The Murdered Sun - Christie Golden [53]
Such questions, he knew, were dangerous. But Garai was growing older, and gradually, asking such things was becoming important to him.
Linneas was awaiting a response. Garai, defeated for the moment, gave it to him. "First Warrior is right, as usual," he said, keeping his voice dead serious. "We in the military act, as we have ever acted, for the benefit of our people. It was"--He did not want to say wrong, for such a word was loaded with meaning and could return to haunt him--"misguided of me to suggest otherwise."
Garai bowed low. He heard Linneas grunt, pleased.
"Clearly the encounter with the aliens has addled your brain, First Warrior. It has been a difficult time for all of us," he admitted with what he no doubt regarded as generosity. "Never before has our authority been so challenged. It is well that you have realized your misstatement."
And he walked on again, helmeted head held high, a shining armor-clad example of the best and the brightest the Akerian military had to offer.
Garai hesitated, then followed. His mind was made up. He would not question Linneas here and now. There was too much at stake, too many unresolved issues. He would command the Destroyer properly, with all Akerian honor, and bring it glory. But while aboard, he would watch his crew very carefully to see who, if any, might share his growing discontent and disillusionment with the military.
When they had returned, even if it meant his commission, even if it meant his neck, he would seek a private audience with the beautiful, gulfed empress and reveal the mammoth deception that had been going on for centuries.
***
"Chakotay to Janeway."
"Janeway here."
"Captain, I've just discovered something very important about Verunan technology."
"I've heard about the six ships if that's what you're referring to.
Lieutenant Paris gave me quite a rundown on them."
Chakotay smiled a little, never taking his eyes off the beautiful, giant colony ship that lay before him in the distance.
"I'm sure he did. But this is something else. Captain..." He hesitated, reached for the words. "The Verunans are not native to this system. I'm looking at a mammoth colony ship, estimated two, maybe three square kilometers. From what I can piece together about Nata's people, I assume they came here centuries ago in that ship, escorted by the six Guardians."
"Excuse me?"
"Forgive me--the escort ships. Captain, I was right to come and speak with the Viha. According to her, all their stories, their mythos, are allegorical and refer to actual incidents and places."
Quickly, he summarized Nata's story of the soul's journey, mentioning the names of the six ships. "Nata herself has come to the conclusion that it is time to return to the ship, see if it has any answers for them. She thinks that, if worst came to worst, at least some Verunans could survive in there."
He did not voice his own thoughts, not with the Viha standing right next to him, hope--real hope--making her mottled, furred face glow.
The colony ship might have served well enough to transport the Verunans, or whatever they had called themselves originally, through space to this planet. It might even, as Nata assured him, have housed them through violent planetary disturbances when they first landed.
But protect these people from a dying sun? He doubted it. Still, Chakotay was not about to crush this kindly soul's hope, not when he didn't yet have all the facts in.
Janeway, exercising her own considerable wisdom, did not ask for Chakotay's thoughts. Instead, she asked, "Is Viha Nata prepared to take you inside?" Then, almost immediately, "Can you get inside?"
Chakotay glanced over at the Viha, raising his eyebrow in question.
Nata nodded excitedly, her newfound hope straightening