The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 14.7

Tristan chose that moment to jump up onto the comconsole, stepping on the sensor pad and a few other sensitive areas. It let out a squawking alert, and Sabrina jumped as Tristan turned into a flying ball of fur, zooming off the comconsole, bouncing off the chair on the far side, and racing in a half-circle along the floor until he found the heavy drapes behind Sabrina. He was halfway up them before she caught him.

"Marie, take that thing into the other room, will you?" Ford said, annoyed.

Marie giggled, highly amused by the cat's acrobatics, and reached out her arms as Sabrina handed her the panting cat. Then she walked out, singing a lilting little tune to him as she went. Ford looked after her and closed the door.

"This might be classified," Sabrina said hesitantly.

"Did it never occur to you that I might have a security clearance almost as impressive as yours?" Ford replied, picking up a chair and moving it so he could sit beside her.

Sabrina looked at him, trying to decide whether to take him seriously. Finally she decided that it was possible, and he'd been so much help to her lately that she didn't want to upset him. She activated the message playback.

"Lady Sabrina," High Wayship Shahina's voice said. It was mellow and lilting, and Sabrina discovered that she recognized it instantly, even though she'd heard it only a few times before. "I have spoken with Tirqwin Arakshanarfelaouzan. He feels it is necessary for him to converse with you in real time. When you receive this message, please contact me and I will act as a relay for your conversation. We have received permission from Homeworld to do this. I hope this finds you well."

The message terminated.

"Oh God," Sabrina breathed. Tirqwin had to speak with her, wouldn't leave her a message. It had to be bad news.

Ford laid a hand on her shoulder. "Don't assume the worst, Sabrina. Whatever it is, we'll face it together. All right?"

She nodded, closing her eyes for a moment to steady herself. Then she pressed her hand against the comconsole again and directed Control to put her interstellar call through. "High Wayship Shahina?"

"Lady Sabrina. Please wait a moment while we connect to Homeworld."

After an agonizing eternity, the comconsole screen displayed Tirqwin's image. He looked anxious and exhausted, Sabrina thought, not like someone with good news. "Tirqwin?" she called.

"Sabrina! And Niavar. I did not expect to find you there as well." Tirqwin said as they both peered into the screen.

Ford said, "I'll leave, if you prefer, Father."

"No. I am glad someone is there."

"How is Scotty?" Sabrina burst out, unable to wait any longer.

Tirqwin sighed. "He is still alive. Barely. We are going to have to take him out of stasis again soon for the next step. That is what I want to talk to you about, Sabrina. I want you to understand all the risks, and if you think they are too great, we will stop now."

"To stop is certain death," Sabrina protested.

"There are worse things," Tirqwin replied.

A wordless protest rose from Sabrina's throat, a wounded sound. Ford glanced at her and touched her gently on the back, to remind her that he was there. She took a deep breath, and he let his hand settle on her shoulder. "Tell me what you need to tell me," Sabrina said to Tirqwin.

Tirqwin paused, his face set in grim, anxious lines. Sabrina could not remember ever seeing him quite this way before. If he could have sold his soul to undo this situation, avoid this moment, he would have done it in an instant, she knew. Come on, she urged him silently. Get it over with. Tell me. The truth, all of it—or at least as much as we can both stand.