l that protected his mind. _This should be a little easier for you to comprehend, and I should understand you better,_ she sent, her mental voice very soft, very gentle, and the sense of the emotion behind her words were that of sincere concern for him. _Now, how do you feel? Just think what you want me to hear, but you have to think "loudly," hon. I won't hear it unless you make an effort to have me hear you._

He decided to play the game. If they didn't _believe _he had talent, then that was just a weapon he could use when it came time to escape. _Weak. Confused. I can't remember what happened._

_You suffered head trauma, honey,_ she told him. _A common complication of head trauma is a loss of short-term memory, which usually includes the traumatic event and often time leading up to it. You suffered a major concussion, and had severe burns over thirty percent of your body. You also lost your right arm, but we're taking care of that right now. That device on your arm is reconstructing it right now, starting by synthesizing bone to replace the skeletal structure. That's why we have you on the paralytic agent. It's critical right now that you don't move. Once it's done, you'll be in a flex-cast while your body regenerates the muscle tissue and skin, then after some physical therapy, you'll be doing handstands again in no time._

_There were others with me. What happened to them?_

She sighed. _I won't pretend it's good news, honey. Lieutenant Rann Berylle is in grave condition. We're not sure he's going to make it. He was in cardiac arrest for nearly six minutes before they started revival procedures, and that's in the danger zone. But it's not totally hopeless. We've recovered patients after a longer arrest period, who went on to full recovery. Ensign Songa Berylle is recovering in the room down the hall. She suffered injuries almost similar to yours, a severe head trauma and the loss of a hand. Meya Arenne is doing fine. She had a cybernetic eye implanted to replace her lost one, and she's already on physical rehabilitation and cybernetic assimilation training. She'll be released in a few days, as soon as we're sure her eye is going to function properly. She'll have to undergo cybernetic assimilation training for a few months so she can get the full use out of her new prosthetic, but she'll be just fine._

_Cybernetic? Why not regrow it?_

_Growing an eye takes months, honey, because of the exacting precision involved. It's usually faster and easier to give the patient a cybernetic eye. Some patients do have a cloned eye implanted once it's ready, but most patients get used to the cybernetic eye and decide to keep it, because a cybernetic eye sees much better than an organic one. It's entirely personal._

_What happened? How did we get injured?_

_Oh, yes, I should have explained that. Well, honey, from what we were told, your car was struck by an orbital bombardment. As to why you were in that car, that I don't know. I can only tell you what I was told. And before you ask, right now you're in the Medical Annex on Dracora. This is the headquarters of the Faey Medical Service, and the best hospital in the Imperium,_ she sent with pride vibrating through her thought. _You will receive the best care we can possibly give you, honey. Your life is safe in our hands. We will treat you well._

_And then hand me over to Trillane,_ he growled.

_No. Trillane is trying to get their hands on you, honey, I won't deny that, but right now you are the, ah, _guest_ of the Imperial Ministry of Research and Development, which means you're under Imperial protection. They have legal custody of you right now, with some woman named Myleena Merrane having direct responsibility for you. If Trillane wants you, they have to wrangle with Imperial JAG to get you. I don't know if they have the ovaries for that._

_I, I don't understand. What does that mean?_

_It means that what happens to you after you leave this hospital is up to the Imperial government,_ she answered. _They could give in to Trillane's demands and extradite you, but I don't think that's going to happen. You're a very special Terran, Jason Fox. It would be a crime to see that lost_.

_So, I'm a prisoner._

_In a manner of speaking, I guess you are. But know this, Jason. Inside this annex, you stand on sovereign ground, and the Medical Service answers to _no one_. This is neutral ground, and we _do not_ tolerate petty squabbles and bickering over our patients. In this place, there are no sides, there is only the needy. Your legal status outside these walls does not matter in here. Right now, you are in _our _custody, and who you are or what you've done doesn't mean anything to us. Do you understand?_

_I, I guess I do._

_I know it's hard to relax with everything I'm sure is going through your mind, but at least try. For the moment, know that you are safe, and you will receive the best care that we can give you. You'll find none better anywhere in the Imperium._ She patted his hand. _Now, I'm going to order a light sedative so you can sleep. It would be boring laying there with nothing to do and no way to move. It would be better if you just sleep through it. When you wake up, you'll be off the paralytic agent, and you'll be able to move around. You'll have a vidlink available to you when you're awake, and you'll be allowed visitors._

_Nobody's gonna visit me I want to see,_ he grunted mentally.

