|
|
 
|
Chapter 42 Katrina awoke in the pre-dawn hours to the sound of shrill screeching. Without a moment’s thought she was out of bed and racing out of the red wing. The humidity-thick air tried to rob her of wind but Katrina did not slow down long enough to give it a chance. A darn shape in the black, moonless night moved in the vicinity of where Katrina knew the Olveck pen to be. Both of the small creatures were shrieking, though one occasionally stopped to growl. Something large grunted then cursed in a language Katrina did not know. A high-pitched squeal broke through the air and Katrina moved even faster. The dark shape was moving, bending down, when she launched herself into the air. She was still some distance away but feared that if the intruder were to take off she would have no chance of catching it. Angry growls were followed immediately by a sharp ripping sound and more alien curses. Katrina hit the ground first with her arms then her middle and legs. She was instantly on her feet again and grabbing the kneeling darkness. Her fingers curled crudely into soft fabric and she pulled backward, using her weight and the Force to throw the intruder off balance. He/she/it staggered and Katrina took advantage of the distraction to deliver a series of kicks that, if hitting a humanoid, should hit at least one knee, stomach, and chest. The intruder proved humanoid because it gasped and groaned at all the right places, as well as staggered back more. Katrina attempted to grab its clothing once more but the creature had enough and was escaping. The sound of both Olvecks still in their pen was all that kept Katrina from following. Both made sad keening sounds that worried her. Even with the Force aiding her Katrina could not see well enough to know if the Olvecks were badly hurt or just scared. She could sense both but that helped her little. Gently, speaking softly to them, she scooped the fuzzy, palm-sized animals up and carried them into the red wing. Xenritha and all three Caminees stood just within the door, all looking concerned. Katrina knelt on the floor and set both Olvecks down before her. Their white fur was matted and sticky with drying blood. One Olveck lay still on the floor, barely breathing, as the other rubbed against it, glowing red eyes questioned Katrina. “What happened?” Xenritha asked as he knelt beside Katrina and began examining the still Olveck. “Something-someone-was attacking them. I couldn’t see it very well.” “You fought,” Cha-Lee observed her torn tunic and grass-stained pants. “The locals eat Olvecks,” Chalee-Siri said. “They don’t think twice about killing the little things.” “You should know your opponent before you fight,” Cha-Lee said. “The natives of this planet are generally great fighters ruled solely by preservationist instinct.” “Are they okay?” Katrina asked Xenritha, ignoring Cha-Lee. “They will be.” His eyes were closed as though he was concentrating hard and both Olvecks were stirring. Katrina laid her hand on Xenritha’s shoulder and joined her powers with his, as she had learned to do to see through time. She saw only the darkness of her own eyelids but could feel the energy being used to heal both of the injured Olvecks. One had been nearly dead when Xenritha had begun working and bringing it back to life and safety was draining him. Katrina did nothing more than think it and she felt her strength and power begin to flow into Xenritha. Within moments both Olvecks were squeaking and squealing. One bit her hand and Katrina opened her eyes to look down at it. She took her hand off Xenritha and rubbed her fingers against the animal’s soft, white coat. Katrina scooped up the Olveck that had bit her and Chalee-Siri picked up the other. Both girls cooed over the living balls of fur and giggled as they teased them with their fingers. Cha-Lee and Siri shook their heads and turned to leave the wing. Xenritha stood but watched the girls. “You should keep them inside,” Chalee-Siri said at last. “They’ll be safer in the Tri, the natives are scared of it.” Katrina nodded and turned to Xenritha, “Thank you.” The Zanespot laid one hand on Katrina’s shoulder and looked down at her. “There are times, Katrina, when I think that if I had ever had a daughter she would be just like you.” Katrina watched him silently as he walked into the common area. Chalee-Siri looked at the Olveck in her hands, trying to be unobtrusive. That day Katrina left the Olvecks in one of the red wing bedrooms-after removing everything but the large bed. She checked on them after her lessons to find not two, but five Olvecks awaiting her. |
