New Dawn
Chapter 4

Squealinglaughter rang through the dining room. The first rays of a wet grey dawn weresneaking through the shutters, making the light of the lamp seem dim. Nikuscrabbled and escaped once more from Benho's tickling fingers, scampering uponto the dining room table, sticking her tongue out and daring the man to chaseher again.

“Catch meif you can!” she giggled.

Benholaughed. “Niku, you're too fast for me.”

“I'll giveyou a head start,” she said pleadingly.

“Okay, go!”

As hejumped up from his chair, Niku fled, running deliberately slowly so that hestood a chance of catching her. She liked this teasing boy in the same way shewould like a brother. And his strong fingers knew exactly the right places totickle her little body without hurting her.

When Maiceeeventually exited from the shower room, rubbing his wet hair with a towel, hefound Benho and Niku lying exhausted on the floor, the little Chamonkey stillconvulsing a bit from laughter.

“I didn'tinvite you here to tease Niku,” he said, throwing his towel over the back of achair.

“You didn'tinvite me here at all,” Benho pointed out.

Maiceegroaned. His head still ached somewhat despite the pain shot he'd taken when he’dawoken. “I know, I know.”

“He was sodead drunk, I had to carry him up those stairs,” Benho told a giggling Niku.“And the stench of him, you wouldn't believe it. You're lucky that you sleptthrough the entire thing. And you,” he said, looking sternly at Maicee, “needto learn how to hold your liquor better if you're going to drink. I'm notalways going to be around to roll you home.”

Maiceepoured a glass of water from the large jug on the table. “Never again,” he saidbefore chugging it down.

“That'swhat I always say too.” Benho grinned.

Maicee wasabout to protest that, unlike Benho, he actually meant what he said, but thenthe hand scanner beeped and the door opened, revealing a dripping Kabi.

“Damnrain,” he grumbled, fumbling to take off his cloak without shedding too muchwater onto the rush floor.

He broughtwith him the deep, succulent smell of tropical rain, a smell that remindedMaicee of summer days when the heat built up until it exploded into a storm,making him feel reborn and new.

“Hey,Kabi,” said Benho, getting up to take the man's cloak from him. “It's been awhile.”

Hedelicately hung the brown cloak on a hook next to the door. He liked Kabi—hewas one of the few decent people Benho had met on Carooine, though he hadlittle idea why. Kabi just seemed to exude a sort of trustworthiness andsteadiness.

“Hmph,”grunted Kabi in reply, trying to brush rainwater off his grey stubble hair.

Niku scaledBenho's legs, jumping up into his arms to get a closer look at Kabi whilstavoiding getting wet.

“You lookfrustrated,” she told the older man.

“Hmm,” hegrunted again. “Sorry, it's good to see you, Ben.”

He tooliked the boy. Maicee had always been a small child, and Benho had saved himfrom a lot of the bullying that he'd have otherwise suffered on the streets ofCarooine City.

“Watch outfor Niku,” he said, smiling at the Chamonkey. “She's got a nasty bite when themood strikes her.”

To provehis point, Niku nipped at Benho's fingers, not breaking the skin but withenough pressure to let Benho know that she could really hurt him if she choseto. He looked down at the little grey fur ball with renewed respect.

“Be nice tohim, Niku,” said Kabi with a laugh, pulling out a chair to sit tiredly at thedining table. “He did help save your life, after all.”

Nikusnuggled against Benho's hand and softly licked the place where she had bitten,and Benho carried her over to join Maicee and Kabi at the table.

“Can I askyou something, Kabi?” said Benho, placing Niku down carefully on the table topbefore taking a seat.

“Sure,”said the older man, reaching into his pocket and replaceing a paper-wrappedpackage of Sigars.

“How didyou create Niku?” the boy asked curiously. This had been bothering him sinceMaicee had drunkenly spilled the genetic secrets of the Chamonkey the nightbefore. “I mean, gene modification has been banned for as long as I canremember, so we're not taught anything about it. And, well, I'm interested.Interested in the theory. I understand the basic concept; I just don'tunderstand how it's done.”

Kabi stoodand lit his Sigar from the hanging lamp before sitting and drawing a satisfiedmouthful of smoke. “You won't replace any information in that medical library ofyours,” he said, knowing full well that Benho hated a mystery and once sparked,his curiosity would drive him to replace answers. “Much of the related informationhas been deleted from records, and what remains is highly classified.”

