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CHAPTER X

Carnelian Tide



Ruzik stood tensed and on guard with Byte-2 and Tower, supposedly for the Majda queen, but he kept a closer watch on her officers. Although he’d begun to trust Lavinda Majda, her guards were another story. None of them had tats, scars, or cyb to mark their battle wins or build their buzz with other fighters. Captain Morah seemed competent. He’d wanted to dump the loudmouthed Warrick off a cliff, but gradually he’d realized she was more tactless than hostile.

The other guard answered to Lieutenant Caranda. These above-city types had no clue how to protect their privacy, the way they used their names so easily when strangers could hear. Caranda didn’t have a mouth like Warrick, but Ruzik felt her scorn in a way Warrick had never shown, as if Caranda shouted it through the canals until her malice toward the Undercity echoed everywhere.

Right now, trust or not, they had zero to do, both Majda guards and Dust Knights. They stood a few paces back from Karal, Bhaaj and the Majda queen, surrounding the people they’d been sent to protect. It felt like overkill. What, did they think the Deepers might attack? Yah, big threat. He worried more he might injure one of the fragile Deepers if he tried to nudge them away from the queen. Not that anyone came close. They went about their business as if no trespassers had shown up in their world.

Bhaaj, Lavinda, and Karal sat just outside the infirmary, using sheared-off rock stumps as chairs. Their seats circled a larger stump that acted as a table. Veins of quartz wove through the stone, sparkling in the light, which no longer seemed dim now that Ruzik’s eyes had adapted. He listened, ever vigilant, and he liked none of what he heard. He could protect them against violence, cold, starvation, and theft, but how could he defeat the red-sickness, an opponent that attacked with fighters so small, you couldn’t see them? He had no answer.

General Majda’s voice came out of Lavinda’s comm. “Doctor Rajindia, we’ve set up a holo link so you can talk with specialists at the Cries University hospital. With all that input, it shouldn’t take long to solve this. We will get a cure soon.”

“Thank you.” Karal sounded both exhausted and relieved. “I can set up holobooths here for the links.” She paused, then added, “I should get back to my patients.”

“Absolutely,” the general said. “Put my sis . . . t—omm.”

“Sorry,” Karal said. “We’re getting interference. Could you repeat?”

“Put Colonel Majda back on the comm,” Vaj said.

“Right away, ma’am. Here she is.” Karal nodded to Lavinda, then stood up and headed back to the infirmary. Although she still looked as if she carried a great weight, her step had lightened. It didn’t surprise Ruzik. She’d gone from fearing a plague that might wipe out the Deepers to a medical crisis she could solve.

Lavinda spoke into her comm. “Colonel Majda here.”

Vaj spoke curtly. “I want you out of there. Now.

“We’re in quarantine,” Lavinda said.

“I’ll send responders with full hazmat gear,” Vaj said. “They can escort you out . . .” A spate of static almost obscured her next words, but it sounded like, “With no risk to themselves or you.”

“I don’t need anyone to escort me out,” Lavinda said. “It won’t be long before the doctors find a cure for this variant. Even if it takes more time than we expect, the danger isn’t to me, given my health meds. It’s to the people here. To reach me, any responders must go through the Undercity. Right now, the disease is confined to the Down Deep, but we aren’t sure yet how it spreads. In air? The algae? Us? Your people can protect themselves, but they might carry the disease through the Undercity. It could infect people there.”

“Your safety is more important than a bunch of lazy, homeless people in a slum,” Vaj said.

“Oh, fuck that,” Lavinda muttered.

The general’s voice turned to ice. “What did you say to me, Colonel?”

Lavinda changed her tone. “My apologies. Permission to speak?”

“Go ahead.”

“The point of my coming here was to improve our relationship with the people. If we take actions to protect me—and only me—and in the process infect or kill those who live in the Undercity and Down Deep, that defeats everything you hope to achieve. They’ll hate us.”

“Could you repeat that last?” Vaj said. “Your signal broke up. What is this down deep?” She made the words sound as if they were lowercase rather than the title of a city and people.

“They live below the Undercity. Several hundred, I think. None are homeless. They have a remarkable culture.” Lavinda added, “They also have the highest Kyle rates of anyone we tested.”

“Fine.” Vaj sounded frustrated. “We’ll drill down through the desert to get you.”

Bhaaj stiffened, but before she could protest, the colonel said, “Vaj, no. We’re too far below the surface. All sorts of networks support these caves, tunnels, and ruins. Goddess only knows what will happen if you start drilling. You could collapse entire regions.”