_I think that your two friends would like to see you, and they'll be allowed to when you wake up,_ she sent with a wink. _Over your head on the top left corner of the headboard there's a big red button. If you press it, it alerts the nurse station you need something. So, if you need anything, just press the button and a nurse will attend you. Understood?_

_I understand._

_Very good. I must say, I'm happy I got to meet you, Jason Fox. And I'm honored I get to be one of the doctors on your recovery team. But you can thank me properly after you're healthy,_ she sent with a not-entirely appropriate tilt to her sending, a flirtatious invitation. _But for right now, sleep is on your treatment schedule. Have a good rest, and I'll check in on you later._

She pulled up her little handpanel and tapped on it with her finger, and Jason immediately started feeling drowsy. Did she have control over drug administration by remote control, using that little panel? He wondered, but he started feeling very light-headed... even a little euphoric.

_Sweet dreams,_ her thought touched him just before he slipped into a deep, restful sleep.

                                        * * *

He didn't really feel any better when he woke up, but at least he could move again.

It was daytime when he woke up, and before he realized where he was, he tried to scrub his face with his hands... and saw the big plastic sheath over his lower right arm. That was a quick and brutal reminder of the predicament he was in.

He found that he could think more clearly now, and he had no headache, just the dull pain in his arm. He was still connected to wires that ran to that sheath on his arm, but the sheath itself was no longer attached to the bedrail to prevent movement. And since he could move again, that meant he wanted out of this bed. He had to look around. Already, he was considering how he was going to get out of this hospital and back to Earth, and knowing the layout of this hospital would be important.

Getting out of here wouldn't be easy. He had no doubt that cameras were watching him, and guards were watching him. He would have to outsmart the guards, fool the surveillance, and try to find some way to reach a ship. But this wasn't home. This was Draconis, and here, a human was going to stand out like a pile of coal in a ballroom. The first step was going to be observation. He had to look around, come to understand how this hospital worked, and learn the layout. Then he'd have to work out some way to get himself and the others off this planet and back to Earth. If they got that far, then they'd have to make their way back to the mountain. It wasn't going to be easy at all. This would be even harder than breaking out of a prison.

The door openedthey must be watching him all the time!and a Faey entered. But instead of steeling himself for an interview or a doctor's examination, he instead smiled brightly when Meya, wearing a simple white hospital jumpsuit, padded into the room in her little white slippers. "They said I could come see you!" she told him, rushing over and embracing him tightly. He hugged her as best as he could with one arm, then pushed her out to look at her. Her right eye was _clearly_ cybernetic. It looked something like a real eye, but there was a fakeness about it that made it apparent... and the color of the synthetic iris didn't exactly match the color of her remaining eye. There was a faint scar above and below that fake eye. He reached up with his left hand and touched her face, concern and chagrin all over his face. "It's not that bad," she told him, putting her hand over his own. "I'm getting used to the new eye. Who knows, I might keep it," she smiled.

"I'm so sorry, Meya," he began, but she put her hand over his mouth.

"We knew what we were getting into when we came with you, Jason," she told him.

"I didn't get you very far," he sighed.

"I beg to differ," she countered. "We're not dead yet, Jason. I applied to Merrane for asylum, and they're looking it over. I'm a commoner caught up in a spat between two nobles, so I can use an old law to seek protection from the ruling house. If they grant me asylum, Trillane can't touch me. Songa and Rann, well, they're doctors. Nobody can touch them, no matter what. _You_ are who I'm worried about. I've already had a visit from Myleena Merrane," she grunted. "That was fun. But at least she's keeping those dogs from Trillane out of the hospital."

"She is?"

Meya nodded. "We're in a secured wing, hon. There's already a broiling fight in the Palace over you, so the Medical Service took some precautions."

"Fight over what?"

"Over who gets you," she answered. "Trillane wants your head, but it seems the Imperial government has other ideas."

"Well, they can bloody well get over that idea," Jason snorted.

