Slave Race: 9/?
by Nan Smith and Linda Garrick
"Dishvor wounded him. I ran. He might have killed him after I left."
"One can always hope. Ah, a family feud. Perhaps in the confusion we may escape. Come Edwin."
"What about Cory, sir?"
"It is too risky to try to take him."
"But I won't leave him!"
"You will do as I say, Edwin."
Ed ran to Cory, lifted him and managed to get him to one shoulder. Comishvor frowned warningly at him. "You little fool! You will obey me."
"I won't leave Cory! What's your plan, sir."
Comishvor scowled at him. "Terran idiot! Very well, there is not time to argue. Go ahead of me to the lifeboat bays. Secure a ship, then signal me and wait. I shall be there quickly."
"Can't you come with me?"
"It is too dangerous. I will attract attention, and may be pursued. Have the ship ready. Our chances are better this way."
It made sense. Edwin went to the door, Cory over his shoulder.
"You will leave Cornelius here. I will bring him."
"I'll take him, sir."
"I will bring him. Put him down."
Edwin didn't dare. If Comishvor thought it too dangerous, it was too likely he would leave Cory behind. Edwin moved suddenly, reaching for the door. But Comishvor was quicker. He reached out a hand, caught him, spun him about, and lifted Cory one handed from his shoulder. "I will bring him, Edwin. Do as I say!"
"Please, sir, give him to me!" Edwin reached fruitlessly for his friend.
"You will go, Edwin!"
"Not without Cory!"
"You defy me?" A glint appeared in the Jilectan's eye. "*You*, Edwin?"
Edwin backed away. "Sir..."
"You will do as I say. Now!"
Edwin swallowed hard and shook his head. "Before I leave Cory, I'll join Blashvor... or Dishvor!"
The Jilectan's face reddened. "Ungrateful Terran! Worm! How dare you?"
"Please, sir, give me Cory and I'll go." Edwin licked dry lips. "I'll... I'll do anything you say, M'lord--except risk Cory's life."
Fury radiated from the Jilectan. "Very well, Edwin. Go, now, or I will break your friend's neck."
Edwin stared. "You wouldn't!"
"You think not? I will break his neck and take you by force. And, when we are safe, you shall wish you had never been spawned! Stupid, ungrateful worm of a Terran psychic! Terran psychic--and I saved your miserable life!" The Jilectan's face was purple now. "Do as I say! At once!"
Edwin bit his lip, forcing back his anger. He must keep his head now, or they would both die. "Yes sir," he managed, and opened the door. He concentrated a moment, then stepped out.
For a moment then, he hesitated, watching the pirates rush past, and wishing there was some way to change loyalties now. But how? Go back to Blashvor? The Jilectan might be dead by now, and Edwin had no desire to throw in either his or Cory's lot with Dishvor--not after what he had seen in Blashvor's quarters. No, there was nothing to do now but obey Comishvor, and hope for the best.
The Jilectan's mind invaded his, commanding him angrily to hurry. From down the corridor he could hear more blaster fire. It sounded like a full-scale war was going on. Edwin turned and ran in the opposite direction, toward the lift.
Comishvor's mind stayed with him. Edwin signaled the lift and it arrived an instant later. Half a dozen pirates emerged and ran past him down the corridor. Edwin entered and pressed the indicator for the fifth level.
The lift dropped and came to a halt. The doors opened and Edwin stepped out, glancing covertly around. The deck appeared to be nearly deserted.
Comishvor's mind was dimming with distance. Edwin went softly down the corridor, wishing desperately for a blaster. The lifeboat hangars were ahead and to the left. He entered, scanning quickly.
The bays were deserted. Edwin chose a lifeboat, entered and took his place before the controls. His fingers moved over the panel.
It was ready. Rapidly he sent a message to Lord Comishvor. *Okay, M'lord, hurry, and please bring Cory.*
*I am coming, Edwin. Be ready to depart*.
