The Alembic Plot Part 61

"I'd prefer to join you, sir." Keith turned to the senior NCO.

"You're in charge here, Sergeant Tovar."

"Yes, sir." The sergeant smiled, exposing shark-like teeth. "You need not worry, sirs. This is not our first time among humans who haven't seen Traiti before. It's just too bad there are no children here."

"Children!" Bradford exclaimed in disbelief.

"Children," Medart confirmed with a chuckle. "Traiti adore children, anyone's children--and the youngsters have some way of knowing it.

Five minutes or so after they meet, they're fast friends."

"I think I would like my children to have such friends," a woman said behind Medart. He turned, to see all of Family Cortin except Cortin herself, Odeon, and the children. Chang stepped forward, one hand brus.h.i.+ng the bulge of her abdomen. "I do not know why, but I find these Traiti . . . comfortable."

Medart smiled. Sis had a trace of empathy, not enough to be called Talent but clearly enough for her to sense the Traiti regard for children and women--especially pregnant ones--of whatever race.

Betty looked from the Traiti to the Family's senior wife, thought for a moment, then nodded. "I trust Sis' feelings; they can come out after lunch."

Breakthrough! Medart thought as all four Traiti smiled and Tovar bowed to the women. If Cortin's Family allowed their children to play with non-humans, it would have to have a favorable effect, at least on those who saw them.

"We thank you, ka'naya," Tovar said. "Not having children around is one of the most difficult parts of military life; we will treasure this opportunity."

"They will, too," Medart told Bradford as the three made their way to Cortin's underground suite. "If they can't be at home, the Traiti version of perfect sh.o.r.e leave is a park-full of kids."

Bradford didn't have anything to say to that, so the three were silent until they got to the observation room door, where he paused with his hand on the k.n.o.b. "Colonel Cortin says she told you briefly what she does. I have to add that she's extremely good at both making the punishment fit the crime, and at making that punishment last. If you're at all squeamish, I'd strongly recommend that you not follow me through this door."

"I'm here to observe," Medart said. "I don't expect to like it, but I can't form an accurate a.s.sessment of this society if I only observe the positive side. Would you mind telling me what this one did?"

"Of course. He's attacked three families, in all cases raping and killing them one at a time, while the survivors watched. Children first, then the mother, with the father last. Grandfather, in one case. He claims more, but Enforcement has found only those fifteen bodies. Even Colonel Cortin can't make him suffer for that many, so any more would be academic as far as his punishment is concerned."

Medart grimaced. "I see what she meant about getting the particularly nasty ones. Do you know what she has in mind for him?"

"That depends mostly on how he reacts to her preliminary examination.

Most people have one major fear, criminals usually more; when she discovers his, that's what she'll concentrate on. But since he's a rapist, that'll definitely include s.e.xual pain."

"She'll geld him, of course," Keith said.

"Probably," Bradford agreed, "but not immediately; intact genitals are too useful for producing both physical and psychological pain to waste them early. Especially with one like this, where they're powerful ego points."

For the torture scene:

30a. Cortin's point of view

30b. Medart's point of view

30c. Odeon's point of view

30d. Keith's point of view

31. Explanation

Medart wasn't hungry at all by the time Cortin and her new sworn man were finished with their prisoner, but he did feel better when they left the third-stage room, better still when they left the dungeon. As soon as they got to the main floor, he touched his throat, activating his comm implant. "Empress Lindner?"

When the s.h.i.+p replied, he went on. "Show Lieutenant Keith DarElwyn released from Imperial service effective this date; reason is oath of personal fealty to Colonel Joan Cortin of the Kingdom Systems. All back pay and allowances are to be sent to her in whatever form she specifies. Have his personal belongings--and copies of all reference materials we have pertaining to Sandemans, transcribed into pre-Imperial English--sent down as soon as possible. And I'll need a replacement pilot."

Cortin frowned. "Why me? It's his money."

"How to explain best is difficult," Medart said slowly. "I've been in a 'na's mind, and I'm still not sure I understand it completely. When you accepted his oath, he became a part of you--literally, by their reckoning, to the point where Sandemans would consider you the father of any children he might engender."

"Dear G.o.d! I thought the oath was extreme, but I didn't dream . . ."

Cortin trailed off, staring at her 'na.

"Going to extremes is a Sandeman characteristic," Medart said drily.

"As another example, he'll want the tattoo I mentioned on his face to show he's yours. Their custom ent.i.tles him to it--and if he does anything against their custom with other Sandemans around, it protects him from punishment or dishonor, because they'll see it as doing your will."

And, Cortin thought, if their negotiations took the Kingdom Systems into the Empire, there would definitely be other Sandemans around. She turned to Keith. "Do you want that?"

"Yes, Thakur, very much."

"It's your face; is there any particular mark you'd prefer?"

Keith thought for a moment. "Since you're an Inquisitor, a question mark like the one on your badge might be appropriate."

"It would, yes--and since I'm High King's Inquisitor, there should be a crown on top." She c.o.c.ked her head. "I don't know much about the local tattoo artists, but I'm sure someone here does; if you're as eager as you look, I can find out who's best and have him brought here to do the job."

"I am eager, Thakur, but not enough for you to go to extra trouble."

Cortin grinned. "Sometimes I enjoy going to extra trouble for my people. Let's get up to the Family floor and see who knows about tattooing experts."

"Thank you, Thakur!"

"My pleasure."

On the way upstairs, Keith began to feel something odd. Not really odd, he corrected himself; just inappropriate in these surroundings and certainly not the sort of thing he'd expect a proper 'na to feel toward his thakur! Honor, respect, devotion, of course--but desire? Custom was silent on the subject--naturally, with almost all such relations.h.i.+ps between warriors--so s.e.x wasn't forbidden, exactly. On the other hand, it didn't quite seem properly respectful, either.

The feeling subsided a bit as his thakur spoke to her team, then had Tony call an artist he knew, but it didn't go away completely. And, oddly enough, he seemed to be sensing her feelings, maybe even a shadow of her thoughts, in spite of his lack of Talent. That was a blessing he hadn't expected, and he sent a quick prayer of thanks to the G.o.ds for it; if he could know her thoughts, it would make doing her will far more certain.

They had supper while waiting for the artist to arrive; Medart excused himself as soon as the meal was over, saying he wasn't in the mood for s.e.x and had some thinking to do.

For Keith's experiences: 31a. Tattoo

32. Briefing