Beyond Varallan by S. L. Viehl

work. Squilyp thinks if he wins, it'll prove to Tonetka that he's the better candidate for her job. On his world, that's how it's done.” The Chakacat's distress over the idea of the fight was pretty obvious. “Don't worry, I'll be fine.”
    “If you say so, Cherijo. Ah, here is my friend Jenner, come to visit with me.” Alunthri held out welcoming arms as my cat leapt up into its lap. “Have you come to offer greetings, small sibling?”
    “Your little brother smelled the food,” I said. “Guard your plate.”
    His Royal Highness glared at me. That’s enough out of you, impudent serving wench .
    “We will share.” Alunthri offered a crust to Jenner, who delicately sampled, then wolfed it down. “I heard of your efforts during the relief mission for the NessNevat.”
    “Some effort.” I rose to my feet as I recalled all the orphans left behind. “Nothing I did will bring back their dead.”
    “Once lost, those still exist in memory.” The Chakacat was obviously thinking about its parent and litter siblings, which had been killed outright for their pelts on Chakara.
    I hurried to change the topic, and asked what it was currently involved in. The Chakacat had been busy, too. I listened as it related some details from its intense study of Jorenian weaving.
    Hard to believe the intelligent, articulate Chakacat had been considered nothing more than a pet back on K-2.
    “The last time I saw you, you mentioned you had some big decision to make,” I said. “Have you decided to switch your studies from art to something else?”
    “I’ve made my decision, and no, it is not in regard to my studies.” Alunthri put Jenner down and went to my display. “May I access from here?” I nodded, and its claws swept over the touchpad, bringing up the navigational data charts with rapid ease. “There is an interspecies artists' colony that has been established… here.” It used a talon to indicated the region. “It is called Garnot.”
    “Are we planning a sojourn there?” I asked as I examined the screen. It wasn’t that far away.
    “I made a special request of Captain Pnor.” Alunthri touched my arm with a gentle paw. “Cherijo, I have decided to immigrate to Garnot.”
    I was startled. “Will the colonists recognize you as a sentient?”
    Alunthri nodded. “I have signaled the colonial rulers. As they are not League members, I meet immigration requirements, both for resident status and sentience. They believe I have a great deal to offer with the scope of my studies.”
    “That’s wonderful.” No, it wasn't. I smiled sadly. “I'm going to miss you.”
    “And I you. If not for your help, I would still be enslaved to the Chakarans. I do not wish to leave my friends aboard the Sunlace , but…” Its colorless eyes moved to the screen. The longing was unmistakable. “Garnot is where I belong.”
    “How long before we reach the colony?” I asked.
    “Some weeks.”
    “Good. I’ll juggle my shift schedule. We can spend some time together before we get there.” I made a face. “If I'm not confined to a berth in Medical, that is.”
    A priority signal came over my console, and I frowned as I switched screens. “Yes?”
    “Healer.” Xonea looked solemn and happy at the same time, and a cold chill inched down my back. I remembered the last time I’d seen that expression. “You are needed here in Medical,” he said. “A path has been diverted.”
    That meant someone was dead. My throat tightened as I thought of the current patient roster. “Fasala?”
    “No. Roelm Torin.”
    Since all the gyrlifts were in use, I ran the two levels up to Medical. I cursed Jorenian engineers and their stupid ideas of construction every step of the way, too.
    Spiral bores into dimensional barriers be damned, I thought. An internal elevator or hover lift would have been really convenient once in a while. Like now.
    Tonetka was halfway out of the bay when I got there. It took me a moment to catch my breath. “What