Hellhole (64 page)

Keana understood that no person could remain unaffected by the experience. Adopting another full life amazed and nearly overwhelmed her. The symbiotic alliance with Uroa had made her realize the parochial insignificance of the entire Constellation, and how petty her mother’s politics truly were. How could human power squabbles compare with the possibility of Xayan ascension?

Although she could feel and understand Uroa’s exuberance, Keana also understood the
human
crisis that Xaya – Hallholme – now faced. This planet, the slickwater reservoirs, and the whole population must be protected. “After what General Adolphus has just done, we might soon face severe reprisals. It’s an immediate problem we’ll have to confront.”

“Together,” Uroa said.

“Together.”

In a valley filled with wild and tangled Xayan growth, nearly a thousand shadow-Xayans had established their colony, a pale mirror of the ethereal, animated cities that had once covered this world. Though the inhabitants appeared human, the buildings themselves were unusual and freeform, morphing in subtle ways from one shape into another.

Keana felt the excitement inside Uroa’s personality, a sense of memory akin to her wonder. As they landed gently in the center of the settlement, Keana caught the afterglow of his memories, gliding along in lush groves of the scarlet fronds, letting the fleshy plants stroke his sensitive, moist skin. Through his outer membrane, Uroa remembered flavors, the smells and sounds of the crimson forests, and the whispering of Xaya’s lushness.

“My world is awakening,” he said, his voice quiet inside of her.

And the shadow-Xayan city was even more magnificent. On the streets between the translucent, changing buildings, some people walked, while others levitated. Several converts leaped from atop tall structures, practicing their telemancy; some of them streaked away awkwardly, barely in control of their abilities.

A narrow-faced man with long brown hair approached Keana-Uroa. She recognized Fernando-Zairic, the man who had convinced Keana to jump into the slickwater after Cristoph rejected her. They shook hands in a human greeting, while the two Xayan personalities linked for a brief telepathic exchange.

Fernando-Zairic led them along the street, where Keana was astonished by the sights, smells, and concepts around her. As they walked together through the settlement, Uroa explained many of the things he saw, even though she did not have the vocabulary to describe it. However, Keana realized that if her mother observed this through the more limited filter of human experience, she would command that everything be seized, or destroyed, “for the good of the Constellation.”

This thought made her uneasy, and she refused to let Uroa forget the imminent threat from the Constellation. “My mother could ruin Xayan hopes as surely as the asteroid impact did.”

Uroa accepted her concerns. “We may be able to help General Adolphus in ways the Diadem will never expect. Look around you.”

Fernando-Zairic understood as well. “That is why you see so many shadow-Xayans practicing their skills. They must learn to set aside human impediments and coordinate their new abilities. We are much more powerful together, as partners, than the original telemancers were. It is a step towards the evolutionary shift.” He seemed happy rather than concerned. “When a few small difficulties are worked out, our two races will stand on each other’s shoulders.”

In a clearing where the dense and thriving alien weed had been harvested, hundreds of shadow-Xayans stood in a spiral arrangement, their prismatic eyes focused far away. Above their heads, peculiar shapes sparkled and flashed in an ever-changing parade of coils and geometric forms. Nearby, the tall alien weed seemed to sway in time to unheard music.

Wondrous living buildings surrounded the central spiral, leaning and expanding, changing colors, shapes, and textures by the moment. Window and door arrangements came and went; elevated walkways appeared beside structural extrusions, extensions, and moldings. The buildings themselves were telemantically generated, shaped and altered by the powers of the alien minds.

“Shadow-Xayan telemancers are imagining these new buildings into existence,” Uroa explained to her. Keana sensed a restless energy, as if the creators remained dissatisfied with their creations.

Fernando-Zairic watched their attempts. “Even with the slickwater, there are memory gaps, holes in recollection. But we keep trying. It is a relentless collective effort.”

Keana did not feel afraid even when the towering, unstable structures leaned toward her and hovered overhead. Inside, she sensed that Uroa’s own telemancy could easily deflect any danger. Finally the group of telemancers reached consensus, causing the shape of the building to hold and solidify.

When the wind blew around and through the structures, it created sounds that Keana found inexplicably comforting. Though she wasn’t aware of having moved, she discovered that she had joined the others in the spiral, and Uroa was guiding their thoughts, pressing gently, coaxing her to help him – and to learn.

Her human mind could not be entirely at ease, because she knew what her mother would do in response to the General’s announcement. But she still held out hope of preventing bloodshed. Perhaps with the Xayan ideas of Uroa and Zairic, along with a bold move she had in mind, they might find a way to avert a second catastrophe on this world.

W
ith the new DZ stringline network in place, Adolphus received rapid reports from all the other planets via emergency mail drones.

On Destination Day, only one of the other territorial governors had been out in the Deep Zone rather than back at her offices on Sonjeera. Unfortunately, the governor chose to stand with the Constellation government, issuing orders to destroy the unwanted terminus rings and sever the new stringlines linking her planet with Hellhole. Adolphus’s secret operatives staged a coup and imprisoned the intractable governor, then took steps to secure all the planets in her territory. With astonishing speed and zeal, the deputy planetary administrator rallied the people against the territorial governor and put the woman under house arrest for “acting against the common good.”

