The slugs were regarded as problematic enough. Capable of spawning in the larval-stage, they reached maturity swiftly under optimal environmental conditions, even when minute in size. Both the larvae and their eggs were also capable of near indefinite dormancy, making them a prolific and tenacious foe. Every shipyard and dock was infested despite constant vigilance. They developed resistance to every chemical agent used against them, thwarted every method intended to retard their growth. Constant vigilance and mechanical removal were the most effective means of control. They were essentially monster cockroaches in space.
Ajaya mused, “So many, so quickly. We’ve only been gone for a few hours. How can this be?”
Jane walked steadily on, experiencing two disparate states of mind simultaneously. On one level, she was alert to her surroundings—tense, adrenaline pumping through her. Yet, on another level, she carefully monitored Ei’Brai’s intake of information, noting each important detail he uncovered, knowing it could be critical to their survival. This mind-sharing—it allowed her to think in new ways she couldn’t have conceived of before. It gave new meaning to the concept of multi-tasking.
She came to an abrupt halt, heedless of the others, as she centered all her attention to a razor sharp point. Ei’Brai had just uncovered something of monumental importance—and in his surprise and dismay, revealed information that he did not intend to.
These slug creatures were originally native to Sectilia’s moon, Atielle. After the two cultures integrated, some of the creatures were inadvertently transferred to the planet. The population exploded—like rabbits in the Australian Outback. Without a natural predator, they multiplied out of control. A highly adaptable species, they filled many new niches and interbred with similar terrestrial fauna until their genetics were quite different from the original, moon-based creature.
When this newly hybridized creature was reintroduced to its native habitat, new characteristics were unmasked. Atielle, as one of several moons orbiting such a large planet, was extremely geologically active. The annual cycles of tectonic and tidal activity influenced by Sectilia’s gravitational fields resulted in a localized volcanic emission of xenon gas. The gas, normally present in Atielle’s atmosphere in low percentages, became quite concentrated, triggering a transformation. The formerly benign species became a dangerous predator: the nepatrox.
All of this was new information to Ei’Brai. Normally, the slug population was not his concern. He didn’t bother himself with trivialities that had no effect on him. Perhaps this was common knowledge among the Sectilius who inhabited the ship—so common, it wasn’t necessary to discuss it.
It was the leak…the xenon gas…that had set this in motion. The despicable part was that it hadn’t been accidental. There had been a leak of xenon gas, but it’d been minor. Ei’Brai augmented it, purposefully, for effect—to create a scenario that would push her to be dependent on his help so that he could demonstrate his power and ultimately gain her trust.
He’d tried to hide that from her. It had been but a momentary lapse in his control of the information she received from him. But she’d seen it. And it changed everything.
A painful, tingly sensation rioted from her core outwards. Her face felt hot. Her ears burned. Why did he think he needed to force anything by manufacturing a situation? Why couldn’t he just have given her the time she needed to adjust to communicating with him?
He’d wanted her to learn to trust him. But he hadn’t trusted or respected her at all, had he? He could have killed Alan or Walsh, or both, with that gas. She could never have forgiven that. And what he’d started wasn’t over yet. There were still plenty of opportunities to die from the reckless choice Ei’Brai had made. Jane stood there, stunned. Walsh was right all along.
Ei’Brai inundated her thoughts with apologies, contrition. He begged her to see his desperate need, reminded her of the bigger picture—the Sectilius goal, the Cunabula and the hope humanity could provide to the uncounted centillions of species in the universe. It was a torrent of ingratiation and regret. She wanted none of it.
“Neu!” she cried aloud.
She came to herself abruptly with the others gathering around her. She closed her eyes and stood stock still, raging silently, Get out of my head, goddamn you!
All at once, he withdrew. She rocked on her heels as she felt him slip away. She was completely alone inside her head for the first time since they docked with the ship. The hum had gone silent. Not even a tingle at the back of her mind was left. She felt surprisingly empty. Now, in his absence, she could see that he’d infiltrated her mind so completely, she’d begun to feel normal with him there.
It was a relief. And it was lonely. That was disconcerting.
Walsh nudged her roughly. “Quit stalling, Holloway. Keep moving.”
Alan pulled her away from Walsh, propelling her forward again. Before he could query her about what just happened, she whispered, “Do you still have a weapon?”
He nodded slowly, looking confused and uncomfortable. “In my pack. Jane, I did fine at the shooting range, but I’m no match for Walsh.”
She put a hand on his arm, squeezing, and darted a look back. “I…no, no. Walsh is right—I think we should go. I’m just worried we aren’t going to make—”
She froze. Something had moved in her peripheral vision.
15
A preternatural feeling of dread washed over Jane. She felt a strong urge to run, but logic told her that was a bad choice. She turned slowly, peering into the shadows around them, instinctively looking for a place to hide.
They’d covered several hundred feet since they left the deck-to-deck transport, but there were no doors in the immediate vicinity. They’d passed one just a minute or two before, but in the dark, without the connection to Ei’Brai guiding her through the mental maps of the ship, it was difficult to guess how far away that had been or how close another one might be.
Oh, God, turn on the lights, Ei’Brai, she thought, but he was no longer listening. Banishing Ei’Brai from her thoughts no longer seemed like the most sensible decision.
“Holloway—”
“Sh!” Jane sent Walsh a quelling look.
Something scuttled in the dark nearby.
“What…was that?” Ajaya whispered, her eyes gone wide.
Jane put her hand over Alan’s, steering the flashlight to one side. A creature the size of a house cat stood there watching them. It was hard to tell what it was, exactly. It didn’t precisely fit into any category Jane knew. The nepatrox had a maroon, segmented shell like a lobster or scorpion, but its head grew from its trunk more like a fish. It whipped an ominous-looking barbed tail around, as though agitated.
It crouched and opened its mouth. A hinge on each side unfolded, revealing fuchsia and coral-colored flaps as well as rows of jagged teeth. It hissed defiantly and took a few steps forward.
“Holy fuck, what next?” Bergen muttered.
“Where the hell did that come from?” Walsh grit out.
Ajaya spoke softly, “It hatched, didn’t it Jane? From the pupa.”
Jane nodded gravely. “Yes.”
Gibbs’ voice sounded mildly disturbed. “That little dude looks pissed.”
Ajaya said, “It looks like an arthropod of some sort. It appears to be territorial. Will it attack if we go further, I wonder?”
“I think it will,” Jane said. “This is what I was trying to warn you about. We should go back. The deck above this one stores Sectilius battle armor. We need to protect ourselves.”