Edwin acknowledged the command and waited tensely. Time dragged by. At last, he heard a ring of boots on the deck, and Edwin flung himself to the door to see Comishvor enter the lifeboat hangar, Cory tucked under one arm like a sack of meal. The Jilectan came toward him at a trot.
Behind him, three more beings appeared, two Terrans, supporting the stumbling form of Lord Blashvor between them. Lord Comishvor heard them, glanced back, dropped Cory with a thud, and leaped forward toward the lifeboat.
Edwin was already moving. He dodged Comishvor's grasp as the Jilectan passed him, and sprinted for Cory. One of the men holding Blashvor reached for the blaster at his hip.
Edwin reached for it too, with his mind. The weapon writhed from the pirate's grip and leaped the distance directly into Edwin's hands.
"Stop!" He shouted, leveling the weapon at Blashvor. "Stop right there!"
The three newcomers froze. Lord Comishvor spoke. "Edwin, get into the lifeboat."
For a moment Edwin hesitated. He held the blaster, and if he chose now, he could go with Lord Blashvor. But at the moment Lord Blashvor's future seemed even more uncertain than his own. Since the Jilectan was attempting to flee in a lifeboat, it was plain that Dishvor and his followers had won the skirmish. Cory might need medical attention, too, and yet... he didn't want to return to Comishvor--not after what he had just experienced--and that went double for Cory.
Blashvor lifted his sagging blond, head.
"Come with me, Edwin White," he said. "I will treat you and your friend well."
Edwin hesitated, blaster in hand, then made up his mind. He bent, letting the muzzle of the blaster tilt downward. One handed, he tried to lift Cory.
He didn't hear Comishvor approach, but suddenly the Jilectan's arms encircled both him and Cory, and Edwin cried out as he felt himself lifted and clutched in a viselike grip. The blaster dropped, and Comishvor backed rapidly toward the lifeboat, the two Terrans clutched before him like a shield. The second pirate assisting Blashvor was yanking out his weapon, leveling it at the fugitives, but Edwin heard Blashvor issue a sharp command. The weapon remained pointed at them, but the pirate didn't fire.
Then they were through the hatch and it was sliding shut behind them. Comishvor flung the Terrans into seats and leaped behind the controls.
Then, incredibly, Edwin heard Blashvor's voice speaking in his mind.
*Edwin White, if you can ever escape from that fool you are bound to, there will be a place for you and your friend with me. Where will you go if you escape?*
*Corala,* Edwin flung the word at the alien mind. *The city of Franik! Oh, M'lord, help us!*
The telepathic communication was cut off as the roar of engines escalated. Edwin hoped desperately that Blashvor and his men had made it to another escape craft, or back into the mother ship before the bays had depressurized. He had no way of knowing.
They surged forward, repulsors screaming. Comishvor tapped buttons and spoke into the com. Then the whine of repulsors lessened and died. They were sliding smoothly into the lifeboat bay of Lord Comishvor's ship.
They had hardly come to a stop when Edwin felt the jolt as the mother ship converted to hyperspace. Comishvor let out his breath in a long whoosh, and wiped his forehead with one hand. Edwin remained where he was, watching his master, and wondering what punishment Comishvor would choose for him in payment for his crimes. He was almost certain that the Jilectan knew that he'd been on the brink of changing sides back there in Trashvor's lifeboat bays. Comishvor didn't look at him. He stood up, wiped his face again, and turned to the hatch. Above the panel the light changed from green to red. The bay had pressurized.
Comishvor pressed a button and the hatch opened. Three pirates, a Terran and two Arcturians, entered. They bowed deeply.
"Lommir," the Jilectan said, "take Cornelius to Dr. Jocki. Ballir and Rick, take Edwin to the brig and put him in restraints. Both of you are to stay and guard him. If he attempts to unfasten the restraints, you are to prevent him and call me."
"Yes, M'lord!" Rick's face registered surprise, but both Arcturians, typical of their species, betrayed no emotion. Edwin was seized and led toward the brig. He went peacefully. There was certainly no use in struggling. The two pirates escorted him to the brig and chained him to the bulkhead by his wrists. He submitted quietly.
