Weyland Industries Rehabilitative Research Facility 13

  Admin Corridor

  Wessinger’s office

  Teresa climbs from the desk and backs away from it as if it is a snake ready to bite. The computer still flashes a warning; displaying an enlarged graphic of the damaged deck. The deck where Mau-Nis was killed. N-Vorl and P’taal are once again across the room, debating their next moves.

  The sliding doors draw apart and Mau-Nis stumbles warily into the office. Fluorescent green blood coats the front of Mau-Nis chest and armor. There are even specks of it on his face, neck, and legs. Dr. Boyd rushes to the door to meet him. She uses her weight to support the leaning warrior.

  “Mau-Nis!? You’re alive! Thank goodness!” Teresa gushes. “But how? What happened?”

  By now, P’taal and N-Vorl are also by Mau-Nis’ side. P’taal relieves Dr. Boyd of Mau-Nis’ bulk and leads the injured command leader to the couch. Mau-Nis waves P’taal off as he drops down onto the cushions.

  “The blood. Most of it…Is not mine,” Mau-Nis explains. “I had returned to the ooman research corridor…When the explosion occurred. Leyyu and Kortuyil were conducting the search for possible shielded craft. I wanted to check out a theory which had been bothering me. But when I heard the explosion…And saw the damage…I made haste to the transport hangar. I was able to retrieve Kortuyil before the damaged sections were sealed off. Leyyu…Was blown out to space. I could not save him.”

  “Oh…Mau-Nis,” Dr. Boyd says, gripping Mau-Nis’ hand in both of her own. “I am so sorry.”

  Mau-Nis only nods and turns to N-Vorl.

  “I believe I know where we can find your son, Elder!” Mau-Nis chitters excitedly. “My theory was correct. When viewing the schematics of the facility…I noticed that some junctions seemed out of alignment. There were parts of the walls and conduits which were missing. I have visited that area of the station. There is an entire corridor which does not appear on any schematic. It does not even show on the computer’s sensors. Nor on my visual scanner. It is as if that part of the station is not there at all. I believe that is where Vor’taalnis is.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Teresa’s heart leaps with joy and she squeezes Mau-Nis’ hand. Mau-Nis struggles not to meet her gaze. Deception is not something the command leader enjoys. However, the situation has demanded it at almost every turn. When he finally does look at Teresa, her eyes are gleaming with unspoken happiness. Mau-Nis restrains himself from reaching out and touching her cheek.

  “Where is this…Hidden corridor?” N-Vorl demands, his rounds eyes filled with wrath.

  “Give me a moment to collect myself…And I will show you,” Mau-Nis exclaims. “Carrying Kortuyil from the transport section to the ooman eating place was not an easy task. I will only need a moment.”

  Dr. Boyd continues to study Mau-Nis, her eyes never leaving his face. Mau-Nis gently removes Teresa’s hands from around his own. He reaches out to P’taal, who helps the command leader climb to his feet.

  “Now, I am ready,” Mau-Nis declares boldly.

  N-Vorl points to Teresa and shakes his head.

  “You will remain here!” N-Vorl says in a commanding voice.

  “No…I will not!” Teresa yells back.

  P’taal’s eyes widen and he looks from N-Vorl to Dr. Boyd. Teresa’s hands are clenched into fists at her hips and she glowers at N-Vorl. Mau-Nis observes Teresa in silence.

  “Vor’taalnis is my son too!” Teresa exclaims. “They tortured him in nearly the same way they tortured me. They kept us isolated. I rarely saw him. They wouldn’t even allow me to nurse my own son properly. Vor’taalnis almost died. No one will keep me from him again! If you’re going to find my son…I’m going with you.”

  P’taal’s expression becomes almost jovial as he turns to N-Vorl. Teresa’s emotion and love for her son causes a shift in the big yautja’s thinking. Maybe ooman females are a little crazy. But maybe they are only crazy for a good reason.

  N-Vorl bristles at the idea of having his orders countermanded. Even by someone he loves. The young Elder-Apparent peers at P’taal, Mau-Nis, and Teresa in turn. He keeps his words official, in order to maintain an appearance of undisputed leadership.

  “You will be permitted to come with us,” N-Vorl says. “But if there is any real danger…You will stay where I tell you.”

  “I can’t make that promise,” Teresa says truthfully.

  “Then, you will stay here!” N-Vorl retorts.

  Teresa sighs heavily and briefly drops her head. When she raises her head again, her mouth is drawn tightly shut and she blinks slowly. She meets N-Vorl’s agitated gaze with fierce eyes.

  “Okay,” Teresa says.

  “Okay…What!?” N-Vorl insists, wanting to hear the promise from her lips.

  “Okay…I will do as you ask,” Teresa says. The fierce look does not diminish off of the former scientist’s face.

  N-Vorl is certain Teresa is planning something. He has seen this look before. However, time is getting short before they must blow the ooman station. The three yautja warriors and their ooman female companion head out to begin their search for Vor’taalnis—Mau-Nis leading the way.