“So howcome you have the information, then?” said Benho.

Kabilaughed. “That's a story in itself. But I've made a solemn oath not to tellit.” He eyed Benho and grinned maliciously. “I could tell you ...”

Benho'seyes lit up at the thought.

“But thenI'd have to kill you,” finished Kabi.

Benhowasn't amused. He might enjoy teasing others, but he wasn't always so great atbeing teased himself, Maicee knew. It was one of his friend's few flaws.

“Is itbecause of the Supreme Emperor's laws?” Maicee asked Kabi. “I mean, why wecan't practice genetic modification anymore.”

“No.” Kabishook his head. “This law is far older than the Supreme Emperor's reign. Thedecision was made many centuries ago. Maybe one day I'll tell you the wholetale. For now, though, I've got other concerns.” He sighed.

Niku madeher way over and rubbed her head against his hand. “What is it, Kabi?” sheasked gently.

Kabi suckedat his Sigar, releasing a large plume of smoke before answering her. “Whatworries me most is trying to get you home safely,” he said finally. Hescratched his nose with one finger before adding: “It looks like all thepirates and smugglers of Carooine sailed off into hiding when the Imperial Navydropped anchor in harbour. Can't blame them, I suppose. But I've been trying toreplace a way for us to get out of here all night, and have found exactlynothing.”

“You wantto smuggle Niku out of here before you and Maicee go off on your around-the-worldtrip?” Benho asked, curiosity once more piqued.

Kabiglanced at Maicee, glad that the boy had decided on his own to come, though Kabiwould have forced him if necessary. He wondered what had persuaded him to comealong, but decided to let the issue lie. He'd got the outcome he'd wanted, andquestioning it would be foolish. Somethingthat a lot of other people could profit from learning, he mused.

“Yes,” hesaid shortly, in answer to Benho's question.

“Hmmm,”said Benho, thoughtfully, then nodded. “Maybe I can help.”

“And howwould you go about doing that?” asked Kabi, a glint of interest in his paleblue eyes.

“I couldtell you,” Benho said, then shrugged. “But then I'd have to kill you.”

Maiceelaughed, joined by Benho, and even Kabi smiled.

“Fine, haveyour secrets. Every man must,” Kabi said, when the boys had settled down again.“But you'll have your price, because every man must have that too.”

Benhonodded. “I have my ways. I'll help you replace a ship out of here; you have myword. But, yes, there is a condition.”

“Which is?”Kabi asked.

“Which isthat you take me with you,” Benho said flatly.

Kabiscratched his nose again and looked suspiciously at Benho. “You seem eager toleave. Not in any trouble, are you?”

“No, no,”Benho said airily. “It just so happens that I too need to leave Carooine, andI'd rather have you three as travelling companions than a shipload of piratesor traders.”

He stood upfrom the table and looked at his chronos. “Do we have a deal?”

Kabi lookedat the boy. Something was going on here, and he didn't know what. And he didn'tlike not knowing what was going on. However, his needs coincided with Benho's,and if the boy could help, well, fine. “You don't even know where we're going,”he said.

“Britannia,”Benho said. “Maicee told me. Hip, cool, and far away from tropical humidity andrainstorms. Can't go wrong there.”

“Fine. Getus a ship by tomorrow night, and we've got a deal,” Kabi said.

“Perfect,”Benho said with a grin. “Now if you'll excuse me, a prior engagement awaits.”

He winkedat Maicee, who had a fair idea of what his friend's prior engagement was, andleft the apartment. It was a good ten-minute walk back to his own place, and hedidn't want to be late. He thought of Sa-li's hips swaying in her short skirt. Nope. I definitely don't want to be late,he thought, hurrying his steps a little.

The metalbed frame creaked rhythmically. Clothes, both male and female, lay scattered ina trail from the door to the bed, and the heavy, musky scent of hormones was inthe air. Sa-li giggled and moaned, and Benho's breath came faster. Glisteningskin sliding against skin, sparkling in the early afternoon sunshine, Benhowondered how he could ever think about leaving this woman. It was only when hewas spent and the room descended into peaceful silence that he began to thinkwith his brain again, rather than with other parts of his anatomy. This wassomething that had to be done. And who knew, one day, maybe he'd be back forher. Looking at Sa-li's long black hair spread out on his pillow, he sincerelyhoped that he would be back for her.