Rick stood back, surveying him unhappily. "What'd you do t'upset him, Ed?"
Edwin didn't answer. He turned his face away and closed his eyes.
They brought him food a few hours later--ration cakes and water. The guards were changed, and time wore on. Edwin remained silent, considering the situation coldly. He could try to escape. He had his illusion ability and could most likely outwit his guards, but even if they managed it, would he and Cory be any better off on their own? Persecution of Terran psychics by the Jilectans had worsened during these last few years. He had heard of active, aggressive hunts for Terran psychics--and a price lay on the heads of such beings as he and Cory. They would be alone, without the protection of their fellow pirates, and of... he hated to admit it even to himself, Comishvor. A Terran psychic in this day, without some kind of support and protection, was likely to die very young
There was a sound at the door. The lock clicked and slid back, and Cory entered.
"Ed, you okay?"
"Hi, Cor. Are *you* okay?"
"Sure." Cory shrugged. "Bit of a hangover, but I'm fine. Listen, what happened? Last I remember was I was on Trashvor's ship. Why are you down here? What did you do?"
"Comishvor didn't tell you?"
"I haven't seen Comishvor," Cory said. "I woke up in the infirmary, and Jocki didn't know anything, either. He said you and Comishvor and I arrived here from Trashvor's ship in an escape craft and we went right into hyperspace on Comishvor's order. He doesn't know what happened. Apparently old Comishvor isn't talking to anyone."
"Listen, Cor." It was one of the guards, his expression uneasy, "I don't know if I'm supposed to let you talk to him or not."
Cory glanced absently at the man. "Did he say I couldn't?"
"He hasn't said anything--just to watch him."
"Well, then?" Cory shrugged and turned back to Ed. "Tell me what happened."
Quickly Edwin told him. Cory frowned as he reached the part where Comishvor had ordered Edwin to leave him. "He said *that*?"
"Yeah."
One of the guards glanced across at his comrade. "Y'know, Mik, Comishvor can be awful mean when he gets mad..."
The other guard stepped forward. "Cor..."
Cory broke his grip with a single quick movement of the wrist. "Let me alone, Mik."
"You'd better go, kid." Mik grabbed him again, and the other guard stepped forward to assist his fellow. Together they lifted Cory by the arms and carried him from the brig, depositing him outside. The door closed.
And instantly Cory's voice spoke in Ed's mind. *So, go on, Ed.*
*I refused to go without you. He gave in, but he was mad as hops. He told me to get the escape craft ready and he'd bring you. I was afraid to trust him.*
*I can understand that.*
*But then he said that if I didn't do what he said, he'd... he'd kill you right then and take me by force. And he'd make me wish I'd never been spawned. He was pretty nasty about it.*
Ed had a mental impression of profanity from Cory.
*So, I did what he said. He brought you, but in the lifeboat bays, Blashvor and two of his men showed up...* Rapidly he finished the story. Cory was silent for a few moments, then his friend's voice spoke in his mind again.
*Now what do we do?*
*What can we do?*
*I could break you out and we could steal a lifeboat right now.*
*Don't even think it.*
*I'm serious.*
*I know, but how would we survive, Cor? Think about it.*
*We did before, but I know what you're saying. Things are a lot worse out there now. We're probably safer here, even with Comishvor on the warpath.*
*I know we are.*
*But what's he going to do with you? Man, what a stupid way to act! Comishvor sort of has a tendency to lose it in an emergency. Have you noticed that?*
*Yes. I don't know what he's planning to do with me. I half expected him to kill me--or at least beat me half to death, but he hasn't touched me--at least, not yet.*
*Sh! I think he's coming!* The contact broke abruptly. Moments later the door opened and Lord Comishvor entered, accompanied by Cory. Edwin got to his feet, meeting the Jilectan's eyes with a little difficulty. Comishvor jerked his head at the two guards.
"Out!"
