New Dawn
Chapter 3

Maiceeyawned as he slid into his seat in the auditorium next to Benho. He'd managedto grab a couple of hours’ sleep, and looking at his friend, he guessed thatwas more than Benho had had.

“You andyour night-time adventures,” Benho grumbled, rubbing his tired eyes. “I'mexhausted.”

“Somethingtells me that that's more because of your night-time adventures than mine,”said Maicee.

But theydidn't have time to argue further. The crowd of students grew quiet as a tall,silver-haired man entered onto the stage in front of them.

“Take yourseats,” he said in a voice used to authority.

ProfessorLock-Tmy, Dean and Medical Director of Carooine Medical Centre, surveyed hisstudents. Some here, he knew, would go on to greatness. Others, he thought sadly, shouldhave paid more attention to their work than to the attractions of the city'sbars and women. He sighed and looked at the paper in his hand beforelooking again at the trainees.

“It's mypleasure to be here today to announce the results of this year's surgicalexaminations,” he began.

He clearedhis throat, then paused slightly, letting the suspense build. In general he wasa serious man, known for his extensive medical knowledge as well as for beingdistinctly no-nonsense. But he did like to toy with his charges at times. Hewaited until he was sure that every eye in the auditorium was on him before continuing.

“It is onlythe second time that I have been able to say this in my long career as MedicalDirector here. But congratulations, each and every one of you will be joiningthe ranks of surgeons. Every one of you passed the examinations, though somedid better than others.”

As he saidthis, he eyed a young student in the first row who had come very close indeedto failing.

Maiceeturned to Benho, his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe that he'd actuallypassed. He let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and grinned atBenho, who grinned back.

“However,it is my duty to remind you that the path ahead of you is a difficult one, onethat will be far harder than the life of a trainee. You would all do well toremember the words of the esteemed ...”

TheDirector's voice droned on in his customary graduation speech, and Maicee satback in his seat, relieved and overjoyed. He closed his eyes in gratitude andwas almost asleep when he felt Benho nudge him.

“And so itis time to announce the winner of this year's Golden Scalpel Award forexcellence in surgical training,” the Director was saying.

Maiceeopened his eyes and shifted his position slightly, wondering which of hisclassmates had won the prestigious award.

“Thisyear's winner has shown dedication, studiousness, and courage. All of which arekey traits in a surgeon. Not only that, though, he has shown that he is a truesurgeon at heart. Despite making a mistake in his final exam, a potentiallyfatal mistake, this doctor ...”

Maiceelistened with growing panic. He wasn't talking about him, was he? No, hecouldn't be.

“Anaccidental cut to the colon can be fatal, of course ...”

My Gods. Hewas. Maicee felt his face redden, and Benho's hand gripped his leg.

“But withhis calm, logical manner this doctor rectified his mistake, and the patientwent on to live. And this, of course, is the essence of being a great surgeon.To realise that no matter what your skills, it is your patient's life that isparamount. For his attitude of perseverance, his courage and sense of dutytowards his patient, I award this year's Golden Scalpel to Doctor MaiceeLavurine.”

Theauditorium erupted into applause, and Maicee could feel the tears welling inhis eyes as Benho manhandled him into a back-slapping hug.

“You deservethis,” Benho whispered.

But Maiceewas still too shocked to say a word.

Nikustirred in her warm bed, reluctant to open her eyes. The bed was soft and sweetsmelling, and despite a strange pressure in her side, she felt better thanshe'd felt in a long time. Her nose twitched as she caught the scent of food. Hmmm. Maybe I should wake. She was, nowthat she thought about it, quite hungry.

Blinking alittle in the light, she opened her eyes and stretched her tiny body. Somethingwasn't right. What was it? Confused, she peered around her. She was obviouslyin somebody's home. But it wasn't any of the palace chambers that she knew. Shewasn't with her princess, and she couldn't smell her princess either. Shestruggled to come up with answers, trying to decipher what was going on here,but her brain was just too foggy.

“Ah, you'reawake,” said a voice.

Looking up,she saw a large man dressed in a simple white cotton shirt and blue trousers.His pale blue eyes glittered with laughter, and his hair was shaved down togrey stubble on his head. He looked like he'd just woken up. More than that, helooked vaguely familiar.

