Marooned - Christie Golden [46]
"Nor are the Sshoush-shin," said Hrrrl, unexpectedly. "There is much distance between here and New Hann. The journey will not be easy. If you do not know what to eat and what to fear and how to fight, then you will not survive. We will escort you safely, Janeway. You are willing to undertake the risk to help save us, surely we owe you that much."
Surprise and pleasure filled Janeway. Once again, the old clichd, "You can't judge a book by its cover," had proven true. The Sshoush-shin were frightening in appearance, yet intelligent and gentle. And their leader had promised assistance on a dangerous mission out of friendship. She smiled at Hrrrl.
"Thank you, Hrrrl. I don't know how we can repay you.
He laughed, a harsh, barking sound. "If you can manage to talk a star-robber out of protecting his plunder, then you can move mountains. We will think of a way for you to repay us. In the meantime, I will send someone to hide your shuttlecraft, for it is certain that Aren will wish to confirm your demise. Until morning, I suggest you rest. You will need all your strength to cross the wilds of Mishkara."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" AREN YASMR Lounged IN HIS soft chair, sipping a hot beverage, his face deceptively composed.
Kula Dhad fought to keep his anxiety from showing. Yashar had an eye for weakness, and like any other predator, was wont to metaphorically tear out the throats of anyone he perceived as being weak.
"I said, the scouts have not yet found the shuttlecraft."
"That," said Yashar, taking another leisurely sip of his drink, "is what I thought you said. But you confuse me, Dhad. This simply cannot be correct."
Sweat beaded across Dhad's brow. He'd gloated to himself and others about being promoted from a lowly courier to the elite echelon of Yashar's most valued men. Now he wished that he were back with the peaceful Shamaris, breathing in the stink of their happiness, and had never clapped eyes upon the little girl-woman named Kes.
"I, I regret to inform you that it is correct. Howeyer, we have found some damaged parts, near the western mountain range. It is possible that they survived and managed to drag the shuttlecraft to-"
Dhad gasped as hot liquid splashed into his face. It wasn't hot enough to do damage, but it startled and frightened him. He knew better than to wipe it away, and simply stood, letting the beverage cool on his face and drip down his neck, soaking his high collar.
"You've seen the Alpha quadranters!" snapped Yashar, rising with that uncanny grace of his to stand with his face barely an inch away from Dhad's wet one. Angrily, he threw the empty cup down on the pale blue carpet. "Do you think they could manage to pull something as heavy as that shuttlecraft to safety?"
"N-no," stammered Dhad, averting his eyes. "But the only other solution is that your scouts are foolish, and you know and I know that is not the case!"
He blanched suddenly, willing the words back. But it was too late. They had been said, and they hung out there, almost resonating.
To his shock, Yashar suddenly appeared thoughtful. And when the commander raised his hand to his fellow Rhulani, it was not to strike Dhad, as he halfexpected, it was to pat him on the shoulder.
"You are right, Kula," he said, invoking the less formal name. Dhad closed his eyes in relief and his shoulders sagged. "My scouts are most assuredly not fools. But, equally certain is the fact that Janeway and her pathetic crew couldn't have moved the shuttlecraft or even hidden it unaided. Therefore, they must have had help." His purple eyes narrowed, and Kula Dhad almost did a dance of pleasure in that his master's anger was not directed at him. "Sshoushshin help. There's a settlement out that way, isn't there?"
A desire to say what the commander wished to hear warred with uncertainty. Rationalizing that Aren Yashar would be more displeased at a lie than an admission of lack of knowledge, Dhad licked his lips, tasted the sweet, cooling liquid still upon