The two men obeyed. The door slid shut behind them, and Cory fastened it. Comishvor surveyed Edwin quizzically. "Well, my psychic?"
"M'lord?"
"What do you think I should do with you?"
Edwin gave up trying to meet the Jilectan's gaze. He looked down and spoke as steadily as he could. "My Lord Comishvor, I would do anything for you. You know that."
"You defied me. You attempted to desert--to go with my enemy!"
"My Lord, the only thing I can't do is allow Cory to be hurt. I won't risk his life--not for anything."
"Why did you turn to Lord Blashvor?"
"You abandoned Cory. Lord Blashvor offered us safety." Edwin raised his eyes. "I was afraid of you, M'lord--after I'd disobeyed you, and... well, I knew how angry you were. I was afraid you'd kill me--and maybe Cory, too."
"He saved your life, sir," Cory said quietly. "He kept Trashvor from killing you. Remember?"
"Be still, Cornelius!" Comishvor didn't even glance at him. "Leave us. Get out."
Cory went to the door, and Edwin saw him smile fractionally as he closed the door behind him.
Comishvor spoke again. "You were disobedient and insubordinate, Edwin. You defied my direct order!"
"Yes, M'lord." Edwin looked at the deck again.
The Jilectan harrumphed. "Still, I suppose I should be lenient with you, considering the circumstances--your illusion on Lord Trashvor did save my life and was cleverly done. What exactly did you make him see?"
"His blaster on emergency overload."
Comishvor's grim face relaxed, then split into a wide grin. "Excellent!"
"Thank you, sir."
"In fact, until the moment of our escape you were exceedingly loyal and resourceful. Do you mean to tell me that you made such a complete turnabout because I ordered you to leave Cornelius behind?"
"You threatened to kill him if I didn't obey you, sir."
"Your loyalties run deep, Edwin."
"Cory's my friend."
"I did not realize that Terran friendships could be so... intense."
Edwin didn't answer. He studied the toes of his boots. Comishvor cleared his throat. "And, I assume, that should I again endanger Cornelius, you would react in the same manner?"
No point in lying--not to Comishvor. "Yes sir, I would."
A pause. Then, "Well, you are honest, in any case. Very wise of you."
"You taught us that yourself, sir."
"I did, did I not?" Comishvor reached down, and a large, six-fingered hand came under Edwin's chin, tilting his face up. Edwin grimaced, steeling himself for a blow.
"I cannot tolerate betrayal and disobedience, Edwin."
"I understand, M'lord."
"You will remain down here for forty eight hours. You will receive no food but ration cakes."
Edwin stared at him, speechless.
"If this is repeated, your punishment will be far more severe. Do you understand?"
Edwin found his voice. "Yes sir."
Comishvor turned on his heel and went out.
Edwin sank to the deck and stared blankly ahead. He'd half-expected to be executed. Forty-eight hours imprisonment was nothing! Comishvor couldn't be as angry as he seemed.
The door swished quietly open and Cory entered. "Hi, Ed."
"He didn't do anything, Cor."
"Nothing at all? Then why are you still in irons?"
"Oh, I have to stay down here a couple of days on ration cakes and water. Big deal!"
The corner of Cory's mouth twitched. "Token chastisement."
"What?"
"Sure. You don't think I'd have walked out if I'd thought he was really going to hurt you?"
"Well, no, but..."
"He's feeling stupid, Ed--stupid as an Arcturian in rut. So now he's trying to save face. He's got to maintain his dominance over us, but he also knows he panicked and acted like an idiot on Trashvor's ship. His unreasonable orders and stupid threat to kill me almost caused you to desert. He knows that now, and he knows he was wrong, but of course, he can't admit it."
"Of course not."
"So he slaps you on the wrist and hopes you'll forget the whole disgraceful mess--and if you're smart, buddy, you will."
"I will. You know, Cor, you understand him awfully well. I think you're probably right."
"Probably, hell. "I am right. You were just too close to the problem to see it clearly."
"I guess I was. What have you got there?"
