"For centuries I existed as a curious metal object with a spark of intellect, hiding in the wilderness with few senses with which to interpret this strange world. Eventually I was discovered and taken to a Quadsang, a woman of genius with the necessary knowledge to understand what I was." He moved his wings to indicate his body. "She fashioned my present form."
"So, you went from a powerful war machine to a brass parrot?"
"It was the best she could do." His voice betrayed no annoyance or defensiveness. "At least I have mobility. That's something I prize highly after being immobile for hundreds of years."
Adena couldn't imagine the torture her friend had gone through. "I guess so."
"At least it allowed me to reassess my existence, the nature of my being. With no communication to my Kloog masters for so long I could call myself emancipated. I decided I was free to do what I wished, to make friendships and even enemies if I so chose." He blinked. "I'm glad I chose you as a friend, Adena."
Adena nodded and swallowed the lump that had appeared in her throat. "Likewise, Mr. Phibuli. Uh, how did you come by your name?"
"It was given me by my rescuer. She never did divulge her reasons."
"So, you're saying this silver woman is another of your kind? You didn't know she was here on BloodDark?"
"Yes, and no, I didn't. Had I been fully functional, my sensors would've picked up her trace from the other side of the world. As it is..." He clattered his wings again in a way that suggested embarrassment. "I didn't sense her until I was practically on top of her."
"Is it female? I don't know if you have genders."
"Some of us identify with one gender, some don't bother with such attributes. I call her her because she chose female form. I don't doubt we came off the same production facility, so to use your term she is in effect my sister."
"How did she come to be here?"
"I can only surmise she traveled to BloodDark the same way I did and perhaps met with similar damage. It appears her repair systems worked much better than mine."
He sounded rueful. Adena frowned. "Will she be a threat to us in future?"
"That I don't know. The Pure Bloods are not what they once were, but they might manage to destroy or damage her enough to neutralize her. If she does make an appearance, I can certainly reason with her."
"I hope she doesn't make an appearance." Adena stood up. "Well, your kin or not, I'm glad we're heading away from there as fast as we can. As for me, I'm heading for bed. It's been a long day."
She stepped into the passageway and saw Zared standing outside the cabin allocated to Cathy Kozinski. "How the hell did you get loose?"
He turned and pointed a pistol at her. The muzzle looked big enough to roll a bowling ball down. "I am taking over the ship, Captain." Zared's voice sounded as if it came from far away. She saw his eyes had an unfocused quality as if he were drugged.
"Like hell you are!"
Adena made to close the distance. At that moment the curtain to the booth parted and Cathy Kozinski stepped out. Adena expected Zared to seize her as a human shield or hostage. Instead he looked at Cathy as she turned toward Adena.
Adena swallowed. The other woman's eyes glowed with silver light.
Chapter 11
The woman who was not Cathy raised her left arm. Her hand twitched and appeared to melt, reforming into the shape of a vicious-looking blade. Adena drew her sidearm in one swift practiced motion and leveled it on the woman as she held the blade to Adena's throat.
"You will do as I command," the silver lady barked.
Her voice sounded rusty as if the words were unfamiliar to a throat that had not spoken for a long time. Adena felt the hot nick of the blade on her skin, and the ticklish feeling of blood beginning to seep. She lowered the pistol and returned it to her holster.
"It seems I have no choice."
"I seek a place of refuge, to heal myself."
Adena cast a sideways glance. The woman's eyes glowed bright mere inches from her own.
"Do you know of such a place?" her attacker asked.
"There's one place not far off." Adena gritted her teeth. It pained her to be in such a humiliating position, but survival of her crew, her ship, then herself took precedence in that order. "It's one of our way stations."
"You will take me there."
"Then you'll let us go?"
The woman's nostrils flared. "Perhaps. I smell the taint of my ancient enemy in your blood."
Perspiration broke out on Adena's brow. "I'm not a Pure Blood. We trade with them sometimes, but otherwise have nothing to do with them."
"Trade with my enemy makes you my enemy." The voice became more assured as the creature became focused on the task at hand. "But there is some other species in your heritage, one not known to us. I will permit you to live — for now."
She pushed Adena in the direction of the flight deck. The strength behind the push suggested a lot more force would follow if she did not obey the woman's demand.
Adena made her way to the flight deck, all the while trying to figure out a way to overcome the woman. As they passed through the lounge she glanced around for Mr. Phibuli, but he'd made himself scarce. Adena didn't think he would be capable of tackling the creature following in her footsteps, but he might