Silence.

The general finally spoke in a less authoritative voice. If Ruzik hadn’t known better, he’d have thought she sounded strained, even upset. Hell, maybe he didn’t know better.

“I can’t risk your life,” Vaj said. “I need to get you out of there.”

Lavinda’s tense posture eased. “That’s what you said when I wanted to join the military without using the Majda name.” She spoke with unexpected gentleness. “Vaj, this is no different. We knew I was taking a risk by coming here. If I wasn’t your sister, you wouldn’t demand I leave quarantine despite the risks it poses to the people we want to reach. Any volunteer knows they might be offering their health, even their life, just as I offered my life to defend the Imperialate when I joined the army.”

Vaj audibly exhaled. After another long pause, she said, “All right. Stay. Just be careful.”

“I will.”

“Very well.” The general’s voice turned crisp. “Keep me updated.”

“Will do. Out.” Lavinda touched her comm, cutting the link.

Tower snorted. “Lot of talky just to say, ‘am worried for you.’”

Lavinda gave a startled laugh. “True.” Her smile faded. “My apologies for the insults.”

Tower waved her hand in dismissal. “Not problem.”

Ruzik wondered if the Majda queen realized she was speaking Iotic. When he’d first met these high types, they’d seemed like ciphers without feeling. The more he learned, though, the more he kenned that they did care, they just had their own ways of doing and showing.

Lavinda was tapping panels on her gauntlet like a music-maker twanging a lytar. “I need to get this comm working better.”

A man’s voice came out of Bhaaj’s comm. “It’s the algae in the air.”

Lavinda blinked. “Max, is that you?”

“Yes, and my greetings, Colonel,” Max said. “I’ve updated my systems to deal with the algae, both coding changes and physical redesigns. I can send the updated codes to your EI. Can Raja access any nanobots that work on your tech-mech? I can also send specs for the hardware redesign, if Major Bhaajan agrees.”

“Yah, sure,” Bhaaj said. “Send anything Raja needs.”

Raja spoke in her Iotic accent. “I can manage a simple redesign. Nothing major, but anything is worth a try. The contaminants in the air are indeed affecting my comm function. It’s not serious, but if we’ll be here for a while, I should clean it up.”

“Max, yes, please send her everything you have.” Lavinda spoke to Bhaaj. “Do you know any other way out of here besides how we came in?”

“Sort of.” Bhaaj looked less than enthused, to put it mildly. “A few kilometers from here, if you go even deeper, you’ll find a spiral staircase. It goes straight up, I don’t know how far, hundred meters, I’d wager. It’s the exit that comes out in the Tikal temple.”

Ruzik’s interest sparked. Tikal, an ancient pyramid, stood alone in the desert, far from any settlement. He wasn’t supposed to know about it, but then, he wasn’t supposed to know a lot of things he’d figured out about the slicks and their world.

“You mean the exit you tried to use the last time you came down this far?” Lavinda said.

“Yah.” Bhaaj grimaced. “It’s a nightmare, one far more dangerous to you than any bout of carnelian rash. It almost killed me, and I’m a weaker Kyle. If you tried, you’d have to turn back.” Flatly she added, “Or die.”

Lavinda didn’t look surprised. “We can sit this out. Once Karal gets the outbreak under control and makes sure we aren’t contagious, we’ll leave.” Dryly she added, “I think that will be enough for this visit.”

“No kidding.” Bhaaj had a look Ruzik recognized; she wanted to talk about something she knew her listener didn’t want to hear, which meant she’d probably take forever to get to her point, going around and around in sand-itching circles.

“I barely survived using that temple exit,” Bhaaj said. “It’s because our Kyle minds are too sensitive to the Kyle machines there, yes?”

“Essentially,” Lavinda said. “Those stairs pass by the rooms with the machines.”

“Going that close to them almost killed me, and I have less Kyle brain structure than you.”

“Bhaaj, yes, I know.” Lavinda sounded irritated. “I realize I can’t use that exit. You don’t need to keep reminding me.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Bhaaj spoke carefully. “Those ancient machines are too powerful for most Kyles, right? That’s why it kills us. They overload our brains. It’s why the Ruby Dynasty is so important, even if they no longer rule. It doesn’t kill them. They’re strong enough to withstand its force.”

