Marooned - Christie Golden [64]
"A variety of races. If you're interested, I can show you how to research them on the computer. Do you enjoy learningabout alien races?"
"enjoy learningabout everything," Kes answered honestly.
"There ig much information in these computers, and most of the Ja'in are Rhulani. We have lived a long time, and have seen much. Between my people and my computers, I think you will run out of questions before we run out of answers for you."
They had reached the floor now. Kes made a quick bet with herself and won it. The moment his feet reached the last step, Aren turned around, once again positioning her so that she would not be able to see his back. He extended a hand, but Kes didn't take it. If he was irritated by the refusal, he did not show it.
"So, my little bird, what catches your fancy? Name the topic and we shall find it."
"You mentioned that this base once had extensive terraforming technology," said Kes. "Where would that be?"
Aren clapped his hands together twice. At once, the slimmer, nervous looking Rhulani named Kula Dhad hastened up. "Great one?" he asked, bowing quickly.
"You've worked with the archives on these computers, haven't you?"
"Yes, Great One, although Shanri Shul is more-"
"Excellent. My dear Kes has expressed an interest in learningabout Mishkara's past, especially the terraforming technology used by the Sshoush-shin. Can you teach her how to access those old records?"
"I shall do my utmost," replied Kula Dhad promptly.
"Then, dear one, I leave you to the attentive care of Kula Dhad. If you have any questions, he will either answer them, or find someone who can."
"Indeed, Great Kes."
"No, please," replied Kes, uncomfortable with the adjective, "I'm just Kes."
Dhad glanced from Aren to Kes and back again. Aren inclined his head slightly, and Dhad relaxed. "As you wish, Kes."
Aren turned to climb back up the stairs. Surprising herself, Kes blurted out, "Where are you going, Aren?"
He paused in mid step, and surprised pleasure lit his face. "Why, little bird? Will you miss me?"
Kes didn't know how to respond. "I-you've never left me with anyone else before. I just wondered."
"Would you like me to stay?"
"No, no, that's all right," Kes replied, wondering why polite, soothing words were slipping past her lips instead of angry defiance. "I'm sure Kula Dhad will be a fine teacher."
Aren hesitated, his purple eyes searching her face. "It is said that time away from one makes you long for one's return. I hope that is true with you, little bird. I know it is true of me." Quickly, he ascended the stairs, his booted feet making the metal ring. Kes watched him until he vanished into the shadows.
She turned and found Dhad watching her with sharp eyes. His appraising expression melted into that of the obeisant servant he had been before Aren Yashar.
"You're all terribly afraid of him, aren't you?" she asked.
"We'd be fools not to be," was Dhad's simple, eloquent reply. "He rules this base as a god rules his world. Now, Kes, you wished to see the history of terraforming on Mishkara?"
iso I HE SUN'S LIGHT FADED. ONE COULDN'T PROPERLY CALL it a sunset, thought Paris; you needed to be able to see the sun to watch it set on a horizon. But the light did disappear, and he resigned himself to yet another night of hiking.
He ran a hand through his hair. It was wet and greasy with sweat. Even the hologirls probably wouldn't look twice at him now. He felt incredibly filthy. Paris took a few deep breaths, gathering the wherewithal to rise.
These last few days were really taking a toll on him. He'd fancied himself pretty physically fit, but this trek, with its rationing of unpalatable food and warm, brackish water, heavy packs and cloaks, and, above all, thin air, was really taking a toll. He'd thought the hydrosailing, swimming, skiing, and mountain climbing that comprised a great holodeck break were suffi cient to keep him in peak condition, but apparently not.