Star Minds Interregnum Page 16

  Rod hugged her as she sighed. "I'm sure you did your best to keep your dad with you. I don't think I want to talk to a computer, though... I also resent him because he chose to give up his physical body. And because he didn't bother to tell me that he had a special daughter."

  Lyssa blushed. "I'm not supposed to talk about it with normal Humanoids."

  "You shouldn't be ashamed of it, though. I'm sure you are of great help on SETH World as your father's assistant and real ESP. I bet those enhanced Humanoids envy your telepathy."

  "Not really, they have ways of reading and transmitting thoughts. But most normal beings don't understand me, so if I don't hide my psionics people fear and avoid me."

  "I won't avoid you," he promised making her smile.

  ***

  Thus Lyssa said good-bye to SETH World and her father's mind. She could actually communicate with him through her tablet, and it was more lively than any interaction she'd had with him in person.

  "I'm warning you, Dad. As soon as I bury your body, I don't want to hear from you anymore," she said, frowning at the avatar on her tablet screen, hoping he'd protest or reassure her in some other way.

  He didn't – he blessed her choice, instead. Maybe he really didn't care, after all. He preferred cyberspace and whatever he'd found there to staying a little longer with his daughter.

  "John, how can you abandon your daughter like this?" Rod scolded him.

  "Because I know you will take care of her," Professor Wright replied.

  "Dad, I'm twenty-three, I can take care of myself," she snapped.

  "I will take her to Alahairo safe and sound, and then wherever else she wishes to go," Rod promised.

  "She has relatives on Vilas Lok, maybe her cousins will welcome her..."

  Lyssa snorted and glared at her father's avatar. She hadn't decided what to do with herself yet. She'd go looking for home, like Mom had suggested, and her place in the galaxy. She didn't think she was meant to stay on SETH World anyway.

  Lyssa met the crew of the Rift Venom Wing, but she didn't really interact with any of them, sitting mostly by the captain's side, too shy and sad to try and make new friends. At the moment she only wanted to be alone and mourn her losses.

  Rod and his family attended Lyssa's father's funeral, and then she did her last call to SETH World, from the cemetery, in front of the family tomb. In spite of her sourness, she wished to say good-bye to her father.

  Except she couldn't get hold of him this time. She eventually managed to talk to Alex who looked sad at the sight of her.

  "We lost him, Lyssa. My father is trying to find him in the cloud, but maybe you were right. Your father had enough of the real world and escaped into cyberspace."

  "Oh!" Lyssa stared shocked at her tablet – at Alex's face. "Do you think it's because I took away his body and buried it?"

  "No, Lyssa, he was glad you took his bag of bones to lie next to his wife. He thought you were safe with his friend and you'd live happily ever after without him." Alex frowned. "We miss you already, won't you come back?"

  She shook her head, gulping down the lump in her throat, and signed off. She didn't believe him. He had Izzy-lee and his father and Lyssa was history.

  "Lyssa..." Rod called hesitantly. He'd listened to the conversation and looked more worried than ever, but didn't dare touch her.

  "I'm fine," she whispered, closing her eyes.

  ***

  At her request, Rod took Lyssa to Vilas Lok where she had cousins who were also orphans. Twins Gisella and Rosella had died at the same time ten years earlier, leaving their husbands to deal with their offspring.

  Jonathan Wright had only Lyssa, but Willard Harries-Stamps had also Vorus, now twenty-three like Lyssa, Wanda, nineteen, and Arco, who was only seventeen. Uncle Willard had died in a space accident, leaving Vorus head of the house with his siblings still in their teens.

  Vorus came to the spaceport and hugged Lyssa as soon as she got out of customs. He knew exactly what she was going through, having buried his own father only two years earlier.

  "You're very welcome to stay with us," he said. "You can help me with Wanda and Arco, or simply mind your own business. The house is huge."

