ships, Nuada’s Sword and Arianrhod’s Wheel? The systems remain standard, though theirs are newer,” a softer-spoken woman said.
“We could,” said a male sarcastically, “if the other colonists had done testing of the life-sustaining systems of the cryonics, the ‘freezing’ and ‘awakening.’ But they haven’t. NJNY is lagging behind outfitting the ship because of the pressure of the mobs and, unlike us, their crew is not entirely psi mutants. As for EurAstates, we all have agreed they will have the easiest time of getting away and are on a slower schedule to get their systems in place.”
“Which means since we’re the ones ready to do the trials on the cryonics now, we’ll be the first,” an accented male voice said in a clipped tone. “We’ve already heard all the pros and cons of testing whether our cryogenics system will freeze, and more importantly, preserve a person to be revived later. Whether we will live through the process. Our arguments have become circular. No one wants to volunteer for the experiments. I understand that and accept it, but believe there is no point in continuing to discuss minutiae of this situation for hours. With the exception of Pilot Hoku, our skills are replaceable.”
“I wouldn’t say that, Clague,” said the rich voice of the one she knew to be the pilot. “You’re our trouble-shooter. If something goes wrong, you’ll be around to be upgraded to Captain to fix it, like Kelse Bountry of NJNY in Nuada’s Sword.”
A murmur or agreement.
“Ah, those of us who have led a mutant rebel cell. In that instance, I think you need to listen to me. Further argument is futile, we need to test the cryonic system immediately. It is a vital process that demands time and precision. Problem-solver or not, if we get into trouble, I must be around to be awakened to address any issue. So we must know the freezing and reviving works. I suggest we draw lots.”
That had silence writhing behind the wall, then a burst of noisy irritated voices bordering on anger.
Pizi scrunched up her face, rotating her ears. Her mental stream sounded shocked and trailed such emotion behind it. THEY is mad at each other! They shouldn’t be mad at each other!
That surprised and disappointed Levona, too.
“What’s that? Who’s there?” the sharp tone snapped from a woman. “Behind the walls, two of them, gov spies!” Her voice rose to a screech. Levona could sense the focused point of her finger aimed at her and Pizi.
Levona closed her eyes, she and Pizi hadn’t been wary enough. She wasn’t used to being in an adversarial position with psi-gifted people. Usually mutant folk could be trusted, especially those with “good” vibes like those who stayed in the barrio and beyond the city wall. She hadn’t shielded herself or Pizi. Stupid mistake.
WE IS *NOT* SPIES. WE IS *CREW*, Pizi shouted mentally.
“I heard her!” the soft-voiced woman said, and she had an accent like the one called Clague.
“Me, too!” spit out … everyone else, Levona figured.
Pilot Hoku shouted — and since Levona barely heard him, she realized she’d been listening more with her psi power than her ears — “We will meet you in the main corridor … crew.”
WE WILL BE THERE! Pizi returned.
We will meet you there, sirs and mizzes, Levona sent telepathically, letting them hear the clear projection of her words, an indication of the strength of her gift. Not many people could project telepathy well. Maybe that would count for something. But dread invaded her bones.
A half-hour later she sat, spine straight, in the room she’d been eavesdropping on, awaiting questions. Most of the time the ten other psi-mutants exclaimed over Pizi, having her speak to them as a group and individually on private channels. Pizi always included Levona on those, though she didn’t think the others realized that fact. The psi-mutant resistance leaders encouraged Pizi to prattle on about anything and everything, particularly her life with Levona in the mountains.
The physician-Healer, the soft-spoken wife of Umar Clague — he in his late thirties and her only a few years older than Levona — checked Pizi out from top to toe. The Healer paid special attention to Pizi’s eyes, and murmured that excellent eye healing herbs lay stocked in the medical storage room.
Yes, Pizi fascinated everyone. Levona got the impression that if they could ditch her and keep Pizi, everyone would be happier.
An attractive man nearing middle-age and at the height of his power began her … questioning — the pilot, Netra Sunaya Hoku.