Beast Within

By Stephanie Barr

There should never have been a space battle, certainly not one that sent my ship full of fleeing children across the whole damn universe. Nor was I prepared to land on a planet I knew nothing about and would never be able to escape. But of all the things I wasn't prepared for, it was to find myself dependent on a tiny group of shapeshifting magic users among the refugees, shapeshifters hated by my own fellow humans and yet the only chance any of us had to survive.

I have now seen the shapeshifters, called the Bete, organize and build when we were still chaos inside my ship, even though we had adults and they didn't. I have seen them repulse the horrific foes that wander this new world. change into fantastic beasts for our protection, and even heal our wounds.

I'm told they are demons and monsters that cannot be trusted, and yet, I have found that our fate relies not only on this group but the leadership and judgment of a boy half my age and many times my power. How am I to hate him? Who is really the beast in this?

The "demon" that saves us or the hatred that divides us?

The "demon" that saves us or the hatred that divides us?

I clearly did not bring enough whisky.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Barr
• Release date: Jun 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310241031

Stephanie Barr

Although Stephanie Barr is a slave to three children and a slew of cats, she actually leads a double life as a part time novelist and full time rocket scientist. People everywhere have learned to watch out for fear of becoming part of her stories. Beware! You might be next!

Book preview

1

Beast Within

By Stephanie Barr

Smashwords Second Edition

Copyright 2017 Stephanie Barr

Discover other titles by Stephanie Barr

Conjuring Dreams: Learning to Write by Writing

Tarot Queen

Beast Within (First of the Bete Novels)

Nine Lives (Second of the Bete Novels)

Twice the Man (Third and final Bete Novel)

Saving Tessa

Musings of a Nascent Poet

Curse of the Jenri

Legacy

Ideal Insurgent

The Taming of Dracul Morsus

Pussycats Galore

Catalyst

The Library at Castle Herriot

Dedicated to Stephanie, Roxy and Alex, always.

Also, thanks to Lee who was actively involved in reading, ideas and support.

And to Chuck Larlham and Ana Marija Meshkova, proof that good beta readers are worth their weight in gold.

Cover created by Brendan Smith

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Prologue – Unexpected Battle

One - Slight Detour

Two - Triage

Three - Lady K'Ti

Four - Dissension

Five - Vigilantes

Six - Perception

Seven - Necessity Exists

Eight - New World

Nine - Revelation

Ten - Resolution

Eleven - Fly in the Ointment

Twelve - Night Discussions

Thirteen - Night Attack

Fourteen - Silenced Souls

Fifteen - Housecleaning

Sixteen - Taking Control

Seventeen - Precautions

Eighteen - Xander

Nineteen - The K'Ti Offensive

Twenty - Native Fauna

Twenty-One - Invasion

Twenty-Two - Explanations

Twenty-Three - Desperate Gambit

Twenty-Four - Confronting the Queen

Twenty-Five - Queen to Queen

Twenty-Six - Bigotry

Epilogue - External Threats

About the Author

Prologue – Unexpected Battle

The battles that have the most significance are not chosen. You fight when you must because the alternative is unthinkable.

-Collected Wisdom of the Forgotten Tribes by Sinda El & Kindran Forn

On the second planet of a small yellow sun, blessed with two continents, three tiny moons, and one large one, a war was raging. The lopsided battle was between a native populous just reaching into space and a technologically advanced alien force, the Mil. Desperate to protect their children from annihilation, the natives evacuated them in converted cargo ships to the lunar colony on their largest moon, a colony protected with their best and most advanced planetary defenses.

As the last shipload of children approached the lunar colony, the Mil attacked.

And that's when things got a little bit crazy.

***

Bridge recording of the Converted Transport Ship (CTS) Goliath, commencing 3125:255:14:91.23 as relayed via beacon 492 before transmission was interrupted.

CAPCOM: Captain! There are reports coming through that three Mil spaceships have come within Command's sensor range

CAPTAIN: They headed for us or the planet surface?