“That’s right.” The colonel studied Bhaaj as if trying to read her thoughts. Ruzik felt Bhaaj imagine a fortress to hide her mind. They’d worked together enough that he could sense her at a low level even when she blocked her moods. He doubted, though, that the Majda queen could pick up anything.

Lavinda spoke warily. “Those machines house an ancient EI. Most of the time, it’s dormant. If it detects a Kyle operator, though, it tries to reach them. That’s what almost killed you. Your neurons fired out of control, causing something called status epilepticus or back-to-back convulsions.”

Bhaaj met her gaze steadily. “But the Ruby Pharaoh can go there.”

Lavinda swore under her breath. “Stop it.”

“We both know the pharaoh has Down Deeper DNA,” Bhaaj said. “She had it checked after I told her how much she resembled the people here. Hell, Lavinda, she has green eyes. She’s smaller than most people, and her skin looks almost translucent.”

“What does that have to do with any of this?” Lavinda was clenching her fist on her knee. “Fine, you proved the most revered figure in the Imperialate has Deeper DNA. I’m no confidante of the pharaoh, but from what I’ve seen, she genuinely doesn’t care. The rest of the universe does care.”

Bhaaj leaned forward. “Why? Because they consider it an insult? It’s true about her genetics, Lavinda. No one can change that one little explosive fact.”

The colonel just looked at her, but Ruzik had no doubt she felt excruciatingly aware of their listeners. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that if any of the guards here repeated what they’d just heard, they’d get whacked for treason. Ruzik didn’t care who shared their DNA. He had no doubt, however, that the Majda guards would never “impugn” the pharaoh’s good name by revealing her supposedly low ancestry.

“The pharaoh can help the doctors find a cure,” Bhaaj said. “The physiology of the people here is different from anything the medical establishment knows. Even Karal hasn’t treated Deepers. But one person out there has a similar physiology.”

Lavinda met her gaze. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Seriously, Bhaaj? Are you going to ask the pharaoh to let them test potential cures on her? Or for her to come here?” Before Bhaaj could respond, Lavinda added, “No. You aren’t. You have no access to the pharaoh. You think Vaj will ask her? My sister—the Joint Commander of the Pharaoh’s Army—would rather lie naked in molten lava than acknowledge that Pharaoh Dyhianna traces her ancestry to these aqueducts.”

“It’s not Vaj’s decision.” Bhaaj met her gaze. “Only the pharaoh can choose whether or not she wants to help.”

“We don’t need to bother her,” Lavinda said. “We’ll have a cure in plenty of time.”

“It’s a lie,” a woman said.

Startled, Ruzik glanced at the Majda guards. Lieutenant Caranda, the quiet one, stood with her face twisted into an ugly mask of hatred. Hostility blazed in every line of her features and every tensed muscle of her body. She practically spat her words at Bhaaj. “Undercity DNA? It’s a damned lie. Pharaoh Dyhianna is so far above you and your kind, she should never even have to hear about your dirty little diseases, which wouldn’t kill you if you weren’t so much less than real human beings.”

For a moment, everyone just stared at her. In the same instant that Tower said, “You want your bat-fucked face smashed, bitch?” Lavinda said, “That’s enough, Lieutenant Caranda!”

Ruzik barely managed to keep himself from raising his clenched fists. When Bhaaj stood up, he knew what she wanted. She’d spent too many decades listening to this shit. Everyone had a limit, even Bhaaj, and she’d just reached hers. She needed to get away from these people before she destroyed what remained of their shaky truce with the Majda intruders.

Bhaaj walked toward him, facing away from the others, and he gave her the barest nod. As she passed, she spoke in a barely audible voice. “Keep Tower behaved.”

Yah, Ruzik thought to her, and unclenched his fists. He’d deal with it.

She strode away then, taking her fury with her instead of letting it explode.


Bhaaj didn’t know how long she sat against the far wall of the Deeper cavern. The rock felt rough against her back, rippled rather than jagged. At first, she barely noticed the cold air. Her climate-controlled clothes kept her warm, but she doubted she needed to worry. Her body was better adapted to the temperature here than for most people.

Gradually her pulse calmed. She continued to sit, gazing past the pillars to the distant people who every now and then walked across her field of view.

After a while, she thought, Max, how long have I been here?

About twenty minutes, Max thought. And yes, I’m in communication with Raja. Nothing else has happened with Colonel Majda and crew. Ruzik kept Tower from going nuclear. No one is talking. They’re just waiting.

Bhaaj exhaled. Thanks.

He does a good job.

