying to mimic a sniper.” Ruth’s voice was raspier than usual. “He didn’t even come close.” She gave him a little shove, sending him swinging over the edge of the platform, and he moaned.
Q wasn’t sure why—it was dark, so he couldn’t see the drop. But Ruth had to bring him up here to begin with, so maybe the distance up was enough of an indication.
A derisive snort and Ruth jerked on the ropes binding the man, bringing him to a halt. “But I asked you out here for a reason. This guy’s got the look.”
The look?
A pin light appeared, spotlighting the man’s face. It was dirty, covered with the red slashes of swinging branches and a few bug bites, but Q recognized him. Unfortunately. “That’s Fabriano. I told you about him, remember?”
Ruth sniffed. “The bookie? They sent a screwup? It should be Idito, not Indomito.”
Q snickered but sobered quickly. “My guess is he isn’t here for anything but reconnaissance. He’s not supposed to be sneaking into the compound—he’s supposed to be checking nets here on Secundus.” She sniffed. “But the Sisters’ nets are locked down pretty well, aren’t they, Fab?”
He tried to sneer, but it looked pretty funny upside down.
Ruth sent him swinging again. “When he first woke up, he actually looked relieved for a moment.” Ruth snorted. “That didn’t last long. So, Fab, either you tell us exactly what you’re doing here, or we’ll just leave you here, like this. You won’t last long; the wildlife is pretty aggressive. Too bad for you it will be small wildlife, eating bits and pieces of you, slowly and painfully.” She sounded gleeful, but Q could tell Ruth wasn’t entirely comfortable. The counseling might have been more successful than any of them thought.
He jerked against the ropes but stopped when he swung harder. “Okay, okay, just don’t leave me here!”
Q told Ruth, “I didn’t think it would take long.”
“Do you promise not to leave me here?” Fab whined pitifully. “And cut me down?”
“Sure.” Ruth took out a machete and cut through the rope holding Fab up. He thudded down like an already-harvested lizard carcass.
“Ow!”
Ruth toed him. “Talk.” When he didn’t say anything, she added, “If it was me, I’d just cut your throat and toss you over, so talk.”
“Okay.” He gasped a bit. “I’ll talk. Give me a second.”
They both waited, Ruth’s toe tapping again. Q finally took a little pity on him. She held up a bev-tainer, and when he nodded, she dribbled some water in his mouth.
“Thanks.” Fabriano sighed. “Yes. I was sent to see if Quinn was here. They just wanted to get a pic or a vid because they figured out you’re not really on General Kerr’s flagship. I don’t know how they know that; it’s what they told me. If I could get sight of you, I’d get a chance at enforcer.”
Q’s lip curled. He was nasty enough to be one of them, but he didn’t have the trickiness required.
“But I couldn’t get through the net, and no one in town would talk about the Sisters at all. No one in Gov Human would, either, so I figured if I came out here and snuck up to the fence, I’d see you eventually.” Fab’s whining tone made Q’s ears ache.
“Why did they send you here?” Ruth asked.
“Because everyone goes home, even when they shouldn’t.” Fab looked so sad. If he hadn’t come looking for her, Q might be sympathetic—he’d obviously found that out for himself.
Ruth asked, “What happens if you don’t come back?”
“They’ll come looking for me in a week!” Fab’s eyes were wide—and scared.
Ruth’s mouth twisted in a parody of a smile. “I doubt it. But they might in two or three. Or never. So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to have a lovely stay in a secluded little cabin. You’ll be giving me your e-torc, with full access, and telling me exactly what messages need to be sent. If any of it is false, you’ll never see me again and you’ll die. Probably of starvation. Or cold if you’re lucky.” Ruth shrugged. “I won’t care, and Q will be long gone. See, if I hadn’t caught you, a predator would have, and you’d have never seen Q. She’s leaving tomorrow and never coming back.” Ruth looked in Q’s eyes as she said the last part.
Q nodded at Ruth. It was true—she couldn’t come back, not with Familia looking actively.
