Christian Schoon [Zenn Scarle Under Nameless Stars (retail) (

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.The first cabins they peered into along the corridor had all been stripped of anything not fastened down.There was no sound except their own whispered exchanges and echoing footfalls as they picked their way down the litter-strewn passageway.With the lev-tubes inactive, it took them almost half an hour of climbing over obstructions, navigating garbage-clogged stairwells and forcing several stubborn doors before they approached their goal.The deck’s main saloon was now just ahead, and, as they edged closer, they heard the murmur of voices.The air became a bit warmer here and, strangely enough, carried the scent of smoke.The Captain put up an arm to bring them to a halt.“We’ll wait here.No talking,” he whispered.“Treth, take a look.Be careful.” The Groom nodded and crept silently ahead.The sight reminded Zenn of the stories she’d heard about the upbringing of the young Procyoni girls recruited to join the groom’s union, the military training they underwent as part of their education, the harsh living conditions and strict codes of discipline.It made her glad the Groom was with them.At the door to the saloon, Treth crouched, listening intently.Then she placed one finger to her lips to indicate silence and beckoned them.Zenn estimated there were several dozen people crowded at the far end of the room, their faces faintly lit by small fires burning in metal barrels scattered around the room.The people in the room clustered in small groups around the barrels, warming their hands.The smoke from the fires rose to the ceiling and hung there.At the center of the room, a smallish figure stood on top of a barrel.Even without seeing his face, she was quite sure who it was.“…and also,” the Skirni Pokt rasped, “I have assurances.From the Khurspex.You will be treated with more… concern.There will be greater rations.” The murmuring of the crowd grew louder at this, forcing Pokt to raise his voice.“This you should know…” He waved his short arms in the air for calm, and the noise simmered down to a restless grumble.“Our delegation is at work.It forcefully seeks your release.And your return to LSA space.Until then, remain calm.Comply with the requests of the Khurspex.”“Requests? You mean orders.” A hoarse male voice sounded from the crowd.The voice’s owner moved into a pool of firelight.He was tall, slender, and wore the tattered remnants of a Procyoni officer’s uniform.“They removed most of my crew.Tell us what is happening here.” The angry buzz had begun to grow again, rising up and filling the room.Many of those in the room wore ragged blankets around their shoulders, and were dressed in clothes that had been reduced to shreds, their faces unwashed, bodies undernourished and gaunt.It was only then, as her eyes adjusted to the fitful illumination, that Zenn saw there were also familiar faces mixed in among the crowd of strangers, passengers she’d seen on the Helen.Warming his clawed hands at one of the fire barrels was the Alcyon alpha who’d been playing cards with Jules.Among those standing around another barrel was Thrott’s Fomalhaut slave, though the Skirni himself was nowhere to be seen.“What about the others?” a woman’s voice called out.“What have they done with my husband?”Pokt again waved for quiet.“Your fellow travelers are quite safe.We are told they were relocated.To maintain other ships in this structure.That is all we know.”Another voice sounded from the darkness.“What about the rumors? That the Spex took them for slaves?”A Reticulan female wearing a ragged evening gown and oversized winter coat clambered up on a table near the back of the room and yelled, shaking her horned head in agitation, “How do we know our companions are even alive?”“As I said…” Pokt shouted down the rising commotion.“Spreading rumors serves no one.The Khurspex are not a murderous race.That is not their way.If they were killers, you wouldn’t be here now [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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