Hearts and Stones - Robin D. Owens Page 0,11
only of grief, but of injustice and fury.
“You didn’t come here, to live in the barrio, after that demonstration of the gov’s power,” the blond said. “You didn’t join our community.”
“I went up into the mountains to grieve and heal. I came back because I wanted to see the ship,” Levona replied, simply and sincerely. She turned to gaze at Lugh’s Spear, wondering how much her sad history might touch this woman in authority. “It’s a great piece of machinery.”
“Fabulous piece of art,” the other commented.
Levona flicked a hand toward the west. “I saw it fly overhead and wanted to take a peek.”
The woman gave her a skeptical glance. “Just take a peek. Uh-huh.”
Best to confirm as much info as possible, and maybe try and spin a bond between them by asking questions. “I heard there are three starships?”
“Who told you?”
“Bartek Coval at The Frigid Rush tonight.”
Her expression formed into pity. “Ah. Poor Bartek.”
“Yeah, looks bad.”
After a sigh, the woman answered, “The leaders of the psi-mutants purchased three starships in total, all of them built at least thirty years ago and decommissioned and warehoused. Only Lugh’s Spear will leave from here, taking our colonists.”
Levona jerked a head at the gleaming white vehicle, old but beautiful. “Aren’t you going?” She could tell by the woman’s clothes that she came from a richer family than Levona herself, might even have enough money to buy a place in the cryonics tubes instead of being one of the crew. She smelled clean, with a touch of pretty floral scent that might be perfume.
The woman glanced at the ship wistfully, shook her head and met Levona’s gaze again. “Someone has to stay and fight. For liberty, for the rights of mutants like us.”
Levona dipped her head. “I hear you.”
“But you don’t agree, do you?”
Clearing her throat, Levona didn’t answer but said, “You know who I am. I don’t–”
“You don’t know me, and you would if you identified with us as psi mutants.” With a dip of the head, the woman said, “Karida Bonfils.”
“I’m sure you have a title,” Levona said.
“Senior liaison between the CentralConglom psis and the leadership of Lugh’s Spear. “I’m a …” Her face twitched into a smile that was more of a grimace. “Negotiator.”
“A politician.”
“Maybe. But you shouldn’t be here.”
Levona opened her eyes wide. “Just looking.”
“Uh huh.” Karida snapped her fingers. “Let’s see your I.D. bracelet.”
Suppressing anxiety, Levona detached it and handed it to Karida, who accessed the info and shook her head. “Minerva Starshine.”
Levona shrugged.
“Smart, using the surname of the only old and powerful mutant family in the city.” Karida weighed the bracelet in her hand as tension tightened in Levona. “A family with many members and several offshoots. But I don’t think they’d approve of your use of this.” She tucked Levona’s only ID in a pocket of the expensive trousers.
“I’m a psi mutant freak,” Levona stated. “I’m here and I believe in your – our – policies to keep our freedoms.” She especially believed the best chance for every psi on the planet was to get off Earth.
Karida’s lips firmed. “Our main policy is to protect ourselves. There will be more of us born.”
“Oh, for sure. If the govs don’t kill us when born,” Levona said, “Or, better yet, prevent us from being conceived or born.”
The liaison shuddered. “We have to fight that, too.”
Levona shrugged. “The gov keeps secrets. Who knows what they do to our bodies in hospitals if we go there for pre-natal care, or to give birth? I won’t take that chance.” Her parents had lived in fear all of their lives and still had died from a weapon aimed at psi-mutants.
“You say the right things, but I believe it would be best if you come along with me as I walk you off the landing field.”
“Or?”
Karida said, “Or I hand over your ID bracelet to our head of ghetto security, and we … ah, detain you, until the ship leaves.”
Fear spurted through Levona. Hide the emotion, hope Karida didn’t sense the panic. Terrible to be locked up, stuck on Earth and in the barrio. No, that must not happen. Retreat, and think, and figure something out.
Pizi squeaked.
“What was that?” Karida demanded.
“My young cat, my animal companion,” Levona said. Pizi raced from the direction of the field behind them, stopped and mewed. Levona stooped down to pick her up.
YOU NEED AN ANIMAL COMPANION! Pizi shouted.
Karida gasped. “I heard her.” The other woman lowered her voice, “Telepathically.” She held out her hands. “Please?” It was a plea.
Levona