Adolphus saw to it that the old Constellation terminus rings above DZ worlds were rigged with scuttling charges that could be detonated on a moment’s notice – if he was forced to do so. For now, the lines would be left open for communication purposes, and as a bargaining chip, although Adolphus held little expectation that war might be avoided.

Now, he could only wait.

Two aliens in human bodies arrived at Elba shortly before dawn. When Adolphus met them in his parlor, he recognized Fernando and Keana. Fernando-Zairic spoke without formalities. “General Adolphus, we have come to offer a possible solution to the current crisis with the Constellation.” He looked over at his companion.

Keana-Uroa said, “I understand the turmoil I inadvertently caused when I entered the slickwater. I did not mean to place you in such a difficult position.”

“Your joining the shadow-Xayans is only part of the problem, Princess, but I’ll be happy to hear suggestions for a way to avoid bloodshed.”

Keana said, “Allow me to go to Sonjeera as an ambassador – I am in a position to represent both you and the Xayans. This is a critical time. No shots have been fired yet, no violence unleashed, so we may still salvage this. Remember who I am – both Keana Duchenet and the Xayan leader Uroa. I can negotiate an end to these tensions if you let me play both roles. The Diadem will at least listen to me.”

“We must make the attempt to avoid killing,” Fernando-Zairic said, nodding in agreement. “A prolonged and destructive war does not serve your interests, the Diadem’s, or the Xayans’. We must prevent that at all costs.”

Keana-Uroa continued, as if they had planned and choreographed their speech to the last detail. “This is a watershed moment in many ways, General. Much hinges on how the Constellation reacts. Diadem Michella needs to understand exactly what has happened here. She needs to hear it from
us
, rather than through her spies.”

Adolphus shook his head. “Absolutely not. I cannot allow you to go back to Sonjeera, Princess Keana. That should be self-evident.”

“So am I a hostage after all?”

“Not in so many words. I didn’t want you here in the first place, and I certainly didn’t want you to take on a Xayan personality, but you’re here now, and there’s no way around it. Much as I hate to admit it, you are our best bargaining chip, because your mother may not launch an open attack on Hallholme as long as you are in the line of fire.”

Keana seemed amused. “So now you are using me as a human shield, just as Commodore Hallholme used innocent hostages at the end of your rebellion?”

Adolphus didn’t like the comparison. “The tactic was effective, wasn’t it?”

“Effective against you, but you are a man of honor and compassion. My mother is quite different.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t just hand you over to the Diadem.”

Fernando-Zairic remained silent, deep in thought. When he finally spoke, he drew upon both his alien and human oratory skills. “Then
I
should be the one to go to Sonjeera. The Xayan race regarded Zairic highly. I was their visionary, their prophet, and their general. My words inspired our people to dream of our race’s
ala’ru
, and I helped preserve them before the asteroid struck. I drew together many factions, unified most of the Xayans.”

“And how does that help us?”

The other man grinned as the old Fernando personality came to the fore. “I’ll go back to Sonjeera, along with several other shadow-Xayans.
We’ll
tell the Diadem the news, explain the wondrous thing that has happened to us and to Princess Keana. Seeing us, Michella will have to believe. And, let’s face it, General, as a human, I mean nothing to the Diadem.”

“You’re both being naïve. It won’t be that simple – we already fooled the Diadem’s inspector, convincing him that your group was just another deluded cult here on Hellhole. Why should Michella believe you now? And what if she doesn’t care?”

“Then one of the Originals must go along,” Keana said. “How else to show her the sheer import of what’s happening here? What better way to dispel skepticism? Show her something she can’t deny. Once she sees a genuine Xayan, she will know this is not just some mass delusion. And if Zairic can get through to her, if he can make her listen and give her a demonstration of relevancy, then the whole playing field will change.”

Zairic’s soft yet compelling voice was insistent. “This goes well beyond mere political or economic disagreements, General Adolphus. You have seen the powers we Xayans demonstrate. Our overarching goal is to revive the Xayan race, and for that we will need the help of your people. It benefits us all if we insist on peace.”

“Easier said than done.” Adolphus thought the two were being obtuse, but he continued to ponder. After revealing his stringline network and making his announcement, he had impounded the Constellation hauler in orbit and prevented it from leaving. He had also taken the Diadem’s known representatives into custody, just to prevent them from causing trouble.

At this point, he was waiting for the other side to make their move. And what did he really have to lose?

Adolphus made his decision. “For obvious reasons, I can’t accompany you myself, any more than I can let Keana go back to Sonjeera. I’ve got to maintain any advantage I have.” He scratched his cheek, considering. Maybe he could surprise the Diadem enough, make her hesitate . . . Zairic and his emissaries might be able to accomplish that, putting the old tyrant off balance. “One way or another, we’ll have to open the communication channels.” The General let out a long breath. “I don’t want to minimize the risk. If you go, bear in mind that I will do whatever is necessary to protect this planet and the new stringline hub and all fifty-four Deep Zone planets. I may find it necessary to close down the Michella Town spaceport, perhaps even terminate all stringline travel back to the Crown Jewel worlds. If things go badly, you might not be able to get back here. Or the Diadem could just execute you. Are you still willing to go?”