Nova finished quickly and fell straight to sleep. Mira lifted her back up onto her shoulder and wriggled back into the sleeve.
As she pressed the seal on the overall back together, the service door burst open. A red-robed politic guard staggered out holding his head, blood running from a wound on his temple.
Mira pressed against the wall, out of his way, and he barely spared her a glance as he lunged past. Through the doorway, she saw fallen bodies in uniform robes. She glanced back to the guard, but hed disappeared out of the corridor, probably looking for a.s.sistance.
Mira ran to the doorway and peered through in both directions. She glimpsed two figures, one much taller than the other, trying to open a series of locked doors.
"Thales! she called. "Fariss!
ODea jerked around, wielding a metal stanchion.
"Mira. Thaless voice was hoa.r.s.e and soft. "Come.
She climbed over the fallen guards and hurried to join them.
Fariss levered a door open with her weapon and hustled them inside. While she relocked it from the inside, Thales embraced Mira.
"The baby, he said, stroking Novas head. Wonder smoothed the worry from his face, and he looked as young and attractive as the first time shes seen him.
"What have you- But Mira didnt let him finish. "The man that you spoke of to me... the one who duped you here. Gutnee.
"Gutnee Paraburd? Thales gripped her arm. "What of him?
"Hes outside, sitting at the kaffe across from here.
"How do you know?
"I stopped to ask directions. The kaffe attendant was watching Fariss and another "esque. The man seemed... familiar. Not someone I knew, but yet I felt as if I did. I asked the attendant who he was. He said his name... I remembered it. I went to tell Fariss, but shed come down this corridor.
Thales let go of Mira and turned to Fariss. "I must find him. The Sophos will not be able to ignore me if I can show them Paraburd.
The soldiers broad expressive face creased with mistrust. "You sure, hon? From what I can see, theyre not gonna believe you anyways.
"Signorina ODea is right, Thales.
"Fariss, the soldier said to Mira. "Not Signorina anything. Whats going on out there? "Esques everywhere. Heard some things while I was waitin around. Seems too busy to be just rumour.
Mira quickly told them of the Sophos announcement and the broadcast images. "Im going back to Insignia. We believe it is better to leave now.
"But you could res-shift straight into trouble, said Thales.
"The Pod will keep us informed, and I dont wish to be trapped here. I will take my chances. Now Nova has been born, there are things I must try to do. Will you come with me? Unless the shift sphere is disabled, they will come and destroy your world. Your Sophos dont see the threat as real.
Thales and Fariss looked at each other, an exchange that held meaning she couldnt decipher.
"Then I must make sure that they do, said Thales.
Mira saw the strength of his resolution, felt his need to accomplish this.
She nodded. "Then I wish you success. A woman who works in the galley at Mount Clement, named Linnea, helped deliver Nova. She says many are unhappy with the Sophos. If you find her, she might lend you support.
"What sort of support?
"She is Pensare.
Thales raised both eyebrows.
"Womens movement. Theyre everywhere. Militant, some of them, said Fariss. "I thought about joining "em, then I met Sammy.
"Mia sorella is-was Pensare.
"Your sister was one? I would find this woman at the clinic?
Mira shook her head. "Dont go there. They are too curious. Linnea lives in the town below the clinic.
"Clementvale?
Mira nodded. "Si, thats it.
They stared at each other, and Thales touched Novas head again. "You have been a true friend, Mira Fedor. Ill never forget that.
She nodded. "And you, Thales Berniere.
He leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. "May Villon protect you and Nova.
"May Villon protect us all, Mira said.
Fariss cracked the door open and looked out into the corridor. "Go now and youll be unnoticed. Theyre looking for Thales and me. Not you.
Mira didnt have to ask Fariss what her decision was. The soldier had chosen to come here with Thales, and she would stay with him. Their coupling was unlikely, but their bond seemed strong. She envied them.
As Mira entered the buccal, she felt Insignia quiver. It was only something that an innate could sense, a deep frisson of pleasure and antic.i.p.ation that played along her skin and resonated in her chest.
Our child, Mira.
"Si. Mira didnt disagree for now was not the time for such discussions. She didnt understand the biozoons obsession with her baby, but now that Nova had been born, Insignias ecstasy was plain. We should leave.
We have been given a place in the queue. Will we have company?
No. Thales and Fariss arent joining us.
Mira sank gratefully down into Primo and laid Nova on her chest.
Insignias sensors reached out, and the vein surrounded them both. A sense of belonging engulfed Mira. She could rest now, for a time. Not long, but enough. Enough to do what would come next.
Mira, the Post-Species creature has been asking for you.
Wanton? Mira had not thought of the little Extro at all over the last days. What is wrong?