“Let mejust wash up, and I'll get you some breakfast,” he said before wandering out ofthe room, his steps still groggy with sleep.

He was,Niku thought, someone she knew. And though she didn't know exactly where shewas or what was happening, she had a feeling of comfort. She wasn't afraid. Shejust wished that she could remember what had happened to her. And moreimportantly, who this man was.

The ceilingfan overhead creaked as it turned, slowly stirring the humid air. Maiceeshifted impatiently from one foot to the other, and Benho frowned at him. Theelderly Director tapped the papers he was reading into order, put them down onhis desk, and gave his attention to the two young men.

“First,” hesaid, “let me congratulate the two of you on your excellent examinationresults. As you may already know, you both tied for equal first rank in yourclass.”

Maiceehadn't known that and was surprised, but Benho just nodded. The Directorsteepled his fingers together, peering over them at the boys.

“That beingsaid, I have an offer to make you. I would like the two of you to remain herein Carooine City as my resident surgeons.”

Benholooked about to speak, but the professor waved a hand at him.

“No, no, nohasty decisions. There's no rush. Take your time and think about it. I'll giveyou two weeks to come to a decision.”

Maiceewondered who on Archeonis would need two weeks to make a decision like this.Carooine Medical Centre was well known as the best surgical hospital onArcheonis. This was the offer of a lifetime. Cases were brought to Carooinefrom all over to take advantage of the high level of care the Centre offered,and that meant plenty of interesting operations to do. And it also meant, ifMaicee was being honest, that he wouldn't have to leave the city that he loved.Before he had a chance to speak, though, the Director was dismissing them.

“Now go,enjoy your party. I shall join you all later.”

Stutteringthanks and both still amazed at what had happened, Maicee and Benho left theDirector's office, practically bowing and scraping as they did so.

Niku wasdrooling as the man came out of the kitchen, a plate in either hand. The smellof food was making her tiny stomach rumble. The man placed the plates on thetable and pulled up a chair.

“I shouldintroduce myself,” he said with a smile. “I'm Kabi, and you, you are ... Hmmm.I seem to have forgotten your name. I'm so sorry. How rude of me.”

He lookedembarrassed, and Niku snuffled a little with laughter.

“I amNiku,” she said, moving carefully to the side of the basket she had beensleeping in. “And how did you know that I spoke the human tongue?”

Sheswallowed down the saliva that was threatening to spill out of her mouth, herlittle hands grasping at the top of the basket.

“Do becareful. You've had quite a serious injury, you know,” said Kabi, leaning overand gently helping the little Chamonkey out of the basket.

With reliefand watering mouth, she scampered over to the plate and began scooping uppieces of omelette with her paws, pushing the delicious food into her mouth.

“You'restill as greedy as ever,” laughed Kabi, turning his attention to his own plate,but using a fork to eat rather than his hands.

Niku eyedhim curiously but couldn't speak through a mouth stuffed with food.

“I heardyou calling out for help in your dreams as you were unconscious,” Kabi said,slicing through a chunk of omelette. “But if memory serves me correctly, you'recurrently supposed to be with Princess Ausanne.”

“How didyou know?” choked the creature, coughing up flakes of eggs. As soon as the man hadmentioned her princess's name, everything had come together and she was, evenas she ate, beginning to remember what had happened.

“BecauseI'm the one who gifted you to the princess on her fifth birthday,” said Kabiwith a gentle smile. “You were only a baby then. I'm sure you don't evenremember.”

Niku satback on her haunches and regarded him with solemn black eyes beforeapproximating a smile with her furry muzzle. “That explains it,” she said.“You're Prince KabiOnn. The queen's brother and the princess's uncle. I haveseen your portrait.”

She wentback to eating, pushing a piece of food into her mouth before remembering hermanners and hastily swallowing, saying: “It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”

Kabisighed. “KabiOnn is a name I have not heard for many moons,” he said, shakinghis head. “And it would be better if you dropped the Highness. In fact, try tocall me Kabi for now.” He hesitated for a moment as though he were about toplunge into his memories, but then decided against it. It had been a long time,and some things were best left unsaid. And un-thought. “Tell me, Niku,” hesaid, picking up his fork again. “How did you end up in a damaged escapecapsule on a beach in Carooine City? And how, more to the point, do you have adata disk?”