"Moonwine. Want some?"
"I'm supposed to be on ration cakes and water."
"And I brought the chessboard. You can be whites."
"Thanks, Cor." Edwin grinned and took a swallow of wine. "You're a real friend."
Cory grinned back at him. "Let's see if you still feel that way when I've got you cornered."
"I beat you last time."
"I let you. Didn't you know?"
"Yeah, sure." Edwin moved his pawn up. "I've never known you to let anyone win."
Cory's grin widened and he moved his own pawn up, blocking Ed's.
Chapter 11
Corala
July 2177
"The following newsflash has just come in. A spokesman for the Viceroy has reported the tragic death of Lord Salthvor, noble first son of the late Lord Nalthvor, at the hands of a Terran fugitive while on a humanitarian mission to the Confederation planet Midgard."
Loreen leaned forward, frowning. Her two boys looked up from the breakfast table, their eyes wide. Cecil, razor in hand, appeared in the doorway. "What was that?"
"A Jilectan's been killed by a Terran!"
Five year old Stephen's eyes shone. "Lord Salthvor, Dad. Who's Lord Salthvor?"
"I don't know, son."
"I wonder what he was doing on Midgard." Karl, now age seven, finished his cereal and went to the sink, placing his bowl in the processor.
Cecil stared frostily at the boy. "That's none of our business, Karl. He was a Jilectan noble."
Karl cocked his head to one side in a way that pulled at Loreen's heart. He looked incredibly like Edwin.
"If it isn't any of our business, father, then why are they telling us about it on the radio?"
A slow flush crawled up Cecil's neck. "That's enough out of you, young man!"
"But Dad, why are they?" Stephen came over to the sink beside Karl, his cereal bowl held precariously in both chubby hands. Karl took it from him deftly and placed it in the processor while Loreen wiped his round little face with a washcloth.
"That's enough, you two. You're going to miss the shuttle. Go clean your teeth." Loreen ushered the two boys toward the door, glancing apprehensively at Cecil.
"Okay, Mom," said Karl. "C'mon, Steph."
The two boys clattered toward the bathroom. Cecil finished shaving and switched off the razor. He glared at Loreen. "That boy's getting a real smart mouth!"
"For heaven sake, Cecil, he just asked a question. He's seven years old, and very intelligent for his age. I wish you'd go to his teacher conferences with me. You'd be proud of him."
"I know." Cecil's voice was nasty. "All top scores."
"Yes!"
"You pamper the boy. That's why he's turning out like this!"
"Like what? Cecil, there's nothing wrong with Karl. He's just a bright little boy, who's curious about things. He's perfectly normal."
"He's rude to his elders."
"Why?" Loreen asked. "Because occasionally he asks a question and you don't know the answer?"
She should have known better. Cecil slapped her, sending her stumbling back to fall against the processor. Clumsy, encumbered with an eight-month pregnancy, she couldn't catch herself, and fell hard. Pain knifed through her side.
The boys were beside her, crying and trying to pull her up. Karl turned furiously on Cecil. "Stay away! Get away from her!"
Cecil strode forward, reaching for his son. Loreen pushed the boy aside. "Karl! Get your brother and head for the shuttle. Go!"
Too late. Cecil had the boy by the arm and was shaking him, making his teeth rattle. Loreen made it to her feet and stumbled across to the videophone. "Let him go, Cecil! Let him go, or I'll call dad!"
Cecil glared at her. "Get away from that phone!"
The instrument buzzed.
"Don't answer it! Don't you dare!"
Loreen never hesitated. She pressed the button and her mother's face appeared on the screen. Cecil let go of Karl.
"Hi, Mom," Loreen managed.
"Honey, are you all right?"
Loreen nodded, then winced slightly as pain again stabbed her in the side. Her mother's brow furrowed.
"That's not the truth, is it?" Her voice rose suddenly in fury. "Cecil's hit you again!"
"Yes!" Stephen screamed. "Yes, Grandma! He's hit Mommy, and he's shaking Karl. Tell Grandpa to come! Please!"