"It's more than that. Right now, you'd better be kissing Myleena's feet, because she's keeping the mindbenders out of here too. She won't let _anyone_ anywhere near you except the doctors."

"You bet your ass I won't," came her voice from the doorway. Jason looked at her, and finally, in person, saw Myleena Merrane. She was tall and elegant, much taller than he thought, wearing a Class A uniform with her ribbons and her gold tassel, holding a hat in her hands. He looked at her, and he got a strange shiver up his spine, a shiver that made him gasp.

She was a Kimdori!

"Miaari?" Jason asked curiously.

"No, Myleena," she answered bluntly. She looked out the door and made a slashing motion with her hand, then closed the door. "I had them turn off the cameras in here babe, cause we gotta talk. And I don't think this is something I want someone to overhear. You, out," she said, looking at Meya.

"We'll talk later, Jason," she told him, kissing him on the cheek, then she got up and quickly scurried out.

She came over and sat down on the stool, throwing her hat casually on the bed. "So, you _are_ working with the Kimdori," she grunted. "If I remember my intelligence right, Miaari is a Kimdori consul who has a personal relationship with a Trillane, that little one that vanished. So, my question to you, Jason Fox, is _what_ are you?"

"Huh?" he asked in surprise.

"You feel like a Kimdori. I can sense them, you know. It's a little trick. You have the same sense as a Kimdori to me. But Kimdori don't bleed," she told him. "So you are _not_ a Kimdori. So, Jason Fox, what in Trelle's name are you? Because you're no human."

_Few can sense my gift, and it is that aspect of you that will lead you to your sister,_ Miaari had told him, and he recalled the other things she'd said about this woman. _You'll find your sister behind you, wielding your sword, helping you find your way. Don't mistake the sword in her hands as being held against you. She will not strike you down with it._

No! _Myleena_? Miaari had been talking about Myleena? No _fucking_ way!

He gaped at her for a long moment, trying to understand. Miaari knew about Myleena Merrane, and she'd _known_ that they'd send her to chase him down. She'd prepared him for this! But if she wouldn't raise her sword against him, did that mean she would help him? Did that mean that he should tell her the truth? Would she really stand behind him and help him find his way, or was that just a metaphor for something else?

Damn Kimdori. Why couldn't they just say what they meant?

Well, he didn't have many options here, and he _did_ trust Miaari. She told him that his sister would help him find his way. Well, Myleena was that sister, so that meant that he had to invest just a little bit of trust in her, and just have faith that his trust in Miaari wasn't misplaced.

One thing jumped out immediately at him. If both he and Myleena could sense Kimdori, and Miaari called her his sister, and Songa said that some Karinnes married into other houses... then the ability to sense Kimdori had to be a specific trait of the Karinne family line. Myleena had to be a descendent of one of those Karinne nobles.

But the bigger question is... if Karinnes could sense Kimdori, why did _Karinnes_ also have that same sense of presence? Miaari had sensed him right off, because he felt like a Kimdori to her. How did that tie in with it? What was the connection between the Kimdori and the long-dead House of Karinne?

There _had_ to be one.

Myleena stared into his eyes as they swam in confusion, then she watched them harden with resolve and become lucid as a plan of action formed behind them. If she was going to help him find his way, he'd better find a way to make her want to do it. Despite being the sister Miaari told him about, she was _still_ a Merrane, and helping him would go against her house. If he wanted her help, he was going to have to lead her into it. Just coming out and blurting things wasn't going to work.

He knew Faey. He knew how they thought, how they worked. He had enough experience with Jyslin, Symone, Kumi's group, and the doctors to know how to approach this problem. This was a Faey female, but more than that, this was an engineer, and being both, she was a woman who had a near-weakness for the concept of a mystery to solve, for something to fix. He would have to lure her into helping him

"I'm human enough," he told her evenly, holding up his injured right arm.

"Be that as it may, that doesn't answer the question," she said, very seriously. He'd never seen her this serious in all the phone calls they'd shared.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

"And spend the next two hours arguing over it? No thanks, I don't feel up to that. I have better things to do."