CAPCOM: Neither, Captain. Word is, they're bearing down on the Lunar base!

NAV: No!

CAPTAIN: Steady, Chandra. The whole planet has children there. Damn it! They weren't supposed to attack the base. They've never attacked the Lunar base before. What does Command want us to do?

CAPCOM: Command says to abort the Lunar landing, try to stay out of range of the new ships.

CAPTAIN: Have they called up defenders? Strikers?

CAPCOM: They didn't say, but I can hear talk on another band, Captain. There's a hell of a battle raging on the other side of the planet.

CAPTAIN: And at Rega or we wouldn't have had to lift like that. We can't go back to Rega base, we can't land on Luna while they're being attacked. How long does Command think we can stay out here? How long before the Mil ships take us out?

CAPCOM: Command says to wait for further orders.

CAPTAIN: They're hoping Luna's automatic defenses will hold. That the kids will be alright. Science, are there any ships defending Luna at all?

SCIENCE: None on sensor, Captain. (pause) Captain, there is the new shield on Luna. Many think it can repulse even a full Mil onslaught.

CAPTAIN: Hell of a way to test it. Science, can you spot the Mil ships yet?

SCIENCE: Aye, three large landers using energy shields, stronger readings than usual. Perhaps they've beefed them up since they haven't proven useful against our laser cannons.

NAV: Or they're trying to negate the Lunar shield. Are they going in together?

(pause)

SCIENCE: Together, very close. I-you're right! The Mil shields appear to be coupled. 

CAPTAIN: Are all the passengers secured, Cargo? This may get bumpy.

CARGO: We didn't have enough jumpseats for them all. All available seats that could be converted have been, even the extra bunks in sickbay. The last few refugees...

CAPTAIN: Don't call them that!

CARGO: (pause) The last three evacuees are having to manage. 

CAPTAIN: Manage what?

CARGO: (pause) They're holding on to straps in hold B3. 

CAPTAIN: Straps? This isn't the monorail, Officer. You should have known better.

CARGO: They didn't seem to mind.

CAPTAIN: When have teenagers ever acknowledged mortality? Call down to whoever's on duty there and make sure everyone's secured. I don't care how, even if they have to be strapped to the wall. I guess we can be glad these are mostly teens and preteens so they'll see it as an adventure and not freak out.

CARGO: Aye, Captain. [Command has noted ½ demerit for Cargo Master Torno]

PILOT: Screen three, Captain. The Mil are directly in our path and approaching the Lunar shield.

CAPTAIN: Son of a bitch. Science Officer, what about weapons? Anything we've got strapped on going to make a dent in those Mil bastards?

SCIENCE: (pause) Historically, laser cannons have been used to good effect on the Mil ships. We have several that appear to be in good working order, but they do not have their own power supply.

CAPTAIN: Hell of a way to test that kluged weapons console. The power drain going to be a problem?

EO: The power from the cannons will be taken from propulsion and other electrical systems, Captain. We are low on fuel because we didn't get a good reload during the, uh, expedited lift.

CAPTAIN: Noted. Historically, we have power to burn and a dedicated weapons officer, not an overworked EO and a misused Science Officer, but this wasn't a military ship, the freakin' Mil aren't supposed to be attacking and the strap-on weaponry aren't supposed to be needed. Will we still have enough juice to get to Lunar base, EO?

EO: (pause) If I assume this trip will use twice the normal fuel because of the delay and other maneuvering, we will have less than 10% reserve, less than regs allow. Without weapons and without shields. Sir.

CAPTAIN: Officer, we got kids here and there's nothing but kids on Luna. Regs aren't my worry. Science Officer, if they fire on Luna, let ‘em have everything we've got. Charge ‘em.

EO: And shields?

CAPTAIN: Science, you've got the weapons console. What do you think? Keep it brief.

SCIENCE: Those ships are armed to the teeth, Captain. I think we may need the shields, too.

CAPTAIN: Make it so.

EO: Aye, Captain.

PILOT: Do you think that, if we can take out Mil ship out, the others will blow as well given how close they are?

