Eye of the Ocean Book 3 Ji'jin Station

Eye of the Ocean – Book 3: Ji’Jin Station
“I wouldn't rely on it,” she said after tossing the bead to him. This time he
managed to catch it. “But there's no danger, any power release is dependent on
the correct triggering configuration. They were designed to be used under less
than optimum conditions.”
“Like being thrown?”
She looked serious. “It should not have cracked. I've checked the impact area
and it’s a major point in the defense grid, but the incompatibility of the two
systems shouldn't have had that effect. Besides, the grid didn't attempt to link
and the tiles around the point show nothing out of the ordinary. If there's need,
match the cracked one with an intact bead for extra power... follow the lines that
offer themselves and you shouldn't have any trouble.”
“Where was it?”
One narrow white hand fingered the binding of her rifle harness. She was still
in her uniform. “High in the branches of the ni'at tree.” Her Clan marks were pale
but from being over tired, he thought.
He put the bead in his pocket. “In the ni'at tree? The lizards?”
She turned her head to look out the door towards the common then shrugged.
And walked beside him as he left, protesting any need for celebrating the
completion of the grid. Or her participation more likely, although she wouldn't
admit it.
“A token appearance,” he suggested, his final offer before ordering her to
appear. Too many people had put a great deal into getting it done and the work
had to be seen to be rewarded, despite Kori's lack of enthusiasm at a public
display.
“A company of reluctance?” she asked in plain-tongue, mangling the language
where she usually spoke it perfectly. Her arms were folded in front and he caught
the particular odor that said she wasn't happy. “They look at me,” she added
softly.
And that was at the core of the matter, Rit thought. “And see Commander
Oimit?” She didn't answer. “You're around Heana, even Rilla, all the time,” he
continued, “and the aide, the ti'Linn...”
“Ge'on'ni.” The name had been spat out. She barely tolerated even their own
ti'Linn.
He sighed. “There are only three of them to all of us. And it won't be for very
much longer, so let them look.” Putting a hand on her arm, he stopped. He could
feel the heat of her body through the cloth. They were almost to Garm's suite and
this had to be said in private. “Are you sorry?”
He knew it hadn't been necessary to elaborate. “When I stayed behind, I knew
Gennady would do that in the reality he chose, that it would be part of what he
asked for. Myself, another self. He doesn't care for failure of any kind; it was rage
speaking when he gave me to you.”
Laurel Hickey www.2morrow.bc.ca