That incited an act he never thought would happen. Angrily, she reached out with both hands and grabbed his face. Her touch was _not_ gentle. That touch amplified her telepathic ability, and to Jason's shock, it was _awesome_. This woman was stronger than Jyslin! He tried to raise the defense that Jyslin taught him, but she was so fast, she shattered his outer walls of self and drove a spear of her own self straight through him. In a heartbeat, she had complete access to every part of his mind, but instead of raking her fingers through every part of him, taking the prize of his darkest secrets, she instead searched out the answer to that question, a question that, he realized, had been consuming her in obsession so severely that she was willing to risk infuriating him by attacking him telepathically to get the answer she so craved.

And she got it. She sifted through his memory of his revelation, digesting that discovery quickly, then touched on his association with the Kimdori and picked through his memories of Kiaari and Miaari and the conversations they'd had concerning the subject.

She gasped audibly. Her eyes widened, and she took her hands off him like he was a live snake. _No!_ she sent in shock. _It can't be true!_

_I told you you wouldn't believe me,_ he sent privately to her, a bit indignantly. _There was no call for that!_

_I... I'm sorry. But it can't be true! That youyou're _Faey_!_

_I'm not Faey. I just have a Faey ancestor,_ he told her. _And if Miaari was right, mine is the same as one of yours._

_I... I don't know,_ she sent in confusion, putting her hands on the sheath over his arm. _I could look through our historical tree, I guess. But I don't see how. This is unbelievable!_

_That was my reaction too,_ he sent. _Now, if you don't mind, you can go now. I'm really angry right now._

She grimaced. _I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry._ She frowned, then reached out and put her hand on his face once more. He was about to slap her hand away, but instead of attacking him, he felt her lower all of her defenses through that touch. She opened her mind completely to him, surrendering to him anything he wished to take, an act of contrition for taking what he had not offered freely.

He grabbed her hand and pushed it aside, breaking that communion. "No," he declared. "Just go."

She gave him a stricken look, then nodded silently. "I'll come back tomorrow, because we _really _have to talk, alright? And I promise _never_ to do that again."

"I should calm down by then," he informed her.

She nodded, stood up, and filed out. Meya, who had obviously been standing outside, came in after she left, watching her go from the doorway, then sat on the stool. _What happened?_

_I wouldn't give her the answer she wanted, so she _took_ it._

Meya gasped. _She attacked you?_

_In a manner of speaking,_ Jason bristled, his indignance bleeding through his sending. _I'm not quite sure what to do now. I need to get out of here, to escape. Miaari told me that Myleena would help me, but now I don't know if that'll happen._

_How would she know that?_

Jason glanced at her. _Remember when you brought Miaari to Chesapeake, when she brought me those IDs? Remember what she said, about my sister holding my sword?_ Meya nodded. _She was talking about _Myleena_. She knew that they'd send her to deal with me, somehow. Meya, Miaari knew that Myleena's related to me._

_She is?_

_She must be one of the descendents of one of those Karinnes that married into other houses that Songa talked about,_ he explained. _Miaari told me how I'd know her, and I knew it the instant I saw her face to face. _Myleena_ is the sister. Miaari said she would help me, but I'm not sure if she really will. She seemed absolutely shocked to find out. That's what she took from me. I wouldn't tell her why Iwhy she got a peculiar feeling when she looked at me, the same one I get when I look at her. When I refused to answer, she _took_ it._

_You can tell just by looking at her?_

He nodded. _Miaari told me what it would feel like. I, I guess the Karinnes could sense each other, because Myleena feels much different to me than any other Faey._

_Well, I don't know about that kinda historical shit. I never paid much attention to my history when I was in school._

_Well, this might be a good time for me to start reading about the Third Civil War,_ Jason sent with an audible grunt. _I won't have anything else to do for a while. I fully intend to escape from here, but there's nothing I can do until this is fixed._ He held up his sheathed right arm, where the device sealed to his arm worked to regenerate the part of his arm he'd lost in the attack. _Whether Myleena helps me or not, I'm going back. I'm going home._

_Well Jayce, if you need help, I'm in,_ she told him. _I was going to apply for asylum, but you're right. We have unfinished business back on Terra._

The door slid open again, and a jumpsuit-clad Songa stood in the doorway, her right arm sheathed in a similar unit to the one on his own. She looked at the two of them, the burst into tears and ran into the room. She collapsed on the bed, her arms clutching at Jason's neck, crying uncontrollably. "Songa?" Jason said in surprise.