Cecil cuffed the boy, knocking him down. Loreen screamed, and dimly she heard her mother's voice. "Greg!"
Gregory Cornwall's face appeared on the screen. Fury was written in every line, and he glared past his daughter, straight at Cecil. "I'm comin' over, you slimy trenchcrawler, an' if you want to live, you'll be gone by the time I get there!" The screen went blank.
Loreen ran to Stephen, who was sobbing brokenly on the carpet. Cecil uttered one short obscenity and went out of the apartment. The door snapped shut behind him.
Karl knelt beside Loreen. "Is he hurt? Steph, are you okay?"
Sobs answered him. Loreen clutched him against her, catching her breath as pain once again stabbed her in the side. She felt oddly dizzy for a moment. Then it passed, and she lifted Stephen, dabbing at the boy's cut lip. "Karl, go get a damp washcloth and some ice. Hurry."
Karl scurried to obey. Loreen helped the little boy up and seated him on the sofa. Xavier curled up beside them, purring. Stephen ran a hand absently down the cat's furry spine.
Karl was back, washcloth in hand, a plastic bag of ice in the other. Loreen took the objects and cleaned the little boy's face. Pain stabbed her again, making her catch her breath. Karl frowned worriedly at her. "Momma, he hurt you."
"I'll be okay." Loreen held the ice against Stephen's lip. "Hold it there, Honey. Hold it tight. It'll keep it from swelling."
"Grandma and Grandpa are here." Karl went to the door and opened it. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall entered.
They came straight to her, surveying the scene with horror. Stephen sobbed, clinging to Loreen.
"That *sonofabitch*!" Gregory turned to his wife. "Take care of her, Alice. I'm gonna find that bloody trencher an' kill him--real slow!" He started for the door.
"Wait, grandpa!" Karl ran after him. "I think he's gone to the pool hall--you know, Ernie's? It's two kilometers across town. He's got a lot of friends there. You'd better wait 'til he gets back."
"The boy's right." Alice straightened up from dabbing at the cut on Loreen's cheek. "No sense in you getting hurt, too."
"What brought it on?" Gregory came back to Loreen.
"We had an argument. Oh, Daddy, he just lashes out sometimes. I just don't know." The pain caught her again and she gasped.
"Are you hurt?" Alice bent over her again. "Maybe we'd better take you to the hospital."
"It's okay. Just a bruise."
"Are you sure? You're eight months now--almost eight and a half."
"Yes, but..."
"A fall at this stage can be serious."
"Mom!"
She sighed. "All right. I won't nag. You're a big girl now."
"C'mere, kid." Loreen's father hefted Stephen in one arm and perched him on his shoulders. "Let's go see about that stinkin' Jil who got zapped. Can't believe it, y'know. Salthvor is one tough Jil."
"You knew him?" Loreen looked up.
"I sure did." Gregory snapped on the video. "Real ba--um, so-and-so."
"Gregory," said Mrs. Cornwall reprovingly. "The children."
"Sorry dear." Gregory adjusted the sound. "Hey, look here!"
A broadcaster was speaking, his eyes bright with the excitement and importance of his news. "... this bulletin. Lord Salthvor, noble son of the late Lord Nalthvor, has been shot and killed aboard the Viceregal Patrol battlecruiser, Wolverine, by a Terran psychic!"
"Oh my God!" Mrs. Cornwall whispered. She crossed the room to stand before the video.
"This Terran psychic, an eighteen year old youth by the name of Alan Westover..." the face of a boy appeared on the screen. Loreen gazed in astonishment at the small, childish countenance of the killer. Dark curling hair, beautiful green eyes, and a wide smile. "... is a cadet from the Terran Space Academy. He is Terran born, and speaks with a distinctive Terran accent. He is 150 cms. in height and masses approximately 50 kilos. He is known to be armed and extremely dangerous..."
"Westover!" Loreen whispered. "Mom, your maiden name was Westover!"