He reachedinto his pocket and pulled out the data disk that he'd found clutched in thecreature's hand on the beach. Laying it on the table between them, he finishedhis meal as Niku began to explain everything that had happened.

When theChamonkey was finished, Kabi rubbed his chin with his hand and sighed. “Youbring grave news, Niku.” He looked at the little creature, her black eyesshining, and felt a swell of apprehension. “This disk doesn't contain plans fora weapon at all.” His eyes fell to his rough hands on the table. “It'ssomething much, much worse.”

For once,the Sansoe Bar wasn't hopping with loud music or crowded beyond safe capacity.The Medical Centre had rented the entire bar for the graduation party, and itwas invitation only. Benho still had his quiet table reserved for him, though,and the two men made their way over, Benho catching Sa-li's eye and gesturingfor drinks on their way.

Sa-liwatched the handsome young doctors speculatively. Being the barmaid at theSansoe meant knowing everything that happened in Carooine City, often evenbefore it happened, and she knew that they'd both been offered jobs here. Shehadn't considered a long-term relationship with the charming Benho, but nowthat it looked like he was sticking around for a while, well, why not? Shehurried to get their drinks.

“So,” saidMaicee, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened. “I assume we'regoing to accept the offer, right?”

Benholooked brooding and shook his head a little. “The thing is, Maicee, I've sortof got a little unfinished business elsewhere,” he said.

Maiceelooked at his friend and wondered. He knew both everything and nothing aboutBenho. He knew they were friends. He knew that Benho had lived at the MedicalCentre training academy until he'd come of age and moved out of thedormitories. He knew that Benho never lacked for funds. But he knew nothingabout the man's family, and Benho never offered information. Maybe that’s why we’re such good friends,he thought. Because both had their secrets, and both knew not to pry. He'dthought often of telling Benho his own secret, but every time he did so, he gotthat strange, tingling, dangerous feeling, and so he didn't. Now it looked likeBenho might be on the verge of giving up some information.

“Anything Ican help with?” Maicee asked cautiously.

“Not yet,”said Benho, shaking his head and giving his easy smile. “Maybe another time.Mind you,” he added as Sa-li put drinks down in front of them and hurried offto take another order, “I wouldn't mind seeing more of her.”

Maiceegrinned. This was the Benho he knew.

“I think Imight be in love with her, you know,” Benho added quietly. “But I haven't saidanything. There's still this unfinished business.”

He pickedup his glass and drank, and Maicee watched him. Benho, who had always been soeasy going, so unruffled. But now there was a hollow look to his eyes.

“This isofficial business. Let me in, or I'll have your head!”

“Emperor'slackey,” spat Benho, looking at the bullying military captain trying to forcehis way into the bar.

“Sir, thisis a private function, I'm afraid ...” Sansoe's door guard was doing a poor jobof preventing the captain from entering, and an even poorer one of keeping thepatrons inside the bar undisturbed. Every eye in the house was on theconfrontation happening at the door.

“Bring methe owner,” the captain snarled.

The doorguard looked helplessly over at the bar. A large man there, wiping his hands ona towel, stepped out and nodded at the guard.

“I'll takethings from here, Little Joe,” said Sansoe, the bar's giant of an owner. “Now,sir, I do apologise for any inconvenience, but as you can see, this is aprivate party by invitation only, and I'm afraid I'll have to ask you toleave.”

Themilitary captain raised his sword threateningly, and the crowd gasped. The menof the Emperor were renowned for their ruthlessness in the face of obstacles.But Sansoe didn't move. He stood, looming over the captain, until the man hadsecond thoughts and lowered his sword again.

“I'm hereon official business,” the man repeated sullenly. “A few days ago, there was apirate attack on the ship of an Ambassador, killing everyone on board. Recordsshow that an escape capsule was launched, and we've just found the remains ofthat capsule on the beach outside of the City. Know anything about it?”