For now,though, he needed her help, and that meant asking for it. And letting her knowthat he was leaving at the same time. He just hoped that she wasn't going tokick up a fuss about it.

“Sa-li,” hesaid, stroking her arm. “You wouldn't happen to know of anyone with a ship whowouldn't mind making a little money on the side, would you?”

She lazilyopened one deep blue eye. “Thinking about smuggling something in?” she asked.

Benho shrugged.“More like smuggling something out,” he said and paused. “Myself and somefriends,” he admitted after a while. “I can't tell you any more than that.”

Sa-lilooked at him, pondering what her reaction to this should be. She had longexperience with men and knew damn well that the one thing that would driveBenho away would be to try to stop him from leaving Carooine. On the otherhand, if she helped him, then he might one day return to her.

“You can'ttell me more because you don't trust me?” she asked, pretending to pout.

“No, Itrust you!” Benho said seriously, sitting up. “But some things are best leftunsaid. Information can be dangerous, you know. And I wouldn't want you to gethurt.”

Hmmm. Shehad been joking, and it amused her that he would be so serious. But there wassomething in his voice. This was obviously not something to be joked about. Shethought for a few minutes, her fingers drawing gentle circles on his chest.

“I heardfrom one of the band members that Lucia has a personal ship,” she said finally.

“Lucia thesinger?” Benho said, surprised.

“Mmm. Andthat she occasionally dabbles in ... well, things,” said Sa-li. “Would you likeme to set up a meeting?”

Benhonodded, his mind being rapidly distracted by Sa-li's moving fingers. “Thatwould be nice,” he croaked. “I'll owe you one.”

“Well,”purred Sa-li, “maybe I'll take a little down payment right now.”

She sprangup, pushing Benho down onto the sheets, straddling him and letting him see thefull sight of her curved body. If she was going to lose him, even if only for awhile, she'd better make the most of him while she had him. Benho laid his headback and groaned. Damn, he was going to miss Sa-li.

The troopthrough the residential quarter to the outskirts of town had left Benho, Maicee,and Kabi dusty and feeling more than a little out of place by the time theyreached the quarter where Carooine's mansions and villas lay. The evening wasjust beginning, and in their own part of town, the night stall holders werealready plying their wares, music playing, bells jingling, and the voices ofthe haggling shoppers calling in hoots of laughter and snorts of derision. Here,though, all was quiet, except for the soft hiss of watering machines on largelawns and the hum of insects taking advantage of the last of the day's heat tofeed.

“It lookslike that's it,” said Benho, examining the paper he held in his hand and thenpointing at a large white house.

Most ofCarooine was sand coloured with a little red dust thrown in for good measure. Keeping this place looking white andpristine must be a nightmare, thought Maicee as they walked towards thetowering gates. Beyond the gates he could see an immaculate garden, with nosign of a living soul.

“Shecertainly knows how to live,” Maicee grunted as Kabi lifted a hand and rang abell.

“Doleanresidence,” said a disembodied voice.

“Yes, thisis KabiOnn, and I believe Ms. Dolean is expecting me?”

There was aquiet click as the gate unlocked, and raising an eyebrow, Kabi pushed through.

Beds ofbrightly coloured flowers lined the path from the gate, widening into a largecircle before rejoining and leading to the front door. In the centre of thecircle sat a fountain, spraying jets of multi-coloured water high into the air,where they turned into mist and floated down to the ground. Maicee licked hislips and tasted no hint of salt in the mist. On an island that had littlenatural fresh water, Lucia must be very rich indeed to be able to keep a gardensuch as this. And just how had a singer come to make so much money? Sure, shewas famous enough in the small confines of Carooine, but surely not this kindof famous. Perhaps, he thought, asthey approached the door, she’s morerenowned in her homeland.

Theyreached the cool shade of the porch that stretched over the front door, andonce more Kabi raised a hand to ring a bell. This time there was no voice; thedoor simply slid silently to one side. After a moment of hesitation, the threemen stepped inside.

