Chaos Space - Marianne de Pierres [16]
Insignia projected her own external views upon Mira’s retina. Without the benefit of full immersion, Insignia’s version of space appeared as a translucent corduroy tapestry, ridged and furrowed, and impregnated with fiery pinpricks of light. Some of those lights passed in a blurred instant while others seemed to burn for ever. And all the while the biozoon rose and sank with the gigantic waves of the solar winds, leaving Mira hollow with awe.
‘I had no idea it would be like this,’ she said. ‘No idea.’
But even her witness to the biozoon’s marvellous abilities couldn’t lighten her inner misery. And the misery made her angry. How could she allow Trin Pellegrini’s act of violence to defeat her when so many Cipriano women had suffered as she had? They had not died inside from it. They had not been rendered impotent with resentment. They had accepted and moved through it.
Yet while the memory of hard male fingers on her body remained, Mira was caught on a pendulum of emotions.
She wondered how Cass was faring. And if it was Djeserit or she who was caring for Vito? Did he have enough to eat? Had Trin Pellegrini eluded the Saqr and led the survivors to the islands?
Insignia, is there any news of Araldis?
Constant reiteration, Mira Fedor, is a trait of the inferior mind. I would have told you had there been news.
When can you farcast to Scolar?
I have explained this already as well. My farcast relay is not functioning at optimum length. It will be possible after the next shift—perhaps.
Mira rolled unhappily onto her side in Primo vein. The biozoon could be so intractable when it chose. She must find a way to get closer to it.
What had you expected when you came to Araldis with my grandfather? She focused on the steady, unhurried rhythm of its biologies as she waited for an answer.
Learning. Although we were a nomadic race, our van-zoons knew that we must keep a reproductive core separate, to ensure the longevity of our species. I was born into this Core Mass. When it was my turn to be allowed to rove I dipped into our collective store of memories. That area of the galaxy is little known to us.
But you must have realised that our clan were destined to be planetbound?
It was my understanding that my Innate and I would be permitted to rove when the new world was settled. But the Latinos proved unreliable. When your father died, I lost my emissary to your Principe.
Mira wanted to speak more of her father but she sensed their conversation would be better served in another direction. You enjoy wandering?
‘Wander’ suggests lack of purpose and I have a deep purpose. We call our roving rafa.
Mira liked the sound of rafa. ‘And what is your purpose when you ... rafa?”
I don’t share my purpose! it said in an offended tone.
Embarrassment further warmed Mira’s skin. The biozoon reactions were so difficult to predict. I apologise for my ignorance. It can make me seem . . . impertinent.
Yes.
The vein temperature cooled abruptly and uncomfortable sensations prickled her skin.
Insignia?
The vein remoulded itself, forcing Mira into an upright position. The biozoon was forcing her out.
Reluctantly, she left the buccal to return to her cabin but Rast intercepted her in the high stratum. The mercenary was staggering, drunk or stoned.
‘Haven’t seen much of you lately, Baronessa. How are our contract negotiations coming along?’
Mira flattened herself against the stratum wall to avoid touching her. ‘They are . . . progressing,’ she lied.
‘Progressing, huh? Well, we’re getting bored and, let me tell you, that ain’t a good thing.’ Rast suddenly swayed across and leaned her body against Mira’s. She dropped her head to Mira’s neck, brushing her lips against the bare skin.
‘No!’ Mira cried out and pushed her away, running a couple of steps before Rast caught up with her.
‘Whoa there!’
Mira wrenched her wrist free, shaking, and unable to calm herself. ‘You have no right to—’
‘Fuck it, woman, what’s your problem?’ Rast held her hands up in a placatory gesture. She glanced up and down the stratum, embarrassed.
Mira