Sansoewhistled air through his teeth. “An Ambassador, eh?” he said thoughtfully. “No,afraid I don't. We haven't seen any new faces around here since the lasttransport ship left a week ago.” He looked down at the captain, who had re-sheathedhis sword. “Offer you a drink?”

The captainscowled. “It's official business,” he said, emphasising the word ‘official’.“And the only reason I'm in this scum-hole is because I was informed that theMedical Director is here, and I wish to speak to him. Get him for me.”

Sansoeraised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply letting his large frame block theentrance of the bar.

“Lookingfor me?” said the steady and distinctive voice of Professor Lock-Tmy.

The tallman squeezed through the crowd of people surrounding the door, and when he cameinto sight, the military captain's face paled, the blood sinking out of it in arapid wave.

“Governor,sir.” The captain saluted smartly.

Maiceegrinned to himself. Obviously the man hadn't known that the Medical Directorand the Governor of Carooine, appointed by the Emperor, were one and the sameperson.

Lock-Tmynodded, and the captain dropped his salute. “Are you in need of medicalattention, Captain?” he asked.

“No, sir. Notat all, sir. We're looking for the survivor of a pirate attack, sir.”

The captainwas beginning to ramble in the face of obvious authority, and Benho looked atMaicee with amusement.

“You see,sir, the Ambassador of Britannia's ship was attacked two days ago, and everyoneon board was killed, sir. Except, sir, we didn't replace the Ambassador's body,and we think that the Ambassador maybe escaped in the escape capsule we foundon your beach, sir, and that maybe, well, maybe, sir, that the Ambassador wastaken to your medical centre, sir, since there was signs of injury and all ...”

TheDirector held up a hand to stop the flood of words spilling out of thecaptain's mouth. The captain stumbled to a stop.

“I'm afraidwe've had no new patients for the past few days,” Lock-Tmy said thoughtfully.“So I don't think I can be of much help. If you require further assistance, Ishould be glad to ask the local sheriff to aid you. But otherwise, as you cansee, we have a celebration going on ...”

“Yes, sir. Thankyou, sir. Won't trouble you any further, sir,” stuttered the captain. And witha final, shaky salute, he left the doorway.

“Continuewith the celebration, please,” said Lock-Tmy, turning to the crowd.

Benhowaited until conversation had restarted and the bar was humming before leaningin to Maicee, looking at him suspiciously.

“What?”said Maicee, wondering what his friend was looking at.

“You knowwhat,” said Benho.

“No, Idon't,” said Maicee, confused.

“Oh yes,you do. The Director just told that captain that we haven't had any newpatients for a few days, but that's not true, is it? We've had one new patient.One that only you and I know about.”

Gods.Maicee looked at Benho in horror. He was right.

“You think ...?”

Benhonodded. “I think that they're looking for that little furry creature of yours.And I think that if you don't know what’s going on, then you'd better replace out,and fast.”

Maiceejumped up from the table so quickly that he knocked his chair over. “I've gotto go,” he mumbled.

“Becareful,” warned Benho, but he was talking to his friend's retreating back.

Now, he wondered, what was all that about? He looked at the half-empty glass in frontof him and shrugged. Sometimes patience was its own reward. He took a drink andsettled back into his comfortable chair. Whatever trouble it was that Maiceewas in, he knew that he'd replace out what it was sooner or later. Might as wellenjoy the celebration while he could. He caught sight of Sa-li through thecrowd and winked at her.

Pounding upthe stairs to the apartment, Maicee waved his hand over the scanner lock,gasping deep, unrewarding breaths. The door sprang open, and as he slammed itclosed behind him, he froze in astonishment at the sight of Kabi chattingamicably to the little Chamonkey at the dining room table.

“Welcomehome,” said Kabi with a grin. “You look stunned. This is Niku, and this, Niku,is Maicee, the surgeon who operated on you.”

“Mypleasure to meet you,” said the Chamonkey, bowing her head in appreciation.“And thank you for saving me. I hope it wasn't too much trouble.”

Maicee'smouth flapped open and closed like a beached fish until he found his voice.“You can talk?” he asked incredulously. And then he had another thought.“You're the voice I heard in my head!” The high-pitched sound was unmistakable.

Niku turnedto Kabi, a look of confusion on her face.