What noneof the three noticed was the two Imperial soldiers watching them disappear intothe house through the gates. The two soldiers looked at each other, came tosome sort of silent agreement, then settled back to wait for the prescribedtime.

They wereshown into a large room, open on one side to the gardens behind the house andlittered with couches, cushions, and low tables. Lucia rose as soon as theyentered, her long red hair tied up in an elegant knot, clothed in a white robethat was almost transparent. Benho's eyes nearly fell out of his head as hetried desperately not to see anything that might overexcite him.

“Welcome tomy home, KabiOnn,” said Lucia in her husky, lightly accented voice.

She heldout her hand for Kabi to kiss, which he did whilst never breaking eye contact.

“It's apleasure to see you again,” he said.

“Thepleasure's all mine,” said Lucia, eyeing him. “You've become quite thecelebrity. The last I heard, you were being hunted by Magi Lords.”

Kabilaughed. “From what I hear, you've become quite the celebrity yourself, CaptainSeagull.”

Luciagrinned, flashing white, even teeth, and bowed her head in recognition of thetruth of what Kabi had said. Maicee shot Benho a confused look, but his friendshrugged, equally baffled.

“Come,sit,” said Lucia, turning towards a collection of couches. “I've had teaprepared, or would you prefer something stronger?”

Her voice really is hypnotic, Maicee thought as he obeyed herorder and sat. Kabi refused the offer of strong alcohol, and Lucia delicatelybegan to pour tea into small crystal glasses. Maicee took the opportunity tolook around the room, admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into buildingsuch an elegant house. Everywhere he looked, there was something stunninglybeautiful: a vase, a picture, a statue. He shook his head in wonder. Lucia waseither far more famous than he'd thought, or she had done more than her fairshare of illegal dealings, such as what they were about to ask her to do, inorder to afford a home like this.

“The housebelonged to my great-grandfather,” said Lucia, noticing his interest. “One whomI was told was a rich merchant.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “I wassimply lucky enough to inherit it after his passing.”

Maicee feltthe colour in his cheeks rise as she smiled at him, and had to shake himself toget rid of the feeling. She couldn't possibly know his secret, but if she hadthis effect on him, he wondered what sort of effect she must be having on thereal men. Shooting a glance at Benho, who was uncomfortably crossing his legs,he guessed that his friend was suffering rather badly from this onslaught ofseductiveness.

“So, tobusiness, gentlemen,” Lucia said, settling back, her small glass of tea in herhand. “What exactly can I help you with?”

Kabinodded, first introducing both Benho and Maicee, and then pausing to collecthis thoughts before saying: “We need a ship that will get the three of us awayfrom Carooine without being seen. Rumour has it that you may be able to help uswith this.”

Lucialifted a single, perfect eyebrow and took a sip of tea before replying. “Youwill understand, dear Kabi, that whilst this would generally be a very easything for me to do, just at the moment things are rather ... difficult. Thearrival of the Supreme Emperor's Navy in our little harbour does rathercomplicate matters.”

Lifting hisown glass to drink, Kabi swallowed and nodded in satisfaction. “You have verygood tea here. I suspect that your ... services ... are even better.” He softlyemphasized the word ‘services’.

“That isincorrect,” Lucia said, smiling. “My services are not better. They are thebest. And they do not come cheaply.”

She drankagain, Benho's eyes following the sinuous movement of her pale throat as shedid so.

“Fivehundred thousand Imperial Credits,” she said finally. “And I will personally guaranteeyour safety, and that of your companions, until you reach your destination.”

Maiceegasped. It was a fortune.

“That'smore than even the most esteemed surgeon makes in a year,” Benho choked, teaspraying out of the corners of his mouth.

Lucia turnedher luminous green eyes on him. “Ah, yes,” she said quietly. “But a surgeonrisks only the life of his patients, not his own life, does he not?”

Benholooked abashed and nodded. Lucia rewarded him with a small smile before turningback to Kabi, her eyebrows raised questioningly.

“I'll payfifty percent in advance and fifty percent on arrival,” said Kabi, unfazed bythe price. “And I have only three days, so the vessel must be a speedy one.”

“Seventy-fivepercent in advance,” Lucia said.

Kabiregarded her for a moment, then gave a sharp nod.