“You’re also going to tell me everything you know about Familia. Everything.” Ruth barked a rough laugh, or as close as she came to one. “Yep, you and I will get along fabulously, Fab. Get it?” Fab rolled his eyes, and Ruth gave him a sharp little jab with her boot. “Don’t disrespect me, Fab. You won’t like the results. I don’t like men. At all.”
“It’s true, all of it,” Q told him.
“I’ll string Familia along as long as I can. Then, I’ll let you go. But only if you cooperate—fully. And I do mean fully, Fab,” Ruth snarled.
“Okay! I get it! Capisce!”
Q shook her head slowly. “You’ll have to remind him more than once, Ruth. Probably every time you talk to him. But it’s a good plan. I’ll help you with the e-torc right now.” Q took Fabriano through the settings, making sure everything was unlocked, then she pulled it off his neck. She didn’t put it around her own neck but grabbed a game bag from Ruth’s belt, wrapped it around the e-torc, and held it up next to her. Fab’s face fell. “Really? You expected that to work? You are an idioto.” She sighed and put it back down around his neck, where she walked him back through all the security, then she held it up again, and started going through files. “Here’s the instructions for check-in, Ruth, I’m sending those to you now. And it looks like he’s got a ride out in a month.”
Q looked down at Fab. “If you’re smart, you won’t go home again. If you survive this, and there are no guarantees, you should run far and fast. Take that ticket and change it for a fringe world in Octans, Apus, or Pavo. Make a life for yourself far from Familia, Fab. Because you’re not going to make it through this one. Or you’ll wish you hadn’t. I don’t care how much your family has sheltered you so far, they can’t help you now. Run.”
Fab started blinking back tears, and Q turned to Ruth. “Even though it’s safe now, don’t put this on. Give it to K’tleen, tell her to use the captured enemy protocols.” She handed the e-torc to Ruth, who put it in her pocket. “You’re going to the mountain cabin?”
“Yes.” A smile flickered on Ruth’s face.
“Good choice.” Q grinned, then sighed and looked down at Fab again. “Goodbye, Fab. I hope this is the last time I see you because you won’t survive the next time. And, Fab, if you’re dumb enough to go back to Familia, warn Justice Fatima that Enzo must give up.” She shrugged. “I know he’s obsessed and embarrassed, but coming after me is useless. I have friends in very high places, and they’re not all human. He might end up a target if he’s not careful. And these beings don’t miss their targets.”
“Trust me, I’m not going back. I’m running just like you said,” Fab told her.
Q shook her head. “I doubt it, but I hope so. You’ll be a lot happier.” She tilted her head toward the other side of the treehouse, and Ruth followed her. “Thanks for taking care of this and not just killing him. He’s not very smart, or nice, but maybe he can learn.”
Ruth sniffed. “I doubt it. But we’ll try. Everyone deserves a second chance. If he takes it, great. But he’ll survive this and go back, I’m sure of it.”
“Yeah, me too.” Q took in a deep breath and let it out, letting all the regrets and could-have-beens go. One thing her time with the Sisters had done: she’d practiced forgiveness a lot and was getting better at it. “So, this is goodbye, right?” she asked Ruth.
Ruth actually smiled at her, a real smile. “Nah, it’s just farewell. I like you. I’ll see you again, but it won’t be here.”
Q laughed and held out her arms. “Deal.”
Ruth hugged her, then stepped back. “Farewell and safe folds.”
“You stay safe too.”
“See you soon.” Ruth left, and Q heard the noise as Ruth used a hand-tractor to lower Fab through the foliage.
Q stared up at the dark, cloudy sky until she couldn’t hear Ruth and Fab’s passage, then climbed down and started back to the compound. Time to make her final goodbyes and wish everyone here the best of luck and happiness. They didn’t need luck, though, because they were in great hands. Nat and Brin would lead the Sisters of Cygnus to a wonderful future.
That left Q free to fly, far and fast, and find a new adventure, taking some dangers away with her. She was more than ready to take control and move ahead on her own, rather than dance to someone else’s tune. If she could help the universe as a whole as she did? That was a fabulous opportunity. Q wouldn’t waste a moment—she’d thrust full power, straight ahead, into her new future!
The End!
Thanks for reading! Q’s adventures continue in Quinn of Cygnus: Escape Velocity, available now!
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