CARGO: Captain, the passengers and all crew are secured.

CAPTAIN: You might have something, Pilot. Navigation, set a course for that Mil cluster, top speed, and let's let ‘em have it. 

EO: Captain, if we run shields on full with cannons blazing, our margin drops to nearly 5%.

CAPTAIN: Noted. Pilot, have we got bearings?

PILOT: Aye, Captain.

CAPTAIN: Science?

SCIENCE: Ready, Captain.

CAPTAIN: Hold on, everyone. They're about to attack Luna's new shielding. There's going to be some backlash between their shielding, the Lunar shielding, and ours, so it might get bumpy.

(pause)

CAPTAIN: Fire at will.

(various alarms and some scuffling sounds, then an apparent explosion)

EO: Loss of Command System 1. System 2 is holding.

SCIENCE: Shielding at 1/3 capacity.

PILOT: There goes one of the Mil ships! And another! I think we stopped them, Captain!

(additional alarms)

EO: Another energy wave, Captain!

SCIENCE: Shields are collapsing!

CAPTAIN: Brace yourselves!

End of transmission

***

The next instant, an impossible distance away across the galaxy, perhaps across the universe, a bright glow appeared, nearly without form. The glow manifested perhaps four diameters away from a planet that, with its twin, revolved around a center of gravity that, in turn, revolved around a sun. With a soundless explosion in the cold vast emptiness of space, the ship materialized, leaving only a purplish ion shadow to mark its passage from whence it came. The ship was large and wedged, shaped like a rounded arrowhead, painted a gleaming bright white. To an untrained eye, it hardly appeared to move. It looked more like a peaceful freshwater pearl, a gem against the velvet blackness studded with diamond chips. It was serene and peaceful…so much so that one could almost believe that it belonged there.

***

1Inside the pressurized command bridge, the situation was different. Vermillion light stained the strained faces of a frantic but silent crew. Gem-colored lights blinked on every console, topaz and ruby, with nary a sign of emerald or sapphire. Screens showed crimson graphs, some blinking in emphasis, or worse, gray screen. Over all of it, raking through the nervous system like a faulty magnetic coil, was the raucous call of the red alert.

Someone shut that audible off, snapped the Captain. And tell me what just happened!

I’m—I’m not sure, said Navigation, a young officer just certified, Officer Chandra.

Sir, the primary magnetic control system is down. Attempts to revive it have not been successful. System *2 is running, but only at partial capacity. Responses are slow and only at 55%, said the EO. Electromagnetic radiation here is outside our acceptable limits and affecting our control systems. Other systems may also get overloaded within the next thirty minutes.

Anyone have good news? There was silence. The Captain sighed. Prop?

The reactor tried to shut us down during transition, but we were able to keep her lit. Fuel supplies are at 11%.

The Captain looked toward his visual screen. Tm not seeing the Moon. Navigation, where are we? Get us on Luna or to the ground, which ever gives us the most margin or is safer.

Captain, Luna isn’t there!

What? What are you talking about? Are you saying those explosions destroyed an entire planetoid? the Captain scoffed. Science, check her data!

No, Captain. I mean, I don’t know if Luna is alright, but we’re not there. I don’t know where we are, sir, but this isn’t our system.

The Captain looked at her closely. What do you mean, this isn’t our system? We were going from the planet surface to the moon eleven minutes ago. How do you explain finding ourselves in a whole other planetary system? At top speed, if we had the fuel, it would take three months to get to Venga.

I—I can’t explain it, Captain. But it’s true anyway. Not another planetary system, sir. A different solar system. That—that’s not our sun.

The alarm had been shut off and the room echoed with an unnatural silence. What do you mean it’s not our sun? Are you daft? Maybe your systems are out of whack! Maybe you should call your relief! He saw the sun at the edge of the screen, impossibly bright, as always.

Sir, that sun is 2.4% larger than our sun. I have run the scanners three times, each with the same result, and manually triangulated the diameter. I checked for planets, and we are missing our innermost though there’s a belt. This isn’t our system and our planet, our moon, they aren’t here either.