“Then wehave a deal,” she said, her voice soft again.

She stoodand waited for Kabi to haul himself out of his chair so that the two couldshake hands to seal the deal.

“Meet me atthe beach to the west of the city tonight at midnight with your payment,” shesaid, once the deal was officially done.

“Verywell,” said Kabi. “And I thank you for your help.”

She noddedin acceptance of his thanks. “Now, gentlemen, it has been a pleasure, but ifyou'll excuse me, I must go and give Sansoe the bad news. He'll need to replacehimself another singer for the next few nights.”

Theserenity of the lovely room was broken by a harsh beeping from the com set onLucia's wrist.

“What isit?” she barked.

“There arethree military men looking for you, ma'am,” said a voice from the com. “One ofthem a lieutenant of some sort.”

Lucia'sperfect face creased into a frown for a flash of a moment, then cleared.

“It appearsthat we do not have time for pleasantries just at the moment, gentlemen,” shesaid, striding towards the door and pulling a rope that obviously rang a bellelsewhere in the house.

In lessthan a moment, the door opened, and Falorni entered. Both Benho and Maiceelooked surprised to see the scrub nurse.

“What...?”began Maicee.

“There's notime for questions yet,” Lucia said, raising a hand to stall him. “Falorni,here, will show you gentlemen out of the house the more...discreet way.”

She noddedat all three men, then left the room, leaving behind her an invisible trail of floweryscent.

“This way,please,” said Falorni. “And quietly too, if you don't mind.”

The scrubnurse led them through a wide gallery with arched windows pierced by orangerays of setting sun, before turning into a narrower corridor and finallystopping in front of a small door. She tapped three times on different areas ofthe door, which then opened to reveal stone steps descending down intodarkness.

“Verygood,” said Kabi, looking down. “The basement, I assume?”

Falorninodded.

“Excellent,”Kabi said. “Now, I am going back to check on the situation. The three of you goahead, please.”

Falornilooked ready to protest, but Kabi gave her a cold, hard stare.

“I am morethan able to care for myself,” he said. “I ask only that you lead these twomiscreants to safety somewhere from which they'll be able to replace their own wayhome.”

Falornibowed her head in assent. “Very well.”

“You havemy thanks,” said Kabi.

He turnedand left, going back the way he'd come before either Maicee or Benho couldthink to stop him.

“What now?”Maicee asked.

“We followFalorni and do as we're told for once,” replied Benho, certain that there wasabout to be trouble and not wanting to be a part of it.

Falornibeckoned, and the two men followed her down the cold stone stairway.

Kabifollowed the sounds of voices, his footsteps silent on the cool marble of thefloor. Once he reached the entrance hall of the house, he secreted himself intoa dark corner from where he could observe exactly what was going on. In hisexperience, it was always a bad plan to jump in with both feet if you couldavoid doing so. Far better to scope out the situation first.

Lucia wasarguing with three men, all in uniform, one obviously the leader, the other twosome form of guard. From the looks of the bulge on Lucia's right hip and theway her hand kept straying to it, she was armed. Probably a knife, he thought, watching carefully as Lucia moveduntil he saw the outline of a dagger beneath her skirt. He grinned to himself.He really was beginning to like this woman. Tearing his eyes away from hermovements, he concentrated on what was being said.

“You cancut the act and stop wasting our time,” the officer said forcefully.

“What act?There is no act.” Lucia's voice was soothing and calming, but her hand oncemore reached down towards the dagger, just in case.

“We havemore than enough proof that you're Captain Seagull. A ridiculous name to choose;has anyone ever told you that?” the officer jeered. “And we've got more thanenough to put you and your merry little band of, what did you call them? Ah,yes, the Sunshine Raiders—yet another foolish name ... To put the whole lot ofyou away for a very long time. If you're lucky enough not to have your prettylittle head lopped off, that is.”

Lucia'shand was closer than ever to the dagger on her hip, and Kabi brought himself uponto the balls of his feet, ready to move.

“So, youcan either come with me quietly,” the officer continued, “or...”

At this,the two guards un-holstered their bolt blasters in one synchronised movement.Kabi sighed and stepped out from the shadows.

“Come,come,” he said calmly. “Violence will not be necessary, Lieutenant. We are alllaw-abiding citizens here.”

