Between Darkness and Light (92 page)

AS he surfaced from sleep, Kusac knew instantly that he was alone. Considering the alcohol he'd drunk and what he'd been dosed with the night before, he felt remarkably clearheaded. Moving his head, he lifted his arm to peer at his wrist comm. As he did, Banner's scent filled his nostrils, making him sigh and forget about the time. Had it been any other time but last night, and any other place but here ... but it wasn't, and he had to deal with the fact he still had to keep Banner at arm's length.

There were other things he had to deal with, he remembered, like the matter of the sheets. A quick glance at his watch as he got up told him it was just past second hour. Time enough for him to see to what he needed to do, provided Banner didn't return first.

He left the remade bed in what he hoped looked like the rumpled state it had been when he first got up. The soiled sheets he had briefly considered stuffing down the garbage disposal, then decided not to in case they caused a blockage and were discovered. Instead he concealed them in his kit bag alongside the packs of fertilizer he'd taken from Dzaou, making a mental note that he needed to dispose of them, too. Then, emotionally tired out before his day had even begun, he had a shower.

He was toweling himself dry when he sensed Banner's return. A moment later, the older male poked his head round the door.

“You're up, good,” Banner said, coming in and sitting on the end of the bed. “I've just been filling the others in on the basics—no details, of course—of what happened last night. I figured you'd rather not have to tell them yourself.”

Automatically, his ears flattened against his skull. “Thank you,” he mumbled, hiding his embarrassment, and gratitude, by going over to his drawers to pull out a clean black tunic. Getting caught once by Zayshul had been bad enough, but for it to happen a second time ... He was angry with himself as much as her, whoever she was.

Acutely aware of Banner's thoughts as the other watched him, he wondered who'd be the one to mention their changed relationship first.

Slipping his tunic on, he pressed the seal closed as he turned round looking for his weapons belt.

Banner bent down and picked it up off the floor, holding it out to him. “About last night,” he said, “Don't get yourself into a state about it. We both know I was there for you because you needed me. However, if you decide you'd like my company anytime, let me know.”

He nodded, taking the belt from him and fastening it round his waist. “Again, thank you,” he said. “I appreciate what you did.”

Banner shrugged and got up, reaching out to ruffle the hair where his ears lay flat. “It was no hardship,” he grinned. “Oh, they're sending someone from Maintenance to fix your door as soon as first meal's over. Till then, they'll leave a guard outside. Talking of which,” he said, glancing at his wrist comm, “I suggest we get a move on. I took a stroll down to the mess after I'd spoken to Khadui and Jayza, and no one there seemed to be aware that anything had happened last night. You've no need to worry that everyone's talking about it.”

“That's a relief,” he murmured, forcing his ears upright again as he followed Banner out into the lounge.

“You're all right, aren't you?” Banner asked, turning to look at him as he stopped by the door. “I know your self-confidence will have taken a knock, but that's understandable.”

“I'll be fine,” he said, unconsciously squaring his shoulders. “The whole incident was embarrassing more than anything else.”

Banner frowned. “You're sure?”

Impulsively he reached out to touch the other's neck briefly. “I'm fine,” he repeated with a smile. “Let's go. The food doesn't improve by being cold.”

Grinning, Banner turned back to the door, forcing it back into its recess until they could squeeze through the gap.

“Good job Dzaou's not here,” Kusac said, surveying the wrecked door. “I'd be using his head to beat it flat from the other side.”

Banner laughed. “Forgot to tell you that Security asked Khadui this morning to change rooms with Dzaou so he's on the other side of our block. Apparently they've been aware of him spying on you for some time and after this, they want him moved to where they can keep an eye on him with their cameras. He won't be able to peer through a crack in his door anymore.”

“Thank Vartra for that!” he said. “Did Khadui agree?”

“Immediately,” said Banner as they headed toward the iris at the junction with corridor K. “He's getting disillusioned with him, too.”

“Dzaou's a liability. I'm going to have to do something about him.”

“But what? The only opinion he really respects is his own.”

“We'll see next training night,” he said as they stepped into the air lock area formed by the three open irises where the corridors intersected.

“Can you take him? You're improving, but I don't know if you're up to his speed.”

He glanced at Banner, an amused look on his face. “I can take him,” he said. “You've only seen me sparring, not fighting.”

“You'd better be sure,” Banner said. “If you fail, he'll only become more of a problem.”

“Trust me,” he said.

 

M'kou ushered them into Kezule's office.

“Good morning,” said Kezule from his desk at the other end of the room. “Please make yourselves comfortable on the seats there, I'll be with you in a moment. I'm just reading through the report from Security.”

Kusac took the first easy chair as Banner headed for the sofa opposite him. A few minutes later, Kezule joined them.

“So far, Security have drawn blanks,” the General said. “The female, whoever she was, disappeared without leaving any clues as to her identity behind. Lab coats are sent to the main laundry to be washed—anyone could have walked in there and taken one without being noticed. No meds of that kind were issued to anyone in the last three days, and none are missing from either sick bay. Since you were unwilling for tests to be taken last night, we really need a description if we're going to have any hope of finding her.”

“I was asleep when she came into my room,” he said, forcing himself to meet Kezule's gaze. “I was so drugged that I thought I was dreaming. It wasn't till Dzaou flung the door open that I realized what was happening.”