Kabi rubbedhis chin, feeling the bristles and nodding. “You heard her too, hmmm. Notsurprising, though, I suppose.”

“Notsurprising?” said Maicee, approaching the table. “Not surprising? I thought Iwas going mad! And then ... and then ...”

“And thenmaybe you are, because there's a talking Chamonkey with telepathic abilitiessitting in your dining room talking to your guardian,” finished Kabi, laughing.

“Well ...yes,” Maicee said, exhaustedly pulling out a chair and slumping into it.

“Stoppanicking,” Kabi told him. “Niku is no normal Chamonkey. She'd been geneticallymodified to have the ability to speak and to communicate through thought whennecessary.”

Maiceefrowned at this. “But, but how is that possible? The Supreme Emperor outlawedgene modification long before I was born.”

“I know myhistory just as well as you do, boy,” said Kabi, irritated. “And I know whatwas done because I'm the one who did it. I created Niku.”

“You didwhat?!” Maicee sat upright in his chair and stared at Kabi, horrified.

“I createdNiku,” Kabi repeated patiently. “I made her about fifteen years ago now, as apresent for my niece.”

“Yourniece? I didn't know you had a niece,” Maicee said.

“Of courseI do. Aren't you one of them?”

Maiceeshook his head. What? Kabi was his uncle? Where the hell had that come from?He'd had no idea.

“Must haveslipped my mind,” Kabi said, looking slightly abashed. “I'm sure I meant totell you. Anyway, I have many relatives. Siblings, nephews, nieces ...”

Maiceestared hard at his uncle, the temperature in the room seeming to have droppedby several degrees. “You never told me,” he said coldly. “You never wanted totalk about your family, nor mine, who are apparently the same as yours. Younever answered my questions, never replied though I pleaded with you. Nevertold me why I have to keep my secret. You, Kabi, never told me a damn thing.”

“That's nottrue,” Kabi said. “I made an agreement with you.”

“Which Ihope you haven't forgotten,” Maicee said spitefully.

“Ihaven't,” said Kabi. “I haven't.”

And Maiceeregretted speaking in such a fashion. Kabi might have kept things from him, buthe'd taken care of him, raised him. Maybe he hadn't done the greatest job, buthe'd done what he could. And he had made an agreement with Maicee, though he'dplaced no time limit on when the agreement should come into effect, when Maiceecould learn all he needed to know. He sighed, scrubbing his fists into histired eyes.

“By theway,” Kabi said casually, “Niku and I will be leaving on the next availableship.”

“No!”shouted Maicee, sitting bolt upright and remembering why he'd come rushinghome. “You can't. The military are here. They're searching for it ... er, her.They found the escape capsule and think the survivor was some kind ofAmbassador or something.”

Nikusqueaked in fright, but Kabi looked thoughtful.

“Shh, shh,”he quietened the scared Chamonkey. “They're faster than I thought. Hmm. Itseems that we can't wait for the next transport ship. We shall have to replacesome other form of transport to get us away from Carooine.”

Maiceelooked from Niku to Kabi and back again, and then tilted his head back, closinghis eyes. If Kabi was serious about getting out of here, then he supposed hecouldn't stop him. And maybe it was better that he left with the Chamonkeybefore any of them got caught. He was, Maicee realised, an accomplice in allthis after operating on Niku, and having the two of them off the island wouldbe safer for everyone. Including him.

“I think,Maicee,” said Kabi, interrupting Maicee's train of thought, “that it would bebetter if you came along with us.”

Maicee'seyes snapped open. “No way,” he said quickly. “I've just been offered thechance of a lifetime, a job at the Carooine Medical Centre. No way am I leavingnow.”

Kabi smileda little and patted Maicee's hand. “It's time,” he said simply. “Come with me,and I will show you your heart's desires. I will show you your family. This isall a part of your destiny, my child.” He shrugged. “It may have come soonerthan I had expected, but nevertheless, you will have to face it sooner orlater. It may as well be now.”

He got upfrom his chair and stretched, reaching for his brown cloak and swirling itaround his shoulders.

“I am goingto make arrangements,” he said. “I will tell you more when I return.”

And he wasgone, leaving Maicee staring at the little Chamonkey and puzzling over whatKabi had just said.