The Captain looked at her solemnly, somehow unreasonably calm, then looked beyond her. Science officer?

Her data checks out, sir. If our data is at all reliable, spectrum differs noticeably from our own sun. This one is slightly larger and has a different radiation signature. It also has an unusual electro-magnetic pulse I thought one would only find on a neutron star, though it is considerably weaker than a regular quasar. Our shielding and electrical system will hold out for 94 minutes. At best. As navigation said, the innermost planet is missing, but there is an asteroid belt. The second planet back is healthier, has an atmosphere and is a rocky planet. It is not impossible that life can be sustained on that planet, though data is preliminary and has a high level of uncertainty at this distance. The next planet is really a binary pair, two planets orbiting around a center of gravity while that center of gravity is orbiting around the sun. Unusual and like nothing we have in our own system. It's also likely capable of supporting life. It's also the closest, well within our limited prop resources.

How far are we from our own system? the Captain interrupted softly.

Navigation Officer Chandra cleared her throat. There are no references points in common, Captain. No stars the computer recognizes. No way to know.

Gritting his teeth, the Captain snarled, Would someone care to tell me what the hell happened here? I don’t want to hear one more impossible word unless someone has an explanation for how we could possibly be where we can’t possibly be.

Wormhole? Tesseract? We’re dead and dreaming? ventured his copilot. It doesn’t matter how we got here. If all our data says we’re not where we are supposed to be—and we can’t long survive in space—we better stop asking philosophical questions and find somewhere to land where we might just have a chance to survive—if we can.

The Captain closed his eyes and sighed, knowing he was about to be faced with limited options, none of which were likely to be good. You’re right, Crestor. But, just in case it’s the explanation, someone run down to my cabin and throw out my whiskey. Belay that, I’m likely to need it. Officer Chandra.

Sir!

Nice job and sorry for jumping on you. Alright folks, time is short, and I don’t know my options. Someone tell me what we got.

***

With sweat beading on his lip, Captain Carson clung desperately to controls which responded sluggishly, when they responded at all. Beneath him, the ship bucked, nearly uncontrollably.

Captain, we’re not where we’re supposed to be! the navigator snapped, tension clearly audible.

Although the tension was more than justified, Captain Carson found himself smiling for the first time in many minutes. Noted. Flying’s tough here so keep updates to what’s needed. The ship lurched as if in response. Damn! Tell me what the difference in pressure is again! This thing is flying like a brick!

Lost control system two. Magnetics were off scale high before we entered atmosphere, but the system's down now. Radiation level is higher than normal.

More good news! Normal for our planet you mean. I can’t extend the wings yet. We’re still going too fast! Damn thing! It’s all I can do to keep from tumbling and, if we do that we'll get torn to shreds.

Captain, it looks like we’re going to miss our target landing spot, said the navigator.

How the hell did we do that? By how much?

It’s a binary planet system. Our programming isn’t designed to handle those sorts of equations. Current projection is we’ll miss the shore by about 2.4 km.

Inland or out to sea, ‘cause this thing won’t float.

Inland, but still along the river.

Well, there’s that, assuming I can bring this turkey down in one piece. Wings out notch two.

Mech Officer Kina did so without comment although Captain Carson knew she was thinking what he was thinking. They were still going too fast, but his reaction jets were all but depleted, his magnetic control system was not responding, and his options were minimal. Just hold together, he thought desperately, until we get down. Then, keeping these kids alive is someone else’s problem.

One - Slight Detour

If the bridge burns behind you, it is a sign the fates have chosen your path.

-Collected Wisdom of the Forgotten Tribes by Sinda El & Kindran Forn

I still don't see why I had to be bungied to the damn wall, Laren muttered. Again.