Its mycose supply is running low. Its need is urgent.
Mira dragged herself to her feet and carried Nova to their cabin. Wanton lay where she had left it, surrounded by the dwindling mycose.
She sank onto the other end of the bed, careful not to sit too close. "Wanton?
It took a while for the Extro to answer. When it did, its audio projection was faint. "Mira-fedor, Wanton is glad to see you.
"Please tell me how I can help you.
She waited again. This time its voice seemed strong, as if it was making more effort-a very humanesque notion, she knew, that probably didnt apply.
"I am close to a critical point. Even sealing my protective layer will not keep integrity. I have only one option.
"What is it?
"I must meld consciousness with the Non-Corporeals.
"D-do you wish to do that?
"Wanton had thought itself unable to experience fear, Mira-fedor, but Wanton was wrong. Wanton does not wish to cease existing.
"Where are the Non-Corporeals that you would need to meld with?
"Mira-fedor would know that better than Wanton. I will accept if that is not possible. And thank Mira-fedor for her... friendship. I must conserve energy now. The Extro went quiet again, and Mira noticed another mycose bubble subsume into the casing. There were only a few left.
With a heavier heart, she returned to the buccal.
Where do you wish to go, Mira? The Pod would accept us. Or we could try to make for one of the fringe OLOSS worlds. The Post-Species will not bother with them; they are too poor and inconsequential. The Pod believes they will concentrate on the political worlds. Alnitak, Scolar and, as we already know, Mintaka.
Mira settled back into Primo, sliding Nova to one side so that the baby was tucked against her shoulder. She waited until her breathing steadied and her heartbeat slowed to sync with the pulse of the vein.
The decision had been easier than she thought. The pieces fitted. All she needed was courage. She would be placing Nova and Insignia at terrible risk, and yet she was filled with a sureness that she hadnt felt during her pregnancy. This was the right thing, the only thing. This was the point where she must embrace her fears and be the person inside, the person who would not be propelled by circ.u.mstance or the whims of others. She had chosen. We will go to Araldis.
This is your humour?
No, Tasy-al. It is not. Mira used the biozoons real name to emphasise her sincerity. Ive been told that the station is functioning again. When we get there, we will find a way to land.
What is your aim?
To take Wanton to its kind. To help the survivors. To find Djeserit and Vito and Ca.s.s Mulravey.
They will be dead.
No. She sent Insignia a very firm thought. And we had an agreement. You will a.s.sist me to help those on Araldis, and then I will go where you wish.
The biozoon didnt reply.
Mira waited patiently while they lifted from the landing port, left Scolars atmosphere and followed the fraught trajectory that took them to their place in the frantic shift queue.
In the moments before committing to res-shift, Mira spoke again. Give me your word, Insignia, that you will take me to Araldis.
Functions and data streamed across her consciousness as Insignia immersed her. This time, however, something was different: another presence, a brilliant clear orb, moving through the data streams, radiating curiosity and wonder.
Nova, Mira and Insignia thought simultaneously.
Mira felt the recognition like a pouring of warm honey. And the orb that represented her childs presence in their mind meld contracted and expanded and flickered as though it was dancing.
Thoughts poured forth from the orb, but Mira couldnt quite grasp them.
She is speaking to you, said Insignia.
I c-can "t understand it. What is she saying?
Loving things, and...
And?
The biozoon paused for a moment, as if deliberating whether to share the information. She agrees with you. We should go to Araldis.
Mira struggled to a.s.similate the fact that her infant child was able to communicate with Insignia about such a thing. It should be impossible. It should.
She cuddled the baby closer and kissed the top of her soft head. Th-then let us not waste time.
BALBAO.
The rescue ships umbilical connected with the life-ship, sending a shudder through the frame. As soon as the vibrations settled, the tyros and Balbao released their restraints and scrambled for the hatch.
With the hiss of pressure change came a sight Balbao hadnt expected-armed soldiers waiting on the other side.
"Is that all of you? one barked.
Balbao did a quick head count. "Five. Yes.
"Through! the soldier ordered. "Quick.
Miranda tripped on the hatch lip as she hurried. The soldier stepped forward and pulled her up roughly, shoving her on through.
"Stop- Jise began to protest, but the guard grabbed his shirt and pulled the tyro hard against him, so their faces were almost touching.
"Weve got minus time to get out of here before we get turned to gas. So get your a.r.s.e in here or be left behind.
The rest of them hurried, Balbao pushing Connit along.
The soldier didnt even blink at Ras strange appearance; he just sealed the hatch and talked into his comm.
"Take them to the buffer in the cargo hold. Were going to res-shift soon.