"Yes, I know. But this boy comes from Terra. I'm sure there's no relation. Is your stomach hurting, dear?"
"No. My goodness, let's hope there's no relation. Good Lord! A Terran's killed a Jil! That's never happened before, has it?"
"No, but I knew it would eventually, with all this persecution of Terran psychics. We Terrans have never been a species to sit back and be trampled without fighting back."
"Sh!" Gregory turned up the sound. "Listen to this!"
The broadcast was continuing. "The Strike Commander of the Wolverine, one Mark Steven Linley," another face appeared on the screen, "accompanied Westover into the lifeboat in which the killer escaped. It is unknown at his time whether Linley accompanied Westover willingly, or if he was taken hostage..."
Loreen studied the blond, blue eyed face of the Strike Commander. "Isn't he sort of young to be the commanding officer of a battlecruiser, Dad?"
"Handsome devil," Loreen's mother remarked.
"He's the youngest ever promoted," Gregory told them. "Only twenty-five. You must have heard about it, honey."
"I guess I did." Loreen nodded. "He looks like a real lady killer."
"Most 'trols are," Alice said with a significant glance at her husband.
The red haired, effeminate features of a Jilectan appeared on the screen. Gregory laughed grimly.
"Couldn't'a happened to a nicer guy," he said. "Yeah, there he is, just like I remember him. Ain't aged a day."
The broadcaster was proceeding to list the virtues of the deceased. Gregory grimaced.
"Diplomatic? Yeah, sure. Salthvor's favorite method of diplomacy was a swat in the mouth."
Karl gazed solemnly at the image on the screen. "He looks like a girl," he remarked.
Alice laughed. "They say he's noble, too."
"Yeah, noble as a trenchcrawler, wallowin' in a pile o'fresh sewage."
Stephen giggled and Karl joined him. "What weird earrings!" he remarked.
"Oh, I think they're kind of cute." Alice giggled, too. "I'd like a pair just like 'em."
Loreen started to laugh, then caught her belly as new pain jabbed her. "Oh!"
Her father grabbed her shoulders. "What is it, honey?"
"I... I... ouch!"
"Labor," Mrs. Cornwall said. "She's going into labor, and I think Cecil did some damage when he hit her."
"I'm gonna kill that guy." Mr. Cornwall swept his daughter into his arms and headed for the door. "I'll get her to the hospital. Alice, get some of their things together and take care of the kids."
"Yes dear." Mrs. Cornwall switched off the video and hurried into the bedroom. Gregory carried Loreen out the door, over to the lift, and pressed a button.
Loreen felt another contraction building. Yes, this was the real thing, no doubt of it, but there was something different. Stabbing pain caught at her side, making it difficult to breathe. She couldn't restrain a whimper, clutching at her father's neck. He held her tightly as they entered the lift and the conveyance dropped toward the ground floor.
Passersby glanced curiously at them as they emerged from the apartment building. Gregory didn't appear to notice them. He placed Loreen easily in the front seat, ran around the car and jumped behind the controls. The vehicle lifted off.
The contractions were coming fast and hard, reminiscent of her first labor. Loreen clutched her belly, doubling over in the seat with the next one. The pressure intensified.
Her father glanced worriedly toward her. "Fifteen minutes, honey. We gonna make it?"
She managed a smile and a nod. Her father took her hand and held it tightly.
It seemed an age before the hospital came into view. Loreen knew the birth was close. Mr. Cornwall drew them up into a loading zone before the building, jumped from the car, ran around the vehicle and pulled open Loreen's door. She climbed out, clutching him. He swept her into his arms and ran up the hospital steps.
The lady behind the desk took one look at Loreen then spoke rapidly into a desk com. Two orderlies appeared with an antigrav gurney and Loreen was whisked away. Her father followed at a run, but was barred at the door of the maternity suite by a uniformed nurse.
"Are you the baby's father?"
"His grandfather. The husband's... not available."
She considered, then nodded. "All right, come on in."
**********
tbc