  The Harries-Stamps were wealthy, which hadn't saved Aunt Rosella's life. Some things money couldn't buy. The twins had been crushed in the crumbling of a building during a particularly strong earthquake while on Serenaide for a convention. The offspring had stayed on Vilas Lok with Uncle Willard, and both Lyssa and Wanda – who had also inherited her mother's gift – had "heard" their mothers die.

  Then Lyssa's father had come back, haunted, and taken her away from the Harries-Stamps estate. There was the town house above one of the clubs, a penthouse on two floors at the top of the building. Then there was the country house, a mansion away from the bustle of the city. And then there were other places, so she didn't really have to live with her cousins.

  But she didn't mind the company, at the moment. Wanda was shy and introverted, but she had Lyssa's gift, so they could talk about it, away from Wanda's brothers. Wanda never had a boyfriend, because she didn't like what she saw in the minds around her, and Lyssa couldn't blame her. Especially on Vilas Lok, where people went to have fun, and the residents often pretended to be happier than they actually were, if only to lure in more tourists.

  Since she was the same age, Lyssa also spent a lot of time with Vorus, helping him with running the house and the estate. Her only inheritance was her father's knowledge, since Professor Wright was always in the clouds and had no material possessions – beyond his late wife. His daughter obviously didn't count.

  Vorus was very serious for his age, and the responsibilities meant he didn't have time for love or fun. He had to make sure his brother and sister finished their studies and entered society and were happy, so he didn't have much time for himself.

  Lyssa, on the other hand, had plenty of time, and she decided to help her cousin by telling him her secret and revealing who was worthy of keeping and who was trying to take advantage of his youth. She read the minds of the people around him – servants, accountants, lawyers and so-called friends – and told him what they really thought.

  Which made him fight with a former classmate he'd considered a friend, but turned out to be a social climber who hoped to get his hands on Wanda and her rich dowry. When Lyssa showed up at the town penthouse, he was always there, very interested in her as well – until he realized Lyssa wasn't as rich as her cousins.

  "Get rid of Nathan Hasencamp," Lyssa told Vorus. "He's not worth your time. He's only trouble."

  "Wanda doesn't like him either." Vorus sighed. "I guess I'll have to trust your feminine intuition."

  Lyssa decided not to tell him his sister had her same gift. As long as he got rid of the false friend, she didn't care.

  Except Nathan didn't leave quietly. Lyssa had gone to the spaceport to check the flights. She was thinking of buying a Galaxy Express pass and touring the Star Nations before settling with her cousins, when Nathan grabbed her arm in the main hall.

  "Leaving already, bitch?" he said with contempt. "How did you convince Vorus to kick me out of your lives?"

  "I told him what goes on in your filthy mind," she replied, glaring at him. "Let me go. You're not getting Wanda anyway."

  "Maybe I should have you instead." He smirked. "An ESP can be as useful as a rich wife."

  "I don't want you. Let go of my arm or I'll scream."

  He pushed her against a wall. "Do you really want to make a scene? Just come quietly with me," he threatened. His lustful thoughts were overwhelming.

  "I'll have you arrested," she said.

  "Your word against mine, babe. This is the pleasure planet. I'll say you consented."

  "You can't force me, asshole."

  "Stop me if you can."

  "I can be dangerous too."

  "By reading minds?" He chuckled. "The Sire have been doing it for centuries. And look where it took them – losing their Galactic Empir
e to us simple Humanoids."

  "And what makes you think that's my only power?"

  Nathan stared suspiciously at her. "You're bluffing."

  "Maybe." She stared right back at him.

  She couldn't use her mind like the Sire, but she could try to scare him away. She could see his lust was tainted by fear now. He wanted her because she scared him, and he thought he could dominate her.

  His obsession made him overcome his last blocks. He grabbed her and stole a quick kiss. She slapped him, which only excited him more.

  "You and me could do wonders together."

  "Let me go." She struggled against his arms.

  "Don't resist me." He scowled. "I'm not scared of your powers."

  "Let go, Nathan," she repeated, determined, feeling his arousal.