Rem laughed, knowing laughter was the best defense against Laren's constant griping, and wished that Xander would laugh, too. Instead, Xander's face was expressionless, as still as polished marble. Strapped to the silvery wall between them, Rem knew his position wasn't only physical. Laren and Xander never got along, which was only natural given they were brothers in a roundabout sort of way, polar opposites in personality, and nearly exactly the same age, but they were also both Rem's best friends. Rem still held out hope that constant exposure to each other would lead to acceptance…if they didn't kill each other first. In the meantime, the never-ending fireworks were entertaining as long as Rem didn't lose his sense of humor.

Rem was an old hand at keeping his sense of humor.

I mean, Laren said to the silence. They couldn't find me some kinda seat?

Xander spoke softly, They were short three jumpseats, remember? Perhaps you remember the panic as we left, the shouting as the Mil attacked while we taking off? Rem flinched. Xander's reasonable tone was downright vicious. We are fortunate they found time to strap us to this wall. And, remember, you volunteered.

Fortunate? You mean lucky? Laren snorted, ignoring the last sentence. If we're so damned lucky, why aren't we in jumpseats like the rest of 'em?

Rem winked, grinning and nudging Laren's side. "Danai offered to make room on her seat for you."

Very funny, Rem. Oh, ha ha! Danai is ten years old and thinks she wants to be kissed. I ain't gonna be the one to do it. As Laren spoke, the hallway bucked and groaned, the echo of distant laser fire reverberating along the passageways.

So, you volunteered to be out here. Why sweat it? Rem said.

I didn't think we were going into battle! Laren insisted as another volley shook the ship. Those are energy weapons!

Rem shrugged. A space battle with the Mil was the last thing anyone had wanted in a ship full of kids.

Are you saying you would have rather put another child at risk so you could be comfortable? Xander sneered. You and your temper, you're better off out here. People who can't control their transformations make it hard for us to pass as human.

And I sure as hell didn't realize that lizard boy was going be strapped up with us! Laren said. Isn't that some sort of cruel and unusual punishment? Great Gods, can't you talk like a regular person instead of a teacher?

Rem didn't roll his eyes, but he thought about it. If it wasn't Xander needling Laren for entertainment, it was Laren ignoring the obvious. Well, Laren, when they were looking for volunteers to take the risk, who did you think would volunteer?

"I should have known Xander would act all noble," Laren said.

You volunteered, too, Rem pointed out.

Xander's face was a study in blandness as he lifted a brow. Perhaps you volunteered because you thought there would be no risk. I shouldn't be surprised. Nobility and sacrifice hardly seem to be the pussycat way.

I'd rather be battered to a pulp than be strapped next to you!

Xander smirked. By all means, Laren, don't let us stop you. I'm sure you can work yourself free.

Rem cleared his throat as the ship shuddered. Yo, do you two mind? There are bigger things going on here. He jerked his head toward the hatch at the end of the hall. Do you think they'll be okay in there?

Better'n out here, Laren snorted. "Ask the leader, why don't you?"

"I am asking him," Rem said.

Xander used his telepathy to exclude Laren. Really, Rem, I don't see how you put up with him. The others, even the youngest, are fine for the moment, but scared. Not as scared as the humans, but Tinel and the others are there and that helps.

Think any will transform?

No. Everyone's well in hand, with the possible exception of Laren.

Laren's features sharpened, as if he were surprised, and he spun his head around toward the hatch at the other end of the hall. Only an instant later, the hatch opened and out strolled—as if the ship weren't bouncing and twisting about them—a cat. Rem blinked, noticing the longer than average limbs, the tufted ears, tail tip and feet, the strange silver eyes. Shipcat.

This shipcat's fur was also silver, with medium length hair and just a hint of black pattern in her face, along her back, and her tail. Gorgeous, really, despite a huge round belly. She paused to regard Laren speculatively. Then, when Laren pointedly ignored her, she turned and nosed her way into a loose flap of webbing in the opposite corner. As Rem and Xander watched, she slipped into the webbing and, in seconds, was comfortably tucked into a sling of flexible material.

Did that cat just strap itself in? Rem asked. I didn't know shipcats could do that.