“Can you describe her, Captain?” Kezule asked. “Was there anything about her that you remember? Any distinguishing features or markings? Her scent or the way she talked? Did she wear any jewelry?”

He shook his head. “No, nothing. She only said a couple of words, not enough to be able to identify her.”

“Then, unfortunately, I am at a loss as to how to proceed. Security have kept their inquiries low-key so as not to draw attention to the incident since hardly anyone outside your crew and the Security personnel themselves know about it. However, if you wish, we can question everyone, but I have grave doubts that anything useful will be achieved.”

“She shouldn't be allowed to get away with this!” exclaimed Banner.

“I deplore what happened as much as you, Lieutenant, but there's nothing more I can do.”

“What did Dzaou see?” he asked.

“He was kind enough to tell us that all the females look alike to him,” said Kezule wryly. “He didn't get a good look at her because as soon as he opened the door, she attacked him and ran off.”

“Dzaou was saying that your Security personnel were so busy trying to apprehend him that they totally ignored her,” said Banner. “Where were they when Dzaou was inside Kusac's suite?”

“They were in the lounge,” said Kezule. “As I said last night, you have to appreciate that having a female in your room was not considered as important as apprehending the person they'd seen trying, then succeeding, in breaking open your door and who had attacked them. They didn't believe his allegations, and given the evidence of Dzaou's subsequent actions, who can honestly blame them?”

“What did Dzaou actually do when the night watch came on the scene?” asked Banner.

Kezule picked up his report and leafed through it. “Dzaou was pressing the number pad, trying to gain access to the Captain's room. When challenged, he demanded that the Captain's door be opened as he'd seen a female entering it illegally. When the guard refused to believe him,” Kezule looked up briefly, “for that I think we can assume it reads laughed at him, Dzaou grew angry and began to use force on the door. He was then apprehended, and started a fight, which resulted in a second guard coming to the assistance of the first.”

Kezule stopped to turn the page, then continued. “By that time, Dzaou had forced the door open and entered the suite. As they followed him in, they called for reinforcements. This was the point at which Dzaou was sent flying by the female and she came running out. The guards apprehended Dzaou as you,” he glanced up at Banner, “came out of your room and into the Captain's suite, demanding to know what was going on. Reinforcements arrived at this point, and you know the rest,” he concluded, putting the file down on the low table. “I can have copies of this made for you if you wish. It includes Dzaou's statement, taken when he was booked into the brig.”

“Please,” said Kusac, looking across at Banner. In one way, he was glad the female couldn't be found. He'd no wish for the whole Outpost to know what had happened to him. He had his own suspicions about her. “I don't think there's much else you can do,” he said. “As for Dzaou, I'll punish him. He's one of my crew and answerable only to me.”

“I disagree,” said Kezule. “He attacked two of my officers, and seriously damaged property, that makes him answerable to me and the rules governing the military side of Kij'ik.”

“I told you when we arrived that we would not be bound by your rules,” Kusac said, his ears tilting forward and sideways in the beginnings of anger. “We're independent of you, Kezule. I will discipline my own people.”

“What would your punishment be?” asked Banner. “A month in the brig? We can devise something far more useful.”

Kezule sat back in his chair and surveyed them both. “Continue,” he said.

“Two weeks on fatigues, working in the kitchens at mealtimes, and the laundry the rest of the time,” said Banner. “Double shifts. He doesn't go off duty till eighteenth hour, your 22:00 at night, then he's confined to his quarters until the following morning.”

“It has appeal,” said Kezule, a spark of amusement showing in his eyes. “It would also free up two people to help the salvage crew.” He thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Agreed. He can be released into your custody now, his punishment starting immediately.”

Kusac nodded. “Thank you,” he said, getting to his feet.

“The brig's on your level. If you go to Security, they'll fetch him for you. I'll have copies of the report ready for you to pick up from Security when you come off duty today,” said Kezule, standing up. “Doctor Zayshul is waiting for you in the sick bay. I'm sorry we couldn't do more to find your attacker, Captain. You have my sympathy for what happened.”

M'kou escorted them back to the elevator and left them there. “There's nothing more he could have done, given the situation,” said Kusac, breaking the silence as they waited for the elevator. He was well aware that Banner was more angered by the incident than he was.

“I know, but I don't have to like it,” Banner growled. “A serious crime was committed against you last night. We shouldn't let them minimize it.”

“I don't think he is,” said Kusac.

Banner sighed. “I suppose. At least we have Dzaou back.”

“Do we want him?” he asked with an attempt at levity.

“Not really,” Banner grinned. “Still, he's got two weeks of hard work ahead of him, and a change of room.”

The elevator doors opened and Kusac hesitated before entering. “Are you off down to the landing bay for your shift now?”

Banner nodded. “You take this one, I'll wait for it to return.”

“I'll see you later, then,” he said, stepping in and pressing the pad for his level.

Once more back up on the Officers' level, Kusac headed for sick bay reception and was directed to the treatment rooms.

“You can cut through the door over there instead of going round, Captain,” said the medic, pointing to the door opposite. “Doctor Zayshul's in the one nearest the lab.”

“Thank you,” he said.

Zayshul looked up as he entered. “You don't look any the worse for last night,” she said as he came over to sit on the chair beside her desk. “Are you all right? How do you feel?”