  He kissed her again, more hungrily, until she managed to free herself and ran towards the check-in counters, booking a seat on the first interstellar flight available. She must leave the pleasure planet right now.

  Vorus wouldn't be able to protect her. Or the Galaxy Police. She could barely read minds, not manipulate them, but she had a gift normal Humanoids didn't possess. If Nathan told everyone she was an ESP, she was doomed. They might start experimenting on her or try to show her off as a local attraction or...

  Panic didn't allow her to think clearly. Her cousins' money wasn't protection enough. She must find a place where she could feel safe and possibly loved for her gift.

  She slumped in her seat, still panting. She wondered if she'd ever find a place to call home.

  ***

  She landed on Xi-kong at sunset, still upset. She had no idea of what she was doing here. She should have picked her destination better, but then... Nathan's assault had made her fear for her own life and she had had no time to think.

  There were no other flights leaving until morning, so she had to spend the night on Xi-kong. She better figure out her next destination – a less impulsive choice – while she was here. She should check on her tablet if anyone had seen the CV that she'd put on the meganet a couple of days earlier.

  She exited the spaceport to look for a motel, but was immediately stopped by a gang of young men with tattoos on their necks. The almond-shaped eyes stripped her naked and their lustful thoughts almost overwhelmed her. They'd found an alien bitch and were going to play with her all night...

  She ran away. Chased and hunted, she wondered if she'd ever find peace. She reached an abandoned shed in a closed construction site and dived inside, listening to the sounds of the night. It seemed she'd lost her pursuers, so she burst out sobbing.

  When she finally calmed down, she felt another mind with her. Startled, she looked around and saw a shadow that moved forward, silhouetted against the one and only small window with broken panes.

  "Don't hurt me," she begged, too tired to run again.

  He crouched in front of her and touched her still wet cheek.

  "Why are you crying?" he asked.

  She couldn't discern his features, but she imagined he was another Xi-kongian young man with raven hair and slanted eyes. His voice was gentle, though, and his mind shielded.

  "Are you an ESP?" she asked, puzzled.

  He nodded. "I ran away from the Special Children School years ago. What happened to you?"

  She told him she had jumped on the first flight available to avoid being killed for her telepathy, not daring to say more until she got to know him better.

  His name was Yoshio. He was now twenty-five and had been living hidden for ten years. Like her, he couldn't afford to show off his psionics, but he had seen her running by his shop and had followed her because he couldn't feel her mind.

  "I have gathered some money," he said. "Let's get on the first interstellar flight out of here."

  "But there's that gang just outside of the spaceport..."

  "I know how to avoid them." She could hear him smile even if she couldn't see his face. "Let's go. We will decide our destination on the way."

  He took her hand and guided her out of the shed.

  ***

  "I have the money, but I don't have a fake ID," Yoshio said as they entered the main building of the spaceport with the first light of dawn. "I can't give my real name, or I'd be dead in five minutes."

  The great hall was almost empty, with only robots and androids in attendance for check-in and ticket assistance – besides, only first class passengers had biological flight attendants. Yoshio stopped midway between the doors and the counter, looking Lyssa in the eyes.

  "Can you pass yourself off as a wealthy customer so they won't have questions about me?" he asked, frowning in worry.

  Lyssa pursed her lips. "Can you pretend to be an android?"

  "If I go into a trance, I look robotic enough."

  "Good, so you have an android body and I'm taking you to the Vaurabi Labs on Marc'harid for repairs," she said. "Do you have enough money for a first class ticket to the former Imperial planet?"

  He did a quick mental calculation, then fished in his jacket pockets.

  "Think so." His grin was very sweet and the almond eyes sparkled with malice as he handed her a stash of local banknotes. "Does it make sense that you pay cash?"

  She winced. "Let's put this into my account and let me pay with the card," she said. "There's an automated banking service over there."

  She deposited the cash and saw it converted into the interstellar currency. It was definitely enough to buy that ticket. They only needed to pass security and customs and they'd be fine. But her first class ticket meant human employees and no body scans.