They are specially bred, Xander mused. Still, that's the damnedest thing I've ever seen.

I think they're freaky-looking with those silver eyes, not like a normal cat, Laren said.

Aww, Laren, but she liked you best! Rem teased.

Xander placed a pale slim hand on the wall behind him. Feel that? Feel the energy? Something unusual is happening. They're not just firing weapons—they have some sort of energy field going.

"Oh, Gods, now what? Now you can read the mind of a ship? Laren's eyes grew large as a freaky electrical sensation went through them all. What was that?"

I don't know, Xander said, a tiny frown between his brows.

What are they saying on the bridge? Rem asked.

Would you stop encouraging him and his damn telepathy? Laren said. Another shudder rippled through the ship, along the wall so that it was almost like it waved. "Besides, he has to know someone to listen in."

Can you hear them, Xander? Rem thought to Xander.

Yes, I saw the Captain when he boarded. Now, shh, I'm listening.

There was another wave, an added glow from the overhead light, an electric shock. Rem shook his head, unsure if he had blacked out for a few moments. The bucking and pounding had stopped, almost as if by magic. His feet and fingers tingled, as if he'd gone through a force field. Is that what had happened to the ship? Rem felt a painful weight on his shoulder and opened his eyes to find Laren's head lolled against him, jaw slack.

What the hell? Rem said. Was I out? Whoa, Laren, Laren, wake up, bud!

Rem could actually hear the smile in Xander's voice behind him. If the cat's unconscious, you'll make my day.

But Laren was already coming to and shook his head, smacking it into Rem's chin. Shit, Laren sputtered. What happened?

You fainted, naturally, like any simple creature, Xander said, laughter in his voice. Which is also why you're oblivious to the obvious.

Laren started bristling but Rem forestalled him. Save it for later. You okay?

Laren took a deep breath. My head hurts, but I think that's the contact with your hard head more than anything else. How about you?

Yeah, 'cept a sore chin. Rem wrenched his body around to check on Xander, but Xander's face was blank, his eyes unfocused as they were when he used telepathy.

What's with lizard boy? Laren demanded. Is he finally comatose?

Shh, Rem said. My guess is that he's trying find out what just happened.

He may be able to force his mind into ours uninvited, but these are humans. They don't think like regular people.

Xander's smooth voice spoke in Rem's head and, judging by Laren's reaction, Laren's as well. Human minds are easier. The Bete tend to shield. Not that it does them any good if I want them to hear me.

Damn it, you freak, would you stop it? I don't want to hear any more damn crap about your telepathy when you're in human form. It's unnatural. And I definitely don't want you in my head! Didn't anyone ever tell you it's a violation? Laren said. Then, as Rem internally counted to eight, Laren blurted, "So what is happening?"

Xander sighed. "If I told you, you probably wouldn't believe me. They're saying we're not where we should be, that we moved so far from our system instantaneously that we don't even know where we are."

Our system? Rem said.

Our solar system. They're not even sure if they're in the same galaxy as before. They can't find stars in a pattern they recognize.

Laren coughed. And you expect me to just swallow that?

On the contrary. I told you you wouldn't believe it, Xander corrected.

What are they going to do? Rem asked with no trace of disbelief and was rewarded with Xander's rare smile.

They're going to have to land. The sun's different, more dangerous radiation I think someone said. And, once we land, we're committed to that planet. It's just good luck we're close enough to a planet to land. We don't have fuel to get back up and the ship's largely trashed from either the transfer here or the sun's environment.

Land where? Laren gasped.

I don't know. They hope the planet's habitable.

Hope? Laren squeaked. Are you shitting me?

All at once, the ship lurched, and the boys were pressed against the webbing in front of them. Well, Xander said, We're going down.

As the ship quivered through descent, Rem, Laren and Xander swayed slightly, in relative comfort, despite standing up. Rem could see Xander was still listening to something telepathically as Xander braided his long black hair.

What do you think's going on? Rem asked when the ship's careening became more violent and Xander still hadn't spilled.