The officerspat on the floor. “Law abiding, my eye. This one of your pirate crew?”

Lucia tooka deep breath and, still soothing, said: “I have no idea of what you'respeaking about. I'm a singer in a bar, as anyone around here will tell you.This captain that you're looking for ...”

“Enough,”the officer interrupted her. “You can either come with me, or you can taste thebolt. And that goes for your little gigolo too. Take him.” He motioned for oneof the guards to grab Kabi.

The guardtrained his weapon on Kabi, taking a step towards him.

Kabi half-closedhis eyes, searching his mind for the sharp place of intense focus that he knewwas there. Finding it, he sank himself deep into it, feeling the powerthrumming along his veins. Only once he was sure that he was in the place didhe open his eyes and speak.

“I'mcertainly not a gigolo,” he said placidly. “And I don't appreciate beinginsulted.”

Reachingout, he put a hand onto the guard's outstretched weapon, letting the power runthrough him as the bolt blaster morphed into sand, trickling down to form asmall pile at the feet of the stunned guard. Without waiting to see what theeffect of this on the guard would be, Kabi drew back his hand, forming it intoa fist, pulling back and pushing both his hand and the power hard into theguard's stomach.

For a briefslice of a second, the guard still stood, spikes of crystal formed by the powerprotruding from his back and making him porcupine-like, before he shuddered andcollapsed, dead. There was only the sound of blood dripping on marble for amoment, and then Kabi turned towards the other guard, who was breaking out ofhis shocked trance and raising his weapon.

Even asKabi walked towards him, the guard fired. But the magical man simply lifted ahand, palm facing the oncoming bolt, and let it hit him, the power deflectingthe shot to dissipate without even a sizzle. With a hint of irritation, Kabiflicked his finger up, releasing a sharp shard of crystal that flew directly atthe guard. It hit him squarely between the eyes, killing him instantly.

This wastoo much for the lieutenant, who turned to flee, not understanding what thehell was happening, but not wanting to wait around to replace out. But before hisshaking, terrified legs could take more than a step, Lucia's hand movedcasually and a dagger spun through the air, hitting the lieutenant at the baseof the spine with a very satisfying thunk. He died before he even realised thathe'd been hit.

Kabinodded, impressed at the woman's skills. Notbad at all, he thought. He turned to see Lucia watching him speculatively.

“You know,”she drawled, “I do so like it when unbelievable rumours turn out to be true.”

Kabi bowedin acknowledgement. “All rumours must have some basis in truth,” he said. “Orthey wouldn't start in the first place.”

Luciathought about this for a moment and nodded. “Well, it appears that the rumoursabout you weren't even close to being unbelievable enough. You are far morepowerful than I could have imagined.” Her eyes narrowed as they regarded him.“I can understand now why the Magi Lords might be hunting for you.”

She walkedtowards the corpse of the lieutenant and stooped to retrieve her knife.

“Did youknow that there's a bounty of ten million Imperial Credits on your head?” shesaid, turning back to him. “Alive, or ...” and here she tossed the daggergently into the air and caught it again, “dead.”

Kabigrinned at the implicit threat in her words. “It's always a pleasure to help adamsel in distress,” he said. “Particularly when she is as lovely as you are.”

Lucialaughed, the tinkling sound of it echoing through the hallway. “After what I'vejust seen, I wouldn't dare,” she said, wiping the dagger clean and sliding itback into its sheath under her skirt. “And you are quite the charmer. But youare correct. You have helped me, and your aid should be rewarded.”

He raised aquestioning eyebrow.

“I shallaccept your proposal and charge you only three hundred and fifty thousandCredits, rather than the five hundred thousand we had agreed on,” she said.“Both as a show of gratitude for your help here and as a sincere offer offriendship.”

Kabinodded. “I thank you.”

“However,the incident here must necessarily change our plans,” Lucia said, regarding thethree bodies that lay strewn around her floor. Flies were already gathering,hovering over the corpses. “We leave with the tide. Meet me at the beach in twohours. No longer.”

Kabi turnedto leave the house, but the sound of her voice stopped him.

“Any longerthan that, KabiOnn, and I will leave you and your boys to your fate inCarooine,” she warned.

Heunderstood and hurried out, his feet clattering on the gravel path.