Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [42]
Chuckling, Torrna said, “”A little bit of agnosticism.’ What a wonderful way of phrasing it. I may not be the most spiritual person in the world, Ashla, but” He hesitated. “Perhaps you’re right. But even if I thought the Bajora were the most wonderful people in the world, I wouldn’t want to become part of them. Someday, maybe, but not today. Not after all we’ve fought for.”
Kira put a soothing hand on Torrna’s shoulder. “I know, Antosso. Believe me, I know. But you can’t blind yourself to a good thing just because you don’t like it.”
“I know that.” He smiled. “Well, at least, I sometimes know that.”
Taking in the newly cleaned room with a gesture, Kira asked, “That why you had the cleaning frenzy?”
Torrna laughed. “It was either that or punch through the walls and I do have to live here.”
Wincing, Kira said, “Well, actually, no, you don’t. That’s the bad news the prefect wants you to relocate to the port and set up your office there to serve as liaison to the Endtree fleet.”
It took only a second for Torrna’s face to go from amused contriteness to vicious fury. “An office? Inna hasn’t even asked her government’s permission yet, but Natlar wants me to set up an office?”
“She’s hoping for the best,” Kira said with a shrug. “Besides, after your performance today, I think she wants to keep you far away from the capitol building.”
“Yes,” he said bitterly, “to keep my voice from being heard.”
Kira smiled. “Antosso, even from the port, your voice is going to be heard.”
Torrna whirled on her, then let out a long, hissing breath that sounded like a deflating balloon apt, since the crack seemed to deflate his anger. “How do you do that, Ashla?”
“Do what?”
“All of this.”
“I haven’t done anything, Antosso.”
“You may not think so, but you have been a most valued righthand. And one I am reluctant to lose. If I am to be exiled to Natlar Port”
“What?”
He smiled. “The resolution to pass the name change has been postponed until the prefect isn’t in the room, since she’d never let it come to a vote otherwise. In any case, if that is where I am to be sent, I want you by my side. To guard my back and to keep me from making a complete ass of myself.”
Kira hesitated. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course. Let me know tomorrow. It will take me that long to pack up my own belongings and inform Lyyra and the boys that we’ll be moving.”
“Moving where?” came a voice from the doorway.
Kira turned to see a large, stout woman with a mane of red hair to match Torrna’s own standing in the doorway to Torrna’s quarters. She had met the general’s wife only once, but she was probably the only person who could stand up to Torrna and not be killed for their trouble.
“I am to be the new liaison with the Endtree fleet that will be occupying the port.”
“Good. The change in climate will do some good. The humidity opens your pores, you know.” She turned to Kira. “How are you, Nerys? Is the arm healing well?”
Lyyra was an apothecary, and the first time Kira had met her was when she’d given her a remedy to help heal her arm faster.
“Well enough,” she said neutrally. I’d kill for a dermal regenerator, but this’ll do.
“I still want to know what you’ve done to keep your teeth so perfect.”
“Nothing special.” Not wanting to pursue this line of questioning, she said, “I need to get going and think about your offer. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good to see you, Lyyra.”
Chapter 4
Kira Nerys lay on the bunk in the barracks that she shared with a dozen other soldiers. It had been surprisingly easy to readjust to sleeping in uncomfortable beds or no beds at all. Since arriving here
Whenever that was…
she had either slept on cold ground or on uncomfortable beds, either way crammed into a too-small space with dozens of other soldiers.
Just like the good old days, millennia from now.
Kira’s memories of arriving in Bajor’s past were hazy. She often didn’t