_Rann is dead!_ she sent with emotionally charged power, a sending they probably heard miles away.

Jason closed his eyes and felt the burning well up in his nose immediately. He gathered Songa up into his good arm and cradled her, Meya put her hand gently on Songa's shoulder, sharing in her mourning as they grieved for the loss of a husband and good friend.

                                        * * *

If there was any one good thing that came about from the passing of Rann, it was that Songa did not blame _him_ for his death. And it bought them precious time.

She became his virtual roommate after that, as she and Meya spent their every waking hour in his room, seeking solace from her grief in the presence of her friends. For several days after his passing, she would fall into bouts of severe weeping and episodes of almost psychotic depression, and was highly emotional and moody. Jason and Meya consoled her as best they could, but it was very, very hard on her. Faey married for life; there was no concept of _divorce_ in Faey society except in the noble ranks. The pair bond of a Faey couple was intense, powerful, telepathically reinforced. The death of a spouse was a severe blow to a Faey, much, much more so than it would be for a human. The bonds of love between a human husband and wife were a pale shadow of the bond that formed between telepathic mates. Jason read after Rann's death that suicide was a common occurrence for a widowed spouse, and often they simply wasted away from grief and died.

They would _not_ let either of those become Songa's fate. Jason and Meya worked together to keep her mind active, keep her challenged, allow her to express her grief for Rann but not allow it to consume her. Sometimes it took humor, sometimes it took comfort, sometimes it took understanding, and more than once it literally required a slap on the face to snap her out of a self-destructive obsessive line of thought.

Because of the delicate nature of Songa's condition, and much to Jason's surprise, Myleena did not press any of her urgent issues. Everyone backed off, even the other doctors, and allowed Jason and Meya to help Songa through her time of bereavement.

After nearly two weeks, when they'd replaced the unit on Jason's arm and let him get a look at a rather grisly sight of new bone and thin reeds of blood vessels and ligaments around them, awaiting the covering of flesh and skin, the outside world had decided that it had been long enough to start again. Songa was still touchy and had bouts of depression, but both Jason and Meya felt that the worst was over. She could say Rann's name without breaking down now. It may take her months, or even years, to fully move past the trauma of it, but at least now she wasn't suicidal, and was taking interest in the life around her once again.

But things wouldn't stay on hold forever because of Songa, and the appearance of Myleena Merrane in his doorway one morning, as Songa sat by his bed watching the vidlink and Meya braided her hair, told him that reality was back in his life. He looked at her and felt that same shiver go up his spine, and she filed in and stood by the door until it closed. Songa glared a little at her, and Meya just gave her a cool look.

"Such an unfriendly welcome," she said with a slight smile, but it was _not_ Myleena's voice. It was Miaari!

"Miaari!" Jason gasped, jumping out of bed as she walked up to him. He met her halfway, putting his hand and sheathed arm out to touch her as she reached her hand out to place on his neck. He felt that moment of _expansion_, when Miaari used her ability to merge her mind with his own, and he felt very little from her side of that union. "I didn't think you'd come!"

"I had to wait for things to calm down, that is all," she explained, placing her hand on his neck in ritual Kimdori greeting. He couldn't resist putting his hand on the side of her neck in reply. She smiled at him, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You look better now, my friend. Is your arm healing well?"

"They say two more weeks," he answered, holding the sheath up for her to see. "Can you get a message"

"I already have," she told him, urging him to sit down. He did so on the edge of his bed, and she sat beside him. "I don't have much time before the real Myleena gets here, so listen carefully. Kiaari has told the others what happened. They have decided to carry on in your stead, Jason. Jyslin misses you and wishes to be with you, but she has taken over as the main engineer of your devices and continues to make life hell for Trillane. Your capture has created what you might call a general state of war on Earth. Your allies have not taken kindly to your capture, and they are producing devices that attack Trillane at a truly staggering rate. They have even left the safety of the mountain and conducted armed raids on Trillane military holdings, raiding for weapons and supplies. Trillane is retaliating against the lay citizenry in response, and things are starting to escalate. Trillane is also furious with the Empress right now. After your capture, she withdrew her Black Ops team from Terra and has left them to deal with your compatriots alone. She refuses to send any additional help. They have also demanded your release to Trillane to answer for your sedition, but their pleas rattle against a closed door in the Imperial Palace. The Empress will not even call Grand Duchess Trillane to court. She has made it clear that you were her only interest there, and without them there to try to counter your rebellion, they are running roughshod all over Trillane shipping. Your rebellion is costing Trillane a _fortune_."

