Transformation Space - Marianne de Pierres [16]
Even so, there was no mistaking what was happening at the top half of the projection.
‘Geni-carriers,’ gasped Javid. It was the first time he’d spoken since entering the room.
‘How many?’ moaned Labile Connit. ‘How goddamned many?’
The chief continued to stare at the images, his mind processing what he’d just seen. What did that mean? Why was it happening? And did it bear any relation to … ‘Kill the feed,’ he subvocalised to the station moud.
The tyros blinked at each other, and then at him.
‘There is something else you should know,’ he said without further pause. ‘The Entity has gone.’
Sole
Time to get’m
Soak’m up
Let’m burn all
Push push push
Make all change
Luscious
THALES
‘You took the blame for me,’ said Thales.
Fariss had lounged on the bed while he bathed, and now she watched him while he searched among the shelves for a robe that would fit. He found a plain fellalo and slipped it over his head, pressing the seals together with weak fingers. Though the biozoon had healed the worst of his facial scars, Thales felt his strength was a long way from returning.
Fariss whistled with disappointment at his vanishing nakedness. ‘You getting dressed already?’ she teased, ignoring his question.
Thales’s body warmed as she leered. He couldn’t quite explain his feelings for this semi-literate Consilience soldier. She’d broken a man’s neck on Edo to save him, and risked much to bring him aboard Lasper Farr’s ship as her consort – booty, she’d called him. Then, when he’d stabbed the mercenary Macken who was trying to rape him, she’d broken this man’s neck too and smuggled Thales off the ship. Taken a murder charge for him.
They’d only known each other a few weeks, but her impact on his life was beyond measure. On the trip to Intel station for the summit meeting she’d instructed him on when and how she would like sex, and slapped him if he offended her. Her behaviour made a mockery of the way he’d been socialised – sensibilities, etiquette, appetites all turned inside out. And yet as he stood before her, as shy as a young boy, a deep-seated longing beset him. He was in love with Fariss O’Dea in a way he hadn’t known to be possible.
His time with Bethany Ionil – Lasper Farr’s sister – had been comforting and educational, but never once had he experienced such powerful, overwhelming emotions.
Only one woman had made him ache with longing before, and he had to speak to her soon, tell her what had befallen him in the months since he had fled his home. His wife.
‘I have to speak to … someone who may be able to help the Baronessa. The biozoon hasn’t been able to stop the birthing process that has begun, only slow it down. She will have the baby soon – a day, or maybe even hours.’
‘Well, I’m all for getting her off here then. Pregnant women make me angry.’ She laughed, then squeezed one of her breasts into a lewd shape. ‘Might give us some alone time. I’ve been pretty bored while you’ve been sleeping. Time you entertained me.’
Thales’s skin heated with desire, but he shook his head. ‘Farris, there are things I want to do here. Would – would you help me?’
Fariss had come with him of her own free will. Her time and interest was not his to command.
‘Like?’
‘When I left Scolar, I was running away from the Sophos. The things that have happened to me since then have been ugly … sordid. I’m not sure what I’ve learned exactly, other than to know that this is important. Truly. I must warn the Sophos of the virus that has been loosed on our people. I cannot let our society lose the one thing that gives it meaning – its intellect. Gutnee Paraburd must be brought to account for what he has done, and so must the ones who devised such an insidious agent.’
‘Brought to account,’ repeated Fariss. ‘I like the sound of that.’ She grinned. ‘I’m with you as long as I get to play with you first.’
Thales moved over to her and sat down. Her big muscular body took up most