“I want toknow, but I want to stay here too,” moaned Maicee, putting his head in hishands.

Hedespaired for a moment, then looked up to see Niku crawling into her basket andcurling up, ready to sleep. She'd be fine. He needed a drink. And he needed tosee Benho.

Benho eyedthe military captain as he stood discussing something with Sansoe at the bar.After a brief conversation, the captain nodded and left again. He checked his chronos.Maicee had been gone for a while now. And it was odd that the military captainwould come back like that after being so summarily dismissed by the MedicalDirector-cum-Governor. Benho pondered this for a moment, then beckoned Sa-liover to his table.

The partywas calming down now, the older professors having left, and some of thestudents much the worse for wear passed out in dark corners. Sa-li checked thatthere were no orders to be taken, then came over and pulled out a chair. She'dbeen on her feet all day, and her legs were aching.

“What wasall that about?” asked Benho.

“Oh, thecaptain?” Sa-li said, surprised.

Benhonodded.

Sa-lishrugged. “He came back asking more questions. Wanted to know if there was anygirls that had appeared around here about fifteen years ago. Seemed strange,but Sansoe couldn't help him. There's no girls around here like that, though.Everyone who came around then were boys, like you. In fact, you were one ofthem, weren't you?”

“Yes,” saidBenho, thinking back. “I came with a lot of others, right before the Warstarted. But everyone I remember back then was male. And the only other kidaround my age was Maicee, and we're both boys. I wonder who this little girlis?”

“Wait,little girl? Since when were you interested in little girls?” asked Maicee,having overheard part of their conversation on his approach. He grabbed a chairfrom a neighbouring table and swung it around, taking a seat.

“I'm notinterested in little girls; that military captain is,” said Benho, glad to seehis friend back. “What about two more drinks, Sa-li?”

The girlnodded and flicked her black hair over her shoulder as she stood, bendingprovocatively to push her chair in and give Benho a good look down herwell-filled blouse.

“So what'sthis about a girl?” Maicee asked impatiently as Benho followed Sa-li with hiseyes, practically salivating.

“Oh, that.Just gossip,” said Benho, tearing himself away from the sight of Sa-li andlooking at Maicee. “The captain was here again asking if Sansoe knew of anyyoung girls who came to Carooine around fifteen years ago. Weird question. Ofcourse, all of us back then were boys, so ...”

He trailedoff and saw that Maicee's face had paled slightly.

“You don'tknow the girl he's talking about, do you?” he asked, confused by Maicee'sreaction.

“No, no,”Maicee said hurriedly. “Like you said, we were all boys.”

“So what'swrong, then?” asked Benho. “You look troubled.”

“Er, yes,yes,” said Maicee, blinking back to attention. “Kabi has just announced thathe's leaving Carooine on the next ship, and he's asked me to go with him.”

“But youwon't, right? I mean, you're going to stay on here at the Medical Centre,aren't you?” Benho said, looking at his young friend curiously.

Maiceesighed. Yes, he had been. But not now. Not after what he'd just heard. Forwhatever reason, things were getting hot around here, and he didn't think heshould wait and replace out why. The decision that just a few minutes earlier hadseemed impossible had now been made for him. There was a fair chance—no, anexcellent chance—that the military were now looking for him. And whilst hedidn't think anyone knew his secret, he didn't want to risk anything. No. Hewas going with Kabi.

“I don'tknow,” he said slowly. “Maybe it would be better to see a little of the worldbefore settling down. I think I might take Kabi up on his offer. I can alwayscome back to Carooine later.”

“Then let'senjoy each other's company whilst we still can,” said Benho. “I'm going to beon the next ship out, myself.”

He paused whileSa-li came over with their drinks, then went off to take an order.

“To us,” hesaid, raising his glass and studiously avoiding looking at the beautifulwaitress.

Maiceeshook his head. Knowing Benho, he wouldn't even tell Sa-li he was leaving. Thepoor girl. But he raised his glass anyway.

“To us,” herepeated.

Taking asip of his sweet drink, he wondered what the hell he was letting himself infor. But the dangerous tingling feeling he had let him know that he had noother choice but to leave Carooine.