"I'm glad they're not going crazy with worry."

"They are, Jason, but by devoting herself to standing in your shadow and carrying on your vision, Jyslin seeks to lose herself both in her work and in your goal. Kiaari told me that she carries around a picture that broadcasted on INN of your burned-out car, and every time she gets tired, she looks at it and then goes back to work."

"My poor baby," Jason sighed. "I wish I could talk to her."

"That would not be advisable, Jason. But be patient."

"Miaari, Myleena"

"Yes, you have met her," she said simply.

"But she took it really hard. She might not help"

"Let that flow of its own accord, Jason. There is no need to push at what will move on its own in time. Trust me."

"Alright."

She put her hand on his shoulder. "So, now you know what I wanted you to know. Well done, Jason."

"But what does it _mean_, Miaari? There's more to it, there just has to be."

"That is the point, Jason. There _is_ more to it. With the help of your sister, you can find the answer you seek. Learning what I hoped you would learn was only a stepping stone across a stream."

"What did you want him to know?" Songa asked.

"It is a secret I still cannot speak of openly, child," she answered evenly. "Even when speaking it to those who already know. A secret unspoken remains a secret. It is the Kimdori way." She shifted her hand back onto his neck and shared with him a time seventeen days from today, and a place, an old vacant warehouse about 17 _kathra_ from the Medical Annex, and a detailed memory of the city of Dracora. It was like he'd lived here all his life; he knew every back street, every alley, every walkway, and he _knew_ he could walk from Lusten Beach all the way to Myrai Heights with a blindfold on. She also shared with him a thought, an instruction: _be at this place at that time. We cannot interfere, but we can ensure you have a way out. I will make the necessary arrangements, but getting to that place, at that time, is your responsibility. Do you understand?_

He nodded, and the face of Myleena smiled at him. "I am out of time, my friend. Be well, and take care. Oh, yes. Perhaps you should consider one thing, Jason."

"What?"

"An interview."

"A _what_?"

"An interview," she repeated. "The citizens of the Imperium know your name, but perhaps it is the best interest of the rebellion if they see your face, and hear the words from your own mouth. Perhaps it is time for the rest of the Imperium to hear about what happened to friend Kumi, an attack Trillane has managed to keep very quiet. Remember, the game you play with Trillane is as much status and position as it is financial. Put enough pressure on Trillane brought about by the rest of the Imperium concerning their actions on Terra, and they might bend."

"Are, are you sure that would work?"

"I wouldn't hurt," she shrugged. "In your position, my friend, seeking _any_ advantage would behoove you. Your situation is not favorable at this moment, is it?" she asked, pointedly looking around the room to remind him where he was. "You have no restrictions in this place, Jason. Don't forget, this is sovereign ground of the Medical Service, and they do _not_ tolerate outside interference, even from the Empress. You, like any other patient, have every right to call others from your vidlink. You can call whoever you please, so long as you understand that more than you and the one you talk to will be listening, and whoever you call can be traced."

"I understand," Jason said, nodding to her unspoken warning: _do not call anyone you don't want found_.

Miaari walked to the door and opened it with a touch of a button. "I will see you again shortly," she said, then walked out and closed it without a word.

_What was that about?_ Meya sent tightly, so only Jason and Songa would hear.

_She had me touch her mind,_ Jason sent, a bit evasively. _She gave me a location and a time. If we're there at that time, we have a way off Draconis. All we have to do is get there. She warned me that getting there is _our_ problem. They won't help._

_How lovely,_ Meya sent darkly.

                                        * * *

Despite Miaari's statement that Myleena would come around on her own, he didn't see a whiff of her for three days after Miaari's visit. But that was a welcome respite, for it gave Jason time to think things over, consider how he was going to handle getting away, and also ponder the question that was nagging 