We're coming in, just entering the atmosphere, Xander replied calmly. It's going to be bumpy. Xander climbed up in the webbing so that he was against only one immovable surface.

How would you know? scoffed Laren, looking sickly pale under his naturally golden skin. His sweaty black hair was pasted to his head like a cap of crow feathers. When have you ever been off planet? For all you know, they're docking on the moon.

Telepathy, Xander said. If the Captain's running through prayers in his head and calling for his wings before we're slow enough to use 'em, I take it to mean things will be bumpy. And I have been in the simulator. This planet has atmosphere, that's why we're bucking. Xander smiled cruelly, well aware of Laren's claustrophobia. Haven't you been in the simulator?

Laren flushed. What's that supposed to mean? You want to take off your webbing and go one on one, right here, right now? Rem nearly laughed again. Xander's goading had transformed a panicky Laren into an angry one, killing Laren's fear. Rem wondered if it was by design or accidental.

Brilliant suggestion as always, drawled Xander. Why not a tea party while we're at it? No thanks on the fight. However, if you want to break your own leg, don't let me stop you.

A violent shudder and an ominous groaning sound interrupted Laren's retort. For a minute, there was silence. Laren asked in a subdued tone, Did it make sounds like that in the simulator?

No, Xander said.

I don't think this is a standard reentry, m'self, Rem said. Laren, we might want to climb up a bit in this webbing like Xander did so that we don't have anything against the floor, spread the impact over a larger area, back instead of feet. My guess is that we'll be coming in hard and fast. Some of the kids are going to be hurt.

What about us? Laren insisted. At least they're all in jumpseats. There's nothing but this rubbery crap between life and being squished like a bug.

This 'rubbery crap' is going to take loading in nearly every direction whereas the couches are only set up for loading in a couple directions. The people who strapped us down knew what they were doing, Xander informed him. We are likely safer here.

Is there any subject you're not an expert in? Laren flared.

I'll let you know when I find one, said Xander, unfazed as the ship shook again.

It doesn't feel safer, Laren muttered.

The ship leaned and seemed to twist, protesting shrilly. There was a considerable tremble and, Rem would swear later, a notable increase in temperature.

Xander's smile was macabre. We're landing. Brace yourselves.

Two - Triage

A leader is more than one who thinks; a leader is one who thinks when the world is in crisis.

-Collected Wisdom of the Forgotten Tribes by Sinda El & Kindran Forn

The webbing did indeed protect them, though the landing was that in name only. The hallway canted crazily, the walls literally bent and buckled near the joint from the stresses of crashing at such high speeds. But, they were largely unharmed.

Rem hit his head during landing, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood and getting a tiny bump on his head. Neither Xander nor Laren complained of any injuries at all. Using their bootknives, they escaped their restraints and headed to the nearest hold. There were several holds filled with refugee children, but all of the Bete were in this one.

In seconds, Rem, Xander and Laren stood in an opened hatch, facing a black maw with the hall's automatic lighting at their backs. Rem didn't need any special powers to know it was chaos in the blackness. Teachers and other adults shouted for calm but were lost in the noise and panic. Rem had transformed. He was taller, stronger, more physically capable, but the changes were too subtle for anyone but Xander to notice—or so Rem hoped. With such blatant need before him, Rem wished he had more to offer the suffering throng than slight enhancements on the basic human form.

Beside him, Xander breathed deeply through his nose, just as Laren was doing. They could all smell sweat, fear, vomit, blood, some urine and even feces, and the scents of their own kind. The total sensory load was almost overpowering to Rem's senses. He couldn't imagine the impact to Laren and especially Xander, whose other forms gave them a far better sense of smell than his own. Those scents would add to the atmosphere of terror even if they weren't consciously acknowledged. Xander, eyes glowing purple, glanced at Laren, whose eyes shone gold like a cat's. Find the Bete and gather back where we were webbed. Rem, check the children we bring back for injuries.

I should be able to help you more than that, Rem told Xander in frustration, irked as always that he was a Prime but limited