Ruzik?

Yes.

Agreed. Knowing he had matters under control gave her a sense of refuge. She had a circle here, support, people who could help during those times when she wondered how she’d continue. Acting as a liaison for the aqueducts and a universe that hated them—sometimes it felt like it would explode the hidden places where she protected her heart.

Motion stirred in her side vision. Turning, she saw Lavinda headed toward her. Ruzik and his gang walked to her left and the Majda guards to her right.

Lavinda came over and sat next to Bhaaj. They stayed that way, both looking out at the cavern. Their various guards hulked around the rock formations, close enough to do their job but far enough away to give the people they guarded privacy if Bhaaj and Lavinda kept their voices low.

“I’m sorry,” Lavinda said.

Bhaaj shrugged. “You were just saying what everyone thinks.”

The colonel exhaled. “I fancy myself as a fair-minded, unbiased person, but sometimes I don’t even notice my failings until I hear them coming out of my damn mouth.”

“What you said is true,” Bhaaj answered. “Most people would react the same way as Caranda to the idea that the pharaoh shares DNA with my people.”

Lavinda spoke tightly. “The lieutenant will submit a formal apology to all parties.”

“Good.” Bhaaj doubted it would make a difference, but no matter. She just wished Vaj had sent people more suited to this visit.

“The choice made sense to Vaj,” Lavinda said. “Both Warrick and Caranda come from well-placed families. They’ve progressed through the Majda force faster than most.”

“Oh.” Big surprise there.

“Bhaaj, listen. I don’t know how to fix so many ages of ignorance and neglect. But you and I—we can make a start.”

Bhaaj raked her hand through the curls that had escaped her braid and straggled around her face. “I’d like to. I just—I get so tired sometimes.”

Raja’s voice rose into the air. “Excuse my interruption, but Doctor Rajindia is coming.”

Lavinda and Bhaaj rose to their feet. Karal had almost reached them, only a few meters away, but she was walking slowly past the rock pillars. So very, very slow.

As the doctor came up to them, Lavinda said, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, fine.” Karal spoke in a subdued voice. “We’ve lost two more people.”

Bhaaj stared at her. “Already?”

“I can’t find a way to stop it, not even with help from the university team.” Karal shook her head. “The usual treatments don’t help. Maybe a little, but it just slows down the deaths.”

“Have you had a chance to vaccinate people who aren’t sick yet?” Lavinda asked.

“I’m trying.” Karal pushed up her sleeves, which promptly fell back down her arms. “I can’t keep it up, though, not with so many people who are already sick coming for treatment.”

“We can help,” Bhaaj said.

“Just tell us what needs to be done,” Lavinda said.

Karal shifted her weight. “Your Highness, it’s not safe.”

“We’ve already been exposed,” Lavinda replied. “And we’ll be vaccinating healthy people.”

“Maybe not,” Karal said. “I don’t know the incubation period for this variant. From what I’ve seen, the delay between when you contract the disease and when you start to show symptoms can be anywhere from a few hours to about thirty.” Her voice flagged. “We need more stats. The aqueducts are mostly off grid. The medical EIs don’t have any data for us to mine.”

“We can test people to see if they have it,” Bhaaj said. “Get you more data.”

Karal rubbed her eyes. “Normally I’d say no, that only medics should be involved. But saints, I could use the help.”

“Then it’s decided.” Lavinda motioned at the guards looming around them. “You have eight of us. Tell us what to do.”

“Colonel Majda!” Captain Morah stepped forward. “We’re here to protect you. We can’t go off vaccinating people.”

“Protect me against what?” Lavinda asked. “All these ferocious Deepers? The only danger here is that we’ll contract carnelian rash. It’s too late to protect any of us against that.” When Morah opened her mouth to protest, Lavinda raised her hand. “That’s an order, Captain.”

Bhaaj could just imagine how Vaj Majda would react to that statement. Lavinda couldn’t supersede an order from her sister. Fortunately, Vaj hadn’t given any specific to this situation.

Bhaaj spoke to Ruzik. “You, Tower and Byte-2 give vaccines, yah? And do med-scans.”

“Will do.” Ruzik glanced at Karal. “Just tell us how.”

“Absolutely.” The doctor turned to Captain Morah. “For all of you, if you’re willing.”

Morah glanced at Lavinda. When the colonel nodded, Morah said, “Yes. We’ll do whatever we can.”

They headed to the infirmary for supplies then, hoping to stem the tide of death.


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