  They were soon locked in their cabin, ready for departure. Lyssa pinched Yoshio's arm as hard as she could as he stood still in front of the cabin door staring into space like a robot.

  "Ouch," he said, batting his eyelids. He shot a reproachful glance at her. "You hurt me."

  "I was afraid you'd turned into a SETH." She giggled nervously. "You definitely can play the robot."

  He smiled and they sat together on the couch. "Did you hang the sign?"

  "Yes, they won't disturb us until we reach Marc'harid," she answered. "So tell me, where did you get all that cash?"

  "I'm a tattoo artist," he said.

  She stared at him, puzzled. He nodded, amused.

  "But you don't have any tattoos!" she blurted out.

  "I like painting on other people's bodies, not mine," he replied. "I'm good, so I get paid well. Cash."

  He'd been used and abused at the Special Children School, but he'd survived and managed to escape from what had become a lab where they were experimenting on the local ESPs.

  "I used my power to break away, and discovered that outside the lab my mind was more powerful. So I hid for a year, then came back to town and was apprenticed at a tattoo parlor."

  "And they never discovered your powers?" she marveled.

  He grinned. "I kept them well hidden this time!"

  "So you were safe... Why did you decide to leave with me?"

  "I was sick of the whole planet." He shrugged. "I was ready to leave on my own when I saw you run by the tattoo parlor... And what did you do on SETH World?"

  "I became my father's assistant. He was an electronic engineer. I helped with the neurotransmitters for the SETHs."

  He looked impressed. "I'm sure they'll hire you at the Vaurabi Labs with your credentials."

  "And because I come from SETH World," she grumbled. "I don't have a university degree, I earned my knowledge on the field."

  "What do you have besides telepathy?"

  "Not much else, I'm afraid. You?"

  "They called me the invisible boy." He chuckled. "Not because I could become invisible, mind you, but I could convince anyone he or she hadn't seen me. I guess I have a Sire mind in a Xi-kongian body."

  "I wish I had such a strong mind myself." She sighed. If she'd had one, Nathan wouldn't have tried to rape her and she wouldn't have to run and hide her power as if it were a curse.

  He put one arm ar
ound her shoulder. "Want to share?" he asked gently. "I think we both have a lot to cry for..."

  Another kindred spirit who had lost his family and was now all alone in the galaxy with powers nobody understood and most feared. Lyssa relaxed in his company and when they reached Marc'harid, she was much more confident.

  Again he went into a trance to pass customs, and not even the Sire security bothered them. They had enough money for a few nights in a hotel, but they needed to find work, so they went to the Vaurabi Labs. Lyssa's father's name was well known, so she was granted permission to stay with her boyfriend in one of the many apartments where most Labs employees lived.

  Lyssa's cheeks were flushed as they left the Vaurabi Labs to check those apartments. The interviewer assumed Yoshio was her boyfriend. Her mind seemed to be obsessed with the Xi-kongian young man she'd just met and for a moment she wondered if he was influencing her.

  But her shields were up and he'd quietly waited for the end of her job interview without interfering, so it was probably all her. She needed someone to love, and after her father's failure, maybe Yoshio...?

  "Why are you so embarrassed?" Yoshio asked. "Everything went fine, no?"

  "You're not really my boyfriend," she grumbled, unable to look him in the eyes.

  He took her hand. "Not yet," he said. "But we helped each other. I think we should stick together. We're both foreigners here."

  "I thought there was some proverb that said you should pick your wife – or girlfriend – on your own planet," she said with a shaky voice as her hopes soared.

  She liked him and she could get used to him, even if he was an alien. But he was a Humanoid, and ESP, like her. They did have a lot in common. She was independent, but she still needed someone to rely on – and Yoshio seemed to be very reliable.

  "I never believed in that kind of wisdom." He smiled. "Besides, I'd never find such a pretty girl on Xi-kong."

  Even though she'd felt men's lust, Lyssa had never considered herself pretty. She squeezed his fingers, unable to speak.